February 2, 2008 Eastern early check in

[Billinaz]

I know we are waaaaay ahead of time, but I thought Id see who was going on this cruise.

We will have 3 kids with us.... 12,10 and 8.


Anyone else book as early as we did for this cruise?

[LisaSp]

We are booked on Feb 2nd 2008 for EASTERN. We booked early too--we had rebooked for a dummy 2007 date when aboard the Magic in 3/06. Our kids will be almost 7 and almost 9 for this cruise!

[Billinaz]

We are booked on Feb 2nd 2008 for EASTERN. We booked early too--we had rebooked for a dummy 2007 date when aboard the Magic in 3/06. Our kids will be almost 7 and almost 9 for this cruise!


Yea, I goofed. We did the same thing with a dummy booking from our Feb cruise.

[taramarie]

Just wanted to say hi though....it was nice to see someone else who planned ahead!

Tara

[Gina]

Hooray!! I'm so glad there is already a thread for this sailing! :) I am still waiting to book (waiting on a couple more quotes) but this is the sailing we're booking.

My name is Gina, I'm 40, and a single mom to Tyler Dean, who will be 11 next month. (We will be celebrating his 12th birthday on the cruise next year.) This will be our 4th voyage on the Magic. We haven't been since 2004, and have been jonesing BIG time. It affects you so deeply on so many levels! We spent our 2005 vacation time back at WDW, then sailed on the Grand Princess in 2006 with my mom and stepdad. Tyler Dean and I planned and planned and went with a totally open mind -- but it just wasn't the same. Not even close.

2007 will be vacation-less as money is tighter now and I will have to save up longer for this next cruise.. but it is, of course, worth every single little penny. :goodvibes Just looking at pictures of our previous Magic cruises, remembering special moments, it chokes us both up and has us bouncing off the walls with excitement at the same time. I've tried to explain why the Magic cruises are so different, on such a higher level, so worthy of my scrimping and saving, but it's hard to put into words. I end up just smiling blissfully instead of trying to explain. :cloud9:

Good grief, I didn't mean to ramble... I'm just happy to already have found people to share our planning with. :) It always makes SUCH a big difference! On every cruise, we have met such wonderful DIS'ers ahead of time, and ended up spending meals and lots of fun time with them. We have both made some great friends that way. I'm looking forward to making some new friends this time!! :)

-gina-

[SoftBallChickuhh]

well be there too!:cool1: me my DP and some families that we have met on prior cruises are all going together again!:cool1:

[Gina]

Hooray! Glad to see there are a few of us booked already! :cool1:

[mfabre]

My mom will be booking this cruise for me and my family while she is on her cruise this Feb. I can't wait to know it is booked!! On our trip it will be -- me(25), DH(26), DD(7), and DS(3 almost 4), DDad and Stepmom. Last February we cruised on the Magic with a party of 13 and have been waiting patiently to rebook. I sure do hope this next year goes by rather quickly!! :cool1: :banana:

[VickiHD]

Hi everyone!!! Glad to see there are a few of us early planners for the cruise.
My name is Vicki. ( DH) David, and our Baby Mouseketeer; Peter.:mickeyjum

This will be our 2nd Disney Cruise. DH and I have cruised with other lines but we are so happy with DCL. Disney Cruises are always so special but, this cruise will be even more “magical” to us since we are taking our baby boy on his first cruise. (First of many, so I hope he enjoys it. ) Peter will be 19 months old when we finally set sail.

For me part of the fun of vacations are the planning, research, preparation, etc. I know that the DIS boards are definitely a great place to do that.

I’m looking forward to hearing from and getting to know everyone before our cruise!

Vicki

[VickiHD]

:hourglass Only 365 more days to go. Just think in one year we will be on the Magic for our week long cruise.

[Gina]

:hourglass Only 365 more days to go. Just think in one year we will be on the Magic for our week long cruise.


Ohmygosh, I didn't even realize today was the 2nd! Thanks for the big happy smile I'm now wearing, Vicki. :goodvibes

-gina-

[VickiHD]

Gina,

We have a count down board in our kitchen that I change the number of days before we set sail. Right now 365 seems a long way off but I guess we just have to put our time in. :rolleyes1

Believe it or not, I've already purchased my dress for the semi fornal night. I just couldn't pass it up and it will travel well.

You sound like a planner...have you checked out the Passporter Guides?

Vicki

[Gina]

Gina,

We have a count down board in our kitchen that I change the number of days before we set sail. Right now 365 seems a long way off but I guess we just have to put our time in. :rolleyes1

Believe it or not, I've already purchased my dress for the semi fornal night. I just couldn't pass it up and it will travel well.

You sound like a planner...have you checked out the Passporter Guides?

Vicki



365 days does seem long, but it always seems to just fly by. It has been just about a year since we were on the Grand Princess with my folks, and that just seems impossible to me. I swear it was last month!!

And you're not the only one already shopping, so don't feel weird. :) I found the most gorgeous white organza blouse on Ebay last month, to go with a long black & white skirt I already have. The shirt was 5 bucks -- I couldn't pass it up! So there's my semi-formal night outfit. I also found 2 really nice tropical shirts on clearance for $3 each for DS.

Yeah, I'm a planner... lol. I love Passporters -- I've been getting them since they first came out, and I wouldn't go to WDW or on DCL without mine! I'm not really an organized person... which is putting it kindly ;) ... and the Passporter makes me feel like the most organized person in the world. I love it. :)


So did you and DH do the Eastern or the Western last time?

-gina-

[VickiHD]

Gina,

DH and I did the 4 day cruise on the Wonder. I've done the Western Caribbean (not on DCL) and was not impressed. We've done a Princess crusie to Mexico. The ship was new and impressive but honestly once we tried DCL there is NO turning back, and that cruise was before our little boy. I could not even trying another line with our little guy now.

I just love the planning part of vacations....the shopping, searching for great deals and I usually end up with far too much stuff and I don't even touch the stuff that's all ready in my closets. Having this trip so far in advance really does give us the time to search for the bargins. DH just "refound" his stuff for pirate night so that means we don't have to replace it on our next trip to Disneyland.

I am really thinking about shipping some stuff to the port ahead of time. Just because with the baby (well a toddler by then) there will be so much extra to bring. I'm just concerened that there would be a problem and we would never get it.

I receieved my passport a few weeks ago and I have not had a chance to go through it like it deserves.

Is your son excited? Did he enjoy spending time in the clubs?
Vicki

[Gina]

Gina,

DH and I did the 4 day cruise on the Wonder. I've done the Western Caribbean (not on DCL) and was not impressed. We've done a Princess crusie to Mexico. The ship was new and impressive but honestly once we tried DCL there is NO turning back, and that cruise was before our little boy. I could not even trying another line with our little guy now.


I hear ya. We sailed on the Grand Princess last March right out of Galveston (only about 20 minutes down the road) because it was just so much cheaper than DCL + airfare to Florida. It was sooooooo not Disney. It wasn't bad... the ship was nice, the staff was nice, the food was fine... it just didn't have that "magic" (no pun intended) that we feel on DCL.

And if I never do Western again, that's fine with me. That itinerary just doesn't have the Caribbean feel and flavor that the Eastern does.


I just love the planning part of vacations....the shopping, searching for great deals and I usually end up with far too much stuff and I don't even touch the stuff that's all ready in my closets. Having this trip so far in advance really does give us the time to search for the bargins. DH just "refound" his stuff for pirate night so that means we don't have to replace it on our next trip to Disneyland.


I agree with you on the bargain hunting! We should be able to snag some great deals for the cruise at the end of the summer. We don't have any pirate stuff, though... that night used to be "Tropical Night," and I liked dressing up for that. I love finding gorgeous tropical outfits in St. Maarten, and they're so inexpensive!


Is your son excited? Did he enjoy spending time in the clubs?
Vicki


My son is beyond excited! We both are. Every Saturday we have "cruise-planning" time. We watch the Magic sail away on the live cams, we talk about what we'll be doing at that exact moment when it's our turn, then we usually go out to eat someplace and pore over the Passporter and/or DCL book. We get a whole year's worth of enjoyment out of each cruise. :)

As for the clubs, well, to say he enjoys them is an understatement. He would be happy if I dropped him off there on embarkation day and picked him up a week later. LOL I make him join me for dinner, but I have to promise him that he can go right back to the Lab. :) Now he has Ocean Quest to look forward to as well, and he is ten kinds of excited about that. Lest you think I just abandon him in there and go drink all day or something ;) , we do get together and do stuff as well. We got to be on Mickey Mania last cruise (which was a BLAST!,) we love to play bingo, and we go to the pools together. But he really does have a great time in the kids' clubs, because they have so many fantastic activities for the kids.

I guess if Peter will only be 19 months old, though, you'll just be doing the Flounders thing? I have no experience with that, but it looks really sweet in there when I peeked in. :)

[big jack 2002]

:yay: We are going with family and friends. We booked 5 of our cabins on our last cruise, but now we have a few more friends that are planning to go, too. Our dd and sil are having some friends over to their house tonight and showing our video from our last family cruise and these friends have already asked us if we would mind if they tagged along.
We usually all just go our own way - some doing excursions together - others just relaxing - and meet at dinner and talk over our day. We have such a great time and I know our family is making memories that last a lifetime!!
Barbara:yay:

[VickiHD]

My son is beyond excited! We both are. Every Saturday we have "cruise-planning" time. We watch the Magic sail away on the live cams, we talk about what we'll be doing at that exact moment when it's our turn, then we usually go out to eat someplace and pore over the Passporter and/or DCL book. We get a whole year's worth of enjoyment out of each cruise. :)

:)


Gina, That is so neat!!! What a sweet and wonderful idea and I bet your son just loves those Saturdays.

We will try Peter out in Flounders and hope he enjoys it. It would be wonderful to spend a little grown up time with DH. One thing that is challenging us right now is trying to imagine Peter at 19 months old. He’s growing so fast and everything has been a blur since he was born , we’re more than a little curios to see how active he’ll be when we sail. I will tell you he already loves Mickey Mouse, and he gets so excited when I bring out his plush Mickey Mouse to play with.
Vicki

[VickiHD]

Welcome Barbara,
It does sound like you have a fun group going !!!!

Vicki

[Cajun Princess]

Hello Everyone :wave2:

This will be our 2nd Magical Cruise. We booked on board in Feb 06 with a dummy date then changed it when the dates were released.
We are so excited :yay:

It will be me, DH, DS-16 and DS-12

[Gina]

Hello Everyone :wave2:

This will be our 2nd Magical Cruise. We booked on board in Feb 06 with a dummy date then changed it when the dates were released.
We are so excited :yay:

It will be me, DH, DS-16 and DS-12


Yay, welcome!! Is your DS 12 now, or when you sail? Mine will be celebrating his 12th birthday onboard. He loves making new DIS friends as much as I do, and he will be *thrilled* to have someone sailing who is his age. What's your son's name? My son's is Tyler Dean.

Glad you're aboard! :)

-gina-

[SnowWhite2]

This will be our 3rd February cruise and our 4th total on DCL. We just returned 1 1/2 weeks ago and it seems like forever since we were on board. :sad1:

I received my confirmation last night along with a postcard from Mickey telling us that he can't wait to see us on board real soon. My kids immediately responded with "it's a year away - that is NOT soon. I want to go back now"

My girls are 10 and 12 now and want to cruise every year on DCL - no other line even though they have only been on DCL. On our way to our Feb 3, 2007 cruise, DD12 was not as excited as I thought she would be. She said that she had such a good time on our April 06 cruise that she can't imagine this cruise being able to be as good since she had the best time of her life in April. Well, this weekend while we were out shopping, she told me that the Feb cruise was even BETTER than the last one. You can never underestimate that magic pixiedust:

[Gina]

My girls are 10 and 12 now and want to cruise every year on DCL - no other line even though they have only been on DCL. On our way to our Feb 3, 2007 cruise, DD12 was not as excited as I thought she would be. She said that she had such a good time on our April 06 cruise that she can't imagine this cruise being able to be as good since she had the best time of her life in April. Well, this weekend while we were out shopping, she told me that the Feb cruise was even BETTER than the last one. You can never underestimate that magic pixiedust:


That is sooooo true, and so hard to explain to "other" folks! Each time really is better and better. I guess your daughter will be in the teen club next time -- I bet she's excited about that!

I'm so glad there are more people joining this thread -- it's going to be such a fun year of planning!! :) My son's 11th birthday is this coming Saturday, and I got him a new dry snorkel. He is going to be SO excited. He has been envious of mine for a while, so he's going to be really happy. :)

-gina-

[Cajun Princess]

Yay, welcome!! Is your DS 12 now, or when you sail? Mine will be celebrating his 12th birthday onboard. He loves making new DIS friends as much as I do, and he will be *thrilled* to have someone sailing who is his age. What's your son's name? My son's is Tyler Dean.

-

Gina,

My DS is Alex and he will turn 12 in Sept 07. He was saying the other day "I hope I make a friend like last time we went." I told him sure you will. Maybe we can get them talking on the boards so they will know each other before we sail.

It must be so exciting to celebrate a birthday on the Magicparty:
What day will he turn the big "12"?

[Gina]

Gina,

My DS is Alex and he will turn 12 in Sept 07. He was saying the other day "I hope I make a friend like last time we went." I told him sure you will. Maybe we can get them talking on the boards so they will know each other before we sail.

It must be so exciting to celebrate a birthday on the Magicparty:
What day will he turn the big "12"?


He'll turn 12 on Feb. 24th, a few weeks after our cruise, but we'll still celebrate onboard. (Statewide TAKS testing is done in all schools that week every year, so we can't ever sail then.) We usually sail the first week of February, so he's gotten kinda spoiled by birthdays in the middle of the Caribbean surrounded by Disney friends. Poor kid. LOL :rolleyes:

I told him about Alex, and Tyler Dean's jazzed about the idea of having a friend before he even steps onboard. He said he's rather email than write here, so if that's okay with you too (and with Alex) I can PM you with Tyler Dean's email address.


Hey, on a different subject... did y'all see on a different thread where they ordered silicone bracelets for their DIS group? They said they got them at www.reminderband.com and I think it's such a neat idea!! They got lime green ones (of course) and had "Disney Magic" and the sail date embossed in a really pretty blue. They wore them all the time, and could instantly spot other members of their meet thread from the DIS boards. What do you guys think??

So what categories are you guys booked in? We're in a cat. 8 on deck 7 forward... but I'm hoping we're okay with just a big porthole. We've always done a Navigator's verandah room, and LOVE it, but it's $300 more than the cat. 8... and that's a lot of bingo and Malibu Coladas, you know? Still.... arggh, it's driving me crazy!


-gina-

[VickiHD]

Welcome aboard everyone! It's nice to see more people sailing with us.

(Now maybe we can keep the thread off of page 4 hehe)
We're off to spend 9 days at the Disneyland Resort so please keep the thread going.

Vicki

[Cajun Princess]

Gina,

I sent you a pm

The boys sould be talking soon.

[mfabre]

We are finally booked!! I received my confirmation e-mail and number this morning from my mom who is on the Magic. I am so excited to know that the wait of booking is over. Let the planning begin!! I am looking forward to cruising with all of you!

[Gina]

We are finally booked!! I received my confirmation e-mail and number this morning from my mom who is on the Magic. I am so excited to know that the wait of booking is over. Let the planning begin!! I am looking forward to cruising with all of you!


