January 24, 2004 Cruisers - Are you out there???

[pjpoohbear]

Since you asked,


The door decorations would be magnetic sheets, shapes or names that can be printed on the home computer. It helps when little ones, or just the forgetful, get lost, easier to remember then a number. It is a great way to greet the family once on board, one member goes ahead and puts them up. Also a way for those who have meet here or on other boards to show alliegence, and let others know that they are part of the net community. ETC. ETC. ETC.


Penny


Besure to include an identify element, some have had more generic signs taken.

 

[mariamard]

I JUST GOT BACK 2 SECONDS AGO FROM OUR WEEKEND TRIP AND MY SHOES WERE NOT EVEN OFF BEFORE I RAN TO THE COMPUTER TO CHECK OUT OUR THREAD...............IM A GEEK ANYWAY, DISNEYLOVER-IM PRAYING FOR MIL......... BUZZBOYMOM-YOU ARE ORGANIZED.THATS COOL TO SEE THE LIST! WELL, I AM SOOOOOOOOOTIRED THAT MY EYES ARE CROSSING,ILL TALK TO YOU ALL MONDAY!WELCOME 4NITZ AND MINNIESOTA! YOU PICKED THE BEST CRUISE!GOODNIGHT

 

[minniesota]

Thanks for the welcome! Since I'm keeping this as a surprise for my kids, I have to be discreet when using the computer. Not sure if I can wait until Christmas!!! I still don't have specific room assignment because my TA hasn't been in contact for a couple days. We are in two Cat 5 rooms on Deck 7. Any suggestions for good room location? Today is my day to figure out air and first night accommodations. Since I'm feeling so behind in planning, what are the most important few things I should be doing? Any deadlines I should be aware of? And which do you prefer, first or second seating? I requested 1st. Thanks for any and all advice!

By the way, my DD-12 (Allie) is also a dancer. She's been at her studio 8 years and dances three nights a week. Dance is her sport! I haven't seen many boys listed here for DS -10 (David) but he'll hang out with girls just as easily. They are going to be so excited Christmas morning

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

Minniesota - that is so cool about surprising your kids. I'm sure they are going to love it. My biggest problem with surprises is not keeping it a surprise from others, but rather keeping my self-control! I have trouble waiting for birthdays so I can give someone a gift I'm excited about.

RE: rooms locations - Being around these boards for some still time, I can only share with you what I've learned and nothing from personal experience. Looking at the deck plans, both floors above and below you are cabins so it doesn't look like noise will be an issue. Many people claim middle of the ship has less movement, but others say it doesn't matter. So, don't fret the room location - go with what you prefer. If you check out dcltribute.com (dave's website) it will show you a pretty good layout of the decks with room numbers. If the room has a little triangle tha means it is adjoining..not sure if this is an issue with you or not.

As to what are the most important things to do - make sure final payment is made by 60 days. AND THAT'S ONLY 13 DAYS AWAY!!!

Also, you can make excursion ressies 60 days out. Then you can finish your research and do all your shopping. The only other thing to be aware of is making ressies upon embarkation. There are many threads on how to get (hopefully) good Spa and Palo ressies. Keep reading the threads.

For dinner seating - it seems to be a personal preference. If you have first seating, you go to shows after dinner. If you have late dinner seating, you do the show first and then have dinner. Some people feel rushed with first seating. Those of us with young children, need the food earlier, but with your children, it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Hope some of this helps. Have you checked out Barb & Tony's websites? Along with reading these boards, dcltribute.com and castawayclub.com have some AMAZING resources available for easy reading.

 

[dancermom]

wecome aboard minniesota. Looks like we have quite a few dancers on board. I am almost envious having a great suprise on Christmas morning. But, I can imagine that it will be hard to keep it from everyone.

I have to share my joy with my fellow posters regarding our airfare. I was about to make final payment on our cruise when I noticed on my confirmation that our airfare was almost $1800.00 (we booked through DCL directly). I thought that $450.00/ per ticket seemd a bit high, so I decided to call USAIR and Delta (the only 2 carriers out of our local airport). USAIR was $350/ticket, but deltal was able to get me rountrip for $250.00/ticket. That was an $800.00 savings. I immediately called Disney and cancelled our air portion of the trip. Needless to say, my DH was seeing $$$$ saved, I was seeing something that sparkled in a jewelry shop on the island.

