Sept. 23, 2012 Pacific Coast - Wonder Cruise

[jetskigrl]

Hi All!

We just got a quote for this cruise and I think we're gonna jump on it. Can't beat the price! We live in San Diego so no flights required for us and a nice tourist day in our home town if we get off the ship. This will be our third Disney Cruise.

Wecome to the group!!!!

 

[erbie]

Hi All!

We just got a quote for this cruise and I think we're gonna jump on it. Can't beat the price! We live in San Diego so no flights required for us and a nice tourist day in our home town if we get off the ship. This will be our third Disney Cruise.

Welcome! There are lots of us So Cal folks on this sailing. Can't beat the price and no flights!

 

[jetskigrl]

Welcome! There are lots of us So Cal folks on this sailing. Can't beat the price and no flights!

I was shocked when I realized that I will probably end up spending more for a weekend in Vegas with my kids in October than DH and I are paying for this cruise. Of course the Vegas trip includes hotel, airfare and pretty expensive concert tickets....but it does kind of hurt the wallet a bit

 

[erbie]

If anyone is staying the week after in LA, I just got an email from Disney Visa for Mickey's Halloween party for $46 on 10/5. You have to use the Disney Visa to pay, and there's a limit of 8 tickets. And it included parking for one vehicle.

You can go into the park at 4:00 that day and stay til midnight. Lots cheaper than regular tickets! It's only Disneyland, not CA, but it's still a lot cheaper than paying the regular 1-park admission of $81/87. And on these days, with a regular admission, they kick you out at 6:00 or 7:00.

 

[ImDMous]

If anyone is staying the week after in LA, I just got an email from Disney Visa for Mickey's Halloween party for $46 on 10/5. You have to use the Disney Visa to pay, and there's a limit of 8 tickets. And it included parking for one vehicle.

You can go into the park at 4:00 that day and stay til midnight. Lots cheaper than regular tickets! It's only Disneyland, not CA, but it's still a lot cheaper than paying the regular 1-park admission of $81/87. And on these days, with a regular admission, they kick you out at 6:00 or 7:00.

We're going to the Halloween party that day. Last year was our first year going and we had a blast!

 

[socababy]

We have always had a shuttle van take us to the port. My FIL has always booked our transportation so I was shocked when he informed me that we would just park at the port for our April MR cruise! Of course it would be my car we were leaving at the port. I though I'd come back with missing hub caps and such but my car was all in one piece. LOL It was convenient having it right there at the port.

 

[MadHatterMom2]

Hi All!

We just got a quote for this cruise and I think we're gonna jump on it. Can't beat the price! We live in San Diego so no flights required for us and a nice tourist day in our home town if we get off the ship. This will be our third Disney Cruise.

We're from So CA too! This ship's gonna be full of locals - ha, ha! I'm putting together another FE list. You are welcome to join if you're so inclined.

On another note, we are going to park right at the port. The website says the rate is $12/day. Not so bad if your car is still there when you return!

 

[MadHatterMom2]

Welcome Know what you mean about the price. We are from SD as well, at least for a few more days....moving to Norco this weekend.

Norco? I was born and raised in Norco. Moved to Orange County after college. Have a good move . . .

 

[Crittsmom]

Ok SoCal locals, looking for tips on parking at port. Last cruise we parked and stayed at the Vagabound Inn, a great deal, but a sketchy hotel and they only provide a shuttle one way. Is there a better (cleaner and better neighborhood) hotel with a parking/shuttle deal or is parking at the port ok?

Parking at the port is a breeze, they have a little van that can take you to the front if you want. But it is actually a very short walk.

I just booked this cruise for dh and I, this will be our second time on the Wonder (first time was the cruise to nowhere in Jan 11). We've sailed with
RCI before out of the port of LA. We are AP's and the discount was just too attractive not to book.

In the next few days, I guess I'll have to go back and read all of the pages .

