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

[littleowensmommy]

Lisa,

My DD wasn't completely potty-trained when we sailed last July. I kept her in Pull-Ups in the Oceaneers Club. The CM's won't check for Pull-Ups but if they notice they'll ask you to put him in underpants. DD was only caught once since I had her in a dress. It was shorts from there on and we were fine. Just check in on him to bring him to the potty yourself. My DD would get too distracted to go by herself.

Kathy

 

[lwilliam]

just read that someone passed away on Castaway Cay today - isn't
that horrible. This person was a DISer. The family/friends have left
the ship for Orlando. This is really, really sad.

 

[jfis1020]

just read that someone passed away on Castaway Cay today - isn't
that horrible. This person was a DISer. The family/friends have left
the ship for Orlando. This is really, really sad.

So unbelievable.......I can't imagine the grief this family is suffering. Think folks about how excited we are; now they are not only suffering the loss, but something they too have absolutely dreamed of.

 

[jlawall]

Wow, so sad...the beginning of the repositioning cruise is so exciting....best wishes to all.....................our time is getting closer!!

I'm also starting to get psyched about the DL aspect of our trip....anyone else planinng???

 

[LiserAnn]

That's awful! How sad to have that happen, for everyone.

Kathy-I had kinda thought about that (putting him in pull ups just in case). We'll see how far he gets with the potty training. He's determined not to go on it. The last three mornings he woke up completely dry and two nights in a row he had water in the middle of the night three times! So I asked him right when he woke up to *try* going on the potty and he flat out REFUSED, had a meltdown. I'm gonna take a weekend and just take the diapers away and put undies on...see what happens!

HAve a great week everyone!

 

[littleowensmommy]

I'm starting to plan the DL stuff. We have a reservation at the GC with a military rate ($302 + tax/nite). We'll be there for 3 nights. I plan on purchasing 2-day parkhoppers for us at MWR (miitary pricing) for $76.50 ea for adult tickets and $66.50 ea for childrens tickets. ($286 total) If we do 3-day park hoppers the price will be $386 for the 4 of us.

I called AAA to price a package since the AAA-exclusive multi-Fast Pass Park Hopper is so appealing. You have to book you stay at a DL resort through AAA in order to purchase these special parkhoppers. The price for the same package as I put together will military discounts for a total of $1328 including tax with 2-day hoppers or $1428 with 3-day hoppers would cost $1611 or $1727 respectively through AAA. So the multi-Fast Pass park hoppers would cost us an additional nearly $300. Not gonna happen.

The military rate at the DLH is only $239/nite. I've heard the Neverland Pool is better suited for small children but the walk to the parks is longer than from the GC. I would appreciate the point-of-view of those who have stayed at either property.

DVC has a point sale on stays at the DLH. We can get a room for 29 points per night for a total of 87 points for our 3-night stay. That is a really good deal. Rooms at the GC are 49 points/nite.

I understand that you get one early entry to a park with a 3-day parkhopper. (Disneyland on Thurday would work for us). DL opens at 8:00 am in July. What time does it open for early entry?

At DL, we'd like to see the Parade of Dreams, the Fireworks and Snow White-An Enchanting Musical. We've seen Fantasmic at MGM and we'll have the opportunity to see it again there later this year.

At DCA, we'd like to see the Block Party Bash, Disney's Electrical Parade and Disney's Aladdin-A Musical Spectacular.

PS reservations can be made 60 days out so we can start making our dining arrangements on 28 May. We'd like to do one character meal. Any recommendations?

We have reserved Supershuttle for transportation from DL to San Pedro on 30 July and then again from San Pedro to LAX on 6 August. DCL transfers would have cost us $200. Supershuttle will cost us $120.

Kathy

 

[lwilliam]

Kathy is going to be at the GC with us!!! Yea! I'm so happy with your rates (military people SHOULD be given these discount prices-in fact, everywhere I truly believe). Kathy - I hope we run into each
other. I MUST call Super Shuttle too - what time are you leaving
the GC? Remember, we are having a silly contest who makes it there
first! Even though we booked Disney shuttle I refuse to use them -
their timing is awful. We know we want to book Blue Bayou and
the character breakfasts/dinners are highly rated on the DL boards -
both the one at "OUR" ( ) hotel and the other two hotels -
I can't decide....I know we get discounts with our AAA card (no, we
also decided not to book thru AAA just for the fast pass thing).
We MUST say HI somewhere along the way, ok? I believe JoAnn is staying
at the GC too....this is getting TOO EXCITING. We also want to book a
tour since my family (I have) has never been to Los Angeles. Think we are
going to do that on a Thursday. We arrive July 26 - we will get three-day hopper tickets. OH, MY, I've gotta stop 'talking', yea, like that is possible with me!
Have a great day - gotta read the rest of the boards about the people that are on board right now....have a great day!

