**@@** October 6th, 2007 Magic**@@**

[Rellyrooly]

HI All-

It's been a little while since I posted also, SO MUCH going here. We are buying a local golf course and due to take ownership the end of this month so things are just nutty here.

Wow Shirley, your gonna have students on board with you? You just better watch your partying younglady! Really though, welcome to all the new chandler members, it will be so nice to meet you all!
Cindy

 

[goldmanrawnsley]

Nice to meet you all too!!
As for you, "Mrs. Lenz" .....No worries at all......What happens on the Disney Cruise Ship STAYS on the Disney Cruise Ship!!!!
We just can't wait!
Rebecca

 

[lenzs4]

No issues - I party like a kid - not an adult so it is OK!! I am looking forward to it - and I am still telling everyone I meet that they need to try the Disney cruise as well!!! I am working on other teachers now - we will see how that goes! Shirley

 

[BoosGram]

Hello Everybody!

My family and I will be joining you on this MAGICAL cruise in 2007.
We are also Disney Vacation Club members whose home resort is the Boardwalk. We are going to the Boardwalk the week after Thanksgiving this year and the cruise will be our Disney fix for next year.
This will be our third Disney cruise in six years and our second western in a row. We loved strolling around Key West and never did get to go to Cozumel due to hurricane dammage after that really nasty hurricane last October so we decided to do the western again. There will be four of us and we are staying in room #8074 which is the same room we had last time. We will be able to find our room because it will be the one with the Mets magnets on the door. We are really big Mets fans so hopefully we will be able to watch a few playoff games somewhere on the ship next October. I have two Sunday season tickets to the games at Shea Stadium and it is 100 miles of traveling each way so you know I'm a die hard. Looking forward to attending a few games at Shea this October as well. Can't wait to meet you all next year.[ENDQUOTE=Zoop]


Ahoy Mateys,

It was fun to find some fellow Mets fans among the 10/6 cruisers. We live in VA, but come from Queens and Brooklyn originally.

We just booked last night. We also cruised last fall and also missed Cozumel...maybe this time? It will be just my DH and I this time. Our DDs are all grown up, so it's playtime for mom and dad...sweet! Traveling will be DH, Wayne, and me, Joanne.

Hope to meet with the DISers; we know from our previous cruise that they're the best!

Joanne aka BoosGram

 

[jenschaef1]

Ok haven't posted in a while, so I thought I'd check in.

Shirley, we went on the western a few years back. this is what we did:

Key west: A Personal water craft tour. I personally would not do this one again, I was petrified that I would lose my teenagers off the back and the tour guide wanted us to go fast...needless to I was always bringing up the rear...I think they were calling me "grandma" by the end of the tour.

Grand Cayman: Never got there due to a hurricane. Had a stingray swim planned with a private company and will probably rebook this again (if I can put the whole Steve Irwin thing out of my head - yes I know I am being not rational)

Cozumel: DH and DKids favorite day. Took the kids to Paradise beach to play on the water toys and relax - I know we will be doing this again as the kids loved it.

For all you out there that are not from Chandler, I might have mentioned this before but I will say it again...we have the most wonderful school schedule in the world. Although we only get 2 months off in the summer (our summers are not nice weatherwise anyway) we have very long breaks in Oct. March and December, thus the reason that we appear to be taking over this ship. I believe several other school districts in the area also have the whole Columbus day week off, so we will have a large contingent of "Valley of the Sun " people.

Hmm...looks like some neighbors of mine must be going on this cruise...I know where Shirley works , and although my kids are supposed to go to her school, we attend a neighboring school (beginning with a J ) since I work there.

More soon,

Jennifer

 

[goldmanrawnsley]

Nice to hear from you, Jennifer. Yep, we're right in Fox Crossing. It is so odd to meet a neighbor this way! I've never been on a message board before until I talked to Shirley and she told me about this site. What a neat way to meet people and find out more about the cruise details. Thanks for the excursion advice too!
Rebecca

 

[jenschaef1]

Happy turkey day!

I must say, the Disboards are comprised of the nicest bunch of people. I have met a lot of people including Shirley and Cindy (Rellyrooly) thru the Disboards and have never been disappointed. Last year we got together at the local McDonalds so we could have the kids meet before the cruise so they would know each other and have friends in the club. It was great!

Enjoy the rest of the day with your family
Jennifer

 

[Rellyrooly]

So, I'm sitting here on Sunday night after a long weekend of shopping and looking for something on T.V. to zone out to. I turn on the Travel Channel and what is on? The Disney Cruise Line special. Now this is my 10th or 11th time seeing this program but it is still as exciting as the first. I guess that is how we all feel about the cruise itself and that's why we keep coming back! Also, I am torn and need help....I am conflicted as to where to stay in WDW after our cruise. I had thought about the Beach Club due to its awesome pool and location to Epcot, MGM and the boarwalk area (which we have never been to, can you believe that?) OR the Contemporary due to the monorail and the fact that it was just renovated. The Contemporary is considerably more $. I also considered the Wilderness Lodge which is cheaper than the others, is pretty cool looking, but not near anything and only has bus service. Any thoughts?

