9/10/2012 ~ 6 WONDERful nights ~ VC to L.A.

[sweetpee_1993]

I got my confirmation from my TA today! Deposit is paid! WooHOOO!!!

This will be only our 2nd cruise. Our first isn't until September this year, 3-night Dream. I sure hope we like cruising.

My family on the adventure will be:

ME! Kelly/SweetPee/Mom
DH - Tracey/Dad
DS1 - Chandler. Will be 16yro at time of cruise
DS2 - Brian. Will be 14 yro at time of cruise

Who else is in???

 

[cccdisney]

We'll be there!! Our first cruise ever!!

Myself
my DH
DD - will be 14
DS - will be 13 and
DS - will be 6


We also have friends that will be joining us!

 

[Kathymford]

I was starting to think I was the only one booking this cruise!!

This will be our first Disney cruise, but my 2nd cruise. Just me and my BF; cannot wait. I just paid my deposit and am researching insurance. How do I keep myself occupied for this long???

 

[cccdisney]

I was starting to think I was the only one booking this cruise!!

This will be our first Disney cruise, but my 2nd cruise. Just me and my BF; cannot wait. I just paid my deposit and am researching insurance. How do I keep myself occupied for this long???

I know! 17 months is going to be a long, long wait. Can't wait to take my first cruise though!

We booked this cruise because it was by far the most reasonable one for us to take. We didn't chose it for the ports or excursions, simply for the Disney Cruise Line experience.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Hey there! Wow! There's 3 of us already! Fantastic!

It sure is a long way out but time flies so fast anymore I know it'll be here before I know it.

We picked this cruise because we wanted to go ahead and get something on the books once they released the rest of the Magic & Wonder itineraries. Even with DCL sailing out of Galveston which is about 2 hours from here, we still chose THIS cruise. Hubby has always wanted to take me to San Francisco. I've always wanted to see Disneyland. This is the perfect opportunity!

Anyone doing a post-cruise Disneyland stay??? I'm planning on 4 days, hopefully. A lot can happen in 17 months!

 

[cccdisney]

Well - we actually live about an hour east of San Francisco! If a good promotion comes up we will probably switch to another cruise - especially if we can grab a good deal that is during a school break. But if not, we are perfectly happy to do this one. SF will be a different experience from a Disney cruise ship, right? And we have never been to Vancouver!

We go to Disneyland a few times a year - don't think we will add any days to the end of this trip because the kids will have already missed a week of school.

 

[Kathymford]

We have never been to SF, so 2 days there has been quite the selling point for us. We live about 30 minutes north of DL, so we are there often (AP course!). We are planning to fly to Vancouver for Sat/Sun before the cruise; yet another first for us!!

 

[giftcard]

Hi Everyone! I'm so excited to be able to officially join this roll call as we put down our deposit today!!! It will be my BFF Keri and myself. The trip is to celebrate my 35th birthday. This will be our third cruise together and our first on Disney. We're both from Vancouver and are pretty excited to take a short cab ride downtown instead of a flight before the cruise (and then a nice short flight home from LA).

I've never been to San Fran and am thrilled we're getting two days there. We'll probably do several days at Disneyland after the cruise but won't decide that for awhile.

Can't believe the trip is so far away. But I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone before then. I'm also really looking forward to "Fish Extenders" (I think that's what they're called) and our group hopefully getting a fun name and logo like the ones I've seen in other people's signatures.

Cheers,
Marsi

 

[msbiscuit]

Hi Everyone!

I've switched my deposit from the 12/1/2012 Fantasy to this Pacific Coast itinerary - it's a cruise I've wanted to take for a long time!
Vancouver will be completely new to me and I'm really looking forward to it. I absolutely love San Francisco and can't wait to see it again! I'm hoping to revisit some familiar sights - like the Maritime Museum near Ghiradelli Square - and see some new things. So many excursions that sound like fun!
I'm not sure if I'll be going to Disneyland at the end of the cruise, but I know I'll surely be tempted. It's so cool when they set up the Haunted Mansion for Halloween, er, Christmas, er, Halloween!
So far I'm cruising on my own; this is my 2nd DCL experience. Sailed on the Dream (and I LOVE the Dream) in February and totally got hooked!

Barb

 

[lyn9856]

Just booked!!
back to back with the Sept 3rd Alaska

Lyn and Bob

 

[giftcard]

Welcome Barb, Lyn & Bob!!!

Barb - I love the NBC overlay of the Haunted Mansion. It's so fun!!!

 

[msbiscuit]

Welcome Barb, Lyn & Bob!!!

