July 9th 2005 - West Coast Cruise.

[Soccermom-Cheri]

I reserve the right to take as many pairs of shoes (and shorts and shirts and earrings and bathing suits and .....) as I want! You just never know ....

Please stop encouraging Chris or soon he'll be posting jokes! "Dag nabitt"? What's next? "Yontu"? Sorry, gang. He doesn't get out much.

I am so glad this board is heating up though. We are going to have a blast! DS (12) and DD(7) have an email account set up (timandcas@yahoo.com) for any of the kids who would like to write them ahead of time. Don't worry, they are waaaay more normal than their folks.

Those of you coming in early: if you want some non-Disney activities, there is Universal (1 hr away) and Knott's Berry Farm (great for kids and 20 min away).

 

[FOJMO]

We are Chris. We're flying into LAX a week before the cruise and spending 3 nights at Disneyland at the Grand Californian and then spending 3 nights down your way at the Hotel del Coronado. On Friday after the San Diego Zoo, we're driving back to Disneyland to stay at the Disneyland Hotel. We're getting pick up by DCL transport there on Saturday Morning.

Jel0511 - We are also going to the Grand Californian for 3 nights before the cruise. We're flying in on 7/6 from Tampa and staying Wed, Thurs, Fri.

I saw that you're getting DCL transport on Saturday to the port. How do I arrange for that? I didn't know it was available. I was going to arrange for Golden West Express to go from LAX to GC, GC to the port, and port to LAX. Any help you can give me would be appreciated. Thanks! VAL

 

[soccerdad-Chris]

Well, awwwright. This thread is starting to rock a little bit.

We've got guys, gals, new posters, the works. This time last week, there were no posts for over a week, and there have been 50+ since!!

That's what you want from a Disney cruise: a DIS thread for your cruise that that rocks, and a ship that doesn't.

Chris

 

[soccerdad-Chris]

I have a room reserved at the Disneyland Hotel for 3 days prior to the cruise and at Paradise Pier for 3 days after. I wasn't sure which way we wanted to extend the vacation and they had really good annual passholder rates, so I booked both and figured I'd decide later!

Kim

Hi Kim--

You didn't ask for advice on your decision, but I'll offer it anyway (you can tell me to shut up at any time--I have thick skin).

Our experience is that, assuming you can't do both, it is much better to do non-cruise Disney stuff before the cruise rather than after. Doing that creates a nice build-up to the cruise, and avoids the whole "rush" involved in travelling there the night before and then getting to the terminal the next morning (though coming from RC the travel part won't involve planes). The cruise really is the "headline act" of your vacation, and the activities you do afterward tend to seem anti-climactic, at least in our experience.

Chris

 

[soccerdad-Chris]

Chris -
You're safe (even if Mike isn't).

Any other recommendations for a family with a little girl? (and keep it clean, remember I can *talk* to the other moderators).

Sara

Sara--

It's nice to have friends in high places, especially on the DIS.

And, for the record, I always keep it clean ("dag nabbit" is about as bad as I get). It's just that when you mess with a women's right to have access to lots of shoes, you're taking a risk!!

For very young children, Legoland is a great place. Everything there is sort of big, colorful, and "toy-like", which appeals to younger kids. Older kids (e.g. our DS11), would prefer going there to doing chores, but tends to get bored. The zoo is, of course, spectacular, probably the best in the world. If your DD likes animals or is generally a curious sort, you can't go wrong with that either (hardly "on the edge" advice). For a 2-year-old girl, SeaWorld might be a better bet, though. At the zoo, like any zoo, the animals pretty much just sit there or walk around. At SeaWorld, most of the shows are prettly lively (big splashes made by big whales, dolphins and seals flipping in the air, and so on), so your daughter might find that more stimulating than watching a lion lick his mane.

Chris

 

[jel0511]

Jel0511 - We are also going to the Grand Californian for 3 nights before the cruise. We're flying in on 7/6 from Tampa and staying Wed, Thurs, Fri.

