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

[Grumbo]

DL Hotels - I would not recommend the Holiday Inn Express. Stayed there last summer and had a bad experience with known maintenance problems and poor customer service.

UMTerp and I discussed this online before I went to DL last month. I had booked already and the rate ended up being cheaper than what I was quoted. However I almost fell over laughing when the air conditioning in our room didn't work properly and they put us in another room (BUT only when they realized we were there for two nights). This is waht UMTerp had warned me about on her stay
When I was checking in they were discussing another room and the air conditioning not working so I believe this is definitely a big problem at the HI Express.
The location is great, the free breakfast was good and the parking good but I would pass on it next time.

I have to be honest and found all of the off site hotels were tired looking and needed work. I really couldn't believe they had become that bad.

I don't think we'll bother next year after having stayed there this year. I think we're going to do Universal instead (Yeah I know sacrilege on a Disney site). One thing I don't know if folks are aware of they NOW have 1 day hoppers at DLR. You can go into both parks for one day. The net site up to our departure didn't show this option and it was great. We hit the park at 9:00 am and went non stop til 9:30 pm. Having Maleficent59 and her hubby as our guides in the afternoon helped. USE the single pass lines to get ahead in the lineups. What a great idea and deal. We bypassed 1 hour lineups in 5 minutes

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[Bmwdsny]

Originally posted by Grumbo

One thing I don't know if folks are aware of they NOW have 1 day hoppers at DLR. You can go into both parks for one day.
Cheers,
Grumbo

Grumbo, do you think you can really see both parks in one day?? esp. during the 50th birthday time?? How many days would you suggest? I was thinking of getting a 3 day pass, one day for each park, and a free day of what we didn't get to see...

Ok, Lynda, Gotcha.....
I am still thinking about it and i will talk to my Dh about it....As i said before,,the laundry is the biggest factor...I want to have all the clothes clean and ready to go before boarding. I don't have the patience and the time to sit at the Laundry area where i can have one right in my villa and do it gradually....I guess i got spoiled from DVC 1 and 2 BR Villas...LOL!!!
I look into the HoJo deals though...I just have to also figure out the car situation, where to pick up and drop off....AAAHHH!! this is too much for me....i feel like i am planning a wedding here!! Oh, yes, Lynda you are the one going to your DD wedding!! Well i am glad you are going on the Aug cruise after all so i can meet ya!!

 

[Bmwdsny]

Hi again, just got back from AAA travel agency and pick up a Disneyland travel book and shows 30 hotels outside DL....I am possilby looking into a suite room that holds 6 people so i can split with my parents. I see some...Anyone ever stayed at Portofino Inn and Suites?? It is 2 blocks from DL...Looks like a nice hotel and has a kids' suite with bunk beds...

Rsschneck, Is it roxanne?? Which RI did you stay at that you said it needs updating?? There is 2 here listed....

Anaheim RI by marriott .5 mile from DL or

RI Anaheim Resort Area 1 mile from DL

I am just very very picky which hotel i stay at since i like a clean, but up to date hotel with a good pool.

 

[Grumbo]

Well there are many more people on here that know DLR much better than I do with one day under my belt but I saw everything I wanted to see in the one day. Once again probably sacrilege but oh well Now a 2 day hopper would have been more leisurely but we all were happy with what we saw. We missed a few rides, but NOT many plus went on our favourites MANY times.
If you have the time and money. Sure do a two day hopper. I like the hopper idea as it sucks being locked into one park imho for a day.

We were there on a Saturday. It was busy in some areas, but in others not. The Fast Passes and single rider tickets helped immensely.

As I said we won't likely go back next year as we'd like to see other things (Universal) but to do it in one day you have to be prepared to be in "Commando mode", get there first thing in the morning and Charge!!!!! If you have smaller kids or older people they wouldn't be able to keep up that pace but we enjoyed ourselves and slept really well in our slightly airconditioned room

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[UMTerp]

Grumbo - Too funny (NOT!). I can't believe that they haven't overhauled the A/C units in a year! I wonder how many other folks have been given a great room and had to be switched to the one where the A/C sortof works?

Glad it wasn't too bad for you!

UMTerp

 

[jin diesel]

Originally posted by Grumbo
I don't think we'll bother next year after having stayed there this year. I think we're going to do Universal instead (Yeah I know sacrilege on a Disney site).

Don't feel bad for saying that, Grumbo!! People always die when I say I have no desire whatsoever to go to WDW. There's nothing there I need to see that I haven't seen before. I'd much rather go to Islands of Adventure !!! In fact my first question after I booked the cruise was, "How far is IOA from the Port????" LOL!! Sacrilege indeed!!!

 

[DudetteTwo]

I'll never catch up so I decided to just say "Hello" & say I'm back from a sunny vacation in Virginia Beach. I went on the beach every day except for the one day we went to Busch Gardens. We planned this vacation right because not one but two hurricanes are moving up the coast.

Hope you all are well & happy. My punishment for being away is now I have to work four 12 hour shifts in a row . Toodles JEANNE

 

[Bmwdsny]

Welcome back Jeanne!! Glad you had a great time in VB!!! BG is cool wasn't it?? Love all those Rollercoasters!!!

Have fun working those 12 hours shifts!!! I am a RN but not working now since i am stay home mom, and I don't miss work one bit!!! Plus i can spend more time here!!

