03/01/2008 Eastern!!

[kshabare]

Hi there, hey there, ho there. :thumbsup2

We just returned yesterday from our Eastern and we're booked again. We booked the same week, the same cabin. It was a great, great trip. We met so many new families and sailed with some pretty amazing friends from VT. I already miss them terribly. :love:

I volunteer to keep the DIS list again this time, if no one has objections.

Welcome to the 03/01/08 thread. I hope to have even more fun this time around!

Kim, Norman and Josh

[ejkjmom]

Hi Kim and Norm,
We too rebooked for this date with the intention of moving the date at a later time...but our girls are really wanting to go back next March, I as well would like to do the Eastern again soon:) , so.....we will have to wait and see what happens, maybe just maybe we will be cruising with you again:confused3

[Johnna_Story]

Same with the Story family. With any luck, we will join you next March; will know soon if we can swing it. To sail with the "shabbyfamily" and Brenda, Ron, and the girls would really be awesome. Now if we can get Norm to 70's night...:goodvibes

[kshabare]

Same with the Story family. With any luck, we will join you next March; will know soon if we can swing it. To sail with the "shabbyfamily" and Brenda, Ron, and the girls would really be awesome. Now if we can get Norm to 70's night...:goodvibes

Hey Johnna, I think you had my Mom and Dad at 70's night with you last week, they were the older couple always out late at night going to all the themed nights. I believe my Dad was dressed as John Travolta.. How funny was that?

Talk at you later...

Norm

[ejkjmom]

Hey Johnna, I think you had my Mom and Dad at 70's night with you last week, they were the older couple always out late at night going to all the themed nights. I believe my Dad was dressed as John Travolta.. How funny was that?

Talk at you later...

Norm

We didn't know that was your dad!!!!! He won didn't he??? Too bad you and Norm weren't there!!!!! it was WAY to much fun!!!!!!

[Johnna_Story]

Hey Johnna, I think you had my Mom and Dad at 70's night with you last week, they were the older couple always out late at night going to all the themed nights. I believe my Dad was dressed as John Travolta.. How funny was that?

Talk at you later...

Norm

Norm - is NORM your dad????? He was having too much fun!!! Did he tell you what he did with the white jacket? And he touched my feet!!!!!!!! :laughing: :laughing: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Brenda - did you take pix of him????? That is too too funny.

[ejkjmom]

Norm - is NORM your dad????? He was having too much fun!!! Did he tell you what he did with the white jacket? And he touched my feet!!!!!!!! :laughing: :laughing: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Brenda - did you take pix of him????? That is too too funny.

I'm still kicking myself for NOT having my camera w/ me...I think I took it pretty much everywhere... but to 70's night:headache: so Johnna you will have to share your pixs with me:)

I took several pictures w/ your camera, so hopefully there will be a picture of Kim's dad on your camera!!!!!!

[Johnna_Story]

I'm still kicking myself for NOT having my camera w/ me...I think I took it pretty much everywhere... but to 70's night:headache: so Johnna you will have to share your pixs with me:)

I took several pictures w/ your camera, so hopefully there will be a picture of Kim's dad on your camera!!!!!!

I've GOT to run out and get that film developed ASAP!!:moped:

[ejkjmom]

I've GOT to run out and get that film developed ASAP!!:moped:

You go girlfriend...or should I say "Divia Girl"????

[wanderlust72]

We will be with you again on 3/1/08! We were just on the Magic 3/3/07 sailing and rebooked after we got home.

Hope to get to know all of you better this time around, now that I am getting an earlier start on the DIS boards.

Our neighbors are coming with us, they've never been on a Disney cruise and I've said so many great things about it, so they are coming with us next year!

We're all not too crazy to do the same cruise again, right? :cool1:

[ejkjmom]

We're all not too crazy to do the same cruise again, right? :cool1:[/QUOTE]

RIGHT!!!! I really think that you need to do it twice....The first time you do the things you thought looked like you should do.....and the second time, you do the things you found out on the first time around, you shouldv'e done... LOL

We still aren't for sure if we are going to keep the March 1 date or move it...although I am going through the post-cruise blues :laughing: so I'm ready to go back now!!!!!!!

How exciting that your neighbors are going w/ you! I really think that is what made this cruise so much fun for us, the fact that we met so many people on the Dis board before we left, and then met so many of them onboard, and had a GREAT time w/ them!!!!

[wanderlust72]

You're right...there are too many things I missed or would've liked to have done but there were conflicts, etc. that we would love to do again! My kids for that matter just want the stack, or the Mickey pool!!

Hope you'll decide to stay with us!

[Johnna_Story]

We still aren't for sure if we are going to keep the March 1 date or move it...although I am going through the post-cruise blues :laughing: so I'm ready to go back now!!!!!!!

How exciting that your neighbors are going w/ you! I really think that is what made this cruise so much fun for us, the fact that we met so many people on the Dis board before we left, and then met so many of them onboard, and had a GREAT time w/ them!!!!

DITTO DITTO DITTO Brenda!!! We may or may not keep the March 1 date; I'm going through post-cruise blues and am ready to go back now; and the best part of this past trip was hanging out with all the new DIS friends we made.

Although the Bahama Mama's may have had something to do with it as well!!!:lmao: :lmao:

[kshabare]

Johnna, Maybe you should call Gloria Gaynor to see if she will be on this same sailing as this one (LOL).


Talk at you later...

Norm

[Johnna_Story]

Johnna, Maybe you should call Gloria Gaynor to see if she will be on this same sailing as this one (LOL).


Talk at you later...

Norm

What do you mean?!? I AM Gloria Gaynor.

I will survive... Hey Hey...:banana: :banana:

[ejkjmom]

What do you mean?!? I AM Gloria Gaynor.

I will survive... Hey Hey...:banana: :banana:

Do you book for parties, MS. Gaynor????...

[tktstjohn]

Hi Norm and Kim,

We got the CD with your pictures yesterday. Thanks! I see your web site is in progress. We will check back as it progresses.

Tim

[tktstjohn]

Sorry for the multiple posts, gotta get the post count up in order to attempt to post an image...

[tktstjohn]

Does anyone know how many posts you need before they let you upload an image?:confused3

[kshabare]

Tim your pictures were awesome. I liked the ones of Kim and Travis on top of that rock mound at Orient Beach. I have no idea how many posts to post pictures. Opening day around the corner. What do you think about Papelbon back in the pen?

Talk soon..

Norm

[Johnna_Story]

Norm - don't know if your dad told you what he did during his performance - but Pikey had to pick up the white jacket with a sanitized wipe!! And he touched my feet!! He was a riot - is he joining you in 08???

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/jgstory/14000017.jpg

PS - DD wants to pick a smilie: princess:

[kshabare]

Hey Johnna, No I don't think Dad will be joining next year, but you never know. Glad you enjoyed him. I will forward this link onto him.

Talk soon..

Norm

[ejkjmom]

Hey Kim, I checked out your homepage...what great pictures, thanks for sharing with us!!!!

I'm still having trouble posting one picture...not alone a page like that!!!!! :sad2:

And yes, your dad was a HOOT...he had us all laughing so hard, what a fun night, to bad you and Norm were busy drooling on your pillows, and not out partying w/ the folks :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

[kshabare]

Anyone new, or returning joining us on 3/1/08?

I'm so excited because we're going to be staying at BCV the Friday before the trip. If not for these boards I wouldn't have known about the Magical Express!

Whoo hoo!

[Johnna_Story]

Anyone new, or returning joining us on 3/1/08?

I'm so excited because we're going to be staying at BCV the Friday before the trip. If not for these boards I wouldn't have known about the Magical Express!

Whoo hoo!

Kim (or Norm?) - we must be on the same page! I just was about to post to bump us up and see if we're the only ones so far on the ship. Talk about possible upgrades! :rotfl: :rotfl:

[ejkjmom]

Thought I'd post a quick hello and give us a little bump up:thumbsup2

Just curious Kim, how did Josh's eye heal up???

Hope everyone had a Great Easter, and is having a good Wednesday:)

[kshabare]

Just a quick update on Joshua and his injury. His eye heeled up great, If you are not looking directly at it you would never know. On to soccer season and more injurys. Talk to you all soon.


Norm

[ejkjmom]

Johnna, am I just behind or did you just recentlly get tagged????? Emily is the one that noticed that I have earned my ears....I am know an offical Mousketeer:earsboy: !!!!! So then I looked at yours, and seen that you had what I think is a new tag????

We are moving up in the Dis board world!!!!!!!:thumbsup2

Gald to hear that Josh has healed well!!!!!!

[Johnna_Story]

Johnna, am I just behind or did you just recentlly get tagged????? Emily is the one that noticed that I have earned my ears....I am know an offical Mousketeer:earsboy: !!!!! So then I looked at yours, and seen that you had what I think is a new tag????

We are moving up in the Dis board world!!!!!!!:thumbsup2

Gald to hear that Josh has healed well!!!!!!

You had me all excited - I'm not tagged, I just made that up myself! I'm so funny. :laughing:

When I saw your message, I thought maybe I'd been tagged with: "I AM Gloria Gaynor" but alas, no. I guess I'll have to come up with something more witty than that. :rotfl:

Are we STILL the only ones on this cruise??? Man, that Walt Suite is looking pretty good right now...

[Micday]

Hi everyone !
This is my very first post.

We are booked on the 3/1/08 cruise:
Me (Michelle 35)
Hubby (James 36)
Daughter (Madison who will be turning 9 3/5)

Very first cruise but have been to Disney a ton !!

[ejkjmom]

Welcome:welcome: !!!!!!!
This will be our 3rd Disney cruise....our first was a 3 day, and it was way toooo short!!!!! so this will be our 2nd 7 day.. we are hooked!!!!! My girls Emily 13 and Kaylee 10, truley love it, as do my DH and myself!!!!!

We met some pretty awesome fellow cruisers on our Disney cruise last month, and are excited that we will be cruising w/ some of them again next March!!!!!! It was such a great time!!!!! If you go to the March Magic Maniac trip report, you will see some of us there, also the March 3 cruise meet has some pictures as well. Hopefully we won't scare you away!!!!:laughing:

So again welcome, we look forward to getting to know you and your family!!!

[Micday]

I already posted once and I do not know where it went ?????

We are going on the March 1st too. to celebrate our Daughter's 9th b-day.

This is my second post, lost first.

Cast:
Me (Michelle 35)
Hubby (James 36)
Daughter (Madison 8)

This is our first cruise ever and we can not wait, some more then others !

[ejkjmom]

I don't think you lost it...it's just been misplaced.....:lmao: :lmao: it's on the bottom of page 2 :laughing: :laughing:

You are doing just fine:thumbsup2

[Johnna_Story]

We met some pretty awesome fellow cruisers on our Disney cruise last month, and are excited that we will be cruising w/ some of them again next March!!!!!!


That would be us! (And Norm and Kim and Tim and Kim, but mostly us!) :lmao:

The Story's welcome you too! :woohoo: :woohoo: There are four, possibly 5 of us if Mark's uncle joins us again. Looking forward to getting to "virtually" know you over the next year.

Ciao for now, Johnna

[Micday]

I could not see it but after your post I hit refresh and now I see it !! I think my computer is tried from all the work it's had to do !!! Taxes and Disney research !

So, is the area that I find any children Madison's age? Then she can have "friends" on-board ?

Michelle

[mark_story]

Hey guys,

I haven't posted since we returned from what was probably the best vacation we have ever taken. And while on board, we got the post-cruise blues vaccination my re-booking for 3/1/08. At the time, Johnna and I were pretty skeptical that we would go, thinking more of '09.

That was before Kim re-booked.

That was before our bestest Nebraska pals ever, Ron and Brenda and girls re-booked.

Now, ever the planner, I have worked out monthly savings budget for making that "magical" number on or about December 16th when we have to make good for the deposit.

But if all of you cool guys are going, the Story Family is definately in. Even more if Ron can show me how he has attained such advanced muscle control to accomplish his "darts" feat.

And I am going to change my signature line right after this posting.

Mark

[mark_story]

OK.

Now it's official.

New signature line.

Mark

P.S. - Ron and Brenda - you guys are the best!

[ejkjmom]

Mark...you make us blush.....or, do you just say that to all your Hillbilly Friends???!!!!!!

We too had a awesome trip, and are esp.excited about spending another fun filled week aboard the Magic, with all of you again!!!!! I think that Emily and Kaylee are having more of Katie withdrawels than vacation withdrawels...she left quite an impression on them:cutie: :cutie:

As far as the "Darts" go, Ron will be more than happy to share with any of you, his secrets as to accurately loading and releasing the quarter....so you too can obtain that great muscle control!!!!!


Micday...this is the place that you will get to chat w/ people that will be on the same cruise as you, and find out some of the ages of the kids that will be onboard as well...it is still pretty early, so as time goes on...more people will join in, but if you have any questions about anything, ask away, I am far from an expert..but this will be our 3rd cruise so I may be able to help some:)

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!!!

Mark and Johnna...we think you rock as well:thumbsup2

[Micday]

Brenda,

Thanks for such a warm welcome !! I told Madison about "meeting" kids her age here and she loved the ideal. She is very shy so I'm worried about her "club" time. But since it's Disney I know she'll have a blast.

Your also in trouble to invite me to ask questions but I'm very excited and this being our first time I'm dying to know some inside stuff.

I also want to thank the Stories for his warm welcome too. I've be reading ya'lls trip reports and they are great. I can not wait until it's trip time.

We also are going to try to get there a couple of days early so James (my Hubby) can see Kennedy Space Center. I've been there a couple of times as field trips growing up so it will be neat to see it as a "grown up". Has anyone else done this and can tell me how it went ??

I look forward to getting to know you guys better.

Michelle

[mark_story]

Mark...you make us blush.....or, do you just say that to all your Hillbilly Friends???!!!!!!

We too had a awesome trip, and are esp.excited about spending another fun filled week aboard the Magic, with all of you again!!!!! I think that Emily and Kaylee are having more of Katie withdrawels than vacation withdrawels...she left quite an impression on them:cutie: :cutie:

As far as the "Darts" go, Ron will be more than happy to share with any of you, his secrets as to accurately loading and releasing the quarter....so you too can obtain that great muscle control!!!!!


Micday...this is the place that you will get to chat w/ people that will be on the same cruise as you, and find out some of the ages of the kids that will be onboard as well...it is still pretty early, so as time goes on...more people will join in, but if you have any questions about anything, ask away, I am far from an expert..but this will be our 3rd cruise so I may be able to help some:)

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!!!

Mark and Johnna...we think you rock as well:thumbsup2

Brenda,

Just a quick note about the "darts." If Ron and I actually were in the Villlage People, that trick would have been impossible.

Mark

[Micday]

Mark,

I noticed you keep going back to the Eastern ? Is it your favorite or does the dates just fall right. I have a friend at work who is from the Virgins Islands (St. Croix's) but she knows all about the others. I can not wait to get some inside information from her. I don't know how much you guys don't already know since you guys have been so much ! Lucky you.

Michelle

[Johnna_Story]

Mark,

I noticed you keep going back to the Eastern ? Is it your favorite or does the dates just fall right. I have a friend at work who is from the Virgins Islands (St. Croix's) but she knows all about the others. I can not wait to get some inside information from her. I don't know how much you guys don't already know since you guys have been so much ! Lucky you.

Michelle

Michelle - I'll answer that. We love the Eastern mostly because of the extra sea day. With two little kids, Key West isn't much of a draw for us (although if we were alone, it would be!) and we just love to relax on board for the extra sea day, and mostly we go to the beach when in port. We actually haven't gone to a beach in St. Maarten (it rained in 06, and we stayed on board in 07) but I hear they're beautiful. And my daughter and I LOVED Magen's Bay in St. Thomas. So in short (was that short?:goodvibes ), that's pretty much why we keep choosing Eastern over Western.

I need to add a countdown ticker to my signature...:woohoo:

[tktstjohn]

The ShabbyFam Are visiting this weekend for the Sox-Yankees series. It should be a blast we will re-hash the last cruise and pine for the next cruise. I cant wait!! The snow is finally leaving Vermont now, kind of a crazy year. I coach little league and our field is a mess, noreasters and stuff. I am totally looking forward to March 1, 2008. Johnna, I have made my henna tattoo permanent. Mark will appreciate it :)

[Johnna_Story]

GO YANKEES!!!!!

Sorry Tim - had to post that. :goodvibes
Did you seriously get a real tattoo??? Good for you!!!

Glad you're finally getting a touch of spring soon. I thought I was depressed about our weather, but I have to remind myself that you have it worse!

[adnap3288]

Hi everyone! We'll be joining you as well. This will be our 3rd cruise...we were on the Western cruise 2/24 and booked this one while we still on board.
There are 3 of us... Me & DH and DS(11).

[ejkjmom]

A late but Big :welcome: to "adnap" and family!!!!!! we rebooked this crusie as well, while onboard, we choose to rebook for the Eastern again for the simple fact that we like the extra sea day....as time goes on you will see that the ejkj family is a pretty laid back and lazy vacationing family!!!!!!

We got to meet some pretty awesome people on our last cruise through the DIs boards, one being the Story family, so it comes as no big surprise that we are esp.excited for this cruise, as they are cruising again as well, tktstjohn and Kshabare family were also on the same cruise , so as you can see our group is off to a GREAT start!!!!!!

So again welcome, we look forward to getting to know you:)

Brenda:wave2:

[feiste]

When I booked this cruise in December I started a post and I was starting to get really bummed that it seemed that there were no other Disboarders booked.:surfweb: :confused3 :surfweb: :confused3

However leave it to Norm and Kim to start a thread that actually took off! I'm so happy to be on board with you again, and I look forward to meeting the rest of you!:cool1: :thumbsup2 :cool1: :thumbsup2 :cool1:

For now our crowd remains the same (a liitle older, and the kids are a little wiser):scared1: :scared1:

Me - Jennifer (age undisclosed)
DH - Bob (undisclosed - but younger than me)
DD - Audrey (9 she will be 10 when we cruise)
DD - Grace (6 she will be 7 when we cruise)
DM - Mary - my mom
DD - Lee - my dad

Other friends and family have threatened to join us but I'm not holding my breath at this point.