I saw that you're getting DCL transport on Saturday to the port. How do I arrange for that? I didn't know it was available. I was going to arrange for Golden West Express to go from LAX to GC, GC to the port, and port to LAX. Any help you can give me would be appreciated. Thanks! VAL

Too bad, we're just gong to miss you at the Grand Californian.... We check out on Wednesday to head down to San Diego for a few days then head back to Disneyland on Friday night. Oh well, we'll definately see each other on the ship!! I'd give DCL a call, because I know they are offering pre/post cruise trips to Disneyland, so they might be able to take care of all your transportation. That's how I found out (actually I figured they'd be offering transportation from the Disneyland resort) and I had my TA confirm that they were offering transfers from Disneyland, and had them add it to my reservation. So, we have transfers from Disneyland to the port and from the port to LAX. It is costing us $50 pp for those transfers. So, if you want, you can definatley arrange DCL transfers from the Grand Californian and from the port to LAX, ask them about LAX to the Grand Californian, I'm sure they are offering something.

 

[Sarangel]

It's just that when you mess with a women's right to have access to lots of shoes, you're taking a risk!!

Well, Duh! Any woman can tell you that having the right shoe to go with your outfit is more important than the playoffs. Just think of it as an excuse to get a larger cabin.

 

[FOJMO]

Lori,

Thanks for the info on the DCL transportation to/from ports, etc. I think I might stick with Golden West Express -- they have

LAX to GC (4 people) - $58.00 total, direct non-stop
GC to Port (4 people) - $58.00 total, direct non-stop
Port to LAX (4 people) - $50.00 total, direct non-stop

Can someone confirm that the port is San Pedro? That's what they're quoting me on.

Val

 

[renknt]

I reserve the right to take as many pairs of shoes (and shorts and shirts and earrings and bathing suits and .....) as I want! You just never know ....

.

Soooooooooooo Mistress of the many shoes I as one of the shoe challenged have a humble question that only one as great and all knowing as yourself can answer...


Are black oxfords acceptable with the tuxedo that I shall be wearing on the formal dining night or should I wear tuxedo pumps?

I humbly await your response (insert courtly bow here)

 

[renknt]

Well, Duh! Any woman can tell you that having the right shoe to go with your outfit is more important than the playoffs.

WOMAN OF THE HOUES HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND, I'll speak to you when you get home.

NOTHING is more important than the MLB playoffs and the world series, NOTHING



well except our anniversary, and maybe your birthday and Lexi's birthday and Valentines day and ... oh forget it.

 

[Soccermom-Cheri]

Soooooooooooo Mistress of the many shoes I as one of the shoe challenged have a humble question that only one as great and all knowing as yourself can answer...


Are black oxfords acceptable with the tuxedo that I shall be wearing on the formal dining night or should I wear tuxedo pumps?

I humbly await your response (insert courtly bow here)

If you are going to wear pumps can you please tell me where you'll be? I bet watching you trying to wear ladies shoes would be hilarious. But, really .... yeah, if you are going to wear the monkey suit, ya gotta wear the shoes as well.

It sounds like you are getting your "important dates" list organized .... with MLB playoffs down around #16. Just remember: if Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy! worship: practice with me now, "yes, dear. Yes dear.")

 

[soccerdad-Chris]

Well, Mike, if you're going to wear pumps with your tux on formal night, you may as well go all out and accessorize with a tiara and, possibly, a boa in some bright color (imported, of course).

With that get-up, if you were on M*A*S*H, your would have gotten your Section 8 for sure.

Chris

 

[soccerdad-Chris]

OK, folks. I'm hoping the little soliloquy I've penned below makes a good argument that this whole "shoes" dialogue has run its course, and will simply not be resolved, except perhaps between the ladies.

Location: A stateroom on the Disney in formal night.

Wife: Honey, I need your help. I can't decide which shoes to wear with this gown. It's formal night, and I really want to look good (lays out 4 pairs of shoes beneath the gown)

Husband (thinking to self): Shouldn't you have decided this before you packed all these shoes?

Husband (speaking out loud): You know I have no fashion sense. Whichever ones you pick, you'll look great.

Wife: Oh, you're just avoiding the question. Really, which ones do you like?

Husband (thinking to self): You're right. I am trying to avoid the question. Desperately.

Husband (speaking out loud): OK. Ummmm.... let's see. I like the black pumps on the end there. Very elegant.

Wife: Those make me look fat.

Husband (thinking to self): How can shoes make you look fat?

Husband (thinking even more to self): OK. This is a crisis. There is no answer to that "they make me look fat" line of dialogue. Ever. Under any circumstances. Do not confirm or deny the last statement.

