5/27/06 "Il pochi il fiero i blabbermouths" We *will* sail again Part 2

[mickeymo]

I am soooo glad y'all are talking passports - I just pulled ours out - and the kids' passports expire tomorrow and John's will expire in May... Guess I'll add pick up forms to my list.

 

[dzneprincess]

Getting and having a passport for the adults is not a big deal. Kids, are another issue. Since they (obviously) grow and have to be renewed. Both parents have to be there to sign permission, etc.



From the Passport Info site

Shoot speak for yourself fella! LOL Looking at the numbers given on that thread, it is going to cost my family $702 for passports..that is almost as much as what I am paying for my upcoming 4 night WOnder for DH and I !

 

[dzneprincess]

I am soooo glad y'all are talking passports - I just pulled ours out - and the kids' passports expire tomorrow and John's will expire in May... Guess I'll add pick up forms to my list.

You TOP post YOu!

 

[BWVPam]

Wow, Am I shocked about this. I hate the thought of spending that much money on passports. We live right here on the border of Mexico and never cross over. Guess I will need to pay one here and there so there is not one huge bill.

 

[BWVPam]

On a happier note, I got a really nice surprise today My DH called me at work today and asked if I wanted to go to WDW this summer. We were going to buy our DVC Annual Pass to pay for our December trip and trip next summer following the cruise. He figured we could go ahead and get the AP's and activiate them this June so we could get 3 uses out of them.

We can get 3 nights at OKW and we got an offer from Marriott to stay at Cypress Harbour or Grande Vista for 4 nights for 199 Called them and they would upgrade to 2 BR (1450 sq ft) for $399 total. Tried getting an AP rate at a Disney resort and none are available. That means for the same price as an All-Star, we can stay in a 2 br. Of course, we would have to sit through the 90 minute promo, need to decide tonight.

Next tricky thing was trying to find cheap airline tickets. Couldn't find any out of El Paso, so looks like we are driving to ABQ. Look out Diana, here we come. We were able to get tickets from ABQ for $175 and direct flights to boot. I also got a rental car reserved today from national with all taxes for a week for only $107.

Wow, I can't believe we are going now. We are going to surprise the kids and tell them we are just driving up to ABQ for a couple of days. We fly out on June 8 and return on June 15. Can't wait to go!!!

 

[dzneprincess]

Wow, Am I shocked about this. I hate the thought of spending that much money on passports. We live right here on the border of Mexico and never cross over. Guess I will need to pay one here and there so there is not one huge bill.

That is what I am going to do, but it still sux!

 

[TiggerInNY]

Pam,

You're going to love the Marriott. We're owners at Grande Vista. Either one is good. Grande Vista is a little bigger and the new condos are beautiful. I didn't find the 90 minute shpeel too bad. Hey, the guy turned my husband around and we bought. Anyway, enjoy. We also stayed at Cypress Harbour, too. Another good one. If you guys play golf, there's a brand new golf course that actually goes right around the Cypress Harbour resort. We played it. Pretty good. Either resort is only about 10-15 minutes from WDW.

Any more questions, please feel free to PM me.

TTFN,
Maria

 

[BWVPam]

Maria, Which one do you think is better for families?? We love pools with slides, do either have one of those. Can you rent water boats from either resort? Is there a certain area that is better to request? My DH is worried about driving to WDW. we have always stayed on site and he doesn't want to get stuck on the freeway every day going back and forth. What do you think?

 

[TiggerInNY]

What time of the year are you going? I think you said you're going to be there a couple of days, right? During that time, you're bound to hit some traffic. But you're not on Interstate 4 all that long. I think you get off I-4 (coming from WDW) at the exit for Central Florida Pkwy. It's not far from the exit. They are BOTH family oriented. I don't think either one of them has a slide at the pool. They both have at least two pools, though. They both have activities for the kids at the pool and in the main building. If you stay at Grande Vista, request to be in the NEW part. It's across the lake, not the closest to the main building, but well worth it. They have a bridge that connects it. Really beautiful. I can e-mail you some pictures if you like. Or PM you. To me, the 2-bedrooms far outweigh staying at the All Sports. Now, now, don't hurt me too bad for not wanting to stay on-site, but these condos are beautiful and saved us money in the long run. We were able to have breakfast in the condo and sometimes made lunch, too.

Pam, if you want anymore in depth info, PM me and I will be glad to answer any questions you may have.

TTFN,
Maria

 

[tinksdad]

Actually, this is interesting. I went to apply for ALL of our passports by myself. Mike had the flu and could hardly get off the couch. The kids stayed home with him. The only trouble I had was in getting MIKE'S passport. He needed to get off the couch and go in personally. Otherwise had no problems with the kids. Maybe that's cuz I live in po-dunk London! But we do have Cappys!!!!

The bennies of living in a smaller town!!
Since there are only three of us, we all went anyway and got them at the same time. We will be good for the next cruise as well!! Yea!!

 

[tinksdad]

Shoot speak for yourself fella! LOL Looking at the numbers given on that thread, it is going to cost my family $702 for passports..that is almost as much as what I am paying for my upcoming 4 night WOnder for DH and I !

That site had some information, but sold the passports. Just get them at the post office. Much cheaper, but it takes awhile to receive them.


Check out the US Department of State They have more info there!

or Here for zip code location

 

[Dancind]

Wow, I can't believe we are going now. We are going to surprise the kids and tell them we are just driving up to ABQ for a couple of days. We fly out on June 8 and return on June 15. Can't wait to go!!!

Great news, Pam. But we will be WDW when you leave! We come home on the 10th.

 

[WVMD]

Virgil - you are going to love Vero Beach. We had tried to get in there for early May for a quick getaway but they are booked. We definately want to go back and visit for more than one night.

I remember that you liked it so well when you stayed there...... We wanted to got to HHI - just so we could drive - but they were booked - so VB here we come....

and it just so happens that some of my old friends (not older - well - maybe Stacey) will be at WDW, some live close by (Scubas - Lauren is already talking about getting together with Lisa) and some new friends live close.....

So - I think it will be a blast.....

I think we can make it up for an evening at WDW - or fly in early on Sat. and stay at YBC or something.....(Have to be honest - tried to get in at Universal because of the Express Pass - but they were booked....)

Virgil
TFD

 

[justmestace]

and it just so happens that some of my old friends (not older - well - maybe Stacey)

Virgil
TFD

I beg your pardon!! It's JAY who is the OLD one!!

 

[justmestace]

I think my kids are going to need new passports before this trip.....we had to go to Scottsdale's city offices to get them the last time, now we can just go to our post office, thank goodness. Jay didn't have to go.....just me and the kids.

Hey.......given enough margaritas in Epcot (anyone remember that?) I may just tell the story of the rat with the ruby slippers. The guys at work didn't think I'd have guts enough to tell that story to my "internet buddies"........

 

[justmestace]

I see green lights, but no one's here.......

That's okay........T.O.P.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[WDWLVR]

Good morning cruisers!


Happy Wednesday!




Have a great day everyone!

 

[scuba diver]

some live close by (Scubas - Lauren is already talking about getting together with Lisa) and some new friends live close.....

Virgil
TFD

I think we can work something out. Sharon is the keeper of the summer schedule so she will have to schedule it between Lisa's gymnatics camps.

 

[mickeymo]

Morning All!

The Illini didn't get it done, but the Baylor Lady Bears did!

 

[kikipug]

Guess I'll add pick up forms to my list.

You can download them online and fill them out at home... save yourself a trip.