July 2, 2005 - WE ARE THERE!!!

[needalatte]

Either way, it works for me. I can do bags that will be good for anyone, any age, especially if you adults don't mind some fun kiddie stuff, cause that's what I got! I'm very easy about things like this.

So, bring one bag for everyone in your family who wants to participate, regardless of age or gender and see what you get, right? Is that it? (Yay! A decision maker has emerged!)

BTW--one of my main functions at home and at work is to add to the general confusion. It's good to know that I can do that wherever I go!

 

[AnnaS]

Oh Boy - I hope I did not start anything

You guys are now cracking me up.

I think I am set to go then. One bag could be for either gender and one is for a girl.

Amy - you did mention pages ago that you ordered from Oriental Trading. You can get dozens of items reasonably priced. I was hoping you did not spend $$$$.

 

[AmyJ of Ca]

Nah!! Don't worry Anna!! Everything I got was like 12 for 3.50 or 24 for 6.00.. Cheapo little things that are perfect for a cruise to Mexico on the 4th of July. No big deal. I was way under what my limit was!! ..Just fun for the kids!! See you all in a week and 3 days!! Amy

 

[Vanvmom]

Deb, Betsy,
I missed watching it. Can I possibly get a copy of this feature about the Disney Cruise Line from you? I'm not sure who amongst the 2 of you will be at the July2nd West Coast cruise......but anyone who was able to tape or record it, I would love to get a copy and can I just pay for the CD, DVD or VHS when I see you? Thanks.
Clarissa

Betsy and I are both going on the July 2nd cruise. Deb is the friend we have that turned us onto the disboard site. I TiVo'd it, and can make you a VHS copy if you'd like me to. Send me a PM so I can get your address (if you'd like it before the cruise).

 

[jgiants21]

Betsy - I am so proud of you making such a good decision I agree bring one bag for everyone in the family who wants to participate (regardless of age) (just put a bottle of crown in mine ) Amy is right when she states "Anything they get in their bags will be fine with them. (Just as long as they get a bag) I think it is impossible to be age appropriate for all the kids involved so if we just keep it kid friendly we should all be safe!!" My DD (15) and DS(12) will be participating in the exchange.

Chelsea, you are definitely welcome at the DIS MEET on Sat. I also have a daughter who is 15 (16 Aug 11) who would love to meet you and your friend. Just have fun with the gift exchange, as it is just a little ice breaker , (in your words) nuthen 2 fancy!

Lisa, the DIS MEET is at 3, and we will need to go back to our rooms by 3:30 for the 4 pm drill, Should members of the group want to meet up again, I have read that a good place to watch the sail-a-way, is on Deck 10 where we are having the DIS MEET earlier. I will be there with several bottles of bubbles to share with all. By the way, does anyone know if you can bring poppers onto the ship for the sail-a-way. I have a box of them from last year's 4th of July Party, and would be glad to bring them if I knew they were allowed.

Dave - 7 days of work left for me and I agree it is taking soooooo long

For those who are going to Disneyland and want to do a little shopping there is a outlet store of Disneyland merchandise (not run by Disney) called AMS or Asset Management Sales. The Store's name is Disney's Charater Warehouse Outlet Store located in the Orangefair Marketplace @ 243 Orangefair Mall, Fullerton, CA 92832. Here is the e-mail address, ams-liquidation (dot) com - I could supply you with directions if needed. I understand it is about 2 miles from DL.

Have a great day!

Jim

 

[needalatte]

Thanks Jim--I didn't really think I was confused until I read that whole string of messages by people who were confused (then I thought maybe it was more tricky than I had thought). Then there was talk about teenagers and adults participating. Gifts for kids, gifts for adults, then ...oh never mind.

Still have one and a half weeks of school left. Yikes, will it ever end??!! The kids are ready for it to be over, I'm ready for it to be over, no wonder my brain is mush! Can a person become ADD as an adult if they never were as a child? I'm thinking so.

