Just spent big $ and happy about it!

[Samsma]

Yeah! After planning for 16 month, I have finally paid my final payment. What should I be doing now? I have:

Bought trip insurance
Planned wardrobes
Decided against shore excursions
Made contact with other Dis'ers going and arranged to meet
Decided on what night to do Palo
Decided on what spa treatments
Made ressies at WDW for afterward
Made ressies at Radisson for night before

Help me plan the next 60+ days!!!

 

[LAMPSKIES]

Congrats!!!!! Do what I just did, book your next cruise and start making payments!!! LOL

 

[thedisneymom]

What spa treatments are you going to try?

 

[Samsma]

thedisneymom- I think its called Absolute Face and Body treatment, or something like that. Anyway, a facial and full body massage. I've never had a facial, it sounds wonderful. I do have sensitive skin though. I hope I don't break out for the rest of the cruise!!! Wouldn't that be a bummer? That was my valentine's gift. I told hubby no roses this year, cause I plan to indulge myself at the spa!

Are you doing any excursions? 4nana had suggested a guy on St. Thomas who took their group on a tour in an open air bus type vehicle. Took them where ever they wanted for a set amount. If you're interested in doing the same stuff, maybe we can share. I'll look up the info. I think it was a set fee up to like 10 people, not sure.

We plan to do Coral World, Drakes Seat, and Magan's Bay for swimming on St. Thomas. St. Martin - we'll go to Marigot, and Orient Beach, then back to Phillipsburg for some shopping.

 

[KaitlinsMom]

Gift baskets? I know it is an extra expense - But my family just loved coming into the room and seeing the baskets there!

 

[Samsma]

Kaitlin'sMom - what did you put in their baskets.? I've been thinking about this - DD4 & DS10.

 

[confal1]

I always like to find the dinner menus for the cruise that you are taking and although they may change I try and decide what sounds good to eat. I also look at the room service menu and decide what to order off that. Have fun pre planning.

 

[callahanjulie10]

Samsma-
This is what I am doing...

1- Start stocking up on film, batteries
2- We bought new 2 way radios
3- bought softside rolling cooler
4- we always stop at the Disney outlets in Orlando to stock up on pins for her to trade while on the cruise- I do let her buy pins on the cruise to keep- these are for trading.
5- buy laynards from a discount store- they are wonderful- a must have on the ship

As for the baskets- instead of doing that, I started going to the Dollar Tree, Big Lots, etc and buying small Disney items so that every night- Mickey would stop by the cabin while we are out to dinner or while she was at the Lab to put a surprise on her pillow. We started this on our 1st DCL cruise when she was 7. It is now a tradition. Of course- then she believed in all the MAGIC!!! Now- it is just a fun way to keep her my little girl.

I am so excited- only 65 more days.....

 

[Samsma]

Hi Julie - is there a Disney outlet closer to port? We're not planning on going to Orlando, but traveling down the eastern coast. By the way, DU does have the eight reservations required for a free cabin gift. Wonder what we'll get? Hope no body cancels on us now!

 

[KaitlinsMom]

If you go to the "perfect gift" web-site, they have some great baskets - Or you can custom make one (which is what we did) - I have also heard that if you already have some stuff, you can ship it to them and they will put it in the basket.

Some of the stuff I got was: champagne, sparkling cider, juice boxes, beer, snacks (for DD), sand toys, bubbles (for leaving the port), coloring book, cheese & crackers, etc. Things I wanted, but really didn't want to pack (for fear of breaking and leaking). The juice boxes and snacks really came in handy - I didn't think they would, but I was really glad I got them!

 

[callahanjulie10]

They are in Orlando- if you like I can pick you up some pins- you can reimburse me at the hotel on Friday!!!!

We will arrive at the Radission around 4 pm or so. I think that we are going to go to Ron Jon that evening.

Last year- as a gift from DU we got these boxes that were really cool. They were Castaway Crates filled with cool things like suckers, cheeses, etc. It was nice and we still have box- it is cardboard but looks like it is wood.

Have you cruised before? This is our 5th DCL cruise.- 4th time at the Radission.

