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

[DisneyMomforLife]

Hey everyone! Looks like everyone's pretty much in full-on cruise mode with all of the preparations!!

Welcome to everyone who has joined us recently ... here is the updated list so far ... please let me know if something is missing or needs to be adjusted!!

Kat

Skuba2: DH, DW, DD13, DD10, DS6 ... from Wilton, CT

HappyBirthdayCat: DH, DW, DD13, DS15 ... from Upstate NY

CinderellaPug: DH, DW ... from East Greenbush, NY

EAP'sDAD: DH, DW, DD12, DS9, DS7 ... from Norwalk, CT

Maslex: DH, DW, DS11, DS12 ... from Plainfield, CT

Momto3angels: DH, DW, DD9, DD6, DD4 ... from ?

Beginsters: DH, DW, DGM, DD14, DD12, DD7 ... from ?

cvspsych: SM, DD10 ... from Cooperstown, NY

CindyD1: DH, DW, DD12, DD8, DS5 ... From Norwalk, CT

DisneyMomforLife: DH, DW, DS17, DD9 ... From Norwalk, CT

okwmember92: DH & DW only!! ... from central Florida - 25th anniversary celebration!

gfolchick: DW, DH, DD11, DS8, DGM, DGF, DBro, DNeph9, DNeph6 ... from Trumbull, CT

Dsnyfangoofy2: DH, DW, DS16, DS15 from Utah, Kansas and Cali … plus 35 others!!!

aprince& DH, DW, DS13, DD10 from … New Milford, CT

TaraMom22: DH, DW, DD8, DS6 from Cali and DW’s MOM from Oregon

 

[Skuba2]

I haven't seen either being used, but I do know there have been posts about them in the past. I don't think it is impossible and I know people talked about strollers being convenient in the dining room for sleepy toddlers. I also imagine that the wait for elevators may be crazy. It is a free for all unfortunately. If you aren't agressive, you can be stuck there forever.

The one disappointment on the cruises has always been that people's manners seem to go out the window as well as some if not most of their parenting skills. I guess people forget to pack them. There are those who don't think they need to stand in line, those who think they can stand in front of you at a show while you are seated, and those who think if they don't see what their kids are doing then they must be behaving. Ugh!! It is hard to blame the kids when you see the way some of the adults act. That is one of my pet peeves in life. Manners and the notion that one is the only person in the world.

Ok--enough of that. There is always something to bring us back to reality-isn't there.

Deb

Oh yeah---thanks Kat for the list. I am amazed at all the NY/CT families.

 

[gfolchick]

I just went back and re-read our thread because I wasn't getting notices on a bunch of posts. SKuba2-my husband did a year over in London back in 2004. I stayed home with the kids. It looks like they have something in common.

I'm still waiting for airfare to open up. We flew AirTran from Westchester last week which worked out well. I'm flying JetBlue in October to Orlando. We think we're going to spend Saturday at Magic Kingdom on the return, get a hotel and then fly back Sunday. I know you're tired from the trip but I don't want the magic to end. Everything is inflated (price wise). I paid $79 each way for a minivan rental with Hertz. We're staying at CI&S Friday night for $159. We went on a Thanksgiving cruise in 2005 and everything was about half of what we're paying, including the cruise and we were in a Cat 6 instead of an 8.

My hubby surprised me with a trip on the Wonder in November for my b-day. I know it's a different ship but if you need me to check anything out before we go I'd be happy to do so.

 

[DisneyMomforLife]

Oh yeah---thanks Kat for the list. I am amazed at all the NY/CT families.

No problem ... helps us all keep organized. Isn't it crazy how it's so local right now??

gfolchick - I too noticed that I am not getting individual notification when new messages are posted ... I even went in and cleared my preferences (and it was set to get them each time) and then re-did it so we'll see what happens now. I got one notification since then ... Deb's but not yours.

Hope all is well with everyone!!

kat

 

[cindyd1@optonline.ne]

Hi just wanted to bump us up a little bit. Still waiting for Jetblue Hope all is well with everybody! Back to school for us today! Not used to hearing that alarm ring so early!

