July 2, 2005 - WE ARE THERE!!!

[Azptcruiser]

Well not much conversatin yet. For this being a sold out ship, there should be some more people. Maybe it will pick up a bit after the first of the year.

Living in Arizona, we are planning on driving over the afternoon before and staying in a motel. Do not know where yet, but will start looking soon.

Everyone have a great Thanksgiving next week.

 

[AmyJ of Ca]

If I can be of any help let me know. We live within earshot of the DL fireworks and about 25 minutes from port. I don't know much about the transportation since we don't use it but I would be willing to find out anything you might need locally around here. (I live in Huntington Beach) I am SSOOO looking forward to this vacation. We go to Catalina for a week every year, which is nice, but any trip I have to go the grocery store, cook, clean and make beds...ain't really a vacation for Mama!!! I NEED this cruise
Talk to you all later Amy

 

[AnnaS]

Thanks Amy

When we have cruised (twice) out of FL - we fly in day before, rent a car for about $60-$65 and we have it for 24 hours. We get to our hotel and fave the freedom of going to a store for water/wine, or go out to dinner or down cocoa beach. It also makes more sense to pay $60-65 for a family of 5 than pay transfer $$ for each person.

We might take the supershuttle (?) to hotel. Do you think we will need a car once we are at the Holiday inn? We were not thinking of getting one Then pay for transfers from hotel to port next am.

Also - we will be staying at the Fairfield Inn for three nights. Can we just get away with paying for a towncar from port to FF, and from FF to LAX? or should we rent a car from port and keep it for the duration (in case we need it) and drop off at LAX? Am I confusing you? Sorry.

 

[AmyJ of Ca]

Originally posted by AnnaS
Thanks Amy

When we have cruised (twice) out of FL - we fly in day before, rent a car for about $60-$65 and we have it for 24 hours. We get to our hotel and fave the freedom of going to a store for water/wine, or go out to dinner or down cocoa beach. It also makes more sense to pay $60-65 for a family of 5 than pay transfer $$ for each person.

We might take the supershuttle (?) to hotel. Do you think we will need a car once we are at the Holiday inn? We were not thinking of getting one Then pay for transfers from hotel to port next am.


Also - we will be staying at the Fairfield Inn for three nights. Can we just get away with paying for a towncar from port to FF, and from FF to LAX? or should we rent a car from port and keep it for the duration (in case we need it) and drop off at LAX? Am I confusing you? Sorry.

1. Where is the Holiday Inn? California is much easier to negotiate if you have a car and as long as you avoid rush hour(s), is pretty easy. If it is pretty clost to port you may get away without a rental, especially if they have a shuttle to the port. You might be able to use a cab from HI to port but I don't think it's as traveler friendly as FL. Hopefully HI has some sort of shuttle to the port.


2. I'm trying to remember where the FF Inn is. As long as you are devoting your 3 days to DL, CA and DD you wouldn't need a car because they are all right smack next to each other. If you plan on seeing the beach, LA or any other theme parks you would need a car for that day only.
So, I guess to answer your questions.. I have no idea

!! If you need any additional half answers and maybes just let me know!! Amy

 

[AnnaS]

Amy the Holiday Inn is in San Pedro by the port.

The Fairfield Inn is right across the street from DL and within walking distance. I doubt if we will have an extra "exploring" day (like a beach, etc.) I hear it's going to be quiet busy and crowded for the 50th celebration.

 

[AmyJ of Ca]

AnnaS, You should be fine without a car. You're right about DL being crowded. We have APs and we usually don't step foot in DL during the summer. If we do we just tell the kids we're watching shows and parades but even that after the 12th person runs their stroller into my heels, I'm ready to leave.
Be sure to watch Fantasmic one night..The 2nd show is usually easier to see because the 1st show has people lining up about 3 hours ahead of time.
We will usually watch the end of the 1st show and then when everyone is leaving from that show we maneuver our way up front for the 2 show. The easiest way to do it, of course is to get tickets for the show that you buy that includes dessert.(can't think of the name) but it costs about the same as it does to get in the park for the day so we haven't done that. You also get a seat (chair) included, which sounded really good the time when we waited over an hour for the show only to have some lady sit behind us (we're all on the ground) and spill her soda and didn't even tell us!! I think that was the last time DH would wait for that show!!
Anything else anyone might want to know... Just ask. Amy

 

[XLT800]

Just wanted to say happpy Thanksgiving to all. Have a safe holiday.

Also need to get this thread off of page 2!!

 

[AnnaS]

XLT800 - you are right - no one will ever find us.

Happy Thanksgiving.

 

[AmyJ of Ca]

Sorry, I haven't posted for a few days. We had our house broken into and Husband and I were attacked in our beds as we slept. Everyone is ok physically (few stitches) but emotionally is another story. Time to start thinking more about happy times instead of a$$es who try and detroy your life!!! Talk to you al later. Amy

 

[XLT800]

Amy......sorry to hear about the break in. It is amazing what some people will do. Hope you guys are doing ok.

