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

[MaryJ]

I know this isn't really an option for those of you with children, but have any of you thought about going to the Party for the Senses in Epcot on the Saturday after the cruise? This is really the highlight of the F & WF for DH and me, and we would love to share it with some fellow DISers.

In case you haven't heard about it, the Party for the Senses (or as we call it, Party for the Senseless) showcases chefs from around the country. There are about 20 tables set up where they prepare one of their specialties and there will be another table nearby with wine (or other spirits) to go with it. I go mainly for the food. You can go to a table as many times as you like. One year I went to the escargot table 3 times! Each plate is just a sampler size similar to what you find in the booths in WS during F & WF, but so much better! Last year the cost was $95 per person. Pricey I know, but so much worth it!

 

[WDWLVR]

Here is the recap on e-mails from DVC



2003

Sail date 2/2/03 E-mails received:

12/5/02 - 59 days before sailing
1/23/03 - 10 days before sailing
3/6/03 - 32 days after sailing


2005

Sail date 9/2/05 E-mails received:

10/28/04 - 310 days before sailing
12/22/04 - 255 days before sailing
2/28/05 - 187 days before sailing
5/9/05 - 117 days before sailing
6/30/05 - 65 days before sailing
8/25/05 - 9 days before sailing

2006

Sail date 10/22/06 E-mail received:
1/3/06 - 292 days before sailing


We are now 180 days out so I would think we would be getting another update soon. I sure hope so. Again we have a different project manager than last time so their styles might be a little different. Also the 12/22 e-mail (the one 255 days out) was about Key West and since we don't have a port like this we wouldn't need that update.

Here's hoping we all get an e-mail soon!

 

[cgcw]

Thanks!

Your right, Diana, just about clockwork ever 2 months.

When Julie mentioned an update a while ago, I guess I didn't give it much thought as to when we received them.

But now I even feel it's been a while.

They have to know something by now.

Different project managers, different style. I can understand that. But many people are trying to finalize their plans.

And, the curiosity is getting to me.

 

[alikat99]

I was just going to ask if it's because it's someone different running the show this year. It's too bad that we don't have any new information. Heck, I'd even be happy with a quick email to just say that they are still planning lots of fun stuff.

Oh well!

 

[#1Mouse]

By the way, who took our nice weather? Diana, Curt? Was it you?


Rainy, windy and COLD here today Highs in the 40's with frost warnings tonight.


I like the much better!

Well if Curt took it he sure isn't sharing it with his East side neighbors! It is windy and the temps are suppose to drop. It has started to rain, but it sounds like sleet hitting the windows.

 

[WDWLVR]

I know this isn't really an option for those of you with children, but have any of you thought about going to the Party for the Senses in Epcot on the Saturday after the cruise? This is really the highlight of the F & WF for DH and me, and we would love to share it with some fellow DISers.

In case you haven't heard about it, the Party for the Senses (or as we call it, Party for the Senseless) showcases chefs from around the country. There are about 20 tables set up where they prepare one of their specialties and there will be another table nearby with wine (or other spirits) to go with it. I go mainly for the food. You can go to a table as many times as you like. One year I went to the escargot table 3 times! Each plate is just a sampler size similar to what you find in the booths in WS during F & WF, but so much better! Last year the cost was $95 per person. Pricey I know, but so much worth it!

Mary I've heard great things about the party but it just isn't practical for us. Neither of us drink at all and I'm such a picky eater that most of the food would be wasted on me.

 

[cgcw]

Well if Curt took it he sure isn't sharing it with his East side neighbors! It is windy and the temps are suppose to drop. It has started to rain, but it sounds like sleet hitting the windows.

That's because you are starting to get what we had during the night.

Isn't that how it works.

Pull out those winter coats!!

 

[#1Mouse]

That's because you are starting to get what we had during the night.

Isn't that how it works.

Pull out those winter coats!!

NOOOOOO, not the winter coats! I was enjoying the 70's we were having last week!

 

[iluvdisney]

Ouch - our weather has made a wrong turn for sure! It's nasty enough to make my old bones hurt again! And with company coming from California tomorrow, I sure hope this cold snap does not last too long!

If you'd like, I'll try and remember to mention something when I'm down at SSR in a few weeks. Last time before the '05 cruise, I had the pleasure of meeting David at one of the member updates and that's when I got a scoop and passed it along to Mary and Mark.

Come back sunshine and warmer temps!!!

 

[bcvprincesses]

Morning everyone. Thanks for all the birthday wishes for Brooke. She was so excited. We had a busy weekend with gymnastics meet and the whole birthday thing that I finally caught up.

It is freezing here today. Right now it is 35 with the wind chill of 27. We actually had a few snowflakes today. This weather has got to change fast.

I have a question about the food and wine festival. What exactly is it???? Is Epcot really crazy because of it??? We have never been to Disney in October and don't want to miss anything.

