Disney Wonder Jan 23, 2011

[Kidlette]

Callie,
I've added your family to our "Characters of Wonder" page! I added the info I saw in your post, but if you'd like to share anything else just let me know! You can email me directly at mrsjeccamcintosh@yahoo.com, or just put the info in a post. (Please don't PM me though, because I don't check dis-boards regularly since school started, but I do check my email daily!!!!) The page with all of our info is located at: https://sites.google.com/site/wonderjan23/home/characters-of-wonder
Feel free to look it over and let me know any info you might want me to add (or remove, for that matter). I think the empty spaces are cabin category, dining time, and fish extender.

Oh - by the way. I saw you comment that you were going to look into fish extenders, magnets, etc. Did you find the info you need? Do you have questions? If so, feel free to ask all of us - we're HAPPY to share our knowledge or give any needed explanation!!

 

[jkrislc]

I'll see if I can dig it up, but the image is way too small for a T-shirt. I looked into blowing it up for a postcard (3"x5") and even at that small size the image quality was very poor. The original image was just too small.

Thanks. You're right; it is much too small.

Kris

 

[jkrislc]

OK - I decided DISboards before homework! If I forget anything, I'm sorry!


Sue: I can't remember the name of the restaurant you said you and Jeff were going to. Will you please remind me? I'd like to check them out. The more I think about it, Kris has a great idea about getting something small and eating on the ship - saving $$ for going somewhere awesome to eat in Cabo! Hey Kris: what kinds of places are in Cabo? Do you have any place in particular in mind? If it's ok with you and Sheri, maybe Ryan and I can join the 3 of you?!? Cabo is one place we can't figure out. We are getting off the ship (mostly because Ryan has never done a tender before). That way we can take some pics of the ship anchored, then we were just planning to walk around a little and get right back on the ship (no tours). If you guys are just shopping and eating, we'd love to join you! (If you want some family time, that's alright too - just be honest! Sue, I think we'll decide on where we eat when it gets closer. Who knows, we might even decide the day of based on seeing Victor's. Not sure yet

Feel free to hang with us in Cabo; however, if you haven't done it I'd recommend a tour to the Arch (takes a little less than an hour from the marina). As for food, there's just about anything you could want; we're seafood lovers, so that's where we are heading. I know you guys don't like seafood, but they do have other choices (carne, pollo, etc.). We're also going to the Hagendaz ice cream store as a surprise for Brady's birthday. They use to have this chocolate fondue with fresh fruit, little ice cream balls, etc. that I think would be fun. Again, you're welcome to join us.

Victor's is fine, but I'm willing to try something else too. Think the other one is called Tony's. We'll just need to arrange this with Randi to coordinate return transportation. We may also just hang at Victor's to chat with Randi and let Brady have fun on the beach. Too early to decide yet.

I have hybrid (late starting) classes, so they haven't started yet. While I'm on campus working (they have me doing some administrative stuff), my classes don't actually begin for another couple of weeks. But I know it's going to be crazy; I have about 20 people on each of my waiting lists and the classes have been filled for a couple of months. I don't envy your English classes. While I minored in English, it was my least favorite subject out of all of them.

Definitely apply to every school your interested in. I'm currently writing letters for a former student who has a very good chance of getting into Johns Hopkins next year. As for the SAT, I never took it and I did okay in the end. Did have to take the GRE, though.

Teachers WILL NOT laugh at you. Just be prepared. Only ask professors whom you know will write good letters. Provide them with a little bio, what you're interested in studying, remind them what class you had them for, your grade in the class, etc. You may also want to include a copy of your unofficial transcript unless there are some low grades you don't want them to see. It's also common practice to include an addressed, stamped envelope for them to send the letters in, but that's up to you.

Kris

Kris

 

[Kidlette]

Feel free to hang with us in Cabo; however, if you haven't done it I'd recommend a tour to the Arch (takes a little less than an hour from the marina). As for food, there's just about anything you could want; we're seafood lovers, so that's where we are heading. I know you guys don't like seafood, but they do have other choices (carne, pollo, etc.). We're also going to the Hagendaz ice cream store as a surprise for Brady's birthday. They use to have this chocolate fondue with fresh fruit, little ice cream balls, etc. that I think would be fun. Again, you're welcome to join us.

