Magic Christmas Cruise 2010 (Dec 18th - 29th) - PART II

[momssurprise]

LeiLani,

We are 11:15 for that Turtle Snorkle, too. I have heard so many great thinks about Barbados. Not sure what else to do.

I don't remember what time for Buck Island. Probably 11:45 as I dont want to ever feel rushed. I need this time to decompress....

Will be very glad to be joining you. Will let you know if I change our plans. Just got my Passporter today but can't look at it right now...DD would ask too many questions.

 

[miatamel]

Universal Travel Agent site has a ticket that includes round-trip transportation from the Disney Hotels to Islands of Adventure. If you are working with a TA on your trip you should be able to get this set up! Let me know if you need help!

I'm having trouble with this--my TA just quoted me $468 for 1 day tickets + transport from Disney resort to US. I can buy one day one park pass directly online for $341 so the TA quote seems high to me--but it's for park to park pass as that is the only way the package is sold. We aren't not interested (nor have time for) anything but the HP park. However, looking at Mears, they say they won't pickup between 10a-3p which would be within our time to go. Plus, we have to have a set time coming and going and I just don't know that. Taxis might be a better option but are they even on Disney property? Plus, I have no idea how much that would run, either.

Didn't think about this being such an ordeal. But just trying to make sure everything is set to minimize stress-induced breakdowns before we get on the boat. Is HP park even doable/worth in a Friday aft/evening? Any suggestions on how to work this out in an affordable way?

 

[BBQMommy]

miatamel -- what would the quote be for a plain old taxi? We will be there Friday with our 4-seater Honda, otherwise I'd offer a lift.


Caryn

 

[miatamel]

miatamel -- what would the quote be for a plain old taxi? We will be there Friday with our 4-seater Honda, otherwise I'd offer a lift.


Caryn

You're precious for even thinking of me. I, too, have a 4-seater Honda--an Element!

Someone on the US transportation thread thinks between $75-100 roundtrip for a taxi. But then I was told the park closes at 7. Plane gets in at 11, ME to Pop will mean 12:30ish then check in, get cab, get to US. We're talking maybe 2:00 pm. So now I have the rethink the practicality of 5 hours and $348. My DD9 will be heartbroken if we don't, tho, and to compare it to having to make another trip down to do it sometime and, well, there is no cost comparison so it's down to a time thing.

 

[Hmorale]

Have you looked into renting a car. They can be quite affordable. I know Disney has an Enterprise on property.

 

[DVC4US]

LeiLani,

We are 11:15 for that Turtle Snorkle, too. I have heard so many great thinks about Barbados. Not sure what else to do.

I don't remember what time for Buck Island. Probably 11:45 as I dont want to ever feel rushed. I need this time to decompress....

Will be very glad to be joining you. Will let you know if I change our plans. Just got my Passporter today but can't look at it right now...DD would ask too many questions.

momssurprise,

Looks like we will be snorkeling together as long as you don't change your plans. Let me know if something changes, otherwise we will look forward to seeing you guys on the excursions!

 

[StJohnfamily]

I showed my mom what I was making for the FE and now she is making them. I went to the fabric store to get more supplies. I have one suitcase that will be filled with FE gifts.
I have also been shopping for new clothes for this cruise. I have lost 80 pounds since January and so nothing fits me at this time. I am hoping to loose a few more pounds before the cruise. I want to wear this really cute dress.
So many things to do before the cruise.

Congrats to all of you for shedding so many pounds. I am in the same boat as you. I have lost almost 40 pounds and have no dresses that fit at all. I am hoping I can find a few girlfriends who have some dresses collecting dust. I too have started designing the FE gift. I am excited.

 

[jgura]

Lori - I see you'll be heading out to sea again in a few days. Lucky you! Can you do me a favor and see what the current policy is regarding bringing cases of water on board? We were still fine with slapping a luggage tag on our cases of water in April and giving them to the porters, but I have been reading recent threads that the policy has changed. If so, our carry ons will be bulging at the seams!
Thanx,

Marguerite

Last November the porter would not let us even though the case was wrapped in duck tape. He said they would not deliver it to our room. I think it is hit or miss. I just bought a small soft sided roller cooler to carry on from Walmart. I hope this will work. I will need to put it in my suitcase for flying. My bags are getting filled without even any clothes! No, I am not packing, just imagining it. We tried on princess dresses tonight too. The "deluxe" ones are ginormous!
Thanks for finding out about the h2o for us.

 

[BBQMommy]

You're precious for even thinking of me. I, too, have a 4-seater Honda--an Element!

Someone on the US transportation thread thinks between $75-100 roundtrip for a taxi. But then I was told the park closes at 7. Plane gets in at 11, ME to Pop will mean 12:30ish then check in, get cab, get to US. We're talking maybe 2:00 pm. So now I have the rethink the practicality of 5 hours and $348. My DD9 will be heartbroken if we don't, tho, and to compare it to having to make another trip down to do it sometime and, well, there is no cost comparison so it's down to a time thing.

I like the idea of checking the rent-a-car for the day. I understand the pull of HP. To me -- Orlando = Disney. Going to Orlando and not going to Disney is going to be very odd. (We will be at Downtown for a few hours, but ...) For us, this trip is the time to do HP.

