~ºoº November 27, 2010- Western Magic! ºoº~

[iloverags2]

And here is yet another one in the non-crafty category! Maybe we should call our cruise the non-crafty bunch!

 

[seba1]

I can't believe you already have 10 posts, it has taken me months to get to 9.

Now Hunter - you know how obsessive compulsive I can be!

Speaking of my OCD - 5 days until Southwest opens up their flights. I found flights on USAirways though that are a great price. It will be interesting to see what is better.

Passports - OK. So I have been convinced that we need them for the kids. I better get their photos taken this weekend. How long does it usually take to get them once you apply? I thnk I can get the forms at a local Post Office.


We just found out that my husband's cousin (who was going to elope) is now planning a wedding in CA for early Oct. Looks like we now have 2 big trips this fall to look forward too (and to pay for!).

Stephanie

 

[DLW8]

I think passports are taking about 3 - 4 weeks these days. However, they may be getting busy as I've heard rates are going up sometime in June. They haven't changed yet (link below).

You can also use that same website below to fill out all the forms ahead of time. Bring them with your photos and CHECKS (they don't take credit cards) to a post office that can process them. Bring the entire checkbook, not just one check as, if I recall coreectly, each person's fees have to be on a separate check, and then it's one more for the fees you pay the USPS for processing the paperwork.

Not all post offices will process them, and some have special hours, so check before you go. Both parents will have to be there at the USPS to get the kids' passports processed.

There were some threads on how to take the passport photo yourself, but I've also heard that they can be rejected. If you are a member of AAA they will take them for $9 (a little less) and the family members that are not on AAA will cost about $15. Well worth it as they re-took my DD's a few times to ensure they were within the guidelines for the photo. Kids photos are pretty tricky for the passports...


http://travel.state.gov/passport/fees/fees_837.html

 

[ukintheus]

We got our passport photos done at Walgreens, they take your photo there and have the software that guides them to have it exactly as the Passport office wants them. I think we paid about $7.00. I filled out the form online, printed it, signed it, included the photos and a check and put it in the mail with a tracker and signature requirement. It was all pretty easy once I got motivated to get started!

 

[DLW8]

We got our passport photos done at Walgreens, they take your photo there and have the software that guides them to have it exactly as the Passport office wants them. I think we paid about $7.00. I filled out the form online, printed it, signed it, included the photos and a check and put it in the mail with a tracker and signature requirement. It was all pretty easy once I got motivated to get started!

I think that is for a renewal that you are referring that you mailed it in. For first time passports, you have to go to the USPS or somewhere that proceses them and they send them to the government.

 

[Popovich]

We just transferred our reservation from the Nov 6th Eastern to this date.

It will be me, Gailyn (43), DH, Greg (45), DD Nicole (12) and DS Matt (11). It will be our 4th Disney cruise and our 3rd Western. We will be traveling with DH's parents.

We are in 6620 and 6622.

Looking forward to meeting everyone!!

Gailyn

 

[ukintheus]

Hi Gailyn! Welcome to the cruise It sounds like we have another Western veteran to get some good tips from.

Darcy - You are right, it was a renewal. I didn't know that it was different for a new passport...I guess the non-American should probably NOT offer passport advice!! LOL

I'm excited that the England v USA world cup game is today - can't WAIT for it to start!! I'm off to get all my chores done so that I can be ready for the match to start.

 

[DLW8]

We just transferred our reservation from the Nov 6th Eastern to this date.

It will be me, Gailyn (43), DH, Greg (45), DD Nicole (12) and DS Matt (11). It will be our 4th Disney cruise and our 3rd Western. We will be traveling with DH's parents.

We are in 6620 and 6622.

Looking forward to meeting everyone!!

Gailyn

Welcome! If you are interested in joining our FE, please send me a PM with your information to add to the list! Looking forward to another Western Veteran to share tips and suggestions for excursions, as well!

FE Info for the PM:

Room #
Last Name
Email Address
Names of ALL people in party include DH and DW designations please)
DD/DS and ages for kids with their names
Celebrating anything?

