5/27/06 "Il pochi il fiero i blabbermouths" We *will* sail again Part 4

[kikipug]

I know that you will all probably tell me to go to the passport route. I'm sure that best. Just wondering how long I can put it off? I hate to spend that much $ now and the girls only been good for 5 years (I think). I'd rather put it off until Feb/Mar 2006 if I can.

Ang

Depending on where you go (the smaller the facility, the faster you usually get your passport), it shouldn't take very long. We're not cruising til the end of May, so I would think that you can wait til Feb... my kids won't know about the cruise til Christmas Day, so I'm definitely waiting at least til then... that still gives us 5 months and 2 days til we sail. I go to a small town post office about 10 miles from where I work.... I got mine in 2 weeks last year. I'm sure it will take longer once more people need them, but I would imagine that they'll still be pretty efficient.

 

[BWVPam]

Regarding the passport issue. I applied for the kids passports on July 15 and we got them back on Monday of this week. Less than a month, which I thought was great. They did tell us that it was good to be doing this now, because they are expecting a great back log the closer it gets to the December 31 deadline. I still have to pay for mine and hubbies, but I thought I would do one this fall and then another around January. We still have to pay for a December trip to WDW and I haven't been as good about putting $$$$ away towards the cruise. I definitely want to get that paid for early.

Pam

 

[justmestace]

Just a quick morning check in. Heading for work. Kids are at school for their first day. I'm hoping all goes well. Jordan was REALLY nervous about her first day at high school. Which made me nervous...just what I need.

The kids passports are good for 5 years. My kids still have a year to go, but I think I'll renew them this fall anyway. They have changed sooooo much since 2001, they don't even look like their pictures at all. Would like them to have the new passports and pictures before the Dec Norwegian cruise. I don't need any problems......

Guess I should go to work. Have a great day, everyone!!

 

[chip&dale&fun]

My two cents on passports - I concur to apply for them now, the sooner the better. We have services that will "expedite" the passport, for a 24 hour turn around. You pay for the service, but have the peace of mind knowing that your documents will be back in front of you quickly. They also take the passport photos.

And you never know when you will need them. We had a friend whose son was denied boarding a plane to Canada without the passport, even though that is NOT the present law...And we will all have to pay for them sooner or later. I think kids passports are valid for 10 years....Let's see a cruise every other year, that works out to be ---- not much compared to ticket prices per day for WDW.

Our post office will now take photos and will also expedite. I recommend turning them in to the P.O. and not mailing them after a "bad experience" with a mailed in passport from a friend. It takes some time in line, but not much.

Both DH and I had passports issued before 9-11 and I am not sure of his expiration date. Must go check. Thought I did this, but it pays to be sure....Would hate to get to the Magic in November and go ---ooops....

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Dancind]

Angie, there have been threads on the Cruise board about Passports. Yes, they are required for everyone cruising (DCL included) after Dec. 31. So, you have a while, as long as you aren't planning any other cruises. The kids' passport expire in a shorter time (four years), but they're cheaper too. Alicia's is good until after our cruise.

 

[chip&dale&fun]

We are avid campers, have a small pop-up RV, love bed and breakfasts and just bought into the DVC - Our November cruise is the first use of points.

Our only regret is that we did not do it sooner. Points will become more expensive as gas prices rise, but I was so surprised at the places that you could use the points, and how flexible they were.

Book a DVC meeting the next time you are on property...(And yes, you can use all our names so we get the credit - ok greedy of me).

Seriously, I was a non-believer of DVC for a long time, thinking it was limited to WDW. But if you look at the advernture's club, I have a long list, rafting, Canyonlands Bikin (we loved Canyonlands and made a committment to go back), Alaska Cruise, Africa - etc - etc -etc.....

It is a "Christmas Club" account for vacation. They still had a Christmas Club when I started work and it was great - no Visa bills in January....(sign).

 

[tinksdad]

Passport Information right from the "horses mouth" at the State Department

 

[scuba.mom]

We are all seasonal passholders, so if folks want to stop by the parks, they can do so on their own.

Wilderness Lodge - Whispering Canyon can give us 2 tables of 6 and one table of 2. (who wants to volunteer to sit by themselves). I did not think that would work.

Yacht Club Galley can give us a table of 8 and a table of 6. But it is at 11:30 in order to guarantee tables in close proximity. I grabbed PS here. I have not cancelled Rose and Crown.....So please may I see a show of hands --

Rose and Crown 4-4-6
Yacht Club - 8-6

Other options are:
Concourse Steakhouse - 2 tables at noon.
Germany Beer Garden (2 tables) at noon
or Morocco (large parties are accomodated) at noon
Alfredo's (table of 10 and table of 4).
Grand Florida Cafe - table of 8 and 6.

).

The Yacht Club would be fine by me - A table of 8 for the adults and a Table of 6 for the kids. We can go wherever the "crowd" wants to go if someone has a particular choice.

