May 2, 2014 - A WONDERous trip through the Locks WBPC

[bobbiwoz]

The cruise that you are going on (Med) is on my bucket list.
Where do you fly to catch that cruise? Have you cruised on Princess before?

We are going on a Christmas/New Years Eve cruise 12/21-1/4 (14 night) on the beautiful Celebrity Eclipse.
We did the same cruise in 12/2012 and loved it.

We get on in Athens, off in Rome.

What stops are on the Celebrity?

 

[granmaz]

I grew up in a family with 3 brothers and a sister. My parents were working class and we lived paycheck to paycheck. Fried spam was a frequent dinner entree meat.

That would be us. I think we had spam fritters which I guess is your fried spam. In batter? One thing I think I couldn't cope with now is tongue. We used to have tongue often, from the butcher. I can see him slicing it off the top of the ceramic pot. I did like it, but the thought of it now is bleugh. I guess we didn't ask questions back then when we were little, just glad to have something to eat.

Back to cruising.......or maybe not quite

Just been doing our fastpasses for the few days before the cruise and it isn't simple. Just can't get what you want at the times you want. You really have to play around with your choices before getting even close to the times. I guess others have been on and done theirs already and left few choices. Heyho, such is the future with technology.

 

[bobbiwoz]

.......

Just been doing our fastpasses for the few days before the cruise and it isn't simple. Just can't get what you want at the times you want. You really have to play around with your choices before getting even close to the times. I guess others have been on and done theirs already and left few choices. Heyho, such is the future with technology.

For me, Epcot's F&G show is the big draw before the cruise, and Peter Noone & Herman's Hermits will be there on the weekend! we have seen them before & enjoyed the show.

I was able to get some FP+ s for the days we will be at WDW, but immediately before, we'll be at Vero Beach.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Wow, what a Disney-filled Spring! We would love to visit Aulani, but the flight times are too long for our kids at this age. Have a great time!

We've done disney cruises along with both parks in the last two years, and everyone is loving it. We feel very blessed.

I hope to hear from others with older kids that they don't grow out of it. I know the prices go up since we will be starting school and lose the flexibility on travel dates, but if it is something everyone enjoys we hope to continue it.

Our kids started going to WDW when they were 5 and 7 respectively. 20 years later and they still enjoy it. My daughter went there on her honeymoon. Some of our best family vacations have been spent in Disney parks and/or on Disney cruise ships.

 

[bobbiwoz]

WBPC Final Sea Day Luncheon

Bobbiwoz (2)
Dollphingirl47
Jeff Spencer (2)
Pirate Bob (2)
Muushka (2)
Jen Den
ImDMous (2)
WalleandEve (2)
Aschwa
JenDen (2)

 

[Muushka]

We get on in Athens, off in Rome.

What stops are on the Celebrity?

I'm so sorry, you did ask me where we were going.
Funny, when we do Caribbean cruises we don't cruise for the ports!

The one port, St. Lucia, is one that we love cruising to and from. We love the Pitons! Anywhoo:

Oranjestad/Aruba, Willemstad/Curacao, St. George's/Grenada, Barbados/Bridgetown, St. Lucia/Castries, St. John's/Antigua, Basseterre, Philipsburg/St. Maarten,

I can't wait to hear about your Med cruise. Is this your first cruise there?

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm so sorry, you did ask me where we were going.
Funny, when we do Caribbean cruises we don't cruise for the ports!

The one port, St. Lucia, is one that we love cruising to and from. We love the Pitons! Anywhoo:

Oranjestad/Aruba, Willemstad/Curacao, St. George's/Grenada, Barbados/Bridgetown, St. Lucia/Castries, St. John's/Antigua, Basseterre, Philipsburg/St. Maarten,

I can't wait to hear about your Med cruise. Is this your first cruise there?

We had been on a Collette tour of Greece which included a week long cruise of the Greek islands and Ephesus. Other than that, it was only on our EBTA that we made it to the Western Mediterranean, Gibralter and Barcelona. We have cruise around the British Isles, Norway and the Baltics. However, we have not been to France, Italy yet.

I like your Caribbean ports. I do not think I can be away from some family over Christmas. That would be my hang up.

