December 12 - 19, 2009 Western Magic

[HallsofVA]

Lest you think I overlooked the best part of a Disney cruise, rest assured the holiday spirit is alive and well here as well! Hopefully this is the only place we'll see "snow" all week!

 

[SueEllen]

There are lots of characters that wear holiday attire on our cruise. I was wondering for instance if Belle wears holiday attire the rest of the year? Here are just some of the outfits to look forward to!

Oh Belle in her holiday dress is beautiful. I've never seen her in that on the ship. I LOVE the characters in their holiday sweaters too.
YAY!!!

PS--if anyone is able to help me with the water, and wants the payment in advance I can send it to you via paypal if you prefer.

 

[pamrob]

Wow, I go to bed and get up to three new pages of posts. I highly recommend getting off the boards and getting packed to those of you who are procrastinating!

I already have a short list of things I have forgotten to get once in Orlando today. Always something popping up. Most are things we could live without if need be but since there's time we'll stop.

We did a little experiment on the way here with Sea Bands. One of the girls has a issue with occasional car sickness. She did fantastic with the Sea Bands. She was even able to read in the car which is something she could NEVER have done before. Found them at my local Walmart for around $8.

About ready to wake the family for breakfast and then hit the road for our final leg to Orlando. Hope everyone has a great day.

 

[pxlbarrel]

In 24 hours, we'll be heading to the airport. Right now, the weather outside is...well, frightful. The first winter storm of the year. Hopefully it'll be over by tomorrow morning and the airport won't be too crazy with people trying to rebook flights.

I'm not entirely sure how I'm going to do any work today. I'll be daydreaming in my office.

And oh, I got my suitcase out this morning. LOL I guess I can't wait any longer.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Hi SueEllen.
We'll be stopping for a case of water on our way to the port. If you haven't received a response yet regarding your water request, PM me and I will help you out.

I'm sorry to ask, but realized that I have a favor to ask of any of you driving in (or renting a car to get to the port.) Usually we drive, and hit the Publix or Walmart before the ship to get some bottled water for the cruise instead of paying for the outrageous cost on the ship.) I use this for my meds that I take (because the water on the ship, while desalinated, still has quite a bit of sodium in it and it effect my BP and causes me to swell.)

Could any of you that are doing a stop prior to arriving at the port possibly pick me up a 6 pack of bottled water, or even the little 8 pack of aquapods (something like Deer Park or Zepherhills?) I'll gladly reimburse you for it. I would be VERY grateful if someone could help me with this.

Thanks in advance!

Oh my--only 2 more days to get everything done. Took my son's pants to get them hemmed today, so I'll pick those up Thursday, hope to finish packing by Thursday night (yeah right--me? finish packing early? NOT!) I wish I could find a way to add a few more hours to my days!

Everyone getting excited yet? What are you most looking forward to on the cruise?

 

[bevtoy]

HallsofVA lovethe Christmas pictures its going to be better than I imagined!

 

[the3lowes]

Check your Budget car rentals you guys that rented with them. I got a rate of $41 something with the Costco code a while back and just used code Y937800 and got it down to $37.29. This is for ONE way, Full size cars!


OK, so duh, I went and rechecked the Costco rate and it is even lower...for those that can use that. That code is W852849 and the rate is $$35.39 total!

When I go to Budget's website it says there are no cars available. It has said that for several days. Maybe I'm not searching right?

 

[kcashner]

When I go to Budget's website it says there are no cars available. It has said that for several days. Maybe I'm not searching right?

Don't know what to tell you...we had a reservation for both legs. I was able to rebook the car from MCO last night and shave off a little over $10. When I tried to do the 10th, I got the "there are no cars available using the code you have requested." Got the same message with 2 different codes. However, I'm happy with my existing reservation.

We have MCO for pick up, CC5 for drop off on the first set of dates. It's usually easy to do the Saturday dropoff because they always need cars at Cape Canaveral for Sunday.

Copied from previous page:

"I wanted to make sure to get this question answered since I see your vacation is only a few days away. Soon you will be enjoiying the magic and wander of a Disney Vacation at sea.I would highly recomend a one way car rental Butget, Avis, Thifty and Hertz are all nearby Port Canaveral. Butget is the closest to Disney Terminal and offers a free shuttel to their Cape Canaveral office. Visit www.mousesavers.com for Butget car rental discount codes.

This is not quite true--Hertz is closer to the port than Budget (by about 1/2 block). Another place to get good discount codes is rentalcodes.com.

Sue Ellen: I'm not trying to start a squabble, but where did you get the information that the ship's water contains sodium? We were told that the ship's water is distilled (which removes ALL minerals, it may pick up some in further processing), and then is filtered to further improve the taste and remove any bacteria. Do you KNOW that it contains sodium, or do you know that you swelled at some point and attributed it to sodium in the water? There are obviously many other sources of sodium and other causes of swelling, so I'm trying to separate what you KNOW from what you surmised from your symptoms.

And the holiday costumes on the characters and princesses are special for the season.

 

[poohfriend]

I'm sorry to ask, but realized that I have a favor to ask of any of you driving in (or renting a car to get to the port.) Usually we drive, and hit the Publix or Walmart before the ship to get some bottled water for the cruise instead of paying for the outrageous cost on the ship.) I use this for my meds that I take (because the water on the ship, while desalinated, still has quite a bit of sodium in it and it effect my BP and causes me to swell.)

Could any of you that are doing a stop prior to arriving at the port possibly pick me up a 6 pack of bottled water, or even the little 8 pack of aquapods (something like Deer Park or Zepherhills?) I'll gladly reimburse you for it. I would be VERY grateful if someone could help me with this.