This will be our fourth Disney Cruise:
Eastern - February/March 2004
Western - February/March 2006
Land and Sea - February 2007 (my DH's first trip to Disney World!)
Eastern - March 2008!!!!!

Micday - perhaps we could let the my girls and your daughter email each other a bit to get to know each other before boarding. I'm sure that we will also have meet in the terminal prior to boarding where they can get to know each other a bit.

What is the countdown to Mickey bars Kim.....????


Here's a shot of My DH and 2 DD's with Kim and Josh in Costa Maya with the Magic in the background....

http://homepage.mac.com/czachorski/photos/disney2006/kbsharemaya.jpg

[Johnna_Story]

I guess now my dream of an upgrade to the Walt Suite is less likely to come true... :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Seriously - it's great to see more people who we can become friends with and get to know better. The cruise is much more fun when you're with friends. :banana: :banana:

Norm and Kim and Josh - as I mention to Mark frequently, the Red Sox seem to live by the adage: Spring Ahead, Fall Back. Let Tim and Kim have their moments of joy - they never last very long. :laughing:

Ciao for now... Johnna

[Micday]

Jennifer,

I would love for Madison to get to know your two. Our email address is:


Plus anyone else who would like to start to chat.

I'm looking forward to getting to know all you guys too. We are trying to talk our friends in joining us but no commitments yet.

Michelle

[kshabare]

Jennifer,

OMG! I have not been able to surf in so long. I cannot believe I didn't catch your post earlier. I am so happy you and Bob decided to sail again. We had so many laughs with you two! Your babes are so cute. I so loved playing in Costa Maya with your family.

I don't know if you recall Tim, Kim & Travis. They didn't take that excursion with us to the Mayan Ruins. They took the excursion via DCL. We all met up at dinner to compare notes and I wish they had been able to come with us that day.

Well, we've become quite attached to TKT of VT. You would totally love them. We spent the weekend visiting them and I am having withdrawals and we were with them less than 24 hours ago.

Pop me an email chickie. I'll add you back onto our list.

Kim

p.s. http://www.shabbyfam.us/Western2006/WebDSCF1247.jpg

[feiste]

Jennifer,

OMG! I have not been able to surf in so long. I cannot believe I didn't catch your post earlier. I am so happy you and Bob decided to sail again. We had so many laughs with you two! Your babes are so cute. I so loved playing in Costa Maya with your family.

I don't know if you recall Tim, Kim & Travis. They didn't take that excursion with us to the Mayan Ruins. They took the excursion via DCL. We all met up at dinner to compare notes and I wish they had been able to come with us that day.

Well, we've become quite attached to TKT of VT. You would totally love them. We spent the weekend visiting them and I am having withdrawals and we were with them less than 24 hours ago.

Pop me an email chickie. I'll add you back onto our list.

Kim



It sounds like we will have a great group!

Just so you know Grace still talks to anyone who listen about her jellyfish sting.....

here's a photo of Audrey from that day....
http://homepage.mac.com/czachorski/photos/disney2006/stingray.jpg

[kshabare]

We still talk about Audrey's jelly sting. It freaked us out. Josh even remembers. We do have a happier moment though - when the kayak was shared by all the kids. I'm looking forward to more happy times. You'll also like the other families who were with us this past March. We had a fun group!

Be well fellow DIS'er.

Kim

[tktstjohn]

Johnna, Johnna, Johnna,

Well when given lemons, I guess you should try to make lemonade...:rotfl2:
But WOW the Sox really handed it to them! Let's hope for an encore in the Bronx!!

We had a great weekend with Kim, Norm and Josh driving to Vermont from Connecticut! We made jokes about going to Topsiders during breakfast, and ate too much just like while on board. We watched a little baseball too:goodvibes

Our group seems to be growing nicely. These trips always are wonderful to look forward to.

Take care,
Tim/Kim/Travis

[ejkjmom]

Okay fellow cruiser's. I just pulled us out of what was soon to be the bottom of page 4!!!!!!

Hope everyone is doing well, we here in Nebraska are enjoying our Srping weather, we had 3 n' half inches of rain this last week, and now with the warm weather which is forecasted for this weekend, things are going to be turning from beige to GREEN!!!!! Hopefuly our cold days are behind us, although we have had snow in May before......

Hope everyone has a fun weekend, and for all you baseball fans...good-luck, we are not so much into the whole baseball thing, but do have cousins in Iowa that are HUGE Fans!!!! When they come out in the summer we always try to go to a Rockies game in Denver, so I have been to a game or two, although I must confess, that I'm probably more of a people watcher then a game watcher :confused3 but I always have fun...it is a fun enviroment, and easy to get caught up in it!!!!

Ron sports love would be college football (his beloved Huskers:love: ), that and drag racing are his thing!!!! as far as us girls go, poor Emily ( or would that be poor dad??) trys to convince everyone esp. her P.E. teacher that shopping is a sport:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Happy Friday to ALL!!!!!!!
Brenda:)

[Johnna_Story]

...as far as us girls go, poor Emily ( or would that be poor dad??) trys to convince everyone esp. her P.E. teacher that shopping is a sport:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Brenda:)

WELL DUH! I mean, who didn't know that???? :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[kshabare]

We haven't spoken with Tim this weekend. We're back here in CT and sad that the Yanks only won 1 of the 6 games. But, it is only April and we've a long time to go. I'm a Posada fan myself. At least he has played well.

I love seeing the green too. My Magnolia tree is in full blossom and once the rain stops again we'll have to get the mower out!

We spent some time this morning checking flights. I think we're going to drive to NY this year unless Delta drops their flight prices.

Have a great week everyone.

Kim

[Johnna_Story]

Hey all - just checking in and saving us from the deep dark depths of the meets pages! Hope everyone is enjoying spring - this weekend I'll finally be able to put away all the winter clothes! :yay: :yay:

[Micday]

Hi everyone !! Is it March 08 yet ???????????????

I've been reading up on our cruise. I was reading to my DD and there was a part about clothing being "optional" at the beaches. Madison asked what that meant. When I told her her reply was
"I'm keeping my underwear ON "

Michelle

[kshabare]

Michelle,

Let your DD know Tim, Kim, Travis, Norm, Josh and I went to Orient Beach (nudist beach for sure!). Needless to say WE kept our suits on. Let's just say it was an experience. I don't know that I would have gone suitless even if it had been just Norm and I. I was thinking I'd see someone I recognized from the ship!! Believe me when I say... YOU SEE EVERYTHING. I think we're going to see another beach this time.

How many days? Weather here yesterday was good. Not great - that's coming when we go back to work tomorrow. :headache:

Have a super day.

Check out our site if you want to see our cruise pictures. The only drawback - the same people keep ending up in my shots year after year. :rotfl:

Kim

[kshabare]

Just Bumping up...

How has everyone been? Not much baseball talk going on here, How about at your house Johnna? I don'e even have to ask the St. John's, they must be in 7th heaven. Hope all is well.

Norm

[Johnna_Story]

Just Bumping up...

How has everyone been? Not much baseball talk going on here, How about at your house Johnna? I don'e even have to ask the St. John's, they must be in 7th heaven. Hope all is well.

Norm

Norm - you got it - no baseball talk here. Okay - some talk from the boys to me but I've just got no response. That's why it even took me so long to respond to this message! :laughing:

DD and I are watching Peter Pan - makes me think of the cruise of course. You can fly, you can fly...

Happy Sunday! :sunny:
Johnna

[TammyAlphabet]

I just booked this cruise and am very excited.

We booked two cabins: One for me and my DD8, One for my brother (28) and my DS16.

We all did a four night wonder last December and decided a seven night was the way to go this time around.

I guess we had better get to work on those passports!!

[Johnna_Story]

I just booked this cruise and am very excited.

We booked two cabins: One for me and my DD8, One for my brother (28) and my DS16.

We all did a four night wonder last December and decided a seven night was the way to go this time around.

I guess we had better get to work on those passports!!


Welcome Tammy and crew! :welcome: I'm sure you'll come to find we are a very fun group of people. I love that our group is getting bigger and bigger! :woohoo: :woohoo:

[TammyAlphabet]

I posted my DD was 8, but she is currently 9 and well be 10 at the time of the cruise! Ha Ha. I guess I was really excited.

[Johnna_Story]

I posted my DD was 8, but she is currently 9 and well be 10 at the time of the cruise! Ha Ha. I guess I was really excited.

They grow up so fast, don't they?? :rotfl:

[kshabare]

Welcome Tammy! We do have a fun group. Although, lately no one is on. Once soccer and baseball finish up for this season more of us will start chatting again. Too nice to be inside behind a computer desk!

Send me a PM or email (nshabarekh@snet.net) and we'll get you added to the distribution list. I am the official keeper of the list and have fun keeping everyone chatting. We've made great friends this way.

Kim :hippie:

[Micday]

Just wanted to give my new email address :



Michelle

[ejkjmom]

Just checking in from Western Nebraska, where we had frost warnings for last night!!!!! Can you beleive it...CRAZY but true, along with the cold, we had horriable winds, with gusts up to 50 mph, it actually tore off a pretty good size piece of our gutter on the front of the house!!!! Not exactly sunny Bahama weather...

I have been a bit of a slacker on our board lately, so.....WELCOME to all our new fellow sailors!!!!!! I wish our sail date was closer than it is..... Waiting is always the hardest part...DUH!!!!!

With that, I wish you all a happy friday, and a SUPER weekend!!!!!
Brenda:)

[Johnna_Story]

Just bumping us up, and checking in. I would like to note for the record that the NY Yankees have won 9 in a row. :banana: :cheer2:

Yes Mark and St. John's, I know they are still 7.5 games back from the Red Sox, but progress is progress none the less.

Happy Friday to everyone. Have a great weekend and a great Father's Day to all you dads and grandpas!

[tktstjohn]

Hiya Johna, and everyone. Yes that Yankees are showing some spunk. It would have made the season a bit anti-climactic if they hadn't...:rolleyes1
Spring little league ended here this week. Travis' team, the Jericho Orioles won the league championship. Our league does not allow any teams to be named "Red Sox" or "Yankees". An interesting attempt to keep things civil?? Anyway I hope everyone is doing well.
The postings will increase when the temperatures decrease.

Tim

[Johnna_Story]

Hiya Johna, and everyone. Yes that Yankees are showing some spunk. It would have made the season a bit anti-climactic if they hadn't...:rolleyes1
Spring little league ended here this week. Travis' team, the Jericho Orioles won the league championship. Our league does not allow any teams to be named "Red Sox" or "Yankees". An interesting attempt to keep things civil?? Anyway I hope everyone is doing well.
The postings will increase when the temperatures decrease.

Tim


That's funny - in our little league, you have to have a team sponsor (to the tune of $200) to name your team the "red sox" or "yankees." I guess up there it literally hits a little too close to home. I wonder if your league is worried about the reactions of the kids or the parents!!! Have a good weekend. J

[atinkerbellmom]

Greeting DISers-
We too are traveling 3/1 -3/8 Eastern. ME, DH, DS (10then), DD (6then). We are traveling with others we have invited along, but they may change their minds, (who knows????). We did the Western last July and 2 Wonders prior. We are going 4Sure!!!!!! Lets Chat.
Michelle M.

[atinkerbellmom]

HI Michelle,
We are cruising 3/1/08 also. We are past cruisers X 3 our last being 7/1/06. Lets chat.
ME
DH
DS (10 by cruise)
DD (6 by cruise)

[mark_story]

Haven't been on in a while, and I am taking advantage of a nice spring day, smoking a cigar on my back porch to catch up on the postings. Nice way to wind up a Father's Day.

First, let's update the American League East standings. Our beloved Red Sox are now 8.5 games in first place, ahead of the Yankers, pending their game tonight against the Mets. And as for their winning streak? Even a blind squirrel finds a nut now and then.

Ron, Brenda and the girls: we need to find a time to get out to Nebraska this summer. All I need is a cool drink, a seat on the porch and you guys can just check on me every once in a while. Tell Ron that I am bringing the "YMCA" outfits. Brenda- you mentioned Ron's interest in "drag racing." In the BIG CITY of Washington, DC, the day before Halloween, a bunch of men (who quite possibly prefer the company of other men, if you know what I mean) dress up as women, don high heels and race down 18th street. That is also called the "Drag Race." Note to Brenda re: Ron's interests: PLEASE CLARIFY. Having done a choreographed Village People dance with him, I am concerned about the after effects. Very concerned.

Off to enjoy the rest of my Father's Day, which has been pretty good. And if anyone is interested, I have my own blog on which I posted an entry about what it means to me. WARNING TO LIBERALS: my blog is mainly Vast Right Wing Conspiracy stuff.

http://irritableelephant.townhall.com/g/4c409a62-b4bb-4375-9fbb-824daac6e491

Mark

[Johnna_Story]

Greeting DISers-
We too are traveling 3/1 -3/8 Eastern. ME, DH, DS (10then), DD (6then). We are traveling with others we have invited along, but they may change their minds, (who knows????). We did the Western last July and 2 Wonders prior. We are going 4Sure!!!!!! Lets Chat.
Michelle M.

Michelle - welcome!!! :welcome: We love more additions to our group. As you can see, four of us families were on the same cruise this past March, and we all can't wait to go again. Looking forward to "virtually" getting to know you and your family over the next 9 months. Johnna

[kshabare]

Mark & Johnna,

If I could only dig up the Halloween picture of Norman dressed up as a woman. That would be great. I think I put it in the scrapbook. He looked better in my outfit than I did!

It was nice to visit the Bronx Zoo this weekend and not see too many Boston hats and shirts. Norm was at home in NY! With cell phone in hand he was checking the score of his Yank vs. Met Bronx rivalry. All the while he seemed to be rooting against Boston for some strange reason, often mumbling...Crap, they won again..... Tim - we started the season with you all in VT - I think he's reluctant to visit before the series is over!

Welcome Michelle and your fam. We enjoy life - it's too short not to. And, I'm happy we've made some friends on these cruises. Heck - I'd have you all over for drinks and burgers on the grill before friends who live down the street! YIKES! We're nuts - get in and enjoy the ride.

Happy be-lated Fathers Day to all you men out there. I hope you enjoyed the day.

Kim

[atinkerbellmom]

We are excited as always. We chose to go this week, even though it is 2 weeks prior to spring break, because it is cheaper. We spent 11 Gran July '07 because my DH and I renewed our vows for our 10th on board. That Dream Disney Wedding I did not get the 1st time. Our principal told us, if it saved thousands of $, just pull the kids out of school. (Can't believe we are). We are happy, because it may be less crowded. :banana: We have three families of friends that say they are coming too, but they may cancel at the last minute. (Most do). Thanks for the welcome, we look fwd to getting to know all of you. We make family 5?:confused: We can't wait......:rotfl: How old are all of your kids?

[TammyAlphabet]

Only 254 days to go!!!!! Yippeee!!!!!
:cool1: :cool1: :cool1: :cool1: :cool1: :cool1: :cool1: :cool1: :cool1: :cool1:

[yamata45]

Here we go again!!!! WOOO HOOO
:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[atinkerbellmom]

Just bumping us up.

[Johnna_Story]

The Storys are off tomorrow to join friends at Deep Creek Lake - a resort town in Western Maryland. It's no Disney Cruise, but it will have to do. We'll be with three other families so the kids will entertain each other and we may actually get some grown-up conversation in. :banana:

Have a great weekend all. Johnna

[Micday]

Hey,
i just notice some of you guys are from DC !! We are taking the train up your way July 14th. That's why I haven't been writing, trying to plan our DC trip. So do you guys have any good tips ?

I got us the White House tour ( please do not let them cancel), plus a Captiol Tour with our Senator Dole. We are staying at the Westin Embassory Row from July 14-18th. We are renting a car for the weekend only then walking or metro the rest of the trip.

Michelle

[Johnna_Story]

Hey,
i just notice some of you guys are from DC !! We are taking the train up your way July 14th. That's why I haven't been writing, trying to plan our DC trip. So do you guys have any good tips ?

I got us the White House tour ( please do not let them cancel), plus a Captiol Tour with our Senator Dole. We are staying at the Westin Embassory Row from July 14-18th. We are renting a car for the weekend only then walking or metro the rest of the trip.

Michelle


Yeah!!! I love living and working here in DC; it's a great city. Lucky for scoring a white house tour - those are hard to come by these days. My fingers are crossed that you don't get cancelled.

Some tips - comfy walking shoes, read the parking signs carefully (they can be VERY confusing) and if you plan to metro a lot, check into the day passes they have. The Embassy Row area is really nice, and it's near Dupont Circle which has a lot of great little shops, restaurants, and night life (though you probably want to avoid that with kids!)

Finally - definitely go down to the mall to see the monuments at night. I haven't done that in a LONG time and it's one of the most beautiful things about DC.

I'll PM you my phone numbers in case you have any questions while you're here, or restaurant recommendations, or whatever. I'm not a total expert, but I'm happy to help when I can. And if you're in my neighborhood one day and want to meet, just let me know! Have a great trip!!!! Johnna

[Micday]

Thanks !!!!

I don't have everything down yet but I plan on finishing it this weekend. That is really nice of you to give me your # and once I figure out what where doing maybe we can meet. Then we won't be face "strangers" when we meet in March. I do not think we'll do any really nice resturants, Madison would rather eat at McDonald's. Not that we'll be eating a lot of McDonald's, I don't need any help gaining weight.

I do have one question (so far) !? Will my Husband (James) miss out if he drives us to the monuments at night? The Senator's Aide said for us to park at the East Potomic Park and walk to the Monuments ? James does not like the ideal of driving in the dark in a city we do not know looking for parking. He's an excellent driver and great with directions. Should I stop being cheap and just book us a tour ?

Michelle

[Johnna_Story]

Thanks !!!!

I do have one question (so far) !? Will my Husband (James) miss out if he drives us to the monuments at night? The Senator's Aide said for us to park at the East Potomic Park and walk to the Monuments ? James does not like the ideal of driving in the dark in a city we do not know looking for parking. He's an excellent driver and great with directions. Should I stop being cheap and just book us a tour ?