Woo hoo, congrats!! I love that feeling when you you finally are officially booked, and have that happy little confirmation number in-hand... :banana:


Anastasia ~ Tyler Dean sent Alex an email last night. I think it was just a couple of sentences, though -- you know how expressive 'tween boys can be... not! LOL But for him to send an email at all with basically no prodding from me lets me know how excited he is to already be making a friend before the cruise. That has been the highlight of our Disney cruises for him -- the DIS pals he has made ahead of time and the fun they have had onboard together. (Inseparable fun, usually!) I love it too -- I still keep in touch with several past DIS cruise friends.

-gina-

[pjohnson]

Glad to see others booking early! This is our 2nd Cruise with Disney. We shared the excitement that we encountered with family and friends. So, this year we are bringing them along for the Disney Cruise experience. The CAJUN GANG FROM LUZIAN :dance3:

[Gina]

Hoo boy, now I KNOW this is going to be fun, with a bunch of Cajuns in our midst!! :D

Welcome to the DIS!!!

-gina-

[big jack 2002]

We are on Deck 2. Some of us in Cat 9 and some in Cat 10. We are next to each other and across the hall. One family that recently booked is down about 4 rooms from us, but still nearby. We are looking forward to meeting everyone. :cheer2:

[pjohnson]

Hoo boy, now I KNOW this is going to be fun, with a bunch of Cajuns in our midst!! :D

Welcome to the DIS!!!

-gina-

Gina,

This is our 2nd Cruise on the Magic. Last Cruise 2006 Western. My sister will be sailing with us on the Cruise. She is a single mom (40) also with a son seth (10). The rest of the CAJUN GANG FROM LUZIAN my stepdaught (24) son-n-law ( 25) grandchildren (3)and (7). Another sister (28) her husband (26) and their children (3) and (10) Hope this year goes quickly.party:

Peggy

[Gina]

That's so cool, Peggy! I'm 40 too, and my son was 10 until just today. :) Sounds like the boys on our cruise are going to have lots of new DIS friends!

-gina-

[pjohnson]

well be there too!:cool1: me my DP and some families that we have met on prior cruises are all going together again!:cool1:


This is our first time doing the eastern cruise. Which excursions did you do and how was it.:cool2:

CAJUN GANG FROM LUZIAN
Peggy

[chmb1]

We'll be there too: me (42), Betty (40), and the kids (11, 7, and 3). Third DCL cruise - 2nd Eastern. Can't wait!

[Cajun Princess]

Tyler Dean sent Alex an email last night.
-gina-

Gina

Have Tyler Dean check the email address.
He didn't get it:sad2:

[Cajun Princess]

Glad to see others booking early! This is our 2nd Cruise with Disney. We shared the excitement that we encountered with family and friends. So, this year we are bringing them along for the Disney Cruise experience. The CAJUN GANG FROM LUZIAN :dance3:

Another Cajun here. This is our 2nd Disney Cruise :goodvibes also. When did yall go in 2006. We were on the Feb. 2006 cruise 7-night Western (Mardi Gras Week)
We just got back from the KTDY cruise in Jan. Over 700 cajuns on that one. What a blastparty:

[Cajun Princess]

We are on Deck 2. Some of us in Cat 9 and some in Cat 10. :cheer2:

Deck 2 Cat. 9 also. Have the same room we were in last time :cool1:

[kathy6890]

You are clearly not alone - DCL reservations told me that I booked the last two connecting verandah rooms on the 6th deck. Also- the early dinner seating is booked!

I have two girls- who will be 4 and 8 in Feb 2008.

Best,

Kathy

[Gina]

Welcome, Kathy!! :wave2: Have you sailed with Disney before?

Glad to have you along!

-gina-

[kathy6890]

Hello-
I wanted to reply to Gina- however, this is a long thread so I might be missing someone else's question and or response. There is a Betty out there who seemed to have children similar in ages to mine- 4 and 8 y.o. girls.

Well- to finally respond- this is my first DCL. I've been on cruises as a kid- but that was about 25+ years ago. We have friends in town (Boston) who are regulars on DLC and they finally convinced us to go after listening to them talk about their vacations every time we went out to dinner together.

So now I can obsess for the next year along with everyone else:)

Kathy,
1st timer- 2/02/08 Wonder- Eastern

[mfabre]

Yes we were on the Mardi Gras week cruise last year! I am pjohnson's step daughter. I am can't wait for this cruise! My baby will be older and will make it a little easier. I hope that we will have some meets planned for when we go. Looking forward to getting to know everyone!

[pjohnson]

Another Cajun here. This is our 2nd Disney Cruise :goodvibes also. When did yall go in 2006. We were on the Feb. 2006 cruise 7-night Western (Mardi Gras Week)
We just got back from the KTDY cruise in Jan. Over 700 cajuns on that one. What a blastparty:

We sailed on the same Cruise in 2006!pirate: My stepdaughter and her family were also with us on that cruise and will be sailing with us again on this one. The only problem was well you know us cajuns how we like to stay up late some nights:party: :rotfl2: Really it was the best vacation! Can't wait!

Peggy

[pjohnson]

You are clearly not alone - DCL reservations told me that I booked the last two connecting verandah rooms on the 6th deck. Also- the early dinner seating is booked!

I have two girls- who will be 4 and 8 in Feb 2008.

Best,

Kathy

Join the Party! We are bring with us a grandson and niece almost 4,nephew and neice 10 and granddaughter 7. Oh yea we didn't forget their parents.:dance3: Peggy

[Gina]

Hello-
I wanted to reply to Gina- however, this is a long thread so I might be missing someone else's question and or response. There is a Betty out there who seemed to have children similar in ages to mine- 4 and 8 y.o. girls.

Well- to finally respond- this is my first DCL. I've been on cruises as a kid- but that was about 25+ years ago. We have friends in town (Boston) who are regulars on DLC and they finally convinced us to go after listening to them talk about their vacations every time we went out to dinner together.

So now I can obsess for the next year along with everyone else:)

Kathy,
1st timer- 2/02/08 Wonder- Eastern



Welcome to your new obsession, Kathy!! :thumbsup2

:banana: :banana: :banana:

[pjohnson]

We'll be there too: me (42), Betty (40), and the kids (11, 7, and 3). Third DCL cruise - 2nd Eastern. Can't wait!

What excursions did you enjoy on the eastern? Any good advice since this is your 2nd Eastern Cruise. We will be traveling with 3 other families with children age 3, 7 and 10. We are already planning things to do and bring.:woohoo: Counting down the days.:hourglass

Peggy

[pjohnson]

You are clearly not alone - DCL reservations told me that I booked the last two connecting verandah rooms on the 6th deck. Also- the early dinner seating is booked!

I have two girls- who will be 4 and 8 in Feb 2008.

Best,

Kathy

We are on the 6th deck! Also, late dinner seating.popcorn::

Peggy

[chmb1]

We only did French Riviera Beach Rendezvous (Orient Bay) in St. Maarten by DCL. It was really nice but from what I've read, it's much cheaper to do on your own. We will probably take a taxi next year.

Chris

[Cajun Princess]

:wave2: pjohnson & mfabre:wave2:
I can't believe we were on the same cruise. I don't remember meeting yall.:sad1: I do remember the your user name mfabre from the cruise meet for that cruise. We will have to have a meet and greet.

Welcome to all the new posters. :flower3:

:hourglass only eleven months to go :hourglass

[Gina]

We will *definitely* be having meets!! And we will have the silicone bracelets to identify each other, if enough people want them and don't make me have to pay for them by myself. :) (They're inexpensive, though -- like 2 bucks apiece.) Regardless, we will definitely be meeting.

I'm going to start compiling a list of our group, things like traveling party, ages, dinner seating, stateroom or deck number, stuff like that... So if you're interested and haven't already provided info, please do! Also, if you have already decided on any specific excursions, put that. Some of the most fun excursions I have been on were where a bunch of DIS'ers signed up to be on the same excursion. :) I would just edit the first post to include everyone's info as they provide it, but I didn't start this thread and haven't seen the OP post in a long time.

Alternately, if people don't like posting some stuff for whatever reason, we can set up a Yahoo group page just for our sailing. I did that for our last cruise, and it was great. It was invite-only, so no one was there who shouldn't be there, and we created a printable database with people's stateroom numbers and other info so that people could find each other onboard if they wanted to. The page also provided an online private photo album, so we were able to share pictures and know who we were looking for onboard, as well as a link database editable by any member so we could share links for things like excursions and other info. Just let me know if there's any interest in that, and I'll be happy to set it up.

-gina-

[kathy6890]

Hello Gina and others,
Thank you for being organized! I think I'd prefer a yahoo group as opposed to continuing on a thread. That's my two cents:-)

Best,

Kathy
2/02/08- 7 night wonder

[MyLove4Disney]

sorry it sent twice somehow.

[MyLove4Disney]

This will be our 3rd February cruise and our 4th total on DCL. We just returned 1 1/2 weeks ago and it seems like forever since we were on board. :sad1:

I received my confirmation last night along with a postcard from Mickey telling us that he can't wait to see us on board real soon. My kids immediately responded with "it's a year away - that is NOT soon. I want to go back now"

My girls are 10 and 12 now and want to cruise every year on DCL - no other line even though they have only been on DCL. On our way to our Feb 3, 2007 cruise, DD12 was not as excited as I thought she would be. She said that she had such a good time on our April 06 cruise that she can't imagine this cruise being able to be as good since she had the best time of her life in April. Well, this weekend while we were out shopping, she told me that the Feb cruise was even BETTER than the last one. You can never underestimate that magic pixiedust:


Hello SnowWhite2

We are fellow 2/3/07 cruisers taking the same cruise again like you 2/2/08.

We will make this the PROUD MEMBER OF THE HAPPY AND LAID BACK CRUISE (continued)...

My DD22 and I also are having withdrawls and want to cruise again soon, but will have to wait until next year. We may have two in 2008. Thinking about summer and the mexico cruises.

Didn't we just have the most wonderful cruise on 2/3/07 magic. I hope 2008 can top it. This will be our 3rd for the same week and destination and our 4th DCL

Until 2008. Happy Sails

[Gina]

Oh sweet, so are we are all Happy and Laid Back Part Deaux cruisers now?? I hope so!! Y'all seemed to have a blast on that cruise!! :banana: :banana: :banana:

[PhotoLisa]

Hello to everyone!!

Cajun Princess - we were on the same 2/25/06 cruise with you as well.

I just returned today from a back to back cruise and the only reason I could get off the ship is because I only have an eleven month wait for the next one!

I must encourage everyone to participate here in the meets thread and then to actually make the meets on the ship. I had always chatted in the threads and then wouldn't go to the meets. BOY WAS I STUPID!!!

For our 2/17/07 cruise, we had the BEST time because the disboard meets members were there and we already knew each other. We had a great turnout at the Mickey pool at 3 PM on the Saturday and it really set the tone for the rest of the week. We were often seated next to disboard people at Palo, in the clubs, shows, etc. It really enhanced our entire trip.

On the 2/25/06 cruise, I took my grown daughter (mfabre) and her family with us. I am looking forward to cruising with her and my grandbabies again!!!

This trip, it is scheduled to be me (46 at sailing) along with my almost 18 year old daughter and an undecided third person. I rebooked the room I spent the last 14 days in -- 6630.

Fire away with questions on the eastern itinerary but let me say that we didn't do any DCL excursions. We went to Orient Bay Beach in St. Maarten on our own (clothing optional beach but beautiful) and in St. Thomas, we did a daysail to St. John. The weather was great but our sailing seas were not so smooth. Many nights we had 13-20 foot seas. Our Castaway day was better than any of our previous cruises.

[PhotoLisa]

We only did French Riviera Beach Rendezvous (Orient Bay) in St. Maarten by DCL. It was really nice but from what I've read, it's much cheaper to do on your own. We will probably take a taxi next year.

Chris

We did Orient Bay Beach on our own two weeks ago and paid $7 per person for the taxi and then another $7 for a lounger, umbrella and a free drink. I'd have to rethink whether I'd do it on my own again. The upside is that YOU choose what time you want to go to the beach and what time YOU want to return to the ship.

NOTE: ORIENT BAY BEACH IS CLOTHING OPTIONAL. MOST SUNBATHERS THAT CHOOSE NOT TO WEAR CLOTHES ARE THE ONES THAT SHOULD WEAR SOMETHING!!! Even my husband was shocked at some of the sites -- something I only expected from Courtney (16 at the time).

[PhotoLisa]

We will *definitely* be having meets!! And we will have the silicone bracelets to identify each other, if enough people want them and don't make me have to pay for them by myself. :) (They're inexpensive, though -- like 2 bucks apiece.) Regardless, we will definitely be meeting.

I'm going to start compiling a list of our group, things like traveling party, ages, dinner seating, stateroom or deck number, stuff like that... So if you're interested and haven't already provided info, please do! Also, if you have already decided on any specific excursions, put that. Some of the most fun excursions I have been on were where a bunch of DIS'ers signed up to be on the same excursion. :) I would just edit the first post to include everyone's info as they provide it, but I didn't start this thread and haven't seen the OP post in a long time.

Alternately, if people don't like posting some stuff for whatever reason, we can set up a Yahoo group page just for our sailing. I did that for our last cruise, and it was great. It was invite-only, so no one was there who shouldn't be there, and we created a printable database with people's stateroom numbers and other info so that people could find each other onboard if they wanted to. The page also provided an online private photo album, so we were able to share pictures and know who we were looking for onboard, as well as a link database editable by any member so we could share links for things like excursions and other info. Just let me know if there's any interest in that, and I'll be happy to set it up.

-gina-

Gina:

I must have missed this particular post . . . I just finished compiling the information on those people that have posted and put it in an excel spreadsheet.

For our 2/17/07 cruise, Sue (mom of 3 boys) compiled our lists for us and then emailed them out to only those who submitted their information.

Our information included:

DisBoard Username
Real name (and age)
DH/DW/DP name (and age)
Children's names and ages (and sex)
Hometown and State
Stateroom Number
Dinner Seating
Pre-cruise hotel
email address

People only shared as much information as they were comfortable sharing. We PMd our information and it was added to the spreadsheet but never made available openly in the forum for the safety of our children (you never know who lurks in online forums). I have webspace and can host the spreadsheet with everyone's information if you'd like. It can be password protected and provided only to those who have shared their information as well.

Right before the cruise, we listed the wine, margarita, martini and beer tastings and we all chimed in saying if we were interested. We ended up having additional unscheduled meets at a few of the tastings. If you wished to participate in the tastings, all you had to do was go to Guest Services and purchases your ticket. We all sat together and it was a blast!

Also, both the 2/17 and 2/24/07 meets threads had a KIDS meet thread so that the children could chat with other kids and help ease the transition to friendship once they would meet face to face at the Saturday meet at the Mickey pool. I would have to say that the kids meet thread and the kids meet was a huge success!

I found that it was extra easy to spot DisBoarders that had the green Mickey paint chips easier than the green bands. I used a glue dot (scrapbooking essential) to fasten my green Mickey to my lanyard at chest level and wrote my name on it. I never hesitated to approach anyone with a green Mickey to ask what their name is and introduce myself.

Just a few suggestions. I'll help out in whatever way I can without stepping on toes. I'm having withdrawals after planning my back to back cruise and now it is over. I just got home yesterday and I'm ready to plan for the next 11 months!!

[PhotoLisa]

We dropped to the third page . . . bumpty bump bump . . . back to the top!

There has to be more people sailing with us! Where is everyone?

If you are not being notified when a post is made in this thread, click on the button near the top that said "THREAD TOOLS" and choose the option to subscribe to the threads and be notified instantly by email.

It helps so that you know what everyone is saying.

[pjohnson]

:wave2: pjohnson & mfabre:wave2:
I can't believe we were on the same cruise. I don't remember meeting yall.:sad1: I do remember the your user name mfabre from the cruise meet for that cruise. We will have to have a meet and greet.

