April 21, 2007 -- Western Magic -- anyone?

[ohMom]

Corryn

Taylor felt pretty much the same way. i'm glad they got up and did the dance, but i agree, the last night? it's tough to be a teen huh? i asked Taylor if it would've been better to have someone like Pikey kick off their dances and she thought it would've been good. all week long she told me the dances were lame....and honestly, Paige wasn't real excited about much of her kids activities. anyone else's kids? or was it a repeat cruiser thing?

but -- really -- and most importantly we had a FANTASTIC WEEK! we all did! it was soooo nice to meet everyone and chat and bump into folks. i may not get my photos up right away, i'm actually taking off again tomorrow just for an overnighter with my mom and 2 girlfriends, our annual trip to the Vera Bradley outlet sale

i had 757 digital pictures, how about you?

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

WELCOME BACK EVERYONE!​

I hope everyone had a safe trip back (for those that are back already!). Our flight from Orlando left about 30 minutes late, so we had to RUN as fast as we could through the Minneapolis airport to catch our connecting flight! They were even paging us saying if we weren't there in two minutes, it was going to leave without us! We barely made it! Oh, and Lennon got sick as we were landing in Omaha. Blech!

I know that dizzy feeling, too! I had just been feeling it occasionally when I would stand up, but sitting here at my computer trying to work is almost enough to make me sick, too! I've got way too much catch-up to do to even think about not sitting here, though!

We had 575 photos on our camera. It felt like we took five times that much, but that's still a lot for seven days!

My work is sitting here not getting done, so I guess I'll get back to it. Justin took today off, so he's doing pretty good at keeping the laundry piles under control. Maybe later in the week as I get more caught up on my work I'll have more time to check back and post photos. I just wanted to give a big welcome home to everyone!

 

[trings]

I hope everyone made it home safe. Our trip home went well, no surprises....no cat locked in the closet (she lived) no refrigerator turned off by the youngest child who thought that we had to turn EVERYTHING off (boy that was not pretty!)

The cruise for us was absolutely fabulous, we really got lucky with the weather and the sea conditions. This was the first time for us on Castaway Cay with such great weather! My boys had a great time and made a few new friends. I don't think we could have asked for a better cruise.

Val, your kids were a delight to watch at dinner!!! I hope they had a great time on the ship.

Margaret, thank you so much for the parasailing..and for putting up with my boys....Caitlyn, Tim, Josh, Justin, Monica and Casey seemed to be inseperable on the ship. I don't know how they will survive without each other!

I wish we could have had more time to get to know everyone. So much to do with so little time.

Time to start planning another one!!

Diane

 

[ohMom]

amanda are you back?? i have pictures of your DH parasailing to email you!!

i'm STILL unpacking and doing laundry! can justin come over?

 

[alikat99]

Hey guys - we're back too! We got home late last night from WDW, so I'm a little tired still. And, I think that either I'm coming down with something, or my sinuses are acting up. In either case, between the vertigo and my sinuses, my head is aching.

I really enjoyed getting to know you guys!! Amanda, Mark, Emily, Cindy and Eric were the BEST tablemates. Thanks for GREAT dinners!! To the "birthday fairy", thanks for the birthday celerations on our door too. You know who you are!!!

I didn't get to spend a LOT of time with some of you, but it was great to see people around the ship, stopping to say HI, badger me about my Shutters addiction (don't even ask how much I spent there), and just show a smile when they passed by. We had a great time swimming with the stingrays with our DIS friends too.

We had a GREAT vacation, and I do owe some of that to you guys!!!!

And, if you're even remotely interested in our trip report (not sure that you would be, since you were with us), check out this link... http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1439216

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

Val, your kids were a delight to watch at dinner!!! I hope they had a great time on the ship.

I don't think they made it through one single dinner without falling asleep! Even on Friday when they were in the OC, we were paged that Lennon wanted to be picked up at Topsiders. Justin went to get him, and he was fast alseep in a CM's arms! After a short nap in the room, he wanted to go right back! When I rebooked, though, I requested early dining. Hopefully that will work out better next time, but I'm sure they'll be quite a bit older by the time we actually keep a date booked. But we all had a fabulous time! It was a GREAT vacation!

I wish we could have had more time to get to know everyone. So much to do with so little time.

