"Double Dip Delight" Alternate Western 09/27/08

[zweihund]

I'm making some secret plans (the destination unknown ticker below) to take my DH away for a 3 day cruise on October 4, 2007 (Oct. 4th is his B-day) and am looking into ways to get to the ship (without flying). Our choices are renting a car and driving or taking an overnight train. I'm leaning towards the train.

My question is - the train stops at Winter Park (North Orlando) or downtown Orlando. I'm trying to figure out what area is better. We will have to get a rental car from there, but Budget will pick us up or we can catch a cab. I'm hoping someone who knows Orlando well or lives there can give me some advice so I can purchase the tickets.

Thank you and SHhhhhhh - don't tell my DH! This will be our first time away together (without the kids) in 5 years! I'm soooo excited. Oh, and it will be our first cruise. I think this will be a great way to preview before we sail next year!

Woohoo! You're going to miss us by a week......so you can warm up the boat for us. The Orlando (downtown) stop will probably be better for you - I'm pretty sure its closer to your car rental place. Most of them are near the airport. The Winter Park one is a nice stop, but only if you're staying in the area.....it's much closer to ME, anyhow

Have fun!!!!!

I'm 90% sure this is the 3 day cruise Erica (zweihund), myself and her DH are taking this year as a pre-cruise to get us through until THIS cruise in sept '08. Either that or we're on the 3 days cruise AFTER this one...

What Erica's DH doesn't know yet is that i'm all for having another mini cruise early next year as another way to make this cruise not seem so far away

YAY for mini cruises!

And we're going on the October 11, dingy.

 

[LuvtheEars]

Woohoo! You're going to miss us by a week......so you can warm up the boat for us. The Orlando (downtown) stop will probably be better for you - I'm pretty sure its closer to your car rental place. Most of them are near the airport. The Winter Park one is a nice stop, but only if you're staying in the area.....it's much closer to ME, anyhow

Have fun!!!!!

I thought we might be a week off, but this is the date that I thought I could pull off better (Birthday and all). I was looking at the car rental prices and the Budget Rent a Car price is a little bit lower from the Winter Park area . They also will pick us up from the train station, so if Winter Park is a nice area - then Winter Park stop it is.

We are also going to use this trip to see if the train might be a good way to get to the boat with the kids next year (although DH does not know that yet).

Hey if Silversae thought your trip was October 4 - why don't you just change your date and join us? You can ride with us to the port in the rental car! What's that - 5 people and luggage in an economy car - we should all fit right?

Or - We can just warm up the boat for you.

 

[cyndifan]

HAPPYINDEPENDENCEDAY!!

Ditto. Hope all have had a safe & fun one!
Our town had their celebration last night (July 3) - southern rock/country band, NC symphony, kids activities, fireworks.
(Have I mentioned I really enjoy good music? - almost all kinds. Fun, fun hearing some of the rock I grew up on, even remembered most of the words to a few of the songs much to the chagrin of the folks w/us - including LuvtheEars & her family. )
We went & enjoyed it immensely, even w/the heat at the beginning of the evening. It was so nice that DD seems to be past the point of freaking out when the fireworks start; I'm happy that she can enjoy them now. I think our trip last winter to WDW really helped since we saw fireworks several times.

Ok, I think it goes w/o saying that I am so very jealous of you folks able to do a cruise before our double delight! Some of you even have more than one scheduled! Geesh! Just know how fortunate you are to be able to do that.

 

[cyndifan]

When excursions are booked online, do you pay for them at that time? Or are they paid on board? Same question for spa appts.........

I saw a string on the general DCL board about sea lice. For those who have cruised before, do you know of anyone having a problem w/them? Especially during the time of year we'll be going (sounds like the peak time for them is several months before Sept). We'll probably end up getting some safe sea foam just to be on the safe side as DD has hypersensitive reactions to insect bites. We don't want to deal w/that type of stuff on the cruise if we can help it.
Ok, this brings up another.......are there problems on deck w/mosquitos or other biting critters?

