July 28, 2007 - "Rome-ancing the Mouse Cruisers" -11 days! Part 2

[jlawall]

My son is playing in a baseball tournament at Disney the first week of July and he and my DH are staying at the Wide World Of Sports too. We used up all our DVC point on the cruise so I have to pay for it all!!!!!

Lucky you!! I've been to the Wide World of Sports for a few sports events it's always very special!!

 

[jlawall]

http://schiffyinthemed.blogspot.com/

Check this blog out! It has GREAT day by day accounts of our cruise!!!!!

 

[islandmom3]

OMG! A Bathing Suit! I so forgot to include this!








Hey Islandmomof3 - sorry - can you tell us your name again? I'm horrible with names. So when you all see me address you by name - its because I'm trying to commit your names to memory.

Anyway, no worries - just jump in and post and join the fun. We have all asked these questions before. We are flying in on the 26th from California. We leave at 5:50 pm on the 25th and I'm assuming we'll get to the hotel around 7 pm the next day. I'm hoping to stay up a little bit and then adjust to local time. If you have a chance, you might want to backtrack about 40 pages back and skim. We've touched just a little on it and I'm sure that we'll touch on this more and more as we get closer to the cruise.

Some of the tips have been to adjust our watches as soon as we get the plane to change to our destination time. If you have a stopover adjust to that time. Melatonin is a natural sleep aid that you can take. Ummm, noise-reducing headphones, eye patches, and the general consensus is to avoid alcohol for the adults. I'm sure you'll have some other responses soon.

Talk to you later - feel free to just type a ? when you have a question.

Later - must go and pick up my lost dogs! I'll explain later.

I love your message about not remembering your password.....that's me.
My name is Penny. I'm traveling with DH and three children 17, 14 and 12. I feel so ignorant about this whole web site chatting, I've never done it before and I'm trying to catch on to it all. Thanks for the tips about traveling!

 

[islandmom3]

I suspect that Helen or Andrew will have an easy time topping that. It's super easy when you have been away for 4 or 5 days.

I recall both quotes, but it does seem like a while ago.



I may not be a teacher, but I am in my son's class so often that the teacher says i could be one. I love to help out with fun science projects and other tidbits. today - i helped 21 3rd graders make Ice cream. They thought it was the greatest thing in the world.

As for the office staff...Well when my son first started at this school 5 years ago, the office staff was rude and incompetent. Since then, every member of that staff has been fired or moved to another school. This new staff is the best i have ever seen. I think they could run the school if needed.

Not to mention, the one secretary that used to be a RN, is credited with running to my son's class yesterday to check on him. I'm glad she is there, and has that background.



And just think - you havent even listed your day clothes or toiletries

Here is a list of items that I have gathered from reading lot of threads. Of course not all of it is for each of us.

• passport holders
• fanny pack
• hydration pack (for the excursions), doubles as a daypack.
• camera, extra batteries, extra memory card
• lysol wipes (for the airplane, hotel, stateroom, excursions, anything else)
  I'm not a germaphobe, but i really don't want to catch something on the plane from the previous passenger. I read that it is really easy to get sick from your flight, and not have symptoms of course until you are on your cruise and have spread it. I understand that Disney does a better job than others about cleaning each stateroom, but i understand that there are easy things that get missed. I just don't want to ruin our TOAL on some stupid stomach virus or head cold. Which is why i am also bring a small arsenal of meds.
• hand sanitizer
• chapstick (new environment, your lips can get chapped easy)
• host of meds for the just in case (advil, sudafed, pepto, etc)
• a book (new HP for us), it's for the airplane
• sport bottle (easy to refill with water) (this is on the maybe list for me)
• ziploc bags (When we go to DL, we always pack some ziplocks in my fanny pack. Anytime the kids have some left over food, like chips, etc. I just store it in the bags for later. If by chance you are doing something where water or sand damage could be a problem, you can protect it in a bag. They take up little space in your bag.)
• DH's pillow case. He has a horrible time sleeping away from home. I heard this could help. I figure it's worth a try.
• notebook (computer type or paper and pen) to journal your trip
• postcards - to send home
• autograph book and large(fat) pen
• over the door shoe organizer (i understand this is useful in the bathroom to hold items)
• list of people you intend to buy gifts for. include info about each person to help you pick out their gift. also bring their addresses incase you decide to mail them a postcard or their gift
• address book - esp for the teens/tweens to get addresses for pen pals
• sun hat
• sun block
• extra duffels for extra stuff on way home
• ipod
• copy of airport layouts (in preferred language)
• list of phone numbers and reservation numbers for air, hotel, excursions (if on your own), etc
• parking at the airport? something to write down where you parked and store in your wallet.
• phone numbers of all credit card's your are taking with you. (so you can call to cancel if they are stolen) Usually number is on the back of the card, but if it is stolen, you wont know it. Hint - DONT write down the card number. If your card is stolen, they can look you up by name and personal info. Of course, since we will be in europe, you will have to find a way to call from a Disney phone. Or - you might want to call your cc company and ask, if it is stolen on day 1, will you be responsible for any charges between then and you reporting it. It would suck to be freaked out for the entire cruise, better to know where you stand.
• highlighters - to highlight the things you want to do each day?
• and of course a printout of disers, their staterooms, etc