 

[Skuba2]

Ugh---I didn't get up this early when I worked. We are still working on homework and it is 7:15 pm. Oh well. I did say I couldn't wait for school to start---didn't I?

The kids are happy though. Every is getting into the swing of things fast.

Yo! Jetblue----we want to give you MONEY!!!!!!!

Deb

 

[aprince&princess]

I thought I would give this thread a bump!

Did all the CT kids get off to school ok? My DD9 and DS13 (as of last week) also started on the 29th. And are still trying to adjust to being up early, as well as myself.

I just booked our room for CI&S for Friday night and am also waiting for Jetblue &/or Airtran flights to be released.

 

[Skuba2]

My kids got off ok and I spent the week enjoying some quiet. Next week, our schedule gets going full steam adding afternoon activities and my day ones. I basically spent last week walking my doggie, keeping the house clean and chilling out.

Homework of course started full steam the first day with tons of review stuff and quizzes on Friday. So far so good with the un-organized 13 yr old---she is doing really well with it this year so far.

It is weird, when we all go on the cruise, school will only have about 2 months left. Does that seem like so far away or what?

Deb

 

[cindyd1@optonline.ne]

Hi all My kids got off on the 29th as well. my DS4 started Kindergarten the only had half days so far so it hasn't kicked in yet! Next week will be the real deal. Homework started right away for us too! Now I can get to all the projects that I let slip by all summer Still waiting on that Jet blue!

 

[DisneyMomforLife]

Still waiting on that Jet blue!

Ugh! I called JetBlue this morning and she said that they are hoping to release the next 3 months by the middle or end of December and she's asked because many people are asking. But, I'm not sure how accurate that is because two breaths before that she said that they try to always have 6 months available at any time, so if in December they release March, April and May, they will still be short a month and gaining quickly on January! I didn't show her the slip in her logic, I'm just hoping that she's as wrong as wrong can be.

Hope everyone's settling into school nicely!!

kat

 

[Skuba2]

I would just keep a watch anyway. They used to have 9 months out--so either they've changed their policy or they are just tired of people asking. Part of me almost doesn't mind going out of JFK although my dh is looking forward to Westchester. Last year, we had to cancel our jetblue from the car because we got a flat tire to the airport. We had his admin book us on the first thing she could find with enough time for us to get the tire changed and to the airport. Not sure how many of those options are at Westchester. I was in tears thinking we would miss our time pre-cruise with my parents. I get emotional about that---my dad is battling and beating brain cancer. So, every time I see him is precious.

Don't forget the doggie ressies if you need one.

Deb

 

[cindyd1@optonline.ne]

Just wanted to bump as up a little bit. Hope all is well with everyone! My son told his teachers that we were going on a cruise! The teachers thought we were going soon.....I wish The way he was talking they thought I was taking him out of school soon to go! They don't like when families do that

 

[dsnyfangoofy2]

Well, our DS14 decided to break his arm at soccer on Wednesday night. I guess it's best to get it over with now and not have it on the cruise, but he's out for the fall season and not too thrilled about that! It is a fracture of the proximal humerus, for those who might know or care.

I'm also an election judge and have been working the early voting days a few times, so my life has been full of excitement lately! I finally got to check back in to the thread today and it appears that most people have been busy, too, as there aren't many new messages.

I wanted to comment on Skuba2's remarks about manners. Amen, sister! I'm hoping things are somewhat better on Disney than they were on Carnival, but I realize some people still lose it. I'm the kind of mom who wants to know if her kids get out of line, so everybody keep an eye on them!

Does anyone have any comments about the best or worst companies for transport from the airport to the cruise terminal? I'd be glad to hear.

 

[ajeent]

Just thought I would finally make the committment and jump in, since I have been lurking on the DIS boards for a while.


We are booked on this cruise, first one for all of us.
There will be 5 of us - me, dh, ds will be 13, ds will be 11 and my mom.
We have adjoining cabins on the 6th deck.

