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

[DisneyMomforLife]

We are arriving on Friday, but staying at the Country Inn and Suites. We are also staying an extra day on the return at Port Orleans. We had planned on doing a park or two, but now we're thinking pool and Cirque de Solei.

Hey!

Did you decide what you are going to do? We've seen La Nouba 4 times and loved it every single time. If you've never seen it, go for it! You wont be disappointed!

Kat

 

[DisneyMomforLife]

I believe that we planned on a 3pm meet on Saturday - someone correct me if I am wrong and for the life of me, WHERE at 3pm is escaping me at the exact moment so someone can chime in with that info!

Kat

ok, i couldn't wait, lol ...

i went back and reviewed the posts and it looks like we didn't lock in a certain place, just a time. We tossed around the idea of near the ice cream station but honestly, with the size of our group, maybe the Goofy Pool might be better as their are lounger we can all sit on and I'm sure the kids will want to be in the pool by then.

If everyone agrees, GREAT ... if not, please post ideas as to where we might be comfortable and we can go from there!!

The Goofy Pool is MIDSHIP, DECK 9. It is the family pool so we can all hang out there, vs. the Mickey Pool that is only for the smaller ones.

Looking forward to hearing everyone's thoughts on this!

Kat

 

[Skuba2]

ok, i couldn't wait, lol ...

i went back and reviewed the posts and it looks like we didn't lock in a certain place, just a time. We tossed around the idea of near the ice cream station but honestly, with the size of our group, maybe the Goofy Pool might be better as their are lounger we can all sit on and I'm sure the kids will want to be in the pool by then.

If everyone agrees, GREAT ... if not, please post ideas as to where we might be comfortable and we can go from there!!

The Goofy Pool is MIDSHIP, DECK 9. It is the family pool so we can all hang out there, vs. the Mickey Pool that is only for the smaller ones.

Looking forward to hearing everyone's thoughts on this!

Kat

Isn't the goofy pool where the sailaway party is? I don't think it starts until after the drill though---so it may work. I just didn't know if the chairs and stuff aren't all moved out of the area. You can't be too late to the meet though. The drill starts at 4 and you have to go back to your cabin to get your vests. I am up to anywhere and I am going to try and convince hubby to get there early to the terminal to sit and chat with everyone.

I will leave the meet arrangements to someone who knows the activity on the ship prior to the drill.

Deb

Deb

 

[Skuba2]

The one thing I have never managed to catch and I am still not convinced it is even there. Is there a "midnight buffet" of sorts--chocolate one or something? When is it and where? I always want to see it but always forget to look.

Deb

 

[DisneyMomforLife]

Isn't the goofy pool where the sailaway party is? I don't think it starts until after the drill though---so it may work. I just didn't know if the chairs and stuff aren't all moved out of the area. You can't be too late to the meet though. The drill starts at 4 and you have to go back to your cabin to get your vests. I am up to anywhere and I am going to try and convince hubby to get there early to the terminal to sit and chat with everyone.

I will leave the meet arrangements to someone who knows the activity on the ship prior to the drill.

Deb

Deb

I guess a 3pm meet time doesn't really leave a lot of time to actually sit and chat, does it? Maybe we should move it up to 2pm? I know that they do have the chairs set up prior to the sail away party. I remember that from when we were on the Wonder ... we all sat and hung out by the pool before we ever left the dock.

Thoughts?

Kat

 

[motherofsons]

I spent the morning getting caught up on all the posts. Boy a lot has happened. Can we bring wine on the ship? I read through the info and researched it the information a little and it seems a little gray if we can or can not.

DS(14) Drew is reading the emails he receives but has not responded as of yet. He is shy as I mentioned

DS (7) Collin can not wait to get on board and start his vacation. Such an eazy going fun loving kid.

Just like all of you I am starting to put the things together we need to bring and as usual I am sure I will bring way too much! Trying to purchase a bathing suit can be the most depressing part of the trip. I read about that "perfect bathing suit" or the "miracle suit" and head out in search of such thing and perhaps they are not available in Massachusetts because I have not been able to locate that perfect suit that can perform miracles on this body or fit perfectly. UGHH! To be a man when in comes to a swim suit.
Pull it on and go. They look in the mirror and see what they want to see..Tom Brady or George Clooney looking back at them. Enough male bashing for the moment.

I loved the pictures from the aquarium meet and sorry we could not make it.
I will try and find a picture to post of the four of us but that could prove difficult because usually one of us is taking the picture.

We are down to crunch time and I really need to stay on top of what is happening on these boards. I love the lists and info.

We are arriving Friday night and staying at the Boardwalk in Disney. We will be arriving pretty early to board the ship so count us in on the meet by the pool.

We should be easy to recognize because I will have the miserable looking 14 year old who would rather be anywhere than on the ship accompanied by a 7 yr old who can not stand still. Gotta love them!

Keep the information coming. Oh gotta laugh out of Possum Trot , KY.

Kathy

 

[DisneyMomforLife]

Kathy,

I hear you about the bathing suits. I just say, WHATEVER. It's my vacation. If someone else doesn't like my body, then don't look.