Time to start planning another one!!

I feel bad that we weren't able to make it to some of the DIS meets (Promenade, CC), but the boys would NOT get out of the Mickey Pool! At CC, we rented snorkeling equipment, so we thought we would pick a spot close to the snorkeling area first, but we ended up staying there instead of moving to the far end.

i'm STILL unpacking and doing laundry! can justin come over?

Unfortunately, shortly after I mention that, he seemed to "forget" about it.

Amy, I love your new sig photo! Their dresses are so adorable! Did you scan it into your computer to upload it to photobucket? We only bought a few photos from Shutters, but I think the formal night one is going to be our Christmas card this year. Maybe when I get all caught up on my work, I can pick a new photo for my sig...(at this point, there's no end in sight to getting caught up )

 

[alikat99]

Amy, I love your new sig photo! Their dresses are so adorable! Did you scan it into your computer to upload it to photobucket? We only bought a few photos from Shutters, but I think the formal night one is going to be our Christmas card this year. Maybe when I get all caught up on my work, I can pick a new photo for my sig...(at this point, there's no end in sight to getting caught up )

Yep, I scanned it in tonight, then I uploaded it to photobucket. It was my absolute favorite picture from Shutters, so I just had to add it to my signature. Chris uploaded all of our pictures to our laptop, and I have no idea how to get them on my computer, so I have to wait for him for that.

 

[mickymania]

Corryn

Taylor felt pretty much the same way. i'm glad they got up and did the dance, but i agree, the last night? it's tough to be a teen huh? i asked Taylor if it would've been better to have someone like Pikey kick off their dances and she thought it would've been good. all week long she told me the dances were lame....and honestly, Paige wasn't real excited about much of her kids activities. anyone else's kids? or was it a repeat cruiser thing?

but -- really -- and most importantly we had a FANTASTIC WEEK! we all did! it was soooo nice to meet everyone and chat and bump into folks. i may not get my photos up right away, i'm actually taking off again tomorrow just for an overnighter with my mom and 2 girlfriends, our annual trip to the Vera Bradley outlet sale

i had 757 digital pictures, how about you?

Taylor actually liked the Stack, but Josh did not spend much time there -- he had more fun hangin with his new DIS friends Miranda was not nearly as excited about the lab compared to last time. She went for specific activities but was usually back within an hour.

It stinks to be back -- can you hear me whine? We had so much fun on the cruise and enjoyed talking with everyone. Even my husband, who was somewhat skeptical of DIS, really enjoyed meeting people. It was a fantastic week -- one that I am sure will be remembered forever.....and if not, I have my 600 digital pictures to remind me.

Molli - I thought you would laugh when I told you that Josh is still coloring like he did every night at the dinner table -- Taylor taught him well. On Saturday night, we were at an Olive Garden and he asked our server for a bigger variety of crayon colors. I had to remind him that the server was not David and he didn't have that many color options.

Hopefully, I will be able to post pictures soon -- back to bills and the laundry.

 

[curlybop]

Good morning everyone!

Well, after getting back to reality, I'm here once again. We flew home Saturday afternoon. Our flight was supposed to leave at 12:30pm, we got to the gate, they said "mechanical problems, delayed another hour" Yeah, just what I wanted to hear. But it was OK. Molli, we saw your family from a distance around the fountain at the airport when we were in the security line. Too bad we didn't get there earlier to chat for a moment. Oh, and yes, please send the photos! I had forgotten about you guys being on the boat with Mark. Emily & I had just gotten back to the room when the boat went by, so I did get a few pictures that way, and I'll send those to you.

Amy, I love the photo you chose for your signature. We really enjoyed our dinner time with you guys, and Cindy & Eric. Emily is already asking when she can see your girls again. Tell Chris to get on the ball already, and upload those pictures.

I just can't believe it's all over. Sigh. We did rebook a dummy date though, so we will be going again, though we're not sure when. But right now, I just have to quit saying "last week at this time...."

I hope to have photos up soon. I think we had around 700, but I need to sort through them & pick out the best ones.

