unofficial check-in for 3/9 magic UPDATED

[dizneykids]

2/26/02 - added another family!

2/14/02 - added another family....am running out of colors!

2/16/02 - added another two families, one a friend of martyp and one a friend of ours (who is not on this board, but i will be inviting them to the party). WOW! 18 families so far!! anyone else???

2/14/02 - added another two families.

2/10/02 - added another family.

2/8/02 - added another family. momtoemma pointed out something we haven't really discussed....which excursions is everyone taking? anyone doing stuff on their own vs. dcl excursion?

2/6/02 - added another two families and additional "night before" information. if you have additional information you would like to see listed, please just let me know.

2/5/02 - added another family to list and started listing where people are staying if coming in the night before. right now, with a couple inches of snow on the ground here in dallas, the cruise can't come quickly enough!

if anyone wants me to add any info to their listing here, please email me at dizneykids@themeparks.com. my msn account is giving me fits!!

okay, here's what i have so far...please correct any mistakes. also, if there is anyone else out there going 3/9, please let me know so i can update the list.

Johnf, DW and DS (almost 6), Palm Harbor, FL - first cruise, late seating - staying at dolphin night before

Pluto's Pup, DW, & DD4, Milton PA - staying at radisson night before

Magic (43), DH (46), DS (11), MS – late seating - flying in thursday, staying at portofino @ universal :eek:

Wfp, ?, 16yo, FL – 3rd cruise

dizneykids (Beth), dh (42), ds (9), ds (8), ds (3). Plano, TX – 5th cruise, late seating - staying at airport hyatt night before

MartyP, dh, ds-13, dd-10, dd-3, dm(mom), Port Neches, TX – 2nd cruise, late seating - flying in morning of cruise

txtara, DH, DD8, DD2 turning 3 on boat, MIL, FIL, Bedford, TX - staying at radisson night before

vickiered, DH, DD(11), DD(3), Wake Forest, NC – first cruise - staying at radisson night before

nordy, ?, DD(8), DS(4), Plano, TX - flying in morning of cruise

joshua4 (Lauren), my DH, DS (5.5), DD (1.5) - first cruise - staying at radisson night before

wendyandgoofy, DH, DS8 and DS 9, Houston, TX - staying in Kissimmee night before

Aurora3 (43), dd (8 on 3/8!) and my dgm/her dg-gm (81), San Antonio, TX/CA - staying at airport hyatt night before

Momtoemma, dd (8 on March 4), dniece 8, dnephew 10, dgm, db and dsil, Toronto, Canada - early seating - flying in day of

Emilyc, Bill (DH), DS (6), DS (8) driving from southern Illinois staying at the Radisson, late seating, kids first cruise (and they are excited!) our first Disney cruise

pixiedust519 (alyssa)

kume (jack), dw, dd, dsil, dgd7, dgs4, Oakville, Ont - staying at radisson the night before

scubadad (DH-jeff), DW, DS 12, DD 7 - second cruise

(my friends) Lois, Bob, mil, fil, ds (12), ds (7), Plano, TX - first cruise, late seating

Pat, dw, ds (7), ds (6), Memphis, TN - first cruise - late seating

Dana D, DH, DD 6 and DS 3, Rhode Island - Second Magic Cruise - Staying at the Embassy Suites the night before and the AKL for 3 nights after

looks like we have a few 3yo...and most of us are in the potty-training stage so they can do the kids' club. my son is just about there...he'll be ready for the kids' club (WOO-HOO!).

on a previous post, i suggested a DIS meet on the 10th deck following the safety drill/during the sail-away party. i will have my lanyard on...on it, i have my lime-green dizpins pin, so i'll be identifiable (note to self...remove pin from hat and place on lanyard).

counting the days..... :bounce:

[txtara]

We will be there....this will be our 2nd sailaway party on the magic
...3rd in total...one was on the wonder...the excitement never
changes...we cant wait...we too are counting the days...

[plutospup]

Anyone staying at the Raddisson the Friday night before the 3/9 Magic?

[johnf]

Dolphin Hotel here for the night before...Can you believe it? 5 weeks from tomorrow!

johnf
Palm Harbor, FL:smooth:

[dizneykids]

we're staying at the airport hyatt the night before. we'll get a car on saturday, drive out there and drop it at the radisson (there are 5 of us and we plan on going back to wdw after the cruise...transfers just don't make sense).

[vickiered]

WE will be driving in from NC.. Gotta stay somewhere. Is the Radisson close to the Port. Any other suggestions on where to stay? Our documents came in Wed.(1/29). I am going to pick up from travel agent tomorrow..I am sooooooo excited. It will be here before we know it. See ya all in 5 weeks!!