Yes, you can bring wine onboard ... the basic summary is this: whatever you can put in your carryon (safely, of course) that can fit through the x-ray scanner is allowed. You are no longer allowed to put a luggage tag on a case of beer or a case of water and have them treat it as a part of your luggage. Soft sided rolling coolers are still allowed as long as you do not put any ice in it. Hard sided igloo style coolers are still not allowed.

Hope that answers your question!

Kat

 

[cnb]

So if I understand this correctly, I can still buy my case of water and stick them in everyone's suitcase?

Got my cruise docs on Friday! I guess we are really going !! Now if I can just stop procrastinating and get to making my lists and packing...I have lots to do...DD's and I are going down a week before for a cheer comp at Universal, which of course means DH and DS have to be packed a week ahead of time as well (they are meeting us at MCO the night before the cruise).

I'm up to seeing everyone in the terminal or the pool. I'll be the one with 2 surly teens and a bouncing 10yo. LOL!

Off to the laundry room!

 

[Mduff]

Hi,


This is our first time. Mduff, this will be our 13th anniversary. Did you request something special? We were going to renew our vows, but it was just too expensive, especially considering we weren't going to have any guests.

Here's our family:

Mom and Dad
DD age 9
DS age 7
DD age 4

All will be in the activity clubs.

Looking forward to hearing from you guys.

I mentioned to them it's our 15th anniversary so we're getting a cake during our Palo night - we've always done something Disney-ish for the big anniversaries - we honeymooned in Disney, went with friends to celebrate our 5th anniversary (came back with our souvenir - DS Mickey ), bought the DVC timeshare for our 10th, and now this for our 15th. I want to renew vows for our 20th.

I have a DD age 5, so we should get our daughters together.

Your welcome. If I gave you the tip on "Don't get over-planned, over anxious or over-stressed; would you listen. LOL! I know from experience. I had everyone's activities put on outlook--color coded--all the information included. I spent days working on it only to throw it out the first day. LOL! What do I plan on now---to drink---to play---to eat---to walk--to have fun!


Deb

No I'm the type who stresses over packing but once there I'm good!

Mduff: DH, DW, DS9, DD5 from Bethel, CT ... also traveling with friends from Monroe, CT DH, DW, DD9, DD8


Kat

Change my friends to DD9 and DS8.

Should we repost the list with our real names so we're not greeting by screen name?

I guess a 3pm meet time doesn't really leave a lot of time to actually sit and chat, does it? Maybe we should move it up to 2pm? I know that they do have the chairs set up prior to the sail away party. I remember that from when we were on the Wonder ... we all sat and hung out by the pool before we ever left the dock.

Thoughts?

Kat

Maybe it's better to do a meet on Sunday - I'm concerned as a newbie I'm gonna be so busy getting settled in and figuring out what's what that I'll miss a meet on Saturday.

 

[dsnyfangoofy2]

For all the moms of surly, disgruntled teens:

The SIX teens in our group are SO excited to be going that we can hardly contain them! Their enthusiasm should ooze over onto yours. Perhaps they can all meet each other in the terminal and start to get acquainted then.

We, of course, will be easy to spot in the terminal, since we are the group of 36! So just take your teens and give them a little shove in our direction. My boys will immediately start the sports challenges, I'm sure, and our teen girls are extremely outgoing and friendly. In fact, they are so ready to have fun that even the 16-year-olds are willing to dress up as princesses one night!

Our 10-year-old niece is really looking forward to the clubs and is thrilled at how many kids there are her age.

We're still waiting for our docs to arrive from out TA. I'm so jealous of all of you who have them already!!!!!

Bev

 

[aprince&princess]

Kathy, don't worry about Drew. Tommy will be at the meet on Sat and has been part of that email group. So I think if they are both at the meet by the pool that should help.

I just commented to Kayla that maybe should she email later because no one has in a bit. We were crazy here with having Easter and this week she is home early everyday for teacher conferences. So that should give her some free time.

I plan to organize my stuff this week and next and hopefully be packed after that.

I wonder if 2pm is too early. Once onboard our plan was to have lunch, sign Kayla up for hair braiding, and get some info on the wine packages. (We can't be bother to worry about bringing it.) Is there anything else that needs to be done when we board?
Vickie

 

[aprince&princess]

OK, someone asked about putting water in luggage? That is no longer allowed. There are some threads on the cruise forum about changes that have been made.

1. Looks like you can ship only 1 box per stateroom, and there are restrictions on size to 12 inches x 12 inches (I think).

2. There can no longer be beverages of any sort put in luggage.

3. You should be able to bring beverages in a soft sided cooler, no ice, if it fits into the xray scanner and is carryon size.

I hope that helps.

 

[gfolchick]

We will be at the port early-10am or so. On our 2005 cruise the whole group (cruise thread) ordered lime green t-shirts and we were easy to spot and say hello. We met great friends at a cruise meet on our 2003 cruise and still keep in touch. We met on the upper deck (10) overlooking the Goofy pool before the safety drill and then hung out together during the sail away party. What about the lime green Mickey heads from Home Depot for easy spotting? I have mine laminated and I just attach it to my bag (or my lanyard). You can put your screen name on it so people know you're part of the DISboards.

