The Disney Grump is taking me on a DREAM vacation! TR Link, pg 30

[SoonerGirl]

Can I say that this post has me super excited???

I think I must have been about six pages behind...
I am all caught up now.
So do you think you will be up for shopping after the dolphins? My daughter just got back from Nassau and got some great stuff at the "Straw Market". I've been taking orders for watches at work!

We just need to plan a time to meet up before the cruise. Maybe you all would like to come over and hang out at our pool? I just need to check our ADRs...

Isn't it exciting?!

Am I up for shopping? HA! That's a silly question, of course I am! I have a friend that just got back from a cruise and she got the prettiest watch in Nassau!

We do need to meet up before the cruise. Where are you staying again, I've forgotten...

Just make sure you point out to Don how much it would cost to replace your other camera if it got damaged by water.

Yep! I would not feel comfortable taking the DSLR onto the beach, aside from the water, the sand could not possibly be good for it. I know there are cheaper waterproof cameras than the one I picked, but I want one that is going to take good photos in general, it's not just going to be for water use ya know?

This is adorable!!! Makes me want to take a cruise even more (if that is possible)!!!

I see a cruise in your future, after you read about HDs TWO cruises this spring/summer alone, plus mine & Wigd's, you aren't going to be able to resist!

Ah, my sweet pretties!!! How I love thee!

It's been far too long since I've had one!

I am so bummed, too.

I love your countdown links. So cute!!! Wow I guess they do have some great designs on that thread.

Your plans sound great. AKL is such a beautiful resort. Zebra Domes-YUM!!

I think your plan to head to DTD in the am is a great idea. Very low crowds in the morning.

I debated on where to eat at Citywalk on this trip & Bubba Gumps was in the running but we decided on Margaritaville. We have not been to any of them so we are anxious to try it out.

There is so much cute stuff on the DISigns board, I spent a ridiculous amount of time over there going through it all!

I like low crowds, DTD in the morning is probably the way to go!

Margaritaville is fun too! Haven't ever been to that one, but I'm sure they are all pretty much the same.

That sounds like a wonderful beginning to the Disney part of your trip! I need to practice relaxing at the resort more. I'll love reading about your AKL experience as John switched our ressie for our short Oct. trip to there. We're pretty excited to stay somewhere new!

Off to school I go. We still have all of next week to get through before spring break. I'm so tired now, by next Friday I will be like a roast...stick a fork in me, I'm done!

Have a great day and upcoming weekend!

I often wonder if I had built in more down time to our past trips if Don would be as anti-Disney as he is. I'm thinking probably not, too bad I'm a slow learner....

Wow, you still haven't had spring break? Our was a few weeks ago! Just keep telling yourself one more week, then you can relax and recharge!

I'll be at my home away from home this weekend - the ballpark!

You picked a perfect resort to relax.... there is just SOOO much to see and do at AKL without ever setting foot in a park. And to me DTD is the 5th park. I love it too!!! But save some money for all the great DCL merchandise on the ship!

I got my Olympus point and shoot underwater camera at Office Max - check them out from time to time - they have a table up front with drastically reduced merchandise on it. I think the camera was originally about $300 and it was 50% off with another 25% off, so I got it for just over $100 and it's perfect! Waterproof and drop proof (so I can let Ally use it and not worry when it bounces on the sidewalk...... which is has done on several ocassions.....

I am really going to have to limit my spending in DTD, I do want to save most of my souvie money for the cruise! I can have fun in DTD just looking around and not really buying much though, so I think I'll be fine.

Thanks for the info on the camera! I didn't think about checking the office supply stores. Don gets reward points from work and he can trade them in for gift cards to certain stores. Wonder if Office Max is one of them, hmmmmm....

Does yours take pretty good photos?

All the pictures are great!!!

Can I make a request for a phone picture while you are walking around AKL? I love that place. It can be of feathered creatures or furry ones or of the pool or lobby or whatever...I don't care. I will just jump right into that picture from here at school and be so happy!