I got my Element in April and already have 12K miles on it. There's been A LOT of driving this year. Absolutely love it. Camped in it last Friday night and the seat/cot was very comfortble.

Caryn

 

[BBQMommy]

Back mid-1990s I snorkled on the Doubloon and had a very nice time. Trying to remember which island the Doubloon took us near, want to say it is one of the ones associated with Treasure Island and Kidnapped by Stevenson. We were near and could go in a cave. I made it in about 5 feet before I nearly had a panic attack ... but from what folks told me it was very cool.

OK, we snorkled in St. Thomas and Tortola - Doubloon out of USVI went to Buck Island and the other snorkle in Tortola went to Norman Island, which is the one associated with RL Stevenson. Sorry!

Caryn

 

[momssurprise]

Random question, but does anyone know if the XL Vera Bradley duffle is too big to carry on? I'm trying to determine if I need to purchase luggage.

 

[TheBeadPirate]

Random question, but does anyone know if the XL Vera Bradley duffle is too big to carry on? I'm trying to determine if I need to purchase luggage.

I have a large duffle that is carry on compliant, but I wouldn't be riding for very long with it at my feet! That's if I could wedge it under there in the first place! So it'd have to go in the overhead. That being said, I'd think you could do the same with the XL duffle. Besides if they make you put it in the sizer box you can cram it in inch by inch if need be.


I love my Vera.

 

[BBQMommy]

Large duffle measurements seem to be 22"x11.5"x11.5" and XL is 25"x12"x13".

The standard carry on luggage dimensions (for airlines) are 22"X14"X9" for a total of 45". (I found this online, so the verification of this is also a good idea ...)

If your carry on is soft-sided and not totally jammed to the gunnels, it might work -- but this is just an unofficial thought.

Caryn

 

[HFC1969]

64 til vaca​

Bringing back pictures... My beautiful wife of 14+... been together since we were 15 years old.. Last years

 

[HFC1969]

Pirate night...

 

[momssurprise]

Thanks Lori and Caryn for the duffle help. Starting to panic a bit...

For cruising in December should I plan to pack any hoodies or long pants (other than DH's for dinner...) I haven't cruised in the winter before, so I'm a bit stumped. Not sure I can bring pastel dresses... Thoughts?

Mike, your DW is indeed beautiful. Remind me not to sit by you all! And I love your pirate costumes. I actually just threw away DH's Jack Sparrow wig from our 05 cruise. It had become ratty. I would have kept it if I'd known I was going to wake up one morning and decide to book this on a whim.

 

[BBQMommy]

I am packing several hoodies, pashmina-type wraps, and some yoga pants. Not having cruised in years, I've read that it can be brisk in the AM and after dark. The one cruise I did do was mid Jan and went to the Southern Caribbean.

Great pics and love the pirate costumes


Caryn

 

[HFC1969]

This is DW walking into DS's class telling him we are leaving headed straight to the Disney Cruise for Christmas... this year they know..

Gosh Justin looks young there... wow.. what a difference a year makes..

 

[CrusinLattas]

I'm having trouble with this--my TA just quoted me $468 for 1 day tickets + transport from Disney resort to US. I can buy one day one park pass directly online for $341 so the TA quote seems high to me--but it's for park to park pass as that is the only way the package is sold. We aren't not interested (nor have time for) anything but the HP park. However, looking at Mears, they say they won't pickup between 10a-3p which would be within our time to go. Plus, we have to have a set time coming and going and I just don't know that. Taxis might be a better option but are they even on Disney property? Plus, I have no idea how much that would run, either.

Didn't think about this being such an ordeal. But just trying to make sure everything is set to minimize stress-induced breakdowns before we get on the boat. Is HP park even doable/worth in a Friday aft/evening? Any suggestions on how to work this out in an affordable way?

I have heard the crowds at Harry Potter are not that bad anymore - I'm not sure how it will be before our trip, but it is not yet the Christmas crowd before we leave, and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas party is that night - so maybe it will not be bad. With the short amount of time you have it is really not worth getting a ticket to both parks. There are Taxis on Disney property or the car rental is another option. You could also really have some fun and rent a limo - not sure if that would be an affordable way, but it would be fun!

 

[miatamel]

I like the idea of checking the rent-a-car for the day. I understand the pull of HP. To me -- Orlando = Disney. Going to Orlando and not going to Disney is going to be very odd. (We will be at Downtown for a few hours, but ...) For us, this trip is the time to do HP.

I got my Element in April and already have 12K miles on it. There's been A LOT of driving this year. Absolutely love it. Camped in it last Friday night and the seat/cot was very comfortble.

Caryn

I've paid for transfers from airport-resort, resort-port, port-airport already and I'm thinking, my bags will go on to resort so I'll just keep all that and get a car service from MCO-HP and shave off a couple of hours of non-needed time and just check in at resort when we are done with HP. Extra $$ for transportation we aren't really using, but the whole HP part of the trip is our Christmas gift from my mom so I'll just add transfers to the cost of our present She was going to actually take her plus buy Christmas presents so I think she's actually coming out way ahead!

I'm so not a car person but I do love my Element!