[MartyP]

We will be flying in the morning of the 9th. Will be a very early morning but well worth it.

[txtara]

we will be staying at the Radisson at the Port as well.....last year
we stayed at the Embassy Suites at the airport...then took
the disney transportation into the port....this year we are just
renting a car and driving to the hotel....we are spending the
evening at Downtown Disney before heading to the hotel..

[Nordy]

We are gearing up for the 3/9 with 8 year old girl and 4 year old son. Taking the 5:45 a.m. flight on the 9th.Anyone else from Plano or Metroplex taking this Delta flight?
Excited in Plano!

[dizneykids]

but, we're flying in the night before on american. where in plano are you? we're north of legacy near coit.

:bounce:

[Nordy]

Just down the street at Coit and Legacy. Biltmore Place to be exact

[dizneykids]

yep...real close....we're in russell creek. am sending you an email.

"It's a small world after all...it's a small, small, world"

[joshua4]

We (me, my DH, DS (5.5) and DD (1.5) will be there too! Staying at Raddison the night before. We are first timers -- but feel well prepared after hanging out on these boards for some time now.

See you all there!

Joshua's mom (Lauren)

[vickiered]

:bounce:
We have our reservations at the Radisson for Friday. Hope to arrive early afternoon. Are you all leaving your car(that is if you driving) at the Radisson? Does anyone know the deal with the Radisson parking? I read on the board that if you stay there, you can leave your car for the duration of the cruise???? I sure hope so. 4 weeks and 3 days...
:sunny:

[txtara]

We are renting a car and returning it at the Radisson....we will be
flying into MCO Friday afternoon and then spending the evening
at Downtown Disney and then heading for the hotel...It will be a
long day but at least we should sleep well that night!!!

[plutospup]

We're looking forward to a warm, relaxing afternoon/evening at the Radisson before our cruise. Currently at home... Brrrrrrr 29 degrees and falling. Just 4+ more weeks! (btw early seating for us)

[magic]

We are arriving in Orlando on Thursday night, renting a car from Avis and going to Universal on Friday. Just got my cruise documents Monday so it feel like it is really happening now.

[dizneykids]

i've made some changes, but editing doesn't bump the thread back up to the top apparently. so...am manually bumping!

any other march 9 magic cruisers?

[WendyandGoofy]

My DH, DS8 and DS 9 and I are going to try to do some EPCOT Friday. Staying in Kissimee(sp?) and driving to the Port in the AM. With this unusually cold Texas weather, we are even more exited to get to an island! I just got my birth cert. from Dallas - I was dreaming that my family had to leave me on the dock because it didn't come in time.
Is anyone packing anything for space saving in the room? Ex. shoe rack for bathroom door toiletries and removable hooks? I am not a neat freak, but it is nice to be able to put your hands on stuff! See y'all there!:cool:

[txtara]

We always take our hanging toiletry bag...that combined with the shelves in the bathroom you will have plenty of room....you would be surprised at how much will fit in the closet!!!....also there is a
trunk that holds a good amount....dont worry you will have
plenty of room...

[Aurora3]

Count us in!
Aurora3 (43), dd (8 on 3/8!) and my dgm/her dg-gm (81). Dd and I from San Antonio, TX, great-grandma is from California. Early seating. We all arrive very late on 3/8 so we'll be staying at the Hyatt Airport.

[dizneykids]

just want to keep this on the front page!

four weeks, three days! :bounce: :bounce:

[Momtoemma]

We too can hadly wait. (8 on March 4), dniece 8, dnephew 10, dgm, db and dsil.

We fly in from Toronto same day (not my choice but n ne wuld o along with m on day before).
Anyone doing the Glden catamarren at St. Maarten with kids? (dd 8 and dn 8 are doing it with me, we can hardly wait.
We have early seating for dinner

[MartyP]

Just thought we needed a BUMP

[txtara]

ok...what 3/9'ers have rcvd their docs?

[MartyP]

We recieved our dmts about two weeks ago.

[plutospup]

Only 4 more weeks to go! I can't believe our cruise is right around the corner. We booked this almost a year ago.
Two weeks ago we received our documents. My tux has been sent to the cleaners...and picked up. Our storage closet of "cruise stuff" is getting bigger every day. DD4 even gave us a fashion show of her new cruise wear. What a hoot!

