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[takemeaway]

Okay Beano, picture this. I am standing in front of you with a big, beautiful balloon and inside the balloon is my image of Discovery Cove. Now, you come along with a pitch fork and pop that balloon. You are a mean, mean man!

Actually, I think I was the only one that really wanted to go to Discovery Cove. DH said we would have to pay $139 dollars for youngest DS and him to play in the sand. We live 10 minutes from the beach and can do that everyday for free. I think you confirmed what DH was thinking....too much money for what you get.

So now we are looking at the Typhoon waterpark or the Blizzard. Do you know anything about those parks? You can be honest, I won't call you a mean man anymore.

AS for the word frolic? Well, Beano, I have only known one other man to use the word frolic in a sentence and he enjoyed dressing up in women's clothing. Is there something I should know about you?

PS: Your sense of humor is great. YOu are almost as funny as ME!

 

[BeanoC]

Popped your balloon, huh? Hey, this mean man just saved you a grand! (And he's not a bad poet, either).

Ok, so now I shall wax eloquent about Typhoon and Blizzzard. Wait, I've no time to wax... Let me just tell you about them.

Blizzard Beach: My personal favorite of the 2. Why? More extreme slides. Slusher Gusher and Summit Plummet are 'da bomb! I believe Summit Plummet is the 2nd or 3rd highest slide in the USA. Scared the Bahjeebees out of me! Beano says 2 thumbs up!


Typhoon Lagoon: A close 2nd, and it merits mentioning that both of my kids AND my wife pick this park over BB. Why? Because they're wimps. Typhoon has more slow slides, plus the wading area, snorkeling area, etc. (Beano is now yawning). Much more laid back than BB, in my opinion.

So, if you want faster "thrill ride" type slides, it's BB. If you want a more laid back day, still with plenty of good slides, it's TL. (Both parks have basically the same tube-floating river, where you casually float around the park.)

So sayeth the Beano. That is all.



'Beano'

 

[takemeaway]

Thanks for the great input. I think you could start charging for your detailed reviews.

 

[kamgen]

Beano- LOL!!! great descriptions! Yeah, your family are wimps.... LOL!!!

I personally like both of them. TL has a great wave pool, but a bit strong for small kids IMO.
Also look at it this way, if you want more sun and less shade, go to BB. But if you like shade, go to TL...they are very different in those aspects. Plus BB is all stairs...so if you don't like to climb.....

TL is more relaxing.

 

[BeanoC]

Well I hope you can all get by without us for a few days. Unless tarzanman is taking his laptop on vacation, we will be sans internet for over a week! AAAHHH!!!

We are on a plane for Michigan on thursday morning... Spending the 4th of July holiday with friends!

After that, this cruise stuff gets serious. We have plans to make; we can't be goofing off all the time, for heaven's sake. Aren't you people EVER serious? Sheesh. I get a little tired of all the childishness.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go buy a new rubber chicken and T.P. a friends' house before Sponge Bob comes on.



'Beano'

 

[kamgen]

You gotta love Beano's humor!

 

[takemeaway]

(Gets off the chandelier after swinging upside down from it. Fixes her hair and puts on her SERIOUS look)

Well, we just got some papers today for the cruise and you will be happy to know that we are no longer "RIFF RAFF" . We went from a CAT 11 to a CAt 9 without any bribes. However, our cabin is located on Deck 2 right under the nightclub. So, that leaves us two options. Either we go up and join the party or we drink heavily so we can't hear the noise. I think both of our options will work out just fine. (Raises her glass) Yes, what I won't do for a porthole!

I will hold down to the fort until you guys come back. It won't be the same without the Kamy and Beano banter, but this thread must stay alive and I am the woman to do it. (Standing with her hands on her hips in her Wonder Woman outfit. You know, this outfit doesn't fit like it used to.)

Have a safe and fun trip.

 

[MO64RN]

Hi Guys,
I am back after being shut off the boards for a while for a "cookies" issue.

Any way after much debate we have decided to cruise on the 4 day Wonder with Beano and Gang.

My kids are ecstatic!!! I am also looking forward to a different ship and Itinerary. I am really looking forward to Atlantis. You are right Beano! I picture the kids riding the slides together all day.

Less than 4 months to go. When do we get our doc's?

Beano and Kamy where are you guys off to for the Holiday week?
We booked a room for a few night on Melbourne Beach (right near Cocoa and Port Canaveral) We have never stayed over that way but needed a quick get a way for the holiday weekend. We have one other short trip planned in Sept. to tied us over until the big cruise in Oct. Frank is leaving for San Francisco today on business. He wanted me to come but I had nobody to take the kids.

It's good to be back and I will talk to you all soon.

