Dec 5, 2009 -- now traveling to Tortola

[amyngary]

For us, we need to get off as quickly as possible. I know that sounds weird - but we are heading to Epcot for the D23 Magic and Merriment event. Which reminds me - I need to get our transportation from the port to AKL settled soon. One more thing on the list of things to do!

I'm so jealous! I didn't know about the D23 event until after we booked airfare and told our employers we would be back to work that Monday. I would have loved to attend that. I really wanted to see inside the Castle suite! I hope you'll share the details with us when you return home!

--Amy

 

[Tower]

I hope you'll share the details with us when you return home!

Yes, Yes! - Lots of Pictures!

 

[NHdisneylover]

You all sure talk a lot after I go to bed!

I really liked early dinner then we all went to the shows/movies as a family.

Here's hoping I get my wish ...

I hope you do too Let us know when you find out.

3 pm?

I believe (now Hadley's sleeping again so I can't be sure and she can correct me if I'm wrong) but I believe that those not receiving their lanyards at the port, that 3:00PM in the Promenade Lounge sounded familiar.

As for breakfast at Lumieres, that's at 9:00AM. (Ok 9:30AM for those that really really want that extra 20min of sleep) We can't have it much later as we'll be missing out on all the rest of the fun on the ship!

I think 3 (half hour before the life boat drillm which is gerneally at 3:30) is what we talked about. It is really up to Amy because she will have the lanyards. Though, Amy, if you want to hand them off to me in the trminal at some point I can commit to being in Promenade. We have sailed plenty so I don't feel I need to explore the ship, We have no reservations to make, etc.

Some of us will just be stopping by to say hi and not eating breakfast - Brunch at Palo is calling our names!!!!!!

You can always sit and have a glass of juice or cup of coffee before you head up to Palo

One good thing if you stuck with the late dinner.... you get a little more time on the last day to have breakfast before you get off the ship

Or, look it as we do (we are wierd and prefer late; even when the kids were little we did): everyone will be awake and alert for the shows We enjoy seeing the shows and then being able to talk about them over dinner.

 

[amyngary]

I think 3 (half hour before the life boat drillm which is gerneally at 3:30) is what we talked about. It is really up to Amy because she will have the lanyards. Though, Amy, if you want to hand them off to me in the trminal at some point I can commit to being in Promenade. We have sailed plenty so I don't feel I need to explore the ship, We have no reservations to make, etc.



Or, look it as we do (we are wierd and prefer late; even when the kids were little we did): everyone will be awake and alert for the shows We enjoy seeing the shows and then being able to talk about them over dinner.

Hadley,
Since you offered I think I will hand the lanyards off to you if that's OK. We really want to try to change our Palo ressie and get a brunch or tea ressie too. I hope to make it to the Promenade at 3pm, but it would be nice not to feel pressured to do so

So glad you posted another opinion about late dining - I was beginning to wonder if we were making a mistake. That is exactly why I did not even try for early dining - I figure our kids will be so excited and will have fun at dinner talking about the shows, etc. And this way we won't be rushed to get ready for dinner on port days either.

I got most of my FE gifts ready today... just waiting to find out the gender of some of the kids before I can finish them up Also, I finally officially started packing. I feel better about having things started now....

-Amy

 

[NHdisneylover]

Hi Amy--you're up late! I am happy to take the lanyards from you at the terminal so you can get your errands done I hope you get the Palo ressies.
Even when the kids were little and often fell asleep at dinner, I STILL prefered late dining We prefered to feed them first from deck 9 or room service and let tehm enjoy the shows before they were too tired and then if they slept throgh dinner it was no bigge. Back then the shows were a lot more fun for them than the meals anyway. It is nice being the odd ones out and liking late dining as we ALWAYS get what we want

 

[wuv tigger]

I go to bed early and get up by 5 am every day.

One good thing if you stuck with the late dinner.... you get a little more time on the last day to have breakfast before you get off the ship

That won't help us as we have an early flight home on the 12th.

wuv tigger

 

[DisneyCruisin']

I'm so jealous! I didn't know about the D23 event until after we booked airfare and told our employers we would be back to work that Monday. I would have loved to attend that. I really wanted to see inside the Castle suite! I hope you'll share the details with us when you return home!

--Amy

Yes, I will post tons of pics (it might not be until Christmas vacation - but I will get them posted). I'm not sure who in the family is more excited about the event - DH, DS or myself. We originally didn't plan to go but then after talking about it and figuring out that DS would only miss reading, lunch and recess Monday morning (we get back here at 10:40 and his school starts at 9:05 and he goes to lunch at 10:45) we realized quickly it was a once in a lifetime event to try and do. My only concern is getting from the Port to AKL to drop our stuff off and get to Epcot in time. Registration starts at 9a.m. and the first event is at 10a.m.

