July 9th 2005 - West Coast Cruise.

[GrumpyMom1]

All of us riding with Randi, don't worry. I just got an e-mail from her confirming my reservation, and she said that there are 15 riders (the number we expected). So, we're all confirmed!!! Randi told me she is so excited the Magic is coming, and she can't wait to see it!!!

Thanks for the followup Lori. I feel better now.

 

[jel0511]

Thanks for the followup Lori. I feel better now.

Sheila - I wouldn't be a good Cruise Director without proper follow-up! Now, if you're expecting me to be a Cruise Director during the horseback riding, you're sorely mistaken. DH and I have only riden once, and it was during our honeymoon in Hawaii 10 years ago!! I'll be hanging out back with my kids and probably Kim's kids!!! I'll probably be the de-facto babysitter on this trip!

 

[hayesktrm]

Chris' spreadsheet is great. It looks like we are all around the same age.

One question for soccermom and soccerdad--will your DD be in the same group as my DD who will be 8? I can't remember the ages for the different clubs.

Well, I'm off to help DS with a project for class. He has to do a scrapbook (he's doing a good job even though he says scrapbooking is for girls). He wants to add pictures from our cruise and I have to scan them so he doesn't use my originals. It is fun looking at the pictures. Makes me even more excited about going on the cruise (if that is at all possible).

 

[Soccermom-Cheri]

Well, Chris is living it up in NYC, so I better chime in here....

Yup! Cassie will be in the Oceaneer's Club. She'll be 7 by then and she knows the place pretty well. She could probably even tell you the list of movies played every night - in order. Hum, maybe she spent a little tooo much time there???

As for shoes at the wine tasting (and whatever other excuses we can come up with for having a party...), I said that I reserve the right to pack as many pairs as I want. I also reserve the right not to wear any of them.

All of the excursions sound great! You all have done a wonderful job figuring out what to do. Now if we could only get the Magic to stay in each port one extra day so we can do everything. And, about the Zip Line? Read about it on Cruise Critic. Everyone raved about it. I don't want to do it alone. I'll chicken out if I don't have someone behind me yelling "get on with it girl!"

 

[GrumpyMom1]

Well Cheri, we were going to do the zip lines but then I chickened out. Then after reading some more at Cruisecritic, I decided again that it sounds like fun. But now my girls have decided they don't want to do that. So the PV excursion of the day today is the Paradise Village Resort. Who knows how many times we'll change our minds in the next couple of months.

Can someone please explain to me why I'm spending so much time researching excursions for a cruise that is still over 5 months away? I think I have a problem and need help!

 

[FOJMO]

Chris' spreadsheet is great. It looks like we are all around the same age.

How can we all get a copy of Chris' spreadsheet? And what age is "around the same age"? I think Stu and I are going to end up being the "seniors" in this group - and we're the ones who want to "dance the night away" - lol!

 

[mommykeg]

hayesktrm and cheri....I think the 5-7 year olds are in the club and the 8-9 year olds are in the lab. just by age, I think that would put DDs of hayesktrm (Karen?) and Kim in the lab, and DDs of Lori and Cheri in the club.

I've been wondering, though, if DD would fit better in the club or the lab...she will just be turning 8 in May. I think she would enjoy the nightly movies in the club...but don't want her to be bored the rest of the day, if that's possible. Any thoughts?

Kim

 

[soccerdad-Chris]

Ah, yes, just like soccermom said, I'm livin' it up in NYC. Such a glamorous and exciting city, bustling with life...you can just feel the energy pumping through the city streets...New Yorkers happily helping little old ladies across the street and....

... wait a minute....

It is abolutely positively and without a doubt @%#$& freezing here!!!! I don't know how you east-coast folks handle this for months on end--I'm just here for 4 days and I'm already trying to conjure up some diabolical plan to get me back to warmth and sunshine early!!!

[Switch to dream sequence]
Ahhh..... the warm sun glistening off the water, the Mexican coast beaches off in the distance....I'm on Deck 9 in a lounge chair, hair blowing in the wind, and the sound of children laughing and splashing in the distance. Beads of dew slowly drip down the side of the chilled beverage I was just served, though I'm careful not to let the drops soil the pages of the novel I've been pretending to read for the last three hours....
[End of dream sequence]

Mmmmm, that was nice. Sounds almost like a Disney cruise .

Back to reality: Anyone who wants my cheat-sheet spreadsheet just needs to PM me with your e-mail address (I can't send an attachment through the DIS e-mail, as far as I can tell) or just e-mail me and I'll send it out ASAP.

I'm going to go thaw out now.
Chris

 

[jel0511]

The clubs ages are 3 - 4 and 5 -7 , while the lab ages are 8 - 9 and 10 - 12.

Kim - I don't know what to say about mving your DD down. You should check out the Navigators for both age groups and decide for yourself. DD has LOVED the club the both times she's been in it, and the 5 - 7's do spend a lot of time in the lab anyway. If you go to www dot castawayclub dot com (replace the dot with .) and click on Navigators, you can get access to some Navigators. The Navigators from our November 6th cruise are up there so if you click on that date, you'll see all the Navitagors listed (not from me though). Compare activities and see which ones your DD will like. You'll have no problem moving her down to the 5 - 7's but she can't move between the two age groups, so you'll have to decide which group you're going to settle on.

Sheila - I know about obsessing so far in advance. Darren thinks I'm nuts and should be planning more for our WDW trip at Easter. As DVC members and frequent visitors to WDW (we've been about a dozen times now) it's just old hat and we know what/where to do/go. It's not as exciting as new destinations, so I'm trying to learn everything I can.

Chris - As I said to you in my e-mail, I'm sorry you're not enjoying our wonderful weather here in the Northeast. Darren said it was particularly cold in NYC yesterday, and it took him almost 4 hours to get into work yesterday, since the trains were having SUCH problems in the AM.

Well, back to normal life today since we're all dug out and school is back in session today, with a 90 minute delayed opening. YIPPEE!!!!!

 

[Soccermom-Cheri]

it's my understanding (and I am frequently .... misinformed...) that kids have to be in the groups according to their age unless they are within 2 months of the next age group (up or down), then the parents have the option of switching groups. At least that is what I have heard the counselors explain to parents who want siblings together or cabinmates together. The kids in the lab have a nightly movie, I believe, it is just a more age appropriate one: say Flubber, when the club is showing Peter Pan.

 

[jel0511]

it's my understanding (and I am frequently .... misinformed...) that kids have to be in the groups according to their age unless they are within 2 months of the next age group (up or down), then the parents have the option of switching groups. At least that is what I have heard the counselors explain to parents who want siblings together or cabinmates together. The kids in the lab have a nightly movie, I believe, it is just a more age appropriate one: say Flubber, when the club is showing Peter Pan.

Cheri - You're right when it comes to moving a child up a group, but I've seen times when a child has been able to be moved down and is about a year older to be with the younger sibling. My guess is that it all depends on who you talk to, how nice you are, and how crowded the ship is.

 

[hayesktrm]

Mommykeg--Megan's 8th birthday is in May, also. She is very excited to go the lab (especially since she saw all the neat stuff her brother got to do there). I say keep her in the 8-9 year old group (of course I'm saying that selfishly so DD has a playmate) .

-Karen

 

[cruzin'gain]

I really can't wait for this sailing, and obsess about it almost daily.

Lori-

I think we are all obsessing, must be the snow! I know I have been checking the thread more than the previous cruises and much earlier in the timeline!

 

[Sarangel]

It can't just be the snow... I've been checking daily & we don't have snow in California (at least not where I am). DH is almost as bad, we're excited about getting to know our cruising DIS pals, and can hardly wait to meet you all... AND get away from our rat race & sail into the Mexican sunset

 

[jel0511]

Lori-

I think we are all obsessing, must be the snow! I know I have been checking the thread more than the previous cruises and much earlier in the timeline!

I wish I could just blame this on cabin fever, but I can't. Even though we came late to this party, we're just so excited to be here and be going to Southern California. The entire trip is completely new territory for me, and I'm a travel obsessed person. My DH says I'd make a great travel agent and I should start an on-line business. He says I should put all my "free" time to use. HA HA, he doesn't know what it's like to be home with a 6YO and 3YO. I wish I had his job!!!!

 

[soccerdad-Chris]

All--

I just got back from dinner here in snowy, cold (not as bad as yesterday... BRRRRRRR) New York City, and I noticed we made our 7 posts today, right on the nose. Oh, guess what, this one makes 8.... whad'ya know.

Technically, I guess you'd have to consider this a fluff post designed mostly to artificially boost our number (since it contains no information of value, nor any humor to speak of), but since I'm the one on the hook to buy if we hit 90 pages, who's gonna complain???

On a separate note, demand for my cheat-sheet has been high (shoulda charged a small handling fee!!). That's cool because it shows that we have a group of people here that are interested in getting to know one another and linking up on this little adventure of ours. Also, one quick glance at the families attending shows that we've got what I think seems like a compatible group of families.

Folks, I know it's early, but I have this sneaking suspicion that this cruise is going to be seriously fun !!!!!

Chris

 

[mommykeg]

Chris--I'd have to agree with you! I had some info on my cheat sheet that I didn't see on yours...I'll send it to you in a PM!

Kim

 

[Amous]

Just trying to keep up with this group is just too much fun! I've got to check in at least once a day, none of this every other day thing. I agree that this group will be a great group to spend time with aboard the best ship ever.

Trying to imagine what snow is though. I remember it as a small child, but....uh, oh BRRRRRRR! Okay I remember now. Ya'll in the snow areas hanging okay? Stay warm, my friends.

Amy

 

[Sarangel]

Chris -

In the category of cold, Mike & I went to Churchill, Canada over Thanksgiving (Lexi stayed at camp grandma) to watch the polar bears migrate onto the ice, and it got down to -29c during a couple of the days. I think Mexico will be lots easier to pack for...

Sara

 

[jel0511]

Well, I for one am freezing, but that's just par for the course living here in NJ. I also keep my heat pretty high and still am freezing. I'm always cold, I even have to wear socks to bed when it's 90 degrees out!!! Trust me, the thermometer right next to me here in the study says it's 75 in here, and I'm constantly putting my hands together and blowing air into them to get them warm!!! I desperately need some time in a warmer climate, unforuantely it's 2 months away......