 

[moosebowl]

WBPC Final Sea Day Luncheon
Bobbiwoz (2)
Dollphingirl47
Jeff Spencer (2)
Pirate Bob (2)
Muushka (2)
Jen Den
ImDMous (2)
WalleandEve (2)
ASchwa

Could you add Moosebowl(2) to the list. Please

 

[bobbiwoz]

Could you add Moosebowl(2) to the list. Please

Welcome!

WBPC Final Sea Day Luncheon
Bobbiwoz (2)
Dollphingirl47
Jeff Spencer (2)
Pirate Bob (2)
Muushka (2)
Jen Den
ImDMous (2)
WalleandEve (2)
Aschwa
JenDen (2)
Moosebowl (2)

 

[twopeasonepod]

Wow, what a Disney-filled Spring! We would love to visit Aulani, but the flight times are too long for our kids at this age. Have a great time!

We've done disney cruises along with both parks in the last two years, and everyone is loving it. We feel very blessed.

I hope to hear from others with older kids that they don't grow out of it. I know the prices go up since we will be starting school and lose the flexibility on travel dates, but if it is something everyone enjoys we hope to continue it.

I think if your kids get used to flying, it's really no big deal. The boys have been Premier Silver since they were four (flying at least 25,000 miles per year), and before that, we went to FL, WV, KY at least twice a year. They were really adaptive. You should try it! (although I am not a big fan of Aulani).

Unfortunately, our kids are not big on Disney parks anymore. They much prefer the big coasters at Cedar Point and King's Island. This is a super bummer for us, especially since we bought DVC in 2012! They still love cruising, though!

 

[twopeasonepod]

Good thing we don't live in Hawaii. I think we went to Leonard's two or three times in 10 days last week. I'd gain weight! My daughter usually brings home a box full for her u
We always go to Matsumoto's on the north shore and stop at Dole whip on the way back.

I'll have to find sweet potato crumpets next time.

Never tried spam.

I actually prefer other things to Leonard's, but it is the malasada standard! I also think Waiola shave ice is better than Matsumoto's, but both are fantastic.

Sweet potato crumbles (apparently they changed the name and I never noticed haha) are made with the Okinawan type of sweet potato (purple, not orange) and are from Mitsuba bakery in Kalihi. Think flakey outside, warm sweet potato deliciousness inside.

There are probably a dozen types of spam in every grocery store. And every sports team has spam musubis for snack at least once a season haha.

I'm definitely a planner but when it comes to packing, we don't typically start until *maybe* the week before we leave.

I grew up in a family with 3 brothers and a sister. My parents were working class and we lived paycheck to paycheck. Fried spam was a frequent dinner entree meat.

I need to plan ahead. Mostly because I'm so particular about what I use/bring, but also because no one helps me and I'm packing for all of us. I usually just have one suitcase out at all times, and throw stuff in there when I think of it so I don't forget anything. I of course have a list, but that doesn't get made until about a week before as a double-checker.

And to me, the bad thing about spam is that it's not very healthy. Not that it's "bad" per se or tastes bad. It actually tastes good haha. In Hawaii, you can go to McDonald's for breakfast and order scrambled eggs, spam, and rice as a breakfast platter!

Well I can honestly say that I have never tried spam.

We were in Hawaii once about 5 years ago. Visited Oahu and Big Island. We had shaved ice from Matsumoto. Loved it. I remember there being little fruity taffy like candies we found at a gas station. I don't recall ever seeing them anyplace other than Hawaii. We went to a macadamia nut farm tour on the Big Island.

Many candies fit that description. Can you be more specific? Maybe I can get them and add to FE!

My favorite treat from Hawaii is a Mai Tai.

HAHAHA awesome! My fave is a lychee martini!

Just been doing our fastpasses for the few days before the cruise and it isn't simple. Just can't get what you want at the times you want. You really have to play around with your choices before getting even close to the times. I guess others have been on and done theirs already and left few choices. Heyho, such is the future with technology.