[dizneykids]

we received our documents several weeks ago. we got a call yesterday (to debunk another rumor) from dcl and (because we are in a suite) were offered the opportunity to pre-book our excursions (which we are not doing through dcl...explained below) AND palos. so now i have to sit down with some of the personal navigators floating around out there and try to figure out the best time to do brunch and dinner. i've asked for the plaplap rotation, so am figuring brunch on monday and dinner on thursday (wednesday?).

as for excursions, we have a 3 yo and most of the stuff we want to do, he can't because of his age (e.g., the atlantis submarine). but we've discovered that the age restriction for the sub, at least, is dcl-imposed. we (including 3 yo ds) are booked on the 10:30 atlantis sub in st. thomas...dh booked directly with the company (at a lower cost than if we had booked through dcl). after the sub, we may go to either coral world (though i wonder if we should since some people here have called it lame)/coki beach or over to st. john. we'll wing it. same for st. maarten...we have no set plans, so will prolly wing it. we've been to orient beach before (when i was pregnant with ds#2) and really loved it, so we may head over there....ds#1 will prolly be agog with the sights, but the beach is worth it. we'd love to do the catamaran, but dcl has that age restriction thing....

what about everyone else? who's doing what?

[johnf]

In St. Maarten, we are doing the Sea/Sea Island Tour (DS is 5.5) in the morning and local sightseeing on our own near the ship in the afternoon. In St. Thomas, we are taking our own walking tour of Charlotte Amalie in the morning, Hard Rock Cafe and then the Tram up to the top for some great pictures, lunch at the restaurant on top and then back to town for some shopping. We live near some of the best beaches in Florida so going to a beach isn't really one of our priorities. We will be doing the snorkling package at Castaway Cay though :).

johnf
Palm Harbor, FL:smooth:

[txtara]

ok...so I have tracked down my docs...they are in Canada...this is
my 3rd disney cruise and they have always sent my docs directly
to me....well for some reason this time they sent them to my TA...
who is in Canada...wouldnt it have been cheaper for them to send
them to me....yyeess....so spoke with TA and he is fedex them to
me monday...finally....nothing worse than not knowing where your
docs are....


In St Maarten we are going to do some shopping and that is
really about it...In St Thomas we are going to walk around the
stores right there at the ship...I am contemplating either riding
the tram or going to Coral World....My inlaws..who will be with us..
live on Ft Walton Beach...white sand...crystal clear water...so
going to beaches are not our first priority either....since we have
been to both places before we are really just going to take it
easy...we are looking for relaxation this time...

[dizneykids]

it's hard to believe that we are only 4 weeks (less, actually :bounce: ) away! i don't know about y'all, but i am getting so very excited! lots to do, though...i've begun the "fill the guest bed with all the stuff i need to pack" piles! anyone else begun to pack?

we have some friends who live down the street who are coming on the cruise as well. they are not on this board, so i haven't listed them, but they have a 7yo dd and 12yo ds. she called me back in january to ask questions about going to wdw, heard we were going on the cruise and they switched their plans! they mentioned it to his parents, and now they are going as well. it's so funny how disney rubs off on people!

found this tip on the disney tip board.... here's a great page from deb wills' site on what to pack for wdw. most of it applies to the cruise as well.... http://www.wdwig.com/forgot.htm

which leads me to another "question of the day"....for those of you who have cruised before....what did not not pack that you wish you had? and what did you pack that you wish you hadn't?

can you tell i'm trying to keep our thread at the top of the list??? :D

[txtara]

I cant think of anything that I should have brought....trust me I brought too much....so that would be my suggestion...Do not
bring too much in the way of clothes...we had almost an entire suitcase of clothes that we didnt wear!!!

[MartyP]

I agree with txtara I took way to many clothes last time. I can't think of anything that we needed and didn't have.
Marty

[dizneykids]

...to the second page. come on, y'all, let's chatter and keep our thread on the first page, if not at the top of the list! i mean, even the 9.28.02 thread is longer! :confused:

[plutospup]

Along with snorkle gear, tux, dresses, and enough clothing for a 2 month vacation...should DW bring a sweater? Are the dining rooms "over airconditioned"? How cool are the outside decks in the evening?

[dizneykids]

i am notorious for always being cold...my dh says i have no blood. i've never had a problem in the restaurants with it being too cold, however! weird. i do usually wear something with long sleeves, though, so that definitely helps.

nonetheless, i would have your dw bring a light-weight sweater(i'll have one for restaurants as well as my trusty sweatshirt), just in case. that time of year, it can be iffy, especially while at sea at night.

[vickiered]

We too have noticed that you are limited on excursions if traveling with 3 yr old. Have not made any decisions on the excursions. We had heard you could prebook by calling DCL. Does anyone know if this is true. Would like to get that taken care of, so I do not have that to do after boarding.
I will be one of those who overpacks, I just can not help myself. Is a tux recommended for formal nights?
Anyone have recommendations for the spa? I am sooo excited, can't hardly wait.