Welcome to all the new posters. :flower3:

:hourglass only eleven months to go :hourglass

We will all have to meet! This is all new to me. My stepdaughter (Michelle) has introduce me to everything. Thats Y you didn't see my name on the last cruise. This is a whole new experience! :cheer2:

Peggy:banana:

[PhotoLisa]

bumpty bump bump

We're on page 3 again!

Dreaming of the Caribbean breezes!!

[Gina]

Hi all! :wave2:

Okay, so DS and I are sooooo ready to go. :) I got him a new dry snorkel for his birthday last month (got tired of him coveting mine!) and he is itching to use it. I've also been collecting more trial sizes of the products we like as I find them. Am I the only one who never really totally unpacks?? LOL

I'm trying to convince my aunt to come along with us. She loves all things tropical as much as I do, but has always been wary of cruising. Thinks she'll be cooped up on some little boat or something. (!!) She's our WDW partner-in-crime, and my giggle-twin -- more like my sister or cousin than my aunt. Together we're usually a party waiting to happen, so I know we would have a blast. The ship might have to stock up on extra coconut rum, though. ;)

I love booking early -- the price has already gone up more than $100 since we booked in early January.

Hope everyone is doing well!

-gina-

[pjohnson]

Hi all! :wave2:

Okay, so DS and I are sooooo ready to go. :) I got him a new dry snorkel for his birthday last month (got tired of him coveting mine!) and he is itching to use it. I've also been collecting more trial sizes of the products we like as I find them. Am I the only one who never really totally unpacks?? LOL

I'm trying to convince my aunt to come along with us. She loves all things tropical as much as I do, but has always been wary of cruising. Thinks she'll be cooped up on some little boat or something. (!!) She's our WDW partner-in-crime, and my giggle-twin -- more like my sister or cousin than my aunt. Together we're usually a party waiting to happen, so I know we would have a blast. The ship might have to stock up on extra coconut rum, though. ;)

I love booking early -- the price has already gone up more than $100 since we booked in early January.

Hope everyone is doing well!

-gina-

Hey Gina :wave2:

Glad to see I'm not the only one collecting small items that we will need to bring. I've even taken the suit cases out of the attic.:laundy:

I see your a Captain Morgans Fan! We will have to meet. My husband(Scott) and I are also, fans of Captain Morgan! Our group shut down the night club a few times last time we sailed on the magic. They have great adult entertainment on the ship.:dancer:

Peggy

[suzct]

Hi everyone,
We'll be joining you next year! We were on the Western Jan 27th cruise and I am hooked. It is me, Dh ,DD6 and DS4. I just finished my photobook and am now organizing all my Shutters photos, navigators etc. We decided to try the Eastern this time. I wasn't sure DH was going to go for it 2 years in a row. I said that we had to at least book on board to get the discount and that we could always change our minds later. I don't think he's changed his mind. It was such a great mix of fun for the adults and the kids. My kids both loved the kids clubs. We had to practically pull them out at the end. We didn't take advantage of them enough though. Next time we'll let them stay there a little more and have some more time to ourselves. Especially at night. We never even made it to the clubs etc. Looking back on the Navigator's, there are so many things we didn't do that I was sure we would like Bingo, Wendy's Tea. I am already excited to get back. Now that we know what it's all about, I think we'll get even more out of it. Look forward to chatting with you over the next 11 mos.

SuzCT

[Gina]

Hey Gina :wave2:

Glad to see I'm not the only one collecting small items that we will need to bring. I've even taken the suit cases out of the attic.:laundy:

I see your a Captain Morgans Fan! We will have to meet. My husband(Scott) and I are also, fans of Captain Morgan! Our group shut down the night club a few times last time we sailed on the magic. They have great adult entertainment on the ship.:dancer:

Peggy


Actually I'm a Malibu fan... but Parrot Bay will work fine, too. :thumbsup2 And you're right -- the adult entertainment is great!! I wouldn't miss "Match Your Mate" or the adult scavenger hunt for anything.


Hi Suz, and welcome!! You have GOT to make it to the clubs this time... I am by no means a "barfly" here in the regular world, I assure you. But there is just so much fun going on in the nightclubs onboard at night. We'll share the coconut rum with you, don't worry. :teeth:


-gina-

[PhotoLisa]

Magic Quest was a BLAST (scavenger hunt). We never laughed so much in all our lives! One guy brought up a set of false teeth that belonged to the man sitting next to him. I thought Trent was going to die from laughter that Scotty B actually convinced someone to give up their teeth to him for the sake of winning a cruise contest!

That is definitely a must attend event.

Another is the farewell performance in Diversions at 10:45 on the last night. Pack your luggage before dinner so you don't miss this performance.

Banana Creme Pie Martinis in the Cove Cafe . . . yummmmmmm . . . .

I can't wait to go back to the ship . . . I feel like its a home away from home now! My same room will be neat and tidy waiting for my arrival.

[Gina]

Hi guys ~

My son and another boy close to his age from this sailing are already becoming fast email buddies and "Disfriends" as they have dubbed themselves. :) Are there any other kids of yours who would like to join in? We could set up an email group for them so they can make friends before the cruise. Our two sons are already planning to take over Ocean Quest together. LOL

Just let me know -- it would be easy to set up, and a closed list. Also, I did set up a Yahoo group for us all in case anyone wants to share pictures, links, info, etc. Just let me know if you'd like the addy to that.

-gina-

[PhotoLisa]

Gina:

Please send me the info for the yahoo page. I'll pass it on to my daughter, mfabre and she'll share it with pjohnson (her stepmom).

Lisa

[Gina]

Just sent you a PM, Lisa. :)

I think there was someone else who wanted the info a little while back, but I got sidetracked and forgot who... :confused: Anyone who would like the link, please just let me know!

-gina-

[PhotoLisa]

Thanks Gina!

As soon as my daughter's Internet is hooked up at her new house Friday, she'll be along to ask for entrance too. I'll send her the link.

Lisa

[Billinaz]

My 3 kids would like to get to know some friends before they board!

Kim will be 11
Dan will be 9
Melanie will be 8

[PhotoLisa]

Billinaz:

How will us recent b2b cruisers survive with only one week on the ship next February? Wasn't crusing back to back specatcular? Surely, 7 days on the Magic will seem entirely too short!

Welcome back to the thread.

Lisa

[Gina]

Howdy all!

I just wanted to make it easier on everyone and post the address for the Yahoo group. It's http://groups.yahoo.com/group/febcruise/ . It's still a closed group, so no one will be able to get in anyway without me manually approving them, so simply having the address won't help someone who shouldn't be there. :) If you could, just stick a quick note with your DIS name to me in the comments-to-owner box when you join, so I know who's who. And if it makes anyone feel safer, this group isn't even searchable -- I tried, because I couldn't remember my log in, and was going to try and get in through a back door way. No such luck. :) The group just doesn't exist unless you know about it.

I know some people probably think it's redundant to have a thread here and also a group somewhere else, but I have done this for each of our cruises and it really is a big help!

I've created a database there where anyone in the group can enter their info (such as stateroom, cell phone number, dining seating, etc.), and we can each print out the info to take with us before the cruise. It makes it soooo much easier to get in touch with other DIS'ers onboard.

There are also photo albums where we can share cruise pictures and pictures of ourselves, a links section where we can share planning links, and other great tools.

As soon as work and school calm down a little bit, I am going to post a lot of the stuff I have and hopefully get the ball rolling a little better. This will also be a great place for all our kids to post to each other where it's not out in the public as on the DIS boards.

I'm not trying to shut down this thread, I promise. This thread needs to stay active so other people know about us as they book! I just wanted to give everyone a bigger toolbox to plan with. :)

If you need any help at all with it, please just let me know!

-gina-

[Smooch]

Woohoo!:yay:

We just moved our reservation to this date. We can't wait!

We are DH Sean (34), DW Kate (Smooch) (33), DD Kaila (8), DS Kyle (2), DB Brian (34), DSIL Michelle (34), and DN Britney (13). Brian, Michelle and Britney are always a tentative reservation since they are active Air Force and they never know when they will get sent TDY (thank goodness for trip insurance).

This will be our second Disney cruise as a group :grouphug: and the third for DH and I. Let the planning begin!:banana:

[pjohnson]

Woohoo!:yay:

We just moved our reservation to this date. We can't wait!

We are DH Sean (34), DW Kate (Smooch) (33), DD Kaila (8), DS Kyle (2), DB Brian (34), DSIL Michelle (34), and DN Britney (13). Brian, Michelle and Britney always a tentative reservation since they are active Air Force and they never know when they will get sent TDY (thank goodness for trip insurance).

This will be our second Disney cruise as a group :grouphug: and the third for DH and I. Let the planning begin!:banana:

:wave2: Hi Smooch,

Glad you will be sailing with us. We have a large gang traveling with us. Glad to have the military sailing with us. We are a military family. My step son which is photolisa's son and mfabre's brother is with the marine corp. He sailed with us last year after serving a year in Iraq. It was a good needed vacation for all of us. Hope no one gets called to duty.

pjohnson

[olewnikpe]

We're a very excited family of four booked on our first cruise after many trips to WDW. I'm just as bad as the kids, and want to plan and learn everything about the cruse yesterday, and happily share what I learn with my girls (will be 8 & 5 in 2/08).

I'd love to become a member of the yahoo group that was created.

[PhotoLisa]

Welcome to the group!!!

I've sailed with DCL five times in five years (twice in February this year) and have lots of information stored in my head. Ask away and I'll help you out all that I can!

Soon, I am going to attempt to scan my eastern navigators from 2/17/07 so that everyone can do some preliminary planning.

Lisa

[olewnikpe]

Thanks Lisa, I'm sure I will have questions. Right now, there are so many things to consider before, during, and after the cruise that I'm still in the mode of not even being able to formulate any questions.. I'ts overwhelming!

Although, I think I do have one question that I can pose to you or anyone else that is related to drop-off/check-in at the port. The plan right now is that we're going to rent from Budget after we land at MCO the night before, then in the morning, I'll drop off the family at the port. Can they begin the check-in process while I'm returning the car or do they have to wait for me? How does that process work?

I'm thinking it is similar to airport check-in, and they need everyone there to match up photo ID, etc.

Thanks... Eddie

[PhotoLisa]

Thanks Lisa, I'm sure I will have questions. Right now, there are so many things to consider before, during, and after the cruise that I'm still in the mode of not even being able to formulate any questions.. I'ts overwhelming!

Although, I think I do have one question that I can pose to you or anyone else that is related to drop-off/check-in at the port. The plan right now is that we're going to rent from Budget after we land at MCO the night before, then in the morning, I'll drop off the family at the port. Can they begin the check-in process while I'm returning the car or do they have to wait for me? How does that process work?

I'm thinking it is similar to airport check-in, and they need everyone there to match up photo ID, etc.

Thanks... Eddie

Your wife will be able to check you in. Just send her inside with your passport, the printed payment authorization form and your Bahamas form. The Bahamas form you will receive in your documents about 1 1/2 weeks before the cruise. The payment authorization form is done online about 90 days before the cruise.

When you return from bringing the rental car back you'll just need your driver's license to show them at the gate to get into the terminal. By that time, your wife will have checked you all in and you'll join them in time to wait for your boarding number to be called!!!

[olewnikpe]

Awesome, thanks Lisa, that was something I was a little concerned about.

I didn't want to have them sitting outside waiting for me to return, then I'd be stressed out, because no matter how long it takes to get back to the port, it would be too long. Because they would be there, so close, but yet so far from getting things started.

[PhotoLisa]

The best part is that they will get an earlier boarding number going in the terminal without you! After you've entered the terminal, gone through the metal detector and get ready to go up the escalator, the CM will attempt to give you a boarding number. You can tell them that your family is already upstairs.

I am missing being on the ship sooooo much. I can't wait for February to get here!

[Billinaz]

Thanks Lisa, I'm sure I will have questions. Right now, there are so many things to consider before, during, and after the cruise that I'm still in the mode of not even being able to formulate any questions.. I'ts overwhelming!

Although, I think I do have one question that I can pose to you or anyone else that is related to drop-off/check-in at the port. The plan right now is that we're going to rent from Budget after we land at MCO the night before, then in the morning, I'll drop off the family at the port. Can they begin the check-in process while I'm returning the car or do they have to wait for me? How does that process work?

I'm thinking it is similar to airport check-in, and they need everyone there to match up photo ID, etc.

Thanks... Eddie



Im doing the same thing.. sort of

We are staying at the Hampton Inn the night before. Im returning the Budget car at about 9:30ish and bringing having the shuttle bring us and our luggage (we are a family of 5) to the port. Ive done it that way on all our cruises and zero problems. Saves a trip..... Id do it that way if I were you.

[chmb1]

Hi!

Just to give everyone the heads up, this will be another Superbowl cruise since the big game will be on Sunday, Feb 3rd. I suppose that Formal Night will be moved to Monday as it was this year.:cheer2:

Chris

[PhotoLisa]

When I came home from our back to back a few weeks ago, I told my good (guy) friend that I was rebooked for 2/2/08. He immediately told me it was SuperBowl Sunday during the cruise.

He is everything sports. This guy could quote stats from players in every sport. I knew I didn't have to second guess what he said.

I forgot to post that here though.

[olewnikpe]

Thanks for the info Bill in AZ, that is an option I didn't consider. I need to go over the pros and cons of both dropping them off at port and all of us on the Budget shuttle.

I was hoping NFL football wouldn't be a topic here since it's quite obvious that Lisa is a Saints fan, and I could do without the verbal abuse since they gave it to us last season. Anyway, I like the idea of the SuperBowl being played while on cruise, except if the Eagles are playing, because I would want to be home celebrating and going to the parade, but I don't think I need to worry about that this year.

[Billinaz]

Looks like we are going to have to use Avis this time. Im having a hard time getting the size vehicle we need (Like a Ford Expedition)...

Still going to drop it off early AM and take the shuttle to the port....

[PhotoLisa]

Thanks for the info Bill in AZ, that is an option I didn't consider. I need to go over the pros and cons of both dropping them off at port and all of us on the Budget shuttle.

I was hoping NFL football wouldn't be a topic here since it's quite obvious that Lisa is a Saints fan, and I could do without the verbal abuse since they gave it to us last season. Anyway, I like the idea of the SuperBowl being played while on cruise, except if the Eagles are playing, because I would want to be home celebrating and going to the parade, but I don't think I need to worry about that this year.

You know what is worse than a Saints fan?

FOUR FAMILIES of Saints fans! LOL

Lots of us from Louisiana making the Mardi Gras cruise.

As for me, I get outta town for Mardi Gras usually -- at least 4 of the last 5 years anyway!

I'm looking forward to having a good time for Superbowl Sunday!! We'll have to consider that when we are organizing our meets!

One meet that worked well for our 2/17 cruise was wine tastings and margarita tastings! No official meet needed to be scheduled. Anyone that wanted to do an adult gathering and like to taste wine went to Guest Services to take care of their fee. We had a BLAST!!

[PhotoLisa]

Howdy all!

I just wanted to make it easier on everyone and post the address for the Yahoo group. It's http://groups.yahoo.com/group/febcruise/ . It's still a closed group, so no one will be able to get in anyway without me manually approving them, so simply having the address won't help someone who shouldn't be there. :) If you could, just stick a quick note with your DIS name to me in the comments-to-owner box when you join, so I know who's who. And if it makes anyone feel safer, this group isn't even searchable -- I tried, because I couldn't remember my log in, and was going to try and get in through a back door way. No such luck. :) The group just doesn't exist unless you know about it.

