New Year's Eve 2008 12/27/08 SEE POST#1 FOR LIST

[Aisling]

I see no problem not telling

Yeah, you wouldn't! Your John is going to be when he finds out. But then he'll be . I'm just not good at keeping secrets like that, so I give you and Debbie credit.

And Missy Jill, what do you have against tents? Don't you like sleeping on the ground with creepy crawlies?

 

[trinibjill]

After sleeping in tents with the military I swore I wouldn't sleep in another tent on purpose.

 

[tiggerwannabe]

My reason, as usual, is allergies...

I used to camp all the time. My allergies started really bad in my early 20's. Now if I try to camp I'd wake up covered in hives, so no thank you. It became a proven fact after the last camping trip Rose and I took with our girl scout troop.

I wonder if they have coupon codes for the cabins It's worth checking into right?

 

[bride2007]

Debbie
I'm not a newlywed, but sometimes I want to (<insert DHs head here), (<insert DH in this pot of boiling oil), (<insert DH under these jumping feet), (<insert DH getting strangled), (<insert DH tied up on the hot sand in the full blaze of the sun while I'm under the umbrella), (<insert DH, tar, and feathers being painted on him), (<insert me at the wheel aiming at DH), (<imagine DH being stuffed into this genie lamp with no TV forever), (<insert DHs head on the end of the string), (<insert DH with the board saying This Is How To Not Get On Your Dear Wife's Last Nerve).

But then it gets again, and I'm on !

So you haven't told your DSS about the cruise? How about telling him and hang it over his head as a bribe? It'll mean, Be a good boy, or else (<insert Debbie's DSS all alone at the port while Debbie and her DH wave bye bye!)

You are too funny!

Thank you for the laugh.

You made my day!

 

[grimgrinnin]

[size=4
[color=blue]Poll Time!

If we stayed at WDW the night before, what would be your preference for hotel?

___ Deluxe (please specify which hotel)

___ Moderate

___ Pop or All Star's[/color]
[/size]

Rent a Villa at the Boardwalk with a boarwalk view from a DVC member. Cheaper than getting a deluxe from CRO. Can't remember how many are in your party Tig, but a 2-bedroom will sleep 8.

Just trying to think of the most fun place to stay when not going to the parks. I'd pick BWV or AKL, and since you've already been to AKL...


grim

 

[bride2007]

Does anybody know what the airports are like on 12/26? We usually take the Red Eye to Orlando, so that we don't waste a day traveling, but since it is Christmas we will probably wait till 12/26. We have a time share at the Sharaton Vistana Resort and their 2 bedroom suites sleep 8. They also have rooms set aside for non owners & I've noticed that the rate is around $111 - $145 per night. We will either stay there or near the port.

 

[nskjerven]

how many rooms would we need for a group discount? Is it worth looking into for this? What about staying near port?

 

[Aisling]

I have an idea!!!!!!!!

Let's camp at Ft. Wilderness!

It's only like $39 a night, and we can do the campfire sing-a-long the night before we cruise!!!!!!!

I was only joking about the tent camping. I definitely don't want to rough it right before the cruise.

I think it would actually be fun to stay near the port this time. It would be a different experience, and we can enjoy a little Port Canaveral excitement before we cruise. In that case, we would likely rent a car from MCO and drive to the port, so that we can have the car to see some sights in the area. There's a spot where manatees are supposed to be living in the wild, and easy to see. Also, I've read about Grills, a restautant practically on top of the port, where you can see the ships. A lot of Disers have their night-before-dinner meet there.

I'm glad we have time to examine all our options.

Debbie, the closest to Christmas I have ever traveled was on Dec. 23rd, and it wasn't bad at all. What was bad was going home from MCO on Dec. 30th. The security lines at MCO were unbelievable long. Thank goodness my whole group got pulled out for extra checking, and that moved us ahead of the line. That's when they found the pocket knife in my carry on! Duh, I put all my souvenirs in my carry on, including a cool pirate decorated pocket knife for a friend that I bought on St. Thomas, and the security confiscated it from me. But I know they couldn't allow me to board the plane with it in my possession.

