If You See It: Eat It! Via Panama to Disneyland - Completed and Link to New Trip Report 2/24

[GoofyFan1515]

Merry Christmas Magdalene and Welcome Home!

Hope you and the family have a wonderful holiday season! Tell Katharina Merry Christmas for me. ......

 

[Poolrat]

Welcome back Magdalene!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

 

[Flossbolna]

Day 20, May 17

Disembarkation San Diego, USA
Distance from Cabo San Lucas: 248 Nautical Miles
Total Distance: 4212 Nautical Miles
End of Sea Voyage: 7:30am

Yes, today was the Day of the End of Sea Voyage. Fortunately it did not mean End of Vacation.

We had gotten instructions that our breakfast for people on the second seating like us would be at 8:30am in Triton’s. We thought that that was a good breakfast time. We had set the alarm for 7:30am to get ready without a rush. When the alarm rang, the ship was still moving. We were just entering the harbour. Obviously we were a bit late arriving, as we were supposed to dock at 7:30am.

We slowly got up and started to get ready and I even had some time to do a last bit of walking around the ship and take a few pictures. I also picked up the CD with the photos that we had bought – we got the package with 10 digital pictures. This meant that we got a CD with all our pictures on it and then the program lets you download 10 of them onto your computer. I liked this because you could make your decision while at home. The program even has an option to buy more prints if you decide that you want more off the CD.

There was already a long long line of people waiting to get off the ship and we thought that it was good that we were scheduled to eat breakfast first to give that line some time to clear out.

A quick walk through Route 66:

The elevator indicator:

And out on deck 4 I saw suitcases being loaded off the ship:

Looks scary!!

The it was time for breakfast. Once seated we quickly got menus.

Briefly thereafter a server who was not one of ours asked us for our order. We were ready and ordered the “Eggs for the Road”: two eggs to order with hash brown and your choice of breakfast meat. We both went for fried – they even asked how well done we wanted them – and bacon:

This was actually really good! And our food arrived very quickly! The other tables in our area had just ordered when we were already finished! However, the line to get off the ship was still very long! And it did not seem to move at all. Maybe 5 people at a time! At first we thought we should just stay seated at our table until the line clears a bit, but we quickly saw that the line was not going to clear quickly. So, we got our carry on luggage and went in search for the end of the line. It was all the way in the Promenade Lounge. So we joined the line, not happy about this at all, and waited. When we finally got off the ship we were told to split up into a line just for US nationals and one for everyone else. Luckily they said that US nationals were free to choose the line for everyone else. So Michael and I got to stay together. It was another long wait to get through immigration. Once through there we went in search of our luggage. There we had quite a scare as Michael’s luggage seemed to be missing. But then it turned out that the luggage in front of the “purple Minnie” sign that was our luggage tags, also belonged to that section, we had only looked behind that sign. Customs was no wait, but once we left the building we found ourselves in a mass of people stuck on the side walk with no where to go. We were told that the taxi line was across the road, but that the line was full at the moment and we would have to wait where we were.

After some time we were allowed to cross the street and joined the taxi line. While we were waiting we noticed that there were so few taxis, they arrived about 5 taxis at a time, disappeared and then there was a gap of nearly 10 minutes until more taxis arrived. It was crazy! Some taxis we saw making several rounds before it was finally our time to get into one!

This picture is from the front of the line back to the port building:

It took us two hours to get from breakfast to the front of the taxi line. It was totally crazy!

Once we finally had a taxi it was only a very short drive to the Alamo rental car agency at the airport. There was of course another long line, but I decided to try and check us in at the self service check in. And it did work despite having a special European rate which is not available to people who live in the US, but comes with a special insurance package. I was even able to add Michael as an additional driver there. We were very relieved that we did not have to wait any longer! Once we got to the garage to pick our car, a family just took the last midsize car they had there. The guy working there told Michael that we could pick any car on that floor. The floor included the “Special Cars” and Michael saw a brand new Ford Mustang there and was determined that we should pick that car. I was not really in favour of it at all, but there was no way I could convince Michael otherwise, especially after I made him ask the guy specifically if it would be ok to pick that car. So, at least all that waiting had a good outcome in that Michael got a rental car that he loved. I was very sceptical at first about it, but in the end I had to admit that it was a very nice and comfortable car. And it only had a few hundred miles.

