03/01/2008 Eastern!!

[ranidayz]

How did you get it so early? I guess you're in the "way ahead" group because you have travelled DCL before....I know I can start doing things on Dec. 2 - so when should I receive my packet? (Insomniac that I am, I was up reading different Disney Cruisel lit the other night.)

Rani

 

[atinkerbellmom]

Rani-
I think our date is Dec. 2nd for the 90 days out. Yours is 75 days out, 15 days later. Now these were not the cruise documents you hear everyone talk about, it was the Eastern planning book and vacation information. I call it, the reminder you have a cruise to pay for mailing. It comes with a cute little note, saying your due date will be here before you know it, now lets see all of the fun things ou will be able to do, mailing. Now we do book our stuff through DCL directly and never deal with a TA, I do not know if that matters or not.

 

[ranidayz]

Thanks for the info...

Very exciting news for me -- ok, nothing huge, but with a name like Rani, I have to take what I get. So I was in the Disney Store yesterday looking for something for Tali and I got the greatest surprise. Tinkerbell (who I've never gone crazy for) has some girlfriends....one of the fairies names is Rani - spelled the same way and pronounced the same way according tothe manager! Yea! Exciting! So I got myself a doll (what am I going to do with a doll?) which is staying in the box and a book with my name in the title! Yea - I've been waiting my whole life to find something with my name on it so I can fulfill my dreams from elemenatry school!

Ok - so that was a lot of exclamation points - but you understand....

Rani

 

[MAD on Disney]

Hello,

Just introducing ourselves. I hope I am not interloping into what appears to be a close-knit group of friends. We will be on the 03/01/08 Eastern Cruise. We've been to WDW many times and Disneyland a few times, but this will be our first for a Cruise. If I've figured out some of the jargon we are:

DH, Mike, 37 yrs
DW, Melissa, 36
DD, Kailyn, 7
DS, Jacob, 5

I signed up to the Disboards a few months ago, but believe this only my second post (my first having been about twenty minutes ago on another thread).

 

[atinkerbellmom]

OH BOY I get to be the first to "M & M" Melissa and Mike to our family. We always have room for more family. You will get to know us over time. We are soooo happy to have you. We are a small but great group. The fact that we are smaller has given us the chance to get to know each other a little more. I do not know how much you have gone and back read, but we are a good "sane" group. It is sort of my retreat when I get tired of some of the other postings on the boards. SOmetimes I get on and just come to the cruise meets and ignore the main forum. Now I do have to say, this group sometimes gets a little behind on post and do not get on everyday, but we usually get there enough to keep us on the first 3-4 pages. Thanks for finding us and welcome. Where is your family from? Your DK will be in the clubs with my DD. Now you are a "friend".....

 

[atinkerbellmom]

Thanks for the info...

Very exciting news for me -- ok, nothing huge, but with a name like Rani, I have to take what I get. So I was in the Disney Store yesterday looking for something for Tali and I got the greatest surprise. Tinkerbell (who I've never gone crazy for) has some girlfriends....one of the fairies names is Rani - spelled the same way and pronounced the same way according tothe manager! Yea! Exciting! So I got myself a doll (what am I going to do with a doll?) which is staying in the box and a book with my name in the title! Yea - I've been waiting my whole life to find something with my name on it so I can fulfill my dreams from elemenatry school!

Ok - so that was a lot of exclamation points - but you understand....

Rani

Way to go Rani . Maybe we all have to go out and get one, to be sure they keep making her. I am a Tinkerbell fan (Could you tell?) and I did not know of Rani........ Hey, I got the kids to decide to be pirates for Halloween, can I say, saving a little cash..... Even though they would be 50% off after Halloween. DS has not heard from the boys lately.

 

[Johnna_Story]

Wow!! So much exciting news in just two days.

WELCOME "MAD on Disney" family! I think you'll find that We are a fun group - and as I've said many times, the more the merrier for this group!! We are very excited to have new friends join us.

Yes - I'm a little smilie happy this morning - give me a break, it's 6:30 am and I've been up over an hour already.

