8/17/08 Captain Jack's Repossession Repo Cruise to PC thru TPC #2

[The FairyGodmother]

Yes. I think the kids can miss 5 days in each 1/2 of the school year. Vacations are not excused absences at all. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that my kids don't need a sick day 'til February next school year.

The principal has made it clear to everyone that she needs to turn in ALL incidences of excessive absences (more than 5 days/semester). From there it is up to the truancy officer to deal with the situation. Somehow, I think our absent note will read something like, "Please excuse Little Enna Jr.'s absence last week. He was unable to attend school due to a transportation problem. He couldn't get a ride from Colombia." (transportation problems are excused absences)

When we tell the school the kids are going to be absent they get extra homework and it is due when the get back on the first day. They end up with a lot of busy work that just stresses them out. Last time we took the kids out of school because Mark and I were standing up in a wedding in St. Thomas, their backpacks were heavier than their suitcases. So we learned not to tell them in advance. But now that they are older we try very hard to not have them miss school. They really get punished for it by the teachers in the form of harder assignments and then even grading them harder then the rest of the class. Seems like it is impossible for them to get their grades back to A's. For the TOAL, we get back the day before school starts hopefully. Elizabeth will be starting her Senior Year and Bobby his Sophomore Year. Only thing is it will be Bobby's first year at the high school so he will miss orientation.

Now you are confusing me....

The posted port times are "local" time (whatever time zone PV is in) and the zip line times are local time, so there should be no issue. If the ship gets in at 9:?? and the meeting time is 11:30 for yours, you have 2 - 2 1/2 hours....

I am hoping that I am okay with my Cabo tour time??? If the Disney Site shows that we are arriving in Cabo at 9am do you think that I am safe if my tour group is meeting at 10am? It sounds like the meeting place is very close to the boat. Do you think that both Disney and the tour company are using Cabo local time? Is anyone else doing the Wild Canyon Ekopark Cabo Canopy Monster Zip? It sounds great because they are one of the few tours that have cruise ship pickup.

Please be very careful about this. We almost missed an excursion and two in our party who were to meet us at the excursion site totally missed it because the Ship we were on didn't change time the whole cruise, so we were on ship time, the excursions were on island time. We ran from one side of the island to the other and just barely made it in time.

 

[jhryb]

Please be very careful about this. We almost missed an excursion and two in our party who were to meet us at the excursion site totally missed it because the Ship we were on didn't change time the whole cruise, so we were on ship time, the excursions were on island time. We ran from one side of the island to the other and just barely made it in time.

Thanks for the heads up. I will make sure that I switch my watch over to the correct local time even if the ship does not. I will also confirm the time with someone on the dock. there is not much that I can do if I miss the excursion because I am booked at the recommended time for cruise passengers. I'll just hope for the best.

 

[radioclash2]

that's my plan, buy a school lunch, but gotta leave some money out with the clothes and backpacks, that way I won't spend it on TOAL

good thinking Monica.

 

[paulasillars]

Brits take over the DLH from the 13th.

Aha! but the Kiwis will be invading on the 15th...

 

[tom31b]

Thanks for the heads up. I will make sure that I switch my watch over to the correct local time even if the ship does not. I will also confirm the time with someone on the dock. there is not much that I can do if I miss the excursion because I am booked at the recommended time for cruise passengers. I'll just hope for the best.

DCL is pretty good about changing the times:

.............................................^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[tom31b]

And again after Cabo before PV

 

[tom31b]

I'm pretty sure they keep on local time at every port

 

[paulasillars]

Hi, Chrissie

There are quite a few nice restaurants at Downtown Disney, or there is the vineyard one in DCA, Napa Rose in the Grand Californian or the Blue Bayou right in DL.

Here's a link to a website that a friend puts together on the yahoo group I'm on - don't know how up to date it is as I haven't been on the site for awhile.
- but it might help you a bit.

For some reason I can't get the link to appear. Okay this is really frustrating me - no matter what I do it comes up with little stars. It's www (then a dot) dlresortinfo (then a dot) com. Sorry, it's the best that I can do for now.

We had a really nice lunch at Story Tellers Cafe at the GCH back in 2005. Its was quiet and really lovely!

 

[tiggrbaby]

Are you doing the zip line tour too?
Yes, but we are zipping at noon! I decided it would be a shame to miss it when the rest of my gang was doing it.

Did you do parasailing at Castaway Cay?
No, I parasailed in Cape May twice.
I've always wanted to do parasailing either there or at the Contemporary at WDW. I would love to have a bird's eye view of the Magic Kingdom while doing it. Since you're on the Bay Lake side of the Contemporary, I'm not sure how much you would see.

How far is Joe's Crab Shack from Hojo's? Can we walk it? Easy cab ride?

I found two $25.00 Landry's GCs left over from our last WDW trip. I'll earn two more from mypoints.com by the end of June. Since Tyreak can eat his weight in crabs, I figure we can use them to splurge at Joe's.

