Disney Wonder March 20th 2011 sailing

[ethanash1]

Is the Red Queen at the alice in wonderland tea? We LOVE the Red Queen!!!
"Off with his head!"

She wasn't

Sorry.... but they could definitely change it up this time.

 

[ethanash1]

DCA is definitely worth checking out, I don't know how old your girls are, there are probably some rides they can't go on. But Toy Story Midway Mania is awesome, as is Soarin. The Bug's Land rides are very cute, especially if your kids are young. We were bummed too that Ariel wouldn't be open yet, I heard they are soft opening it over Easter weekend, we missed it by a month!

If the price isn't much difference I'd go for the 4 days and take it a little easier. You'll get an early entry with a park hopper, I highly recommend you take advantage of that. The lines for the Fantasyland rides and Finding Nemo are SO much shorter. My Disneyland strategy is always to go as early as possible in the day, you can usually ride almost as many rides in the first two hours after opening as you can during the entire rest of the day.

We love Disneyland so much, we typically go every year or every other year, but this time we're skipping it because we don't really have enough time to make it financially worth it.

I agree it's totally worth checking out CA Adventure too.. We have annual passes, so we are there all the time.... one of the perks of living in So Cal I guess!

Toy Story Mania, and bugs life are great. Soarin over California is my DH favorite ride there..... If you can, I recommend breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel. It's a buffet with exceptional food choices,and the Disney touch. The characters dance and sing with you too. My daughter is a vegetarian, and we went last year. They didn't have much for her to choose from, so the chef came out and asked her what she would like. Then they made her her very own pasta dish with every veggie under the sun! THAT is why i pay the extra $$ for Disney.... Am I right??



Be sure to visit Downtown Disney and The Grand Californian Hotel.... It's our Home away from Home.... We belong to DVC so we stay there pretty often in the Villas..... but the lobby alone will make you ooh and aah...

 

[ethanash1]

We've never been to CA adventures, so I guess at least we don't have any expectations...? Is it still worth checking out? I think we're just a couple months early for the new Ariel Undersea Adventure. She's our favorite, so that's a little disappointing. But, again the girls don't know what they are missing.

We get in on Wednesday afternoon. I haven't decided if we'll do 3 day Park Hoppers, or 4. We'd only be there from about 3pm on on Wed. But, I thought it might be good to get in a parade, or evening show that first night. We're just coming from Portland, and it's an 11 am flight, so we should be rested. It's such a neglible difference in price for a 4 day...

One of the bonuses of going all the time is that I have found lots of ways to save some $$. We might eat at the parks and restaurants once in a while, but it's so pricey for all of us that more often, we head out of the parks to eat. There are several places to eat something within walking distance or a short drive. Here are some links that could be helpful to you.....

http://www.anaheimoc.org/Articles/Archive/Webpage10153.asp#dining

http://www.mousesavers.com/disneyland.html

Enjoy!

 

[cruisindisney]

We have had several people unable to stay in the fish extender exchange. Please confirm with myself or Cyndi and your group leader if you are going to be staying in the group or not. If you have emailed one of us already with this information, you don't need to worry about doing it again.

Once we get the responses we need, we'll repost the list with the changes. Sorry for all this guys. We appreciate your patience.

 

[mommykeg]

We have had several people unable to stay in the fish extender exchange. Please confirm with myself or Cyndi and your group leader if you are going to be staying in the group or not. If you have emailed one of us already with this information, you don't need to worry about doing it again.

Once we get the responses we need, we'll repost the list with the changes. Sorry for all this guys. We appreciate your patience.

Just a thought...maybe if we are losing several cabins, we should consider just splitting into just TWO FE groups. What do you guys think? The 75-100 cabins from my last cruise was way too big...but 10 cabins might be a bit too small! I personally think that a group of 20-30 cabins would be perfect...but I'll go along with whatever the majority thinks!

