May 28, 2005 Mexican Riviera

[challada]

wc-
There are two reasons for bringing the coolers according to friends of mine who have "been there, done that"... 1. Bring your own beverage to enjoy and keep cold (apparently the room fridge is never completely cold over the entire cruise) 2. Some people take the cooler w/them at ports to have cold drinks/snacks w/them...one tip I read was that you should room service sandwiches the night before and take them w/you at port the next day!

Rebecca...we're all May 28ers...First LA cruise...etc, etc...WELCOME ABOARD!

 

[Jedisan]

I believe that the coolers are still OK, regardless of port...it is a Disney policy that you can bring them on-board, so I can't see them NOT allowing all of us in port w/them just because it's a different port. I think other cruise lines don't allow it, but Disney always has so I would think they still would. If anyone knows "official" policy, please post (ie, ALEX would know BEST).

I called the Los Angeles Port Authority. If Disney allows their passengers to bring their own wine, etc., on board, then the port authority will allow it. However, the other cruise lines that use that port (RCCL and Carnival) do not allow outside alcohol. Since this will be DCL's first cruise out of Los Angeles, hopefully there won't be any problem.

I also asked them what the regulations were regarding bringing aboard luggage. They told me that each person is allowed one carry on. All other baggage must go through the porters to be x-rayed. I guess this is a post 911 regulation.

The port authority has a nice website with pictures of the port we will be leaving from. http://www.portoflosangeles.org/facilities_wcc.htm

Lara

 

[first timers]

I have a small (six pack size) collapsable cooler, but hadn't thought to bring it. I am going to be bringing a couple bottles of champagne and a bottle of wine to drink in the room. I was planning on using wine packaging (such as styrofoam molds)and putting them in my check-on luggage so I wouldn't have to lug them until we get our room. Is there an ice-bucket in the room or room in the little fridge to keep the wine cold? If not, is that why people are bringing coolers?

There is a fridge in the room, not too big or too cold. You can probably get 6 bottles of wine in the fridge. Ice buckets are in rooms as well, have to ask room host for ice. Alex

 

[ssnyder]

I'm curious how many of us have late seating.

 

[wccruiser]

We have late seating.

Margaret,David and Grace

 

[wccruiser]

wc-
There are two reasons for bringing the coolers according to friends of mine who have "been there, done that"... 1. Bring your own beverage to enjoy and keep cold (apparently the room fridge is never completely cold over the entire cruise) 2. Some people take the cooler w/them at ports to have cold drinks/snacks w/them...one tip I read was that you should room service sandwiches the night before and take them w/you at port the next day!

Rebecca...we're all May 28ers...First LA cruise...etc, etc...WELCOME ABOARD!

Hi Challada-
Just saw on another thread regarding bringing food on shore, that of our 3 ports only Cabo will not allow food off the ship to come ashore?! I think it's called "can I take food off of the ship when it's in port?" by our own May 28th cruiser Carriep1657.

 

[suesings]

Hi,
I'm up in Vancouver on a business trip but thought I'd better check in

We currently have late seating but I am going to try to switch to early seating. Kelly could probably handle late seating but Ava our 19 month old definitely won't. I'd hate to miss dinner everynight and have to get room service because she is melting down...

Oh, and just a note. I think I said Ava will be 22 months when we travel, actually her birthday is in August so she will only be 21 months (not that that matters much )

It is great to say "we are going on a Disney Cruise, NEXT MONTH!" now!!

See everyone soon

 

[carriep1657]

Jedisan, thanks for that info. You are so clever to think of calling the port. That never occurred to me.

WC, your post really put a smile on my face. I felt special and a little famous that you noted that I started that post.

We have early seating.

 

[poconoboatniks]

Quiet today.

This is a question for you California people. I'm looking for an moderately priced hotel in San Diego. I'm looking at Days Inn - Hotel Circle by Sea World and Courtyard San Diego Sorrento Mesa/LaJolla. Any thoughts?

Thanks for the help.
Poconoboatniks

 

[wmjivey]

Poconoboatniks - we have stayed in SD numerous times over the years. Hotel Circle area is right in the center of everything. It is convenient to the beach, Sea World, Old Town and Downtown. La Jolla is a little bit to your north but still convenient to most areas. If it were me, I would stay in La Jolla. Hotel Circle is right where, I believe, 3 or 4 freeways come together and it can be pretty messy at times. Hope this helps.

