September 22, 2007 -- WESTERN

[disneyfan551]

Only 7 months from today, and we'll be experiencing the Magic!!

 

[Marshmelo]

We are looking forward to trying some Key Lime Pie as well. DH loves the Edward's brand you can buy in the store from the frozen dessert section. I am tempted to go to the Blonde Giraffe I've heard people talk about on the boards for the chocolate covered Key Lime Pie on a stick. That sounds really good to me, but I don't want to miss our on a good 'traditional' piece of pie. Maybe DH and I will share one of those and then share a piece of the regular kind from somewhere else. That sounds like a good idea.

 

[scrapperjill]

It sounds like the quality and taste of KL pie can variey quite a bit...I guess maybe I should break down and try some. Who knows authentic KL pie from KW could be my new all time fav.

That Frozen choclate covered pie on a stick sorta sounds good.

Anyone know how far away the Southern most point is from the ship? I read the other day on the general cruise fourm that it's quite a ways? I'm wondering if maybe one of those electric cars would be a funner way to go. Anyone ever done those? We'd actually planned on going that route on the first Western cruise....but that never happened Anyways...I may look into those again for this cruise. After all it would be a fun and faster way to see the island

 

[Bareacuda]

It's not that far from Sloppy Joe's... more like down the street on the right. It would be very easy for you to ge there. I'll have to get the map out to find it. They also have some great lime chocolate candies. Yummmmm

 

[CustardTart]

Hi everyone!

DH & I have been thinking about excursions and we're really keen on the Xcaret Eco Archeological Park tour in Cozumel. The Xcaret website is v interesting www.xcaret.com and it gets a good revue in PassPorter. Anyone else fancy it?

We've decided we want to see something of this part of Mexico as next summer we're planning on doing the DCL Mexican Riviera cruise with DS so will get the opportunity to see the other side of the country...

 

[CustardTart]

More research this afternoon and I'm thinking I'd really like to try the parasailing on CC! It would have to be in tandem with DH (so fingers crossed he's up for it) but it sounds a wonderful experience and would definitely be a memory to last forever... I see that it's suspended at the moment due to difficulties with the provider so I hope they get it sorted soon.

BTW, Eva, some of my books have arrived! 2x Tami Hoag and 1x Kay Hooper so far - can't wait to start reading...

 

[scrapperjill]

I've been considering the parasailing at CC also. I don't know if I'd want to go solo or tandum.....I'm leaning towards the tandum, but we'll see.

 

[American Scrapper]

My DH & DS did the parasailing on our last cruise (tandem) and loved it. I was unsure how my DS would do as he is afraid of alot of things, but he came of so excited about it. They took pictures and did a mini video on our camera.

 

[papa]

I para sailed on castaway cay and it was a great ride.

Wonderful news about the two new ships. Hope that DCL cuts the rates a little in the future. Mike

 

[scrapperjill]

Papa...I agree. I too hope it slows down their rate increases.

 

[CustardTart]

...Wonderful news about the two new ships. Hope that DCL cuts the rates a little in the future. Mike

Fab news about the ships - I'm v excited by the prospect of new itineraries! Hawaii and Alaska would be on my wish-list...

Fingers crossed that DCL cut prices tho' I guess they've got to pay for all this new building so I'm a little doubtful...

 

[papa]

Karen we would love to go to Hawaii. Haven't been there since 1970.

Sandi with only two ships DCL sails at full capacity just about every cruise. they can charge more. By doubling their capacity they will have t lower prices to keep them all filled.

Going to be in the mid 60's here today. Come on Spring. Mike

 

[eva]

Mike, I agree. Come on spring, arrive! I hate cold weather and we have had more snow and temps below 10 this year than we have had in ages. I have so many things I want to do in my yard. I can't wait!

I don't want to get everyone upset, but there is a thread that is warning everyone that parasailing on CC has gone away for the time being. No one is sure if it will come back. It seems that there were some problems with the company that was supplying the excursion. Hopefully they will find another supplier. But I guess a number of people that are sailing in March have been contacted to let them know that it has been canceled. My husband is very dissappointed. But I told him that we will just need to wait and see.

I too am very excited about the new ships. I think that Hawaii and Alaska sound great. We haven't been to either one. Although we are going to Alaska in 2008. But I would love to try it again on DCL. Hawaii would be fabulous.

Karen, which books did you get?

 

[CustardTart]

Not been too cold here lately - we had one snowy spell but that didn't last the day. Skies are blue behind the clouds, daffodils are shooting up and I've got a family of garden birds (bluetits) in one of my nesting boxes! I love Spring...

I saw that about the parasailing operator - I'm remaining optimistic that DCL will sort it by September especially now DH is as keen to do it as me...

I initially looked at a Hawaii cruise for our Anniversary but the cruise ship looked so big and I wasn't sure if I'd like it as much as DCL so I chickened out - who are you planning on cruising Alaska with, Eva?

Books-wise, I got Ashes to Ashes & Dust to Dust by Tami Hoag plus Stealing Shadows by Kay Hooper...

