From WDW to DL With Love - January 06, 2011 part 5

[LindaBabe]

Just wondering if anyone can help. We are planning our September/October trip right now, and thinking of flying home from New York, and having a few days there prior. As we will have 4 bags after being on a cruise, which would be the best airline to book the trip up from Orlando? Do you have favourites?

Southwest Southwest and Southwest - 2 bags apiece fly FREE! You can come up and visit ME!

Anyone want to play a little packing game? (ok, not really a game)

What item(s) are you packing that you find really useful but probably many others haven't thought about packing?

and/or

What item(s) have you forgotten to pack on previous cruises? (and the story that goes with it)

I'll start:
1. I'm packing 2 large insulated mugs for filling up at the drink station (those tiny cups don't cut it!). I'm filling them with clean socks while in the suitcase to save on space.
2. Binoculars (DH doens't go anywhere without them) and he usually does use them.
3. Folding/collapsing hamper for dirty clothes. I picked one up at the $1 store so I'll just leave it on the ship if suitcase is filled on journey home. (I tried a garbage once and it was a pain!).

I'll probably post some more on Monday as I'm packing and checking my list.

The one item I've forgotten is pajamas (and I've done it twice!). I wound up sleeping in DH t-shirts. Won't be forgetting this time as I already packe my fav Disney PJs for the PJ breakfast.

And, a what NOT to pack story: On the last night of our cruise with family, my DC packed ALL of her shoes and put the bags out. The next morning she realized what she'd done, but too late. Yes, she walked off the ship barefoot! We are cruising with them again in Nov and I'm sure this story will come up at least once on the cruise.

Binoculars - check
hamper - check
extra camera batteries and cables - check
extension cord with multi plugs on the end - if you use a c-pap - you NEED this little item.
command hooks for the back of the door - to hang my lanyard on.

 

[danfromca]

Like everyone has said the internet on the ship is very very poor. I had planned to send emails to my family telling them what we were doing and where we were but I could not get on the internet. So what I did on the 25 day cruise, I used Microsoft Word to keep a journal of the trip so when I got home I had a nice record of all the things we did and places we went. Then I sent a copy to my famliy. If anyone is thinking of doing the TA and Med. next year I will have the Journal with me and you can read about what is in store for you. It was a great trip.

I've always been able to at least get on the Internet enough for Email, but one never knows.

Here's a trick for sending postcards on the cruise. You can use premiumpostcard.com. I pre-purchase a set of cards and preformat them before going. On the cruise I upload a cruise photo for the cover, add a few lines of text, and send it out.

It's perfect to keep my mom up to date while we travel (since she doesn't use Email).

 

[KayR]

I received a note from DCL about ESTA the other day.

We don't need it as we have green cards, but I just thought I would post a reminder in case anyone who needs it hasn't done it yet (and I understand mail might be slow in the UK because of the snow).

Packing tips

- battery operated t-lights - give a nice glow in the bathrooms as a night light (I always leave a faint light on when staying away from home and these are perfect for that) or on a balcony / in the room for romantic ambiance.

Clock with light up dial - so you can see the time in the dark.

"HELP" kit (band aids, safety pins, tape, sewing kit etc) for those moments when you need a bit of help.

Sturdy card / folder / envelope to take home important things flat (like navigators if you collect them)

--Kay

 

[granmaz]

Southwest Southwest and Southwest - 2 bags apiece fly FREE! You can come up and visit ME!

Now, for some reason I didn't think Southwest flew that route!! But, I haven't looked much yet, thought I would go the lazy route first!!! Off to have a look. We have booked with them for our LA to Orlando flight in January.

 

[TJFrack]

Items to pack
1. Flashlight in case the power goes off
2. Whiteboard to hang on the door for people to leave messages for us while we are out and about.
3. Raspberry Champagne from one of our favorite wineries in CA and some other bottles of wine.
4. Laptop to transfer the thousands of photos my husband will take to free up space on the memory cards

 

[rocknspots]

Items to pack
1. Flashlight in case the power goes off
2. Whiteboard to hang on the door for people to leave messages for us while we are out and about.
3. Raspberry Champagne from one of our favorite wineries in CA and some other bottles of wine.
4. Laptop to transfer the thousands of photos my husband will take to free up space on the memory cards

Where do you get the Raspberry Champagne? Sounds delightful!
Jackie

 

[KayR]

Now, for some reason I didn't think Southwest flew that route!! But, I haven't looked much yet, thought I would go the lazy route first!!! Off to have a look. We have booked with them for our LA to Orlando flight in January.

