May 10, 2008 Ship of Thieves! Stealing the Magic..AGAIN!!! Panama Canal FL to CA!!! Part 5

[GatorFamily]

We'd be interested. We're needing to find a way to DL so that we can rent a car to get home with!! The rental agency near the port isn't open on Sunday's and there are NO rental agencies near the por that are open. Our only option is to go to an airport or the hotels at DL.

Ditto for us. I just looked at car rentals at the port and they are closed on Sundays. Worst case scenerio we could do the DCL transportation but if there is another way I would be interested. We don't even know if we will drive or fly home...we usually drive to CA since its only a 6hr drive for us.

 

[GatorFamily]

we had a tour planned to visit the pyramids with other DIS'ers and it wasn't a DCL sponsored tour. Samantha was in the club and Haley was in Flounder's - which closed in the early afternoon. The end of the tour we were stoppiing in a small village to drop off school supplies and we hit a power line with our bus and were late getting back to the ship. John had dropped off the girls and didn't tell the clubs we would be off the ship and we were like an 1 and 45 minutes past the closing of Flounders...I was not sure what would happen but they took Haley to the club to be with Samantha. I was a wreck though and I just know I would worry if I left them on again. DCL was great though and Haley was so excited to be in the club.

I'm not keen on leaving the kids at the kids club at port but I know my DH would like to sightsee with just me in at least one port. What's your take or anybody's? Will they be ok entertained etc... DS (7) DD(5)? I'm very attached to my kids but DH wants time alone without them too.

 

[GatorFamily]

Got it...we did decide that if we did a zipline tour it would have to be through DCL for that very reason. We were told by DCL that if you're on a DCL sponsored tour and you're late getting back they'll hold the ship. That's my concern about being on a non DCL tour--leaving the kids behind and somehow being late and the ship leaves with my kids on it and not us. That would be just awful!!!

I agree well, off to pick up DS from school.

 

[lillygator]

well I managed to get the girls bathroom clean and get some more playclothes together to donate to the school. I feel like I accomplished something tonight.

I just ordered a pizza, no one feels like cooking.

 

[pjpoohbear]

We have Supperworks here in Ontario. They do the pick up or do it yourself options. Best thing you can do 3 (pick-up), 6, 9 or 12 meals, but with only two of us it doesn't seem like a good option for us.

 

[lillygator]

I'm not keen on leaving the kids at the kids club at port but I know my DH would like to sightsee with just me in at least one port. What's your take or anybody's? Will they be ok entertained etc... DS (7) DD(5)? I'm very attached to my kids but DH wants time alone without them too.

I think it's fine, make sure you let the DCL staff you will be off the ship as the pagers don't work.

 

[lillygator]

when I got in the car the outside temp reading was 100! The girls are playing pirate ships on their beds, this has been a favorite game as of late.

Samantha did great today. Her teacher said she was a huge help. I am happy for that.

 

[lillygator]

Ebay is going to be the death of my pocketbook!

 

[gydell]

speaking of excurscions, I don't know if anyone is interested, but I read about one in PV I think that's actually swimming with sea lions. I'll try to find the info again and post it. I think it was like half snorkeling and half swimming with the animals.

You have to be 8 to swim with the sea lions even though the ad says 4. We tried to do it this summer but didn't make the age cutoff.

 

[lillygator]

You'd think I'd be thinking about our trip next week however I am thinking about the cruise!!

 

[waltsgirl]

Ebay is going to be the death of my pocketbook!

V-
Send me some sites to visit. I never know where to go and you seem to always be finding things.

 

[lillygator]

V-
Send me some sites to visit. I never know where to go and you seem to always be finding things.

what are you looking for? Disney clothes?

 

[TiggersPal]

OK, I promised a couple of pictures of Olivia- so here you go!

and yes, this is how we sleep --

WHAT A PRECIOUS LITTLE BIT!

ugh...my sister just called to vent, apparantly mom is copping an attitude and complaining about me to her and she doesn't want to hear it. I would never complain about one of my girls to the other one...that's awful I think.

Family "stuff" is so hard - hang in there girl! As my MOM always used to say "THIS TOO SHALL PASS"!

Ok, back to catching up!

 

[gouodux]

Glad Nike was founded while Phil Knight was running track at the University of Oregon. This gift will take our Elite 8 basketball program (dang Florida Gators knocked us out of our Final Four dreams) and likely keep it successful.

"Uncle Phil" has done wonderful things for our University, not only athletically, but academically. Thank you Mr and Mrs Knight! It's great to be a Duck!

http://www.goducks.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=1157459

 

[TiggersPal]

We have been to Arizona 3 times. We just love it. The first time we were doing the grand tour, and came from LA via a few nights in Palm Springs. We stayed a couple of nights in Phoenix as a stopover before staying in Willians for a night for the Grand Canyon, and then going on to Las Vegas etc.

Next time we flew to Phoenix, did a little business and then set off for 2 nights at the Grand Canyon and a tour around the National Parks - ending up at Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelle(?sp) and back through the Painted Desert, Petrified Forest and 5 nights in Scottsdale for a hot relax!

The last time we had 7 nights in Tucson, which we just loved, 2 nights at the Grand Canyon, 3 back in Scottsdale before ending back in Tucson for a few nights.

Once in September and twice in June - hot, hot, hot. We so want to go back again - perhaps as part of our 40th wedding anniversary trip in 2009!

You've hit some pretty amazing spots here! I've lived here since 84 and I am still amazed at how beautifully different our State is!

