February 7, 2009 Western early check in!

[JJCJFL]

Hi all,

Just checking in from a day of running around...grocery shopping,etc. We said that we would not buy much since we are going away next week but that didn't work out very well. I can't believe that I missed four pages of conversation. Sounds like everyone is getting very excited!
It was cool here today. I don't think it made it to 60*. It is supposed to be in the 30s tonight.
I have started pulling some of my things together to pack. Tomorrow I am hoping to pull clothes into a spare closet so that I can figure out what we are bringing.
Next week is going to be a long week. I will be at work but my mind will be on the Magic!
Good night!

Jill

 

[JRandAJsMom]

Oh my goodness, I feel like I'm going away for a MONTH!!! I've been packing all evening and I got the boys and myself done outside of a couple of odds and ends. Hope they don't drop them cuz they're ready to burst!!! And there are still pirate costumes, shoes, and one last load of laundry in the dryer that will add just a couple of things. I wasn't sure what to pack for the dining rooms... Someone said they were cooler. A lot of my stuff is sleeveless, so I got a couple of light sweaters/three-quarter sleeved things. I can't figure out if I should bring long or short sleeved polos for the boys for dinners-- is it cold enough to need long sleeves for them? That would cut down at least two little piles in the suitcase!!!

Jealous of all of you Radisson folks!!! I know the boys are going to love the pirate ship pool and kidsuite at our place, but it's going to drive me nuts knowing everyone else is down there if I can't talk them into going down!!!

Did get my green ribbon today. DH wanted to get ribbon to tie on the suitcases, so I was like "we need to get lime green!!!" I think he thinks I'm going just a little over the edge...

Anyone having SuperBowl parties tomorrow? We're in Steeler country, but I'm not a football gal (I grew up mostly in Cleveland... 'nuf said!!!). But I do have to have the obligatory SuperBowl party because of work-- We have youth group on Sunday nights, so basically if I don't have it on, no one will come

 

[Billinaz]

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.

Ugg... a 13 hour drive?..... Im not patient enough to do that!

 

[dceks cruisers]

Anyone know where to find the biodegradable sunscreen lotion? Ughh, I thought it just needed to be PABA free, which I have but not sure on the biodegradable. I guess I'll have to look over the label close to see what it is that we have. I've read that Mexitan lotion is acceptable at the nat'l parks in Cozumel but I suppose it's really expensive above and beyond what you'd pay for it here.

 

[marieeb]

Hi,
Is anyone still up out there? I suppose on the west coast it is still only 10pm. I'm off work until after our cruise....I'm not going to even think about the cruise being over tonight. I worked the past three nights and it is tough to flip over to a 'day routine' so here I am, the only one awake in a sleeping household.

I'm taking advantage of the quiet to get a few things done, but nothing too taxing as I slept for only 4 hours today. Cleo, aka DD9, is still running a fever today. If she is not 100% on Monday she is staying home from school. If my will has anything to do with it she will be better by the time we fly on Wednesday. Poor chick...flying with a cold, as I recall, it hurts the ears more than usual.

I've been messing with Clip art and word art to make iron ons for the FE I have yet to make. This computer graphic stuff is a brave new world for me. Perhaps I will plod through making the FE tonight in between checking on this site. My brother and neice are due to visit tommorrow and it will be too congested to get much accomplished.

Take care all
Marie

 

[marieeb]

Hi,

you must have posted while I was writing! I was wondering the same thing about the sunscreen and, after reading the labels of the meager selection currently available here, had pretty much decided that it would be a Florida purchase. I googled 'biodegradable sunscreen' and came up with two brands; Carribean Sol, which I have never heard of, and Hawiian Tropic which sounds fairly reasonable.

If I get time I may check the local 'health food' store. They tend to care earth friendly green products.

By the way Bill, thanks for the weather report; those temperatures look marvelous .

I don't know if you can rent just fins but I don't see why not. If we have room I may take the fins too but they are really quite heavy....

Marie

 

[marieeb]

So where are all the insomniacs tonight?

Got the FE done and watched Pride and Predjudice twice while doing it... nice movie, I've seen it often enough that I know the plot and it doesn't distract from the job at hand.

I also wrestled the snorkel stuff out of the plastic armour that they came in. Only cut myself once! Honestly it took me 20 minutes to get 3 sets free...that is just wrong ,not to mention the environmental impact of all that plastic!

So that is a good nights work. I may just stay on this routine for the next couple of days, I get soooo much accomplished with no one else around. So, that's a wrap! good night and good morning,
Marie

 

[marieeb]

I've seen the movie often; too bad I couldn't spell it!

