Dec 27/08 NYE Western Cruise - Really New Thread

[artman]

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my American friends.

 

[CADZNYCHC]

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my American friends.

omg ....THANK YOU Artie....i'm so sorry i totally forgot about you being in Canada...BUT i am just as excited to meet you, Claudia & Owen 1 month from today as well!!!

 

[jeff318]

I know I told you that I would give an update about ICE at Gaylord Palms. I would DEFINITELY recommend it - the displays are phenomenal, and if you are a AAA member and go during the week, you can get a pretty good deal too. The price includes free hot cocoa, but unfortunately the parking is at an added cost - around $10 for self-parking, if I remember correctly.

We valet parked, since Ally wanted to make up for getting us lost (mind you, she's the one who lives in Orlando!). That was $20, but it would have been reduced to $5 if we had the ticket validated at a restaurant or bar at Gaylord Palms. We would have grabbed a bite to eat (essentially $15 free, if you think about it), but we were in a rush to get back to Epcot to see Illuminations.

The displays at ICE were so amazing - intricate sculptures of reindeer, Santa, and a nativity scene were highlights, as well as a slide made of ice. I didn't have an issue with the 9-degree temperature (being from New York), but Ally really wished she had brought gloves along!

 

[nskjerven]

I know I told you that I would give an update about ICE at Gaylord Palms. I would DEFINITELY recommend it - the displays are phenomenal, and if you are a AAA member and go during the week, you can get a pretty good deal too. The price includes free hot cocoa, but unfortunately the parking is at an added cost - around $10 for self-parking, if I remember correctly.

We valet parked, since Ally wanted to make up for getting us lost (mind you, she's the one who lives in Orlando!). That was $20, but it would have been reduced to $5 if we had the ticket validated at a restaurant or bar at Gaylord Palms. We would have grabbed a bite to eat (essentially $15 free, if you think about it), but we were in a rush to get back to Epcot to see Illuminations.

The displays at ICE were so amazing - intricate sculptures of reindeer, Santa, and a nativity scene were highlights, as well as a slide made of ice. I didn't have an issue with the 9-degree temperature (being from New York), but Ally really wished she had brought gloves along!

It sounds neat to see, wondering if you can go *anytime* of day or night, or are there hours to see it. Could we go over really late one night???after we leave the park at 1 or 2 am???

 

[artman]

It sounds neat to see, wondering if you can go *anytime* of day or night, or are there hours to see it. Could we go over really late one night???after we leave the park at 1 or 2 am???

What are you, the energizer bunny?

 

[Marla Hellwig]

Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving

Mom, Kara and I went out to eat - no muss no fuss and - best part - no dishes

Stopped at Walgreens afterwards - saw a couple of things in their ad this morning and thought give it a try plus to walk off our meal

They had Disney digital cameras buy 1 get 1 free - so 4 nieces and nephews are getting those and they had a whole aisle of toys buy 2 get 1 free and for my youngest niece is taken care of too - and ended up spending just about the same dollar amount for each of them - and everything will be easy to mail

Now trying to talk myself in getting up early and hitting the sales or trying to shop online

hmmmm

decisions decisions decisions

 

[jeff318]

It sounds neat to see, wondering if you can go *anytime* of day or night, or are there hours to see it. Could we go over really late one night???after we leave the park at 1 or 2 am???

There are particular hours - I think it was open until 8:30 on the evening that we went. Check www.gaylordpalms.com

 

[nskjerven]

What are you, the energizer bunny?

ok first of all, we are from CA and we have 3 extra hours to be awake and 2nd we're on VACATION baby...time to live, you can sleep when you're dead

There are particular hours - I think it was open until 8:30 on the evening that we went. Check www.gaylordpalms.com

thanks I'm looking it up now

 

[artman]

we're on VACATION baby...time to live, you can sleep when you're dead

I like your style.

We have friends and family that are "resort travelers", all they want to do is sleep-in and lay by the pool. They don't understand us wanting to be "on the go" during vacation. I go on vacation to see and experience things I can't do at home. We have a pool at home and some very beautiful beaches only a few minutes drive away.

 

[disneykelly73]

Artie.. of course I know how East Coast Canadians drink... My grandmother was from PEI.. my dad used to summer there.. and I still have relatives in PEI, Hamilton, ON, Toronto, ON and Montreal. I have seen first hand HOW they drink and it aint water.. and usually doesnt have ice cubes (they might melt )!!!

 

[artman]

Don't get me wrong we're not big drinkers, but we do enjoy a cocktail or two. Claudia has relatives in Newfoundland, Lord thunderen me son those people can drink. I have to stay sober just so I can understand their accent.

