2/01/03 Western

[Gina]

Originally posted by akterrye
Heck, some of us might even decide High Tea is too stuffy and head for the nearest bar for a tall, cool one! Which leads me to a REALLY important question:

Gina, ya like beer, right? How about ambers?

Well, off to my first day of school (where I'll sit at big tables with other ppl instead of getting my OWN desk! lol TD is SO lucky!!! I'm jealous!) And, I don't even get to ride da BUS!!!

I love bock beers and stout and that kind of thing, but in the winter. In the summer, I love Corona's and lime. On the ship, you'll find me with a frosty Malibu Colada in my hand. I wish we were going back to St. Thomas -- the Malibu was so much cheaper there!! I've been trying to parcel it out. I got a new blender a few months ago, a special one just for frozen drinks, that makes THE best Malibu Coladas... YUMMMM...

I'm not ruling out any kind of meet -- I'd still love to do a mini-meet at the Cruise Staff pin-trading night. C'mon, I'm not the only one bringing pins, am I??? Some of the best DIS-related moments I had from the last cruise were totally last-minute, like meeting at bingo several times with the "other Gina" and her *hysterical* dad, or running into another DIS-er poolside and ending up spending a long time just laughing (and drinking LOL) and having a great time. I can't wait for more moments like that.

Good luck in school!! TD loves first grade so much, except that his "girlfriend" isn't in his class this year. My son has had the same girlfriend for a year!! And my grandfather has been seeing a "lady friend" at his senior-living apartment complex. So a 6 year old and an 85 year old have better love lifes than me. How sad is that???? ROFL!!

-gina-

 

[akterrye]

[Read the following tongue-in-cheek so I don't get flamed]

WHAT?! PINS?!?! Sheesh!
Terrye's *updated* Packing List:
Lime Green Ribbons
Cruising notebook w/ Gina inspired color coded packing list
A sampler of award winning Alaska Brewery Beers for Gina *shhhh - don't tell Gina*
Highlighters for Navigators
Over the door shoe holder for "stuff"
extention cord and hair dryer (cuz the ship one sucks)
another suitcase just for stuff I have to bring on the cruise
the kid's old clothes and new school supplies for the kids in cozumel
and now PINS!

I'm gonna have to book another stateroom just for all the STUFF I have to bring with us! {yes, I am a smart*bleep*} And, very few things I say should be taken seriously.

---------------------------------------------
We now resume our regular programming:

I got a new blender a few months ago, a special one just for frozen drinks, that makes THE best Malibu Coladas... YUMMMM...

You might be a party girl IF: You have a seperate blender just for frozen drinks! I think that's all we use our blender for!!

TD loves first grade so much, except that his "girlfriend" isn't in his class this year. My son has had the same girlfriend for a year!! And my grandfather has been seeing a "lady friend" at his senior-living apartment complex. So a 6 year old and an 85 year old have better love lifes than me. How sad is that???? ROFL!!

A whole year?! Wow, that's a heck of a track record! I could never keep a boyfriend around for long unless he was mentally unbalanced and then I'd have to get a restraining order!

If you REALLY need a boyfriend THAT bad, you can borrow Eric until that feeling goes away! That should take all of 5 minutes! He told me tonight that he's pre-empting my 'honey-do' list for a camping/fishing trip this weekend. HA! That's what HE thinks!!!

I think it's great your grandpappy has a "lady friend!" It'll keep him feeling young! Maybe you're just hanging around in all the wrong places? Just a thought.

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

All this meeting stuff is getting carried away!!!! I am going to keep my own ressie for Capt Marv's. High tea is an option,but not a definite thing. I do want to meet at the Radisson the night before cause I think that will be the most simple. Once we are on the ship and you have a family to deal with it is hard to keep all your promises. Ecspecially for me and my family. This is our first cruise and I am sure that we will be overwhelmed

Mom asked me what I want for my Birthday next weekend and I told her "Disney Dollars" for my trip. I want to make sure I can have any tropical drink that I want. I also want a facial and massage at some point on the ship!! Woo Hoo!! I can not wait!!


I do enjoy talking with all of you and a I do hope to meet many of you at some point on our trip.

 

[cruisinpenguin]

I'm sure all of us will meet someplace or another on ship!! Can't wait!! See you soon!!
Laurie

 

[Cyberkashi]

It is true that once you get on board, your day fills up and goes by so fast that you wonder how you are going to fit it all in.

 

[Gina]

Originally posted by akterrye
[Read the following tongue-in-cheek so I don't get flamed]

WHAT?! PINS?!?! Sheesh!
Terrye's *updated* Packing List:
Lime Green Ribbons
Cruising notebook w/ Gina inspired color coded packing list
A sampler of award winning Alaska Brewery Beers for Gina *shhhh - don't tell Gina*
Highlighters for Navigators
Over the door shoe holder for "stuff"
extention cord and hair dryer (cuz the ship one sucks)
another suitcase just for stuff I have to bring on the cruise
the kid's old clothes and new school supplies for the kids in cozumel
and now PINS!

Mmmmmm... Alaskan beer! I already have award-winning Texas Zeigenbock on my list for you. I totally second the hair dryer & ext. cord thing! I could have blown on my own hair and dried it faster than that thing could have. I'm so glad I brought my own.

You might be a party girl IF: You have a seperate blender just for frozen drinks!

ROFL!!!! Hey, maybe I'm using it to make health shakes or yogurt smoothies, or something!!

-gina-

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

Just wondering how you figure out what clothes to pack. Do you plan on one outfit for day and then one to change into for evening. I figure DH could mix around pants and shirts through out the week. As long as he doesn't spill anything on them at dinner. Men are easy!! Us women have too many options for clothes and I know I will pack to much??

I have 3 swimsuits I am bringing? Is that plenty?

Shoes is another thing!! Ugh!! We will be on vacation for 9 days since we are staying two nights before the cruise. Washing clothes is a good option?

Thanks guys!!

 

[Cyberkashi]

Just wondering how you figure out what clothes to pack.

The last cruise I too figured on two changes per day and found that I had overpacked for dressy and underpacked for casual.

I found that I had my "morning clothes" for breakfast, swimming or a tour. After an outdoor or wet activitity I felt the need to shower or freshen up. Putting on my morning clothes damp with persperation just didn't seem appealing. I also found that I wanted a fresh casual change after the fancy dinners. You don't "need" to change after formal/semi-formal dinner, but there are no special evening activities that require fancy duds and I, for one, really did want to walk around in stockings and heels all night. DH treasured the thought of being able to take off his jacket and tie and put on something comfy.

Last time I had packed a few fancy outfits. Different ones for tropical, semi-formal, formal, and Lumiere's depending on how the rotation fell (that the good thing about knowing your rotation in advance-you know how to pack). Many of my fancy outfit went unworn. Even in Lumiere's we did not get dressed up if we had spent all day at an island.

This trip you are going to find me with one long skirt (long enough to hide my semi-casual shoes) and a few blouses. That wardrobe will also eliminate at least two pairs of shoes needed to match all the fancy dresses. My DH will also only be taking one suit and one pair of dress slacks (down from 2 suits and 4 dress slacks).

So my advice is go heavy on the casual and light on the formal wear. If you run short of outfits, you can use the ship's dry cleaning service (prices are not out of line) or throw your casual things into the coin opp laundry. We spent too much time there last trip. Tip: Bring a roll of quarters.

Hope that's useful.

 

[Cyberkashi]

the kid's old clothes and new school supplies for the kids in cozumel

That is such a wonderful idea! Where do you distribute them? Do you just hand them out to kids on the street?

 

[akterrye]

Originally posted by Cyberkashi


That is such a wonderful idea! Where do you distribute them? Do you just hand them out to kids on the street?

Here is the link for all the information for donating to the school kids in Cozumel.

I think we're just going to bring a little extra cash, stop at one of the recommended stores with their provided list and pick up the school supplies. Dan's hand-me-downs, on the other hand, I need to figure out...Customs can be such a bugger...

BABYJOSIE98: on the clothes front...pack everything you would want to take, then take out half. I WAY over packed last time...for everything. I did use the laundry facilities during off hours and it worked out great (buy either the little pre-packaged soap and dryer sheets, or measure some out in zip lock bags - the ship charges a lot if they don't run out, which they did on day 3 *eek*). 3 bathing suits is perfect. I noticed it took at least a day for them to dry. My son only took two and he hated putting on a damp pair while the other one was drip drying.

