May 10, 2008 Ship of Thieves! Stealing the Magic..AGAIN!!! Panama Canal FL to CA!!! Part 4

[BubbaGrump]

these usually have a start date clock...you use it day one and have 13 or so days to use the rest of the 3 days.





I think you are right on the local ones like Vons. We can get Costco tickets up here in No. Ca which is of course nothing like So. Ca (I'm going to be snotty speaking here) I get really mad that those in So. CA can buy cheaper season passes. seems that we all bear the cost of being in CA together for alot of stuff (we all pay our state taxes), don't get why Disney doesn't value us up in No. CA the same as those is So. CA. I say all of that being an AP for the past 4 years, I pay I pay I pay...Noel, don't get me going on those hotel costs at the Grand. We are going to Dland this weekend and I couldn't stomach the costs again so we are staying offsite at the Best Western accross the street. $129 per night.

POC update - It is opening here on Thursday night. I pick up my Xmas 2005 DCL friend (& daughter) at noon from the airport, we mess around for the day, lunch out, BBque at our house then movie at 8pm. It is playing at a cool theater that has events planned, pirates games prizes..me thinks we'll be in costume. Miss Molly was a bit sad to hear that her costume from 1 1/2 years ago is now indecent. She is all ready for the costume. The real trick will be getting Wil to wear the full gear, wig is the hard part, can you say bribe... I'm not below trying.

last note (man I'm talking my head off tonight) sent the request and cc to Hong Kong disney tonight. Hopefully we'll be booked for concierge room for
4th of July. I can't believe we are leaving for China in less than a month

okay, I'm done. talk to you guys tomorrow.

AP's cost you more up there? That's a bummer! I had no idea! We try to go at least once a month which works out to about $27 a visit.(Premium Passes) Even better if we can squeeze in two visits a month a few times.How much is a Premium in Nor.Cal.?

 

[fourmcds]

Oh, and on the subject of those naked runners....doesn't SF host a naked bike race annually where people paint their bodies to be different things? I thought I saw pictures of that one time. As a runner, I couldn't imagine ever trying it naked....the horrorific sight it would be and the pain!!!!!

 

[BubbaGrump]

The sisters are home safe and sound! Had soooo much fun at the DIS Meet and our two days in the park. My feet are bloody stumps! Just did a fast read through...loved all the pictures everyone posted of their vacations/graduations/birthday parties!

Glad you guys are safe and sound. See ya in 11 months!

 

[nskjerven]

AP's cost you more up there? That's a bummer! I had no idea! We try to go at least once a month which works out to about $27 a visit.(Premium Passes) Even better if we can squeeze in two visits a month a few times.How much is a Premium in Nor.Cal.?

I think mine was $359 at renewal. I have premium, no block out days, I got DH & the kids Deluxe at I think $239. they do have blackout days, memorial being one of them, so I won't bother to renew theirs on this upcoming trip (theirs are now expired) we even had to buy a pass for our last visit and it was blacked out, so I'm just going to buy them tickets this time. The reason I'm AP premium is that I get all the discounts, resturants and hotel (small discounts here sometimes) and shopping. We really only need it for one of us.

we had gone about 3 times a year, usually 3-5 days, but on the last trip the kids crabbed a bit too much, so I think they are over done with Dland for a while. I think we'll take the next year off and just anticipate the cruise.

 

[BubbaGrump]

I think mine was $359 at renewal. I have premium, no block out days, I got DH & the kids Deluxe at I think $239. they do have blackout days, memorial being one of them, so I won't bother to renew theirs on this upcoming trip (theirs are now expired) we even had to buy a pass for our last visit and it was blacked out, so I'm just going to buy them tickets this time. The reason I'm AP premium is that I get all the discounts, resturants and hotel (small discounts here sometimes) and shopping. We really only need it for one of us.

we had gone about 3 times a year, usually 3-5 days, but on the last trip the kids crabbed a bit too much, so I think they are over done with Dland for a while. I think we'll take the next year off and just anticipate the cruise.

So maybe about nine "entries"? So you still get a good price per entry, right? Not to mention the discount on the biggest ripoff , parking! I think it's up to $12 per car! Free w/Premium pass.

 

[nskjerven]

So maybe about nine "entries"? So you still get a good price per entry, right? Not to mention the discount on the biggest ripoff , parking! I think it's up to $12 per car! Free w/Premium pass.

I guess if I prorated it per use it would be cheap per use but I look at it this way, they get us when we come...for hotel, food and shopping.

When you compare the Dland passes with other parks they are really expensive, but Disney is the best so we keep coming back.

 

[been2marceline]

Ok, so I have now read Wally's website on San Diego and what a help it is thanks!!!

