April 17, 2011 on the Dream

[alenushka]

I usually do the same. I have a pair of Dansko shoes that are sort of dressy so I wear those to dinner and tennis shoes the rest of the time. For that reason, most of what I wear for dinner is black, to match the shoes.

I am so ready for vacation. Within the past month we've had nothing but sickness in our house. This Wednesday I was up with our toddler all night because she couldn't breathe well (congestion). Guess why? Ear infection and sinus infection still left over from 2 weeks ago. So now she's on more meds but slept well last night. Hooray for sleep!

.......But as my oldest says, she can not wear the same colors or the exact same outfit as her little sister. That would just be too much!

Sorry, your kids are still sick.... . It is the same in our house. We told our DS not to visit us previous weekend to make sure he does get what we were having, but then he called from his college apartment, "mom, my throat hurts, plus I am stuffy and coughing a lot"....OK, hurry up home, maybe we can help....February, and now March, have been rough on us, there is one health issue after another... I think we all need lots of sun! Hope all feel better real soon!
so funny about your older daughter

Master Packer Deb T. will be packing 1 pair of shoes and wearing 1 pair. I'll save room in our carry-on suitcase by sliding my dinner dress shoes inside DH's dinner dress shoes. We'll both be wearing our tennis shoes when boarding. I'd be willing to bet my DD will do even better and wear a nice pair of sandals when she boards the 4/21 cruise - and that will be the only shoes she brings! My little grasshopper has learned well.

I am curious ladies - what do you wear to the pool? If you go from North East coast (last year it was 40 degrees when we left), would you go in these same sandals? What about the sneakers for the gym? That is how I come up with at least 6 pairs: warm shoes until we get to warmer states (I usually leave them in our car), switch to lighter comfortable driving shoes, flip-flops for the pool, ugly but comfortable Merrels for US/other parks, water shoes for Atlantis waterpark, sneakers for the gym (we never make it there, but what if we find time this vacation? ), and then a pair of dress sandals and a pair of dress shoes, and another pair of sandals (more comfortable but not dressy enough for a dinner).
My challenge is to take only one pair of each type of sandals . Where else do I cut???
I just remembered one of my dreams last night - we were on a cruise and I forgot to pack our Fish Extender (which is still in making ). But then I stopped panicking and just attached an old grocery bag to the "fish". I have to pack our FE first!

 

[svcutler]

Bridget - Are you out there lurking????

Just wondering if you are going to the Waterbury/Ridgefield high school basketball game tonight. My DS is begging me to drive him up there but haven't decided yet.

Kelly

Just be careful around the merritt. Just got off nd there was a huge accident. Traffic big time!

 

[Deb T.]

Master Packer Deb T. will be packing 1 pair of shoes and wearing 1 pair. I'll save room in our carry-on suitcase by sliding my dinner dress shoes inside DH's dinner dress shoes. We'll both be wearing our tennis shoes when boarding. I'd be willing to bet my DD will do even better and wear a nice pair of sandals when she boards the 4/21 cruise - and that will be the only shoes she brings! My little grasshopper has learned well.

I usually do the same. I have a pair of Dansko shoes that are sort of dressy so I wear those to dinner and tennis shoes the rest of the time. For that reason, most of what I wear for dinner is black, to match the shoes.

I am curious ladies - what do you wear to the pool? If you go from North East coast (last year it was 40 degrees when we left), would you go in these same sandals? What about the sneakers for the gym? That is how I come up with at least 6 pairs: warm shoes until we get to warmer states (I usually leave them in our car), switch to lighter comfortable driving shoes, flip-flops for the pool, ugly but comfortable Merrels for US/other parks, water shoes for Atlantis waterpark, sneakers for the gym (we never make it there, but what if we find time this vacation? ), and then a pair of dress sandals and a pair of dress shoes, and another pair of sandals (more comfortable but not dressy enough for a dinner).
My challenge is to take only one pair of each type of sandals . Where else do I cut???

First, let me say that if we were driving and luggage wasn't an issue, I'd definitely take a whole lot more clothing and shoes. But, when we're flying, I prefer to have everything in carry-ons so that I know it will all reach my destination with me.

