August 20, 2005 - L.A. to Port Canaveral - Eastbound Repo Cruise - The SHIP OF FOOLS Part 2

[piglet33]

We are planning on arriving sometime on Thursday before so we can go to Disneyland and then stay in Orlando until Labor Day so we can go to WDW too. I figured why not?

Reneé

 

[rsschneck]

We are definately NOT going to DL before the cruise. However, we are seriously thinking about staying in WDW AFTER the cruise. We will probably leave on Monday. MY DD won't start school until Wednesday. We would have a full day to recoup before school starts.

I figure it won't really cost us much. We will already be in Florida, We will have AP's to use, and I will make a reservation using our DVC points.

I would LOVE to stay longer, but DH says he will have to be back to work on Tuesday. HMMM! He has to be back to work, but DD and myself could stay until Tuesday . We will see!

Prayers and Pixie dust for everyone facing difficult times right now.

 

[gassmandy]

Seeing as we're about 45 mins. from WDW and have our Fl. res. passes and go A LOT!!!!, we'll skip Labor day weekend at WDW (we Floridians know when NOT to be there--hehehe!). That being said--I'll be cram packed w/ the millions at DL instead--the week before the cruise (hey--haven't been since '89 and don't mind going to DL while it's crowded since it will be a while before I get there again!). We're hoping to get to Ca. early in the week preceeding the cruise so hopefully will get 2 or 3 days. I grew up w/ DL and never made it to WDW till moving to FL. I was 15 last time I went to DL so I know I'll be shocked w/ the differences in size. Things always seem "grander" as a kid. But even now that we're spoiled w/ being able to get to WDW any time we want--I have to say I love the intricate details that DL has as opposed to Magic Kingdom. The first time we went to MK in '91--I remember thinking how "jipped" we were w/ the Pirates of the Caribbean, Small World, no Matterhorn (fave!!!), etc. Plus--every time we went to DL--the highlight for us kids was The Blue Bayou and also drinking the yummy mint juleps and eating the yummy fritters (can't remember where--as I recall it was a little counter place).

Anyhoo--that being said--will be at WDW 8/20, 21, and 22 for a birthday weekend for my 2 nephews. Should be FUN!!! Staying at Shades of Green since my sister's (who's coming down from Destin, FL for her son's 6th b.day) husband is Air Force. Can't wait.

On a sad note--my mom and dad(izzinmac) are up in Tulsa at the hosp. w/ my grandma (mom's mom)--she is probably hours, maybe a day or so awy from dying. Pray she let's go and it's peaceful. She's 91 or 92 and was admiited Friday after lots of bleeding. Diagnosed w/ congestive heart failure--and last night my mom said she was "talking to someone". Dr.'s say hallucinating--I think it was angels or Jesus........but her heart is giving up and there's hardly any oxygen in it, etc.
Just got off the phone w/ my mom and she said grandma's not responding to anyone--my parents drove up there and made it there yesterday and she was talking and semi-responsive yesterday. I think she was just waiting for my mom since her other daughter lives there. Hopefully it will be soon--so she doesn't suffer.

 

[invaderzim]

gassmandy

Our prayers and thoughts are with your family! We just lost two family members this year and know it is hard -- especially when they are far away. PD for comfort and peace.

We are not doing WDW after the cruise either -- but that is because the pre-cruise vacation has turned into a mega trip! Now we will be taking three weeks vacation. We figure why not, it might be our one chance to do everything. So we're flying into Las Vegas the week before (Friday), spending three nights at Luxor (my DD lives and breaths Egyptian history) and tickets to Blue Man Group for her graduation gift, then leaving for L.A. on Monday, stopping at Hoover Dam, then sightseeing in L.A. and two days at DL, then the cruise! We'll need those extra sea days to rest!

 

[Mom2Belle&PeterPan]

Hi Amanda,

I'm very sorry to hear about your grandma. My grandma is 91 too, and she's my favorite person in the world. I imagine your mom, dad, and family are feeling very sad and hoping for her peaceful passing. I will pray for you all, and a prayer that your grandma does not suffer and will meet Him soon.

My mother-in-law was smiling and talking to "others" right before she died of cancer. My dh was sitting with her and said it was like the angels were with she and he. I'm sure the angels, loved ones, and Jesus are with your grandma.

Seems there is a lot of suffering, hardships, and sadness these past few weeks.

God Bless, and please give your mom and dad our prayers.

Barbara

 

[Sarah'sMomfrom PA]

Amanda...prayers and pixie dust to your mom and dad and family...it is always tough to lose a loved one even one that is elderly and it is always hard to lose your mom...my mom was 61 when she died and she is dead almost 20 years and not a day goes by that I don't miss her. God bless your grandma and may she soon be embraced by a higher power.

 

[EmmasGrammy]

Amanda,

Please let the family know you are all in our prayers. It's tough to say good-bye no matter how long you have had with them. Let's pray for a peaceful passing and I hope you all fine some comfort in knowing she is with the Lord. Hugs to you all!!

 

[EmmasGrammy]

Marsha,

Thanks for sharing your photos of the new house. What a great photo diary!! I especially love the idea of the second story laundry room!! No more lugging heavy laundry baskets up and down steps!! Yeah!!! I wish you the best of luck in your new home!!

