December 9, 2007 4 night

[princesdi]

lurking

That is great information on the Atlantis, everything I wanted to know just haven't had the time to look at the details. IYO is it worth going to atlantis or would you rather stay on the ship?? Last year we did a snorkeling excursion and went to the straw market. After asking the kids "IF" we ever went on another cruise if they would want to do an excursion or stay on the ship, they both said--stay on the ship. However going to the Atlantis really wasn't something I considered until I started reading about others making the same plans. What is your opinion??

I don't mean to leave you all hanging, it just seems that when I am on the boards I am info seeking more than anything----I know, I know I need to make more time for my groupies

Work is keeping me busy, busy, busy, running the kids to their summer activiites also has be running ragid. DH work keeps him away from home alot so you know how it can be when you start to feel overwhelmed. While traveling home last week from a dept. of education seminar I received a starteling phone call that my grandfather suddenly passed away. That has been really hard to accept and deal with. On top of that I had to take DD14 to camp for the week--after the past week I had I just wanted her to be home to keep me company Love her to pieces!! And on that 6 hour round trip I had to pass by the cemetary twice where I had just been on Saturday burying my grandfather and his house on top of it. Sorry for all the rambling, forgive me for not being more dedicated to our thread---I will try to do better

Being an adult can be overwhelming at times!!!

 

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

PrincessDi - My heart goes out to you. I am so sorry to hear about your Grandfather. Its funny how our children can drive us nuts then they can be so comforting when necessary. I am sorry you are having to go through this difficult time. We will pray for your entire family.

As far as the old Atlantis, It was worth it once in a while not every trip. We had originally said we would stay on the ship this time and chill. However finding out the new portion is opened and after viewing it online, we will be back there this year. The old slides were fun...dont get me wrong but the new part looks awesome. My children have made the comment on more than one occasion that they liked it but would rather stay on the ship next time. DH wants to go back this year just because of the new part and me too! If the children had seen it they would feel the same way. I am scared if we dont go we will regret it. I am probably going to book Comfort Inn and if I find a better deal.......I will cancel.

Again, I am so sorry to hear about your Grandfather.

I am glad you are looking for info so you can bring some back here!!!!

 

[abminer]

have finally gotten a chance to read everyone's posts. Sounds like you are all about as obsessive with your planning as I am I have this big excel spreadsheet going at work for this trip...and I've been working on it for a long time.

Last time I was there was for the first free dining plan offer. It had been 7 years since my previous trip so the whole DP was new to me. I made my ADRs about 6 weeks early (I got all the places I wanted, but had to swap lunches for dinners and such). My AAA TA made my ADRs on Sat. as that was my 180 day mark for this trip. I got all the palces I asked for within 10 min of the times I requested. Kona dinner, Biergarten lunch (though I'll swap that when CP packages come out), Crystal Palace b’fast, LTT lunch and WCC lunch. I'm a dis dining addict so the process of choosing that stuff is the highlight of my planning fun. I try to do all new restaurants when I go (and new hotel too). I have been to Crystal palace b’fast before, but I was 9!

Now I can move on to other things like touring plans and Palo ressies. I didn't know DTD had a tree lighting too-what time? Does anyone know when they start taking sleigh ride ressies? And I have never gotten a custom map-is that through the WDW website?

You learn so much on these boards. I will have to check out the Atlantis site. I was toying with a vacation there a couple years back, but opted for that free dining dis trip (and rekindled my childhood disney obsession) instead. Getting to see Atlantis was a big draw of the cruise. I am just planning on cabbing it from the ship there and buying the pass that lets you walk around and see the aquarium once there. You can't use the pools w/out a room reservation there or across the street, right? Can you at least see the pool areas when walking around?

I guess that was a lot of questions!

 

[princesdi]

Can anyone tell me real simply how to post pictures?? I have them saved on kodak photo gallery and in my pictures folder.

 

[princesdi]

Dolphin encounter or Atlantis

 

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

I am going to try to answer a few questions. I want to say the WL concierge planner told me they start taking ressies in August for the sleigh rides. I almost think they always do carriage rides and I think they also have a hay ride. I could be wrong.

I got my customized maps off of the WDW website. They are really cool.

I cant remember what time the tree lighting ceremony took place. It seems like it was at 6:00 just as it was getting dark. We had found it out of a brochure.

No you cant use the pools without a room. I dont know how it works if you just buy an admission ticket for the dig and aquarium. I know we were turned right out of there in June when we just wanted to look around the inside of the hotel. I knew I was going in December with the children so it really didnt matter.

I am almost 100% positive we are doing Atlantis. I dont know what kind of program they have as far as dolphins. I know they have Dolphin Cay but I havent checked into it.

