July 2, 2005 - WE ARE THERE!!!

[jgiants21]

You can find Mazatlan Frank at http://www.mazatlan-frank.com

Have we decided what time we want to do the canopy tour. I have found a tour group that will make all the arrangements for us including transportation for less price. It is at http://www.amigotoursvallarta.com if you want to review the site more. Here is some information that was sent to me from Amifotours - $56 for adults & $40 child under 12 -
It is the same tour what is shown at www.canopytours-vallarta.com -
They suggest as early as possible - I think we should try for the 10:00 tour -
The meeting place is suppose to be 20 min from taxi
The company claims that they will make all arrangements including tickets @ transportation, and they will pick us up at the marina. What does everyone think?

Jim

 

[mokehil]

Jim,
I love the cheaper price. I did not see where Amigotuors would provide transportation from the port. The los Veranos provides transportation after our 20 minute taxi ride to pick up point. Amigotours states an age limit of 8 and the Los Veranos directly states 6. It is critical for us to get the 6 age limit.
I agree with the 10 am time, since ship departure is questionable at this time. I would love to have someone else provide transportation from the port to pickup point and save money on the tour too, but if there is a chance that my 5+ & 7 will not participate I will manage my own way to the pickup spot. I am trying to figure out the buses to "El Centro" so it will accomodate a larger group. Finding taxis for 6 is often hard.
Thank you for finding this tour group. I hope it works for all of us.

Darcy

 

[XLT800]

I looked at both websites and found a few differences in the tours

1. Canopy tours uses 15 cables with the longest being 350 meters and the age limiit is 6.

2. Amigo tours only uses 10 cables with the longest being 250 meters and the age limit is 8.

I think we should stick with the canopy tours. I feel like we might get short changed on the other. Also the more adventurous, the better for me. Give me a choice of a jet ski going 50mph or one going 60mph and I am going to take the 60mph even if it costs a little more IMO. On the other hand Fran would go with a jet ski with training wheels, so I should get her opinion too.


Dave

 

[jgiants21]

Darcy & Dave, The WEB site is old as you can see they have not updated their prices. They e-mailed me that they would take care of all transportation and reservations. According to the e-mail, it is the same canopy tour. My only concern is (if it is the same tour) how they could do it cheaper. I would feel more confortable making reservation with the actual group who we would be with all day even if it cost a little extra. So let's get those reservations made for 10:00. Any luck on setting up an account we could all use, or are we all going to make reservations on our own?

For all of us on Randi's, she informs me that she is all booked up for that day. Continue to read wonderful reveiws regarding her tour.

Disneyland is cleaning up for the BIG 50. Here are a couple of websites if you would like to see some pictures.
http://www.disneyforever.com
http://miceage.com/index.htm
Have fun reviewing.

Jim

 

[mokehil]

I will make our reservations for July 5th at 10:00am. I will note in the comment section that we are a group of 14 (three families~Disney Magic) and that each family would be make their own reservations so they could use their cc. May 5th would be two months early and will attempt to make reservations on that day.

Called TA yesterday and she recieved a fax from Disney(April 2005) that indicated leaving ports at:
PV @ 9:45 pm;
M @ 5pm;
CSL @ 3:30 pm.

Is there a ship time vs. local time difference? When Disney says we will be in PV at 7 am is that local time or ship time? Is there a difference? The canopy resrvations are requesting cruise ship arrival times.

 

[AnnaS]

Wow - Randi is now all booked. Glad I made our reservations early in the week.

Jim - did you get more info. for riding? I wonder how many riders she books. She told me see you in July. Is it safe to assume everyone meets/gets picked up at 8:30 am? I will contact her again to re-confirm before cruising.

 

[jgiants21]

Darcy & Dave. I thought you might want to read the info I recieved from the tour group offering the same canopy tour at a lower price. You can call them direct at
Calling from Canada and U.S. 011- 52- 322- 209-0364
We are located at: 2486 Medina Ascencio, Puerto Vallarta, across from the Krystal Hotel
if you have questions. I just want to make sure we have all information available.

