April 12, 2008, 4-12-08, 4/12/08 Eastern Magic

[Fast Pass]

ROIEO1581 wrote:

they are for the wind. That way they don't go flying into the ocean.."Right Kim like on the beach in Ct" and I had to swim to get it before it sank.
With the holes the wind passes through the unbrella and stays standing.

Thanks, I knew there was some reason for the holes.

Mduff, don't worry too much about the kids. Once the 5 year old gets to the terminal and starts meeting others her age she'll be okay. She might even want you to go away!
Now the 9 year old might be a little sullen because perhaps they might feel anxious they won't fit in with the peer group. You know at that age how important it is to fit in and be with the in group. I can't gaurantee it but I bet once they meet their first new friend they will become your loving child again. Don't stress out and worry about them, it is a Disney cruise and Disney knows how to include all children, the shy and the sullen alike!

 

[mcwolf]

Single Digit's!

Alright, not this week, but next, we are heading to the cruise. Our family vacation officially starts April 9th. It will be hard pressed not to leave 2 a.m in the morning toward Florida.

We plan to stop in GA midway.

Sounds like most on this board will meet at the Family 'Goofy' pool around 3 p.m.
I will be the dad with the grin ear to ear.

Does anyone know the actual port we will be sailing out of?

I appreciate all the answers on currency, ect.

Did I say our vacation is down to the single digits? man oh man.

 

[Skuba2]

Single Digit's!

Alright, not this week, but next, we are heading to the cruise. Our family vacation officially starts April 9th. It will be hard pressed not to leave 2 a.m in the morning toward Florida.

We plan to stop in GA midway.

Sounds like most on this board will meet at the Family 'Goofy' pool around 3 p.m.
I will be the dad with the grin ear to ear.

Does anyone know the actual port we will be sailing out of?

I appreciate all the answers on currency, ect.

Did I say our vacation is down to the single digits? man oh man.

We also leave on the 9th. Yippee!

Port Canaveral is the name of the port.

The meet may start earlier to give us time to talk before the boat drill. Someone said 2 maybe.

Deb

 

[Mduff]

Mduff, don't worry too much about the kids. Once the 5 year old gets to the terminal and starts meeting others her age she'll be okay. She might even want you to go away!
Now the 9 year old might be a little sullen because perhaps they might feel anxious they won't fit in with the peer group. You know at that age how important it is to fit in and be with the in group. I can't gaurantee it but I bet once they meet their first new friend they will become your loving child again. Don't stress out and worry about them, it is a Disney cruise and Disney knows how to include all children, the shy and the sullen alike!

I'm hoping the 5 year old relaxes once we get there. The 9 year old will be fine - he's so excited about the cruise already - the sullenness is just part of everyday life at home now

The meet may start earlier to give us time to talk before the boat drill. Someone said 2 maybe.

Deb

SQUEEEE! We can officially say the boat sails next week!!!

Marla

 

[ROIE01581]

I'm hoping the 5 year old relaxes once we get there. The 9 year old will be fine - he's so excited about the cruise already - the sullenness is just part of everyday life at home now



SQUEEEE! We can officially say the boat sails next week!!!

Marla

hi, we have three girls 7,6, 5. They will be in red t shirts (all 11 of us) with our names on them "family vacation 2008".. Our 5 year old is shy at first then she warms up. I am sure they will make friends easy. They should be in the same clubs.

 

[motherofsons]

Has a decision been made on the lime green mickeys as an identifier at the the 2pm meet?

And if we are going to use them should our disboard username appear on it as well as our name?

I also just want to pass along a little information with regard to getting sick on the cruise. Let me start by stating that I am very appreciative of all that is done to protect the passengers on board from illness and especially any type of stomach epidemic.

Friends of ours were on the Magic a couple of years ago and their 10 yr old was swimming all day in the hot sun and eating everything in sight
(she tried to controll it but he would go with his friends and get snacks).
Later that day he complained of some intenstinal issues (trying not to be graphic) so she went to the store on board to buy immodium. They did not have it but asked for her room number and would have the Dr (or medical person) on board contact her. So she thought great. She would get the immodium from him and all is well. Not the case. Her son was placed in "quarantine" in his room for three days. She tried to explain that he was not "sick" he just over did it. From what she said they would call her room and stop by to make sure that he was not out of the room. When he received his clean bill of health( I think he had to go 48 hours without any issues) he was free to join the general population. She said it was not the best vacation they had based on sitting in the room for a couple days.

Our 7 yr old tends to exaggerate and all I need his him walking around saying he feels sick to anyone who will listen. We also told him this story to warn him to take it easy on board and just because it is all you can drink and eat not to over do it.