Husband (speaking out loud): OK. If you don't like those, then I'd say go with the ones second from the left there. Not as elegant as those others, but very slim.

Husband (thinking to self): Oh, God.

Wife: So you agree, those others make me look fat. You'd rather I wear the "slim" ones?

Husband (thinking to self): Oh, God. Oh, God. This is unsalvageable. Change the subject.

Husband (speaking out load): The Giants are doing well this year.

Wife: The Giants? The Giants???? What does some east-coast football team have to do with my shoes?

Husband: (thinking to self): This situation is out of hand. Completely out of hand. There is no way out of this now. She doesn't even know who the Giants are!!

 

[jel0511]

Hello fellow cruisers, this is your Cruise Director Lori with excursion information fresh from a DCL excursion rep.

The excursions for Mazatlan and Cabo are loaded into the computers at DCL, Puerta Vallarta is not. This is what I found out. I did try to take notes, but I'm not trained in shorthand...

Cabo San Lucas

Cabo Beach Break - for all ages $38 for adults and $22 for children 3- 9
Golf Outing
Scuba Outing
Beachside Horsebackriding - only 10 and older
Harbor Cruise
Chilian Bay Snorkle - 5 and up
Baja Moutain Biking - 10 and up
Kayak and Snorkling Adventure - 10 and up
Coastal Highlight Tour
Resort Pool Getaway - takes place at the Finisterra Resort $49 per adult and $39 ages 3 - 9
Lands End Costal Cruise

Mazatlan

City Tour and Follick Show
Beach Escape - Takes place at Sabalos Resort $49 adults $39 3 - 9
Sierra Madre Tour
Mexican Family Ranch Party - Takes place at Los Moras Ranch, includes lunch $69 per adult and $49 per child
Stone Island Tour - ages 10 and up
Palm Island Beach Day
Tequila Factory Tour - Goes to the Agave Plant
Golf Excursion
Mexican Countryside Excursion
Frollick Show and Beach Break - $59 per adult and $39 ages 3 - 9

I hope you all find this information informative and helpful. Here is a link to the Finisterra resort on Cabo, home to the Resort pool getaway www.finisterra.com

Picture of Finisterra pool and beach

Visit either Carnival or Princess' websites, they have some of these excursions offered on their Mexico sailings, and there are very good descriptions there.

 

[Sarangel]

Hey guys, Mike had an interesting idea the other night... Does anyone know if it's possible to request the powers that be that some (or all) of us be seated together? It might be fun to sit with like minded people.

Of course I say this from the perspective of having indifferent luck with tablemates in two cruises (the first one was just dreadful, but it was only 3 days). I guess I'd like to hedge my bets.

If it matters, we have the early seating & a 2 year old.

Sara

 

[jel0511]

Hey guys, Mike had an interesting idea the other night... Does anyone know if it's possible to request the powers that be that some (or all) of us be seated together? It might be fun to sit with like minded people.

Of course I say this from the perspective of having indifferent luck with tablemates in two cruises (the first one was just dreadful, but it was only 3 days). I guess I'd like to hedge my bets.

If it matters, we have the early seating & a 2 year old.

Sara

Yes we can. Just find the party (or parties) you wish to sit with and call either DCL or your TA and ask to have your reservations linked together. If they are linked together, you'll get seated together. We're on late seating with a 7YO and 4YO.

 

[mommykeg]

We're on early seating with an 8YO and a 4YO. And Lori---Thanks so much for the excursion info!!!!! Now I have something to research until Disney gets the official info up on the website! This is getting really exciting now!

Kim

 

[soccerdad-Chris]

Hey guys, Mike had an interesting idea the other night...

If it matters, we have the early seating & a 2 year old.

Sara

Sara,

We're in late seating (early seating is too much of a rush from late afternoon activities for us).

However, some of us could arrange to do a Palo brunch together. That way, if you find any of us to be "dreadful", you only have to endure it for one meal If anyone's interested in doing that, PM me. I'll volunteer to arrange the ressies.

Also, though we haven't worked out the details yet, we'll be hosting an informal party on one of the at-sea days, and of course, all of the DIS folks we meet through here are invited. Come as you are, when you want, leave when you want--a good way to hook up with folks. Details will come a month or so before the cruise.

Chris

 

[jel0511]

Chris -

PM sent!!

 

[mommykeg]

Chris-- I sent you a PM!

Kim