August 1st 2009 - Eastern 8/1/2009 The Eastern Caribbean Castaways

[SpinDisc]

Hi guys

Kim and Dave many congratulations for the anniversary.

Well my docs came today However no little UPS man they came via fedex (first time ever)

Hope the Show goes well and also the baseball

Things are very hectic here too.

Take care and I'll catch up later after I've put tea on

BTW MAdonna was fab well worth the 25yrs wait -

Glad to hear the Madonna concert was good - I'm not a huge fan, but I heard she puts on a great show.

We got our docs yesterday. Quick question about those - have any of you done the on-line check-in on the Disney website? I guess it's a pre-check-in or something like that. I filled out all of the information, but I'm wondering if anyone has does this on a previous trip, and if so, did it work well? Did you get through the lines quicker when boarding the ship? Just curious.

 

[MelissaLG]

We got our docs yesterday. Quick question about those - have any of you done the on-line check-in on the Disney website? I guess it's a pre-check-in or something like that. I filled out all of the information, but I'm wondering if anyone has does this on a previous trip, and if so, did it work well? Did you get through the lines quicker when boarding the ship? Just curious.

It's our first time for the online check-in as well. I had already filled out the online forms by the time I got my cruise docs in the mail this week, and it seems like we got a lot less stuff than on previous Disney cruises. (We used to get a big packet including a forms "booklet" for each of us; this time we only got one booklet.) I would certainly hope it gets us through the check-in process more quickly, but I don't know for sure. I am curious, too, if anyone has experience with it!

P.s. Quick SpinDisc - Post 8 more times! LOL

 

[MrsJobba1]

To be honest I think the online check in saves you time handwriting and filling in the documents rather than time in the line.

Although I go in the alien line which is always not as busy

However im such a worrier I do both

 

[MrsJobba1]

6 more posts

 

[MrsJobba1]

5

 

[MelissaLG]

To be honest I think the online check in saves you time handwriting and filling in the documents rather than time in the line.

Although I go in the alien line which is always not as busy

However im such a worrier I do both

That's a good point about saving handwriting time. In both of our previous cruises, we did the Land & Sea combination and checked in for the cruise at the hotel. Both times I got stuck in line behind someone who had either not filled out their forms ahead of time (similar to that person who pulls out their checkbook and begins writing AFTER their total is rung up in the checkout line) or filled them out wrong. Yes, I'm impatient but I always took the time to make sure ours were filled out correctly, ahead of time.

Well, it is what it is. Only 23 days until we leave! Must start packing soon.

 

[SpinDisc]

To be honest I think the online check in saves you time handwriting and filling in the documents rather than time in the line.

Although I go in the alien line which is always not as busy

However im such a worrier I do both

Hey, if I can skip handwriting, I'm all for it. I'm also impatient, so I'm glad I did the on-line check-in. Just gotta remember to pack all those forms in my carry-on.

What are we down to? 3 or 4 to go?

 

[MrsJobba1]

2 more posts

 

[MelissaLG]

2 more posts

Okay, I'll be 749. LOL

 

[ScubaD]

OK, here is #750. Thanks for the opportunity shipmates.

Dave

 

[SpinDisc]

OK, here is #750. Thanks for the opportunity shipmates.

Dave

Congrats, Dave!

Only 29 more to go till the next

 

[joycsk]

Congrats, Dave!

Only 29 more to go till the next

Dear Spin,

You appear to be younger than several of us who are travelling, but are you young enough to have had "Everyday Math?" Your reply sound SO much like something my 8 yo would come up with!

Do any of the other parents here have as much trouble with Everyday Math as I do? (Helen, this is a recent math program that is taking all the schools around me by storm. People who teach math, whom I trust, tell me that it really is good for the kids, but it completely baffles many of us parents who grew up learning more 'traditional' math - the kids add, subtract, multiply and divide from LEFT to Right!)

Anyway, on our 4 day cruise two years ago, we did the online check in. But I am _certain_ that I printed many more forms. Now it only says that we have to print the signature page and not all of the pages. Someone mentioned that the real forms seem shorter, so I guess this may be in line with an entire policy change, but it seems pretty wild to me. I handled the check in myself for a group of 5 last time and the check in process was _very_ short for me. However, we spent a _lot_ of time waiting in port to board once we were checked in.

I'm trying to get there earlier this time and hopeful that we'll be able to board sooner!

 

[lostatdisney]

If you're talking about the "French Riviera Beach Rendezvous" I checked out the beach and the nude part of it is much further down than we'll be. Of course their still might be someone headed there that is "nudie patootie" but we're chancing it. Jack is telling everyone that he is heading to the nude beach with his mother-in-law because it sounds spicier that way!

From what I understand, the ones that are lacking clothing are not the ones that teenage boys would want to see without their bathing suits!

