July 9th 2005 - West Coast Cruise.

[Dylcal]

Well I guess I was expecting Disney to be a 24/7 operation and so could reserve my excursion at 12:01 EST. I guess I will be getting up early and staying on the phone!!

Welcome Craig, Christine, and Quinton!!!

Sheryl

 

[SCOUTER-DAD]

TITLE PAGE​

“ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED, NOT IN KINDERGARTEN, BUT IN THE JULY 9th 2005 - WEST COAST CRUISE THREAD AT www.disboards.com”

CHAPTER 1
A Reluctant Leader
​

Soccerdad, is our fearless, but reluctant leader. He claims to work in management consulting, but there is no concensus. He has created a cheat sheet only available by pm your email. He prefers first name basis or easily typed moniker (call me Scouter-Dad). He is rumored to be going for 90. This is not a reference to his recent birthday (happy birthday chris), but to his Hosting duties at “THE GOING FOR 90 PAGES/FREE DRINKS AT SAIL-AWAY PARTY TELETHON” (read: he buys). Sadly, he has no Passporter (http://www.passporter.com/dcl/guidebook3e.htm), but he has a Soccermom.

…and the race for 90 continues.

 

[SCOUTER-DAD]

CHAPTER 2
Another Leader Rises​

Sarangel is called Grand-Pooh-Pah by Soccerdad. She may leave her heart in San Francisco, but her cruise will leave from San Pedro. Organized the “1st Official West Coast Greet Meet” at Rainforest Café over Presidents Day Weekend. She claims to be a Controller but doesn’t seem that controlling. She is not a big fan of Randi’s Happy Horses. Seeking San Diego Tips.
Best Mexican Old Town Mexican Café Watch the little old ladies make tortillas in the window, then go inside and have a fresh warm one with a big bowl of pozole.
Best Breakfast San Diego is a breakfast town. Bully’s for prime rib & eggs, Broken Yolk for greasy spoon splendor, Hob Nob Hill for old fashion charm, World Famous for breakfast burritos
Best Bacon Cheeseburger (Trying any other is unnecessary) Hodad’s
Best Pizza (Interestingly, also worst atmosphere) Not a restaurant really. Hang your head in door to order and then stand at the curb waiting for them to hand pizza out window to you. mmm, great!
Best Thing To Put In Mouth Cheese Enchilada & Teriyaki Steak combo plate from Bully’s at 1:30am. Trust me. The person who thought of putting these two items together is a "genius."
Don’t Take My Word Zagat San Diego Guide
Most Romantic (Even with child in tow) Evening visit to Gas Lamp District and take a carriage ride.
Best Tip Have your hotel book Dinner With Shamoo & Request special seats

…and the race for 90 continues.

 

[hayesktrm]

Welcome Craig, Christine, and Quinton--I am enjoying your novel so far. Keep it coming.

 

[mommykeg]

Well I guess I was expecting Disney to be a 24/7 operation and so could reserve my excursion at 12:01 EST. I guess I will be getting up early and staying on the phone!!

Welcome Craig, Christine, and Quinton!!!

Sheryl

I think it would be so much easier if DCL WAS open 24/7...I seem to come up with my best questions and concerns in the wee hours!

Kim

 

[mommykeg]

I just called the DCL excursion desk...now they are telling me they open at 9 a.m. on Sunday...I've been told 8 a.m. by the other reps...now I'm nervous! Do I risk not calling until 9? I guess I'll call back and see if I get the same answer from a different rep. This is crazy!! The lengths I'll go to to secure dolphins for my kids!!!!!

Kim

 

[SCOUTER-DAD]

TITLE PAGE​

“ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED, NOT IN KINDERGARTEN, BUT IN THE JULY 9th 2005 - WEST COAST CRUISE THREAD AT www.disboards.com”

CHAPTER 3
The Going Gets Grumpy​

GrumpyMom1 seems to have spearheaded the excursions. Is willing to build us a website and is “hoarding cameras.” She has a new digital SLR (me too!) and is the official unofficial photographer. Important note: Appears to have a grumpy daughter.

…and the race for 90 continues.

 

[Amous]

: My daughter is really bummed, because she really wants to try snorkeling! I was going to try the water taxi over to Lover's Beach to do a little snorkeling on our own, but lately I've read some scary things about getting in and out of those little boats at Lover's Beach...I'm afraid she'd be traumatized before she even started! Kim

That is a bummer! The catamarran for this particular excursion features a water slide which Matt will like. And the snorkeling is supposed to be really nice. All this according to their ad.

Okay group! Time to settle. Relax those ressie-nerves. We'll get through, I promise. A group hug here for extra encouragement!

Amy

 

[mommykeg]

Thanks for the hug, Amy! I keep reciting the Serenity Prayer to myself to calm myself down. My heart is racing, having bad dreams, panic attacks...it's all I can think about! And to think I booked the REAS to avoid the ressie rush...isn't this kinda the same thing???? Oh well, I guess once it's time for the actual vacation, I'll be able to relax...I hope!

Kim

 

[swcruiser]

Scouterdad,
We live in Fontana and we were born and raised here.
Lori (Swcruiser)

 

[Sarangel]

I suppose that's the good thing about having a DD so young, we aren't sweating the excursions, because she won't be allowed on any of them.

Looking on the bright side -

Sara

 

[GrumpyMom1]

GrumpyMom1 seems to have spearheaded the excursions. Is willing to build us a website and is “hoarding cameras.” She has a new digital SLR (me too!) and is the official unofficial photographer. Important note: Appears to have a grumpy daughter.

…and the race for 90 continues.

