10/4/08-Buccaneers Take the West! Cruiser List in Post #1

[dvanhazel]

We are surpising our kids the night before we cruise and going to MNSSHP at WDW. In looking at average temps for Oct., it looks as though it is going to be hot and humid. I was thinking of packing our gear and wearing it there and on the ship, but now I am thinking it might be too hot for that

My question is for anyone who has been...would we be out of place if we did not dress up at all? BTW, we fly in at 4:45 that afternoon and will be getting our car, checking in at POFQ and getting to WDW as fast as we can.

 

[wareagle]

We are surpising our kids the night before we cruise and going to MNSSHP at WDW. In looking at average temps for Oct., it looks as though it is going to be hot and humid. I was thinking of packing our gear and wearing it there and on the ship, but now I am thinking it might be too hot for that

My question is for anyone who has been...would we be out of place if we did not dress up at all? BTW, we fly in at 4:45 that afternoon and will be getting our car, checking in at POFQ and getting to WDW as fast as we can.

You will not be out of place if you do not dress up. I want to go to the MNSSHP on Thursday night before we cruise on Saturday. We will not dress up. If we do anything, we may wear halloween t-shirts (DH won't). If you want to wear a halloween tshirt, that would work, but it is not necessary. Walmart and Target both have t-shirts that are pretty cheap, if you go that route. Or, everyone could just wear an orange t-shirt.

We have reservations at the Radisson for Friday, using their free parking for the cruise. I want to be at the port by 10 if possible. We have gone to WDW every fall since 2001, and it will be weird if we don't go to at least one park.


Gena

 

[momm2four]

My question is for anyone who has been...would we be out of place if we did not dress up at all? BTW, we fly in at 4:45 that afternoon and will be getting our car, checking in at POFQ and getting to WDW as fast as we can.

It's been 3 years since we went, but I don't think you would be out of place. When we went, there were lots of costumes, but also lots of people in regular dress. I wish we could go, but I honestly don't know what time we'll get there on Friday, so we'll have to wait for another trip.

Lori P.

 

[dvanhazel]

Thanks for your quick responses guys. I don't think I'll stress over dressing up. Just being there will be treat enough as it will be our first time there. Then again, maybe I'll get some of those "this is my costume" shrits...that would work!

Just hoping to kick it off our trip with a little pre-cruise Magic

 

[Mom2JAM]

We will be on this cruise! First cruise for our kids & my Mom. We are:
Shelley
DH Jeff
DS Alex 10
DD Megan 7
DS Josh 6
Mom Vickie

Looking so forward to it! We're in MN, it's hot & humid here, so a vacation to places we've never been sounds great, even if it will be warm, then. Any others from MN??

I've spent lots of time reading this forum, lots of time planning this trip. Thanks to all who have posted the great ideas!!!

 

[karibritt01]

Welcome Shelley! Look at page 1, post 1 and 4 for all important info.

I wish we could go to MNSSHP, but I just can't afford to do it this time around. We are going to be spending the day at Sea World on Friday, which will be over $200 for the tickets. I can't justify spending another $200 to go to the party, too. Also, we would probably be too tired to enjoy it... and the cruise the next day.

We are planning to do the campfire at Fort Wilderness on Friday night. Then either stay for the movie, or go back to POP and swim. I am really starting to lean towards swimming, since we have all the Disney movies at home. Or, we may go over to the Boardwalk for a bit.

I've been feeling the stress of unexpected bills this week. We realized over the weekend that 2 of the 3 cars need inspection and plate renewal. Called DMV to renew the plates, and find out there is a tax block for unpaid taxes. I ask why I didn't get tax bills, and they said it is because we owe fines for letting the insurance lapse. WHAT?? The insurance is paid in full through Sept! So now I have to prove that I had insurance all along. Then I can clear up the tax block, wait 2 weeks for it to clear in the computer, and then get the registration renewed. THEN I can go get them inspected. Anyone else get a headache dealing with the government?? And to top it all off, the lady had major attitude with me on the phone like it was all my fault!

I'm going on to bed so I can do this all again tomorrow!

 

[MommaluvsDis]

Hi everyone!

Sorry I haven't been posting lately.

Nicole,
I'm so sorry to hear about your grandfather.

Welcome to all of our new cruisers! We're so glad you joined us!

Welcome back, Momofapirate and cruisinwith3under5!!

For our new ones, I'm in charge of FE stuff. for questions, just post them here and we'll answer them.

Gena,
so glad to hear that Quinn is feeling better!

Couple of things going on with me for the next 12 or so days. I'll be in and out as Steve and I are going to Covington, KY for his symposium. Also, my carpel tunnel is killing me so I'm not posting as much until the swelling goes down some. But we are taking the laptop so I'll check in when I can.