 

[princessmeesh]

soooo i survived the DD's first slumber party!

getting the pedi today, SOOO jealous of the radisson rangers (i know, corny but you all needed a name) but we will catch up soon enough! i am off today to get a lime green ribbon and of course, packing and unpacking yet again!! seriously i have NO idea how i am going to fit a weeks worth of clothes PLUS workout clothes in ONE suitcase! DH thinks i am nuts, but helloooo i am a WOMAN!

safe travels to the lucky ones who get to come down early and we will see everyone at the port! i am indeed going early but i dont know what time, what time is everyone getting there?

Michelle

 

[patrsn]

Hi guys, Oh yeah, I forgot about the biosunscreen for mexico, add that to my todo list....Hopefully we can find it, if not I'll have to get it there I guess.

Michelle, good job on having a slumber party! I dread sleepovers, especially the next day, so good luck today!

I've gotta finish packing today not having it done is eating a hole in my brain. Orlando weather looking better and 70's for Saturday at the port when the ship leaves..Yay. We are suppose to get snow here tues, we fly out on wed morning so everyone needs to pray that we dont' get the big snow!!

We are driving to the port from WDW on Saturday morning and i would like to get an early start, my family moves slow in the am but I need to stop and get water and stuff and drop off the rental car, grab the shuttle over to port, I'm hoping to be doing all this by 10ish but realisticly, it will be more like 12ish. I don't think they let you in too early. We've always just taken the bus there so it was already open when we got there.

Well I guess Im going to go make a cup of tea w/ lemon and honey, trying to kick the sore throat. Everyone in my house is coughing or sniffling...arghhhh
My dd7 is the only one who won't have ear problems flying because she has ear tubes. (theres no pressure with ear tubes), everyone else is going to be taking dimetap I think! oh well...better to be sick now instead of next week.

Have a good day everyone, and GET PACKING!!

Michelle

 

[pgsahm2]

Yikes! I need to catch up and I apologize in advance if I forget something after all the reading I just did!

Michelle P., the first time I flew was on a trip to WDW in Feb 2007. Dh and I had horrible sinus troubles for a week before the trip. When we started the descent into Orlando I honestly thought I was going to die. I kept looking at dh and asking "Is it supposed to feel like this?" The pressure due to my sinus problem was absolutely the worst pain I've ever felt in my life. And I had a TEN AND A HALF POUND BABY WITHOUT DRUGS!!!!!! I hope you guys feel better quickly!

Michelle V., good job on the sleepover! We've never had one and I dread the day.... I keep putting it off because I know it's going to be miserable for me!

Marie, I found you on Facebook! I hope Cleo feels better quickly. I wish there was a magic pill to give your kids prior to vacation. Something to make all the illness go away fast!

The lotion I found was Coppertone. I don't know if it's biodegradable but it's PABA free...

Jen, we are having a mini-SB party here at home. My 9 year old loves football and my husband is a MAJOR Dallas fan. So we're hanging out at home and making party food.

I'm also jealous of the Radisson Rangers (great name Michelle! lol). If you guys wake up with hangovers on Saturday morning then that's better for us that aren't at the Radisson! LOL We'll beat you to the port!!!!!

 

[deedeedubbs]

OMG - I had so much I wanted to reply to I've would've been here still typing and the ship would have left without me!

4 plus pages since I last posted! WOW!!!!

Thanks for the change tip - I have my $130 dollars in Tide packets but I wouldn't have had money to use them

BTW - count me in for the laundry room take over meet! The we'll take over the entire ship and never come (insert eveil laugh here!) But serously, I'd enjoy company during laundry.

Shopping find - At Michael's...Disney Pillowcases where the kids color in the images themselves with plenty of space for CM's to get character autographs for you. Only about $7 or $8 dollars (Disney Princesses, Tink, Pirates of the Carabbean, etc...)

Barnes & Noble - this is where we found last year's and this year's sketch books we're decorating for our autograph books.

Packing offically began Saturday. DH went to work packing his things. I'm absolutly panicked because we have sooo much to do just so that we can leave for the cruise. Time to start making more lists I guess.

What's all of this about special sunscreen for Mexico? Everyone needs it or only those attending a specific area? Please advise?

No superbowl party for us...we are part of the "only in it for the commercials" crowd. Hopefully we'll get more packing done and incidentals done between the game time vs. commercial time. Looking forward to the 3D commercial!!!