Rani - I totally relate; Johnna isn't exactly the most popular name in the book. In college, I was at a mall and there was a guy selling keychains with names and what the names mean. I bet him he didn't have my name; I lost the bet and had to buy the keychain! That was the first time anyone, anywhere, had my name on anything. Then, also in college, I went to a Hard Rock Cafe in NYC, and gave my name to the hostess. Now, I usually give someone else's name (still do) since my name growing up was Johnna Giardiello (yes, I know...you're all doing this right about now: and thinking to yourselves "poor girl") so anyway... I told the hostess my name was Johnna - and she just stared at me! So I started with my usual "J-O-H-N-N-A - yes, it's like John - with a "na" at the end..." and the guy I was with said, "Hey, look at her name tag!" It was JOHNNA too!! Now I was shocked! She and I both had never met another person with our name. It was kinda funny. Finally, there was another Johnna on the Disboards!! I forget her screen name, but her real life name is Johnna. Too funny.

Okay - no one cares anymore about this post; I'm sure I lost you all at "hello"

Ciao for now...need coffee... Johnna

 

[feiste]

I'm finally back!

With Halloween right around the corner it seems the proper time ramp up the excitement level for the cruise (I didn't want to peak to early, hence my absence from the board).

My family is very excited and I have sent two families from the area to this message board recently, unfortunately they are not cruising with us.

I'm all about the spa treatments, great assignment for me

I just finished reading the last few pages and am planning on going back through today and doing a bunch of replies and quotes.

Here's a shocker - I have to go this week to order passports for my two DD's and myself! OOPS!!!!!! DH is none to happy with me that I let time slip away on that one.

We are currently planning to drive down (yuck) arriving Friday afternoon. I am watching the fares a little bit, but I don't think that they will get remotely as low as I need them to be to make that possible.

As far a plans for excursions - DH and DD want to snorkel. DGP(is that right for my dad?) wants to do a regatta race (he did one a few years ago and enjoyed it), and I want to do, PINA COLADAS BY THE POOL!!!!!! Anyone made any decisions yet?

I talk to you all soon, time to get the kids off to school...

 

[feiste]

I have no idea of the temps. I wondered about that. We are doing organized tours on both islands we visit, and I think it would be a drag to carry a sweatshirt for everyone. But, I hope that won't be the case. I assume that the decks might get chilly at night though.

My theory on weather... Regardless of what the temps are it will be warmer than Michigan in March!

 

[feiste]

Bump! Bump!

The cruise will be here before long. Sumer is over almost.........soon the holidays will rush past...then the Jan-Feb thaw.....AND THEN IT'S HIDDEN MICKEY TIME!



OOH yeah!! OOH yeah!! Super Magical Ohanas Deck 10 Hidden Mickey Time!! Booh Yah!

J.

Yamata - nice to see another fellow Mac lover on the board. My DH new 24 inch IMac just arrived at the door 5 minutes ago!

 

[feiste]

Oh my gosh. You ladies are funny. I'm NOT gaining 10 lbs. this 2008! You can have your drinking. I'm sitting by the pool! I just love those little deck 4 chairs. I cannot wait to sit down by myself. Well, I cannot wait to meet up with ya'all again. We have had such a hoot of a time and didn't spend time with even half of you yet.


p.s. TIM -- I'M NOT PLAYING BINGO AGAIN - IT'S RIGGED!!!

Kim

I'm not making any promises on no weight gain, I can never seem to decide on just one of the desserts!

On our first cruise I won $450 playing BINGO - this is one activity that I just won't miss!!!!

 

[feiste]

Count me in for the gift bags for the kids. I can add something to an already planned bag, or we could plan to give little items on multiple days. I love Oriental Trading Company!

Any ideas when Mardi Gras is in 2008?

 

[feiste]

Rani - I totally relate; Johnna isn't exactly the most popular name in the book. In college, I was at a mall and there was a guy selling keychains with names and what the names mean. I bet him he didn't have my name; I lost the bet and had to buy the keychain! That was the first time anyone, anywhere, had my name on anything. Then, also in college, I went to a Hard Rock Cafe in NYC, and gave my name to the hostess. Now, I usually give someone else's name (still do) since my name growing up was Johnna Giardiello (yes, I know...you're all doing this right about now: and thinking to yourselves "poor girl") so anyway... I told the hostess my name was Johnna - and she just stared at me! So I started with my usual "J-O-H-N-N-A - yes, it's like John - with a "na" at the end..." and the guy I was with said, "Hey, look at her name tag!" It was JOHNNA too!! Now I was shocked! She and I both had never met another person with our name. It was kinda funny. Finally, there was another Johnna on the Disboards!! I forget her screen name, but her real life name is Johnna. Too funny.