 

[macbaby]

Disney Visa is auctioning off a cabin on our cruise (along with a lot of other things). If you are interested, and have a Disney Visa and an Ebay account, you can sign up for the auction at www.DisneyDreamAuction.com .

 

[ehtpnt]

Amanda-- Lots of Pixie dust for you and your family. I know my Mother also had CHF and for about a week before she died she also seemed to be seeing someone we couldn't see.
Estelle

 

[ivanova]

Originally posted by kpgclark
Maybe this isn't the time to ask, but I will. If anyone is cancelling a secret porthole room please let me know.

Will DCL let you have it? They aren't letting folks specify stateroom #s righ tnow, and as people cancel aren't they going to the wait list anyway??

I'm bummed Rae cancelled, and hoping Andy doesn't have to do the same.

 

[kpgclark]

I am on the waiting list for one of the secret porthole rooms right now. If someone releases it I can pick it up. It would be easier for me to get it if I knew who was releasing it and when. For example I can tell my travel agent (DU) that a room is about to be released and ask them to get it as soon as it is released. It would be easiest if DU was the agent for the person releasing, but not an absolute necessity. I currently have a Cat 10, but it is on deck 2 and I'd rather one on deck 5. I'd love a higher category too!

 

[Samsara]

I'm so glad we were lucky enough to book while onboard so that we could pick our stateroom. I get ulcers not knowing where I'll end up on the ship.

 

[Grumbo]

Hi folks we're back.....
This holiday can only be described as one we'll always remember for GOOD things and everything worked out so well on it. The weather, the sites we saw, the hotels and people we met were phenomenal and I'm going to keep those thoughts by not even looking at our Mastercard bill online until at least tomorrow

California is such a beautiful state. The diversity of geography, temperature and appearances are astonishing. I had no idea how barren some areas are, then a few miles later there is lush vegetation and beautiful scenery. San Francisco was great. We loved it. Cold though Los Angeles was neat to see and Disneyland was lots of fun. That was assisted immesurably by the assistance of Malficent59 and her hubby. What a wonderful couple and so nice of them to take the time to meet us and show us around the park.
The Grand Canyon and Yosemite are truly National treasures that hopefully you all get an opportunity to see one day. We were blown away by Yosemite and saw so much of it doing a whole day tour as well as a nighttime moonlight tour that was fantastic. Death Valley was great and I went off by myself with camera in hand and drove miles to get some great photos.
Vegas was fun and we saw a couple of shows with Elton John's show at Caesars last night being the pinnacle. He was great.
We also did a day long raft trip from the base of the Boulder dam. It is NOT white water but we saw so many neat things that if you have the chance, do it. It is relatively cheap and a great day.
We drove over 2200 miles during our trip and thought that was just about the right amount of time.
We stayed at the Paris in Vegas at the beginning and end and it is fairly central and the staff treated us really well. If we go next year prior to the cruise I'm sure we'll do it there.
Anyway I took over a gigabyte of photos and am going to download some of them this evening onto my computer.
I've skimmed over some of the posts and sorry to hear Rae not joining us and perhaps Andy not being able to come. Maybe it will work out.
Saw the change in itinerary.... Oh well I'm not going to get too upset.

Well guys glad you kept Jazz in line and even though its midnight here I feel like its only 9 pm so not tired

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[paulcrsb]

Grumbo - I'm glad you had a great vacation and it's nice to have you back!

Paul

 

[rsschneck]

Glad to have you back! I am happy to hear you had a wonderful vacation. We love living in the Northwest. Believe it or not we have a lot a travel options around here.

DL and DCA are GREAT! They are compact and easy to see everything if you just have a couple of days. Were the parks busy?

Share some photos if you can. I would love to see some of the sights you all enjoyed!

Get some rest! It is late were you are!

 

[Mom2Belle&PeterPan]

Welcome home Grumbo and family! Sounds like you had one wonderful trip, so happy for you. And, glad to hear you loved our native state. There truly are so many different geographies from mountains to deserts to farmlands to the ocean and more.

Yosemite is majestic! Did you get to take a coast ride through Monterey? See any redwoods?

Sounds like the other territories you traveled were equally awesome.

Did not know you'd be down our way close to DL, but we were in Albuquerque, N.M. the day you were here for a family reunion. Saw the picture Andy posted of you and yours at DCA. Isn't Soarin something, and the Grizzly River Rapids is just a riot with friends and family. Bet you were soaked through and through for quite a few hours, especially if you got hit by that last geyser, lol! Hope you had a ride on our Matterhorn too!

Will look forward to your photos when we return from our beach vacation.

Barbara

 

[Scratch42]

gassmandy ~ Prayers for you, your family and especially for your Grandmother. {{{{{HUGS}}}}}

Grumbo ~ Glad to have you back! Wonderful to hear your trip was excellent! Can't wait to see some pix!

Everybody, Try to have a Disney Day!

Scratch

 

[Verandah Man]

Welcome back Grumbo, looking forward to seeing your photos!!!

 

[twhipple]

Amanda and Bob, our thoughts are with you and your family at this time. You may lose someone close to you, but you will never lose them from your heart.

Welcome back Grumbo!

Tracy