 

[NHdisneylover]

Good morning all.

First off I've gotta say I am so jealous of those of you who are taking these other cruises to tide you over to Sept. '08.

Okay, now that that is off of my chest I will try to answer Cindyfan's question:

1.The costs of excursions and spa appointments will be billed to your onboard account when you are on the crusie. You can cancel shore excrusion appointemnts up intil 48 before the crusie with no penalties (after that I think you pay for the full thing). I do not know the cancellation policy for the spa but I think it is the same (I know you can cancel it at least for some time).

2. We have never had any trouble with sea lice nor seen anyone else who has (knock on wood). Rio is also one of those people who has lot of trouble with bug bites. However, he also does not do well with lots of different stuff on his skin (spray on sunscreen had him in misery!) so we tend to figure we will take our chances with the lice rather than risk a reaction to the foam.

3. I have not encountered mosqitoes, etc. on deck (doesn't mean it could never happen). When at sea there is too much breeze for really any type of buggy. At C.C. we have not encountered any either (though I hear it can be terrible after dark). I don't recall them comming onboard when docked either. I think both Cozumel and Costa Maya spray heavily in the port areas (my parents live in Mexico and down there the cities routinely spray heavy duty stuff we do not even allow here--bad to breath and for the enviornment, but it does get those bugs down). If you head out of town in either port (especailly Costa Maya which is not even really a town just a large pier shopping area) exepct to fidn MANY mosquiotos. Take repellant. Also, if you take an excursion out of town in Costa Maya talk to your doctor about anti malarial meds. This is in a CDC watch area. MY Dr. (who actaully had a lot of experience with malaria when he did his residency) thinks we are fine without if we plan to stay on the boat and/or at the pier. But if we plan to go out of the area at all (any of the excursions) then we should have them. Eitehr way, you will not be able to donate blood for a year.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Okay that last post was already long so here goes another to tell you about our experiences thus far with our Fresh Air Fund child who we picked up late Tuesday afternoon. Reminds me of just HOW MUCH we take for granted. (a quick recap for those who missed me type about it previously--Fresh Air Fund arranges for chidlren from low income families in NYC to spend two weeks with families in the country during the summer. They match up children and families and bring the chilrden up on busses. Many childrne return year after year to the same host families. We are hosting for the first time this year).

Our boy "D" just turned 7 last week. He lives with his single mom (29) and brotehrs 14 and 5 (yes you did that math correctly). He does have a bit more of an agressive personality than my kids (play that I really think he takes as just playing and no big deal freaks out my little guy as mean). His intentions are good and I am sure as he gets used to our rules and we get better at predicting his reactions things will run smoothly (yesterday was a LONG day with an early morning to be in a parade and a late night trying to see fireworks which is never a good way to start a bunch of kids off together!). There is just as much good as bad (if not more good) already and the boys love to play legos together.

Okay two major things stand out in our minds thus far:

1. D got in the car at McDonald's (the drop point) and did not buckle up. When asked to, he looked around quite confused and couldn't figure out how/what to do. I said something about I bet you are used to riding in the subway at home. He responded yes. He had taken a taxi once when his brother was sick but it didn't have "these things" in it. It makes complete sense--but we take riding in cars and seat belts so much for granted. Here was a 7 year old for whom this was a totally novel expereince (by the way, he still needs help with that buckle pretty much every time )

2. Our firend's BBQ got rained out and there was no indoor alternative so everyone had to leave. We were already halfway towards the town where our other friends live that we were going to see fireworks with. So rather than spend a half hour driving home for lunch we went to Chili's. Dave and I both got the distinct impression that D has rarely (if ever) eaten in a table service restraunt (makes sense). He kept asking where the menu was (and pointing up to where a fast food one would be) in the lobby, actually shouted with glee at chips and salsa (AFTER he learned that his corn dog would ALSO still come) and is sooooo excited to take home his kids cup.

Yep, we are lucky people to do all that we do.

