March 10, 2007 - 7 Day Western Magic [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

MECH8T7

04-05-2006, 12:05 AM

Hello All,

Me, DW, DS7, DD5, DD1 from Toronto, Canada. First timers. We started thinking about DCL almost two years ago but got sidetracked since that time by our first two trips to WDW.

We had been booked on August 19, 2006 7 day (Special Western Itinerary) until today when we decided to officially switch to the March 10, 2007. It almost killed us to cancel and rebook because it is costing us almost $2,000 more to change it from this summer to next spring and I've had to pay for DD1's airfare now because she will be two when we cruise next spring. Also, we were looking forward to the extra trip to Castaway Cay. But, this one offers the prospect of better weather and we won't be sailing during hurricane season.

The March 10, 2007 cruise week lines up with the spring break for Toronto elementary schools and most of the other school boards in the Province of Ontario. So, there could be quite a few Canadians on this one.

Looking forward to getting to know everybody in the coming months (and hopefully a lot more DISers on our cruise will start "checking in" on this thread soon).

John

chowboys

04-05-2006, 02:05 PM

Me, DH, DS (8), DS (3), Cat 11 looking to spending March Break on DCL. This will be our first cruise with Disney.

Looking forward to meeting all you expert disers

NoFussRuss

04-07-2006, 03:46 PM

Only 48 Weeks!

countingmomma

04-22-2006, 02:05 PM

I'll be there along with DH, DS (12), and DD (6). We're cruising with DFs who have a DD (also 6). They cruised this past March and loved it. I tried to convince everyone to go Oct 2006, but all the other adults were concerned about hurricanes. Anyway, we're all counting down. This will be DD's first cruise.

Izza

05-02-2006, 05:26 PM

Hi everyone. It's just me and my 2 DS - 5 and 7 by then. It'll be spring break for my 1st grader. Thank goodness for the internet or I'd have been clueless about the school district's schedule.

We're actually taking our first Disney Cruise next month (32 days!!), but I know we'll want to do it again, and I booked both at the same time.

Looking forward to getting to know you all. :)

amcsmom

05-09-2006, 10:37 PM

We will be taking our first Disney Cruise! It will be Me, DH, DS(8) and DD(5). We can't wait!! :cool1:

NoFussRuss

05-11-2006, 09:25 AM

Glad to see some people finally joining us in March! Come the fall we will get some chats going!

nutz4dzny

05-25-2006, 11:16 AM

Hello everyone!

We just got back from our very first Cruise. The May 13th Eastern Magic for 7 days. Had a blast. We rebooked for this one. We LOVED the Magic. We are in a Cat. 4 in the same cabin actually, although we are waitlisted for a suite. We had cabin 8578 and loved it but my son wants his own real bed not a couch bed!

That really was his only complaint that the couch bed was not very comfortable for him. We did have a bed that pulled down from the ceiling and he probably should have used that.

I do have some questions as I see some of you have been on the Western Cruise before. I have not had the time to read but I was wondering about the weather at this time of year. Our TA assured us that this was a great time to go. What about the water temp?

I do have lots of pictures but did not have the time to put captions yet. You are welcome to visit my site.

http://share.dell.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8Bct3DRw2Zshc

eruwqoi

06-05-2006, 11:36 PM

I'm booked and ready to go today! I may wear out this board in the mean time.

NoFussRuss

06-12-2006, 11:45 AM

Only 39 Weeks!

michellej2000

06-25-2006, 07:40 PM

also booked to go !!! me, and dd(12) by then....will be joining nutz4dzny and family!!!

can't wait!!!!

:banana: :banana: :banana: :woohoo: :woohoo: :banana: :banana:

GeorgiaVol

07-03-2006, 09:19 AM

This will likely be our last DCL cruise with our DS (15 by then) for a while. He is getting "too cool" to cruise, so he says. Aarrgghh, TEENAGERS!

4 Day April 2000
7 Day Eastern April 2002
3 Day October 2003

ShannonR

07-07-2006, 08:03 AM

Hello everyone! My name is Shannon and this will be our first Disney Cruise ever!. We have been to WDW several times and have been dreaming of taking this cruise for quite a while. It will be myself, my husband and our three children: DD(13), DS(10) and our oops! baby, DD(2). Can't wait to get to know all of you.

kath1210

07-11-2006, 11:08 PM

Hi everyone! :wave2: We'll be joining you too! Our family consists of me (Kathy), my DH (Denis), DS15 and DD12. This is our 2nd Disney cruise; our first was the May 2005 Wonder. DD12 (she'll be 13 then) is excited about being in the teen group for the first time. :cheer2:

We were booked on the December 17, 2006 Wonder, but we changed to this cruise. We decided to do WDW at Christmas - we love going to the parks in the cooler weather. Spring is when we are dying for a warm getaway, so this cruise seemed like the perfect solution!

We're looking forward to getting to know everyone! :thumbsup2

MECH8T7

07-12-2006, 02:12 PM

For those that were thinking of visiting WDW before the cruise, just wanted to mention that one of the nights for the recently announced "Pirate and Princess Party" at the Magic Kingdom is the evening of March 8th.

See attached for info.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/specialEvents?id=PiratesandPrincessPartySpecialEve ntPage

http://allearsnet.com/tp/mk/pirateprincess.htm

We just got our tickets yesterday. If we decide to pack some "pirate" garb for the cruise, the party at MK will give us a another chance to wear it!

ShannonR

07-19-2006, 09:43 PM

I hope everyone is as excited as we are!!! We have been reading the Birnbaum and Passporter DCL books and my husband has been pouring over computer based information regarding the DCL( he's a computer engineer by trade, house dad to 3 by heart). We are going to begin purchasing little things off the packing list posted here on the DIS that we will be needing for the trip. Probably a little OCD on our parts, but we are SO excited and want to be prepared for when March arrives! Any good tips from our fellow cruisers for this trip would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

NoFussRuss

08-11-2006, 04:58 PM

Bump!!!!!

carolmp

08-13-2006, 12:07 AM

We're coming too! It's me (Carol), DH (Scott), DD 13 and DD 9. This will be Scott's and my second cruise. We first cruised with Disney on the "Big Red Boat" a long time ago. It is our daughters' first cruise.

I noticed a lot of 13-year-old girls out there, but could sure use some 9-year-old girls too! I bought the Passporter book and my 13yo has been checking it out and I think she is looking forward to the clubs, but the 9yo needs some friends to join in with new activities.

ShannonR

08-17-2006, 08:10 PM

Hello carolmp!! My DD is 13(will be close to 14 by cruise time) but my DS will be 10 at cruise time. He is a sports nut but also lives with two sisters so he used to playing "girly' games when he is forced to. He plays equally as well with both the boys AND the girls at school so I know he would love to go to the activities with WHOEVER is interested in going-boys or girls!! All three of my kids make friends very easily and get along great with whomever they come into contact with.

carolmp

08-18-2006, 11:15 AM

That is great to hear! I'm hoping that she is willing to do some of the activities in the clubs. I think she will have a great time. If not, I'm sure we'll all still have a good time.

We are all looking really forward to the trip!

NUHusky

08-23-2006, 08:53 PM

Our DD will celebrate her 13th birthday on March 10 the day, we depart. This trip is a surprise (booked on our last cruise w/o her knowledge) plus I've booked her Grandmother,Aunt, and cousin from SLC to join us. I know she'd love to correspond with other teens prior to the cruise but I'm thinking we need to keep the secret. See you all in a few months.

ShannonR

08-24-2006, 11:58 AM

Hello NUHusky! What a great "welcome to your teen years" surprise to your DD!!!!! Our oldest DD is also 13 and would love to correspond to any other DD out there that will be on the cruise with us. If you change your mind or ,god forbid, let the surprise slip then let me know! We are ALL so excited that 7months seems like an eternity!

carolmp

08-24-2006, 02:25 PM

So how do we get the girls together to chat? I'm kind of new to this. Do we share e-mail addresses, or what do we do?

I think I am the most excited about going. I'm hanging out on this board every day. I hope they aren't monitoring my internet usage here at work!!

We are starting to figure out what we want to do for the Pirate party. I have been looking at some online sites for costumes, but also found a couple of nice men's t-shirts at our local WalMart. Haven't quite decided what we want to do. What is everyone else doing?

ShannonR

08-25-2006, 08:44 AM

I will ask my DH for both my DD13 and DS10's e-mail addresses. I can't remember my own let alone everyone elses! Ha! Ha!(I am very computer illiterate, but keep trying every day). Both my kids would love to correspond to anyone who is willing to write back in order to "get to know each other" prior to the cruise. We are from Texas(VERY south Texas) and the average daily temperature right now is 100 degrees so the kids stay inside with the air con as much as possible right now and have plenty of time to write! The same goes for me and DH. I am awake most nights on account that I am a night nurse and my body is used to being awake at night and my DH is a "computer freak" Men probably don't write back and forth as much as women do, but he is just as excited about the cruise as the rest of the family. Again, 7 months seems like an eternity!!!!

Marsh Family

09-01-2006, 12:01 PM

Has anyone been here in a while? Booked last year in February, Canadians from Manitoba, Second DCL cruise, Kids met new friends on first one and loved it, looking forward to talking with others on board March 10,2007,
Traveling, me,DW EM, DD BM(12),DD CM(10),DD PM(8), Hope to here from you soon!! DD's are looking for some others to discuss upcoming cruise.

MARSHMAN

Marsh Family

10-04-2006, 10:51 AM

Just curious to see what happened to hte rest of this cruise crew, no postings for a while anybody still out there?? Drop a line if you find time.
MarshMan

carolmp

10-04-2006, 01:47 PM

I'm here!

I have been slowly accumulating items for the cruise. We bought our pirate costumes last week. Is anyone else dressing up?

Also, does anyone know if we still need to get passports? I've just kind of glanced at the information, I haven't read through it too closely. We haven't had time to get them yet, so now I'm thinking that maybe I don't need them.

Marsh Family

10-05-2006, 12:24 PM

Hi,
Glad to see someone still around, count down to this vacation is painful, have been so needing a vacation, but still 5 months to go. As for your question, we are Canadians, however we were informed that every cruiser in 2007 needs a valid passport regardless of home country, so my guess is yes you do need a passport.
Thanks, and Best Regards
Chris (MarshMan)

NoFussRuss

10-05-2006, 01:13 PM

We're still here - have not given much thought to the cruise yet - just keeping in the back of my mind (until I have to pay that huge balance due on 12/25!). Once paid in full - I'll start getting excited all over again.

Marsh Family

10-06-2006, 05:47 PM

Good to hear from you, Russ
Can't seem to get this vacation off my mind, just like you our wack of money due in December too, tough time to pay out that. This weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving Holiday which kicks off our Season. Hopefully will fill my mind with something other than crystal clear ocean waters, and saving a small fortune of dollar bills or loonies as we call them in the great white north.
Hope to hear from all soon.
Best Regards, Chris

ShannonR

10-08-2006, 05:56 PM

Hi Everyone! Can you believe only 22 weeks until cruise time? When I booked this trip, it was 45 weeks away. Don't get me wrong, it still feels like an eternity away, but at least now we are into the holiday season (yes, I count Halloween as part of the season) and time should go by faster. We have purchased some little things here and there and plan to get the kids quite a few things for Christmas that are cruise oriented. We have decided that we are just going to wear pirate T-shirts for pirate night. We are the kind of people that, to us, comfort is EVERYTHING! My kids even look for "comfortable" costumes for Halloween, so we decided to bypass all the costume "hoopla" of pirate night. However, we CAN'T WAIT to see all the neat costumes people will be wearing on pirate night!!!! I hope everyone is beginning to get a little more cruise excited so we can get this thread REALLY going! Talk to everyone soon, Shannon

Tigger&Bubba

10-09-2006, 05:31 PM

Happy Thanksgiving Canada

Suz D

10-10-2006, 10:55 PM

We are booked for this cruise as well. This will be our 2nd Disney cruise. The first was for my parents 50th anniversary on New Years Eve 2005. Four nights was NOT enough so we rebooked on board. We had no idea that we would love it as much as we did.

Our family consists of me (a mostly SAHM but I keep the books for a business here in town and also have a home business selling scrapbooking and stamping supplies and teaching classes), my DH (a college professor) and our DD (11 at cruise time). We'd love to connect her with some girls around her age (she's young for her age and has a great imagination...read still loves to play).

Suz

Marsh Family

11-13-2006, 09:37 AM

WOW!!!, Just paid the final payment on the cruise on Thursday the 9th
and it actually hurt! Who Cares only 4 months left, we should be in full holiday mode soon, then comes vacation. Hope to hear from everyone soon.
Till then, Best Regards,
Chris

I'mWong

11-14-2006, 11:40 PM

There are four of us, myself (Laura), DH (Gregg), DD (10 almost 11 by then) and a DS who turns 8 on the cruise! We were on the Magic this past March during the same week. It is Spring Break for us here. I teach school and my kids are in school, so it is hard to go any other time. We are really looking forward to another great trip :woohoo: I am glad to hear there are so many other girls around my daughter's age.

By the way, I made my final payment today and was wondering when reservations for Palo can be made for repeat cruisers. I asked the lady on the phone, but she didn't seem to know what I was talking about! I am not sure she gave me the correct date and I am not sure how to figure it out. Anybody have an answer for me? :confused3

Can't wait to meet you!

Suz D

11-15-2006, 07:43 AM

Great :bounce: to see more people posting on this thread. It's also good news that there are a few more girls :dance3: around the same age as my DD. I was glad to see so many girls but they are all in the next group up (13+, the "teens"). That time will come way too soon for me so I'm glad to have her be in the Oceaneer Lab for a couple more years.

Looking forward to seeing all of you onboard. Is anyone doing green Mickey's on their door? :confused3

Suz :confused3

NUHusky

11-17-2006, 08:06 PM

Dear I'mWong,

According to the "My Cruise Travel Kit" I received in the mail today, return cruisers may make Palo and excursion reservations on December 10 for our March 10 cruise.

Suz D

11-18-2006, 09:11 AM

Dear I'mWong,

According to the "My Cruise Travel Kit" I received in the mail today, return cruisers may make Palo and excursion reservations on December 10 for our March 10 cruise.

That is the information I was given also, but my understanding is that this can only be done starting on December 10th for those who have made the final payment. We will probably not pay ours until around the 21st so we won't start making ressies until then.

I think we are doing the Palo brunch rather than the dinner. I've heard good things about both but we really like family meals at night. We haven't done Palo before. On our last cruise we scheduled Palo for the day at sea but the captain gave everyone a New Year's surprise and we got an extra CC day. This meant that the kid's club was only on CC and not on the ship. We didn't want our daughter to be off ship and us on ship so we cancelled Palo. :sad2: Suz

I'mWong

11-19-2006, 12:13 PM

Thanks for the info about booking. I paid my balance last week and don't want to miss my chance to book early. Last year we did all three (dinner, brunch and tea) and they were all great. The tea is not that fancy or anything, but the scones were outstanding! I think we are going to do Palo on the first night. That is what we did last year and it worked out well for us. We feed our kids early and then proceed. The food at the brunch is probably the best of all three visits.

Once Christmas is over, the cruise will be here before you know it. Actually, Christmas will be here before we know it! It seems like yesterday we were at school talking about Thanksgiving break and boom! it is here! Time goes by too quickly! :hourglass

My kids already know about the cruise, so let me know when you want to start having the kids email each other.

Have a great Sunday! :sunny:

Suz D

11-20-2006, 09:17 AM

Thanks for the great info on Palo. I hadn't considered the tea. That might be fun as well! I found the cutest wooden cruise ship at Target in the $1 section. It's white and I'm going to paint it "disney" style. We'll put that along with the cruise DVD in her gift. We'll probably open Christmas eve so how about if the girls start e-mailing right after that? I'll have Katie send an e-mail right away. I can't remember if you said your DD's name. Will you remind me of her name? Suz

I'mWong

11-25-2006, 01:37 PM

My daughter's name is Sarah. Everyone enjoy going back to work Monday. Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful!

tuliene

11-27-2006, 12:39 AM

Another canadian on March 10 sailing - I live in Edmonton and have a 5 yr old boy. Thought a disney cruise would have reasonable child care so I could get some quiet time but also get away somewhere warm. First cruise - afraid of seasickness (me) and the kid falling off the boat but the tix are paid for and we will be there. Laurie & Connor

I'mWong

11-28-2006, 04:43 PM

:cheer2: :cheer2: Welcome Laurie and Connor :cheer2: :cheer2:

Marsh Family

11-29-2006, 09:44 AM

Good Morning All Fellow Cruisers,
Chris from Winnipeg, Canada. Just had the pleasure of digging out from our first blizzard of the year it's -17 Celsius / 2 Faitenheidt with the windchill it feels like -28 C / -18 F, and with a lovely 12" of fresh snow, WOW!! Can't wait to get out of here, hope everyone else is just as excited, with the cruise so close and Christmas even closer I am scraping my three DD's of the ceiling every day. Talk to you soon!!
Chris

ShannonR

11-30-2006, 06:32 AM

Hi Chris! Hate to tell you this but here in Texas, it's still in the upper 80's (it was 90 degrees out yesterday). Being from Michigan originally, I DO NOT miss that snow or digging out of the snow. It's palm trees for me now! It won't have be much of a weather change for us in March but we always look forward to March because it's our Disney trip month (spring break for the kids you know). It's officially 100 days, today (if my math is right) and it seems like an eternity away STILL!

I'mWong

11-30-2006, 10:29 AM

Hi Shannon! I am from Texas too, Houston area. We were warm and toasty when I went to work today, but now it is freezing outside. Came in quickly, and will probably go out just as quick! Cool weather doesn't last long around here, that is for sure! Went to college in Lubbock and was really excited the first time it snowed. Called my mom and everything, but then a few times of walking to class in it changed my mind really fast.

Didn't realize we were in the soon to be double digits! That really makes it exciting. I love the Disney Cruise so much!

See you in 100 days!

"Got Disney"

11-30-2006, 01:56 PM

ATTENTION!!!!! ATTENTION!!!!

Come one come all and bring your pom poms to the most
faaaabulos Teams of all :

THE "CRUISE TEAM" and "THE REWARDS AND RUMORS TEAM"

So come ROCK the BOAT cause RUMOR has it.....
there are REWARDS to be had for cheering along :thumbsup2

Hello everyone...we are looking for more cheerleaders for the
EXTREME WPASADI game..You ask..What is a WPASADI game...well if you come cheer you can win prizes and have lots of fun!! here is a link to come and see...we need your cheers ...for these 2 teams!!

here is your link come on and cheer with us!!!
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=150
__________________

kperkins0407

12-01-2006, 02:38 AM

Shannon,
We will also be cruisin' on March 10th. We have 2 daughters (13, 10). This will be our 3rd cruise and can't wait! We are from Texas, as well! This is the first time that I have posted anything...so all of this is very new to me.
K

Marsh Family

12-01-2006, 09:01 AM

Welcome K
Chris from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. I also have 2 DD's 13 and 10 as well as one at 8. Glad to see you posting.
Man, is it cold here today another 2" on snow expected today wind whipping everywhere looks like a blizzard. This makes the money we paid for this vacation so much more worth it. My kids are already packing their summer clothes since we won't be needing them here. Hope to here from everyone soon.
Best Regards
Chris

I'mWong

12-01-2006, 10:18 AM

Hello everyone! :wave2:

I am getting more excited everytime I come to the thread and see more people are posting. we did this last year and it was really nice to kinda "know" people ahead of time. Looks like there are quite a few from both Texas and Canada. The cruise weather won't be that different for those of us from South Texas, but I am sure it will be much warmer for those from Canada, Indiana, etc. I hope all is well.

Has anyone decided on excursions yet? We have been to most of these places a few times, so we are a bit undecided. I wish the itenary was the Eastern Carribean, but am just glad to be on the ship! :goodvibes

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

NUHusky

12-01-2006, 07:43 PM

Spent a month on company business in Edmonton in January 1994. I'll never forget the cab ride to the hotel when the radio said the followings day high was to be minus 40....no wind chill stuff...the high was minus 40. Man you Canadiens are tough. See you all on the cruise, DD 13 the day we depart (march 10) and DS 8.

kperkins0407

12-01-2006, 09:39 PM

Have any of you that have cruised before flown out a day before? We are flying to Florida on Friday instead of Saturday.

