July 9th 2005 - West Coast Cruise.

[Sarangel]

Sara--do you get the same food as the Blue Bayou? Same prices?

Nope. The kitchen is the same, and I'd bet there are some similar items, but dinner at Club 33 can be very swank. Breakfast & Lunch (the times I've eaten there) have been open buffet.

Prices are (naturally) higher. The good news is that if you're an invited guest of a Club 33 member, you don't have to pay park admission for that day, just pay for your meal...

Sara

 

[Dylcal]

OK Dylan and I need help. From what I have been reading most of you are west coasters and go to Disneyland quite a bit. Since we are on the East, Disney World has always been our playground! I have been reading up on the differences but is there any advice you can give us as "locals"? Since we are only spending three days there, we want to make the most of it. I have been to the West Coast numerous times but never to DL or LA. This is a first for my son. We plan on doing the "Hollywood" thing for one day and then DL the rest! I want to minimize wasting our time doing in DL what we can do in DW as we have been there, done that, and am looking for the uniquely DL stuff. We would also like restaurant recommendations. My son is strictly a pizza, chicken nugget kind of guy but I love all types. I am especially looking forward to the Japanese restaurant at Paradise Pier since I hear they do take out. I can enjoy my sushi while Dylan eats pizza from the cafe! And since we are staying in the conceirage level I can enjoy my wine with it! Any advice you can give will be appreciated! Sheryl

 

[renknt]

Here it is the Photos from the meet at DL meet photos

 

[renknt]

OK Dylan and I need help. From what I have been reading most of you are west coasters and go to Disneyland quite a bit. Since we are on the East, Disney World has always been our playground! I have been reading up on the differences but is there any advice you can give us as "locals"? Since we are only spending three days there, we want to make the most of it. I have been to the West Coast numerous times but never to DL or LA. This is a first for my son. We plan on doing the "Hollywood" thing for one day and then DL the rest! I want to minimize wasting our time doing in DL what we can do in DW as we have been there, done that, and am looking for the uniquely DL stuff. We would also like restaurant recommendations. My son is strictly a pizza, chicken nugget kind of guy but I love all types. I am especially looking forward to the Japanese restaurant at Paradise Pier since I hear they do take out. I can enjoy my sushi while Dylan eats pizza from the cafe! And since we are staying in the conceirage level I can enjoy my wine with it! Any advice you can give will be appreciated! Sheryl

First what hotel are you at?

As for restaurants just off the top of my head:
Blue Bayou is not to be missed (get priority seating)
Story Tellers Cafe in the grand Californian (is excellent for character breakfast. Off the menu is cheaper and faster than the buffet)
Hooks Pointe at the DL hotel is very nice
Napa Rose in the Grand Californian is very nice


At DL only
Mr. Toads Wild Ride
Storybook Boats
Alice in Wonderland
The Indiana Jones ride
Roger Rabbit (Knock on the door at the Ink and Paint club)
Gadget’s go coaster
New Orleans square and the Disney Gallery


There many things that are the same but different here are a couple
Pirates
Haunted Mansion
The Tree House
Disneyland Rail Road
Its A Small World


Drop me a PM if you have any questions

 

[soccerdad-Chris]

Well, folks, you all can probably tell by now what the tell-tale sign is that I've been on vacation this week...I'm too busy to post!!! Gosh, I can't wait to get back to the office next week, so that I have time to post more frequently!! Aside from our DIS meet on Monday, I've been walking (sloshing, actually) the fairways of La Costa watching Tiger, Phil, Vijay, et al try and play golf in the middle of a swamp. No cell phones or laptops allowed there, so it's kind of hard to post.

Anyway, I'll be in Lori & Randy's neck of the woods again for most of next week (NYC), but I'll be in my office there with my laptop and a connection, so expect things to get back to normal for ole' Soccerdad, post-wise.

OK, I think Amy and Sara are right: things got real quiet, real quick. Since this group seems to like games, and since none have been put out there for a few days, here's one to stimulate a few posts:

We have all, I'm sure, experienced great vacations, with fabulous locations, food, activities, and people. I'm also guessing we've all had experiences in this area that were, shall we say, less than excellent. Sooooo......

1) Tell us about the worst location (i.e. city, resort, etc.) you've ever vacationed/stayed in.

2) Tell us about the worst dining experience you've ever had while on vacation (don't be shy, you must name names).

3) Tell us about the rudest behavior you've ever seen another human being exhibit while you were on your vacation.

I know this is kind of a negative set of questions, but I'm guessing the answers will be more amusing than "Oh, we just met the nicest couple at such-and-such place", or "the lobster at Whatever's Fish House was to die for".

