KC's Western PRE trip report

[MassDisLovers]

If you're still wondering if "people will be interested" take note of your 1,984 views. I guess you have your answer!

 

[kalel29]

If you're still wondering if "people will be interested" take note of your 1,984 views. I guess you have your answer!

Yeah, it's not everyday you hear firsthand accounts of a sweepstakes winner on the process you have to go through when you win, more less the planning involved.

 

[King Charming]

So I came up with a compromise for myself. I'll wait another few weeks until the 30 day mark or so, and then post half to two thirds of a page a day. I'll time it to finish off several days before departure day, and this can be followed up about 2 weeks later with a TR that deals with actual costs. I'm sure I can't be the only one who is (overly) concerned about money, and other TR's I've read gloss over this aspect. It is relatively easy to find out how much excursions cost, but I have yet to see someone write about the cost of the drink of the day or other routine expenditures. Sure, it is a rather insignificant cost (comparatively) and it is really no ones business how cheap or extravagant (or drunk) the writer is. But for this writer, when you are trying to budget realistically, it sure helps to know these things. Even thought DCL has minimized the need for cash on the ship, I won't be fooled into thinking that means money is not needed. Not by a long shot! They sell booze at the bars, sell meals at Palo, sell souvenirs at the gift shops, sell photos at Shutters; you get the idea, sell, sell, sell. Market the mouse and "of course you can charge that to your room key sir". Most of these costs must be listed somewhere, but it's sometimes embarrassing to be such a miser and always be asking "how much?". Hopefully, being able to list real costs will enlighten other tightwads like myself. And rather than listing every nickel spent, it makes more sense to only list items costing around 10 bucks or so and/or are cruise specific items. (Hey, I'm cheap, not anal). So just assume you will need another hundred bucks or so for water shoes, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses type expenses. Just because I wear new socks on a vacation doesn't qualify it as a bona fide cruise cost, so I won't list it or similar personal expenditures. Another hundred bucks should cover these expenses unless you want to use the cruise as a good excuse to replace your summer wardrobe. Just remember, a "must have" item for some families may not even show up on another's list. Everyone IS different and therefore one proposed cruise budget might look alot different than the next. Look here Sweetie, I'm sure we don't need...

 

[castlegazer]

Oh, oh, I know this one... The drink of the day is usually in the $3-$4 range. Some drinks can be up to $7 and wine by the glass varies. You can get a bucket of beer and the sixth beer in the bucket is free. Beer is normally about $3 per bottle.

I am one who really wants to know these costs prior to going also. We allow ourselves one drink of the day per day and then a glass of wine at dinner - we bring some bottle of wine on board too. I want to know what this will cost prior to going because the true expediture that will get you every time is photos. If you plan on getting a package, which is a seriously good deal, you will know going in how much you will be in for. If you don't end up purchasing all the photos that the package calls for, they will refund you the difference. Its a no lose situation.

 

[King Charming]

A rather interesting recurring theme or attitude among DCL'ers seems to show up throughout the threads. It basically boils down to "If I'm spending THIS amount of money, what's a few hundred more?" This flies in the face of how most people get rich; not spending on the extras. However, I too believe that the best way to get the maximum enjoyment from any vacation is to do and try new or favorite things. What sensible mouse lover would travel more than 500 miles, be within 50 miles of Mickey's house, and not want to stop in to say hello, even if just for the afternoon? Isn't that the reason for flying in and out of Orlando and driving/riding over to the port anyway? For this group, the hundred dollars a head it will cost for a single days admittance and a meal is still a good deal, even if only staying for a few hours. So those of you who feel the same way are in good company.

 

[King Charming]

Thanks to the pending IRS check, the savings plan has been abandoned and the cash is turning into receipts. The cash stash topped out at $500 before the cruise prep stuff started knocking it back down. This is being properly documented for both depression and accounting purposes. Since we hadn't needed these things in our real life, I hold little hope that we will get continued use of these items after we get home, but you never know when you'll need a clear over the door shoe holder.

 

[Hypermommy]

Oh, oh, I know this one... The drink of the day is usually in the $3-$4 range. Some drinks can be up to $7 and wine by the glass varies. You can get a bucket of beer and the sixth beer in the bucket is free. Beer is normally about $3 per bottle.

Cool! That price for the drink of the day is not bad at all! I imagine I'll be having a few of these. And the beer price isn't too bad either. I've gotten used to spending $5 in "the world" for a beer. Thanks for letting us know, castlegazer!!

