20040131 ~ Cruising Jan 31 2004 Western Who's with us?

[Tiiiigergirl]

Even though it is a long ways out I thought I would start the thread. I haven't seen one for this cruise and if there is one already started I apologize. So since I officially put down my deposit today....Who's going?

[shingle]

:bounce: :Pinkbounc hi tiiiigergirl myself dh ds aged 13 and dd aged 8 will be sailing with you we live in wales and this will be our third cruise with disney. is this your first cruise:D

[Tiiiigergirl]

Yeah! We won't be on the ship alone!

No this is the 4th Disney cruise for me, DH and DS age 10. This is our second try for the Western Itin. Hurricane Lili decided to come and play last fall:p . Hopefully we will have good weather and make it to Cozumel so I can play with the Dolphins.

[Tiiiigergirl]

Is anyone else with or will Shingle and I have the ship to ourselves? Shingle, I've got to ask what is the background of your name? Have you been on the Western before?

[KSTIGGERSDAD]

Hi there. Good to see you are off on another cruise.

We are on another too. My 40th high school reunion. October 12 of this year.
Say hi to the family.

John and Jean

[shingle]

hi tiiiigergirl if you go back a few pages on the forum there is another post for the 31st WE are not alone:)

[shingle]

whoops forgot to answer tiiiigergirls question we have not been on the western before we done a 3 day in feb 00 and a 4 day in feb 03: as for the name shingle my husband is a landscaper and its a decorative stone hope your not to confused ;)

[Annie12345]

We will be there with you... it's myself - Ann (36), DH - Randy (47) and DD - Jaclyn (10). We're travelling with OKWMEMBER (Gary and Gail) who we met on our February 8, 2002 Eastern cruise. We're looking forward to trying out the Western itinerary.

[Tiiiigergirl]

John ~ so good to hear from you again! Are you planning on singing for your supper again this year. Wish you were sailing with us. For a second I was really excited until I settled down and read it and realized that you were not going with us. Kelly mentioned that she saw you last year.

[Tiiiigergirl]

Shingle:

I was just hoping your name did not refer to some strange disease. ;) Actually, it sounds like our husbands may have something in common. Mine is a gardner.

Annie:

Good to meet you as well. Last year we cruised with people we met the year before and had a blast. It was great to have someone to go shopping with when my husband bailed on me.


I'm hoping we can get to know each other a bit. Who is up for a DIS meet on board? I've done this for the past two cruises and it made a world of difference.

[Tiiiigergirl]

I went back to page 25 (search function not working) and could not find that other thread so I hope the others find us!

[JonHM]

but I am pretty positive that we will be on that cruise as well. It will be me, DW and DS, who will be 3 and a half by that time. We've never been on the Western, just on a 3 day - really looking forward to it!

[kmc33]

We are planning to go - me, DH, and DS (who will be 4-1/2 then). I too looked back to previous pages (about 13) and couldn't find the other thread.

I also noticed a post on this page asking about the SuperBowl on the ship. Super Bowl XXXVIII is scheduled for February 1, 2004, while we will be onboard the Magic. So I wonder if that person is going too. I am interested in finding out what they do for the Super Bowl on the ship. Certainly the ESPN Skybox won't be big enough for everyone that wants to watch it.

[Annie12345]

Tiiiigergirl - A DIS meet sounds great to us... it was so nice to run into people we had met from the DIS -- we spent most of our time on board with our DIS friends, especially in the evenings...
- Annie

[Tiiiigergirl]

How fun! A superbowl party with that many people. And I don't even like football that much but the party part. Woo hoo.

Last year's cruise DIS meet was 100 plus people. We had t-shirts and several events. Some got cancelled due to the itinerary change (thanks Huricane Lili :rolleyes: ) but we have lots of time to plan.

Any ideas?

Welcome kmc and JonHM. Our numbers are growing.

[OKWMEMBER]

Myself , Gary(49, 50 by cruise time:( ) and my DW Gail (51) will be joining you! As Annie said, we didi the Eastern cruise this year and we're looking forward to a new itinerary! We did a DIS meet with about 15 folks.

[Tiiiigergirl]

15 sounds like a more manageable number than the hundred or so we had on our last cruise!

So has anyone cruise with anyone but Disney before?

What part of the country or world is everyone from?

Does anyone have any pets?

I'll start:

We have only cruised with Disney although I'm really thinking an Alaska cruise would be fun. We are thinking that Princess or RCCL would be the way to go with our DS.

We are from the state with the greatest snow on earth: Utah. Wheee. Too bad we don't ski.

We have one dog named Kara. She is part chocolate lab and part who knows. She thinks she is a person so please don't tell her she really is a dog it would really hurt her feelings!

[Annie12345]

Hi Tiiiigergirl -

We did a three day Ocean Breeze cruise in 1999 as part of a vacation package. That's when we got hooked... Since then we were on the February 8, 2003 Eastern Magic... and are looking forward to our back to back cruises next year...

We are from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in Canada... I don't know if we have the greatest snow on earth, but we certainly had our fair share of it this year!! We don't ski but we like to go snowshoeing...

No pets for us...

What grade is your son in? Our DD is in grade 4 and is 9. She'll be 10 when we cruise. She is hooked on cruising just like us...

[Tiiiigergirl]

Back to back cruises ooooooohhhhhh I'm jealous!

Our son is 10 and will be just a couple of months shy of his 11th birthday when we sail. He will be in the 5th grade next year. He loves the kids program and we can't pry him out of there!

[OKWMEMBER]

We're from Erie, Pa.

We've cruised three other times with Holland America and really enjoyed it. The big difference is that there are almost no kids on a HAL cruise because they cater to an older crowd.

We have two Burmese cats. A.J. (Almond Joy) and Rolo. They run the house.

[Annie12345]

Hi Tiiiigergirl and Gary - Your countdowns seem to be out of whack... at least I hope I don't have to wait 618 days for our next cruise LOL!

Tiiiigergirl, my DD loved the kids club as well. She will just have turned 10 before we cruise and the only thing I'm concerned about is that they apparently don't issue pagers for that age group. We decided to do back to back cruises because we asked our DD if she would prefer a one week cruise and two weeks in Orlando (which is what we did last time) or a two week cruise and one week in Orlando.... she opted for the non-existent option of three weeks on the cruise (LOL), so we went for option two. Looking forward to meeting you! DD wants to know, does your DS like hockey??

[Tiiiigergirl]

Looks like the counter left the twilight zone and is back to counting our cruise as it should be!

Annie ~ our son has watched hockey with his dad and liked that. Although it might have been the popcorn and soda:rolleyes: . He has not ever played it. Does your daughter play?

Our son also prefers the cruise and we talked about doing back to back cruises but I just can't give up my theme park vacation. We will be doing 5 days at WDW after. We tell DS until about two weeks before we leave because he is unbearable.:eek: Hyper in overdrive.

OKW ~ Are Burmese cats the one's with the smushed face and long hair. I love those! However, I have a rule nothing in the house more spoiled than me and well cats are you know. Of course our dog is giving me a run for my money. If she pushes it any further she will be out of here! Yeah right who am I kidding?:p

[kmc33]

Hi! We're from Pittsburgh -- not too far from OKW. We just sailed on the Wonder on April 6th (in fact I am hoping to post a trip report any day now). That was our first Disney cruise and we loved it, but it was not long enough! So we decided to book the Magic for a 7 day for next year. My DS (4) loved the cruise. We did a land/sea package and he kept asking when we were going to "the big boat". He will be excited about going again -- Santa will be bringing this for us for Christmas.:)

I am so excited, but it still seems so far away!:(

[Tiiiigergirl]

Well everyone I'm out of here for a week or so! We're off to Iowa to visit some family. Try to keep the thread warm and to the front.

Too bad I wish it was a Disney trip!

[kmc33]

Told my DSis about our trip over the weekend and she was very interested. I am trying to talk her (and her DH, DS5 and DD2) into joining us! Her birthday is January 31, what a great way to spend a birthday!

[OKWMEMBER]

Just keeping the link alive! We're spending my 50th at OKW in September. We haven't been there in the Fall for quite a while.
We usually go early December.

[Tiiiigergirl]

I'm baaaaaaack. Too bad it was the trip from H E double hockey sticks! OK probably not that bad but I was really wishing I was working. That is a bad trip.

[kmc33]

Looks like another family is going to be joining us -- my sister and her family! It will be her, her DH, DS5 and DD2 (almost 3). I am so excited!! My DS and my nephew are good buddies, so that will be fun for them.

Anyone else joining us?!

[GinaAnn]

Me, my dh, and 2 boys who will be 6 and 3. My sister, BIL and baby not yet born, Plus Mom and stepdad.
We all booked onboard durning the 1/26 cruise and last time I checked there were something like 12 Dreams Familes cruising that week :)

Gina

[shingle]

bounce: :bounce: hi gina where one of the dreams families. there are now 14 families on the dreams info but it has not been updated for a while so its proberly more then fourteen have you used dreams unlimited before:)

[GinaAnn]

This will be our 3rd time using them. I think that they are great. We did the land/sea then the 4 night now seven night coming up in Jan and I can not wait!
Gina

[kmc33]

We are a Dreams family too. This is our second time using them. I think they are fabulous! Last time I think we were the only Dreams family on the ship. Does anyone know what the onboard gift is if there are enough Dreams families on a given sailing?

[Tiiiigergirl]

It sounds like many of you are using Dreams. I keep toying with the idea but I have a hard time using a inet company. Right now I am in control of the res and will not turn it over until I see the right deal. I will definitely wait until our local travel show this fall and see what kind of benefit I can get for turning the booking over at that time.

[Annie12345]

Hi Everyone - Looks like our group is getting bigger... that's great... We are loyal Dreams customers. This past February when we cruised, we were lucky enough to get a huge rebate a couple of weeks before we left.

We went out for supper tonight, and I had creme brulee for dessert. It was so disappointing... I have to say that the chefs on the Magic have spoiled me, and nothing tastes as good as on the ship...

TTYS
Annie

[OKWMEMBER]

OK John and Cheryl, I know you're out there!!!! ;) Make your reservations and join us in this thread!!!! :cool: We'll save you a seat for dueling pianos and the DVC reception so we can cheat on the answers again!!!:rolleyes:

We booked a deluxe inside stateroom this time due to financial considerations. The DW loves the split bathroom! We will miss the veranda, though. But we are on the ship!!!!! We are looking forward to visiting Key West again, especially having a cheeseburger at Jimmy Buffett's Margarittaville! Sloppy Joes and the Hogs Breath are also must see and be seens.

[Tiiiigergirl]

I have to rescue our post. It was buried. I have been sick for the last week. This is the first day since last Saturday that I've left my bed to do anything except visit the doctor. I'm just hoping that one of these days I'll be able to hear out of my right ear again!

I had a dream that we were on the cruise and watching the super Bowl in the ESPN lounge. Only it expanded each time someone entered. The ENTIRE ship was in there. Dreams sure are odd!

[grandma_x2]

hi i am new at this thiis is first time. i am going jan 31-feb 7 2004 . we have 6 adults 2 kids a 3 yearold and a one year old. me my husband my daughter suninlaw btother and his wife. it is our first go of it. we are on deck 6 three rooms cat 11. we saved 2 years and i have got a lot of tips from a lot of places so i hope we have fun.

[Tiiiigergirl]

Welcome Grandma and Happy Mother's Day to you and everyone else! I'm so glad you found this board. It will make your hard earned money get more bang for the buck so to speak! And everyone is really nice about answering all those newbie questions.

[OKWMEMBER]

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day week-end. We are starting to get primed for our trip to WDW in September to celebrate my 50th :( birthday. We adde danother day so we can go to the first night of Mickey's Not-so-scary Halloween Party. My DW says the cruise in January will be an extension of my birthday celebration! I don't know if I want to celebrate being 50 that long!
:rolleyes:

[Tiiiigergirl]

Hey Gary you could be like me, I just keep turning 21 each year. You could also tell your wife that the cruise is to celebrate your unbirthday!

[Tiiiigergirl]

Well we had our first ever Utah Dis meet. All two of us came! but we had a great time. The other Diser's son was hesitant to meet "internet" people. He was really funny. But it got me thinking about our meet. Where are most people staying the night before?

[kmc33]

Hey, that's pretty cool that you had a Utah Disers meet -- even if it was just 2 of you.

