2006 DVC Member Cruise - SSMC06 - October 22, 2006 Part 2

[Diana Lyn]

It was beautiful. A great day to have 2 loads of mulch dropped on our driveway. Even a better night for Gary to start moving it! Walker was helping him wearing his inline skates along with no shirt. Definately a character he is!

Today's looking just as nice, but with showers this evening.

I hope we are on the upswing for more and more great weather. I love it! The kids love it! Life is so much easier walking out of the house without a coat on -- especially when I'm putting several on besides my own.

Ooh--we need mulch, can you send some my way? Last year was the first year for our swingset, so we got two truckloads to fill that in. Well, it's all settled and we need 2 more truckloads. Of course, the swingset is in the furthest point of the yard from the gate off the driveway, and all the mulch has to be trekked through the pool area.

Today is supposed to be beautiful here! It's a good thing because after I give the girls breakfast, I have 13 dozen plastic eggs to hide in my backyard. Can you imagine if I had to hide all those eggs inside my house? I'll take a pic of the yard when I'm done. Maybe you guys can try to find a good mental institution to check me into by the time this is all over. Stop volunteering, Diana!!

 

[Diana Lyn]

I hope we are on the upswing for more and more great weather. I love it! The kids love it! Life is so much easier walking out of the house without a coat on -- especially when I'm putting several on besides my own.

I have to add, I totally agree life is so easier without coats, hats, mittens....however....my very odd children REFUSE to leave the house without coats on. Even Julia yells at me--COAT COAT COAT. I say NO COAT, it's beautiful. She drops to the floor and starts to cry. OK, here's your coat, you're gonna be hot. Emma even puts her hat and mittens on herself and I fight with her to get them off so I don't look like a crazy mother.

 

[#1Mouse]

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY JOHN & DEBI (scrappindeb) ​

 

[WDWLVR]

Happy Anniversary John & Debi!
​

 

[cgcw]

Ooh--we need mulch, can you send some my way? Last year was the first year for our swingset, so we got two truckloads to fill that in. Well, it's all settled and we need 2 more truckloads. Of course, the swingset is in the furthest point of the yard from the gate off the driveway, and all the mulch has to be trekked through the pool area.

No pool for us, but our playarea is also the farthest spot from the mulch. They have always delivered it as far back on the driveway as possible, but not this year. Apparently they hit a house last fall and no longer deliver anywhere wxcept for right over the sidewalk. The best part --- our mulch is free from our Village!! It's double chipped, nice mulch with an awesome pricetag! We usually get 2 loads in the spring and 2 loads in the fall. I've thought about doing the shredded, rubber tires, but not only are they expensive, but I can't imagine having to pull it out of the lawn area. I have no doubt it would get all over the grass and then I'd hate it.

Today is supposed to be beautiful here! It's a good thing because after I give the girls breakfast, I have 13 dozen plastic eggs to hide in my backyard. Can you imagine if I had to hide all those eggs inside my house? I'll take a pic of the yard when I'm done. Maybe you guys can try to find a good mental institution to check me into by the time this is all over. Stop volunteering, Diana!!

Hey, Diana, stop volunteering! You much enjoy it in some way to keep doing it. We'll do our hunt on Thursday. The kids think the Easter Bunny hides the eggs in my yard sometime over night. I'm hoping for a nice day -- nothing like an egg hunt in my house. I did that one year due to rain and it just wasn't the same.

 

[Diana Lyn]

No pool for us, but our playarea is also the farthest spot from the mulch. They have always delivered it as far back on the driveway as possible, but not this year. Apparently they hit a house last fall and no longer deliver anywhere wxcept for right over the sidewalk. The best part --- our mulch is free from our Village!! It's double chipped, nice mulch with an awesome pricetag! We usually get 2 loads in the spring and 2 loads in the fall. I've thought about doing the shredded, rubber tires, but not only are they expensive, but I can't imagine having to pull it out of the lawn area. I have no doubt it would get all over the grass and then I'd hate it.



