May 11th 2008 ~ Any Double Dippers Out There?

[branv]

Our big delema right now is trying to decide whether or not we should purchase transfers or just rent a car for the post cruise portion of our vacation.

Anyone know how early we can get off the ship and if we need to all get off together and first thing? I'm wondering if I can hang on the ship with the kids for an hour and let him get off and go get the car. It's been so many years since I've done a DCL I forget dise mbarkation procedures.

We rented a car last time and liked it SO much better. While in the parks, I like having the choice btwn taking myself or letting Disney drive me. And we like to be able to drive to the store when we need something (which, inevitably, we always do) and to not have to deal with transferring when I want to dine at another resort. We are staying at WL this time and, going off of answers I received from the people on the WL FAQ board, I plan to use the car to get to every park except MK. Last time it was such a breeze to get back and forth in our own car to Epcot

We also took the car back and forth from the cruise, and Budget couldn't have been easier to do business with. This time we're using Avis b/c of the price we got, but I would be happy with either. No kids, so I went with DH, but on the day of embarkation we dropped the luggage off at the port curbside before we returned the car. On disembarkation day, we skipped the breakfast and were one of the first off the ship (I want to say sometimes btwn 7:30-8:00 am?). This meant we were also the first in the Budget shuttle. We had breakfast in Orlando and spent a few hours at DTD before heading to the airport for a 3:15 flight. As for your DH, I imagine he can disembark without you, but I don't know. Maybe they can answer that on the main Cruise forum?

I am just one of those people that would rather pay less for a car rental I can have at my beck and call than more money for a shuttle. I know that with the shuttle it's fun and you get someone else to deal with your bags. We counteract that by using curbside check-ins at airports/port. But of course we don't get to ride in that really cool looking bus and watch the video. One of these days I might do it just to see what it's like

 

[CustardTart]

...We're DVC owners so we're following the double dip with a 5 night stay at VWL so the kids should have Mickey Mouse overload by the time we are ready to head home...

Never!!! Hi Denise! My DD and I are staying VWL before the cruise - it'll be our first time and we can't wait...

...Our big delema right now is trying to decide whether or not we should purchase transfers or just rent a car for the post cruise portion of our vacation.
Everyone else has 2 way transfers included in their stay, but as DVC members it's not included for us. We'd have to do airport to port, port to hotel, and hotel to airport- which is approx $120 per person. Then once there we're at the mercy of the Disney buses- which I've done many many times, but I've never tried it with two toddlers, strollers, etc.... It makes me nervous...

We'll be hiring a car and leaving it at the cruise terminal car park ($12 per day parking fee) as I'm rather lazy and would prefer to have it ready and waiting for my return. We tend to make very good use of the on-site Disney transportation but DD and I like to shop so need our own vehicle to get to the malls...

 

[CustardTart]

Hi guys! Just giving us a *bump* before we disappear onto page 3...

Hope you've all had a good weekend. I've spent waaay too much time footling around on Photoshop, developing door magnets for our upcoming cruise - had a lot of fun doing it tho' and it kept me out of the kitchen...

The weather's unexpectedly grim here for August but my thoughts and prayers are with those folk in the path of Hurricane Dean - hope they stay safe...

 

[disneyfool_1202]

We'll be hiring a car and leaving it at the cruise terminal car park ($12 per day parking fee) as I'm rather lazy and would prefer to have it ready and waiting for my return. We tend to make very good use of the on-site Disney transportation but DD and I like to shop so need our own vehicle to get to the malls...

I just read this to DH and we were both like "DUH!" (big old head-smack required). It costs less and will be more convenient!! Thanks for pointint out the obvious!!!

Now... DH has been working all day on passport documents (we both need to renew and the kids need to get them) so he calls me at work and has the ka-honas to ask me "what color is your hair LEGALLY!". I almost spit out my coffee! It's BROWN - just various shades of it depending on how long ago I did my gray coverage. MEN!!!!
Filling out those passport forms makes it seem THAT much closer!! Man I can't wait!

 

[CustardTart]

Now... DH has been working all day on passport documents (we both need to renew and the kids need to get them) so he calls me at work and has the ka-honas to ask me "what color is your hair LEGALLY!". I almost spit out my coffee! It's BROWN - just various shades of it depending on how long ago I did my gray coverage. MEN!!!!

OUCH!!!! Or as we might say here in the UK, "how very dare he!" Men, eh?

DD and I were talking about the 2 visits to Castaway Cay last night and decided we're going to do the PITC Scavenger Hunt during one of the stops as we'll still have plenty of beach time for catching rays and enjoying a Konk Kooler or three...

 

[Mousermom]

Hey Everybody...I'm BACK!!!

