August 7, 2004 Magic...who's going?

[eye R.N.]

We hope everything goes well. Tell her to hang in there this procedure should bring some relief.

[mom2missmous]

Hi all! Been a while, you might not even remember me (tee-hee)! Have been lurking for a while since I forgot my passwrd and grad school has been a lot more demanding then I thought it would be this year, but decided to take a chance on a password that made sense and..yippee! Hope everything works out for you , Shelly! August seems so far away, but it is so nice to think about especially when the weather is bad or things get too hectic! So here is wishing for some pixie dust to bring good luck and good health to everyone as we continue to count down the days!

[wendym]

Hi all
Shelley - I hope everything gets sorted out soon. We will both be praying for you.
Denise - how did Andy's job interview go?
We broke up Friday thankfully and mum and I went up to the Isle of Skye for a few days which was glorious. A few comments from colleagues that they didn't think that Disney had a theme park up there! However the peace and scenery certainly helped to destress me. Now to get started on my next essay.
Cannot wait to see you all - both old and new friends!
Happy Easter/Pasover to you all.
Wendy and Doreen

[luv2boys]

Jesse is being mean to me!!! He is back in St. Thomas working. He told me he woke up this morning, sat up in bed, looked out the window, and there she was - the Disney Magic!:bitelip:


Update on Nicholas - after about eight weeks, grown 2 inches. Really thinned out and losing that pudginess.

Amy

[sbennett]

Thanks everyone for your concerns and prayers.....I'm still hurting but they say it may take up to 10 days to get the full effect of the Cortisone. I wish it'd hurry up! I can stand up a little straighter but it still hurts to walk. So I'm staying stationary as much as possible....not great for trying to lose weight!
Kids are getting excited about the cruise, we're thinking of doing Universal (sorry) before the cruise, but we're still staying at Boardwalk, just to do something different. Anyone have any thoughts or comments? We have 3 nites reserved thru DVC at Boardwalk Villas. I figured I won't be doing too many rides this year!!!

[jeanneg]

Hi mom2missmous: so happy to hear from you again....please all you newbies, jump right in....we really need to get this party started!

Amy: so happy to hear about Nick's progress. 2 inches is a great accomplishment! About Jesse being in St. Thomas......that must feel weird.....being so close to the Magic, but not being able to get on.

Shelley: hang in there, girl.....hopefully the shots will take effect soon and you'll be back to your old self again. I've got a suggestion for doing Universal that might take your mind off the pain. When we cruised in 2001 we used all our DVC points for the cruise so we decided to stay at Universal since we hadn't been there in a while. We managed to get a really good package deal (I think it was 3 nights for the price of 2) at their Portofino Resort. The best part about it was that if you stay at one of their hotels you get these "front of the line" passes that were absolutely fantastic! They are like an unrestricted fast-pass because there was no limit to how often you used them. I'm not a big fan of Universal, but we decided that as long as they have that perk the only way to do that park is to wait 4 or 5 years and then stay several nights on property. I remember we did Spiderman 3 times in a row within about 30 minutes and kept passing by the same people who were waiting on line for well over an hour!

Wendy and Doreen: so glad you had a nice vacation!

Happy Easter/Passover to everyone!

P.S. I saw "Secret Window" yesterday......you all know how much I love Johnny Depp......I got such a chuckle seeing him in BRACES! Fortunately mine are now gone so Jen can't tease me anymore!

[gometros]

Shelley - so sorry to hear about the herniated discs. Hope that you'll start feeling better soon.

I've had a few exciting weeks - some good, some bad. I had to fly down to Boca Raton this past weekend, since my dad was admitted to the ICU with a severe astham attack. This was the second time in two weeks. He had been in for a week and was released a week ago Friday. He never fully recovered and my mom took him back last Wednesday. They had to intubate him and it looked pretty bad for a while. I flew down Friday morning and came back Sunday night. They were supposed to have come up north for Passover, so my mom hadn't expected to need anything down there. He's being moved out of ICU today, but he's got a long road to recovery and I doubt that they'll be joining us on the cruise :sad:

On a positive note, my contract at Exult ended on Friday and I've already landed another contract with Medco here in Montvale (about 10 minutes from my house). I've been dying to get into the pharmaceutical industry, because there are so many up here, but usually you need pharma experience, so I'm glad I finally got my foot in the door. So, I get a little break before starting on the 19th.

You all have a Happy Easter and lets keep counting down those days until the cruise.

[jeanneg]

Hi Sandy:
Sorry to hear about your dad......I hope things are looking up for him. I know how difficult it can be when aging parents live so far away.
Congratulations on your new contract. Exactly what will you be doing for the pharm. company? I remember Montvale very well.....sat through many a swim meet at their swim club!

[wendym]

Amy - what wonderful news about Nicholas - we both send him our love.
Sandy - I hope your dad continues to do better and good luck with the new contract.
Shelley - I hope the pain is going. I can echo what Jeanne says about the Universal hotels. We are staying 2 nights at the Hard Rock in October - mum loves it there! I am the one that finds it too loud. The front of the line passes are amazing.
Just away to prepare a meal for friends so the house is filled with lovely smells!
Love to all.
Wendy

[gometros]

Testing their POS (point of sales) system. It will be nice to go to an office and interact with people again :)

[sbennett]

Hi everyone,
I contacted Ron Jon resort and was told that a studio for Aug. 6th is $130. Denise, is the rate of $98 for a studio for more than one night?
Who else is staying at Ron Jon? We have a reservation at the Radisson but may change not sure yet.
Does anyone know if the menus on the cruise will be changing before we cruise? Jay and I want to do Palo's one night and are trying to figure out when....or is there something already in the works for a group dining experience at Palo's? ....it's been so long since I thought about it. Have nothing else to do nowadays but think about how much fun we will have in August!! Getting "cabin fever" can't stand not being able to do anything!!

[jeanneg]

Hi Shelley,
Glad to have you back. $130 is the correct rate for the studio at Ron Jon. What you need.....and I will try to find it.......is the correct coupon code from FL magazine which gives you a 25%discount. ($98 is that rate with the discount applied.) We are already booked for the evenings of 8/5 and 8/6 but we're in a 1-Bedroom unit. I belive the studios only sleep 4 and we'll be 5 this time. With the discount our room comes to $142.50 per night plus room tax which brings it to $156.75 ($195 base rate w/o discount). We decided this was actually cheaper than staying at the Radisson where we would have to book 2 separate rooms. We're not doing the parks this time as we have had several mini-Disney vacations this year. We'll be driving down again and I think staying at the Ron Jon will be a nice way to unwind before the cruise. I know Wendy and Sandy plan to stay elsewhere but we'll have a car so we can possibly arrange to meet somewhere for dinner if anyone would like. When it comes time to get to the port, I predict we'll probably bite the bullet again and park in their lot. I know $70 would buy a ton of conch coolers but it's so darn convenient.
Some thoughts about Palo.....I know we briefly talked about a group dinner, but I'm not 100% sure we'll be participating in that.
Both Jenni and Jason are dying to go there and after the disappointment we experienced last time with Jason's birthday still several days away, we absolutely promised them that we'd do this time around. For me, Palo is so special, that doing it more than once may make it somewhat less so. Plus, it truly is an awful lot of food to eat twice in a week and now that the cost has gone up to $10/person (and we always add more) it's going to cost us a pretty penny. I'm very easy to please foodwise and can always find lots of things on the regular dining menu that appeal to me....not to mention the fact that we usually love our regular servers. So considering all that, I think we'll most likely only do dinner there one night. Again, I have no interest in the champagne buffet. I was not overly impressed with the tea itself, however, John and I had such a nice time socializing with everyone at that event, I would be happy to do it again and coordinate it for us as the time gets closer. Another group of cruisers had the great idea of meeting in Parrot Cay for lunch on the sea-day they have the buffet there. They plan to give the wait staff a heads up the day before so they might be able to put together several larger tables to accommodate the size of the group. This is something we might consider doing.

I'll try to find the Ron Jon code and report back!

[wendym]

We're staying at the Oceanside Inn again - hey it's free and we are typical Aberdonians!! We should still have the hire car and would be delighted to meet up. Our plan would be to leave our timeshare early and we would be in Cocoa Beach about midday on the friday.
Jeanne, you certainly have to do Palos as a family to make up for the disappointment of last year. Mum and I happy to do anything.
Wendy

[eye R.N.]

Shelly, glad you are feeling better.

Sandy, hope your dad is doing better. Those quick trip to Fla can be exhausting.

Jeanne is right about ron jon's I know that I used a coupon code but for the life of me I can't remember what it was. We are doing the same thing driving down and staying there the 5th and 6th. As for transportation, Andy will drop us off and than get a cab back from ron jon's. I'm glad I booked the one bedroom right now it looks like a family vacation.

I think we are doing Palo with Chelsea this year. I too think one night is enough.

I will be happy to do the ressie thing for the Champange brunch and open it up to everyone 18 and up (but no alcohol unless your 21) It gives me a great excuse to get to the port early.

I tried moving our Cat 8 & 11 to two Cat 9's but at this point they wouldn't even guarantee they would be on the same floor let alone close to each other.

[gometros]

I agree that for Palo one night is enough, but that group lunch in PArrot Cay sounds like a great idea. Especially considering you guys will all be on the late seating and I can't move Judy from the early seating.

The trip is getting really ocmplicated for us. Odds are that becuase of the recent events with my dad, my folks will not be joining us, which means if all three of my kids go, we have a room problem. Anybody have an extra bed? :teeth:

Adding to that is the fact that Elana won a trip to Israel which will be in AUgust, but we don't know the dates yet. In our town, we twi with six towns from six different countries and one of them is Beit Shemesh in Israel. We (I'm the current past chair of the committee that runs it) select five or six kids to go based on an essay competition and foot all the expenses. Sara went on this trip in AUgust 2000 and now it's Elana's turn. If the two trips coincide, I'm trying to convince Elana that the Israel trip is a once in a lifetime opportunity. If they overlap, that could cause problems. NOthing is ever easy.

[wendym]

Group lunch at Parrot Cay sounds great and thanks Jeanne and Denise for offering to organise the tea and brunch again!
Elana would love the trip to Israel - I still have many found memories of my two trips there.
Wendy

[jeanneg]

Congratulations to Elana for winning the trip to Israel. I agree that it's more of a lifetime opportunity than DCL which she has already done and will probably do again, but it's SO HARD to willingly give up a cruise on the Magic! Hopefully, there will be no conflict and she can do both!

Shelley: I did some research and came up with this: I used coupon code #102 which was (I believe) from Florida Magazine. Denise claimed she used #300 and I don't know what that one refers to. Since it was awhile back, it's possible both have expired. My suggestion would be to go to the main cruise board and start a thread asking if anyone has a current discount code.
Generally, other DISers are very good about responding quickly.
Hope you're feeling better......

[MBFergie]

Hi all,

I haven't had time to read thru all the messages yet, but think we may be joining you all. Have to decide if it's too close to start of school..august 16 for my 2 kids.

Are there any 13y/o girls going? How about any boys 8 y/o. My DD has a blast last year since she met abunch of girls before hand thru the boards. Hope she can again this year!!

Hope to be cruisin' with ya'll.

Marie

[wendym]

Marie
Welcome! We don't have any children - just me (34) and my Mum (70) but others do. eyeRN's (Denise) daughter may be almost 13 - Hope I apologise but I cannot remember how old you are! Sure others will be able to help.
Wendy

[jeanneg]

Welcome Marie,
Don't kid yourself....Wendy's mum is probably the biggest kid of all!
Hope you can join us. I know how it is with the school situation. I believe we begin August 9th this year in Raleigh, which seems totally insane to me. Mine will all be in college so they start a little later. We just got word that Jen is supposed to report to Lehigh in PA on Thursday 8/12......which is a problem. She is an RA and needs to do some training and set-up work before all the freshmen arrive the following weekend. I had to fax up the cruise confirmation to verify that she'd be away. They will excuse her provided she is there first thing Monday morning. That means we'll make a hasty departure from the ship on Saturday, drive straight home and let her take off alone Sunday morning. As long as she gets her little Honda loaded with all her stuff before we leave, it should be do-able. By comparision, living in FL and starting school on the 16th should seem like a piece of cake......just make sure you do all the back-to-school shopping ahead of time!

[wendym]

I start back on the 16th too! We're flying home straight after the cruise but of course don't arrive back in Aberdeen until the Sunday morning - won't I be in a lovely mood that Monday morning!!! The pupils won't suffer though as they don't come back till the Thursday.
Wendy
PS Jeanne - Mum loves the compliment!!

[sbennett]

Congratulations Elana on the trip....I pray it's to a safe area in Israel.

Thanks Jeanne for the info re: Ron Jon discount number ...I'll pursue that.

Our kids don't go back to school until after Labor Day....of course they don't get out of school until the end of June...graduation is the last Sunday in June around here.

Sorry Sandy, don't have an extra bed....hey..don't you have a veranda???:tongue:

My back is feeling better, finally, have doctor's appt on Monday for a follow-up.

Unfortunately..now we have car troubles...our 2000 Windstar is in need of tie rods...and other things are starting to act up as well so now we're car shopping...smaller car with better gas mileage since Jay has an hour commute each way to work.