But, and a big but, he really doesn't recommend Late May/June for a vacation to San Diego because of the weather!!!!!! Will we be wasting all that money(and the hotels will be extra expensive because of Memorial Day) on a gloomy trip? We could always take a trip to SanDiego in September one year and really enjoy it then.

Where else would you recommend? Should we head to Phoenix, Las Vegas, or go back to our original plan of SF? LV will be bad for Memorial Day also.

It is sunny and warm in the bay area right now. Almost always great weather around SF this time of year. SF can be foggy, but usually that hits later in the summer.

Karen

 

[BubbaGrump]

I guess if I prorated it per use it would be cheap per use but I look at it this way, they get us when we come...for hotel, food and shopping.

When you compare the Dland passes with other parks they are really expensive, but Disney is the best so we keep coming back.

We too have been pass holders for a number of years, and I'm still amazed that the more they raise their prices, the more crowded it gets! Just this weekend we sat behind a family on the parking tram that included five kids along with mom and dad. $400 and change just to get in and then throw in the other things you mentioned

 

[mom_of_2_princesses]

I am not sure what happened at the DISmeet but we are very grateful for the discount. Made a fairly large bill from the hotel a little less painful. Thanks again to your DH!!

So maybe about nine "entries"? So you still get a good price per entry, right? Not to mention the discount on the biggest ripoff , parking! I think it's up to $12 per car! Free w/Premium pass.

Speaking of parking! I forgot about this one. Did any of you have a hard time with your validated ticket?

 

[been2marceline]

Trying to get caught up!!

The DIS thwarted me this weekend. Everytime I tried to get on to catch up it was down!

Hope you all had a great weekend, and Monday and Tuesday!

I will continue catching up now!

Karen

 

[BubbaGrump]

Oh sure! Now that I have to hit the hay, you guys start posting again! Did I forget to shower or somethin'?
Anywho, sleep tight and don't let the bedbugs bite! OOPS! Bad word! No people, we don't have BEDBUGS! Don't freak out and start "panick"posting!

 

[mom_of_2_princesses]

Oh sure! Now that I have to hit the hay, you guys start posting again! Did I forget to shower or somethin'?

I can usually stand 2 days any other bidders?

 

[been2marceline]

OK, on my soapbox!!

Having raised two girls to adulthood at different times, I think the key is to trust your kids. We always made the girls feel we trusted them while keeping as close a watch on them as possible. We knew their friends, their friends families and everyone in the group knew answers were a quick phone call away. We stayed involved in all of their school and sports activities. We made our house a place the kids wanted to come and stay.

One of the things we did not do is try to control the girls. We had strict rules and guidelines for behavior. Both girls knew if they misbehaved what the consequences were but that they could always call us no matter how bad a situation occurred. I guess what I mean is that I knew that all kids make mistakes in judgment but I always wanted the girls to come to me no matter how scared they were of the mistake they had made. We had some of their friends come to us for help in talking to their parents.

The parents that were always making the kids feel controlled were the first kids to get in trouble. I can not tell you how many times DH and I were the referee between some of DD's friends and their parents.

We live in a very scary world. All we can do is equip our children with the best tools to deal with life and pray for the best outcome.

Off the soapbox!! Can't wait for the DIS meet tomorrow!!

Noel,

Always glad for the advice, but what I meant by "control" is that I have trouble letting go of control in letting all the kids come to OUR HOUSE. I've never been good with people making messes.

As far as the rest goes, that's always been our philosophy as well; we have a great group of parents and kids that we all know and keep in touch with, and we trust our daughter to be forthcoming with any issues that may arrise. Of course, she's only 12...

Karen

 

[BubbaGrump]

I can usually stand 2 days any other bidders?

Back up and read my edit. Man I crack me up! G'nite Lori.

 

[been2marceline]

stayed at OKW, right on the 7th hole...very nice, rooms are a bit run down but very spacious.
We ate at Le Cellier, Ohana, 50's PT, Wolfgang Puck Cafe, Kona Cafe, Cosmic Ray's, Columbia HH - ETA - Chef Mickey and Coral Reef and more that I am forgetting. Ohana we won't be back for a while. And LC...this is a must for DH every trip and wow...the service was HORRIBLE. We have one drink from the time we ordered until dessert....and I had mashed potatoes and was practically choking and couldn't even down my filet.
Ran into a few very rude folks but for the most part it was great, very warm, we were out of the parks by early afternoon and managed to do most things. We won dream fastpasses twice at MGM, different days and yesterday they were giving away the castle stay in front of us....

