March 17, 2007 7 Day Eastern

[SB's Mom]

Something to think about is brunch at Palo. It is only on the day we are at sea (Sunday, Monday and Thursday). I was invited by a friend to join her and her husband from brunch and it was wonderful. My DH and I had dinner there but in my opinion brunch was so much better! We will book both this trip!

You can book Palo as many times a you want it doesn't matter how many room reservations you have.

Charlene

 

[TiaMaria]

It's exciting to see some more DIS'ers on the Spring Break cruise. I have looked through the Eastern Navigators but haven't shared them yet with my nephew and niece. They are already on information overload. Also, they are going this July to WDW with my sister and brother-in-law and staying at the Contempory and I don't want to overshadow this vacation with the cruise with too much too soon. Once they are back home, I plan to start the day-to-day planning with them.

One thing I am thinking about is what to do on Castaway Cay....we are interested in the Eco Tour...but I can't figure out how to manage that since there are 2 of them and 1 of me. Do you know if I am able to book myself twice so I can take each of them? Or maybe we can buddy up with another family that has "odd" numbers and wants this excursion once on board?

Anyway, we are so excited to be going and as Stacie said, thank heavens for these boards for great advice in planning! We are going to feel like seasoned veterans of Disney Cruise Line once on board because of everyone here.

 

[dutch_girl_scout]

I'm going to start talking to myself on this thread just to keep it on the first couple of pages.

Maureen-We wanted to do the eco-tour also. We didn't do it last time and I've read good things about it. Guess baby will need to go to Flounder's for a little bit that day. If DS is off on the teen expedition (he loved it last time)we'd only have one child with us and could take one of yours. We'll have to see if the times coordinate or if another DIS family has an odd number.

Edited to add: I just looked at the excursions as they are listed on the DIS site and DCL site. The teen adventure is four hours in the morning and it looks like the eco-tour is offered in the morning, so the times would work if DS wants to do the teen thing and doesn't mind missing the eco-tour.

 

[TiaMaria]

Stacie,

That may work out ....we'll have to take a good look as our reservation date draws near. I know my nephew, who will be 9 1/2 then will want to do it. I will have to see about my niece (will just be turning 8). She's not as adventurous as her brother, but who knows by next March? She doesn't like being left out - so I'm betting she will want to do it.

I agree, we need to be better at bumping this thread up to see if we can get more DIS'ers to be on our cruise!

Anyone else out there for March 17?

 

[dutch_girl_scout]

Here's my daily bump.

Storms have passed through here the last two nights, too wet to camp, hopefully tomorrow it is drier and cooler for the festivities and fireworks.

I'm bummed that Disney didn't release their 2007 packages yet like was rumored. I need to call my TA on Wednesday though, my understanding is that you can book a "standard" package and then just change it when the package rates come out. I don't know how all that works with AAA though, its our first time buying a package (want the Dining Plan) and our first time being AAA members.

Hope everyone has a great 4th.

God Bless America and All Those Defending Our Freedom!!!

 

[dutch_girl_scout]

I'm breaking my no two posts in a row rule to bump this thread.

We had a great 4th. Got lots done at home, mowing, packing, cleaning, etc. Fireworks were great, and it's cooled off enough to have the windows open.

Happy Wednesday everybody!

 

[jenbrem1]

Hey everyone!!
I shut off the AC and opened our house back up yesterday morning. It was sure good sleeping weather last night - with the exception of the neighborhood idiots continuing to light off fireworks well in to the early morning hours. I'm not kidding, I woke up to them at 5:30 this morning.

We are leaving for vacation on Friday, driving out to Breckenridge, Colorado. I can't wait to spend some time away from work...

 

[dutch_girl_scout]

Jen--I agree with you, Iowa's weather today is a perfect 10! Are you guys skiing in CO (do they ski in July?) or just relaxing? We don't have any big vacation plans this summer. Both the kids go to camp in 2 weeks. Then DD and I have GS Troop camp in August, plus moving into a new house, there is no time.

 

[TiaMaria]

It did not really cool off here until today. We had a large family reunion over the weekend here (our family came in from Texas, California, Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska and Indiana - did I miss anybody....? lol). It was in the mid-90's all weekend.

We had heat lightening on Monday night and heavy storms predicted - but no rain (only spotty areas). Tuesday was gloomy and humid and it downpoured from 6-7 pm but cleared up in time for fireworks grand finale.

Today was nice - high 70's to low 80's and no humidity. Just in time for me to go back to work!

We will celebrate my nephew's 9th birthday this weekend and then off he goes camping with the Cub Scouts next week - over his real birthday.

Cannot believe he is going to be 9!

We are pretty excited now that our tickers are below 9 months!

 

[jenbrem1]

No skiing...Where we are there is very little snow left this time of year. We do a lot of relaxing, some hiking, some biking, swimming in the pools. This year we are taking the kids whitewater rafting for the first time. I love Colorado in the summertime!

 

[dutch_girl_scout]

Jen-Sounds like a fun trip, hope you have a great time. I'll try to keep Iowa under control while your gone.

Tia-- to your nephew!

Packing more boxes today, hopefully I don't get lost in the clutter!

 

[TiaMaria]

Bumping for you Stacie!

