From WDW to DL With Love - January 06, 2011 part 3

[tlungstrum]

Hi everyone,

I have a question about some of the shore excursions. I have noticed on some shore excursions, it says the age limit is age 10 or 12, but then next to that, it says, "must be at least 48 inches tall". Well, my oldest is 10, and my youngest is 8, but my youngest is already 49 inches tall, and my oldest is 51 inches tall. Who knows what height they'll be come January with the way growth spurts go.

Do you know how strict Disney is with the age if the child meets the height requirement? Because there are some excursions we'd LOVE to do, but my youngest, or both kids aren't old enough, but they are tall enough.

Seems like height would be more important than age (for safety reasons), wouldn't you think?

Anyway, just wondering if anyone had any thoughts on that.

Thanks,
Kathy

I believe (at least in other situations) age has to do with insurance reasons and thus they cannot budge. Other companies may have other stipulations for their insurance.

 

[carmie3377]

We have good news and bad news today. The good is Merrie at Dreams Unlimited was able to move us to our cousin's cabin when they cancelled, it's a secret verandah, cat. 7. The bad is both our dogs are missing.

So sorry to here about your dogs . I know how devastating that is.

Want to thank everyone who messaged me, emailed me, left me a message on the thread. It means a lot. I've talked more to my friend since then, and the newest isn't *as* bad. She's not going to Afghanistan, but Qatar. She's aerovac (she's a critical care nurse who will airlift wounded troops out). So she's mostly out of harms way. She may still wind up on the cruise. She broke her arm this year and has many issues with her wrist since. She may wind up needing surgery. If she does, she won't deploy. She then may still go with us. Her husband is pretty much 100% assured to go. There's always a chance, but they have canceled the cruise for now. Ironically if they rebook later, it will probably be much cheaper since they'll get the military discount.

Sorry about your friends. I wish you all the best

 

[ACDSNY]

oh, sorry to hear about the dogs. Good thing about many dogs is they can "sniff" their way home, so i hope they do soon. I dont have dogs but i know they are precious.

and what's a "secret verandah"? we're cat 7, and Wondering!

Still no site of the dogs, we're out in the country with a busy road not too far from us and not many neighbors. We're ask around, but no one has seen them. I'm hoping they stayed away from the creek and river near us as a mountain lion was seen down there yesterday. We still can't figure out who let them out as all gates were closed, no holes dug under the fence and they aren't jumpers. I'll check the local shelters when they open on Wed (closed Mon/Tues). Thanks everyone for hoping for their return.

Sherri - the cat. 7 we are in was originally a cat. 5 that has a beam going through the verandah on one side so it was reclassed as a cat. 7. It's basically a regular verandah for the price of a cat. 7.

 

[JenKatt]

Angela,

Sorry about your dogs. My mom's beagle escaped from her yard when she still lived in NJ. Up in the wilds on NJ (there's a little square in Northern NJ that is as rural as NJ gets). Josie disappeared for a few days. A family found her and took her in. Took a few days for them to track us down as the owner as Josie's collar disappeared. Point is, in the wilds of anywhere, it can take a bit for a dog to reappear. But they usually do.

My thoughts are with you!
Jen

 

[carmie3377]

I'll check the local shelters when they open on Wed (closed Mon/Tues). Thanks everyone for hoping for their return.

Call the local police. When we had evacuated to my mom's during a hurricane, our little dachshund got out. It was in the evening and the shelters were closed. We were scheduled to go home the next day and I was not leaving w/o my dog. In desperation, I called the police station and asked them if anyone had reported a found dog. They said, no, no dogs. I almost started crying and said that my little dachshund was lost. She said "Oh, we have a dachshund, the police picked him up and he's at the fire station." So, that's not a dog?? Anyway, we drove there and I heard him barking. Knew it was him even before seeing him. I was so happy I just started crying. It wouldn't hurt to call. You never know Good luck!

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

Have you ever been to the Capitol Grill? It sounds similar to Steakhouse 55. DH and I go twice a year, plus we will be doing Palo at least a couple of times, so I am wondering if it will be overkill if we do Steakhouse 55 as well. But, I also want to do as much as possible while at DL. If you had to choose, would you do Steakhouse 55, or Napa Rose? Thanks for any information!

I have never been to Capitol Grill so I can't compare. As for which one..we have never been to Napa Rose so hopefully someone else can help you with that one!

I would go for the dessert

 

[ACDSNY]

Thanks Jen, we're lucky in that my DH works next to the county animal shelter so it makes checking quite easy. I think they'll turn up as long as someone didn't pick them up and decided to keep them for themselves. I'll keep everyone posted.

Have a great Labor Day everyone!

 

[Pixie Dust II]

Still no site of the dogs, we're out in the country with a busy road not too far from us and not many neighbors. We're ask around, but no one has seen them. I'm hoping they stayed away from the creek and river near us as a mountain lion was seen down there yesterday. We still can't figure out who let them out as all gates were closed, no holes dug under the fence and they aren't jumpers. I'll check the local shelters when they open on Wed (closed Mon/Tues). Thanks everyone for hoping for their return.