 

[disneymom8589]

Our original plan had us on the Disney Magic this week while we celebrated our 25th anniversary (today, July 7th). Though we are not on the high seas, my life has been a great cruise for these many years. Thanks for a great life disneymom8589, and thanks for introducing me to Disney so many years ago.

ScubaD

Looking forward to seeing all of you in a few weeks

Thanks, Babe!!

 

[disneymom8589]

Dear Spin,

You appear to be younger than several of us who are travelling, but are you young enough to have had "Everyday Math?" Your reply sound SO much like something my 8 yo would come up with!

Do any of the other parents here have as much trouble with Everyday Math as I do? (Helen, this is a recent math program that is taking all the schools around me by storm. People who teach math, whom I trust, tell me that it really is good for the kids, but it completely baffles many of us parents who grew up learning more 'traditional' math - the kids add, subtract, multiply and divide from LEFT to Right!)

Anyway, on our 4 day cruise two years ago, we did the online check in. But I am _certain_ that I printed many more forms. Now it only says that we have to print the signature page and not all of the pages. Someone mentioned that the real forms seem shorter, so I guess this may be in line with an entire policy change, but it seems pretty wild to me. I handled the check in myself for a group of 5 last time and the check in process was _very_ short for me. However, we spent a _lot_ of time waiting in port to board once we were checked in.

I'm trying to get there earlier this time and hopeful that we'll be able to board sooner!

I teach 2nd grade and we use the Everyday Math program, too. Some of it I like and some of it just seems like a more complicated way to teach the "traditional" form of carrying and borrowing. They give it nice fancy names like "trade first" and "partial sums algorithm" instead!

By the way, thanks to everyone for their well wishes for our 25th anniversary yesterday! We're looking forward to really celebrating and relaxing on the cruise!! It sounds like many families are busy this summer with plays, baseball, and VBS!! I'm sure you all will be ready for some "down time", too!!

 

[marcij]

1. Amen to the congratulations on 25 years!

2. Our family wish Bennett and Johnna the best! (Will they do the talent show on the ship? Alison thinks about it, but can't decide what to do.) Also, may I ask Johnna's favorite princess?

2a. I had to laugh about your schedule and cleaning. My kids go to VBS the week we leave - their last night is the night before we board the plane. And we, too, need to clean for the cat/fish sitters and I need to do some more before my kids first piano lesson tomorrow!

3. Marci, it is so exciting to hear about your boys! But I can't _believe_ your heat index!! Here in the east, it has been very cool and _very_ rainy this summer. I feel totally unprepared for the Caribbean weather!

23 days until FLA.

Even with these hot days, we aren't as humid as Florida or the Caribbean so I'll be sweating with you. Today will be a good warm-up. Andrew's game today is again at 3:45, but the heat index is supposed to be 111.

Hi guys

Kim and Dave many congratulations for the anniversary.

Well my docs came today However no little UPS man they came via fedex (first time ever)

Hope the Show goes well and also the baseball

Things are very hectic here too.

Take care and I'll catch up later after I've put tea on

BTW MAdonna was fab well worth the 25yrs wait -

I'm so glad you enjoyed the concert. Yeah for docs!

Glad to hear the Madonna concert was good - I'm not a huge fan, but I heard she puts on a great show.

We got our docs yesterday. Quick question about those - have any of you done the on-line check-in on the Disney website? I guess it's a pre-check-in or something like that. I filled out all of the information, but I'm wondering if anyone has does this on a previous trip, and if so, did it work well? Did you get through the lines quicker when boarding the ship? Just curious.

I agree with the others. I've done on-line check-in or before that filled out the docs ahead, and it seems to only save handwriting. Except -- if you don't do it ahead of time you are standing back by the wall filling out paperwork instead of boarding or taking pics in the terminal. I've seen "The Look" from lots of people as they realize they didn't do their homework...

Dear Spin,

You appear to be younger than several of us who are travelling, but are you young enough to have had "Everyday Math?" Your reply sound SO much like something my 8 yo would come up with!

Do any of the other parents here have as much trouble with Everyday Math as I do? (Helen, this is a recent math program that is taking all the schools around me by storm. People who teach math, whom I trust, tell me that it really is good for the kids, but it completely baffles many of us parents who grew up learning more 'traditional' math - the kids add, subtract, multiply and divide from LEFT to Right!)

Anyway, on our 4 day cruise two years ago, we did the online check in. But I am _certain_ that I printed many more forms. Now it only says that we have to print the signature page and not all of the pages. Someone mentioned that the real forms seem shorter, so I guess this may be in line with an entire policy change, but it seems pretty wild to me. I handled the check in myself for a group of 5 last time and the check in process was _very_ short for me. However, we spent a _lot_ of time waiting in port to board once we were checked in.

I'm trying to get there earlier this time and hopeful that we'll be able to board sooner!

