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

[jin diesel]

Originally posted by Grumbo
...we discussed the possibility of flying to Vegas first, spending a couple of days there, driving to L.A. (what is that 4 - 5 hours???) then going to D.L. and port. ...Any Westerners have opinions pro or con on this idea????

Cheers,
Grumbo

Hi Grumbo!

Actually, I have a friend from New York who was out here for the week. Aside from visiting the bay area, he was also visiting Vegas. (He was following Prince on tour!!) So he flew directly from NY to LA, picked up a rental and drove to Vegas. He said the drive wasn't bad at all. It took him about 5 hours (but he did it on Memorial Day weekend - so he had extra traffic) to get there.

So as long as you can handle a few boring hours in the car (thru the desert) you should be fine!

jindy

 

[ivanova]

If you time it to avoid traffic and the HEAT, the drive isn't too horrible ... most Californians visit Vegas on weekends, so eastbound traffic on I-15 sucks on Friday afternoons/nights and westbound traffic on I-15 sucks on Sunday afternoons/nights.

In planning your drive FROM Vegas to LA, plan on leaving ANY day but Sunday, and do NOT (I stress do NOT) plan to cross the desert during the heat of the day. Either leave Vegas at 6AM (I'm not kidding) or after 6PM. I know MOST rental cars are reliable, but it would not be pleasant to get stuck out in the middle of NOWHERE (where some cell phone service doesn't even reach).

And take PLENTY of water regardless of what time you cross the desert.

 

[Grumbo]

I HAVE a photo of DW, and daughter and myself from the cruise that we purchased this March. Also one of us along with the two other cruisers that will be with us when we embarked.
I can't find the darn things. We have literally hundreds of photos and so few are framed.
When I find them I'll scan it and forward it to you Jason...

I have been to two games in Tampa and watched the Lightning. Both times after the cruise. It is a GREAT facility, the fans and staff were great and that was the reason I wasn't too upset Calgary lost. What it cost for 6 of us to go and get ice level seats at the game in Tampa couldn't have gotten me two midlevel tickets at a game in Toronto (who I don't like anyway ).

Promise I'll look for the photos. I'm not like Jazzman who is chicken to send his photo in.

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[Grumbo]

I guess we'll get a "taste" of it next month. We will be in California at the end of July and beginning of August.
DW and DD and I are flying into Vegas then to the Grand Canyon and over to L.A., up the coast to San Francisco, over to Yosemite, Mammoth Lakes, Death Valley and then back to Vegas.

I have never been to California before so looking foward to it. I'm sure its going to be hot.

This summer is scenic. I think next year it will be "we've done our time in Vegas, now lets get over to Disneyland and then the port".

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[jin diesel]

Originally posted by Grumbo
DW and DD and I are flying into Vegas then to the Grand Canyon and over to L.A., up the coast to San Francisco, over to Yosemite, Mammoth Lakes, Death Valley and then back to Vegas.

Sounds like a great trip!!! The coast (HWY 1) is beautiful. Enjoy your time here!

 

[ivanova]

Originally posted by Grumbo
I guess we'll get a "taste" of it next month. We will be in California at the end of July and beginning of August.
DW and DD and I are flying into Vegas then to the Grand Canyon and over to L.A., up the coast to San Francisco, over to Yosemite, Mammoth Lakes, Death Valley and then back to Vegas.

I have never been to California before so looking foward to it. I'm sure its going to be hot.

This summer is scenic. I think next year it will be "we've done our time in Vegas, now lets get over to Disneyland and then the port".

Cheers,
Grumbo

What date will you be in Vegas this year? We'll be driving over to Vegas Friday July 30th, and driving home Sunday August 1st (DD has a flight out of Vegas July 31st).

 

[Sarah'sMomfrom PA]

Marsha...finally got around to pm'ing you!!

Jason...Boston Pétér is supposedly sending you a picture of the three of us for your web site...knowing Peter (and we love you but I can't trust your humor)...it is a picture of a gorilla or something..so when you see the picture...no we are not covered in hair or anything. Anyway, I did get your address Jason and forgot to bring the picture in but I will mail your our official portrait.

Pétér...I really can't afford to Fed Ex the crowns to you...after eating 50 Burger King Happy Meals (or is that McDonald's??) I neither have the funds to use Fed Ex and I'm a little stuffed so I would have to roll to the Fed Ex place....Not going to happen...besides...did you forget to mention that you are going to Florida?? Are you flying on the Flying Fish?? Is that a new airline out of Mass. or what??? LOL!!! Mary Jo

 

[Grumbo]

In Vegas - July 20th and 21st and August 2, 3, and 4th leaving on the 5th.
We are in Yosemite and Mammoth those dates.
I booked 5 months ago to stay in Yosemite. There isn't even one of the canvas tents left now for that weekend... I can't believe it.
We have a lot of our hotels booked already.
Not sure about L.A. and San Francisco. I have places booked but as we don't know the city kind of hard to know if where you're staying is good, bad or indifferent. I have no compunction in looking at it though and cancelling if it looks like a dive. I try to stick with Holiday Inn Express when I don't know the area. I've found lately they are pretty good and the breakfasts are good too.

