July 17, 2004 Magic (Western)

[MaryPSU]

Hey, I like that one! (I've had half of it right ... the individual snacks ... but usually get to our destination with baggies full of crumbs!! )

Here's my tip for the day ... another one I'll be using for the first time ...

In the past, we've placed a folder of 'important' papers into the bag we carry on the airplane (the folder holds our airline paperwork, rental car paperwork, hotel information, passports, birth certificates, grocery list, DVC info, etc. ... the carryon bag is also stuffed with reading material, kids' activities, water bottles, snacks, etc.).

We're always paranoid about passports and birth certificates slipping out of the folder, but usually don't secure them with anything more than paper clips. I read a recommendation on these boards to buy a report cover folder (with three clips) and a three-hole pencil holder with a zipper closure. The pencil holder can hold the most important documents, zips shut, and is clipped inside the folder so it can't fall out. The folder pockets can be used to organize other paperwork that needs to be readily available.

(Also make copies of all passports and birth certificates in advance - and store them in a different place - just in case!!)

I purchased both the folder and pencil case for about $1 each at WalMart. Now I'm ready to go!!

 

[keenercam]

Mary,
You and I were reading the same post!

If we were using our birth certificates, we would do exactly what you are doing, or we would get those full-sheet "sleeves" that are 3-hole punched and would put it all in a report cover. But, we have passports, so I was thinking the idea of the plastic “accordian” (coupon sized) would be great – I can organize it like this in 7 or 8 sections:

1) airline tickets PHL to MCO, passports, phone # for shuttle service to Polynesian (then move passports to section 4)
2) DVC confirmation for Polynesian, AP Rate confirmation for Poly, and confirmation # for O’Hana’s PS
3) APs & Jenn's park hopper
4) Shuttle information from Poly to Port
5) DCL confirmations and all completed documents and passports (after exiting ship, move passports to section 8)
6) confirmation for car rental at port for post-cruise, driving directions to airport hotel
7) confirmation for post-cruise airport hotel
8) airline tickets for flight home (and passports)

Did I forget anything?

 

[MaryPSU]

CAM -- STOP!! -- I think you forgot the kitchen sink! (Will that fit into section 9?)



I'm not sure the ship has enough room for the two biggest anally organized vacationers in the world.

 

[keenercam]

I really am pathetic, aren't I?
What I should be doing is coming up with a fabulous idea for Howard's birthday dinner (tonight)!!!!
Thank God Howard actually appreciates my organizational skills!

Mary -- I still think the best tip is the "old credit card" one. I HAVE to dig one out. Will an expired card work?

 

[MaryPSU]

Yep - pretty sure that any credit card with a decent black stripe will work - since the DCL safes aren't linked to credit card computer systems, they won't care if they're expired. (That sarcasm was a computer nerd joke; on top of everything else I'm one of those too!)

Gotta admit I'm in my office pretty much rolling on the floor laughing. These automatic e-mail notices to posts are just deadly for productivity.

Happy Birthday to Howard!! After all, it was he who got us all started. Have fun.

 

[NeedsNEscape]

You all are amazing!

I like that tip about the notebook... I was just at Staples yesterday trying to get my kids papers from the past school year organized. I wish I had thought of this trip. This nice blue folder I am using is kind of sloppy.

Today, i tried to call Debbie in Dining to make some reservations, but she is on vacation. I still haven't started packing, but my kids are getting very excited about the whole business. Based on Cathie's posting, i am going to enroll my two teens in the Wild Side trip at CC, too.

Now that Father's Day is over, I will need to get packing. Actually, I am so caught up with shutting down the house for two weeks and finding homes for the pets, that I am pre-occupied. I think we should have tips on how to leave to go on a vacation! I hate leaving a messy house, unfinished correspondence, yardwork, etc...

Best wishes to Howard on his Birthday

jeanne

 

[keenercam]

Thanks, everyone, for Howard's birthday wishes!

Jeanne, you reminded me of stuff I forgot -- confirmation for Captain Marvin's and confirmation for Teen Fury Catamaran and Wild Side. Geez, I am slipping. Now, which slot do you think those go in? I am thinking "5A" ROFLMBO!!!

BTW, I don't remember -- are you doing REAS? Is that why you are making dining reservations?