K

I'mWong

12-04-2006, 11:34 AM

We are flying out Friday as well, but we will either get there at 10pm or midnight. We haven't purchased our tickets yet. We are still watching the prices. We are staying the night at the Hyatt in the airport and then taking the transportation on the Disney bus directly from there. We did that last year and it worked out well for us. It is not the cheapest route, but it is pretty much hassle free. Your luggage is picked up at the door of your hotel and taken directly to your cabin in the ship. You don't have to check it in at the port, that is taken care of for you.

We are actually staying a couple of days longer and going to the Magic Kingdom on Saturday and Sunday and then flying back on Monday afternoon. Is anyone else staying later?

Nothing personal, but I hope I NEVER have to be in weather that if -40 degrees! I couldn't imagine that. Had a friend in college that lived in Maine as a child and I still laugh thinking of the stories he told me about waiting for the bus in the shelters all bundled up in multiple layers. Never failed that he would have to go to the bathroom! I think the cold does that to you!

Hope everyone has a great week! Can't believe how close Christmas is!

kperkins0407

12-04-2006, 10:52 PM

Thanks for day early travel information.

We are staying that Friday night at the Hyatt, as well. The past 2 cruises we flew out the day of. I decided on the last trip that I would never do that again. Not sure what time we are going to get there--Disney is taking care of our flights. Just looking forward to not having a 5:30 a.m. flight the morning of.

Enjoy the rest of your week!

~Kim

I'mWong

12-05-2006, 08:34 AM

Sounds like there are going to be lots of 10 year old girls on this cruise! That should be fun! Anyone else have an 8 year old boy? My DD and DS are both so excited. :cool1: We were talking about it last night and their eyes just shine when they think of it!

My cousin just got off of a 7 day RCCL cruise over Thanksgiving and she said she just thought 7 days was too much for them. For our family, we would love a 10 day or maybe even longer! :thumbsup2

Have a great week!

Suz D

12-05-2006, 03:03 PM

Hooray for lots of 10 year old girls! I'm getting more and more excited by the minute. We are telling our daughter on Christmas Eve and I'll be glad when the cat is out of the bag. It's been hard not talking about it around her. I'd love to plan a little something for the girls if anyone is interested.

I have a scrapbooking and stamping business and would love to bring a project for the girls to work on one afternoon on a sea day. If anyone is interested please let me know. I would donate all of the materials (I was thinking something like a picture frame or accordian scrapbook) and precut everything so that all they have to do is decorate. I thought it might be fun for them to take some pictures of the Dis girls and then put them in the frame or scrapbook.

Please let me know if you think your daughters would be interested and I'll pull something together. I'm thinking bright colors with a "beachy" theme. Depending on how many are interested I'll decide which project to do.

Suz

I've edited this to clarify. I meant for everyone to let me know if their daughters are interested. Sorry if this appeared exclusive. You can never have too many girlfriends!

I'mWong

12-05-2006, 04:35 PM

That sounds like a great idea! I am sure my daughter would love to make one. What a thoughtful person you are! :goodvibes

My kids got their first email from a fellow cruiser yesterday, but had so much homework they didn't get to respond. That is on our list of things to do today! It is really going to be nice for the kid to already have someone to look forward to hanging out with.

carolmp

12-15-2006, 02:54 PM

Well, I'm sorry to say that we have cancelled this trip. My husband picked up a strep infection in his foot October 20th, and he has been fighting it ever since. He spent 16 days in the hospital. They are basically saying that his body overreacted. It sent everything it had down to his foot to fight off the infection. Well, when everything goes down to your foot, it swells badly. His foot also blistered badly - as if it had 2nd degree burns on it. All of it healed up well except for one area, which we think is where the infection settled. The tissue under the skin didn't mesh well, it had pockets and tunnels in it, so Thanksgiving week he went in for surgery to have the area debrided, or cut away. We are now doing "vacuum assisted wound care" to speed up the healing process on his 6" x 4" open wound. He had an appointment yesterday with the wound care specialist, and she thinks he will still be using the vacuum in March. We could get around using it for the week, but he cannot go in the water. It wouldn't be much fun for him or for us, knowing that he can't do all of the things that we wanted to do. So I cancelled and rebooked for 3/8/08. If anyone has a great time and wants to come again, we'd like to meet up with you then!

On a side note, I was checking the DCL website to see if they had put my room back up (they did). But also, there are 4 SPH rooms available for this week!! So if anyone wants to change their room assignment, I'd give them a call quick!

I hope everyone has a good trip and I will be thinking of you in March. We'll get there, just not as soon as I had thought....

Suz D

12-18-2006, 10:57 PM

carolmp...I'm so sorry about your husband's health difficulties. I'm also sorry that you've had to postpone the cruise because I'm sure you have been looking so forward to it. Next to the pain he's must be suffering, I'm sure that seems like a small price to pay (but hard nevertheless). Our family will keep yours in our thoughts and prayers. What a tough time to be having such a traumatic experience. Suz

tuliene

12-19-2006, 12:14 AM

What a terrible reminder that our health is really the most important thing. I'll toast you guys one evening while looking at the ocean and hope you will get there in good health soon.

carolmp

12-22-2006, 01:49 PM

Thanks for the thoughts! Like I said, we'll get there. It may just take us a while.

I'll be thinking of you on the 10th and wishing I was there!

ShannonR

12-28-2006, 07:07 AM

Hi everyone! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Now it's time to really get down to cruise planning! Only 10 weeks to go! We have started to really crack down on the whole "potty training" thing with our DD2. We don't want her to miss out on the little things because she is wearing a diaper. We are going shopping on Friday for some little "odds and ends" needed for the cruise and then we will get our "formal gear" in a couple of weeks. We are going to order our pirate t-shirts for pirate night and the kids got Disney crocs for Christmas. I was really wanting to buy the Disney character ones that I have heard so much about, but couldn't find them anywhere. I hope everyone is getting as excited as we are about this cruise! We are flying in on the day before the cruise, but we still don't know what time our flight is. Hopefully we will know soon, so I can plan around the school. Hope to hear from everyone soon!:goodvibes :goodvibes :goodvibes :goodvibes :goodvibes :goodvibes :goodvibes :goodvibes

Marsh Family

12-28-2006, 02:44 PM

Hi Carolmp, i am so sorry to hear that you had to cancel, i have however heard wonderful things about VAC therapy, i hope you see improvement quick now. You are so right tuliene that our health is so important! and there will be more cruises...

Hey shannon, great to hear you went with the crocs, we got the kids ones for christmas as well, Paige DD8 can't stop wearing them, she loves them!

Hope everyone has a Happy New Years!!

Erinprincess:

Marsh Family

12-28-2006, 02:48 PM

Before i go just wondering if anyone has been to Discovery Cove in Orlando? We have booked a day there after the cruise and are really looking forward to that too. any info?

Erinprincess:

birkner

12-28-2006, 03:00 PM

[QUOTE=Marsh Family;16108272]Before i go just wondering if anyone has been to Discovery Cove in Orlando? We have booked a day there after the cruise and are really looking forward to that too. any info?"

My family thought that going to Discovery Cove was one of the best things we did on our WDW trip in March 2006. Since they only allow 100 guests per day, we never felt crowded. The lunch was also great.

To swim with the dolphins, the minimum age is 6. The Gkids loved the interaction with the dolphins and the manta rays. They also enjoyed the aviary and fish.

My DH and older GD did the Trainer for a Day which included the enhanced dolphin interaction and training encounter, the behind-the-scenes feedings at the coral reef, the feeding and care of exotic birds in the free-flight aviary, the behind-the-scenes small-mammal playtime and training session, the behind-the-scenes animal food preparation and record review and finally the behavioral training class (for the animals, not you).

Not an inexpensive option but we are all Sea World annual pass holders which gave us a bit of a savings.

Website is http://www.discoverycove.com/explore.aspx

:cheer2:

I'mWong

12-30-2006, 01:10 AM

The countdown has really started now. We are all really excited. Actually, we have been excited for a year now!:rotfl2: It is nice that it is so close now.

That is funny that all of your kids got Disney Crocs for Christmas. My sister actually gave me a pair! They make my already size 11 feet look like boats, but they are cute.:laughing: I am not sure if I am going to have the guts to wear them anywhere other than the pool in our backyard! I try to disguise the size of my feet, not enhance them. She gave me a man's XL, so I figured they would be too big, but they weren't! She tells me once I wear them, I will want to wear them everywhere since they are so comfortable. My kids want some, so I guess theirs is on me.

We got all of our reservations to PALO that we wanted. Anyone else going?

Let's get this thread going! Last year when we went, there were about 10-12 of us posting and by the time we got to the ship, we felt like we knew each other. Made for a fun sail away party.

Have a great day!
Laura

Suz D

12-30-2006, 09:07 AM

Good morning everyone!

The cat is finally out of the bag and our DD (11) knows that we are crusing in March. Here's what happened...

We had been setting her up for a "big" gift and not much else for Christmas this year. She was hoping for a porcelin doll that her great grandmother had painted but not finished. She found it in my mother's closet when we were there this summer and fell in love with it. My mom made a beautiful Victorian dress and hat for the doll and brought it with her in a big bag when they came for Christmas. Katie kept saying "I know what my big present is" ;) . I told her I was SURE she didn't but she kept on insisting with a secret little grin on her face.

I had gone to Once Upon A Child (gently used clothes) about 2 weeks ago and got her 7 summer outfits that were very "cruise-ish" (is that a word?). I wrapped them in a box that was about the size of the doll and we told her that was her big gift from us. She tried to shake it and I said "Be careful, it may be fragile". She again got that secret grin. ;)

Well...when we opened Christmas Eve she got the doll from my parents. HMMMM, what could Dad & Mama have gotten me??? :confused3 She opened the big gift and her face was so puzzled. Clothes? Summer clothes for my big gift? She was trying so hard to be grateful but I could see that she was surprised and disappointed. (I forgot to say that just the day before when she and I were sorting laundry she said, "I really wish we were on a cruise right now. Wasn't that the BEST vacation?").

I found some beautiful ornament shaped, sequin covered boxes at Dollar Tree and made a little note card that said on the front "What are you going to do with all of the summer clothes your parents gave you?" Inside it said, "Well pack them in your suitcase because you, Daddy, & Mama are going on a 7 day Disney Cruise for Spring Break! I put that note in the box and hung it on the tree. Then we told her to check the box because the rest of her gift was in there.

Guys, you should have seen her eyes! It was so exciting and she was beside herself with joy! :yay: It's so nice to be able to talk about it openly and plan, plan, plan. We've been talking constantly about what we're going to do for shore excursions etc. Now I've just got to save enough so that we can re-book onboard as I KNOW we will want to.

I'm going to do a couple of posts updating some cruise info in case I lost anyone with my long drawn out story. Can't wait to meet all of you. Suz

Suz D

12-30-2006, 09:19 AM

I'm still hoping that some of your girls (8-13) will want to do the scrapbooking project with Katie and I. It will have a red/black/yellow "Disney" theme and we'll do some stamping and decorating with stickers etc.

Our Hobby Lobby runs their stickers 1/2 price quite often and I'd like to pick some up. I am hoping to get an idea of about how many girls might be interested. I would say that we could take as long as an hour to finish this, but only if the girls are very chatty and do a lot of embellishing. I'd say that they could be finished in about 1/2 hour if you are concerned about time.

Again, I will provide the supplies from my stash with a few purchased stickers so this isn't something that I would like payment for. I really enjoy doing kids classes (I take craft projects to my daughter's class about every other month) and have so many supplies that I'm glad to provide them free of charge.

Please let me know if you think any of your daughters would be interested (and their ages) so that I can begin planning. We're so looking forward to this memory-making trip!

Suz

Suz D

12-30-2006, 09:22 AM

Let's post what we've got scheduled for activities and see if anyone is doing the same things.

Here's what we've got so far...

Key West-explore on our own
Day at Sea-scrapbook on the deck
Grand Cayman-explore on our own, swim on the boat
Cozumel-jungle hike
Day at Sea-Palo brunch
Castaway Cay-bike, snorkle, tube rental

Is anyone else doing the jungle hike?

Suz

ShannonR

12-30-2006, 09:26 AM

Just got home from work (we did 15 c-sections last night) and couldn't resist looking at the boards before going to bed. Everyone wants to have the New Year's baby (the hospital I work at it has had the first baby for the past two years now) so it is super busy at work. I just started a 6 night stretch yesterday and look forward to next Thursday (my next day off). We all went cruise shopping yesterday and bought little odds and ends, some new clothes and two brand new sets of luggage. We couldn't help ourselves!! We are so excited. Morgan (DD13) made a countdown for the kitchen door that requires the kids taking down a numbered "mickey ear" that she made and colored. Morgan just took down number 69 (we leave on the 9th for Florida) and she was SO excited. I also got myself a pair of the Disney crocs for myself and wore them to work last night. Bad call on my part! My feet were KILLING me by morning time. Back to my rockers tonight! Oh well, they sure are cute! Has anyone booked their shore excursions yet? We are only booking one with DCL. We are doing the rest on our own on account of Melissa only being two and in diapers (although I am holding out hope that she will be potty trained by March!:confused3 :confused3 )

I'mWong

12-31-2006, 12:22 AM

SuzD that sounds like a wonderful reveal. I know your daughter was thrilled! I kinda wish we had kept it a secret. Would have been a fun Christmas gift, but we rebooked on board and the kids were right there with us. I am sure Sarah will be thrilled to join the girls in the cropping craft. We might have our Palo brunch booked for that day, however. We booked for that first sea day, but I can't remember the time. We will have to see if there is a conflict. Plan on her, though. We haven't made any plans for shore excursions yet. I think we are going to stay on our own other than Cozumel. We are probably going to do the jungle jeep trip there. We did that last year in Costa Maya and it was the highlight of our trip. So much fun! Don't know if I will book through Disney or an independent group. Price is quite a bit cheaper on our own, but kinda like the confidence you have with Disney.

Shannon, I am surprised to hear that the crocs hurt your feet. People swear by their comfort. I haven't ever worn them myself. I am ordering them for the kids and maybe even my hasband today. He said he would never wear them other than to the pool, but what the heck. I don't miss those potty training days at all. My son was programmed for 5:00 every day, and if we weren't on the ball, we would have a mess to clean up! It didn't take many misses to make sure we were paying attention.:eek: I am always excited to see the first born baby on the news. It makes for a nice way to start the new year. we haven't started getting anything cruise yet, but we have been looking at new luggage. We have the Disney luggage now, but it really isn't that well made. We went to San Marcos to the Samsonite outlet, and they have some new luggage that makes a complete 360 spin. They are great! Really easy to move.

Hope everyone is having a great night!

Happy New Year!! Celebrate the arrival safely. Will be lots of wild ones on the road tomorrow night!

Suz D

01-03-2007, 10:17 PM

Is anyone going to WDW before our cruise? If so, where are you staying? Anyone planning on the Pirates and Princesses night at MK? We are debating going as we arrive on the 8th at around noon and would love to go to MK but don't want to pay $70+ for one day at MK. It's around $40.00 for the evening. We've already got ressies at Chef M's for dinner.

We are going to spend Friday at Epcot and we're staying at Pop Century.

Suz

Marsh Family

01-04-2007, 07:34 PM

hey Suz, we are staying at cocoa beach arriving in florida on the 8th, leaving home on the 2nd, (can't wait!!:goodvibes ). We were thinking about going to the P&P party but i think we are just going to stick around the beach, as were are going to disney after the cruise, for a week and doing discovery cove, we are staying in the cabins at fort wilderness, stayed there last time were were in disney (and at port orleans, loved it there too). We wanted to stay at pop century but with a faimly of 5 you must get 2 rooms, they are geared toward fams of 4 and under... anyway hope you have fun if you decide to go.

Erinprincess:

Marsh Family

01-04-2007, 07:36 PM

oh yea, what and were is Chef M's, never heard of it (assuming it is mickey's, right?)

Erinprincess:

I'mWong

01-08-2007, 11:55 AM

Chef Mickey's is character dining. It is located on the 4th floor of the Contemporary Resort and it is a blast! Characters normally include Donald Duck, Goofy, Chip and Dale, Mickey and Minnie for dinner. Donald is replaced by Pluto for breakfast. Atleast, we last went in March of last year and that is how it was. All of the characters wear aprons and Mickey is dressed like the chefs in the original Iron Chef. He is cute. He even has a gold medal around his neck. The food is good. They have the best parmesian mashed potatoes I have ever had. The buffet is one of the best IMO. We never go to DW without eating there. It is a great place to go if you are celebrating anything. They will give you a placemat and then there is a really cute celebration song they sing and they will come over to you with a cupcake during the song and make a fuss. It is fun. I don't think you will be disappointed, but it does fill up fast, so get to booking if you want to join in on the fun!:banana: :banana:

Suz D

01-08-2007, 12:37 PM

For some reason I didn't get an e-mail about Erin's post. Sorry I didn't reply.

We LOVE Chef Mickey's. I agree with Laura that the food is delish and the Parm. potatoes are great. I've made them at home before and although they were good, they weren't like the ones there.

Erin, if you ever want to stay at Pop Century, they have new family suites that are designed for larger families. I think that they may be more expensive that Port Orleans, however. We'd love to stay at the cabins sometime!

Suz

Marsh Family

01-10-2007, 10:43 AM

thanks for the reply's and I was not aware of the larger suites at pop century, thanks suz.
Chef Mickey's sounds wonderful, we are planning another trip to DW in 2 years (2009) with our extended family and will have to make reservations there!!

We are having reallly bad weather here this week, more snow (more, just after we plowed out from the last 20 inches) and the temp right now is -13 but with the wind chill feels like -25:scared1: , I CAN"T WAIT FOR MARCH!!! :banana:

hope everyone is staying warm with or without your scarves and mittens.
Erinprincess:

Suz D

01-10-2007, 11:38 AM

BRRR! We have been waiting and waiting for snow here. It was in the 60's over Christmas break and near 70 over Thanksgiving. It's cooler this week but will still be in the 50's by the weekend. Suz

ShannonR

01-10-2007, 05:24 PM

Hi Everyone!!! Only 58 days to go! It reached 80 degrees here today in the south of Texas and I am loving every minute of it. I hate the cold with every bone in my body. I tend to become a hermit when the temperature gets to 60 or below. Being so close to the Gulf of Mexico, it tends to be real windy here most of the time, making it seem colder than it actually is. I am so ready for warm and sunny beaches!!!

So, how do we arrange for a "DIS meet"? I have read other trip reports and I would love to meet all of you in person!!! This is our first Disney cruise so we a clueless as to where anything is, but would love to participate in a meet-and-greet!! Shannon:love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love:

I'mWong

01-11-2007, 02:49 PM

Good afternoon! I amwith Shannon, I too love the warm weather of Texas. Atleast in the winter that is, it gets a little too hot in summer! Not quite as warm where I am as where Shannon is, though. I keep reading how unpredictable the weather has been this year. A teacher here went home to Maine for Christmas and it wasn't even close to snowing. :confused3

Last year all of us dissers met at the Sail Away party. We picked a location and all wore lime green (in honor of the dis board). We had actually posted pictures of ourselves before hand, but I have never really mastered that yet. It was really fun to meet everyone and then we would run into each other on board and catch up on what has been happening. It made a great experience even better.

Why don't we all make a list of who we have traveling with us and I will try to gather them all together and put them in one post. I will start:

Me (Laura)
DH (Gregg)
DD (Sarah) 10
DS (Gregory) Will turn 8 on the cruise

Marsh Family

01-11-2007, 06:24 PM

here is who we are:

Me (Erin)princess:
Chris DH pirate:
Brittany DD (12):tink:
Courtney DD (10):cheer2:
Paige DD (8)::MinnieMo

sounds like fun meeting everyone, also good for the kids to meet others right at the begining of the cruise.

i love hearing bout your awsome weather,:goodvibes mothernature is showing us what for today... tonights low is -40 C factoring in the wind chill. I am happy to say i don't have to work tonight so no going out for me!! :woohoo: just staying home with a nice cup of coffee:coffee:

take care everyone, see you soon but not soon enough!
Erinprincess:

ShannonR

01-12-2007, 04:54 AM

Great idea, Laura!!! Here's my contribution:

Me (Shannon)::laughing:

DH (Rick):surfweb:

DD13 (Morgan):cheer2:

DS10 (Mitchell)pirate:

DD2 (Melissa):cutie:

tuliene

01-12-2007, 04:29 PM

me Laurie (yikes 41!)
ds Connor (5)

Edmonton Canada
(Had whiteout conditions and -34 C two days ago...)

