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

[cakesnjammom]

Sinderelly, hannahguad and jandave you have all made my day for posting...I am so excited and to see you guys are too really makes me happy! Thanks for reading

DH was happy to do the map! It is all on one sheet which will make it easy to get around with...our lil 24 "known" cabins look so piddly compared to that whole big 'ole ship...and I thought we were the majority!But we still have 11 cabins to be assigned.

Sinderelly....I hope your home sells soon....think positive thoughts and good vibes and pixie dust are coming your way from me!

hannahguad...I know I feel sorry for us 1st timers too...not knowing what to expect with the kids can be nerve racking. a broken leg on the ship...oh no! sending you pixie dust too that all is super safe prior to travel for your family and all the others traveling with us it can get overwhelming!

jandave...YAY the Grand Caymen in two months from yesterday! we cannot wait.

I hate it that the economy is this way...but I so glad to have the support of all of you....I love DISers!! Well keep the post coming and fill me in on what my top priorities should be at this point

 

[JanDave]

Top Priorities????

Pre-Cruise
1. Remember to pack lightly, remember Jan, you don't need a new outfit for each day.
2. Make a checklist and remember to look at it!
3. Don't forget camera!
4. Make extra copies of any ressies for hotels, cars, etc.

Enough mundane stuff, now, top priorities for day of embarkation:

1. Get on ship
2. Head to Parrot Cay
3. Go to Rockin Bar D to make adjustments for dining/Palo
4. Go to room and exclaim "I can't believe I'm here again!"
5. Walk around ship, end up at Cove Cafe sometime in the afternoon - one of my favorite spots on the ship
6. Just before 5pm, head to deck 4 and watch us leave port, wave to the CMS, wave to those along the jetty, watch the pilot boat and pilot guy.
7. We're off - time to relax!!!

Enough of my babbling. Everyone have a great day!

Jan

 

[JanDave]

Ladies and Gentlemen, Girls and Boys, this is your cruise director ________, we have arrived at COZUMEL!!!!!

We'll be hearing a variation of this message two months from now, September 23!

Jan

I have to get back to work now!!!!

 

[cakesnjammom]

Top Priorities????

Pre-Cruise
1. Remember to pack lightly, remember Jan, you don't need a new outfit for each day.
2. Make a checklist and remember to look at it!
3. Don't forget camera!
4. Make extra copies of any ressies for hotels, cars, etc.

Enough mundane stuff, now, top priorities for day of embarkation:

1. Get on ship
2. Head to Parrot Cay
3. Go to Rockin Bar D to make adjustments for dining/Palo
4. Go to room and exclaim "I can't believe I'm here again!"
5. Walk around ship, end up at Cove Cafe sometime in the afternoon - one of my favorite spots on the ship
6. Just before 5pm, head to deck 4 and watch us leave port, wave to the CMS, wave to those along the jetty, watch the pilot boat and pilot guy.
7. We're off - time to relax!!!

Enough of my babbling. Everyone have a great day!

Jan

I love it....adding to my notes!

 

[inmyis]

Wow..Very excited to see all who are sailing on Sept 19th. My DW booked the Magic for my 40th three years ago. We have sailed with Disney twice with kids and this will the second time without. They are between 17 and 21. This trip is to celebrate our 10th Anniversary! We wil be with a good friend, my SIL and BIL and his Brother and Sister. Ages 40-63. Here is our plan:

Arrive Wed night head to BLT. Golf Thur and Fri...Love that DW enjoys golf!
Fri night MNSSHP. Dress up and have a blast!
Sat: Happy Limo for the 7 of us to Port Canaveral
Only excursion in Cozumel, Mexican Feast on the Beach.
Always do the free martinis at the Art Auctions!
Relax on Castaway Cay
Return Sat 9/26...Happy Limo to Villas at Wilderness Lodge...Golf
Sun...Golf...HOOP DEE DOO fo the 8th time!
Mon..relax and late flight home.

You might Love the Stingray encounter at CC. We did it last time and iyt was fantastic!