I took 3 pairs of shoes - walking shoes, sandals and dressy shoes. At the resort casual dining, I used my walking shoes, general around ship activities, I switched between sandals and walking shoes. The dressy shoes were *duh* for dressy times *giggle* Palo's high tea, dressy dinners, etc.

Personally, I'm not going to be following you around with a clipboard and marking you off for indescrepancies. Well, unless I'm bored.

GINA: Eric wanted me to ask you if you liked smoked salmon? It's looking like we're going to have to have a little beer social!

 

[Cyberkashi]

I think we're just going to bring a little extra cash, stop at one of the recommended stores with their provided list and pick up the school supplies. Dan's hand-me-downs, on the other hand, I need to figure out...Customs can be such a bugger...

Thanks for the link. Why would you have problems with customs coming into Cozumel?

 

[akterrye]

Customs also restricts what and how much you can bring INTO Coz. Here are a couple of links that discuss the ramifications and other stuff:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=231108&highlight=Chrysalis

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=234761&highlight=Chrysalis

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=239226&highlight=Chrysalis

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=242289&highlight=Chrysalis

That should keep ya busy for awhile.

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

Well, I finally got my room booked at WL for that Thursday night before the cruise. I saw DC rates came out this week and so I called and have a room on hold. Not as low of a rate as I would like,but hoping for more discount codes!!! We really want to stay there.

Ok, I know you all say not to pack to much,but I probably will!!!

Akterrye,

Guess you will have to follow me around with your clip board!!LOL

I do plan on washing things on ship. I always pack to much for me and not enough for the poor DH.

I see alot of you bring your own stuff for drinks??? I may bring stuff for Bahama Mama's!! Those are not frozen and so all I would need is a shaker and ice. I love those!!

Wow, now that I have my room at WDW I am all set for my trip. Things are really coming together. I can not believe it!! Now I just have to figure out when I need to call for the Cinderella breakfast. Not till Dec sometime!! Have to check the PS calculator. Isn't this fun!!

OOPS!! Forgot the most important thing still!!! AIRFARE!
Wish Southwest would open up the schedule soon!!!!

 

[akterrye]

*poke* *poke* Anyone out there?!

How are are my fellow happy cruisers?! We watched the Magic sail today. *sigh* Wish I was there....

I noticed a lot of stores are having up to 50% off on luggage - just a heads up if you need new ones. I have to replace my set since the nice ppl at United decided to search all my bags and instead of asking for the keys, broke off all the zippers and locks.

I also noticed a lot of beach toys, sunscreen, and the sort on clearance at some of my favorite stores.

BABYJOSIE98, I can symp with you on the airfare...I'm waiting for a decent ticket price. They sure have been jumping around a lot, lately. I'm also a little picky on who I wanna fly with. I can't stand Continental...I feel like a cow on a cattle truck! And for a 12 hour flight, I refuse to chew on my knee caps because the person in front of me wants to take a nappy-poo.

Packing: I just plain over pack. Ya never know if you'll really need to change your undies 4 times a day until you get there!

We (ok, *I* decided) we're flying down on the 28th so we can spend a couple of days as WDW and surrounding areas. It might be a downgrade from a cat. 7 to a cat. 10, but the guys said, "Whatever, we're just happy we're going!" Now, if only they would cooperate like that on OTHER stuff! ("Not THAT for dinner, again! I HATE that!")

Hope everyone is safe and having a good weekend!

 

[sitchu2]

Hello,

Just back from the most wonderful week in WDW yet!! The BCV are georgous, and I also visited the Poly which was awsome! The more I read these boards the better my vacations get!!

Now its full steam ahead for us to finish planning the Feb trip. So far its jan 31 at the raddison. The best air flight I found is spirit at 199 R/T which is pretty fair but I did better last trip at 187.

I also did not finish planning the end of the trip. After the cruise we have 6 nights at BCV but that leaves us flying home on valentines day and that would be a bummer so I wanted to stay Fri and sat nights on cash somewhere else but have not yet decided where. (cruise and bcv is all in vacation club points for us)

I would like to have a stay at each of the resorts and still have not tried the GF, AKL,Contemp, (other moderates dont house 5)

I really favor akl but DH has always dreamed of staying at the Contemp since the early 70s when he first saw it as a kid.

The fun begins!!!
145 Days 3 Hrs 49 Mins 14 Secs Felicia

 

[Gina]

Welcome back, Felicia!! Glad you had such a wonderful time!