Wendy

 

[gunka]

Thanks everyone for your feedback, sounds like the way to go is parking at the port. Welcome to all the new folks, funny I am saying that as I just joined a few days ago

 

[gunka]

If anyone is staying the week after in LA, I just got an email from Disney Visa for Mickey's Halloween party for $46 on 10/5. You have to use the Disney Visa to pay, and there's a limit of 8 tickets. And it included parking for one vehicle.

You can go into the park at 4:00 that day and stay til midnight. Lots cheaper than regular tickets! It's only Disneyland, not CA, but it's still a lot cheaper than paying the regular 1-park admission of $81/87. And on these days, with a regular admission, they kick you out at 6:00 or 7:00.

Went to Mickey's Halloween Party last year and had a blast, it was very cool to see almost everyone in costume. My only complaint was that it appeared to me that they did not kick people out at 6 or 7 who did not have party tickets.

 

[BigDisneyOE]

Welcome to all the new people to the thread. We aren't SoCal residents, the last time I was in LA was 1988 and that was also the first time.

We've had kids with a gut bug here but now everything is okay. The dog appeared to get a mild dose as she kept heaving but I think it may be more to do with not chewing her food.

Less than two weeks and we are off to Sydney for the best part of the week for my little brothers Darling Harbour wedding. Then it's three weeks at home before we head off to the US for three plus weeks.

 

[glindamood]

Good morning! Glad the boys are better but I am of no help with the dog not chewing food - I can't honestly say I have ever had one that didn't swallow their supper whole.

We had some pretty bad storms last night plus a tornado watch for an hour or so. We got a lot of rain (probably too fast to help the farmers out) but that was it. I am curious how DH and camp made out as they had a tornado watch and the same severe thunderstorm watch we did as well.

MNSSHP - I have only been to the one at WDW but it was awesome so I am sure those of you that have scored tickets will have a great time.

Wendy and DH!

DIS meet - someone asked but 3:00 in the Promenade Lounge is (I think) what we decided. Gives everyone a chance to put a face to a name so when we all pass each other on the ship we can say hi!

Have an awesome day!

 

[jetskigrl]

If anyone is staying the week after in LA, I just got an email from Disney Visa for Mickey's Halloween party for $46 on 10/5. You have to use the Disney Visa to pay, and there's a limit of 8 tickets. And it included parking for one vehicle.

You can go into the park at 4:00 that day and stay til midnight. Lots cheaper than regular tickets! It's only Disneyland, not CA, but it's still a lot cheaper than paying the regular 1-park admission of $81/87. And on these days, with a regular admission, they kick you out at 6:00 or 7:00.

We have been the the Halloween Party 4 times now (3 in DCA and once in DL). It is a blast!! We haven't decided if we are going this year or not (gotta find the time and the money )
I'm not sure if those traveling from out of town will have luggage room but if you do, it is a really fun opportunity to dress in costume at the parks. The last time we went, DS's costume got so much attention that they ended up picking us to ride in the parade as honored guests. That was a pixie dust moment for sure

Welcome to all the new people to the thread. We aren't SoCal residents, the last time I was in LA was 1988 and that was also the first time.

We've had kids with a gut bug here but now everything is okay. The dog appeared to get a mild dose as she kept heaving but I think it may be more to do with not chewing her food.

Less than two weeks and we are off to Sydney for the best part of the week for my little brothers Darling Harbour wedding. Then it's three weeks at home before we head off to the US for three plus weeks.

Oh no, I was wondering why you were so quiet lately. I hope everyone recovers quickly. Wow, the wedding is in two weeks. That went by fast!!

Good morning! Glad the boys are better but I am of no help with the dog not chewing food - I can't honestly say I have ever had one that didn't swallow their supper whole.

We had some pretty bad storms last night plus a tornado watch for an hour or so. We got a lot of rain (probably too fast to help the farmers out) but that was it. I am curious how DH and camp made out as they had a tornado watch and the same severe thunderstorm watch we did as well.

MNSSHP - I have only been to the one at WDW but it was awesome so I am sure those of you that have scored tickets will have a great time.

Wendy and DH!

DIS meet - someone asked but 3:00 in the Promenade Lounge is (I think) what we decided. Gives everyone a chance to put a face to a name so when we all pass each other on the ship we can say hi!

