"Double Dip Delight" 09/27/08 - Take 2 with Link to Original Thread!

[NHdisneylover]

Hi All,

Erica--I love the photos! I am so impressed by people who run as you do. My SiL does--but I have never had that kind of drive! It looks like a fabulous time though! Also, the river tubing looks fun and is so pretty.

Denise--Thanks for sharing the photos of your DD's comunion. They are very sweet.

Tonya--Another hint on the Orlando Science Center. They are still a part of the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC). This means if you belong to a local museum which is also part of ASTC you can get free admission there throug the reciprocity/passport program. It is a fabulous deal. We alwasy belong to a local ASTC museum and then use the passport program heavily when traveling as well as visiting locally several times. Here is the link to the list to see if you have a museum near you that also participates (sometimes memebrships at your local museum will be less expensive than tickets for your family at the museum where you are traveling to would be!):
http://www.astc.org/members/pdf/PassPub0508.pdf

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Hi All,

Erica--I love the photos! I am so impressed by people who run as you do. My SiL does--but I have never had that kind of drive! It looks like a fabulous time though! Also, the river tubing looks fun and is so pretty.

Denise--Thanks for sharing the photos of your DD's comunion. They are very sweet.

Tonya--Another hint on the Orlando Science Center. They are still a part of the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC). This means if you belong to a local museum which is also part of ASTC you can get free admission there throug the reciprocity/passport program. It is a fabulous deal. We alwasy belong to a local ASTC museum and then use the passport program heavily when traveling as well as visiting locally several times. Here is the link to the list to see if you have a museum near you that also participates (sometimes memebrships at your local museum will be less expensive than tickets for your family at the museum where you are traveling to would be!):
http://www.astc.org/members/pdf/PassPub0508.pdf

I work at one of the ASTC science centers! But mine is in PA! It's a wonderful program and truly allows you to see hundreds of museums if you take advantage of it!

 

[Hoagie Pie]

Rachel looked so cute in her dress! Loved all the pictures. I don't know if I would enjoy tubing looking for Gators! It looks beautiful though. Yeah! Sarah might be here this weekend! I will continue on my prayer list with everyone who needs it!!!! (Unfortunately I think that is all of us in some way shape or form).

Our favorite restaurant for Darrell and I is Parrot Cay and Abby's is Animator's Palate. I was excited to hear about drydock changes. I knew about the deck chairs at drydock, but nothing else.

Tonya - I live close to Orlando, but I don't know much except that Kennedy Space Center is definitely worth seeing. We also like Gatorland, it isn't that expensive and you get to learn about all the gators and snakes that Florida has to offer. They have shows and everything! Miniature golf is everywhere too!

Hope everyone else is doing well! I cannot wait till September! To all the military families out there, I appreciate whatever your family member is doing - THANK YOU!!!!

 

[Epperbiker]

Hello!

Favorite Restaurant other than Palo (because Palo IS the best):
Me - Lumiere's
DW - Lumiere's
DS - Animators (especially the 'non-show' night when they have classic cartoons playing on the screens)

I have a problem - The three of us have always driven from Tampa to the Port, but this time my Mom is coming with us and I realized there won't be enough room in our little Acura TSX for the four of us and luggage too! I don't want to rent a larger vehicle and pay $400 to have it sit in the parking lot, and it's too far for a taxi/limo. One way rentals seem to be hard if not impossible to find. Has anyone ever shipped a suitcase ahead? Should I strap myself to the roof?

 

[AQW]

<perk> Did someone say Science Center? Ohhhhh, we would love that - we are also members of our local ASTC center and we love the reciprocal agreement. We're always seeking out ASTC centers wherever we travel... science centers and children's museums are our #1 source of entertainment.

 

[anc22]

Question of the week, answers:

Well, since we have never been on a Disney Cruise before (thanks for rubbing it in ) I will have to answer just by what we have read and the pictures we have seen:

Myself: Palo, Palo, Palo..........I cannot wait for that!

DH: He says that from what I have told him, Parrot Cay is probably more his style, he is a pretty casual kind of guy.

DD: Animator's Palate, she is excited to see the "show".

DS: He could care less, he is a pretty picky eater, so the buffet may suit him the best.

I got my 2008 PassPorter refill pages today I haven't had a chance to look very closely at it yet, but it look like it has some new info from the last edition.

One more thing, because of work being slow with our business right now, I emailed DU to see if and when a cat. 9 became available on the Double Dip, how much would I save from moving from a cat. 6 and it was only $800. For some reason I thought that it would be quite a bit more than that So, I think we will just suck it up and stick with our cat. 6.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

<perk> Did someone say Science Center? Ohhhhh, we would love that - we are also members of our local ASTC center and we love the reciprocal agreement. We're always seeking out ASTC centers wherever we travel... science centers and children's museums are our #1 source of entertainment.

Which one? I work at the Da Vinci Science Center in Allentown, PA.

