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

[fourmcds]

Hi all....
I have decided there is no way I can catch up here. I will just have to return to WA knowing I missed a bunch! I did skim a bit and...
Karen....glad you had a great trip.
Lisa (disneylover5)...sorry about your stress over tickets. glad you got it resolved. It was that positive attitude that made it all work out for you!
Angel...welcome home. Thought it was funny that you met a MacDonald family from WA state...that is where we are from and what my DH's last name should be, although with immigration years ago they changed the spelling. My BIL and SIL have changed theirs to that but we didn't since I already had my ND license in the original name and didn't want to deal with a name change process. Glad you had a blast.
Lisa (Liserann) great pics. looks like you had a blast!

Our trip is still going well. We are in Jacksonville at the moment visiting BIL and SIL. We are leaving tomorrow am for WDW again and spending our last 2 nights at VWL! That is my favorite DVC resort...DH loves OKW because of the size and quietness (which I agree are great). But...I have to say after seeing the new AKL villas yesterday....I think that is going to be my new favorite resort. They are beautiful. I took some pics of the models and will post them if anyone is interested. The 1br there has 2 bathrooms and a pullout twin chair as well so they sleep 5 not 4. They are bigger than most but a bit smaller than OKW. Point wise they look reasonable. I am seriously considering buying some points there...can you say obsession!?! The decor is awesome and the tile work in the bathroom was very pretty.

So, my mother's day story....we spent the day at the pool (I had to cancel my Boma brunch because our friends weren't packed and DH decided it would be too much ) So amongst the tears, we went to Olivia's instead (just the 4 of us while our friends packed). They had their pool game day and the kids were doing all the contests and having fun. Then my friend was on deck with her DD and said I needed to get up there. Well, DD1 and I hopped up there and became the last mom/kid couple in a dance contest There were 8 couples and DD and I made it to the finals against another couple And....we actually WON! We won 30 min on the water mouse (sea racer). Luckily there were no pics of me up there in a bathing suit dancing!!! or you would all be running for the log out button It was a blast though and DD1 was really proud. We had a blast on the mouse too, always wanted to rent one but never had until then.

We are heading back to AK on Wed (DD1 wants to ride EE again! and DD2 wants to try) and then MK on Thus am for EMH. Fri is kids' choice, not sure what we will do.

Hope everyone is doing well. Will post some last pics when I get home or if I can get my computer on line here.

Wow....sorry I babbled so much!

 

[HollyTyler]

I just love the way the ones copying some of Karen's photos of her great meal picks out the desserts!!!

Guilty as charged! I admit! Yum! Funny thing is....I'm just not much of a dessert person. But they sure do look great!

 

[granmaz]

Well I love desserts and always go to that part of the menu first when at restaurants!! It usually is what makes my mind up about somewhere to eat!!!!

I just can't understand how some people don't like desserts!

 

[disneylover5]

I had to laugh at the headline for foxnews.com this morning after my day yesterday

FOXNEWS.COM HOME > BUSINESS
The Not-So-Friendly Skies?
Airlines have work to do improving customer satisfaction, survey says​

 

[LiserAnn]

You and me both. It is 8:21 a.m., I just ate, and this makes me hungry.

I should be out the door to work.
I should have contactacted our building's maintainance man and another Board Member, but what am I doing?
Reading the thread. We got a guarentee-cabin on Saturday! SO WE ARE COMING!
How do I get the Ship of Thieves logo to add to my sig and can I get a larger version of it by e-mail attachment so I can print it out for a door magnet? I do old-fashioned paper-collage door-decorations and have several made on brightly colored manilla folders, covered with clear contact paper. I attached sticky magnets to the back. Each has one or more pictures of us on it so are less desirable as souvenirs for someone else and none are dated so they can be reused.

There is no way I am going to get caught up on this thread so I will not try.

Jan

Welcome to our fun group Jan! Yes, don't bother to try to catch up....we'll fill ya in. Page one has a lot of good details if others haven't already mentioned it.

Yes, I too am now hungry....thanks KAREN!!! It all looked so yummy, lucky girl!!! Glad you're having a good time!

 

[HollyTyler]

Reading the live Med repo thread.....anxiously waiting for more reports! Getting me excited for my potential November cruise!

