September 22, 2007 -- WESTERN

[CustardTart]

Hey Wendy, that was some post! I'll try and answer some of your very interesting questions...

Eva, Karen! Slow down on addin' the points! I want to catch up with you!

I'm all about delegation - see how I convinced my DD she needed to own AKV points as we'll be able to combine for that Grand Villa!? Sneaky? You bet! It's Eva's DH Steve who's the man to watch here - the guy's on a mission! I just hope he realises 2000 points are the max you can own...

Okay...so how old are you both for this 6 days apart b-day?
I am 45 on May16th. I have tried to do something memorable each birthday since I turned 40. I decided for my 40th that I wasn't going to be depressed getting older, that I was going to do things that were memorable for each year in the future. Like first time to go White Water Rafting, or my first (and last) tatoo, my first trip to WDW. This year is a first for a Disney Cruise! I guess, eventually, one of the first would have to be liposuction. Maybe not.

We will both be 44 this June! I love that idea of doing something memorable each birthday - I intended to do something similar when I turned 40 but I'd damaged both hip ligaments so that was the year I had to rest for months! I was 40 but felt (and moved) like an 80 year old! I caught up a little in 2005 when DD and I did WDW on our own and our 1st DCL cruise - fantastic! This year I'm training to do my first 10k run in WDW this October! But TBH liposuction sounds like an easier plan!

 

[CustardTart]

I know why I like Disney so much. Why do you like it? What are the details, the specifics that keep you both...you all who are reading this...coming back for more and more? I ask only because everyone has their own likes. I am interested in what WDW gives you that causes you to want to come back time and time again versus going somewhere else to spend your vacation time? Sorry if this sounds a little analytical and serious; not meaning to come off that way. I am just curious. I love Disney for the consistant
high quality in customer service and entertainment. I feel like I can depend on getting the most bang for a buck and consistantly clean and safe environment. What do you think?

Mmm - love the question but there are so many reasons, it's going to take me a while to think this thru'...

This is just the tip of the iceberg but I feel that WDW is a place where we have created many fantastic family memories over the years so we go back to re-live happy times and experience new ones. It has something for everyone in my family - we're always left wanting more and desperate to return. The attention to detail and the quality of the service are wonderful. We return because we are guaranteed a safe, action-packed, chilled-out, hassle-free, fantastic vacation in the most magical of settings...

 

[papa]

Melody love the countdown time. Continued good luck and fortune during your pregnancy.

Wendy we have a lot of good memories there at WDW. We go there after the cruise with our friends to transition back to the real world. We went with our oldest grand daughter and her parents for her first visit to the world. That is a memory that will live with us always. Mike

 

[Lucky Penny]

Karen, Oh yes, DH has a vacation spreadsheet. He and I confirm on it at least monthly.

Eva, Is there any chance your DH would share his spreadsheet template? My DH wants one too!! He found one online that's supposed to be automated, but it doesn't work as 'advertised' and is out of date (doesn't include SSR). If he will, would you PM me or DH (scottrob) and let us know? Thanks!

I really don't see how the clothes someone else is wearing can affect your cruise! But what do I know...?

Karen, You've helped us decide too! DH read your post and Eva's and declared "The consensus is suits for formal night" which is fine with me ... although he does look STUNNING in a tux

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers! I really appreciate it. Melody

Melody - all good news so far!!! We're so happy for you. Like Karen, I loved your ticker, and it brought back some lovely sweet memories for me!

I am 45 on May16th. I have tried to do something memorable each birthday since I turned 40. I decided for my 40th that I wasn't going to be depressed getting older, that I was going to do things that were memorable for each year in the future.

Why do you like it? What are the details, the specifics that keep you both...you all who are reading this...coming back for more and more? Do you think that a first Disney Cruise would be wasted if NO shore excursions were taken? Perhaps the word(s) of the PV should be: RELAX (and drink as much as possible)? Thanks for your repsonses, Wendy

Hi Wendy, I'm ahead of all of you on birthdays ... and still loving every one! When I turned 40 I threw myself a big catered party -- the caterer (a friend) said he thought I was "taking it" very well ... I told him I considered the alternative ... and decided to keep having birthdays!! When I turned fiii... fiii ... can't quite spit it out ... it wasn't a really big deal. My birthday is the 16th of April (Monday) - Income Tax Day
I love your plan to do something memorable each year

Many reasons I love Disney, mostly emotional, hard to put into words It's clean, safe, comfortable, magical, delicious, and far removed from "real life." As you and Karen said, service is first rate; CMs mission is to make us happy There is no "must do" list, just things we want to do, no schedule or timetable ... if we miss fireworks or parade, there will be another tomorrow ... if we don't feel like the parks, we can rent a boat and float around the Seven Seas ... walk or ride a bike ... or sit with a Mickey Bar and watch the world go by. We enjoy "just us" time whether we're relaxing or active, have taken some behind the scenes tours and learned to ride Segways around the world and -like everyone else- just can't wait until the next trip for more, more, more!!

