Westbound Repo Ship of Thieves-Remember the Magic!

[ibouncetoo]

Added another blog link on page one from DISer kmitchell!

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[JLSE50]

I am reading Deb Will's Cruise blog and found Marilyn and John on Deck 10 port side approaching the Gatun Locks! Those two are so photogenic--even the backs of their heads. Jan

.......Gotta link?...........

Sorry, meant to paste it in and forgot. 10th picture down.

http://land.allears.net/blogs/debwills/2008/05/updated_130pm_cst_panama_canal.html

Jan

 

[ibouncetoo]

Best part of the crew talent show:

BETTER THAN JOEY!!!!

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[ibouncetoo]

Best part of Palo:

OK...PJ too!

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[calmom]

I'm not good with the hotels as we never stay at the hotels, but the dinner I can answer!

Every year we go to the DL hotel dinner for Thanksgiving. It is beautiful, great food, very big, large orchestra, character meeting spots all around the room. It is in the grand ballroom. One of the funniest things that happens is many of the families use fake Disney names. You will hear, "Mike Wyzowski, party of 22" It's a crack up. We use the Robinsons from Meet the Robinsons. The reservations will be opened up around September and you have to call that morning. If you want I can email you when they open up the date. The reservations fill up and sell out entirely. After dinner Santa Claus is just outside the door and we always take a family picture with Santa with some kind of coordinated Disney hats (there are only 4 of us.) But yes, you can arrange photos.

Last year we wanted to try Goofy's kitchen to see how they do Thanksgiving and it was nothing special. We'll go back to the Grand Ballroom this year and continue to go their each year. It is lots of fun. We then stroll down to the GC and sit by the fireplace and drink hot chocolate or coffee.

The Steakhouse 55 has dinner too, but they don't do anything special and we have a strict vegetarian in our group of 4. The ballroom has tons of selection from fish tables, cheese tables, main courses, sides, desserts, kids tables everything you can imagine.

The Storytellers has their usual buffet, but with thanksgiving items. You must use the buffet when you are a party over the size of 8.

Club 33: we aren't members, we decided to join DVC instead after being on wait list for 7 years. We didn't like the food, but the environment is fantastic. You can go on the main boards and post a request, you never know who may answer you. There are a lot of corporations who give away their spots.

Again, you'll need to make reservations the first day for whichever restaurant you choose.

Hope all that helps.

Thanks so much. The buffet at DL hotel sounds great. Is it 60 days out? What restaurants inside of the park can you make reservations for? Thanks so much!

Lisa,

I'm not a DL expert, but I can share our decision making process with you for our trip there in September.

We finally decided to stay at the Howard Johnsons. A big driver was being able to walk to DL, as we are not renting a car.

It was between the Howard Johnsons and the Candy Cane Inn. Both are very comparable and the same walking time.

Howard Johnsons won out based on size of room and cost. The room is larger and with an Entertainment Book discount, the cost comes down to $94 for a premium DL view room (you can get a standard room for $54).

If there are kids, they are in the process of redoing their pool area to include a pirate ship and other stuff. That work is scheduled to complete mid July.

Thanks Ian. We will have to look into those. I'm not sure how important a pool will be since it will be November. Appreciate the feedback!

 

[JLSE50]

Added another blog link on page one from DISer kmitchell!

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Thanks, I enjoyed reading it.

How do you FIND these things? You are amazing!

Jan

 

[NotSoLittleMermaid]

My DH was on the news tonight.....so FUNNY!! You have to get though the 15second commercial to see the story about drag racing!!

http://www.wusa9.com/video/default.aspx?aid=62022&storyid=72837

I was finally able to watch this. I swear, people will say anything to get out of taking responsibility!

I fear you are correct!!!

What you have to remember though is apart from my one long multi quote post first thing in my morning, I am usually all alone, all alone for most of the day, all on my own, by myself, nobody else here........Just me!! I need to chat.

Marilyn--do you need to get a dog ...or several dogs????

Your wish is my command......

