...and a happy New Year! 12/30/2010

[lucky1]

Thanks Kathy and Alex for the words of encouragement. You have both help bring down the anxiety of finding the time to make something home made. Now to sew my fish extender.

Yeah! Glad you are joining. FYI...I do not sew (sorry Mom and yes my 1925 Singer is still in the closet) and I decided to do the no sew FE for our last cruise. I think I spent more money on making it then if I would have just purchased on off ebay.

It is fun to do, my DD loves coming back to the stateroom and finding gifts. I love going and finding everyone's door.

Laura

 

[lucky1]

Hey... 76 days until the cruise.


For the first time cruisers, Midnight Eastern time tonight you can go online and book your Palo's, spa and excursions.

 

[KikiMouse]

Okay, I have read a lot about the FE gifts. Sounds interesting, but my concern is: what if I do not get off my duff and make a FE, or worst to make gifts. With work and fitness 6 days a week, the crafts have gone to the side. I may join Laura and bring something local. Anyone for maple syrup? Seems to be the thing to give from our Mennonite community. So should I join? I need some encouragement. We are driving, so I do not have the excuse of not being able to fit in the luggage.

Patti

Hi Patti, its KikiMouse!
Yes yes yes do the FE! Ours was a Christmas cruise last year so we used a big stocking for the FE. Our gifts were not homemade, my husband and I had so much fun picking out gifts for everyone, according to age, etc. Or you can give one gift per cabin, whatever you like, doesn't have to be homemade so don't worry! Fun!


PS
We booked Palo tonight! Yes! So yummy!

 

[lucky1]

Hope you all got what you wanted for Palo's and excursion.. Now we are in the homeward stretch....

 

[sdchickie]

Just got back from an awesome vacation at my happy place and on a cruise. We went to St. Thomas while we were on the cruise and it was nice. You can definately do the sky ride to the top of the mountain on your own and it doesn't take that long to do it. While we were in St. Thomas we got a cab at the port and had him take us to Sapphire beach (which was beautiful) it was $20pp round trip. Look how blue the water is there

We even had alot of fun wildlife for the kids to look at. (Yes, they are all wild and just wandering around the beach)

If you want to use the same cab both ways, make sure you negotiate in advance that you'll pay at the end, that way you will have a ride back to port. Our cab driver was great and he even gave us a tour of the island on the way to Sapphire beach. We plan on doing St. John when we go in Dec. but we had a great day at Sapphire too. There is snorkeling there, but the water is not super clear, it's kinda sandy. We didn't go out very far into the reef maybe if we did the water would have been clearer. There is a pizza delivery place near the beach that had pretty good pizzas for fairly cheap, They also have sodas and food at the beach. They rent snorkel equipment and life vests for the little ones.

 

[lucky1]

Cool Terri- Thanks for sharing that information on St Thomas. Were you on DCL?

The water looks wonderful.


We are under 70 days now until the Cruise!!!!!!

 

[sdchickie]

We were on a Carnival cruise. We stopped at 5 diferent ports, but only 1 was the same as our Disney cruise (St. Thomas). I'm really excited to see St. Maarten and of cource CC.

 

[lucky1]

What is everyone up to this fine weekend? The weather has taken a "fall like" feel here after being in the 90's for the beginning of October. Yesterday it didn't get about 72. Nice and crisp feeling this morning.


I feel so far behind on the planning for this cruise. I do check regularly to see if we have been assigned a stateroom (one of those folks that switch to Cat 12 to get the awesome rate).

 

[Relaxin']

What is everyone up to this fine weekend? The weather has taken a "fall like" feel here after being in the 90's for the beginning of October. Yesterday it didn't get about 72. Nice and crisp feeling this morning.


I feel so far behind on the planning for this cruise. I do check regularly to see if we have been assigned a stateroom (one of those folks that switch to Cat 12 to get the awesome rate).

Just a slight difference in temperature here. There was signs of snow last week, but this week it will be in the 60's. I am off to have lunch with my daughter, she is thinking of joining us on the cruise. Hope it is not too late to get her added to our room. If she comes, I am considering booking the Cat. 12 for her and my son. It will be cheaper than adding her to my room. The cruise has been a great goal from my weight loss. Every time I exercise, or say no to ice cream, I think about the prize - cruising over NYE, and being one step closer to the Disney Half Marathon 2012.