 

[zweihund]

Thanks to everyone for the kind words! I must admit, I don't run fast at all.....but I get there eventually. I forgot to mention that we had one (count her: ONE) wheelchair racer this year, and her husband ran with her as well, with.......brace yourself......A KID ON HIS BACK. We ran past them - the child had a bike helmet on lol. She was awesome! Finished just behind me.

Also, I think we forgot to answer this week's question: favorite restaurant?

Lionel would say Palo, even though it wasn't among the choices, but our next fave would be Tritons (since we've never been to Lumiere's). I LOVE their menu and the decor. Plus, it's fun to dress up.

I got my 2008 PassPorter refill pages today I haven't had a chance to look very closely at it yet, but it look like it has some new info from the last edition.

I just ordered mine! I'm waiting with baited breath.

Oh, and regarding Downtown Disney - it's on Disney property, but you don't have to pay to get in like the parks. It's basically a nice little shopping area, mostly with Disney stores. There is also a nice bath product store (like Lush), the Lego store, some jewellry and art stores and such. Plus, if you go over the little bridge into the Pleasure Island area, there are a bunch of fun little places like a magnet store and a great candy store! BEST CARAMEL APPLES EVER. I highly reccomend it. Next best thing to Disney.

 

[Paul2003]

Happy Monday everyone. The kids and I are about to drive to the seacoast where we are touring a nuclear power plant today. I am taking the kites along and hoping we can fly them at the beach while we are there (it's about 90 miles from here so we do not go that often). When I get back I look forward to reading lots of answers to the Question of the Week Now that we are into the last 150 days lets turn our thoughts to the ship. . .
Which of the 3 main dining rooms on the Magic do you like best? If you have only sailed the Wonder, Lumieres is similar to Tritons. If you haven't sailed yet, surely if you are so exctided about you upcomming trip that you participate on this thread you have seen brochures, the DVD, etc. so tell us your best guess

Me--Parrot Cay. I like the tropical feel
Dave--Lumieres because he likes the menu when it is the rotational one (escargot )
Marika--Animator's because she likes the show
Rio--a tie between Animators for the show and Lumieres becasue he likes the chance to dress up and it is a bit more formal

Well Palo is in a class by itself - 1st class!!!!!!

Of the 3 main dining rooms I'd have to say Parrot Cay is my favorite, Lumiere's second and Animator's Palate third. But they are all GREAT!!!!

 

[rkandmjsmommy]

I am so worried about packing I tend to overpack for myself!

Would some experienced cruisers care to share what they bring to wear for each dinner?

do you wear the same thing twice? do you bring 1 pair of pants and alternate shirts, etc.

Any help/advice would be appreciated>

 

[skoi]

I am so worried about packing I tend to overpack for myself!

Would some experienced cruisers care to share what they bring to wear for each dinner?

do you wear the same thing twice? do you bring 1 pair of pants and alternate shirts, etc.

Any help/advice would be appreciated>

We always over pack because we love to get dressed up at dinner. I'm a SAHM, so I don't get dressed up to go to work, and the cruise is my chance to wear nice things. Our kids are all clothes horses, so keep this in mind as I give advice.

I usually bring a dress, or nice pants/top for each night for myself and the girls. The boys get a shirt for each night (because they're pigs and tend to drop things on themselves), but only a few pair of pants. We do dress formally on formal night, and semi-formal on semi-formal, which means gowns,suits, etc We also dress for pirate night (Halloween costumes), though this year we're going as "Chinese pirates" because the kids got great traditional outfits in China. We always pack lots of shoes, but are cutting back this time because we're flying. We don't pack much for during the day, because we spend a lot of time in swimsuits,etc.

So we always overpack, and since we usually spend a few days at Disney before, we travel with lots of bags. I don't see anything wrong with taking fewer clothes and wearing them more than once, but for us, we love dressing up and this is one of the rare times we do.

Julie

 

[nenner1]

Nenner1 Jen, I saw you posted on your most recent TR that you think this weekend will be it for Sarah's big reveal?!!!? I'm so thankful you've made it this far!

Sadly, no.
I have to be tortured for 13 more days. The 20th it is. Really, it's good news....cause she is doing so well. The results from the 2nd amnio are back and she has ZERO bilirubin level which means she is not anemic at ALL and is doing fine!

So it just means I have to suffer through a little bit longer. I'm already as big as a truck. And she weighs est. 6 lbs 6 oz NOW so she will surely be over 8 pounds by then.

Oh Jeff....why not strap Mom to the roof? We have room on ours!!! HA HA!

Ok...question of the week...not counting Palo since it isn't rotational, and not counting the chicken strips at Pluto's (drooooool!) all of us go with Animator's Palate. Its just the total Disney experience.

And nobody wants my packing advice. I-who thought I had to go shopping for MORE LUGGAGE prior to our cruise!

 

[skoi]

I'd say off the top of my head, we all like whatever dining room we're in for formal night. For every cruise so far, it's been Animator's Palate.