I'd have to have Justin teach me how to send a photo first I'll be glad to learn though so that I can help you escape to the beauty of AKL

Plans look so good. I have NEVER eaten at a Bubba Gump Shrimp. I have wanted to in Charleston but our local family says that would be blasphemy because the only good seafood bust be consumed at a place called the Wreck or Billy Bob's cooler of shrimp on a dock where you have to know a guy just to get on the dock. Anyway, one day I will eat at one!

I didn't realize they had a Bubba Gumps in Charleston too. I think Don & I are going to go to Charleston for our anniversary in August. I don't know though, it would seem wrong eating at a chain with all those great seafood restaurants around....

Love your countdown chain - it looks awesome! Yay on these boards having some very creative disigners

Love the relaxing day - I tried looking for the hidden mickey but couldn't find it

Those are great pics of AKL - enjoy the shopping and Zebra Domes!

The DISboards are awesome!

The hidden Mickey is just above and to the right of Mom's head

We ate at that Bubba Gump in Charleston!!!! It was okay, but you are right about needing to eat at a fresh seafood place in Charleston.

We'll see, I may need to eat at BOTH Bubba Gump's and a fresh seafood place in Charleston......

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

If you don't mind me asking, what camera are you looking at? I'm shopping around for a waterproof one myself since we plan to do the waterparks at WDW this year, but there aren't many to choose from and not many reviews either. I'm having a hard time deciding???? I'm like you, I want it waterproof, but I want good pictures too. And I want video... maybe I just want too much...

 

[karajeboo]

I have an Olympus waterproof point and shoot. Can't find it right now (still downloading tons of pics from the cruise!) but it does take great shots outside, but inside it's not much. Oh, and it takes video. I've taken video coming down the plunge on Splash and I just video'd the slide at Castaway Cay....... Great little camera for the money, but I only carry it if I need waterproof shots, or I just don't have room to carry my DSLR.....

 

[SoonerGirl]

If you don't mind me asking, what camera are you looking at? I'm shopping around for a waterproof one myself since we plan to do the waterparks at WDW this year, but there aren't many to choose from and not many reviews either. I'm having a hard time deciding???? I'm like you, I want it waterproof, but I want good pictures too. And I want video... maybe I just want too much...

Nothing wrong with wanting it all is there???

I've pretty much decided on the Canon Powershot D10, I've read lots of reviews about all kinds of different brands and this one seems to be as good or better than most. There are over 400 reviews of it on Amazon, you can check it out here if you want

Oh, and it does video too!

I have an Olympus waterproof point and shoot. Can't find it right now (still downloading tons of pics from the cruise!) but it does take great shots outside, but inside it's not much. Oh, and it takes video. I've taken video coming down the plunge on Splash and I just video'd the slide at Castaway Cay....... Great little camera for the money, but I only carry it if I need waterproof shots, or I just don't have room to carry my DSLR.....

I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures you took with it on your cruise. I checked out the Olympus after you posted about it, it looks like a good one too! Biggest difference that I saw was the Canon is prettier yep, I'm a girly girl BUT, if I happen to come across the Olympus with as good a deal as you got, I'll be all over it! The two are about the same price normally though.

 

[karajeboo]

Nothing wrong with wanting it all is there???

I've pretty much decided on the Canon Powershot D10, I've read lots of reviews about all kinds of different brands and this one seems to be as good or better than most. There are over 400 reviews of it on Amazon, you can check it out here if you want

Oh, and it does video too!



I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures you took with it on your cruise. I checked out the Olympus after you posted about it, it looks like a good one too! Biggest difference that I saw was the Canon is prettier yep, I'm a girly girl BUT, if I happen to come across the Olympus with as good a deal as you got, I'll be all over it! The two are about the same price normally though.

But mine is DIS green! Actually, it's worse than that, it's more of a pea green, so I don't worry about anyone stealing it! And whatever you get, make sure you get a floating strap. I got mine on ebay for a couple dollars. So when you are snorkeling and run into Bruce the Shark, you can worry about holding onto your drawers and not your camera.... cause it will float! (unlike your drawers.......)

 

[SoonerGirl]

But mine is DIS green! Actually, it's worse than that, it's more of a pea green, so I don't worry about anyone stealing it! And whatever you get, make sure you get a floating strap. I got mine on ebay for a couple dollars. So when you are snorkeling and run into Bruce the Shark, you can worry about holding onto your drawers and not your camera.... cause it will float! (unlike your drawers.......)

Ooooo, yours is much cuter than the one I saw, it was just basic black!

Thanks for the tip on the floating strap, I'd hate to have to make a decision between the camera or my drawers

 

[Wicket's Mom]

I like those Canon Power shots. We lost our last one in Gatlinburg last October. Our new camera is also a Power Shot, they get great reviews from Consumer Reports.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

We are at Beach Club before the cruise...
The pool is a blast!!!

Marc was telling me this week about the Wonder sailing out of Galveston! We were excited about that too!
I'm sure we will be talking about re-booking on this cruise. The incentives are really too good to pass up.

 

[uncw89]

But mine is DIS green! Actually, it's worse than that, it's more of a pea green, so I don't worry about anyone stealing it! And whatever you get, make sure you get a floating strap. I got mine on ebay for a couple dollars. So when you are snorkeling and run into Bruce the Shark, you can worry about holding onto your drawers and not your camera.... cause it will float! (unlike your drawers.......)

I have the Olympus Stylus 850 SW, it looks just like this one but it's orangish. I couldn't tell if that one was the same model as the one in the picture. Anyway, I got it about two years ago, for my cruise. It takes great pictures. I mainly use it for beachy pics. Here is one I took with it. This was taken right after I got it.

I've been lurking off and on on your TR.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I see a cruise in your future, after you read about HDs TWO cruises this spring/summer alone, plus mine & Wigd's, you aren't going to be able to resist!

Oh, I do, too!!! I have been waiting for the new cruises to get released online -- I have been looking at the ones already available and all the "cheap" rooms are already booked. So...I need the new cruises with all the room types available to choose from.

 

[MEK]

I'm honestly afraid to take the boys to the Universal parks, they both LOVE thrill rides so I'm afraid they'll start wanting to vacation there I'm hoping that just going to City Walk won't be enough to sway them

As you should be, because they will definitely want to go to Universal. My boys were crazy about that place when they were that age.

Is there a bar next to the Kidani pool?????

Yup! Drink till your hearts content!

 

[SoonerGirl]

I like those Canon Power shots. We lost our last one in Gatlinburg last October. Our new camera is also a Power Shot, they get great reviews from Consumer Reports.

I've read lots of good reviews of the Canon, there were a few that complained that the camera leaked, but many many more that have had no problems with it at all.

We are at Beach Club before the cruise...
The pool is a blast!!!

Marc was telling me this week about the Wonder sailing out of Galveston! We were excited about that too!
I'm sure we will be talking about re-booking on this cruise. The incentives are really too good to pass up.

So you're asking me if I want to come hang out with you at SAB?? Duh, that's a no brainer isn't it? Let me know what works into your schedule. It would be great to let the boys hang out and meet before the cruise as well.

Do you think Baylor will spend much time in the Edge? I'm thinking I may see if they will let me move Jared up. He'll be 11 3 1/2 months after the cruise, I'm afraid the 3-10 clubs will be too babyish for him....

I was really excited about the cruises out of Galveston too, that's only about 7 1/2 hours from us! The dates aren't the greatest though, all in the middle of school.

I have the Olympus Stylus 850 SW, it looks just like this one but it's orangish. I couldn't tell if that one was the same model as the one in the picture. Anyway, I got it about two years ago, for my cruise. It takes great pictures. I mainly use it for beachy pics. Here is one I took with it. This was taken right after I got it.

I've been lurking off and on on your TR.

Really cool picture! I can't wait to try and get some shots like that!

Oh, I do, too!!! I have been waiting for the new cruises to get released online -- I have been looking at the ones already available and all the "cheap" rooms are already booked. So...I need the new cruises with all the room types available to choose from.

I've figured out that people tend to book cruises waaaaay in advance, like 2 years I also think they open up booking in stages, first open to platinum cruisers, then gold, then silver, then general public. Makes it harder for us first time cruisers to get the better deals!

We booked ours in October and there were no lower category rooms left either, the only one's still available were verandah rooms and conceirge. And only the higher level verandah rooms. I didn't mind because it was what I wanted anyway, Don wasn't too pleased

As you should be, because they will definitely want to go to Universal. My boys were crazy about that place when they were that age.

