The DIS-Functional WonderPeeps are Triple-Dippin' Castaway Cay! 7/20 & 7/24, 2008

[tinkryansmom]

hey hey

I am currently home. DD stayed at ranch with grandparents. So taking dirty clothes out of duffle bags into WD and back to duffle bags. I love that. We will go back to the ranch tomorrow evening.

So...Annie I think its good you were honest about the kids party. I would not be able to relax either so whats the point.

LOL about the Christmas cards. My DH did the same thing.

Airline flights eh? I tried the secret handshake link. JetBlue does not do direct from Oakland. I could go to NY or to Boston and fly in with CamColt all for around $299. So we will be going SW. I have not looked at the flight schedule but last time we flew we left early in the am and did not arrive until late like 9 pm. So it's a long day for us West Coasters. We have a few free flights so that is nice. I am actually thinking of flying out on the 18th staying at the Radisson at the port (does anyone know if they have beach access?) cruise and then either spend a few more days at the beach or drive up to see my brother in VA if he cannot come down to FL. I have always wanted to go to Savannah so maybe then we could fly out of Reagan or ?? Don't really know. That part is a work in progress. But whole trip will most likely be a week or so.

SueEllen - if you have ever driven to the Port - how long does it take? Which route do you take from VA?

OK off to switch the laundry!

 

[tinkryansmom]

OH first post in several days and lookie!!

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[CamColt]

Go Johnna! Go Johnna!

I'm not Sue Ellen, but I've driven to WDW (a few times) and the port. I'm guessing here and I want to say VA, depending where in it, would be about 12-14 hours away. Those Carolinas and Georgia take forever to get through. In that area I think we stuck to 95, but its also middle of the night when we are there, so no traffic.

Enjoy your free time, even if it is for laundry.

 

[tinkryansmom]

Thanks! I was thinking it would be 95. hhmmm....oh to be trip planning. Do you know if the Radisson has beach access? I want to be oceanfront while Ryan would rather have a cool pool. Go figure.

Then there is priceline. I used that last cruise and got 3* HI Oceanfront for like $55 it has a cool pool but getting to the port was tricky. Taxi never showed neither did our first shuttle. I was getting nervous! Thinking of trying Priceline again but don't really want HI again. So being Annies cousin this is weighing heavily on my mind.

So its Radisson, Hilton, HI or DoubleTree. I think.

Then there is the whole arrival at the airport. To take Disney Transportaion and stay at the Hyatt if we arrive late. Or private transport - we did a limo last time - and got to Cocoa Beach real late then spent the night there and went to port in the morning. Decisions, decisions. Our last cruise went really well except for maybe the taxi/shuttle issue so thinking Radisson for pre-cruise. But??? I guess I have a little time before I have to decide. Maybe a week or so...

 

[CamColt]

Yes, everything must be in place 6 months in advance. Funny thing is I do have to decide which park I want to visit that Friday, within the next few weeks because that will affect our ADRs and those have to be booked 180 days out! As much as I like to plan, even I think this is too early. 90 days was perfect. If we do MK I want to do Kona for lunch that day. If we do Epcot I will do ESPN for lunch that day, but Kona for lunch on our arrival day.

My family is no good in giving me opinions on this stuff. So is anyone going to be at MK or Epcot on Friday the 18th?

Sorry, I don't know much about the hotels at the port.

 

[Soccermom-Cheri]

Radisson is good then the shuttle (or taxi with beeg trunk) to port. 1st shuttle is 10:30 though

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

10:00am is the first shuttle...and I am ALWAYS on it!!

 

[SueEllen]

hey hey

SueEllen - if you have ever driven to the Port - how long does it take? Which route do you take from VA?

OK off to switch the laundry!

Trying to catch up again. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas holiday. We are surviving.

It takes us about 11 hours to get to the port driving. We take 95 down. Usually we go to WDW first, then over to the port, but a direct drive to the port takes about 11 hours.

Annie, I'd have to say no to that party (but that's me personally.) Sounds like trouble waiting to happen.

We don't have any NYE plans as of yet. Still discussing the matter to see what we might do.
SE

 

[Anal Annie]

TRM! How was your Christmas?

I am so-o glad that you guys all agree with me about that stupid kids party thing! DH indicated that I was just being a not-so-nice word that starts with a 'B'! And I was like we just dropped a small fortune on finishing that basement last year and I don't want to see it trashed just yet!! Anyway, whatever. After I said no to my neighbor said she's going to email our other neighbor who had the kids last year - totally unfinished basement with lots of old area rugs & old furniture & old kitchen tables etc. - there's a TV so they can watch movies or whatever - great spot for them, really! So we'll see how they respond...

TRM - before we decided to go ahead & tack on our 3 n at WDW I was looking at the Radisson - reviews sound good - pool pics look nice...select comfort beds...close to port with shuttle....can leave car there...thought we could go to Cape Canaveral for the day & let DS check out all the cool NASA stuff - but he wasn't interested in it when I tried to ask him about it. You would think a 10-11 yr old would be interested in rockets, right? Not when there's roller coasters an hour away to ride!

