any November 15th eastern 7 ngt cruisers out there?

[mkauffman]

It's nice to have a new name to our list! We're a little goofy, and we've never met each other, but I think we're all fairly sane (except Linda who thinks that burping at mealtime is ok!:p ).

We also have a cat 11 room. That's what we had on our last cruise and we were completely ok with it. We spend very little time in our cabin and just couldn't justify spending the extra $$ on a higher category. My children are 8 and 15, though, so maybe that makes a difference. My BIL and SIL are going with us and they have a DD4 and DD1 (she'll be one on Aug 1), and they opted for a cabin with a porthole. They said they knew they'd be taking "naptime" and they wanted to see something while the baby was napping. I think it depends on your situation and what you expect to get out of your room. I can't give you any information on vow renewals, but I wanted to say that my DH and I just celebrated our 10th in May. Time sure does go quickly, doesn't it (and I didn't say anything about having fun!;) )

Lisa, how close is DD to being potty trained? Is that a bad question to ask??:D

Julie, make sure to let us know soon if you've finalized your plans.

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[lbgraves]

DD will be burping right along with you Linda. Unfortunantly she can outdo DH. :( We were out in a decent place Thursday night & right in the middle of dinner she "let it rip." At least I have her trained to say excuse me inbetween her giggles.

She will be 3 on 9/4. DS was not trained until he was 3 1/2. She will sit on her BC potty seat but nothing has happened during that time yet. I am thinking that I will try to get her to do something next week fter we get back from a quick trip. I have tons of pull ups ready for her. She doesn't wake up dry yet so I know she will need them for that. She is starting to say PEE-EW when she messes her diaper though & I am using that as much as I can to encourage her. She started throwing the dirty diaper in the bag down the steps in the garage this week. I tell her that babies have stinky diapers but she can put her poopoo in the potty & it wont stink (as much). She does NOT like being called a baby. LOL! DS will do it & she tells him "I am not a baby. I am a little boy (or girl)...whichever she thinks of at the time. ;)

I am really not going to let myself stress about it. We aren't planning anything so I wont be disappointed. I look at it this way...she WILL be PTd by the next cruise...hopefully in 2004. :) We can do everything then. I have already talked to her PS teachers about the fact that she will still be in the diapers when the year starts next month & they are fine with it. The cut off is 10/15 here so she is one of the youngest ones in her class.

[alexturner74]

JulieGS...I have sent you a Private Message.

Everyone else...hello!

[mkauffman]

Well, Alex, I thought you ditched us!

You went on your little "vacations", didn't you? How was it?

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[JulieGS]

We're officially in! Yeah! Stateroom 6506, here we come... I've sent all our info to Alex and can't wait to check out the website and get to know you all better. This seems like such a great group... I know we'll have a fabulous trip. I can't believe we're actually going!

:bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc

[mkauffman]

I'm so glad that you've officially booked. Welcome and feel free to share as much about yourselves as you feel comfortable sharing! We do have a great group going here and Alex has created a fantastic site for us to share, too. We look forward to getting to know you.:D

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[mkauffman]

I just saw your pictures on Alex's site. You have an absolutely beautiful family! Again, I can't wait to meet you. Welcome. You're going to have a wonderful vacation.

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[lbgraves]

I was going to post the exact same thing. I love the family picture!!!

[JulieGS]

Michelle and Lisa --

Thank you so much for your kind words. They're really sweet boys, if I do say so myself. ;) I didn't realize it had been so long since we had a family picture done until I was looking for one to post. Obviously that one was "pre-Leif", and we haven't had a group one taken since, just one of the guys together. Who knows, maybe we'll get a nice one on the cruise during formal night! I can't wait to meet everyone -- I've read through all the posts and been all over Alex's great site, and this really is a wonderful group of people. Yea us! :cool:

Julie

P.S. When we do meet, Michelle, you'll have to give me tips on getting two boys through the teenage years... yours look healthy and happy, so you must know some secrets!

[alexturner74]

Don't worry, I haven't ditched y'all. Just been lurking for a while...and traveling also.

We were planning to go to the beach the weekend of June 14, but we never did make it to Melbourne, FL. We were thinking of going the next weekend, but went to White Water instead. It was fun, but we would still like to go to the beach sometime this summer.

The weekend of June 28, we went to New York City with another couple. Had a fantastic time. We saw "Rent" on Broadway, and of course did all the touristy stuff...Times Square, Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, Wall St., 5th Avenue, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, Guggenheim Museum, Empire State Building, etc. We also went to the WTC site.

Had a good July 4th as well. We went to visit my Mom in the north Georgia mountains. It was nice to get out of the city for a while.

This coming weekend, we're going to Chicago...

Hope everyone is doing well.

Alex

[mkauffman]

Julie.......I'll share with you everything I know, which turns out to be absolutely nothing.:( Seriously, the more I thought I knew about raising kids, the more my boys are teaching me that I don't know squat! Josh, the oldest, is 15 now and he's quite the handsome young man (I'd like to think that's just me talking as a mom, but the amount of girls that he has all around him all the time proves otherwise). The tighter I try to hold on, the more they want me to back off. I'm trying to find a nice middle ground but I've yet to find it. I keep telling Garrett that he has no choice but to live with me forever just because he's the youngest and that's the way it is. Do you think he'll go for that??:) I'm very lucky, though. Both boys are extremely well mannered and very good kids. I just want to squash them both down to toddler size again. It's going too fast.

Alex, you're quite the traveler, aren't you? We're very lucky that you're taking the time to join us on our little Disney adventure. How did you like Rent? I've always wanted to see that show. Have fun in Chicago.......like I need to tell you that!

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[JulieGS]

Hi everyone!

I've got a couple more questions for the group. (OK, eight, actually... :teeth: )

Are there a bunch of us (I love saying that!) staying at the Orlando Airport Hyatt on 11/14? Our flight lands about 7:20 pm and I was wondering if this would just be the best place to stay. What kind of rates did you get? Anyone book through Priceline?

On Saturday, how are most people getting to the boat? Disney transfers? Do you recommend them?

Finally, I think some have mentioned returning to WDW afterward. We're talking about doing two nights at AKL...hanging out by the pool for what's left of Sat., then doing just AK on Sunday. Is that a good idea? Is AK and AKL good for younger kids?

Thanks for your help, o wise ones... :D

Julie

[lbgraves]

Sorry, not much help here. We are driving in from JAX the morning we leave & plan to get to the pier by 9:30 to enjoy all the excitement. We will be hanging out at AS Movie & DT Disney the day we get back then do MK all day Sunday. It is our first trip & I don't want to try to cram 2 parks into one day. The other choice was MGM for playhouse disney mainly. We will be going to Sea World Monday & returning to JAX that evening.

[alexturner74]

Originally posted by JulieGS
Are there a bunch of us (I love saying that!) staying at the Orlando Airport Hyatt on 11/14? Our flight lands about 7:20 pm and I was wondering if this would just be the best place to stay. What kind of rates did you get? Anyone book through Priceline?

I do believe there are a few people staying at the Hyatt on Friday night. We haven't decided when to fly in yet, but probably will on Friday. My personal opinion is that the Hyatt is the best place to stay. If you use Disney transfers, porters will pick up your bags from your room Saturday morning if you tell the hotel. I think that people usually get anywhere between $80-120 for the rate. Some people on these boards have used Priceline or Hotwire, but you can't pick the hotel so it's not guaranteed that you'll get the Hyatt. Also check out http://www.*******************/nightbefore.htm for more information.
On Saturday, how are most people getting to the boat? Disney transfers? Do you recommend them?
We're using Disney transfers. There's only two of us and it's easy. For families, it's usually cheaper to get a towncar or some other service to take you. Some people rent a car from the hotel and drop it off at the port. Again, here is some more info http://www.*******************/ground.htm
Finally, I think some have mentioned returning to WDW afterward. We're talking about doing two nights at AKL...hanging out by the pool for what's left of Sat., then doing just AK on Sunday. Is that a good idea? Is AK and AKL good for younger kids?
We did the exact same thing last November, except spent two nights at WL. We totally vegged out and relaxed on Saturday, then went to AK and EPCOT on Sunday. I think it's a great idea. We really liked AK and I would like to think it's good for younger kids, but I don't have any and can't really comment. I have heard really good things about AKL.
Thanks for your help, o wise ones... :D
Glad to help.

Alex

[alexturner74]

Originally posted by mkauffman
Alex, you're quite the traveler, aren't you? We're very lucky that you're taking the time to join us on our little Disney adventure. How did you like Rent? I've always wanted to see that show. Have fun in Chicago.......like I need to tell you that!

Michelle
Got to do it while we are able! We try to plan the big vacations long ahead of time, and then work in weekend trips whenever we can.

Rent was really good. I didn't really know what to expect, but I ended up liking it a lot. I have to admit though it wasn't our first choice, it was actually our 4th or 5th. We went to the TKTS booth in Times Square the day of to get half price tickets and the first 3 or 4 on our list were sold out.

We're mainly going to Chicago to visit my Aunt, but I'm sure we'll find some fun to have sometime and somewhere!

Alex

[Kabuli1]

Alex, heard you were coming, so I'm leaving town!!! LOL! Actually, I'm sorry our paths couldn't cross this weekend! I'm taking Amtrak over to Detroit for a DIS/WISH meet tomorrow then we're flying out of Midway sunday at the "crack of doom" to visit colleges w/ Tinkerbell!

No job yet! Funny how there's just nothing for CSR manager types - I'm looking for retail once the college kids leave town! Or for something in Student Services at one of the many colleges around - just getting nowhere right now!

Ok this is what's going to happen re. the cruise: although we haven't canceled our res for 11/15 - we will. What we are going to do instead is take Jill on a surprise Western Magic on 1/31 just after she graduates from HS. We're booking our room on DVC points and taking our deposit (and our onboard booking credit.) and a (small) discount from DU and getting a cat 11 across the hall for her. An extra single rate cabin is exactly the same cost as an extra adult in our room! Go figure! Anyway with the onboard ship account credit - it's worth it to have two rooms! AND pay a whole lot less! I guess what I'm saying is that Tinkerbell is going to get her wish and join us - but we aren't going to have to give up privacy for her. I'm a little worried about her being alone - but she is very very close!

Oh, and one more thing, we got the same "special" room we were scheduled in on 11/15 - so I guess it was meant to be!

I'll check in on you all from time to time - I'm really going to miss this bunch - the 1/31 crowd just isn't the same!

Lots of love!

Karyn

[lbgraves]

Sorry we will miss you on the cruise!!! Hope that everything works out in the job search soon. KIT!!

[lbgraves]

DD peed on the potty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is hope!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :) She went on there by herself again at 7:30 & when I told her to before bed at 9. :) :) :) Now I can start thinking of actually going to Palo's or spending an evening out with DH. :)

[JulieGS]

That's great, Lisa!!!!

I know what a huge step that is. Anton is trained during the day, but still uses a pull-up at night... it's such a job, the whole process. (During the cheer-after-every-poop-inspection phase, I had to constantly remind myself that I was a woman with a college degree and that someday this, too, shall pass.) (No pun intended. :teeth: ) You're on your way! I'll bet she's ready by November. That's wonderful!

Julie

P.S. Anton likes looking at the photos of his "cruise friends" often. He's very excited to meet Kaitlyn and her big brother... and all the other kids!

[kimszath]

Hadn't checked the board in a couple of weeks... we're getting SO EXCITED!!!! Can't believe it's less than 4 months away. The immediate challenge will be staying on my diet while visiting Boston for 3 days later this week, followed by a week with the in-laws in Denver. I will wear smaller clothes... I WILL wear smaller clothes... :-)

So, as we approach the 60-days-prior mark, can anyone recommend the best onshore excursions to take with a 4-year-old? I want to go shopping in St Maarten and St Thomas, but also want my son to have a memorable visit. Has anybody already settled on which excursions they're taking? We have THE BOOK, but first-hand experience is usually better.

Also, does anybody know when the dining rotation changes take place? We booked a few months ago, and were told we'd be initially set up with the second seating, but were wait-listed for the first seating. We were assured that since we booked so early and were so high up on the waiting list that we'd have absolutely no problem getting the first seating--just "keep checking back on the reservations page." They explained that they had to balance out the numbers for each seating until they got most of them reserved, and would empty the wait-lists when able. When does this happen? I don't want to show up at the Port with another line to stand in (when I'd like to be standing in the line for Palo's!) Also don't want to find that I'm stuck with the second seating with a 4-year-old son and a 70-year-old Mom who both go to bed around 9 p.m.

Thanks!

[nedleycan]

It was nice to see your photos on Alex's site. Your little guys are so cute!

Well, I am back from my week vacation. The weather was just okay, but we had lots of fun anyway. My girl's weekend was fun, complete with a massage and pedicure (my purple toenails look so nice!) haha

Glad to see that our little group is growing. Only 4 months to go! Can't believe it. The time is going to fly from this point on.

To answer your questions Julie:

We are flying in the night before, but staying at the Disney Hilton. We stayed there last year before our flight, and really liked the location across from Downtown Disney. We are renting a car to drive one way to the port, then renting again to get back. It is a lot cheaper (and more convenient) for a family to rent a car, rather than take the transfers. We like to go shopping on the way to port, and to go at our own pace. We are staying one night after the cruise, and plan on doing Magic Kingdom the day we get off the ship. We also did that last year, and it worked out great. We are not big Disney World people, so it works out nicely to just spend one day there, and relax before catch our flight the next day.

We did AK last year, and didn't think it was that great. But, we live right near a very good zoo (and I worked there for 4 years during high school/college) and we also live close to something called African Lion Safari, where you get to drive along past all the animals, kinda like a Safari. Plus, we went to Africa for our honeymoon, and did many safaris. So, it wasn't a big deal for us. We did AK, MK and MGM last year, and by far, MK was the best for the little kids. But, if they have never see wild animals, they may like AK. The Tarzan show is pretty good, and my son liked that.

[nedleycan]

We got stuck with late seating on our 4-day last December. We actually kinda liked it, but decided to try early seating this time. We would feed the kids every night around 6:00 (either at the buffet or the burger place) and then put them back in the club for the after-dinner activity. Then we would go have a drink and then onto a nice romantic dinner without the kids. But, that would be more difficult with your Mother there. Don't worry, it will all work out!

[mkauffman]

Lisa, how's the potty going (hehe, it's good we all know what I'm refering to)? It's so nice to get past that period, isn't it?

Welcome back Kim and Linda. We've missed you guys. Kim, I can't really comment on anything except the late vs. early seating. We had late seating last year and we loved it. We booked early seating this time because we have a member of our party that has diabetes and has to eat on schedule. I'm so afraid that we'll always be rushing back from our daily activities to get ready for dinner.

Linda, I was thinking about your girl's weekend. You gotta love painting those toes, but the massage had to be the best! I just got back from mine as well. We had such a fantastic weekend. By Sunday I felt like I had known those girls my whole life (some of us had never met). The weather was totally beautiful at the beach. When is the beach ever bad??

What's our official count down now??

Michelle:Pinkbounc ;)

[lbgraves]

Michelle, after staying dry that first night, Kaitlyn used the potty 2 more times Saturday, we went to McD's to celebrate, then nothing else. :( Now it is possible that she was starting to feel bad Saturday night. She woke me up at 2 am, after I went to bed at 11:30 pm, throwing up. I changed her blankets/sheets about every 30-40 minutes until 12 noon today. :( She is doing better and seems to have regained her spunk but still sin't eating or drinking alot. I will give her a few days then try again. I figure not saying anything about it would be best for now until she is feeling better. We still have time!!!

[mkauffman]

I totally agree that you have plenty of time. I'm sorry to hear that she wasn't feeling well. Don't you just feel helpless when there's nothing you can do to make them feel better? I'll send some pixie dust your way (or some Disney Magic, whatever you prefer :D ).