Suz D

01-14-2007, 10:37 PM

We have
me (Suz)
DH (Jeff)
DD (Katie) 11

Marsh Family

01-15-2007, 10:40 AM

Good Day From the FROZEN North Cruisers,
Just looking for all the rest of the Canadian Shipmates joining us on this March 10 cruise. Send a reply if you can, just curious to see how many winter birds there are.
Best Regards Chris from Winnipeg

tuliene

01-16-2007, 12:01 AM

Should we wear lime green canadian flags to the sail away celebration?

I'mWong

01-16-2007, 10:50 AM

i'mwong (from Texas):
Laura
DH Gregg
DD Sarah 10
DS Gregory 7 (turns 8 on cruise:bday: )

Marsh Family (from Canada):
Erin
DH Chris
DD Brittany 12
DD Courtney 10
DD Paige 8

Shannon R (from Texas):
Shannon
DH Rick
DD Morgan 13
DS Mitchell 10
DD Melissa 2

Tuliene (from Canada):
Laurie 41
DS Connor 5

Suz D (from Indiana):
Suz
DH Jeff
DD Katie 11

Keep them coming and I will add you to our list!

:cheer2: Sounds like we are going to have a great time!!:cheer2:

Suz D

01-17-2007, 11:39 PM

Hi Everyone...I cut and pasted a post below that I put on the regular cruise line forum, but didn't know if you all got on there very often. I wanted to share this fun story with our new cruise friends. If you read it on the regular cruise forum, I'm offering my apologies in advance, but I'm so excited I couldn't stand it.

I just had to share something fun:cheer2:

We are sailing on the 3/10/07 Western and had planned to spend 3/08-09 at WDW before we left. We each have 2 days left on unused MYW tickets from 2005 but didn't want to spend the extra $114.00 for the room. We decided to just do one day at Epcot and not use the 2nd day from our MYW tickets. We were sad to miss MK but could live with it. Then we remembered the Pirates and Princesses night on 03/08! For $40 each ($120) we could spend 5 hours in MK. Okay, that's doable so we'll plan on that and not burn a whole days ticket for a few hours. I didn't want to get the tickets for the Pirates/Princesses night just yet (I wanted the option to change our mind if we were tired etc.) Fast forward to today...

I got a code card in the mail this afternoon (these are mailed to certain people with no rhyme or reason as to why so please don't ask how to get it. I've never gotten one before). It offered 40% off rooms if you check in by 3/7! Let's go a day early, I thought. I called WDW and after 3 tries and being disconnected on all of them I called the Magical Gatherings line and pleaded for help checking the prices. She was so nice and the end result is that we would only be spending $37 more to go a day early. HMMMM... We'll do it IF our airfare isn't too much more!! So, how does that translate into a $170.00 savings you ask?

Here's the deal...called SWA to see if we could change our daughters ticket (DH and I were using credits so ours was free) and how much more it would be...It was $88.00 cheaper!! But wait, there's more. Don't forget that we can now have a whole day in MK since were going a day early. We'll just use our free passes and save the $120.00 from the Pirate/Princess party. Total saved...$171 and we're getting an extra day at Disney. I'm jumping for joy right now! :yay:

Sorry for the long post, I'm just so excited I can't believe our good fortune.

Suz

Marsh Family

01-18-2007, 09:50 AM

Great news SUZ, Have fun at the P&P party, lookfarwrd to hearing all about it!

Laurie I am not sure where i am going to find those lime green canadian flags, but i will look for you with yours! I sure hope your weather is better today, we woke to yup, more flurries!!

I think we only have 44 more days till we leave this brutal cold and head south!! :goodvibes can't wait!! The girls and Chris and I are so excited, no work, no school, No Work, no worries! :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

Take care all,

Erinprincess:

eruwqoi

01-18-2007, 09:52 AM

Hey NoFussRuss,

I hear that you don't think too much of anyone that is going on this cruise? What seems to be your problem?

Later,

E:rolleyes1

NoFussRuss

01-18-2007, 11:16 AM

I'm glad to see that the thread is getting real active - however - I don't have the excitement that I had last year. Even after the cruise - I was real pumped up to go back, but as the months past - the excitement died. However, last Sunday a friend's wife called to ask me some questions since she just decided to join her sister on the 2/3/07 cruise. Got me a bit more excited - but still not what I was experiencing last year - I HAVEN'T EVEN LOOKED AT THE EXCURSIONS FOR THE CRUISE YET!

If anyone has any questions about the cruise - feel free to ask! I know I had about 2,000 last year.

Also - last year we had a great list which included everyone's Disboard name - Family photo - family names with kids ages - location - room # and e-mail address. That was my job last year and would be more than happy to do it again. Let me know. I could e-mail anyone the list if they would like to see what it looked like. I'm at nofuss@superlink.net - e-mail me and I will forward you the copy.

eruwqoi - thanks for waking me up!

I'mWong

01-18-2007, 11:34 AM

Welcome back NoFussRuss!!! :banana: :banana:

Suz, what a great opportunity! I know your family will love having those extra days at Disney. I wish I could get off early, but I took the day after off (Monday) and didn't have the nerve to ask for time before too! Wish I were braver:rotfl: Let us know about the Pirate party that sounds like lots of fun!

Laurie and Erin...I think you are right about those green Canadian flags. Maybe you will have to settle for greens hrits with the Canadian flag pinned to it!

Marsh Family

01-18-2007, 11:38 AM

I think you might be right canadian flag pin way to go!
Erinprincess:

Suz D

01-18-2007, 11:39 AM

Just got off the phone with WDW reservations to pay my deposit and they now have a non-preferred room available so that saves us another $30.00. Pretty soon they are going to be paying US to come there! (I can only wish).

I'm glad the activity on this thread is picking up. I feel like I know some of you so well already. Last cruise we went with family which was great, but it's neat to look forward to meeting a whole new group of friends.

Suz

MECH8T7

01-18-2007, 09:05 PM

Hello all.

It's John and my wife Mary, our son Simon (8) and daughters Kelly (6) and Julie (2). We're another family from the Great White North...Toronto, Canada.

We're first time DCLers. We were originally going to go in August 2006 until we chickened out because of hurricane season and the heat, both on the cruise and in Orlando.

Now that the cruise is less than two months away, well be checking back here more frequently to find out what everyone is up to.

Here are two questions:

First, how many of you are planning on bringing dress-up clothes for yourselves or your kids for the pirate party?

Second, what is everyone bringing for themselves and their kids to wear on formal night?

Suz D

01-18-2007, 09:09 PM

We are probably not going to do too much dressing up for the pirate party. Might do a peasant type skirt for DD and I, but might not.

For formal night. Suit and tie for DH, fancy cream lace dress on after Christmas clearance for DD, and a lovely formal gown for me and I'm not going to tell you how much it cost. Okay, okay, I'll tell you. I found it at Goodwill for $7.99 and it's really beautiful. I wouldn't dream of buying a formal dress that I could only wear once for much more than that.

I'm sorry if it seems like I'm talking nothing but $$ today. I'm such a bargain shopper and have found some wonderful things lately. I should probably move all of this to the Budget board LOL!

Suz

Suz D

01-18-2007, 09:11 PM

I forgot to say "Welcome John, Mary and kids". This is only our 2nd cruise and we LOVED the first one. You are going to have such a great time. Ask any questions you need to, and study the disboards for great tips. Suz

NoFussRuss

01-18-2007, 09:20 PM

Hi John! Last year - the whole family dressed.

here we are on pirate night - http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e240/clydsdale/PiratePost.png

Since I bought the pirate wear at a going out of business sale at a costume store - I will bring them again this year. So yes we will be dressing. (I hope!)

not to many people seemed to dressed on our cruise - we were only one of a few at our dinner to dress - more people were at the pirate party on the deck dressed.

as for formal night - I brought a black suit. Wore a shirt and tie on formal night - wore the black suit with a button down shirt on semi formal night and wore the black pants with a polo style shirt to one of the dinners - one suit - three dinners. Some people go all out with tuxedos and ball gowns and others just dress comfortably for the night - my best advice - wear what you are comfortable in and looks nice.

ShannonR

01-19-2007, 07:23 AM

Good morning all!!!!

I am so excited that this thread is going strong! John, it's good to know that there is someone else on this trip with a 2 y.o. I know there are limited things she can do, but I think she will have the time of her life regardless. Is your 2 y.o. potty trained. Ours (Melissa) is not. We are trying SO HARD, but getting no where.

We bought Pirates of the Carribean t-shirts with our names printed on them and that is what we will be wearing for pirate night. I also got eye patches for my older two kids, but they both wear glasses so we will see if they are able to wear them for long. As far as formal night, Rick and Mitchell have suits with Mickey ties, we bought Melissa a Minnie Mouse dress/shoes and we have yet to buy Morgan her dress. Being a 13 y.o. girl, she of course wants a dress that a debutaunte would be proud of. I have a nice pant suit that I will wear seeing that I DO NOT do dresses. I have worn one in my life and that was for my wedding. Even that was pushing it!!! :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

I hope everyone has a nice weekend. I am working for the next 5 nights and CAN'T WAIT for this vacation!!! Shannon

ShannonR

01-19-2007, 07:48 AM

I forgot to ask: is anyone making door signs? Morgan is a whiz in art class and she has drawn ours on magnetic paper. She is very excited and proud of her work. I love to see all the designs that other people have used. :rotfl: :rotfl:

I'mWong

01-19-2007, 08:48 AM

I am really excited that more people are getting on the boards. It will be fun to "know" some people when we get on board.

I am not sure of pirate stuff. My husband and son both have costumes (if my son's still fits) and my daughter has a costume from the last cruise, but I don't. I wore a striped shirt and black capris with a red sash and red band in my hair. Well...I kept wearing all of those clothes and they are pretty worn looking now, so I will either purchase something else, or skip it this year and get a t-shirt or something. I will keep you posted once I decide. I like Shannon's idea of matching POC shirts. Good thinking, Shannon!

We will dress up for formal night. In the past, I have worn pantsuits and then I was in a wedding and had the bridesmaid dress and I wore that on a couple/three cruises (DCL and Carnival). My daughter has a long dress that she wore last year, but I am not sure if it still fits. She has gotten quite a bit taller. My DH and DS will both wear suits and I think I am going to purchase something new for me! I am sure it will be pants, though! I love dresses just a tiny bit more than Shannon!

We made door signs last year. Actually, my kids got carried away and we hardly had any part of the door that wasn't covered! I am sure they will be doing it again this year. We made them in photoshop last year with a LOT of help from my niece. I just can't figure that program out! If she is not available, I will probably make them in Word or Power Point this year. None of us have the littlest bit of artistic talent in us! I love that your daughter made yours. That will make it even better! :love:

Shannon...have a fun five days of work. Let us know how many new babies there are in your part of Texas when you get back!

How many of you have early dining and how many have late? We have late.

I'mWong

01-19-2007, 08:55 AM

MECH8T7

01-19-2007, 01:30 PM

Is your 2 y.o. potty trained. Ours (Melissa) is not. We are trying SO HARD, but getting no where.

About 6 mos ago, we started trying to get Julie potty trained so she would be able to go into the programs on the cruise. She cried every time we put her on the training seat. We also realized we had a long way to go before we could get her to the stage where she would just go off on her own and use the toilet all by herself. So, we gave up pretty quickly after we started. I'm not sure how often we'd have used the programs for Julie even if we could given her age, but it would have made planning for Palos and shore excursions much easier.

discruiser

01-19-2007, 05:14 PM

We will be joining you all on March 10. We are Kim (myself), DH Dan, DS Nicholas (8, will turn 9 one week after the cruise ends), DD Emily (6), DD Olivia (2) and DS Nathan (4 months)! We are from the Houston, TX area. This will be our 3rd cruise with Disney, and we can't wait! :mickeyjum

atakaratemom

01-21-2007, 04:37 PM

jpilgrim

01-22-2007, 09:36 PM

Another Canadian family -- this one from Ottawa Ontario. Looking forward to March 10th. Here is the details on my family

Me, Janice
DH John
DD Sophie 9
DD Nicole (Nicki) 8

We are so excited. We are booked for the late dinner time and have reservations for Palo on Tuesday evening. Here is the list on our excursions
Key West - Pirate Soul & Shipwreck Historeum Adventure
Grand Cayman - Stingray City Reef Sail & Snorkel
Cozumel - Dolphin Discovery Cozumel

I believe my daughters would also be interested in the scrapbooking craft:). This is such a great idea and it will make a great keepsake.
Thanks

sweeks82

01-22-2007, 10:36 PM

Russ,

Have a great time on the cruise...wish we were going! Disneymum (Lisa) and her family are joining us in WDW for the 1 year anniversary of last year's cruise! Have a few cocktails for me!

Suzanne

Goofy559

01-23-2007, 12:42 PM

:banana: Well, after lurking for awhile, I thought I'd finally post. We're another Canadian family on the March 10 cruise, from Toronto, ON.

We are:

me, Lisa
DH Darrell
DD Sage (8)

We are travelling with two other Ontario families, who have a DD (10) and DS (5) respectively. They are both cruise newbies and very excited.

Our family are cruise veterans -- I think this is Sage's 5th cruise -- second on Disney.....that's what happens when your birthday falls around March break!

Sounds like there are lots of girls Sage's age on board.

Looking forward to a great trip:banana: :banana:

Marsh Family

01-23-2007, 01:37 PM

WoW,
It's great to see so many people posting now, lots of excitement, nice to see so many other Canadians on board trying to escape the cold weather, we are in full countdown mode now. Looking forward to March 10. Hope to hear from more soon.
Chris (Winnipeg, MB)
DW Erin
DD Brittany (12)
DD Courtney (10)
DD PAige (8)

I'mWong

01-23-2007, 01:59 PM

i'mwong (from Texas):
Laura
DH Gregg
DD Sarah 10
DS Gregory 7 (turns 8 on cruise ) :bday:

Marsh Family (from Canada):
Erin
DH Chris
DD Brittany 12
DD Courtney 10
DD Paige 8

Shannon R (from Texas):
Shannon
DH Rick
DD Morgan 13
DS Mitchell 10
DD Melissa 2

Tuliene (from Canada):
Laurie 41
DS Connor 5

Suz D (from Indiana):
Suz
DH Jeff
DD Katie 11

NoFussRuss (from New Jersey):
Russ
DW Eileen
DD Maeve (5)
DS Quinn (4)

mech8T7 (from Canada):
John
DW Mary
DS Simon (8)
DD Kelly (6)
DD Julie (2)

discruiser (from Texas):welcome:
Kim
DH Dan
DS Nicholas 8 (9 week after cruise):bday:
DD Emily (6)
DD Olivia (2)
DS Nathan (4 mos.)

jpilgrim (from Canada) :welcome:
Janice
DH John
DD Sophia (9)
DD Nicole (Nicki) (8)

Goofy559 (from Canada):welcome:
Lisa
DH Darrell
DD Sage (8)

Who is next to join??? Don't miss out on the fun!

MECH8T7

01-23-2007, 08:14 PM

Hey March 10 group...

Wanted to thank ShannonR for helping DS Simon connected via e-mail with her DS Mitchell. It is really helping Simon get "psyched" for the cruise.

Problem is that our DD6 Kelly is feeling a little left out. If there's anyone with DS or DD that would be interested in exchanging e-mails with Kelly before the cruise, she would be thrilled. If your DS or DD is interested, please "pm" me with the e-mail co-ordinates and I'll have Kelly send an introductory e-mail.

Thanks in advance.

John

I'mWong

01-23-2007, 09:13 PM

It is hard to believe how close the cruise is finally! :woohoo: We booked last year in March and it has been quite a wait. I have been looking at some pictures from last year and I am getting really excited. My daughter and son would love to email someone from the cruise as well. If anyone wants to start a little pen pal group with either (or both) of them, let me know.

I am amazed how many Texans and Canadians there are on this cruise! So many of us are really close together (as far as Texas goes) too.

The weather here has been yucky! It has been raining and cold for a couple of weeks now. Pretty unusual for this area. Winter is normally not more than a few days here and there spread out over a few months. I am fine with the cold, within reason, but the cold and the rain together....BRRR! I don't know how you northerners or Canadians do it! :eek:

Our list of Disers has gotten pretty long now. I am sure there will be more to come!

Hope everyone has a great day!

By the way, any pin traders out there? My kids love pin trading!

discruiser

01-23-2007, 10:24 PM

Hi Laura,

I sent you a pm.

Kim

Suz D

01-24-2007, 07:52 AM

Katie is a pin trader! Just aquired that new habit in August when we went to WDW. I'm hoping to snag a few fun pins at WDW before we cruise.

Suz

I'mWong

01-26-2007, 11:42 PM

How is everyone tonight? We need to get on this board and start sharing our cruise ideas! Where is everyone?

Who is getting excited?!!

ShannonR

01-27-2007, 01:45 AM

I'm here and ready to go Laura! As you personally know, we couldn't be more excited if we tried and Morgan has the suitcases already packed!!:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: We have purchased everything, including our formal wear just yesterday!! 41 days still seems like an eternity away, even though I realize it's right around the corner! Hope to hear from everyone soon.

We have given up on the potty training and bought swim diapers instead.:sad1: :sad1:

Shannon

Suz D

01-27-2007, 07:48 AM

Shannon, just time for a quick e-mail. I hurt my back (it's improving rapidly thank goodness) and have not had a free minute to write/call you except at 2:00 A.M. when I know you're at work!

We stayed at All Star Sports in 2005 and Pop Century in 2006 as well. Funny coincidence!

Everyone, I'm still planning on the scrapbooking project. I've finalized the details and I'm really excited. Please be thinking about whether you would like your daughter to make one with/without you (Moms are welcome too). It will be a 4x4 scrapbook held together with big rings with ribbons etc. on them. I had thought we'd do it on the 2nd at sea day because the girls would know each other more, but now I'm thinking it might be fun to do it on the 1st sea day so that they can GET to know each other a bit.

I've looked at an old navigator for October and it looks like there is free time built into the schedule (that day on that cruise it was from 3:00 to 4:00) and an hour will be more than plenty of time to finish the project. I will plan on doing the project during the 1 hour free time on the first afternoon at sea. This project is something that they could do on their own as well because I'm going to make "kits" for each girl. If you aren't able to make it that day but said you would come, hunt me down and I'll at least get you the kit. I'm hoping to finish one and post a picture for you to see.

Okay, longer e-mail than I intended and I've got to shower for foster care classes. Please let me know no later than February 21st if you would like your daugther(s) to make one and how old they are.

Thanks! And SEE you all soon. We NEED this vacation.

Suz

tuliene

01-28-2007, 03:18 PM

about canadians having to get up ultraearly to recover their passports at the buena vista theatre. It's going to be a brutal day as our plane doesn't leave till 3:30pm. Oh I wish there were transporters like in star trek. Beam me home...:sad2:

I'mWong

01-28-2007, 10:47 PM

Suz...I am so sorry to hear about your back injury. I will send you some pixiedust: for a speedy recovery! I talked to Sarah and she would be interested in doing the project with the girls.

Shannon...it was such a pleasure to talk to you the other day. I am sorry I didn't get back with you this weekend. We are remodeling all 3 of our bathrooms and we have been so busy picking out the things we need. We have been to Lowe's and Home Depot like 10 times each in the last few days. People think I work there!! I will call you one day from school on my conference time if that works for you. It will be around 2pm.

discruiser...we have been having problems with our internet for the past few days so my kids haven't been able to get an email out. Looks like it is working more steadily now, so I will get them to do it tomorrow. Sorry! They are very eager to talk to your son.

tuliene...I always feel sorry for non US citizens when they have to arrive at that theater so early on departure day. Seems insane! Even early breakfast on that last day is a crazy early time for me. I will be thinking about you!

