March 21, 2009 Western Magic

[debsite]

We're staying at the Radisson Resort at the Port the night before. Their rate including tax was less than the 7 night parking rate at the port. We've stayed there in the past and had a good experience as well.

 

[BobandLee]

Good Evening All.
8 inches of snow here today. Finally got to use the snowblower. Did the drive, sidewalks and deck.
Now Belle the beagle can make it to the yard.

We are flying down the day before.
DVC came thru with one night at the AKL for us.

Will shoot for a port arrival of about noon.

Have stayed at the raddison before. It was o.k.
Gave us a chance to eat a Grills.

 

[iloveokw]

Flying down on SW from Indy early on Friday. Still have days on our AP's thru March 23rd (my bday LOL) so we might hit a park for a bit - told Melissa to pick the park. Have to eat dinner at Dixie Crossroads - love the Rock Shrimp. We will stay at the Hampton Inn in Cocoa with our Hilton Honor points. We rented a car for each way. On the 28th our flight doesn't leave til almost 6 so we might go to Downtown Disney and eat at Earl of Sandwich which we really like, but you never know what we might do.

 

[debsite]

Hi,

I hope all of you up north are safe and warm during the awful storm. I've got to call and talk to my dad in Dayton today to see how they are doing.
Anyway, hopefully you all have power and are just going out to walk the dog!

I'm so glad the Beagle has a path - I can remember the dog we had when I was a child coming in with ice balls on her fur after the blizzard in '78. She was small and never thrilled with snowdrifts. Our 4 dogs here are just as spoiled as we are and do not like to go out when the temperature dips, but on the other hand, they do their business quickly and fight to get in the door 1st. That is a treat!

I hope the weather is nice and warm when you make it to Disney and your hotels before the cruise. You all deserve it!

Debbie

 

[gomagic]

Flying down on SW from Indy early on Friday. Still have days on our AP's thru March 23rd (my bday LOL) so we might hit a park for a bit - told Melissa to pick the park. Have to eat dinner at Dixie Crossroads - love the Rock Shrimp. We will stay at the Hampton Inn in Cocoa with our Hilton Honor points. We rented a car for each way. On the 28th our flight doesn't leave til almost 6 so we might go to Downtown Disney and eat at Earl of Sandwich which we really like, but you never know what we might do.

Small world-We are flying out of Indy early on Friday too except we are on DL.

 

[BobandLee]

Small world-We are flying out of Indy early on Friday too except we are on DL.

Wow. We will be on USAir. Early.

 

[gomagic]

Wow. We will be on USAir. Early.

Gotta love those early flights. Thank goodness we are heading to the Indy the night before.

 

[iloveokw]

Yep, our 6:45 a.m. flight is really 5:45 a.m. here in Danville. Used to get up in the middle of the night, but getting too old for that nonsense LOL.

We are really getting excited!

 

[BobandLee]

Yep, our 6:45 a.m. flight is really 5:45 a.m. here in Danville. Used to get up in the middle of the night, but getting too old for that nonsense LOL.

We are really getting excited!

Ahhh, you never get too old for nonsense.
I know.

I think that we may do a park and fly at Indy also even though we just live an hour away. It would probably be easier.
I am looking forward to seeing the new airport. Just the kid in me.

 

[iloveokw]

We have always been happy with 1st Class Express parking at the old airport and I know they have moved to the new airport. Check out the web site for deals.

 

[magicron]

Debsite-

My mom and stepfather built a place in Lakewood Ranch...post office is technically Bradenton, FL. They spend about 6-7 months a year there; we go down to visit 2-3 times a year. We'll stop in to see them before heading over to the Cape to catch the Magic.

Planning on Captain Marvin's for Stingrays at GC. Chankanaab for Dolphins in Cozumel. Hope to get some beach time at those stops, for some waverunners. Not sure what we'll do in Key West, but will look for Debsites post on it.

 

[debsite]

Magicron,

Small world! We live right down the road (off SR 70) from Lakewood Ranch. I work at Lakewood Ranch Hospital in the Women's Center. Anyway, we are driving up Friday to stay at the Radisson at the Port. We have to kennel our dogs Friday, anyway, it gives us an early start on the vacation, and the rates there are cheaper than paying for parking at the Port.

We did Captain Marvin's stingray a few years back - it was wonderful! We ended up having only our family of 4 + 1 other couple on the boat. The snorkeling was pretty good, and our son got to float around in a swim vest (he was only a toddler then) with me hanging onto them. Neither of the kids wanted in the water with the rays (daughter was 9, son 1 1/2) at the time. I was trying to talk them into doing the same tour this time. My son's all for it, but my daughter not so much. She wants to go spend time at Botswain's and the turtle farm. We'll see.

 

[debsite]

We did Chankanaab last year for the dolphins- booked on our own. Daughter (then 13) and I did the swim, and son (then 5) and husband did the encounter. We had a great time. There is a freshwater pool as well that we spent time in, and there is a small snorkeling area that we had been to the year before. I saw a few neat fish and a spotted ray that year.

 

[iloveokw]

Melissa did the swim with the Dolphins at Cozumel a few years ago. It was alot of $$, but Mike and I could pay a cheaper price to watch. She really enjoyed it. Another cruise did the semi sub which was neat. We've also done the Hell/Turtle Farm/Stingrays at GC - stingrays the best. The Turtle Farm was depressing and Hell a tourist trap. Next cruise to GC we didn't get to tender and go on the island cuz of weather. Did the trolley tour of Key West on our first trip there.

This time we are going to parasil at KW. Do the Snuba at Cozumel and shop some. The mall right off the ship is nice for souviners. Probably going to stay on board at GC.

It's nice to see only 6 listings for cruises (7 day) before ours.

Have a great weekend.

 

[BobandLee]

http://www.**************/id/03-21-2009_Our+Disney+Magic+Western+Caribbean+Cruise_0-0-0_255-255-255.png​

 

[BobandLee]

Cool (5°) clear morning here in the great white north.
As an example of "nonsense", I just got in from the hot tub. Refreshing. "Sweetened" coffee helps.
It is kinda kewl watching the planes fly over.
Envying those heading south and wondering what the heck about those heading north.

I mentioned above that we were doing a park and fly. What I meant was staying at a hotel near the airport and leaving the car at the hotel. That has worked pretty well in the past. We are doing the Disney transportation in Florida.

We did the Turtle Farm when we were there in 2002 with Payton. It was fun. Hell was, yes, a tourist trap. Did the Captain Marvin's Stingray tour in 2004. It was nicely done. This time we will do a pirate boat. Arrghh!

 

[iloveokw]

Melissa played in a USTA tennis tourney today. On the way home she says she is thinking about the cruise at least 5 times a day. I even have dreamed about it. Do you think we need help LOL.

 

[Otimon]

We just booked for this cruise.

Hope all of you have the best vacation ever.

Best wishes.

 

[Tinkbellfan]

Now that it is February, we can all say "Next month is our cruise"!

Otimon - welcome to our little group! Is this your first cruise or are you a frequent flyer. Excited to have a CM with us. We will be at Epcot on March 18th and 19th before the cruise and then doing MK on the 20th.

I've been crazy all weekend, I'm glad it's Monday even though we are forecasted for another big hit tomorrow in the Northeast. Anyone else getting this today? Stay warm!

 

[iloveokw]

Deb:

We are probably going to be in the MK on Friday, too.