Nan and Grim, I'll do some research into BWV and group rates by the port.

 

[tiggerwannabe]

I was also going to mention the Boardwalk...

I spoke to a friend of mine at my old office today and she's staying there in May. She said it's beautiful, the kids love it (she takes her grandkids) and it's within walking distance to Epcot and has a great central location on Disney property.

Aisling, let us know what you find out...I'd be in on that one.

There is also the Radisson at the port. That's where Mom had us booked before we found the coupon codes for AKL. It's close, convenient, clean and about $159 (that was for December 23rd in 2005.)

I have no experience with flying around holidays, we drove last time. I would expect the 24th and the 30th/31st to be the busiest at any given airport. I would only be concerned about the 26th because of alot of people trying to fly *right* after the holiday. IMHO you should put that question out on the main DCL forum, there's got to be somebody out there who's flown to/from MCO around Christmas.

 

[Aisling]

I have no experience with flying around holidays, we drove last time. I would expect the 24th and the 30th/31st to be the busiest at any given airport. I would only be concerned about the 26th because of alot of people trying to fly *right* after the holiday. IMHO you should put that question out on the main DCL forum, there's got to be somebody out there who's flown to/from MCO around Christmas.

I have to look into this, too. Our cruise leaves on the 26th? That means we fly in the 25th, Christmas day. Lou, will this be a problem for you?

 

[ohioworkingmom]

I think the cruise leaves on Saturday, December 27. If you are coming a day early, you will be flying on the 26th. We did this 4 years ago, cruise left on the 27th, airports were busy, but not bad. Just need to give yourself the 2 hours to get checked in and to your gate. Depends on the airport also, I remember when we got into Orlando the lines for people leaving were horrendous, was glad that Columbus airport wasn't that bad. We come back on Saturday, the 3rd. If you are flying on Saturday, expect a similar situation. Sunday will probably be worse, since most people will have to be back to work on Monday.

Last time we also stayed at the Sheraton in Orlando on Friday, and used there shuttle to go back to MCO on Saturday and use the DCL transportation. In April last year, we stayed in Cocoa Beach at the Sheraton (my favorite hotel chain!!) and used a limo to transport us from MCO to port and a shuttle from Sheraton to Port. Ate at Grills too, was not one of my favorites, but it just might be because we are not big seafood eaters, plus the one DD was not feeling real well that night, and I was quite worried she would be sick while we were trying to board. Ended up being too much travel and excitement in one day!!

 

[trinibjill]

Hey Tigg
Remember we picked up Steph at the airport. The crowds weren't too bad, the bag inspection line was a tad long.

I am flying this July because I have a leased car & don't want to add any more mileage. However, I do prefer to drive.

The 1st cruise I went on, we flew & missed the day before party everyone had at the hotel at the port. They seemed to have a great time. They did what we did at AKL & had something on that everyone recognized the ones that were on the forum.

Whatever we do or wherever we stay I bet it will be all that, a bag of chips, with dip.

Are we there yet.

 

[tiggerwannabe]

A TAD long???

OMG, they were out the door!!!

Absolutely give yourself the full two hours before check in...the security is what takes all the time up...and I mean it, the line to security was horrendous~

Like Aisling said, I am grateful we have lotsa time to do our homework and see where everybody's gonna be and plan accordingly.

I am curious now....How far is Cocoa Beach from the Port?

 

[ohioworkingmom]

Just a few miles. We took a taxi from hotel to Grills the evening before we left, and watched the Magic sail off. I think the taxi ride was like $10 or $12 one way for four of us.

 

[tiggerwannabe]

That's not bad at all....

I guess where we stay will depend on what price we can get to the Beach Club. I prefer staying at WDW but am flexible enough where if everyone else wants to stay at the port I would too.

 

[Aisling]

I think the cruise leaves on Saturday, December 27. If you are coming a day early, you will be flying on the 26th.

