Sept. 23, 2012 Pacific Coast - Wonder Cruise

[ShinyDaisy]

Major Internet outage last night. I gave up trying to get reconnected at about 11.30. Then one of the kids had a nightmare at 0230 and didn't go back to sleep until 0400. Tired tired tired.

DH got drenched but he still maintained it's better than being in a gym. Thankfully the rain stopped for the time I needed to do my trail run this morning and it started back up when I was returning from walking the dog. He's off to Auckland for the day, I guess that's like doing LA to San Fran for the day - he does that most weeks now. So a long day for me as he doesn't get back in time to see the kids before they are in bed.

Port transfer from our rented condo to port is what I'm a bit worried about. I dunno what time to pick. On the port to our 'holding pen' (day room at a LAX hotel) I'll probably order a shuttle for about 9.30. I know that the non-US citizens line coming thru Customs goes a bit quicker as there are less of us. Hubby and I are at a loss what to do about carseats now the new law for California came into enforcement this year. Most of the car companies doing transfers don't hold carseats - how on earth do I get my kids in a car service that doesn't provide carseats (or are you supposed to turn a blind eye?)?

Any chance you could get to the airport or DL? And use Disney's transport from there??


Glad the rain held off, mostly, while you were out, Marian.

Can't wait for September Though, this weekend will be fun, too..Cars Land Preview.

 

[AussieMumma]

Do Disney offer transfers from LAX to the port?
We are staying at the Mariott LAX the night before we sail, so we could get the Mariott shuttle back to the airport then go on a Disney shuttle if they have one? Oh and then do they do one from the port to Anaheim? we're not staying at a Disney hotel though?

 

[ShinyDaisy]

Do Disney offer transfers from LAX to the port?
We are staying at the Mariott LAX the night before we sail, so we could get the Mariott shuttle back to the airport then go on a Disney shuttle if they have one? Oh and then do they do one from the port to Anaheim? we're not staying at a Disney hotel though?

I know Disney has transfers from LAX to DL; as we see those on the freeway. I've been researching and was reading about the port of LA last night. Post #6 by pepperpike They are staying at the airport Marriott and have reserved Disney transportation to and from the port; though, they are staying on property. Disney offers some of their services to their Good Neighbor Hotels. If it's offered and you're not staying with one, maybe you could book 1 or 2 nights there??

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2913097

I hope this helps

 

[BigDisneyOE]

ShinyDaisy & JSG - do you know what the Cali law is around carseats? Our kids are in boosters which have a detachable back. What age /height are kids allowed out of the back and just on the booster part? DH wants to just bring the booster seat and not the back if he can. He reckons bringing the whole booset/back combo from NZ times two is going to cause a huge storage problem in our cabin. I've said that there is the opportunity to sit cases (we have soft bags) under the beds ont he Wonder... you can do that right?

Big day for the kids tomorrow. The government Before School Checks. All sorts of testing to determine if any actions or services are required to help the child entering primary school (from things like glasses to help for those children who have learning needs). The forms only arrived late today and I need to get our kindergarten teacher to try and complete them first thing tomorrow before the 2 hour testing. I'm quite nervous about it but the kindergarten teachers only concern is that the kids get enough stretch at any school they attend. Poor Oli has lost most of his voice, so not a brilliant time to do any testing.

 

[glindamood]

Good morning everyone! I am caught up (well, not on PM's but they are next) here. I feel pretty good but by the time I get home from working a day, I am pretty tired and just don't log in. Off this morning to see the surgeon for my follow-up visit. I have no issues or complaints as I am so much better than I was before. I get some tingling in my fingers when I was my hair but that is about it. Incisions are going well, other than they are kind of ugly but no one will ever see the one on my hip but the one on the front of my neck is right out there in plain sight for all to see. Once it gets all healed, I can start working with makeup to see what I can manage to cover.

FE's - I will respond to PM's at some point today for those that have signed up. If I have everyone's email addresses, I will just use those as it is much easier. And, anyone else that would like to participate, please send me a PM with your names, children and ages and your email address. We have more that don't know their cabin numbers yet than do so don't let that hold you back. We will have a grand time with it - and my cabin in particular as we are just two kids at heart.

Those pics of the snowstorm were amazing and really pretty actually. I love snow - so long as I don't have to go out in it.

Transfers - we are staying at GC the night before and taking DCL transfers to the port and then from the port to LAX after the cruise. I know there are other options out there (Super Shuttle at the least) that are price-wise more reasonable but I like that I don't have to mess with my luggage from the hotel and I also don't have to worry about timing with taking the DCL transfers so I got lazy and we are just doing that. There is some info on the DL board here on the DIS that might help as well.