 

[ssnyder]

Quiet today.

This is a question for you California people. I'm looking for an moderately priced hotel in San Diego. I'm looking at Days Inn - Hotel Circle by Sea World and Courtyard San Diego Sorrento Mesa/LaJolla. Any thoughts?

Thanks for the help.
Poconoboatniks

I'm not familiar with the Day Inn, but the Courtyard that you are referring to is in the Mira Mesa area, not La Jolla. It's just off the 805 and Mira Mesa Blvd. It's a good area, but it's not "La Jolla". I do work in the La Jolla area and drive past this on my way so I know it's not too far, but it is a bit further to Sea World. Before moving here, I did stay at one of the "inexpensive" hotels on Hotel Circle and it wasn't very pleasant - too noisy, too much traffic, and difficult to get on and off the freeway. Most near Sea World are going to be more expensive or not that nice, so for that reason I would choose the Courtyard.

 

[rccllap]

Well now that I know I'm in the right place, I'll (re-)introduce myself to y'all! I'm Rebecca, 34; I'll be cruising May 28th with my DS, almost 6, and my DGrandmother, 85. This is my college graduation present from DG! I'm thrilled and excited and absolutely over the moon about this trip. I've never been on a cruise before and have NO CLUE how my notorious motion sickness will affect me for this adventure, but my group's up for pretty much anything onboard. DG is barely mobile and will likely stay on the ship; DS is almost constantly in motion, by comparison, and will likely spend a lot of time with the other kids in the lab/kid's club. He's a "never met a stranger" people person, so anyone's kids out there who want someone to play with, my guy's your guy He's an equal opportunity fella--makes girlfriends fast, boy playmates fast, any age! (Liking Thomas the train, Spiderman, and the Power Rangers a big plus but he's up for it all.)

I'll probably load down with tons o'questions in a minute or two but just wanted to let y'all know about this grouping and say, HI! Can't wait for the BIG DAY!!

peace--
Rebecca

 

[rccllap]

We're on the sixth "floor" cabin with a verandah; early seating for dinner.

Does anyone know, do they have sushi maybe part of a buffet somewhere?

I've also heard that the 'show' in Animator's Palate is only done the first time in the rotation, can anyone confirm or rebut?

peace--
Rebecca

 

[Moley]

Hi Rebecca and welcome aboard!

There is a sushi offering on the buffet on the day there is a lunchtime seafood buffet. I think this is offered on one of the days at sea. Not sure which one that will be, if at all on this cruise.

Animator's Palate runs the first night of your rotation there only. The other night, there is no changing of colors.

 

[challada]

Welcome Rebecca....I think your DS and my DD are a match made in heaven...LOL...she's just barely 5 but has never met a "friend" she didn't like...has a bad habit of making friends EVERYWHERE we go and inviting them to our house to play (even sledding this winter on our big public hill had 4 new friends coming to her party the next day by the time we left!).

poconos...we don't live in San Diego, infact, we're really FAR from there...but last time we actually stayed outside of SD in LaJolla and loved that area. We got the Hilton in LaJolla for about $60/night on hotwire (middle of summer last year). It was VERY nice and easy to access from the highway w/out the major traffic noise. Was an easy highway drive down to the zoo, park, etc. We've always stayed outside of SD when we go as I don't like the busy, noisy big city feel. There's lots of beach towns w/hotels just outside SD.

Sue...howdy! You are up in my neck of the woods if your in Vancouver (BC or WA?)! Stop in and say "hi" since we're just a 4 hour drive from either of them! LOL

 

[suesings]

Hi,
I am back home now. I was in Vancouver British Columbia from Sunday until last night. BEAUTIFUL city, fabulous people and the best food of just about any city I've been to.

Glad to be home though, my company had a big Partner Summit up there and it was a lot of work and a lot of play. I'm tired!!

Hi Rebecca, welcome. My daughter Kelly will turn 5 in two weeks and loves to play with boys and well as girls. One of her best friends from Pre-K is a 5 year old boy.

I am going to use my lanyards and plastic holders that I had from the Summit for the Cruise. I pealed off the Mickey Heads from the paint samples and glued two back to back and slid them in my lanyards (I have two so I made one for my husband although I don't know if he will actually wear it

Grammiegail: I weighed myself today and I didn't gain ANY weight on the trip. Which really surprised me given the large amounts of fish and some wine at the parties to boot. I didn't eat any bread or pasta though so maybe that was why I didn't gain. Hope you are doing well. Oh and I actually went to the gym twice with a coworker up in Vancouver.

