any November 15th eastern 7 ngt cruisers out there?

[mkauffman]

Actually, Julie has the new name tags. I do have a copy of them that I could send. Lisa, I'm printing yours, right? I still have your address. I just need to get them printed and mailed. Mary, I can certainly do that for you, too. I have to print a whole page anyway. I think we've decided to just do DW and DH (unless anyone wants them for the kids). I don't think my kids will wear them. I need to get to Staples or OfficeMax and buy the tags.

My pic on Alex's site is over a year old, too. It's from our last cruise which was Feb. 2002. It's amazing how much kids grow in just a year.

I'm certainly hoping to be on the ship by 2:00, but I would hate to schedule something between 3-4 just in case. I hope that nothing happens, but I guess you just never know. That would be my worst nightmare come true.

I just got an email from my TA asking for our flight schedules. He said Disney faxed him and wanted the information for our transfers. He also said he's mailing out our excursion information today. YEAH!!! It's really happening!

Michelle

 

[nedleycan]

I just bought two white t-shirts for the kids that say "ROOTS" (our very successful Canadian clothing company) with a Canada flag on it. Jo-Anne, you might want to look at getting some for your kids. They will be wearing these shirts when we board, so look for them! My son will also have his "ROOTS Canada" red ball cap on.
I remember when we boarded last time, there isn't much time to meet. We got on the ship, went to our cabin, went up for lunch quickly, got in line at Palo (first in line) and the spa (first in line), then wandered around, then unpack, then the drill happened. I would be afraid that if we planned to meet at 3:00, some people wouldn't make it.
We also have early seating, so right after the sailaway, we will be getting ready for dinner. I think it would be better to meet on Sunday... what do you think?

 

[Jo-Anne]

Linda - I also have Canadian T shirts for the kids and we all wore them to MGM last year when we were there on 9/11...wanted to show our Cdn support for the American people on that commemoration day...maybe we'll pull them out too, although knowing Katie, she'll probably want to be wearing something Disney! I have a Canadian Roots T shirt as well...so don't everyone confuse me with Linda's DD!! You'll probably be able to easily pick out my son as the one who with the widest eyes staring at the biggest boat he's ever seen! He just loves boats and plays with them for hours.

 

[mkauffman]

Just thought I'd chime in for a minute (not like me, huh? ). My son has a Canada t-shirt that we bought in Niagara Falls last summer. There's a big flag on the front! Should I confuse everyone even more???

Michelle

 

[mcampbell_22]

Michelle, I'd love the nametags. If you want you can send an attachment to an email and I can print them off or if you want to pop it in the mail I can give you my address.

Just sent you all an email with pictures, finally. Alex, if you want you can add them to your website (if you need them in another format, please let me know). Also our cabin number has changed to 7512. Jo-anne, I don't think I have your email on my "cruise" list so if you didn't get the pics let me know and I'll add your email to my list.

Sunday also seems like a better time to do the big "meet and greet." I know some of us will probably meet up before due to hotel, bus or flights but it seems like it would be less hurried and stressful to get together on the first full day. JMHO. I'm game for anything.

What excursions have you all planned. Family REALLY wants to do the Anguilla Dolphin/Sting ray swim in St. Maarten. So looks like I may reserve that. Would love some suggestions. (Kids will be 7 and 5 on cruise). Thanks.

 

[alexturner74]

Mary... I've updated your cabin number. Pictures will be posted later today.

Jo-Anne...Sorry for the delay in getting your pictures up. They will also be posted later today.

It's been a busy week!

Alex

 

[lbgraves]

Sunday morning sounds great for our first meet. After breakfast sometime? I know that we are meeting for High Tea that afternoon. Does anyone know what time that is?

I got my dresses from Jcrew this afternoon. Had to try them on right away! WOW! I am going to feel so spoiled on this cruise...why should anyone know that the stunning little black $148 wool crepe dress only cost me $10.

