February 7, 2009 Western early check in!

[frostrhonda]

the $7 doesn't sound too bad... And DH will say that the $63 is cheaper than a hotel, haha I just hope that he's going to be up and helping me with two crabby boys in the morning... Although I don't know how crabby anyone can be waking up early to get out of this weather!!!

Has everything down there been closed too, or is it just a Panhandle thing??? It's looking like we're not going to have school tomorrow either... But I guess that's what happens when you build your biggest school in the county on top of a big hill... no one can get up it to go!!!

If you are talking about parking at the cruise terminal, it is $108.00 to park there for the length of our cruise. It went up! It is cheaper to stay at the Radisson. For $155.00 you get your room, breakfast and parking and the shuttle to the terminal. Thought I would let you know before you found out on your own!!
Rhonda

 

[frostrhonda]

I think Sue's name tag should say Valentine Voyager Goddess!!!!

Sue you seriously do rock! thanks for everything....

DH got day off but new policy means I am showing up with an attitude at office. Wish us luck driving on solid ice in cinci.

The good news is that next Friday, February 6 - 36 and dry!!! I hope that forecast holds.

Wow! I am finally able to see the weather for the day I leave.

10 days!!!

And I can't wait to meet you all!

Margo

Margo,
Are you driving straight through?? We are driving from Newport, Michigan. We are leaving Wed. around 1:00 PM. I know what you mean about the ice. We have been getting hammered. We are in the country, on Lake Erie. There are ditches everywhere, and the snow is a couple feet above them coming down the turnpike! Its crazy!! I figured we better give ourselves a little extra drive time just in case.
Rhonda Frost

 

[JRandAJsMom]

If you are talking about parking at the cruise terminal, it is $108.00 to park there for the length of our cruise. It went up! It is cheaper to stay at the Radisson. For $155.00 you get your room, breakfast and parking and the shuttle to the terminal. Thought I would let you know before you found out on your own!!
Rhonda

Nope-- the parking at our airport at home. I'm just going to return our rental car the morning of the cruise and pick it up after. Pain in the you-know-what, but a lot cheaper!

 

[frostrhonda]

Sue...thank you! I haven't been on the boards as much as some of you and the name tags will really help!

I'm looking for advice for CC. I booked the Extreme Getaway am wondering about the temp of the water. We already have parasailing booked for there and am thinking to give up the Extreme package and just relax doing whatever strikes the mood. Any words of advice?

I've been working on my packing list and I think I'll all set and just need to go down the list and get it done. So far I've got piles here, piles there and soon it's got to magically fit in the bags!

Have a great day everyone!

The parasailing is COOL on Castaway Cay! It is foolproof. I don't know if you have ever been parasailing. I had not before castaway cay. You go up from the deck of the boat, and they bring you back down to the deck of the boat. Just the way I like it. My husband is going to go this time. He has never went before. I like the adult only beach. For those new to DCL there is an awesome adult only beach, kid only beach, teen only beach and family beach. I was thinking about getting bikes and trying that. I have never done that before. Might be fun, if I don't drink to much to ride my bike!! I only drink on vacation, and parties, so that is not that hard. Stress relief!
Rhonda

 

[frostrhonda]

I hear ya! You an come sleep in my tub at the Radisson after the party . You're all set now so you can come

OK! Where is the party at the Radisson? I'll bring the jello shots!! If memory serves me right,(and it might not!) you book your shuttle times at the front desk.
Rhonda Frost

 

[frostrhonda]

We're so excited that in 2 weeks we'll be on our way to Orlando!!! Yesterday we did a little last minute clothes shopping which was great. We went to the outlets near us and I found some capris for $7 that should last through my whole pregnancy which made DH happy to hear that we won't have to be doing too much maternity shopping when we get back

Plus if anyone else needs any last minute FE gifts or extras we stopped by KB toys and they are having an amazing sale. Or if anyone wants to stock up on outfits for Halloween they had them for 90% off!

So here's what we have planned for all the excursions:
Key West: Back to Nature Kayak tour
Grand Cayman: Atlantis Submarine at 12:15
Cozumel: Mexican Cuisine and Tasting workshop 10:45
Castaway Cay: Personal Watercraft Eco tour 11

Playa Uvas sounds fun but DH can only take so much beach and until I'm 100% that I can find a swimsuit that will cute on my new shape I'm not committing ourselves to any beachtime. Luckily Target had suits in their ad today so maybe I can find something.

dceks cruisers - the cost of bingo depends on how many chances you want during each game and usually the cost increases the longer the cruise goes on. I think in the beginning the cheapest was $18 for 4 rounds with 6 cards.

