From WDW to DL With Love - January 06, 2011 part 4

[JenKatt]

Budget car code - Y937800. Try it if you need a car prior to the cruise. It says it is only for 15% but it got me a much deeper discount than the WalMart code did which can be 25%.

Also, we will be at OKW January 5th and would be up for a meet late afternoon. We have dinner reservations at 7:30 at California Grill.

We might see you at Cali Grill- I cant remember offhand what time our reservation is, but i'm sure its within an hour give or take of your time. Cant wait, I just love the view from there!

Y'all have to come over to BLT after dinner. We're going to have a get together either in our room, or hopefully at Top of the World.

 

[WDW Princess 71]

Y'all have to come over to BLT after dinner. We're going to have a get together either in our room, or hopefully at Top of the World.

We would love to Jen, thanks for offering to host a get together! We will be walking over to MK for the fireworks which I believe are pretty early, 8:00 PM i think? But then after that if you are still up for meeting I'd love to stop by. We'll be walking back that way anyway because we always park at Contemporary when we have dinner at CG and then walk over to MK and back.

 

[glindamood]

We might see you at Cali Grill- I cant remember offhand what time our reservation is, but i'm sure its within an hour give or take of your time. Cant wait, I just love the view from there!

We may miss each other since you are going to walk over for the fireworks. We are just going out on the observation deck to watch. Had there been a light parade (of any variety) we would have spent the day there but there isn't so hence my dinner tab.

Y'all have to come over to BLT after dinner. We're going to have a get together either in our room, or hopefully at Top of the World.

Oh Jen - that would be awesome if everyone is still up and moving. Based on past experience, it will be like dinner on the ship and we won't be out of there until after well after 9:00.

We would love to Jen, thanks for offering to host a get together! We will be walking over to MK for the fireworks which I believe are pretty early, 8:00 PM i think? But then after that if you are still up for meeting I'd love to stop by. We'll be walking back that way anyway because we always park at Contemporary when we have dinner at CG and then walk over to MK and back.

Maybe we will see you at Jeff and Jen's. I really think we will miss each other but I can at the very least be on the lookout for you.

 

[aubs42]

I dont know if anyone else saw this but this morning Disney released 2011 *Millitary* discount rates for hotels and tickets. Saved myself $370 on my post cruise stay at the Grand Californian.

 

[eeyorelvr10]

There have been 4 DCL PC cruises:
WB May '05
EB Aug '05
WB May '08
EB Aug '08

So only 2 that really fell during the school year (May).

I think the length of the cruise and the time of year are difficult for families with school-age children. 15 days is a long time to take kids out of school...unless of course you can sell the principal/teacher on the educational value of it.

In Aug 2005, there really wasn't a big problem with kids so much as in 2008. I took my youngest on the '05 one. Was able to sell it to the parochial school principal as a once in a lifetime opportunity. DD thoroughly enojoyed it and with the stop in Curacao, it blended well with the class reading of the "The Cay". DD made up all her work and she ended up with A's that first semester. So, if you have a supportive school, it helps. Also, that cruise, there were a lot of homeschooled kids on that cruise. I think with this being mid-year - we won't have the same problem we did in Aug '08.

At least I hope we don't. LOL

Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. I think I am going to puke

Please be sure to use the nearest bucket. That's not such a pretty sight for others to come upon.

You know, I think your bad Juju against the Giants is actually HELPING them, so...Thanks

We are not doing anything in Manzanillo either - but if this is where the glass blowing factory is I was wanting to taxi over there and check it out.

RE: Manzanillo,

If you all don't mind me telling you my experience, you don't have to read, you can skip over this. But if given the opportunity AND if your wanting to see Manzanillo, I would tell you, please try it. We ended up there in '05 due to a hurricane and while it was the working port, I found the area to be a bit more welcoming and much more prettier than Cabo. The people were a bit more laid back and friendlier and generally more helpful than in other ports.