[dizneykids]

we are putting together our own excursions. the one i'd really like to do, however, doesn't operate without a third party and that's the golden eagle catamaran that so many have said is so good. but disney's age limitation is 5, so we'll have to wait for another couple years to do that one. we don't want to do a 4-4.5 hour excursion and leave the little one on board by himself.

yes, you can pre-book your excursions. we received a form in the mail a couple weeks ago, but we found that we could do most of those we wanted to do by ourselves less expensively and still take our 3yo (who could not be included on the dcl-sponsored excursions due to his age). for example, my dh booked the atlantis sub in st. thomas for about $20-25 cheaper for the 5 of us (and we get to take the little guy). if we decide to do coral world as well, it will be cheaper to do that on our own, even counting in the taxi ride.

as for the tux, from what i've read lately, it seems as if fewer and fewer men are wearing them. one trip report i read last night said that maybe 5% of the guys wore a tux. my dh, god bless him, has not balked at all and ordered his tux on-line just last week. he had me take all his measurements and i've got an internet receipt in our file, so i know he really did it (you know guys, they say they'll do something, but not bother to tell you they didn't until it is too late!). personally, i think he'd rather rent a tux than lug one of his suits down....go figure!

as for me, i plan to wear a couple fancy pantsuits...you know, the kind with the glitter and sparkles. i'm still looking for a stunning dress that doesn't include the stunning price since the likelyhood that i'll wear it anywhere else but on the occasional 7-day cruise is slim-to-none.

and, as for the spa, i've heard the surial treatment (or whatever it is) is to die for. we're not much for the spa (in our previous 4 dcl cruises, dh didn't even ask me if we wanted to do something there), but he's getting into the idea of an hour alone smearing mud on each other (and that's as far as i'll go with that!). so i think we'll try to book that. we've also heard the massages on castaway cay are wonderful, but hard to get since there are so few and so many who want them. also, with an unpredictable 3yo in tow, we can't count on him wanting to play in scuttles cove, so we'll have to wait on that for another time as well.

and, yes, i'm getting so excited, i can't stand it. i'm up until 2:00 a.m. lately reading posts and trip reports! but i need to get moving as i've committed to making our tropical wear and have only finished 1.5 boys, have another 2.5 boys (that includes dh) and my stuff to go yet. YIKES!

:bounce:

[txtara]

you are good....I havent even begun o plan our outfits yet...I am
pregnant with #3 so I am going to wait until the first of March
to see what I can still fit in to....as for the rest of the family I guess I should start seeing if anyone needs anything new...
procrastination at its best.....

[pixiedust519]

Hey Everyone....
I just joined this board and I love it! I'm getting lots of great information here. I'm also going on the March 9th cruise and can't wait!! I've never been before and I'm counting down the days! :D

--Alyssa :earsgirl:

[magic]

Finally booked a hotel for Thursday and Friday night before the cruise for Portofino Hotel at Universal Studios. We have never been to Island of Adventures and decided to give it a try before the cruise.

Can't wait, it will be here before we know it.

[plutospup]

Welcome aboard pixiedust!

[MartyP]

Welcome Pixiedust!!

[vickiered]

Welcome aboard Pixiedust...Make sure to email your info to dizneykids so that it is added to the 3/9 check-in list.

All others...I saw somewhere on one of the boards a post about sea lice. All previous cruisers, is this something to be concerned with. When my dad was living, he was in N. Palm Beach and I remember seeing a warning of this at Jupiter beach. Needless to say, we did not go into the ocean (at the time I did not know what it was and did not want to find out). I have checked into what they are now, and still want no part of it. There is a product mentioned that you could use that kind of repels the sea lice. And I found out it is distributed out of none other than Wake Forest, NC. I was thinking of picking up a bottle (it is a lotion). Do you think I need it??? If anyone else has heard of this and would like a bottle, I would be glad to bring extras. It is $12.95 ea. and comes in spf 15,30, & 0. Anyway, previous cruisers, let me know your thoughts. Has there ever been an problem with this at any of the beaches on the cruise. From what I read the sea lice peak is April - Sept.

[MartyP]

I don't remember even hearing about sea lice last time, hopefully it won't be a problem.

[txtara]

Documents finally came this morning!!! We are soooo excited.
Even though this is number 3 we are just excited as if it were number 1!!! 23 days until we leave...the countdown has begun...

[plutospup]

Thanx for the sweater info! DW went shopping and now has everything for the cruise. ...is it too soon to get out the suitcases?
Txtara, you're right the countdown has begun! Everyday, DD4 gets to cut off another link of our countdown chain. She's almost as excited as Mommy & Daddy!

[txtara]

OK who is having a hard time concentrating on anything except their upcoming vacations?