We will probably stay near the airport Friday night and head to the port in the morning since our flight isn't due to arrive until about 6:30 pm that night. Anyone else at the airport or are others staying at the Radisson at Cape Canaveral?

[OKWMEMBER]

We're definitely coming down the night before but I don't know where we're staying yet. We'll probably stay with or near Randy, Anne and JJ.

[shingle]

were flying over from wales on the 29th and will stay in kissimmee before drivin down to the port on the 31st:bounce: :bounce:

[Tiiiigergirl]

We will be staying close to the airport the night before too. I've never heard of a DIS meet at an airport hotel. Wouldn't it be funny if we were the first group to break that mold.

I'm hoping to get a cheap hotel from priceline and then go with the Town Car the following morning. We plan on hitting "The World" for about 5 days after. Wouldn't it be great if they extended the package they have right now. Pay for 4 days and get 3 for free! I'm dreaming and hoping.

[grandma_x2]

we have three room's for 31 of jan.6 adults and a 3 year old and a one year old. first time need all the help we can get

[Annie12345]

Hi Everyone - We will be staying near the airport - probably at the Comfort Suites ... We will probably arrive the Thursday before because the flight is so long, we need a day to recuperate and do some shopping, etc. before the cruise. We stayed at the Comfort Suites last time and it was great.

Then we'll likely take a limo to the port (with Gary and Gail)...

[grandma_x2]

we will fly in from pa on the day of. we have a specel need's 3 year old can we take him to the kids club if one of us is with him. i know he can't stay alone . can you use the pool if the littel ones have swim dipers.

[Annie12345]

Hi Tiiiigergirl, I just noticed you were tagged by the tag fairy! How very lucky for you!!

[OKWMEMBER]

Where are you Annie? We haven't heard from you in a while. How is everyone doing? We are still waiting for some warm and dry weather here in Erie. I can't work on my golf game in this weather!

[Annie12345]

Hi Everyone - We were on a short trip to Winnipeg for a conference and are now back and on the DIS. How's everyone doing? It's less than 8 months away now... Garry, you should be here in Saskatoon. We've had great weather, and the golf courses are green as can be!!!
- Annie

[Tiiiigergirl]

Yes I believe in Tag Fairies!

OK this is getting ridiculous. I'm on my fourth round of antibiotics to clear up a sinus infection. Count it 1, 2, 3, 4. And I am a good girl and take them exactly as prescribed! I just can't seem to fight it. I see the ENT next week and I'm hoping for some relief soon. Some moist Carribean weather would not run amiss right now but if I'm still feeling this way by January then I think I will just donate my body to science!

Hope everyone else is having a nice start to summer.

[OKWMEMBER]

Rain, rain, go away, I've got to mow my lawn today!!!
I think we've had enogh!!! How is everybody? We're coming up on 100 days to celebrating my 50th at OKW in WDW!!! Cool Beans :smooth: !!! I like the idea of the unbirthday!!! ;)

Still no warm weather here. My golf game is really going to heck (This IS a Disney site) and I'm not real happy about it!

Did anyone else get a Disney credit card? We're going to use our Disney Dollars on the cruise.

[Tiiiigergirl]

We have the new Disney Visa too. Any idea how long before the trip we need to redeem our points.

[OKWMEMBER]

The Disney credit Card web site says to allow 4 to 6 weeks for your certificates to arrive. You can get rush shipment but it costs ten dollars. The certificates for the cruise line can also be used at Walt Disney World but not Disneyland. You have to order different certificates for Disneyland.

[Annie12345]

Boo Hoo! Us Canucks cannot get the Disney Visa card. It's not enough that we have to spend 30 percent more to go to Disney, we can't even use the Disney Visa card points to help us with the costs... I think the Disney Visa rule makers should just "take off, eh? the hosers!!" Gary, that little rant is dedicated to you, the truest Bob and Doug McKenzie fan....
Hope all is well with everyone, the countdown is getting closer all the time... I'm looking forward to hearing about the changes after the dry dock - as long as they don't take away the Dueling Pianos!!!!!
TTYL
Annie

[grandma_x2]

hi my husband and i are from hadley pa my daughter famley is from buttler pa my brother and wife are from wilson n.y. we have never ben on a cruse we have a amercan eskmo dog brother has a shelty dog daughter has a cat, we can't wait to go my grandson is going to love it we hope :D ps i work at walmart all the smiles to you all

[Tiiiigergirl]

Hi everyone~ Anything new happening? We are spending every spare minute trying to get a sprinkler system in and then hopefully lawn. And when I say we I mean the royal we in the sense that my husband is doing it all and I'm cheering him on!

[OKWMEMBER]

The sun finally came out here on the north coast. I got my first 18 holes of the season in Saturday and shot a 90, not bad for me. The DW is finishing up her yard would and I am keeping up with the grass so far! We hope everyone has a safe and happy Fourth of July Holiday!

By the way, we have two (2) Burmese cats, A.J. (short for Almond Joy) and Rolo.

[grandma_x2]

rain rain is all we have around we will need a big boat right here. how is every one else doing we have lakes in the yard not grass. can't wate to go on the boat

[Kabuli1]

Hi,

We might be with you! I have to decide which of the two Jan 2004 Western cruises to take - the 17th or the 31st! Can anybody help me make up my mind??? The thing is, My DD graduates from HS on the 16th and this would be a surprise graduation present. I can't decide if we should leave the very next day or wait till the 31st. Any ideas?

It would be myself (just turned 50); DH (51) and DD (just a couple weeks shy of 18). I hoping we can bring her to Palo to celebrate since she will be so close to her 18th BDay!.

Karyn

[Tiiiigergirl]

I would think that waiting the extra time would be good. Especially if you are having family or any kind of get togethers. If it was me, I would want the breather in-between to pack and also if it is a suprise for your daughter I'm thinking she would like some time to anticipate and hmmm shop? Just my two cents. I'm also going to pm you with an idea I had.

[Annie12345]

Hi Kabuli1 - I would go for the Jan 31st cruise - not only because of the funlovin DISers who will be on that cruise, but I can remember back to my graduation (okay, it's a distant memory) and I think a few days in between would be much appreciated by your daughter.

Tiigergirl - I had to laugh at a couple of posts back where you talked about the royal "we"... my hubby thinks I'm the only one who says "we" when I mean "he"... Every family needs a foreman (or forewoman!!!)

Hope you're all enjoying sunshiny days!!!

- Annie

[Scott5150]

Hey all!

We will be cruzin' on the 1/31/04 western too!

Cast:

Scott - 32
Amy - 30
Lucas - 3 1/2
Sarah - 8 mos
Joann (My Mom) - 62

We have 2 connected cat 10 cabins on deck 2.

[Scott5150]

Hey all!

We will be cruzin' on the 1/31/04 western too!

Cast:

Scott - 32
Amy - 30
Lucas - 3 1/2
Sarah - 8 mos
Joann (My Mom) - 62

We have 2 connected cat 10 cabins on deck 2.

Scott

[OKWMEMBER]

Glad to have you join our group! I see you are a fellow DVCer, very cool!

[dpuck1998]

I haven't been on the cruise boards in a while, but we will
be on this cruise as well. This will be our first cruise.
Myself, DW, DS's ages 4 and 3 at time of sailing.
We will be the lucky ones in the Secret Pothole Room.
I believe it's room 5020. Can't wait, we are finally below
200 days.....is there a dance for that?

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

[Tiiiigergirl]

Yes pduck I have a dance for that unfortunately it looks remarkably like the hokey pokey. :rolleyes: Either that or the funky chicken.:p

Yes Annie I'm frequently referred to as Princess. It is a term of endearment. I think. I hope. It better be! Warren, We need to talk.

I'm feeling kinda bummed. I just got out of the hospital to get my meds for my neuropathy and other problems adjusted and we now can't do both the land and cruise part of our trip. I know, I know, cry me river. Find someone to feel really sorry for! I just don't dare ask for the additional time and well hospital stays don't come cheap. I didn't dare ask for a kleenex while I was there for fear of how much it would cost. I guess you all can see which I chose. I really wanted to do the new Space ride but I figure they aren't packing it up anytime soon. Although I said that about the rocket rods at Disneyland and I ended up missing them. They were in and out so fast. Hopefully Space is better conceived.

OK who has dinner companions and who is still looking for some. We still need to find someone willing to eat with us. We're really not that bad. OK so I have the whole royalty fixation and my son is a messy eater but we bathe and we promise to dress nicely for formal night. I've bought us each a very formal swimsuit for that night. (She ducks for cover in case anyone missed that she is joking. Please no flames this was a joke.) We are very nice people with medium table manners. But we try really hard. I mean this is our fourth cruise and they haven't banned us or anything. I mean there was that one year......What honey. I shouldn't tell them. I might scare them. OK well I'll just end my post with the request that if anyone is looking for a nice DISing family to break bread with then so are we. Oh, and we are doing early seating.

[Kabuli1]

Ok, I think you convinced me! I'll call member services tomorrow and book it! I'm just waiting till DD is at work to make the call! I'll let you know when it's official!

We're long time DVC members too - OKW since '94! And this one is going to definitely be on points!

It's going to be a total surprise for Jill, she already thinks that we're going to do her final college visits right after she graduates - which will get us down to Orlando. I think we'll tell her we're visiting friends in So. FL so she brings enough shorts and suits! I'll stick her formals in my bag! I know what she'll want to bring! I hope I can keep the secret!

We would love dinner companions - our last cruise we had DIS tablemates and we love them to death and have seen them since! They became our close firends! We'll be doing late dinner.

This will be our second cruise - both times Western! DH and I are still scheduled for an Eastern in Nov - but will most likely have to cancel that! We may look into doing the AP cruise on the Wonder the week before, but only if the price is really good!

Looking forward to this!

Karyn

[Scott5150]

I have only been to Disneyland once, but I went on the Rocket Rods twice while I was there. They were pretty cool, but not an E ticket ride like the others.

Unfortunately due to our late booking, we have been stuck with late seating. I hope to change this if we can, but I do not know where on the list we are for first seating. We normally eat between 5 and 6, so 8 is far too late for us. It actually almost caused us to put the cruise off until May. But I figured that we could get it changed.

Scott

[Kabuli1]

It's official, we're on! We got one of the partially obstructed view full balconies (at Cat 7 price): 6134! What's interesting here is that we were planning to be in this cabin on the cruise in Nov which we are having to cancel! So I guess this is meant to be!

We are: Me: Karyn (just turned 50 gasp before the cruise); DH: Randy (same age); and DD: Tinkerbell (aka Jill) (almost 18) This is a big secret and surprise for her. We are hoping we can sneak (with permission) Jill into Palo and the spa!

We will have late dining and would love DIS dining companions!

Any other teens here?

Ok, now when do I get to start packing?

Karyn

[dpuck1998]

Hey Tiiiigergirl, our countdowns are in perfect synch...

Somehow OKWMEMBER will be there a day before us though...
dirty sneek....

[kmc33]

This is too cool! I don't think there were any DISers on our first Disney Cruise. Before we left, I read posts of others that had lots of people going and thought that sounded like fun. Now we are going on one of them! We should link all of our reservations and take over a dining room!:eek:

[OKWMEMBER]

I don't trust the weather in Erie in January, dpuck1998! We give ourselves an extra travel day. Have fun at WDW! We stayed at the Yacht Club the night before our last cruise. Loved it!

[kmc33]

We are flying from Pittsburgh on the 30th too. I guess I didn't factor that in when I did my countdown clock.

Hope everyone is enjoying summer! Can you believe it's almost August already?! We just got back from a week at the Delaware shore. It was nice to get away. Although after seeing the Caribbean Sea, it's hard to get to excited about the Atlantic Ocean this far north. :rolleyes: Even if the color of the water isn't as wonderful, the waves were great!:cool:

[Kabuli1]

Bumping this up! Had to go looking thru lots and lots of pages to find us!

Wow, the summer is fast coming to an end, kidz are going back to school in a few weeks which means that the next 180 days are going to fly by! And I've got 25 more lbs to lose before the end of the year!

I've been thinking about 1/31/04 so much lately. Anyone know where they're staying the night before the cruise? Has everybody gotten their air or travel arrangements made? I'm waiting for Southwest to publish it's rates for January. We're also holding off cause DH and I are seriously considering moving to FL in the near future.

