August 9, 2011 (8/9/2011) Taking the Wonder to see the AMERICAN CHILD

[shslaca]

Thanks for the replies! Where in SoCal are you? We live in the San Fernando valley. How old are your kids?I have a 6yo boy and 15mo girl.

Thanks for the packing list. I hope I have the right stuff for my son! I bought things for me today, but wasn't able to find water or wind-proof pants for my son. Do you think that regular sweats or pants will be ok if he has a warm jacket and sweatshirt and gloves, etc???

I'm looking forward to meeting people. We are heading to Vancouver on Sat. Any suggestions on what to do there?

Thanks again,

Sloane

 

[cyclenut]

Thanks for the replies! Where in SoCal are you? We live in the San Fernando valley. How old are your kids?I have a 6yo boy and 15mo girl.

Thanks for the packing list. I hope I have the right stuff for my son! I bought things for me today, but wasn't able to find water or wind-proof pants for my son. Do you think that regular sweats or pants will be ok if he has a warm jacket and sweatshirt and gloves, etc???

I'm looking forward to meeting people. We are heading to Vancouver on Sat. Any suggestions on what to do there?

Thanks again,

Sloane

I'm from Orange County and my "kids" are on the older side with most being adults now.

DD-22
DS-20
DD-18
DD-16
and we've got "the boyfriend" along.

When I told them they might want gloves for the glacier they looked at me funny ... "gloves? I have no idea where I may have put them"

Oh my ... this is going to get interesting.

 

[teriyaki]

here is a picture of our family...just to make it easier for people to recognize us at the dis meet.

it's me (Susie), my husband (Ray), and our boys. this was taken a year ago...but we still look the same...i think!

Nice picture. Now we'll recognize you (as long as you are all dressed and seated exactly like that). We are from SoCal also.

Here's what we look like, but President Obama won't be with us (that I know of, anyway)

 

[lori_vinciguerra]

Laundry is in progress, packing starts today! We have 4 days of work and then leave for Vancouver on Friday. I'm so excited but very anxious about packing. It seems like it's going to be hard not to over-pack for this one. We are taking the 4 day pre-trip from Vancouver to Whistler (booked through Disney). Is anyone else doing that?

 

[MagicMe]

So a couple of days ago some of you were talking about getting an email from DCL about your upcoming cruise. I hadn't received it but kept an eye out for one.

Well, yesterday I pull up my emails and see an email from DCL. A little skeptical since the title states "Reservation confirmation for ###" but I think well maybe this is the email you all talked about. So I open it to find:

"Great news! You've successfully booked your Disney cruise! Below is your reservation number and other details of your cruise plans as they stand right now. Please review it all. Be sure to visit our Planning Center at disneycruise.com/plan to manage all aspects of your voyage. From onboard experiences – like spa reservations and stateroom surprises, to adventures in our ports of call, it's your one stop planning place. There you can also make payments, change or update your cruise information, complete all travel documents and get a countdown of key dates. You can even schedule a special call from a Disney character.

We look forward to you sailing with us soon!"​

What a surprise! Considering I booked it in September of 2009 and it's been paid off since Feb of 2011!!!

Gotta love DCL!!!!!

 

[geffric]

I feel your pain - I have plantar faciitis, too!!! I finally went to a podiatrist and he had orthotics made (insurance paid for them). I wear my orthotics in my Mickey Crocs around the house, do my stretches and have been relatively pain-free since.. Can I be part of your PF stretching crew this cruise? LOL!

Since I broke my foot last year, I do all sorts of foot exercise.. can I join too???

i don't have a "formal list"...but this is what i wrote down for the boys...

7 t-shirts
5 undershirts
3 long sleeve shirts
3 dress shirts
7 underwears
2 shorts
3 pants/jeans
1 swimming trunk
1 suit
3 fleece/hoodies
1 turtle neck
1 big jacket
5 socks
1 flip flops
1 dress shoes
1 pj
1 beanie
1 gloves


ok...for all the packing experts...too much? too little? what do you think? we will be at vancouver couple days prior...so i plan on doing laundry midway thru our cruise...good idea, or not? any addition to the list is much appreciated! thanx!

I read thru your list and it seems way too much to me.. they only wear the dress shirt for dinner and then change so they only need one..no flip flops.. not going to the carribean..( at least that what i tell my kids). Mine are bringing one hoodie and buying one in skagway.and they are not bringing shorts only zip off pants that double as long pants and shorts,,

Thanks for the packing list. I hope I have the right stuff for my son! I bought things for me today, but wasn't able to find water or wind-proof pants for my son. Do you think that regular sweats or pants will be ok if he has a warm jacket and sweatshirt and gloves, etc???

