From WDW to DL With Love - January 06, 2011 part 3

[Tinkerbel129]

For all of you ladies here who have really dressed up for formal nights (ie- long evening dress), where did you get your dresses? Anyone buy online? I'm reluctant to do so but I seem to be finding the best prices for online-only stores. I dont want to spend a lot of money since I wont be getting much use out of it, but I do want to look nice and dress up for one of the formal nights at least. Any suggestions?

Nicole, This is a great time of year to find deals....bargains at Macy's, Lord & Taylor, Nordstrom, TJMaxx, Marshalls, Loehmans. The one thing I have figured out is really try the clothes on, regardless how it looks (unless it's really really bad). Sometimes things just don't hang right on a hanger. Good Luck

 

[orlandothebeagle]

Well, I have been out of this loop forever, finally got home & was sick for a week so now to try and catch up with everything.
Glad your better
My grandson wants to do the zipline, but I would be the one by the waterfall or wherever if they let you do that???

September 8 and we can book! That just does not seem possible that everything is happening so fast.

Going on bus trip to another grandsons football game tomorrow night and although I love to watch him play the game is in the city where my husband had his sudden stroke and died a year and a half ago, so not where I like to go, but I will make it.

I will stay in touch now. It is very hot here, but cannot compare to South Carolina with the heat & humidity!

Sorry about the cell phone loss! There is always something--I came home to a leaky large pipe in the basement and still can't get the plumber

typical, not what you want to spend your dollars on.

Good morning. Well I just wanted to post some happy news. On Oct 1 in 29 days I go to our top out pay. It is a nice raise. So all in all, a good year at work. I top out and got my 4th week of vacation.

Thats great.none of us got wage rise last year because of economy.

LOL I am the complete opposite. I think the majority of Americans mindsets are so backward by our absurd obsession with work and having so little time off, I love the European attitude of what I call "work hard/play hard"- I can only dream about having so many weeks off each year like they get even as a new employee. I was just on a 3-week road trip and so enjoyed the feeling of really getting away, I could have easily stayed another 3 weeks if I'd had the time. We did cross cross country focusing on Route 66 all the way to CA, and we met virtually no Americans along the way, but lots of Germans, Italians, and English people who were on 5-7 week "holidays". Its too bad that our culture doesnt embrace the peace you can experience by getting such a big chunk of time off to really get away, whether you stay home or travel.

Len gets 5 weeks a year, most people only get 4 weeks and 7 public holidays.

When my daughter was home several years ago, she said "Why didn't you tell me the drug store was the liquor store!" There are no longer state controled liquor stores and the drug store is full of it! We got a good laught!

that is funny.

Hello again folks - still a LTNP(ost) from me - have been waiting, waiting, waiting until the bitter end to be sure we were actually going to be joining you all for certain. In any case, today marks our PIF date, so it's official. DH *may* need to disembark in Mexico to head home a couple of days early, but we'll cross that hurdle if / when we come to it.

I am looking forward to the next school holidays in 3 weeks' time, as we'll be breaking the news to the kids then - we'll start doing oodles of arts and crafts (t-shirts, fish extenders, etc.). Plus we can all share the excitement then

I'm not sure how many excursions will be "left" for us lowly first-timers, but that'll be another exciting element nevertheless.

My 2010 Passporter guide arrived yesterday - I fell asleep reading it last night LOL. Not that it's a boring read by any means, just that I'm too sleep-deprived

I need to start hitting the gym, too - I've had a viral chest infection for a month now, and my fitness is appalling as a result. I've still got a fair bit of coughing going on, but nothing like it has been. Here's to being fit and well for our big holiday !

I've still only been skimming through the posts, but promise to start chiming in more often now. I hope everyone else is enjoying the countdown, and that my fellow plan-a-holics are ready to inspire me

I look forward to keeping up with you all from here-in.

Cheers,
Sally

Hi Sally, nice to hear from you again.

Congrats Alan!!! I love SWA and am a frequent flier, however I usually fly out of Ontario or San Diego not LAX--I avoid LAX like the plague!! I do love Orange county though. The take off is so fun, especially if you are sitting next to someone who doesn't know what to expect


Oh, I am so sorry!! That is the worst! I hope you get everything worked out and some time for yourself--there's always online shopping--I couldn't live without 6pm.com!!


Aww, come on Tami, join us!!! J/K I know what you mean...I keep warning DD that she had better be SURE she is doing this before we leave as I cannot get my money back once we are on the ship...lucky for me the "parentals" would never do that excursion, so I have a back up plan



Disney is SUPER DUPER strict!!! My DD was 3 months away from being 12 and she was at a height of 5'2 and they would not even consider letting her go. Your best bet is to go with an outside company if you want them to bend the rules...from my experience, Disney will not.