Barb - I love the NBC overlay of the Haunted Mansion. It's so fun!!!

Thank you for the welcome! (And I'm so envious of Lyn & Bob's B2B!!)

I love the way DL goes all out for Halloween! WDW used to have a '999 Happy Haunts Ball', but discontinued it. That was the one time I actually experienced alcohol being served in the Magic Kingdom!

 

[Kathymford]

Welcome to everyone. It is such a long wait...so I booked a WDW vacation for this fall to occupy my time!! Yay! My first trip ever!

 

[msbiscuit]

Welcome to everyone. It is such a long wait...so I booked a WDW vacation for this fall to occupy my time!! Yay! My first trip ever!

Can't say as I blame you! Enjoy!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Wow! Lots to catch up on! Our little group is growing... Yaaaaayyy!!!

Hi Everyone! I'm so excited to be able to officially join this roll call as we put down our deposit today!!! It will be my BFF Keri and myself. The trip is to celebrate my 35th birthday. This will be our third cruise together and our first on Disney. We're both from Vancouver and are pretty excited to take a short cab ride downtown instead of a flight before the cruise (and then a nice short flight home from LA).

I've never been to San Fran and am thrilled we're getting two days there. We'll probably do several days at Disneyland after the cruise but won't decide that for awhile.

Can't believe the trip is so far away. But I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone before then. I'm also really looking forward to "Fish Extenders" (I think that's what they're called) and our group hopefully getting a fun name and logo like the ones I've seen in other people's signatures.

Cheers,
Marsi

Hiya, Marsi! We should totally do a FE exchange! I've not actually been in one yet but I will be before this cruise. I'm totally useless with the logos and digital art. We should do a name, tho. Any thoughts???

Hi Everyone!

I've switched my deposit from the 12/1/2012 Fantasy to this Pacific Coast itinerary - it's a cruise I've wanted to take for a long time!
Vancouver will be completely new to me and I'm really looking forward to it. I absolutely love San Francisco and can't wait to see it again! I'm hoping to revisit some familiar sights - like the Maritime Museum near Ghiradelli Square - and see some new things. So many excursions that sound like fun!
I'm not sure if I'll be going to Disneyland at the end of the cruise, but I know I'll surely be tempted. It's so cool when they set up the Haunted Mansion for Halloween, er, Christmas, er, Halloween!
So far I'm cruising on my own; this is my 2nd DCL experience. Sailed on the Dream (and I LOVE the Dream) in February and totally got hooked!

Barb

Hi there, Barb! Ooooh...since they released the new info on the Fantasy have you regretted switching??? The Fantasy looks like it's going to be an experience unto itself just like the Dream. Speaking of the Dream, how exciting that you've already sailed on her! We'll be taking our very first cruise ever on the Dream this September. I can't wait!!!

So which excersions grab your attention the most??? The hubby and I looked at all of the San Fran things and poured over the time and what you do on each, etc. I really want to do the Alcatraz at night. I want to go to the Walt Disney Family Museum but I'm worried the alotted time won't be enough for us. I'm also thinking that Muir Woods one looks fascinating. We may just rent a car for the 2 port days and just do the Alcatraz at night as the only scheduled excursion. Of course, the thought process is likely to evolve in 1/2 dozen circles between now and then....

What exactly is at Ghiradelli Square??? Is that just a shopping area or is it an actual place where Ghiradelli chocolate is made???

Just booked!!
back to back with the Sept 3rd Alaska

Lyn and Bob

Hi Lyn & Bob! Ooooohhh...B2B! That'll make for a heckuva cruise for y'all. Sounds heavenly!

Welcome to everyone. It is such a long wait...so I booked a WDW vacation for this fall to occupy my time!! Yay! My first trip ever!

Yay! When are you going to be there? We'll be at the WL from 9/11 - 9/15, on a 3-night Dream cruise 9/15 - 9/18, then at the YC from 9/18 - 9/24. I'm so psyched! How exciting, your first trip to WDW!!! What do you look forward to seeing the most???

 

[Kathymford]

Yay! When are you going to be there? We'll be at the WL from 9/11 - 9/15, on a 3-night Dream cruise 9/15 - 9/18, then at the YC from 9/18 - 9/24. I'm so psyched! How exciting, your first trip to WDW!!! What do you look forward to seeing the most???

We are going Oct 7 - 14th!! I just booked my flights last week, so no going back now!! Most excited to see...well, we will be there during F&W, so I'm excited about that. And I've been making dining reservations, so I'm VERY excited about that!! Being local to DL, and a major vet, I can't wait to see the difference you know. I know it's huge. That's all I know! Oh, and we're definitely taking a day to go see see the Potterland (ssshhh! don't tell!).

