April 19, 2008 - Western - VERY Early Roll Call - Anyone??!!

[a7moulton]

thanks colleen and wdhinn89 Jenny is shy in the beginning but then you can't shut her up lol!!! Once she knows you she's very outgoing so I think she'll do good with the other teens. She is a freshmen in high school and is on the varsity cheerleading team for both football and basketball so she does hang out with all grades but mostly freshmen at school so I think she'll be fine.

Hi Cheryl, My son is 14 also (he's in 8th because of the cut-off date) so he'll be in there. But, he loves basketball and in fact won a tournament on the ship 2 yrs ago, so she could possibly be his own cheerleader!!! Everyone does seem so comfortable w/eachother!
Colleen

 

[a7moulton]

Colleen,
The party was a lot of fun.
I even made the chocolate souffle dessert recipe they sent along.
They turned out alright, but I really liked the vanilla sauce that topped them.
Last year, I went all out for pirate night (pic in my sig).
The costumes took up a whole gym bag.
This year, the kids (4) will most likely bring the goofy hats that came in the party package and eye patches. This alone should save on luggage.
I'm packing some of the posters to put on our stateroom door for the cruise.
We're going with another family that will be two doors down from us.

Hi, I was thinking on making that but wasn't sure about the souffle itself! So I made bananas foster instead! Im not sure if they have it on there, but it seem like something they would.
Yeah, every year we take less. It's too much to carry and we only get the cat 11 so it can get tight!!!
Well, I can't wait to meet everyone!
Talk to you later! Colleen

 

[4newtocruise]

Joan: The club is 5-7 and that is where Emily is going, as well as Tyler. The lab is 8-12...so Rebecca is really the lab...BUT that said, you could sign her up for the club if that is what you or she wanted so Tyler and her (and Emily!) could be together! They are definately flexible especially with siblings and with the age when it boarders the end of one program and the beginning of another program. Although they would be flexible with Emily, the activities in the club fit her interests more. By the way did you get my PM?
Michelle

Oh, I had it backwards! I'll ask Rebecca her thoughts. I'm thinking she will not want to be in the club. But that could change in the first day. She's a little unpredictable. I know she's excited about seeing Emily, so maybe. Can she flip-flop back and forth?

I just got your PM, I haven't been online in a couple of days. I PM'd you back!

-Joan

 

[Hypermommy]

Hi all,

Work's been somewhat busy the past few days. What a bummer when real life gets in the way of Disney. I gotta get my priorities straightened out

TJeff: thanks for the info on the house party. Will be looking for that next year. Let me know what your spa ressie is when you get a moment and I'll add it to the hyperlist. Boy, do I remember toilet training -- with my eldest, he'd peed in the toilet a time or two and I remember moaning to my mom that I knew he was just doing it to spite me becuase he knew what he was supposed to do because he'd done it!

Michelle and Denise (wow... my sister's name is Michelle so it was always Denise & Michelle [I'm older so I come first! ]: Anyway... thanks for the warm fuzzies about the countdown. It's an idea I picked up off of the DIS somewhere.

amoulton and wdhinn: My guys are really having a great time emailing your kids and getting to know them. I woke them up late this morning (I was busy with stuff about my website) but the past couple of mornings they've jumped out of bed wanting to know if they got replies and could they write back (and you know how much fun it can be to get a 14yo to jump out of bed ).

Michelle: adding the info you gave me to the hyperlist below


==================================================
April Showers of Happiness Excursions and Other Info
==================================================

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Key West
----------------------------------------------------------------
Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory with Aquarium
justthat

Walking, Eating and Drinking (i.e., no scheduled excursion)
All day - 4newtocruise, Hypermommy, conny264, marion, msdisney53

Wild Dolphin Encounter (not disney)
Time unknown - Tinkified

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Grand Caymen
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Captain Marvins (not a Disney tour)
Conny264, Marion

Island Tour & Butterfly Farm
Time Unknown - justthat

Native Way Island and Stingray Tour (not a Disney Tour)
9:30 - 4newtocruise

Pirate Encounter
11:45 - anty30, msdisney53
??:?? - Tinkified

Seaworld Explorer Semi-Submarine
8:00 - bmalonef45

Seven Mile Beach (not through disney)
Time Unknown - Tinkified
7:30 - Mass-cateer


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Cozumel
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Dolphin Discovery
9:45 - wdhinn89 (3 doing discovery, 1 observer)
10:45 - anty30, bmalonef45-observers only,

Dune Buggy (not through Disney)
10:30 - 4newtocruise, Tinkified


Eco-Park & Snorkel
Time Unknown- justthat

Four Elements – A Mayan Adventure
ndepaola

Jeep Exploration
Time not listed - MassDisLovers

Jeep Rental (not disney)
msdisney53 (probable)