I know how cautious they need to be with regard to health issues and appreciate it but just wanted to let you know how serious it is.

 

[dsnyfangoofy2]

Well, I made it back from the wedding in San Diego, and now it’s only 11 days until we fly away!!!! You’ll recognize my niece and new nephew on the ship. They’ll be the dreamy-eyed ones!

San Diego was gorgeous and then we had to drive back to Utah in a blizzard part of the way. My DH said the freeways were the worst this morning that they have been the entire winter, and we’ve had A LOT of snow this winter. Take me to the Magic!!

Did anybody else notice that Homeland Security changed the deadline again for when you need a passport to sail in the Caribbean? This is NOT happy news to grandma who paid hundreds of dollars for passports for all the little kids and now they don’t need them. Grandma could have easily saved over 1500 dollars in passports alone, and that’s just for the kids who may never use them again in the next 10 years. Some of the older kids may use theirs, so it’s not such a waste, but this is very frustrating!

Meanwhile – back to fun things! I have more questions:

1. I like the idea of WalMart cards for the kid counselors. I was wondering if they ever got near one. Do the teens have counselors that work with them, who might also like a gift card?

2. Does Disney have free decks of playing cards for cruisers? Grandma loves to play cards and we don’t know if we need to bring our own.

3. What is a good spot for Grandma to gather with her kids and play cards?

4. I’m still looking for information on the family talent show. Do they do auditions or just let in anybody who wants to do something?

Thanks! And, BTW – I have appreciated ALL of the info from Deb and Kat and everybody else, so keep those tips and answers coming!

Bev

 

[ROIE01581]

Well, I made it back from the wedding in San Diego, and now it’s only 11 days until we fly away!!!! You’ll recognize my niece and new nephew on the ship. They’ll be the dreamy-eyed ones!

San Diego was gorgeous and then we had to drive back to Utah in a blizzard part of the way. My DH said the freeways were the worst this morning that they have been the entire winter, and we’ve had A LOT of snow this winter. Take me to the Magic!!

Did anybody else notice that Homeland Security changed the deadline again for when you need a passport to sail in the Caribbean? This is NOT happy news to grandma who paid hundreds of dollars for passports for all the little kids and now they don’t need them. Grandma could have easily saved over 1500 dollars in passports alone, and that’s just for the kids who may never use them again in the next 10 years. Some of the older kids may use theirs, so it’s not such a waste, but this is very frustrating!

Meanwhile – back to fun things! I have more questions:

1. I like the idea of WalMart cards for the kid counselors. I was wondering if they ever got near one. Do the teens have counselors that work with them, who might also like a gift card?

2. Does Disney have free decks of playing cards for cruisers? Grandma loves to play cards and we don’t know if we need to bring our own.

3. What is a good spot for Grandma to gather with her kids and play cards?

4. I’m still looking for information on the family talent show. Do they do auditions or just let in anybody who wants to do something?

Thanks! And, BTW – I have appreciated ALL of the info from Deb and Kat and everybody else, so keep those tips and answers coming!

Bev

My husband packed his own deck just in case he wants to do some playing sitting by the pool.

I told him he would be to busy, but he figures he can steal away while i am sleeping.

 

[Skuba2]

I am not sure there is a family talent show---if there is, I haven't ever made it to it.

As far as being sick and being quarantined, they are very strict. I got sick on our last cruise and I tried to hide it as much as possible. I think I wrote about it already. I am 99% sure it was food poisoning. No one else in my family got sick and it lasted less than 24 hours. It was violent though. It was not fun being sick.

The ironic thing is that you are contagious from any of these viruses well before any sign show up.

They will ask if you or any of your party are or have been sick. Not sure I would ever answer yes to this.

I had a very good shopping day. Christine (13) was getting a little depressed at finding clothes. She is a big kid---often mistaken for 16. She is very self-concious of it. She finally found some clothes that made her smile. I loved seeing her happy in the dressing room. She is an adult size 14 and her shoe size is a 9 or 9 1/2. I wasn't that shoe size until after 3 kids. She isn't "fat", just big. Very proportioned. She has always been 95th percentile in height and weight. Anyway, it just broke my heart seeing her go through that.

I think I am FINALLY done shopping. I even bought everyone new folding headphones for the plane. Target had some for $7 I think. I got me a new poker game for my nintendo ds---yes I have one. The kids and I play mario on it together in the car on travel weekends. I also use the brain age and the spanish coach.

This week is focused on getting wash done and pulling out all the clothes we have and filling in any gaps.

I say any time after 2 pm is great at the goofy pool. I will be there then if anyone cares to come. We have a slot between 2 pm and about 3:45 pm.

I wonder if Disney would do anything for the disboard. I should ask that question on the main board. A private reception or something would be fun.

