9/7/06 10 night Wonder Southern Caribbean "Cruising in WONDERland!"

[Amlee]

Greetings !!!

We are realising that even with all the planning and preparations to date there is so much still to think about. I have mentioned that before we cruise we are staying in Old Key West and my 40th birthday we plan to go to Le Celliar for dinner but I'm now thinking that DD6 - Bethan may not enjoy it. We are now starting to think afresh with any better ideas. Our planning for the days in the parks are being looked at again, our evenings are being looked again, our extra magic hours are being looked again etc etc. The only things cast in tablets of stone are our arrival, the cruise, and the departure. Helen hasn't put down the Passporter Guides for WDW and DCL as she's busy rearranging.

Goodnight

David

Let me make a suggestion for you about your dinner plans. That both you and your son might enjoy. The Calfornia Grill is located on top of the Comtempary resort. Plan your dinner to start around 6 or so, because at 7 when the fire works from MK starts you can go out on their private deck and watch the show at eye level. They pipe the music in from MK so you can enjoy the whole show. It's really amazing and great fun to watch. This is only open to resturant guest. If your not able to get dinner at that time frame and have to settle for an earlier time slot. Ask if you can bring your family back for the fireworks. Just keep your receipt and they will let you.

 

[Amlee]

You are allowed two suitcases each ticketed person. Each suitcase can weigh no more than 50 pounds each. The suitcases can be large but no
trunks which would be considered oversize. You are allowed to carryon one suitcase each ticketed person that will fit in an overhead bin. Also, a purse or laptop. These are the ruled for United Airlines. I get out my scale and weigh each suitcase to make sure they are not over fifty pounds. I hope this info is helpful to someone.

LOL I'm a travel agent and tried in vain to tell them all of that. But it did NO GOOD! They wouldn't listen. :

I have myself in the past and yes it was at DisneyWorld pay for a 3rd case. It was with Delta and it cost me around 50.00 dollars. I also had to buy the 3rd suit case.

 

[sandysplayhouse]

LOL you can take more than the 2 suitcases if you wish to pay. When my parents went to Alaska last year they both carried one of those trunks, plus 2 normal sized suitcases and then carry on each (it was a 14 day land-cruise) I told them they would be in trouble at the airport. But they wouldn't listen to me. I got them to the airport and to check in. It cost them an extra 200 dollars because they were over the weight limit on their luggage. So it was a 200 dollars going and a 200 dollars coming home. So watch your luggage weight folks!

Thanks Amlee.. I believe I'll stick to 2 50 pound cases each plus my carry on... I want the extra $$ for "stuff" that I can't live without.

 

[Disneynut1955]

I think my family has you all beat on the suitcases.

We are still a month out from the trip and my wife has already packed about 9 bags. I spend a small fortune with the airlines each time we go on a trip as America West AKA U.S. Airways charges by weight for extra baggage. FYI - for those who need to take extra suitcases, we have always found that a kindly worded request to DCL will get a few extra luggage tags sent your way.

We are now becoming regulars at the post office in Celebration to mail home the purchases after the cruise.

Any other cruisers from Arizona?

 

[sandysplayhouse]

Let me make a suggestion for you about your dinner plans. That both you and your son might enjoy. The Calfornia Grill is located on top of the Comtempary resort. Plan your dinner to start around 6 or so, because at 7 when the fire works from MK starts you can go out on their private deck and watch the show at eye level. They pipe the music in from MK so you can enjoy the whole show. It's really amazing and great fun to watch. This is only open to resturant guest. If your not able to get dinner at that time frame and have to settle for an earlier time slot. Ask if you can bring your family back for the fireworks. Just keep your receipt and they will let you.

Thanks for the tip...but will it be dark enough at 7pm in September for fireworks? I know that fireworks don't start until 9:30 in California.

 

[daipp]

We are now becoming regulars at the post office in Celebration to mail home the purchases after the cruise.

I went to that Post Office last Christmas - NEVER AGAIN For a country that appears to have such fantastic customer service I was over one hour queuing to cash some Postal Orders I had received and there were probably no more than 12 people in front of me. I have never spent so much time in a Post Office in my life!!!

David

(And now I am definately going to bed.)

 

[poohluv2u]

We are hoping to only use our small rolling suitcases as carryons as we always do .... am I being to optimistic here

Our plan is to bring enough clothes for 5 days and do a wash ... what is everyone else doing? Guess I will do a trial run at packing and see if we need bigger suitcases.

 

[Amlee]

Thanks for the tip...but will it be dark enough at 7pm in September for fireworks? I know that fireworks don't start until 9:30 in California.

