Aug 03 2008 Magic (West Coast)

[MN Dis Fans]

I've been a bit laid up this week. The upside to this is I've finally made the time to do some research, make some reservations, etc.

We've also added 3x more to our travelling group. My Brother (aka Uncle Tony), and my parents (aka Grandpa Pete & Grandma Dorothy) will be joining us.

We'll all be flying down 31 July, and spending the 1st & 2nd of August at Dinsey Land. We're big WDW fans, but this will be our 1st DL visit. (I don't think I can count a 1-day visit my DW made when she was a child, several? years ago.

Anyone else getting in the "Commando Planning Mode" yet?

 

[amanuensis]

Okay here is amended list:

1. HeelMD - Grant, DW, DD-8, DS-5 rm - 8530 (Charlotte, NC)
2. DL DCA Fans - DH, DW DS-20,DS-18 Late seating (Southern California)
3. Mn Dis Fans - Paul DW DS Chad-13 DS-10 (Late) rm - 5522 & 5524 (Fergus Falls, Minnesota) PLUS Uncle Tony and DM Dorothy and DF Pete
4. Vossjemi - DH DW DS-6, DD-8 (Early)
5. Lola2 - Lola-32 DH-33 DD-13 DDBF-12 DS-6 (Early) rm - 5022 & 5024
6. Amanuensis - DH-59, DW-55, DS-14 (Early) rm - 7063 (Oceanside, Calif.)
7. Friends of Amanuensis - Single Mom (50ish), DD-12 (Late dining but waitlisted for Early) (La Jolla, Cal.)
8. caitlinsdad - DH, DW, DD -11 (Early)
9. eeyoregon - Gina, DS Hayden(15), DS Jensen(12) (Late) rm -5520
10. IAN.Whiteley - Dad-42 DW-44, DS-13 DD-10 (Milton Keynes, UK)
11. Friends of HeelMD - DH DW, DS-14, DS-12 DS-10 rm - 8516
12. Debogan - Debbie-50 DS-12 DS-15 (Early) (Southern California)
13. Susan W - Susan (40) DH(44) DS Chad (12), DD Erin (9) (California)
14. Friends of Susan W - DW(33) DD( 9)
15. tinkerbell_29 - Melissa (Lissa) with DM, DB Cat. 4 GTY (Asheville NC)
16. Babyfavorite - DH, Joe (44), DW, Susan (40), DS, Chad (12), DD, Erin (9 that month), Best Friend (33), Best Friend's Daughter (9) (California)
17. MVAN - Marg, friend Chris, CHris daughter Katie (11) (Early/waitlisted for LATE) Cat. 4 GTY (Washington Metro)
18. artie137 - Joyce, DD-17, DD-12

Welcome Tony, Pete and Dorothy!

We are still mulling over the shore excursions. Can't decide! I know my son wants to go on the "teens only" catamaran excursion if they still have it. He's also trying to talk us into a fishing trip. I can't talk anyone into ziplines. We may try swimming with dolphins. We usually go to the Paradise Village Resort (Puerto Vallarta) because my son loves the pool there but I want to try something different this time. Decisions decisions!

We're going up to Disneyland this January. I love going there when it's still decorated for Christmas. We used to have annual passports when our son was younger but now we limit ourselves to once or twice a year. I never tire of the place. It's only a 1 hour 10 minute drive from our house.

 

[caitlinsdad]

Just looking into flight plans for trip from east coast.
With all this talk about a possible Alaska cruise in 2009, if it comes to pass, we may think of passing on this one.

Seeing Alaska has always been a dream of mine.

Either way we will still fly to Calf as we have never seen DL before.

 

[caitlinsdad]

Okay here is amended list:

1. HeelMD - Grant, DW, DD-8, DS-5 rm - 8530 (Charlotte, NC)
2. DL DCA Fans - DH, DW DS-20,DS-18 Late seating (Southern California)
3. Mn Dis Fans - Paul DW DS Chad-13 DS-10 (Late) rm - 5522 & 5524 (Fergus Falls, Minnesota) PLUS Uncle Tony and DM Dorothy and DF Pete
4. Vossjemi - DH DW DS-6, DD-8 (Early)
5. Lola2 - Lola-32 DH-33 DD-13 DDBF-12 DS-6 (Early) rm - 5022 & 5024
6. Amanuensis - DH-59, DW-55, DS-14 (Early) rm - 7063 (Oceanside, Calif.)
7. Friends of Amanuensis - Single Mom (50ish), DD-12 (Late dining but waitlisted for Early) (La Jolla, Cal.)
8. caitlinsdad - DH, DW, DD -11 (Early)
9. eeyoregon - Gina, DS Hayden(15), DS Jensen(12) (Late) rm -5520
10. IAN.Whiteley - Dad-42 DW-44, DS-13 DD-10 (Milton Keynes, UK)
11. Friends of HeelMD - DH DW, DS-14, DS-12 DS-10 rm - 8516
12. Debogan - Debbie-50 DS-12 DS-15 (Early) (Southern California)
13. Susan W - Susan (40) DH(44) DS Chad (12), DD Erin (9) (California)
14. Friends of Susan W - DW(33) DD( 9)
15. tinkerbell_29 - Melissa (Lissa) with DM, DB Cat. 4 GTY (Asheville NC)
16. Babyfavorite - DH, Joe (44), DW, Susan (40), DS, Chad (12), DD, Erin (9 that month), Best Friend (33), Best Friend's Daughter (9) (California)
17. MVAN - Marg, friend Chris, CHris daughter Katie (11) (Early/waitlisted for LATE) Cat. 4 GTY (Washington Metro)
18. artie137 - Joyce, DD-17, DD-12

