05/09/2009 May 9, 2009 7-Night Eastern St Maarten... Watch Out!

[1stime74]

We will make our way to the family pool between 2 and 3 pm. and look for green bracelets.

Our gifts our now in the custody of UPS and on their way to Orlando.

 

[wingawh]

Hi all

We are really looking forward to the trip next week. We are scheduled to leave next Friday and staying at WDW for the night.

We are a little concerned about flying with a 1yo next week due to the swine flu. Our daughter is an experienced flyer but not so sure about these conditions. Anyone else with the same concerns? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

 

[scottie]

Well we are in the same boat, a bit of concern about flying. We will be flying with a 3 yr old, 8 yr old, and 12 yr old. I am thinking masks, however, I dont know that any of them would keep it on 100% of the time... then what happens when you have it off for say that 30 seconds to drink your courtesy soft drink or the such? Are you pretty much in bad luck if Swine flu is present on the plane and your are without the mask for a handful of seconds a few times throughout the flight, I dont know?
Also, I read of people who fly often (like heavy business travelers) these days and the vast majority mention how the rarley get sick so are the filter systems maybe better then the old days or stuff doesnt spread in planes too much or maybe they just have good luck? I have no clue but would love to hear some input!
If the CDC/WHO felt flying was a bad idea, would they pass an alert as to suggest avoiding it and also maybe require masks to be handed out at all gates at the airports- which they are not doing?

Our plan is to board the plan from Columbus to Orlando next Friday... masks are not decided at this point but we will be showing up in Orlando for sure!

Sorry I wasnt much help but you got me thinking!

 

[wingawh]

Actually you did help, at least I know I am in the same boat (pun intended) with you. I am hopeful that things will improve by then. With a wife who is a public health professor we are trying to weigh all the options.

Thanks for your insight!

 

[scottie]

I still have to hit the shopping center to buy clothes. I have lost 42 pounds since February and I have been waiting to the last minute to go buy new things that really fit.

That is AWESOME! Congrats!

BTW all - since we don't have a formal meet scheduled, do we want to agree that we might try to meet at/around the pool between 2 and 3 on that Saturday? Not really formal, but just an opportunity to at least know that SOME if not all of us will be in one place?

Sounds A-OK by me. I have a feeling we will probably have a kid or two in the pool by then anyway!

 

[MouseNDaHouse]

Actually you did help, at least I know I am in the same boat (pun intended) with you. I am hopeful that things will improve by then. With a wife who is a public health professor we are trying to weigh all the options.

Thanks for your insight!

I am concerned, but I can't imagine I'll be able to get my girls to keep the masks on. Also, not sure that my 1 year old would let Nat and me keep ours on the whole time...she'll need reassurance that we are still her parents!
I agree with you Scottie - I can't over-worry about it if travel is still allowed.

One thing that hits me though, as so many Mexican cruise boats get redirected, I bet that our ports will be even more crowded than we originally thought. There's actually a Carnival boat out of LA that was supposed to do 3 Mexican cities...now their one and only shore excursion is going to be San Francisco! Lots of unexpected people in lots of unexpected ports for the foreseeable future.

Final note: wingawh - LOVE this: 00 days 00 hours 00 minutes until the Margarita Stand. CLASSIC.

 

[scottie]

.

One thing that hits me though, as so many Mexican cruise boats get redirected, I bet that our ports will be even more crowded than we originally thought. There's actually a Carnival boat out of LA that was supposed to do 3 Mexican cities...now their one and only shore excursion is going to be San Francisco! Lots of unexpected people in lots of unexpected ports for the foreseeable future.

While at work today I was thinking about all the ships skipping the Mexican ports and how I am guessing those boats are not going to go all the way over to "our" ports, to add to the crowd, in place of their original stop. Lucky us I guess!

 

[MouseNDaHouse]

While at work today I was thinking about all the ships skipping the Mexican ports and how I am guessing those boats are not going to go all the way over to "our" ports, to add to the crowd, in place of their original stop. Lucky us I guess!

I hope you're right. As it is, in both of our ports we're sharing space with two of the largest cruise ships in the world: Liberty of the Seas (3600 passengers) in St. Maarten and Carnival Triumph (approx. 3,000 passengers) in St. Thomas.
We'll just have to make like the Spartans and beat the larger forces with our ingenious strategies and nimble planning dexterity...not to mention the sharpness of our wits!

Scottie - I said SHARP WITS!
Sigh...maybe they'll run after the nimble dexterity...

 

[scottie]

I hope you're right. As it is, in both of our ports we're sharing space with two of the largest cruise ships in the world: Liberty of the Seas (3600 passengers) in St. Maarten and Carnival Triumph (approx. 3,000 passengers) in St. Thomas.
We'll just have to make like the Spartans and beat the larger forces with our ingenious strategies and nimble planning dexterity...not to mention the sharpness of our wits!

Scottie - I said SHARP WITS!
Sigh...maybe they'll run after the nimble dexterity...

Wits???