I know some people probably think it's redundant to have a thread here and also a group somewhere else, but I have done this for each of our cruises and it really is a big help!

I've created a database there where anyone in the group can enter their info (such as stateroom, cell phone number, dining seating, etc.), and we can each print out the info to take with us before the cruise. It makes it soooo much easier to get in touch with other DIS'ers onboard.

There are also photo albums where we can share cruise pictures and pictures of ourselves, a links section where we can share planning links, and other great tools.

As soon as work and school calm down a little bit, I am going to post a lot of the stuff I have and hopefully get the ball rolling a little better. This will also be a great place for all our kids to post to each other where it's not out in the public as on the DIS boards.

I'm not trying to shut down this thread, I promise. This thread needs to stay active so other people know about us as they book! I just wanted to give everyone a bigger toolbox to plan with. :)

If you need any help at all with it, please just let me know!

-gina-

Repost for those just becoming active. Also, Click on the button named Thread Tools and subscribe to this thread to receive notifications by email when a post is made. It'll help you not to miss any posts with handy information!! It makes it easier to keep up without having to log in all the time.

[LisaSp]

...as long as the Baltimore Ravens are not in the Superbowl, it should be OK. But should the Ravens manage to get there, we will have a problem as my DH will HAVE to go to the game! I realize chances are slim, but we did have a good season this year...

[Gina]

I was hoping NFL football wouldn't be a topic here since it's quite obvious that Lisa is a Saints fan, and I could do without the verbal abuse since they gave it to us last season. Anyway, I like the idea of the SuperBowl being played while on cruise, except if the Eagles are playing, because I would want to be home celebrating and going to the parade, but I don't think I need to worry about that this year.



As a Texans fan, I'm pretty sure I won't have to worry about that either!! LOL!! Ahaha.. ahh... now I made myself sad. :(

Oh well, it's always fun to cruise during Superbowl week. :)

[PhotoLisa]

Come on guys -- you need to register if you haven't for our yahoo group.


On the topic of football . . . just think, our Saints were the unlikely group to make it to the playoffs!!! We're overdue!!!!! I think the entire nation was at least half-heartedly pulling for the Saints this year.

Truth be known . . . I'm an LSU FAN!!!! For the last three seasons, I've been on the sidelines photographing football in Tiger Stadium (and the Superdome for the SugarBowl as well as the Georgia Dome for the Peach Bowl the year before)!!! What a rush. but . . . .

You can't help but cheer for the Saints, post-Katrina! ;)

[PhotoLisa]

For those of us that are early participants in the forum . . . an additional incentive to register for the yahoo group . . .

If you register and post in the yahoo group prior to April 15th (the dreaded tax day), I'll use my skills to make a pillowcase edge design with your child's name for you to download and iron-onto a pillowcase to be dropped off at Guest Services for signature by the characters.

Here are the names that I did for the 2/17 cruise we went on this year so that you can see what I'm talking about. You print these on transfer paper on a color printer and then iron them onto the seam side of the pillowcase. Its a really neat souvenier for your young'un.

pillowcase names (http://www.lneal.com/disboard/index.htm)

Once you post (before 4/15) in the yahoo group, you need to let me know the names of your children along with the sex and approx age.

[Brucemcc]

Hi all

We just got our confirmation today for 02 Feb 08. We actually just booked on the Magic 3 weeks ago when we did the Eastern 03-10 Mar 07. Fantastic time and we cant wait to go back. About us, well, were a bunch of canucks from Cold Lake Alberta Canada, (3 hours north of Edmonton) right in the middle of the oil patch, (Athabasca oil sands) Im Bruce, DH 40, my wifes name is Angela and we have a 12 month old named Kaleigh.She actually had her birthday on the Magic which was a blast, the servers treater us like gold, can not recommend the cruise enough to 1st timers, best 7 day vacation to date.:cheer2: Any questions about bringing an infant, what we did or should have done, excursions etc, please do not hesitate to ask. We recieved all kinds of valuable info from this board Prior to cruising that not only saved us time and money, but made our vacation amazing, wish we could thank each person and actually we had a chance on the ship to met the same very people that started a thread similiar to this one. Good to see this thread started, lets keep it going!!

Cheers;
Bruce/Angela/kaleigh
pirate:

[pjohnson]

Hi all

We just got our confirmation today for 02 Feb 08. We actually just booked on the Magic 3 weeks ago when we did the Eastern 03-10 Mar 07. Fantastic time and we cant wait to go back. About us, well, were a bunch of canucks from Cold Lake Alberta Canada, (3 hours north of Edmonton) right in the middle of the oil patch, (Athabasca oil sands) Im Bruce, DH 40, my wifes name is Angela and we have a 12 month old named Kaleigh.She actually had her birthday on the Magic which was a blast, the servers treater us like gold, can not recommend the cruise enough to 1st timers, best 7 day vacation to date.:cheer2: Any questions about bringing an infant, what we did or should have done, excursions etc, please do not hesitate to ask. We recieved all kinds of valuable info from this board Prior to cruising that not only saved us time and money, but made our vacation amazing, wish we could thank each person and actually we had a chance on the ship to met the same very people that started a thread similiar to this one. Good to see this thread started, lets keep it going!!

Cheers;
Bruce/Angela/kaleigh
pirate:

:wave2: Hi Bruce,

Glad you and your family will be sailing with us! We have a large group of cajuns on this cruise :grouphug: In our group we have children 3, 7,10 and 18. Any suggestion on activities or excursions would be greatly appreciated. This is our 2nd cruise with Disney but, most of them cruising with us in our group is thier first.pirate:

Peggy

[pjohnson]

:wave2: For those of us that are early participants in the forum . . . an additional incentive to register for the yahoo group . . .

If you register and post in the yahoo group prior to April 15th (the dreaded tax day), I'll use my skills to make a pillowcase edge design with your child's name for you to download and iron-onto a pillowcase to be dropped off at Guest Services for signature by the characters.

Here are the names that I did for the 2/17 cruise we went on this year so that you can see what I'm talking about. You print these on transfer paper on a color printer and then iron them onto the seam side of the pillowcase. Its a really neat souvenier for your young'un.

pillowcase names (http://www.lneal.com/disboard/index.htm)

Once you post (before 4/15) in the yahoo group, you need to let me know the names of your children along with the sex and approx age.




:wave2: Hey Lisa

Great Idea! I'll get the names to you soon!

Peggy :cool2: :cool2:

[VickiHD]

For those of us that are early participants in the forum . . . an additional incentive to register for the yahoo group . . .

If you register and post in the yahoo group prior to April 15th (the dreaded tax day), I'll use my skills to make a pillowcase edge design with your child's name for you to download and iron-onto a pillowcase to be dropped off at Guest Services for signature by the characters.

Here are the names that I did for the 2/17 cruise we went on this year so that you can see what I'm talking about. You print these on transfer paper on a color printer and then iron them onto the seam side of the pillowcase. Its a really neat souvenier for your young'un.

pillowcase names (http://www.lneal.com/disboard/index.htm)

Once you post (before 4/15) in the yahoo group, you need to let me know the names of your children along with the sex and approx age.


What a cute idea. Oh please add our little boy's name to the list......his name is Peter.

Thanks !!!

Vicki

[PhotoLisa]

What a cute idea. Oh please add our little boy's name to the list......his name is Peter.

Thanks !!!

Vicki

Gotcha Vicki!

I can't take credit for the idea - it comes from the Creative DisBoards area of the forum. I'm only replicating it for our purposes.

[pjohnson]

For those of us that are early participants in the forum . . . an additional incentive to register for the yahoo group . . .

If you register and post in the yahoo group prior to April 15th (the dreaded tax day), I'll use my skills to make a pillowcase edge design with your child's name for you to download and iron-onto a pillowcase to be dropped off at Guest Services for signature by the characters.

Here are the names that I did for the 2/17 cruise we went on this year so that you can see what I'm talking about. You print these on transfer paper on a color printer and then iron them onto the seam side of the pillowcase. Its a really neat souvenier for your young'un.

pillowcase names (http://www.lneal.com/disboard/index.htm)

Once you post (before 4/15) in the yahoo group, you need to let me know the names of your children along with the sex and approx age.


:wave2: Hey Lisa,

You can add Seth 10, Paige 10 and Riley3 to the pillow case list. I deffinately know you'll make sure our grand babies have one too! I think that is a great idea. Oh and count me in on the wine tasting.:woohoo:

Peggy

[PhotoLisa]

Hey Peggy!

Yes, I'll take care of Seth, Paige and Riley's names for your sisters. I still have Jordan and Bryce's from last year but I'm going to do a new one for them so it won't be the same.

I love the wine tasting and that one will be fun. I want to do a margarita tasting this trip. I'll have to look up the schedule in my navigators and see which days the margarita tastings are on. I'm sure I could twist your arm hard enough on that one too! If not you, maybe Ginger!!

You need to join in the fun in the yahoogroup too if you haven't been there yet.

How's the quietness in your house? Driving you crazy yet? ;)

[suzct]

OOOh! I love the pillowcase idea. Thanks so much. Could you add Dominic 4 and Grace 6 to the list? Thanks again. Cool.

Suzanne

[big jack 2002]

Would you add my grandchildren, Cassie, will be 11, Allison, will be 10, and Kendall, she will be 6. We also will have Emerson, a little boy, age 1 1/2.
We are getting so excited about our cruise.
I can't figure out how to join the yahoo group. Please, Help!!
Thanks, Barbara

[Gina]

Would you add my grandchildren, Cassie, will be 11, Allison, will be 10, and Kendall, she will be 6. We also will have Emerson, a little boy, age 1 1/2.
We are getting so excited about our cruise.
I can't figure out how to join the yahoo group. Please, Help!!
Thanks, Barbara



Hi Barbara ~

Just go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/febcruise/ and press "join this group." Then you'll either sign in with your Yahoo information, or create a Yahoo account, and it'll send a message to me to approve a new member. When that is done, it'll send you a message letting you know you're a member, and other info. That's it!

If you'd like to PM me with your email address, I think I can also manually add you that way.

-gina-

[pjohnson]

Hey Peggy!

Yes, I'll take care of Seth, Paige and Riley's names for your sisters. I still have Jordan and Bryce's from last year but I'm going to do a new one for them so it won't be the same.

I love the wine tasting and that one will be fun. I want to do a margarita tasting this trip. I'll have to look up the schedule in my navigators and see which days the margarita tastings are on. I'm sure I could twist your arm hard enough on that one too! If not you, maybe Ginger!!

You need to join in the fun in the yahoogroup too if you haven't been there yet.

How's the quietness in your house? Driving you crazy yet? ;)

:goodvibes Hey Lisa,

Ginger will be at the margarita tasting. Scott and I had dinner with her last night she said to count her in. Dinner topic for last night was the cruise. We already booked our rooms at the Radisson. Join the yahoo group today waiting for approval.

We started working on the house again. So, haven't had time to enjoy the quietness. I never sit still long enough. Michelle, Jordan and Bryce were here this afternoon. We talked about our plans for the trip. Trying to figure how we are going to haul the luggage for this group. U-Haul I guess :rotfl:

Can't wait:cool2:

Peggy

[PhotoLisa]

Check the yahoogroup for a list of pillowcase names that are complete including the link to find them.

[VickiHD]

PhotoLisa

Thank you so much for creating Peters name for the pillowcase. It's so cute!!!!

Can I pick up transfer paper at any craft store???

Vicki

[PhotoLisa]

PhotoLisa

Thank you so much for creating Peters name for the pillowcase. It's so cute!!!!

Can I pick up transfer paper at any craft store???

Vicki

You can get the paper at Michael's, Hancock Fabric, Hobby Lobby, walmart, etc.

Don't forget to "flip" the design before you print it out. Go to the Disboard's Creative DISigns forum to see the tips for transfering designs for printing.

[PhotoLisa]

There is a thread in the forum that states someone was told when they applied for their passport it could take 4 to 5 months to receive it.

Do I think the 1/1/08 date will be pushed back? Yes. Is it guaranteed that we won't need a passport? No This date has already been pushed back. I was in the number that felt the date would be pushed back from the original 1/1/07 date and was right. This time . . . I'm not feeling as strongly. Its possible but not as improbable as a year ago.

If the date holds true, you wouldn't be able to board the ship without a passport. DCL does not have to give you compensation if you get to the terminal and you can't board because you don't have the proper documents.

If you don't have a passport and need one, its time to apply. Don't wait until the last minute because the issuance time will only get worse as people try to get their passports closer to the deadline.

The post office will be open on Friday when most people are off of work. Take advantage of that day to apply for your passport.

[Gina]

I don't think they're going to change the 1/08 date at all this time, because you already have to have a passport to travel out of the country by air. DS and I applied for ours on 2/26, and they *still* aren't even showing up in the system yet. We still have 10 more months before we sail, but this IS the government... :rolleyes: I won't relax until they're in our hands, especially after it took almost a year just for my idiot ex to get around to having that piece of paper signed and notarized.

BTW, I'm sorry I haven't been very active here or on the Yahoo group lately -- work and school are completely kicking my butt. :( Is it summer yet???

[Cajun Princess]

Hey to all the new sailers. It's going to be a GREAT cruise.

Sorry I've been away. Just lots of stuff going on. I can't wait til summer.

I tried to sign up for the yahoo group. Hope it worked.

PhotoLisa - I remember you from the 2006 cruise. I don't know if we ever met but I saw you taking pictures one day. I also saw the pics you posted after the cruise and they were great. So jealous that you got to do back to back cruises. What a dream that would be. I also made pillowcases like yours for our last cruise. I didn't tell the kids or DH about them and had the room steward put them on the beds. Everyone loved them. Each name was done with that persons favorite character. We didn't have them signed.

Didn't know it would be Superbowl Sunday. Go Saints. I think watching the game on the ship will be lots of fun. Will they play it on the jumbo screen outside?

We already have our passports. Got them when they came out with the first date. Thought we would need them for the Feb. 2006 curise. It was extra money but glad we got them when we did. Even with Hurricane Katrina we sill got them a week early. Yes they were in New Orleans when the storm hit.

Hope everyone had a Happy Easter

[big jack 2002]

Bump. I couldn't hardly find this!!!

[HawkeyeGal]

Hi! I'm Michelle, wife to one, mom to 2 - 4 and 19 months currently. We were on the Feb 10th Western this year and booked on board for the Feb 2nd Eastern in 2008. I'm thrilled to find this thread! We traveled with 2 other couples (3 other kiddos - 7, 4 & 4.) Looking forward to planning with you all!

[Gina]

Hi Michelle! Welcome to our little party!! :cool1:

You're going to love doing the Eastern... Western is nice, but Eastern is a whole different atmosphere. The extra sea day is awesome, too. :)

Please feel free to join us, if you like, on our Yahoo group. There we are sharing links and photos and info, and can group messages according to topic which makes it so much easier. :) We also have a database set up where you can enter your family's info, and you'll be able to print the whole thing out before sailing so you can have contact info for everyone. Just go to groups.yahoo.com/group/febcruise and join from there.

We still keep this thread bumped too, though, if you don't wish to be a part of the Yahoo group. Hope to talk to you more soon!

-gina-

[Billinaz]

I just found out that we will be out of communications range for the super bowl game. Complete blackout.

Maybe everyone can watch the people always playing basketball on the bow at all hours of the day and night instead??

[SnowWhite2]

Not to worry....

I was on the Magic for Super Bowl 2007 and it was shown on the big screen on Deck 9, in the sports bar on Beat Street, and in the promenade lounge. The feed was from ESPN but a Spanish version of ESPN. All of the stats and graphics were in Spanish. They did have audio in English.

