June 9, 2012 Fantasy

[MelissaE1]

How about the ATVs ... what all did you get to do for that??

That sounds like a great excursion. For the ATVs we booked directly through Wild Tours, we had a group of probably 12 people. Our guide was awesome, after some riding down a dirty and fun trail, we'd stop here and there for some history, etc. He showed us a cenote where they used to do sacrifices , some small caves, some plants that used to be used for anesthesia during primitive operations, etc. So that and the ride were both fun. They did try to sell us some pictures at the end, and they mentioned tips, but they weren't too pushy about it at all. The whole family really loved it. We weren't just dusty, though... we were black, lol. I'd go for an earlier time if you have early seating... not sure even the pirate disguise would have worked after that ride. We looked like this (minus the ears)!

 

[helenb]

Melissa, favorites is definitely a matter of opinion! Everything has its plusses and minuses. All of our cruises have been fantastic except for one, where both the cruise line and the ports fell short. I figure that's just luck of the draw. Basically with appropriate research we've enjoyed ourselves everywhere! That's because generally each port is different. TBH, one of the reasons we haven't been in the Caribbean so much is because DH has this impression that 'every port is the same'... and when you look at the excursions offered by the cruise ships, it does seem like you can do the same things in every port. That's why we were so excited about the Mayan ruins, because it is something different that you don't get in other places.

The Med is definitely an awesome place to cruise. We did a western Med/Holy Land cruise last summer that was spectacular! The Panama Canal is a neat itinerary too, since it's 2 weeks and almost a perfect interspersing: port day, sea day, port day, sea day... with so many interesting things to see! Asia is terrific on a cruse ship, because at the end of each day you can re-immerse yourself in a familiar culture, but during the day you can experience things that are completely new.

If you can go in January, Australia and New Zealand is perfect (because it's their summer). We spent a few days at an Australian vacation resort up at the Great Barrier Reef before boarding our cruise ship and that was such an awesome start to the trip! If we were able to travel in January still I'd like to do a 'summertime' South American cruise (it's on our list) but unfortunately that timing doesn't work well for us anymore.

Disney is certainly a fantastic experience, and one that is unique. They would be good for a Hawaiian or transatlantic cruise (or even Panama Canal) where you have lots of sea days. That being said, we're doing this coming cruise because we really wanted to see/experience the new ships!

 

[SILLYANDI]

OK, i'm coming over from the dark side (Facebook).

Helen, I have a DD12 and DD14 who are fairly social and would love to meet up with your daughter.

To answer about FB, I prefer it because I work in a job where I stare at a computer all day, I can leave FB open and get instant notification that someone has posted, vs the DIS having to be refreshed constantly or waiting for an email response that may or may not ever come
This trip, I have found myself trying to stay away from the "planaholic" frenzy that I usually find myself in. I'm trying more for a "let it happen" cruise. Not sure that's possible, but I'm trying. Staying away from the DIS keeps me from chronic searching...

Anyhoo, I have FINALLY found matching formal outfits for everyone. I tried really hard to go for the mismatched, everyone wearing their own favorite outfit look but finally gave in to the inner control freak and settled with a blk/whi/red theme for formal and a teal/pink/blk theme for semi formal.

I really need a life!

Anyone else dressing for Pirate night? That is the next decision I have to make. I'm thinking it'll be easier NOT to dress up, but worried I'll regret it once we are on the ship.

I really need a life.

 

[helenb]

LOL, if I had updates popping up on my screen all day I'd be a slave to reading them! What I like about message boards like DIS is I can refresh then when *I* want to read...

We've dressed for Pirate Night in the past, but that was when we did Mexican Riviera and we could drive to the port (so we didn't have to worry about luggage restrictions so much). I'm not sure what we'll do this time. I was tossing around the idea of Pirate makeovers at BBB, but I'm guessing concierge people already have the prime times for that, plus Pirate Night is on a port day and we likely won't have time between coming back from our excursion and dinner. So I suspect I'll just wing it and wear the bandanas from the room.

I LOVE planning for my cruises! I see it as part of the fun, and then things go so much more smoothly once we are onboard! It's like going to WDW or DL... you don't just 'wing it' unless you're into a day of frustration. Not that bad on a cruise ship, but definitely something you want to plan, especially those port activities.

 

[SILLYANDI]

LOL, if I had updates popping up on my screen all day I'd be a slave to reading them! What I like about message boards like DIS is I can refresh then when *I* want to read...

We've dressed for Pirate Night in the past, but that was when we did Mexican Riviera and we could drive to the port (so we didn't have to worry about luggage restrictions so much). I'm not sure what we'll do this time. I was tossing around the idea of Pirate makeovers at BBB, but I'm guessing concierge people already have the prime times for that, plus Pirate Night is on a port day and we likely won't have time between coming back from our excursion and dinner. So I suspect I'll just wing it and wear the bandanas from the room.