Wow, you have been doing your homework, haven't you! So what kind of DSLR did you get?

All of the excursion stress is making me glad we decided to do things on our own. That's what we did on our last cruise and it's so nice to be able to go where we want, when we want, for how long we want.

BTW - we have less than 30 pages to go to reach our 90 page goal!

 

[FOJMO]

Welcome Scouter-Dad, et al

This is Val and my DH's name is Stu. Stu leaves the posting up to me and every once in a while I'll pitch in toward the 90 pager, although not nearly as much as the others.

We're the oldest of the bunch and have two older teenaged girls (one is DD) coming with us and all they want to do is drink in Mexico! (that is my "editorial comment")

But, it takes all kinds to make a group and we'd rather dance the night away and be on the ship than anywhere else on shore, so most of the excursions aren't for us. Probably just get off at the ports and do some shopping, etc. I do too much planning in our everyday life and I just want to relax. I'm actually tired from just reading about what everyone else is doing!

Again, welcome to our little group and I'm enjoying reading your novella. More, More....

Val

 

[mommykeg]

All of the excursion stress is making me glad we decided to do things on our own. That's what we did on our last cruise and it's so nice to be able to go where we want, when we want, for how long we want.

Tell me about it!!! All this grief, and I'm ONLY booking a Disney excursion in ONE port!!! But I've heard the dolphin swim/encounter is VERY popular, and it's the ONE thing the kids REALLY want to do, so here I am...stressed!! Oh well, hopefully I'll be all de-stressed early Sunday morning when the nice DCL people tell us we can swim with the dolphins!!!

Kim

 

[SCOUTER-DAD]

Welcome Scouter-Dad, et al

This is Val and my DH's name is Stu. Stu leaves the posting up to me and every once in a while I'll pitch in toward the 90 pager, although not nearly as much as the others.

We're the oldest of the bunch and have two older teenaged girls (one is DD) coming with us and all they want to do is drink in Mexico! (that is my "editorial comment")

But, it takes all kinds to make a group and we'd rather dance the night away and be on the ship than anywhere else on shore, so most of the excursions aren't for us. Probably just get off at the ports and do some shopping, etc. I do too much planning in our everyday life and I just want to relax. I'm actually tired from just reading about what everyone else is doing!

Again, welcome to our little group and I'm enjoying reading your novella. More, More....

Val

Hey all,
I'm with you. Not really into excursions. Enjoying staying up late, eating to much and sleeping in a bit. Plan to have coffee in my pj on the veranda. Save the excursions for the more adventurous. Will probably take the family to Vacation Village in PV and hit the Fin in Cabo: Pool, beach, drinks, sounds like fun.

Thanks for all the warm welcomes. Scouter-Mom should jump in here anytime. You may not see her but she is with us. We'll talk more. For now, I have a novel to finish.

 

[SCOUTER-DAD]

TITLE PAGE​

“ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED, NOT IN KINDERGARTEN, BUT IN THE JULY 9th 2005 - WEST COAST CRUISE THREAD AT www.disboards.com”

CHAPTER 4
A Mouse Among Men
​

Amous is on the Board of Supervisors, Supervisor of what I have no idea. She is fond of the Animal Shelter, which might explain her interest in us. She has promised a bottle of Chardonay in post #491 to he or she that hosts “The 2nd Official West Coast Greet Meet.” (me thinks I have an idea)

…and the race for 90 continues.

 

[Dylcal]

Tell me about it!!! All this grief, and I'm ONLY booking a Disney excursion in ONE port!!! But I've heard the dolphin swim/encounter is VERY popular, and it's the ONE thing the kids REALLY want to do, so here I am...stressed!! Oh well, hopefully I'll be all de-stressed early Sunday morning when the nice DCL people tell us we can swim with the dolphins!!!

Kim

Kim--try not to stress too much. You really should have no problem if you call sometime Sunday morning. Last year I called two weeks after the date so really no surprised the Dolphin encounter was booked, but I kept calling back and there was a cancellation 2 weeks before the cruise. I am with you though -- my son really wants to swim with the Dolphins and by darn it he will!

I am confiden we will get through, get what we want, and the times we want, and then can relax until the cruise

I agree with the group hug!!

sheryl

 

[Amous]

CHAPTER 4
A Mouse Among Men
​

Amous is on the Board of Supervisors, Supervisor of what I have no idea. She is fond of the Animal Shelter, which might explain her interest in us. She has promised a bottle of Chardonay in post #491 to he or she that hosts “The 2nd Official West Coast Greet Meet.” (me thinks I have an idea)

…and the race for 90 continues.

A Keeper of Promises: all debts, including wine-related, have been fulfilled. Our hosts accepted the bribe and are blissfully content.

 

[SCOUTER-MOM]

Christine,
We will be on board 7/9 too and my son just turned 9. I am fairly new to the boards too but I have already found a ton of useful info!
Lori (swcruiser)

Hi, Lori sorry it took so long to respond back but as you all can tell my husbands busy with his novel and dosent want to share the computer.We have so enjoyed all the info provided here and are looking forward to meeting everyone. It seems we live fairly close to eachother,are any of you locals planning to visit DL soon?
Christine

 

[mommykeg]

Christine...I've been to DL twice in the past few weeks...took each of the kids for a special day of their own. We LOVED the new Buzz Lightyear ride and the new parades. Of course, we always enjoy a Monte Cristo sandwich at the Blue Bayou (you can only get it at lunch!) and dinner at Ariel's Grotto. They've changed the characters there and made it more interactive like Goofy's kitchen. My son always enjoys the "make your own" pb&j at Carnation Cafe.

Kim