Here's a link to the menu if anyone want's to see it.
http://www.joescrabshack.com/menus.php?LC=CSGG

Wow, I use mypoints, too! No one else I know uses them! This past year I had enough points to get a Dyson for half price! I was planning on saving for the Landry's to go to the Rainforest Cafe as my gang likes that place (I am assuming they have one in DL, too). I almost have enough saved for two cards already!

 

[disneyjunkie]

Wow, I use mypoints, too! No one else I know uses them! This past year I had enough points to get a Dyson for half price! I was planning on saving for the Landry's to go to the Rainforest Cafe as my gang likes that place (I am assuming they have one in DL, too). I almost have enough saved for two cards already!

DL has a Rainforest Café. I was planning to do dinner there one night.

When I found out that the GCs can be used at Joe's, I decided to try something new.

 

[MrsScooby]

Laurie -- that was a rhetorical question -- no need for an answer from a "groundhog" question!!!!!!

Oops.. I was absent that day

 

[MrsScooby]

We just sent in our request to Los Veranos for the zip line!


Linda has a fear of heights, so I didn't push the issue. Turns out that she is more excited about doing the zip line than I am. I think she wants to face her fears and that this will be a great way to do it. I'm still a little worried about DS8 chickening out, but he seems really excited about it too.

We hope that we'll be on the 1:00 tour, but I don't know how full they are and how many people they accept. So we put 2:00 as our alternate time. If they put us on that one, maybe we'll still see some of you pirates if you're still at the bar/waterpark area after your tour. I'll let you know how we make out.

Mike, there are a number of us that are chicken observers So if your DS decides to change his mind he can hang out with us while you and Linda do the zip line

 

[got2travel]

Wow, I use mypoints, too! No one else I know uses them! This past year I had enough points to get a Dyson for half price! I was planning on saving for the Landry's to go to the Rainforest Cafe as my gang likes that place (I am assuming they have one in DL, too). I almost have enough saved for two cards already!

add me to the list of mypointers.....really came in handy when we were able to get web certificates, I used to buy Disney gift cards with them. I've got a bunch of points just sitting there because I haven't found anything I want to exchange for.

 

[MrsScooby]

We are also booked for DoubleTree on the 16th. DH couldn't get the extra week of before the cruise so I am picking him up at Long Beach at 10:30 and heading on over there. Would love to meet up with everyone that night.

So glad you are also at the DoubleTree


I'm a bit short on vacation time too
Is you DH arriving at 10:30 am or 10:30 pm ?

 

[MrsScooby]

There are several restaurant choices around the Double Tree. Ports O'Call Village is very close where you can dine on the water (Acapulco-Mexican food, Crusty Crab, Ports O'Call, and San Pedro Fish Market). Unfortunately there are no ships sailing that day.

Sounds great
Are those within walking distance

 

[dahuffy]

add me to the list of mypointers.....really came in handy when we were able to get web certificates, I used to buy Disney gift cards with them. I've got a bunch of points just sitting there because I haven't found anything I want to exchange for.

What exactly is MyPoints?

 

[MrsScooby]

My kids school calendar was just posted and we go back 8/18 - yup thats right the day after the cruise leaves. DH and I really wanted to do this trip since we had such a great time in 2005 so he went and met with both kids principals and explained to them about the panama canal, great learningexperience, once in a lifetime (well ok twice in 3 years -LOL) and they both agreed we should go. DD is going into 8th grade and we know a trip like this wont be possible once she is in highschool. So they will both miss the first two weeks (MS principal said really only one week of curiculum since first week dont do any work) and both principals said they would count the absences as excused so kids can make up work. I had them email me their approval so I can present to teachers at back to school night.

Both my kids are straight A students and although they may have some catchup to do - I think they will be ok. Of course I know some may not agree with this decision and thats fine.. I think the memories will outway any extra work we need to do.

My parents took me out of school for a month every year from the time I was in kindergarten to 8th grade (my Mom was a certified teacher and my Dad traveled for work). I did very well in school

You're the best judge of what works for your kids

 

[MrsScooby]

and guess what got packed for this weekend????


the Wii......but my brother actually asked him to bring it....turns out my SIL wants one really bad, so they are going to use this as a test run

I found the boxing game a lot of fun
First time I've ever beat my DH and kids at anything

 

[tiggrbaby]

What exactly is MyPoints?

It's a site that I signed up for that I linked to my e-mail that I use for my web purchasing. Every time I make a purchase through their site with one of the vendors (like Disneyshopping.com!), I earn points that can be redeemed for gift cards. I also received e-mails that I "click" on that earn 5 points each. I figure I am making the purchase anyway, so I am also earning something extra!

And I believe E-bay is one of the participating vendors! You should check it out! I've used them for a few years now, and have never had a problem! I learned about it on mousesavers.

 

[Enna]

Mike, there are a number of us that are chicken observers So if your DS decides to change his mind he can hang out with us while you and Linda do the zip line

Mike--

I am among the observer crew. My DD (age 6) will be on the zipline along with her brother, who is close in age to your son. I'm sure it will work out, but it's good to know that there will be DISfolks in either location just in case.