This picture was taken later that day at the Grand Californian parking lot:

We got a much later start than we had wanted (we left Alamo at 11:20am) and quickly realised that our original plan to eat lunch once we arrived at Disneyland would not work. So we decided to stop along the way and chose this nice restaurant:

Where we both got some mini-tacos:

They were quite tasty and for me they were quite a novelty!

Finally we were getting closer to Anaheim and saw this:

Our home for the next week!

We had a lovely CM at check in and I enquired about whether they had gotten my request for a theme park view and a high floor. It turned out that we were assigned a room on the second floor with a view of the pool. But the CM changed us to a studio on the 4th floor with a view of the Redwook Creek area of DCA.

Once we were checked in we went in search of a friend of Michael’s who works for Disney in California. He was supposed to meet us this afternoon and with arriving later than planned, he was already there in the lobby waiting for us. So we took him with us and found our studio where I did a quick documentation of the room before we trashed it with all our luggage.

I really liked that the connecting door is in the entry way, far away from the beds. This way we never heard our neighbours!

And that was our view:

I really loved it, it was so fitting with the theme of a National Park Lodge!

Once we had gotten our luggage delivered we were off. The most important thing we wanted to accomplish today was to visit Property Control at Disneyland. This is a shop that is only open to CMs (anyone working for Disney, not necessarily only Disneyland CMs) and their guests. So, Michael’s friend was kind enough to take us there as his guests to go bargain hunting. It kind of is a Disney outlet store, but with even deeper reductions than the normal outlets. It was a strange mixture of things, part of it is more a real shop and then there is also a warehouse with lots of stuff in boxes. It is funny to see what items they were not able to move at all that they end up there. But they also had some things that they were currently selling in the parks for half price. I only ended up buying a few small things as the t-shirts I liked were not available in my size…

Up Next: Hello Old Friend! Part 1 Part 2

 

[jedijill]

Boo for getting off the ship but yay for the awesome Mustang and GCV at DL! I love the look of the GCV. Can't wait to get to stay there some of these days!

Jill in CO

 

[Poolrat]

You warned us this was coming.




Not exactly the way to end a cruise but glad you FINALLY got off the ship and away from the port.

I would say score on the mustang for the regular rental price. Also great that you could use the kiosk to speed things up a bit.

That would be the breakfast I would order and mini tacos at Jack in the box.... Glad you found it a novelty.

That picture of the luggage coming off the ship is scary!!!! Yup that purple piece on top looks like it will end up in the water even with the flimsy net there.

 

[Flossbolna]

I hate the hassle of having to pack on the last day - I guess you have to do it sometime but it just seems to cement the fact that you have to get off the ship the next day. Maybe I will pack 2 or 3 days early

Sounds like a nice relaxing day - how lovely that you got to see so much wildlife on this cruise, keeping my fingers crossed we are as lucky.

So, the cruise has finally come to an end but now it's time to read about your time at Disneyland - although I'm a bit worried about the "chaos in San Diego"

I found the last day not too bad with the packing since it was a sea day. I dislike it much more when the last day is at Castaway Cay and it is difficult to not think in the back of your mind all the time while at that beautiful beach that once you are back on the ship you need to pack...

It was quite a perfect last day!

What a lovely last day and how fab to see so many sea creatures!

Yes, we really enjoyed the last day to the fullest!

 

[Flossbolna]

It seems I am perpetually behind, and with all of your frequent updates, you don't make it easy to get caught back up. But finally, I have gotten all caught up. Some random comments, in no particular order.......

Wasn't it nice of me to let you stay up to date for 6 weeks??? I could claim that I stopped the trip report just for you to enjoy being up to date for so long...

Death by dessert? With all of the great looking food, on top of the desserts, I would think it is more likely just death by eating.....and eating.....and eating! I think I would have needed much more than your mile walks around deck each evening, or I would be rolling down the gangplank when I get back.

Well, you do feel good during all the food you eat, but then during dessert you suddenly realize that you have overdone it a little. So it must be the dessert. I blame them for being so delicious!

Sorry you and Michael both started feeling bad. Glad it wasn't something that lingered.

Funny how the sickness has kind of faded already in our memories, but all the good memories are still in place!

The excursion with Cassandra looked like a lot of fun! And that was some really good pictures you got of the seals hanging on the back of the fishing boats.

The seals were difficult to get, but I took plenty of pictures and ended up with something somewhat decent. I was surprised how much I enjoyed the sea lion encounter. I would love to do something like that again!

All of the "behind the Imagineering" talks would be right up my alley! I love those type things.

