October 20th 2007 Western Magic

[JLDSMD]

To all the WI, Midwest, CDT and GMT-6 DISers, HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEARS to everyone else as well!!!!

GO BADGERS!!!!!!!

 

[JLDSMD]

And where's my friend Jeff? Still partying from Christmas?? One more week until his cruise and I'd like to wish him a safe and fun trip!!

I'm still alive. Trying to get a lot done at work (only 2 working days the last 10 days of December and only 5 in January before we leave). We also have a house guest the whole time DS is off school (12/22 - 1/3).

Unfortunately we have a week and a half from today until our trip (almost 2 weeks til the actual cruise). We leave the 11th for FL (flying into Tampa on AirTran - gets in 5 hours earlier than the MCO flight). Doing Hoop Dee Doo that night and then AK, EPCOT and MK on Friday (brief stops in each). We sail the 13th. Hoping for warm weather.

 

[B9erSteve]

Here's looking toward meeting all of you in a bit less than 11 mos! I know that I am getting the Disney bug now-- I am checking DIS everyday for my fix.

Black-eye peas are actually a bean, they are white with a black dot on the side. I feel that they are the tastyest of the beans. I'm not sure what to compare the taste to.

 

[oybolshoi]

Happy New Year bump!

 

[Dyerneeds]

Happy New Year!

JLDSMD,

You'll have to let us know how the western cruise is. I've talked to other people who went to Cozumel this year. They said there wasn't much there after Wilma Went through. (Everyone has their own opinion, so it's hard to say.)

That's not stopping us. We're looking forward to it anyway.

I'm finally getting rid of this cold & feeling much better. If I get rid of this sinus headache, I'll be great.


New Year's tradition
Ours has always been Saurkraut and Pork for good luck. (Great with mashed potatoes), (Which we had today for dinner.) My DH doesn't like it. He says it stinks up the house.

The next 9 1/2 months is going to fly.
Robin

 

[Timon]

I'm looking forward to Cozumel too! We are going to Chankanaab and doing the Dolphin Encounter, and even Kira, at 11 months will get to swim with the dolphins!!!!

Okay, I just went to the Dolphin Discovery Website and they changed their policy to minimum of 1 year old to participate....so....Kira will be 12 months old by then! Right? Right! Shhhhhh!!!

 

[Karen Mouse]

Hello everybody

Just been tipped off on the Dibb site:

Seaworld are doing a "pay for a day - go for a year" ticket". $64.95 ad for a years pass. $53.95 chd

Hope it helps someone

We will probably go in the week before the cruise then 1 day after too.

 

[cntkg1]

Cass,

First, are those shortbread cookies all gone now?

Secondly, the Dolphin Encounter in Cozumel...Is it a DCL excursion? I thought I wanted to surprise Chuck with it. He would be so thrilled to swim with the dolphins. Do you have a price for it? I'm thinking around $200.00 for both of us???

So far it's the only excursion I think we are doing.

I'm looking forward to Cozumel too! We are going to Chankanaab and doing the Dolphin Encounter, and even Kira, at 11 months will get to swim with the dolphins!!!!

Okay, I just went to the Dolphin Discovery Website and they changed their policy to minimum of 1 year old to participate....so....Kira will be 12 months old by then! Right? Right! Shhhhhh!!!

 

[A fat english gent]

I'll just keep bumping shall i

 

[Timon]

Nancy,

LOL, the shortbreads....yes they are ALL gone....thank goodness! I think I almost turned into one! Now for the hard part....getting my butt onto that elliptical every day!

As for the Dolphins, there is a DCL excursion but it is the Encounter NOT the SWIM excursion. I would recommend the SWIM for you and Chuck which has to be booked directly with Dolphin Discovery .

Here is the link to the swim

http://www.dolphindiscovery.com/activities/dolphin-royal-swim.asp

It is $139 per adult

We are doing the Encounter because we have 3 kids in our party under 8 years old and that is the min age for the Swim, but the Encounter is for 1 and up. Not as cool as the swim excursion but at least the kids will get to kiss and hug them!

Here is the DCL excursion info:


Dolphin Discovery Cozumel
Get up close and personal to dolphins in an interactive encounter you'll never forget. After a 20-minute taxi ride to Chankanaab National Park, take in an informative orientation and receive your lifejacket. Then, immerse yourself in three feet of water for a fun-filled 30-minute encounter where you're invited to touch and play with these gentle creatures of the deep.