Great news to report...

It turns out that the landlord is NOT going to sell the house after all!!!!

He owns several properties in the area and he decided to sell one of the other houses instead. He said that he didn't want to lose us as tenants because we were good people and we pay our rent on time!!! What a concept!! Actually paying your rent when its due!!!!

The trip to the Poconos was very relaxing and fun and it took my mind off of my problems at least for a few minutes. And...look what happens when I come back!

I guess I should do these little getaways more often!

Hope everyone is well and I'll talk to you soon.

MB

 

[CustardTart]

Great news, Mary Beth! You must be so relieved...

Hope all our other cruisers are doing OK...

 

[disneyfool_1202]

Well happy almost Friday everyone!! I'm happy to report our passports are all on their way to be processed- 2 renewals (DH and I) and 2 new ones for the kids. We should have them back with plenty of time to spare and then we don't need to worry about them.

We started pricing out cars for the rental for our trip so if anyone finds out about any fantastic sales going on with any of the rental agencies please let me know! Last year we actually got a minivan for 7 days for under $200 (internet special w/Dollar rental). Right now a minivan will cost us almost $600 so we're going to end up with a very small car unless we luck out and find a fantastic deal like we did last time.

My son had his 4 y/o well kid check up today and I completely forgot to bring the medical form for the cruise with us for her to fill out (he has a sever nut allergy) so I'll need to make an appointment just for that later in the winter. I'm sure we'll be back to see her between now and a month or two before the cruise. Kids never seem to stay healthy for an entire year- especially when they are school age.

 

[branv]

It turns out that the landlord is NOT going to sell the house after all!!!!

The trip to the Poconos was very relaxing and fun and it took my mind off of my problems at least for a few minutes. And...look what happens when I come back!

I guess I should do these little getaways more often!

Congratulations on the house!! And yes, you should get away more often..yep..it's good luck, we'll just go with that. In fact, I may have to try that with DH

We started pricing out cars for the rental for our trip so if anyone finds out about any fantastic sales going on with any of the rental agencies please let me know! Last year we actually got a minivan for 7 days for under $200 (internet special w/Dollar rental). Right now a minivan will cost us almost $600 so we're going to end up with a very small car unless we luck out and find a fantastic deal like we did last time.

I used Costco.com to book my rental last time and this time. They give decent discounts at Avis and Budget. However, if you think that you will do like Custard and leave the car in the parking lot rather than return it and pick it up again, have you thought about doing a bid on Priceline or Hotwire? We've always gotten amazing prices on those, though unfortunately they don't do one-way rentals so we cannot this time. If you want to see what kind of bids people are winning at priceline/hotwire, you can visit the board biddingfortravel.com . Fair warning though, don't try to actually post anything there. The mods are kind of nasty

Can you tell my big thrill in life is research? Yup...big nerd.

Alecsmom - I have to tell you what happened when we went on the Hill Country wine trail this weekend. We met a surprisingly large # of people from out of state...even one lady from Luxembourg! Every time we heard comments like, "I didn't expect it to be so green and hilly," "I didn't expect so many rivers and lakes," and of course, the usual "I thought Texas was flat and dusty!" Ummm...hello, maybe you thought we were being sarcastic when we called it the Hill Country? Though most of them weren't terribly thrilled with the heat BUT, the best part was a server at a winery in Comfort. I already shared this over on the Theme Park board, but I had to tell you too. Mind you, the guy was from Texas. We asked him who owned this HUUUUGE gorgeous house up on the hill. He said, "Well, he used to own that quarry in San Antonio. You know, the one next to..errr..Disneyland?"

Huh?

I said, "You mean...Six Flags?"

"Yeah, that's it!"

Now if only it really were Disneyland!

 

[alecsmom]

Alecsmom - I have to tell you what happened when we went on the Hill Country wine trail this weekend. We met a surprisingly large # of people from out of state...even one lady from Luxembourg! Every time we heard comments like, "I didn't expect it to be so green and hilly," "I didn't expect so many rivers and lakes," and of course, the usual "I thought Texas was flat and dusty!" Ummm...hello, maybe you thought we were being sarcastic when we called it the Hill Country? Though most of them weren't terribly thrilled with the heat BUT, the best part was a server at a winery in Comfort. I already shared this over on the Theme Park board, but I had to tell you too. Mind you, the guy was from Texas. We asked him who owned this HUUUUGE gorgeous house up on the hill. He said, "Well, he used to own that quarry in San Antonio. You know, the one next to..errr..Disneyland?"

Huh?

I said, "You mean...Six Flags?"

"Yeah, that's it!"