I hated the FP+ system at first. So limiting. But I did get used to it, even though we did double dip when we could. My suggestion is to keep trying. People's plans change and things do come up. I was able to switch things around on the fly at WDW during Christmas, which is way busier than when you are going. I was even able to get the dinner package for F! two days before Christmas just a couple days before. It had been sold out for months, but I just kept checking. I am kind of a freak about it, checking multiple times a day, every day, but it worked for me! Crossing my fingers for you!

I don't think I have ever had Spam, but Tom likes it. He tends to have it when I am away.

My favorite souvenir from Hawaii would be Kona coffee! Have to have the French Press at Kona Cafe every so often!

We bring our own coffee and aeropress on the ship. It's a great way to have regular "real" coffee instead of that crap they serve on deck 9!

 

[Muushka]

Ooooh, your coffee comment got me thinking. Is it still as bad as I remember?
It was OK on the Fantasy, but I didn't care for it on the Wonder, but that was 9 years ago!

 

[Mini girls]

For me, Epcot's F&G show is the big draw before the cruise, and Peter Noone & Herman's Hermits will be there on the weekend! we have seen them before & enjoyed the show.

I was able to get some FP+ s for the days we will be at WDW, but immediately before, we'll be at Vero Beach.

I ordered my WDW passes through my aeroplane points so won't be able to do FP until we check in at the resort. Will this be a big problem? Sounds like it already is difficult to get passes.

What is F&G show and when is Herman's Hermits playing? We arrive at WDW on the night of the 26th. I saw them when I was a kid. Love to see them again.

 

[Mini girls]

Just wanted to thank who ever it was who posted about Costco travel services, car rental. I just booked a rental for pick up at San Diego Airport and drop off the next day at Orange County airport. It was half the price of the reservation I had already had ($55 instead of $105). Saved me $3 for the day in Orlando.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I ordered my WDW passes through my aeroplane points so won't be able to do FP until we check in at the resort. Will this be a big problem? Sounds like it already is difficult to get passes.

What is F&G show and when is Herman's Hermits playing? We arrive at WDW on the night of the 26th. I saw them when I was a kid. Love to see them again.

Flower and Garden at Epcot!
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/epcot/events/ep-flower-garden.htm
You should be able to see them on the 26 and 27!
I think you will be successful in getting some FP+s. I have gotten some for the same day or the next day when we were at WDW in both December & January. Be flexible!

 

[Jeff Spencer]

I've updated the web site to make the Lunch listing current per Bobbi's last post. I also added the list of the first two FE groups listing ONLY the DISboard names of those in each group.

 

[nanacruiser]

Last time we did FE my son did it for my daughter and I but now I am going without him and do not know how to find out how many people to get for is there a link I can get to see who is signed up for fish extenders?

 

[twopeasonepod]

Just wanted to thank who ever it was who posted about Costco travel services, car rental. I just booked a rental for pick up at San Diego Airport and drop off the next day at Orange County airport. It was half the price of the reservation I had already had ($55 instead of $105). Saved me $3 for the day in Orlando.

Awesome! But keep checking -- if it drops, you book it and cancel the first one. Lather, rinse, repeat. As I mentioned earlier, I am a freak about it -- check multiple times per week on this. At least once a week when you are very far out. As the time nears, you will see prices drop. I said it before, but I got a minivan for us at WDW (pick up at MCO and drop off at TPA (which is more expensive than same place) for 21 days for a little over $550. Crazy! And this was at Christmas/New Year's!

 

[bobbiwoz]

WBPC Final Sea Day Luncheon

Bobbiwoz (2)
Dollphingirl47
Jeff Spencer (2)
Pirate Bob (8)
Muushka (2)
Jen Den
ImDMous (2)
WalleandEve (2)
Aschwa
JenDen (2)
Moosebowl (2)

 

[I❤MICKEY]

Last time we did FE my son did it for my daughter and I but now I am going without him and do not know how to find out how many people to get for is there a link I can get to see who is signed up for fish extenders?

Hello. On the very first post in this thread there is a link to a google doc to sign up for the FE. There are 20 cabins in each group. So far groups 1 and 2 are closed. A 3rd group just needs a few more cabins to be full. If that one closes a 4th group will open. Once the group is filled you will receive an email with your list of cabins and the details about those participating.

The first post also includes sign-ups for mixology classes, secret santa, candy exchange, etc.