Victor's is fine, but I'm willing to try something else too. Think the other one is called Tony's. We'll just need to arrange this with Randi to coordinate return transportation. We may also just hang at Victor's to chat with Randi and let Brady have fun on the beach. Too early to decide yet.

I have hybrid (late starting) classes, so they haven't started yet. While I'm on campus working (they have me doing some administrative stuff), my classes don't actually begin for another couple of weeks. But I know it's going to be crazy; I have about 20 people on each of my waiting lists and the classes have been filled for a couple of months. I don't envy your English classes. While I minored in English, it was my least favorite subject out of all of them.

Definitely apply to every school your interested in. I'm currently writing letters for a former student who has a very good chance of getting into Johns Hopkins next year. As for the SAT, I never took it and I did okay in the end. Did have to take the GRE, though.

Teachers WILL NOT laugh at you. Just be prepared. Only ask professors whom you know will write good letters. Provide them with a little bio, what you're interested in studying, remind them what class you had them for, your grade in the class, etc. You may also want to include a copy of your unofficial transcript unless there are some low grades you don't want them to see. It's also common practice to include an addressed, stamped envelope for them to send the letters in, but that's up to you.

Kris

Kris

Thanks for all the great info on school, I will definitely heed all of that advice! I am taking 5 classes this semester but I arranged 2 of them as short-term; one at the beginning of the semester and one late start at the end of the semester, that way I am only doing work for 4 classes at any given time! Although it helps with time management (kind of), you still have to cover ALL of the info, so really you're doing twice the work. I suppose it's just easier to keep it straight doing 2 chapters per week in one class than it would be with 2 different classes. Good luck when the semester starts!

Cabo sounds great! I think I read something about the arch, its a little boat trip or something over there? I don't remember. We'll look into it, but I don't know that Ryan really cares about it. I'll have him check and then we'll let you know. BTW - I LOVE ice cream, especially Haagen dazs!! Brady is a lucky little boy, that's a great b-day surprise!! Cabo isn't is actually bday, is it? We don't like seafood, but we love pollo!

Kris & Everyone: OH! I remember the question I was going to ask earlier. Someone had mentioned Randi's and asked the price and if transportation is included. For people who might not be aware, I wanted to point out that transportation is from "the TERMINAL" NOT the pier! Randi said it's not far from the pier, but be sure to not think we're being picked up at the pier. Since you have taken this excursion before I thought I'd ask you: where is "the terminal"? Does that mean at the airport? It it a walking distance thing, or will we need to be sharing cabs?

Alrighty then, I have been really unmotivated this weekend. I posted earlier, wrote maybe 1 paragraph for 1 of my papers, and then we went to lunch. We just got home 15 minutes ago and I still haven't done ANY of the homework I mentioned earlier!

Toodles everyone

 

[googles111]

Tonya - You aren't getting out of the zipline that easily! We have the problem where Emma (4) is too young to do it. I emailed the company to ask and they said one of us can wait with Emma while the other does the canopy tour and then we switch off. There is plenty there to do for the parent and kid that aren't on the zipline. You can swim in the river (if it's warm enough), feed the monkeys, look at the animals, eat at the restaurant, and I forget what else. We also talked about having me go first and then take Emma back to the ship while Amy does the zipline if we run out of things to do.

They still charge admission but it is heavily discounted if someone doesn't want to do the zipline. They said as long as you get there early, there is plenty of time to do all this and still get a shuttle back. The shuttles leave regularly so it isn't like a rigidly-scheduled excursion.

If some of us plan to go at the same time that have to switch off, we can at least have some company to hang out with while we wait.

-steve

Wow, I didn't realize they had all that. I also looked on Trip Advisor. I love that site for info. If anybody wants to read reviews on this place this is the link. http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUser...os-Puerto_Vallarta_Pacific_Coast.html#REVIEWS

I did see a couple people said they were scared of heights (like me!). They did it so I am thinking should I try it and get over my fear? We went to the boardwalk in Santa Cruz, Ca. and we went on those little baskets that go on the cables. I was SOOO scared. That's why I am not sure if I can do it. I get scared up on a balcony!! Anybody else going that is scared of heights?