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[mkauffman]

Lisa, dare I ask how it's going?

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[lbgraves]

Please don't. :( I am just hoping that her tummy gets back to normal soon so that we can start trying again. She isn't sick but one day of not eating anything can really mess up their system. :(

[mkauffman]

No need to explain.......believe me, I've been there. I'm sorry to hear that her system still isn't back to normal. One day she'll just want to go potty and that will be the end of that. Good luck.

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[mkauffman]

Nothing new to report. Just bumping us up again.

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[lbgraves]

One week from today we will all be doing the DOUBLE DIGIT DANCE!!!!! :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc

[mkauffman]

Oh my gosh, Lisa, you're right!! I totally forgot about that! I just sent out an email today to the rest of my "crew" telling them that their final payments are due soon. Isn't it all just too exciting? It's also almost time to be able to book excursions. The summer really is going fast!

Next Thursday we all need to get online and dance together!

Michelle:bounce:

[lbgraves]

I am getting the butterflies thinking actually thinking about what I am going to pack. :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce:

I have seen a couple good ideas posted on other threads. Since we will be sailing in November, it will be dark soon after we leave port if not already. Glow sticks would be great for the kids...and kids at heart. Has anyone thought of what we can wear to ID ourselves to eachother? I know some use green ribbons. Maybe we can put together nametags or buttons with our user names on them???

[Jo-Anne]

Hi everyone...thought I'd babble on a bit and bump us back onto firs page!....only 3 days until double digits!! DD was just asking me today how long until the cruise! We came back from the cottage early this long weekend and will save our extra vacation day for another weekend when then weather is better...Linda, think you'll agree we just haven't been getting consistent hot weather this summer up in Ontario..yuck. It rained a lot up at the cottage, but my DS just wanted to be down on the beach playing with his boats...I can't wait to see his face when he see the "really big boat"! Lisa - hang in there with the potty training...I remember seeing a Dr. Phil show where he had a guaranteed one-day potty training program, but don't remember any of the details - probably on his web site if you're getting desparate, but you probably have advice coming out of your ears. As for this early/late dinner seating, I'm really torn. We have late, but am wait listed for early. Seems there are pros and cons to both...really depends on whether or not I think my kids will use the clubs a lot (I really hope so), or if they'll want to eat a lot of dinners with us. Oh well, I'm not going to stress over it right now! Will join in on Thurs with the double digit dance! Jo

[lbgraves]

Jo, I saw tht Dr Phil show & it cracked me up. I can't believe that it works for any kid. When they want to go..they will go. :rolleyes: I am bribing her with a horse for the Generation Girls. She LOVES the horse & has to say hello to them every time we go into Target...which is alot. :) She is getting a babysitter doll for her birthday so maybe that will motivate her. She wont even sit on the pot now. She is getting like DS was when he decided to be completely PTd. She can't stand anything touching her butt. LOL! If she does make it to the cruise PTd I will be sure to keep her from flushing. It sounds like that could scare her back into diapers. :eek:

[mkauffman]

First of all....welcome back, Jo! I was wondering where you were. I know what you mean about summer weather. It hasn't been the same here in PA, either. This whole year, since last fall actually, has just been whacky. I have my fingers and toes crossed that Caribbean weather will be better. We've been getting some nice sun scattered here and there, but it's not consistent.

Jo, my parents and I were talking about early vs. late seating this past weekend. We had late seating on our last cruise and we loved it. I'm trying to talk myself into thinking that early seating will be just as great, for different reasons. With late seating, we got to do everything we wanted to do and we didn't feel rushed to get back to get ready for dinner, which was great. However, we weren't finished with dinner until almost 10:00 every night, Garrett would usually finish meals with his head on the table because he was exhausted, and then we'd just go to our rooms and go to bed. We're thinking with early seating, we'll be really rushed to get ready for dinner and we'll have to make sure we're back from everything early, which doesn't really appeal to me at all. However :) .... maybe we'll have more time after dinner to do things and the kids won't be totally exhausted. See, I really am trying to talk myself into this.

Lisa, I totally agree that potty-training will happen when it's time to happen. At this point we (moms) get so frustrated because WE want it to happen. Hang in there. I've been sending pixie dust your way for weeks (did you see it?). Maybe you'll find that one day she'll wake up and she'll just magically want to use the potty and POOF, that will be it. Sometimes that's how it happens. I LOL to your comment about the toilet flushing scaring her back into diapers! The sound scared my mom almost into Depends!

I was also thinking about how we're going to identify each other. I've been checking Alex's website regularly and I hope I remember what each of you looks like.........but, you know with a couple thousand people on board, we might all start to look alike! Should we do green ribbons or does anyone have another great idea?? I really like the button idea! Lisa, do you have a button-maker?

I'm SO excited about Thursday!! I feel like I've known all of you forever! Double-digits, here we come!:bounce: :Pinkbounc

Michelle

[Jo-Anne]

Hi Michelle - thanks for the welcome back...I've been lurking a lot, but have been crazy busy at work and took some vacation time out to Nova Scotia. We tried to go swimming in the Atlantic Ocean, but it was only 11 degrees celcius (52 fareheit!!). Told kids that the Carribean would be much warmer!! I haven't been able to keep up with this string...can someone summarize a bit for me. Are we going to try to meet up somewhere during the cruise to say HI!? Have heard folks talk about Palo brunch, but don't think we'd do that, but am certainly interested in Palo high tea! Any other "group-talk" that I"ve missed!? Jo

[mkauffman]

We had talked about meeting both Saturday and Sunday, depending on your preference, but I don't think a definite time and place has been set. We should do that soon!

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[lbgraves]

Michelle, I don't have a button maker, but will look into it & see if anyone I know has one. I do know that there are name tags with pins on them that would be easy to make up. I had to get the snap on kind for the kids in the Church nursery so I saw those too.

[mkauffman]

I wonder if there are any "kits" I could buy at the office supply store that would make buttons on my computer. I know they have magnet kits and window decal kits, I've just never looked for button making kits.

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[lbgraves]

Michelle, This is the only site that I have found, thru the help of friends at another board. They have lots of different kits, but I'm not sure if this would be the best deal or not. There is an 800# listed in the item description. We have no craft stores & only Lowes here so I know they don't carry them around here. Maybe you would be able to find a store near you??? I'm still checking with people I know here who may already have a press.

http://store.yahoo.com/badgeaminit/handpresskits.html

[mkauffman]

Lisa, I'd be happy to check it out.......however, did you forget to post the link:p ?

Michelle:Pinkbounc

(EDIT....I just saw the link. SORRY! I don't know how I missed that!)

[lbgraves]

You are too quick!!! :) I went back in & added it. Guess it didn't send out a notice about that. :)

[sherry]

:bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc

I'm guessing everyone is as excited as I am!!! Have a great day!

[Jo-Anne]

My DD and I were doing the double digit dance last night! Both DD and DS are so excited, they keep browsing through the DCL brochure and talk about all the things they are going to do! Can't believe how quickly this summer is going....Nov 15 will be here before we know it! Jo

[lbgraves]

I can't believe that I missed it yesterday!?!?! It was on the calendar & everything! The kids were quite a handful all day & neither took a nap so I guess that I was a bit preoccupied.

Let's Celebrate!!!

[JulieGS]

We can't wait! Went shopping last week for cruise clothes... Yippee!

:bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce:

P.S. Any way I can help with the buttons? Do we need a logo or art?

[lbgraves]

Julie, If you have some ideas & are good with the art stufff...I'm sure that Michelle wouldn't mind the help. We are waiting to hear if she has been able to find a kit locally. I still haven't had any luck here. Waiting to hear from one more person.

[nedleycan]

I work at a graphic design studio, so I can probably get someone to design something, if you give me the details. Just let me know.
Linda

[lbgraves]

I just found out that they have the easy make your own pins at Walmart. I will go out this weekend & see if they have them at ours. :) LOL! I just told DH that a few of us were talking about this and he said that he can see us in the terminal waiting to go on board putting these things together! :rolleyes: Actually, if they ahve the pins at WM, then we can just email each person's personalized design to them to print out & put together themselves so everyone will be easy to spot in the terminal & on the ship. :smooth:

[alexturner74]

I have both good news, and bad news...

The good news is that my wife, Jessica, has been accepted as a full time graduate student at Georgia State University where she will be pursuing her Masters of Science in Geology. She has resigned from her job and will start school in two weeks.

The bad news is that because of this and it's outreaching effects, we have had to make the painful decision to cancel our reservation for the 11/15 cruise. This was very difficult for us as we absolutely loved our cruise last year.

I am deeply sorry that I will not be able to meet all of you in person. It's been a lot of fun meeting and conversing with all of you the last few months. I will continue maintaining the 11/15 cruise site in case anyone has any updates, or additional cruisers join in on the festivities. I look forward to continue talking with y'all on the DIS boards and hope to see you on a cruise in the future. We will be back. Until then, have a few drinks on the cruise for us, and don't forget to have the chocolate soufflé!

Take care,
Alex

[sherry]

Hi Alex, That's wonderful news for your wife. We will miss both of you on the cruise. Sherry

[lbgraves]

Congratulations to your wife!!!! That is quite exciting news for her!!! :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: We will truely miss both of you on the cruise. Thanks for all the work you have been doing for our group.

[mkauffman]

Alex, I'm so sorry to hear that you won't be able to join us, but I am very, very happy for Jessica! What an exciting time for her! There will be another cruise in your future, don't worry!

Lisa, Linda, Jo, Sherry and Julie........I completely forgot that we were going to the beach this weekend (can you believe it??). I wasn't even home to do the double digit dance with all of you:( ! We only had one good day at the beach and I wasn't able to work on my tan very much. Oh, well. It just makes me look forward to November even more! That's my last trip away before our BIG November vacation! Anyway, I wasn't able to look for the button making kit. We're heading into fall soccer season at my house and you all know what that means........nothing else will matter until November! My life is officially put on hold. So, I'll take any help and all ideas. Lisa, did you get a chance to get to Wal-Mart? Once you have the design down, how do you actually make the pin? This is so exciting. I can't wait to spot my first pin-friend at the terminal!

Julie, isn't it exciting to be buying "cruise" clothes? Preparing for this trip has been 1/2 of the fun!

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[Jo-Anne]

Alex and Jessica - what exciting news for you on the home front. We'll miss you tho on the cruise! We just got back from our cottage and our friends who are going on the cruise with us came up overnight...all we talked about was the cruise...everyone is so excited. Of course, they can't decide if I'm nuts for knowing all this cruise info from this board and Passporter, or if they think it's great as we won't be missing out on anything and have lots of tips!! We poured over the navigators I had printed out, and talked about if we're going to do Palo, and all our plans for "just the adults" as we're hoping the kids just love the clubs!! We also talked about cruise clothes...one thing we weren't clear on was what type of clothes the kids (ages 4-12) would need for dinners...are "formal shorts" and pull over tops ok? I'm also a little stuck on what to wear on formal night. I don't want to go out and spend a lot of money for one night. Wondering if a blouse and skirt that I wore to a wedding this summer would be ok, or does that sound more like semi-formal? What are ladies and gents doing for formal night??! Jo

[mkauffman]

This seems to be one of the most heated questions on the board! I have my own opinions, as everyone does. I feel that this is a vacation and people should do what they're most comfortable doing. However, it's not difficult to adhere to the Disney request of "no jeans, no shorts". That being said, my family will find a happy medium. We do khaki's, nice "Polo" type shirts and sundresses on most nights. This will be our first 7-day, therefore our first "formal" nights, so we were stuck on this one. We've decided to do black pants for the guys; my boys are wearing white dress shirts and ties, Tony (DH) is probably going to wear a jacket and tie. I'm wearing a black dress that I bought at Penney's. I debated for months on buying the boys jackets to wear. I came to the conclusion that I didn't want to spend the money on jackets that they most likely will NEVER wear again...they'll grow out of them before they'll have them on again.

Ok, so now that you have my 2 cents :p , my opinion is that you would be fine in a skirt and blouse that you wore to a wedding.

I'd love to hear other's ideas about what they're wearing!

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[lbgraves]

Well, for formal night DH has a nice navy suite that he will wear with a neck tie. I picked up a great deal on Ebay for a navy pinstripe suit for DS. :) They will look so handsome together!!! :) I am looking for a Mickey tie for him but he has another one just in case. I picked up a darling pink princess type dress for DD at Penney's at 75% after Easter. I found a great deal at ColdWaterCreek.com for me with a sleeveless long dress in plum. I am really hoping that this will be our perfect family picture. :)

DH's brother will be getting married in the spring, so we will all wear the same thing then. We also just got an invite for an October wedding for one of his cousins so they will all get worn at least 3 times, along with being the kid's Easter outfits next year. I just hope that DH's suit still fits him!:o

For semi formal night, DH will wear the same suite, not sure about DS. He has navy & khaki pants though and long sleeved shirts. I got another short black dress from CWC with a short sleeved sheer black jacket. It has purple flowers on it. DD will probably wear a purple sleeveless dress with a purple velvet ls jacket over it if it is chilly.

I have another dress from CWC for tropical night. DS has a blue tropical shirt that I found at Target last month. DH has a polo shirt with a tropical pattern on it. I just have to find something for DD. I am hoping to find her a nice outfit (or 2 or 3) on the islands. The other nights I will be wearing dresses that I wear to Church, DH will wear khaki pants with ss shirts, same for DS, and DD will wear dresses. I am using this cruise as an excuse to update my wardrobe. ;)

[lbgraves]

Let's just say that it has been an almost constant downpour here. :( I am hoping for a dry spell tomorrow so that I can go to WM. If that doesn't work out, I am going to call them so I will know something!!! :)

How is everyone getting to the ship? We are driving down to JAX that Thursday or Friday, then driving to the port Saturday morning. We plan on being there when they open the doors! Is anyone else going to be there early?

[Jo-Anne]

We'll be flying in the night before and staying at Radisson near the port. Think we'll probably be there right at 10:30 to join the check-in...the excitement will be running high, so we might as well get to the port and join the waiting game!

[sherry]

Hi all,
I spent Sunday afternoon at the Rehobeth Beach, DE outlets. I picked up a few outfits for the cruise. It really was a lot of fun saying "wouldn't this be nice for the cruise?"

We are not getting there until Saturday morning, it was planned to be Thursday, but my youngest daughter's band recognition night is Friday and my husband and I couldn't bear to miss it. So, we rearranged our flight and if all goes well, we land at 10 am. It leaves at 5:30 am, so we are probably staying at the hotel at the airport, so my other daughter doesn't have to take us so early.


Have a disney day!!

[mkauffman]

Sherry, I was just in OC over the weekend, but I love the outlets in Rehoboth! We'll be going down for SunFest in September and we'll most definitely be hitting the outlets in Rehoboth while we're there (my girlfriend's parents own a place in Rehoboth so we make it down several times a year). Did the Disney Outlet have anything exciting in it?:)

What airport are you flying out of? We're flying out of Harrisburg Int'l at about 6:30 a.m. (I think). We're flying in the morning of. There are too many of us to do anything else. We're scheduled to arrive at 11:45, so we just have our fingers crossed that nothing major happens.

Lisa, I totally understand your rain woes. We've had a lot here for the past week or so, too. It's not a whole 'lotta fun when it rains!:(

Michelle:bounce: :Pinkbounc

[sherry]

Michele, The outlet was better for me than the last time we went, I got a sleeveless shell with a small mickey on it, cotton denim loose pants with tinkerbell on the pocket, and the buzz sprinkler spaceship. I had a coupon for an extra 40% off, it was a good buy. I love the Rehobeth, Ocean City area, my grandparents had a place down there when I was young, I practically spent my summers in the area. We are flying out of Philadelphia.