Your plans for SF sound very similar to ours. Totally in for an Alcatraz at night tour and the museum is a must too!!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

We are going Oct 7 - 14th!! I just booked my flights last week, so no going back now!! Most excited to see...well, we will be there during F&W, so I'm excited about that. And I've been making dining reservations, so I'm VERY excited about that!! Being local to DL, and a major vet, I can't wait to see the difference you know. I know it's huge. That's all I know! Oh, and we're definitely taking a day to go see see the Potterland (ssshhh! don't tell!).

Your plans for SF sound very similar to ours. Totally in for an Alcatraz at night tour and the museum is a must too!!

I'm almost envious. I don't even remember my first trip to WDW because I was a toddler. I grew up in the metro Orlando area. WDW has been part of my life ever since I can remember...although it's different once I grew up and introduced my family to it. As totally enthralled as I am about seeing Disneyland for the first time in 2012, I cannot even begin to imagine how crazy-exciting it is to visit WDW for the first time. Speaking of DL, I may drive you nuts asking questions and getting tips to make the most of our time there. There's tons of info about WDW everywhere but DL not so much. I've had people tell me I'll be disappointed in Disneyland because of the size difference. I don't want to go to Disneyland, tho, because I want to see another WDW. I want to go to experience something different in as many ways as possible. If it's smaller then that's great. It'll make it special!

Yep, I think Alcatraz at night would rock. Hubby lived in Antioch (I guess that's somewhere near SF) for a couple years when he was a kid. He talks about wanting us to see Lombard Street. I want to ride a streetcar just so I can say I did. I'm excited to see a little of California. Of course, DH swears I'll love the weather and never want to leave.

 

[msbiscuit]

Wow! Lots to catch up on! Our little group is growing... Yaaaaayyy!!!

Hi there, Barb! Ooooh...since they released the new info on the Fantasy have you regretted switching??? The Fantasy looks like it's going to be an experience unto itself just like the Dream. Speaking of the Dream, how exciting that you've already sailed on her! We'll be taking our very first cruise ever on the Dream this September. I can't wait!!!

So which excersions grab your attention the most??? The hubby and I looked at all of the San Fran things and poured over the time and what you do on each, etc. I really want to do the Alcatraz at night. I want to go to the Walt Disney Family Museum but I'm worried the alotted time won't be enough for us. I'm also thinking that Muir Woods one looks fascinating. We may just rent a car for the 2 port days and just do the Alcatraz at night as the only scheduled excursion. Of course, the thought process is likely to evolve in 1/2 dozen circles between now and then....

What exactly is at Ghiradelli Square??? Is that just a shopping area or is it an actual place where Ghiradelli chocolate is made???

I really loved the Dream, but am so excited about this cruise along the coast that I think I will enjoy the Wonder just as much! I hope you enjoy the Dream as much as I did!

I've looked over the San Francisco excursions and am thinking about Muir Woods and/or the Sonoma trip. I really like the public transportation options in San Francisco and am happy riding the cable cars for entertainment, as well!
For anyone interested, there's a wonderful maritime museum at the end of Fisherman's Wharf near Ghiradelli Square and the cable car turnaround. You can visit an indoor museum as well as a number of walk aboard historic vessels across the street. It also has a view of Alcatraz.

You can think of Ghiradelli Square in terms of Downtown Disney - there's the Ghiradelli soda fountain and chocolate sales shop, as well as lots of shopping surrounding it. It has a very cute dog shop that I'd like to visit again!

I can't believe I have over a year to be excited about this!

Barb

 

[msbiscuit]

We are going Oct 7 - 14th!! I just booked my flights last week, so no going back now!! Most excited to see...well, we will be there during F&W, so I'm excited about that. And I've been making dining reservations, so I'm VERY excited about that!! Being local to DL, and a major vet, I can't wait to see the difference you know. I know it's huge. That's all I know! Oh, and we're definitely taking a day to go see see the Potterland (ssshhh! don't tell!).

Your plans for SF sound very similar to ours. Totally in for an Alcatraz at night tour and the museum is a must too!!

Ooooh, you will totally LOVE F&W!!!! So different from the F&W at California Adventure!
No problems with Potterland - who can resist trying 'Butterbeer'????!!!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Ooooh, you will totally LOVE F&W!!!! So different from the F&W at California Adventure!
No problems with Potterland - who can resist trying 'Butterbeer'????!!!

I know, right? Anything with "butter" in the name can't be bad!