You look pretty young. You might like the Catermeran Fury. Its the party boat-unlimited beer and margaritas. LOTS OF FUN!!!!
Rhonda Frost

 

[frostrhonda]

Good morning all,

I can see that I am going to wind up with a facebook page by the end of this cruise. I have been avoiding it up until now as I suspect that I could spend a lot of time on it. I'm such a computer moron. I don't know how to load pictures and all that stuff.

I actually printed out portions of posts so that I could hope to reply to everything I wanted to.

Sabrina and Amanda , I too have had my shyness mistaken for snootiness. It may be because of age or perhaps because of my DH, but it doesn't seem to happen as much anymore or, maybe it does and I just don't hear about it. My husband is not shy at all (you'll see) and it is possible that I've had to temper my shyness just to survive around him.

Dee, thank you for your plumbing wishes and your tip about the Disney Outlets. I have printed out the directions to the one at the Premium Outlets across from Downtown Disney.

Susan, I'm still laughing at your description of the stingray hickey... "Say honey, whered' ya' get' that big hickie, she sure had a big set of lips... "

Sabrina, glad you are recovering from your migraine. I understand the they are absolutely incapacitating. Thanks for your plumbing fairy dust...I'll take all I can get. We are booked for the Dolphin Swim at 09:45(I just checked) but I may be interested in a trek to Margaretaville.... were you going to do that before or after? ...I just realized that before would have you drinking margaritas before 10 a.m.


Me too!! for coffee in the morning although I may not be worth talking to until I've had my first cup. I can't imagine that they have coffee makers in the rooms; do they? Last year at WDW I broke a toe stumbling down to get coffee in the morning. Missed a curb. I'm not functional without it.

Can one just take a cab from the Radiasson? I have not reserved a spot on the shuttle and I want to get there early.

I think that is it. Take care all, see you soon,

Marie

Ohhh, I just remembered that I have to make my FE. I've had the gifts together for over a week. Looks like it will be another full day. Ciao

Marie,
My name is Rhonda Frost and husband Rick! Great to meet you! Of course you can get a cab and go early, but the only thing to do is stand there and wait. And a huge wait it is, from the time you get onto the sidewalk, up the escalator and into the main lobby of the terminal. The best thing we ever did was go over at 1:00. NO LINES AT ALL. You go straight in, your room is ready and everything. Of course my husband has no patience and hates lines! LOL! I just talk my way through them!!
We are also staying at the Radisson. I don't know what time we will get in. We are getting to town early Friday morning and going to Disney. We still have park hoppers, and I can't pass up the Rockin Rollercoaster and the Tower of Terror!!
Rhonda

 

[pgsahm2]

Nobody else for the Country Inn and Suites?? We will be there about dinner time..... probably go to Durango Steakhouse.

We're there. Not sure what time. We're leaving home at 4 am and it's probably going to be 12 or 13 hours before we arrive.

 

[pgsahm2]

Rhonda, if you've got jello shots I will be in your room whenever you'd like. I have kids with me but once I have enough of them.... WHAT kids?? LOL

 

[cdnstitchfan]

I don't know how they do that, as we always send money to our credit card, and give them our credit card #. Here is a BIG TIP!! You are ALLOWED TO TAKE YOUR OWN LIQUOR!!!! I think Disney is the only one! They don't even say anything if you take your drinks into the bar! Trust me, if you drink, take some of your own with you! We have had HUGE bar bills. Now, we take our Magic Bullet with us to! There are liquor stores right down the road from the Radisson! If you are taking the Disney Transportation and need anything, I would be happy to pick it up for you! Also, take a case of water. I think it is either $24.00 or $34.00 for a case of water. But the liquor is the biggest money saver. Pop is free, except from room service, so Captain Morgans is even good. We usually have a bar in our room, including jello shots! Us folks from Hockey Town like to be prepared! (GO RED WINGS!)
Rhonda

Hi Rhonda,
We are getting into Orlando on Wednesday evening and spending Thursday at KSC on Thursday and hanging out hopefully by the pool on Friday. We were thinking of trying to hook up with everyone around 7:30 or 8 Friday evening. I am just sorting winging that part.... You will probably find us in the lounge later in the evening!!

Jello Shots we also love our shots, we will be there... We too are from Hockey town... Harry(DH) is totally into hockey plays twice a week. Both DS's love to watch but just play street hockey. We are Flames fans of course.... (GO FLAMES GO)

Hopefully we will see you on Friday.
Pam

 

[Michellepooh]

Well, goodbye fellow Valentine Voyagers!! I'm leaving in the morning, but just wanted to stop in and wish you all safe travels. Can't wait to finally meet all of you!!