[alexturner74]

Thank you everyone for your kind words. More good news today is that Jessica got a teaching assistant job within the department, which will waive the tuition.

On the cruise last year, I wore a dark suit and tie for formal and semi-formal nights. Jessica wore two long dresses. I must say that we looked marvelous! Not that I have kids or anything, but I don't think that I would worry about them too much. Probably just make them wear slacks and a decent shirt or something.

Alex

[lbgraves]

It definantly sounds like it is perfect timing for Jessica to go to grad school now with the teaching assistant job working out for her. :)

I was getting ready to call WM about the buttons & remembered that I just made up name badges for the kids in the Church nursery. :confused: Why I didn't think of that first, IDK! They are the clear plastic badge holders that are about 3x4". With the clips sold seperately, they are right around $6.00 for 10. That is definantly better than the 1.99 each for the make your own buttons.

I envy you being near a Disney outlet!!! I was able to get some great deals on the website when they clearanced but I would love to get the kids some pins to trade on the cruise & at MK. Hmmm...I wonder if there is one at the Smithfield outlets in NC????

[mkauffman]

That really is great news, Alex. You find that these chances only come knocking once in your life and you have to take them when you get them. It sounds like it's your chance to take this one!

Lisa, the only Disney outlet that I know of around me is the one in Rehoboth Beach, DE. I keep hoping that they'll put another one in one of the closer outlets, but it's not happening. So, I just make it a point to get there when I go down with my girlfriend. The last time I was there I got a really cute white hooded jacket with Pooh on it for next to nothing. I figured it would be nice to have for the cool nights out on the deck.

About the buttons, we can do whatever is easiest. Should we just make a decision and go with it?

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[lbgraves]

Well, let's leave it open until Friday night and then whoever wants to have input on it will have the chance. We can then start thinking about the design since we will then know the area we are talking about. We can get them ready & hand them out either at the port that morning before boarding or at the first meet. :) This is getting so exciting!!! :bounce: :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc :bounce:

Jo had made a suggestion about the ladies getting together for high tea at Palos one day. I think that would be a great idea. Anyone else interested?

[mkauffman]

Friday it is!

Are you a little excited:p :p ?

I'm game for anything. I think it would be great to get together with all of you ladies for high tea (I've never had high tea in my life....I hope I'm refined enough:) !). I feel like we're already friends and that's the best part of it!

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[nedleycan]

I would love to have high tea with all of you!
Alex, congrats to you and your wife. But, it is not going to be the same without you. Please keep checking this site so that we can still talk to you.
I will put my DD6.5 in a dress every night for dinner, then a nicer dress for formal and semi-formal. My DS5 will be in khakis and shirt most nights, navy pants and long sleeve shirt and tie (he looks so cute!) on formal night, and probably the same thing without the tie for semi-formal. This is what we did last time, and it worked out great.
DH will wear nice pants and short sleeve shirts most nights, dress pants and nice shirt (maybe tie) on semi-formal, and a black suit for formal night.
I will wear casual dresses most nights, a dressier dress on semi-formal, and a really nice blue short dress that has sequence and beading on formal night.

[mkauffman]

I assume we have to make ressies for high tea? Does that mean we have to have everyone's names and room numbers? I'm drawing a blank on this one.

Linda, your dinner attire for your family sounds much like mine. It feels good to know that I'm not alone. That one thread about dinner attire got kind of nasty.:eek:

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[lbgraves]

You are definantly right about that one, Michelle! :rolleyes:

I think that if one person goes to make the high tea resies they will only need their number & a count??? We can get a list together either way. I will email Andy & find out if he knows about this since he is coordinating his groups' brunch. High tea will be my only chance to see Palo's right now with DD boycotting the potty. :rolleyes:

[mkauffman]

Ok, so let's do high tea. I would love to do the ressies for everyone but I don't know what time we're going to get in to the port. I still have my fingers crossed that nothing goes wrong. Is anyone flying in the night before and will definitely be there in time that would offer to do the ressies?

Lisa.......loved your comment on boycotting the potty! At least you're keeping your spirits up about the whole thing. Maybe something MAGICAL will happen before that day that we board the ship!

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[lbgraves]

I have read that some people don't understand why families make a cruise when their children are not PTd. Well, they are kids! This should be the time that they will enjoy this unlike next year or the next. I can't wait to see their faces when they see the ship, the characters, when DS has happy birthday sung to him in the dining room, when we walk down Main Street for the first time, when they walk thru the shark tanks at Sea World after watching them so many times on the travel channel. I plan on taking DD to the club for a few of the activities and staying with her if all else fails. DS didn't PT until 3.5 so I can't get upset with her at 3. It doesn't help things anyway. This is going to be the first time in over a year that we have all gone away for 2 weeks and not had to have DH check in with work. He has already promised his boss that they wont hear from him! :)

Anyhow, we will be at the port when it opens up in the am but I hadn't planned to even mess with the resies thing except signing DS up for the club after lunch. :) If noone else going in the am is going to sign up for dinner, I will work it out to be there for HT. :) We can firm up a number a little later.

[mkauffman]

Lisa, the one thing I've learned is that no one has the right to tell you what's best for you and your family. We do everything because it's got to be best for US, not for the Smith's next door. I should be putting more money into savings and less into cruising, but my kids will only be kids once. I want to watch them be happy and I want to do it with them, not wait until after they grow up and have families of their own. I'm so excited for you, just to hear how excited you are about this trip gives me goosebumps! Disney definitely creates that magical feeling inside of you that just won't go away. I wish I could be a fly on the wall when your kids see these things for the first time. One thing I know for sure is that every time for us has seemed like the first time. You never lose the magic. That's the real difference between Disney vs. everyone else. No one else can create the magic and that's what it's all about!

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[nedleycan]

I will be first in line (unless one of you beat me) at Palo. I am planning on booking a dinner for me and DH and a brunch. I can book the tea too, if you like.

[lbgraves]

Linda, it would be great to have someone who knows the ropes already book the HT for us. :) Thanks for offering!!! Do you know what info we are going to have to get together for it?

[nedleycan]

I will just have to know how many people are coming. They will charge my cabin (so you better show up! haha) I will not need your cabin numbers or names.
When it gets closer, I will do a final count.
Hey, just got our final bill from our travel agent today. The money is due September 1st. We are lucky (kinda) because of our cancelled November 30th cruise last year, we got a 50% off coupon, so we owe very little now, as they took most of our money when we booked the cruise.

[lbgraves]

That's nice & easy!!! :) That's fantastic that they compensated you with the 50% deal! What a nice break. I told DH about the 400 onboard credit for the special cruises next year. He sounded interested. :) I plan on making resies by the end of the 2nd day just to have it done! We can always change the date later.

You know, I was checking out the website & am surprised at how many kids will be going in our group. While the ladies are at HT, maybe the guys can get the kids together...unless they are all going take the opportunity to snooze.

I am hoping that the upgrade fairy will continue to do well to the DISers. So many are getting upgrades in September. I think that I am going to call our TA in the morning & ask her to look into it for us & see if anything has changed.

[nedleycan]

September is the least popular most to cruise (due to weather and rough seas). I remember last year, reading about all the people getting upgrades. But, the ship isn't full, so there is lots of room. Our ship will probably be close to full, so there will be less... you can always dream!

[mkauffman]

Linda, count me in for high tea. I'll be there with bells and whistles on! What time is HT anyway?

My kids will most likely be off doing whatever a 9 yo and 15 yo do while their mom's at HT! I doubt DH and I will be seeing them much. It will be really nice for me to get know you guys (ladies) a little better!

Our final payment is due 9/6, but we paid ours off with our income tax refund, so it seems I've been waiting for this trip forever!

It does seem that a lot of Sept cruisers are getting upgrades. We have a definite cabin number, so I don't for one to come my way, but WOW, would it be nice! I wonder how close our cruise is to being full??

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[Jo-Anne]

Count me in for high tea too! This will be fun! Linda, You mentioned that they'll charge your room if you make the ressie, but isn't high tea "free"? Are they charging you just to hold the reservation? Michelle - accoring to the navigators, high tea is at 3:30 on the at-sea days. Anyone have a preference on which day we'd want high tea? Lisa - hang in there with the potty training...only you know your kids the best and as you know, it will happen when it happens!!

[mkauffman]

I didn't know if high tea was free or if it was the $5 fee that you would pay for dinner at Palo. I don't have a preference for the day. We don't have any plans for the at-sea days, besides relaxing by the pool.:D Whatever you guys all agree on is fine with me. We have early dinner, so I guess that means I'll go from high tea to dinner? How long does it last?

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[JulieGS]

Hi everyone!

First off, congrats to Alex and Jessica. Sounds like you'll be on a long-term adventure this fall instead of just a week's trip! Best of luck and thank you so much for offering to maintain the great web site for us.

Count me in for the tea at Palos... sounds like a great bonding opportunity sans kids and husbands. ;) Hope they have scones and lemon curd... and clotted cream... mmmmm. Michelle, I think tea can be as long or short as you want. The food is usually dainty and/or sweet things, so it doesn't take too long to eat... but knowing this group, we'll be talking and laughing right up to when they kick us out so they can get ready for dinner!

And speaking of get-togethers, way back in the beginning pages there was some talk about those of us staying at the airport Hyatt getting together for breakfast, but I haven't heard anything more. Some of the people haven't posted again, so I'm not sure if this is still happening... but I'm up for that, too! (Basically, anytime there's food involved, I'm there.)

Still haven't decided how we're getting to the port, so I'm not sure exactly what time we'll be there, but I'm thinking it will be early. I'm nervous about all the first day sign-ups... we're going to try for Palo dinner ressies too, and of course Flounders... maybe the spa... and the Oceaneer Club.... arghhhh!

As for the buttons and/or nametags, I vote for whatever is easiest for the person doing the work, and I would be happy to help in whatever way I can.

Julie

[mkauffman]

Julie, I had the same feeling about the bonding opportunity. I am very excited about all of us getting together. I'm not even remotely worried about meeting you guys (as was stated in a different thread). I feel like I know all of you already! It helps that Alex created that great site with our pictures. We're flying in the morning of departure, so I can't help you at all with that.

How many days now??:p

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[mkauffman]

Ok guys.........I was just goofing around at my computer and I created name tags on the fly. I used Avery name badge inserts that you can buy at any office supply store (OfficeMax, Staples, etc...). Anyway, I wish I could figure out a way to send them to you guys, but I can't attach anything. I'd be happy to print them out for everyone. The holders can't cost that much. Any ideas on how I can share so you all can see? Maybe I can email them to each of you.

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[lbgraves]

OK, let me try again! I sent an email back to the group so that should be able to be forwarded to everyone with the name tags. Staples has the badges & clips for about $6 for 10.

How does Sunday sound for the Tea? That is our first full day at sea right? I think that I will also be getting ready for dinner right after we finish up...or get thrown out. ;)

I am so excited!!! We just got back from Target & I found one of the adorable suits with the grass skirt marked down to 3.24 for DD!!! I knwo that I just got her those Disney princess ones, but the skirt can go with anything at her age. :)

[sherry]

That's great, isn't it fun to find things when you're not really looking!

Any day for tea is fine with me and thanks for all the work you all are doing on the buttons.

Sherry

[mkauffman]

Grass skirt? That sounds absolutely adorable! That's the one thing I miss about not having girls (I'd probably spend WAY too much money on clothes, though!).

I don't mind giving you my email address on board...you can either use mkauffman@haponline.org or mkauffman@pa.net . Both will work. I'd be happy to send you some money for supplies and to ship my badge to me. Let me know.

Oh, Sunday for tea sounds great to me. Should we plan to stay long enough that we'll get tossed out?:p

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[mkauffman]

Oh wait......were you just going to let us print our own badges? I just re-read your message. All this cruise excitement, I think I'm losing my mind!

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[lbgraves]

Well....before Jo steps in & tells you about my Targetolic ways...I have been looking at them & waiting...patiently. ;) D had to try it on so I snapped a quick picture. I can't get onto the board pic system so I emailed it.

Michelle, I know that our printer isn't working well. Not sure what is wrong with it right now but the ink doesn't show up sometimes. :rolleyes: If someone could print them out, I could get some badges and we can get together at the terminal or at the DIS meet to put them together quickly.

[mkauffman]

My printer at home only works 1/2 the time, too. I usually do my stuff at work. I can print them off. It's really no problem at all.

Too bad we can't all dress in grass skirts! You gotta love Target!

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[JulieGS]

Lisa --

We just got a fancy-pants new printer, so I would be happy to print out the nametags and bring them with.

Julie

P.S. I know exactly the suit and grass skirt you mean... I bought them for a good friend who has a little girl! Sooo cute and even cuter on clearance! :D Your DD will look adorable.

[lbgraves]

I know there are at least 2 families on this cruise in Toronto and a couple in parts of NY. Please let us know that you are OK when you get power back. Hoping that it is soon for everyone!

[mkauffman]

Great post, Lisa. I'd like to know the same thing. We don't even realize how much electricity impacts our lives.

Michelle

[Jo-Anne]

It was quite an interesting evening! Our power came back on at 3:45am after being out for 12 hours, but a few streets over, the power is still off! Boy it was dark...we could actuallly see stars in Toronto. Called my office and power is still not on there (7:30am) so they closed the building and cancelled work! Yeah! I was out picking up my daughter at skating when the power went out and boy was it tricky getting through the streets of Toronto without traffic lights working, but as typically Canadian, drivers were even more coridal than ever in letting each other go through intersections and regular citizens were getting out of their cars to direct traffic! They say it will be another day or two before all hydro is back to normal...even tho I have power now, there is no guarantee that we won't go back into brownouts or black outs! My DD was quite concerned and I tried to convince her that we were just living like the Amish (it was an episode of Arthur that she saw!!)!

[lbgraves]

It's good to hear from you Jo! Hope that things go smoothly for you over the next couple days.

[lbgraves]

I just got back from the travel agent paying the balance of our cruise. I know that it is early but I dropped both kids off at PS for the first time on the same day :bounce: :Pinkbounc and thought that I would get that out of the way. When she handed me the receipt she told me we had the same room on deck 7. :p Nope, we were in an 11 on deck 6! :eek: I am so excited that we got upgraded!!! I can't reach DH to tell him!!! I can't believe that it was done this far in advance.

Alex, could you update our room when you get a chance to 7010? Thanks!!!

[mkauffman]

That's great news, Lisa!!! I'm so happy for you! What room/category are you in now?

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[nedleycan]

Our power went out on Thursday at 4:15p.m., and turned on around 5:30 a.m. Friday. It was so much fun! All of us slept in the basement (where it was nice and cold) and my husband and I played cards by candlelight until 10:00 p.m. Friday morning our office was closed, so we left for the cottage early... YEAH! It was a nice long weekend. Some offices are closed today too. Is your's Jo-Anne? Ours is open, but my client is closed, so it will be a peaceful day.

The only bad part for me was picking up the kids from 2 different camps, while battling the terrible traffic. I spent 2 hours on the roads, which should have taken 40 minutes max.

Some of my co-workers didn't get power until Saturday, so it probably wasn't as fun for them. Anyway, I wish that we had no lights once a week, so that we could have fun as a family, and not just turn on the computer and the TV!

Congrats on your upgrade! That is wonderful.

Have a great day everyone!

[lbgraves]

Thanks Michelle! I didn't want to post to the upgrade threads since people are getting slammed a bit for that but I had to share with someone who understands. :) We will be on deck 7 in 7010, a cat 8. :) The kids will love the porthole!!! I just got off the phone with DH, who wasn't having a great day up unitl I told him about the UG. :) You guys might want to give a call to see if your rooms have changed too. I figure that they have to move someone up to put us in that cabin. :) Keeping fingers crossed that more of you will be upgraded!!!

