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

[dllocals]

Thanks for organizing this, it sounds like fun!

It is fun. our kids had fun running aroud looking for FEs to drop in all the things we brought. And then finding things in our FE was just as exciting. Yippie!

 

[wuv tigger]

We've been in 2 FE groups on our 2 cruises on the Magic.

We have received handmade magnets, scrapbooking items, Christmas ornaments, state items, postcards, princesses & pirate type stuff, glow sticks ~great for the pirate night; highliters for the Navigators, notepads, mini hand sanitizers, zip ties to keep your FE safe at your door, candy, pens and lots more.

I think creative items are fun. I don't want any NOT to participate because it was too much $$ for them.

Our kids loved coming "home" and seeing stuff in our FE. Our kids loved getting the princess pens and have used them at home and remembered they got them on the cruise. I've seen lots of stuff in the $$ Spot at Target.

wuv tigger ~ dw of princessdadx2

 

[ssawka]

Please sign us up:

DH (Me)
DW
DD (9)

One question just so we are clear, do you do an FE gifts for each person in the cabin or just one for the whole cabin? I'm a little concerned about bringing a lot of stuff on the plane.

Edit: More info

Cabin # is xxxx

DD has cognitive disabilities, so stuff for younger children is better. Also, DD has Celiac disease so if gift is eatable, gluten-free please.

 

[Stinkerbe11]

Please sign us up:

DH (Me)
DW
DD (9)

One question just so we are clear, do you do an FE gifts for each person in the cabin or just one for the whole cabin? I'm a little concerned about bringing a lot of stuff on the plane.

Edit: More info

Cabin # is 7628

DD has cognitive disabilities, so stuff for younger children is better. Also, DD has Celiac disease so if gift is eatable, gluten-free please.

You can do gifts for the cabin as a whole or each individual, you can drop off gifts one day or every day. No one keeps score and it's totally up to you, the point is to have fun and it definitely should not be stressful for anyone. I also understand the food concern, my son has a life threatening allergy to tree nuts, but I will just go through any candy before he sees it!

 

[ssawka]

You can do gifts for the cabin as a whole or each individual, you can drop off gifts one day or every day. No one keeps score and it's totally up to you, the point is to have fun and it definitely should not be stressful for anyone. I also understand the food concern, my son has a life threatening allergy to tree nuts, but I will just go through any candy before he sees it!

Stinkerbe11, thanks for clearing that up. I will go through any food as well, I just put that down because the FAQ said to. I'm not really expecting anything and also will not be "keeping score". It's always better to give than receive! I just wanted to know what "normal" protocol was.

 

[wuv tigger]

We've used the following:

The Election Day Castaways

and

gotta look the other one up : )

 

[dllocals]

26 weeks to go

 

[2littlegirls]

26 weeks to go

 

[Stinkerbe11]

We drove around the port last Sunday and it is an impressive sight. My DS(6) was in heaven with the ships, trains etc... I also checked out the Doubletree and It seems like a nice place to stay pre-cruise. I booked the hotel with Hilton points and wanted to be sure the week long parking was included and it is. I had initially asked for the park & cruise and was told the points couldn't be used for that package. I explained about the cruise and was told that parking for the length of the cruise is free for all guests and that the shuttle is also free to all guests. That prompted me to ask "why would I pay more money for a park & cruise pkg if it's all included anyway?". The lady then tells me that breakfast is included (but as a gold member I get that anyway) so she agrees with me that it makes no sense to pay extra for the park & cruise. So, if you have booked the p&c it may be worthwhile to change to a room only rate. You may want to clarify this when you call but I actually went into the hotel and spoke face to face with the front desk clerk and she said that parking and shuttle are free to all guests. I also checked with the shuttle desk and was instructed to call at least 2 weeks in advance to reserve a spot, he said that winter months are extremely busy. I also get over to Disneyland every few weeks and occasionally we stay at the Grand and next month we are trying out Paradise Pier, so let me know if you have hotel questions. I hope this helps, please let me know if you need any more info!

 

[Stinkerbe11]

After more research, it seems that the park & cruise is not such a bad deal after all. Since my DH is active military I was comparing the govt rate and the difference was almost $60.00. The difference between the regular rate is $10-$20 (depending on # of people) and if you were planning to have breakfast at the hotel anyway, you may come out ahead a little bit by doing the package.

