June 4 2005 West Coast Cruisers

[skeegan]

Hello Guys. I feel like it has been nonstop since we got back. Dan is already out of town on business so I am trying to juggle work, two kids, and Katie's summer camp. Would love to be back on the cruise. We also felt the rocking more in PC and much more than in the Caribbean. I didn't feel well during Sunday brunch at Palo but felt better after laying down a while. Don't think I would do the west coast again, too cold. We never even went in the pools on the shipand usually we are there the first day while I am waiting to make Palo reservations.

Although we enjoyed the cruise enough again to book with our table mates we agreed not to ask for the same waiter/asst waiter. They were nice enough but not as good as we had on past cruises. By the end of the cruise they refilled drinks without asking but the service was definitely just okay not great. We did see our head server more than ever before (nightly). But again, knowing how picky Disney is didn't say anything on the survey.

Cabo was by far our favorite stop and the only one we would like to return to.

Judy, I would love a copy of the statue picture. Thank you for all the things you organized and the door poster. Many people commented on it in the hall. It was really appreciated although I didn't say it often. Katie wishes Drew and Dane were on our next cruise. She really enjoyed playing with them.

MousseauMob, where did you get the smiley face magnet? We loved it but had never seen anything like it before.

That sounds awful about the boy on Mission Space. Do you recall the accident on the cell ride (can't remember the name) at the MetLife Epcot body/health pavilion many years ago? Might be the same type thing. We have been on Mission Space several times. Katie likes it better than I do.

 

[diznefan76]

Hey guys..I miss everyone too! I agree...our 7 days of "Magic" went by too fast. I loved Mexico...and will probably go back, just not by cruise. It's definently different then the caribbean!

Sherry, we are definently going to have to try to hook up on another cruise. It was so much fun hanging out with you and Pam. How was your flight by the way???? We will probably be looking at something in 2007.

Judy, thanks again for all the hard work that you put into for our door signs! They were great. And also your mom for making the Dis pockets. They worked out really well! By the way.... I can't believe that the lady on the Live thread went there....there were what? 2600 people on board and just because she didn't see people sick doesn't mean that the 2585 other people weren't right???...lol You handled that very well! You go girl!!! lol

 

[windermerejudy]

You know what is weird is that almost all of us were affected or someone in our party was. And NOOOOOOO I did not expect it to be the caribbean. My dislikes had little to do with where we were anyway. See and we weren't the only ones that thought our wait staff was marginal. Besides all that, even if I went at the last minute and I had been involved in the DIS boards and saw a bunch of green shirt people, I would have gone over and made friends with them but you know me, I tend to be friendly and outgoing. The other bizarre thing was (tell me if I am wrong) this guy Disneydarwin starts this "also on board " thread. 1.Where was he before the cruise????? Not participating on DIS boards. 2.Why did he start a new thread and not just make a new entry on my "live from" thread as they did on the last 2 cruises???? It wasn't my private thread it was for anyone of us dis people on board to detail events. Therefore I spent a bunch of extra time and $ telling the same things he was.

OK enough griping. I haven't done much but try to catch up on sleep and laundry. We are still trying to get our drywall repaired from last years hurricane. The drywaller finally said today he will be here in 2 weeks. YEAH!!!!

 

[windermerejudy]

Did I ever tell you guys what happened to our dry erase boards? Blake unpacked them and I spent the whole cruise looking for them. Well they were on the bed when I got home. Guess I will use them next time. So sorry.

I am glad you liked the door signs. I had no idea what to do but just kind of used one I saw one cruise as a guide. I saw MANY people stopping to read and look at them in all the hallways. Everytime I came around the corner there was someone at either the Buckleys door or ours reading it.

Speaking of the Buckleys----I loved them. They were so nice. Wish I could have had more time to have visited. She seemed like a good Texas woman like me. I think the next few cruises will eventually transition into us being more able to go to the clubs at night or sit and have a drink and visit. It was just so hard with Blake at 2. My best computer time (my only comp. time) was when she fell asleep early and Dane and Dale were asleep and Drew of course at the midnight pizza parties they had everynight. I think Dale and Dane fell asleep 10 minutes into every single show.

 

[skeegan]

Judy, We never made it to a club either. This was also the first trip I never even walked into the spa. I am not sure where all the time went. We had fun though.

I know you will be glad to get your drywall done. We just got our roof damage from the Labor Day hurricane repaired a month before we left and repainted the ceiling (again). I am sure our damage was minor compared to yours.

Susan

 

[dizneykids]

I so enjoyed meeting all of y'all, though I realize we never met everyone. It was tough with having both grandmothers along...though not attached at the hips, we were pretty close, helping them with all the activity.

Judy, thank you so much for all you did pre-trip, during, and even post-trip. I, too, would like a copy of the group photo. I had one stuck in with our batch, but when we went to buy, it was gone (as was the one of the DVC group). Also, someone (we suspect the kids our oldest DS was with) threw soda (we think) at our door poster. We can recreate the photo, but could you send me the bottom strip of characters? I like to keep souvenirs.

To everyone, thank you so much for all our little goodies. I've never done this on any of our 7 previous cruises, so didn't know what to bring. Wish I'd had more time to pull stuff together...could have had much more appropriate stuff (like our famous "Don't Mess With Texas!" stickers and more). Both moms (Maurine & Shirlee) asked me to thank y'all for them as well!

We've rebooked for next October, but I plan to work on DH to do a Costa Maya cruise for the 2 days at CC. Wish me luck!! If anyone is up for it, we're heading to Hilton Head (DVC) this October for fall break...

 

[MousseauMob]

It felt so much shorter this cruise just because there were really 3 good days. I totally loved theport days but was bummed on the colder days. I felt like you did not see each other as much as normal because normally everyone is at the pool. Of course we still stayed busy but I would probably not do a west coast again due to the travel involved, ....We do want to go back to Cabo. Not on a cruise. We had a great time there.

Oh good, it wasn't just me! I was really a bit bummed about the weather. I kept thinking we would be able to sit and chat around the pool while the kids played, but that never really happened. Probably the cold weather. Things seemed hectic to me also, but being a newbie, I thought it was just the newness of everything. The toddler thing was a bit hectic also (other than the afternoon naps I was able to take with her) I think things will get easier when DD2 is older and potty trained.

I would do another Mexico cruise - but preferebly in their good season instead of at the start of their raining season. I also LOVED Cabo! It was so beautiful, we had such a lovely view of Los Arcos and Lands End when we pulled in, and I got some nice pictures when we pulled out. It is just SO beautiful there.

Ellen I saw your post about people dropping things off Topsiders anto your balcony. I never thought about that being right under there. Did you feel like you did not have any privacy? No going out onto your balcony in undies to hang up your wet suits.

Privacy is definitely missing, so going out in undies was out of the question, and joining the veranda club would be impossible. Although, I did go out in my PJ's when pulling into ports. Of course my PJ's are like shorts and a t-shirt, so no big deal.

MousseauMob, where did you get the smiley face magnet? We loved it but had never seen anything like it before.

There's this little toy store here in one of our malls called Hammonds Toys for Tots and they had them. I bought out his complete inventory (10). They also had letters - so you could spell something out.

Judy, I also saw the other post, I thought you handled it very well. I didn't think you were being negative, you were just reporting how things were - both the good and the bad. Personally I appreciate the honesty, I go to boards for information - not just good reports! I also thought the additional Live thread for our cruise was a bit odd - why not just add to the current thread?

I hadn't heard about the child's death at WDW, how sad! My heart goes out to the family. I also read about a 4 year old girl who fell into the water from one of the tendering boats on the cruise before us (or maybe it was the repo cruise - I can't remember). Luckily in that case, everyone was fine. It's a good thing I didn't read that before hand, otherwise I may not have ventured into Cabo with kids by myself. It was challenging enough, helping Bryce and holding Sydney while the boat rocked without me worrying about that.

Is anyone a member of the DVC? I've been thinking about it, but I don't know if it's a good idea for us, since we don't make it out east very often. We tend to vacation on the west coast and north into Canada.

 

[dizneykids]

....and I highly recommend it. Though we haven't gone to any but Disney properties (yet!), you don't have to just do Disney. Friends of ours have used their points for years to go to Hawaii. The way we looked at it in 1996 when we purchased, it was pre-purchasing vacations 50 years into the future at 1996 dollars. We've more than made up our expenses!

If you have questions, ask away. Too bad we didn't chat on the cruise...they were offering great incentives to buy on-board. Almost made me want to buy more points!

Beth

 

[dizneykids]

Just posted this on the main board, but thought to post it here as well: Release form for Shutters photos

You can fill in the form and have copies made of your Shutters photos at your local stores at a fraction of the cost.

Beth

 

[windermerejudy]

Ellen---now that you have tasted DCL west now you have to come do one over here. Much different. More freetime to just hang out and chat. Buckleys are DCL members. I am sure Beth can tell you more.

OK we all loved Cabo so lets have a Cabo trip next summer. I think we are going to look into late July or Aug. I have been researching hotels. Need more info. I loved the beach on the Sea of Cortez called "the office". It was great for kids. I am not sure I would want to be on Pacific although it is gorgeous.

I hadn't heard about the tendering mishap. Did you hear on DCL or after you got off?

Guess what you guys----we have a bearded collie (he looks like a smaller Old English Sheepdog) that is 11 months old and we left him at this doggy spa and he came home with this raspy cough. My mobile vet is coming soon but I think it may be kennel cough. He has had bordetella shot.