Any rumors on excursions yet? I saw rumors of the Magic going to the west coast and new ship or ships coming to FL next year, anybody have an inside scoop?

[jeanneg]

Shelley: sorry about your car but happy that you're feeling better.

Sandy: any news yet on the dates of Elana's trip? Would it be possible to keep the 2 cabins but switch one to an inside room? We originally only booked one room; then Nikki decided to join us and we added the inside cabin right across from ours. Even without the $400 credit (which we didn't get) it wasn't too bad a deal. If you "change" rather than "add", your credit should be safe.

Don't talk to me about graduation.....I've got 3 coming up this year! Nikki is 5/15, Jason is 5/29 and Adam is 6/9. Gotta fly out to LA for the last one, but we won't be spending any fun time there. It's a Wednesday, which really kills John's work week. Furthermore, Adam leaves for NY the following day to film a pilot proposal for a movie with some NYU colleagues. Very exciting, but he's not getting paid! Looks like he'll be on our bank roll for a little bit longer! Anyhow, we have a ton of graduation dinners, award ceremonies, baccalaureate services, etc. all throughout May. The only good thing is that all our family and longtime friends are up north, so we can get away without having any graduation parties of our own!

[wendym]

Shelley - good luck car hunting!
Jeanne - poor you!!! What a hectic time - you will certainly need the cruise to recover!
Sitting here contemplating going back to my essay but can't get the motivation. Back to work on Tuesday unfortunately.
Wendy

[wendym]

Denise
You are not going to believe this but I have just seen you on British TV!!! I was supposedly working on my essay and I had a programme about the war between Eisner and Roy Disney on in the background. I turned round and saw you getting Disney's autograph - I was so taken aback I could hardly believe it! It is on later tonight again so am going to tape it so mum can see the "Star" as well!
Cannot wait to meet up with everybody again.
Wendy

[sbennett]

Wow Denise.....International Star how cool!!!

:smooth:

[eye R.N.]

Oh I hoped you taped it. I would love to have a copy of that for posterity. It was an amazing day. I was thinking about wearing my Save Disney T shirt to the parks next weeks, but I'm afraid I'll get kicked out. I may just opt for wearing the pin.

Shelley I am so glad you are feeling better. The 102 coupon code is supposed to work without a physical coupon. So save yourself some money. I know where you are with the car. We are sinking more money to Chelsea's, since finding another one right now is out of the question. Since it cost her $17 to fill her tank, she is thinking of riding her bike to work this summer.:)

Marie, Welcome we have a great group here. My youngest is 12 so she still isn't making it to the teen clubs. Much to her disappointment.

Elana, wow a trip to Israel. That should be an amazing experience.

Sandy, I'm not sure if our "kids room sleeps three or four" I expect it may be three since it is a cat 11. If I have a extra bed I'll let you know.

Jeanne, Thanks for making me laugh, when I start stressing over the graduation madness here, I'll just think of you.

[wendym]

Denise just added the video to the box of stuff for the cruise along with the cadbury's chocolate!! Only problem may be that our tapes are slightly different to yours but I am sure something can be done with it. Mum has watched it to confirm that it is you - neither can believe that I caught it!
When is Chelsea's graduation? We don't have high school graduations here so Mum only had my two to cope with.
Wendy

[EPCOTgrl1]

June 5th! at 2:30! I cant wait... i only have 32 more days of school left and i wont even be at all of those because of the disney trip next week...

[sbennett]

Denise

$17 to fill the tank.....I wish! Gas here is $1.98 per gallon on average. Some stations (especially here in East Hampton) is $2.39 a gallon....needless to say we drive over 20 miles to get gas for $1.77 per gallon. It cost well over $40 to fill the tank on our van....we purchased a 2004 Ford Focus 5 speed with a moon roof...silver with gray interior...wonderful stereo system in it. Got a Super deal too. Payments are less than they were for the van and no money down...0% financing. Jay will pick it up tomorrow. I won't be driving it for awhile until my back is better, due to the shifting....since it's my left hip that's subject to all the pain from the herniated discs. Thanks for the code for Ron Jon.

Jeanne

Wow...you are busy with Graduations. My youngest niece graduates from Elon in NC in May and my oldest niece (her sister) is getting married on Kristofer's birthday 07/10 in West Virginia.
Their parents (my brother and sister-in-law) live in Edenton, NC. So Heather's doing most of the planning for her wedding by herself. They're getting married in a vineyard....ought to be interesting!!! Heather says the people there aren't used to big weddings and receptions. Some of her fiance's family aren't coming because they have a 45 minute drive.....she told them..."well some of my family have a 13 hour drive, and they're coming!!" Courtney's upset since she wasn't asked to be a flower girl...she only has 2 female cousins....both of her cousins were in our wedding and so were their parents....but don't get me started. (Yeah...I'm upset too!)

Corey may be moving to Upper Nyack, NY to The Summit School which is a residential treatment facility. Not too far from Sandy and Judy supposedly. We have to take him up there for an interview once my back feels better and I can handle the 3 hour drive up there.....and they accept him there.

Come On August !!! Oh...and I've now lost 16 pounds!! Yeah!!!

[wendym]

Shelley - congrats on the weight loss - that is amazing. Your new car sounds lovely. Please tell Courtney not to worry about not being a flower girl. I've been a flower girl/bridesmaid 4 times - spilt coke down the first dress and of course it was white! At least she will get to choose an outfit that she will wear again!
Hope that the interview with Corey goes well.
Chelsea - only 32 days to go - that sounds good!
As for gas well we are approx $4.75 a gallon but then it has to come so far. Oh yes I forgot about all the oilrigs just miles from here!
Wendy

[EPCOTgrl1]

With a little tiny gas tank. Gas is about $1.77 a gallon here. Strangly enough it was cheaper at the resort beach last week.

Congrats on the new car, mom is jelous.

[jeanneg]

Congratulations, Chelsea....you graduate on my birthday!

Kudos, Denise....and the Emmy goes to........!!!!

Shelley.....congrats on your new car. If I was up there, I'd toss my loose change in it for good luck! That's GREAT about the weight loss! Any special diet? I need to lose quite a bit if I'm to fit in my last year's cruise clothes. I'm trying to eat small portions of healthy food, but it doesn't work. If I don't lose anything by the end of the month, it's back to Atkins, which always works but intellectually I hate doing. Did you book your room at Ron Jon's yet?

[charles1011]

Hi.

Sorry I haven't posted for awhile.

Did you all get a letter from DCL telling you that they were increasing the price by $2.95 per person because of port taxes in San Juan? This is already a fairly high priced cruise -- it seems like they should have absorbed the cost.

Just curious,

Charles

[sbennett]

Consider it at 2 drinks (we're a family of four):drinking1

[sbennett]

:Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce:
Did anyone else see the new excursion (www.*****************) shows? Jet Ski excursion of the ecosystem and mangroves of castaway cay. Looks interesting. $160 double for 50 minutes.
Not bad if you don't get a hot-dogging teenager on the tour. we have lots of jetskis around here but several accidents per year too by kids who think they're indestructable.

[gometros]

The advantages of living on the New Jersey border. I only have to drive five miles to save at least twelve cents a gallon on gas.

Sara solved our rooom problem for us. Her best friend's family invited her to join them on their cruise in June. Since she is first going to Isael for 10 days when school lets out and she hopes to be working at the theater where Elana goes to camp, she decided to go with her friend's family and not with us. I don't blame her. This way she'll be with a friend and won't have any work conflicts.

[jeanneg]

That's great news about Sara.....sounds like she's going to have an exciting summer! It's always more fun to cruise with a friend.

John and I are going crazy here with Jason. It's time to make that all important decision and all-of-a-sudden-totally-out-of-the-blue he's decided to go to UNC-Chapel Hill. In doing so, he's turning down a huge scholarship to Chapman and smaller scholarships to both Wash U. in St Louis and NYU's Tisch School. He is also turning down Wake Forest and USC in LA (where at least he can be near his brother). What John and I keep telling him is that he's just been offered the world and he's turning it down to stay in his own backyard. ARRRGH! Chapel Hill is a great school, but I'm not happy that over 80% of the students are from NC....we think he needs a broader exposure. Of course it ultimately is HIS decision AND Chapel Hill is truly a bargain for instate residents, but we just can't help thinking he's chooosing what's comfortable over what's really best for him. He's got all the "declines" filled out and ready to go, but I'm not mailing them until Friday.....there's always Wite-Out!

[gometros]

I know exactly how you feel, Jeanne. When Seth went through the application process, he had scholarship offers up the gazoo, but chose a school (Cornell) that doesn't give merit scholarships. I think they do it just to make us parents sweat :)

[jeanneg]

Yes, but Cornell is a superb institution and even though it's in NY, it's not in your own backyard. I'm sure Cornell pulls in students from all parts of our country as well as the world. It's important to relate to people from many different backgrounds and Jason will be missing that at UNC.

[wendym]

Oh how I am glad not to be a parent! Most of my pupils are delighted to escape their home town and go away to University but then in Scotland you are speaking at most 150 miles from home! But of course I can't speak as I stayed at home!
Good luck.
Wendy
PS Doreen likes the sound of the jet skis!

[eye R.N.]

My sister and I went to MGM on Saturday, since we could do what we wanted, we went to Millionaire. In our show I was the third one in the hotseat!!!!! I missed the cruise by four questions. But I do have the shirt, hat and lots of pins. I will now never forget the Letrera (or some other weird spelling) was the ancient name of Paris (I guess Munich)

[jeanneg]

Wow, that's amazing! How do you get into the hotseat? I've been there only once and I seemed to remember it was a fastest finger type thing, which I would never ever be able to do since I'm basically spastic. Maybe this time one of us will get to play it on the cruise! And maybe Sandy can do his Palo dinner that night so we can all be in the audience for the same show (hint, hint)

Hope you had a great trip.....I did not realize you were going to WDW so soon. Don't you also have a trip to CA coming up in the near future? That's what I call total immersion!


Wendy: I can relate to your experience. My college (NYU) was close enough to walk if I was too poor to come up with the 35-cent bus fare. I never knew what it was like to live in a dorm, which is probably why I hate sharing a bathroom to this day!

[gometros]

I can take a hint. It's usually on Wednesday nights, right? Or is that movie night?

I don't know if anyone so the detailed article about the summer 2005 cruise rumors, but they're saying the repositioning cruises may be 14 days and reasonably priced at around $2400 for a cat 6. If the dates work out, I'm going to try my damnest to convince Judy that we ought to do it.

Check it out at http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/cruise-new/cruise-rumor.htm

[musicalSaranader]

Originally posted by gometros
I don't know if anyone so the detailed article about the summer 2005 cruise rumors, but they're saying the repositioning cruises may be 14 days and reasonably priced at around $2400 for a cat 6. If the dates work out, I'm going to try my damnest to convince Judy that we ought to do it.

Hellooooooo a 14-day Disney cruise would be the absolute best!!! Don't try to convince mommy, actually convince her; I'll help! :hyper:

[wendym]

Denise - well done! That was wonderful to do so well! We got to be in the fastest finger seats once which was great fun.
We would love to do a repositioning cruise but the dates are no use with school. However I have registered interest for the July 9th cruise as that would get us back for Disneylands 50th b'day on 17th July.
Wendy

[jeanneg]

Oh no, don't tell me you guys are making plans for 2005 already!
I am officially begging out. It's bad enough we weren't supposed to do the cruise again this year and I end up sailing not once but twice! The repositioning cruise is totally out of the question for us since there's no way John can be gone from his practice that long.
You guys are a terrible influence! Besides, I'm afraid the next cruise we do will be Alaska since hubby really wants to go there. I'm hoping that if I stall long enough we can go there on a Disney cruise.

[wendym]

Jeanne
I wasn't going to be booking another cruise either and will only do so if the price is right! I want to go to Disneyland in 2005 anyway and this would fit in - Mum loves the cruises but they are getting expensive. I am so lucky that I can go for a month at a time, although the credit cards say otherwise!
Also why do you think I stayed at home - no way was I staying in a dorm - I liked my home comforts too much! However if I had moved away to university it is likely I wouldn't have completed the course as my dad became ill and died then and I wouldn't have wanted to leave mum. So everything worked for the best me staying at home.
Wendy

[jbennett]

Hello all,

You all know Shleey and I from her posts, but I decided that I could keep track here at work! So this is Jay, Shelley's husband!
:earsboy: :earsboy: :earsboy: :earsgirl: :earsgirl:

[gometros]

Uh oh, Jay found the DIS Boards! Watch out, now SShelley has to say nice things about him :)

[gometros]

Originally posted by musicalSaranader
Hellooooooo a 14-day Disney cruise would be the absolute best!!! Don't try to convince mommy, actually convince her; I'll help! :hyper:

Forget it Sara, I just noticed the rumored dates. If thesedates are correct, May 14th – May 28th (from Port Canaveral to Long Beach, CA) and Aug 20th – Sept 3rd, then there is no way we can do it, unless, of course, mommy and I go alone :rolleyes:

[musicalSaranader]

Originally posted by gometros
Forget it Sara, I just noticed the rumored dates. If thesedates are correct, May 14th – May 28th (from Port Canaveral to Long Beach, CA) and Aug 20th – Sept 3rd, then there is no way we can do it, unless, of course, mommy and I go alone :rolleyes:

WELL then I guess you can't do it, because there's NO WAY you're going on a 2-week Disney cruise without me! :snooty: :p

[wendym]

Welcome Jay - glad to see somebody else looks at the boards during work!
Sandy - I think it would be a perfect second honeymoon for you and Judy!!
Wendy

[jbennett]

Actually friends, what I need to do is spell my wife's name correctly! After nearly 15 years i can't spell it!