The only time we checked luggage in the last 20+ years was for our Mediterranean cruise in '07. We checked one large suitcase for the four of us with all our dressy clothing, but we also still took carry-ons with all our casual clothes. Well, wouldn't you know it, that suitcase was lost! It finally caught up with us on the 5th day of our 11-night cruise...three days after formal night! Thank goodness we at least had our swimsuits, pjs, undies, and casual clothes in our carry-ons!

So, back to your questions Yelena...
DH and I will each pack one pair of dress shoes that we'll wear to dinner every night. We'll wear our tennis shoes all the rest of the time. At the pool and CC, we'll just wear our tennis shoes until we're at the pool deck or in the sand and then we'll go barefoot. No sandals this trip. So basically, our tennis shoes will be our "warm shoes", "driving shoes" (if we were driving), "WDW/other parks" shoes, "gym shoes" (if we were working out), "pool shoes", "beach shoes", and just general "hanging out" shoes.

DD is fine in flip-flops or sandals all the time. In fact, she completely forgot to pack any other shoes when we traveled to Austria/France/Germany for two weeks a couple of years ago and all she had were the flip-flops she showed up wearing at the airport. (BTW, let me add that she was 25yo, so I had nothing to do with her packing.) We looked for other shoes to buy during the trip, but there wasn't anything she liked. So, everywhere we went, including up in the snow-covered Alps!, all she wore were those flip-flops! Crazy girl!

 

[alenushka]

First, let me say that if we were driving and luggage wasn't an issue, I'd definitely take a whole lot more clothing and shoes. But, when we're flying, I prefer to have everything in carry-ons so that I know it will all reach my destination with me.

The only time we checked luggage in the last 20+ years was for our Mediterranean cruise in '07. We checked one large suitcase for the four of us with all our dressy clothing, but we also still took carry-ons with all our casual clothes. Well, wouldn't you know it, that suitcase was lost! It finally caught up with us on the 5th day of our 11-night cruise...three days after formal night! Thank goodness we at least had our swimsuits, pjs, undies, and casual clothes in our carry-ons!

So, back to your questions Yelena...
DH and I will each pack one pair of dress shoes that we'll wear to dinner every night. We'll wear our tennis shoes all the rest of the time. At the pool and CC, we'll just wear our tennis shoes until we're at the pool deck or in the sand and then we'll go barefoot. No sandals this trip. So basically, our tennis shoes will be our "warm shoes", "driving shoes" (if we were driving), "WDW/other parks" shoes, "gym shoes" (if we were working out), "pool shoes", "beach shoes", and just general "hanging out" shoes.

DD is fine in flip-flops or sandals all the time. In fact, she completely forgot to pack any other shoes when we traveled to Austria/France/Germany for two weeks a couple of years ago and all she had were the flip-flops she showed up wearing at the airport. (BTW, let me add that she was 25yo, so I had nothing to do with her packing.) We looked for other shoes to buy during the trip, but there wasn't anything she liked. So, everywhere we went, including up in the snow-covered Alps!, all she wore were those flip-flops! Crazy girl!

Wow - I can not even imagine how your DD made it in flip-flops 2 weeks of vacation! May be I just have not found that ONE nice and super comfortable pair of shoes yet My feet tend to swell in some climates and by the end of the day. My sneakers are good, but I can not wear them too long. As I mentioned Merrels are very comfy, but really ugly. I am just curious: what kind of tennis shoes do you have? May be I should check them out

 

[Deb T.]

I am just curious: what kind of tennis shoes do you have? May be I should check them out

I just bought a pair of Sketchers Shape Ups a month ago (gotta get in shape to wear my gown for DD's wedding... I'm the MOB after all! ). They are the most comfortable pair of tennis shoes I've ever owned!!! They give me the sensation of walking on air! And, I haven't gotten a single blister - not even after speed-walking in a 5k fundraiser last Saturday! I'm even taller in them because of the shape-up part of the soles. Love 'em, love 'em, love 'em!