I'm looking forward to meeting people. We are heading to Vancouver on Sat. Any suggestions on what to do there?

Thanks again,

Sloane

we have family in the valley..LOL\
try LL Bean for rain gear or Cabelas..I think what to see in Vancouver was answered on the facebook page..but there is a Vancouver thread on the Dis cruise boards..

I'm from Orange County and my "kids" are on the older side with most being adults now.

DD-22
DS-20
DD-18
DD-16
and we've got "the boyfriend" along.

When I told them they might want gloves for the glacier they looked at me funny ... "gloves? I have no idea where I may have put them"
QUOTE]


Mine are 18 and 20, they wont wear gloves either.. oh well.. maybe we can buy some in skagway ..or they can do what they do at school..

 

[geffric]

shslaca as some one else posted

If you are heading to Vancouver for the Alaska or repo itinerary there is a great coupon booklet available for the *top 10 Attractions*If you can find a CHEVRON gas station they are available at the checkout counterThe website is vancouverattractions.comThe coupons are for the listed attractions - each for a free admission with one purchasedcapilano suspension bridgestanley park horse drawn carriageharbour cruisescience worldvancouver lookoutDr Sun Yat-Sen GardensBurnaby Village Museum (carousel rides)Minter gardesHells gate airtram

 

[Caropooh]

This is the funniest thing I've read today. I HATE to wear any kind of shoes that restrict my feet - love my sandals. I did buy a pair of Ugg sneakers the other day to bring along and will only wear them when absolutely necessary. I even bought new socks to bring along in case I take my waterproof Clarks with me. I failed to mention that I HATE socks as well.

My doc told me I could wear any kind of shoes I want as long as my feet are happy . DH tried on a pair of those shape-up shoes and said they were very uncomfortable.


Thanks for the advise tho.

How could I forget that you have as much of a dislike for shoes and socks as I do!

 

[jilljill]

I'm also in the club that hasn't rec'd an email from DCL and so is DD - gotta love the lack of technology on Disney's end. Good thing it doesn't contain any helpful info.


Lori is that an ABD pre-trip or just a trip booked thru DCL? We're doing the ABD cruise add-on and really don't appreciate the lack of communication from them. We haven't rec'd anything from them since I booked it back in December, but my TA said a package was sent to us by UPS the end of last week so we should have that in the next day or so. For the money they charge they could at least send an email or a letter letting us know we are booked and to be on the look out for further info from them.
When we get back I'm going to write them and let them know of my disappointment on their lack of communication, especially given the prices they charge.

 

[Caropooh]

I feel your pain - I have plantar faciitis, too!!! I finally went to a podiatrist and he had orthotics made (insurance paid for them). I wear my orthotics in my Mickey Crocs around the house, do my stretches and have been relatively pain-free since.. Can I be part of your PF stretching crew this cruise? LOL!

Since I broke my foot last year, I do all sorts of foot exercise.. can I join too???

Kathryn is going to have quite a few people to remind about daily stretching!

 

[jilljill]

Kathryn is going to have quite a few people to remind about daily stretching!

Hope she still gets to have fun and isn't constantly running around reminding people of their stretching.

 

[Caropooh]

i don't have a "formal list"...but this is what i wrote down for the boys...

7 t-shirts
5 undershirts
3 long sleeve shirts
3 dress shirts
7 underwears
2 shorts
3 pants/jeans
1 swimming trunk
1 suit
3 fleece/hoodies
1 turtle neck
1 big jacket
5 socks
1 flip flops
1 dress shoes
1 pj
1 beanie
1 gloves


ok...for all the packing experts...too much? too little? what do you think? we will be at vancouver couple days prior...so i plan on doing laundry midway thru our cruise...good idea, or not? any addition to the list is much appreciated! thanx!

IMO, that is quite a bit for one person considering you said you plan on doing laundry on board.
I would cut down to:
3-4 tshirts
3 undershirts (I wouldn't think they would need one every day)
2 long sleeve shirts
2 dress shirts
5 underwear
1 shorts
2 pants/ jeans
1 swim trunk
1 fleece/ hoodie
1 turtle neck
1 big jacket
5 socks (though I don't see any shoes other than flip flops and dress shoes listed)
1 flip flop
1 dress shoes
1 pj
1 beanie
1 gloves

Now, I will also point out that we live in the Pacific Northwest, so will go out in just a tshirt and jeans(or shorts) in 60 degree weather. For us the weather forecasts are not that daunting.

