8/15/09-Eastern-Tortola Treasure Seekers #4

[jenanderson]

Hello Everyone! Since I did a lot of stuff on our website tonight (or is it this morning? ), I thought I would post some of what is new here.

What’s New...

1. DIS Cruisers - I updated the family information for TonytheWop and LoveMyDisneyCats. Welcome to our new friends!

2. More Than a Cruise! - As I was doing the updates to who was going to WDW FIRST, I realized the title of the page makes no sense since a lot of it is extra cruising, other places in Florida, etc...therefore, it is now named MORE THAN A CRUISE!

3. Fish Exchange and DIS Meets - We have a few more additions to both of those.

4. Finally, there is the HOT TOPIC that you didn’t even know was a Hot Topic!!! Since everyone was talking passports, I decided to post that information there. Our new HOT TOPIC is Disney Cruise Tips! Hope everyone shares there favorites! I posted one but will share one more...a clothes pin is a MUST for our family! Not for the wash... but to pin the curtain in case DH and I want to watch TV without waking the kids!

That is all for the web site! I am hoping to get to bed soon...have a great night everyone (I am sure you are all fast asleep...or maybe some of you are about to get up!)

Jen

 

[andeeNjoel]

Looks like they will not need them. Here is what our TA said (a very quick reply too!).

"At this time, as long as all guests are US citizens, Passports are not required. You will need Certified copies of Birth Certificates. I think you are getting mixed information because Passports are HIGHLY recommended, not required. The government could change their policy at any time however, they will probably give at least 6 months advanced notice."

Still not sure if my sister and family will get them just in case- but good to know they have the option to use that budgeted money towards fun instead.

 

[andeeNjoel]

Thanks for updating the website Jen! I really do enjoy it!

Welcome to the the newcomers! It is wonderful to have families from around the world on here!

We will be going to Disney for a few days before the cruise now too!

Great tip about bringing a clothes pin. I suspect we will need it so that the old people (us) can sleep while our niece and nephews stay up and watch movies.


Tips I have learned...the fun way:
1- Embrace your o'natural skin! I tried an all natural self tanning lotion before our last trip and ended up looking like an honorary Oompa Loompa! I will be a dirty blonde version of Snow White this August.
2- Make sure CMs are not cleaning your windows before leaping out of bed or walking out of the shower with your curtains open...
3- Even if you are not traveling with kids, stop in and watch some of the family game show activities. They are great!

Favorite tips I have seen on the boards:
1- Bring highlighters so that everyone can highlight activities listed in the navigators to show what they would like to do.
2- Place a dry erase board on the back of your door to leave notes for each other or even your CM.
3- Keep an envelop of one dollar bills by your door for tipping room service.
4- Pile up the photos as shutters as the week goes on so that you can pick from them more easily and faster towards the end of your trip. Also- discards the ones you wish were not out for display.

Off to work! I hope everyone has a great day!

 

[PoohJen]

My tip is well known on these boards, but it probably the most valuable info I ever received on the DIS - the famous "Over-the-door-shoe-hanger" tip!!!

We bring a 12(?) pocket shoe hanger that hangs over the outside of the bathroom door with its own hooks. The pockets are clear. EVERYTHING goes in those pockets that would otherwise be tossed on a bureau, etc., such as sunglasses, Passporter/travel book (not the passports - those are locked in the safe!), sunblock, KTW cards, iPod, laundry spot-treatment-stick, etc. No more "Mom, where's the ?????". Easy to find things; also greatly reduces clutter in the cabin.

My DH was duly impressed with the shoe holder concept on our first cruise - we now use that shoe holder in our laundry room for all sorts of loose items!

 

[caitlinsdad]

My tip is well known on these boards, but it probably the most valuable info I ever received on the DIS - the famous "Over-the-door-shoe-hanger" tip!!!

We bring a 12(?) pocket shoe hanger that hangs over the outside of the bathroom door with its own hooks.

I did this too on our last cruise and it worked great, so much so we too are using it at home, on the back of the bedroom door.

 

[jenanderson]

Thanks for updating the website Jen! I really do enjoy it!

Glad you like it! There are some weeks where I am really busy and I feel bad if I do not get to it and other days where I love to sit and fiddle with it all.

We will be going to Disney for a few days before the cruise now too!

Let me know where and for how long and I will add you to our list!

Tips I have learned...the fun way:
1- Embrace your o'natural skin! I tried an all natural self tanning lotion before our last trip and ended up looking like an honorary Oompa Loompa! I will be a dirty blonde version of Snow White this August.
2- Make sure CMs are not cleaning your windows before leaping out of bed or walking out of the shower with your curtains open...

I was trying to picture you looking like an Oompa Loompa! It sounds like something I would do. Today I wanted to wear capris but decided that my way white legs were not a good look!

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

WOW !!!!!!!!!!! GREAT tips anyone !!!!!!

I'll have something to add ... but it looks like I'm too tired today to think of ...

Here we are having RAIN RAIN RAIN ... and I feel a bit down ...

laura

PS Jen THANKYOU for all of your work on the web site !!!!
There wasn't the usual COMMENT link in your blog today ... I could not write ... HELP please !!