Okay - no one cares anymore about this post; I'm sure I lost you all at "hello"

Ciao for now...need coffee... Johnna

I have a friend named Johnna , I will have to let her know that I now know two Johnna's!

 

[feiste]

Hello,

Just introducing ourselves. I hope I am not interloping into what appears to be a close-knit group of friends. We will be on the 03/01/08 Eastern Cruise. We've been to WDW many times and Disneyland a few times, but this will be our first for a Cruise. If I've figured out some of the jargon we are:

DH, Mike, 37 yrs
DW, Melissa, 36
DD, Kailyn, 7
DS, Jacob, 5

I signed up to the Disboards a few months ago, but believe this only my second post (my first having been about twenty minutes ago on another thread).

Welcome MAD...

My youngest DD is 7 as well. Your family is in for a great time!

 

[feiste]

GOT MY PACKAGE FROM DCL TODAY, out lining the eastern. REALITY SETS IN........ Guess I should work on the air fare hummmmm......

What package? I'm feeling left out, I don't think we've gotten anything yet

 

[Johnna_Story]

What package? I'm feeling left out, I don't think we've gotten anything yet

Wow - you weren't kidding about catching up!!

It's the "time to pay for your trip in a couple weeks" package. And it's got promo materials on excursions, stuff you can buy to have waiting for you on board, etc. I'm sure if you didn't get it last week, it will come this week.

 

[Johnna_Story]

A well earned victory for the SOX last night - and for the ALCS series overall. Mark and Ryan are deliriously happy - and I'm sleep deprived today since Mark had me up watching the end of the game and then I couldn't go back to sleep!!

It will be an interesting two weeks ahead...

 

[MAD on Disney]

Thank you all for welcoming us. I will try to read this thread (correct term?) from the beginning, though I suspect that will take a while. Don't be suprised if I send out a laundry list of questions at some point (though it may take a while for me to get it all together).

 

[MAD on Disney]

Okay all, my DW and I have gotten pretty accustomed to knowing our way around WDW and (to a lesser extent) Disneyland; but this will be our first time for a cruise. So, if you don’t mind, I have a WHOLE LOT of questions that I would like help with. I understand that some of these items are probably the topics of other threads, but finding the gems has thus far proven quite difficult and time consuming, and it seems more personal knowing the answers will be coming from people that will be cruising at the same time as us. To keep things manageable, I will try to ask my questions in sets. Also, if I am violating some sort of protocol with this approach, please let me know; I don’t want people getting mad at us for taking advantage of your consideration, or having you feel that you are spending more time planning our vacation than your own.

All that being said, here are our first set of questions.

1. I saw a reference early in the thread to “Nebraska pals” Ron and Brenda. Does that mean we have fellow Huskers going on the cruise? (it’s okay to admit it, no matter how badly the football team is performing)

2. Does anyone have an opinion regarding the “PassPorter’s Field Guide to the Disney Cruise Line”? Should we get it? If so, the paperback or Duluxe version?

3. We are currently scheduled for the Second Seating dining? How bad is this? Are there only two seatings, or is the second out of three or more? Is there a way to request the first seating, how would I do so, and how slim are our chances?

4. In the DISboards, I seen references to the following things that sound like fun for the kids: magnetic door signs, pirate party, autographed pillowcases. While I’m already sold on these things, can anyone provide short input to get my DW a little more enthused? Also, while I believe that I have the door signs and pirate party somewhat figured out (though some pirate party questions will follow), could someone please explain the pillowcases to me? Are there any other fun things that may not be readily known from the website, DVD, Travel Channel, etc.?

5. For the pirate party, here is what I know so far, tell me what may be wrong: (a) the party probably starts on the night we depart St. Maarten, and occurs late enough in the dining rotation that we will already have hit that restaurant at least once before; (b) we may need to skip out of dinner early to catch the start of the activities since we are on second seating; (c) but we don’t want to skip out of dining altogether because there will be souvenir pirate bandanas at our table that night; and (d) it would be fun to dress up as pirates.

