May 11th 2008 ~ Any Double Dippers Out There?

[branv]

Here ya' go!

http://www.lighthousetexas.com/index.shtml

That is so very very true about the lovely, wonderful crystal waters. Here's a little secret about me and the ocean: one of the reasons I don't care for Texas gulf water is that I can't see what's lurking near my feet. I am completely paranoid. In fact, when we were living in Houston we went to Galveston just once. While I was in the water, behind me a pelican dived into the water for a fish. I turned just in time to see this wing arc up, and I swear to you I thought it was a shark fin.

I'm not a total freak, the same thing happened to my sister. Though I guess all that proves is insanity runs in the family.

Kewl about the new car, woohoo! You'll have to tell us about it!

 

[Mousermom]

Hey Ladies!!!

Hope everyone is well.

I, too was at the beach this past weekend...Wildwood, NJ

I can completley identify with the seagulls!!

They are sooooo annoying!!!!

Don't even think about eating anyhting on the beach. They'll swoop right down and take your hand off for a crumb!!!!

Plus, the horrible noises they make.

However, the ocean was very refreshing this weekend. I spent a lot of time in the water. I haven't done that in years.

I hope you gals are enjoying your summer. It's flying by so fast.

That's okay. It just makes the cruise that much closer!!!

Bye for now.

MB

 

[branv]

Everyone's out in the sun but me! Just call me Pasty (and no, not the pervy kind).

Can you believe it's just 3 short months until we can start making our ADR's? And given what I'm reading on the Dining Boards lately, I'd better be sitting at the phone at the crack o' dawn right at the 180 days. Sheesh!

Speaking of WDW, I'm watching Undiscovered Walt Disney World on the Travel Channel right now

 

[alecsmom]

Thanks for the link - that place looks really nice, we might think about staying there soon for a weekend getaway.

Wellllllll we got the new car! Actually it's a 2005 but it's new to us - in perfect condition - a 70 year old lady owned it so you can imagine the condition it's in! We're really happy, been needing one for a while and we finally decided now was the time to do it. We'll be taking lots of road trips soon.

you're right Mary Beth this summer is flying by - but that's great for us!

On another note - anybody have any thoughts on the Fantasmic show? I've never seen it - and it sounds really neat - also thinking about doing the Fantasmic dinner package - has anybody had any experience with that?

 

[branv]

Well what kind of car did you get?! That really sounds like a smart purchase - wowee, especially given how much cars depreciate just driving them off the lot!

Can you believe I've never seen Fantasmic either? MGM is such a short park for us since we really only go for the ToT. If I was staying for Fantasmic, I would definitely do the dinner package. Looks neat! I think I'd pick the Brown Derby b/c we liked the atmosphere and the service (though I don't get the big to-do over the grapefruit cake...just call me a weirdo!) , but I can see how your little boy might have a grand time at Mama's.

So what's everyone's touring plan? We get in on Thursday around 3:00 pm, so we'll probably just hang around the resort or go to DTD marketplace that first night.

If we don't buy park hoppers:
Fri: MK (with break)
Sat: Epcot (with break)

Now, wait and see what we're going to try if Epcot and MGM have the same EMH as last May. We'll do all four parks in 2 days. *gasp!* But seriously, we did it last time and it sounds like a lot, but using a rental car it wasn't bad at all. And we were still able to take mid-day breaks. Though to be fair it was January and despite the WDW Marathon going on, it was pretty light crowds. We'll just sort of do a wait and see I think.

Ok, so I want to hear what everyone else is thinking about doing. And I'd love any advice on my plan.

And what about ADR's? Anyone definitely know some places they want to eat? No real dining plans on my end - maybe Le Cellier, and quite likely Kona for breakfast. The only thing for sure other than that is a Dole Whip and the Caramel Corn bucket from Shady Hollow

Can you believe I actually made a menu spreadsheet for MK and Epcot, as well as the ones at resorts and DTD that I'm interested in? Now tell me: who's going to take care of my Disney spreadsheets when I go back to work? How my poor little planning bug is going to suffer.

See, now I've written an essay again. Lord am I bored, please forgive my ramblings

 

[alecsmom]

Okay we got a Nissan Pathfinder - really nice looking, leather interior with all the bells and whistles. I don't know why we need heated seats in South Texas but by-golly we've got 'em!!

Brandi - do you already have your flights arranged? I am waiting to see what kind of deals Southwest comes out with so I have no idea what time we'll be getting there.

Here's my tentative plan - input/suggestions/advice from you experts please would be appreciated:

Thursday - MGM - take it kind of slow and easy cause that's our traveling day - I figure my DS can see the Muppets show and things like that - nothing scary or intimidating. Then back to the hotel to swim, rest, sleep.