My kids learned the montessori way as it's easier for dyslexics to physically have beads and the other manipulatives in their hands. That being said, they got their math skills from their Dad and have to ask him when they have a question about homework. It didn't take much to pass my skills.

 

[MrsJobba1]

I spoke to DCL yesterday and today I have had an email.

It states that we are booked in the private room Sunday Aug 2nd for brunch at 10:30


I have to reconfirm when I board on the Saturday which I will do happily.


It would be good if we could meet at Palo around 10.20 on the Sunday - if thats ok with everyone. The email states that any individual reservations have been cancelled - if you could all check your dcl reservation please. And PM me to confirm.

At the moment it is for the origional 12 but I have emailed DCl to add on Scott and Anisa.
Policy:

· Age

o Guests must be 18 years or older to dine at Palo.

· Dress Code

Jeans are not allowed for dinner or brunch:

o Men - A dress shirt or jacket is required.

o Women - A dress or pantsuit is recommended.

· Cancellation

o 100% of the Palo Dining Option of $15 per Guest is applied to the Guests' folio, when the Guests do not show or have not cancelled by 2:00 PM the night the reservation is confirmed.

Smoking-is not permitted

Have a MAGICal cruise and Bon Voyage!!



I am so happy - I had a great brunch there 2 yrs ago with a group of dissers and it felt special to have our own room

 

[MrsJobba1]

Just another update Scott and Anisa have been included;

The 14 are :Jobling x2
Ness x2
lefebvre x2
Burgess x4
Johnson x2
Moretti x2


Thanks all - Goodnight x

 

[ScubaD]

Who is going to join me on this? Sounds like fun.

The following article is from the "BLOG" section found on the homepage of the DisBoards. David Parfitt is a roaming reporter for the podcast crew. Go to the blog section and he has even pictures of the 5K run on Castaway Cay.

So here is David's article:

While I was on the Disney Wonder for the Four Day Podcast Cruise in May, I noticed an entry on the Navigator for our day on Castaway Cay (Day 3). It said 5K run, 8:30am, meet at gangway. Now I had heard about this run from previous cruisers, and heard you get to go out on the island before anyone else. Plus, it would be a good way to work off some of the extra calories I’ve consumed during the cruise. OK, this is one of the reasons I run – so I can do some touring on my feet. So come along with me on a running tour of Castaway Cay.


It was an absolutely gorgeous day on Castaway Cay. It was sunny and 80 degrees, incredibly humid, but not unbearably hot yet at 8:30am. There were about 10 of us who have come out to run this particular morning including at least 4 or 5 fellow DISers from the Podcast Cruise. The run was not a race, but a guided 5k saunter along the island with a Cast Member. Our guide was Jacyln the Captain’s Personal Assistant. Jaclyn does the Castaway Cay 5k loop a couple times a week, and she also runs in Nassau, the other port-of-call for the Disney Wonder.





First we walked over to the map of Castaway Cay, and Jaclyn went over the running route with us. Jaclyn told us the hazards of running on Castaway Cay, and explained we will have to dodge many people along the route. She also told us what paths to avoid so we would not get hit by the tram. Finally, Jaclyn told us there was water all along the course housed in coolers designed to look like cargo crates.



We started our run at the Castaway Cay map, ran past the boat charter and the tram stop. We headed through the eating areas, past Cookie’s Bar-B-Q, and into the retail shop areas. Of course, nothing was open at the time. When we came to the bike rentals, we bore to the right, and made our way to the landing strip. We ran right down the Castaway Cay runway past the “wreckage” of an old airplane.





Along the way, I was able to run with a few of DISers including my fellow Muddy Buddy Don (dpuck1998), Karen (klam_chowder), and Frank (FireDancer). Following the landing strip, the rest of the run was along the bike trails of Castaway Cay.






When we reached the end of the bike trail, there was a wonderful view of a tranquil “deserted” beach. This sight alone was worth the effort of the run.



Now it was time to loop back, and head back to the ship. Below are views along the bike trail during the run.





We ran back down the runway, and there were some excellent views of the ship if you wanted to stop and take pictures. At this point, I needed to get back to my family on the ship. [My wife was waiting for me for our Palo Brunch.] Then we worked our way through the shops and dining areas back to the ship where we started. It was a great run. It was an excellent way to wake up, and besides, how many times can you run on a tropical island? The run was a particularly good way for me to get oriented to the island since I had never been there before. If you’re a morning person and like to exercise, I would definitely give this 5K a try. Plus, at the end of the day when I got back to my room, I had a nice certificate to mark the occasion.

 

[ScubaD]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5LteQgBIMA

Shipmates,

We are one week away from giving my daughter to a very special young man. As we near the day we are practicing our father/daughter dance from the song "Cinderella" by Steven Curtis Chapman. I have included a video of the song, and we are even using a neighbor girl to play the young Melissa.

I will post the actual dance after next weekend.

Dave