Early Roll Call for 10-31-04 Happy Halloween Cruise aboard the Wonder !!

[disneyfreakk]

hi dan, gina and girls!

 

[acrucifer]

the August newsletter is in progress and will be sent out in a few days. this months edition focuses on the history and culture of Nassau. I hope to do a credible job on it. oh and before I forget welcome to our newest member dridgway (dan, gina and kids), we are glad to have you all aboard. TTFN, Ralph.

 

[Bauerbandt]

Dan:

Welcome aboard. We were just in the Cleveland area visiting my parents in Canton for the Hall of Fame activities. The weather in north east Ohio was great!

This will be our first family cruise. My DD just turned 7 and my DS will turn 5 during the cruise. Marley has organized an email pen pal group for 3 of the girls, including my DD. You can find Marley's email address on this thread.

-bauerbandt

 

[dridgway]

Thanks - i"ll write Marley and get my girls a penpal - they'll love that! They are so pumped about going! The time between now and then can't go fast enough!
Dan

 

[lholman]

Hi Dan, Gina and girls! There will be a lot of kids close in age! They'll have fun together!!

 

[bgomes]

Bauerbandt:
You said you were in Canton for the Hall of Fame festivities -- were you there for the induction ceremonies? If so, did you eat dinner at any of the banquets? Just wondering because I am a pastry chef and the company that I work for did a yummy dessert for one of the induction ceremony banquets.

Barb

 

[Bauerbandt]

Barb:

Unfortunately we did not make it to any of the induction ceremony banquets. Being a pastry chef sounds like a great job to me, but of course I have a huge sweet tooth. Maybe you can give us some dessert suggestions while on the cruise!

The excitement level is growing in our house. Just booked our flights today!

 

[Shana Rayce]

Hi all!
Just wanted to say hi and see how everyone is doing! I for one am getting more excited by the day! Our final payment for the cruise is due next week, and I guess that makes everything official! One quick question...trying to decide on the insurance...if you buy it, what does it cover? What are the reasons that you are allowed to cancel (heaven forbid!) I have to decide whether or not to purchase it when I make my final payment. I am waiting and watching airfare prices too...the low fares are out there...but not for the specific days of the week that we need to travel...am trying to be patient...but I'm ready to buy!! Also still waiting for the October discount codes for Disney Resorts (Poly here we come!!)...should be pretty soon. Booked 3 nights at Sheraton Vistana when we get back from our cruise...only $99.00 on All Ears...have wanted to try it and for that rate you can't beat it! Received my MNSSHP tickets in the mail last week....my son was excited about them, but he still doesn't know about the cruise! It is hard to keep it from him, I have almost slipped a couple of times! The Disney store has their Halloween costumes on-line now...can't believe it's time to decide on that already!
O.K. I've blabbed enough...hope everyone is well, and the excitement is growing!!

 

[marley]

Shana:

we are booked at the Sheraton as well after the cruise. Maybe we will see you there

Marley

 

[Bauerbandt]

Shana:

I found the cheapest airfare by doing one way tickets on two different carriers. We are flying SWA to MCO and AA back to STL.

Which night are you going to the MNSSHP? Since we are arriving in MCO on the Wednesday prior to the cruise, I have been considering MNSSHP tickets for Thursday. I was thinking that Thursday would be a lot less crowded than Friday.

I am still waiting for the lodging rates to come down at WDW. The current specials (Value @ $55, Moderate @ $85, Deluxe @ $119) end in September.

For people going to the parks prior to the cruise, how are you planning on getting from WDW to the Wonder?

 

[Shana Rayce]

Hi Bauerbandt...
We don't arrive into Orlando until Thursday...so we are going to MNSSHP on Friday. I know it will be busy...but we are used to going right on Halloween...so we are used to the crowd...we have still always been able to walk right on most rides, and only a 5 min. wait for the more popular ones. We are renting a car when we arrive in Orlando, and then driving to Port Canaveral and leaving it in the lot there. We are planning to go to NASA on the day we get back into Port.

Hi Marley...
Neat that you are staying at the Vistana too! I requested Cascades section...did you? I hear that is the nicest. Have you ever stayed there? I have read a lot of reviews...mostly good, but a few not so good with some of the older areas. We'll have to meet up at the pool!

Counters are down AGAIN!!!