Hey, Diana, stop volunteering! You much enjoy it in some way to keep doing it. We'll do our hunt on Thursday. The kids think the Easter Bunny hides the eggs in my yard sometime over night. I'm hoping for a nice day -- nothing like an egg hunt in my house. I did that one year due to rain and it just wasn't the same.

FREE MULCH???? We pay more than $100 a truckload! We looked into the rubber tire stuff, and that costs a small fortune. Like $10,000 to do our area. I also read somewhere that b/c it's made out of tires, when it catches fire, it's very dangerous. Not that I'd let my kids play with matches near the playground.

I thought about hiding them last night, but I had each mom give me a dozen eggs for each kid and fill them with stickers, candies, etc. I thought the squirrels, chipmunks and deer would have a buffet in my yard with all that stuff and the kids would be crushed to find their eggs had been opened. Yes, even though my yard is completely fenced in, those pesky deer jump the fence to hang out here. One of them got hit by a car around the corner the other day. I was actually really sad to her and got all teary eyed. Poor deer.

 

[sanddune]

Welcome back Tina!

Since it was quiet here today I was thinking it is time for another round of GTKYKFC

1. If you could do a point for point swap would you change you home resort? If so from what to what.

2. Name one resturant at WDW that you just tried (within the last year) that you would recommend to your fellow DISers.

3. If you had a chance to spend a night at any Disney park (ala Magic Kingdom during Member Homecoming with the park holding only 2000 or so DISers) which park would you choose and why?

4. If you could spend a cruise with one deceased relative or friend who would you pick and why?

5. If you only had one night at WDW and you wanted a great meal where would you go to eat?

6. What Orlando attraction besides WDW is your favorite?

7. What is your favorite memory of your first visit to WDW?

8. What is your most magical moment as a DVC Member?

9. On a scale of 1 to 10 how happy are you as a DVC Member?

10. What, if any, rituals do you have when visiting WDW?

1. I would trade some of my VB points to OKW. I love OKW . OKW was sold out when we bought.
2. I haven't tried new resturants lately.
3. MK , It's what started it all!
4. My great Grandma Ray. She was a realy sweet old fashion lady.Loved to cook and garden. The hobbies that I now love! I guess I should thank her.My mom can't do any of these!
5. Boma's Love the Chef! Very nice guy. He realy goes all out to help with my problems.
6. I haven't left WDW to find any.
7. Taking my kids and husband for there first time. My husband was a big kid in the candy store!
8.Meeting all my DIS friends who all so owen.Telling my kids they get to come back over and over again!
9.A great big 10. Love my DVC!
10. MK is always the fist park.

 

[ohanafamily]

First of all, Happy Scrappin Anniversary!!!!!
and Welcome back Tina!


Now, I'll play...
1. If you could do a point for point swap would you change you home resort? If so from what to what. I'll play the hand I've bben dealt, I might shif some ofmy BW to VWL just so I have enough points for a week there too.

2. Name one resturant at WDW that you just tried (within the last year) that you would recommend to your fellow DISers.The Steak restaraunt in Canada... I am embarassed that we never made it there before last year...

3. If you had a chance to spend a night at any Disney park (ala Magic Kingdom during Member Homecoming with the park holding only 2000 or so DISers) which park would you choose and why?MK... It was awesone as a member event

4. If you could spend a cruise with one deceased relative or friend who would you pick and why?I am lucky enough that my parents are alive...but they don't get Disney anyway. I was close to my dad's father, but I don't think he or my moms parents would enjoy the cruise... Probably my friend Kerry from College. he was very full of life and would always have a good story...

5. If you only had one night at WDW and you wanted a great meal where would you go to eat?Paolo's...think about it...

6. What Orlando attraction besides WDW is your favorite?This question implies the myth that there are other attractions in Orlando... this has been proven false...

