From WDW to DL With Love - January 06, 2011 part 3

[WeLuvDCL]

Thanks! I guess the thing that had me confused was they have the dock times for the cruises in PC as 7:35. I thought we weren't allowed off until 8:00 on our Dec cruise. I guess I am wrong. I've only been one cruise, I still have a lot of learning to do

Disembark time will vary depending on customs but we will definitely be dosked before 9:30am. All other ashore times for ports should be accurate because we don't have to deal with customs.

 

[tinkryansmom]

We have a 3 yo too (well, 2y 11m at time of cruise). We are doing the De Palm Island Beach & Snorkling excursion. There is a beach and water slides (for all ages) and you could take turns snorkling. I've read some really great reviews. I can send you more info that I found if you are interested. Then we are just going to do some shopping and touring around the port.

Thanks! We looked at this De Palm tour also. We are traveling with DHs cousin and family so we kinda sorta need to discuss with them also -

Also good to hear what other people are looking at and researching.

 

[Tami0220]

Glad puppy is doing good and the wedding was beautiful. I would love to see some pictures, including the cake!

LMAO!! I can laugh now that it is over. As I said we had a few major/minor problems. Well, I have been making cakes for over 20 years; even had a bakery for awhile. As I said before I was making EVERYTHING but the dresses & dinner for this wedding. My dad's extremely wide commercial fridge in his house is not deep enough to hold any cake. So it had to be delivered to the facility before the buttercream icing had a chance to set. We have a dually 4wheel drive truck that is bouncy. When the cake arrived one side of one tier had slipped down. So I smashed it back on with my hand and asked them to put it in their fridge. It was a 3 tier cake, top and bottom tiers had rhinestone trim with 1 black ribbon around the middle, the middle tier had hand piped black damask on all sides.

Anyway, the facility fridge was very wet and it made the black icing run down the cakes. It looked like it was in a rain storm. So, before I got to the reception my best friend went to the grocery store and begeged to borrow one of those styrofoam fake display cakes. It had to be back to the store before 9pm or it would turn into a pumpkin, lol.

So when it cake time to cut the cake they brought out the top tier of the one I made and served each other. The rest of my cake was served to the guests, because structurally and taste wise it was fine. In fact it tasted great! I was devastated that I couldnt be supermom and be perfect at everything, but daughter and groom were fine with it. So all in all everything was good.

 

[Pixie Dust II]

Thanks! We looked at this De Palm tour also. We are traveling with DHs cousin and family so we kinda sorta need to discuss with them also -

Also good to hear what other people are looking at and researching.

That is what we are doing too!

 

[TDC Nala]

I also believe it is a holiday weekend so that may make things worse.

Martin Luther King Day is January 17, so we will not be docking in LA on a holiday weekend - more like post-holiday, if there is a trend to take the entire week off for travel. I'm not aware of one out here.

 

[aan1701]

Martin Luther King Day is January 17, so we will not be docking in LA on a holiday weekend - more like post-holiday, if there is a trend to take the entire week off for travel. I'm not aware of one out here.

I thought it was MLK day, so my bad. No biggie. Then LAX will just be really crowded at noon that's all.

 

[carmie3377]

I thought it was MLK day, so my bad. No biggie. Then LAX will just be really crowded at noon that's all.

Okay, so maybe you can help me. I know that BUR is not near as busy as LAX but it is further away with more traffic. Which would be better/quicker: 1) going to LAX but having to deal with all the crowds or 2) going to BUR and dealing with bad traffic but not many crowds at the airport? Which would you do if you had to choose? It's nice to get the perspective of someone who lives there

 

[aan1701]

Okay, so maybe you can help me. I know that BUR is not near as busy as LAX but it is further away with more traffic. Which would be better/quicker: 1) going to LAX but having to deal with all the crowds or 2) going to BUR and dealing with bad traffic but not many crowds at the airport? Which would you do if you had to choose? It's nice to get the perspective of someone who lives there

My perspective is bad because I live less than a mile from LAX. So I think you need to ask yourself what is better for you. Since I know you are using SWA LAX is the only L.A. area airport with a non stop to Hobby. If you use Burbank, you need to stop in Vegas or Phoenix. How much more will it cost to get to Burbank? Does it off set the cost of a cheaper plane ticket?