Don't forget to check baggage size and weight allowances (whichever airline you choose). IIRC baggage allowances are different on domestic (within the US) flights as opposed to international flights.

-K

 

[KayR]

Where do you get the Raspberry Champagne? Sounds delightful!
Jackie

If you want the 'cheats' version - get some champange (or sparking wine) and add to some of the yummy Torino italian syrups (you can get it in Cost Plus amongst other places.

-Kay

 

[valbob89]

Items to pack
1. Flashlight in case the power goes off
2. Whiteboard to hang on the door for people to leave messages for us while we are out and about.
3. Raspberry Champagne from one of our favorite wineries in CA and some other bottles of wine.
4. Laptop to transfer the thousands of photos my husband will take to free up space on the memory cards

Where do you get the Raspberry Champagne? Sounds delightful!
Jackie

Great minds Jackie - You beat me to asking because I was trying to find out on Jeff's list where Jill lived to see if it was in or around Napa. Do you like Sattui's Gamay - or what I call hot tub slam wine? I like their Moscato too - but only the first 6 months it is bottled and still has a fiz to it. Beringer, when it was still owned by the family (YES I AM OLD) had a moscato amablia that was wonderful in wine cake. I love a big red wine, especially a peppery zin, but sometimes a nice sweet but crisp white is lovely, espcially if it smells of orange blossoms.

 

[granmaz]

Don't forget to check baggage size and weight allowances (whichever airline you choose). IIRC baggage allowances are different on domestic (within the US) flights as opposed to international flights.

-K

Thank you, yes I will. At least some of the airlines give you the opportunity to pay for the extra bags, ours don't!

 

[Pixie Dust II]

DIS group canopy (zipline) tour in Puerto Vallarta!
We are still doing the zipline in PV, the links on page #1 are just not working. Here is the info for anyone interested (I tried to combine all my posts so sorry if I duplicate info):

We already have over 25 people booked for this excursion so everyone gets a 25% discount and they are providing us private transportation from the docking area to the actual canopy site and back!
Anyone else interested will need to call Esmeralda at 1-877-563-4113 (1-619-955-6993 if outside US) and mention that they are a part of the "Dawn-Disney" group to be recognized as part of this group and get the 25% discount. Do NOT book through the website.

Please also PM or e-mail me when you book and let me know how many people you booked just so I can keep track and make sure everyone that books is updated with any new information I get.

We must be all be on the dock by 9:15am and we will return around 2:30pm (2 hours before we need to be back on board the Wonder).

Here are the prices with the 25% discount.

Adult (13+) Tour $59.25
Child (6-12) Tour $43.50
Adult (5+) non-Zip $15.00
Child (under 5) non-Zip Free

Los Veranos Canopy Tours website: http://www.canopytours-vallarta.com/
Trip Advisor reviews: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...os_Veranos-Puerto_Vallarta_Pacific_Coast.html (You really should read the reviews, it sounds like we are in for a lot of laughs as well as thrills!

Anyone 6 and older can zip-line on this excursion.
All non-Zippers of any age can enjoy the following: swim in the river, enjoy cocktails at the tequila bar, visit the animals in their zoo or have lunch at their riverside restaurant. They allow children 6 and up to zipline and one of the guides will zip with them if they are too scared to go on their own. Also, if one (or both) of them change their mind at the last minute, a guide will take them down to the water and animal area.

The company offers a full refund if we are unable to dock at PV for any reason.

If you have any other questions about this tour you can contact Esmeralda directly at the number above. If you have any questions or special requests for the group please PM me and I'll see what I can do.

There is no deadline to sign up and pay, although you probably will want to do this before you board the ship.

If you have booked and are not on the list please send me PM. There is no deadline for signing up, just trying to keep track of everyone so I make sure no one is missed as being part fo this group. If you are in the unconfirmed list it mean I received a PM that you were going but you have not booked yet.