I hope August is wonderful for everybody and any end of the summer vacations are super family times for all of you! I just got back from a wedding in DC and had a great time. (My 1.5 hour plane ride home turned into a 5 hour weather nightmare! Keep that in mind if you're thinking about flying into Orlando on the day of the cruise!)

Happy thoughts and pixie dust to everybody!

Karyn

[Annie12345]

I thought I'd bump this up in case there are any other cruisers who will be joining us that ... I hope you are all having a fantastic summer... I've been working really hard during the week and enjoying our beautiful weather on the weekends - not near an ocean but some pretty nice lakes.... We just bought some neat stuff for the cruise this weekend...
- Annie

[OKWMEMBER]

I wanna go were there's sun!

How is everybody? Where have you been, Ann? Long time no chat!

We're getting excited about celebrating my birthday at WDW. Almost time to start the 50 day countdown!!!:bounce:

We hope everyone in the group is having a fun, if not dry, summer and post to the thread soon! :D

[Tiiiigergirl]

Can you please send some of the rain here? We are roasting and dry. I feel like Sarah in the sequel to Sarah Plain and Tall, the one where it doesn't rain for weeks. That's us. We are waiting until it cools off to lay our sod and I'm really starting to covet my neighbor's grass. A couple of them got it put down before this terrible heat wave began.

I'm thinking that in September we'll start looking at booking some flights. I'm kinda anxious because I want to surprise Warren with a limo ride and I can't book that until I know our flight schedule. Hope everyone has a Disney day!

[Kabuli1]

Tiiiigergirl! I would love to send some of this to rain to you! The weeds in my yard are taller than me. One week away and I need a machete to hack and slash through my garden!

OKWMEMBER, somehow I'm NOT looking forward to that particular birthday which comes for me after yours and before the cruise. SIGH! How 'bout we have a drink together on board to celebrate! I took DH to BWV for his 50th last April we had dinner at Emeril's Tschoup Chop - very nice! Be sure to stop by guest services at one of the parks and get your birthday pin! Oh, I et the manager at BWV know about it and there was a very nice surprise waiting in our room on his big day!

Well, it's another gloomy rainy day in Chi Town! Oh, how I miss the sun! Hope each and everyone of you has plenty of sinshine today - inside or out!

Karyn

[OKWMEMBER]

I think a birthday drink on the Magic is a great idea, Kabuli1!!!
Maybe more than one!;) Thanks for the heads up on the birthday pin and I will say something about my birthday when we check in at OKW.

We have another day with rain in the forcast. :confused:

have a Disney Day, everyone!!!:smooth:

[Kabuli1]

Yeah, OKWMEMBER, maybe more than one will ease the pain a little! DH (Randy) turned 50 in April - he could probably use a drink, too! OK, any other "old folks" going to join us for that salute to the BIG ONE????

We've been members at OKW since 1994 - how 'bout you?

The sun has come out now, and it's a cool 71 degrees - haven't had a warm summer in 3-4 years.

Pixie dust to all!

Karyn

[OKWMEMBER]

We've been OKW members since 94 also!!!:eek: We'll have to go to the DVC reception on the Magic together! It's definitely our home away from home. We've stayed in all four room configurations at one time or another.

We've had a cool summer also. :rolleyes:

[Kabuli1]

I have a question! Where are people staying the night before the cruise? It would be nice to meet some people early! Last time we stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel and met some other DISers at Mageritaville on the City Walk. Ended up sitting w/ them for meals - wonderful people! I'm wondering if we should stay at the Radisoon or where?

Karyn

[Tiiiigergirl]

We are going to stay at an airport hotel and then go down early the next morning.

[OKWMEMBER]

We will be in Orlando the night before the cruise, we just don't know where we're staying yet!

[shingle]

:D we will be staying in kissimmee and driving down early saturday:D

[kmc33]

Hi!
We are staying at the airport and then heading to port Saturday morning. I don't know which hotel yet; hope to get something through priceline.

[Kabuli1]

Ok, so it sounds like nobody is staying out near the port. Somewhere near the airport is the place to be.

Are we having a DIS meet onboard? And does anyone w/ late dining want nice dining companions? We are well behaved - but we do tend to be the last ones out every night cause we're having such a good time!

Karyn

[Tiiiigergirl]

How about up on deck ten during the sail away party for the meet? Last year we made t-shirts but someone in our group was very computer savvy and had a program. Does anyone in this group?

We are also still searching for dining companions but for the early seating. It seems like everyone on this thread has late. It is almost enough to make me want to switch. Almost but not quite. I don't want to live the mutiny at home before I hit the high seas.

[Kabuli1]

Tiiiigergirl, you kow you want to dine w/ us! Late dining is great! I know alot of groups meet on deck 10 during the sail away party - but it seems to me that the noise level kinda prohibits any conversation. On our last cruise we met in the ESPN Club right after the safety drill and then moved as a group out to the deck party. It worked really well - BUT - there won't be an ESPN Club in January! The other problem I was aware f last year was that some of the DISers would have rather been involved in the party than "meeting". How about the Promenade Lounge or - somewhere up top not in the main crowd of people?

It would be nice to have some way to identify each other! I had a dream the other night that I found a t-shirt shop that had only lime green shirts in it! Anyone know if one really exists? I have lots of green Mickey-head paint chips from home depot!

Karyn

[OKWMEMBER]

We have early seating with Annie12345! We had our DIS meet on the Atrium balcony outside Studio Sea before the life boat drill.

[Kabuli1]

Hey, I'm going to be whereever everybody else is whenever that is! OKWMEMBER we have to meet so we know when and where our birthday toast is going to happen! Just asking, but if we meet before the safety drill will everybody be able to get there - won't some people be late arriving? The Atrium outside of Studio Sea is a good meeting place - I guess I would think after the drill would get more of us there. Or, wait, I have an idea! We don't know till after Dry Dock what they are going to do w/ Common Grounds - but if the rumor is correct, it will be a coffee bar it's in the right location for the sail away part - we could meet there! But we'll have to wait till we find out all the changes after drydock.

Any plans yet for excursions? We're hoping to do the full day snorkle/Stingray city w/ Capt. Marvin's. We did the 1/2 day last year - but our tabletmates did the full day and we were so jealous when they told us about the private bbq on a beautiful beach etc. etc. The excursion we were on was almost exclusively DISers! It was fun - but the other sounded amazing.

We are thinking about the jeeps or horseback riding in Cozumel - did Tulum last year and I was completely underwhelmed and wouldn't do it again.

Key West we'll just take it easy and wander around a bit. Last year we did the snorkeling - it was good, but I'm the only one in my family that truly loves snorkeling so this time I have to confine it to one excursion.

Can you tell I'm getting excited???

Karyn

[Tiiiigergirl]

While I'm thinking about it, does anyone want to get together for brunch?

[Scott5150]

We are arriving late Friday, and we plan to get a room near the airport. Still undecided on transportation to the port. We have 3A, 1C, and 1Infant - so it would be $196 on the bus. With 2 car seats, we don't fit in a towncar, so we would need to get a van and that ups the price to around $180+ tip. We still have a few months to iron that out.

I called Disney to see if they had any other adjoining rooms in Cat 10, and they said all were sold out. Also, they said that there were less than 15 verandahs left on our cruise.

I don't want to make any dinner-buddy plans because we are late seating, but I am going to do everything to try and get early seating, since we have a 3 year old and an infant. Plus, I like to eat at 6, not 8:30.

See Ya,

Scott

[Kabuli1]

Sure! We'd be interested in brunch!

Karyn

[dheller97]

Wow! Just found this spot and see several others going at the same time. Just the wife & I without kids or grandkids on our FIRST cruise to enjoy each other. Heard this was the one to take for a Disney great time. Are they right?

[Kabuli1]

Welcome to DIS dheller97! And welcome aboard! This is a great cruise!!! Glad you could join us!

Karyn

[OKWMEMBER]

Welcome to the thread :cool: We're traveling without kids also!
You'll definitely enjoy the Disney experience on this cruise!;)

[Kabuli1]

Well, I feel like I'm traveling w/o kids - that's cause mine is almost 18 and the only time I see her is at dinner and on excursions!

I went out shopping today - as it's the end of summer and I thought my best chance of finding lime green anything was NOW! I found an outfit all in pale lime - so look for me on the first day - lime t-shirt, lime capris! Oh, and I'll be at the front of the line waiting to get on! Is it too early to be shopping?

We finally have a summer day in Chi-Town! Wow, it's actually hot and muggy and feels the way it should feel around here in August! This has been such a cool and wet summer - what summer??

Karyn

[Tiiiigergirl]

If anyone wants to borrow my child, they are more than welcome. Especially today. :rolleyes:

[Kabuli1]

Page 3! What's up with that?

Tiiiigergirl, still want to loan your child out for the cruise? NO! I don't want one! Been there, done that! I'll help tho, if you'll change meal times to eat w/ us!

Any of our folks suffer thru the black-out? Still without power? What a nightmare! Just talking to my BIL (in Detroit) - he said that the bright side was that he saw stars that night like never before!

Well, dear folks, have a lovely weekend!

Karyn

[Tiiiigergirl]

Karyn

Sorry I would love to eat with you but I just can't face the thought of late seating with Brandon. Arrrrghh. You are so sweet and I know we would have a blast!

There is still Brunch. We are hoping to do that the 1st sea day. I know if you have a big enough group but not too big they will sometimes put you in the private dining room. So how about it everyone! Do we want to try for that?

I wish someone in our group had concierge level service and they could arrange it ahead of time. We are planning on being there at 10:30 and it sounds like Karyn is too so hopefully between the two of us we can make the arrangements.

[Kabuli1]

Tiiig - just think! late seating is only 6:30 your time! So you'll just be eating at the "narmal" time! AND you can always grab a snack in the late afternoon - it's so much more relaxed and no rushing in the evenings. Of course that would mean we would have PLA again w/ a 10 yo and a 17 yo - but tha's ok.

I'd love to help organize - anything! Let me know. You bet, I'm going to be at the starting line when they drop the rope that morning! In lime green!!! LOL

Karyn

[Tiiiigergirl]

Karyn you are relentless! In all seriousness it has a lot to do with Brandon's Autism. He does not deal well with change and I don't want to find out if the early v. late seating throws him. Actually when you first meet him you probably wouldn't think there was anything wrong with him. But the first year we took him on a DisneyWorld trip it was a disaster. I thought he had a miserable time. He had a melt down at EPCOT and screamed at the top of his lungs I WANT A NEW FAMILY. Needless to say he did not get any takers although we definitely would have been happy with a two for one swap.:rolleyes: :p We swore we wouldn't go back and then about 2-3 months later he was looking at the family picture of us and said, "You know, we really are a family." See Brandon is adopted and has struggled with bonding and it just took him a few months to process that he had a good time! I think I booked our next trip within the week. Now that he knows what to expect things go much more smoothly.

[kmc33]

Hi Tiiiigergirl. I saw your post the other day looking for takers and almost posted the same thing about my son. We had had a terrible day that same day and in fact, he told me that he wanted a new mommy that day during his meltdown.

How old was your son when he was diagnosed with autism? My son is 4 now and he was diagnosed with speech apraxia a year ago. Through speech therapy, his speech is getting better. Unfortunately some of the behavioral and social issues that we thought may be related to communication difficulties are not getting better and some days seem worse. He demonstrates some characteristics typcial of autistism and ADHD, but I have also been told that at an early age some of these same traits are demonstrated by preschoolers. However, I also have been reading that early intervention is valuable, so I am in the process of filling out questionnaires to have an evaluation performed.

[Kabuli1]

Ok Tiiiigergirl! I understand how important "routine" is for your son. Sigh, I'm coming after you if Disney sticks us w/ lousy dining companions! How's that for a threat? Any LATE diners out there???

BTW my #1 son has ADD and graduates from Cornell University on Monday! I'm pretty proud of him.

I'll be happy to help you book the Palo tables for brunch! I'll be there early! I want to see you arrive in style!

Karyn

[Tiiiigergirl]

Karyn its a deal! I know you must be very proud of your son. The difficulty of college but wow an impressive school and with a disability. I'm very impressed.

