July6,2008 4 Night DD Wonder

[nrsldy]

Looking for other Cruisers that are going July6,2008. This will be our 2nd Disney cruise. It will be myself,DH and DS(13). We are looking forward to going to Nassau/Atlantis? and to Castaway Cay twice. Any Disney vacation is a good vacation especialy with a beach pirate:

[nrsldy]

Still looking for other cruisers for this date:beach:

[bairdbeth]

My DD (will be 12) and I will be on this cruise. We did a 7 night Double Dip and loved it! We can't wait to go to Castaway Cay again!

[nrsldy]

We went on a 7 day cruise last Oct. It was great. It was hard on DS to miss school so we told him we would not do that again. So we are trying a 4 day cruise this time in July. Last time DS met some DIS kids and had a good time.

Glad to see that you and your DD are going too.:woohoo:

[bairdbeth]

We went last summer on the 7 night and rebooked onboard for another 7 night, but since they are going to be in LA we had to switch to a 4 night. I was so glad when it turned out to be a Double Dip! It will seem too short, but 4 nights are better than none! I am a teacher and now that DD will be in middle school, we have to go during the summer!

[bairdbeth]

Anybody else joining us?

[bairdbeth]

Still waiting for others to join us!

[nrsldy]

I guess we will have the ship to ourselves.:woohoo:
When I go shopping I am always looking for thing to wear on the Cruise. I have a box I put cruise items in. Always Looking;)

[bairdbeth]

My DD has been looking for cruise outfits. I am afraid to get them now as she may have a huge growth spurt or none at all. At this age it is so hard to tell! At least on this cruise I will not have to worry about a formal for her! She has expensive tastes and we are on a teacher's budget!

[DaJoker]

My fiance and I will be on this cruise for our honeymoon. It's our first time cruising Disney so we're both pretty excited.

[bairdbeth]

Welcome aboard and congratulations! You will love the Wonder!:thumbsup2

[bairdbeth]

Still looking for others to join us!:cool1:

[bairdbeth]

Anybody else joining us?

[Dream426]

My fiance and I will be on this cruise for our honeymoon. It's our first time cruising Disney so we're both pretty excited.

FH and I will be on it. It will be our honeymoon also. We are going to be in Disney the 3 days before that. It will be my second time on the cruise and FH first time.

[bairdbeth]

Yeah! More people! Ya'll are going to give my DD (11) ideas on what to do for her honeymoon!

[Dream426]

Is anyone else going on this cruise? Not a lot of people have posted for this one.

[bairdbeth]

Still looking for others to join us! My DD (12) would love to have an e-mail pal before we go!

[bairdbeth]

Would love to hear from others!

[RLP817]

Hi Everyone! We will be on this cruise! It's myself, DH and DD (6 almost 7 by then, lol). We are travelling with my DH's company. We arrive in Disney on July 3rd and then head on over to the July 6th cruise. We can't wait!

[bairdbeth]

We can't wait either! We were on a 7 day double dip and loved it. Castaway Cay is our favorite place and to be able to spend 2 days there is heaven! My DD is 12, but went on ger first cruise when she was 8. Your DD will love the kids club! We are on deck 6. WHere are ya'll?

[RLP817]

We are not sure where we are at yet. All the arrangements are being made by my DH's company and they haven't forwarded them to us yet. My DD went on her first cruise (NCL) when she was 4 1/2 and every night all she asked was 'when can I go to the kid's club?'. I have no doubt she will be doing the same on this cruise :)

[bairdbeth]

Still looking for others to join us! I can't believe that in a few hours I can do all my paperwork and reservations! I can't wait!:yay:

[bamabeachgirl]

We are on the July 6-10 DD on the Wonder :goodvibes This will be my second disney cruise but my husband and stepdaughter's 1st time. She is 8 and I am a little nervous about her. I hope she will jump into the kids club and have a great time. We are looking at the aqua adventure at the atlantis but $$ WOW! I have been reading and looking at booking a room at the Comfort Inn to save on the cost. If you have some info on that pass it along! We are booked for Palo on the 2nd night and have not booked anything other than that right now. Any advice would be helpful! My last cruise with Disney was Oct 2003!!

[bairdbeth]

Welcome aboard! My DD was around 8 when we first sailed on a 4 night DCL cruise. She loved it and the kids club. DD is now 12, but could e-mail your step daughter and answer some of her (or your) questions. This will be her 3rd DCL cruise and the 2nd on the Wonder.

[mom2mizmous]

Count us on board too! We will be staying at ssr a couple days before cruise , then sailing to celebrate our dd's (24)college graduation . :yay: There will be 4 of us, me, dh, dd and her best friend (24). This will be dd's best friend's first cruise (dd is a wdw and dcl "veteran" lol).:beach:

[bairdbeth]

Welcome aboard! July can't come soon enough!