Here is the list of who is going (Blue/Green is transportation/zoo only):
Confirmed:
WeLuvDCL 1A - 1A - 1Toddler
Phil & Deborah 1A - 1A
Tami0220 1A - 1A
JenKatt 3A - 1A - 1C
3mmm 2A - 4C
Pixie Dust II 1A - 1A
healeylvr 2A
tinkryansmom 4A - 3C - 1A- 1Toddler
TDC NALA 1A
DCL_FAN_TAC 2A - 1A[/QUOTE

Thank you! Just had a little panic attack when it would not come up on page 1. Got shortbread cookies made, now for potato chip cookies and raisin puffs and a few more!

 

[WDW Princess 71]

Don't forget to check baggage size and weight allowances (whichever airline you choose). IIRC baggage allowances are different on domestic (within the US) flights as opposed to international flights.

-K

This is a great tip, and to add to it, I recommend investing in a luggage scale. They are cheap, I got one for about $20, maybe a little less, and portable- it is battery operated with a strap, and I use it both at home when packing and then for repacking with all the added souvenirs for the way back- such a lifesaver to make sure its under 50 pounds after several times I've had to do the whole "open the suitcase at the checkin counter in front of everyone to take a few things out thing". Best little travel thing I bought this year!

 

[DCL_FAN_TAC]

Just wondering if anyone can help. We are planning our September/October trip right now, and thinking of flying home from New York, and having a few days there prior. As we will have 4 bags after being on a cruise, which would be the best airline to book the trip up from Orlando? Do you have favourites?

Southwest, Southwest, Southwest...they fly into Long Island (ISLIP), LaGuardia (LGA) and beginning March 2011, Newark (thank you Continental)!! 2 bags per person under 50 lbs fly FREE!!! I can share 'drink coupons' with you and you'll have THE most pleasant flight

Anyone want to play a little packing game? (ok, not really a game)

What item(s) are you packing that you find really useful but probably many others haven't thought about packing?

and/or

What item(s) have you forgotten to pack on previous cruises? (and the story that goes with it)

I'll start:
1. I'm packing 2 large insulated mugs for filling up at the drink station (those tiny cups don't cut it!). I'm filling them with clean socks while in the suitcase to save on space.
2. Binoculars (DH doens't go anywhere without them) and he usually does use them.
3. Folding/collapsing hamper for dirty clothes. I picked one up at the $1 store so I'll just leave it on the ship if suitcase is filled on journey home. (I tried a garbage once and it was a pain!).

I'll probably post some more on Monday as I'm packing and checking my list.

The one item I've forgotten is pajamas (and I've done it twice!). I wound up sleeping in DH t-shirts. Won't be forgetting this time as I already packe my fav Disney PJs for the PJ breakfast.

And, a what NOT to pack story: On the last night of our cruise with family, my DC packed ALL of her shoes and put the bags out. The next morning she realized what she'd done, but too late. Yes, she walked off the ship barefoot! We are cruising with them again in Nov and I'm sure this story will come up at least once on the cruise.

What to Pack:
1. Air Freshner (the kind that pulls up to release the fragrance)...for the shared-bathroom ...we have 6 separate rooms at home so the cruise overwhelms us
2. Digital Alarm Clock - for the light & numbers! Mickey calls us for our wake-ups!
3. Pop-up hamper for dirtys -- agree with OP, the garbage bags are icky
4. Highlighters - one for each traveller and one for family -- markup the Personal Navigators the night before and leave on the mirror as a 'where's Waldo' guide!

Funny...
Our very 1st cruise we rushed back to stateroom after last dinner (we are always one of the last tables to clear) to put out luggage for the next morning...got everyone's outfits and day bags for the next morning, put out luggage for pickup and yep, next morning...I had NO shoes Family doesn't forget to remind me each cruise...

Southwest Southwest and Southwest - 2 bags apiece fly FREE! You can come up and visit ME!

Binoculars - check
hamper - check
extra camera batteries and cables - check
extension cord with multi plugs on the end - if you use a c-pap - you NEED this little item.
command hooks for the back of the door - to hang my lanyard on.

Hey Linda...I'm coming up in March...let's coordinate!!