 

[cakesnjammom]

welcome inmyis! so glad you are cruising with us and found my little pre-trip report!!
well things are getting closer....40 days!
still lots to do...my MIL has the guys tux pants to hem and she is also going to let out the arms on ds's jacket out...they grow so quick I hope it will still fit in 40 days!
got all my planning organized into a dayplanner/dayrunner now and have even started setting aside kids clothes!
I am working to stop my mail and call my credit card company...I will get to that one day this week.
I did find sunscreen at CVS B1G150% OFF and I got a $5 off copon when I checked out after buying two cans so I will use that when I buy more. I have got all our documents (except signed payment auth) done and I plan to do that one soon...I just never have my card with me when I have the time to fill it out and print it.
FE gifts are 1/4 of the way done. I am going to try and do the next 1/4 tonight.
I need to look for flip flops for me....I think I will do that on ebay today.
My babies are visiting at MIL's this week (last trip there before school starts) and I am working but next weekend we are off to GA to celebrate me mom's and my MIL's b-day there.
Once I get tux stuff back from MIL I will be taking a big load to the drycleaners!! I forgot I bought dh and ds some DISNEY ties and I need to get them cleaned as well.
I figured out another dress for me that I already have...so did not have to spend anymore money on clothes for me PLUS I hate trying clothes on...it reminds me of my DENIAL about my big butt and other places
I am feeling pretty confident...not overwhelmed at this point like I thought I would be.
We are having compnay to our house the weekend after we get home from the cruise so I am trying to get some things done at home too...need to paint a little (kids and dogs=mess), clean the carpets and I have picked out a new stain for our front door...now I need to find a new kick plate


No worries...just hoping for a AFFORDABLE upgrade to a CAT 10 (but on the same deck 6...I just hate to be on deck 1 or 2 just because it seems so far from everything).
I am checking the MEET thread everyday to see if any cabin assignments have been made for GTY or if the magical dcl fairy has been at work...saw someone was upgraded on a SEPT 10th 3 day cruise on the main forum so we should be seeing some movement regarding our cruise before too long.
Well I guess that is it for now...sorry no real exciting news here. Oh I did get a little bonus for my closing and I am trying to decide whether to use it to upgrade to a 10 at the port or buy tix for MNSSHP...or apply it towards a new sofa for when we can back and I can make a little more??? We really need that sofa (here's where I have to mention those 2 kids and 2 dogs again-messy Marvin's!)
Well fill me in on what your focus is for the cruise! I love hearing from you all.
Til We Chat Again TTFN!

 

[daveyc150]

Just thought i'd drop by and say hi, can't wait for the cruise, it's not long now!

 

[gvivanco]

Hi, Paige! I hear you're in GA now (from the meet board!)

Welcome to GA! How long are you here? Just the weekend?

I love your pretrip report!

I will be right there with y'all in line to get a Palo brunch!! I was so looking forward to the brunch - I've heard it's awesome!! And there was nothing when I went to book! I also have a 9pm Palo for dinner on PIRATE NIGHT!! I want to see about changing that, too!

Hi to everyone else on here that's on our Sept 19th cruise!!!

Gretchen

 

[cakesnjammom]

Well we are getting closer...33 days and counting.
We were in GA this weekend...we celebrated my mom's and my mil's b-day!
I FINALLY ordered my dh a tux shirt (none in his size at Burlington Coat Factory here).
I got all our outfits and custom made dresses(for dd) from mil this weekend. YAY.
She also altered tuxes for me and now they are ready to go to the cleaners to be cleaned and placed in the dry cleaning bags. dd formal dress must be cleaned and the disney ties I got them need to be cleaned too.
I bought 3 cans of sunscreen still need a few more. Now to figure out haircare products to take with me...believe me this is an issue that needs to be addressed! thanks to curlyblueeyes to joined naturallycurly.com and am a true "product junkie"...I now need my own bag of "haircare" products when traveling not to mention my sleep machine (sleep apnea) so I am no longer a light packer!
Well fill me in! What is going on with any lurkers I may have???

 

[CurlyBlueEyes]

I'm here too! I am also very anxious to see when we get our rooms now that we are GTY. I am checking every day

I am doing bits of shopping here and there for new shorts, I have lost 8 lbs so far and am hoping to make it an even 15 before we set sail. I told myself I won't start packing until the 30 day mark (3 days left)

FYI, that SIL that Inmyis was talking about was ME! we're gonna have a blast. They are Dis experts and know their way around very well...

And don't stress out too much about the curls, 'cause the wind up on deck will likely ruin all our beauty pans

 

[Sinderelly]

Hi Paige:

I really enjoy reading your pre trip report. It sounds like you have all your to-dos so very well organized. I'm always worried I will forget something or leave something off my to-do list that is very important.