 

[pnwprincess]

One of the bonuses of going all the time is that I have found lots of ways to save some $$. We might eat at the parks and restaurants once in a while, but it's so pricey for all of us that more often, we head out of the parks to eat. There are several places to eat something within walking distance or a short drive. Here are some links that could be helpful to you.....

http://www.anaheimoc.org/Articles/Archive/Webpage10153.asp#dining

http://www.mousesavers.com/disneyland.html

Enjoy!

Thanks for the info, I'll check it out!

 

[tiggerkid]

Just a thought...maybe if we are losing several cabins, we should consider just splitting into just TWO FE groups. What do you guys think? The 75-100 cabins from my last cruise was way too big...but 10 cabins might be a bit too small! I personally think that a group of 20-30 cabins would be perfect...but I'll go along with whatever the majority thinks!

I'm a first timer so I will defer to the experienced FErs on how to divide up the group. I'm up for the challenge however it breaks out. I've been brainstorming ideas with the help of the FE threads ...

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

Just a thought...maybe if we are losing several cabins, we should consider just splitting into just TWO FE groups. What do you guys think? The 75-100 cabins from my last cruise was way too big...but 10 cabins might be a bit too small! I personally think that a group of 20-30 cabins would be perfect...but I'll go along with whatever the majority thinks!

I've done the FE on all 5 previous cruises, I've never had less than 15 cabins, even on a 4 night. But unlike Kim, I've not had more than 30 on the 7 nights. YIKES 75-100! Holy moly. I second the idea of 20-30 per group. I just wonder if there is only 10, unless everyone has an assigned day there might be a day or two when you don't receive anything in the FE. And half the fun for my kids is coming back to the room and there's almost always goodies! However, if it's too much to rework then it's not a big deal.

 

[cruisindisney]

This FE situation is getting crazy! Anyway, we're waiting to hear from everyone that they are still in the groups. We have been discussing dividing up the Minnie group since there is no leader.

If you would prefer to have a bigger group, here's my proposal - sign up for another group. If you are a member of Mickey, let us know you want another group or two and we'll add you to a second or third group as well. Then those who want a small group, get their small group and those who want a larger group, get a larger group.

I've made enough things to sign up for another group, so I'm considering doing this as well.

Let me know what you all think. Let's try to get this all figured out this week.

 

[belle'ssister]

I would be interested to be a part of a second group if the groups remain as small as they are now. I agree with mommykeg that if the groups are to small it's not as fun for the kids. I know Andre is looking forward to the FE so a few more groups for us to give gifts to would fine.

 

[Lissame]

I would be interested to be a part of a second group if the groups remain as small as they are now. I agree with mommykeg that if the groups are to small it's not as fun for the kids. I know Andre is looking forward to the FE so a few more groups for us to give gifts to would fine.

I agree, let us know how you want to do it, if you want to split us into two groups or if you want us to ask to join two groups. I'd personally go for just doing another split and splitting us all into two groups. But I'll go with whatever everyone wants.

 

[toescat]

59 days and we'll be in Disneyland, before the cruise!!

I haven't been in 20 years, for my DH, it's been longer and our 2 DDs have never been. They are dying to go to Disneyland!

I am so excited for you. There have been a few changes since you were last at Disneyland, not too many, and they are all good of course. Living hours away from LA, we go to Disneyland alot. I am just happy being in the park and feeling all of the magic that surrounds me.

Part of our group will be there two days before the cruise. Unfortunately, I have to work thru the 18th so Disneyland is not an option this time around.

 

[cruisindisney]

Isn't this the same group who was freaking out at the thought of 30 cabins to deliver to? I'll get with the other group leaders and Cyndi and we'll make a plan.

 

[ethanash1]

Isn't this the same group who was freaking out at the thought of 30 cabins to deliver to? I'll get with the other group leaders and Cyndi and we'll make a plan.

True, true.... I think the thought of it all was too much for some, but now that it's closer, there's a plan in place and groups are made, it somehow seems more manageable.......