Tonya: Scurred, LOL, I love it! If Ryan does the canopy tour, I would be happy to hang out with the kids on location looking at the animals and stuff. That's an open offer to all the kiddos, Alec, Emma, yours, and any others! Depending on the number of kids I might need a non-participating parent to help me out, but I'm totally up for it. I would NEVER do the zipline, but this way I wouldn't be by myself on another tour, I could hang out there while Ryan does the zip with all of you. I don't know what everyone thinks about that. Thoughts everyone?!?

Awww thanks, that's nice of you Are any other kids going? Not sure if I should bribe my 8 year old to go.. ha.. Might have to bribe my 12 year old too! Why aren't you going? Are you scared?
Tonya

 

[Kidlette]

Awww thanks, that's nice of you Are any other kids going? Not sure if I should bribe my 8 year old to go.. ha.. Might have to bribe my 12 year old too! Why aren't you going? Are you scared?
Tonya

Hi Tonya! I am absolutely, unequivocally, and undeniably scared! I don't do heights OR dropping/falling feelings! For anyone that says, "face your fears" or "come on, you can do it" I say "expletive, expletive, expletive!" I am an adult who knows her limits, and ziplining is not nor will it ever be a part of my life! Sorry to everyone who would want me to go, it simply will not happen. As far as other kids, I'm not sure yet. Ryan and I still need to discuss whether or not it's worth it for him to do it. If he really wants to, then I will just go and wait. I imagine if I end up going and hanging around that a kid or two will join me, but that will depend on Steve and Amy (their daughter Emma is 5, I believe). They are the only one's who I know are seriously looking at doing it. Others have mentioned it, but I'm not sure who's serious and who's not. I think Cari and her group are going, but they don't have any kids. It really all depends on whether or not Ryan decides to go. If you end up going you should make your 12 year old go for sure! I don't know anything about the tour, but I think an 8 year old is allowed?!?

Hopefully we'll all start making some definite plans soon! I'm getting super-duper excited!! We are also looking at confirming a WDW trip for Food and Wine Festival next year (October 2011). In anyone else will be going, shoot me an email! Right now we're looking at 10/22 - 10/29 of 2011!! (9-year wedding anniversary trip)!!

P.S. Cari - out of curiosity, if you go ziplining where will Denver be? Just curious!

 

[jkrislc]

Jessica,

The terminal is at the pier essential. It's a building at the gates leading to the pier. While the building isn't as close to the pier as the checkin terminal, it's all part of the same complex. I believe they provide a free tram as I don't believe they want you to walk on the pier. I can't remember why, but it could be that it is a commercial pier.

As for Brady's birthday, it's the 28th, which I think is the day we're in Cabo.

Kris

 

[Kidlette]

Jessica,

The terminal is at the pier essential. It's a building at the gates leading to the pier. While the building isn't as close to the pier as the checkin terminal, it's all part of the same complex. I believe they provide a free tram as I don't believe they want you to walk on the pier. I can't remember why, but it could be that it is a commercial pier.

As for Brady's birthday, it's the 28th, which I think is the day we're in Cabo.

Kris

That makes sense - thanks for the clarification!

If it's his actually bday, we don't want to intrude on our family time.

Also, I have a question: I haven't looked yet (too lazy, tired, and busy), but Ryan said that he read some of the reviews on Randi's that were posted somewhere in our thread, and he said that several of them said to bring a pair of clothes you don't care if you ever wear again. Do you know why? This didn't make sense to me, but I'm too lazy to go read about it myself.

Thanks!!

 

[jkrislc]

That makes sense - thanks for the clarification!

If it's his actually bday, we don't want to intrude on our family time.

Also, I have a question: I haven't looked yet (too lazy, tired, and busy), but Ryan said that he read some of the reviews on Randi's that were posted somewhere in our thread, and he said that several of them said to bring a pair of clothes you don't care if you ever wear again. Do you know why? This didn't make sense to me, but I'm too lazy to go read about it myself.

Thanks!!

The clothes issue has to do with the horse smell. Your clothes won't be ruined; you just might not want to wear them again. It's worse when it's hot out, so we are lucky. Also, don't think that the horses aren't clean because they are; it's just what it is.

 

[jkrislc]

Sorry I couldn't reply in one post; I'm having issues with editing from my phone.

Jessica, I'll probably just wear a tshirt and jeans that I'll also have worn when we board the ship. In other words, pick something that you'll have already worn earlier in the cruise that you don't want t wear again. We are bringing beach clothes in a backpack just in case.