We are so looking forward to the cruise after the AWFUL week we have had! Just another "event-filled" week in the Bennett house! :( There MUST be a light at the end of this "tunnel" our family is in!

On the up side, my Mom is doing very well after Dad's death. She goes out twice per week to the local Senior Citizen nutrition program with some of her friends. It's great for her socialization.

Kristofer and Courtney are doing well in school and involved in a play/writing workshop after school!

Corey is still hospitalized and will hopefully be moving to a long term residential program at a school in Upper Nyack, NY.

The cruise can't come soon enough for us!

See you all very soon!

Jay

[jeanneg]

you're on the way to getting "hooked"! Now if I could just get my husband to post once in awhile.......

[sbennett]

Ahoy!
Well since we downgraded to a catagory 11, they weren't able to give us a cabin number just GTY......until today. I had read all the posts about getting upgraded when you had GTY, guess that won't happen now, wish it would. Sure could use some positive things happening. I just checked to see if they had gotten my payment and I see we will be staying in cabin 7541. Seems to be a good location, midship, starboard side right near the midship stairs.
Come on AUGUST!!!

[gometros]

Did anyone notice that we are under 100 days?

[wendym]

Hi Shelley
Think we are going to be neighbours!! Cannot find my details at the moment but we are very close I am sure though we may be on the other side.
Now we are in double digits does that mean time goes faster?
Wendy

[wendym]

Just found the number on Sandy's cruise list - saves me hunting out the confirmation - we're in 7567 which is on the other side of the elevators.
Wendy

[sbennett]

Wendy,
That's cool.....maybe we'll be near you at dinner too like last year, that would be neat...can we request that we be near everyone?

[jeanneg]

Wow....less than 100 days to go!!!! Time to get up and do the double digit dance! (which means we gotta generate some excitement here, folks......newbies, let's hear from you!)

Sandy: I was just looking at your list and it seems we have the same cabin, just on opposite sides of the ship. Considering we both made our ressies on the ship, that's pretty interesting.
Also, I see that mom2missmous (donna) will be in #7120. That's the one we're getting in October. Supposedly it's really a cat 5 but they downgrade it to a cat 7 because it's the last open veranda on that side and has just the tiniest bit of obstruction.
Donna, I hope you don't mind if I come and visit you so I can get a preview of what's awaiting me!

Well, it's official....Jason is going to be a Tarheel. My heart is breaking because I feel like I'm severing my ties with NYC, but it's his choice to make. The good news is that we'll be saving tons of money! So goes life.....

Can't remember if I mentioned this to anyone on this board, but we'll be moving shortly. Now that Jay will be leaving, we've decided to downsize and are having a new smaller home built for us. It's only about 5 minutes away from where we are now, but it won't be considered Raleigh anymore. The builder originally targeted mid-July for completion, but it looks like it may not be until the later part of August. We already blocked out the first part of August as not being suitable for closing because of you-know-what. As soon as the frame is up they will give us a precise date and then we can go apply for the mortgage. I'm planning to put our present home on the market around the first of June, which means I get to be a raving lunatic b*t*h for as long as it's being shown! Not something I'm looking forward to........Shelley, I'm gonna need all the funny emails you can find! I still have the one about the Christmas cookies and think I'll probably need to whip up a batch!

[wendym]

Jeanne - good luck with the house. It seems everyone but us in our family is moving. My grandparetns moved so often that Mum swore never to move - so she has been in the same house since 1958! My brother, the joiner is in great demand - we wait for years to get anything done!
I've just made dining reservations for MNSSHP today - the computers are down but they can make the dining reservations - however I had to tell them what to do! Mum thinks it is hilarious that I can tell them what to do.
Wendy

[wendym]

It's the May Day holiday here today and as a Trade Unionist's daughter had a great day! Just made reservations with the Carousel Inn for Disneyland's 50th birthday - so if I do decide to go on a 2005 cruise with DCL I have hotel reservations! Also booked yesterday for La Nouba at WDW - AP holders are getting a 25% discount for Category 2 tickets this summer. Also it looks like discounts for WDW hotels are coming - the Florida Visa codes look like $69 for Pop Century which would make our July booking $41 less! So roll on summer:Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce:
Wendy

[sbennett]

well l tried to get the discount but....no....it expired. A studio is $160 per night and with AAA discount you only save 10%. It's cheaper for us to stay at the Radisson in a one bedroom suite...so that's where we'll be.

[jeanneg]

Shelley: check your PMs

Re the Ron Jon resort......why don't you start a thread and ask if anyone has a current coupon code. You could post it on both the cruise and hotel boards. I'm sure you'll get a prompt reply as this board is very responsive.

[gometros]

Originally posted by sbennett
well l tried to get the discount but....no....it expired. A studio is $160 per night and with AAA discount you only save 10%. It's cheaper for us to stay at the Radisson in a one bedroom suite...so that's where we'll be.

That's ok, Shelley, we can have our own little party.

I started thinking about visiting Disneyland for the 50th birthday celebration. I mentioned it to Judy last night and as expected, didn't get any positive indications. Her only answer was that she likes WDW (translation - she doesn't have to fly to WDW). Anybody want to come with me to DL?

Good luck on the house Jeanne, sounds like you have a busy summer ahead.

[wendym]

Mum and I will be there 16th - 20th July but the question is could you keep up with us!!!!

[musicalSaranader]

Originally posted by gometros
I started thinking about visiting Disneyland for the 50th birthday celebration. I mentioned it to Judy last night and as expected, didn't get any positive indications. Her only answer was that she likes WDW (translation - she doesn't have to fly to WDW). Anybody want to come with me to DL?

OOH OOH CAN I COME??? I don't remember last time I was there...after all, it was when I was an embryo :p .

[jeanneg]

I'm gonna get flamed for saying this, but I think I'm a little OD'd on the parks for a while. Maybe if I could do them like a civilized person it would be different, but no, I'm always in commando mode. With DL this past November and DW in March, I'm going to wait until they have a few more new attractions. Now of course if Jason had accepted the huge scholarship he got from Chapman U., he would have been about 5 minutes away from DL and I would have gotten him a CA resident AP for next to nothing.......

[wendym]

I used to be commando but with AP's its silly but it really slows me down. We go for a couple of hours in the morning and then back at night. Last year at DL we were lucky enough to have the unlimited fastpass tickets for the 5 days so again we took it easy.
Wendy

[MBFergie]

Hey all...
I just called DCL to find out about the shore excursions in San Juan. They aren't up on site yet but I spoke with an awesome CM who told be about them (I think she was exhausted from all the people calling on the CA cruises).

Anyway, this is a sketchy list of what she told me. I tried to type while she was talking. I think I want to do the walking tour of the falls in the rain forest since my DS is too young for horseback riding.

I wish this cruise was coming up sooner!! I am off in 2 weeks on a 3 day cruise on RCL Majesty with girlfriends to celebrate my turning one of those O-Brithdays.

My DD is in search of a friend on the ship. She just turned 13 (and I just got 100 more grey hairs!!)

Take care, be safe

Marie

old/new sj tour
rain forest
horseback $79 pp (1 hour drive to hacinsa, paso house on SW coast of PR, refreshments back at ranch, 4 hours) 10 and up :(
bike ride
kayak
beach golf
catamaran snorkel
another snorkel tour
old sj walking tour

natural walk thru falls....1 hour ride...3000' high peaks...stop el bronco grando..natural pool
observation tour...specatulaly falls..swim 6 hours total
$39/$29

bacardi rum tour
beach day

[sbennett]

Thanks for the investigative work!!
Courtney would love to do the horseback riding (even though she's never been she loves horses) but with my current back problems I don't think it'll be a good idea. The nature walk sounds nice...but the back again!!!
hummmm Bicardi Rum tour....there you go...go on that first then who cares about the back!!!:drinking1 :happy2:

[wendym]

Marie
Thank you so much for the info - I bet the cast member was delighted to speak about anything else! I too like the sound of the natural walk through the falls - I just won't mention the walking to mum!
Wendy

[jeanneg]

Marie,
Thanks for all the great info. I've been to PR several times and perhaps I can offer some insight.

The $39/29 seems like a great price for the Rain Forest Tour. I wouldn't call it a "breathtaking" experience, but it is very interesting and if you've never been to a rainforest before would probably be a worthwhile experience. Since it's 6 hours, is lunch included? If so, it's an even better deal. I don't recall an admission fee to the rainforest although there may be a small one for parking or to access the tower. However, it is quite a distance away and most of the fee is probably going to transportation.

Do you know what they're charging for the Bacardi Tour? We've done this several times because I personally love factory tours and do them whenever I have the opportunity, but keep in mind the tour is completely FREE. Whatever you're paying would be totally for transportation. It's just across the bay from San Juan, but is about half an hour drive. Best of all, unlimited (albeit small) free rum drinks! I believe they offer rum and coke, pina coladas and just plain Coke for the kids. Their gift shop has very good prices and they sell a type of rum that you can't get anywhere else

Does the walking tour of Old San Juan include El Moro? That's the fort you always see on ads for PR and is to them what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. This is something you definitely don't want to miss seeing and, if I recall correctly, takes a few hours to do it justice. I'm not certain where the ship will dock, but if you can't walk to it, it will only be a short cab ride away.

My favorite attractions are the casinoes that you'll find in new San Juan. I definitely plan on dropping a roll or two of quarters into the slot machines!

Hope this helps with planning.

[mom2missmous]

Hi everyone! I promise to post more often once things slow down in school. Since I teach Spanish, I have been going crazy getting ready for our Cinco De Mayo celebration (the whole school makes and displays crafts: we bring in a group to perform and break pinatas among other things.) But just wanted to tell Jeanneg that you are more than welcome to come visit our cabin, in fact any of our other friends please feel free to come say hi! We are looking forward to meeting our new friends! Talk to you all soon! Hasta luego! Donna

[gometros]

I have a little bad news to share with you guys. It looks very much like we won't be joining you on the Aug. 7th. Elana trip to Israel will be from Aug. 2nd or 3rd, returning the 13th and we really don't want to be out of the country while she's in Israel. We're not sure what we are going to do yet. We're looking at maybe the Aug. 21st. cruise or maybe wait until next year.

On a side note, if you have a few seconds, say a little prayer for my dad. He's not doing well at all. I figure every little bit helps. Thanks.

[jeanneg]

Oh Sandy, I'm so sorry to hear you won't be joining us. I wish there was someway around the situation, but of course as a parent, I understand completely. It just won't be the same without you and Judy!
I'm also sorry that your dad is not doing well. Maybe you're being encouraged to stay close to home for a reason. I will definitely keep him in my prayers. We are going to miss you terribly.

[wendym]

Oh Sandy we will miss you and Judy but understand totally your decision. Your Dad will be in our prayers.
Donna - I hope things slow down at school for you soon. Things are hectic at my school as well - one class did tell me I was rather stressed today!
Wendy

[sbennett]

Oh you are all in our prayers with an extra emphasis on your father. So sorry you won't be joining us, but totally understand wanting to be home while your daughter's out of the country.
We'll miss you both. Please keep us posted on your father's progress. Remember God's watching out for all his children.

[wendym]

Shelley
There is a new code out for Ron Jons - it doesn't say for how much but may be worth checking.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=565160
Wendy

[jeanneg]

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms! OK, I know it's a little late in the day but Survivor was 3 hours tonight! Can't say I was pleased with the final two.......Tomorrow I'm going to vote for Ruppert!

Shelley: I just saw that Wendy found a new Ron Jon's code. You realize that if Sandy has to cancel, you'll be all alone at the Radisson! BTW, where are all our new friends staying? Maybe this time we can arrange a successful mini-meet.
Sandy, Sandy: if you leave us what becomes of the list? I would do it but I don't think I know how. What program do you use?

[sbennett]

Hi all,
Went to the doctor's today and got good news, he doesn't want to see me back for 3 months!! Told me to swim and walk...best things for the back...wonder if we can get him to write that down so we could get a solar heater for the pool as medical need to prolong the swimming season?
Happy belated Mother's Day to all.
I've emailed Ron Jon with new code...let's see what they come up with. I can NEVER get through on the phone.
Had "interview" for Corey at Summit School in Upper Nyack last week, waiting to hear their decision.

[wendym]

Shelley - that is wonderful news!! Will be keeping our fingers crossed about Corey.
Wendy

[eye R.N.]

I'm back from all my travels.

Sandy, Your dad is in our prayers. I'm so sorry you won't be joining us, but the reasons are so understandable.

Shelly, I'm glad you are feeling better. Don't rule out an upgrade quite yet, I'm sure things change at the 60 day mark.

Jeanne, I'm with you right now I am parked out to the MAX. The only thing that will get me close to Orlando is if Chelsea gets her job and I go to visit her.