That is the beauty of being in education...long summers! You work your tail off all year and then...Ahhhhhhhhh!!


We were--From what I can remember, there wasn't much planned as we were always off the ship. Our Navigators had HUGE gaps where nothing was going on except maybe a movie, but who could blame them, there was no one there to enjoy it.

Okay, I have the most exciting news...I just found out that a friend of mine can get me something my for DD that will make me the Mom of the CENTURY. Ohhhhh...I cannot WAIT for Christmas!! "Santa Claus is coming to town..."--AND it is not going to cost anything so I will save a bundle on presents
"Oh happy day" Clap...clap clap!!!!!

~Melissa

Im clapping with you Melissa, xmas holidays is going to be so much more exciting for us this year because of this trip so quick afterwards.

 

[aan1701]

Hey Lyne. They have no choice but to give me my raise. It is part of our union contract. So I get bumped almost 5 bucks a hour in the 1st.

 

[aan1701]

DCLTraveler. I thank you for your bussiness even though you avoid my airport like the plague.

 

[granmaz]

Hello again folks - still a LTNP(ost) from me - have been waiting, waiting, waiting until the bitter end to be sure we were actually going to be joining you all for certain. In any case, today marks our PIF date, so it's official. DH *may* need to disembark in Mexico to head home a couple of days early, but we'll cross that hurdle if / when we come to it.

I'm not sure how many excursions will be "left" for us lowly first-timers, but that'll be another exciting element nevertheless.

I need to start hitting the gym, too - I've had a viral chest infection for a month now, and my fitness is appalling as a result. I've still got a fair bit of coughing going on, but nothing like it has been. Here's to being fit and well for our big holiday !

Cheers,
Sally

Hi Sally. Sorry you have had a viral chest infection for so long. I imagine you feel quite run down by now. Take care with the exercise at first, take it slowly!!!!

Don't worry too much about the excursions booking up. It tends to be Palo not the excursions that do that.

On our '08 PC cruise someone's husband left the ship in Acapulco to fly home to work. Shame your husband might have to do that, but better to be there for the majority of the cruise than not at all.

Hope you feel on top form very soon.

 

[danfromca]

LOL I am the complete opposite. I think the majority of Americans mindsets are so backward by our absurd obsession with work and having so little time off, I love the European attitude of what I call "work hard/play hard"- I can only dream about having so many weeks off each year like they get even as a new employee. I was just on a 3-week road trip and so enjoyed the feeling of really getting away, I could have easily stayed another 3 weeks if I'd had the time. We did cross cross country focusing on Route 66 all the way to CA, and we met virtually no Americans along the way, but lots of Germans, Italians, and English people who were on 5-7 week "holidays". Its too bad that our culture doesnt embrace the peace you can experience by getting such a big chunk of time off to really get away, whether you stay home or travel.

I totally agree with you about the American mindset. Of course, my situation is somewhat unusual in that my work and play are all jumbled together. A lot of the "play" I do is paid, and a lot of my "work" isn't. Sometimes I think I don't get enough vacation - other times I look at my life as a perpetutal vacation.

For me the magic of the cruise is 3 weeks with limited Internet - it's a level of disconnect that has become all too rare.

 

[danfromca]

Were you on the Mediterranean Cruise with us in 2007? And an excellent answer to the question!

Indeed I was - the Romancing the Mouse cruise as I recall.

Did you end up going on the 7/18 Baltic in the end? It ultimately didn't work out for us to do that and this one, and this cruise won

 

[emum]

Hi Sally. Sorry you have had a viral chest infection for so long. I imagine you feel quite run down by now. Take care with the exercise at first, take it slowly!!!!

Hope you feel on top form very soon.

Thankyou I will be taking things very easy initially - I learnt that the hard way today !

Regarding formal wear - would semi-formal be Ok ? We'll be lugging enough paraphernalia as is - not sure we'll fit full formal attire.

Regarding booking excursions - will it be 75 days out for us ?

Will reply more over the weekend - off to a short shift at work now.

Cheers,
Sally

 

[granmaz]

Thankyou I will be taking things very easy initially - I learnt that the hard way today !

Regarding formal wear - would semi-formal be Ok ? We'll be lugging enough paraphernalia as is - not sure we'll fit full formal attire.

Regarding booking excursions - will it be 75 days out for us ?

Will reply more over the weekend - off to a short shift at work now.

Cheers,
Sally

Semi formal will be just fine. My formal isn't really that formal, and isn't long. Just be comfortable. More space for clothes you spend more time in!!

 

[JenKatt]

Jeff will be home in 24 hours!! Woooohoooooo!

