Aug 3 Western Disney Magic Roll Call

[floridaminnie]

I just wanted to welcome all the newcomers to our thread. I can't wait to meet all of you!

 

[mmouse37]

I don't mind meeting on Deck 10 for sailaway to meet everyone!!! I have lime green pipe cleaners (could not find ribbon) that is will twist onto my shoulder bag. Don't know what I'll be wearing.

Nicole....Did you read the post about the kid who jumped off Deck 4 while we were in port in St. Thomas. That was on our 7/7/01 cruise. They found out what he did because when he went to get back on the ship he was soaking wet and when they swiped his card it showed that he had never left the ship (by way of the gangway, at least!!!) They put two and two together. The Captain had in "house arrest" for the remainder of the cruise. He could only leave his cabin accompanied by his parents. They were so concerned because the ship was testing the propellers at the time you can only imagine what could have happened. He apparently did it on a dare.

That was also the cruise that a man had a medical emergency and we could not leave CC until 10:30 at night (everyone had to stay on the ship while they airlifted him off the island). That put us very late into Port Canaveral and many people missed their morning flights.

The drunken guy was unbelievable. This happened on our 2/23/02 cruise. My DD18 handled it very well, though when she found us to tell us she was still shaking. The woman was very grateful and the little boy looked so sad. Apparently the mom didn't go on the cruise (they were separated) and the little boy and dad were in one cabin. Other family members were travelling in another cabin and that woman was very concerned for the little boy because the boy's dad was drunk all the time. The little boy wondered out of the cabin and was lost on the ship for awhile. When the woman went to confront the boy's dad, that's when all heck broke loose. She wanted to take care of the boy for the remainder of the cruise but the father kept yelling that she was trying to kidnap the boy and that he would kill her for it. It was a mess. I have to say that Disney security was there in a heartbeat.

I think putting a list together is fine....anyone else?

MJ

 

[Mtdewbuzz]

I called my TA yesterday expressing my concern about not receiving my cruise docs yet. They call ed back & told me that they had received them ,and would be mailing them in time for me to receive them tomorrow.

Which makes me wonder how long I would have been waiting had I NOT called.....

Oh, well- 17 more days & I'll be on a Disney Cruise!! Hooray!!

 

[mmouse37]

Well, I offically started packing today. I sorted thru some clothes and have a pile going in the corner of the room. I have not pulled out the suitcases yet, but soon!!!

MJ

 

[Mtdewbuzz]

I'm going to start my "pack list" in the next few days. Once I have a list, it nevers takes me very long to get everything packed (assuming all my clothes are clean). I'm going to do little shopping this weekend too for shorts & maybe pants.

Oh, but I DID get my documents yesterday as promised!! YAY!!!

 

[DuncanLL]

We don't sail until Nov. 9th, but I just wanted to ask any of you who can to please write trip reports when you return - especially about excursions. This will be our 5th DCL cruise, but 1st on the Western. If you've done the Eastern before, let us know what's different on the Western.

Your comments and suggestions will be so helpful as we continue to plan...

Linda

 

[nancyz]

We are also starting to pack this weekend, and making sure the boys, 5 and 3, have enough clothes for the week. DH will probably pack the night before we leave, as usual.

Linda, I'll be keeping a journal of our trip, so I plan on writing a trip report. Just to let you know, we have excursions booked for KW, GC, and Coz. Waverunners, Stingray City, and Jeep Safari Tour. All excursions were booked independently, so that should give others a different perspective.

Can't wait to meet everyone on Deck 10. I'll be in Nicole's group with the blue tie die shirts and bubbles.

Nancy

 

[ExecuMom]

Already started too!! I make my list and then start putting things in the guest room so that they go in the suitcase. I'm really going to try not to overpack, put it's hard.

Two weeks to go!!!

 

[mmouse37]

Brought my list to Wal-Mart tonight and picked up two Fuji underwater cameras for $7.88 ea (27 exp), some more sunscreen, highlighters, coated wire hangers (12 for .88). I always pack my clothes on hangers in the suitcase and then just pull them out and hang them in the closet in the cabin. I used to use the plastic tubular ones, but they take up so much space. I thought these would work much better.

They did not have the over the door shoe holder or the lanyards for the KTTW cards. I'll look elsewhere.

Two weeks from tonight we will be having our first dinner onboard!!!

MJ

 

[ExecuMom]

I got the same Fuji camaras. I heard they take the best underwater pictures. So in addition to the disposable camarras I always buy the kids when we vacation, I got two of these as well.

mmouse - if you go on-line to target.com you can order the shoe holders, and the lanyards, and have them delivered. I didn't have time to hunt around for them so did that and it was great!


Michele

 

[MCazer]

I got my over the door shoe hold at Target last year, I bought the clear one, so that I could see everything through it. It was the best thing in the world. It also kept the bathroom free of cluter (and me) and the draws clear too.

I picked up great lanyards last year at OLD NAVY. They are great and they usually have such nice patriotic colors!

I have also purchased a huge box of Gallon Slide Lock bags and as I do laundry and see a cute outift, I iron it, put a pair of matching socks and underwear for the kids. This way, each day, they can open their draw, take a bag, and dress themselves. They get to choose, but the draw stays nice and neat, and I don't have to refold and refold. The stay nicer (less wrinkled) in the plastic too.

