12/01/07 Western December 1, 2007 - Let's get the party started!

[lbgraves]

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

We have 5520 on hold for the 12/1/07 cruise and will be putting the deposit on it in a couple days. It will be myself, DH, DS9, & DD7 at time of cruise. We will be celebrating our 10th Anniversary and our 5th Annual Holiday cruise on DCL. Who else will be joining us?

DISer Manifest :cool1:

Popovich, DH, DD8, DS7 6622
kimszath, DH, DS8 5020
loriace, DD10, parents 8034
jlowejd5, DH, 6076 & 6078
crystaldri, DH, DD11, DS10
mom+3girls, DD14, DD12 6071
missmulan, DH, DD, DS
Hanover, DH, DS10, DS6, parents, FIL 6546, 6548, 6550
goofyfreak, DH
CJLKIM, DH, DIL, SIL (DD8 & DD12 unsure)

[Popovich]

Lisa,

I called the TA today and left a message. I think we'll be joining you :banana: It will be myself, DH, DD 8 and DS 7. We were on the 12/3 Western last year and the 11/27 Eastern in '04.

Can't wait to be back on board the Magic :woohoo: ! :Pinkbounc

Gailyn

[kimszath]

Hey Lisa!!!! We'll be your neighbors! We're booked in SPR 5522--Can't wait!!!! :banana: At time of cruise, it'll be me, DH, and DS almost 9. HOORAY!!!! Now I get to add another countdown timer!!!! Am I overly excited at this point? :rotfl: Gailyn--will be nice to meet you, too!!! I met Lisa on our first 7-day a couple of years ago after chatting with her here on the DIS boards for what seemed like forever--it's so great to already have friends on board!

Now I have two threads to keep up with--also going on the Dec 26, 2006 four-nighter (which just happens to be on the MAGIC!) this year (which is costing us $600 more than the 7-nighter... OUCH... but hey--'tis the season, right???)
Ciao!
:bounce: :Pinkbounc :stitch:

[lbgraves]

Kim, I don't like your countdown for this cruise. :( That is too long! I told DH that you & family are our neighbors & DS will be exited to have a couple kids his age on the ship that he can email beforehand. Welcome Gailyn. Right now I am doing a bad job of keeping up with the website for our 12/9/06 group. It's a chore to get in there & just get it done. I have done them for the last 2 groups & it has really helped us to get to know each other better without putting all of our personal info on a regular message board. We have found that one family who lives in OH comes to our town in NC every year for vacation & were able to meet them before the cruise. We have now gone on 2 cruises & spent a week in the summer visiting since & have the one this year booked...and possibly this one if they don't go on a med cruise. It is great for the kids to be able to see everyone in their age group too so they can email & have plans to meet their new friends once onboard. This is the earliest that we have ever booked a cruise. The first two were booked around 11 months, the next was 14, and the fourth was 18 months...which I thought was far enough ahead. LOL!

[kimszath]

Sorry Lisa! :guilty: Should I get rid of the countdown??? Maybe until we're inside of 16 months or something???? I'm just tickled to have two of them going at once!!! I was really surprised that Mike was so cool with the idea, especially when I told him it was even less than I thought... So what's the deal with transferring? I've had no trouble whatsoever with DU, and I just booked with Disney directly since I could speak to a human on the phone, and ensure that I got the room assignment RIGHT THEN while it was still available. I know it'll be a long time before any FL discounts or other stuff like that come along... do I just need to email DU later and ask them to pick up my reservation? Is it that easy? I would have emailed them first for the quote, but 4 of the 6 SPRs were already gone... couldn't take the chance!
:flower:

[lbgraves]

Nah! Leave it up, Kim! It just hit hard. I'll concentrate on the one that I have coming up this year. :) Yes, it's that easy. I would wait until they were offering a special rebate.

[loriace]

We'll be on the 12-1-07 too. It will by myself, my parents and my daughters who will be 10 at the time. Can't wait!!!

[kimszath]

Welcome loriace!!! Funny... I think there are more people on this thread already that there are on my 12/26/06 thread!!! Lisa, do you think people spend more time on the boards when they're on a full 7-day cruise? The 12/26 is my first 4-nighter... :confused3

[lbgraves]

Kim, after our first cruise group thread the 2nd was a major disappointment. We hardly met with anyone at all. The best thing for us was meeting John's family, who we have become great friends with. :) I have heard that the 3 & 4 day cruises just don't get the responses on the meets thread. Perhaps it is because after cruising, most DISers have to go for 7 days? ;)

[kimszath]

You're right, Lisa. And I bet folks really don't feel like they have enough time to "get involved" with other folks on their cruise... Well, I do hope this one will be different! I'd think people who are willing to pull their kids out of school for a week probably already have similar attitudes, and maybe a bit more in common! I haven't really given it much thought... are there fewer kids overall on cruises "during the school year?" Or are there just as many kids, but younger (not quite school age)? Since Luke was in preschool the last time we went, it didn't occur to me to pay attention! :rotfl:

[lbgraves]

There are always lots of kids of all ages on board when we cruise. All three times there have been over 750 kids in the clubs age 3-12 alone. That's not counting the non PTd or teens. You do have more opps to get together on the 7 day cruises. For us, it's the fact that if we are going to have to drive 12 hours each way, we will go to WDW for a day or two before the cruise & then do a 7 day to make it worth our while & to be able to completely relax on the ship. Be sure that you see Hurcules this year on the Wonder because you wont see it on the Magic. Twice Charmed was AMAZING though!!! We went to the matinee & the evening show & loved it each time. Franco was fantastic! ROFL! :)

As far as pulling the kids out of school, DS is in the pre AG program at school in the first grade, is reading 3rd & 4th grade books, is learning multiplication with very little help from me, so he is basically bored in school. Taking him on the cruise allows him to learn in a different environment. DD is doing really well right now in Kindergarten currently reading at the level that she needed to reach by the end of the year to go to first grade, so I am not concerned right now. Of course they will be in 2nd & 3rd grade for this cruise. DS will be taking EOG tests that year, but they normally are not scheduled in December.

I feel that the recharging & bonding that we do as a family on the cruise is worth more than them being in school that week. As you know, Kim, DH's job has him away from home 50% of the time. When he is in town he goes in early, works late, and is often working on the laptop or on a cell phone call. He goes in some Saturdays too. He is currently in a graduate program and doing his internship with the NSTB in DC for 3 1/2 months. The cruise is the only time during the year that these kids can see their dad for an entire week without worrying about if he has to work. I will go before the school board if I need to if it ever comes to that. Life is too short, unfortunantly. Little Emma & Sopie made us open our eyes & learn that. :( I don't want to have any regrets.

[kimszath]

Hmm... is it the same "Hercules the Muse-ical" that was on two years ago??? That was such a cute show! I really liked the three Muses--they were great!!! We won't get to see anything on the Wonder--our 4-nighter is actually on the Magic (they've got a weird schedule because of the holiday cruises--the Wonder goes out Dec 24th, and then the Magic goes out again on the 26th). I've heard about the newer shows--can't wait!!! I'm hoping that this time, Luke will be more interested in the clubs. He really wanted to be with us last time, plus Grandma was with us, and he never gets to see her. I just want him to enjoy himself with the kids, and give me and Mike some grownup time! We never leave him with a sitter, so we don't really do a lot of Mom-and-Dad time out on the town! (Of course, now that I've semi-retired, and he's working from home, it's not like we don't have alone time together--just not in the evenings with restaurants and entertainment!)

[lbgraves]

Oh well, I guess that you will see Twice Charmed then. Great show though! :) Your DS will have to start emailing my DS...if we can explain to them that they wont see each other until the cruise AFTER the next one. LOL! They can hang out in the lab together!

[lbgraves]

We'll be on the 12-1-07 too. It will by myself, my parents and my daughters who will be 10 at the time. Can't wait!!!

Welcome to the group, Loraice! Have you guys been on the Magic before?

[loriace]

Nope, this is our first..... I can't believe its still so far away! But it will take me that long to pay for it.lol This thread will be great, because I'm sure as it gets closer I will have a thousand questions and it will be nice to have veterans to direct them to. I just got the papers confirming our reservation today, and since the deposit is non-refundable, I guess its really going to happen now.

[lbgraves]

WOW! Which one of the suites are you in? :) You are doing it right for a first cruise.

[kimszath]

Wow Loriace... that means you're springing for the BIG cabin!!! :woohoo: HEY EVERYBODY--PARTY AT LORI'S ROOM!!! :rotfl2: Good for you!!! We might make the splurge one day... when I decide to get a job again, maybe! UGH... I do NOT want to go back to work. Oh well... at least it can't be any worse than being on the hook for Uncle Sam 24/7/365.

Lisa--I'd love to get the boys in touch with each other. What do you think about maybe hooking them up towards the end of this year? Maybe we could even run into you when you're down for your cruise in December this year, if you have a minute or two to spare? You're on the 12/9 Magic, right? We're about an hour from the Port, and about an hour from DisneyWorld. Just keep it in your hip pocket, and let me know if it figures in your plans at all. We usually take a day in early December to pull Luke out of school and go to WDW MK for a day when it's nice and cool, and not so crowded... always link it up with Rainforest Cafe--Luke loves it. :goodvibes By the way, you're always welcome in our home, and would be more than welcome to use us as a stopover when coming or going to the Port. We've got a nice guest bedroom, and Luke has bunkbeds! :cool1:

[jlowejd5]

We just got back from a Land/Sea, and we rebooked onboard for the 12/1/07 Western. This will be our fourth cruise, but first on the Magic. Two Land/Sea (one at BC, this one at the Poly), plus a 4-day for our honeymoon two years ago.

Funny story: about a year ago our friend Mike was in town visiting. We put the hard sell on him for a Disney vacation (he's 32, and neither he nor his sister had ever been). Sat him in the big comfy leather chair and showed him the WDW and DCL videos until we broke him. He calls his sister, gets her to agree.

We had an absolute blast last week. They ended up bringing their dad and step-mom for the whole thing, plus the step-mom's family for the WDW piece of it. We all had a really great time.

Flash forward to the last night on the ship. Mike, DW and I are almost in tears (Dreams does it to me every time). We head back to do some packing, and Mike stops to talk to the girl at the re-booking desk. Ten minutes later, we're out on the verandah and he's giving US the hard sell. He's good, so we're re-booked.

If nothing else, it made getting off the ship a little less sad, since we know we're going back in like 627 days.

Whoo!! :yay:

[jlowejd5]

Oh, and I'll fix my signature thingie tomorrow at work, I promise.

[lbgraves]

Welcome!!! :)

[crystaldri]

Hi myself DH,DD(age11) DS(age 10) will be going too! We are going in May 06 on the Western also but decided to book our 3rd cruise before prices went up. Wow it reaaly is a long wait for this one. Does anyone know if the ship will be decorated for the holidays and how the weather is?

[lbgraves]

The ships are decorated mid November & CC is done up over Thanksgiving week. :) We have only cruised when it has been decorated for the holidays. :)

[loriace]

We are in 8034. It's a big splurge, but only because my parents are going with us. (Thanks Mom and Dad!) My dad is 76 and figures he will spend more time in the cabin than most people and he doesn't want to have to climb over all of us girls. If he wasn't going there is no way I could have justified that category...... but, since I'm gonna be stuck there, I plan on enjoying it to the fullest, who knows if we'll ever get to do it again.

[loriace]

hey jlowejd5, I spent the day in Columbus in meetings today. I'm from Lima.

[jlowejd5]

It was definitely hard to be in Columbus today. Saturday, Castaway Cay was 92, beautiful, sunny. Got a sunburn, but loved every ouchie minute of it.

Woke up this morning, put up the garage door...

Snow.

argh. :sad2: :sad:

[kimszath]

Hey, Welcome to everyone who signed up in the past week!!! Hurray! Our group is growing!!! :thumbsup2 Ahh... Castaway Cay... you're making me daydream... cannot WAIT to go back! :teeth:
Sorry about the snow.... yuck. Here... I'll try to melt some for ya... :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny:

[Popovich]

I haven't checked in for a week on Disboards and I feel like I'm having withdrawal :blush: !! I've been planning our Oct WDW trip and researching MNSSHP and Food and Wine Festival info so I've neglected the cruise boards. I just booked the WDW trip and now just need to book a couple of nights at Universal then I'll be done :goodvibes .

Welcome Kim and Loriace! Our thread is off to a nice start. This will be our third Magic Holiday cruise. We've really enjoyed the families we've met from the Disboards. They made our trips so much more fun for us and the kids :grouphug: !

Right now we are in 6622 which is the same cabin we had the last two times. I might request a change because it's a connecting cabin and this time Grandma and Grandpa aren't coming with us .

We haven't worried too much about the kids missing school. Their school has been great about giving us assignments ahead of time. We were gone nearly two weeks last Dec. Four nights at WDW before the cruise and one night after. It helps that they're in K and 2nd grade - I'm sure this time there will be a lot more work. But Lisa's right, they really learn so much on these trips and the family time is priceless.

All for now,
Gailyn :wave2:

[mom+3girls]

Joining in, we will be cruising with you all, it will be myself and DDs that will be 14 and 12 at the time of the cruise. I know my screen name is mom+3girls but we have to leave the college kid behind. She will be graduating HS this June and going off to college this fall.

[kimszath]

By the time I get to this cruise, it'll be my third holiday cruise, too! I suppose any cruise between Turkey Day and Christmas is a holiday cruise, right? On our first cruise a couple of years ago, the ship was already decorated for Christmas--was in early November. I'm almost considering moving our Dec. 26 cruise this year up to an earlier 7-day, but I think the prices have already put me out of reach (unless some OUSTANDING Florida Resident rates pop up!!!) :rotfl: Oh well... I did get WAY ahead of myself and bought a great rolling collapsible cooler this weekend! Wonder if it'll still be in good shape by December this year... :lmao: Saw it on the Tip board!

[lbgraves]

Well, I found out last night that we can't get insurance for this trip yet. It can only be sold like 550 days out. :( That means that they can't waive the preexisting condition part. The guy at AA last night did explain to me that they look at 4 months before the you purchase the insurance when you buy it after the initial 14 day time frame after you put your deposit down. That means that we can't buy insurance until 5/4/06 for this cruise. I asked if I could get it thru DCL at a much higher cost & he said that they just put the names on a rooster & when the date comes around they will be covered...but not with the preexisting condition coverage waived.

[mom+3girls]

Forgot to post what stateroom we have, 6071 inside stateroom.
Last time we booked a Cat 9 upgraded to Cat 6 (6562), it was nice but I just couldn't see spending the extra on the higher Cat. There will only be the 3 of us this time. We really didn't like the split bath, it made both rooms too small, so we are going to go with a Cat 11. We are just happy to be going on the ship. :cheer2:

[jlowejd5]

...he said that they just put the names on a rooster & when the date comes around they will be covered...

Sorry, I know it was a typo, but I have this incredibly funny image in my head of two guys in yellow coveralls, a couple of officers, and Pirate Goofy chasing a chicken down the hallway, with the Benny Hill music going on in the background.

I have issues... :confused3

If I remember right (don't have my paperwork here) I think we're in 6076 and 6078. I'm vaguely excited, because this will be the first time we've been on the port side. All three other cruises we've been starboard. In fact, the one earlier this month, we were in 6576, directly across the ship. Spooooooky.

[lbgraves]

ROFL! It was a very crazy morning here. Or at least I thought it was. I spent 6 hours in the school gym with 25 kids. OY!