Please don't be afraid to try something, the Mexican people are generally, simple, honest and are very proud to show off their heritage. In tourist ports like these, they not only want to help, but they rely on this help. Manzanillo was a very pretty spot and I remember telling my mom, I'd like to go back there. I felt safer (even with being shuttled out due to it being an industrial port) than I did in Cabo, which to me, was more Americanized than I cared for. Don't be afraid, there are always opportunities to see the area. Don't forget, that you can always snag a taxi and get a true local tour. Use caution as you would at any US tourist spot. Allow plenty of time to get back to the ship and if your OPEN MINDED, you'll come away with a smile on your face. Just be smart, use common sense and you'll have a blast

Hope I didn't offend anyone, just wanted you all to know that this a marvelous place once you get beyond the "poor, dirty" reputation that many Americans have of Mexico. It is not all like that. And above all else, remember, not everyplace is the USA. If you constantly compare everything to American Standards, then maybe traveling is not the thing for you. As for me, 1/2 the fun is getting to experience how the rest of the world lives. If I was constantly disappointed in the accommodations, the travel itinerarys and such, I'd definitely rethink travelling. Get to know how the rest of the world lives and maybe we could get a better understanding of why we are considered spoiled "Americans". Sorry, off my soapbox, but would just hate for anyone to miss out on, what to me, was one of the more beautiful and honest places still left in Mexico.

Did that sound harsh? Sorry if it did. It wasn't meant too. Just putting random thoughts out there as they come out of my head. Please take what I say with a grain of salt. This has just been my experience. And as negative as I sound, I've had some awesome, awesome experiences in my travels and you know, you got to get a few dings to experience some wonderful ones right?

 

[WDW Princess 71]

I dont know if anyone else saw this but this morning Disney released 2011 discount rates for hotels and tickets. Saved myself $370 on my post cruise stay at the Grand Californian.

Really?? Are there discount codes somewhere? I would love to save some $$$$ on my post cruise stay at Paradise Pier!!

 

[eeyorelvr10]

I wonder how the LA meet went / is going ???

Cheers,
Sally

My DS and and I went and we were there for few hours! I haven't laughed so much in a long time. So many interesting stories and lots of information! (May be too much....carried pennies where????!!!! ) I want to thank everyone that went I learned a lot! If we are only a small % of everyone going, and we had so much fun; it is going to be WONDERful trip![/QUOTE]


Oh it went rather well. Thank you. Des posted pictures as you all can see. It was fun. Wish you all could have been there. Soon and very soon, we will all be together.

We can all hang out on Beat St or some other bars. And don't forget the adult games. Too funny.

Hi everyone!

It was so much fun meeting everyone (and I appologize...I talked way too much! - I tend to do that when I am really excited about tthings and I am definitely excited about the cruise!) Tori LOVED meeting the others teens.

We loved laughing so much and finding out we had so much in common with others about so many things

And here is a little somthing for those of you at the meet today...

OMG, I about died when I saw this!

Just putting my two 'naners in:

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

Just putting my two 'naners in:

I love the dancing bananas! That's going to be my motto for the cruise .. just dancing bananas.



by the way...for those of you interested...the 1st World Series game is Wednesday! Go Giants!

 

[tinksmom]

Good Monday afternoon all!
Been catching up again and taking lots of notes. I love Brooklynne's design and will use it with the couponcabin code on vistaprint! Now, just to track down the photo and copy it and design our shirts. Thanks Brooklynne and everyone else for the tips.
Also, I talked to WD Travel Co this morning and cancelled the dining plan at DL. And, realized I had booked for a week late, so I changed that. I only saved the amt of the meal plan. Do I need to ask for the new price? I'll check out mousesavers for the codes.
Great photos of the S. Cal meet. Thanks for adding names!
Carly and I check into BLT on Jan. 2. Joe joins us late on Jan. 5. At least Carly and I will be at Jenn and Jeff's meet.
We're staying at the Disneyland Hotel after the cruise.
Go Rangers!
tenya

 

[glindamood]

We can all hang out on Beat St or some other bars. And don't forget the adult games. Too funny.