Yes, honey... I am going to pop into this shop. Why don't you go get another drink of the day since they're not as much as we thought they'd be. I'll only be a minute.

 

[King Charming]

I couldn't wait any longer and sent off another E-mail about a cabin upgrade. I got an almost immediate response. Drats!! It is not to be (yet). Unless of course I want to pay $ 1545 for a guarantee status cat 5. They say there were no more cat 6's available. Let's see, 4 people, times seven nights, divided by 1545 comes out to an extra 55 bucks a head each night. In as much as it would have been nice to have a private and nearby smoking lounge, there is no way I can justify, or pay, for this extravagance. Maybe I'll have better luck at check-in. I think I'll write the TA back, thanking them for everything they have done and see if I can be put on some sort of "wish in one hand,..." list. It would have been a huge savings (80% off) compared to the 8 grand I saw the room listed for just a week or two ago. I wonder why we could have had an outside stateroom if there was just the two of us, but we are in an inside room with the kids? How could they have possibly found out what idiots my children are? And so quickly too! It had to be those nice people at the space center across the bay. The boys were there last year with the scouts and got to sleep under one of the big rockets. I guess what happens at Kennedy does NOT stay at Kennedy. Oh well, greedy and lucky usually don't mix well, so I can't be too disappointed. As many people point out throughout the different DIS board threads, ALL of the rooms go to all of the ports, and they arrive about the same time.

 

[King Charming]

Speaking of rooms, the Radisson's "Resort at the Port" won my private bidding war for where we are staying the night before. The base price was $99 plus taxes & fees. You have to pay your $110 in advance when you go on-line to make the reservation. I am pretty darn sure that I have never paid that much for a single room before. (But I sure didn't mind someone else picking up the tab when we went to New York City for a weekend during Aug '01 and stayed at the "short" 23 story hotel nested between the trade center towers.) In addition to the Radisson being a 3 star hotel, it has a respected name, proximity to the port, a lavish swimming pool and a free shuttle to the port as plusses. I also heard it hasn't been updated in a while, but that's cool; I'm not going there to look around. Most important is the free parking while we are gone that made this upgrade sensible. Even though I plan on dropping off/picking up the family with the minivan, the hotel is close enough that I can take a cab to or from the port solo if the shuttle doesn't quite work out. The "cruise group" from the DIS Board seems evenly spread out hotel wise. Besides, there will be a "cruise group dinner" meet n greet at a local restaurant on Friday evening, so this was not a factor. I get an "atta boy" for finally coming in under one of my low-ball estimates.

 

[Hypermommy]

Atta Boy!

/me ducking and running

 

[King Charming]

Thanks also go out to the wife's boss John and his wife JW. JW is the person who gave my wife her first (paying) shot at computer programming many years ago and they remained friends after JW sold the company. Anyway, in addition to the cool pirate duds we got from the boss, JW is allowing DW to wear some of her swanky jewelry for the dress-up nights. They have also volunteered the use of their luggage, saving us even more money. I love it when a plan comes together so nicely, as opposed to the roadblocks life likes to throw up to keep you on your toes. WARNING bad pun ahead.... It's "no wonder" this feels so much like "magic". (sorry about that one, I couldn't resist, but at least you were warned).

 

[King Charming]

All returning cruisers and folks who order one of the "packages" receive "gifts" that are placed in the stateroom prior to checking in. I really liked the idea of having something waiting for you in your cabin. But it made no sense to pay for a fancy cheese tray when you could order one from room service for free. Champagne is a great way to celebrate (and a personal favorite), but it is another one of those things in life where the more you pay, the better the quality. Rather than get silly with money (who, me?) I'll bring a bottle (or two) in the rolling cooler. And the best way to arrange a proper welcome is through DCL. So I broke down and ordered the birthday package for the wife. It includes a door magnet, banner, and small cake. I first saw this option several weeks ago when I went online attempting to find cruise related T-shirts and such. After all, it's only another one percent. I'm sure when she sees this it will put the whole experience over the top, the tears will flow, and the April "Showers of Happiness" theme will prove very prophetic. Maybe we can just send the kids up on deck for the safety drill and....