Everyone else...I love seeing more people posting. I think we need to start thinking about a DIS meet! 41 days is not very long! It does seem like an eternity, though! I know NoFussRuss offered to compile a document that included pictures of each family and some info about where we are staying, etc. so we can easily identify each other. Anyone up for that? Last year we all met at the sail away party. Another option might be a particular place on the ship at a certain time other than sailaway. I was looking at some scrapbook pages that were posted and it showed everyone in a lounge for their DIS meet. Last year we all wore the DIS green so we could be easily recognizable. It was fun to see everyone and to run into people on the ship and catch up on what they have been doing. My family is staying at the Hyatt in the airport the night before, but we don't even arrive into Orlando until almost 11pm:eek: We will be tired the next morning, but we are so excited I doubt we could sleep much anyway.:banana: :banana:

ShannonR

01-29-2007, 09:14 AM

Good morning! Just got back from work and thought I would check in. 39 days to go and counting!

Laura: I would love to hear from you, 2p.m. is fine. I wake up easily and get up about that time to get the kids from school, so it would be perfect. We don't know any areas of the ship (as of yet), but would love to meet our fellow cruisers any place, any time!! Just let us know!

Suz: Count Morgan in for the craft project! She loves to do crafty things and can't wait to meet all the girls she has been e-mailing to over the past couple of months! Let me know if there is anything I can bring or do to help!

We are pretty much ready for this trip. I think we have everything purchased that we need (we still have a few odds and ends to get). We are looking forward to finding out when our flight times are. We are also staying at the Hyatt on Friday night, but don't know when we will arrive as of yet.

Well, off to bed I go. Another day, 30 more babies born in the U.S (legal or not legal, Ha!Ha!)

Shannon

Jara

01-29-2007, 09:33 PM

Hi All - We are from Texas too!! I need recommendations on excursions as this is our first disney cruise. I looked into the dune buggy tour in Mexico, has anyone tried that? DH, Myself, daughter 10 and son will be 6 a few days before the cruise.

Suz D

01-30-2007, 07:43 AM

Hooray, another 10 year old girl. The kids club will be full of them. This is going to be so much fun. Suz

Marsh Family

01-30-2007, 12:59 PM

Wow, Good Morning All!
We also have a 10 year old DD Courtney, I know she would be interested in talking to the other 10 year olds, if you have the time our home mail is cebcp@shaw.ca please drop her a line she would be so excited, this is our 2nd cruise and it was fun but lonely for the girls on the cruise not knowing anyone. We also have Paige who is 8 for any of the younger girls she had a blast on our last cruise she met another 6 year old girl form New Jersey and they played together the entire time, they still write back and forth to each other today. I know these girls would love to hear from some of the other kids to make their time in clubs as well general cruise time so much fun.
Best Regards,
Chris

Marsh Family

01-30-2007, 01:07 PM

Suz,
If there is still time I'm sure my DD Courtney(10) and DD Paige (8) would definetly be interested in the scrapbook idea. Please lt us now if there is anything we can supply or bring, maybe some Canadian Flags or how about some fresh snow, or even some minus 20 degree weather haha!
Best Regards, Chris

I'mWong

01-30-2007, 03:05 PM

Good afternoon everyone!

I hope you are all doing well. Can you believe it is almost February and the cruise is soooo close! I have a really busy February at work, so it is going to fly by for me! Before you know it, we will all be meeting up on the Magic and there will actually be faces with these names.

:welcome: Jara family from Texas! If you want to post your names, I will add you to the roll call. Is your son's birthday while on the cruise? We haven't done the dune buggy tour in Cozumel, but last year the cruise was diverted to Costa Maya because of hurricane damage and we did a similar excursion in Costa Maya, but it was regular jeeps. We are also thinking about that excursion. Not sure if we are going to go through Disney or through a private group. I found one that sounds good, but you never really know. Atleast with DCL it is for sure a good thing. Even though it is quite a bit more expensive.

Chris, I think those Canadian flags might come in handy. As you can see, we have quite a few of our northern friends on this cruise! You can leave the freezing temperatures and snow at home, though! I am sure you will be one happy family baking on the beach. Last year we had a girl from Alaska on the cruise with us. It was funny reading her trip report and how drastic the changes were for them. Very similar to yours, I am sure. I will have my daughter email your daughter one day this week. I am not sure about your school, but 5th grade has proven to include quite a bit of homework/projects for our daughter. I think she is the one looking the most forward to the vacation!:rotfl:

Hope everyone else is staying warm and having a great time counting down.

Anyone making t-shirts or door signs?

Have a great day!:goodvibes

jpilgrim

02-02-2007, 09:18 AM

O.K. we're new to cruising. First timers:cool1: . What are the t-shirts and door signs that you are talking about? What are the t-shirts for?

Also, can you please sign up DD Sophie (9) and DD Nicole (8) for the scrapbooking craft.

Also, any tips you can give us would be greatly appreciated. We are so excited!:cheer2:

Marsh Family

02-02-2007, 10:31 AM

Good Day, Fellow Canadian Cruisers,
Advice from us Have as much fun as you can pack into 1 week, warning though as with us after the first Disney Cruise we were hooked and had to come back even though we told the kids it was a one shot deal. My DD Courtney(10) is looking forward to this one a little more I think also as with DD Paige(8), way more activities for them in the clubs, we printed out some new navigators from the most recent cruise and let them review some of the activities which had the more excited, feel free to drop us a line at cebcp@shaw.ca and we can help you with some of your questions.
Best Regards, Chris, DW(Erin) Winnipeg

Marsh Family

02-02-2007, 11:52 AM

to answer your questions, the door signs are magnetic pictures or letters that you can put on the outside of your stateroom door, to help identify your room and to decorate it too, as the doors are metal.

Tee shirts as far i i see it are to identify a family or group, (they all wear same or similar shirts)

hope that helps and welcome aboard!!!

if your girls would like to chart they are welcome to write Courtney (10) and Paige (8) at the email address that Chris just posted in the previous email.

Erinprincess:

Marsh Family

02-02-2007, 12:01 PM

If you do a quick seasrch for magnetic door signs on the boards you will find a post "what does your DCL magnetic door sign look like" you will see lot os examples of creative ideas to jazz up your door, fun for the kids and helps little ones id their room!

Erinprincess:

tink&cinderella

02-02-2007, 12:22 PM

Hi Everyone

We too are joining you on this cruise

Denise
Peter
Jessica 8
Kimberly 4

We just sailed on the 10 day in December and had a blast. This will be our
4th cruise. Our in-laws are treating us.

We are very excited.

Denise

I'mWong

02-02-2007, 02:09 PM

i'mwong (from Texas):
Laura
DH Gregg
DD Sarah 10
DS Gregory 7 (turns 8 on cruise ) :bday:

Marsh Family (from Canada):
Erin
DH Chris
DD Brittany 12
DD Courtney 10
DD Paige 8

Shannon R (from Texas):
Shannon
DH Rick
DD Morgan 13
DS Mitchell 10
DD Melissa 2

Tuliene (from Canada):
Laurie 41
DS Connor 5

Suz D (from Indiana):
Suz
DH Jeff
DD Katie 11

NoFussRuss (from New Jersey):
Russ
DW Eileen
DD Maeve (5)
DS Quinn (4)

mech8T7 (from Canada):
John
DW Mary
DS Simon (8)
DD Kelly (6)
DD Julie (2)

discruiser (from Texas)
Kim
DH Dan
DS Nicholas 8 (9 week after cruise):bday:
DD Emily (6)
DD Olivia (2)
DS Nathan (4 mos.)

jpilgrim (from Canada)
Janice
DH John
DD Sophia (9)
DD Nicole (Nicki) (8)

Goofy559 (from Canada)
Lisa
DH Darrell
DD Sage (8)

Jara (from Texas) :welcome:
Jara
DH
Daughter (10)
Son (6) :bday:

Tink and Cinderella (from Canada) :welcome:
Denise
DH Peter
Jessica (8)
Kimberly (4)

Who is next to join??? Don't miss out on the fun!

kperkins0407

02-04-2007, 12:10 PM

Hi Everyone!
Hope all is well with everyone! Please add us to the role call
We are from San Antonio, Texas
Kim
Scott (DH)
Roxanna (DD 13)
Erica (DD 10)

Looking forward to meeting everyone! We are doing our own thing in Key West, Discover snorkel in Cozumel, and Seven Mile Beach Break in Grand Cayman. At Castaway Cay we are renting floats / snorkel gear for the day.

We are also flying out on Friday and staying at Disney's Pop Century. I have never gone out a day early, but really do not like getting up and catching a 5:30 a.m. flight on the day of the cruise. So we are trying something new this time!!

Don't forget your hand sanitizer! I had the stomach bug this weekend--I kept thinking to myself thank goodness this is at home and not on the cruise. I guess I caught it from my students. I have only had 4 popsicles since Fri. night. We have never had a problem on any of the 4 cruises that we have been on, but we always take the small hand sanitizers for each person and use it often, especially right before we eat. Lots of hand washing & sanitizers have worked thus far.

Kim

tink&cinderella

02-04-2007, 12:18 PM

Don't worry about the hand sanitizer. In December they had CM's everywhere with those disinfect wipes - they handed them out before every meal and hand sanitation was a must before getting back on board at the islands.

Hope everyone is excited!!

Denise

Suz D

02-04-2007, 01:59 PM

Kim, we are also staying at Pop Century on Friday (we'll be there Wed, Thur and Fri. nights). We're doing Epcot on Thursday and Magic Kingdom on Friday. It would be fun to run into you at POP. I hope your girls will want to make the little scrapbooking craft I have planned.

I'm going to call DCL tomorrow to see if there is a place that we can meet. If not, we'll make a general meeting place somewhere.

Suz

jpilgrim

02-05-2007, 11:48 AM

I'm dreaming of the warm weather. It is -38 with the wind chill in Ottawa today.

I want sun, I want summer clothes, I want to have a good time.

NC Cains

02-05-2007, 08:03 PM

Wow! What a great birthday gift. We are the Cain family from NC. Our daughter is 10 and she would like to hear from other young girls her age. Please e-mail us at mctitrad@bellsouth.net if you will be on this cruise and would like to make a new friend. :cool1:

kperkins0407

02-07-2007, 01:08 AM

Suz,
Count on our 2 girls joining you for the scrapbook project. I think that they will enjoying meeting the rest of the girls.

I am sure that you posted this...but where did you say you were from?

What transportation arrangements did you make for your family getting from POP to ship?

Also, does anyone know if they still have a Castaway Cay Members' Get Together midweek on the ship? I tried looking on-line at some of the past Personal Navigators but the print was so small that I may have just missed it.

Kim

I'mWong

02-11-2007, 02:12 PM

I am just returning from a computer teacher's conference in Austin. I had a really good time and learned a lot of new things to go back and teach my students! While I was in Austin, I spent my evening time getting all of my pictures from our last Disney cruise sorted and got the materials together to make a scrapbook. I know I'm a "little" behind, but I am going on a retreat the weekend before the cruise and really want to finish the cruise book from last year before going on this one! I wish I were organized enough to work on it a little at a time. That is my goal, I just never seem to get there.

We are sooo excited. Can't believe it is less than a month away. This month is going to fly by and we will be on that ship before we know it! I am really excited to meet all of you. We need to plan our meet sometime soon. I was looking at some scrapbook ideas, and some of them had made name tags for the meet. I think that is pretty cool. Last year we just meet on deck 9 at the sail away party and that worked out well too.

Suz, I was talking to my daughter today after church and she can't wait to meet the girls and work on that scrapbook project you have planned. You are really going to have some excited girls on your hand. I am excited to learn how to do it myself. You can never have too many ideas, right! After all, I will have an entire new scrapbook to make after March!

My kids sent out a few emails last night. I will get them to email your daughter today, Cains family. I LOVE North Carolina. We went there on vacation a few years ago and we all fell in love with the place. It is so beautiful! I would love to live there. What part are you from?

We are in the process of remodeling all three of our bathrooms! I am hoping they finish before we leave. If not, not sure how that will go over. Obviously we are not going to leave our house/gate unlocked for over a week. I want it to be over before we leave anyway, so my husband can actually relax on the cruise and not even have to think about the construction. Wish me luck!

Hope everyone is getting as excited as we are! We will be sailing the ocean blue before you know it! I am wishing for warmer weather for our Canadian friends! It has been an unseasonably cold weather for us in Texas (atleast our part), but nothing to compare to -38!! BRRR!!! No matter what, you will be experiencing some "toasty" weather in about a month!

Have a great one, everyone!!

I'mWong

02-11-2007, 02:18 PM

i'mwong (from Texas):
Laura
DH Gregg
DD Sarah 10
DS Gregory 7 (turns 8 on cruise):bday:

Marsh Family (from Canada):
Erin
DH Chris
DD Brittany 12
DD Courtney 10
DD Paige 8

Shannon R (from Texas):
Shannon
DH Rick
DD Morgan 13
DS Mitchell 10
DD Melissa 2

Tuliene (from Canada):
Laurie 41
DS Connor 5

Suz D (from Indiana):
Suz
DH Jeff
DD Katie 11

NoFussRuss (from New Jersey):
Russ
DW Eileen
DD Maeve (5)
DS Quinn (4)

mech8T7 (from Canada):
John
DW Mary
DS Simon (8)
DD Kelly (6)
DD Julie (2)

discruiser (from Texas)
Kim
DH Dan
DS Nicholas 8 (9 week after cruise):bday:
DD Emily (6)
DD Olivia (2)
DS Nathan (4 mos.)

jpilgrim (from Canada)
Janice
DH John
DD Sophia (9)
DD Nicole (Nicki) (8)

Goofy559 (from Canada)
Lisa
DH Darrell
DD Sage (8)

Jara (from Texas)
Jara
DH
Daughter (10)
Son (6) :bday:

Tink and Cinderella (from Canada)
Denise
DH Peter
Jessica (8)
Kimberly (4)

kperkins0407 (from San Antonio) :welcome:
Kim
Scott (DH
Roxanna (DD13)
Erica (DD 10)

Who is next to join??? Don't miss out on the fun!

ShannonR

02-11-2007, 09:34 PM

26 days to go!!!!!!!!!!:cool1: :cool1: :cool1: :cool1:

Hi everyone!!! I am here in the world of Labor and Delivery dreaming of Disney! :love: :love: I can't believe it's almost here! We have been soooo busy here at work that I haven't had a chance to even see my family much let alone finish planning for our trip. My entire family has been sick as dogs with upper respiratory infections. My DD13 started with it 2 weeks ago, then my DD2 and I got it at the same time, now my husband got it today. The only one left is my DS10. Believe me I have been kissing all over him in hopes that he will get it now and be over it by the time the cruise rolls around. I have to be thankful that we are getting it now instead of two weeks from now. I would hate to have all this planning be flushed down the toilet because of an URI. :worried: :worried:

To Kim, Suz, Laura and Erin: I am sorry I haven't called to chat, but I have so sick this past week, that I actually was thinking that I was dying (or at least that's what it felt like):sick: :sick: :sick: . I promise I will call on my next day off (I have 5 WHOLE days off come Wednesday!) Today is the first day that I have actually been able to get through 10 minutes without coughing and/or sneezing! :yay: :yay: I lost my voice two days ago and it has yet to come back but, I know I am on my way to recovery!:yay: :yay:

We have Disney logo t-shirts that we plan to wear on the first day of the cruise (we don't own anything lime green), but we DEFINITELY want to meet all of you!:grouphug: :grouphug: Just let us know when and where and we will be there with bells ringing! Morgan has been so busy e-mailing so many of your DD that she CAN"T WAIT to meet them!:hug:

I plan to finish my packing on these next days off and clean my house so all I have left to do is count down to D-Day(Disney Day).:rotfl: :rotfl:

Well, I guess I should go now and birth some babies. Today is a slower day, we only have 6 laboring women here today, but it never lasts for long! I hope you are all doing well and dreaming of warmer days (it has been cold and rainy here in the south of Texas for WEEKS and frankly, I am tired of it!:furious: :furious: :furious: )

Shannon

kperkins0407

02-11-2007, 11:28 PM

My daughter Roxanna (13) just recently got e-mail. She would love to hear from any of your daughters. roxanna93@satx.rr.com My step-daughter will be visiting from S. Carolina next weekend and would love to receive e-mails Fri., Feb. 16-18. She can receive e-mail at kbroderhausen@satx.rr.com

Both girls are counting down the days. We are keeping our fingers crossed that everyone is healthy by the cruise.

Do any of you suffer from motion sickness while on the cruise? I personally have never had a problem, but my husband has never been on a cruise and is very worried. Any suggestions?

Just let us know where we are all meeting and we will be there.

Kim

Marsh Family

02-13-2007, 09:44 AM

HI EVERYONE!!!

Laura that sounds great with us DECK 9, maybe by the goofy family pool or the mickey kid pool what every everyone thinks is good....
DD 10 got your DD email and will mail tonight, very excited...

Shannon we as well don't all have lime green t's so i think we are planing on wearing ROOTS Canada t's so look for us in that....

Shannon i look forward to talking more with you, i will call you thursday during the day if that works for you.... i hear you loud and clear about wwork, so busy this weekens (supposed to start with 4 moms 4 babes on days but started with 5/5 and in that group had 1 mommy with high blood pressure, 1 babe with cleft lip and 1 babe seizure on my and transfer to NICU) oh what a day!! I have 2 more evening left then next week start 3 12 hr nights and 2 8hr nights then away we go........ off to sun fun and summertime in the south......:banana:
I hope your family is feeling better soon.... and yes thank goodness happeded now...

SUZ my girls are all excited about meeting the girls on the cruise at your scrapbooking meeting, really great idea... thanks for the invites!

Kim i can tell you that i get car sick all the time, can't read in the car, and god forbid i have to turn around and look behind us while the car is moving.... anyway when we went on our cruise, i had no problem at all! one night was pretty rough seas, but i slept like a baby and ate like a pig... I know you can get a less drowsy formula of gravol, called BONNIE or dramamine less drowsy formula (only for those 12 and older and try it before you leave home to see if it works for you).
I hope your husband has the same experiance i did.

To our Canadian friends, the end is near.... soon... soon we will free ourselves from our scarves and ski pants and mitts and sorels.... sandels and bathing suits and shorts are in our future!!!! :goodvibes :goodvibes :goodvibes

Take care everyone.... princess:

Suz D

02-13-2007, 10:57 AM

We're off from school today with a snow day. Lots of ice and cold. I'm looking forward to the sun and fun.

Here is a list of everyone I have for the scrapbooking craft.

Sophie (9)
Nicole (8)

Courtney (10)
Paige (8)

Morgan (13)

Sarah (10)

Roxanna (13)
Erica (10)

Katie (11)

If I have missed anyone, please let me know. Otherwise I will plan on these girls for the craft. I am planning on having them personalized on the front so if there is a special spelling or nickname that you would like, let me know that as well. If the moms would like to make one please let me know on that too so that I'm prepared. If everyone could throw in one glue stick for each girl that would be helpful. If you don't have a glue stick or won't have the time to get one before then, just let me know and I'll pack extras.

It's going to be very fun, and a great way for the girls to get aquainted. I called DCL to see about a place to make them and was told that they no longer have a conferance room. It was suggested that we just make them on deck near the pool. That's the plan, but we'll firm it up the closer we get.

WooHOO! We're counting days now!

Suz

Suz D

02-13-2007, 10:58 AM

Erin, I don't have your 12 year old on my list. Does she want to make one?

Marsh Family

02-13-2007, 02:01 PM

Suz, yes yes yes she would love to and we will get our glue sticks ready! thanks again for the invite!

PS stay warm..... and enjoy your snow day!!
Erin

kperkins0407

02-13-2007, 06:57 PM

Suz, thanks for getting the scrapbook activity organized for all of the girls. I will make sure that we bring the glue sticks.

We missed 2 days of school in Jan. due to ice--that is very RARE for San Antonio. But I have to say it was nice having those 2 days off from work.

Meeting on deck 9 works for us or even deck 10 overlooking the pools may be less crowded. Just let us know and we will be there!

3 1/2 weeks!!!

Kim

kperkins0407

02-13-2007, 07:02 PM

I have always had early dinner in the past, but this time we have late dinner. Those that have cruised before, what do you think about late dinner?

Suz D

02-13-2007, 07:42 PM

Kim, did you get my PM about transportation from POP to the port? If not, let me know and I'll e-mail you. We have arranged transportation, but if you would like to travel with us I got some quotes for $$. It's very reasonable!

We had late dining on our last cruise and got waitlisted for early as it was just too late to eat. I don't like to go to bed that full. We had late dining the first night and then early all of the other nights.

