December 9, 2007 4 night

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

I got them Disney Gift cards. They will use them at the parks most likely. Last year they did. Howard saved some of his for the arcade. He couldnt use it at the arcade so we put it towards our on board account and put the arcade card on our KTTW card. Before we left for the cruise they had charging privileges(?) but someone told me to change it in case they lost their card so I did. It all worked fine. When they wanted to shop they got me and it was no big deal. In all reality they didnt need it.

PrincesDi - Why were you delayed getting off the ship? Do you think I should be worried about our flight time going home?

I think I am going to schedule the stingrays again. Probably nothing else. Definately not the banana boats.

I want to watch until August I think for Atlantis deals. I will probably book at that point.

I am so undecided about our transfers. If they run late I will be up a creek without a paddle. I would be mad on the first two legs if they were late but I would be furious and tending to a furious DH if they were late from the port to the airport.

Yall have a good weekend!

 

[princesdi]

Heres another "Absolutely NOT" to the bananna boats----

Not to put any panic into anyone, because I am sure every other departure except for ours goes smoothly!!! we were probably one of the first 50 waiting at the doors to get off the ship--around 8:00 or so. We did not get off the ship until 9:30-9:45 due to a security threat in the terminal. The wait time was horrible, people pushing and cutting in front of everyone, fighting women over who cut in front of who, and the corridors lined with "every passenger" waiting to get off the ship. It was in a sense a nightmare, not a good first impression of getting off the ship at Port. Again we were off the ship and had luggage in hand by no later than 10:00--now all those women who had flights at 11:30 who were fighting, I highly doubt they made their flights.

I would not worry to much, I think you should be able to make your early afternoon flight with out problems. I doubt this scenario happens very often, we just happened to have luck of the draw. I am however so glad we were waiting at the doors when we were, I cannot imagine how long it took for all those people to get off.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

CRSNDSNY - How are you doing? I am sure you are starting to feel overhwelmed by now. I hope you have family and / or friends close by to help you. I hope all is going well with Ernie and Princess Amelia.

HI!
I'm back....just sent you a PM.

To make a long story short to all my cruising friends, I spent Thursday to today back in the hospital fighting a blood pressure issue and infection. I'm doing much much better now and glad to be back at home with my kids. I'll continue my meds orally here and hopefully continue to mend.

Funny enough, while I was in the hospital I was having Disney dreams! Last night I dreamt that I got to port and didn't have my husband's passport or our birth certificates! We had to watch the Wonder sail past us as we all stood there crying.

 

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

Crsndsny - That sounds more like a nightmare!!!!! Please make sure those are the first things you pack!!

We always go to Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg in the fall to a big nationals car show. I just booked our cabin and I am so happy. When you pull up the website and the pictures of the cabins are with the changing of the leaves it is so beautiful. Fall is my favorite time of the year. The mountains are just awesome. We stay in a cabin on top of a moutain that overlooks everything and makes you feel like you are a world away yet you are only five minutes from Dollywood. Our last day there marks our 90 day mark for our cruise!!!!!!
I will be in such a good mood and the children will be all sad to leave the cabin!! Oh Yeah...The cabin has a hot tub on the back deck. Very romantic if there wasnt any children. The cabin we book sleeps 18 and we go with some of our best friends and my SIL and family.

Well hubby and I are fixing to work around the house I hope everyone has a good Sunday and work week.

 

[ElenitaB]

CRSNDSNY, so sorry you ended up back in the hospital... it's so sad being away from one's children. I'm glad that you had a Disney dream but not the part about the ship sailing without you. Now, what would a shrink say about that? Here's to a quick recovery!

MOTM. the cabin sounds heavenly! Have you gone to Dollywood? I was watching "Amusement Park Food Unwrapped" or something today on Food Network and they had a long segment on Dollywood.

Hope everyone has a great week!

