Calling All 8/19/06 Special Western Cruisers! AKA "The Cruisin' Castaways" Part 2

[Buddy Bear]

We'll already be in Florida getting ready to head to the Radisson after our breakfast at IHOP, it is becoming a tradition for us, LOL!!!

Hmm? Didn't know there was an IHOP local. Where is it in relation to the Radisson? I guess it must be on A1A.

 

[Verandah Man]

Hmm? Didn't know there was an IHOP local. Where is it in relation to the Radisson? I guess it must be on A1A.

The IHOP is in Deland, FL near my mom's place. We leave her house, drive to the IHOP, have breakfast, then drive down to the port area, which is about 90 minutes away from Deland.

 

[Buddy Bear]

The IHOP is in Deland, FL near my mom's place. We leave her house, drive to the IHOP, have breakfast, then drive down to the port area, which is about 90 minutes away from Deland.

My MIL (Ann) and her sister (Helen) will be with us (party of 6).

We will be driving down to Daytona Beach arriving on Thursday. We will stay until when we drive to port Saturday morning. I see Deland is fairly close to Daytona Beach.

It would be cool to have breakfast with you (nice to invite myself) , but my family will probably just want to find something in town.

 

[allshookup]

Speaking of concierge...we are taking a quick Christmas trip at the beginning of Dec. to use our AP's once more before they expire. We tried to get Polynesian Concierge but there wasn't even a regular room available. Everything is booked! I was a bit disappointed but we ended up getting AK concierge so we can do the sunrise safari. This will be our first time doing concierge ever so I am very excited to try it!

It cooled off yesterday afternoon which is why I was able to stand being upstairs in the office without air conditioning. It is beautiful today & is suppose to stay cool all weekend. There were a few big storms in our area, but luckily they missed us.

Two weeks...yippeeee!!!

Diane

 

[Ct_TiggerFan]

Several checks arrived yesterday.... Diane (AllShookUp), I LOVED the lime green stationary!! And a lot of the envelopes were decorated with Disney stickers...very nice! I've never gotten such fun mail.

Moira: I'll reply to your Polynesian question in more detail later when I get home, but I have a question for you: How many nights are you going to be there? We stayed at the Polynesian in a lagoon/concierge room last fall and also had the Disney Dining Plan. It was a TON of food, however we didn't feel it was overkill to have the DDP AND concierge. We had breakfast each morning in the concierge lounge (continental breakfast, but very, very nice selections), then had our sit-down meal for dinner, and the counter service meal for lunch. In the evenings in the concierge lounge, we tried the hot food offerings an hour or so before our scheduled dinner times, it made a nice appetizer of sorts I think a lot depends on how late/early you plan on having dinner. Now, having said all that, I have to agree with the way of thinking that concierge is not really meant to be a meal plan anyway, and there's a lot more to concierge than just the food offerings. Many, many people don't see a need for concierge and will never pay extra for it. We happen to love concierge, especially at the Polynesian, for these reasons: We already know in advance which longhouse we'll be in; the Hawaii building, which is the Most convenient longhouse at the resort. The lounge itself is wonderful, it's 2-stories high and has floor-to-ceiling glass walls which face the Magic Kingdom and castle. If you arrive early to the resort (before check-in) and/or will be staying later on your last day, you have access to the lounge and all of its offerings from the moment you step foot onto the resort until the moment you leave. We find this extremely convenient for us, and is a big factor for why we choose concierge when we travel with our sons. Ok, so this isn't quite a short reply... but I'll finish it later on!

Jeff: Gorgeous house, I know the area I also grew up spending my summers there, and still visit there every summer.

Bev: CONGRATULATIONS! Wow, that is great!! And I thought I was happy knowing I was going back on a Disney cruise in February!!!

Ed: You poor thing! I've never had poison ivy in my entire life. I hope you get some relief soon!

Tina: I know what you mean! I told John the other day that in another couple of weeks I'll be losing my job of posting the weekly countdown! LOL Then he reminded me that we'll be going on another Disney cruise in February, but the countdowns just won't be the same without the Cruising Castaways!!

Terry

You will just need to start the count down when we can all book for 2008,
Then the countdown for 2008 cruise

 

[Ct_TiggerFan]

Ed,

How's the rash?

No more injuries since you and I have only 1 WEEK TO START OUR HOLIDAYS!!

Still itchy but getting better

 

[Buddy Bear]

Speaking of concierge...we are taking a quick Christmas trip at the beginning of Dec. to use our AP's once more before they expire. We tried to get Polynesian Concierge but there wasn't even a regular room available. Everything is booked! I was a bit disappointed but we ended up getting AK concierge so we can do the sunrise safari. This will be our first time doing concierge ever so I am very excited to try it!

It cooled off yesterday afternoon which is why I was able to stand being upstairs in the office without air conditioning. It is beautiful today & is suppose to stay cool all weekend. There were a few big storms in our area, but luckily they missed us.

Two weeks...yippeeee!!!

Diane

We have done concierge at both WL and AK and although my favorite resort is WL, AK has a better set up for concierge. There is a seperate section on the 6th floor which is only accessible through your KTTW card. There is a lounge area with nice chairs, TV, newspapers, videos, games, and a nice spread for breakfast.