 

[goofy4tink]

Wow - I can not even imagine how your DD made it in flip-flops 2 weeks of vacation! May be I just have not found that ONE nice and super comfortable pair of shoes yet My feet tend to swell in some climates and by the end of the day. My sneakers are good, but I can not wear them too long. As I mentioned Merrels are very comfy, but really ugly. I am just curious: what kind of tennis shoes do you have? May be I should check them out

For the life of me, I can't figure out why Merrill and Keen can't make better looking shoes. No need for comfy to be so ugly.
Anyway....I have a pair of flip-flops I tend to wear on the cruise. They have a higher wedge heel so are more comfy for me. Hate being flat on my feet. My Crocs (yeah, I went there) go with me as well. And my sneakers are going, but will probably not go home with me.
DD will bring her Converse sneakers with her as well as mulitple pairs of flip-flops and maybe a pair of Crocs as well.

 

[pershing]

I just bought a pair of Sketchers Shape Ups a month ago (gotta get in shape to wear my gown for DD's wedding... I'm the MOB after all! ). They are the most comfortable pair of tennis shoes I've ever owned!!! They give me the sensation of walking on air! And, I haven't gotten a single blister - not even after speed-walking in a 5k fundraiser last Saturday! I'm even taller in them because of the shape-up part of the soles. Love 'em, love 'em, love 'em!

I'm so glad you wrote that! I have the LA Gear version and I love them so much. No foot pain at all and many days I'm on my feet all day.

I was planning on wearing them in the parks and wondered if they would be ok on the ship too or would balance be an issue.

I'm bringing those, my sparkly Tinkerbell flip flops that I bought on the last cruise (minus many sparkles) and black shoes for dinner. So, 3 for me.

I also mostly have black outfits for dinner to match my shoes. However, Old Navy is having a $7 sundress sale tomorrow and I'm gonna check it out.

Maybe I won't have to invest in both tops and shorts!

 

[mommy2sixpumpkins]

I am new here and super excited as we are going on our first Disney cruise and it looks like we will have some great company! Is there any other places you would suggest finding out all the details about the cruise and meet ups? I am a little overwhelmed right now

 

[Deb T.]

I am new here and super excited as we are going on our first Disney cruise and it looks like we will have some great company! Is there any other places you would suggest finding out all the details about the cruise and meet ups? I am a little overwhelmed right now

Welcome Aboard! We're so glad you found us!

Feel free to ask all your questions here on this thread. We're a fun and friendly bunch with several experienced DCL cruisers.


Here's a summary of what we have planned for this cruise so far:

The list of Embarkation Activities:
Meet & Greet (possibly Deck 13 forward in the “Family Zone”) 2:00-2:30pm
Cabin Crawl starts at 2:30pm
Pershing's “Girls Night Out 11pm Night Club Tour” (schedule to follow from Pershing)


The “Cabin Crawl” Stateroom Tour:
4A(B) midship Deluxe Family Oceanview w/plexiglass Verandah, split bath w/round tub - Lildeb724
5C midship Deluxe Oceanview w/plexiglass Verandah, split bath w/regular tub - Deb T.
5E aft Deluxe Oceanview plexiglass Verandah - castlegazer
6A aft Deluxe Oceanview w/white wall Verandah, split bath w/regular tub– golfnsuch
8B(C) aft Deluxe Family Oceanview w/Porthole Window Seat w/cushion, split bath w/round tub – Mom_3_mouseketeers
11B Standard Inside Stateroom w/Virtual Porthole and one (non-split) bathroom w/regular tub - mommybean

*Anyone else want to volunteer their cabin for the tour?*


The list of additional Cabin Crawl "Tourists":
svcutler
guarn3md
pershing
bdink921
goofy4tink
Ness2289
Alenushka
jeni37
lindafish
caronjn
hbg4


Pershing's “Girls Night Out 11pm Night Club Tour” (schedule to follow from Pershing) :
pershing
WPoohgirl
goofy4tink
castlegazer
jeni37
lindafish
caronjn
guarn3md
Z'sDisneyMom
Alenushka
Momtoleasawav
Mom3 mouseketeers
princessdaisy
hbg4
WPoohgirl - Designated "get home to the correct cabin" driver!
Ness2289 (maybe)
svcutler (maybe)
golfnsuch (maybe)
Donnaksmj (maybe)


Ness's Bike Riding on Castaway Cay List:
Ness2289
guarn3md (maybe)
bdink921


The Castaway Cay 5K Runner & Walker List:
Mommybean – runner
pershing – power walker
Mom 3 mouseketeers – power walker - maybe


The Lazybones Hanging On The Beach All Day And Proud Of It List:
Deb T.
goofy4tink
pkmingo
alenushka
curlybop
svcutler - maybe

 

[Deb T.]