 

[2littlegirls]

We drove around the port last Sunday and it is an impressive sight. My DS(6) was in heaven with the ships, trains etc... I also checked out the Doubletree and It seems like a nice place to stay pre-cruise. I booked the hotel with Hilton points and wanted to be sure the week long parking was included and it is. I had initially asked for the park & cruise and was told the points couldn't be used for that package. I explained about the cruise and was told that parking for the length of the cruise is free for all guests and that the shuttle is also free to all guests. That prompted me to ask "why would I pay more money for a park & cruise pkg if it's all included anyway?". The lady then tells me that breakfast is included (but as a gold member I get that anyway) so she agrees with me that it makes no sense to pay extra for the park & cruise. So, if you have booked the p&c it may be worthwhile to change to a room only rate. You may want to clarify this when you call but I actually went into the hotel and spoke face to face with the front desk clerk and she said that parking and shuttle are free to all guests. I also checked with the shuttle desk and was instructed to call at least 2 weeks in advance to reserve a spot, he said that winter months are extremely busy. I also get over to Disneyland every few weeks and occasionally we stay at the Grand and next month we are trying out Paradise Pier, so let me know if you have hotel questions. I hope this helps, please let me know if you need any more info!

great informaiton Stinkerbell. We will also be staying at the Doubletree the night before.

 

[ssawka]

We drove around the port last Sunday and it is an impressive sight. My DS(6) was in heaven with the ships, trains etc... I also checked out the Doubletree and It seems like a nice place to stay pre-cruise. I booked the hotel with Hilton points and wanted to be sure the week long parking was included and it is. I had initially asked for the park & cruise and was told the points couldn't be used for that package. I explained about the cruise and was told that parking for the length of the cruise is free for all guests and that the shuttle is also free to all guests. That prompted me to ask "why would I pay more money for a park & cruise pkg if it's all included anyway?". The lady then tells me that breakfast is included (but as a gold member I get that anyway) so she agrees with me that it makes no sense to pay extra for the park & cruise. So, if you have booked the p&c it may be worthwhile to change to a room only rate. You may want to clarify this when you call but I actually went into the hotel and spoke face to face with the front desk clerk and she said that parking and shuttle are free to all guests. I also checked with the shuttle desk and was instructed to call at least 2 weeks in advance to reserve a spot, he said that winter months are extremely busy. I also get over to Disneyland every few weeks and occasionally we stay at the Grand and next month we are trying out Paradise Pier, so let me know if you have hotel questions. I hope this helps, please let me know if you need any more info!

Stinkerbe11, did you happen to notice if there are any liquor stores within walking distance of the Doubletree or the port? I want to bring some liquor on board with us, I'm just trying to figure out if I need to stick it in a suitcase or if I can buy it there.

Thanks!

 

[GoofItUp]

Hi again, group. I haven't checked this thread in a couple of weeks and actually had 2 pages of stuff to read through!

Stinkerbe11 -- Thanks for organizing the FE list. I've already got my kids gift picked out. Super-excited to get started on them. I am sort-of making them, but they're still in the fun and cheesy category! I think my ds's will get a kick out of walking around the ship looking for the right cabin #'s and slipping the gifts in the FE. Not to mention checking ours each night! BTW -- I have read that some people just use tote bags and such if you don't want to buy or make a FE. I'm on the fence as to what we'll have...depends on if I have a crafty day in the next 6 months or not!

We were able to squeeze some points out of our DVC usage and are splurging on a few nights in VGC in a studio pre-cruise. I was going to stay across the street again in one of the Good Neighbor hotels, but this will make the whole trip seem a little more relaxing & luxurious, I think.

wuv Tigger - We do need a name for our group. I'll think on this and try to come up with some suggestions.

26 weeks...Still seems like a long time, but hopefully it will be here before we know it!

 

[Stinkerbe11]

We've used the following:

The Election Day Castaways

and

gotta look the other one up : )

I am really terrible with names but I will throw something out there just to participate: West Coast Wonders

 

[2littlegirls]

The 'Wonder'ful Riviera?
(I liked Skinkerbe11 tag)

 

[ssawka]

I am really terrible with names but I will throw something out there just to participate: West Coast Wonders

I think it should have something to do with shadows since we will be at sea on Groundhog Day. Maybe the "Shadow Avoiders" since we will be escaping winter and don't want to see our shadows.

 

[Stinkerbe11]

Ssawka, there are liquor stores nearby, but I wouldn't walk to any of them. The hotel has a complimentary shuttle that will take you anywhere within a 5 mile radius and I have heard from previous cruisers that they have done this from the Doubletree. If the shuttle doesn't work out I am driving to the hotel and will make sure you're all set!

 

[ssawka]

Ssawka, there are liquor stores nearby, but I wouldn't walk to any of them. The hotel has a complimentary shuttle that will take you anywhere within a 5 mile radius and I have heard from previous cruisers that they have done this from the Doubletree. If the shuttle doesn't work out I am driving to the hotel and will make sure you're all set!

Stinkerbe11, you're awesome! Thank you so much!

 

[dllocals]

I am really terrible with names but I will throw something out there just to participate: West Coast Wonders

How about

West Coast Winter Wonder Land

or,


The Wonder's West Winter

or,

The Wonder's West Coast Winter

or,

West for the Winter on the Wonder

or,

The Wonder's Winter Wandering Western Waters, aka WWWWW

 

[ssawka]

So excited! We bought our airline tickets today. Non-stop flights from DC to LA and back!