November 11, 2006 - MAGIC - Special Western "Double Dip" Cruise 11/11/06

[Raeryan]

ooohhhh! That "tag" game sounds fun! Remember to explain exactly how it works as it gets closer (or now). Our kids are old enough now to think that is really FUN! Kinda like the old "Ding Dong Ditch".

To answer your question about our DD who is wanting to "chat", she will be 9 1/4 years when we sail.

My dd will be the same age when we sail. She is interested in a pen pal.

 

[Hannosmom]

That would be me, Jeanna. How we all met one another last year was from chatting. We had started comparing prices and the group rate we had through AAA beat everyone. It started that it was all just family in our group but we had a couple extra rooms that we didn't need so some of the DIS'ers took them to save some money, plus get the onboard credits (or free soda package before it was free to all). The group amenities are very nice, too!! So, we all just chatted to plan what everyone was doing and got to know each other as people not just other vacationers. Now, we have done other trips with each other and talk all the time. We are more like family now. Lord help us all!!



Hi Pat!!

We have a very nice group of "ax murderers" here. We had a few spouses that were very uncertain about getting to know people you have met on-line, but they have come around; Hi Rick!

The first time I met a bunch of DISer's in person was at WDW. When I was getting ready to leave, my grown sons took me aside and said "You're not really going to meet a bunch of people that you met on line, are you?" I said "yes." and my oldest then looked at me very seriously and said "Mom, if they offer you koolaid, please don't drink any."

 

[kaykels]

Originally posted by GrayFal
Where are you staying - I am at the Marriott Grande Vista on I-Drive near Seaworld (and the outlets...oh yeah!)

I'm not sure yet. I usually snag one on skyauction or rent from an owner. I like Sunterra Cypress Point. But I'll also be at the Hyatt. I'm getting an amazing rate b/c my dad (Pop Pop) is traveling with us and he qualifies for the government rate. We'll have to organize a pre-Dis'er hangout Friday night! I'm flying in from Philly and I'll probably arrive late (hopefully) so my kids and hubby can get in a full day at school/work.

 

[kaykels]

If somebody is starting a list, I'm not sure if I posted my info. Who gets that info? Should I post it here or in a PM?

 

[DIS NURSE]

I am also wondering if an official list is being kept with peoples' specific stats.

Raeryan- glad to know there will be other DD's our DD's same age!
When an email is established for her, here at computer central, I will let you all know.
You see, that is what my DH does for a living....a Network Manager for a College. Runs all the networks and PC's...and all of the headaches that come along with such a massive amount of computers.
He told me many months ago when i joined the DIS, "now don't you be talking to strange axe murderers on-line!" "you never know about people."

True. Very true. But he's much more loosened up after having met great DIS'ers on our last cruise.

GrayFal....have you ever stayed at the Marriott Grande Vista? We did, in Oct, 2004 for our first trip to WDW and we LOVED IT! Very nice place and boy were we spoiled with a just newly remodeled room and full kitchen! They weren't even half way done with the massive remodel. Maybe they are now, but be sure you get a remodeled one!
Great pools and fitness facility! That's how I rate a place.....by those two factors. Sounds dumb, I know.

Having been so spolied, I will have a hard time stomaching the Buena Vista Suites for 3 nights but I can do it......I can do it 'cause it's the only way I can justify $279 pp at Discovery Cove! x 4 = that is gonna sting! Have never been to Sea World (except many moons ago in San Diego) so we will be there a lot to also help justify that cost. Looks like Sea World has lots to see and do! Any insider's tips?
When we disembark, we will visit Sea World that afternoon on our Discovery Cove unlimited passes.

 

[faireygod mother]

Dee,

Howdy. Did I brain fade or did we talk about me holding off on pre-cruise plans? Anyways, please don't include me in totals because I have yet to finalize any of the pre-cruise plans for the 8 of us!

Thanks.

No problem consider yourself removed and myself straightened out. What was I thinking

 

[faireygod mother]

My DGD will be 10 in June and is very eager to write. Please let me know when you are ready.

Here is a list that want to so far:

Raeryan DD 9 1/4
Disnurse DD 91/4
Kaykels DD 10 & 12
Faireygod Mother DGD 10
Let me know if I got the ages right.

Anyone else interested in their children emailing please let us know.

 

[faireygod mother]

I'm not sure yet. I usually snag one on skyauction or rent from an owner. I like Sunterra Cypress Point. But I'll also be at the Hyatt. I'm getting an amazing rate b/c my dad (Pop Pop) is traveling with us and he qualifies for the government rate. We'll have to organize a pre-Dis'er hangout Friday night! I'm flying in from Philly and I'll probably arrive late (hopefully) so my kids and hubby can get in a full day at school/work.

I am assuming you will not need to be booked in with our group rate at the Hyatt then?
Please let me know ASAP

Thanks

 

[DIS NURSE]

Thanks for putting that list together!
She will be excited!
I will see if DH can get her set up with email this afternoon when he returns from skiing. Yes, we live in the SNOW!

.....that is why all of our vacations are in Nov and March....in search of WARMTH!

 

[GrayFal]

I am assuming you will not need to be booked in with our group rate at the Hyatt then?
Please let me know ASAP

Thanks

Dee, I also emailed Hannosmom - as she might be eligible for a different rate.