 

[denversees4me]

Hi all
WOOP WOOP Im all caught up !!!! Ha !!! I have been keeping up with the boards YIPPEE

Kris - I herd YEA there is a free tram to the terminal ......

OK SORRY but Im ROLLING you people and your clothes and the horses LOL you dont have to worry about wrecking a good pair of clothes to ride as someone from another board said LOL Horses are my LIFE so I ride and clean up after them DAILY - if you all can stand the sight and smell of me when I get onboard then ... THAT is what you will smell / look like after your ride . Horses have a distinct smell when they sweat but to me you only get grungey when you ride bareback and we wont be doing that ( unless I can talk Randi into it for my ride simply because I love riding bareback ) so relax all .... you will be fine with any clothes just dont wear shorts no matter how hot it is ... you will be sorry - and when you get off the horse ( even for me who rides almost all the time ) you will have some places that are sore that you NEVER EVEN KNEW EXHISTED lol you will want to hit the hot tub that night on the ship for sure
so thats my horse Cents lol but really theres no need to worry about smell or ruining clothes so rest easy
ok got to run much love to all my ocean family

 

[Kidlette]

Kris & Cari: Thanks for the info! I am personally not worried; although it's been 19 years since I've been on a horse, we had horses when I was really little. Personally, for me they smell like my childhood, so I like it. I agree with NOT wearing shorts; however, I believe Randi told me in an email I might want to consider shorts or capri's. I NEVER wear shorts, but I'm worried some of our fellow cruisers might do that. If I recall, jeans or long pants are probably best (capri's OK depending how short/long they are). Anywho - you guys rock! Thanks! Off to another 14 hour day!

 

[denversees4me]

Hi guys !!!
Ohhhh I feel so special Im still all caught up on the boards

I had the funniest dream lastnight LOL I had a dream that the cruise came and I didnt even remember christmas ( I keep saying AFTER christmas I can start to get packed and excited ) I didnt have anything except a small bag and it didnt have many clothes in it .... the biggest part of the dream.... I FORGOT MY FE !!!! I had no way to get my FE stuff and apparently in my dream I was giving out cookies and that was IT !!!!
I know Im crazy huh LOL sorry but I had to post it ! it was the strangest dream .
ok got to run im off to the house of the mouse ( Disneyland ) Have a good day yall

 

[DangerMouse]

Callie,
I've added your family to our "Characters of Wonder" page! I added the info I saw in your post, but if you'd like to share anything else just let me know! You can email me directly at mrsjeccamcintosh@yahoo.com, or just put the info in a post. (Please don't PM me though, because I don't check dis-boards regularly since school started, but I do check my email daily!!!!) The page with all of our info is located at: https://sites.google.com/site/wonderjan23/home/characters-of-wonder
Feel free to look it over and let me know any info you might want me to add (or remove, for that matter). I think the empty spaces are cabin category, dining time, and fish extender.

Oh - by the way. I saw you comment that you were going to look into fish extenders, magnets, etc. Did you find the info you need? Do you have questions? If so, feel free to ask all of us - we're HAPPY to share our knowledge or give any needed explanation!!

Hi Jessica. Thanks for adding us to the info page. If you want more details I can tell you that my kids names are Kendall, Kenyon and Kadee (oldest to youngest), and we have a Cat 4 GTY and our dining is yet to be assigned, but we've requested early.

I already emailed Randi and we're on the 8:30 am tour. I've ridden with her before, so I knew to email her right away as her tours are quite popular.

I haven't decided who we want to do the Canopy tour with in PV, but leaning toward Los Veranos.

I get the magnet sign thing, and since my dh is a graphic designer, I'm sure he'll be making one for us. The fish extender thing is a bit fuzzy for me. I've seen pics and I get that each family member has their own pocket? Then do you do secret deliveries to other FE people each day of the cruise? Any additional info would be great.

Thanks again for the warm welcome.

 

[DangerMouse]

One more question I forgot to ask: How do you know what port time vs. ship time is? I need to know for booking tours. If DCL says they port in PV from 7:30 am to 7 pm, is that local PV time or is there a time difference?

Thanks for any help.