Well there was a knock at the door and it was my mom. She understands just think my delivery could have been a bit better, which I agreed. So I think she is over it by now.

Glad to hear this!

 

[gydell]

Just ordered a 36" rolling duffle that only weights 6lbs 12ozs. Just hope I like it!

 

[TiggersPal]

OK, so let me tell you what we did in NYC . . .

Wed: Walked from the hotel at Times Square to Central Park, went to the zoo (very nice and a good suggestion), walked back via 5th avenue and stopped at all the stores (Apple, FAO, Tiffany, etc.). Stopped at Rockefeller Center too, and then back to the hotel and dinner at a nearby brewpub.

Thurs: Took the subway to the station at Battery Park, and because we did not know at first you had to be in one of the first five cars, we had to car hop at every stop until we got to the front of the train. Took the Ferry to the Statue of Liberty on one of the muggiest days in NYC! Took the subway back, and went to dinner at Carmines, had a great Italian meal. Went to see Mary Poppins, and thouroughly enjoyed the show. Late night dessert at the hotel after the show.

Friday: Started the day at the Empire State Building, then went to the American Girl Store (spent several HOURS there - OY - they need a Sports bar there!). Ate lunch at the cafe there. Headed back to the hotel, Dinner at "Juniors" a bakery and sandwich place right by the hotel, then walked to Wicked. Really enjoyed Wicked (Sophia actually liked it better than Mary Poppins!). Late dessert at Juniors after the show.

Saturday: Took the subway to Ground Zero, and walked around there. We also visited the small museum there. We were all very moved. Both Amy and I had tears in our eyes. We then took the subway back up to Central Park and the Natural History Museum. Had lunch at the Natural History Museum, and toured the museum. Walked back up along all the posh apartment buildings beside the park, and walked over to the Dakota where John Lennon was shot. Walked a bit through Central park and then took a Hansom Cab ride through the park. Cab back to the hotel, quick dinner at Junior's again, and then decided just to walk around Times Square on our last night. Lots of people, people EVERYWHERE! Saw four different "Spidermen"

I have to say we only ran into a few really rude and/or mean people. Many, many, more nice people who were kind and helped us out.

We were really freaked out when we got home today and heard on the news about the fire at Ground Zero - we were just there several hours before that fire started!

Photos coming next.

Thanks for the update and the photos John, WELCOME HOME TO DIS!

I kept waiting to see an answer, and did not see one (someone probably answered it now).

Just hit the little "+" sign in the lower right of the post. You can do this on multiple posts. When you are ready to finally post, hit "post reply" and all of the quotes you wanted to comment on will be in your post. If you want to comment below each one, just put your cursor after the "/quote" at each quote.

Hope this helps.

You are too sweet, I did get my answer - yes! But thanks for posting "just in case"!


P.S. LOVE LOVE LOVE THE PHOTOS!!!!

 

[lillygator]

ugh, I just finally changed my Teppanyaki reservation.....to Marrakesh....they did offer us VIP Illuninations seating for the inconveinance of the restaurant being closed.

 

[TiggersPal]

We're already booked and paid for at the Luxor...I just couldn't resist the pyramid. I want to ride the elevator. We have a car rental, so we'll be able to get to some other sites to check out as much as we can. Where do you suggest dinner and drinks?


The Luxor is nice. I have stayed there too. Your going to ride in the "slantavator" as they go sideways and not up and down.
Well the Excaliber is next door and they have the "Tournament of Kings" dinner show which is awesome . Been to the one here and the food and show is definitly better in Las Vegas . If your not into that , there are tons of good food places. I love the Rio too, they have the parade in the sky, where you can ride on a float over the casino and throw beads and wave for 10 bucks and you get your picture taken.Sounds like I should be a tour guide

I enjoyed the Luxor as well - I try and hit a different hotel each time I go, but the last few we were lucky and stayed at the Venetian with friends. I really loved "RED SQUARE" I cannot for the life of me remember which hotel it is in, but they have a bar that has a frozen top to set your drinks down to keep them cool. China Gate restaurant is in the same hotel...

We were lucky and saw "LOVE" last trip - AMAZING show! Have a GREAT TIME!

V-have you ever heard of Dream Dinners (www.dreamdinners.com) or super suppers (www.supersuppers.com)? Basically you go there and prepare 12, six serving meals that you then take home, freeze and thaw out when you're ready to cook them. When you go to prepare your food, they have stations where the recipe is listed and all the fresh ingredients are already cut, diced, etc. there for you...all you have to do is measure, prepare and put it in the container and slap an instruction label on it. It costs around $200 and the times I went, I split my meals into two containers so I came home with almost 24 meals. They taste much better than frozen dinners and it's great to have it all ready to cook...something to check out if you're household is busy!!!

I've stopped in several times to find out how this works, but haven't made a purchase yet, you reminded me and (GATOR) too - that I really should try this! With life so busy and trying to eat healthy it sounds like a really great option!

Deb - Hang in there - although it gets frustrating - taking care of YOU is the most important thing you can do.

Miss V - Thanks for the list of excursions - to not only get me thinking about planning but re-excites me about this cruise!

I'd love to zip line it - I wonder if my DH would be interested in walking thru the jungle to try it??? !!!!

 

[lillygator]

I am trying to change Crystal Palace to 50's Prime time....9pm is the earliest and the park closes at 8?? We decided not to do the Pirate and Princess party. we did it in Feb and loved it. But I had us scheduled to go on Tues, the night we arrive and it would be a big time crunch....I may change my mind though!