San Deigo was beautiful. The weather was perfect (folks there thought it was too hot, not me) It was a trial to sit in seminars when the weather outside was calling.

I did get to Coranodo Island on the last day. What a charming little place. The hotel Coranodo was breathtaking.

Got to DL for the opening of the Tower or Terror. Sorry gang, it just doesn't compare to WDW. It is interesting that they load on two different floor and you start and end the ride at the same place. Guess I'm just a Fla. girl at heart.

[wendym]

Denise
Isn't San Diego great! Mum and I had sunday brunch once at the Del and it was out of this world - even better than bruch on the Queen Mary!
I've seen pictures of DL's Tower and it looks nowhere near as good.
Wendy

[sbennett]

Just found out from Ron Jon' s that the new code 260 only gives a 10% discount....not worth switching from Radisson it's $100 more....that's quite a few conch coolers!

[jeanneg]

Shelley: Sorry the Ron Jon thing didn't work out. I agree, $100 can be put to lots of good use on the ship instead. RJ worked out especially well for us this year because as 5, we would have needed 2 rooms at the Radisson. We need to find out where everybody else is staying the night before and maybe we can put together a pre-sail meet and greet. Also, CAN SOMEBODY TAKE OVER MANAGING THE LIST? (Is it official yet, Sandy?)

[gometros]

Jeanne - you can't get rid of me that easily. I always finish something I started, even if I won't be joining you guys. While we haven't cancelled yet, it's almost 100% certain. There are more issues now that play in to it. I cannot be someplace where I can't get a minyan to say kaddish every day (minyan = 10 Jewish men, kaddish is the prayer for mourning. Yes, it's almost over. We put in hospice care Monday night). Besides, I can enjoy the cruise vicariously through you guys.

[sbennett]

Hi Sandy,
I'm so sorry for your father's failing health. Hospice is a wonderful thing. We had hospice for my mother and they made her passing so comfortable for both her and us. Of course she had such a strong faith, as I'm sure your father does, that she was most gracious and strong knowing she was going to a better place. If there's anything we Presbyterians can do please let us know, I'd be happy to put him on our prayer list, if that's okay.

[jeanneg]

I just opened up a pm I received from Sandy earlier today and he informs me that his father passed away peacefully sometime this morning. He will not be able to post for awhile and asked that I relay the message to all of you. I feel so bad for him and his family......they've had to deal with several disappointments recently and this one is major. I know we'll all remember them in our thoughts and prayers.

[wendym]

Jeanne
Thank you so much for letting us know. Sandy, Judy and family will most certainly be in our thoughts and prayers
Wendy and Doreen

[sbennett]

Does anyone have Sandy's mailing address so we can send a sympathy card?

[jeanneg]

Shelley:
I just sent you a pm

[EPCOTgrl1]

Jeanne, please send me the address as well.

[jeanneg]

Denise: I just sent you a pm......in Chelsea's mailbox.

[luv2boys]

Sandy,

Sorry to hear about your loss. I just got back on the boards after Nicholas being in the hospital again and me having a bad stomach virus that is going around here.

Amy:hug:

[sbennett]

Hi Amy,
Hope you're feeling better....how's Nicholas?

[luv2boys]

Thanks!

Nicholas is fine. Something as simple as a stomach virus has the worse effect on his body thanks to having no adrenal system due to the tumor. With the help of lots of stress dose hormones and fluids, he bounced back in about 48 hours but they had me hold him out of school for a week to let it clear out (it was really going around the school apparently).

You guys would not recognize him. I knew that he had thinned out a bit but was looking at the cruise pictures and could not believe it. They said that he would play catch up. He is still one of the shortest in his class and is the shortest on his baseball team. We are now at 3 inches - and 1/16 - since January!!! I am gonna go broke if I have to buy another pair of shoes (from 12.5 to a 3). At least they aren't very worn, and I can put them up for Jared. Pants have always been long to get them big enough in the waist so haven't had to buy any.

Amy

[DisneyCruiseluvr]

Hi everyone,

We'll be joining you all on the Aug. 7th cruise. We are a family of four (DH, me, DS15 & DD11). We'll be staying at the Radisson the day before we sail and I think I read in some earlier posts that some other DISrs are going to be there too. This thread has become really long, so I didn't see where everyone plans to meet. Can someone fill me in on whether or not there's going to be a meet at the Radisson or on the cruise?

Thanks and we're looking forward to meeting all of you!

:wave:

[jeanneg]

Hi Amy: Glad to hear that Nicholas is doing better.....sounds like a happy thing that he's growing out of his clothes so fast!

Welcome disneycruiseluvr! (you've got to have a shorter name!)
Forgive us, we're having an attack of the doldrums here as we've just learned that our cruise list keeper will not be able to accompany us on this journey and we'll all miss him very much. If you go to the very first post on the very first page you'll find a link that will take you to the list where you'll learn all sorts of things about your fellow cruisers. Sandy has graciously agreed to continue managing the list and so if you would provide us with all the details for your party he will add you as soon as he is able. (Very recently there has been a death in his immediate family so we may not hear from him for a little while.)

Denise's (eyeRN) family and mine will be staying at the Ron Jon resort the two nights prior to sailing. At least one other party will be at the Raddison (Shelley/sbennett) and wendym is staying somewhere else in Cocoa Beach because it's part of her package. I'm not sure where any of the others are staying but it would nice if people would supply that information. Since it seems there are so few at any one place, we'll probably save the main meet&greet for the sailaway party. Last year we scheduled a very unstructured mini-meet at the Radisson pool and it never materialized. Long story short, I ended up leaving a 5-litre box of wine and 2 dozen lime green cups in the DCL parking lot for over a week!

I think this thread could definitely benefit from a little enthusiasm. We are now less than 3 months from sailing and need to work up some excitement. One of the things we're planning to do is have lunch together one day as a group in whatever dining room is open on the last sea day(Thursday). Because there is no age restriction in the regular dining rooms, people would be able to bring their kids along if they so desire. If I had a rough idea how many people are interested I could give the wait staff a heads up and maybe they could set aside a special section for our group. If anyone else has any ideas on other fun activities, please share them with us.

[sbennett]

Hi Disneycruiseluvr
We will be staying at the Radisson the night before the cruise. We wanted to stay at the Ron Jon but missed the good discount rate. We loved the Radisson last year (couldn't get the kids out of the pool - ages 10(girl) & 11(boy) this year. Plus they loved the go-cart place next door.

Jeanne, we'd be willing to meet for dinner the night before the cruise if you want to get together. I heard the Grill is supposed to be really nice down by the port or anyplace is fine with us. Did you say something about "Veranda Man's Favorite Restaurant" what is it?

I was told that the San Juan Excursions should be finalized and posted on the website next week. Woman at DCL that I spoke with said there are some really good ones, and not to miss the Bicardi tour....figured that's a definate anyway...people want me to bring back rum for them.

If anyone's coming to the US Open at Shinnecock this year let us know, I work about 5 minutes away. As a matter of fact quite a few members of our church are going to be "Event Ambassadors" at the Open directing people and such. Also while the open is going on is when Jay is in Southampton College's production of "Follies" so if you're here you've got to come and see him perform the part of Roscoe...not that I'm prejudice but he's fantastic!!! He sings the opening solo "Beautiful Girls" then he's in the pit directing the music.

[wendym]

Welcome disneycruiseluvr!
Amy - delighted to hear Nicholas's news - please send our love to everybody.
Shelley - wish Jay all the best for "Follies" - I wish we lived closer so we could come and see him.
We are more than willing to meet up for a meal before the cruise- we are staying at the Oceanside Inn as it is free and I am cheap! We will have a car so can travel as long as I can drag mum off the beach - she is going boogie boarding this year!
Looking forward to seeing the excursions - no plans as yet although I like the sound of the rainforest and the Bacardi tour!
And as for meals during the cruise, Jeanne - you know mum and I are up for anything!!!!
Wendy

[jeanneg]

Wow, I'd love to see Jay do his Follies routine.....most people think I'm nuts but I absolutely love drag shows! We're going to New Orleans for a conference in late October and I've been told not to miss "Drag Bingo"!

If enough people are interested we can definitely arrange to meet for dinner the evening before. I've never been to Grills, but I think Denise has. I've heard you can watch the ships take off from there. If we did it Thursday night we could see the Wonder leave port, but I'm not sure who's staying 2 nights ahead of time.
Verandah Man's favorite restaurant is in Titusville which is only about 15 minutes from Cocoa Beach. I think the name is Dixie Crossings and it specializes in rock shrimp. We ate there last year and liked it so much we definitely want to do it again this time. They were fairly inexpensive and served these great corn fritters along with your meal. I believe you can find their menu on line just by .com-ing their name. If that doesn't work, Andy probably has the info on one of his links.

[DVCLady]

Just wanted to post and say HI! Can't wait to see what the excurisions are for San Juan. I have been busy and probably missed a lot of great posts.

TTYL

[mom2missmous]

Hi Everyone!

I don't know about you all, but I can't wait until I can finally book my excursions for Puerto Rico! Somehow I think it will make our trip seem closer! This has been a long winter, and we are now counting down the final days of this school year (while waiting to see how our school budget fares with the tax payers ). I am so looking forward to our cruise; hopefully we get to meet some of you nice people on board. DVCLADY , I see you are from CT too; so hi neighbor!

[sbennett]

Jeanne:
Follies is NOT a drag show!!!!
It's written by Stephen Sondheim it mimicks the Ziefield FOLLIES its about a group of ladies at their present age and when they were younger...Jay can certainly go into greater detail. But it's definately not a Drag Show...it's a production at Southampton College put on by Southampton Players which is made up of college students and community members. They do really great productions. Jay's done Chorus Line and Company with them over the last 2 years. This is his 3rd time as musical director and his first time on stage with them in a role. His last performance like this was in Amahl and the Night Visitors at the John Drew Theater at Guild Hall here in East Hampton over 15 years ago.

Dixie Crossings sounds good. We won't get to the Port until Friday, we'll be at Boardwalk Villas at WDW on the 3rd, 4th and 5th.

[DVCLady]

hi mom2missmous:wave:

[jeanneg]

Ooooops, sorry, Shelley, I would have given anything to see Jay in drag! Every follies performance I've ever been to has been with female impersonators, so I just ASSumed and made a you-know -what of myself! I'm sure Jay will be great even without the pantyhose.........!

[FLGalInTN]

Wow, this is some thread.

We are a family of three (myself, DH and DS8) who will be joining you all on the 8/7 Magic cruise. We are already getting pretty excited as this will be our first cruise. I've been reading this board with great interest for a number of months (mostly lurking, occasionally posting) and have found an amazing wealth of information. I have learned so much!

We are flying in the night before but arriving in Orlando kind of late. Thanks to suggestions from helpful DIS board members, I was able to get a really great rate via Priceline at the Marriott. I plan to rent a car to drive over to the port the next morning after meeting some friends for breakfast. Turns out that one-way rental is much cheaper and so much more flexible than the transfers purchased from Disney. Again, great advice from the DIS board.

A little bit about us: I'm from Florida orginally - born in Titusville, lived in Orlando (UCF '83 - Go Knights!!!) and Cocoa Beach prior to moving to TN. While we are not huge Disney fanatics (well, DS is), we felt that Disney offered the best family cruise experience. Hey, we're both engineers and we did our research!

BTW, the restaurant in Titusville you are referring to is Dixie Crossroads. Be sure to have the rock shrimp if it's available. It is to die for.

I look forward to getting to know everyone.

Later days,

Cynthia

[sbennett]

Welcome Cynthia!!!

Make sure you post your info - stateroom # and if you're early or late seating and Sandy will add it to the list on page one.

You're in for a HUGE treat on the Disney Cruise....it's the best experience for the entire family. My kids DS 11 and DD 10 love all the stuff for the kids on board. This year we'll probably be a little more free to let them go on their own and stay in the clubs. Last year we wanted them to experience everything with us. But mommy and daddy could certainly use a little "us" time this time.

[wendym]

Welcome Cynthia - looking forward to meeting you all!
Wendy

[eye R.N.]

I finally have a day off and a whole weekend at home. It looks definate now. Chelsea is staying home for the summer and we all should be on the cruise.

Let's see, the advantage of Grills is that it is very close to the Radisson (about five minutes) right on the water and has great grilled seafood. They don't fry anything. I think they also have an internet coupon. They don't take reservations and we had about an hour wait last year, but that was 4th of July. It should have enough room for a big group.

Is anyone interested in brunch on the ship, if so which sea day would the group prefer? I am very good at getting those reservations. The kids are equally good at standing in line so we are on the ship early.

We have planned nothing in the way of excursions. Hope wants to do the bananna boat ride on CC again. As for me, since this is a birthday cruise, my present to myself will be parasailing. It looks like Andy wants to go too. Anybody want to join us? I am thinking about St. John's island on our own, but now I'm nervous since Sandy and family won't be with us.

As for a DIS meet, besides lunch. I thought the aft part of deck 10 during the sail away worked well last year. Any other thoughts?

It is Prom Day here, so I am off to do the Mommy thing (film, working camera, etc.) Jeanne, I don't know how you are doing this multiple times this year. You must be superwoman.

