8/17/2008 Double Dip 4-day Wonder

[Ski-and-Sea]

I hear you guys on the "F"-prices. It is really making me rethink even trips to the local shopping mall. And I'm glad ski season is over. I know there were weekends this past winter where the gas prices were the deciding factor in not skiing on a particular weekend.

I don't even want to think what DCL is going to charge for cruises in 2010. I think staying in the Caribbean for the summer of 2009 is turning out to be a great decision for DCL rather than taking the Magic someplace like Europe or Alaksa because the airfares people would have to pay would really deter people from going.

Yes, I am glad I booked my flights months ago. Its crazy how the fares change hourly. A friend of mine just booked flights from Newark to Montana and was kicking herself for waiting a few days to book and now has to pay more for the tickets.

 

[Lynda Silk]

Sea-and-Ski, I booked my town car too with Tiffany Towncars. I would have booked through Florida Tours because they are a DIS sponsor but I had trouble booking online. I went with Tiffany because I had heard good things about them.

I was going to go with Happy Limo but I had heard about one family who wanted to get to the port early but were told the morning of their sailing that they couldn't be picked up until later. They had lots of time before the ship sailed, but I like getting to the port a bit early so we can have the maximum time possible on the ship. It's probably an isolated incident but I didn't want to take the chance.

 

[Willem]

Be glad you're in the US We payed about 1400 USD for our flights (per person). :S Hope the trip will be worth it
Here fuel prices are getting higher and higher too. Luckily I don't have a car any more since I can use the train for free since I work for the gouvernment. And Steven has a company car. So no extra costs for us The only transportation cost we have here is the toll for the road to DLRP

 

[Lynda Silk]

Oh, you're lucky you don't have a car, Willem! Once you factor in gas, insurance and repairs, it's so expensive. Unfortunately we live in the suburbs so we absolutely need a car. But it's as you've said, Ski-and-Sea, you have to think about every trip and wonder if it's worth it.

 

[cyndisun]

Hello all!

I'm very excited that we just booked the Grand Californian at DL Anaheim for New Year's Eve! We took my mom to DL last August for her 65th birthday. It was the first time she and I had gone together in 35 years! She had a blast but was bummed that Indiana Jones was closed for refurb. She said she wants to go back before she is "too old to go on such a bumpy ride". So we are taking her and my stepdad for NYE!

I've always wanted to see the Christmas decorations but for the past 11 years DH and I have stayed close to home at the end of the year as we own our own business. It is hard to get away at that time because of the financial "closing out the books" stuff. Now that we have more employees we have decided to take off a few days. Anaheim is a short flight (or longish drive) from San Francisco. We'll probably fly. Love my mom, but I don't know if I want to be in a car together that long!

I made the mistake of posting to the Disneyland DISboard for tips or suggestions. My experience has been that the DL DIS'ers are not quite as helpful or friendly as WDW DIS'ers and cannot even come close to the DCL DIS'ers. I got a bunch of "you are going at the worst possible time" or "the crowds are terrible" replies. So I thought I would share my news here where I know you will be supportive.

Hope all is well with everyone!

Cyndi

 

[Coach Rick]

Hello all!
I made the mistake of posting to the Disneyland DISboard for tips or suggestions. My experience has been that the DL DIS'ers are not quite as helpful or friendly as WDW DIS'ers and cannot even come close to the DCL DIS'ers. I got a bunch of "you are going at the worst possible time" or "the crowds are terrible" replies. So I thought I would share my news here where I know you will be supportive.

Hope all is well with everyone!

Cyndi

Awesome! As one who loves to vacation with lots of family, I can certainly get excited for you. As far as the comments on "worse possible time"...eh...whatever! I am going to WDW for the 4th of July...what's worse than that? Hot, Crowded... And yep, my attitude...WHO CARES! I am on vacation, and at the very best place you can possibly be. So I have it in my mind no matter what I will just take it as it comes. I will sit in a comfortable place to see the evening fireworks well in advance, strategically located to some good snack locations, "people watch" which is a form of entertainment many people don't consider at the MK. Heck I have found some of THE most entertaining shows put on right there in front of me, up close and personal, and I didn't have to wait to get in to see the show. I particularly enjoy crying whining kids that belong to other people.

So as long as you go in with the right attitude, and understand you may not see EVERYTHING, but will see everything that is worth seeing under those circumstances, you will have a great time for sure! (just my nickel's worth)

 

[cyndisun]

Awesome! As one who loves to vacation with lots of family, I can certainly get excited for you. As far as the comments on "worse possible time"...eh...whatever!

Thanks for your encouraging words Coach Rick!

