Jan. 22- 29 , 2011 Western Caribean Cruise on the Disney Magic!!!

[Spokavegas]

ONLY 8 POSTS FROM ME?!? That is just plain pathetic!!! Something must be done about this.....

 

[Spokavegas]

I now have TEN!!! Woo hoo!!

Excited about the movies--- thanks so much for posting them! I was just going to call today, and now I don't have to! I may be the only one who wants to see Tangled.....but all three boys would go watch Tron Legacy. I think it's cool that Jeff Bridges is in this one again after being in the original. The technology in the first one (which I haven't seen but looked up pics, etc online) is HYSTERICAL. Black screens with the green DOS font.....and the monitors are HUGE. We had friends who saw Tangled last week, and said it was their new fave Disney movie.....but since I'm the only girl, I may have to bribe the DSs to go with me- or go alone- I am not afraid!

Hold on a sec.......

 

[Spokavegas]

Make that eleven posts! Is this annoying people...? I hope not- I think I'm funny!

Is anyone else totally daunted by the task of packing yourself and your kids? Good job getting your Ziplocs started!! I started separating their outfits by day, and it got hard since I'm having them rewear some of the shorts...? I also read about people cutting back by just having the kids wear suits and tank tops for the pool/beach during the day- and I'm thinking we'll go that route as opposed to three outfits in total each day!

DH will probably throw everything including his suit in the suitcase the night before, and for me, it's still 13 days pre-flight and I'm feeling a tad overwhelmed. I've got my candy/snack ziploc, my meds ziploc, and my implements ziploc (highlighters, pens, tape, scissors, small screwdriver) packed. Just remembered I need to add extra batteries! See?? It's a sickness. And the ol' "Buy what you need when you get there if you forget" is a bit harder not to mentioon $$$$ on a cruise ship.....but having so much CRAP doesn't thrill me either.

So....here's a question that may have already been asked- how many bags/suitcases do you bring in total? We had seven outside our door on the last night back in 2008, for our family of four. (Including carry ons, etc.) Is this ridiculous?

 

[Spokavegas]

OK, post #12 wasn't intentional.....but I did forget to post about inkognito for whoever was asking. While I don't know her personally.....Barb is a WELL traveled DCLer whose goal is to cruise 100 Disney cruises before she's 50, I think. She'll be taking the Dream Maiden Voyage later this month as her EIGHTIETH cruise. HOW in the world do people afford this?!?!?

They stay in the same secret verandah stateroom EVERY cruise (on the different ships), and have deemed it the "Barb & Tony Suite."

She has a website too....... it's disneycruiser (dot) info

***Why won't it let me post the url???

 

[Kayleebug]

Ok, I am starting to get nervous because I have not packed a single thing!! I better get organized quickly!

 

[Melissa&Shawn]

I too am overwhelmed with the packing. DH doesn't pack either so I usually pack him up as well. And while I only have one child...she is a toddler and it seems like I have to pack the kitchen sink with us. She is very particular so she needs the same stuffed animals in bed with her, with white noise, certain number of pacifiers, etc. to sleep at night. Don't get me started on a bath! I usually do a bag for her, a bag for DH and I, and if DH doesn't freak out, another bag of misc. I will need it for the FEs and other misc stuff for cruising that adds up. I always overpack but rather do that. I also tend to always forget something stupid...a toothbrush, belt, or something. No matter what list I make! As for bags, hopefully just 3 big bags, DH and I will have our backpacks (mine will mostly be toddler supplies and DH will be electronics), and DD will have her little wheely bag with her favorite toys to keep her occupied. I may need a small carryon for our last night stuff...plus a stroller....ugghh...DH is not going to be happy! I should mention DH purposely forgot our stroller when we visited my brother in med school in Boston....we planned to walk all over and DD wasn't even 2 yet. Halfway there I told him I didn't remember seeing the stroller in the car and he laughed and said...I left it home, she'll be fine walking. A LONG conversation later, we were at a local Babies R Us and we got the Maclaren stroller I have been eyeing up but was too cheap to buy. Needless to say, DH won't forget the stroller again!

So I'm curious about the incognito person....I haven't seen any posts from her....am I missing something? 18th cruise.....nice!

 

[Melissa&Shawn]

Ok, I am starting to get nervous because I have not packed a single thing!! I better get organized quickly!

If it makes you feel better, I don't even have a list yet! I've been dumping things in a suitcase for a while but there is no list or organization!

 

[Spokavegas]

So I'm curious about the incognito person....I haven't seen any posts from her....am I missing something? 18th cruise.....nice!

Haha! Not 18th........it's their 80th!! Is that NUTS or what?

I'm have to go search for the OP who was wondering who she was and why.

 

[Tinkerkell123]

If it makes you feel better, I don't even have a list yet! I've been dumping things in a suitcase for a while but there is no list or organization!

NO PACKING LIST???? I cannot imagine! I re-did my packing list for this year last January... I am so type A that it kills me to do anything without a game plan. Especially Disney... I admire anyone that can just toss stuff into a suitcase and go...