[sbennett]

Hi Denise,
Since Courtney & Kristofer have already told us "you don't have to worry about us...we'll be busy in the Oceaneer's Lab" we're up for whatever the majority wants as far as brunch goes. Jeanne had said something about Lunch with everyone including kids one day I thought.
An adult brunch would be nice too. Jay and I would like to have a quiet dinner at Palo's as well, if we can't get reservations, we'll just have a quiet dinner in the restaurant of the day!
The lady I spoke with from DCL had a suggestion that we let the kids eat at the buffet at 5:30 then we all go to the show and then when it's the 8:30 dinner for us they come and have dessert then leave to go to the "lab" and we can finish dinner alone.
We're playing it by ear, to see how the kids feel on any particular day...after all it is a family cruise and we should spend some time together.
Good luck with the prom stuff....I have a few years before I have to worry about that stuff since our kids are only in 4th & 5th grades.

[DisneyCruiseluvr]

I need some help adding our family to gometros list on the first page. How do you save your information onto the original list?

eye R.N. - We're from Annapolis, Md too! Your kids are around the same ages as mine (DS15 & DD11).

[gometros]

Originally posted by DisneyCruiseluvr
I need some help adding our family to gometros list on the first page. How do you save your information onto the original list?


Welcome aboard. Unfortunately, only I can update it and since I see they're are some new families joinging the cruise, I'll update it this weekend.

Why is it they all are coming out after I announced I wasn't going? Is it me? :teeth:

Thanks for all your expressions of sympathy. You guys are the best. Jeanne and Shelley - got your cards. Thanks so much for your kind thoughts.

[sbennett]

It's good to see you back on Sandy...no, people aren't coming on because you announced you're not going...it's just because they found out we're a great group of people:tongue:
When you update your list, could you please change our stateroom # to 7541 and adjust the kids' ages..Kristofer will be 11 (July 10th) and Courtney will be 10 in just a couple of weeks (June 8th!).
My babies are growing up. Kristofer's up to my eyebrows now and Courtney's finally broken the 50 pound mark...she's so lucky to be thin, she's a pound an inch according to her last physical. Corey's 5'9" at 14! We still haven't found out if he's accepted at Summit School....they were supposed to have told us 2 weeks ago, I've called 3 times and so far no call back. We're still trying to get him into a residential treatment facility, we'd prefer one with a little more restriction, because he tends to run away when he gets upset and at Summit there is no restriction!!! I pray they get him settled in someplace before we go on vacation. I'm pushing to have him somewhere by the end of June at least. I don't want to have to worry about not being able to go because he's still in limbo at Sagamore.
I've ordered my WDW park hopper plus passes already...getting excited.:Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce:

[jeanneg]

Welcome, Cynthia...glad to have you join us! In some ways I envy you.....there's nothing quite like your first time on a Disney
cruise. Don't hesitate to consult all of us "pros" should you have any questions.

Activities:
Four of us plan to do the parasailing. When can we book (60 days?) and how many go out on the boat at one time? Denise, maybe we can schedule our sessions together or at least back to back. I want to definitely do it before lunch to ensure I don't end up losing my lunch!
St Thomas-plan on doing the Buck Island trip. John and I did it BC (before children) and want them to experience it now.
PR-just bumming around with old friends and finding a nice air-conditioned casino!
Palo Brunch: not really interested....I do whatever I can to avoid buffets.
Palo dinner: plan to do it one night with all the kids this time.
Palo High Tea: if there's an interest we can do this again. Shall we make it a "ladies only" event this time around?
Lunch Meeting in open dining room: let's do this the last sea day (Thursday, I believe)
Deck party: 10 aft works fine for me
Evening before dinner: Grills works fine for me as does Dixie Crossroads. Whatever one we don't do with the group, we'll probably do on our own Thursday. What are the average
prices for Grills?
Think that covers most of it. (Good to see you posting again,
Sandy)

Enjoy the prom, Denise! (and Chelsea!) Done with proms forever......one graduation down, 2 to go...at least for this year!

[gometros]

Can someone please do me a favor and email me all the updates I need to make from the past week? It would help if I had a concise list. Thanks.

My nephew graduated from law school at UPenn on Monday and sinec my sister couldn't go, Judy went in her place. She did an commendable job of filling in, right down to the tears :)

We took Sara to the airport yesterday and she arrived in Israel safely. I can't believe my baby is all grown up and travelling 6,000 miles by herself.

[wendym]

Argh! Just typed out my reply and it disappeared. Anyway, Sandy delighted to see you back – you have been in our thoughts a lot this week.
Denise and Chelsea enjoy the prom!
I remember looking at Grills website last year but it wouldn’t come up this year. It was reasonable prices though and I think 10% discount for out of towners.
www.visitgrills.com We are up for either restaurant.
Deck 10 sounds great for meet – we have bought some Cadbury’s chocolate already.
Mum is desperate to do the parasailing so it would be great if she could go with you all.
We are going to St John. I managed it last time and even had time for shopping!
Not sure about PR yet.
We would love to do Palo brunch – Denise you were great at getting the reservations last year. Also the “Ladies Only” High tea sounds great – Jeanne loved how you got that organised.
Can you imagine the chaos we could cause for lunch in a dining room!!! What fun!
Wendy
PS I've just emailed Sandy these changes - if I've missed out something - which I am bound to!!- let me know here.

Shelley and Jay have changed their room to 7541 and Kristofer will be 11 and Courtney will be 10.
DisneyCruiseluvr (+ DH, DS15 & DD11)
FLGalInTN Cynthia (+ DH and DS 8)

PS2 DisneyCruiseluvr - what is your name!

[DisneyCruiseluvr]

My name is Linda. :cool:

[jeanneg]

Are any of the men offended if we make High Tea ladies only? As my mom would always say, "Speak now or forever hold your peace!"
OK, if we plan to do the open lunch on Thursday, the last sea day, which day should be Palo Brunch and which High Tea? Both Sunday and Monday will be sea days. Denise, why don't you make the selection for Brunch and I'll take whtever is left. The private room at Palo only holds 14 so if you'd like to attend the tea please let me know. I'm going to see if my daughters are interested and please remember everybody must be over 18.....I learned my lesson the hard way last year!

[wendym]

We would love to come to the High Tea - our birth certificates say we're over 18 but whether we act that way........:teeth:
Wendy

[sbennett]

Jay said if I want to go to a ladies only high tea that would be okay.....so....count me in. He can do lunch with the kids that day

[sbennett]

Why don't the guys get together and do lunch that day?

[jeanneg]

I think my husband would like that......and they wouldn't have to argue about who picks up the check! Does anyone remember what time High Tea usually is on the ship? It won't be the same time as lunch, but that probably doesn't matter.

[wendym]

I think it is 3.30pm. As for paying for bills there was a wonderful comedy programme here called Father Ted about priests. Their housekeepers argued over a bill and eventually came to blows over it - it resembles my friends and I though we usually don't come to blows!:hyper: We go to amazing lengths to pay bills to prevent the others doing it!
Wendy

[gometros]

I updated the cruise list. Please let me know if I've left anything out.

[wendym]

Thanks for doing this Sandy.
Had a bad day - my new boss came in to visit - lets say we didn't see eye to eye! He is even turning down some new IT equipment because he doesn't want me to have it in my lab. As he starts the day after I arrive back after the cruise you'll understand why I will not want to leave!!!
Wendy

[sbennett]

Wendy....hope you had a better day today!!:wave:

[sbennett]

Hi everyone,
Did you get your excursion booklet? We got ours today. Still can't figure out what to do....can't really do more than one because they all leave around the same time and take quite a few hours to do each.

Anyone figured out what they are doing?

:confused:

[FLGalInTN]

I booked through All Seasons and they sent me the shore excursion book awhile back, but it doesn't include any of the special itineraries. Are the San Juan excursions in the book you just received?

I have no idea what to do either. I know DS and DH would love to go snorkeling and I figure we'll do that at Castaway Cay, but that is all I have decided at this point. Do you usually book excursions through DCL or elsewhere?

[sbennett]

San Juan excursions are in the booklet. Last year on Grand Caymen we booked our own Stingray City excursion but that's because alot of other people had done it before with no problems and we had no problems and it saved quite a bit of money.
The safety with booking thru DCL is if the excursion is late getting back, the ship won't leave without you, but if you're out on your own and run late.....bye, bye

[jeanneg]

We were interested in the Buck Island excursion, but someone has told me that the Buck Island you go to from St Thomas is not the same as the one you go to from St Croix which is where we originally did the national park underwater trail. If that's the case, we plan to sign up for one of the half day snorkel trips that goes to St. John. We definitely want one that leaves in the morning so we can return to the ship, shower, have lunch (for free!) and still have enough time to walk around St Thomas for a little bit. I haven't had time to investigate all the options, but if someone else is interested, it's always more fun to do it with a group of people you know. Maybe we can coordinate it so that we book the same excursion. BTW, what is the date we can book? I thought it was June 7th, but our payment is due June 8th. Unfortunately, I'm going to be flying out to the west coast on 6/8 and will be in transit from early am until about 6pm (EST). I may have to fax my request in.
Not doing any excursions in PR....
Would like to do parasailing at CC......how many go out on a boat at one time? Maybe we could coordinate that together also.

[wendym]

Hi all
I think the only excursion I will book will be the parasailing for mum - let me know the time you are booking and I will try and go for the same one. I'll try and get my TA to send us the excursion booklet - we never tend to get it!
Wendy
PS Sorry for moaning the other day - seems I wasn't the only one upset by him, I had all the management team assuring me he would not be allowed to turn down my requests.

[eye R.N.]

Hi Linda, bet you've had an interesting week. Do the blue angles fly low over your house? Today was the annual U-haul parade up Ritchie highway of graduating midshipmen. So funny to see a U-haul behind a sports car, but I guess they acquire a lot of "stuff" in four years. Just one of the joys of living near a service accademy. Are you driving or flying to the cruise? My 15 y/o DS is Taylor and Hope is the 12 y/o, they should be in the same clubs as your children.

Wendy, you know you can always come over here and work for Andy. We are crying for great teachers in our county and you'd be so much closer to Disney:tongue: My kids will gladly volunteer as surogate grandkids for Mum.

Sandy, your whole family has been in our thoughts. It is good to see you back here, even if we do lose you to the Vernada Man cruise.

Right now I think the only excursion we will book is the parasail and the banana boat ride on CC. No clue how many can get on the boat at once. Like you, I want an early time before the afternoon winds kick up. The web site says it's a 40 minute ride with 5-7 minutes of airtime. Hope and I did the banana boat last year and had a blast so we are going to be repeating that one. We might even take Taylor along with us.

I would like to take the ferry to St. Johns and snorkle, I wonder where the best beach for snorkling is located? We weren't all that impressed with the shopping in St. Thomas so we can spend some real beach time.

Jeanne, I think Monday is the better day for brunch. Everyone should be settled in by then. Looking at the old navigators, 11:30 looks like a good time. We should be done before the afternoon activities get into full swing.

So far I have
John and Shelly
Wendy and Mum
Denise and Andy
possibly Chelsea (if she can't wrangle her way into the teen club)

Anybody else interested? The only catch is you have to be over 18.

Add me to the high tea list Jeanne. As for lunch, that sounds good too but I can only speak for myself and Andy, It all depends on the atmosphere at the kids clubs, if it is great, I'll rarely see my offspring, if not, they'll be hanging with us. Either way I am a happy person.

One last note, the Disney store that was my part time work place for four years closed it's door's this week. It will be odd to walk into the mall tomorrow and see it boarded up.

[wendym]

Hi all
Denise - it must be really odd not to have the Disney Store in the mall. Ours is still really popular - of course we are known by our first names! As for the job - I would be really tempted and mum would gladly adopt your children! At the moment I am biting my tongue and being really good - it can't last for long....;)
We both loved Trunk Bay - mum still speaks about it - that's where we did SNUBA and the sights were wonderful. We left to get back on the 2pm ferry and still managed to do a little shopping - mum actually bought herself a necklace - most unlike her!
Wendy

[sbennett]

Anyone thinking of the Doubloon sail in St. Thomas? We thought we could walk around then take the sail at 12:15 and it's only 3.5 hours long or maybe the St. Thomas Island Tour (the 8am one) then do the Doubloon sail.
In San Juan we were thinking of the 8am Old/New San Juan City Tour and the 12:15 Bicardi Distillery tour....or would it be better to do the Bicardi Distillery & Old san Juan City tour combo (they must leave something out of this one since it's 4.5 hours and the Bicardi distillery tour itself is 3 hours and the old/new San Juan City tour is 3 hours too)

[jeanneg]

I haven't thought much about excursions lately as we've had a very busy weekend....Jason graduated from H.S. and we had a house guest as well. I'm definitely leaning towards a morning trip in St Thomas as that midday sun really scares me. Plus, I'll probably do better with a sail and snorkel on a relatively empty stomach.
Re Puerto Rico.....they must be adding some sort of a mini-tour to the Bacardi excursion because there's no way it could be 3 hours (the trip from San Juan should only be about 20-30 minutes)
I'd go for the combo if it goes to the fort (El Morro)

[gometros]

Originally posted by eye R.N.
Sandy, your whole family has been in our thoughts. It is good to see you back here, even if we do lose you to the Vernada Man cruise.