 

[Marshmelo]

I was also wanting to go to the Southernmost point in KW. I had read that it isn't very far to walk from the pier, but then someone said it was quite a walk, so now I don't know if I should plan on us renting and electric car or what I guess I will have to try to do some more research on that.

DH and I parasailed in St. Thomas on another cruise line and loved it! Hopefully Disney will get things settled with the vendor so those of you who haven't done it yet can experience it! We went tandem. I loved it when we first went up and was laughing and kicking my legs...DH was freaking out (he's afraid of heights) and telling me to stop kicking. It was hilarious. He eventually relaxed a little and was able to enjoy it some. He says now that he knows what to expect he might be more relaxed next time (if we decide to ever do it again).

I would love if one of the new Disney ships went to Alaska. That is the next place we want to go. We did a Hawaiian cruise through NCL a couple years ago. We LOVED Hawaii. It is so indescribably beautiful. A cruise really is the best way to see Hawaii since you can get from island to island without flying in a small plane each time (which I would think would be scary and very expensive). We just weren't real thrilled, to say the least, with NCL as a cruise line. It would be great if Disney also did a Hawaiian itinerary. I think NCL is the only line currently cruising there.

 

[eva]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed on the parasailing for DH's sake. I don't think you will see me going up. But I may change my mind, if DH can talk me into it.

We are still trying to decide on which line we will be on for Alaska. I think we have it narrowed down to Celebrity or Holland America. Although we are still considering Princess. It really is a tough decision. If it was just DH and me we would be going Celebrity, but a number of people from DH's family are going and we want to give everyone a choice. We are still waiting for the prices and itineraries to come out.

I think that most lines go to Hawaii. I know that my MIL went on Royal Caribbean awhile back. And we have looked into cruises there through Celebrity for 2012. If DCL doesn't go there after the new ships come out, I guess we will have to look at another line again.

I know that everyone thinks that we are weird, but we know where we are going on vacations all the way through 2014. Yikes, isn't that crazy? In case anyone is interested:

2007 - 1 week DCL cruise followed by 1 week at WDW
2008 - 1 week Alaska cruise w/ DH's family (June) and 1 week just us at WDW (1st week of December)
2009 - 2 weeks in May at WDW with our daughters, significant others, and grand children
2010 - 2 weeks in the UK w/ DH's family (England, Scotland, and Ireland)
2011 - DCL cruise and WDW with the girls and their families
2012 - Cruise Hawaii and probably back to WDW later in the year
2013 - 2 week trip out west (Grand Canyon, etc.) & 1 week at WDW
2014 - 3 weeks in Europe for D-Day celebration and a cruise in Germany

I think I need help!

 

[CustardTart]

And I thought I was crazy having plans up to August 2009! Tho' we are talking about going to South Africa for the World Cup (soccer) in 2010 and I'm already thinking about a Round the World trip when my DH retires (probably 2017!) so you're not so crazy after all, Eva!

TBH I think it's sensible as you are making the most of the holiday time available plus it must be v exciting planning for so many varied trips. We'll have to keep in touch so when you come to England we can meet up for dinner...

 

[scottrob]

This upcoming cruise is probably the furthest ahead Penny and I have ever planned a vacation. As Disney moves closer to it's goal of having high attendance year around, we will have to get better at planning in advance. Maybe we can hire Eva as our personal travel planner..

 

[CustardTart]

I think Eva would be a good choice, Bob! We've always had to be fairly quick to plan ahead as our choice of flights to Orlando from London seem to book up v speedily. Over the past few years we've gotten used to organising our vacation plans a year or so in advance. Now we're DVC members I guess we'll need do that with accommodation also...

 

[brady961]

So exciting about the two new Disney Ships. I really hope they use one of the four for an Alaska cruise. That would be way cool <G>

Anyone see any mention of "naming" the ships?

6 months/4 weeks before we cruise HOORAY. time will pass quickly and I just can't wait.

I believe I mentioned that I am taking Pal Mickey and he dresses up for daily/dinner occasions. Well I found a plush Minnie about the same size of Pal Mickey. So now I have that Minnie and already bought her princess dresses, skirts/tops, shoes, etc.. So Minnie will be joining Pal with me on the Sept cruise. Once again they both will have a better wardrobe then I do or will <G>

I know I am a little over the edge dressing up Pal and a plush Minnie. But hey I never had kids, so these are my kids. Best thing is they don't talk back LOL. So middle age woman will be carrying around a dressed up Pal Mickey and plush Minnie, well should say they will be sitting in my lab while I am in power chair.

Today the weather is has been just beautiful. I went to Magic Kingdom a couple hours. BOY crowded. So I didn't stay long. But with the weather sunny and in 70's came close to getting spring fever. If today's temps we had all year round,, now that would be living. <G>

I know what our temps are here in Sept or at least what is typical. I am assuming for our Sept cruise the temps will be hot/hotter and some places high humidity. Correct thinking?