 

[marley]

Shana:

thanks for the Cascade heads up! I've never been there before so I'll have to request it.

Also, very funny, WE are going to Kennedy Space Center the morning we get back to the port as well. Maybe we will see you all there too!!

Marley

 

[Bauerbandt]

It is Kennedy Space Center for us as well on Thursday! My son just loves to go there.

 

[TROD]

We are going to MNSSHP on Friday too. Looking forward to it! We just did a package deal with transportation. When we arrive at the airport to the Polynesian on Thursday, then to Port Canaveral on Sunday. I do worry that the Disney transportation will get us there later than we really want. We have a large group (11), so we felt like that was our cheapest way. Both my boys are LOVING the pen pal. Poor William in Michigan is getting bombarded with questions from my guys. They are so excited about meeting him. This just makes it better!

Marley,
I am not sure I got the last newsletter and sure don’t want to miss the next. If it is not too much trouble can I give you my work and home emails? Thanks for all your organization! rodriquz@pogoproducing.com nrod7@grandecom.net

 

[Shana Rayce]

Hi Marley & Bauerbandt!!
How funny!! All of us going to Kennedy Space Center!! We have never been...but I know my DS will love it too! Bauerbandt...don't remember how hold your kids are?? Marley...you have an 8 year old DD..right? Marley...did you do the Diamond Lane Check in for Vistana? That's where you can request what section you want to be in.

Hi TROD...have you ever been to MMSSHP?? We have been twice and LOVE it!! And I am waiting to book our 3 days prior to the cruise at the Poly! Do you have any kids around 8/9 in your group? Unfortunately my DS isn't participating in pen pals because the cruise portion of our trip is a surprise for him!

We are certainly a talkative bunch today...aren't we!!

 

[TROD]

No Shana, this will be our first. We spent last year at Sea World and that was fun. My boys are 10 & 11; my nephews are 8 & 2, and niece 3. I don't know how you’re doing it. Keeping the cruise a secret! I just couldn't wait. This will be our first cruise as well. Do you think your son will participate in the oceaneers club? Both my boys are very excited about this. They think they are SO big – they are looking forward to ‘their’ vacation.

 

[Bauerbandt]

Shana, My DD is 7 and my DS will turn 5 when we hit Nassua.

Regarding Kennedy Space Center, if we have 15 people going Group Services will assist with reservations:

http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/groupsCorporate/index.asp
http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/

Interested?

 

[Shana Rayce]

Bauderbandt...I guess if we could get 15 people...why not! There will be 3 of us...do you take the guided tour?

TROD....Yes, it is very hard keeping the secret...but I think it will be worth it to see his face when we first see the Wonder and then pull through the gates!! Yes, he will definitely be participating in the Oceaneer's Club...he is fine with meeting new kids, and loves doing activities! If we do end up at the Poly we should definitely get together while we're there! I am currently booked at the Contemporary...but hope to switch to the Poly...I'll keep you posted.

 

[Bauerbandt]

Shana:
Yes, we have taken the guided tour at KSC. But, having been there once, we are open and flexible. With your three, Marley's four and our four, we are at 11 already....only need four more.

By the way, what type of rate are you getting at the Contemporary? I still need to book the WDW lodging plus the Cape Canaveral lodging for Thursday after the cruise. I was trying to book at Ron Jons, but they haven't responded to my second request for a single bed room instead of a two bed room (way too expensive, even with the codes).

 

[Shana Rayce]

Bauerbandt...
Hopefully if others read our posts...they'll let us know if they are interested in joining us at KSC. I was told that taking the guided tour was worth the $$...but whatever everyone else wants to do is fine with me! We are heading back to Orlando after KSC for 3 nights...then home...But then the following Thursday I'm back in Orlando for SuperSoap Weekend at MGM Studios!!! I am a huge ABC soap fan...and I have gone every year for about 4 years! My oldest DD and I, and 2 friends are going this year...so double Florida for me!!

The rate that I have at the Contemporary right now is $264.00. I made it about 3 months ago...and it is was the AAA discount rate. Disney room-only codes should be out in the next couple of weeks...right now at the Poly for Sept. the rate is $219 for gardenview...if it is that for Oct. I am going to switch over to the Poly...would rather stay there! When are you arriving in Orlando?