August 6, 2005 Mexican Riviera..Who's In?

[Kidoctr]

Brynee did have a great time at prom!! She and her BF came back to the house and watched a movie (no after-prom parties for them); then after he left she filled me in on the details - I think she was getting dress ideas for next year

Any pictures to share, Jenny?

 

[Kidoctr]

The good news is that it turns out that we get to cruise the Mexican Riviera with Mickey afterall. This came as a huge surprise to me on Friday.

The bad news is that it isn't with you guys.

I am glad to be going at all....afterall, my Tag does say that I thought California needs Disney cruise ships...and it's my dream.....but........there's no one on the cruise we're on! We are taking my parents, so I will have someone to talk to......I guess.

The other good news is that you will have your own little "Information Central" when I get back. Anything you might want to know...think about it ahead of time, so that I can find out. Just make a note to me on here.
We sail from June 4th to the 11th.....not a long wait...but not much time to get ready.
Especially since my parents are coming and I have two Vegas trips between now and the cruise. I just won't unpack!

Off to bed.
TTFN
Stacey

Wahoo! I' m so happy for you Stacey!! I'm also REALLY looking forward to getting the real "scoop" from someone who has actually BTDT! Congrats - how exciting!

 

[Kidoctr]

I have! I have! What? You weren't talking to me? Oh.....

I wanna know..... puh-leeeeeze????

 

[jilljill]

I have! I have! What? You weren't talking to me? Oh.....

YOu might have.....but wasn't it already full?!?

 

[jilljill]

Barb.....you better not be selling any cool Disney stuff that your friend might want!

Now why would I sell any cool Disney stuff? Well, I have put a couple of Disney things on there, but nothing you would be interested in. It's been mostly movies, Hallmark ornaments, and lots of Longaberger items.

 

[Kidoctr]

YOu might have.....but wasn't it already full?!?

Wow, do they really get filled up that fast??

 

[jilljill]

Wow, do they really get filled up that fast??

Only the ones Stacey wants.

Seriously, I think they do fill up quickly. Someone else that has actually booked them before might be able to tell you for sure.

 

[Kidoctr]

Jilljill - have you received anything from me yet in the mail? Should be any day now.... Any signs of the DD's yet?

 

[jilljill]

Jilljill - have you received anything from me yet in the mail? Should be any day now.... Any signs of the DD's yet?

Nothing yet on either part. Hopefully soon, I'm on the lookout.

 

[justmestace]

We're at the 30 day mark as of today. I had called the Castaway Club to make my payment (I held the reservation on Friday, paid the balance on Monday) and asked them about booking an excursion in Puerto Vallarta. We wanted to go on the Las Caletas Hideaway excursion. A little beach, a little food, massages, a shop....just a nice and easy thing. Apparently so did the other 50 people who are on the cruise. Just kidding. It doesn't seem like a full ship from the looks of the rooms available on DCL's site. Anyway, the people who have paid in full can book their excursions 90 days out. So, at 30 days...it's tough. Makes me wonder what they tell people who don't know to pre-book, and wait till they get on the ship! So I tried to see if we could "do it ourselves". There's only one company that goes to Las Caletas, they have exclusive rights to it.....and Disney is using them.
Then I remembered that the lady who called me on Friday gave me a phone number (supposedly concierge) to call to make reservations. Spa, Palo, shore excursions, dining preference, etc.
I called the number, and they got us on the excursion to Las Caletas. I didn't want any spa ressies....but she did book Palo Brunch for us....I thought they only did brunch on Sundays....it's on each day at sea. We also don't want to have dinner at Palo. Jay likes to stay "loyal" to our dining room servers. (Don't ask)
But she got me the dining rotation I wanted ....APL....I want to be in Lumiere's for formal night. And the table that I wanted. We are going to sit along the wall, by the windows, so we can see the entire dining room and not have anyone behind us.
Not doing an excursion in Mazatlan. I wanted to go to Stone Island, and DCL has a tour.....but if you get off the ship and walk a couple blocks up the street, you can catch a ferry to Stone Island on your own for $1 per person!
And I booked us a private catamaran for Cabo. It will take us to Playa Santa Maria to snorkel, play on the beach, lunch and drinks are included...and rather than a huge group it will be just us. The cat is shaded, has facilities......and instead of Disney's $75 pp, it's $45 pp.
We are water people. So most anything we pick is going to involve swimming and/or snorkeling. We do like to see historic buildings and churches, and I think we'll have time to do that also, either before or after our tours. And SHOPPING!
Whoa! Eve, I bet you're sorry you asked!
I had studied and studied for THIS cruise, but threw all my info away. So I have been up a few nights until 2 am researching.
If I were going on this cruise, I'd download the shore excursion form and have it ready to fax the second it's time to book....or e-mail asap. Although....I've always been more comfortable calling the shore excursion desk. I like to know right then and there whether we have gotten what we wanted. This is the first time I've ever used the concierge and called in advance. Although, 30 days out isn't really "in advance".....