That would be perfect. I got my dates mixed up. Louise needs to be with her family for Christmas, so leaving on the 26th would be good for her. I'm going to try to convince her mom to let her go on the 25th, so we can enjoy a couple of days on property before we cruise. I know Louise is a grown woman (23 now, will be 24 then), but she comes from a lovely and very close family who really come together for Christmas. Her dad passed away some years ago, so keeping Christmas as a family time is important to them. Lou, I hope you don't mind me talking about your family, but we're all like family here together, and everyone cares. Hey, I don't think Lou is even reading these threads tonight,,,she and Chad are leaving for WDW tomorrow night!

Somebody help me! I pray they have a good trip, from the plane ride to the parks to the ahem hotel rooms. I wish I could go with them, but first I don't have the money, and second, I think it's wonderful that they're practically all grown up now, and are going to WDW for spring break instead of Ft. Lauderdale with the non-stop drinking. They'll do their drinking at the Biergarten, where Chad would like to try a real German beer.

Chad's at a Knights of Columbus initiation meeting until late, then he has to come home and finish a paper for school tomorrow, and then finish packing. Louise is working on the homeworks for her class for this upcoming spring break, and then she has to pack. They both have colds, and are exhausted. But they can sleep on the plane. I'm going to miss them and be a little worried about them.

Also tomorrow, my USAF brother stationed in North Dakota is off to Japan! It should only be a few days, because he works on B-2 bombers, and once he finishes, he's on his way home. But in July, he's supposed to be deployed to Iraq for his second tour of duty. Also tomorrow, Jesse is going upstate NY to NYState University at Cortland with my brother to visit my nephew at school. They'll stay for he weekend. Tiggie, I should take a drive down there to see you guys on Saturday, since I'll be bored and free. Wanna have lunch at WaWa? No kidding!

Ok, on to business, I sent a few PMs to DVC owners about renting (or is it buying) points for BWV. Waiting for responses. I'll let you know asap. But remember, staying near the port is a good option, too.

Tig, did I read that your son Adrian and his DGF Cate do photography? Is this for school? Wow, you have creative kids. Wasn't Brittany interested in art? It would be nice if Jesse somehow went into the arts, since he's up on all the indie film makers. Who knows. God bless ALL of our fantastic, sometimes hardhead, kids! Us mamas are doing all righty! Yay us!

This is so funny, I took a sleep aid to help me fall asleep, but it's just making me loopy and hyper. Hmmm, I expect I'll suddenly fall back against my pillow in any second now without warning. I have to check those BWV PMs first.

Good night

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Wow Aisling, you are a bit hyper...

It's nice to get a taste of what goes through your head

I'm here. You wanna come down, you got my number. Get your rest tonight and call me sometime tomorrow if you're serious!

Lunch at Wawa? Are you for real???? Actually, we could get lunch at Wawa and eat at my house...it'd be nice to have you visit, you are always welcome in my home.

 

[Aisling]

I wanted to call you today, but was so busy getting Chad's last minute things for his trip. And now I think it may be too late to call you (it's 10:30 PM). I just got in from the airport. Do you have my cell number?

 

[tiggerwannabe]

I'm here

Calling you now~

 

[We Love the Mouse!]

Hi everyone! I haven't checked this board in a while and I can't beleive we have over 300 posts already!! We have taken 3 NYE cruises and there has never been a big DIS contigent before so this is great! I only read 2 pages back so forgive me if I missed something. A couple years ago we did the NYE cruise and I think it left on the 27th. We ended up traveling on Christmas which actually was a pretty light travel day. We have small children so I was a little concerned at first but prices for the 26th were outrageous. We ended up having Christmas at home in the morning, visiting with family for a couple hours and catching a mid-afternoon flight. I think this is what we may end up doing this time as well. We are traveling with another family this time so we'll see what they have in mind but I know I don't want to pay alot for flights on the 26th. When we have gone down the day before we usually just head to the Radisson at the port for the night. We really like grabbing their first shuttle in the am. I think if we have an extra day that we may have to hit Disney world--we'll see.
Now that I know there is a lot going on here I will pay more attention to this thread!!

Ami