This is also our first cruise -- so we haven't anything to offer about excursions -or not I have made it my mantra to follow Mike's excellent advice (#810-pg.54) and not try to "do it all" Thanks, again Mike!!

 

[Lucky Penny]

Melody love the countdown time. Continued good luck and fortune during your pregnancy.

Wendy we have a lot of good memories there at WDW. We go there after the cruise with our friends to transition back to the real world. We went with our oldest grand daughter and her parents for her first visit to the world. That is a memory that will live with us always. Mike

Mike,

We also took our first granddaughter for her first visit to WDW!!! That was in October 2005, shortly after they moved to Orlando. I adore your mother's saying about grandchildren ... now that we have some, we "get it"!

We will also be at WDW after the cruise - to transition back to dry land, and visit with DS, DDIL, and our two DGDs

 

[CustardTart]

Re: What to wear when:
I also to don't really care what others are wearing, sans the yellow polka dot bikini, as long as they are pleasant and decently behaved.
(wendy = promises to behave to a certain point and then when the 'drink(s)' kick in all bets are off!)

Wendy, I still think you've got a Pirate Bikini packed and ready so all bets are most definitely on!!!

...I hope to meet up with both of you ...all of you on this cruise! If we all have anything in common it is DISNEY!

It most definitely is! Looking forward to meeting you too - mine's a Bahama Mama...

...Do you think that a first Disney Cruise would be wasted if NO shore excursions were taken? Perhaps the word(s) of the PV should be: RELAX (and drink as much as possible)?

That's an interesting question. TBH I don't think it can be a waste as that's the beauty of the cruise - you can do as much or as little as you please and there's plenty going on onboard. Looking at it another way, I wouldn't consider it a waste if we went to WDW and didn't visit the parks as the resorts are so nice just to chill and relax in...

...Karen, You've helped us decide too! DH read your post and Eva's and declared "The consensus is suits for formal night" which is fine with me ... although he does look STUNNING in a tux

Hey ladies, just wanted to say if you do want your DHs to tux it up, please feel free! It's the transatlantic packing constraints that affect our what-to-wear decisions, but I wouldn't want you guys to feel that you have to fit in with us. Go nuts and wear the yellow polka dot bikini if you want - tho' covered with a tasteful matching kaftan, purlease!!!

 

[Lucky Penny]

Hey ladies, just wanted to say if you do want your DHs to tux it up, please feel free! It's the transatlantic packing constraints that affect our what-to-wear decisions, but I wouldn't want you guys to feel that you have to fit in with us. Go nuts and wear the yellow polka dot bikini if you want - tho' covered with a tasteful matching kaftan, purlease!!!

Hi Karen,
It's up to DH whether he wants to wear a tux - I think he looks splendid no matter what he's wearing . We talked about renting a tux onboard, but he will probably be more comfortable wearing a suit. I have three cocktail dresses, one long, and a few skirt/top combinations, one pair of FABULOUS sexy, strappy sandals - so I'll "go" with whatever he decides

No bikinis for me - of any shade

 

[papa]

I think that I can speak for most of the husbands in the group that are my age. Sorry to break your hearts ladies, but the gentlemen will not be wearing speedos to the dining rooms Just look at my avatar to see how those of us that are over fifty operate. Mike

 

[knotyscot]

You all are very funny!


Karen, I didn't know that the max points were 2000. Guess you are getting close huh? I do like the way you managed to get more points in the family though; I think I will work on my eldest DS for that.

You don't have to be able to run to get a tatoo for a memorable b-day!
You are a runner? WOW! If I power walk I am doing pretty good.

I agree with you that some of the best memories I have are Disney ones.

I promise you, I DO NOT have a bikini! I wish I did though.
What's a Bahama Mama? Drink?
Currently I drink Gin and Tonic but when in vacation I like anything FUN.

I think I don't want to do an excursion at each port. I think that enjoying the area around the Magic or just lounging on the Magic when most go ashore sounds good. Choices, choices, choices. Isn't it great?

We are staying at Key West Villas before the cruise for a couple of days and then Wilderness Lodge Villas for a few days after the cruise. We have never really explored all the area around WL so I think we will do that but I have to say that I love the Wine and Food Festival at Epcot so I really want to go there and enjoy. There are so many restaurants to enjoy all over WDW. So much great and fun food, so little time....

Penny,

Love your Catered B-day! Great idea. I like the idea of not having to do anything if you just want to chill and see what the day brings. I have a hard time. I feel like I have to do as much as I can before I have to go home. I need to adopt Mike's Mantra this trip and just know that I will be back to uncover more fun new things next time.

Mike, Do you look just like your avatar?
This is my DH
and this is me

 

[knotyscot]

Scrapperjill/Sandi

Where are you? You started this thread and you haven't posted since 4/10post 1053. Are you out there? Are you okay?

 

[papa]

Wendy reposted a different picture in signature. Mike

 

[brady961]

love that pic Mike. where was it taken?