 

[SoothyMom]

LMAO!! I can laugh now that it is over. As I said we had a few major/minor problems. Well, I have been making cakes for over 20 years; even had a bakery for awhile. As I said before I was making EVERYTHING but the dresses & dinner for this wedding. My dad's extremely wide commercial fridge in his house is not deep enough to hold any cake. So it had to be delivered to the facility before the buttercream icing had a chance to set. We have a dually 4wheel drive truck that is bouncy. When the cake arrived one side of one tier had slipped down. So I smashed it back on with my hand and asked them to put it in their fridge. It was a 3 tier cake, top and bottom tiers had rhinestone trim with 1 black ribbon around the middle, the middle tier had hand piped black damask on all sides.

Anyway, the facility fridge was very wet and it made the black icing run down the cakes. It looked like it was in a rain storm. So, before I got to the reception my best friend went to the grocery store and begeged to borrow one of those styrofoam fake display cakes. It had to be back to the store before 9pm or it would turn into a pumpkin, lol.

So when it cake time to cut the cake they brought out the top tier of the one I made and served each other. The rest of my cake was served to the guests, because structurally and taste wise it was fine. In fact it tasted great! I was devastated that I couldnt be supermom and be perfect at everything, but daughter and groom were fine with it. So all in all everything was good.

I am rolling! What a story.

 

[SoothyMom]

Okay, so maybe you can help me. I know that BUR is not near as busy as LAX but it is further away with more traffic. Which would be better/quicker: 1) going to LAX but having to deal with all the crowds or 2) going to BUR and dealing with bad traffic but not many crowds at the airport? Which would you do if you had to choose? It's nice to get the perspective of someone who lives there

LAX is set up to handle the crowds and usually cheaper. BUR is a wonderfull airport, right across the street from the beach ....

 

[glindamood]

LMAO!! I can laugh now that it is over. As I said we had a few major/minor problems. Well, I have been making cakes for over 20 years; even had a bakery for awhile. As I said before I was making EVERYTHING but the dresses & dinner for this wedding. My dad's extremely wide commercial fridge in his house is not deep enough to hold any cake. So it had to be delivered to the facility before the buttercream icing had a chance to set. We have a dually 4wheel drive truck that is bouncy. When the cake arrived one side of one tier had slipped down. So I smashed it back on with my hand and asked them to put it in their fridge. It was a 3 tier cake, top and bottom tiers had rhinestone trim with 1 black ribbon around the middle, the middle tier had hand piped black damask on all sides.

Anyway, the facility fridge was very wet and it made the black icing run down the cakes. It looked like it was in a rain storm. So, before I got to the reception my best friend went to the grocery store and begeged to borrow one of those styrofoam fake display cakes. It had to be back to the store before 9pm or it would turn into a pumpkin, lol.

So when it cake time to cut the cake they brought out the top tier of the one I made and served each other. The rest of my cake was served to the guests, because structurally and taste wise it was fine. In fact it tasted great! I was devastated that I couldnt be supermom and be perfect at everything, but daughter and groom were fine with it. So all in all everything was good.

WHAT a story - and a story for ever.

 

[carmie3377]

My perspective is bad because I live less than a mile from LAX. So I think you need to ask yourself what is better for you. Since I know you are using SWA LAX is the only L.A. area airport with a non stop to Hobby. If you use Burbank, you need to stop in Vegas or Phoenix. How much more will it cost to get to Burbank? Does it off set the cost of a cheaper plane ticket?

It will be cheaper to use BUR and pay the extra transportation costs but only about $65 total so I'm going for convenience. I've only used LAX for an arrival late at night so I have no idea how busy the airport is for departures. But I do know how bad traffic can be in LA. So, I guess my question is approx. how much time should I allow for luggage check-in and security lines? Dang I wish SWA participated with luggage check-in with DCL then I would know I'm doing. I know, not your fault Alan. Maybe one of these days they will like the ME. I still love SWA, in fact flying them next week to SFO even though we could have flown non-stop via Continental for the same price. I guess not having to drive to IAH had a little to do with it

 

[aan1701]

It will be cheaper to use BUR and pay the extra transportation costs but only about $65 total so I'm going for convenience. I've only used LAX for an arrival late at night so I have no idea how busy the airport is for departures. But I do know how bad traffic can be in LA. So, I guess my question is approx. how much time should I allow for luggage check-in and security lines? Dang I wish SWA participated with luggage check-in with DCL then I would know I'm doing. I know, not your fault Alan. Maybe one of these days they will like the ME. I still love SWA, in fact flying them next week to SFO even though we could have flown non-stop via Continental for the same price. I guess not having to drive to IAH had a little to do with it

I would say at LAX 2 hours, Burbank 1.15 to 1.5 hours. What tine do you get to SFO? What is the flight number if you do not mind?