OK, I need to get moving some so have a great day everyone!

 

[erbie]

ShinyDaisy & JSG - do you know what the Cali law is around carseats? Our kids are in boosters which have a detachable back. What age /height are kids allowed out of the back and just on the booster part? DH wants to just bring the booster seat and not the back if he can. He reckons bringing the whole booset/back combo from NZ times two is going to cause a huge storage problem in our cabin. I've said that there is the opportunity to sit cases (we have soft bags) under the beds ont he Wonder... you can do that right?

Here's an article about it: http://www.californiality.com/2011/12/california-booster-seat-law-2012.html

And here's the text of the law: https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=..._0901-0950/sb_929_bill_20111004_chaptered.pdf

I've personally brought a Britax Boulevard on the Wonder and stowed it in the closet. There was plenty of room. But then I was packing for a month away, so YMMV.
I believe they are supposed to be 40 lbs before they can ride in a booster and not a carseat. Once they can ride in a booster, the bottom-only kind is allowable.

Edit: Oops, meant to say I was NOT packing for a month away.

 

[jetskigrl]

Here's an article about it: http://www.californiality.com/2011/12/california-booster-seat-law-2012.html

And here's the text of the law: https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=..._0901-0950/sb_929_bill_20111004_chaptered.pdf

I've personally brought a Britax Boulevard on the Wonder and stowed it in the closet. There was plenty of room. But then I was packing for a month away, so YMMV.
I believe they are supposed to be 40 lbs before they can ride in a booster and not a carseat. Once they can ride in a booster, the bottom-only kind is allowable.

Yep, this I kept both my kids in high-backed boosters until they were 8 (even before the law) but would use the backless boosters when traveling.

I have been doing a little research to see what other options are available. I know the shuttles (super shuttle, etc) don't supply carseats, but you would be fine with the backless boosters in those.

We have my Mom here to drop us off and pick us up so I didn't even have to look into transportation....so I am no help. Now ask me about FL, and that I have researched

 

[erbie]

Dh and I both love fish tacos, might be worth a trip off the ship just for a good one of those!!

My husband is a big foodie, so I've got him researching the best places to get them. I haven't been to Ensenada since I was a teenager, but I do remember walking along the main shopping drag and there being several good fish taco places. I'll be sure to post when we have any info.

 

[bbangel]

I'm wondering if those who are going to be staying near Disneyland before the cruise would like to get together and arrange a shuttle to the port? We did that on our last cruise through Karmel shuttles and it worked great. Someone local arranged it with two pick up points, we paid them and they paid the shuttle guy. Anyone interested?

 

[erbie]

Yep, this I kept both my kids in high-backed boosters until they were 8 (even before the law) but would use the backless boosters when traveling.

But also check if you can use NZ boosters. I know most child safety restraints from outside the US are not allowed to be used in the US. (Which is why we can't import Swedish seats, which are much better than US seats.) If it came down to it, you could run out to Target, Walmart, or Toys R Us, when you first arrive and get a $20 bottom-only booster for use in the US, and then either give it away when you're done or take it back with you for next time you come out.

My 6 year old is only 37 lbs, so I'm planning to bring her Boulevard again and stow it in the closet so we can go on excursions in SD. I'm not sure about Ensenada, whether we're close enough to walk to town. SF has plenty of public transportation, so we won't need to be in a car there. If we weren't going to get off the ship in SD or Ensenada, I'd just leave the seats in our car.

My soon to be 11 year old is heavy enough, but not tall enough to fit a regular seatbelt properly, so we'll be bringing her booster as well. I don't think on the Wonder that there's enough space under the beds to stow even a low booster. It doesn't have the raised beds like the Dream and Fantasy.

 

[BigDisneyOE]

Thank you thank you ladies! I emailed my DH the page number and he says 'wow these people are amazing, I can't wait to meet them'. He's gone through all the legislation on Cali carseat rule. Our kids are 44lbs already and really tall already (I want another NZ Olympic twin rowing crew boys - no pressure ), so it's a matter of if our carseats comply with US standards. He's working on it this weekend. If we can bring the backless boosters, that would be easy to store, if not I don't mind bringing the two whole booster/back combos. How bad can it be in the cabin really, we can store them somewhere when we are there and stick them in the tub when we are out (can you tell I used to backpack for years?).