Nephew and Niece and I saw POTC 2 today. We loved it. Nephew (who turns 9 on Monday) absolutely loved it. Niece (7) really liked it too, but hid her eyes once or twice and loudly proclaimed "GROSS!!" in a couple of scenes..lol

I didn't have the heart to tell them the Flying Dutchman is currently at CC since it will probably be long gone when we get there.

We confirmed shuttle reservations at 10AM from the Radisson PC to the terminal today - I know it's still really early, but I just want to get the small things done so I can concentrate on the big things (such as concentrating on SW Airlines dropping fares dramatically once they are advertised for March, lol ). We are really screwed over here in STL since TWA was bought and dismantled by AA. AA basically cut flights down to nothing here and unfortunately still owns all the gates so lower cost airlines like Jet Blue, Spirit, Allegiant and so forth cannot get in and compete with them. AA has been nothing but bad news for our area and economy. I avoid them if at all possible because of it. My loyalties now lay with SW whenever possible.

So....really all I have left to reserve is air, limo to/from Port Canaveral and possibly 1 nt at WDW on the return if we decide to come back late on the 25th.

 

[dutch_girl_scout]

Maureen-sounds like your tirp is coming along nicely, could you talk to Disney and get them to announce their packages for 2007? I feel bad for the people trying to plan trips in Jan, let alone March. Air in STL sounds tricky. DSM has Allegiant that flies direct but only on certain days and the schedules don't come out until 6 months in advance.

It's really sad but we just got POTC I from the library and watched it for the first time, now we're ready to see part II.

Hope everyone has a good day. After church we're heading to Menards to pick up the shower and toilet for the bath remodel, and to Sam's Club for Swim Team concession stand food.

 

[TiaMaria]

Stacie,

You have a busy day planned! I am right there with you. Planting some new perrenials that I picked up yesterday and cleaning my carpets (I have a cat with a "sensitive" tummy - yuk! )

You know I bet you will be glad that you are just watching POTC 1 - I hadn't seen it in over a year and found myself forgetting a lot of the characters. Of course Nephew and Niece memorize every movie they have ever seen and filled me in, lol.

I agree about the 2007 packages. I was reading over on the Resort boards that you can call and have Disney set up a "basic" package with the understanding that you can add "package" details later without having to cxl and be refunded and rebook like you do when switching from "room only" to a package. That is at least something to think about to at least secure the property and roomtype that you may want.

Everyone have a wonderful end to the weekend!

 

[dutch_girl_scout]

I talked with my AAA TA yesterday and set up the basic package. Now I guess we just wait. I need to figure out how many days I want tickets for, do I go all out and buy the non-expiring since we'll be back next December or do I just get what I need for this trip? Decisions, decisions.

I think the kids and I might go to the matinee of Pirates tomorrow, while the contractor is working on the bathroom. The movie might be the only bit of relaxing I get to do.

Have a great day!

 

[dutch_girl_scout]

Here's a bump for this thread, looking for other Spring Break cruisers.

The bathroom is coming along, he thinks he'll be done early next week sometime. Didn't go to POTC, forgot DD and I had signed up for a knitting/crocheting class at the art center. Both kids are going river tubing with church today. Should be a quiet day except for the work in the bathroom.

Jen-Hope your having a great vacation!!

 

[dutch_girl_scout]

Yikes, this thread was hiding on the 3rd page. Tomorrow is the 17th. Another month gone!!

 

[SB's Mom]

Hello Everyone!

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile!
Looking forward to Spring Break also! We are trying to convince some friends to also cruise that week!

It was extremely hot here the last few weeks! Our grass, plants and trees could use some RAIN!

Busy time here. We had to get a new A/C unit!
Our new dog wasn't happy with all the work men in the house. Hopefully this week will be "back to normal".

Maureen~ I see you are from St Louis! Our tablemates on our June cruise were from there! It was 2 different families (we all had meet on a Dis Thread and then linked our dinner reservations thru Disney). One lived in the St Charles area and I don't remember the others area. They are now all dear friends to us!

What is everyone looking forward to on the cruise?

Have a great week!
Charlene

 

[jenbrem1]

Hello everyone!
Today is my first day back at work after our lovely vacation last week. It is so hard getting my motivation back - in fact it sucks!! I've been reading trip reports while going through my email box. It seems fewer people do reviews on the Eastern itineraries - anyone know why??

My mom and I did some shopping over the weekend with the cruise in mind. It's a good time of year to get some bargains on things to wear at dinner.

8 more months!!

 

[dutch_girl_scout]

Jen-Welcome back to the real world. Did you have a good vacation? I've noticed the trip reports too. I keep trying to find ones that talk about excursions we might want to do. I agree about the shopping, we've picked up some summer baby clothes on clearance. Good time for swimsuits too.

Charlene-a new a/c sounds expensive but definately a necessity. We're topping out around 100 here, heat indecies in the 107 range. Hopefully it will cool off. I can sympathize about the dog and workmen. We have the downstairs blocked off from the dogs and cat. They aren't really as much help as they think they are. What kind of puppy do you have? We have a two-year-old beagle/heeler mix, a fifteen-year-old carin terrier and a 4-year-old rescued tiger cat. Never a dull moment here.