~Snowbird Chat~

[EPCOT is a verb]

Hey, I want to join the swordfish discussion, too!!!

So I asked DD (17), "What Disney movies have swordfish in them?" And Disney-geek that she is, says, "There are swordfish in Little Mermaid!" Sure enough! I headed to Wikipedia, and there they are!


The Swordfish Guards
The swordfish who are King Triton's guards seen in The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning. When King Triton darkens his heart to ban music, he gives orders to these guards and they take someone who loves music to prison. They are voiced by Jeff Bennett.

 

[crzyred]

Hello everyone. My sister and I are trying to figure things out for our trip next summer. Does anyone know if DisneyLand has DVC? We're really trying to find the cheapest way to do this. Man, I hate being poor! On a good note, I found out I'll have enough vacation days saved up to use them all for the trip.

Time to go run on the treadmill. I have 304 days to lose about a thousand pounds. No way am I going to Hawaii with rolls!!! Have a great night everyone.

 

[MAGGIED]

Hello everyone. My sister and I are trying to figure things out for our trip next summer. Does anyone know if DisneyLand has DVC? We're really trying to find the cheapest way to do this. Man, I hate being poor! On a good note, I found out I'll have enough vacation days saved up to use them all for the trip.

Time to go run on the treadmill. I have 304 days to lose about a thousand pounds. No way am I going to Hawaii with rolls!!! Have a great night everyone.

It looks like they do... here is what I found...

The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa offers Vacation Homes that capture the spirit of the Golden State's romantic craftsman era. Discover timeless sophistication, unique decorative arts and warm, inviting interiors in a variety of family-friendly Vacation Homes located within Disneyland® Resort, just footsteps away from true magic and fantasy come-to-life.

Become a Disney Vacation Club Member today by purchasing a real estate interest in The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa and be part of the newest "Disney First" — our first Resort offering on the West Coast, the first with a convenient Theme Park entrance just steps away, and the first to be located in the heart of the place where Disney vacations were born.

 

[MAGGIED]

and a little more information about the Grand Californian Hotel...

Studio

* Sleeps up to 4
* Full bathroom
* Queen-size bed and one queen-size sleeper sofa
* Flat-panel TV and DVD player
* Wet bar, small refrigerator, microwave and coffeemaker
* Private porch or balcony

One-Bedroom Villa

* Sleeps up to 5
* 2 bathrooms: one master bathroom with whirlpool tub and an additional bathroom in living area with shower (no tub)
* Master suite with king-size bed
* Queen-size sleeper sofa in the living room
* Pull-down bunk-size bed in living room
* Flat-panel TV in living room and master suite, DVD player in living room
* Full kitchen includes: coffeemaker, dinnerware, glassware, flatware, pots and pans, microwave, toaster, stove, refrigerator, dishwasher and more
* Laundry area contains stacked washer and dryer
* Private porch or balcony

Two-Bedroom Dedicated Villa

* Sleeps up to 9
* 3 bathrooms: master bathroom with whirlpool tub, full bathroom in second bedroom, additional bathroom in living area with shower (no tub)
* Master bedroom with king-size bed
* Second bedroom with 2 queen-size beds
* Queen-size sleeper sofa in the living room
* Pull-down bunk-size bed in living room
* Flat-panel TV in living room and both bedrooms, DVD player in living room
* Full kitchen includes: coffeemaker, dinnerware, glassware, flatware, pots and pans, microwave, toaster, stove, refrigerator, dishwasher and more
* Laundry area contains stacked washer and dryer
* Private porch or balcony