 

[HollyTyler]

The BOREDOM at work is driving me NUTS! 1 1/2 hour left. Then Tyler has his first tumbling class at Twistars tonight! He's pretty excited. http://www.twistarsusa.com/recreationdefault.htm

The only thing I worry about is that he's finally hit that stage where he doesn't want to be around a bunch of girls, and his class has 3 girls and him. So I'm hoping that since it's not like 10 girls, he won't feel too overwhelmed and that maybe he'll have too much fun to notice that there are more girls than boys. I just wanted something to keep him occupied until we wait for hockey classes to start in mid-June. It might keep his mind off asking me every week when he can skate again!

 

[disneylover5]

I just heard back from Disney and Sue Ellen @ Dreams. By changing to a CAT 12 instead of a CAT 9, my credit card will be credited $5,279.20. That is a lot of money!! Apparently, this deal just started a few days ago as the ship is not sold out.

We will for sure get an upgrade to CAT 11....because CAT 12 can not hold 4 people. So now, It is kinda fun, having no idea what our room # will be.

I can book the airfare now.....looks like Air France

 

[HollyTyler]

I just heard back from Disney and Sue Ellen @ Dreams. By changing to a CAT 12 instead of a CAT 9, my credit card will be credited $5,279.20. That is a lot of money!! Apparently, this deal just started a few days ago as the ship is not sold out.

We will for sure get an upgrade to CAT 11....because CAT 12 can not hold 4 people. So now, It is kinda fun, having no idea what our room # will be.

I can book the airfare now.....looks like Air France

WOOHOO! Great news! I'm so glad it worked out for you. I'm sorry it's not what you had originally planned, but at least you're still going to be onboard! That's what's most important.

 

[birkner]

I just heard back from Disney and Sue Ellen @ Dreams. By changing to a CAT 12 instead of a CAT 9, my credit card will be credited $5,279.20. That is a lot of money!! Apparently, this deal just started a few days ago as the ship is not sold out.

We will for sure get an upgrade to CAT 11....because CAT 12 can not hold 4 people. So now, It is kinda fun, having no idea what our room # will be.

I can book the airfare now.....looks like Air France

Glad to hear that at least you can get a more affordable airfare. Any news on the refund from Travelocity?

 

[disneylover5]

Glad to hear that at least you can get a more affordable airfare. Any news on the refund from Travelocity?

Travelocity says 4-8 weeks for the refund. Disney says 1-2 weeks.

That is really bad. We are lucky and can spring for the 2 airfares.....but what if you can't? They should a least make sure the refund is timely.

Oh well, I will not use them again. I guess I have learned my lesson!!

 

[birkner]

Travelocity says 4-8 weeks for the refund. Disney says 1-2 weeks.

That is really bad. We are lucky and can spring for the 2 airfares.....but what if you can't? They should a least make sure the refund is timely.

Oh well, I will not use them again. I guess I have learned my lesson!!

I can't imagine that they would not expedite the refund especially since the flight was canceled Did you talk to your credit card company or the airline that canceled your flight? Do you pay Travelocity or the airline? I have never used them so don't know the procedure. You have provided a valuable lesson to all of us about using third parties for booking.

 

[granmaz]

I just heard back from Disney and Sue Ellen @ Dreams. By changing to a CAT 12 instead of a CAT 9, my credit card will be credited $5,279.20. That is a lot of money!! Apparently, this deal just started a few days ago as the ship is not sold out.

We will for sure get an upgrade to CAT 11....because CAT 12 can not hold 4 people. So now, It is kinda fun, having no idea what our room # will be.

I can book the airfare now.....looks like Air France

Well things look good there. Just a shame about the refunds.

 

[ibouncetoo]

We will for sure get an upgrade to CAT 11....because CAT 12 can not hold 4 people. So now, It is kinda fun, having no idea what our room # will be.

I really like the cat 11 locations...decks 5-7. I've never been on/in any of the forward locations though. I'd love to see the 'sidways' one, I hear they feel roomier because of the layout. I'm very antsy about being a cat 11 GTY for our PC cruise...I like knowing where I'm going to be.