Any ideas on who use to for transportation?? We've thrown around the idea of getting a towncar service and just have them drop us off at the rental car place at WDW as we will need a rental car for the next two days - or do we get a rental car at Port Canaveral - but if so who do we use that will be open early, early? Any ideas would be great!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[NHdisneylover]

I think you would be better off going with a rental car in your situation. I think all the Port Canaveral rental car agencies are open by the time you are allowed off the ship (good to double check though). The advantage there is that if you get behind schedule somehow (bad traffice, etc.) you can just leave your luggage locked in the trunk of the car and not go to AKL until the end of the day. Also, it will likely be faster if you pay for a cab to the rental car agency, rather than waiting on a shuttle

 

[Inkmahm]

For us, we need to get off as quickly as possible. I know that sounds weird - but we are heading to Epcot for the D23 Magic and Merriment event. Which reminds me - I need to get our transportation from the port to AKL settled soon. One more thing on the list of things to do!

I must have missed that one... I'm a D23 member too. Will have to look it up to see what this is.

 

[Inkmahm]

I think you would be better off going with a rental car in your situation. I think all the Port Canaveral rental car agencies are open by the time you are allowed off the ship (good to double check though). The advantage there is that if you get behind schedule somehow (bad traffice, etc.) you can just leave your luggage locked in the trunk of the car and not go to AKL until the end of the day. Also, it will likely be faster if you pay for a cab to the rental car agency, rather than waiting on a shuttle

Avis doesn't open until 7:30 and I'm usually off the ship long before then.

 

[carmie3377]

So glad you posted another opinion about late dining - I was beginning to wonder if we were making a mistake. That is exactly why I did not even try for early dining - I figure our kids will be so excited and will have fun at dinner talking about the shows, etc. And this way we won't be rushed to get ready for dinner on port days either.

We have late too and at first I was disappointed. Then after reading a lot of posts about how great it can be with having some extra time on port days, ect, I'm really glad we got "stuck" with late dining!

I got most of my FE gifts ready today... just waiting to find out the gender of some of the kids before I can finish them up Also, I finally officially started packing. I feel better about having things started now....

-Amy

Haley (girl)
Cameron (boy)

I worked on my adult FE gifts yesterday. I got most of the kids done but kinda stuck on what to give the teen boys. Any ideas anyone???

I haven't started packing but I have worked on clothing lists. That way, I won't forget anything. We have forgotten important things before. I probably won't actually start packing until a few days before. We're still in shorts and tees around here on some days so I really can't be packing yet. I will start getting meds and things packed before too long. Don't want to be stuck paying super high prices for OTC meds and such.

Has anyone experienced sea sickness before? If so, what worked for you? We have some Zofran that I have heard other people taking but just curious what others have done. Since we've never cruised, we don't know what to expect.

 

[Hanover]

Don't forget that Topsiders will be open on debarkation day. After our 2nd DCL cruise, we started just going there for our last breakfast at our own leisure instead of having to be at the assigned restaurant for early diners. I think it closes at 8:30 which allowed us to sleep a little longer than we would have been able to do so had we gone to the restaurant.

DisneyCruisin' - you'll love the castle suite. We were able to do a tour of it in August 2008 through DVC. It was really, really neat. The architecture of everything from the elevator you go up in to the little lobby outside of the room to the room's hidden phone on the night stand to the windows, the floors to the toilet is amazing! Even the ceiling above the whirlpool is awesome. Stand near the shower to see the artwork inside too and check out the faucets! They showed our boys a hidden fridge in the "kids" room that they thought was great. Watch the fireplace too when you are there....

 

[Hanover]

Has anyone experienced sea sickness before? If so, what worked for you? We have some Zofran that I have heard other people taking but just curious what others have done. Since we've never cruised, we don't know what to expect.

I get very motion sick. Even swings make me feel ill. I've only been seasick on 2 of the 9 DCL cruises we've been on. For me, it seemed to be room location. One we were very far forward and our bed faced the opposite direction of the way we were moving. For some reason I was sitting on our stateroom sofa (also backwards of the direction we were going) looking outside at the waves breaking and that got me sick. We were moving at a good speed too and it was probably the highest waves of any of our cruises. The other time we had the very last room on deck 7 and there was just too much movement for me. Fresh air and looking at the horizon helps me personally. I've also taken bonine which helps and doesn't make me sleepy. I tried the scopamine (sp) patch and that didn't work for me. I got a very dry mouth and blurry eyes (my dh put it on me so it wasn't like I did it and rubbed my eyes) I also tried a herbal behind the ear medicine and the smell of it alone made me feel even queasier and didn't work. The other DCL cruises we've been midship and I've been totally fine. The boys and Derek have never gotten seasick on the Magic or Wonder. Brennan does get seasick on smaller excursion boats but Bonine has helped him with it.

 

[fluvannaj]

Hadley,

If you are planning on coming late to breakfast, I can what is left after the 3:00 meet and bring them to breakfast.

We're happy with late dining also. Last time, DH was tired after dinner and missed some shows. I know he won't skip food though! Late dining also gives us more time to get ready for dinner. Not to mention late breakfast at check-out.

I'm jealous of how far along you guys are on FE gifts. I have shopped and have an idea for my cabin gifts but haven't started assembling yet. I don't think it will take too long.