We (I) haven't decided if we'll hire a car service or rent a car from WDW one way to the port. We would like to get a Miller Lite 30 pack of beer somewhere along the way for DH to take onto the ship and maybe a box of wine & a leetle tiny bit of the Captain for Annie Will the car services stop for you to do that??!! I already signed up for DCL bus Xfers back to MCO after the cruise tho. Johnna - where in VA is your brother? Is he near SueEllen or is he in the DC / Northern VA metro area? Does SW have any red eyes you could take? Free flights are good if you can get them! We have enough miles on our cr. card to get 3 flights to FL but I am really trying to keep saving them up for some really expensive flights (like for the next time we go to Hawaii or something)! I'm hoping to find something cheaper on Air Tran or SW when they release their schedules...

CamColt - I cannot seriously make ADR's 6 months out! That's nuts! I would just make a bunch for now then cancel what I don't want later on when it gets closer! But now that you're staying at AKL for sure you also need to eat at Boma or Jiko! I'm of no help about which park for only one day - we're done with Epcot in like 3-4 hours usually. (We only go for the rides, a quick visit to Germany so DH can look for steins and 1 evening for Illuminations). We bought the AP's last summer so we'll be park hopping. Like when we go next month - MK is open late on Sat. so we'll prob. start out on Sat. AM at the AK. If it's NICE we'll try to hit the pool in the afternoon. Then we'll go to MK for the evening & close it down. Sun. we'll split between MGM & Epcot. Both close at 7 - we have a dinner ressie at Whispering Canyon at 8:10. Monday, we'll prob. go back to AK in the AM. Then we have tickets for the Pirate & Princess party at MK that nite! Then Tues. AM we head home (flt. at 11:45)! Wow. It will be over in the blink of an eye! Of course, if the weather is rainy or something we may end up on overload inside Disney Quest! But I'm hoping we will have some 70's!

 

[Anal Annie]

Quick question - To insure or Not to insure? We have not insured our little trip next month yet...'bout the best policy I can find on insuremytrip.com is $110 for primary coverage - do u think we should or just chance it? I'm afraid they would be a hassle to actually pay up but I'm just mostly concerned with weather delays on the flights screwing us up - but it's worthless if they end being a hassle...and I wonder if they'd really come thru if we hit MAJOR delays or something?! (I picture lots of arguing their side against our side)! I definitely plan to insure the cruise(s) sometime this spring but can't decide about the January trip...

 

[tinkryansmom]

Cheri - did you stay at the Radisson last crusie. Wait...nope I think you did not.

I imagine that first shuttle is mighty crowded. hhmm...

Annie - don't know about the insurance. I too will insure my cruise but living where winter weather does not tend to be a big issue I don't really know what to tell you. If the insurance will cover you if flights are majorly delayed I guess its a good idea for any hotel issue they may cover but idk. Sorry no help.

CamColt - Being a DLR'er I would say do MK for one day. But my family really did enjoy both Epcot and MGM.

Brother is in Fredericksburg. Not too near SueEllen but much closer than I am now. DH has not be given the heads up on the drive up the east coast plan. I have a feeling his answer will be a resounding "No!". But you never know. 11 hours eh? We could do that easily in 2 days - remember we will have a 1 year old. Maybe fly there and drive down for the cruise....hhhmmm...now there is an idea. But in July that's hurricane season right. Would hate to get messed up there. Seems like it would be better just to fly in and be there rather than be sightseeing down the coast??

Betsy - does Radisson have beach access? And if the first shuttle is at 10:00and is very full does anyone just call a cab? Or are most OK with the shuttle transfer times? Is it a mob scene? Will I have to beat anyone up first thing in the morning 'cause that would harsh my mello on the way to board Cheri's beeg floaty thing.

 

[CamColt]

I think we are doing Magical Express from AP to WDW, then I think we will use FL Tours for WDW-port and port-AP. They will do a grocery stop. I need that too for my waters and some Sam Adams for DH.

And it looks like we are going to try Jiko on Saturday. We will do a water park and then dinner back at the hotel that night.

When getting things in a package or in a way that you couldnt get refunds, I usually like insurance. For my February trip I don't have it, but I have everything individually, so if a storm is coming, a few days before I can start making adjusments.

 

[Anal Annie]

I think we are doing Magical Express from AP to WDW, then I think we will use FL Tours for WDW-port and port-AP. They will do a grocery stop. I need that too for my waters and some Sam Adams for DH.

And it looks like we are going to try Jiko on Saturday. We will do a water park and then dinner back at the hotel that night.

When getting things in a package or in a way that you couldnt get refunds, I usually like insurance. For my February trip I don't have it, but I have everything individually, so if a storm is coming, a few days before I can start making adjusments.

What is FL Tours? Is that a car / limo service?