I consider myself a bargain shopper. I am the queen of sales (IMHO). My last formal dress was a Calvin Klein from Saks 5th Avenue that I got at Off Saks (the outlet) for 90% off. I've since lost a lot of weight since I bought it and wore it on the last cruise, but because I love it so much, I will be taking it to my tailor to have it taken in.

You can buy clothes online IF (and only if) you know someone who is an excellent seamstress or you know a local (affordable) tailor. Those bargains online aren't bargains if it doesn't fit. Same thing with stuff in the store. That Calvin Klein dress was far too big in the bust when I bought it, and about a 1/2 in to long. But because my mom is superwoman she was able to fix both for me. The next set of alterations will require opening every seam, which is where the seamstress/ tailor comes in. We have a local one who does all the bridal alterations and what not. She's amazing and very afforable. Even with adding her cost into the cost of the dress, I still make out way ahead.

So I would try the outlets. Nicole (WDWPrincess) doesn't have a Dillard's nearby (unless they've opened one in NJ). However, I would whole heartily reccomend going to Jersey Gardens or Woodbury Commons up in North Jersey/ NY. Jersey Gardens especially since it's in an industrial recovery zone and the sales tax is 3% - not that Jersey has tax on clothes anyway - or did that change???

If you do want to try stuff online, order from a place with cheap/ free/ or discounted shipping. Overstock.com is one of my favorite places to get stuff from because of the shipping. Amazon isn't bad either, especially if you can do Prime or free shipping.
Finally, try consignment shops. Especially in this day and age, people are trading in their high end clothes. You can find some amazing stuff. Goodwill (yes Goodwill) now has an online store with some crazy good deals. And as always, you can try ebay - you'd be amazed what you can find.

 

[WeLuvDCL]

I am the queen of sales (IMHO).

I think I will have to challenge you on that one!

Goodwill (yes Goodwill) now has an online store with some crazy good deals. And as always, you can try ebay - you'd be amazed what you can find.

REALLY? I'm off to find it!

I LOVE Goodwill. I can't tell you how many beautiful dresses I've gotten for DD for either 79 cents or $1.74. We go on Sunday when they change the 50% color. When DD outgrows them, I take them to Once Upon a Child and usually get more money for them than what I paid. She has enough semi-formal and formal dresses until she's about 8yo. I've also found her Disney Store Snow White, Cinderella and Minnie Mouse customes, didn't pay more than $5 for any of them.

I haven't found too many deal for myself or DH but I did find the dress I wore to Palo on our last cruise and DH suit, plus a very nice FL Gator winter jacket for my brother for $10, my neice is a Gator so he loved it.

 

[LindaBabe]

Good Morning, Happy Cruisers!

Sorry I'm late - up just in time to get to physical therapy so NO computing first. . . no coffee either, which was rEALLY bad.

For all of you ladies here who have really dressed up for formal nights (ie- long evening dress), where did you get your dresses? Anyone buy online? I'm reluctant to do so but I seem to be finding the best prices for online-only stores. I dont want to spend a lot of money since I wont be getting much use out of it, but I do want to look nice and dress up for one of the formal nights at least. Any suggestions?

I was gifted with one (Thanks Tami!) but I'm afraid it still too small - so it's on loan to a friend who wears it ballroom dancing. My last one I found at the Salvation army thrift store for $20.

Happy Day, all!

 

[carmie3377]

I consider myself a bargain shopper. I am the queen of sales (IMHO). My last formal dress was a Calvin Klein from Saks 5th Avenue that I got at Off Saks (the outlet) for 90% off.

Finally, try consignment shops. Especially in this day and age, people are trading in their high end clothes. You can find some amazing stuff. Goodwill (yes Goodwill) now has an online store with some crazy good deals. And as always, you can try ebay - you'd be amazed what you can find.

I'm a huge bargain shopper myself. I NEVER pay full price for any of my clothes, or really any of our clothes. I love Michael Kors and have found incredible deals. Most of his clothes I have bought at 75-90% off at Macy's or at outlets. I can usually buy his clothes cheaper than I would pay at Target for their brand or for what my mom pays for clothes at consignment shops. I told my mom that I needed to teach her how to shop at Macy's as I find all kinds of incredible deals, not just MK ($50 izod polos for DH for $7.50!) Nothing wrong with consignment shops but when you can buy designer brands new for cheaper, why not buy new? Honestly, haven't been to an adult consignment shop but mom and I compare prices.

Anyway, I've looked at Goodwill but haven't had much luck. I know I donate nice things to them but it is always picked through when I go. I need to check out the online site. We have a consignment shop that I need to go to too. Just on the other side of town and I'm never down that way. I'll drive 3 hours to an awesome outlet mall but haven't driven 20 minutes to the consignment shop.

 

[Pixie Dust II]

Indeed I was - the Romancing the Mouse cruise as I recall.