We're also doing what's affectionately known as a "Fish Extender Exchange":

Beside every cabin door is a large metal silver fish (or starfish or seahorse) with an indentation in the back for cruise personnel to leave information, invitations, etc. Teenagers receive invitations to Teen Club activities and we've also received "rebooking onboard" price quotes tucked in our fish.

DISboarders have taken the silver fish (starfish, seahorse) one step further... by creating hanging pockets (much like cloth letter holders) to hang from the fish (or starfish, or seahorse) - thus the name, "Fish Extender". The Fish Extenders (FEs) can be made of practically anything (cloth, plastic, paper gift bags, etc.), as long as they have at least one pocket that can hold surprises. My FE had always been just a plain canvas bag on which I'd added a tropical scene, the names of the Disney ships, and our names. But recently, a very sweet DISer surprised me with a beautiful "real" FE for this cruise!!!

On each "Cruise Meets" thread (such as this 4-17-11 one) someone usually organizes a little gift exchange during the cruise. People sign up by giving their cabin number, names of everyone in their cabin, and ages of the kids so that everyone will know how many goodies to bring and where to deliver them. Some people give one gift per family, some people give a little gift to each person. It's totally up to the giver to decide what to give and when to give it during the cruise.

There are several threads on the main cruise boards that discuss ideas for FE gifts. Some gifts are from Dollar Stores, some are handmade, and some are bought in bulk from websites that sell trinkets like the Oriental Trading Company. Often, they are stickers, candy, glow sticks, lanyards, etc., with themes such as pirates, beach, cruise, tropical, hometown, holiday, etc. The main idea is just to have fun finding little goodies in your FE throughout the cruise. Kids LOVE running back to their cabin to see if anything's been left in their FE. As an adult, I have to admit that I love it, too!!!

If you'd like to join in on the fun on our cruise, please let me know. You can either post your information here in this thread or send me a private message by clicking on my name in the upper left hand corner of this post and then clicking "send a private message to Deb T.". I will only post your DIS name and gender/ages of children on the public forum. However, I will send private messages with names and cabin numbers to all participants to keep everyone up-to-date. Since some people travel earlier in the week prior to cruising, we will close the list on 4-1-11 in order to give everyone time to purchase/prepare gifts and pack them. You'll also need to print the final list of participants and pack it with your gifts so you'll know where to deliver them once you're onboard the ship.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Also, this thread has tons of info and ideas about FE Gift Exchanges: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1219607

We have 2 FE Exchange Groups for this cruise - a Big Group and a Small Group. Here are the participants so far in each group:

Small FE Group limited to 15-20 Participants:
Mom_3_mouseketeers & DH, DS11, DD9, DS7
hbg4, DM, DD14
mommybean & DH, DD14
alenushka & DH, DD10
Deb T. & DH
Ness2289 & DD12
golfnsuch & DH, DS11, DS7
jeni37 & DH, DS14, DS10, DD6
lindafish & DH
caronjn & DW, DS11, DD7
pkmingo & DH
FinsFans & DW, DS2
Jamaican Jammers & DW, DD5mo
momtoleasawav & DH, DD15, DS13, DD9
Donnaksmj & DH, DS9
Z’sDisneyMom, DD12
princessdaisy & DH, DD18, DS8
sianrob & DH, DD10
castlegazer & DH, DS9, DD6

