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

[clynne]

Oh, yeah, Wendy...braving LAX for a cruise...that's commitment...or, that you need to be committed....I hope we enjoy this cruise enough to not blink at traveling through LAX "next time..." For us, it's much more the driving through Orange and Los Angeles counties...the freeways are nuts. Hey, we're heading up your way this week...could you order up some sunshine for us southlanders? You have had your fare share of rain recently....

Lauri...thanks for the heads up...it does sound like fun, guess we gotta get crackin' here...

Carolyn

 

[Spotdude]

how much does bingo cost? DW wants to play bingo and keeps asking how much does it cost.

 

[GrayFal]

Quick HELLO...busy weekend, packing up the den ....will construction ever end???????????

Hope to catch up with you all next week...are we chatting Tuesday or Wed????

A BIG Welcome Home to House O P and CJS Jeanna.....hope your trips were as good as mine

 

[woody73]

we went on Dave and Ivan's tour to the Chacchoben Ruins last November . . . Let me know if you have any other questions.

Lauri

How do you book this tour? Thanks.

 

[Vanvmom]

For us, it's much more the driving through Orange and Los Angeles counties...the freeways are nuts. Hey, we're heading up your way this week...could you order up some sunshine for us southlanders? You have had your fare share of rain recently....

Carolyn

There's actually a reason southlanders would choose to come to the rainy part of the state?! In 2004 we drove to DL every 8-12 weeks to enjoy the pleasant weather (here is seems to be foggy or rainy for 3 months, then in almost a 24 hour time frame go to 90 degrees and stay there for a majority of the remaining 9 months in the year).
We're headed to close to your area in a few weeks! I hear it's actually been somewhat dry down there right? DH is going to Fullerton on the 20th for work, and then our whole family is headed down at the end of the month to meet up with all of DH's family for a weekend (they are in Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, Corona, and Newport Beach). Wonder if we could justify a day trip to DL??? Hard to pay day ticket prices when we've had APs in the past.

 

[ibouncetoo]

Woody, go to their web-site http://www.chacchobenruins.com and go to the 'contact us' section. Basically, you are sending them an e-mail (which they do NOT have daily access to--so be patient for a reply). Give them your info and they will respond with availability and you have two days to get back to them 'accepting' the booking. At this time you pay in cash at the beginning of the tour. They will eventually have the technology for on line credit card reservations, but don't at this time. There are several different tours to choose from.Spotdude, sorry, I don't know your Bingo answer....I think Michelle played it on our cruise, so maybe she'll be able to answer when she next checks in.

 

[JJsmama]

Jennifer,

Our change was a little more dramatic than just the dates. Because DS#1 decided he wanted to come also we did a lot of looking at numbers and the best choice was to go from a category 5 to two category 9's. He is 6' and his brother is 5'6" so it would have been like 4 adults in the room and it was like $1200 more for the category 5 (one room!). It is $581 more for the change we made. Whew, sorry that was so long.

Hey, that's pretty good considering you now have 2 rooms! I'm just happy we're cruising, aren't you?

Jennifer

 

[JJsmama]

Jackie and Carolyn,

The tour was amazing, and the highlight of our trip. We booked as soon as we found out we were going to Costa Maya. Amazingly, everyone on the tour was a DISer , and several people were shut out. You need to make your reservations way in advance. Hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Lauri

Isn't it a long drive? I hadn't considered it b/c I didn't think my kids would enjoy the drive. They are very interested in foreign cultures and places, but they are still young.

I was planning to do the Chankanaab (on our own) and show them the fake 'ruins' at least.
Whataya think?

Jennifer

 

[JJsmama]

Thank God we do not have to fly. We're close enough to drive. Even though it will take 8 hours, with two kids, I'd rather drive.

Spotdude, about Bingo: My Passporter says it is $10 for 5 games, 1 card each game OR $20 for 5 games, 3 cards each game.

My passporter is a couple years old, so it may have gone up.

 

[ibouncetoo]

Hey....did you guys see this?

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1079753

Special Castaway Cay rental deals for double-dippers!

 

[Vanvmom]

I noticed that this morning... sounds like some great deals! We were actually considering buying our own snorkel gear and bringing it (my kids' heads are a little bigger than the standard "kidsize"). Not really interested in packing unneccessary stuff though. Opinions? Also curious about how they sanitize the gear between rentals (DH and I have both worked in Medical fields in our past and know the "nasty" stuff that can lurk).

 

[JJsmama]

I noticed that this morning... sounds like some great deals! We were actually considering buying our own snorkel gear and bringing it (my kids' heads are a little bigger than the standard "kidsize"). Not really interested in packing unneccessary stuff though. Opinions? Also curious about how they sanitize the gear between rentals (DH and I have both worked in Medical fields in our past and know the "nasty" stuff that can lurk).

