WONDERous adventures on the Panama Canal - 4/23/17

[INDY1919A4]

I sailed on the Big Red Boat in 1987(I was only 13 and it was my first cruise). I don't have too many memories of it and all my pictures are hidden away in a family members attic. I remember that they had an awesome midnight buffet with faces and designs carved into watermelons.

Oh Wow, I forgot about the Midnight Buffet, They had a pizza there that was to die for...I remember they had this Head Waiter that was super flamboyant with his mannerisms, He was the Liberace of Head waiters.. Except he was a heck of lot more peppier... Everyone liked him and I remember at tip time people trampled their own children to hand him his envelope.. Do you remember them telling you that the Semi-private island they used was where they filmed Gilligan's island?? Oh man when I found out the truth it was like finding out Santa Claus did not exist. My Bride still does not not accept the truth and still claims to have been on Gilligan's Island. Just ask her.. My favorite memory is shooting Skeets off the back of the boat.. Now thats living

 

[busdriverbrad]

Now that you say that about Gillian's island I remember that. They also said it was the lagoon from Splash. I didn't know any different though. What is the truth? That its just a plain old tropical island? I remember snorkeling and laying in the hammocks on the beach.
The buffet really stuck in my memory because of the carved watermelons. There were so many, they went all the way around the buffet in top off the glass sneeze shields.

 

[INDY1919A4]

Now that you say that about Gillian's island I remember that. They also said it was the lagoon from Splash. I didn't know any different though. What is the truth? That its just a plain old tropical island?

Gilligan and the Skipper never sat foot on that island in the Bahamas, The show was all shot on the West coast & Hawaii, The fine folks from the big red boat just made that up ... Here is the real shooting locations...

http://www.gilligansisle.com/tour.html

 

[o&smom]

Since it is never to early to plan a Disney vacation, I have a question for everyone. How many are doing WDW (or staying on property) before the cruise? Trying to decide if we want to do a park or two and take a bus from a WDW hotel or rent a car and catch a bus from the airport. The last option would allow me to stay at my favorite hotel off property, and would be cheaper I think. Don't really want the hassle of returning a rental at the port(and the one way drop off fees) by driving over before the cruise, but then again I have never done it. So what is everyone doing?

We are usually able to fly in a few days early and take advantage of some time at the parks. Since we live on the West Coast, I always feel that I am not going to fly all that way and not go to WDW! Sadly, this trip will be an exception. Since we are already taking our kids out of school for 10 days, we will just be flying in the day before the cruise and staying down south, and then boarding a plane to come home right after debarkation. So sad to miss WDW and Disneyland being so close to both parks!

 

[ohMom]

Now that you say that about Gillian's island I remember that. They also said it was the lagoon from Splash. I didn't know any different though. What is the truth? That its just a plain old tropical island? I remember snorkeling and laying in the hammocks on the beach.
The buffet really stuck in my memory because of the carved watermelons. There were so many, they went all the way around the buffet in top off the glass sneeze shields.

Now wait a minute, I just read on article online on DCL , non Disney site, that said Gordon Cay (castaway cay) was where the Splash scene was shot

 

[INDY1919A4]

Now wait a minute, I just read on article online on DCL , non Disney site, that said Gordon Cay (castaway cay) was where the Splash scene was shot

I think we must saddle up to the bar and face the facts, that the fine folks on the Big Red Boat told some fish stories...

 

[busdriverbrad]

I was reading online today about Salt Cay, which is the name of the island. It seems that the seen from the opening credits from Gillian's island is Salt Cay, but never any filming done there.
I've also seen the Splash comment about both islands, Castaway and Salt Cays.

Since we are already taking our kids out of school for 10 days, we will just be flying in the day before the cruise and staying down south

We are struggling with the same decision but I think we might do Disneyland for a day or 2.(it's only elementary school, right)

 

[INDY1919A4]

I was reading online today about Salt Cay, which is the name of the island. It seems that the seen from the opening credits from Gillian's island is Salt Cay, but never any filming done there.
I've also seen the Splash comment about both islands, Castaway and Salt Cays.

We are struggling with the same decision but I think we might do Disneyland for a day or 2.(it's only elementary school, right)

The confusion on the island is because there are 2 islands
the 1st season used Salt Cay

http://www.gilligansisle.com/sandycay.html

Then another island is used in the last 2 seasons

http://www.gilligansisle.com/coconut.html


And I agree you have to do Disneyland when you arrive, you will be only a few hours away...

 

[busdriverbrad]

And I agree you have to do Disneyland when you arrive, you will be only a few hours away...

I've been there before but not since 1996, my wife grew up in CA and has never been and our son hasn't either. Pretty sure we will do it. Does anyone suggest 1 or 2 days to do it all(I remember 1 might be enough)

 

[o&smom]

I've been there before but not since 1996, my wife grew up in CA and has never been and our son hasn't either. Pretty sure we will do it. Does anyone suggest 1 or 2 days to do it all(I remember 1 might be enough)

You could do it in one as the parks are just across from each other, and there will be some things closed for the expansion. But...you really should do two and give each park it's own day for you to enjoy. You will love the additional park, and make sure not to miss Radiator Springs Racers!

