Hey! July 30th, 2005 cruise to Mexico DISfriends!

[LiserAnn]

The following is our compiled list of thread members who checked-in with their info at one time or another - please note the ages listed are the ages at the time of the cruise. If I've omitted anyone it's purely by mistake, not intention!

Albill, Brigantine - NJ
Bill 67, retired
Alice 68, works part time for the city of Brigantine
Cabin 6596 (parents of jlawall)
Late dinner seating

jlawall, Pennsylvania
JoAnn 43, 4th grade teacher
Ken 48, real estate investor
Kids: Tara 21, Tracy 18 and Jessica 15
Cabins 6600/6601
Late dinner seating

jfis1020, Bloomington, IN
Jenny 42, 4th grade teacher
Mark 39, CPA/Hospital Finance
Kids: John 11, Marshall 8 and Mallory 6
Cabins 6137/6139
? dinner seating

lwilliam and minnie'sguy, Kutztown - PA
Lucy 51, secretary at Kutztown U
Bob 47, Merchandise Manager at JC Penney
Kids: Bryan 19 and Tyler 13
Cabins 6315/6317
Main dinner seating

LiserAnn, Murrieta - CA
Lisa 39 (turning 40 on the cruise), stay at home mom
Mark 39, Account Manager at Hewlett Packard
Kids: Ryan 7 and Drew 3
Cabin 2608
Main dinner seating

LynnTarrant, Hampshire - UK
Lynn 43, Primary Teacher
Keith 51, Telephone Engineer
Cabin 7502
Main dinner seating


gouodux, Phoenix, AZ
Leslie 35, Psychologist
Shawn 36, Regional Manager at Nordstrom
Kids: Jenna 5 and Kayla 2
Cabin ? on deck 5
Late dinner seating

littleowensmommy, Suffolk, VA
Kathy 41, Stay at home mom
Ted 44, Gastroenterologist USN
Kids: Owen 6 and Amy 4
Cabin 6616
Main dinner seating

kndyglr, Foothill Ranch, CA
Liz 42, Stay at home momm
JP 43, VP at a land auction company
Kids: Trent 8 and Jensen 4
Cabin 2610
Main dinner seating

RDS912
Dustin 35, Firefighter
Robin 31, Nurse
Kids: Sydney 5 and Dylan 2
Cabin GTY
? dinner seating

As stated before if anyone's not listed it's not intentional...just don't have your information. Please post your info and I'll add it to our group list and repost. Thanks everyone!

 

[LynnTarrant]

Wow good job Lisa
I'm glad someone is keeping track of us.
I've just booked tisckets to see Wicked in San Francisco after the cruise, this show isn't in the UK so I'm very excited.
LA
The more I look into sight seeing in LA the more I'm inclined to go with a tour bus to save us some hassle. Anyone able to recommend a company. My husband and I don't normally do this but there seems to be so much to see and so little time we thought that at least this way we would see everything and then if we're ever lucky enough to come back we can make a more informed choice.
Not sure about the movie stars homes tours surely all you see is locked gates and a drive?

BASEBALL
Now I believe there are some fans on this board I've found out that LA are playing at home, would we be able to understand what's happening if we went? we can't run to expensive seats where would be good to sit? The game starts at 7pm approx how long does it last? It is such an American thing I've love to say we'd beenbut there's nothing worse than watching something and not understanding what's happening at all. Anything else we should know? Don't want to commit a social gaff! Thinking of going the monday or tuesday before the cruise if anyone wanted to come with us and explain it all you'd be most welcome

 

[LiserAnn]

Completely unrelated to cruising, but I had to share. Today I was looking online for a book for my DS6 and in the "values and virtues" section of this online bookstore were books authored by Madonna. It's not that she wrote books that I find odd, it's the fact Madonna produced books which appear in the "values and virtues" section of ANY bookstore...many of her songs/movies come time mind which do NOT exhibit values or virtures.............just odd to me.

 

[jfis1020]

JoAnn ~ Thanks to you I was able to call and book ressies with DCL. I had kind of forgotten until I read your post!!! You are the best!!

kndygrl ~ We too are on the 11:00 trip. According to the DCL rep there is only one "kid" encounter and that is the 11:00. I would have preferred to go earlier, but am pleased just to be able to do it!

LiserAnn ~ I had actually forgotten until I read JoAnn's post and called at about 9:00 a.m. Sunday. There was no problem with booking! I was a little worried, but it all worked out!