Maybe thoughts of sailaway drinks and fun excursions will help.

Found some dune buggy excurisions that we might do on our own in PV. We did this in Cozumel and had a blast.

Dave

 

[AmyJ of Ca]

XLT800...Share, share about the dune buggy rides in PV. My Dh has one(off road car) in the garage and has taken it down to baja before we had kids. He might be interested in taking our DS (7) on a ride down a little farther south since momma won't let him take him across the border on his own. I thought I needed a vacation before all this, now we REALLY need a vacation. Our kids are doing pretty well considering we have been out of the house for about a week while the security system was installed. Now if I can figure out a way to sleep without visions of a stranger pushing me down in bed and hitting my husband with a wrench!! Maybe this will work..

If that doesn't work then :space: I'll have to take matter into my own hands...Beam that a$$ up scotty. He dosent deserve to live amongst normal law abiding citizens!!

See, I already feel bettertaken my cyber aggression out on that loser. Amy
with her smiley flower back!!!

 

[XLT800]

Amy....here is where I found some info on the dune buggy tours

www.puertovallarta.net
On the left side go to tours and activities
left side top go to tours by land

We are looking at the ATV Pathfinders tour

Dave

 

[AnnaS]

Amy - I have finally logged in (Thanks KathyTX). I read your post and could not reply. I am so sorry to hear of your horrible incident. Was it just a freaky thing? I know when my sister lived in San Diego (my brother-in-law) at the time was in the navy and she said they could not go out at night. Too many gangs, violence (at least the part they were in). I hope you guys are doing okay, especially your kids. Happy thoughts your way. I need to go thank Kathy now.

 

[AmyJ of Ca]

Amy - I have finally logged in (Thanks KathyTX). I read your post and could not reply. I am so sorry to hear of your horrible incident. Was it just a freaky thing? I know when my sister lived in San Diego (my brother-in-law) at the time was in the navy and she said they could not go out at night. Too many gangs, violence (at least the part they were in). I hope you guys are doing okay, especially your kids. Happy thoughts your way. I need to go thank Kathy now.

I really HOPE it was freak thing. We live in Huntington Beach..Suposedely (sp)one of the safest cities in the US I guess I'll take their word on that one!! I think I could deal with the whole thing better if I knew why he felt the need to attack us after he already had my purse out of the house!???! Oh well, know one was seriously injured and for that I am truly thankfull. July here we come!!!! Amy

 

[AnnaS]

Our plans change daily - WendyP and I are in the process now of looking into Bestern Western Redondo Beach (Sunrise one). She heard while she was down in HH that this hotel might be a little nicer than the Holiday Inn we booked by the port. The website said 7 miles from LAX - did not list distance from port - can't be that far though right? Any thoughts?

 

[AmyJ of Ca]

Depending on when you are arriving in LA you might also want to check out Long Beach, near the convention center. It is a nice area and there is the Aquarium of the Pacific down there also. Just make sure it is this area of Long Beach. Did I mention that this is just a stones throw from Huntington Beach..(where we live) One of the safest citied is the US?? Just kidding, HB has a very nice downtown, tourist district, with lots of shops and restaurants. It's just a little farther from the port than you probably want to be. I don't know much about Redondo because it's on the "LA" side of the port and I'm on the "OC" side.

 

[XLT800]

Amy.....do you know anything about Golden West Express transportation? I have a website for them but I am curious about how reliable they are.
Planning a Florida cruise is so much easier.

We are off to see the Mouse for the weekend. Staying at Pop Century. I love going at Christmas time. DD said that Disney has the best fake santa. I think she wants to believe but really knows the truth about him, she doesn't want to admit though so we will continue to play along.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Dave

 

[AmyJ of Ca]

Haven't heard (or seen) Golden West Shuttle so can't help you there. The one I see most often is Super Shuttle and my DH has used them on occasion to get to the airport. Have a GREAT time at WDW. Believe it or not we've never been, but we go every year to DL at Christmas time and it is unbelievably beautiful. Do they "do up" It's a Small World at WDW. It's absolutely beautiful here!! We may hjust have to go and get some Disney magic this weekend. It always seems to make things a little bit happier and less stressful and we could use that now!! Have fun. Amy

 

[XLT800]

Had a great weekend at Disney. It was pretty crowded. On Saturday they were filming the Christmas Day parade. Got to see Regis and Kelly. I had no idea that they filmed it one float at a time. It sure clogged up Main Street though. Did a character breakfast at Chef Mickeys and was really disappointed in the meal. I have to go back to Disney for business on Tuesday ( Oh Darn ). Staying at the Beach Club (Tchrmom not real happy about that)

Dave

 

[AnnaS]

Just heard the same thing from a co-worker of my dh. He just got back. He said he was not sure if he would do it again during this time because of the crowd. He also said weather was nice. Glad you had a great time. You are going back again for business on Tuesday at the Beach Club for business. Do you stay on your points? If I was your wife, I would try to tag along or I would not be too happy either. Keep us updated.