[bamabeachgirl]

Thanks bairdbeth! We are looking forward to the cruise! Under 3 months :cool1: I have been reading as much as possible (the teacher in me just can't stop researching and planning) since the last DC in 2003. We still have not decided what to do in Nassau. Any suggestions? Also I have read about giving the crew a pillow case to have autographed.....have you heard anything about that? Any info you can pass along would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks!:teacher:

[mom2mizmous]

Thanks for the welcome,Bairdbeth! We are really looking forward to this cruise! Bamabeach girl, I'm a teacher too,:teacher: so I understand the (can I say almost compulsive?) need to plan. We have had THIS cruise planned for two years. Also, although I love my students, :grouphug: I am ready for this school year to end and summer to begin. :tink: Hurry up July:hourglass ! lol

[bairdbeth]

Hey! I am a teacher too! We have done both the pillowcases and photo mats. We put the pillowcases and/or mats and sharpies in a big ziplock bag with our name and cabin number on it to guest services desk. They deliver it back to you the last afternoon/night. I don't think you have to include the sharpies, but we put in lots of different colors and they have used them all. In Nassau we decided to do Adastra Gardens as my DD loves to feed birds and see animals. The first cruise we just stayed on the ship. We thought about Atlantis, but didn't want to be watterlogged and sunburn for our 2nd day at Castaway Cay! We have signed up for Castaway Ray's stingray excursion on CC. We did this 2 years ago on our 7 day double dip and loved it! I too am ready for this school year to end. We have standardized testing the next 2 weeks and it will wear me out! I teach self-contained MID kids and they have a rough time with the test as the do not know any of the information. I just keep thinking..WDW and Disney Cruise, WDW and Disney Cruise.

[mom2mizmous]

We plan to have relaxing breakfasts in our rooms on Nassua day, then a quick trip to shop in about 3 stores right on street near pier(Hard Rock, Senor Frog, and Del Sol). We then plan to return to ship in time for buffet (we hope) followed by some time lying by the adult pool and "chilling" in the rain forest room. We have been to Nassua several times in the past (including this Jan. on a -gasp- Carnival 3 day- for niece's wedding cruise- boy did we miss the Disney "magic" then!:eek: )) and it is not our favorite port. We too last sailed 2-3 years ago on a double-dip 7 day, I "wonder" if it was the same one-lol? Anyway, we love our days at sea and since they "took" our ship and put it in Calf. this year ( a no-can-do for us since ds and his family :grouphug: will be meeting us at BCV for a few days after cruise) we will just have to make our own "sea day" while at Nassua!:cool1:

[bairdbeth]

We sailed on the July 4th double dip cruise in 2006. It has been a long wait for this one! WE have 25 days of school left here! Happy weekend!

[mom2mizmous]

Bairdbeth, I guess we must have just missed sailing with you previously. I believe we were on the following week. We look forward to sailing with all of you soon. I can't wait to see serenity bay on cc again. We don't drink Corona beer, but every time one of their ads comes on TV I get excited because it reminds me of the beach on the island!

[bamabeachgirl]

25 days of school left here!!:banana:

The teacher and "OCD" in me will just not stop reading and wanting to have everything planned out. I guess as a teacher since our lives live by bell schedules and lesson plans I just can not let go of planning and researching everything possible.

I purchased the passporter book for my mother, mother-in-law, and myself since it has been 4 years since my last DC. I have read it again cover to cover (have had some extra time...I have an intern this semester) trying to find out as much as possible.

Thanks for the advice on Nassau and I am hoping that my "group" will decide to just do a short trip off the ship, look around, then back on to RELAX!!

My biggest worry right now is my stepdaughter (8yrs). I just do not know how she is going to adjust with the club not having a "friend" going with us. :confused: I am sure the mom's on here have some advice on this for me:)

Are there any other kids in that age range going? I have signed her up for the club on the website but what do I do once we board the ship? I am new to this whole mom thing and would appreciate the help!!!

[bairdbeth]

Make sure your step daughter goes to the club the first night to get orientated. My DD found new friends to do activities with and always had fun. She did not stay all day, but just went for the activities she wanted to do. We ate all of our meals together and did family activities. My DD is 12 and she and your step-daughter will be in the Oceaneers Lab, but in different age groups. She would be glad to be your step-daugters email pal and email a few times so that she will "know" someone before she gets onboard. Where are you staying the night before the cruise? We will be at the Radisson at Port Canaveral.

[bamabeachgirl]

We are booked at the Country Inn and Suites the night before. Our rooms on the cruise are on Deck 2. We went cheap! :rotfl: Just in there to sleep and shower so why not!!!

I would love for our girls to email! That would be great! Also I have been waiting for someone to post their navigators from a recent DoubleDip so if you see those posted anywhere let me know!! Just can't let go of pre-planning!!!

:teacher: Sounds like there are a lot of us teachers looking forward to the cruise! We usually go on a big trip during our fall break just because the prices are lower but with adding more days to the school year has cut that break out. I do not know why they did that :confused3 . I needed that break!