Thanks, Denise. All your cards and well-wishes have been very comforting.

Unfortunately, we had to cancel the cruise all-together. There are rules of mourning that mean we couldn't cruise in the next year anyway.

Just be sure to let me know if you guys book another cruise for next summer!

[sbennett]

We're sorry you won't be cruising with us, you will be in our thoughts and prayers. When might you be cruising again?

[gometros]

Originally posted by sbennett
We're sorry you won't be cruising with us, you will be in our thoughts and prayers. When might you be cruising again?

Don't know yet, but that's why I asked you guys to let me know if you all book another cruise together - that will help me decide.

I know as of 12/1, I'll have 438 points to play with. I think we'll be due for another trip to WDW next year or maybe we can use those points for our next cruise.

[wendym]

Sandy
So sorry you have had to give up the cruise this year but understand totally. When you mentioned about Kaddish earlier on I went back to some of the sites I used to look at to refresh my memory of it. (I know it seems odd but I was always fascinated by Judaism.) You and Judy will certainly be missed by all of us.
We are booked on the 23rd July Mexican cruise - can Judy not start take classes to overcome the fear of flying! I know BA offer them over here.
Wendy

[eye R.N.]

Times are 1 hour apart starting at 10:30. 6-8 people can go on the boat at a time. I am going to try for the 10:30 slot and am faxing in my request today. It looks like it will be Hope and I.

[DisneyCruiseluvr]

eye R.N,

Just saw your message regarding last week. I've never seen the traffic around here as bad as it was last week! Memorial Day weekend and the Naval Academy graduation is too much for our small town to handle!!! Three times last week it took me at least an hour to drive somewhere that normally takes 10 minutes. Yes, the Blue Angels fly low over our home and it's always exciting to watch.

This will be our fifth DCL Cruise and we always seem to meet people from our home town. I'm really looking forward to meeting you and your family.

Will you all be going to Grills on Friday night? We may try to go there too. If not, we'll probably just go to the restaurant next door to the Radisson for dinner. We loved the pizza we had there last year.

See you soon!
:wave2:

[eye R.N.]

Chelsea wants to take the van and head to WDW for the day on Friday to catch up with friends but I hope she'll be back by dinnertime.

[DisneyCruiseluvr]

eye R.N.,

Is your family going to be staying at the Radisson too?

[wendym]

I'll try for the 10.30 parasailing for Mum also - I'll let you know if we are successful!!
Wendy

[gometros]

I wouldn't think it should be too hard. Seth booked his parasailing on the ship after he knew he had the money to pay for it (with his bingo winnings).

[jeanneg]

I called to inquire last week and was told we cannot officially book excursions until 6/8 because July has 31 days and they strictly adhere to the 60-day rule. I was concerned because I leave very early in the a.m. tomorrow for Adam's graduation in LA. We'll be in various stages of transit, connections etc. for probably about 12 hours and didn't want to have to call DCL during this time. CM told me to fax it in the day before, but with all I have to do, I nearly forgot! Anyhow, I just faxed in a request for 4 (John won't do it) at 10:30. With Denise and Hope, that leaves just enough room for Mum AND WENDY!!!!!! It would be great fun if we could all do it together.......I am going to be SO SCARED! (At least we'll have a nurse with us.....!) Probably won't find out until Friday if we got it since that's when we return home......let's just keep our fingers crossed!
I also booked the 5-star St John excursion. It leaves early and is a relatively short trip (can't take a full day of sun and snorkeling)
The Buck Island trip I was so looking forward to is not the same one I did in St. Croix so we opted for St John's instead. Nikki (my 22 DD) really wanted to do the kayak excursion but no one else did so I didn't sign her up for it. If someone else is interested she may reconsider. Gotta go....so many things to do before tomorrow!

[wendym]

Jeanne
Enjoy the graduation - I hope it goes well. I'm sending Mum to do the parasailing herself - she needs some time without me! You will love it once you are up - my excuse for not doing it is I want the money towards a digital camera. Of course if I won bingo like Seth then money worries are out the window!
Wendy

[luv2boys]

Hi guys! I know you are all busy planning your trip, but I wanted to ask for prayers for Nicholas. He just had a MRI and it showed a cyst regrowing. They will do another MRI in 7 weeks unless he shows symptoms that would indicate that it needs to be done sooner. He hasn't had a MRI in six months, so we don't know if it grew months ago and then stopped or just started growing. The first thing he asked about was the cruise as he is looking so forward to it and it is so close.

Thanks!!

Amy

[wendym]

Oh, Amy you are all most certainly in our prayers.
Wendy

[jeanneg]

Amy: my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Wendy, Denise: We probably should have asked to link the parasailing so we all get to be on the same boat. I think I will send off a fax to them right now. John is already planning to get a head start on the conch coolers with Andy and Wendy while busting a gut laughing at us!

I have so much to do.......if I get any sleep at all tonight it will truly be a miracle!

[sbennett]

Hi Amy,
I just pm'd you. Nicholas and your family are certainly in our prayers.


Please put Corey in your prayers as well, he had a bad weekend at the hospital and attempted to cut himself again. Just when we think things are looking up!


I think we're doing the Doubloon Sail and the early St. Thomas Island tour and on San Juan....??? either the Bicardi Distillery and Old San Juan tour 8am or the New & Old San Juan Tour 8am and the separate Bicardi Tour 12:15

[eye R.N.]

I am sending up prayers for your sons. We have been living from MRI to MRI with our nephew for so long, I can just imagine what you are going through Amy.

Shelly, Andy and Taylor will be doing the combined Old San Juan/Distillary tour if that helps your decision making process.

Jeanne, hope you had a blast in LA. I expect our neck of the woods is going to be a little nuts with the state funeral. No going into DC for the rest of the week.

We are staying at Ron Jon's (I got a great rate) for two nights before the cruise. I found last year I was still wiped out from the drive before the cruise. Maybe the extra day by a pool will help.

[gometros]

Amy and Jesse, Shelley and Jay, your sons are always in our prayers.

[MBFergie]

Hi all..

I booked my excursions right at 8am today. Me and DD are going to parasail at 2:30pm as long as the weather is good. Last year our time slot was cancelled due to lighting and boy was she mad!!

Have any of your teens done the wild side tour on CC. I signed her up for that...but would like to know what others thought about it.

I booked a trip in St. Thomas but think I am going to cancel it and do the Winifred Sail on our own. Heard awesome stuff about it.

Didn't do anything for San Juan. Want to find some jet skis when we are there since they stopped the jet skis at CC. Also, one of my DD classmates moved there recently and we may try to hook up with them, or at least get some ideas from them on what to do.

I will keep the boys in my prayers. I hope everybody stays healthy for the summer.

Eye RN would your 14 DS want to email my DD. She would love to start chatting with someone. This will be her first time in CG and is so excited about it!! She is heading off to a summer program Saturday but will have access to a computer for emailing. By the way you live in my favorite city in the US..so pretty and fun!!

Have a great day!
Marie

[wendym]

Shelley, Corey and all of you are also in our prayers.
I've just phoned and confirmed the parasailing time for Mum - spoke to a lovely Indian lady who reckoned Mum was the brave one! So we are all set at 10.30 - I will look forward to the conch cooler! Once we get a chance this weekend we may look again at the San Juan excursions and decide if Mum could cope with the rainforest tour.
Jeanne - hope you all had a wonderful time!
Wendy

[eye R.N.]

Since DS would rather be staying home than joining us, he is probably not the best representative of DCL right now. DS (18)Epcotgirl1 can tell her everything about CG and is it's biggest fan. She has done wild side twice. I'll get her to post soon (first I need her to get registered for college and get a job) Teens. . .gotta love em

[sbennett]

Today's Courtney's 10th Birthday....fun!!!!
I sent in my fax for excursions....old san juan/distillery combo
and in St. Thomas, the Doubloon sail and the St. thomas Island tour.....how long does it take to get a reply? I faxed it over around 4pm today....meant to take it to work with me but forgot.
princess:

[sbennett]

We got the excursions we wanted.
Would love to do the rainforest but with my back and asthma, don't think it would be a good idea. Hope whoever goes, takes lots of pictures and posts them!

[wendym]

Shelley
Hope Courtney had a great birthday! I think we will try the rainforest tour - we were watching a DVD today of the Caribbean and it showed some gorgeous shots of it. Of course I ahd to say to Mum she could stop when she felt tired - knowing her she will manage it all!
Wendy

[eye R.N.]

Wonder if I should be getting nervous.

[sbennett]

Denise,
I called to follow-up on the fax, I wasn't sure if they got it or not, we have an new fax machine at home, and I'm not 100% sure how it works, and it doesn't give a "fax complete report" . The lady was very nice just gave her our reservation # and date of cruise and she looked them up.
Didn't mean to scare you!

[jeanneg]

it's been a whirlwind 3 days. We spent most of Tuesday traveling, Wed was the AFI graduation (which became somewhat complicated because Kerry's daughter, Alex, was one of the graduates and there were all sorts of badly organized security measures in place. We spent most of yesterday traveling as well. We took Adam to the airport in LA (he'll be shooting in NY for the next few weeks) then we took off from the more civilized Burbank airport. Where did the week go? At least I'm finally finished with the graduations for this year! I also did not receive a fax confirming our excursions (it was the first thing I checked when we returned!), but I just called and we're all together on the 10:30 parasailing trip! OK, when do we start getting nervous?!? Has Doreen does this before.......I'll feel more comfortable if I know I'm going with a "pro"! So long for now......much to do today.......

[sbennett]

Jeanne,
Glad you're back and that you had a nice time at Graduation.
Since we're not parasailing.....we'll watch for you all around 10:30! We'll probably be able to hear the laughter and screaming!! :thewave: :thewave:

[jeanneg]

Shelley:

I'm about to send you a pm.......

[sbennett]

Jeanne,
just responded to your pm with a pm!!!

[wendym]

Hi all
Jeanne - so glad the graduations went well. Please all of you take photos of these special events and of Jay's production on the cruise - both of us would love to see them.
Yes Mum is a "pro" at parasailing - she and I both did it in Cyprus about 10 years ago and she did it in Key West 2 years ago. She says there is no feeling like it.
We booked the easier rainforest tour - it doesn't give a chance for swimming under the waterfalls but is less vigorous walking for mum. We have booked the early one and hopefully will have time to do the Bacardi factory tour also.
AND we payed the cruise today!
Wendy
PS Further to my earlier moans about my new boss the fancy equipment I wanted and he vetoed has been purchased and I am getting it! I am sure he will be delighted by that and aren't I worried! To those I haven't met yet I don't think I am normally this petty, well I hope not!

[jeanneg]

Shelley: Are you sure you don't want to join the parasailors? I understand "hanging" is very good for the back!

Anybody else sign up for the 5* St John excursion?

MBFergie: My kids did the wild side several years ago and loved it. I think they were 16 and 17 at the time.

[sbennett]

I could use a conch cooler right now....had car accident on my way home. Doesn't pay to leave work early~ some lady was talking on her cell phone and went through a stop sign, I slammed on my brakes and the girl behind me plowed into me. The car isn't even a year old. Thank God, the kids weren't with me because the back glass shattered and went everywhere. I drove to the car dealer auto body shop and they said, "You drove here?" Needless to say I have a rental car now....stinks like cigarette smoke...gotta get the Fabreeze out. I feel sorry for the girl who hit me, it wasn't her fault or mine, but the lady on the cell phone....and she was told to go, she wasn't involved in the accident, no she just caused it!!!!

anyway...I'd love to parasail but I think I'll pass, afraid I'd really screw up my back.

Can't wait for the cruise!!!! Come on August

[wendym]

Oh Shelley - so sorry to hear about your crash. Here you can be fined and get penalty points for speaking on cell phones.
Totally off topic but wasn't Reagan's funeral wonderful? I rushed home from work to see it and will tape the service at California - it's due on at 2am here. Much as I hated Thatcher her eulogy was excellent.
Roll on Aug - and only 8.5 school days to go till term ends!
Wendy

[sbennett]

Wendy,
You're supposed to get fined, and points here to $150 fine I think but the police officer didn't see her of course I saw her and so did the girl who hit me...I think she was "somebody". She looked somewhat familiar, and in the Hamptons now on weekends, they are all around.....I'd love to stay home all weekend!!!
Thank God no one got hurt....cars can be repaired...of course it's going to take 2 weeks to fix.

[jeanneg]

Wow, Shelley, when is your luck going to change? I'm so sorry about the accident, but am very thankful you weren't hurt.....make sure you get your back checked out....a jolt like that could do serious damage. I know what you mean: I absolutely HATE people who use cell phones while driving.....I'm am forever fighting with the kids about that (including the BIG kid!!!!) I can't wait until every state makes it illegal to use them without a headset. Keep thinking about the cruise, Shelley, it's less than 2 months away!

[eye R.N.]

I agree get your back checked out. I remember when the van was hit from behind. Andy was an unhappy camper for several weeks.