Hi Jim
Thank you for e-mailing Amigo Tours.
I´m sorry, but the company has changed the prices and my website is not up to date.
The price now is $ 70 US and you will get 20% off by booking with Amigotours
Your price $56 US

Hi Jim
Thanks for mailing back.
With your child is no problem. I have to find out what time arrives your cruise ship. Sometimes they use different times from ours here in Puerto Vallarta. ( one hour behind)
When I get all informations I will let you know and I will pick you up in the marina.
The whole canopy tour incl. transportation is about 3,5 hours. I hope you are in time.

Sincerely
D.Gruber

Hi Jim
It´s the same tour what you see at www.canopytours-vallarta.com.
There are two more companies but we can´t recommend.
The price for your son is $40 US
Tour starts at 9.00, 10.00, 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 14.00
I think so early than possible will be the best, than you have more time for other things to do. It´s depends on your arrivel time and when you get off from the ship.From the marina to the meeting point it´s about 20 min by taxi.
Don´t worry, we will arrange everything-tickets and transportation.

Dietmar Gruber

Hi! Jim

Excellent!

Yes, I´ll will get the tickets and pick you up from the ship.you have to go by taxi to the canopy meeting point, from there the operator provide transportation. the same on your way back to the ship.

A group can be composed of a maximum of 30 people.

It is a very nice place.

Located about thirty minutes from downtown Vallarta, the trip to Chico's (Canopy Tour) takes you through the Sierra Madre Mountains, arriving at a jungle paradise, with a beautiful river with natural pools in which you can relax and enjoy the day. The restaurant has an excellent view of the river and mountains, and the traditional mexican food, including guacamole, ceviche and spicy shrimp, will make everyone happy.

Yes other members can join at the canopy site.
An acceptable proportion must be determined. You need to tell me
How many Canopy Tour participants and just joining person will there be?
An Authorization must be given by the operator.
At a cost of 15$US per person to cover for transportation cost.
Another option, depending of the number of participant, is a
Private Tropical Tour in the jungle in the same area.
(no canopy tour) for a group of 8 + or –
At 30$US + or – the price depends on the number of people.
You get better discount with us because I get a higher volume discount.

Thank you

Dietmar

Again, just thought you should know. If we book with http://www.canopytours-vallarta.com - I am fine with that -- Are you sure we PV that late - if that is the case we may want to revisit the 11:00 slot.

Anna, Randi did not tell me how many were on tour, but she did mention many families. I know we have at least four groups from our board going.

Now the big ?-- Who is buying the first drink?

Jim

 

[XLT800]

About those drinks.........Last person to get docs buys the 1st round. I will take drink of the day or a Crown and diet coke or a mudslide or even a cold beer....I am not picky. Fran says she will take drink of the day.

Jim...I emailed amigo tours tonight to get a little more info on why the price difference and about the number of cables they go on and the age discrepancy. I will let you know what they say. I do like the fact that they offer the transportation. I still vote for the 10:00 tour but Fran and I are early risers on the cruise. Nothing like an empty deck and a hot cup of coffee at 6:00am.

Hope everyone has a great weekend. We are going to try to finalize our Disneyland plans this weekend.

Dave

 

[AnnaS]

Since we have not decided on anything for PV - canopy sounds good - ATV and swimming with the dolphins sound great to my sons - I have been spending a few minutes reading one of the PV webisites - not sure if I am allowed to post - BUT

It got me re-considering the ATV tours - I know there will be a bad experience here and there - but after reading a thread, would only let my sons do this if it was offered through DCL. I have read all positive threads regarding canopy tours.

I also read many threads - which I am sure we are all aware of - about how pushy the vendors can be but more annoying the Timeshare vendors. Also, just a reminder to everyone while we are in any of the mexican ports - beware - no drinking of water - no ice cubes in drinks - eat peeled fruit. If you have a strong stomach I guess you should be fine (We did fine at Mr. Sanchos Beach while at Cozumel), but I was very sick many years in Acapulco.

Okay - sorry I don't want to sound overly cautious - lol - seriously, we have kids - please bring wipes everywhere with you and I have read alcohol pad for wiping snorkeling equipment - if you are snorkeling and not brining your own.