I'm in exactly the same spot. If it weren't for the 2 day rental deal, I would have bought stuff. But I was already wondering where I was going to put it in the cabin and wondering if it would leak old water and sand on the floor, etc...

They DO wash them out. They swish them in this big tank of bleach water when you turn them in. Somehow, it just doesn't seem enough. Then again, surely DCL has studied what is necessary to be sanitary.

Obviously, I am still on the fence. Perhaps I'll do the 2 day rental deal and just buy and bring snorkels for the 4 of us. I don't mind wearing used flippers, mask and vest.

 

[JJsmama]

We were actually considering buying our own snorkel gear and bringing it (my kids' heads are a little bigger than the standard "kidsize"). Not really interested in packing unneccessary stuff though. Opinions?

P.S. I would think they would definitely let the kids wear the adult size if needed. This is DCL we're talking about.

 

[Vanvmom]

Especially considering that my oldest DS is taller than me (and his head is bigger than mine too).

Glad to hear first hand what they do to sanitize. Thanks!

 

[Spotdude]

Thanks for the info on bingo. My DW wanted to do that on our last cruise. I still don't know why she didn't.
I called BN aboutthe 2006 Passporter, and they couldn't even get it.(?) I thought for sure that they would have it sence they had the 2005 edition. I even tried BN.com and they do not have it listed. So I ordered from Amazon. I think I sould have it on wensday.

 

[ibouncetoo]

. So I ordered from Amazon. I think I sould have it on wensday.

Boy, I sure hope we get it by Wednesday! I just checked on Amazon and they haven't shipped yet....but I think they don't receive them till next week...hopefully EARLY. Plus, I think I cheaped-out and didn't do express shipping, so mine may take 5 days to get here after they ship. Why did I do that ????


Today is the last day of big sis's visit...so the three of us are doing a ladies-who-lunch experience in Scottsdale. Late lunch on the patio of this charming restaurant, right in the heart of Scottsdale shopping and galleries...big sis's idea of heaven I'm leaving the charge card at home!! I've aleady done jewelry, art and clothes this trip....time to stop spending! at least I used the Disney Visa to earn rewards $$ Last night we blew off our spluzzy dinner and got pizza and watched the 20 years of Oprah tape instead....a good choice for my weary wallet!

Hope you are all having a good weekend!

 

[faireygod mother]

We were actually considering buying our own snorkel gear and bringing it (my kids' heads are a little bigger than the standard "kidsize"). Not really interested in packing unneccessary stuff though. Opinions? Also curious about how they sanitize the gear between rentals (DH and I have both worked in Medical fields in our past and know the "nasty" stuff that can lurk).

We bring our own and they fit in a bag that we can carry them to the beach with as well. The only thing we use on cataway or excursions is the vests. We wash the gear out in the shower with us when we return. This way we never have a problem with getting the right fit and I am santi phobic (surprise surprise with my OCD personality) .

 

[Lauri]

Woody,

Sorry, i just logged on, but I agree with what Jackie says about the Chacchoben Ruins. we were very fortunate in hearing back from Ivan within 24hours, but I've heard others say it took as long as a week.

As far as making the reservations, we just had to give our names and ages, and then we did not pay for the tour until the end of the trip. Again I'll say, it was the highlight of our week.

Lauri

 

[Spotdude]

I don't know what happened DW just got books for school from Amazon two weeks ago but the credit card info they have now is really old, and everyone in the house was sleeping so I ended up ordering from PassPorter.com. I didn't feel like waking DW up to update her info. So we shall see what happens I got two day shipping though.

 

[michelle9343]

spotdude
I my memory serves me well, different bingo games were different prices. I think they start off cheaper and get more expensive. I could be wrong. I do know that some times you are playing for prizes, like jewlery, and some of the time it is for $$. We played the final round and for all of the games it was $35. The person who won the final game won over $3000.00 ( had to fill the entire card. My DS and I played and had a blast.It is also played at different places. The final game had a ton of players and was played in the Walt Disney theater.
Jackie
sounds like you girls have had a fantastic vaction. I guess today you are back to reality.That is the hardest part of vaction(other then paying for it ).
JJsmamma and Vanvmom
I have the same fears about the snorkel gear. I did rent them for my DS and myself and was told that they a sanatized , but I was still worried. I would not let Angelina even play with them after we used them because if there is a germ to be found she will find it!!I have thought about buying our own, but would hate to have to use the space packing them.Now that disney has the special for DD cruises it makes it even harder.