January 29, 2011 - 7 Day Eastern - WOOHOO!!

[AverysMommy]

So, today is the big day! We are leaving this morning! All packed, and ready to go! I guess this means I will see you in the terminal! Have a great week!

Dont know if you are still reading the boards -but I hope the trip down is smooth - see you on Saturday

 

[AverysMommy]

The boards are real quiet these past couple of days. I am sure that everyone is running around like crazy doing the last minute stuff organized. I know I am working on the packing, ironing, shopping, and stuff that has to be arranged at home. Hope I have time to work this week Feeling like everything is control though

Six more sleeps

I think the boards were down for a while on Saturday - I tried to log in several times last night and couldnt

 

[AverysMommy]

Well I canceled my Best Western after going to the bedbugs registry site - we are now booked at the Millenium - got a good price going to a web site called - parksleepfly.com

 

[AverysMommy]

Its great to know that families have are starting to begin their vacations.....good for Karla who started hers earlier today.

4 families leave on Wednesday - WOO HOO!!

In order of Starting their Vacation:
Sun, January 23rd at 10am - Paddle_Nut (Karla)
Wed, January 26th at noon - BoundforDisney
Wed, January 26th at 130pm - lovedisney50
Wed, January 26th at 5pm - Nab
Wed, January 26th at 6pm - Averysmommy (Jessalynn)
Thu, January 27th at 1am - adventure_woman (Stephanie)
Thu, January 27th at 9am - Mom2Brats
Thu, January 27th at 1pm - Sonny75 (Amy)
Thu, January 27th at 430pm - 5Boyz (Caroline)
Thu, January 27th at 430pm - ali004 (Alison), Tink113, Tink113sMom
Thu, January 27th at 5pm - DisneySilver (Joanne)
Fri, January 28th at 6am - cblack (Cassie)
Fri, January 28th in the am - LorieKins (Lorie)
Fri, January 28th at 1130 - Jerelle
Fri, January 28th at 6pm - Myolite
Fri, January 28th -evening - Denas (Dena)
Sat, January 29th at 8am - TiffanyD (Tiffany) and schimj

 

[AverysMommy]

You put your luggage out the night before. I think by 10 or 11. Don't forget to leave clothes out to put on in the morning. The staff takes it all some where for the night and is taken off the boat. You will get tags the night before to put on your luggage. Each has a different character and colour. If you don't get your luggage out you will have to take it yourself and sometimes that doesn't make it easy with all the people getting off the boat.

The next day you go to breakfast that is assigned to you , early goes early and late goes later (8:00 I think for late). Same restaurant as the night before I think. Everyone has to be off the ship by 9:30 I believe but the ship has to be cleared by customs which never has been a problem.

Our TA from our the first time told us not to run off with everyone else if we don't have an early flight. Everyone will be gathered by the doors to leave. We usually walk the top decks, shoot some hoops etc. The go out.

Then you will go down the gangway...they well point you to different escalators down where you will pick up your luggage. They have divided into sections of the tags you put on your luggage. Ours was pluto last time. If you leave later it is easy to find your luggage because most will have already took theirs. There are porters again to help you find and take out your luggage. We usually just grab our own since it is one suitcase per person. Then you line up and go though customs. They are sitting at a podium thing .

Then you are out of the terminal and finding your transportation. If it is Disney transportation they will show you where to go.

You will be out in front of the terminal. Private drivers are usually waiting there for you with signs.

I am guessing your dad will be waiting in the parking lot for you because they really want the cars to keep moving in front. The drivers of the private cars leave you when they find you and go get the car. They tell you were to stand and wait.

All this will be told to you on Friday after you come back from Castaway Cay. It is usually after the kids show. All the kids go on stage in different coloured t-shirts they get to keep. They show pictures on the screen of the kids playing in the clubs all week. It is fun to watch.

If you don't go to this talk that is ok because they show it on the TV all night long... And your room steward will remind you too.

Wow I was long winded sorry.....

I think i will tell him then to meet us around 9am - and just tell him to follow the crowds as I am sure there are lots of people getting picked up!

Thanks

 

[AverysMommy]

We are also flying Southwest and I believe you can take one carry on (small bag) and one personal item (purse). Here is what the Southwest website states:

Carryon Baggage
Per TSA regulations, carryon items are limited to one bag plus one small, personal item.
Personal-type items include purses, briefcases, cameras, food containers, or laptops (case included).
Southwest Airlines limits carryon bag dimensions to 10 x 16 x 24 inches.
All Customers and Employees and their items are subject to a thorough, physical search.
The following items are not considered carryon bags or personal-type items and are not counted against the "one-bag plus one personal-type item" limit:
A child restraint device for a ticketed child with a reserved seat or when complimentary, available space exists.
Assistive/mobility devices for individuals with a disability. There is no limit to the number of assistive/mobility devices a Customer can bring onboard the aircraft.
Outer garments or other wearable articles of clothing.
Food for consumption during flight contained in disposable packaging.
Walking canes or umbrellas.

Thanks - I think they will just use their school backpacks - they will be expected to do school work most of the flight!