[bairdbeth]

It looks like the 1st Double Dip of this summer is on May 11th. Hopefully someone will post those after that cruise! I sent you a PM with our email address so your step daughter can email my daughter. My DD's name is Taylor and is excited to meet another kid on our cruise!:banana:

[bamabeachgirl]

20 more days until school is out!! :cool1: High school seniors are the worst this time of year!

71 more days until we set sail! :beach:

[bairdbeth]

20 more days here too and standardized testing is done!!!

[cantwait520]

To Bairdbreath. We, too will be going on the wonder on the 6th-Here's the funny thing. We are from Roswell,GA! (towns just next door to each other for the others that are reading this). I also have a 12 y/o DD (she'll be turning 13 on 7/13- the day we disembark). We will be going with the whole family (17 of us). A couple of cousins who I think are 10 and 12, two 5 year olds and two 4 year olds. Our last Disney cruise was July 2006 (magic) and it was a 7 day. We are spending 3 days in the park prior to this sail and we are staying in the Grand Floridian. I'm glad to see all of the others on here. Hope you all have a wonderful time. Disney really knows how to treat their passengers well. Our favorite spot last time was Castaway cay.

[cantwait520]

Sorry for the misspell Bairdbeth! I noticed it the minute I hit t:rolleyes1 he button

[bairdbeth]

Cantwait- my DD is so excited that another 12 year old is going and that we are almost neighbors! She would love to email your DD and the cousins who are 10 and 12 so that she will "know" some kids before we get on the ship.

[bamabeachgirl]

Glad to see more people traveling with family!! If you want to get away from them and need a break TAKE ME WITH YOU :) 15 more school days!!!

Cantwait, my stepdaughter is 8 and would love to email with your DD and cousins too!!!

Do not know about anyone else on here but I need a vacation!!!

[bairdbeth]

Only 10 school days left and that much closer to our cruise! Still hoping to hear from others joining us!:banana:

[RLP817]

Hi Everyone!

Well, we have a bit longer to go in school. 21 more student days. Our last day is June 11th here. I'm not a teacher, but I am a clerk in an elementary school. Just like everyone else.. I love the kids but definitely ready for summer vacation. I wish I could book some excursions. We haven't received the final paperwork from my DH's company (we are traveling with them and they are making all the arrangements). So, I believe I have to wait for our reservations to make plans. We are getting very excited as the time is getting close.

[cantwait520]

Bairdbeth. Hi sorry I've been away. Busy,busy. I will send you a PM with my email address. I tried to do it already, but I have to have 10 posts in order to be able to do it. This should make #10, so I will try again. I'm getting excited! Need a break from it all! CC is calling my name!

[bamabeachgirl]

Have any of you gotten your cruise documents?

[bairdbeth]

Not yet. Hopefully soon! These last days of school are sure dragging! I REALLY need to be at Castaway Cay!!

[cantwait520]

Not yet, however I spoke to someone at DCL last week to check on our room assignments. She stated that they weren't issued for us yet, but that she was surprised because our luggage tags/documents have to go out 30 days prior to sail. So, I guess it could potentially be a few more weeks. I think most people already have their room assignments, we just don't b/c we booked 17 people kind of late in the game. Keep us posted if anyone receives them.

[Dream426]

I can't wait to get the documents in the mail. I am counting down the days until school is over and we leave. Only 29 days left of school and the last two are half days. The students are ready for the summer and so am I. Once the last day is here I have a few days to get ready. It will be here before we know it. Anyone going to Disney first? We will be there on July 3rd for a few days staying at the Grand Floridian.

[cleenw]

Hi everyone,
I will be travelling with DH, DS (almost 9) and DD (just 7). This is our first Disney cruise. We will be at Yacht Club 7/3-7/6 prior to boarding.
RLP817...I wonder if our DHs work for the same company?? as we are also with a company group. We are very excited about the trip!

Question regarding dinner rotation....I contacted Disney yesterday to see if they could tell me our dinner rotation. They said it would not be finalized until right before the cruise...Is this normal?

Thanks

[cantwait520]

pirate: pirate: pirate: pirate: From what I understand, it is usually Tritons, Animators, Animators (pirate night), and Parrot. That's what it was last year, I think they pretty much keep it the same, but I'll try to find out for you again.

[bairdbeth]

There are different rotations for each seating. It will be printed on your KTTW card and I think that the CM was right. They don't do dining assignments until right before the cruise. DD and I aren't picky about any certain rotation, we love all the dining rooms! 6 more days of school here, but I just found out [I] have to move rooms next yea, so I have to pack all my stuff up. We leave my last post planning day to meet friends at WDW so I better start packing up what we won't be using next week now!

[bamabeachgirl]

Hello ladies! 4 more days of school :dance3: Thank goodness. BairdBeth...same here with packing up the room completely they are painting the wing I am on this year.