[lbgraves]

SPH 5020 is still available for this cruise!!! :)

[kimszath]

You know, Lisa, when I was running fare checks the other day, I noticed that 5020 popped up... it wasn't available when I booked... I might check into a change, since I believe the view isn't so obstructed on the 5X20 rooms, right??? I'd love to be next door to you, but think I might spring for the less obstructed view!!! :-) The pictures I've seen show the little "step" and some kind of bars in front of the window for 5522 and 5022... what do you think???

[lbgraves]

Yes, 5020 & 5520 are the least obstructed rooms. Go for it! You will just be around the corner. :)

[kimszath]

I just called the lovely Luna at DCL reservations--we're now in 5020! She verified that it was less obstructed, as I could see in the SPR pix. Hooray!!! I'm happy that it's not an adjoiner, too. I may have been lucky enough not to have had noisy neighbors in 5524, but why risk it??? :thumbsup2 She was pretty funny--she said, "Well, lucky YOU!!! It sure IS available! How did THAT happen???" I guess 5020 and 5520 (yours) tend to get snapped up first by people "in the know." I would prefer the starboard side, but I intend to be up on deck for all the dockings and sailaway, so it doesn't matter what the room view is!!!!

Hey Lisa--I 've been reading all the postings about people letting their kids sign themselves in and out from the 8-12 club... I'm planning to let Luke try the "big boy" club this December when he's not quite 8 years old... what's your feeling on the kids signing themselves in and out? I think by the time we do this cruise in 2007, when he'll be fully 8 years old, I'd probably have less of a problem with letting him sign out to go straight to the room (which will be right down the hall from the clubs). I don't think I'm even going to tell him it's an option this year. :sad2:

[lbgraves]

DS will be 9 yo when we go on this cruise & I plan on letting him sign out with strict instructions to page us & only when it has been agreed on by us before he goes to the club. Maybe your DS & mine can hang out & sign out together...safety in numbers? They will just be down the hall from the room afterall. We will have to talk about it more when the cruise gets closer to see how they are doing then.

[kimszath]

Sounds great, Lisa! :thumbsup2 Luke is pretty responsible, but still--he's a kid. Doesn't have a penchant for trouble, but I'd hate for him to develop one on a cruise ship! I like the idea of them hanging out together--safety in numbers. I try to "extend his leash" a little every now and then. :)

[Popovich]

Welcome everyone who just joined us!! :sunny: :cheer2:

Lisa, we purchased insurance from "insuremytrip.com" on our last two trips and some of the options did cover pre-existing conditions. My MIL has diabetes and it was a must for her. Maybe that will be an option for you.

Hi Loriace- DH was just in Toledo for meetings. Is that near Lima?? :confused3

jlowejd5-I can't believe you had snow in Columbus! We didn't even have snow in Cleveland! Better you than me, sorry :rolleyes1 This winter we've had half the amount of snow that we had last year. I hope the trend continues for the rest of the winter!

Well, we're off to Dave and Buster's. The kids are off school tomorrow and were celebrating good report cards :woohoo:

Gailyn :wave2:

[jlowejd5]

jlowejd5-I can't believe you had snow in Columbus! We didn't even have snow in Cleveland! Better you than me, sorry :rolleyes1 This winter we've had half the amount of snow that we had last year. I hope the trend continues for the rest of the winter!

Yeah, it was rough. It was just spitting, and we ended up with barely enough to cover the grass, but that was just an awful thing to wake up to. And I had my share of Cleveland snow. I did my undergrad at Case, and one of the years I was there (1994?) 3/4 of Cleveland set records for highest snowfall amounts. There were a couple of days that the air temp was below zero, we had 35 mph sustained winds, snowdrifts of two and a half feet, and they didn't cancel classes. Bleah. Frostbite is your friend. :sick:

Here's a question: we got back from our Land/Sea on Sunday the 12th. Today is Thursday the 23rd. Is it wrong that we're still not unpacked? I pulled most of my stuff out, but the suitcases are still laying on the spare bed. I mean, if we don't unpack, the vacation's not over, right? Right? :confused3

[mom+3girls]

Here's a question: we got back from our Land/Sea on Sunday the 12th. Today is Thursday the 23rd. Is it wrong that we're still not unpacked? I pulled most of my stuff out, but the suitcases are still laying on the spare bed. I mean, if we don't unpack, the vacation's not over, right? Right? :confused3[/QUOTE]


I cruised last Sept and I went looking for my jean capri pants last week and couldn't find them, kept looking and guess what, they were still in my suit case from the cruise. I took out everything that needed to be hung up but the rest of the stuff is still in there laying in the bottom of my closet, it was getting cooler here and I though I won't need that stuff till spring. I did laundry on the cruise and the dirty stuff was in another suit case, I don't want you all thinking that my dirty stuff is still in there.
I have that I'll get to it when I can attitude.
I guess I'm still on vacation :)

[kimszath]

That's SO funny!!! I hate unpacking almost as much as I hate vacuuming! :rotfl2: I've been known to let a suitcase sit for a month, at least! I think it goes back to the days when I was traveling almost constantly... I've got that, "Why unpack it when I'll just have to pack it again next week?" mentality!!! I can't seem to get it in my head that I'm not really going anywhere anymore... :teeth: It was a good excuse, anyway.
For the record, my husband is ragging on me about being on the boards so early (we're also going on a 4-nighter this Christmas). What should I say to him? I'm trying to think of a really great jab... one that'll make him get off my back. I've already told him I can be chatting with friends here, or in the Pilots' Lounge on AOL, flirting with all my old flying buddies! :rotfl2:

Oh well... back to the Cuisinart Ice Cream machine we just bought.. OUTSTANDING!!! We just made our first batch of plain old vanilla... gonna mix Oreos in the next batch!!! YUMMMM!!! Wish I could make a Mickey Bar in that thing... :mickeybar

[Popovich]

jolowejd5- Small world. I moved here from Cincinnati after undergrad because Greg lived here. Of course as soon as I moved to Cleveland he started Law School and moved so I was left in Cleveland with my new job and in grad school at Case while living with his family. Then after he finished law school 3 years later, my job transferred me back to Cincinnati and he moved back to Cleveland. Two years after that we were married ('91) and I was transferred back to Cleveland.......The whole first year we were married we thought we were on vacation because neither of us had to drive home on Sunday! :rotfl2:

How did you like the land and sea? As the kids get older I won't be able to pull them out of school for 8 or 9 days at a time. I love cruising but I also love to go to WDW. It's too hard to choose. This year we're doing the Halloween party and the Food and Wine Festival for 7 days then off to Universal for a few nights. It will be the kids first time at Universal.

Kim-Have fun with the ice cream maker. Sounds yummy!!! :)

Gailyn :wave2:

[jlowejd5]

Ah, the long distance relationship. The first year we dated (senior year of undergrad), I was in Cleveland, she was in Marietta. Then I moved to Columbus for law school (Go Buckeyes) and just sorta stayed here. A year later, Michele moved to Athens for med school. Two years in Athens, then two years on the opposite side of Columbus (and working 80 hours a week, so that doesn't count). Her intern year in Massillon. Then she picked up her residency slot on my side of town, and four years later, here we are. Sheesh. Although we are building our dream house right now, and it's supposed to be done in August or September. We spent a giant chunk of money today on cabinets, bookshelves, and all that stuff. Scary.

We love the Land/Sea. I love WDW as must as or more than the cruises. The only downside is that there's just SO much to do at the parks. This last trip, we were with two friends who had never been to WDW, so we ran for four days straight, trying to cram in as much as possible. So by the time we got to the Wonder, we were just exhausted. For example, the Sunday we flew down, my alarm went off at 4:45 am, and we didn't leave MK until 11:15pm. That's just insane, I realize that.

The other point is that I'm kinda done with Nassau. The first trip, we walked through the Straw Market (pre-fire, obviously), and we didn't really find anything interesting. The second time, we went over to Atlantis, which was amazing, but quite a hike. This time, we did a glass-bottom boat tour. It was kinda neat, but somewhat underwhelming. That's why we're VERY much looking forward to new ports on this cruise. And I think the next Disney vacation after that is going to be 8-10 days in the parks, split between WL and AKL, with maybe a day or two at Universal thrown in. But that probably won't be until 2009 or so.

Man, I talk a lot... :confused3

[lbgraves]

Well, I have updated the first post to show everyone who is posting on the thread so far. It's a little early to make up the website. I'll do that later this year. :)

[kimszath]

That's a great touch, Lisa. You actually build a website, too??? I saw where someone else did that once--very cool. Not sure I'm so creative. Think I'll be a copycat and go do that on my 12/26/06 thread, since I was the OP. Seems like the right thing to do! :-)

[lbgraves]

Let's see if I can remember it all. There is the itinerary, the manifest of DISers, planned DIS events & resies for Palo so that we can coordinate &/or be able to tell the kids which other DISkids will be in the club with them at the same time. ;) The next batch of pages is with each DIS family with real names, kid's ages, city & state, pre & post cruise plans (also helps with DIS meets off the ship), a brief write up of their day to day life (jobs, hobbies, etc), and a picture of everyone cruising. The DISkids have a page for each club. They have their picture and a brief write up of what they like to do on the ship. They can talk about their favorite characters, school subjects, & sports. It is a great way for the kids to look up who will be in the club with them & email beforehand to make friends. I have also added a birthday page so that we can keep up with the birthday greetings thru the year. :)

[jlowejd5]

That sounds cool. I guess moving from the Wonder to the Magic really has its advantages!!

[kimszath]

Yes, Lisa is ULTRAorganized!!! I'll probably just take liberties and copy you! :rotfl: With credit, of course! You do great work, Lisa!

I was at a Pampered Chef party today, and everybody was asking about my cruises--we started the show-and-tell a little late, as you can imagine. I"m such a great Disney salesperson!!! They oughtta give me a commission! :woohoo:

[loriace]

Wow Lisa, let me thank you in advance. That all sounds great and I know we will all appreciate all your hard work. My daughters have already been bugging me about meeting some of the other kids in advance, I just said relax we have a "little" while before we go.... lol

[jlowejd5]

If anybody's interested, I just finished posting a long-winded (but hopefully funny) trip report for our land/sea (March 5-12) over on the trip report boards. I had a couple of funny things happen.

[lbgraves]

That was great! :) You would fit right in with the group we are cruising with 12/9/06...cruised with some 12/10/05. Guess you will be dressing for pirate night too. :) We should be able to watch POC3 on this cruise. :) :) :) Like the viking hat too. ;)

[kimszath]

Loved the trip report!!! Nice work! :thumbsup2

[jlowejd5]

Just in case there are any new folks who might not have seen this thread. And to get us off of page four.

605 days to go. Yikes. :confused3

[kimszath]

OUCH! 605 days? Really??? I'm not hating my 19 month timer so much anymore!!!! :rotfl2: I was thinking of bumping us today, too! psychics.... :teeth:

[jlowejd5]

Well, I had to do something. Spent most of the day going insane. DW is at back-to-back conferences in San Antonio and East Lansing. Tried to fly between the two on Sunday (connecting through O'Hare). No such luck. They circled for four hours through horrible turbulence (those huge wind/rain storms across the midwest this weekend) and then diverted to Grand Rapids. Well, GR is only 75 miles from Lansing, so they just rented a car and went, because United couldn't say whether any connectors would go to Lansing that night (they didn't), and the board review course started at like 7:30am.

They get to the hotel no problem, but we're still looking for her suitcase two and a half days later. It got checked under somebody else's name (the woman in front of Michele at the counter), who was on a later flight to O'Hare. Michele even has the sticker thingie. Some of the United baggage claim people were just downright rude, telling her to just rent a car and go pick it up, or simply hanging up on her (and her friend who's traveling with her) repeatedly. They ended up going across the street and buying underwear at the CVS, and splitting a three-pack. That's just sad on a lot of levels.

So she calls me in tears tonight, ready to rent a car and just drive home tomorrow (Lansing to Columbus is only six hours or so). I get all the information and start wading through United's system, which is NOT easy. I finally got through to a human being (after the computer hung up on me 18 times, and I was then on hold for 40 minutes). But this lady was great. It's at O'Hare, and they're putting it on the first flight to Lansing in the morning, to be delivered to the hotel tomorrrow afternoon.

We hope.

What a mess... :sad2:

[lbgraves]

Goodness that is terrible! :(

This week is crazy! I have found two day's worth of teacher appreciation gifts & am meeting with the cafeteria director & PTO VP on Friday to set up the breakfast another day. (This happens the 2nd week of May.) Yesterday I went out & bought everything for the spa baskets....63 of them. Today I have worked on sorting clothes for the yard sale & switching out DD's seasonal clothes. NOT my favorite thing to do...lots of stuff doesn't look like it will fit her & it's not going to be fun making her stand still long enough to check. Tomorrow I will go in & price some things for the school yard sale that teachers have just been dropping off in the storage trailer. :( Friday DD is out of school because of kindergarten registration so I hope that we will have a nice day together. :) Next week I have the 1st grade egg hunt & party on Tuesday (75 kids) and the Kindergarten one on Wednesday (79 kids). I have 150 dozen eggs in boxes in the dining room that need to be stuffed. OY! Let's see...I know there is more going on.

I can't wait until we go to DC next Thursday!

[missmulan]

Hi everyone! Lisa! Gailyn!

We re-booked onboard and it looks more and more like we'll be changing our ressies to the 12/1/07 Western. We've done two Easterns...first one 11/27/04, then 12/10/05.

Just popping in to say "hi". I wondering if I should transfer over from DCL to someone else now. Not sure who has the deals.

I'll be back....nice to meet you all!

Jen

[lbgraves]

YEAH!!!! How funny! I told you that you should cruise with us again. :) Great to see you on board now. Jen & I cruised together last December....along with a bunch of other crazy DISers. :)

[missmulan]

I'm excited too...to be with other Disers (you, Mike, William & Cinderella especially)

we are choosing the Western because we've been on two Easterns already. Time to explore new ports. I like the Eastern because there are 3 "at sea" days, but...time for new sights!

i know i asked this before but if i transfer my ressies to another agent, do i lose my rebooking discount and stateroom credit from DCL?

[lbgraves]

You don't if they aren't offering a group price. Just transfer it for an additional rebate & you will get that too. :)

[kimszath]

I am just getting really impatient here... I need a vacation. So in the meantime, I'm buying a new puppy!!! Going to meet her on Thursday. She's a tricolor Cavalier King Charles Spaniel--just gorgeous, from what I can tell (she's almost 4 weeks old). We have a 3-year-old blenheim Cavalier... time we got her a buddy. :) She'll be happy. Luke (DS) is thrilled!!!

[jlowejd5]

This has not been a good month for DW.

The first week, she's trapped at a conference in East Lansing, MI with no luggage for 3 of the 6 days.

She gets back into town, and she finds out last weekend that one of her surgery patients developed some major complications. Even though she always explains the risks to patients, there was a major language barrier, and the patient and family are mad. So DW is upset, because she can't fix what's wrong, and that bothers her.

Then, we get a call last night that her grandfather passed away. He was 84, and in relatively poor health, but still...

So somebody wake me when May gets here, because I'm done with April. Bleah.

[mom+3girls]

This has not been a good month for DW.

The first week, she's trapped at a conference in East Lansing, MI with no luggage for 3 of the 6 days.

She gets back into town, and she finds out last weekend that one of her surgery patients developed some major complications. Even though she always explains the risks to patients, there was a major language barrier, and the patient and family are mad. So DW is upset, because she can't fix what's wrong, and that bothers her.

Then, we get a call last night that her grandfather passed away. He was 84, and in relatively poor health, but still...

So somebody wake me when May gets here, because I'm done with April. Bleah.

Just wanted to let you know that my thoughts and prayer are with you and your wife. I know how hard it is to loose a grandfather, mine had been sick for a long time and I know he was much better off resting without pain but it didn't help the pain of not having him here.