Mary -- I know what you mean about productivity -- I have a brief due Friday and another due Monday and I really should be revising them! But this is sooo much more fun!

Jeanne-- you are now officially in charge of the "how to leave home for a DCL vacation" pre-cruise checklist! Drats -- just realized one of us will have to get to the post office to stop the mail. UGH!!!! Well, at least we won't have to go to the bank!

 

[MaryPSU]

Okay, Jeanne ... here is some fuel for your new assignment ... this is coming from the "things to do" section of my "things to pack" list:

1) Call post office to stop mail (Cam, looks like you need to actually visit yours ... ours accepts a phone call)
2) Arrange for neighbor to water plants - indoor and (this time of year) outdoor
3) Make copies of itineraries and 'reach' information - get to neighbors, relatives, colleagues, etc.
4) Make copies of important documents (passports, birth certificates, park tickets, etc.)
5) Stop newspapers (and ensure neighbors watch for when the newspaper deliverer inevitably messes this up)
6) Pay bills that can't wait and aren't electronically cared for
7) Check schedule for lights on timers
8) Leave out money and instructions for cleaning lady (or if you don't have a regular one, hire a temporary one - it's sooo great to come home to a clean house!)
9) Charge batteries - for things like cell phones, digital cameras, etc.
10) Arrange for pet care (we only have a hamster, which I will leave with one of the kids' friends)
11) "Deer proof" all landscaping (where we live, we often come home to chewed up plantings if we don't treat them well before leaving)
12) Confirm reservations (airline, etc.)
13) Make manicure, pedicure, and haircut appointments (we've had ours for months so they're timed right!)
14) Put heat/AC (depending on time of year) on 'vacation' setting
15) Fill out DCL paperwork before leaving home!!

(This time of year, I got to delete all the stuff related to traveling during the school year - yippee.)

I know I'm sick ... but the more stuff I put on lists, the less stressed I am as the time draws closer. Right now I'm loving that the kids were invited out for the evening to swim with friends, so I have a little extra time to myself - to cruise the boards!!

Cam ... tell us all about Howard's dinner!

 

[keenercam]

Mary -- I lOVE your list!!! Thank you. I am moving it into my PDA as my checklist.

Howard's dinner was wonderful -- Lamberti's Cucina -- our favorite restaurant -- the owners also own the banquet facility where Jenn's sweet sixteen party will be. Howard had fettucine alfredo with scallops & shrimp and broccoli. Jenn had penne alfredo, Andy had spaghetti & meatballs, and I had rock shrimp and veal capri. All of it is delicious. Jenn will have a hard time deciding on entrees for her party. We also surprised him with a cake but it was very ethnic and none of really liked it.

Well, really the only reservations I still need to make are for the shuttle for us on 7/15 MCO to Poly, for our friends 7/16 MCO to Poly and then for all eight of us 7/17 Poly to Port. Think I have been delaying because it is so expensive. Can think of many things to spend that money on, and they all involve a blender and a little umbrella

Well, guys, off to bed. Have a good one. I am really looking forward to meeting all of you in just 23 days!

 

[dznyacct]

A few other things for the "to do" list.....
* Get any needed prescriptions refilled
* Pre-printed address labels for postcards
* Postcard stamps
* List of e-mail addresses
* Carry-on bag (for flight) supplies - gum, magazines, snacks, walkman,etc.

We'll be gone 15 days all together and Brian is on 3 different RXs (high blood pressure and acid reflux) so I always need to make sure we've got enough for the whole trip. Having the pre-printed address labels makes it so much easier to get a few postcards done quickly.

I just had to call ATA with a question about our carry-on bags. We're not big drinkers by any means, but we plan on taking the "fixins" for martinis and electric lemonade (Absolut Citron with DCL supplying the lemonade) to save a few $$$. I felt like a lush when I asked if it was OK to bring liquor bottles in our carry-ons! They said as long as they were unopened I was OK. WooHoo!!! Let the countdown continue (and let the tips keep coming!)!

 

[MaryPSU]

Hi everyone,

Here is my tip of the day ... very simple and you all probably already have it, but we couldn't live without it!

