8/24 Roll Call!!

[ducklite]

Anybody thinking about packing yet?

I've started to, but it keeps getting me depressed. We'll be gone for almost two weeks between the cruise and WDW. I do'nt want to do laundry, but I do'nt want to pack two weeks worth of clothes either. UGH!!

Anne

 

[Diamond_Girls]

Have any of you purchased trip insurance? I've been checking insuremytrip.com and based on the numbers I enter it looks like a company called Travelex is by far the least expensive. Anyone use this company or use this website or buy any travel insurance?

Thanks!

 

[appink]

Ducklite, I haven't actually started packing yet but each week I buy a few things and have them put in the spare room. I go look at them to get my cruise fix for the day and then stay on these boards the other half of the time. I may be fired before I get to cruise.

Patti

 

[appink]

Bump

 

[Whiskers]

Appink: I've been doing that too - buying a few things at a time and putting in my "travel area". But it's mostly stuff to keep the boys busy on the plane!! I'm soooo nervous about spending all those hours trapped on a plane with them getting bored!

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by Diamond_Girls
Have any of you purchased trip insurance? I've been checking insuremytrip.com and based on the numbers I enter it looks like a company called Travelex is by far the least expensive. Anyone use this company or use this website or buy any travel insurance?

Thanks!

I purchased Disney's insurance. I read the policy and it covers what I need it to. I'm mostly concerned about medical evacuation insurance.

Anne

 

[appink]

Whiskers, where are you coming from? Thank goodness we are in Virginia and only have a 2 hour flight. I remember going to California 2 years ago with my then 7 year old. He discovered the restroom on the plane and every 5 minutes had to go. Coming back it wasn't such a thrill so we just played cards with him.

Ducklite and diamondgirls, we also have the Disney insurance. Our agent purchased it when she did the package and I am not sure how much it was because it is not broken out.



Patti

 

[ducklite]

Well, I now feel very poor, but very excited. I made my final payment yesterday. My TA asked if I would mind doing it a little early, as she is having surgery and will be out for some time, and it would be one less thing her coworkers would have to handle for her.

OK, so I have plane tickets, WDW reservations before and after the cruise. I have yourride.net taking care of all the transfers for us, and written confirmation from Rabbit. I've paid for the cruise, scheduled the pet sitter, and given the concierge at the Poly and YC our dining info and gotten my PS's back from them. I called the GF Spa to get my spa treatments set up with my preferred therapists.

I still need to have DS and DH measured for their tuxes at a local place and then order them through cruiseline formal. I need to order gift baskets and flowers from Shirley. I need to call DCL 60 days out and set up Palo's, dining rotation and shore excurions. I need to take DS to get some shorts, he has grown five inches since last summer, and nothing fits anymore.

I feel like I'm forgetting something really huge.

Anne

 

[appink]

Ducklite, wow are you prepared. All I've done so far is pick up a few things. I feel like I am way!!!! behind.

 

[Whiskers]

appink: we're flying out of Seattle (after driving down from Vancouver, Canada). One stop on the flight to Florida, so I think it is going to be a loooong day! I have so many sticker books etc, my DH is going to have a fit I just need to find some new game boy games I think (any ideas anyone?)

ducklite: We are goint to need transportation from the airport Sat am to the port. (flying in friday and staying at an airport hotel). Do you like yourride the best? Is it better than Tiffany or Happy Limo?

 

[KAMLEM]

Whiskers-

The first time we went to Disney with our two DD (ages 3 and 6 at the time) I was dreading the 3 hour flight. I packed their backpacks so full of things to do that they could not even carry them by themselves - coloring books, crayons, game boys, CD walkman, Pixters. I did that the first 3 times we went to Disney before I realized that they did not use any of it. This year I bought them each a portable DVD player. They are a little expensive but worth every penny. Last month I didn't hear a word from my 5 year old during the whole flight. My parents and in-laws each live about an hour away and every time we drive there we use the DVD players. It makes the car ride so much more enjoyable! I payed about $400 each at BJ's for the RCA ones but I just saw an APEX brand advertised at Walmart for only $179. I would recommend them to anyone. I bought nice carrying cases that are padded and they both fit into one carry-on bag that my husband carries. The girls don't have to carry anything. They were definitely worth the money for us.

