Roll call for the 10/23/2004 Western Magic. Who's with us?

[jenmack]

Thanks Pamela.

Actually, I already looked on that website among other's. My family & I talked it over & we all agreed to do Paradise beach.
We are doing the snorkling thing on Grand Cayman & I'm more of a beach kind of girl so we opted to just relax & have a lot of fun in the sun. Paradise beach has a water trampoline, a floating iceberg the kids can climb on. They have kayak's & snorkling, lounges, & floating mat's & it's all for free. They have no entrance fee too. I guess it's really clean & it's been opened since 2003. It seem's like it will be a lot of fun. The only thing is...My Ds9 & Dd7 keep talking aout shark's. My older son has been fascinated w/ sharks since he was about 2 or 3yrs old. He has several books on shark's, has a shark in a bottle, 2 shark teeth necklaces, stuffed sharks, singing shark for the wall. He even did a sleepover @ underwaterworld @ the Mall of America. They slepped under shark cove. Anyway, because of all his "shark knowledge" the result is, he's now scared to "go into the water."
Anway, thanks so much for checking that out. I 'm sure whatever your family chooses it will be a lot of fun.

 

[Mom2Princesses]

Don't count me completely out on the black glove thing --

But I really don't have a dress that they would go with, since much of my stuff is dressy casual or sundress casual.

Now, if I run into a cannot-pass-up-deal on the perfect dress then I will be in the glove club!

BTW, what are the "red hat" ladies?

 

[skylynx]

Ahhh Nancy...having black gloves is the PERFECT reason to go hunting for a dress to accompany them! Most of my glam gear was purchased at department stores like Hecht's or JCPenney or the equivalent when they had big clearance sales plus additional-off coupons. It became quite the good game to see how inexpensively one could acquire high price tag clothes. Marshall's and TJMaxx are great for that, too but they often don't have what you want in your size. In this case, a pretty simple black cocktail type dress would fit the black glove bill-it doesn't have to be a long gown.

The red hat ladies are a social group for ladies 50 and over (I'm a few years off from that yet) who want to be frisky and wear red hats to identify themselves to each other at horse races and arboretums and such. http://www.redhatsociety.com I think the Long Black Glove Society would be full of equally frisky ladies of all ages who are just a bit more subtle about their membership. Even if you only haul your black gloves out once a year on a cruise, or maybe a New Year's Eve party, they'll last you a long, long time. My 11 year old daughter has a pair and we wore them together on (semi) formal night on our last cruise. That was for the hour and a half I could keep her out of the Oceaneer's Lab long enough to have her picture taken.

I know lots of people really just want to be comfortable on their vacations, but we really enjoy dressing up since there are so few occasions we can wear our good stuff and not feel terribly out of place or have other people think we're on the way to the Prom.

Ohhh. Carla, Chankanaab...several people posted saying it smelled like sewage and there was (non-oceanic) debris all over the beach and in the water. Again, it could have been just that one day, but still might be worth checking out on the main boards.

DANA...glad to hear you are settled in your new home. I'm still job hunting, too. :-( Can't wait to see you again!

 

[abitjaded]

Hey Jen, are you going to WDW first? If so, check out Shark Reef at Typhoon Lagoon. My DS-11 is also shark-crazy. He has THREE sharks' teeth, loves to wear them. The reef swim is so non-scary. The sharks just swim below you. Might be just the thing. They are more afraid of him than he is of them. Remind him more humans eat shark than shark ever ate human! In all our years of diving and snorkeling I have never seen a shark, except at Typhoon Lagoon and Sea World. Sharp coral and spiny sea urchins are more of a problem, and they are just stuck in one spot!

Idunno, how would a red hat and black gloves look with a pink and lime green gown?

Another website showing Paradise Beach:

http://cozumelmexico.net/Cozumel-Beaches.html

The site is a little flakey to negotiate, but there is an interactive map, makes Dzul Ha look great for snorkeling!

Carla

 

[jenmack]

Thanks Carla, We are, doing WDW before our DCL. I will definetly check Typhoon Lagoon's Shark Reef out. I think my son has found himself a kindred spirit. He will be wearing his shark tooth necklace, too.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I am so excited. I just booked my airfare to join all of you on this cruise!!! My coworkers think I am absolutely crazy that I am so excited now that I have airfare. Now I can officially post on this thread!!!

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Welcome dd, Heidi. Now we can plan together. You owe me a BIG daquiri for adding you to our cabin!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Originally posted by jiminyC_fan
You owe me a BIG daquiri for adding you to our cabin!!!!!!!!!!

I think I owe you more than one!!!

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Originally posted by Pooh_Friend#1
I think I owe you more than one!!!

YAHOO, you all are witnesses. It is in writing. Heidi, you owe Dad and I more than one. How about a drink a day??

 

[pdarrah]

Hi Everyone!