[dizneykids]

i haven't been around the past couple days. two of my boys are cub scouts and we are getting ready for our blue & gold banquet. since my dh is assistant cubmaster (soon-to-be cubmaster), i'll been busy scrambling to get stuff ready.

pixie dust...welcome aboard! i'll update the list later this evening. we are planning a get together at the sailing away party, deck 10, prolly around 4:30. johnf came up with the interesting question as to how we will know each other. lime green is the color of choice for the DIS boarders, so a lime green ribbon will be a clue. i'll have my lime green DIS pin on my hat or lanyard (depends on how sunny it is!). BUT...to make things simple, i'll develop a sign that i will hold up at 4:30 on deck 10 directly above the goofy pool, which is mid-ships. if it gets too noisy there (as the sail away party gets cranking), we can move closer to the bow.

for those who've not sailed dcl before, you'll probably want to move closer to the bow as we push away from the dock. it is so cool to watch as we put to sea. on one of our trips out, we were actually accompanied by a school of dolphins...wonderful!

oh, for those of you with little ones, you might want to get a thing of bubbles. we did that on our last trip out and my boys had a blast!

and for txtara....is there anything ELSE we should think about now but the cruise? i'm struggling mightily, but i am having to deal with things non-disney! :mad:

3 weeks and counting!

[MartyP]

Can you believe we only have 21 more days and we'll be on the Magic!! In some ways it seems that it won't be here quick enough and then I think about getting everything ready and I get worried I'll run out of time. My list keeps getting longer and longer. Everyone have a good weekend as we will be visiting family for birthdays. I'll catch up on Monday.

[kume]

It sounds like our 7 year old girl is going to have lots of company but how about the 4 year old boy? I'd also like to take this oppurtunity to thank the good people in the USA who complained about the judging at the Olympics. Without the fury created in the US, there's no way they would have given those Canadian kids their gold medal. It does my heart good to our countries looking out for each other.

[dizneykids]

i, for one, was so pleased to see pelletier and sale win the gold. i just wish that they were able to give the silver they received to the rightful skaters...the russians. i don't think it fair that the canadians should have to share something that was rightfully theirs from the start.

i have been so impressed all week with how the canadian pair have handled themselves publically about this. their actions are truly a tribute to all canadians!

congratulations!

as far as your 4yo boy, mine is 3 plus (born in october), so he'll have at least one companion. they group the 3 & 4 yo together, and i believe there are several other 3 yo on the list.

[MartyP]

Kume my daughter will be 3 the week after we return from the cruise. She'll be happy to play with anybody.

[scubadad]

Hello everyone,

Dizneykids has already added me to the list, but I thought we'd say "hi" anyway.

Glad to see that everyone else is counting down the days -- I thought I was the only one going overboard. I've worked at WDW for 10 years, and we're so excited, you'd think we never get out much!

We're exploring St John on our own. We've done this once before, and it was a piece of cake. Jeep rentals are only $65, and driving on the left-hand side of the road isn't as hard as it sounds.

Anyone bringing their scuba gear?

20 days ...

[dizneykids]

glad to see you made it!

we're doing st. thomas/st. john on our own, but not bringing own scuba gear...we've only snorkeled, not scubaed(sp?). we booked the atlantis sub on our own (this way we can take our 3yo...the 5yo age limitation is disney's, not the atlantis people's) and then either coral world (though i'm hearing it is lame) or st. john for the beaches (we've never been there).

what are the rest of y'all doing on the islands?

[txtara]

We are actually doing as little as possible...In St Maarten we are
going to do some shopping and that is really about it...We did
Orient Beach last time...yes saw the nudity and all...but it did not
really bother us...we enjoyed the shopping in St Maarten more than in St Thomas....then in St Thomas we will do our jewelry
shopping and I am trying to talk the group into doing the tram
to the top...we shall see...really want to relax more than anything...cant wait...19 MORE DAYS.....

[plutospup]

We're thinking we might do a little "anniversary" shopping in St. Martin. I'd like to go to Magen's Bay on St. Thomas, of course followed by some DW shopping. Several years ago we found the prices better in St. Martin than in St. Thomas. Does anyone know if that still holds true? There was a thread from Webmaster Pete about a coupon for a store in St. Thomas. Has anyone else seen this.
As for St. John beaches...they're spectacular. If you can find the time check them out.

[txtara]

I found the prices better in St Maarten than in St Thomas...especially on liqour and tobacco if you are in to that...
we are going to buy all of our liqour there and just pay the duty
on it....even with the duty it is still cheaper than in St Thomas...

[MartyP]

We are considering taking the Paradise Tram to the top of the Mountain also. Otherwise we haven't decided what we will do.