The Sunrise Safari is also very cool. It it much longer and detailed than the 5 minute Kilamanjaro ride. Because it is first thing in the morning the animals are more active since it isn't brutally hot yet. After the safari you go back to the Tusker house for a nice buffet breakfast in a private room which you wouldn't know exists unless you did the safari.

You will have a great time, I highly recommend AK, just try to get a courtyard view on the 5th floor so the children can wake up to giraffes, zebras, etc since they are right outside your verandah.

Have fun,

Jeff

 

[Ct_TiggerFan]

The IHOP is in Deland, FL near my mom's place. We leave her house, drive to the IHOP, have breakfast, then drive down to the port area, which is about 90 minutes away from Deland.

We have what has become a tradition too

Lunch at the Shoney's just outside of the Downtown diseny enterance
We normally arrive in FL either by train and plane in the noon time hour and have lunch at that shoneys

 

[Walsh clan]

Congrats on page 650 Andy!

 

[5by5]

Is there a way to figure out your dining rotation now rather than waiting until you see your KTTW card?

5by5

 

[allshookup]

Jeff: Thanks for the info. on AK concierge. I will definitely check into that courtyard view!

I just made my resv. for ME on the return trip from BCV on 9-1. I can't believe I almost forgot to do that! I also tried to make some ADR's for that week, but I had to choose different nights, very late dining times, etc. I'm glad I made the important ones weeks ago, because the restaurants are booking up fast!

I'm trying to get plans in order. I think I'll go see about ordering some baskets now!

Take Care!
Diane

 

[Reenieny18]

Terry... your count down days will never be over.. you have to start the 2008 phantom cruise for Aug 16th...

It s nice day here.. Sunny and not so humid. Finallysome normal weather here...

Ed.. I hope that heals before you leave for vacation.. If not. umm not get to clode to me ok,,, no offense by friend.. but I have enough problems in that area ,,lol

Ok LADIES, I am ordering over $1700 of jewelry to have them for the cruise to show off for the SHOW we are having on deck 9 on MONDAY at 2 pm. Bring credit cards or cash... I will send the items directly to your home in about 10 days after the cruise.. when the items come in of course.. and of course after I come down from the cruise HIGH

BEV did the brown truck cme to visit you yet?? I am jealous of your next cruise as well...

DOREEN

DOREEN

 

[Verandah Man]

My MIL (Ann) and her sister (Helen) will be with us (party of 6).

We will be driving down to Daytona Beach arriving on Thursday. We will stay until when we drive to port Saturday morning. I see Deland is fairly close to Daytona Beach.

It would be cool to have breakfast with you (nice to invite myself) , but my family will probably just want to find something in town.

Jeff--Where will you be staying in Daytona Beach? Daytona is only about 25-30 miles east of where my mom lives. Maybe we could hook up for dinner Thursday evening. Our flight arrives around 2:30 Thursday afternoon and it will take about an hour to get to my mom's from the airport. Do you have plans for dinner on Thursday?

 

[Verandah Man]

For those meeting at Grills on Friday August 18th at 5pm, I just received an e-mail from a friend that stated there will be several bottles of wine waiting for our group at Grills, I will reveal who they are from during the dinner.

 

[mickeymom923]

Right now I am on Not only doing our cruise in 2 weeks but the 11 day next month, too.

Doreen, when my doorbell rang I ran to the door. There was the big brown truck leaving me a box. It wasn't LS it was brochures from RCCL that I ordered. Tomorrow I won't be home, because I am taking a friend on the Empress of the Seas for a tour and lunch from 11:30 - 4:00. Unfortunately, we have to be off by 4 before it sails.

I'm so glad that I was off from work today or I would never have booked te 11 day cruise. Too good to pass up.

Bev

 

[allshookup]

Bev: That is so exciting to be going on another cruise so soon! You should be leaving the Magic with a great big smile on your face knowing you're heading right back out to sea!

Andy: I just ordered baskets from The Perfect Gift. I didn't get to speak to Shirley, I spoke to her assistant, who is very nice by the way. I was hoping Shirley answered so I could find out if she remembered meeting me before our 2003 cruise at the Radisson. I was going to say, "Remember me? I'm the one that spilled your beer all over the place!"

Diane

 

[ElliotFan]

Becky,

I noticed that your location says "Mt. Rainier". Where exactly?

My grandparents used to live in Puyallup. (I'd love to see you non-Northwest natives try to pronounce that name! ) One of my favorite ski areas is Crystal Mountain. I live over on the Kitsap penninsula between Bremerton and Silverdale (near the county fairgrounds).

I'm glad to have a few folks from the 'hood on this trip. The cruise two years a go was probably 80-90% from the east coast (mostly New York and New Jersey, as I recall).

Counting the days 'til I see y'all!

Dori

 

[Princess Aurora45]

A general question - is anybody doing the talent show? I was thinking of doing it but Im not sure.

 

[Verandah Man]

I was going to say, "Remember me? I'm the one that spilled your beer all over the place!"

Diane--I remember that, LOL!!!!!

 

[Verandah Man]

A general question - is anybody doing the talent show? I was thinking of doing it but Im not sure.

I know I'm not, LOL!!!


I say, go for it!!!