July 9th 2005 - West Coast Cruise.

[mommykeg]

We are going to eat lunch at Parrot Cay too, I think. It'll be pretty hot outside and I don't like the idea of searching for a table while holding trays of food with two very excited kids. I want to get there early, eat, and have some pool time while the pool is less crowded.

Kim

 

[Dylcal]

We are going to eat lunch at Parrot Cay too, I think. It'll be pretty hot outside and I don't like the idea of searching for a table while holding trays of food with two very excited kids. I want to get there early, eat, and have some pool time while the pool is less crowded.

Kim

We will also try to eat at Parrot Cay but last time it was too crowed so we ate at Topsiders. We didn't have any trouble with seating but it was early. Then off to the pool!!!!!
Sheryl

 

[cruzin'gain]

So many things happening on this cruise. I started a spreadsheet to track events as people start providing feedback from their cruises. It is great we are able to book Palo, excursions, spa, etc ahead of time. Looking forward to seeing the Navigator's !

Less than two month's!

 

[mommykeg]

DH and I did a spreadsheet too! Great minds think alike! Actually we did three...one for each possible dining rotation, so we'll be prepared no matter what! Once we board and we know what our dining rotation is, we'll toss the other two!

Kim

 

[SusanB]

We are staying at the Carousel Inn, on Harbor Blvd. across the st. from DL and DCA turnstiles. We will also have a 16 year old named Sass with our family to help with the kids. She's a friend's daughter and should be a huge help. She'll be with us at DL but not on the cruise. Maybe she can meet up with Susan B.'s dd. I promised her some fun time in the park (i.e.not with my kids). Should we try to arrange a casual meet for the families going to DL before the cruise? I'm sure DL and DCA will be full of crowds those days. Maybe a get together at one of the hotels? I also found out that Space Mtn. is having it's grand reopening on July 15th. Not sure if it's worth a visit when the cruise is back-we weren't planning on going to DL after, but we do have a whole day free. My daughter wants to add some smilies:
Patty and Hayley

I'm sure that my DD, Caitlin, would be happy to meet Sass. Maybe they can get to know each other by email and we can arrange some time at DL before the cruise. Just let me know how you'd like to arrange it!

 

[SusanB]

Hi all! I pop in to see your thread every once in awhile. I just wanted SusanB and her DD to have the best time at DL so make sure when you see the 50th fireworks to sit right in front of the castle in the street. You'll have to get a spot 2hrs at least before it starts at 9:30, but it is well worth the wait! It's also about 15-20 minutes long! It's better than Fantasmic! All of you have a great time on your cruise. I'm so excited we are only 32 more days away for ours!

Debbie




Debbie

Thanks for the good wishes, Debbie! We're getting so excited for this vacation! I suspect that the DL fireworks will be much like Wishes at WDW, which I absolutely love! In fact, I listened to the soundtrack from Wishes while I took my walk this evening - made me want to be there even more. I can't wait to see Tinkerbell's flight - I read somewhere that it is more like Tink's flight on the old Disney tv show. How in the world can they do that?
2 hours is a long time to sit and hold a spot, but we're veterans at lining up early at WDW too. All it takes is something good to eat, some good conversation and before you know, it's show time!
Can't wait!!

 

[swcruiser]

I think that we will decide when we get there. I loved eating at Beach Blanket, outside last year but it depends on the temp! I spend a lot of time inside at work so I love to be outside any chance I get.
Lori

 

[Dylcal]

OK I have a question for all you Californians who are familiar with Disneyland. Dylan my son loves fireworks but the sound really bothers him (I once had to make a mad dash from Majic Kingdom with a screaming child as the fireworks started -- not an easy task!). We always stay at the Poly so we watch them from the Beach. Is there a place to view the fireworks that lets you see most of the action but minimizes the noise? I had hoped that as he grew older he would grow out of it but no such luck! Thanks

Sheryl

 

[mommykeg]

OK I have a question for all you Californians who are familiar with Disneyland. Dylan my son loves fireworks but the sound really bothers him (I once had to make a mad dash from Majic Kingdom with a screaming child as the fireworks started -- not an easy task!). We always stay at the Poly so we watch them from the Beach. Is there a place to view the fireworks that lets you see most of the action but minimizes the noise? I had hoped that as he grew older he would grow out of it but no such luck! Thanks

Sheryl

If you're staying at the Paradise Pier Hotel (or even if you're not, I suppose!), they have a landing outside their pool area on the 3rd floor. If you go to the end of it (the side facing Disneyland), there is an area where they pipe in the fireworks music and you can see the fireworks from there. Also, If you have a room facing the parks (at the Paradise Pier for sure, and I think at the Disneyland Hotel too), there is a channel you can turn to for the fireworks music and you can watch them from your room. Of course you would miss the castle color changes and the tinkerbell flight, but you would hear the audio and see the fireworks...we did both when DS was smaller. We also did the Paradise Pier landing deal when we had our Brownie Disneyland Sleepover...the girls loved watching from there in their jammies, sipping hot chocolate after a long day at the parks.