Here's the list for Tortola:

Woody-woody73
Connie-cquick
Ian-iankh
Deb-EllaEnchanted
Jackie-ibouncetoo
Cheri-notsolittlemermaid
Kathe-katypop
Monica-mishoe01
Vicki-DisneyRN1
Leslie-gouodux
Donna-ragdoll
Lynnise-lovebeast
Mandy-ukangel
Jan-JLSE50
Marilyn-granmaz

Some are doing b2b and some are not. I don't have that list. Since I didn't book a dummy date onboard, I have to book the second week thru DU and just got their quote yesterday. It's a good price but I only get $200 onboard credit. I'll put my deposit down tomorrow. So we'll be officially doing both weeks too. Oh, and I was able to get 5122 for both weeks.....so that makes me very happy.

I knew Deb would have THE LIST!!!

Those two tug boats followed us through the whole canal and maybe even through Gatun Lake. In the speech by the retired pilot he told us that they would be there in case the ship started to go off course due to unexpected turbulance.

Did anyone get a picture of that Pilot?

Jan

Do you mean Ken Puckett, who gave the talks in the WD Theater? I have a few pics of him.

We got a Jigsaw Puzzle from Castaway Club today! It's Mickey, Donald and Goofy finding treasure!

Well, the good news is that they're still sending things out, so maybe there's still hope that I'll get something...

I first sailed in 2005...then 2005.....then 2006...now 2008....and NO CASTAWAY CLUB CARD!!!!

What's going on????
Doesn't DCL know I want more Disney stuff to collect??? (I have called several times to request that one be sent to me and stilll NOTHING!)

I didn't get a CC card, either (despite asking). Then out of the blue I got a mailing that said something like "Here are your new and improved CC cards". ???

Now, I also have my mom to consider. She's having a lot of trouble with her blood pressure, and she is depressed. I went over to go to the cardiologist with her today, and she is a rather difficult patient!

She didn't bring her meds with her and she didn't know how much she took, and she denied that she has high blood pressure, she doesn't want to do a stress test...etc etc etc etc. Anyway, she IS going to have a renal ultra sound next week, and she wants me there, and she has agreed to have a treadmill stress test, but she wants me there for that too!

I finally talked her into trying to find a temporary short term rental here in Orlando area. So we'll see........

to you, Connie. I went through similar stuff with my mom. "rather difficult patient" sums it up!

Thanks! It's nice to be back, although I might send my DH over the edge. I think he thought...cruise over, I got my wife back!

Tell him "Resistance is futile!!" Bwaah haa haaaa!




Ok Disneyland experts, I need your help! We are planning my mom's 70th birthday and the whole family (6 children, 11 grandchildren, 3 spouses, and one dad) will be meeting at Disneyland.

We are going over Thanksgiving, thinking about the Thanksgiving dinner/buffet at the Disneyhotel. We want to make a few reservations as meeting places - maybe a show and then dinner. Can you make reservations for the shows at Disneyland/California park?

Lisa, I was at DL for TG about 3 yrs. ago. The Wed. before TG wasn't too bad (crowd-wise). TG and the next day (Fri.) were tremendously crowded. Sat. probably was too, but we left on Sat. I'm sure you've considered this, but if you can do the park before TG rather than after it would probably be better.

We had dinner at Blue Bayou so I can't help you there. As far as show reservations, the only show I can think of is Aladdin and I think you can only get preferred seating as part of a vacation package. You might look into one of the tours that include reserved seating for the parade or fireworks. I don't know what they have for Fantasmic now that the Dream Suite is open.

You have such a big group that you might want to look into a private tour. I asked about this once a couple of years ago and at that time was told you can reserve your own guide for a fixed price per hour (can't remember, but I want to say $100-150). Maybe you could design a custom tour that would include parade or fireworks seating.

The dinner Kelly described sounds fantastic! Wish I'd known about it when I was there. It was probably already sold out...

I am sitting here, having breakfast and listening to Public Radio. They are doing pieces this week about the price of gas and it's impact on people. They are also doing pieces exploring how we arrived at this point, our dependence on gasoline.