Thanks in advance!

Oh my--only 2 more days to get everything done. Took my son's pants to get them hemmed today, so I'll pick those up Thursday, hope to finish packing by Thursday night (yeah right--me? finish packing early? NOT!) I wish I could find a way to add a few more hours to my days!

Everyone getting excited yet? What are you most looking forward to on the cruise?

We are using Happy Limo (mini van) and I get a 15 minute grocery stop. I don't know what store I'll end up in so I cannot promise a brand...but I'd be happy to share some water with you. (We might end up at a 7-11 and they might not have the brands you prefer.) We don't have to make arrangments ahead of time just contact me. I'll PM you.

WELCOME MARaven

 

[MRAven]

The weather report for the Caribbean looks GREAT. Make sure you pack sun block 45 or higher

Here you see all clouds moving away at 9:30 am today

http://www.weather.com/maps/news/atlstorm2/tropicalatlanticsatellite_large_animated.html


Here you know they'r moving away, itsy bitsy tiny clouds !

http://www.weather.com/maps/news/atlstorm2/tropicalatlanticsatellite_large_animated.html

 

[poohfriend]

Well, hot zing! I thought my rate of $40 was good, but this new code lowered it to $29.89 TOTAL. Unfortunately neither of the codes had availability for the return run....so I'll have to pay $40 then. Still not shabby!

Thanks for the new code!

but we already have Happy Limo lined up with a mini van. And it really isn't that much more by the time I figure in tolls. I'll be happy to tip the driver and not have the hassle of the rental car this trip. I really would have liked to rent a car for the return, but alas with my larger family the rates are as high as the Happy Limo transport. Oh well, I'm still saving money off the Disney Bus rates.

 

[MRAven]

This was sent to us by my sister wishing a Merry Christmas Disney Magic Vacation

Do check out the scenery, the music, the song ... Do you see the relation to all of us. Hope you like it.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFavxQUbsog&feature=player_embedded#

 

[SueEllen]

Sue Ellen: I'm not trying to start a squabble, but where did you get the information that the ship's water contains sodium? We were told that the ship's water is distilled (which removes ALL minerals, it may pick up some in further processing), and then is filtered to further improve the taste and remove any bacteria. Do you KNOW that it contains sodium, or do you know that you swelled at some point and attributed it to sodium in the water? There are obviously many other sources of sodium and other causes of swelling, so I'm trying to separate what you KNOW from what you surmised from your symptoms.

And the holiday costumes on the characters and princesses are special for the season.

Disney desalinates the water, and they do filter it again, however some of the sodium still remains in it. I have an issue with swelling every cruise (and drink water like crazy as I don't drink soda.) There were several issues going on, so this was discussed with my MD as well as a couple of the crew. I was advised that while they do an excellent job of filtering the water, some of the sodium still remains there. I switched to just the bottled water on my last cruise (with only a few glasses of the water from the ship) and had much less issues with the swelling and my BP.
So while you cannot taste the sodium in the water, there is a residual amount left in there, and if you have any sensitivity to it you may notice issues. Obviously this does not happen to everyone, I just happen to be very sensitive to it since all I drink is water or tea.

 

[bevtoy]

Here are characters from October 2007 this is how they look without Christmas costumes. Only one is my child, the last photo of Goofy(2007)with my daughter Anna (10) shes twelve now.

Minnie on Formal Night her ball gown is gorgeous!:

Mickey and Minnie Day at sea:

Snow White and ?:

My daughter Anna with Goofy:

 

[bevtoy]

Oh I loved that her voice is sweetness itself! How beautiful it put me in the Christmas spirit!

This was sent to us by my sister wishing a Merry Christmas Disney Magic Vacation

Do check out the scenery, the music, the song ... Do you see the relation to all of us. Hope you like it.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFavxQUbsog&feature=player_embedded#

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Ok, I'm not even close to being packed yet but the anxiety is being removed from me for some reason - I think the pics are helping. I'm actually started to get excited!!!

 

[bevtoy]

Ok, I'm not even close to being packed yet but the anxiety is being removed from me for some reason - I think the pics are helping. I'm actually started to get excited!!!

I was having anxiety too which is rare for me but that video helped!

 

[kcashner]

Disney desalinates the water, and they do filter it again, however some of the sodium still remains in it. I have an issue with swelling every cruise (and drink water like crazy as I don't drink soda.) There were several issues going on, so this was discussed with my MD as well as a couple of the crew. I was advised that while they do an excellent job of filtering the water, some of the sodium still remains there. I switched to just the bottled water on my last cruise (with only a few glasses of the water from the ship) and had much less issues with the swelling and my BP.
So while you cannot taste the sodium in the water, there is a residual amount left in there, and if you have any sensitivity to it you may notice issues. Obviously this does not happen to everyone, I just happen to be very sensitive to it since all I drink is water or tea.

Thanks, SueEllen.
I do hope that I expressed effectively that I was not trying to challenge your statements, but rather to get more information.

Several things checked off the "to do" list this morning...and more to come this afternoon.

 

[bevtoy]

Cant wait to dine here:

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Hey all. I'm laying low today, I think I'm coming down with a sinus infection. I'm doing the Neti Pot about 5 times a day, and it's helping, but my impatience wants it to be over with NOW.... Our whole family gets major allergies this time of the year. So....keep posting, I'm enjoying the reading, and I'm trying not to stress about my to do list. I'm hoping that taking it easy will help me get better, and not stressing about it all.