Two-Bedroom Lockoff Villa

* Sleeps up to 9
* 3 bathrooms: master bathroom with whirlpool tub, full bathroom in second bedroom (studio) and an additional bathroom in living area with shower (no tub)
* Defined as a Studio plus One-Bedroom
* Master suite with king-size bed
* Queen-size sleeper sofa in the living room
* Pull-down bunk-size bed in living room
* Second bedroom (studio) with queen-size bed and one queen-size sleeper sofa
* Flat-panel TV in living room, master suite and second bedroom (studio), DVD player in living room and second bedroom (studio)
* Full kitchen includes: coffeemaker, dinnerware, glassware, flatware, pots and pans, microwave, toaster, stove, refrigerator, dishwasher and more
* Second bedroom (studio) includes wet bar, small refrigerator, microwave and coffeemaker
* Laundry area contains stacked washer and dryer
* 2 private porches or balconies

 

[MAGGIED]

and some more....

The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa Resort Benefits

As a Disney Vacation Club Member, you can enjoy the comforts of home, as well as all the benefits of staying at a Disneyland® Resort hotel:

A Retreat Close to the Magic - When you stay at The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa, you're not only surrounded by magic 24 hours a day, you're also close enough to hop back to your Vacation Home for a snack, nap or a dip in the pool.

Theme Park Early Entry - On select days of the week when you purchase Disneyland® Park tickets, you can enter one hour before it opens to the public with the Magic Morning Entry* benefit. This benefit allows you to play at a more relaxed pace knowing that you'll have extra time to enjoy more of the attractions and entertainment at Theme Parks.

Services for Children - Convenient services for children include a child activity center, in-room babysitting and a number of learning programs that will keep your kids engaged as you step out for an afternoon or an evening of fun. Subject to availability. Restrictions including additional fees apply.

Incredible Disney Service - Disney Cast Members are on hand to make your vacations as easy and worry-free as possible, providing you with the signature Disney service you expect.

Easy Payment - Take advantage of on-property charging privileges and convenient delivery of purchases.

 

[danceintherain]

Hey, I want to join the swordfish discussion, too!!!

So I asked DD (17), "What Disney movies have swordfish in them?" And Disney-geek that she is, says, "There are swordfish in Little Mermaid!" Sure enough! I headed to Wikipedia, and there they are!


The Swordfish Guards
The swordfish who are King Triton's guards seen in The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning. When King Triton darkens his heart to ban music, he gives orders to these guards and they take someone who loves music to prison. They are voiced by Jeff Bennett.

Interesting...I'm very glad our swordfish discussion took off, so I could prove my point.

Apparently, DH is getting excited about Disney in December. I think that means we really get to go!
I've decided that I need to set myself a budget.
When I planned my honeymoon, I went backwards. Backwards means I started with a totally extravagant overly expensive plan, and honed it back realistically. (Originally, I wanted to get the Platinum Plan and do everything it included.)
I think this time I need to start with a monetary limit, and start with what we "need," then add things based on how much money I have left in the budget.
I'm having Deluxe thoughts again though, which cannot be budgeted nicely.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Hello everyone. My sister and I are trying to figure things out for our trip next summer. Does anyone know if DisneyLand has DVC? We're really trying to find the cheapest way to do this. Man, I hate being poor! On a good note, I found out I'll have enough vacation days saved up to use them all for the trip.

Time to go run on the treadmill. I have 304 days to lose about a thousand pounds. No way am I going to Hawaii with rolls!!! Have a great night everyone.

Ha!!! You have almost a year!! You can do it!! Just start with walking some and maybe cutting out cokes and adding in more water....When I quit Dr. P back when dd was a baby, I lost a dress size in 6 weeks. That was pretty good for no exercise!! Of course, I got off of them again last year, but i wasn't drinking as much of them so, it wasn't that drastic this time. Keep us posted and we can motivate you weekly!!!!

 

[Pluto_fan]

Hey Crzyred, I was away when you got back from your Baseball Trip--how was it? Where all did you go? I'd love to do that someday.

