1/24/09 - Disney Magic - Western

[jdes88]

Ladies and Gents!

By this time next week I better be at the port!

I am so excited!! I can hardly wait!!




I'm at work right now thinking hmm...this time next week I'll be looking at the ocean and not dreaming about it! We had a high of 7 degrees yesterday and it was 1 outside when I got up this morning. Gawd I need this cruise!

We're flying down on Friday night and spending a night at a Fairfield Inn near the airport then going back to the airport to take the transfers. I did not want to mess with a car. Plus we're doing a post night @ Pop Century and what's the sense in having a car at WDW! hehehe

Alrighty everyone. I know I'll be on this board non stop next week, hopefully it won't be too dead with everyone leaving at various times this week!

See you guys soon!

 

[cyndik1111]

We leave on Friday EARLY AM - still trying to figure out the logistics of getting to the airport with the carseats, luggage and stroller, and, and We are not morning people and it is only the love of disney and the call of the cruise that is making this bearable. (our boys sleep in until 10:00AM usually) then we are staying at the Hyatt at the airport - kind of excited to see the hotel - never stayed in an airport legally before...We let disney do all the prep too - what were we thinking??? So expensive.

Cyndi - love the written map - do you have the route highlighted on the maps? Also thank you for finding another place to meet - I appriciate it!

Can't wait to meet everyone!

Can i make a suggestions??? Bungee cords! I used them to bungee the car seat to the stroller (be creative) If they are still in infant seats, we just put the infant seat into the seat of the stroller and bungeed it so it wouldn't fall. We didn't have a fancy one that the baby seat actually sat in the stroller. Also (when she was older) we would bungee the carseat to a rolling suitcase. Another time i used one of those luggage carts, bungeed her seat to it, and she sat in it while we rolled her through the airport. Bungees are my friend!

I have nice printed maps with all the rooms marked. Just follow along. This cruise is too short to waste time hunting for rooms. Gotta have a game plan!

 

[Sophie_2003]

Hello everyone!

well, we saw a huge price drop and decided to take the plunge, so BALCONY HERE WE COME!!! Our new cabin number is 7532, I hope you can all find us for the FE xchange! I may try to post a `we have moved` sign on our old cabin.

Sorry about that...but very happy

 

[lindaso]

Cyndi...you are the woman!! Way to go!

We went shopping today so Steph has bathing suits to wear. I swear this kid does not stop growing! Not much selection but we got very lucky and found 2 really cute suits that actually fit!

Off to make some magnets now.

We leave Friday morning and we are now staying at Country Inn & Suites the night before. I'm really hoping the weather warms up b/c I've had enough of this cold spell.

Note to self...focus!!

BeccaGrace...so glad to hear you can make it. That is wonderful news.

Not long now...

 

[cyndik1111]

Cyndi, so glad you are map-obsessed...it really works to our advantage Thanks for all of your hard work and for sharing!

We don't have twins, but have flown with 2 huge carseats, double stroller, 5 kiddos, etc...SO much to think about. We have always brought the carseats on the plane and have had more than one occasion where the seatbelt was nearly impossible to unlatch upon landing. On one flight the attendant was on the intercom repeating that everyone MUST get off the plane...Helloooo, we were the only ones left on the plane and trying desperately to unhook the seatbelt and the child in it. Sometimes you don't know whether to laugh or cry !

:

Wait till you get the real maps of the boat, makes the written plan so much easier to follow!

As for the plane seatbelts, If you had the same probelm we had, try using a seat belt extender and cinch it tight. I could never get my fingers in to unlatch the seatbelt. i too was the last off the plane- good thing it wasn't sinking into the hudson River (anyone else totoally freaked out about that?) We will be wearing life jackets and wetsuits on the plane I wonder if I can fit an inflatable raft under the seat?


1st meet/greet- promenade lounge 3:15 pm embarkment day (saturday jan 24th) only for 20 minutes or so

2nd meet/greet- promenade lounge again, 11am Monday Jan 26 (1st day at sea)

Hopefully everyone can make one of them. If not, we can always plan a 3rd try and slip a note under everyone's door.
If you are not in the FE, but want to be included in the meet/greet (and we hope that you do) give us your cabin # and I'll put you on the list.

 

[cyndik1111]

Hello everyone!

well, we saw a huge price drop and decided to take the plunge, so BALCONY HERE WE COME!!! Our new cabin number is 7532, I hope you can all find us for the FE xchange! I may try to post a `we have moved` sign on our old cabin.

Sorry about that...but very happy

OOOOOH you are so lucky- I just went to photo copy all the maps of the boat and thought...."i'll just check the boards one more time" I saw your note and now I am "moving" you. You are the only one on deck 7-
it would have really helped us all if you had gone to deck 6... can you do that for us???
Just kidding- so happy to hear you will have sunlight in your room. I can't wait for that verandah. DH and I will be sitting on it with a glass of wine everynight while DH5 falls asleep. CALGON TAKE ME AWAY!!!!!

