July 17th 2005 Magic?

[DisneyTart]

Happy Father's Day!!! to all our July 17th Cruise Dads.

:thewave:

 

[Cherta]

Happy Father's Day to all the Disney Dads!!

We are:
Debbie -39 and holding (until July 1st !)
Scott -39
Chris -13
Erica - 11
Tavia - 6 (until July 28)
For those who are curious-my screen name "Cherta" is a combo of the first 2 letters of my children's names....

Rooms: 7004 and 7006

We live in Long Beach, California (about 20-30 minutes from DL)... Hi Pooh Janice...we're on the east side, so it looks like we're "neighbors"!

Talk to you all after I get back from Disneyland tomorrow...

 

[DisneyTart]

Debbie - Have a great time at Disneyland tomorrow! We went to the SD County Fair today. Walked & walked...ate & ate! Had fun. DD13, Megan loves Pizza on a stick and DD16, Maura tried a fried Twinkie (wasn't as good as she thought it would be). They both decided we need to start an exercise program tomorrow !

 

[DonnettaR]

Cherta----Please tell us about your trip. Any advice you care to share will be greatly appreciated.

Disneytart---I thought I read on another thread that you have received your documents. When did you get them? What is included as far as vouchers go?

All of you Californians---What is going on with all the earthquakes? Did you guys feel them much?

It is neat or should I say KEWL ( my daughter's new favorite word) to see where everyone is staying.

 

[DisneyTart]

Hi Donnetta - NO Documents. Just an update from the TA, they had my DD13's birthdate as 1995 (it is 1991), so we had to have that changed. The TA included the itinerary of the ports and when we had to back on the ship in his update. The change to the itinerary was that we now official leave Mazatlan at 5 PM not 8PM (as our itinerary stated before). I did talk to the TA a week or so ago and he said he would call when our docs came in and we would go pick them up from him. At that time he said a couple more weeks, if I haven't heard from him by Friday I will probably call.

~Bethany

 

[DisneyTart]

Hi all - It looks like the July 9th cruisers are all getting their DOCS this week. SO...ours must be on the way for next week.

 

[DonnettaR]

Yeah can't wait. I have posted on the main board to see what people think we will miss on our 6-night. I really hope we get the Pirate Night and something special for the DL birthday.

Getting excited about going to DL as well. We've booked the Walk in Walt's footsteps tour and made PS at Blue Bayou for my birthday on the 16th? Anything else that is a must do?

 

[DisneyTart]

Hi Donnetta - I posted my theory on the thread you started.

We will be at the park on the 16th also. I suspect it will be quite crowded. At Blue Bayou ask for a water side table and tell them it's your birthday. The new Buzz ride is fun for grown ups and kids. But I think the best new addition is the fireworks show. It's really neat and different from any other DL fireworks I've seen. I'm not one for camping out and reserving a space though. We usually just show up a bit before they start and find a place to stand/watch. Haven't seen the new parade but heard it is also good and also heard good viewing spot is opposite Mattehorn, by Alice Catterpillar Ride. The parade stops there for a bit. Debbie/Cherta might have more ideas since she was going on Monday.

~ Bethany

 

[PoohJanice]

DL is a second home away from home for me. We are AP ever since our kids were born and we go about 12-15x yr. I also had an AP when I was in college and went every week! Since DL started their 50th ann celeb, I've gone about 3x. Definitely see the fireworks and the parade at DL. They also have 50 golden Mickey's placed around the park. It was like a treasure hunt and we tried to take a picture of as many as we could find. They also have some original vehicles from when DL opened that they painted gold which are great photo op's. (Golden Dumbo, Carousel horse, teacup, Mr. Toad's car, Autopia car) If you're on a budget, the best time to go to Blue Bayou is for lunch. The menu is almost the same for lunch and dinner but they charge you more at dinner. The Monte Cristo sandwich is their signature dish only avail at lunch. Grab a couple of kid menu's at lunch if you need pirate hats for the kids. They can wear them for the cruise! Also, if you're a AP and spend over $50 at Blue Bayou, you will get a pin (if there are any left...they run out pretty quickly once released.)

