any November 15th eastern 7 ngt cruisers out there?

[mkauffman]

Julie.......I'll share with you everything I know, which turns out to be absolutely nothing. Seriously, the more I thought I knew about raising kids, the more my boys are teaching me that I don't know squat! Josh, the oldest, is 15 now and he's quite the handsome young man (I'd like to think that's just me talking as a mom, but the amount of girls that he has all around him all the time proves otherwise). The tighter I try to hold on, the more they want me to back off. I'm trying to find a nice middle ground but I've yet to find it. I keep telling Garrett that he has no choice but to live with me forever just because he's the youngest and that's the way it is. Do you think he'll go for that?? I'm very lucky, though. Both boys are extremely well mannered and very good kids. I just want to squash them both down to toddler size again. It's going too fast.

Alex, you're quite the traveler, aren't you? We're very lucky that you're taking the time to join us on our little Disney adventure. How did you like Rent? I've always wanted to see that show. Have fun in Chicago.......like I need to tell you that!

Michelle

 

[JulieGS]

Hi everyone!

I've got a couple more questions for the group. (OK, eight, actually... )

Are there a bunch of us (I love saying that!) staying at the Orlando Airport Hyatt on 11/14? Our flight lands about 7:20 pm and I was wondering if this would just be the best place to stay. What kind of rates did you get? Anyone book through Priceline?

On Saturday, how are most people getting to the boat? Disney transfers? Do you recommend them?

Finally, I think some have mentioned returning to WDW afterward. We're talking about doing two nights at AKL...hanging out by the pool for what's left of Sat., then doing just AK on Sunday. Is that a good idea? Is AK and AKL good for younger kids?

Thanks for your help, o wise ones...

Julie

 

[lbgraves]

Sorry, not much help here. We are driving in from JAX the morning we leave & plan to get to the pier by 9:30 to enjoy all the excitement. We will be hanging out at AS Movie & DT Disney the day we get back then do MK all day Sunday. It is our first trip & I don't want to try to cram 2 parks into one day. The other choice was MGM for playhouse disney mainly. We will be going to Sea World Monday & returning to JAX that evening.

 

[alexturner74]

Originally posted by JulieGS
Are there a bunch of us (I love saying that!) staying at the Orlando Airport Hyatt on 11/14? Our flight lands about 7:20 pm and I was wondering if this would just be the best place to stay. What kind of rates did you get? Anyone book through Priceline?

I do believe there are a few people staying at the Hyatt on Friday night. We haven't decided when to fly in yet, but probably will on Friday. My personal opinion is that the Hyatt is the best place to stay. If you use Disney transfers, porters will pick up your bags from your room Saturday morning if you tell the hotel. I think that people usually get anywhere between $80-120 for the rate. Some people on these boards have used Priceline or Hotwire, but you can't pick the hotel so it's not guaranteed that you'll get the Hyatt. Also check out http://www.disneycruiser.info/nightbefore.htm for more information.

On Saturday, how are most people getting to the boat? Disney transfers? Do you recommend them?

We're using Disney transfers. There's only two of us and it's easy. For families, it's usually cheaper to get a towncar or some other service to take you. Some people rent a car from the hotel and drop it off at the port. Again, here is some more info http://www.disneycruiser.info/ground.htm

Finally, I think some have mentioned returning to WDW afterward. We're talking about doing two nights at AKL...hanging out by the pool for what's left of Sat., then doing just AK on Sunday. Is that a good idea? Is AK and AKL good for younger kids?

We did the exact same thing last November, except spent two nights at WL. We totally vegged out and relaxed on Saturday, then went to AK and EPCOT on Sunday. I think it's a great idea. We really liked AK and I would like to think it's good for younger kids, but I don't have any and can't really comment. I have heard really good things about AKL.

Thanks for your help, o wise ones...

Glad to help.

Alex

 

[alexturner74]

Originally posted by mkauffman
Alex, you're quite the traveler, aren't you? We're very lucky that you're taking the time to join us on our little Disney adventure. How did you like Rent? I've always wanted to see that show. Have fun in Chicago.......like I need to tell you that!