Just putting my two 'naners in:

DH and I went for a drink on our B2B every night before dinner in Sessions so I am sure that we will be in the Cadillac Lounge this time around. I found it much quieter than the Promenade Lounge. We will be there before late seating so anyone is welcome to stop by and join us.

 

[aubs42]

Really?? Are there discount codes somewhere? I would love to save some $$$$ on my post cruise stay at Paradise Pier!!

Sorry my mistake. I forgot a key word. They released the 2011 Military Discounts and tickets.

 

[valbob89]

RE: Manzanillo,

If you all don't mind me telling you my experience, you don't have to read, you can skip over this. But if given the opportunity AND if your wanting to see Manzanillo, I would tell you, please try it. We ended up there in '05 due to a hurricane and while it was the working port, I found the area to be a bit more welcoming and much more prettier than Cabo. The people were a bit more laid back and friendlier and generally more helpful than in other ports.

Please don't be afraid to try something, the Mexican people are generally, simple, honest and are very proud to show off their heritage. In tourist ports like these, they not only want to help, but they rely on this help. Manzanillo was a very pretty spot and I remember telling my mom, I'd like to go back there. I felt safer (even with being shuttled out due to it being an industrial port) than I did in Cabo, which to me, was more Americanized than I cared for. Don't be afraid, there are always opportunities to see the area. Don't forget, that you can always snag a taxi and get a true local tour. Use caution as you would at any US tourist spot. Allow plenty of time to get back to the ship and if your OPEN MINDED, you'll come away with a smile on your face. Just be smart, use common sense and you'll have a blast

Hope I didn't offend anyone, just wanted you all to know that this a marvelous place once you get beyond the "poor, dirty" reputation that many Americans have of Mexico. It is not all like that. And above all else, remember, not everyplace is the USA. If you constantly compare everything to American Standards, then maybe traveling is not the thing for you. As for me, 1/2 the fun is getting to experience how the rest of the world lives. If I was constantly disappointed in the accommodations, the travel itinerarys and such, I'd definitely rethink travelling. Get to know how the rest of the world lives and maybe we could get a better understanding of why we are considered spoiled "Americans". Sorry, off my soapbox, but would just hate for anyone to miss out on, what to me, was one of the more beautiful and honest places still left in Mexico.
?

Thanks for letting us know we should reconsider seeing Manzanillo. Can you be more specific about what we should see? The 8 options DCL provided did not interest me and the Cruise Advisor recommendations did not either.

I have never been there but I have been to many other places in Mexico, South America and other parts of the world and agree most people, including most in Mexico are welcoming and friendly. We travel because we want to see something different from where we live.
That said, not everyone place I have been that had nice people was a place I would want to sightsee in again, and not because it was poor or dirty, but because it didn't interest me. This includes clean and tidy places in the US. My city, San Francisco, depends on tourists. Bob and I try to be welcoming and often stop and help obvious visitors who are lost, we have even driven a few to a safer part of the city when we've come across them lost in a bad area (they most likely shouldn't have gotten into a car with strangers - us). You are right when you say you have to use common sense and be careful anywhere you are, even in your own hometown.

However, right now Mexico has more safety issues then just using common sense can avoid and I would not be comfortable going on my own outside the cities' And, choose not to go to some areas at all. Here is an portion of the State Departments warning.