7. What is your favorite memory of your first visit to WDW?Fitst trip to WDW was to meet a (ex)girlfriend. All memories have been officially purged frommy memmory...I do remembergoing to DL (sometime around 1976) with my brother. I remember the submarine ride..too bad it is gone

8. What is your most magical moment as a DVC Member?hmmm. By definition, the fitdt trip to OKW when we used points. I proposed to Robin...
http://www.bachosaurus.com/package_details.htm
(note, the rest of the site needs upsating)

9. On a scale of 1 to 10 how happy are you as a DVC Member?10+++ Question to Diana- why such a low score?

10. What, if any, rituals do you have when visiting WDW?Garden Grill..

 

[tinkerbelle77]

Thank you all for the warm welcome back. Its been so nice here at home that I haven't wanted to sit inside and use the computer...so here I am at work (SHHHHH!) checking all your posts. I would love to reply to all of them, but just don't have the time. So heres to all of you...Thanks and I can't wait to cruise and meet all of you.

 

[gometros]

Me too! I believe his name is Joe and I just have one question for him.......just how many earrings does he wear in that one ear.

That's Joe Rodi. We actually met him on a cruise. He and his family were on the cruise and he did a seminar on AK in the Buena Vista Theater. Nice guy, we chatted with him a while, since at the time we thought our older daughter was interested in majoring in art in college and he gave us some very good advice about working for Disney.

 

[curtdennis]

Emma even puts her hat and mittens on herself and I fight with her to get them off so I don't look like a crazy mother.

But Diana - you ARE a crazy mutha.

 

[cgcw]

I have to add, I totally agree life is so easier without coats, hats, mittens....however....my very odd children REFUSE to leave the house without coats on. Even Julia yells at me--COAT COAT COAT. I say NO COAT, it's beautiful. She drops to the floor and starts to cry. OK, here's your coat, you're gonna be hot. Emma even puts her hat and mittens on herself and I fight with her to get them off so I don't look like a crazy mother.

When Cameron was 2 - almost 3 - we went to Brookfield Zoo. It was August and hot as it could be. As we left the house, he insisted he wanted to wear his black, plastic fire fighter jacket and black plastic hat. So, we compromised, he could wear it in the car on the way to the zoo. We get there and he refuses to take either off. I tried every tactic I could think of to get him to take them off. I even told him if he got hot and left them in the basket of the stroller, some other little boy would take them home. It didn't matter.

So, we went around the entire zoo with Cameron dressed in his black fire fighter outfit. To say we got some looks would be an understatement.

 

[cgcw]

That's Joe Rodi. We actually met him on a cruise. He and his family were on the cruise and he did a seminar on AK in the Buena Vista Theater. Nice guy, we chatted with him a while, since at the time we thought our older daughter was interested in majoring in art in college and he gave us some very good advice about working for Disney.

How cool!!!

Hmmm, I wonder what's he's working on in October? Maybe he'd love to cruise with us. I bet he has some fantastic stories to share!

 

[WDWLVR]

How cool!!!

Hmmm, I wonder what's he's working on in October? Maybe he'd love to cruise with us. I bet he has some fantastic stories to share!

That's a great idea Cindy - he'd be an awesome guest speaker on the cruise.

 

[curtdennis]

My turn - Karen is being very smug about getting her answers in first. (What is this a test?)

1. If you could do a point for point swap would you change you home resort? If so from what to what.
I would give up our points at Hilton Head (Our first buy) and put them down at OKW or BCV.

2. Name one resturant at WDW that you just tried (within the last year) that you would recommend to your fellow DISers.
The Steak House in Canada. Went there for my 40th B-Day. Don't get me wrong Tony's on Feb 4th is AWESOME (It's the company I keep on that day). But LeCellier was really cool.

3. If you had a chance to spend a night at any Disney park (ala Magic Kingdom during Member Homecoming with the park holding only 2000 or so DISers) which park would you choose and why?
MK - No question. At Members Homecoming I danced with Karen on Main Street. A MM for me. I suffer from "White Mans Syndrome" so there was nothing special to look at, but The Kingdom cannot be beat.