 

[thedisneymom]

Your spa treatment sounds great. I'm sure you will enjoy it. We're not doing any excursions at this point but thanks for the kind offer. we are going to visit the casino and shop for awhile then get back to the ship for lunch. My family loves the ship and all the activities. I ordered from Shirley for my two.My daughter is getting some chocolate, a camera, some glow jewelry for the tropical party, bubbles, and a princess balloon. My son is getting a book, goggles and some favorite candy. They get so excited when they see a basket in their room upon arrival. It doesn't matter how old they are. Turns out my mom is chipping in so I can swing it. I'm thinking of adding a basket for my husband if the prices aren't too high. He really deserves it and will be so surprised when he sees it after the sailaway party. I'm offering to bring the carryon to the room this time. I haven't written down a thing, haven't packed or purchased. Perhaps I need to be more like you! How about you spend the week before at my place? You sound so much better at this than me!!

 

[Samsma]

julie - that would be great if you can get some cheaper pins. I can mail you a check now if you'd like, however you want to do it. Maybe 10 pins in all, if you're sure you wouldn't mind. 5 to DD, and 5 for DS. Very kind of you! DH and I cruised the Western Itin. on a different cruise line in Jan. 1997. We had a blast! Again, I had to drag him, but he has talked about it for years. This is someone who hadn't been out of the five state region since high school trip to Myrtle Beach in the 70's. We're working on that. I LOVE to travel anywhere.

I'm thinking that instead of basket for DH, to have Shirley to deliever his birthday cake, etc. to the Radisson the night before. We're going to go to Dixie Crossroads for his birthday dinner, and maybe she can sneak it in there while we're gone. I don't know what time we'll get there, may try to make a short stop in St. Augustine on the way. Maybe.

 

["Ginger"]

Where is the Disney Outlet in Orlando?

 

[callahanjulie10]

No problem on the pins- You can pay me either at the Radission or once we do our DIS meet on the ship

The disneymom- I will pick you up some also- if you kids would be interested in that- I am going there while my DH goes to BassPro!

There are 2 outlets in the Belz Outlet area- Character Warehouse and Character Premiere and 1 outlet I think in the Premier Outlet shopping center but I have never actually been to that one. We always stop there- regardless if we are doing WDW or DCL.

We just went to St Augustine a week ago for DDs classtrip. We are bringing along my DD's friend whose birthday is also right during the time of the trip!! Too funny-

 

[Samsma]

Julie - what is there to see in St. Augustine, if you had to pick just one stop to make? Don't want to spend the whole day, just don't want to be so close and not go, I always wanted to see the oldest City in the US!

 

[callahanjulie10]

I guess the Fort is probably the oldest and most interesting. We did the Florida History Museum- it was a waste!, Ripleys- which is expensive and kinda of gross but cool!, you can go through a really cool log that is made into a house for FREE!! That was probably the coolest thing in Ripleys. the Fountain of Youth was ok but really not worth the time- and of course I loved Historic Downtown for the neat quirky shopping BUT I have to say that we enjoyed the ghost tour the best. The horse and buggy ride around the historic town was also fun. Enjoy!!

 

[thedisneymom]

Thank you but my daughter is going to pick out a cruiseline pin herself on the ship. I must say I am so impressed by how kind everyone is . I can't wait to meet all of you.

Stewblue
I called concierge and they made my High Tea and brunch ressies. Give them a call. Also asked for early seating. The phone number was a previou.s conciege post.1 407-566-7411

Samsma- I'm getting organized! I'm PLANNING on buying a notepad to write a packing list. LOL Maybe tomorrow

 

[Samsma]

thedisneymom- you're making progress! I don't organize anything but my vacations. My real life is a mess. I run around like a chicken with her head cut off. You are doing high tea? I think we'll stick with brunch and dinner at Palo. I did get Hubby to buy a suit today, and dress shoes!!! Funeral tomorrow, so it probably wouldn't have happened otherwise. Anyway, it'll get packed for Palo and formal night. We were planning on formal night at Topsiders, except I'd love to have a formal portrait with the kids. We haven't had a family portrait since DD was 9 months old.

Julie - what is the ghost tour?

 

[thedisneymom]

Went to the store and forgot to buy the pad! I don't think we're doing Palo for dinner. We don't get much time together during the year so eating together is a treat. Although I do remember when my kids were little so I completely understand.