Lost a ton of packing time yesterday, Saturday. We had a morning b-day party to attend and then we were off to the ER to get DS's stichtes out, waaaay too crowded so I then drove two towns over to the hospital's clinic...also waaaaay too crowded but I wasn't about to drive all the way back again. We sat for hours and hours and hours waiting for someone to spend 30 seconds to take the darn things out. I did think about doinit myself (I really wouldn't have...only because DS wouldn't ever in any dream let me do it). I'm glad we did go and get it done and didn't wait another day...his chin was beginning to show signs of infection!! So he's on antibiotics and will be fine. Then we had dinner and drinks planned with DH's old school friends. Nice time but wasted packing time.

I may have a part 2 and part 3 and part 4 message later just to keep up with all new posts.

Toodles from CT and praying Tuesday's Nor' Easter doesn't hit us!!

Again, to all of the VV travelers - wonderful journey!

Dee

 

[mickchick6]

Good Morning fellow VV's!
I got so much done yesterday, I may even be on a roll! The best part of my day was my pedi! YAY, go pretty feet! Of course, ever since, it seems like there's a magnet attached to my feet b/c EVERYONE, incl the dog, has been stepping on them since I got home!! ARG!
That's what it's like to be the only girl in a house with 5 males members! I may have to schedule another while on the ship!

We watched the thingy on DIY about the dry dock. That was cool. DS10 kept on repeating "we'll be there in one week!"

I'm off to shop for odds and ends today before the official attempt to finish packing tonight!

Have a great day

 

[patrsn]

Dee, the sunscreen for Playa Uvas has to be paba free because it's in the marine National park Reef of Chankanaab. I'm pretty sure most sunscreens, especially the ones made for children are made paba free now anyway because paba stains clothing and also because alot of people are allergic to it, but double check your sunscreen, the clinical name for paba is is para-aminobenzoic acid, also my dermatologist told me that everyone should use sunscreen with Parsol 1789 in it. It protects you better from UVA and UVB rays. I'm no expert when it comes to suncare though so don't trust only my knowledge. I am a child of the 70's - 80's, and thought Johnsons baby oil was all you put on to go out in the sun.

I have no idea how they would know, if you lather before going off the ship, but best to keep the animals safe! haha I remember when I was little and everyone would say if you pee in the pool it turns into dye and eveyone will know it's you, hahahaha, imagine if you got in the water at the beach with regular non paba free sunscreen and like alarms went off or something?? LOL, ok, now I'm just being silly.

ok, so now I'm adding Michaels to my list of things to do. Gotta get that pillowcase, if all the other kids have them my dd7 will die. She's now decorating her autograph book with a million stickers, I wish I had thought of a sketch book, but all I could find was a regular notebook, oh well...

Talk to you all later

Michelle

 

[dceks cruisers]

I was on a site for Cozumel last night and it stated that at all the "Nat'l" parks there, which includes Chaunkanab Park where the dolphin encounter is at are very strict on it must be biodegradable. The other lotion is harmful to the coral reef / fish (sea kittens as PETA is now opting to call them). Strict means if you have the wrong stuff with you, they confiscate it but if you put the waterproof on before arrival...there won't be "purple" air clouds. If I can't find the "biodegradable" (they all mark it as such on the label) then we will pre-lotion cuz a burn won't be fun.

More cleaning and packing today and maybe some last minute shopping. Still need to get some tapes for the camcorder.

 

[MyLove4Disney]

So where are all the insomniacs tonight?

Got the FE done and watched Pride and Predjudice twice while doing it... nice movie, I've seen it often enough that I know the plot and it doesn't distract from the job at hand.

I also wrestled the snorkel stuff out of the plastic armour that they came in. Only cut myself once! Honestly it took me 20 minutes to get 3 sets free...that is just wrong ,not to mention the environmental impact of all that plastic!

So that is a good nights work. I may just stay on this routine for the next couple of days, I get soooo much accomplished with no one else around. So, that's a wrap! good night and good morning,
Marie

Goodness Marie, I was up, but wasn't online at the time, hope you will get some rest while on the ship, it will rock you every night i promise. I have a hard time the first night, mostly because of the time change, three hours, but I'm hoping with going to the World first that I'll get adjusted to the change and by the time we get on the ship we will totally be relaxed and total enjoy the ship...

I was on a site for Cozumel last night and it stated that at all the "Nat'l" parks there, which includes Chaunkanab Park where the dolphin encounter is at are very strict on it must be biodegradable. The other lotion is harmful to the coral reef / fish (sea kittens as PETA is now opting to call them). Strict means if you have the wrong stuff with you, they confiscate it but if you put the waterproof on before arrival...there won't be "purple" air clouds. If I can't find the "biodegradable" (they all mark it as such on the label) then we will pre-lotion cuz a burn won't be fun.

More cleaning and packing today and maybe some last minute shopping. Still need to get some tapes for the camcorder.