Besides that:
ds 9 likes Lumiere's because they have duck and he loves duck.
dd 13 likes Lumiere's because Beauty and the Beast was her favorite movie growing up
I like Lumiere's best because it seems the most "cruisey" to me- like the Love Boat dining room. (I know I'm dating myself here, I'm so old)
dd 3 likes anywhere with food, she's not picky.
ds 3 has never cruised, but I'm sure he'll agree with dd 3's choice, as long as there's food, and plenty of it, he's happy.

I really love Palo, but will only be doing brunch and tea (hopefully) because I really don't want to eat there alone. I'd feel really weird. Dh and I usually go after sitting with the kids at the rotational meal, and I'd feel weird alone, without him.
And on that depressing note- off to bed! Kids get up so early, and dh used to be the one who got up with them.
Julie

 

[anewmac]

Sadly, no.
I have to be tortured for 13 more days. The 20th it is. Really, it's good news....cause she is doing so well. The results from the 2nd amnio are back and she has ZERO bilirubin level which means she is not anemic at ALL and is doing fine!

And nobody wants my packing advice. I-who thought I had to go shopping for MORE LUGGAGE prior to our cruise!

Glad to hear you both are doing well.. but I feel ya on how those last few days/weeks feel. OY lol

I told E also we need new luggage and he was all WHY... umm cuz we need more suitcases.. and one to fit inside the other so that we can bring suvioners home and... and.. and... suffice to say.. he didnt go for my explanation! LOL But I can just throw one of his seabags in the suitcase as it folds pretty flat then pull it out when we leave.

 

[zweihund]

I am so worried about packing I tend to overpack for myself!

Would some experienced cruisers care to share what they bring to wear for each dinner?

do you wear the same thing twice? do you bring 1 pair of pants and alternate shirts, etc.

Any help/advice would be appreciated>

I'm a mild overpacker, but I always like to be prepared.
I can't help you out for the kids' things, but I can tell you what Lionel and I bring. Or, more accurately, what I bring and what I decide Lionel will bring He usually opens the suitcase and asks "what is THIS in here for?"

The longest cruise I've been on was a four-day. We brought a suit for Lionel with two different shirts and ties: one set for formal night and one set for Palo. He wore the suit twice, and because it is a black suit no one notices nor do they care. We used one pair of dress shoes for him. I brought two nice dresses for the same nights, and one pair of dress shoes. All of that fit very nicely in a garment bag.

For casual stuff, I try to bring a few skirt-top outfits that are comfortable enough for around the boat wear yet fine for the dining room with a cardigan. I also bring something to wear over the bathing suit, and I re-use it. Lionel gets a pair of pants for dinners to alternate with his suit pants, and shorts for the other days. A few polos and t-shirts can go to dining room or out to excursions. We each get a pair of "beach shoes" and a pair of casual, comfortable shoes that can go from the port to dinner.

My best advice is to make sure you have the formal stuff covered, and then to minimize things like shoes and dining room wear. Pants can be reworn, especially when you carry a Tide pen and travel Febreeze. Shirts that double for day to evening help. Bring shoes that can be used for multiple things.

I don't know if that helps, but that is what we do. I am hoping that we can get by with one large suitcase and the garment bag, plus our carry-on.

Oh, and space bags help for the dirty laundry on the way home

 

[Grandma4ever]

I am so glad that Sarah is doing well. The 20th with be here before you know it. But it has been awhile since I was waiting to give brith (over 30 years) So what do I really know.

As far as packing I try to take everything including the kitchen sink. Never know what I might want. I have to be careful because one of my suitcases will go over the 50 pound limit. And now I am dealing with the only one bag free limit too. I guess I might try to scale down. Then again I might need.... Lois

 

[MagicMe]

Okay - question of the week... I had to think about this. I've only cruised the Wonder. I really like all three but if I had to pick one, I quess it would be Animator's Palate.

 

[CrazyZeus1]

Julie- I hope your son is doing better...sorry for the rollercoaster ride with his health!

ScrappingJen--Reese is 4 and even though he has a hundred Hotwheels, he says he wants all the new ones Hubby says that no matter how many you have, if it's a new car it's special!

Erica--Way to go on the race. That's a looooong way to run & I could never finish myself. Congrats to you!!

Question of the week:

Our favorite restauraunt? We're one of the odd balls who don't like to eat in the restaraunts! We like room service or counter service places. So we don't like any of them really Our favorite place to eat then? The soft serve stand! hehehehe

 

[anc22]

When you book excursions and spa treatments online, before the cruise, do you pay for it with a credit card at the time of booking or does it show up on your bill when you are on the ship? Thanks in advance to all of you cruise geniuses!

 

[FatCat]

When you book excursions and spa treatments online, before the cruise, do you pay for it with a credit card at the time of booking or does it show up on your bill when you are on the ship? Thanks in advance to all of you cruise geniuses!

You get billed on the ship.