I have another get to know your fellow cruisers question. What does everyone do for a living?

I am an emergency nurse and my dh is a fire chief. We met a the hospital that I work at when he brought in patients. I only work casual so I can pick and choose when I work and who I work with.

 

[Copper3]

I know this isn't really an option for those of you with children, but have any of you thought about going to the Party for the Senses in Epcot on the Saturday after the cruise? This is really the highlight of the F & WF for DH and me, and we would love to share it with some fellow DISers.

In case you haven't heard about it, the Party for the Senses (or as we call it, Party for the Senseless) showcases chefs from around the country. There are about 20 tables set up where they prepare one of their specialties and there will be another table nearby with wine (or other spirits) to go with it. I go mainly for the food. You can go to a table as many times as you like. One year I went to the escargot table 3 times! Each plate is just a sampler size similar to what you find in the booths in WS during F & WF, but so much better! Last year the cost was $95 per person. Pricey I know, but so much worth it!

Mary,

I was planning on doing the Party for the Senses that Saturday. However, we still don't know its specific dates yet. I say this because it can be on Friday or Saturday nights during F&W. In October 2003 there was one date on a Friday. We arrived on Saturday that year so we missed it. I'm not sure why it was like that but there is a possibility it could be on Friday. Tickets for this don't generally go on sale until around July 20th so we have time on this one.

Also, Casey did Party for the Senses with my parents and I. Casey is my niece and she was 10 at the time. Obviously she couldn't drink but she enjoyed the food and she received a plastic food and wine kids cup. They had soda stations setup at four spots and the wait staff offered to get her milk or juice several times. She also really enjoyed the Cirque Du Soleil performers who were wandering through the crowd and put on a mini show.

The food was excellent and very varied (my dad loved the cheese table which was exceptional - they had just about every kind of expensive cheese from all around the world). Although expensive, I thought this event was definitely worth the money.

I spent much of it at the Remy Martin stand and Sam Adams had a beer called "Utopia" that is only sold in the UK. It tasted more like a scotch than a beer and they only gave a taste. Also, there is a free-for-all for tables in the beginning and once a dish is gone, there is no more. People become a little too territorial at this event.

Oh and this may be crowded this year because we will be there the weekends of the golf tournament. I was there in 2003 during one of those weekends and it was very crowded but lightened up the Monday after. We were there in 2004 during Jersey week and it was noticably lighter.

Jeff

 

[Copper3]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROOKE!!! (belated)

Sorry, been busy cleaning and getting the apartment ready for my mom's visit this weekend.

 

[Copper3]

Morning everyone. Thanks for all the birthday wishes for Brooke. She was so excited. We had a busy weekend with gymnastics meet and the whole birthday thing that I finally caught up.

It is freezing here today. Right now it is 35 with the wind chill of 27. We actually had a few snowflakes today. This weather has got to change fast.

I have a question about the food and wine festival. What exactly is it???? Is Epcot really crazy because of it??? We have never been to Disney in October and don't want to miss anything.

I have another get to know your fellow cruisers question. What does everyone do for a living?

I am an emergency nurse and my dh is a fire chief. We met a the hospital that I work at when he brought in patients. I only work casual so I can pick and choose when I work and who I work with.

OK, I am a computer applications/systems tester which means I test computer programs/systems that other people develop/program. I used to be a progammer but was asked to take a testing assignment about 7 years ago and have not gone back to programming, yet. Testing is also called quality assurance and the related title qould be quality assurance analyst. For the most part it is a pretty easy job and because of it being pretty easy, a lot of jobs get farmed to India. That is one reason why I am out of work a lot. Now that I have moved to Florida I plan on going for my master's in a year (because it's cheaper as a resident) and switching to either programming or some type of database work. That interests me more.

I also, as a hobbie, play tournament poker at casinos. It hasn't been particularly profitable yet, mostly moral victories. I can get to just before the final table usually. I haven't played in Tampa yet, don't like that casino because they allow smoking at the tables. So far I have made one final table and just missed five times (10-16th). Also, I placed 65 out of 495 in a world poker tour event (a limit event, not the TV one) at Foxwoods (40th and higher paid). When I have the time to devote to poker I will start playing again because I am very rusty.

Now, you asked about Food and Wine, Epcot has booths setup with some type of food and spirit for specific countries/regions sold as appetizer sized portions. Because of this World Showcase can get crowded. The rides didn't seem that much more crowded just people walking around World Showcase. Also, there are special events like wine tastings and cooking demonstrations at various times each day by celebrity/top chefs from around the country. Then, there are special dining affairs like lunch and learn with the chefs, sit-down dinners and appetizers like happy hours. I would say check out what is on the links on this board if you have questions. It is a really great time to visit Epcot.

Jeff

 

[alikat99]

During F&WF at Epcot, there are stations set up all around the World Showcase where you can get samples of foods & wines from all over the world (not just the countries that are represented around WS). Most of the samples are between $1-4. Chris and I usually split LOTS of stuff all around the world, and enjoy every minute of it. Yummy, yum, yum!!!

