Calling all July 20th Western Cruisers!!!

[Laura E.]

Hello everyone - I'm back. I kinda lost my head (not to mention my thread to this place.) But now I'm back (hopefully to stay at least until Wednesday.)

A couple of points:

1) I finally found a green lanyard that I will hopefully be wearing unless I forget to pack it.
2) Can someone again tell me what the final plans and meeting time will be? (I've gone nutso and have lost everything - plus its late - lol)
3) Not that anyone cares but my family will be staying at the Radisson Friday night and I believe another family is too. Melissa - is that your family? Or is it Lisa? Oh well, just e-mail me if you can. I'd love to set up a time for our girls to meet.

Well as I mentioned earlier - G2G - I have church early in the a.m.

Someone write me and let me know I'm not crazy??? PLEASE?????lol

 

[Laura E.]

Hey there Doogierunner - just thought that I'd tell you that I think you intimidated my DS. He says that he'll try and get up early and run with you if he sees you but I think your timing scared him.

Anway, if you see a red-haired skinny and kinda tall kid, about 5'8" or so and wearing a retainer, that's my son. Just call him Red - his teammates do. And it not just because he's a redhead but because he loves to wear red. I've tried telling him that redheads don't wear red but that saying just shows how inaccurate it is. He actually looks good in it. But again, that's a mom's opinion.

Anyway, if anyone else reads this, let's blow his mind and greet him with "Hey Red, how's the running?" That way, he'll have to commit to running.

Gosh, is this mean or what? His sister says its too mean.

Anyway, G2G - its late.

 

[amcanzo]

LauraE - As far as I can tell, these are the final plans:

Hey fellow cruisers!

So far, these are the families that will meet on our sailing day at 4:30PM on the 9th deck by the towel bins at the Mickey pool (facing the DCL building):

PartiesNBalloons
SDoane
Laura E
BLB531 (told me she'd do her best!)
DisneyCruiseLuvr (me)
LaurapKY
Amcanzo


Hope that Helps!
Ann

 

[floridaminnie]

Yes, we are still planning at meeting whoever is there at 4:30. It'll be nice to relax with a drink in my hand after doing the ressies rush and getting the little one checked in at the club. I'm finishing up when to go to Palo's and the spa. Only six more days!

 

[cjp/dvc]

To all the cruisers on the 20th!
Count us in...
I've been following your posts for a while and decided it's time to let you know we are here too! DH and I will be onboard (third Magic Cruise...we are addicted)...and also use our DVC points every chance we can!
We will be the couple traveling without children...This one is a 30th Wedding Anniversary trip...
our 25 year old son was with us on Eastern cruise last April... (Chicago...your son will have a blast as most of the ship's crew is about that age and they will befriend him in a heartbeat...ours returned to Magic on his own cruise 7 mos. later just to visit with crew friends again! and now will visit with several of them who work at WDW since leaving the ship's employ.
We will arrive in WDW on Wed. and stay at Boardwalk (someone else is there, I believe) till Sat.
All previous posts are accurate...suits (they dont even have to be dark) are very acceptable attire for the formal/informal nights...
I know it's late...but can we be of help to anyone else with last minute questions?
See you onboard!

 

[DOOGIERUNNER]

CJP.. 30 years, cool: WOW!!! Good to hear you're also a DVC member, so is PartiesnBalloons. We love it. We joined 3 years ago. Anyone else a member? Will you be at the reception?

Laura E. sorry I've intimidated your son!! I guess if I'm running @ 7:30 that's really 4:30 CA time. Hope he's not too fast? I'm pushing 40 and slowing down. I'm sure I'll see him sometime during the week and I'll make sure I call him 'Red'. He can call me Doogie (notorious nickname ).

Brought up the suitcases this evening and started throwing in 'stuff': two ways, batteries, film, firstaid kit, bonnine, bug spray, cameras....

Anyone have any SPA recommendations? I'd like to surprise my wife with a massage...

 

[cjp/dvc]

Good Morning...it's Monday...but just think of what's waiting for us at the end of THIS week! ok, now I know why I didn't post earlier...this stuff can get addictive...it's 6 am and I'm checking for replies!
Windyguy...I sent an e mail to your questions

Doogie runner...as you can tell by our signature we DO love DVC! Joined in 93 at OKW, then HHI before it was finished being built and use those pts. now mostly for extras like concierge collection and cruises. We will be at DVC reception if possible (anyone ck out the date or times in a posted navigator?) We have not made one yet on other two cruises because of conflicts...perhaps we should try harder this time to be sure to meet the other DVC'ers on board

Regarding spa recommendations....you have to do it! Your wife will love it...if she is a spa newbie try a great sampler called the Absolute Face & Body Treatment ($144-105 minutes) It combines 5 different massage techniques on back & body, aromatherapy & facial & scalp massage...a total do! or do the Spa Taster ($89-50 minutes) a 25 minute back of the legs, back, neck & shoulder massage with a 25 minute facial booster treatment...and then of course there is the ever famous (ala Barb's Platinum Club boards) Surial Ritual Chamber at $68 per couple...60 minutes)...it sounds wonderful...a grownup mud party!
You can download two pages of spa info on Disney Cruise Index if you need the complete list...from about $60 to $144...