Jungle Bike Adventure
Mass-cateer

Tulum Ruins
Hypermommy (can't confirm until 75day mark), marion, conny264


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Castaway Cay
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Bottom Fishing
9:30 - wdhinn89

Stingray Adventure
2:00 - bmalonef45

The Wild Side (teen)
MassDisLovers

Castaway Cay Getaway Package (all day)
4newtocruise

All day snorkel equipment rental
bmalonef45

Cabana Massage
MassDisLovers

Parasailing
10:30 - yogibigdog
02:20 - 4newtocruise
Tinkified (maybe)

Serenity Bay (and no excursions - just relaxation)
msdisney53


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Palo Reservations
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Sunday
10:00 AM - anty30

Monday
10:00 AM - MassDisLovers
10:30 AM - 4newtocruise
11:00 AM - msdisney53, yogibigdog
11:30 AM - wdhinn89
Time Unknown - Marion

Tuesday
Time Unknown - mdisney53
06:00 PM - justthat (is Tuesday GC nite?)
06:30 PM - MassDisLovers
08:00 PM - anty30
08:30 PM - Mass-cateer, msdisney53

Thursday
Time Unknown - 4newtocruise
11:00 AM - Mass-cateer
11:30 AM - justthat (is Thursday the 2nd sea day?)
06:00 PM - yogibigdog (half their party)
06:30 PM - yogibigdog (the other half of their party)
03:00 PM - MassDisLovers
07:00 PM - 4newtocruise
07:30 PM - conny264

----------------------------------------------------------------
Spa
----------------------------------------------------------------
Monday
??:?? Well Being Massage - MassDisLovers
??:?? Stone Therapy - MassDisLovers
??:?? Exotic Hand Ritual - MassDisLovers
??:?? Couples Massage - Tinkified
2:00 - Well-Being Massage - justthat

Thursday
2:00 - Stone Therapy - 4newtocruise

 

[4newtocruise]

Revised Spreadsheet:

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pLx0FZxmMNWAALDdWJXpYKw

or

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pLx0FZxmMNWAALDdWJXpYKw&hl=en


Make sure I got the right times at the top, please.

-Joan

 

[Hypermommy]

Hi all,

I was just reading a DISthread on parasailing and someone mentioned that they tipped about $10 per person. That got me to thinking... I know about the $11/person/day tip and I know that we need a few ones in the room to tip for room service, but this one threw me for a loop. I don't want to seem cheap or anything, but this free cruise is going to end up costing us a couple of thousand dollars. I know that probably doesn't seem like much considering the cost of a cruise, but it's rapidly adding up.

So.... I figured I'd ask you guys. Other than the $11/person/day and the ones in the room, what other places am I going to need to consider a tip and how much? I know if I go to get my hair styled (thinking about it for formal night) I'll have to tip, but I have no idea how much. Anywhere else? Tipping for parasailing when we're already paying $75/person... is that expected? What else better I consider?

Thanks! Hope you don't think I'm being cheap but I do have to watch the money somewhat and, if nothing else, I need to get my and DH's expectations in line with reality.

 

[wdhinn89]

Hi all,

I was just reading a DISthread on parasailing and someone mentioned that they tipped about $10 per person. That got me to thinking... I know about the $11/person/day tip and I know that we need a few ones in the room to tip for room service, but this one threw me for a loop. I don't want to seem cheap or anything, but this free cruise is going to end up costing us a couple of thousand dollars. I know that probably doesn't seem like much considering the cost of a cruise, but it's rapidly adding up.

So.... I figured I'd ask you guys. Other than the $11/person/day and the ones in the room, what other places am I going to need to consider a tip and how much? I know if I go to get my hair styled (thinking about it for formal night) I'll have to tip, but I have no idea how much. Anywhere else? Tipping for parasailing when we're already paying $75/person... is that expected? What else better I consider?

Thanks! Hope you don't think I'm being cheap but I do have to watch the money somewhat and, if nothing else, I need to get my and DH's expectations in line with reality.

From what I understand, excursions are not Disney run, they are run by outside companies. I know last time we went fishing at Castaway Cay, we tipped the boat captain and mate but that was 3 hours of personal time on a private boat. I'm not really sure what the norm is on other type excursions. We usually just keep some bills with us and see what everybody else is doing or just give a tip on our own if we felt we had great service provided. And don't worry, nobody will think you are cheap. We all work hard for our money!

 

[4newtocruise]

Hi all,

So.... I figured I'd ask you guys. Other than the $11/person/day and the ones in the room, what other places am I going to need to consider a tip and how much? I know if I go to get my hair styled (thinking about it for formal night) I'll have to tip, but I have no idea how much. Anywhere else? Tipping for parasailing when we're already paying $75/person... is that expected? What else better I consider?

Thanks! Hope you don't think I'm being cheap but I do have to watch the money somewhat and, if nothing else, I need to get my and DH's expectations in line with reality.