How sad that the woman who caused the accident didn't even get a ticket. Seems grossly unfair:mad:

Wendy, this is going to sound so un American, but I just couldn't watch the funeral. My days off are getting few and far between so I spent friday visiting my parents at the Ocean (and checking out the Disney outlet, they should never send me coupons, those things are dangerous!) I do admire Nancy's strenght and grace under pressure, what a prolonged ending to what must have been a very exhausting duty.

School ends here on Thursday. It will be good to get the summer routine established.

I am thrilled we will all be together for the parasailing. Now we get to enjoy the entire trip, watching our friends up in the air. I nominate Mum as first to go up.:earseek:

[wendym]

Mum would be delighted to go up first! She has no fear for that type of thing.
Shelley - I hate that the woman didn't even get a ticket - personally I would ban use of mobile phones totally in a car even with a hand set but then as I can't drive what do I know!
Denise, it certainly isn't un American. I could watch it while preparing a meal and reading newspapers as it was live here at 4pm our time. The Californian service I taped and am watching it while on the PC - typical multi tasking female here!
Wendy
PS Did you all see that soda is going to be free on our cruise?

[jeanneg]

Mum should definitely go first....she's the experienced one! I just realized that if no one else joins our boat, then Jason is going to be the only male. I can just see how "thrilled" he is going to be about that. Right now he's being the typical teenager and saying that we will have to pry his hands off of the dock in order to get him on "that ship" again! He's just very shy and awkward and finds it hard to socialize in such an environment so he usually ends up having a rather miserable time. I'm hoping it will a little better this year since he'll be 19 and able to use more of the amenities. Anybody else traveling with older teens?

Denise: congrats on Chelsea's graduation.......you deserve a nice long rest.

Shelley: can you hang out with us a bit on CC or are you basically restricted to the family beach?

What are some of the excursions other people are doing?
Also, that tram thing on St Thomas....I was thinking of maybe doing it on our own after we checked it out. Anybody know what the "real" price of tickets would be?

[wendym]

Paradise Point Tram
http://paradisepointtramway.com/cafe.html
This site shows the rates at $15 for adults and $6.50 for children. I know Mum and I looked at doing this the last time but went to St John instead. The site also has a coupon on it - the Bushwackers are supposedly good!
Wendy

[sbennett]

wendy,
where did you see that soda was free? That's ha huge savings!

[wendym]

They've installed soda fountains to the beverage station on deck 9 so they are doing away with the mug programme. If you booked with AAA you will get a credit instead. You will still have to pay for soda from bars though. Part of me thinks it is great but the other weaker willed part of me thinks it's bad as I will drink more soda now!
This thread explains it better
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=585591
Wendy

[sbennett]

Jeanne,
We can spend some time with you on CC. The kids will hopefully make some friends and want to go with the Oceaneer Lab kids.
Conch Cooler party????

[gometros]

Shelley - Sara told me about your accident. That's terrible that the person who caused it got away with it. DOn't feel too bad about the girl that hit you, if she hit you hard enough to knock out your window, she was following too close and going too fast.

[jeanneg]

Shelley:
Conch cooler party, DEFINITELY! Anybody else out there who will be unencumbered by the pitter-patter of little sand shovels?

Great to hear from you Sandy! Isn't Sara in Israel right now?

[gometros]

She's gone and come back already. She was there from 5/19 until 5/30 and had a great time. She lined up a great job for the summer working as a production assistant at the theater where Elana will be going this summer and she hopes to hostess at Friendly's at night. She will need the money, since Judy's parents are gifting her their old car they are replacing with a new one.

Wendy - I see you discovered the reagna thread on the CB. Those guys a re a hoot. They'll argue about anything and everything. Btw, I want to see a picture of your mum parasailing when you get back.

[wendym]

Glad Sara enjoyed Israel - I was just talking about my trip today at school.
Will definitely send you a photo of mum parasailing - I am planning on buying a digital camera before the trip - thought it was about time!
I often lurked on the debate board threads and that one on Reagan and the funeral on the CB really angered me - some people are so narrow minded that it defies believe. Of course I blame how open minded my parents were and how they brought us up!!!
Wendy

[sbennett]

Sandy,
Glad to hear Sara's returned safely from her trip and that she had a good time.

Jay's only got 3 more performances this coming weekend and he's done with Follies....AMEN! Last night it took him 2 1/2 hours to get home...usually takes 30 minutes from Southampton College to our house, but since the US Open is right across the street from the college and they use the college parking lot for parking and they close all the side roads to general traffic, it was a zoo!!

I think the Paradise Point Tramway looks great...we should all meet up there for a drink....Jay will need several, he HATES those gondola rides. We went on one in Vermont once and Jay was ready to walk down the mountain instead: :scared1:

[catjammies]

Anyone know or can direct me to a listing of what will be offered in San Juan???

ps - My little family of 4 will be there Aug 7th!@!!!!!!!!!

[jeanneg]

So glad to have you join us..........please let us know all your vital information (names, kids, hometown, cabin #, dinner seating, etc.)and Sandy will add it to the list. You can find out about all your fellow cruisers by clicking on the link found in the very first post on this thread. Unfortunately our listmeister will not be able to join us this time but he's still taking care of the updates.....what a guy!
As for the San Juan excursions, you should have received the little brochure that they send out. I got mine about 2 weeks ago so you probably need to call DCL and let them know you never got it.
Looking forward to learning more about you.
Jeanne

[sbennett]

Are we doing the Lime Green Thing again this year?
Michael's craft shop has cool lime green sun visors made out of that "foam" and they're under a dollar each.
We could put our names on them. ... just a thought! or we could raid Home Depot again and get the Disney paint chips!


:jumping1: :jumping1: :jumping1:

[wendym]

Catjammies
http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/cruise/excursions_7sanjuan.cfm
This link should help with excusrions - we never get anything sent to us!
Looking forward to meeting you.
Wendy

[eye R.N.]

I found a great (read cheap) formal dress for DD12 at Macy's. It will probably cost more to hem it then I paid for it.

[EPCOTgrl1]

But mine is better :teeth:

[sbennett]

we're down to 43 days and counting and not much is happening here....is everyone panicking like me??? I feel sooo unprepared this time around...maybe once kids are out of school (tomorrow's their's and Jay's last day) AMEN!!
I have to start sorting through stuff to decide what to take...last year we took far too much stuff.
trying to get our pool up and swimming ready. The guy that was supposed to open it before Memorial Day never did, so we've been doing it ourselves (now I know why it's worth having someone else do it!)

[jeanneg]

Same here, Shelley.......even though last year's trip was much earlier in the season, I was so much better prepared! This has been a killer year and June has been exceptionally busy. We had 2 major trips this month, LA and NY, and every time I leave there's so much preparation before and catching up after. On top of everything, we're building a new house and we are desparately trying to get this one ready to put on the market, but with the kids home it's next to impossible. Sometimes I get so stressed I could scream (guess I need to let go of the glass, heh?) During one of my plane trips I actually made out my packing list. Luckily, I lost most of the weight I gained over the winter so everything from last year should still fit. I haven't gotten a single new outfit, but that's OK, I'm just wearing all the old stuff. What I really would like to have is a new bathing suit which I'll order from Land's End, but I just haven't had the time....can't wait too long for that because sometimes things are backordered. In fact, I've been so darn busy, I don't even have the time to get excited, which is really SAD! I need someone to organize a cruise pep rally!!!!! Any takers?

[sbennett]

:thewave: :thewave: :cheer2: :jumping1: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :jumping1: :thewave: :thewave:
How's that Jeanne!

[jeanneg]

Thanks, Shelley, I needed that!!!!!!

BTW, where is everyone? Some people have not been heard from in ages.........who plans on attending the sailaway get-together?
Will there be anybody there? Also, which ladies would lijke to do High Tea? So far it's Shelley, Denise, Wendy, Doreen and myself......which is not exactly enough to request the private room.
If anybody else out there is interested please let me know. I ran the idea by my 2 daughters and they looked at me like I was from another planet! Denise, forgive me for having a brain fart, but I can't remember which day we said would be brunch and which would be tea. I know we were going to try to have everyone get together on Thursday for lunch, HOWEVER, if it's just the "old" group, I'm not really sure there's any point, especially now that Sandy won't be with us and the rest of us are already pretty much together for dining. Where are the new people? We'd really love to get you know you........I truly apologize if for any reason you've felt excluded.,..,.it was not our intention......really!

[gometros]

Originally posted by jeanneg
especially now that Sandy won't be with us

Sure rub it in :)

Come on guys, we were way busier last year with less than two months before our cruise. Do I need to kick you all into shape?
http://*********************.com/images/infinityandbeyond/smileys/herc.gif

[jeanneg]

Please, KICK US, KICK US!!!!!!

[wendym]

Hi all
I'm finished school!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's been a tough few weeks, a close friend at work lost her baby and I had the difficult task of telling those that knew. The main thing is that she is ok but I had shared her joy so much that I found it really hard although obviously nothing like the pain her and her husband are going through.
Anyway I am so looking forward to meeting all of you. Tomorrow I am off on RAF (equivalent of AAF) camp with some pupils for a week - I am sure I am packing more for this week than I am for the month's trip!
Keep the cheerleading going.:bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc
Wendy

[gometros]

And here I thought RAF stood for Royal Air Force :)

So sorry about friend's baby. That has to have been very hard on her and her husband.

[jeanneg]

Wendy: so sorry about your friend's tragic loss. Never having been through that myself, I can't begin to imagine how sad she must feel.
Congrats to you and Shelley's gang for finishing school. We've been out for a month here but unfortunately the flip side is that the county school system begins 8/10 this year!! That's right....if Jason had still been in high school, we would have needed to cancel the cruise. Most colleges in the area begin about a week or two later. He needs to report for Freshman Welcome weekend the Thursday after we return. Gotta get all the new dorm shopping done beforehand. Jen has it even worse....she was supposed to be there the Thursday of cruise week for RA (room advisor) training. After driving home from the port on Satrurday with the family, she'll need to take off on her own the next day so she can arrive Sunday evening......an 8 - 9 hour drive. Since she was an RA last year they were nice enough to excuse the few days she'll be missing.

[eye R.N.]

We are usually much chattier than this, but life seems to be getting in the way of our FUN right now. Did you get the excursions you wanted?

[eye R.N.]

Come join your fellow DIS'ers at Palo on Monday at 11:30 for the amazing Palo brunch. This is a wonderful time to meet some new friends and put faces to names without the noise of a sailaway celebration in the background. A great time was had by all last year and we are hoping to repeat that this year. I will take care of getting the reservation, all I need to know is who is coming. Since Palo is an adult venue, anyone over 18 is welcome. To reply you can either PM me, or reply to auntiefauna@iwon.com.

So far the list includes
John and Shelly
Wendy and Doreen
Denise and Andy
Chelsea

The back room at Palo can hold 14 so there is plenty of room. Please come join us.

[luv2boys]

Chatty? The board I'm on for our cruise July 22 is just now getting to the second page and it has been up for months. I hate I can't go with you guys. You guys are the best!!!!! To those who have not meet this group yet, you are in for a real treat and a real blessing.

[sbennett]

Amy,
Glad to see you still checking up on us....how's Nicholas doing?
I've been thinking of you often and we said a special prayer today for all the children on our prayer list, hoping that being home with their families for the summer strengthens them.
Nicholas was included.

Absolutely glorious graduation day here today, Sunny and warm. Kids have been in the pool all day since we got home from church. They'll sleep well tonight! Having "theatre people" over tomorrow night for a little get together, one of the girls is moving to Raleigh NC to teach elementary school...your neck of the woods Jeanne right?

Finally got a dress for my niece's wedding and some new shorts and stuff for the cruise.

[jeanneg]

Shelley: Does your friend know what school she'll be teaching at? Raleigh belongs to the Wake County School System which is huge, but there are several elementary schools very close to where we live.

[mom2missmous]

Hi all! I guess I am one of the guilty parties( tee-hee) haven't posted in a while. Like several people mentioned, life kinda gets in the way of our fun! We just finished up school, and I have been busy sifting through seven years worth of teaching materials. I am going from teaching elementary Spanish to teaching "regular" third grade. Most of my teaching things are of no use next year, and I needed to"beg, borrow or buy items for next year (as well as pack up ALL my things to move to a different room). I can't wait until we are on our cruise and hopefully we can meet some of you! I agree we need to get busy getting excited!! We leave for Disney the DAY my grad class ends this summer, so I certainly will be counting down the days! hasta la vista- see/talk to you all again soon !

[jeanneg]

I can't believe it.....my docs arrived sometime today and I didn't even know it ..........wasn't expecting them for at least another week! Can't believe it.....Raleigh mail is so slow I thought I'd be the last to get them, but THEY'RE HERE!!!!!!! It's official....the cruise will be here soon!!!!!!

[luv2boys]

I'm really jealous now. We cruise July 22 and still no docs.:scratchin

[EPCOTgrl1]

Ooo that makes me so sad... people are starting to get there docs. We havent gotten ours yet. I cant wait till we go down... i am just now trying to figure out what i am going to do the day before in WDW.... poor jeff (he is a cm) getting him up early on his day off.....

[mom2missmous]

Docs already, Jeanneg? I am jealous too! ::yes::

[jeanneg]

OK, Amy, refresh my memory, please.....why is it you're sailing 7/22 and not with us?

