12/24/08 Christmas Cruise on the Wonder

[brendalee59]

OOOOOH NO kidding!

Too bad it is so soon. If it was next month I might have considered going. But then again. We have a shore excursions,and meals at WDW to budget for.

Hope everyone is having a fantastic Friday!

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Knee deep in prepacking here. When you have small kids things migrate around the house quite a bit. Trying to get super organized and Ziploc bag all of our small loose items ahead of time. I hate when I unfold a piece of packing paper to find 100 random small objects from the junk drawer. Trying to be the most organized that I have ever been for a move. Hubby has been a huge help.

 

[brendalee59]

Knee deep in prepacking here. When you have small kids things migrate around the house quite a bit. Trying to get super organized and Ziploc bag all of our small loose items ahead of time. I hate when I unfold a piece of packing paper to find 100 random small objects from the junk drawer. Trying to be the most organized that I have ever been for a move. Hubby has been a huge help.

Girl, you are a packers dream come true Speaking as a former packer, they hate packing those 100 random items from the junk drawer just as much as you hate unwrapping them I bet you guys are a joy to move
Good luck to you tracking down everything.

 

[Dad22Angels_AC]

Welcome Dad22Angels_AC. Glad to see my little guy will have another playmate (he'll be around 5 months at cruise time).

Thanks AndyMan. Both Little Men will be a good age to go to the Flounders Reef for a moment (IF he will go w/o incident, if not that is fine).

 

[Dad22Angels_AC]

Hi there, Dad22Angels_AC!

I am also from the DFW area and we will also be driving, leaving on the 20th. We are staying at AKV and going to Universal for a couple of days pre-cruise. We are driving back though. Planning on stopping in Mobile and visiting the destroyer that is there. At least I think I remember it is a destroyer. My kids are a little older though....DD 16 and DS 11.

Hi,

If you dont mind me asking... This is our first time driving... What direction will you drive? Through LA to Biloxi, MS to the South?? Any help that you can give would be great. I printed up directions and bought an Atlas for my wife and I to study so we will see how effective that will be. I am from Baton Rouge, LA, so I am familiar with LA area but not much else.

Also, will you be leaving at night or early morning from DFW?

Sounds like stopping in Mobile will be a great site for you and your family.

 

[Dad22Angels_AC]

Welcome Dad22Angels_AC

Well, we will also be leaving from DFW on the 20th. DFW airport that is We are leaving Oklahoma on the 19th and staying the night at the airport hotel.
Our kids are also older. 16 yr old boy/girl twins. We will be staying 4 at WDW pre-cruise.
I'm so glad you found our little group here. We are having a good time getting to know each other,and look forward to getting to know your family as well.

Thanks Brenda,

I didnt think that I would be able to find anyone going for a while there, but I am glad I happened on this thread.

 

[Dad22Angels_AC]

Welcome. My son will be 6 years old a month after the cruise, so close in age to your DD. My daughter will be 23 months at the time of sailing. Good to have you aboard. 5 cruises on the DCL? Wow! This is our second, we may rebook onboard for summer 2010 if they announce plans to go back to the Med. We'll see.

Cheers,
Adrianna

Hi Adrianna,

Yes, our kids will be in the same kids club areas. Yes my dd will be 6 next month in August so they will be really close in age. I am glad to be aboard with everyone. This is our first Christmas Cruise, but not the first time at Disney at Christmas. I think the addiction started soon after the first cruise, but with the gas prices, they wont be as often, especially with a new child. We may continue the DW trips but we have to limit the cruises. We definately would want to cruise when the new ships begin to sail.

 

[Dad22Angels_AC]

Welcome Dad22Angels_AC I'm AndymanGA sister and my parents, DH, DD6 turning 7 on the cruise and DS21 months at cruise time.

Hi hkatmom,

Thanks for the welcome. We are excited to get to know everyone here. Wow, I see that you guys are going as a big family. My sis-n-law and her two children (3 and 1yr) are supposed to go with us. I know that it is nice to be able to get family in on the fun as well.

