03/30/08 4 night Wonder, 30th March 2008

[Deweysgirl]

The drill is at 4pm. I think 3pm sounds great on Sunday for a quick DISmeet. Does that seem ok with everyone? Now where should we meet is the question ???

I agree, we used the over the door organizer and it was real handy. We put everything in there, even our lanyards, cameras, sunglasses, room service tips, navigators, all in one place. Now why can't I be that organized at home!

I have never done the Dolphin Encounter in Nassau, sure looks fun and I hear it is very popular. We went to Costa Maya too and it was real nice. Of course it was completely devastated last year by hurricane. Very sad! But the good news is that they are rebuilding and hope to be up and running very soon.

 

[Holly Harbor]

Our group will be joining you on March 30th...There are fourteen of us. DH and I will be raising the average age, since we're the grandparents! We're bringing along DD and DS and their families. DGS's ages are 17,15,13,9, and 6. DGD's ages are 15,13, and 10.

Our family lived in Clearwater, FL during the planning and building stages of WDW. I have been a Disney fanatic ever since I first stood at the end of Main Street and saw Cinderella's Castle. We have taken all our grandchildren, except the youngest one, to WDW without their parents. Taking three-year old and four-year old cousins away from their parents in North Carolina for a week in Florida was pretty bold, don't you think? We had a GREAT time! Two years ago our plans were to make the trip with the youngest, but I got an inconvenient cancer diagnosis and was going through chemo...that caused some changes in plans. I'll admit to using the grandkids as an "excuse" to go to WDW at "my age". All is going great now and we are all so excited to have our first family cruise. Only four of us have cruised before and this will be our first with DCL.

Looking forward to seeing you on board.

Jackie

 

[wayneg]

Hi Jackie
Welcome onboard and welcome to DISboards
I thought this DISmeet was going to be really easy with only a few names to remember I have no chance now, can you all wear name tags please

Just survived another Valentines day, been working 18 hours a day all week. Then in 2 weeks its Mothers day so 18-20 hours a day all that week. I wish ours was in May like yours.

 

[LostGirls]

Welcome Jackie!
I have a DD age 10 who is anxious to meet others her age! I have another DD age 6.
Where to meet? I'm trying to remember where we had our meet last time.
What is above the Goofy Pool? Or Mickey Pool? I remember there was a bar near by for anyone who wanted drinks.... it's been too long!
Wayne - you must be exhausted! I am - and it's just from the kids' parties at school. That and we went to the Sonics basketball game last night - my 10 yr old performed pre-game with her dance studio. It was a lot of fun, but I'm dead today!

 

[driver]

I'll put in a vote to meet at Goofy Pool. Seems like there is majority of tweens/teens in our group so that would probably be ideal. I know DD13 would love to meet some fellow teen cruisers to hang out with during the cruise.

We're definitely counting the days to the cruise!

 

[DSTinFL]

Woohoo!! We are cruising for spring break this year and so looking forward to it! I'm a single mom of two; a daughter (10) and son (9). This will be the kids first cruise ever and our first Disney Cruise. Unfortunately, they will be separated (different age groups) at Oceaneer Lab so, I'm hoping that they will meet some great kids, their age, in each of their groups. I'm secretly hoping that there will be lots of single parents on the ship! We are in a guaranteed Cat 8. so, I don't know where we'll be yet.

Tried to book the Dolphin encounter online and couldn't. I hope it's not booked up already. What do you think about the banana boats for the kids? I've heard that it's a bit rough for some kids. My son wants to parasail, but you have to be 90 lbs. and my son is only about 79 lbs. I think that two can do it together, but my daughter says "no way!" and I don't know if I have the nerve to get up there myself. I also may book a brunch at Palo for myself. Haven't decided yet.

Counting down the days!
Shawn & kids

 

[wayneg]

Welcome Shawn and Kids
Sorry cant help with banana boat, only trip we have ever done is ocean bottom fishing.
Must go to bed now, been out drinking all night for friends Birthday, not often I drink but I did tonight

 

[Disney Fanatics R Us]

Welcome Jackie & Shawn and families-

Sounds like there are lots of teens who will be looking for someone to hang out with. We were hoping DD(15) can find someone to hang with so we can go to Palo's at least one night and not feel guilty.

Valentine's Day and Mother's Day that close- that would not be good. I'm sure you are tired.

Meeting at the Goofy Pool sounds great. We however may not be there as early as expected. We made reservations this week to stay at Animal Kingdom the two nights before the cruise and they have said they will not pick us up for the transfer until 12:30 PM on Sunday. I'm not real happy with that as I like to be on the boat by then. Any one have experience with taking another shuttle to the cruise line from Orlando? We also wondered about taking a the Disney Shuttle back to the airport and taking the Cruise Line Shuttle from there... not sure if this works or not.

Would you all believe that we are again having a winter storm predicted. Freezing rain first and then 6-8 inches of snow- it is really not funny anymore. What a winter.

 

[Deweysgirl]

Unfortunately, they will be separated (different age groups) at Oceaneer Lab so, I'm hoping that they will meet some great kids, their age, in each of their groups. What do you think about the banana boats for the kids? I've heard that it's a bit rough for some kids.
Shawn & kids

Hey Shawn and kids and Jackie! Welcome!

Shawn - My daughter is 9, turning 10 on the cruise. She would enjoy meeting your DD. She will also be in the Lab so maybe they could pal around too. We'll look for you at the DISmeet. There are a couple of others that are her age too so would be nice for all of them to meet and have some fun together at the Lab.