I'm just about ready for Kaitlyn's birthday this weekend. I have the gifts wrapped & the Bear figures for the cake. Her party is planned for the 8th on the playground after school. Easy since I don't have to clean the carpet before or after.

 

[mcampbell_22]

Lisa, good luck with the party. Now that the kids are in school the parties are getting bigger. Not just family anymore. At Conor's last party I had 15 boys in the house! Thankfully the November weather was great and much of it was spent outdoors at planned activities. Thank goodness!

We are also going to look stunning in our "bargain" formals. I recently stopped at a local consignment shop that was having a bag sale and picked up a complete tux for DH that fits him like it was made for him, for just $1.00. Just need a shirt and bow tie! It even had cuff links in the pocket! I picked up much of our cruise attire at the end of last season on clearance racks. The easter dresses work wonderful for DD and DS decided he wanted to wear the black double breasted jacket and slacks for formal night and they were also clearance. I have a "vintage" hawaiian dress for tropical night which is WAY over the top. May or may not go with it. Just picked up DD's tropical dress, also on clearance.

I'm trying to plan all my dinner outfits to match one pair of heels. Think it can be done?

Anyone else wearing bathing suits under clothes so they'll be all ready to hit the pools upon arrival? I think I'll do it with the kids, probably not me. I'll be too busy making ressies! Please give me an update on plans for group meals and ressie requirements.

AHHH, gotta go, we have a bat living in our chimney and it's back in the house! It hasn't quite learned to fly up not down! I'm off to get the butterfly net and catch me a bat!

 

[lbgraves]

I will be packing our suits in our carry ons so we wont be wearing them all day. A little pool time with calm the kiddos down...then again maybe not.

 

[lbgraves]

I am excited now!!! LOL! I got my BC in the mail this afternoon. Now they are all together with our receipts. I am going to get a fireproof safe this week just to keep stuff like that in...just in case. Now just need to get DCL's paperwork.

 

[Jo-Anne]

Lisa and Mary - those are amazing deals on the clothes!!! I've been shopping the end of season sales too trying to find some reasonable cruise wear. Since my office went business casual a few years ago, and all our friends are married, so no weddings in our future, I don't have many dresses in my wardrobe. I too am trying to work my wardrobe around one pair of nice shoes..I really do want to pack "light"! I'm definately thinking about having the kids wear their bathing suits under their clothes. Will probably have DH sit by pool while I do the Palo dinner booking. I've already warned kids that pool will most likely be very busy during the sailing and not to expect to spend all day in the pool, so if they can get in a good swim on day 1, it will get them a fix! Sunday am sounds good for a meet. Think high tea is around 3:30. I'm looking at an old Navigator from Oct 2002, and it looks like most of the "action" for adults and kids takes place in the afternoons, so something mid morning...say around 10:30, might be good, although this might be the day for some of us to have the Character breakfast which doesn't start until 9. Anyone have a sure fire way of knowing what dining rotations we get...is it strictly based on the age range of kids in your group? Lisa - Happy Birthday to Kaitlyn - what a great way to have a party! Both my kids have birthdays in Sept and I still haven't figured out what to do yet...bad Mother! Mary - did you catch the bat? Julie or Michelle - if you have the nametags, please send my way - desveaux.jl@pg.com Night everyone...taking tomorrow morning off work to take Michael to his first day of Junior Kindergarden..I can't believe he's going to school already! Might be shedding a few tears tomorrow - me not him!! Jo

 

[lbgraves]

Hope tomorrow goes well for Michael...and you too, Jo!

Today our plans got tossed a wicked curve ball. I have calmed down a bit now but this morning we found out indirectly that my BIL's wedding is no longer going to be in the spring...it will be in November. I called another SIL to see if she knew the date since MIL claimed not to...11/22. I was really upset!!! There is NO WAY we are missing this cruise...especially since everyone...except DH's parents...knew about this trip. I just found out that the wedding isn't until 3 pm that day, so we should be able to make it up to JAX from the port with plenty of time to get ready. We will have to change our reservations with the TA tomorrow for the ASMovies. They had rooms available this afternoon when I looked it up. ACK!!! Now I have to rethink our entire WDW/Seaworld part of the trip. Maybe in the long run this will work out since we will do the parks before the cruise. ??? I'm worried about the kids & the characters int he park though. Looks like we would get to MK on Thursday, so maybe it wont be as packed as it would be on a Sunday??? ACK ACK!!!