Now if only it really were Disneyland!

oh my gosh I WISH!!!! I'd say there's a BIT of a difference, no? I guess they don't get out much in Comfort huh? And the wine trail sounds fabulous, we need to do that one day. You know what we did last weekend? We took a scenic drive to BEEVILLE. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but my husband is going to be doing the Valero MS 150 Bike to the Beach in October - and so he wanted to drive the route so he could see it My DS kept asking "ARE WE THERE YET??" and when we got there he was like "WHERE ARE WE?" And we drove all the way to Beeville to eat at Chili's. Oh well, at least they make a good margarita (the Presidente).

 

[branv]

oh my gosh I WISH!!!! I'd say there's a BIT of a difference, no? I guess they don't get out much in Comfort huh? And the wine trail sounds fabulous, we need to do that one day. You know what we did last weekend? We took a scenic drive to BEEVILLE. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but my husband is going to be doing the Valero MS 150 Bike to the Beach in October - and so he wanted to drive the route so he could see it My DS kept asking "ARE WE THERE YET??" and when we got there he was like "WHERE ARE WE?" And we drove all the way to Beeville to eat at Chili's. Oh well, at least they make a good margarita (the Presidente).

Can you believe I had to look up Beeville? And even more funny, I realized that when DH and I were taking a first trip as wild and carefree youngsters to the coast late on a Friday night, that was where we kept seeing these ominous signs warning you not to pick up hitchhikers. Finally realized there was a prison nearby. I was keeping my eye out for the guy with the hook!

I can't believe your DH is going to bike that far! I'll bet it's really wonderful view wise, though I always see all the groups of bicyclists climbing these incredibly steep hills and think, "no way, uh-uh!" Okay, maybe if you put me on a moped...or if I only had to ride downhill the whole way. I can't even make it up my driveway without running out of breath. Lucky you though, those male cyclists sure do have sexy calves

Mmmmm...presidente. Shake me up some o' that sister!

 

[CustardTart]

Hi everyone!

Hope you're all keeping well...

It's getting close to our cruise and I'm getting nervous!

...Mmmmm...presidente. Shake me up some o' that sister!

Oh yeah! You can count me in - I think I need 3 or 4!

 

[branv]

It's getting close to our cruise and I'm getting nervous!

Isn't it funny how even the things we're so looking forward to can still make us nervous? I can't believe how many times my dreams and even nightmares already revolve around the cruise!

Glad your cruise stops weren't too mucked up by Dean. Sending you clear sailing good vibes.

 

[CustardTart]

...Glad your cruise stops weren't too mucked up by Dean. Sending you clear sailing good vibes.

Ah Brandi, you're a fine girl...

 

[disneyfool_1202]

One more month down, only 8 more to go until May 08!! It just isn't getting here fast enough! I'm so glad it's labor day weekend because for me, time always flies between now and xmas and then there's only 4 months 2 weeks and a few days before our Cruise! Man I'm pathetic!!

I am seriously ready to hire someone and pay big money for them to come and potty train my 2 year old and 4 year old. UGH! My 4 year old has mild ASD so potty training him has been a challange to say the least. I want to be able to put them in the kids clubs but can't if they aren't both trained so if anyone has ANY tips please share!!

Also, we sent in our passport aps not even 2 wks ago. DH and I were renewal and DD and DS were both new. Well wouldn't you know that one actually came back yesterday- not even at two weeks. It was DH's renewal - and he is the ONLY one of us who wasn't born in this country! So it strikes me as odd that the foreigner gets his before the acutal US born citizens! (DH is a citizen, has been since he was about 18 but he was born in Portugual and came to the US at age 9).

I hope everyone enjoys their Labor Day weekend!

 

[branv]

Also, we sent in our passport aps not even 2 wks ago. DH and I were renewal and DD and DS were both new. Well wouldn't you know that one actually came back yesterday- not even at two weeks. It was DH's renewal - and he is the ONLY one of us who wasn't born in this country! So it strikes me as odd that the foreigner gets his before the acutal US born citizens! (DH is a citizen, has been since he was about 18 but he was born in Portugual and came to the US at age 9).

I hope everyone enjoys their Labor Day weekend!

DH's renewal just arrived yesterday - took a whopping 12 weeks.

Had a good day yesterday - found some champagne we enjoy on super sale for Labor Day (who knew Labor Day was a champagne event?). That was enough to make me happy, but when I went up to the counter to buy it, the lady asked to see my I.D. I almost leapt over the counter and kissed her.

Speaking of, I just remembered how much I loved the champagne counter set up in the main lobby before dinner. I always tried to buy a glass of either straight or mixed champagne while we went the photo rounds before heading to dinner. Mmmmm...now my mouth is watering .