I think we are down to 6 weeks now!!

See everyone soon,

 

[suesings]

Hi,
I am back home now. I was in Vancouver British Columbia from Sunday until last night. BEAUTIFUL city, fabulous people and the best food of just about any city I've been to.

Glad to be home though, my company had a big Partner Summit up there and it was a lot of work and a lot of play. I'm tired!!

Hi Rebecca, welcome. My daughter Kelly will turn 5 in two weeks and loves to play with boys and well as girls. One of her best friends from Pre-K is a 5 year old boy.

I am going to use my lanyards and plastic holders that I had from the Summit for the Cruise. I pealed off the Mickey Heads from the paint samples and glued two back to back and slid them in my lanyards (I have two so I made one for my husband although I don't know if he will actually wear it

Grammiegail: I weighed myself today and I didn't gain ANY weight on the trip. Which really surprised me given the large amounts of fish and some wine at the parties to boot. I didn't eat any bread or pasta though so maybe that was why I didn't gain. Hope you are doing well. Oh and I actually went to the gym twice with a coworker up in Vancouver.

I think we are down to 6 weeks now!!

See everyone soon,

 

[rccllap]

Moley, thank you for the info--I love sushi a lot lot lot so any chance I get, I eat my weight in it probably not the best habit I have!

Challada, I'm "from" the West Coast--dad still lives off Snoqualmie Pass--you'e in a very pretty part of the world!

And, Challada & Sue, I think my son will be so thrilled to be able to look forward to making new girlfriends He's a charmer, for sure!

Next question, and I don't know if this is answerable, anyone know if Disney has webcams up yet? My mom went on a Celebrity cruise right before Christmas, and we were able to 'check in' with her often when she'd go stand by the webcam for a visual fix for the folks she'd deserted at home I know they have an Internet cafe type thing now, but the webcams are a hoot.

And, is the Magic the one with the Chihuly glass chandelier in the entryway? Or did they put one in each ship? My mom is a big fan, and just being able to take a photo for her would be fun. They're so incredibly beautiful, anyone who can should check out Chihuly art glass any chance you get.

The Travel Channel has been running the Disney cruise special regularly and it's been fun to be able to use it as a visual guide for my son--look, honey, we're going on THAT!!

peace-
Rebecca

 

[challada]

Rebecca-
Thanks! We are actually squeezed in between the base of the Cascades and the Columbia River...really beautiful area and great for families. In fact, this weekend is our big race weekend, Ridge to River which goes from ski to bike to run to kayak (no ski this year w/low snowpack so mountain biking first leg). The kids race is TODAY and we are about to head out the door! Both of my kids are kayakers so can't wait to get in the river!

Dale Chihuly is great! I didn't realize he had an piece on the Disney boat! What a treat! Your mom needs to hit the glass museum in Tacoma!

Sue...glad your home safe and sound! Congrats on staying thin on your trip!

See ya soon!
Chris

 

[rccllap]

Okay, if I've figured this all out, there is one other boy close to my son's age and his mom is carrriep1657--so, let's share a moment of, Cool! Another boy! And here's another funny for you--mine's name is Sam. Yours, Sammy? I like it

There seem to be a number of young ladies around the same ages--Kelly, Grace, Emi, Madison, Katie; it's great that there are so many! (I sure hope I didn't leave any of the 4-5-6 set out, if I did, please forgive!)

I'd love to be able to join in with any activities, so today am picking up some alien green mickey ears at HD. I'll volunteer to plan an activity or two if anyone thinks we need/want one?

BTW, I've done the dolphin swim at Discovery Cove. It was AMAZING. I seriously doubt the younger ones will be able to cope, though, as it is also intimidating to be in the water environment with a creature quite capable of making sure you respect its boundaries. They look MUCH bigger in person. But it was something I will always remember as one of the coolest things I've ever done in my life. All of you who are doing it in PV, you'll not regret it!

Okay, we're off to spend the day as a family. This is rare--and my son needs to practice good public behavior for the cruise! (Running around like a wild man is his number one activity in public, so we're learning how to corral it before he runs right off the ship.)

peace-
Rebecca