3/5/09 - March 5, 2009 - 3 night Wonder--anyone?

[4 FOR DISNEY]

I don't like to use one large suitcase because if you go over the weight limit with it the airlines hit you with a nice penalty. I will probably use a couple suit cases of different sizes and a couple of bags so that when we are not using them they can fit inside each other and be stored. It is kind of a pain for getting it through the airport but I already have to bring two booster seats for the rental car so we will probably just get one of those carts at the airport to haul our luggage around on.
Are you flying in the day before your cruise and then flying home right afterward? I was wondering because I can't imagine my family using one suitcase for an entire weeks worth of stuff. What is your secret.

I am currently taking two college classes that I will finish February 25th so I will be really ready for a break. And maybe some Margaritas .
We are taking a short trip to visit my parents next week because the kids are out of school for a couple of days so I figure I will start my packing after that trip since I will need some of my luggage for it.

 

[mclocklin4]

My family will also be there, DD13, DS11 and DH. So far the plan is to stay at the Radisson the night before and I've been trying to priceline for the night we get back. This will be my kids first cruise and our first Disney Cruise.

Can't wait!

 

[Dawn414]

I don't like to use one large suitcase because if you go over the weight limit with it the airlines hit you with a nice penalty. I will probably use a couple suit cases of different sizes and a couple of bags so that when we are not using them they can fit inside each other and be stored. It is kind of a pain for getting it through the airport but I already have to bring two booster seats for the rental car so we will probably just get one of those carts at the airport to haul our luggage around on.
Are you flying in the day before your cruise and then flying home right afterward? I was wondering because I can't imagine my family using one suitcase for an entire weeks worth of stuff. What is your secret.

I am currently taking two college classes that I will finish February 25th so I will be really ready for a break. And maybe some Margaritas .
We are taking a short trip to visit my parents next week because the kids are out of school for a couple of days so I figure I will start my packing after that trip since I will need some of my luggage for it.

This is a quick trip for us...because I don't want to take them out of school for more than I have to (albeit kindergarten), we're flying down the afternoon of the 4th and coming home on Sunday. So, for the 3 days, we can likely fit all our stuff in one big suitcase and probably a couple carry-ons. For a week, we'd have two suitcases and probably a suitbag.

We're renting the booster seat versus bringing it with us. If it were a longer trip, we'd bring them, but for a 1 day rental (twice), it's not worth it.

My family will also be there, DD13, DS11 and DH. So far the plan is to stay at the Radisson the night before and I've been trying to priceline for the night we get back. This will be my kids first cruise and our first Disney Cruise.

Can't wait!

WELCOME to our small group!!! I believe we're planning on meeting up at 3pm in the Promenade Lounge if you're game. We'd love to meet you!

Dawn McG

 

[4 FOR DISNEY]

Welcome to our thread MCLOCKlIN4! We are glad to have more people. Did you have any problems finding us since we did not have a link?

This is also my children's first cruise and our entire families first Disney Cruise. Have you started packing yet? Today I pulled out one carryon and one suitcase, threw some stuff in there that I have been saving (Pirate costume's, sunscreen, ponchos) You know the necessities and made a list of everything that I want to bring. Now I will be tripping over these for the next 25 DAYS.

Has anyone ever used those over the door shoe organizers that I have been hearing so much about? Are they worth it and where did you buy one? I went to walmart but the only one's they had were 11.00 which isn't alot but I didn't want to spend it if they were useless. If you found one some where else for less let me know.

 

[Dawn414]

Has anyone ever used those over the door shoe organizers that I have been hearing so much about? Are they worth it and where did you buy one? I went to walmart but the only one's they had were 11.00 which isn't alot but I didn't want to spend it if they were useless. If you found one some where else for less let me know.

Ok, you KNEW I was going to answer this, right?