 

[LiserAnn]

Kathy-the pool at the DLH is REALLY neat. When my DS was 4 he saw both pools at the GC and DLH and he wanted to go to the DLH. The nice thing is the GC is right there basically at the park's entrances and right in the heart of downtown disney. The DLH is a bit further out but not that far. It certainly is NOT like the walk from the parking lot to the park entrances at WDW...that takes forever. And of course DLH is older, although it's been remodeled. The pool is pretty cool, it's like a fantasy for little people. To be honest, I can't even remember what the GC pool looks like now but the DLH pool stands out clearly in my mind.

Today is officially our 75 day mark!

 

[kndyglr]

Kathy,

We have done the character meals breakfast in DL at the Plaza Inn off Main St and dinner at CA Ariel's Grotto (I think that's what it was called). Of the two I would recommend the Plaza Inn--we got there right when it opened and it wasn't very crowded and so the kids got a lot of one on one attention--they had a blast. This was in August, so it was a crowded day later on...we tend to get up and go to the park early and midday when it's super crowded, we go back to the hotel for swimming and then back to the park in the late afternoon/eve. Ariel's grotto also had a lot of characters that came up to the table, but the food wasn't as good (they may have changed it by now). The GC has the Storyteller's Cafe as a character breakfast, but the characters did not come up to the table like they did at the others and I think it was only Chip and Dale.

Sorry to hear about your picture taking experience on the way home from Springsteen~but glad to hear you enjoyed the show! I heard rumblings that he is going to be coming back to the US after his World tour, so maybe I'll get a shot at a front row seat!I've always wanted to go to Asbury Park and see him there who knows.

Hope this info helps...

Liz

 

[littleowensmommy]

I'm going to switch my military rate reservation at the GC to a DVC point reservation at the DLH. Sorry to jump ship Lucy! I think the kids will love the Neverland Pool and it is "free" since I will be using my DVC points. The DLH is usually 39 points/night in July but it is "on sale" for only 29 points/night for the 50th Anniversary Celebration. We'll stick with our original plan of 2-day parkhoppers for Thursday/Friday. When we arrive on Wednesday we'll let the kids swim and relax and then walk around Downtown Disney.

Liz, Thanks for the character dining info.

Lisa, If you recommend the DLH that's good enough for me!

Kathy

 

[lwilliam]

we beat 'ya yesterday (Reds vs. Phillies) - doesn't say much, though -
the Phillies are in last place

Kathy: I liked the way you worded that "jumping ship".

JoAnn: I just pulled off information from another thread about resorts
near each port and their beaches - gotta read that tonight. We haven't
booked anything in excursions - oh, well - we are on the ship - that is
all I care about. How is Bill and Alice?

I can't stay off these boards......everything is so interesting.....
our next step is to get DL/CA tickets (3 day) and transp. from LAX to DL,
DL to port, and port to LAX.

 

[littleowensmommy]

Lucy,

I scheduled my Supershuttle pickup for 10:45-11:00 am. We reserved 4 seats in a 7-passenger van. The one drawback to Supershuttle vs. DCL transfers is that with DCL your luggage will be transferred from the bus to your stateroom for you. With Supershuttle you'll have to claim your luggage from the shuttle at the port and then check it with DCL for delivery to your stateroom. What time does DCL shuttle pick up? I made our return shuttle reservation for 9:30-9:45 am since the ship is due in port at 8:30 am and we don't fly out of LAX until 1:30 pm so there's no need to rush. I may tweek these times after reading trip reports from those that cruise before us.

Kathy

 

[jlawall]

Yes, we still have to arrange our transfers too.

Hey DAD!! (I know why he hasn't been around- he's now working two jobs until the end of school...did you know that the old geeser is a crossing guard and a boat ramp guy??....the boat ramp gig just kicked in so he's working all day right now.) Anyway, I'm thinking about going to Santa Monica on Friday before our trip, we had fun there this spring and my parents and kids may enjoy a beach day just before the trip.....

I think two days in DL should be plenty for our crew....

Everyone, check out the LIVE thread from the repositioning cruise this week, it's great!!

 

[Albill]

Busy ,Busy ,Busy.....

Joanns right,working to much,but it's a habit, seems I always was working two jobs....

I've been tracking the repo also....I always loved to see ships get underway,It meant another good job got done by PhilaNavShipyd in my
working days....

Lynn ...I just met a "Countryperson " of yours today.... very pleasent gal, it appears she is to wed one of us "yanks"...He is 75 I believe...!!
She stated she is from up "north"...where it is cold, damp.... Say's I ,welcome home ....!!she just described Brigantine ....!
The locals say this has been coldest Spring in years....I know the Impatients couldn't handle the cold.....