 

[nedleycan]

I have today off too, to take my kids to their orientation at school (school doesn't start until tomorrow at either school). We also have to buy my daughter some shoes for school... maybe I will see something for myself!
We too are very casual. In fact, because I work at a design studio, we can wear jeans to work. But, when I go to my client's I dress business casual. I am lucky that my sister has a couple of fancy dresses, and I will take a couple of them with me.
Sunday morning sounds good for a meet! Maybe 10:30 or 11:00 would be good, just in case some of us have the character breakfast (good thinking Jo-
Anne!)
On our last Disney cruise, we definitely noticed that the rotations went by age of children. You can pretty well guess what your rotation will be.
Luck break with the wedding Lisa! I was afraid you were going to cancel on us! You can't do that! haha
We will probably just pack our bathing suits in our carry-on. But, last cruise, our cabin was ready as soon as we boarded. We went to our rooms, then ate lunch and did reservations. Then headed to the most crowded pool I have ever seen in my life! There were kids everywhere! But, our kids didn't mind at all.
Make sure you are all on deck for the sailaway party. It was fantastic! Our daughter was up on stage dancing with the characters, as if it was her birthday party!

 

[Jo-Anne]

Lisa - what a curve ball...great to know you have your priorities straight tho!! Our flight out of Orlando is 11:40, and with one stop, we are back in Buffalo at 3:40. Think I've heard that you can leave the boat around 8:30 so hopefully it will all click and you'll be home in time. Tell me what your concern is about the characters in the parks? Do you think they'll be scared? We also thought about that the first time we took Katie, and the very first night we were there, we went to Chef Mickey character dinner and it was a good way for her to eye them from a distance and then when she couldn't help herself any longer, she ran right up to Donald Duck and hugged the stuffing out of him! Watching those singalong Disney videos also helps bring it to "life"!
So just dropped Michael off at school and he looked a little lost. He was doing his shy act, which will last all of one day, and the teacher was trying to ask him his last name since there is another Michael in the class (husband only liked common names!!). Well it took a good minute for the teacher to try all different things to get him to tell his last name! One little girl was on the verge of tears, so I high tailed it out of there before the dam broke and everyone was out of control!! Only two more hours until I get to pick him up!!! Linda - our kids are 7 &4 and the family we are travelling with have kids 5-12 - would that most likely mean APL dining rotation?

 

[lbgraves]

Yes, Jo. DS wouldn't go anywhere near Santa last year. Terrified. When we told him that we were going on Mickey's boat at first he screamed & yelled NO!!! Last night he told me that he was a big boy now & would go see Santa by himself this year. LOL! I told him he doesn't have to do anything alone & his sister would probably feel better going with him. We'll see how they do. Going to DTD the first afternoon will probably help them along a bit.

Yes, everything is set. There is no way in this universe that I was going to cancel our cruise...or WDW!!! This trip has been my focal point for the past 8 months while DH has been gone & working so hard. Hmmm...now I need to add a seperate countdown clock for WDW so that we still keep the cruise time going. Let's see...do I want to spend a week with the crazy inlaws or a week with Disney????? DUH!!!