OK, if we've exhausted the topic of swordfish...how about cruises? It looks like at least a couple of Snowbirds have cruises planned. DH and I took a 7-day Caribbean cruise back in...um...1996! We really enjoyed it. So...the boys have off school the first week of November, and we just booked a 7-night Mediterranean cruise! We're sailing on NCL's Gem out of Barcelona. I'd love to do a Disney cruise, and they are coming to Europe next summer, but they'll be 10-12 nights and I don't think we'd be able to do that. Anyway...have any of you cruised with kids? The downside to going this November is that DD will be 22 months old, and NCL's kids program starts at age 2. I don't think we'd use it a lot anyway, but one parents' night out would be fun! Maybe we'll just have to do it again when she's older. But if any of you have cruising-with-kids tips, I'd love to hear them!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Pluto Fan~ We did a cruise when dd was 10 months old. We looooved it! It was not as great as a mediterranean cruise tho! We only went to Cozumel out of Galveston. But, it was close and it was cheap...we went in Feb so we got off season rates. My boys did do the kids club...well the younger one didn't like it, but the older on did because they did face painting and an on-board scavenger hunt! We would def take them again. I wanted to do a longer one next time...ours was only 4 days. Hubby thought that was long enough, but I reaaaaalllllly want to do 7 days..maybe go to St. Thomas and all around that area. I say yippeee for you!! I did bring my dd umbrella stroller..of course your daughter will be walking much better at her age...mine was just starting.

 

[BellaSoleil]

Pluto Fan~ We did a cruise when dd was 10 months old. We looooved it! It was not as great as a mediterranean cruise tho! We only went to Cozumel out of Galveston. But, it was close and it was cheap...we went in Feb so we got off season rates. My boys did do the kids club...well the younger one didn't like it, but the older on did because they did face painting and an on-board scavenger hunt! We would def take them again. I wanted to do a longer one next time...ours was only 4 days. Hubby thought that was long enough, but I reaaaaalllllly want to do 7 days..maybe go to St. Thomas and all around that area. I say yippeee for you!! I did bring my dd umbrella stroller..of course your daughter will be walking much better at her age...mine was just starting.

G and I did that same cruise for our 'Babymoon'. (Babymoon meaning we got pregnant much sooner than we planned and wanted one last child-free vacation. We Honeymooned in May & Babymooned 7 months later.) Anyhow, we loved that cruise! It wasn't the Disney cruise, but was very relaxing and enjoyable.

 

[sarbah77]

I'd love to do a Disney cruise, and they are coming to Europe next summer, but they'll be 10-12 nights and I don't think we'd be able to do that. Anyway...have any of you cruised with kids? The downside to going this November is that DD will be 22 months old, and NCL's kids program starts at age 2. I don't think we'd use it a lot anyway, but one parents' night out would be fun! Maybe we'll just have to do it again when she's older. But if any of you have cruising-with-kids tips, I'd love to hear them!

While I'm sure the Disney cruises are FABULOUS (Disney! on a boat! Yes!), I couldn't justify the cost. RCI was less than half the price of Disney. Ouch!!

A lot of families cruise, with kids all over the age spectrum! Have you looked at cruisecritcs.com? They have a forum and I think there's at least one dedicated to families!

 

[danceintherain]

Hey Crzyred, I was away when you got back from your Baseball Trip--how was it? Where all did you go? I'd love to do that someday.

OK, if we've exhausted the topic of swordfish...how about cruises? It looks like at least a couple of Snowbirds have cruises planned. DH and I took a 7-day Caribbean cruise back in...um...1996! We really enjoyed it. So...the boys have off school the first week of November, and we just booked a 7-night Mediterranean cruise! We're sailing on NCL's Gem out of Barcelona. I'd love to do a Disney cruise, and they are coming to Europe next summer, but they'll be 10-12 nights and I don't think we'd be able to do that. Anyway...have any of you cruised with kids? The downside to going this November is that DD will be 22 months old, and NCL's kids program starts at age 2. I don't think we'd use it a lot anyway, but one parents' night out would be fun! Maybe we'll just have to do it again when she's older. But if any of you have cruising-with-kids tips, I'd love to hear them!