The sports bar had prizes and food - looked like nachos, etc. Deck 9 had hot dogs and big soft pretzels which were filled with an apple type filling. Promenade lounge had cheese/crackers, fruit, etc.

If you would like to watch it on Deck 9, make sure to bring a sweatshirt and jeans because it is very windy and chilly if you are out there for a long time.

Formal night will not be on Sunday but will be moved to Monday.

_____

I just noticed you are going on the Christmas 08 cruise - we are going on that one also! My DH thought I was crazy when I booked both of them during our Feb 07 cruise. Good to see great minds think alike!

[Billinaz]

I was just kidding.. tryig to see if anyone would go for that.............



Not to worry....

I was on the Magic for Super Bowl 2007 and it was shown on the big screen on Deck 9, in the sports bar on Beat Street, and in the promenade lounge. The feed was from ESPN but a Spanish version of ESPN. All of the stats and graphics were in Spanish. They did have audio in English.

The sports bar had prizes and food - looked like nachos, etc. Deck 9 had hot dogs and big soft pretzels which were filled with an apple type filling. Promenade lounge had cheese/crackers, fruit, etc.

If you would like to watch it on Deck 9, make sure to bring a sweatshirt and jeans because it is very windy and chilly if you are out there for a long time.

Formal night will not be on Sunday but will be moved to Monday.

_____

I just noticed you are going on the Christmas 08 cruise - we are going on that one also! My DH thought I was crazy when I booked both of them during our Feb 07 cruise. Good to see great minds think alike!

[taraandmike]

Hi Everyone,:wave2:
I am brand new to this site and just booked this cruise last week. I am so excited as this will be our first cruise and first disney vacation also! I will be going with my husband and 3 children 12,14 and 16. I am impressed with all the helpful information on this site and it will take me forever to get caught up. ;) February can not get here soon enough..


Tara

[pjohnson]

Hi Everyone,:wave2:
I am brand new to this site and just booked this cruise last week. I am so excited as this will be our first cruise and first disney vacation also! I will be going with my husband and 3 children 12,14 and 16. I am impressed with all the helpful information on this site and it will take me forever to get caught up. ;) February can not get here soon enough..


Tara


:cheer2: Hey Tara,

This is our 2nd cruise with Disney! Once you sail with Disney your hooked!:banana: Every year we take a family vacation. After all these years I've never heard my husband (Scott) tell everyone they have to take a Disney cruise until now.:laughing: There is so much to do as a family. The kids can do their thing and ya'll can do yours. That is one of the things that is so great about it. Your children are going to love it! Start packing:laundy: Look forward to meeting ya'll some of us are scheduling to do the Margarita tasting.:woohoo:

Peggy

[eeyoresbestfriend]

Hi Everyone! Ijust booked my family ont his cruise too- we are SO excited! We have done one other Disney Cruise, in January of 06 but only a 3 night! Have been trying to get back ever since!!:banana: My husband is in the military,so it's hard to plan these things, but he will be coming back from Iraq at the endof the year and we wanted to do somthing FUN!
Does anyone have any thoughts on what the weather might be like for this cruise? I am going to go back an lookthrough this thread again, but is there somewhere that lists what each dinner etc will be?I know t hat I read that Formal night will be on Monday due tot he Superbowl, how does that effect everything else? Thanks for any help this looks like a great groupofpeople, can't wait to join you!:yay:

[Gina]

Hi Tara, hi Eeyoresbestfriend! Welcome to the party!! :cool1: Jump right on in the discussions with us, either here or at our Yahoo group!

Glad to have you with us! :)

-gina-

[Billinaz]

Im actively trying to add to our cruise... Ive been recruiting everyone I work with!

I think we might try Palo for dinner this cruise........

[olewnikpe]

Excuse me while I rant to nobody in particular, just to get it off my chest.

We are planning to use USAirways frequent flyer miles for 3 or our 4 airline tickets for the cruise. But over the past few years, they changed how their miles redemption works. Officially, it costs 25,000 miles for a roundtrip domestic ticket. Now, with the exception of red-eye kind of flight times, most flights are now 50,000 miles roundtrip, which they don't really advertise as being the case. So now I call it the Miles Redemption Prevention program.

I know we're still a ways away, and shouldn't worry about it, but we'd like to have everything set that we can set, so we can focus on the things we need to focus on as we approach sailing (reservations, excursions, etc.), not stressing over flights come November and December.

When I mention available flights, I'm referring to flights that only cost 25,000 roundtrip. To fly into Orlando on Feb 1, there is only a 5:30am flight that is available, coming home, we'd have to wait until Sunday:scared1: . We were hoping that our DD (8) would be able to go to school for most if not all of the day on 2/1, which is normally how we do it when we go to WDW, since she will be out the whole following week. Besides, getting up with two kids to catch a flight that early is crazy anyway.

We looked at any airport within 2.5 hrs drive of Port Canaveral (Tampa, Jacksonville, and West Palm Beach) to see what flights are available for us to use our miles.:surfweb: It looks like Tampa will be our best bet, with a 9:50 am flight out of Philly to Tampa on 2/1. Which means no school for DD, but at least the flight is at a decent time. Coming home we can fly out at 6pm on Sat.

With all the flights I've taken with USscareways over the past few years, it annoys me that they provide this kind of service. I know, during busy times of the year, there is historically problems with blackout dates, but are other airline's frequest miles programs this restrictive, or cost so many miles, even during seemingly slower times of the year?:confused3

--Eddie

[Gina]

Hi Eddie.. I'm sorry you're having so much trouble with the frequent flyer stuff. :( I just read an article yesterday that stated airlines as a whole are now scoring lower than even the IRS in customer satisfaction. That's incredible, and pathetic to me. I hope you're able to get it all sorted out!

-gina-

[olewnikpe]

Hey Gina, we did book our flights via Tampa instead of Orlando (we really didn't have much choice, thanks to USAirways), but we think it will work out pretty well because we have friends near Tampa that we'll get to see and the flight times are very workable.

I often see posts from people asking what time they should leave WDW or MCO to get to the port for boarding, but is anyone familiar with the trip from Tampa to the port? It appears to be a pretty straight shot across the state and wouldn't expect any issues, thinking it should take 2-2.5 hrs to drive. Is there anything we should be concerned about or factor into our schedule/budget? Anyone know how much in tolls?...

Eddie

[JR]

DVC member booked for 2/9/08 Western. Going to apply for passport today and anticipating a long wait. Any other DVC members going?

JR

[big jack 2002]

and I am starting to look for clothes for the cruise. The summer stuff at the department stores is being marked down and I love to shop off of the mark down racks!! We are starting to plan our excursions and I am waiting for the 90 day out so I can reserve our Palo brunch and dinner. Do you know if I wait until the 90 day mark for the start of the cruise or 90 days from the Wednesday that I want?
We are having planning meetings almost every week when we get together now!:yay:

[vbarry]

Hi everyone- We just booked this cruise last week and I am sooo excited. I joined the yahoo groups and look forward to planning my trip with all of you.

This is our first cruise!! I have two daughters ages 7 and 3.

I am also starting to shop. You gotta love those summer sales!!

[Gina]

Welcome, vbarry!! And welcome to cruising, which will be your new addiction. :thumbsup2

[pjohnson]

Hi everyone- We just booked this cruise last week and I am sooo excited. I joined the yahoo groups and look forward to planning my trip with all of you.

This is our first cruise!! I have two daughters ages 7 and 3.

I am also starting to shop. You gotta love those summer sales!!


Glad to see ya'll will be joining us on the cruise. Cruising is a whole new experience. Once you cruise with Disney you are hook!:cool2: This will be our 2nd Disney Cruise and we are already talking about doing one in 2009. This time we are bring more people with us on the cruise. We will have children traveling in our group:grouphug: that are 17,10,7 and 3. I'm sure your daughters will meet them in the group activities. If you have any questions I will be glad to help answer. Pjohnson

[pjohnson]

and I am starting to look for clothes for the cruise. The summer stuff at the department stores is being marked down and I love to shop off of the mark down racks!! We are starting to plan our excursions and I am waiting for the 90 day out so I can reserve our Palo brunch and dinner. Do you know if I wait until the 90 day mark for the start of the cruise or 90 days from the Wednesday that I want?
We are having planning meetings almost every week when we get together now!:yay:


:wave: Big Jack,
I'm pretty positive it is the 90 days from the 1st day of the cruise. My step-daughter, my sisters and I have been hitting all the big sales for the summer. Every time we see something we call each other to make sure we don't miss out. I already have a suitcase in the other room and when I pick something up it goes in the suitcase. We just hit a 40% off sale at the disney store. Picked up the kids pirate stuff for pirate night.pirate: Pjohnson

[niccic]

Hi everyone me(28) my DH(30)l be on this cruise. This is our second(1st nov 10, 2007) cruise. We are cat 5 on deck 7. I do have a question though for dvc members. We are staying in a disney resort the night before, does anyone know what time e buses pick you up?

[Billinaz]

Here is something I get to see on my dreams unlimited reservation page now:

Paid in Full: Balance Due:
Yes $0.00

[Billinaz]

Since the US Air flights to PHX leaving very early in the AM or later in the day, we chose the 5:00 PM flight.

I booked a day room at the Hyatt @ MCO. Its much nicer relaxing in a room than in the terminal waiting for your departure......

[TrolleyGirl]

Today we are at the..........


200 day mark!!

[Gina]

Today we are at the..........


200 day mark!!



Woo hoo!!! :banana: :banana: :banana:

[kasidak]

Hey Everyone!

I am so glad I found you!

This will be our first Disney Cruise and we are so excited!!! My DH and I sailed on NCL wayyyyy back in '93 on the Norway (so sad that ship is no longer).

We will be in a category 8 and it will be me, my DH, and our 4 year old son (one month shy of turning 5 at that time).

[Gina]

Hi Karyn, and welcome!! :wave2: You are SO going to love this cruise... and your son is a great age for it. Once he sees that big pirate ship to climb on and all the other awesome stuff in the Oceaneer Club, you'll be lucky if you see him again all week. :thumbsup2

I saw that you just joined our Yahoo group -- great! Please add yourself to the database there with as much info as you feel like giving. It's a closed group, so no one will see it besides all of us in the group.

Glad to have you!

-gina-

[big jack 2002]

I forgot. I haven't been in for a month or so. Now, I can't find it. Where do I look???
Thank you all so much!!
Barbara

[Gina]

Hi Barbara! Just got to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/febcruise

:wave2:

[big jack 2002]

We are coming down the Wednesday before the cruise and staying at POFQ. A week from tomorrow is when I can make our Hoop-de-do reservations. I have to start thinking about how to get 15 people from the resort to the ship and than to MCO. The largest van that I have received information about holds 14. Happy Limo has a small bus. I am thinking about that. It would hold all of us and our luggage. I would like all of us to stay together. 3 of the people in our group have never sailed Disney before and I want to see their face when they first see the ship when we come around the bend on the highway. :cool1:

[Gina]

Okay, need some suggestions, you guys! I'm posting this here because I know Tyler Dean won't see it. :)

I've planned a surprise for him... instead of flying back home the Saturday we disembark, we're going to spend the day at our beloved Epcot, then head to Pop Century to spend the night. Then we're going to spend most of the next day at Epcot again, before flying home in the evening. I'm giddy just thinking about it. Now if Disney would hurry up and release AAA rates for next year, I'd be even happier!

Here is where my dilemma lies: We've never stayed at Pop, and it looks soooooo cool!! I would love to have time to really wander around the place, but we would have to give up Epcot time for that. So I came up with my new plan: Stay at Pop the night before the cruise also, and spend the better part of that Friday and Friday night exploring the resort. Then we could just get up way early and take ME back to the airport, and the DCL shuttle from the airport to the cruise terminal.

Problem is, I already have the Wingate Inn via Hotwire for that night, at $45. So would have to eat that money, plus lose the free breakfast Saturday morning. (Although honestly, we are usually too excited that morning to eat very much.) But I really really want to have some fun resort time after seeing all the pictures, and I know we're not going to be back at WDW for a while. But I just hate throwing away money.... Tyler Dean and I wouldn't get to do the things we do if I didn't watch every penny.

What would you guys do??

[olewnikpe]

That's a tough call. Your best bet might be inquiring if anyone here and in the group has interest in taking the Wingate Inn rez off of your hands (it sounds like you had to pay for the night in advance).

We're staying at friends of ours, and can't help, but that's a real good price, especially with it including breakfast. Is it near MCO or Port Canaveral?

Eddie

[Gina]

That's a tough call. Your best bet might be inquiring if anyone here and in the group has interest in taking the Wingate Inn rez off of your hands (it sounds like you had to pay for the night in advance).

We're staying at friends of ours, and can't help, but that's a real good price, especially with it including breakfast. Is it near MCO or Port Canaveral?

Eddie


I didn't think about that... if the reservation is in my name, how would I be able to transfer it?

And yeah, it's an awesome price -- I was thrilled I won with that bid, but sooooo mad at myself that I didn't consider a Disney option. I thought of it for a moment, but we have stayed at all the other values, and it wasn't worth the $$ to me. Then I remembered Pop, saw all the pictures, read all the reviews, and now I want to stay there. :( The Wingate is by the airport, and they have free shuttle service, which was a big selling point for me.

My other option is to tack on one more night after the cruise -- but that will mean us flying home Monday and having to get up and go to work and school the next day. UGH. I try and always have a one-day cushion afterward. I'm going to try and see if my boss will let me take Tuesday as well. I was going to take the Friday before off and fly in early like we usually do, but I could work most of that day and fly in in the evening instead. That might appease my boss. (And help my paycheck, because I only have one week paid!)

You know, I think that is what I might do. Thanks a bunch, y'all, for letting me use you as a sounding board. :grouphug:

[olewnikpe]

I'm sure you can call the hotel to change the name on the reservation. But if you can get the extra day, all the better!

[Gina]

Got it all worked out! Yay!! I'm going to work most of that Friday, then we'll fly in that evening and stay at the Wingate. After the cruise, we'll be at Pop Century for two nights, spending two days at Epcot and one day enjoying the resort before flying home Monday evening. Then we'll have Tuesday to recuperate. I was even able to call yesterday and lock in the AAA rate which shaved a nice amount off the total.

The hardest part is going to be keeping the secret!!! But it will be so worth it to see his face when we get off the ship and get to the airport, and I ask him if he's ready to go home. His answer is always a very sad "NO!," so this time I'll be able to smile and say, "Okay, then how about we get on this bus over here." :banana:

Oo, before I forget, I wanted to remind everyone to make sure that you don't have your Yahoo! Groups account set to "special announcements only." If you do, you're not getting any of the messages. A couple of kids have replied to the DIS-kid thread so far, but we have a ton of kids on this cruise! The more who jump in, the more new friends they'll all have by the time they set foot on the ship.

And we probably should start thinking seriously about meets! I think there was a thread already about that -- I'll go bring it back to the surface.

-gina-

[grizbuzz]

Just put in my request to use DVC points for this cruise. So while we're not official yet, we plan to join you all on the Feb 2 cruise. We just went on the June 6 Mediterranean Cruise and loved it so much that we decided to join DVC when we got home. And now we're already trying to use those points for another cruise. :rotfl:

It's me, DH, DS (2 and turning 3 Feb 24, so hopefully he'll be able to stay in OC) and DS (4). And I'm trying to convince the grandparents to join us!

[kasidak]

Good Luck! I hope you make our sailing. Look thru the posts and join our Yahoo group set up for this cruise. I have a DS who is 4 too. Maybe they will meet. ;)

[grizbuzz]

Weren't able to get a room we wanted on this cruise, so we're going on another. Have a wonderful cruise everyone!!