4. If you could spend a cruise with one deceased relative or friend who would you pick and why?
Tough answer. My dad and I were on different wavelengths so not him. My mom is still alive. My Grandpartents died when I was very young. Oh to heck with it I'll just keep taking Karen until we're both dead.

5. If you only had one night at WDW and you wanted a great meal where would you go to eat?
Tony's - For all the things that Karen said. Good food, good portions, good atmosphere and you have to be in MK to be there.

6. What Orlando attraction besides WDW is your favorite?
I can honestly say that my feet have never set foot on anything in Orlando except MCO or Disney Property. (Really, I don't think I need to be proud of that).

7. What is your favorite memory of your first visit to WDW?
ILLUMINATIONS - The World Showcase was an eye popper.

8. What is your most magical moment as a DVC Member?
Since we booked on points this counts (Stretch it a little) - Last year (2004) our Anniversary trip was a back to back cruise. We never even got off the boat. While they were getting ready for the next time around I was able to explore the Wonder like you would not believe. While on my "walkabout" I was able to get Karen and I into the Walt Disney Suite. (I KNOW what I would do with the $187 Million Mega Bucks lottery). The end of that cruise was a loser due to events happening back home, but that break between the cruises was a BIG MM.

9. On a scale of 1 to 10 how happy are you as a DVC Member?
No question - 99.997% pure happiness

10. What, if any, rituals do you have when visiting WDW?
The greasy pizza at MCO. Right there in the hub next to the Video Rental shop. Not bad really, try the bread too!

Now if I was a real smart as... aleck I would post this twice so I could be accused of answering these questions twice too.... (Pie to you Diana - )

 

[MaryJ]

1. If you could do a point for point swap would you change you home resort? If so from what to what.No way! We love it at VWL! Just this last trip I told Ken again that's it still my favorite.
2. Name one resturant at WDW that you just tried (within the last year) that you would recommend to your fellow DISers.Just this last trip we tried the Teppanyaki in the Japan Pavillion at Epcot. I had sushi for the first time and was surprised to find out I like it.
3. If you had a chance to spend a night at any Disney park (ala Magic Kingdom during Member Homecoming with the park holding only 2000 or so DISers) which park would you choose and why?Probably Epcot. It's our favorite park and it's especially peaceful at night.
4. If you could spend a cruise with one deceased relative or friend who would you pick and why? My dad. He loved to travel, and he was a great storyteller. I feel like there are so many things that I never found out about him (he's been gone 20 years). I think I would just park us on a deck chair on deck 4 and spend the entire cruise catching up.
5. If you only had one night at WDW and you wanted a great meal where would you go to eat?Artist Point
6. What Orlando attraction besides WDW is your favorite? The only other attractions that we've been to are Sea World and Discovery Cove. I wasn't a big fan of DC, so I guess Sea World would have to be my answer.
7. What is your favorite memory of your first visit to WDW?Wow, that was so long ago! The only real memory I have is getting our family photo taken near the hub on Main Street. I guess that having twin girls and a toddler at the time kind of erased the brain cells!
8. What is your most magical moment as a DVC Member? Watching Illluminations from the patio of Rose and Crown on our 26th anniversary, and then taking a leisurely stroll back to the BWV hand in hand with my DH!
9. On a scale of 1 to 10 how happy are you as a DVC Member?11+!
10. What, if any, rituals do you have when visiting WDW? Always find time to sit by the quiet pool with a good book and just relax!! We also would always call ahead to Artist Point to make a special request from the chef there. We learned from my sister that that particular chef is no longer at Artist Point, but is at another restuarant on property. Guess we'll have to hunt him down!

 

[Copper3]

Here goes:

1. If you could do a point for point swap would you change you home resort? If so from what to what. No swap. The Boardwalk is my only home away from home.