In reference to school, our son will be in 8th grade and our daughter will be in 1st. We felt it was our last chance for quite a while since our son will soon be entering High School. I just heard that the 1st grade teacher may be more upset about all the days missed. Oh well, it really is only 1st grade!

 

[aan1701]

Since it is never to early to plan a Disney vacation, I have a question for everyone. How many are doing WDW (or staying on property) before the cruise? Trying to decide if we want to do a park or two and take a bus from a WDW hotel or rent a car and catch a bus from the airport. The last option would allow me to stay at my favorite hotel off property, and would be cheaper I think. Don't really want the hassle of returning a rental at the port(and the one way drop off fees) by driving over before the cruise, but then again I have never done it. So what is everyone doing?

Staying one night poly three nights GF

 

[Huskiesrule]

Having just got back from WDW on Sunday I know I would try and "see" everything if I go before the cruise. Maybe for my own sanity I should just plan to hit up Disney Springs cause I do love me some shopping I could always plan DL at the end as I haven't been there in years. And since I still have over a year I can change my mind daily/weekly/monthly!

 

[MickeyEarrings]

We just had this talk last night! - we're thinking of spending the day/night before the cruise at the Polynesian

 

[INDY1919A4]

I've been there before but not since 1996, my wife grew up in CA and has never been and our son hasn't either. Pretty sure we will do it. Does anyone suggest 1 or 2 days to do it all(I remember 1 might be enough)

We tried to do Disneyland/California Adventure Park in one day, and thought that we would have time left over.
It really takes 2 days... Unless you are going to not go to certain parts of the parks. If you are a Cars fan or Route 66 fan you must go to Carsland at night.. It is wonderious

 

[INDY1919A4]

It just dawned on me that one has the chance to live the Disney Dream here...

Start out at Disney World, Cruise on the Disney Wonder to the West coast, go to the Disneyland...

had not really fully thought that out till right now...

 

[Huskiesrule]

It just dawned on me that one has the chance to live the Disney Dream here...

Start out at Disney World, Cruise on the Disney Wonder to the West coast, go to the Disneyland...

had not really fully thought that out till right now...

Or as I like to say, Disney hasn't got enough of my money so I should find a way to give them more

 

[Lunarias]

I used to be a pass holder here in CA, until a few years back when I just couldn't justify it anymore, but I would say two days, they really have expanded California Adventure in the last 5 years or so, there is plenty to fill a day there, and Disneyland you can do most of the park if not at peak season. So two days would be perfect

 

[MickeyEarrings]

It's a year from today!
It's a year from today!
It's a year from today!

 

[princessmommyx3]

I was reading online today about Salt Cay, which is the name of the island. It seems that the seen from the opening credits from Gillian's island is Salt Cay, but never any filming done there.
I've also seen the Splash comment about both islands, Castaway and Salt Cays.

Interesting tidbit......a while back someone posted an old picture from their Big Red Boat vacation of the semi-private island they stopped at, and I thought it looked remarkable like Blue Lagoon in Nassau. A Google search confirmed it - the official name of the island where the Blue Lagoon tourist attraction currently sits is Salt Cay.

ETA: Was able to find the thread (http://www.disboards.com/threads/big-red-boat-circa-1991-with-photos.3164464/)

BTW, I will be on this cruise as well. A PC cruise has been at the top of my wish list for a long time but I could never convince the hubby to take 2 weeks off work at once (he likes to joke that if you're gone long enough, they realize they don't really need you!). Well, I turn 40 next year and just finished my breast cancer journey and decided a big vacation was in order so he finally agreed! I think he secretly wanted to do it all along but just needed a really good reason to go ahead and do it.

Looking forward to sailing with you guys!

 

[Huskiesrule]

Interesting tidbit......a while back someone posted an old picture from their Big Red Boat vacation of the semi-private island they stopped at, and I thought it looked remarkable like Blue Lagoon in Nassau. A Google search confirmed it - the official name of the island where the Blue Lagoon tourist attraction currently sits is Salt Cay.

ETA: Was able to find the thread (http://www.disboards.com/threads/big-red-boat-circa-1991-with-photos.3164464/)

BTW, I will be on this cruise as well. A PC cruise has been at the top of my wish list for a long time but I could never convince the hubby to take 2 weeks off work at once (his likes to joke that if you're gone long enough, they realize they don't really need you!). Well, I turn 40 next year and just finished my breast cancer journey and decided a big vacation was in order so he finally agreed! I think he secretly wanted to do it all along but just needed a really good reason to go ahead and do it.

Looking forward to sailing with you guys!

I am assuming all is well after the cancer journey? Now you get to celebrate 2 things next year!