I would just like to skip over the next 19 months and be getting ready to set sail on the Magic and soak up some sun and a few bahama mammas. :cloud9:

[missmulan]

We're on board! :cool1:

[kimszath]

Hello cruise buddies! Just got my 2006 Passporter's Field Guide to the DCL today. I'd pre-ordered it 3 or 4 months ago through Amazon.com. Time to go see what's new!!!! :cheer2:

[lbgraves]

OK, is it worth it to get the updated copy? We have the 2003 one.

Hope everyone is having a good month now. We just got back from DC this weekend. DH is back home...for now anyway!!! :)

[kimszath]

Hey Lisa! Sorry for the delay.. I'm still reading mine.. I think it's numbered 4th edition, and I had first edition. Still trying to get through the first couple of chapters. I'm trying to see how much is actually different than the first copy I had. Will let you know--I've been so swamped with my doctoral classes that I haven't done any reading for pleasure in a couple of weeks... They finish up on May 24 (also Luke's last day of school), and I'm betting I'll be slaving over the computer right down to the wire! :badpc:

I'll let you know when I get a little more of it read. :)

[Popovich]

Welcome Jen! I'm so happy to see that we'll be cruising together again! I think you'll love the Western-We did it last year and now we're hooked!

jlowejd5- So sorry to hear about your troubles. I hope May is soooo much better! :wizard:

Lisa-How were all the egg hunts??? Sounds like you have an overflowing plate from now until the end of the school year!

Any updates on whether the new cruise Passporter is very different?? I think I have the '03 or '04 Passorter and was thinking about updating.

Sorry to have been a slacker on our thread the last couple months. We just returned from our first trip to Hilton Head. Since we'd never been there, I've been researching that trip and going on the DVC boards the last several weeks.

Stayed at the DVC resort and part of the time at Marriott. We had an excellent stay. Loved HH and the kids had a blast :thumbsup2 . It was very relaxing. We went to the pool or beach after breakfast most days, stayed until 3pm then went back to the room for showers and Happy Hour :banana: . Lots of kids activities. Our neighbors and their 4 kids went with us and my SIL and her family. We spent evenings in Harbor Town or the Pavillion area at Shelter Cove. Weather was in the hi 70s or low 80s. Just what we needed :cloud9: .

Have a great weekend everybody! :wave:

Gailyn

[macphrsn]

Hi Gailyn,

I was thinking of you guys the other day!

Wednesday I was in Norwalk and wondered how close I was to you and the family. I told Frank we need to ride the Harley to the area, very quaint little town.

How is everyone? Ryleigh talks about playing with Nicole quite often. Are you booked on the December 2007 cruise? We looked in to the Mediterrian 11 day cruise but it really was way too much $$$$. I even had my same cabin, but when they came back with the quote it blew us away, we could go on three Western Caribbean cruise for the same $$$. I haven't booked anything yet, other than going to WDW this December.

I just had Ryleigh's birthday party with 4 of her friends they all just left a little while ago, I exhausted and glad it is over with. The girls had a lot of fun. I also went to a wedding shower brunch this morning so it has been l long day.

Talk to you soon, say hi to the family for us.



Welcome Jen! I'm so happy to see that we'll be cruising together again! I think you'll love the Western-We did it last year and now we're hooked!

jlowejd5- So sorry to hear about your troubles. I hope May is soooo much better! :wizard:

Lisa-How were all the egg hunts??? Sounds like you have an overflowing plate from now until the end of the school year!

Any updates on whether the new cruise Passporter is very different?? I think I have the '03 or '04 Passorter and was thinking about updating.

Sorry to have been a slacker on our thread the last couple months. We just returned from our first trip to Hilton Head. Since we'd never been there, I've been researching that trip and going on the DVC boards the last several weeks.

Stayed at the DVC resort and part of the time at Marriott. We had an excellent stay. Loved HH and the kids had a blast :thumbsup2 . It was very relaxing. We went to the pool or beach after breakfast most days, stayed until 3pm then went back to the room for showers and Happy Hour :banana: . Lots of kids activities. Our neighbors and their 4 kids went with us and my SIL and her family. We spent evenings in Harbor Town or the Pavillion area at Shelter Cove. Weather was in the hi 70s or low 80s. Just what we needed :cloud9: .

Have a great weekend everybody! :wave:

Gailyn

[Trixiezzz]

...I just called the lovely Luna at DCL reservations--we're now in 5020! She verified that it was less obstructed, as I could see in the SPR pix. Hooray!!!.....

Thank you, thank you, thank you kimszath!!! You gave up 5522 and now WE got it! :banana: :banana: :banana:

This will be our first cruise ever. We were originally booked on the Dec 2nd, 2007 4-day Wonder cruise and from reading these boards, I decided I wouldn't be one of the people who would then want to go on a 7-day cruise after my 4-day one......
Why wait that long?! You guys convinced me that I wanted to go on a 7-day one NOW!

So we changed our ressie today! I'm happy to be joining the Dec. 1-8, 2007 crew.

There will be 4 of us: Me, DH, DD12 (6th grade) and DD8 (3rd grade) (ages at time of sailing, right now they're 10 and 7).

I'm excited I'll be near other DISers with kids!

Can't wait! :yay:

[lbgraves]

Lisa-How were all the egg hunts??? Sounds like you have an overflowing plate from now until the end of the school year!




Gailyn

Well, I wont get into it again but the hunts went well for the kids but resulted in complaints from some uninvolved parents & a couple teachers. I declined the renomination for the PTO for next year & am stepping away from school activities for a while.

[Trixiezzz]

By the way, when I booked I noticed that SPR Room 5024 is still available for this cruise.

[jlowejd5]

Oy, the PTO. I can remember my folks were PTO president (in that dad was president and mom did all the work) for three or four years when I was in elementary school (lo, these many years ago). Talk about a thankless job. My hat is off.

Our little group is growing for the 12/1/07 (maybe). We've heard that two friends are booking sometime this summer (after they put all their wedding madness behind them), and maybe (just maybe) the MIL and soon-to-be step-FIL are interested. And if they come, they're going to try to talk the cool aunt and uncle into coming. The aunt is like an older sister to DW, and uncle Bob walked her down the aisle at our wedding two years ago.

Whoo!

[lbgraves]

That sounds great! We do have quite a large group for this early on. :)

This past year was just the worst possible one for me to start with the PTO. The now pres is a good friend & I am helping her out but she completely understands. Do you want to hear something funny? Well, maybe. ;) At the election meeting she ran for pres and two other people agreed for VP. Well, neither of them knew that someone else was running for VP. I was going to do sec. One of them would not be a great help & we were hoping that the other would be elected VP that that would be the end of it. Well, when I decided the day before that I was withdrawing my name, that left them to move the more helpful person to the sec spot. Neither of them showed up at the meeting & both were elected. The sec showed up to help with the dance on Thursday & was shocked. She doesn't want to do it. OY!!!

[kimszath]

YEA Trixie!!! Congrats! I had always heard about the SPRs, but this was our first time grabbing one! We did the 7-day Eastern a couple years ago with Lisa (lbgraves) and decided to do the 4-night holiday cruise this year, not knowing what I'd be doing for work (I'm working on an advanced degree full time, and have decided not to work until I'm done, which should be around cruise time next year!) If I'd made that determination a little earlier, I'd probably be going on a 7-nighter this year in December... we've already told so many folks we're going this year that I would affect other people's plans if I changed it now. It's just as well, though... our son will be moving to a new school this year, so I might as well give it a year before I decide to pull him out for a whole week in early December.

So happy you got the room! We were pretty excited about getting one, too! :cheer2:

[kimszath]

By the way, Lisa, you're making me re-think the whole PTA thing... The PTA here for our school disbanded after some of the officers & parents didn't get along for some reason. I was being pushed in the direction of running for next year, but I suppose it's a blessing that Luke will be moving, so I can think about it for a year before diving in. I defintely want to be involved, but think it might be better if I got to know the people for a year before trying to get into a leadership position. :rolleyes:

[Trixiezzz]

Hooray! Our countdown numbers quit saying "19 months"! Already it's looking better...... :rotfl:

[kimszath]

YAY!!!!! Glad you noticed that, Trix! :thumbsup2 AAAUUGGHHHHH!!!!! I cannot WAIT to get on the boat!!! :Pinkbounc

[kimszath]

Let's GO!!!! Looks like Freedom of the Seas will be on the TODAY show this Friday... will probably watch just to get the FEVER!!!!!!! :cool1:

[mom+3girls]

I have a DD that is 18, she will not be on the cruise, but she is graduating from High School in a few weeks and last night they had the honors banquet and she received Best All Around Choir Student she is graduating with honors :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: . I am so proud of her and I just wanted to share it with some of my new friends.

[lbgraves]

That is fantastic news!!! You have a right to be proud of her. :)

[kimszath]

:cheer2: CONGRATULATIONS!!!! :cheer2:
You must be SO proud of her!!! That's really wonderful!

[Popovich]

:banana: :banana: Congratulations to you and your daughter!!! That's really great news!! :banana: :banana:

Welcome Trixie! I'm glad you decided to do the 7 day. Our DD will also be in 3rd grade next year.

Cindy, are you joining us on the Dec 1st Western??? We'd love to cruise with you again and I know Nicole and Matt would be thrilled to see Ryleigh. You were only about 40 min from our house when you were in Norwalk! I'll send you a pm.

I hope everyone is enjoying the last few weeks of school. Our kids our out on June 2nd. Matt just had his first whole day of kindergarten. The last two weeks of school, the kindergarteners go all day to get ready for next year. He had a great day and really liked staying for lunch :) and riding the bus home with his sister. I know I'll be glad when summer starts. I'm so tired of homework :badpc: ! I can only imagine how my kids feel!!

Anyone have fun plans for Memorial Day weekend? We're just hanging out :surfweb: . No soccer, no baseball yippee!!! :woohoo:

Kim- have you looked at your new Passporter yet? Is it worth getting the new one?? We have the second edition I think.

Have a great week!
Gailyn :sunny:

[lbgraves]

School gets out on 6/8 here. This is the first year that the kids have gone past mid May. :( No plans for Memorial Day here...though DH is suppose to go to PAX River, MD to do his last internship for 30 days. I have also had to take it easy since last Wednesday. I woke up with chest pains that spread to my side & back. By the time I got the kids to school my shoulder ached & my hand was numb. I was also nauseous. A friend saw me when she was going out of the lot & stopped on the side of the road to talk to me. I had told her I didn't feel well & was going to the doctor that morning when she emailed me about doing something that day. She followed me to the office & waited until they opened. Thankfully a parent whose child is the top fundraiser seller at the school works there and was behind the desk. She saw me & asked what was wrong, got my bday, & told me to sit down. She came over & talked to me until I was called back...probably not even 5 minutes total. Everything came back clear...bloodwork, xray, & EKG. Even though the pain didn't go away I felt safer there than at home. I am having a CTA coronary Thursday. It's great that they can check out the heart now without doing a cardio cath!!! I would really be freaking out now if I had to have that done. There is a strong family history so the doctor wants to find out if this was a warning or maybe gallbladder problems. If neither comes back positive...which would be good right?...it was an anxiety attack.

The doctor did tell me that if I ever have those symptoms again to get myself to the office to be checked. I remember hearing that women have different symptoms than men...like the nausea. Also the chest pain wasn't constant & my back hurt when I bumped up against the door frame. Ladies, if you haven't already done so...look up the symptoms for a heart attack in women. I found it on webmd.com. I was planning to just come back home after taking the kids to school & go back to bed. When I read that the back pain & nausea were also classic I changed my mind & went to the doctor.

[Popovich]

Lisa,
That's so scary. I wish you well on Thursday. You did the right thing by going straight to the Dr's office. I just saw an email within the last 2 -3 weeks about what to do if you think you're having a heart attack. I don't know if it was medically correct, but I'll try to find it. Can you send me a pm with your email address?

Take it easy and do what the Dr. orders. Nothing is more important than your health. Sending good wishes and pixie dust your way :wizard:


Gailyn

[kimszath]

OMIGOSH!! Lisa--I didn't see this yesterday--I'm SO happy you're okay. Please let us know when the rest of your tests show you're all clear. Sometimes we get that wakeup call, and those unplanned doctor's visits turn up things that have nothing to do with what we're there for... just fate, I think, that gets you into the office. Panic attacks can definitely do that to you, though... remember my Mom, Lisa? She was onethe cruise with us. She used to have those fairly often--turned out it was actually medication-related. Forget what caused it, but she doesn't take it any more. Please get your rest--kids will be out before you know it! Luke's last day is tomorrow... AAARRRGGHHHHH!!!!!!!! :lmao:

Take care of YOU!!! :wizard:

[missmulan]

OMG Lisa! I'm so glad you're okay and the tests came back clear! Wow! You're like Superwoman at home, at school and on Disboards. What is everyone gonna do if you're really sick????

Keep us informed!

Jen

[lbgraves]

I will. :) I am just trying to keep from going crazy here working on the kid's rooms. I am redecorating each of them. I'm taking my time with the painting...borders that is. :)

[Hanover]

Hi! We just booked this cruise while on the 5/13 Eastern.

It's me (Danielle), my husband Derek and 2 sons, Keegan (he was 9 on 5/13) and Brennan, age 5. They will be 10 and 6 when we cruise. We are really looking forward to it!

My parents (Jim and Suzanne) and father-in-law (Ed), will also be joining us.

[Hanover]

I think our rooms are 6546, 6548, and 6550

[lbgraves]

Welcome to the group, Danielle! I have added you to the list. :)

[Hanover]

Thanks for the welcome.

Seems like the next 18 months until we sail DCL again will be an agonizing wait. Our boys keep saying, "this time ___ days ago, we were on the Magic, doing ___"

We surprised them with our 5/13 cruise, but they know about the 12/2007 cruise and will probably be asking daily "how many more days until our cruise?"

This past cruise was our first 7 day, and it was wonderful. We enjoyed every aspect of the Magic and really liked all the ports.

I took just over 2300 digital pictures on our trip and we've been looking at them over and over again.

[kimszath]

That's funny, Danielle! It's been a couple of years since our last Disney Cruise, and my son, now 7, still talks about "Remember when we went on our cruise and...." goes on and on. SO funny. We're going again this Christmas, then on this cruise next year. We can't wait!!! I"m thinking about seeing what the Florida Resident rates look like for a short one maybe next summer, if they still aren't filling the ships. I wonder what's going on with that? Either the rates have truly gotten too high for mow people, or the Freedom of the Seas is just too appealing... or both.

[Hanover]

Kim,

I know that my parents saved $1300 with their Florida rate discount on our 5/13 cruise. They were reimbursed the money after Florida rates were offered. They booked through AAA and got those discounts and perks too. They were on deck 6 with a verandah (category 6).

[lbgraves]

Hey, Kim! Do you want to adopt us so we can save too? ;)

[lbgraves]

Hey there everybody! I was excited about my find at B&BW today for this year's cruise but also wanted to share with you. :) We are going to make matching Tshirts for boarding day and some of us have talked about getting tote bags to use on the cruise with the same iron on design. Well, I went to the mall with a friend this afternoon & the only thing that I bought at B&BW (bath & body works) was this bag marked down to $3!!! It is huge! The other side is blank so the iron on would go great there. Now that I remembered this cruise....do I need to go back tomorrow to get another? :)

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/46911100_1068-med.JPG

[lbgraves]

I just got some great news!!! The tests that I had done came back normal!!! :) What a relief. So I guess that it was an anxiety attack...will have to deal with that but it should be alot easier than dealing with heart disease. :)

[macphrsn]

Hi Gailyn,

I'm thinking about joining this cruise, I think Frank will be ready to go again in 2007. Of course, I could be ready to do tomorrow

I need to look into booking, which way is the best? I should have rebooked on board. :sad2:

Ryleigh and I are going to WDW again in December, just trying to decided what days. Frank isn't in to going all the time like us. Good he can stay home and watch Jack.