 

[brendalee59]

Thanks Brenda,

I didnt think that I would be able to find anyone going for a while there, but I am glad I happened on this thread.

You have no Idea how long this thread was here before Courtney and Adrianna found it. I spent months here all by myself We booked in Feb of 07. The first two Cruise Meets theads I started dropped off the boards for lack of response. Thankfully someone decided to do a list of cruise meets by year. I'm sure we will get more straggling in as we get closer to cruise time. If not, looks like we will have the run of the ship
I'm not Courtney, DUH, But my DH is a professional long haul trucker. From experience, he would suggest going 20 east through La. Just as you were thinking. Oh wait...that would be 10 East... see that is why HE is the trucker...and not me Anyhoo, the way you are thinking would be the correct way to go.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

 

[TXdeVille]

Oh wait...that would be 10 East... see that is why HE is the trucker...and not me Anyhoo, the way you are thinking would be the correct way to go.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

This is exactly what I was going to suggest, AC. I have been part of driving it once but we were in Oklahoma first and went down from there. Still stopped in Mobile once. I am originally from Houston. DH has made the trip COUNTLESS times from Houston with his family. They take I-10 all the way in. I've always lived so close to LA but never visited. Haven't even drove through. DS is anxious to see the countryside. He tried from the plane in January but that wasn't fruitful. Still deciding on whether or not to take the Tundra or the Camry though. Tundra of course has more room and therefore more space between bickering children but the gas.....

I should probably go buy an atlas as well. Has been on the to do list for the longest time....It's easier to have everything all in one place instead of multiple maps laying around.

We are planning on leaving early Saturday morning at the latest. Perhaps even Friday night but I think Sat is better. Are you planning on stopping or driving through?

Brenda....driving in DFW is not as bad as you think. Then again, I know a little bit about OK traffic and I can see how it can be scary. Houston is just as bad.

And the concert does sound great....

 

[TXdeVille]

Okay. Since you have never been, I HAVE to tell you about a few places you just gotta check out. There are quite a bit and I don't know how long you will be there. We are planning on going for a little trip sometime in the next month. Not sure when though. It's only between 3 and 4 hours for us.

Of course, there is always the capitol and UT. Me...I'm an Aggie fan. I can pass on the UT campus. IF you love chicken fried steak (and I am assuming since you are in GA you can appreciate a good one), I have heard that Threadgill's has the absolute best. And they have a vegetable list a mile long. Brenda, you should think about taking DD there. I am a little biased because I think this place near me, Babe's, has the best c.f. steak and fried chicken, but I'm willing to try it out.

Next, you mustn't miss the bats. The largest urban colony of bats around. Mexican Freetail Bats I believe. Numbering between 750,000 to 1.5 million at peak. They are under the Congress Avenue Bridge. You can take a seat on the grass next to the river a couple of hours before dusk, play around, and wait. Once dusk rolls around, the bats take flight. It's an awesome sight.

And don't miss Lake Travis if you can manage it. If you and DW are going sans the kids, if you are into it, I have heard there is a beach somewhere on the lake that is "free". As in clothing optional. You'd probably never find me there. And good thing as it would make being on the ship awkward.

I'll try to think of some more. They do have a hockey team but are currently without a facility to play in so they won't be playing the 08-09 season. As for the Stars, I went one time and hard a 3rd row seat too!!! From the TOP!!!!

Oh...and if you are into it, there is always 6th street. Home of bars and clubs. Austin IS the Live Music Capital of the World. AND THE most liberal place in Texas. You will LOVE it!!

 

[brendalee59]

This is exactly what I was going to suggest, AC. I have been part of driving it once but we were in Oklahoma first and went down from there. Still stopped in Mobile once. I am originally from Houston. DH has made the trip COUNTLESS times from Houston with his family. They take I-10 all the way in. I've always lived so close to LA but never visited. Haven't even drove through. DS is anxious to see the countryside. He tried from the plane in January but that wasn't fruitful. Still deciding on whether or not to take the Tundra or the Camry though. Tundra of course has more room and therefore more space between bickering children but the gas.....