Both of my kids did the banana boat ride last cruise and they absolutely loved it. I was too chicken to ride so the two of them went on it alone. They liked it so much I have booked it for them again at 3:30pm on Castaway Cay day.

Wayne - good luck with the flower deliveries! Sounds like you needed a night out for some much deserved R & R but I hope you won't be paying for it today! &

Driver - My DD13 will be at the DISmeet, hope to see you there!

Jackie - We live a stone's throw from Clearwater, just north on US 19. My parents still live in Clearwater and I grew up there. Not sure how long it's been since you've been here but I don't think you would recognize it! We have also lived here since 1971 and my parents honeymooned at Disney World the very first year it opened. I guess that is why I have loved Disney all my life, been going there ever since I can remember and now my kids have been born and raised with the mouse too! My parents will be going on this cruise with us too so you won't be the only grandparents along! I think it's wonderful that families can all travel together harmoniously (well for the most part anyway! haha! )

Ok everyone-let's get excited!! 6 weeks to go! Woo-hoo!

 

[wayneg]

I hope you won't be paying for it today! &

Ok everyone-let's get excited!! 6 weeks to go! Woo-hoo!

I was not too good this morning, ok now though

I have just ordered Sea World ticket For Matt's friend and All you can eat BBQ buffet in Sea World on Monday 24th. $12.55 each with AP discount, thought it was a good price for inside a theme park, hope its nice food.
Also printed off vouchers for free desserts at 2 different places in SW.

Ordered his Universal ticket about 2 weeks ago and Pick up his Disney ticket from Cast member friends house when we land. Glad we have AP's for all the parks, its a pain all this buying tickets.

Hope thats everything sorted. Wish it was here now.

 

[LostGirls]

We used FL Tours in 2005 and plan to use them again this year to get from the airport to the Port. They were great - arrived on time, clean van, driver was very nice. We rented a car after, and will this time too, as we will stay a couple of days at the beach after the cruise.
It's supposed to be 55 degrees today and the rain will start up again next week, but I think I can handle 6 more weeks as long as we don't have any more snow!

 

[driver]

We're still trying to get into cruise-mode. Once we get through this 3 weekend soccer tournament we will be able to focus better.

Our family did the banana rides and loved it (wish it were a longer ride though). Another excursion we have done on CC is the jet ski tour. It was really fun! We also have done the reef snorkel off a boat and that was not worth the price as the reef is severely damaged from hurricanes that went through the area a few years ago. Not enough time for the reef to recover enough for plentiful fish and coral, etc.

A big hello to all the fellow Pinellas/Pasco cruisers! See y'all soon!

 

[rjones69]

We're coming! My DH, DM, DD (16yrs) and DS (11yrs) will be there. We are so excited!

 

[Deweysgirl]

Hi rjones69 and Welcome!

I see you've cruised before, this is our 4th DCL cruise. We are so excited to be going back on The Wonder! We are booked in Cat. 9, first time for us in a window cabin. Our 1st cruise was inside, next two we had a verandah and this time we will be with the big porthole. I hope we won't miss the verandah too much. What type cabin did you book? We booked the room at Comfort in Nassau to get access to the new Aquaventure water park. We also booked a Palo brunch, decided to skip the dinner this time. That's about all for us.

Just about 5 weeks to go!! Woop-Woop!!

 

[wayneg]

Welcome rjones69

4 Weeks from now we will have been on the plane for 4 hours with about another 5 hours to landing.

 

[Holly Harbor]

I tried to drop in with some responses to your gracious welcomes some time ago but something messed up and I lost my message. Too late to try again that night, so here I am again. I do look forward to meeting all of you and 3 PM at Goofy's sounds fine.

Deweysgirl and driver: When we moved to Clearwater (right after our honeymoon) I taught high school math in New Port Richey. It took me twenty minutes up a two-lane highway 19 to get to school. The last time we tried that same trip was in the late '70's or early '80's it took me 45 minute on a 4-lane highway! Now when we visit my brother in Sarasota we just keep on I-75.

rjones: Glad to see another North Carolinian group. DH and I have been residents of Durham since July 2006. DS and DD and their families live in Cary. The teenagers in our group go to Panther Creek HS and Enloe Magnet HS. DS and her family go to church in Apex. It's a Small World After All!

 

[rjones69]

Hey that's cool you have some Wake County Students cruising with you. We are Middle Creek High!

 

[mcmckissic@charter.n]

Hi there, our family of 5 cannot wait to try out Disney Cruising in only four weeks!! Can't wait. We have three girls: 6, 4 and 9 months...so hoping the two older girls will meet some new friends on the ship! Looking forward to meeting everyone, and we just found this board, how fun!! So, so tired of winter in Michigan!! Looking for some sunshine! Carrie.

 

[wayneg]

Hi Carrie
Welcome aboard, and Welcome to Dis
I think most people have had enough of winter now, we have gone from the snow and frost to very high winds, so much damage around here yesterday. Did any of you hear we had a 5.3 earthquake this week? near to us, I slept thru it
Mothers day here today, back to work now, coffee break over. Had a sleep in today until 4am, been 3.15am all week.

 

[Deweysgirl]

Hi Carrie and Family and Welcome!

We are so glad to have you join us! The first time we cruised on the Wonder my girls were about your daughters ages. They had so much fun and met new friends at the club and just had a fabulous time. I'm sure you all will have a blast!

Wayne - Good Luck today!!

4 Weeks to Go! Whoop-Whoop!!