 

[ohMom]

Josh is still coloring like he did every night at the dinner table -- Taylor taught him well. On Saturday night, we were at an Olive Garden and he asked our server for a bigger variety of crayon colors. I had to remind him that the server was not David and he didn't have that many color options.

i think the kids had a great time at dinner -- i was glad to realize that b/c i was enjoying our adult conversations way to much to pay attention to them

i'm heading out shortly for an overnighter -- i will clean up my digitals and email when I return. I have photos for Amanda, Wendy, Sourmug (cheryl?) and Corryn I may have some of the kids? I'll send in .jpeg format unless anyone tells me otherwise -- PM me so i am sure to see it. Wendy, i'll burn a disk for you like we talked b/c i have so many so can you email or PM me your snail mail?

I have adobe photoshop elements 6.0 if anyone has that and wants it in that format.

and microsoft picture it!

oh! i have one for dadlvsdisney too -- the wine tasting

sorry to leave it all hanging just no time today!!

i'm feeling a pang of regret for not rebooking, i knew i would -- but preston said we will go again. probably with the new ships

 

[koby]

Welcome back
I'm back to work today. What I miss the most is the food. Last night I was craving creme brulee and any kind of chocolate. I'm also missing the rasberry cosmos. We did rebook for next November. It was my husband's idea. I guess he hadn't seen the final bill yet. I'm looking forward to reading the trip reports.

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

So, Idol fans...

ISN'T BLAKE AWESOME?​

Sorry, I just had to get that out. I think Phil and Chris should go tonight. The other four are definitely my favorites.

Anyway, I'm just taking a quick break from my stack of work to ask if anyone else is still feeling the dizziness. I thought it would have been back to normal by now, but I'm still a little whirly in the head at times. At least it's not as bad as it was on Monday. Who would have thought that the only time I got really seasick was two days after the cruise ended.

 

[Corryn]

Hi again everyone
I am regretting that we werent' able to get the same dining rotation as you all. But with the big party, we didn't want to screw things up.
I have 766 photos, but all are not worthy of my Photobucket account!

Molli, I'll take the pics, just email them over with the jpg...
I have a few photos too. tonight I was supposed to "catch up", but I sat here for two hours going throught the pictures and cropping them, etc. before I bring them over to Costco to print them out. When I upload them to Photobucket, I'll just send whomever would like the link to my album and you're free to take what you want.

Kyra and Tori were saying that you guys will be cruising again in two years?
Our next vacation will not be with our family. We havent had a vacation just us four for quite a while now.....Mike and Kathy, though, we always vacation with them.

Tori left her phone someplace either at the terminal or on the ship.....We have to wait until the Magic docks this Saturday to see if it will turn up in the Lost and Found.

BTW, where were you guys at CC?
When we played volleyball, I saw Wendy and her family right by the court (the one that was in the water). We were a little more towards the ship.

And did anyone get to go to the Observation Tower?

I know my girls had a great time on that Wild Side adventure. They had wished that Taylor had joined them ...

I have to say that one of the best times I had on that ship was in the Internet Cafe while we were trying to print out our boarding passes on Friday night at 8:30!!!!
Trish (Koby) was there with our whole party, the printer wasn't working, a couple who were using the computers got pissed and walked off in a huff - When we figured out how to use the printer, it was the luck of the draw whose passes would come out when, or if your passes were even coming out - Scott was acting as if he were the BINGO caller as the passes were printing - What a great half hour!!!!
That was fun

Anyway, I'm just taking a quick break from my stack of work to ask if anyone else is still feeling the dizziness. I thought it would have been back to normal by now, but I'm still a little whirly in the head at times. At least it's not as bad as it was on Monday. Who would have thought that the only time I got really seasick was two days after the cruise ended.

Val, I thought it was just my vertigo that was doing it, but I guess it's affecting a lot of you, too....Yes, I'm still feeling it, but not like I was on Sunday. I couldn't get out of bed until noon on Sunday, and then I sat on the couch the rest of the day.
It will get better!

Anything else going on?

 

[cnj]

Hey everyone! I can't believe that I only saw Val and Amy onboard. Where was everyone? Did you guys have a wonderful time? I thought it was a perfect vacation. Can't wait to go back!

Jenni

 

[ohMom]

Molli,

Kyra and Tori were saying that you guys will be cruising again in two years?
Our next vacation will not be with our family. We havent had a vacation just us four for quite a while now.....Mike and Kathy, though, we always vacation with them.