 

[JenKatt]

I love working 12 hour shifts! Call me strange. Our NICU also has self scheduling so we can work as many in a row as we want. I plan on doing 4or 5 in a row so I can have 5 or 6 days off in a row... means we can abuse hubby's cast discount for a shirt Wonder cruise

 

[paulcrsb]

Originally posted by Grumbo
older people they wouldn't be able to keep up that pace

Hey Grumbo you young whippersnapper! Watch it! I resemble that remark!

Paul

 

[Grumbo]

hehehe Paul
As I was typing that I thought sheesh I ain't that young myself.
My apologies.

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[paulcrsb]

It really sucks getting old. At least I have Disney to help keep me feeling young!

Paul

 

[ivanova]

Hey, anyone realize how close we are to the "one year dance"??

 

[rsschneck]

Melinda - We have stayed @ the RI closest to DL. I would say the .5 mile because it is about 2 blocks away.

To be honest most of the Good neighbor hotels cannot compare to any on property WDW hotels. Even the PP and DL hotel are not themed like the WDW hotels.

The Fairfield Inn is nice and affordable. The 2 hotels closest to the convention center are even nicer than PP and DL hotel (in my opinion). They are a couple blocks away so not within walking distance. If there are some nice hotels around the DL area that provide shuttles and they seem nice and the price is right I would say pick one out and try it.

The nicest on property hotel would be the GC!!!!! I would not use my DVC points to stay in any of the DL hotels because they want too many points for them. Unless I had points to burn!

So, long story short none of the hotels around DL would compare the the hotels around WDW in my opinion. The closest would be the GC and they want an arm and a leg to stay there. I would hate for you all to be disappointed when you arrived at your hotels and discovered they were not the Ritz. Keep in mind that you will be busy at DL and DCA and won't be in your room very much!

The atmosphere and surroundings of DL and WDW are VERY different. If we want a quick trip then DL/DCA does just fine. When we want to experience the parks, entertainment, pools, water parks, etc. then Orlando can't be beat!

I feel 2 days would be plenty of time to see both parks. DCA usually takes about a half a day (not too many rides). That gives you a day and a half to see DL. The crowds will be heavier because schools will be out. Use the fast passes wisely!

Paul - The prices you were quoted to stay @ PP were outrageous. I do not think I would pay those prices to stay there. I would pick a good neighbor hotel and save some money for the cruise. The 2 hotels near the convention center are very nice. Price those out and see how you fare.

Roxann

 

[paulcrsb]

Thanks Roxann. I'll start poking around and see what I can find!

Paul

 

[Scratch42]

Originally posted by ivanova
Hey, anyone realize how close we are to the "one year dance"??

For Us it will be Next Tuesday, August 17th!

But whose counting!

Scratch

 

[twhipple]

Scratch, forgot to mention I got your package Tuesday. Once I receive Sandygirl's package, I'll be sending one off to Ivanova. I should have Darlene's today for sure. I'll take pictures then "try" to post them for all to see.

Tracy

 

[Scratch42]

Thanks Tracey,

With our Customs People on "Work to Rule", it's getting hard to keep track of how long packages are taking!

Glad it made it in a timely manner!

Scratch

 

[UMTerp]

Anyone see Extreme Engineering on Discovery channel last night about widening the Panama Canal? Made me want the trip to get here sooner!

The one thing I didn't know after reading some about the canal was that they have landslides every day and an on-going dredging project to keep it clear!

There are plans in the works to widen the canal and built new much larger locks next to the current ones to handle today's much larger cargo ships.

Interesting watching if it comes on again!

UMTerp

 

[mississaugamom]

Hi all! I haven’t posted for awhile – we were off on vacation July 29 – August 9. Didn’t go anywhere but took a number of area day trips. (Yep, fellow Canadians – we decided to “Discover Ontario” or at least the GTA!)

Got to see the Masters Series Tennis Tournament (12 hours of matches in one day!), visited with family, went to Canada’s Wonderland twice, toured the Toronto Zoo, and took the tourist package at Niagara Falls (Maid of the Mist, Journey Behind the Falls, Butterfly Conservatory and fireworks over the falls at night). Gotta save up for next year’s “Great Adventure”!!!!

One serious problem, though. I was in a car accident on Hwy 401 across Toronto during rush hour coming back from the zoo. Another driver changed lanes and hit his brakes while he was still too close for me to stop safely. Lara and her friend were with me. Fortunately, the girls weren’t injured and I’m okay too other than a sore neck and stiff muscles. The car, however, is now history. I’ve got a rental car and I’m running around trying to buy a new one without breaking the savings plan for next year’s cruise. I think I like the Saturn ION. I’m lucky that lease rates are low right now!

Wow – a lot of people are having serious problems and life changes going on right now. Best wishes, prayers and pixie dust to all of you! It’s sad to see people having to drop out; it feels like part of our “family” will be missing from the Big Event! I’m trying desperately to ensure that we’ll still be there!!!

Melinda – we’re planning to stay at one of the hotels outside DL before the cruise. We’re arriving in LA on Monday, August 15 and planning to get the three-day hopper passes. While I’m really impressed with Grumbo’s “commando-style” one-day tour, we’re thinking of a more leisurely pace. Lara hates to be rushed through a Disney park – she takes time to see everything!!! Martin’s Aunt and Uncle are still planning to be with us, although at 82 years old I hope they’re not coming to the parks every day! We’ll obviously slow down the pace either to accommodate them or to check back on them at the hotel during the day.

Deciding between HoJo Anaheim with the other DIS-er’s there, Candy Cane Inn, or Desert Inn Suites. We’re moving over to the San Pedro Holiday Inn on Friday to be near the port and to hook up with everyone the night before the cruise.

Hope everyone has a great day!

Arlene