 

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

ElenitaB - Dh and I went to Dollywood years ago before children probably 15 or 18 years ago. It was fun but alot of crafts back then. From what I understand there are alot more rides than there was when we went. It is so much fun up there and like I said fall is my favorite time of the year. I love decorating for fall and of course my first born was born in the fall. I guess it still takes second to Christmastime though. On previous trips we have visited the aquariums and drove through the mountains and all of the little shops. This time we want to get on some rides. How are you coming on your travel plans?

 

[Crystal_27]

CRSNDSNY - I hate to hear about your hospital stay, but make sure to take care of yourself, Hon!

Minnie - Very cool about your cabin - sounds just wonderful. We also will probably make a trip up to Gatlinburg in the fall, although I'm more interested in the food and shopping opposed to any car show - LOL! To each her own, though. I hope you guys have a great time!

Ellen - I just PM-ed you girl!

As to the trip, we're really struggling with excursions. My DD is 3 and we *were* planning on the dolphin excursion, but now I'm having second thoughts. Can anyone comment about any good excursions (if any) for a 3 year old? We are now honestly thinking about staying on the ship - which I really wouldn't mind either (maybe I can sneak in another massage?). Anyway, your thoughts are much appreciated.

 

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

Crystal27 - If you dont like cars steer clear of September 6 through 16. They have two huge car shows back to back. (Street rods and Hot rods) We are fans of both but chose street rods this year. If you have been before, you know how the strip is and you can multiply that by 10!!!!! We have actually had people walking the sidewalk to get somewhere as fast as us in the car!!!! We like it though. Also you should go to cabinfevervacations.com and check them out for your trip. They have them located all in the mountains and smaller ones to for one family. They are priced in comparison to a hotel but so much more fun. The ones we have stayed in have been so nice. The one we are staying in this year is called "bear creek lodge". A little sidenote: We have found 12 acres in foreclosure that is just beautiful land. If the foreclosure sale goes through we will be bidding on it at the end of this month. This would be great for us.

 

[Crystal_27]

A little sidenote: We have found 12 acres in foreclosure that is just beautiful land. If the foreclosure sale goes through we will be bidding on it at the end of this month. This would be great for us.

Minnie - that's GREAT news! How exciting and definitely keep us informed. Our land search is not going as well as we had hoped, but we are still optimistic, and we have a LOT of time, so that's good. We might end up purchasing a land lot within a subdivision and building our dream house upon that lot (which "plan" of course has its pros and cons). However, we won't even be putting our house on the market until February, 2008 so, like I said, we have a LOT of time.

Well, I hope everyone elese is doing fine. Things are sure fine here in Atlanta, although they would be better if it was December!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

We might end up purchasing a land lot within a subdivision and building our dream house upon that lot (which "plan" of course has its pros and cons). However, we won't even be putting our house on the market until February, 2008 so, like I said, we have a LOT of time.

WOW! Best of luck with that! I hope it works out.

 

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

Crystal27 - That is the ideal situation for me. With a land lot you secure what is being put around you. The twelve acres I am speaking of is not in a subdivision but it already developed around it. Looking for land can be fun but on the other hand it can be a real pain. We are in no hurry for our house but we would like to get a shop built.

The time for us to start booking excursions is just around the corner. I am unsure of whether or not I want to do the stingrays at CC. I am going to try to throw it out there this week and see what feedback I get. I also want Palo Brunch. Other than that Im fine. What are everyone elses plans? I did the spa last year but I dont want to do it alone. William is not into it and Christie cant. What a bummer. My best guess is that if bingo is going on, I will be there. I do enjoy that.

 

[Crystal_27]

I am going to try to throw it out there this week and see what feedback I get. I also want Palo Brunch. Other than that Im fine. What are everyone elses plans?

LOL - be careful about "throwing it out there," Minnie, you don't want to give your kids an inkling about their surprise! Good luck with getting your choices - I'm sure you'll do fine.