I take a CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) bus to work and commuter rail home. My roundtrip commute costs $4.10 a day or $20.50 a week, and I spend about $4.00 a week on gasoline, so while I'm aware of it, I don't pay that much attention.

I am wondering how all this is impacting people and how are you coping with it? This piece on Public Radio has really gotten me concerned about people, so I hope everyone is ok and coping.

I filled my car today at Costco and regular was still under $4/gal (barely). It came to $54 to fill it. I have an '05 Accord and can get 30 mpg on the hiway, but about 22-24 around town. I'm not working so driving to work isn't an issue. I can go about 10-14 days on a tank if I don't go out of town, but if I go to Scottsdale or Sedona (where my sisters live) it takes more, of course. In the past week I drove to Sedona and back one day and to Scottsdale for a 3 day visit. For the first time I found myself thinking about the cost of the gas in regards to the visits. It didn't keep me from going, but I've never considered it before. I realized today that a trip to DL in my car could cost close to $200 for gas, since CA prices are so high. I'm still planning to go in July with my nephew and in Sept. when you come out, for sure, but I'd hoped to maybe do one more trip by myself this summer. I guess I'll have to wait and see. Bottom line--I've never really considered gas costs before, but I'm thinking about it now. My car will be paid off next month and while I wish it was more efficient, I think it's good enough for now. Don't want to have to buy a new car really soon.

I called and asked! Seriously. I spoke with the mortgage company this morning and just asked how to go about getting a better rate, and this is the plan they came up with! And it's a fixed rate, so it won't go up.

Lesson learned: it never hurts to ask!

So true! Good for you!

Hallo Thieves!!!

It's my first time back on the boards since the cruise, and I just wanted to say what a GREAT time we had. The fish extender thing worked out so well, and the kids were so happy getting their goodies each day.

I can't believe our trip is over, and we don't have another cruise booked yet! DH and I are planning to do a long vacation to WDW in the spring though.. and we'll have a new member of the family along. I'm expecting baby #2 on New Years Day!!

Congratulations!!!!

Good Afternoon all - I have not been on the boards much since the Magical Panama Canal Cruise - I want to go back........


Anyway, thanks for making the cruise extra enjoyable.


No real news here - busy with work and the normal house chores...and trying to weed through 1200 photos to select which measly few I will print.

Still smiling and basking in the Magic....

I can't believe you guys were just down the hall from me and I never, as far as I know, saw you the whole time! I was in 7007. I walked by your door often!

I vote for letting her sleep. She is growing physically and mentally. She needs her sleep.

Have you had reports on your news about sleep deprivation and what it does to human functioning? Recommendations are going up of how much sleep we need and the MD said that the most sleep deprived people are teenages as they try to pull all-nighters for study or social events.

Hmmmmm---maybe I need a nap.....

Jan

I'm embarrassed to say this but I slept 11 hours last night! I was SOOO tired all day yesterday--I even took a nap yesterday morning. I think it was being in the heat down in Scottsdale. Ever since I retired, I've found that I sleep at least 8 hrs., usually 9 or more if I don't have to wake up for anything. I rationalize it by saying that I have 35 years of sleeping 6-7 hrs. a night to make up for!

And this includes inquiries from insurance companies if you do some comparison shopping to get better rates.

OMG, I didn't know this! Yikes!

 

[MrsMork]

I felt like the whole message boiled down to: "Drink more beer! It's GOOD for you!"

Anyone remember the Tom T. Hall song "I Like Beer"? DD had it playing on a CD the other day. "I like beer, it makes me a jolly good fellow. I like beer it helps me unwind and sometimes it makes me feel mellow. Whiskey's too rough, champagne costs to much and vodka puts my mouth in gear......."

 

[disneylover5]

Must be hard for her to accept that she needs help and that her body is not behaving as it did when she was younger. It is so much easier to be a care-giver than a care-recipient.

This is my life!! It can be so frustrating. Yesterday, my mom started yelling at me telling me I am so negitive and everything I say is negitive.