I think splitting into 2 groups would be fine, because that would put us at appx 20-25 each. I'm all for what the majority wants.... No pressure anyone....

I'll be talking to the group leaders via e-mail later today to see if they got any feedback thru PM's from the troops......

Everyone enjoy your Tuesday.....

Cyndi

 

[MamaKate]

To everyone working on the FE, great job and thanks for doing this. Even though I'm not participating, I know how much work goes into organizing large groups, so bravo to you all .

Hi everyone, I found this on another page and thought I would paste it here for all of you.

me and my family are doing this for sure.....

http://www.disunplugged.com/2011/01/14/the-wonder-moves-west-part-3-pass-me-a-cerveza/

I've read alot about Stone Island on other posts and boards, and It's even on a couple of the Disney excursions..... only difference is price. Since my husband and I both speak Spanish, we are TOTALLY comfortable finding our way around the ports and doing our own thing. I signed up for Outdoor Adventure excursion in Puerto Vallarta with the zip lining and mule ride, but was looking to do something on our own in Mazatlan, and this is it!!

When we went to the Caribbean on the Magic last March, we rented a car on our own in Cozumel, and toured the whole island.... it cost us $80 to rent the car, including insurance, and another $30 to refill the tank. So 4 of us spent $120 for something that Disney was charging $80 a person for.....

I'm just saying... I LOVE Disney, but it's still a business and they need to make money. I respect that, and you get what you pay for. Disney is behind you, they supply you with a guide, keep you safe, etc, etc. But for us, who have traveled to Mexico since we were kids, we can do it on our own......

Check it out. if anyone wants to meet up and we can get down the Stone Island as a big group, I'm all for it......

Cyndi

We were planning on doing Stone Island on our own, but I'm still on the fence. If there is a group going, that could be fun and I'd love to be added to the list .

 

[Vegaslover]

I personally don't want larger groups for the FE. Too much stuff to carry there and back. If you want to exchange with more people, then I agree with cruisindisney to sign up for another group or why not just give two times a day to the same group?

For the Goofy group, based on the excel sheet I received from our team leader, I know we are scheduled to receive at least once a day. If this group is as generous and as creative as the groups in the other FE exchanges I have been in, then that will be more than enough. I am always amazed at how creative people get with crafts and what they find to give for the exchange. It really is cool.

Lydia

 

[alacazam]

Adding on.

CELEBRATIONS LIST

NAME EVENT DATE CABIN# AGE/# OF YEARS (IF BIRTHDAY/ANNIV)

Ashton Birthday 3/21 6069 6 yrs old
Ricky Birthday 3/22 6069 34 yrs old
Cyndi & Ricky Franco Anniv 3/22 6067 8 years
Lauren Birthday 4/24 7000, 6 yrs old
LeeRoy Birthday 2/28 8572, 50 years old
Pam Birthday 4/11, 6034, 39 years old
Scott Birthday 3/16, 6034, 37 years old
Bailey Birthday 3/23 6551, 7 years old

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

Are people thinking they would be giving multiple gifts over multiple days in the FE? I have always only given once during the cruise. I usually have a goodie bag for the cabin and something individual for the kids. It is too much to deliver over multiple days for us personally. I don't think I have generally had anyone in my FE group deliver more than once to my cabin either. The long transatlantic/repo cruises are a little different.

I still think that making just two groups (combining say Mickey/Minnie and Donald/Goofy or whatever) is the simplest. Nothing would have to be redone, just two groups added together. JMO!

 

[Vegaslover]

the 5 or 6 of you could just do an separate exchange amongst yourselves. I was thinking that adding to another group would be ideal, but then you'd need to contact all the people on that list and let them know that there are more people on their list.

I'm wondering if the people in the exchange even still want to be in the exchange. There are a lot of people we havent heard from in a while . . . . . . .

 

[alacazam]

I'm still in for the FE and I'm fine with either grouping. I am currently in the Minnie group, my cabin number is #6551. It's great to have this organized, I'm getting excited planning out my gifts!