[dizneykids]

we haven't decided what to do in st. maarten yet. maybe the beach, definitely not the shopping...our boys are not into shopping unless it involves toys r us :(

in st. thomas, as i think i've said, we're doing the atlantis sub, but aren't sure which is the best beach to go given what time we will have remaining. i'd love to go see st. john, but don't think we'll have time this trip...maybe on our next one. :D

[dizneykids]

just added another family to the list...rendezvous pat and his family. we're going to have quite the crowd!

okay, who's started packing already? :confused:

[txtara]

I can honestly say that I have not started packing yet....come march 2 though that will be the only thing on my mind....planning
everyones outfits...I keep telling myself not to bring as much as
last time....we will see...

[MartyP]

Welcome to our group Pat and Family.

[kume]

I haven't started packing yet. I'm still making a list. I haven't decided to rent a tux or not. It seems not too many guys do. I don't want to be the only one in a tux. I don't know whether to bring a sports jacket and suit or just a sports jacket and rent a tux. How about those two way radios? Are they worth buying? And if you do, are the ones with only 14 channels good enough or is it worth getting the extra 38 channels? It's getting down to crunch time with these tough decisions.

[Michelle]

Just testing the reply feature. :)

Hope you guys have a great time!

[plutospup]

My thoughts on the "tux" debate. I own my tux, so of course I'm taking it. However, if I didn't, I would pack a suit, and save the tux rental money.
Palo question...Do you have to wear a jacket? I'm trying to limit my packing.

[txtara]

My husband wore a nice suit for the formal nights ....we actually
did Palo on a formal night so it did not matter....most men wear
sports jackets to Palo...they ask you wear a jacket...he keeps telling me he is not wearing one to Palo this time....It is getting
packed so he is wearing it...like it or not....he will get over it....
we never dress for dinner here so a few nights he can look
presentable...

[WebmasterAlex]

test

[MartyP]

I'm sure you have notice that there has been a problem with our thread. Tech support is working on it. Most of you who replied since yesterday the reply did not go through. Just 16 more days!!!

[WebmasterAlex]

Seems to be working OK now... my test reply went right through

[plutospup]

Hmmm...Ok Txtara, I get the hint. I'm not wearing a tux to Palo's, so I guess I'll pack the extra jacket. What's one more thing in the suitcase! That's why there are porters!
Only 16 more days!!

[dizneykids]

plutospup...i think you'll feel more comfortable having the jacket. you would definitely be in a very small minority without one.

my dh wore a suit our first time at palos. that changed quickly and now he wears a sports jacket, slacks and a white polo (disney, of course!). but you'll find everything from tuxes to that and even less, though, again a very small minority.

well, folks, i'm off to wdw for a long weekend. we have friends getting married in the wedding pavilion, reception at coral reef and special seating for illuminations. try to keep the thread on the first page, and i'll touch base on monday when i return!

TTFN!! :bounce:

[MartyP]

Have a great time at wdw Dizneykids. Remember 15 more days till paradise!

[vickiered]

Wanted to get us back on page one...
We are leaving in less than 2 weeks...I can not wait..
Got kids mostly packed, but now I have to work on me....What a chore. I know everyone says to relax and do not overpack, but I can not help it...Do we pack like summer weather? But what if there is a cold spell? I do not like to be cold. So you see, I get all my summer duds out and then start getting some warmer clothes just in case and before long I have wayyyyy to much packed. I hate to be on vacation and wish I had packed something and didn't. So I pack to be prepared for any and everything.
This is going to be such a great vacation....

[plutospup]

You'll be able to spot our plane flying into Orlando. It'll be the plane pulling the trailer with our luggage. At least this time we won't be taking the stroller, or car seat. But we need snorkle gear, tux, suit for Palo's, DD's dresses, swim suits, SHOES (sneakers, sandals, etc!), oh we better take some snacks, soda, too, oh do you think we'll have enough sunscreen, better take along another bottle! Don't forget the sweater! What about the bubbles...better get more. Pluto's Pup's family doesn't travel light (even when we try!).

[txtara]

We have a family of 4 and last march we had 2 HUGE suitcases,
one big suitcase and 2 small ones....not to mention my carryon...
eeeekkk....no there will not be that much luggage this time!!!!

[plutospup]

Where did you store all of your luggage last time?

[txtara]

every spot possible!!!!.....we were able to get alot in the closet...
we also used under the bed and on the wall next to the chest....
there is plenty of room for the luggage.....if we did it anyone can..

[magic]

O.K., I broke down and started packing for the 3 of us today. All my husband has asked is whether he will be stepping over all the junk until 3/7 when we leave. I keep telling him I have a plan, but my stack is getting pretty large, and I had promised we were going to limit what we took.