Michelle

Got to do it while we are able! We try to plan the big vacations long ahead of time, and then work in weekend trips whenever we can.

Rent was really good. I didn't really know what to expect, but I ended up liking it a lot. I have to admit though it wasn't our first choice, it was actually our 4th or 5th. We went to the TKTS booth in Times Square the day of to get half price tickets and the first 3 or 4 on our list were sold out.

We're mainly going to Chicago to visit my Aunt, but I'm sure we'll find some fun to have sometime and somewhere!

Alex

 

[Kabuli1]

Alex, heard you were coming, so I'm leaving town!!! LOL! Actually, I'm sorry our paths couldn't cross this weekend! I'm taking Amtrak over to Detroit for a DIS/WISH meet tomorrow then we're flying out of Midway sunday at the "crack of doom" to visit colleges w/ Tinkerbell!

No job yet! Funny how there's just nothing for CSR manager types - I'm looking for retail once the college kids leave town! Or for something in Student Services at one of the many colleges around - just getting nowhere right now!

Ok this is what's going to happen re. the cruise: although we haven't canceled our res for 11/15 - we will. What we are going to do instead is take Jill on a surprise Western Magic on 1/31 just after she graduates from HS. We're booking our room on DVC points and taking our deposit (and our onboard booking credit.) and a (small) discount from DU and getting a cat 11 across the hall for her. An extra single rate cabin is exactly the same cost as an extra adult in our room! Go figure! Anyway with the onboard ship account credit - it's worth it to have two rooms! AND pay a whole lot less! I guess what I'm saying is that Tinkerbell is going to get her wish and join us - but we aren't going to have to give up privacy for her. I'm a little worried about her being alone - but she is very very close!

Oh, and one more thing, we got the same "special" room we were scheduled in on 11/15 - so I guess it was meant to be!

I'll check in on you all from time to time - I'm really going to miss this bunch - the 1/31 crowd just isn't the same!

Lots of love!

Karyn

 

[lbgraves]

Sorry we will miss you on the cruise!!! Hope that everything works out in the job search soon. KIT!!

 

[lbgraves]

DD peed on the potty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is hope!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She went on there by herself again at 7:30 & when I told her to before bed at 9. Now I can start thinking of actually going to Palo's or spending an evening out with DH.

 

[JulieGS]

That's great, Lisa!!!!

I know what a huge step that is. Anton is trained during the day, but still uses a pull-up at night... it's such a job, the whole process. (During the cheer-after-every-poop-inspection phase, I had to constantly remind myself that I was a woman with a college degree and that someday this, too, shall pass.) (No pun intended. ) You're on your way! I'll bet she's ready by November. That's wonderful!

Julie

P.S. Anton likes looking at the photos of his "cruise friends" often. He's very excited to meet Kaitlyn and her big brother... and all the other kids!

 

[kimszath]

Hadn't checked the board in a couple of weeks... we're getting SO EXCITED!!!! Can't believe it's less than 4 months away. The immediate challenge will be staying on my diet while visiting Boston for 3 days later this week, followed by a week with the in-laws in Denver. I will wear smaller clothes... I WILL wear smaller clothes...

So, as we approach the 60-days-prior mark, can anyone recommend the best onshore excursions to take with a 4-year-old? I want to go shopping in St Maarten and St Thomas, but also want my son to have a memorable visit. Has anybody already settled on which excursions they're taking? We have THE BOOK, but first-hand experience is usually better.

Also, does anybody know when the dining rotation changes take place? We booked a few months ago, and were told we'd be initially set up with the second seating, but were wait-listed for the first seating. We were assured that since we booked so early and were so high up on the waiting list that we'd have absolutely no problem getting the first seating--just "keep checking back on the reservations page." They explained that they had to balance out the numbers for each seating until they got most of them reserved, and would empty the wait-lists when able. When does this happen? I don't want to show up at the Port with another line to stand in (when I'd like to be standing in the line for Palo's!) Also don't want to find that I'm stuck with the second seating with a 4-year-old son and a 70-year-old Mom who both go to bed around 9 p.m.