Linda, glad to hear that you weren't out of power all weekend! Sounds like a nice bonding experience though. :) It's good to make the best of a bad situation.

[mkauffman]

Bumping us up!

Hope everyone is doing well. Our countdown is ticking away!

Quick question......does anyone not have Word on their computer?

We're having our final family cruise meeting on Labor Day. We're having a picnic for the holiday. Hopefully the weather will cooperate. We're supposed to have a gorgeous weekend here in Central PA this weekend! I have my fingers crossed.

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[alexturner74]

Originally posted by lbgraves
Alex, could you update our room when you get a chance to 7010? Thanks!!!

Done!

[nedleycan]

No problem with Word here!

[Jo-Anne]

I have word too. By the way, has anyone who has second dinner seating and are wait listed for the first dinner seating been switched yet?

[lbgraves]

No Word here.

Thanks, Alex! Has Jessica started classes yet?

[sherry]

We have word.

[mkauffman]

For those interested in name tags, Julie has a template created that she'll send out. Lisa, I'd be happy to print yours and mail them to you. Let me know.

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[lbgraves]

I'll send you my address. :)

[mkauffman]

I just got it, thanks! You're quick today.

My cousin is in the Marines and lives in Reindeer Circle, NC. Is that anywhere near you?

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[lbgraves]

LOL! I sure don't feel like it today. :rolleyes: I've never heard of it but is sounds like some of the places in the Western part of the state. New Bern is on the coast. We always have the hurricanes pass right thru us. :(

[mkauffman]

There's another thread about dress attire for dinner. I promised myself that I wasn't going to get involved, but I'm feeling a little sassy today.:D I feel strongly about that subject.

Michelle

[Jo-Anne]

You go Michelle!! I just read the thread, and I can't believe how some folks get so bent out of shape over what others are wearing!! I'm on your side! Our family will look nice and presentable at dinners, but nothing overly fancy, and we'll just be very happy to be enjoying our time together! Good for you for wading in on the debate! Jo

[alexturner74]

Originally posted by lbgraves
Has Jessica started classes yet?

She has her first class on Monday and we're both excited. Her last day of work was yesterday and was a little emotional for her.

She's out shopping right now for some new "school clothes" whatever that means. I'm on to her though, another excuse to go shopping!

I've got an interview on Tuesday for a new job (same company, different department). Time to move on in my career too.

Alex

[lbgraves]

Good luck to you Monday, Alex! Gosh you both have alot of exciting things happening in your life right now.

[lbgraves]

Just had to post to see what the countdown clock says. :) LOL! Under the 80 day mark!!!!! :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: Today Kaitlyn was too cute. She was jumping on the couch watching the Wiggles when I came back into the family room. Before I could grab her & give her a swat, she looked at me, clenched her fists, smiled really big, and said "I want to go on the Mickey boat!" LOL! She out of that one. She found a postcard from her preschool teacher from last Christmas when she went to WDW. It has Mickey giving Minnie flowers. She has been carrying it around with us and told me yesterday that she wants to give Mickey a hug and he will give her pretty pink flowers. :) William is even getting excited about seeing Mickey. I keep telling him that Mickey will be as big as daddy. He seems to think that he will be fine since he will be 5 yo on the cruise. :)

I have been tearing up while reading about the cruise lately...the kids show, boarding & hearing our names, looking at the 360 of our room. :) I can't wait to get on that ship! Of course I will be all excited again once those dresses I ordered from Jcrew show up. This is giving me an excuse to update my prekid wardrobe.

[nedleycan]

I better get the kid's passports done! I have all the paperwork, everything signed, just have to drop it off. Better do this in the next week.
I just bought a new dress for Meghan for the cruise. It is so pretty! Cam will be wearing the same pants and shirt from last year (they were big on him last year) and the same tie. He looked so cute last year! Wish me luck putting it on my though. He will not wear any shirt that isn't a t-shirt. He hates buttons. Hopefully being on the cruise will make him accept it.

[lbgraves]

I picked up the kid's BCs last week. Now I am just waiting on mine to show up. I have the plastic card that was issued the year I was born but have never had a paper copy. The card has the raised seal & all but I would rather not take any chances. It's been about a month since I sent it out so it should show up soon. :)

Maybe Cam will be encouraged by the other kids dressing up? William will be in a double breasted jacket with his suit. We will have a wedding in October for him to get use to wearing it. ;) I would like to find him a new tie too.

[mkauffman]

Hey everyone!! We're in the 70's now! Boy, if we just take this 10 days at a time we'll be cruisng with Mickey in no time!

Lisa, I wish I could be there the moment that you board the ship. That excitement never goes away and watching through the eyes of someone else is amazing.

Linda, how long does it take to get the passports back?

Michelle

[mcampbell_22]

Hello fellow cruisers!

I've been AWOL for the summer. We have a beach house and I'm just back in the loop. The kids start school this week. Conor started 1st grade yesterday and Devon starts Kindergarten tomorrow. I'm going to have 3 hours all to myself for the first time in 5 years. What to do first!!!

Hope the summer was good to all of you. We are getting really excited about the cruise. It's going to be here before we know it. Got some good news in the mail yesterday from our travel agent. DCL upgraded our cabin. We had #7035 (a category 11 inside stateroom on deck 7) and they upgraded us to #7512 (a deluxe ocean view stateroom with split bath and picture window porthole)!! Yippee!! Takes away some of the "sting" of Delta cancelling all our flights and having to scramble to rebook new ones!

Have a great rest of the week everyone.

[mkauffman]

Welcome back Mary!! I've wondered where some of our fellow cruisers were. I hope you had a wonderful summer!

What flights did Delta cancel and are you still flying Delta? We're flying Delta out of Harrisburg, PA very early Saturday morning. We just have our fingers crossed that everything goes well.

Also, big congrats on your upgrade! I love to hear when people get lucky!

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[lbgraves]

Great news Mary!!! We got upgraded from an 11 to an 8 too!!! Room 7010...opposite side of the ship from you. :) Doesn't that just make it even more exciting? :)

[Jo-Anne]

Hi everyone - can't believe it's the end of summer already, but isn't it great to have a Nov cruise to look forward to!! Linda - I just took my kids applications to the passport office last Friday and can pick them up Sept 5...looks like its about 2 weeks turnaround if you hand them in. I had a panic a month ago when I couldn't find my passport and I had to go to Cincinatti next day! Searched high and low and finally took out dresser drawer where I kept it and lo and behold it had fallen down at the back of the dresser! Whew! Congrats to everyone on their upgrades! I phoned Dreams Unlimited to pay off my balance last night and asked if, by any chance we'd been upgraded, and no such luck! She said that if an upgrade was coming it would most likely be 30 days out...don't think so as so many folks appear to be getting upgraded really far out! C'est la vie! :0) Can't wait to be on our way! Not long now!

[nedleycan]

Congrats to everyone on their upgrades. No upgrade for us! I have heard that cat. 11 gets upgraded a lot. We are cat. 5, so I really doubt that they would upgrade us to the Disney Suite.... would they! haha If they do, then you are all invited to a party!

Jo-Anne, thanks for the info about the passports. I will go next week. Hear the new thing, where you are not allowed to smile in your passport photo? Apparently there is a grace period for people who have already got their pictures taken... otherwise we would have had to start all over with the kids.

Linda

[mkauffman]

Linda......are you serious about the not smiling thing?? That's just silly. What would the reason behind that be?

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[Jo-Anne]

Sigh, yes it's true about the not smiling on Canadian passport photos...something about the future of face imaging for security purposes? We have until November and then anyone after that wanting a new passport has to have a "neutral look"! Hey Linda wouldn't that be great to get the Disney suite!! We're still in category 11, but I'm happy about being mid-ship as I can tend to get motion sickness!

[mcampbell_22]

Thanks for the welcome back everyone. It was a great summer but I sure am glad school's back in session!

Michelle, we had a non-stop Delta flight out of Boston/Logan on Saturday 7:15 am and a return non-stop at 2:30pm the following Saturday.

Delta cancelled and changed both our flights. We ended up having to take a flight with 1 stop (Atlanta) that leaves at 6:20 am and arrives at 11:36 in Orlando. They had originally changed the flight to one that left at noon and didn't arrive in Orlando until almost 3:00! Not enough time to get to the ship! Our return flight is still non-stop but it doesn't leave until 4:30 so we may do the Hyatt day rate thing and swim and relax until the flight.

Keeping my fingers crossed that there's no more changes to the flights. Now the cabin, I wouldn't be adverse to another upgrade, possibly with a veranda (Mickey, can you hear me?!!)LOL

Lisa, great to have you just "across the hall." Anyone else thinking of decorating their doors? We're celebrating Conor's 7th birthday and our 15th anniversary so I will probably make up some magnets honoring these events and liven up the door. It will also help us locate the cabin after a long day!

I know I've been out of the loop but have any plans been made for meeting places/times etc. once we're on the ship? I think some of you may also be on the Atlanta to Orlando flight with us (Delta #1451 10:10 departure time). It would be great to hook up there too!

I've already started to put things aside to pack! My husband thinks I'm crazy but with all the school, sport, scout and church activities going on if I don't start now it could be a disaster!

Have a great evening all.

Mary

[lbgraves]

Mary, We are celbrating William's 5th birthday on the cruise so I would like to find some of the magnetised paper. I haven't had any luck finding any online & Staples doesn't have any here in town. Have you been able to find something to draw on or cut out yet?

I was just thinking that now that everyone is coming back to the loop we can start planning the meets. Mary, have you seen where the ladies are planning to meet for High Tea at Palo's on Sunday afternoon? Hope that you can join us!!! For those who have cruised before, what is the best time & place to meet on Saturday? I know that the drill is at 4 and the sale away party starts at 5...don't want to miss that!!! I read on one cruise thread that one group is planning to meet on the secret veranda on deck 7 aft and order a couple cheese trays from room service...and bring their own wine / drinks. I know that brunch at Palos was mentioned but have no idea what the response was at the time. We are planning on having Kaitlyn with us since she isn't PTing. I plan on taking her to the club for some of the activities though so she can still enjoy them. There is always the next cruise for Mike & I to enjoy a quiet dinner alone. :)

[Jo-Anne]

Hi Mary - guess your DH thinks I'm nuts too!! I've got a corner in my bedroom that I just keep tossing things into for the cruise...suntan lotion, sand shovels, water shoes...things we're not using anymore this summer. Anyone know if SPF 30 sunscreen will be enough for the Nov Caribbean sun? We also have 50, but would like to get some colour! Jo

[mkauffman]

Jo, I would think SPF30 would be enough, but I don't know how fair-skinned you are.

Lisa.....can't miss the sail-a-way party! It's the best. We have early dinner, so we'll be eating not long after we board the ship. I'd be game for just about anything, though. Can't wait for high tea at Palo's. I'm just so excited about meeting everyone!

Mary, we're on that Delta flight from Atlanta to Orlando! It's been changed to an 11:45 arrival time. I think we have about 1 1/2 hour layover in Atlanta. How long is your layover? Will I know you and your family by the big smiles on your faces?? You can usually spot that I'm-going-on-a-cruise smile.:p Are your pictures on Alex's site? I'll take a look.

Jo and Linda...how can they expect you to not smile on pictures that are specifically being taken so that you can cruise with Mickey??? I'm sure if you explain it to the picture-taker, he'll understand :p :p (just kidding).

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[lbgraves]

Michelle, Dinner is at 6 or 6:30? Can't think for certain right now. Hmmm...Hope we aren't delayed for any reason with leaving port! :) What time is everyone planning on being on the ship? Would a meet between 3 & 4 be possible?

[mcampbell_22]

Michelle,

No pics yet on Alex's site. I'm working on it. Seems we don't really have any "family" photos. I'm always the one taking the pictures so I'm not in very many with the kids. I do have the family picture taken at the Kodak(?) exhibit at Epcot that shows us all (although it's a year+ old). That could work. I'll work on it.

I've heard/read of some other cruisers wearing laminated mickey mouse paint chip cards (found at Home Depot) on their lanyards or pinned to their shirts as a way to identify each other. Maybe we could do something like this. I can try to pick up a bunch of the same color and send them to everyone interested if there's not a Home Depot nearby. Let me know.

In regards to the flight from Atlanta, the 1-1/2 layover isn't too bad. It will go by fast what with bathroom, lunch, stretching legs, the wait to board shouldn't feel that long. A nice break for the little ones to move around a bit.

I just picked up a bunch more sunscreen myself. I got the 45 or 50. My kids tan well but I don't want to have the vacation ruined by one bad sunburn. DH is a redhead (well, it's going white now!!) so he burns under a 40 watt bulb! He's the one I have to watch out for! I also made sure to buy a bottle of spray sunscreen for the top of our heads. Mostly for me and DD where our hair parts. Heard people say this can be a major burn spot especially if you get your hair braided. I also just picked up 2 new bathing suits at the end of the season sales. My old ones are pretty worse for wear after a summer at the beach. The old lycra just doesn't hold it all in like it does with a new suit!

Signing off for the night. Talk to you all soon.

[lbgraves]

Mary, I think it is a couple pages back, but Michelle designed nametags for us to wear for the cruise. They look great! I'm not sure where it stands on her sending out the files. Michelle???

[mkauffman]

Actually, Julie has the new name tags. I do have a copy of them that I could send. Lisa, I'm printing yours, right? I still have your address. I just need to get them printed and mailed. Mary, I can certainly do that for you, too. I have to print a whole page anyway. I think we've decided to just do DW and DH (unless anyone wants them for the kids). I don't think my kids will wear them. I need to get to Staples or OfficeMax and buy the tags.

My pic on Alex's site is over a year old, too. It's from our last cruise which was Feb. 2002. It's amazing how much kids grow in just a year.

I'm certainly hoping to be on the ship by 2:00, but I would hate to schedule something between 3-4 just in case. I hope that nothing happens, but I guess you just never know. That would be my worst nightmare come true.:eek:

I just got an email from my TA asking for our flight schedules. He said Disney faxed him and wanted the information for our transfers. He also said he's mailing out our excursion information today. YEAH!!! It's really happening!

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[nedleycan]

I just bought two white t-shirts for the kids that say "ROOTS" (our very successful Canadian clothing company) with a Canada flag on it. Jo-Anne, you might want to look at getting some for your kids. They will be wearing these shirts when we board, so look for them! My son will also have his "ROOTS Canada" red ball cap on.
I remember when we boarded last time, there isn't much time to meet. We got on the ship, went to our cabin, went up for lunch quickly, got in line at Palo (first in line) and the spa (first in line), then wandered around, then unpack, then the drill happened. I would be afraid that if we planned to meet at 3:00, some people wouldn't make it.
We also have early seating, so right after the sailaway, we will be getting ready for dinner. I think it would be better to meet on Sunday... what do you think?

[Jo-Anne]

Linda - I also have Canadian T shirts for the kids and we all wore them to MGM last year when we were there on 9/11...wanted to show our Cdn support for the American people on that commemoration day...maybe we'll pull them out too, although knowing Katie, she'll probably want to be wearing something Disney! I have a Canadian Roots T shirt as well...so don't everyone confuse me with Linda's DD!! You'll probably be able to easily pick out my son as the one who with the widest eyes staring at the biggest boat he's ever seen! He just loves boats and plays with them for hours.

[mkauffman]

Just thought I'd chime in for a minute (not like me, huh?:p ). My son has a Canada t-shirt that we bought in Niagara Falls last summer. There's a big flag on the front! Should I confuse everyone even more???:D

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[mcampbell_22]

Michelle, I'd love the nametags. If you want you can send an attachment to an email and I can print them off or if you want to pop it in the mail I can give you my address.

