Magic Christmas Cruise 2010 (Dec 18th - 29th) - PART II

[DVC4US]

I am fine either way, so I'll go with the group decision. I do agree, however, that I'd like to know sooner rather than later so that I can move along with my gifts! I've been waiting to know how many/much to buy!

I am leaning more toward splitting - because of the bulk, not because of the cost. But I am fine with whatever the group decides. But I totally agree that we should go ahead and make a decision. I have been waiting to see what we are doing before ordering my gifts and I would really like to get started.

 

[3PrincessGrandma]

I would prefer to not split the list, but will go with the majority. I am planning one gift per cabin and they will not all be the same. Consensus?

Hope everyone is surviving the weather onslought. We are lucky to have extremely wonderful weather here in San Antonio - 85 degrees, sunny with light winds. Wish we could have some rain but we are always wishing for that.

 

[DVC4US]

Question on FE's, some one mentioned a gift for each person in each cabin? I thought it was one gift per cabin? Help, I'm confused. !

FE gifts are basically however you would like to do them. The norm is one gift per cabin but some people will do individual gifts. I don't know if it was my post you saw, but I am doing some individual gifts. The main reason I am doing this is because DD and her boyfriend are also doing FEs and do to their college schedule this semester she has no time to buy gifts so we are giving them out as a combined gift. This was just the choice I made.

This is my first FE exchange but from what I have been reading it's not about how much you spend or how creative you are, it's all about the fun. For us, it is all about going around putting our gifts in someone else's FE and then returning to our cabin to see what we got in ours. HTH

 

[DVC4US]

My HP7 story - I purchased the book in the airport when flying to college orientation for my DD. If I remember correctly between the flghts and the down time, I finished it pretty quickly. I have since listened to it on CD two other times. As a matter of fact, I have it in the car right now in preparation for the movie.

Who is going to the mid-night showing? Me & DD We will be hitting the road to drive down to Florida on Friday, Nov 19th, so we will see the show, grab a couple hours of sleep, DD will go to school for half a day, then we will hit the road. I am sure I will be pretty tired Friday night.

 

[DVC4US]

Mike & Amy - safe travels and have a great time at WDW!

It's Vika's first time right? We want to see pictures!

 

[miatamel]

My DD9 is the Potter fanatic in this house. She had all 7 books read by the end of 2nd grade. She is running around in her Quidditch robe right now. We turned the house into Hogwarts for her birthday party this year and it was pretty cool. The plan right now is to visit WWofHP Friday afternoon when our flight gets in. Hate not to see it while we are that close but we may not actually get to "see" it if the crowd levels remain what they have been in October (according to the thread here on the boards). If we don't see it then, it will be a long time before we get to do it and I want her to see it while she is still so enthusiastic about it. Myself, I've only read Book 1 and Book 7 and listen to 4 on tape. This drives my daughter crazy. Guess I will allow her to see her first PG13 movie when it comes out next month.

Re: the FEs: My vote would be to split, simply because I have to send Santa ahead and need all the room I can get in a 12" box (which I still don't know how I'm gonna do--gotta get the Lego Hogwarts set in there) plus I want to do some up for the CMs. But, like others, will go with the majority. I hate to leave anyone out, too, but do worry about space limitations.

 

[eve adkins]

We have survived the high winds and snow flurries of the morning. It made me smile realizing that I will be in a bathing suit snorkeling in less than 2 months. (Actually- that's not true. I am not excited about the bathing suit part, just excited about the snorkeling part).

I also remember where I was when I purchased Harry Potter 7. I was on the Med Disney Cruise in Naples. My mom and I almost got killed trying to deal with the crazy drivers, but we persisted and walked the streets until I found a book store. Plenty of "English HP7" copies available since not many people in Italy want to read it in English! I now own both the British and English Version. Love that book...

OK- now questions about the FE. I have completed my fish extender and I'm amazingly psyched about how it turned out. Now I want to start thinking about the gifts. I know that we are waiting until Nov 1 for a final count, but it seems to me that at most only a few more will add to the list. Are there any good thoughts on whether we split the list? I have never done this before. My first instinct is to include everyone...but what am I going to do when my children each have 50+ gifts to bring home???

I am so excited to start planning the FE gift. If anyone is ready to make a decision on splitting the group or not, please come forward. Am I ordering 50 something or 20 something? Thanks again to tinkmischief who has been keeping this list. Awesome Job!

Thanks, Angie

My vote is to keep the FE all one group....this is our first time doing them but I think my kids would love looking for all the gifts everyday!!

 

[kehonuamemano]

Our DD is almost 4, also an only child. We'll make it a point to look out for you. Our daughter's name is Lauren.

that's awesome! I feel much better already. I think we might actually make t to dinner alone one night

 

[skypixy]

I am leaning more toward splitting - because of the bulk, not because of the cost. But I am fine with whatever the group decides. But I totally agree that we should go ahead and make a decision. I have been waiting to see what we are doing before ordering my gifts and I would really like to get started.

This is our first time doing FE gifts, and due to the length of the cruise & the fact that we are also participating in the ornament exchange & secret santa, I am feeling the pressure of suitcase space!
I would vote to split, because this is such a large group. I know this is not an official vote, just my opinion!