Michelle

Michelle - I'm a big fan of doing what you're most comfortable. It will really depend on if you are going on a weeknight or weekday. DC is a pretty easy to drive city, but you just have to do what is most comfortable for you. Another option is a cab - you can get a cab so easily and go at your own pace; have them drop you off where and when you want and then just get a cab back (or hop on metro) back to your hotel. I'm in favor of a tour, but tours can be unreasonably expensive, so it will really depend on your budget.

I know this is a really ambiguous answer - but I hope it helps nonetheless.

Johnna

[atinkerbellmom]

Hi Everyone,
I think someone said they were going to send me a list of everyone. Right now, I think I have mapped out there are five families of us, right? Are there any teens or preteens going. My friend is suppose to be joining us this cruise and she has a 12 yo dd and 16 yo dd at cruise. I think some of you have kids my kids age as well. Just trying to fiqure out whom is whom.:confused:

[kshabare]

Michelle,

I hope you received my email last night with the spreadsheet attached. My computer was not making nice with me!

It's hard to see that half of the year is gone already. I would very much love to put my toes in that Caribbean sand right now though. This week in CT is supposed to be one of the hottest of the summer. And, this heat and humidity is NOTHING like St. Thomas. I don't do CT beaches. Ewie. We were looking at our pictures yesterday. I miss Mickey.....

Have a great week everyone!

Kim

[kshabare]

... and a friend just came back from Carnival. They had a great trip. But didn't I feel like a snob when we started to talk about the pools! I told her how Disney is the only one (or one of few) whos pools are freshwater, not salt water. Salt in my hair on the ship? EWIE!! I'm spoiled!

Kim

[Micday]

Kim,

I did not know the "other" ships used saltwater in their pools !!!!!!!!!

I did not get your email so could you please resend it.

Michelle

[atinkerbellmom]

Hi Everyone-
Since there are two Michelle(s), I think we are going to have to make a difference between us. You can do me "atinkerbellmom" as MMichelle. The other M can stand for Minnesota or our last name. I'm not going to tell you growing up almost everyone called me "Mickey" if not Chelle. My Godfather still calls me "Mickey". Maybe this is the reason I am and have always been a Disney Addict. See they started and now I am $paying$ for it. Does this sound okay to you Michelle?

Kim, I did get the spreadsheet, actually I got both copies. So I do not know if you still need to send it to Michelle or not. Thanks for being the "keeper of the list". The only thing is all of you are EastCoasters. We feel a little "left out". If your Dkids are between 8 and 11 and have an e-mail account set up, PM me and give me the address. I will give it to DS and let them e-mail each other back and fourth. He is into the "penpal" thing. My girlfriend is suppose to be going with us too. Her girls will be 12 and 16 at sail. So any connections there will be great too.

Have a great weekend everyone. I do check my Dis PM's often and my e-mail often, but do not get on the Dis everyday.

Til We "Post" Again,

[atinkerbellmom]

Hi Guys, just bumping us, just in case someone else is joining us and needs to see the thread without a lot of work. I can not believe noone else has joined us. Look out up-grades, here we come............:goodvibes

[TammyAlphabet]

I was coming to bump this and saw that I was too late. I am not praying for an upgrade as much as this sailing to become one of the ones on the "magical rates" list. That would save a significant amount of money. I am really looking forward to seven days of fun and relaxation.

[Johnna_Story]

Just checking in and bumping us up. It would be nice to meet some more people, but if it's just us, we'll just rock on ourselves! :woohoo:

We did get lucky this past Saturday at the zoo - we went to see the pandas, and luckily Tai Shan (the "baby" - he's 2) was eating a huge bamboo stalk right in front of us. :woohoo: The kids were so excited - and me too!! One of the benefits of living right outside DC - we can go to the zoo and other museums any time. And they're free! :yay:

That's our big update - everything else is the usual summer stuff. Hope everyone is well! Johnna

[yamata45]

Bump! Bump!

The cruise will be here before long. Sumer is over almost.........soon the holidays will rush past...then the Jan-Feb thaw.....AND THEN IT'S HIDDEN MICKEY TIME!



OOH yeah!! OOH yeah!! Super Magical Ohanas Deck 10 Hidden Mickey Time!! Booh Yah!

J.

[Johnna_Story]

:beach: Hope all is well during these lazy hazy crazy days of summer!

I'm sure we'll have quite a few more DIS cruisers joining us after the summer ends. And I can't wait for those end of summer sales (that are starting already!) to get all the stuff we need for March.

Ciao for now! Johnna

[atinkerbellmom]

Hi Fellow cruisers-
Johnna-
We do think alike..... I just sent out an e-mail to my friends to tell them last week, to start hitting the end of the season sells to be sure the kids have sandles that fir for March. I also reminded them of swim suites.:thumbsup2

[TammyAlphabet]

Hey everybody!!

I am having a lazy sunday!!! The older that I get, the lazier that I get...:goodvibes I am going to apply for passports this week. I have to get that done!! I am freaking out over it. lol.

I have two more weeks of class (college professor) then I have two weeks to get ready for my fall semester. I know, I really have a hard life. lol.

My dd has already started school, this week was their first week. She is on a year round school schedule but my son is not. Strange school system here.

I am agonizing over my plans for transportation to the port. I have thought about flying into mco, staying at disney using magical express, and then using a towncar to the port. But I am worried that with four people, we will have two much luggage. Another alternative is to fly into orlando, rent a car and then drive to port canaveral, and drop off the car the next morning. I dont want to use disney transportation because they don't get you to the port early enough to suit me. ;)

Who else is staying at Disney the night before? Maybe we could split a van? and leave really early. I am DVC and I am making a reservation tomorrow for the night before the cruise somewhere on site. Let me know...

Talk to you guys later!

Tammy

[TammyAlphabet]

Tommorrow the seven month booking window opens for me to book the Friday nite before this cruise. I am hoping that I can get the AKL, savannah view. If not, I will book a suitable room as we are flying in the night before the cruise.

Only seven months to go!!!

[Johnna_Story]

Who-hoo!! :woohoo: :woohoo: Only 7 months to go!!

:banana: :cool1: :dance3: :cheer2: :yay: :hourglass :hyper: :dancer: :jumping1: :teeth:

[TammyAlphabet]

I got the AKL for the night before the cruise!!! I am pretty happy about that. Since it was a weekend night, it was almost a sure thing.

I am taking the clan down to the county clerk tomorrow to apply for our passports. I hope that seven months ahead of time is enough time. They seem to be so far behind.

Less than seven months away!!!! Woo hoo!!!!!!!!!

[TammyAlphabet]

Passport applications are in!! I have 210 days lead time. I hope that is enough!

Did you guys see the thread on the boards about SeaWorld tickets for 25 per day?

[atinkerbellmom]

Greetings Cruisemates-
We are planning to come in the night prior and we stay just at one of the hotels near MCO. We then catch Disney transportation to port. We head to MCO in the morning. This has worked our other cruises and each time we have gotton to port, we have had no line, the line to get through the X-ray machine was longer than the check in line. :goodvibes

I have been off the boards for a few days. As I now find out, our bridge accident has been on the news everywhere. I have been busy at the hospital and DH works for an insurance company as a serious injury and death claim field specialist. All of our loved ones are safe and accounted for as far as we count. Just pray for the families of those people whom are still at the bottom of the river in the cars. I think we need a little pixie dust here to brighten our day.

COUNT DOWN TIME "TIL WE MEET AGAIN" WITH "MY PAL MICKEY"..... :woohoo: :cloud9: :rotfl: :cool1: :cheer2: Oh Minnie is so jealous.:lmao:

[TammyAlphabet]

Atinkerbell--I think that is a great idea to stay at a hotel close to the port. I am a DVC member and so I can't bring myself to stay offsite when I have points to use... And we are using magical express so no luggage handling. That is a big plus.

I feel for the families of the people in the cars at the bottom of that river. That is so tragic!! I have always been a little afraid of bridges. I don't like driving over them. My brother has always made fun of me, until now.

I am counting down the days....209 to go!!!

[Johnna_Story]

MMichelle - all the best to you and your husband. So glad to hear that no one you love was injured or worse in that horrible collapse. I can only imagine the stress of your jobs is a lot to deal with right now.

Wishing you all the best from the east coast. Johnna

[atinkerbellmom]

I hear JS is the planner for the meet and greet????? HUMMMMM???? We should think about this. We will do Palos for Brunch on my birthday the second day, but do not mind doing it two times. Is that allowed? Are we going to do a meet and greet the first night after the sailaway party? I will PM a couple of you with my DS(9) e-mail address, he then can write to some of the kids. Do you guys do the kid self check in and out? We have not in the past but wonder about this trip. Oh Johnna, we still need to book the seperate room, just to hold all of our "Stuff". Do you think DCL will allow us to book the room under "MRS & MRS Overpacked Stuff" or do you think it will be questionable?:lmao: :lmao: :rotfl2: :rotfl:

Thanks everyone for the kind words. Sometimes when things hit a community and it is all that we see all day and all night on the news. It is the front page of each paper, it makes the mood somber. I can't tell you how many times the kids asked this AM "how we were going to church." They wanted to make sure we were not crossing any bridges. We have tried to keep the news to a need base, but it is so hard when that is all that is in it. I tried to change it into, "the president is visiting MN", since DS loves the Washington DC idea, but it did not work. Thanks again.

Now to cheer me up, I have to get shopping.........

Did you guys catch the pillowcase thread. I of course will make them for us.

[Johnna_Story]

I hear JS is the planner for the meet and greet????? HUMMMMM???? We should think about this. We will do Palos for Brunch on my birthday the second day, but do not mind doing it two times. Is that allowed? Are we going to do a meet and greet the first night after the sailaway party?

LIES - NASTY LIES. :rotfl: :rotfl:
Yes - we (okay - Mark) organized the Palo group brunch for Sunday last year, and I'm sure we can do it again. We do it in early Feb I think - about 30 days out. As for the day one meet, I can do that. I'm a great party planner (part of my job) so it makes sense. Last year it worked out well that we met in the Promenade Lounge at 3:00. It gave us about an hour to get a drink (note how I plan the place where there is a BAR!), chat, then get back to do the lifeboat drill in plenty of time. I think we should do that again. And I'm volunteering Brenda (ejkjmom) to come up with some activity the kids can do like she did last year. I think to do a meet after the sail away party is too late; some of us won't have time to stay for very long if we have early seating.

I will PM a couple of you with my DS(9) e-mail address, he then can write to some of the kids. Do you guys do the kid self check in and out? We have not in the past but wonder about this trip.

Our DS will only be 7 at cruise time, so we won't do self check in or out. Someday....:cloud9:

Oh Johnna, we still need to book the seperate room, just to hold all of our "Stuff". Do you think DCL will allow us to book the room under "MRS & MRS Overpacked Stuff" or do you think it will be questionable?:lmao: :lmao: :rotfl2: :rotfl:

You're too funny! I needed that laugh this morning.

Did you guys catch the pillowcase thread. I of course will make them for us.

Didn't catch the pillowcase thread. We've never done that, but maybe we should. Let us know if we should send you anything you need to make one for us. I've got enough to do - what with shopping the end of season sales, trying to diet, planning PALO brunch, planning DIS meet, trying to figure out how to pay for an extra room for all my stuff... Oh, I'm exhausted.:sad2: :faint:

:rotfl: :rotfl: I crack myself up. Ha ha! :laughing:

Happy Monday everyone. Johnna

[ejkjmom]

Oh, that Johnna is a funny one alright!!!:laughing: :laughing: you crack us up as well!!!!!

Since I more or less volunteered the Story's for Palo ressies, I will be more than happy to do a little meet and greet activity for the kids...

As far as pillowcases go, I haven't done the pillow cases, but have gotten a photo mat and had that autograghed with all the different characters. I put different colored sharpies in a ziploc bag, so it turned out very colorful & fun!!!

I've been a bit of a slacker on the boards lately, but have been lurking in the way side:surfweb:

Hope everyone is having a good summer....:beach: Can't wait till March!!!!!!!

[kshabare]

Who is the planner for the Gloria Gaynor meet and greet?. (LOL) What a hoot that was. Hey Johnna, I think Sox fans are hearing footsteps, Not there quite yet but inching closer. If you know what I mean.
Just had a great weekend with the St. John family (TKTStJohn), Planning on coming down the night before and stay at the BCV, Mom and Dad have DVC and booked a room for the night, Can't wait.

Talk soon..
Norm

[Johnna_Story]

Who is the planner for the Gloria Gaynor meet and greet?. (LOL) What a hoot that was. Hey Johnna, I think Sox fans are hearing footsteps, Not there quite yet but inching closer. If you know what I mean.
Talk soon..
Norm

Speaking of baseball, Mark and Ryan are headed to Boston next week to see the Sox. I'm hoping they are in a downward spiral by then. :rotfl:

Just kidding Honey and St. John's! :rolleyes1

[tktstjohn]

To Mark and Ryan: Enjoy the game boys! Best baseball atmosphere anywhere.

To Johnna: The only spiral I know of has to do with ham. :rotfl2:

To Norm, Kim, and Josh: Thank you so much for hosting us last weekend! It is wonderful to get togther and relive our cruises and discuss our upcoming plans.

Well little league baseball is finally over. Travis' team made it to the semi finals, and tripled their win total from last year. I will miss coaching at some point, but not right now. :laughing:

I hope everybody is doing well, and am looking forward to meeting new people. I know that early March will be thought of often as Vermont's long winter approaches. Really, I know it's only August, but summers sprint and winters crawl...

Tim

[TammyAlphabet]

197 days to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can I get a whoop whoop????

[Johnna_Story]

Whoop whoop!!

Hard to believe we're under 200 days already. Very exciting!!:banana:

[kshabare]

Yeah, Boy! Whoop Whoop!

I can't believe this summer has flown by. In CT it's been very cool at night. The wimpy gals like myself have been forced to cover their arms. We're going to see the Connecticut Men Soccer Team (Go Huskies!) in an exhibition game tonight. I'm breaking out the jeans and bringing a sweater/sweatshirt just in case! It feels like school would be starting tomorrow.

Have a great week everybody. Get yourselves ready - we're on the downhill slide pretty soon.

Kim

[TammyAlphabet]

Kim,

Your signature says Disney Eastern- 3/3/07---I think we are sailing on the 1st! Don't show up on the third you will miss the boat lol.

[Johnna_Story]

Kim and Norm just need to add the 2008 cruise to their signature. As if 2007 was going to be the last one. Ha! :goodvibes

It's a gloomy rainy day here on the East Coast - and we need it, but I'd much rather be cruising somewhere warm and sunny right now...:beach:

[kshabare]

We definately will not show up on the 3rd. The addition has been made for the new sailing. Oh Johnna you know this won't even be our last one. Once your hooked your hooked.

Talk at you later...
Norm

[TammyAlphabet]

ha ha ha. I was looking at last march's cruise. Sorry!

[atinkerbellmom]

Good thing it is a last year date. To show up on the 3rd would be one day AFTER my birthday:sad2: On my birthday, we have to have a drink or two or three or four (Did I say that:confused3 , all my friends call me the "driver" because I am usually the one whom doesn't drink; oh heck, the driving is being left to someone else. :cool1:

Johnna-
Aren't you suppose to be busy packing and shopping and planning a "get together and shopping and shopping??????:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: Did I say shopping.......:lmao:? I thought of you last night as I got sandles and flip flops and shorts in the next size for the kids. I thought it would be good just to book a cat. 11 room on the 6th floor for all of our stuff....... This is my plan because I have to hide all the STUFF from DH. Now how do I get it to the ship without him knowing ??????:confused: When we get to the islands, we may have to go to Guest Services and get another room or an up grade :rotfl2:

Our family has not done the Eastern before so you guys have to give me the ends and outs of where to shop. Did I ever mention I like things that sparkle? Maybe you can call my DH and give him a little hint hint.......:goodvibes

Oh, I also wanted to thank you for your post on the smoking thread. I went back and read my post again and thought, they "BLEW" this way out of contents, so I did not even reply. Maybe I need a third room for the bubble?????? ;) Noone ever mentioned her "dropping like a fly." Wierd people:sad2:

Sorry I did not get a chance to give you a :woohoo: WHOOP WHOOP:woohoo: but I have been busy working and doing pillowcases. I guess I got myself into that jam.:eek: If you did not catch the thread, I offered to do a character one for a fellow DISer and got swamped with request. One day, I got 96 PMs in one day.:eek: I then started making them but at one point told them I was only doing them for my cruisemates. Now the other day a DISer started another thread and I posted a picture. WHAT WAS I THINKING????????

Okay, so let me get this straight, between Johnna, Kim and the other Michelle:lmao: everything will be planned and all I have to do is just show up for the vacation? :rotfl2: Maybe I should have joined your cruise thread a couple of years ago. Sounds GOOD to me.:rotfl: I like you my fellow cruisemates and FRIENDS. I can not wait to "GET TOGETHER". You all crack me up (LOL).
:grouphug:

[atinkerbellmom]

Has any one fiqured out our 90 day mark that we can make resies?:confused3

[ejkjmom]

Has any one fiqured out our 90 day mark that we can make resies?:confused3

Looks like 90 days out will be 12/2/07 I found this site last year that calulates days out for Disney reservations.....www.pscalculator.net

clink on the PS Calculator link,(it's on the left side of page)...type in your date, and it will figure it out for you.... just that easy:thumbsup2

Can't Wait!!!!!!

[ranidayz]

HI,
This is my first time on the boards. We are going on our first disney cruise on Mar. 1, 2008 and it's practically all I can think about. I've got notebooks and lists and all sorts of stuff started already, but I can't help but think I'm missing out on a ton of information.

It seems like you all know what you're doing -- this board is the first I have heard of 70s nights or other themes besides Pirates....hoping maybe this board can help me out and it would be nice to know some familiar faces before we board.

We're a family of five in Maryland -- my husband and I (I've never been on a cruise before) and our 10 and eight year old boys and three year old girl (who I am desperately hoping is not the first kid to jump ship...)