Welcome Tony, Pete and Dorothy!

We are still mulling over the shore excursions. Can't decide! I know my son wants to go on the "teens only" catamaran excursion if they still have it. He's also trying to talk us into a fishing trip. I can't talk anyone into ziplines. We may try swimming with dolphins. We usually go to the Paradise Village Resort (Puerto Vallarta) because my son loves the pool there but I want to try something different this time. Decisions decisions!

We're going up to Disneyland this January. I love going there when it's still decorated for Christmas. We used to have annual passports when our son was younger but now we limit ourselves to once or twice a year. I never tire of the place. It's only a 1 hour 10 minute drive from our house.

Thanks for maintaining the list

 

[tinkerbell_29]

We are now undecided about the cruise. If DCL goes back to Europe in 2009 we will be changin our reservations. If they don't we may cancel the cruise anyway and do a Adventures by Disney trip. The only thing we have deffinetly planned for 2008 is going to California and Disneyland. Bought the plane tickets a while back.

Lissa

 

[MN Dis Fans]

amanuensis, thx. for updating the cruise list.

I mentioned the "teens only" catamaran excursion to our eldest DS. He liked that idea. My brother, aka Uncle Tony has been talking about a deep sea fishing excursion for Cabos San Lucas. I know Grandpa Pete, and my youngest DS are both interested in doing this.
Still haven't given much thought at what we'll be doing anywhere else.

 

[caitlinsdad]

Giving this a Bump,

Anyone else out there on the Aug 3rd , 2008 cruise,

 

[tinkerbell_29]

I wonder when they will post shore excursions on the website. I'd love to start planning and then replanning for this cruise. Is there a list of excursions out there they did the last tiem they did this cruise?

Lissa

 

[caitlinsdad]

I found this on another thread
These were from 2005 so some may be offered next year

Puerto Vallarta
Tropical Rainforest by Horseback (10 and up) 6.5 hrs $89/pp
Paradise Beach Adventure (all ages) 4 hrs $38adult/$22 (ages 3-9unless otherwise noted)
Puetra Vallarta City Tour (all) 4.5 hrs $35/$25
Sierra Madre Hiking (12 and up) 4.5-5 hrs $39
Historic Towns & Tequila Making (all) 5.5 hrs $39/$29
Canopy Adventure (10 and up) 4.5-5 hrs $85
Marietas Islands Snorkle & Kayak Tour (5 & up) 7.5 hrs $69/$39(5-9)
Marietas Islands Scuba Dive Adventure (12 & up) 7.5 hrs $99
Dolphin Encounter (9 & up) 3-3.5 hrs $120/$99(9yrs)
Dolphin Encounter w/ Kids (4-8 w/ parent) 3-3.5 hrs $165/$149(4-8)
Swim w/ Dolphins (5 & up) 3-3.5 hrs $35/$35
Dolphin Observer (all) 3-3.5 hrs $35
Las Caletas Hideaway (all) 7.5 hrs $75/$45
Banderas Bay Sailing Adventure (5 & up) 6-6.5 hrs $95/$79(5-9)
Sierra Madre Off-Road Expedition (8 & up) 6.5 hrs $82/$65 (8-9)
Tropical Jungle Paradise Expedition (all) 5.5 hrs $39/$29
Pirate Sail & Snorkle Adventure (all) 6.5 hrs $62/$52

Mazatlan
Mazatlan City Tour & Folkloric Show (all ages) 3.5 hours $39(ages 10+)/$29(ages 3-9)
Mazatlan Beach Escape (all) 4-5.5 hrs $49/$39
Sierra Madre Tour (all) 7 hrs $59/$39
Hacienda Los Moras Horseback Riding (10yrs +) 5 hrs $75
Mexican Family Ranch Party (all) 5 hrs $69/$49
Old Mazatlan Walking Tour (all) 4-4.5 hrs $29/$19
Stone Island Tour (all) 5 hrs $59/$39
Deer Island Kayak Adventure (10 yrs+) 5 hrs $63
Tequila, Saddles, and Huaraches (all) 6.5-7 hrs $59/$39
El Cid Golfing Expedition (10 yrs+) 6.5 hrs $159
Mexican Countryside Expedition (5yrs+) 7 hrs $59/$39(5-9yrs)
Folkloric Show and Beach Break (all) 7 hrs $55/$35

