FEB 3, 2008 ABROAD DISNEY WONDER--Who else??

[pixieprincessmom]

We are each bringing 2 long pants with a shirt for every day for dining. The kids will probably spill and I will end up washing, but I would just have to pack so much otherwise.

 

[princessdaisy]

I have a feeling I will be washing a few things on the ship...I am trying not to over pack since it is just myself that I'm packing for

ps. Hey we just made it past 600 posts!

 

[taramarie]

I can't find my favorite pair of jeans and tinkerbell shirt!!!!!!

**edit**Whew...I found them! They were in Bret's dirty clothes. (yes we do our own laundry!)

 

[princessdaisy]

I can't find my favorite pair of jeans and tinkerbell shirt!!!!!!

Did you check the laundry? or maybe fell in the closet or something? I know one time a fav. shirt of mine fell off the hanger and got stuck in the back of the closet...Hope you find them

 

[quarterman6]

I missed the chat! My monitor just stopped working...I've never had that happen before! One minute it was working and then Bam It stopped...

Anyways had to go out and buy a new one today...

Sorry I missed it!

 

[taramarie]

I missed the chat! My monitor just stopped working...I've never had that happen before! One minute it was working and then Bam It stopped...

Anyways had to go out and buy a new one today...

Sorry I missed it!

We missed you....we had a great talk and decided to do it again next Saturday night at 9:00pm.

Tara

 

[princessdaisy]

a few more weeks... get packing krewe!

Hey Shawnie boy - Have a safe flight home!! Wahoo

 

[taramarie]

a few more weeks... get packing krewe!

Hey Shawnie boy - Have a safe flight home!! Wahoo

DITTO!

 

[taramarie]

1.early arrival gets an early boarding pass number.

2.terminal opens 10 a.m.

3.boarding starts around 11:30 to noon.

4.keep camera with you at ALL times, even in the terminal. characters will appear there for photos. ourdoor viewing area of the ship for photos.
5 check in at kids club table while waiting to board ship. saves you time on the ship.

6. take a few ones. some for room service tips some to tip porters who take your bags at the termnal. $1 per bag is customary.

7. take small bills for the islands. many small shops dont have change.

8. if your going to use your credit card on the islands, call your CC company first and tell them or you will have to wait on a phone call to ok all your purchases. This is a big hassle and can take 30 minutes or more.

9. most shops who take credit cards, require a $20 minimum purchase.

10 take camera to dinner each night, surprizes happen all the time. You wont be alone. you will even see cam corders at dinner.

11. arrive at all shows 20 minutes early for good seats.

12. arrive at character meets 10 minutes early

13 Princess meets arrive 15 minutes early

14. on Castaway cay if you want your photo taken with Captain Jack Sparrow, do NOT ride the tram to the beach area. It does NOT stop near him. You must walk in to the beach signs say 20 minute walk in it takes us 10 minutes. he will be along the way in the sand and photo has the flying Dutchman behind you, great photo! Check navigator for times he will be there.

15 There are characters along the way to the beach, ok to ride the tram for this. Lines are short and move quickly so it is a great opportunity to see characters without lines. check navigator for times and places.

16 also characters appear at the gazebo near cookies BBQ on the island during the day.

17 adult only beach has it's own area for lunch they often have steaks or lobster there as a special treat for the grown ups. But Cookies BBQ by family beach has more variety of other foods.

18 dont ,miss the good bye late the last night in the atrium. ALL the characters will line up on the stairs and will pose for photos for you. This farwell party is really nice and fun.

19 check for photos everyday at shutters. buy a package deal and save $$ if you dont buy enough photos for the package deal they will refund you the difference at the end of your cruise .
or if you buy a photo and then decide the next day you see one you want more, just bring back the one you bought and the receipt and tell them you want to exchange it and they will be happy to do this for you.

20. you can order warm chocolate chip cookies or Mickey ice cream bars from room service even though it is not on the menu. The warm cookies are available in the evenings only

21. bring 2 white pillowcases or a matte style picture frame in a zip lock baggie with water proof markers and leave at guest services desk ask to be autographed and it will be returned to you the last night all signed by the characters. I also add a card with my name and room number on it just in case their card gets lost. I like to use dark colored markers, the light colors dont show up as well.

22. If you need to change dining times or make a Palos reservation go to Wave Bands club directly upon boarding to take care of this. The sooner you do it the better your chances of getting what you want.

23. I fyou have kids leave a wake up call and then let them answer the phone. It will surprize the because Mickey will be on the phone telling them it is time to get up.

24 Afternoon matinees of the shows are great to see. They are the exact same show, they leave out nothing but it is less crowded and kids arnt as tired, plus it makes for a more leisurely evening. No need to rush to or from the shows due to your dinner time.

25. Pop is free in all restaurants and at the drink station on deck 9. But if you order it from waiter or buy at a lounge or bar you will be charge for it plus a gratuity.

26. stop by the drink station and grab a drink to take with you to the shows or movies instead of buying a can a pop there. If you want a snack stop and grab pizza or hot dogs or fruit on deck 9 to take with you. again save money over buying a bunch of snacks for the kids.

27.At dinner kids can order from both the kids or adult menu.

