February 7, 2004 Eastern

[kcashner]

Well, I'm packed....course, that says nothing for DD. ALso, hit the Disney store today--LOTS of great bargains like 75% off sweat shirts, etc. Good for that one "just in case" cold weather outfit. I'm really not that compulsive--just have no use for summer clothing here/now, so may as well get those things ready to go. Besides, we're leaving a week early....

 

[disneygal58]

Hello,
I think the plan is still 3:30 outside of Studio Sea - that may be cutting it a bit close to the drill - 3:00 would give us a bit more time. What does everyone think?
Annie, would you add Erin and I to the brunch reservation?

Have a great day,
Dawn

 

[Annie12345]

Hi everyone - for those who expressed interest in doing high tea and/or brunch as a group, I have emailed Dreams Unlimited with the information to see if they will book us ahead of time since we have the option of booking in advance through the romantic escape package... as soon as I hear back, I'll let you know... otherwise, I won't be able to book for the group but I could send all the information to someone else... we'll see how it goes with DU....

 

[disneygal58]

Annie,
You must be getting so excited! 10 days for you, 19 for the most of us! I'm going to the Magic Kingdom on Sunday to get a little dose of Disney Magic to hold me over for the other Disney Magic.

Dawn

 

[schrei]

Thanks for the post, I'll tell my son to look for an email if the family wants them to become friends. Thanks.

Carla
schrei@coastalnow.net

 

[Annie12345]

Dawn - we are really excited... we're leaving on the 28th... although I'm panicking a bit because I have lots to do before we go... lots to get finished up with at work, lots of packing to do, clean the house, yada yada yada... how's the weather been in Port Canaveral?

 

[disneygal58]

The weather here : wake up to mid 40s to low 50s in the early am, then it warms up to anywhere between low 60s to mid 70s. Sweatshirt/sweater weather for Floridians - a welcomed respite for the rest of the country, I'm certain.
We're getting down to the wire. We have the lists forming and the suitcases beckoning.

Dawn

 

[kcashner]

Annie...do you know anything yet about the high tea reservations???? I know, I'm not leaving for 11 days, but I'm getting eager.
Kathryn

 

[Annie12345]

Hi kathryn - No, this is the first time that DU hasn't replied to my email really quickly so I'm sending another one tonight...

we had some concerns here today... DH (Randy) was rushed to the hospital today and it turns out he has atypical pneumonia so he's going to be in the hospital for a few days, then complete bed rest until we leave (we leave on Jan. 28th and the doctor said he "should" be okay to travel by then)...

I'll keep you posted about the ressies....

 

[kcashner]

Sorry to hear about Randy! I'll put on my doc hat and tell you that a week "should" be decent recovery time, although he may be weak for awhile after that....don't know if he'll really be up to WDW! Or are you doing 2 weeks of cruisins?

We'll all send up a few prayers and wait till we hear from you.
Kathryn

 

[disneygal58]

Annie,
So sorry to hear about Randy. Two weeks laying in the sun on deck 4 should help. If there's anything that I can do from this end, let me know.

Dawn

 

[Annie12345]

Thanks Dawn and Katherine for the well wishes... Randy will be in the hospital until Sunday on an IV drip. The doctor felt that since he is scheduled to leave in a week that the best way for him to get better would be to stay on the IV until then, then follow up with medication after that... Next Wednesday is a flying day, then Thursday we were planning to hit the Florida Mall to buy some last minute stuff, Friday WDW and we have tickets to the illuminations cruise... I'm a bit concerned about this day but he might just have to go back to the room and nap for a few hours in the afternoon. Then once we get to the ship on Saturday he should be okay... The biggest decision he will have to make is whether to have a nap on deck 4 or in our room, on the veranda...

Regarding the reservations, DU just got back to me and they can't make the group reservations... I'm torn because the only reason we were going to stay on board while in dock (in between cruises) was to make reservations... otherwise we'd get off and re-board later in the afternoon.... soooo, if there is anyone else who is going to get to the ship early, I can email my list of who wants what ressies, with all the relevant information...

 

[kcashner]

It is COLD here, and even DD is having Magic dreams!!! We made (hopefully) the last Wal-mart run for the cruise list...till someone else thinks of something they've forgotten to tell me that they are out of. Why is it that kids never tell you that they are "low" on toothpaste till then can't get another smidgeon out of the tube....ditto any other essential item

 

[disneygal58]

We have our Target "cruise list" ready. Later this afternoon we are heading to the mall in Vero Beach to check out slightly formal dresses for Erin.
I can't believe that we will be packing just two weeks from today.

Dawn

Annie,
I hope Randy is feeling better.

 

[kcashner]

One week from now, I'll be well on the way to WDW. However, today we are in the middle of a horrendous ice storm, and I am so glad that I'm not driving now!

BTW, went to Target and found all sorts of clothes for DD on sale!!! She's majorly happy. Or, as she put it, "I got my hair cut, I got new clothes, I was on the radio, and I have a boyfriend. Life is good!" This teen stuff is gonna get old really fast.

 

[disneygal58]

Annie,
I hope that your family is feeling well and ready to go this week. Let me know what is involved with the group reservation. I do plan to board as early as possible - I'm a little intimidated at the thought of possibly not being able to correctly make the ressie for everyone and then we all miss out on the chance to have brunch at Palo.

We went to the Magic Kingdom today - managable crowds and warm temperatures.

Enjoy the remainder of your weekend,
Dawn

 

[Rikersmom]

The weather in Pennsylvania is frigid, and snow is expected through the night. I am so happy to hear that it is warm in Orlando. My friend who is cruising with me keeps saying,"Promise me that we'll be warm." It seems so strange to be looking for shorts and tank tops when we are wearing layers of clothes even inside the house. Promise me that we'll be warm!

 

[Annie12345]

Hi Dawn, can you please PM me your email address and I'll send you the document that I had prepared ...
Thanks,
Ann

p.s. Randy came home today and he's doing fine...

 

[Mikem861]

Hi Everyone, This will be my wife and I's first ever cruise....on 2/7/04 We are driving down from .....COLD... Michigan and staying at the Radisson the night before the cruise. Does anyone know if you can make shuttle reseverations ahead of time..before we get there? We are REALLY looking foward to this trip

 

[kcashner]

Yes, you can make shuttle reservations from the Radisson ahead of time. You will need to call the hotel directly, not their national reservation number. You do not need to be on a "cruise package" which costs more.

A hint....the early shuttles tend to fill quickly. (I'm politely trying to say that you might not be able to get a decent time even now for a family.) You might decide to drive the family and the luggage over to the port about 10:30 with all your luggage. You check the luggage with the porter, and DW can get in the check in line. You return to the Radisson with only your cruise documents and photo ID (you'll need these to get back into the port). THen, you park and hop the next shuttle back to meet the family. You can almost always get on a shuttle as a single person with no luggage. This is not a big deal if it is only the 2 of you, but with a large family, can make a huge difference in your shuttle time. Just be sure that you KEEP your cruise ticket (documents) and your photo ID....or you will have a hard time getting back in!

Yes, you must meet DW in the line to check in (all adults must present themselves for check in), however, this is not a biggie. If she gets to the front of the line, she can just allow the next person to go...until you get there. Now, in reality, there are about a zillion check in lines, but it's not hard to spot someone.

See you all soon.....it's still icy here...maybe it will warm up before I need to move the car.