May 12, 2007 -- Taking the Magic to the Mediterranean -- 14 day Repo Cruise!

[Scott H]

Scott, Do you have to be careful watching everything you eat or can you sample?

Yes I do, too many sweets can cause dumping syndrom. No carbonated beverages, and I really liked beer, protien is very important, the portions at Food and Wine Fest are perfect. It is kinda all about portion control. It is a tool not a silver bullet, Still hard work. So I try to stay active, i.e. this week ran every day.

Cars at the Drive in would be KEWL.

AKL is great, if you guys havn't make sure to take in the cultural programs they offer, roam the halls and check out the exhibits and art work, talk to the CM's from Africa. There used to be a challnge tour you could do on your own, had to get the question sheet at the front desk. I liked to get up really early and be the only person sitting in the lodge great room, reading and having coffee, waiting for sunrise. Reminded me of Tanzania in so many ways.

We are trying to book the DVC African Safari but the contracts are not is place for 2007. Wish they would hurry up, this has been my only complaint with DVC.

Shuttle launch and the tour starting tomorrow.

Have a safe and fun weekend.

 

[Scott H]

And since you plan your day around resturants, don't forget "Boma" at AKL, they have a resturant tour which will give you a small taste of both resturants. Don't miss that either.
Lynn

 

[tig82174]

And since you plan your day around resturants, don't forget "Boma" at AKL, they have a resturant tour which will give you a small taste of both resturants. Don't miss that either.
Lynn

Yes I've heard that the restaurants and food at AKL are exquisite. so I'm excited about that. I also have never done the luau at the polynesian so we may try to fit that in somewhere too

 

[tig82174]

Hey all.....

So you guys are my primary connection to news about these cruises. Has there been any more information or details released about the cruise? Theme nights? Excursions? Etc. Etc.?

 

[milestogo]

No, new news yet. They said mid to late summer they will announce.

Boma sounds great, how far in advance do you have to book this tour and with whom?

Scott, Was that surgery scary to decide to do?

Great day of garage sales, got a ton of Disney audio tapes for DD3 to listen to on the little tape player. Keeps her busy for hours!

 

[Scott H]

Sounds like a good score at the garage sales.

The tour of Boma and Jinko, Lynn thinks we signed up at Boma , and thinks it was late afternoon. CHeck with the front desk to see if they still offer it.

Yes the surgery was very scarry to make the commitment, yes there were some significant risks, it took me two years to decide, Lucky I was a very healthy and active Fat Person. The psyc eval was the scarriest... I know I am crazy. LOL

 

[padalyn]

Lynda - you and Cash will be missed - we had a very nice chat on the Panama cruise (I doubt you remember it) and I felt that it was great that you and Cash were able to travel! I do recall that you had told me Cash was stuck on the balcony a lot...Sorry again to hear you won't be joining us

 

[padalyn]

I was just at the world traveling solo - I did try the dining plan. I found I ate a LOT more than I would normally. I usually loose a pound or two just because of all the walking around - this time I gained 4.

I liked the sit down portion - I tried Narccoossee's which I would not normally have given into. (the bill was 97.00 without alcohol and it cost 2 sit down "coupons").

The "take away" dining was the hardest - a lot of the places are just mobbed and I found that I was eating hamburgers mostly. The snacks are good if you like the ice creams, hot roasted nuts and other cart items - but I tried to get a hotdog -and that was a take away coupon. The cast members are still confused with a lot of it. Raglan Road made a mess of the whole process

I think if my hunnie and I were traveling together we would buy ONE dining plan and "share" the coupons - use the sit downs to decrease the dinner costs and the take aways would be great for her since she is a hypoglycemic and has to eat some non carb food every 3 to 4 hours. Me - I eat once maybe twice a day and still gain weight...

Scott - was it you that had the bypass? may I ask if it is a banding or a Bilroth? and do you have a lot of trouble with dumping or just when you make a judgement error? I have been considering the banding - one co-worker had it and she has a lot of dumping issues. I am not sure if it is her choices or the surgery.

 

[Scott H]

I had the RNY process, banding was just starting at the time and there were problems with it, at the time. Not sure about it now. I was lucky and only had two cases of dumping, once was after some fresh OJ , and the other was after some ice cream. First was a surprise, only had a couple sips, second was my mistake. Now some sugar is ok but more than a couple of bites, just makes me feel yechy.

If considering make sure your doc is one of the best. Mine was, not much of a personality but a very good surgen.

 

[milestogo]

Padalyn,
The solo idea to WDW is very interesting. Do you find people to do things with in the parks or hotels? Or is it total relaxation? Do you mix & dine with other families? How many people do suppose are at a park alone at any given time? I'm curious because my dad lives in Florida and has mentioned doing this several times.
Kelly

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

Hi All!

Well things are beginning to get back to "normal" around here. The flooded homes are being cleaned and repaired. Still alot of work to be done with them. Here is a page about the flooding here in Ohio: Flood page Had my half day off today so I am doing good I was able to do some laundry today

Sorry to see you go Lynda I also received a note that James D and his wife Linda are not able to join us either I will update the page in a few days, when I can think clearly.

I have to make an airfare/timing decision here soon if I want to use FF tickets. The plan is to fly from Barcelona to Paris and visit DLP for a few days then fly home from Paris. Have thought about the train, but it does take a long time and I think the timing stinks.

Hope everyone has a great holiday! I am working tomorrow but hope all is quiet and dry to have the 4th off!