Did you end up going on the 7/18 Baltic in the end? It ultimately didn't work out for us to do that and this one, and this cruise won

Yes, it was Romancing the Mouse. We made so many good friends on that cruise that I still keep in contact with today.

I did not go on the Baltic as planned. After the death of my husband I just lost all interest in that cruise so my grandson and I are doing this one. He was going to take me on the Baltic and as we started planning, I started crying and my daughter said that was to way to plan a vacation so we just canceled and here we are! I think this will work out well for both of us and his grandfather would be so happy to know that he was taking me on a cruise!

 

[granmaz]

Just paid our balance and waiting for Dreams confirmation of payment comes through. Now onto flights. We always fly over a good few days before the cruise as I am stressed about delays or baggage not arriving, but up to press all has gone well.

We have been looking at Dec 31st to Jan 2nd for this trip. However, the flight price with one airline is considerable cheaper flying 2 days before the cruise, the 4th and John would like to fly then to save that money. They only fly over 3 days a week. I am already freaking out thinking about baggage not arriving, or worse still us not arriving. We are talking January weather here and snow etc. We wouldn't be able to pick up the ship till Aruba, and then that wouldn't be too easy. Oh dear.

How do you all cope with flying in so close?

 

[danfromca]

Yes, it was Romancing the Mouse. We made so many good friends on that cruise that I still keep in contact with today.

I did not go on the Baltic as planned. After the death of my husband I just lost all interest in that cruise so my grandson and I are doing this one. He was going to take me on the Baltic and as we started planning, I started crying and my daughter said that was to way to plan a vacation so we just canceled and here we are! I think this will work out well for both of us and his grandfather would be so happy to know that he was taking me on a cruise!

I remember reading your post when Garry passed - I was so sorry to hear that. I was also interested on doing that particular Baltic cruise in part due to the large number of people who were returning from our cruise - but it just didn't work out. I think you must have a great grandson - and I know you'll both have a great time.

I don't know if you remember my sister Roan - she's coming on this one as well. The rest of the mob of young adults who were with us in 07 are not - all are now in colleges or working. But my godson is coming along thanks to a remarkably understanding school.

 

[glindamood]

Just paid our balance and waiting for Dreams confirmation of payment comes through. Now onto flights. We always fly over a good few days before the cruise as I am stressed about delays or baggage not arriving, but up to press all has gone well.

We have been looking at Dec 31st to Jan 2nd for this trip. However, the flight price with one airline is considerable cheaper flying 2 days before the cruise, the 4th and John would like to fly then to save that money. They only fly over 3 days a week. I am already freaking out thinking about baggage not arriving, or worse still us not arriving. We are talking January weather here and snow etc. We wouldn't be able to pick up the ship till Aruba, and then that wouldn't be too easy. Oh dear.

How do you all cope with flying in so close?

We arrive in Florida Dec. 22nd, board the Crown Princess on Dec, 23rd and return from that trip on Dec. 30th. Instead of flying home, we are staying with friends in the Tampa area and will drive to the port on Jan. 6th. But, even coming from Michigan, it isn't like the trip you have to make. If you leave 2 days before, when does that get you to FL? And how many stops? I may be with you and find it kind of 'freaky'. It will not save you any money if you have to get yourselves to Aruba. I would vote for one of the earlier days myself. Being in a panic about logistics is no way to start a vacation - in my opinion.

 

[WeLuvDCL]

I have not called DCL but I noticed that when I tried to book transfers on-line, there were no transfers from the port to DL. Is anyone getting private transportations to GC/DL? We do not want to rent a car like we did last time becuase we will only be going to DL and we can get DVC tranportation from GC to LAX.

I think this might have been discussed before but I can't find the posts.

 

[aan1701]

I think my DW can give all you guys a run fir best bargain shopper. She went to Maceys two weeks ago. I saw the reciept. She got like 8 complete outfits for under 200 bucks. She saved 900 bucks. She does stuff like that all the time.

 

[orlandothebeagle]

Just paid our balance and waiting for Dreams confirmation of payment comes through. Now onto flights. We always fly over a good few days before the cruise as I am stressed about delays or baggage not arriving, but up to press all has gone well.

We have been looking at Dec 31st to Jan 2nd for this trip. However, the flight price with one airline is considerable cheaper flying 2 days before the cruise, the 4th and John would like to fly then to save that money. They only fly over 3 days a week. I am already freaking out thinking about baggage not arriving, or worse still us not arriving. We are talking January weather here and snow etc. We wouldn't be able to pick up the ship till Aruba, and then that wouldn't be too easy. Oh dear.

How do you all cope with flying in so close?

Its official , youre going
We are flying out on the tuesday the 4th, youre getting too far ahead of yourself re weather in jan, our flights were 570 with virgin, staying til the sund after the cruise.