Deb

 

[motherofsons]

I am not sure there is a family talent show---if there is, I haven't ever made it to it.

As far as being sick and being quarantined, they are very strict. I got sick on our last cruise and I tried to hide it as much as possible. I think I wrote about it already. I am 99% sure it was food poisoning. No one else in my family got sick and it lasted less than 24 hours. It was violent though. It was not fun being sick.

The ironic thing is that you are contagious from any of these viruses well before any sign show up.

They will ask if you or any of your party are or have been sick. Not sure I would ever answer yes to this.

I had a very good shopping day. Christine (13) was getting a little depressed at finding clothes. She is a big kid---often mistaken for 16. She is very self-concious of it. She finally found some clothes that made her smile. I loved seeing her happy in the dressing room. She is an adult size 14 and her shoe size is a 9 or 9 1/2. I wasn't that shoe size until after 3 kids. She isn't "fat", just big. Very proportioned. She has always been 95th percentile in height and weight. Anyway, it just broke my heart seeing her go through that.

I think I am FINALLY done shopping. I even bought everyone new folding headphones for the plane. Target had some for $7 I think. I got me a new poker game for my nintendo ds---yes I have one. The kids and I play mario on it together in the car on travel weekends. I also use the brain age and the spanish coach.

This week is focused on getting wash done and pulling out all the clothes we have and filling in any gaps.

I say any time after 2 pm is great at the goofy pool. I will be there then if anyone cares to come. We have a slot between 2 pm and about 3:45 pm.

I wonder if Disney would do anything for the disboard. I should ask that question on the main board. A private reception or something would be fun.

Deb

Deb,

Glad to hear you had a happy shopping day. I was your daughter growing up. I am the youngest of five children with two older sisters who were just perfect, beauty queens, ballerinas etc.... Me being the larger one and reminded of it everyday was difficult. But I now have my revenge and enjoy being my height and have accepted I will never petite. The self esteem of a teenager is so fragile especially with regard to the girls. I would never want to relive those years.

I must stay out of the stores. I keep buying things the we "need" for the cruise. I agree with who ever said it ealier that you spend as much buying things you need for the cruise as you do on the cruise itself.

Kathy

 

[Jeanne62]

Went to Home Depot yesterday to pick up the lime green mickey and found that they are now in the shape of a rectangle with the mickey shape within the rectangle. It's been a while since I looked at them at Home Depot and I was a little disappointed....oh well. Do any your Home Depots still carry the Mickey shaped paint swatches?

I spent about 5 hours yesterday making the sign for our door...I made three different concepts and let my daughter choose...have to say I pretty happy with the final version.

I have a question on communication on the ship....I am assuming that my daughter and I will not be able to use cell phones to communicate if we split up (would be to expensive?)...also I'm not thinking that we should bring handheld radios (we have them if needed)...I was talking to someone today at work and they suggested using the voice mail of our phone on our ship to keep in touch if needed....Do any of you have any experience of what works well???

Thanks,

Jeanne

 

[Skuba2]

Kathy--She has my build. I was just lucky as a kid and so involved in sports and weight training that I could eat whatever and stayed fairly lean. The day I let up was the day the pounds just started to come on. I just try and empasize the times when she feels really good about herself and hold her hand during the other times. She is the only one of her friends who has a "boyfriend". I just know how much of my life I have wasted worrying about it all---if I can save her from that I can go a happy mom.

We have only done the walkie talkies but not yet with a teenager. I have heard some use the message machine while others use post it notes.

Deb

 

[Jeanne62]

Post-it Notes sound like a great idea...I'm going to pack the hand-helds just in case we find that we need them....Thanks!

Both my daughter and I love to play cards...so if anyone is looking for a player during the cruise please don't hesitate to ask us to join!

My daughter went through a somewhat "arkward" stage during middle school and early high school. Unfortunately, I feel that she really lost alot of herself confidence during this time. She was larger than her peers and became somewhat withdrawn. This was a kid that was always wanting to be "out in front" prior to middle school. Anyway, today she is a very attractive young lady... although I still think that she wishes that she was more petite like many of her friends...I keep trying to get her to focus of all of the positive attributes that she has...in many ways she has more in her little finger than I feel that I could ever have!!! I am very proud of her and I let her know when the right opportunities present themselves.

-Jeanne

 

[motherofsons]

Kathy--She has my build. I was just lucky as a kid and so involved in sports and weight training that I could eat whatever and stayed fairly lean. The day I let up was the day the pounds just started to come on. I just try and empasize the times when she feels really good about herself and hold her hand during the other times. She is the only one of her friends who has a "boyfriend". I just know how much of my life I have wasted worrying about it all---if I can save her from that I can go a happy mom.