So glad everyone is looking forward to scrapbooking!

Suz

kperkins0407

02-13-2007, 10:59 PM

Suz, I did get your e-mail about transportation and responded to it. I think it probably in your private messages. I sent it the same day you sent me the e-mail. I appreciate the offer, but all of our transportation is already paid for. We had to work out special details with our arrival, etc. because Eric will be flying to Orlando from SC and we are flying from San Antonio. But maybe we can hook up sometime Friday night at the hotel.

Again, thank you for the offer.

Kim

Suz D

02-13-2007, 11:32 PM

Kim,

It must have gone astray and is lost in the great computer void somewhere. No problem on the transportation. Ours is arranged as well so I'm glad we're both covered. I hadn't even thought about your transportation being part of your package.

We are going to be at Magic Kingdom on Friday and probably won't be back to the hotel until late, but it might be fun to meet for a beverage at the food court. Let's talk as we get closer.

Suz

jpilgrim

02-14-2007, 08:19 AM

Suz, thanks so much for your work on this. The girls will be thrilled and I will make sure they have glue sticks. Are any of the Mom's going to participate? It might be a chance to have a good gab fest. If so, count me in.
Again thanks,
Janice

P.S. Happy Valentine's Day to all:love:

Suz D

02-14-2007, 08:31 AM

Janice and all ,

I would love to have the Mom's participate as well. Just let me know if you want to make one and I'll have the supplies on hand. Bring a glue stick for yourself as well. It will go fastest if everyone has her own glue stick. Suz

I'mWong

02-14-2007, 12:06 PM

Hi Suz...I would love to make one with the girls. Sounds like fun! I will make sure to get some glue sticks as well. Thanks for offering this to us. I feel like I should be paying for some of the supplies. Please let me know if you would like me to bring anything, or contribute in any way.

Kim...we missed one day of school in January due to the ice too. I hated it then, because it was so close to the Christmas break and I knew we have to make it up this Friday which was supposed to be a holiday. I could REALLY use that holiday now! Oh well, I will be here Friday, ready to greet my students, with a smile on my face. I actually really LOVE teaching, but a holiday every now and then makes me smile really big!:goodvibes

Shannon...I am glad your family is feeling better. We are all going through the sniffles, but I really think it is more allergies than anything else.

Erin...when you talk about only having two more weeks to work before you leave, that really makes it hit home as to how close this is. I think I better get to packing. Unfortunately, I am not as far along as Shannon. I am hoping to be almost there by the end of this weekend, though. I did buy a new shirt for formal night and a few things for my daughter. I need to get some stuff altered. I have a feeling I better get to moving if I want it back in time!

We have always had late dining on all of our cruises. I think it is a personal preference, but to me, it seems hard to get back and be ready for early dinner on the days when we are on shore. I think it is also what you are used to at home. While I would like for us to eat earlier, it is usually atleast 7 or later when we all get home and settled to eat. It does sound like you will be able to change once you get aboard. I wish you luck in whatever you decide. :wizard:

I am really glad to see the thread getting a little more action. I have a question for you. I made a pact with my students here at school that I would read atleast 40 novels this year. I am falling behind. Anyone have any suggestions for me? :confused3 I love the Janet Evanovich, Stephanie Plum series, but I have already read all of those atleast twice! Some three times if I really like them. I am up for suggestions. I like most genres, with the exception of westerns.

Marsh Family

02-14-2007, 01:33 PM

Laura, If you like CSI type books, i LOVE the novels by Patricia Cornwell (her Kay Scarpetta series) usually finish one in a little over a week. But be warned they are a pretty graphic style of writing, but excellent reads. If you decide to read these, they are best read in sequience starting from postmortem.... they kind of build on eachother. Hope you like.

Great idea, as i am now fishied the series and look forward to seeing others replies for good books!

I know what you mean Laura, it does not seem like it is thatfar away at all. Just a few odss and ends and viola, finished!

Erinprincess:

I'mWong

02-14-2007, 02:30 PM

Erin, thanks for the suggestion. I will try those. Can you tell the order of the books from the cover, or do you just have to know it. If you like light humor with a suspensful twist, I suggest those Stephanie Plum books. They too build on each other and they have numbers in the title to keep track. The first one is "One For the Money" followed by "Two For the Dough", etc. They are quite entertaining. I have encouraged almost all of the teachers here to read them, and we all love them. Another really good author to me is Nicholas Sparks. He writes romance novels, but very real to life. He is the author of the Notebook, Message in a Bottle, and A Walk to Remember that have been made into movies that I know of. However, the books are SOOO much better than the movies, and I LOVE the movies. He has a new book out named, Dear John, but I haven't read that one yet. He actually has several books that I haven't read. Sad to admit, but I read The Notebook while we were on a cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale a few years ago and I kept sneaking back to the room so I could read more every chance I got. I had to "run alot of errands" on that cruise! Even bought a book light to keep reading after dark since we were driving before I finished the book. Made my husband a little upset that all I was looking at was the pages of a book with the beautiful scenery passing by! What can I say, it's a great book! The sequel to The Notebook is The Wedding and I just lent it to my niece who is a freshman in college and she loved it too. Oh well, I am sure I have just shared much more information than anyone really wants to hear, but that is me...a talker! Even when it is in writing!:rotfl: :rotfl:

Marsh Family

02-14-2007, 02:55 PM

Laura I will try those authors, and i had to laugh about your husband, as mine would be saying the same thing, when i am into a good book, he says thats all i do.. and he may be right. :goodvibes

To answer your question you can get the order from the books inside pages, but the most recient books are listed at the top so you should read from the bottom up...

Erin

kperkins0407

02-14-2007, 06:22 PM

I was glad to get those ice days back in Jan. I didn't have alot of time during Christmas break to get alot done around the house. Scott and I got married during Christmas and then flew to Vegas for our honeymoon. As soon as we returned we went to Dallas for my grandmother's funeral. So those 2 days were spent combining our 2 households--moving furniture and mainly rearranging my closet so that Scott would have some room.

I love to read true crime--Ann Rule. I haven't had much time to read in the past 2 1/2 years--grad school and single parenting kept me very busy. Oh, I forgot--I also graduated at the begining of the Christmas Break. Those 2 ice days came in very handy for me. We now are teaching students on Feb. 23 instead of an inservice day. But they are still giving us that Monday a holiday--comp day if we have 6 outside workshop hours.

Roxanna has received e-mail from some of your daughters--she is very excited about getting to meet everyone.

It is hard to believe that we will be sailing in approx. 24 days!!

Kim

NC Cains

02-14-2007, 06:27 PM

Hello sailing friends,
Laura and Sarah - thanks for the e-mails. We look forward to meeting you on the ship. It sounds as though Sarah and Brittany have lots in common. NC is a great place to vacation and live. We live in the central part of the state. We can be at the beach in about two hours and at the mountains in about three hours. Our world basically "pauses" when it snows.
Suz - Brittany would love to join the scrapbook group if possible. Just let us know. We can bring any materials necessary.
See everyone soon and Happy Valentine's Day!:love:
The Cain Family
Mike, April and Brittany (10)

Marsh Family

02-14-2007, 09:06 PM

Kim congratulations on so much... you have been busy...
your getting married, and finishing school.... hard work payed off.

Is true crime a mistery, or crime novel?? something like that?

Erin

kperkins0407

02-14-2007, 09:27 PM

Erin,
The true crime that I read is non-fiction based on true stories. I love all of the detective work, forensics, etc. All of the book talk inspired me to go to Barnes & Noble tonight. Bought several books--planning ahead for some travel reading.

Kim

Suz D

02-14-2007, 10:49 PM

Kim, I've read most of Ann Rule's books. My favorite was "The Stranger Beside Me". We lived in Central Washington for about 6 years and Ted Bundy abducted one of his victims from the University where my husband taught. Have you read anything by John Douglas? He is an FBI profiler and has written some interesting books. They are "novels" like Ann Rule's books, but they are fascinating. I read mostly non-fiction, but I'm bringing "Wicked" with me for the cruise.

I also really love to read "outdoorsy adventures" if that is a description. Things like "Into Thin Air" and "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer and "Touching the Void" by Joe Simpson. One of my all time favorite reads is "Indian Creek Cronicles" by Pete Fromm.

April, I'll mark Brittany down for the scrapbook project. Just bring a glue stick for her to use and that's it.

Suz

ShannonR

02-15-2007, 02:40 AM

I am so excited to have the next 5 days off!:cool1: :cool1: I desperately need to recover from this respiratory infection that has plagued me for 2 weeks now:sick: :sick: Sorry my voice sounded so bad yesterday, Laura:sad1:. I feel so much better, but can't seem to get my voice back:confused3 .

I also LOVE to read! I only read murder mysteries and my all time favorite writers are Patricia Cornwell and Janet Evanovich. I have read all their books and can't wait until their next one comes out. Book 13 comes out in June for Stephanie Plum and I'm not sure about Kay Scarpetta (the characters they write about). I also like James Patterson and JD Robb. In fact, I have the new Alex Cross book packed in my suitcase for the trip. I figure, since I am awake so much at night, I will be spending a lot of time reading.

Is anyone else staying at the Hyatt beside us and the Wongs? We get in to Orlando around 5pm and would love to meet up for drinks and/or conversation with anyone who's interested:goodvibes .

I will sign off for now, but look forward to talking to everyone soon:woohoo:

Shannon

P.S. Count me and Morgan in for the craft projects. I am going to get the glue sticks today! Any decision on where we are all going to meet at the start of the cruise yet?:confused:

I'mWong

02-15-2007, 03:43 PM

Now I feel like I am getting to know you! Sounds like we have a whole crew of people that love a good mystery/CSI type story! I am going to start reading those books about Kay Scarpetta. She sounds like a character I would like. I emailed the teachers here and a few of them have some of her books, so I might have a lead to borrow some. Even at Half Price they really add up! I could get them from the library, but you almost always have to wait on the really good books. Our librarian here listens to books on tape, but I have a hard time doing that since I like to go back and reread the really good parts, or something I didn't quite get. I would constantly be going back and forth on the tape or CD!

Has anyone read The Secret Life Of Bees? The school nurse just lent it to me and I am going to start it as soon as I can. She said it is really good. I don't know a thing about it, though. It takes place in South Carolina, close to you, April.

Shannon...there is one of those "Between the Numbers" books that just got released a little while ago. I bought it, but haven't finished reading it yet. It is called Plum Lovin' I am going to try to finish it this weekend so I can start a new one. Someone here read the Full ____ series, also by Janet Evanovich. The first one is Full Tilt. Have you read them? She says they are good. I don't know much about them, other than the author.

Kim...yes, congratulations. Sounds like you had a really busy year! I am glad the days came in handy for you. I wish they would have given us that opportunity to use comp time. What school district do you work? I went to a wonference and a teacher from North East ISD was a presenter. She was pretty amazing!

Suz...my sister LOVES those books about serial crimes and I can remember being back in college and her reading about Ted Bundy. I don't think I would be able to sleep for days if I read those. There are parts of the books I do read that creep me out! The last book I read was called The Lovely Bones. It was a good book, but it really creeped me out. My niece recommended it to me. It gave me the creeps by page 10. I should have stopped while I was ahead! By the time I got to the end, I was so depressed. The girl in the book was too close in age to the girl that sleeps in my house.

Hope everyone is getting as excited as we are about the cruise.

Suz D

02-15-2007, 08:37 PM

Laura,

I HAVE read The Secret Life of Bees. Excellent book and hard to put down. Again, a bit difficult subject matter at times.

I also read Lovely Bones at a friends recommendation. I agree...WAY too close to home and very weird and disturbing. Interesting concept, 'though.

I just remembered another book that I loved. A great laugh out loud book but very real. It's called "Good Grief" and it's by Lolly Winston. I really loved it.

One thing that I'm really enjoying lately are books by Gene Stratton Porter. These are very old books, but they've been so enjoyable. "Girl of the Limberlost" and "Freckles" are the two that I've read so far and I really liked both of them. She's an Indiana writer so I've also loved that tidbit.

Shannon, I will mark you down for the craft as well. I'll be sending a final list in about a week to make sure I have everyone.

We're so counting the days. I'm needing the break.

Suz

kperkins0407

02-15-2007, 11:19 PM

Laura,
I teach 5th grade for North East ISD. Who was your presenter? Are you elementary or secondary? Are you a TAKS grade? I tutored my students today after school for the last time before the test. I have been saying lots of prayers for them! Most are going to do great, but I have one or maybe 2 that it is going to be close! My 2 sister-in-laws work in Houston--1st grade teacher and school counselor.

I am very ready for warm weather. I'm sure to some of you this San Antonio weather would be considered warm, but it sure has been unusually cold here this winter.

Shannon...glad to hear you are feeling better. There have been a lot of people sick lately. Scott just informed me that everyone at his office is sick. I wanted him to get the flu shot this year, but he didn't. Hopefully if he is going to get sick then he will get it soon. He did have a slight cold and cough this weekend.

Erica (10) arrives tonight. So please feel free to have any of your daughters e-mail her sometime this weekend. kperkins@satx.rr.com or kbroderhausen@satx.rr.com

I am getting really excited about going--3 weeks from tomorrow! Wow--that doesn't leave much time to finish up all that needs to be done.

I can tell that all of the women and kids are getting excited about the trip...are the husbands getting excited, as well?

Talk to everyone soon!

Kim

I'mWong

02-16-2007, 08:39 AM

Kim...the presenters name was Cindy Joor. I got the impression that she is like a district person that goes to different schools to present technology lessons to students, or else she is a person that writes technology lessons for the teachers in the district to use. Could very well be both. Either way, she had some really great ideas that I plan on using with my students. I am the Technology Specialist in a K-4 school. I am responsible for teaching all of the students in the school on a rotating basis of once every two weeks. I love it. My first two years were in 5th grade. I loved that too. The only reason I changed was they took 5th grade from our school. I then taught 4th grade science for two years before moving into the computer lab. I have been doing this for 12 years now! Seems like a lot when it is written down. Last night we had a school fund raiser at Chuck-E-Cheese and there was a boy who I had in 5th grade my second year teaching there. His son is in kinder. Make me feel old. I tell myself I just started teaching early!:lmao: I know the pressure of TAKS, so I am saying a prayer for you and your students.

It has been really cold for Houston standards, too. Last night was the coldest night in 5 years. It was 24 degrees and I think I felt every degree of it when I left for work. Erin, that doesn't even seem cold to you, does it?! I would like to say I am ready for the warmer weather, but the down side is, once it gets warm, it gets downright hot and stays there for what seems like forever! I wish we had spring like weather for more than just a few weeks before it starts getting so hot! We did put in a pool this past year and it hasn't been swam in yet, so that is something we are looking forward to. My son wants to have a ribbon cutting ceremony. We should as much trouble as it was to get it in.

Has anyone seen the movie, Because I said So? Just wondering your opinion. We went to see it and I wasn't too sure I liked it, but the rest of my party thought it was great. Anyone seen any other good ones? I think Bridge to Tarabethia (not sure of the spelling) comes out today. That was the summer reading book for my daughter this past summer. It is so sad. I think we will for sure go see the movie. I bet they will show it on the ship also. Last year The Shaggy DA came out while we were on the ship and they showed it in the Walt Disney Theater one day. The cruise before that, Finding Nemo had just come out, so we watched that one. It is fun watching a new release Disney film on a Disney ship. That is one thing DCL can offer that no other line can offer, their own movies!

Shannon, I think my husband has gotten the dreaded respiratory infection. He is feeling crudy and staying home from work today. We are remodeling those bathrooms, so I hope he can get some rest. I told him to go to his mothers if they are too loud.

As far as husbands being excited, mine is started to get there. I told him last night the action on the DIS board was really picking up and he wanted to know what we were talking about. I told him book titles and that really wasn't what he was expecting!!!:rotfl: :rotfl: I guess now I can tell him movie titles!!!

My goal is to get started packing this weekend and to get to the tailor. Wish me luck! I always have grand ideas, but somehow all the day to day events of life seem to get in the way!

Let's start planning our get together. Do you prefer to just meet during the sailaway party or at a different location a little later. The problem with the sail away party is that you could really only meet on the deck above it because it is too crowded, and some people might want to get right there close to the stage. Let me know what you think. I will try to look at an old Navigator and see what time the party starts. Maybe we can meet about 45 minutes after it starts so everyone can watch it, then move to the specified location. We have to be careful of early dining times, though. Give me your feedback. I know I just can't wait to meet all of you!!:goodvibes :goodvibes

Suz D

02-16-2007, 11:52 AM

Hi Everyone!

Laura, great idea to check a Navigator for the sail away party times. I just looked and it will probably run from 4:30 to 5:15 (according to Jan. Western Navigator online).

Regarding meeting...

I don't know if everyone could wait until Sunday to meet, but we don't disembark at Key West until approximately 12:30. Would anyone be interested in meeting at Topsiders for breakfast buffet? They are open until 10:30 A.M. so we could meet at 9:30 or 10:00 and those who eat early can go ahead and eat and then just have a beverage with everyone. Those who are late risers won't have to be up too early for breakfast.

It seems like it will be a crazy scene at the sail away party and hard to get together and visit. I'm absolutely NOT discouraging meeting at the sail away party but it might be nice to meet (a second time?) in a less chaotic situation. That way those who can't find the group or want to be right up by the stage etc. will have an easy opportunity to get together as well. For those who want to meet at the sail away party, I think that Laura's suggestion of the upper deck is a good one.

Suz

ShannonR

02-16-2007, 03:54 PM

I think meeting on Sunday is good one! I, for one, am going to feel extremely overwhelmed on Saturday (this being our first cruise). By Sunday we should have our bearings (somewhat, at least) and be ready to meet/greet all of you!

Can't wait to see you at dinner, Suz! You have put so much into this craft project for the girls that I feel I should help you more or at least pay for some of the materials. PLEASE let me know if I can help in ANY way!

It's finally sunny and 60 degrees here in Texas, but it's supposed to be cold again tomorrow:mad: :mad: I am SO ready for some fun in the warm sun!!

Shannon

I'mWong

02-16-2007, 04:21 PM

Sunday morning sounds good to me. 9:30 is a good time, too. We are going to be pretty tired by then. Our flight doesn't get into Orlando until pretty late and then we have to get up quite early to catch the bus to the cruise terminal. My experience is that we don't sleep too well the night before anyway! Too excited. We can also pick a place for Saturday after the sailaway just in case some of us want to meet then, too. Deck 10 will clear out after the party ends pretty quickly. I know some of you have early dining, so we can all decide.

Shannon and Suz did you two link your dining reservations? Just curious since you said that about meeting at dinner. I have read about other disers doing that.

It is not so warm in my part of Texas. It was 24 when I can to work and it is now around 48. Perhaps what we are going through now is on its way to McAllen, Shannon.

Have a great weekend!

Laura

Suz D

02-16-2007, 04:46 PM

I think meeting on Sunday is good one! I, for one, am going to feel extremely overwhelmed on Saturday (this being our first cruise). By Sunday we should have our bearings (somewhat, at least) and be ready to meet/greet all of you!

Shannon, excellent point about feeling overwhelmed that first night!

Can't wait to see you at dinner, Suz! You have put so much into this craft project for the girls that I feel I should help you more or at least pay for some of the materials. PLEASE let me know if I can help in ANY way!

Don't worry at all about the supplies. I have a home based business and TONS of supplies. I don't even know that I could figure out a cost for each one as it's so incredibly inexpensive. We also have Hobby Lobby and they have their cardstock/paper in 12x12 for 25 cents a sheet. Each scrapbook uses about a sheet plus a few embelishments. The base of the scrapbooks were bought in bulk (I bought 2000 bases so I've got plenty to spare! I'll let you be surprised about them that day). I'm an econo crafter. Besides, I love doing this kind of thing and it will be a great way to get all the girls better acquainted. :grouphug:

Laura, we did link our reservations! Shannon was kind enough to let our family crash their table. Being a family of three I knew we'd be paired with someone and thought "Shannon's got the preemie experience and we've got the preemie experience so that might be fun".

It's finally sunny and 60 degrees here in Texas, but it's supposed to be cold again tomorrow:mad: :mad: I am SO ready for some fun in the warm sun!!