Crime and Violence Throughout Mexico
Mexico
September 10, 2010
The Department of State has issued this Travel Warning to inform U.S. citizens traveling to and living in Mexico about the security situation in Mexico. ...
Millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year. This includes tens of thousands who cross the border every day for study, tourism or business and at least one million U.S. citizens who live in Mexico. The Mexican government makes a considerable effort to protect U.S. citizens and other visitors to major tourist destinations. ...
Resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico do not see the levels of drug-related violence and crime reported in the border region and in areas along major drug trafficking routes. Nevertheless, crime and violence are serious problems. While most victims of violence are Mexican citizens associated with criminal activity, the security situation poses serious risks for U.S. citizens as well.
Although narcotics-related crime is a particular concern along Mexico’s northern border, violence has occurred throughout the country, including in areas frequented by American tourists. U.S. citizens traveling in Mexico should exercise caution in unfamiliar areas and be aware of their surroundings at all times. Bystanders have been injured or killed in violent attacks in cities across the country, demonstrating the heightened risk of violence in public places. In recent years, dozens of U.S. citizens living in Mexico have been kidnapped and most of their cases remain unsolved.

You will find the State Department also warns of crime in Costa Rica, but not nearly as serious as Mexico.

val

 

[valbob89]

Sorry my mistake. I forgot a key word. They released the 2011 Military Discounts and tickets.

Could you give me the website where I could find the military discounts? The DCL site doesn't show them yet.

Thanks
Val

 

[WDW Princess 71]

Sorry my mistake. I forgot a key word. They released the 2011 Military Discounts and tickets.

Ah yes, darn that would be a key word. Oh well, I'll keep my fingers crossed for a general code to come out soon, right now they only have discounts through December 16. But congrats to you on snagging a code and saving good money!

 

[aubs42]

Could you give me the website where I could find the military discounts? The DCL site doesn't show them yet.

Thanks
Val

They have only posted discounts for rooms and tickets at Disneyland and WDW. The military salute ticket is back. I found out on stitch kingdom.

 

[ACDSNY]

Could you give me the website where I could find the military discounts? The DCL site doesn't show them yet.

Thanks
Val

I saw something about the military discounts on www.mousesavers.com yesterday.

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

Woo hoo! I just ordered my 2nd and final FE gift...added in a few extras for cabins still adding but I want to make sure I have everything my Thanksgiving so I thought I would get it done...

Another thing to scratch off my list!

 

[SoothyMom]

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA PRE-CRUISE MEETING
Plans are crystallizing for a Northern California (all are welcome) pre-cruise meeting to introduce ourselves.

We need you to let us know your preference regarding the date,
• Saturday, 11-13-10 or
• Sunday, 11-14-10.

Also, your choice of the meeting’s location. Three suggestions are:
• Disney Family Museum in San Francisco
• Cuesta Park in Mountain View.
• Napa Valley winery tour

Do you have another idea or would you like to suggest a location or meeting activities?

Let me know your ideas by next Wednesday 10-27. At that time we will share the tally and vote on a location.
Valbob89

We can join ya'll on Sat the 13th. Any location we can get to with the bart, subway ect would be best as were flying in ...

 

[clungstrum]

For those who have been, what's your thoughts on Universal Studios Hollywood? Is it worth spending a day at? How about with a 2 and 3 year old? How does it compare to it's Orlando counterpart?

We're just trying to finalize our plans for our week in California. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[JenKatt]

We would love to Jen, thanks for offering to host a get together! We will be walking over to MK for the fireworks which I believe are pretty early, 8:00 PM i think? But then after that if you are still up for meeting I'd love to stop by. We'll be walking back that way anyway because we always park at Contemporary when we have dinner at CG and then walk over to MK and back.

Oh Jen - that would be awesome if everyone is still up and moving. Based on past experience, it will be like dinner on the ship and we won't be out of there until after well after 9:00.

Carly and I check into BLT on Jan. 2. Joe joins us late on Jan. 5. At least Carly and I will be at Jenn and Jeff's meet.
tenya

It's a very informal meet at BLT. We might move it up to Top of the World if we can get everyone up there. If not, we have a Grand Villa looking at the MK, so we'll see the fireworks from our room (the pipe the music in and everything)
We'll definitely still be up and at 'em at 9pm. Our last "rommie" doesn't get in until 11 or 12. Jack maybe asleep, but the adults will be up enjoying the first day of vacation! (There will be lots of wine and cheese to be had the entire cruise)