Friday - MK - we'll do what we can, take an afternoon break and go back at night.

Saturday - AK - and back to the hotel for a swim, nap, etc. I was thinking we might make the dinner reservations for Fantasmic for this night - rather than our first one, since AK won't be too terribly overwhelming, or at least I'm hoping it won't be. Then back to the hotel to pack up and rest for the start of the cruise the next day!!

What do you all think??

 

[branv]

Okay we got a Nissan Pathfinder - really nice looking, leather interior with all the bells and whistles. I don't know why we need heated seats in South Texas but by-golly we've got 'em!!

You sound like DH! When we were picking out our last car, he kept saying, "ooh but look..leather! And heated!" I was like, "huh? You HATE the heat!" Now gimme one of those new cars that has cooled seats...oooh baby.

I really like Pathfinders! I definitely miss a vehicle we can move stuff in. When we sold DH's little truck for the sedan, I swear to you not 3 weeks later we had to haul 40 bags of soil and mulch in my little Civic. Soooo typical.

Brandi - do you already have your flights arranged? I am waiting to see what kind of deals Southwest comes out with so I have no idea what time we'll be getting there.

I do, this time we're using our AA miles. I'll tell you what though, it made me sick to arrange flights so far out - I like the idea of having the option of changing my mind, what can I say. But otherwise all the seats would be gone b/c..well..it's Orlando. Last time though, through constant vigilance (*cough* obsession *cough*) we were able to get really good rates. About 6 months out I was able to buy a one way ticket on Continental for only $79/person. About 4 months out, I happened to get up really early one morning and stumbled across an $83/pp return ticket on Southwest. I used travelocity to get multiple airline info (except southwest of course), but booked direct with continental to avoid the fee. The only negative I read was 1) apparently you're more likely to be waved aside for screening with a one way ticket...didn't happen to us and 2) you have to keep track to two reservations. I was willing to deal with both for a cheaper price Can you tell I get really excited about a bargain hunt?

Here's my tentative plan - input/suggestions/advice from you experts please would be appreciated:

Thursday - MGM - take it kind of slow and easy cause that's our traveling day - I figure my DS can see the Muppets show and things like that - nothing scary or intimidating. Then back to the hotel to swim, rest, sleep.

Friday - MK - we'll do what we can, take an afternoon break and go back at night.

Saturday - AK - and back to the hotel for a swim, nap, etc. I was thinking we might make the dinner reservations for Fantasmic for this night - rather than our first one, since AK won't be too terribly overwhelming, or at least I'm hoping it won't be. Then back to the hotel to pack up and rest for the start of the cruise the next day!!

What do you all think??

Sounds great! I think we've picked good days for MK - you know how busy Saturdays must be during the spring. So no Epcot? Though I guess except for Crush/Turtle Talk and the Nemo Living Seas stuff, there's not a ton for your son. Though I keep forgetting the World Showcase has kid's activities. Boy when we have a child I'm going to have to relearn everything about WDW It's like you need a different pair of eyes.

Did you guys read the good news? That Year of a Million Dreams is being extended to December 2008? YAAY!!! I don't really care about getting anything ourselves (though that dream fastpass would be nice!), but I would love to witness a family win something big. That would be fun to see

 

[disneyfool_1202]

I'm hopping on board the 5/11/08 double dip cruise with everyone here and I can't WAIT!!!
This will be the 3rd Disney cruise for DH and I - we did a 4 night first, then a 7 night for our honeymoon (in 2001) and now we're going with DS (4, almost 5 by then), DD (2, almost 3 by then), my mom and stepdad, and 2 other families (friends of ours since highschool) and their kids. None of the other families we are with have cruised Disney so I can't wait to see their reaction because it is SO much better than any other cruise line (IMO). And once we get off the Wonder we're headed to VWL for 5 nights at the parks.

I wonder if they'll do anything special that first night with it being Mother's day.........

 

[CustardTart]

Hola everyone! ​

I'm back after a fab vacation in beautiful Southern Spain where I totally over-indulged on paella and sangria - believe me, I'm sooo scared of stepping on those scales...

To all new cruise-mates, - I look forward to making your acquaintance over the coming months!

As for my fellow Wonder Divas - I have missed you guys!!!

Will catch up properly later - just couldn't wait to say "hi"...

 

[branv]

A big huge welcome to Disneyfool! How wonderful to be traveling with so many loved ones, though with all those new travelers you must be a more of a planning fool than a Disneyfool these days! Wait..that sounds bad. Hopefully you know what I mean

And a big welcome BACK to CT! We've missed you girl! Can't wait to hear more about your trip. Mmmmm...paella...mmmmm.