Don't want to dampen everyones excitement - the mom mentality took over for a minute. Any other tips welcomed so we can get drunk in peace

 

[XLT800]

I heard back from them. Here is the email that I got back from them:

Thank you for mailing Amigotours
Answer to your questions
1. All the tour operators pay commission.
You get better discount with us because I get a higher volume discount. We don´t provide transportation.Everybody has to come to the meeting point (downtown) and from there, the tour operator provides transportation (30-40 min)
It´s part of our service to pick up our customers from their hotel or in your case from the ship and give you all the informations what you need and show you how you get to the meeting point.You have to go by taxi to the meeting point.You know how are the mexican taxidriver.Manytimes they are overpriced, speciell for cruise ship travellers staying just for one day.(It´s about $5 US for the taxi, not per person). We w´ll make sure you get straight to the meeting point in time.
Question 2 and 3
The tour operator changed some things and my Website is not up to date.I´m sorry for that.
I just called the operator to make sure everythink is o.k.
Your are right there are 15 cables with the largest being 350m long.
Your 6 years old son can join the tour. Our price $ 40 US
I hope my answers were helpfull.
Please feel free to let me know if you need any additional informations.

Greetings from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Sincerely

D.Gruber

I thought the transportation part was interesting. I could go with these guys though.

Dave

 

[jgiants21]

Dave, Thanks for the infro - 10 is ok with us. Should we try to arrange with Amigo tours since they will help on transportation or do we make the arrangements with the actual group who run the tour. Either is ok with us.

Darcy, What do you think?

Anna, we would be glad to have you on the Canopy tour if that is what you choose. Let Darcy know for she is making the arrangements for all of us.

The drink of the day sounds good to me. Since we live close to NAPA wine country may bring some wine with us. Any wine drinkers?

Jim

 

[tchrmom]

Jim,

XLT is NOT a wine drinker. And, what I like can hardly be called wine. OK, I confess, I like Arbor Mist (Kool-Aid wine, as XLT calls it)

XLT and I have spent SO much of this weekend, trying to nail down our DL agenda. Our main discussion right now is what to do for breakfast each day. When we are in WDW, and we stay overnight, we always stay at the All Stars resort. They have a "food court" where you can grab a quick breakfast and go. It appears that DL has mostly sit down dining in the morning. We COULD grab something once in the parks, but I hate to waste the "less crowded" time, standing in line for a muffin instead of being in a ride line. Any suggestions?
Fran

 

[AmyJ of Ca]

Jim,

XLT is NOT a wine drinker. And, what I like can hardly be called wine. OK, I confess, I like Arbor Mist (Kool-Aid wine, as XLT calls it)

XLT and I have spent SO much of this weekend, trying to nail down our DL agenda. Our main discussion right now is what to do for breakfast each day. When we are in WDW, and we stay overnight, we always stay at the All Stars resort. They have a "food court" where you can grab a quick breakfast and go. It appears that DL has mostly sit down dining in the morning. We COULD grab something once in the parks, but I hate to waste the "less crowded" time, standing in line for a muffin instead of being in a ride line. Any suggestions?
Fran

Fran, Where are you staying at? Do you have a rental car? At DL there is a counter service on Main St that sells muffins, etc and one by the entrance (inside the park) of DCA. There is the ever present Character breakfasts. Downtown Disney has a La Brea Bakery that has a walk up service (and sells bakery stuff and coffee) and is literally on your way into the park. Of course there are many restaurants in Downtown Disney that may offer breakfast..Rain Forest Cafe, House of Blues (the one in Vegas did) and there is a Mc Donalds across the street. DL is different than WDW in that it's in the middle of the city of Anaheim and many options a few minutes away. Let me think about it and I may come up with a few more ideas. Amy

 

[tchrmom]

Thanks for the advice! We are staying at the Paradise Pier Hotel. I just wasn't sure how easy it would be to grab a muffin and such at the parks. Downtown Disney might be good, since it looks like we may need to walk there to catch the monorail to Disneyland. (I'm pretty sure we are going to use a shuttle service (probably Golden West Express) since we are staying onsite, and will not need to go anywhere except to the port.
Thannks again!!!!!
Keep on thinking!!!!!