 

[longfamily]

Hello July 2nd Cruise Family

Let me keep score---Amy- 40-50 bags Fran, Betsy, Ana and all -one bag per child
I think the gift exchange was almost becoming a full time job. Here's my take-I have 1 DD so I will bring one gift bag for the kid exchange. I also shopped at OrientalTrading Company so I will have extra items for the sail away. My DD will be happy just to receive something. (The content won't matter) The fun is in the exchange.

Can't wait for the 2nd to get here!!!!! Let's sail away.

 

[longfamily]

Oh yea, Jim I'm with you on the bubbles. That's what I meant by a few extra items.
Karen

 

[longfamily]

I think I needed a latte after reading the posts. I know you can't wait until the school year ends. I'm closing out this school year and staffing for the 05-06.

It all seems worth it when I think about this vacation.

 

[4fosterkids]

Now that we've finalized the gift exchange rules and put the confusion behind us, I'm wondering what the ONE important thing you've learned from fellow dis'ers or previous cruises, to be sure you don't forget to bring with you on the cruise? Not the obvious ID, passport, shoe stuff......but anything that others may not have learned or thought of yet. I've taken notes of the strangest stuff from previous lists that people swear are "must haves" ie: duct tape, bathroom fresheners, over the door organizer for the bathroom and extension cords among many others.
Thanks for any new ideas.
Jill

 

[longfamily]

Keep the ideas flowing
clothes pins to keep the veranda curtains closed if you want to sleep in.
Nightlight for the bathroom
alarm clock
phone cards for counselors in the club/lab

 

[Meskamooska]

Hi All,

I am again weighing in on this as I was the one who brought it up to begin with (and then ran for cover ). Also, as I do children's parties for a living I think I might just be qualified for this one... So, (mounting soapbox ) I am going to take the bull by the horns and say that the only rule about the bags should be that to get one you need to give one.

I will also go one step further here, if you want to do a grownup bag to exchange with another grownup just tie a piece of green ribbon (that is the DIS color, right?) on the handle or some visible part of the exterior of the bag or parcel. If it is a kid bag tie a red ribbon on the handle, if it would be ok for either age tie a white ribbon on the handle.

I will bring some green, red and white ribbon with me in my carryon so that if anything needs to be tagged last minute we can do it. Again, I will bring the numbers for choosing order and will vollunteer to help coordinate this if you all wish.

I further agree that the emphasis here should be on fun and that inexpensive trinkets are great. Oh, and no food or candy in the kid bags (most kids get more than enough without our help anyway).

Above all, DO NOT STRESS OVER THIS! If you want to play, bring a bag/gift, if not don't sweat it. Besides with all the generous overachievers in this group I am pretty confident that at the very least none of the kids will be left out.

As I have a total of 12 in my group (4DM, 4DW, 2DG 10, 1DB 7 & 1DB 15) we will be bringing 12 bags.

I hope this meets with everyone's approval (stepping down now ).

Now, I really need to get busy on those door signs...

Take care all & have a Magic-al day!

Tisza

 

[jgiants21]

Tisza, Thanks for the support on my post on the forum, if I have time I will call the Disney Reps. Also, since you started the gift exchange, you should be in charge. Any help, let us know.

Finally - HAPPY Anniversary

Jim

 

[LegalBriefs]

....hey all, I have missed all of you, but, I was busy getting ready for the ATA Karate World Championships, in which I took 1st Place in Weapons, but, tanked in Sparring and Forms... lol... I now hold the title of Nevada State Champion in ATA Weapons, which qualifies me to enter a new higher level of weapons competitions, including swords (YAY!).... While I was competing in Little Rock at the Worlds, I got a call that my grandfather was in critical condition, so i immediately flew to CT to "say goodbye" we went right from the airport to the hospital hoping to make it before he passed (he had been virtually unconscious for 2 weeks before his downturn) I walked into the room, he opened his eyes, looked at me, smiled and in a gravely voice (they pulled the breathing tube and feeding tube a couple hours earlier) said "What are you doing here, shouldn't you be at work?" My mom almost passed out!!! My uncles were getting ready to get on planes when my mom immediately called them and told them there was not going to be a funeral.... It was the most amazing recovery the Dr's and nurses had ever seen... so, he is slowly recovering now, so I expect to fly back home thursday... I should get a little more regular with my replies on here after that... If you all have any questions or suggestions for the Roy party, just PM them to me to make sure I receive them, ok?