 

[JLSE50]

.......Do you mean Ken Puckett, who gave the talks in the WD Theater? I have a few pics of him.
.......
I'm embarrassed to say this but I slept 11 hours last night! I was SOOO tired all day yesterday--I even took a nap yesterday morning. I think it was being in the heat down in Scottsdale. Ever since I retired, I've found that I sleep at least 8 hrs., usually 9 or more if I don't have to wake up for anything. I rationalize it by saying that I have 35 years of sleeping 6-7 hrs. a night to make up for! .......

Yes, Ken Puckett. Can you post a photo I could copy for my scrapbook? Thanks in advance.

Don't be embarrassed about sleeping. Recent research says that sleep deprivation leads to overweight, forgetfullness, diabetis, and a lot of other stuff. Enjoy it, maybe you are preventing dementia.

Jan

 

[JLSE50]

This is my life!! It can be so frustrating. Yesterday, my mom started yelling at me telling me I am so negitive and everything I say is negitive.

I am so sorry.

You are not negative. You are a loving, kind, wonderful woman and she is blessed to have you as a daughter.

Hang in there!! And unload here any time you need to.

Jan

 

[LisaG520]

I felt like the whole message boiled down to: "Drink more beer! It's GOOD for you!"

Had lunch today at Karl Strauss Brewery - they have a sign posted that says:

Beer is proof that God wants me to be happy

 

[ibouncetoo]

I

. I realized today that a trip to DL in my car could cost close to $200 for gas, since CA prices are so high. I'm still planning to go in July with my nephew and in Sept. when you come out, for sure, but I'd hoped to maybe do one more trip by myself this summer. I guess I'll have to wait and see. Bottom line--I've never really considered gas costs before, but I'm thinking about it now.

OBVIOUSLY, you just need to be taking someone with you to share expenses.......wink, wink, nudge, nudge........

Which reminds me....I haven't called about getting time share space in September....better do that.

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[gaylean93]

So I woke up today and decided I didn't want to DIS. Sorry to those that missed me and to those that didn't. I'll go back and read a page or two but I don't really feel like bringing up old topics!!!

 

[gaylean93]

For those of you who attended a beer tasting onboard, have you watched your DVD yet? I've watched it twice!

I fell a sleep twice during that beer tasting so I can't imagine why I'd want to watch that video

 

[gaylean93]

Hallo Thieves!!!

It's my first time back on the boards since the cruise, and I just wanted to say what a GREAT time we had. The fish extender thing worked out so well, and the kids were so happy getting their goodies each day.

I can't believe our trip is over, and we don't have another cruise booked yet! DH and I are planning to do a long vacation to WDW in the spring though.. and we'll have a new member of the family along. I'm expecting baby #2 on New Years Day!!

Did you plan that? Congratulations!

 

[gaylean93]

I felt like the whole message boiled down to: "Drink more beer! It's GOOD for you!"

Alright, maybe I'll watch it

 

[gaylean93]

I work during the summer, just modified. Pretty much come and go as I please, just expected to get my work done. It's really quiet since there are no students, teachers and upper administrators so I get a ton done in a short period of time.
Today I left at 2 and came home to take my blinds to get repaired..damn dog jumped through them...the blind shop closed it's location! Which sucks and so I went to Home Depot to buy temperary blinds and I bought short ones, so there's light coming in my room...aack! I can't sleep unless it's DARK..so I am thinking I'll be sharing one of my daughters bunk beds in her room for 2 weeks.
So now I am home, have done my home repairs..blinds and fixed the toilet..such an accomplished lady. I also fixed the vacuum..are you all impressed?

Congrats on the pregnancy Ginamarie!

I was more impressed when you told me how many movies you could watch in a day. That was amazing to me. And you kicked some butt at poker!

 

[gaylean93]

I got this in an e-mail. Seems to sum up the Beer tasting DVD and Ian's concerns about gasoline cost.

Jan

This is true and I passed a bar yesterday and this saying was up on the roof!

 

[gaylean93]

Had lunch today at Karl Strauss Brewery - they have a sign posted that says:

Beer is proof that God wants me to be happy

That is a powerful statement!