Don't worry it's a big trip, but just treat it like a normal trip by plane across the country. You wont know exactly what is going to happen, but at least you will have the advantage of reading all the trip reports from the people before us.

good list.
thanks
penny

 

[kidcoos3]

I love your message about not remembering your password.....that's me.
My name is Penny. I'm traveling with DH and three children 17, 14 and 12. I feel so ignorant about this whole web site chatting, I've never done it before and I'm trying to catch on to it all. Thanks for the tips about traveling!

It gets to be pretty addicting Penny - next thing you know, you wake up in the middle of the night to get a drink of water and you're checking the boards - ok, maybe I only did that once or twice

Are your kids boys or girls?

 

[Sandaneli]

Finally have finalized the rest of our rebooking for this cruise. We will be arriving on the 27th and staying at th AC Barcelona hotel. Have transfers thru Disney from airport to hotel, hotel to ship, and ship back to airport on day of departure. At least we will get to see some of Barcelona. Here's hoping for warmer weather and calmer seas!

Congratulations!

We are also arriving on 7/27 and staying at the AC Barcelona.

I'm so glad things seem to be working out for this cruise.

Praying for good weather and calm seas as well.

Sandra

 

[formerCPer]

http://schiffyinthemed.blogspot.com/

Check this blog out! It has GREAT day by day accounts of our cruise!!!!!

I've been reading the blogs as well. Good stuff. Here are others from those currently on the boat:

http://icunurse-celeste-travels.blogspot.com/
http://www.allearsnet.com/blogs/debwills/
http://allearsnet.com/blogs/allearsteam/
http://www.allearsnet.com/blogs/guestblog/
http://breighton.qseg.org/

The last one is done through the eyes of a toddler. Neat stuff.

Brian

 

[formerCPer]

It gets to be pretty addicting Penny - next thing you know, you wake up in the middle of the night to get a drink of water and you're checking the boards - ok, maybe I only did that once or twice

Are your kids boys or girls?

Welcome Penny. We also have a teen/tween board going for the kids. It should be listed on the first page (Oh, Lord, we need Andrew again!).

Brian

 

[islandmom3]

I agree - we have been talking about tips for easy travel about the last 100 pages. I know that i am personally a control freak that can't handle it if I don't know what is going on. I don't necessarily have to be the one in control, I just like to know what to expect. I hate the 'OK, now what do we do?' feeling. So for me personally, I like to plan things out as much as possible. I always have a back up too. And I understand that things happen, and you can't possibly plan out every detail. But I have an autistic son, so I have to be able to tell him ahead of time what to expect. (to some degree)

OMG - You have to tell us what happened with the dogs. I just can't imagine anything having happened to them. Please update as soon as you can. In the meantime, i will give my two a great big

Has your DD been to the tween site? My DD (who will be 16 in Sept) has been bummed because she claims "there isn't anybody my age" on it.



Great idea. The USPS option is also great low-cost option if you have a small business and want to mail to customer database.



I earned my "Ductorate" degree from DU while working at WDW in college!

Hi ,
I have a 17 year old son who is going on the cruise so tell your daughter that there is at least one other teenager on board! Penny

 

[islandmom3]

this is great, how can I get it?
thanks
Island Mom 3 - Penny

 

[Aurora1959]

Thanks for all the tips, I think I will run to the store after dropping them at school tomorrow.

We bought some more points there - it does look really awesome!!

Good job on the priorities!

Is your son high functioning? My daughter just did a sophomore research paper on mainstreaming. It was really good. She does a lot of volunteer work with kids who have different handicaps - anything from ADHD to Downs Syndrome. Way more patience than her mom!!

I was on the fence about more points. We could always use more, who couldn't? But he reminded me of all the money I already spent on this cruise and the house. Then he quit his job for a startup so we are taking it pretty easy on the funds.

Priorities? what priorities? I only work to pay off my dvc. i keep thinking I should quit and work at starbucks, but i really do have it great. I make my own hours, get to put my kids first, and get to be a customer advocate.

Tristan is actually a unique case. He has been officially diagnosed as PDD-NOS (Pervasive Development Disorder - Not otherwise specified). Most kids get lumped there because they don't fit the other categories. (Autism, Asperger's, Auditory Delay) He's more unique in that he has several Autism and Aspergers qualities, but not enough to say he is totally this or that. But when we was little the Auditory Delay was huge. he couldn't answer questions, like what is your name, or how old are you. But if you said - "Hey George, enjoy your 2nd birthday!" He would correct you and say, "i'm not George I'm Tristan and I'm 5!" He just literally couldn't hear you if you asked a question. thankfully he has learned to cope with it, he still doesn't hear you, but it's better.

So, he's super smart. His IQ was tested as 140 at age 4. But, at age 4 he also tested as being only 9 mos old socially. At this point, he may be 12, but he plays with others the way a 4 or 5 year old does. And he handles 'wrongs' like a 2-yr old. So he is prone to exploding in class.

He exploded and threw his lunch one day because suddenly they decided that cold lunch and hot lunch couldn't sit together. this was a mistake on the kitchen staff's part. The majority of the staff at the school knows they have to communicate things in advance so that kids like him can be told ahead of time. even though we have explained it, he still is upset over it. And he probably will be until they change back, if ever. Had they told him that starting tomorrow these are the new rules, he would be totally cool with it.

The other thing about him is that he can't really talk to kids his own age. He doesn't understand conversation queues, like when a person has lost interest (like i am sure you all have now ) So he's a bit interesting. In 1st grade we started a thing where he goes to SDC for 1/2 the day, then a reg ed class the rest of the day. that way he started getting used to real kids. Then by 2nd grade it was regular ed the whole day. It's cool because now they are doing this with a lot more of the kids like him. The other kids learn compassion and coping skills at an earlier age when they are more impressionable. Despite all his outbursts, the kids still say hi to him a lot, and try to incorporate him in things. - Ok - off that topic, if anyone wants to know more about that, feel free to PM me. If I can't answer your question, i can ask my friend.

And kudos to your daughter for working with those kids, it means a lot to them and their parents. Believe me, it helps when someone understands.

We have alot of "Asberger's" students at my school so I do understand what an autistic child is like...........best wishes............ ...I have found those that I've worked with to be very special and intriguing.......

So.....guess what??? I was asked to go to a teacher workshop on August 6th.....bummer............I'LL BE on the Magic that day!!!!!!!!

My FIL was a teacher of special ed kids in high school, and my MIL still works with special ed junior high kids. She has some stories to tell. But thanks to her, we were able to diagnose early.
Of course, I think the best stories are their perspectives on the world. I think they really do see it through different colored glasses.

Hmm - teacher workshop or DCL? Ahh - too bad. They will have to live without you, because we are keeping you.

 

[jlawall]

Yes the Med blogs are so amazing........it's giving us a great idea of this trip! Hopefully the seas will calm down soon!!!!!!!!!!

 

[kyla]

Ok, we were talking about scrapbooks. Here are some pics of mine. sorry about the quality, my scanner isn't big enough to fit the whole page:

1998 Disney Cruise (3 land, 4 sea):​

2003 Disney Cruise (7day):​

2005 Disney Cruise Westbound Panama Canal:​

 

[islandmom3]

I have 2 boys and a girl. DS 17 ( barely survived the 16's, DD 14 sweet as can be and DS 12 sports fanatic.

 

[Sandaneli]

From: Aurora1959

It's cool because now they are doing this with a lot more of the kids like him. The other kids learn compassion and coping skills at an earlier age when they are more impressionable. Despite all his outbursts, the kids still say hi to him a lot, and try to incorporate him in things. -

I work in a small school and we have a few children with similar issues. It's wonderful to see how the other kids will rally around and protect the student who is different. There has been a boy in my daughter's class since Kindergarten, (they are now in 6th grade) and even with all of the issues he has he is still one of them and others watch out for him. They make sure he has his homework written down or has the right books when he goes to the next class. You don't hear about those things happening in schools just the bullying etc...

Now I'm on my soap box.

 

[Aurora1959]

Congrats.............too funny that you won on a normal post!! My suggestion is anything that tells the teacher (if you feel that way) that your child thanks them for their year together.........that's what is really special to me!

Thanks. I haven't met a teacher I didn't like and love. So that is why i always personalize each gift. Since my 3rd grade teacher is a newlywed, and loves gingham, I'm thinking something special with some cool ribbons. Our 5th grade teacher is a guy, great guy. Loves jokes. I might try to find a good joke book for him.

http://schiffyinthemed.blogspot.com/

Check this blog out! It has GREAT day by day accounts of our cruise!!!!!

Thanks for posting this.

I love your message about not remembering your password.....that's me.
My name is Penny. I'm traveling with DH and three children 17, 14 and 12. I feel so ignorant about this whole web site chatting, I've never done it before and I'm trying to catch on to it all. Thanks for the tips about traveling!

Penny?!? Wow - Besides my own mother I have actually never met another Penny.

Congrats on joining us. Certainly check out post #10 on the first page. I'd give you more info, but alas I am not Admiral Andrew who is on vacation for a few days.

A famous quote around here for newbies - 'just jump in there'. I did that, and i think I have added 100 posts in the course of 2 weeks now. You'll get the hang of it.

 

[islandmom3]

great scrapbook, thanks for sharing.

 

[kyla]

Lanyard Status 5/30:
Still taking orders and payments.
I have the lanyard design. Once I get people's payments, I place the order.
DCL called and said they can't give permission in writing for our design, but its a case of "don't ask, don't tell", "we never had this conversation", no hassles as long as we are not selling and its for personal use.

ORDER INFORMATION:
Since this is a two color lanyard, the cost will be $2.43 per lanyard
Each lanyard comes with a badge holder which is $0.20 each
So I need a total of $2.63 for each lanyard
Add $1 for each reel. I'm thinking of ordering the black reel to go with the black lanyard. Sound Ok with everyone?????
So the total for a lanyard with reel is $3.63.

Timeline: Would like to get the lanyard order in before June 15th latest. Which means I need everyone's payment prior. Anyone else who wants to order, please post and let me know. Payment info is below.

Payment: I can take paypal payments (basic account, not the premier account) at kylarice at worldnet.att.net. If you don't have paypal, I will take a check. For the UK people who don't have paypal, just pay when you pick up your lanyards, under the table please. Please pm me for my address to send the checks to. Please include your DIS forum name with any payment, so I know who you are.
Update: Ok, on the paypal payment, some of you are sending me are OK and some are using their premier account. I have a personal account (basic) and while it does allow me to accept payments from folks with premier accounts it charges me a fee to accept plus it limits the number of payments I can accept to a total of 5 for the year. So, if you are unsure, go ahead and try sending me a payment via paypal and if it kicks back as denied, then you know that you have a premier account and I just denied it. Then you will need to send me a check. Pm me and I will give you my address.

Ok so far I have the following interest:
Kyla 9 paid
Jlawall 7 PAID FOR 7 lanyards, 2 reels
Eeyorelvr10 6 PAIDfor 6 lanyards with 6 RED reels
kidcoos3 5 PAID for 5 lanyards, 5 reels
Andrew UK 4 Barcelona
Salliep 3 PAID for 3 lanyards with 3 (2 RED reels + 1 Black reel)
Pixie DustII 4 PAIDfor 4 lanyards with 4 reels
AnnaS 5 PAIDfor 5 lanyards with 5 reels
disneymagic316 9 PAIDfor 9 lanyards with 9 reels
MrsG 2 PAID2 lanyards, 2 reels
MrsJobba1 2 Barcelona
Lovebeast 4 PAID for 4 lanyards and 3 reels
Iowazipcode 8 PAIDfor 8 lanyards and 8 reels
disneylover 5 5 PAIDfor 5 lanyards
formerCper 4 PAIDfor 4 lanyards, 4 reels
10yrann 8 sending
MaryJo 3 PAID for 3 lanyards
LynnTarrant 2 Barcelona
Sandaneli 2 sending
JustJus 4 PAID for 4 lanyards and 1 reel
Aurora1959 4 PAID for 4 lanyards and 4 reels
caven 553 7 sending
danfromca 6 PAID for 6 lanyards, 6 reels
Bellelinus 4 PAID for 4 lanyards, 1 reel
DisneySpirit 2 PAID for 2 lanyards
donioc 6 attempting to send payment
Total: 125

# badge reels requested:
MrsJobba (2)
salliep (3)
MrsG (2)
AnnaS (5)
eeyorelvr10 (6)
lovebeast (3)
jlawall (2)
Kidcoos3 (5)
LynnTarrant (2)
justjus (1)
caven553 (4)
Aurora1959 (4)
PixieDustII (4)
disneymagic316 9
Iowazipcode (8)
Danfromca (6)
Disneymagic316 (9)
Bellelinus (1)
formerCPer (4)
Total: 80

Lanyard Design Options (by formerCPer)

Design E is the Winner!

It comes with a badge holder: http://www.kennyproducts.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=KPI&Product_Code=372
To add a badge reel http://www.kennyproducts.com/Mercha...en=PROD&Store_Code=KPI&Product_Code=425-blank, will be another $1 per badge reel.
I was thinking of ordering once I get everyone's payment and bringing them to Barcelona or the DIS meetup to pass out.


I posted this on the previous page, but in case you haven't seen. Some people were confused on how things attach together. Hopefully, this will clear it up:

Here is the lanyard with the badge holder (except ours will be vertical)

Here is the lanyard with badge reel (except ours will come as two pieces: a lanyard with J hook (as shown in the above pic). Each badge reels has a belt clip in back. The J hook hooks on the belt clip of the badge reel. See the little tab on the badge reel? That will snap onto the top of the badge holder. The badge holder will hold your Key to the World card. The badge reel is not heavy duty. It is a light string and is made to hold the weight of your badge holder.

Let me Know if anyone wanted red color badge reels. Otherwise, you will get a black color badge reel.

 

[jlawall]

Hey Aurora, thx for sharing! It sounds like your son is in a good place. My school has resource (separate classes), inclusion (when they're in a regular class but with support) and then regular (when students are totally "mainstreamed.") We host a wide spectrum of autism students. I am a former special education teacher. I had joined the sped ed ranks to be a better "regular" ed teacher and ended up "special" for several years. Hopefully, eventually, I will get to be "regular" with some "special" friends in my class.........that's my goal, anyway!

 

[Sandaneli]

Kyla, thanks for posting the scrapbook pages. I plan on taking pictures of some of my pages and uploading or downloading (whatever it is) and posting them.

I love scrapbooking but get so into it that things don't get done around the house. Kind of like the DisBoards