Port of Call: Cozumel Activity Type: Water Sports Activity Level: Mild Duration: 3-3.5 hours Price: Adult: $110 (ages 10 and up)
Child: $96 (ages 3-9) Ages: 3 And Up Additional Information For ages 3-12: An adult 18 years or older must be booked on the same Cozumel Dolphin excursion.
For ages 13-17: An adult 18 years or older must be booked on the same Cozumel Dolphin excursion or the corresponding Cozumel Dolphin Observer excursion.
Transport is provided via non-air-condioned taxi.
This excursion is not a swim with the dolphins experience and is only recommended for family and friends of Guests participating in the Dolphin Encounter.
The dolphin encounter takes place in an enclosed area on a three-foot deep platform.
Guests will need to be able to descend 12 steps into the water and be able to stand on the platform throughout the dolphin encounter.
Lockers and lifejackets are provided.
Guests are encouraged to wear swimming attire under clothing if wishing to swim at the beach.
Guests in wheelchairs need to ensure that their wheelchairs are collapsible and that they are able to enter and exit the taxi.
Food is available for purchase.
Guests are encouraged to bring cash or credit cards to purchase optional extras, such as Dolphin Encounter videos, pictures and souvenirs.
Snorkel equipment is available at an additional cost.
Once the dolphin encounter is over, Guests are invited to enjoy the park, which includes a small beach, until 5:00 p.m. Guests must see staff at the park entrance before using the included taxi vouchers and taking the taxi back to the ship.
For safety reasons, expectant mothers, Guests with heart or respiratory conditions and those with back/neck injuries cannot participate.

 

[Karen Mouse]

For all of you trying to be good and healthy -

AMAZON.CO.UK have half price sale on health grills and smoothie makers etc

Not sure if its on the us site but it might be worth a look.

I have just bought myself a health grill for £13

 

[Karen Mouse]

Oh Lindy

Just looked at the Next site - new summer stuff - big mistake - loads of stuff I want and a dozen pairs of sandals!

When does their summer sale start

 

[JLDSMD]

Just a friendly bump to get us off the bottom.

 

[A fat english gent]

Enjoy your cruise JLDSMD....

 

[oybolshoi]

Jeff,
hope you and your family have a great cruise!

 

[cntkg1]

Thanks for the info Cass. I'll have to think about that one. I like the insurance of a DCL excursion as opposed to a non-DCL one.

OK gang...just asking for a few thoughts for good old Nancy for Thursday morning please. I go for my cancer check up at 8:00 am. I'm trying really hard to be cool about it, but the truth is, is that I'm a little nervous. OK, Ok, " a lot" nervous is a better word. I'll let you know the good news as soon as I can (the power of positive thinking).

 

[JLDSMD]

OK gang...just asking for a few thoughts for good old Nancy for Thursday morning please. I go for my cancer check up at 8:00 am. I'm trying really hard to be cool about it, but the truth is, is that I'm a little nervous. OK, Ok, " a lot" nervous is a better word. I'll let you know the good news as soon as I can (the power of positive thinking).

Nancy,

Good Luck with your test!!! Here's a little Pixie Dust for you. And a big 'ol hug for you too.

Seriously, hoping all goes well.

Jeff

 

[JLDSMD]

Thanks for the info Cass. I'll have to think about that one. I like the insurance of a DCL excursion as opposed to a non-DCL one.

Nancy,

We went to Chakanaab back in 2004. Didn't do the Dolphins, but swam at the beach right next to it.

It is VERY easy to get to Chakanaab from the pier. They have cabs all over the place at Chak as well. I wouldn't feel uncomfortable booking an excursion there. You probably would be able to do it walk-up as well.

Jeff

 

[JLDSMD]

Jeff,
hope you and your family have a great cruise!

Enjoy your cruise JLDSMD....

Thanks everyone.

Our house guest leaves tomorrow night. After we wash the sheets on the guest bed, we will bring the suitcases up and start packing. Hopefully we'll be done by Sunday (usually DW is packing late into the night the night before, and we don't go to bed until after midnight. Last trip, however, we were actually done by the weekend before. Maybe we got it down now.)

We can't wait. Only 9 more days until we fly down.

Jeff

 

[JLDSMD]

We were sitting 5 from the bottom, so here's a bump.

I was looking at the long range forecasts for our trip (next week) and here's what I found:

WDW 77 (Thur - Fri)
Port Canaveral 75 (Sat)
Key West 81 (Sun)
Grand Cayman 86 (Tues)

Can't beat those temps for the middle of January. It supposed to be 32-35 here in WI while we're gone, so I'll take it. I usually hope for really cold temps right before we leave (single digits, and I don't mean celcius - for our UK friends).

Accuweather doesn't have forecasts past Tuesday yet, but the Cozumel temp for Tues (we'll be there on Wed the 17th) is 84.

The real feel temp (they take into account the humidity) is forecasted at 96 in Grand Cayman and 100 in Cozumel.