 

[kamgen]

Maureen~ That is awesome! SO glad you are joining us! We don't think we will got to Atlantis...but Beano is! LOL!

beano and family are coming to MI for this coming week...they arrive tomorrow!!!! Yippee!!!
We are going to Northern Michigan to visit Mackinac Island, etc....
Should be a great week!!!!

So, any docs yet?? LOL!

 

[BeanoC]

Welcome back, Maureen! We're glad you're here, and excited that you'll be on this cruise! My kids are already making a "plan of attack" to execute on board the Wonder with your kids! I am happy for all of them.

We return from our upcoming vacation on July 7th, and we leave for these cruises on Oct. 9th! That's like, 3 months dude!

Ok, I am outta here! See y'all in about 10 days. There's a plane to Michigan with my name on it. (Funny looking thing, a plane that says Beano on it... I hope they have good peanuts.)





'Beano'

 

[MO64RN]

Have a great week Beano and Kamy. Hope you have some great weather. Talk to ya all when you get back. Enjoy and have a drink or two for me!!!!

 

[kamgen]

Thanks Maureen! You all better keep this thread going! Be back online on July 7th!

 

[MO64RN]

With Beano and Kamy gone we need to keep this thread alive. Does anyone else have plans for the upcoming holiday week or weekend?

TGIF!!!!!!!!

 

[takemeaway]

Hi Maureen:

My name is Rose and my family (DH, DS 7, DS 4) will be traveling with you and your family in October. This is our first Disney cruise and we are all looking forward to our vacation. How old are your children?

We live in southern California. Where are you located? We will be heading to Santa Barbara and Monterey the week after the holiday. Then, I am going to a convention in Anaheim the week of the 16th. No husband, no children, no whining. Can you say HEAVEN?

WE look forward to meeting everyone. We already got upgraded from a CAt 11 to a CAt 9. I JOKED with my husband that if I sleep with the captain maybe we could get a verandah. He JOKED , "If you sleep with the captian, we will probably get a room below deck with the crew" Oh well, I guess we should just be happy with a porthole."

That's about all for now. I saw that you are heading to Cocoa beach over the holiday. That should be nice getaway for you.
Remember it is mandatory that you "ooohhhhhh" and "awwwww" at fireworks.

 

[MO64RN]

Hi Rose! Nice to meet you.
I am looking forward to meeting some new DIS'rs this cruise as well as hooking up with some of those Old farts I met last year. LOL!!!

My dd is 10 and ds 13. This will be our third Disney Cruise. We met Kamy and Beano on last years cruise. Actually, Beano's kids and mine hung out all week and we barely saw them. It was definitely incentive to change our 7 day cruise we had booked to the 4 day cruise. My kids are on fall break that week and we were unable to go the next week that the Beano clan is going.

We live in Central FL not to far from the MK (about 40 min). We transplanted here from NY 9 years ago.

So what kind of convention are you going to? Sounds like fun leaving the 3 kids oops! I mean 2 kids and hubby home. Sounds like my kind of work. Unfortunately I am a nurse and don't get to go on business trips.

Definitely looking forward to our 4th of July getaway. It will be nice as long as the weather cooperates. It is no fun on the beach when it is raining. we haven't told the kids yet. Just in case the weather foils.

Have a nice time on your trip. Looking forward to meeting you.

 

[takemeaway]

Hi Maureen:

I hope your weekend weather is as nice as ours. We were at the beach all morning boogie boarding.

That is so nice that your kids and Beano's kids like each other so much. It really must make it a great vacation for everyone.

Actually Maureen, I am a stay at home mom. However, I am a certified personal trainer and I teach 5 aerobic classes a week. I don't really consider it a job but rather a hobbie. And, I am not the "typical" aerobic instructor. I am over 40, can't remember the last time I was a size 7, and do not smile all the time while prancing around in skimpy outfits. With that said, I am going to a personal training/aerobic convention in Anaheim. I go every year. Fitness professionals from around the world give teaching and training tips. You basically workout for 6-8 hours for three days straight. At the end, you are not only renewed as a teacher but also as person, a mother and a wife. And, of course, you can't walk for a week.

I know quite a few nurses. Your profession is very admirable. Do you work a lot of nights? I know in California the pay is fantastic. Some women I know only have to work a couple days a month to get the extra income they need. How long have you been in the profession? Do you still enjoy it? Is it hard always dealing with sick people?

Do you take a cruise every year? I hope to do the 7 night cruise next year. IT seems like there are not only more islands to see but more things to do on the ship. We thought the 4 night would be a good place to start to see how the kids do.

 

[MO64RN]

Hi Rose!
Well that is great you are a personal trainer. I recently had one myself 3 days a week for a few months but have now cut back to 1x/week. I still work out though 6 out of 7 days each week. Enjoy your convention/vacation from home.