I can't wait to start packing. I have been throwing all our cruise "goodies" in a plastic storage tub.

I am waiting very patiently for our cabin assignment.

 

[cakesnjammom]

I'm here too! I am also very anxious to see when we get our rooms now that we are GTY. I am checking every day

I am doing bits of shopping here and there for new shorts, I have lost 8 lbs so far and am hoping to make it an even 15 before we set sail. I told myself I won't start packing until the 30 day mark (3 days left)

FYI, that SIL that Inmyis was talking about was ME! we're gonna have a blast. They are Dis experts and know their way around very well...

And don't stress out too much about the curls, 'cause the wind up on deck will likely ruin all our beauty pans

great! 8 lbs. that is great. I had lost 15 lbs but when work got so stressful I starting eating sweets (too many of them). Keep up the hard work. So neat to have your SIL on the cruise!! That is going to be too fun.

Hi Paige:

I really enjoy reading your pre trip report. It sounds like you have all your to-dos so very well organized. I'm always worried I will forget something or leave something off my to-do list that is very important.

I can't wait to start packing. I have been throwing all our cruise "goodies" in a plastic storage tub.

I am waiting very patiently for our cabin assignment.

Thanks....I know, right? It is so hard to be patient.
Well I wish I had more done....work really threw me off course but I am getting back on schedule and I am a DIS addict again...I spend WAY too much time here....I want an upgrade so bad and you know that means NO DICE if my luck continues (I should be happy just to be on the boat ) but I always do this: ALWAYS...on our 1st WDW trip we were all scheduled to stay at Coronado Springs Resort..well I start questioning 6+ months of planning...will be happy at a moderate, we are getting free dining so we should splurge, being near the monorail would save us some much hassle, DISNEY math I have heard it called so we called the TA and asked if she could get us moved to the Polynesian, she did and this is what we did when we saw the bill! But it was all worth it...it was so nice to hop on the monorail and not to worry about parking and getting to the car with 2 kids who were exhausted every evening...it was the one WDW trip where we did not need a "vacation" after our vacation!
recently on our trip to the beach in FL I did the same thing...but for a different reason...the hotel had a weird odor...so we changed after the 2nd night...we tried air freshener, febreeze...etc with no luck...

I am trying so hard to figure out a way to work MNSSHP back in our plans...I have some old gold jewelry that I need to sell and I am hoping that when I do I will have more cash than expected. we shall see.
I think my kids and are going to start making our own autograph books...just saw a great post on that here on the DIS and I think I will try it...wish I would have seen this earlier I would have made them as FE gifts for the kids.

 

[UGAFan0829]

Hey there, Paige!!
I noticed the link in your siggie after you posted on my TR, so I thought I would return the favor, and I'm so glad that I did. Gosh, it sounds like we have so much in common!!
First, I love your name, cause that my sister's name!!! Second, I totally understand where you are coming from on the money situation and how stressed you are! I am right there with you. We've been saving and saving for this trip, but it seems like everytime we get some saved, we end up having to spend some of it-for example, the DH needing a new suit. I know that's not his fault, and he hated having to buy one, but it's just one of those things!!
Next...I'm a curly girl, too!! I have been fighting this stuff all my life!!! I'm actually a member over at curlygirl.com as well, but I haven't had much success with the Curly Girl method! I may have to PM CurlyBlueEyes to see if she can offer and advice! So I feel you pain there too, sister!!
Lastly, about the doggies...we have 2 Basset Hounds, so I know how you feel about your babies. I consider Beagles and Bassets to be really close kin. My Dad actually has a Beagle as well, so I'm partial to them! I just love Shoeshine from Underdog...he was just the cutest!

Anyway...So I am totally excited for you! It's awesome that you were able to turn your 4-nighter into a 7-night. I think you will be so glad that you did. We've done both the 3 and 4 nights, and they are really short. I can't wait to try 7 nights for the first time, but I'm betting they will go fast as well. Time always flys when you're having fun, doesn't it?! I also LOVE your formal dress from Coldwater Creek...VERY cute!

Anyway...I guess I've rambled enough, so I will stop here for now. But I am totally enjoying reading about your plans, and I can't wait to read more!!