 

[sdchickie]

Just a slight difference in temperature here. There was signs of snow last week, but this week it will be in the 60's. I am off to have lunch with my daughter, she is thinking of joining us on the cruise. Hope it is not too late to get her added to our room. If she comes, I am considering booking the Cat. 12 for her and my son. It will be cheaper than adding her to my room. The cruise has been a great goal from my weight loss. Every time I exercise, or say no to ice cream, I think about the prize - cruising over NYE, and being one step closer to the Disney Half Marathon 2012.

Are you doing the 5K at Disney when we get off the ship? I'm thinking about doing it since it is the next day. We just got back from running the Halloween 5K at Disney and it was a total blast! Plus the added bonus of running a 5K while on vacation is you don't gain as much weight back while you are on vacation. We were gone 2 1/2 weeks and I only gained 3 lbs. I was afraid it was going to be more like 10 lbs. but it wasn't
The weather is nice here, mid 70's and in the high 50's at night, good football weather. Go Redskins- even though they are in Chicago today. I guess we'll be watching the game at home today, my son is sick. I hope he didn't get dengue fever from our last cruise he's got the symptoms of it, but it could also be the flu. I'll just keep my fingers crossed that it isn't dengue.

 

[Relaxin']

Are you doing the 5K at Disney when we get off the ship? I'm thinking about doing it since it is the next day. We just got back from running the Halloween 5K at Disney and it was a total blast! Plus the added bonus of running a 5K while on vacation is you don't gain as much weight back while you are on vacation. We were gone 2 1/2 weeks and I only gained 3 lbs. I was afraid it was going to be more like 10 lbs. but it wasn't
The weather is nice here, mid 70's and in the high 50's at night, good football weather. Go Redskins- even though they are in Chicago today. I guess we'll be watching the game at home today, my son is sick. I hope he didn't get dengue fever from our last cruise he's got the symptoms of it, but it could also be the flu. I'll just keep my fingers crossed that it isn't dengue.

I was planning the yoga on the beach, but I may change my mind.

 

[lucky1]

Just a slight difference in temperature here. There was signs of snow last week, but this week it will be in the 60's. I am off to have lunch with my daughter, she is thinking of joining us on the cruise. Hope it is not too late to get her added to our room. If she comes, I am considering booking the Cat. 12 for her and my son. It will be cheaper than adding her to my room. The cruise has been a great goal from my weight loss. Every time I exercise, or say no to ice cream, I think about the prize - cruising over NYE, and being one step closer to the Disney Half Marathon 2012.

Yes.. weather can certainly be different between up north and those of us in the desert. We are at an elevation for 2500 feet, so we do get snow once or twice a year, but that will be in January time frame. We live only about 1 hour from a ski resort (elevation of 9000 feet), We always joke that we can be skiing in the morning and drive down the mountain for swimming in the pool. (Never happens though)

Good for you on the Goal of weight loss. DH has done a really good job with that, but I haven't.

 

[twokats]

Well, planning for the cruise is in high mode around here. Clothes are being and have been bought (still looking for some more good deals!!). We are discussing what we are going to do and how we are going to do it. We did get some free tickets for KSC from our senator. Go Kay Bailey Hutchesin! I have the car and hotel reservations (have had those for a while) and of course the plane tickets were done ages ago. Since we already have our room assignment (I picked that when I reserved) I don't have that worry that ya'll have, but let me know for the FE roster as soon as you know. Have my Palo reservation, but still working on excursions. Getting the stuff ready to do my FE and planning the FE gifts. Let's see what else is left. . . . . !!??

Since my Mom is still having weakness and blood clot issues, we are also looking at one of those lightweight transport wheelchairs to take with us. That will be a new experience.

Our weather around here for the past two days has been bad. . . several tornadoes in nearby counties, bad thunderstorms and high winds and in areas quite a bit of hail. Here at our house and at my Mom's only winds and rain. My husband got caught in a nearby town in high winds, rain and hail. He will have to check tomorrow and make sure our Cessna did not sustain any damage. My aunt had so much hail she said her yard was white. But tomorrow it is supposed to get up to 90 and then we are supposed to have a cold front that will send us down 10 or more degrees. Like we always say. . . if you don't like the weather in Texas. . . wait 5 minutes!!!

And speaking of Texas, I am not a sports fan, unlike my children, but I guess ya'll know that our Texas Rangers are headed for the World Series. Go Rangers!!!