There is also a Disney Warehouse in Fullerton (about 20-30min from DL)
Disney's Character Warehouse Outlet: 10-9 Mon-Thurs; 9-9 Fri-Sat; 10-8 Sun
243 Orangefair Mall, Fullerton, CA 92832 714-870-9363
They have discontinued merch from DL and The Disney Store. I was just there yesterday and picked up some lighted Mickey pins for the kids to wear. Hope this helps!

Janice

 

[DisneyTart]

Hey Janice - Do you & your family do the pin collecting/trading at DL? The DDs and I are going this Friday to DL because they are releasing the new Disney Milestone Pins. We're not big into the pin trading but do have a few characters we each like to collect. Mine is Tink and they are suppused to have a limited ed. Tinker Bell lanyard and bag on Friday.

 

[Cherta]

Hi everyone,
Well...first the good news. I went to Disneyland as scheduled on Monday. It was VERY crowded, but that was to be expected. Only saw one or two "hidden" Golden Mickeys, although we did get some great pics of the original vehicles that PoohJanice was talking about (and the castle is breathtaking!). Looks like the park has been spruced up a bit with new paint, landscaping, etc. For those who are going, be sure to take lots of sunscreen and patience!! If you're staying in the hotel , take advantage of the early park entrance. Hit all the major attractions first and fast-pass the ones you can't get to. We got there when it opened (around 8:00) and it was wall-to-wall people by 11ish. I guess you can attribute some of the crowd to the fact that school is out.
When DL got unbearably crowded, we left and went for lunch at Downtown Disney and then headed over to California Adventure. When that park first opened, I didn't care for it much, but the more I go, the more I like it! It was less crowded than DL and the crowd that was there seemed a little more "spread out". You didn't feel like you were shuffling along in one mass like at DL. I think CA has taken on a charm of its own! I dare say I even prefer it to DL now! I do think that our out-of-town cruisers should make an effort to go to both if they can! Sorry I can't be of more help, but I can try to answer any questions you might have.
Now, the not so good news. While shopping in the gift shop (and waiting for the fireworks to start), I get a phone call that my husband had been injured while playing in his softball game. He took about 90 MPH ball to the jaw during warm-ups (the guy who threw it used to play major league ball, so he has a little juice in his arm) and shattered all the bones around his eye socket. He has surgery scheduled for Saturday and the doctor said that he still can go on the cruise (provided he heals without complications), but he needs to stay out of the sun (so I don't think we will be doing the excursions ). I'm just happy we still have a chance of going-we would be soooo disappointed if we end up not being able to do this after over a year of planning!
I'll update you all when I can!
Debbie
P.S.-DonnettaR-don't worry too much about the earthquakes--the building codes are very strict and all the buildings are built to withstand major movement. The quakes only last a few seconds, and then it's back to the normal routine. Besides, you'll be having so much fun, you probably wouldn't notice anyway!

 

[ThreeJ's]

Hello everyone

I'm with Cherta in regards to 'working' the crowds at DL. Our routine is similar, go to DL as early as possible, ride all the 'big' rides first, fast pass repeats or others for later. After lunch, we head back to the hotel for a rest/swimming. We head back to the park for dinner and the evening stretch.

We think DCA is great too . They have some great rides (Soarin', Screamin', & ToT) and shows. The Golden Dreams 'show' with Whoopie brings a tear to my eye each time I watch it. IMO, it does a nice job showing the history and struggles that make California what it is today. All the shows at the Hyperion theater have been great, right now it's the Aladdin show.

Cherta-I hope you husband is ok and surgery is successful.

PoohJanice - thanks for the info about the wharehouse. Probably a dangerous place to visit if you have the shopping bug, especially the Disney shopping bug....

So, the first thing DD said this morning when she woke was "Only 22 days". I think my months of planning need to turn into weeks of packing. All the waiting and now vacation is here!!!

