July 15-22 2006 Western Anyone?

[sillykidsmom]

Hi all. Back again, Hopefully I will be able to stay home now until we leave on the 14th. I was just reading to catch up, and I see quite a few people our now going. Thats great. Unfortunetly we have sort of a dilema. Our son has now made the 12 year old all star team, they just won their first tournament. Great news except if they win the next one they will represent us in the New England Tournament, July 15-27. Which means he would not be able to go on the Cruise. I understand that he wants to play being his last year in Little League, but Mom is freaking out. So every day, is day to day right now. Oh, we booked through Dreams and we received our Docs Today. I didnt tell Mom yet, I figure to wait a few more days about the Docs coming. I was looking at them though, and I think it is neat that if you sign up with most of the info on line, then you really don't get much in the doc folder. Sorry to ramble, have a great night!

Welcome back. Congratulations to your son! My 8 year old just won his Allstar tournament. It was so exciting. Thank goodness at his age it just goes as far as county, so we are done.

Still no docs here.........

 

[sillykidsmom]

How are everyone's magnetic door signs coming?
Mine is in the works but it will look nothing like the elaborate ones on the other thread. Creative and as you already know, computer-savvy, I am not.

I have a few magnets ready, have my mickey paint samples and some pirate stickers i will put onto a magnet.
Had a few other door signs on my print program CD and poof one day its gone the cd cannot find it so thank goodness I had a few printed. I will find the CD when the creuise is over because thats how it goes

I really wish I had the time to get these things done. By the time the kids go to bed, I'm ready to do absolutly nothing!!!! I have no clue when I will get them even started. I've been so busy with the family that is in town too. Once they leave on Saturday my in-laws will be here until their cruise on the 8th. URG!!!!! Oh well, no stressing.......everything will be ok. I can't be supermom and superhost right? Listen to me hear just babbling on and on. Sorry everyone. Wow do I feel better though.

 

[sillykidsmom]

Here is a site that I got from another board ( I think ) for Key West. It has coupons and a nice brochure and map that you can print out.

I don't know how to actually post a link but here is the site:

www.keywestfun.org

Thanks for the site. I noticed your now a Mouseketeer. How many posts did you get to earn that?

 

[sillykidsmom]

Wow, you've all been so busy!

I spoke with DH last night and asked if the cruise docs came yet. He said "something came today, not sure what it is" I'd have had it ripped open so fast.....

I went shopping last night and got 2 short sleeved dress shirts for Noah (on sale for $9). I will bring all of them and 2 pairs of docker type pants for him. I do plan on doing laundry probably at WDW and on the ship. Then I don't have to pack as much.

gotta go now, class is about to start again.

Is that the secret to do laundry on the ship? I always pack way too much. Does anybody have any other tips on packing? I went shopping over the weekend with my sister and I ended up getting some great deals for the kids. I actually can say I got all of Zachary's school clothes too! One thing off my list for after the cruise. Do you think on non-formal nights it will be ok for Zach to wear docker type shorts with a polo shirt? Or should I put him in docker pants with a polo shirt?

 

[BTSEN5]

Thanks for the site. I noticed your now a Mouseketeer. How many posts did you get to earn that?

I am not sure, but I believe it was around 95 or so. I am waiting for my ears now...I earned them.

 

[BTSEN5]

Is that the secret to do laundry on the ship? I always pack way too much. Does anybody have any other tips on packing? I went shopping over the weekend with my sister and I ended up getting some great deals for the kids. I actually can say I got all of Zachary's school clothes too! One thing off my list for after the cruise. Do you think on non-formal nights it will be ok for Zach to wear docker type shorts with a polo shirt? Or should I put him in docker pants with a polo shirt?

I am going to bring both docker pants and shorts. I know that the boys would be happiest in shorts, but if they have to wear pants, I will have them too.

I am not sure how to pack lightly. For me, I like to have a lot of choices. I want to bring skirts, shorts, capri's, dressy clothes, casual clothes, shoes, shoes, shoes, tank tops, dressy tops, clothes for dinner, clothes for ports, clothes for working out in, clothes for going to the club, swimwear....I guess you get the idea. It just seems like so much when you put it all together.

Oh, and the make up, the hair dryer ( I only like mine ), the brushes, combs, moisurizer. Maybe I should mail all my stuff there.

I have to stop. I am getting stressed just thinking about it.

 

[suziq14]

Is that the secret to do laundry on the ship? I always pack way too much. Does anybody have any other tips on packing? I went shopping over the weekend with my sister and I ended up getting some great deals for the kids. I actually can say I got all of Zachary's school clothes too! One thing off my list for after the cruise. Do you think on non-formal nights it will be ok for Zach to wear docker type shorts with a polo shirt? Or should I put him in docker pants with a polo shirt?

I think docker type shorts with polo are fine. My boys will have docker pants with polo but I found them for under $12 each at Walmart. They're pretty nice too. They will be changing immediately after dinner also. Wouldn't want them to break out in hives from having "nice" clothes on for too long. Need to stretch them out over a few days anyway.
If we did want to wash clothes, are there machines for our use or do we have to send them out to be washed?

 

[BTSEN5]

I think docker type shorts with polo are fine. My boys will have docker pants with polo but I found them for under $12 each at Walmart. They're pretty nice too. They will be changing immediately after dinner also. Wouldn't want them to break out in hives from having "nice" clothes on for too long. Need to stretch them out over a few days anyway.
If we did want to wash clothes, are there machines for our use or do we have to send them out to be washed?