 

[chip&dale&fun]

The Yacht Club would be fine by me - A table of 8 for the adults and a Table of 6 for the kids. We can go wherever the "crowd" wants to go if someone has a particular choice.

Sounds like a plan - it's booked!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[WDWLVR]

Buying into DVC was one of the best things we ever did. Haven't used it outside of Disney yet but nice to know we can. We love the special events they plan as well like the Member Cruise we are getting ready for.

 

[scuba diver]

The kids passports are good for 5 years. My kids still have a year to go, but I think I'll renew them this fall anyway. They have changed sooooo much since 2001, they don't even look like their pictures at all. Would like them to have the new passports and pictures before the Dec Norwegian cruise. I don't need any problems......

Guess I should go to work. Have a great day, everyone!!

FYI - you can't renew kids passports. It start from scratch, like it's a brand new passport. We had to do that with Matt and Lisa last year. Pain.

 

[justmestace]

FYI - you can't renew kids passports. It start from scratch, like it's a brand new passport. We had to do that with Matt and Lisa last year. Pain.

Crud buckets! Just more $$ for the government. Glad you gave me the head's up.

 

[tchrmom]

OK, THOSE ON THE SUNDAY MINI MEET - Since everyone is being so accomodating and not trying to step on toes, I decided to MAKE A DECISION ---My recommendation is that we keep the reservation at the Yacht Club where we have 2 tables. One for the "adults" and one for the "kids".....I'll let you decide which catagory you fit in. That way if anyone wants to wander to EPCOT before or after, (such as to stop by the Rose and Crown for a quick pint) they can....

Our PS, reservation or talbe request (whatever they are now calling it) is at 11:30, which is a tad early for lunch, but that will give us the best chance of, as they say, "being in close proximity"...Careful, it's Disney.

I'll PM everyone the NEW reservation number.

THANK YOU!!!!!!! I love it when others make the decissions for me!!!!!

Fran

 

[chip&dale&fun]

Everyone have a good night...Working on my pirate costume for the November cruise.....Sounded easy when I started...maybe I should have inversted in a pattern??? Nah!!!

Guess our cute doggie smilies have all run away...oh, well...

Here, kitty, kitty, kitty It's safe to come out now!!!!

 

[chip&dale&fun]

THANK YOU!!!!!!! I love it when others make the decissions for me!!!!!

Fran

Welcome....See you soom

 

[ohiominnie]

Question for Mr. Scuba.....

If the OSU Buckeye game is going to be televised on Saturday, September 3rd, where on Disney property would be the best place for some rabid Buckeye fans to watch the game. Preferrably as close to Downtown Disney as possible, but we will have a car and so *could* travel if necessary.

Of course, this question isn't for me, I couldn't be considered "rabid." It's for ohiomickey and KT---to help KT ease the pain of missing THREE home games this year!!

TIA!

 

[WDWLVR]

Well I'm not Mr. Scuba but looking at the OSU website it shows the game on ABC. Since ABC and ESPN are both owned by Disney I think it would be safe to say the two best places to watch it would be in your room or at the ESPN club. Then to get to Downtown Disney you just catch a bus.

 

[WVMD]

Question for Mr. Scuba.....

If the OSU Buckeye game is going to be televised on Saturday, September 3rd, where on Disney property would be the best place for some rabid Buckeye fans to watch the game. Preferrably as close to Downtown Disney as possible, but we will have a car and so *could* travel if necessary.

Of course, this question isn't for me, I couldn't be considered "rabid." It's for ohiomickey and KT---to help KT ease the pain of missing THREE home games this year!!

TIA!

Boardwalk - ESPN Zone......

But why would ANYBODY go out of their way to watch OSU?????

Virgil
TFD

 

[justmestace]

Hi Virgil! Will finally be getting the desk to UPS tomorrow....had the kids put it in the car today. At least you won't wait as long for that as you did the Christmas tree!

Decided I had best get myself in gear and look at shore excursions for Roatan, Cozumel, Cancun and Belize. Trying to make it so that it isn't all snorkel snorkel snorkel. So I was "studying" tonight. Ends up, it's all snorkel snorkel snorkel. I promised Mary I'd save Tulum for her! So we're still on, Mary. Aren't you feeling lucky??
Those of you who have spent extended periods of time with me....please... don't tell her any stories! It might scare her off!

 

[justmestace]

Heading for bed....the stress of the first day of school has hit me.

Oh....this was strange......Jay came home tonight and asked me "Where did the rain come from?" Well....it hadn't rained all day, and besides, I thought he knew where rain came from. Turned out, he was up to his headlights in the creek....which says a lot, since he drives a stock 1959 pickup that everyone thinks is jacked up. I looked out back, and sure enough, there was a line of cars looking at the crossing to the north of us....wondering how they were going to get home! Obviously, it had rained up in the mountains somewhere today, and we're getting the run-off. We've not seen that happen before, but because of the fires, I have a feeling we'll see a lot more of it before all is said and done. I'll just have to remember to take the BIG vehicle until monsoon season is over. Too strange!