Actually, kmc our son was just diagnosed. The diagnosis has made things much easier. We now do things differently. I honestly blame myself for his meltdown a few years ago and we've not had anything like it since. We, his idiot parents, pushed him waaaaay too hard and he was exhausted. We all were but we had paid this much money to have fun and by golly we were going to! You know the drill. That's why unless we have to we don't mess with his routine.

Its hard raising a disabled child but I wouldn't in all seriousness trade him for the world.

[kmc33]

Thanks for the information and the encouraging words. We have been reading a lot and trying to learn what we can do to work with him to help. Now that I am learning new things, I can see how our actions and reactions can contribute to the situation. Thanks again!:)

[Tiiiigergirl]

As you can see by the countdown, we have rescheduled our cruise. I'll check in from time to time and hope you have a wonderful time. I was looking forward to meeting you but it just wasn't meant to be. Take care.

[Kabuli1]

I am so so sorry that Tiiiigergirl has had to reschedule. I know what that's like, we had to reschedule from a 11/15 sailing to this one. I had made some great friends on the thread for that cruise and it was so sad to have to make the change! Tiiigergirl, if you're still checking, I'll miss you! You were our great cheeleader!

If there are those of you out there who want to get together for a Palo brunch, let me know! I'll be onboard early and will be happy to arrange it for the first at sea day. In fact, I will be happy to help arrange anything. (Except babysitting!)

Hope this is a great week for everybody. It's been kinda quiet on this board. Maybe we'll gain momentum as we get kids back to school and Fall gets underway.

Still looking for some late diners!

Karyn

[kmc33]

Not only a great cheerleader, you were our first! Sorry that it didn't work for you to sail with us. We'll miss you!

[Kabuli1]

Bumping this up from page 5!

We're looking into a wild dolphin snorkel excursion in Key West. If we had three more people we could do a group charter of the boat. It looks like fun. If anyone is interested at all please pm me for the information.

How's everybody this weekend?

I feel silly bumping this up all the time! Hello? Anybody out there?

Cheers!

Karyn

[OKWMEMBER]

We're getting excited abpot our upcoming WDW trip. What a great week-end we're having weather-wise! Mid 70's and sunshine! :sunny:

We're probably going to hang out downtown at Key West. Duval Street is fun by itself!:jester: :crazy:

We got the PassPorter book for the Disney Cruise Line and we're using that to decide what else we want to do. I think Stingray City at Grand Cayman is a given.

Enjoy the rest of the week-end!

[Scott5150]

I got the passporter book too. I think that it is really well done. This will be our 4th cruise on the Magic, and there were still some new things in it for me. I am really looking forward to Key West. We will probably just get off the ship and walk around on our own. We will have one senior (My Mom, 62) and one infant (Sarah, 7 mos.) so that will slow us down.

My son Lucas (3) is doing well in potty training. We told him that if he gets potty trained by the cruise, he can swim in the mickey pool and play with the other kids in the kid area. I know that it is just as much an incentive for us as him, but we want him to be able to do it if he likes it.

One of my favorite things to do is sharing Mickey Waffles for breakfast with my son, Lucas - Topsiders has awesome breakfasts with Mickey Waffles and made to order omlettes. I got a Mickey Waffler for making them at home, but it is not the same as getting them on the ship or at the parks.

Scott

[Kabuli1]

OKWMEMBER, when do you leave for the big birthday bash? And what day is the big day???? So where are you going to have dinner on that night??? I wish, wish, wish I could get down to Orlando for mine! But New Years Eve is kinda premium down there! We'll just toast the next 50 on the cruise, ok?

I love Stingray City - it was the most fun thing I've every done! My DH and DD didn't love it like I did. We did Capt Marvins it was fabulous. I want to do horseback riding that day as well, I don't know if I can work that out or not. Last time we did Capt Marvin's the whole boat was filled w/ DISers - and we didn't plan on doing ot together! What a blast! I had planned on doing the whole day this time, but if we can work out riding w/ Nikki we'll do that as well and go for the early 2 hr excursion or the 1/2 day.

Scott5150, mmmmm Mickey waffles, mmmm, I haven't had carbs like that in months - well, if I make it to goal before this trip, I'll be trying those out at least once!

Beautiful weekend here in Chi Town!

Karyn

[kmc33]

It's a beautiful weekend in Pittsburgh -- probably the nicest of the summer. Got in some golfing and two birthday parties (for a 4 and 5 year old). The 5 year old is my nephew whose family (DSis, her DH, DS5 and DD2) is also joining us on the trip. My ds is 4 and I think he would love to have a Mickey waffle maker here at home! I think I will have to look into that!

We are looking forward to 3 days in Orlando at Universal at the end of September -- just hubby and me, and DS is staying with Grandma. I have never been to Universal and thought that it would be a fun adult get-a-way since I think DS is still too small for many of the rides. I had been contemplating the idea and then when USAir had a one day sale to FL and I got direct flights for $156, that sealed the deal.

Enjoy the end of summer! I can't believe next week is Labor Day already!!!:eek: :eek:

[Kabuli1]

kmc33, could you keep checking in every few days - I need to watch a count down clock! I can't have one in case my DD sees it and this is a surprise.

That's probably the reason I'm always on here looking for everybody - I want to talk talk talk cause I can't do it at home! I have no idea how I'm going to keep quiet for the next 5 months. My excuse for being on the boards is that we're on the 2004 10 day Christmas cruise. My daughter thinks I'm really obsessing about something that is 16 months away! Oh well!

Karyn

[OKWMEMBER]

Kabuli1,
We're flying down on 9/27/03 and my 50th birthday is 9/28/03. We're staying off-property Saturday night to conserve DVC points and we're checking into OKW on my birthday! We're having lunch at Olivia's (Cuban Sandwich!!!!:p ) but we haven't decided on dinner yet. I love Longhorn Steakhouse and there's a good one on Irlo Drive in Kissimmee that we've been to several times so that's a possibility. We're going to toast my birthday bigtime on the Magic!

I guess we're going to just miss you, kmc33! We're just up Interstate 79 from you in Erie! Maybe we can meet at the Grove City Outlets before the cruise. We're going to Universal for the first time on this trip also. We'll have to cpmpare notes!

Scott5150,
The Hemmingway house is a good place for casual sight-see. Six toed cats for the kids and interesting artifacts for the adults. I will be having the Mickey ice cream bars instead of the waffles!;)

[Kabuli1]

Hmmmm what a dilemma! Mickey waffles or Mickey ice cream bars? Hmmmmm????? And then there's the chocolate souffle in Palo!

I think I have some work to do before then . . . . . .


Karyn

[kmc33]

OKWMEMBER,
That sounds great! We are flying down late Thur night (9/25). So we are spending the first night at the airport; I just got the Renaissance MCO for $28 on priceline. (I plan to get the night before our Magic trip on priceline too.) Then we spend 3 nights at Portifino Bay. It sounds like you will be coming down as we are leaving, but yes, we can compare notes!

Kabuli1,
I will try to check in more frequently. I was spending more time checking the cruise board when I first booked. This is the furthest in advance that we have booked a trip, so I was reading everything I could right away and then realized there is still a lot of time until the cruise! Then we came up with our quick trip to Universal and I started focusing on that.

I have to be careful how much I say too. Our son doesn't know about the trip on the Magic yet since he is too young to comprehend the timing. Santa is going to bring us our Magic Cruise Christmas morning :teeth: Then we can make our countdown calendar for the month of January. That will give us something to look forward to on those snowy mornings!! And fortunately at 4, DS doesn't know what I am doing on the DIS Boards. Also, I have to be careful how much I say to DSis, because her kids aren't being told about the trip until it's closer (she said on the way to the airport :p !) Anyway, her 5 year old picks up on everything so I can only talk to DSis about it when the kids aren't around. I usually just end up emailing.

Another beautiful day in Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, I am home with a sick boy. He is napping now and the good news his fever is down and he seemed to be perking up at lunchtime. Tonight is my last golf evening for my Monday night league. So at least we got a good evening for it after all the rain we have had!

Have a good week everyone!

[Annie12345]

Hi Everyone! We just got back from a fantastic but brief vacation in the Rocky Mountains... I hope you are all having a great summer... My main reason for writing is to bump this up... I would consider doing the Palo brunch, but will have to talk to DH to see if he's up for that... Is anyone planning on doing the trolley at Key West?
- Annie

[OKWMEMBER]

We'll go with you!:wave: It's a great way to see most of Key West. Then we have to get a cheeseburger at Jimmy Buffett's Margarittaville!

[Kabuli1]

You could probably talk us into joining you! I was looking at a Wild Dolphin Sail and Snorkel - but am not sure I want to spend so much on Shore excursions. Can we do this on our own w/o the DCL excursion? I want to get to Margaritaville this time! It would be three of us - DD 17, Dh and myself. We can continue celebrating the 50's there!

Karyn

[dheller97]

The trolley and Jimmy Buffet's sounds like something we would enjoy too, if you don't mind another couple tagging along. We love cheeseburgers!:D

[OKWMEMBER]

I think we are formulating a plan here!!!!!:crazy: A pirate looks at 50 at Margaritaville in Key West!!! It doesn't get any better than that! According to the Passporter guide, you can save 4 to 5 dollars a person if you book the Conch Train or the Old Town Trolley yourself. The Conch train is non-stop and the Trolley makes 9 stops.

Key West Tour Information (http://www.vacationkeywest.net/trolleytickets.htm)

Check out this link for more tour info!

[Kabuli1]

This sounds like fun Gary!

Is someone going to organize it - like who's going, where we'll meet and etc.? Will we need to get our own tickets? Are the tickets for a specific time? Did you notice how much they cost (that part of the site was down when I looked at it)? AND will it be interesting for Miss Tinkerbell (17)?

Gary, I think we should plan on meeting at least once every day to raise a toast to the next 50! (BUT Carlos and Charlies is a bit over the top for me!)

Karyn

[OKWMEMBER]

I've done the Conch Train tour and it was pretty interesting. I can organize it, if nobody minds. The ticket area sounds like it is close to the ship. I think tickets are $20 for Adults and $10 for kids 4-12 years old. Under 4 are free. According to the web site, you save $2 if you buy them on the web. Personally, I'm going to wait till we get there, just in case. DCL charges $22 so you do save money by buying the tickets yourself.

Oh, we're definitely toasting 50 every chance we get, Karyn! I got one of those DCL beer mugs on the last cruise and put it to good use!

dheller. the cheeseburgers at Margaritaville are mighty tasty! They have a great gift shop, also! What are your ages, if I may be so bold? ;) Are you 50ish, too?

[dheller97]

Easily 50-ish, LOL.

We'll be celebrating both birthdays on our cruise. My dear wife, who also happens to be my best friend, will be blowing out 57 candles and 56 for me. Boy, 113 candles at the same time could cause quite a bon-fire that we could roast marshmellows on after we finish our cheeseburgers.

Thank you!
Dean
:teeth:

[mrsfuzzmo]

We aren't lucky enough to be going as soon as you all are, we are finally booked for March27th, 2004...... BUT would like to wish you all happy cruising and would love to have each and everyone of you post a trip report when you get back. I want to know the good, the bad, the ugly, the fabulous! What should we not miss and what should we skip. I want to know EVERYTHING! I am sure I am not the only cruise planning fanatic that loves to read trip reports, so I am putting out a request for everyone to let us all know how it goes.

Have a wonderful time!


Mrsfuzzmo:p

[OKWMEMBER]

By the way, how many people know that we will be at Key West on SUPERBOWL SUNDAY!!! A show of hands, please? :rolleyes: That should make things REAL interesting that evening! They have to have beer, nachos and chicken wings for the big game!!! I think I might post another thread to find out what happened for the last one. Stay tuned!:confused:

[Kabuli1]

That's going to be very important for Randy. I guess we won't be doing Palo that night! I guess well be checking out the new Sports Bar - I suppose my late seating will interfere w/ the game - oh well, I'll let Randy watch the game and go to dinner w/ Jill!

Karyn

[Annie12345]

Hi Everyone - it sounds like we are going to have a great time... I think the Trolley tour sounds interesting because it's nice to be able to get off at different spots - I did the trolley tour in San Diego and it was a fantastic way to see all of the hot spots in a relatively short period of time... we will have our 10 year old DD with us so we might have to skip Margaritaville and let you have a margarita for us... I agree with you Gary that it's worth it to just get the tickets when we get there just in case... thanks for the Key West link... Where is the Superbowl being held this year? A couple of years ago it was in Tampa, the day after we arrived in Orlando and it was crazy at the airport, car rental, etc...