Sherri - the cat. 7 we are in was originally a cat. 5 that has a beam going through the verandah on one side so it was reclassed as a cat. 7. It's basically a regular verandah for the price of a cat. 7.

I surely will be thinking about you and your dogs. I don't know what I would do if somehow my little Princess Jasmine got out of my fence. She is a runner! I could not get along without her! I hope you find them safe very soon.

 

[LindaBabe]

We make our PIF tomorow with tips included! My TA wanted last Friday but a different billing cycle will make a big difference. Have to work today so no holiday here but will take it Jan 2! Also getting closer to our Oct vacation. Saw an add on TV about the Panama Canal expansion. Would like an upgrade to a balcony but am not going to sweat over it. My OV will be just fine. How many cabins are we thinking for a FE? Never done one. So far I am signed up for the SM but might do the FE too. Is the FE an every day thing? Is the SM an every day thing too? Just want to get my ducks in a row so I am in the know.

FE = once or twice (if you REALLY want to) per trip.

We have good news and bad news today. The good is Merrie at Dreams Unlimited was able to move us to our cousin's cabin when they cancelled, it's a secret verandah, cat. 7. The bad is both our dogs are missing.

GOOD FOR THE GOOD NEWS! Sad for the bad news. My fingers are crossed for their safe return.

I have never been to Capitol Grill so I can't compare. As for which one..we have never been to Napa Rose so hopefully someone else can help you with that one!

I would go for the dessert

Oddly enough, our best meal in DL was at ESPN.

 

[WDW Princess 71]

Have you ever been to the Capitol Grill? It sounds similar to Steakhouse 55. DH and I go twice a year, plus we will be doing Palo at least a couple of times, so I am wondering if it will be overkill if we do Steakhouse 55 as well. But, I also want to do as much as possible while at DL. If you had to choose, would you do Steakhouse 55, or Napa Rose?

I have been to lots of Capital Grille's, both near home (Philadelphia, Cherry Hill) and on vacations (Scottsdale, Chicago). I love them- and I totally get the concept of ordering your entree (just the steak) and side dishes a la carte (usually enough to share) since we also do Mortons, The Palm, etc, frequently. So if Steakhouse 55 is like that, I think we'll enjoy. I just dont know though if we'll enjoy enough or if we'd enjoy doing Napa Rose or Ralph Brennan's twice instead...

 

[disneylove69]

We are also staying at Beach Club before the cruise. Is anyone else? We are coming in January 4.

We are staying there on the 4th also.We are staying at the POP the night we get there, Beach Club, and the the Poly. Always wanted to stay at the last two and got a great deal

 

[tlungstrum]

If I remember right, Jeff is uploading pictures to Zazzle [dot] com. Anyway, on Groupon today for Sioux Falls the deal is pay $25 for a $50 credit for Zazzle [dot] com. It's a one day only deal for today 9/6. Limit one per order and it expires Feb 2011...seems like a great deal to me, but I've never done Groupon. Anybody have thoughts??

Thanks!

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

Oddly enough, our best meal in DL was at ESPN.

We love ESPN! It's one of our favorite places to eat.

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

We are also staying at Beach Club before the cruise. Is anyone else? We are coming in January 4.

We love the Beach Club..this time however, we will be staying in the treehouses. We decided for 2 nights it would be perfect! We are coming in on the 4th with a marathon ride seassion on the 5th!

 

[JenKatt]

We're going to try to do a mini meet and greet at Bay Lake on the 5th for those of us staying at WDW the night before we depart.

Jeff is still working on the Zazzle image. He's a bit swamped right now and not meeting his self-imposed deadlines. He's picking up all the slack from me and school....

 

[disneylove69]

I know I am just a neophite. I have figured out B2B is back to back cruises. Is this any 2 cruises or is this a specific 2 cruises. What is interline? I can not get over the amount of planning some do. I book, I pay and I go with the flow. Does the cruise director make a difference? I have been on one cruise and have no idea who the cruise director was, nor did I care. So why the hubbub over the cruise director. At the same time, all the planning for FE, SM and everything else, this seems to make planning for the cruise a full time job and stressful. I want to enjoy myself. This just seems to bring a new level of stress to the cruise. Maybe I am wrong, but I would love to have some one set me straight. Just get my tail on the boat and let me leave the real world behind. I wonder how the other half lives?

I like the cruise directors I have had on DCL. Having been on several cruise lines I find the cruise directors on Disney seem to have more fun, get into the action, and for me build the excitement. Other cruise lines I was just not excited. As far as FE, Sm, and the other things its just fun activites people like to do. Another little pixie dust in life. For those that participate we like planning, surprising, etc. JMHO

 

[tlungstrum]

Jeff is still working on the Zazzle image. He's a bit swamped right now and not meeting his self-imposed deadlines. He's picking up all the slack from me and school....

