6/13/2009 Western on Magic

[Brooklyn]

First of all, Stephanie the girls are adorable!!! But, ladies, come on, what about DH??? Hello, he's HOT!: Nothing like a man in a dress uniform. I prefer that over a Tux. My Dad is retired USN and I adored his dress whites and the shiny, shiny patent shoes.

As far as Atlantis, NO you do not need a wrist band to SIT by the pool as long as you are "cool" about it. The wrist bands are checked, however, at all of the slides and water rides. We spent a week at the Atlantis Harborside resort (the timeshare condos owned by the Atlantis) two summers ago. That was the infamous trip in which the airline that will not be named (ok, it was Spirit, and I will NEVER fly them again) sent 2 of our 3 bags (MINE!) to HAITI and not NASSAU! I had to wear DD's (girl sized 14) tee shirts for 2 days and go buy super- overpriced things for which they never reimbursed me.

Mental note to all going to the Atlantis--- it is one of the MOST expensive places I've ever been to as far as resorts are concerned. Food by the pools is similar to what you'd pay at a Ritz -- $15 hamburgers, $8 hot dogs, $3.50 for a small Gatorade...you get the idea. Sunscreen was (2 years ago) $29 (yes, that is twenty nine US dollars) and Aloe was similar. A tee shirt starts at $25 or $30.

So for those going over I would recommend being prepared with bottled water and pre-packaged snacks if you have it with you, perhaps a soft sided cooler of uncrustables (from Room Service and while I don't advocate bringing any fresh produce into a country -- and it may be illegal to do so -- PACKAGED products are ok)..

I also travel with those little "flavor sticks" of crystal lite for water and the water is fine to drink in the Bahamas. Another option, after you negotiate a flat rate with the driver, is to have him stop at a 7-11 type gas station on the way (yes, you will pass them) and have one person run in and get some juice/snacks (you can pay in USD)

I'm just saying "be prepared" or you can easily drop big bucks on food & juices all day.

PS- if our itinerary is changed to Nassau, we can't get there for Wednesday from GC. It is too many nautical miles - the only day would be Thursday.

That should def brighten up his day when he reads this! This will be DH... It is funny too becuase we were joking around yesterday and I told him that he is getting too old!

Another funny story to share from your post. Our DD's have not lived much of a Marine Corps life. We have always lived off base and DH was deployed to Iraq 4 times so we never really went to base. Being so far away too we never really participated in family events, etc....

Well last night Brooklyn see's Sailors at this event in their whites and shouts out..."Are they from my favorite cruise? They look like they are from my cruise." I think she thought maybe she was being surprised and taken on a Disney Cruise! Those poor Sailors!

Then DH is walking out with the girls. There is a long walkaway to get to the parking lot from the building. At the end of the walkway is a very young jr enlisted Marine putting his daughter in the car after a long night. He quickly turns around, snaps to attention and salutes my husband. Brooklyn again with her big mouth starts going..."Do you know him? Is he your friend? Do you know him?" DH just says "yes, he is another Marine, etc" He calls me and says we need to get Brooklyn on base and learn all these things she does not know. Poor girl does not know any better and poor Craig for having to bear all of her comments!

Thanks for the great ideas about stopping and getting food. DH hates to waste money and would be having all of us sharing 1 hamburger! Not really but I would atleast rather bring snacks for the girls so they are not just throwing away money.

I still wish Disney would come out with some sort of guidance on all of this.

6 WEEKS FROM TODAY!!!!!

In 6 weeks from today I will be on my screen porch, with my cappucino, just having (hopefully) watched the shuttle launch, waiting for DD to wake up and doing the last minute things to close down my house before driving to Port Canaveral!! Yippee!!!

I know!!!! We will be arriving in Orlando on the 11th so this is a good 6 week countdown for us. I can't believe Brooklyn and Madison's birthdays are in 6 weeks from today!!! Does anyone know what time DTD opens. I want to get them their birthday gifts, get to World of Disney and get out of there!!!! I would love to get to the ship earlier then I would have with DCL transfers but I am not sure if it is possible based on when DTD opens. I tried called and I get no where. How could people not know what time a store opens???????? Then when I try to call the store no one ever answers!