Thanks!

 

[nedleycan]

It was nice to see your photos on Alex's site. Your little guys are so cute!

Well, I am back from my week vacation. The weather was just okay, but we had lots of fun anyway. My girl's weekend was fun, complete with a massage and pedicure (my purple toenails look so nice!) haha

Glad to see that our little group is growing. Only 4 months to go! Can't believe it. The time is going to fly from this point on.

To answer your questions Julie:

We are flying in the night before, but staying at the Disney Hilton. We stayed there last year before our flight, and really liked the location across from Downtown Disney. We are renting a car to drive one way to the port, then renting again to get back. It is a lot cheaper (and more convenient) for a family to rent a car, rather than take the transfers. We like to go shopping on the way to port, and to go at our own pace. We are staying one night after the cruise, and plan on doing Magic Kingdom the day we get off the ship. We also did that last year, and it worked out great. We are not big Disney World people, so it works out nicely to just spend one day there, and relax before catch our flight the next day.

We did AK last year, and didn't think it was that great. But, we live right near a very good zoo (and I worked there for 4 years during high school/college) and we also live close to something called African Lion Safari, where you get to drive along past all the animals, kinda like a Safari. Plus, we went to Africa for our honeymoon, and did many safaris. So, it wasn't a big deal for us. We did AK, MK and MGM last year, and by far, MK was the best for the little kids. But, if they have never see wild animals, they may like AK. The Tarzan show is pretty good, and my son liked that.

 

[nedleycan]

We got stuck with late seating on our 4-day last December. We actually kinda liked it, but decided to try early seating this time. We would feed the kids every night around 6:00 (either at the buffet or the burger place) and then put them back in the club for the after-dinner activity. Then we would go have a drink and then onto a nice romantic dinner without the kids. But, that would be more difficult with your Mother there. Don't worry, it will all work out!

 

[mkauffman]

Lisa, how's the potty going (hehe, it's good we all know what I'm refering to)? It's so nice to get past that period, isn't it?

Welcome back Kim and Linda. We've missed you guys. Kim, I can't really comment on anything except the late vs. early seating. We had late seating last year and we loved it. We booked early seating this time because we have a member of our party that has diabetes and has to eat on schedule. I'm so afraid that we'll always be rushing back from our daily activities to get ready for dinner.

Linda, I was thinking about your girl's weekend. You gotta love painting those toes, but the massage had to be the best! I just got back from mine as well. We had such a fantastic weekend. By Sunday I felt like I had known those girls my whole life (some of us had never met). The weather was totally beautiful at the beach. When is the beach ever bad??

What's our official count down now??

Michelle

 

[lbgraves]

Michelle, after staying dry that first night, Kaitlyn used the potty 2 more times Saturday, we went to McD's to celebrate, then nothing else. Now it is possible that she was starting to feel bad Saturday night. She woke me up at 2 am, after I went to bed at 11:30 pm, throwing up. I changed her blankets/sheets about every 30-40 minutes until 12 noon today. She is doing better and seems to have regained her spunk but still sin't eating or drinking alot. I will give her a few days then try again. I figure not saying anything about it would be best for now until she is feeling better. We still have time!!!

 

[mkauffman]

I totally agree that you have plenty of time. I'm sorry to hear that she wasn't feeling well. Don't you just feel helpless when there's nothing you can do to make them feel better? I'll send some pixie dust your way (or some Disney Magic, whatever you prefer ).

Michelle

 

[mkauffman]

Lisa, dare I ask how it's going?

Michelle

 

[lbgraves]

Please don't. I am just hoping that her tummy gets back to normal soon so that we can start trying again. She isn't sick but one day of not eating anything can really mess up their system.

 

[mkauffman]

No need to explain.......believe me, I've been there. I'm sorry to hear that her system still isn't back to normal. One day she'll just want to go potty and that will be the end of that. Good luck.

Michelle

 

[mkauffman]

Nothing new to report. Just bumping us up again.

Michelle

 

[lbgraves]

One week from today we will all be doing the DOUBLE DIGIT DANCE!!!!!