PS- I still have NOT received the Docs, though Disney promises they are "In the mail"

PPS- There is a new excursion being added to the CABO list, and it will be REALLY REALLY cool.... if you want to learn more about it, just PM me... it should be available soon to choose on the website so keep an eye out for it as well...

 

[AnnaS]

Roy,

Congratulations on your ATA World Championship.

What a wonderful story to read this morning. You brought tears to my eyes. A speedy recovery to your grandad. Looking forward to meeting everyone soon.

 

[AmyJ of Ca]

Oh yea, Jim I'm with you on the bubbles. That's what I meant by a few extra items.
Karen

All right, all right! These kids are going to have bubbles coming out of there ears!! Maybe the kids can just save mine for Pirate night or something!! Amy

 

[longfamily]

Ron
What an amazing recovery. Best wishes on a continued and speedy recovery for your grandfather. Congratulation CHAMP.

Tisza, I'm ready to follow your lead on the exchange.

Jill. anymore can't sail w/out ideas?
Hey, any chance the Herbie Movie will play onboard?


Today's schedule
work
Niece's graduation
Boss' retirement party
End the day with reading the DISboard.

Everyone have a great day

 

[wdw1014]

All my questions about the gift bag are now answered. I will be bringing three gift bags with green ribbon on them. Now if I could only get ds to work on those door signs. And when did I say that making 5 pirate costumes was no big deal? I put that last on my to do list and now it is causing much unneeded stress....That's what I get for putting things off.

Ron,
It was great to hear about your grandfather. What an uplifting story! I am so glad to hear that he is doing so much better.

Angie

 

[Vanvmom]

Nice to know that we are not the only ones who haven't gotten their docs. yet. Too much to think about with the docs still in transit somewhere. For that matter, I still have to make a hotel reservation for the night before we embark! At least I know the van is set for the drive - oil change, tire rotation, new brakes! Now that was an unexpected additional expense. Who said I wanted to be able to stop on the drive down?! You can get there faster if you don't stop right

Well, off to go prepare bags, door signs, gift bags (ribbons attached), and of course pace the house waiting for the phone to ring so that the AAA travel agent can tell me our docs are in!

 

[Azptcruiser]

Now that we've finalized the gift exchange rules and put the confusion behind us, I'm wondering what the ONE important thing you've learned from fellow dis'ers or previous cruises, to be sure you don't forget to bring with you on the cruise? Not the obvious ID, passport, shoe stuff......but anything that others may not have learned or thought of yet. I've taken notes of the strangest stuff from previous lists that people swear are "must haves" ie: duct tape, bathroom fresheners, over the door organizer for the bathroom and extension cords among many others.
Thanks for any new ideas.
Jill

It has been so busy around here so have not had a chance to write and barely enough time to read.

So, as to some of the "must haves"....

Electrical Power Strip...there are limited electrical outlets in the staterooms. And with the number of electrical things that we all have: battery charger, cell phone charger, charger charger, etc.

Medication...If one takes mediations on a regular basis, take 2 sets. We pack one in the luggage and one set in a carry on bag. This make certain that at least the carry on is available at any point in time. And that the other is also available if the carryon set is lost or damaged.

Small Electric Fan...First cruise, we found that our stateroom would sometimes get a bit warm. The fan keeps the air circulating better.

Request more hangars as soon as possible. We have never had enough hangars.

Request more towels if you have teenagers that like to take more than one shower per day.

Not a must have but something to be aware of...

If everything works as in the past, your luggage will be placed into your stateroom sometime Saturday afternoon. Now this may even mean that your luggage is not in your stateroom until sometime after the ship is sailing away. So, make certain that you have a carry on with the basic essentials. Also, we are starting our vacations, so begin wearing the comfortable clothes, swimsuits, etc.

Also, something we learned on the last cruise, everyones luggage gets in the way and everything gets to be a real mess real quick. After unpacking the basic stuff from everyone luggage and bags, shove the luggage and bags and anything else you want under the bed. This keeps it out of the way until when you really need it.

More later I am certain.