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

[calmom]

Yes- we always get asked the bathroom question too!

Ok - newbie question: Do you guys wear special name tags? Do you wear them anytime you go to Disney regardless if there is a meet? Is it a similar thing as the Door signs are for cruises?? Thanks! Lisa

 

[lillygator]

Haven't spent New Years Eve in the city in years, can't you tell? As for me, I loved the Ritz high tea but haven't done that in years as GK's moved father away.

I agree with you the Ritz is definitely not a "budget" hotel!! Especially with all the cruising we plan to do in the next few years.

I had my mom's 50th bday at the Ritz and did the high tea (in 2004 I believe.....??)....it was nice, but wow, we've been to the Ritz (here in Sarasota) several times and that will probably be the last I spend money there...it was nice, but everyone seemed to just feel the need to oooooze the need to flaunt the fact they had money ...it just isn't for me. There are plenty of snobby places here in SRQ ---as small a town as this is, it oooozes money around every left turn. That aspect I hate.


ETA --- I do have to say, we have very dear friends that the girls parents are very very well to do and their (last) name is pretty well known in town. (of course we are better friends with the male counterpart!!) but their reception was at the Sarasota Ritz...she hired a wedding planner, etc...big bucks were spent and we saw the cost per plate of food at the Ritz (which was food only)....both DH and I had a good laugh when a room of 200 was served 0.49 leg quarters at the Ritz Carlton.

 

[fourmcds]

No, I've never stayed at Laguna Nigel. I will have to try that (after our cruise of course!)

Let's see: Best Hotel stays of all time (for me!):
Anyone have a favority hotel to add?

Wow...you have been to some great hotels! Since we have 2 different time shares, we don't get to experience hotels very often, but here are 2 I can think of....

honeymoon..Grand Hyatt, Kauai...love the pools and the setting on Poipu beach
http://kauai.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

Arizona Biltmore....amazing beds, great pool, beautiful grounds
http://www.arizonabiltmore.com/?ctyhocn=PHXBMHH?WT.srch=1

 

[fourmcds]

Oh my - that must be in every room in every resort???
I just want to be able to lay my head down in a room at each resort before I go!!

Yup, every room in every resort....crazy thought! I am with you V...at least 1 stay at every resort.

We are watching Escape from Witch Mountain now. Never saw it but DH loved it...they had it on DVD at Once upon a toy (2 movie set with Return to Witch Mountain).

 

[lillygator]

I love Escape from Witch Mountain!!!

Funny thing, we were watching DC at the resort and there was a preview for a DC movie and there was a red haired, now woman, in it who used to be on a show on the MMC - the new MMC...she was a gas station attendant and Jason Preistly was the guy she liked.....!!

 

[lillygator]

first Kaki Gori - I would so not have gone with red...I think the shirt is ruined.

these orchids are always here (in Mexico, most people don't walk back in the two small roads though)

napkin twirling

 

[lillygator]

wow I edited but must have copied??

 

[Tahoe]

I am loving ALL the pictures! Thanks so much for posting them! Well, we're headed up to Disneyland soon--will check back in tomorrow!

(BTW, Marilyn, I was in the Sea World/Mission Bay area yesterday. The sun never came out! However, that's the kind of weather you want at Sea World when watching the shows.... Oh, and I forgot to mention that you MUST drive out to the lighthouse at Point Loma.)

 

[granmaz]

I am loving ALL the pictures! Thanks so much for posting them! Well, we're headed up to Disneyland soon--will check back in tomorrow!

(BTW, Marilyn, I was in the Sea World/Mission Bay area yesterday. The sun never came out! However, that's the kind of weather you want at Sea World when watching the shows.... Oh, and I forgot to mention that you MUST drive out to the lighthouse at Point Loma.)

Point Loma lighthouse added to the list - thanks Karin!!

 

[LiserAnn]

Got the camera all charged and ready to go !

Me too...Storyteller's is going to be popping with flashes!!!

 

[lillygator]

Haley's Dream FP!

 

[Tahoe]

this was above our door.....what is it??

It's a baby bird, right?!

 

[Ginamarie]

Great pictures guys!!

John, you must be so proud of your future doctor!

ok, back to cooking DH's giant birthday dinner!

 

[birkner]

Just saying hello from the Grand California lobby as John and I sit in rocking chairs in front of the fireplace. Flight was smooth as glass. Left sunny Northern California for foggy and cool Anaheim. Of course our rooms won't be ready til at least 3PM. We ate breakfast at Storytellers and DH took lot of pics with the characters. I wish the weather were better or at least sunny. Looking forward to meeting everyone today.

 

[Jhalkias]

Totally agree about the pool there. It was nearly impossible to find a chair there one day. Both my girls started their "water slide adventures" at WL and now they think it is a fairly boring one. OKW is their favorite....haven't been to BC recently for them to compare.

Have to say, BC pool and water slide is unreal . . .

The waterslide is FAST - you have to walk across the walkway and over the pirate ship to climb the stairway to get to the slide. You then ZOOM straight over the walkway and down to the pool. The pool with the sand bottom is cool too!

 

[Jhalkias]

LOVE the pictures!

Keep them coming!

 

[granmaz]

Just saying hello from the Grand California lobby as John and I sit in rocking chairs in front of the fireplace. Flight was smooth as glass. Left sunny Northern California for foggy and cool Anaheim. Of course our rooms won't be ready til at least 3PM. We ate breakfast at Storytellers and DH took lot of pics with the characters. I wish the weather were better or at least sunny. Looking forward to meeting everyone today.

How very nice - sitting in the Grand California lobby in the rocking chairs!!!

Say hi to everyone from me please and have a great time. I will be fast asleep when you all meet!

 

[mom_of_2_princesses]

We are leaving here soon to go meet everyone. I can't wait. Thanks for telling me about the weather. I guess it is pants for us. It is sunny here so I would have never guessed.

 

[fourmcds]

LOVE the pictures!

Keep them coming!

You asked for it

Here are a few more...
the Rafiki topiary. Sorry the pic was taken at night so it doesn't look quite as good...

the dwarf topiaries...V had a picture of Samantha here...

The stitch topiary...again taken at night

And...I forgot some big news....Taylor learned to swim on this trip without her floaties!!!!!!

And one parting fireworks shot. This one is actually from our December trip

 

[fourmcds]

Just saying hello from the Grand California lobby as John and I sit in rocking chairs in front of the fireplace. Flight was smooth as glass. Left sunny Northern California for foggy and cool Anaheim. Of course our rooms won't be ready til at least 3PM. We ate breakfast at Storytellers and DH took lot of pics with the characters. I wish the weather were better or at least sunny. Looking forward to meeting everyone today.

Sounds so nice....like John was saying earlier about sitting in WL by the fireplace people watching. Must say...people watching is one of my favorite things to do at WDW, that and look at the shoes people choose to wear through the parks. Saw several pair of stilletos this trip!

Have to say, BC pool and water slide is unreal . . .

The waterslide is FAST - you have to walk across the walkway and over the pirate ship to climb the stairway to get to the slide. You then ZOOM straight over the walkway and down to the pool. The pool with the sand bottom is cool too!

DH did it once and liked it, but then again he loves Summit Plummet at BB!

We are leaving here soon to go meet everyone. I can't wait. Thanks for telling me about the weather. I guess it is pants for us. It is sunny here so I would have never guessed.

Have a great time everyone!!!!