DS8, DD5 on Wonder July 21,2002

[ynggun21]

Hi Kelli, we booked a Dolphin Encounter but I might cancel it because we haveto find our way to the encounter lol. They don't supply transportation to the encounter so thisis why I might just cancel it. Yea I hear the same things about Nassau, we just might do that (stay on the ship) IM not sure yet.

 

[teacher3410]

Hi Kelli and Frankie. We received our documents last week and are so excited about the cruise.....one month from today! I think we are going to walk to the straw market after breakfast and then come back to the ship. I want my DD8 and DS6 to at least experience a part of Nassau. My husband and I were in Nassau on our honeymoon 13 years ago. I didn't like it very much, but I think it will be worth a couple of hours for the kids to see what it is like. I'm also looking forward to a less crowded ship. I think it would be fun to swim and maybe take in a movie during the hottest part of the afternoon. Has anyone started packing?

Pam

 

[teacher3410]

The above post is for you too, Laurie......didn't mean to leave you out!

Pam

 

[MrsScooby]

LOL! Thanks Pam.
I too want to see Nassau since I've never been there before. I'm playing it safe with a DCL excursion to Atlantis ,but that is at 11:00am. I want to try to find some tanzanite at the shops there, but the rest of our day will be onboard. I'm not expecting alot from Nassau so I doubt I'll be disappointed.
Frankie- Neither of my kids (DS8,DD5- Disney son, Disney daughter) were afraid of the plane. But they like rollercoasters alot so I can't guarantee anything. Tell the stewardess when you get on board that it is your daughter's first flight and they may have a pin or certificate for her. I don't have problems with my ears (just motion sickness ) but my DH, DS and DD do. Lollipops to suck on or special ear plugs for planes would help. It only seems to be a problem on landing. The hard part is keeping them amused and not packing their entire toy box to do it. Luckily your flight isn't too long.
I'm looking forward to Castaway Cay alot. Now if I can just get myself to pronounce the Cay part correctly.
Kelli- We got to pet Sting Rays at an aquarium in Virginia Beach last year. Definitely a cool experience. Better to wait for a better deal than Sting Ray City.
Laurie

 

[MrsScooby]

Hey everyone!
I just got back from the pool. My DS and DD tried out their new snorkle equipment. DS8 had a ball! DD5 had some trouble adjusting to the mask and snorkle. She didn't give up though and I'm sure she'll have it down pat by the time Castaway Cay rolls around.
We are also trying out our new two-way radios. Cool.
I was able to talk to DH while he mowed the lawn. Should proove helpful on the ship (and when we go to Six Flags next week.)
Frankie- has your camcorder come in yet?
I'm sure it will soon if it hasn't already.
I think I have everything I need. Walmart has underwater cameras for $8. A friend of my spent $27 on one on her cruise.
She also took 8 rolls of film on her cruise and used it all! She took a picture of the Wonder for me as her cruise ship passed it.
I can't wait!
Laurie

 

[ynggun21]

Hi everyone, Laurie the camcorer still never came in as of yet, I called on Friday and they said it should be here on Monday...for there sake it better be IM still trying to get everything I need I like the idea about the water cameras I may pick up a few but there isn't a Walmart around here so I will have to check other places.

 

[MrsScooby]

Hey Everyone ! I haven't started packing yet, but I have picked up most of what I'll need for the cruise. Travel clock, travel hair dryer, sun screen, Safe Sea, etc..
I think I'll wait til about 2 weeks before we leave to pack, I think. I'm trying to hold off so clothes won't get too wrinkled. I am not ironing on this trip!
We saw Scooby Doo (the Movie ) yesterday. It was alot better than I thought it would be. I guess it's Lilo and Stitch for next weekend. DD doesn't want to wait til the cruise to see it.
Hopefully "someone" picked up his new camcorder today .

I just realized I don't have any swimsuit cover-ups! Oh no,I guess I'm not done shopping yet. Darn .

Laurie

 

[Sure]

Haven't received cruise docs yet. We do have a good list of items to bring started. I look forward to seeing you all there and i wish each of you a safe trip.

Jeff

 

[ynggun21]

IT CAME.....IT CAME.... My camcorder finally came in, I have to pick it up today and it's going to take me till the cruise to figure out how to use it We aren't packed yet either, I think we will do it the week we leave so things don't get so wrinkled. I hope everyone is doing well, don't go crazy getting everthing you need for the cruise together, instead make a list and check off as you go and don't forget the sunscreen. For the smaller kids a hi SPF would be sufficent 40 or above just to be safe. Oh yeaand for those who tend to get sea sick BONINE!!!

 

[noahsmom]

we are leaving on the 18th for 3 nights at WDW. I will start packing that week. I have purchased most items, got disposable ponchos, pen flashlight, ziplock bags yesterday. Forgot about the travel clock, guess I still need that. So far I have 3 disposable underwater cameras, 2 disposable cameras for ds (4 yrs old) and 8 rolls of film. Not sure if I want to lug the video camera too. Just one more thing to carry and/or loose! I'm a big scrapbooker so the pictures are a must.

Only 22 days until we leave!