Yes, those were really great! For me those are one of the reasons why I would love to do a long cruise again. However, on our recent Fantasy cruise we had something similar... So I think it is something that is always part of the longer Disney cruises (7-nights and more).

You had some great pictures of the ship, and the sites you saw along the way and in port. So cool you caught that elusive Wal-Mart picture!

You can't believe how famous that Walmart is. If you read about cruises to Puerto Vallarta this seems to be the most talked about topic and the whole ship (on the CM side) was totally excited about it. I guess it is a great shopping opportunity for them as they don't get a lot of time to get off the ship.

I think I would also be interested in each time the ship departed from a port and hang out to watch it happen.

This really is one of my favourite things to do on a cruise. I guess because it is something you cannot have at a hotel on land (or if you had it there, you would be in really bad trouble!!).

Oh, did I mention the desserts and food???

 

[Flossbolna]

Just wondering how the time changes on the last 2 cruise days affected you as far eating and sleeping? Did you adjust to the new times or did you just do what felt right for you?

It really was no problem at all for us. We just enjoyed being able to sleep in and still get up somewhat early. But we are both used to being up late anyway. I am not so sure whether it would have been as easy the other way when they take one hour away from you!

I am completely with you on those fruit soups! delicious. The gift at the end of your cruise is pretty neat.

I am a little sad this TR is coming to an end, I have really enjoyed reading it. Looking forward to hearing about Disneyland

I think for me fruit soups are now always connected with cruising in my mind as I never experienced them to be available that regularly.

Sorry for the delay, but the Disneyland portion is coming up now!

I am guessing they do check to make sure everyone is on the ship before it leaves.

Yes, when you go off the ship they scan your room key (KTTW) and they make sure that it is really you leaving the ship as on their screen your photo that they take when you check in comes up. Same procedure (including a security screening of you and your bags like at the airport) on the way back to the ship. So their system always knows who is on the ship at any given moment.

The whole "Stinky Pete" thing. The end of Toy Story 2 had the Prospector in his box on the shelf. The do "outtakes" of sorts and well in this one " Stinky Pete" was Stinky....

Ok, I need to watch Toy Story 2 again! That's actually a good reason to see it again. I think the only time I watched it was when it came out. It was my first ever Pixar film that I saw - and made me an instant Pixar fan. I saw it with Katharina in London with my flatmates when I was living there...

 

[dizneeat]

​

Seems like getting off the ship was a major pain. And that line for taxis seems scary long.

But for getting a Mustang! Tom just loves those cars and we often rent the convertible version of it. It is a nice car for cruising.

Lovely room at the VGF! And a visit to the CM store - what else can you wish for?

 

[Flossbolna]

There are folks on the Community Board constantly vying for tags. The Tag Fairy is everywhere, and one needs to be wary of things said on the boards.

Ah, I have never dared to take part in the Community Boards. They are a bit scary!! I sometimes lurk there and always seem to find the strangest threads of people fighting each other... But to be fair it also seems to be quite a lovely community in other threads.

You have some really nice tags though! The Tag Fairy was very friendly to you!

Sad to have reached the last full day, but it sounds like you had a nice relaxing one. With two sit down meals at Triton's it's not surprising that you weren't hungry for a main dish. The "til we meet again" menu is one of ny least favorite.

I guess I was a bit in catch up mode that last day and therefore two meals in Triton's for breakfast and lunch. And I can see why the Til we meet Again is one of your least favourite menus. It does not really excite me either...

You asked about the PV Walmart, we thought it was pretty similar to an American Walmart. We were mainly there for water and soda. We sailed Conceirge and were misled that complimentary soda and water were available, but that's evidently only on the Dream and the Fantasy.

That's a shame that you got wrong information about what concierge included. But at least Walmart was right there!

I heard about the craziness in San Diego from Corinna's report and many who did the two day to nowhere cruise. I hope you get through everything with minimal hassle!

Well, San Diego port was not nice to us as you can see in the latest update. The city itself looked beautiful though (the little we saw of it) and I would love to get back there one day. So, it did not taint my view of the city as a whole. And the next time I would just know to expect utter chaos. It's easier to deal with if you know what you are in for.

 

[Flossbolna]

The funny part is, I think I AM as old as you!

Well, if your age at the start of your current trip report is correct than I am indeed 3 years older and you are as young as my baby sister. So I guess one has to say that I am considerably older than you!!

When you get fired from a cruise ship, do you get tossed overboard?

Hmmm. Maybe they put you into the launch mechanism they have onboard for the fireworks??

