January 31, 2009--St, Croix/St. Thomas

[gmark2000]

Just over 72 hours to go. Everyone packed???

Say 'hi' to my twin girls, Mara (L) and Kyra (R) if you see them on the ship. You can't miss these two six-year-olds.

 

[All Things Simba]

Just over 72 hours to go. Everyone packed???

Say 'hi' to my twin girls, Mara (L) and Kyra (R) if you see them on the ship. You can't miss these two six-year-olds.

Nope... not packed yet! Have outfits figured out... and separated in our closets... but still need to iron and put everything in the suitcases! Will probably pack on Thursday night so clothes stay looking nice... will probably iron tonight. Did have snorkel gear packed since early January! The dogs are now comfortable with seeing the luggage out in the basement rec room and they know their doggy food is packed for their "vacation" at the kennel! They can smell it thru the box it's in!

Your daughters are adorable! Hope to see them in a character line with me on the ship! I love hugging the characters and getting my picture taken with them! If you didn't know this already... a really fun thing to do for kids (and maybe keep it a surprise til you get home!) is to give Guest Services a pillow case for each child and ask to have them signed by all the characters! They will deliver the items on your last night to your stateroom. I did this for our party in 2005 and a ton of characters signed white posterboard for us! What a great momento of the vacation!

 

[skrause]

What is everyone's theory on tipping at the end of the cruise. Trying to figure out how much spending money to bring. Also do they have a salon you can go to for your hair on the formal nights. I need to get packing but our pies froze at our house so dealing with that. Maybe tonight, sounds like im not the only one. That makes me feel better. The other question I have we are flying into Florida Friday at 4 p.m. any suggestions for something to do that night? Cant wait to set sail.

 

[NicsMom1500]

Hi fellow cruisers.

I'll be on the Jan. 31st cruise as well and learning lots so I can continue to answer DCL questions at disneyworldmoms.com!

Stop and say hello!!

Kim
WDW Moms Panel

 

[aemsaw]

Where will you stay Fri night. Orlando or Port Canaveral area? If Orlando Downtown Disney is kinda fun to walk around and take in the disney atmosphere. If looking for an inexpensive dinner eat before you get there. There is a movie thetre there, Cirque show (pricey and may be sold out on a Friday night but amazing to see), lots of shopping and things to do and see. If near I drive we love Sweet Tomatoes and the Bass Pro Shop is always a fun stop (if you are into outdoors type things) There are planty of things to choose from along I drive too.

 

[gmark2000]

I am posting this on the airport Tarmac. We've be waiting in line for over an hour to get our plane de-iced. We almost didn't make the flight because the snowstorm clogging the roads.

Hope to land in MCO later this afternoon.

See ya on the ship!

 

[accola]

Well, kind of! We're at the Animal Kingdom Lodge watching the giraffes, zebras, gazelles, etc. Also had deicing but no weather delays this morning - hopefully you're down here soon gmark. As we were exploring the resort we ran across a model of the Disney Magic . The kids are ready to go swimming and we'ver probably stalled as long as we can .

Oops, time to go - a cup just came flying off the top bunk bed past the computer

See you soon

 

[skrause]

Where will you stay Fri night. Orlando or Port Canaveral area? If Orlando Downtown Disney is kinda fun to walk around and take in the disney atmosphere. If looking for an inexpensive dinner eat before you get there. There is a movie thetre there, Cirque show (pricey and may be sold out on a Friday night but amazing to see), lots of shopping and things to do and see. If near I drive we love Sweet Tomatoes and the Bass Pro Shop is always a fun stop (if you are into outdoors type things) There are planty of things to choose from along I drive too.

We will be staying at the hotel at the airport. I thought about Downtown Disney and making a reservation to eat down there.


iM GETTING EXCITED GOT TO PACK TONIGHT AFTER CHEERLEADING AND THEN WORK TOMORROW AND fRIDAY BE AT THE AIRPORT BY 7AM YUCK ITS FINALLY IN THE 40'S TODAY AND MY PIPES DETHAWED AFTER 4 DAYS WHAT A MESS. I AM READY FOR MY MUCH NEEDED R&R.