I should probably go buy an atlas as well. Has been on the to do list for the longest time....It's easier to have everything all in one place instead of multiple maps laying around.

We are planning on leaving early Saturday morning at the latest. Perhaps even Friday night but I think Sat is better. Are you planning on stopping or driving through?

Brenda....driving in DFW is not as bad as you think. Then again, I know a little bit about OK traffic and I can see how it can be scary. Houston is just as bad.

And the concert does sound great....

I would love to learn to drive in both DFW and Houston. My motive for Houston would be getting to Galveston. My motive for DFW? Getting to Galveston faster My problem with DFW is that the exit ramps are every which way,so I never know which lane to be in. Then there are the drivers who don't yeild when coming off those ramps.

 

[brendalee59]

Okay. Since you have never been, I HAVE to tell you about a few places you just gotta check out. There are quite a bit and I don't know how long you will be there. We are planning on going for a little trip sometime in the next month. Not sure when though. It's only between 3 and 4 hours for us.

Of course, there is always the capitol and UT. Me...I'm an Aggie fan. I can pass on the UT campus. IF you love chicken fried steak (and I am assuming since you are in GA you can appreciate a good one), I have heard that Threadgill's has the absolute best. And they have a vegetable list a mile long. Brenda, you should think about taking DD there. I am a little biased because I think this place near me, Babe's, has the best c.f. steak and fried chicken, but I'm willing to try it out.

Next, you mustn't miss the bats. The largest urban colony of bats around. Mexican Freetail Bats I believe. Numbering between 750,000 to 1.5 million at peak. They are under the Congress Avenue Bridge. You can take a seat on the grass next to the river a couple of hours before dusk, play around, and wait. Once dusk rolls around, the bats take flight. It's an awesome sight.

And don't miss Lake Travis if you can manage it. If you and DW are going sans the kids, if you are into it, I have heard there is a beach somewhere on the lake that is "free". As in clothing optional. You'd probably never find me there. And good thing as it would make being on the ship awkward.

I'll try to think of some more. They do have a hockey team but are currently without a facility to play in so they won't be playing the 08-09 season. As for the Stars, I went one time and hard a 3rd row seat too!!! From the TOP!!!!

Oh...and if you are into it, there is always 6th street. Home of bars and clubs. Austin IS the Live Music Capital of the World. AND THE most liberal place in Texas. You will LOVE it!!

I have to tell you how dedicated a veggatarian she is. She hasn't eaten meat of any kind in 2 years. She and several friends made this decision at Warped Tour when PETA was handing out info. Everyone, but Lindsey and one other friend had given it up over a year ago. Last week the one other friend gave it up. Within a week Lindsey decided she had outlasted everyone else,so she gave it up too. HOWEVER, The little criminal isn't telling her twin brother. He told her he would pay her $100 to eat meat at WDW.

 

[TXdeVille]

I have to tell you how dedicated a veggatarian she is. She hasn't eaten meat of any kind in 2 years. She and several friends made this decision at Warped Tour when PETA was handing out info. Everyone, but Lindsey and one other friend had given it up over a year ago. Last week the one other friend gave it up. Within a week Lindsey decided she had outlasted everyone else,so she gave it up too. HOWEVER, The little criminal isn't telling her twin brother. He told her he would pay her $100 to eat meat at WDW.

That is toooo funny! Good for her! She should get her $100 and put on a whole act about how guilty and sick she feels. Well then....y'all should come down and I'll take you to Texas de Brazil. Just the girls!

About driving....if you are closer to 75 than 35, it's quite easy and harmless to get through Dallas to Houston and on to Galveston. I understand what you mean about the exits though. Especially at the mix master in downtown Dallas. I used to drive it everyday so got more familiar with it but it's been awhile and would be scary again.