I have just added some more links to our website. Many thanks to Carla who sent me a bunch of great Grand Cayman links. I also added a few for Cozumel. If you haven't bookmarked it yet, it is at www.bwdarrah.com/dcl

I believe I have put up all the "Who's going" info that I have, so if you have sent me info or a correction and its not there, please email, PM or post here and I'll get right to it.

Pamela

 

[Mom2Princesses]

Originally posted by skylynx
Ahhh Nancy...having black gloves is the PERFECT reason to go hunting for a dress to accompany them! Most of my glam gear was purchased at department stores like Hecht's or JCPenney or the equivalent when they had big clearance sales plus additional-off coupons. It became quite the good game to see how inexpensively one could acquire high price tag clothes. Marshall's and TJMaxx are great for that, too but they often don't have what you want in your size. In this case, a pretty simple black cocktail type dress would fit the black glove bill-it doesn't have to be a long gown.

Skylnnx AKA Denise--

You are really making me curious to go and puruse the clearance racks! I just wish I hadn't fallen in love with and bought the dress that I did -- but, alas...

And, a yippee for me, I paid the cruise off today!!!!!! It only took 14 months to pay it in full, but it is done! Now, onto the awful airfare game.

Pamela, in case I never said this before, your hard work is truly appreciated and your website is extraordinary!

Is anyone else here going to MNSSHP on October 22 (Friday) before the cruise? I got my tix yesterday! Yay!

 

[DudetteTwo]

Now I'll have to talk Joyce into getting gloves so we can recognize each other at the formal & semi-formal nights!

Had a nice lunch with my old roommate for her birthday. I haven't seen her since she moved out in June. Back to work tomorrow. Then my son has a job interview Friday at 1:00 PM & after the job interview we are off to Virginia Beach until Wednesday so I will be MIA. I really NEED to get away, not alot of good things going on in my life. The cruise is the one thing that keeps me very UP.

Hope you all have a good day. I had a hard time getting on the boards this afternoon "the server was busy". Toodles JEANNE

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Originally posted by jiminyC_fan
How about a drink a day??

I don't have that great of a job to afford that many drinks!!!

 

[pdarrah]

Hi Nancy - Thank you for your kind praises! It really isn't that much work - I've been making website for years. The links were all things I found doing my own crazy research and Carla kindly sent me a bunch for Grand Cayman.

Heidi - I saw your transportation problems on another thread. If our schedules work out and you don't have tons of luggage, we might be able to give you a ride. The only problem is that we have a rather set schedule which may not work for you. We are flying in Friday morning (arriving 10:15am) and are renting a car. We have arranged to meet some relatives at GatorLand for a few hours. The plan is to leave Orlando around 4:00pm and drive to the coast. We need to return the car at the Budget office before 6:00pm, but could drop you off at RonJon's before that. Of course this will only work if youare getting in early enough to meet us at the airport or catch a taxi to GatorLand before we leave there! (We have a full size car because of luggage - We'll have 2 suitcases, 1 garment bag and probably 2 or 3 carry-ons)

If that doesn't work, you might want to look into a 1-way car rental. I believe that we are paying around $45 for ours and it is a full size - by yourself, you could probably get away with a compact. Then your only problem is getting from Budget's office at Cape Canaveral to RonJon's - if they can't shuttle you over, there is always calling a taxi.

Pamela

 

[Mom2Princesses]

Wow, did I get the deal with the airlfare! Spirit air from Detroit to MCO $136.70 roundtrip, including taxes! I cannot believe I got it that cheap. The downside is that we leave at 7:30am, but it does give us another day in WDW that way, we really are hoping to go to Blizzard Beach on 10/21!


For those of you who have cruised before, I have some questions:

Do children wear life jackets on the tenders/boats/ however you say it?

Is is wise to bring large beach towels from home, I also have those mats that are disposable for the sand?

Cabana massage at Castaway Cay -- has anyone done it before? Worth the $$?

Are people still giving the childcare people (Lab and Club) gift cards to places like target or phone cards etc? I noticed in Passporter it says you CAN tip them (cash?) but I remember a while ago reading somewhere they could not take cash?

Realistically, how much should a family of 4 put aside for tips, total? I know what the servers get, but the overall picture, does anyone know? Also, do you bring the cash for them or charge? I am trying to have this trip be pretty much paid for before we go, I want to charge as little as possible, because Christmas will be right around the corner when we get home!


I will leave it at that for now, still working on the excursion questions!

I appreciate you all!

 

[jiminyC_fan]

This is really Pooh_Friend#1, but am too lazy to switch names so I am posting under my mom's name.

Pamela, thank you so much for the offer. You are so sweet. I don't think our schedules will work though because my plane gets in at 1:30 pm. Thank you again for the offer.

 

[abitjaded]

Nancy,

There are not any vests required on the tenders, these things are generally pretty large, but I do not have direct knowledge of Cayman.

Great airfare!