Talk to you soon!


:banana: :banana: Congratulations to you and your daughter!!! That's really great news!! :banana: :banana:

Welcome Trixie! I'm glad you decided to do the 7 day. Our DD will also be in 3rd grade next year.

Cindy, are you joining us on the Dec 1st Western??? We'd love to cruise with you again and I know Nicole and Matt would be thrilled to see Ryleigh. You were only about 40 min from our house when you were in Norwalk! I'll send you a pm.

I hope everyone is enjoying the last few weeks of school. Our kids our out on June 2nd. Matt just had his first whole day of kindergarten. The last two weeks of school, the kindergarteners go all day to get ready for next year. He had a great day and really liked staying for lunch :) and riding the bus home with his sister. I know I'll be glad when summer starts. I'm so tired of homework :badpc: ! I can only imagine how my kids feel!!

Anyone have fun plans for Memorial Day weekend? We're just hanging out :surfweb: . No soccer, no baseball yippee!!! :woohoo:

Kim- have you looked at your new Passporter yet? Is it worth getting the new one?? We have the second edition I think.

Have a great week!
Gailyn :sunny:

[kimszath]

I'm SO happy that your tests were normal! You must be SO relieved. Sorry I've been off the boards for a week or so--I'm a little behind. And yes, I'd be happy to adopt you, so long as I get to claim you for dependents on my taxes. :rotfl2: You know, I did ask a travel agent about the FL resident discount, and she said that it probably wouldn't happen on my 26-30 December 2006 cruise (since it's a holiday period, and will likely be booked solid before they need to make offers), but it might very well happen on the 1 December 2007 cruise... fingers crossed!!!

Ahh... relief. I just got through two more of my doctoral courses. Sheesh... one of my teachers waited until over two weeks past end of course to post my final grade... pins and needles. I'm still pulling a 4.0. I think it'd be a whole lot easier if somebody would just go ahead and give me that B, so I could quit trying so hard! :lmao:

Hey, I liked that bag!!! Will have to look at B&BW. Do you know I haven't been in a mall since last year in October??? Oh, how I LOVE the Internet!!!

Congrats again, Lisa. I'm so relieved for you. :cheer2:

[lbgraves]

That is wonderful news, Kim!!! :) How many more classes to you have to go?

[kimszath]

UGGHHH..... :badpc: enough that I have to think about it... let's see... well, I'm starting my doctoral comprehensive exams this month (that's one class), I have 5 more International Business classes :teacher: , 4 research classes (pre-dissertation), then the three dissertation classes. All in all, I'll be working on my dissertation, probably, when we go on this cruise!!! I might even be finished, depending on how fast my research classes go... and if I finish my IB classes early. It seems SO far away. :sad2: I'm actually thinking about getting my Real Estate license for some cash in the meantime...

The GOOD news is that I'm only taking the one class through the summer, and the only class I'm teaching for Embry-Riddle right now ends in a week... none available to teach over the summer. We sure could use the cash, but I'm enjoying the time off. If this silly little tropical storm hadn't popped up, I was planning to take Luke to DisneyWorld on Tuesday this week... I'm betting his swimming lessons might not happen on Monday and Wednesday, so maybe we can go Wednesday... who knows. I'm supposed to go down to see Mom Thursday through Saturday. :drive: We've lived here a year now, and haven't been to see the Mouse... can you believe it???

[jlowejd5]

I think we've finally lost our minds. DW and I are in the process of building a house (hopefully, the only time we'll ever have to do this), and one of our spare bedrooms is going to be the Mickey Room. They're painting right now, but when we're done (and we order that cool Mickey bedroom furniture from the catalog) I'll get some pictures up. The walls are white over red (with a black chair rail dividing the colors), with black carpet. We think we've got enough Disney art and artifacts and pictures that we can make it look good. And anything else we need? I guess we'll buy it in December.

We've decided that a year and a half is too long to wait, so we're taking a long weekend (we think the 1st - 4th) and going down to WDW this year. We really want to see the holiday decorations, and so we're just going. I think we're going to stay at the WL, but we haven't finalized anything yet.

So now I have something to tide me over until '07. Yay! We're supposed to close in August, so hopefully around Labor Day we'll be done decorating and I'll get some pictures posted.

Whoo!!

[lbgraves]

I'M JEALOUS!!!! I would love to see that room! Be sure to post pics when it is done. :) We will be at WDW 12/8-9 before our cruise this year if you end up being down there then. Goodness I am in a chatty mood tonight but noone is around to talk.

[kimszath]

Hi Ladies!!! Sorry I missed you yesterday--I finally finished grading term papers this morning, so now I can PLAY!!! :Pinkbounc

I finally talked DH into letting me spend some of our remaining DVC points (we were sitting on 38 points left). I called over to Member Services yesterday just to see if Old Key West might be available for a 3-nighter next month, and we've got it for 24-27 July! :cheer2: HOORAY!!! I couldn't wait, either. We've got the cruise this Christmas, too, but we hadn't been over to WDW since we moved here last summer, and I owe it to DS. I had threatened to take him myself if DH couldn't "work it into his schedule!" I really like going during the week, if I HAVE to go during the summer! WE prefer the first week of December actually... might do a couple of nights then, too. There are NO lines, and the weather is wonderful then! I know we'll be cooking next month.

I'm thinking about paying a little at a time for my cruise this year and this one next year... I've gotten way behind on this year's cruise, and my money keeps flying out the window... how do you guys do it??? I'm thinking an extra $100 a month on the Disney VISA, and I woudn't even notice it.... :confused3

[lbgraves]

I saw someone say that they got a CD with the balance of their cruise. The interest will cover most of the tips for their family. :)

Remember we will be in WDW 12/7-8. :)

[Jhalkias]

Hello everyone,

Just checking in here for the first time. Just booked this cruise yesterday . . . We are on the December 9th Double Dip with Lisa and her family. This will be our eighth DCL Cruise. On the cruise will be myself, DW Amy, and DD Sophia who will be 7 (almost 8) at the time of the cruise, and will be in second grade.

Probably won't be hanging out here much since the other group (12/9/06) is so chatty (over 5,000 posts already) that it is all I can do to try and keep up with the posts over there.

John

[jlowejd5]

This is way off-topic, but since it seems half the people here know each other by first name (I'm Justin, btw), I feel comfortable asking...

When DW and I were down in March, we bought my mom this Mickey mug from the DD Mickey's Pantry shop (I think that's the name of it). Just a re-freezable insulated thing, blue handle, Mickey on the front, about $15.

Apparently, it fell out of the freezer door this week and the handle broke off. I have been searching on every site I can think of for a replacement, and no dice. Does anybody have any suggestions, or is anybody close enough to DD to help a brother out? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[mom+3girls]

You might try calling guest services at WDW and get the number for merchandise, or call the World of Disney and ask to speak with someone in I think it was called guest services there was a gentleman that help me his name was Alan. I was looking for a Jasmine shirt and couldn't find it at World of Disney and I had seen it in the MK. He searched and found it for me.

I was just down and I saw the mug you are talking about.

Hope this helps, Good luck!!!!

[goofyfreak]

Hi guys!!!!
My husband will booking us for 12/1/07 next week on the ship. My friend and I are sending our husbands on the 7-6-06 3 nighter for POTC2 premier!!! :cool1:
They have no clue!!! We are sending checks with instructions for booking on the ship!! This has been so exciting planning this for them and them not knowing a thing. They think we are going together with our families on vacation. :rotfl2:
We last went on the the 12/10/05 cruise. We loved it. It was my families 4th cruise and our friends 2nd cruise. Can't wait to meet all of you. We were with a big group last time and never found time to look anyone up. Hopefully that won't be the case next year!!
See you all not soon enough!!!

[gomagic]

My mom and I are booked on this one. It will be our first Disney cruise and we can't wait. Some people think we're crazy for going on a cruise with some many kids on it. But hey, we're both kids at heart and plan on enjoying every minute of it.

[lbgraves]

Hi guys!!!!
My husband will booking us for 12/1/07 next week on the ship. My friend and I are sending our husbands on the 7-6-06 3 nighter for POTC2 premier!!! :cool1:
They have no clue!!! We are sending checks with instructions for booking on the ship!! This has been so exciting planning this for them and them not knowing a thing. They think we are going together with our families on vacation. :rotfl2:
We last went on the the 12/10/05 cruise. We loved it. It was my families 4th cruise and our friends 2nd cruise. Can't wait to meet all of you. We were with a big group last time and never found time to look anyone up. Hopefully that won't be the case next year!!
See you all not soon enough!!!

Hello again!!! We were on the 12/10/05 with you along with Jhalkias & his family. Hopefully we will get to see more of you this cruise. :)

That sounds like so much fun for this year's surprise cruise! :)

[Trixiezzz]

Well I'm having to say goodbye to all you fun Dec 1, 2007 disers, because our vacation time has changed so we're having to change our cruise.

We've moving to Jan 13, 2007 and so you'll have to take me off the dis-list for this one.

By the way, we are booked in a secret porthole room #5522 and haven't called to let it go yet.

Does anyone want it? If so, maybe we can coordinate a time when I'll call to cancel and you can call to get it.

SPR UPDATE: Cancelled it as another DISer was standing by to call and ask for it...and got it! Yeah! :sunny:

[lbgraves]

Have fun in January! I will let John know since that is the room next to us. :)

[lbgraves]

Thanks for letting us know! That will make life on the ship much easier for us with the kids being next door to each other. :)

[Jhalkias]

Thanks Again Trixie!

Got my Reservation all fixed up today.

SPH room, here we come! :thumbsup2

John

[jlowejd5]

Stupid delays. We've pushed back the closing on the hosue another week or so. Probably going to do the big move on the 18th (if we're lucky). We ordered the Mickey bedroom set (http://disneyshopping.go.com/DSSectionPage.process?Merchant_Id=2&Section_Id=13591&Product_Id=192761), plus some extra goodies. (I think I posted that link right.)

And they don't mess around, either. We ordered on Sunday night (got that 20% off deal) and the mirror and nightstand were on the porch on Wednesday.

I promise to have some pictures up soon (we're supposed to do the walk-through on about the 9th).

But hey, we just broke 500 days!! :banana: :dance3: :hyper: :mickeyjum

[missmulan]

Hi everyone!

Just checkin' in here!! Lisa, I'm glad everything's fine with you healthwise! I'm so relieved to hear that! John! I'm excited you joined us!

Hope everyone is having a great summer! Of course I have none. Kids started school the day after the Fourth. Year-round school (bummer).

Take care everyone...I'll check back some other day.

[Jhalkias]

Wow, only at 119 posts . . .

I just TODAY got the email that you posted Miss Mulan - glad to be joining you guys again! We have this other little thread to keep up on right now though - our 12/9/06 thread - over 12,000 posts!

John

[gomagic]

Well, my mom and I won't be joining you on this cruise. We had to cancel last night. Have fun and enjoy!!!

[mom+3girls]

Are there any single moms on this cruise?

Just checking to see if I might be able to find someone to hang out with while the kids are in their programs.

thanks

[Popovich]

I hope all is well with everyone. Welcome to all the new cruisers! We've had a busy summer but things are settling down now that the kids are back in school.

Lisa, I'm glad you are ok. Health issues are scary. I never found that article I had seen somewhere. It said something like "if you think you're having a heart attack, try coughing every 1-2 minutes." It keeps your heart pumping while you get yourself to the ER.

All is well with our family. DS just started 1st grade and DD is in third. Trying to get in the swing of homework -the kids and me!!! :sad2:

We are leaving for WDW on Sept 30th. We'll be going to Food and Wine and to MNSSHP. I can't wait. We'll go to Universal on Oct 6th and fly home on the 11th. The kids have never been to Universal so it will be something new.

jlowe-I hope you're in your new house by now! That's so exciting. I can't wait to see pics of the Dis room!

All for now,
Gailyn :sunny:

[missmulan]

wow...dec. 2007 just seem sooooo far away to me at this moment. *sigh* i'm so looking forward to this trip again!

[jlowejd5]

They're coming soon, I promise. We're all moved in, got the condo sold (on the market less than 24 hours before we had an offer), and have moved on to the "finishing touch" phase. We had ordered a huge pile of Amish-made furniture, and it just showed up today. Our friend Mike is in town for the weekend, and he's our curtain/deocrating guru. We're hoping to finish the Tiki Room and the Mickey Room tomorrow and Sunday.

We've got the game tomorrow night (Go Bucks!) and Def Leppard / Journey tickets for Sunday, so we'll see how much we can get done. If everything goes well, I'll upload a couple on Monday and post them.

The good news is that we're under 100 days until our little long-weekend trip the first of December of this year. Just to see the holiday decorations (which we've never seen). Anybody done the MVMCP? Our tix are ordered, so we're just wondering if there are any hints from our DCL vet friends.

[jlowejd5]

It's not completely decorated yet, as you can see. We've got some framed stuff to go on the walls, and we also have about two dozen figurines that we need to find a place for, but this is the guts of the Mickey Room.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid214/p14ffeca15a387501703d83fd198ecd46/ed001dde.jpg

I'm going to try this one to see if I remember how to post pix...

[jlowejd5]

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid214/p3fed18164eaaadc92e10f56bdbbd0054/ed001ddc.jpg
Close-up of the nightstand. I love that lamp.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid214/pc0971be07beb9c3a7a3c419d607b2a17/ed001db4.jpg
The dresser

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid214/p5292f245d2320b47971e8eff80d48aef/ed001db6.jpg
The curtains

[jlowejd5]

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid214/p6efddd73a31e810bbeef5c755cf0bd46/ed001cc0.jpg
Close-up of the curtain rod. It's actually a set of towel rod holders, but we made a few modifications...

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid214/pbe95cadcb96d61454b06ae26a2582605/ed001cb2.jpg
Out towards the door

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid214/p151467647da0836ff61d6b80eb534222/ed001c79.jpg
Close-up of the top of the dresser

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid214/pa11f20f86c17354d32f00f4b8f9ea02f/ed000f41.jpg
This is one of the shelves in my den downstairs.

Well, that's all I have. We're pretty proud of the room (and the house in general). And we're under 80 days for our next trip. I think the goal on that one is to find a nice big piece of art to anchor the room. Hope you like it.

[lbgraves]

I want one of those rooms!!!! :) LOVE it! That is so cute. :)

[mom+3girls]

I love the lamp.
Where did you get that?

thanks

[kimszath]

Wow---what a GREAT job you did on the room! You must be tickled that it turned out so beautifully!

I'm sitting here kinda bummed... we're scheduled for the 26-30 Dec 2006 Magic as well... coming up on 90 days out, and I'm just thinking we shouldn't blow the money this year (because it's at Christmas time, the rate for a Cat 8 is about $3500 for a 4-nighter, and we booked over a year in advance). We really want to go, but we've got a big landscaping job going in next month, plus my 22-y.o. stepson is moving in with us in January, so we can send him to college... Will let you know what I do. :confused3

[lbgraves]

Kim, so are you deciding on the 2006 cruise? That is alot for a 4 night cruise for just the three of you. Difficult decision. (((HUGS)))

[jlowejd5]

The lamp popped up the last time I was on DisneyShopping.com. It wasn't too expensive, and it fits in the room fairly nicely.

