January 30, 2011 Wonder Mexican Riviera ANYONE OUT THERE????

[GoofItUp]

I called DCL yesterday and Disney is not offering transportation from the Disneyland resort hotels to the port. Only to and from LAX before and after the cruise. Drats, there goes that plan! Guess I will have to look into rental cars and car services.

Hi, ellie. You might check out Zippy Shuttle Service. We used them on our last trip for transportation from airport to DL hotel to cruise terminal back to airport and were very pleased with their service. I'm planning to use them again this trip. HTH!

 

[2littlegirls]

We booked the KSF deal. We have two daugters, Brenna 11 and Erin 8. WE live in Pasadena, about 45 min. drive to Disneyland. Not too much to see round LAX. If you would like to save some money, try the Candy Cane Inn (candycaneinn.com), right next to the Disney property. It is about a 5 minute walk to DL.

 

[PrincessDadx2]

Looks like we will be going on this cruise

We got the KSF and I was able to get 4 plane tickets to LAX with my frequent flyer miles

This will be our 3rd Disney cruise and we are looking forward to being on the Wonder for the first time and enjoying ourselves. We have done FE exchange and the Dis meet each time and have really enjoyed it.

It will be me, DW and DD 10 & DD 8

Time is fast approaching

 

[2littlegirls]

 

[rrbar]

We have paid our deposit so we are going on our first cruise! The kids free was what definitely helped us get there. For the cruise, myself, my husband and our two boys will be going. The kids will be 13 and 15 so not so much into the character "Meet and Greets" but I am sure they will enjoy it. It is the first week of our son's semester in high school so I hope the homework will work out for him. They said we can get the homework ahead of time. I am sure he will want to go once I tell him about the cruise. I am trying to wait until Christmas time to tell them.

We live about 20 minutes from San Pedro. I was just there today for a dentist appointment but I never go over to the port area. It should be about 45 minutes to LAX from San Pedro I would guess. Security at LAX can take 30 to 40 minutes at times when I have been there on Sunday afternoon and it is always worse on Sunday. Saturday is slower for sure and I have seen early morning flights on weekdays take a long time for security as many business people fly out at 7 am. Honestly the traffic on Saturday is ok going up there so unless there is an accident, it is manageable.

For hotels near Disneyland, there are a lot of locals that like the Howard Johnsons across the street on Harbor Blvd next to Mimi's Cafe. I like the muffins and soup at Mimi's Cafe. Howard Johnsons redid one of the outdoor areas and have a water spray area with part of a pirate ship. You can get the entertainment rate with the card from the entertainment book and it can be a great rate and worth checking out. If you don't see the entertainment rate listed on the website for your dates, you can call and sometimes they can tell it to you on the phone. You don't need to present the card until you check in and it is a generic code SD something. I have heard Candy Cane Inn that someone mentioned is also nice.

 

[rsschneck]

We will be joining all of you on this cruise. I waited to post until I was certain we were going on this date (booked 2 dates with the KFMR deal). We are going with some friends (their first Disney Cruise). All of us will be flying in the day of the cruise (unless I can talk DH into 2 days @ Disneyland).

Our cabin Me, DH, DD age 13 (will turn 14 on this cruise) and hopefully a friend can join us (parents still thinking about it).

Friends cabin has 2 adults and a 2 year old (2 months from being 3).

We started sailing with Disney when DD was 5 so we have never used the nursery. How many times can you schedule a child to be in the nursery. If they are 2 almost 3 year's old is potty trained could she get into the kids club instead of using the nursery?

DD's 14th Birthday is on the 31st (sea day). Has anyone paid for the Birthday Banner's through the cruise line and if so are they up on the first day, what does the wait staff do for a Birthday cake (do I need to order one)? Are there Spa options for a teenager? I would like to do some special things for her on this day (especially if no friends can join her on the sailing).

DD is afraid there will not be enough teenagers on board because the sailing is during school. Anyone with a 13/14 year old girl that wants to email and get to know each other before the cruise please send me a PM. We are trying to get a friend to come along but most parents are reluctant to let their child miss a week of school.

 

[2littlegirls]

I don't have any answer for this will be our 1st cruise. Just wanted to say glad you are coming along.

 

[Stinkerbe11]

Is it too early to sign up for FEs? I am excited to start buying/making gifts for everyone.

 

[ellie0311]

Hi, ellie. You might check out Zippy Shuttle Service. We used them on our last trip for transportation from airport to DL hotel to cruise terminal back to airport and were very pleased with their service. I'm planning to use them again this trip. HTH!

Thanks Goof, I will look into them.

 

[GoofItUp]

Is it too early to sign up for FEs? I am excited to start buying/making gifts for everyone.

Well, Stink, you and I could start making something for one another...I'm interested!

 

[2littlegirls]

Count us in also!

 

[dllocals]

Is it too early to sign up for FEs? I am excited to start buying/making gifts for everyone.