Now we are driving down to FL on 11/10 & staying with SIL & BIL 2 nights before driving down to WDW 11/12. That will be our relaxing day to explore the hotel & DTD. I was up in the air about when to do MK & SW but just looked it up & EE is Thursday for MK!!! I am hoping that a Thursday will be less crowded than a Sunday??? Anyone know??? We originally chose SW because the kids love animals, we can get half price tickets with our BG season passes, and we wouldn't feel bad about leaving for JAX around 6 pm. Now that we are spending 3 nights at the AS, we will have the entire day Friday. What would you pros do??? I have heard great things about MGM and Playhouse Disney. Kaitlyn ADORES bear. I will have to email a picture from her Bday wearing the bear costume a friend on the FFD board sent her. We are staying at the AS Friday to avoid having to check in at the port hotel & getting more WDW time.

Is anyone planning to get together either in Orlando or PC for breakfast Saturday? We would be able to do that now since we will be so close.

 

[mcampbell_22]

Yes Jo-Anne I'm happy to report that it was a successful bat wrangling (again!). I'm really getting good at catching that thing in one try. Kids think it's sooo cute and want to keep it and name it! Yikes! Of course, Devon, my little angel wants a mouse for a pet too!

Devon just got off the bus for day 2 of Kindergarten. She looks so tiny sitting on the bus. Mommy is still having a little trouble dealing with her "baby" being gone. Sniff, Sniff.

I'm also game for tea on Sunday. Sounds like a good idea. Even if we have the character breakfast, I'll eat again. Not ususally a problem for me...unfortunately.

Any of you planned excursions? We're still deciding. Suggestions would be nice. Also, those of you with kids, are you signing them up for Oceaneers Club? Conor and Devon would love to know what "friends" they'll be there with.

Lisa, deep breaths, it will all work out. Sounds like you have it pretty much under control except for detail stuff. Seems like short notice to be changing the date of a wedding. If I was the bride to be, I'd be very stressed out!

 

[lbgraves]

Mary, William will definantly be signed up in the Club. He turns 5 the day before the cruise but after looking over the navigators for the kids, I think that he will enjoy those activities more. Also, IF Kaitlyn decides that she is going to PT, she won't stay without William there. Even if she doesn't and we end up taking her for some events, I will be able to see both of the kids enjoying themselves.

We are not doing any excursions. If the ship gets into port we will get off & walk around with the strollers for a bit but no big plans. We will enjoy the ship & pools, then keep the kids on their nap schedule so everyone will have more fun. We will probably do something else either with DS or just DH & I next year.

Yes, my future SIL was quite stressed last night after she found out that BIL hadn't told his brothers about the wedding date yet. He is one who just doesn't have a clue.

 

[Jo-Anne]

Mary - we are not doing any official excursions. At this point we're going to hail a taxi to Meghan's Beach on St. Thomas and another, yet to be decided beach, on St. Marteen. I'm hoping to spend the mornings on the beaches, eat lunch on ship or locally, go back to ship, sign kids back into clubs for afternoon while I shop!! Thats my plan, but you know about best laid plans...!! I'll be signing kids up for clubs on the first day and hope they really enjoy them so DH and our friends can have some adult time together.

 

[mkauffman]

Hey everyone!!! I've missed you all. I've had a few days off work and I feel so out of the loop! Mary, could you send me your snail mail address? Also, do you want your husband and your names, or the kids too? I think most of us are doing just DH and DW. It's up to you, though. I'm going to have a hard time just getting DH to wear his!

Is this trip here yet??

Lisa...I was scared to death that you were actually considering changing your cruise plans! Thank goodness that worked out!

DH and my brother-in-law are going to parasail on Castaway Cay. We may book the banana boat ride, too. That's about all we have planned for excursions. I'm a beach person so I'll be completely ok with beaching it!

Michelle

 

[nedleycan]

Our kids will be in the club for sure. They liked it last year, but I think they will love it this year. I am going to get special permission for Cam to go into the 5-7 year olds with his sister... hope they let us.
We plan on putting the kids in for 1/2 a day every day, and then again after dinner... as long as they are okay with it. My big wish is that they fall asleep watching the movies at night, so that we can do some of the adult stuff this time. If they don't, anyone want to join me at Deuling Piano while DH watches the kids! haha... he doesn't know this yet.

Linda