 

[MommaluvsDis]

Oh some FE info:

Someone asked a very good question about the FE lists and getting assigned rooms if you're on a GTY status or getting upgraded at the port.

Everyone on GTY status should know their stateroom number when you get your documents and luggage tags. When you find out your room # please PM me. Also, if you get upgraded at the port (lucky ducky) please let me know at the 3pm meet at the deck 9 drink station as I will be handing out the delivery lists then.

Also, you can phone my stateroom #6506 before the meet and I'll pencil in the changes. This would be the best option.

If you are new and want to be a part of the FE activity, please PM me. I'll try to check tomorrow before I hit the road but it may be a day or 2.

 

[momm2four]

Welcome Shelley!

Kari, I feel for you. It think it stinks when someone in an office messes up something and you have to spend days on the phone trying to find someone who is willing to take the time and fix it for you. Right now, I'm trying to get a hospital ER visit fixed. Copay is $50 for ER visit, but evidently the insurance is saying the dr. who saw me wasn't in-network, so they say I owe the $50,plus the $1xx or so to the out-of-network dr even the hospital is (WHAT?!?)

Denise, hope the swelling goes down in your wrists. Does is give you a lot of pain?

I am so proud of myself. I got up at 6:45 and worked out this morning, so I rewarded myself with a bagel and a cup of coffee at Panera. It's so much more pleasant to be DIS'ing sitting here instead of home where I'd feel guilty for not doing laundry.

Well, I'lll catch you guys later!
Lori P.

 

[momofapirate]

Gang-
We are staying at the Radisson the night before as well. I have 2 monkeys (DD 7 and DS who will be almost 6) that have no idea that they are going on a cruise and I plan to keep it that way as long as possible. I think I am going to tell them as they walk out of their school to the limo that is taking them to the airport. I am trying to figure out the wording for the letter to the principal to let him know they aren't going to be in school.
Not asking for permission so much as just letting him know I have them, they will be gone, I am not sorry, and don't sic the truant officer on me. He has been so positive when we have taken my daughter out in the past, saying "Field trips are always beneficial to a childs learning, and school isn't what makes a good citizen, it is the whole life experience package." I think education professionals tend to be a lot more cooperative if you are a very involved parent at the school. (I am a room mom, Teacher appreciation committee chair, PTA board member). Heck! I am more cooperative if I think people are working with me as opposed to making my job tougher.
I see we have lots of teachers here. Any little thing you have received over the years that made your day? 1st up we have a back to school luncheon, where we introduce this years PTA theme, we try to give them a cute little something by their plate. As a rule we try to do one nice thing a month for them, in the past we have done starbucks and pastry carts, tailgating lunches, pamper days with massage therapist and manicurists in the lounge, mailbox gifts etc. etc. Just hoping y'all have something we haven't done yet.
We want to participate in FE's as well, but I guess I can't PM yet either.

 

[momofapirate]

Oooops Lori forgot to mention we were in Chattanooga last weekend at the aquarium. It was such a great day! A very charming city you live in.

 

[karibritt01]

momofapirate... 1 more post and you can PM!

 

[dvanhazel]

kimmcbee, Mom2JAM and momofapirate - Welcome!

You are going to find a wealth on knowledge from the experts on these boards...I have spent more hours reading than I will spend on the ship and that is no joke However, for me half of the fun is the planning

karibritt01 so sorry to hear of your troubles with the cars...that is SO frustrating...having to fix other people's paperwork mistakes are such a headache

Momofapriate...2 things...1) good luck not telling your kids about the trip. I wish I would have done that. However, everytime they come in to the office I am generally browsing the DIS boards and they know how much time I have spent on here. I foresee them thanking me endlessly once we are there though. and 2) you sound like an amazing PTA member of your school and it sounds as though your teachers are very lucky! Good job taking care of them. (BTW, I am not a teacher, but do spend quite a bit of time at school)

Lori, I like the way you think...reward yourself with a bagel and coffie. That is exactly what I would have done! That is my problem though...the difference between my and my DH is he "eats to live" and I "live to eat" I have vowed though when the kids go back to school (in 2 weeks) I am going to get back on my pre-cruise workout plan to loose at least 10 lbs.

Hope you all have a great day! I know there are lurkers that don't have time to post as I do that quite often myself. I think I'll try and figure out how to get a picture of my family on my siggie today.

