July 9th 2005 - West Coast Cruise.

[hayesktrm]

Randi's Happy Horses people--

I found this link and it has a wonderful port report! I am really excited now. Kim, it answers the questions we had.

http://www.dianaball.net/mazatlan.htm

Karen

 

[GrumpyMom1]

Hey Karen - thanks for the link. Not only did it give a good description of the ride with Randi, but also of touring the town afterwards. That's what I'm hoping to do!

 

[mommykeg]

Karen...what an awesome link! I wish we had one like that for every port!! It sure would be nice to be able to wear shorts...and it was great to hear such detail about the ride and Victor's. Thanks!

Kim

 

[hayesktrm]

Good news, the same person has a trip report for Puerto Vallarta. For you zip line people--some very good information and pictures in her report. I'll also see if she has a port report for Cabo. I love doing this kind of stuff. My friends tell me I should become a travel agent because I plan all their trips and find them good deals. I just like to do it for fun. Here's the link.


http://www.dianaball.net/puerto_vallarata.htm

-Karen

 

[hayesktrm]

Here is her Cabo port report. Wow, I would really like to have lunch with this woman and discuss all of this. It makes me feel a lot more comfortable about going to these places.

http://www.dianaball.net/Cabo_San_Lucas.htm

-Karen

 

[hayesktrm]

One more, then I promise to stop .

http://www.magicandmemories.com/travels/mexriv2004.htm

I'm just trying to keep the counts up today because only 3 of us posted today . I think I posted about 8 times. Can you tell I am procrastinating on my computer work? It's much more fun doing this.

 

[mommykeg]

Karen...there is no end to your wealth of information! Like you, I feel much more at ease about the ports the more I can read about them. I REALLY feel more at ease after reading the description of Randi's Happy Horses. What a great time we will have!!! I'm not sure Lover's Beach is for us after reading the Cabo review...seems like getting off the boat there is a little precarious...DS4 and DD8 might be a little freaked out. Maybe we should just stay at Medano Beach. DD8 wanted to snorkel so badly, but her little brother isn't allowed on any of the snorkel excursions , so I thought Lover's Beach might do the trick...now I'm not so sure. Thanks so much for all the info...keep it coming if you find more!

Also, you have pretty much single-handedly kept up the post count today....Hooray! Things have been a bit slow around here this week. Thanks again!

Kim

 

[mommykeg]

Hey guys...we're almost ready for the double digit dance!

Kim

 

[GrumpyMom1]

Hey guys...we're almost ready for the double digit dance!

Yippee!!!!

Karen - I agree with Kim, don't stop the information flow. My girls and I decided over the weekend that we're not going to do any formal excursion through Disney. We are riding with Randi in Mazatlan and will just go to resorts and/or beaches in Cabo and PV. We would also like to see the towns so all this information is great.

Here's a site with some great panoramic images - http://www.maps-of-mexico.com/mazat...o_Gallery.shtml

 

[GrumpyMom1]

100 days!!!!!

 

[mommykeg]

WooHoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jel0511]

YIPPEE!!! I paid off my cruise yesterday also!! We're still in guarantee status and still trying to be Chris' neighbor. So, nothing new to report!!!

 

[hayesktrm]

I can't believe it's down to 100 days. We booked on board the Wonder a year ago (when there wasn't even a date to book). Now only 100 days to go!

I don't know if we're going to do any Disney excursions, either. I wanted to do the sail and snorkel in Cabo, but it sounds like the actual snorkeling is only an hour and the rest is sailing. 3 hours sailing might get a little long for the kids. Since it looks like we're going to Hawaii next year maybe I can tell them they'll be able to snorkel all they want then. Also, getting my DS up early for more than 1 day on the cruise will be very hard. I expect he will be out late every night. That said, I just don't know what we'll do in Cabo. In PV, I think we'll just shop, eat and take it easy. The kids can join us for some of it and go back to the ship for part of the day.

 

[Sarangel]

I've been thinking about joining all of you for Randi's, but I couldn't look at their website yesterday (it seems to be down or dead), and we've got a couple of things that would keep us from going:

1) Mike weighs more than 230 lbs (the cutoff for many horseback riding places), and even though he rides well, he is a big guy. Has anyone discussed weight with Randi?

2) Lexi is only going to be just 2, and is a little freaked out even by the carousel horses at DL and I'm not sure what accomodation could be made for a really young child...

The zip lines are definately out (I'm afraid of heights), but I'm looking forward to reading the trip report & thinking about various beaches.

Sara (doin' my bit to keep the post count up).

 

[jel0511]

Sara - the website is http://randishappyhorses.com/ I hope that helps, I just went there and it worked. As to your DH's weight, I'd e-mail Randi directly and ask her. I didn't see anything noted on her webiste, but she'd be the best person to ask, also about your DD. You'd probably ride with her, as I don't think Randi allows children under 3 to have their own horse. I'd just e-mail her directly with your questions. She is really a great person, and will get back to you quickly.

 

[hayesktrm]

My DH is a big guy, too. He is a little over 250 and Randi said it wouldn't be a problem. And he hasn't riden a horse before. If nothing else, it should be entertaining I would mention the weight issue if you email her, though as they may not have a lot of horses that can support that weight.

Karen

 

[soccerdad-Chris]

Hey, y'all!!!

My goodness it's been busy lately...when soccerdad hardly has time to post to the DIS, that's pretty bad. Anyway, you guys have been doing a great job keeping the post count up.

Hope everyone is having a good week. The weather around here has finally gotten back to what it's supposed to be: sunny and gorgeous.

Chris

 

[Dylcal]

Wow -- everyone has been busy! Thanks for the Web sites -- I didn't think I could be more excited!

As for the excursions I always book them through Disney. I like the special touches they do such as the escorts and they keep the group together. I feel that it is safer for me and my son.

It was starting to look like spring around here too, except now it is raining again!! It is supposed to be nice next week when we are in work!!!!!

 

[hayesktrm]

How do the excursions work on Disney? Do they have a prearranged place to meet on the ship? Also, does anyone know the chances of arranging excursions after we board if we decide to go on one. We did this on a Carnival cruise and didn't have a problem even though the ship was filled to capacity. I guess it depends on the excursion, but just wondering if anyone has done this before. I just don't know if I can decide.

-Karen

 

[mommykeg]

Karen...I've never been on a Disney cruise before, but I think I read that you can book excursions at the 90 day mark and then you have up until 2 days before the cruise starts to cancel any of them without being charged. You don't pay for them until the end of the cruise anyway...they're charged to your KTTW card. That would give you a little more time to do more research and decide for sure without the risk of missing out by waiting. Just a thought...I've been having the same concerns!

Kim