Also, WELCOME to Rebecca! We live in Sun Groves at Riggs and Lindsay. We will have to meet you at our Mickey D's annual event. Right girls?

 

[goldmanrawnsley]

I've only been to WDW once and we stayed @ the "Contmporary" in March, 05 and were very disappointed. I felt like the place was quite dumpy for how much we paid. If it has been recently renovated, that would not be as much of an issue.

My only other complaint about it is that it is very spread out and we were in one of the very back wings at the end of a crazy long hall. It was such a long walk just to get to the main lobby or to the monorail and that got old very fast. I do think they have rooms that are more central, but we didn't know to ask. The kids really liked the cafe downstairs and we ate there quite a bit. Being right on the monorail was also very nice, but you still had to take shuttles to lots of places. Hope this helps.

Rebecca

 

[BoosGram]

Also, I am torn and need help....I am conflicted as to where to stay in WDW after our cruise. I had thought about the Beach Club due to its awesome pool and location to Epcot, MGM and the boarwalk area (which we have never been to, can you believe that?) OR the Contemporary due to the monorail and the fact that it was just renovated. The Contemporary is considerably more $. I also considered the Wilderness Lodge which is cheaper than the others, is pretty cool looking, but not near anything and only has bus service. Any thoughts?

We've only had limited experience with the resorts (DD and DSIL are DVC members), but the Boardwalk is a great place to stay (we'll be staying there again in September-October the week before the cruise! ). You've got some pretty good restaurants very close by (e.g., Spoodles, Flying Fish), ice cream and pizza, and lots of entertainment by the water. Sometimes you can see the fireworks if your room faces the right way. Also, you can easily walk to Epcot or take a boat to several other locations, including Disney-MGM. The Wilderness Lodge is very cool; we really liked it (it has a very different feel to it making it seem like you're in the northwest, and we loved the creek running through the lobby and the geyser by the pool), but it is not as conveniently located as Boardwalk. Whispering Canyon restaurant is a hoot but don't be deceived by the name; it's fun, especially for the kids (when we were there, they had the kids gallop around on stick horses), but not the place for a quiet dinner. Not even close. The other place we have stayed is Old Key West, which is a beautiful resort; the biggest downside is that it is very inconvenient to pretty much anything else, especially if you don't have a car (count on lots of travel time), and the food is very limited. The room sizes are impressive though, as is the view since you're located by the water.

And I know what you mean about watching the DCL show over and over and....

Can't believe I'm already this excited this far out!

 

[lenzs4]

I agree - the Contemporary was a dump when we stayed there and it was only easy to get to MK. To go any where else you had a lot of switching to do. I say, stay closer to MGM and Epcot and ride to MK and AK - lots less travel time!!

 

[Laurabearz]

We stayed at the Contemporary the night before our first cruise... stayed in the 'tower' with a MK view. We did NOT have the newly remodeled rooms, but I was thankful for that... those WHITE bedspreads and my kids grubby meathooks do NOT mix.... lol Also I didnt think it was all that convient to MK... unless you walked. From the Cont. MK is the last stop...

I too have been thinking aobut where to stay both before and after the cruise.... I think I have settled on the Poly for the night after... and I was going to book the Luau for that night... Since we are shoved off the boat so gosh darn early, I thought a quick trip to MK , doing the early luau, then hitting the pool.... would be a nice segway back to reality.

The night before.... still up in the air. We are DVC owners so I suppose it should be a DVC resort, since our last night option isnt.... Still I am torn! lol Good thing we have a bit of time to figure it all out!

I am so happy to see all the new faces here! Lots of new DISers too! Welcome! We have just over 300 days to get to know each other... think we can do it?

 

[gouodux]

Sure is cold here in AZ today! Did it even reach 70 degrees? On my way home from Scottsdale today, my car told me it was on 66. Oh, and on the way to work this morning it was 46. That's down right cold for our thin blooded skin!

Just wanted to say that we LOVE the Beach Club. We contemplated staying at the Contemporary on our visit in September but ended up glad we stuck with the BCV. Our Monorail ride from MK to the Floridian for the Pretty Princess Tea (lengthy due to some mechanical problems) left us with a bad impression of the Contemporary. Just didn't seem very lively.

Our first visit to WDW we stayed at BC and were blown away by the ease to all of the surrounding areas. Our second visit this year, we were now DVC members so we were able to stay in the Villa's section of BC. Wow, the rooms were cool. The girls are insane about the pool. Don't think they will let us stay anywhere else.

