December 12 - 19, 2009 Western Magic

[HallsofVA]

I know you opted out of the gift exchange, but I packed one for you anyway. If you opt to share your stateroom (and perhaps hang a stocking or other receptacle outside your door) you may just get some gifts (no obligation to return the favor.)

I think I have 2-3 extras packed up so if there is anyone else who's not planning to participate but may have a stocking hung up or something, I can happen by that way.

 

[Scooby3x1y]

I too am about to panic. The only thing keeping me sane is the decision to fly instead of drive. DH is completely swamped a work this week...so no help from him.

Saying a prayer for your family and mine. The cruise will be well worth a stressful week. IT WILL COME TOGETHER!

We're self-employed, we're freaking too. DH has put in about 80 hour weeks the last couple of weeks. He worked today, and is freaking out about only 4 days left to get done what he needs to get done.

I am on my own too. All 5 of us packed, waiting on DS to get home from college. I might have to kill him if he doesn't bring everything on the packing list. I'll probably ask him 20 times if he did. Well, we've grown two extra suitcases. One for the FE stuff, and one for 4 snorkel sets. The other two kids will have to figure out a way to get them in their luggage. DH keeps looking at me like how many more suitcases are we bringing?

 

[HallsofVA]

for Bingo. I think.

I've been there, just can't be sure of the name!

But I did like Pikey much better than the girl who called Bingo on the Magic last December.

 

[Scooby3x1y]

I know you opted out of the gift exchange, but I packed one for you anyway. If you opt to share your stateroom (and perhaps hang a stocking or other receptacle outside your door) you may just get some gifts (no obligation to return the favor.)

I think I have 2-3 extras packed up so if there is anyone else who's not planning to participate but may have a stocking hung up or something, I can happen by that way.

I also packed 3 extras - let me know, I would like to share the fun.

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Anyone want to guess where this activity takes place?

It's the one you pass as you are heading to Parrot Cay from midship. Don't know if I've ever known the name.

 

[kcashner]

1. Paid reservation
2. Driver's License
3. Passport.

Those things will get me on the boat. Everything else is just icing on the cake!

Halls, I love you.

Having done a trip where the "mom" suitcase didn't arrive for 3 days gave me a new perspective on things. You can survive. Very little is essential. Translation--the suitcase with all MY clothes and all the "important" stuff. DD had her suitcase, and we had the "cruise only" case which was stuff we would need on the cruise but not at WDW.

OH, when we got home, I found out that the missing case wasn't Disney's fault. Some idiot seems to have had a case that looked like mine; she took mine and was stupid enough to assume that I had hers. She called my home phone number (from my luggage tags) and left a message asking me to meet her at the airport to swap cases...and another saying that she was leaving my case by the Budget counter since that MUST be where they were confused. Hmmmm....We had DCL transfers for that trip and I have NO knowledge of her suitcase.....and HEY DUMMY, look at the tags on the case BEFORE you take it. Disney was going crazy too--the airline showed the bag arriving and obviously I had given Disney the claim info...and their system showed it not picked up.

But back to the original idea. I learned that there is little that one cannot do without for a short time. And, I learned to do the "musical clothes" packing system. Each person group their things into full outfits (including undies, socks, etc.) Open the number of cases you'll be taking. Then, Mary puts one complete outfit in bag 1, one in bag 2, one in bag 3, repeat for number of bags. Tom puts one outfit in bag 1, one in bag 2, one in bag 3, etc. You no longer have a case for Mary, a case for Tom, and a case for Suzie, BUT if one bag is lost, each person will have a couple outfits missing and a couple outfits to wear while the missing bag is being located.

Lesson 2--ASK for what you need. CM #1 doesn't offer stuff because he/she assumes bag will appear any minute. 12 hours later, CM #2 doesn't offer because he thinks #1 fixed you up. 24 hours later, I was asking "you know those survival packs the airlines have with a toothbrush, comb, etc? Do you have anything like that?" And CM #3 is shocked that it wasn't offered at the beginning.

Lesson 3--how do teens wear those jeans. Even if the size tag is the same as the size tag on the jeans you wear, they are NOT the same! DD offered me some clothes. Sweet, but didn't really work well. I don't care what the size tags said!

Lesson 4 Put a pair of undies in the carry on. Just do it.

 

[SueEllen]

So I just booked this cruise over the weekend, and thought I would stop by and say HI. I'm looking forward to going. Just me and my DS (8) on this cruise, which will be new for me not having the rest of the family around.

I'm looking forward to being on the ship and enjoying the Christmas decorations.
I cannot believe I only have 5 days to prepare for the cruise!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Thank you!!!!

