11/22/08 Thanksgiving 2008 cruise thread. Double Dipping Travelling Turkeys!

[Zandy595]

... Changing topics---We got our documents today!! Is there anything I have to do with them right now? I filled out the online documents and it just looks like duplicates of that. We are driving to the port so we won't be using any Disney transportation. So really there is nothing new in there, is there?

I would like to know too. This is the first time I've done the online check-in. Do we need to print anything out and take it to the port or do they already have the information when we hit the submit button?

... I am a little concerned about putting my FE on the plane. It has a battery pack and wires! I know my suitcase will be opened so I guess I'll put it on the top of my clothes and let security know about it before hand!

Judy

Judy, I'm worried about you with that FE too. Battery packs and wires are probably a huge red flag. It would really suck if they threw you in jail over a sparkley light-up mermaid.

 

[disneypoor]

I just finished packing my FE bags. I didn't want to use one of our larger suitcases, so I crammed it all in a huge duffel bag as well as a smaller one. Did I understand correctly that you cannot ship candy? I was just wondering if it would have been easier to pack it all in a couple of boxes and just ship it to Orlando. Has anyone done this? If so, is it expensive? Did you worry about it not making it there?

I'm going to totally enjoy the FE exchange on this cruise. I had to have DH help me finish up tonight and then get it all into the duffel bags, and I'm pretty sure he will not be going for this again. Not that he's the boss or anything, but I sort of have to act like a dog with its tail between its legs when he lectures me about how much stuff I'm taking. I may have to forego the pirate costumes or formal wear. I just don't think we're going to have room for it all.

Looks like I'll be doing homework all day tomorrow. Ugh! Have a good evening and keep the snow away from Kansas. I'm definitely not ready for that yet!

Susan

 

[ICEMANPAD]

You can check two bags per person, but that includes per kid as well...just remember though that you need to share your cabin w/your luggage and anything thick may not fit under the bed.

A couple other useful items if anyone does not already know - a plastic shoeholder hung over the bathroom door is great for all the shampoo, deoderant, meds, suntan lotion etc...i think ours has about 20 pockets....also, the collapsible laundry hamper works wonders...and the soft-sided cooler on wheels is great to bring along. we usually bring water and gatorade - they do not have the latter on board...just remember, no ice allowed.

As for shoes, even Lisa has cut down...for me, dress shoes, tennis shoes and docksiders is all...and there are plenty of times on the boat when i don't bother with shoes at all, though we Floridians are probably more accustomed to going bearfoot more than most b/c of our warmer climate.

Signing up online is quick and easy...

Just remember, if you are inside cabin - 184 sq ft - if you are outside cabin cat 5-9, not including verandahs, 214 sq ft...plenty of space unless you overpack...then it can get real crowded fast

One other thing we do is bring the REI bags that fold up into a packet similar to a lot of light rain gear...very useful if you come back with more than you left with, and though you may get rid of FE stuff, don't forget you will receive plenty in its place so that tends to balance out for packing space, especially if you add Castaway Club and DVC gifts, as applicable.

Chuck

 

[lexandme]

Mornin' all! Brrrr.

If you do on line check in the only thing you need is to sign the copy of the "cruise contract signature page" and bring it with you. You give that to DCL at the port and you're done! I guess they send copies of everything to you with the packet just in case you need them. I haven't received my packet yet. I'll probably go to AAA on Saturday to pick it up. Linda-meet me there if they're in? Then perhaps Chinese lunch?

Susan - I told DH you had to do your lesson plans. He smiled and said "Thank God I don't have to do those!" (learning support teacher). Then he got a horrified look on his face and realized he has a lot of IEP meetings when we get back! One of them is very high profile and he's not happy.
He has decided he wants to be "Bad Santa" for Halloween this year. Now I'm trying to find someone with a Santa costume. Not having any luck. He may just be himself because this is too hard and it's getting too late. I think he should be "Sling Blade", it would be easier.

Have a good day, make good choices!

Morning Stacie!!!

DIS says: 23 DAYS!!!

 

[seadooken]

My DD's passed along this advice. They liked Nintendogs, Hannah Montana, Littlest Pet Shop, and Build-a-bear games. My 10 year old DD got Horsez for her birthday this weekend. Hope this helps!