Just sent you all an email with pictures, finally. Alex, if you want you can add them to your website (if you need them in another format, please let me know). Also our cabin number has changed to 7512. Jo-anne, I don't think I have your email on my "cruise" list so if you didn't get the pics let me know and I'll add your email to my list.

Sunday also seems like a better time to do the big "meet and greet." I know some of us will probably meet up before due to hotel, bus or flights but it seems like it would be less hurried and stressful to get together on the first full day. JMHO. I'm game for anything.

What excursions have you all planned. Family REALLY wants to do the Anguilla Dolphin/Sting ray swim in St. Maarten. So looks like I may reserve that. Would love some suggestions. (Kids will be 7 and 5 on cruise). Thanks.

[alexturner74]

Mary... I've updated your cabin number. Pictures will be posted later today.

Jo-Anne...Sorry for the delay in getting your pictures up. They will also be posted later today.

It's been a busy week!

Alex

[lbgraves]

Sunday morning sounds great for our first meet. :) After breakfast sometime? I know that we are meeting for High Tea that afternoon. Does anyone know what time that is?

I got my dresses from Jcrew this afternoon. Had to try them on right away! WOW! I am going to feel so spoiled on this cruise...why should anyone know that the stunning little black $148 wool crepe dress only cost me $10. ;)

I'm just about ready for Kaitlyn's birthday this weekend. I have the gifts wrapped & the Bear figures for the cake. Her party is planned for the 8th on the playground after school. Easy since I don't have to clean the carpet before or after. ;)

[mcampbell_22]

Lisa, good luck with the party. Now that the kids are in school the parties are getting bigger. Not just family anymore. At Conor's last party I had 15 boys in the house! Thankfully the November weather was great and much of it was spent outdoors at planned activities. Thank goodness!

We are also going to look stunning in our "bargain" formals. I recently stopped at a local consignment shop that was having a bag sale and picked up a complete tux for DH that fits him like it was made for him, for just $1.00. Just need a shirt and bow tie! It even had cuff links in the pocket! I picked up much of our cruise attire at the end of last season on clearance racks. The easter dresses work wonderful for DD and DS decided he wanted to wear the black double breasted jacket and slacks for formal night and they were also clearance. I have a "vintage" hawaiian dress for tropical night which is WAY over the top. May or may not go with it. Just picked up DD's tropical dress, also on clearance.

I'm trying to plan all my dinner outfits to match one pair of heels. Think it can be done?

Anyone else wearing bathing suits under clothes so they'll be all ready to hit the pools upon arrival? I think I'll do it with the kids, probably not me. I'll be too busy making ressies! Please give me an update on plans for group meals and ressie requirements.

AHHH, gotta go, we have a bat living in our chimney and it's back in the house! It hasn't quite learned to fly up not down! I'm off to get the butterfly net and catch me a bat!

[lbgraves]

I will be packing our suits in our carry ons so we wont be wearing them all day. :) A little pool time with calm the kiddos down...then again maybe not. :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce:

[lbgraves]

I am excited now!!! LOL! I got my BC in the mail this afternoon. Now they are all together with our receipts. I am going to get a fireproof safe this week just to keep stuff like that in...just in case. :) Now just need to get DCL's paperwork.

[Jo-Anne]

Lisa and Mary - those are amazing deals on the clothes!!! I've been shopping the end of season sales too trying to find some reasonable cruise wear. Since my office went business casual a few years ago, and all our friends are married, so no weddings in our future, I don't have many dresses in my wardrobe. I too am trying to work my wardrobe around one pair of nice shoes..I really do want to pack "light"! I'm definately thinking about having the kids wear their bathing suits under their clothes. Will probably have DH sit by pool while I do the Palo dinner booking. I've already warned kids that pool will most likely be very busy during the sailing and not to expect to spend all day in the pool, so if they can get in a good swim on day 1, it will get them a fix! Sunday am sounds good for a meet. Think high tea is around 3:30. I'm looking at an old Navigator from Oct 2002, and it looks like most of the "action" for adults and kids takes place in the afternoons, so something mid morning...say around 10:30, might be good, although this might be the day for some of us to have the Character breakfast which doesn't start until 9. Anyone have a sure fire way of knowing what dining rotations we get...is it strictly based on the age range of kids in your group? Lisa - Happy Birthday to Kaitlyn - what a great way to have a party! Both my kids have birthdays in Sept and I still haven't figured out what to do yet...bad Mother! Mary - did you catch the bat? Julie or Michelle - if you have the nametags, please send my way - desveaux.jl@pg.com Night everyone...taking tomorrow morning off work to take Michael to his first day of Junior Kindergarden..I can't believe he's going to school already! Might be shedding a few tears tomorrow - me not him!! Jo

[lbgraves]

Hope tomorrow goes well for Michael...and you too, Jo! :)

Today our plans got tossed a wicked curve ball. I have calmed down a bit now but this morning we found out indirectly that my BIL's wedding is no longer going to be in the spring...it will be in November. I called another SIL to see if she knew the date since MIL claimed not to...11/22. I was really upset!!! There is NO WAY we are missing this cruise...especially since everyone...except DH's parents...knew about this trip. I just found out that the wedding isn't until 3 pm that day, so we should be able to make it up to JAX from the port with plenty of time to get ready. We will have to change our reservations with the TA tomorrow for the ASMovies. They had rooms available this afternoon when I looked it up. ACK!!! Now I have to rethink our entire WDW/Seaworld part of the trip. Maybe in the long run this will work out since we will do the parks before the cruise. ??? I'm worried about the kids & the characters int he park though. Looks like we would get to MK on Thursday, so maybe it wont be as packed as it would be on a Sunday??? ACK ACK!!!

[nedleycan]

I have today off too, to take my kids to their orientation at school (school doesn't start until tomorrow at either school). We also have to buy my daughter some shoes for school... maybe I will see something for myself!
We too are very casual. In fact, because I work at a design studio, we can wear jeans to work. But, when I go to my client's I dress business casual. I am lucky that my sister has a couple of fancy dresses, and I will take a couple of them with me.
Sunday morning sounds good for a meet! Maybe 10:30 or 11:00 would be good, just in case some of us have the character breakfast (good thinking Jo-
Anne!)
On our last Disney cruise, we definitely noticed that the rotations went by age of children. You can pretty well guess what your rotation will be.
Luck break with the wedding Lisa! I was afraid you were going to cancel on us! You can't do that! haha
We will probably just pack our bathing suits in our carry-on. But, last cruise, our cabin was ready as soon as we boarded. We went to our rooms, then ate lunch and did reservations. Then headed to the most crowded pool I have ever seen in my life! There were kids everywhere! But, our kids didn't mind at all.
Make sure you are all on deck for the sailaway party. It was fantastic! Our daughter was up on stage dancing with the characters, as if it was her birthday party!

[Jo-Anne]

Lisa - what a curve ball...great to know you have your priorities straight tho!! Our flight out of Orlando is 11:40, and with one stop, we are back in Buffalo at 3:40. Think I've heard that you can leave the boat around 8:30 so hopefully it will all click and you'll be home in time. Tell me what your concern is about the characters in the parks? Do you think they'll be scared? We also thought about that the first time we took Katie, and the very first night we were there, we went to Chef Mickey character dinner and it was a good way for her to eye them from a distance and then when she couldn't help herself any longer, she ran right up to Donald Duck and hugged the stuffing out of him! Watching those singalong Disney videos also helps bring it to "life"!
So just dropped Michael off at school and he looked a little lost. He was doing his shy act, which will last all of one day, and the teacher was trying to ask him his last name since there is another Michael in the class (husband only liked common names!!). Well it took a good minute for the teacher to try all different things to get him to tell his last name! One little girl was on the verge of tears, so I high tailed it out of there before the dam broke and everyone was out of control!! Only two more hours until I get to pick him up!!! Linda - our kids are 7 &4 and the family we are travelling with have kids 5-12 - would that most likely mean APL dining rotation?

[lbgraves]

Yes, Jo. DS wouldn't go anywhere near Santa last year. Terrified. When we told him that we were going on Mickey's boat at first he screamed & yelled NO!!! :( Last night he told me that he was a big boy now & would go see Santa by himself this year. LOL! I told him he doesn't have to do anything alone & his sister would probably feel better going with him. We'll see how they do. Going to DTD the first afternoon will probably help them along a bit.

Yes, everything is set. There is no way in this universe that I was going to cancel our cruise...or WDW!!! This trip has been my focal point for the past 8 months while DH has been gone & working so hard. Hmmm...now I need to add a seperate countdown clock for WDW so that we still keep the cruise time going. :) Let's see...do I want to spend a week with the crazy inlaws or a week with Disney????? DUH!!! ;)

Now we are driving down to FL on 11/10 & staying with SIL & BIL 2 nights before driving down to WDW 11/12. That will be our relaxing day to explore the hotel & DTD. I was up in the air about when to do MK & SW but just looked it up & EE is Thursday for MK!!! I am hoping that a Thursday will be less crowded than a Sunday??? Anyone know??? We originally chose SW because the kids love animals, we can get half price tickets with our BG season passes, and we wouldn't feel bad about leaving for JAX around 6 pm. Now that we are spending 3 nights at the AS, we will have the entire day Friday. What would you pros do??? I have heard great things about MGM and Playhouse Disney. Kaitlyn ADORES bear. I will have to email a picture from her Bday wearing the bear costume a friend on the FFD board sent her. We are staying at the AS Friday to avoid having to check in at the port hotel & getting more WDW time. :)

Is anyone planning to get together either in Orlando or PC for breakfast Saturday? We would be able to do that now since we will be so close. :)

[mcampbell_22]

Yes Jo-Anne I'm happy to report that it was a successful bat wrangling (again!). I'm really getting good at catching that thing in one try. Kids think it's sooo cute and want to keep it and name it! Yikes! Of course, Devon, my little angel wants a mouse for a pet too!

Devon just got off the bus for day 2 of Kindergarten. She looks so tiny sitting on the bus. Mommy is still having a little trouble dealing with her "baby" being gone. Sniff, Sniff.

I'm also game for tea on Sunday. Sounds like a good idea. Even if we have the character breakfast, I'll eat again. Not ususally a problem for me...unfortunately.

Any of you planned excursions? We're still deciding. Suggestions would be nice. Also, those of you with kids, are you signing them up for Oceaneers Club? Conor and Devon would love to know what "friends" they'll be there with.

Lisa, deep breaths, it will all work out. Sounds like you have it pretty much under control except for detail stuff. Seems like short notice to be changing the date of a wedding. If I was the bride to be, I'd be very stressed out!

[lbgraves]

Mary, William will definantly be signed up in the Club. He turns 5 the day before the cruise but after looking over the navigators for the kids, I think that he will enjoy those activities more. Also, IF Kaitlyn decides that she is going to PT, she won't stay without William there. Even if she doesn't and we end up taking her for some events, I will be able to see both of the kids enjoying themselves.

We are not doing any excursions. If the ship gets into port we will get off & walk around with the strollers for a bit but no big plans. We will enjoy the ship & pools, then keep the kids on their nap schedule so everyone will have more fun. :) We will probably do something else either with DS or just DH & I next year. :)

Yes, my future SIL was quite stressed last night after she found out that BIL hadn't told his brothers about the wedding date yet. He is one who just doesn't have a clue. :rolleyes:

[Jo-Anne]

Mary - we are not doing any official excursions. At this point we're going to hail a taxi to Meghan's Beach on St. Thomas and another, yet to be decided beach, on St. Marteen. I'm hoping to spend the mornings on the beaches, eat lunch on ship or locally, go back to ship, sign kids back into clubs for afternoon while I shop!! Thats my plan, but you know about best laid plans...!! I'll be signing kids up for clubs on the first day and hope they really enjoy them so DH and our friends can have some adult time together.

[mkauffman]

Hey everyone!!! I've missed you all. I've had a few days off work and I feel so out of the loop! Mary, could you send me your snail mail address? Also, do you want your husband and your names, or the kids too? I think most of us are doing just DH and DW. It's up to you, though. I'm going to have a hard time just getting DH to wear his!

Is this trip here yet??

Lisa...I was scared to death that you were actually considering changing your cruise plans! Thank goodness that worked out!

DH and my brother-in-law are going to parasail on Castaway Cay. We may book the banana boat ride, too. That's about all we have planned for excursions. I'm a beach person so I'll be completely ok with beaching it!

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[nedleycan]

Our kids will be in the club for sure. They liked it last year, but I think they will love it this year. I am going to get special permission for Cam to go into the 5-7 year olds with his sister... hope they let us.
We plan on putting the kids in for 1/2 a day every day, and then again after dinner... as long as they are okay with it. My big wish is that they fall asleep watching the movies at night, so that we can do some of the adult stuff this time. If they don't, anyone want to join me at Deuling Piano while DH watches the kids! haha... he doesn't know this yet.

Linda

[lbgraves]

Linda, I would love to go to the Dueling Piano show, but word is that after dry dock & the revamping in the clubs they aren't going to have it anymore. Rae is really upset about it. I was wishing that we could see Fidelio. I hoped also that the new Golden Mickey show would be on the Magic but it doesn't look like that will happen. Oh well, it will still be a great cruise!!!

[JulieGS]

Hi all!

First of all, I'm so glad Lisa and family will still be with us! Men and weddings just aren't compatible, huh? Too bad they sort of have to be involved! :teeth: I think the new plans sound great...it will definitely be less crowded in the parks earlier in November. The closer to Thanksgiving, the worse it gets. That being said, I've read in more than one place to avoid the park that has EE if you can -- everyone flocks there!

Mary, Lisa, Linda, Jo -- Anton will be in the club, but he'll just have turned four, so he'll be with the younger set. Poor Leif will be stuck in Flounders, which I'm nervous about. Wish they'd kept the in-room babysitting! Anyone have experience with Flounders? Well, I hope the boys do OK... otherwise no down time for Mommy and Daddy! :(

Sunday at about 11 sounds greet for a meet... unless we just meet up for tea, then send the men on their way with whichever kids are in tow? Just a thought... might be less hectic. Of course, some of us could meet by happenstance before then... we know what we look like! Speaking of the meet, who else needs the nametags that Michelle and I came up with? Just let me know.

As for excursions, we'll probably hang out on the boat too. Lisa's right...don't mess with those naps! I think I'll book DH on that America's Cup regatta, though. He'd enjoy that.

Julie

[Jo-Anne]

Julie - my DS Michael is just turning 4 in a couple of weeks, so he and Anton will be in the same group. My DD Katie will be 7 in a few weeks so she'll be in the same "room" as Michael, but the two different age groups run different activities and sometimes separate out into different areas of ship, but at least Michael will see Katie some of the time to build up a comfort level. I'm open to either meeting at 11:00 and tea, or just at tea. How do your DH feel about "meeting the DIS-obsessed'?! If I'm not mistaken, it's just we women here chatting on this thread since Alex is no longer coming. Will your DHs want to meet up or will they feel too uncomfortable?!! Maybe we could initially meet as families around the pool or some place where the kids can run around and then men can be distracted if they wish :) and we can say our Hi's and then later the women can get together for tea? Just throwing out thoughts. By the way, did we decide on one person who was going to book high tea on Sunday?

[lbgraves]

Julie, William will be with the 4 yos too, even though he turns 5 the day before the cruise. He is in the 4 yo class in PS and IF DD decides to overcome her diaper obsession I want them to be in the same group together.

I think that the only way to get the husbands & kids together will be at a seperate meet. Does anyone know what time the lunch is served? 11 should be a good time to let everyone introduce themselves before we will need to eat. I know that by 3 the rest of my crew will be in the cabin napping so they would miss out if we waiting until before the tea. I probably wont be eating much, but am looking forward to being able to sit down with all of you and chat.