Alas, I don't think my clothes would fit in the gallon bags . Bummer.

Oh, I also got some travel toilet seat covers for my kids when we go into port. I hate it when the bathrooms are disgusting and there is no toilet paper, and nothing for the kids to sit down on. They were .79 and they were with the travel stuff (like neck pillows etc.) at a local CVS pharmacy. Just a little headsup if you decide to do the Tulum tour - Bring your own toilet paper! When we were there, there was a women passing out sheets of toilet paper and she definately wanted some money in return. I had none, but I had tissues. Not sure if it is still the same, but you never know!

 

[mmouse37]

Great ideas!!! My DD14 Allison and I are off to Target to look for the over the door shoe holder and some other stuff.

I think I waited too long to look for a bathing suit. Most of the stores already have had them on clearance and not much selection left!!!! I can't believe they are pushing "back to school" and fall fashions already. I HATE THAT!!! Let's enjoy the summer while it is summer. I don't want to think of what I have to buy for back to school yet!!!

MJ

 

[BarbaraB]

Mcazer: Thanks for the tip on the toliet paper. We had that experience in Europe, had to pay for it and they would give you one square!!!. I had forgotten all about it until I saw your post. Will definitely bring tissue.

Walmart had some really cute lanyards yesterday in their kids department. Smiley faces, princesses, flowers, etc. I bought Fuji underwater cameras yesterday too!!

Haven't started packing, but am starting to "gather" things.

We leave a week from Tuesday.

 

[tinkerbell4two]

Execumom-Did you say you were buying your kids? (HA-HA)

I'm a little dingy tonight. Just got home from a four day quick-trip to SeaWorld and Legoland in So. Cal. which included a family reunion and meeting up with three friends and their families while driving over 1000 miles. Just a weeee-bit tired. But we had a great time and used this time to see what we really wanted to bring on the cruise. 1) two umbrella strollers and connectors to lock them together, 2) a 2 quart rubbermaid screw top pitcher to tote around drinks with our disposable sippy cups, 3)hats and sunscreen (will bring kids sunglasses, but they didn't want to keep them on), MORE digi cam MEMORY. We actually used all of our memory up (128- and 64-MB cards) in two days and this was after I went through and weeded out the bad shots.
I'm washing tonight and I'll really start to pack tomorrow. DH must let me know what he wants to bring or will be wearing his flight attire all week.
Just need sunglass neck floats and snacks for the plane. DD 1 1/2 loves the new astroids ( mini cheetos) in the black bottles. So, I'll have to bring a case of those with us as well.

MCazer- love your idea about the kid's outfits-in-a-bag each day. I tried to do something similar on this trip with the pack-mate no-air bags and it worked out great to keep me organized.

Nicole

 

[Blu eyz235]

Hey~

Haven't been to the boards in awhile, been sooo busy with things and packing (we leave for florida thursday!!! Yippee!!!), wondeirng if there's a DIS meet spot? Unfortunately we won't be able to go online while in florida, so was just curious before we leave?! Ok, well see u all on the 3rd!!!

 

[tinkerbell4two]

Blu eyz- We figure that most of us will see each other in the main lobby at 10:30 or so, but the place we plan to meet at is the 10th deck for cast-off. Look for lots of blue tie-dye shirts and bubbles.

See you there!
Nicole

 

[Mtdewbuzz]

mmouse- you explained the hangars, but why highlighters? I'm assuming to highlight your navigators, am I right?

As far as underwater cameras go, I got a Kodak sport one. I've heard it is wise when getting underwater pics developed to have the photo processors add +10 to the red so they come out more colorful, and less green/blue. Anyone know if this is true??

 

[mmouse37]

mtdewbuzz....yep....highlighters are for the Navigators. With 5 in our immediate family we are always doing different things. I am bringing 4 colors so my hubby and I can do what we want and the kids can highlight what they want.

It always seem I look at it in the morning and say Oh, at 3:00 I want to do such and such and always seem to forget what I wanted to do (old age). Now I highlight everything in the morning and keep checking to see what the next activity is that I highlighted. I do not know the answer to your questions about the +10, but I know I read that the Fuji's are supposed to be better for underwater because they pick up more blues and greens. There was a thread about it a few weeks ago.

MJ

 

[snelsonbrown]

Hello there - I know you are all getting super excited about your trip and everyone is making sure that nothing is forgotten - Now what I wanted to share with each of you that if you are interested in getting some information about Key West plus where you get discounts etc, all you have to do is email me at snelsonbrown@aol.com and let me know.
Meanwhile have a safe trip down here and if you find you are in need of help, don't hesitate to call the shop or my cell phone ok.
Always
Shirley

 

[mmouse37]

Hi Shirley....our group is going to be down in Cocoa Beach the whole day on the 2nd. We should arrive about 11:00 am. I would love to stop in and pick up some info about Key West discounts, etc, but more importantly would just love to meet you!!!!

I am taking your store address and phone # with me so I can stop by on the 2nd.

Looking forward to it.

MJ