 

[ryanmcin]

One more question I forgot to ask: How do you know what port time vs. ship time is? I need to know for booking tours. If DCL says they port in PV from 7:30 am to 7 pm, is that local PV time or is there a time difference?

Thanks for any help.

If I recall correctly the navigator that you get each day will tell you to set your clock forward or backward as you travel into different time zones so I would imagine that any times that they list for excursions and so forth are all local.

 

[ryanmcin]

Just a quick word about the new (2011) Passporter for DCL.

If you don't know what a Passporter is it is basically a guidebook, but a very good and very unofficial guidebook. The information is presented in a way that is more like a friendly conversation with a big Disney fan rather than just boring descriptions.

The Passporter for Disney World is great and it is a lot of fun to have around. If you are planning a WDW trip any time soon it is worth checking out.

The DCL Passporter has some nice information, but, there isn't much in there about the new cruises for next year. I'm not surprised that there is nothing about the Alaska cruise, but I figured that since there were Mexican Rivera cruises a few years ago that we would get some information based upon that. No such luck though. We had a DCL Passporter to prepare for our last cruise back in January of 2009 and the book is basically the same (as far as the Wonder is concerned).

With all that being said the DCL Passporter is still a helpful resource if you are a first time cruiser (or just want to read about DCL), but you can just buy an older copy and save some money if you want one.

 

[SueTGGR]

I have been reading just not posting lately. Silly me, I usually coach High School volleyball and this Fall I found myself not so the school my son attends asks if I will coach the 8th grade team. I say "Sure" since I need volunteer hours anyway. THEN, they can't find enough coaches for all the girls that want to play. Now I am coaching both the 7th AND 8th grade teams. OH MY! I have to keep telling myself that I am so thankful God gave me all boys and no girls when I had my babies! Pre-teen girls are interesting, is all I can say. So, much to say, I have been running from morning til night for the last couple of days. And then tonight I stupidly picked up a pan that was very hot ( I had turned the fire on it and didn't realize it until I went to put it back on the rack ) and burned my right hand. I am so pissed off at myself. I just wasn't thinking and dinner was not progressing like I needed it to. So now I am hoping it will heal quickly so I can keep these girls hopping! Enough about my trials and tribulations.

Ryan I didn't see the post about you getting the passporter until it was after the fact. I actually pre-ordered the latest cruise one. I ended up canceling it. It was suggested to me to just get the older version they published for the last Mexican cruise. I bought the lonely planet books instead for Mexico to quell my thirst for reading more about our stops. Hopefully there is some new information for you in the book. I guess you can always sell it on half.com (or e-bay or one of those sites) if not! BTW, Thank you for posting the photobucket link, I added it to my signature.

Jessica the restaurant was Tony's on the beach. I guess there are other "Tony's" so you have to be very specific. This is more info from Mazatlan Frank here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=37885068#post37885068 jess, I hope you are getting chances to catch your breath now & then. Sounds like things are well.

Cari Like a good number of us, it sounds like, I have rode horses as well but I will pack an extra plastic bag to store my clothes after the ride so our room won't smell like I have one of the horses in my room! And I second the motion for jeans for riding apparel. But I will take a backpack with a change of clothes as I am hoping for shorts type weather!
And I love your sharing your dream with us. I know I have those kind of dreams when I start to stress about the details.

OK, I am off to whimper about my hand and then off to bed to hopefully get some sleep.
Later,
Sue

 

[denversees4me]

Hey Ryan
Where do we get that book thingey your talking about ? Is there a link for it you could add? Thanks


Steve - What days for d land again ?

 

[Kidlette]

Hey Ryan
Where do we get that book thingey your talking about ? Is there a link for it you could add? Thanks


Steve - What days for d land again ?

Hi Cari,
I will give you 3 links. The passporter website is more expensive than Amazon, but sometimes they have coupon codes so you can check that out. Two weeks ago I bought mine on Amazon because it was $2 or $3 cheaper than the company's direct website. I will give you the link for this year's edition found on the company's site, this year's edition from Amazon, and last year's edition from Amazon. As Ryan said in his review, since we are on the 1st Mexico sailing there is absoloutely NO info in the new book about our destination, so wasting money for the new one isn't necessary. If you buy last year's it has the exact same info!


Amazon's 2009 edition
Amazon's 2010 edition
Passporter.com's 2010 edition

Enjoy!