Now, for some reason I didn't think Southwest flew that route!! But, I haven't looked much yet, thought I would go the lazy route first!!! Off to have a look. We have booked with them for our LA to Orlando flight in January.

Items to pack
1. Flashlight in case the power goes off
2. Whiteboard to hang on the door for people to leave messages for us while we are out and about.
3. Raspberry Champagne from one of our favorite wineries in CA and some other bottles of wine.
4. Laptop to transfer the thousands of photos my husband will take to free up space on the memory cards

Welcome aboard!!! Can you bring some bottles for ALL of us??

We've had power failures (lights anyway) on our last 2 cruises, maybe it's our electric personalities?!? We now bring small flashlight, extra batteries and glow sticks (these go in the bathroom so I don't have to turn on the light & blind myself...again, inside staterooms are fantastic for total darkness!!).

Holiday update here...presents purchased & wrapped for family & extended family that we visit on the 26th, groceries purchased & meals planned for next 3 days, DMIL arrived 4 hours early for her visit (next 3 days...), DH 'working late for next 2 days to avoid us', used mediation to reduce blood pressure twice today , have new mantra 'i'll be on the cruise soon, i'll be on the cruise soon, etc'...party at friends home tonight, church celebrations tomorrow night and more friends on Saturday...

Safe travels for those in transit, Happy Holidays to all who celebrate...be back soon...

Tahara

 

[JenKatt]

I second (third? fourth?) the pop up hamper. We've had ours since '05 and it goes on any long vacation.
I've been stocking up all year on free samples of laundry detergent/ fabric softner/ etc. I have a nice bag of it now.
Pack a corkscrew. Yes you can get one from dining/ your room steward, but it's a pain. Make sure your corkscrew can double as a bottle opener if you're taking beer on board.
iPod and speakers. Jack is use to sleeping with music on. Although he hasn't for a few weeks now since his CD player died in his room!
Sharpies. Seriously, you can always use one!
A power strip. We have 4 laptops, seven cameras in our room. This is DCL, I think the Titanic had more outlets.....
Stainless steel water bottles. These clip onto my backpack.
Caribeeners for clipping stuff to said backpack...
USB keys. no really, both Jeff and I will be working on board and if we need to print anything out....

 

[rotary2808]

One cruise (it was planned last minute) I forgot to pack my dress pants so I had to buy them onboard. I had all the dress tops, but nothing but jeans to go with them. And one WDW trip I too left home without my PJ's & had to buy them when we got there.

I personally have never brought this, but I have a friend who never travels without duct tape. You never know when a suitcase will fail on you and duct tape can be a lifesaver. I've seen it happen.

 

[DCL_FAN_TAC]

DIS group canopy (zipline) tour in Puerto Vallarta!
We are still doing the zipline in PV, the links on page #1 are just not working. Here is the info for anyone interested (I tried to combine all my posts so sorry if I duplicate info):

We already have over 25 people booked for this excursion so everyone gets a 25% discount and they are providing us private transportation from the docking area to the actual canopy site and back!
Anyone else interested will need to call Esmeralda at 1-877-563-4113 (1-619-955-6993 if outside US) and mention that they are a part of the "Dawn-Disney" group to be recognized as part of this group and get the 25% discount. Do NOT book through the website.

Please also PM or e-mail me when you book and let me know how many people you booked just so I can keep track and make sure everyone that books is updated with any new information I get.

We must be all be on the dock by 9:15am and we will return around 2:30pm (2 hours before we need to be back on board the Wonder).

Here are the prices with the 25% discount.

Adult (13+) Tour $59.25
Child (6-12) Tour $43.50
Adult (5+) non-Zip $15.00
Child (under 5) non-Zip Free

Los Veranos Canopy Tours website: http://www.canopytours-vallarta.com/
Trip Advisor reviews: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...os_Veranos-Puerto_Vallarta_Pacific_Coast.html (You really should read the reviews, it sounds like we are in for a lot of laughs as well as thrills!

Anyone 6 and older can zip-line on this excursion.
All non-Zippers of any age can enjoy the following: swim in the river, enjoy cocktails at the tequila bar, visit the animals in their zoo or have lunch at their riverside restaurant. They allow children 6 and up to zipline and one of the guides will zip with them if they are too scared to go on their own. Also, if one (or both) of them change their mind at the last minute, a guide will take them down to the water and animal area.