[mkauffman]

I don't know for sure what time lunch is....I'm sure it's been posted somewhere. I'm absolutely game for anything. Even if DH doesn't want to join in, I'm SO looking forward to meeting all of you. Tony is really pretty much a whatever-you-want-to-do kind of guy. He's used to me making friends on the fly. My kids are 9 and 15, so they'll most likely be doing anything that doesn't include mom, except for dinner, and that's because that's the time that I demand that they at least act like they want to be with me.:p Just let me know what works for each of you. I think we've pretty much nailed down high tea on Sunday.

Lisa, is it you that I'll be seeing in Atlanta?

Hey, we'll soon be in the 60s!

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[nedleycan]

My DH would meet up with everyone if I told him too, but also thinks we are freaks... but in a good way. He thinks it is so funny that I make friends with people I have never met. But, last time, I have friends with one person, only 4 days before cruising (since our November 30th was cancelled and we so quickly had to rebook on the 4-day). She told me "I will be the one with the 20 month old who is really long and he will be in a back-pack on my back. My daughter is 3. I will be travelling with a female friend." Well, my DH dropped us off at the port, before returning the rented vehicle. As we were waiting to go through the metal detector, I saw this lady with a kid on her back. I walked up to her and said "Are you Tammy?" and she said "Linda?". It was so funny that we hadn't even gotten into the terminal yet, and we had already met. We never had a planned meeting, but saw each other at least once per day over the 4-days. So, I am sure we will all end up bumping into each other throughout the cruise.
I am also booking my DH on the St. Maarten Regatta. It is fantastic! I am sure that our husbands will meet on that Julie.
I would really love to get the kids together at some point (maybe we will run into each other in the terminal) so that they know each other at the club.

[lbgraves]

Michelle, We are driving down to FL on 11/10 now so it must be someone else who will be meeting up with you on the connecting flight in Atlanta.

My DH is the same way. Not really anti social but not very outgoing either so I have to push a little. :) This is even with the people at HIS office. LOL! He is better at getting DD down to sleep than me...less than half the time & she is out. Just makes it a pain for me. I plan on relaxing in the adult pool most afternoons while he naps with the kids. :) I think that will be just as relaxing for me since it never happens here in the real world. ;)

[lbgraves]

Hmmm...maybe it will be a good idea to send DH on an excursion. He loves sailing. Are there a couple husbands going on this one? Where can I find info about it?

[nedleycan]

I am not sure where you get the information, but probably on the Disney web site. I know some people who went on it, and they said it was the best excursion they have ever been on. Apparently you actually race the real Sailboats like America One. I believe it is hard work, but very fullfilling.

[lbgraves]

I should have looked at my Passporter! LOL! Since we are planning on walking around the port in the morning with the kids he will have to pass on that but there are a couple of afternoon excursions listed. I can take a nap with the kids then while he goes out exploring. Sounds like a plan! I hadn't considered him going somewhere on his own before. I'll talk to DH about it. :)

[mkauffman]

Hmmmm....I can't remember now who said they were flying through Atlanta. I'm losing my mind. Maybe Linda?? I really can't wait to meet everyone and get all my new friends straightened out!;)

We really need to figure out our excursions. I'm more in the mood to just find a great beach and lay on it for hours. DH isn't really into that. He wants to be active and tour. Maybe we can meet somewhere in the middle.:D

Is there a place on Sunday morning that we can meet? Did we decide to do it around one of the pools?

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[lbgraves]

From everything that I have heard 11 am at the kids pool is a madhouse on a sea day. Per the PP, the Topsiders area doesn't serve food between 11 & 12. Maybe that would be a good place for us to meet & be able to sit without being in the way. If the guys want to take the kids over to the pool after we all get there & say hello, it is just around the corner. Again...allowing some time for us girls to talk. :)

[mkauffman]

That sounds like a plan. Topsiders around 11 a.m.? You're talking about the deck area?

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[lbgraves]

I am going by the ship outline. It looks like Deck 9 aft. Is that an open area with just tables? Would it be a good place to meet up?

[mkauffman]

If I remember correctly, I believe there is outside seating by Topsider's/Beach Blanket Buffet. That would be a great place to meet.

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[mkauffman]

Just bumping us up again. It's Monday and I needed to see the timer.

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[lbgraves]

LOL! I can understand. :) I can finally breathe again after spending 36 hours cleaning this house. The tropical storm moved in and forced us to change Kaitlyn's party from the playground to the house. :( I'm glad that it's over and hope that she resoves her "issues" about birthdays before the next one comes around. :rolleyes: Thank goodness DH was here to handle her while I was with the other kids. The next big thing on our calendar is a wedding in northern VA the first week in October. After that there isn't long until the cruise!!!!!

[mcampbell_22]

Just got around to reading some of the newer posts. Michelle, we are going through Atlanta and are (I think) on the same flight. I'm flexibe in terms of where and when to meet up. Just let me know the time and place and I'll be there!

[mkauffman]

Mary....it was you!! I couldn't for the life of me remember who was going through Atlanta and I was too lazy to sift back through the thread to find out! Since your picture is on Alex's site maybe I'll be able to spot you (think we're gonna have that much time??:D ).

Lisa, don't you just love the stress that our children's birthday parties can bring us?? The things we put ourselves through to be good moms!:)

I'm looking again at our excursion list....does anyone have any idea what the Golden Eagle Catamaran trip is like? What exactly is a catamaran? You'd think I'd know that!

Since you all know I've lost my mind (I'm smack in the middle of soccer season), who else wanted me to mail them name tags? I have Lisa down and her address. There was someone else, was it you, Mary??

Michelle

[mcampbell_22]

Michelle,

I think it was me also that needed/wanted nametags. I can send you my address if you are mailing them out or you can send me an email with document attached and I can print it out myself. Let me know which is easiest.

The website for the Golden Eagle catamaran is sailingsxm.com. I think we're going to do the dolphin/sting ray excursion but this was our second choice. Site has some pictures of catamaran.

Also, if anyone is thinking of going to Coral World in St. Thomas on their own. You can go to their website (coralworldvi.com) and print off a coupon that will save you $3 off each adult admission and $1 off each child.

[mkauffman]

Thanks for that website Mary! We're seriously considering the catamaran tour. It looks like a blast. I was reading someone's trip report online and they were saying that it was the highlight of their trip. We've also considered going to Coki Beach/Coral World on our own, but won't decide that until we get there. We'll see what kind of mood we're in.

I can send you the attachment. I just need to find your email address.:D

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[Jo-Anne]

Lisa - are you folks in the path of this hurricane/storm that is now being tracked to hit east coast somewhere? How far inland are you? What does one do to prepare for something like this? Any others close to east coast? I'm praying for a huge turn or at least a strong weakening. Hang tight! Take Care, Jo

[lbgraves]

Well Jo, let me tell you where we live. Go to the tracking map on the first page of the DIS board & look at where the center line hits the NC coast. At that point go west about 1/8". That is where New Bern is. The eye of Floyd went right thru town and several otehrs since we have moved here have been too close & caused alot of damage & flooding around us. We have been lucky so far.

I picked up some blank tapes this morning and will be doing an update of home for insurance today & tomorrow. Just got a couple 12 packs of water too. We were running low anyway. I am catching up on the laundry too in case we are without power or water for a while. Mike will be putting the boards on the windows here and at a neighbors tommorrow. I have to get all the papers together and will be piling our photo albums & other special items in the living room so that if we decide to leave they will all be together. DH's parents live in the hills of VA about 30 minutes north of Danville, VA on the border. We went there for Floyd. If it drops considerably to a low 3 we will probably stay put but if it stays like it is tomorrow, we will be heading out first thing Wednesday morning. I'll try to LYK what we end up doing.

[nedleycan]

I hope that things go okay and that the storm is down-graded. They are even threatening that Toronto will get a piece of it on Thursday, and it will be the worst storm for us since 1954 when Hurricane Hazel came through and did lots of destruction. But I am sure it will be nothing like the coast could experience. Sounds like you are very well organized and being sensible about it.
Take care,
Linda

[mkauffman]

:eek: :eek: :eek:

Lisa, I had no idea you were that close! They're calling for us in Central PA to get a piece of this storm, too, but nothing like what could hit you! PLEASE keep us updated and let us know how you're all doing. You'll be in my thoughts over the next few days.

Michelle

[lbgraves]

Thanks everyone. We can all use the extra prayers. Maybe this will turn out a little, but not likely. With a 500 mile span we are going to get something. I am hoping at least that it will pass to the East of us. If we have the winds going out to sea maybe we wont have the flooding as badly this time.

Looking on the bright side of this...CC is still in great shape as is the terminal at Cape Canaveral. ;)

[Jo-Anne]

Lisa - hang tight! I saw on another thread that you've boarded up and looks like you're staying put! I'm praying for you and everyone in her path. I really hope it blows through quickly. Looks like Toronto is going to get the tail end on Friday...probably just heavy showers and wind, but nothing like you're going to get. I looked up New Bern on mapquest, and it looks like you're right in the path when it hits land, so hold on tight....we'll be thinking of you! Take Care, Jo

[lbgraves]

Thanks Jo! The last thing to do is get some rest tonight It is going to be a long stressful day tomorrow and will probably start early. Hopefully the boards will keep the sound out for a while in the morning. Waiting is the worst part to me. I am going to be pretty busy this weekend putting everything back in place even if we come out of this storm ok. Hopefully I will post when it passes us. We are going to get the early hit so I am taking the computer down in the morning when the wind kicks up so that the hard drive doesn't get messed up. There is room in the closet for it with us.

[lbgraves]

OK they just did a report & this storm is moving in faster than they thought it would. It went from 8 mph to 14 mph. There are cerfews starting tomorrow morning at 6 am. They went around the coastal areas about 40 minutes from here and took the names of the next of kin if the people weren't leaving. Well, maybe it will be earlier than they thought & we will be able to watch Survivor afterall. ;)

[Jo-Anne]

Lisa - maybe you can star in your own version of Survivor! Get some sleep and check in with us when you can! Jo

[mkauffman]

Originally posted by Jo-Anne
Lisa - maybe you can star in your own version of Survivor! Get some sleep and check in with us when you can! Jo


:D A little bit of humor in this stressful time can really help! Thanks, Jo. Lisa, you'll be in my thoughts. Please post just as soon as you can.

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[lbgraves]

Just checking in very quickly. Power went out at 7:30 but back on at 9. The rain & wind started around 2 am here...at least that is when I woke up & heard it. We are making the flashlights an adventure for the kids, though they are getting a break now. :) The eye is suppose to hit here around 1:30. Looks like it is hitting a bit east of us so that is better news to be at the west of the eye.

[mcampbell_22]

Lisa,

Just a quick note (hopefully you have power and can read it) to let you know that we're thinking of you and the kids and hope all is well.

Look forward to hearing from you once Isabel has passed.

[lbgraves]

Gosh what a day!!! We have never lost power for that long here. Those power company guys rock! They were out in this mess at 8:30 tonight and we had power back at 9!!! It went out again at 2 so we put the kids down for naps. They were a bit edgy the rest of the day. Thankfully it is cooler here instead of warm & muggy like it was for Fran. The winds are still whipping around out there. We are lucky. There is a big tree across our driveway but we never leave anything there so our property is ok. We have alot of cleanup to do tomorrow. DS learned that electricity can't be taken for granted today. ;)

If it had hit another 20 miles west we would have gotten it much worse. As it is there are 40 homes that were destroyed this afternoon and another 135 people who were stranded when they were cut off by flooding. I think they were at a shelter & had to be rescued.

I hope that everyone to the north who is just getting this stays safe. We need to rest since it started up here around 2 am this morning. I had fallen asleep before getting my shower last night but ran upstairs when the power went on at 9 am. ;) Thanks for all your prayers! Dh doesn't understand why I had to get this thing back online so that I could let everyone know we are ok. :)

[SINK]

Sorry to barge in like this. We will be on the 11/15 Magic as well. Our plans were not finalized until this week. I will try to read the treads. Boy, it's sure long.

[nedleycan]

Welcome Sink to our group! We are a really nice group of people (if I do say so myself). We look forward to you joining our group.

Lisa,
Glad to hear the worst of it is over and that you are safe! The storm is just hitting here, and the expected "big rain and wind" is expected around noon. So far all schools are open except for one school board close to us. I was very sorry to hear on the radio about the deaths from this storm, when I woke up this morning. How horrible!
Good luck on your clean-up this weekend and give the kids a big hug and kiss from us!

Linda

[sherry]

Hello Sink, Welcome and I look forward to meeting you.

[Jo-Anne]

Lisa - so glad you and your family are safe and that there is minimal property damage. The storm looked ferocious on the news last night. Here in Toronto the rain and winds are just moving in, but they predict the heavy rain will likely stay a little west of Toronto, so most likely will just be a good soaking rain storm here.
Sink - welcome! Tell us more about yourself and family! It's a great bunch of families travelling on 11/15. There is a website that Alex set up for us (unfortunately he had to cancel, but he's maintainted the site for us). http://cruise.alexandjessica.com/ I'll send you the password in a private message. It will show you all the families who are cruising and some data on our families.

[mcampbell_22]

Lisa,

Just woke up and checked thread. Soooo glad you are all OK and that you had no personal damage. We're hoping that as it moves up the coast our beach house doesn't suffer any damage from the high surf (We're literally right on the beach). We just finished replacing the catwalk and fencing from this past winter's fury.

Welcome SINK!

Uh Oh, the bus is coming... gotta run!

[mkauffman]

SINK.....please don't apologize! Welcome to our group! We look forward to getting to know you before 11/15. Tell us a little about yourself. Since it's a very long thread, I'll tell you that I'm Michelle, my DH is Tony and I have two DS, Garrett will be 9 and Josh is 15. If you're interested in joining us for a DIS meet, let me know and I'll be happy to mail you name tags.

Lisa...thank God you're ok. I thought about you and your family all night. We lost electricity at work until 11 a.m., but they had already closed for the day! We just have to make DH understand that we've created this little family here that need to know how you are!:D

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[nedleycan]

Sink,
I am Linda, DH is Brian, kids are Meghan 6.5yo, Cameron almost 5yo.
We are from the Toronto area and this is our second Disney cruise. You are going to love it!

[mkauffman]

Hey all....before I leave for the weekend (girl's weekend), I sent name tags out to Mary & Brian, Lisa & Mike, Kim, Mike & Neida and Sherry & Chuck. If I'm missing anyone, or if anyone new would like, please let me know. I have tried (really I have :p ) to keep it all straight. My kids are so needy right now!

Let's pray for calm seas on 11/15!

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[nedleycan]

My biggest dilemma right now is timing of hair cuts and waxing (sorry all you guys out there). With 8 weeks to go, I better get my hair cut now, so that I can get it cut again in 8 weeks. Same goes for the waxing. But, I am not really due for hair cut for another couple of weeks, and I usually can wait approx. 10 weeks in between... what to do... what to do! Anyone else having these problems? haha

[Jo-Anne]

Linda - I'm with you on the dilema's! I've decided to get haircut about 2 weeks prior to trip so it will look "natural" by time we sail! Also tried leg waxing for first time last week....wanted to know if I could withstand the pain and if the results lasted more than one week! It was very "ouchy", but I'll do it once more just prior to flying out so it will be one less thing to think about on the cruise! As one poster said in another thread..."nothing worse than trying to shave your legs in those small tub/showers and having the shower curtain sticking to your butt!" LOL

[lbgraves]

Welcome Sink! Sorry I didn't see your post last night. A bit busy & tired here. I'm Lisa and DH Mike, DD Kaitlyn (3), and DS (5 on cruise) will be going on our first cruise & also our first trip to WDW before. :) :) :)

We have planned for the ladies to meet for high tea on Sunday and for all of us to get together 11-12 Sunday morning at Topsiders, though I have been told that it might be closed when not serving so we may want to make it the promenade lounge. We are definantly a chatty bunch. :)

[JulieGS]

Hi all --

Lisa, I'm so happy that all is well with you and your family, and that Jo will just be getting a good rain. Great news!