So what does everything think about some of the changes with the Dining Plan, tickets/hotel rates? I was actually pretty happy that the rumored weekend resort change wasn't really much of a factor for our particular weekend , and I purchased my tickets the day before the ticket change, so yaaaay! Now that that's all settled, it's weird that most everything is taken care of. As for the DDP, I guess we've decided to forego it given the fairly substantial changes. Oh well, goodness knows we'll be eating enough on the cruise

Though I'm almost hoping one of you will sign up for the deluxe DDP so we can hear what it's like. C'mon, you know you wannaa..do it, do it, do it! No pressure or anything

 

[Mousermom]

Hey, Karen, you're back!!!!

Glad you are home safe...can't wait to hear about your trip!!!

Also... glad to see new cruisers!! Welcome aboard!!!!

I really wish I was going to WDW before the cruise so we could meet up before hand, but it works out better with my son's days off from school if we go after the cruise.

Everyone's plans look great. We'll just be booking room only because:

1. We'll only be there 3 days...I don't want to spend the whole time eating TS.

2. And as far as tickets...they're freeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

Gotta love my job!!!!

See ya soon,

MB

 

[branv]

1. We'll only be there 3 days...I don't want to spend the whole time eating TS.

I see what you mean. On our last trip, dinner at Le Cellier took 2 hours, and Boma took an hour plus travel time. We had ADR's, but still waited about 40 minutes for Le Cellier, and 20 minutes for Boma

2. And as far as tickets...they're freeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

Gotta love my job!!!!

Oh yeah, I totally forgot! Go you!

 

[alecsmom]

Welcome back Karen! sounds like your trip was wonderful!!

Welcome aboard to the new cruisers!! Looking forward to getting to know everyone.

Brandi - I agree with you on the changes on the DDP - look pretty substantial and it just doesn't look worth it to me even though now apparently we can add it on to the land/sea package that we're doing. And yes, we'll be skipping Epcot - at least that's what I'm thinking right now, because we'll only have three days and of course my son is going to want to get in good swimming pool time at the hotel. It is true once you have kids you see WDW in a whole different light. My husband and I went for our honeymoon and we sure did things different back then. Oh well, my son is worth it all. I'm actually thinking of telling him that we're just going to Disneyworld for the three days -and not mention the cruise -and then on Sunday morning when we're getting ready to go to the ship - surprise him and tell him we're going on a cruise too!! What do you think? I think he'll flip!!

Lucky you Mary Beth - free tickets!!! I am so envious!! That is awesome!

 

[CustardTart]

I thought I'd share a few photos with you - I'm having big problems uploading any photos to Photobucket, so here's an experimental Imageshack upload...

We have been going to this resort on Cancelada Playa for 10 years now and it's just so beautiful. When we first visited, the area was very quiet with hardly any facilities but it's really improved lately with a couple of 'chiringuitos' (cafes) on the beach and more restaurants in Cancelada itself. We love the fact that it's not at all trendy and is visited by plenty of Spanish families...

The view down to the sea from our bedroom balcony in Cancelada...


View through the bedroom windows...


Yet another view from our townhouse bedroom...


A view across the valley at Ronda, a typical 'pueblo blanco' set in the mountains - I'm rather proud of this one...


Yummy Spanish tapas...


Attack of the Giant Paella - delicious!



I love the way the buildings hug the mountain...


And finally, a rare sighting of the shy and elusive Lesser Spotted Karen in her natural habitat - the local cafe!

 

[branv]

Wonderful photos! It looks like heaven I'm glad you're back, but I'm also sorry for you that you had to come back! So in one of the photos of the hillside, I can't get a size perspective. Are those vineyards in the distance or orchards? It almost looks like one of those postcards of Tuscany!

Alecsmom - When I read that they were going to allow land/sea to book the dining, I totally thought about you. I'm sorry that the changes don't work for you. I think your plan to surprise your son with the cruise is so cute. Do you think he'll recognize the ship when he tops the bridge into Port Canaveral? It is pretty hard to miss I've read a few trip reports of people surprising their children with a cruise...and it was so incredibly sweet to read about the moments when it starts to dawn on them. Goosebumps! I can't wait to hear how it goes.

So I have my 10 and 6 year old nieces for 4 nights...I have NEVER been in charge of kiddos over night (nope, pretty sure I couldn't have survived this when they were 3). I'm already a little tired and stressed, taken the gameboy away once, and it's only been 6 hours My sister is convinced that after this week I'll never have kids. Phhhhhht. They are a handful, but also so funny. It was kind of touching getting them ready for bed, even though they're hardly babies. Of course, I say "sleep," but it's basically been one long stall technique. Rebecca just came out to show me the seriousness of her mosquito bite. Tragic...very hideous. Any tips from you mom's on how to entertain them? All I've got so far is the neighborhood pool (gah...100 degree days this week!) and a few bouts on the Wii. Oh dear...I'm in trouble

 

[alecsmom]

Thanks for posting those pictures Karen - they were wonderful!! I love seeing vacation pictures!! Looks like you had a wonderful time. For some reason I was picturing you as a blonde - I have no idea why! Isn't that funny how we have our preconceived notions of what people look like that we've only chatted online with?