MRSFUZZMO - i will definitely post a trip report when we get back. I love reading everyone's trip reports, too... sometimes I get so engrossed in it I forget I'm supposed to be working...:eek:

[dheller97]

Wow, I finally can contribute something useful. Super Bowl XXXVIII will be held February 1, 2004 in Houston, TX.:cool:

Dean

[Annie12345]

Nothing could be sweeter than being on board the MAGIC and watching the Chargers charge their way to victory!! I'm sure they will have a great party theme set up for the Superbowl...

[kmc33]

It's a rainy Labor Day! But hey, a day off is a day off.

We are definitely interested in the Trolley Tour. My DS loves trains and trolleys and I had been thinking about doing the Trolley Tour in Key West. And since my DSis has labeled me 'tour director', they most likely will want to go too. That would make 7 of us (4 adults and 3 kids- 5, 4, and 3 years old). How many can one trolley hold?

Happy Labor Day! :wave:

p.s. Any other Steelers fans on our cruise?!! :earseek:

[Kabuli1]

Bumping this up! We were on page 5!!!

How is everybody? Wow! Less than 150 days now!

Gary, you're almost really old, now aren't you?


Karyn

[OKWMEMBER]

Thanks for rubing it in, Karyn!!!;) :rolleyes:

Yes, the big 5-0 is rapidly approaching!!!

I'm a "Stiler" fan, kmc33!!! I plan to bring my Steeler attire with me on the cruise!

The trolley/train can hold a lot of people. We shouldn't have any trouble getting everyone on the same one!

[Kabuli1]

Gary, I only do it cause my own is fast approaching! And I can't get a reaction from Randy - April was too long ago and he's just thrilled about having his AARP card!

Also, I was just wondering, how do you know who's going to be in the Superbowl so soon? Been calling Miss Cleo??? It would be hard to top my best Superbowl ever - 1986 - and yes, the Bears! We were in Hawaii in the bar at the resort I was very "great with child"! They were very careful to separate the Patriot and Bears fans! For some reason, there weren't any Patriot fans left in the bar by half time . . . . AHHHH memories! We Chicago fans are used to disapointment - but one winning season was so nice!

Karyn

[OKWMEMBER]

Happy Monday!:confused: I went to the Steelers game yesterday!! I had a great time and the Steelers kicked some serius Raven butt! How was everyone elses week-end?

I am looking forward to seeing pictures of the renovated areas of the Magic after dry dock. My interest has been peaked after reading the posts on other boards about it.

Less than 20 days to WDW!!! I miss OKW so much. It will be great to be back! Our last trip to WDW was spent at the All-Star Sports. Nice but it's no OKW!!!

[Kabuli1]

Gary!

It's always nice when your team wins! I met some of the Steelers once - years and years ago at a hotel in Chicago where I was at a convention - back in about 1980. I've always liked them since!

I wish I was looking forward to an OKW trip in the next couple of weeks! SIGH! We may be at BVC for a couple nights for the F&W Festival. Our last trip this summer, I didn't like the location of our 2 bdrm at OKW - it was on the first floor and was way overgrown and there were too many groundskeepers and such walking by - nothing like the sweet privacy we're used to.

I'm looking forward to seeing the changes on the Magic as well. My DD will enjoy the new teen area - I think she'll be happy to have a chance to be there before it's too late (she'll be 1 mo. from her 18th Bday). I just hope the sports bar is non-smoking - but my guess is that it won't be and so I won't be spending any time there. Oh well!

I hope everybody has a great week!

Karyn

[OKWMEMBER]

Under 150 days!!! What a concept!!!:smooth:

How is everybody? I see there is a new entry on the cruise list for our date. SCOTT5150, are you out there???:confused: If so, as Bob Barker would say, COME ON DOWN!!!

Halfway through the work week.:( Come on, week-end!:cool:

I went on the St. Thomas web site to see the Magic on the Web Cam. I wanna go NOW!!!

I hope everybody is doing well. Is it too early to gather everyones cabin number for a list? Ours is 7003.

[Kabuli1]

We're in 6134 - one of the not really Navigator's cabins for Cat 7 price! Getting excited!

Karyn

[kmc33]

TGIF!!! And another beautiful day! This is the longest stretch of nice days that we have had all summer!

Hope everyone is had a good week and enjoy the weekend!

[dheller97]

Hello, Everyone!

We'll be in 6148 and can't wait!!

:bounce: :Pinkbounc

Dean and Cheri

[OKWMEMBER]

We are having a great day on the North Coast! We're starting our preparations for the trip to OKW at WDW. I really miss the place and am looking forward to the "Welcome Home!!!" when we arrive. :D We're staying off property the first night to conserve DVC points and we'll be checking into OKW on my birthday, Sept. 28!!! DVC really stings you on points for Friday and Saturday nights, but that's what supply and demand is all about! Is anybody in our group sailing on DVC points? We did that on our last cruise.

I'm including a link to my web page so you can see some photos of Gail and I.

My Web Site!!! (http://mysite.verizon.net/res0q1zf)

As you can see, LES (Lake Effect Snow) is a good friend of mine!

Have a great week-end, my friends!

[Kabuli1]

Gary, you and Gail are so cute! You look just like I imagined! I am clueless about posting pictures I'd be happy to send one of the three of us to somebody who could post it! Otherwise, just look for lime green capris and tee shirt at the front of the line! I'll be wearing them all day (maybe even dinner - if we're not in Lumiers.)

Dean, we're going to be neighbors! Just down the hall - if I don't see you before - I'll see you at the Safety Drill! Please consider bringing your son - if my DD knew about the cruise, she would join me in this plea!

We're sailing on points! (TOO many points!)

Anybody else thinking about excursions yet?

Karyn

[dheller97]

Hi, kabuli1-

If your very considerate offer to join your table for dining is still available, Cheri and I would very much like to do so.

Thanks!
Dean:D

[Kabuli1]

Dean! That's cool, and bring the boy! If he's just 18 he'll be able to be involved in the teen activities!

Karyn

[OKWMEMBER]

Oh, I feel an ominous presence baring down on me! It must be.....

THE BIG 5-0!!!! :eek: :eek: :earseek:

A week from Sunday!!! I am so glad I get to spend it at WDW!
The cast members will help me ease the pain, along with my lovely wife. She got there before I did, so I know I can survive it!

How the heck is everybody? Gail and I went to see "Pirates of the Carribean" last week. AWESOME movie! Johnny Depp is great.

We are wondering what our week-end is going to be like, seeing that we will be in the path of what's left of Isabel.

We want to do an excurion that goes to Stingray City when we're at Grand Caymen (See, I didn't forget about the cruise!) We have no idea about Mexico. We've been to Tulum. The Tropical Jeep Safari Tour sounds like fun. I drive a stick shift car so that's no problem!:smooth:

Everybody have a Disney Day and post back soon!!!:wave:

[Kabuli1]

My, oh my, Gary, you sure are getting old! I'm not turning 50 for a long long time yet! HAHAHAHAHA! Are you flying or driving down to OKW? What a way to go, Gar, if ya have to turn 50 might as well do it at the World! We took DH there for his. I know we won't go for mine! That's up to him of course! Knowing him he'll consider the cruise close enough to count for mine!

We loved Pirates! Couldn't help but laugh everytime Depp was on the screen.

YUP! Stingray City! The absolute best - we'll use Captain Marvin's, we want to do horseback riding there as well. And we were also thinking about the jeep tour on Cozumel- have heard great reviews of it. Did Tulum last time, hated it.

Have a wonderful week everybody - check in now and then, ok?

Karyn

[Annie12345]

Hi Everyone - Thought I'd just say a quick "hi"... Hope you're having a great week! I don't know if we are going to do any excursions, as we really are beach people and would like to spend lots of time on the beach, although I am very interested in doing the swimming with dolphins excursion... I'll have to talk DH into that one...

Have a disney day!!!
- Annie

[dheller97]

Hi,

I was trying to find out who was going on this trip with us. So, I went back through the thread and came up with the following list of those who have identified themselves and their group:

shingle, DH, DS-13, DD-8, from Wales
Annie12345, DH, DD-10, from Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Kmc33, DH, DS-4 ½, from Pittsburgh, PA
JonHM, DW, DS-3
OKWMEMBER, DW, from Erie, PA
GinaAnn, DH, DS-6, DS-3, DSister, DBIL, DMother, DStepdad
grandma_x2, 6 adults, 2 boys (ages 3 and 1)
kabuli1, DH, DD-18, from Chicago area, stateroom #6134
Scott5150, DW, DS-3 ½, DD-8, DMIL
dheller97, DW, DS-18, from Armour, SD, stateroom #6148
dpuck1998, DW, DS-4, DS-3

If I have missed anyone, made any mistakes, or if the information just needs to be updated with new names, please post it and I’ll keep it updated it as we go. Then, we can keep track of all the DISer’s on board.

Thanks,
Dean
:earsboy: :earsgirl: :earsboy:

[kmc33]

Great job, Dheller97! That was a good idea to summarize it. That must have been a job going back through all the pages.

Traveling with my family too is my DSis, DBIL, DNephew (5) and DNeice (2½).

We are excited about the Magic! Although, right now, DH and I are getting ready to leave for Universal, one week from today! DS is staying with DGrandma and we are having a short get-a-away. We are looking forward to meeting OKWMEMBER and DW at Citiwalk!!!

[dheller97]

Have a great time at Universal!

Got your changes and I'll post an updated list every few weeks as we get closer.

Dean

[Kabuli1]

Yeah Dean! I made the same list awhile ago - but I didn't post it! So you're bringing the boy???? That's great, it's good to have another older kid for Jill to hang out with, I'm sure she would be thrilled, if I were willing to tell her about the cruise, which I'm not . . . . yet!

kmc33 have a wonderful time, I love Universal are you eating at CityWalk? Love Emeril's!

It's almost the weekend folks! We're having beautiful fall weather here right now. Anyone here being pounded by Isabel?

Karyn

[dheller97]

Hi, Karen-

Yes, Matt is coming along with us. He's not real comfortable with the idea yet since this was originally going to be Mom & Dad's time together. He feels like he will be intruding. Checked direct with Disney about the age thing and they indicate they adhere very strictly to the age limit of 13-17 for teen activities. He'll be fine - and so will we. We'll cut the trip to the airport from a 5-hr trip to a 2-hr trip. We're also trying to get out the day before instead of a same day flight / cruise departure.

Have a good weekend.

Dean

[OKWMEMBER]

We're meeting at Jimmy Buffett's Margarittaville, Karyn! Thanks for keeping the list, Dean! We're in Cabin 7003. Gail likes the split bathroom. I get the one with the tub! Speaking of the DW, we are officially in vacation mode. I have been informed that if I want to take certain clothes to WDW, don't wear it after Saturday! Last call for Laundry! I'm so excited!!! :tongue: :crazy:

I hope everyone survives Isabel. Tomorrow is our day for her visit.

Single digit dance, KMC33!!!:bounce:

Be carefull out there, everyone! :wave:

[Kabuli1]

Gary, what was I thinking???? Of course you're going to Margaritaville!!! Is that going to be on the BIG day? If you're getting remnants from Isabel tomorrow, I wonder if she'll make it all the way to the Chicago area? I'm sure you are very very excited! Are you going to ride Mission Space? We did it twice in July! First time was great - second, well, I don't think I'll do it again!

Dean, I'm sure Jill and Matt will find things to do! You can always send him w/ us for a shore excursion or two. And although he's old enough - leave him behind when you go to Palo! He can eat w/ us, or just Jill if it's the night we plan to eat there (Key West night) I hope to get the adult rotation - LAPLAPL - tho is does land us in Parrot Cay on both dress up nights! You actually might be able to get him in the teen activities once you get onboard - depends on how many kids there are. Jill's just the opposite - she's w/in 5 weeks of 18 and wants to do the adult stuff!

Annie, glad you dropped by! I want to swim w/ dolphins, too!

One last thing, PLEASE SOMEBODY POST AFTER ME! My DD, from whom I'm trying to keep this a secret, is on the boards now (PrincessAuroraIn Blue) so I don't want her to see my name and check out this thread!