I would leave the beach towels at home, unless you have a lot of extra luggage room. There are generally large carts of towels for Disney sponsored shore excursions, and large holders parked as you disembark at all the ports. Also ones to toss in the dirties when you return. If not, you can go up to deck nine and get some from the teak cabinets by the pools. We have never taken beach towels and never had a problem. Mats, hmmm, most of the beaches have either free or rentable lounge chairs. We usually rent a chair and umbrella or two, not bothering with adding any for the kids since all they do is hang in the water.

Seems like tips are generally about a hundred per cruiser. We leave extra at Palo, but our kids never have spent a large enough time in the clubs to feel we needed to tip a specific counselor. Check the FAQ at the castaway club site. Barb covers most of it pretty well, including gift cards, etc. We left about 20% over and above the standard for our dining room servers on one cruise, since they were awesome. They would even cross the room and do extras for us even if we were not in their breakfast or lunch station.

Cash-wise, you'll need about a buck per person per room service delivery. We did coffee and rolls each morning, and fruit and cheese trays every evening when we did shower shifts before dinner. We also left cash at Palo at brunch and dinner. Cash for the luggage handlers at airport and port (you'll get a good one if crowded and you wave the cash). Cash for cabbies and shuttle folks if they schlepp your luggage. And don't forget cash for shore guides' tips, or purchases. (Captain Marvin is even requesting cash or traveler's checks to pay off their excursion, rather than the credit card that holds the reservation.)

We charged the "envelope" tips to the room. Put down a credit card to have this priviledge, but then pay it off in cash if you prefer at Guest Services. Ask when it will be posted to the CC, sometimes as it adds up they post sooner.

Carla

 

[Mom2Princesses]

Wow, Carla, Thanks for all the help!

You know, tipping can be the most confusing thing, there are just sooo many people to tip! I will be looking into the Castaway Club site.

I have given up having enough cash to not charge -- almost made it, but a little charging will be necessary...

Hope everyone had a nice weekend, Thanks again Carla!

 

[BeanoC]

Hey everyone...

I thought I'd try to get back in the loop here once again; life sure has been busy lately. Gotta keep workin' to try and pay for this dang cruise!

Just over 2 months away now. Can't wait!

I haven't read all the posts from the last few pages, so sorry if I am being redundant here.

I thought I'd ask about a DIS meet at sailaway. We usually get together on deck 10 above the Goofy pool for sailaway. It is, IMO, the best place to be as the ship pulls away from the dock, unless you really want to be right in the "mix" of everyone dancing with the characters on stage down on deck 9. Anyway, that's where we'll be if'n anyone wants to avoid... I mean meet us!

Just remember, if you want a sailaway drink, AKA a Bon Voyage, DON'T get them from the deckhands who are carrying them around on trays. Theirs are nasty!
Take the time to go to the bar and order one, so it's fresh, and um, actually has some alcohol
in it! Trust me on this one. Right, Kamy? Right, Renee?

Can't wait to meet y'all, and to see all my cruise friends again!! (Even you, "Tim the tarzanman")

Boy, that Tim. Watch out for him. That's a dangerous dude. Whack. Sicko. Crazed lunatic. Borderline psychotic. Needs therapy. Should probably be locked up.



My kinda guy. Might have to buy him a beer!



'Beano'

 

[skylynx]

Hey, Beano, we're with you for the Sailaway DIS meet on Deck 10 over the pool. I consider it one of our "insider secrets" to dash up there immediately after the lifeboat drill and snag a prime table overlooking the Goofy pool on the port side (so we can quickly walk over to the rail and watch the DCL terminal ladies waving). We've done it successfully twice now.

And you are TOO RIGHT about the drinks...by the time the guys toting them around get to you, the Bahama Mamas have already been standing around a while with the ice melting. I'll have mine full power, please. One of us will stake a claim at a table and the other does the cocktail run. Works for me!

A friend of ours has a house on the north side of Grand Cayman very near Rum Point I've been lucky enough to visit several times. My honey and I are planning on renting a car and driving out there to see them (though there is a chance they won't be there). Even if they aren't there, we'll probably drive that loop through Bodden Town and out to East End. Though I've driven a manual shift Rocky there on a few occasions (major brain disconnect) I am very happy to rely on my husband's driving ability this time--since he's a Brit he'll be back in his (left side of the road) element!

In case anyone else is interested in going this route, we were able to reserve a car from Budget for about $40 US including taxes, and will just have to pay the $7.50 for a driver's permit issued at the rental counter. I thought that was pretty cheap. We figure compared to the price of a shore excursion, the two of us can gad about the island a few hours, snorkel in my friend's " back yard" and still make it back to the tenders in plenty of time. Luckily, I think I remember most of the main roads (there aren't many) and as long as you keep hugging the shoreline as you drive, you can't really get too lost.

Can't believe we are getting so close!!!!!