I did a TA education fam to disney last July and they had us eating by 6 and fireworks by 7. So that is what I'm going by. You can check with MK to see what time the firework show is and then set your dinner arrangements according to it.

Here is a link to some of the pictures I got of the fireworks from the resturant.

http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e342/AmleeParker/WDW2005/

 

[Stepht5]

Our planning for the days in the parks are being looked at again, our evenings are being looked again, our extra magic hours are being looked again etc etc. The only things cast in tablets of stone are our arrival, the cruise, and the departure. Helen hasn't put down the Passporter Guides for WDW and DCL as she's busy rearranging.

I LOVE those books! I carry them around with me always! I never know when I'm going to have a few minutes while I wait for one of my kids.
Good luck with all the planning!!!!!!!

Anyway, it's getting late here in the UK and I want to be up early for work tomorrow (passed a fatal acident this morning) - the 24 mile journey takes nearly a hour in the car so I listen to alot of CDs.

Goodnight

David

That makes me so grateful for dh's 7 min drive to and from work! When Claire had her accident, this past March, by the time I had her loaded int he car he was pulling up in the driveway! And we were good to go!

 

[Stepht5]

I have myself in the past and yes it was at DisneyWorld pay for a 3rd case. It was with Delta and it cost me around 50.00 dollars. I also had to buy the 3rd suit case.

This last trip to WDW we had most of our stuff mailed home. It was great! It left more room for the stuff we bought on the ship.

 

[Amlee]

This last trip to WDW we hand most of our stuff mailed home. It was great! It left more room for the stuff we bought on the ship.

LOL Ok I'll admit it! I mailed a huge box of stuff home also. The guy at the GF gift shop was laughing at me. I checked all of my clothes (in the new suitcase) and brought home all of the breakable stuff that I didn't trust in the mail in my carry-on. I went WAY overboard on that trip. :

 

[bearette]

Disneynut1955
You have more suitcases, but mine are bigger!

sandysplayhouse
I was talking totals of suitcases. Each of us have two, but my husband and I have three total instead of two each. (one for him, two for me, two for my mom, two for my dad and we each have a carry on that will fit on the plane.)

A little tip I learned with packing. Shoes are the heaviest thing (usually) in a suitcase so make sure when you pack them that you spread them out a little so they are not all in one taking up all the weight. (Almost) Every airline has a 50 pound limit. If you are coming from another country then they give you about 70 pounds. I have spent a lot of time opening my suitcases and rearranging things at the airport before I learned the shoe tip.

 

[piglet33]

(Almost) Every airline has a 50 pound limit.

I am so glad that I fly Jet Blue. Their limit is 70 pounds per bag!

 

[MerryMeeting]

I was hoping to get away with one suitcase... but, nope...I will be bringing two...Southwest is allowing 3 for 2 people. 50 pound weight limit...which stinks.

Last April on our Disney trip and cruise...dh had to shuffle around shoes...he always packs too many weird!

I have started my packing, and some ironing and more packing. I am not used to making a cruise reservation for myself with only a month to go...but couldn't refuse the special rate.

Ally is really being funny...bringing me things to pack.... she is a little excited

Oh well....back to ironing!

 

[Stepht5]

I checked all of my clothes (in the new suitcase) and brought home all of the breakable stuff that I didn't trust in the mail in my carry-on. I went WAY overboard on that trip. :

That's what we do! Dh is always saying *put the stuff that doesn't matter in the suitcases*

 

[Stepht5]

I am so glad that I fly Jet Blue. Their limit is 70 pounds per bag!

You lucky duck! I made the mistake of buying all new luggage this past Oct and I bought the *spinners*. Well.... it turns out that they are really heavy! UGH!

 

[Amlee]

That's what we do! Dh is always saying *put the stuff that doesn't matter in the suitcases*

LOL I'm going to tell you what I did this past March when I went to Scotland. I was there for 6 days, but we were only allowed 1 suitcase and one carry-on. Well there was NO WAY I was going over there and NOT bring something back. So I took just enough undies and just enough socks for each day. An I took my oldest sleep clothes. At the end of each day all went in to the trash. I couldn't believe the space that those things took up when it was all said and done. I had extra room for alot of stuff!

 

[bearette]

Stepht5
I have the same problem with my new suitcase. I like having a hard side since it keeps my stuff protected, but it weighs 20 pounds on it's own!

 

[MerryMeeting]

I got a hardside Samsonite with the spinner wheels...it really isn't that heavy...My other suitcase isn't very big...more medium sized...and rather lightweight...I am bringing one carry on...and I am packing an empty duffle...even though I am not shopping on this trip

 

[Amlee]

even though I am not shopping on this trip

That's my motto also!