Cheers!

Karyn

[dheller97]

Thanks for the info, Karyn.

Dean

[OKWMEMBER]

Karyn, for me, Mission: Space is a HIGH priority. The DW isn't so sure. Margaritaville is the day before the big day, kind of a pre-show for my 50th. ;) I think Isabel will miss Chicago.

[grandma_x2]

we are in 6605 6607 6609 me my dh dd dsil dgs dgs db dsil. we fly in day of. we are from hadley pa buttler pa wilson ny

[dheller97]

Thanks "grandma_x2"-

I've got the list updated and will repost it in a couple of weeks! Have a great weekend.

Dean

:earsboy: :earsgirl: :earsboy:

[Annie12345]

Thanks for putting the great list together, Dean... we are staying in stateroom 6592.

KMC33 and Gary - Margaritaville will never be the same... Have a fantastic time!!!!!

talk to you all soon,
Annie

[kmc33]

Oh no, are we in trouble ?! :eek: I didn't realize that Gary had a reputation!!!! ;)

I can't wait!!!! We have never been to Universal. And Margaritaville and Citiwalk look like fun!

Thanks again for compiling the list, Dean. My family is in cabin 7119.

TGIF!!! Hope everyone has a great weekend. It's supposed to be a nice weekend here once Isabel finishes passing through. We didn't get it as bad as eastern PA. And I have been saying prayers for everyone on the Mid-Atlantic coast who really took the hit.

Any fun plans for the weekend?! DH has 20th high school reunion this weekend :p ... Mine was in April! :eek: Where does the time go?!

Sunday it's down to Penn Brewery Oktoberfest!!!! :crazy: I look forward to this all year. And then next Thursday we are off to Orlando!

Gary - DH says, knock on wood, there are no storms brewing in the Atlantic right now.

Have a great weekend everyone!!! :wave:

- Kim

[shingle]

:bounce: :bounce: hi guys were in room 6581 only a few rooms from annie just over 4 months to go now were really starting to get excited :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc

[Annie12345]

Hi Shingle - that's great... I noticed that my daughter is right between your kids in age... she will have just turned 10...

KMC33 - you will have a blast with Gary and Gail... they are so much fun!!! Wish we were joining you...
- Annie

[OKWMEMBER]

As Annie says, we are two fun lovers!!:crazy: We're hoping to go to Mickey's Not Too Scary Halloween Party on Oct. 3rd. It's always a blast! I sang to Cruella Deville last time! ... If she doesn't scare you, no evil thing will!... ;)

Dry Dock for the Magic next week! I'm really anxious to see what they do to the old Off-Beat area. I also heard there was going to be some work done on Rockin' Bar D. We'll have to wait for the trip reports!:confused:

We have major rain here. The week-end was nice, at least! And the Steelers won!

Less than a week to AARP Day!!!! :( :rolleyes: :eek: :earseek:

Have a Disney Day!!!:wave:

[Kabuli1]

Woohoo Gary! AARPday coming up! Can you even concentrate on work right now? Bags packed? Are you driving down or flying and where do you fly out of? And if I don't get to say it then - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, OLD MAN!

When we went to WDW for DH's AARPday one of the things he forgot to do before we left was renew his DL so I had to do all the driving!

I wish we could join y'all at Margaritaville - sounds like a wonderful time!

Oh, back to the topic - I noticed that a lot of us are way aft - that's pretty cool! Gary you and DW can walk all the way to the back to visit the rest of us! Dean, are you keeping track of all the cabin numbers?

have a bouncy day!

Karyn

[dheller97]

Yep, Karyn, I'm up to date with the list! Got 50 on it so far counting all of the spouse, kids, and in-laws. Thought if we needed a bump next week I'd put it back up there for everybody to see.

Have a good week!

Dean

[Chickenlady]

Sneaking back to the DIS boards to put our names on the Jan 31 Magic list. It'll be me, DS (6), DM, and DBF (best friend not boyfriend..DH wouldn't approve if I took my boyfriend). DH will not be joining us after his first 4 night Wonder last Jan.....can you say "seasick". We are in 7092.

Can't wait!

[OKWMEMBER]

Whazzup???? We're flying down from Erie with a connection in Pittsburgh (Hi KMC33!). We're starting to pack and it's hard to concentrate on work. ;) It looks like the hurricanes will keep their distance so far.

Yes, we be up in the bow so we'll be the first ones into port! We've never been this close to an end of a ship so I hope the ride isn't too rough.

Are we gonna get t-shirts or something? I think we have enough people to make a go of it! Hats and visors at least! On our last cruise we had a DIS meet on deck 4, the balcony around the atrium outside Studio Sea. It was fun and a great place for group pictures! :teeth:

Just a few random thoughts!

Have a Disney Day!!!:wave:

[dheller97]

Hi, Chickenlady-

As unofficial keeper of the list, welcome from everyone on it! I've added you and yours to our list and will post it sometime next week.

Glad to have you and know what you mean by "can't wait!"

Dean

[Kabuli1]

Gary! Wow, do you leave tomorrow? I think t-shirts or something would be nice - but I can't do anything to help - not with trying to keep this thing hush hush from DD. Sorry! I'm not gifted in that way, anyway.

Looking forward to seeing the list next week, Dean! Why do you want to go to Hell anyway? As I undrstand it, it's a rather cheesy tourist trap w/ a few interesting rock formations. I haven't been there, so I might be all wrong in this assessment. Stingray City and especially Capt Marvin's 3 hour tour are "Do Not Miss" on Grand Cayman. Tho we may do the early 2 hour tour so that we can also do the horseback riding there - it's supposed to be spectacular. If you look down a few pages Jill responded to a thread about excursions that teens would like on the Western Cruise. Your DS might like to read that. (Her DIS name is PrincessAuroraInBlue.)

All y'all that are going to WDW in the next couple days - have a truly magical time and Gary, I'll lift one in you honor on your AAPRday!

Karyn

[dheller97]

G'morning, Karyn-

You would have to know some of my in-laws to appreciate why I want to send them a post card from Hell!

Take care,
Dean

[Kabuli1]

HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!!!! Oh Dean, you really need to tell me this story!!! Please email me!!!!!

Oh, and Chickenlady, I forgot to say WELCOME to our fabulous gang!

I am SO looking forward to meeting everybody!

Karyn

[OKWMEMBER]

We leave Saturday, which will give the folks at work a chance to abuse me on Friday!:p I love the attention!

I apprecite the thought, Karyn!!! I'm sure to have a Turtle Krawl at the Gurgling Suitcase at OKW on Sunday!:smooth:

We will have to have someone take a photo of us at Margarittaville so we can have the first group photo on the thread! We'll be wastin' away!!! We will definately have a group adult beverage at the one in Key West.

Two more work days!!!:bounce:

HADD!!! :wave: (Short for Have A Disney Day!!!)

[dheller97]

What became of the DIS shirts to be offered in the DIS Store? Haven't heard anything since the original poll.

Have a happy AARP day, Gary and hoist one for me.

Dean

[kmc33]

See you at Margaritaville, Gary!:cool:

Only one more day of work! We leave on a late flight tomorrow evening! I am really excited, but tired. Getting packed and getting things ready for DGrandma to come stay with DS.

[OKWMEMBER]

We'll see you shortly, Kim!!! Have a safe Flight! We're still packing.

Thanks, Dean! I'll hoist one for all my DIS board friends!

[Kabuli1]

Gary! Enjoy the abuse today! Be careful not to bump your head on the ceiling if you bounce too high!! I sure wish we could be meeting you at Margaritaville as well!

AND a big fat Happy Birthday to you, oh ancient one!

Karyn

[OKWMEMBER]

Thanks, Karyn!!!;) I'm older but wiser. Or is that I'll order Budwieser? Either one works for me!!!:p

LAST DAY OF WORK BEFORE WDW!!! Is that clock moving at ALL??

We'll be meeting at Margaritaville in Key West!!! How cool is that?
I'm really looking forward to going to Key West again. I've never been there for the sunset show at Mallory Square. It should be amazing!

I'll try to post from somewhere at WDW to give all off you progress reports.

HADD!!! :wave:

[dheller97]

Hi, Group!

Thinking more about our cruise as our temps get lower and lower here. Had our second frost of the year earlier this week. I'd rather be digging out the Bermudas instead of sweaters!

Thought I'd get our list updated this weekend and ready to post on Monday. So, if you haven't "checked in" yet, get off your lounge chairs and let us know you're coming, who's coming with you and where you plan on staying while on-board.

Hey, Karyn, let me know when you tell Jill about the trip. Then I'll have Matt get in touch with her. He's getting more used to the idea now. I guess the thought of a gal on each arm while strolling on deck can't be all bad, huh? I haven't contacted our TA yet about dinner seating. Waiting for the new paperwork to arrive after adding Matt so I can call and confirm that info at same time.

Gary - hope your A.A.R.P day goes well and and they get you back to the home early. Us older folks do need our rest, y'know?

Have a good weekend, all.

Dean :earsboy: :earsgirl: :earsboy:

[OKWMEMBER]

WE'RE OUTA HERE!!!!

I'll check in soon everyone!

Have a Disney Week!!! :wave:

[grandma_x2]

it's cold wet and i wish i was wdw or on a cruse. we just have to dream a littel . we finished paying off so unless somthing goes wrong we will be on the big boat jan 31. i can't waite :bounce: :bounce:

[Kabuli1]

Good morning, everybody!

I'm just sitting here thinking about Gary and singing "Happy AARPday to you, Happy...."! I know they are having a wonderful time. (What I really should be doing is practicing my scripture reading for church - haven't even looked at it.)

What do you think? I know we have a four months to go - but I'm still debating how/when I'm going to tell DD about the cruise. Just how big a surprise should it be? I guess I had envisioned telling her that we were going on a Fl trip to celebrate her graduation and final college visits, and that we would be visiting her GMa and GPa in FLL so she'd need swim suits and shorts, and I would pack her formals and stuff. And then surprise her by the towncar picking us up Saturday morning. In other words - keeping it a secret to the end. A friend of mine thinks I should at least "give" her the cruise as a graduation present because so much of the fun is in the anticipation. So I could wrap up her cruise docs with some kind of DCL merchandise (a plush toy ship, I think) and give it to her two weeks before when she graduates.

So that's the question, does anyone remember being a teenager? Will she get more mileage out of this gift if she gets to brag about it and enjoy a couple weeks of anticipation? Is wanting it to be a total surprise more fun for us as her parents (and maybe a little bit selfish?)

I'd like to hear your thoughts. Dean, ask Matt what he thinks!

Thanks everybody! I'm going to see Secondhand Lions today just so I can see The Return of the King trailer for the first time!

Karyn

[OKWMEMBER]

We made it with no problems! had a wonderful time with John and Kim last night. Photos to be posted as soon as we get back!
I'm officially an old f--t now!!!

We're having a Disney Day!!!

[dheller97]

Hi, Karyn-

Matt's pretty sore today, but in between "groans", he says that if it were him, he would rather know ahead of time. Then, he could plan what he wanted to take along, what he wanted to do, and meet some of the others before boarding.

I'll get the list finished up this afternoon and I plan on posting it tomorrow. Cheri is registered now as "Butterfly2" and will be joining us sometime soon.

H-E-L-L-OOOOOO!! Anyone else out there going along with us? Join in so we can get you on our DIS-list and welcome you to this group!

See everyone tomorrow. Have a good day.

Dean

[Annie12345]

Happy 5-0 Garry!!!!

Karyn, I like your idea of wrapping up the cruise docs in something disneyish for your daughter's graduation gift and giving it to her ahead of time... That way, she can bring what she wants, go shopping if she needs to, etc. etc.... Either way though, it will be fabulous...

