October 29, 2005 Magic

[Soccermom-Cheri]

Organizing suitcases already? Wow. Let's see, we leave on a Thursday at noon... I'll be packing at .... 10:00. I do have a check list of things to get (like goggles and Advil for the bushwhackers) - then it's just cram as many shorts and t-shirts into the 8 suitcases as we can. Of course, leaving room for the bling-blings.

Oh, this may be a "duh!" to everyone (but it never occurred to me): carry on your door magnet if you make one. I had mine packed quite securely in between flat t-shirts. It still came out all bumpy - and magnetic paper doesn't smooth out. And, magnetic paper takes longer to dry out of the printer in my experience.

6 Saturday's to go? Woo-hoo! That means only 11 more working days for Cheri

Beano any word from your bud, Tom, on getting back to the normal dock on St. Thomas?

 

[zachsmom2000]

Does anyone know what time the bar opens at Paradise Point? I looked on the website and it says that lunch is served starting at 11:00 AM..is it the same for the bar? I realize that as strong as you guys say the Bushwackers are I probably shouldn't start any earlier than that, but we have an excursion in the afternoon. And as they say....."It's 5 o'clock somewhere!!!!"

Also, I know this has been discussed, but is anyone staying at the Radisson by the Port...and is there a DIS meet planned?

Thanks, and I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Julie - (Lol..my best friends name!) I will be at the Radisson about noon on Friday..I plan to hang by the pool and veg!

Back from the mall...got my wig and hawaiian shirt for my Nani outfit..Rick says I don't look Samoaian..LOL!

Also got Kate's formal dress...it is so pretty..Garnet..very pretty!!

ok..gonna go rest a bit! That was alot of walking!

 

[zachsmom2000]

Julie - (Lol..my best friends name!) I will be at the Radisson about noon on Friday..I plan to hang by the pool and veg!

Back from the mall...got my wig and hawaiian shirt for my Nani outfit..Rick says I don't look Samoaian..LOL!

Also got Kate's formal dress...it is so pretty..Garnet..very pretty!!

ok..gonna go rest a bit! That was alot of walking!

Betsy,

How far is the Radisson from the airport? I am thinking that we will be there around 3:30.

 

[RonnieJo66]

Hey Johnna...get any postcards from WDW??

Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend.

Hugs,

RonnieJo

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Julie - that I don't know...I have never been to the port or MCO before

 

[Bo'sMom]

What is the perfect scenario for us? I'm still trying to figure it out. Our flight doesn't get in until 8:40 p.m. on the 28th. Should we drive the hour to the port and stay there, or stay at the airport and leave for the port the next morning. We are travelling with four adults, two 11 year olds and a 1 year old. What do you guys think is the best scenario.

 

[BeanoC]

Barb - IMO, get a towncar or limo from the airport to the Radisson on the 28th. (Obviously, get a room at the Radisson for that night!) Then all of your traveling is done in one day. The morning of the 29th, you get up, get on the shuttle bus, and you're at the port in 10 minutes, instead of another hour's drive. Besides, the Radisson is a nice relaxing hotel, and you can see my ship - um - I mean... THE ship from the hotel!


Just Beano's 2 cents!!



'Beano'

 

[Soccermom-Cheri]

you can see my ship - um - I mean... THE ship from the hotel!Just Beano's 2 cents!!
'Beano'

and here I'd been calling it MY boat ....

 

[SueEllen]

If you can't get the Radisson there is always the Ron Jon Caribe resort also (it's fairly new) Since you are arriving so late you may want to get a room by the airport though and rest up. It's about a 45 minute to an hour drive from the airport to the Port.

Sue ellen

 

[tinkryansmom]

Hey all

Happy Saturday!!

IMO I agree with Beano. Our flight arrives at 7pm on the 28th. We opted to take a limo (florida classic limo) to Cocoa Beach that night and are actually staying at the Holiday Inn Oceanfront ($55/night on priceline). I know you have the 1 year old but I know with my daughters temperment it would be easier to "push it" late at night than make a break for it early in the morning after going all day - especially the excitement of airports, flying, people, etc. Mommy is not a morning person either!

RJ: Yes!! THANK YOU THANK YOU!! I had requested a postcard from Verandah Man, which Ryan received. But the following day she also received a postcard from TinkerBell!! Which she loves and it is posted on the 'fridge! She said "I have to call Ronnie Jo - did you know she knows TinkerBell!" She can't wait to see you!

So I guess if category 10, 11 and 12 are full upgrades are looking good for gty 12'ers. I'll keep my fingers crossed. DH won a poker tournament last night so if pixie dust misses me, I will be looking at upgrading at the port. He would love a verandah - might just surprise him.

The golf gods were hospitable today, so life is good. DH is mowing the grass and I am off to do laundry and unbury the guest bed for visitors tomorrow.

6 weeks from now, I will be sitting in the theatre watching my "pre-dinner" show!!

