"10/23/2010 Seven Days of Magic Sailing to the Saints Looking for Serenity Now!"

[Anjelica]

Got our reservation at the Disney Treehouses for our pre-cruise stay.

Keep bragging - I heard they are WONDERFUL. Is it just you and Chel staying at the Treehouses? We are going to stick with AKV for the pre-cruise trip otherwise if we move to SSR we have to burn through another 15 or so points and we are seriously thinking about going back at Christmas in 2011 so I'm going to be banking/borrowing for that trip.

I am, however, looking at transferring our VWL night on October 30th to BLT - want to give it a try and its a straight switch for points -don't need to use more.

We can do lunch/dinner the Friday before if you guys are interested. We can make ADR's sometime next month for that.

 

[d'Isigny]

Ontop of that we are trying to get things together for our Ireland Trip this coming weekend/week. We have to still pack our bags but so far got the kids bags mostly packed (they are staying with the Grandparents while we are in Ireland).

I got our airfare for the flight down on October 21st through SW for around $92.00 (including tax, etc.) per person. They haven't released Oct 31st dates yet so we don't have our flights back yet.

Just wanted to wish you safe travel...and life time memories made on your Ireland trip.

Congrats on getting the first leg of your airfare - SW release dates of their flights is just crazy. Their web site a month ago...showed they would release through Nov 5. Not sure when that changed.

weekend is almost here....k

 

[angelabielanin]

My kids would love it if we could get a kids thread start. I can't wait to meet you all. We leave Oct 21 from Arkansas which is only 209 days . We are also planning on doing the fish extender, 3 cabins, 6 adult, 2 kids-12yr girl and 10 yr boy.

 

[Anjelica]

Just wanted to wish you safe travel...and life time memories made on your Ireland trip.

Thanks!!!

It's been stressful the last 18 or so hours. My son had a bad "bathroom" accident last night while I was working out and he was in the kids club at the YMCA (he's 3). Then after he ran into our bed last night (because he had a nightmare) he was burning up. Turns out he had a temperature of 101.5 - gave him Tylenol and he went back to sleep. Still had a fever this morning, went to doc and basically nothing wrong but most likely a virus.

Like CLOCKWORK, at least one of my kids ALWAYS gets sick with something 2-5 days before a Vacation - even ones where they aren't going with us. They always get better right before we leave but it still stresses us out.

So basically - looking forward to the trip for sure!!!

 

[Orlanr]

Keep bragging - I heard they are WONDERFUL. Is it just you and Chel staying at the Treehouses? We are going to stick with AKV for the pre-cruise trip otherwise if we move to SSR we have to burn through another 15 or so points and we are seriously thinking about going back at Christmas in 2011 so I'm going to be banking/borrowing for that trip.

I am, however, looking at transferring our VWL night on October 30th to BLT - want to give it a try and its a straight switch for points -don't need to use more.

We can do lunch/dinner the Friday before if you guys are interested. We can make ADR's sometime next month for that.

I'm sorry to brag, I was just so happy when I got the news (we were wait listed). Brenda will be there on Wed. morning. Brad and Cindy will be there Wed. night. Chel and I will be there Thur. morning. I think everybody wants to go to the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival. We could do something at EPCOT or at Boardwalk if you like, we still have plenty of time. Have fun in Ireland.

 

[snjmomma]

My kids would love it if we could get a kids thread start. I can't wait to meet you all. We leave Oct 21 from Arkansas which is only 209 days . We are also planning on doing the fish extender, 3 cabins, 6 adult, 2 kids-12yr girl and 10 yr boy.

Thanks for responding back! I'm working on that kid's thread. My daughter wants to chat with other kids her age on our cruise, before the cruise. Curious....... what is the fish extender?
~ Gabrielle

 

[Grandma4ever]

Who else is booked at the counrty Inn and Suites before this Cruise? That is where Janet and I are booked and we would love to meet before the cruise if you are getting in eariler enough and it will fit your plans. Lois

 

[Evad]

We are most likely going to stay at a Disney hotel.
Got to see how things work out.

 

[d'Isigny]

Who else is booked at the counrty Inn and Suites before this Cruise? That is where Janet and I are booked and we would love to meet before the cruise if you are getting in eariler enough and it will fit your plans. Lois

I'll need to look forward to a 'meet n greet' at port. Nan and I are at The Boardwalk thur/fri...still hoping we can add wed.

Hope all have great weekend plans. K

 

[coastiewifern]

OUCH! The SWA prices are high! Cheapest is $145 each way. Wanting to fly SWA because we always take more luggage on the cruise with needing dinner wear. Anyone else flying from Houston? If so let me know we can tag team tracking prices and let each other know if they go down.

 

[Evad]

Hey Dave...hope all is going well with you and yours.



Some of the work you've shared that Jordak has done...is OUTSTANDING!! Does Jordak share any work on these boards - or a personal web site...if so, can you offer a link. I'd like to see some more. The creativity...WOW!!



I need some suggestions. Have done some research on shooting RAW instead of jpeg. I like the idea of using a full size computer to complete PP instead of the 'little brain' in my camera that will reduce file size/quality. Guess...my research has gotten me confused...maybe too much info/opinions. What software would you suggest starting with...maybe a share/freeware that has the ability of an upgrade later. When you have a few moments....would you comment - please.

Welcome to the new members.

FYI...to those on our Yahoo Groups web site. I've loaded two information files; ADR's and Disney Dining Plans. I know this is not 'cruise' info...but assume some will be spending some time at the parks. Hope this info helps.

Happy Thursday...the weekend is almost here. K

Hey Kevin!! All is well here hope the same for you guys!!

Your right about jordak. You can find more of his designs on the magnets thread

As for software I use a freeware called Picasa 3. You can do many simple fixes with this program. I use it all the time. It's great for cropping, straightening, adjust saturation and such. Try it, I'm sure you'll like it.

For more complicated pp work I use Photoshop Elements 7. There is plugin for PE 7 that I really like called Topaz Adjust.. I love the effects you can have with Topaz from the mild to the extreme

I rarely shoot in raw due to file size and having a slow comp. Jpeg is what I use. I find the Nikon D80 does a great job with white balance and such that raw is rarely needed. It's a personal preference I guess.

Hope this helps you. Have fun, the digital world will drive you crazy. There is always something new to entice you with.......

 

[Evad]

We are very excited here folks as we have now booked our flights with SW. We will be arriving Friday morning at 9am.

Speaking of SW, how do you all check in at the 24 hour mark when you are at Castaway Cay. Our return flight is at 5:10pm on Saturday. The only direct flight we could get.

 

[Evad]

Sorry for all the questions but is there any place either on the ship or on the islands. where I can get wifi for my iphone??

Thanks...

 

[d'Isigny]

We are very excited here folks as we have now booked our flights with SW. We will be arriving Friday morning at 9am.

Speaking of SW, how do you all check in at the 24 hour mark when you are at Castaway Cay. Our return flight is at 5:10pm on Saturday. The only direct flight we could get.
Sorry for all the questions but is there any place either on the ship or on the islands. where I can get wifi for my iphone??

Thanks...

Hello my friend.

Congrats on getting flights. For me...this is when it all starts 'feeling real'.

Nan and I have also booked through SW - I love that they don't charge for luggage, have reasonable pricing and offered direct flights that worked with our schedule. I will prob 'bite the bullet' and spend twenty bucks (ten per person - per leg of travel) through SW's 'Early Bird' check in option. This will 'check us in' and offer a reasonable boarding letter/number for our return flight home. From past experience and posts on the DIS transportation boards, you usually end up in the early 'B' group. That will allow us to sit together - without being in the back of the plane...or getting stuck in a middle seat all the way to Phx.

I'll be in front of a computer/printer for travel to Orlando. So...we won't need to do this for our travel to Orlando.

Am sure...your wifi enabled iphone can check you in. I don't believe there is any coverage on the island - just on the ship. You might double check this and do a search or post a question on the regular Cruise Boards to gain others experiences with this device (one of my previous bosses 'Laws' - "Trust but verify"). Or...you can always use the computers on-board (deck 3 - Promonade Lounge area). Either way, you will need to sign up and purchase DCL's full internet plan or pay for minutes used.

You don't need to show up at the airport with a 'printed boarding pass'. All you need to do is check in via SW's web site. So...if you have someone at home/work that can do this for you...that will work - too. All they need is your flight number, departure time and the crazy confirmation number (wierd combination of letters/numbers). This requirement starts 24 hours prior to your flight and closes 10 minutes (someone correct me if I'm wrong on this) before your actual flight times. When you check in at the airport, SW will print a pass that will get you through security and to board the plane.

I believe we are required to be back on the ship at 4:30...so...you should have plenty of time to sign on and make this arrangement.

Our flights are much earlier than yours and I don't want to miss even a minute of Castaway Cay. That's why I'll either do early bird or have my oldest DD check us in.

Hope this helps...and...ask away...

 

[Sand]

Thanks Sandy, Jordak is really talented. Did Peter have one made up for the cruise? I think you mentioned it before but what camera does Peter have?

As for forums you can usually find me on the photo board. Lots of great people and great info over there. You both should check it out. I started a Nikon potd thread there as well

You will love the D5000!! From what I hear it's a great camera. All I can say right now is just practice, practice, practice. That's what I do and I'm just scratching the surface of this dslr world. I am working on HDR shots right now and hope to have that perfected before our cruise. Post processing is where the magic comes from but great composition makes things easier. Just remember that with a little cropping, adjust saturation, and a little sharpening you can turn a so so shot into great shot.

No, I didn't ask Jordak (Isn't his name Jack and daughter Jordan?) for a camera design. I showed Peter and told if he wanted one, join DIS! Peter has the D80. I do LOVE the D5000! It is lighter and a tad smaller body than the D80 - perfect for me. We are going to Epcot Flower and Garden in May as well as Animal Kingdom - my favorite park to photograph. Yep, practice practice. There is no way around that. I have been learning alot about PSE; practicing with Photoshop Elements - working on digital scrapbooking. Does zippo for my camera skills though. The DSLR world truly is HUGE! There are so many facets to it. HDR looks REALLY hard. I am girl always up for a challenge but I don't think I would touch HDR for several years! You certainly have the eye and the talent for it. Just what I have seen of yours so far is incredible! I will have to look into the Topaz Adjust. I will catch up with this thread then jump over to the photo thread. THANKS DAVE!


Sandy

 

[Sand]

I know we have a way to go before our cruise folks but I woke up at 4:30 AM thinking about it. DW and I are so ready to sail now!!!

I will be doing that in September! Did I pack... what if, then I need...
Will they say Welcome Home when we board? That would be cool.

 

[Sand]

Keep bragging - I heard they are WONDERFUL. Is it just you and Chel staying at the Treehouses? We are going to stick with AKV for the pre-cruise trip otherwise if we move to SSR we have to burn through another 15 or so points and we are seriously thinking about going back at Christmas in 2011 so I'm going to be banking/borrowing for that trip.

I am, however, looking at transferring our VWL night on October 30th to BLT - want to give it a try and its a straight switch for points -don't need to use more.

We can do lunch/dinner the Friday before if you guys are interested. We can make ADR's sometime next month for that.

DVC combines confirmation numbers now which is REALLY nice. If you have the DDP you don't have to use up everything or loose it because you are transferring to another room.

I hope everyone is back to healthy and you have a wonderful trip! Irealnd is on my bucket list. If you don't mind, would you please post a mini trip report. I would love to know your itenerary. So here is safe travel (with a Guinness raised high) with one of my favorite Irish blessings:
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields
and, Until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of His hand

 

[Anjelica]

I hope everyone is back to healthy and you have a wonderful trip! Irealnd is on my bucket list. If you don't mind, would you please post a mini trip report. I would love to know your itenerary. So here is safe travel (with a Guinness raised high) with one of my favorite Irish blessings:
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields
and, Until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of His hand

Thank you so much!!! And I will definetly do a mini-trip report. We leave in about an hour for the airport and we "should" have access to the internet at some of the B&B's so I will try and keep up with the board here.

 

[Disneynut64]

We are going to be onboard for our annual girls cruise. No Husband or Children, we are up to 7 women. 2 have never cruised before looking forward to our great trip. We would like to be part of the FE exchange. We will have 2 rooms but gty so no room assisgnment yet.

 

[snjmomma]

Sadly, we had to change our reservation. We're going in 2011 now. I hope you all enjoy your cruise!