Shannon

Suz

MECH8T7

02-16-2007, 09:21 PM

I don't know if everyone could wait until Sunday to meet, but we don't disembark at Key West until approximately 12:30. Would anyone be interested in meeting at Topsiders for breakfast buffet?

Great idea...It will give DW and I a chance to meet everyone before we head to Palo's for our 11 am brunch.

How's everyone doing with their trip preparations? Once upon a time, the sailing date seemed sooo far off and now DW and I have this desperate feeling that we have not left ourselves enough time to get together everything we need. About the only thing I know we've taken care of so far is our passports. We're hoping that we can put together some clothes over the next couple of weeks for the family to wear for the pirate party.

Have a great weekend everyone.

John

Suz D

02-16-2007, 10:29 PM

We got some "Dis" green shirts tonight for our family (not quite a true "Dis" green but close enough). They are on sale through tomorrow at Michael's if anyone else wants to get them. They were just $2.50 each and they have both adult & kids sizes. Fun! When we meet on Sunday morning, look for Jeff, Katie, and me in our green t's.

Suz

I'mWong

02-16-2007, 11:12 PM

kperkins0407

02-17-2007, 12:09 AM

Hello Everyone!
Meeting on Sunday works for us. We do not all have green shirts. Most days we will be in our bathing suits with cover ups on. I have found this is much easier than having to change for each activity during the day. I do know what ball character shirt you are talking about--I have one. Tried to get the lime green, but they were sold out and had to settle for white.

This may seem like a crazy idea, but thought I should at least mention it. What do you think about everyone printing up their information on paper (business size cards) to pass out at the meet & greet. That way we will know everyone's stateroom numbers and names so that we can leave voice mail if we decide to all meet up again during the week.

Another suggestion to meet sometime during the week is on deck 7 at the back of the ship. Most people do not know this deck exists. Most people believe that it is a private balcony, but it is not. Last year--my family of 12 would meet up their for drinks late at night. It is a very large area.

I kept thinking that I had such a long time to get ready for this trip & now I am beginning to get nervous about running out of time.

Shannon...thanks for the call. It was really great to talk to you!

Laura...I have been to 2 workshops that Cindy Joor has done. Both times I have learned several new ideas or tricks. She is one of the district techs. I attended a scanner workshop with her and movie maker with her. We do not have a computer teacher on our campus. We have one person that works at approx. 6-8 schools. Each teacher is required to take their own students to the computer lab 1 x week and have them on the wireless lab 1 x per 9 weeks. I really wish we had someone like you on our campus.

Suz...what scrapbook business do you have? I love to scrapbook and stamp. I just bought a new photo printer and 2 new cameras. Looking forward to taking lots of pictures and working on our Disney scrapbook. I went to a class Thurs. night and did a 2 page Disney layout. The instructor was telling me that she went on the Disney Cruise (4 day) last year and when she got home her husband was doing something with her camera and erased all of her pictures! I would be crushed.

FYI: be sure to contact your credit card company to let them know that you will be out of the country and will be using your credit card. I had read somewhere to do this on our first cruise. I was glad that I did because a couple at our dinner table didn't and he had to spent a chunk of time one night having the staff at the front desk contact his credit card company and have him on the phone, as well. Save yourself some time and call ahead.

Kim

Suz D

02-17-2007, 08:22 AM

This may seem like a crazy idea, but thought I should at least mention it. What do you think about everyone printing up their information on paper (business size cards) to pass out at the meet & greet. That way we will know everyone's stateroom numbers and names so that we can leave voice mail if we decide to all meet up again during the week.

Kim, you probably won't believe this, but I was thinking of the business card type thing this morning. It wasn't the same as what you've thought of (yours is much better) but I was thinking about the kids exchanging information. Then I thought of how in one of Laura Ingalls Wilder's books the big thing was "name cards" and how exciting that was for everyone to pass out their card with their name and a little design. Then I thought, "duh, we have e-mail, no need to get home addresses to keep in touch". Isn't technology great? Anyway, I think having everyone's information is a really nice idea.

Another suggestion to meet sometime during the week is on deck 7 at the back of the ship. Most people do not know this deck exists. Most people believe that it is a private balcony, but it is not. Last year--my family of 12 would meet up their for drinks late at night. It is a very large area.

I also love this idea. I've read about this area but have never found it. Are there any tables? If so, that would be a GREAT place to do the scrapbook project. If not, we'll stick with the previous idea of crafting by the pool.

Laura...I have been to 2 workshops that Cindy Joor has done. Both times I have learned several new ideas or tricks. She is one of the district techs. I attended a scanner workshop with her and movie maker with her. We do not have a computer teacher on our campus. We have one person that works at approx. 6-8 schools. Each teacher is required to take their own students to the computer lab 1 x week and have them on the wireless lab 1 x per 9 weeks. I really wish we had someone like you on our campus.

For all of you teachers, I just got elected to our school board. I don't want you to "do business" on the cruise, but if there is something that your district does really well, would you mind sharing?

Suz...what scrapbook business do you have? I love to scrapbook and stamp. I just bought a new photo printer and 2 new cameras. Looking forward to taking lots of pictures and working on our Disney scrapbook. I went to a class Thurs. night and did a 2 page Disney layout. The instructor was telling me that she went on the Disney Cruise (4 day) last year and when she got home her husband was doing something with her camera and erased all of her pictures! I would be crushed.

My business is "Close To My Heart" and I love it. We're definately scrapping and stamping. We carry all acrylic stamps, and in the last 5 years we've really transitioned to TONS of scrapbooking kits, paper, stickease die cuts etc. Last year we came out with some wonderful "Disney" themed kits and I was SO excited. I did a 6x6 ABC album for our Jan 2005 WDW trip. I'm planning on doing the same for this trip. It's so much fun. I'd love to brainstorm with all of you to come up with things for each letter. I may post a list when I get one started and you can help us fill in the blanks. (How awful that she lost her pictures. I wouldn't even know what to do).

Fun story.... I was giving a demo/workshop in a small town about 75 miles from here. I was giving the "this is a great business, you should try it" talk and was saying that this "hobby" supports my other "habit" and then showed my WDW ABC scrapbook. Then I mentioned that our next venture was the NYE 2005 cruise. One of the ladies there said "Oh my gosh, we're on that same cruise". Okay everyone, all together now, "It's a small world after all, It's a small world after all" (as the dolls are dancing around in my head). :rainbow:

FYI: be sure to contact your credit card company to let them know that you will be out of the country and will be using your credit card. I had read somewhere to do this on our first cruise. I was glad that I did because a couple at our dinner table didn't and he had to spent a chunk of time one night having the staff at the front desk contact his credit card company and have him on the phone, as well. Save yourself some time and call ahead.
Kim

Thanks for that tip. I never would have thought of that. No time to waste on the cruise. There's too much relaxing to do.

Suz

ShannonR

02-17-2007, 08:27 AM

3 weeks from today! :cool1: :cool1:

Today is house cleaning day! The kids are totally disgusted with me that they are having to spend their weekend cleaning, but to get to the fun stuff (packing on Sunday) they have to clean the house! :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

Mitchell has a basketball ball game at 1:00pm today which totally throws a wrench into the all go, no quit attitude of house cleaning. :mad: :mad: But what can I say? The kid loves his sports!

Did I tell everyone that we gave up on the whole potty training thing with our little one, Melissa? :cutie: :cutie: She has absolutely NO interest in using her baby toilet so we just gave up. Morgan potty trained quickly, but Mitchell too forever! :sad1: :sad1: She will be three in May and my goal is set for her birthday. She won't be able to do as much on the ship, but I still think she will a great time! :goodvibes :goodvibes

I will go to Michael's today and get the green t-shirts for Sunday's meet and greet. Have we finalized the time and place? Like I was saying to Kim yesterday, we seem to be the only people of the bunch that this is our first ever cruise, so we will need some guidance as to where things are located! :confused3:confused3

Shannon

Suz D

02-17-2007, 08:34 AM

John, I didn't realize they had brunch on Sunday. I thought that it was only on the sea days. We are going on Thursday, I think. I need to check all of those dates and get them written down or something.

Suz and Shannon, that is great about having your dining together. It will make for a great opportunity to get to know each other. Do you have early or late dining? I think you had said you had early, but I'm not sure I remember correctly.

Kim, I will have Sarah email Roxanna and Erica this weekend.

I know what you mean about the cruise coming on so quickly. I am really far from being ready. My goal is to not be able to say that after the weekend ends, though. Of course if I stay on the computer all weekend, I will still be able to say it!:laughing:

Not sure if we are going to be wearing green shirts. I got them last year, but this year it doesn't seem like the color of the year. The color was everywhere last year. We might just have to look for the green. We do have those Disney shirts that are lime green with the four ball characters on them. This description is not too great, I know. I bet someone knows what I am talking about, though.

We're scheduled for Palo on Thursday as well! We have early dining throughout the cruise. It squeezes us a bit for shore excursions, but we're only doing things on our own so we won't have to worry about things.

We were going to rent a car in Cozumel and then I thought EEEEEEK!:scared1: What if we have car trouble? They'll leave without us and we'll spend the rest of our lives in Mexico." :sad: It's my understanding that for about $70.00 you can get a driver :drive: (with a car of course) for an entire day to take you anywhere. That's our latest plan. We're going to tour the little ruins (San Gervasio) and then just tour the island. We'll probably go to Coconuts on the eastern shore and then shop downtown.

Sorry my latest posts have been wordy. I'm so excited to get away and also to meet everyone. We've been dreaming Disney and cruise for about 3 weeks now. Everyone conversation that is non-essential is devoted to the subject. Thanks for putting up with me?

Suz

ShannonR

02-17-2007, 08:40 AM

Same here Suz! :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: Every other conversation we have is regarding this cruise! We have been obsessed lately. We (or at least I do)need a vacation soooo bad! I mean, we are the ones that have had our suitcases packed for over a month!:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

The way I see it, you can never have too much Disney in you life!

Shannon

Suz D

02-17-2007, 08:59 AM

I just quickly skimmed this thread and there are a few families that have posted once but haven't posted anything else. These families have girls who might want to scrapbook...

Jara

Kath1210

Michellej2000

Let me know if your daughters would be interested in making the craft with the other girls from the "Dis". The more the merrier and we'd love to meet all of you.

Suz

Marsh Family

02-17-2007, 05:48 PM

I am happy to say Shannon that we are finally finished the house cleaning :laundy: and the grocery shopping! :yay: :yay: Hope your voice is back, and that Mitchell has the cold or is NOT going to to get it.... Enjoy the rest of your days off.. :woohoo:

The girls went outside to enjoy the balmy minus 17 weather (i think that is about 10 in your temps) I am so hoping that by the time we come back home March 26th, that the snow will be gone, when we went 2 years ago, that was the case and it was so nice to have missed the spring thaw, no salt and sand all over the van, and clean streets too. I hope i hope i hope. :flower3:

We are going to finish packing this week and then just waiting,

:grouphug: I look forward to seeing everyone at the brunch Sunday. putting faces to names. I think the time was 10Am is that right? and was it at the buffet on the same deck as the pools right? This is our first time on the Magic, and i know the names of some of the resturants are different than the wonder.. also are we meeting inside or out (weather permitting)... I hope there is not rain... :grouphug:

Has anyone ever had any salon services, was thinking of getting hair done (cut) as i need a trim but then chickened out :eek: thats all i need is a butcher job:scared1: .... but thinking of getting nails done, anyone have this done on board? would love to hear if it is good... or what you thought.

Talk to you all soon and I am going this week to see if i can find any of those books (authors) at the library, thanks so much for the suggestions.

Take care all...
Erin

kperkins0407

02-17-2007, 09:36 PM

I did alot of running around today, too! Scott and Erica went to a UT baseball game and dinner tonight with one of Erica's good friends. She is trying to see everyone before she flies back home Monday. It gave me a chance to get some errands that I needed to do. My parents will be in town next weekend so I am frantically trying to get everything done since I really only have one more weekend without guests.

Suz...i have never seen tables on that back deck. Sometimes there are chairs or lounge chairs. It is not covered and can be slightly windy so I don't know that it would work well for an art project. I do Stampin' Up, but have bought plenty of close to my heart things. Are you going to bring a new catalog and can items be shipped directly to me?

I have never had any spa or salon stuff done on the ship. My sister-in-law had a stone massage last time and enjoyed it. The prices are higher than they are at home. I just figured that while on the cruise I would do things that I can't do back home.

Seems like everyone is rushing around trying to get everything done! All of our conversations revolve around the "cruise" subject, as well. 3 weeks from today it will all be worth it. :yay:

Kim

Suz D

02-17-2007, 10:44 PM

Suz...i have never seen tables on that back deck. Sometimes there are chairs or lounge chairs. It is not covered and can be slightly windy so I don't know that it would work well for an art project. I do Stampin' Up, but have bought plenty of close to my heart things. Are you going to bring a new catalog and can items be shipped directly to me?

Kim, after I sent that message I was thinking that there probably weren't tables out there. We'll definately stick with the previous plan of meeting by the pools. I can bring a new catalog if you'd like. This current one is really nice. Yes, things can be shipped directly to you. I have a website and you can just order right online. Are you a Stampin' Up consultant? I love so many of their things too. I am especially loving the punches and stamps that go together! I have 2 Stampin' Up consultants who are in my monthly clubs.

Everyone, when I looked at a navigator (for those who don't know, it's a daily itinerary that you receive) from January there is actually a memory book class thing for the 10-12 year old kids late in the week. I wonder if they will offer that on our cruise? If so, the girls will just have two! You can never have too many scrapbooks right?

Can you believe that three weeks from tonight we'll be just settling into the cruise routine? We spent our lunchtime today looking over those January navigators and dreaming. So many fun things to do, yet lots of time for R&R.

I think we were looking at 9:30 for breakfast at Topsiders Sunday morning, but I know that our family will probably stay for at least an hour just to relax and eat fruit. YUM! I wouldn't worry about getting there right at 9:30. It's nice to be able to just come and go. I would love to meet outside, weather permitting. Otherwise, inside it will be.

I just got next week's Michael's ad and the T-shirts are still going to be on sale next week. I wish they were more "lime-y" but they'll do in a pinch. I was bummed to find out that the 60's party is for adults only. We were going to do tie dyed Mickey T-shirts for the three of us. If it's adults only, I'm not going to dress alike with just Jeff and I. I hope I don't offend anyone who loves to dress like their spouse, but it's one thing to dress alike as an entire family, and a completely different thing to dress alike as a couple . :scared1:

Suz

MECH8T7

02-17-2007, 10:46 PM

John, I didn't realize they had brunch on Sunday. I thought that it was only on the sea days. We are going on Thursday, I think. I need to check all of those dates and get them written down or something.

I'm sure you know this but you can go on-line to the DCL site and print out a summary of all the bookings you made for your cruise.

Sunday will be a "double dip" of Palo for us -- brunch at 11:00 and then dinner at 9:00 pm. There weren't very many time slots available for Palo when we booked...You guys must have taken all the Thursday time slots! In any event, we had the additional restriction of having to co-ordinate a Palo meal with availability at Flounder's Nursery for our 2 year-old.

ShannonR

02-18-2007, 07:59 AM

Good morning all!

My housecleaning is almost done!!! I smell like Clorox and Comet!:laughing: :laughing: I now have to fold all the laundry that I did yesterday (it's amazing what comes out of a teenager's room when she cleans).

Today we are going to finish packing!:rotfl: :rotfl: Morgan is sooo excited!!
We went to Mitchell's basketball game yesterday (they won!) which put a dent in my housecleaning momentum.:sad1: :sad1:

I never got a chance to go to Micheal's yesterday for the shirts but I am definitely going today or Monday after taking the kids to school.

Our 2 year old is having surgery on Tuesday and I hope she recovers well. She is having a second set of tubes put in her ears and her tonsils out. She has been plagued with chronic ear infections since she was an infant and when the ENT put her first set of tube in, like was GREAT! Not one ear infection. Then the tubes fell out and she has had 3 ear infections in 3 months.:sick: :sick: The same thing happened with Mitchell. He had 3 sets of tubes placed and finally at the age of 5, the ENT took out his tonsils and he has been fine ever since. So the ENT suggested we do the same with Melissa and we jumped at the chance to make her healthy. We just are not looking forward to the painful week she is going to have following the surgery. Thank God we have 3 weeks for her recuperation!! I remember Mitchell being in so much pain for the first few days, I felt like all I was doing was feeding him full of pain medicine! Poor kid! Oh well, it was soooo worth it and I know it will be again with Melissa!

So is it now official? 9:30am at Topsiders on Sunday?:confused3 If so, we will be there!! Can't wait to meet all of you! I'll be the one with a constant coat or sweatshirt on (yes even in the Bahamas). Rick laughs at me because I am wearing a coat and/or sweatshirt until the weather hits about 90 degrees!:laughing: :laughing: I am ALWAYS cold!

Shannon

chiefs kids

02-18-2007, 11:49 AM

We have myself, Lex, Nicole and two kids Jack 8, Samantha 9, this is our first cruise ever and it seems amazing with all the activities available and the discussion on here about sail away, pirates night, formal night, semi-formal night, door decorations - we booked it thinking we were going to do nothing for a week - sounds like everyone is very busy, hope to meet some of y'all and have some fun

Let me know if anyone from the new york area is going

Marsh Family

02-18-2007, 11:54 AM

Welcome, Lex, Nicole Jack and Samantha

If you want to do nothing that is always an option, but if you want to keep busy with activities you will find there is so much to do, I am sure you will enjoy your first cruise.

Happy sailing

Erin

Marsh Family

02-18-2007, 12:10 PM

9:30am at Topsiders on Sunday.
thanks Suz and Shannon for the clarification on the time. Been so busy (as we all are getting ready, cleaning and packing etc)

Looking forward to those little mickey mouse waffles, the girls and Chris and I can't stop talking about the fun we had and the wonderful food, I am looking forward to the Butternut squash soup... YUMMY!! Since the last cruise, i have looked it up on the net and tried a few recipies but nothing is quite the same, just like those Parmasean potatoes previously posted about.

Suz do we have a final date and time and place for the scrapbooking party? the girls are looking forward to meeting everyone. I am going out this week to look for some fun stickers and get the glue stickes for the girls. Will make a wonderful memory for them. Planning on brining my camera and then i can email you all the pictures when we get home so you can print them off to add in the books if they turn out.

Have a great Sunday everyone! Happy packing !

Erin

kperkins0407

02-18-2007, 12:25 PM

Good Morning Everyone!

Today is going to be a wonderful and very productive day. Scott and Erica just left for Austing (UT baseball game) and Roxanna is at her dad's and she took the dog. So....the house is soooo quiet! Plan on getting lots done around here before we all go to dinner at Scott's parents.

Our dog is a picky eater and has lost too much weight. The vet will not give her shots until she gains some weight back. She is due for her shots the week we are gone. So no shots means that she can't go to the kennel. Trying to fatten her up quickly. She better get fat soon because the prescription dog food is 1.60 a can and she has to eat 2 a day. Never thought that I would have to be concerned about this along with packing and everything else to get ready for the trip.

Suz...I am a SU consultant. I do not do home shows. Sometimes I do catalog parites, but mostly place orders for those at school. Because of grad school, I haven't been able to do much the past 2 1/2 years but am excited about getting to pick up the hobby again. Approx. 4 years ago, one of my parents brought me a scrapbook magazine because 2 of my students were featured in it. I looked through that magazine every night for a month and decided that I should try it and have been HOOKED every since. This mom actually works for Scapbooks, ETC and is in it every month. She is also in most of the Creative Memories Idea books. Do you ever get Scrapbooks, Etc. magazine? She did a layout of her daughter and her 3 teachers in the magazine back in the July issue--I was one of the teachers in the picture.

Shannon...sorry to hear about Melissa's surgery. At least she will have 3 weeks to recover. Kids always bounce back quickly. I am also like you--always cold. Never leave home without a sweatshirt or a jacket. I am probably the only person that uses their car seat warmers in the summer in Texas. But the rest of the family freezes me with the AC so I have to.

That also reminds me...be sure to take a sweatshirt or light jacket. When we sailed on the E. Carrib. we were not cold--the ship was comfortable. But when we did the West Coast, we were soooo cold on board. It was cloudy most of the time and it was freezing. I didn't pack any sweatshirts because the year before we had not needed them. We ended up having to buy everyone a sweatshirt in the gift shop to stay warm. If you don't like being cold then the West Coast Cruise is not one that I would recommend for you. The days at Sea were cold outside on deck and inside due to AC. The water at each excursion was freezing! I am actually disappointed that they are going to the West Coast again next summer.