 

[HayesFamily]

We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge for 10 days this past October and loved it!! We found that there was great access to everything with just a short bus ride. Also, there was boat service to and from the Magic Kingdom. My kids loved all the activites at the hotel (boat rentals, bike rentals, magic cookie hour, board games in the lobby, electric boat parade, etc). It was also just a hop and a skip over the the Wilderness Campground for the hoop de do revue and Chip and Dale Campfire Sing along. (Both of which my children loved).

Hope that helps make your decision easier!

Bridget

 

[Laurabearz]

Morning everyone!!!

I kind of feel silly asking... but.... Are any of you entering the Ebay contest for the Dream trips to WDW?? If so... and your NOT using the VMK codes you get when you enter, could you toss them my way? My oldest and I play VMK (www.vmk.com aka Virtual Magic Kingdom) and would love to have any codes any of you are not using...

If you dont know about the contest.... www.winit.ebay.com There is like 5 days left.... Great prizes!!!

Thanks bunches!~



Oh and back on topic... We took our First NO PARK trip to WDW and stayed at VWL... 8 days NO PARKS and we found so much to do at that resort!!!

ANyone thinking about staying close to port on the first night... like Ron Jons or the Radisson??

 

[Rellyrooly]

Well I think we have decided to stay at the BC after all. Thank you all for all the input. I just think we will love the pool area on our last day with no parks, plus we have never been to the boardwalk so that may be a fun new experience as well. I also really want to check it out because we have been considering becoming DVC members anyway. It will be a good way to see the properties.

On a "off topic" side note...some of you know of our venture in buying a local golf course here in Gilbert, AZ. We are supposed to close tomorrow and things have been REALLY hectic. It's actually quite amazing that I have any time to visit here at all but I have to relieve my stress level some how...
I will keep you all posted on how it goes.

 

[lildeb724]

It has been a while since I have posted...not sure why- I read it all the time. Our exciting news is that I just bought DVC - On Thanksgiving of all days. We purchased at WLV but will have our first trip to BCV in May. I love WL but since BCV was available,I figured we would give it a shot. Planning a very relaxing hang by the pool sort of trip. We are coming in the night before the cruise, but I think we will stay somewhere near the port since we wont be in until the evening.
Hope everyone is well....

 

[momm2four]

Hi, everyone! It's been a while since I've posted, but I guess I need to now since yesterday I cancelled our cruise. I am soooo sad, but we have some credit card debt, and I feel it is silly to put so much into a vacation when we have consumer debt.

I have known this for some time, but was stubborn about going on this cruise b/c I wanted it so badly, however I have come to the conclusion that maybe this will give me the incentive to get this "crap" paid off.

I really hope you guys have a wonderful time, and maybe we'll meet up in 2008.

Lori P.

 

[Laurabearz]

Oh Lori ((((Hugs))))) I am sorry your not going with us but so totally understand why! Good for you for taking care of those pesky credit cards!!

So does that leave me alone with all the AZ people!!!

We had an interesting Thanksgiving... My oldest DD started throwing up... two days later on my Second DD's birthday she starts throwing up and just as those two start to feel better my DS starting throwing up. Fun fun fun NOT! DH got it too, and then once everyone was better I GOT IT! Oh yeah! At least I lost a few pounds!!! We are all fine and dandy now, but it was a long 2 weeks....

Back to Cruise talk...

I think I have figures out our shore excurisions!!! Woot!

Key West, we are just going to rent an electic car and tool around... maybe head to the Southern most point and do the aquarium....

Grand Cayman... there is a pirate ship excruision via Disney that is for 3 and up, so that means we can ALL do it! Sounds like fun, but I still need some feedback from the boards on it...

Cozumel... I think just the heading to the Beach... Or maybe Chank Park, but I think over all my family would prefer just hanging at the beach....

castaway Cay... DD8 and I might do the banana boat ride and I really really want to rent some sort of sail boat....

All Ihave to do now is wait 200 some odd days to book it all!!!

I also have to figure out a good time to fit Palo in!!! But I am not going to worry about that until we are 200 days out! heehee

Oh For all you AZ people... it is current 9 degrees in Chicago... 9 freaking degrees out. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

 

[jenschaef1]

Laura: You could always join us in AZ. I think it was about 76 today. Beautiful...of course it was a little colder last week (like in the low 60s with some wind) and I was freezing my tushy off. (yes, we are wimps and will admit it) DH travels to Chicago for work (Quaker bldg downtown) all the time, I feel sorry for him this time of year.

Ran into Rellyrooly last thursday at the local Kohls...I was buying jeans for DD because all she had was shorts and like I said it was (sort of) COLD last week. They hopefully have now closed on their new golf course!

Oh I am so glad there is only one more day until the weekend....I'm beginning to look like this guy

Jennifer