1st Cruise- April 3-6, 2008 (3-Night,Wonder)

[Ness2289]

:sail: My DD and I will be doing a Land and Sea spring break. We'll be doing 4 land and 3 sea. We'll arrive at WDW on March 30,2008, and we'll be staying at the Polynesian. We are very excited!:woohoo:

[nzdisneymom]

Hiya! We are also booked for April 3rd - 3 nights on the Wonder - I was just looking for a thread so I'm so glad to have found you!

We're doing our own Land and Sea - we're DVC members and will be at Saratoga Springs from Sunday through Thursday and then board the Wonder on Thursday.

We've sailed twice with DCL, both times on the Magic. So we're excited to have a chance to sail on her sister ship the Wonder.

I'm Cindy D., wife to Gary, mom to Nathan and Zachary (the N and Z that make me a Disney mom). We just got home from the Mediterranean cruise and rebooked on-board for the April 3rd 3-night. Another family also rebooked for the same sailing - I'll have to send her the link to the thread.

We'll be in cabin 6116.

Looking forward to getting to know you.

[Ness2289]

Yea!!! A friend!:cool1:

[nzdisneymom]

I know that usually the shorter cruises don't get a lot of people on the Meet Threads but hopefully we'll have a few more DISers taking a short jaunt on the Wonder!

What category / deck are you going to have?

[Ness2289]

We will be Cat. 7 on deck 7. Eight months out and I'm planning like its in a couple of weeks! Oh the joy of Disney!:banana:

[nzdisneymom]

Half the fun of a trip is the planning! I've been to Nassau once before but DH and the kids haven't. If the kids don't want to get off the ship, we'll likely leave them on-board for a bit. We're mostly interested in Castaway Cay and just relaxing. It's the end of our spring break week.

[nzdisneymom]

*** bump ***

[scottishwee35]

Half the fun of a trip is the planning! I've been to Nassau once before but DH and the kids haven't. If the kids don't want to get off the ship, we'll likely leave them on-board for a bit. We're mostly interested in Castaway Cay and just relaxing. It's the end of our spring break week.


Hi cindy

Wish we come and join with you!! I like Wonder Cruise as lovely ship well.

What is Saratoga Springs ? Is hotel or place?:confused3

Take Care

Scottishwee35:surfweb:

[Pryncesa]

My two sons and I will also be on this cruise, though they don't know it yet. ;) We are also doing a land/sea trip with four days at AKL prior to the cruise. We'll be celebrating my older son's 16th birthday. :banana:

[nzdisneymom]

Welcome Pryncesa! What an awesome birthday gift for your son - and how cool to do it as a surprise! My boys will be 10 and 11 (almost 12) when we sail in April.

I've not stayed at AKL before but I've eaten at Boma -- mmmmmmmmm.

[Pryncesa]

Welcome Pryncesa! What an awesome birthday gift for your son - and how cool to do it as a surprise! My boys will be 10 and 11 (almost 12) when we sail in April.

I've not stayed at AKL before but I've eaten at Boma -- mmmmmmmmm.

We've never stayed at AKL before, either. But my son has been wanting to stay there since he knew it existed. He loooves animals. I'm really looking forward to seeing his face when we arrive at the hotel. :woohoo: If I can keep the secret, I'm going to wait until the day we sail to reveal the sea portion of the trip!

[Ness2289]

My two sons and I will also be on this cruise, though they don't know it yet. ;) We are also doing a land/sea trip with four days at AKL prior to the cruise. We'll be celebrating my older son's 16th birthday. :banana:

Hi, Pryncesa! Glad to see another addition to the thread! Before you know it, we'll be on the Wonder!! :woohoo:

[Pryncesa]

Hi, Pryncesa! Glad to see another addition to the thread! Before you know it, we'll be on the Wonder!! :woohoo:

Hi There!! The time is moving pretty swiftly right now, but I'm sure it'll drag just before time to set sail. I'm so excited!! :cool1:

[nzdisneymom]

Ack - I just realized that 7 months from today we'll be coming home from our cruise :( Gotta stop thinking like that!!! Less than 7 months till we go -- whew - that's better!

[Ness2289]

Ack - I just realized that 7 months from today we'll be coming home from our cruise :( Gotta stop thinking like that!!! Less than 7 months till we go -- whew - that's better!

Yes...we'll sulk when we get back! And we WILL sulk!:sad2:
But for now, let's get our dance on!!:banana: :cool1: :dance3: :yay: :cheer2:

[Ness2289]

:dance3:

[Pryncesa]

:dance3:

I can't believe it's only a little over 6 months away! My boys will be so excited when they find out we're going!!

[momof-4]

Oh, I just found this website.My family and I will also be on this cruise.I have four children ages 12,9,4 and 2.I am excited.They don't know yet they will find out Christmas.Any tips for a first timer.:)

Jamie

[Ness2289]

Oh, I just found this website.My family and I will also be on this cruise.I have four children ages 12,9,4 and 2.I am excited.They don't know yet they will find out Christmas.Any tips for a first timer.:)

Jamie

Hi, Jamie, and welcome to the thread! I am a first timer also, so I am looking for the tips right along with you! My DD will be 9 at the time of the cruise. I need to get our passports applied for soon, as I am sure this will not be our last cruise! I still can't believe we're actually going. I guess my wallet will make me a believer soon enough! :faint:

[nzdisneymom]

Jamie - welcome to the thread! How wonderful to surprise your family!

For those of you who don't have passports yet, I highly recommend going ahead and getting your application in -- you certainly don't want that panic of not having gotten them back in time.

Now that we're at the almost-6-months window, it's time to start giving the trip some thought! The nice thing about a shorter cruise is that it doesn't require so much thought / packing :) We're going to be at WDW for a few days before we sail, so I'll have to double-pack. Or at least think about how to pack.

[nzdisneymom]

It's just six months until we sail! Hooray!

Is anyone doing this as a "surprise" trip for their family?

[Ness2289]

It's just six months until we sail! Hooray!

Is anyone doing this as a "surprise" trip for their family?

Hey!! My DD knows all about our plans. No surprises here. At least this go 'round! :)

I have not done a thing yet! (Well, I do have my ADR's...) I've got to get a move on. Passports...this week...I WILL get it done! How long will it take me to get copies of my DD's and my birth certificates so I don't have to send off my originals? How does all of that work anyway? I'll do some homework and find out!

Who would have thought March/April would start getting here so quickly!!! Wow, time flies!!!:rolleyes:

[nzdisneymom]

I got a planning-pack in the mail yesterday from DCL - the Ship to Shore planner with information about shore excursions, what to pack, and the all important travel insurance information. Anyone else get that?

As a repeat cruiser, we can start online registration January 4th according to the planning letter that came with it.

Anyone else get theirs?

[Deb T.]

Hello Everyone! Another spring break cruiser here! :cool1: This will be our 6th Disney cruise (nzdisneymom, we were on the Mediterranean cruise right before yours!) so we're looking forward to a very laid back and relaxing trip. :)

[Pryncesa]

I got a planning-pack in the mail yesterday from DCL - the Ship to Shore planner with information about shore excursions, what to pack, and the all important travel insurance information. Anyone else get that?

As a repeat cruiser, we can start online registration January 4th according to the planning letter that came with it.

Anyone else get theirs?

Yes! I got mine as well. It was a nice surprise/"reminder" of the trip. :yay: Not that I have forgotten, but it's seemed so far away for so long. Now it's getting pretty close!

[Ness2289]

I got a planning-pack in the mail yesterday from DCL - the Ship to Shore planner with information about shore excursions, what to pack, and the all important travel insurance information. Anyone else get that?

As a repeat cruiser, we can start online registration January 4th according to the planning letter that came with it.

Anyone else get theirs?

I got mine on Monday! I have been so busy, I still haven't had the time to just look through it thoroughly. But I will this weekend!