Lynn ~ We will be at the LA Dodgers game on Monday 7/25 before the cruise. They play our favorite team the Cincinnati Reds. As you could tell from pervious posts, baseball is my absolute favorite thing! Baseball is a very relaxing sport. Some say boring, but it's all in what you like. The thing about baseball is it's a quick "catch on" game. Nothing like soccer or football.

I would recommend you do a couple of things if you want to go. First, check E-Bay for tickets. We bought our off a season ticket holder on E-Bay. You can get in a little lower. You don't want to sit high (IMHO). You could also check the Dodger's website www.losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com There is a also website called www.seatdata.com Once you start looking at specific seats to buy, you can sit in the virtual seats on seatdata. It's really a neat thing because sometimes there are seats with a slight obstruction and nothing is more frustrating than to buy something with an obstructive view. In looking at the seating chart for Dodge Stadium, I wouldn't want to sit any higher than a 200 level, personally. (The seats start a 100 level, then work up to about 400 level ~ way up there!) If this is a one time thing for you, it's worth being low enough to "get into the game" O.k. I need to quit rambling.......you hit my passion!!!!!!

 

[byon_and_lara]

Hello fellow cruisers,

I originally introduced myself a while back, and I occationally have peeked in in lurker mode, but I wanted to get back in the loop and hopefully catch up with all the chit chat. You guys seem like such a friendly bunch and I'm happy to get to know you.

I'm Lara and my husband is Byon. We are both 36 (although my birthday is approaching faster than I'd like to admit). We have four children. Scott is 15 (he loves talking math and logic games and it would love to find a "buddy" with similar interests for the cruise since he is not into the typical teen scene). Timmy is 12 and Lexi is 7 (they are both very excited about spending time in the kids club). Delaney "Blue" will be 2 in June and spends most of her time on my hip . We are also traveling with my parents, John and Suzie. We are in adjoining cabins 7005 and 7007.

My family lives in Las Vegas, NV. Yes, people do LIVE in Vegas (although I had my doubts 8 years ago when Byon was offered a job here). Turns out, we love it here. So much more affordable than So. CA, where we grew up, and honestly, I have found it so much more family oriented (go figure?). We have not gambled (not even a nickel) since we moved here and we hardly ever go down to the strip.

Since we lived in So. CA for most of our lives, we have been to Disneyland many, many times. We experienced Disney World with a four day Disney Cruise for the first time last August. We had a fantastic time and couldn't resist booking the West Coast Disney Cruise because it is so much closer to home (flying across country with 4 kids is best to be avoided whenever possible).

Byon has a home business designing, programming and selling electronic kits, and I help him out (as much as I can with a toddler on my lap).

I go up at 5:45 AM yesterday and booked a dolphin swim for Lexi at 3PM (Byon, Blue and I are observing). Timmy and my mom are going to Canopy over the rain forest. We also are doing a snorkel thing in Cabo with my dad (my mom agreed to watch the baby). When I called to book, I ordered the excurtions in that order and by the time I got to the snorkel (maybe 6:05am), they were already sold out of one time slot, so those do go fast! WOW! Made me glad I made the effort to call when I did.

We have a online album of our August 2004 land/sea vacation at

http://www.garrabrant.com/disney/

I also have a new blog at www.garrabrant.com , so you can learn more than your ever wanted to learn about us.

Looks like we have the late seating for dinner.

I hope to catch up and become familiar with everyone here pretty quick, but bare with me.

Lara

 

[gouodux]

The whole family was wiped out with the stomach flu this weekend.

Didn't get a chance to book anything yet. May be to late anyway, but is it true there is an age limit for the Pirate excursion. I think I read somebody said five. That will be terribly disappointing to our five year old since her sister is almost three.

 

[gouodux]

Testing you!!

 

[gouodux]

Don't bother looking here, having a few technical difficulties. Sorry!

 

[LynnTarrant]

Thanks Jenny
I thought that someone on here was a Baseball fan, your tip about ebay and the virtual seating is much appreciated. If we go on the Monday I'll let you know our seat nos. and maybe you can drop by and give us some tips


On another matter entirely how safe is the metro in LA if we wanted to go from Hollywood to the historic downtown would we be risking life and limb?
Sorry for all the questions but it's getting nearer you know!

 

[jlawall]

Hey Lynn, about touring in CA. I just went last month and all we did was go to the Gruman's Theatre (near the Kodak theatre where the Oscar's are held) and we booked our tour there. It was pretty good, mostly gated homes with interesting trivia. Maybe someone else has a better idea but this worked for us!