I share your attitude about crowds and going with the flow. We will just have been at WDW in August so we will have had a recent "fix". I'm not too worried about that. And my folks are very easy going. Last year at DLA we would tell them, "Ok, we're getting up at 6 to be at the gate by 7." and they were all for that. No problem.

I've lamented before about how I wish all the boards had participants as polite and helpful as those on the Cruise forum. I lurk on the resort and restaurant boards and I'm often surprised at how heated things become. People are often disrespectful to each other. I know the cruise boards have some touchy subjects, but usually it is very civil. So it was nice to "come home" to our thread and share my news.

Have a great weekend!

 

[Coach Rick]

Thanks for your encouraging words Coach Rick!

I've lamented before about how I wish all the boards had participants as polite and helpful as those on the Cruise forum. I lurk on the resort and restaurant boards and I'm often surprised at how heated things become. People are often disrespectful to each other. I know the cruise boards have some touchy subjects, but usually it is very civil. So it was nice to "come home" to our thread and share my news.

Have a great weekend!

Yep, I hear ya...lots of experts around, aren't there? Wasn't too long ago I was slammed for simply stating a view, and then when I reported being personally attacked by another post'er, the moderator sent me a message that she added me to her ignore list.

One reason I am very much looking forward to our upcoming voyage is meeting all my shipmates from here, this is an excellent group!

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

Its astounding how badly people behave on message boards. I'm sure these people would never say the things they do if they had to do it face-to-face to people.

And some people are just so negative all the time. I chalk it up to jealousy/envy. No one should ever criticize another person's vacation. People vacation when it works for their own schedules.

Definitely the best thing to do is avoid MBs where people are negative.

I agree that the DCL boards have some of the nicest people on them.

I, too, have gone to WDW in August. Was it hot? You bet it was but it was the only time we could go.

Cyndisun....glad you are spending New Year's Eve at the Grand Californian. How memoriable that will be.

Coach Rick....do not understand how any mod could put you on ignore. That makes no sense.

Well....I have some news here. I mentioned that last weekend my ankle did terribly while horseback riding at the dude ranch. On Thursday I had a long talk with my podiatrist. I said I can't go through life with my ankle like that.

So we've decided to take more aggressive approach on strengthening the ankle and fix it for life.

The bad news is that I will be in a cast for six weeks. Then in a surgical boot for two weeks after that for a grand total of eight weeks on crutches

Holy cow - I've never been on crutches before. Thank goodness its my left foot and I drive with my right foot.

But my foot should be all healed in time for my trip to the Jersey shore and the DCL cruises.

So that's what I'm focusing on to get through it. (and I've already booked my ski trips for next winter).

 

[cyndisun]

Ski-and-Sea,

I'm sorry to hear that your ankle is not doing well. Sending good thoughts your way!

Cyndi

 

[disneymama]

Ski-and-Sea,

I have a friend with chronic ankle issues - she's had at least 4 surgeries and is on her 2nd replacement ankle. Good luck!!!!

Karen

 

[Lynda Silk]

Cyndi, I think there was a thread on the Canadian DISboard asking people if they preferred WDW or DL Anaheim, and many of them said that although they loved WDW, they preferred DL! So it looks like you're going to have an awesome time! People said that they found DL more intimate and there's not as much walking involved. And Coach Rick is right about how can you not have a good time when you're on vacation! I had a lot of people comment about going to WDW in August and how hot it will be, but I just tell them that we'll take it easy and go with the flow, and that any time in Disney is always a wonderful experience and great family time. And I can't think of a better way to spend New Year's Eve but in Disney. Your mom sounds like a trooper; kudos to her for having such a great attitude!

And Coach Rick, I second Sea-and-Ski's comments about the moderator putting you on the ignore list!!!! Unbelievable!

Sea-and-Ski, too bad about your ankle but the good news is that it will be fixed for life! And at least you'll be better for your Jersey shore trip and the cruise; you'll be able to dance away at all those onboard parties without having to worry about your ankle!

 

[Coach Rick]

I had a lot of people comment about going to WDW in August and how hot it will be, but I just tell them that we'll take it easy and go with the flow, and that any time in Disney is always a wonderful experience and great family time. And I can't think of a better way to spend New Year's Eve but in Disney. Your mom sounds like a trooper; kudos to her for having such a great attitude!

Most of our trips have been in August, and yes it is hot, and sometimes too hot. I remember one day my legs started shaking as I was video taping the Cindy's show at the castle. Guess I pushed a little to hard that day. We generally go in the park early, then go back to the resort about 1, swim, sleep, eat, relax, then head back around 5. Much cooler, and showers have usually passed by that time. My DBIL hates hates hates going down in August, and was really balking about this cruise, but as I told him, everything has A/C, and Nassau and CC are island's in the middle of the ocean, and while it may be warm, you do get some ocean breezes. To me being at ANYTHING Disney is better than sitting in traffic, or sitting at home "wishing" we could go.