2. Name one resturant at WDW that you just tried (within the last year) that you would recommend to your fellow DISers. Sci Fi Dine In Theatre. It had been a while since I tried something new. Reality is I have eaten all over WDW over the years so this is the only “new” place in the past year. Lunch was excellent. Try the BLT soup, it’s definitely different and tastes better than it sounds. I’ll post an update after eating at Boma’s for Easter dinner buffet.

3. If you had a chance to spend a night at any Disney park (ala Magic Kingdom during Member Homecoming with the park holding only 2000 or so DISers) which park would you choose and why? Epcot where all major attractions are opened not just Test Track and Mission Space. I’d like to have an equal comparison to see if Epcot night could top the indescribable Magic Kingdom night from Member Homecoming.

4. If you could spend a cruise with one deceased relative or friend who would you pick and why? My grandmother. She recently passed away and would have so enjoyed looking out over the ocean on her veranda. Another relative would be my great Aunt Connie who would have loved DCL. She accomplished a lot in her life and I will always remember the vacations with her especially the one at WDW.

5. If you only had one night at WDW and you wanted a great meal where would you go to eat? This was the toughest question. If I had to pick one place it would have to be Le Cellier since I have never had a bad meal or experience there dating back to when Epcot opened and it was a buffeteria (as a kid I ate at the buffeteria a lot). Excellent steaks, cheddar cheese soup and deserts to die for. Close seconds are Artist’s Point and Boatwright’s Dining Hall but I have only eaten at each once. For the best food court, check out Dixie Landings’ and the fried chicken. Outside of Little Rock Arkansas I have never had as good southern fried chicken.

6. What Orlando attraction besides WDW is your favorite? Old Town. I performed there with my marching band in high school. It’s a fun, small amusement area with a few shops, enough for an hour or two. Sea World is a notable second. There’s more to Orlando than just WDW.

7. What is your favorite memory of your first visit to WDW? Several are tied and this is what I remember from my first trips maybe not my actual first (I was 2 ½ on my first trip): Peter Pan with my dad (one of his all-time favorites, mine too!); Dumbo and IASW with my mom and grandmother (I made them ride these over and over, lol); Electric Water Pageant from our balcony after my brother and my baths. The key to all is spending time with your family and the memories you make.

8. What is your most magical moment as a DVC Member? Member Homecoming Magic Kingdom night.

9. On a scale of 1 to 10 how happy are you as a DVC Member? 9. I have had a few run-ins with different cast members since I bought, but overall I am very pleased with DVC and its related purchase. DVC didn’t sell me, the DIS and its members did (that’s you guys).

10. What, if any, rituals do you have when visiting WDW? With Casey, we always eat at Tony’s (only 1 bad meal out of 6 times). By myself, riding the people movers (there’s never a line), shopping at WOD the last night of the trip, walking between EC and MGM. One thing I do is to try to do every park show/attraction at least once every 4 trips (not counting 1 or 2 day trips). My opinions have changed through the years and I like things now that I didn’t much care for before.

I guess I'm like Art Linkletter, Ask me a simple question and you get quite an answer.

 

[ohanafamily]

I have to say this, but I have always found Tony's to be marginal for taste, but good portion size. There are much better italien restaraunts on WDW property.


Additionally Sci-Fi has fantastic theming. The burgers are good, but anything fancier just doesn't work there....

Can I add a couple of questions?

A) what is the worst meal you have had at WDW? (any associted warnings)
B) What was the best thing a CM ever went way out of their way to do special for you...
C) What is your favorite attraction (in each park, and if it is still too hard, in each land)
D) Rental Car or Disney Transport
E) Have you ever Pool Hopped? if so, please tell us
F) What is your favorite place on the Wonder/Magic?
G) After your initial purchase, how often do you speak to your guide?
H) Dole Whips,Mickey Bars, and other treats... what is your favorite snack?
I) Are you going to buy more points on the cruise?

 

[chipscinderelly]

1. If you could do a point for point swap would you change you home resort? If so from what to what. We own at SSR and would consider the smaller contract to trade for either VWL or BCV... course if Contemp ever becomes a reality look out!