The mighty power of the DIS Crew on the Magic will surely overpower the meager souls from the Liberty and Triumph during the 12 Meter race.
Power to Mickey Fans!

 

[MouseNDaHouse]

Wits???


The mighty power of the DIS Crew on the Magic will surely overpower the meager souls from the Liberty and Triumph during the 12 Meter race.
Power to Mickey Fans!

THAT is a great idea - if we all bring Mickey Fans to the boat race we'll totally win!! How many do you think it would take to fill the sails on Stars n' Stripes?

 

[wingawh]

I am concerned, but I can't imagine I'll

Final note: wingawh - LOVE this: 00 days 00 hours 00 minutes until the Margarita Stand. CLASSIC.

Well I do enjoy a margarita in EPCOT. I do have a rule, every time you pass the stand you get a margarita. Makes things fun.

 

[MouseNDaHouse]

Well I do enjoy a margarita in EPCOT. I do have a rule, every time you pass the stand you get a margarita. Makes things fun.

See, I am almost with you on that one - I go with every time I actually STAND I get a margarita...nice constant buzz from that one.

 

[wingawh]

If you have the time you should drink around the world, on the first time around you start at mexico and you skip Norway and then drink at the next one. The 2nd trip around you start at Mexico (can not pass the stand without a margarita) and proceed on to Norway and hit all the ones you missed. It takes the better part of an afternoon maybe longer if you decide to shop.

 

[DisneyMommy1022]

ahhhhhhh MARGARITAS!!!!!
I'll Take 3 or maybe 10 please

 

[MouseNDaHouse]

If you have the time you should drink around the world, on the first time around you start at mexico and you skip Norway and then drink at the next one. The 2nd trip around you start at Mexico (can not pass the stand without a margarita) and proceed on to Norway and hit all the ones you missed. It takes the better part of an afternoon maybe longer if you decide to shop.

That would be terrific - although you have to tell me why we're skipping Norway; Viking phobia? - but with the kids I just don't see my wife letting me stumble into an English pub late in the evening!

 

[akl432]

Just wanted to wish everyone safe and happy travels! We leave at 4:30AM tomorrow morning for WDW, so I'm signing off now! See you all on the Magic!!

 

[don604]

Just wanted to wish everyone safe and happy travels! We leave at 4:30AM tomorrow morning for WDW, so I'm signing off now! See you all on the Magic!!

Awesome!! Have a great time! C-ya soon

 

[chubbyjen]

I hope you're right. As it is, in both of our ports we're sharing space with two of the largest cruise ships in the world: Liberty of the Seas (3600 passengers) in St. Maarten and Carnival Triumph (approx. 3,000 passengers) in St. Thomas.
We'll just have to make like the Spartans and beat the larger forces with our ingenious strategies and nimble planning dexterity...not to mention the sharpness of our wits!

Scottie - I said SHARP WITS!
Sigh...maybe they'll run after the nimble dexterity...

"Madness...?? THIS IS SPARTA!!" (kick!)

Sorry...that is just what came to my mind when I read this!

 

[airtime247]

DisneyKricket - 42 pounds? That's awesome! Good for you.

Jeremy - We'll be at AKV before the cruise and BWV after until Wednesday. I agree we should at least have a time or two when a group of DISers can possibly expect to meet. By pool, do you mean Goofy? How about an informal meet for family time the first day in the Oceaneer Club/Lab to introduce the little monsters?

We are pretty much all packed up except for what we need in the morning. I'm taking half a day off tomorrow to do some last minute chores and make sure we catch our 5:30pm flight with no stress.

We can't wait to meet everyone. We will start wearing our wristbands at WDW a couple days before the cruise just in case. I get the feeling I can pretty much pass by the Mexico pavilion any time and I'm guaranteed to run into at least one or two cruisers. Maybe that will be our first unexpected meet!

Now why doesn't Disney let us use margaritas as our snack credits on the dining plan? I'm a little torn between getting the rainbow (aka the usual) and mango which is my current fav. We're there long enough, I guess I can get both. I also want to try the Grand Marnier slushy from France ever since that Samantha Brown episode.

Anyway, it's late and I've got to at least pretend to be productive for a few hours tomorrow.

Everyone have a good, safe trip there and we'll see you on the Magic!

-steve

 

[scottie]

For everyone that is leaving soon... have a wonderful time in WDW!

I can’t believe we are down to our last weekend to get ready and we do not have one thing packed yet and still have to finish up FE gift shopping/preparation!

DW just reminded me this morning she is supposed to head to Pittsburgh this weekend for a bridal shower all day Sunday. Great, one less weekend day to get things finished up!

I think the first afternoon we personally will have kids split between the Mickey and Goofy pool because of their mix of ages or desire to hit the slide! I will be keeping my eyes open for the green bracelets!

We should be arriving at Port between 10 and 10:30am- after a quick run to the local grocery. So keep an eye out for our grand arrival into the terminal!
I imagine many of us may run into each other at the terminal as we wait to cross through the giant mickey ears!