Annie

[dheller97]

Okay, here is the much anticipated, and updated list of those DISer's on-board so far for the 1-31-04 MAGICal Cruise:

1. shingle, DH, DS-13, DD-8; from Wales, UK; stateroom #6581

2. Annie12345 (Ann), DH (Randy), DD-10 (Jaclyn), from Saskatoon, SK, Canada, stateroom #6592

3. Kmc33, DH, DS-4 ½, DSis, DBIL, DNephew-5, DNiece-2 ½; from Pittsburgh, PA; stateroom #7119

4. JonHM, DW, DS-3; from Chapel Hill, NC

5. OKWMEMBER (Gary), DW (Gail); from Erie, PA; stateroom #7003

6. GinaAnn, DH, DS-6, DS-3, DSis, DBIL, DMom, DStepdad; from Chicago area

7. grandma_x2, DH, DD, DSIL, DB, DDIL, DGS-3, DGS-1; from Hadley, PA, Butler, PA and Wilson, NY areas; staterooms #6605, 6607 and 6609

8. kabuli1 (Karyn), DH (Randy), DD-18 (Jill); from Chicago area; stateroom #6134

9. Scott5150 (Scott), DW (Amy), DS-3 ½ (Lucas), DD-8 mo (Sarah), DMIL (Joann); from Lancaster, PA

10. dheller97 (Dean), DW (Cheri), DS-18 (Matt); from Armour, SD; stateroom #6148

11. dpuck1998, DW, DS-4, DS-3; from Vicksburg, MI

12. chickenlady, DS-6, DM, DBF (Best Friend); from Farmington, AR; stateroom #7092

Total 12 Families, 54 people


Now, any ideas about doing something special like t-shirts or something? Getting closer and time has to start flying before too much longer.

Have a great week!
Dean

[kmc33]

Just got back from Universal and Orlando last night. It was nice to get back and see our DS, but not so nice to get up for work this morning :eek: !

We had a wonderful time with Gary and Gail on Saturday night! And it was so nice of them to agree to meet us after just flying in that afternoon. I know how tiring the travel day can be!

Hope you had a happy birthday, Gary and are having a wonderful week!!!

Our long weekend jaunt was fun -- now that we are back I need something new to look forward to.... like a cruise on the Magic!!!
:bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce:

[Kabuli1]

Hi all! Just bumping this up from the bottom of page two!

Ok, so I'll go w/ the consensus and give Jill two weeks notice! I have a friend bringing something back from the ship for me to give her along with the docs. Dean, that will give Matt two weeks to talk to Jill. If you can figure out a way they can talk earlier - on some pretense - as long as he can never ever let her know what's going on, I'm all for it.

Today I'm day dreaming about spa treatments! Ah, those days at sea!!!! I love the seaweed wrap! DH loves the Rainforest!

I hope Gary is having a wonderful birthday week at OKW right now!

As always, could someone please post after me so that Jill doesn't see my name and come to see what I'm talking about!

Cheers and warm thoughts on a chilly (35 degrees) Fall day in Chicagoland!

Karyn

[dheller97]

Good morning, Karyn-

Rather than chance it, Matt will wait until the two weeks notice. Chilly here this morning too, at 29. Boy, a warm sandy beach sounds pretty good.

Everybody's pretty quite, so I'll tip-toe out of here. Have a good one.

Dean

[mardal]

We're going, we're going.... Don't forget about us!!!!!
ME (Mark)36 , Wife(Stacy)35, Son(Taylor)8, Daughter(Tiffany)5.
We're going too!!!! Just bought tickets from Seattle to Orlando last Friday $215 per person!!! Planing on coming in a day early and staying close to the ship. After cruise, can you say 7 more days in Disney World!!! We can!!! Yahhh Hoooie!!!
Mark

[dheller97]

Hey, Mark!

Welcome to our quiet little group. Glad you're here. I promise I won't tell your wife you gave out her age. It'll just be our little secret, okay?

You and yours are now officially added to the unofficial list. Take care.

Dean

[Kabuli1]

Welcome Mark and family!

And Welcome back Gary - whenever you get back!

I'm off to Seattle for a wedding (actually Puyallup), really looking forward to it since I went to college in Seattle. I love going back. Anyway, it wasn't anything anyone said, LOL, but I'll be away till Monday.

Now I know you fine folk can bump this up enough that I don't have to go hunting thru pages and pages for the thread, right?

Hey, we're paid in full! YEAH!! I think that means we can start booking Disney excursions on Dec 2. Anyone else doing Captain Marvin's with us? We loved it last year! We also did the Catamaran Sail and Snorkle in KW and the Tulum tour from Cozumel. I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Have a great weekend everybody! I'll be checking in when I get back!

Karyn

[kmc33]

Have a great time Kabuli!

Last week at this time we were excited to be leaving for Orlando! It doesn't seem like a week ago. My how time flies!

Hope everyone is having a great week.

[OKWMEMBER]

We're back in Erie! We had a great time at WDW. I rode Mission: Space twice and Gail went with me the second time, what a wife!!! It is absolutely a fabulous ride! Mickey's Philharmagic is not to be missed, also. We've only been home for an hour so we'll post more later. Thanks for all the birthday wishes!!!

Great job on the list update, Dean!

It was great meeting you, Kim and John!!! :grouphug: I'll post our picture soon!

HADD!!! :wave: :wave2:

Now we have the cruise to look forward to!!! :boat:

[Annie12345]

Gary and Gail - WELCOME BACK!!! We can't wait to chat with you to hear all about it!!!!

I hope everyone's having a great day, it's 80 degrees Fahrenheit in Saskatoon today!! I don't remember it being this warm in October ever before...

Have a Disney Day!!!
Annie

[dheller97]

WELCOME BACK, GARY & GAIL:Pinkbounc :bounce:

Hope your b'day week was great. We missed you around here and look forward to hearing all about your trip.

Dean

[kmc33]

Welcome back from sunny Florida, Gary! :wave2:

We had a fun time at Margaritaville and enjoyed meeting you! Hope you had a wonderful vacation and a nice birthday!

We are happy to have the cruise to look forward too. It made coming back from Orlando less rough -- even though the weather went from warm to cold while we were away. Glad Annie is enojying nice weather today; it was like a damp November day here.

[OKWMEMBER]

Here's the link to my first pictures! These were with the digital camera. More to come when I get the film developed.

My 50th pictures! (http://mysite.verizon.net/res0q1zf/id3.html)

The photo under the balloons is an autographed picture from Cinderrella !!! :teeth: :smooth:

HADD:wave: :wave2:

[kmc33]

Gary - I am honored to be included on your birthday page! I have a nice picture of you and Gail from Margaritaville. After I download it from my camera, I will have to get a copy to you.

It looks like you had a fun time! I think you you picked the right place to celebrate your big day!!::MickeyMo ::MinnieMo

[OKWMEMBER]

We're suffering from PDS (Post Disney Syndrome)!!! How did all my computer stuff at work know I was gone? I had lots to clean up today when I got back. :(

We actually went to Universal Studios this time! It was fun and with the small crowds we got to do and see everything we wanted to. The high point was being launched on the Hulk roller coaster into a rain storm!!! :earseek: I was soaked in seconds!
We didn't care for the Back to the Future ride. It was very rough and really tossed us around. The Spiderman ride was outstanding, we rode it twice! The same for Schreck 4-D!!!

How is everybody doing? You and John had to be on the page, Kim! We might have to try to meet somewhere before the cruise.

We're approaching double digits on our counters!!!:hyper:

HADD! :wave: :wave2:

[grandma_x2]

hi had night off so i am up in middel of the night. it is cold here. dh is bummed first day of archy and it raind hail and snowed. now all weak he works sun shine. 3 year old is ready to go he is packed like the boys on tv all the toys no clothesbut he did put swimsute in.i am going to hell to send post cards to people at work they love it and we are going to turtel farm so boys can see turtels. my daughter and soninlaw are in their 20s anyone that age range we are in the40s the other 4 of us and the3year old and the 1year old. hope you are all sleaping well dreaminl of the 31 of jan

[Kabuli1]

gramdma_x2, I'm up too, can't sleep!

Oh, and, hey, I'm back!!! My whole world has turned upside down since I was last on - my DH accepted a job in the Seattle area last weekend! I'm going nuts now trying to get ready to put my house on the market etc. etc. Digging up my garden cause no one else would want 400+ varieties of daylilies. We'll do the final move shortly after the cruise! I'm really going to need the cruise by then!

Gary, I'm glad you had a wonderful time. It's always hard to come home from Disney!

:boat: So much to do before we sail away! Maybe going back to bed would help!

Karyn

[dheller97]

Hi, guys, and welcome back!

Wow, Karyn, congratulations! Boy, take a trip to Washington State and come back deciding to move there. Might want to consider an over night trip to Tahiti or Maui - might have the same results. LOL

We'll be gone for a few days - we're playing groupies and traveling to take in the Fleetwood Mac concert tomorrow nite. Have a good week all.

Shining up my sneakers and getting ready to do the double-digit dance soon with Stevie Nix playing in the background.

See ya
Dean :hyper:

[mardal]

Hi Karyn,
I'll be going with you on the cruise in January!
Just so you know, I'm a real estate agent up here in the Seattle area. When are you guys moving up here? Lets get together and I can send you some homes up here or I can get them to you to look at on the Cruise!!! Funny how life works...
Thanks!
Mark Dalton

[Kabuli1]

Hi Mark! Wow! It is funny how things work. I've already been working w/ a realtor. DH is going to be working in Puyallup - so we'll be looking in Pearce (sp?) county. We will certainly be out there at least once before the cruise. Randy is going to start commuting a couple days each week in November. We will make sure to try to meet you when we're there. It will be nice to have a new friend when we get out there to stay. I went to college in Seattle and I have some family out there. But I'm pretty nervous about starting over somewhere new after 27 years here. You can email me at Kabuli1@aol.com

Dean, please don't start talking double digits - freaks me out! There's too much to do between now and then!!! I spent the whole day in my garden. I think I have an army of college and high school kids coming over this weekend to work on things here. We actually have considered moving to Maui! LOL!

Ok, guys, I've got to grab some dinner and then get back to work!

Cheers!

Karyn

[shingle]

:( annie i dont know if there are any rugby fans in your family but our countrys play each other in the rugby world cup on sunday 12th oct i hope it is a good clean game and you lose heavily ;)

[princessdaisy]

Hi Everyone,

we just booked our 7day western for Jan 31st! This will be our second Disney cruise...we cruised five years ago in October and didn't make it to Castaway because of a hurricane :(

Hopefully better luck this time! My daughter is very excited as she was only 6 last cruise and now she is 11 and hopes to find some friends to hang out with....also my 20 month old son will be coming along too!

Hope to see you there:wave2: ::yes::

[Annie12345]

Hi Everyone - Hope you are having a great week!

Karen - congrats on the upcoming move!! Sounds exciting!

Welcome Princess Daisy - our 10 year old DD would be happy to chat with your daughter ahead of time... If you're interested, PM me and I'll give you her email address. Maybe they'll become great friends before they even meet...

Shingle - We'll have to watch the game on Sunday! Good luck!!

Have a disney day everyone,
Annie

[kmc33]

Welcome new sailers! It sounds like we are going to have a great group! It will be here before we know it! Just 3 months from Halloween.:tongue:

Have a disney weekend everyone!! :wave2:

[princessdaisy]

:bounce: Yippee!! we are so looking forward to this trip! not looking forward to the long flight from San Diego to Florida with a 22 month old :eek: :tongue:

Is anyone using Disney transfers to the port? I was wondering if my family could find other means of transportation. Will be me, my hubby, our 11 old and the baby.

Thanks everyone! :wave:

[OKWMEMBER]

Welcome to the group, your highness!!! This is going to be quite the cruise with all these party people!:crazy: I'm going golfing tomorrow, probably the last time this year.

Hang in there, Karen!!! You're going to be ready for some boat drinks!:crazy2:

HADD!!!:wave: :wave2:

[Annie12345]

Princess Daisy - I would consider using a limo or town car ... with four of you, it will end up being the same cost or less, and you won't have to wait for other people. We used Cartier last time but there are lots of other companies that are talked about on the boards as well that people have been happy with...
Annie

[dheller97]

Hi, everyone-

Was beginning to think everyone had left without me - had to bump this up from page 4! :eek:

Had a great time at the sold out concert. Stevie Nix was superb. Next thing to look forward to comes up January 31st.

Welcome to our group, mardal and princess daisy. I have taken the liberty of officially adding you and yours to the unofficial list of DIS'ers.

I suppose you are all packed and ready to move, huh Karyn? How's Jill feeling about it all?

Take care, all.