GrayFal....have you ever stayed at the Marriott Grande Vista? We did, in Oct, 2004 for our first trip to WDW and we LOVED IT! Very nice place and boy were we spoiled with a just newly remodeled room and full kitchen! They weren't even half way done with the massive remodel. Maybe they are now, but be sure you get a remodeled one!
Great pools and fitness facility! That's how I rate a place.....by those two factors. Sounds dumb, I know.

Yes, many times, this is one of our home resorts....my son just returned from New Years week there,,,he really enjoyed it.

 

[faireygod mother]

Dee, I also emailed Hannosmom - as she might be eligible for a different rate.

I tried to get a government rate, because we are, and it was more expensive. If anyone can get a cheaper rate please let me know. I have tried just about everything. I even tried USAA and they do not have a corporate account either. No matter what, I am staying at the Hyatt, even if I am by myelf.

Thanks Pat, keep me posted.


Are we interested in setting a limit for posts before we sail? I am like a chatty cathy and love to talk and post, so I am definately up for the challenge.

 

[GrayFal]

Dee, I also emailed Hannosmom - as she might be eligible for a different rate.

Thanks Pat, keep me posted.

Dee, I am with you (staying at the Hyatt) ,,,,I just don't want to see you get stuck with rooms - people need to know u r signing a contract for the rooms so they can not back out without paying......

and I thought I would email Linda in case they can get a lower rate like kaykels did......But then YOU said u checked out the goverment rate and it is NOT lower then the $159 you are getting.....OY!

 

[kaykels]

Dee, I sent you a PM too, but I got the government rate at 101.00. It's listed on the website. Don't look under "best available rate", just go right to government rate on the pull down menu when you put your dates in.

And I have another DD traveling that is internet addicted. She will be 12 in April. So please add her to the list. Should we exchange email addresses? Maybe we should do that through PM's just in case there are any nuts lurking around the boards.

 

[faireygod mother]

I checked again and if you are active duty the gov rate applies...according to reservations. So I thought about something Kaykel wrote me and called the front desk myself. They said retired or active military and government is fine. Who am I to argue. We can get a rate of 101 plus tax. I am not real good at math, but that beats the group rate any day. The lady at the check in desk said just have an ID. Yeah all those years I served just paid off.

I never thought to call the check in desk. I kept getting switched to reservations and got the same story. The retired gov rate they quoted me was the same as the regular rate, no wonder, because they are not all on the same page. Hurray for some of us.

There is also a senior rate (age 62 and up) of 131.34 and AAA is 179.10

Kaykels thanks for the hint.

 

[GrayFal]

I checked again and if you are active duty the gov rate applies...according to reservations. So I thought about something Kaykel wrote me and called the front desk myself. They said retired or active military and government is fine. Who am I to argue. We can get a rate of 101 plus tax. I am not real good at math, but that beats the group rate any day. The lady at the check in desk said just have an ID. Yeah all those years I served just paid off.

I never thought to call the check in desk. I kept getting switched to reservations and got the same story. The retired gov rate they quoted me was the same as the regular rate, no wonder, because they are not all on the same page. Hurray for some of us.

There is also a senior rate (age 62 and up) of 131.34 and AAA is 179.10

Kaykels thanks for the hint.

think Milli Vanilli......She Drives Me Crazy and I can't help myself.....do, do

So this means the group is OFF....can your whole (family) group get that rate or just you, Deezy Darlin' ???

 

[DIS NURSE]

I guess I am confused?

.....maybe clarify for sure if the group thingy here is off.
If it is, I will then have to do my homework and see what I can come up with, maybe just for ourselves?
Whatever works is fine. We will go with the flow.
We are definitely staying at the Hyatt the night before!

Can someone please go over with me again the transportation thing in the morning? We need four of us to travel one way to the Port.

Thanks!

 

[DIS NURSE]

Am going to press the magic "buy" button on the airfare in the next few days. Right now it's $344 round trip from Oregon to Florida! YEAH! Couldn't be going much farther (in the USA) from point A to point B! I think that I need to act soon!

 

[GrayFal]

I guess I am confused?

.....maybe clarify for sure if the group thingy here is off.
If it is, I will then have to do my homework and see what I can come up with, maybe just for ourselves?
Whatever works is fine. We will go with the flow.
We are definitely staying at the Hyatt the night before!

Can someone please go over with me again the transportation thing in the morning? We need four of us to travel one way to the Port.

Thanks!

I am not DEE but....here goes.

Dee looked into a group rate - needs to be 15 rooms and it IS a committment(sp) - if we sign the contract - we have to pay for that number of rooms......

Now it seems as if a few people who originally said YES to the group - will now qualify for the 'cheapo' government rate of $101 - much better then the group rate of $159.

Sooooooo - my question is.....will Dee still organize the group "for the rest of her family" even if she gets the better rate herself. OR - do other "fams" also qualify for this rate????

As for transpo TO the cruise....she has 25+ people in her group and can get a bus - it depends on the response whether she will get a bigger one to hold more people.
also, she has to decide how to split the costs as obviously the bus goes 2 ways and you are only asking for one......

 

[DIS NURSE]

Thanks for the clarification. Well explained and I understand. Wow! That's a unbelievable rate for the Hyatt!

 

[kaykels]

where do you find a bus? Maybe we can organize a second bus. I have a party of 6 (at least) my brother's family is also coming but I think the working plan for them at the moment is staying near the port, depending on their arrival time.