 

[Whiskers]

Kamlem: What a great idea! I'm going to see if our Walmart has that APEX brand. Thanks!

 

[KAMLEM]

Whiskers-

It you can't find it you should check EBay, I saw quite a few there. You can buy an adapter for the headphones and plug 2 sets in if you want two kids to share. That was my original plan but I didn't want to deal with the fighting. If you just buy a reqular, cheap adapter then you lose some of the sound. You can spend a little more on one that makes the sound the same as if just one person were listening. I bought these so that my husband and I can watch with the kids. There's just one problem-my 6 year old wants to watch Spongebob Squarepants over and over.

 

[jillsatravelin]

I had this same thought when we went to Hawaii last October and packed half of their room for the flight. It was over 5 hours and they didn't use anything....... except for playing a few game boy games and watching the in flight movie. I think I'll look into the cheaper DVD player from Walmart. I know what you mean about the Sponge Bob movies, over and over and over! It might just be worth the $200 bucks and will be used many times to come. I was thinking they could just watch the in flight movie again but it probably won't be for little kids.
Have any of you used Yourride.net? I just got a quote of $130 round trip for eight of us, my brother and sister-n-law is coming too. That seems so cheap. I'm visioning this 1960's van pulling up with no AC. LOL. Just wondering if any of you have any thoughts about them. I still haven't booked the night before yet, it just kills me to pay $180 for the Hyatt when were not even arriving until midnight and leaving early the next morning. I'm so excited I want to be the first at the ship! :Ü Jill

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by Whiskers
ducklite: We are goint to need transportation from the airport Sat am to the port. (flying in friday and staying at an airport hotel). Do you like yourride the best? Is it better than Tiffany or Happy Limo?

I haven't used yourride yet, this will be the first. I've also never used Happy Limo. I have used Florida Towncar and TIffany, both many times. I've never had a "Bad" experience with either, BUT, the FTC quality did slip after a couple of years, and while Tiffany drivers have been fine, their office people have been surly the last couple times I've called. So I'm trying yourride this time.

Not sure if you realize it, but you can take DCL transportation for a small fee as well from the airport, even if your flight arrives the day before.

I would use Tiffany again (in fact I just won free r/t transport by Tiffany from MCO to any WDW area resort in a raffle, and plan on using it next February ! ). So far I've been happy with yourride, but I can't really recommend them yet.

Anne

 

[Credit Man]

Anne, Tried to PM you but your box is full. Yes we are still going on 8/24. Don't remember the room number, but we are on deck 2.

 

[wcarp]

has anyone purchased snorkeling equip for their kids? I have 11 year old son and 8 yr old girl. this will be their first snorkeling exp. and having used poor equip myself in the past, I thought about buying something for them so it would be a good experience. Anyone have any thoughts?

thanks,
wanda

 

[KAMLEM]

I bought 4 sets (2 adults and 2 children) of equipment at BJ's. I saw the identical sets (same brand) at Land's End for $79. I paid only $25. I have heard that's what it costs just to rent the equipment for a day. Each set has a snorkel, mask and fins in a nice carrying case that drains well if the equipment is still wet. The equipment is very good quality, especially for $25.

 

[wcarp]

Kamlem,

Do you remeber the name brand? I've seen lots of equip in varying prices and was wondering what was a good brand for kids. Thanks

 

[KAMLEM]

The brand is US Divers. We haven't used them yet but they look good. The fins have extra padding around the back so that the straps won't rub agains your ankles. There's a plastic mesh fabric so that they'll drain if you put them away wet. I don't know anything about snorkeling equipment but it looks good!