We are still debating on whether or not to do the dolphin excursion, but I think that we are now leaning towards doing it. Even if we have to hold our DD the entire time, I'm sure that the interaction will be a priceless moment (that is, until we go to Discovery Cove when DD is a bit older). I'm also planning on doing the wrap and massage at the spa. Also, December 12th is DH's and my 10th anniversary, so I'm uber-hopeful that we can get Palo for dinner that night. Other than that, we'll just hang out. DH is thrilled about the Bingo, though; I'm quite sure that he'll be spending LOTS of time there.

 

[princesdi]

what age do you have to be to play bingo and how much does it cost?? How often do they have it?

 

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

Because of paying my on board credits ahead of time.....I dont recall how much they were. It sounds crazy but I knew I already had it paid for. It wasnt expensive though or I wouldnt have done it. If I would have had a bill that I owed at the end of our cruise I would remember. The children can play your cards but they cant win. We had alot of fun last year. They have it everyday. My most fun last year was Pajama Bingo!

This is going to sound REALLY ridiculous but I wont get caught throwing it out there. Disney is almost a weekly and sometimes daily conversation at our house. Everywhere we visit....the fun is compared. Thanks for remiding me and warning me though!!!! Do yall think I should tell them about the cruise when we leave or wait till the last day of our land portion? I am going to try for an Illuminations Cruise and that would be the perfect time to tell them!!!

Crystal27 - December 12 is also my DH birthday. He will be 42(Old Man). I can still say that because I havent reached forty yet!!!!!!! Congratulations on your anniversary!!!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

How many days out can Castaway Club members reserve stuff online if their reservation is paid?

 

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

90 days I believe. If you are conceirge it is even earlier. I was reading a few trip reports last night and found what the poster said was a fun kat but I think after going to the website it is a sun kat. It looked like fun. Christie was reading with me and we both want to do it. It really looked like alot of fun. Yall check it out under the excursions at Castaway Cay.

 

[krdisneybound]

just checking in to say "good morning" to everyone.

Hope the day is great for you

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Good morning Kay!

Wow...that 90 days will be here really really soon!

We aren't planning any excursions. We'll rent snorkel gear at CC but that's about it. We plan on staying onboard during Nassau day.

 

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

HELLO EVERYONE!!!!! I am a little excited today to have all my taxes taken care of. Quarterlys scare me to death. I feel so insecure when I do them. This is the first time I have done them all by myself and I got an A plus from the accountant. Yeah!!!!!

I have listed out all of the stuff that we will probably do to make sure I have enough on board credits. It just seemed alot less than last year and it took me a while to figure out why. My PICTURES!!!! Glad I figured it out.

Melody - How have you been feeling? I dont blame you on relaxing on Nassau day. It will be a nice little break for you. It would be nice if you could have someone elses "credits" at flounders nursery. (like if they were transferable) If I was understanding it correctly. I never knew you had to make appointments. Can you make them now or do you have to wait until your 90 days out?

Crystal27 - I was peeking at your thread earlier and sounds like it would be fun for DD. I hope it all works out. I guess we are still atlantis folks. I really want to do the dolphin swim but I dont want to spend that much money not knowing for sure that the kiddos would want to.

Kay - How have you been? Are you feeling better?

Hope everyone else is doing great. Our time is getting so much closer. It will really go fast after school starts. I have actually been looking at Christmas Cards so I can get a jump on things!! It will be here before we know it.

 

[krdisneybound]

Hi Everyone again - and Minnieof2M (S) & Melody:

ha ha

I am doing great. My big news is that I am going back to work.

First as a volunteer at the local hospital that I was in for four years while I was sick. I will be working in their clerical department for Home Health.

I had my TB test yesterday and it will be read tomorrow.

I am leaving for WDW Monday morninn to meet up with some friends SO I wons't be able to start until a week from Monday.

Right now I volunteered for 3 mornings a week. I think I can handle that.

My Dr. gave me a note that I have no restrictions for clerical work. BUT I know I won't and can't pick up anything heavy at all.

After four years of not being able to work, I am sort of anxious to do this.

I have my orientation tomorrow morning and that will take about 3 hours.

I'll keep you posted.