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

[faireygod mother]

 

[Wojo]

We wanted to get on and chat last night, but by the time 10:00 rolled around we were done for the night. I did have a nice chat before the chat with vanvmom. We'll try again for next week.

 

[TiggersPal]

Sorry ibouncetoo and I missed the chat last night. We did have a big storm and my DH shut down all the servers because he got a power flux and didn't want all his software crashing (neither do I since it's our lively hood!).

We missed you all though!

 

[JJsmama]

Dropping in to say Hello again. I cannot keep up with all of you but I am lurking occasionally.

Question: Do any of you do the Universal Studios thing? Dh and I will be at a conference at the Royal Pacific Resort at US in a couple weeks. My sons will not be with us. I am wondering if I should go to US (alone) one day since it is next door. Is it worth it? It really does not look very interesting.

I'd go to the WDW parks alone in a minute b/c there is so much to see and experience, but US does not look that great on its website. I probably won't go to WDW though since it will involve a lot of hassle getting across town and back before Dh's seminar finishes. (Apparently, I am an On-site WDW snob.)

Can you believe we are finally under 6 months?

Jennifer

 

[faireygod mother]

Jjsmama. Dh and I went with our grandchildren and could not wait to leave. The parents had a blast riding the hulk and what not. I guess if you want to do rides you would have a great time.

Welcome to the world of WDW snobs, there are a lot of us lurking here.

 

[ibouncetoo]

I enjoyed my day at US a few years back. Loved the Men in Black ride. Also enjoyed lunch at Emril's at CityWalk.

I don't know what the current one day admission is, but if it turns out to be a lovely day outside that day....just mosey on over and enjoy. Of course, I'd also enjoy a lovely day by the pool with a good book and beverage too.

Some help, huh?


Off to meet my sister for lunch, then to work. Took a half day for 'attitude' adjustment.

 

[JJsmama]

Thanks to both of you on your opinions of US.
Dee, I have a feeling I might be dying to leave too- if I went. I was wondering if there was any lovely area like Main Street USA, but it doesn't sound like it.
Probably I should save the money and go to Citywalk instead. I do wish SeaWorld was next door instead. I do like those amazing animals.

Jackie, I'm glad you brought up CityWalk. I meant to ask where we should eat there. I would imagine that DH and I will eat there most of the 4 nights. Without having to bother with getting in a car, We could also eat at the Royal Pacific (staying there) and Hard Rock Hotel - if anything is good.

TIA.

It is nice to have another trip to plan while I wait for our cruise, because like you all, I too, have the obsessive compulsive (vacation) planning disorder.

 

[Spotdude]

We've decided to create a "Double-Dippers Guide to Magical Drinks". A little review of the exotic beverage choices available on board. It would be especially useful to those of us who don't have the constitution or inclination to try EVERY Adult Beverage, but don't want to miss a taste treat opportunity. Anyone care to share their favorite "I'm on vacation, I'll try a Mojito" type beverage?

I hope all of you have been well. I have been really busy we are integrating a new system and it is not really all that effective.
Ok I might have missed it but what happened to the drink guide? I have had an exceptionally tough day and I have to settle for a premixed Margarita. (Jose Cuervo Golden Margarita) I know it is a little after five in the morning but I work till 2:30 (today till 4:30) so this is like after dinner. But I would really love a good tropical drink right now instead. We have had really lusy weather so I don’t care if it is frozen or not.
I need a vacation. =

 

[shelwoj]

JJsmama, a very large number of years ago we went to Universal and really enjoyed ourselves. Of course we do like the rides as much as shows and such. Matter of fact, next year when we go to WDW for our vacation I want to spend a day at US. So, do what you enjoy and have fun.

 

[faireygod mother]

Spotsdude...The drink list has dried up.

Shelwoj.. graduation? Is this HS grad? No matter what you must be excited.

Okay, where is everyone? It has been way to quiet. Am I the only one who has no real life?

Well I hope everyone is doing well.

 

[ibouncetoo]

Ok I might have missed it but what happened to the drink guide?

Well, I don't think we actually put anyone IN CHARGE of that.
There was actually a cruise drinks thread going around at some point and I ment to bookmark it. I'll try hunting it down later.

Hope you can catch a break soon, in the meantime here's a little something:

 

[niccic]

Ok i'm confused, when can we start booking our excursions?
and yes i will be one of those on the eastern coast who will be up at 3am
Also can you book the CC beach massages online?
I saw that a couple people asked but never found the answer

 

[faireygod mother]

Ok i'm confused, when can we start booking our excursions?
:

Concierge can book 105 days from sailing, Casaway member can book 90 days from sail date and all others can book 75 days from sailing

We still have a wait. I am still trying to figure out what to do.