Just put in my request to use DVC points for this cruise. So while we're not official yet, we plan to join you all on the Feb 2 cruise. We just went on the June 6 Mediterranean Cruise and loved it so much that we decided to join DVC when we got home. And now we're already trying to use those points for another cruise. :rotfl:

It's me, DH, DS (2 and turning 3 Feb 24, so hopefully he'll be able to stay in OC) and DS (4). And I'm trying to convince the grandparents to join us!

[AZDisneyDan]

Greetings everyone. My wife (Perdie) and I just got off the 11 night MED cruise which was our first and had a blast. Prior to that cruise I booked the Feb 2nd cruise for my wife's 30th birthday, so now we are turning our attention to this cruise and are already counting the days. Can't wait!!! We'll see you all there.

[princess sparkle p]

DH and I will be cruisin too!!!! :boat: :boat: My DM and DD will also be joining us...:rolleyes1. We are on deck 1, rooms 1077 and 1048. An upgrade would be great, we were upgraded from cat 12 to cat 10 on our last cruise, but regardless we are SOOOOOO excited!!! :yay: :yay: :yay:

We joind DVC on our first cruise 4/2007, so we are using the onboard discount and DVC points!!!!!! :banana: :banana: :banana:

Only 159 days to go!!!!

[kasidak]

Welcome! It will great to meet all of you when we set sail!

[Gina]

Welcome to all the new folks who have (wisely) signed up for this cruise!! :woohoo:


Who else is ready to pack and just go wait at the airport? :thumbsup2

[Perdie]

I'm going on this cruise with AZDisneyDan (my hubbie) for my 30th birthday and his 32nd birthday (one day apart!) Can't wait!!!!!!!!


:donald: :mickeyjum :boat:

[Billinaz]

I have an email address set up for our kids (I monitor all in/out email)

It has worked well on our last few cruises, and the kids found friends the instant they go ton the ship!

Kimberly is 12
Daniel is 10
Melanie is 8

The email address they can be reached at is:

Kids-Feb2008-DCL-Cruise@cox.net


I have their photo online as well if the kids want to see each other before we get there.

We are plannong on getting in the evening before and will be at the Hampton. We drop off the rental car and get to the port at 10 ish ........

[kburns]

We'll be joining you - First time Cruisers -

Just booked our plane tickets! Myself (37) DH (40) DS Kyle (11) and DD Jenna (8).

See you there!

[SnowWhite2]

The Magic is back!!! :goodvibes :dance3: It's hard to get excited for the cruise when the ship is not even porting in the US. I'm so glad she is back safe and sound.

I've been waiting patiently, Ok maybe not patiently, but waiting for Southwest to come out with airfare for the cruise. I was so disappointed when the flights down on Friday were not discounted at all! Since flying on Friday is a must for us in the NE, I had to pay FULL fare for the 4 of us. The only good thing is that it is refundable.

[Daniel Gerrson]

Hello All:

Just signed the family up for the Cruise of a lifetime. After dealing with Monsters, the Sky Falling, and those crazy Cars, I felt it was time I took the family on the Disney boat.

We are so looking forward to meeting everyone, and experiencing the true Disney adventure. I hope they have some PIXAR stuff around.

Take care all, and I will be watching!

[Gina]

Welcome, Daniel! I don't recall seeing any Pixar-related stuff, as far as characters... but maybe that has changed.

Hey y'all, look at this... I think it needs to be our official shirt for the cruise: :teeth:

http://www.zazzle.com/got_rum_shirt-235467202893619731?sssdmh=dm12.138285


Less than 5 months now!!

[olewnikpe]

I suppose this shirt wouldn't work for everyone... https://www.piratesoul.com/shoppe/productdetails.aspx?ProdID=943 :thumbsup2

[big jack 2002]

Would anyone like to share a fishing boat Feb 1, 08 at 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. from the Grand Flordian? Total cost was $235 for the boat and will be divided by how many people want to go. The Boat will hold 5. I'd like to go fishing before the cruise!!! We are staying at POFQ.:fish:
Thanks in advance!!

[chmb1]

Just wondering if it's just me. I think it's due in November for our cruise.

[LisaSp]

Just wondering if it's just me. I think it's due in November for our cruise.

I am waiting as long as possible before shelling out the rest of the big bucks!!

[kasidak]

We will pay in November.

[Gina]

Count me as another cruiser paying in November! Why part with my money any sooner than I have to? :)

[Perdie]

yeah we will be paying November as well...especially since we just barely paid off our 11 night Med Cruise!! :eek:

[princess sparkle p]

127 Days and counting!!! :banana: :banana: :banana:

[SnowWhite2]

Just a reminder - If you are a CC member and want to book on-line at the 90 day mark, you must pay your balance before Nov 4th.

Outstanding balance = NO booking on-line for Palo, excursions, spa, etc.

It's one of those things that is in the fine print of the on-line booking. If you pay your balance at the 75 day mark when it is due and you are a CC member, you cannot book on-line until day 75 (or maybe 74 if your payment hasn't been credited).

[Billinaz]

Ive got my calendar marked. Oct 19 and we can make some ressies.

Probably not going to do Palo, but Im thinking of at least the stingrays on CC!

[LisaSp]

Ive got my calendar marked. Oct 19 and we can make some ressies.

Probably not going to do Palo, but Im thinking of at least the stingrays on CC!

How can you get ressies before Nov 4th?

[Billinaz]

How can you get ressies before Nov 4th?

Suites can do them at 105 days out.

[LisaSp]

Suites can do them at 105 days out.

Ah hah! I did not know that. Lucky you! :)

[kasidak]

Suites can do them at 105 days out.

Nice!

[SnowWhite2]

Have you all joined our Yahoo group

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/febcruise

We have lots of info for this cruise - Navigators, shopping/island info, fellow cruiser info....come join us!!

[Brucemcc]

Just booked and payed for 02 Feb 2008, tried 05 Jan but it sold out as of this morning.We were on the Eastern last 01 Mar and loved it so much decided to go again.Hope to meet and see you all on board.Upgraded from last cruise to cat. 07 with the navigators verandah for $500 more,anyone notice a big difference. We are looking for that extra little more room as our 21 month old is ripping around more than last year.pirate: cant wait!!

[Scoobypop]

We'll also be on this cruise--actually booked it in May, and this is my first visit to this thread. We have a big WDW vacation in November that has been consuming my time and thoughts, but decided to see if there is a thread going for this cruise. Needless to say, I found it so thought I'd say hi!

[bamagoofy]

I just booked the cruise tonight. I will be solo for my birthday.
Gina, is it too late to join the yahoo group?

[Gina]

I just booked the cruise tonight. I will be solo for my birthday.
Gina, is it too late to join the yahoo group?


No way, it's not too late! Come on over! :)

Just go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/febcruise . See you there!

[kasidak]

Welcome to the cruise! Not too much longer now, Yay!

[Billinaz]

I just got all checked in and reserved the excursions we wanted.

Parasailing is still not available on CC.


Let me know if you want me to check on an excursion for you.

[princess sparkle p]

104 days and counting!!!!

[twinsmom]

My family of 5 is coming with you'll n this cruise. We are first tie cruisers and are so excited. DH, myself and twin girls age 6 and son age 7 are sooo excited. ANy tips would be apprecited. We have rooms 2062 and 2064.

Stella

[Gina]

Hi Stella, and welcome!! :yay: You picked a great cruise to join, because there are some fun people here!

I can't believe we're almost in double-digits in our countdown... I booked this cruise back in January, and DS and I thought we'd never make it to next February. But the year has really flown! We were on the Magic in '02, '03, and '04, then life got messy and we haven't been since then. We keep saying that it feels like the first time again for us, and we're waaaaayy beyond excited. I'm ready to pack and just go wait at the airport!! :thumbsup2

-gina-

[Gina]

Just wanted to bump this back up! Our primary communication is at the Yahoo group, so please join us there if you haven't already! We have DIS meets to plan, DIS tag, all sorts of fun stuff. :) Only 3 more months!!

[Billinaz]

You know its starting to kick in when you start watching the DCL programs that you have saved on your DVR...

The old Travel Channel program

The updated travel channel program

The program about the Wonder in dry dock

[TrolleyGirl]

Less than 90 days to go!!

[MyLove4Disney]

We are getting excited now, this will be cruise no. 4 on DCL. 3rd time same week and cruise. Best time of year for us and price.

Got some pretty good rates on airfare through Southwest from CA to FL only 1 stop. 450.00 for two. I haven't flown SW that far before only short flight to SoCal from NorCal. I hope it is a good deal after all, all the other airline were almost double.

Looking for a very inexpensive room the night before at port. I stayed last year at the Country Inn and Suites for under 100, but this year they are 160 I want to go cheap about 100.00, but it has to be clean and safe, I don't need any special frills, like close to the beach. Suggestions are needed. We will have a rental car.


Another question is anyone in our group traveling with adult ages guest only? Sorry don't have any little kids, daughter is going to be 23 when we go.

[TrolleyGirl]

Mylove4Disney you might try to get the Hyatt at the airport off Hotwire. We go it last year for Friday night before sailing for $69. That way if you fly in Friday you could get the rental car Sat moring and save 1 days rental fee also.

By the way we are 2 adults w/ no children also. We love the adults only areas, especially Cove Cafe.

[christmas]

This is our first disney cruise Feb 2, 2008 mardi gras. We have 2 kids 12 and 8 and they love to cruise and disney so why not combine the two.

Disney all star movies 1/06
Disney pop cent. 2/04
Disney all star music 2/02
Disney contempory 12/00
Disney fort wilderness lodge 5/99
Diney all star sport 11/98
off ground 9/92

[MyLove4Disney]

Mylove4Disney you might try to get the Hyatt at the airport off Hotwire. We go it last year for Friday night before sailing for $69. That way if you fly in Friday you could get the rental car Sat moring and save 1 days rental fee also.

By the way we are 2 adults w/ no children also. We love the adults only areas, especially Cove Cafe.

Thanks for the info on hotwire, we are thinking about touring around cocoa beach before boarding the ship. In the past three cruises I have only arrived at port one time at the 10:30 time, since we were CC member we didn't have to wait in line at all, but we waited at the port which was very busy with kids and families and a lot of kids wanting to get on and kind of getting tired and a little cranky. I love kids, but not as much when they are sad and tired of waiting. Once we got on the ship we went in to eat lunch and felt hurried along. We couldn't get to our rooms until after 1:30. so we felt like we were just waiting around and not enjoying the ship as I had expected So the plan this year it to bum around cocoa in the morning have brunch somewhere, go to Ron Jons and what not, see what has changed and buildt up since the last time we spent any time in cocoa and be two happy and laid back cruisers. Maybe get a mani/pedicure. So we don't think we are going to start to the port until about 2pm, that way we will be able to go right to our rooms and we are going to travel lighter this years so we probably won't check our bags we will just carry them on, well maybe. Happy and laid back is the way we want to be, no rushing around this time.

TrolleyGirl, we will have to meet up in Beat street for the night entertainment. Last year we met a couple on disboard and I think we closed down Beat street everynight. We had a blast they were a great couple.

Here's looking forward to meeting you and the other Dis'ers

[Gina]

Hey, I may have a child, but don't count me out of the grown-up fun! :teeth: DS (11) and I have been together against the world for 10 years now -- my ex has been completely uninvolved, and my family lives in another city, so he and I are together ALL THE TIME... lol :p Plus, he loves the Lab so much, he would be way happy if I just picked him back up at the end of the week. :laughing:

Bottom line is, "Mom" gets to actually be "Gina" for a whole week, and they usually have to kick me out of Rockin' Bar D. :) My goal this time is to spend more time in Diversions -- I don't think I've ever even been in there, because there's always so much late-night fun stuff going on in Rockin' Bar D. Don't get me wrong -- DS and I do lots of stuff together, too! But I do love getting to have a week of living like a grownup. :) I'd love to have some friends to hang out with onboard! :banana:

-gina-

[MyLove4Disney]

Hey, I may have a child, but don't count me out of the grown-up fun! :teeth: DS (11) and I have been together against the world for 10 years now -- my ex has been completely uninvolved, and my family lives in another city, so he and I are together ALL THE TIME... lol :p Plus, he loves the Lab so much, he would be way happy if I just picked him back up at the end of the week. :laughing:

Bottom line is, "Mom" gets to actually be "Gina" for a whole week, and they usually have to kick me out of Rockin' Bar D. :) My goal this time is to spend more time in Diversions -- I don't think I've ever even been in there, because there's always so much late-night fun stuff going on in Rockin' Bar D. Don't get me wrong -- DS and I do lots of stuff together, too! But I do love getting to have a week of living like a grownup. :) I'd love to have some friends to hang out with onboard! :banana:

-gina-

way cool, we will have to meet up. As you can see my dd and I have been on our own for 23 years without the ex ever involved, we are glued at the hip. On the past cruises they thought we were sisters, I kind of look young for my age, I hide the gray and my glasses cover the crows feet wrinkles. Diversion is just a little quite for us because Rockin' Bar D is so much fun. Its our favorite. We have late dinner and rush to make it to the adult level entertainment. Last cruise it overflowed to the sport bar area every night. Last cruise was the most exciting out of the past 3. Gina, If you are alone and looking to not sit alone, seek us out we will definately share our table, the more the merrier. Any other single travelers and couples without kids, heck anyone that wants to have a great time at RBD and chat, laugh and have a sweet concoction or beer, we look forward to having you join us also, we will just need to make room for all of us.

Can't wait to meet all of you...

[Gina]

Gina, If you are alone and looking to not sit alone, seek us out we will definately share our table, the more the merrier. Any other single travelers and couples without kids, heck anyone that wants to have a great time at RBD and chat, laugh and have a sweet concoction or beer, we look forward to having you join us also, we will just need to make room for all of us.

Can't wait to meet all of you...


Count me in!! :banana: Do you go to the singles/single parents get-togethers? I have met so many neat people that way, and it's such a great way to get to know the cruise staff. I always end up having so much fun because of them. :)

Can't wait to meet you guys!

Hey, did you sign up for our Yahoo group? I can't keep all the screen names straight... but we're doing a lot of the planning over there. Please join us, if you haven't already!

-gina-

[TrolleyGirl]

:banana: Just in case you wanted to know.....

We are at 80 days till we sail!!!

[MyLove4Disney]

:banana: Just in case you wanted to know.....

We are at 80 days till we sail!!!

I can't wait. I'm not even interested in the Holidays I more excited about getting on that ship for rest and relaxation.......:woohoo:


Susan

[OKWMEMBER]

Hey Sue!!! Have a couple of adult beverages for us, OK? We just booked on the 2008 DVC Member Cruise. Gail and I hope you have a great time. Drop us an e-mail soon!

Your Rockin' Bar D Buddies,

[MyLove4Disney]

Hey Sue!!! Have a couple of adult beverages for us, OK? We just booked on the 2008 DVC Member Cruise. Gail and I hope you have a great time. Drop us an e-mail soon!

Your Rockin' Bar D Buddies,


Hey Gary, good to hear from you wish you two were making this your cruise, this groups could use a wonderful character like you.

Can I go on the members cruise with ya, any way have a great time. But I think it will be to short. 4 nights vs 7 nights Well. take care.

Susan

[Billinaz]

The kids have been emailing friends that I hope they meet up with as soon as we get into the terminal.....

Ive got my last items for the trip... waterproof cases and a waterproof case for my Sony DSLR.

We have a trip to DL for Christmas first and it will only get me more ready to cruise!

[Gina]

The kids have been emailing friends that I hope they meet up with as soon as we get into the terminal.....