Fran

 

[AmyJ of Ca]

Fran, It's literally a 5 min walk from where the monorail boards (in Downtown Disney) to the entrance to DL and DCA. If you use the monorail, you will be let out in the middle of DL and you can probably find a place open for bfast or walk on over to Main ST. If you walk into the park, you would walk through Downtown Disney to get to the entrance and would pass by all the restaurants that I'm sure, offer breakfast. When you see how it is all placed it will make more sense but nothing is too far to walk, unless you pushing a stroller while carrying a sleeping 3 year old as I've done MANY times!! Most times when we would go in the AM, (before my kids were school age) the line at the muffin place wasn't so bad and they usually have a cart open by the castle that sells coffee and pastries if the other place is too busy. I've never been inside the Paradise Pier Hotel so I don't know what is offered there (but have seen it many times as we sat on the Sun Wheel at DCA, go for the swinging carts ). We stayed at the DL Hotel once before we had the last two kids and my older ones still talk about the Peter Pan pool. My 20th class reunion is this summer at the Grand Californian, so I guess we'll check that one out this summer. Sorry, got off on a tangent....anyway breakfast should be no problem and you could always pick a muffin or a bagel etc. night before if you find that the lines are too long.
Talk to you all later. Amy

 

[jgiants21]

Hi all, I have read that following - Allmost all the ships have the same time as Mazatlan and Cabo. Puerto Vallarta is one hour ahead from Mazatlan. So I would imagine that 10 am PV should be 9AM ship time, just in case, check so you are not late - - Does anyone know if PV will be one hour ahead of ship time? Darcy and Dave - this may make a difference in the time we choose for the excursion. Have a great week.

Jim

 

[AOPI57]

Does anyone know the time the ship departs Mazatlan? I've called DCL and Have gotten 2 different times. They one TA says the website is correct. My confirmation letter said it departs at 5pm but the website says 7:30pm. DCL is supposed to call me today with the correct time.

 

[mokehil]

I took my DD14 to San Francisco for the weekend for her birthday treat. Was away from the computer.

Thank you for all the work on Amigotours and asking about my 6 (5+) year old. I am game for that group because the taxi thing is something I would like for them to take care of. I know we can do it but will take the help. If we must meet them in front of the Krystal Hotel I have a shortcut someone posted.

This is my saved info: Play and swim at the hotel for free

We were not charged for the Krystal in October of this year. Going there we took the main street and it was a long way. Go where the flea market starts and you will see a chain link fence (a flag is there also). Go through the gate in the chain link fence and turn right. Will go right to it. We had a nice time there - pool is beautiful.

Morriscats is about right. I don't recall turning right after the fence however, you just go straight ahead. When you get off the ship go thru or around the terminal building and keep the curio shop stuff on your right. You will go through a bunch of white Suburban vehicles offering to take you places for high prices. Just go past them and as stated you will see a cyclone fence. Go through the spot where there should be a gate and walk staight up that street and in about 10 minutes you will be at the back entrance to the Krystal. There will be a security man there and he may make you go around to the front to pay for a pass or he may allow you to enter there. It is a pleasant walk along a somewhat quiet street.

When you are in the pool have someone take your picture with the ship in the background. Awesome.

It isn't far from the ship to the Krystal, an easy walk or approx. $6.00 for a cab full. They have quite a few pools, most of them connected, and a smaller pool with a slide for the kids. They also offer awesome massages for a VERY low price. The chips and guac are great! Have fun.....

I am open to the amigotours with everyone else or I will watch my calendar and make the reservations directly. In the event we must take 2 different tours can we take a different shuttle back down in the event the rest of the group wants to take off at the conculsion of the tour? I think we should sign up for 10 so we can relax at this point(not know ship departure) and then will have much more time in the later day for swimming at Krystal or walking the Malecon or whatever.

I would like go as a whole group because knowing more people on the DVD will be fun and we will have a great memento of our DISBoard connections. Not sure I am to the point that I am going to dress the whole family in lime green though!!!

Aside: I re-confirmed my reservation with Randi and she said there was still room for five more riders. Contact her immediatley if you are interested. (Sat. morning)

Darcy

 

[mokehil]

Called Disney, CM said ship time is always port time.

Sounds like 10 am tour will be fine.

Once again they said departure was 10pm.

Darcy

 

[AOPI57]

Is anyone thinking of doing 2 excursions in PV?