 

[Disney Fans]

6 WEEKS FROM TODAY!!!!!

In 6 weeks from today I will be on my screen porch, with my cappucino, just having (hopefully) watched the shuttle launch, waiting for DD to wake up and doing the last minute things to close down my house before driving to Port Canaveral!! Yippee!!!

6 jumping banana guy for 6 weeks

 

[Disney Fans]

That should def brighten up his day when he reads this! This will be DH... It is funny too becuase we were joking around yesterday and I told him that he is getting too old!

Another funny story to share from your post. Our DD's have not lived much of a Marine Corps life. We have always lived off base and DH was deployed to Iraq 4 times so we never really went to base. Being so far away too we never really participated in family events, etc....

Well last night Brooklyn see's Sailors at this event in their whites and shouts out..."Are they from my favorite cruise? They look like they are from my cruise." I think she thought maybe she was being surprised and taken on a Disney Cruise! Those poor Sailors!

Then DH is walking out with the girls. There is a long walkaway to get to the parking lot from the building. At the end of the walkway is a very young jr enlisted Marine putting his daughter in the car after a long night. He quickly turns around, snaps to attention and salutes my husband. Brooklyn again with her big mouth starts going..."Do you know him? Is he your friend? Do you know him?" DH just says "yes, he is another Marine, etc" He calls me and says we need to get Brooklyn on base and learn all these things she does not know. Poor girl does not know any better and poor Craig for having to bear all of her comments!

Thanks for the great ideas about stopping and getting food. DH hates to waste money and would be having all of us sharing 1 hamburger! Not really but I would atleast rather bring snacks for the girls so they are not just throwing away money.

I still wish Disney would come out with some sort of guidance on all of this.



I know!!!! We will be arriving in Orlando on the 11th so this is a good 6 week countdown for us. I can't believe Brooklyn and Madison's birthdays are in 6 weeks from today!!! Does anyone know what time DTD opens. I want to get them their birthday gifts, get to World of Disney and get out of there!!!! I would love to get to the ship earlier then I would have with DCL transfers but I am not sure if it is possible based on when DTD opens. I tried called and I get no where. How could people not know what time a store opens???????? Then when I try to call the store no one ever answers!

Stores open either 9:00am or 10:00am

 

[BethA]

Okay Stephanie--what time is it in CA?--you must not only be the energizer bunny, but an early riser.

Is there a rule about taking food off the ship? I had read it was not allowed. disney should make some sort of packaged lunch and offer it. Then you know the food is safe and even if it was extra, would be less than places like Atlantis. I know you are not supposed to take fruit/ produce off. We have a cooler we got on a previous Disney cruise-was sold with bottles of water, that I might bring for this.

My son's girlfriend's brother-in-law--did you get that-- is now transferring from VA beach area to San Diego. He is in the Navy, but I believe is a pilot. They are moving sometime this summer. Is your husband wearing his dress uniform for formal night?

 

[Paula13]

Stephanie, your girls are so cute! Hope they had fun with their Dad!

 

[Morgey24]

Is there a rule about taking food off the ship? I had read it was not allowed. disney should make some sort of packaged lunch and offer it. Then you know the food is safe and even if it was extra, would be less than places like Atlantis. I know you are not supposed to take fruit/ produce off. We have a cooler we got on a previous Disney cruise-was sold with bottles of water, that I might bring for this.

Bringing food off the ship is discouraged by DCL. Defintely do not take fruit or produce off, but packaged goods can be transported. I know other cruises we have been on have little boxes of cereal at breakfast -- DD & I have snacked many times on Cheerio's!

I also have no problem filling a water bottle with crandberry or apple juice and taking it with me for the day (though I don't like room temp oj). DD is well accustomed to her mom's *frugal* ways but if it means we can cruise more often because I am not spending money unnecessarily than so be it! She just laughs at me now and knows the drill.

 

[Brooklyn]

Okay Stephanie--what time is it in CA?--you must not only be the energizer bunny, but an early riser.

Is there a rule about taking food off the ship? I had read it was not allowed. disney should make some sort of packaged lunch and offer it. Then you know the food is safe and even if it was extra, would be less than places like Atlantis. I know you are not supposed to take fruit/ produce off. We have a cooler we got on a previous Disney cruise-was sold with bottles of water, that I might bring for this.

My son's girlfriend's brother-in-law--did you get that-- is now transferring from VA beach area to San Diego. He is in the Navy, but I believe is a pilot. They are moving sometime this summer. Is your husband wearing his dress uniform for formal night?