 

[Soccermom-Cheri]

OK, here's an interesting itinerary to juggle: we dock on Saturday and are planning to go right to the Space Center and fly out Sunday at 11:00. How do you recommend we travel? No Sat room booked yet. If we get a rental car, I can't imagine that it would be a good idea to leave 8 bags in it all day at the Space Center. If we got a room at the Radison, do they have a shuttle from the port and would they take the bags alone? OK, people! Think with me on this one

 

[Pacha]

For those renting a car or those who have rented a car on St. Maarten, who do you rent from, where is the rental place and how do you get there? My DW was thinking about doing this but I am kinda hesitant as I will be the one doing the driving. Convince me how easy it is.

 

[Pacha]

We will have to bow out of ToT'ing in the morning as we have Palo brunch booked for 10:30....we will still make it to the party in the afternoon though.

 

[trishy]

Pacha: Sorry you won't join us for ToT'g - I've updated the list. Thanks for letting us know. Also, some great information about St. Maarten can be found HERE. The rental car companies are at the pier, but the streets are not the best conditions - some are actually one lane roads. Not trying to scare anybody, but they do get narrow and you should be aware of that if you'll be touring the entire island. Anyway, at that link there's a girl "Snoopy_leogirl" who lives on St. Maarten and gives tremendously valuable advice. Try to read through the thread first before asking a question though, because she has answered so many of them already.

Cheri, the Radisson does have a shuttle from the port, but I would definitely call them up and find out about transporting luggage - not sure if they offer that. Mickey's big foot will be up bright and early to kick us all off his big boat so you may have time to rent the car, drop off the luggage with 'bellhop' and get to Kennedy by 11 - not sure what time you need to be there, but that's a very reasonable estimate. The only time we were ever delayed was when a guy had a heart attack at CC, but the captain booked it at full knots during the night and still managed to kick us out by 9.

 

[BeanoC]

Cheri - Trishy is right: Get your lazy butt up and off the ship!

If you make arrangements ahead of time for a room at the Radisson and a rental car nearby there, you can get off the ship, take the shuttle to the hotel, leave your bags, get in your car and drive to the Space Center by 11:00 easily. So move your tail, sister! Beware of the cateteria at Kennedy, though. I think it was called the 'Moon Rock Cafe" or sumthin like that. It's where most people have lunch during the tour. We had hot dogs, lasagna, soft drinks... I think the tab was $70.00.
And it was gross! Just a little warning. Otherwise we had a great day there.



'Beano'

 

[SueEllen]

Car Rentals on St. Martin: There are a few. Best Deal Rentals, Budget, and 2 others I can't recall right now. You can rent in advance, or when you get to the port. The booth for all of them is located at the end of the dock on the right hand side. We rented from Best Deal (got a Toyota Corolla) and it was $45 + taxes (the guy cut me a break--all the rest were $50)
It's the same price as getting one of the taxi drivers to take you on an island tour.

We did not find the streets difficult to navigate, but when you were heading over to a beach it turned to a dirt road immediately and more of a path. If you miss that dirt road you miss the turn to the beach. St. Martin was an experience though (I was surprised at just how small the island was.)

As for Kennedy Space Center, I was going to offer the same caution that Beano did--SKIP THE LUNCH there. It's way overpriced and not very good.
It is also a lot of walking around involved for the KSC tour (and coupons can be found for discounted admission.) You will have plenty of time to check in somewhere and still get to KSC since you will be off the ship generally by 9:00 a.m. Also, you will be fine leaving the luggage in the car if you decide to just tour first and then get a hotel after. There are a TON of hotels in the Cocoa Beach area that would be convenient and close to KSC (which is the opposite direction from the Raddison and the Cruise Port.)



Sue Ellen

 

[Hockeychic]

Good Morning everyone.

We did Cape Kennedy as we call it. A few years ago. DH and DS where right into it. DD and I just followed along. There are a few places even I said WOW!!!! Definatley worth a trip and I am glad I have gone. As for food, honestly I don't remember that part.

We are renting a car in St Maarten, through Budget including all the possible insurance we could purchase it is $70.00 for a Corolla, which they class as a intermediate....

Look at my ticker Wahoo getting close. Actually didn't get the suitcases to organized yesterday just basically cleanned them out of all the stuff I have thrown in over the last few months to be sure what I think I already purchased.

Gotta run, have a great day everyone

Kim

 

[Soccermom-Cheri]

I've already had to high-tail my keister off the boat a few times earlier than I'd like to, so I know the drill there (even considered finding a place to stow away a few times). I'm more concerned about what to do with all that luggage. and, with everyone so hyped up about security, I'm not sure anyone will take unaccompanied bags. Guess I'll call Radisson and see what they say. Is Budget right there at the port where I could rent a car and return it at the airport? We've always done the limo thing (yeah, slightly spoiled)

I already have the tickets for Kennedy and tickets for Lunch with an Astronaut so I can avoid the cafeteria (thanks for the warning).

Docs, please! gimmie, gimmie, gimmie

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

Well if it were me Cheri.. I'd sacrafice myself by letting the Fam go to Kennedy while I unselfishly took the bags to the hotel and then spent the rest of the day reading by the pool.
The things we moms do for our families.