Phillies...! did I hear Phillies....AHHH yes, good old last place...
Well it's a long season, and we can only go up...!!
We need to start playing those easy teams ..West Coast teams... Arizona...
Dodgers.... Rockies....St.Lewis ...Hell, we sent them all our best players...

Anyhow... the fishing has been good, and getting better each report that comes in...I DO work that into my scedule...Alice used to be my fishing partner...But I had to ban her from the boat,she would catch all the fish...!!
my ego couldn't handle it.......

Be well...

 

[gouodux]

I'll add our opinions on the character meals. It depends on what characters your children like. For our little girls, it's all about the Princesses!

With that said, the Plaza Inn off of Main St. is (for them) fantastic! All of the Princesses are there. A few Pooh charaters add to the mix (Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger). Second would be Goofy's Kitchen over at DLH. At Goofy's they have a great mix of character's. Everyone is represented here. Third choice would be Ariel's Grotto at CA. Good for lunch. Fourth choice would be breakfast over at PP. Characters would include Minnie, Goofy, Max, and Donald. Last choice would be the character meal at GC. Basically it is Chip and Dale. There are a few other characters such as a gorilla. This meal was by far the most disappointing to our girls. They wanted to leave after 5 minutes and instead go over to the Plaza Inn.

The walk from DH is not that much further - maybe two city blocks. However, you can jump on the monorail about a block from DH. The theatres are right there too. The gift shop and store is better than GC. The pool is larger than the one at GC.

GC is nice in that it is in the middle of DD. Too easy to stroll over for ice cream at Haagendaz - way to easy! You also have the private entrance to CA and a shorter walk to the entrance of DL. The pool is nice at GC but doesn't have the child theme as does DH. GC is quite a bit more expensive than DH.

So . . . . . you just can't go wrong with either place!

 

[lwilliam]

I KNOW I want to book the Blue Bayou for PS, for lunch, correct?.
Do you really think we should spend the time/money on a character
meal in DL? Our group is 4 adults, a 19 yr. old, a 14yr. old and a 13 yr. old - we will be getting a character breakfast on the ship.

We will spend three days in DL/CA - including the day we arrive (hopefully
no big delays - arrive LAX at 10:45 AM.) One day I'm going to schedule
us to do a tour of LA/Universal.

I've contacted Golden West Express shuttle and Super Shuttle, Golden
West has immediately gotten back to me, nothing from Super Shuttle.
Ready to book our transports too.

Have I done everything I need to do for our LA visit?

Lucy

 

[LiserAnn]

I would say skip the character bfast, especially since you'll get one on the cruise and your kids are older....I bet they'd enjoy the Blue Bayou!!! And yes, I'm 95% sure it's only open for lunch.

Shuttles: also try PrimeTime Shuttle....this link will take you to their website and you get a quote online: http://www.primetimeshuttle.com/

Sounds like you're good to come!!!!

 

[lwilliam]

here I come! 'open up your golden gates' - ooopps - wrong city!

just priced the shuttle you suggested - Goldenwest gave me a better
price - hope I'm not going wrong - I'm trying to take all your suggestions -
since you are a native of CA!

I'm getting so excited to meet all of you I'm almost forgetting I'm scared
to death of flying!

 

[kndyglr]

Did anyone else get their new passporter yet? Mine finally came today So now I am off to read!

Lisa- can you book Blue Bayou in advance, or do you have to do it in the morning? I have only been there once and it was a while ago--just wondering...

I am off to obsess over the trip--I can't believe we are getting so close

Liz

 

[macbaby]

I KNOW I want to book the Blue Bayou for PS, for lunch, correct?.

The Blue Bayou is open for lunch and dinner. I highly recommend lunch as it will be nice and cool at that time of the day. Dinner prices are a little extreme for my taste. You can call for PS 30 or 60 days ahead, depending on the person on the other end of the phone.

The Paradise Pier character breakfast is now Lilo and Stitch. Ariel's Grotto is now Captain Mickey. Having done all but the Plaza Inn, I would skip them. However, my friend loves the breakfast at the Plaza Inn and often goes in just for breakfast!

I like breakfast at the Carnation Cafe on Main Street. While you can call for PS I have seldom seen a line in the morning. It's a nice place to sit and wait while they do the rope drop to open the park. Lunch for us is always the Blue Bayou. By the time we figure in our Annual Passport discount, it is as cheap as any counter service place in the park. Our dinner favorite, during summer, is in California Adventure: the Wine Country Trattoria. It has a wonderful patio to sit on as the evening cools down. Book late (7:30) and ask for a patio edge table and you will have dessert while watching the Electrical Parade pass by!