Large FE Group:
Deb T. & DH
Ness2289 & DD12
jeni37 & DH, DS14, DS10, DD6
lindafish & DH
caronjn & DW, DS11, DD7
pkmingo & DH
FinsFans & DW, DS2
Jamaican Jammers & DW, DD5mo
ydrj & DH, DS16, DD14
alenushka & DH, DD10
svcutler & DH, DD15, DD11
momtoleasawav & DH, DD15, DS13, DD9
disneycruisegal & DH
golfnsuch & DH, DS11, DS7
goofy4tink & DH, DD17
Donnaksmj & DH, DS9
Z’sDisneyMom, DD12
princessdaisy & DH, DD18, DS8
sianrob & DH, DD10
castlegazer & DH, DS9, DD6
pershing & DS16, DS14, DS13
Downrivermama & DD12
Karen from VA & DBF, DD6
kim5678 & DH, DD13
MissMousey & DH, DD14, DS11
riggins & DH, DD9, DD8
Tigger1313 & DGD17 –up to 48
guarn3md, DS9 - up to 40
DW & DH, DD7 – up to 40
bdink921& DH, DS12 – up to 40
WPoohgirl & DH, DD14, DS12 – up to 40
allaboutdisney1967 & DH, DD13 – up to 40

Please let me know if you'd like to join in on the fun, and if so, which group you'd like to be in.

 

[Mom 3 mouseketeers]

Where is the game?? Is it Holy Cross? If so, we live practically across the street!!

It is at Holy Cross but we never made it up there. I wish I had known earlier we could have made plans to meet!!!!

Is Waterbury staying with the Mid-Conn conference? I read somewhere you were looking into the new Colonials Youth Football and Cheer League.

 

[bdink921]

It is at Holy Cross but we never made it up there. I wish I had known earlier we could have made plans to meet!!!!

Is Waterbury staying with the Mid-Conn conference? I read somewhere you were looking into the new Colonials Youth Football and Cheer League.

Oooh, that's too bad, we could have met up!!

I have no idea which way the Knights are going. It's like a soap opera LOL, we call 'Days of our Knights'. I think a few teams in Mid-Conn have left (at least 3 that I've heard of). All I know is there will be football and cheer, just not sure which league .

 

[golfnsuch]

My Crocs (yeah, I went there) go with me as well. And my sneakers are going, but will probably not go home with me.
DD will bring her Converse sneakers with her as well as mulitple pairs of flip-flops and maybe a pair of Crocs as well.

I'm with you. I have two pairs of crocs sandals (Cleo & Patricia) that I adore! They are my WDW shoes. I can wear 'em to the beach or on the water rides as they are waterproof and even to dinner AND my feet don't hurt at the end of a long day scouring the "world" from end to end.

 

[alenushka]

I just bought a pair of Sketchers Shape Ups a month ago (gotta get in shape to wear my gown for DD's wedding... I'm the MOB after all! ). They are the most comfortable pair of tennis shoes I've ever owned!!! They give me the sensation of walking on air! And, I haven't gotten a single blister - not even after speed-walking in a 5k fundraiser last Saturday! I'm even taller in them because of the shape-up part of the soles. Love 'em, love 'em, love 'em!

Sold! I want to check them out, I am always looking for a comfortable pair of shoes. Are they good for driving too? I just "googled" them - there are so many different ones
http://www.nextag.com/skechers-shape_-_ups-shoes/shop-html Could you please tell me which ones you LOVE?

For the life of me, I can't figure out why Merrill and Keen can't make better looking shoes. No need for comfy to be so ugly.
Anyway....I have a pair of flip-flops I tend to wear on the cruise. They have a higher wedge heel so are more comfy for me. Hate being flat on my feet. My Crocs (yeah, I went there) go with me as well. And my sneakers are going, but will probably not go home with me.
DD will bring her Converse sneakers with her as well as mulitple pairs of flip-flops and maybe a pair of Crocs as well.

True! but these ugly Merrill shoes I have are super comfy and I can easily go hiking in those (did it last year in Ohio) or handle a day at the park (with a pair of emergency flip-flops just in case of an unexpected blister ) I also buy higher wedge heels flip-flps, my flat feet can not handle flat shoes I bought a first pair of Crocs for DD (with Minnie on them, so cute! ), we will see if she wears them

I am new here and super excited as we are going on our first Disney cruise and it looks like we will have some great company! Is there any other places you would suggest finding out all the details about the cruise and meet ups? I am a little overwhelmed right now

Welcome!!!

 

[Deb T.]

Sold! I want to check them out, I am always looking for a comfortable pair of shoes. Are they good for driving too? I just "googled" them - there are so many different ones
http://www.nextag.com/skechers-shape_-_ups-shoes/shop-html Could you please tell me which ones you LOVE?