I went to Michael's yesterday to look at the t-shirts. Lime green is not a big color this year. I have gone all over town looking for a lime green shirt for Erica--she needs it for the tropical print skirt that she is going to wear to the Pirates of the Carib. Party. Guess what! Michael's had the lime green t-shirt. Thank you for sending me in that direction.

As for the Pirates of the Carib. Party--we are just dressing "tropical". I am not much into dressing up in costumes.

Is anyone going to ship anything to themselves early? I just read that you can ship something to yourself. I am thinking about sending somethings that I could do without if it didn't show up, but would help with the packing space.

Also, at Michal's I found something to put on the stateroom door for the girls. They had the large foam cut-outs. Got each girl a large princess crown and used letter stickers to put their names on it and attached magnetic tape on the back. This way their friends will be able to find their stateroom. There were large palm trees that would work for boys. It was quick, simple and cheap.

I am making the girls' autograph books this week. It will also be something quick and inexpensive.

Better go and take advantage of everyone being gone. Looking forward to chatting with you all more.

Kim

kperkins0407

02-18-2007, 12:36 PM

Good morning everyone!
I just sent a long reply to everyone but it seems to have gotten lost somewhere. Will check back later to see if it shows up. If not, then I will respond to everyone again. Need to get going (cleaning, laundry, errands, etc.) Everyone here is gone for the day (including the dog) so I really need to take advantage of this time.

9:30 at Topsiders is great.

Chat with you soon.

Kim

Suz D

02-18-2007, 01:20 PM

Erin, we don't have a specific time, but we'll be doing the craft project on our 1st at sea day (Monday). Looking at an old Navigator, there is a time that is listed as "free time" for about an hour. When we get the Navigator for Monday we'll plan on having that "free time" be our scrapbook time. This is definately a reason for us to exchange cabin numbers so we can confirm the time. Again, that was a great idea Kim!

Lex, Nicole, Jack and Samantha...welcome. Like Erin said, you can be as busy or as laid back as you want on this cruise. I love that it's your first. What a magical time you will have. Please let us know if you have any questions. You've got a lot to think about in a short amount of time. It's been fun with a long period of anticipation for the cruise, but there's something to be said for booking yesterday and only having to wait three weeks.

Suz

jpilgrim

02-18-2007, 07:17 PM

9:30 Sunday morning is great for us. Went to Michael's today and got t-shirts for the two girls. John and I already have green shirts that are not exactly the same.
Can't believe that we are so close to the time to go away. :cheer2:

To our friends in Winnipeg. You said it was a balmy -17 yesterday. Did you wash the car yet?

I'mWong

02-18-2007, 11:09 PM

Hi Everyone,
I am sad to say I am just as far behind as I was on Friday. I had grand plans to get stuff done, but as I have already told Shannon, my husband's uncle is very sick with liver cancer. They called early yesterday and told us they didn't think he would make it through the day, so we spent most of the day there. Luckily, he did make it through and we went back and spent today there as well. It is so sad. They thought he had pneumonia, so he has been taking heavy duty antibiotics to try and clear it up so he can breath easier, but now they are thinking the cancer has traveled to his lungs. They are going to do a biopsy tomorrow or Tuesday to know for sure and then they will be able to make some more informed decisions. My MIL and her brother are very close, so this has really been hard on her. My DH is really worried about her. He turned 83 about two weeks ago and his kids gave him a party and he looked pretty good. Today he looked so bad. It is really heartbreaking. My heart aches for his kids and my MIL. Her and her brother have lived through some really hard times together and have a strong bond. They lived through the depression as well as the death of their parents at a really young age. Additionally they have both survived their spouses dying. I guess we are all worried about how she is going to take it. If you are the praying type, please remember them all. It is going to be so hard. Sorry to rattle on.

9:30 sounds great on Sunday. What do you think about posting pictures of our families or ourselves? I have never been able to get one to post, but I am willing to try. I also love the idea of the card exchange. Great one! I will try to get those printed up this week so I won't forget.

Welcome Lex, Nicole, Samantha and Jack! I will update the roll call tomorrow to reflect your as our newest members! Glad to have you.:welcome:

I gotta go to bed. I will talk to you all later! Enjoy your week. Hope you are all ready to hit the ocean!:banana:

MECH8T7

02-19-2007, 12:10 AM

Laura, sorry to hear about your DH's uncle. Our prayers are with you and your extended family. My father passed away last June with liver cancer at the age of 80. Sadly, it was the Friday before Father's Day.

John

Suz D

02-19-2007, 07:45 AM

Laura, I'm so sorry to hear about your uncle. I know that my husband's uncle's feel like my uncles also so that's why I refer to him as your uncle. We'll keep your family in our prayers. What a difficult time for all of you, especially your MIL.

I'll try to see if I can figure out how to post a picture also. I finished the sample scrapbook yesterday and it turned out very cute. I'm excited about it. It is VERY "Disney" with red, black, and yellow. I hope the girls like it. I'm going to pre-stamp everything so that basically they just have to assemble them. That will take less time.

The baby that we have been fostering spent last night and is also spending tonight with her grandparents so I have 2 much needed days without baby so I'm going to run errands like crazy today and tomorrow. Katie desperately needs shoes. She's grown 4 inches in the last year!

Suz

Marsh Family

02-19-2007, 09:43 AM

Laura so very sorry hear about your Uncle as well, your all in our thoughts and prayers.

John so sorry for your loss as well.

Suz that sounds good about exchanging cabin #'s (great idea Kim) Sounds like you have put alot of work in to the books, i am sure look great, can't wait to see them.

Shannon good luck tomorrow, hope the baby of the family recovers quickly. It is amazing what a difference having the tubes in the ears can make and since you already have had the same experiance with Mitchell then you know what a difference it will make for her and you and your family (less time at the doc's, time sick, up at night etc..)

Is anyone staying in Cocoa Beach prior to sailing and after sailing staying at WDW?

Take care all...

Erin

Marsh Family

02-19-2007, 09:57 AM

I just wanted to post this website for you all,

http://www.cozumelinsider.com/Webcam

if it works it is of the dock at cozumel shows the cruise ships in port there. and gives you the temps too.

Janice, to answer your question yes yes yes i have actually washed the van many times this winter (we just got a new 2007 honda odyssey touring) and i have been taking VERY good care of it as it is our very first new vehicle, plus we have a heated garage so i never have to really worry about how cold it is when i wash it as it dries in there!

Erin

I'mWong

02-19-2007, 11:23 AM

Thanks for the kind words everyone. We are just waiting to see what happens. I know whatever happens, God is in control and all will be good. My MIL said something similar to that to me yesterday and that makes me feel better.

Suz...I know what you mean about shoes for the girls. Sarah is now wearing a size 8 1/2 or 9 womens. It is almost impossible to find a pair of shoes for her that doesn't have heels that are too high. Of course, she would love to have heels that are several inches high, but her mean mother says no!;) We went to Famous Footwear and before we went in, I warned her that if she kept showing me shoes with high heels, we would leave. There was a pair of shoes that I showed her and she said, "Yes, I like them, but the heels are too high. I said, Oh good, you finally agree. She said, no, not really, I just don't want to have to leave. I laughed and laughed.:lmao: She didn't think it was that funny.

I would also like one of those stampin' up and Close to My Heart books if you ladies bring them. I love the new clear acrylic stamps and Stampin' Up has wonderful scrapbook paper. I haven't seen the kits Kim was talking about from the catalog, so I am excited to see those as well.

John, I am sorry to hear of the loss of your father. :hug: My sister and I were talking about how much we dread that day. I am hoping that we have my parents until they reach their 80s and they stay healthy until then.

Shannon...I hope all goes well with Melissa's surgery today. I will be thinking of your little one. My nephew had his tonsils out about two weeks ago. Seems like the recovery is slow. I am glad you have the time for her to get better before you sail. I know the tubes will make her feel so much better.

Erin...a heated garage. That must be nice where you live. I was talking to a friend from Canada and I am amazed by all the things we never even have to think about living in south Texas. Even people living in the northern US deal with things that are completely foreign to me. A friend here from Minnesota father passed away last winter and they weren't able to have the funeral until the spring thaw. I never would have ever even thought of that happening before him telling me.

Kim...good luck to your kids tomorrow. I will be thinking of all of you tonight and asking for success for them.

The scrapbook idea sounds like it is really coming along. Thanks again Suz for doing this for us. I can't wait!!

Have a great day!
Laura

I'mWong

02-19-2007, 11:32 AM

i'mwong (from Texas):
Laura
DH Gregg
DD Sarah 10
DS Gregory 7 (turns 8 on cruise) :bday:

Marsh Family (from Canada):
Erin
DH Chris
DD Brittany 12
DD Courtney 10
DD Paige 8

Shannon R (from Texas):
Shannon
DH Rick
DD Morgan 13
DS Mitchell 10
DD Melissa 2

Tuliene (from Canada):
Laurie 41
DS Connor 5

Suz D (from Indiana):
Suz
DH Jeff
DD Katie 11

NoFussRuss (from New Jersey):
Russ
DW Eileen
DD Maeve (5)
DS Quinn (4)

mech8T7 (from Canada):
John
DW Mary
DS Simon (8)
DD Kelly (6)
DD Julie (2)

discruiser (from Texas)
Kim
DH Dan
DS Nicholas 8 (9 week after cruise) :bday:
DD Emily (6)
DD Olivia (2)
DS Nathan (4 mos.)

jpilgrim (from Canada)
Janice
DH John
DD Sophia (9)
DD Nicole (Nicki) (8)

Goofy559 (from Canada)
Lisa
DH Darrell
DD Sage (8)

Jara (from Texas)
Jara
DH
Daughter (10)
Son (6) :bday:

Tink and Cinderella (from Canada)
Denise
DH Peter
Jessica (8)
Kimberly (4)

kperkins0407 (from San Antonio)
Kim
Scott (DH
Roxanna (DD13)
Erica (DD 10)

chiefs kids (New York) :welcome:
Lex
Nicole
Jack (8)
Samantha (9)

Who is next to join??? Don't miss out on the fun!

MECH8T7

02-19-2007, 11:36 AM

Hey, Erin...we have the same exact van (ours is blue)...DW drives it, though I can't say its seen much of the car wash this winter...in its present condition, it's the type of van that stangers walking by at the mall are probably dying to take their fingers and write "Wash Me" on the side in the caked-on salt/dirt.

Speaking of Cocoa Beach post cruise, wouldn't it be great if the shuttle launch (currently scheduled for March 15, 6:43 am) gets delayed until after we get back? We're heading home on March 17, so best case scenario for us would be for the shuttle to launch on March 17 and we would be able to see it live from the deck of the ship as it is pulling into Port Canaveral! Of course, the traffic heading into Orlando would probably be pretty deadly afterwards.

discruiser

02-19-2007, 12:02 PM

Hi everyone,

I haven't posted in a while...this thread has been very active lately. Must be getting close to cruise-time! I would like to say that I am ready to go, but I am far from it! I have been busy shopping for clothes for the kids, making door signs, finding things to keep the kids busy on the drive to FL, and making a mental list of everything we need to remember to pack. I tend to overpack when we cruise because I am always afraid I'm going to need something that I haven't brought with us. It's not like you can just run to the nearest store while onboard the ship! I won't even attempt to give the house a good, thorough cleaning until the week before...any sooner than that and the kids will have it a mess again before we leave!

Shannon, good luck tomorrow with your DD's surgery. I also have a 2 year old DD who is not interested in potty-training. I guess she will be confined to the Mickey ear while her siblings are swimming in the pool. It's a good thing Goofy's Galley is nearby as I feel we may have to bribe her with lots of ice cream!

Laura, sorry to hear that your uncle is so sick. Sending prayers your way...

Sunday morning at 9:30 works for us. What time is everyone planning to arrive at the terminal on Saturday morning? We are driving from Houston on Thursday/Friday, spending Friday night in Orlando, and if all goes as planned, we're hoping to arrive around 10 at the terminal. We will probably head up to Topsiders for lunch once on board, and if the weather is warm enough, let the kids swim for a while. If anyone else is around, come by and say "hello". We'll be the ones with the 3 kids running around and the baby in the stroller! I know that my son is excited about meeting Laura's son, Gregory, and my daughter can't wait to meet John's daughter, Kelly.

As far as excursions go, we haven't really decided what we're going to do in Key West. In Grand Cayman, we are booked for the Rum Point Beach Adventure through Disney. It's kind of expensive, but we went to Rum Point last year, and it is a beautiful beach! We may take a taxi on our own to Paradise Beach in Cozumel...haven't decided for sure yet. Our options are kind of limited with the toddler and the baby.

Marsh Family

02-19-2007, 02:13 PM

Hi John, I had no idea that the launch was scheduled for the 15th, that would be very neet for the the kids and us to see.. something that i have never dreamed of getting the chance to see.

I hear you about the WASH ME carved in to the crud on the side of the van last winter that was us!

Are you driving or flying?

we are driving, visiting an aunt and uncle on the way down. Should be an interesting drive. We will see how the girls do in the van for hours on end. I can imagine that is you are driving your 2 year old would be an interesting passenger! or maybe she would just sleep??

MECH8T7

02-19-2007, 02:55 PM

Some of you may already know this but, in case you don't, I thought I'd mention that if you see a green dot on the left bottom corner of somebody's post, it means that the user is logged on...just a piece of Dis trivia.

Laura...Thanks for keeping up with the roll call. We Canadians often joke about Americans treating Canada as if it is (or will be) the 51st state, but the Great White North a pretty big place...I am having trouble keeping track of where fellow Canadian cruisers live and I was wondering if I can convince you to put our provinces beside our names for the next roll call (we're in Ontario). Also, it would be helpful to know who are the DCL veterans and who are the newbies (us).

Erin...We're flying. I think a really long drive is not likely in the cards for us for awhile. Having said that, I think I might be pleasantly surprised how long a 2-year old can last in her car seat with a dvd player and a stack of Winnie the Pooh dvds!

Suz D

02-19-2007, 03:42 PM

Okay, I'm going to start cutting out the materials for these this week so I'm posting for a final call to make sure I have everyone. If your 8-13 year old girl is not on the list and would like to make a project, let me know by Wednesday night. Moms are welcome to make one also. If your name is listed under your log in name that means that I have you down as making one also. If you're not listed and want to make one, let me know. Finally, if you would like your daughter's name listed as anything other than what I have it listed as give me a quick reply. This is going to be so much fun!!

JPilgrim
-------
Janice
Sophia
Nicki

Marsh Family
------------
Courtney
Paige
Brittany

Shannon R.
-----------
Shannon
Morgan

I'm Wong
---------
Laura
Sarah

Kperkins
--------
Roxanna
Erica

NCCains
--------
Brittany

SuzD
-----
Katie

We'll be making these three weeks from today!!!
Suz

jpilgrim

02-19-2007, 03:59 PM

Suz. could you add me to your list for making a scrapbook. I would love to join the girls.

As per one of the last posting request about where people are from in Canada, we are from Ottawa, Ontario.

Thanks,
Janice

I'mWong

02-19-2007, 04:26 PM

Believe me, my daughter had a project due over one of the provinces of Canada right before Christmas and I learned just how large the place really is! I will go through the thread and get everyone's specific info and add it to the roll call. Might take me a few days. I will also try to gather info as to who has cruised before. That is a good suggestion. To help me out, if everyone wants to make a new post with their exact location and whether they have cruised before, it will narrow those I need to search out info for.

Our drive from Houston is close to 1000 miles. We started making the drive when Gregory was 4 months old and Sarah was three. We left right after work on Friday usually and we would make sure they didn't take a nap during the day. They stayed awake a few hours and then slept until the next day. They were then so rested that the drive was okay for them. We played lots of games and it was never as bad as I thought it would be. I love the drive. We have been flying due to schedules that are tight, but this summer we will make the drive again. My BIL lives in Tallahassee and it is always so much fun to see them that it makes it worth the drive. We don't get to do that if we fly.

Marsh Family

02-19-2007, 06:20 PM

Great idea John and Laura
We the Marshalls are from Winnipeg Manitoba and have cruised before (X1).

Have to tell you all how excited our 8 year old is, she got snorkeling gear for christmas (all the girls did) and when she was having her bath yesterday she decided she would try it our, TOO FUNNY. :rotfl2:
She called everyone in to see her snorkel.. I think she will do just fine.

Erin

Suz D

02-19-2007, 08:21 PM

Suz D

02-19-2007, 09:05 PM

SuzD from Bloomington, Indiana
Suz
DH Jeff
DD Katie

We've cruised 1x before.

jpilgrim

02-19-2007, 11:08 PM

This is the first cruise for the Pilgrim Family. I can understand why so many people are repeat DIS cruisers after reading the January navigator. How will we ever pick and choose what we want to see and do!!!

John came home sick from work today :sick: -- stomach upset and headache. Oh well if the household is going to get this bug, it might as well happen now as opposed to right before or during the cruise.

Packing is almost complete. It should be since we started shortly after new year. I have taken quite a few of the suggestions that others posted on these boards and I think we are probably bringing way too much. I am a chronic list maker, however, in this case my husband set up a checklist on the computer. I'm in heaven.

I'm now starting to take care of details for when were away; give a key to a friend to check the house, buy extra cat food and litter for when little Nina goes for a vacation to another friends house, call the credit cards head offices to let them know we will be in the Caribbean. I would hate for them to freeze out account because of unusual activity.

Have any of the previous cruisers ever been had reason to use the medical services on the ship. What were they like? I'm paranoid that something will happen and that we will have to pay them a visit. Anyway, I guess I will have to try to think positive.

kperkins0407

02-19-2007, 11:46 PM

We are from San Antonio, TX
Kim
Scott
Roxana 13
Erica 10

This will be my 5th time to cruise (3rd with Disney), Roxanna's 4th cruise, and Scott & Erica's 1st cruise

I am hoping to be a better packer this trip. Everytime I go I promise myself that I will not overpack. My goal is to have very little clean clothes to pack on the last night. I read somewhere that you should lay out all of your clothes and money that you are planning to pack. Then take 1/2 of those clothes and double the $$.

We are bummed around here tonight--Erica flew home today & we will not get to see her until we get to Orlando. Good-byes are always hard.

Hope everyone gets well soon!

Kim

I'mWong

02-20-2007, 10:35 AM

Janice...Sorry to hear John is sick. I hope, like you said, if you are going to get it, it comes soon and leaves soon! My husband, Gregg, is also quite sick. He is at the doctor as we speak. I think he just has a really back URI. He is hacking his poor head off. He is okay as long as he stays laying down, but as soon as he tries to do something, he gets really dizzy and lightheaded. Hopefully, it will stop with him and none of us will get sick. Too close to cruise time!!

Kim...sorry about Erica having to leave. It is hard to say goodbye.

Thanks for all the info for the post. I got it all together from everyone's posts and I will update the roll call in just a few minutes. Let me apologize in advance if I don't list all the Canadian towns correctly. If you let me know, I will change it, if it is incorrect. I am not sure what goes where.

As I was going through all the old posts, I found several from people that hadn't come back or been put on the roll call. I sent them all a private message asking them to come back and get to know us before we leave in a few weeks. I think when I originally made the roll call, I only put people I had actual names for and that is why they were left off. Maybe I should have done it a different way. Hopefully they will come back and I will add them in. I would never intentionally hurt anyone's feelings.

Hope everyone is having a great day.