 

[jenanderson]

I'll have something to add ... but it looks like I'm too tired today to think of ...

Here we are having RAIN RAIN RAIN ... and I feel a bit down ...

laura

PS Jen there isn't the usual COMMENT link in your blog today ... I could not write ...

Hey there Laura!

Looks like I was too tired when I uploaded my blog last night! I must have turned something off or did something because I see how you cannot comment. That makes me so sad because reading your comments is my after school treat! When I get home from school today I will have to see if I can turn it back on. It will be about 5 hours from now though.

Here's wishing you sunny days!

Jen

 

[MephamKickliner09]

Hi jbm02 - where from upstate are you? I'm originally from LI

what part of LI are you originally from?????

 

[PoohJen]

what part of LI are you originally from?????

Wantagh...and you're from Merrick, right? (Bellmore?)

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

I've just found this photo of TORTOLA :
first view from cruise ship !!! and thought I would post it here , to help everyone's DREAMS !!!

THIS ONE is a bit "scary" though :

ROADS of Tortola ... very bumpy and winding !!

and these make me think : ADVENTUROUS / SIMPLE ?? HISTORIC ???

Callwood distillery ?!!

Can't wait to check by myself !!!

laura

 

[MephamKickliner09]

Wantagh...and you're from Merrick, right? (Bellmore?)

thats awsome!!! im from Bellmore. my dance studio is in wantagh (Spotlight Dance Studio. on merrick road)

 

[jenanderson]

If anyone is interested...DD's dance video is up on the web! It is from the big competition they won about a month ago...they won the Judge's Choice award for their efforts and those videos get posted.

The videos are a bit blurry so it is almost impossible to pick out Emily (unless you really know her)...but if you want to try...she comes in carrying the boy and then ends up dancing just to the left of the center podium. Just a bit into the video when they eventually end up in one long line, she is the 3rd from the left - the tallest one on her line.

So, here is the link...STARPOWER
When you get to the page, you have to scroll down almost to the bottom (in the little window) to Minneapolis (Legacy Dance Studio).

I am a proud mom so I just had to share!

 

[spoohs]

Hi All,

Haven't posted for a while, so I thought I would say hi. Tomorrow I am off to Disney for a girls trip with my DD and our table mates (mom and daughter) from our last cruise. I am so excited because I haven't been to Disney in 4 years! Can't wait to do all the new things that have been updated and added.

Have a good day all!

 

[gfolchick]

I just received my weekly newsletter from Passporter and they are celebrating their 10th anniversary onboard the Magic this week. There is a "Window Seat" on their boards with pictures taken from the cruise with lots of pictures of Tortola. I wasn't sure if I was allowed to post the link to another disboards. passporterboards.com/forums/window-seat-real-time-photo-trip-report-passporter/index2.html

Hoping that the returning Disboard cruisers will post trip reports. There aren't too many for Eastern sailings as it is.

Quick question: I bought the Passporter (even though I've cruised 5 times with Disney). They were saying that you may only be allowed to pre-book one reservation at Palo now, does anyone know if this is true? I'm planning on staying up to midnight on the 17th to book brunch and dinner but if this is the case I'll have to decide which takes first priority and then go to Rockin Bar D on embarkation to book the other.

 

[Pixiedustdawn]

Hi Everyone,

Just thought we would pop in and say hi to everyone!

We don't seem to be able to get on here too much. I am glad to see a few LIer's are sailing with me. Maybe we should meet before we get to the cruise.

Have a good day!

Dawn

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

If anyone is interested...DD's dance video is up on the web! It is from the big competition they won about a month ago...they won the Judge's Choice award for their efforts and those videos get posted.

The videos are a bit blurry so it is almost impossible to pick out Emily (unless you really know her)...but if you want to try...she comes in carrying the boy and then ends up dancing just to the left of the center podium. Just a bit into the video when they eventually end up in one long line, she is the 3rd from the left - the tallest one on her line.

So, here is the link...STARPOWER
When you get to the page, you have to scroll down almost to the bottom (in the little window) to Minneapolis (Legacy Dance Studio).

I am a proud mom so I just had to share!

WOW !!!

I really loved the video !! They all are VERY VERY good !! I am afraid I'm not sure which one Emily is ... but I can see HOW MUCH PROUD YOU ARE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Thanks for posting that link !!

laura

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

We are going to pay in full for the cruise this weekend !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We both are off work for 3 days ; so we'll have lots of dreaming and planning about our trip to the States !!!

Are you all off work on May 1st too ??
I'm so looking forward to these three relaxing days !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CIAO , laura

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

We are going to pay in full for the cruise this weekend !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We both are off work for 3 days ; so we'll have lots of dreaming and planning about our trip to the States !!!

Are you all off work on May 1st too ??
I'm so looking forward to these three relaxing days !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CIAO , laura

We have three day weekend as well.

 

[flrickd]

Paid in full today also. Disney Rewards card stands at $1100.00 plus on board credits of $400.00.