Bring a few highlighter pens of different colors. Each evening when we get the navigator in our room for the next day, we all begin highlighting those things that we hope to do. We don't always get to them all, but it's nice to quickly glance at the navigator throughout the day to see what's coming up that interests us!

The kids' navigators are given out for the whole week at the beginning of the cruise, and our children immediately pull out their highlighters and begin marking all the things they want to do. They sometimes change their minds during the week, but usually stick to most of what they have highlighted. (It's nice to have the different colors for the kids' navigators so we can tell them apart at quick glance ... it's not unusual for me to hear, "where is my navigator?" ... and since I'm the one always trying to keep the stateroom neat, my answer is typically, "check the shoe holder!")

Have a good one!

Mary

 

[keenercam]

Great idea, Mary!!!

BTW, we bring 2 over the door shoeholders! one for shoes and the other for EVERYTHING else -- the kids and Howard and I each had our own rows for things like toiletries, trading cards, cameras, film, hair accessories, swim goggles, ear plugs, socks, stockings. etc.

Tip of the day:
Spread everyone's clothes among all your suitcases. I have heard this was a lifesaver when a suitcase was lost and it was not one person's entire wardrobe. This way, everyone will have clothes even if a suitcase is lost.
Since we are going to be in WDW for 2 days before the cruise, we are packing 2 days' worth of clothes, as well as all our toiletries in one carry-on. We won't even open the other suitcases or the garment bags until we get on the ship. It will also keep our hotel room from getting cluttered with stuff we don't need.

 

[mousemom218]

From what I am seeing on the Boards, it looks like reservations are possible in advance. Who is Debbie and what is all this about?

 

[MaryPSU]

Carole,

I think I know the answer to your question, but since I've never had the privilege I could be wrong here. I'm sure the other folks will correct me.

I believe the only advance Palo reservations are for those folks who have paid for the REAS (Romance Escape at Sea) package - which gives those guests some spa things, dining reservations, etc. - or if your stateroom is one of the 'best' (like suites).

I suspect that Debbie is the person that anyone in these special situations would call to handle their advanced Palo reservations.

The rest of us will be heading to the Palo reservation area once we've gotten on the ship!

Mary

 

[keenercam]

Hey, guys!
Check out www.disneystore.com and look at the clearance section under accessories (or do a search for "luggage") -- they have the COOLEST luggage pieces/totes, etc on clearance. If you are going to buy anything, email me keenercam@aol.com or PM me for the code for 20% off! PLUS free shipping on orders over $75. We just bought a bunch of stuff -- hope it arrives in time!

 

[NeedsNEscape]

I think this must be a pretty full cruise! I just tried to put my DSs in the WILD SIDE Excursion at CC and they were completely filled already!

And it is still 3 weeks before the cruise!

Jeanne

 

[NeedsNEscape]

Mary,

I love the list!!!

I've printed it and have it posted on the refrigerator. You boiled it down to the manageable set, thanks! About the credit card, I was wondering if you thought that a Starbucks (or some type of gift card) would work on the safe?
What about those old WDW room cards from previous vacations? Do you think they would work? (Since I have all of these types of cards, I may bring them just to try them out.)

Jeanne

 

[MaryPSU]

Guys - I'm not sure what types of cards will work, but I have an idea ... why don't we all take whatever types of old cards we can find and try them all out?

Maybe we can gather over tropical beverages one evening and compare notes, then prepare a 'tips message' for everybody who reads the boards and has the same questions!!

I think we're all getting crazy from all the excitement.

 

[cathie]

I think you guys are right about the cruise being full..there seems to be a lot of school age kids, being summer vacation. We were on a full cruise in February but there were more toddlers & babies, although it didn't seem like the ship was full. Thanks to everybody for the tips...I need to copy them & take advantage of those great ideas! It's getting soooooo close! Can't wait!! Cathie & The Gang

 

[mousemom218]

Don't worry too much about missing the Wild Side. The first time we cruised I signed up DD. They have to meet on CC at about 7:30 a.m. Since it is toward the end of the cruise, most of the teens are out very late the night before. I couldn't get her out of bed and she missed it. Of course I had to pay anyway! There were tons of teens on CC to have fun with anyway! She already warned me not to sign her up for any of the teen excursions this time. And I happily obliged