We did a Norwegian Cruise Line cruise when I was a senior in high school. My youngest sibling was 7 at the time, so I can't give you advice on any younger.
We all enjoyed it immensely, and my youngest brother and sister really enjoyed the kids club activities. I think my parents enjoyed it as well, because it gave them some time to do what they wanted. The four oldest of us pretty much were able to wander around and do whatever we wanted, which was nice.
I'm hoping to take DH on a cruise at some point. Probably not a Disney one, because they're so expensive. It's amazing how much cheaper the non-Disney ones are sometimes.

 

[Lil'Mermaid75]

We've cruised on Royal Caribbean and Carnival. Our last cruise was before our son was born. We wanted to wait to cruise with him until he was just a little bit older and could swim. He'll be 7 when we cruise next summer. I really want to do an Alaskan cruise, but we've promised our son he can swim with the stingrays. He's so excited!!! So, hopefully our next cruise will be Alaskan....I'd also LOVE to do a Hawaiian cruise - that would be so cool....maybe an anniversary trip when DS gets a smidgen older!

I'd love to do a Disney cruise some day, but the the prices being more than double what I can get on Royal Caribbean or Carnival, it's hard to justify....thought it IS Disney!!!

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

Poop Discussion: Andy used to play Poop-golf into our neighbors yard after their dogs would go in our front yard. They got a fence not to long after they spotted him doing that.

Swordfish: Other than a movie called Swordfish (that I've never seen) I have nothing of interest to add.

Cruising: We're going on our first one, a Carnival, leaving July 4, 2010 out of Puerto Rico. My mom's paying for the cruise but we're responsible for airfare and excursions, so depending on what we get airfare for (she said to budget at least 500/each) we may not be doing January in Disney. WHY couldn't she have picked a cruise somewhere closer we could've driven.

Hope everyone's having a great day...guess I better get off the internet and get back to work!

 

[danceintherain]

Poop Discussion: Andy used to play Poop-golf into our neighbors yard after their dogs would go in our front yard. They got a fence not to long after they spotted him doing that.

I think the most amusing part is the fact you prefaced it with "Poop Discussion"

 

[MAGGIED]

All this cruise discussion makes me wonder what I have been missing.... DH and I have never had any desire to go on a cruise.... maybe I should take a look again.... I know they are safe but I am just a big chicken....

 

[Monny2AE]

I think the most amusing part is the fact you prefaced it with "Poop Discussion"

Just more proof that we really CAN blabber on and on about anything!
A page on swordfish...a page on poop...wonder what's next

 

[EPCOT is a verb]

I love to cruise. DH and I have been on about 8 Carnival cruises. It is a great get away. The price is reasonable if you avoid the casino and too much alcohol. We usually go in January...I better get busy and work on planning one!

 

[danceintherain]

All this cruise discussion makes me wonder what I have been missing.... DH and I have never had any desire to go on a cruise.... maybe I should take a look again.... I know they are safe but I am just a big chicken....

Honestly, I feel much safer on a cruise than on an airplane. I can swim, but I can't fly.

Just more proof that we really CAN blabber on and on about anything!
A page on swordfish...a page on poop...wonder what's next

I totally quoted this, then forgot to respond...so here it is....

 

[danceintherain]

So, I was responded to some one else's "where should I stay?" thread, and suddenly came up with the thought that maybe we SHOULD stay in a Moderate.
We probably shouldn't go Deluxe, but a Moderate might be a better choice than a Value.
It would be between Port Orleans and Caribbean Beach (apparently Pop Warner is coming to CSR this year)
I just figure it might make sense to save the value resorts for when we have kids, and need to cut money corners wherever possible even more than we do now.

I'm just really indecisive, and now DH seems to be warming up even more to the idea that we're going, which means I actually need to start deciding, so...

...back to the spreadsheets!