 

[DonnettaR]

Debbie,
So sorry to hear about the injury to your husband. I hope all goes well. Look on the bright side, there is no better place to recooperate than on a cruise. We send lots of prayers and pixie dust.

 

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

Debbie
Sorry to hear about your husband. Our thoughts and prayers with be with him for his surgery and speedy recovery. I think all of us are paranoid about getting sick or something with little time to recover. We all hope that you make it for the trip. Tell Scott that he may have a great chance of winning "Best Costume" at pirate night. Sounds like he will have a real eye patch. Sorry for the humor. Pixie dust to all of us on getting our Docs this next week. Can't believe that it is already time for that. Got to go. Must find a DCL detox center for after the cruise.
Roger

 

[NEWCRUSR]

Okay guys... someone was telling me that you cannot wear jeans on the cruise? Is this true? Do you have to dress up? My mother and I were trying to figure out what sorts of clothes to pack and we have no clue on where to start. Someone help me!

 

[PoohJanice]

Debbie (Cherta)- Sorry to hear about your DH. Just be thankful it wasn't worse - sounds like it could have been! Glad to hear that you'll still be able to make the cruise. He will definitely win the Pirate contest!

Bethany (DisneyTart) - I PM you reg Disney Pins since I didn't want to bore anyone else w/ my senseless banter...

Newcrusr - There is a formal night and also they request somewhat nicer attire (no shorts, etc) when dining in the dining rooms. I'm not sure about jeans but I'm sure it gets cold on those nights at sea. For those who have been on a Disney cruise before, you could probably advise better. This is my first cruise in a long time (22 yrs ago) and my packing list is already very long!

Janice

 

[DisneyTart]

Hello gang!

Debbie/Cherta - Wow! I am so sorry to her about your hubby. You said his surgery is Saturday, please let us know how it goes. We will certainly be praying for a speedy recovery. Glad the Doc says the cruise is still on.

Janice/PoohJanice - Got your PM, thanks for the pin info.

Newcrusr - Yes jeans are allowed on the cruise! It may be too warm for them most of the time but they are allowed. They are now even allowed in the Dining Rooms on casual nights (a new thing that has upset some cruisers). DCL asks for no shorts, tank tops, beach wear, etc for dinnertime. I personally am a "jeans person" and will probably wear them in the evenings but when it gets warm I usually wear a casual skirt.

There is also a semi formal & formal night scheduled. SF for me would mean a nicer pair of pants & top or maybe a skirt. Formal can be as formal as you want, like the prom, etc or a nice dress. Men usually wear long sleeve shirts/dress pants and a jacket for formal night. If you decide to go to Palo is it on the formal side of dressing.

But don't stress about what you wear, just enjoy yourself. If you don't feel like doing Formal night you can stay in and order Room service.

~ Bethany

 

[DonnettaR]

Thanks everyone for the advice on Disneyland. We got our Disneyland package today. Can the cruise package be far behind?

I agree with Disney Tart about not sweating the dressing thing. We have early seating so it is always a hassle to get so dressed up just for the dinner. Unless you plan on taking pictures that night ( the professional sitting times ones), wearing a nice dress or pantsuit is just fine. There is no fashion police. We usually dress for dinner, the photographer does come around to the tables to take pictures, (we usually get one on formal night with our servers who will be dressed up too) eat dinner, run back to the room for a quick change (into more casual clothes) and then take in the show.

We got our pirate costume outfits for pirate night, Just simple black pants and white shirts and a little something piratety

Debbie, please keep us posted about your hubby.

 

[DonnettaR]

WE'RE DOING THE DOCS DANCE
OH YEAH OH YEAH

 

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

WE'RE DOING THE DOCS DANCE
OH YEAH OH YEAH

Congradulation!!! I thought I heard the Big Brown truck last night, but it was only delivery truck turning around. Donnetta, they did come UPS didn't they? Now you can start packing!

Roger