I'm printing lanyard badges today though!

In past cruises, do you put the DIS name only on the main poster in the family or put it on the whole family's badge so we know who to associate them with?

Fluvanna

Hadley,
Since you offered I think I will hand the lanyards off to you if that's OK. We really want to try to change our Palo ressie and get a brunch or tea ressie too. I hope to make it to the Promenade at 3pm, but it would be nice not to feel pressured to do so

So glad you posted another opinion about late dining - I was beginning to wonder if we were making a mistake. That is exactly why I did not even try for early dining - I figure our kids will be so excited and will have fun at dinner talking about the shows, etc. And this way we won't be rushed to get ready for dinner on port days either.

I got most of my FE gifts ready today... just waiting to find out the gender of some of the kids before I can finish them up Also, I finally officially started packing. I feel better about having things started now....

-Amy

 

[Tower]

In past cruises, do you put the DIS name only on the main poster in the family or put it on the whole family's badge so we know who to associate them with?

Just my 2 cents, I'd suggest putting the DIS name so that the kids know who the parent/poster is. We would know the person is a child of a DIS'er regardless, but kinda neat to know. I don't know how others feel about it w.r.t. family privacy.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Has anyone experienced sea sickness before? If so, what worked for you? We have some Zofran that I have heard other people taking but just curious what others have done. Since we've never cruised, we don't know what to expect.

David gets sea sick on rocking chairs, porch swings you name it! He tried bonine patch, etc. on the first couple of cruises and it worked "okay" meaning he was not throwing up, but he did not feel good either. Then someone told him to try ginger tablets. He says it is like night and day The first couple of cruises after that he would still be a bit queasy the first night of two but then he was fine. Eventually our doctor in New Hampshire said he should start taking the tablets a couple of days before the cruise so that the ginger builds up in his system. Since then he has not felt seasick at all--not even with the very rocky seas we had on the Transatlantic!
Sadly, I have just come from the "reformhaus" (natural foods/homeopathic remedies store in Germany) and learned they do not sell ginger tablets here--only the little candies. I am emailing our friends we are seeing at WDW tonight to see if they can bring a bottle for David

Hadley,

If you are planning on coming late to breakfast, I can what is left after the 3:00 meet and bring them to breakfast.


In past cruises, do you put the DIS name only on the main poster in the family or put it on the whole family's badge so we know who to associate them with?

Fluvanna

I plan to be at breakfast on time--but I am still happy to hand them over if you want them. Eitehr way is fine with me

THANKS for printing the badges In the past I have always seen them done so that the badges for an entire family list the DIS poster on them. So when people see "David" they know he is MY David It makes it much easier to recognize who is who

Marika is home sick today. The doctor cannot see her until tomorrow. Based on the phone description both the doctor (and pharmicist here) think it is eitehr Swine Flu with no fever (guess it happens) or sinus infection (what many DISser ont the CB think as well--go CB) or some combination of both. We are deciding the good news is IF it is swine we will be over it before the trip. Everyone has had their regular flu shots by now and we were supposed to get swine flu shots next week

 

[fluvannaj]

If you want to keep them, that is fine. I must have confused you with another poster who was planning on being late. In the past, how was DISer distiguished from rest of family?? Right now, we have the DIS name (in different color) above the person's name who posts on the board. Do we just star the poster's name?? Just wondering....

Sorry Marika is ill. I have to take Jessica in at 3:15 to get her neck checked out after straining it doing a relay race Saturday night. She's much better today than yesterday but want to be careful with spine stuff.

Fluvanna

 

[Hanover]

Hadley, I hope Marika feels better soon. Seems like we are one of the only families I know between school, the neighborhood and football that has so far avoided the swine flu. We are still waiting on getting the vaccine in the area though we have all had the regular flu shot this season.


I am going to try and post a copy of the name badges one of our Disboard members made for our cruise this past August. I'm not sure what happened to Brennans, but here's mine and my DH Derek and DS12 Keegan's (so you can see they are basically the same). I guess I'm just now noticing my screen name is in green and the others are in blue.


The back of the badges had our cruise logo on it and said "badges and name plates provided by" and listed Disboard names of those that donated.

 

[Hanover]

If you want to keep them, that is fine. I must have confused you with another poster who was planning on being late. In the past, how was DISer distiguished from rest of family?? Right now, we have the DIS name (in different color) above the person's name who posts on the board. Do we just star the poster's name?? Just wondering....

Sorry Marika is ill. I have to take Jessica in at 3:15 to get her neck checked out after straining it doing a relay race Saturday night. She's much better today than yesterday but want to be careful with spine stuff.

Fluvanna

I hope Jessica's neck feels better soon!

 

[Tower]

Marika is home sick today. The doctor cannot see her until tomorrow. Based on the phone description both the doctor (and pharmicist here) think it is eitehr Swine Flu with no fever (guess it happens) or sinus infection (what many DISser ont the CB think as well--go CB)

Ohhh, I see, that swine flu party last weekend right?

I know, I know my silly humour comes out again. Sorry Sometimes it just pops out.