 

[windermerejudy]

WOW we were writing that at precisely the same moment so Beth already spoke to you about DCL

 

[windermerejudy]

OK one more thing and then I will be quiet-----

Have any of you ever transferred your ressie to Dreams Unlimited? People here on the boards do that and I just tried it and I get a $200 cash back per room bonus when paid in full in addition to my onboard credit. Could not turn it down. You might want to look into it.

OK now its someone elses turn to chat.

 

[TheMemoryMaker]

Hello Everyone
Sorry about posting late. But I came down with strep throat when we got home Saturday night and haven't felt up to posting until just now.
First of all, I want to thank everyone who dropped off all the wonderful treats at our door and the door deco in general. We really were not expecting so much. And I'm embarrassed that I didn't have time to gather up enough hometown things for everyone before we headed down to L.A.
Secondly, I wish we would have had the opp to meet/visit with more of you than we actually did. But my boys had their own agendas on what they find fun, plus DH getting seasick made for some things being missed.
I believe the mystery of the magnet lies with us. But I didn't realize it until reading the previous posts. Sorry, I guess we never got the game.
Thirdly-We had a really nice first cruise. Learned a whole lot.And would most certainly go again. We loved Palo. Even had the chance to go twice.
Probably won't consider cruising again until 07' when we head out to WDW for DS's 10th b-day
Judy- we could use a copy of the formal picture. Thanks
p.s. Cabo was our favorite too!

 

[MousseauMob]

Guess what you guys----we have a bearded collie (he looks like a smaller Old English Sheepdog) that is 11 months old and we left him at this doggy spa and he came home with this raspy cough. My mobile vet is coming soon but I think it may be kennel cough. He has had bordetella shot.

Judy, I'm so sorry about your collie! We had all our pet trauma before the cruise. We lost the blue lobster and both hermit crabs and our old (thinks he's a dog) big cat tore his other ACL. He tore the first one a few years ago. It's always trauma since the vet always tells us a cat won't bother the incision and our cat rips out the staples / stitches whatever - even with one of those little cone collars. The only thing that works is a LARGE dog cone collar. He has the demeanor of a dog (makes me laugh) - my DH even taught him to shake hands. My son took him to show and tell in Kindergarten and they thought it was so cool, my DH had to show him to all the Kindergarten and First Grade classes.

 

[skeegan]

MousseauMob, We are DVC members and are in the process of selling our membership through the Timeshare store. We have owned it for 8 years. We used our membership to go on eight trips, we went to Disney World several times, London, and the Disney cruise three times. Our thoughts are that DVC value is great if you are going to stay at one of their DVC properties (Walt Disney World, Hilton Head, Vero Beach). If that is what you plan to do I would highly recommend it. Otherwise the value (after considering the annual fees) is so so. We found that to use DVC points and cash for the cruise we were actually losing money over what it costs to book the cruise itself. Hence our reason for selling.

P.S. We still own another timeshare which we have had longer and our not selling so our opinion of the DVC is not a reflection on the timeshare concept in general. Feel free to ask me any questions.

 

[skeegan]

Judy, Thanks for the comment about Dreams Unlimited. Did you call Disney to transfer the reservation? Also please let us know how your Collie is doing.

 

[windermerejudy]

I went on DU site and they have a transfer your ressie form. Guess it is often done. You just give them the DCL ressie number, names and dates and as long as the deposit is paid which I thought DCL does automatically it is a done deal. I kept hearing people chat about doing that but I could not figure out the advantage, but now the light is on. Money talks.

 

[windermerejudy]

Where are all my June 4th friends tonight? Folding clothes?

 

[xploring]

Hi Judy, I am still awake but it's only 11PM here. I met you on the ship while you were trying to sign on to your internet account. Did you ever get that straightened out? We didn't really get a chance to seek out all the DISers because we were traveling with 4 other families so had quite a large group of our own.

Anyways, we had a pretty good time on the cruise but honestly thought that our head server was only OK. We loved our asst server. The weather in L.A. could have been better but no one has control over that! Because this was our first Disney cruise and the experience was only average I do not know if we would cruise with Disney again. Who knows...

Chat later,
Mindi

 

[windermerejudy]

Mindy, yes thank you I did eventually get it fixed not until the next day. I don't know what was wrond but once the real internet manager came back in I got a note under my door that it was fixed. Glitch I guess.

Mindy---it was so nice to have met you. I do hope you reconsider going with DCL again. I think we can all honestly say this is not their typical product. Please come visit us over here on the east coast and do a PC cruise. Weather is sunnier thus more deck time. I missed sitting out by the pool with the band playing while you swim drinks in hand, visiting with your family and friends, I REALLY REALLY missed Castaway Cay. It is gorgeous and noone selling anything on the beach!!!!!!!!! That is a great relaxing day. Can't wait to do that itinerary again. The product on the west was not bad----just different for what I enjoy.

Keep chatting with us so we can all have time to convince you.

So glad I can put a face with your name now. You were so kind. A friendly face amongst all the other late night computer gurus. Have a great day
Judy