My kids have today off, a teacher work day, and my daughter is having a tween moment right now, UGH!! I was thinking of packing them soon. They're easy. I still don't know what to wear for formal/semi formal nights. I'm hoping there will be some after Easter sales this week.

Kat-We still haven't decided as a group what to do after the cruise. My brother wants to go to Hollywood Studios because his son is into Handy Mandy. I wouldn't mind seeing the Flowers at Epcot. There are no EMH for resort guests that Saturday (or we were hoping for a pirate party).

We have a packed next three weeks-Cub Scout overnights, Avenue Q in NYC, my DH has to fly to San Francisco for a few days, talent show for school, soccer starts. The days will fly by and before we know it we'll be sailing away!

Mduff, I'll PM you our email so the boys can write a hello.

 

[dsnyfangoofy2]

RE: Liquids in checked luggage.

There must be a mistake somewhere, because obviously you can put perfume and shampoo and conditioner and other liquids in your checked bags, so it would seem obvious that you could pack bottles of water. Now, whether or not you want to pack a bottle of fine wine and risk it breaking onto your clothing would be something for you to consider individually, but it seems it must be legal.

Bev

 

[Mduff]

We will be at the port early-10am or so. On our 2005 cruise the whole group (cruise thread) ordered lime green t-shirts and we were easy to spot and say hello. We met great friends at a cruise meet on our 2003 cruise and still keep in touch. We met on the upper deck (10) overlooking the Goofy pool before the safety drill and then hung out together during the sail away party. What about the lime green Mickey heads from Home Depot for easy spotting? I have mine laminated and I just attach it to my bag (or my lanyard). You can put your screen name on it so people know you're part of the DISboards.

My kids have today off, a teacher work day, and my daughter is having a tween moment right now, UGH!! I was thinking of packing them soon. They're easy. I still don't know what to wear for formal/semi formal nights. I'm hoping there will be some after Easter sales this week.


Mduff, I'll PM you our email so the boys can write a hello.

Got the PM!

The lime green Mickey heads??? What are those??

I want to pack too!! I'm hoping Wed morning to start - you're right, the kids are easy - it's the adults that are harder. And my DS is easier than my DD who wants to bring all her shoes

I plan on being at the port early. We have the 10am shuttle from the Radisson at the Port reserved, so we should be there by 10:30 (I think)

 

[Skuba2]

Kathy, don't worry about Drew. Tommy will be at the meet on Sat and has been part of that email group. So I think if they are both at the meet by the pool that should help.

I just commented to Kayla that maybe should she email later because no one has in a bit. We were crazy here with having Easter and this week she is home early everyday for teacher conferences. So that should give her some free time.

I plan to organize my stuff this week and next and hopefully be packed after that.

I wonder if 2pm is too early. Once onboard our plan was to have lunch, sign Kayla up for hair braiding, and get some info on the wine packages. (We can't be bother to worry about bringing it.) Is there anything else that needs to be done when we board?
Vickie

If it helps---you will get info on the wine package at the first dinner. We tend to buy a bottle of wine that isn't on the wine package list and have it follow us from dinner to dinner.

Deb

 

[aprince&princess]

When we cruised with my parents last July it was a table for six: my parents, Tom and I and the kids (not drinking of course). Well the first night my parents ordered there own bottle of wine, Tom opened a bottle of Merlot and I had them open a bottle of Chardonnay. You should have seen the look on the faces of the couple sitting alone at the next table. They actually made comments to each other that we ordered three bottles of wine. Some nights we took the rest of the bottle back to the room to finish separate from dinner. And then ordered a new bottle the next night.

 

[aprince&princess]

Got the PM!

The lime green Mickey heads??? What are those??

If you go to Home Depot to the paint section you can find swatches for the paint colors that are shaped like Mickey heads. I forget which brand. People tend to pick up the ones marked alien green and turn them into name tags, tags for luggage, things like that. I was there on Friday, I should have picked some up.

We have a car picking us up at 10:30am from the airport Hyatt, but I think Tom wanted to see if they would pick us up at 9:30.

Mduff, I think the ride from the airport to the port is about 45 minutes, maybe close to an hour?

 

[aprince&princess]

I am going to attempt to make tye die Mickey tshirts that I saw on the design thread here. I ordered t shirts and dye, but I haven't attempted to start them yet. If they turn out right, our plan is to wear them onto the boat.

 

[aprince&princess]

RE: Liquids in checked luggage.

There must be a mistake somewhere, because obviously you can put perfume and shampoo and conditioner and other liquids in your checked bags, so it would seem obvious that you could pack bottles of water. Now, whether or not you want to pack a bottle of fine wine and risk it breaking onto your clothing would be something for you to consider individually, but it seems it must be legal.

Bev

I don't know, there were a few threads last week about the rules at the port, not just Disney, no longer allowing any beverages inside checked luggage. That anything beverages packed in luggage would be confiscated. Anyone interested in packing them into luggage should check the other threads.