 

[cakesnjammom]

Hey there, Paige!!
I noticed the link in your siggie after you posted on my TR, so I thought I would return the favor, and I'm so glad that I did. Gosh, it sounds like we have so much in common!!
First, I love your name, cause that my sister's name!!! Second, I totally understand where you are coming from on the money situation and how stressed you are! I am right there with you. We've been saving and saving for this trip, but it seems like everytime we get some saved, we end up having to spend some of it-for example, the DH needing a new suit. I know that's not his fault, and he hated having to buy one, but it's just one of those things!!
Next...I'm a curly girl, too!! I have been fighting this stuff all my life!!! I'm actually a member over at curlygirl.com as well, but I haven't had much success with the Curly Girl method! I may have to PM CurlyBlueEyes to see if she can offer and advice! So I feel you pain there too, sister!!
Lastly, about the doggies...we have 2 Basset Hounds, so I know how you feel about your babies. I consider Beagles and Bassets to be really close kin. My Dad actually has a Beagle as well, so I'm partial to them! I just love Shoeshine from Underdog...he was just the cutest!

Anyway...So I am totally excited for you! It's awesome that you were able to turn your 4-nighter into a 7-night. I think you will be so glad that you did. We've done both the 3 and 4 nights, and they are really short. I can't wait to try 7 nights for the first time, but I'm betting they will go fast as well. Time always flys when you're having fun, doesn't it?! I also LOVE your formal dress from Coldwater Creek...VERY cute!

Anyway...I guess I've rambled enough, so I will stop here for now. But I am totally enjoying reading about your plans, and I can't wait to read more!!

hello missy....so glad to see you here!
we absolutely do have a lot in common...not to mention we are huge Georgia Bulldog Fans...go dawgs...and I am from Augusta!
you are so sweet...I have so enjoyed your pre-trippie too...I hated to read that you had to buy Mike a new suit...but that is awesome that he LOST weight! I know EXACTLY what you mean...spending money right before this cruise HURTS.
I look forward to your TR and wish you the greatest trip. Happy Anniversary! We went for our 11th anniversary last Nov. and did MVMCP...too fun!
Well keep us posted!!

We had one small "monkey-wrench" today...we cannot find our passporter pouch...cannot do a disney trip without it....we looked everywhere....I finally ordered another one...it simplifies things so much for us !!

 

[cakesnjammom]

We got an upgrade call from our TA! YAY. We took the paid upgrade for $150 total from a CAT 11 to a CAT 8!!! We are so SUPER excited. You all know I was hoping for that split bath! And now we get a port hole too this will be a super new experience for dh and I, who have only cruised in an inside cabin and only cruised once for that matter

I sold some old gold today! And glad I did, extra money for the trip so not only are we taking the upgrade but we are adding MNSSHP back but dh is asking that we either do stingrays OR MNSSHP, not both so I will cancel the stingrays tonight! We had all much rather do the MNSSHP!

I have my final list of things to buy tomorrow...I was going today to get it all done and got so excited about the offer I came back home to look and see where I knew cabin location is!

Well hope everyone is well!
My ds is wanting to borrow my laptop! So I guess I am signing off!

 

[JanDave]

Congrats on the upgrade. As I said on our cruise meet thread, I really like the sideways cabins and their location. When we got 50% off a DCL cruise because Hurricane Jean interrupted our DCL cruise in 2004, we chose a verandah but we were so disappointed as it was September and it was too hot for us to stay on the verandah. I'd love to get an upgrade to a porthole.

This week's Eastern cruise has turned into a western. Glad the captain decided to take the Magic to CC last Sunday as the ship won't be heading into the rolling waters of the Bahamas on Friday.

Have a great week everyone. No cruise docs here. Really don't need them, but I love getting them as a sign that the cruise is getting closer.

Cakesnjammom - wishing you a speedy recovery.

Jan

 

[cakesnjammom]

Here are some things I think I have learned...any DCL vets pipe in and voice your opinion if I am incorrect:

I plan NOT to take an alarm clock b/c I can mute the tv and turn it to a station that shows the time and if I need a wake up I can schedule a call!

I can get dramimine FREE on the ship if I run out of Bonine

DO not bring sand toys, use a kid's mickey plate instead from the boat

No need to pack clothes for dinner in my carry on if my luggage- if it does not show up in time...just wear what I have on (applies to whole family)

No need to RUSH to the port if I have the cabin I want! We will still get there in time for boarding early...like 11:30am! Will I still have a shot to get Palo brunch or high tea (none are avail. online)???