For example, mine would be:
Room XXXX
Walsh Family
XXXXX@XXX.XXX
DW: Darcy
DH: Tom
DD9: Jordan
DS9: Aidan

 

[DLW8]

We are up to 14 rooms for the FE by my count. These are the people that I have heard from. I have PMd you back if I need additional information, as well as made a note here, so please check!

If you are not on the list and would like to be, please PM me your information using the post above this one for the details. Thanks

The Peacekeeper
Seba1
J&K'sMommy Princess (2 rooms)
UkintheUS
Saoirse
Sdlong 329
Iloverags2
DLW8
CKCruising
jaurban
Mousebrat
Disney Fan 551 (2 rooms - please check your PM I need more info!)

We have 8 girls, 10 boys, and 25 adults in the exchanage so far!

 

[Popovich]

Thanks for the warm welcome :grouphug. We are so excited to cruise again. I've been going through DCL withdrawal!!

I was going through the previous pages and got a little overwhelmed trying to keep up with names and families. I'll have to revisit it later .

As far as excursions, we will do KW on our own, maybe buy a trolley pass.

In GC, I think the kids will want to do the sting ray snorkel again . We did that when they were 7 & 8 and everyone LOVED it! We have some great pictures and the water was beautiful, warm and very calm.

In Cozumel, we will either do Paradise Beach or Dolphinaris. We did the Dolphin swim last time and it was amazing but expensive. Some of the Disers booked Dophinaris on there own in a large group of maybe 20 and it seemed like a good deal.

At CC we will just hang out . The kids did the stingray excursion there and it was nice. I think it would be very good for younger children or children that are not sure they want close contact.

Thanks again for the warm welcome!

Gailyn

 

[ukintheus]

Gailyn - It seems people have come and gone from the earlier pages so I think it is hard to follow Don't feel bad, you aren't the only one trying to figure it out LOL

Darcy - thanks for keeping up with the FE list and it looks like we'll have a pretty good group by the time we go.

 

[Popovich]

Hi Jenny,

I just read that you're at WDW prior to the cruise. I am trying to get resies for a two bedroom villa or two studios - not having any luck. We'd like to go down Wed before Thanksgiving and then stay Sat & Sun after to go the the Christmas party .

I'm spending time on disboards so I don't have to go outside in the sweltering heat and do yard work!

Gailyn

 

[Popovich]

Just checked Southwest, flights not available yet . Continental was $396

Well off to start laundry and yardwork.

Gailyn

 

[seba1]

Just checked Southwest, flights not available yet . Continental was $396


Gailyn

I have checked a few times today too. I was hoping they would open the dates early. Oh well. I will check again tonight. I wonder what time they will get posted.

Stephanie

 

[champagne27]

Waiting on SW too. I was wondering if I should get up super early tomorrow morning to check them. Does anyone know what time they usually get released?

 

[seba1]

I saw somewhere that tickets will be released on Southwest at 10 am Central. I am on the site right now and nothing so far, but it is 9 am Eastern here...I am so excited to book air. It makes it more real.

Stephanie

 

[ukintheus]

Good luck to everyone patiently waiting for the SW fares to open up - hopefully the booking gods will be kind to you all

Gailyn - Yes, this is a big trip for us - we are going to WDW for 7 nights prior to the cruise and then 1 more night when we get back. We don't have kids, which of course means we have time and sometimes money to spare!!

 

[Fourgolds]

Booked our flight home today, and thanks to SW releasing their rates, looks like our flight down before turkey day dropped about $25 per person.

 

[DLW8]

Booked our flight home today, and thanks to SW releasing their rates, looks like our flight down before turkey day dropped about $25 per person.

congrats!

I booked our flights on Jetblue they day they announced they are starting service from Hartford. I just checked SW yesterday, and it was the same as what I paid...but JB is so much better (IMO!). My kids are excited about the TVs on each seat...and I'm happy for more legroom, DH was happy to hear of GOOD SNACKS!

 

[Popovich]

Oh - I forgot to check Southwest!!! I'm going to ask DH check right now on the other computer!!! I'm really hoping they are less than $396 ....................No such luck, DH just checked, $310 + tax and ONE STOP. Forget it, I'd rather pay $396 to Continental non stop.

I guess we'll keep waiting. The Continental planes are empty.

Gailyn