Gail this one is just for you, it's how bullheaded NZ Rail decided to deal with a snow dump on one of our South Island routes. The scenery is very pretty too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6acPX_00M9Q&sns=fb

Sad thing about all this snow is there are lots of families still living in their garages and temporary shelters after 2011's killer earthquake down in Christchurch. They showed a family all trying to live in a double garage without insulation or anything and the snow had been causing them more difficulties.

Time to get these kids moving for their big testing day. One of the questions on the forms was 'does your child have any problem forming words or sounds?'. I said to their Kindergarten teacher that I was thankful Oliver had lost his voice as it was more a case of him never stopping asking difficult questions at inappropriate times.

 

[AussieMumma]

My husband is a big foodie, so I've got him researching the best places to get them. I haven't been to Ensenada since I was a teenager, but I do remember walking along the main shopping drag and there being several good fish taco places. I'll be sure to post when we have any info.

That's great thank you

BigDisneyOE we don't have that sort of testing over here in Aus, sounds pretty full on?!

ShinyDaisy thanks for the info on the transfers. We're currently booked at the Residence Inn Maingate, I don't think it would be worth it money wise to book a night or two at a DL hotel, it's very expensive for six to stay there!
I think I'll look at the Disney transfer for the start of the trip then a private transfer for the end.

glindamood I will pm you about the FE

 

[ShinyDaisy]

That's great thank you

BigDisneyOE we don't have that sort of testing over here in Aus, sounds pretty full on?!

ShinyDaisy thanks for the info on the transfers. We're currently booked at the Residence Inn Maingate, I don't think it would be worth it money wise to book a night or two at a DL hotel, it's very expensive for six to stay there!
I think I'll look at the Disney transfer for the start of the trip then a private transfer for the end.

glindamood I will pm you about the FE

Sure, private transfer is a good idea.

 

[BigDisneyOE]

That's great thank you

BigDisneyOE we don't have that sort of testing over here in Aus, sounds pretty full on?!

It's not too bad, I'd have thought Aus did the same. It's hearing, eyesight, cognition, speech, logic, height, weight and medical stuff. The idea is to get it done from 4 to 4.5 years in order to get other services into play before the child starts school at five (unlike Aus, they can start on the day they turn five or any time up until 6 - not a couple of intakes a year, personally I prefer the intake situation like Aus). It worked really well for a friend as her child was showing signs of mild ADHD and it runs in her family, so they are going for further testing.

We did our testing yesterday. It was a long couple of hours. Oli got referred for further eye tests, aparently he didn't like to tell us that distance is a bit fuzzy. We went to look at glasses today for him and he's pounced on some very expensive Diego glasses as he's such a fashionista. He has also been referred for a renal ultrasound, so that's about $500 in total. Then the difficult stuff occured, basically we have to think very carefully about which school to place the boys in as both are the upper end of bright and Alex wanders off if things aren't of interest to him (as Kindy are finding out on a weekly basis). So we have to get into a school that will develop him and understand he needs to be engaged and isn't naughty when he tells the teacher he's bored. Given we are in 'the zone' for only one school and the ballot system is limited at other schools, I don't know how we work this one out. We have our first school visit Wednesday, so fingers crossed it's okay.... otherwise I'll just leave Alex with Jetskigirl in So.Cal. (kidding, okay maybe not).

 

[jetskigrl]

It's not too bad, I'd have thought Aus did the same. It's hearing, eyesight, cognition, speech, logic, height, weight and medical stuff. The idea is to get it done from 4 to 4.5 years in order to get other services into play before the child starts school at five (unlike Aus, they can start on the day they turn five or any time up until 6 - not a couple of intakes a year, personally I prefer the intake situation like Aus). It worked really well for a friend as her child was showing signs of mild ADHD and it runs in her family, so they are going for further testing.

We did our testing yesterday. It was a long couple of hours. Oli got referred for further eye tests, aparently he didn't like to tell us that distance is a bit fuzzy. We went to look at glasses today for him and he's pounced on some very expensive Diego glasses as he's such a fashionista. He has also been referred for a renal ultrasound, so that's about $500 in total. Then the difficult stuff occured, basically we have to think very carefully about which school to place the boys in as both are the upper end of bright and Alex wanders off if things aren't of interest to him (as Kindy are finding out on a weekly basis). So we have to get into a school that will develop him and understand he needs to be engaged and isn't naughty when he tells the teacher he's bored. Given we are in 'the zone' for only one school and the ballot system is limited at other schools, I don't know how we work this one out. We have our first school visit Wednesday, so fingers crossed it's okay.... otherwise I'll just leave Alex with Jetskigirl in So.Cal. (kidding, okay maybe not).