BTW, where were you guys at CC?
When we played volleyball, I saw Wendy and her family right by the court (the one that was in the water). We were a little more towards the ship.

And did anyone get to go to the Observation Tower?

I know my girls had a great time on that Wild Side adventure. They had wished that Taylor had joined them ...

well Taylor might have said we were cruising in two years we aren't sadly our next Disney trip will be to the parks, i'm shooting for June 2009 but maybe June 2010.


at CC -- we went to the far end of the beach, actually we were close to Wendy and Vallen. If you walked down to the hair braiding station, we were just across them, there was an entrance path to the beach -- just past the kids play thing in the water but not quite to the volleyball. sorry we didn't find everyone! we were there until about 2 p.m. then we went parasailing. Preston and I snuck off about 12:30 and went to serenity beach for an hour, he had never been there and this was his 4th time at CC! the girls were in our spot during that time though, or in the water. I'll let Taylor know the girls missed her on the excursion, she'll like to hear that.

no observation tower for me -- totally forgot!!

Jenni -- i kept wondering where you were too!!

and yes -- rock on BLAKE!! now i'm a Bon Jovi fan -- had the hair and all in my high school days but he did them proud. we were a bit sad to see Phil go....it's getting to where they are all good and it's hard to see anyone go

Val --- no more rocking for me, just lasted about 2 days -- feeling better??

 

[curlybop]

Good morning everyone.

On Castaway, we just kept walking - met up with Amy & her family. Seems like most of you were just up the beach from us. Here are the views from where I was sitting:

Right:

Left:

Last night I went through one card of photos, cropped & edited a bit. Still have one card from Cozumel where I used the smaller camera to do. I'm going to pick out the best of the best & have a book printed up so we can show family & friends. Found some frames for my Shutters purchases, so we framed & displayed those last night. I bought 5 8x10's, and one of the smaller ones with us & the Captain. Not bad at all as far as photo purchases go.

I've finally stopped swaying. Coming home Saturday, and late Sat. night I told Mark that I didn't feel any effects at all, even after a shower, and being home a while. Thought it was odd, but maybe I lucked out. Go ahead, start laughing at me. Monday at work I felt it a bit, but Tuesday was bad - really bad. Guess that was the worst of it, because now I finally feel 'normal' again.

Oh well, back to work. I've been so busy since returning it's not even funny. But I expected it.

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

Hey everyone! I can't believe that I only saw Val and Amy onboard. Where was everyone? Did you guys have a wonderful time? I thought it was a perfect vacation. Can't wait to go back!

Jenni

Seriously?!?! It seems like I ran into almost everyone at least a few times...although there are a few people that I never did get a chance to meet (Cheryl). I thought it was funny that several people recognized me but I didn't know them because they didn't post family photos (Tricia the first day in the elevator , caniac [I think], and SnowyW). Corryn called out Justin's name during the muster drill (we were the last ones in our hallway to get out, so everyone else was already "in position"), and he ran into other people that are just stalkers that have never posted (shame on you! ), or he would be walking along and someone would yell "Duff!"

I wish we would have actually gotten a dinner table with at least one other family. I felt kind of like loners at a table all to ourselves when we knew that several others around us were all DISers having fun getting to know each other.

no observation tower for me -- totally forgot!!

We were planning on renting bikes and checking out the rest of the island and the observation tower but ran out of time. They just don't give you enough time in paradise! I can see a Double Dip in our future!

and yes -- rock on BLAKE!! now i'm a Bon Jovi fan -- had the hair and all in my high school days but he did them proud. we were a bit sad to see Phil go....it's getting to where they are all good and it's hard to see anyone go

Blake is SOOOOOOO awesome! I told Justin that his would definitely be a CD I would buy! As much as I like LaKisha, Melinda, and Jordin on the show, I don't know if I would buy their stuff. We'll see when it comes out, I guess.