Anyway, thanks for the help in advance,
Rani

[ejkjmom]

:welcome: Well.....let me the first to Welcome you and your family!!!!!!:welcome:

This is going to be our (DH DD's 11 and 14) 3rd Disney cruise...but I know how you feel..I remember feeling the same way the first 2 cruises ..our first cruise was only a 3 day, I wanted to make sure that we would like it, as none of us had ever cruised before...needless to say, we LOVED IT!!!! the only problem was that 3 days was no where near long enough, so we booked a 7 day before we got off (when you rebook onboard you get 10% off your next cruise)

We will all be more that happy to help you with any questions you have :thumbsup2 just rest assured that you will have a GREAT time!!!!:thumbsup2

[ranidayz]

OOOPS - I guess Ididn't check the date of when you were coming to DC -- well, maybe you can do this stuff for the next time you come up here! Now that I'm caught up on all the pages of the thread - I'm going to be more up to date.

Loving these messages,
Rani



Make sure you hit the Spy Museum! Personally, my favorite place is the Inner Harbor in Baltimore - POrt Discovery, the Science Museum, ESPN Zone and the Aquarium...not to mention the street shows. The last time we were there, my daughter was part of the street show and it was hysterical -- you can see it by searching for "Tali Baltimore" on youtube.....it's so much fun there!

Enjoy!

[TammyAlphabet]

Looks like 90 days out will be 12/2/07 I found this site last year that calulates days out for Disney reservations.....www.pscalculator.net

clink on the PS Calculator link,(it's on the left side of page)...type in your date, and it will figure it out for you.... just that easy:thumbsup2

Can't Wait!!!!!!

So, if we are members of the castaway club, we can make reservations for Palo at 90 days? Right?

[ejkjmom]

So, if we are members of the castaway club, we can make reservations for Palo at 90 days? Right?

I'm thinking that is right....and they do go quickly, I didn't try to make ressies till a few days after the 90 day mark, maybe a week, and there wasn't many times and dates left....

We have only ate at Palo's once, and that was with the Dis group, the food was truely awesome!!!!!

[atinkerbellmom]

First of all :welcome: Rani. We love that our family is growing and growing. I think we have the coolest group. This group tends to be my sanity here. They are not CRAZY Disers that go on and on about crazy stuff. So, I think you will be happy. I am sooo excited about where you live. My mother's best friend from childhood actually lives in Mountgomery Village MD. I have family in Baltimore proper, Silver Springs and Owens Boro (sp?), my book is not in front of me. With all of those people there, I have never been there to visit, but promised my DS now 9 a trip to the nations capitol the summer after we get back. :cool1:

Kshabare- is the keeper of the list and can PM you everyone that is going. PM her if you are able. If not, I am sure she will contact you if you want. Again, welcome:banana:

Thanks Brenda for giving me the 12/2 date. Does mean I have to PIF before it is due on the 18th. We tend to book our trip and hold the money in a higher intrest account until it has to be paid off and we party with the intrest $$. The reservations do go fast, but they open up more for the 75 day mark and then the day after the PIF mark. They say this makes it fair for everyone to be able to book.

Yes Tammy, we can make reservations at 90 days out. Randi will have to wait until the 75 day mark. If you are a little confused Randi, once you sail with DCL, you become a Castaway Club member, all this means is a small gift in your stateroom, a little lunch on the ship and that we can make reservation for on board activities a little earlier than the 1st time cruisers. When you go back with us in 2009 :goodvibes :lmao: you too will be a castaway member.:cool1:

So noone answered me, :lmao: Let me get this straight......
Brenda is organizing the kid's overnight PJ party in her room,
Jennifer is organizing all of the spa treatments on CC.
Bill & Lisa are organizing the 70's party
Kim is organizing the activities for the kids
Norm is organizing a sports afternoon with the kids
The other Kim is organizing our night at Studio Sea
Michelle is organizing our shopping day in St. John's
Tammy is organizing the DIS meet
and Johnna is organizing the Palo Brunch & EVERYTHING else, RIGHT???????????:confused3
Have you noticed I left out someone??????? Maybe I can organize drinks and naps by the Goofy pool. :rotfl: :lmao: :rotfl2: :happytv:
Just kidding....... I just needed to laugh for a minute.
I think we are the only family that have second dinner, unless Rani was only able to get 2nd dinner. We always have booked second, so this is why I selected it. That's okay, I even have our dinning rotation already SHHHHHHH!!!! So I will keep it.
I think we are up to 10 families now........ we keep growing.
:grouphug: Love ya all....... MMichelle

[ranidayz]

First of all :welcome: Rani. We love that our family is growing and growing. I think we have the coolest group. This group tends to be my sanity here. They are not CRAZY Disers that go on and on about crazy stuff. So, I think you will be happy. I am sooo excited about where you live. My mother's best friend from childhood actually lives in Mountgomery Village MD. I have family in Baltimore proper, Silver Springs and Owens Boro (sp?), my book is not in front of me. With all of those people there, I have never been there to visit, but promised my DS now 9 a trip to the nations capitol the summer after we get back. :cool1:

Kshabare- is the keeper of the list and can PM you everyone that is going. PM her if you are able. If not, I am sure she will contact you if you want. Again, welcome:banana:

Thanks Brenda for giving me the 12/2 date. Does mean I have to PIF before it is due on the 18th. We tend to book our trip and hold the money in a higher intrest account until it has to be paid off and we party with the intrest $$. The reservations do go fast, but they open up more for the 75 day mark and then the day after the PIF mark. They say this makes it fair for everyone to be able to book.

Yes Tammy, we can make reservations at 90 days out. Randi will have to wait until the 75 day mark. If you are a little confused Randi, once you sail with DCL, you become a Castaway Club member, all this means is a small gift in your stateroom, a little lunch on the ship and that we can make reservation for on board activities a little earlier than the 1st time cruisers. When you go back with us in 2009 :goodvibes :lmao: you too will be a castaway member.:cool1:

So noone answered me, :lmao: Let me get this straight......
Brenda is organizing the kid's overnight PJ party in her room,
Jennifer is organizing all of the spa treatments on CC.
Bill & Lisa are organizing the 70's party
Kim is organizing the activities for the kids
Norm is organizing a sports afternoon with the kids
The other Kim is organizing our night at Studio Sea
Michelle is organizing our shopping day in St. John's
Tammy is organizing the DIS meet
and Johnna is organizing the Palo Brunch & EVERYTHING else, RIGHT???????????:confused3
Have you noticed I left out someone??????? Maybe I can organize drinks and naps by the Goofy pool. :rotfl: :lmao: :rotfl2: :happytv:
Just kidding....... I just needed to laugh for a minute.
I think we are the only family that have second dinner, unless Rani was only able to get 2nd dinner. We always have booked second, so this is why I selected it. That's okay, I even have our dinning rotation already SHHHHHHH!!!! So I will keep it.
I think we are up to 10 families now........ we keep growing.
:grouphug: Love ya all....... MMichelle
As it stands right now, we DO in fact have second seating, but are on the waitlist for first. We were debating which is better because first seems to cut short excursion time, but second seems late -- but there's food everwhere, I am told at least, so it's not like the (then) four year old will starve....

How did you get your rotation so early?

I need tips!

Rani

[TammyAlphabet]

I am on second dining too. But waitlisted for first. I think I will keep the second. I don't want to be rushed at dinner..

[ranidayz]

All right, being new to this, here's my question --- how is it that so many families are able to do this trip on an annual basis? With the transportation, tips, excursions, etc -- it's pretty pricey. I'm looking to the next couple years and seeing at least two sets of braces, bar mitzvahs, etc....I guess a lot of families probably have two full time working parents, but I'm so hoping that there's some secret you all know that I don't!

With all that said, we still do get down to Florida every couple of years in the Spring. My husband usually has a business trip down in Orlando and we try to tag along as long as it doesn't conflict with certain school or family events during that week.

So if there's some secret, PLEASE let me know....

Thanks,
Rani

[Johnna_Story]

All right, being new to this, here's my question --- how is it that so many families are able to do this trip on an annual basis? With the transportation, tips, excursions, etc -- it's pretty pricey. I'm looking to the next couple years and seeing at least two sets of braces, bar mitzvahs, etc....I guess a lot of families probably have two full time working parents, but I'm so hoping that there's some secret you all know that I don't!

With all that said, we still do get down to Florida every couple of years in the Spring. My husband usually has a business trip down in Orlando and we try to tag along as long as it doesn't conflict with certain school or family events during that week.

So if there's some secret, PLEASE let me know....

Thanks,
Rani

Gosh - I'm off the boards for two days and it's an explosion of messages!

Rani - welcome!! I'm so glad you found and joined our group. And we are "real life" neighbors - we live in Mont. Co. too - Kensington. Maybe we can meet before the cruise. I'm sure my 4 yr. old daughter will love your 3 yr. old.

We have two secrets for this more than once: we have a benefactor (DH's uncle) who has paid for our first and third cruise; and to pay for our second, and upcoming 4th, DH as taken on a job as adjunct teacher first at MD two years ago, and this year, he starts at Georgetown. It's a lot of stress for him, and for me to juggle the schedule and not overcommit to too much, but the look on our kids faces when they meet their favorite characters make it all worthwhile.

If you want, you can PM me with more info - where you live, etc. and maybe we can hook up for a playdate. Talk to you soon!

Johnna

[Johnna_Story]

Johnna-
Aren't you suppose to be busy packing and shopping and planning a "get together and shopping and shopping??????:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: Did I say shopping.......:lmao:? I thought of you last night as I got sandles and flip flops and shorts in the next size for the kids. I thought it would be good just to book a cat. 11 room on the 6th floor for all of our stuff....... This is my plan because I have to hide all the STUFF from DH. Now how do I get it to the ship without him knowing ??????:confused: When we get to the islands, we may have to go to Guest Services and get another room or an up grade :rotfl2:

Our family has not done the Eastern before so you guys have to give me the ends and outs of where to shop. Did I ever mention I like things that sparkle? Maybe you can call my DH and give him a little hint hint.......:goodvibes


You're killing me! I just haven't reported all my shopping, planning, etc. because DH reads the boards too! :lmao:

I have to be honest - I haven't done much shopping on the islands because I've been too busy going to the beaches. I've picked up some trinkets, but nothing "sparkly" besides the sequins on DD's purse. ;) Maybe this will be the year...:thumbsup2

Okay, so let me get this straight, between Johnna, Kim and the other Michelle:lmao: everything will be planned and all I have to do is just show up for the vacation? :rotfl2:


So noone answered me, :lmao: Let me get this straight......
Brenda is organizing the kid's overnight PJ party in her room,
Jennifer is organizing all of the spa treatments on CC.
Bill & Lisa are organizing the 70's party
Kim is organizing the activities for the kids
Norm is organizing a sports afternoon with the kids
The other Kim is organizing our night at Studio Sea
Michelle is organizing our shopping day in St. John's
Tammy is organizing the DIS meet
and Johnna is organizing the Palo Brunch & EVERYTHING else, RIGHT???????????:confused3

Have you noticed I left out someone??????? Maybe I can organize drinks and naps by the Goofy pool. :rotfl: :lmao: :rotfl2: :happytv:
Just kidding....... I just needed to laugh for a minute.



And MMichelle - STOP with the planning. Drinks and naps at the Goofy Pool??? I don't think so. Have you seen the kids jumping in and out of there? And the big screen with a movie blaring? And the Goofy's fitness exercises? And the 1000 other things going on in that area? :sad2:

Why don't you just leave the planning to the rest of us? ;) That said, seeing as how all the rest of us have done all this work to get your itinerary worked out for you, I'm pretty sure you will need to buy us all drinks while we are relaxing in the ADULTS ONLY area. :woohoo:


I like you my fellow cruisemates and FRIENDS. I can not wait to "GET TOGETHER". You all crack me up (LOL). I think we are up to 10 families now........ we keep growing.
:grouphug: Love ya all....... MMichelle

I agree 100% Ciao for now... Johnna

[atinkerbellmom]

Oh JS, you crack me up, I had to post all of that to get a stir from you.:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: I have to be a little more quiet since MS is viewing our secrets. I will link our secret room to my reservation(shhhhhh, Mark I didn't say that).

Okay, maybe the Goofy pool was a little "goofy" maybe naps at serenity bay? Now we are talking. :rotfl2: I guess the 1st round of Bahama Mama's need to be on me? Since the rest of you may be a little tired from all the planning.:lmao:

No, on a serious note, I was thinking of putting together little goodie bags for the kids with just some cute stuff from oriental trading co. Since it all comes in buck, is anyone else in on this idea? If so, let me know.

Randi- We actually only get there about every 18 months. We have not done the 12 month blessing. We actually have no secret and by far we do not have a lot of money. Both my DH & I work and believe it or not, we are not the best savers, so we both claim 0 on our taxes, get huge chunks taken out, get our return back and stick it into a high intrest account until we have to close the account for the cruise. We cruise off the return and party off the intrest. Our banker told us she was going to add Mickey Mouse as a third party on our "short term" accounts. :rotfl2:

Each time we go, I am the coordinator for all of our family and friends that go as well. I plan everything from air to the hotel the night before to the flights back home. So, maybe I should start charging them for my services and we could afford the every 12 month thing. :lmao: So, I do not have a secret for you. If you find out one, let me know:thumbsup2 . Oh by the way, the MM is due to there are two of us, if you did not catch that earlier.:hippie:

MMichelle

[ranidayz]

Rock on! I am soo glad I found this board. After I calmed myself down from my irrational fear of shark and pirhana and the possibly rational fear of my daughter jumping ship -- we booked the cruise. Then Icouldn't stop obsessing. I went to the Disney Store and bought the tiki shirts that were on clearance (with my 15% card) for Chanukah gifts for everyone so they had something for the cruise. Then I went and got the boys Pirates journals to record their thoughts and get peoples info on the cruise to keep in touch. Then I bought a journal for myself and made sections for everyone's packing list, tips, to buy, to bring, to do, etc.... Now, I went to my basement to find all the king flat sheets I have so I can make pillow cases which may or may not get signed --- but hey, a project is a project.

A couple questions - are or are not - jeans accepted at dinner? What other theme nights do I have to plan for? How much time do your kids really spend in the clubs -- I am not sure how my kids will be about that...as it is, I am fairly sure we won't be doing Palo because I think we would feel awkward without them at a meal....but I digress....oh yeah -- what is meant by formal night -- am I to really go get a full length gown? Oh the shopping ahead! (After Halloween, I am going to Target to get them Pirate stuff on clearance to take with us -- we'll probably need our own second cabin just for the luggage -- I will have to cut down!

Really, really having fun on this board,

Rani

[ejkjmom]

OMGosh!!!! I think I'm getting dizzy:goodvibes You girls are ALL WAY too FUNNY!!!!

Atinkerbellemom....I think you started drinking without us.... LOL!!!!!!! A overnight PJ party??????? That will cost you ALL, more than just one poolside Bahama Mama!!!!!!!!!TOO Funny :lmao: :lmao:
Although, I think you got the rest of the list right :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2

Formal night.....no floor length gowns for this girl, can't really say that I have ever seen any onboard????? I wore a black dress w/ rhinestones that I ordered off the clearance @ coldwater creek. Ron (DH) did rent a tux onboard, it was a very simple process, will do the same again this year.....

Really, I would say that you pretty much see alittle bit of everything, as far as clothing goes....it's pretty much what you are most comfortable with....personaly I like for my family to get dressed up (my husband of course would disagree ;) ) it makes for great family pictures!!!!

As far as the sparkle goes....I did get a ring in St.Thomas last cruise...at Diamonds International, after finding what I liked, we got them to come down quite a bit from the orginal price, and was very happy with it (still am)...they claimed that I was getting quite a bargin and that they came down lower then they would normally... yah ,yah whatever LOL!!!
Just last week, I got my appraisel back...it came back $450.00 under what I paid!!! If we would have paid the orginal price on the tag, it would have really made us sick!!!.....so...I would just say be careful, they really are convincing about what a bargin you are getting, and of course the jewerly is ALL so beautiful its easy to get talked into something....but with that said, it's also exciting to get something special to remember your trip by...and what better thing than a little (or BIG) Bling Bling;)

Sorry I didn't mean to write a short novel...:) If I have all this to say with just a cup of coffee..imagine how windy I am with a Bahama Mama (or two) in hand:lmao:

[Johnna_Story]

MMichelle - I'm in on the goody bags. As long as I don't have to plan anything for them (:lmao: ), I think it's a FABULOUS idea. :thumbsup2

Rani - no floor length here either, except princess dresses for the little girls. LOTS of those on Formal night. Some people do go all out floor length, but not me. A black cocktail dress is my formal night "uniform" and DH brings his tux because he happens to own one.

Brenda - LOVE the bling you got; hoping to get some bling myself next trip in anticipation of the 10 year anniversary...:love:

Rani - you also asked something about theme nights: other than Pirate Night and Formal Night, there are three nights where they do 60's, 70's, and 80's nights in the adult club. Themed music, and lots of audience participation - as Brenda's DH, my DH Mark, and I can personally attest to. And Norm's dad - also named Norm - was an eager participant as well. So they're not "ship-wide" themes, but just the evening's party in the club. And the last night is "pub night" where the entertainment staff do a really funny skit as kind of a last hurrah. It's really fun.

Gotta go break up a sibling fight - sometimes I think if we just locked them in a room together, and test the survival of the fittest theory, my life would be a lot easier. :sad2:

Ciao! J:yay:

[ranidayz]

OK cool -- I have an outfit I LOVE which has already been worn to two weddings -- A black sleveless top with sparkles and long black flowey pants that look like a gown when legs are closed --- I got them on super clearance with a coupon for a total of....sit down.....$20! I did get a pair of black wedges to go with them because the silver thongs were very uncomfortable. I did just order my husband a suit -- because we'ere going to another wedding - and you have to have one on hand for weddings, holidays and funerals and apparently cruises - we'll probably just bring that.