You all have me nervous about booking rooms, cars, airfare! I am off to book my room and car.

We will probably take Airtran from Rochester - they have available flights, but no cheap ones at this point - I think they go on sale at 6 months.
Glad to meet you all and connect with folks that don't roll their eyes at me when I talk Disney!

 

[Skuba2]

Welcome!!

No rolling eyes here. LOL! The cruise is just a whole nother obsession. I am not a "Disney freak" but I am a Disney Cruise freak. LOL!! I have never taken my kids to the Disney parks. They would never survive the long lines and I just don't have enough in me to plan out a visit.

Deb

 

[Skuba2]

I wanted to comment on Skuba2's remarks about manners. Amen, sister! I'm hoping things are somewhat better on Disney than they were on Carnival, but I realize some people still lose it. I'm the kind of mom who wants to know if her kids get out of line, so everybody keep an eye on them!

Does anyone have any comments about the best or worst companies for transport from the airport to the cruise terminal? I'd be glad to hear.

Actually, the Disney parents may be more guilty of total loss of manners because they feel safer to let the kids just roam on a Disney Cruise because it is Disney. I just don't get it. The elevators are a real problem sometimes. They have either pushed all the buttons or they just plow on without caring who was there first-----the last one adults are also guilty of at times. We have had kids ring our doorbell and run. Of course, being in one of the suites makes you more of a target.

I think part of the result of it all is sick kids by the end of the cruise. The kids get no sleep, eat everything and anything and run around like crazy. Ok--enough from me.

As far as transportation, we have used Happy Limo going from the port to the airport and have had no issues. I hope that isn't considered an "endorsement" versus just answering a question to the moderators. We also use Avis and rent a car for the few days we are down before the cruise and drive ourselves to the port. Just remember to tell the limo companies how many people you have AND how much luggage you have. We are a family of 5, but even when we only traveled with 4 of us, we still used a stretch to make sure all our luggage fit.

My biggest problem---getting the weight off. Ugh! I need to get it under control now. I have low thyroid and it is so easy to put it on and heck to take it off. I really need to get 20 off just to hope to fit in any of my cruise clothes.

Deb

 

[DisneyMomforLife]

Well, our DS14 decided to break his arm at soccer on Wednesday night.

Wow, NO FUN at all. I have to say (or maybe I shouldn't - jinx possibility??) that we've never had a major injury like a broken bone or something. Now, my daughter is a huge hypochondriac and if she stubs her toe, she wraps her entire leg in an ace bandage and lays on the couch with it elevated!!!

And of course, welcome ajeent! our first cruise was last October and it was very overwhelming. this is only our 2nd time so there's still plenty to figure out each time no matter how many times you are going!!

hope everyone has a nice day ... it's R A I N I N G here in Ct - but wait, just about everyone here is IN Connecticut so you all know that already.

kat

 

[cindyd1@optonline.ne]

Welcome ajeent! We are new to the whole cruise thing too! We are booked on deck 6 as well It will be 5 of us. me my DH, DD13, DD9 and DS5.

 

[Skuba2]

Ok---you can't get tooooooo excited about this, but Jetblue has added April 2008 to the calendar online BUT it is still blocked off. I can't help but feel like we are one baby step closer to the final piece of the puzzle. I hope they realize the angst they are putting us all through.

Deb

ps---if anyone is really really really really ambitious, it would be interesting to see the kids grouped by age. Maybe a project for one of the teenagers. LOL!

 

[DisneyMomforLife]

ps---if anyone is really really really really ambitious, it would be interesting to see the kids grouped by age. Maybe a project for one of the teenagers. LOL!

I can take care of that ... would be a handy list to have, actually. And it wouldn't be too hard at all ...

I'm not sure it would be 100% accurate as some people have indicated current ages vs. ages at time of cruise ... but we could do age ranges within 2 years or so of each other.

unless everyone wants to repost actual ages at time of cruise - then it would be 100%. we'll learn each others names at some point so do we want to do first names at this point as well?

my vote is reposting ages at time of cruise for better accuracy.

but majority will rule, lol.

kat