20050514..May 14, 2005...Official Check in Disney's 1st 14 Day thru Panama Canal Part 2

[mvlmeco]

Is anyone planning to take luggage 29 or 30 inches in height?
I've not used one so large, but I really don't want to be schelping around three or four pieces. Any suggestions?

Margaret

 

[angelaj]

Hi Margaret - I understand your quandary. Trying to pack for a 17-night vacation in two checked bags and one carry-on is stressing me out to no end! I plan to bring two very large suitcases (I don't know how big they are in inches) and a rolling carry-on suitcase. I'm also going to bring the very biggest purse that I own!

If anyone has any packing tips, I'd sure be glad to hear them!

 

[DisneyDreamer8]

Hi Margaret - I understand your quandary. Trying to pack for a 17-night vacation in two checked bags and one carry-on is stressing me out to no end! I plan to bring two very large suitcases (I don't know how big they are in inches) and a rolling carry-on suitcase. I'm also going to bring the very biggest purse that I own!

If anyone has any packing tips, I'd sure be glad to hear them!

I always tell my mom to pack what she thinks she needs...then take half out.

But seriously: I roll shirts and shorts, stuff socks inside shoes, wear your bulkist items on the flight (for me it is tennis shoes, long pants, jacket or zip up sweatshirt becuase we are from Oregon...May in Oregon is not normally shorts weather ) This trip will be a challenge but I plan on having all of mine and DH's stuff in two garmet bags and one large suitcase. He will carry on a small roller suitcase and backpack and I will have a beachbag/purse and a small carry-on for the sailaway stuff. That way we can check one of our carry-ons on the way home if we need to and I have an empty suitcase for stuff we will no doubt buy

My moto is...if it doesn't fit...we don't need it!!!!

 

[DisneyPinDiva]

Is anyone planning to take luggage 29 or 30 inches in height?
I've not used one so large, but I really don't want to be schelping around three or four pieces. Any suggestions?

Margaret

We have a 30" and a 28" both about 11" or12" deep. They hold a ton... but that's the problem.. we have to worry about airline weight this time and it's easy for them to be overweight when full..
I am even thinking of putting the smaller ones INSIDE the bigger ones so I have two empties to bring stuff home in. My stuff always seems to EXPAND once I unpack it on the cruise.. just like ME. I am also thinking about getting a couple of those Pack Mate bags to use.... to squish stuff down. We would be fine if it wasn't for the formal stuff... I am seriously considering forgetting it and eating at Pluto's those nights....LOL

 

[angelaj]

Leslie - that's the same problem I'm having. This is the first time I will have to board an airplane after the cruise, so I can't take 20 million bags and suitcases like I usually do.

Good idea about the formal nights. Maybe I'll join you at Pluto's!

 

[mvlmeco]

Goodness, I'm pleased to see the feedback. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

I know if I carry a 29-inch piece, I'll end up giving the airline a donation of $80 because of the weight limits. I've had to do that with my 26-inch piece.

My last cruise, Jan 15 '05, was a dry run for the RePo. I only wore about 50% of what I took, but then I spent two days in the stateroom thanks to a visit from Dr. Norwalk. One of those nights was formal night, but my formal outfit doesn't take up that much space. I rolled everything that didn't hang. I did, however, put all my hanging clothes on huggable hangers which saved me a ton of time when unpacking and packing. It did take up extra space, but the clothes needed almost no touchups. I have a little hand steamer which took care of the crinkles... will bring it again so if you need to steam something you can come by and see me.

My main problem is I'm a fat little old lady with outragious hypertension and whenever I get to the airport, the skycaps miraculously disappear - and even with everything on wheels it's a pill getting from point A to point B plus jump through the security hoops, take off my shoes, blah-blah-blah with any sort of elan or without working up an unlady-like sweat.

I think I'll probably actually pack less this time and plan to do creative mix and matching. Laundry is definitely on the agenda this time; so a roll of quarters, detergent in squirt bottles and dryer sheets all in gallon ziplocks will be on the packing list.

I always bring several extra gallon ziplocks. Besides packing makeup, skin care, toiletries, medications, healthcare stuff and travelling snacks in them, I also pack my "delicates" and tee shirts in ziplocks and squeeze out all the air.

I'm just hoping for an impossible miracle... the shrinking of my worldly goods. LOL

 

[angelaj]

I'm just hoping for an impossible miracle... the shrinking of my worldly goods. LOL [/FONT] [/SIZE] [/COLOR]

I think instead of "Honey I Shrunk The Audience" we need "Honey I Shrunk Our Worldly Goods To Fit Inside the Suitcases!"

 

[DisneyPinDiva]

I hear ya! When parking at the terminal we literally take everything we own...LOL
So here's my idea... We have plenty of formal pictures already, plus when they take them all you see is the top of you usually anyway... at least in the ones WE buy.. (never seem to like those full length ones... hmmmm) I've decided to forego the gowns and bring one long black skirt and a couple of sparkley tops for the different nights. I end up only wearing the stuff to dinner anyway because I hate to sit in the theater in that stuff. I've even tried to talk Joe into renting the tux instead of bringing his own... but that does seem like a waste of $$ that I could be spending on PINS!!

 

[angelaj]

Hey Leslie, where'd you get that pirate hat? I'd sure like to get one like it. In fact, I may copy your complete pirate costumes if you don't mind. I'd sure rather pack a t-shirt and pair of jeans instead of an entire getup.