I hope I didn't imply that we needed the Zazzle images to be done today, just that the deal to get the $50 credit or gift certificate or whatever is today only. It can be used till Feb 2011

 

[JenKatt]

I hope I didn't imply that we needed the Zazzle images to be done today, just that the deal to get the $50 credit or gift certificate or whatever is today only. It can be used till Feb 2011

No, not at all. We both just said (and thought) he'd have them done last week. And that sooooo didn't happen!

 

[sumeto]

Then Sunday the 24th sounds good....as for a time.. how about we go ahead and just pick 11:30? We can pick a place for lunch in DTD and then those that have passes and want to go into the park together can?


Ok.. who's up for the Dis-meet? And we need suggestions for lunch in DTD?

How about Storytellers Cafe at the Grand Californian

 

[DCLtravler]

Hi All, Happy Labor Day!!! I sure have been "Laboring" today!! Whew, so much to do!

For me, this is my 1st DCL. So, all the planning, FE, SM and everything else just heightens the anticipation and excitement for me. I made my gifts, and have planned for about 110 rooms. Personally I hope people like the gift, but if they dont, oh well. I am shipping the box ahead of time so it will be there when we arrive. Every bit of planning has been sooo fun for me. But yes, I do also plan to take it easy and just do nothing quite abit of time. You dont have to participate in anything you dont want to do. I also dont care who is my server, CD or anything else. I am just grateful to be there. I know there are others like me who like to plan and others who just want to show up and veg out for 2 weeks. Pick your spot, relax and have fun.

PS Havent really posted in a while. DD's wedding is less than 2 weeks away now. This is when the real stress begins. Planning and anticipating the cruise is the icing on the cake, lol

I agree! I think this is one of those "to each his own" kind of things. My sister and I, while genetically similar, are completely different when it comes to planning. I take great joy in trying to plan every detail. It actually makes me more relaxed when I get to vacation because I know I didn't miss anything. My sis likes to plan at the last minute. I must admit that sometimes she gets to experience more with her laid back approach and sometimes I do, but regardless, we do what we enjoy most Hopefully we will all find the things that we enjoy so that we can experience a WONDERful and relaxing trip!

I would also like feedback on Steakhouse 55. I have only ever done 2 nights at DLR so we always do my top favs, Napa Rose and Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen. This time we are doing 3 nights so I was considering Steakhouse 55, but would love some feedback and/or advice on anywhere else that is good for dinner, maybe in DTD?

I've been to Napa Rose many times, but never Steakhouse 55 (I'm not much of a meat eater). I love Napa Rose though. I know many people who will not go on a trip to DLand without going there. You may also want to look into some of the non DL restaurants in the area. There is a nice shopping center down the street with some great places as well as many on Harbor Blvd.

We would be very interested in a pre-cruise meet-up for any California/Arizona/Nevada types! (or anyone else who wants to schlep over here to S. CA!) We really enjoyed doing that last cruise and it made it so much more fun to spot familiar faces on the actual cruise!

I'd be up for anywhere but of course Disneyland is such an obvious choice it just makes sense! We could make it DTD for those who don't want to spend the $$ to go into the parks and don't have a pass.

Let's throw some ideas around! How about a Sunday afternoon mid-late October once everyone's kids are firmly settled back into school....

My DD and I would love you join you all. I cannot do the first week in Oct or the 17th, but I think the rest are okay (but, if you chose one of those dates, that is cool too, we will just look forward to meeting you all on the ship).

We have good news and bad news today. The good is Merrie at Dreams Unlimited was able to move us to our cousin's cabin when they cancelled, it's a secret verandah, cat. 7. The bad is both our dogs are missing.

Sorry to hear about your dogs! I will be hoping and praying for a safe return! I am a HUGE dog lover and I know how awful it must be for you!

Really? I always thought of the 4 seasons more as January, hot, rainy, and "I can't move it's so hot"....

I think I have only experienced the latter. Normally I am a pretty pleasant person, but humidity makes me very grumpy! Thank goodness CA has dry hot summers!

If I remember right, Jeff is uploading pictures to Zazzle [dot] com. Anyway, on Groupon today for Sioux Falls the deal is pay $25 for a $50 credit for Zazzle [dot] com. It's a one day only deal for today 9/6. Limit one per order and it expires Feb 2011...seems like a great deal to me, but I've never done Groupon. Anybody have thoughts??

Thanks!

Oh, that reminds me...Will any of you have NB-6 mo boys on the cruise?? I was just on Disneystore.com and they had little boy 3-piece suits (shirt, vest pants) for $14.99 (reg $59.95) AND free shipping. They are very cute with a little mickey embroidered on the lapel. Overstock is also having a sale on mens tuxes this weekend also with free shipping...many for prices ranging from $50-$90 (Ironic, isn't it, that I keep finding the good deals for boys)!

I hope you all have a great evening and a great week!
~Melissa