We have only eaten at Le Cellier once, and had vowed to not go back. We did not have good service and our food was just ok. The only highlight was DD's "Chocolate Moose" dessert... yes, shaped like a moose!!

Wish we would win a "dreams" thing!!

Karen

 

[mom_of_2_princesses]

Back up and read my edit. Man I crack me up! G'nite Lori.

No I was actually serious. Remember when we were all getting are parking passes validated at the resteraunt. I did it when Lisa mentioned it. Thanks Lisa. When we were leaving I gave the guy my ticket and he said it was $10.00 and I said no we were just validated (sorry no puntuation in this story). Then he said no and I said then here is DH's ID and he said NO! Then Kristin in the back seat said look I can even see the wholes punched in the card. All of a sudden we were let through. I felt really bad that my 10 year old made him feel like an idiot. I don't think they are Disney Employee's though.

 

[been2marceline]

Kaylee,

Thanks so much for sharing the great pictures! We are booked into AKV for November and we were just in WDW in December, but it's always fun to live vivaciously through others photos!!

I still have some to share from our trip last week (was it only a little over a week ago?) but haven't gotten to it yet because of our shop opening!

Karen

 

[been2marceline]

Kaylee and V....Welcome back, glad you both had a great time. Kaylee, those pics are wonderful and precious, thanks for sharing.

John, how was Alex's graduation? What a proud night for all the family. Would love to see some pics, please share.

Noel, What an awesome time for you, going to the DISmeet and then off to Samantha's graduation. You know we love to see the pics.

Karen, WHOOOOHOOOOO you made it to the opening!!!!!!! How great is that!!! Wishing you many years of luck and prosperity.

Thanks, Deb!

Still catching up and the DIS is about to go down again!! I'm only 4 days behind and 23 pages!

AHHHHH

The rest of the weekend was good too. Saturday we were really packed!!

I'll have some pictures soon.

Karen

 

[granmaz]

Wow, suddenly everyone came alive!!!! Pages to get through this morning!

I know the feeling--I can't justify going to Disneyland and paying rack rates for the resorts!

This offer is good for anyone else too! Sometime in the new year, I will go price them and then we can get a list together, etc.

That would be great!!!

Hello

We are from Scotland, UK and we got the reservation booking yesterday. We are so exciting about it.

Deborah and Ian
Keith will be 11 and Olivia will be 8

Can anyone send me Logo please? I would be grateful if send it to my private message.

Looking forward to meet you all

Thanks

Scottishwee35

Hi Deborah. We are from Yorkshire, so not too far from you. This is a great group of people and the cruise is going to be just brilliant. Check out page 1 for some info.

They will want to stay open on Sundays for the summer since Disney is doing Sunday-Sunday cruises. They would get a lot of business. It's sure the easiest for us to use! So already there are at least two customers.....

A few months ago I was asking about the car hire on another thread somewhere and asked about Enterprise opening and someone came back and said 'They will not be opening on that day!' Don't know who it was or anything, but it would be a great help if they did open.

Not us . . .

I have looked at some of those other boards, and they just don't feel like "home" to me. Because some are unmoderated, I think they tend to draw some folks who can be really nasty to each other. In fact some folks who have been asked to leave here, and who do not like the DIS because of the moderation rules here. I listened to Pete Werner say on the Podcast here that you should be able to have a child on your lap when you are on the DIS, and not be afraid of what you may see.

I appreciate that, and find I get along much better here with the civility and manners that people have here.

The child on the knee thought is excellent. I have seen threads elsewhere that have degenerated into nastiness and personal attacks, and also some unwholesome postings!

We feel the same way V - two days will be the max I think for us too.

We may end up staying at Anaheim and visiting DL after all - saves on car hire and time.

Definitely not! But it's especially humorous to watch men run naked. I have to wonder if that hurts?!

Not actually seen any naked men running, but I can imagine!!!!

I'll let you know next time I try it - OUCH!

You let me know if the other hurts too for you . . . can't imagine all THAT bouncing not being both distracting AND painful (yeah, I know, depends on the endowment, not the one Noel cancelled to the college).

Getting late, time to turn in. Night all!

Not seen any ladies running naked either, or participated myself, but I can definately say it will be a trifle painful!

Slap slap, slap can work both ways!!

It is sunny and warm in the bay area right now. Almost always great weather around SF this time of year. SF can be foggy, but usually that hits later in the summer.

Karen

Still on our maybe's Karen. If we don't make it it will be a definite for 2009.

 

[been2marceline]

Loved everyone's pictures - so jealous of you guys!
Next stop, White Coat Ceremony and Medical School!

John,

I know this is a few days late, but congratulations to you all! You and Amy must be so proud!

Karen