Counting down the days...Making 40th B-day MAGIC! 9/19/09 Western.

[cakesnjammom]

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[hannahguad]

HI! Oh reading your pre-trip is getting me more excited! I am on the same cruise! I think that we are going to surprise DD with it. We have nothing planned yet as far as excursions. I have been too busy thinking about my FE gifts. Can't wait to read more.
IS IT SEPTEMBER YET???

 

[cakesnjammom]

HI! Oh reading your pre-trip is getting me more excited! I am on the same cruise! I think that we are going to surprise DD with it. We have nothing planned yet as far as excursions. I have been too busy thinking about my FE gifts. Can't wait to read more.
IS IT SEPTEMBER YET???

Thanks I am so glad to hear from you! CAnnot wait...tell me again who is going on your trip with you????some many posts on our meet I cannot keep everyone straight...between here and the passporter boards....I get all confused...an idea came to dh and I for FE gifts and I need to get to it!

 

[hannahguad]

I am so glad our meet group is so active, it really will make it more fun 'knowing' a bit more about people prior. My traveling group consists of myself, DH, and DD (11 years old). DD will be in the younger aged group due to her being mentally disabled and she enjoys playing with younger kids better! Disney get's that and they are so good with her! Not into typical boys and stuff like that! Also staying in a adjoining (door in our room) cabin is my DM. DM and I are both going to be having b-day's on that cruise, one the day we leave and the other the day we get back! .

I just printed off instructions on how to make your own FE WITHOUT sewing!! I am going to attempt that one next week

 

[JanDave]

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Love your FE! I cheated. I bought mine on Ebay a couple of years ago from a DISer. Don't know if I'll bring it on this cruise as we are not participating this time.

Glad to have you with us, Karen! This is a great group of cruisers!

Jan

 

[gwtinkerbell427]

Hi, cant wait for cruise wither
Don't think I'll be doing excurions in any of the ports except Castaway, will do the extreme package (snorkliong, stingray, bike, tube rental)
As for Key West I'll get off and walk around town. Want to go to the Little White House and the Southern most point and the Route 1 mile marker. ( take rt 1 to work and i could take t to key west, but it would take me forerver and a day to get there)
As for Grand Caymen and Couzmel I may get off for a little while and look at the town, but than get back on ship to enjoy the ship.
Castaway I will be 1st in line to get off and wait to the last horn to get bak on. Wish we could have our whole vacation at castaway cay.

take care
gretchen

 

[cakesnjammom]

well just a little mini update...
still here still surfing the boards and I decided I just could not wait for my 2009 Passporter so I ordered the 2008 (actually when I pre-ordered the 2009 I was so excited that I did not pay attention that it would not be mailed until April 2009 ) so this will work better! Not that many differences in the 2009 on the Western cruise so....I cannot wait! The sooner the better . No new plans now...just figuring out FE gifts! And that is about it! Once my PP Guide arrives I will SOAK it all in ! Fill me in if any of your plans have changed or been updated...cannot wait to hear!

 

[mousetravel]

Subscribing!

 

[disneychic]

Love the pre-TR! Thanks for posting

 

[MrToadsGirl79]

I absolutely have to thank you! My husband and I are on this cruise too, and after reading your pre-trip report I am changing our plans for the day before.

We're going to go to the Halloween party too! Best. Idea. Ever!!!

So thanks for the idea, I am totally stealing it

 

[disneyfaninaz]

If you're still looking into Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party, I highly recommend it. The parade and fireworks are worth the price of admission alone if you can swing it.

 

[cakesnjammom]

Well after talking with a friend today who's planning a Disney cruise too it reminded me I have not updated this trip report recently....well things have changed so much and I cannot remember where I left off so...
The "guys" tuxes came in (we ordered them thru the Tuxxman on ebay) I just called him and asked for a deal! And he gave me one! $88 for both! I need to get tux shirts for them though!
Have not bought my MNSSHP tix yet but am glad to finally know the prices!
Excursions will still be limited for us...but since we have never been on the boat we will take full advantage of "peeking around" and activities while others are in port! We will get off at most ports but just to look around a bit and then back on the boat.
If anyone is interested in the Tequila tasting in Cozumel we have some friends who recently did it and it is 5-7 shots of to-kill-ya ....I would never be able to get back to the boat but we sampled a TINY sample of a dessert Tequila she bought...wow! She taught me that Tequila must breathe before you drink it! We are not big drinkers but I think dh may try Tequila since it does not contain wheat! Most liquors make him break out around the eyes...it is an asian thing...he is 1/2 Japanese! my dd says she is a japanese quarter !
Most of you know I took a job so that does not give me as much time to Disney cruise dream...which is good because time will move much quicker...come on Sept! but it has made me really slack on staying up-to-date on the boards!
I still have not called the Residence Inn to see if free parking is available to us since we will be staying there on rewards ponts? Someone told me if you stay free they maay not let us take advantage...which just seems wrong on Marriott's part seeing as how we are Marriott Reward Customers! (We had to stay with them quite a bit to get the points, DUH!) in the 1st place but who knows!
The kids pirate outfits are done...not costumes...outfits...I will try and post a pic soon..not using my regular computer now because ds is watching a movie on mine! MIl made dd some super cute Minnie dresses (meaning with Minnie's silohette on the front!)
Got all of our formal wear...we are all wearing white and black! Here is my dress: http://www.coldwatercreek.com/Produ...e=E&uniqueid=null&index=null&ensembleid=53030

I have bought Bonine and children's Bonine and some odds and ends along the way! I gotta' stock up on sunscreen when the sales go on at the end of the season!
Oh and of course gotta get that cruise paid off!so send the pixie dust my way that I sell some real estate that closes soon may the force be with me!
I DID get my cruise kit! Nice little packet! and it got the excitement churning again!Happy planning to all and kileybeth if you are listening...how many days left??? 130 something I think!