 

[drag n' fly]

Well my FE is in the mail. The lady who made it even refunded some of my money back for shipping I saw you all mention Galveston. I have family there I am about as far from vegetarian as they get...yup a meat girl a true blue Albertan Beautiful weather here suppose to be 26c tomorrow. I want to go to the waterpark in Texas with the German name it looks fun! Well I have to go and paint ds14 bedroom door. Y'all have agreat weekend!

 

[TXdeVille]

Well my FE is in the mail. The lady who made it even refunded some of my money back for shipping I saw you all mention Galveston. I have family there I am about as far from vegetarian as they get...yup a meat girl a true blue Albertan Beautiful weather here suppose to be 26c tomorrow. I want to go to the waterpark in Texas with the German name it looks fun! Well I have to go and paint ds14 bedroom door. Y'all have agreat weekend!

Glad to hear about the shipping refund. Why the refund? Guess it was less than she expected? ANYWHO.....I am a meat girl too. A true Texas girl. What is 26C? Sorry, my temperature conversion is rusty although I was taught how. I know it's fairly cool. Hot as hell here. We use the metric system in pediatrics but I know my patient isn't supposed to be cooler than 35.6...at least off bypass. And 38 is too warm.

Ahh...Schlitterbahn!!! I have been going there (the original location in New Braunfels) since I was but a wee baby. Before everyone else knew it existed. Now they have one in Galvestion that has an indoor portion, one in South Padre, and they are building one in Kansas. The one in Schlitterbahn is fed by the Comal River so the water is COLD!! They do have chlorinated parts but it's mostly riverwater. Rated the best family waterpark for 10 years now. It is the shiznit. Planning on going there for my birthday for a couple of days. Too bad the trip won't be longer. Gotta get back for DS's camp. The whole Hill Country area is the most beautiful part of Texas, IMHO. And LOTS of winerys. Here I go again.....perhaps I should become a Texas Tourism agent...

 

[TXdeVille]

Okay....I spent way too long trying to find everyone's room numbers again. Please tell me so that I may note it down this time....

Ours is 7543. Almost exactly underneath Brenda I might add....

 

[AndymanGA]

the wife says we are in 7008.

My sister ordered our FEs yesterday. She'll have to post her room number and parents room

 

[brendalee59]

We are in 8532. Courtney,We'll try not to stomp across the floor to much Maybe we'll lower you a rope and you can climb up for a view from our triple wide balcony?


I'm a southern girl, and sadly never learned to cook any other way. To say I'm a meat and potatoes girl is an under statement.


Lindsey and I have been to the South Padre Island Schlitterbahn. It was a good park, but I would like to try the big one someday. Last time we were in Galveston,we went to Moody Gardens. The new Schlitterbahn is just across the way from there. We always cruised out of Galveston. Until RCCL took away our favorite year round ship.

From what I've seen,I think I could get to Galveston from Houston without any problem. But I would have to take 281 and cut over somewhere. Yeah, I know. WAY out of the way I'll figure it out some day.

 

[brendalee59]

Well my FE is in the mail. The lady who made it even refunded some of my money back for shipping I saw you all mention Galveston. I have family there I am about as far from vegetarian as they get...yup a meat girl a true blue Albertan Beautiful weather here suppose to be 26c tomorrow. I want to go to the waterpark in Texas with the German name it looks fun! Well I have to go and paint ds14 bedroom door. Y'all have agreat weekend!

Congrats on your FE Be sure to post a picture when you get it. Can you pm me the link to this ladies site? I know you sent it once, but I have no idea what I did with it

It is a small world isn't it? I don't know why, but my family fell in love with Galveston on our first visit in 2002. We have cruised out of the port there several times. People say it's dirty,and has a high crime rate.Sure, some parts do fit that discription,but thats true of any town these days. I told Dale, I wouldn't mind moving there once the kids are out of college and on their own. Sure, it's not Florida, but it's good enough for me

Have fun painting that door.