Holy moley! I had no idea there were so many different kinds! Mine was mostly an impulse purchase!

This is the shoe I have:
http://www.skechers.com/style/11814/shape-ups-fit/slw

They look really clunky in the photo, but they don't look bad on.

 

[alenushka]

Holy moley! I had no idea there were so many different kinds! Mine was mostly an impulse purchase!

This is the shoe I have:
http://www.skechers.com/style/11814/shape-ups-fit/slw

They look really clunky in the photo, but they don't look bad on.

lol, there so many! thank you!

 

[alenushka]

I just found a few of my packing lists. I hope this list does NOT add to the stress level, but opposite, help to organize. I like to print it a week before we leave, and cross out things I packed/don't need. Also, I write notes on it and reminders. It helps me sleep, lol . A few items we have to pack the morning of...I hope it is helpful. If anybody have any additions/new ideas, would be great to know! Last minute packing list

Chargers –
phones (2)
A’s mp3
K’s ipod
D’s ipod
DS
DSi
Photocamera (3)
Videocamera
Gps
Ipad
iTouch
Pandigital

iPad
iPad car and photo card adaptors
Pandigital
itouch
DVD players
CD’s
Audiobooks
DS
DSi
MP3
Ipods
Photo Camera(s)
Videocamera

(this is scary how our "technology" list grew over the past few years )

Phone(s)
Belts
Eye glasses (3)
Sun glasses
Contact lens plus extra set
Contact lens case and solution

Kid’s activity bag for the car
HW to catch up/school vacation packets
Water
snacks
Webkinz / toys

car pillows
Road blankets
picnic bag (table cover, salt/pepper, knife, paper plates/cups/spoons/forks, paper towels, cereal bowls, food )

Hair brush/last minute bathroom supplies (make up, nail polish/kit, shaver)
toothbrushes
BP meds

Extra car keys
Jewelries

Money
Tickets
Passports
Hotel reservations
Island car/tours reservations
Print outs
Directions / address
Driving I-95 guide
Rain coats
Umbrella
Extra Socks

For the car:
Tissues
Hand sanitizer
moist wipes
hand cream
deodorants
Toilet seat covers
Stain remover
Rubbing alcohol swabs
First aid kit (tylenon, advil, Mylanta, peptobismol, Neosporin, bandaids)

Book/magazine

Ziplock bags (large and small)
Address labels (for luggage)
Flashlight
Nightlight
Laundry bag
Single dollars (for tips)

Travel size Agave (sugar substitute)

TO DO last minute:
download books
Download movies
“getting away” message on phones and email
Computer back up
A box for mail for a neighbor
Program/unprogram shows on DVR
Call credit card company and inform about your trip out of country
Call cel. phone company and inquire about International min plans
Take contact lenses box
Watches
Cold water for the road

Unplug electricity
Turn off a/c / heat
Turn off water
Take out garbage
Water plants
Fill in water for bamboo
Turn off boiler

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm so glad you wrote that! I have the LA Gear version and I love them so much. No foot pain at all and many days I'm on my feet all day.

I was planning on wearing them in the parks and wondered if they would be ok on the ship too or would balance be an issue.

I'm bringing those, my sparkly Tinkerbell flip flops that I bought on the last cruise (minus many sparkles) and black shoes for dinner. So, 3 for me.

I also mostly have black outfits for dinner to match my shoes. However, Old Navy is having a $7 sundress sale tomorrow and I'm gonna check it out.

Maybe I won't have to invest in both tops and shorts!

Too funny...that's where I'm heading today as well. Hopefully will be able to get a few sundresses rather than capris/shorts and tees. So much more comfortable.

 

[hbg4]

I was just wondering how will we recognise another member of or group ?
Will we have time for lanyards or something easy to spot ?
Brenda

 

[pershing]

Too funny...that's where I'm heading today as well. Hopefully will be able to get a few sundresses rather than capris/shorts and tees. So much more comfortable.

There's a 5 dollar off 25 dollars purchased coupon on the back page of the weekly ad at gaps website that you can print out.

I hope you see this before you go .