So far I have started the packing box that was suggested in one of the postings I read. I have the pillow case and markers to give to guest services to get signatures for my stepdaughter, a clock for the room that she has picked out, along with a few other items that I have been buying a little at a time to avoid a HUGE shopping trip before hand. Anything not on the packing lists that any of you can suggest?

Would love to get to meet you all once we are all on board...any suggestions?

[bairdbeth]

This is the 3rd time in a year that I have had to pack everything and move. They renovated our old building and built a new wing. Everyone had to box up everthing at the end of last year and then unpack into a new room. Then those of us in the old building had to pack and move again during the school year so rooms could be renovated a zone at a time. Now we have done some redistricting so many of us have to switch rooms. I am so ready for summer! As for meeting on board, some groups have set up a location and time to meet at the sail away party. We are game for whatever anyone else wants to do!:banana:

[bamabeachgirl]

Saw this on another post maybe it will help us see who all is on....well at least those who have posted on here.

From what I have read this is the line up for the 7/6/08 Double Dip

nrsldy myself, DH and DS(13).

bairdbeth My DD (will be 12)

DaJoker My fiance and I

Dream426 FH and I will be on it.

RLP817 It's myself, DH and DD (6 almost 7 by then, lol).

bamabeachgirl myself, DH, DD (8), my parents and my in-laws

mom2mizmous There will be 4 of us, me, dh, dd (24) and her best friend (24)

cantwait520 I also have a 12 y/o DD (she'll be turning 13 on 7/13- the day we disembark). We will be going with the whole family (17 of us). A couple of cousins who I think are 10 and 12, two 5 year olds and two 4 year olds.

cleenw I will be travelling with DH, DS (almost 9) and DH (just 7).

Does this look right? And setting a meeting place sounds great!
BairdBeth I sent you an email and will sit down with my stepdaughter and have her email your daughter this afternoon....SOFTBALL is finally OVER!!!!

[bairdbeth]

School is out!!! 2 more teacher work days and I am off to WDW to help my friend with her grandkids!!! I am hoping that my cruise documents will be waiting when we return!:cool1:

[bamabeachgirl]

:cool1:
School is out and the first week out has been busy!!! Hope you all are doing well and getting as excited as we all are!

One of our friends just got back from a 4 day DC and said they were changing something about the dinner rotation...have any of you read anything about that???

[bairdbeth]

Just back from WDW and boy was it hot! Less than a month to go before we cruise and we can't wait!!

[bamabeachgirl]

Any cruise documents show up yet???

[cantwait520]

Not yet, but got my luggage tags and confirmation and paperwork, etc.. for the land portion of the land/sea package (Grand Floridian) early last week, so hopefully the cruise portion will arrive soon. We did not have a room assignment on the ship until about a week and a half ago, so it sounds like they have finally settled on all of the arrangements. I spoke with someone about 2 weeks ago at DCL and she said that it could be as early as 2 weeks before your departure date that you get the documents.

[Dream426]

Not yet, but got my luggage tags and confirmation and paperwork, etc.. for the land portion of the land/sea package (Grand Floridian) early last week, so hopefully the cruise portion will arrive soon. We did not have a room assignment on the ship until about a week and a half ago, so it sounds like they have finally settled on all of the arrangements. I spoke with someone about 2 weeks ago at DCL and she said that it could be as early as 2 weeks before your departure date that you get the documents.

I am doing the land/sea package also and staying at the Grand Floridian as well. We haven't received any documents or luggage tags for the land part of the trip. I hope it comes soon. I have been watching for the mailman every day hoping it would come.

[mom2mizmous]

We received our magical express tags , but no sign of cruise documents. We still have school until the 19th (FULL days except the last one!) After classes end, I have a four day "institute" to attend on teaching "readers workshop". I am SOOO looking forward to July 4th (the day we leave for Florida- staying 2 days at SSR pre-cruise)

[mom2mizmous]

oh but P.S.- DD graduates from college:yay: this week (Thursday)princess: so that helps - lol

[bairdbeth]

Congrats to your DD! No documents yet. I keep waiting!

[bamabeachgirl]

:cool1: We received our documents today. My parents and my in-laws still have not...but they booked after us so who knows:confused3

I feel your pain with the workshops after school gets out.....I have been stuck in a 2 week Math workshop, so I am saying my summer starts on Friday!!!

The count down to the DC is going by quickly!! Hope everyone is as excited as I am :banana:

[Dream426]

I am so jealous you guys are getting your documents. I watch for the mail everyday and get so disappointed when they are not there. I really hope I get something today. It gives me something to look forward to while I still have 2 weeks left of school and the students are just done as well as me...haha

[cleenw]

We just received our docs as well......Getting very excited. DH read through everything and is finally getting into the groove, even got him to read a few TRs.

He said to me yesterday, "Remember before the internet, when you booked a vacation and then actually had to wait until you got there to find out what to do?"

I am so happy to have found the DISboards, I have learned sooo much and can't wait to get there!