And Coach Rick, I second Sea-and-Ski's comments about the moderator putting you on the ignore list!!!! Unbelievable!

It really bothered me, but I dropped it. Didn't want to be a whiner. This was all over the topic of video taping at a show, and how rude it is, and I simply said if you can video tape without obstructing anyone's view, or using the LCD screen as your viewfinder, what harm is it? I was taken to the guillotine on that statement. One poster said she wouldn't let me coach her dog (or something to that effect). I simply wrote to DCL and asked the question, which they said to ask a CM at the show, and PM''d the answer I got to the Moderator who had joined in the bashing to just show that I am not a criminal and she put me on ignore. I guess she thought I was harassing her, which was furthest from my intent. I just happen to care what people think about me.

Sea-and-Ski, too bad about your ankle but the good news is that it will be fixed for life! And at least you'll be better for your Jersey shore trip and the cruise; you'll be able to dance away at all those onboard parties without having to worry about your ankle!

I will be praying for you too Sea-and-Ski...gotta dance at the PARTY!

Sunday will be 105 days out, and I want to make my Palo Brunch ressies (don't know which day yet), and maybe a couples spa treatment. We did that last year...it was AWESOME! Although we did it the day at sea, and was so neat to be sitting in the hot tub sipping mineral water while we were floating around the Atlantic. Maybe we will do it at Serenity Bay.

 

[cyndisun]

Cyndi, I think there was a thread on the Canadian DISboard asking people if they preferred WDW or DL Anaheim, and many of them said that although they loved WDW, they preferred DL!

I think that is right on target about DL Anaheim. I grew up here in CA and only went to DLA. I first went to WDW in my 20's. I love them both. DLA is quite intimate and has so much history of Walt and his family. I think it is harder to choose between the two than it would be to ask a parent to choose their favorite child! I feel quite blessed that I can do both in one year!

When we went to DLA last August it was *very* hot. Some afternoons we had to go back to the room for a break. But since I live near San Francisco we don't get that kind of heat often. I can deal with it for a short period of time. And that is how I plan to approach WDW *this* August. Enjoy some heat and go with the flow.

 

[disneymama]

Boy, it's quiet here, so quiet.....

Everyone out planting their gardens?

 

[Coach Rick]

Boy, it's quiet here, so quiet.....

Everyone out planting their gardens?

Just hiding on you...but you found me

We are almost down to double digits...Oh Yeah Baby

 

[Willem]

Yey our cruise is coming closer and closer.
And here it Belgium it's getting hotter and hotter. It's almost 30°C now, really feels like summer. Only pupils feel like summer too now (= vacations) so that's not always easy.
This Monday is a day off so tonight we leave for DLRP for a long weekend. There will be the new HSM2 and a Mary Poppins show. There might also be a new princess show at the castle but don't know for sure if it will start this weekend yet.
Wednesday we went to see Kylie Minogue in Antwerp. It was great! There was a "cruise section" in the show with Love Boat and Copacabana

 

[Coach Rick]

Ok, officially double digits.

I made my Palo ressies today after I finished paying my balance, and got a couples message on CC, and taking my son on the Eco Personal Watercraft tour. I guess that is good for now. On Nassau, we plan on taking the taxi tour with my buddy Perry, who is an absolutely fantastic tour guide. Probably do the Pirate Museum, since the kids haven't seen it yet. Oh the kids...hehehe...boy they think it will be another hum drum summer where we take a trip to WDW, do some rides and come home.

So, how about all of you? I know you peasants not in concierge can't make your shipboard ressies yet, but what do you plan to do? Yep, I'm in full planning mode now. Kids still won't catch on, because I am always planning something, and with my travel agent duties, I can always explain it as planning somebody else's trip.

I emailed my youngest dd (14), who was sitting in the next room on her computer, a picture of the Wonder...She started yelling...MOM HE'S AT IT AGAIN! I do it just so she will finally find out what my "fatal attraction" is all about when we arrive on the ship!

So join me in the double digit dance... : arty: Let's get it started....

 

[disneymama]

 

[Raspberry Bubbles]

Hi! We're new to the DCL Forum, our Disneymoon following our Disney Wedding is this one ~ we're really excited. It will be my first cruise ever! We're both from the UK and are frantically reading as much as we can about excursions and so on.

Any advice would be very gratefully received!