I recommend getting a taxi, driving around in LA is very tedious and slow-moving. It would be less stressful that way.

Welcome Vegas(L&B)!!

 

[kndyglr]

Hi Kathy,

The concert was awesome--just amazing. I think I would have to rank it up there as one of my favorites (oh who am I kidding--I have loved them all). I saw him last at Dodger Stadium in 2003. This was just so different, intimate and much closer than I have ever been. He played for over 2 hours--I don't know how he does it. You are in for a real treat when you see him!!

 

[littleowensmommy]

Hi Liz,

Thanks for posting details of the concert. I've been following the setlists on Backstreets.com. I'm really looking forward to the 14 May show. I've seen him in this setting before, at Constitution Hall in DC in 1996 during the Ghost of Tom Joad tour. The fairy godfather switched my seats to the front row! It was awesome. My husband is on call the weekend of the concert so I'm going with a girlfriend who has never seen him in concert. I could go on and on...


Lisa,

I've decided to give Randi's Happy Horses a try. It seems from that reviews that it will be nothing short of a life changing experience. I've e-mailed her and she's assured me that the kids will be fine. We'll see.



Kathy

 

[LynnTarrant]

See you on those horses Kathy Keith and I are going too!

 

[LiserAnn]

Didn't get a chance to book anything yet. May be to late anyway, but is it true there is an age limit for the Pirate excursion. I think I read somebody said five. That will be terribly disappointing to our five year old since her sister is almost three.

Leslie-if you want to book the pirate excursion go to vallartaonline.com. I'm not sure why DCl is imposing the age 5 deal because the Margilante's (that's the pirate ship) own website doesn't list an age restriction. You can't book it through the Margilante directly because all the spots are held by DCL and tour brokers, but as of recently vallartaonline had spots. I booked MONTHS ago and my three year old was accepted. By the way it was $52 less for a family of four booking with vallartaonline vs. DCL. When/if you do book, there's a section where it asks for hotel/phone number where you're staying. I put no phone available (which is true) and made no mention of the Magic. They don't ask if you're on a cruise ship...so, I figured I wouldn't answer a question to which I wasn't asked. I think if you put DCL in there they'll make you book through DCL. If you go back a few pages in this thread you'll read all the research I did on vallartaonline...they're completely legit.

Lisa

 

[LiserAnn]

I do remember you posting a while back, wondered what happened to you!! On your website, I LOVE the tshirts you're all wearing....details on where you got them please! I've designed some shirts for the boys and was going to use iron transfers...we'll see how that works, but I really liked yours!

One of my UCI college buddies lives in Vegas...they're in Summerlin. They moved there about three years ago and they love it. She also grew up in Southern California (Mission Viejo area) but they've adjusted quite well to Vegas. They're not gamblers either.

I'll go ahead and add you to our thread list. Did you see the post that each family is bringing a goodie/bag filled with an item that is specific to the area you're from with a value of up to $10 and we'll do an exchange at our DIS meet. It can be anything, however I've observed this group seems to enjoy food.

Lisa

 

[LiserAnn]

Since we had a member jump back into our thread, I've reposted our revised list. Again, the following is our compiled list of thread members who checked-in with their info at one time or another - please note the ages listed are the ages at the time of the cruise. If I've omitted anyone it's purely by mistake, not intention!

Albill, Brigantine - NJ
Bill 67, retired
Alice 68, works part time for the city of Brigantine
Cabin 6596 (parents of jlawall)
Late dinner seating

jlawall, Pennsylvania
JoAnn 43, 4th grade teacher
Ken 48, real estate investor
Kids: Tara 21, Tracy 18 and Jessica 15
Cabins 6600/6601
Late dinner seating

jfis1020, Bloomington, IN
Jenny 42, 4th grade teacher
Mark 39, CPA/Hospital Finance
Kids: John 11, Marshall 8 and Mallory 6
Cabins 6137/6139
Late dinner seating

lwilliam and minnie'sguy, Kutztown - PA
Lucy 51, secretary at Kutztown U
Bob 47, Merchandise Manager at JC Penney
Kids: Bryan 19 and Tyler 13
Cabins 6315/6317
Main dinner seating

LiserAnn, Murrieta - CA
Lisa 39 (turning 40 on the cruise), stay at home mom
Mark 39, Account Manager at Hewlett Packard
Kids: Ryan 7 and Drew 3
Cabin 2608
Main dinner seating

