2/15/2013 - 8 Night Western Cruise, Galveston, TX

[sarahfontenot]

My DD is 7 and would be thrilled to hang out with your girls! She can be a little shy at first also, but I'll bet by the end of the cruise, she'll be her normal crazy self!

I told Karsyn (my DD) that she already has friends that are ready to meet her and she is very excited!

I got absolutely nothing accomplished at work today and it's doubtful that I'll get anything done Tuesday or Wednesday, either. I'm just too antsy to concentrate on anything!

I was very unproductive today also. Luckily I already have most everything done in preparation for the trip. I can't concentrate on anything either!

 

[juliefsu]

My DD is 7 and would be thrilled to hang out with your girls! She can be a little shy at first also, but I'll bet by the end of the cruise, she'll be her normal crazy self!


Well, nothing like some last minute pre-vacation stress, right? Our "check engine" light came on on Saturday afternoon. We dropped it off at the dealership this morning and just found out that the timing chain had gone bad! So it won't be ready till late tomorrow - we leave on Thursday at o'dark thirty to drive down!

SO very thankful that: a) it happened BEFORE our trek to Texas and b) that it's covered by warranty!!!

I got absolutely nothing accomplished at work today and it's doubtful that I'll get anything done Tuesday or Wednesday, either. I'm just too antsy to concentrate on anything!

Can't wait to meet you all!

-Lori-

DD is 7 as well. She too is shy at first. Sorry to hear about the car issue but thank goodness you found out now instead of on the road driving down. That would have added a little more stress!!

 

[KPetty725]

So because I'm crazy, I started talking to DH on Saturday about possibly switching our main dining time to the late seating. I've realized that my girls (who are typically in bed by 7:30) would be pushing it to make it to the 8:30 show each night and would likely be grumpy during/afterwards. Since they really don't like to come to dinner with us anyway, we can grab them something from Pluto's before the early show, go watch it, and then drop them off (in their pj's) at the kid's club while DH and I go enjoy our dinner in a dining room with fewer kids. Plus, if they DO decide to go to dinner with us, they can do the dine-n-play thing and only have to sit through a short period of time versus the full experience. Why it took me this long to figure all of this out, I have no clue. Sooooo....long story short, we switched our dining today and freed up main dining for a party of 4 on the wait list.

I do not know how I am going to get through the next three days of work. I got about half of my to-do list done today and have NO desire to work. Instead, I spent time creating myself a little itinerary so I would remember the meets and fun stuff we have planned!

 

[sarahfontenot]

So because I'm crazy, I started talking to DH on Saturday about possibly switching our main dining time to the late seating. I've realized that my girls (who are typically in bed by 7:30) would be pushing it to make it to the 8:30 show each night and would likely be grumpy during/afterwards. Since they really don't like to come to dinner with us anyway, we can grab them something from Pluto's before the early show, go watch it, and then drop them off (in their pj's) at the kid's club while DH and I go enjoy our dinner in a dining room with fewer kids. Plus, if they DO decide to go to dinner with us, they can do the dine-n-play thing and only have to sit through a short period of time versus the full experience. Why it took me this long to figure all of this out, I have no clue. Sooooo....long story short, we switched our dining today and freed up main dining for a party of 4 on the wait list.

Well, Disney emailed me today letting me know our party has been switched to main dining and is no longer on the wait list! Pretty sure that was because of you! Thanks!!

 

[moniman01]

Yes, I am sooooo going nuts. I have severe ADHD at work today, and i don't expect it to get any better before we go. I think I may just explode if Friday does not get here quickly!



You're leaving the cats with food and water for 8 days? How big are those bowls????? Seriously, please tell me someone is checking on them while you are gone.

YES!!! I am going nuts!! Still have 3 of the longest days of work to get through...I just can't concentrate on anything. I am so ready to leave.

 

[KPetty725]

Well, Disney emailed me today letting me know our party has been switched to main dining and is no longer on the wait list! Pretty sure that was because of you! Thanks!!

Yay!!! It was meant to be!

 

[Kimbo71]

Hi, glad to see we won't be the only gluten free folks on the ship. Corn is difficult to avoid in processed foods so you must eat a lot of whole foods? My son was diagnosed 6 months ago and sometimes has a hard time with not being able to eat things so I hope they take really good care of him on the ship. I am a little nervous about being stuck on a ship and trusting them to feed us safely, but I keep telling myself "Disney is great with allergies, Disney is great with allergies..." Unfortunately they did gluten me when we went to Disney World in 2008 so I have that in the back of my head too. I am hoping to come off the cruise with a new appreciation for the chefs onboard! Can't wait to meet you!

Celiac disease......& super excited to have someone else cook for me!