Need an important answer on this one: we're booking our own flights and we are trying to figure out what time to book on the way home the day the cruise docks. I know we have to be out by like - 9 am - but what are the odds that the ship will be late, lines will delay us? What is a good time to schedule the return flight?

As far as goody bags,, I do believe I have a bunch of temp tattoos from a party from last year that I could put aside -- how many kids are we looking at?

Thanks again for all of this,

Rani

[atinkerbellmom]

Disney recommends no flights prior to 12 Noon on the 8th. Each of our cruises we have booke around 12:20 and it has worked great for us. Once we did portside check in and the other times we did not. They all worked with enough time to get there, grab a sack lunch and eat at the gate then get on board. It was very comfortable and we did not feel rushed. We do second dinner, so we actually get off the ship after second breakfast and we make it just fine. Hope this helps. Are you aware of the airline that check in at port? We can list those for you. Also I need you to know, we always do DCL transportation (transfers) to and from port. I know some people on the boards are against it and do cheaper ways, but we like the hasel free hands free way of doing it. :)

[ranidayz]

All right, so no - I had no idea we could check in at the port -- please please tell me Southwest is on the list - we love them! Also, we are going to take care of our transport to and from because a recent screw up at Enterprise Rent-a-Car: We pick you up....didn't pick us up....so they are making it up to us with a car rental in Orlando.....

Rani

[ejkjmom]

All right, so no - I had no idea we could check in at the port -- please please tell me Southwest is on the list - we love them! Also, we are going to take care of our transport to and from because a recent screw up at Enterprise Rent-a-Car: We pick you up....didn't pick us up....so they are making it up to us with a car rental in Orlando.....

Rani
Not 100% sure....but I don't think southwest is on the list, that is who we like flying with, for the simple reason, they have by far the best rates for us:thumbsup2

We like to fly in the day before..rent with budget and then stay at the Raddison. We rent from budget again to get us back to the airport..the location of budget makes it pretty hassle free for us... haven't had any major problems so far ...knock on WOOD!!!

For those of you wanting to use Budget I have a coupon BCD code that should help you get a better rate:W810011 or W810000

With tax &fees I was able to get full size car for 46.93, that's picking up at the airport and returning it the next day at the port location....didn't think that was too bad:confused3 Our return from port to airport was 60.00 some I think, a little bit more for some reason????

As far as time goes, I think I'd be alittle nervous to do any flight before 12:00 esp. with kids and LOTS of Luggage in tow LOL!!!!!!

[atinkerbellmom]

Southwest is NOT one of them. They are Nothwest, Delta, American, Contintial & US Air. If you are using a rent a car, it does not matter, because you have to be using DCL transfers to check in at port. So, stick with your SW plans. SW does not fly from here, I miss that choice because we like them too.

For sure do not book any earlier than noon, especially if you need to check in at the air port after returning your car and making it through security. Remember MCO can get very busy.....:eek:

Really good deal Brenda, you know DCL is costing a $$$$ bundle. Just have always done it this way and it saves me a :headache: from my DH needing to drive. (SHHHHHH).

[kshabare]

Oh my gosh. You ladies are funny. I'm NOT gaining 10 lbs. this 2008! You can have your drinking. I'm sitting by the pool! I just love those little deck 4 chairs. I cannot wait to sit down by myself. Well, I cannot wait to meet up with ya'all again. We have had such a hoot of a time and didn't spend time with even half of you yet.
Rani, as far as formal night goes you get dolled up, go get your picture done by DCL photographer, go to dinner and after dinner you go back to your cabin and change. Well, my family does. DH and DS just get on a pair of dress pants, dress shirt and tie. Those pictures hang in the living room so I'm always happy to see dressy but not out-of-the-ordinary. Face it - every big girl and little girl likes to get dressed up sometimes.
We've been fortunate enough to cruise 6 times since 2000. It all started with a little 3/4 day that lead into a 7 day. We book our own air. This year we're waiting until later to book because the prices are so darned high. We always take the transfers. Leave it to the professionals. Plus, we look forward to the bus trip with movie trailers introducing the ship (that never gets old!!), and having someone else drive us! We book on the ship for the next year with the minimum deposit. We also pay toward the trip through the year. Yes, it could be collecting interest during the year but I won't spend what I pay toward the trip.

Don't overplan. Don't overpack - you're going to be carrying it. It's not a big deal to wash clothes at least once (undies, shorts, t-shirts) and it's cheap.

Welcome to the group. Most of whom I've met - all big kids who just need a break from the grown-up stuff!

p.s. TIM -- I'M NOT PLAYING BINGO AGAIN - IT'S RIGGED!!!

Kim

[atinkerbellmom]

That's alright Tim, BINGO I'm in. Last cruise I missed Bingo because I went to Tea with DD with Wendy and the other hand was during a cake decorating class I thought I could take and would walk away making my cakes look like the ones there, (sorry to say it will take more than one class for me.) So BINGO, sounds good.
Brenda, Jen, Michelle & Tammy, I e-mailed you with DS e-mail address to give to your DKs if they have their own e-mail accounts. Did you get your mail from me?

[TammyAlphabet]

That's alright Tim, BINGO I'm in. Last cruise I missed Bingo because I went to Tea with DD with Wendy and the other hand was during a cake decorating class I thought I could take and would walk away making my cakes look like the ones there, (sorry to say it will take more than one class for me.) So BINGO, sounds good.
Brenda, Jen, Michelle & Tammy, I e-mailed you with DS e-mail address to give to your DKs if they have their own e-mail accounts. Did you get your mail from me?

I got the email but before i could reply, it disappeared. (operator error!) lol. My daughter doesn't have an email account (she's 9), mainly because i know she would sign up for every hannah montana mail list and then the spam (and some of it might be bad spam) would fill up her box.

[ranidayz]

Heads-up: Happened to be in Macy's today - where I never shop really....and they had a ton of kids clothes on the $4.99 rack and $6.99 rack + 50% off. I picked up two terry dress/swim cover for my daughter in a size big so she'd have them for the cruise and next summer. But they also had two-peice outfits, shorts, tshirts and on the $9.99 rack they had swim suits. So if you need to adjust sizes for March- you may want to go and pick some up - but bring your coupon from the paper for an EXTRA 15% off.

Rani

[atinkerbellmom]

SHHHHHHHH................... Do not tell JS, about the sell; MS might see it. Shopping is a secret. We shop and pack and shop again. Ladies I feel so behind, I have been so busy, I have not hit all of the racks yet. After Labor Day, I know it will be gone. :hourglass

[Johnna_Story]

SHHHHHHHH................... Do not tell JS, about the sell; MS might see it. Shopping is a secret. We shop and pack and shop again. Ladies I feel so behind, I have been so busy, I have not hit all of the racks yet. After Labor Day, I know it will be gone. :hourglass

That's what PM's are for! :banana: :banana:

[atinkerbellmom]

I have to say, I have been so busy with these pillowcases I offered to do for other DISers that I almost hate looking at the PMs. Lately I have just come to this cruisemeet thread. Each time the request calm down and I catch up, I get more messages. I would rather get my PMs from you guys. :cloud9:
Rani-
DS has been talking with your boys via e-mail and he is really excited to meet them. He says "we will be great friends". He has been printing out activities and asking for past navigators, so they he can write them. So CUTE:goodvibes .
Off now to get the last minute supplies and who knows, catch a sales rack or two or three or four.........:hippie:

[Johnna_Story]

MMichelle- you are CRAZY :crazy2: :crazy: for volunteering to do all those pillowcases. I hope some people are at least compensating you for the cost of the materials. Since you can't "sell" stuff on the boards. I saw some of the samples you posted and they are just lovely. You obviously have a very generous heart. :love:

That said...knock it off and focus some time on US. :thumbsup2 It's all about your fellow March 1 cruisers now. :rotfl: We're a little over 6 months out so I expect to see this board activity heat up quite a bit!!

Anyone think of a nifty name for our group? Last year we were March Maniacal Mom or something like that. Get those minds working folks...:scratchin

Ciao for now! J

[ranidayz]

I have to say, I have been so busy with these pillowcases I offered to do for other DISers that I almost hate looking at the PMs. Lately I have just come to this cruisemeet thread. Each time the request calm down and I catch up, I get more messages. I would rather get my PMs from you guys. :cloud9:
Rani-
DS has been talking with your boys via e-mail and he is really excited to meet them. He says "we will be great friends". He has been printing out activities and asking for past navigators, so they he can write them. So CUTE:goodvibes .
Off now to get the last minute supplies and who knows, catch a sales rack or two or three or four.........:hippie:
YOU are making pillowcases for other people? That is very nice of you. There is such an easy way for them to make the cases themselves. They can either use a flat sheet they have around or buy one. Then, using the size case they want as a guide, they can cut the material, use facing tape to hem it with an iron and boom -- they have a pillowcase.....where are the pictures of the samples -- I haven't been able to check them, but I'm interested!

Rani

[atinkerbellmom]

MMichelle- you are CRAZY :crazy2: :crazy: for volunteering to do all those pillowcases. I hope some people are at least compensating you for the cost of the materials. Since you can't "sell" stuff on the boards. I saw some of the samples you posted and they are just lovely. You obviously have a very generous heart. :love:

That said...knock it off and focus some time on US. :thumbsup2 It's all about your fellow March 1 cruisers now. :rotfl: We're a little over 6 months out so I expect to see this board activity heat up quite a bit!!

Anyone think of a nifty name for our group? Last year we were March Maniacal Mom or something like that. Get those minds working folks...:scratchin

Ciao for now! J

ALL SO TRUE LADY J........ I am CRAZY or at least they have drove me crazy. It all started by me offering to do one for one DISer who decided after I made it, that she did not want it. I do have them pay for the case and shipping. I have been nuts and picking up the other part of the exspense because I do it for a hobby. The problem is, once the thread dies down, someone ask me to post the ones they had me make or someone else post pictures and there goes my PMs again. My DH told me to STOP already. He reminded me that as of now, I usually have started to pack :lmao: . He came up with the idea of just making shirts for all of our kids and not those other guys. I know, we need to get busy. I keep feeling like there is something I need to be doing.
Are you guys coming in the night before and if so, where are you staying? You have to help me plan our Eastern Beach activities. As I mentioned before, this is our first time doing the Eastern. This is also our first time doing March. We have done May, May & July. Different weather for us. I am looking forward to the extra Sea day.
Do you guys do Door Magnets? I have never done this before. Did I mention my computer crafty talent stinks?
Everyone need to make sure all of the info Kim has on them is complete. I think everyone was missing some stuff, (me included).
Okay PILLOWCASES ASIDE and Cruisemates first.:cool1:

[ranidayz]

ALL SO TRUE LADY J........ I am CRAZY or at least they have drove me crazy. It all started by me offering to do one for one DISer who decided after I made it, that she did not want it. I do have them pay for the case and shipping. I have been nuts and picking up the other part of the exspense because I do it for a hobby. The problem is, once the thread dies down, someone ask me to post the ones they had me make or someone else post pictures and there goes my PMs again. My DH told me to STOP already. He reminded me that as of now, I usually have started to pack :lmao: . He came up with the idea of just making shirts for all of our kids and not those other guys. I know, we need to get busy. I keep feeling like there is something I need to be doing.
Are you guys coming in the night before and if so, where are you staying? You have to help me plan our Eastern Beach activities. As I mentioned before, this is our first time doing the Eastern. This is also our first time doing March. We have done May, May & July. Different weather for us. I am looking forward to the extra Sea day.
Do you guys do Door Magnets? I have never done this before. Did I mention my computer crafty talent stinks?
Everyone need to make sure all of the info Kim has on them is complete. I think everyone was missing some stuff, (me included).
Okay PILLOWCASES ASIDE and Cruisemates first.:cool1:
Oh, sure, now that I've added the need to make pillowcases in my notebook, now I need to find out about what the magnets are for.....

What other cruise mysteries are there lurking out there?!?!?! :o)

[Johnna_Story]

I do door magnets (but have never done pillowcases!).

Some people do really elaborate graphics, and fonts, etc. I don't - mine are very basic clip art arranged on a page, and I use the Disney font. I'll try to email a sample to you. I just color print them on regular paper, and then got a roll of magnet tape and put a piece on each corner.

A lot of people get Disney paint chips from Home Depot/Lowes and make them into magnets also. There is a whole thread about door signs, but I find it very itimidating!!! I'll stick to my clip art and paint chips. :thumbsup2

[Johnna_Story]

Are you guys coming in the night before and if so, where are you staying? You have to help me plan our Eastern Beach activities. As I mentioned before, this is our first time doing the Eastern. This is also our first time doing March. We have done May, May & July. Different weather for us. I am looking forward to the extra Sea day.

Okay PILLOWCASES ASIDE and Cruisemates first.:cool1:

I know you'll do what's best about the pillowcases. I applaud your generosity, but it must be a huge demand on your time.

We are actually coming in on Thursday, and we'll probably stay at the Residence Inn; I do a lot of meetings at local Marriotts and get points so we stay there for free. I know ejkjmom is coming Friday and staying at the Radisson.

As for beach activities: we didn't beach at St. Maarten last year - we stayed on ship. It was really interesting and nice to be on board when the ship was in port - it was quiet, and the kids had the Mickey pool practically to themselves. And also DH and I were sunburned from our lounging on deck the day before, so going to a beach was not for us that day! DD and I went to the beach in St. Thomas the next day (the boys did the submarine excursion) - we went to Maagen's Bay - it was beautiful. Kind of crowded, but nice. We went on our own in a taxi - not the Disney excursion. It was a little cheaper that way. The only bad thing about the beach was the line for the snack bar was CRAZY long. But it was a calm bay, not a lot of waves, so DD was in the water A LOT. I know Norm and Kim went to a beach in St. John - I don't remember which, but they really liked that one too.

The weather last year in March was great - probably not as great as in May or June! :goodvibes But we had done February twice prior, and it was not good - only one nice sunny day the whole week. So hopefully it will be a good March in 2008 too. :woohoo:

Ciao for now - J

[atinkerbellmom]

Guess What Guys, My niece decided to get married.......... Guess where???? Sunny California.......... Guess when????????????? The week before the cruise :scared1: :scared1: :scared1: I guess I have to go up in the air to come down again to go back up to go down to sea legs :eek:
This wedding has been in the talk for two years and all I desired was that they stay away from the week before the cruise, the week of the cruise and the week after...... They claim they honestly did look into changing it, but since this is her Spring Break and she is a school teacher, they decided it was the best time. A little stressing you think?:confused3
MMichelle

[Johnna_Story]

:scared1: :scared1: Can you say - Frequent Flyer Miles???

My sister is getting married but not until the end of March, so we have two weeks to recuperate.

Hey - at least you can have your formal night dress for the wedding, and then the cruise. Silver lining... ? :confused3 :goodvibes

[ejkjmom]

Geez...I'm feeling a little left out, so thought I'd better pipe in with my 2 cents worth!!! You girls have been busy today LOL!!!!!

I totally understand the stress you are feeling trying to plan your first Disney Cruise...you want it to be perfect and you want to make sure you have everything planned before you go..been there done that, so I do understand...

As far as the door magnets go....the only thing that we did was the home depot paint chips, with our name's on them, and then I cut out big black mickey ears to go on top of the room number on the door (it makes it look like Mickey's head...cute)... I will bring enough of both for everyone, and hand them out when we meet for our meet and greet on the first day :thumbsup2

Eastern Activities....can't say that we done anything too exciting ( unless you count shopping at Diamonds International LOL!!!!) St. Maarten we did the Butterfly Farm on our own....Would NOT recommend doing that one, as far as we were concerned, it was a big waste of time...DD's Emily 13 and Kaylee 10 didn't like it at all, seemed like the farm was out in the middle of a drab pasture... seriously, and the drive over there was anything but scenic...it was actually depressing.... then we had to wait for a taxi to come back and get us !!!!!! I think booking thru Disney would have been better,as far as being a scenic drive, but don't think that would have made the Butterfly farm anymore interesting LOL!!!

WE did then take a taxi over to Marigot (the French side), that was really a pretty drive.... and we got a much niecer taxi driver that time around. so that helped... after we got back from Marigot, we hung out at the beach which was within eye shot of the Disney Magic...we truely enjoyed that the most, it was a nice beach. There are chairs and umbrella's that you can rent for a pretty reasonable price, as well as outdoor bar/s that was just across the street, that you could go and get a drink and bring it back to where you are sitting... it really was a Great place to hang out... the girls loved it, as did Ron and I...they also had great little shops in the same area...to get there and back from the ship, they have a water taxi that is a short and easy 5 minute (or so) ride...I'm sure that is what we will plan on doing again this time around...

St Thomas...after the whole Butterfly Farm deal...we decide to just hang out close to the ship...we took a taxi into town and did some shopping for gifts to take back home...and that was it!

It really is nice to get back to the ship early and take advantage of the pools, that was what my girls enjoyed the most during port days...

Be prepared for LONG lines when you get off the ship if you get off early...since we didn't have any set times that we had to be anywhere, we sleep in and avoided the lines..which was nice;)

I know that last year I felt like I had to have something planned during port days....but I feel differently about that this time around, I think we will just hang out close to the ship and take advantage of the quite pools:thumbsup2

Okay I was long winded again...sorry:sad2:

[atinkerbellmom]

Hey Guys, I PMed Kate and told her how to get on the main thread board. I invited her back if she finds out she is going the 1st week in March, but to get her questions answered to go to the main boards and she may actually get them answered by other teens. :hippie:

[atinkerbellmom]

Okay guys-
First of all welcome back to the school life for some. I hope the Labor Day went well. First Labor Day in a while I did not spend with laboring women:lmao:.

I had to come and bump us. It took me looking through 4 pages to even find our thread. What's up with that. Maybe I should go back to making pillowcases.:rotfl2: Even the November 2008 cruises had posted since we have. I need all of you to post so that I can follow your ticker tape. Never took the time to download mine. :surfweb:

Just had a minute to say Hi and to say lets chat more. Everyone get the cruise attire thing done yet? What is the temp. usually?
MMichelle

[TammyAlphabet]

I have no idea of the temps. I wondered about that. We are doing organized tours on both islands we visit, and I think it would be a drag to carry a sweatshirt for everyone. But, I hope that won't be the case. I assume that the decks might get chilly at night though.