Kelli

 

[MrsScooby]

I'm still trying to decide if we're going to bring our camcorder. It depends on how many bags we end up with I guess. Video of the cruise , even if it is only of our cabin, would be so fun to look at later.
I thought I read somewhere that the Bonine was provided for free on the ship. They have it in bins by the Doctor's office? I want to make sure I have some in my cabin just in case. I got the ok from the doctor to give half tablets to DS and DD if needed.
Laurie

 

[ynggun21]

Hi Laurie, IM not sure if it's bonine that they have on board, if you want to make sure call DCL they ought to know. If they don't just pick some up at the pharmacy. IM bringing some with me for my wife and just in case my daughter gets sick

 

[MrsScooby]

I have some Bonine left over from last trip in April. I only used it 2 or 3 times. It also helps after you get nauseous. I found that out after Star Tours in DL.
I just like to have extra just in case. I have to call DCL anyway to check and make sure they know about our anniversary. Our TA has been somewhat lax about our trip. Definitely going with Disney Dreams for the next time.
The weather in Orlando can't be worse than what we are having now. It is so hot and humid -code red on air quality. I'm so ready for a vacation!
Laurie

 

[Annamae]

Hi,

We are also going to be on the Wonder July 21. We have never cruised before so I have been all over many boards for advise. I've decided I can't remember everything, so we are just going to experience it. I have a 15 year old girl and a 8 year old girl. They are so looking forward to this, we don't take many vacation because dad really likes work. I worry about the girls not making friends at the clubs, but hopefully they will and I can relax. We are doing the dolphin excursion. We called the 60 days before. I signed husband up to do the parasailing and all of us to do the banana boat, plus rented the package for the floats and stuff. We are on deck 8. We are flying in the day before and staying at the hilton. Then taking the Disney bus. Hopefully we will get there are noon, so we can explore the ship. Well I think I have told everything there is to tell. Except I can't wait to go.

 

[el_tigre]

Welcome, it looks like we got a nice little group going. It's hard to believe the cruise is less than a month away.

I called Disney for the Dolphin Excursion about 50 days in advance and it was all booked up. I guess shore excursions are sort of like CRT; you better call the first day you're able or you could be out of luck. I ended up getting the Dolphin Encounter anyway when I called them directly. My DW and DS had hoped for the Dolphin Swim but that was booked a long time ago. I'm continuing to call for cancelations in the chance that I can upgrade, but I think I'll be lucky to pull it off. Just have to keep my fingers crossed.

Anyhow, I can't wait. It's going to be a blast.

 

[MrsScooby]

I can't believe we're leaving three weeks from today! The drive down won't be so bad with the cruise to look forward to.
AnnaMae, I also worry about my DS8 and DD5 making friends on board. I hear it is important to make sure they spend some time in the kids clubs on the first day. It is harder to fit in later.
I want to hear about the dolphin encounter/swim from those of you who manage to get it. Hope to do that next time.
I hope to meet all of you either at the Radisson or on the cruise .
I'm still waiting for a Dis veteran to step in and set up a meeting. It is funny that so far we are all first time cruisers.
I can't wait either!
Laurie

 

[ynggun21]

Welcome aboard Annamae, don't worry about the kids your lucky even if you see them I was able to book the dolphin encounter as well but was not successful in booking the swim, it was all booked up. Someone has to start a roll call to find out who is goingto be on the ship July 21st. and make plans so we can all meet. If everyone wants to that is. Im game.

 

[Annamae]

Hi all,

What is the difference between the swim and the encounter? My excursion sheet only showed the encounter and I thought we also got to swim with the dolphins. Did they split them or add a new excursion? Oh, I left one piece of information out, we are staying afterwards 3 days to do WDW. I hope that since we are doing it in reverse of their package, that we won't have trouble getting where we need to go. We are staying at the hotel in the airport upon arrival, they have a disney pickup there. Does anyone know what time they pick up? Our TA didn't know, said the hotel would tell us.

I keep thinking we have alot of time to get ready, I have been so busy, I haven't even got a chance to look at all the documents.

Annamae

 

[el_tigre]

Annamae,
The Dolphin Encounter allows you quite a bit of interaction with the dolphins (i.e. hugging, kissing, dancing), but you are on a waste deep platform and not actually swimming with them. You can book this one through Disney or on your own. The Dolphin Swim, which is run by the same company, is not offered by Disney and can only be booked through the company. In this one, you are immersed in a large pool and have quite a bit more interaction. You can get a better idea of the two programs at Dolphin Encounter's site. I'm doing WDW after the cruise too.

Laurie,
I'd bet you might have a shot to get the Dolphin Encounter if you booked with them directly. They said that one doesn't fill up nearly as fast.

As far as meeting, l'm up for it. I'm sure just about everyone here will be doing the reservation rush (or whatever they call it). Heck, I have a feeling I'll run into Laurie at the spa sign-ups.

 

[MrsScooby]

el_tigre- you must have read those Surial Bath stories too? HiddenHearth has the funniest one on the trip reports (IMHO).
ynggun21- How is your camcorder working out? Have you figured out what all the buttons are for? (We've had ours for 10 years and I still don't know how to use all the features. )
Annamae- I would call the hotel directly. (Sounds like your TA is related to mine. )
I'm going to go read up on the other threads to see how the veterans plan their meetings. ( Hard to designate a meeting place when you've never been on the ship though.)
I'll probably wear a Scooby shirt on the first day . Too bad these boards don't sell hats or something to make meeting easier.
Laurie