Kim

 

[Dylcal]

Thanks Kim! We do have a room at Paradise that faces the parks so it is nice to know we will be able to see from there! Maybe I can talk Dylan into earplugs so that we can see Tinkerbell!!

Sheryl

 

[mommykeg]

FYI---the Paradise Pier also plays the Electrical Parade music on the same channel at parade time, so you can watch that from your room as well!

Kim

 

[jel0511]

I don't know if anyone was going on this excursion, but DCL has since added another departure time. We were originally on the 7:45 Paradise Beach Adventure in Puerto Vallarta, but DCL has since added a 12:40 departure. I changed my time this afternoon, since this way we can sleep in a bit before leaving. Maybe get in a little shopping before. So, if you're booked on the earlier time and really wanted the later time, call and change!!

 

[jel0511]

Kim or anyone, do you know if they do the same at Grand Californian? We have booked a concierge Theme Park View room, and it would be SO GREAT if we could watch the Electrical Parade from our room with the music piped in. Our first night we're not going to the park, since we'll be so tired from flying cross country, and still be on East Coast time. But, if we could watch the parade from the balcony, might give me a reason to stay up!!!!

 

[mommykeg]

Kim or anyone, do you know if they do the same at Grand Californian? We have booked a concierge Theme Park View room, and it would be SO GREAT if we could watch the Electrical Parade from our room with the music piped in. Our first night we're not going to the park, since we'll be so tired from flying cross country, and still be on East Coast time. But, if we could watch the parade from the balcony, might give me a reason to stay up!!!!

Lori...I've never stayed at the Grand Californian (but I will in September! ), so I don't know if they do the same. I don't see why not...although the parade doesn't travel directly below where the balconies are, so I'm not sure if you could see the parade. You probably want to call the hotel directly and ask.

Kim

 

[jel0511]

Good Morning everyone!!! To add insult to injury, I've now complely lost my voice. I think it's from my allergies, since I wasn't taking my allergy medicine for about 3 weeks, I just re-started on Monday. I was afraid to take it, even though my allergist said it was o.k. and am now paying for it. I don't feel really sick, a little runny nose and a cough, but nothing that makes me feel horrible. Though I still am exhausted, so that might be masking any other symptoms. Boy, this really stinks......

 

[cruzin'gain]

Lori-

Feel better, maybe if we get a little rain the pollen conditions will improve. I was just outside, it is very nice (here in NJ). We had an emergency evacuation drill for the entire complex. Guess after yesterday's DC activities, the building folks wanted to be sure we knew how to evacute quickly.

Last night we made priority dining reservations at DL for the days prior to the cruise that we are in town. Very limited choices. I am expecting the parks to be at maximum occupancy!

 

[mommykeg]

Last night we made priority dining reservations at DL for the days prior to the cruise that we are in town. Very limited choices. I am expecting the parks to be at maximum occupancy!

That's why I'm reconsidering staying at the resort right before or right after the cruise. As AP holders, I think we might just try to go at a less crowded time! What Priority reservations did you get...Blue Bayou, character meals, Wine Country Trattoria? The Carnation Cafe is a nice place for lunch or dinner...and they take Priority reservations as well...not usually as hard to get as some of the other places. Nice place to see the parade if you're there at the right time!


Lori--feel better!!

Kim

 

[Amous]

We got our passports on Monday! Matt's 15th b-day is tomorrow. I've wrapped his lime-green shirt and passport as a gift. A nice surprise for our vacation in 2 months (can you believe it's only 2 months?!)

The Magic is leaving Florida on Saturday, right?!

 

[jel0511]

Thanks guys for the well wishes, the ony bad thing is that I can't yell at the kids when they're not listening!!

Randy - I didn't have any problem getting the dates/times we wanted for our DL PS's. We're there July 2 - July 5 and I got PS's at Blue Bayou, Wine Country Trattoria and Goofy's Kitchen without a problem. I was even able to call back a few days later and change the Wine Country PS because I had made if for 5 (day after we fly from the East Coast) to move it to 6 so we can see the Block Party Bash Parade. No problems. I thought since it was 4th of July it would be MOBBED, but so far no problems getting what I want.....

 

[Dylcal]

We got our passports on Monday! Matt's 15th b-day is tomorrow. I've wrapped his lime-green shirt and passport as a gift. A nice surprise for our vacation in 2 months (can you believe it's only 2 months?!)

The Magic is leaving Florida on Saturday, right?!

Happy Birthday to Matt!! Dylan turns 11 on Saturday! Thought about doing the repositioning cruise as a Birthday present but let a pesky little thing like school get in the way!!!

Lori hope you are feeling better!