Yes we've used...yes it's worth it! When you've got four people in a room, it keeps shoes from being strewn about everywhere. SOmething else I would recommend is a collapsable hamper. TOTALLY worth it. Same theory. We use the portable hamper on pretty much every trip we go on now. Takes no room in the suitcase.

I thought about packing, but it's almost 5pm EST and I haven't gotten there yet. It was GORGEOUS here today and I ran a ton of errands, went to the gym, cleaned out my car/vaccummed it... Maybe after the kdis go to bed I'll start. I have been thinking about it a lot...like what my kids will wear at dinner, etc. I think we've decided NOT to do the pirate costumes for this one just because it's so short and we're trying to minimize what we have to bring and my husband's boots for his costume take up a ton of room. Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Dawn

 

[4 FOR DISNEY]

I did know that you were going to answer me, I almost typed HEY DAWN have you used the over the door shoe holder? We had great weather yesterday and today it was 65 degrees. Our normal temp is about 45. It just reminded me of what I have to look forward to when I get off the plane in sunny florida.

Does the link work for you? I can't get it to work.

Have a great weekend!

 

[Dawn414]

Nope...link doesn't work.

Started packing. Didn't pull out the suitcase, but started laying out the kid's clothes in the guest bedroom. CARTER'S was having a sale (plus I got the guy to give me the 20% coupon without having the coupon) The kids have had serious growth spurts since last summer. Plus, I got shorts for like $4, $8...great deals!


Dawn

 

[mclocklin4]

Welcome to our thread MCLOCKlIN4! We are glad to have more people. Did you have any problems finding us since we did not have a link?

This is also my children's first cruise and our entire families first Disney Cruise. Have you started packing yet? Today I pulled out one carryon and one suitcase, threw some stuff in there that I have been saving (Pirate costume's, sunscreen, ponchos) You know the necessities and made a list of everything that I want to bring. Now I will be tripping over these for the next 25 DAYS.

Has anyone ever used those over the door shoe organizers that I have been hearing so much about? Are they worth it and where did you buy one? I went to walmart but the only one's they had were 11.00 which isn't alot but I didn't want to spend it if they were useless. If you found one some where else for less let me know.

It was a little hard finding this thread with the link not working. This thread is the first I have posted on. I am usually a lurker.

I haven't brought the suitcases up yet, but I have started a pile of stuff. I am stressing over whether I should cancel my reservation at the Radisson to stay at the Hyatt at the airport. I would save $100 on my car rental if I stayed at the Hyatt but I would have to pay to park at the port and lose $25 deposit at the Radisson. I make myself crazy over this stuff.

Deidra

 

[4 FOR DISNEY]

Don't feel bad about changing your reservations, I was originally booked on the February 26th cruise, but when the kids stay free offer came out I decided to change it because I couldn't get the coronado for sun-wed and I was finishing my classes on the 25th and thought that it might be cutting it kind of close. To make a long story short for the three nights after the cruise I was booked at the coronado, then a 109.00 offer for the doubletree in disney came out so I changed, then I read the reviews and cancelled and we are now staying at the Hilton on international drive. For the night before the cruise I was booked at the marriott but cancelled to use my points for a trip to texas and used priceline and got the country inn & suites at port canaveral for 68.00 including taxes and fees. (The nice think for me with priceline is that once I book it I can't drive myself nuts changing it 20 times because it is already paid for and not cancellable.) My husband finally told me to tell him where to go when he got to the rental car. I think that he is sick of hearing about it. Little does he know I almost changed the hilton to nickelodeon studios last week when they came out with the 79.00 night one bedroom.

Diedra are you going to be spending any time in Orlando or are you doing cruise only?

 

[Dawn414]

It was a little hard finding this thread with the link not working. This thread is the first I have posted on. I am usually a lurker.

I haven't brought the suitcases up yet, but I have started a pile of stuff. I am stressing over whether I should cancel my reservation at the Radisson to stay at the Hyatt at the airport. I would save $100 on my car rental if I stayed at the Hyatt but I would have to pay to park at the port and lose $25 deposit at the Radisson. I make myself crazy over this stuff.

Deidra

Why is the car rental so much? We're renting for just the one day, returning it the day we leave and then re-renting when we get back. I personally like being in Port Canaveral that morning. The Radisson will take you to the port (need a reservation for the shuttle) and then you're maximizing your time on the ship.

 

[mclocklin4]

Dawn
How much are you paying for the one way rentals and who are you using? We thought about doing it that way but I thought it would be too much of a hassle. I like the collapsable hamper idea.

We just spent time at the parks in November so for this trip we will be flying back to Michigan on Monday.

Deidra

 

[Vickibean]

FYI- Alamo has $10/day on weekends right now. We are picking up our car Thursday morning at the airport, and dropping off Sunday night when we fly back. Total for 4 days is around $60 with taxes. I think we'll pay more for parking than the rental car.

 

[Dawn414]

We went through AVIS. There are only a few different agencies in Cape Canaveral. It's about $51 for a full-size out there and then about $41 coming back. If you're using AVIS, the code is P3F for Cape Canaveral and MCO for Orlando. So, not infinitely cheaper, but you're not paying the parking fee at the Port. Not really a hassle...they'll pick you back up at the port when you get off the ship and bring you back to get the car. If you have AAA, Entertainment Book, BJs/Sam's Club you can likely a discount. You just have to be willing to do the homework. I think I used my work's discount for those particular prices, but if you play with it, you can usually get a good deal. I think Budget might be out there too.

By the way...in case I forgot to mention, we're looking to meet at 3pm in the Promenade Lounge (Deck 3 behind Triton's) toward the aft of the ship. This way we can say HI when we see each other on board.

Dawn

 

[mclocklin4]

We'll be there at 3:00 to meet everyone. We seem to have a pretty small group.

I knew about the Alamo $10 rate. I have that reserved, but I would have to cancel the Radisson to do that. At this point my husband has had enough of me changing things so I think I'll stick to staying at the Radisson.

Deidra

 

[Dawn414]

I just checked the Alamo rate and unfortunately, that doesn't work for us since we're getting in on Wednesday. But that's ok...I'm good with what we've got.

Just remember if you're at the Radisson to call them to get a shuttle time...

Dawn McG

 

[Dawn414]

fyi...Our cruise docs arrived!!! Of course since we did the online check in it's a very small package, but I do love getting them!!! WHOO HOO!

 

[4 FOR DISNEY]

Thanks Dawn! My travel agent called me earlier today and said that she received mine and will be mailing them right away. I can't wait to just see them, it makes it feel more real.

My husband is having some problems with his work schedule, I am pretty sure that he is still going to be coming with us but does anyone know if anything can be done if he can't go. Can someone else go in his place? What is the cost to change the person on the reservation?

 

[mclocklin4]

I didn't get mine today. I hope they come tomorrow.

 

[Dawn414]

Thanks Dawn! My travel agent called me earlier today and said that she received mine and will be mailing them right away. I can't wait to just see them, it makes it feel more real.

My husband is having some problems with his work schedule, I am pretty sure that he is still going to be coming with us but does anyone know if anything can be done if he can't go. Can someone else go in his place? What is the cost to change the person on the reservation?

Did you get the insurance? I would call DCL (or your travel agent) to see what options you have there.

 

[budgetbuster]

ARGH! Our link is broken. Oh well, the die hards are here anyway.

We're getting excited now. Starting to put things on my list like collapsible hampers and door hangers (Thanks Dawn)

No documents as of yet. hmmmm. Hoping those come soon since it does create a sense of realism.

I'm excited to see Deidra's post. Glad to have another family on board, especially with a DS 11! My DS is 12.

I'll be here everyday now till D-day. Still working out the kinks on where to stay the night before and am interested in reading what y'all are doing.

We still haven't told the kids yet--can't believe we're keeping that good of a secret. I'm 'bout to burst though!!!

Kelly