DD has little Mickeys on her bedroom door that we remove everyday to count down, got tired of her asking every 5 minutes, "when do we leave for Disney?"

Guess I better get packing!

[RLP817]

Hi everyone,
I will be travelling with DH, DS (almost 9) and DD (just 7). This is our first Disney cruise. We will be at Yacht Club 7/3-7/6 prior to boarding.
RLP817...I wonder if our DHs work for the same company?? as we are also with a company group. We are very excited about the trip!

Question regarding dinner rotation....I contacted Disney yesterday to see if they could tell me our dinner rotation. They said it would not be finalized until right before the cruise...Is this normal?

Thanks

Hi cleenw...... We finally got our travel documents and I got back on here to read the posts. We are with E. Jones Inv. You too?? I just checked out the guest list and guessing by where you are from and your name here I think we are on the same trip!! We are the family from Clarks Summit, PA.

[bairdbeth]

Okay, now I am jealous. We still have no documents!:worried: I booked this on the first day that the 2008 dates came out. I want my documents now so that I can do the document dance too!:beach:

[Dream426]

Okay, now I am jealous. We still have no documents!:worried: I booked this on the first day that the 2008 dates came out. I want my documents now so that I can do the document dance too!:beach:

We haven't received ours either. I hoping for tomorrow now. We did receive our card from our honeymoon registry but I really want our documents. They have to be here soon since we leave in less than 3 weeks.

[bairdbeth]

I spoke too soon! I took DD to a sleep over around 6, ran a few errands and when I caqme back... My documents were here!!!:cool1: :banana: :dancer:

I am glad I have cruised before and check out the DIS as the documents were skimpy this time. I know most of the forms were done on line, but the travel booklet just has the bar codes and any forms not filled out and no other info. We also got a checklist, but if I remember that used to come in a bigger packet with all the info about dining, activities, ect?

[cantwait520]

Hi Bairdbeth. I'm now the jealous one. I thought that I would get them at around the same time as you since we are only 10-15 minutes away from each other. Did they come regular mail or UPS (or similar)? It has been 2 years since last cruise and I can't remember. Anyway, started to pack the small stuff, like toiletries etc.. Getting excited.

[cleenw]

Hi cleenw...... We finally got our travel documents and I got back on here to read the posts. We are with E. Jones Inv. You too?? I just checked out the guest list and guessing by where you are from and your name here I think we are on the same trip!! We are the family from Clarks Summit, PA.

Hi Renee,

Yep, that's us! We also did the Boardwalk Villas in 2004..we seem to be traveling in the same circles...I see we have daughters the same age, that will be so nice. I look forward to meeting you and your family. See you at the Yacht Club!

Colleen

[RLP817]

Colleen...

That's great. You didn't happen to do the NCL Jewel in 2006 did you!! LOL. I love going to these boards. I also met someone from the company here before the NCL cruise (well, on Cruise Critic). It's pretty neat to find someone on the same trip as you from the company. Yes, my daughter will be 7 in Sept. Bet they'll have a blast in the kid's club. See you in July!!

Renee

[cantwait520]

Spoke with Bairdbeth. Cruise documents will come (probably) by UPS or similar carrier. (In case anyone is wondering). Still no documents here. :-(

[bamabeachgirl]

Hello Ladies,
Glad to see the rest of you getting your cruise documents. I am also getting the "little" things together for the trip. I just have a basket in our closet that I keep putting things in as I begin gathering them. We are all getting excited and glad to see you all are too!!

Hope you all are having a wonderful summer!

If you all think of things that some of us might forget or do not know to do please post them. This will be the first time I will be traveling on DC as a mom so any advice will be greatly appreciated!!!

Has anyone posted navigators from any of the double dips?

[Dream426]

I think I got my documents but I am not sure because I thought a bunch of stuff came with it. I got my luggage tags for my land portion of the trip. Am I suppose to get luggage tags for the cruise as well? I also got a travel booklet with my airline information, the cruise info and grand floridian info. Are these all of the documents or will I get more.

[cantwait520]

?? I wonder if that is it for you? We got land luggage tags and info on GF a while ago, but never any info on the cruise and still no info on the cruise yet. So, since you got land tags and info also on the cruise, I'm wondering..... Bairdbeth DID say that the documents WERE very flimsy this year. Someone is sure to let us know.
To Bamabeachgirl. Don't overthink things too much, that was our problem the first time. Just bring suits, sunscreen. Capris are good for the dinner nights, don't need to over-dress for you and your DD. A dress for the one dress-up night for DD and your night at Palo's. Try to bring 1pr. of black shoes that goes with every outfit if possible (easier said than done). A lot of people will tell you about the over-the-door shoe holder which is an excellent idea if you have more than just you 3, but I found that it wasn't really necessary with just the 3 of us. Disney rooms are plenty big for all of your things that you need to bring and store. I WOULD bring your own blow-dryer, though, if you have thick or even moderately thick hair. Theirs does not have much power. Also, do note, the laundry rooms are almost always crowded. I could almost never find a machine. I found it a REAL hassle. Won't attempt that business again. You are welcome to send me a private mail with any specific questions if you would like. Those are just a few of the things that stick out in my head right off the top. Oh, and just relax and don't let anything bother you (especially check-in)- NO STRESS while there. It is a rule that you must follow for a good time. :-)

[Dream426]

I had to call them up and fix DH plane information because they had it wrong on the documents and as I was talking to her I realized the luggage tags were for the land and cruise portion so I did get the cruise luggage tags also. I guess I did get everything.