Can't wait, I really need a vacation.

[MartyP]

I also started laying out everyone's clothes and anything else I can think of that we are taking with us. I've already made a list of last minute items to be bought from Wal Mart before we leave. I know I'll forget something.

[txtara]

I started laying out my kids clothes and already it is too much...
I dont think I am going to be able to scale down any either....
oh well....we will just have to be slaves to our luggage again...
12 DAYS AND COUNTING!!!!!

[dizneykids]

and finally dried out, too! man, what an ugly weekend! i don't think i've ever been to wdw when it rained so much....all day friday AND saturday. i felt so sorry for our friends whose day was so thoroughly soggy. we even watched illuminations in the rain....with complimentary ponchos provided by wdw. what a sight...a bride in her gown with a yellow 100 years poncho and mickey umbrella watching illuminations!

anyway, i've decided to just barely unpack...since we wore our good stuff, i have our good shoes and all accoutrements in the suitcase. will take the suits out for cleaning, but have already washed the dark socks and shirts (thanks to the boardwalk washer/dryers) and most of what we'd need for casual (shorts, t-shirts, etc....also washed) still in the suitcase. why unpack? i'll just move the suitcase into the spare bedroom and go from there! woo-hoo!

of course, i still have to add flip-flops and extra bathing suits and so much more....i'm sure to overpack (as i did for this short trip!), but i'm going to try to limit us to just 2 big suitcases and the hangbag. TRY is the keyword here!

i can't believe it's getting so close! :bounce:

[kume]

My dw is all concerned about dressing for Saturday. I thought I had read that you should pack what your going to wear in your carry on just in case your luggage doesn't arrive in time. We have first seating. She says it'll be a mess carrying it around. What do most people do? Suppose you get Lumier's the first day. Don't they want you to dress up? BTW, don't listen to Wayne Gretzky. After the Olympics, the CBC announcer couldn't stop praising the people from the US for being such wonderful hosts and I concur. Canadians should be proud. They did well but they should also be grateful. The USA sure put on a fantastic show.

[plutospup]

I believe Saturday evening dinner dress is casual - whether in Lumieres or not. Formal nights are Sunday & Thursday.
Congrats to the Canadian Men's, and Women's Olympic Hockey Teams! True champions. BTW Wayne who?:D

[Dana D]

We are cruising on the 9th as well. Myself, DH, DD 6 and DS 3. Second Magic Cruise. Staying at the Embassy Suites the night before and the AKL for 3 nights after. See you there!

[MartyP]

Welome Dana D! Only 10 more days. Can't believe I'm shopping for summer clothes and the low here for tomorrow is to be in the 20's. Texas weather is so unpredictible.

[vickiered]

MartyP, Good Luck...I have had a difficult time finding anything for the trip. Not many summer clothes out in NC yet. The HIGH here tomorrow in to be the low 40's. Brrrrrr......Today is in the 60's. Talk about unpredictable....
Can any previous cruisers tell us what the temps are normally this time of year when cruising. Day? Night? I really do not know what to pack. I hate to be cold. 11 more days......

[Dana D]

Our family took this exact cruise last year and the weather was absolutely beautiful. The days were very hot and the nights were nice. I recall one deck party wearing a sun dress and dancing with my daughter after the sun went down and being comfortable and warm! The days on the islands were hot! We had many a sunburn to nurse!!! Back at our resort in Disney it was much cooler at night.

Anyone travelling with 6 and 3 year olds? I am hoping my little ones can make some friends to spend some time with!

See you soon!
Dana

[MartyP]

Dana D if you look back to the first page of this thread you will find the ages of must of our children. It also lists where we are from etc.
Marty

[txtara]

Dana D....we must have been on the Magic together last year....
We also took this same exact cruise....we had the time of our lives!!!! We are counting the days down....I have an 8 and 3
yrs old.....both girls...trying to get all of the clothes and neccesities
together....bleh!!!

[johnf]

Dana D,

My son is almost 6 and will be ready to play on 3/9!

11 days to go!

johnf
Palm Harbor, FL:smooth:

[dizneykids]

i'll go add your info to the first page in a sec. i'm just getting back to the board after our soggy weekend at wdw.

our youngest son is 3, and it looks like there are quite a few other 3-4 yo in our group, as well as kids your dd's age. hopefully, by meeting early (we are planning a DIS meet 4:30ish following the safety drill on deck 10 above the goofy pool), the kids will know someone else when they go into the clubs. ds#3 is getting so excited about being able to play in the club! potty training has been going wonderfully! i can't believe i haven't bought a bag of diapers in nearly 2 months! he's even dry at night, though we still put him in a diaper to be safe.

with the temps here today (20s at best), i can't wait for warmer climes!