I am planning on buying my son a pair of dress pants and a dress shirt for formal nights, no tuxes for us.. We are going to a wedding tomorrow so I am going to get those today. As for my daughter, I will get her a nice dress and one for me prior to the wedding. I have bought swim shoes for everybody and new swim suits for the kids. That is it. I guess I should buy some new shorts for my daugther since she wore last years this year since when I got them they were a tad big. I am going to Goodys as I think they will have everything that I need.

My brother, who is sharing a cabin with my son, bought a new suit for an interview he had not long ago and I assume that he will be bringing that with him. I will wait for the after new year sales on formal wear to pick up an outfit for formal night.

So that comprises my plans for attire. Ha ha. I think that might have been more that you bargained for.

We were thinking of going to St. Johns but I have scrapped that idea. Simply because we would get so little time on the island. I would like to get up early and go to the beach via cab and then pick up the tour with Sonny Liston on St. Thomas and then when the tour ends around 2, go back to the boat instead of beach, since we have to get back for all aboard around 4.

175 days to go I think!

[Johnna_Story]

Having gone at the same time last year, I can pretty safely say the weather is pretty warm during the day - breezy when at sea, but warm breezy. And all of our port days were warm - great beach weather. And it's great because it's not really hot at all, but just perfectly warm enough to hang at the beach, shop, walk around, etc. Nights are kind of cool, but not really sweatshirt cool, more light sweater/long sleeve t-shirt cool.

If anyone from last year wants to pipe in if my remembering isn't accurate, feel free. I am getting older you know! :laughing:

Hope you're all doing well as we head into fall. Perhaps the Vermonters and Minnesotans are taking out their snow boots already :lmao: - I'm just such a cold weather wimp that to me, living someplace where it's winter 80% of the year is completely out of my comfort zone.

Ciao for now...Johnna :wave2:

[atinkerbellmom]

Hope you're all doing well as we head into fall. Perhaps the Vermonters and Minnesotans are taking out their snow boots already :lmao: - I'm just such a cold weather wimp that to me, living someplace where it's winter 80% of the year is completely out of my comfort zone.

Ciao for now...Johnna :wave2:

:lmao: :rotfl2: :lmao: :rotfl2: :lmao: :rotfl2: :lmao: :rotfl2:
Last time I checked, you guys kept pretty even with us. No rush to get to the upper east coast.:rotfl: The only thing that will pull me that way are the people.:thumbsup2 . Maybe I should post a thread saying Anyone living near the mouse whom likes being a "host family", PM me!!!! :banana: I have to connect with some Florida Cruisers. Maybe when it is 30 degrees below zero, I can visit in January. SHHHHHH, do not tell DS, he is very much desiring to tour Washington DC. See he loves studying stuff like that. Total part of the G--K Squad:eek: Everyone says he will make some lady very happy and rich someday with his looks and academic abilities. I answer yes, his MOTHER........

Thanks for the weather up-date. I still need to get a couple pair of Capris. My girls at the office swear not to worry, they come back out in January. :hippie: MMichelle

[tktstjohn]

The Vermonters cooked yesterday (92)! Yea Johnna, I remember the weather being perfect during the whole cruise last year. Your description sounded pretty accuurate.

Jet Blue added a dicrect flight from Burlington to Orlando last week. The problem is that they are not booking into March yet. I did book 1 way for the morning of Feb 29th. I will book the return trip as soon as they open March. We are going to stay with Kim/Norm/Josh at D.World for the night, and head to the port the next morning.

Hope all is well with everyone.

Tim

[Johnna_Story]

We are going to stay with Kim/Norm/Josh at D.World for the night, and head to the port the next morning.

Hope all is well with everyone.

Tim

Tim - good call to stay overnight the night before. We've always gone down on Thursday prior - even though it's early March, you never know if snow/ice or any other kind of weather will totally screw up the travel plans. With a buffer of two days, it takes the stress out. Plus it gives us a couple extra days of vacation! :banana: It helps that we stay free at Marriott Residence Inn - the benefits of planning meetings/events.

DS and I are watching the Red Sox currently losing to the Orioles... but I'm sure that will change soon. Mark and DS were so excited when the benches cleared last night!

Ciao for now! J

[ranidayz]

I was wondering what happened! I"ve been out of the pic for a while because of school and getting ready for the Jewish High HOlidays -- takes up all my time!

Heads Up: I just went to Target on Friday and all their speedo stuff was 75% off, flotation bathing suits, goggles, vests, beach socks, sandals, sun hats, etc....so picked some up for Tali.

I'm so retentive, I started my packing lists so I can make sure I don't overpack, but don't underpack....I don't want to spend my vacation doing laundry! I picked up some eyepatches from the Halloween store for Pirate night and have a backpack for everyone to take on the plane....still trudging along in my planning...love this hobby. I'll make my magnets and pillowcases when it's cold out - I still have some time.

Have a great week,
Rani
:hippie: :hippie: :hippie:

[ranidayz]

OK, so we just came back from the last day at the pool and I started wondering....do we have to bring our own towels to bring to the beaches or can we use some from the ship or what? I'm probably brining my own for the shower because Hotel size towels are not made so you can wear them comfortably for an hour while you get the rest of the family ready....but I just don't know about the beach....

Here's hoping your answers are what I want to hear!

Thanks,
Rani

[Johnna_Story]

OK, so we just came back from the last day at the pool and I started wondering....do we have to bring our own towels to bring to the beaches or can we use some from the ship or what? I'm probably brining my own for the shower because Hotel size towels are not made so you can wear them comfortably for an hour while you get the rest of the family ready....but I just don't know about the beach....

Here's hoping your answers are what I want to hear!

Thanks,
Rani

They provide towels for excursions and on Castaway Cay. They're not beach towel size - more the hotel size, but you can take as many as you want, so I usually grab a couple extra. So my advice is don't pack towels - they take up valueable space in your suitcase that you need for shoes! :rotfl:

[ranidayz]

Hey everyone - you are going to love this! If you go to www.vistaprint.com and click "promotional givaways" on the left hand side, it's going to have a link for t-shirts....

click on it and you can customize a tshirt for free - and only pay shipping, which is under $5.

When you say, "use design template" it's going to give you an option to enter some search criteria, and if you choose "sporting events" there is a great logo of a pirate!

So here's the deal, you can choose advanced editing and choose font, color, text, etc.... and you could even customize it to say the name and date of the cruise, Pirate Theme Night, the names of your family, whatever......and even better, you could make it for your husband and give it to him for the holidays!

The offer expires Sept. 15 --- btw, only one t per account.....

hope you enjoy!

Rani

[Johnna_Story]

Just want to bump us up in case anyone else is looking for us.

IT's a crazy week here at work and home - and DD is sick today. Many thanks to Mark who stayed home because I couldn't.

I have about 10 minutes to eat right now, but I decided to post and check in too. That leaves me 8 minutes to down my strawberry banana yogurt parfait! Yummy. :banana:

Ciao for now!!!

[TammyAlphabet]

I got my DD and my passport today but didn't get one for my DS. It is delayed because he didn't sign the passport in cursive. But it shouldn't be too far behind. I hope.

170 days to go!!

[TammyAlphabet]

I got my DS's passport today. We are ready to rock and roll.....

[Johnna_Story]

Tammy - you're a few steps ahead of us! I dropped off DD's passport application on Monday, but couldn't do DS's because he wasn't with me. Having his old passport and updated pictures, and all of his documentation wasn't enough. What was the guy thinking?? That I'd want to take some one else's kid on vacation with me! :lmao:

Happy weekend everyone! :cool1: :cool1:

PS - Brenda: I didn't forget about you!! I'm swamped at work and can only take 2-3 minutes to post on the Dis these days. When I PM you, it's about 20 minutes to update you on life events, so I'll try to send one this weekend! Love ya IBF! :love:

[ranidayz]

We got all three of the kids passports last week. I guess mine is taking longer because it's a renewal...and poor Craig...his got rejected because he had gotten on five years ago for work and they cancelled his tourist passport -- so he had to go reapply and get a new passport to start the whole process over. But I think as long as we have them all by Dec. 2 (at least for us first time cruisers) we're going to be ok...
I am just so excited for this cruise!

Rani

[TammyAlphabet]

Rani, sorry to hear about your DH passport delay. However, they are coming more quickly.

My DD and I went to HSM on ice in Nashville this weekend, and it was cute but the preteen girls in the audience went wild over the Troy character. And I saw Lisa Hartman Black there with her little girl. Another brush with greatness for me!!

164 days until we fly out to Orlando. I just made our dinner reservations for the night before the cruise and the night after we get off the boat. I had to make a reservation for o'hanas for the Saturday night after we get off the boat to make leaving the boat more painless. lol.

Woo hoo!!

[TammyAlphabet]

Come on guys, you make me feel like a thread killer!!! lol. Yoo hoo? Is anybody there? lol. 162 days to go!!

[Johnna_Story]

Tammy - you're not a thread killer!!! It's just been crazy busy here at work and at home. I'm headed to "Moms Gone Wild" weekend with 7 friends on Friday, so I'm trying to get ready for that, pick my outfits, decide what shoes to bring, and shop for necessities - like tequila. :laughing: :laughing: Not to mention making sure the kids have enough clean clothes and there's enough food in the house for while I'm gone.

Oh, and we're busy watching the gap close between the Yankees and the Red Sox in the American League East standings. Only 2 1/2 games.... Gotta love Gagne. :woohoo:


(Sorry Tim, Kim, Travis, and Mark - had to get that in there!)

Ciao for now. J

[TammyAlphabet]

Moms gone wild!!!! What fun! I am taking off for a solo long weekend myself next month. My very first. I hope you have a good time. Be careful with that tequila, I tend to go a little crazy with tequila.....

Tammy

[atinkerbellmom]

Oh Ladies, you make me feel bad, I have not posted. I've read but not posted. We have been so busy on this end getting DD off to kindergarten and those pregnant ladies have kept me sooo busy at the clinic and hospital. What was 9 months ago, whatever it was, I was not there or "doing it". :lmao: Maybe I was in cruise depression then since we had just got off the ship. I actually have to go into the office now. I took the morning off, because we are listing our house with a new agent today. Yes we are one of those crazy people trying to sell a house in a crappy market. We think it will work now. The problem is, we have already bought another, so this one has to go.

I'm a little jealous, Girls weekend???? Believe it or not, I only get away for an evening at a time. Maybe I need to start hanging out on the East Coast.

Rani- I hope you had a great Holiday. DS is loving the e-mails with the boys.

Talk to you soon, :hippie:

[Johnna_Story]

... those pregnant ladies have kept me sooo busy at the clinic and hospital. What was 9 months ago, whatever it was, I was not there or "doing it". :lmao:

When we took our childbirth class before DS was born (7 yrs. ago next week), they told us September and October are the two busiest months in the maternity ward. January and February are cold months I guess - perfect for a little snugglin'...:laughing:


I'm a little jealous, Girls weekend???? Believe it or not, I only get away for an evening at a time. Maybe I need to start hanging out on the East Coast.

This is the first time I've ever done it. Friends have done it and I've always been jealous. I'm so excited. I highly recommend you do it if you can - I'll give you all a trip report when I get back - knowing it will be censored due to DH's reading this board too!! :rotfl2:

[TammyAlphabet]

Quick question....When is 90 days out from our cruise?

[atinkerbellmom]

Quick question....When is 90 days out from our cruise?

I think it is like December 2nd. Kim posted it a few pages back. Right before Rani joined. Anyone know without looking back????

JS, trip report. Remember you told me, that's what PMs are for. Hey ladies, after we get back from DCL maybe we can do a ladies cruise on RCCL or something. Oh no did I say RCCL, well at least I did not say the "C" one.

[TammyAlphabet]

I am all for a ladies cruise, as long as it is in the month of June. That is the only time that I can go, except for Christmas, and I kinda want to be with the kids for Christmas. I have to work the rest of the year and can't take off. But I do love to cruise and I am really thinking of booking a hawaii cruise for Christmas in 2008. I have always wanted to go to hawaii and celebrity has a great fare over Christmas 2008.

[TammyAlphabet]

158 days!! Woo Hoo!!:cool1:

[atinkerbellmom]

158 days!! Woo Hoo!!:cool1:

:banana: :woohoo: :banana: :woohoo: :banana: :woohoo: :banana:
Oh my, I need to get busy........ I have not booked our flight or hotel yet:eek: I have not even started my packing list yet......

I'm a little jealous:snooty: all of you have trips planned before this trip. Solo trips, couple trips, girls trips....... Where have I gone wrong:confused3 ? I will start looking into a Girlzzz Cruizzze though. We can look at June after we return, if that works:thumbsup2

[atinkerbellmom]

So noone answered me, :lmao: Let me get this straight......
Brenda is organizing the kid's overnight PJ party in her room,
Jennifer is organizing all of the spa treatments on CC.
Bill & Lisa are organizing the 70's party
Kim is organizing the activities for the kids
Norm is organizing a sports afternoon with the kids
The other Kim is organizing our night at Studio Sea
Michelle is organizing our shopping day in St. John's
Tammy is organizing the DIS meet
and Johnna is organizing the Palo Brunch & EVERYTHING else, RIGHT???????????:confused3
Have you noticed I left out someone??????? Maybe I can organize drinks and naps by the Goofy pool. :rotfl: :lmao: :rotfl2: :happytv:
Just kidding....... I just needed to laugh.
:grouphug: Love ya all....... MMichelle

So how are we coming on the planning? I still think Brenda has the coolest activity. Could you be sure to make THOSE over night PJ parties on sea days and be sure to pick the kids straight up from the clubs. Did I hear somewhere you plan on doing two parties???? :lmao: :rotfl2: :laughing: :rotfl:
I think we all read that somewhere Brenda, didn't you remember posting that?
:lmao: :rotfl2: :laughing: :rotfl: :lmao: :rotfl2: :laughing: :rotfl:

No, I did want to repost the goddie bag idea. I will look this week for pirate goodies bag and beach goodie bag stuff and price it all out. Will keep it simple yet cute. I will let you all know what it is running and what would be inside. You then can let me know if you want me to count you in. :hippie:
MMichelle

[atinkerbellmom]

A little bump. We wer on page 3...... COme on guys......:surfweb:

[Johnna_Story]

A little bump. We wer on page 3...... COme on guys......:surfweb:

MMichelle - did I see over on the main board that you are up to your pillowcase antics again!?!? Didn't we discuss this... :confused3

[atinkerbellmom]

MMichelle - did I see over on the main board that you are up to your pillowcase antics again!?!? Didn't we discuss this... :confused3

:lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

Yes I learned. Maybe I should leave it. I just want to see what they look like done. Maybe I should PM them instead of post.:upsidedow I did PM the person on the thread and told them I was not taking anymore request. I told them, I have to get ready for MARCH ;) They did drive me BONKERS last time.:crazy2: :faint:

[ranidayz]

Yea! I got my passport today which is the last passport we were waiting for - so i can check that one off the list.

Magnets - so I have a bunch of Tiki shirts in Disney store boxes ready for the holidays and I realized I can cut out the figures from the boxes and laminate them and slap some magnet tape on them and slip those in the suitcase = i think that will have to do for the first cruise....

Heads up at www.thechildrensplace.com - they have foldable waterproof anaoraks that fold into their own pockets and are really small -- so i got those for my two youngest since we are leaving Maryland in February to go to Florida and it may be breezy at night -- a stretch, but at $4.99 each, couldn't pass it up.

Still waiting until after Halloween to get pirate paraphanalia.....

Am I the only one who is so excited that I can't stop preparing five months early for this cruise?

Oh yeah - we got Southwest tickets down there on Feb. 28 for $49 each!!!! Yea! Now we're just waiting for them to open up the return flights.

Happy planning,
Rani
:hippie: :hippie: :hippie:

[atinkerbellmom]

Hey Rani-
My Godmother is cruising with us too. She is from Baltimore. I think she did not book SW because the return flight was not out yet. Sounds as if you got a good deal. :hippie:

[Johnna_Story]

Who-hoo!!! :cool1: :woohoo:

Rani - thanks for the heads up on SW flights!!! We booked out of Dulles for $49/each one way. The return flights should open tomorrow - hopefully we can get the same price for the return!

We got DD's passport yesterday - totally shocking!!!! I dropped off her application only two or three weeks ago! Maybe because she's 4 and didn't have to verify anything except her birth certificate. Painless!! Hopefully it will be as easy for DS.

DS's birthday is today - he's 7. Time flies... I have to update my signature. Busy weekend planned for the party, baseball practice, baseball games, and DD starts Ballet tomorrow too. Whew... I'm exhausted already.:faint:

Happy weekend!! Johnna

[atinkerbellmom]

MMichelle - did I see over on the main board that you are up to your pillowcase antics again!?!? Didn't we discuss this... :confused3

Good morning JS-
Decided to do a quick check in before off to the office. I just needed to say, you have to admit, the cases are cute aren't they:goodvibes :lmao:

Rani, Johnna, Tammy- Maybe we have to e-mail the other guys and ask them where they are:confused3 , I feel like a "thread hogger". Maybe they are just busy. Sounds like JS is.......

MMichelle

[Johnna_Story]

Good morning JS-
Decided to do a quick check in before off to the office. I just needed to say, you have to admit, the cases are cut aren't they:goodvibes :lmao:

Rani, Johnna, Tammy- Maybe we have to e-mail the other guys and ask them where they are:confused3 , I feel like a "thread hogger". Maybe they are just busy. Sounds like JS is.......

MMichelle

Cases are cute!! Again - you're very generous.

And yes, we may all be busy, but I like to take time to say hi to my friends at least once a week. That's what lunch hour is for! :yay:

Ciao for now! Johnna

[ranidayz]

OK - so where are the pictures of these pillow cases? I can't find them anywhere? I do have my flat sheets here ready to be cut and sewn...figure I'll do it next time DH is on a business trip....

Totally can't wait for this cruise....

Rani

[ejkjmom]

Cases are cute!! Again - you're very generous.

And yes, we may all be busy, but I like to take time to say hi to my friends at least once a week. That's what lunch hour is for! :yay:

Ciao for now! Johnna

Okay...I was having a bad case of the guilts anyway about not keeping in touch....now I feel like a total SCHMUCK!!!!!!!!!! I beg for forgiveness:worship: :worship:

Okay now for the excuses.......our internet was down(again) and when we got it up and running, my dis board password was gone and so it wouldn't let me make any post...I have been keeping up on our thread and your post's...and after reading Johnna's post...I thought I'd better get my password figured out ;) before I was ousted out :upsidedow (It's a CRAZY password...the dis boards must pick it out for you???:confused3 )
Anyway...Johnna..I still Love You!!!!!:hug: I wanted to post you before your Mom's Gone Wild trip to tell you Wild Mom's to keep your shirts down!!!! We don't want to see you on some late night commerical for the New "Mom's Gone Wild Viedo!!!!!LOL!!!!!!

Yay :cheer2: :cheer2: for the SW airfares!!!!! more $$$$ for those yummy drinks LOL!!!! I booked SW but had to pay $119 for our one way fare, still alot less then anything else I have seen... I have also booked our car rental and the Raddison for Friday night!!! Can't Wait!!!!

Now for another excuse...I have been busy tearing my house apart...stripping wall paper( Big time YUCK!!!!) new counter tops..painting.. carpet etc....so we have been in a mess for this whole week and probably well into next week.. but I am having fun with it, as crazy as it sounds.....

I think I have missed the whole pillowcase thing...I'm so out of the loop..which brings me to the kids sleepovers!!????? I could've swore that it was the Story's that were in charge of that :confused3.... they are much more FUN and responsable then we are...you children will be in MUCH better hands with them LOL!!!!! I will assist in the drinks and the naps...that is much more up my alley!!!!! SO sign me up!!!!!

I pinky promise that if I have your forgiveness on my lack of post... I will do better :thumbsup2

Have a GREAT weekend!!!
Brenda :)

[ejkjmom]

Okay all you Southwest flyers.....I just saw where SW isn't going to book flights past March 7th... until Nov 8th, the same thing happened to me last year, SW stopped taking reservations the day before we needed to book our return flight.

I guess if we don't get a return flight home...we will just have to stay just on the ship :thumbsup2

[ejkjmom]

Hey Rani-
My Godmother is cruising with us too. She is from Baltimore. I think she did not book SW because the return flight was not out yet. Sounds as if you got a good deal. :hippie:


Last year (and this year as well) I booked my flight out with SW and had to wait quite a while to book my return flight...and it worked out just fine...I can understand her concern though, but like I said in my last post..if we don't get a return flight home, all of us SW flyers will just NOT get off the ship!!!!:)

[ejkjmom]

So how are we coming on the planning? I still think Brenda has the coolest activity. Could you be sure to make THOSE over night PJ parties on sea days and be sure to pick the kids straight up from the clubs. Did I hear somewhere you plan on doing two parties???? :lmao: :rotfl2: :laughing: :rotfl:
I think we all read that somewhere Brenda, didn't you remember posting that?
:lmao: :rotfl2: :laughing: :rotfl: :lmao: :rotfl2: :laughing: :rotfl:

No, I did want to repost the goddie bag idea. I will look this week for pirate goodies bag and beach goodie bag stuff and price it all out. Will keep it simple yet cute. I will let you all know what it is running and what would be inside. You then can let me know if you want me to count you in. :hippie:
MMichelle


PLease note edit change to the above post......
Insert "Johnna" where ever you see the name "Brenda"

We appoligize for any confusion that this may have caused...:lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

[atinkerbellmom]

Welcome back Brenda- Sounds as if your "ship has been full".:laundy: :teacher: :yay: :dance3: No time for :surfweb: or :coffee:
Maybe since Kim has not been on the boards for a while, we can edit the post to place her name in. Let's vote on it....... Can I get a first & second vote and carry the motion:rotfl2: :lmao: If we act quick, we can put the motion into action before she has time to check the boards.... :rotfl:

If you SW people do not get return flights and can not get off the ship, all I have to say is Sleepover in your room for the next 7 days for all 4 Moores.:lmao:

[Johnna_Story]

Welcome back Brenda- Sounds as if your "ship has been full".:laundy: :teacher: :yay: :dance3: No time for :surfweb: or :coffee:
Maybe since Kim has not been on the boards for a while, we can edit the post to place her name in. Let's vote on it....... Can I get a first & second vote and carry the motion:rotfl2: :lmao: If we act quick, we can put the motion into action before she has time to check the boards.... :rotfl:

If you SW people do not get return flights and can not get off the ship, all I have to say is Sleepover in your room for the next 7 days for all 4 Moores.:lmao:

First and Second. (On behalf of Mark!) :rotfl:

I'm all for staying on the ship. Brenda - love you too!!! K and R loved all the PM's yesterday! Talk to you soon, J :cutie:

[TammyAlphabet]

Hello!!! I went away for a few days and you guys are posting like maniacs!! Yeah!!

I have been watching the fares from nashville to mco on southwest and other arilines since forever and they have not moved. So, I am waiting on a fare sale, and if I don't get one, I guess I will have a long, long drive. Just kidding, I have faith in Southwest, they will come thru for me. But right now, the flight down is 149+ one way. Yikes!!

I have hotels booked for the night before and night after already. So, that is taken care of already.

All I need is airfare, and, to pay for the cruise, of course, ha ha ha.

But, I have booked another cruise for December 2008, to Hawaii!! Not sure if it will actually materialize but, at least I have locked in the lower rates. Of course, I don't yet know what DCL is doing summer 2009, so that might affect my plans.

Have a great weekend guys!

[atinkerbellmom]

Hey Tammy-
I can't believe you guys can do all of these trips. I am sooo jealous. Now ladies, you have to save some $ for the ladies 3 or 4 day cruise. I want to do the Hawaii thing sooooo bad, but we have decided we can not until the kids are a little older.

I was wondering if you guys wanted to start a thread for the kids 8 and above on the meets section so they can talk. DS has really enjoyed e-mailing Rani's DSs. A couple of them may be a little young yet. My friend is going with us, her DDs are 15 & 12 now. The 15 will turn 16 right before the cruise and I can set them up on-line. Very good girls. Still pretty sweet and innocent.:hippie:

[TammyAlphabet]

hey tink,

I have DVC, that is how I afford the trips. As for the cruise, well, I have to make cutbacks in other areas to afford them. But it is all good. I guess I prefer taking cruises to having a new car, mine is seven years old. Plus, I teach extra in the summer to afford my trips.

[kshabare]

O.K. so I have not been here in a while, but how did I get stuck with the kid's activity?:confused3 LOL
Hey Tim how about the pub games we played last year when it was just supposed to be with adults. Sam Adams and kids, does not get any better than that.

Talk at you later...
Norm

[ranidayz]

OMG - my kids have been so busy with soccer and school and everything that they've fallen a little behind on the email business -but I think a board would be nice...any way to keep it private so there aren't any lurkers who the moms don't know about? I'm new to this....

rani

[ejkjmom]

Thought I'd give us a bump up and a Happy Wednesday to everyone:)

[TammyAlphabet]

I have sad news. My brother (who was coming on this cruise with us) and I have decided that it would be better for us to delay our cruise for a few months. I have cancelled the cruise. I am sorry to not be joining you guys, but, it can't be helped at this time. Stuff happens I guess. My kids don't want to cruise Disney without him and I don't either.

I know you guys will have a wonderful time. I wish you all the best.

Tammy

[ranidayz]

Tammy,
I'm really sorry for your cruise plans...it's so hard when you're excited about something and it doesn't come through like you planned....sorry I won't get a chance to meet you....

Rani

[TammyAlphabet]

Thanks, I wanted to meet you guys too, but, canceling the cruise was the responsible thing to do. I know you will have a great time.

[Johnna_Story]

Tammy - we'll miss you!!! Hopefully we'll be cruising with you sometime in the future! Good luck with planning your next trip - hope those Dis'ers are as cool as us! :thumbsup2

[atinkerbellmom]

Oh no Tammy-
I am sorry you have to put off the trip, I understand if one link of a chain is missing it is not the same chain. We understand and know it did not come with easy decision for you. We sooo looked fwd to meeting you guys, but we can stay in touch. Still come to the thread to talk with us. If we are ever in that area of the woods, we will let you know. Let us know if things change. You will be missed on the ship. :hippie: :love: :lmao: (Peace Love & Happiness). MMichelle

[atinkerbellmom]

HAPPY MONDAY ALL.......... Just a little bump. we were on the bottom of page 3. Is JS back yet Mark? I want to hear trip details..... :hippie:

[ranidayz]

yes - i'm a little retentive, but i've got questions about what to pack this many months in advance..

What is the toiletry situation on board? What do they provide, can you get more easily, do they make a big deal about it etc? What aobut extra towels, etc.

As you can probably see, I've got quite a copius amount of hair and it requires a ton of conditioner...so i need to know if i need to bring that and body lotion, etc....

Thanks,
Rani

[Johnna_Story]

HAPPY MONDAY ALL.......... Just a little bump. we were on the bottom of page 3. Is JS back yet Mark? I want to hear trip details..... :hippie:

I've tried to reply about 10 times - I've been back for a while now. And we were more "Mild" than "Wild" - no crazy pictures of us drunk, dancing on tables, but then again - this mom's weekend was new to us. It could be we were just out of practice...

If anyone's interested, here's a link to a montage of pictures (we call it the MOM-tage :lmao: :lmao: - I know - quite the punsters we are) from the weekend.
http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site/view_shared?p=3c86381a403166818932ed&skin_id=701&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=email

We spent most of our time talking, drinking, and shopping. But it was a great weekend of getting to know each other better and we're already planning for next year!

Oh - for those of you that don't know me - I'm the one in the first picture with the khaki pants, black t-shirt, and yankee hat!

[Johnna_Story]

yes - i'm a little retentive, but i've got questions about what to pack this many months in advance..

What is the toiletry situation on board? What do they provide, can you get more easily, do they make a big deal about it etc? What aobut extra towels, etc.

As you can probably see, I've got quite a copius amount of hair and it requires a ton of conditioner...so i need to know if i need to bring that and body lotion, etc....

Thanks,
Rani

Hey - they give you shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, and aloe. I'm sure they'll give you extra if you run out of anything. I always bring my own stuff b/c my hair never seems to do well when I change products.

And you can get as many towels as you want. The room stewards seem like they are always around - you can always find them when you want them, or you can ask on the first day for extra towels every day and they'll leave them for you.

Hope that helps! Johnna

[ejkjmom]

yes - i'm a little retentive, but i've got questions about what to pack this many months in advance..

What is the toiletry situation on board? What do they provide, can you get more easily, do they make a big deal about it etc? What aobut extra towels, etc.

As you can probably see, I've got quite a copius amount of hair and it requires a ton of conditioner...so i need to know if i need to bring that and body lotion, etc....

Thanks,
Rani

Hey Rani...I just Pm'd you about the shampoo.....also I wanted to throw in that I took a over the door clear shoe holder and it worked GREAT!!!!! I put EVERYTHING in it...it eliminates the "Mom where is the...???? Everyone knew that anything they needed.... toothbrushes/paste combs/hairspary, perfume/lotions, hair bands, husbands deodrant/shaver, sunscreen etc etc was in the over the door thingie.... this also eliminated ALOT of clutter and also worked great if someone was in the batroom.... you still could get what you needed (just be sure to hang it on the outside of the door):thumbsup2 also I put in $1 bills as well for any tips for room service etc.

Tammy...sorry to hear about your travel plans....hope that you can find a another date soon, that will work better for you and your family:)

As for the rest of you.....I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!
Just curious... anyone else TRYING to lose some (or ALOT) of precruise pounds??????

Have a great rest of the week
brenda:)

[atinkerbellmom]

Okay Brenda-
If you want to do the weight lost thing, I can start with you, but can we start Monday? :upsidedow I just need a little kick in the "BE - HIND". Maybe I should try to send you guys some pictures of us and you will understand. If I was to do the DIS "DIS Pound Wish" in my signature, you would say now how is that possible????:confused:
-MMichelle:hippie:

[ranidayz]

Hey Rani...I just Pm'd you about the shampoo.....also I wanted to throw in that I took a over the door clear shoe holder and it worked GREAT!!!!! I put EVERYTHING in it...it eliminates the "Mom where is the...???? Everyone knew that anything they needed.... toothbrushes/paste combs/hairspary, perfume/lotions, hair bands, husbands deodrant/shaver, sunscreen etc etc was in the over the door thingie.... this also eliminated ALOT of clutter and also worked great if someone was in the batroom.... you still could get what you needed (just be sure to hang it on the outside of the door):thumbsup2 also I put in $1 bills as well for any tips for room service etc.

Tammy...sorry to hear about your travel plans....hope that you can find a another date soon, that will work better for you and your family:)

As for the rest of you.....I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!
Just curious... anyone else TRYING to lose some (or ALOT) of precruise pounds??????

Have a great rest of the week
brenda:)
I just wrote the door hanger thing in my cruise book - very good idea. I'll just pick up a bottle of pantene conditioner in Florida when we get there and bring it on board and then leave it there. One year a friend brought me a bottle of Honey Cocomango lotion from a cruise and it was amazing - I could never find it anywhere to buy more.

I'm scared to start a cruise weight loss goal - because sure enough i'll gain weight.....i guess i'm always trying to take off the last baby weight (who is almost four, so clearly it'snot going anywhere!) so we'll see how I do.

Soooo, can't wait for this cruise....

[atinkerbellmom]

Okay All-
I have a question, anyone have a lady relative/friend that wants to cruise with us, but could go if they have a roommate. Or someone that would really stay in the room with someone else, but on paper/ reservation could room with someone else in order to save money? The reason I am asking is because my DF really wants to go back on the cruise with us (she went last cruise), but needs a roommate. The cost alone is so much higher and she just can not swing it alone. The only other people I know to room with her one has a very "busy" child and the other will not mix with her personality wise. My DF is very sweet and quiet and very laid back. We looked into changing one of the kids with her reservation for the sake of pricing, but we booked our trip sooo long ago that the difference in price is huge. Just throwing it out there to see if anyone has an answer.

[Johnna_Story]

Just bumping us up! Last post was 10/14 - two days ago. I'm sure we're bottom dwelling on page 4 or something... :laughing:

Happy Tuesday to everyone. MMichelle - wish I could help with a roommate for you. :confused3

Ciao for now. Johnna

[atinkerbellmom]

GOT MY PACKAGE FROM DCL TODAY, out lining the eastern. :banana: REALITY SETS IN........ Guess I should work on the air fare hummmmm......

[ranidayz]

How did you get it so early? I guess you're in the "way ahead" group because you have travelled DCL before....I know I can start doing things on Dec. 2 - so when should I receive my packet? (Insomniac that I am, I was up reading different Disney Cruisel lit the other night.)

Rani

[atinkerbellmom]

Rani-
I think our date is Dec. 2nd for the 90 days out. Yours is 75 days out, 15 days later. Now these were not the cruise documents you hear everyone talk about, it was the Eastern planning book and vacation information. I call it, the reminder you have a cruise to pay for mailing. It comes with a cute little note, saying your due date will be here before you know it, now lets see all of the fun things ou will be able to do, mailing. Now we do book our stuff through DCL directly and never deal with a TA, I do not know if that matters or not.:hippie:

[ranidayz]

Thanks for the info...

Very exciting news for me -- ok, nothing huge, but with a name like Rani, I have to take what I get. So I was in the Disney Store yesterday looking for something for Tali and I got the greatest surprise. Tinkerbell (who I've never gone crazy for) has some girlfriends....one of the fairies names is Rani - spelled the same way and pronounced the same way according tothe manager! Yea! Exciting! So I got myself a doll (what am I going to do with a doll?) which is staying in the box and a book with my name in the title! Yea - I've been waiting my whole life to find something with my name on it so I can fulfill my dreams from elemenatry school!

Ok - so that was a lot of exclamation points - but you understand....

Rani

[MAD on Disney]

Hello,

Just introducing ourselves. I hope I am not interloping into what appears to be a close-knit group of friends. We will be on the 03/01/08 Eastern Cruise. We've been to WDW many times and Disneyland a few times, but this will be our first for a Cruise. If I've figured out some of the jargon we are:

DH, Mike, 37 yrs
DW, Melissa, 36
DD, Kailyn, 7
DS, Jacob, 5

I signed up to the Disboards a few months ago, but believe this only my second post (my first having been about twenty minutes ago on another thread).

[atinkerbellmom]

OH BOY :woohoo: I get to be the first to :welcome: "M & M" Melissa and Mike to our family. We always have room for more family. You will get to know us over time. We are soooo happy to have you. We are a small but great group. The fact that we are smaller has given us the chance to get to know each other a little more. I do not know how much you have gone and back read, but we are a good "sane" group. It is sort of my retreat when I get tired of some of the other postings on the boards. SOmetimes I get on and just come to the cruise meets and ignore the main forum. :surfweb: Now I do have to say, this group sometimes gets a little behind on post and do not get on everyday, but we usually get there enough to keep us on the first 3-4 pages. Thanks for finding us and welcome. Where is your family from? Your DK will be in the clubs with my DD. :goodvibes :woohoo: Now you are a "friend".....

[atinkerbellmom]

Thanks for the info...

Very exciting news for me -- ok, nothing huge, but with a name like Rani, I have to take what I get. So I was in the Disney Store yesterday looking for something for Tali and I got the greatest surprise. Tinkerbell (who I've never gone crazy for) has some girlfriends....one of the fairies names is Rani - spelled the same way and pronounced the same way according tothe manager! Yea! Exciting! So I got myself a doll (what am I going to do with a doll?) which is staying in the box and a book with my name in the title! Yea - I've been waiting my whole life to find something with my name on it so I can fulfill my dreams from elemenatry school!

Ok - so that was a lot of exclamation points - but you understand....

Rani
Way to go Rani:banana: . Maybe we all have to go out and get one, to be sure they keep making her. I am a Tinkerbell fan (Could you tell?) and I did not know of Rani........ Hey, I got the kids to decide to be pirates for Halloween, can I say, saving a little cash.....:woohoo: Even though they would be 50% off after Halloween. DS has not heard from the boys lately. :hippie:

[Johnna_Story]

Wow!! So much exciting news in just two days.

WELCOME "MAD on Disney" family! party: I think you'll find that :disrocks: We are a fun group - and as I've said many times, the more the merrier for this group!! :yay: :yay: We are very excited to have new friends join us. :thumbsup2

Yes - I'm a little smilie happy this morning - give me a break, it's 6:30 am and I've been up over an hour already. :eek:

Rani - I totally relate; Johnna isn't exactly the most popular name in the book. In college, I was at a mall and there was a guy selling keychains with names and what the names mean. I bet him he didn't have my name; I lost the bet and had to buy the keychain! :goodvibes That was the first time anyone, anywhere, had my name on anything. Then, also in college, I went to a Hard Rock Cafe in NYC, and gave my name to the hostess. Now, I usually give someone else's name (still do) since my name growing up was Johnna Giardiello (yes, I know...you're all doing this right about now: :confused3 and thinking to yourselves "poor girl") so anyway... I told the hostess my name was Johnna - and she just stared at me! So I started with my usual "J-O-H-N-N-A - yes, it's like John - with a "na" at the end..." and the guy I was with said, "Hey, look at her name tag!" It was JOHNNA too!! Now I was shocked! She and I both had never met another person with our name. It was kinda funny. Finally, there was another Johnna on the Disboards!! I forget her screen name, but her real life name is Johnna. Too funny.

Okay - no one cares anymore about this post; I'm sure I lost you all at "hello" :laughing: :laughing:

Ciao for now...need coffee... Johnna :surfweb: :upsidedow

[feiste]

I'm finally back!

With Halloween right around the corner it seems the proper time ramp up the excitement level for the cruise (I didn't want to peak to early, hence my absence from the board).

My family is very excited and I have sent two families from the area to this message board recently, unfortunately they are not cruising with us.

I'm all about the spa treatments, great assignment for me :cool1: :cool1: :cool1:

I just finished reading the last few pages and am planning on going back through today and doing a bunch of replies and quotes.

Here's a shocker - I have to go this week to order passports for my two DD's and myself!:scared1: :scared1: :scared1: :scared1: OOPS!!!!!! DH is none to happy with me that I let time slip away on that one.

We are currently planning to drive down (yuck) arriving Friday afternoon. I am watching the fares a little bit, but I don't think that they will get remotely as low as I need them to be to make that possible.

As far a plans for excursions - DH and DD want to snorkel. DGP(is that right for my dad?) wants to do a regatta race (he did one a few years ago and enjoyed it), and I want to do, PINA COLADAS BY THE POOL!!!!!! Anyone made any decisions yet?

I talk to you all soon, time to get the kids off to school...

[feiste]

I have no idea of the temps. I wondered about that. We are doing organized tours on both islands we visit, and I think it would be a drag to carry a sweatshirt for everyone. But, I hope that won't be the case. I assume that the decks might get chilly at night though.



My theory on weather... Regardless of what the temps are it will be warmer than Michigan in March!:cool1: :cool1: :cool1: :cool1: :cool1:

[feiste]

Bump! Bump!

The cruise will be here before long. Sumer is over almost.........soon the holidays will rush past...then the Jan-Feb thaw.....AND THEN IT'S HIDDEN MICKEY TIME!



OOH yeah!! OOH yeah!! Super Magical Ohanas Deck 10 Hidden Mickey Time!! Booh Yah!

J.


Yamata - nice to see another fellow Mac lover on the board. My DH new 24 inch IMac just arrived at the door 5 minutes ago!

[feiste]

Oh my gosh. You ladies are funny. I'm NOT gaining 10 lbs. this 2008! You can have your drinking. I'm sitting by the pool! I just love those little deck 4 chairs. I cannot wait to sit down by myself. Well, I cannot wait to meet up with ya'all again. We have had such a hoot of a time and didn't spend time with even half of you yet.


p.s. TIM -- I'M NOT PLAYING BINGO AGAIN - IT'S RIGGED!!!

Kim

I'm not making any promises on no weight gain, I can never seem to decide on just one of the desserts!

On our first cruise I won $450 playing BINGO - this is one activity that I just won't miss!!!!

[feiste]

Count me in for the gift bags for the kids. I can add something to an already planned bag, or we could plan to give little items on multiple days. I love Oriental Trading Company!

Any ideas when Mardi Gras is in 2008?

[feiste]

Rani - I totally relate; Johnna isn't exactly the most popular name in the book. In college, I was at a mall and there was a guy selling keychains with names and what the names mean. I bet him he didn't have my name; I lost the bet and had to buy the keychain! :goodvibes That was the first time anyone, anywhere, had my name on anything. Then, also in college, I went to a Hard Rock Cafe in NYC, and gave my name to the hostess. Now, I usually give someone else's name (still do) since my name growing up was Johnna Giardiello (yes, I know...you're all doing this right about now: :confused3 and thinking to yourselves "poor girl") so anyway... I told the hostess my name was Johnna - and she just stared at me! So I started with my usual "J-O-H-N-N-A - yes, it's like John - with a "na" at the end..." and the guy I was with said, "Hey, look at her name tag!" It was JOHNNA too!! Now I was shocked! She and I both had never met another person with our name. It was kinda funny. Finally, there was another Johnna on the Disboards!! I forget her screen name, but her real life name is Johnna. Too funny.

Okay - no one cares anymore about this post; I'm sure I lost you all at "hello" :laughing: :laughing:

Ciao for now...need coffee... Johnna :surfweb: :upsidedow

I have a friend named Johnna , I will have to let her know that I now know two Johnna's!

[feiste]

Hello,

Just introducing ourselves. I hope I am not interloping into what appears to be a close-knit group of friends. We will be on the 03/01/08 Eastern Cruise. We've been to WDW many times and Disneyland a few times, but this will be our first for a Cruise. If I've figured out some of the jargon we are:

DH, Mike, 37 yrs
DW, Melissa, 36
DD, Kailyn, 7
DS, Jacob, 5

I signed up to the Disboards a few months ago, but believe this only my second post (my first having been about twenty minutes ago on another thread).

Welcome MAD...

My youngest DD is 7 as well. Your family is in for a great time!

[feiste]

GOT MY PACKAGE FROM DCL TODAY, out lining the eastern. :banana: REALITY SETS IN........ Guess I should work on the air fare hummmmm......

What package? I'm feeling left out, I don't think we've gotten anything yet:sad1:

[Johnna_Story]

What package? I'm feeling left out, I don't think we've gotten anything yet:sad1:

Wow - you weren't kidding about catching up!! :goodvibes

It's the "time to pay for your trip in a couple weeks" package. And it's got promo materials on excursions, stuff you can buy to have waiting for you on board, etc. I'm sure if you didn't get it last week, it will come this week.:hippie:

[Johnna_Story]

A well earned victory for the SOX last night - and for the ALCS series overall. Mark and Ryan are deliriously happy - and I'm sleep deprived today since Mark had me up watching the end of the game and then I couldn't go back to sleep!!

It will be an interesting two weeks ahead...:banana:

[MAD on Disney]

Thank you all for welcoming us. I will try to read this thread (correct term?) from the beginning, though I suspect that will take a while. Don't be suprised if I send out a laundry list of questions at some point (though it may take a while for me to get it all together).

[MAD on Disney]

Okay all, my DW and I have gotten pretty accustomed to knowing our way around WDW and (to a lesser extent) Disneyland; but this will be our first time for a cruise. So, if you don’t mind, I have a WHOLE LOT of questions that I would like help with. I understand that some of these items are probably the topics of other threads, but finding the gems has thus far proven quite difficult and time consuming, and it seems more personal knowing the answers will be coming from people that will be cruising at the same time as us. To keep things manageable, I will try to ask my questions in sets. Also, if I am violating some sort of protocol with this approach, please let me know; I don’t want people getting mad at us for taking advantage of your consideration, or having you feel that you are spending more time planning our vacation than your own.

All that being said, here are our first set of questions.

1. I saw a reference early in the thread to “Nebraska pals” Ron and Brenda. Does that mean we have fellow Huskers going on the cruise? (it’s okay to admit it, no matter how badly the football team is performing)

2. Does anyone have an opinion regarding the “PassPorter’s Field Guide to the Disney Cruise Line”? Should we get it? If so, the paperback or Duluxe version?

3. We are currently scheduled for the Second Seating dining? How bad is this? Are there only two seatings, or is the second out of three or more? Is there a way to request the first seating, how would I do so, and how slim are our chances?

4. In the DISboards, I seen references to the following things that sound like fun for the kids: magnetic door signs, pirate party, autographed pillowcases. While I’m already sold on these things, can anyone provide short input to get my DW a little more enthused? Also, while I believe that I have the door signs and pirate party somewhat figured out (though some pirate party questions will follow), could someone please explain the pillowcases to me? Are there any other fun things that may not be readily known from the website, DVD, Travel Channel, etc.?

5. For the pirate party, here is what I know so far, tell me what may be wrong: (a) the party probably starts on the night we depart St. Maarten, and occurs late enough in the dining rotation that we will already have hit that restaurant at least once before; (b) we may need to skip out of dinner early to catch the start of the activities since we are on second seating; (c) but we don’t want to skip out of dining altogether because there will be souvenir pirate bandanas at our table that night; and (d) it would be fun to dress up as pirates.

6. In addition to what I know (or think I know) about the pirate party, here are some additional questions. Are toy swords, pistols, etc. allowed, and if so, are they permitted in your checked baggage on the airlines? Is it okay for my DW’s costume to be somewhat “sexy” (nothing truly dirty, but most female pirate costumes we have bare midriffs, corset-style bodices, etc.)?

That's all (for now). Thanks.

- Mike

[feiste]

I'll answer what I can, but as far as I'm concerned feel free to ask as many questions as you need.:goodvibes



2. Does anyone have an opinion regarding the “PassPorter’s Field Guide to the Disney Cruise Line”? Should we get it? If so, the paperback or Duluxe version?


I've never used this...


3. We are currently scheduled for the Second Seating dining? How bad is this? Are there only two seatings, or is the second out of three or more? Is there a way to request the first seating, how would I do so, and how slim are our chances?

1st or 2nd dinner is really dependent on your family, and yes there are only two. What time do you normally eat at home? How interested are you in seeing all of the shows? Although we have had 1st dinner seating on all of our cruises (except the 3 day) I can see an advantage to the second seating. Sometimes my family is just not ready to leave the pool area yet, but we have to because it is time to get ready for dinner. That being said I have heard of many people moving from 2nd to 1st seating, even if it has to be done once on board.


4. In the DISboards, I seen references to the following things that sound like fun for the kids: magnetic door signs, pirate party, autographed pillowcases. While I’m already sold on these things, can anyone provide short input to get my DW a little more enthused? Also, while I believe that I have the door signs and pirate party somewhat figured out (though some pirate party questions will follow), could someone please explain the pillowcases to me? Are there any other fun things that may not be readily known from the website, DVD, Travel Channel, etc.?

I dropped pillowcases and markers in a ziplock bag with our room number and the girls names at the desk for both of my daughters on our Western cruise (without telling the girls). When the packages showed up at our room the last night the girls were thrilled! It was if they had received a surprise gift from the characters. A priceless memory!

This board also organized a Mardi Gras giveaway on our last Western cruise. A few of the families brought items to pass out in celebration of Mardi Gras (beads, tattoos, pirate mustaches and so on). The kids really enjoyed passing the fun out to the rest of the ship, and for the rest of the week my youngest daughter had a great time spotting people wearing the beads she helped to pass out!

I have not done much in the way of door signs, but I am really going to try to get one done for this trip. It's nice to see something a little bit "special" on your door when you come home. Also, I love looking at the creativity of others!

As far as getting your wife as excited about the plethora of information that you will be spewing at her from this board, not to worry she will probably give you a lot of eye rolling at first (at my least my family did!). However as the excitement builds and the time to board gets closer she will love that you have all of the answers that she needs! When you know exactly what to wear when boarding, find instant friends at the terminal (with green mickey tags) and where to go to get those kids in the pool ASAP she will think it's "disney magic" and you will know that all of your questions paid off!


5. For the pirate party, here is what I know so far, tell me what may be wrong: (a) the party probably starts on the night we depart St. Maarten, and occurs late enough in the dining rotation that we will already have hit that restaurant at least once before; (b) we may need to skip out of dinner early to catch the start of the activities since we are on second seating; (c) but we don’t want to skip out of dining altogether because there will be souvenir pirate bandanas at our table that night; and (d) it would be fun to dress up as pirates.

Your servers are very aware of the pirate party, and if you tell them that you want to hurry, they will try to do their best to push your meal along. Also, this is a great night to skip dessert/have an abbreviated meal (skip the apps or salads) because there is a huge pirate party buffet a little bit later in the evening.


6. In addition to what I know (or think I know) about the pirate party, here are some additional questions. Are toy swords, pistols, etc. allowed, and if so, are they permitted in your checked baggage on the airlines? Is it okay for my DW’s costume to be somewhat “sexy” (nothing truly dirty, but most female pirate costumes we have bare midriffs, corset-style bodices, etc.)?

I will look at my photos from past pirate nights and see what I can find. Nothing that you mentioned sounds offensive to me, but then again I'm only one of many opinions out there. If you are worried about the airline aspect you could always purchase the items while in Florida. Perhaps they would have something fitting at the Disney store in the airport (are you flying into MCO?)?

That's all (for now). Thanks.

- Mike[/QUOTE]

I hope at least some of this helped!

[feiste]

Speaking of the famous Green Mickey Heads...

Is everyone getting these as name-tags for easy recognition?

[MAD on Disney]

Thank you FEISTE (Jennifer?) for the quick response! This is turning out to be quite helpful and enjoyable. The only downside is that each new answer always seems to lead to new questions as well (Though I'll save on those for now).

- Mike

[ranidayz]

Hello,

Just introducing ourselves. I hope I am not interloping into what appears to be a close-knit group of friends. We will be on the 03/01/08 Eastern Cruise. We've been to WDW many times and Disneyland a few times, but this will be our first for a Cruise. If I've figured out some of the jargon we are:

DH, Mike, 37 yrs
DW, Melissa, 36
DD, Kailyn, 7
DS, Jacob, 5

I signed up to the Disboards a few months ago, but believe this only my second post (my first having been about twenty minutes ago on another thread).
Welcome to the board Mad on Disney family! I'm new here, too. This is a great group of people and I'm sure you'll enjoy getting to know them as much as I am.....

[ranidayz]

My fault they haven't heard from them.....first the boys' computer got a virus and we've been so crazy with soccer and chess club that they haven't gotten on email for a month! You can have them email me at my account and they they'll definately get email and I'll take dictation!

Rani

[MAD on Disney]

Hello Rani, and thanks for the welcome. I believe this is the first time that I have see someone else online at the same time as I.

[MAD on Disney]

Okay, these are questions specific to DISers (is that the proper term?) that are going on this cruise and planning things together. I have continued numbering from where my last list of questions left off (I’m an engineer, and very nerdy that way).

7. There seem to be a lot of activities being planned; is there something we should be doing to get involved and help out? Since we have never cruised before, we don’t know a lot that we could do as far as planning is concerned, but we could help out with things like putting together gift bags, making door signs, etc.

8. It sounds as if most of you have done this type of group planning and get-togethers before. Does that work pretty well? Our last trip to WDW was with some friends and our last trip to DL was with some family members, and in both cases it didn’t work out as well as had been hoped – nothing wrong with the people, just too hard to get everyone on schedule, different tastes and activity desires, etc. I have a friend that has experienced the same thing. So, how well does it work for the DISers on the cruise to try to do things together?

9. Does someone have an accurate count of everyone that will be cruising with us?

[atinkerbellmom]

Hey we did not plan this but March cruisers think alike. Rani, Jen, Mike, I'm on too.

[atinkerbellmom]

I will try to fwd you tonight the list of everyone and the information. The keeper of the list is Kim, she has sent it to me, so I will fwd it to you. I am on call tonight, so will not get back home until about midnight, so I will do it then or tomorrow. I know it is very confusing at first. It will make more sense once you get the list and then you still have to sit down and go through the thread to place a name with a DIS name. It gets easier after you have been reading for a while. Jen you have done major catch up.........

[atinkerbellmom]

Okay, these are questions specific to DISers (is that the proper term?) that are going on this cruise and planning things together. I have continued numbering from where my last list of questions left off (I’m an engineer, and very nerdy that way).

7. There seem to be a lot of activities being planned; is there something we should be doing to get involved and help out? Since we have never cruised before, we don’t know a lot that we could do as far as planning is concerned, but we could help out with things like putting together gift bags, making door signs, etc.

8. It sounds as if most of you have done this type of group planning and get-togethers before. Does that work pretty well? Our last trip to WDW was with some friends and our last trip to DL was with some family members, and in both cases it didn’t work out as well as had been hoped – nothing wrong with the people, just too hard to get everyone on schedule, different tastes and activity desires, etc. I have a friend that has experienced the same thing. So, how well does it work for the DISers on the cruise to try to do things together?

9. Does someone have an accurate count of everyone that will be cruising with us? This is a list of usernames and actual names/ages as I have been able to figure them out from a quick review of the thread

See previous post.....

The past post regarding whom was doing what was posted as a joke. :lmao: :rotfl: :rotfl2: Right now, all we really have for sure is that we are all going to do a meet and greet after we board and the Adults are doing Palo's for Brunch. :thumbsup2 Other than that, things are not too planned. Just vacation....... So many of our kids are the same ages, it will be a blast even without too much planning.

You are doing very well with your new DIS language.:cool1:

[MAD on Disney]

Can they seat that many together at Palo? Can a Castaway Club (is that correct?) member make reservations for the whole group, or will the first time cruisers have to make reservations later separately? What day are you thinking? So many questions!!!

- Mike