 

[patrsn]

Hi guys, it's been a long day, seems we were one suitcase short, do not know what happened to it, maby DD22 took it off to school with her??? Anyway, I went to TJ Max, got an awesome large suitcase for 40 bucks, wheeled it out to the parking lot which was hopping (what bad economy?) the only parking spot was 1/4 mile away, and guess what??? LOCKED MY KEYS IN THE CAR! It's like 15 degrees outside, windy, so I wheel my new suitcase over to a car dealership across the parking lot, no they don't have the tools to open my car, nobody's home at my house to come for me, wheel my suitcase back to my car, frostbite now cause of course I only have a sweater coat on, I wasn't expecting to stand out in the cold.. so I call police/fire department... what nice guys they were there in 4 min. and I was on my way... but you know...like I needed that?? I'm still thawing out. Remember earlier when I said, 50's wasn't warm enough? well I'll take it! I'm hoping to finish packing up tomorrow, yayayay, can't believe it's only a few days away. Got my green ribbon today too!!

Sue, about the laundry room idea, I am sooo there, at least it will be warm in there! we'll have our own little VV laundry party.

Michelle,
I'm 36 and Rick is 43. The cool thing is I assume you are taking no kids either? Ours have been enough. Matt is 18, and on his own now, and Courtney is 16 and staying home. She is in her 3rd year of the varsity Pom team, and has events, and Winterfest to go to. No drama for a week! YEAH, YEAH, YEAH!!! I am very excited. Don't really care what this cruise brings, I am just happy to be there. I am the optimist of my friends. Its all good! I can't wait to meet everyone! I just remembered this site and got on! It took 6 cruised and my sister in law before I even knew it was here! I guess I am low tech!
Rhonda

Rhonda, I'm 40, my husband is 44, we are bringing 3 of our 4 kids, my oldest is away at school and not happy she can't come, as many times as we've been it's never enough for them. What I meant about 50ish was 50 people. We have all been chatting together so much lately here and on facebook that I feel like it's going to be just us on the ship, I forget that there are hundreds of other people.... sorry for that confusion. I would love to travel without children someday, but I would never be forgiven if I took this cruise without them. But they enjoy themselves so much we hardly get to see them, my husband and I spent more time together in the adult areas last cruise than we get to spend together at home it was wonderful. Looking forward to meeting you.

I'm off to make some more magnets, why? I have no idea, there will be no more room on our door, I'll have to give them away! but I found these really cute disney character bottlecap stickers that I'm going to turn into magnets, so I'll talk to you later!

michelle
Michelle

 

[Namsupak]

Well just wanted to wish everyone leaving before us a safe journey. I''m sure it's going to get pretty quiet on here. But we'll be around till Friday See you all soon in the sunshine

Rhonda - We are pretty young... my DH is 28 and I'm 25... and the catamaran sounds like fun, but I'll be about 4 months pregnant... so all those free margaritas would go to waste I guess I'll be checking out all the non-alcoholic drinks while on board too. I always wanted to get the blinking tinkerbell in my drink, now I have a reason

 

[MyLove4Disney]

Susan,
You said everyone was meeting on Saturday the 2nd. We depart on Saturday the 7th, so I just wanted to be sure that wasn't a typo....WE WILL BE ON BOARD AT THIS TIME NEXT SATURDAY!!!! YEAH YEAH YEAH!! It is COLD here in Michigan!! Where are you from??
Rhonda

You are so right it was a typo 2/7/09 on deck 3 at 2:30...
Rhonda, we are from the Golden State of CA, were the govenator is running the state into the ocean. Sorry couldn't help myself.

 

[MyLove4Disney]

I got us free (!) first class upgrades! The flights will be very comfortable!

Cape Canaveral
Fri Feb 06 Partly Cloudy 70°/48° chance of rain10 %
Sat Feb 07 Partly Cloudy 73°/49° chance of rain10 %

Key West
Sun Feb 08 Sunny 73°/65° Chance of rain 0

Grand Cayman
Tues Feb 10 Hi 82°F Lo 77°F

Cozumel
Web Feb 11 Hi 84°F Lo 73°F

Bahamas
Sat Feb 13 Hi 84°F Lo 73°F

Thanks Bill for the forcast, this sound very pleasant. I like it, just right not to cool not to hot. Juuuusssttt rrriiigghht

Is there something special your putting on the name badges? Are you making them for everyone, or is each group making their own??
Rhonda

Rhonda it is nice that you have been able to chat today. You are helping to keep our board going.