Oh, and Sheryl, you may have noticed that we're well past 1/3 of our 90 page goal with well over 4 months to go 'til sail-time, so you should probably begin thinking about the kind of sail-away drink you want. So far, I've got one Bahama Mama for Sheila, and numerous others pondering this important question.

Chris

 

[jel0511]

Good morning everyone. I"m up early to try to hit the gym before everyone else in my house gets up, so I'm trying to wake up before leaving! Nice Pictures of the DIS meet! I feel like I know all of you, and I can't wait for July!!

Chris - Darren will be VERY jealous that you were "sloshing" around La Costa this week. He's REALLY big into golf and I remember when he went to the Open at Bethpage Black. The day he went it was POURING and he came home looking like a drowned rat! He said he had the time of his life, but I just didn't get it, since he looked so miserable.

Well I'm off to try to better myself...... Hopefully it works.....

 

[jel0511]

One more thing Chris. Since you'll be coming in to NYC, I thought you'd like to know that they are predicting a possible blizzard starting sometime Monday into Tuesday afternoon. Depending on the track the storm takes, we could end up with FEET of snow...... It seems that whenever you plan on coming to NYC this year, a blizzard approaches. Is this some sort of strange phenominom? I know I probably spelled that wrong, but it's just after 7AM here, and I really don't care!

 

[Dylcal]

Thanks for the help. We are staying at the Paradise Pier since it has an "island" flair and it will put us in the mood for the cruise!

 

[GrumpyMom1]

OK Dylan and I need help. From what I have been reading most of you are west coasters and go to Disneyland quite a bit. Since we are on the East, Disney World has always been our playground! I have been reading up on the differences but is there any advice you can give us as "locals"? Since we are only spending three days there, we want to make the most of it. I have been to the West Coast numerous times but never to DL or LA. This is a first for my son. We plan on doing the "Hollywood" thing for one day and then DL the rest! I want to minimize wasting our time doing in DL what we can do in DW as we have been there, done that, and am looking for the uniquely DL stuff. We would also like restaurant recommendations. My son is strictly a pizza, chicken nugget kind of guy but I love all types. I am especially looking forward to the Japanese restaurant at Paradise Pier since I hear they do take out. I can enjoy my sushi while Dylan eats pizza from the cafe! And since we are staying in the conceirage level I can enjoy my wine with it! Any advice you can give will be appreciated! Sheryl

Ok Sheryl - here's my list of must do's for you.
Disneyland -
Indiana Jones
Matterhorn
Pirates of the Caribbean (different than WDW)
Blue Bayou
Space Mountain if it's re-opened by then because they are totally re-doing it

California Adventure -
Soarin' Over California
California Screamin'
Aladdin Show
Tower of Terror (different than WDW)
Grizzly River Run

 

[GrumpyMom1]

Here it is the Photos from the meet at DL meet photos

Thanks for the pictures! It's great to put faces with the names. For anyone who wants (dares) to see pictures of us, there are some in the link in my signature.

I keep meaning to ask - how many of you are going to be at DL prior to the cruise. I did not originally plan on going before the cruise but now I'm thinking about going up on Friday. Maybe we can have a little meet on Friday evening?

 

[Dylcal]

Thanks Sheila for the advice. And thanks for the pictures. I will have to find one of Dylan and me to post. Since I am the photographer I don't get many taken of me and if I have Dylan the camera --- well lets just say he something gets cut off -- usually the head! I am working on answering the vacation questions but they are tough. Since I am an optimist I usually make the most of every situation and so don't often have a bad time. Now if you had asked about past dates -- then I might have a few stories!!!!

Sheryl

 

[hayesktrm]

I have to admit, most of our vacations have been Disney so no really bad places. The only place I can think of was a "theme park" called Dino Town near Vancouver, BC. My DS saw it on tv over and over and really wanted to go. He was 5 and DD was 1. All of the rides were like Flintstones rides. My husband did all the work while we sat on the ride. It was quite funny. The hotel was really bad and didn't have the crib we requested so DD was ALL over the hotel room ALL night.

Worst dining experience. Sorry to say, Palo. I can't remember our server's name, but he wouldn't believe I was very sea sick at dinner. He pushed us into eating things I wouldn't like even if I felt well. He said, oh you can get a dinner salad anywhere, I'm ordering this for you. Oh well, we are going to try it again this trip and make sure we order what WE want.

Again, mostly Disney vacations so not too many rude people. Except for some families who just cut in front of you in line for the rides. This is NOT okay.

BTW--I would like a Bahama Mama, too, please Chris.

 

[jel0511]

O.K. Here's my "Worsts":

Worst Vacation: Darren, my brother, his then-wife, and myself went to South Bend to see a Notre Dame football game. The hotel we ended up staying in was absolutely HORRIBLE!! So bad that we even tried to find somewhere to stay. But of course, being a football weekend in South Bend, there was no vacancies! So, we toughed it out. Now, I must preface this by saying that my idea of roughing it is a 3 star hotel, but this place was just so dirty!!!!