I LOVE planning for my cruises! I see it as part of the fun, and then things go so much more smoothly once we are onboard! It's like going to WDW or DL... you don't just 'wing it' unless you're into a day of frustration. Not that bad on a cruise ship, but definitely something you want to plan, especially those port activities.

I was thinking exactly the same thing about Pirate Night..I have a feeling we'll be having too much fun to want to come back early and get dressed..
Where are you from? We are in the LA area, little place called San Dimas...are you in the area? Small world..

Oh, and used to love the planning, but the last cruise tuckered me out. I was so busy making FE gifts and pirate costumes and planning every minute that once I got on board all I wanted to do was sleep, lol

 

[helenb]

One easy thing you can do for Pirate's Night is to pack a couple of eyepatches and a black eyeliner pencil. You can use the pencil to draw mustaches, scars, even do the Jack Sparrow 'heavy handed eyeliner' look! Add that to the bandanas and you have a good 'costume'. You can also get t-shirts with skulls and crossbones on them to wear (or red and white horizontally striped t-shirts) if you want to add a bit more without a whole lot of 'production'.

Where are you from? We are in the LA area, little place called San Dimas...are you in the area? Small world..

Your'e probably going to hate me, but when I hear San Dimas I think 'Bill and Ted'. *ducks rocks thrown at head*

We're up in the SF Bay Area. We've cruised out of LA a few times and love being able to drive to the port! With the air prices these days, it's much cheaper than flying!

 

[MelissaE1]

OK, i'm coming over from the dark side (Facebook).

There goes the neighborhood...

We are in the LA area, little place called San Dimas...are you in the area? Small world...

Hmmm... San Dimas. I think I've heard of that. Oh yeah, I used to work there. And in Glendora. Had a BF in Azusa. My best friend teaches at La Verne. I lived in Claremont when I met my DH... any of these sound familiar?

 

[SJCruiser]

Woo hoo! Glad to see some action on this thread! As you all mentioned, the notifications from the DIS are intermittent, so I missed some stuff.

Okay, so here's a few things in response to the recent topics....

We're flying in late Thursday and we were going to drive down to the port after midnight so we could do the Space Center on Friday. But I realized that's probably too much and just moved our Thurs stay to a Marriott by MCO. Then we can sleep in and drive down to the port to stay at the Residence Inn on Friday (picked these hotels because we're using points). By coming in on Thurs, I'm hoping we won't be as off-schedule as usual when we board the ship.

For excursions, we've decided to do the ruins in Costa Maya too. And because of the time constraint mentioned, I've decided to go against our usual practice and book with DCL rather than on our own. In preparation with two 8 year olds, we've checked out several Mayan books from the kids' section at the library. I'm hoping that will help maintain their interest level on the tour. Just trying to add some educational aspect to our normally carefree vacations!

I don't know if we'll be tuckered out by the ruins trip, so I'm not going to book anything in Cozumel. May just walk around the port area, or grab a cab to the beach, but we will make a decision that day based on how we're feeling, since it's a long day in port. We may just want to enjoy the ship with less crowds.

We have dressed up for pirate nights in the past, but I've decided to save room in the suitcase this time. I just got Disney pirate t-shirts for DH, DD, and DS, and I will do a simple blouse/capris thing. We will bring our eye patches and the older/bigger (better fitting) black pirate bandanas that DCL used to hand out. That's it. Arrrggghhh!

Okay, time to get off the DIS!!!

 

[jenedpey]

We looked like this (minus the ears)!

LOL! We read somewhere that we should just plan on throwing those clothes away when we're done. Did they provide you with goggles?

We look forward to pirate night, so we'll be dressed up! Previously we have just worn cheapy Halloween pirate costumes from Walmart, but now we have some better quality stuff from Goodwill You'd be surprised what you can find there!

 

[joius24]

Good Morning Everyone !
Thought I'd also stop over to the Dis and say hi to the non FB Peeps too

Excursions? DS and I are doing a sail/stingray in Caymen. We had the zipline scheduled for Cosa Maya but it was cancelled by Disney so DS and I are going to do a little more research and decide soon and we are going to Chankanaab National Park on our own for Cozumel.

I have all of the Palo's booked YAY! We have hotel pre and post/in between second one....and flights.
Bummed about the loss of High Tea at the end of the summer and greatful I am doing High Tea twice before the summer is over Phew!