I wished I knew how to post pictures. I am technically challenged. Every now and then there are things I would like to post picture wise.

Well I am off to see Nancy Drew! (whoo hooo - I said that exaggerating) I let the children have a sleepover as if two were not enough. I ended up with FIVE! Now we are going to the movies and home so I can get some sleep. Why they think it isnt a sleepover if you dont stay up until 1:30 A.M. is beyond me. William got me up at 5:30 to type some quotes for him. So.....I am tired.

 

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

I have recovered!!!! BTW Nancy Drew is actually a very good movie. I used to love the books as a child. I wasnt excited about the movie and neither was Howard and Friend but we all liked it. If you have younger ones like I would say seven or under, it may be a little scary. It is a mystery so I guess they have to have scenes that are a little scary.

I have called Atlantis and talked to them about Dolphin Cay. What she described is basically a Dolphin Encounter. Hug, Kiss, Dance etc. She also mentioned that they are trying to get a Dolphin Swim in place by late November. The cost for the encounter is $150.00 which is a little higher than the other ones offered on the cruise. The cost of the swim has not been determined yet. I know it is a little more expensive but If we are already going to be there I think I would like it at Atlantis. I may not do it. I guess when the brochure comes I can ask questions as we often get stuff like this in the mail.

 

[GooFy_4_DisnEy]

I have been reading everyones posts about Nassau and I am truely undecided? Some people say dont do it, better to stay on the boat, others say go do this or that. Let me ask how many of you if you had never been to Nassau before would get off the boat and go do something with their almost 4 yr old daughter, 1 yr old son and spouse? Would you go do or would you stay on board? What would you do while either onboard or in Nassau? We are not beach people that go to just hang out, I am wondering if my daughter would like and be able to do the Dolphin encounter?
Thank You!
G4D

 

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

Goofy 4 Disney - I believe that you would have to hold her for the Dolphin Encounter. That would be the only thing. Not saying that in a bad way ...I just dont know how much either of you would enjoy that. To answer your question...at their age I would probably stay on the ship. The only reason I say that is because I had the chance to go to Nassau before without children and was horrified. Its dirty,smelly and filled with Germs!!!! I say that seriously because at one and four years of age I always felt myself saying "keep your hands away from your face and mouth". There is nothing that I could think of to wow them or for them to learn at that age. The only place I am willing to carry my children is Atlantis. They love the water slides and the big ones are too big for your little ones. My husband wanted them to see the straw market and they were not impressed and wanted out of there!!! They felt sorry for the people working in the conditions they work in. Until I found out about the new portion of Atlantis opening, we were staying on the ship. Also, I am no expert just my personal experience. Maybe someone else could shine a better light on the subject. Maybe even start a thread and someone else may know something.

 

[GooFy_4_DisnEy]

Thank You Minnie OTM, we are very similar, except now it seems to be keep your fingers out of you're nose! Cant explain it it just happends? I dont mind holding / carrying her, I am not on the small side. I will read around some more and make a decision by August I imagine
Talk with you soon!
G4D

 

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

We are off for a weekend of racing. It is only a little over a couple of hours away. We are armoured with a new motor and are trying a different set up. We have been pretty consistant but ready to raise the game. We are still in the top three in his class. We are pretty much guaranteed a spot in the nationals in Neeces SC. We are really trying hard for a first place this week. What we have done to his kart though may not work......Hence a good weekend gone bad!! We are being optimistic. Have a few other guys going with us for a little pit crew help.


I sooooo want to swim with the dolphins but my children were a little intimidated at first with the stingrays. I probably should stick to the encounter. My DH is going to throw a fit. I am on the verge of turning a relaxing week into a very much on the go week. I am going back and forth on that.

To the people with little ones, I feel your pain. I LOVE babies and hate that mine are growing up. On the other hand I dont miss the diapers, sippy cups, bottles, tired babies and all of the other stuff that goes with motherhood when they are that age. Now yall can feel a little of my pain with the sassy talk they THINK they are going to do. The poor poor pitiful me's because the "other children" get to. I only want vera bradley or ambercombie kind of stuff!!!!! etc.

I was talking to a friend about the BBB and my daughter looked at me like I was out of my ever loving mind. I had to let her know that I was talking about my other friend taking her child. That is why she shouldnt be sticking her nose in my conversation. I actually remember me wanting her to talk!! I must have been crazy.

I guess everyone has seen the CP schedule is out. We may skip this year. I really wanted Gary Sinise. We had Steven Curtis Chapman last year. He was wonderful.

 

[krdisneybound]

Are we ready to cruise yet?????????????????