 

[Caropooh]

Hope she still gets to have fun and isn't constantly running around reminding people of their stretching.

FUN??? She's supposed to have fun on this trip????

 

[geffric]

Dave is doing the dress shirt and slacks thing (no tie), and I will be wearing a nice dress. That is as formal as we get.

Boys are wearing pants and a shirt with a collar..thats it..and nice shoes.( i think) at least the non college one will..the college kids just tell me to "chill"..

I am very excited now I got a nice folder to put the cruise/vacation stuff in...so i can stage and stuff today...

then clean and pray it stays clean..

 

[jilljill]

FUN??? She's supposed to have fun on this trip????

She can have 15 minutes of fun each day . Otherwise it's an educational trip for her.

 

[MassDisLovers]

So a couple of days ago some of you were talking about getting an email from DCL about your upcoming cruise. I hadn't received it but kept an eye out for one.

Well, yesterday I pull up my emails and see an email from DCL. A little skeptical since the title states "Reservation confirmation for ###" but I think well maybe this is the email you all talked about. So I open it to find:

"Great news! You've successfully booked your Disney cruise! Below is your reservation number and other details of your cruise plans as they stand right now. Please review it all. Be sure to visit our Planning Center at disneycruise.com/plan to manage all aspects of your voyage. From onboard experiences – like spa reservations and stateroom surprises, to adventures in our ports of call, it's your one stop planning place. There you can also make payments, change or update your cruise information, complete all travel documents and get a countdown of key dates. You can even schedule a special call from a Disney character.

We look forward to you sailing with us soon!"​

What a surprise! Considering I booked it in September of 2009 and it's been paid off since Feb of 2011!!!

Gotta love DCL!!!!!

we got the same one.... nothing else!

 

[lori_vinciguerra]

Lori is that an ABD pre-trip or just a trip booked thru DCL? We're doing the ABD cruise add-on and really don't appreciate the lack of communication from them. We haven't rec'd anything from them since I booked it back in December, but my TA said a package was sent to us by UPS the end of last week so we should have that in the next day or so. For the money they charge they could at least send an email or a letter letting us know we are booked and to be on the look out for further info from them.
When we get back I'm going to write them and let them know of my disappointment on their lack of communication, especially given the prices they charge.

Mine was booked through Disney. We got a whole little package sent to us that had the itinerary, what to expect, etc. That's too bad that you didn't get any communication. I would call them up and definitely follow up with a letter..

 

[lori_vinciguerra]

Mine was booked through Disney. We got a whole little package sent to us that had the itinerary, what to expect, etc. That's too bad that you didn't get any communication. I would call them up and definitely follow up with a letter..

DCL I meant

 

[cyclenut]

OK ... stupid question time ... about checking bags on the airline.

First, what I do know. I do know that the total measurement is 62" as measured by the sum of the height, width and length of the bag. I also know that they measure the total bag, including any protruding feet or handles.

I'm flying Alaska air for this cruise. We are just a little short on luggage and I was planning to use a couple of duffels. I measured them and they are at about 60". That's close and when they are duffels, I am very worried.

The oversize bag fee is $50 PLUS another $50 if they are ALSO over weight. Even then, it is only $100 and new luggage is quite a bit more than that. I'm thinking it might be better to just pack up one of our oversize with all of the jackets, fleece, boots, etc. That stuff takes up space but doesn't weigh much. Then I can pay the one oversize fee instead of purchasing more luggage. Not sure I should risk taking the duffels.

So here is the stupid question ... stupid because I know the answer probably is "it depends".

How strict are they? I mean, if I'm within an inch or two will they get out a tape and measure it?

I've searched DIS and read several of the posts there, including those about "bag lean". But I'm not sure if I should "risk it."

OK my new found friends. Your thoughts?

 

[jilljill]

cyclenut I would think you would be fine with the duffels. I would pack my stuff in plastic bags just in case the duffels get ripped. I've seen too many damaged suitcases/bags from the airlines and it's better to be safe than sorry. But since you are already aware of the excessive baggage fees then if they are a stickler on bag size then you won't be surprised if they decide to charge you for an oversized bag.