 

[Buckeye Gal]

450 more days!!!
​

(You gotta admit that's some progess since the thread started at T-604 days! )

 

[NHdisneylover]

450 more days!!!
​

(You gotta admit that's some progess since the thread started at T-604 days! )

 

[cyndifan]

Hadley,

Thanks for posting how things are going thus far w/D. I have to admit, it does make me thankful for the blessings we've been given. With your info to put things in perspective, our blessings don't seem as small as we have gotten used to thinking they are. We experienced/saw some of the same types of things when we were in China to adopt DD. Its been a while since we were though, so the memories of the poverty we saw have receded a bit. Your experience brought them right back. Thanks again for sharing.

Our family will get another dose of humility this week as we help with a ministry our church participates in called Interfaith Hospitality Network. Its a program that pulls together local churches to help feed & house motivated temporarily homeless families (they are actively trying to get back on their feet). Each church in the network houses (at the church itself) 3-5 families one week each quarter. Folks in the church provide & serve breakfast & dinner each day. The agency (WIHN) provides a daycenter for the families' needs during the day. Its wonderful to be able to help in this way but at the same time reminds me of the blessings we've been given.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Thanks Cindyfan. It is really nice to be reminded to be grateful for all that we have. My childrne have seen poverty in other countries (mostly Mexico) but I do not think they realized how different life can be for a child right here in the USA (and living only a 4-5 hour drive from us). Of course D has a clothes and food and shelter and a mom who adores him so he is luckier than many children the world over. The old addage that money can't buy love is so true adn love is so important to a child (well to us all). I don't think that our world is necessarily that much better than his, but it is vastly different. The big advantage our chidlren have is the number of options they have.
I'd love to hear about China and it sounds like the ministry you working on is a great program I am sure you said this somewhere along the way--but how old is you DD?

 

[cyndifan]

You are so right, Hadley, about kids having such different lifestyles & opportunities even in the same communities. We aren't wealthy by any stretch of the imagination, but thankfully we are able to offer DD opportunities. It breaks my heart to know that some children just may not have those same type of opportunities.

Careful what you ask for, our adoption & China is one of my favorite subjects! China was a fascinating place - there was such contrast is so many things. We stayed in 4 & 5 star hotels that were very nice while just a few blocks away, there was much poverty. I believe China is one of the most beautiful places on earth. The Great Wall was breathtaking (especially trying to climb the darn thing!). In other places though, the pollution was just horrible - especially in the cities.

One of the tours we had before picking up DD was Tiananmen Square. Our native-born guides (employed by our adoption agency, but China national) cautioned us to not ask them anything about the student protests in 1989 as they had no real knowledge of what happened. The government completely controlled (& still does) the information the public was allowed to get. Its just so very different from what we're used to in the states.

While in Beijing, we went into a local store called Carafore for a bit of shopping. Its sort of like a Wal-Mart with 2 levels. The grocery part of the store had live fish, eels & such. It was the strangest thing being in this pretty large store hearing NO English at all & being the only Caucasian folks in the place. Talk about a surreal feeling..........

DD is now 4. She was 15-16 months when we brought her home from China. I can't believe its been 3 years already. Our gotcha day - the day we were able to physically get her - is June 21. In '04 (the year of her adoption), it was the day after father's day! After being home for 3+ years, she's now just your typical 4 year old southern girl.

 

[Buckeye Gal]

Hadley and Rhonda, your stories are so humbling!! Thanks for keeping us grounded.

 

[zweihund]

I thought we might be a week off, but this is the date that I thought I could pull off better (Birthday and all). I was looking at the car rental prices and the Budget Rent a Car price is a little bit lower from the Winter Park area . They also will pick us up from the train station, so if Winter Park is a nice area - then Winter Park stop it is.

We are also going to use this trip to see if the train might be a good way to get to the boat with the kids next year (although DH does not know that yet).

Hey if Silversae thought your trip was October 4 - why don't you just change your date and join us?:thumbsup2 You can ride with us to the port in the rental car! What's that - 5 people and luggage in an economy car - we should all fit right?