Have an awesome day!

I've been watching the storms in that part of the country on the news. Yikes, scary stuff!!! Stay safe!!!

 

[erbie]

I just booked this cruise for dh and I, this will be our second time on the Wonder (first time was the cruise to nowhere in Jan 11).

DH and I were on that cruise with you. So much fun!

Welcome to the thread and the cruise!

 

[jetskigrl]

Parking at the port is a breeze, they have a little van that can take you to the front if you want. But it is actually a very short walk.

I just booked this cruise for dh and I, this will be our second time on the Wonder (first time was the cruise to nowhere in Jan 11). We've sailed with
RCI before out of the port of LA. We are AP's and the discount was just too attractive not to book.

In the next few days, I guess I'll have to go back and read all of the pages .

Wendy

DH and I were on that cruise with you. So much fun!

Welcome to the thread and the cruise!

Very cool!!! So now that is three groups of us that were on the Cruise to Nowhere. I loved that cruise because it was just what I needed to get DH to get hooked on DCL (he was anti-cruising but only agreed to that one because it was so short). Now he has been on two with two more booked

Welcome to the group Crittsmom!!

 

[erbie]

Very cool!!! So now that is three groups of us that were on the Cruise to Nowhere. I loved that cruise because it was just what I needed to get DH to get hooked on DCL (he was anti-cruising but only agreed to that one because it was so short). Now he has been on two with two more booked

We loved it because we didn't take the kids, and it was the first time we had had a getaway like that since our oldest was born. And she was nine and a half at the time! So it was a delightful time. It felt like much longer than it was. We went early, boarded around noon and got our getaway started with a cocktail and lunch in the buffet. And I'm planning to do the same thing on September 23rd! I like boarding early because it makes the trip seem longer.

 

[jetskigrl]

We loved it because we didn't take the kids, and it was the first time we had had a getaway like that since our oldest was born. And she was nine and a half at the time! So it was a delightful time. It felt like much longer than it was. We went early, boarded around noon and got our getaway started with a cocktail and lunch in the buffet. And I'm planning to do the same thing on September 23rd! I like boarding early because it makes the trip seem longer.

OK...what is really funny about that is that we could have been sitting at the table next to you We did the same thing on that cruise, got there early, got a drink and then headed to the buffet.. Did you eat outside?

For this cruise we selected the earliest boarding time when we checked in too but exactly how early we arrive will probably depend on the room we get assigned
DH doesn't like to carry around our carry-ons (loaded with our bottles, etc) so if we get assigned a room we like, we might actually plan our arrival closer to when the rooms open. That way we can put our stuff in the room and then eat. But if we are going to try for an upgrade, we will be there super early. On the MR cruise, we headed to Parrot Cay instead of the buffet because it was easier to set our stuff down at a table and then go get food. Although I have a feeling we will be traveling a lot lighter without the kids and their stuff

But if there are a lot of us planning to be at the port early, we would be up for doing an informal meet in the terminal too. It is just so fun to share in the excitement of boarding with other people. Since I won't have my kids to watch, I'll have to enjoy seeing everyone else's kids get excited to board the ship for the first time

 

[erbie]

OK...what is really funny about that is that we could have been sitting at the table next to you We did the same thing on that cruise, got there early, got a drink and then headed to the buffet.. Did you eat outside?

We did! We were sitting on the port side, the farthest to port you can be out there. There were a bunch of seagulls hovering, trying to get food, and next to us was a family where the kids were not happy about the seagulls coming near them.

 

[jetskigrl]

We did! We were sitting on the port side, the farthest to port you can be out there. There were a bunch of seagulls hovering, trying to get food, and next to us was a family where the kids were not happy about the seagulls coming near them.

So you were more on the side of the ship, by the doors going inside?
We were at the very back, probably the second table Port side of center. OK, tonight when I get home, I'm going to check out all the pictures from the cruise to see what I took while we were out there. I don't remember a lot of seagulls around. I'll have to ask DH and the kids if they remember seeing that at all.