I had to laugh when I found out it was Bon Jovi week and then was when the first song was "Blaze of Glory." Even though I was drunk after all that tequila, I do remember that as our (wrong) answer in the final question of pop culture trivia (or whatever the game was called--that part is a little fuzzy! Does anyone remember what the correct answer was? I don't! ). I'm hoping I can remember for the next several years how good that strawberry margarita was for the next cruise! I think I need to start a planning book already so I can jot down notes of these small things that I may forget over the next few years! Oh, Molli and Cyndi, I do have photos from our tequila tasting, so I can get them to you if you don't have any (at that point, I don't remember if you guys had your cameras, too, or not ). Just let me know if you want them, and I can email or snail mail.

We're going to a Cinco de Mayo party on Saturday and are planning on having margaritas. They only uses Jose Cuervo, though. When I had my Pampered Chef party with margaritas in January, I used Patron Silver because Justin told me not to "settle" for Cuervo. They didn't think Cuervo was "settling," but now we know for sure that Patron is better! Do you guys remember the recipe for the strawberry one? Maybe I can try to mix some up and bring that! YUM!

Val --- no more rocking for me, just lasted about 2 days -- feeling better??

I think I'm almost back to normal now. Sometimes I still slightly feel it, but for the most part, I think I'm normal (or at least as normal as I can be!).

I'm hoping I'll be all caught up on my work at the end of the day today. Talk about "fingers of fury" this week! Then it's time to start organizing my house again! What a disaster! I haven't had time to do anything this week! The laundry is getting washed/dried but not folded, the dishwasher has hardly been run, I have piles of stuff from suitcases to put away yet, bills, etc. Then it will be time to go through all the fun stuff! PHOTOS! I bought one of the big scrapbooks in the gift shop and a packet of DCL scrapbooking supplies. Of course, I couldn't pass up the Mickey head punch and scissors, too. I've only done one scrapbook (our honeymoon pictures), but I have boxes and boxes of supplies. Now I just need the time! I always thought my next scrapbooks would be specific ones for the boys, but that could take forever to complete, so I'll start this one first! It's only a week's worth instead of 5 and 3 years!

Did anyone else get a photo mat signed? I was kind of disappointed in mine, although I do appreciate that they took the time to do it. It only has the main characters on it--not all of them signed like the one that was posted a few weeks ago. I had a note written with it to have as many signatures as they could fit, but there was a form taped to it when I got it back that was checked to only do the main ones. I saw the guy in the room next to us had one in his hand as he was headed to his room, and his was just as covered in sigs as the posted one! I asked him how he did it, but he didn't know. He said he took his to GS the first day, and I think I did it on day 3 because we were hoping to buy shirts at the shops that could be signed, too (we ended up buying some that had sigs on it already because there were no other white ones!), but I guess I should have told the guy at GS to do them all. I thought they would have read the note I sent with it, though.

Well, my lunch is gone now, and my office computer is calling me. I still can't believe this vacation is over already. I MISS YOU GUYS!

 

[dvc2themax]

I had the photo frames to be signed and turned them in when we got on ship. I was disappointed as all of the signatures were in blue and not multicolored. The frame was covered with signatures. I had one with only princesses that included Wendy Darling? I bought the stock picture of all the princesses (including Wendy Darling?) and will give it to a friend of ours, who is 4, her name is Harley.

We are planning another cruise for April 2009 and will book as soon as those dates are out. This past cruise was wonderful.

Will post information regarding the meeting with 3 of the stage performers in anther post.

have to go to the town hall and get the dogs licensed!

-Paula

 

[dvc2themax]

This will have to be in several installments as it was on hour long, lots of information.

Might now go in order here, but will try the best I can.

The stage performers must audition to join the stage shows. They have auditions in many places, like New York City and Los Angeles. Once the 17 member group is picked, they are then made a team.

The stage performers that did the before dinner, after dinner shows, they have 6 month contracts - 2months are perfromed in Canada learning and rehearsing each of the stage show plays. One week is spent at the Disney Parks where they learn about the history and characteristics of cast members.

Like they learned that cast members will NOT point with their index/middle finger when giving directions. You should see them either use two fingers - middle AND index fingers together, or full open hand gesture when giving directions.

Then they get on the ship and shadow the troupe that is leaving for 2 weeks before they take over.

The group we had, Saturday, April 28, they were leaving the sjhip and were unemployed. The three people that were in the Q&A meet, did not have any jobs lined up. They are are performers and this is the life they choose, for now, and will start working up on looking for parts.