[tinkytoo]

Hi all! My DH and I will be onboard celebrating our 8th anniversary. This will be our 4th Disney Wonder Cruise. We are looking forward to the 2 days at CC! By the way, we are both teachers too!

[bairdbeth]

Welcome aboard tinkytoo! Glad to have more teachers and Georgians too! I have a suitcase set out and am trying to figure out dinner outfits. Since we will spend 2 days at CC and will be in swimsuits for those days, I won't take as many shorts outfits. I still have to go out and get some magnetic plastic sleeves for the signs I made for our door and I am going to talk to a dive shop about good snorkel gear after our manatee swim fiasco! Time is getting shorter! I want the cruise to come, but don't want to wish my summer away!

[cantwait520]

Hi Tinkytoo!-Glad to see that you will both be sailing with the rest of us. Wow, a lot of teachers cruising!! Finally got my cruise documents. Bairdbeth is right, they are pretty anemic from what I recall a few years ago. Oh well. Glad to have them in hand. Hope everyone else's are as well. My suitcase is on my spare bedroom bed and has some stuff already in it! (Just gives me something to look foward to every time I look in there)!

[bairdbeth]

Glad you got your documents! I went to a dive shop today to get good snorkel equipment. I didn't want a repeat of our manatee fiasco, so we are now set to snorkel at CC! I also was ab;e tp pick up travel size of the lotions and body spray that I love from Bath and Body as they were having a huge sale! DD also found a coll pair of sunglasses at the Disney Store. We are abxiously awaiting our cruise, but trying not to hurry the time to much as we don't want summer to fly by too fast!:cool1:

[RLP817]

Hello Everyone!

We we are starting to get excited here (well, me and my DD 6 - my DH doesn't get too excited until he's actually there and even then I have to say any excitement is oddly contained, lol.) Although I'm starting to panic a bit listening to all you you who started packing. My husband's company has a summer regional from June 26th - June 29th. Which happens to be at the beach :) Anyway... we get home from there on Sunday and leave for Disney on Thursday the 3rd! That gives me 3 days to wash everything and pack for Disney. My husband thinks I'm crazy, but as you all know it's alot of work to pack for a trip such as Disney, especially with these baggage restrictions now. I definitely need to get a list together or I will go crazy those 3 days.

[cantwait520]

Bairdbeth... What was the manatee fiasco? You've got my curiosity up!!

[bairdbeth]

We went to Crystal River during our Disney trip in June in order to swim with the manatees. We got suited up in a wetsuit (no small feat for a very Pooh-sized person) and they took us out on a boat. When the captain located the manatees he let my DD and I enter the water. The problem was it was in deeper water and they were moving around quite quickly. We had been snorkeling and looking for about 5 to 10 minutes in very murky water when a manatee comes out of nowhere and runs straight into DD. Now, she thought that alligators were also in the river, so she was not sure what hit her and she screamed, which scared the manatees away, She also grabbed me and under I went and breathed in a mouthfull/lungfull of brackish water:eek: We got back on the boat and I was having issues breathing due to the very narrow (cheap!) snorkel they provided and the inhalation of water. I finally caught my breathe and the captain took us to shallower water where we got in again. DD was spooked by now and kept grabbing me and pulling me under which resulted in flooded masks and snorkels. We finally gave up and just observed from the boat. I would have gotten back in by myself, but couldn't get enough air in through the small snorkel. So after our visit to the Dive Shop yesterday (and lots of money) we are set up with much better gear and will hopefully have a better experience at CC!::yes::

[bamabeachgirl]

Hello everyone! Sounds like everyone is getting excited!! Glad to see all of the teachers on board. I am also ready for the cruise, but very sad to see my summer time off slipping by so quickly.

Looking forward to meeting you all in a a couple weeks!

[bairdbeth]

2 weeks from today we will be on the Wonder! I figure at about this time in 2 weeks DD will be in the pool for about 15 more minutes before we head off to our cabin!:yay:

[bamabeachgirl]

:confused3 Have y'all seen any navigators posted for the double dips? I have only seen one set posted. The preplanning OCD person inside of me just will not let go even though it is SUMMER!!!

:beach: Suitcases are out and packing has started here. I am trying to get as much done before July 3rd (when my stepdaughter returns to us from her mother) and we pull out heading to meet up with my parents and my in-laws.