 

[AverysMommy]

Have your husband drop you, the kids, and the luggage off.. he needs to keep one picture ID with him (driver's license) - you can actually take his passport with you to early check in

You actually pull around the back, the porter takes your luggage and you are free to just walk in and check in - REMEMBER to have your passports/etc, tickets, and your 'DAY BAG" with you (i.e. things you might want to have between lunch and when your luggage arrives)... i usually tip $2=3/bag

Husband should drive to budget place - its about 1.5 mi south on A1A (just past the jungle village on the right, the 'thai thai' restaurant on the left) - he can either 1) ride their shuttle back (no prob), or hail a cab... then meet you upstairs

You should take kids/check-in, get a boarding number - some/most of the time they will let you check in without him being there if you have all the info/passport/etc - sometimes not, since they changed it to where you take your 'picture' with the keycard at the same time.. sometimes they will let you totally check in and get his picture later

After that, sit around, enjoy and wait.. importance of day bag and something for the kids to do can not be overstressed (also swimsuits if u decide to swim early too)

(This is actually exactly what we're doing too - maybe i'll see him at the Budget.. haha)

Thanks

How early can we get in the terminal? Is there any value in arriving before 10am?

 

[AverysMommy]

where is everyone??

 

[lovedisney50]

I finished our fe today. We are 90% packed. Fe things took a suitcase. We will have to do laundry on ship one day. Can't wait to get out of the cold.

 

[NAB]

Do not arrive at the terminal before 10 you will be standing outside. The door will be locked. Not sure if it opens at 10:00 or 10:30. You have to remember people will have just got off the boat and making there way out by 9:30 at the latest.

I was shopping all day looking for a new swim suit for my 10 year old daughter. It was hard. She is developing and the girls sizes just don't cut it anymore. But the small woman size doesn't really fit on the top either. We finally found a one piece at Walmart that will work for now.

Trying to my son's projects done before we go and get them handed in. He left it to the last minute of course...

Tomorrow I need to have everything out and ready to put in the suitcases. Well have to wash the night before to make sure we have enough underwear.

Hubby has to work his last shift of work tonight before we go....so he will sleep all day tomorrow when I will want in the bedroom to pack.

 

[AverysMommy]

Just ordered my tickets for Universal - so excited about that day - I hope the weather holds out for Friday!!!

 

[DisneySilver]

where is everyone??

I have been wondering that very thing.
I just figured that everyone was very busy getting ready. I could not get on the DIS last night either. How did Spencers volleyball tournament go? I think we may be getting picked up at the port as well upon return. Originally we were renting a car but my parents decided in the last week or so to go south and are in the area and want to see us before we head home to the cold north

 

[AverysMommy]

Do not arrive at the terminal before 10 your you will be standing outside. The door will be locked. Not sure if it opens at 10:00 or 10:30. You have to remember people will have just got off the boat and making there way out by 9:30 at the latest.

I was shopping all day looking for a new swim suit for my 10 year old daughter. It was hard. She is developing and the girls sizes just don't cut it anymore. But the small woman size doesn't really fit on the top either. We finally found a one piece at Walmart that will work for now.

Trying to my son's projects done before we go and get them handed in. He left it to the last minute of course...

Tomorrow I need to have everything out and ready to put in the suitcases. Well have to wash the night before to make sure we have enough underwear.

Hubby has to work his last shift of work tonight before we go....so he will sleep all day tomorrow when I will want in the bedroom to pack.

thanks -

We are probably 75% packed - will do one more load of laundry on Tuesday night and then finish it up.

If I can just keep my boss from making me work too many late nights this week, we will be in good shape!

 

[AverysMommy]

I have been wondering that very thing.
I just figured that everyone was very busy getting ready. I could not get on the DIS last night either. How did Spencers volleyball tournament go? I think we may be getting picked up at the port as well upon return. Originally we were renting a car but my parents decided in the last week or so to go south and are in the area and want to see us before we head home to the cold north

HI, It's me Spencer & I came in 7th out of 10 teams. That's pretty good since we are an under 13 team (Grade 6s and 7s) and almost all of the other teams were under 14 teams (Grade 8s)

oh well

spencer

 

[Loriekins]

Did last minute picking up things yesterday. Today has been housework, packing the little things (all done until the essentials are put in when we leave), ironing, getting things ready for the busy week ahead & football.

 

[DisneySilver]

HI, It's me Spencer & I came in 7th out of 10 teams. That's pretty good since we are an under 13 team (Grade 6s and 7s) and almost all of the other teams were under 14 teams (Grade 8s)

oh well

spencer

Your team did very well Spencer!!!!: Congratulations

 

[cblack]

Ha! I was wondering where everyone was too, but I also had issues getting logged in last night. This is getting exciting that people are already on their way to Florida!!!

 

[denas]

Still finishing up FEs and sorting clothes. Everything is piled in my living room. Of course, I have a big conference tomorrow and Tuesday which hasn't helped and DS has a project due this week that seems to be occupying a lot of my time!!! Oh well. Once I am through Tuesday I have all day Wednesday and Thursday to finish up.

 

[denas]

I think we decided to meet at 3 pm on embarkation day at the Promenade Lounge. Can everyone reply "yes" or "no" if you are able to make the link-up? I know we went round and round about day and time, but as people are leaving I think we just need to commit!!

Dena

 

[TifffanyD]

Ha! I was wondering where everyone was too, but I also had issues getting logged in last night. This is getting exciting that people are already on their way to Florida!!!

We were in Orlando all day yesterday. Then, since we didn't get home til 2:30am we slept in a bit today