Or - We can just warm up the boat for you.

Something about Canadian Thanksgiving......which I still don't think I believe.

So you'll just have to warm the boat up for us, which I'm sure you'll do a great job of!

Depending on when your train leaves, you should try and stop on Park Ave (where the train stops in Winter Park) at the Sweet Shop for some homemade ice cream. It's GREAT. I can't remember the name of the place right now and it's driving me nuts! But I'll find it for you.

edit: ok, THIS is the place. Only about a block from the train station!

 

[Stargater]

Shel, that's SOOO exciting! I'm sure her big sister will have no problem showing her around! I'll be very interested in hearing about your trip!
Safe travels!

We are back!!! Man what a trip....Ashley stood infront of Cinderella castle and then looked down at the ducks and only talked about the ducks.... WE WERE at the WORLD and she wanted to talk about ducks..

It was really awkward..but at the end of the week she started coming around. She loved the fireworks, and even finally hugged a character. She hates rollercoasters and only wanted to ride on the merry-go-round. Maddie loved it all as usual and YES I GOT TO RIDE THE ROCKIN ROLLERCOASTER!!! The two year wait was well worth it....PS POTC has changed and included Depp.!

 

[Stargater]

Wow. It's so cool you know the area too AND that you still keep in touch with Cliff. I was a nexchange student to Spain when I as 15/16. I kept in touch with my host family for about 10 years afterwards, but we did eventaully lose track of each other.

That is too wild...I also was a foreign exchange student for the summer in Spain....I LOVED IT THERE...

 

[Stargater]

OK for our stats:

Other than our shared love for all things Disney, we enjoy going to Buccaneers and Devil Rays games and concerts whenever we get the opportunity (The Police next week! Woo Hoo!) We never miss Jimmy Buffett, DMB or The Barenaked Ladies. Although we love theme parks and are very grateful to be lucky enough to live so close to the best ones in the world, the only annual pass we have is to Adventure Island Tampa (we call it our "beach"). We go to Disney once a year and make a big deal about it when we do, which makes it very special for the kids. Our first Disney Cruise was in March and we look forward to exploring the Carribbean on our very favorite ship in the years to come!

YES ANOTHER BUCS FAN!!!! We live in Largo and are DieHard Bucs Fans!! We love Busch Gardens!
S

 

[NHdisneylover]

That is too wild...I also was a foreign exchange student for the summer in Spain....I LOVED IT THERE...

Cool. Where were you in Spain? I was in Sagunto (a bit north of Valencia along the coast). It was a great year for me (and freshman year of college was EASY comapared to sophomore year of high school in Spain so I had none of that Freshamn panic thing going ).

 

[agraygirl]

Hello all, DH, DS(8), DD(8 months) and my inlaws are booked for this cruise. We booked it on our last 3 day Wonder in May.

This will be our third Disney cruise.

More later, it's late here and I must sleep!!

 

[Buckeye Gal]

We are back!!! Man what a trip....Ashley stood infront of Cinderella castle and then looked down at the ducks and only talked about the ducks.... WE WERE at the WORLD and she wanted to talk about ducks..

It was really awkward..but at the end of the week she started coming around. She loved the fireworks, and even finally hugged a character. She hates rollercoasters and only wanted to ride on the merry-go-round. Maddie loved it all as usual and YES I GOT TO RIDE THE ROCKIN ROLLERCOASTER!!! The two year wait was well worth it....PS POTC has changed and included Depp.!

Welcome home! The ducks...isn't that a classic response!

No doubt the next time you take the girls, they'll be mutually sharing their love for the World! They'll now have something to reminisce together, and their bond will continue growing as the months and years go by!

 

[Buckeye Gal]

Hello all, DH, DS(8), DD(8 months) and my inlaws are booked for this cruise. We booked it on our last 3 day Wonder in May.

This will be our third Disney cruise.

More later, it's late here and I must sleep!!

Well hello there! Very exciting to have your bunch join the family! I'll get all of you added to the rollcall list!! Looking forward to getting to know you more!