Then being in money saving mode, I checked with American Express and redeemed Memebership rewards points and got a free room at the Hyatt for the night before the cruise. My DH thinks I have gone completely over the edge in planning.

By the way, are we planning a meet on Saturday, or are we waiting for the BD party on Sunday?

What dinner seating did everyone request? We requested early, it just seems easier with the kids. By 8:30 mine want to be off to the clubs.

 

[DBMagic]

We are also in the first seating, it leaves more room for late night snacks.

I could be wrong but I thought the meet was on Sunday.

 

[mariamard]

MEET WILL BE SUNDAY FOR SCRACH DD, RIGHT? IT WOULD BE EASIER THAN SAT WITH THE MADNESS!!! WE ARE DOING THE EARLY SEATING, TOO. THE KIDS CAN EAT THEN GOT TO THE CLUBS OR TO A SHOW WITH US . THEN , MOMMY AND DADDY CAN HAVE FUN, TOO DANCERMOM-GOOD JOB,LADY!!!!THATS A TON OF $$$$ THAT YOU SAVED. I THINK THAT YOU EARNED A SPARKLER!MY HUBBY WOULD HAVE HAD A HEARTATTACK IF WE CAN SAVE ANY $$, THIS TRIP IS A BIGGIE FOR US. I KEEP TELLING HIM THAT EVEN THOUGH THIS COST ALOT UP FRONT, IT WONT COST MORE THAN ONE OF OUR YEARLY WDW TRIPS. MINNIESOTA, WE ARE ON DECK 7, TOO. WE ARE AT THE WAY BACK NEAR THE "SECRET" DECK. GOOD LUCK WITH AIR TODAY. WE ARE STAYING IN WDW FOR A COUPLE NIGHTS PRIOR TO THE CRUISE......WE CANT IMAGINE FLYING TO ORLANDO WITHOUT A TRIP TO MAGIC KINGDOM. RATES ARE GOOD IF YOU WANTED TO DO THE SAME. CHECK EXPEDIA AND TRAVELOCITY.CAN WE GO NOW????

 

[mariamard]

I HOPE THINGS ARE LOOKING BETTER THIS MORNING FOR YOUR MIL AND FAMILY..............

 

[disneylover5]

Thank you for your wishes and prayers for DMIL...she loved Disney and did a cruise with us 1 1/2 years ago. She was at Disney World the week it opened in 1972...I think that was they year. There is no change in her status, except the doctors have now confirmed there is very little brain wave activity...so really not much hope for recovery. My DH and DBIL are very sad.

Minnesota - We are surprising our kids at Christmas as well. We are another family that Dancermom refers too...my DD9 and DD7 both dance 6 hours a week each.

Dancermom - You had told me your DD gets a hard time at school for dancing....you should move to my neighborhood. My kids friends all think it is cool that they dance so much....great exercise.

Thanks again for the prayers.

 

[DBMagic]

Minnesota - we're another family with dancing DD's (6 & 10). Both my girls dance and play soccer and if their friends gave them a hard time about either, they wouldn't be friends for much longer. They would love to hear from your DD before the cruise. They can't wait to make new friends.

 

[mariamard]

MY GIRLS ARE DANCERS, TOO!DD CECILY 13, DD CIARA 4, DD OLIVIA IS ONLY 3 MONTHS....BUT SHE WILL BE DANCING, TOO! THE GIRLS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD USED TO SAY THINGS TO MY 13 Y/O UNTIL SHE GOT THEM TO JOIN AS WELL. NOW, HER AND HER 4 BEST FRIENDS ALL STUDY BALLET, TAP, JAZZ,& MODERN TOGETHER. AS A MATTER OF FACT- HER DANCE GROUP WILL BE PERFORMING THROUGH OUT WDW AND UNIVERSAL NEXT SUMMER FOR 8 DAYS IN JULY AND AUGUST! WE ARE SO PROUD OF HER!I AM STILL AWAITING THE DETAILS OF HOW TO GET THE "INVITE" TO PERFORM THERE. AS SOON AS I GET IT FROM THE STUDIO OWNER/TEACHER, I WILL PASS IT ON TO YOU ALL FOR YOUR KIDS INSTRUCTORS! WE ARE GETTING CLOSER, GUYS!!!!!!!!!