 

[lucky1]

Kathy - If we don't get our Room assignment prior to finalizing the FE list, we can update you all at the DIS meet.

I assume the DIS Meet is still at 3pm on Embarcment day in the Promenade lounge.

I can't remember everyone who is staying at CI&S before the cruise, but I think at least 3 or 4 of us will be there.


We will see you at KSC as well.

Laura

 

[lucky1]

Well, planning for the cruise is in high mode around here. Clothes are being and have been bought (still looking for some more good deals!!). We are discussing what we are going to do and how we are going to do it. We did get some free tickets for KSC from our senator. Go Kay Bailey Hutchesin! I have the car and hotel reservations (have had those for a while) and of course the plane tickets were done ages ago. :

Kathy - We have our Plane Tickets, KSC tickets from our congresswomen, CI&S Reservations, Rental car Reservations and WDW Resort reservations for the last day, Transformation to WDW from DCL paid and made our reservations for ME back to MCO. Palos and excursion are booked, but could change.

What we have left to do... Prepay tips, La Nouba reservations and ... (hopefully nothing else. Anyone see anything we are missing?

 

[first timers]

Are you doing the 5K at Disney when we get off the ship? I'm thinking about doing it since it is the next day. We just got back from running the Halloween 5K at Disney and it was a total blast! Plus the added bonus of running a 5K while on vacation is you don't gain as much weight back while you are on vacation. We were gone 2 1/2 weeks and I only gained 3 lbs. I was afraid it was going to be more like 10 lbs. but it wasn't
The weather is nice here, mid 70's and in the high 50's at night, good football weather. Go Redskins- even though they are in Chicago today. I guess we'll be watching the game at home today, my son is sick. I hope he didn't get dengue fever from our last cruise he's got the symptoms of it, but it could also be the flu. I'll just keep my fingers crossed that it isn't dengue.

Haven't posted in awhile, been busy at work and with honey do list. We are collecting FE gifts which is always fun. We are going to do the 5K and the half marathon when we get off the ship, and we are volunteering to help with registration/expo on Thurs, Fri. and Sat.. After the cruise we are staying at the Wyndham Bonnet Creek resort on Disney property.

The weather here was nice last week, low 80s for the highs, upper 50s at night. But this week we are back to 90 for highs. The weather man promises back to the low 80s for the weekend.

We are spending the second week of Nov. at Animal Kingdom Lodge for my birthday. The cruise activity will get into full swing when we get home.

Hope everyone is staying health and well. Alex

 

[lucky1]

After the cruise we are staying at the Wyndham Bonnet Creek resort on Disney property.

Alex

Alex - Tell me a bit more about the Bonnet Creek resort. We always see it from the Disney Buses, but never really had an idea about it. I assume you don't get any perks from Disney at that resort.

 

[first timers]

Alex - Tell me a bit more about the Bonnet Creek resort. We always see it from the Disney Buses, but never really had an idea about it. I assume you don't get any perks from Disney at that resort.

Bonnet Creek is an area of non-Disney hotels on Disney property. The Wyndham has mostly timeshares with one hotel currently under construction. They have transportation to Disney Parks, downtown, etc..
We are owners with Wyndham so we use our points to stay there often. The Wyndham has sone nice pool areas, some resort activities and a great view from the 19th floor (where we watched the fireworks at Magic Kingdom.

There are at least two other hotels, the Waldorf Astoria and a Marriot (I think). Never have stayed at other than Wyndham. Alex

 

[sdchickie]

We love staying at Bonnet Creek, my Aunt owns there and so we get to stay using her points. Last time we had one of the rooms facing the Epcot ball and it was then that I realized the the top of the ball isn't lit. I don't know why I just assumed that the whole ball was lit up, but only the bottom and sides are. We have also stayed at the Hilton wich is attached to the Waldorf Astoria. Both of those hotels are absolutely beautiful.

 

[lucky1]

You are the first 2 that I have ever heard of staying at Bonnet creek in all my years of going to WDW and the different boards I have visited. I looked at pictures and it seems nice. We always have stayed on Site with Disney owned property. I know one time we visited a hotel in DTD (Groverner) in 1997 and things seemed so Sad there, they just were not up to the same level as Disney resorts.

Might have to check it out sometime, especially if we can get some good rates. I didn't even know Hilton was there.