Welcome, SINK -- hope to hear more about you soon.

Julie

P.S. Anyone else book their excursions yet?

[SINK]

Hi All:

I'm Steve and I'm not a Disneyholic. I just spend most of my vacations at WDW and DCL.

DW is Ashley. We will have our 6 year (turn 6 on 11/28) and 8 year old nieces, along with my uncle and aunt (a total of 6). We will be getting in on a red-eye flight from LAX on 11/15 (cutting it quite short). Hopefully the airline will not lose our luggage. Anyhow, this is our first Eastern on the Magic. We've done the Western earlier this year back in March, and two Wonder cruises last year. We took Celebrity's Century to St. Thomas/St. Marteen back in August.

Looking forward in meeting you all. After the Magic, we will head over to WDW to celebrity Thanksgiving. We will be splitting our stay at OKW and BCV. I was unable to obtain the Grand Villa for our entire stay (imagine, just 6 of us in a three bedroom GV), so we will have to settle for a two bedroom at BCV. We will be meeting up with a family from PA, who we've met on our Western cruise.

By the way, it's pretty dumb to have a call sign as SINK to sail quite frequently (this will be our fourth this year). But, it's a take off of a yuppie term used few years ago, DINK. Double Income and no kids. Unfortunately, DW is still in school, so it's Single income family for the time being. And not sure if and when the first kid might be conceived. Don't have any short term plans of having kids ourselves. Too selfish, since we love to travel.

So for the time being, we just rent the kids from my brother. It's pretty cool to spoil my nieces rotten since it's the uncle's/aunt's (and grandparents) right to do so, and for the mom and dad to clean up.

[mcampbell_22]

Sink, just wanted to add my family's "vitals". I am Mary, DH is Brian, DS Conor is almost 7 (11/11) and DD Devon is 5. We live on the south shore of Massachusetts, south of boston but just north of the cape. This is out first Disney Cruise and we are sooo looking forward to it.

Ladies, I too have scheduled my hair appointment for a month prior to sailing. I've also made sure to check the upcoming calendar to determine "monthlies" if you know what I mean! Luckily I'm in the clear! (Sorry SINK!)

[lbgraves]

LOL, Mary! :) :) :) I wasn't in the clear so an adjustment was made last month. ;)

[Jo-Anne]

Been counting too! In the clear by a few days!

Hi Steve and Ashley et al! Don't think I left our family vitals yet... We have a DD who is just turning 7 next week and a DS who turned 4 last week. Your neices should have lots of playmates. Sounds like you're an experienced cruiser....have the girls gone on cruises in the past? Did they join the clubs? What a wonderful Uncle you are! My sister would love to cruise with us and spoil our kids rotten, but she's a teacher and can't come with us when we go off season. Jo

[SINK]

Our nieces sailed with us last year on the Wonder. They didn't participate in the kids club all that much, since it's was a very short cruise (3 nighter). But, when we sailed on the Celebrity's Century Eastern Caribbean in August, they loved the kids club. I'm sure this time around, we would only see them for dinner and the shows.

My wife and I have always done "scouting trips" prior to family outings to fine tune our plans for the subsequent trips. So, back in March this year, it was just the two of us ("Lewis and Clark") exploring the activities and the mysteries of the Magic. We have also made a "scouting trip" to Alaska late May on Celebrity's Mercury and we were roughing it. It's was really cold standing on deck trying to catch any glimps of falling glaciers. But, finally made it back to my friend's very warm veranda to have some hot coffee/chocolate, red wine, cheese and fruit plate, and salmon spread with crackers.

After the 11/15 sailing on the Magic, we will return to WDW for my 10th trip. Our family typically spends Thanksgiving at WDW. But, in 2001/2002, we went for New Years Eve. Initially, we thought it wasn't worth it due to the crowds, but our minds quickly changed after spending NYE on mainstreet in Magic Kindgom. It was fantasic!

[SINK]

We haven't booked any excursion yet. Not sure exactly what we wanted to do this time around.

Here's what we've done on our last trip to the Eastern Caribbean.

St. Thomas:

We've rented two midsize cars from Avis across the street from the shopping mall at the port. Our goal was to get to Magan's Bay, it's was an adventure getting there. First we've missed our turn and ended up way passed the airport at St. Thomas university. So, we've made an U-turn and drove through traffic again and finally made it after getting lost few more times. In the process, almost got into couple of accidents. They drive on the other side of street (like the Brits), our nature instint is to stay on the right side of the street. So, when I was making a right hand turn, on two occasions ended up on the righthand side with oncoming traffic honking at me. Oopps.

Anyhow, Magan's Bay Beach was wonderful. Oddly, there were no crowds. After spending a couple of hours, we drove around the island, getting lost in the process again, saw plenty of Igunas.


St. Marteen:

Have two Suzuki jeeps booked through Avis. Got off the ship, walked in serious heat and humidity to the nearest Avis location. Waited 1/2 hour before they opened, and came to find out that our Avis rental location is near the airport. The agent referred us to Reynolds rent a car and offered us the jeeps at $60 per. Caution, don't rent from Reynolds, they are rip-off and their vehicles are in a bad shape. Our tops (the jeep) flew off and we almost had heat stroke with the sun on our heads while we sat in traffic.

Orient beach was fun, but caution to the parents, it's true about the people doing European sun-bathing. Furthermore, since there is a naturist resort nearby, it's extreme exposure. I have pictures and video to prove it.

Overall, our impression of St. Marteen/St. Martin was not favorable. (By the way, we actually saw a kid got hit by oncoming traffic while on our way to Orient beach (it was near the town of Orleans). It was not pretty. The 12/14 year old actually flew off the windshield.

[mcampbell_22]

Steve,

You seem like a wealth of information regarding excursions. My kids are very keen (yikes, can't believe I used that word!) on doing the Anguilla Dolphin/Stingray excursion. Have you heard anything about it? It's expensive but it's the only thing they want to do so unless I hear horror stories, we'll most likely go with it.

My kids are still a little on the young site for "sight seeing". They need activity so in St. Thomas we'll do some shopping, the Paradise Point Tram and maybe Coral World on our own.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

[SINK]

Some tibbits:

Early seating is at 6PM, however, Damien, the resturant manager told us in March, DCL is thinking about doing a pilot program in the dining hours. They wanted to stagger the early seating guests, starting at 5:30PM, and every 5 to 10 min after. Not sure if they've tried it or not.

Ladies, if you are set in getting high tea ressie, be sure to make that first, before the brunch and dinner. Since tea is free of "$5/$10 charge" it's the first that get's filled. So, when you get there to make your Palo ressies, get your ticket for your dinner/brunch, proceed to the "tea" table to make ressie (apparently, DCL did not pass out a number for tea ressies), then do your dinner and brunch after. We sat there like couple of dummies last time. My wife got up and asked for tea ressie and was informed that we've could of walked up to this tea table to make the ressie.

Suggestion: get one volunteer to make all the ressie for tea (need to have names and stateroom of all the parties). Make sure that the volunteer will get to Port early (and is willing to be the first to wait in line for boarding) at around 11AM (boarding begins anywhere between 12PM to 1PM). Furthermore, the volunteer must proceed immediately to "Rockin' Bar D", no lounging around (this is serious matter, after the ressie process and the kids club check-in, then you are on vacation, prior to that, NO).

By the way, don't be shocked to see people already waiting in Rockin' Bar D when you were the first in line to board. There are people staying onboard doing a back to back, and physically challenged guests (they by pass the standard lines and enter the terminal from the side entrance).

[SINK]

Haven't done much research on any water aspects (since I sink like a hammer). Anyhow, here's their website.

http://www.dolphinfantaseas.com/


For St. Thomas, try to make it to Magan's Bay Beach, if your little ones are into beaches. You can negotiate with local "tour guides" to take you there and back.

[lbgraves]

LOL! SINK, you are definantly the one to help kick us into gear in time for the cruise. :) Someone has volunteered to get the tea resie for us who is experienced with the whole thing and we will be getting the updated list of cabins together before then. Luckily some of us have gotten upgrades. :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce:

We aren't doing any excursions but will probably get off the ship for a couple hours to walk around & do a bit of shopping in both ports. Hopefully, William will enjoy the clubs & make lots of new friends so he can enjoy himself. We are still holding out for Kaitlyn to be PTd for the cruise but not holding our breath. :( She will march into the bathroom about once a day & do what she needs to but forgets the rest of the time. I am bribing her with M&Ms and a Generation doll horse when she is completely PTd, along with showing her the video of the club & telling her she can go with her brother if she is PTd.

[nedleycan]

I am the one who volunteered to do the reservations for high tea. On our Wonder cruise last year, I got to the line up around 12:45 (reservations were supposed to open at 1:00). I was first in line! 5 minutes later it opened (10 minutes early) and I got the exact night I wanted (of course!)
Then, I ran like crazy to the spa, and got there at 12:55. The doors opened right away, and I was first in line too! Yeah for me!
I plan on doing the same thing, except maybe getting there a little earlier (since I want to make dinner, brunch and high tea, I want to make sure I am there on time).
I will e-mail everyone as the time gets closer to confirm who is coming and what your cabin numbers and full names are.
We are still planning on renting a car in St. Thomas and doing Magen's bay and Coral World. We have been to St. Thomas a few times, but have never gone to these places. There are lots of cars to rent, so we are not booking ahead (plus, there are tons of taxis... just in case)! My husband lived in South Africa (and area) for a couple of years, so is used to driving on the "wrong side". He actually enjoys it!
In St. Maarten we are going to head to the beach (right at the docks) and sip cocktails while the kids play. We really like this beach. Lots of action and fun people (at least there was last time we were there).
Note to women: I was figure out the calendar before booking trips... no problem here!

[lbgraves]

LOL! That's how we decided when our wedding date would be. I cannot deal with my ILs with PMS. LOL! We had to book based on other things this trip & it ends up working out since we are getting back the day of BIL's wedding. I just saw our counter!!! We leave for FL in 51 days!!! :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: 55 days until we step abord the Magic!!! :) :) :)

I'm glad that we are going thru this mess now and not in November. Mike seems to be doing better, I am almost there but not really allowed to drag & recover, and William's fever went back to 104 this afternoon. He has a bad cough this time too. The doctor Mike saw said that the virus could have a cough/sore throat too so we are going to ride this out with medicine for now & hope that it goes away in another 24 hours.

[nedleycan]

Lisa,
That is terrible with so many of you sick. I have allergies (I think) for the past 2 weeks. Finally I am feeling better. It is horrible being sick!

Hey guys... I have other news. I have wanted to lose a few pounds before the cruise, and I have done it! My husband and I have been on a modified high protein, no carbs, no sugar diet for the past 3 weeks. He has lost 8 pounds and I have lost probably 5 pounds (I am not sure, cause I didn't weight myself first). But, my clothes all feel too big for me... darn, need to go shopping! We both are fine as we are, but feel that we gained a couple pounds over the past year or so, and wanted to get back to our "happy weight" before the cruise. This diet is really working great! Now that I feel better, I will start working out again (couldn't work out the past 1.5 weeks, because my sinuses were killing me). Anyway, I am so happy that I wanted to share it with you guys!

[lbgraves]

Congrats on the weight loss!!! :) I have wanted to work out but the kids kept me from doing that this summer. Now with everything this year since school started, I haven't exactly had a chance either. I really want to firm up the loose skin. :( I'm not going to let it stop me from having fun on the cruise though. :)

[Jo-Anne]

Linda - congrats on the weight loss. I'm glad you're the one booking the Palo tea...sounds like you're in shape to run the reservations marathon in the name of tea and scones! I really wish I had the will power, but life is just so crazy right now, dieting seems to be on the back burner. Well, maybe sometime in the next 55 days the will power will kick in!!
Lisa - hope your family gets better soon...quite a trying week for all of you!

[imgoingtodisney]

Congratulations Linda! When I think back to our disaster last Nov I tell myself I just wasnt ready. I had lost 16lbs before our cruise got cancelled, kept it off over the winter. Since May lost another 15lbs and Im 2lbs away from goal! We rescheduled our cruise for Nov 8th - hopefully by then I'll be ready to "strut my stuff"
Have a MAGICal cruise - I'll be getting off the ship as you get on

[nedleycan]

Way to go with your big weight loss!
I have been following you on the boards, and knew that you would be getting off when we get on. Leave it nice and clean for us! So glad that you finally get your cruise with hubby and son. Is hubby more excited this year?

[mkauffman]

Linda, congrats on the weight loss! I've been doing this all year and I'm down 26 pounds. I have some more that I'd love to lose, but I don't know that it's going to happen before cruise time. I keep chipping away at it and I know how difficult it is. I know from experience that 5 pounds is just as hard as 30! It feels really good have lose clothes!

Lisa, here's some pixie dust your way! It's no fun having a house full of sick people! You're right, though. Better now than later! Get all those germs out of your before November.:p

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[mkauffman]

Steve, I forgot to say that I admire you and your wife's dedication to your nieces. I have my own children, but I adore my nieces and nephews. It is a lot of fun to give them back spoiled!

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[Jo-Anne]

Michelle - way to go on your weight loss and your ability to keep it off so long...that's the most difficult part. Congrats! You guys are shaming me!

[mkauffman]

Thanks, Jo. When you love food (which I do), it's one of the hardest things to do. I've always said giving birth was easier. At least you know it's a short time (comparatively speaking) and it's over! Losing weight is a life-long battle. It never ends. It helps to have support and you guys are great!

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[JulieGS]

Lisa, hope you and the family get better soon. I'm crossing my fingers that our kids won't be sick for the trip. When they're little, it seems they've got some bug every few weeks or so. I know last winter DH and I were sick more often than we'd ever been, all thanks to the things Anton was bringing home from preschool!

Linda and Michelle -- way to go on losing weight! DH and I vowed to get in shape for the cruise (just so we can blow it on all the fabulous food), but so far I'm not very enthusiastic. I still have about 5 pounds of pregnancy weight to lose... maybe I'll head to the gym today! :D

Julie

[nedleycan]

Thanks for all your kind words guys! I can't wait to meet all of you. Sounds like there is going to be a nice new show on the Magic for us to watch. It has more up-dated characters (including DS's favourite Toy Story!) We found Disney Dreams to be a little boring. The kids might have liked it, but the night we went to watch it, they were in the club. We left after 15 minutes, as it was kinda slow. Maybe it would be more fun to watch with the kids. I can just imagine my daughter's eyes!
I think I am going to try the Rainforest at the spa one day this cruise. Last time was too short (4-day Wonder) that you didn't want to waste any time sitting around. I am really looking forward to the 3 sea days where we can just explore the ship. I also plan on bringing a couple of good books (better go pick them out soon!)
Sorry... can't stop thinking about what I want to do on the cruise. I swear it is more fun this time, since I know what to expect!

[lbgraves]

Linda, Is this definant about the Golden Mickeys??? That would be great! I haven't cruised on the board for a few days so missed any updates. It wasn't definantly when it would make it onto the Magic last I heard.

[SINK]

Be sure to plan some afternoons just to take naps in your cabin on the sofa with the porthole/veranda curtains open. My wife swears by it (most afternoons in her case :).

[lbgraves]

DH & I are planning on taking turns napping with the kiddos so the other can relax a bit at the spa or at the adult pool. :)

[nedleycan]

I read that it is now on the Wonder, and that there is question of it starting after dry dock (next 2 weeks)... I hope so! It sounds very fun! Sorry, I thought the person meant that since it started on the Wonder that it would start on the Magic for sure... could be wrong! Hope not.