Not sure if this was answered already, but AccuWeather does a 15 day out forecast...

http://www.accuweather.com/us/fl/or...r-forecast.asp?partner=accuweather&traveler=0

 

[CRSNDSNY]

WOW! Talk about last minute!
Congrats on booking!

So I just booked this cruise over the weekend, and thought I would stop by and say HI. I'm looking forward to going. Just me and my DS (8) on this cruise, which will be new for me not having the rest of the family around.

I'm looking forward to being on the ship and enjoying the Christmas decorations.
I cannot believe I only have 5 days to prepare for the cruise!

Ok, packed our boxes of Christmas presents and our Christmas tree last night - 5 boxes - to ship out this week. Those will not go on our cruise, but to SSR post-cruise.

Tonight I'm breaking out our suitcases, cleaning them out and starting to pack. I am hoping that if I do this little by little all week it won't be so stressful. I have my usual pre-trip anxiety that kicked in full force yesterday morning. I hate this feeling!

It's going to be a looooooonnnnnnnnngggg week.

 

[pxlbarrel]

We leave on Thursday and I haven't done anything but the laundry.

I may not be pin trading this trip because I haven't even gone through my pins yet to see what I can trade. I am usually so organized but this trip has me scrambling.

 

[bevtoy]

I wonder if this question will get us to 2000?

What are your top 1 or 2 must-haves when packing for a cruise??

Over the door shoe holder for the bathroom to keep things organized

Black slacks for dinner that I mix and match with several shirts

I bring my own first aid items pain reliever , triple antibiotic and a few band aids.

 

[bevtoy]

We have several extras too and would drop one off also if we can get a room number.

I know you opted out of the gift exchange, but I packed one for you anyway. If you opt to share your stateroom (and perhaps hang a stocking or other receptacle outside your door) you may just get some gifts (no obligation to return the favor.)

I think I have 2-3 extras packed up so if there is anyone else who's not planning to participate but may have a stocking hung up or something, I can happen by that way.

 

[bevtoy]

Guess what/where?

 

[Shelebeen]

My husband gave me the go ahead to call and see what suites were still available and how much they would cost as an upgrade... will call this afternoon after I get home... will let you know the answer...in case anyone is interested.

 

[Shelebeen]

Guess what/where?

must be an art auction... in one of the pubs?

 

[bevtoy]

must be an art auction... in one of the pubs?

Correct! but not in a pub they have a art gallery and auction sometimes takes place in the atrium with free cocktails.

 

[bevtoy]

Guess what/where?

 

[mickeymom923]

I'm also a TA and booked a few days ago. My DD also a TA was planning on going by herself. I'm having a hard time as my mom had emergency surgery on Wednesday and prior to that I wasn't planning on going - just my DD. But when my mom was moved from ICU to a regular room and then we were told we would be at the hospital and then moved to an inpatient rehab facility for physical therapy, I thought it was the perfect time to go. My mom lives with me and I know how difficult things were getting the past 2 weeks prior to me taking her to the ER. Yes, of course I will be worried about her while I'm away but also I'll be able to enjoy this vacation knowing that she's safe and taken care of. I'll need to be rested up for when she returns home because then I won't be able to go anywhere. I'm also a newlywed (got married on the Disney Wonder in May 2009). I haven't told my DD yet that I'm gonig.

Bev

TA here too and we are also going due to the amazing rate. Which Cat. did you take? We did Inside GTY, but then upgraded to a Balcony!

 

[bevtoy]

Sounds like opportunity for vacation is here! I was my Moms care giver for several years and it was so hard to find a break for myself. You should go and enjoy yourself, especially since your Mom has all the assistance she needs right now!

I'm also a TA and booked a few days ago. My DD also a TA was planning on going by herself. I'm having a hard time as my mom had emergency surgery on Wednesday and prior to that I wasn't planning on going - just my DD. But when my mom was moved from ICU to a regular room and then we were told we would be at the hospital and then moved to an inpatient rehab facility for physical therapy, I thought it was the perfect time to go. My mom lives with me and I know how difficult things were getting the past 2 weeks prior to me taking her to the ER. Yes, of course I will be worried about her while I'm away but also I'll be able to enjoy this vacation knowing that she's safe and taken care of. I'll need to be rested up for when she returns home because then I won't be able to go anywhere. I'm also a newlywed (got married on the Disney Wonder in May 2009). I haven't told my DD yet that I'm gonig.

Bev

 

[pamrob]

I am totally panicked. Our family just finished 2 weeks of daily Nutcracker rehearsals followed by 5 shows. Lot of hair curling and hair spray! What that means is we haven't packed the first outfit. Tomorrow night we are going to see the Rockettes and we all have hair appointments on Tuesday. I have no idea when we will get everything ready to go. We leave Thursday morning.

We just finished Nutcracker as well. Today is belt testing for karate and then we are on the road.