We love the FEs too. Kids dont'n know about the cruse yet... waiting for Christmas.

 

[ssawka]

Is it too early to sign up for FEs? I am excited to start buying/making gifts for everyone.

Ok, Ok, since I'm a newbie cruiser, what's an FE?

 

[Stinkerbe11]

Ok, Ok, since I'm a newbie cruiser, what's an FE?

This MR will be our first Disney cruise, so I'm no expert by any stretch but I will try to help. There is a link on the Dis cruise forum home page (it's the 3rd thread on the page) titled DCL FAQS in alphabetical order. Go down to F and you will find much more detailed info with pictures and gift ideas. It's basically something homemade or bought off of Ebay that you hang from the " fish" hanger outside your cabin door. Other cruisers that have signed up in your group secretly leave gifts during the cruise and you leave gifts for them. Gifts range from expensive and elaborate to cheesy(but fun) and silly. It's all for fun and my kids are sooooo excited to start making/buying gifts.

We should probably start a sign up but I don't really feel qualified since this is all new to me too. If no one volunteers I guess I can do it!

 

[dllocals]

This MR will be our first Disney cruise, so I'm no expert by any stretch but I will try to help. There is a link on the Dis cruise forum home page (it's the 3rd thread on the page) titled DCL FAQS in alphabetical order. Go down to F and you will find much more detailed info with pictures and gift ideas. It's basically something homemade or bought off of Ebay that you hang from the " fish" hanger outside your cabin door. Other cruisers that have signed up in your group secretly leave gifts during the cruise and you leave gifts for them. Gifts range from expensive and elaborate to cheesy(but fun) and silly. It's all for fun and my kids are sooooo excited to start making/buying gifts.

We should probably start a sign up but I don't really feel qualified since this is all new to me too. If no one volunteers I guess I can do it!

we prefer the fun and cheesy FE gifts.

 

[rrbar]

We would like to do the FE gifts to. It is our first cruise and I also think I will tell my kids at Christmas but I can still come up with something for the FE gifts.

 

[Stinkerbe11]

we prefer the fun and cheesy FE gifts.

Me too, I'm not crafty at all and although I would love to shower everyone with bling it will probably be from Oriental Trading, Party City or somewhere like that.

 

[Stinkerbe11]

I'm taking the plunge and starting the list. If you want to participate please respond with the participants in your cabin and please include ages(at time of cruise) and gender of kids as well as your cabin number. You may PM me if you are uncomfortable putting this info in the thread. You may make or buy the FE but I read somewhere that it shouldn't be longer than 8", also bring zip ties to ensure the FE doesn't "swim" off I will keep a list and publish it as new members are added so we have an idea of how many gifts to buy. If you have expressed an interest on this thread, I went ahead and added you to the list, please let me know if you are not listed and want to be. Also, I will probably split us into groups if the numbers get unmanageable, no one is expected to buy 300.00 worth of FE gifts. Here's the list so far, let me know if there are any changes:
stinkerbe11: me,dh,dd(3.5)ds(6)
rrbar: need info
PrincessDadx2: 2 adults,dd(10),dd(8)
GoofItUp: 2 adults,ds(4),ds(2)
2littlegirls: 2 adults, dd(4),dd(2)
dllocals: 2 adults, dd(11),dd(8)
shoppingstaceysmom: 5 adults
Tiff@DL: need info
Mar@DL: need info

Please correct your info if needed and add cabin#s as you get them.

Let the shopping begin!!!

 

[2littlegirls]

I'm taking the plunge and starting the list. If you want to participate please respond with the participants in your cabin and please include ages(at time of cruise) and gender of kids as well as your cabin number. You may PM me if you are uncomfortable putting this info in the thread. You may make or buy the FE but I read somewhere that it shouldn't be longer than 8", also bring zip ties to ensure the FE doesn't "swim" off I will keep a list and publish it as new members are added so we have an idea of how many gifts to buy. If you have expressed an interest on this thread, I went ahead and added you to the list, please let me know if you are not listed and want to be. Also, I will probably split us into groups if the numbers get unmanageable, no one is expected to buy 300.00 worth of FE gifts. Here's the list so far, let me know if there are any changes:
stinkerbe11: me,dh,dd(3.5)ds(6)
rrbar: need info
PrincessDadx2: 2 adults,dd(10),dd(8)
GoofItUp: 2 adults,ds(4),ds(2)
2littlegirls: 2 adults, dd(4),dd(2)
dllocals: 2 adults, dd(11),dd(8)
shoppingstaceysmom: 5 adults
Tiff@DL: need info
Mar@DL: need info

Please correct your info if needed and add cabin#s as you get them.

Let the shopping begin!!!

Thank you Stinkerbell for putting this together We are looking forward to this!
ps my second DD with me 3 at the time of cruise.
Thanks!

 

[rrbar]

Thanks for organizing this, it sounds like fun!