6. In addition to what I know (or think I know) about the pirate party, here are some additional questions. Are toy swords, pistols, etc. allowed, and if so, are they permitted in your checked baggage on the airlines? Is it okay for my DW’s costume to be somewhat “sexy” (nothing truly dirty, but most female pirate costumes we have bare midriffs, corset-style bodices, etc.)?

That's all (for now). Thanks.

- Mike

 

[feiste]

I'll answer what I can, but as far as I'm concerned feel free to ask as many questions as you need.

2. Does anyone have an opinion regarding the “PassPorter’s Field Guide to the Disney Cruise Line”? Should we get it? If so, the paperback or Duluxe version?

I've never used this...

3. We are currently scheduled for the Second Seating dining? How bad is this? Are there only two seatings, or is the second out of three or more? Is there a way to request the first seating, how would I do so, and how slim are our chances?

1st or 2nd dinner is really dependent on your family, and yes there are only two. What time do you normally eat at home? How interested are you in seeing all of the shows? Although we have had 1st dinner seating on all of our cruises (except the 3 day) I can see an advantage to the second seating. Sometimes my family is just not ready to leave the pool area yet, but we have to because it is time to get ready for dinner. That being said I have heard of many people moving from 2nd to 1st seating, even if it has to be done once on board.

4. In the DISboards, I seen references to the following things that sound like fun for the kids: magnetic door signs, pirate party, autographed pillowcases. While I’m already sold on these things, can anyone provide short input to get my DW a little more enthused? Also, while I believe that I have the door signs and pirate party somewhat figured out (though some pirate party questions will follow), could someone please explain the pillowcases to me? Are there any other fun things that may not be readily known from the website, DVD, Travel Channel, etc.?

I dropped pillowcases and markers in a ziplock bag with our room number and the girls names at the desk for both of my daughters on our Western cruise (without telling the girls). When the packages showed up at our room the last night the girls were thrilled! It was if they had received a surprise gift from the characters. A priceless memory!

This board also organized a Mardi Gras giveaway on our last Western cruise. A few of the families brought items to pass out in celebration of Mardi Gras (beads, tattoos, pirate mustaches and so on). The kids really enjoyed passing the fun out to the rest of the ship, and for the rest of the week my youngest daughter had a great time spotting people wearing the beads she helped to pass out!

I have not done much in the way of door signs, but I am really going to try to get one done for this trip. It's nice to see something a little bit "special" on your door when you come home. Also, I love looking at the creativity of others!

As far as getting your wife as excited about the plethora of information that you will be spewing at her from this board, not to worry she will probably give you a lot of eye rolling at first (at my least my family did!). However as the excitement builds and the time to board gets closer she will love that you have all of the answers that she needs! When you know exactly what to wear when boarding, find instant friends at the terminal (with green mickey tags) and where to go to get those kids in the pool ASAP she will think it's "disney magic" and you will know that all of your questions paid off!

5. For the pirate party, here is what I know so far, tell me what may be wrong: (a) the party probably starts on the night we depart St. Maarten, and occurs late enough in the dining rotation that we will already have hit that restaurant at least once before; (b) we may need to skip out of dinner early to catch the start of the activities since we are on second seating; (c) but we don’t want to skip out of dining altogether because there will be souvenir pirate bandanas at our table that night; and (d) it would be fun to dress up as pirates.

Your servers are very aware of the pirate party, and if you tell them that you want to hurry, they will try to do their best to push your meal along. Also, this is a great night to skip dessert/have an abbreviated meal (skip the apps or salads) because there is a huge pirate party buffet a little bit later in the evening.

6. In addition to what I know (or think I know) about the pirate party, here are some additional questions. Are toy swords, pistols, etc. allowed, and if so, are they permitted in your checked baggage on the airlines? Is it okay for my DW’s costume to be somewhat “sexy” (nothing truly dirty, but most female pirate costumes we have bare midriffs, corset-style bodices, etc.)?

I will look at my photos from past pirate nights and see what I can find. Nothing that you mentioned sounds offensive to me, but then again I'm only one of many opinions out there. If you are worried about the airline aspect you could always purchase the items while in Florida. Perhaps they would have something fitting at the Disney store in the airport (are you flying into MCO?)?

That's all (for now). Thanks.

- Mike[/QUOTE]

I hope at least some of this helped!