 

[TheGlensideGregorys]

Magnets are pretty common! I followed some advice from this board and picked up some printable magnet sheet paper, and I'm taking a stab at them.

I'll let you know how it turns out...

 

[the4nitz's]

We going to get some printable magnet sheets and print up some door decorations also. Same here, hope it turns out OK. Looking at the other posts, it seems everyone has dancers in the faimly. Our 2 DD's 4 & almost 2 have not started with it yet, but I'll bet DD4 will want to very soon. Now she likes singing. I'm sure she will have a great time on board.

 

[TheGlensideGregorys]

Looking at the other posts, it seems everyone has dancers in the faimly.

LOL!! I know what you mean! No dancers here... but DS (4) loves singing too! Then again, if there are any alien-stomping, sports-playing, Hot Wheels-racing, kids around, he'd be just as happy! As it is, he is getting excited about "playing with the kids" and Mickey!

 

[Scratch42]

Ok, guys, need your imput here. Been checkin' out the old navigators and the best time that I can come up with is ............

3:00 p.m. Sunday, January 25, 2004.

Not too many activities then, early enough not to spoil dinner and by that time it will be time to get out of the sun for us Northerners!LOL

Whatcha all think?

Scratch

 

[mariamard]

SOUNDS GREAT!

 

[dancermom]

Sounds good to me.

 

[minniesota]

Minniesota checking in...

We have room assignments - yeah! Connecting rooms near the aft elevators on starboard side. I was checking the main boards this AM and read about getting Hyatt MCO for $24 on Hotwire, so I tried it and GOT IT! DH was excited about that price and since we're getting in a bit later on Friday, this is a great option. Now to figure out transfers. What would you guys suggest?
Also, can anyone tell me more about the kids clubs? I might post this on the main board,too. DD is 12 1/2 and DS is 10. DD is a little slow to warm up to new situations and DS is pretty outgoing. Will DD find much to do at the club? She's at that "almost a teen" stage, so was just wondering if the club will seem too "young" for her. Also, how much time to kids spend at the clubs?
Thanks for your help! One more thing - any ideas on how to present this surprise on Christmas? I figured I'd wrap up the planning video but I'd like the kids to open something creative and fun? Ideas? Thanks.

 

[Scratch42]

Glad you got the Deal! Saw that this am and hoped you would see it!

We are having a mini-meet by the pool on Friday Night. Hope you can join us?

As for the clubs, tough question. My DD who will be turning 12 that Sunday, (Dismeet and Cake 3:00 p.m. at the Promenade Lounge, surprise for DD) is a bit leary. She is also on the shy side when it comes to meeting new friends. Maybe the two will hit it off and complain together!LOL It's a tough call at that age.

As for suggestions, find anything and everything to do with Disney and Cruisin' and wrap them up. Or Make up a Puzzle and wrap each piece up, that way they have to piece it together, spelling out where they will be going!

Gotta go DD just got up so can't let her see this!

Is it January yet!?!

Scratch

 

[dancermom]

minniesota what floor are you on? We are near the aft elevators on the port side on the 8th floor. Also, what time are you getting in on Friday?

As far as the clubs my dd will be 11 and feels she is mature beyond her years.

Last time we cruised she was 9 and had the ability to sign in and out of the clubs, and after she made two friends, they thought they were cool signing out of the clubs and sitting by the pool by themselves.

I thought that with Disney security there wasn't much that could happen to them so I felt rather safe.

Hopefully the girls can all meet the night before at the Hyatt and feel more comfortable already knowing someone who will be at the clubs.