 

[alikat99]

As for what I do, due to a layoff, I'm now a stay-at-home mom. But, in my previous life, I used to work for AT&T in telecommunications. I've done a variety of jobs, but before I left, I was doing scheduling and verification of our HUGE customer's wide area networks. But, my job got outsourced to India and was laid off in December '04.

I'm thinking about what I want to do with my life when I grow up and the girls are both in school full-time. At this point, I'm considering becoming a teacher. My undergrad degree is in Mathematics with a minor in Computers and I have a Masters in Telecommunications. I'm thinking that I might teach Math, since I don't want to go back to corporate America!!

As for my DH, currently he's a Database Administrator here in St. Petersburg. If you shop at any supermarkets that print out the coupons at the register with the red stripe at the top/bottom, that's what his company does. Before that, he was a consultant/programmer for Andersen Consulting. Basically, I call him a computer geek!!

 

[Diana Lyn]

I have another get to know your fellow cruisers question. What does everyone do for a living?

Well, in my previous life I worked for an HMO as an Actuarial Analyst. Basically, an actuary works with statisical data, trends and cost effectiveness. Yup. I was one of those people who did the number crunching for an insurance company. I managed databases chock full of medical information and produced reports on how we could effectively save more money. (Insurance lingo--deny, deny deny!) It was actually a very interesting job and I enjoyed it alot. The bonus of it all was that I didn't have to deal with doctors, hospitals or patients (like most insurance jobs), but I did have to answer to Medical Directors and VPs, which did get a little stressful at times.

Since retirement, I'm a SAHM! I'm lovin it even more than my last job and I don't think I'll go back into the business field when the girls go to school. Instead I'm thinking about getting a teaching certificate and working in a school. I have 4 more years to decide on that!

As for Bruce the Shark, I have no idea what he does! All I know is that our phone rings 24/7 with people who have problems that he is expected to solve. No, no---he's a engineer/manager for an electrical power manufacturing company.

 

[Diana Lyn]

I'm thinking about what I want to do with my life when I grow up and the girls are both in school full-time. At this point, I'm considering becoming a teacher. My undergrad degree is in Mathematics with a minor in Computers and I have a Masters in Telecommunications. I'm thinking that I might teach Math, since I don't want to go back to corporate America!!

OK, out of all our similarities, this one scares me the most! I was posting the same time as you and didn't get to read what you said until after I said I was going to try to do this!!

The difference between you and me is my undergrad degrees are in International Business and French. So I want to be a French teacher!

 

[alikat99]

OK, out of all our similarities, this one scares me the most! I was posting the same time as you and didn't get to read what you said until after I said I was going to try to do this!!

The difference between you and me is my undergrad degrees are in International Business and French. So I want to be a French teacher!

Where, oh where, is that Twilight Zone music?!?!?!?!

I was reading your response thinking, OMG, another thing that we have in common.

I'm telling you, we are sisters separated when we were VERY young. It's just too funny how much we are alike (well, except that Walmart thing ).

 

[scrappy910]

Well if Curt took it he sure isn't sharing it with his East side neighbors! It is windy and the temps are suppose to drop. It has started to rain, but it sounds like sleet hitting the windows.

Gail,

Sounds like a good day to get all that ebay stuff together, pictures taken and items listed. Think of all the extra money you could have for Disneyland. You know they have World of Disney there too, maybe some new stuff we didn't buy at WDW World of Disney in March.

Carol

 

[scrappy910]

As for my DH, currently he's a Database Administrator here in St. Petersburg. If you shop at any supermarkets that print out the coupons at the register with the red stripe at the top/bottom, that's what his company does. Before that, he was a consultant/programmer for Andersen Consulting. Basically, I call him a computer geek!!

Amy,

Chris and Joe should get along great. Joe was a database administrator, then a couple of years ago he went into management. Of course that is in the past since he was informed his job is being eliminated as of May 4. He would like to stay in the management part because he didn't keep up to date on the technical end, but who knows. He has been doing some studying of the newer technical stuff.

Diana,

My younger brother (Gail's older brother) is an actuary. He works in Cleveland.

It's amazing how much a group can have in common.

I currently work for Hallmark as a merchandiser. I have 3 grocery stores where I go each week and mainly straighten what other people couldn't put back right, order and restock. Holidays are pretty busy with taking down one holiday and putting up another in its place. When taking down a holiday every card has to be scanned before being shipped back to Hallmark. I enjoy the job mainly because I pretty much choose what days I want to work. And here it is only 11 am and I am already home from todays store. My job could be a whole lot worse - I could be assigned to the card department at Wal-mart!

I am willing to take on some of the cooler weather and rain. We are suppose to get to 90 again today. Should be really WARM in Orlando.

Carol