January 14, 2012 Eastern Carribbean Cruise

[StarGazer99]

Good news is that there is so much to do and see, as well as so many people to meet, that we found it easy to adjust to. I can't wait! Would it be awful if I said I was already packed???

When I put my summer clothes away, I packed the ones I plan to bring on the cruise in my suitcase, so, I guess I am right there with you!

I'll probably just run them through the washer and re-pack them...

Our last cruise I think I was packed 4 months before hand. This cruise I only have a hand full of items packed but Im in a dilemma. I get cold easy and we're at Disney for 5 nights. Do I pack me warm clothes or give myself a reason to buy clothes there. . I was worried about my family but I believe they can handle it. Now watch us get a winter freeze at Disney World.

 

[StarGazer99]

6 weeks from today!!!

 

[4mousefans]

I WISH we had five days at Disney! The girls will be missing five days of school...something that we really debated about, but ultimately decided will be okay. DD15 is a strong student- she is more concerned about missing a basketball game- and DD19 is on break from college.

My husband is taking such humor in my planning...but laugh all they want, I am always prepared! LOL! Our eldest leaves for Hawaii for two weeks and I have a training/meetings in Phoenix the week that we leave for Florida, so that planning is so necessary. Just finished one of the FE gifts but am still working on the gifts for our second cabin---have never done this before and the kids (well, adults too!) are looking forward to it!

WE ARE SO EXCITED!

 

[4mousefans]

Oh...am bringing a sweatshirt and those "magic" gloves for everyone. Last time we visited DW and cruised, it was freezing when we attended the Christmas party at MK. My mom was laughing at me for "dragging" the sweatshirts and gloves...but guess who ended up breaking down and using them first? MY MOM! LOL!

 

[beckybowler]

I feel like I am at a standstill. I cannot figure out how I want to get to port (and back) or where we will stay prior to the cruise.

We fly into Orlando at 10:55 pm on Thursday Jan 12th. Obviously, we need to stay somewhere on Thursday and Friday night prior to the cruise.

We cannot make up our minds if we want to stay in Orlando or Port Canaveral. My husband DOES NOT want to rent a car or drive.

I also have to keep in the back of my mind that I have to eat gluten free, so finding places to eat can be difficult for me. I cannot go into McDonalds or easy food options.

Any thoughts or help? You all got your hotels, transportation lined up yet? I am normally such a planner, but this doesn't seem to be something I feel like has to be done super early.

Thanks!!!!

Becky

 

[4mousefans]

Welcome!

We are staying at the POP Century---got an awesome deal on rooms for under $100/each (I think they are $84 each with taxes)! We plan to take the Disney bus over to Downtown Disney Friday (1/13) and grab dinner at the Earl of Sandwich. I am not familiar enough with gluten free diets, but do know that they have some really yummy salad options.

We plan to rent a car at the airport to drive to the port, returning it to the Cape Canaveral return center for Budget. Disney guest services have said that this is really quite simple, as there is a shuttle that DH can take back to the port for a few dollars. The rest of us will get dropped off and begin our check in...he will join when he returns. On the way home, we splurged and have a limo service (www.happylimo.com)- we have used them in the past and have had really good experiences. This will be our first attempt with a rental car...we'll see how that goes!

Both of our options for port transportation came in cheaper than the Disney transportation and fit our needs much better. We are staying at the POP again on 1/21...heading to Animal Kingdom for the day once we get off the ship and fly out on 1/22 using the Magical Express to get to MCO.

Hope that helps!

 

[koquinn]

Shoot, I haven't been on here in awhile and for some reason didn't get an email notification till today! Annoying. Anyway, I guess we're still listed as a maybe for the FE - but I was planning to order one on ebay this week for the fam for Christmas. Can I still get in?? Please oh please??? Are we doing these per family or per person? Is everyone just doing one thing on a random day, or something each day? I'm still confused on this so if anyone wants to share their ideas or at least hints that'd be great.

I feel like I need to start packing!!! Is anyone else bringing babies and doing any diaper delivery, etc? I have to look into that again.

It's snowing here in WI - hoping for no blizzard the day we fly down!!!

 

[StarGazer99]

I feel like I am at a standstill. I cannot figure out how I want to get to port (and back) or where we will stay prior to the cruise.

We fly into Orlando at 10:55 pm on Thursday Jan 12th. Obviously, we need to stay somewhere on Thursday and Friday night prior to the cruise.

We cannot make up our minds if we want to stay in Orlando or Port Canaveral. My husband DOES NOT want to rent a car or drive.

I also have to keep in the back of my mind that I have to eat gluten free, so finding places to eat can be difficult for me. I cannot go into McDonalds or easy food options.