So we could still add the insurance right up until just a couple of days ahead? I was thinking that we're down to 3 weeks from today & it's TIME to add it if we're going to...didn't know if there was a rule about how many days ahead... I was looking at the Farmers Almanac at my parents last weekend...they're calling for snow in the mid-atlantic during the time that we're gone. (...and rain in FL )

We've just never gone anywhere in the winter before...my neighbors sister got stuck in Chicago the other day & missed the first 3 days of their trip 'cuz they couldn't get on another flight! It made me start thinking about snow / weather delays... This little weekend is costing about $1800 - so not TOOOO bad but would still hate to lose it - and missing 3 nights out of 4 would SUCK! LOL...

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Betsy - does Radisson have beach access? And if the first shuttle is at 10:00and is very full does anyone just call a cab? Or are most OK with the shuttle transfer times? Is it a mob scene? Will I have to beat anyone up first thing in the morning 'cause that would harsh my mello on the way to board Cheri's beeg floaty thing.

no beach access..but they have a BIG pool...kate loves the pool and I love the bar that is next to the pool!!

I have always been on the 10 am shuttle..I call about 2 weeks before and ask to be put on the 10am list and also when I check in..it is a large bus with trailer so it fits plenty of people
The 10:30 wouldn't be terrible...both times, the gates didn't open for about 20 minutes after we got to the port.
no mob scene...it is always very polite and orderly operation

 

[CamColt]

What is FL Tours? Is that a car / limo service?

So we could still add the insurance right up until just a couple of days ahead? I was thinking that we're down to 3 weeks from today & it's TIME to add it if we're going to...didn't know if there was a rule about how many days ahead... I was looking at the Farmers Almanac at my parents last weekend...they're calling for snow in the mid-atlantic during the time that we're gone. (...and rain in FL )

We've just never gone anywhere in the winter before...my neighbors sister got stuck in Chicago the other day & missed the first 3 days of their trip 'cuz they couldn't get on another flight! It made me start thinking about snow / weather delays... This little weekend is costing about $1800 - so not TOOOO bad but would still hate to lose it - and missing 3 nights out of 4 would SUCK! LOL...

Yep, FL Tours sponsors the Transportation Board. http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=16
I have used them a few times...great service!

I'm not sure how soon you have to add insurance (I only know the terms and conditions of Disneyland, LOL). What I was saying is I have everything booked separately and can cancel/change up until a few days in advance(with minimal fees on some things, like the flights). So if I see a storm coming then, I will start adjusting my flights, hotel, etc... Maybe try to go a day earlier, or later or whatever. BUT THATS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN SO WE DONT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT.

 

[tinkryansmom]

As my MIA friend would say: SAH-WEET

OK so I think we will stay at the Radisson pre-cruise and fight Betsy for the 10 a.m shuttle!

Poolside bar sounds good to me!

Going to check the drive and decide if we should sightsee pre-cruise or post-cruise. Guess I have to talk to DH first.

I guess from MCO to Radisson we will use same limo company we used last time. Family run. Nice guy. Cheaper than Disney buses. But the same as last time. Oh to try something new or not....Have to take a family poll. Ryan really wants to stay at the Hyatt "in the airport". The concept of a hotel in the airport really has her mysitified. I assume if we are not going to a Disney resort we would have to take the bus on the morning we actually depart correct? That may just be too much for this overplanning mom. Get up get on bus and ride for what? like 2 hours before I see the boat? Don't know if I could do that. Yep, family poll.

Have a good day everyone!

 

[tinkryansmom]

OH lookie there

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Don't know why that is so exciting.

I need a life.

 

[Anal Annie]

Ryan really wants to stay at the Hyatt "in the airport". The concept of a hotel in the airport really has her mysitified. I assume if we are not going to a Disney resort we would have to take the bus on the morning we actually depart correct? That may just be too much for this overplanning mom. Get up get on bus and ride for what? like 2 hours before I see the boat? Don't know if I could do that. Yep, family poll.

There IS something about that hotel being in the airport - DS is also amazed at it. But I think unless I was getting in really, really late I would just head straight to the Radisson... BTW, being that the Radisson is at the port, I wouldn't think that it would be a swimming kind of beach there anyway. I picture the water to be too icky for swimming...but I could be wrong...

Have I mentioned the dogs here at work before? The people who own the company I work for bring their 2 dogs to work (both Bermesse Mountain Dogs). They are away skiing this week and someone here is dog sitting the older one (the puppy is boarded). He is sick now (pneumonia) and is laying here whining and barking - and he is in desperate need of a bath & mouthwash! I've pushed the button for the elevator for him twice & he won't get on (he often will). I don't know what he wants and I don't speak dog!

 

[CamColt]

Good luck with the family poll, Johnna. I'm not getting too far with that.

I too have to say there is something cool about that hotel. I always say I would like to stay there.

Annie, somehow that image of a dog riding up and down on an elevator has me... Get him out of there!

 

[Soccermom-Cheri]

Hola Peeps...

this is RJ posting under Cheri's name

first I wanted to say a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Katie!!!!




We were thinking about trying to get everyone to stay at the Radisson the night before the cruises for a pre-cruise gathering. Whatcha all think? Please be to booking your rooms now

Ok, talk amongst yourselves and then decide it's a good idea!

Have a nice day all