Ken, you absolutely have to get Disney Friends for the NintendoDS. My DD7 loves it and probably plays it the most. From what I can tell on the package the games include Finding Nemo, Pooh, Stitch, and Lion King. DD is a Stitch fan and his stuff is hard to find sometimes.
Changing topics---We got our documents today!! Is there anything I have to do with them right now? I filled out the online documents and it just looks like duplicates of that. We are driving to the port so we won't be using any Disney transportation. So really there is nothing new in there, is there?

Ken, while you're shopping for Nintendo DS games for DD, don't forget to get a few for yourself. You know you'll be playing with it too!!!

I take one night off and you guys fill up 3 pages. You can tell the cruise is just around the corner. Thanks everybody for the DS advice. I ended up getting her the dogs game. And Judy . . . thats our little secret!!

Our docs arrived yesterday

 

[cruisecrzy]

Judy, I'm worried about you with that FE too. Battery packs and wires are probably a huge red flag. It would really suck if they threw you in jail over a sparkley light-up mermaid.

I would put that FE in your checked luggage. I traveled from Florida to Chicago with a checked bag with a small FIRST robot and all sorts of wires, motors,etc for it. I had no problems and it was heightened security at the time.

You cannot ship liquids to the ship, but you can ship food wrapped in its original packagaging.

 

[Mean Queen]

Has anyone read where someone did not get their shipped package? I'm thinking of shipping diapers, wipes, and anything else people think I should ship to the ship. But I was worried that if the package didn't make it, we'd be paying all our vacation money for diapers on the ship.

 

[cruisecrzy]

Has anyone read where someone did not get their shipped package? I'm thinking of shipping diapers, wipes, and anything else people think I should ship to the ship. But I was worried that if the package didn't make it, we'd be paying all our vacation money for diapers on the ship.

When I cruised last Halloween there was someone who did not get their box. They tried calling the place and locating, but in the end the ship left without the box ever making it.

 

[lexandme]

I would put that FE in your checked luggage. I traveled from Florida to Chicago with a checked bag with a small FIRST robot and all sorts of wires, motors,etc for it. I had no problems and it was heightened security at the time.

You cannot ship liquids to the ship, but you can ship food wrapped in its original packagaging.

I was going to pack it in my checked. But my fear was they would go through all of my stuff and make a mess. And mess up my electrical work on the FE!!!!I may call and get advice before we go. I'm sure they see stuff like this all the time.

And Ken - No nights off. We're too close!!!! You may miss something really, really important.

 

[Mean Queen]

When I cruised last Halloween there was someone who did not get their box. They tried calling the place and locating, but in the end the ship left without the box ever making it.

Then I guess I will just leave a whole piece of luggage of my little ones for diapers. That is not something I want to pay ship prices for. Regular prices are bad enough. And I doubt I will get her trained in less than a month when she refuses to even sit on the potty for me.

 

[Daytonamom2]

OK I am behind everyone with the FE. I have a count of 27 families not counting us. (I will have a few extra) I have 17 boys and 24 girls. Tell me if I am way off. I checked the web site but is there a color coded updated list. I like that one because it is so easy to read. Someone check my numbers please.

 

[disneypoor]

OK I am behind everyone with the FE. I have a count of 27 families not counting us. (I will have a few extra) I have 17 boys and 24 girls. Tell me if I am way off. I checked the web site but is there a color coded updated list. I like that one because it is so easy to read. Someone check my numbers please.

If you email me at bsbbyates@hotmail.com, I'll gladly send you the color coded list. However, I think your numbers are correct. I came up with the same as you.

Susan

 

[cjckclan]

Susan - So thankful to hear that Brianna is doing well. What a frightful thing to have happen. Once again, I used this event to stress to my DS(16) that you have to THINK before you do things. He's notorious for thinking that nothing will happen that he doesn't expect to happen. I'm not sure why the word "accident" isn't in his vocabulary.

About shoes...... I'm hoping to stick with my plan of packing 4 pairs of shoes and wearing boots (which I need for pirate night). I'm also hoping to get DD(14) to limit her shoe selection. That might be a bit more difficult. I just told her that whatever she takes must fit in her suitcase. Which just makes me think..... does anyone split their clothing into various suitcases in case one gets lost, or does everyone pack one person's stuff in one suitcase?

Okay - after reading that so many of you have received your cruise docs, I just had to check out the UPS website. I've learned that our docs are "in transit". I guess that means that I'll be staying home as much as possible today. Just hope it gets delivered before I have to leave.

Have a great Wednesday!