[Ness2289]

Hello Everyone! Another spring break cruiser here! :cool1: This will be our 6th Disney cruise (nzdisneymom, we were on the Mediterranean cruise right before yours!) so we're looking forward to a very laid back and relaxing trip. :)

Welcome, Deb! So sorry I took so long to respond to your post! We are glad to have another spring break cruiser to join us!!!:goodvibes

[Deb T.]

Thanks for the warm welcome, Ness2289. :goodvibes We are very excited about sailing on the Wonder again! :cool1: Cruising on DCL is my new favorite thing to do! :love: DH and I went on the same cruise last spring break and enjoyed every minute of it... except the 3-night is never long enough. Awww heck, not even the 11-night Mediterranean was long enough! :laughing: We're also sailing the Mexican Riviera itinerary next July! :cool1: I know the DIS boards have a wealth of information, but if anyone has any questions I'd be more than happy to try to answer them. :)

Since we booked fairly recently, we haven't been fortunate enough to receive the planning pack yet. Hopefully it will arrive soon!

[nzdisneymom]

I saw this on another thread:

A new Toy Story musical is to debut on the Wonder in January '08.

That's so cool! We never got to see Hercules, but I'm excited about getting to see the Toy Story one!

[Deb T.]

Doing the Planning Packet dance! It arrived today! :cool1:

We've been fortunate enough to see Hercules twice. It was our very favorite show because of all the quick, witty humor. From what I've heard, no two shows were exactly the same, and I believe it because they always had very current topics in their jokes. Hades is awesome and Pain & Panic are priceless. We will greatly miss that show. Toy Story sure has a hard act to follow, but I'm looking forward to seeing it in April. No doubt it will be a hit with the youngsters. :)

[nzdisneymom]

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

We're banana-dancing because we had our TA apply our final payment today. We can register online starting Jan. 4th for kid-programming, etc.

[Deb T.]

:santa: Merry Christmas everyone!

I just made our final payment online, too! :cool1:

DH gave me a Disney gift card for a massage at the spa! :love: Only 9 more days until I can book it! :goodvibes

And, 98 days until we board! :boat: It will be here before we know it!!!!! :yay: pirate:

[nzdisneymom]

Yay for all those final payments! And I'm excited about being able to do online registration next weekend!

[nzdisneymom]

Today's the day we can start online check-in. I was able to get mine and our payment authorization forms done but then when I went to do the forms for DH and the boys, I couldn't get the site to work properly - it kept putting me back to "retrieve your reservation." Ugh. Guess I'll try again later.

Anyone else doing their forms today?

[Deb T.]

I'm going to try to fill in our forms today and will report back whether or not I was successful.

Since we're Castaway Club members (5 DCL sailings and counting...) I stayed up until midnight Thursday night :surfweb: to try to book a massage, but when the site opened up, I got two red warning paragraphs instead. :eek: They said I couldn't book anything because either my account wasn't paid in full (which it was and I'd already received the confirmation letter in the mail) or my birthday was incorrect (but it was correct on the website AND on all of my confirmation letters by mail). :confused3 I was soooooooo frustrated! This is the first time this has ever happened! I even tried logging out and then logging back in. It said I had to call DCL in the morning, which I couldn't do until around 10am. By the time it was straightened out (which, by the way, the cm never did give me a reason why this happened despite me asking her no less than 5 times), the only times available were either during the 6:15 show or during my late dinner seating time. :sad1: Of course, I know there is absolutely no way that is only what have available, so I called DCL back to see if they could help and they said they couldn't. So, I sent DCL an email and am hoping to hear back from them. I'll keep you posted.

We're still looking forward to the cruise! :goodvibes

[nzdisneymom]

Deb - that really stinks about the massage times but remember this - just like for excursions, i don't think they make all their times available to be booked online because some guests don't do stuff online. I bet you'll be able to book a more suitable time when you get onboard, but I'd also recommend that you keep checking back as people will cancel their slots as they firm up their plans.

I completed our online check-in today and also printed out the form to sign for the contract / payment authorization. Now to put them in a place I won't forget that I've already done them AND will be able to find them come packing time :)

I'm going to sign the kids up for the Lab and then I should be done.

[Deb T.]

Hi Cindy,

Thanks so much for the encouraging words. You're very sweet! :goodvibes And, I know you're completely right. :worship: DCL holds reservation slots for guests once they're on board and also for the non-CC members' 75-day booking window. So, there is hope for me yet! :) It's the compulsive planner in me who wanted to get this all set up now. If I could have made the spa reservation, then I would have been able to totally relax and just anticipate all the fun we're going to have on our cruise. But now I've got to spend precious vacation time trying to get this all set up. By the time I have the massage reservation secured, I'm certainly going to need it! :rotfl: That's great advice about checking back online often! I'll definitely do that! :thumbsup2

I'm glad your online check-in glitch was fixed, too. I completed our online check-in without any trouble. I also printed off all the forms, so we're all set, too! I keep a blue (think: ocean!) folder for all our cruise information. Since this will be our fourth cruise in under two years, the folder is getting well worn. :love: I already had our airline confirmation and DCL's mailed confirmations in there. Plus a packing list. Plus the list of all I want to do on board. Oh yeah, I'm an over-planner alright! :lmao:

Only 3 more months to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :woohoo:

[Ness2289]

I'm one of the poor souls who has to wait until 75 days out as a newbie cruiser! I'm not going for the massage this time around though, but do want to sign my DD up for the Oceaneer Lab. Still counting down...:rolleyes1

[nzdisneymom]

Being able to register the kids online for the Lab makes things go quickly at pager-pick-up. Just make sure you remember what password you set for them because they'll ask you for it.

We're letting the kids have check-in and check-out privileges this time since they are a little bit older and also are familiar with the ship (well with the Magic, but the Wonder is pretty much the same with different names for a few places).

[Ness2289]

Do you sign up for individual sessions or just for general participation? I was thinking, do you think there are even enough of us to bother with fish extenders? Have any of you ever participated?

[nzdisneymom]

For the children's programming, you just register them for general participation. They are given a wrist-band to wear that has their information on it - name, cabin number, assembly station, pager-number and if they have check-out privileges. The daily Navigator will have the individual sessions in it and the kids can go to whatever ones they want to go to, and if they want to eat lunch and dinner with the children's programming, they can do that, too.

We've not done fish extenders before but have seen them. We're gonig to be doing them when we sail in December - one of the ladies on the thread is going to try making some, so if we decide to do them for the April group, let me know and I'll ask her to let me be her guinea pig :) I think it would be fun.

[Deb T.]

I've never been on a Disney cruise where a fish extender gift exchange was set up prior to the cruise. However, on our Mediterranean cruise last July, most of the DIS'ers brought surprise gifts to pass out at one of our meets. I'd be more than willing to participate in fish extender gifts on this cruise if everyone else would like to. :)

If we set this up, then we should also do a meet so we have a chance to see who's in on all the fun. :goodvibes On our Med cruise, we had a meet at the start of the Adventure's Away party and then again on a sea day later in the trip. It was awesome to have so many new friends on the ship. We definitely felt like we already knew each other after many months of DIS posts prior to sailing. Often, we'd recognize each other around the ship and in ports, and it was so much fun to be able to wave and say "hi" and call people by their DIS name or by their real name (if we could remember it - haha)!

[Ness2289]

Anyone planning excursions? Since I've NEVER been to the Bahamas, I'm thinking about just doing the tour. That should do it for us. We'll get back on the Wonder and enjoy the ship for the rest of the day! :cool1: What are your plans?

When I look at my ticker... I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!!:woohoo:

[Deb T.]