If you haven't already-m Ill adjust the FE delivery plan to include Sophie's new room. I'll have copies at 1st meet.

And we will be on the DIS until Friday morning. My inlaws have a computer in Del Boca Vista- where we'll be staying pre/post cruise. So jdes88 you wont be alone.

 

[cyndik1111]

i almost forget....
anyone interested in renting an electric car at keywest. I have been in contact with a woman who owns conch electric cars. she gave us a great price and said i can share- just print this email and bring with you and she'll honor price for all:

"Listen don't worry about the time frame I will give you a car from the time(around 12 pm ) you arrive with the cruise-ship until 5 pm for 83.20 tax and all inclusive.
It would normally be the price of a 2 hour rental.
The cars are very safe we have 5 seatbelts in each one and you could if you want have your daugther between you two up front because there is 3 seatbelts and there she would be fine. But we can provide a car seat if you request it. Usually kids love to seat in the back, because it is a higher seat and they have a nice view.
I am glad we finally could talk.
Take a copy of this e-mail so when my drivers come pick you up there is no problem about prices etc.
Renata 305-731-9933 cell"

then i asked her if i could share the price and she said

You can offer that same price to your other friends if they want to get a
car too. I would match yours.
Thank you
And we accept all credit cards.
See you sunday
Renata

 

[Sophie_2003]

Thanks Cyndi, if I am on your map the folks will find me!

I am beyond excited now! Today DD had entrance exams for kindergarten private school...will find out late February, but only 1 in 3 kids gets in, so...

Tomorrow we have 2 birthday parties to attend, get home by 8pm, sleep and get up at 5am to catch our 8h30 flight. If all goes well we'll enter the Magic Kingdom by 1:30pm...yay! And Elsa has informed me she wishes to visit sleeping Beauty first, so DH will have to go line up in Toontown while we ride Goofy's coaster!!!

I'll be back for a last check tomorrow, then we're off!!!

 

[cyndik1111]

Updated 1/17/09 to include Sophie_2003's good fortune!
*** indicate change***
Aft Elevators to 8th deck
Get off elevators/ turn left/ This is starboard side
Make a left (going Forward)
Walk down to Cabin:
8556 modlin1024
Continue down hall to Midship elevators
Cross to other side of boat/ This is Port side
Make a right (going Starboard again)
Walk down to Cabin:
8028 Memories2make
Head back to Midship elevators
Take Midship Elevators/stairs down to Deck 7
get off elevator & turn left
or get off stairs and turn right
You are going to starboard side
turn left down hall (going forward)
Deliver to cabin:
Cabin 7532 - Sophie 2003 *****
Continue down the hall to Forward Elevator
take elevator/ stairs down to Deck 6
Get off elevator turn left (Starboard side)
Or get off stairs and turn RT
Turn left down hall (going Forward)
Walk down to cabin:
Cabin 6522 - ErieCruiser 08
Turn around and deliver to:
Cabin 6539 - roobug
Then cabin:
Cabin 6537 - love2disneycruise
Continue to Midship Elevators
Cross over to Port side and make left Deliver to:
Cabin 6064/6066 - nikitta28
Go back to Midship elevators
Cross over to starboard side again
Turn right and head Aft
Deliver to:
Cabin 6614-eeyoresbestfriend
Then Cabin:
Cabin 6634 - cyndik1111
And
Cabin 6640 - 3 otters
Head back to Aft elevators
Take Aft elevators/stairs to Deck 2
Get off Aft elevators and make a right, going Aft, deliver to Cabin:
Cabin 2622 or 2624 – lindaso
Also you’ll find:
Cabin 2640/2638 – BeccaGrace (if you so desire)
Head back to Aft elevators
Cross over to Port side and deliver
To Cabin:
Cabin 2112 - tw2123
Continue down this hall to midship elevators/stairs. Take them
To Deck 1
Deliver to cabin:
Cabin 1051 - disney kat
YOU”RE DONE!!!!

 

[BeccaGrace]

Cyndi -- Thanks for your hard work with the map and organizing the meets...we will definitely be there just to prove to dh that you guys aren't my "imaginary friends"!

Sophie__2003 -- Congrats on your new balcony Glad you found a great deal!

I know I sound like a broken record but thank you SO much to all of you Everytime I hop on this thread I end up in tears...it will be a good preview for everyone because I will be the crazy mom crying all week. When I think about stepping on board the ship I start bawling I will be easy to pick out of a group

This time next week we will be at sea and we will have already met each other!

 

[cyndik1111]

This time next week we will be at sea and we will have already met each other!

ya, our tummies will be full from yummy cruise food, we'll be done with (or almost done with) the nightly show and heading back to our cabins to settle in for a cozy night's sleep on the boat where dreams come true. I can almost feel the gentle rocking motion of the boat as I drift off to sleep...Aaahhh
Oh yea- I wont have to wear fleece jammies, socks and 3 comforters to bed

 

[emmysusu8]

First day of driving from Grand Rapids begins at 0430 am Thursday morning. Overnight in Macon (a good 16 hour stretch. Thank god for the car's DVD player with wireless headphones. That way, my wife & I can listen to a book on tape.) Then on to Cocoa Beach on Friday to overnight at the Courtyard Marriott. At this point, mid 60's sound just fine, after dealing with wind chills of 20 below for the last several days. Weather's looking pretty good for the road trip though, which will make my life considerably easier.

Six months ago I was trying to plan on a 600 dollar fuel expenditure(still cheaper than flying a family of five and a rental car), now, for every dollar gas has dropped, I save 100 dollars each way. Nice little bonus of a lousy economy.

Chernabog66 - looks like we will be at the same hotel Friday night. If you are taking the $3 shuttle to the port we'll see you on it! Have a safe drive from Michigan, hope the weather is good. If we hadn't moved we would have been driving from Ohio. It's a LONG drive to FL down 75. Honk for me at Findlay, that's were we did live.

Emily

 

[lindaso]

Does anyone have a listing of our movies?

 

[roobug]

Does anyone have a listing of our movies?

I called and the only ones I can remember are Enchanted, Walle, Bolt (in Disney 3-D), Hannah Montanna (or it might have been the Jonas brothers I can't remmeber which one) & Bedtime stores - I think there where a few more. HM3 might have been one of them.

 

[BeccaGrace]

I called and the only ones I can remember are Enchanted, Walle, Bolt (in Disney 3-D), Hannah Montanna (or it might have been the Jonas brothers I can't remmeber which one) & Bedtime stores - I think there where a few more. HM3 might have been one of them.

OMG!!!!! The girls and I did a girls night in and watched Enchanted in bed last night and Becca said that she wished they would have it on the boat and I said that I didn't think that would happen!!!!! OMG!!!! That would be awesome...as would pretty much all the ones you listed.

All I have to say though is that if HSM3 isn't on the list I will not be a happy mommy I think I am more addicted than the girls

 

[roobug]

Yeah I can't wait to see enchanted!! The frist 3 I remembered because they were ones I wanted to see or see again I think I blocked out HSM3 - I worked with upper elementary kids before I had the boys and I heard WAY too much about HSM - I have only seen the first one - so it has nothing to do with the actual shows - there just are only soo many times you can spend an hour talking about one show. Plus our junior high put on the show so I really never seemed to be able to get away from it.

 

[modlin1024]

Hey everyone! Got a lot done today! I was able to FedEx my FE gifts and my box to be delivered to my stateroom so that is gone. ( I just hope it makes it since ALL my FE gifts are in it!) Did some last minute shopping and tomorrow I will pull the suitcases out and start packing. I also have one minor thing left to do before we leave...put our house on the market!!! I have to get this house sold since we will be moving in June! I cannot wait and I don't think I will ever live in Alaska again. It was fun but 8 months of winter is WAY too much for me!

This time next week...we will be sleeping listening to the wonderful sounds of the sea...

 

[tw2123]

Hey everyone, just thought I would check in and see how everyone is doing. It sounds like everyone is getting ready and very excited. It is so fun reading everyone's updates as they are packing and getting ready. It makes the packing sound like fun, not so much like work.

Cyndi I just wanted to thank you for your wonderful plans of how to distribute the FE gifts. You are great.

Sophie's new room never got updated on our FE list, but I believe Cyndi has it updated on her plans.

I just wanted to wish everyone the best as you are packing and traveling. I hope everyone makes it to the port safely and on time.

 

[Chernabog66]

Hey Emily,
We'll be going through Findlay at about 8:00 am Thursday morning, if weather cooperates Actually, the reports are looking pretty good for Thursday & Friday. As far as the shuttle, since we'll have our own car, we're planning on dropping everyone at the port, then I'll drive back to the Marriott, where parking is free for cruisers who are staying there, and catch the shuttle. That way, I'm only paying for one shuttle rather than five(yeah, I'm cheap when it comes to that kind of stuff )

The drive doesn't really bother me. I'm a network satellite truck engineer, so I'm used to long haul road trips. We make it fun for the kids by getting all sorts of games, movies, and activities for them to keep them occupied. Plus, we've done this trip so many times, there are landmarks we look for to mark the distances. The best is the church just south of Dayton with the giant statue of Jesus half submerged in a lagoon, reaching for the sky. The kids know we're getting close to crossing into Kentucky when they see "Touchdown Jesus"!

It's almost Magic time

 

[tw2123]

Just finished my FE, I am so happy to have gotten it done, now I can stop stressing about it. Sorry everyone I just had to post it here because nobody else understands what a FE is or why I had to make one.

Now if only the laundry and packing was done Oh well it will all get done and I will be on that ship in 5 days. Can't wait