 

[cjckclan]

Okay - I've just realized that I have got to change the pictures in my signature. DS is probably 12 in that picture. He's three inches taller than me now - which he is thrilled about. Only problem with that is that I don't have a clue how I put the picture there in the first place. Maybe I'll work on that after the cruise and use a new pirate photo.

 

[chezpixelpixie]

Hey kids (we're all big kids here, right?)

I've been reading trip reports for a few months now, but with my current work schedule (36-hour days) I figured I didn't really have time to keep up with the group here. But, as the trip gets closer it consumes my every waking thought (who am I kidding?? it consumes my sleeping thoughts too :-D) It got to the point where I just had no choice but to give in and join the masses!

We are:
ME: ChezPixelPixie aka Mom aka Kimberli (Boston)
DD6: Pixie Princess aka Luba (Boston)
Granny: High Queen of the Pixies aka Granny aka Lois (Minnesota)

I have been planning this trip for almost two years. It started when my (ex)MIL asked about taking DD to Disney with her dad, stepmom, and stepsisters. Of course I said yes, but I was maybe a little jealous that they would take her on her first Disney trip. I immediately started planning a trip for the following year, but I didn't want to do the same thing they did so I looked at cruising. I've never been on a cruise before, but it seemed like a perfect vacation: I suck at planning, and the cruiseline does all the planning for me! (little did I know how wrong I was!)

Unfortunately, because of MIL's cancer, they had to cancel their trip last minute, and DD has still never experienced Disney. MIL has had cancer for 27 years, and sometimes she doesn't seem sick at all, but every couple of years it seems that there's another round of surgery or treatment. She always bounces back about 85%, and we're hoping that one day she'll be well enough to bring Luba to the Magic Kingdom, where dreams really do come true...

When I started planning the trip, I tried to get everyone I knew "on board"! I was asked to stop talking to my colleagues about it. Somehow our head honchos didn't think it was acceptable to hang a sign on the door, "GONE TO CASTAWAY CAY. BACK NEXT WEEK." Whattaya mean, we can't all go on vacation at the same time?? In the end, it's just my mom and my baby coming with me. Girls gone wild, Disney-style, on the open sea! (we'll try to keep our clothes on. no promises, though!)

Anyways, I just wanted to take the opportunity to introduce myself and say "Hi!" We're looking forward to seeing all of your smiling faces in 24 days!!

 

[Zandy595]

Okay - I've just realized that I have got to change the pictures in my signature. DS is probably 12 in that picture. He's three inches taller than me now - which he is thrilled about. Only problem with that is that I don't have a clue how I put the picture there in the first place. Maybe I'll work on that after the cruise and use a new pirate photo.

Joan ~ I can't see your pictures.




Good morning everyone. It's chilly here this morning (50 when I got up), but I won't complain anymore since I see a lot of you are getting snow.

Today is DH's bday. I bought him a pirate t-shirt to wear on the cruise. It's not normally something he would wear so I might be taking it back.
It has this image on the back.

 

[Zandy595]

Welcome aboard Kimberli! Glad to have you and your family cruising with us Turkeys.

 

[lexandme]

Welcome Kimberli

Sandy - I love the t-shirt. Make him wear it!

DH just called me and told me that his school district has changed the Thanksgiving schedule and he is off on Wed before Thanksgiving. One less day to call off. Problem is Tuesday is Parent -Teacher conferences. What school district schedules those right before a holiday? He said he'll just hang a sign on his door to call and he'll meet with parents that want to see him after the holiday.

Just checked UPS and my docs left Richmond, Va this morning!

 

[disneypoor]

Welcome Kimberli and family! I loved your post, and I think it's hilarious that you're calling it "Girls Gone Wild--Disney Style"! I do hope you keep your clothes on though. It's just around the corner, and as I'm sure you can see from all of our posts, we're getting a little more chatty as each day passes. Our docs have started arriving, and there is Disney excitment in the air! Glad to have you onboard with us!

Susan

 

[Mean Queen]

Welcome Kimberli and your wild girls!

Sandy - Happy Birthday to your DH. Tell him it's that shirt or the puffy pirate one Seinfeld wore.

For the shoes debate, I will have 1 pair of boots for pirate night, my croc sandals, tennis shoes for walking, and 1 pair of dress shoes to be bought once I figure out what dress I'm wearing. DD9 will probably have the same. DD2 will have her minnie crocs, tennis shoes and dress shoes. DH will have dress shoes, tennis shoes, and beach sandals.