I'll be staying onboard at Nassau. We've "been there, done that" four times although, to be honest, we've never ventured far from the Straw Market. And, we found that place very intimidating. A friend of mine who cruises frequently on other cruise lines recently told me they always take a water taxi over to Atlantis to drink and gamble and then take the water taxi back to the ship. She thought the water taxi was only around $5 per person. There's definitely a huge comfort factor in booking a DCL excursion. They are always very professional and very safe. :)

[nzdisneymom]

Well, we're under 75 days now, right? So everyone can get their online registration done and on these cold January days start thinking about swim suits and the Bahamas :)

We're not sure what we'll do in terms of excursions - maybe do one of the "taxi tours" that are offered off the pier (I did that with my SIL in Oct 2006 when we did a Carnival and it saved us over half the cost of what the cruise line wanted for the same exact tour). I don't care much about seeing Nassau as I've seen it, but DH and the boys haven't. I wouldn't mind doing some shopping in the port area as my girlfriends on the Carnival cruise with me got some great deals. And I've heard the straw market is crazy and hot and jammed but it sounds like something I would like to experience once.

As for Castaway Cay, we'll probably rent bikes, hang out on the beach, take a walk, get some exercise.

[Ness2289]

As of right now, we're booked for "Discover Atlantis." I'm hoping that once I get there, I can come back whenever I feel like it and not have to wait until my actual 5 hours are up. (Who knows, 5 hours may fly by!) But if I decide after 3 hours that I want to head back, I want to be able to do so. I think I read somewhere that buses go back and forth to the port every 1/2 hour or something like that. I hope so!

Okay...should I be nervous about heading out with DD to the Straw Market alone?

DD and I watched the DCL Planning DVD again last night! We are so excited! I already know three nights will just be a tease but a great experience nonetheless! We'll just have to book a 7-night while onboard, huh?:rolleyes:

[Deb T.]

The Straw Market is definitely an experience like no other. I don't think you need to be afraid... just very cautious and aware of your surroundings. I would make sure children were holding my hands at all times. The best I can describe the atmosphere is: picture a flea market inside a huge open-air shelter - then imagine the ALL the shopkeepers being loudly insistant on getting you to stop at their booth and keep your attention focused only on their items. They will call you "pretty lady" over and over and over again and they will dive straight into children's hearts by handing them items and then try to get the kids to get the parents to buy the items for them. Then, they will appear very annoyed if you move on to the next booth, making you feel really bad for not buying anything there. You can barter all you want, but they are way more experienced than we'll ever be, so be firm on a price that you want to pay. And, be very careful of "bait and switch" tactics there. We were victims of that scam once! After we picked out nice t-shirts, the shopkeeper offered to bag the "pretty folded shirts" for us instead of the ones we were holding. After we got back home and opened the bag, we found she'd switched the good quality t-shirts for very thin ones. Also, keep an eye on your purse and belongings, as it can be very crowded in there and so I imagine it would be a good place for pick-pockets. I also remember reading a post several years ago where a child set down a coin purse to count out money and it was quickly stolen.

This might be an excellent question to post on the main cruise board to find out what everyone's experiences have been, good or bad. It might give you lots of helpful insight into the best way to shop there.

It is a place that's worth experiencing... once. ;)

[Deb T.]

I guess, in all fairness, I should add that you can barter for some pretty good deals on souvenirs at the Straw Market. Just be alert that you're walking away with what you actually picked out and not something that was cleverly switched.

[Deb T.]

Yikes! :eek: Read post #12 on this thread regarding the Straw Market! :scared:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1694596

[Ness2289]

Yikes! :eek: Read post #12 on this thread regarding the Straw Market! :scared:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1694596

Okay...my biggest fear!!! Rodents!!!! :scared:

Except for Mickey of course!::MickeyMo :mickeyjum ::MickeyMo

[nzdisneymom]

68 more days til we board!!!!!!!!

We're doing our own "land and sea" combination, so we have 9 weeks until we leave for the World!

I was scrolling through the DCL Picture of the Day thread and showing some of the ship to one of my coworkers yesterday and that got me all excited about going again. We've only been once to Castaway Cay and that was in December 2005 - I'm looking forward to going in April when it will be warm enough (for me) to get in the water.

I haven't started a basket of stuff to take and I haven't even started a packing list -- what's wrong with me??? (ha ha).

[Deb T.]

Hi Everyone!

I've got my packlist, and I also have several things pulled and set aside for the cruise already! The only thing keeping me from starting to pack now is we have two other trips before the cruise, one of which is going to WDW for DH to attend a conference and to celebrate his birthday which falls on the last day of the conference! :yay: After that, I will definitely begin packing for the cruise!

I know it's been mentioned earlier, but does anyone want to commit to doing a "fish extender" type of exchange during the cruise? I don't know if I have time to make an actual fish extender (although this just might motivate me enough to finally make one after five cruises! lol). I thought I might just hang a small gift bag from the fish if we decide to do an exchange. By my count, it looks like there are 5 DIS families sailing so far: Deb T., Ness2289, nzdisneymom, pryncesa, and momof-4. Hopefully more will post on this thread as the cruise gets closer. We'll need cabin numbers for everyone who wants to participate. Anyone who's uncomfortable about posting their cabin number on the thread can share it by private message if they'd like.

It would be great if we also planned a short DIS meet onboard. We could set it up for the first day, say around 3:15-3:45pm (before the Lifeboat Drill) at Goofy's Pool by Pinocchio's Pizzeria. As you face Pinocchio's, the tables on the far right (by the windows) would be a nice spot. Grab some sodas from the drink station and pick up some french fries or pizza and then just stop by to meet some fellow DISers. :) That way, we can put a face to the little goodies we find in our fish extenders (or gift bags) during the cruise. :goodvibes It would also give all the kids a chance to make a few new friends before heading off to their kid's clubs. :)

So, who's in for the meet and for the gift exchange? :thumbsup2

[Belle'sMom]

Just a note to say 'hello'.
My husband and I will be joining you all. We're taking a cruise for our 25th wedding anniversary. The last cruise we went on was in 1983.
A bit of a rough crossing and I spent a good part of it under the weather.

I'm finally ready to try again. But if you see a "green around the gills" gal on the upper deck trying to focus on the horizon ..it just might be me ! Please do wave hello.

Lovely to meet you all.....Can't wait for April !

[Deb T.]

Welcome Aboard Belle'sMom! Happy Anniversary!

[Ness2289]

Just a note to say 'hello'.
My husband and I will be joining you all. We're taking a cruise for our 25th wedding anniversary. The last cruise we went on was in 1983.
A bit of a rough crossing and I spent a good part of it under the weather.

I'm finally ready to try again. But if you see a "green around the gills" gal on the upper deck trying to focus on the horizon ..it just might be me ! Please do wave hello.

Lovely to meet you all.....Can't wait for April !

Welcome!! Glad we are adding to our list of DISers! Yea!!:yay:

[Ness2289]

So, who's in for the meet and for the gift exchange? :thumbsup2

Sounds good to me! I'm not sure what time we will arrive since we will be taking the DCL transfer from the Poly. Hopefully, we will have been there for at least a couple of hours at that time. I have a co-worker who will be on the Eastern during that week. She is very crafty and is working on a fish extender. I'll get her to help me out! And if time gets away from me, as it always seems to, I'll hang something from that fish! Do you give gifts each day?

[nzdisneymom]

Welcome, Belle's Mom.

As for the meet / gift exchange, I'm up for both. We don't have a fish extender and I don't know if I'll have a chance to make one, but I'm fine with posting our cabin number here or else via a PM'd roster. Does someone want to make a roster for us and we can keep it to PM since there are so few of us (but more joining every day)?

[Deb T.]

I'll be glad to keep a pm'd list of information for everyone who wants to participate! :) Let me know your cabin number and how many family members are sailing with you. You can also let me know the names of the family members and ages of the kids if you'd like. (It's not a requirement, but it might help when deciding what gifts to bring.)

I think it would be fine if we all just plan to do one gift for everyone. It can take quite a while to deliver gifts all over the ship, so since it's a short cruise it'd probably be better to only have to do it once instead of every day.

We really don't need to set up a schedule of who's bringing what, or what day to deliver the surprises, either. I think that's usually done on the longer cruises when tons of people are participating. We'll let this exchange be casual. Just pass out your gifts whenever you have time. :)

So far, participants for the gift exchange (in fish extenders or gift bags or whatever is hanging from the fish outside your cabin door - :rotfl: ) and the number of people in the cabin are:
Deb T. (2)
ness2289 (2)
nzdisneymom (4)

Anyone else want to play?