I am ready


S: you sure are a racing fan, girlfriend

My son's father was a big racing fan - I used to take DS and he would sleep through the whole "noisy" business - I never knew how he did it and today he sleeps through anything.

Now he has his DS - my grandson I visited w/in Hawaii, is in the go karts now.


Have a great weekend and stay safe.


our dates to book excursions and dining before cruising: I always forget and have to past the dates on the front of all my cruise folders:


You can make your 105 Day Advanced Reservations on 08/26/2007
You can make your 90 Day Advanced Reservations on 09/10/2007
You can make your 75 Day Advanced Reservations on 09/25/2007
You can make your 60 Day Advanced Reservations on 10/10/2007
You can make your 45 Day Advanced Reservations on 10/25/2007
You can make your 30 Day Advanced Reservations on 11/09/2007

 

[CRSNDSNY]

have fun MoTM!

 

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

Thanks Yall!!!!

Well we were fast but didnt have a good weekend. We were at a really small one groove track with a three foot concrete wall around it which spells TROUBLE!!! We started off smacking the wall. It knocked the breath out of Howard and scared me to death. This was a first. He ended up fine. In that class we kept our position but lost a spot in the champ kart. Our bodies are demolished. I ordered two new ones as we need them in less than a month for dirt races. Howard had a good time and all in all it could have been worse...another boy broke his wrist.

Kay - I have been worried about you! I am so glad you posted. I hope you are feeling better. You have me pegged. HUGE nascar fan and really any other race. I had rather watch a good race any day over a ball game or even shopping. We really enjoy this as a family. We are going to Talledega in October and we are very excited about this.

My whole post is OT and I apologize but I have one more thing. We just got to the Hotel and showered and saw on CNN that they found the body of the nine month pregnant women. I am heartbroken for the family. I had myself convinced that they was going to find her when she gave birth. I thought maybe she was running from her boyfriend.Very very sad that her two year old witnessed it.

Yall have a happy Sunday!!!!

 

[krdisneybound]

yes, the pillowcases are great. My last two cruise I had some of them signed for my g/children and one for me.

If anyone wants me to find out anything for them, I will, as I will be cruising in September and then I have 2 cruises in October B2B.

I pretty much stay on the ship in Nassau and don't do excursions anymore there. It is just a relaxing day for me while we are in Nassau.

Minnie: don't ever apologize for talking OT - that is perfectly OK - I thought it was so sad also about the lady and her boyfriend. He must be truly crazy.

Oh, and I will be seeing Nancy Drew shortly also.

Everyone should get a booklet from DCL shortly about excursions and other information. I have mine already for the other cruises coming up.


Hope everyone has a good Sunday

 

[Crystal_27]

Hello All! I sure missed talking Disney while on vacation in South Dakota. South Dakota is such a wonderful place - everyone leaves their doors unlocked during the day while they are away, and everyone knows everyone else. What a great vacation we had just relaxing and getting away from "Big City" Atlanta! However, now that we are back, it just means that Disney is closer than ever. I have a lot of work to catch up on, but wanted to pop in and say HI! Hope everyone is doing well and feeling well.

 

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

crystal 27 - I am so glad that you had a good time. When we lived in Mississippi we could leave our doors unlocked also. We moved 20 minutes away to Memphis and it was so hard to get used to locking our doors and carrying door keys with you. I cant tell you how many times I have been locked out. William has the door so that it automatically locks when you go out. One morning I walked the children out to carpool in my pjs and no shoes and the my little darlings pulled the door closed. I had to ride to school with my friend because it was about 40 degrees. By the time I got home William had made it there.

If anyone comes up on an Atlantis "deal" before me...please post it. I will do the same.

Our end result in racing pushed us back a spot in one class and up one spot in the other. I guess it could have been worse!! I dont think I am even going to ask how much damage it is going to do to my pocketbook. I dont want to know. What is so nervewrecking is in the champ kart (with a roll cage) Howard is now fourth instead of third place but there is only 85 points separating the four guys and they are all friends!!!! If Howard would have won this weekend he would have been in first place!!! He was a second and a half faster (thats alot considering they go around the track which is 1/8 of a mile in 11.5 seconds) than the little guy that was blocking him but he couldnt get around without wrecking and he was not as aggressive having had the breath knocked out of him earlier!!! We would love to go to the Nationals in the top 3 instead of the top 5.

 

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

CRSNDSNY - Counting down the days!!!! I cant believe 25 days. You will have to post the info on your new little bundle of joy. Take care of yourself!!

 

[princesdi]

I figured out how to post pictures,it is easier than everyone has said. If you haven't checked it out you really should, it will make posting so much funner.

 

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

Way to go Princess Di I saw your pictures on the picture of the day!!!!!!!!!!