[plutospup]

Are we there, yet!!!! I don't care if the suitcases aren't packed. We want to be on Mickey's Boat, NOW!

[txtara]

9 days and counting!!!

[plutospup]

Before we leave I'm asking my Dr. for a prescription for non-stop jacuzzis, and cabana massages. I'm sure it will be 'necessary' to heal my sore leg!:D Time for DD4 & Daddy to cut another link off of the countdown chain.

[dizneykids]

well, the suits are clean, the first suitcase is already half packed and i'm rockin' and rollin' on our tropical wear (the boys' shirts and shorts are complete, now working on hubby's shirt). there is an end in sight and i'm on my way!

so much to do, so little time!! :(

[WendyandGoofy]

At first, I was the only one talking about the cruise. Now my kids talk about it nonstop! My ds9 finds printed trip reports around the house and then tells me, "we should get some phone cards and some $2 bills for tips." I'm not sure how to get them to concentrate on school for the next week! I actually try not to bring up the subject, but of course it is always on my mind too! ;)

[RENDEZVOUS PAT]

Hello friends. Pat from Memphis along with dw, and 2ds(6&7) want to send out greetings and wonder if everyone else is as excited as we are about our 1st trip on The Magic.

[dizneykids]

i can't believe we leave a week fr-om tomorrow. yikes! i have SO much to do in the interim!!

okay...what's on everyone's last-minute "to buy" and "to do" lists?

[txtara]

Clothes that fit!!!!......yikes....I am just to were my normal clothes are too small and maternity is too big......so now I need to find some dinner clothes....what a pain....We are getting so excited...
one week from today is crunch day....if it is not done then it wont
be done....oh and haircuts this weekend....the list keeps growing...

[kume]

What do you think is the best day to go to Palos for dinner and brunch? Also, what's the earliest you can get in line at the terminal on Saturday?

[dizneykids]

...we've booked palos brunch for sunday, and dinner for wednesday and friday. we decided to order room service early and eat on the veranda, then follow it up with brunch at palos while the boys explore their clubs. we've never done that before and thought it'd be a great way to start our cruise.

as for lining up, i don't think the terminal opens until 10:30, so you could conceivably start lining up then after you check in. they won't open the doors until 12:30 or so, though, so you might want to stagger the line-waiting (have one person at a time stand in the line while the others explore and get pictures with the characters, etc.).

once you are on board, they will steer you to either parrot cay or beach blanket buffet for lunch. the shrimp is awesome! after that, either head for your stateroom or go stand in a line! then the fun truly begins!!

[dizneykids]

of course, we're nowhere near the 9/28/02 number (WHY is that one so high?), but we're doing well!

[WendyandGoofy]

I know there will be a variety of attire, but since our two boys will hopefully be with us for at least part of the late dinner, we are not planning on dressing to the 9's! How about everyone else? I like to dress up, but for me a formal is not very practical in my daily life. I would rather spend the $$ on something else to wear! If I wear a nice dress or pantsuit will I be wishing I had on a formal gown?:D

[Dana D]

Formal is not always so comfortable with 2 kids in tow. We will be middle of the road I guess. But we most definitely will weight the comfort factor heavily! I think a pant suit is just fine! Last year we saw some people that disregarded the formal attire all together!

Enjoy!
Dana D

[vickiered]

WE WILL BE DOING THE FORMAL THING...FROM WHAT I HEAR IT IS A GREAT PHOTO OP FOR THE FAMILY. WE NEVER GET GUSSIED UP. THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A NICE CHANGE.
I CAN NOT BELIEVE, NEXT WEEK THIS TIME, WE WILL BE AT THE PORT RADISSON. I AM SO EXCITED I CAN NOT SLEEP WITH OUT DREAMING ABOUT THE TRIP NOW. ACTUALLY, THAT IS A LITTLE BOTHERSOME. I WAKE UP REALLY TIRED.
WE WERE ALSO LOOKING AT BRUNCH ON SUNDAY AND DINNER ON WED.
THIS WEEK END IS GOING TO BE PACK PACK PACK....

[plutospup]

We'll be doing the formal thing, too. Hopefully, it will be a nice photo-op.
It's been difficult concentrating on my work this week. I can't even imagine what next week will be like!

[dizneykids]

...i plan on wearing dressy pant suits for formal night. i would really love a gown, but i couldn't find anything i liked, that fit, that cost less than $350! so, dressy pant suits will just have to suffice.

dh has decided to rent a tux mainly so he only has to drag along a jacket and slacks for the other nights! he's so practical!!

OMG! a week from today at this very moment, we will be ready to board a plane for florida! YIKES!!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: