WDW/DCL Western Caribbean Honeymoon Extravaganza!! 7/19-8/1 PTR

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Really enjoying reading about your plans for your wedding and your trip. I love your dress and the table decorations are wonderful - a really clever idea!
Looking forward to more!

Thank you so much!!

.....there is a website:

http://www.etiquettehell.com/

it will have you saying the phrase, "O.M.G." thirteen zillion million different ways it is that funny!!!! Loving yer TR!

C-YA!

OMG, I love it! ( )

 

[podsnel]

I really can't believe people sometimes... what is with getting you a red toaster oven when you don't WANT a new toaster oven? People are so ridiculous. They need to go to the store where you are registered and start shopping- PERIOD. It's YOUR wedding, they asked you to tell them what you wanted with a registry, but now it's not what they want so they're having an issue??? OMG! I didn't have a registry when i got married because I had inherited a ton of crystal, china & silver already, and before the dawn of time when i got married 23 years ago that was pretty much the only stuff you registered for. But, you know, maybe the people complaining about what you want are just wanting to give you something more special than whatever you've got on your list? Either way, they should respect your wishes and buy you what you'd like. Hang-in-there!! It will all be worth it on your big day!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

I really can't believe people sometimes... what is with getting you a red toaster oven when you don't WANT a new toaster oven? People are so ridiculous. They need to go to the store where you are registered and start shopping- PERIOD. It's YOUR wedding, they asked you to tell them what you wanted with a registry, but now it's not what they want so they're having an issue??? OMG! I didn't have a registry when i got married because I had inherited a ton of crystal, china & silver already, and before the dawn of time when i got married 23 years ago that was pretty much the only stuff you registered for. But, you know, maybe the people complaining about what you want are just wanting to give you something more special than whatever you've got on your list? Either way, they should respect your wishes and buy you what you'd like. Hang-in-there!! It will all be worth it on your big day!

THANK YOU! EXACTLY!

But, you know, maybe the people complaining about what you want are just wanting to give you something more special than whatever you've got on your list?

Yeah, well, I think that's it. They feel like they need to get something "big" but I need a lot of things that aren't big. Bigger does not mean better!!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

I don't know why, but whenever we get to the 76 day mark of our countdown, we always sing "76 trombones led the big parade!" Well, today is the day and I'm so excited because it's just one step closer!! I don't think I posted a picture of our countdown calendar yet but this is it, in case you're curious. We rip off a sheet each night so that the last night before our trip, we rip off number one and see a sheet that says, "It's here!!!" This is an old picture from a past trip so the number is off. This is a permanent fixture on our wal, btw...

Okay so the second part of this post's title...money!! We've been collecting change in a large plastic coke bottle since we got engaged. Most of the change came from Tom's mom but we put in as much as we could too. I've also been putting bills in there. Sometimes, just whatever singles are in my wallet, sometimes a 20. Well, the cruise money is due next monday so I wanted to have a coing rolling party. Now, I what you're thinking because I heard it from everyone I told about my party....why not bring it to the bank?? Well, because that's no fun! I wanted to get a picture of the bottle before we dumped it (and it cracks under the weight of the coins) but my camera is not working properly and the battery (although charged all night) was dead. So we rolled and rolled and rolled. We had a few party guests, and with the help, it did not take long at all!!

The grand total.....................................

$1140!!!!!

I am super excited because that's about 1/2 of what's left for the cruise. My camera decided it was going to turn on, so I took a picture of what it all looks like rolled up but my desk top is not working so I can't upload the picture to post. (Yeah, I have having some major technology issues.) I also have an envelope that I've been collecting $20s. I put one in a week and any extra money I get goes in there too. I haven't counted that recently, as that's for the WDW portion and that money is not due yet, but I think it's about $800.

 

[knewton64]

....now that's MUCHO MONEY


one of these days - can you post any pics of that change jar?

WOW - that sounds like one HUGE jar.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

....now that's MUCHO MONEY


one of these days - can you post any pics of that change jar?

WOW - that sounds like one HUGE jar.

Once I get my desktop fixed, I will gladly post the picture I took. It looked like way more before it was all rolled up. It certainly doesn't look like over a grand!

 

[podsnel]

I love your calendar and I LOVE your coin jar and $20 envelope!! What a great idea- that way it doesn't hurt so much to save up- you probably barely know you're doing it!!

 

[Jennifer48]

Thats a whole lotta change!!

 

[ilovecraigandcooper]

FUN, FUN, FUN! im loving the report!

i also love the wedding dress! (ot: i saw in the background that you were at david's bridal, i sure hope you got better service than we did there! im in north georgia and they pretty much have the monopoly on wedding dresses so i used them for my dress and ive had to buy 3 bridesmaid dresses there but i absolutely DESPISE them)! we got the absolute worst customer service not one time but every single time we've had dealings with them. it may just be this one location thats closest to us but it just makes me so mad to continuously have to spend money somewhere that treats customers like crap! sorry for the OT rant!

BUT YAY about the wedding and upcoming trip, i cant wait to hear more! and good system about saving money for the trip, i should try that!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

I love your calendar and I LOVE your coin jar and $20 envelope!! What a great idea- that way it doesn't hurt so much to save up- you probably barely know you're doing it!!

I know, it's so amazing how you never really miss it but it adds up so fast!

Thats a whole lotta change!!

I know!!

FUN, FUN, FUN! im loving the report!

i also love the wedding dress! (ot: i saw in the background that you were at david's bridal, i sure hope you got better service than we did there! im in north georgia and they pretty much have the monopoly on wedding dresses so i used them for my dress and ive had to buy 3 bridesmaid dresses there but i absolutely DESPISE them)! we got the absolute worst customer service not one time but every single time we've had dealings with them. it may just be this one location thats closest to us but it just makes me so mad to continuously have to spend money somewhere that treats customers like crap! sorry for the OT rant!

BUT YAY about the wedding and upcoming trip, i cant wait to hear more! and good system about saving money for the trip, i should try that!

Welcome!! Ugh, HORRIBLE experiences at David's Bridal!! But they have nice, affordable dresses, so I went anyway and found a beautiful dress. The first woman I met with was awful and the "alterations department" was so awful that I told her to take out the pins, I'm not leaving my dress here!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Sunday night at midnight marks my 75 day out mark for the cruise so I've been spending some time narrowing down excursion ideas. I think we've settled on this...

Key West - GPS Walking Tour: I think this is perfect for us. We really just wanted to walk around Key West on our own but I'm so anal and obssessive that I need some sort of direction. It's like this was MADE for me!

Cozumel - Fury Catamaran Sail, Snorkel and Beach Party: This sounds awesome!! It's a 3-in-1 that includes snorkeling, which is something I really wanted to do and unlimited margaritas and beer included at the beach party!! And the price is very affordable!

Castaway Cay - Parasailing: I'm SUPER excited to do this. It's one of those once-in-a-lifetime things. I'm also planning on maybe renting bikes, snorkel gear, floats but I think I can do that if we decide to once we get there. (right?)

Grand Cayman - Dolphin Encounter and Turtle Farm: Okay this is the one that's giving me trouble. For some reason, it's not showing up on my "wish list" which is making me think it's all booked. So today I started looking into it and found if I book it on my own, it's waaaaay cheaper. Which then makes me think I should just book it on my own regardless. The only thing I'm nervous about is getting there and back (again the anal thing, I like to know that transportation is taken care of) and the slim possibility of the cruise not going to Grand Cayman (for whatever reason) and me losing all that money.

So for those of you that have done a cruise before...what do you think of my choices? And do you have any advice about my dolphin problem??

And just because I like to post pictures, here's one in memory of Bea Arthur and also in memory of the Backlot Tour that once was. Sad to see both gone.

 

[knewton64]

Love your choices!

That Dolphin issue has me stumped.

Tho - gotta ask....have you also considered the "Rainforest Room" at the Vista Spa?? An all day pass is $15/day and while I was on the Wonder (Jan 2009), I just fell in love with that place!.
So much, I am signing up for the Vista Spa "Alone Time" as well as a weeks pass to the Rain Forest room when I head back to the House of Mouse in October & .

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Love your choices!

That Dolphin issue has me stumped.

Tho - gotta ask....have you also considered the "Rainforest Room" at the Vista Spa?? An all day pass is $15/day and while I was on the Wonder (Jan 2009), I just fell in love with that place!.
So much, I am signing up for the Vista Spa "Alone Time" as well as a weeks pass to the Rain Forest room when I head back to the House of Mouse in October & .

I know! What could it be? Hopefully I'll have an answer on those dolphins by Sunday night.

I'm not really interested in the spa services. I know, I know, it's crazy but it's just not my thing.

 

[knewton64]

I know! What could it be? Hopefully I'll have an answer on those dolphins by Sunday night.

I'm not really interested in the spa services. I know, I know, it's crazy but it's just not my thing.

.....I have an idea but I don't wanna misadvise ya so yes - please let us know "what that means."

But rest assured, I feel /felt the same way you feel about having Disney take care of things while one is out on a shore excursion. But - I have chosen to 'step out a little" and sign up for a non-Disney shore excursion while out on Grand Cayman (November 3rd) and it is:

1) Cptn Marvin's Stingray City Reef and Snokel (shore excursion).

A DISser friend of mind did a Cpt Marvin excursion and liked it. Yes, it was also cheaper but I am choosing to do this as I wanna try something different every day and well----- CPT Marvins fits the bill. There are Disboards reviews on this (he even has his own website) if ya r intererted.

Loving yer TR

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

.....I have an idea but I don't wanna misadvise ya so yes - please let us know "what that means."

But rest assured, I feel /felt the same way you feel about having Disney take care of things while one is out on a shore excursion. But - I have chosen to 'step out a little" and sign up for a non-Disney shore excursion while out on Grand Cayman (November 3rd) and it is:

1) Cptn Marvin's Stingray City Reef and Snokel (shore excursion).

A DISser friend of mind did a Cpt Marvin excursion and liked it. Yes, it was also cheaper but I am choosing to do this as I wanna try something different every day and well----- CPT Marvins fits the bill. There are Disboards reviews on this (he even has his own website) if ya r intererted.

Loving yer TR

Thanks for the info!! I did a little more research and found out that Dolphin Discover is a $25 taxi ride each way! So in the long run, it's not really cheaper. Hopefully, I can get it through DCL, if not, I will look into the excursion that you were talking about.

Glad you're enjoying my PTR!!

 

[podsnel]

Nikki- you should call DCL or your travel agent to figure out about the dolphin excursion and why it's not showing up for you now. At 12 am Sunday morning a LOT of people will be going online to book stuff- and it can get hairy- you don't want to waste time trying to figure that stuff out then. For example, for me, when i went online at 12 am, the system kept telling me I wasn't paid in full for about 15 minutes- which was IMPOSSIBLE, because I paid with points and had to pay for the kids through DVC when I booked. So why not call and let them tell you it's still available or not- that way you can choose an alternative ahead of time if you need to.

And I wanted to tell you....I LOVE Lou Mongello!! I took your advice (finally!) and downloaded his podcasts and the DIS podcasts and I'm listening to them when I exercise at the Y and when I ride my bike or walk- I'm having so much fun listening to them, I'm walking/riding sooo much further because I just want to keep listening!! Thanks for a GREAT tip!!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Nikki- you should call DCL or your travel agent to figure out about the dolphin excursion and why it's not showing up for you now. At 12 am Sunday morning a LOT of people will be going online to book stuff- and it can get hairy- you don't want to waste time trying to figure that stuff out then. For example, for me, when i went online at 12 am, the system kept telling me I wasn't paid in full for about 15 minutes- which was IMPOSSIBLE, because I paid with points and had to pay for the kids through DVC when I booked. So why not call and let them tell you it's still available or not- that way you can choose an alternative ahead of time if you need to.

That's good advice! I will definitely check to see what the deal is. I actually e-mailed DCL but either they didn't understand my question or just sent me the standard "wish list" answer because all they said was that "your wish list is not a reservation and blah blah blah..." You must have been freaking out for those 15 minutes!! That is my nightmare that it will happen to me!

And I wanted to tell you....I LOVE Lou Mongello!! I took your advice (finally!) and downloaded his podcasts and the DIS podcasts and I'm listening to them when I exercise at the Y and when I ride my bike or walk- I'm having so much fun listening to them, I'm walking/riding sooo much further because I just want to keep listening!! Thanks for a GREAT tip!!

Oh that's too funny!! Yes, I loved running while listening to his podcast. I actually haven't been listening lately. I sort of think he's gone a little crazy! He's just way over the top and it got very annoying and difficult to listen to his lou-isms (as we call it) after a while. For example, "in and of itself," "literally and figuratively," "pen to paper," and "promenade" just to name a few. Tom's breaking point was when Lou opened his show exclaiming how "delighted he was to be at the opening of the magical fairy garden..." NOT, how he enjoyed watching his daughter experience the fairy meet and greet, which would have been normal. It's like EVERY SINGLE THING is his favorite thing in the world. I like how Ricky Brigante from Inside the Magic podcasts actually says when he didn't like somehting. SORRY for the rant!! Just wanted to warn you that you may get tired of it after a while.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Okaaaayyyy! Tonight is the night!! EXCURSIONS/PALO reservations! I've been watching the clock since I woke up this morning and I still have 10 hours and 18 minutes to go!! I better take a nap, although I've never been good at it. I'll try, though.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

YAY!!!! I think I did it! I keep checking and checking to make sure I did everything I was supposed to!!

Okay, here's what I got...I went for Palo brunch first and there were only 2 times available, both on Day 2 (Key West day), 10:00am and 11:00am. I went for the 10:00 because I wasn't sure what time our "excursion" was going to be that day.

Palo ------ CHECK! 10:00am

Then I went for Grand Cayman to see what the deal was with that Dolphin Encounter and Turtle Farm...remember I said before that it wasn't showing up on my wish list? Well it wasn't an option for booking, which is weird because things that are booked were shaded out and this wasn't on there at all. So I just upgraded to the Dolphin Extreme Swim and Turtle Farm. A little more money. I thought about doing it on our own but the website said the cab ride alone is $25 each way, so it's just easier to do it through DCL.

Grand Cayman, Dolphin Excursion -------CHECK! 12:30pm-4:30pm

Okay, next I went for Parasailing on Castaway Cay because I wasn't sure how fast that booked up. They offered my 9:30 or 11:30. Oh crap! I didn't realize I would have to make all these split second decisions!! I went with 11:30. That way we have time to wake up a little. I think 9:30 is too early for something so thrilling. I figured we can hang on the beach for a little, do our parasailing and then have lunch.

Castaway Cay, Parasailing ------CHECK! 11:30am-12:30am

Next I went for the Cozumel Fury Catamaran, Snorkel and Beach Party. That was no problem. YAY!!

Cozumel, Fury Catamaran, Snorkel and Beach Party ------CHECK! 12:45pm-5:55pm

Lastly, I went back to the Key West day to see time for our "excursion." I put excursion in quotes because it's the GPS walking tour. Again, split second decision making! 12:15 or 1:30. I went for 12:15. I figured the earlier the better. When we are done, we can either explore more on our own, or go back to the ship. My only concern is that we won't be done with brunch by then...but it's 2 hours and 15 minutes...I think that's fine right??

Key West, GPS Walking Tour ------CHECK!!! 12:15pm-3:15pm

FYI, there were only 2 excursions that were not available...Key West Electric Car and Castaway Cay Island Cruise. Like I said, only 2 times available for Palo brunch, just on that one day, NO times left for Palo tea and LOTS of times left for dinner at Palo...

Phew. I'm so glad that's done! I'm too excited now though, I'm never going to get to sleep!!

 

[podsnel]

YAY!! I'm so happy you were able to get everything you wanted!! We also had Palo brunch on Key West day- it was nice, you can see Key West from Palo as you dock. You'll be done in time for that 12:15 excursion, it won't be a problem. It sounds like they have alot of different excursions from when we cruised just this past November! Can't wait to hear all about them!!

Just curious- why no Palo for dinner? It's very romantic.