And you know he would be welcome here. I do have two built in babysitters, you know

We have pre-K testing here but not as extensive as yours. We do have to make sure they are seen by their doctors (well-child & vaccination visits). And then they are tested by the K teachers at the school before they start.

My kids are polar opposites when it comes to school. DD is very bright and always does well academically, but has more social issues. DS is always just a bit behind academically but is very social. LOL - they keep me on my toes, for sure.

I'm looking forward to DD's 8th grade promotion next week. I'm not really happy with the middle school here so I'm glad she is done there (and we have two years before DS goes there). But I'm sure High School will bring its own set of problems

 

[AussieMumma]

It's not too bad, I'd have thought Aus did the same. It's hearing, eyesight, cognition, speech, logic, height, weight and medical stuff. The idea is to get it done from 4 to 4.5 years in order to get other services into play before the child starts school at five (unlike Aus, they can start on the day they turn five or any time up until 6 - not a couple of intakes a year, personally I prefer the intake situation like Aus). It worked really well for a friend as her child was showing signs of mild ADHD and it runs in her family, so they are going for further testing.

We did our testing yesterday. It was a long couple of hours. Oli got referred for further eye tests, aparently he didn't like to tell us that distance is a bit fuzzy. We went to look at glasses today for him and he's pounced on some very expensive Diego glasses as he's such a fashionista. He has also been referred for a renal ultrasound, so that's about $500 in total. Then the difficult stuff occured, basically we have to think very carefully about which school to place the boys in as both are the upper end of bright and Alex wanders off if things aren't of interest to him (as Kindy are finding out on a weekly basis). So we have to get into a school that will develop him and understand he needs to be engaged and isn't naughty when he tells the teacher he's bored. Given we are in 'the zone' for only one school and the ballot system is limited at other schools, I don't know how we work this one out. We have our first school visit Wednesday, so fingers crossed it's okay.... otherwise I'll just leave Alex with Jetskigirl in So.Cal. (kidding, okay maybe not).

We just get basic tests run by the doctor when they go for their 4yr immunisations, height weight write their name etc, and then generally it's whether the kindergarten pick anything up throughout their pre-prep year. There's certainly not the extensive testing like you've had there in NZ. I've heard from friends that have moved from there to here how much better the NZ medical system is.
To start school here (prep) in January when the school year starts, you have to turn 5 by the end of June that same year. My youngest ds is 15th July so he only missed the cut off by two weeks but I guess it's better to be the eldest in the class than the youngest.

 

[AussieMumma]

Another question for you all, do we have to book for the character breakfast or is it just on a set day, or are we on a rotation? I read somewhere that you have your character breakfast the next at sea day after you've dined at Animators Palate?

 

[glindamood]

That was a lot of testing Mariam - much more than what they do here (or the school system that my boys started in). Always keeping then challenged is difficult. We have moved several times throughout their public school careers and some systems 'sorted' by no particular way and some sorted them by intelligence. I don't teach but seems like it would be easier to do that when everyone is pretty much at the same level instead of teaching to the middle - then the upper and lower ends of the spectrum get left out.

Patti - I found that each school building presents its own set of challenges, as with everything they do. My baby turns 23 later this month and I still worry (and the other two are 31 and 29), the concerns just change but they are always there in some form or other.

Joanna - you know, I have never found a pattern for the character breakfast but you should have a ticket that tells you when, and your dining team will also remind you at dinner the previous evening.

Well, I have promptly forgotten anything else I wanted to mention. Not much happening here. DH is gone to work at Boy Scout camp for the summer so just the dogs and me. I do need to clean closets (namely his) which is a much easier task when he isn't around to pull stuff out of the trash. I either need to donate lots of clothes or something - I have a ton that are now too large for me and if I don't get them out of the house, I am afraid I will slide back into them.

So have a grand day everyone! 15 more weeks and it will be our turn!

 

[glindamood]

I just emailed out the current list of those participating in the FE exchange. If anyone else would like to join in on the fun, please send me a PM with your names, children's ages, cabin number (and don't worry if you are GTY as that isn't an issue) as well as your email address. I will get you all added to the list. Cutoff will be toward the end of August.

Also - we are going to do a postcard exchange. That is nothing but sharing local postcards with the others that choose to participate. It is so much fun to get to see all the other places where are fellow DISers live. Just send me a PM for that as well as cabin number and I will get that list out as well.

 

[AussieMumma]

Postcard swap sounds like fun! Add us in for that too please Gail
Thanks for the info on the breakfast too.
15 weeks sounds so much closer then 3 months! Geez I hope the airfare sale comes along soon!!!