I have made name tags for anyone who had already given me their real first names, and have made blank ones for others that show to the first meet and they can use a permanet marker to write their names on them.
They look like this but without the saying and have the disboard ID and real first name.

Well, goodbye fellow Valentine Voyagers!! I'm leaving in the morning, but just wanted to stop in and wish you all safe travels. Can't wait to finally meet all of you!!

Michelle, Have a safe travel day and enjoy your WDW time, we might see you around the parks, we leave Monday.


Susan

 

[marieeb]

Hi Rhonda thanks for the many tips. We are first time cruisers and appreciate the information.

Pam, we are getting in on Wednesday night then staying in Orlando for two nights. I now wish that I had done it differently but I'm locked in.... I was trying to figure out which Disney Resort KSC was then realized that it was the Kennedy Space Center. We are going down to Canaveral on Friday morning and staying at the Radisson. I was hoping to take in the KSC as well but my DH is resistant. He wants to hang by the pool, read and eat. We may do Medieval Times on Thursday night. It has decidedly mixed reviews but Mark is interested in that as it fits with my daughter's current cirriculum.. So we will see you on Friday, probably at the pool.

I have facebook now and am learning to navigate it. There is a picture of Mark and I. It is under Marie Beseau, Kingston Ont.


Oh we're watching Enchanted tonight and it is just begining! By for now!

Marie

 

[dceks cruisers]

...

After having a healthy debate with myself and reading discussions on the some other threads I sent DH out today to buy snorkel gear. Especially since we will be doing the "bounce back". I may just pack the mask and snorkel then rent the fins. I'll take Cleo's fins but the adult one are quite bulky.

......Just wanted to pop in to say hi!!
Take care all,
Marie

Marie:

OK - I hadn't thought too much about the snorkel gear and your message got DH and I talking about the cleanliness and we went out and got mask and snorkel for all...after getting this purchase, I need to stay away from Walmart and the TIDE aisle! We didn't stop at the mask and snorkel 'cuz they had water shoes on sale so more $ but DH was actually getting a bit excited and a small mention of we'd use all this if we go again...he's softening to the it and I'm crossing fingers for a bounce back!

We've been cleaning today...got that thing about returning to a clean house but ha, it will be messy by the time we leave on Friday so why rush it too much!

 

[dceks cruisers]

I'm guessing it's OK to rent just the fins. Any advice and any idea on how much to rent fins? Do they provide the snorkel vest or is that something you have to rent too?

Has anyone else done CC at this time and is the water temp. OK or too frigid or just one of those things that once you get used to it, its OK?

Just got DD Girl Scout order sent in to the troop leader so that is DONE! I haven't got green ribbons yet but will be getting some for sure.

OK, back to cleaning and watching the forum off and on!

Connie

 

[cdnstitchfan]

Hi Rhonda thanks for the many tips. We are first time cruisers and appreciate the information.

Pam, we are getting in on Wednesday night then staying in Orlando for two nights. I now wish that I had done it differently but I'm locked in.... I was trying to figure out which Disney Resort KSC was then realized that it was the Kennedy Space Center. We are going down to Canaveral on Friday morning and staying at the Radisson. I was hoping to take in the KSC as well but my DH is resistant. He wants to hang by the pool, read and eat. We may do Medieval Times on Thursday night. It has decidedly mixed reviews but Mark is interested in that as it fits with my daughter's current cirriculum.. So we will see you on Friday, probably at the pool.

I have facebook now and am learning to navigate it. There is a picture of Mark and I. It is under Marie Beseau, Kingston Ont.


Oh we're watching Enchanted tonight and it is just begining! By for now!

Marie

Hi Marie, I think I found you on facebook. I am hoping I ask the right person to be my friend.. Hate to think I ask a stranger to be my friend.

Sorry about the abbreviations, the company I work for loves them. It has become a very bad habit.

It will be great to see you on Friday by the pool. Nice to met fellow Canadians. We would be great to see you by the pool. We will be the large group of 8 and the group with the loudest person by the pool.

Pam

 

[cdnstitchfan]

I'm guessing it's OK to rent just the fins. Any advice and any idea on how much to rent fins? Do they provide the snorkel vest or is that something you have to rent too?

Has anyone else done CC at this time and is the water temp. OK or too frigid or just one of those things that once you get used to it, its OK?

Just got DD Girl Scout order sent in to the troop leader so that is DONE! I haven't got green ribbons yet but will be getting some for sure.

OK, back to cleaning and watching the forum off and on!

Connie

Hi Connie, we were at CC in Feb of 2007. It was one week later than this cruise, but for us we found the water temp fine and had an excellent day at CC.

Pam