May 28, 2005 Mexican Riviera

[maryeabq]

We booked our transfers with Prime Time Shuttle. It was $79.20 for three of us for roundtrip transfers. That was with an online booking discount. Someone had recommended them on another thread.

 

[G.G.G.]

For those that are getting in earliy enought (before 10pm) Enterprise may be cheapest way to get to the port. We are getting in a few days ahead of the cruise, but are renting a minivan seating 7 for $33 per day with a $25 drop off fee in San Pedro. (That is with either AAA or AARP discount) That has been the best rate I have found for transporting more than 2 people.

 

[challada]

Hi grandpa!
Do you remember where the Hertz near the port was? I know Poconos was wondering.


Anyone ever do Randi's Happy Horses in Mazatlan? It looks like a nice days outing and I've read lots of positives, but wondering if she let's small kids ride w/parents or if they have to go alone on a horse or what???

We're getting excited!

 

[G.G.G.]

Downtown Hertz is at: Downtown Long Beach HLE 555 East Ocean Blvd., Suite 111, Mo-Fr 0700-1800, Sa 0900-1200. They are the ones that had some $10 coupon for cab to or from port fare. Should be within 1-3 miles based on what I can see on maps. Avis also has a downtown location, same hours. Their code is LB5 for downtown. No one should try the Long Beach Airport for a drop off becasue that is a 30 min cab ride to the port.

Depending on how reasobable close the poconoboatniks are staying to port, if they can't make a rental connection after I drop all of you off, I'm happy to make a side trip with the mini van to pick them up before I give it back to Enterprise.

And now to prove I'm new to DLS cruising and chatting, as I read through all the posts to catch up on the trip, I thought the D in DH, DS & DS stood for Disney not Dear. I'm glad someone finally documented that. I gues not everything in life is Disney no matter how hard we wish. (Carefull not fair laughing at old folks)

 

[poconoboatniks]

Challada, Thanks for making the door tag. I'll work on the dis list of passengers next. I know someone has started a list, so if you haven't already posted your stateroom #'s, dinner time, family members, please do so. I'll pm the list to everyone providing info.

This is just a thought, but what do you guys think about the kids doing a postcard exchange. Each of the kids can bring postcards from their homestate or town to trade with other dis kids. The post cards should show something from your home. For example, PA's state flower is the Mountain Laurel. My kids could bring Mtn. Laurel postcards or Pocono Mtn. postcards. We'll know how many postcards to bring once the dis list is completed.

Stopped in at Walmart yesterday and picked up my magnetic paper. $7.68 for five sheets of paper. Since I'm making 2 signs, it doesn't leave a lot of room for mistakes. I'm getting psyched.

Pocono

 

[challada]

OH! I LOVE the postcard idea for the kids! We are home of "apple country" (where your apples are grown) so my kids would love to bring those from home. If I could figure out how to get a box of fresh apples on board, I would do that, but I'm worried about fruit regulations.

Grandpa-I am so proud of how generous you are! Thank you for offering to help...don't worry, we won't work you too much on this vacation!


Dumb question of newbie...how much SPANISH is everyone learning for the Mexican Riviera? Every picture I see shows English signs, etc so I think I don't need a whole lot in the touristy sections (I know "banos" which is all I really need!).

 

[wccruiser]

Challada, Thanks for making the door tag. I'll work on the dis list of passengers next. I know someone has started a list, so if you haven't already posted your stateroom #'s, dinner time, family members, please do so. I'll pm the list to everyone providing info.

Pocono

Hi Pocono

Thanks for offering to put the list together. That would be so handy to have. We are in CAT 9, but on a GTY, so don't know my stateroom # yet (will advise), late seating for dinner, DH-David, DD-Grace 5yo,and Margaret (me).

I found magnetic paper at Michael's (a craft store in our area) and they also had lots of Disney stickers in the scrapbooking aisles.

I love the postcard idea as well. It will make a nice way for the kids to remember each other and where they were from after the cruise is over.

Thanks again Pocono and Challada

 

[Madison'sMom]

Hello there. This is my first posting on the boards. My DH, DD (4), Dad and Stepmom will be on this cruise and are really looking forward to it. I have read about the Girl's Get Together at Scoops. I would be interested in bringing my daughter by. She will be turning 5 in May. She is always alittle shy at first and this would give her a chance to meet some other girls her age. Her name is Madison. What time is the get together scheduled for?

 

[Jedisan]

Welcome Madison's Mom. Katie will be happy to hear there is another girl going to join us. I believe we are planning on meeting at Scoops at 3:00.

Poconos - I love the postcard idea. We'll be bringing some along. I think it's a great way for the kids to share information about their hometowns.

Challada - we have started a list as well. We're in a CAT 4, early seating for dinner. DH-Blake, DD-Sarah (10) and DD-Katie (5) and me, Lara
Regarding how much Spanish you need to know. I would say very little. The taxi cab drivers speak pretty good English. They're used to American tourists. I speak a little Spanish, but I have found that I use it more for fun and not necessity.

 

[wccruiser]

Welcome Madison's Mom and Madison! Grace is a little shy at first too, but warms up quickly. This is wonderful that the girls will be able to get to know each other before they go into the Oceaneer Club.

 

[wmjivey]

Count us in on the list: DH (John), DS (Tyler, age 11), DS (Toby, age 9) and me (Gail). We are in 2034 with early seating.