LynnTarrant, Hampshire - UK
Lynn 43, Primary Teacher
Keith 51, Telephone Engineer
Cabin 7502
Main dinner seating

gouodux, Phoenix, AZ
Leslie 35, Psychologist
Shawn 36, Regional Manager at Nordstrom
Kids: Jenna 5 and Kayla 2
Cabin ? on deck 5
Late dinner seating

littleowensmommy, Suffolk, VA
Kathy 41, Stay at home mom
Ted 44, Gastroenterologist USN
Kids: Owen 6 and Amy 4
Cabin 6616
Main dinner seating

kndyglr, Foothill Ranch, CA
Liz 42, Stay at home momm
JP 43, VP at a land auction company
Kids: Trent 8 and Jensen 4
Cabin 2610
Main dinner seating

RDS912
Dustin 35, Firefighter
Robin 31, Nurse
Kids: Sydney 5 and Dylan 2
Cabin GTY
? dinner seating

byon_and_lara, Las Vegas, NV
Lara 36, Self-employed and Stay at home mom
Byon 36, Self-employed
Kids: Scott 15, Timmy 12, Lexi 7, and Blue 2
Cabins 7005/7007
Late dinner seating

As stated before if anyone's not listed it's not intentional...just don't have your information. Please post your info and I'll add it to our group list and repost. Thanks everyone!

 

[byon_and_lara]

Lisa,

Byon and I are UCI graduates also! We were there 1986-1991. Byon was in Computer Science and I was in Social Ecology. Byon lived in Middle Earth the first year, then we moved in together with a couple roommates on the Balboa Peninsula. We got married in 88 and then moved into Verano Place until I graduated in 91. Seems like a lifetime ago!

We made our shirts with iron on tranfers, also. They looked good at first, but on red shirts the black bled in the rain (we were there during the big huricane last year). The white shirts held up great for the trip, but the iron-ons seem to fade pretty quick with washes. It worked fine though since they are not shirts we wear all that much after the trip, KWIM?

I would love to participate in the exchange!

Lara

 

[LiserAnn]

Lara-oh my gosh, what a coincidence! I was at UCI from 84 - 88 and graduated with Political Science degree! I took some Social Ecology classes too! I was going to minor in SE but later changed my mind...just wanted to graduate. Leslie (gouodux) went to UCI also, small world! Middle Earth, Verano Place....all familar names of the past. UCIers seemed to live down in Balboa, that was place! Not sure if you've been back but the school is just amazing! The "backlot" and "z-club are all gone. It's very sophisticated now. I heard there's a Ben and jerry's there. They just built graduate housing off of Campus and University Drive and that housing is incredible...I'd almost live there now!!!

Sounds like we have a fun group going (but like I've said previously, watch out for Albill )

Lisa

 

[kndyglr]

On another matter entirely how safe is the metro in LA if we wanted to go from Hollywood to the historic downtown would we be risking life and limb?

Lynn,

Having just been in Hollywood yesterday afternoon/evening for the Springsteen concert...while I never felt unsafe, parts of Hollywood are kind of "seedy" at best. Not glamorous like you might imagine : ) I would say that you are probably best off to go with JoAnn's suggestion of staying near the Kodak Theater--it is an area called Hollywood and Highland (they have a website you can check out--can I give it out here?) There's a lot of shopping and restaurants etc...I think it's much nicer.

Any Pierce Brosnan fans? Saw him and his wife leaving the concert last night--I must say they both looked very good.

And to those going to the Dodger game, please have a Dodger Dog for me--they are the best!!

Liz

 

[jfis1020]

Welcome back Lara! I must have come in to this group after you, but am so glad you could join us!!!

I haven't been to Vegas in years, but one of my former athletes I coached is now the head women's golf coach at UNLV! I am so proud of her!

Four kids!!! OMG! My three keep me hopping, so I can't imagine your life!!! I have DS11 who might be a match for your DS12. He loved the clubs the last cruise. He is in to music and sports. He can talk baseball like you've never seen ("ah, the nut doesn't fall too far from the tree!!!" )

Liz ~ Dodger dog? I'll have to remember that. Lynn will quickly learn in her baseball experience that the food is an important part of the "experience"!!! Every park has its specialty. I keep thinking about the lady that DH bought our Padre/Reds tickets from who said that they serve a mean margarita!!! My friends laugh at me when I order a margarita at the ballpark. They keep saying "This is not a Buffet concert!!!!!" I don't need Buffet for a good margarita!!