 

[justmestace]

Oh...forgot...the Gold Mickey ears ......the Mickey Mouse ear caps that you can get and have your name embroidered on? They have them in gold for the 50th. I think they are kind of ugly. When you click that link, they had been coming up on the first page....but now they aren't, sorry. They are under the category "Accessories"

 

[jilljill]

Stacey that's a lot of info for us to process . Just think how much you will be telling us when you get back. Just take lots of notes.
Did anyone happen to mention if they will be having high tea on each sea day? That's the one thing I really have to do this time.

I didn't think you had to be paid in full to book excursions at the 90 day mark. Did they change that policy?

How did you find out when formal night will be? Did they have that info already?

Enough questions for you now.

 

[hzj77hv]

Hello
This is Kazu.
I took some Photograph today at Tokyo Disneyland.


Click here
http://minniemousefanclub.com/dlr_50th.htm

 

[justmestace]

As of yesterday, you can pre-book everything on DCL's website. You can even download your documents and pre-register the kids in the clubs. They still don't have the spa reservations available automatically, but you can enter requests, and they will get back to you. Not all of the spa services are listed online, either.
They have posted a list of when you are allowed to book. Whether it's at the 90 day mark, 75, or whatever.

Actually, I'm only guessing at the Formal/Semi-formal based on the other 7 night cruises. Night One..casual, Night Two...semi, Three...casual, Four....tropical, Five....casual, Six...formal....

 

[justmestace]

That is a beautiful picture, Kazu. Thank you for posting it!

 

[jilljill]

Kazu, thank you so much for sharing the picture with us, it is very beautiful. Now I really want to visit 'your' park someday.

 

[jilljill]

Our local ABC news station is showing a story on the beginning of the 50th Anniv. now. It is really making me want to go to WDW very soon.


Stacey, thanks for the DCL site info update.

 

[Itinkso]

Thanks to DISer "chocolatelover" we had an awesome time at DL Tuesday night and yesterday The parade is fantastic - floats with Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid, Princesses, Peter Pan, Lion King characters plus animatronics and features such as fountains and waterfalls. We saw Tim Allen and Michael Eisner dedicate the Buzz attraction...we missed seeing Steve Martin dedicate the 50 Magical years show (in the Opera House). Walked onto every ride with no wait at all and the CMs at Splash let us ride twice without getting back in line!
Brynée had fun looking for the "Hidden 50s" - they're like hidden Mickeys but with the #50 on them - that are located throughout the park...some are hard to spot. We rode in the Gold-Plated teacup; all of the original rides have 1 gold plated car etc. The Gold Dumbo was there but they hadn't unveiled the Gold Carousel horse as word was Julie Andrews would be there for the evening event. Everyone was herded out at 5 - every store was closed prior to that time. We got to watch the Gold Carpet being rolled out down Main Street for all the biggies who would be there for the evening party! It was such a memorable day We were even filmed by local TV stations while waiting for the parade to begin!!

Stacey: I'm glad you're going on the cruise! My first thought had been the repo cruise but then I realized it didn't fit into your May schedule!! I can't wait to hear the details and then I can share info with my friend who is going on July 2nd!

Kazu: Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures!

This thread sure was busy in the last couple of days! I am so tired after all that driving - got home at 11:30 last night - it's time for a quick nap!

 

[jilljill]

Jenny thanks for the review of last night. It sounds like you had an awesome time. I'm really looking forward to seeing all the highlights when we go in August.

 

[justmestace]

Jenny....how wonderful! It makes my heart ache to miss all that!
We'll just have to squeeze in as much as we can in August.