I HAVE to work on FE's this weekend.... really really I do LOL

Wanted to say welcome to Delaney and family....saw you posted a while ago and wanted to say Hi. Discussion for what time we are all meeting is going on at the FB page... as soon as its decided I am sure it will be posted here. I think it's melissa E1 actually who has taken the leads in the discussion TY

I can understand how it is a little bit of a disconnect to have two message places at once.... I like them both but it is a bummer for those not having FB ...I like the immediate response on FB and seeing all the pic of folks etc...
But I like the Dis for all of that other stuff, info, tips, etc....

Hoping to meet ALL of you very soon!

 

[helenb]

Joius... 'all' of the Palos booked? How many do you have booked? Is it all of them?

SJCruiser, does SJ stand for San Jose? We're in Pleasanton, but I work in San Jose. We may be seeing you on the Costa Maya DCL excursion! I'm with you in that I usually prefer to book our own private excursions, but in this case the time constraint forced me to go with DCL.

You're flying in on Thursday? When do your kids get out of school? Our district goes until June 8, but I'm having them skip the last day (which is just Field Day and a minimum day to boot, so no academics lost) so we can fly out to Florida. We'll be arriving late Friday night, still on West Coast time!

Jenedpey, I'm now curious to see what you picked up at Goodwill!!!

 

[SILLYANDI]

There goes the neighborhood...



Hmmm... San Dimas. I think I've heard of that. Oh yeah, I used to work there. And in Glendora. Had a BF in Azusa. My best friend teaches at La Verne. I lived in Claremont when I met my DH... any of these sound familiar?

Melissa, I grew up in Azusa, work in Glendora, have LOTS of friends who teach in LaVerne (who's your BFF?) and alot of friends in Claremont also. Are you from here originally? I knew I liked you...lol

 

[SILLYANDI]

Your'e probably going to hate me, but when I hear San Dimas I think 'Bill and Ted'. *ducks rocks thrown at head*

We're up in the SF Bay Area. We've cruised out of LA a few times and love being able to drive to the port! With the air prices these days, it's much cheaper than flying!

Nope, we're used to it after 20 years, lol.

I'll be in San Fran with my girl scout troop after the cruise. We're doing a few days in the city then up to the King's River for WW Rafting.

 

[joius24]

Joius... 'all' of the Palos booked? How many do you have booked? Is it all of them?

SJCruiser, does SJ stand for San Jose? We're in Pleasanton, but I work in San Jose. We may be seeing you on the Costa Maya DCL excursion! I'm with you in that I usually prefer to book our own private excursions, but in this case the time constraint forced me to go with DCL.

You're flying in on Thursday? When do your kids get out of school? Our district goes until June 8, but I'm having them skip the last day (which is just Field Day and a minimum day to boot, so no academics lost) so we can fly out to Florida. We'll be arriving late Friday night, still on West Coast time!

Jenedpey, I'm now curious to see what you picked up at Goodwill!!!

LOL Helen >>>> one Dinner, one Brunch and one Tea....\The tea took a monumental appeal to anyone who would listen LOL (shout out to LS)

Jenedpey....Yay for goodwill ! Love saving $$ and recycling too!

Helen.... HAD to do a little air guitar in honor of Billl and Ted myself ! DUDE !

 

[helenb]

SILLY, that's one thing I love about California - so much to see in our own state! It sounds like you have a wonderful trip planned! I'll be down in your area in July, stopping over for a few nights as we make our way to Comic Con.

Joius, that's a lot of Palo! You must really like it! We've never been, because we enjoy the main restaurants so much, we can't imagine not going! Well, the Pirates Night menu doesn't thrill me, but the kids would be upset if we missed that one.

 

[SILLYANDI]

SILLY, that's one thing I love about California - so much to see in our own state! It sounds like you have a wonderful trip planned! I'll be down in your area in July, stopping over for a few nights as we make our way to Comic Con.

Joius, that's a lot of Palo! You must really like it! We've never been, because we enjoy the main restaurants so much, we can't imagine not going! Well, the Pirates Night menu doesn't thrill me, but the kids would be upset if we missed that one.

We love the main dining also, so we usually still go to main dining for appetizers and time with the kiddos then do Palo later in the evening.
I prefer Palo Brunch though..

 

[helenb]

You're a better person than I am, Silly! If I had appetizers in the dining room, and THEN a big meal later on... I'd be so big I'd be rolling of the ship! It's hard enough going to early dining and then trying to burn off a little at the show before bed!

 

[SJCruiser]

You're flying in on Thursday? When do your kids get out of school?

Last day of school this year is May 31st, if you can believe it. But we started the school year way back in mid-August. I really like that this schedule allows us to book this kind of vacation before the peak season really gets in gear later in June.

 

[helenb]

May 31? That's early! But then again, so is a mid-August start...

 

[SILLYANDI]

We started Mid-August and get out June 7th.
Next year I hear we're starting earlier and ending earlier. They are trying to align the school year with college schedules from what I understand. I'm glad!