[kimszath]

Hey Lisa--Yes, we made the decision today. We canceled the December 26-30, 2006, cruise. We would just be 90 days out on Wednesday this week... kinda sad, but then again, those high Christmastime Cruise prices were kinda steep. We agreed that the only thing that will keep up off THIS cruise (1 December 2007) will be the second coming. :rolleyes: As much as we need the vacation, the timing is just BAD, Mike's DD (25) and SIL are coming around Christmas for a few days--she just took a new job in Indianapolis, and her vacation time is limited until January--she basically gets 4 days... it'll be easier for her if we're home that week, and she really wants to come. And of course Mike's DS (22) is moving in with us in January... we'll be supporting another adult for awhile PLUS paying for college--actually thrilled that he's coming, but life's about to get more expensive in our household. :rotfl: We're about to sink $10K into landscaping, too... we're just seeing lots of money going out all at one time. :scared1:

In any event, I'm going to keep my eye out for something in the FL Resident postings--maybe something short (like a 3-nighter) will come up just in time for Mike's 50th BD in May. That'll at least give us a taste to hold us over until next December!!! Thanks for the (((HUGS)))--needed that.

[mom+3girls]

I was just checking around on the DCL website and checked cruise prices, I booked my cruise the day the dates came out on March 1, and today the price is $220 more than what I am paying.

I know that there has been an increase in taxes. Does anyone know how much they are per person?

[missmulan]

Those are some nice Disney-themed rooms! WOW!

Lisa, you remembered that we collect Mickey Mouse antenna balls?? DD displayed it at our county fair and it was awarded 1st place! woo-hoo!!

I hope things are well with everyone. We're still a long way out but each day brings us one day closer to.....the MAGIC! I'm looking forward to being in Florida again.

Hugs to everyone!

[lbgraves]

I was just checking around on the DCL website and checked cruise prices, I booked my cruise the day the dates came out on March 1, and today the price is $220 more than what I am paying.

I know that there has been an increase in taxes. Does anyone know how much they are per person?

The taxes are just a few dollars per person whenever they go up. Our room is now $400 more. :woohoo:

[kimszath]

Hey Lisa! Hello all fellow cruisers! Just thought I'd check in and see if I'd been missing anything... We just did the DVC add-on for another 115 points, since I'm counting on the prices per cruise to come down one day (HA HA HAH HAAAAAAA :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: )

Hope you're all well! We're approaching one year out--cannot wait!!! Expecially after cancelling this year's cruise. :crazy2:

[lbgraves]

Things are getting a little exciting around here. The pile of cruise things that need to be packed is growing in the dining room. I should take the stockings down this week & start to write the names on them in glitter glue. :) We are leaving in 28 days!!!!! :) :) :) Well, we will be sailing away on the ship then. We are leaving home at noon in 24 days. OMG!!! Just a little over 3 weeks!!! Panic is starting to set in!

[Jhalkias]

:scared1:

We are feeling it too Lisa . . .

But isn't it a good feeling too?

We should probably nut rub that in too much here . . . for our friends who are not with us this year.

John
(Am I John here, or John1? - c'mon Vanessa, join us so I can be John1 again!)

[shelwoj]

We will be joining all of you on this one. We rebooked onboard this week and can't wait til next year! We aren't officially booked for this date because we just grabbed a date out of the hat and then sat down and really looked. We decided this one would fit us best. We are hoping to get the same room we had on this cruise so that it feels like going home! This trip will be myself (40), DH (42) and DS (14) our other DS (19) has decided that cruising is not his thing (ages are at time of cruising). I have to go back and read this thread as soon as I get a minute. We just got home last night from our double dip so the real world is calling!

[CJLKIM]

Howdy All! We moved our ressie from Nov 07 Eastern and are joining you! I'll try to catch up on all the posts. We even got the same rooms as this year!

So far it will be me 35, DH Jeff 49 (turning 50 on 12/4), DDIL Sheryl 28 and DSIL Mike 39. After kind of a rough trip this year, ressies for DD Heather 12 and DD Haleigh 8 are on hold...we'll see....

[lbgraves]

Welcome to the group Kris & Shelly!

[Wojo]

Hi all!

Shelwoj's DH here. Just wanted to drop a quick note to say hi. :wave2:

The thread for the 11/11/06 Double Dip prepared us well for our first cruise, plus we got to know some great folks. Looking forward to chatting with you guys over the next year, and eventually getting to meet you all on board the magic. :) :thumbsup2 :cool1:

[kimszath]

Hey Lisa--have a MAGICAL trip!!!! Let us know all about it when you get home. Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!
Approaching less than one year to go!!! :cheer2:

[shelwoj]

I just found out that I can use Disney gift cards to pay on our cruise through Dreams unlimited. You don't know how happy that makes me. Our band boosters use a program for fund raising that you buy gift cards and a percentage gets donated to your students band fees. The Disney card donates 7%. Just buying them (a lot of them!) for this cruise will almost pay off his fees for one year! :cool1:

When I told Dave he said it was almost like getting another 7% off the cruise! :love:

[CJLKIM]

I just found out that I can use Disney gift cards to pay on our cruise through Dreams unlimited. You don't know how happy that makes me. Our band boosters use a program for fund raising that you buy gift cards and a percentage gets donated to your students band fees. The Disney card donates 7%. Just buying them (a lot of them!) for this cruise will almost pay off his fees for one year! :cool1:

When I told Dave he said it was almost like getting another 7% off the cruise! :love:

That's great Shelly! I wish we had something like that here!

[CJLKIM]

Hi all!

Shelwoj's DH here. Just wanted to drop a quick note to say hi. :wave2:

The thread for the 11/11/06 Double Dip prepared us well for our first cruise, plus we got to know some great folks. Looking forward to chatting with you guys over the next year, and eventually getting to meet you all on board the magic. :) :thumbsup2 :cool1:

Hey Dave! In all honesty I can't say I can put a face with your name (or Shelly's) but I was a little preoccupied with plans. Were you guys at the DISmeet? Shelly said you guys were in Diversions when me and the bridesmaids cut through on our way to Sessions but I didn't even look. We'll have to make sure we get together this trip!

[shelwoj]

Here's a link to our pictures, maybe you saw us somewhere!

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/dav_woj/album/576460762344578223#page1

[mom+3girls]

365 days from now we will all be getting up and getting ready to board the Magic.
:Pinkbounc :cheer2: :Pinkbounc :cheer2: :Pinkbounc :cheer2:

[Jhalkias]

Hmmmm . . .

Looks like we have a bit of a Buckeye contingent growing here . . .

One WEEK from tonight, we will have our last sleep before boarding the Magic!

Wooooohoooooo!

John

[Hanover]

We are really looking forward to this day next year!

[CJLKIM]

Here's a link to our pictures, maybe you saw us somewhere!

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/dav_woj/album/576460762344578223#page1

Oh Shelly...those are absolutely fantastic! It's making me "homesick"...let the countdown begin!! You had some way cooler towel animals than I did! Ours were cute but yours were great!

Dave looks familiar but I can't tell you if it's because I saw him or maybe some photos of him in Shutters....

Thanks for sharing! I'll see if I can figure out how to upload mine and share them too! Of course, with the wedding we have like 570 of them...I'll have to weed it down!

[GrayFal]

Howdy All! We moved our ressie from Nov 07 Eastern and are joining you! I'll try to catch up on all the posts. We even got the same rooms as this year!

So far it will be me 35, DH Jeff 49 (turning 50 on 12/4), DDIL Sheryl 28 and DSIL Mike 39. After kind of a rough trip this year, ressies for DD Heather 12 and DD Haleigh 8 are on hold...we'll see....Hi all!

Shelwoj's DH here. Just wanted to drop a quick note to say hi. :wave2:

The thread for the 11/11/06 Double Dip prepared us well for our first cruise, plus we got to know some great folks. Looking forward to chatting with you guys over the next year, and eventually getting to meet you all on board the magic. :) :thumbsup2 :cool1:


Hey Guys!!!
Just saw your thread so thought I would say HI!!! :wave2:

I just booked a 3 day leaving 12/6 so we will "be ships that pass in the night" - REALLY!

Have a Magical Time :grouphug:

[CJLKIM]

Hey Guys!!!
Just saw your thread so thought I would say HI!!! :wave2:

I just booked a 3 day leaving 12/6 so we will "be ships that pass in the night" - REALLY!

Have a Magical Time :grouphug:

You know...you'll have to keep us posted on your 2008 plans...it's going to seem strange not having you aboard with us this time....

[GrayFal]

You know...you'll have to keep us posted on your 2008 plans...it's going to seem strange not having you aboard with us this time....
Hmmm...and it is Jeff's 50th B-Day, too.
I wonder what he will eat popcorn:: ?

Thinking about early October 2008 - be fun to see what DCL has in store for us :dance3:

[Wojo]

Thanks for sharing! I'll see if I can figure out how to upload mine and share them too! Of course, with the wedding we have like 570 of them...I'll have to weed it down!

We weeded ours down too for posting on the web. With the underwater pics, we took over 500! :lmao: :)

[CJLKIM]

We weeded ours down too for posting on the web. With the underwater pics, we took over 500! :lmao: :)

okay...I don't feel so bad. I still have the underwater to get developed and I had 576 already done....

[Wojo]

okay...I don't feel so bad. I still have the underwater to get developed and I had 576 already done....

We're going to buy an underwater housing for our digital for next year. Canon sells one for our camera that's good down to 130 feet, for about $160. :thumbsup2

[Wojo]

It's pretty quiet around here, so I figured I'd post some of my favorite pics from our 11/11/06 Double Dip cruise to get everybody's blood stirring. :stir: :teeth:

Sunrise as we're approaching Castaway Cay
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e160/davwoj/IMG_0988.jpg

Me, Shelly, and Kyle (DS13) at Castaway Cay
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e160/davwoj/IMG_1307.jpg

The Magic & The Flying Dutchman
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e160/davwoj/IMG_1312.jpg

The Beach at Castaway Cay
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e160/davwoj/IMG_1313.jpg

My favorite sunrise picture
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e160/davwoj/IMG_0986.jpg

[Wojo]

Hopefully this isn't perceived as me prying into all of your business. Just curious...don't answer if you don't want to. :)

So...did anybody get an amazing deal on their cruise that they'd like to share? :woohoo:

I don't know if this is an amazing deal, but here's what we got. :thumbsup2

We originally booked with Disney while onboard, securing a 10% discount and a $200 room credit. Shelly then obtained a quote from Dreams Unlimited. They allowed us to maintain our 10% discount and room credit, and we picked up an additional $50 bringing our room credit to $250. :thumbsup2

We'll be purchasing Disney gift cards through a school fundraiser (Shelly mentioned this in a previous post), which puts 7% of the amount of the gift cards into our DS's student account to help in paying for his school band fees. We're able to use the gift cards to pay for the cruise, and to stock pile room credit. :thumbsup2

So...anybody else got any stories of cruising fruaglity that they'd like to share? :boat: :hyper2: :)

[CJLKIM]

Hopefully this isn't perceived as me prying into all of your business. Just curious...don't answer if you don't want to. :)

So...did anybody get an amazing deal on their cruise that they'd like to share? :woohoo:

I don't know if this is an amazing deal, but here's what we got. :thumbsup2

We originally booked with Disney while onboard, securing a 10% discount and a $200 room credit. Shelly then obtained a quote from Dreams Unlimited. They allowed us to maintain our 10% discount and room credit, and we picked up an additional $50 bringing our room credit to $250. :thumbsup2

We'll be purchasing Disney gift cards through a school fundraiser (Shelly mentioned this in a previous post), which puts 7% of the amount of the gift cards into our DS's student account to help in paying for his school band fees. We're able to use the gift cards to pay for the cruise, and to stock pile room credit. :thumbsup2

So...anybody else got any stories of cruising fruaglity that they'd like to share? :boat: :hyper2: :)

We got the 10% onboard and $200 room credit and then received an additional $150 room credit by transferring to our AAA agent...considering all the screwups with the onboard ressie....I should be sending Kim money for all she did to fix it instead of them giving me the extra....but I'll sure take it!!!

I told Shelly that I wished we had the gift cards here too. It would be nice to be able to pay for band stuff and then use the cards for the trip. Sounds like a great deal to me!

Gotta look for those deals! Some may call it frugal....I just call it smart...the more you save on the front end...the more money you can spend on the back end without feeling guilty!!!

[missmulan]

welcome everyone who will be joining us! so glad you could join us. next year........

i should check into AAA's rates. i wonder if i could do better!

[kaseyC]

Hi Everyone! We are booked for this Western cruise as well. Please add us to the list. It will be me, DH and our 3 DDs - ages 11, 6 and 4 (at time of sailing). We are looking forward to escaping the wintery weather next December for a relaxing cruise in the Caribbean.

This will be our first 7 night DCL cruise, we have cruised the Wonder twice and have sailed 4, 7 and 10 nights on other cruiselines - NCL, Princess, Celebrity, Carnival and Majesty.

I will post again later, I am going to go back and read the whole thread. :) Looking forward to getting to know you all over the next year.

[Wojo]

Hi Everyone! We are booked for this Western cruise as well. Please add us to the list. It will be me, DH and our 3 DDs - ages 11, 6 and 4 (at time of sailing). We are looking forward to escaping the wintery weather next December for a relaxing cruise in the Caribbean.

This will be our first 7 night DCL cruise, we have cruised the Wonder twice and have sailed 4, 7 and 10 nights on other cruiselines - NCL, Princess, Celebrity, Carnival and Majesty.

I will post again later, I am going to go back and read the whole thread. :) Looking forward to getting to know you all over the next year.

:welcome: :) Welcome to the group! :)

[jlowejd5]

Hmmmm . . .

Looks like we have a bit of a Buckeye contingent growing here . . .

John

Yup. We just got back from a long weekend at WDW. I got "O-H"ed twice, and managed to "O-H" a couple of people myself. Whoo! We'll have one contingent leaving from Columbus and another group coming from Cleveland, so chances are we'll see you on a flight someplace.

Two quick plugs. The California Grill was astounding, and the halibut at the Flying Fish Cafe may have been the best piece of fish I've ever had in my life.

But I am SO looking forward to the cruise next year. We've never done the 7-day, and it seems like every time we get to the ship, we're so tired from four days in the park (or the wedding) that it takes a day or so to recover. It'll be nice to start fresh.

[CJLKIM]

Hi Everyone! We are booked for this Western cruise as well. Please add us to the list. It will be me, DH and our 3 DDs - ages 11, 6 and 4 (at time of sailing). We are looking forward to escaping the wintery weather next December for a relaxing cruise in the Caribbean.

This will be our first 7 night DCL cruise, we have cruised the Wonder twice and have sailed 4, 7 and 10 nights on other cruiselines - NCL, Princess, Celebrity, Carnival and Majesty.

I will post again later, I am going to go back and read the whole thread. :) Looking forward to getting to know you all over the next year.

Welcome! My DDs will be 12 and 8 at sailing (if DH can be convinced to let them come this year). My oldest loves penpals and really enjoyed getting to know some "friends" before sailing last time. Maybe we can hook our girls up.

[CJLKIM]

Okay parents....need your help....

I really would like to take DDs 12 & 8 again but DH is still determined that they will be staying home....our first "family vacation" was quite rough last month but I've tried to explain that it was because it was a "first vacation" but all the wedding plans didn't really help....it wasn't just a vacation. The only other vacation he's had was when just he and I were on the Magic in 2005 so that's all he has to compare it to. I felt like I had three kids....

One of the biggest issues was that the girls wouldn't go to the kids' clubs which meant....no free time for mom to enjoy the adult pool...and her new husband. Before the last trip I tried hooking the girls up with other kids' their age from the DIS but when we got onboard the kids never met up and the 12-year old was so upset about getting ditched that she was glued to my hip all week.