Anything that you all pack that the rest of us might forget POST IT!!!

:confused: Are y'all going to decorate your doors? Where are the rest of you located on the ship we are on Deck 2.....we went CHEAP!!

See y'all soon!!:goodvibes

[bairdbeth]

I too have only seen the 1 set of navigators, but in reading trip reports it appears that the show rotation has changed since that 1st trip. On 2 different reports I saw Golden Mickeys, Toy Story, Ventriloquist and Disney Dreams. I would love to see a set of daily activities from the most recent Double Dip! I have been busy making signs for our door. It is fun and helps us find the right room easier! I have my suitcases out and have started placing some stuff in them. I told DD that starting next week she will have to wear whtever is not in the pack pile for our trip! We are in cabin 6580. This will be the third time in that cabin. It is exactly midship and above the stabilizers! Just think, 2 weeks from today we will be on Castaway Cay!:banana:

[tinkytoo]

Bairdbeth..we are from just north of you in Gainesville, GA.

I have been making signs for our door too. This is our 4th cruise but the first time I've made signs. I'm excited!! My DH thinks I'm nuts.....even though he is a Disney fanatic too. We are on Deck 5 in a Navigator's Verandah. I've started packing here too!

[RLP817]

Bairdbeth: I was just going over this post from the beginning and noticed you signed up for Ardastra Gardens. That's what I ended up signing us up for. I was having a hard time deciding and at first was doing the Stingray tour. Then I realized we could do that on CC, why not see a bit of Nassau. This way my DD (6 soon to be 7) gets to see the animals and see a bit Nassau.

[mom2mizmous]

Hi everyone! Sorry I haven't posted in a while ,but I'm sure especially all you other teachers know how the end of the year goes (with DD graduation thrown in for good measure!)! I finally closed up my classroom on Friday and have day one out of my four day class under my belt. Our little group can't wait to join you all on "our" ship-lol!

[mom2mizmous]

Tinkertwo- A belated welcome from another fellow teacher! I just read your post (still trying to catch up- hope I got your "name" correct , if not please accept my apology in advance !) We are in a "secret navigators" veranda on deck 6 ! We can't be very far apart really since all those type of rooms are in the same area of the ship!

[bamabeachgirl]

:rotfl2: looks like we are the only ones that went cheap on the room :rotfl2: if trouble happens with the boat (and I POSITIVE it will not) don't forget about the "alabama girl" at the bottom of the boat!!!

I got the "Walmart" run done today so I could get the "stuff" we did not have on hand already. Trying to do a little each day so it is not such a mad rush before we leave....and for some reason I cannot get into my late sleeping routine. Still waking up at the normal "school time."

Again looking forward to meeting you all soon!!:cool1:

[bairdbeth]

Glad to see that another DISer will be going to Ardastra Gardens! I keep putting more stuff out for our suitcases.

[Dream426]

Hey everyone. We are in stateroom 8522. I have not started to pack because I still need to buy so much. This week is the last week of school and I have been so busy with ending the school year. I am hoping this weekend I can start to finish my shopping and start to pack. DH and I are getting so excited and have been counting down the days for awhile. Only three more days of school after today and the last two are half days. This week is just going too slow for me. I want it to be over.

[RLP817]

OK.. I just located a video on these boards of the sailaway party. I kept reading about 'the horn' so I searched until I found it. Shows lots of dancing and then the characters. But, then THE COUNTDOWN to sailaway and the HORN!!! I sat here crying (I'm a bit emotional, lol). It's amazing. I can't wait to be there in person :yay:

[cleenw]

My kids and I have been watching videos on youtube of the horn blowing and it gave me chills. We actually leave this Saturday as we are spending time in New Smyrna with family before we head to the Yacht Club on the 3rd of July.

Renee....can you guess that we are missing Regionals this year? Oops!

Then we get a call last night that our new windows are going to be installed THIS Thursday. Just what I need in the middle of my already chaotic week. So now I am trying to pack, remove window treatments and get the house clean and get though little league playoffs. Boy, I could use a vacation!

I too am making door magnets, look for us in room 7100. We're the crazy Cub fans from Chicago.......back to packing!

[bairdbeth]

I LOVE the horn! We have our last swim meet tonight. I need to catch up on laundry tomorrow and at least pull all our dinner outfits and pirate costumes. We shouldn't need those next week. At least I could feel like I am making progress in packing clothes!

[bamabeachgirl]

Hope the swim meet went well!

What kind of pirate costumes are you all taking??

[bairdbeth]

My DD has the Elizabeth Swann pirate outfit with the brown pants, purple vest and ruffle shirt with the Capt Jack hat/wig. I have black Capris and pirate ruffle shirt and a pink pirate bandana. We love to get into the pirate theme and have some good pictures they took at the portrait settings before dinner. I think that I finished printing out all my signs for the door last night/this morning(until 2:00am:eek: ) Have the swim team party tonight until 9 and then I will go through all I have printed to make sure I have what I want. Getteing excited here!:dance3:

[bamabeachgirl]

I read somewhere that they give out towels by the pools. I do not remember them giving out towels by the pools the last time I cruised.