 

[shelwoj]

Spotsdude...The drink list has dried up.

Shelwoj.. graduation? Is this HS grad? No matter what you must be excited.

Okay, where is everyone? It has been way to quiet. Am I the only one who has no real life?

Well I hope everyone is doing well.

Yes, it is HS graduation. We are very happy that it is close. He actually finished his classes in January and is working and living at Cedar Point. He'll come home a couple days for the ceremony and party and go right back to work. The hard part is planning the party in a different state! Majority of our family lives in Michigan so that is where the party is. Once I get over all the planning for this then I can really dig into planning for the cruise!

Is everyone as excited as we are about the cruise?

 

[clynne]

Is everyone as excited as we are about the cruise?

Well, we certainly are...Ok, *I* certainly am! Kids are, too, but I think it's harder for them to conceptualize time-wise. I'm guessing that even though we're less than 6 months out now, it still seems as illusive as it did when we booked at 16 months out.

Like the old Mervyn's commercial, "Open. Open. Open!" We're just, "Waiting. Waiting. WAITING!"

Carolyn

 

[clynne]

Okay, where is everyone? It has been way to quiet. Am I the only one who has no real life?

Well I hope everyone is doing well.

I'm here, just spending a lot of time trying running kids around. Yesterday, I drove to Carlsbad and back TWICE (about 50 minutes each way from our house). Don't think that constitutes a real life (though it is a good one!), but it does keep me away from the computer!

Hope everyone's having a good week...off to the preschool and swimming now....

Carolyn

 

[ibouncetoo]

Ok i'm confused, when can we start booking our excursions?

Of course, any excursions that you may want to do NOT through DCL can be booked now. As some of us have already done for the Royal Dolphin Swim in Cozumel and the ruins tour with David & Ivan (Native Choice) in Costa Maya.

 

[Vanvmom]

I know some people are nervous to book non-DCL excursions (for a variety of reasons). On our last cruise we grouped together with several other families we'd "met" through our cruise meet thread, and we all booked a non-DCL excursion together. It was very similar to an excursion being offered by DCL, except it was cheaper and allowed 8 & 9 year olds to attend (DCL excursion had an age limit of 10 years and older). It was our favorite excursion of the cruise! We researched ahead of time on the main cruise thread, and asked other cruisers their experience with the outside excursion group we wanted to use. Everyone who replied to our questions had positive experiences with this group so we took the plunge! It was a wonderful experience to be able to do an excursion with people we "knew."

I know many of us here are doing the David and Ivan Ruins excursion (in fact Ivan e-mailed me recently and said "So far we have several reservations from passengers traveling on the Magic and most likely we'll close our operations once we reach our limit to operate only with passengers from your ship. We're planning to use a large units for transportation and make smaller groups once we are at the ruins in order to have smaller groups for the guided tour." DCL also has an excursion that goes to the same ruins, so if anyone decides to go through DCL for the trip, I'm sure we will run into each other.

 

[CJLKIM]

Hey guys! Just thought I'd pop in to catch up on the thread and let everyone know that I survived the 2-day excursion with the 120 4th graders. There was sooooo much walking...OMG....the stairs....my calves and ankles are swollen, my thighs are still burning, and let's not even go into my rear end.... I guess I can consider this a "jump start" to my exercise regiment...as soon as I can move again.

Hope everyone is well! Talk to you soon!

 

[ibouncetoo]

I
I know many of us here are doing the David and Ivan Ruins excursion (in fact Ivan e-mailed me recently and said "So far we have several reservations from passengers traveling on the Magic and most likely we'll close our operations once we reach our limit to operate only with passengers from your ship. We're planning to use a large units for transportation and make smaller groups once we are at the ruins in order to have smaller groups for the guided tour."

Oh, oh....I wanna be in David's group! No, wait...maybe I couldn't concentrate on the tour. Actually, I hear it's Ivan who's really great. Boy, it would be a bummer for them if the Magic wasn't in port that day. WAIT...it would be a bummer for US! I guess they'd all just get a day off.

Peg, Sher came by my desk today and said "It looks like your sister is REALLY excited about her cruise!" She get's a kick out of your posts.

This is the color polish I want for the cruise

It will match my lime green and fuchsia Crocs!

.