28. The BBQ at the adult beach often has a fewer choices than Cookies BBQ on the family side but they often will have steak or lobster for the adults only BBQ. That is a nice perk.

29. No need to book floats and bikes ahead of time for Castaway Cay. They have tons of them. wait until you get there to make sure your really going to need the floats or have time to ride the bikes before renting them. we always just walk up and do it at the beach.

30. If you want to do the banana boat ride or the ski do(eco tour) I would book ahead of time. They do often have last minute openings so dont be afraid to ask when you arrive if you didnt book it and decided you'd like to do it.

31. if you rent bikes there are 2 nice trails just off the runway. The first one will have an observation tour. It has a great view of the island and ship. Bring your camera for this!! while up in the tower be sure and look around the base area of the tower. There are some whimsical things to see there too.

32. all the trails have ice cold water in big yellow barrels in wooden framed stands, so no need to carry your own unless you want to.


hope this gives you some new information to help with your cruise

 

[LoveMyDisneyCats]

I haven't started packing at all!!! I had hoped to be at least organized by now. I usually start throwing stuff I want to take in a laundry basket and keep it in my room and then just pack a couple days before. So far, all that's in my basket- 1 night of dresses for DDs, the over the door hangers that I just bought, a box of fruit snacks, and one swimsuit for DD3.
I've got to get on the ball!

 

[pixieprincessmom]

Thanks for posting the tips Tara. I have printed several of these from different places and just highlight the ones I think I'll need.

We made 600 posts!!

 

[princessdaisy]

Great list! Thanks, Tara!

 

[princessdaisy]

Will be in Disney tomorrow and purchasing some magnets...just a short visit as we will drive down (1 hour 20 min drive) then back up that night.

 

[dizneyphan]

Welcome, izzinmac

Thanks to everyone for your fond wishes regarding my travel home. I'll need all the possitive vibes you can send. We sent a group home last week and they got stuck for three days in Iceland due to mechanical problems. If I get stuck anywhere for even a day, I won't make it back in time for the cruise! I'm stressin'!!

Tara, thanks for the tips! Good stuff in there.

We don't have our Doc's yet, but ours are going to our travel agent and we'll be picking them up a few days before we travel.

Sorry I missed the chat. Like I said, I'm not allowed on chat sites; they're blocked. Sounds like you all had a good time without me though. If anyone saved the transcript, I'd love to read it.

RE Packing: I've been wearing the same two outfits for the last four months (all I'm allowed to wear is my uniform, or our Physical Fittness uniform). Why would I change now? Actualy DW Lisa is doing packing for herself and DS Aaron. Knowing her, she's had the bags all but complete for the last month. She will have set up piles of cloths for me to fine tune when I get back, and shove into a suitcase.

 

[dizneyphan]

Will be in Disney tomorrow and purchasing some magnets...just a short visit as we will drive down (1 hour 20 min drive) then back up that night.

You lucky duck. Do you have season passes?

 

[taramarie]

Will be in Disney tomorrow and purchasing some magnets...just a short visit as we will drive down (1 hour 20 min drive) then back up that night.

Are you bragging???? I think I hear bragging in your voice...I mean typing!!!!

Have fun...get me something wonderful.
(I use to tell my mom that when I was little and she would go to the store)

Tara

 

[taramarie]

RE Packing: I've been wearing the same two outfits for the last four months (all I'm allowed to wear is my uniform, or our Physical Fittness uniform). Why would I change now? Actualy DW Lisa is doing packing for herself and DS Aaron. Knowing her, she's had the bags all but complete for the last month. She will have set up piles of cloths for me to fine tune when I get back, and shove into a suitcase.

Do you even know what real clothes are anymore!!! Just think no pressing those cuffs or shining those shoes. Bret hated that!!! He was up each night with a can of starch and spitting on his shoes! It was funny....the first few weeks anyway.

You have Physical Fitness not Physical Training?

 

[dizneyphan]

Here's one for ya; One of Tara's Tips (thanks again, T) states that the BBQ at the adult beach serves Lobster. Well EVERY Wednesday is Surf-n-Turf night here, so I've had steak & lobster, or crab legs, once a week for the last four months. I don't care if I ever have another lobster dinner fo rthe rest of my like.

 

[taramarie]

Here's one for ya; One of Tara's Tips (thanks again, T) states that the BBQ at the adult beach serves Lobster. Well EVERY Wednesday is Surf-n-Turf night here, so I've had steak & lobster, or crab legs, once a week for the last four months. I don't care if I ever have another lobster dinner fo rthe rest of my like.

Glad to see they are taking good care of you!!! Wednesday is pizza day where I work.

Tara

 

[dizneyphan]

Do you even know what real clothes are anymore!!! Just think no pressing those cuffs or shining those shoes. Bret hated that!!! He was up each night with a can of starch and spitting on his shoes! It was funny....the first few weeks anyway.

You have Physical Fitness not Physical Training?

WOW, will be jelouse! The uniforms are permanent press; no ironing, no starch, just wash and wear . And the boots are suade now, so no more polishing!

But I paid my dues pressing and polishing for twenty years.

The Air Force has to be different , so we call PT, "Physical Fitness Conditioning"



(look, they're doing jumping-jacks! One-Two. One-Two. Up-Down).