I need to see who all has kids going that we might be able to see about setting penpals up with. If I can show my DH that I'll have some free time for adult activities then I know I'll be able to convince him to let them go...plus, I'd like some adult time too but still have them there in order to share the experience with them....

[lbgraves]

Sorry guys we switched to the 12/8/07 cruise while onboard last week. This was simply because there are several other families we cruised with who can go that week but not the 12/1. The kids made fast friends thru email and had a blast onboard. The adults also enjoyed themselves tremendously. The DD was amazing...as was the entire cruise thanks to the group. I hope that all of you have the same experience on the cruise 12/1/07! :)

We have not cancelled 5520 yet and there will probably be 5522 available as well. If anyone is interested in getting these SPHs pm me and we can work it out where we are on the phone with DCL at the same time so that you can snag it. :)

[mom+3girls]

Okay parents....need your help....

I really would like to take DDs 12 & 8 again but DH is still determined that they will be staying home....our first "family vacation" was quite rough last month but I've tried to explain that it was because it was a "first vacation" but all the wedding plans didn't really help....it wasn't just a vacation. The only other vacation he's had was when just he and I were on the Magic in 2005 so that's all he has to compare it to. I felt like I had three kids....

One of the biggest issues was that the girls wouldn't go to the kids' clubs which meant....no free time for mom to enjoy the adult pool...and her new husband. Before the last trip I tried hooking the girls up with other kids' their age from the DIS but when we got onboard the kids never met up and the 12-year old was so upset about getting ditched that she was glued to my hip all week.

I need to see who all has kids going that we might be able to see about setting penpals up with. If I can show my DH that I'll have some free time for adult activities then I know I'll be able to convince him to let them go...plus, I'd like some adult time too but still have them there in order to share the experience with them....

I have 2 DDs that will be 12 and 14 at the time of the cruise, I have another DD that is 19 that won't be on the cruise. We cruised in 2005 and my one that will be 14 loved the clubs and the little one liked them okay. But she found some friends to hand out with and went to the movies and played in the pool and became a big fan of ping pong.
I would love for them to find someone to hang out with. I am a single mom and would love to have some time alone as well. I love the adult pool.
Let me know if your kids would like to get in touch with my kids and we can get them talking or writing or typing or every how they want to do it.

[shelwoj]

Lisa so sorry to see you leave us but at least you are still going. Have fun with your friends.

[birkner]

Wish you were going on the 12/29/07 cruise as I have a 12 year old GD who is going with us (she will be 13 then) and this will be her 3rd WDW cruise. Seven of us in the party including DH, DD, SIL and her two sibs. She has email and may be willing to correspond anyway.

[loriace]

Haven't posted in a long time, and just thought I'd get this back up to the first page. My dd's will be 10 at the time and really want to meet some girls before the cruise too. And jlowejd5................. O-H (only 8 more day's til the BIG game!)

[missmulan]

Sorry guys we switched to the 12/8/07 cruise while onboard last week. This was simply because there are several other families we cruised with who can go that week but not the 12/1. The kids made fast friends thru email and had a blast onboard. The adults also enjoyed themselves tremendously. The DD was amazing...as was the entire cruise thanks to the group. I hope that all of you have the same experience on the cruise 12/1/07! :)

We have not cancelled 5520 yet and there will probably be 5522 available as well. If anyone is interested in getting these SPHs pm me and we can work it out where we are on the phone with DCL at the same time so that you can snag it. :)

sorry to hear that you will not be on the 12/1/07. will miss you & your family :(

[Jhalkias]

Sorry guys we switched to the 12/8/07 cruise while onboard last week. This was simply because there are several other families we cruised with who can go that week but not the 12/1. The kids made fast friends thru email and had a blast onboard. The adults also enjoyed themselves tremendously. The DD was amazing...as was the entire cruise thanks to the group. I hope that all of you have the same experience on the cruise 12/1/07! :)

We have not cancelled 5520 yet and there will probably be 5522 available as well. If anyone is interested in getting these SPHs pm me and we can work it out where we are on the phone with DCL at the same time so that you can snag it. :)

Yes, 5522 will be available too . . . we are doing the same thing as Lisa and family. If anyone here would like to have SPH 5522 let me know by pm, and I can coordinate my cancellation so that you can get it. If I don't hear from anyone here, I will maybe try posting on the main cruise board so that someone on the DIS can get it if they want it. Too many of the DD group was sailing on 12/8 to pass up being with those friends again! I hope you guys have a GREAT cruise, and take good care of that ship for us for the following week!

John

[Jhalkias]

Sorry guys we switched to the 12/8/07 cruise while onboard last week. This was simply because there are several other families we cruised with who can go that week but not the 12/1. The kids made fast friends thru email and had a blast onboard. The adults also enjoyed themselves tremendously. The DD was amazing...as was the entire cruise thanks to the group. I hope that all of you have the same experience on the cruise 12/1/07! :)

We have not cancelled 5520 yet and there will probably be 5522 available as well. If anyone is interested in getting these SPHs pm me and we can work it out where we are on the phone with DCL at the same time so that you can snag it. :)

Yes, 5522 will be available too . . . we are doing the same thing as Lisa and family. If anyone here would like to have SPH 5522 let me know by pm, and I can coordinate my cancellation so that you can get it. If I don't hear from anyone here, I will maybe try posting on the main cruise board so that someone on the DIS can get it if they want it. Too many of the DD group was sailing on 12/8 to pass up being with those friends again! I hope you guys have a GREAT cruise, and take good care of that ship for us for the following week!

John

[shelwoj]

You guys have fun. :goodvibes

[CJLKIM]

Happy New Year All!!!

I can't believe that's it's 2007 already...only 331 days until we head off to Florida!!:woohoo: (Can you tell my OCPD is starting to kick in now that the holidays are done???)

[WindyCityPoohBear]

My DS Andrew (12) :cool2: and myself will be on this cruise. We cruised on the 11/11/06 double dip with cjsmom97 and re-booked on board; couldn't resist! :yay: We also had the honor of sharing in cjlkim (Kris) and DH Jeff's wedding at sea! What a wonderful day it was! Kris, I hope the girls will be joining you! Andrew & I had such a great time with you all!

[Wojo]

We were on the 11/11 as well. :) Though we didn't meet the majority of the DIS'ers on board, those we did meet made a lasting impression. :goodvibes We're looking forward to getting to know more of you this time around. :)

[CJLKIM]

My DS Andrew (12) :cool2: and myself will be on this cruise. We cruised on the 11/11/06 double dip with cjsmom97 and re-booked on board; couldn't resist! :yay: We also had the honor of sharing in cjlkim (Kris) and DH Jeff's wedding at sea! What a wonderful day it was! Kris, I hope the girls will be joining you! Andrew & I had such a great time with you all!

Sue....so glad to see you finally posted!!!! We sure do miss you guys! Could you send me a PM with your address and etc.? I'm sure you probably sent it to me but I think my email blocked it and I need to get the things from Cozumel out to you and Andrew.

Are you counting down yet? 330 days to go until we should be heading south (if we stick to the same gameplan as we did last year).....:banana:

[kimszath]

Hey everyone! Just checking in... haven't been on the boards in awhile! Was SO sad to hear that Lisa was switching to an Eastern--will REALLY miss seeing her and family again. Maybe we could have coffee in the parking lot??? :rotfl2:

[jlowejd5]

And jlowejd5................. O-H (only 8 more day's til the BIG game!)

Yeah. Well, THAT could have gone better. :sad1: :furious:

Oh, well. Less than a year to the cruise. And we're about six weeks to the four greatest words in the English language: "Pitchers And Catchers Report...".

[shelwoj]

We are cancelling our trip. We got a much better deal for RCCL and are going to give it a try.

[CJLKIM]

We are cancelling our trip. We got a much better deal for RCCL and are going to give it a try.

Sorry to hear that....maybe we'll be able to meet another time. Please let me know how RCCL goes...we're always looking at options for the future.

[mom+3girls]

My DS Andrew (12) :cool2: and myself will be on this cruise. We cruised on the 11/11/06 double dip with cjsmom97 and re-booked on board; couldn't resist! :yay: We also had the honor of sharing in cjlkim (Kris) and DH Jeff's wedding at sea! What a wonderful day it was! Kris, I hope the girls will be joining you! Andrew & I had such a great time with you all!

Hey Windy City Pooh Bear
Did your DS try Ocean Quest when you were on the cruise in Nov?
My DD will be 14 when we cruise in Dec and the way the Disney website reads it is for preteen and young teens, but the age for the Stack is still 13-18. But it also says that the age for Ocean Quest 12-14. Do you know?
I posted on the reqular thread and haven't heard, just thought you might know since you had a child around that age.
thanks

[WindyCityPoohBear]

DS only went a couple times, so I hope I can shed some light for you. On the first day, he received an “invitation” from Ocean Quest, and it says, “Ocean Quest is our newest Youth Activities space on the Disney Magic created for our guests between the ages 10-14. This is the perfect place to chill as you play video games, create arts & crafts, watch a movie on our plasma screen or navigate your way on the Disney Magic simulator”. They then listed the times that Ocean Quest would be open, so it’s not available all hours of the day. Seems like a couple hours in the afternoon, then open again after dinner through midnight; sea days they were open a bit in the morning. For example, on Monday, our day at sea, the invitation lists the times for Monday as 9am-Noon-Open House; 3PM-7PM 10-14’s only; 8:30PM-10PM Open House; and 10PM-Midnight 10-14’s only. Not sure what Open House meant; open to all ages, open to parents to visit?? There are planned events for the 10-14 group listed on the invite, like a scavenger hunt, pajama movie night and pizza pool party night. He did the pizza pool party and had a great time.

So on Monday when I did Palo’s for brunch, and then wine tasting (which was fun, you must try it!), DS, in the 10-12 age group, did the organized activities during that time in the Stack, and an animation project in AP, because Ocean Quest wasn’t open then. The Navigator that day listed separate activities for Teens, also at the Stack, during that time. My DS is very vocal if he dislikes something, but I didn’t get any complaints from that day. He did visit Ocean Quest twice in the evening and did like the relaxed atmosphere.

Hope that helps! :)

[mom+3girls]

DS only went a couple times, so I hope I can shed some light for you. On the first day, he received an “invitation” from Ocean Quest, and it says, “Ocean Quest is our newest Youth Activities space on the Disney Magic created for our guests between the ages 10-14. This is the perfect place to chill as you play video games, create arts & crafts, watch a movie on our plasma screen or navigate your way on the Disney Magic simulator”. They then listed the times that Ocean Quest would be open, so it’s not available all hours of the day. Seems like a couple hours in the afternoon, then open again after dinner through midnight; sea days they were open a bit in the morning. For example, on Monday, our day at sea, the invitation lists the times for Monday as 9am-Noon-Open House; 3PM-7PM 10-14’s only; 8:30PM-10PM Open House; and 10PM-Midnight 10-14’s only. Not sure what Open House meant; open to all ages, open to parents to visit?? There are planned events for the 10-14 group listed on the invite, like a scavenger hunt, pajama movie night and pizza pool party night. He did the pizza pool party and had a great time.

So on Monday when I did Palo’s for brunch, and then wine tasting (which was fun, you must try it!), DS, in the 10-12 age group, did the organized activities during that time in the Stack, and an animation project in AP, because Ocean Quest wasn’t open then. The Navigator that day listed separate activities for Teens, also at the Stack, during that time. My DS is very vocal if he dislikes something, but I didn’t get any complaints from that day. He did visit Ocean Quest twice in the evening and did like the relaxed atmosphere.

Hope that helps! :)

thanks for the info, I couldn't find much about it at all.

[CJLKIM]

Just popping in to say hi and bumping us up a bit...

Been hectic here. I had surgery last week so I'm just stuck here at home recuperating. Won't be back to work until at least March 1st....we'll see what this 7-wk break does to our vacation plans this winter....

Hope everyone is doing well! How are everyone's plans coming???

[mom+3girls]

Just popping in to say hi and bumping us up a bit...

Been hectic here. I had surgery last week so I'm just stuck here at home recuperating. Won't be back to work until at least March 1st....we'll see what this 7-wk break does to our vacation plans this winter....

Hope everyone is doing well! How are everyone's plans coming???

Kris,
Hope you feel better soon and that this doesn't stop you from cruising with us.:grouphug: and lots of pixie dust.
Planning is going good, DDs are in full cruise savings mode.
Take care of yourself.

[Popovich]

Kris,

Hope you're feeling better. Sending lots of pixie dust your way :wizard: :wizard:

I haven't been checking in lately. I started a new job a few months ago and so I've been playing catch up at home ever since. I hope to be a more frequent visitor.

It will be DH (42), me (41), DD (10) and DS (8). It will be our 3rd Disney cruise. I can't wait!:yay:

Have a great week everyone!:)

[CJLKIM]

Kris,

Hope you're feeling better. Sending lots of pixie dust your way :wizard: :wizard:

I haven't been checking in lately. I started a new job a few months ago and so I've been playing catch up at home ever since. I hope to be a more frequent visitor.

It will be DH (42), me (41), DD (10) and DS (8). It will be our 3rd Disney cruise. I can't wait!:yay:

Have a great week everyone!:)

Yeah! It looks like we're going to go ahead and bring the girls. They weren't with us in 2005 so you haven't met them. My step-daughter and son-in-law went with us last year for the wedding and loved it so they rebooked. Since they weren't with us in 2005 either that'll be someone new for you to meet this time around.

I've been mulling the whole DVC thing again...we've never made it to any of the presentation stuff but I just might this year....and I haven't forgotten that it was you who first mentioned it to us on the 2005 cruise so we'll make sure to give you credit if we do join.....

Maybe we can do Palo brunch again? Jeanna will be onboard so I'm sure we can get a group of us together......

[mom+3girls]

Hey Everyone

I am so excited, we are down to 9 and 1/2 months until the cruise.

We tossed around changing to Sept, because one of my DD is trying out for basketball sometime in Nov or Dec. I said well we might want to change because you might have practice, she said well if I make the team they will just have to let me off for a week. I don't think she realizes that she may get the rest of the season off.
Then my other DD says I am trying out for the flag corp and I can't go in Sept because I will have to be at the football games and I won't be able to miss to Friday night football games.
Well I am staying put we will be crusing with you all on Dec 1.
Basketball, football, oh my!!!!!!

[Gerweniel]

Greetings everyone.
My 2 DS and I will be joining you all on the 12/1/2007 sailing of the Magic!
We are very excited, and kinda nervous as we are first time cruisers as well. I am looking forward to getting some tips and advice from you all!
Counting down!

[Popovich]

Welcome to the group Jill :flower3: December is a great time to cruise. The decorations are beautiful and the weather should be great!!

Kim- I hope you're recovering well from your surgery :wizard: :wizard: :wizard: . Don't try to do too much too soon. I'm glad the girls are coming on this cruise. Nicole will be 10 and looking for pen pals!:)

I'd love to do Palo Brunch as a dis-group. It was so much fun last year meeting everyone and the food was fantastic!! Just thinking of it is making me drool!!

I have to give thought to doing new door signs and pirate costumes! ONLY 9 more months!!:cool1:

Have a great week everyone!!

[CJLKIM]

Greetings everyone.
My 2 DS and I will be joining you all on the 12/1/2007 sailing of the Magic!
We are very excited, and kinda nervous as we are first time cruisers as well. I am looking forward to getting some tips and advice from you all!
Counting down!

Welcome Jill and boys....can't wait to get to meet you!

[CJLKIM]

Welcome to the group Jill :flower3: December is a great time to cruise. The decorations are beautiful and the weather should be great!!