The three people we saw, sorry do not remeber names, but there was a woman with long blonde hair, and she use to get compliments about her eyes. Now she gets compliments on how EVIL they look. She played Lade Tremaine from Cinderella and Cruella DeVil. Anthoer young woman, she palyed Drusella and Ann Marie. Then a gentleman, from New Jersey, his main role was Simba.

All three said they got along great and there were no major injuries.

Until next installment.....

-Paula

 

[Corryn]

Amanda,
we were parked just to the left of the big water fort. When they FINALLY opened it in the afternoon, the kids went crazy!! It was so funny watching them. I got Kyra, Haylee and Josh (Wendy's Josh) on video acting like monkeys scaling the rope. Kyra and Josh's legs were so long, they were inches from the water, it was funny
We played volleyball in the water at around 3:30 and it was nice to have Wendy's son Taylor join in...The tide was coming in, so it was kinda hard to jump up for the ball, especially with the bathing suit!
I don't know if Taylor told you anything, Wendy, but I was laughing so hard...our friend Mike, my BIL Danny and his BF Andy and my husband were Ultra Competitive and were jumping like dolphins out of the water, it was hysterical. I kept trying to explain to Taylor how competitive the guys were, but I was too busy laughing so hard. I hope he had fun with us

Hey everyone! I can't believe that I only saw Val and Amy onboard. Where was everyone? Did you guys have a wonderful time? I thought it was a perfect vacation. Can't wait to go back!
Jenni

Jenni!!!!!!!! Where Were You!!!!!! You saw all our photos, you could have come up to us!!!! I wanted to see your hair!!!!
What was your dining rotation? Main or Late seating? What was your room number?
Unfortunately, we had LAPLAPL...I could have done with less Lumieres.....


And everybody, who was the Secret LGMH giver???????

Corryn called out Justin's name during the muster drill :

Val, I stood there for three seconds wanting to call out DUFF!! But I knew that it wasn't his name...Thank God I remembered Justin! (I know you guys said Duff is from some show, but I don't know it, I just know you guys kept calling him that!)

BTW, I saved my place mat from the Margarita tasting...Here's the recipie:

1 part 1800 Tequila
3/4 part Chambord
2 part Margarita Mix
Fresh Strawberries

for the regular margarita, omit the strawberries and switch the Chambord to Grand Marnier.
I wish I had done the tastings with you guys. Eddie and Lynette were making those reservations....I told them what I wanted, but what I wanted, I guess, isn't what someone else wanted
I do remember those first few minutes on the boat trying to arrange everything was stressful. My MIL was upset because our table arrangements got all messed up, so I had to run and make sure everything was put back the way it should have been. Then me and Ed were making the reservations for the tastings, but then Lynette was yelling at me for something and then Ed would yell at me, I told them that they should duke it out and leave me out of it, and that's how our tastings got scheduled.....

Paula, as for the stage performers, while we were on the outside of the port waiting for the guys to come pick us up with the rental cars, I saw two guys that I know were CM's on the cruise. They both had their street clothes on and they were both pulling luggage, like they were leaving. I was wondering why CM's would be dressed like that with luggage, now I know. I also recall seeing one of them in the Twice Charmed show....

There was a lot of drama behind the scenes, but I can say that this vacation was extremely relaxing...My co-workers, my students and my night- classmates noticed a big difference; they say I seem much more relaxed, and I'm sure being soo tan helps, too!
I'm taking my final on Saturday and our departmental A&P final next Thursday night. This vacation was a real stress reliever for me, you remember how stressed I was beforehand. I feel much better

Like I said before, if any of you make it into Manhattan, we would love to see you

Tomorrow I wanted to go see Spiderman 3, but I have so much running around to do....Is anyone going to see 28 weeks later? That looks !!!

I've just read on the DIS that the Epcot restaurants are being remodeled. I Can't Wait! I love Mexico and Germany and Japan.....I would love to see a newly remodeled Japan and Mexico. They'll be finished in 2008, but I don't think I'll get down there until about two years after that unless I win lotto

I'm watching the news and it said that as of June 1, Disney is making all of its hotels and timeshares smoke free and if they catch you smoking, you'll be fined $500 for cleaning services.

Are you guys still going to post here every once in a while because I really like "hanging out" with you all.....Please don't leave me