Istanbul?

Excellent! Remind me to tell you my whale-watching story sometime.

Yes, please tell!!

 

[Flossbolna]

I completely agree with your thoughts on this. We've had our share of desserts and sweets over our 12 trips to WDW and wish they would include customer favorites from WDW on the ships (dole whips, carrot cake cookie, and cupcakes just to name a few). We were just at F&W in September, and several of the desserts at the food booths were amazing...would love to have those again!

Yes, I don't understand why they don't have Dole Whips in one of the soft serve machines. I find the dessert situation really strange considering that those are things that are easy to prepare in large quantities and still they manage to just have rather mediocre offerings.

In regards to the magnet quality, while sometimes they aren't the greatest, we had a horrible time with all magnets a few weeks after you. Our room host told us they had applied at coating on all the doors not long before and with all the years of paint on the doors underneath that is why the magnets weren't working. People were complaining a lot because they had put so much work into making magnets. Literally ever time we shut out door the magnets went flying off.

I have heard the coating sorry, but actually when you look at the doors, I don't think they look like they have so many coatings at all. I think that some of the magnetic foil and or tape people are using is just not very high quality. I have an Epcot magnet that keeps falling off my fridge door while all the other magnets are on fine. So there is a difference. And I think DVC just chose the cheaper magnetic foil for their magnets.

Aw, so sad that the cruise is over but exciting that you were heading to Disneyland the next day! A trip to the parks always helps with the DCL withdrawal.

I really like doing the parks after the cruise for exactly that reason!

 

[Flossbolna]

LOVED the trip report. Finally caught up with everything from October and beyond.

CO2 room - CO2 is used in fire fighting.

Magnets - I've also hear that there are certain doors on the Wonder that have been painted so many times that magnets won't hold.

Deserts - I totally agree. There are many gelatin based, and the lack of real cream toppings.

I'm SOOOO hoping that we'll get to do a galley tour next cruise. I've heard they've been halted at the moment.

I am glad that you enjoyed the report!

Thanks for the info on the CO2 room. Now it all makes sense! Especially after the horrible incident with the Greek ferry that was in the news here for the last week (a fire on a ferry and because of bad weather it was very difficult to evacuate) one thinks far more about how dangerous a fire out on sea really is! Precautions to fight fires are really important.

I am really not sure it is only the paint on the doors, they don't look like they had so many coatings at all.

The lack of real cream is really something that baffles me. At least the spray variety is better than that weird cool whip stuff they have.

 

[Flossbolna]

I fell terribly behind but thought you might be happy about a comment from me today :good vibes

Well, it is a new year and I think your resolution for 2015 needs to be to stay up to date with your comments on my trip reports! It certainly is of uttermost importance!!!

I very much liked this last excursion, but I'm also looking forward to the Disneyland part of your trip. I hope, you'll get it finished in time for our trip! Less then 200 days left… I hope we'll have the possibility for a Dining room breakfast as well.

I think we should easily fit in some dining room breakfasts unless they do to us what they did to Karin on her Med cruise where they only offered buffets for breakfast!! What a stupid decision!

After several years on these boards I finally understand all the talk about tag fairy. But I guess I could have asked before

Well, now you know what she is, you need to work towards getting a tag fairy visit yourself! (Hint: this means posting more!!)

 

[Flossbolna]

I was not aware of this before either. When we did this excursion in October 2011, they did not have that option.

If I am ever back on a cruise to Puerto Vallarta that excursion you did will really be very high on my list. It looked wonderful!

I am all caught up again after my own trip to Disneyland and also to Aulani.

Hope you had a great time! Do you have a trip report going yet? I guess I should check in your signature!

I am glad that I did not miss anything with the DVC party. We gave up as the line was in out in the open with the sun beating down and did not move at all.

No, the DVC party was nothing special. I found it far too hot there as well as too crowded.

What a shame that Michael felt unwell. I was also amazed by the variety of fish in Cabo. Our snorkelling spot was directly across from the Wonder so there was very little travelling involved and plenty of time for snorkelling. We were also in relatively shallow water so we never got cold.

It sounds like you had a great excursion, I remember Graham telling me about it and he seemed think it was very good as well. I loved the fish at Cabo as well. It seemed a wonderful snorkeling spot!

The whales were definitely a surprise and a bonus. I also loved seeing the turtles.

I am so bad at spotting sea life, so this day was really great for me!

I am sad that the cruise part of the trip report is coming to an end, but I am looking forward to read about Disneyland.