Worst Dining Experience: We were cruising to Bermuda from NYC on NCL. Darren and I went to the adult alternative restaurant and I ordered a caeser salad, after eating about two or three bites, I noticed there was a ROACH in my salad. I didn't notice if it was still alive or not..... So, that completely ruined my meal......

 

[soccerdad-Chris]

One more thing Chris. Since you'll be coming in to NYC, I thought you'd like to know that they are predicting a possible blizzard starting sometime Monday into Tuesday afternoon. Depending on the track the storm takes, we could end up with FEET of snow...... It seems that whenever you plan on coming to NYC this year, a blizzard approaches. Is this some sort of strange phenominom? I know I probably spelled that wrong, but it's just after 7AM here, and I really don't care!

It's funny, Lori. Except for that last trip and now this one, the running joke in our NY office was always that I bring San Diego weather with me, since the weather in NY seemed to always be good when I came. Oh, well.

 

[Soccermom-Cheri]

Sheryl-

I can't remember if your son is a big-son or little-guy, so I have one suggestion for each (sorry both involve a slight amount of driving but can be very worth it) Magic Mountain is fantastic for roller coasters and Legoland is awesome for those under 9 or 10. And it's by us, don't know if that's a plus or minus

And, Mike, I'd like a little preview next time before posting my picture. Yikes! Mr. DeMille, I wasn't ready for my close up!

Have a great week everyone. Enjoy your blizzard in the East.

 

[Dylcal]

Cheri -- My son will be 11 -- still little to me but he feels all grown up!

Now to the questions:

Worst vacation -- Probably when my sister, her 13 year old son, her 9 year old daughter, Dylan and I went to Myrtle Beach. We drove the 8 hours with poor Dylan getting car sick evey two hours. It was not pleasant. Everyone argued and my sister would take off to exercise and leave me to watch all the kids. I was a lot heavier at the time and didn't like to exercise. It was the longest week of my life! She even got mad when I bought fireworks for her son who had a birthday on the trip. At least I think the kids enjoyed the trip but my sister and I do not make good traveling companions!

Worst Meal -- again a bug theme. I can't remember the restaurant's name but it was Chinese and a roach walked across the table and then proceeded to die right in front of my meal. Needless to say I walked out!


The only rude people have been, again those who cut in line a Disney World, or any other theme park.

Make my drink a Mai Tai!!!

 

[jel0511]

Chris - A quick weather report for you..... Near-Blizzard conditions by tomorrow afternoon. We're probably getting 10 - 15 inches of snow..... I hope your flight was leaving today, because if it's tomorrow, it might be cancelled or diverted.

 

[FOJMO]

Lori,

I loved your ticker in your signature. I went to the site and hopefully I did it correctly -- I'll see when I send this post.

Sorry about the lousy weather coming your way -- so glad we moved to Florida 16 years ago!

Take care and keep warm.

VAL

OK, it looks like the ticker DIDN'T WORK...????

 

[soccerdad-Chris]

Chris - A quick weather report for you..... Near-Blizzard conditions by tomorrow afternoon. We're probably getting 10 - 15 inches of snow..... I hope your flight was leaving today, because if it's tomorrow, it might be cancelled or diverted.

Lori,
My flight leaves Tuesday morning, arriving at JFK around 4PM, so maybe they'll have everything up & running again by then. We'll see. It certainly wouldn't break my heart if I have to cancel the trip.

Looks like there are now several new columns to add to my cheat sheet:
-Stateroom number
-Early/Late seating info
-Occupation
-Sail away drink preference

Have a good week everyone.
Chris

 

[jel0511]

Lori,
My flight leaves Tuesday morning, arriving at JFK around 4PM, so maybe they'll have everything up & running again by then. We'll see. It certainly wouldn't break my heart if I have to cancel the trip.

Looks like there are now several new columns to add to my cheat sheet:
-Stateroom number
-Early/Late seating info
-Occupation
-Sail away drink preference

Have a good week everyone.
Chris

By Tues at 4, everything should probably be over and cleaned up, especially at the airports. Sorry to say, though there might be some residual delays if the airports end up closing for a significant time today. Again, you'll be arriving to enjoy NYC in all it's snow glory!!! Hey, when is your next NY trip planned? It better be after March 26th, because that's when we fly out to FL, and I don't want you to bring more snow when I'm getting ready to fly out of this place!!!

By the way, my drink preference will be either a Pina Colada or the Sail Away special, eseciallly if it's the Pina Colada and Strawberry daquari mix they had during our last cruise!!!!