I got up at 4:40AM I am not sure why...it is sat and we are NOTHING to do!

I know I have read about people ordering room service and taking it off but then I have also read that in certain ports it is illegal.

That is funny we moving from San Diego to VA Beach. We have been in SoCal for 11 years...it is def going to be a change. Our girls don't even know what it is to be cold. Well I take that back when it is 60 degrees out we break out the jackets!

 

[Paula13]

I got up at 4:40AM I am not sure why...it is sat and we are NOTHING to do!

I know I have read about people ordering room service and taking it off but then I have also read that in certain ports it is illegal.

That is funny we moving from San Diego to VA Beach. We have been in SoCal for 11 years...it is def going to be a change. Our girls don't even know what it is to be cold. Well I take that back when it is 60 degrees out we break out the jackets!

That is too funny, when it is 60 here, we break out the shorts!

 

[Brooklyn]

That is too funny, when it is 60 here, we break out the shorts!

 

[ruley3]

Good Morning Everyone!!! I survived the Field trip to Busch Gardens with Layne and I was in charge of 4boys... We did a alot of roller coaster!

 

[ruley3]

Wanted to say while I have been reading posts.... Lance (5) came walking by the computer and thought Stephanie's daughters were real princesses and that the "guy" with them has to keep them safe................

So sweet but ironically so true!!!!!

 

[momtomari]

how do you post a picture?

 

[sinnika]

That should def brighten up his day when he reads this! This will be DH... It is funny too becuase we were joking around yesterday and I told him that he is getting too old!

Another funny story to share from your post. Our DD's have not lived much of a Marine Corps life. We have always lived off base and DH was deployed to Iraq 4 times so we never really went to base. Being so far away too we never really participated in family events, etc....

Well last night Brooklyn see's Sailors at this event in their whites and shouts out..."Are they from my favorite cruise? They look like they are from my cruise." I think she thought maybe she was being surprised and taken on a Disney Cruise! Those poor Sailors!

Then DH is walking out with the girls. There is a long walkaway to get to the parking lot from the building. At the end of the walkway is a very young jr enlisted Marine putting his daughter in the car after a long night. He quickly turns around, snaps to attention and salutes my husband. Brooklyn again with her big mouth starts going..."Do you know him? Is he your friend? Do you know him?" DH just says "yes, he is another Marine, etc" He calls me and says we need to get Brooklyn on base and learn all these things she does not know. Poor girl does not know any better and poor Craig for having to bear all of her comments!

Thanks for the great ideas about stopping and getting food. DH hates to waste money and would be having all of us sharing 1 hamburger! Not really but I would atleast rather bring snacks for the girls so they are not just throwing away money.

I still wish Disney would come out with some sort of guidance on all of this.



I know!!!! We will be arriving in Orlando on the 11th so this is a good 6 week countdown for us. I can't believe Brooklyn and Madison's birthdays are in 6 weeks from today!!! Does anyone know what time DTD opens. I want to get them their birthday gifts, get to World of Disney and get out of there!!!! I would love to get to the ship earlier then I would have with DCL transfers but I am not sure if it is possible based on when DTD opens. I tried called and I get no where. How could people not know what time a store opens???????? Then when I try to call the store no one ever answers!

How funny! Its true, if you have not had much exposure to military life and protocol, there is definitely a learning curve. Being on the east coast, you and the girls will have so much opportunity to experience all the military customs and traditions with so many bases in VA and DC area. I have a funny story too about my first experience in the military. I received my commission at age 29 into the Navy Nurse corps reserves and my very first drill was a dinner meeting. Our unit was all physicians and nurses, most who had never had prior service but at least had been to officer reserve "boot camp" in Pensacola. Well, I had put on my summer whites for the very first time and one of the nurses ushered me aside and told me to come with her to the restroom. So we get there and she proceeds to bust out laughing! Seems I had my skirt on backwards! But I thought those little pockets looked so good in the back! I quickly learned protocol but my best experience in the Navy was when I crossed over to the "Green side" in SoCal. DH was also assigned to the Green side as a Navy dentist. The Marines taught me so much about leadership and I loved those years being assigned to the Fleet Marine Force. Tell DH thank you for his service. You and the girls must be so proud!