Kim- I hope you're recovering well from your surgery :wizard: :wizard: :wizard: . Don't try to do too much too soon. I'm glad the girls are coming on this cruise. Nicole will be 10 and looking for pen pals!:)

I'd love to do Palo Brunch as a dis-group. It was so much fun last year meeting everyone and the food was fantastic!! Just thinking of it is making me drool!!

I have to give thought to doing new door signs and pirate costumes! ONLY 9 more months!!:cool1:

Have a great week everyone!!


Heather would love to be penpals with Nicole. She was talking about it earlier tonight. Now that we are planning on them going she's getting rather determined to have friends before she gets onboard.

Only 9 months...oh my:sad2: ....so little time....I have planning to do.....

[Gerweniel]

Thanks for the welcome to the group! I'm sure we'll get to know you all a bit more as the cruise draws closer. There is just an overwhelming feeling I am getting with all the information out there to prepare for the day!

Jill

[mom+3girls]

Thanks for the welcome to the group! I'm sure we'll get to know you all a bit more as the cruise draws closer. There is just an overwhelming feeling I am getting with all the information out there to prepare for the day!

Jill



Cool Beans, I am traveling with my 2 DDs they will 12 and 14 when we cruise.

[Gerweniel]

Hey gang -
The boys and I were just looking at the shore excursions for Grand Cayman. Anyone been there before? DS14 wants to go on the Atlantis submarine :scared1: and the other thinks a trip to Hell is a must do. :eek: .(he just wants a shirt that says he's been to Hell) I am not planning on too many shore excursions, and wondering if it is possible to do both while we are there. I don't want this to end up being a big issue as the boys bicker constantly already - also, the Atlantis is really expensive. Any words of advice?

Then, on to Cozumel. I'm curious if anyone has had experience with the jeep tour. I'd like to visit the ruins.
Hope everyone is well!

[kimszath]

Hey everybody! I hadn't been on in awhile... realized the DIS boards had stopped sending me messages from this board since I hadn't been here lately! I'm starting to actually think about excursions... Last time we cruised, we did the Eastern, so this will be all new for us. I was born in Key West, and though hubby and I have been to Key West plenty, my almost-8-y.o. son has never been (shows you how long it's been since I went down there, and I LIVE in FL!) I need to start reading all over again! I remember how fast the months went by last time, so I don't want to leave it on the back burner for too long. I promise to be a little more active here!!! We're less than 9 months away now... it's starting to feel REAL!!!:cool1:

[mom+3girls]

Hey gang -
The boys and I were just looking at the shore excursions for Grand Cayman. Anyone been there before? DS14 wants to go on the Atlantis submarine :scared1: and the other thinks a trip to Hell is a must do. :eek: .(he just wants a shirt that says he's been to Hell) I am not planning on too many shore excursions, and wondering if it is possible to do both while we are there. I don't want this to end up being a big issue as the boys bicker constantly already - also, the Atlantis is really expensive. Any words of advice?

Then, on to Cozumel. I'm curious if anyone has had experience with the jeep tour. I'd like to visit the ruins.
Hope everyone is well!

I think they have Atlantis in Cozumel, maybe you can do Hell on Grand Cayman, I promise you it is nothing, it is some rock formations a post office and a little gift shop. You could take a taxi there and back and it should not cost you very much. The cab would probably wait on you, it won't take you 5 minutes to see hell and buy a t=shirt and then do Atlantis in Cozumel.
When my girls and I cruised in 2005 we did the island tour went to hell and the turtle farm. My oldest daughter bought a t-shirt and I bought a bumper sticker (my boss collects them:confused3 ) the sticker said I went to hell and back to get you this bumper sticker the t-shirt said something like that as well. We did not do Atlantis, something about being in a very small enclosed place underwater just doesn't appeal to me.

[Popovich]

Welcome Jill-I'm sure you and your boys will have a great time. I also think it would be easy to do both excursions. Hell really does take 15 min max. We did the Western last year-our kids were 7 & 8. The loved the turtle farm and swimming with the sting rays at Grand Cayman was a big hit with all of us.

I just haven't gotten in vacation mode yet. I don't know what's wrong with me. The last two years I've been an avid poster. I have to get with it!!

I think I'd like to see the ruins, but I also hear Paradise Beach is nice in Cozemel.

I think I need to be more active!

Have a great weekend!:)

[kimszath]

Hey everybody!!! Only 8 more months til we GO!!!!!!! :cool1: Oh I am SO ready. Hope you all had a great March. I'm trying to think of some great April Fools Day jokes for tomorrow. Anybody got any?

[CraftyMouse]

First, let me introduce myself. I am Craftymouse (Michele) and we will also be on the 12/1/07 sailing. We are actually doing a back-to-back with the 11/24 Eastern! It will be me, DH, DD14 and DS12.

Then, on to Cozumel. I'm curious if anyone has had experience with the jeep tour. I'd like to visit the ruins.
Hope everyone is well!

We have not done the Jeep tour but we did visit Tulum on our last Western. We really enjoyed the day but keep in mind that it is a very long and very hot trip to the ruins and back.

This time we will be heading to Paradise Beach for the day.
http://www.paradise-beach-cozumel.com/

As for Grand Cayman, I can HIGHLY recommend Captain Marvin's Stingray City tours. It was the highlight of our last Western and easily the best excursion we have ever done.

We can't wait to meet everyone!

[Popovich]

Well, we just came back from 10 glorious days in WDW and I'm in full vacation mode! I can't wait for my next Dis fix :wizard: . I think I'm addicted!!! We had nice warm weather for the most part and came home today to cold and snow on the ground.

We went for spring break with a group of 15 family and friends. The kids had a blast because they had cousins and friends to keep them occupied-and the parents were happy because their kids weren't fighting with their siblings!

Our flight arrived home at 6:00 pm and we had our travel companions over for margaritas and pizza. Everyone just left. I'm already having vacation withdrawal!

I'm really looking forward to our cruise :banana: . I found pirate tatoos at the party store. I think the kids will have fun with them. I also need to start thinking about excursions and finding pin pals for DD9 and DS 8. Our pin pals really made our last two DCL trips so much more memorable!

Well, all for now!

[jlowejd5]

Nothing much doing. Just bumping us off of page four. BTW, we just broke 220 days...

[missmulan]

bumping! finally took my kids to get their passports for this trip. woo-hoo!

[Hanover]

We received our passports yesterday...10 weeks and 3 days after applying. It feels good to have them in our hands. We are dong the 11 day DCL Mediterranean cruise 7/7/07 so we were beginning to get a bit worried that they hadn't come in our "6-8 week" window the post office told us. They were not entered in the Department of State computer system's "checking the status of your application" until about 8 weeks after applying and only said to expect them with in 10 weeks of applying.

[Gerweniel]

Hello again all!
Hanover - thank you so much for your info on the passports. You answered some questions I had completely. We applied at a post office 3/17/07 and are still waiting. I've been checking online and have not seen a thing in the status section so I was getting a bit worried that they were lost or something. Now, I know not to expect our status to be updated.

Hi there Craftymouse! Can you please tell me a bit about the Grand Cayman Capt Marvins excursion you are so thrilled with? We have plenty of time to plan, but it was an excursion I had not considered.

Check back in with you all soon!

Jill and the boys
Ian 14
Devin 12

[mom+3girls]

I applied for mine and the girls passports March 14, the check cleared my account mid-April. I still do not have the passports.
Thanks for the info, I was getting worried, but maybe they will come in the next couple of weeks.

I think I read somewhere over the weekend that children don't have to have passports until later than the end of this year. Has anyone heard or read this anywhere?

[Gerweniel]

My sons are at school and I just had to tell someone.....I bought our airline tickets for the cruise this morning!! YIPPIE! :yay:
I booked AirTran and have been watching the fares and hearing rumors of them increasing. I've never flown AirTran before, but flights are nonstop out of a smaller, closer airport and will save me tons on airport parking. The only curious thing is I had to pay $5.00 per seat to reserve our seats which kinda stinks but I am such a nervous Nelly that I wanted them confirmed in advance. Well, the deed is done, now I have to work, work, work to pay off everything else.

I received the passports for my 14 year old and myself 10 weeks and 6 days after applying for them....My 12 year old's is hung up because they need a "certified" copy of my custody paper. (I sent them the original from my attorney). Anyway, now I have to get the certified one from another county clerks office, and I drove there to find out my paperwork is in microfische and the only person who can access it was on vacation etc, etc, etc.....:confused3
I love living in small towns, but I am so used to instant information retrieval, this whole situation is archaic.
Hopefully, I'll get that certified copy this week and send it back to the Passport agency so they can complete his passport.

Anyway, we are all getting more and more excited each day for our first cruise. Hope everyone's plans are coming together!
Jill

[kimszath]

Hi Everyone! Wow... now we're getting close! Since last time I was on, I booked another Disney cruise--the double-dip on the Wonder from June 6-12, 2008. Same cabin, too---the Secret Porthole Room 5020!!! Should be fun. We love Castaway Cay. Would love to see more details on Captain Marvin's at Grand Cayman--sound like something we might want to do. And how long is the Tulum excursion? Will we have time to do anything else? I would think that it woulnd't be a bad thing to do in December.:cool1:

[Hanover]

We received our Welcome Back letter and excursion guide book today for our 12/1/07 cruise.

We just got off our Mediterranean Magic cruise on 7/18/07 and were feeling the post DCL blues so it was nice to get it.

[JustLorri]

Hi everyone, do you have room for one more?

Three weeks ago, my in-laws called and invited us on a cruise to Quebec in November. Dh and I talked it over and decided no, but I said off-handedly, if it were a Disney Cruise, we'd go. The next thing I know, we find out it's not about the cruise, but all about spending more time with our dc, who the in-laws never see...and yes, a Disney Cruise would be lovely!

So here we go!:wizard:

Besides my in-laws, there'll be my single 40-something BIL, dh and me and we'll have a son who'll be 9, and daughter who'll be less than a month from turning 7 and a toddler (boy) who will be 2. The toddler is throwing a wrench into all the planning since besides Flounders, there is nothing for him to do and not very many excursions he can go on. But my FIL is in poor health and will most likely stay on board most of the time, so maybe we'll all do the same.

Our rooms are 6049 and 6051. We went for an inside room to hopefully help with dd's motion sickness. Plus, at this late date, we're lucky to have gotten rooms close together. :woohoo:

So I heard that the ship will already be decorated for Christmas? Wow, I'm not sure it can get better than this!

[JustLorri]

Anybody?

oh well

[mom+3girls]

Hi everyone, do you have room for one more?

Three weeks ago, my in-laws called and invited us on a cruise to Quebec in November. Dh and I talked it over and decided no, but I said off-handedly, if it were a Disney Cruise, we'd go. The next thing I know, we find out it's not about the cruise, but all about spending more time with our dc, who the in-laws never see...and yes, a Disney Cruise would be lovely!

So here we go!:wizard:

Besides my in-laws, there'll be my single 40-something BIL, dh and me and we'll have a son who'll be 9, and daughter who'll be less than a month from turning 7 and a toddler (boy) who will be 2. The toddler is throwing a wrench into all the planning since besides Flounders, there is nothing for him to do and not very many excursions he can go on. But my FIL is in poor health and will most likely stay on board most of the time, so maybe we'll all do the same.

Our rooms are 6049 and 6051. We went for an inside room to hopefully help with dd's motion sickness. Plus, at this late date, we're lucky to have gotten rooms close together. :woohoo:

So I heard that the ship will already be decorated for Christmas? Wow, I'm not sure it can get better than this!

JustLorri
Welcome aboard!!!!!
I am really excited about the ship being decorated for Christmas.
We don't have that long to wait until the cruise.:banana:

[kimszath]

Hey everybody! Okay, NOW I feel like we're getting ready to go on a cruise!!! Hope you're all well... we transferred our ressies over the weekend from Disney to a TA. Very happy--got a nice credit/discount for our trouble. :thumbsup2 Now I feel like we're actually going!!! So does anybody have their excursions worked out? I"m just getting ready to sit down and make some decisions... gotta go to the threads that talk about Western excursions, and see what we want to do.

Chat with you all SOON!!! :woohoo:

[Hanover]

I think we will probably do excursions on our own in the ports. We were on the 11 day DCL Med Cruise in July and did half DCL excursions/half on our own. We really saved a ton of $$ and saw so much more by doing them on our own. DH and I have been to Key West and Cozumel before and have done the trolley tour and dolphin swim at Chankanaab. We will most likely take our boys on the trolley tour and possibly go to the beach in Key West. In Cozumel we will probably take a taxi to a beach or Chankanaab to swim/snorkel. We thought of doing the dolphin swim with ds6 and ds10, but don't know for sure yet. In Grand Cayman, we will probably also go to the beach and might do the pirate adventure excursion. It will be really cold at home so we want to spend as much time outside and on the beach as possible.

I'm sure the next 4 months will fly by. We did the 3 day Wonder last year in early December and the ship was decorated beautifully. We loved the tree lighting the first night and seeing it in the atrium. They had a wonderful hand made gingerbread house on deck 3 right under the stairway leading to Shutters. It smelled so good and had lots of cute little characters hidden in the windows. I'm sure the Magic will also have the same. Castaway Cay was also decorated nicely with lots of Christmas touches. We took pictures for our picture Christmas cards of the boys on the beach with their Mickey Santa ears.

We are heading to WDW on 11/28. On the 29th we are doing MVMCP and park hopping on the 30th. We are staying at Saratoga Springs for the first time. We bought into DVC on the Med Cruise at Animal Kingdom Villas. We are really excited!

[mom+3girls]

Hi everyone, do you have room for one more?

Three weeks ago, my in-laws called and invited us on a cruise to Quebec in November. Dh and I talked it over and decided no, but I said off-handedly, if it were a Disney Cruise, we'd go. The next thing I know, we find out it's not about the cruise, but all about spending more time with our dc, who the in-laws never see...and yes, a Disney Cruise would be lovely!

So here we go!:wizard:

Besides my in-laws, there'll be my single 40-something BIL, dh and me and we'll have a son who'll be 9, and daughter who'll be less than a month from turning 7 and a toddler (boy) who will be 2. The toddler is throwing a wrench into all the planning since besides Flounders, there is nothing for him to do and not very many excursions he can go on. But my FIL is in poor health and will most likely stay on board most of the time, so maybe we'll all do the same.

Our rooms are 6049 and 6051. We went for an inside room to hopefully help with dd's motion sickness. Plus, at this late date, we're lucky to have gotten rooms close together. :woohoo:

So I heard that the ship will already be decorated for Christmas? Wow, I'm not sure it can get better than this!


Hey JustLorri,
I just realized you will be right down the hall from me.
vickie

[Gerweniel]

Greetings fellow cruisers! I am a complete newbie to DCL and we are so excited about it! I want my sons to have a great time and not feel obligated to hang out with me and I am hoping to be able to have a brunch at Palo. Is it uncommon to dine there alone? Any other single parents out there that perhaps want to brunch together? I don't mean to make it a singles thing, but just a nice way to meet and enjoy some adult time.
Just a thought!
Counting down the days.

[mom+3girls]

I had to change my plans, I will be going the Wonder Dec 2.
Hope you all have a nice cruise and maybe I will see you all on another cruise.

[lbgraves]

I officially cancelled yesterday so 5520 is back in play for anyone who can snag it. :)

[wilsonxander]

We will be on the Western cruise December 1 and we are SO looking forward to it! I am traveling with my husband, two boys (5 years and 1 1/2 year), my mom, my sister, and her son (7 years). I've been planning this for such a long time...any suggestions those of you that have already done this have to offer? Thanks!