Parties & Balloons...thanks for starting and keeping up the thread...you are our leader...and I can't wait to see how much you enjoy the ship!

ps...we are already packed...leaving in 48 hours!

 

[cjp/dvc]

Just a heads up if this is your first cruise...learn from our past mistakes...
Pack a reasonable first day bag...your luggage can sometimes be delayed in the ships hold until well after port departure, which can be as late as 6pm (especially if you are an early arrival at the terminal-first luggage on=last to be delivered to rooms) if you have early dinner (it is casual) but planned to change clothes be sure you have them with you in your day bag.

Wine tasting requires registering at guest services (Deck 3 midship/port side...opposite where you first enter the ship...some miss it because it is not an excursion or on site ressie.

If you did not pre-register for excursions, don't wait for excursion talk...drop-box and request forms are to your immediate right as you board (deck 3 starboard)...sometimes they don't put them out till about 2:30pm or so...but hurry for first crack at some openings.

Bring some bottled water...a package of 6 bottles was $13.50 on last cruise...a bit pricey...I watched one family of thirsty children gladly take bottles of water from a cruise member selling them at the entry to the ship one day as they were returning from an excursion... they were open before the tired parents got there!

Bring a camera to dinner each night. There are always characters posing in the lobby in front of Lumieres (deck 3 where you enter)...the professionals will take your photos & put them up in Shutters (photo shop) but they are also pricey... $8 & higher... pose & take your own shots...it is allowable...save the $$ to perhaps just buy those really special photos.

Hope these hints are helpful.
Chris

 

[amcanzo]

Chris & Joe,

Thank you for all the helpful hints! I've learned SO much coming to this board....can't wait for Saturday!!

Ann

 

[PartiesNBalloons]

We're happy you will be joining us! Our family is soooo excited we can hardly stand it!! As of this hour, we are leaving in 64 hours! I have our suitcases out and I'm doing the laundry now. As it comes out the dryer, we'll be packing away.... I just seems like a dream. I have wanted to take a cruise for so long and finally after 16 years I have convinced my DH to go

Thanks for the heads up about dining clothes for Sat. night. I was thinking, 1st on, 1st luggage to the rooms...silly me. We'll be sure to bring some casual clothes with us in our day bag. We were thinking of carrying our garment bag with our formals on with us. The only thing is that we would have to carry it around until we are able to go to our room. This seems like it will be a hassle. Would checking them in be ok? I just don't want to receive them back in a crumbled mess.

I see you have ownership in HHI. We joined here also and love it. We were going to join at a resort in DW but realized that in a few years, our kiddos will be off doing their own thing so we joined where WE want to vacation the most. In fact, when we get back from our Cruise, it will be time to call and book for our trip there for next summer. That is why I love dvc so much!! We always have a great trip waiting for us!!

 

[cjp/dvc]

Thanks for the warm welcome Melissa...my DH avoided cruises for about fourteen years...said his ship to Vietnam was enough sailing for him...terribly seasick (do you think it had anything to do with where he was being sent at the ripe age of 19?) Anyway...now he wears a patch...and is on his 3rd cruise and swears by it! I'm sure yours will do the same once he experiences it for himself.
Glad the hint on the clothes was helpful...I have had some luggage stories, to be shared later (airline problems, never Disney) so the hints were learned the hard way! Regarding your formalwear...by all means check it in! It will arrive just fine...if it needs a little touchup there are laundry rooms with irons on every deck..don't hassle with lots of unnecessary carry ons...its enough to take what you must have...remember...everyone of the other 2400 guests is doing the same thing...
Enjoy the embarkation...it is really fun...you will be met a the doorway of the ship and formally introduced as the_____ family to the captain and Mickey...of course the obligatory boarding photo will be taken and the lobby is grand! Just relax and enjoy...you will most certainly be able to go right to your rooms...as they are almost always ready!
We bought in HHI after OKW as we had vacationed there a few times and it is just a 12 hour drive from home...thought we'd make more use of it...love it...beach, restaurants and shopping. However, we have also become fond of many of the concierge offerings and frequently use the HHI pts. for them...knowing as retirement nears we too will visit there often...
We'll need to chat more on ship...about DVC...didn't I read someone else has a wife who is a teacher? We share the same problem...enough points, never enough vacation time during off peak time...
Bon voyage!
Chris & Joe

 

[DOOGIERUNNER]

Chris and Joe... it was probably me... my wife is a teacher. Great summer vacations but we can never go anywhere "off-season". The positives definitely outweigh the negatives but I sure wish we could cruise in Feb .