I can request a feather pillow and coat hangers from my cabin steward.

No need to bring water aboard, the water tastes fine on DCL...I am bringing canteens to fill.

Add some colored ribbon to luggage so it is easy to find and bring zip ties for luggage when in the hall on the last night??

Well let me know if I have any of this wrong....or you feel I should do something differently...this is my 1st DCL so I hope I got this right

 

[gvivanco]

Here are some things I think I have learned...any DCL vets pipe in and voice your opinion if I am incorrect:

I plan NOT to take an alarm clock b/c I can mute the tv and turn it to a station that shows the time and if I need a wake up I can schedule a call!

I can get dramimine FREE on the ship if I run out of Bonine

DO not bring sand toys, use a kid's mickey plate instead from the boat

No need to pack clothes for dinner in my carry on if my luggage- if it does not show up in time...just wear what I have on (applies to whole family)

No need to RUSH to the port if I have the cabin I want! We will still get there in time for boarding early...like 11:30am! Will I still have a shot to get Palo brunch or high tea (none are avail. online)???

I can request a feather pillow and coat hangers from my cabin steward.

No need to bring water aboard, the water tastes fine on DCL...I am bringing canteens to fill.

Add some colored ribbon to luggage so it is easy to find and bring zip ties for luggage when in the hall on the last night??

Well let me know if I have any of this wrong....or you feel I should do something differently...this is my 1st DCL so I hope I got this right

This is my first cruise, too, and I wondered about some of those very things. So thank you!! Good advice!!

 

[kileybeth]

Paige! You go girl! You rock! Your list are so awesome!!

I have a wretched back ache, to much going today, I really have to watch it and I promised myself I would not get on here when got home tonight. I was out with DH for a date night with a coupon and then a BJ's shopping trip (picked up 24 Sharpies for $12.99 for the pillow cases)as there was no food left in this house!

Anyway, I have email notifications when a new post comes into any of my subscibed threads. I read that latest list of yours on my blackberry on the way home and just grinned! Thank you again so much!

I am still just tickled with your upgrade and so happy for you all, that and MNSSHP too! woo hoo. You must be

I am so glad to hear my family is not the only one digging deep to make this cruise happen. I am so excited for each and everyone who gets to go but sometimes it is just extra special when you know what a big deal it is ya know?

On this end, my DH is finally starting to ask cruise questions and get a bit excited. (Well, as excited as he gets anyway). Did I have that pegged right or what? Three weeks out and now my family starts to ask the plan and ask questions!

Started to bag up all our FE tonight and realized how much room they will take up, uh oh, gonna finish tomorrow so I can get this down. I have two cabins to ship stuff to so at least that helps a little bit! I also read someone who is shipping to hotel they are staying at night before. Might be an idea for me with our crowded car

Well, my back is screaming so it is off to bed for me. Can't wait to meet everyone. Lots of us posting over here, Hey cruise mates!

Nite! Kim

 

[gvivanco]

Paige! You go girl! You rock! Your list are so awesome!!

I have a wretched back ache, to much going today, I really have to watch it and I promised myself I would not get on here when got home tonight. I was out with DH for a date night with a coupon and then a BJ's shopping trip (picked up 24 Sharpies for $12.99 for the pillow cases)as there was no food left in this house!

Anyway, I have email notifications when a new post comes into any of my subscibed threads. I read that latest list of yours on my blackberry on the way home and just grinned! Thank you again so much!

I am still just tickled with your upgrade and so happy for you all, that and MNSSHP too! woo hoo. You must be

I am so glad to hear my family is not the only one digging deep to make this cruise happen. I am so excited for each and everyone who gets to go but sometimes it is just extra special when you know what a big deal it is ya know?

On this end, my DH is finally starting to ask cruise questions and get a bit excited. (Well, as excited as he gets anyway). Did I have that pegged right or what? Three weeks out and now my family starts to ask the plan and ask questions!

Started to bag up all our FE tonight and realized how much room they will take up, uh oh, gonna finish tomorrow so I can get this down. I have two cabins to ship stuff to so at least that helps a little bit! I also read someone who is shipping to hotel they are staying at night before. Might be an idea for me with our crowded car

Well, my back is screaming so it is off to bed for me. Can't wait to meet everyone. Lots of us posting over here, Hey cruise mates!

Nite! Kim

Kileybeth -sorry about your back pain. I hope you feel better soon!!