Ok, I am starting to get nervous because I have not packed a single thing!! I better get organized quickly!

Okay, we need an intervention here!

OK, post #12 wasn't intentional.....but I did forget to post about inkognito for whoever was asking. While I don't know her personally.....Barb is a WELL traveled DCLer whose goal is to cruise 100 Disney cruises before she's 50, I think. She'll be taking the Dream Maiden Voyage later this month as her EIGHTIETH cruise. HOW in the world do people afford this?!?!?

They stay in the same secret verandah stateroom EVERY cruise (on the different ships), and have deemed it the "Barb & Tony Suite."

She has a website too....... it's disneycruiser (dot) info

***Why won't it let me post the url???

Now that sounds like a goal I could live with. I always wondered how they could afford that too. They can't possibly have kids...

 

[Tinkerkell123]

Just checked out Barb's (inkkognito) website. Wow! Tons of info!

 

[Kayleebug]

NO PACKING LIST???? I cannot imagine! I re-did my packing list for this year last January... I am so type A that it kills me to do anything without a game plan. Especially Disney... I admire anyone that can just toss stuff into a suitcase and go...



Okay, we need an intervention here!



Now that sounds like a goal I could live with. I always wondered how they could afford that too. They can't possibly have kids...

Yeah, really! I don't know what my deal is!! I can't seem to get it together! I have been buying things like fashionable sea-bands , power strips, and over the door shoe holders though.

 

[Melissa&Shawn]

You sound so much like me! . I got DD thes cute emergency bracelets, bought candy/snacks, princess dresses, etc but haven't gotten my list together yet. Rather than putting away the warm clothes I've been dumping it in the suitcase. And I honestly have no idea what is in there.

Kelly, I am usually soooo organized it pisses everyone off. . I can't lie, I hve a set packing list I use for all vacations (small and long) saved on my computer that I have used for years. And a tab for what we need for a cruise from past cruises. Also tabs or a beach vacation, ski, vacation with dog, baby needs, etc. Yeah I am way Type A as well. Probably why I'm not stressing so much! It will probably take me 10 min or so to update our list which is my goal for this weekend. . I wish I was spontaneous. But not sure I could do it with a toddler. For our engagement DH proposed at like 6pm one day, and then told me as part of the surprise was a long weekend in Disney at the BEach Club. I had to pack and visit both of our parents in a matter of hours. And I obviously didn't plan a thing. But honestly it was probably my favorite vacation outside of our honeymoon. Can't wait to do it again.

 

[Tinkerkell123]

You sound so much like me! . I got DD thes cute emergency bracelets, bought candy/snacks, princess dresses, etc but haven't gotten my list together yet. Rather than putting away the warm clothes I've been dumping it in the suitcase. And I honestly have no idea what is in there.

Kelly, I am usually soooo organized it pisses everyone off. . I can't lie, I hve a set packing list I use for all vacations (small and long) saved on my computer that I have used for years. And a tab for what we need for a cruise from past cruises. Also tabs or a beach vacation, ski, vacation with dog, baby needs, etc. Yeah I am way Type A as well. Probably why I'm not stressing so much! It will probably take me 10 min or so to update our list which is my goal for this weekend. . I wish I was spontaneous. But not sure I could do it with a toddler. For our engagement DH proposed at like 6pm one day, and then told me as part of the surprise was a long weekend in Disney at the BEach Club. I had to pack and visit both of our parents in a matter of hours. And I obviously didn't plan a thing. But honestly it was probably my favorite vacation outside of our honeymoon. Can't wait to do it again.

Wow! Your list sounds even better than mine!! Yeah, I am not sure spontaneous packing really works with a toddler... And WHAT a great way to propose!!!

 

[threewilmingtonwalls]

It seems like I am only able to get about 75% finished with any one project. Every time I get started, thinking "Oh, I'll get this knocked right out," I realize that a little something is missing. But I still have nearly two weeks, most of which I have left open for tying up loose ends. So, the good...

My TA called yesterday to say that, after much back and forth with DCL, he was able to secure a refund (in the form of an OBC) for Lilia's cruise fare, under the Kids Sail Free promo! Also, a friend of mine who is a stylist came over to review my staged packing and we decided that I don't need to buy a single item of clothing, pair of shoes, or accessory for this trip. So I saved about a grand in one day. The bad...

As I was staging Tim and Lilia's clothes for packing, I realized that I should NEVER: 1) buy her clothes for the following season at the end of the current season just because they are on sale, and 2) forget to check that each in a pair of new flip-flops I bought for her two months ago are the same size, lest she end up with one that fits perfectly and one that is two sizes too big. I also discovered that my DH doesn't own a single pair of swim trunks that fit him properly. It's a good thing we live at the beach, where I can buy more any time of year. Otherwise, he'd be fighting off (and everyone would be witnessing) a crack attack all week! The ugly...

Come to think of it, I have nothing ugly to report. This time in two weeks, we'll be on a big boat headed toward Key West. Sweeeet! I'm off to start (and not finish) yet another project!