Kids from this DIS group? If there are any boys around 12 yrs old who would like to email ahead of time, my DS would love to make some new friends to meet up with!

[princess sparkle p]

Just wanted to mention...its getting CLOSER!!!!! :cool1:

[PhotoLisa]

Hey everyone!

I'm back. A few months back, we cancelled our cruise but . . . my husband just surprised me with a parks vacation during the last week of January and rebooked the cruise. I lost my room and all my discounts that I had originally but that is okay.

I'm excited to be back!!!

[Gina]

Hey everyone!

I'm back. A few months back, we cancelled our cruise but . . . my husband just surprised me with a parks vacation during the last week of January and rebooked the cruise. I lost my room and all my discounts that I had originally but that is okay.

I'm excited to be back!!!



Yay, Lisa! Welcome back!! :banana:

[MyLove4Disney]

Hey everyone, I figure we should be chattering up a storm we now have 200 posts. We gotta get this group a posten'

Anyway I am getting very excited now, with the holidays coming and I have finally had some time off work for the Turkey day weekend.

I have been sewing up a storm on our clothing for the cruise. I got in one of those moods I made 4 dresses and 2 shirts one of which is a formal dress for my daughter, she is in a wedding just before Christmas.

Mom and daughter out fits. Now my daughter is going to be 23 yes an adult, but she wants to be matchie matchie for pictures. So I made her a couple of dresses and I made myself some shirts with the same material that about it on the matchie stuff.

We have an outfit for the first night made from material that has pirates all over it, but if you aren't looking close enought you might not even notice it.

We also have some very special Pirates outfits for pirates night I am working on. My daughter want to be dressed as the the Red Head like on the ride. I don't know about that but I'll try, we will see, it will have to be a suprise.

So we are looking forward to meeting the group, so what has everyone been up to?

Come on everyone spill, has anyone started their packing yet? I have some:rolleyes1



:cool1: :banana: :cool1: :dance3: dancing because we are under the 2 month mark.

[Gina]

:wave:

Only one week of this semester left for me, and then I will be able to get a-postin'! :teeth: If I survive finals, that is. LOL I'm impressed that you have been sewing actual clothes... that is so neat! I can't sew a button on without it falling back off 30 minutes later. :rotfl:

Tyler Dean and I have been practicing our crowd-craziness so we can try and get on Mickey Mania again :banana: and have been plotting out our plan to FINALLY get a coveted hammock on Castaway Cay this time. :goodvibes

We haven't started actually packing, but keeping adding to the ever-present "cruise box" in my bedroom as I find trial size things and other stuff. We have pretty much everything we need now, but I do still need to find Tyler Dean a new tie. (And someone to show us how to tie it! LOL)

I can't wait for next week to be over, so I can finally have some time to think about the trip!!!

[MyLove4Disney]

:wave:

Only one week of this semester left for me, and then I will be able to get a-postin'! :teeth: If I survive finals, that is. LOL I'm impressed that you have been sewing actual clothes... that is so neat! I can't sew a button on without it falling back off 30 minutes later. :rotfl:

Tyler Dean and I have been practicing our crowd-craziness so we can try and get on Mickey Mania again :banana: and have been plotting out our plan to FINALLY get a coveted hammock on Castaway Cay this time. :goodvibes

We haven't started actually packing, but keeping adding to the ever-present "cruise box" in my bedroom as I find trial size things and other stuff. We have pretty much everything we need now, but I do still need to find Tyler Dean a new tie. (And someone to show us how to tie it! LOL)

I can't wait for next week to be over, so I can finally have some time to think about the trip!!!


Although I am not going though finals, my 23 year old daughter is in college now and she is prepairing. She is in her official Jr year as a vocal performance / education major. It is very different then when I went to school for business, ya know general test for every class. Music performance is all about performing. Instead of a final exam she has a jury, singing 6 songs I know that doesn't sound like much, but none are in english they are in german or french, no english, all from memory and have to be perfect, can't forget any words or you could end of failing the semester and you have to start over. It is very gruling for her, me too, because I feel her stress. She is also in an Opera, they only have 6 performance and the 1st two and the night before we leave for Florida and then they have a break for two weeks and then 4 more shows after we get back. I'm worried she will get sick on the trip she has the female lead, but we are going to try and relax as much as possible.

I bet your family feels your stress with finals too. So I wish you good luck and find time to relax also, even before the cruise,


Hey anybody out there on our trip a DVC member, have you read your new Disney Files Magazine, new cool stuff coming to the parks in the next few years.

[big jack 2002]

We are so ready for this cruise. I have been looking at my clothes and laying out what I want to pack. I have been looking for sandals all summer, fall, and now winter. I am going to just have to wear my old ones, I guess. We have our hotel reservations made, our transportation reservations made, our hoop-de-do reservations for the night before the cruise made. We are ready!!!
Are we going to have a DIS meet?:banana:

[Billinaz]

Anyone staying at the Country Inn and Suites on Feb 1 and want to get the kids together to get to know each other before we get onboard?

We have 2 girls (12 and 8) and one boy, 10.

[big jack 2002]

We are coming down 3 days early and staying at CS. Is anyone else staying at a Disney resort?
Barbara

[Gina]

Are we going to have a DIS meet?:banana:


We sure are! We had been discussing that over at the Yahoo group. I'm going to host one on embarkation day, around 2:30 or so, in the Promenade Lounge (kids welcome there.) I think someone else might be hosting a meet that evening as well, but I'm not sure where that stands.

I would love to come up with some sort of identifier for all of us, but I am the least-crafty person I know. LOL If I could afford it, I would just have a bunch of the custom rubber bracelets made for us. :) I have a ton of the lime green Mickey heads from Home Depot, but have zero thoughts on what to do with them.

[olewnikpe]

Hey anybody out there on our trip a DVC member, have you read your new Disney Files Magazine, new cool stuff coming to the parks in the next few years.

Yes, we're DVC members, and read the new issue. Amazing how much they're continuing to expand the vacation options. I wish we had the money to buy all the points we would need to take advantage of everything!

[MyLove4Disney]

Yes, we're DVC members, and read the new issue. Amazing how much they're continuing to expand the vacation options. I wish we had the money to buy all the points we would need to take advantage of everything!

Wish I could buy more points too, I used points last year to do our cruise, but I think I get a better cash price on the cruise if I know far enough in advance that I'm taking a cruise. Last year it was kind of last min decission. So points were a great option. Kind of felt like a free cruise.

[Gina]

I kept the printout from 1/8 of this year when I booked this cruise, and at last check the price for our cat. 7 has gone up $600 since then! And to think friends and family laugh at me for booking "so far out"... Ha! :thumbsup2

[mfabre]

We are coming down 3 days early and staying at CS. Is anyone else staying at a Disney resort?
Barbara

We are also going to be in Disney before the cruise! My brother surprised me and my DD7 with a mother daughter trip for Christmas. We are going to fly down on the Tuesday and stay in the parks till Friday. I can't wait! My mom (PhotoLisa) and my godmother are also joining us at Disney. I have always wanted to do a girls trip! The rest of our cruise crew will be arriving at the port on Friday.

I am not sure if my husband will drive from the port on Friday evening to pick us up or if we will head out there on Saturday morning. As long as I am there it doesn't matter to me!

[Billinaz]

Dan (10) is looking for a boy on this cruise to email so he can get to know someone before we get to the port.

His sisters already have email friends.....any boys in the group that want to email??

The email address is:

Kids-Feb2008-DCL-Cruise@cox.net

[Gina]

Dan (10) is looking for a boy on this cruise to email so he can get to know someone before we get to the port.

His sisters already have email friends.....any boys in the group that want to email??

The email address is:

Kids-Feb2008-DCL-Cruise@cox.net



Tyler Dean is 11 (will be celebrating 12 onboard) and he would love to have some friends ahead of time to hang out with. I'll have him email when he gets home from school! Do you need his email address to add him to the distribution list?

[Brancaneve]

Just wanted to say hi though....it was nice to see someone else who planned ahead!

Tara



Hi! My name is Gisela and in case you were wondering, Brancaneve means Snow White in Portuguese. My husband and two kids(ages 5 and almost 3) will be on this cruise along with my parents who have never cruised before. We are extremely excited and are busy trying to get our 2 year old potty trained before the trip but not finding much success. Wish us luck!
princess:

[Billinaz]

Gina


Just have Tyler email Dan at that email address.

I go through the emails first before the kids get to see them......

I review them before they are sent too.

[MyLove4Disney]

I'm getting ready for the holidays now, got the 2nd tree up. It is our disney tree full of mini disney babies. All the different one we have collected over the years with red and white garland. It is really nice.

We are getting Nor Cal version of cold here. it was 28 degrees out this morning warming up to a 48. If you look out side you would thing that is should be 70 degrees, beautiful clear blues skys. But it was very crisp. We need some rain and a lot of snow in the Tahoe area but it hasn't come yet. We don't get snow in my area, but once every 7 to 8 years. We thought the other day we just might see some but it started warming up.

I know a number of you are from the east coast so I hope you are able to stay warm. Just keep thinking about the cruise and the warm afternoons out on deck sipping the drinks of the day.


Yahoo doing the 50 day dance:banana: :cool1: :banana: :cool1:

[Chariandlee]

Feb 2-9, 2008 Magic

This is my first time on this site and our first cruise ever. I am trying to figure out this site and I am going crazy. I know NOTHING about cruises let alone a Disney cruise. I will be traveling with my husband, 7 year old son and our daughter who turns 4 while on cruise. I would be thrilled to get ANY advise about excursions, kids activities etc. THANKS!!!

[Gina]

Feb 2-9, 2008 Magic

This is my first time on this site and our first cruise ever. I am trying to figure out this site and I am going crazy. I know NOTHING about cruises let alone a Disney cruise. I will be traveling with my husband, 7 year old son and our daughter who turns 4 while on cruise. I would be thrilled to get ANY advise about excursions, kids activities etc. THANKS!!!



Welcome to the DIS, to this cruise group, and to your newest addiction!! :yay:

Wow, where to begin... Do you have any guide books? Do you have a PassPorter? If you don't, check your library -- the cruise edition is the only guide out there devoted to Disney Cruise Line, and is sooooo helpful!

I'm not sure what sort of tips to offer... Do you have anything in specific you were wondering about? I can tell you this much: Take a picture of your kids before you board, because you'll forget what they look like by the end of the week. Once they see the Oceaneer Club, you'll have to pry them out of there with a crowbar. :thumbsup2

This is a great thread for tips, tricks, and secrets for your cruise:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=468132


And please feel free to join our Yahoo group set up for this cruise! There are a lot of helpful tools there, and people have posted a lot of great information. It's a closed group, which means no one is there who shouldn't be there. Please feel free to add your details to the database there, and your photos to the photo album! Just head to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/febcruise to join.

We'll be having a meet on embarkation day at about 2:30pm, at the Promenade Lounge (children definitely welcome!) It's a great way to meet your fellow cruisers and make some new friends. :goodvibes

Looking forward to meeting you and your family!

-gina-

[Chariandlee]

Gina,

Thanks for the information. I don't have a guide book and I never even heard of a passporter but I will definatly look into getting them. Some of the info I am looking for is do I just drop in at the Oceaneer Club or do I need to make specific reservations, how do I know how much and who to tip, what are the drink cards that I have heard about....stuff like that. Is this the kindof of info I would find in the guide or the passporter? I think I am just freaking out because I am so out of my "knowledge comfort zone" when it comes to a cruise. We have always done the "Sandals" or "Beaches" all-inclusive resorts and I know everything I need to about them. Also, I get motion sickness easily and I am a little worried about that (I guess I will just have to load up on patches or pills or something). Lastly, I really wanted to go to Beaches Turks and Caicos for this vacation but my husband wanted a break from just a beach resort so I guess that is why I am not getting that excited about this trip. I keep telling myself that I will have a fabulous time (based on all the wonderful things people say about Disney cruises).

Thanks for the threads.....I will check them out.

Hope to see you on the ship.

Chari

[Gina]

Gina,

Thanks for the information. I don't have a guide book and I never even heard of a passporter but I will definatly look into getting them.

Hi Chari! I'll try and toss my thoughts in on your questions. The first thing I want to tell you is, take a deep breath!! It'll all be worth it, I promise. :) I know it seems overwhelming, but the planning is half the fun! *points to her tag* And the more you plan, the smoother things will go and the more you'll be able to relax.


Some of the info I am looking for is do I just drop in at the Oceaneer Club or do I need to make specific reservations,


You are within the time frame now where you can go online to disneycruise.com and sign into your reservation. Once there, you can register your kids for the kids' clubs. At the terminal, or once onboard, you can pick up the pager they will have for you so that they can page you when your kids want to be picked up or things like that.

Once they are registered for the Club/Lab, you can drop them off and pick them up whenever you/they like, with a few restrictions: When the kids are "transitioning" from one location to another, say from the Club to the Sports Deck, you will not be able to sign kids in or out until they get to the destination and the counselors have counted all the kids again. The kids' clubs are open all day (and trust me, that is SO much nicer than other cruise lines) until midnight or 1am.


How do I know how much and who to tip,

Here is a very handy tip calculator:

http://cruisetip.tpkeller.com/

The last full day of the cruise, they will leave you tip envelopes in your stateroom for each of the people mentioned on the tip calculator above. You just give the little envelopes to the intended people. I think you can also prepay your tips now, but I'm not sure how. We also bring something like a big bag of candy for the kids' club counselors who are SO great.


What are the drink cards that I have heard about....


They used to have a drink mug/sticker program, but now they have free soft drinks at the drink station on deck 9 aft. They also have milk and tea, if I remember correctly. The above are all free at meals, also. The only time there would be a cost for soft drinks is if you ordered them from room service or at a bar.


Is this the kindof of info I would find in the guide or the passporter? I think I am just freaking out because I am so out of my "knowledge comfort zone" when it comes to a cruise. We have always done the "Sandals" or "Beaches" all-inclusive resorts and I know everything I need to about them.


The PassPorter is awesome -- I couldn't live without mine for either trips to WDW or on the Magic. But you can find most if not all the info right here on the DIS boards! It's just all nice and organized in the PassPorter. :)

If you have done all-inclusives, then your cruise vacation will be very similar. Most everything is included -- even 24hr room service. The only things that are extra are alcoholic drinks, bingo, spa services, that sort of thing.



Also, I get motion sickness easily and I am a little worried about that (I guess I will just have to load up on patches or pills or something).


I always take Bonine, and swear by it. It's chewable, and it works. I start taking it a few days before we leave so that it is in my system, and also so that any side effects such as drowsiness have had time to go away as my body gets used to the medicine. According to a recent thread, you can ask the pharmacist for a big bottle of generic Bonine for a LOT less. I'm going to try that this time!

Others swear by ginger capsules, and even the show Myth Busters determined that ginger was the most effective of the non-pharmaceutical options.

If you decide to try the patch, get it very soon and try it for a good while to see how you will react to it. Some people have no problems at all, and some have cruise-ruining side effects.

Whichever option you go with, just stay with it no matter how you feel. Preventing feeling icky is way easier than trying to reverse it!!


Lastly, I really wanted to go to Beaches Turks and Caicos for this vacation but my husband wanted a break from just a beach resort so I guess that is why I am not getting that excited about this trip. I keep telling myself that I will have a fabulous time (based on all the wonderful things people say about Disney cruises).


I really think you're going to surprise yourself... and you'll be thanking your husband big time. :-) Imagine your fabulous all-inclusive vacation, except that your resort has Broadway-quality shows and a ton of fun activities, AND sails around to visit some wonderful places!! :) And if nothing else, the day at Castaway Cay will top everything else.