We have only done the walkie talkies but not yet with a teenager. I have heard some use the message machine while others use post it notes.

Deb

If all parents were as wise as you are with regard to raising a teenager.
I have a teenage son and the fact that I was never a teenage boy makes for very interesting conversations.

I do like the idea of using the message machine as a way to communicate with my teenager.

Can not wait to feel the warmth of the sun!

 

[ajeent]

I had a very good shopping day. Christine (13) was getting a little depressed at finding clothes. She is a big kid---often mistaken for 16. She is very self-concious of it. She finally found some clothes that made her smile. I loved seeing her happy in the dressing room. She is an adult size 14 and her shoe size is a 9 or 9 1/2. I wasn't that shoe size until after 3 kids. She isn't "fat", just big. Very proportioned. She has always been 95th percentile in height and weight. Anyway, it just broke my heart seeing her go through that.



Deb

Glad to hear you found some good stuff! My 10yo Jake has weight issues and it is tough to watch him struggle. He has to diet to maintain his weight at football time. It is really too bad, because he eats the best of all of us - he can't wait to get to that fruit display on Deck 9 -

We went shopping all day on Sunday for dh - but we did get 2 sport coats, shirts, pants and ties - today he ran to kmart to get some shorts. He still has to find a pair of black shoes but I told him not to worry if he doesn't they won't kick him out of the dining room for that!

I had the boys collect all of their clothes and I did the same. The floor in my office is a mess with all of the miscellaneous stuff. i still have a few little things to pick up, but I am deep in my listing for the Grandparents and animals.
We have to drop Grandpa off at a nursing home that does Respite care... I have to arrange for friends to go there everyday to pick him up and bring him to visit his wife in another nursing home(they don't do respite and I thought they might have an issue if we dumped him and didn't show up for 10 days )
So notes to Mom's nursing home about contact info, etc.

Then I have to take the lizard to a friend's place and the 2 dogs to the kennel. Gee I hope I don't switch them all up!

I am going to drop a food disc in the fish tank and hope the one remaining goldfish survives the vacation!

The boys are now officially excited - they count down everymorning!

 

[KathleenlovesMickey]

I agree I have spent more on the pre trip stuff then the cruise! I am not really complaining tho. We did get pirate costumes. My DH really wanted to do that but gives me a hard time about decorating the door???
I also worked on our door signs. I wish I was more artistic. Did anyone else feel like the weekend DRAGGED on?
I know how excited we "grownups" are I can only imagine how the kids are doing.

 

[DisneyMomforLife]

Just checking in from Arizona! I have been reading all the messages and such, just haven't had a chance to say anything. I can't believe that it is almost time. I am starting to get in the beginning of a panic mode!! We are done with Spring Break, so now it is time to get down to business!
I have been wanting to tell everyone a bit about us. My name is Karen, DH-Mark, DM-Linda, DD- Hannah. This is our first cruise. I am looking for a bit of help from fellow Dis'ers. My daughter is 10, she has Cerebral Palsy. She is very high functioning though. She is moderately delayed, but, looks like a normal child. She is extremely excited to be going to the kids club. My problem is-if she is not asked and encouraged to participate in activities, she will just sit and watch. She is very sweet and just VERY shy. Does anyone have a 'mother hen' that she can meet up? She has many friends at school that know how she is, they just encourage her to come and join the fun and also know she is a bit.....slow....and needs some extra support.
Thanks everyone for listening-this cruise is mainly for her and I want her to experience everything that is going on!

Karen

Karen,

My son Shawn is 18 and has Down Syndrome. My daughter Gabi is 10 and has grown way beyond her years by taking on more responsibility with regards to helping him out. She is very outgoing and is very sensitive towards those with special needs. I'm sure we can introduce them and Gabi will definitely make sure she is not forgotten about ... but we've got an entire group of great girls in that age range so fear not!!

kat

 

[DisneyMomforLife]

Hey guys.

I am not sure who said and where the info came from, but someone on the cruise right now said the "experimental" dinner rotations are still on.

Anyway, no matter what happens--I wouldn't freak. I have a feeling you won't be able to plan much for this. Just go with the flow. In the kingdom of cruising----you really have to just mellow and take it minute by minute. You'll enjoy your cruise so much more if you just enjoy the day and enjoy looking through the navigator and seeing what is up.

Deb

Deb,

Was that for Eastern or Western? I spoke to a dcl rep a week ago and she said that the expirimental rotations were only on the western ... not eastern.

???

kat

 

[Skuba2]

Maybe that is the reason for the conflicting information. I didn't even think to look.

Deb

 

[aprince&princess]

Hey Kat,
How was Miami Beach?
Vickie