Any thoughts or help? You all got your hotels, transportation lined up yet? I am normally such a planner, but this doesn't seem to be something I feel like has to be done super early.

Thanks!!!!

Becky

I just got an extra night an extra night at POP Century for $70 Total... Free transportation to Disney World. I'd check them out. I've posted earlier that I'm looking for someone to share my Happy Limo with(Actually getting a LIMO). I'll have room for 5 people. Are you heading straight to the airport right after the cruise. We could share round trip, even better, if you're interested.

 

[Tolson70]

Shoot, I haven't been on here in awhile and for some reason didn't get an email notification till today! Annoying. Anyway, I guess we're still listed as a maybe for the FE - but I was planning to order one on ebay this week for the fam for Christmas. Can I still get in?? Please oh please??? Are we doing these per family or per person? Is everyone just doing one thing on a random day, or something each day? I'm still confused on this so if anyone wants to share their ideas or at least hints that'd be great.

I feel like I need to start packing!!! Is anyone else bringing babies and doing any diaper delivery, etc? I have to look into that again.

It's snowing here in WI - hoping for no blizzard the day we fly down!!!

Do the FE participants have room for one more? Just asking so I can update the roster. I don't want to be the FE gatekeeper since we are participating!

 

[beckybowler]

Stargazer,

I think we might take you up on your offer to share a limo on the return to the airport. We are going directly from the Port to MCO. Our flight doesn't leave until later in the day, but we don't know where else we would go. I will shoot you a message on facebook when I get home later.

Now to figure out my hotel pre-cruise, and transportation to the port! No rooms show available online at Pop or any of the values for the 12-14th of January that I can see. That would have been a good option! I will keep looking though, maybe one will pop up as available (and we could share round trip).

Becky

 

[StarGazer99]

Stargazer,

I think we might take you up on your offer to share a limo on the return to the airport. We are going directly from the Port to MCO. Our flight doesn't leave until later in the day, but we don't know where else we would go. I will shoot you a message on facebook when I get home later.

Now to figure out my hotel pre-cruise, and transportation to the port! No rooms show available online at Pop or any of the values for the 12-14th of January that I can see. That would have been a good option! I will keep looking though, maybe one will pop up as available (and we could share round trip).

Becky

Becky I don't think we've connected yet on FB. You can look me up... Jacqueline Cress I have a set of advent candles as my pic. I called Disney and the cheapest room they had for the to nights was 327.40 OR she said you could do three nights with 2days at the parks with free dining for 1004.00. So much for going cheap. I'm not sure if Happy Limo has a thing that they can pic up two places but if you stay in the area I'll check it out.

Get with me on FB.

 

[dmarie5]

Do the FE participants have room for one more? Just asking so I can update the roster. I don't want to be the FE gatekeeper since we are participating!

Everyone is so quite here....I know I am one person and have never done this before, but I would not mind one more added on, unless others have already ordered their items and would not have enough since it is after the cut off date?
I am doing a family gift and then little trinkets for the children. This is my first time doing an FE myself and I will put them all in one package, due to limitations on packing for the flights, it will make it easier.

 

[koquinn]

I think I need to order this thing asap if we're gonna get it in time for Christmas - what should I do? Thanks dmarie5!

 

[Tolson70]

Everyone is so quite here....I know I am one person and have never done this before, but I would not mind one more added on, unless others have already ordered their items and would not have enough since it is after the cut off date?
I am doing a family gift and then little trinkets for the children. This is my first time doing an FE myself and I will put them all in one package, due to limitations on packing for the flights, it will make it easier.

Adding one more then!

 

[StarGazer99]

I count 12 total families in the FE list so that's 11 to buy for. Tory could you update me to room 7620 please?

 

[koquinn]

Adding one more then!

Thank you!

Is there a list of past ideas somewhere? I want to make surew e do this right.

 

[Tolson70]

I count 12 total families in the FE list so that's 11 to buy for. Tory could you update me to room 7620 please?

Done!

 

[StarGazer99]

For those of you that have FE's don't forget to take zip ties to attach them to the fish... I know I will.

 

[StarGazer99]

I tried to organize the roster for the FE List. We still have a couple people we need room numbers from:

discorsner
CastawayClubCruisers

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Asp_wGRk2KVadDdqbmFwTkZSNER3UFEwaVpvMGEyX0E#gid=0


Hope this works.

 

[koquinn]

I tried to organize the roster for the FE List. We still have a couple people we need room numbers from:

discorsner
CastawayClubCruisers

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Asp_wGRk2KVadDdqbmFwTkZSNER3UFEwaVpvMGEyX0E#gid=0


Hope this works.

Did you password protect the spreadsheet? I can't get in now! I sent an email request for access I think?