DVC is wonderful!!!

 

[cjp/dvc]

Yep...that's us...It's time to go! First thing tomorrow morning...will be at Boardwalk then off to Magic with all of you! Will look for lanyards (green?) for 4:30 meeting but will certainly have some sort of DIStag in sight...I get the feeling since we are probably the oldest of the DISers and childfree we might be obvious!

Doogie...what does your wife teach? I am a high school assistant principal...and we have had to play the school vacation only game for years...thats why we bought into DVC...what a steal...oops I mean deal! Can't wait to go over and check out the new Beach Club Villas!

Windyguy...Cant get through to your email address so heres the answer to the question re arrival at port time...It varies...some will arrive by 10easily...its a great terminal, snak bar (dont eat much...buffet on board is super!) but it has muffins & coffee, a great giant model of the ship/cutaway, restrooms, terrazzo floor with oceans marked, etc. You will sit on the floor in line.
Disney says you board at 1pm...they almost always start by 12:15. Line moves quickly once open then head to your rooms to pick up your dinner & character breakfast tickets & drop off day bags...head to Topsider Deck 9aft or Parrot Cay Deck 3aft for lunch...plan the last of your ressies as you eat then head straight upstairs to Palo deck10 aft for the 1pm ressies. You should be able to get what you wish...the spa usually opens about 1:45 for their tours & ressies- Deck 9 forward so you can go there from Palo's. If you need to register kids too, perhaps you want to split up & do both at once.
I have on one occasion arrived at the terminal at 3:45 (what a near disaster) and still was able to get decent reservations at Palo and Spa...but I would say that was lucky...If you do the 1 - 2pm time, you will do fine!
Good Luck...see you on board!

 

[DisneyCruiseluvr]

cjp/dvc

Please don't worry about finding a "green" lanyard. We're going to have our KTTW landyards on that day (DCL room key lanyard). I just thought lanyards w/our DIS ids on them would make it easier for everyone to find eachother. It's not a necessity, if you don't have any lanyards, forget about it. I'm sure enough of us will have some on where you'll easily be able to find our group.

See everyone on Saturday!!!

 

[cjp/dvc]

Disney Cruiseluvr
Thanks for the reprieve on the green lanyard thing! I actually just packed a black headband with Mickey Mouse heads on springs...like antenna...I last used it leading a youth group I was chaperoning in Epcot, so they could find me! How appropriate to use it again this time to find the DISers. My DH will surely be the gentleman pretending not to know the blond alien!
Looking forward to sharing a Disney hello to you all. Have a safe trip...C ya on board (finally shipboard instead of DISboard)

 

[GrandPaBob]

Talked with my gradson, Payton(age 6), this evening and he is ready to go NOW! He can't wait to see Mickey and Minnie and Goofy and all the other kids on the boat. He has seen the video we shot from our last cruise a couple of years ago and he is ready to go.

We are the people our parents warned us about!
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[cjp/dvc]

GrandPaBob
Hi there...love your signature about we are the people our parents warned us about! Hmmm...sounds like you join us in being the first generation raised on Disney...
The picture of your grandson is precious...thanks for sharing it...I think we are all 6 years old in our hearts...we can't wait to go either...
We look forward to the day we can introduce grandchildren to Disney fun...have to get our son married first...but till then we just enjoy watching everyone else's children's eyes pop open when they see the characters!
Hope to see you at the 4:30 meeting on board.

 

[PartiesNBalloons]

Just wanted to wish everyone safe traveling to the vacation of our lives! I can't wait to meet everyone! This is going to be FUN, FUN, FUN!!

See ya at 4:30 on Saturday!

 

[GrandPaBob]

The picture of Payton shows how easy it is for him to have fun(or get in trouble). Don't know what he will be wearing saturday, but you can bet he will try to be close to the action at the sailaway party.
I can't take credit for the signature line-it belongs to Jimmy Buffett, but it is kinda appropriate.

We are the people our parents warned us about!
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[cjp/dvc]

GrandPaBob...
wow, a Disney fan and a Parrothead...perhaps we'll share a cheeseburger in paradise...see you on board...
This is our sign-off...its 6:30am...and the car is pulling out as I type...have a safe journey everyone! See you on the Magic!
Chris & Joe