 

[graysonsmom]

So because I'm crazy, I started talking to DH on Saturday about possibly switching our main dining time to the late seating. I've realized that my girls (who are typically in bed by 7:30) would be pushing it to make it to the 8:30 show each night and would likely be grumpy during/afterwards. Since they really don't like to come to dinner with us anyway, we can grab them something from Pluto's before the early show, go watch it, and then drop them off (in their pj's) at the kid's club while DH and I go enjoy our dinner in a dining room with fewer kids. Plus, if they DO decide to go to dinner with us, they can do the dine-n-play thing and only have to sit through a short period of time versus the full experience. Why it took me this long to figure all of this out, I have no clue. Sooooo....long story short, we switched our dining today and freed up main dining for a party of 4 on the wait list.

I do not know how I am going to get through the next three days of work. I got about half of my to-do list done today and have NO desire to work. Instead, I spent time creating myself a little itinerary so I would remember the meets and fun stuff we have planned!

We are doing the late dinning for this very reason... I know my son would rather see the show then sit at boring dinner... And I plan on using the dine in play option! I want to have dinner with my son BUT being so late I'm hoping he enjoys the club!

 

[Gina]

Okay, here it is straight from the horse's - er, meteorologist's - mouth!


"You should beat the cold front by 12 hours. Saturday it should come through. It may catch you before getting through the Florida straits. Warm weather and few showers. Great sailing weather in my book. Not so sure about your trip back through the Gulf. No fog on this one except maybe coming back."


I can live with all of that! Especially the no-fog-when-we-leave part!!

 

[BlueGreen]

So - this is only my second Disney Cruise - and the first time doing the FEE.. You guys are so great - and knowledgeable..

Last time - we never ordered - room service - can someone tell me more about it? Where do you find a list of what you can order? I know people have talked about the cake of the day - or cookies and milk for the kids... How do you do that?

How does the tipping work for room service - do you do that at the end - or when they deliver? And since the food has no prices - how much do you tip?

Any help would be appreciated..Thanks!

 

[SnipsNSnails]

I was excited to see that there are 3 days that they are offering a 2 or 2:30 show time which we will definately be taking advantage of so that the boys don't fall asleep during the show. If we had late seating I would be falling asleep during dinner LOL The one time we had it, I was so tired by the time we got to dinner that I wasn't really even hungry and the food it one of the main reasons to cruise so we are very happy with main seating.

I'm so tired right now but I need these files to upload to the ftp so I can load them to my store tomorrow before we leave. It's kind of a pain to have to have my products, newsletters, blog posts, etc. all done ahead for two weeks but it will be so worth it!

-Stephanne

 

[dgmommie]

Sarah, welcome to the group!

As someone else has said, there is a boatload (pun intended) of 11 year old girls on this cruise, and a smattering of 10 and 12 year olds as well. My dd is 11, and is looking forward to having a small army of girls to hang with. We were trying to set up a meet just for the 10-12 year old girls during the regular meet. Not sure where that stands right now, but unless I hear differently, I'm considerering it to be happening. Maybe I'll make them a sign so the other girls can find them. Maybe something like this

4 days y'all. 4 days!!!!!

I mentioned that we should get the girls together, and a couple of you liked that. So let's do it... Same spot as the main meeting, just get the girls together off to the side. Elyssa is anxiously waiting to meet her pen pals Julia and Erika! Personally, I'm hoping the girls hang out together so I feel better about letting check herself in and out of the lab. She's 10 so can't go to the edge.

 

[dgmommie]

So - this is only my second Disney Cruise - and the first time doing the FEE.. You guys are so great - and knowledgeable..

Last time - we never ordered - room service - can someone tell me more about it? Where do you find a list of what you can order? I know people have talked about the cake of the day - or cookies and milk for the kids... How do you do that?

How does the tipping work for room service - do you do that at the end - or when they deliver? And since the food has no prices - how much do you tip?

Any help would be appreciated..Thanks!

I only know about ordering snacks because that,s what my boys always do - they love to use room service. The menu is in a book on the desk in the cabin. Tipping is done in cash when they deliver. Since ours is just snacks and small (I.e. cookies or ice cream), we just tip $1 or so.

 

[KPetty725]

DH finished shopping yesterday, laundry today, pack tomorrow, then leave!!!!!! I am seriously so excited I may combust. DH is so happy that I'm happy he's talking about us going again sooner than we originally planned.

Safe travels to those of you leaving today! May your sanity be in place and your gas tanks full when you arrive in Galveston!

 

[Gina]

Last time - we never ordered - room service - can someone tell me more about it? Where do you find a list of what you can order? I know people have talked about the cake of the day - or cookies and milk for the kids... How do you do that?

How does the tipping work for room service - do you do that at the end - or when they deliver? And since the food has no prices - how much do you tip?
Any help would be appreciated..Thanks!

DS & I looooove room service.... It takes me a good week after getting home to not instinctively keep looking for that room service button on my home phone, lol.

Like dgmommie said, the menu is in a book on the desk that also has info on everything else about the Magic. Also, you'll find breakfast menu cards in the desk drawer -- I know a bunch of people who never knew those were there until the end of the cruise! You just check off what you want and what time you want it, and hang the card outside your door the night before.