Debbie

 

[Scott H]

Bummer on James D and Linda. Me thinks we will have more folks as Summer ends, etc. etc.

 

[tig82174]

Bummer on James D and Linda. Me thinks we will have more folks as Summer ends, etc. etc.

I agree. Jason and I actually have a very close friend who I went to college with here in Rochester, NY and now lives in Seattle with her DP and they are seriously considering coming on the cruise themselves. If they do decide to join us I'll definitley have them hop on the boards with us here. She's a hoot and a longtime Disney addict herself (her grandfather used to take her entire family on a trip to the Grand Floridian every year since she was a child until he died a few years ago).

Also, I gather that many people are too focused on wht they're doing THIS summer for vacation to think about what trip they're going to plan for NEXT year yet. So once fall hits and the weather starts to turn and people realize how miserable the winter is (sorry any of you winter lovers...can't say I relate! ) and how much they miss the mouse and want to do something fun and exciting....calls to DCL and DVC and some of the other TA's out there about this cruise will increase.

Also, our TA told us that as the cruise gets closer and closer if there are a significant number of open cabins then you can expect DCL to do some price chopping or some other kind of incentive program to try to fill up the boat before it starts on a 2 week trip across the ocean....and if that happens I'm sure we'll see a small spike in bookings.

Now....whether or not that means many of those folks will find THIS little community (meaning us here on the Boards and on Deb's list)...I don't know.....I only happened upon y'all cuz I was hunting you out!


Happy 4th to Everyone!!

 

[milestogo]

Did everyone have a happy 4th? We had a big block party - lots of fun with everyone, fireworks in every directions. We can hear the DL Fireworks every night at 9:25 pm, but last night they were drowned out. Lots of food!

We want to know if the Indiana Jones ride is at WDW?

 

[Scott H]

No Indiana Jones ride in WDW, but the same technology is used in the Dinosaur ride in Animal Kingdom.
Lynn

 

[tig82174]

Did everyone have a happy 4th? We had a big block party - lots of fun with everyone, fireworks in every directions. We can hear the DL Fireworks every night at 9:25 pm, but last night they were drowned out. Lots of food!

We had a nice 4th of July here in Rochester....we had the good fortune to realize last night that by sheer coincidence our back patio on our new home (just bought in March of this year) is the best spot in the city to watch the Rochester fireworks display! there is a large empty field behind our house across the street that fills up with cars and people with blankets to watch the fireworks because it faces the center of the city....but so does our back patio so we just had to step out our door in our PJ's to catch the show! Very fun.

And then to make life even more fantastic we got our confirmation letter in the mail today from DVC for our week at AK Lodge before the cruise....which makes the vacation seem that much realer. WOO HOO!!!

 

[mom_rules]

Tig82174-you should have sold refreshments to make a little extra $ to pay for your cruise!

 

[milestogo]

Tig82174-you should have sold refreshments to make a little extra $ to pay for your cruise!

Now that's a great idea!


E, I'm telling you now that I'm sending my DH & DD to the value resort and coming with my sleeping bag & PJ's to your hotel. I'm dying to see the animals early in the morning! You are going to love this trip!!

 

[PrettyInTink]

But we are seriously considering booking this cruise while on our 11 day southern caribean in september. I priced it on dcl website and it says approx $4600 for s inside room. I then added airfare and it says $6500. Forgive my ignorance as I have never flown overseas but could this be right? I expected much more than that. Has anyone else (or IS anyone else) booking airfare through dcl? I am a little nervous about this one but really want to go. Did anyone else book this while onboard and did you get a discount and stateroom credit? Also can we get 2 stateroom credits if we book 2 cruises? We need to book for Sept 07 as well as this one. Sorry for bombarding you with all these ???'s I just need some details and I figured you guys were probley more informed than me.

 

[padalyn]

Padalyn,
The solo idea to WDW is very interesting. Do you find people to do things with in the parks or hotels? Or is it total relaxation? Do you mix & dine with other families? How many people do suppose are at a park alone at any given time? I'm curious because my dad lives in Florida and has mentioned doing this several times.
Kelly

Sorry - didn't get out here to read in a couple of days. I went because I just wanted to get away. I actually spent a lot more time in the parks than I orginally had planned. I was trading pins mostly. I was just wandering, watching the crowds, and doing a lot of nothing. I liked the lack of planning and I spent a fair amount of time just doing nothing. Since I have an annual pass and have been to the world many times I only wanted to ride Expedition Everest. I did that the first day - then spent my time chasing characters (a silly hobby - I collect pictures of them ). Generally a great relaxing trip - I will do it again. My hunny was in Ireland doing a family thing.

To answer your questions in order:
Do you find people to do things with in the parks or hotels?
no, I do things alone - I will chat with most anyone - but prefer to just do things by myself.

Or is it total relaxation?
I think I answered this above - but yes, mostly to just relax - I find the simple people watching so much fun that there is ALWAYS something funny to see! (people do wear some of the damnest outfits when on vacation)

Do you mix & dine with other families?
Nope - me and a book - tends to flip out wait staff no end


How many people do suppose are at a park alone at any given time?
Gads - I have NO idea - I do know that singles will get seated immeditely no matter what time the reservation was for. I also found that I could slip up in a line for a ride. I have done this before and really do like doing the world solo.

I would tell your dad to go for it! Especially if he is comfortable entertaining himself and doesn't need a companion to do things. My hunny would NEVER do it alone - she likes a traveling companion to share the experience.

sorry for the long post....