Cabo San Lucas
Cabo Beach Break (all ages) 4-4.5 hrs $38(10yrs+)/$22(3-9yrs)unless otherwise noted)
Cabo del Sol Golf Outing (10+yrs) 6.5-7 hrs $159
Scuba Diving Odessey (12+yrs) 2.5-3 hrs $79
Cabo San Lucas Sportfishing (12+yrs) 5.5-6 hrs $169
Beachside Horseback Riding (10+yrs) 3-3.5 hrs $75
Harbor Cruise & Scenic Drive (all) 3-3.5 hrs $36/$25
Chileno Bay Snorkling Adventure (5+yrs) 4-4.5 hrs $59/$36(5-9yrs)
Baja Mountain Biking (10+yrs) 2.5-3 hrs $79
Los Arcos Sea Kayak & Snorkle (10+yrs) 2.5-3 hrs $45
Coastal Highlights Tour (all) 4-4.5 hrs $35/$25
Snorkle and Sail Fiesta (5+yrs) 3.5-4 hrs $45/$30(5-9)
Santa Maria Sail & Snorkle Experience (5+yrs) 4-4.5 hrs $59/$36 (5-9)
Cabo Resort Pool Getaway (all) 4.5-5 hrs $49/$39
Lands' End Coastal Cruise (all) 1.5-2 hrs $29/$19

 

[tinkerbell_29]

Thanks for the info. We may cancel this cruise and book an 08' Christmas cruise instead. Were just not that intrested in the ports of call and if they do the same excursions there is not really anything for my mom to do. She is not really into the active type excursions.

Lissa

 

[vossjemi]

Hey all. Been a while since I've been online here. Just got back from a week in St. Lucia over Thanksgiving. AWESOME!!!

Right now we are still booked, but its come up as questionable in our family. MILAW wants to take us to Oregon next July. We just did the St. Lucia trip with my parents (40th wedding anniversary) and siblings while she watched our kids for us. She would be sooo upset if we say no to her trip. She loves Oregon and goes out there almost every year. But, I don't think we'll have time for 2 trips that close together. I don't know. Also, I've been batting around the cost of this cruise for us $5400 for our family of 4 that when we add in airfare plus souvenirs, etc... we're looking at least at $7,000 when we really need to buy a new car. Decisions, decisions. I guess we've got til May to decide.

 

[vossjemi]

Hey, just checked w/DCL and the price for my same category room has went up $780!!!

 

[caitlinsdad]

Sorry all, We have decided not to take this cruise,

2009 rates are out and we switched to the 7 night eastern caribbean cruise with Tortola.

 

[MN Dis Fans]

caitlinsdad,
Sorry to hear that you've "jumped" ship. Tortola does sound cool though! I kind of wish we were going there.

I booked cruises over X-Mas & New Year's 2009. They are just normal Western & Eastern though. Not sure what we'll keep. Maybe we'll do them both? I got the rooms we wanted, and at the lower? pricing tiers?, plus figure it's easier to cancel than it is to add at a later date!

 

[vossjemi]

In case anyone is unaware, DCL has posted the excursions on its website now. Any ideas what you are going to do?

I'm thinking of medano beach on our own for Cabo (or dolphin excursion for the kids), Stone Island on Mazatlan (either on our own or booking with randi's happy horses), and on Puerto Vallarta I've been thinking of the dolphin/sea lion at one of the sea parks there. I'm wondering though if we can book directly w/the sea parks to get cheaper price than DCL?

 

[vossjemi]

Where is everyone? Our cruise is THIS YEAR guys! Woohoo!

 

[vossjemi]

Hi me. How are you doing today? Good. Hee hee.

Ha ha . I really thought there would be more excursion talk now that they are out.

 

[MN Dis Fans]

We're here! It's just with work, and the little Disney Magic Soiree we have booked over Easter is currently taking a bit more precedence.
Mind you, I did book a private tour for Mazatlan recently, but am so undecided about what to do on Cabo San Lucas and Puerta Vallerta.
Kind of thinking about a fishing excursion for Cabo, but then not sure what DW, and Grandma would do.

 

[vossjemi]

Great to hear from ya mn disfans! Congrats on the Easter trip! I'd be busy planning that one too! Wow! 2 DCL cruises in 1 year...I'm jealous! ha ha. Well, glad to hear from ya. I had actually searched the cruise meets forum to see if everyone had jumped ship to a new thread! ha ha.

Now, back to business...Does anyone know which port has the best snorkeling?

 

[HeelMD]

Sorry we have been away from the message board for a while. Happy New Year everyone.

I must say, we have been disappointed with the limited number of shore excursions for kids younger than 10 years old given that this is a Disney cruise. Hopefully some additional ones will open up.