[nzdisneymom]

Deb - thanks for keeping the list for us!

We have friends who just had their first DCL cruise on the Wonder (4-nights) so I've been devouring their pictures and trip report -- looks like a wonderful experience and got me even more excited for our upcoming trip!

We'll be driving over the morning of the cruise from Saratoga Springs. Anyone know how long we should allow for the drive?

[Deb T.]

Hi Cindy,

We've made that drive several times. I don't think it's ever taken us over an hour. :) Of course, the anticipation builds every mile you drive!!! Then, you finally cross a tall bridge and WOW! :yay: there it is in the distance! It's a very exciting moment! :goodvibes

[Ness2289]

:cool1: :banana: :cool1: :banana:

Just doing the "it's getting closer" boogie!!!

[nzdisneymom]

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tomorrow means it's February which means our cruise is in just two months!

[Deb T.]

:cool1: Won't be long now!!!!!!!!! :cool1:

So far, we have three families participating in our "fish extender" gift exchange. Would anyone else like to join in the fun???

[Ness2289]

Paging all April 3rd 3-Night Wonder-ers!!! I repeat... Paging all April 3rd 3-Night Wonder-ers!!!:rotfl: Come out of hiding and join us! Again, I say... Come out of hiding an join us!!!:yay:

[Ness2289]

:Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc

[nzdisneymom]

I haven't had a chance to read the main DCL board in several days, but we should definitely keep an eye out there for anyone posting that hasn't found their way to the Meet thread.

We're fighting off colds, and allergies have already kicked in - I'm just glad we're getting it done now and hopefully we'll be all well for spring break.

[Deb T.]

:woohoo: We're under the 50-day mark! :woohoo:

Cindy - good advice about keeping an eye out for other April 3 cruisers on the main boards. I'm really surprised so few have posted here.

For anyone who's considering doing the "Fish Extender Exchange" with us on our cruise, let me explain how it usually works. The whole concept was created to add another dimension of fun to the cruise! :) Anyone who wants to participate brings a fun trinket gift to give to everyone else who's signed up to participate. (There are several threads that list what types of things have been given out on other cruises.) The gift can be something cruise related, Disney related, hometown related, etc. Outside your cabin door, you hang what DISer's fondly call a "Fish Extender" from the silver fish message clip. The Fish Extender can be as extravagant as cloth pockets hanging from a dowel rod (see Fish Extender threads on the main boards) or as simple as a paper gift bag. A Fish Extender's sole purpose is to provide a container to put the gifts in! It will be up to you when to distribute your gift during the cruise. The fun part is seeing what others have put in your Fish Extender! :goodvibes

Everyone who wants to participate should send me a Private Message (by clicking on my DIS name, Deb T.) with your cabin number. It would be helpful if you included how many are in your family/cabin. Names and ages are purely optional. As people PM me, I will update everyone who's participating. Then, a few days before our cruise, I will send everyone a final, updated list so you can print out everyone's cabin numbers to bring onboard.

Currently, we have three families participating. We would love to have more join us! :love:

[Deb T.]

:love: HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE! :love:

[Ness2289]

:love: HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE! :love:

Thanks! Happy Valentine's Day to you too, and everyone!!:flower3:

[Ness2289]

:yay: :yay: My ticker makes me happy!!! :yay: :yay:

[Isi]

I just booked yesterday a last min cruise on April 3rd, this is my second Disney cruise and like 15th on other cruises....Looking forward to cruising again on Disney...:cool1:

[Ness2289]

I just booked yesterday a last min cruise on April 3rd, this is my second Disney cruise and like 15th on other cruises....Looking forward to cruising again on Disney...:cool1:

Yea!!!! :yay: Welcome, Isi!! We are glad to have you join us! Who's all sailing with you?

[nzdisneymom]

Isi - welcome.

[Deb T.]

Welcome Aboard, Isi! pirate: Please send me a PM if your family would like to join in on our little gift exchange! :)

[Ness2289]

29 Days, 29 Days!!! Woo hoo!!!!! :woohoo:

[nzdisneymom]

It's getting closer - I can't believe how fast the time is going right now....

[Deb T.]

Hi All! :wave2:

I just wanted to try to get a good head count of those sailing with us from who's posted on this thread so far:

Deb T. (participating in "Fish Extender" gift exchange)
Ness2289 (participating in FE gift exchange)
nzdisneymom (participating in FE gift exchange)
Pryncesa
momof-4
Belle'sMom
Isi

Anyone else? :cool2:

[nzdisneymom]

DS#1's big geography project is due today, so that's off my list of things to do before I can think about packing! I have two other things to get finished (including income taxes - ugh) and then I can get serious about our upcoming vacation!

I've been home for 8 1/2 weeks now and absolutely cannot wait for spring break - I don't think I've ever been in town for this many days in a row.

Time to start looking seriously at what excursions we want to do (probably on our own) in Nassau. DH wants to see the island. I've been before so don't have a preference. The boys want to stay on the ship but DH and I want them to get off the ship to see the Bahamas (or at least Nassau).

I was thinking about the pirate museum and maybe the butterfly garden on our own, and then maybe a short taxi-tour of the island but not needing to go to Atlantis or whatever.... I think we'd like to do our sight-seeing in the morning and then let the kids back on the ship and we'll go do some shopping as I didn't get to shop when I was there in 2006. I haven't even looked to see what DCL excursions there are - guess I should do that at least for ideas.

Do we have a final count for Fish Extenders? I don't have an actual fish extender yet -- not sure if we'll get one done before we go -- but I'll see what we can rig up.

[Deb T.]

Do we have a final count for Fish Extenders? I don't have an actual fish extender yet -- not sure if we'll get one done before we go -- but I'll see what we can rig up.

We are up to three families so far. :cool1: I will send you a "private message" with the latest details. :)

Don't worry about making an actual fancy Fish Extender. I'm just using a little nautical cloth bag I found at the Dollar Store! It's royal blue, about a foot wide and about 8 inches deep, with a plastic white sailboat sewn on the front. Nothing fancy at all, but at least it will do the trick for this cruise. pirate: I plan to pick up some plastic fasteners this weekend in order to hook it securely to our fish. :)

[Deb T.]

:yay: :yay: 26 more days until we are onboard the Wonder! :yay: :yay:

[Ness2289]

:yay: :yay: 26 more days until we are onboard the Wonder! :yay: :yay:

:woohoo: I'm heading out now to get some things! That was bonine and ginger pills, right? I am so afraid of sea sickness!!!:scared1:

[Deb T.]

Yes ~ I personally have had GREAT results with the combination of Bonine and Ginger Pills. You can find Bonine at any pharmacy, including the drug stores in grocery stores. I've had a harder time finding ginger pills and had to purchase my last batch at a health foods store.

The adult dosage for Bonine is 1-2 tablets once daily and should begin at least an hour before travel starts. Under 12yo needs to be directed by a physician. Of course, even adults should check with their doctor before beginning any medication.

Bonine can be taken every 24-hours, and I take 2 Ginger pills twice a day. I always start the regimen the night before just to make sure I have plenty in my system by the time I board the ship.

I would HIGHLY recommend people try out Bonine BEFORE they cruise to make sure they aren't completely knocked out by it. People react differently to medications. In my case, I don't feel drowsy at all on Bonine, but others might.

[nzdisneymom]

Oh man - I guess I should get started on my packing list! This trip has seemed so far away and now it's on us.... we leave in three weeks from tomorrow to head to WDW....

[Ness2289]

Cruise Document Arrival Dance!!!!!!!!
:banana: :woohoo: :dance3: :banana: :woohoo: :dance3: :banana: :woohoo: :dance3:

[Pryncesa]

:woohoo:

Yippee!!!!

[Deb T.]

Hooray Ness2289 and Pryncesa!!!!!!!!!!!!! Very exciting!!!!


No documents for me today. :sad2: Maybe tomorrow?!?!? (I hope! I hope! I hope!) :)

Does anyone else want to join in on the gift exchange onboard? If so, just send me a PM with your cabin number. If you want to include names and ages, that's fine, too! I will send out a final list of all participants on March 28th so that those of you who are heading to WDW pre-cruise will have it before you leave. :)

[nzdisneymom]

I'm so glad you posted about getting the docs - - I just checked the porch and ours are here too!!!!

:cool1: :banana: :cool1: :banana:

[Deb T.]

Hooray nzdisneymom!!!

Okay, I just checked my front porch again, hoping for a little pixie dust, but still no docs. :sad1: I wonder if the three of you received your documents today since you're all headed to WDW early that week???

[Ness2289]

Hooray nzdisneymom!!!

Okay, I just checked my front porch again, hoping for a little pixie dust, but still no docs. :sad1: I wonder if the three of you received your documents today since you're all headed to WDW early that week???

That's just what I was thinking. So yours will come any time now. (I say TOMORROW!!! pixiedust: ) There! It's done! They'll come tomorrow! Pixie Dust has spoken!:rolleyes:

[nzdisneymom]

We're going to WDW but it's not linked. And we booked our own WDW through DVC developer points.

Hope you get your docs tomorrow. UPS 3-day shipping is how ours came.

[Deb T.]

:cool1: :cool1: Hooray! My documents arrived TODAY! :cool1: :cool1:

I was SO GLAD to see them on my porch!!! Woohoo! :yay:

21 days to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :cheer2:

[Ness2289]

:cool1: :cool1: Hooray! My documents arrived TODAY! :cool1: :cool1:

I was SO GLAD to see them on my porch!!! Woohoo! :yay:

21 days to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :cheer2:


See!! Pixie dust works everytime!!! pixiedust:

:yay: Yippee!!!! :yay:

[Deb T.]

See!! Pixie dust works everytime!!! pixiedust:

:yay: Yippee!!!! :yay:


I agree!!! Thanks so much for dusting me with Pixie Dust yesterday! :)

It's such a good feeling to receive the documents! :goodvibes You know the trip is getting REALLY close once they finally arrive! I've compiled my packing list and started to pull clothes for the trip. This weekend, I'll head out to pick up the gift exchange items. pirate: Next weekend, I'll probably pack (I'm always an early packer!!!). And then all that's left is to wait to leave!! Woohoo! :cool1:

[wjruss]

Hi everyone! I hope its not to late to join this thread.

We are also on the Wonder from the 3rd-6th. This is our first cruise ever.We are so excited:cool1:

I have a 12yo ds, 9 yo dd, 4yo ds and 2yo ds.We are on deck 6.

We also got our documents this week.Maybe one of you can help me.I am confused.I already did the online check-in for the paperwork.Is that all I need to bring with the passports? We have adjoining rooms and one of the books had check in documents and the other did not.Do you know why that would be?

Anyway any advice for first time cruisers?;)

We will be staying at the Radisson the night before.What time are you all heading to the port?

Thanks!Jamie

[Deb T.]

:welcome: Welcome Aboard Jamie and family! :boat: :sail: You're in for an amazing and wonderful time on your first cruise! And congratulations on your first post on the DIS boards!

As far as your check in documents, are your cabins booked under separate reservation numbers? If so, have you completed the information online for each of those reservations or just for your main cabin? If you only did it for one cabin, that might be why you received them in the booklet for the other one. Just to be safe, go ahead and fill in the documents you just received and also bring what you've completed online. It never hurts to have too much stuff at check-in. They will go through all of your paperwork and toss whatever they don't need. :)

We plan to arrive at the port as fast as the DCL bus from the airport will get us there! :thumbsup2 Last year, we were on the first bus out and arrived at the port around 10am! :woohoo:

My best advice for first-time cruisers is to read through all the info on the DIS boards. I'd start first with the "DIS DCL FAQ - Answers To All The Most Asked Questions Updated 1/29/08" thread at the top, then I'd read through Trip Reports for the 3-night cruises. Of course, feel free to post any questions on this thread as well and we'll all do our best to answer them! :goodvibes

See you SOON! :)

[Deb T.]

Oh, I just found this website.My family and I will also be on this cruise.I have four children ages 12,9,4 and 2.I am excited.They don't know yet they will find out Christmas.Any tips for a first timer.:)

Jamie

Jamie, are you by any chance also "momof-4" (from page 2, post #18) that first posted last September or is it a coincidence that you both have children the exact same ages? ;) If you're one in the same, please let us know what your children's reactions were when you told them about the cruise on Christmas!!! :goodvibes :)

[nzdisneymom]

Deb - yay for cruise docs!

Jamie - welcome! I'm Cindy D., we're on deck 6, and we have an almost 12 y.o. DS and a 10 1/2 y.o. DS.


See Deb's posts about the gift exchange if you want to participate - it's not too late (I don't think).

We'll be driving over from WDW on Thursday.

[Deb T.]

See Deb's posts about the gift exchange if you want to participate - it's not too late (I don't think).

It's definitely not too late to join in on the gift exchange! :) The more the merrier! :woohoo: Just send me a private message with your cabin number. It's totally personal preference if you would like to include the names of everyone in your family. So far, the DIS names of the families participating are:
Ness2289
nzdisneymom
Deb T.

I'll send an updated list by private message to each participant as people sign on. Then, on March 28, I'll send out the final list. Then, the fun begins on April 3rd!! :cool1:

[Ness2289]

Hi everyone! I hope its not to late to join this thread.

We are also on the Wonder from the 3rd-6th. This is our first cruise ever.We are so excited:cool1:

I have a 12yo ds, 9 yo dd, 4yo ds and 2yo ds.We are on deck 6.

We also got our documents this week.Maybe one of you can help me.I am confused.I already did the online check-in for the paperwork.Is that all I need to bring with the passports? We have adjoining rooms and one of the books had check in documents and the other did not.Do you know why that would be?

Anyway any advice for first time cruisers?;)

We will be staying at the Radisson the night before.What time are you all heading to the port?

Thanks!Jamie

Welcome, Jamie!! It's great to have you join us!! :banana:

[Deb T.]

:boat: pirate: THREE WEEKS FROM TODAY!!! pirate: :boat:

[Ness2289]

Just bumping so new friends can find us!!!:mickeyjum :goofy: :donald:

[nzdisneymom]

We're spending this weekend doing stuff around the house so that next weekend we can think about packing and then the next weekend leave for vacation!!!!!!!!!

We also went ahead and put our stop delivery notices in for the newspaper and mail service.

[nzdisneymom]

i was reading on another thread and saw where we can call 888-325-2500 to find out what movies are playing when we sail. One thing I haven't done on the ship yet is see a movie in the Buena Vista Theater. I called today and here's what will be playing:

College Road Trip (which the kids were asking to go see - now we'll just wait)
Enchanted (loved it, want to see it again)
National Treasure 2 (again, loved it)
Ratatouille (wonderful, but we have it on DVD)
Step up 2 the Streets (had to look it up on Netflix)
Game Plan (enjoyed it; DH didn't see it but needs to).

[Deb T.]

i was reading on another thread and saw where we can call 888-325-2500 to find out what movies are playing when we sail. One thing I haven't done on the ship yet is see a movie in the Buena Vista Theater. I called today and here's what will be playing:

College Road Trip (which the kids were asking to go see - now we'll just wait)
Enchanted (loved it, want to see it again)
National Treasure 2 (again, loved it)
Ratatouille (wonderful, but we have it on DVD)
Step up 2 the Streets (had to look it up on Netflix)
Game Plan (enjoyed it; DH didn't see it but needs to).

Thanks for doing this, Cindy! I had planned to call late next week because I didn't know if they'd have our movie schedule this early. I'm so happy Enchanted is playing because I haven't seen that yet and have been wanting to. It's too bad that Bee Movie and Horton Hears a Who aren't Disney movies because I would have loved to see those, as well. :)

The Buena Vista Theater is nice. We saw Wild Hogs in there last spring break. If they anticipate a movie is going to be well attended, they will show it in the Walt Disney Theater. That's where we saw the 2nd Pirates of the Caribbean movie, at midnight! It was awesome to actually be onboard a moving ship (a Disney ship, no less!) while watching it!! It added another dimension to the movie for us, sort of like a 4-D experience! pirate:

[Ness2289]

i was reading on another thread and saw where we can call 888-325-2500 to find out what movies are playing when we sail. One thing I haven't done on the ship yet is see a movie in the Buena Vista Theater. I called today and here's what will be playing:

College Road Trip (which the kids were asking to go see - now we'll just wait)
Enchanted (loved it, want to see it again)
National Treasure 2 (again, loved it)
Ratatouille (wonderful, but we have it on DVD)
Step up 2 the Streets (had to look it up on Netflix)
Game Plan (enjoyed it; DH didn't see it but needs to).

Great! DD really wants to see Enchanted. I'll have to find a spot on our already packed 3-nights! :rolleyes1

[nzdisneymom]

Thankfully (??) we've already seen all of the shows (unless they sneak in a performance of Toy Story) so it will be a bit odd for us to have our evenings "free" to do other things than see the shows. I think that will be good, though, because we can then enjoy some of the other interactive things on-board in the evenings. The boys like doing the trivia games so we'll be marking those on our Navigators.

I'm starting to look at Nassau to figure out what will work for the four of us. The boys don't even want to get off the ship, but DH wants them to at least get off the ship and see something. DH wants to do a city tour (I've done one, and I agree - if you've not been to Nassau, it's a good way to learn about the place) but I'd like to do something in conjunction with a "destination" for the boys.

But then I was thinking we can walk over to the Pirates Museum, so maybe we'll just take them over there and then come back and do a city tour while they go back on-board. Or maybe we'll do a city-tour early and let them stay on-board in the morning and we'll come back and get them for the afternoon. (Just thinking out loud here.) I noticed we're in port til 7 p.m. (or maybe longer).

[nzdisneymom]

I just saw this (http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/features_orlando/2008/03/curtain-almost.html) on another thread and in the article it says Toy Story musical will start March 20th. Anyone else read / heard anything?

[Deb T.]

I just saw this (http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/features_orlando/2008/03/curtain-almost.html) on another thread and in the article it says Toy Story musical will start March 20th. Anyone else read / heard anything?

party: party: party: party:

OMG! :yay: A March 20th start date would be AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :banana: Wow!!! :woohoo: I sure hope it's true!!!!!! :hyper: That would be FANTASTIC!!! :jumping1:

[mommyruss]

Deb-
Thank you so much for the information!

Yes that was me on page 4.I have issues with this site.I had to sign up again this morning under a new name.Everytime I return my password doesn't work and then when I try to have it reset I never get the email.It's weird.

They were very excited! I didn't make it until Christmas with them. We ended up giving them the postcards that came in the mail and we wrote on the back of them that we were going on the cruise.My dd just started screaming and crying.It was so sweet.

I would love to participate in the gift exchange but I'm not real clear how it works.

Also, I heard that when you are getting ready to depart the ship they offer you a discount on your next cruise when you book.Is that true and is it really a discount?

Well off to read the boards you suggested! Thanks again

Jamie

[nzdisneymom]

Jamie -
It is true that you can get a discount (usually 10% off plus an on-board credit) if you re-book while on board. It's about the only way to get any kind of discount! You rebook and put down your deposit while onboard. If you don't want to put down the deposit for everyone in your travel part at the time of rebooking, you can go ahead and book just one person into your cabin (just make sure that you get a cabin assignment that will accomodate all of you - the DCL rep can help you with that). That will lock in your price and discount and on-board credit but also keep you from having to shell out big $$$ for the deposit.

As for the gift exchange, I'll let Deb explain it.


In other news, I broke down and booked a DCL excursion for Nassau today - we're going to do the Nassau Historic City tour - it's 2 hours and doesn't start til 9:45 so the boys can sleep in for a bit AND we'll be done by noon - so that will give Gary and me a chance to do some shopping / exploring after lunch. I know we could get a city tour for less money doing it on our own, but since it's a short cruise and we won't be spending $$ on any other excursions, I can live with this one ;) I think we will be renting bikes at Castaway Cay, though.

I'm really getting excited -- this week and next week and then we'll be at WDW! FWIW, I'm going to pick up our gift exchange items at WDW unless I have a big brainstorm between now and then! I don't have a fish-extender yet, though - need to figure something out about that this week. I saw some cute bags that others have used so I might just stitch something up like that for this time around.

I did start my packing list and tried on clothes so the "hard part" is done ;)

[Deb T.]

I would love to participate in the gift exchange but I'm not real clear how it works.

Also, I heard that when you are getting ready to depart the ship they offer you a discount on your next cruise when you book.Is that true and is it really a discount?

Hi Jamie!

I'm sorry you're having so much trouble with DIS screen names. I know that passwords are case sensitive, might that be part of the problem? You can always notify a moderator for help, too. :)

nzdisneymom is correct on the discount and onboard credit information. :) One thing I wanted to clarify is that you have to rebook during the cruise, not as you're departing the ship. And keep in mind that the Rebooking Desk has very limited hours, typically only a couple of hours in the morning and again in the afternoon. I've never seen it open on the day you board the ship, and EVERYTHING is shut down (except for breakfast) on the morning you disembark. The rebooking desk has forms you can fill out for a quote if you don't want to wait in line when they're open. They'll get back to you as soon as possible, sometimes by calling your stateroom and leaving a message, and sometimes by leaving an envelope in your "fish" (it's actually a silver fish message clip) outside your cabin door with information.

Now, about the gift exchange - Everyone who participates brings a fun trinket gift to give to everyone else who's signed up to participate. The gift can be anything you want, for example: something cruise related, Disney related, hometown related, etc. Outside your cabin door, you hang what DISer's fondly call a "Fish Extender" from the silver fish message clip. The Fish Extender can be as extravagant as cloth pockets hanging from a dowel rod (see Fish Extender threads on the main boards) or as simple as a paper gift bag. I'm using a little nautical cloth bag I found at the Dollar Store that's royal blue, about a foot wide and about 8 inches deep, with a plastic white sailboat sewn on the front. A Fish Extender's sole purpose is to provide a container to put the gifts in! It will be up to you when to distribute your gifts during the cruise. The fun part is seeing what others have put in your Fish Extender!

To sign up to participate, you just send me a Private Message (by clicking on my DIS name, "Deb T.", on the upper left hand side of this post) with your cabin number. It would be helpful if you included the names and ages of the kids, but that is purely optional. I will send out a final list of all participants on March 28th so you can print out everyone's cabin numbers to bring onboard so you'll know where to deliver your gifts. :)

[nzdisneymom]

I just realized that it is only TWO weeks from tomorrow that we sail ....

[nzdisneymom]

And today I picked up a pack of chewable Dramamine - just in case :)

And spent some time looking at Navigators (http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/cruise-new/cr-stateroom-navigator.htm).

[Ness2289]

I just realized that it is only TWO weeks from tomorrow that we sail ....

:dance3: :banana: :dance3: :woohoo: :dance3: :banana: :dance3: :woohoo: :dance3:

[Ness2289]

:jumping1:

[nzdisneymom]

So I was looking at the Pirate Museum online today and think I'm going to show it to the boys to see if they might want to walk over there on Friday afternoon... it looks interesting and they've both been playing Pirates of the Caribbean Online game. Hhhmmmmm..... We can do our City tour in the morning, have lunch at noon, and then head back out to the Pirate museum. Maybe.....

[Deb T.]

So I was looking at the Pirate Museum online today and think I'm going to show it to the boys to see if they might want to walk over there on Friday afternoon... it looks interesting and they've both been playing Pirates of the Caribbean Online game. Hhhmmmmm..... We can do our City tour in the morning, have lunch at noon, and then head back out to the Pirate museum. Maybe.....

Hi Cindy! That looks like a great plan! :) I've never been to the Pirate Museum, but I'm sure it's just the kind of thing that boys would love!

[Deb T.]

I've read two new posts recently regarding the new Toy Story show. One post said that guests onboard the March 16-20 sailing were able to watch the FINAL dress rehearsal. Another post stated that a DCL phone rep said the shows would officially begin on the March 28 sailing. So, it does sound like we may be lucky enough to see it on our sailing!!!!!!!!!!!! Woohoo!!! :cool1:

[Ness2289]

I've read two new posts recently regarding the new Toy Story show. One post said that guests onboard the March 16-20 sailing were able to watch the FINAL dress rehearsal. Another post stated that a DCL phone rep said the shows would officially begin on the March 28 sailing. So, it does sound like we may be lucky enough to see it on our sailing!!!!!!!!!!!! Woohoo!!! :cool1:

Yipee! :yay:

[Deb T.]

Hello Fellow Cruisers!

HAPPY EASTER! :flower3:

I hope everyone's having a WONDERful, magical, DISney day as we count down only 11 MORE DAYS until we're cruisin'! :boat:

[Deb T.]

Ahoy Fellow Cruisers,

If you haven't already come across this 3-night Wonder trip report, I highly recommend bookmarking it and checking it out! :thumbsup2 nzdisneymom actually first mentioned it to me in a PM, and I've been following along for the last two days. The OP is writing a little each day and including a LOT of great pictures! Today he posted about Nassau, so I anticipate he'll be writing about Castaway Cay within the next couple of days!! :) One word of warning, though, before you go to his thread: Reading it makes the wait for our cruise nearly unbearable!!! :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1758672

[nzdisneymom]

Deb - thanks for sharing the link! I have been reading this thread along with DH and the kids so they can see a glimpse of what is to come! I am so excited about the cruise - I dreamed about it last night! I spent too much time yesterday reading the board :rotfl:

So my favorite dessert on DCL is the creme brulee cheesecake, so i was searching out dining menues -- turns out that it is on the Parrot Cay night. I was looking at a Navigator from a recent 3-night and was trying to figure out if BBB was open for dinner on all three nights because if it is, I plan to dash up there before they close to snag an extra slice! We have early seating, so I figure I'll have time to digest and then get a slice "to go" to have for later. I did that on our Med cruise the night after we had Parrot Cay. And I realize that I can ask for the dessert from Parrot Cay regardless of where I am, but I really hate to ask them to bring something from the 3rd deck to the 4th when we're at Animator's Palate. i know that PC and Tritons/Lumieres shares a galley but AP has its own.

BTW, on the Magic, so I'm guessing also on the Wonder, you can peek into the galley at AP from outside Deck 4.

Guess I need to find my extra stretchy pants before I have double helpings of creme brulee cheesecake........

[GoofyJJ]

Hi Cindy,

Thanks for the invite to view the thread! My DW::MinnieMo , DS (7)pirate: and I are going to be sailing April 3rd and can't wait. We're excited for the cruise and look forward to meeting some new friends. I've read through the thread and there is some great information and stories. We're going to start our vacation off this Sunday at DW. We're staying at the BWV through Thursday prior to the cruise.

Hi Deb,

I've seen in the thread that you are gracious enough to organize the Fish Extender for our cruise. We've never done the Fish Extender before so we're new to the concept but excited to participate. It will be nice to meet some folks at the start of the cruise.

I read your post on some of the items you need to bring but I still have some questions. What is the price range for the give aways you need to bring? How many items do you bring for each person? Wow, I need to get busy making a Fish Extender.

I haven't posted enough to be able to PM so I'm posting the information you requested.

Our stateroom number is 5628.
Myself
DW
DS (7)

If there is any other information you need please let me know.

Thanks so much for taking your time to organize this for everyone!!

We look forward to seeing on the cruise!

Happy Easter!

Joe

[Deb T.]

Hi Cindy,

Thanks for the invite to view the thread! My DW::MinnieMo , DS (7)pirate: and I are going to be sailing April 3rd and can't wait. We're excited for the cruise and look forward to meeting some new friends. I've read through the thread and there is some great information and stories. We're going to start our vacation off this Sunday at DW. We're staying at the BWV through Thursday prior to the cruise.

Hi Deb,

I've seen in the thread that you are gracious enough to organize the Fish Extender for our cruise. We've never done the Fish Extender before so we're new to the concept but excited to participate. It will be nice to meet some folks at the start of the cruise.

I read your post on some of the items you need to bring but I still have some questions. What is the price range for the give aways you need to bring? How many items do you bring for each person? Wow, I need to get busy making a Fish Extender.

I haven't posted enough to be able to PM so I'm posting the information you requested.

Our stateroom number is 5628.
Myself
DW
DS (7)

If there is any other information you need please let me know.

Thanks so much for taking your time to organize this for everyone!!

We look forward to seeing on the cruise!

Happy Easter!

Joe


Welcome to the DIS Boards, Joe! pirate: And welcome to our Cruise Meets Thread! :)

I'm so glad you'd like to join in on our gift exchange! The more the merrier! I sent you a PM in hopes that you can then just hit "reply" to PM me back. In it, I answered all your questions. :) Please post here if you don't receive it or if you're still unable to PM back.

[GoofyJJ]

Hi Deb,

Thanks for the PM. VERY helpful information! We are looking forward to participating and meeting some new friends.

My DW's name is Patty and my DS (7) is Joseph.

Will we all meet at the start of the cruise? I recall seeing something about getting together the first day to meet everyone.

Hard to believe it's only days away! Thanks again and we'll see you soon.

I was not able to reply to your PM. Do you know how posts one must make before you are able to send PMs?

Take care,

Joe

[Deb T.]

Hi Deb,

Thanks for the PM. VERY helpful information! We are looking forward to participating and meeting some new friends.

My DW's name is Patty and my DS (7) is Joseph.

Will we all meet at the start of the cruise? I recall seeing something about getting together the first day to meet everyone.

Hard to believe it's only days away! Thanks again and we'll see you soon.

I was not able to reply to your PM. Do you know how posts one must make before you are able to send PMs?

Take care,

Joe

Hi Joe - I was unsuccessful in trying to find out how many posts you need before you can send a PM. I found the Private Messaging topic in the FAQ section, but it did not specify at what point you can send a PM. I'm glad you received mine, though. :)

Everyone - would you like to do a little DIS meet once everyone is onboard the ship on Thursday? We could plan a quick "Hiya, nice to meet ya" get-together at 3:15pm by Goofy's Pool. That way, if your kids want to swim, you can keep an eye on them while we chat for a minute. :) There are tables on both sides of Goofy's Pool, so let's say if you're standing facing Pinocchio's, go to the far right hand side near the windows. Please "RSVP" on this thread if you'd like to meet!

Also ~ This Friday is the last day to join in on the gift exchange :flower3: because several cruisers are leaving Sunday to spend some pre-cruise time at WDW and will need the final list in time to do their shopping and jot down everyone's cabin numbers before they go. You can send me a PM or just post your information on this thread if you'd like to join in on the fun. :)

[nzdisneymom]

Hi everyone! One week and a day and we'll be sailing!

Joe, I think you need 10 posts to PM. So post a bunch here to get those 10!

We're getting our goodies together for the fish-extender-exchange. We're gathering stuff to pack in one place. I've got a stack of Disney t-shirts for the boys so they can wear them all week.

For those who are new to DCL, the kids get a pretty cool D Sea U t-shirt as part of the kid-programming - they get them at the Celebrate-the-Journey "graduation" but you don't have to go to that if it conflicts with whatever else you're doing -- especially on a 3-night -- you can just pop by the Lab / Club later that evening and get your child's shirt and graduation ears. My guys have both about outgrown their last ones so it's time for new t-shirts :)

[Ness2289]

Ticker dance time!!!!!!!