 

[CustardTart]

Wow guys! We'd slunk back to page three!!! So here's a little *bump*...

How are you all doing? Yesterday saw the return of my youngest DS to school so now it's 'me' time 24/7! Well almost...

I'm impressed with your wise champagne purchasing, Brandi! And I know/love the "Can I see your ID feeling" - last week, in the supermarket, the check-out girl asked DD and myself if we were sisters! I was v-e-r-y pleased tho' I'm not sure DD felt the same way...

And now for something completely different!
Ever wondered how you'd look as a Simpsons character? Well, this is me!

Click here to Simpsonize yourself!

 

[branv]

Holy cow, we really do have to be vigilant about these things, we were again on the third page!

Can anyone tell me if it's possible to sue ragweed for bodily injury and mental anguish? My allergies are killin' me here! Just read a news report saying that thanks to all the rain we had this summer, our ragweed pollen count is going to be the worst it's been in 50 years. So...yaaaaay.

Hope everyone is settling to the last days of summer (though I've still got until, say...November? ). Noticed the start of Halloween stuff going into stores. Very weird, but I'm not one to complain about an early availability of candy corn. Even saw Christmas decorations are starting to be sold at Costco. Jeez. Before we know it, we'll be shivering in our PJ's on our way out to pick up the morning paper, and looking even more forward to our upcoming sunny Florida days (if that's possible).

Did everyone read the updated Palo menu someone posted on the main DCL board. Ooooh my goodness, does it look good. Karen - you'll have to report in on how it tastes. Mmmmmm. Oh, this reminds me, will you also give us a review of the new Haunted Mansion when you get back from your trip in Oct? I can't wait to hear how the refurb turned out! I'll be oh-so grateful!

Well, off to cook up a batch of Queso for tonight's football game. GO COWBOYS!!!!

 

[alecsmom]

Hi guys (or rather ladies as the case may be) -

Sorry I've been out of touch lately - I think I told you all a while back but didn't get a chance to post anything before we left - my husband and I just went on a 7 night cruise on Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas (world's largest cruise ship at this point - 160,000 tons) to celebrate our ten year anniversary - OH MY GOD did we have an awesome time!!! What a beautiful massive ship!! We just got back yesterday and we are sitting here drinking tequila sunrises already sad about being home. BUT of course we missed our dear son more than I could have ever imagined - so it was a good thing we came home when we did, I was in tears at the Farewell Show thinking about my little boy back home - there was a beautiful performance to the song The Prayer by Celine Dion and I couldn't help thinking about how much I missed him. But of course all was well back home, he was with my Mom and they had a great time, and as she told me when I called her from Puerto Rico "I don't want to say he doesn't miss you but ... he doesn't miss you..." of course not, she spoiled him beyond belief! But all was well. And when my husband and I were missing him I just kept telling him "think about Disney next year, think about Disney next year..." All is good.

Anyway we were docked in St. Martin right next to the Disney Magic - I had never seen a Disney ship before - and the Liberty looked like a mammoth ship next to the Magic - it was incredible - we met some people on the way back from our excursion that were on the Magic and they were so amazed at the size of our ship. It was SO COOL because we were pulling out of port before the Magic and we sounded our horn - regular sounding ship horn - and the Magic responded in kind with their horn to the tune of "When you Wish Upon a Star" IT WAS SO COOL!!! everyone was cheering and clapping and waving on both sides - it was awesome - I was blown away. Anyway my point in telling you guys that is that even though the Magic - sister to the Wonder of course - was so much smaller - I cannot wait to sail on the Wonder - it was absolutely beautiful!!! Even my husband - who is impressed with engineering marvels like the Liberty - was super impressed with the sleekness and beauty of the Magic. We can't wait for our trip next May - all ships and cruise lines have their niches - and the Liberty was absolutely amazing and perfect to celebrate our 10 year anniversary - but I know the Wonder will be perfect for us to take our son next May - of course it will be all about him and that's okay.

So I'm sitting here sad because our trip is over but happily planning for our awesome family vacation next May. The Disney cruise show is on the travel channel and we're sitting here wishing we were there right now!

Well hope everyone has a wonderful week!!

 

[branv]

Welcome back Alecsmom! And happy belated Anniversary!

So exciting to hear about your trip -- the Liberty is one we think we'd like to try sometime, it's just...well so much to take in! I can't imagine even 7 days is enough time to do everything they offer. It's really neat that you had a chance to see the Magic. You're right, DCL may not be as big or have as many amenities, but it's just got it's own style. It's funny how just the horn alone is enough to give everyone goosebumps!

Hope you have some pics to share soon (hint, hint )