SEE EVERYONE SOON

 

[guynwdm]

Its nothing fancy but I love Earl of Sandwich. Nothing like it here in Iowa. If you don't want noise and chaos avoid T Rex. It makes Rainforest cafe seem sedate. I needed a bottle of asprin after eating there. I love eating at Portobello Yacht club but Kevin on the podcast had a really bad experience there a couple of weeks ago. I imagine there have to be some nice places around the airport as well. I am sure the hotel can give you some recommendations.
just 49 more hours before I leave!!

 

[jezebella]

Portobello has gone downhill.....even after the renovation. It's so sad because 10 years ago it was my favorite restaurant. You have to ask for garlic now and no vino sampling. I swear they changed the recipe too.

 

[aemsaw]

We Kinda liked T-Rex, although I have 3 kids and they were really the ones who enjoyed it. Kinda fun. The only place I wouldn't recommend down there is McDonalds If with kids the Lego Store is always fun... You could try to view the fireworks from somewhere on roperty as well....

The weather for Saturday is only a high of 59... :-( I know many of you are excited about even that. I was hoping for it to be warm like it has been the last 2 days (high 70's low 80's).....

 

[cdndizzylizzy]

Well, kind of! We're at the Animal Kingdom Lodge watching the giraffes, zebras, gazelles, etc. Also had deicing but no weather delays this morning - hopefully you're down here soon gmark. As we were exploring the resort we ran across a model of the Disney Magic . The kids are ready to go swimming and we'ver probably stalled as long as we can .

Oops, time to go - a cup just came flying off the top bunk bed past the computer

See you soon

Hi,

Riley got your daughter's letter today! Wait until they meet - we almost fell off our chair - they look so much alike they could either be cousins or even sisters. Hope to see you soon!

 

[guynwdm]

Hi fellow cruisers.

I'll be on the Jan. 31st cruise as well and learning lots so I can continue to answer DCL questions at disneyworldmoms.com!

Stop and say hello!!

Kim
WDW Moms Panel

Welcome Aboard Kim. Be sure to stop at the meet and greet on Saturday.

I am so useless at work and have so much to get done before I can leave and not feel guilty.

59, huh..... OUCH. It is better than here but might need to throw a pair of jeans in the suitcase now as well. Anyone know the weather forecast for the islands?

 

[cdndizzylizzy]

Hi all,

St Croix for Tuesday:

Partly sunny and breezy with a couple of showers - High of 84

St Thomas for Wednesday:

Partly cloudy with isolated showers in the morning... then variably cloudy with scattered showers in the afternoon. Highs 86. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Sounds all good to me - much better than the 5+ foot snowbanks and blustery conditions we have been dealing with this week!

 

[LynnF0513]

Hello All!

DH and I are headed out in a few hours. We will see you guys on Saturday

 

[jezebella]

Here comes the cold front....it just started pouring!

 

[cruisinpenguin]

What is everyone's theory on tipping at the end of the cruise. Trying to figure out how much spending money to bring. Also do they have a salon you can go to for your hair on the formal nights. I need to get packing but our pies froze at our house so dealing with that. Maybe tonight, sounds like im not the only one. That makes me feel better. The other question I have we are flying into Florida Friday at 4 p.m. any suggestions for something to do that night? Cant wait to set sail.

As for tipping here's a chart I found:

7 day cruise tipping per person
Resturant Server: $28.00
Resturant Assistant Server: $21.00
Head Server: $7.00
Stateroom Host(ess): $28.00

Yes, there is a salon on board right in the spa area. You may have to set up an appointment in advance....check it out when you board the ship.

We arrived in Orlando yesterday after a 3 hour delay from Providence, RI. The snow was coming down really good we didn't think we were getting out but we did. Yesterday was 82 when we arrived and today was pretty nice until sometime after 2 it started raining, but it was still warm. You can beat coming to Florida in Jan/Feb they have the best weather, but I just heard on the weather that the temps are going down tomorrow I think 60, but hey it's still better than 25 degrees or less!!

See you all on Saturday! I hope everyone has safe travels!!

Laurie

 

[cruisinpenguin]

We can't sleep...

 

[Mala]

How was everyone's cruise? Back to reality.......
Thank you fir the magnets. They were great!

 

[aemsaw]

Just curious if anyone knows why a helicopter from Miami Childrens Hospital flew out of Castaway Cay the morning we were there. If a child had to be flown out they must have been pretty sick....didn't know if anyone knew why.

I am still rocking and it is making me crazy. I need my land legs back.