 

[DisneyPinDiva]

The 10 night holiday cruise was a pretty good indicator for us. I probably didn't wear half the stuff I took.... plus I won't have to take those special "holiday" clothes which were a bit bulky.. sweaters and such.

I"ve never done laundry on the ship before, although I was prepared to on the Xmas cruise. This time I'll probably at least have to do undies... I sure wish they would invent disposable underwear...LOL.. other than Depends of course... although that IS an idea.....

I ended up in my bathing suit most of the time and since we have 7 sea days I figure that's what will happen again for half the cruise! I also don't think I'll be at the restaurants for a lot of the dinners so that cuts down on dressy stuff I'll have to take for those. If I do go... so what if I wear the same thing twice in two weeks.. I'm not out to impress everyone with my wardrobe!!

 

[videogal1]

Hey Leslie, where'd you get that pirate hat? I'd sure like to get one like it. In fact, I may copy your complete pirate costumes if you don't mind. I'd sure rather pack a t-shirt and pair of jeans instead of an entire getup.

I just bought one like that on line at ourlaughingplace.com. They purchase from Disney stores then charge a $5.00 fee plus postage...Great if you don't live near a Disney store... Search mouse ears.

 

[DisneyPinDiva]

Hey Leslie, where'd you get that pirate hat? I'd sure like to get one like it. In fact, I may copy your complete pirate costumes if you don't mind. I'd sure rather pack a t-shirt and pair of jeans instead of an entire getup.

Believe me.... I'm planning on wearing the same thing again...LOL The hat is actually from WDW... it's a headband type with Mickey ears... that you really can't see in that pic because they blend in with the tree. I got it at DisneyQuest in West Side Downtown Disney... they also have them at PoC and World of Disney. I think it was $10.

 

[videogal1]

They do but they are scratchy....

 

[JenKatt]

The headband pirate ears are still at DQ, as well as bandanas with Mickey/ Goofy ears.

Jeff will try to update the list tonite, we haven't seen each other exept in passing, so it's falling on him to do it without me. If not, I'm off tomorrow (and sure to get 1001 calls from work to come in since we've run out of space to put any more kids in, we'll be cleaning out storage rooms next) and we'll update then.

 

[kpros]

People complain about Southwest and their seating policies, but you still get up to 3 checked bags per person with a 50 lb weight limit per bag. We use 26 inch roller bags and when they are full they weigh about 40 lbs.

Ken

 

[mvlmeco]

.....Grayline tours would be my choice unless a member of our reunion group cares to drive....

I lived in the Bay Area for about 10 years and used Grayline often. We did the Monterey/Pebble Beach tour, the San Francisco Day tour, the Marin Woods and Bay Cruises. My guests were always pleased with them. The good thing was I didn't have to worry about driving them around and we could enjoy each others company. And not worrying about driving Devil's Slide on the Great Hwy was a very big plus.

 

[danicaw]

Wow! Miss 3 days online and I am ten pages behind.
I think I am mostly caught up now.

We picked up a Motorola Disney cordless phone about a year ago and I love it.
The ring tones didn't work out the way I wanted them to. No one else in house realized that Mickey talking was the phone ringing...we missed quite a few calls . So we use the regular sounding ringtone.
One warning is how easy it is to hang up on people with these phones. In way the on/off button is postioned makes it easy to press it if you try to hold the phone between your ear and shoulder (hands free). Its kind of become a joke between hubby and I, since I always forget and try to hold it that way...hanging up on someone.

Tankless Water heaters...
We installed ours last fall. We priced having it installed, but it was like twice the cost of the water heater (OUCH!) so hubby did it himself. And he did a great job. It has taken a bit to get used to it, but we like it.

I picked up dress today for formal night (or so I thought) but the sales person said something to me while I was checking out that makes me wonder... does formal = floor length?
The dress I bought is more knee length so does that make it more semi-formal. This woman thought so. I was just thinking if it matched hubbys tux in formality then I was good to go. Whats the general thought on this?

 

[JenKatt]

Formal usually does indicate a floor length gown, but it is not necessary. Plus this is a cruise so the rules are more lax. If you coordiante with hubby, I definitly wouldn't worry. If this was a state dinner I would tell you to worry....

Despite Southwest's generous baggage policy, I still would never fly them again. Not when Jet Blue and Song offer the same prices but better seating policy and in flight entertainment on all (Jet Blue) or most (Song).... If I want a cattle call, I'd live on a ranch

 

[kpros]

Formal usually does indicate a floor length gown, but it is not necessary. Plus this is a cruise so the rules are more lax. If you coordiante with hubby, I definitly wouldn't worry. If this was a state dinner I would tell you to worry....

Despite Southwest's generous baggage policy, I still would never fly them again. Not when Jet Blue and Song offer the same prices but better seating policy and in flight entertainment on all (Jet Blue) or most (Song).... If I want a cattle call, I'd live on a ranch

I'm sorry I mentioned Southwest - it won't happen again.

 

[angelaj]

I agree with JenKatt - formal usually means floor length gown, but that's not a hard and fast rule on the cruise. I probably saw a lot more knee length or tea length dresses on previous formal nights (including on myself!). I usually wear the same dress on formal and semi-formal night to cut down on packing. So go ahead and wear that knee-length dress you bought. You'll be fine.