This is what is says in Passporters for recommended gratuity for EACH guest:

Dinning Room Server: 25.75
Dinng Room Asst. Server: 18.75
Dining Room Head Server: 6.50
Stateroom Host/Hostess: 25.25
Shore Excursion Tour Guide: 1-2.00/person
Baggage Porters (at terminal) 1-2.00/bag

Hope this helps.
-Joan

 

[wdhinn89]

Joan- Did you get the new 2008 Passporters? I know it was supposed to come out on Jan 28th. Debating if I should get it or not. What do you think?

Diane

 

[4newtocruise]

Joan- Did you get the new 2008 Passporters? I know it was supposed to come out on Jan 28th. Debating if I should get it or not. What do you think?

Diane

I did pre-order it because at the time it said it would be out in February. Now, I went to the Passporter's Website and it said March. I previewed the contents and it looks no different. So, I wouldn't say it's worth it.

 

[dis2cruise]

when you booked your dining did you book your family by yourself of at a larger table???

 

[Hypermommy]

when you booked your dining did you book your family by yourself of at a larger table???

Newbie question... Palo dining or regular dining? If it's regular I am just wondering if this is something that will be an option for me at the 75 day mark (3 days away!!!!!). If Palo, I'm not sure which way I want to go on that either.

 

[dis2cruise]

Newbie question... Palo dining or regular dining? If it's regular I am just wondering if this is something that will be an option for me at the 75 day mark (3 days away!!!!!). If Palo, I'm not sure which way I want to go on that either.

when we booked our cruise they asked us if we wanted to do our own family at 1 table or have tablemates. palo i do believe you sit with the number of people in your ressie for that night. we booked with tablemates, however.....a few years ago on a princess cruise we had the tablemates from hell I know we should have switched but we didn't
However, this group on the disboards seem so nice
I am thinking of keeping a larger table

 

[justhat]

Newbie question... Palo dining or regular dining? If it's regular I am just wondering if this is something that will be an option for me at the 75 day mark (3 days away!!!!!). If Palo, I'm not sure which way I want to go on that either.

I've never seen a choice. We've always been seated ourselves both for regular dining and Palo. I guess you can make a request, but I'd think it would have to be done over the phone as I've never seen a space for that online.

We're headed to Orlando this afternoon for a weekend in WDW and a Pirate and Princess Party. It's my mom's birthday gift to our daughter. See ya all when we get back!

 

[dis2cruise]

I've never seen a choice. We've always been seated ourselves both for regular dining and Palo. I guess you can make a request, but I'd think it would have to be done over the phone as I've never seen a space for that online.

We're headed to Orlando this afternoon for a weekend in WDW and a Pirate and Princess Party. It's my mom's birthday gift to our daughter. See ya all when we get back!

we booked through aaa and on my ressie it says late dining large table on request.

Have fun at the p & p party
We went to dw in early september 07 and went to the pirate princess party, what a great way to see the magic kingdom....when we went there was NO crowds what so ever...the most popular rides you basically walked on no kidding . we did buzzlight year about 6 times in a row because my neice and nephew loved it so much. the next time we go to dw I would rather skip going to the mk park during the day stay by the pool and at 5 pm head over to the mk for the party you see more in those few hours without crazy crowds than being at the park for 9 hours of the day.

 

[Hypermommy]

I've never seen a choice. We've always been seated ourselves both for regular dining and Palo. I guess you can make a request, but I'd think it would have to be done over the phone as I've never seen a space for that online.

We're headed to Orlando this afternoon for a weekend in WDW and a Pirate and Princess Party. It's my mom's birthday gift to our daughter. See ya all when we get back!

Sounds like fun! I want to see pictures when you get back, please!!!

 

[a7moulton]

hypermommy,

My kids are enjoying it as well! I was wondering, did you win the cruise?
Colleen

 

[Hypermommy]

I was wondering, did you win the cruise?
Colleen

Sure did! I got incredibly lucky and won it from the DISUnplugged and DU. Woo hooo!!!!!

 

[a7moulton]

Sure did! I got incredibly lucky and won it from the DISUnplugged and DU. Woo hooo!!!!!

I would say so! Just booking a cat 11, 16 mos. out we spent about $4000.00 on just the cruise! Oh well, Its the only vacation we take for the year! Congrats to you!!!!
Colleen

 

[MassDisLovers]

thanks colleen and wdhinn89 Jenny is shy in the beginning but then you can't shut her up lol!!! Once she knows you she's very outgoing so I think she'll do good with the other teens. She is a freshmen in high school and is on the varsity cheerleading team for both football and basketball so she does hang out with all grades but mostly freshmen at school so I think she'll be fine.

Cheryl, My daughter Kelly is a freshman in high school too. She is 15. She'll be happy to hear about Jenny! Karen