I am really amazed at how quickly time is flying... it really does seem like last week that we had 7 months to go. And it seems like yesterday that I was wondering if Labor Day would ever get here so I'd have a long weekend, it was still over a month away at that point, and now it has come and gone in the blink of an eye. Wow!! Halloween is going to be upon us before we know it.

Terrye, I am with you on packing. I'd rather have it all with me and have choices than to not have enough. I always crack up at the people who say to lay out everything you're packing, then put half of it back. I did that, and then added more to it! LOL But I can honestly say that I wore pretty much everything, and didn't have to wear the same thing twice, which I hate. To each his own.

I still can't decide between Playa Sol or Mr. Sancho's in Cozumel. The very few replies I got when I posted about it were so completely opposite, now I'm more confused than ever. What are you all doing in Cozumel?

Time for me to straighten up this messy house... talk to y'all later!

-gina-

 

[micKIM mouse]

I am also trying to decide between Mr Sancho's or Playa Sol. I am leaning towards Mr Sancho's, but I will continue to see what others say. We have 15 people going, so I want to make sure we can rent chairs, snorkel, eat, etc. Sounds like you can do all of them at each beach. We are not planning on doing any DCL excursions. Last time I planned all of our excursions on our own and it worked out great...and much cheaper!

Gina, Let me know what you decide about the Cozumel!

 

[akterrye]

In Cozumel, we're planning on going to Chankanaab National Park. Afterwards, we'll head back to the ship to shower and then head into town...gotta visit Carlos 'n' Charlie’s and the Hard Rock.

Here are a couple of other beach clubs:
Nachi Cocom
Picture of Paradise Beach
Great list of beaches
Map and reviews
OK, I'll stop now...

Felicia: It sounds like you had a wonderful time! Lucky you!! I would let hubby stay at the Contemp so he can live out a childhood dream. Besides, ya never know what he'll do in return and it being Valentine's and all...

Packing - if there's room in my suitcase (and sometimes even if there isn't, I'll stuff anything in there I think there's a remote change I'll need it.) Last time, I even packed a long sleeve Henley in case I got cold. I finally learned not to pack a lot for the guys because they pick up t-shirts as souvenirs and they wear them before we get home.

Kim: I'm with you on the non-DCL excursions...it's amazing some of the prices they charge for stuff! With just a little bit of research you can find the exact same thing for a LOT less. I guess most of the cruisers are just sheep and don't know any better. Thank goodness for the DIS, huh?

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

How are all my fellow cruisers??? It was my Birthday yesterday and I got a total of $175 Disney dollars for my trip!

So excited!!! Never imagined at 34 years old that I would be asking for Disney dollars!!!

I have also been thinking about Cozumel. We have been there once and did a snorkel tour and lunch on the beach. It was fun,but we will have DD with us this time. So no snorkel trip.

I checked out MrSanchos website and you do get a coupon for a free "Margarita"!!! I know I do not want to do a DCL tour. I just want to find a nice beach for a few hours and maybe do an evening "Horse drawn carriage ride". It looked really nice on the DCL video.

I may check out some info on "Chankanaab park"?? So much to think about!!

QUESTION????? So what do you all wear on Embarkment day? Do you dress for comfort since the day is hectic and then change for dinner later???

Sorry I have so many questions? I am a "cruise virgin"!!! LOL

I glanced at the travel section of our St.Louis paper yesterday and it had a wonderful picture of an Island and a Cruise ship and I was like "Hey,that's Castaway Cay!" It was a feature called "Pick a Cruise". It told facts about all the different cruise lines and featured the DCL ship on the front and had great things to say about them. I was so excited!!! My family really thinks that I am nuts!!!

Friday night I went to dinner with Some Relatives and 3 of us our booked on Disney cruises!!! The rest of the table was sick of hearing about all our trip planning. I think it is fun!!!!

Ok,better get some work done!!

 

[Cyberkashi]

Embarkation Day the dress is Casual. You should take a carry-on with you since they don't always brings your suitcases until dinner. You might want to put a swimsuit and a change of clothes in the carry-on. As well you should take any meds, sunblock, and personal hygene items you will need.

Day one you may just find yourself running around the ship making reservations, signing Josie up for kinder camp and just exploring the ship. You can of course go to the pool and hang, but as first-time cruisers you may want to take the opportunity to look around.