I'mWong

02-20-2007, 10:52 AM

i'mwong from Kingwood,Texas (Just outside Houston): Repeat Disney Cruisers
Laura
DH Gregg
DD Sarah 10
DS Gregory 7 (turns 8 on cruise) :bday:

Marsh Family from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: Repeat Disney Cruisers
Erin
DH Chris
DD Brittany 12
DD Courtney 10
DD Paige 8

Shannon R from McAllen, Texas: First Time Disney Cruisers
Shannon
DH Rick
DD Morgan 13
DS Mitchell 10
DD Melissa 2

Tuliene from Edmonton, Canada: First Time Disney Cruisers
Laurie 41
DS Connor 5

Suz D from Bloomington, Indiana: Repeat Disney Cruisers
Suz
DH Jeff
DD Katie 11

NoFussRuss from Bergen County, New Jersey): Repeat Disney Cruisers
Russ
DW Eileen
DD Maeve (5)
DS Quinn (4)

mech8T7 from Ontario, Canada: First Time Disney Cruisers
John
DW Mary
DS Simon (8)
DD Kelly (6)
DD Julie (2)

discruiser from Friendswood, Texas (just outside Houston): Repeat Disney Cruisers
Kim
DH Dan
DS Nicholas 8 (9 week after cruise) :bday:
DD Emily (6)
DD Olivia (2)
DS Nathan (4 mos.)

jpilgrim from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: First Time Disney Cruisers
Janice
DH John
DD Sophie (9)
DD Nicole (Nicki) (8)

Goofy559 from Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Repeat Disney Cruisers
Lisa
DH Darrell
DD Sage (8)

Jara from Missouri City, Texas (Just outside Houston): First Time Disney Cruisers
Jara
DH
Daughter (10)
Son (6) :bday:

Tink and Cinderella from Ajax, Ontario,Canada: Repeat Disney Cruisers
Denise
DH Peter
Jessica (8)
Kimberly (4)

kperkins0407 from San Antonio, Texas: Kim and Roxanna Repeat Disney Cruisers, Scott and Erica First Time Disney Cruisers
Kim
Scott (DH
Roxanna (DD13)
Erica (DD 10)

chiefs kids from Katonah, New York: First Time Disney Cruisers
Lex
Nicole
Jack (8)
Samantha (9)

Who is next to join??? Don't miss out on the fun!

I'mWong

02-20-2007, 04:38 PM

kperkins0407

02-20-2007, 10:28 PM

Laura,
I have seen the personal navigators posted on-line in several places. I first found them by googling them. The latest one that I found from a few weeks ago was at www.wdwinfo.com Click on cruise and then scroll down to navigators. Hope this helps. The print is very small.

I called the credit card company and the house alarm company tonight to let them know that we will be out of town. Wanted to make sure that the alarm company would have someone to contact in case the alarm goes off while we are gone.

Linens N Things had space saver bags in a large set. The set has 2 boxes with several sizes. With the 20% coupon it was about 24.00. Much cheaper than the ones at the container store. I have never used them to travel with, but thought I would give it a try. Has anyone else used these vacuum bags?

Kim

Suz D

02-20-2007, 11:32 PM

Suz...I just looked at our reservations...finally and realized we are having bruch on Monday at 11:00. I thought we were on for Thursday, but that is the tea. I wasn't sure what time you have the craft planned for, but wanted to let you know we had that scheduled. Not that I would expect everyone to work around us. Just wasn't sure what time the open time you were talking about takes place.

Laura, looking at the January navigator for Monday it looks like there is free time from 2:30 to 3:30 for the 10-12 year olds and the 5-9 year olds have a craft/free time until 2:45 and then free time until 3:30 so if that holds true I was thinking about meeting at 2:30. That DOES include the 15 minute transition time as well.

Shannon...one of the emails I sent to the people who hadn't posted in a while inviting them to join the fun, turned out to be your husband.:lmao: That is funny! I didn't realize you had both at one time posted!

One last thing...how do you find the Navigators from January? Where are they posted? I would like to look them over. I have the ones from our trip last year, but assume things might have changed since then.

I don't know if I can post the link, but I found it here on the disboards under Disney cruise line information at the top. Then I clicked 7 day Western and on the left hand side clicked "Navigators". Here's the link in case it works.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/DCL-Navigators/1-13-07/index.htm

Everyone have a great day!

Suz

I'mWong

02-21-2007, 08:54 AM

I have never used them to travel, but I love them to pack my winter clothes and blankets in for storage. I think I am going to find my way to Linens and Things. There isn't one of those close to me. There is a Bed, Bath and Beyond. I wonder if they match prices. Anyone know?

Suz, thank you for the information about the time. I am glad it was later. While I don't want anyone to wait on me, I don't want to miss the fun either!

When we booked the cruise, we booked in cabin 6536. Yesterday when I pulled up our reservations, we have been moved to room 6570. Not sure why we were moved. The other room was right by the stairs at the end. This one is more midship. I guess it doesn't matter. I read the report on both rooms and they seemed about the same. I thought maybe we had gotten moved because the other room was an ajoining room, but when I looked online, so is this one. Shannon, will you let Morgan know the change in the room? I am sure Sarah will email her as well.

A couple of the people I emailed sent me a message back. One was Shannon's husband, and two others moved to different ships. I guess that would explain why they stopped posting! :)

I haven't started any of the suggested books yet, but I have been gathering some titles. I am reading Holes with my son, though. It is really good. I loved the movie and the book is pretty much right in line with the book so far. Makes my son laugh and that is what I love to hear!

Great day to everyone!

MECH8T7

02-21-2007, 09:25 AM

Laura...Thanks for updating the roll call. It looks great.

I noticed that our cruise is now one of the ones for which DCL is offering "Magical Rates". The pricing they are showing ($999 pp) is based on Cat. 12. Just wondering how that rate compares with the fares when the cruise was first released (i.e., first tier, early booking fare).

ShannonR

02-21-2007, 05:39 PM

Good afternoon everyone!

Just woke up from a very long, and depressing two nights at work! I swear there must be a sale on cocaine this week, because we had sooo many cocaine addicted mothers!:scared: :scared: I even admitted a heroin addicted (and I mean ADDICTED) girl who was only 21 years old. There wasn't an inch on her body that wasn't covered in track marks and she had been using since she was 14 years old! I was both disgusted with her and sad for her at the same time. I got her through the initial withdrawl (that was tough for both her AND me:sad1: :sad1: ) and got her into a extended rehab program for the duration of her pregnancy. Early this morning, I had a lady come in who was such a chronic abuser that she looked like she was 60 years old (she was only 29) and she decided to snort too much cocaine while in the bathroom (I could tell what she had done as soon as she came out of the BR, abrupted her placenta and killed her baby (she was 23 weeks pregnant with her 5th child). We did an emergency C-Section but it was too late :sad1: The really pathetic part was that she was too high to realize and/or care what she had done :mad: :mad: I'm not sure, but I think I am in DESPERATE need of a vacation. :laughing: :laughing:

Melissa did pretty goo with her surgery! :cutie: :cutie: The surgeon was 1 hour late, of course, and he found a hole in her right eardrum that he had to repair with a skin graft from her outer ear, but she seems to be fine today! :goodvibes Her poor little hands are a mess because, from what I can see, they poked her 8 times before getting her IV started! :scared: She has an appointment in one week to see in the graft is going to work. He said that it was no problem that she go on the cruise, but CANNOT get her ear wet! The graft has to heal for a least a month!

Mitchell has basketball practice tonight. It's finally back up in the 80 degree weather mark. It's about time.:woohoo:

So the times are as follows: Meet and greet on Sunday at 9:30AM at Topsiders and the craft project on Monday at 2:30PM by the pool, right?:confused3 I want to make sure I am where I am supposed to be when I am supposed to be there!

We got Morgan a whole new wardrobe from Kohl's on Monday. They had 60% off on a lot of their junior's clothes. New shorts, pants, tops, etc.... Mitchell had plenty of clothes and well, I constantly shop for the baby. It so easy to over shop for a 2 year old girl! princess:

Rick made up our "family business cards" to pass out on Sunday! They are so neat!:cool1: They have our photo on them and the information the kids will need to find each other! Can't wait!

Talk to everyone soon! Shannon

jpilgrim

02-21-2007, 11:45 PM

Shannon; my oldest, Sophie, got ear tubes last year when she was 8 years old.
Best thing we could have done for her since she had a 30 percent hearing lost in both ears because of all the ear infections.

In terms of Melissa not getting her ears wet, did they tell you about Doc's Proplugs. Sophie wears them whenever she washes her hair or goes swimming. Do a search under this name and you can get a link on where to pick them up before the cruise.
Cheers
Janice

Marsh Family

02-22-2007, 09:46 AM

Shannon, glad to hear about the sugery going well and that they were able to fix up the hole right then and there, at least she only has to recover once. is the graft site on the outer side of her pinna or more by the lobe?

I found it quite ironic that i read your post last night just before going in to work and then we had 2 moms in with coccaine addictions, one who right after delivery pulled the cord off the placenta and then had to have a manual removal (she was high at this time). Babies aprehended. so very sad.

sorry to hear of your night, those night suck you dry in so many ways.

Going to see if i can figgure out how to make the cards on the computer, have a night off the back for the final 4! :banana: :banana:

going to sleep now for a bit...

Erin

I'mWong

02-22-2007, 01:27 PM

Just noticed you were logged in and wanted to say, Hi. I am at lunch break and thought I would see what is going on.

What does everyone think of the announcement of the two new ships?

Marsh Family

02-22-2007, 02:58 PM

Sorry Laura I must have missed you, I am really finding these boards so great to go to and enjoying posting with everyone, can't wait to see you all in person! And the kids are very excited as well.

Courtney has so been enjoying emailing to your DD. She looks on the computer after school to see if anything new has come in.

I have no idea about the 2 new ships, have been working and sleeping the last few days so completleyout of the loop! do let me know.

Erin

discruiser

02-22-2007, 04:36 PM

Just saw the news about the 2 new ships. How exciting! Sure would be nice to have one sailing out of Houston/Galveston. ;)

DH and two of the kids got their luggage tags and paperwork today. I would have thought both sets would have arrived together, but they didn't. Hopefully the other set will show up tomorrow.

ShannonR

02-22-2007, 05:06 PM

That's great news Kim! We have been looking in the mail for the past couple of days for our paperwork, but nothing yet:sad1: :sad1: :sad1: How long do we wait until we get nervous and contact DCL?:confused3

Everyone in our house is now healthy and Mitchell never got the URI that plagued this house for almost a month!! (knock on wood) :cool1: In one week from travel time, I am going to have everyone start taking the Airborne and Ecchinacea in hopes to keep us from getting sick while on vacation (again, knock on wood).

Janice, thanks for the information on the ear plugs. We ordered some for Melissa today in pink! :cutie: Hopefully they will help her with swimming and baths. When we went through this with Mitchell, we had to wash his hair with him upside down:upsidedow for a long time before it was safe for him to get his ears wet.

Today, we were trying to determine just how much cash to bring with us for shopping, etc... We were thinking $500.00-$700.00:scratchin What is everyone's suggestion? I know that almost everything can be charged to your room (which is exactly what we do at WDW), but I say it is better to have more than not enough.:confused3

Hope to hear from everyone soon!
Shannon

MECH8T7

02-22-2007, 07:36 PM

We got our cruise docs today, too!

Now that Laura was kind enough to update the roll call with where we're from, Erin's comment about her heated garage got me thinking that maybe we can pass the these last few days before we descend on Florida by telling each other something interesting about where we live? Or maybe we can exchange funny stories about previous Disney or non-Disney vacations?

I'll start with a tidbit about where we live: We live in Toronto, which is in Southwestern Ontario. Did everyone know that Walt Disney's grandfather settled in a Southwestern Ontario town called Bluevale (near Goderich on the eastern shore of Lake Huron) and his father, Elias Disney, was born there in 1859? Honest. (see the excerpt from a WED bio at the following link: http://www.randomhouse.com/knopf/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780679438229&view=excerpt)

Anyone else?

Suz D

02-22-2007, 08:52 PM

Today, we were trying to determine just how much cash to bring with us for shopping, etc... We were thinking $500.00-$700.00:scratchin What is everyone's suggestion? I know that almost everything can be charged to your room (which is exactly what we do at WDW), but I say it is better to have more than not enough.:confused3

Hope to hear from everyone soon!
Shannon

Shannon, you will only need to bring with you what you will spend in port. They don't accept cash at all on the ship. Everything is charged on your room key. You can tip in cash, but that's it. You also will need cash if you want to buy stamps on Castaway Cay as they don't use your room card. Everything else on CC is charged to your room. That was a weird thing for me to get used to. We only brought about $200.00 in cash and came home with pretty much all of that.

Suz

kperkins0407

02-23-2007, 12:57 AM

We also only take approx. $200 cash. Mainly for traveling to and from Orlando. (food at the airport, tips at the airport, etc.) Most places in port take credit cards. During the year I Keep a jar of all of our change...the week that we are leaving I take it to the grocery store and put it in the coin machine. Usually end up with $75 to help with some of the things that I forgot to budget for.

Travel agent left me a message today stating that Disney shipped our documents today and that they will be ready for me to pick up Monday.

As for the 2 new ships....I am looking forward to seeing where they are going.

Glad tomorrow is Friday!

Kim

ShannonR

02-23-2007, 08:05 AM

Unlike you, Kim, I am NOT happy it is Friday because it means I start my run of 5 nights in a row tonight! (but I am definitely happy for you!):sad1: :sad1: :sad1: Every once in a while I am envious of the 9 to 5 Monday through Friday jobs that have every weekend off (only once in a while, though). I get 5 days off every two weeks (when I don't work any extra) and make good money to work 3 days a week, so I guess I shouldn't complain, right?:confused3

We leave two weeks from today!:cool1: With any luck, this last bit of time will fly by (then I want time to slow down drastically):hourglass We have several basketball games, orthodontist appointments (both of the older kids have a full mouth of braces) and follow up ENT appointments for Melissa. princess:

I am hoping to get our documents in the mail either today or tomorrow. I keep a planning journal and trip journal (I have all our planning and daily activities written down for every WDW trip since we started going years ago) and can't wait to make THAT entry!!!:thumbsup2

Have to take Morgan to school, now and Mitchell to the orthodontist. Talk to everyone soon!

Shannon

discruiser

02-23-2007, 11:32 AM

We tend to use mainly credit cards when we cruise, as well. However, we like to take some cash. Singles are good for tipping porters (who help with your bags embarking and debarking) and room service onboard the ship. We will also be taking cash for Cozumel. We are thinking of getting a taxi and going to Paradise Beach. We will need cash for the taxi and also for food, drinks, etc. at the beach. Paradise Beach does take credit cards, but according to (the menu on) their website, a 20% service will be added to credit card purchases.

This brings up something else. We were in Grand Cayman and Cozumel last January (2006) on a Carnival ship and we bought some small souvenirs (shirts, earrings, etc.) in each port using our credit card. When I got the bill, the charges for Grand Cayman were correct as we were charged in US dollars in Grand Cayman. However, the charges for Cozumel were higher than what we were told in the shops. If I remember correctly, our card was charged in pesos and the credit card company charged us a service fee for currency conversion. I think it amounted to around 10% of the original charge. I wasn't aware of this beforehand. Fortunately, our purchases weren't big, but I would have been upset if I had bought an expensive piece of jewelry and gotten charged more than what I thought was paying. This was on the Disney Visa. Don't know if all cards are this way or if the shops are still charging in pesos, but it's something to keep in mind. Anyone else have any experience with this?

Hmmm....as far as something interesting about where we live, here's mine. This is related to the talk the other day of the shuttle launch scheduled for March 15. We live just outside of Houston, about 10-15 minutes away from the NASA Johnson Space Center. The space program is a very big deal around here. We have many friends and neighbors who work for NASA. But our neighbor two doors down is an actual astronaut. He has been on three missions and was mission commander on his last mission. I believe he is scheduled to go back up next year. He and his family are some of the nicest people you could meet.

I'mWong

02-23-2007, 11:55 AM

Good morning everyone!

I am with Kim...TGIF! I have to conduct a training over some new technology we got today after school for an hour and attend an 8 hour training tomorrow, so it isn't going to be a very long weekend for me. I hope everyone gets all their last minute stuff done so rest can come next weekend! Shannon, I wish time went slower on the cruise too, but to me it seems to go by so quickly. The biggest let down is that last night when you know you are getting off the ship the next morning. Always makes me blue!

Got word today that our uncle's kids have decided to turn the respirator off tomorrow after the 1:00 visitation ends.:sad: The doctors have told them there is pretty much no hope. If he survives the respirator removal, he will be moved to a hospice center once he is stable enough, or he will stay in the hospital until the end. It is sad to come to this point. I have so many memories of him in just the years I have been in the family. I am so sad for his kids and my MIL and DH. Say extra prayers for us this weekend. I think we will need all the strength we can get.

On another note, is it too late to book excursions through the website? I tried earlier this week and either I couldn't figure it out, which I hope is not the case, or it is too late. I could look at them and read about them, but not book them.

A tidbit about Houston...hmmm...each year the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo comes to town in late Feb. through mid March. It is the biggest rodeo in the world and often brings some of the most popular entertainers of the time. For the past three years, we have taken our daughter and son to see the "Disney" entertainer. Three years ago, it was Hillary Duff, last year we saw Raven and this year it will be the Cheetah Girls with Hannah Montana on March 4th. I am skipping this one since I will be at a scrapbook retreat. I wish I could somehow tie Houston to Walt Disney, but can't find the connection. That is pretty cool about your connection, John.:thumbsup2

Have a great weekend everyone! Two weeks and counting for us too!:cool1: :beach: :hourglass

discruiser

02-23-2007, 12:21 PM

Laura...I just pretended that I was going to book an excursion online and it looked like it was going to work (I stopped before I actually booked the excursion). I got there by going to My Cruise Plans (on the left) after logging in with my reservation number, clicking on Reserve Excursions under the Shore Excursions tab, finding the excursion, selecting it and hitting the Continue button. The next page will allow you to select a time (if multiple times are offered) and the guests who want to purchase the excursion. Then there is a yellow Reserve button which should reserve your spot. I went as far as the last page but didn't hit the Reserve button to see if it would actually go through.

Hope this helps.

jpilgrim

02-23-2007, 12:37 PM

Laura, sorry to hear the latest about your uncle. My prayers for you, your family and his family.

God Bless
Janice

ShannonR

02-23-2007, 01:12 PM

Hi everyone!

I was trying to think of something interesting to say regarding McAllen and there isn't ANYTHING!:rotfl2: :rotfl2: It is a go nowhere, do nothing kind of city. Other than being so close to the Mexican border (10 minutes from Reynosa) nothing EVER happens here. We moved here 3 years ago, and we were told that it had not snowed here in 165 years. Well, wouldn't you know it, it snowed the very first Christmas we were here!:mad: :mad: The whole reason we moved here (from Michigan) was to get AWAY from the cold and snow, only to have it follow us here the very first year. The people down here thought it was great:confused3 but we DID NOT!! Other than that, it is pretty boring here in the south, south of Texas.:faint: :faint:

It's in the 80's again today and sunny! Hooray!:cool1: :cool1:

Shannon

P.S. Laura, prayers go your way to your family from ours regarding your DH uncle.:sad1: I hope you all get through this with as little pain as possible.

kperkins0407

02-23-2007, 07:22 PM

Hello everyone! So glad that today is Friday and the work day is over. Today was originally scheduled for teacher in-service, but ended up being an ice make-up day. What a day--had to take 4 students to the office (I have only had to take 1 student this entire year & then had 4 today). At least we have Monday off!

My parents are in town--they always help out with errands, chores, etc. They are ALWAYS a big help when they come.

Booking excursions...I tried sometime last week and was not able to change anything. I think that when you go to make an excursion reservation it only lists the AVAILABLE excursions. I am thinking that they are completely booked since none were listed when I tried, but I could be completely wrong.

This is a question for the scrapbookers--do you have the cricut machine? I love mine. They are releasing 2 Disney cartridges for the cricut machine in March.

I agree the last night on board is the most depressing of the entire cruise. It is hard to believe that the Disney is going to actual make you get off the next day. Work weeks seem to drag on and on, but the week flies by while cruising.

As for San Antonio...it is a wonderful vacation spot. Try to avoid summers since it can be very HOT. Fall is wonderful....we do not actually have a true fall where the leaves change, but the temp. is great. We wear shorts most of the year. You can't wear them everyday, but there are many days each month that you can wear them. Even though we are only a 4 1/2 hour drive from Dallas the weather is much warmer year around here. Of course, there is the Alamo and the Riverwalk and the Spurs (Go Spurs GO!) The San Antonio Rodeo is every Feb. for 2 weeks. I was suppose to take Roxanna, 2 of her friends, and one of my friends to the rodeo to see Gretchen Wilson. (and we had box seats) Unfortunately, that is when I had the stomach bug the entire weekend and could not get out of bed. My friend took her mother and the girls.

Talk to everyone later. Enjoy your weekend.

Kim