2. Name one resturant at WDW that you just tried (within the last year) that you would recommend to your fellow DISers. LOL um not many that I have just tried in the past year... so I will say Cape May Buffet in the morning - love those Krispy Kreme donuts!

3. If you had a chance to spend a night at any Disney park (ala Magic Kingdom during Member Homecoming with the park holding only 2000 or so DISers) which park would you choose and why? MGM - it is our favorite, hence why the wedding reception is there.

4. If you could spend a cruise with one deceased relative or friend who would you pick and why? Sorry, can't answer this as my first husband passed away as did both my grandfathers and my uncle and I couldn't choose between them.

5. If you only had one night at WDW and you wanted a great meal where would you go to eat? Le Cellier of course, but we are trying to eat at all the restaurants so we haven't been back lately.

6. What Orlando attraction besides WDW is your favorite? None

7. What is your favorite memory of your first visit to WDW? Riding It's a small world with my father, who sings along but won't admit it! We stayed at Fort Wilderness way back then - very cool - and River Country was fun too.

8. What is your most magical moment as a DVC Member? The 2005 DVC Member Cruise with our new friends, and Ducky Williams and Art Linkletter - the list goes on!

9. On a scale of 1 to 10 how happy are you as a DVC Member? 8

10. What, if any, rituals do you have when visiting WDW? We almost always head to MGM first to ride RnR and ToT.

A) what is the worst meal you have had at WDW? (any associted warnings)
Matt would say it's either the sit down in Morrocco or Cape May - he was very ill on NYE this year and believes the food is the culprit. For me it's California Grill as in 2003 for my birthday meal (10 - 15 people) we had horrible service, the restaurant was so cold we wore coats and gloves and management did nothing to correct any issues. I haven't eaten there since and may not - left a sour taste for me.

B) What was the best thing a CM ever went way out of their way to do special for you...
Our Disney Fairy Tale Wedding team is amazing - but you will have to wait till October/November to hear about that.

C) What is your favorite attraction (in each park, and if it is still too hard, in each land)
MK - It's a Small World, Buzz, Pirates, Big Thunder
MGM - RnR
AK - Dinosaur
EP - Soarin

D) Rental Car or Disney Transport
Almost always rental car

E) Have you ever Pool Hopped? if so, please tell us
Nope

F) What is your favorite place on the Wonder/Magic?
On the ship!

G) After your initial purchase, how often do you speak to your guide?
We haven't spoken to him since, but he processed our add on.

H) Dole Whips,Mickey Bars, and other treats... what is your favorite snack?
Popcorn or Mickey Bars. Don't like dole whips as don't like pineapple

I) Are you going to buy more points on the cruise?
HA HA HA HA - um we did that last cruise, it was a great deal but no we should not do this. If you see us in line tell me to walk slowly away and drop the Disney Visa!

 

[WDWLVR]

A) what is the worst meal you have had at WDW? (any associted warnings) Victoria & Alberts on our honeymoon. I'm sure the food was great but it was just a little too fancy for our tastes. We went for burgers after. We were on the grand plan so it was all covered.


B) What was the best thing a CM ever went way out of their way to do special for you...having us invited to dine with Jim Lewis on the last Member Cruise.

C) What is your favorite attraction (in each park, and if it is still too hard, in each land) Magic Kingdom: Pirates, Buzz, Dumbo
Epcot: Soarin
MGM: Star Tours
Animal Kingdom: Safari


D) Rental Car or Disney Transport Rental Car

E) Have you ever Pool Hopped? if so, please tell us Nope! We rarely use the pool at our resort let alone go to another one.

F) What is your favorite place on the Wonder/Magic? My cat 7 verandah

G) After your initial purchase, how often do you speak to your guide? Once for an add-on, once at Member Homecoming, once at the DVC event in Chicago.

H) Dole Whips,Mickey Bars, and other treats... what is your favorite snack? Mickey Bars on the ship (much better than those in the parks)

I) Are you going to buy more points on the cruise? Nope! We have all the points we need.