[mcampbell_22]

Good morning all,

Just got finished reading the last few pages of posts. Girls, congrats on your weight losses. I know first hand how hard it can be. DH and myself lost a LOT of weight a few years back. I have a back fracture so doc put me on strict weight loss plan so as to keep it from getting worse. It took me over a year to lose it all and have kept it off for over 2 years now.

Now, DH on the other hand has to do things differently. He went in for lapriscoptic (sp?) gall bladder surgery. Surgery went fine but in recovery they gave him a pain killer that we didn't know he was allergic to. Started bleeding internally, went into emergency surgery and was in ICU on breathing machines etc. for a week. Came very close to bleeding to death! He finally recovered but got an gastric infection from tubes down his throat and for almost 6 weeks couldn't keep anything down but broth. Ended up losing over 70 pounds in less than 2 months! Fully recovered now and he's a buffed up workout machine. People who meet him think he's in the military or police force because of his haircut and build.

Me on the other hand figure lifting laundry baskets and doing housework qualifty as exercise!

Maybe we can all plan some walks around the ship to work off some of our treats. We can chat up a storm, get some exercise and then not feel guilty about the extra dessert we just had to try!

Really starting to get excited. I, being the planning crazed person that I am, have a 3-ring binder going with all cruise information, packing lists, tips etc. Every time I think about how close it's getting my heart starts to beat a little faster. Can't wait!

I'm planning to call our TA in next day or two to have her reserve our spot on the Anguilla Dolphin/Stingray excursion. Want to find out if DH and I can "split" the swim where one of us does dolphin and the other stingray so that the other can take video of kids. AHH just another detail to iron out. Now, where's my binder... LOL

Have a good day all.

[mkauffman]

Mary, congrats on yours and DH's weight loss. I know it wasn't the best way to lose it, but in the end you still lost it and that's all that counts. By the way, I agree with your theory that lifting laundry baskets is exercise!!:p I also love the idea of taking a few laps and chatting.....chatting is my MOST favorite form of exercise (too bad it doesn't do much for the hips)!!

The Golden Mickeys sounds wonderful. I, too, am hoping it's on the Magic when we board. I'm also really looking forward to the 3 days at sea. We didn't have any of that "down" time on our four day. We ran, ran, ran all the time. This trip will be so relaxing compared to that!

Steve, I believe your wife has some great ideas!:)

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[Jo-Anne]

Mary - way to go for you & DH as well....we've got a great bunch of "losers" here on the cruise!
MIchelle - thanks for the info on the italian charm bracelets. I loved the web site you provided. What would the average price be for a starter bracelet and then the range of $$ for each charm. Also, are these bracelets and charms all created equal, or are some of the copy cats to be avoided!?

[Jo-Anne]

Mary - way to go for you & DH as well....we've got a great bunch of "losers" here on the cruise!
MIchelle - thanks for the info on the italian charm bracelets. I loved the web site you provided. What would the average price be for a starter bracelet and then the range of $$ for each charm. Also, are these bracelets and charms all created equal, or are some of the copy cats to be avoided!?
I also love the idea of the laps around the ship...I think I saw in the Navigators that there is a group that goes off each morning around 8:30-9:00...4 laps around one of the decks = 1 mile. Count me in!

[nedleycan]

I would love to do the walk with you guys! That would be so much fun!

[mkauffman]

We do come up with some great ideas, don't we (Mary, that one was yours!).

My starter bracelet was $59. The charms were the most expensive, but of course I HAD to have the most expensive Disney charms!! The bracelet itself was only $6! It all depends on what kind of charms you buy to start out with (mine ranged from $3.99 to $29). I really want a Diet Coke charm and I'm bidding on one on Ebay. I hope I get it but I won't spend a fortune for it. My bracelet is a PersonaLink and I haven't had a bit of trouble with it. I love telling people I only spent $6 for the bracelet (a little sneaky, huh:) ). Also, try this site www.italiancharms.com . I found some really cool ones on there.

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[lbgraves]

OK, let me try this post again.

I agree that the house, kids, and stairs help keep the weight off. It's the toning that I want to work on now. The walking sounds great. We were going to try to stick with that too. I may even bring Kaitlyn along in her stroller. She loves going outside with me.

[mcampbell_22]

Michelle,

I'm another charm bracelet wearer. I got new gold one a few years back and now DH and the kids get me charms to add to it that represent favorite things, places and vacations. I have the regular hanging charm style.

I just picked up a gold Disney Cinderella's castle charm from Ebay. Only ended up paying $6.00! I'm hoping to add some more from this vacation like a cruise ship and a dolphin.

For the kids I've been picking up Disney pins on Ebay too (haven't yet paid over $4 including shipping on any of them). The kids have their lanyards and enjoy trading. On our last trip I managed to leave out souveniers for them every day when we returned to our room. They still think that Mickey Mouse left them all those gifts. I'm going to do the same thing with the pins on this trip. I also have a DCL's plush cruise ship with 4 dolls that I will have for the kids when we return home with a note from Mickey saying how he already misses them and wanted to give them this boat to play with until he sees them again. Boy am I hokey!

[mkauffman]

Mary.......I happen to love hokey! Very cute!

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[lbgraves]

Mary I have the cruise ships for the kids to find on their beds when we get home too!!! :) Not hokey at all. I had thought about taking them with us to have Mickey leave the first night but they are too big. I am going to print out a card in Mickey's hand writing with a note for them. :)

[JulieGS]

Count me in on the walking -- any excuse for a second dessert! :D Of course, I'll look forward to the "dish" while we're doing our laps, too!

Leaving gifts in the room for the kids is a great idea. Mary, what kind of things did you leave? And how did you do it? Sneak back in the room later? (Great job on your weight loss! We're going to have a great bunch of motivators on this trip!) Lisa, where do you get the plush boat? (Is everyone feeling better? How's the hurricane clean-up going?)

Julie

[mkauffman]

So........does that mean we can ONLY have the 2nd dessert if we promise to walk the next morning??;)

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[lbgraves]

I NEED THIS VACATION SO BADLY RIGHT NOW!!!! DH is home sick again. He got a bad headache from paint fumes at work and last night heh ad a high fever again. It seems that the virus is back in his system after just taking a day off. I had 3 of them home today. Good news...I have broken out in spots. I am hoping that is linked to my fever being gone, like what happened with DS. :rolleyes:

I got the plush ships thru a Hasbro rebate. You sent in receipts for $40 worth of Hasbro or MB games and you got a ship. It started after the first of the year & I had gotten a ton of games at the after Christmas clearances at Target & WM. There were also $3 coupons on the back of goldfish boxes. There were 2 per box & each one was good on one game. I ended up spending $11 for each $40 worth, so for each ship. They cost at least $40 on the ship too. Now I have pleanty of games for the kids, birthday gifts for their friends and Toys for Tots. Of course that doesn't include the pile of games that I ended up getting free from Amazon. LOL! DH still doesn't understand that one. I think they totaled $214 in value. Free shipping too. :smooth:

[SINK]

I'm in on the walk. Typically, I'm up by 7AM, no matter how late I sleep. I'm just so excited about being on the ship. DW however, sleeps in until 11AM (sometimes 12). She really knows how to vacation. DW and I typically walk either afterlunch or after her nap. She has always complainted about going through immigration when returning to Port Canaveral.

[lbgraves]

LOL! The last time I slept in until 11 I had been up all night with one of the kids and had probably gotten back to bed around 9 am. DD keeps me on schedule by waking me around 6 am every morning. That is good though since we will have that much more time to enjoy the ship. :)

[Jo-Anne]

yep, we're early risers here too! DH and I are up every morning around 6:30 to get ready for work, and kids usually follow by 6:50. On weekends, I think latest we've slept in is around 7:45am, but it's usually 7:00am. I'm wondering if the no windows in a fully darkened category 11 room will give us any illusion that its still the middle of the night and let us sleep in?? I think one morning of sleeping in until 8:00am would be bliss, but we'll all probably be up by 7:00 every morning! Lisa - take care of yourself..don't get run down now! Put the kids to bed, run a hot bath, light the candles, put on some carribean music and have a mini-mental vacation! Jo

[mcampbell_22]

Good morning!

Great to hear that there are a lot of early risers. Same here. DH got up to go to work at 3 am this morning, but on days when he goes is at 7 or 8 he will still get up early to get in a workout! How sick is that!

I'm not the only "hokey" on it seems! Birds of a feather... Julie when we went to WDW I had picked up plush charater dolls, Disney cups, pins, shirts, and other knick knack items at the Disney Store over the previous 6 months when they marked things down 75% or more. Most of the items were the same ones that the kids saw in the stores around the park but at 4 times more money.

I managed to have a bunch of Disney gift boxes (There is a store around me that has them for 3/$1 for small and 2/$1 big) and have the items inside. As DH and the kids would leave the room, I always made sure to be the last one out who had to "check" to make sure we had all we needed. I would pull the boxes out from under the bed and put them on their pillows. Ahh, the underhanded tricks of a mother!

Lisa, I can image how stressed and tired you must be. Make sure to take care of you because everyone else depends on you so much and It's been my experience that when the Mother gets sick there's no one to take care of her! So make sure to get your rest, vitamins and eat right! That's a direct order! We want you fresh and healthy so WE can tire you out and get you to eat all the wrong things! LOL

Michelle,

Girl you're great. I got the nametags in the mail yesterday and they are terrific! I've been wearing mine around the house and the kids think I'm crazy! As they get older, this fact will be confirmed! Tick Tock Tick... it's getting closer!

Off to get the kids on bus. Talk to you all soon.

Mary

[mcampbell_22]

Yikes, just caught a few of my typos. Oops. No excuse, just too lazy to spell check!

[mcampbell_22]

Boy am I on a roll or what?! Julie I forgot to tell you that I did pick up the DCL boat and plush dolls on Ebay. I think I paid $13 or $14 for the boat and dolls and $6 or $7 for shipping. Cost around $20 total. I thought it was a good deal. I missed the Hasbro promotion but figured I would have spent way to much money on toys just to get the boat!

There is a seller who sells these boats (new) quite frequently. If you go to ebay and search Disney cruise you will find many items by maybe this one. This particular sellers id is "cubby615" (no quotes) so you could also search by seller id.

OK, now I'm really done!

[mkauffman]

Lisa, I really am sending PD your way.......it must not have made it to your house yet.:( Sorry. I'll bump up the supply I'm sending! Maybe this is all working it's way out of your house and by November you'll all be healthy (positive thinking!).

Mary, you are so welcome! I'm glad you liked the name tags. Kids will always think we're crazy, no matter what, so why not give them a good reason to think it??

All you early risers.......I love to sleep in! I don't normally get to but when I get the chance, watch out! We're in a category 11 cabin so it's really, really dark. I have to set the alarm or get a wake up call because I'd be sleeping till noon!

What will be find to talk about on the ship...I feel like I know every one of you already! Wait........that's a silly question. There's always something to talk about!:p

Michelle:Pinkbounc

[SINK]

Hi All:

Just wanted to clarify. I'm a late riser, same as DW. I get into work at around 9:30 and sometimes later if I can't wake up. I tend to turn in past midnight, usually around 1AM.

However, when I'm on vacation, I tend to wake up early. Again, too excited. Furthermore, since I'm the family's tour guide/travel agent (I make all the travel arrangements and schedule all the activities including meals), I'm always preparing/fine tuning our next step. I would even make a binder with all our vacation information (daily schedules, reservation numbers, and the budgets).

Even when counting down to our Nov 15th cruise, I'm working on our future cruises. We have at least one more cruise this year, RCCL Monarch. Then, we have four next year, none of which is DCL. So, I would need to find a way to squeeze one in.

[mcampbell_22]

SINK you're a man after my own heart! I love my planning binders. I end up keeping them as mementos of our vacations!

My DCL binder is broken down into planning tips, copy of the "Magical Disney Cruise Guide" (wdwig.com/cruise/htm if you want to check it out), shipboard entertainment, dining etc, excursions/island shopping/taxi/sightseeing, packing lists, travel documents/itinerary etc., DCL planning catalog and finally a section about "our gang." I love my cover. It shows Goofy olding a photo of the "Magic" in the ocean with a sand castle on the beach at Castaway Cay. The title of this binder "The Campbells are cruisin' for a vacation Nov. 15-22, 2003!"

When we went to WDW I even had laminated notecards with our daily itinerary. Boy do I need help! LOL

I'm of the school that if you plan well in advance then you can relax more on the actual vacation and enjoy all those things that just seem to evolve and "happen."

[SINK]

Cool, Mary:

My family and friends thought I'm nuts/anal for setting up the binder. Similiarly, after our trip, I will 3-hole punch or daily Navigators, mount any postcards/mementos, even receipts (airline boarding passes, tickets, etc.). However, I have not been that creative in making the covers to the binder. It's a nice "scrapbook" of our trip. Furthermore, I will use the binder when planning future trips.

I do this not only for Disney cruise, but on our non-Disney cruises as well.

I got a feeling that I'm 49% gay, I love Disney, broadway musicals, romantic comedies, and dislike going to homedepot. DW on the other is more of the handyman around the house, since I dislike doing anything around the house. She goes to homedepot more than I do.

[alexturner74]

And I thought I was bad planning for trips! :cool:

[lbgraves]

LOL! I have tried to scale back on this vacation as far as planning. With the DCL portion, I have the Passporter and have been reading the DIS boards religiously. I feel like I know waht to expect & we should have a great time. With the MK portion I have the passporter but have not read that part of the boards much. To be honest, there is just so much more information that it is overwhelming. I am trying to take that as our first experience at WDW. We are pros at going to Busch Gardens so as far as packing & strollers I think we will do OK, though I realize this is a much bigger scale. We will just take it slow & soak in what we can for the day. I know that we will return to the MK after this trip so if we miss something, we can always plan to do it then. I want to give the kids some freedom to do what they want also. If they end up liking the characters, we will try to see as many of them as possible, which I know will take up time. If not, I know there are other things for them to do.

This is such a big step for me with my over planning mentality. I made up a minute by minute schedule for our wedding party since we had a full Mass and most had never attended one. I am starting to have dreams about being on the Magic. :)

[SINK]

My hobby is planning for our vacations. I spend countless hours on the internet, buying travel guides, and talking with others. But, it's all worth it, when I first board any ship, it felt like I have already been there. No getting lost.

In terms of WDW/DCL, I have various guide books (including both passporters). I did comment on the fact that the information here on this board is equilivent if not better than the passporter. Although passport is a good summary and in one place. I would like to see "strategy guide". Maybe I should write one.

Lisa, if you don't mind shelling out reasonable amount of money, character meals are the best. We have always done character meals, but we have not gone to all the places that offered them. Hopefully, this trip we will hit the remaining ones.

[mcampbell_22]

SINK I can't wait to meet you! You literally made me laugh out loud (49% gay hahahaha). DH had to come see what was going on - "What's so funny?"

In regards to characters at WDW, my kids loved them. I bought a small clear page photo album and some unlined index cards. When we met up with characters I took a picture of the kids with them and they got their autographs on the index cards. When we got home I had double prints made (I for me and my scrapbook, one for them) and put the autograph and matching photo side by side in the album. The kids still go through these quite frequently and discuss their memories of the meetings. The index cards worked great because you could carry a stack (I also has a small clipboard) and it didn't take up alot of room. Remember to bring a "fat" pen so it's easier for characters to write.

Also, when we went to Epcot one night, we were given the "hint" that if we went to the far back of the Morrocco exhibit we might meet up with some special friends. We strolled back there and the kids ended up having almost a full hour alone with both Aladdin AND Jasmine! They still talk about how they all danced and how they searched the "market" with Aladdin looking for Abu. We also met up with quite a few characters in the UK. Capt. Hook (I had to make the aside "I bet he's a lefty" Hook gave me quite a look!), Smee, Tweedle Dee & Dum, Queen of Hearts & Snow Witch. Lots of fun!