:dancer: :dancer: :dancer:

[nzdisneymom]

Oh yeah, I forgot to say yes, I'd like to meet on Thursday afternoon at 3:15 facing Pinocchios going torward the right by the windows! I don't know if DH and the boys will come with or not - but maybe they will... they'll likely be running amok about the ship :)

Oh you know what? Goofy's pool won't be open for swimming.... because they'll already have it covered up for the Adventures Away party....... but the Mickey Pool will be open.


So I'm making my list of things I want to do on the cruise -- some are things I want to do just because I haven't done them yet and some are because they are unique to the Wonder and some because they were so much fun / enjoyable, I have to do them again. I'll share my list -- and if you all have some things you want / plan to do, share them, too.

Here we go:

1. Eat at Triton's
2. Eat dinner at the buffet (BBB) rather than a dining room (but only if the night BBB is open for dinner doesn't conflict with Tritons)
3. See the Toy Story Musical
4. Watch a movie in the Buena Vista Theater
5. Have creme brulee cheesecake for dessert EVERY night ;)
6. Capture as many of Minnie Mouse's outfits on camera as possible
7. NOT do laundry (I'll be double-checking everyone's packing to make sure they have more than enough clothes - and thank goodness we're staying at a 1-BR at SSR the few days before - we can get the laundry all done Wednesday night)

I'm certain there are other things on my list but that's all I can think of for now...

One week from today!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Deb T.]

I'll share my list -- and if you all have some things you want / plan to do, share them, too.

Well, as far as new things, I've never ordered the All Hands on Deck Platter from room service so I plan to do that one afternoon. I'm really looking forward to seeing the new Toy Story show. I also hope to find time to watch the movie, Enchanted, for the first time.

Things I've done before but am looking forward to doing again are watching Match Your Mate on the first night and last night's Pub show. Both are for adults-only, and for good reasons! :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[Deb T.]

Oh you know what? Goofy's pool won't be open for swimming.... because they'll already have it covered up for the Adventures Away party....... but the Mickey Pool will be open.


Would everyone rather move the Thursday 3:15pm DIS Meet to nearby the Mickey Pool? We could plan to meet on the Scoops Ice-Cream side of the pool, by the tables near the windows. Let's take a quick vote on this since several of you are heading down to WDW in the next couple of days! We'll close the voting on Saturday, March 29th, at 3pm EST. At that time I'll post the final decision. :)

Choice #1 By the Goofy Pool, as you face Pinocchios on the right hand side by the windows. But, that pool will probably already be covered in preparation for the Sail-A-Way party.

Choice #2 On the Scoops Ice-Cream side of the Mickey Pool, by the tables near the windows. In that case, you can be sure that I'll be holding a big bowl of chocolate ice cream! :rotfl2:

It will be a fairly quick meet - most likely less than 20 minutes since we'll all need to head to our cabins at 3:45pm to prepare for the lifeboat drill. It's really fun to put faces to DIS names! On our Med cruise last summer, we were always running into each other on the ship and in the ports! It definitely felt like we were all long-time great friends! :goodvibes

[nzdisneymom]

By the Mickey pool works best for us. On the ice cream side... which is the side NOT where the beverage station is :) If you're facing the rear of the ship, it's to the left. The side of the ship opposite from the slide on the Mickey pool.

[GoofyJJ]

Thanks Cindy for the update on the PM postings.

I have the kids taken care of the fish extender exchange but the adults are a little tougher. That's half the fun of it isn't it? Tonight I will be putting together our Fish Extenders. Went out yesterday and picked up all the material to make the Fish Extenders.

My vote is for the Mickey pool. A meeting place by ice cream...I'm in!

We're leaving Saturday afternoon for Orlando and staying the evening close to the airport to get an early start Sunday. Big Jimmy Buffet fans amd Saturday night is our only opportunity to go over to Margaritaville.

See you all in a few days!:cool1:

[nzdisneymom]

Sailing, sailing, over the ocean blue.... or however the song goes - we'll be doing that this time next week.

Tonight starts the packing and tomorrow is the big push and Sunday we're off! Looking forward to catching up with you all on the ship or before.

[Ness2289]

Since I'm new to the ship, it doesn't matter to me where we meet. So if it's the Mickey Pool you want, we'll see you all near the Mickey pool! :)

[Deb T.]

Hi All!

I just sent PMs to all the FE Gift Exchange Participants! Happy shopping!

It looks like so far we have 4 votes (including mine!) for moving the 3:15 p.m. Thursday DIS Meet from Goofy's Pool to the Mickey Pool near SCOOPS! :) Ahhhhh, let the ice cream feeding frenzy begin!!! :rotfl:

For all of you who are heading down to WDW pre-cruise, have a safe trip and a wonderful time! See you all very soon!!! :yay:

[nzdisneymom]

We're packing! Hooray! I have my suitcase packed and am waiting for the boys' laundry to finish so i can pack theirs. I have passports and signed documents, luggage tags and FE Gifts all safely stored in the luggage.

This is the first time we've done a "land and sea" sort of deal - and I've been so focused on the Wonder part that I haven't given much thought to the WDW part. But the excitement is starting to build!

Hope you all are having a WONDERFUL Saturday - this time next week we'll be at beautiful Castaway Cay!

[Deb T.]

:wave: DIS MEET INFORMATION! :wave2:

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

When: Thursday, April 3 :boat:
Time: 3:15 p.m. pirate:
Where: By the Mickey Pool, on the Scoops side of the ship :sail:

[Deb T.]

I watched :boat: The Wonder :boat: sail out of Port Canaveral on the Radission Webcam tonight. It's awesome to know that when she returns, we'll all be boarding!

Only 4 more days!!! pirate:

[nzdisneymom]

We're at the WORLD and having a great time!

[Deb T.]

Hi Cindy!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for posting while on the first half of your vacation! Glad you're having a great time! :)

[GoofyJJ]

We've completed two days at the World and looking forward to today (Animal Kingdom). The first two nights were late ones. Sunday night Magic Kingdom was open late until 2AM and last night Hollywood Studios was open until 1AM.

Having a blast! Looking forward to seeing everyone shortly on the cruise!

Joe

[Deb T.]

Hi Joe!

Thanks for posting!!! I'm so glad you and you're family are having a blast at WDW right now! :) I'm all packed and ready to head down bright and early tomorrow morning and planning to spend most of the day at EPCOT! I'm looking forward to meeting all of you SOON!!! :thumbsup2

2 More Days Until the Cruise!!!

[Deb T.]

Hope everyone had a safe journey back home! It was GREAT meeting Ness2289, nzdisneymom, GoofyJJ, pryncesa, and their families onboard!!! Thanks to everyone who participated in our Thursday afternoon DIS meet and the FE gift exchange! :goodvibes I'm looking forward to nzdisneymom's Trip Report!!!

[nzdisneymom]

We made it home about 2:45 this afternoon after stopping in St. Augustine at the Disney outlet store for one last bit of Disney for our trip. It rained on us most of the way home - drizzling, mostly.

The laundry is about 3/4 of the way done, the mail has been sorted (and email downloaded), and I've made a quick run to the grocery store. Gary is cooking dinner and I'm trying to figure out how in the world to face the reality of tomorrow!

I will definitely start a Trip Report thread and will post a link here for you all. I hope you will add in your experiences and observations - the good, the bad, the fun, the "do better next time", the tips that worked for you (or didn't) so that other DISers, especially first-timers, can benefit from our experiences.

We were so thrilled to meet all of you and hope that if our paths cross again that we'll be able to share the magical moments again.

[nzdisneymom]

Hiya! I've started my trip report (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1782435), so come on over and chime in.

[Pryncesa]

I was bummed I missed the meet, but I have to say that I totally forgot about it once we got onboard and started settling in. I'd seen Nessa at Boma a couple of days prior, but I didn't remember about the meet until it was time for the drill. :sad2: I was glad that I did get a chance to see many of you, though. :)

nzdisneymom, I'll be checking out your report!