06/24/2006 - Special Western Cruise - Who Else!?

[Doingitagain]

Well, I said goodbye, but now I am sitting at the airport (we got here early and Sun Country made it a breeze to check in)and I decided to play with the Blackberry my work issued to me. It has Internet access and I can get on the DIS boards! The screen is small and it is hard to type (forgive any typos)but at least I am connected!

 

[bairdbeth]

Happy Father's Day to all! After brunch with my dad it is pack the van time!
We will be wearing shorts and t-shirts for the David and Ivan tour. They provide bug spray, so I will spritz down. It will be hot so no long pants here!

We are almost there!!

 

[BethA]

Have a great week to those leaving already.

JTJCWISE: my son is 10 so will be in the older group, but having just turned 10 he may feel more comfortable in the younger age group. I know he'd love to meet up with your son--are you going down the day before? We are staying at the Radisson.

I'll send you a PM with my son's roommate.

 

[ibouncetoo]

Hello Double-dippers! A November Double-Dipper here popping in to wish you all bon voyage


Just read the last handful of pages of your thread and it sounds like you have a large group for David & Ivan in CM. We have 60 (!) and I was surprised they would take that many. We'll be interested to hear how they handle/divide up your group. I was under the impression that David & Ivan are the only tour guides (plus the lady in the bus)....I'm wondering if they have more staff and will split into smaller groups? We'll want to hear lots of details on your experience...OK?

Wishng you all a safe and magical vacation....STAY HEALTHY THIS WEEK!

 

[BuzzLightYear3]

Good question regarding check in-out....I indicated on the registration form that my DD-9 wouldn't be allowed to check herself in.....it then gave me a drop-down picklist of "adults" in our party who should be allowed to check her in/out, and DS-13 was listed. Problem solved! I'll have him carry the pager!

Actually, I'm o.k. with her checking herself out, but I don't like the idea of her being alone and walking through the long stateroom hallways. I think I'd be o.k. if she was together with a friend and they had a specific destination in mind. I think I'll stick with the no-check-out policy for now, and perhaps I'll change it later after we see how things go.

Linda

 

[Jillpie]

I want to say goodbye everyone! I've been packing for my family of five for the past two weeks now, as I know you all have been doing. I have never been more ready for a sailaway drinkie !

We're leaving on the 8:00 am flight out of Boston tomorrow morning and be at Disneyworld at 11:00. So I'll see some of you at Beaches and Cream on Friday, 4:00sh.

And the rest of you, I can't wait to meet you on Saturday!!!!

SEE YOU ON THE MAGIC!!!!!!!!!

 

[bairdbeth]

The van is packed and we are ready to go! We will leave at 5:00am tomorrow!
I look forward to seeing everyone at the Radisson and the port!

I'll check in again before an early bedtime tonight!

For those leaving, have a safe trip and see ya' on tyhe Magic!

Lorie- can you believe that the 625 days have almost passed? It was a long wait!

 

[RCBA]

Safe travels to everyone leaving early. I'm a little jealous I can't wait to meet you all!

 

[RCBA]

Packing is making me CRAZY
DH just said "I don't know if we will do formal night or not" he may walk the plank I do not want to carry my dress, shoes, DS dress pants/shirt/vest/tie/shoes if I don't have to

I have DS covered...he was easy to pack for It is DH and I that I am struggling with. I keep thinking we will likely live in our swimwear but don't want to kick myself for packing too little.

If you care to read, and maybe offer advice here is what I've got so far:

2 rolling suitcases w/ the little bags that sit on top of them. The small rolling bag and it's matching little bag will be our carryons. DS will have his rolling backpack as his carry on. I'm using a smallish messenger bag I got at a recent conference as a "purse" (I got a wristlet purse to carry around when I actually want a purse). I have a bag that folds up compactly to use as a beach bag and to bring home souvies. I'll probably buy a 'real' beach bag on the trip. The bag that goes on top of the big rolling bag will be mostly for souvies as we have enough stuff that is not coming home w/ us to fill it (pull ups, Goldfish, travel snacks, etc) We will have a Maclaren stroller with us, it folds up pretty small - umbrella style. We will also likely have a carseat. DS is so wiggly right now that I don't think he will want to sit still on our plane ride. He did well the last time...but he was only 1. Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[SuJo]

Bon Voyage to all those leaving soon safe travels and we will see you on the boat. I am really jealous of those who are going to WDW first. This will be the first time we have been in Florida and not gone to WDW. I might have to seek therapy afterwards . We don't leave until Friday morning. I did surprise the DD's with a trip to the spa today to get our nails done. Everyone looks fabulous . I have still not gotten into the packing mood yet. Just picking up little things here and there. We had our neighborhood picnic yesterday that I was the coordinator for so I have been too busy to really get into the Cruise. But now I am free and it is time to pack.

For the Radisson meet, have we decided how we are going to know who the Dis'ers are? I remember last time we were there the pool was a little crowded, has anyone thought of a way we can identify each other at the pool ?

Susan

 

[dipdotdarlin']

Hello everybody!!! I just got back from a family vacation with my husband's side. I could hardly wait to read the disboards when I got in this afternoon. I had more than 10 pages to read and catch up on.

HooiserMouseFan and SuJo- I am from Anderson, Indiana. I teach at the middle school and my husband teaches and coaches at Highland High School. I will be glad to talk IN to you. Although, I did not grow up in IN like my husband did.

jtjcwise and BethA- I grew up in West Virginia. I lived in South Charleston (Spring Hill area). I did not go to WVU, but have good friends who did. They still live in Morgantown.

I am so jealous of those that have already left. I don't get to fly in until the day of the cruise. I am hoping for no delays, but we leave very early. I can't wait to meet everyone at the sailaway party. My college roomie and I did get an free upgrade from deck 2, category 10 to deck 5, category 7- navigator's verandah. I can't wait to see it.

 

[bairdbeth]

Well, this is it. Off to bed by 9:00 and on the road by 5:00
See ya'll soon! I can't wait!

 

[carole88]

Safe travels to all who have already left and all who are leaving soon. We are not heading out until late Thursday evening. I pretty much have all of the kids clothes set aside. Tomorrow I will finish up with DH's and mine.

Sujo -Maybe I'll try to make a small sign for the Radisson meet. Anybody else have any ideas?

Saw Melissa Etheridge in concert last night at Ceasars Palace. My sister in law gave us the tickets last minute. We didn't realize that this was her first concert after recovering from breast cancer. She was really great. We ended up staying on the Strip. The kids like staying in the hotels. Almost felt like we started our vacation a little early. Even bet on 24 on the roulette table and won!

Happy Father's Day to all of the Dads out there!

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

I consider myself officially on vacation!!!! I work only weekends and get 4 weekends off a year. YUCK! BUT I have the next 2 off in a row so I can go on the cruise! I finished my weekend and now don't have to go back until July 8th!!!!!!

Safe travels to everyone leaving in the morning. We are going to pack tomorrow! Our small town had a tornado come through during the day. It was about 3 miles south of us and some damage. Thankfully it was south of us!

 

[musicgirl]

Charla-walking the plank!!!!

Packing-4 rolling suitcase (2 large 2 medium), large "carpet bag", heavy duty garment bag, 3 carryons, 3 personal items.

We take the max!!! The bigger the better!!!! As long as the checked are not over 50 lbs!!!


Bairdbeth-Safe travels!!!

Vija-How scary was that!!!! I'm glad you are safe and sound, now get packing!!!

I don't have anything left to do except the last 2 loads of laundry (not until wed am), day at the spa (tues) pedicure and manicure (wed). And that's it!!

 

[RCBA]

Lorie - My goodness at the luggage girl

Here is ours:

 

[musicgirl]

Charla, are those all packed????

Unfortunately, I'm a gold star member of the overpackers club! Plus, My ds's clothes take up wayyyyyy more space than yours!! He's recently hit 6'. Geesh, the shoes alone!!!

We also bring our own snorkel equipment for all 3 of us. Remember what I said about the shoes, fins for that boy (and dh) are huge!!!

 

[BethA]

We have 2 garment bags, 1 large suitcase each for the 4 of us and I am putting everything for the Radisson in 1 small suitcase---plus our carryons. I am finding I'd be okay with just the clothes-I cut back, but can't quite get over the overpacking,- BUT, I have a cometic case with all kinds of meds, all my shoes, dress shoes for everyone else and all the sunscreen, aloe, lotion, etc, that seems to fill the suitcase. plus I have 6 books. I am running out of room. I hope I don't end up needing another suitcase!! I have one HUGE suitcase I took a few years ago, but with the weight limit it doesn't work now.

I feel like I am forgetting something. Are there fewer documents now?

 

[musicgirl]

Beth A, I ran into the same thing with the weight limits. When we flew Delta 5 years ago, the limit was 80 lbs, now it is 50lbs. I'd really like to be able to correctly weigh the luggage ahead of time. Our scale is not large enough to weigh it alone. DH weighs himself and then with holding the bag. It's pretty close I think.

 

[musicgirl]

Since we are having some people leaving for the trip. Any last minute pieces of advice?

Something I read on the other forums about towels.

There will be towels provided as you get off the ship for CC.

There are usually towels provided for DCL excursions where you meet. However, most people are greedy.

If you are doing an excursion on your own or just going to the port pool or a nearby beach, TAKE towels as they will not have them as you exit the ship! Get the towels from the pool area.

Make sure you get the towels BEFORE you go to the WDW theater for Coz tendering, unless of course you have fast children, of course they must be awake at that point!!!