Corinna

I hope to get the Disneyland part up soon as I have already the next trip report to write!!!

 

[Flossbolna]

Just came across your TR. Will definitely catch up!

Hi Magdelene!

Checking in during my Winter Break to say hi and do some catching up.

I immediately knew the answer as Istanbul. It's an awesome city to visit with tons to see and do!

Loved all the pics. and you're right, the desserts look ho-hum.

Hi Liesa, so wonderful to have you here! Even though your Winter Break is nearly over and we did not get to chat as much as I would have liked... Seems like I am not a good DISer during the holidays...

I am not surprised that knew the answer. I would love to go to Istanbul, everyone I know who has been there loved it.

I've really enjoyed reading your cruise report. You do such a good job at providing information and you're so descriptive. You have me really wanting to take a Panama Canal cruise.

I can't wait to read the rest.

Thanks! I am glad that you enjoyed the report! And I can only recommend taking a Panama Canal cruise!

Thanks for such a great report. I feel like I was there with you and can't wait to go in a few months!

You are welcome, I am glad that you enjoyed it! Have a great trip!!

 

[Flossbolna]

Merry Christmas to you, too, Magdalene!

Can't wait to hear more about both of your trips!

Merry Christmas! Can't wait to hear about the new trip!

Jill in CO

I suppose that's an acceptable excuse...

Merry Christmas Magdalene! I look forward to the new TR!

Merry Christmas Magdalene and Welcome Home!

Hope you and the family have a wonderful holiday season! Tell Katharina Merry Christmas for me. ......

Welcome back Magdalene!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Thank you all for the Christmas greetings! I hope to get through the rest of the trip report quickly and then start the new one in time to finish it before Katharina and I sail to Norway which then will be the next trip report... Of course that one will be co-authored by my lovely sister again!

 

[Flossbolna]

Boo for getting off the ship but yay for the awesome Mustang and GCV at DL! I love the look of the GCV. Can't wait to get to stay there some of these days!

Jill in CO

The morning started out really lousy, but the day quickly became much better!

The Grand Californian is an amazing hotel! In my opinion it is the Disney flagship resort (at least in the USA, I think the Miracosta at Tokyo Disneyland might still be far superior). It is totally luxurious, has direct access to the park and a beautiful theme.

You warned us this was coming. :scared2:

Not exactly the way to end a cruise but glad you FINALLY got off the ship and away from the port.

It was such a nuisance and so totally unnecessary. Luckily the day improved immensely once we had left the port!

I would say score on the mustang for the regular rental price. Also great that you could use the kiosk to speed things up a bit.

It worked out great and Michael was really happy!!

That would be the breakfast I would order and mini tacos at Jack in the box.... Glad you found it a novelty.

I know that my American readers will find the normal fast food not overly exciting, but have you seen how much Katharina complains if I forget to provide pictures of Starbuck pastries? She would have killed me if I would not have posted pictures of a fast food chain that she is unfamiliar with!

That picture of the luggage coming off the ship is scary!!!! Yup that purple piece on top looks like it will end up in the water even with the flimsy net there.

Yes, I briefly wondered whether Michael's suitcase was somewhere in the harbour basin of San Diego when we could not locate it... It is better not think about how your luggage gets on and off the ship...

 

[Flossbolna]

​

Thanks! A very Happy New Year to you and Tom as well!

Seems like getting off the ship was a major pain. And that line for taxis seems scary long.

Such a hassle! I think from now on I will just always expect things to be as bad in San Diego and then be pleasantly surprised if things turn out to be much easier.

But for getting a Mustang! Tom just loves those cars and we often rent the convertible version of it. It is a nice car for cruising.

We had a totally bizarre rental car experience when we got a car in December after our cruise and they kept offering us a Mustang convertible. However, the weather was cold and we were not going to do a lot of driving at all and had quite a bit of luggage, so turned it down. The lady working at the rental car desk was actually from Germany and we ended up chatting a bit and she said that the Mustang convertibles are mainly rented by German tourists! Seems like they are popular with our Austrian neighbors, too!

Lovely room at the VGF! And a visit to the CM store - what else can you wish for?

The day really got much better - and the best is yet to come!!

 

[IamTinkerbell]

Maggi, Thank-you for sharing your trip report. I am on this cruise in May 2015. Yay. Just need to inform you that cloudy days you are at an increased risk for sunburn! Because the UVA and UVB rays are not blocked. In addition you don't see sun you don't sunscreen.