 

[momtomari]

alright im not a dress up person, but I am like Stephanie I wear my hear up in a pony tail everyday. When I was in high school I went to homecoming in a dress with my hair all done etc and NO one could recognize me. I have only dressed up 2 other times and that was at prom. So, I was wondering what color shoes should you wear with a coral peach dress? I see one on ebay that i would like to get Mari to wear for formal night while I'm wearing a black dress.

 

[djd7292]

alright im not a dress up person, but I am like Stephanie I wear my hear up in a pony tail everyday. When I was in high school I went to homecoming in a dress with my hair all done etc and NO one could recognize me. I have only dressed up 2 other times and that was at prom. So, I was wondering what color shoes should you wear with a coral peach dress? I see one on ebay that i would like to get Mari to wear for formal night while I'm wearing a black dress.

My DD only knows 2 hair styles: straightened & ponytail. Then again I don't style my hair either.

Dresses ~ what are they?!?!

My DD & I are going through ALL of her clothes... her store will be opening soon! I told her I am NOT buying her anymore clothes.


Shoes ~ I would go with white.

 

[momtomari]

My DD only knows 2 hair styles: straightened & ponytail. Then again I don't style my hair either.

Dresses ~ what are they?!?!

My DD & I are going through ALL of her clothes... her store will be opening soon! I told her I am NOT buying her anymore clothes.


Shoes ~ I would go with white.

yea i say dresses what are they as well. i was thinking white or possibly a silver?

 

[Brooklyn]

Wanted to say while I have been reading posts.... Lance (5) came walking by the computer and thought Stephanie's daughters were real princesses and that the "guy" with them has to keep them safe................

So sweet but ironically so true!!!!!

The was so sweet!

how do you post a picture?

You have to put a picture on a site like Photobucket.com I love photobucket. Then when you upload the photo it will give you an img code. You just copy the whole code and place it in your post.

If you have a photo hosting somewhere that does not give you the img code you simply have to add

to the end.

How funny! Its true, if you have not had much exposure to military life and protocol, there is definitely a learning curve. Being on the east coast, you and the girls will have so much opportunity to experience all the military customs and traditions with so many bases in VA and DC area. I have a funny story too about my first experience in the military. I received my commission at age 29 into the Navy Nurse corps reserves and my very first drill was a dinner meeting. Our unit was all physicians and nurses, most who had never had prior service but at least had been to officer reserve "boot camp" in Pensacola. Well, I had put on my summer whites for the very first time and one of the nurses ushered me aside and told me to come with her to the restroom. So we get there and she proceeds to bust out laughing! Seems I had my skirt on backwards! But I thought those little pockets looked so good in the back! I quickly learned protocol but my best experience in the Navy was when I crossed over to the "Green side" in SoCal. DH was also assigned to the Green side as a Navy dentist. The Marines taught me so much about leadership and I loved those years being assigned to the Fleet Marine Force. Tell DH thank you for his service. You and the girls must be so proud!

Thank you! That is an adorable story about your skirt....too funny!

alright im not a dress up person, but I am like Stephanie I wear my hear up in a pony tail everyday. When I was in high school I went to homecoming in a dress with my hair all done etc and NO one could recognize me. I have only dressed up 2 other times and that was at prom. So, I was wondering what color shoes should you wear with a coral peach dress? I see one on ebay that i would like to get Mari to wear for formal night while I'm wearing a black dress.

I know nothing about fashion....I have been known to show up on formal night in a nice pair of black flip flops....

 

[Brooklyn]

Ok off to Costco...time to spend some of my $1,300 savings...LOL

Ok so DH just shared with me a dream he had last night. It was him and Madison at the computer and something popped up that said "see your stateroom". He said all he could remember saying to Madison was no we can't hit to button, we need mommy so we don't pick the wrong room."

We have had CAT 12's for 2 days and we are already having dreams about this whole room assignment thing!!!!

 

[momtomari]

hope this works

thanks brooklyn looks like it worked
im not sure about my dress after looking at some of the posts on the formal thread, but hey im not really a dress person anyway. however the dress mari is wearing will be her semi-formal night or would that work for formal night? not sure since we have only cruised 3-4 nights before

 

[djd7292]

You both look beautiful!!!

I think your dresses would be just fine for either formal or semi. I have a plain black dress also. Add some accessories & away I go.