Dean

[grandma_x2]

4 in the morning we had great weatrer this weekend. we had a camp fire and no bugs but not to cold. but that nastey white stsnow is comming i hope jan 30 and 31 no snow og just light till get to pit airport. have nice day

[OKWMEMBER]

And I'm not talking about those blasted Steelers!!:rolleyes:

The DIS Shop is open and they sell lime green DIS t-shirts!!!

I AM SO THERE!!!!

I think we have the answer to our "how do we find each other" problem. Check out this link:

DIS SHOP!!! (http://www.disshop.com/)

I had a great week-end (Except for the fore mentioned Steelers)!

Played golf, slepted in, watched the Magic on the web cams (Thanks Verandaman!!). She looks good after dry dock!

I'm with you on the S-word thing, Grandma!::yes::

I'm glad you enjoyed the concert, Dean. She's still hot as far as I'm concerned!:teeth:

Take care, everyone and HADD!!!:wave: :wave2:

[Annie12345]

Hi Everyone- hope you're all having a disney day!! We've been enjoying a day off since it's Thanksgiving Day here... Just getting ready to gobble up some turkey!!!

It's been great hearing about the changes to the Magic from those posting Live... it's just over three months away...

Garry I tried to check out the DIS t's but they are closed for maintenance - must have had an influx of business!

Well, have a great day everyone!!!

- Annie

[princessdaisy]

:sunny:
Hello my fellow Jan 31st Disneycruisers!!

I have a question...I am trying to set up transportation from Orlando airport to Port Canavarel...Annie mention Cartier(?)

I am having hard time finding available transportation and wondering if you wonderful people would have any leads or #'s I can try to call and check for availability. Would be 4 of us, dh, dd, baby and me.

Thanks sooo much!:bounce:

[OKWMEMBER]

Check out this link for a limo service that is recomended by another web site.

Happy Limo (http://www.happylimo.com/)

HADD!!!:wave: :wave2:

[Annie12345]

Here's the website for Cartier Town Car: www.cartiertowncar.com

We were very pleased with them, although I just checked out their one-way limo rate to Port Canaveral which is listed at $145 and last year we only paid $100. They likely have specials now and then....
- Ann

[kmc33]

We have used Cartier Towncar two times and I just booked them for a third time for the Magic cruise. We have been very pleased with them.

Have a disney day, everyone! :wave2:

[Kabuli1]

Hi all!

We were very pleased w/ Happy Limo. I still haven't figured out where we'll stay the night before.

I'm so exhausted from all that has to be done! You guys will have to remind me to get my plane reservations, hotel etc etc - oh, and don't forget to tell me when to pack for the cruise!

Working in the garden again today.

Karyn

[grandma_x2]

:o its cold windy and raining out . good weather to sleep all day no noise. hope some of you are having a nice day.:bounce: littel over 3 mounths to go good night grandma

[Scott5150]

Well, we just booked the MCO Hyatt for the night before. My mom is going with us, and she will turn 62 two weeks before the cruise and that will get us a rate of $112 for the night. We have a 3 yr old and a 6 month old, and I just decided that I do not want to lug everything into a shuttle to go to an off site hotel. We just got back from Vero Beach, and travelling with kids and all the stuff they require is a nightmare.

We are going to take the Disney Bus on Saturday. It is cheaper for us than a van and I dont have to worry about 2 car seats on the bus like I would have to in a van or town car.

Scott

[dheller97]

We're flying in the day before also. Had Disney arrange everything so I wouldn't have to worry about it. From what I can gather on the boards, we think they are putting us in MCO Hyatt too. Maybe we'll see you there!

KARYN - DON'T PACK YOUR DOUBLE DIGIT DANCING SHOES; TIME IS GETTING CLOSE!


Dean

[Kabuli1]

I am so not ready to do the double digit dance! It's not a Grinch or Scrooge kind of thing - just that it means there's that much more to do and that much less time! I can't believe how horrible this is!

I can honestly say that there will probably never be a time when I will need a cruise more!

It's a beautiful day and I have more daylilies to dig! More books to pack, more stuff to toss, more walls to paint . . . . . !

Karyn

[dheller97]

Whew, girl! :crazy2: :scared:

Take a deep breath, grab a cooler, put your feet up, and think: Grand Cayman, stingrays, Cozumel, dolphins, Castaway Cay, beach, spa, room service, Jimmy Buffet's, Palo's.......

Don't know about you, but I feel more relaxed, HA! :laughing:

Dean

[OKWMEMBER]

Boat drinks!!! Waitress, I need two more boat drinks!!! :crazy:
Then I'm headin' south 'fore my dream shrinks!

I gotta go where it's warm!!! :sunny:

Hang in there, Karyn!!!

[dheller97]

Hello, group-

Just bumping this up from page 5. Hope everyone had a great weekend.

Karyn, did you get all of your posies dug up yet? If not, I hope you hurry up so we can get you back here more often. No offense, but it is pretty quite without you around. Feel like I need to whisper so I don't wake anyone.

Gary, have you given any more thought to what we can do so we recognize everybody at port? I've been to the DISshop but waiting to hear from others. Hate to be the only one in lime green shirt and everyone else have waterproof wallets around their necks :laughing:

If there are any lurkers for this group, come on out and let us know so we can give you a proper "howdy, neighbor".

Have a good week, everyone.
Dean

:earsboy: :earsgirl: :earsboy:

[Kabuli1]

We got all the way down to page 5???? I'm really slipping up on the job! Sorry!

Well. yes, the daylilies are all dug and today I need to mail them out to Seattle for my nephew to put in the ground. Then I need to start work on the inside of my house! Every room of the house has something that needs to be done. Just don't know where to start. :crazy2:

I tell you, I need a boat drink! (well, it's kinda early in the am right now, but you know what I mean.)

I'm going to be wearing lime green - you'll know me, at the front of the line in LIME! I'm trying to get prototype t-shirts for the 2004 10-day Christmas cruise for us to wear - those should be lime as well. So maybe Randy and Jill will also be decked out in that shade! ::yes::

So until next time,
:tilt: Karyn :tilt:

[Annie12345]

Good morning Karen... Just take it one room at a time... everything will get done, and you will truly enjoy your boat drinks!!

Have a great day everyone!
Ann

[OKWMEMBER]

Dean, I'm getting a lime green DIS shirt and Gail's getting the white one.

We found out there are a lot of lurkers out there from our last cruise (Are you out there John and Cheryl?) I kept running into them around the ship. (So YOU'RE okwmember!!! You looked a lot taller on the board! ;) )

Closer and closer to the DDD (Double Digit Dance)!!!:bounce:

HADD!!!:wave: :wave2:

[dheller97]

OK, Gary, I got the lime green shirt too. ::yes:: It may be just you and me all decked out in the DIS-best but at least we'll recognize each other :teeth:

What's a good Disney "liquid refreshment" to celebrate the dance of the double digits?:headache:

Karyn: I'm sending you a PM. Let me know when you get a minute, please.

Have a good evening everyone.

Dean

[OKWMEMBER]

I have the recipe for the Goombay Smash from the pool bar at the Carribean Beach Resort!!! I've got to find out what's in a Turtle Krawl form the Gurgling Suitcase at Old Ket West.:hyper:

Almost there!!! (Stay on target...) DDD!!!:bounce:

HADD! :wave: :wave2:

[kmc33]

I have a Konk Kooler recipe that I got from these boards. We loved the Konk Koolers at Castaway Cay. I am going to make a batch to celebrate and do a double digit dance! :boat:

[Kabuli1]

NOOOOOO DOUBLE DIGITS YET!!!!!!!

Whimper, sigh! It's too soon!!!

Send me those drinks!

Karyn

[dheller97]

OK, you guys ready?

I think I have everything for our double digit dance. Let's see.... tap shoes, 8 track player, Jimmy Buffett tapes, pitcher each of Goombay Smash, Turtle Crawl, Konk Kooler, Bahama Mama, Mimosa, Cayman Schooner, Paradise Cocktail, Tropical Depression and some "virgin" margarittas for the the younger crowd.

YEP, I'm ready - just holler when the rest of you are! I'll be the tipsy one in the lime green t-shirt laying next to the lounge chair. :crazy:

Dean :wave2:

[Kabuli1]

Heading down to Lexington, Ky for #2 DS's wind ensemble concert - be back tomorrow.

I need to get away from the dust - got a sinus infection!

Hold the fort! We be seeing double digits soon!

Karyn

[kmc33]

Here is the Konk Kooler recipe that I tried at home. I thought it was pretty close to what we had on Castaway Cay...

1/2 can cream of coconut
3 ounces light rum
3 ounces dark rum
1/2 of a 12oz can frozen passion fruit juice concentrate (Welches)
4 oz of orange juice
2-3 cups of ice
Add all together in a blender until very fine and smooth

Sit on your beach chair on Castaway Cay and enjoy... or if that's not possible put on some Jimmy Buffet, think warm thoughts and put on your double digit dancing shoes!!!!

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

[OKWMEMBER]

Goombay Smash

1 1/4 ounce of Meyer's Rum
3/4 ounce of coconut rum (Malibu Rum works nicely)
1/2 ounce of Rock Candy Syrup
1 1/2 ounce of Sour Mix
3 ounces of Pineapple Juice

The pride of the Carribean Beach Resort! :crazy:

Dean, you and I are going to be dangerous on this cruise! I have several Carribean Soul t-shirts to bring along with my lime green DIS shirt, along with my Hawaiian party shirts! :smooth:

"I was supposed to have been a Jesuit Priest or a Naval Academy Grad...."

Since we are flying to Orlando the day before the cruise, I am going to wait for everyone else and not officially do the DDD until Friday. Then I'm going to boogie down with my bad self!!!!!

:bounce: :Pinkbounc: :goodvibes: :3dglasses:
HADD!!!:wave: :wave2:

[dheller97]

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Can't get these kind of recipes on the Food Channel!! Keep 'em coming!


Diggin' out some old tye-dyed shirts and dusting off the bandana as I stumble over my deck chair to put another tape in the 8-track.:upsidedow
Dean

[Annie12345]

We will definitely be getting DIS shirts, but I have to still work on DH to get him to wear the lime green... I'm pretty sure Gary will be able to help out when we see him next weekend! Right Gary?? BTW those drink recipes look great!!!

[OKWMEMBER]

I have contacted a local outfit that does hats and visors!!! After talking to him on the phone, he can do monogramed hats and/or visors for about $12 a piece. I 'm going to meet with him Saturday to get more details. I would like a preliminary head count to see how many of you would be interested and whether you want a hat or visor. We can have both, it's NOT either or! Also , ideas for what to put on them would be welcomed! If there's a DIS rep out there, can we mention the DIS on them, such as "10/31/03 DIS Cruise"? Inquiring minds wnat to know!:confused:

The more we get, the cheaper they will be, obviously. He also said that USA made items are about $1 more, so you can also chime in on that for preference.

That's all for now. If you can, let me know by Friday night!

Don't trip over the cooler, Dean!!! :faint: :tilt:

HADD!!!:wave: :wave2:

[dheller97]

Ann, I got the lime-green t-shirt for me and the gray one for DW. Thought that way everyone could say “look at that guy in his lime-green t-shirt tripping over his cooler” and be the only one that would stand out like a sore thumb. Got notification the shirts shipped today.

Gary, count me in for whatever design everyone else likes. Will probably go with one visor and two hats. If there’s anything I can help with, just turn down my 8-track and holler at me. I’d be glad to help.

Karyn, hurry back! I’m starting to slur my wordz and donut no if I kin safe yu a double digit drunk, or drink, until you git bak. My tongue is a-gittin in front of my eye teeth an kan’t see what I’m sayin’.

Have a good rest of the day folks. If you can’t have a good day, have a cold Kooler! :scared:

Dean

[OKWMEMBER]

Tomorrow, tomorrow, we're dancing tomorow!!!
It's only a day away!!!

Thankya, thankya veramuch!!! :smooth:

HADD!!!:wave: :wave2:

[Scott5150]

In less than 100 days, we will be on the Magic and eating lunch at the buffet!

Just needed a little excitement on a cold October day.

Scott

[OKWMEMBER]

Dancin', dancin', Dancin'!!!!
I'm a dancin' machine!!!!!!! :bounce:

OK, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls!!!
It's time to get up and boogie!!!! :Pinkbounc:

All skate!!! Open dance floor!!! ::yes::

It's DDD Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :hyper: :cool1:

HADD!!!:wave: :wave2: