any November 15th eastern 7 ngt cruisers out there?

[lbgraves]

I have read that some people don't understand why families make a cruise when their children are not PTd. Well, they are kids! This should be the time that they will enjoy this unlike next year or the next. I can't wait to see their faces when they see the ship, the characters, when DS has happy birthday sung to him in the dining room, when we walk down Main Street for the first time, when they walk thru the shark tanks at Sea World after watching them so many times on the travel channel. I plan on taking DD to the club for a few of the activities and staying with her if all else fails. DS didn't PT until 3.5 so I can't get upset with her at 3. It doesn't help things anyway. This is going to be the first time in over a year that we have all gone away for 2 weeks and not had to have DH check in with work. He has already promised his boss that they wont hear from him!

Anyhow, we will be at the port when it opens up in the am but I hadn't planned to even mess with the resies thing except signing DS up for the club after lunch. If noone else going in the am is going to sign up for dinner, I will work it out to be there for HT. We can firm up a number a little later.

 

[mkauffman]

Lisa, the one thing I've learned is that no one has the right to tell you what's best for you and your family. We do everything because it's got to be best for US, not for the Smith's next door. I should be putting more money into savings and less into cruising, but my kids will only be kids once. I want to watch them be happy and I want to do it with them, not wait until after they grow up and have families of their own. I'm so excited for you, just to hear how excited you are about this trip gives me goosebumps! Disney definitely creates that magical feeling inside of you that just won't go away. I wish I could be a fly on the wall when your kids see these things for the first time. One thing I know for sure is that every time for us has seemed like the first time. You never lose the magic. That's the real difference between Disney vs. everyone else. No one else can create the magic and that's what it's all about!

Michelle

 

[nedleycan]

I will be first in line (unless one of you beat me) at Palo. I am planning on booking a dinner for me and DH and a brunch. I can book the tea too, if you like.

 

[lbgraves]

Linda, it would be great to have someone who knows the ropes already book the HT for us. Thanks for offering!!! Do you know what info we are going to have to get together for it?

 

[nedleycan]

I will just have to know how many people are coming. They will charge my cabin (so you better show up! haha) I will not need your cabin numbers or names.
When it gets closer, I will do a final count.
Hey, just got our final bill from our travel agent today. The money is due September 1st. We are lucky (kinda) because of our cancelled November 30th cruise last year, we got a 50% off coupon, so we owe very little now, as they took most of our money when we booked the cruise.

 

[lbgraves]

That's nice & easy!!! That's fantastic that they compensated you with the 50% deal! What a nice break. I told DH about the 400 onboard credit for the special cruises next year. He sounded interested. I plan on making resies by the end of the 2nd day just to have it done! We can always change the date later.

You know, I was checking out the website & am surprised at how many kids will be going in our group. While the ladies are at HT, maybe the guys can get the kids together...unless they are all going take the opportunity to snooze.

I am hoping that the upgrade fairy will continue to do well to the DISers. So many are getting upgrades in September. I think that I am going to call our TA in the morning & ask her to look into it for us & see if anything has changed.

 

[nedleycan]

September is the least popular most to cruise (due to weather and rough seas). I remember last year, reading about all the people getting upgrades. But, the ship isn't full, so there is lots of room. Our ship will probably be close to full, so there will be less... you can always dream!

 

[mkauffman]

Linda, count me in for high tea. I'll be there with bells and whistles on! What time is HT anyway?

My kids will most likely be off doing whatever a 9 yo and 15 yo do while their mom's at HT! I doubt DH and I will be seeing them much. It will be really nice for me to get know you guys (ladies) a little better!

Our final payment is due 9/6, but we paid ours off with our income tax refund, so it seems I've been waiting for this trip forever!

It does seem that a lot of Sept cruisers are getting upgrades. We have a definite cabin number, so I don't for one to come my way, but WOW, would it be nice! I wonder how close our cruise is to being full??

Michelle

 

[Jo-Anne]

Count me in for high tea too! This will be fun! Linda, You mentioned that they'll charge your room if you make the ressie, but isn't high tea "free"? Are they charging you just to hold the reservation? Michelle - accoring to the navigators, high tea is at 3:30 on the at-sea days. Anyone have a preference on which day we'd want high tea? Lisa - hang in there with the potty training...only you know your kids the best and as you know, it will happen when it happens!!

 

[mkauffman]

I didn't know if high tea was free or if it was the $5 fee that you would pay for dinner at Palo. I don't have a preference for the day. We don't have any plans for the at-sea days, besides relaxing by the pool. Whatever you guys all agree on is fine with me. We have early dinner, so I guess that means I'll go from high tea to dinner? How long does it last?

Michelle

 

[JulieGS]

Hi everyone!

First off, congrats to Alex and Jessica. Sounds like you'll be on a long-term adventure this fall instead of just a week's trip! Best of luck and thank you so much for offering to maintain the great web site for us.

Count me in for the tea at Palos... sounds like a great bonding opportunity sans kids and husbands. Hope they have scones and lemon curd... and clotted cream... mmmmm. Michelle, I think tea can be as long or short as you want. The food is usually dainty and/or sweet things, so it doesn't take too long to eat... but knowing this group, we'll be talking and laughing right up to when they kick us out so they can get ready for dinner!

And speaking of get-togethers, way back in the beginning pages there was some talk about those of us staying at the airport Hyatt getting together for breakfast, but I haven't heard anything more. Some of the people haven't posted again, so I'm not sure if this is still happening... but I'm up for that, too! (Basically, anytime there's food involved, I'm there.)

Still haven't decided how we're getting to the port, so I'm not sure exactly what time we'll be there, but I'm thinking it will be early. I'm nervous about all the first day sign-ups... we're going to try for Palo dinner ressies too, and of course Flounders... maybe the spa... and the Oceaneer Club.... arghhhh!

As for the buttons and/or nametags, I vote for whatever is easiest for the person doing the work, and I would be happy to help in whatever way I can.

Julie

 

[mkauffman]

Julie, I had the same feeling about the bonding opportunity. I am very excited about all of us getting together. I'm not even remotely worried about meeting you guys (as was stated in a different thread). I feel like I know all of you already! It helps that Alex created that great site with our pictures. We're flying in the morning of departure, so I can't help you at all with that.

How many days now??

Michelle

 

[mkauffman]

Ok guys.........I was just goofing around at my computer and I created name tags on the fly. I used Avery name badge inserts that you can buy at any office supply store (OfficeMax, Staples, etc...). Anyway, I wish I could figure out a way to send them to you guys, but I can't attach anything. I'd be happy to print them out for everyone. The holders can't cost that much. Any ideas on how I can share so you all can see? Maybe I can email them to each of you.

Michelle

 

[lbgraves]

OK, let me try again! I sent an email back to the group so that should be able to be forwarded to everyone with the name tags. Staples has the badges & clips for about $6 for 10.

How does Sunday sound for the Tea? That is our first full day at sea right? I think that I will also be getting ready for dinner right after we finish up...or get thrown out.

I am so excited!!! We just got back from Target & I found one of the adorable suits with the grass skirt marked down to 3.24 for DD!!! I knwo that I just got her those Disney princess ones, but the skirt can go with anything at her age.

 

[sherry]

That's great, isn't it fun to find things when you're not really looking!

Any day for tea is fine with me and thanks for all the work you all are doing on the buttons.

Sherry

 

[mkauffman]

Grass skirt? That sounds absolutely adorable! That's the one thing I miss about not having girls (I'd probably spend WAY too much money on clothes, though!).

I don't mind giving you my email address on board...you can either use mkauffman@haponline.org or mkauffman@pa.net . Both will work. I'd be happy to send you some money for supplies and to ship my badge to me. Let me know.

Oh, Sunday for tea sounds great to me. Should we plan to stay long enough that we'll get tossed out?

Michelle

 

[mkauffman]

Oh wait......were you just going to let us print our own badges? I just re-read your message. All this cruise excitement, I think I'm losing my mind!

Michelle

 

[lbgraves]

Well....before Jo steps in & tells you about my Targetolic ways...I have been looking at them & waiting...patiently. D had to try it on so I snapped a quick picture. I can't get onto the board pic system so I emailed it.

Michelle, I know that our printer isn't working well. Not sure what is wrong with it right now but the ink doesn't show up sometimes. If someone could print them out, I could get some badges and we can get together at the terminal or at the DIS meet to put them together quickly.

 

[mkauffman]

My printer at home only works 1/2 the time, too. I usually do my stuff at work. I can print them off. It's really no problem at all.

Too bad we can't all dress in grass skirts! You gotta love Target!

Michelle

 

[JulieGS]

Lisa --

We just got a fancy-pants new printer, so I would be happy to print out the nametags and bring them with.

Julie

P.S. I know exactly the suit and grass skirt you mean... I bought them for a good friend who has a little girl! Sooo cute and even cuter on clearance! Your DD will look adorable.