Brandi - Believe me I wanted the DDP to work out for us! I had all my paperwork and calculator out trying to see if it would work to our advantage - even thinking that I could use two TS credits to do the Fantasmic dining package at the Brown Derby, etc. - but my son is just so darn picky, i just don't know!! I haven't ruled it out completely yet.

And boy you are brave for taking care of TWO kids for 4 nights!! Best of luck to you!! Seriously, sounds like you'll do fine - and at least they're a bit older so they can tell you what they want, don't want, like, don't like - and won't be throwing fits like younger kids might be! And you're right, kids are so funny, they say the most amazing things. Before I had my son, I never would have volunteered to take care of any child! People used to say that about me too - that I would never have kids - and then one day - something in my little head clicked and i knew I wanted to be a mom. Would you believe that my son is our "little souvenir" from our 11 night cruise we took in 2002?? (just like the Disney commercial! - only it wasn't a Disney cruise - it was Royal Caribbean - which is why RCI will always have a special place in our hearts! ) Anyway that's my story for the day.

Anyway, in the sweltering heat of Texas - swimming is a good idea. Videos, the movies, there's all sorts of things I'm sure you'll come up with. Let us know how it goes! By the way - did you put a band-aid on the mosquito bite? Kids love band-aids - I had to put one on my son's mosquito bite last night and it made it all better!

 

[CustardTart]

Wonderful photos! It looks like heaven I'm glad you're back, but I'm also sorry for you that you had to come back! So in one of the photos of the hillside, I can't get a size perspective. Are those vineyards in the distance or orchards? It almost looks like one of those postcards of Tuscany!

Thanks, Brandi! I'm sorry I had to return too - just so peaceful there. Sometimes everyday life SUCKS!!! I think those are olive groves in the distance.It's not quite so lush as Tuscany and not a major producer of wine - I think the tempranillo grape for Rioja mainly grows further inland...

...So I have my 10 and 6 year old nieces for 4 nights...I have NEVER been in charge of kiddos over night (nope, pretty sure I couldn't have survived this when they were 3). I'm already a little tired and stressed, taken the gameboy away once, and it's only been 6 hours My sister is convinced that after this week I'll never have kids. Phhhhhht. They are a handful, but also so funny. It was kind of touching getting them ready for bed, even though they're hardly babies. Of course, I say "sleep," but it's basically been one long stall technique. Rebecca just came out to show me the seriousness of her mosquito bite. Tragic...very hideous. Any tips from you mom's on how to entertain them? All I've got so far is the neighborhood pool (gah...100 degree days this week!) and a few bouts on the Wii. Oh dear...I'm in trouble

My DD loved making stuff at that age - birthday cards etc - so crafting supplies might work... Or, if they're girly girls, a beauty session where you make 'em up, do their hair and take photos - always a hoot... As it's so hot, you could get them to make a bunch of different flavour (some nice, some gross) ice cubes and see which work/don't work in their fave sodas...

 

[CustardTart]

Thanks for posting those pictures Karen - they were wonderful!! I love seeing vacation pictures!! Looks like you had a wonderful time. For some reason I was picturing you as a blonde - I have no idea why! Isn't that funny how we have our preconceived notions of what people look like that we've only chatted online with?

Oh my! I'm 100% brunette, Yvonne! Over the years, I've tried to get 'with it' and have a few blonde highlights but I always look horrible so I'll stick with the darker shade of brown...

Lovely RCL 'souvenir' story BTW!

 

[alecsmom]

Karen - I've tried blonde highlights over the years too not a good thing!

Everyday life does suck sometimes doesn't it!? Just yesterday I was telling my husband let's sell our house, cars, all our posessions and move to Hawaii and buy a small condo on the beach! Needless to say, he didn't share the dream and I'm here at work today.

 

[CustardTart]

Karen - I've tried blonde highlights over the years too not a good thing!

Oh I'm so relieved to know it's not just me!

...Everyday life does suck sometimes doesn't it!? Just yesterday I was telling my husband let's sell our house, cars, all our posessions and move to Hawaii and buy a small condo on the beach! Needless to say, he didn't share the dream and I'm here at work today.

I'm always looking for the perfect escape from the rat-race. Our dream would be a place overlooking the sea in the South of France...