Laurie

[wilsonxander]

I noticed that several people will be traveling as singles on this cruise...just thought I'd mention that my sister will be, as well. She's a little nervous about it and I want her to have a good time! I think I'll tell her there will be other "soloists!"

[tampaguys]

My partner and I will be there...in fact, we just booked all our excursions and Palo dining yesterday, so it feels real now!

This will be our 2nd Disney cruise, first time on the Magic.

Plus, it will be my 40th birthday on the first night, so bring presents! (Make sure you print in large letters on the card...my eyesight is going.)

P.S.: If there are any 30-to-40-something singles or couples who want to link up for dining, send us a private message! We were lucky to have great dining partners on our last cruise, and hope we can have the same this time.

[kimszath]

Hi Everyone!!! SO excited!!! :cool1: Got the call late yesterday from my TA, reminding me that they're charging the balance of my cruise yesterday, and that the 90-days prior for booking Palo and excursions is this Sunday--3 a.m. Eastern time. Is anybody else going to be up???? :surfweb:

Silly me... as much as I like to plan things in advance, I have NOT planned. :scared1: I don't even now which night to book Palo... has anbody else made their plans yet? I've got to sit down today and tomorrow and write it all out.... gotta figure out what time we're in port on which days. And let's see... don't want Palo on any of the first three nights (because we don't want to miss the show at Animator's Pallete) and don't want to miss the Pirates party... don't want to have to run back to the ship from shore excursions, either. UGH. Why did I wait until the last minute???? I guess that last minute would REALLY be calling on Sunday morning and not having a plan, though, right? :sad2:

:banana: :banana: :banana: HOORAY!!!!!! :banana: :banana: :banana:

[kimszath]

I just saw in the regular forum that they now accept ressies beginning at midnight Eastern time... anybody else hear about that? Okay, I've now got three fewer hours to figure this out... :confused3

[Hanover]

I just saw in the regular forum that they now accept ressies beginning at midnight Eastern time... anybody else hear about that? Okay, I've now got three fewer hours to figure this out... :confused3

Yes, it sure was nice to be able to book at 12:00 AM and not 3:00 AM. I had to set the alarm to get up at 3AM on Easter Sunday to make reservations for our 7/7 Med cruise. The kids were sleeping light because of Easter bunny anticipation and I was so afraid they'd get up and be up the rest of the night (luckily they didn't).

We didn't book any excursions, but I did get Palo for dinner (Key West night), brunch (last sea day) and high tea (formal night). We figure we are going to do the trolley tour on our own in Key West. In Cozumel and Grand Cayman we are most likely going to take taxis to a beach and snorkel/let the kids play. It will be so nice to have sunny warm days on vacation while it will be freezing at home. We've done the dolphin excursion in Chankanaab and liked the beach there so we may go there. I'm going to speak with my ds6's school librarian to see where her daughter suggests we go in Grand Cayman. Her daughter has lived there for several years now.

[kimszath]

That sounds great!!! I did get everything I wanted (with the exception of the CC Island Cruise, which was not even listed... even before they allowed booking... guessing it's gone?):confused3

I did get the Palo Brunch (Monday) and Palo Dinner (Thursday) when I wanted them, did no excursions in Key West (was born there--we can walk everywhere I want to go, or maybe call a taxi to go to Margaritaville!), added these excursions: Pirate Encounter in Grand Cayman, Tulum Ruins in Coz, and the Stingray Adventure in Castaway Cay. My DS (8) wants to go parasailing, but I think we'll wait on that until we do the double-dip in June!!! Hubby did the deep-sea fishing last time... isn't doing it again this year. Well... now it's real! Can't WAIT!!!!!:woohoo:

[WDWLODGE]

Hello Everyone,

I have been lurking around this post for quite a while. We will be joining you on the Dec. 1st Western. We plan on renting an electric car in Key West, we are doing the Palo Brunch on Monday, we decided on the Pirate Adventure in Grand Cayman, Dolphin Discovery in Cozumel, and The Stingray Adventure on Castaway Cay. We decided not to do the Palo Dinner this time. Any other Steeler Fans on board? I'm hoping to catch the game agaist the Begals on Key West night.

[kimszath]

Hi Bill! Looks like we'll be bumping into each other a few times! We have the 10:30 seating for Brunch on Monday at Palo, the 10:15 Pirate Encounter, and the 2 pm Stingray Adventure on Castaway Cay (wanted to leave time up front for the Island Tour, in case that comes back).

My son is 8--will be spending more time inthe Kids' Club this time than last--he wanted to be with his grandma most of the last cruise, and that was fine. He's a bit more independent this time around! I had almost forgotten that requried registrsation, though I don't think it's a big deal if they're not registered before embarkation. I don't think he was pre-registered last time... can't remember...

[WDWLODGE]

Hi Kim,

We also have our Palo brunch at 10:30, but we have the 1st Pirate Encounter (8:15AM) and we have the 1PM Stingray Encounter.

[missmulan]

where can i find what nights are the best for Palos?

[missmulan]

nevermind, i did a little searching and decided tuesday night works well.

we are excited! :cool1:

[Gerweniel]

Hello all!
How are everyone's plans going? We are getting super excited for the cruise and we're having some fun figuring out what excursions to do. I've been going nuts watching DCL videos on Youtube and reading as much as I can.

My sons want to be surprised and don't like me telling them things to expect!
I really hope they enjoy the Stack because I want to give them freedom to roam and have some responsibility. My sons are 13 and 14 (will be celebrating 15th b'day on the ship) and if anyone reading has teens around that age that may want to correspond with them prior to the cruise please let me know!

One thing I am having problems with is their formal clothes. I had bought them jackets and slacks for a late June wedding and already they have grown out of them! :sad1: I'll have to get them better fitting jackets closer to the cruise. I don't think I'm going to buy them complete suits because they'll be too small in 3 months. The formal nights I want to be special and to look great, but I just can't do tuxes and suits.

Well, I'm just Disney dreaming! Take care!
Jill

[Hanover]

I've purchased tuxedos for formal night off of eBay 3 times for ds10 and ds6. They were cheaper to buy brand new (including the shipping) on eBay than buying one sports coat in a local department store. I also bought them suits from the same seller for about $25/35 each. My boys have also been growing like crazy lately and I doubt very much the tuxedos and suits that I bought for our July Med cruise still fit them. I may just do button down dress shirts, slacks and a sweater vest for ds6. For ds10, probably just a button down shirt, tie and pants. He's outgrown the blazers I've bought him in 2 months this year and I'm not getting him a new one just to wear for one night. The casual nights they just wear polos and khakis/dress pants.

I picked Key West for our Palo night. I didn't want to go on any of the main show nights or pirate's night.

[Gerweniel]

I've purchased tuxedos for formal night off of eBay 3 times for ds10 and ds6. They were cheaper to buy brand new (including the shipping) on eBay than buying one sports coat in a local department store.

SUPER IDEA!!!! Thanks!
I checked out some Tux sellers on Ebay and think I can get a fairly good package deal. There is a particularly nice tux with tails that I'd love my 14 yo to wear as he's 6' and would look dapper, but he is SO scoffing at that idea. :rotfl: Now I've just got to figure out how to measure them properly for the tuxes as each time I bring them to try on jackets at stores the size fluctuates 2 inches or so :confused3

Today is the 75 day mark for me and I was up at midnight and tried to log on, but couldn't. :sad2: I kept trying until about 12:20am and gave up as I was nodding off. When I awoke this morning, I was able to get an early Palo dinner on the last night. No brunches or teas available, so I'll try when we embark. I booked the Fury Catamaran in CZM and for CC I booked the boys the teen Wildside and a banana boat ride for the 3 of us! Can't wait!

[Hanover]

The sizing is pretty tricky with the tuxedos. I did measure my boys before ordering, but had to send back a size 10 and get a size 12 for ds10. Yet the suit from the same seller was perfect in a size 10. The tuxes my boys had were the ones with tails and the sleeves ran shorter than the store sizes we are used to buying.

I could not get my parents added on to our brunch or high tea Palo reservations last week. I'm going to add them when we embark. I did manage to get them a table for 2 at dinner the same night/time and will link those together to get a 4 person table. They are CC members but didn't pay off their balance until last week because they were thinking of cancelling this time around (they've been on 3 with us). My FIL did cancel out due to work commitments so room 6550 will be open for grabs.

I'm not sure if you've done the banana boats before, but if you haven't bring goggles/sunglasses with a string attached (so you won't lose them) so the salt water spray will be kept out of your eyes.

[kimszath]

Wow... thanks for the reminder!!! I had totally forgotten that my kiddo will at least need a jacket and a button-down shirt (not doing tuxes--my hubby won't wear one, so might as well not torture my DS8). I'm probably going to wait until the last minute to buy my gown. I started a kickboxing class last week to help me tone up a little, and have been warned that what I'm wearing likely won't fit in 3 months... woohoo!!! I love formalwear. Darn shame I live with someone so uncooperative... Oh, well. I did get a picture with Goofy in a tux last cruise, so there WILL be at least one hunky guy in a penguin suit to snuggle up to!!! :rotfl2:

Ladies--where are you shopping??? For yourselves, I mean? I bought a beautiful "little black dress" in a boutique about three years ago... I've got some killer heels to go with it. I'll need a new evening gown, though. Something I learned on my last cruise: If you're wearing new shoes, especially heels, be careful walking in Parrot Cay. I watched two ladies fall and bust their butts on a very shiny DRY floor in there. (Happened right after I slipped, but managed to keep my balance!) They do such a great job on those shiny floors!!!:goodvibes

[Gerweniel]

For formal night, I am going to wear a simple black dress and silk shawl that I wore for a summer wedding. Buying a gown as much as I'd like to would be totally impractical, but I am looking on Ebay in case any amazing bargains should come my way.
My sister is a boutique shopper and a yearly cruiser. She has mentioned she has some formal wear I could borrow if anything fits/suits me.
I am more concerned about the footwear. I don't wear heels often and I bought a nice pair heeled sandals for the wedding - what a mistake. They were so uncomfortable I had to walk barefoot all the way through Seaport Village in San Diego in my wedding outfit! :rotfl:

I'm definately on the look out for some more comfortable heels.

Thanks for the advice on the goggles for the banana boats - it's something I would not have thought of!

Kimszath - good luck on the kickboxing! I have heard it is one heck of a workout. I'm on full diet/exercise mode myself.

[CraftyMouse]

For formal night, I am going to wear a simple black dress and silk shawl that I wore for a summer wedding. Buying a gown as much as I'd like to would be totally impractical, but I am looking on Ebay in case any amazing bargains should come my way.
My sister is a boutique shopper and a yearly cruiser. She has mentioned she has some formal wear I could borrow if anything fits/suits me.
I am more concerned about the footwear. I don't wear heels often and I bought a nice pair heeled sandals for the wedding - what a mistake. They were so uncomfortable I had to walk barefoot all the way through Seaport Village in San Diego in my wedding outfit! :rotfl:

I'm definately on the look out for some more comfortable heels.

Hi Everybody!

We're sailing with you guys too. I"ll introduce us in my next post but I just wanted to answer Gerweniel's post first.

Try Chadwick's website (www.chadwicks.com). I got my long gown there for only $48 and it is beautiful. It is black with classic, yet very simple, lines. I love it! I also just found some black heels at Famous Footwear on their sale rack for $20 and they are the most comfortable heels I"ve ever worn. So...for $68 I'm all set!

I noticed your post about having your kids email with others on the sailing and I sent you a PM.

Okay...on to introductions...

[CraftyMouse]

Okay...here we go...

We will be on the 12/1 Western too! There are myself (43), DH (42), DD15 and DS12. We will be sailing with another family with a DD15 and with my dad and my father-in-law...so there are 9 of us!

We've done an Eastern and a Western before and the 12/1 sailing will be the first week of our back-to-back Western/Eastern cruises.

So hello and let's hope the days until we sail fly by!

[jlowejd5]

Anybody know how many Palo tables they hold back? We've done several cruises (all the short ones) and we've never booked anything (Palo or excursions) ahead of time. We had the whole group (there's 6 of us) together this weekend and finalized our plans, and when I go to book stuff, there's pretty much nothing left at Palo and one of our excursions isn't even listed. The website wouldn't even let me search for a 6-top at Palo.

Oh, well. I guess we'll leave it to the pair of us who are arriving first to go book us a table. I'd like to have a sea day, but pretty much anything we get (as long as it's not the first night at AP) is fine by me.

Also, did anybody else happen to book the "Stingray City Observatory & Island Tour" at Grand Cayman? It's the one we really want to do, and I don't see it listed. We're going to just wander Key West, and we're doing Tulum at Cozumel (and NOTHING at CC, as usual).

Anyway, what are we now, 72 days out?

Whoot!!

[Gerweniel]

Hi CraftyMouse - I sent you a PM! My sons are looking forward emailing your kids! I'll definately check out Chadwicks. Thanks for the tips!

jlowejd5 - On Grand Cayman are you looking for the Island Tour and Snorkeling with Stingrays? I am still showing that available at least for my party of 3.

I've read a lot on the boards about the Palo table reserves and the percentage seems to vary, but hopefully you can get the time/dates you want with your party. I am hoping to get brunch and or tea when we embark.

With all the tips and suggestions I've been reading, I am thinking we'll be traveling with 6 large suitcases:eek: Have to whittle this down a bit...

One thing I know for sure is I am going to the Kino Sandal factory in Key West. I used to live in South Fla and would go to Key West several times a year. They have the BEST well made casual sandals on on the planet and are incredibly inexpensive.

[cathicool]

hi!
we are a family of 5, inconnecting cat 5's- 7600 and 7602.

me- Cathi (37) and DH- Jeff (36), DD - Alassia 7.5, DS- Zachary 5.5, DD- Victoria 3yrs and 2 mos- better be potty trained by then!!!!!!

we are excited about the western since we have never been to any of the ports of call before (except CC of course).

we are trying to decide if we should fly the day before or fly the morning of the cruise. we live in NY (long island) and have always flown the morning of the cruise. but for some reason i am worried it may snow and i don't want to "miss the ship"!

[rgroves]

Hey, I cannot believe I forgot to post in here. DW and I are booked on the 12-1-07 Magic as well. We've been booked since the dates were available, and this part of the forums slipped my mind.

Me (37) and DW (39). We have NO kids, so it's just the two of us.

Stateroom 7070 (Oh, late dining as well)

4th cruise on the Magic. 2 Eastern and 1Western (so far).
#1 - Eastern Magic on Dec 13, 2003 (Honeymoon, and single winner of JACKPOT BINGO!!!! $6200!!!)
#2 - Eastern Magic on Dec 11, 2004 (repeat cruise, for Anniversary and missed happenings on ship and port.)
#3 - Western Magic on Dec 3, 2005 (Diverted to Costa Maya, :( )
#4 - Western Magic on Dec 1, 2007 (Finally going to Cozumel!!)





Has there been anything setup yet as far as a meet (location, time, etc...)?

[WindyCityPoohBear]

Hi All! My DS12 & I will be along for the ride. We're going with a group of other friends. This will be our our 2nd cruise, and as it get's closer we're getting more excited. I've noticed that there are a few families with boys his age, & I'm sure he'd be glad to meet up with some new friends on board!

[kimszath]

If anyone else is a FL resident, the FL Resident Rates came out this evening!!! We're getting $545 back!!! WOOHOO!!!!! :cool1: We're feeling better about how much we're gonna spend now. heehee!!!

Okay, NOW I'm excited!!!!!!!

[scrappy910]

We just completed our reservations for 12/1. :dance3: I am so excited that we will be able to see the ship with the Christmas decorations. It will just be DH and myself traveling and we decided to go with late dining this cruise.

Carol