 

[clawmachine]

Hi Everyone!

I have been so crazy busy I am way behind on these posts! I too have barely done any packing. Just last night I packed one suitcase which was completely filled with FE stuff and a couple of random other things, but that's it! I still have all my Christmas decorations up and yet have been spending all my free moments obsessively searching dog rescue sites for the perfect dog! Yes, I am certifiable and no, we are not bringing a dog home right before our trip. (although one rescue lady was actually offering to dog sit for us for free just to get a pup a home.) :-( But that doesn't stop me from doing millions of hours of research, lol! I think what happens with me is that I am so detail oriented that the actual packing task completely overwhelms me, list or no list. Sometimes it actually works out better for me to procrastinate on that, even though I never procrastinate on anything else in life! Both DH and I work for the federal govt so we have off on Martin Luther King day. That will have to be packing day, I guess!

Yes, I too noticed the Palo price on our ressie changed to $20, which seems pretty crappy since at the time of booking, it was clearly marked that the price was to go up AFTER our cruise. Oh well, not a biggie!

I'm off to go NOT do the laundry that had piled up and NOT pack and NOT pay bills and NOT do anything else productive! If I have to give up actual fun on Saturday nights, at least I can zone out, right? lol

have a great Sunday everyone! My good friend/co-worker just stepped onboard the Magic today! I told her to save some of the good treats onboard for us.

 

[Kayleebug]

I finally accomplished something tonight! I finished my FE gifts with the help of my wonderful DD!! Yeah! Now I feel like I am on my way. I still haven't packed anything, but the gifts are done!

 

[kaj1436]

So the items that we want signed by the characters.....do I need to pack them in my carry on and deliver them to guest services right away or can I put them in my checked luggage and hand them in later that night or the following day? I don't want to miss out on that opportunity.
Second. Does anyone know what the rules and regulations are in regards to checked luggage on an airplane? I want to pack all my FE's in a large box and check it as luggage at the airport. Is this allowed and if it is, what do I need to do to secure the box? Tape? String? Wrap with brown paper? I guess I could also call the airline and ask. I hope it is allowed. I have it all packed and it fits perfectly and seems alot more secure than using luggage. I don't want the precious FE's to get damaged!
Other than the box of FE's, I have summer clothes in the suitcase and working on the non clothing suitcase. BTW, does anyone else bring their own snorkel equipment? Does Disney supply lifevests on CC either for a fee or free? Just wondering if I need to pack the girls vests as well...they take up alot of room!

 

[dizzi]

A TIP FOR PACKING......THAT I LEARNED ABOUT THE HARD WAY!!!!

Since we are in the packing stage.....
One more tip for your packing!!! ESPECIALLY IF FLYING!!!!!!
I never ever......(since loosing my eldest DD bag one time with all her clothes in it)
Pack one bag per person, this used to be my method, BUT then if you loose a bag that person is out everything!!!!
So now that i use the baggie system......All formal night clothes will go in one bag and semi formal in another.....so that we have better chance of ing at least one ghavood set of clothes.
I also put a bathing suit for me in each bag as i am finicky about my suits so no matter what i would have a swim suit i like. And same for pjs and underwear....at least one set for each person in each bag.

Very unlikely if you are driving to port to loose luggage BUT i have heard of it happening!!!

So any way that is my tip for packing for the day!!!

 

[dizzi]

KAJ........
we will be taking our own snorkel gear.....
I took it last time worked out great!

Yes you can get the floati vest on the island i took 3 last time but needed a fourth got it with no problem.

 

[dizzi]

snorkeling on castaway................

IF you have been snorkeling before but never on castaway.....
let me just say it is very different on CC.

I had read on the boards about it....But didnt realize til there last summer.

IF you have snorkled somewhere BEAUTIFUL!!! DONT GET YOUR HOPES UP!!!
I have to say i was very disapointed in the snorkeling at CC.

clarification.............I am not an avid snorkeler.....although in the summer we go shallow snorkeling about once a week at our local beach ....... it isnt beautiful but fun.....THE ONLY THING I LOVED MORE ON NORWEGIAN CRUISELINE THAN DISNEY was their Private island snorkleing.....and that was all i had to compare it too.....the snorkeling there was my first time and everything was soooo vibrant and full of color and so many different kinds of fish and coral and good ness

I have to wonder why it is like it is on DISNEY and for some reason it MUST be for some kind of safety....they must have their water closed off to most free flow of fish.

There are fish....But all i saw was fairly large brownish blackish fish and there is NO colored coral or anythign like that.

The only color you will see when snorkeling is brown gray and some green grass(dark green)

If you have read that you have to be stron swimmer to get out to the mickey...this is some what true.....even though we got out there in probally half an hour it was pretty hard to get back after using all our energy to get out there.....I went with 2 young teens and my oldest DD and she got back fine but took her sweet time......I was literally pushing and pulling my yungest girls to help them get back.

NUFF SAID just ask if you have any questions!!!