I heard that there are machines but that it can get pretty busy in the laundry rooms. From what people have said, it is pretty cheap to have your clothes sent out to be cleaned.

 

[noahsmom]

I heard that there are machines but that it can get pretty busy in the laundry rooms. From what people have said, it is pretty cheap to have your clothes sent out to be cleaned.

On both of our previous cruises I did laundry, really not a big deal. We watched a movie and I'd go check on the machines. Usually on an afternoon.

 

[sillykidsmom]

I am going to bring both docker pants and shorts. I know that the boys would be happiest in shorts, but if they have to wear pants, I will have them too.

I am not sure how to pack lightly. For me, I like to have a lot of choices. I want to bring skirts, shorts, capri's, dressy clothes, casual clothes, shoes, shoes, shoes, tank tops, dressy tops, clothes for dinner, clothes for ports, clothes for working out in, clothes for going to the club, swimwear....I guess you get the idea. It just seems like so much when you put it all together.

Oh, and the make up, the hair dryer ( I only like mine ), the brushes, combs, moisurizer. Maybe I should mail all my stuff there.

I have to stop. I am getting stressed just thinking about it.

Too funny. You sound just like me on the packing. Don't look so confused on having to have your own hair dryer, it's a must for me too! I guess I will pack my normal way. I would rather have too much then not enough because this chickadee is not doing laundry unless absolutely necessary.

 

[HeelMD]

I'm on the following week and was wondering if you all have gotten your documents yet....

 

[sillykidsmom]

I'm on the following week and was wondering if you all have gotten your documents yet....

Some of us have and some of us haven't. I'm one who hasn't rec'd them yet and I'm going crazy waiting.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[thegales]

For those of you who have done the Disney cruise before, how much drawer space is in the room? I've been packing tonight and just have no idea where we are going to put all these clothes once we unpack them.

I am not sure if this ever got answered.

I 'borrowed' this pictures from the wdwinfo website.

If you look to the lower left hand side of the picture, you can barely see the top of a desk. On both sides of the desk are drawers. Under the TV is the cooler, so no storage there. However, over the TV are three more shelves. I think there is a blanket or pillow on one of the shelves.

Further into the room, behind the small white trash can, there are another three small drawers.

This floor plan is from the disneycruise website.

In this diagram, next to the verandah, opposite the Murphy Bed outline, there is a Steamer Trunk with three big shelves inside. Different categories / rooms have different widths.

I think there are some more small shelves in the closet.

We overpack way too much, and we have found plenty of room to put all of our stuff away.

 

[noahsmom]

I agree with thegales, there seems to be plenty of storage room. I remember lots of little drawers around the desk area.

 

[jonida3]

Laundry - ugh. But I'm sure I'll be doing some! Should we bring our own laundry detergent? I know I did when we were at Disney World two years ago.

TErri

 

[ansky922]

Laundry - ugh. But I'm sure I'll be doing some! Should we bring our own laundry detergent? I know I did when we were at Disney World two years ago.

TErri

Its a good idea to bring your own I read somewhere that they sometimes run out of it

 

[BTSEN5]

Where can I find information on how customs works. This is the first time I have ever had to worry about this. Is there a thread or a place to go that I can understand all of this? Do I save receipts? This is completely unknown to me, so forgive me if I sound silly by my question.

My family is back. The house is bustling again.

 

[thegales]

Where can I find information on how customs works. This is the first time I have ever had to worry about this. Is there a thread or a place to go that I can understand all of this? Do I save receipts? This is completely unknown to me, so forgive me if I sound silly by my question.

My family is back. The house is bustling again.

The first thing to know about customs is that it is not a big deal. You just want to be honest on the form, and you will be all set.

You will leave your packed bags outside your room the night before, and just have your carry ons with you. In the morning, you will disembark the ship and go into the luggage room. Bags are sorted by deck, and you find your bags and a porter. The porter will take all your bags, your identification to get back into the country (passport or birth certificate) and the form. You just follow him or her as you pass through immigration and customs. We have never had any delay going through, and I do not think I have ever been questioned.

Now for some details regarding customs. There are limits to how much you can bring back into the United States. I believe it is $800 per person. They allow you to combine, so in fact, your family of 5 (or is it 4?) could bring back $4,000 worth of goods without going over the limit. There are also limits on vice items, such as cigarettes and alcohol. On the US Customs form, you will be asked how much you are bring back into the US. If it is over an amount, you need to list the high ticket items on the back of the form. In all my travel, I do not think I have ever had to list an item on the back.

If you do list items on the back, you would want to have those items and their receipts easily available as you pass through customs, just in case you are asked to present them.

 

[thegales]

Laundry - ugh. But I'm sure I'll be doing some! Should we bring our own laundry detergent? I know I did when we were at Disney World two years ago.

TErri

It is also expensive on the ship, so best to bring your own. Some folks have found the laundry tablets are convenient.

 

[noahsmom]

I brought the laundry tablets the last 2 times, I think I still have some left. If I don't I'll probably portion out powder into baggies. The tablets are no longer sold in stores but I believe there are some websites that have them. I also put a few bounce sheets in a baggie.

DS isn't as messy as he was 2 and 4 years ago but spills happen. I'm also bringing a tide pen for spotting.

I can't wait to be at WDW where everything is wonderful. I switched hotels this morning after killing 2 cockroaches in my room The reaction I got from the girl working the hotels desk was pathetic. No apology, no offer to switch rooms, nothing. She told me that the "bug guy" had been there the day before - like I cared!

Anyway, in 12 days it will be a distant memory.