 

[papa]

Marsha it was taken in Washington DC when they had all the Mickey's there. Mike

 

[knotyscot]

Wendy reposted a different picture in signature. Mike

Mike, Where are your slippers and your cup-o-joe?

 

[papa]

They were in the room

 

[scrapperjill]

I'm here!! It's so nice knowing I'm missed Just been busy reading the other boards. I've seemed to get myself all into the 'dinning' board while I was trying to plan my ADR for our time before the cruise. And I'm also on a scrapbook design team for a craft store here in the NorthWest so I've been BUSY trying to finish up my projects.... that and being the chair person for the Great Strides walk (fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation) has had me busy. Our walk is comming up in a few weeks....so after that I'll have even more time to spend planning the cruise.

A Bahama Mama...is a super duper YUMMY beverage. It's one of the drinks they usually walk around selling during the sail-a-way party. Of course they have them all week long as well...but my first taste was at the sail-a-way party on our first cruise. I'm sure it'll be one of the FIRST drinks I order when I hit the ship. Last year I tryed it blended and it was even better. Matter of fact I'm whipping some up tomarrow night for our monthly cruise gathering. It has light rum, Malibu rum, pinapple juice, Oj and a splash of grenadine. It's YUMMY. Another one of my favs is the Miami Vice (1/2 pina colida and 1/2 Straberry daquire) AND the Mint Mojito (which is VERY refreshing and is a PERFECT Mid day drink for hot day)

 

[scrapperjill]

Anyone here ever feel like they have sooo much going on that they can't get anything done? Cuz I do. Matter of fact if I had to explain it...I'm feeling like my head is full of the gunk inside a pumpkin. You know all that stringy crap....that needs to be scooped out inorder for the pumpkin to be nice and clean. I think I've managed to put so many thought inside my brain over the past few weeks that now it's all stringy and tangled together....I could use a really good scooping out. I'm hoping the Bahama Mamas tomarrow will be a start.

I'm thinking I really need to check into the DVC. It sounds like something I'l love. Would you all recomend ordering the DVC video as a first step?

 

[CustardTart]

Karen, I didn't know that the max points were 2000. Guess you are getting close huh? I do like the way you managed to get more points in the family though; I think I will work on my eldest DS for that...

Wendy, I'm not even close to one thousand!

...You don't have to be able to run to get a tatoo for a memorable b-day!
You are a runner? WOW! If I power walk I am doing pretty good...

I would love a tattoo (always fancied a small sun and moon) but I have some skin issues and just can't risk it. Wendy, believe me, I'm no runner - I've just started training and TBH it's somewhat harder than I expected! Oh well, as long as I manage the 10k in less than 2 hours I'll be happy...

...We are staying at Key West Villas before the cruise for a couple of days and then Wilderness Lodge Villas for a few days after the cruise. We have never really explored all the area around WL so I think we will do that but I have to say that I love the Wine and Food Festival at Epcot so I really want to go there and enjoy. There are so many restaurants to enjoy all over WDW. So much great and fun food, so little time....

WL is beautiful! And I just love the boat to/from MK...

 

[CustardTart]

I'm thinking I really need to check into the DVC. It sounds like something I'l love. Would you all recomend ordering the DVC video as a first step?

Definitely order the DVC info, Sandi. You could always go and have a look at DVC when you're down in September. Take a look on the DVC boards also - they're full of useful and interesting info!

 

[Lucky Penny]

We are staying at Key West Villas before the cruise for a couple of days and then Wilderness Lodge Villas for a few days after the cruise. We have never really explored all the area around WL so I think we will do that but I have to say that I love the Wine and Food Festival at Epcot so I really want to go there and enjoy. There are so many restaurants to enjoy all over WDW. So much great and fun food, so little time....

Wendy, thanks for the birthday wish We are staying at VWL in two weeks and at OKW after the cruise - they are my two favorites, tho I'm longing to try BW or BC to be close to Epcot! Here's last year's schedule for the Food & Wine Festival if you want to start dreaming
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/epcot/events/index.htm

If you haven't explored Fort Wilderness, you might enjoy that - you can walk, bike or take the boat from WL; we also love to rent the little boats and just ride around the Seven Seas - got caught in a sudden downpour once and DH asked the CM at the dock if we got a discount for washing their boat

I'm thinking I really need to check into the DVC. It sounds like something I'l love. Would you all recomend ordering the DVC video as a first step?

Definitely order the DVC info, Sandi. You could always go and have a look at DVC when you're down in September. Take a look on the DVC boards also - they're full of useful and interesting info!

Sandi, I second Karen's recommendations - all of them If you decide to take a tour, there really is no pressure - and the boards are great!

Marsha it was taken in Washington DC when they had all the Mickey's there. Mike

Mike,

DH and I were commenting just last night that we LIVE right next door to Washington DC and don't ever get in to see the city any more ... between our ungodly working hours and hoarding our leave time for DISNEY trips When were the Mickeys here?