Kaylee, sounds like you are having a wonderful time! I just saw pictures of AKV by following a link in someones signature...love the decor! Booking for AKV opens today or tomorrow for owners and then around 6/6 for the rest of the DVC folks. These are for the new/converted units in the existing building, of course and are available for occupancy in Sept (if I remember correctly).
I'm hoping some folks will transfer over existing 2 bedroom reservations from other resorts for the week starting 12/1 or 12/2 and perhaps then our time share exchange will go through. I think if we don't see any action in that department by mid-June we may pull the plug on the exchange and rent DVC points....can't stand not having anything booked yet!

 

[pahrumpgirl]

I can't imagine that they would not expedite the refund especially since the flight was canceled Did you talk to your credit card company or the airline that canceled your flight? Do you pay Travelocity or the airline? I have never used them so don't know the procedure. You have provided a valuable lesson to all of us about using third parties for booking.

Hi all,

Doing a lot of lurking lately but have been so busy and read so slowly that I haven't really had a lot of time to post.

Glad to hear that you got things worked out Lisa. I will usually check one of the third parties for fares and then go to the airline direct to book. Having worked in the business I have heard too many horror stories to go with anybody but the airline direct or with an actual travel agent.

Like the idea of best and worst on the ship. I have several bests. One, the first sight of the ship, two, being announced on board and three, the horn as we leave port. The worst has to be packing the last night and saying our goodbyes at breakfast.

Loved the pictures of the food. DH and I are leaving for San Diego June 19th to visit with our newest DGD and her brother. We plan on taking them to DL for two nights on the 25th. Don't think we will be doing Napa Rose this trip since we will be looking for more kid friendly places to eat. We are doing Goofy's Kitchen for dinner and Minnie and Friends at the Plaza for breakfast. This will be the first character meal experience for our 3 yo DGS so I am looking forward to it since he is really into Mickey, etc.

Welcome to all the newbies! This is a great group so join in the fun!

Carol

 

[disneylover5]

Glad to hear that you got things worked out Lisa. I will usually check one of the third parties for fares and then go to the airline direct to book. Having worked in the business I have heard too many horror stories to go with anybody but the airline direct or with an actual travel agent.

I learned my lesson!!

Still have not booked airfare.....waiting for a payment to clear the credit card so I can put this large charge on it....$11,000!!

Also, the family traveling with us, the mom has been in the hospital...with surgury. She does not know about the troubles yet. Her husband was going to see how whe was feeling tomorrow, so she can help decide.

 

[disneylover5]

Where are you guys tonight?? So quiet here!!

Just watched Idol...I like Melinda and Jordon...it would be funny to have two females in the final

 

[HollyTyler]

Where are you guys tonight?? So quiet here!!

Just watched Idol...I like Melinda and Jordon...it would be funny to have two females in the final

Busy evening here. After work, we went to Subway for dinner, then to Tyler's tumbling class. Fortunately, when we got there, they told us a spot opened up in the all boys class (called Star Boys 1). It was a 1/2 hour later than the one he was originally signed up for, but we wasted time watching a hockey practice, playing a couple video games, watching a bit of lacrosse, etc. He was thrilled to be in the all boys class (5 other boys) and can't wait to go again next Tuesday. Had to grocery shop afterwards, then Tyler had to eat again when we got home, then a quick bath for him and off to bed. NOW I get a chance to rest, but will be heading to sleep myself in a couple minutes. Probably should clean for the party this weekend. Probably should do homework. But those things can wait until tomorrow.

 

[Ginamarie]

Hope everyone had a good Tuesday. I'm watching AI on my DVR now- sooo behind on tv shows!

 

[nskjerven]

hi guys,

Molly's class had a field trip to Angel Island today, http://www.angelisland.org we (20 parents), 3 teachers, and 69 kids made the trek to SF (them on a school bus) (us in a caravan of cars) ferried over to the island and had the most wonderful day. Almost wonderful, I had a bad asthma attack. I had to stick down on the hike for about 10 minutes, it still didn't pass so I hitch hiked with a state park truck to the group and after another 2o minutes, I tried a suggestion of one of molly's teachers, breathing into a paperbag (yes my lunch bag) seems that the pollen was just so high that I couldn't get a "clean" breath without using the bag. The bad worked and the rest of the day was wonderful indeed.

I'll post some pictures later on.

Welcome newbees!!!!

Hi old timers!!!!