I have been a nurse for 18 years. I work in an Ambulatory Surgery Center so no nights, holidays or weekends which is awesome in the nursing profession. I work on average 2-3 days a week. The pay here in FL I am sure is much lower than CA. I know when we moved from NY I took a huge pay cut (over one third) and I would bet that CA is pretty comparable to NY. It is all relevant though because it is less expensive to live in FL than in NY or CA.

I do still enjoy my work and luckily where I work now the patients are not very sick.

We have cruised in 2000, 2002 and now in 2003. I would like to make it a yearly tradition. My kids have a break in the fall each year and it ideal because the rates are usually lower. I am not sure if we will cruise Disney next year because after this cruise we will have done all of their Itinerarys and the Entertainment doesn't change much from year to year. Don't get me wrong I love the Disney Cruise and am actually afraid to try another cruise line but on the other hand I don't want to take the same vacation year after year. Hopefully, Disney will wise up and change some of the long running shows as well as the ports of call.

I was not impressed with the Western cruise ports. Key West was too hot and there was not much to Cozumel. We actually never stopped at Grand Cayman last year. I liked the Eastern because the ports were more appealing to the eye and the shopping in St. Martin was awesome. I will also take Castaway Cay any day of the week. You will love it there.

You will have a great time on the cruise especially since it is your first. If you have any questions please feel free to ask me. Your kids will also love it. They are a perfect age.

 

[takemeaway]

HI Maureen:

Eighteen years as nurse. Wow! At 20 years don't they make you a honorary doctor? It sounds like your have the perfect nursing job for a mom.... no nights, no weekends, 2-3 days a week.

Where in NY are you from? Do you still have relatives there? Do you go back and visit often? I am originally from New Jersey. We moved out to CA when I started high school. I have relatives in Westfield and Toms River. My brothers just went back last month after 20 years. It rained the whole time. They enjoyed their visit but were very happy to be home.

Okay Maureen, so next year when Beano emails you and says, "C'mon and go on a cruise with us and our kids," you are you are gonna tell him, "I can't because I have to do something different on another cruise line." Is that your story? This from a woman that changed her whole vacation plans to travel with Beano and his kids. I will have to see it to believe it.

Actually, I understand about wanting to change your vacation and do something different. It makes sense. It is funny but I read that most people liked the western cruise better than the eastern. I don't like heat too much so Key West doesn't sound that much fun to me. I think I will just have to tell hubby we have to go on both so I can decide which one I like better!

I do have a couple of questions for you. Everyone is saying that the "water shoes" are a must. We are at the beach a lot and I have never worn water shoes. Is the sand different on the islands? Do you bring water shoes? Also, what about the water temperature. I was at the beach yesterday and had to wear a Body Shirt because I was freezing. Is the water warm at Nassau and CAstaway CAy?

That's all for today. We are headed out to a birthday party. And, guess who is gonna be there? Are you ready? SPIDERMAN! CAn you not have a good time with Spiderman prancing around in tights? The kids are so excited.

 

[MO64RN]

Hi Rose!
I don't know. I could end up on another Disney cruise next year. I don't think so though. The main reason I changed this year is because I really didn't want to do the Western 7 day again. The week my kids are off that is the itinerary. I am also not sure what Beano has booked for next year but I can't take my kids out of school for a full week. I did the first cruise and regreted it very much. Now my kids are much older and have much more school work now. So if we stick to cruising in the fall, I would really like to try the Brand new RCCL Mariner of the Seas which will make her maiden voyage this November. I have heard a lot of good things about RCCL and with that ship right out of Port Canaveral it will be so convenient plus save us a whole lot of money on air fare.

I am from Long Island originally. We moved here 9 years ago. We were just up visiting the first week in June and only go up every few years. It rained the who time we were there as well. We still have lots of family and friends all around the tri-state area. In fact I have a good friend of mine who owns a business in Westfield. She lives in New Providence.

As far as water shoes, I have never had a need for them. The sand at CC is white sand. I recall the water temp at CC being pretty good. I needed to get used to it a few minutes but after that it was fine. Bear in mind I a Floridian who keeps her pool heated to 90 degrees in the summer. What can I say the blood gets thin down here. As far as Nassau? I don't know I have never been there. But I sure it should be fine there as well.

My job is pretty ideal for a working mom. The only bad thing about it some mornings I start very early (6 am) The older I get the more I want to sleep.

So what do you do for fun Rose? Any thing exciting going on in CA. My brother lives in CA near LA. The only time I was ever in CA was during an 8 hour layover at LAX on the way home from our Hawaiian honeymoon. That was almost 15 years ago. As you can imagine. I didn't see much.

 

[tarzanman]

That is enough of the nurse/personal trainer talk. This is a DCL chat room. Don't think that just because we are on vacation in northern Michigan, that you can just take over these posts. Remember that Tarzanman and Beano are always watching!!!

Tarzanman
BeanoC
Kamgen