Also, even though they're not on the menu, you can almost always order Mickey bars through room service! Kids love that. And if you order the (extremely delicious) cookies, you can even ask them to warm them up for you.

We usually tip a dollar or two, depending on how much we've ordered. I keep a stack of ones in the closet on top of the safe, and make sure Tyler Dean knows where they are too since he orders sometimes when I'm not in there.

If you look at the very first post in this thread, where Katie has compiled all the useful info, there is a link to the menus. You can look at both the breakfast and the regular room service menus.

Can't wait to enjoy a Mickey bar on the balcony!!!!

I am seriously so excited I may combust.

That is a perfect description of where I'm at mentally. Trying to concentrate here at work is taking every micro ounce of focus I can muster up, but it's still not really working. The steel pan music I'm listening to isn't helping, LOL.

Three more sleeps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


-gina-

 

[Luet02]

So because I'm crazy, I started talking to DH on Saturday about possibly switching our main dining time to the late seating. I've realized that my girls (who are typically in bed by 7:30) would be pushing it to make it to the 8:30 show each night and would likely be grumpy during/afterwards. Since they really don't like to come to dinner with us anyway, we can grab them something from Pluto's before the early show, go watch it, and then drop them off (in their pj's) at the kid's club while DH and I go enjoy our dinner in a dining room with fewer kids. Plus, if they DO decide to go to dinner with us, they can do the dine-n-play thing and only have to sit through a short period of time versus the full experience. Why it took me this long to figure all of this out, I have no clue.

Yes, this is exactly what we're doing as well. I think that it works out better for getting the kids to the club for the earlier activities if they want, like the Pajama party, etc. Woo Hoo! I am so not ready! Oh well, BRING IT ON! We fly out tomorrow night!!!!!! Woo Hoo!


Natalie

 

[juliefsu]

So - this is only my second Disney Cruise - and the first time doing the FEE.. You guys are so great - and knowledgeable..

Last time - we never ordered - room service - can someone tell me more about it? Where do you find a list of what you can order? I know people have talked about the cake of the day - or cookies and milk for the kids... How do you do that?

How does the tipping work for room service - do you do that at the end - or when they deliver? And since the food has no prices - how much do you tip?

Any help would be appreciated..Thanks!

Room service is free. You do need to tip a few dollars. I think there are a few things you have to pay for like soda (because it comes in a can), and snacks that are prepackaged like candy. I can't remember if they have beer and wine on the room service menu. If they do it cost money too.

My kids love ordering it because its the only time we do. I know some people order a pot of coffee the night before and they say it stays warm all night. I've never done it but I may try it out this time.

 

[SunshineCruiser]

I mentioned that we should get the girls together, and a couple of you liked that. So let's do it... Same spot as the main meeting, just get the girls together off to the side. Elyssa is anxiously waiting to meet her pen pals Julia and Erika! Personally, I'm hoping the girls hang out together so I feel better about letting check herself in and out of the lab. She's 10 so can't go to the edge.

I'm not sure about the rest of my family, but Erika and I will be there, and she is looking forward to meeting Elyssa and Julia too. In fact there is no way Erika would let us miss it - she keeps checking with me to make sure that the plans to meet some new friends on the first day at the meet haven't changed.

Nicole

 

[dismom73]

So, I'm sure most of you have all the time in the world to browse the computer right now..NOT, but for those of you interested DCL just announced the iteneraries for the rest of 2014 AND....wait for it....here it comes.......
THE MAGIC IS GOING TO THE SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN!!!

OK, can you tell I'm excited about that? We've been cruising DCL for 9 years now, and I have been (patiently) waiting for a Southern Caribbean cruise and it's finally here. Well, technically it's 1 year and 7 months from here...

Here's the link about this mornings announcement, the Magic is also going back to the Mediteranean, and leaving out of Venice.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3063374

The only kicker is booking opens up TOMORROW, for Gold. As if I'm not going to have enough to do tomorrow! I think I'm going to wait until we are onboard and book with the discount, I just hope I can still get in at the lowest pricing tier because there are only 4 sailings to the Southern Caribbean.

OK, back to obsessing about our current vacation...I'm off to work on FE gifts, because, NO I'm not done with them yet.

 

[fatfish]

I mentioned that we should get the girls together, and a couple of you liked that. So let's do it... Same spot as the main meeting, just get the girls together off to the side. Elyssa is anxiously waiting to meet her pen pals Julia and Erika! Personally, I'm hoping the girls hang out together so I feel better about letting check herself in and out of the lab. She's 10 so can't go to the edge.

Maggie (11) will be there. She's anxiously waiting to meet all the tween girls, especially her email friends Sienna and Julia. Maggie will be going to the Edge though (unless I see alot of grown-up-too-soon 13 year olds in there. then all bets are off! )

And I'm eagerly waiting to meet all y'all, as we say here in Texas. I printed out and laminated our lime green Mickey ears, but somehow they are no longer lime green. They are more of a kelly green. So, if you see someone with any shade of green Mickey ears, they are likely one of us.

3 more days!!