 

[carmie3377]

I would say at LAX 2 hours, Burbank 1.15 to 1.5 hours. What tine do you get to SFO? What is the flight number if you do not mind?

Thanks.

HOU-SFO 9/30 flights 604/30 with 6:50 arrival time
SFO-HOU 10/6 flights 2197/326 with 8:35 arrival time

Could have flown into Oakland non-stop but didn't realize that it was just 3 miles further from our hotel than SFO until after we booked. Changing mine wouldn't have been a problem but DH's was booked through his work TA, which charges fees for changes. But next time we'll know.

 

[tinkryansmom]

Carmie

Is the west coast trip business or pleasure? Driving from SFO to the Oakland area will not be that fun. But Welcome to the West Coast!!

 

[tinkryansmom]

Almost forgot -

Usually after lifeboat drill DH takes jackets back to stateroom and unpacks a secret gift for our kids. They arrive later to change for dinner and think Mickey has created some magic...clever I know.

I am wanting to do this for Cousin's girls also...any ideas as to what I can put in there?? Need some creative input. Has to be relatively small and easy to pack as sometimes our luggage is not there so these will be in our carry on bags.

 

[carmie3377]

Carmie

Is the west coast trip business or pleasure? Driving from SFO to the Oakland area will not be that fun. But Welcome to the West Coast!!

Thanks! We're actually staying in SF so we won't have to worry about it. I was just surprised when I checked the hotel website to find that it is 15 miles from SFO and 18 from Oakland. Since it's not a good drive, glad I didn't know ahead of of time that Oakland offers nonstop while SFO doesn't

Anyway, it's business/pleasure for DH but strictly pleasure for me. The first 2 1/2 days, he has a conference to attend at the Moscone Center then the next 2 1/2 days he's free. For me, it's strictly pleasure. I just plan to get out and explore the area around me while he's gone.

 

[Pixie Dust II]

Almost forgot -

Usually after lifeboat drill DH takes jackets back to stateroom and unpacks a secret gift for our kids. They arrive later to change for dinner and think Mickey has created some magic...clever I know.

I am wanting to do this for Cousin's girls also...any ideas as to what I can put in there?? Need some creative input. Has to be relatively small and easy to pack as sometimes our luggage is not there so these will be in our carry on bags.

How about a plush toy the characters can sign. That is such a neat idea to leave the children a surprise gift. I have a pirate Mickey who has traveled with me and he has his own photo album. He was a gift from our cruise friends. He has been places most people aren't allowed!!

 

[WDW Princess 71]

It will be cheaper to use BUR and pay the extra transportation costs but only about $65 total so I'm going for convenience. I've only used LAX for an arrival late at night so I have no idea how busy the airport is for departures. But I do know how bad traffic can be in LA. So, I guess my question is approx. how much time should I allow for luggage check-in and security lines? Dang I wish SWA participated with luggage check-in with DCL then I would know I'm doing. I know, not your fault Alan. Maybe one of these days they will like the ME. I still love SWA, in fact flying them next week to SFO even though we could have flown non-stop via Continental for the same price. I guess not having to drive to IAH had a little to do with it

I would allow 2.5 hours or more. I flew out of LAX last month, arrived at 5:40 AM for a 7:30 AM flight (US Airways) and the lines were INSANE. I havent flown out of LAX for 8 years, so this is my only recent experience, but let me say that I felt that I would possibly have missed my flight or at the very least have been very stressed & rushed if I handt been able to get in the shorter priority checkin lane for preferred USAirways members. So if I ever fly another airline where I'm not preferred, I will go more than 2 hours early. I'd rather be early and have time to relax, grab something to eat, etc than feel frenzied- I saw employees yelling out to people in the long line asking what time their flights were and moving those with close call flights up to closer to the front of the line- well guess what, I was one of those people last year in San Diego who was allowed to move up to the front by an employee doing the same thing- and me along with 10 other people still missed our flight, door shut right in front of us. So I take no chances now after than nightmare.

 

[JenKatt]

Jeff got the t-shirt in today from Zazzle. Looks pretty good.

And a close:

He did it on a black shirt, which makes the image look a bit weird. I think on a white or lighter background, it would be better

Here's a link to the shirt on Zazzle

Enjoy!