Yup! Drink till your hearts content!

Yeah, I know they'll love Universal, one day I should probably take them there *sigh*

Yay! Glad to know they have a bar there as well, cause you know you can't lay by the pool without a cocktail in hand when you are on vacation

 

[JenAusty]

Great pictures! I love that resort so very much.. I can't wait til I can stay there. And Bumba Gumps shrimp sounds amazing. Maybe someday I'll venture off. hehe

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Nothing wrong with wanting it all is there???

I've pretty much decided on the Canon Powershot D10, I've read lots of reviews about all kinds of different brands and this one seems to be as good or better than most. There are over 400 reviews of it on Amazon, you can check it out here if you want

Oh, and it does video too!

Thank you so much for that link! I have no idea why it didn't occur to me to check Amazon. Did you look at the sample pictures that people have posted that they took with that camera? There are some really awesome pictures in there! I mean REALLY awesome! But when I ran across this one, I just wondered if it was a sign!

I think it is a sign for sure that I need that camera, don't you? I am going to check into that Olympus too though. Thanks for the help!

I've also been reading about a waterproof Kodak camera that just came out this month. It is only $80 though and there are no reviews b/c it is so new so I'm not sure if it would be a decent camera for that price or not. Anyone here know anything about it???? Here's the link to it:

http://store.kodak.com/store/ekconsus/en_US/pd/SPORT_Camera/productID.222433400

 

[uncw89]

I've read lots of good reviews of the Canon, there were a few that complained that the camera leaked, but many many more that have had no problems with it at all.

I've heard good things about the Canon as well.

So you're asking me if I want to come hang out with you at SAB?? Duh, that's a no brainer isn't it? Let me know what works into your schedule. It would be great to let the boys hang out and meet before the cruise as well.

Do you think Baylor will spend much time in the Edge? I'm thinking I may see if they will let me move Jared up. He'll be 11 3 1/2 months after the cruise, I'm afraid the 3-10 clubs will be too babyish for him....

I would be interested in finding this out too. DS will be 10 1/2 on our cruise in Aug, and he would probably rather be with the older kids. I just hope he tries out the clubs. On our last cruise, he didn't spend a whole lot of time in the clubs.


Really cool picture! I can't wait to try and get some shots like that!

Thanks! The water camera's are cool! It takes pretty good pics on land too.

I've figured out that people tend to book cruises waaaaay in advance, like 2 years I also think they open up booking in stages, first open to platinum cruisers, then gold, then silver, then general public. Makes it harder for us first time cruisers to get the better deals!

We booked ours in October and there were no lower category rooms left either, the only one's still available were verandah rooms and conceirge. And only the higher level verandah rooms. I didn't mind because it was what I wanted anyway, Don wasn't too pleased



Yeah, I know they'll love Universal, one day I should probably take them there *sigh*

We are trying Universal in Aug, before our cruise! It will be DS's first time. He's excited! DH and I have been before. this will be our first time staying onsite.

Yay! Glad to know they have a bar there as well, cause you know you can't lay by the pool without a cocktail in hand when you are on vacation

 

[uncw89]

double post

 

[PrincessInOz]

Hi Sharon! Don't worry about being a little late, I've been struggling to keep up on the DIS myself! I need to check your siggy and see if you've got anything going on....

Sadly, I've got no trips planned...but have just finished my TR for California (DLR to San Francisco). I have some food porn from Bubba Gumps at the start...

I found the link designs on the DISigns board.

I love the design you've gotten for your countdown link! It's fabulous.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

On June 2nd we have a 1:00 lunch at Le Cellier then we are free for the rest of the afternoon....
How about we spend it at the pool?
I'll PM you with the details on getting your wristbands for entrance to the pool.

 

[MeMom]

We are at Beach Club before the cruise...
The pool is a blast!!!

You're always at Beach Club. I think it kinda belongs to you!

Oh, and thanks for letting us come over and visit when we're there. You have a real nice place.



The cruise countdown links are fun, my fellow Oklahoma friend.
I need to get out there one of these days and find the place I was born.

 

[karajeboo]

One thing about my Olympus, it does NOT take good indoor photos.......