Thanks to all that noted the information regarding the special sunscreen needes. I think we are going to be waiting to get that once in florida, it will probably be easier to find there, I'll get a couple just incase someone can't find it at home and doesn't have a chance to stop in FL.


I got my hair cut yesterday and yes I do like it, I have been trying to get it cut like this for the last year. It is shorter than I want, but that was the only way to get the style I want. But now, the cut is what I want, I need to cover the white hair(I'm going to go white instead of gray) my bangs mostly cover it, but there are bits a pieces all over. So, I'm going to put a color wash and a shine all over. wish me luck that it doesn't turn out supper dark.

Talk with VV's later.

 

[margolyn]

Geez, I take a day out to clean the house (because GOD KNOWS I CAN"T LEAVE until the house is clean) and look what happens. 10 kabillion messages in 24 hours! Can we make 100 pages in 5 days?

Princess Meesh - congrats on the surviving the slumber party. I bet they had a TON of fun. DS had a friend over last night - one boy is totally different than a bunch of girls, but they are still having fun if the noise in the game room right now is any indication ;-)

We are staying down at the Cocoa Courtyard. They have a shuttle and you sign up for it at the front desk when you check in. Yes, I've been making calls this weekend to find things out.

FrostRhonda - you are totally making up for lost time. LOVE IT!

Radisson thing? I think our Queen Sue has that posted... I"ll check. Not sure I can talk DH into it, but if we are bored of Cocoa Beach by then ( or its not really warm) we could come up. I know Brinalyn is staying there too....

Hair et al... was going to add some highlights, but the tanning must be lightening it because its picked up what looks like my summer color over the last couple weeks. One less thing

Off to fix lunch and then buy green ribbon. It looks like smooth weather over the Ohio valley... still send good mojo though because winter will always be winter.

5 sleeps 'til we leave! DH is even getting ready! WOW!

Talk later!

Margo in Cinci

 

[deedeedubbs]

Hi VV's - it looks like we poorly budgeted and will need to change some planned things. The ruins at Cozumel are looking like they'll be cut. I've been reading about the PUP's. I've done a search for Playa Uvas but I'm not sure if I'm looking at the correct website. I saw $7 per person on our thread but I'm seeing much more on the web.

Can someone share the link with me so I can take a peek and see if we'll be joining all of you PUPs. Other than the beach...is there more for the kids and us to do?

Thanks in advance VV's

FYI - I called Disney and we're not getting a fuel surcharge rebate. I was hoping we would. Every penny would help!

~ Dee

 

[marieeb]

No fuel surcharge rebate? Is that because you booked before they charged it? I'm counting on one too. I'd better phone them.

Marie

 

[patrsn]

Hi VV's - it looks like we poorly budgeted and will need to change some planned things. The ruins at Cozumel are looking like they'll be cut. I've been reading about the PUP's. I've done a search for Playa Uvas but I'm not sure if I'm looking at the correct website. I saw $7 per person on our thread but I'm seeing much more on the web.

Can someone share the link with me so I can take a peek and see if we'll be joining all of you PUPs. Other than the beach...is there more for the kids and us to do?

Thanks in advance VV's

FYI - I called Disney and we're not getting a fuel surcharge rebate. I was hoping we would. Every penny would help!

~ Dee

Dee here's the link for Playa Uvas http://www.playauvas.com/


when you get to the homepage click on reservations, then under services just pick the entrance to the park, it's 7 dollars and children are free. I think it includes a drink. I hear ya about the ruins tour, it's expensive, only my Dh and Ds are doing that one, and mainly because my son is asking to go and if he's "asking" for something educational.....thats why we girls are just doing the beach thing.

Has anyone been to Rum Point Beach on GC? I booked it but am thinking we may just wing it that day, not too sure if we will all want to do the same thing at the same time by then. We also don't want to do the stingray thing again and we've done Hell and the turtle farm already, any suggestions??


About the surcharge, I was told, that Disney cruise line checks every quarter on the barrel oil prices and decides then whether or not to reimburse people for the surcharge that they paid, chances are if you did pay it and are not getting it back yet, it's because that quarter hasn't ended yet or hasn't been 'checked' by dcl or the oil prices have gone up again and they've decided not to do surcharge refunds for that quarter. Confusing I know, we booked over the summer and I am getting my surcharge back, but as onboard credit. If you get it back after the cruise because thats when your booking quarter ends it will probably just go back on your credit card that you used to pay it. Im pretty sure the barrel prices are still low, so you should see something at some point.


Still praying for NO SNOW! so we can fly out on Wed. forcast looks better but I don't want to say too much and jinx myself. Talk to you all soon..

Michelle