 

[kileybeth]

Just have a second, Thanks for updating the report!

How does

128 Days!!!!

sound to ya??!!!

Did you get my email from earlier today? Yes, I lost my FE list and can not find it!

Gotta run!

 

[NCjenn]

Paige, I really LOVE the dress you will be wearing!!!!

Jennifer

 

[cakesnjammom]

Paige, I really LOVE the dress you will be wearing!!!!

Jennifer

awww thanks Jennifer! Hope your plans are going well!

 

[jonesing]

The "guys" tuxes came in (we ordered them thru the Tuxxman on ebay) I just called him and asked for a deal! And he gave me one! $88 for both! I need to get tux shirts for them though!

Larry (Tuxxman) is great! I decided to buy rather than rent and it was the best decision! The tux turned out to be a Joseph Aboud made for Bloomingdale's...brand new, tags still on. Took it to Men's Wearhouse for tailoring and the tailor was amazed at the awesome price I got the tux for! I splurged and got a special item from Larry as well:

We also got a tuxedo, shirt, tie and shoes for DS (5 months at the time) from eBay merchants. A local store priced their formal baby shoes at ~$3 more than we paid for his entire tux ensamble!!

...

I didn't read the whole thread yet but you asked about parking at the RI? I'm Marriott gold and I see that RI is nice and close to the port We might try there rather than going to the Renaissance MCO or Hyatt. We'll have a rental car and I'll more than likely drop everyone off at the port building and return the car. But for leaving your car at RI, if you look at the front of the hotel as you come down the drive you'll see the portico. At the end of the drive you bear to the right (which allows you to cut left and pull under the portico to check in) the parking spaces to the right of the portico and adjacent to the hotel are the handicap spots. The corresponding spaces next to the hotel and to the left of the portico are regular spots. I'd probably try parking there, as close as possible to the portico.

Next option would be directly across from those spaces (the side closest to A1A) and to the immediate left or right of the driveway..as close to the driveway as possible. As a final option I'd try for one of the 3 spaces on the back side closest to the pool. Those spaces provide lots of visibility and traffic passing by your car. It would be plenty obvious if someone were hanging around your car. Just my $0.02.

 

[DisneyKid@heart]

Love the mickey vest! That is great.

Thanks to you guys for telling us about Tuxxman.

Loving the pre-trip report and can't wait to read more!

Shannon

 

[cakesnjammom]

Larry (Tuxxman) is great! I decided to buy rather than rent and it was the best decision! The tux turned out to be a Joseph Aboud made for Bloomingdale's...brand new, tags still on. Took it to Men's Wearhouse for tailoring and the tailor was amazed at the awesome price I got the tux for! I splurged and got a special item from Larry as well:

We also got a tuxedo, shirt, tie and shoes for DS (5 months at the time) from eBay merchants. A local store priced their formal baby shoes at ~$3 more than we paid for his entire tux ensamble!!

...

I didn't read the whole thread yet but you asked about parking at the RI? I'm Marriott gold and I see that RI is nice and close to the port We might try there rather than going to the Renaissance MCO or Hyatt. We'll have a rental car and I'll more than likely drop everyone off at the port building and return the car. But for leaving your car at RI, if you look at the front of the hotel as you come down the drive you'll see the portico. At the end of the drive you bear to the right (which allows you to cut left and pull under the portico to check in) the parking spaces to the right of the portico and adjacent to the hotel are the handicap spots. The corresponding spaces next to the hotel and to the left of the portico are regular spots. I'd probably try parking there, as close as possible to the portico.

Next option would be directly across from those spaces (the side closest to A1A) and to the immediate left or right of the driveway..as close to the driveway as possible. As a final option I'd try for one of the 3 spaces on the back side closest to the pool. Those spaces provide lots of visibility and traffic passing by your car. It would be plenty obvious if someone were hanging around your car. Just my $0.02.

Thanks! I did call RI and parking is free if you are staying on points per Terry (female)
Love the vest! And Larry is great!
I will definitely check the spaces by the portico! Great info and good visibility!
Thanks for reading! I will post more soon!

 

[cakesnjammom]

the days get more exciting by the minute...I would pack now if I could. I keep adding things to our "cruise" box. My newest thought is to ship a box to port with Sand Buckets and other things so we do not have to pack them in our luggage...I am sure I could find lots of things that could go in that box verses luggage. I need to check those shipping requirements when I get closer to that point though.
I had read all the posts lately about upgrading at port but have decided should that "money" appear I will use it to re-book for next Oct. instead. SO I am starting to research that a little. I think we will go Eastern if we are lucky enough to re-book for 2010! I need to make sure it is 1/2 of the regular deposit when you re-book onboard? Anyone know?
We have our passports and little odds and end so now I am just keepiong up with a packing list (some things are things I want to buy at the end of the season...rash guards, etc) And we should be good to go. Got all the dates marked on the calendar for ressies etc...now more of the waiting game!
Chime in, I would love to hear your plans! Tell me about your 2010 cruise plans....anyone get a deal that they could not refuse??

 

[pam775]

It is exciting. We are on the 10/31 Western and I can hardly stand all the waiting. I only have the cruise and our airfare booked at this time. I have many other things to plan (car rental, hotels) as we are staying an extra day on each end of the cruise. We want to to downtown disney and the Kennedy Space Center, too. This will be our first Disney cruise and the first cruise for my kids, who will be 6 and 8. Also we are surprising them!! Thanks for sharing your plans. You'll have a great trip!