 

[disneykelly73]

Too funny!! You dont get their accents!?!?!?

I have watched these people drink so much, you wonder how the heck they are still standing.. ITS scary!!!

Think its too early to call and ask what movies will be showing on the Magic for our cruise?!?!?!

 

[CADZNYCHC]

the table for 10

the 28 lb turkey

my brother in law's parents

BIL, SIL, Mark & Jen

SIL &N MIL

my honey & I (celebrating 21 yrs of wedded bliss today)

and the "kids" with out Ryan (he went to Julia's family dinner)

 

[CADZNYCHC]

ok first of all, we are from CA and we have 3 extra hours to be awake and 2nd we're on VACATION baby...time to live, you can sleep when you're dead

yep - we're going to get along wonderfully!!!

 

[disneykelly73]

Looks like you had a great time!!

Starting my budget today.. to figure out what I need, vs what extra I want to spend.. What are our tips per person for the cruise?? I am not sure if I am looking at a current rate.. but I came out w/76.25 per 1st 2 passengers.. am I reading that right? For some reason, I thought it was higher.

Also, I called and asked about the fuel surcharge, but because the trip was booked before May something 2008, I am not being charged.

Just want to line my ducks up in a row!

 

[CADZNYCHC]

Looks like you had a great time!!

Starting my budget today.. to figure out what I need, vs what extra I want to spend.. What are our tips per person for the cruise?? I am not sure if I am looking at a current rate.. but I came out w/76.25 per 1st 2 passengers.. am I reading that right? For some reason, I thought it was higher.

Also, I called and asked about the fuel surcharge, but because the trip was booked before May something 2008, I am not being charged.

Just want to line my ducks up in a row!

There's a 'recommended tip' suggestion somewhere (i think in your docs when they arrive) - but that figure sounds right too...i always use that & typically add 'extra' cash to the envelopes to some....

 

[disneykelly73]

I too normally add extra $$ when they are phenominal. I also plan on bringing some sweets for them.. lindt chocolates and the like and making up bags for each of them as thanks, in addtion to the cash. I just wanted to make sure I know what the minimum is for sure.

I thought it was higher for some reason.

 

[CADZNYCHC]

I too normally add extra $$ when they are phenominal. I also plan on bringing some sweets for them.. lindt chocolates and the like and making up bags for each of them as thanks, in addtion to the cash. I just wanted to make sure I know what the minimum is for sure.

I thought it was higher for some reason.

ohhhh i never thought about 'gift bags' - thanks for a nice idea (it is okay to borrow your idea??)

 

[nskjerven]

I like your style.

We have friends and family that are "resort travelers", all they want to do is sleep-in and lay by the pool. They don't understand us wanting to be "on the go" during vacation. I go on vacation to see and experience things I can't do at home. We have a pool at home and some very beautiful beaches only a few minutes drive away.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm a lazy slug with the rest of them, just not on vacation Actually Paul gets a bit mifted at me able to pop out of bed on vaca at any early hour and I'm a total slug at home...Speaking of which I have to get dressed now to help with the planting of the tulips (my idea of course...we plant usually 1-2K every year, this year I could only find ~500 of the color I wanted, so it's a down year.)

yep - we're going to get along wonderfully!!!

Can't wait for dinner tonight and the boat that will only be MORE FUN!!!!

GOOD NEWS....drum roll......Paul is off for the holiday Sony has a shut down for part of it so he couldn't be there anyways. And the other good news was that he gets some kind of holiday pay too Since he is a contractor this was totally unexpected so we are very grateful for it

 

[CADZNYCHC]

Now don't get me wrong, I'm a lazy slug with the rest of them, just not on vacation Actually Paul gets a bit mifted at me able to pop out of bed on vaca at any early hour and I'm a total slug at home...Speaking of which I have to get dressed now to help with the planting of the tulips (my idea of course...we plant usually 1-2K every year, this year I could only find ~500 of the color I wanted, so it's a down year.)




Can't wait for dinner tonight and the boat that will only be MORE FUN!!!! ABSOLUTELY....should we meet a little before 7 for a drink first? I know you need to drop the kids...so if the timing doesn't work that's okay...we'll drink with dinner!!

GOOD NEWS....drum roll......Paul is off for the holiday Sony has a shut down for part of it so he couldn't be there anyways. And the other good news was that he gets some kind of holiday pay too Since he is a contractor this was totally unexpected so we are very grateful for it

OMG Nan THAT is FABULOUS news!!!!