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[mickeyfan1]

I think someone PM'd me yesterday to get invited to the Yahoo group. I thought I sent the invite, but can't remember. If you are reading here, and you haven't goten an email to join, just go directly to the group :http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BringingtheMagicHome/


and join from there! I really thought I did it, but now I am so confused.

Is it time to go yet?

 

[DisneyFansFour]

Just booked today! I can't believe it! We have a confirmed Cat. 9 but are waiting for a 6 to open up. Hopefully, it will. I definitely want a verandah for a long trip like this!

I can't believe how fast this cruise is selling. It will be the trip of a lifetime!

We've done Eastern (9/00), Western (10/02) and 3 Night Wonder (10/03).

DFF w/DH, DS (9 at time of cruising) and DD (7 at time of cruising).<p>

 

[ehtpnt]

Welcome Disney Fans Four-- you will love this thread. Just remember that we tend to have slightly bent senses of humor.

jin diesel-- with your sense of humor you also fit right in. The big one better not be until sometime after August 20, 2005. Of course if you all fall off maybe they'd be able to dock the Magic in Las Vegas. Then I could do the Star Trek adventure as an excursion.

The east coast is due to be very hot tomorrow. The day care kindergarten class is going to a local horse farm (hear that Rae?) and then to a state park. The DDs' have gone to the store for sandwich makings. Oldest one is going to be up very early making ham & cheese and PB&J. I will not be going. Too hot and DH and I have an appointment. Off now to return to the ironing board. Estelle

 

[twhipple]

Welcome DisneyFansFour. I know at least one category 7 will open up when I get things straightened out with DCL. I have two rooms right now, both category 7 GTY.

 

[sandygirl]

Now that I have finished my nightly reading ritual:

WELCOME DINSEYFANSFOUR! My DD will turn 8 on the cruise. Feel free to PM her if your daughter wants to penpal.

Sorry Ursula won't be cruising with us. Have a wonderful trip in Feb!

I've read so many posts that I forget what 1/2 of them said. Anyway...GO FLYERS (oops Lightening); I second the suggestion to bring plenty of water when traveling through the desert; I'm thinking you can carryon whatever beverage you wish (even if it happens to be nasty P**si); and I hope Andy had an easier day today, the weather here was gorgeous, hope he enjoyed it.

read you all tomorrow

 

[Sarah'sMomfrom PA]

sandygirl...how far are you from King of Prussia (near Philadelphia)--we are having a mini meet on July 31st and it would be great if you could make it! Just pm kpgclark and let her know if you can make it and how many will be there! Mary Jo

 

[mark & sandra]

Welcome aboard DisneyFansFour. Did you read the whole thread? It's mandatory!! There will be a quiz on Thursday. Watch out for Grumbo and Jazzman, they cheat.

 

[mickeyfan1]

OK my friends, I need some .......... well I don't know what to call it but here is what I did. I planned on doing this cruise alone, but tonight I asked my mother if she thought she could go. My mother will be 88 in December of 2005, she has cruised with me on the Big Red Boat, on the Constitution around Hawaii, and took me on HAL to Alaska in 2001. She lives alone in Florida, she has been alone for 11 years after my father died. So I just thought I should ask her. I don't know if she will come, it's a long flight from Freeport to LAX, but she still flies alone. It just seemed like I needed to do it. If I end up with my almost 88 year old mother, I am counting on all of you to bring her into our little family on board. She has plenty of time to decide for sure. Anyone else bringing an elderly guest?

Welcome to all the new kids here. too!

Darn, quiz on Thursday? I have a nail appointment, can I make it up another time??????

 

[paulcrsb]

Marsha - I think that's great that you asked your Mother to go with you! I'm sure that she will be more than welcome here!

Paul

 

[mark & sandra]

I think Grumbo and Jazzman will be busy with their drinks.

Mark

 

[paulcrsb]

Mark - That picture is great! LOL

Paul

 

[mickeyfan1]

I have added 2 dates to the calendar at our Yahoo group. Saailing date (of course) and the PA Cruisers meet on 7/31. IF there are more meets planned, I will add them as I see them. If anyone has any special dates that they want the group to know about, just let me know. I am not sure if I have to update the calendar or if it's open to all members.

Paul, if my mother would consent to having a computer, my life would be a lot easier, she could read all the craziness! But she is 100% against getting one, she says she will call her girls, she doesn't need all the email stuff! Although one of her brothers has taken a computer user class and now accesses the web via the library, so there is hope!