So I guess my question is should I pack beach towels or just trust they will have some by the pools?:confused3

[bairdbeth]

They had towels in a container by the pool and give them to you as you get off for CC. I am not bringing them this time. They take up way too much room! I need room to be able to bring back all the stuff we buy on the ship!::yes::

[bairdbeth]

So when does everybody leave? Are you all packed? We don't leave until the 5th as we will do the parks and Sea World camp after the cruise. This time next week it will be our turn to be too excited too sleep!:cool1:

[RLP817]

Hi! OK.... so we just returned from 4 days in Ocean City, Md. (my husband's company's summer regional meetings) Packed yet?? No way.. I'm unpacking and washing clothes!! Then tomorrow I can start to pack all over again. I have 3 days as we leave July 3rd for a few days @ Disney Yacht Club before the cruise.

[Dream426]

We leave on Thursday July 3rd and have not started to pack yet. I am going to start tomorrow. I have done a lot of shopping this weekend for it though and still have to buy some more things but I really need to get started tomorrow with packing. We are so excited and we can't wait. :yay:

[bairdbeth]

DD and I met Cantwait520 and her DD for lunch so that the girls would "know" someone their age on the ship. Both of us were then off to run errands for cruise supplies and we both leave on Saturday. Good luck with the packing for all!:laundy:

[eggbeater]

any first hand weather reports from Canaveral or Orlando?

[cleenw]

I have been in New Smyrna since Saturday (south of daytona) It has been in the mid/upper 80s every day with late afternoon showers. That seems to be the forecast every day for the next week (50% chance of showers each day).

My brother in law is in Orlando and it is the same there.

[RLP817]

Hello... well I'm finishing up our packing today as we leave tomorrow for Disney's Yacht Club. I have to admit I'm at the point where it's like ' just get us on the plane already!' I love Disney but you have to plan sooo much!!! I'm exhausted already:rotfl:

Colleen, maybe we'll see you at the company dinner tomorrow night:) Everyone else... see you on the Wonder:yay:

[eggbeater]

thanks Cleenw. Hopefully that means the mornings/early afternoon won't be too bad. See you all there!

[Dream426]

YAY!!! We leave tomorrow. I am going to get my nails done soon and then finish packing. I already printed out our boarding passes for the plane. We can't wait.

[bairdbeth]

For those heading out tomorrow, have a safe trip! Can't believe that it is almost time to sail!

[bamabeachgirl]

I have to agree with RLP817 that I am tired just from packing! Told a friend on the phone today that I was to the point I am just ready to go and if I forgot it OH WELL!! We are beginning our journey south (to my parents) tomorrow, then heading to the port Saturday. Hope you all have a safe trip to the port! Cannot wait to meet you all somewhere sometime aboard the Wonder :cool1:

[Dream426]

We are leaving in a half hour for the airport. :yay: :yay: I can't wait to get there.

[bairdbeth]

I am shipping DD off tonight to sleep at a friends and she will stay with them tomorrow and go to the Braves game to see fireworks. They will bring her home tomorrow night. Now I can finally get everything packed without her pulling stuff out to wear! I will have the car packed before bed tomorrow night so we can be at the kennels when the open at 8am! Can't wait!!

[RLP817]

HI! and Welcome Home to all those who returned home right after the trip (continued safe travels to those who didn't) We loved the Wonder! My daughter had a wonderful time and met lots of new friends.. as did I.

cleenw: it was a pleasure meeting you and getting to know you better. Who knows, we may meet again on a future diversification trip.

bairdbeth: can't believe we finally met at the last possible minute, literally!! thanks for taking our family photo. By the way, your door was great!

To everyone else... hope you had as much fun as I did! I loved the stingrays at CC. Wish I could say the same for my DD. She was scared and left the water as soon as one rubbed up against her. We also did Adastra Gardens.. wasn't impressed here and have to admit wish we did something else. instead. But, the ship was awesome, absolutely no compaints there.

[bamabeachgirl]

Sad that I did not every meet any of you :( We had a "WONDERful" time as did everyone else I am sure.

We also found out after we finally arrived back home that we will not be a family of three on our next cruise but a family of four!!

My first child and my husbands second.....we are all excited, but pray for a boy, I am tired of doing hair for my stepdaughter!!!

[RLP817]

Congratulations on your wonderful news:)

[bairdbeth]

Congrats, bamabeachgirl! We just arrived home tonight! I am exhausted, but DD loved the whole trip and had a blast at Sea World camp eventhough it rained every day! I am off to bed!

[RLP817]

Hi Everyone!!!

We received our Shoreside Survival Kit yesterday! Love the CD:) Sure made me have a Magical Day:thumbsup2