The company offers a full refund if we are unable to dock at PV for any reason.

If you have any other questions about this tour you can contact Esmeralda directly at the number above. If you have any questions or special requests for the group please PM me and I'll see what I can do.

There is no deadline to sign up and pay, although you probably will want to do this before you board the ship.

If you have booked and are not on the list please send me PM. There is no deadline for signing up, just trying to keep track of everyone so I make sure no one is missed as being part fo this group. If you are in the unconfirmed list it mean I received a PM that you were going but you have not booked yet.

Here is the list of who is going (Blue/Green is transportation/zoo only):
Confirmed:
WeLuvDCL 1A - 1A - 1Toddler
Phil & Deborah 1A - 1A
Tami0220 1A - 1A
JenKatt 3A - 1A - 1C
3mmm 2A - 4C
Pixie Dust II 1A - 1A
healeylvr 2A
tinkryansmom 4A - 3C - 1A- 1Toddler
TDC NALA 1A
DCL_FAN_TAC 2A - 1A[/QUOTE

Thank you! Just had a little panic attack when it would not come up on page 1. Got shortbread cookies made, now for potato chip cookies and raisin puffs and a few more!

Harole Ann -- are you the non-zipper of your group? Me too...looking forward to visiting with you! DD & I are scheduled to make our annual chocolate chip cookies for Santa in the morning! Tahara

 

[valbob89]

My Eagle Scout/Sea Scout husand always travels with two waterproof bags, quart size, filled with his "in case" stuff. One has a few of each of these rubber bands, paper clips, blue tape, string, black clips, twisties, needle, thread, safety pins, ear plugs, magnifying glass, cortezone cream, lens cleaner, pencil, small first aid kit. The other bag has the things I think he feels are even more important - small fast-food size packets of mustard, catsup, salt, pepper, soy sauce, sugar, creamer, hot sauce, relish, lemon juice. - really - there are some things he is just not willing to do without. Like the British Adventures, he would have been the first on the boat to the jungle, with his china tea service packed.

 

[granmaz]

Southwest, Southwest, Southwest...they fly into Long Island (ISLIP), LaGuardia (LGA) and beginning March 2011, Newark (thank you Continental)!! 2 bags per person under 50 lbs fly FREE!!! I can share 'drink coupons' with you and you'll have THE most pleasant flight

Just looked at Southwest, but they don't do non stop flights unfortunately.

I like the glow sticks for the bathroom too. They cast a lovely light.

 

[valbob89]

Just got the Final Reminders Before Your Disney Cruise e-mail so I sent another message to Dorothy, in Special Requests, to see about the Champagne Girls and Mixology tastings:
"We are now at 53 for the Champagne Girls and 74 for mixology. I should have asked it there is a maximum number I should allow?

Here is a list of the other questions we have:

Price:
Tastings with the final tasting to be a full glass
Non-alcoholic drink for the designated walkers - Is there a different price for the non-alcoholic drink?

Age:
Are under aged persons allowed in the room during the tastings? Age limit?

Length:
For both tastings, in addition to the tastings, we are hoping to have the room for about 1 additional hour, 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after.

Date:
Because many of the same people will be attending both events, we are hoping they will be in the afternoon on different sea days

Pictures:
Can Shutters send photographers to the events?

Invitations:
How and when can we extend invitations to others, i.e. officers, cruise director staff members, to the events?

We really appreciate all you are doing to make this cruise special. Hope you can join us someday on a future cruise."



If I have let anything out, let me know and I'll send another message. Will let you all know if/when I hear anything back. Val

 

[Tigfanjeff]

URGENT WINE M&G - URGENT

Ok guys, Disney just got back to me with some info. So here's the deal.

If you plan on attending the Wine Meet and Greet, please E-MAIL, not PM, me. My e-mail is monorailpilot@gmail.com

I'll need first/last names of attendees and staterooms as well as the # of bottles of wine you plan to bring.

Again, please e-mail me. I'll pad the numbers of guests by a few for stragglers.

I know many of you have also PM'ed JenKatt. Please e-mail me to reconfirm and I'll work with her this weekend to get it all straight. Thanks again.

Jeff