[sbennett]

Jeanne,
Our friend Jackie will be living in Raleigh but working in Four Oaks.

Haven't checked our mail yet....may have to go and see if our docs came, would hate to have them sit in the mailbox down at the end of our street until tomorrow!!!

We entertained Jay's theatre friends tonite.....we feel old, we could be their parents!!

[luv2boys]

School starts August 9. It get earlier every year!! Jared goes to kindergarten!!! That's the only reason.

[EPCOTgrl1]

are there going to be anyone in the teen club this year? cause i need your help!

[jeanneg]

Shelley: Four Oaks?....never heard of it...is that the name of the town or the Elementary School? What do I know....haven't been here all that long....doesn't sound like anything close to me, though.

Amy: Ahh yes, school openings in the south.... We would be in exactly the same boat except our youngest is now in college and those usually start a week or two later. Jason would have begun on 8/10 (A Tuesday) if he were still in H.S. Choosing the August date caused us to run into a problem with Jen's start date , but we got it ironed out. Personally, I probably would have opted for a July date myself, but everyone else seemed to want the new itinerary and extra-big stateroom credit, so I just went with the flow.

I browsed through some of the fliers that accompanied the docs and found a few interesting things: They talk about purchasing the soda mug, something I thought had been dropped making soft drinks pretty much free....hmmmm......could that have just been a test pilot thing? Also, Palo High Tea is now $5/person. Since I hardly ever go to the main thread this was not something I was aware of. I still have not heard from anybody else wanting to do the High Tea -- right now we are 5 and not enough for the private room. It would probably be Tuesday afternoon since brunch is Monday

[sbennett]

Jeanne,
From what I can tell Four Oaks is South of Raliegh on Route 40 between Angier and Benson??? In Johnson county I believe. She's a huge Clay Aiken fan too! Really sweet girl...very talented.

[jeanneg]

Shelley: OK, I've heard of those towns. They ARE south of Raleigh and we're very much north of Raleigh so she will be quite a distance away. Geographically, we're really in Wake Forest, but Raleigh annexed our entire development so the legal address is Raleigh. When we move - about 5 minutes from where we are now - we'll be considered Wake Forest. Very confusing, I know.

[luv2boys]

I'm happier now. We got our docs today!!!

[smahoney6]

Hi- I'm another shelley going the same time- did ya'll get the reas package and if so- have you made your palo reservations yet? don't know if I should call them or let them call me....so ya'll think we'll get our paper work any day now??

almost 4 wks to go and I'm shopping for the trip!!

[MBFergie]

I guess since I booked thru all-seas with a group (which I found out later) it might be some time before I get my docs...

Shelly, I booked the REAS and I called Debbie about 3 weeks ago to make all my reservations. If I were you I would call her. If you don't have the number let me know, I have it here somewhere! Do you have any kids going with you?

EpcotGrl1-Where are all the teens? So far I haven't seen/heard from many on the boards. I hope there will be a nice group in the Stack. My DD is so excited to be moving up, she typically hangs out with alot of older girls because she is on a competitive cheer team :cheer2: with alot of HS kids. If you need help from my DD let me know, she's only 13 though, I will get you her email if you need it.

I can't wait to leave my job behind for a week..it will be bliss! :cloud9:

[smahoney6]

Yes!! I need her number!! I booked through cruising company and don't know when to expect my stuff either....Yes- I'm traveling with my hub and mom and kids ages 8, 7, 5, 3.....did you ask debbie about dining rotation and does it matter if we're traveling with 2 other families (as far as requesting rotation times)??

[jeanneg]

Welcome Shelley! Please let us know all the specifics related to your cruise: cabin #, dining seating, members of your party, planned excursions, etc. and our cruisemeister will see to it that you get on the list (access it via the very first post on this thread)
I'm also doing the REAS but not on this sailing .......I'm saving it for a cruise in the fall with just my husband. How do you pick your Palo night if we're not sure what the schedule is?
You remind me of myself a few years back: I also have 4 children , ages 24, 22, 20 and 19. The 3 youngest will be accompanying us in August.

[smahoney6]

Thank you for the welcome- I've been watching the other forums but forgot to watch this one! (will start now :) ) I'm hoping that I get the aplapla rotation and feel chances are pretty good due to rumors of this is common rotation for people with a lot of children (in all total for our group- 9) .....
my hubby and I will be celebrating our 10 yr this year so felt like the reas was required!

[sbennett]

Okay....I feel really stupid....what is REAS????
:confused3

[smahoney6]

You're not stupid- it's the romance package that includes champagne breakfast and couples massage and dinner at palos.....you might need to get one! (we're going to try to be romantic with our children around- the story of the marriage at this point! One day they'll be gone.......)

[sbennett]

How much does that go for??? Sounds wonderful.

[smahoney6]

I'm pretty much sure that I paid $299 but i've read on this board that the prices have gone up.....check on the disney cruise line official site....

[smahoney6]

The most important thing to me was that you can make your reservations in advance for Palo and the spa.....I would rather pay the fee up front than have to fight people for a spot.....(not very confrontational!)

[MBFergie]

smahoney- Sorry I didn't get you her number sooner, it's after midnight here :headache: and i'm just checking my work emails and such before bed...hurry up cruise!! I should have just posted it for you. I just saw on the other board that somebody pm'd you with it, but incase they didn't here it is 1-800-511-1333 ext 67411.

We ended up picking the last night for Palos because it's our favorite way to end the cruise and it's great anticipation for the whole trip!! Also, last year my kids wanted to hang out with their new friends for the last time on the last night so they didn't miss us at all...especially my DD. Last year it worked out perfect, right after dinner we picked up our DS and took him to the Farewell deal in the atrium. It was an AWESOME ending to and incredible week for us.

I hope it all works out well for you! I'm so excited for you to get to experience the Magic for the first time and your kids are at an age where everything is going to "wow" them! I miss that as they grow older. One of our favorite things to do with our kids is lay on Deck 4 chairs and watch them play shuffleboard. Very relaxing and fun!!:sunny: :sunny:

[smahoney6]

Thanks for the tip- I'm calling her today. (didn't mean to start uproar over posting numbers- :( ) Looks like we'll see you in the kids club with the 8 yr old- my oldest is 8 and is getting so excited. I think he'll be the one that I won't see too much of because he'll stay in the club the whole time! (my middle 2 are girls and not sure what they'll do...and then there's the 3 yr old who'll probaley end up with us most of the time!)

[jeanneg]

Originally posted by smahoney6
You're not stupid- it's the romance package that includes champagne breakfast and couples massage and dinner at palos.....you might need to get one! (we're going to try to be romantic with our children around- the story of the marriage at this point! One day they'll be gone.......)

Hee-hee, just be careful or I predict you'll be changing your screen name to smahoney7...or8...etc.,etc.

I believe the rate is still $299 for sailings during 2004....after that it goes up, but I'm not sure how much. I'm trying to figure out which night would be best for Palo. I definitely don't want to miss Captain's Gala because of the lobster tails and I really enjoy the fun of tropical night. I don't want to do it the last night either because we're dining with other people and it seems rude both to them and the wait staff to miss the last night. There used to be a schedule somewhere but it hasn't been updated recently and is not reliable. When we cruised last July they switched formal and semi-formal nights, so although these boards are usually very accurate, you really never know. I'm thinking of waiting until it gets closer to the sailing time and then call. No matter how late we call before sailing we would still have priority over all the people that line up outside of Wavebands the first day.

[EPCOTgrl1]

MBFergie you asked me where all the teens are... I dont know. I think there one teen that i have met before going... but i am not sure. As for me i am not a teen... i shall be sneaking into the teen club... thanks to the help of eddie (is the son of one of the former officers of the ship) so i will be there on the second or the third day. I dont know if it is going to work out but i hope so. anyways sorry i dont know a teen... you could try on the teen board and see if there is someone there.


Arg we still havent gotten our docs. it is annoying!

[sbennett]

Jeanne:
This REAS sounds so good we're thinking of doing it, Jay's in charge of calling (he may not know it yet) we're trying to figure out what night too. We won't be insulted if you miss dinner one night...we're all on vacation! We don't expect to be all together all the time. Maybe Denise & Andy will do REAS too and we could all do Palos on the same night or something.

[sbennett]

Jeanne
Oops....just read your previous post....silly me....you're talking about REAS on your NEXT cruise not this one.....don't mind me!!

:crazy:

[eye R.N.]

I'm going to save the $$ for Conk coolers. Although the couples message sounds heavenly, we always do the Surial (or whatever they are calling it now.)

[smahoney6]

Okay- now I feel really ready- I made our massage reservation for monday at 3:30, Palo reservation for monday night at 6:30 (so I can go to the late show- per debbie's advice), champagne brunch reservations for thurs at 10:30.....feeling kinda overprepared but knew ya'll would understand!

Can't think too much about it now- just taking a chance that we won't miss anything too much from the regular stuff. ...

[jeanneg]

Do they also book brunch with the REAS package? I was under the impression it was only dinner and high tea.

[smahoney6]

Yes- debbie did and I made the reservation for the 7 adults that will be traveling with us....I could not make any more palo night reservations though because I tried:D

[jellybungsters]

You can add us to your list:
Joey (Dad), Maria (Mom), Angela (12), Anthony (4).

I (Joey) am a Disney cast member so we won't know our room assignments until sailing day. This will be our first trip on a Disney ship.

[gometros]

Looks like I have some updating to do this weekend.

[GOOFY D]

hello everyone
We will be on the August 7th crusie also and are very excited. This is our 4th disney crusie with our daughter who is 11 this year and is looking for other girls her age who will be on the crusie Thanks!:wave2:

[DisneyCruiseluvr]

Welcome Goofy D!

Looks like our daughters will know their way around the ship with no problem! We also have a DD11. This will be our fifth DCL cruise and we can't believe how close we are to sailing!

How many teenage boys do we have in our group? We also have a son who is 15 years old.

See you all soon!


:Pinkbounc :earsgirl: :Pinkbounc

[wendym]

Hi all
What a lot of activity in the last week. Welcome to everybody. No sign of our documents but that is normal. Don't think REAS is suitable for Mum and I!!!!
I have been deprived of computers, TV and sleep! in the last week at camp - sorry Sandy for the confusion - I meant that Royal Air Force was the equivalent of USAAF. Lets just say abbreviations have not been my strongpoint this week! For those that have met me before imagine the total opposite of what I am normally like and that will give you an idea of my appearance - I was referred to as GI Jane at one point in my military combats and camouflage warpaint! I had to be referred to as "Mam" (and the male officers "Sir") by all the cadets rather than the normal Miss MacGregor and I hated it but the interaction with them all was hilarious. I will certainly have some stories to share - I don't think they would ever let me loose in a real situation though!
Cannot wait for the cruise!!
Wendy

[sbennett]

Goofy D
We have a 10 year old daughter and 11 year old son!

Wendy
We haven't gotten our documents yet either and they don't have to go across the Atlantic!


We ordered the REAS but haven't booked the day yet for Palo or spa treatment....someone is supposed to call us and set it up.


We'll be off line for a few days next week, my niece is getting married in WV and we'll be traveling down on Wednesday, the wedding is Saturday (she's asked Jay and I to sing at the wedding) and then driving home on Sunday since I have to be back to work on Monday and Jay has a Memorial Service to play on Monday morning too.

[wendym]

Shelley - how lovely you and Jay have been asked to sing at the wedding. I am also going to a wedding on Friday but I am sure they will not want me to sing! The weather has been so bad here that I have to get some fake tan to look semi decent in a dress - roll on the vacation so I can get some sun!
Wendy

[gometros]

I think I have all the updates. Please check the list and let me know if I've left anything out. I have a lot of blanks for dinner seatings and excursions.

[jeanneg]

Welcome Goofy D and Jellybungsters (I just spent some time in Burbank recently......love that Disney building!)

We are spending a very quiet holiday weekend here....kids are either out of town or working.....I got tired of going through closets and cleaning out rooms for our upcoming move, so I decided to pack for the cruise instead! Guess what, guys....I'm all packed and ready to go! Anything that wrinkles is hanging in a separate part of my closet and everything else (other than a few personal items) is already in the suitcase and accounted for. I even put together my "disposable" underwear! I'm going to order a new swimsuit from Lands End today but that's the only item I have to buy. Everything else is just a rerun of last year. Maybe later I'll fill out the docs and get that out of the way as well. We're almost at the one-month marker and I am so looking forward to this cruise. Do we know where all the new people are staying the night before? I still have my green Mickey head from last year.....anybody else plan on using them again this year?
If I find out there are more people at the Ron Jon I'll bring the wine again (but not 5 friggin' liters like last year!) Let's get some excitement here, guys.......

[sbennett]

Hi,
Are we meeting on Deck 10 for sail away?

Sandy's list says Palo Dinner...what night? or are we doing Palo Brunch?

I can't remember...and when DCL calls to set up our REAS for Palo's I don't want to book it on the same night......HELP......I'm sooooo confused. :confused: :worship:

[gometros]

Originally posted by sbennett

Sandy's list says Palo Dinner...what night? or are we doing Palo Brunch?


You guys will have to help me out with this. I'm not sure where it stands.

WHo's going to bring me back a chocolate souffle? :)