 

[momofapirate]

Hee Hee I am rhyming!
This has got to be one of the most inane questions anyone has asked in a while, but here I am asking. Do I need to bring the kids car seats (boosters actually) for the plane and the transfers from the airport to the port? When they were infants we traveled with our car seats, just because it made my life easier, once they were buckled into the car seats, it never occurred to them that they could get up. They seemed to think that it was like riding in the car.
Literally once the captain turned off the unfasten seat belt sign....They were already asleep. Something about the white noise of the plane and the comfiness of the huge monstrosity of those Britax seats. This is a time when we were doing a lot of trans-atlantic flights. Trust me, you have never gotten the stink eye until you board a flight in England bound for the states, 9 months pregnant carrying a 15 month old and a huge car seat. They don't know what to be more annoyed with....a pregnant lady that might pop or the fact that she has a kid that could scream the entire 8 hours. I actually got kudos when we got off in Atlanta, people said they didn't hear a peep from us the whole trip. It just cracks me up! i firmly believe the best prepared mommy and the best behaved child can still have a bad day it is just a crap shoot when you are traveling with kids, there are so many variables that can make it a bad day. If you get a good travel day just be grateful for the good luck if you get a bad one.....send a cocktail to your neighbors on the plane.

 

[mollygirl13]

Hi everyone!!!!
Having a nice time in Ocean City but I miss my DIS friends! Welcome to our newest cruisers. Hope everyone is having a nice week. Chris & I cannot wait to meet everyone!

 

[momofapirate]

Jacqueline- "Any day you are lucky enough to be at the beach is a lucky day indeed" Saw that embroidered on a pillow at my friends beach house. Never been to Ocean City, sounds like fun though (Adding it to my list of stuff to do)
I am officially caught up! I read all the posts in the thread and feel like I can officially participate. Got my answer about the car seats, so no need to bring those. Thank you! Paid in full, insured, waiting on DB to make his flight arrangements to finalize transfers to the port. We have 12 going so we are doing a private group my TA found. Trying to figure out what to do for my FE's and If I am feeling brave enough to make an FE on my own. I think I can I think I can!
dvanhazel- I have better than normal motivation not to tell my kids about the trip, DD has autism and she obsesses about time and dates, telling her we were going on a cruise this early....Would make life brutal!! for me and her teachers. We just don't talk about it in front of the kids and I have become the quickest window minimizer in the west. She has been memorizing the Passporter we got for her grandfather, but we just haven't told her she will be cruising along with him!!! It is funny, because she'll say things like. There is stuff on the Disney cruises for kids to do, but Poppy doesn't have little kids. Will he be sad not to do the kids stuff?

 

[momm2four]

Lori, I like the way you think...reward yourself with a bagel and coffie. That is exactly what I would have done! That is my problem though...the difference between my and my DH is he "eats to live" and I "live to eat" I have vowed though when the kids go back to school (in 2 weeks) I am going to get back on my pre-cruise workout plan to loose at least 10 lbs.

LOL, yeah, nothing helps a person to lose weight than to follow up exercise with food! Actually, I was proud of myself. My favorite bagel is chocolate chip with hazelnut cream cheese, but I MADE myself order a whole grain bagel with red. fat cream cheese. Good luck with getting back into your workout plan, getting started back is always the hardest part.

Lori P.

 

[dvanhazel]

She has been memorizing the Passporter we got for her grandfather, but we just haven't told her she will be cruising along with him!!! It is funny, because she'll say things like. There is stuff on the Disney cruises for kids to do, but Poppy doesn't have little kids. Will he be sad not to do the kids stuff?

That is so sweet! Bless her heart...she sounds very observant...she just might surprise you and figure it out herself. If you both make it to "the day" you have got to have your neighbor video tape their reaction when they see the limo and find out because it will be priceless!

On a side note....I went to our local Disney store last week and they were having a 40% off sale. I did not go crazy, but I did by our lanyards ($2.49 each), some T-shirts $2.99 each and a stuffed Minnie in cruise attire and a stuffed Stitch in snorkel attire ($2.49 each). I wanted DCL lanyards, but could not justify spending nearly $50 on 4 of them ($8 for the lanyard and $4 for the plastic holder for the KTTW card). So, I got the standard Mickey ones and ordered the clear zip-top pouches off ebay.

For the stuffed animals, I plan on sneaking away to put them in our room before the kids get there...leaving them respective notes from the characters welcoming them aboard. I think I am just as excited about these "little" surpises (FE exchange included!) that will help make this the most memorable trip for our family.

Gotta get back to work...

 

[karibritt01]

For the stuffed animals, I plan on sneaking away to put them in our room before the kids get there...leaving them respective notes from the characters welcoming them aboard.

I am doing gift "baskets" for each of my kids. I bought them each a Disney backpack with the mesh bottom for the beach. They will have sand toys, binoculars, disposable camera, snorkel equipment... that type of thing. I will pack them in my carryon bag, and go set them out in the room while Wynn watches the kids swim. That way, when we go find the cabin before the "mustard" drill, they will find them. (My kids keep calling it a mustard drill... I think they are expecting a food fight or something!)

 

[momofapirate]

I need to dig out the video camera. I am really good with still camera pictures....video not so much