We will also be bringing postcards for the kids to exchange, and, of course, the lime green mickeys.

 

[challada]

Doortag sign is made...laminating it this week along w/my other ones.

Gail...we're early seating too and just down the hall! Tell Tyler and Toby that Alex (will be 10 at sail time) is looking forward to getting to know them!
I've got message in to gramps about Mazatlan.

Poconos...homework spot??? I don't want to do homework but I guess we can make the kids work at it! Just kidding...good idea...I don't think my DS will have very much as the week he is gone is: 1 out of town field trip (that we just fundraised for ); 1 local field trip; 1 fun field day; 1 day off of school....so that leaves 1 day of school work!

 

[wmjivey]

Challada - Tyler, 11, is already asking if he can eat with the club rather than in the dining rooms. He then decided that he would eat with us the first three nights so he can see each restaurant and then will go from there.

Tell Alex that Tyler and Toby are so glad to know that there will be at least one other boy on the ship in their age group that they can get to know.

When are you arriving? We are spending Friday night at the Sheraton and will probably go over to Port around 11 a.m. How about you?

 

[challada]

We're actually coming in early on Wed so we can do couple days at DL before getting on the boat...staying in Anaheim and plan to get to port around 10 am (which will probably be around 11 in actuality). Please bring the boys to the ice cream party at 3 at Scoops on Saturday...Alex would love to not have to be the only boy in the pack of little girls!

Alex is really excited about Tyler and Toby being on board...he was getting worried as we kept talking about girl things on the boat! We haven't talked about dining choices, but I'm sure if Ty and Toby eat in the club, Alex would probably be tempted to do that too. (does Tyler prefer Tyler or Ty? I have a scout in my cubscout group who is a Tyler that goes by Ty most of the time so I might accidently revert to Ty). What kind of stuff are your boys into? Alex loves everything from Legos to football...reading to kayaking so he can usually adapt.

 

[wmjivey]

We will definitely make the ice cream meet at Scoops at 3 pm. I think it will be a great way to actually meet everyone in one place at one time.

Tyler goes by Tyler but he has been called T by a preschool teacher with two Tylers in the class and also TJ. Both are also cub scouts, maybe we can do something to help earn their belt loops and pins while in Mexico. Toby is advancing to Webelos I in May and Tyler will be crossing over to a Boy Scout on April 2nd.

In addition to cub scouts, both play soccer and baseball but enjoy all sports. Both love to read or listen to books (we always have Harry Potter on CD in the van and usually spend out drive from Phoenix to LA listening). Both are also very easy going and willing to adapt to almost anything.

I PM'd you regarding Mazatlan. I think it is really neat that we can hopefully get together on the tour.

Gail

 

[challada]

I will make sure I use Tyler...

I think the boys will get along GREAT! Glad to hear they are scouts too...I'm sure they can all relate on that alone! I'm sure Aquanaut will be easy to earn on this trip...I've had my group of cubs since Tigers and they are Webelos now, so they work really well together. By the end of this school year, they will all be ready for crossing over to boy scouts but are having to wait because of their age (they have all but 2 of their pins).

I think Frank is doing us a really big favor on the tour, so I am inclined to just say yes, but need to hear back from grandparents.

Thanks for bringing the boys to the ice cream party...Alex will be excited!

 

[Moley]

Greetings fellow Western Cruisers!

This is the first time I've posted to the Cruise forums. I've read this thread now and enjoyed your tips, enthusiasm and spirit of sharing.

This is our second cruise. My hubby and I(no kids) first cruised last May in the Western Caribbean on the Mother's Day week cruise. We signed up for this one then.

I am an avowed Lazy Tourista, so unless meets involve naps, most likely I won't make them since I may never leave my deck chair.

I hope all of you have a wonderful time onboard.

 

[grammiegail]

OK, this is Challaday's DG (Grammie Gail, not Grampa Bob) with her first try at this Disboard-thing. YIKES! I just sounded like my 85 year old mom!!! I am really looking forward to this cruise. Anytime we get to spend time with the grandkids is great, but come on, grandkids and Disney! Grampa Bob and I went on a Disney cruise about 15 years ago before Disney had their own ships (they used big red boats - Premier Cruise). But, we are still DCL novices. I look forward to watching friendships between the kids grow. And, who knows, we might end up with new friends, too!

 

[challada]

Ummmm....grammie...you are my DM (dear mom) not MY grammie (that would make you really, really too old to go on a Disney boat...but we'll probably still drag you on board then too )....please check Frank's info and let me know your thoughts.
WELCOME ABOARD!

 

[carriep1657]

Moley, welcome. You are so funny. Your vacation plans sound great. I love both active and lazy vacations. The advantage to the lazy vacation is that I feel rested afterwards. When I have an active vacation, I feel like I need a vacation to recover from my vacation.

Hello to GrammieGail and Madison's mom too.

I have a couple of questions regarding the postcard exchange and the door tags. For the postcard exchange, do the kids bring one postcard for each child that will be at our Scoops get together or does each child bring just one card and trade with somebody? Either way, it sounds like fun. We're near Gold Country so hopefully I can find some interesting cards related to that. If not, I know I can find some Sacramento ones.

As for the door tagging, is there one tag that gets passed from DISer to DISer or do we each make a tag and use that one to tag somebody once we've been tagged?