 

[King Charming]

My dogs should be well taken care of. The place where I will board them has a vet on staff. It is also where they got their shots and where I buy the preventive meds I give them. The last thing I'll do before leaving town Friday morning will be dropping them off, but since they are closed on the weekend I'll have to pay for 10 days. After checking around with a half dozen kennels, a rate of around $25 bucks a day (based on the dog's weight) for both dogs is a bargain. Medium dog (Abu) stopped growing at around 30 lbs. Quick, for 2 points, which Disney movie had a character named Abu? Five more points for knowing what type of animal it was. Big dog (Aladdin) is living up to his nickname even though he is only 4 months old. He gained 10 lbs during Feb. and is up to 37 lbs. I expect he will be around 50 lbs by cruise time and should top out at 75-80 lbs. The movie was of course Aladdin, and Abu was a monkey.

 

[Hypermommy]

Can y'all see why I just adore this man? Is it any wonder that he'll never be demoted to Prince but will always and forever be my one and only King Charming? (yes, they're tears but I'm not at all sad)

 

[King Charming]

The children's school has been notified of the 6 days they will miss, making it an excused absence. I'm sure the teachers will come up with assignments to make up the missed days, even if it is only keeping a journal. How Christmas was celebrated around the world was assigned when they missed 6 days in Dec 06, two weeks or so before the holiday break. Isn't that what EPCOT is all about? This trip will be different in so many ways that I've decided to assign the boys a research paper on Cozumel, the Mayans, and Tulum. Three pages or so to be done during spring break week. I want them to understand the significance of what they will be looking at and where they will be going. I used to have to do something similar prior to going on field trips growing up. I'm sure I remember these trips a little better since I was "invested" in the experience. Of course New York offers scores of fabulous places to visit (and we went to them all) when you grow up 25 miles north of "The City", so maybe that helps with the memories too. The United Nations, Radio City Music Hall, and the statue quickly come to mind.

 

[MassDisLovers]

You're lucky that the boys are able to get "excused absences". Here a vacation during school time is never considered "excused" and the teachers are under no obligation to give you the work ahead of time. Even though I'm a teacher and held to vacations only when the school is closed, I truly beleive in the value of travel.

 

[Hypermommy]

You're lucky that the boys are able to get "excused absences". Here a vacation during school time is never considered "excused" and the teachers are under no obligation to give you the work ahead of time. Even though I'm a teacher and held to vacations only when the school is closed, I truly beleive in the value of travel.

Yet another reason that I wish home-schooling had worked out for my kids. I hate, hate, hate!!! the fact that the school thinks they can tell me how I should raise my kids and what would be of value to them. I sure hope that one day we get back to the point where education is more about expanding the mind of the child and less about that stupid standardized test!!!!!!!!!

(jeez, Hypermommy... tell us how you really feel)

I now sheepishly climb off my soapbox and return you to the humor of KC's trip report.

 

[King Charming]

We are running up against the deadline for figuring out the tuxedo dilemma. Since form fitting tuxes didn't fall from the sky, we need to decide if we will be renting or buying. Purchasing one for me is logical because I've stopped growing up and only grow out these days. Not so with the boys. I'm leaning towards renting matching vests for us all, and complete outfits for the boys. I'll probably go on-line and buy mine (used) for about the same price as the rental. But before any of that can get done, measurements must be taken. The rental outfit said to go to a local place and get measured for an "out of town" rental. It will also give me the chance to play "match the offer". The allure of having the clothes delivered (no packing) and already pressed will be hard to beat though.

 

[castlegazer]

We have done both rental and purchase. Renting on the ship is very nice due to the convenience, but it is a whopper in terms of price.

We E-Bayed my son's Tux last cruise and it was wonderful - even got him a Mickey Mouse Bow Tie. So Cool! We have now handed it down to another couple to use. I think the whole thing cost me no more than $20.

My husband just bought his Tux and it was less, new, than a rental would have been for a formal event we went to recently.

 

[TallyTutter]

Yet another reason that I wish home-schooling had worked out for my kids. I hate, hate, hate!!! the fact that the school thinks they can tell me how I should raise my kids and what would be of value to them. I sure hope that one day we get back to the point where education is more about expanding the mind of the child and less about that stupid standardized test!!!!!!!!!

(jeez, Hypermommy... tell us how you really feel)

I now sheepishly climb off my soapbox and return you to the humor of KC's trip report.

HEY, you didn't tell me that #1 son had gone back to school!! Where is he going?? When did that happen?? What happened?? Email me girl!