Hope this helps... let us all know if you need any other info!

-gina-

[MyLove4Disney]

Is everyone getting ready for holidays this week. I am getting the house ready, getting all the special cooking stuff out. Made our menu out yesterday, same every year but we don't have it any other time of year so I had to figure out what I need to buy for dinner. My family is small now. Only my two brothers their wives, my dad and my daughter, she will be 23 the day after christmas, so no little kids. But I keep having dinner, When i was a kid we used to have 25 for dinner. My mom would work so hard making dinner each year. I sure miss her, she was my best friend I feel empty without her, it will be 4 years January, since God took her to heaven. Everyone says it get easier with time, I'd like to know when thats going to be. We used to go to WDW together she loved it, first time she went she was 58 years old.

Well my work is official closed between xmas and new years except for public safety and other emergencies(I work for a city gov). My division is moving to another building about 1 mile away but my office isn't ready yet, so I won't be moving nor the division head for about 2 months. So our area has been a mess with people being in an out, doors unlocked and open to the public. So I was being careful and left my purse in my van in the middle console area on the floor and a coat covering it, and guess what at 10:45 to 11 am this morning, a beautiful day turned ugly, my van was boken into and they stole my purse. Here I was trying to be safer, no, I was wrong about that, it was my own fault I should have known better. (wish I had a trunk but not in a van). Well they didn't get much in my purse for cash, only had 5.00 cash. I had only a couple credit cards and a check book and drivers license. But the bad thing. I had my WDW 10 day never exp. park hopper tickets with 8 days left on them in my wallet. So my 8 days are gone that make me so sad. They won't do anything with it. I knew that I didn't have much in my purse, so I went and looked around in the garbage cans there is a single softball field next to where employees have to park, was hoping they just wanted cash, because I had other things in my car they could have taken, cell phone. a bag from a jewlery store that was empty, but it still had the fancy wrapping in it so it look like there was still something in it, but they didn't even touch that, and it was easier to get to. Van was still locked they just busted out the window.

Well teaches me a lesson and merry christmas to me:guilty: . I can't wait to take this cruise. But now not sure I will be going to the parks afterward as planned.

this year is really ending sucky :mad: :sad1: I know it could have been much worse, but still i'm sad.

Ok everyone come on and cheer me up, tell me all the fun things everyone is doing and preparing for our MAGICal cruise.

[TrolleyGirl]

MyLove4Disney, I'm so sorry about your misfortune. I would be sick to my stomach over having my tickets stolen. Those things are valuable. However, if by chance you still have the reciept with the pass numbers on it, you can contact Disney for replacements. Tell them the story and give them the pass numbers and i'm 99% sure they can be replaced.

Best Wishes!

[Chariandlee]

Gina,

I am starting to feel a little better thanks to all of your great info. I did go and get a Passporter and have been trying to read as much as I can.

Chari:yay:

[MyLove4Disney]

MyLove4Disney, I'm so sorry about your misfortune. I would be sick to my stomach over having my tickets stolen. Those things are valuable. However, if by chance you still have the reciept with the pass numbers on it, you can contact Disney for replacements. Tell them the story and give them the pass numbers and i'm 99% sure they can be replaced.

Best Wishes!


Thanks that is a great idea, I will need to check my receipts. I just might have them. I sure hope so.

[Gina]

this year is really ending sucky :mad: :sad1: I know it could have been much worse, but still i'm sad.

Ok everyone come on and cheer me up, tell me all the fun things everyone is doing and preparing for our MAGICal cruise.


I am so sorry about losing your tickets... that would just make me sick!! TrolleyGirl's suggestion is great -- I hope you're able to find the receipts.

I sure hope you're able to get the tickets replaced!

I'm glad to know there is still someone out there excited about this cruise... I am just at a loss as to why this group is so dead. :( The thread for the cruise right after ours has over 700 posts! Thank goodness DS is old enough to plan with me and be excited, or I would really be sad! I'm just hoping I can make some new friends on the ship itself. Hanging out alone is no fun.

We are SO ready to go! We have a lot of the packing done, and I am steadily whittling down my need-to-do/need-to-buy/need-to-look-for lists. The new semester starts for me on January 14th, so I'm trying to have as much of the trip preparations done by then as I can before everything gets all crazy again.

Does everyone have all their excursions finalized? We finally decided on Dawn Beach in St. Maarten. It's supposed to be the best for snorkeling. For St. Thomas we're booked on the Doubloon, and we're way excited about that one!

I've been trying to work on my secret plans for WDW after the cruise (secret to DS) but still haven't made up my mind as far as timing goes. We'll be at Pop Century for two nights, and Epcot (our favorite place in the world) but I can't decide on the timing. We'll likely be at Pop by 10am-ish Saturday morning, and ideally I would love to dump our bags and race off, but I know we'll by exhausted by that point. I'm thinking that maybe I can request early check-in and we can crash for a few hours, and then head to Epcot in the afternoon. We'll get up and spend all of Sunday there, and then maybe part of Monday? Our plane leaves at 4pm Monday, so I'm guessing DME will pick us up at Pop at around 2.

I'd love to spend part of all three days at Epcot. If money were no object, this would all be an easy decision, but the difference between 2-day passes and 3-day passes for the both of us is another $150. :eek: Plus, we have never stayed at Pop, and I really want some time in there to explore and take lots of pictures. I have been going back and forth with all this for days now, and I just can't decide what to do!! :confused3

Oh well, it will all work out... I just can't believe we're only 37 days away!!! :banana: :banana: :banana:


-gina-

[PhotoLisa]

I can't focus on the cruise or the 4-day WDW trip we just planned before the cruise until after the BCS National Championship on 1/7. I'll be photographing the game and until that is over, my mind is mush!

Combine the holidays and the BCS National Championship with an impromptu trip the weekend before Christmas to Vienna, Austria and now you can understand why mush is the only word to describe my state of mind.

I'll be printing out the last navigators that have been uploaded to the various sites and updating the calendar for the 7-days we're on the water.

I read yesterday that there is no 70's and 80's nights at Rockin Bar D anymore. I'll have to do some digging to find out what'll be the nighttime activities and daytime gatherings available.

Hope everyone is recovering from the holidays and sticking to their diets! lol . . . I dropped one more pound (according to the scale) today and am hoping for no less than another five to come off before the trip.

Go Tigers!!
http://lneal.com/forums/tiger.gif

[MyLove4Disney]

I read yesterday that there is no 70's and 80's nights at Rockin Bar D anymore. I'll have to do some digging to find out what'll be the nighttime activities and daytime gatherings available.


My now 23 dd just bought a new t-shirt for 70's night, she will be really sad that the themed night has been retired. But you know I'm sure they will put something just as great in its place, we will look on the brighter side. Heck we will be on vacation.

[Chariandlee]

Ok, so I go to this tickerfactory.com, make my thing and then can't figure out how to get it onto my posts. I consider myself somewhat computer savy but I just can't figure out this whole disboard thing.:confused:

[MyLove4Disney]

Ok, so I go to this tickerfactory.com, make my thing and then can't figure out how to get it onto my posts. I consider myself somewhat computer savy but I just can't figure out this whole disboard thing.:confused:

Chariandless, once you are finish picking out your designs and setting in your dates. Make sure that you pick the html type. Then select all the code in section and copy that code and past into the bottom of your signature, make sure that you don't delete any preliminary codes or it most likely will not work. So try try again. Good luck.

See you in 36 days, enjoy all the pre cruise fun of packing and checking on the todo list.

Happy New Year

[Chariandlee]

MyLove4Disney,

Yay !!! I got it to work. Thanks for the info. :woohoo:

[mfabre]

Is there anyone else who is not so patiently waiting for their room assignment? It is just about to kill me I think! I have been seeing people who are sailing a couple weeks before us posting their upgrades! I am crossing my fingers that by next week I will know where we will be!

[SoftBallChickuhh]

yes. we are paciently awaiting our room assignment too:rolleyes1

[LisaSp]

...when we rebooked we asked for the same cabin #, hopefully we will get it again!

I can't believe we are just over a month away from this cruise!

Does anyone know the cutoff for when you can make your tuxedo rental reservation? We want to rent a tux for DS but haven't had time to do his measurements. There is nothing cuter than a little man (he will be almost 7) in a tux. My favorite pix from our last cruise in 3/06 are from formal night!!

[Chariandlee]

Lisa,

I see you are from Baltimore. We are from Howard County.

I didn't know that you could rent tuxedos for kids. Do you just call up to do this or do you do it online? Do you happen to know how much it is to do this?

Chari

[Billinaz]

Is there anyone else who is not so patiently waiting for their room assignment? It is just about to kill me I think! I have been seeing people who are sailing a couple weeks before us posting their upgrades! I am crossing my fingers that by next week I will know where we will be!


I couldn't wait. I had to know exactly where we were when I booked!!

[LisaSp]

In the brown packet of info from the cruise you should see a page about formal wear rentals...you can do all of the ordering online at http://www.cruiselineformal.com

It costs around $100 for everything but it was worth it. I considered buying DS a tux from ebay and I am sure I would save some $$$ but having the tux delivered to and picked up from the room is a huge plus. I tend to be an overpacker, so the less stuff I have to bring the better!!

[Smooch]

Count me in!! :banana: Do you go to the singles/single parents get-togethers? I have met so many neat people that way, and it's such a great way to get to know the cruise staff. I always end up having so much fun because of them. :)

Can't wait to meet you guys!

Hey, did you sign up for our Yahoo group? I can't keep all the screen names straight... but we're doing a lot of the planning over there. Please join us, if you haven't already!

-gina-

Hey, it's great to hear there will be other single parents onboard! It's been a while since I checked in....DH is now DXH so now I'm cruising with my two kids DD9 and DS3 and my niece who is 14.

If there are any single parents who are interested in linking dinner reservations (early seating) or getting a group together for a Palo dinner, let me know. I'm not getting off the ship without having a chocolate souflee from Palo! :love:

[MyLove4Disney]

30 day dance everybody!:banana: woo hoo!!! :cool1: can't wait! :pirate:

hope everyone is as excited as my DD and I are! can't wait to see ya!!

[Perdie]

My husband and I leave in 25 1/2 days for WDW for two days before we get on the cruise and we are SOOOOO excited!!

We are counting down the days.....SLOWLY!!!

Everyday I daydream about the very first thing I will do when we get there...since we arrive on a Wednesday night after an overseas flight, we plan on going straight to Downtown disney for dinner and goofy's candy shop and then go to sleep so we can head to MK first thing the next morning!

Last week we got an email from British Airways telling us our flight had been canceled! So after panicking we ended actually getting an extra day of vacation out of it! We were forced to come on Wed instead of Thursday-one more day in the parks! yeah!

Anyway I am just so excited I felt like writing everyone a note and spreading my joy about the magic around the boards!!

:donald: party:

[PhotoLisa]

Ok everyone . . . its time to begin getting a little more "chatty" so that our dismeets and greets will be even more fun!

Mfabre and I have been working on 5 fish extenders for the group of rooms we have booked within the family. We still have designs to do for 4 more pockets . . . of course, 2 of the pockets that are undone are for me! Since my sister is cruising in my room with me, the top pocket on ours won't be the same but at this time, I have no idea what it'll be either.

Mfabre, my sister, my granddaughter and I are all leaving on the 29th for 4 days at the parks before going to the ship on the 2nd. My sister has blessed us with an upgrade to the Polynesian in the parks! We're so excited about it. My son that isn't able to cruise with us (because he's a Marine and busy guarding the US Embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal) gave Mfabre and my granddaughter a mother-daughter trip to Disney as their Christmas gift and now my sister and I are making it a girls trip. We'll meet up with everyone on Saturday after our girls only trip to the world.

Is anyone having problems accessing the disneycruise.com website? We've been trying for 2 days to go in and edit information and the site keeps kicking us out before we're able to get anything accomplished (after we've logged in to our reservation).

Go LSU Tigers!!! Look for me on the sidelines at the game when touchdowns are scored . . . I should be in or near the endzones with a big white lens on my camera. There aren't that many women on the sidelines -- look for a female with blonde hair with a big camera.

Here's a pic of two of our fish extenders.

http://www.lneal.com/forums/ourfishextendersweb.jpg

[Chariandlee]

PhotoLisa

Yesterday afternoon and evening I was having problems with the Disney cruise website also. I kept clicking on "retrieve reservation" and then I would enter my reservation # etc and hit enter and then it would kick me back to the retrieve rservation page. Hope you get through soon.

[Chariandlee]

PhotoLisa

Although I am not exactly sure what a fish extender is they look really cute. You are very creative and crafty.

[PhotoLisa]

Michelle was FINALLY able to get her information updated this afternoon.

2/3/08 cruisers are reporting that they are being assigned their rooms (had gty rooms before their assignments).

Has anyone gotten their assignment yet?

[SnowWhite2]

Hey all! I just posted info for our first DIS meet on our Yahoo website. Please go over and take a look and sign up! We are planning for Saturday at 2:30 in the Promenade Lounge. See you there!

[princess sparkle p]

26 days and counting.....:cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2:

What is our weather supposed to be like?

Anyone upgraded yet?

[PhotoLisa]

I don't think the guarantees have been assigned yet . . . at least my daughter's room nor my room have been assigned.

The 2/3 Wonder cruise is already reporting upgrades and assignments. I would think we'll hear something this week. My thinking is that at 3 weeks, they should begin printing documents to FEDEX them out to be in our hands at the 2 week mark.

[princess sparkle p]

I don't think the guarantees have been assigned yet . . . at least my daughter's room nor my room have been assigned.

The 2/3 Wonder cruise is already reporting upgrades and assignments. I would think we'll hear something this week. My thinking is that at 3 weeks, they should begin printing documents to FEDEX them out to be in our hands at the 2 week mark.


Thanks. I have been checking everyday. We booked w/ DVC points and we are anxious to see if we get upgraded like we did on our last cruise.

[PhotoLisa]

My mom had a saying when I was little -- something about "a watched pot doesn't boil" and I've been guilty of checking several times per day if my room assignment has been posted.

The rule is when you can't check on it continuously, that is when your assignment will be made. So . . . for me, that will be tomorrow when I'm at the LSU/Ohio State game. I'll be leaving for New Orleans around lunch and won't be back until well after midnight and then have to work my photos to get them to the paper before 5 AM. I won't have time to think about my room assignment so it'll probably get posted while I'm not looking!

[LisaSp]

...our reservation shows us having the cabin # we requested (we had this cabin on our last cruise). Yay!

[Billinaz]

Anyone from the West Coast returning from MCO later in the day?


We are flying on US Air and as has been the case for the last several cruises they only have 2 direct flights back to PHX.

One is very early in the morning and there is no way we could make that flight.


The flight we take leave around 5PM.

Our first cruise we spent way too much time sitting around MCO.

Our next cruise we did the tour around the cape air force base but it didnt eat enough time. It was interesting though and all I could think of was how the place still looked like it was in the 60's and I was expecting to run into Tony Nelson.


Then I learned of the day rates at the Hyatt in the airport. Thats the greatest thing for anyone who has to burn time after the cruise. You can relax whilr waiting for the flight home.

The rate has gone up a little, its at $89.00 now. I have a day room reserved for us when we get off this cruise.

BTW, I have a Western booked for 2009 already!!! I'll book a dummy reservation onboard on this trip for the 2010 cruise.

[SnowWhite2]

I know that we will not be upgraded as there are no available cabins in cat 4-6 that hold 4 people. The ship must be pretty full.

pixiedust: Pixie dust for all of you that are waiting for room assignments and upgrade.