And somehow I lost my ticker

 

[BBQMommy]

My HP7 story - I purchased the book in the airport when flying to college orientation for my DD. If I remember correctly between the flghts and the down time, I finished it pretty quickly. I have since listened to it on CD two other times. As a matter of fact, I have it in the car right now in preparation for the movie.

Who is going to the mid-night showing? Me & DD We will be hitting the road to drive down to Florida on Friday, Nov 19th, so we will see the show, grab a couple hours of sleep, DD will go to school for half a day, then we will hit the road. I am sure I will be pretty tired Friday night.

I am so torn, LeiLani - been to every opening day showing for HP movies. 11/19 happens to be the first of three days for the first craft show I am doing. Will have a 6AM to 8:30PM kind of day that day. Either DH will go while DD5 is at school and I go right from the craft show (likely) or we get a sitter for the evening after that. ugh. but it is HP and that is all good!

Caryn

 

[momssurprise]

I signed up to participate. Getting excited about it! I'm neutral about whether we split or do all. I do agree that packing might be a challenge if we do all, but then again, packing is always a challenge anyway. And I'm just bringing a few Christmas presents for DD, is going to leave the rest at our house. A friendly elf will make sure they make it to the right spot after we are gone.

Anyone have a suggestion of where I might find the correct size collapsable cooler to carry on? How many carry-ons can we bring? DH might want Diet DP and I'd like to bring some wine and a couple premixed margarita bottles. Or not...the holiday drinks of the day sounded very yummy. I might have to walk with the groups at 6, 7 & 8am....

 

[momssurprise]

I still don't know how I'm gonna do--gotta get the Lego Hogwarts set in there) plus I want to do some up for the CMs. But, like others, will go with the majority. I hate to leave anyone out, too, but do worry about space limitations.

Can you put the lego set in a large ziplock and leave the box at home?

What do you bring for the CM's? And who? Room Steward seems a natch, and the dinner team? Just trying to figure this out.

Wow. There is A LOT to do!

 

[momssurprise]

How dressy is everyone getting? I have two long dresses for the formal (if I can fit in them, lol); but what are you wearing for the semi-formal? Can I double dip - wear my semi-formal also to Palo? I think I brought enough for each night on the 7 night, but with 11 nights, I'd like to be more realistic. I know I had tons of stuff I didn't wear.

 

[miatamel]

Can you put the lego set in a large ziplock and leave the box at home?

What do you bring for the CM's? And who? Room Steward seems a natch, and the dinner team? Just trying to figure this out.

I hate to ditch the box--something about opening a ziploc bag from Santa (insert smiley here that I STILL don't know how to do)

Last time, I just bagged goodies up for the CMs that were so good to us--Peter Pan and his Neverland crew, a German girl in the gift shop that took up with us, a server at Topsiders that did magic tricks with the girls. We tipped extra for the ones we could and gave goodies to the others. Not much, but we so appreciated all of them.

As far the clothes, I have NO clue. I'm a stay at home mom and my wardrobe consists of tees and yoga pants. Hate to buy stuff I'll probably never wear again and heck, at a certain size it's no fun to dress up anyway Reckon if I just add some rhinestone jewelry to my tees and yoga pants anyone would notice my being underdressed?

 

[momssurprise]

I hate to ditch the box--something about opening a ziploc bag from Santa (insert smiley here that I STILL don't know how to do)

Hmm. Just in case the boxes don't fit in a 12" box, maybe put them in a cute Christmasy bag you could staple at the top? I am bringing my DD a (very) few American Girl gifts and my plan was to ditch the boxes and maybe put the outfits in a Christmas treat bag. The doll will perch in her stocking, I guess.

I can only do the smileys at the side, by where you post, I just click on which one I want where I want it Ta Da.

 

[pennymike]

How dressy is everyone getting? I have two long dresses for the formal (if I can fit in them, lol); but what are you wearing for the semi-formal? Can I double dip - wear my semi-formal also to Palo? I think I brought enough for each night on the 7 night, but with 11 nights, I'd like to be more realistic. I know I had tons of stuff I didn't wear.

I generally wear the same thing for Palo as one of the dressier nights in the dining room. DH doesn't care, and no one else would see me in it twice, right? Usually go with the LBD either way!

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

Another windy day here in the mid-west. And we heard the dreaded "s" word on the weather report for the first time this year. That's right that would be "snow". Just possible flurries but I really don't want to hear that yet.

Looks like bad weather is headed to the south and east today so everyone stay safe and have a great day!

I thought the "s" word was for smog alert Seriously, everybody take care and be safe.

 

[BBQMommy]

For the formals I am resurrecting two floor length dresses. Neither night will I match my child or husband's tie. Found some neat, reasonably priced semi-formal/casual dresses which along with a couple old stand-bys will take me the rest of the way. DD6 will dress up for pirate night, but I'm not feeling it. Palo will be one of the semi-formal type dresses.

Caryn

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

We have survived the high winds and snow flurries of the morning. It made me smile realizing that I will be in a bathing suit snorkeling in less than 2 months. (Actually- that's not true. I am not excited about the bathing suit part, just excited about the snorkeling part).

I also remember where I was when I purchased Harry Potter 7. I was on the Med Disney Cruise in Naples. My mom and I almost got killed trying to deal with the crazy drivers, but we persisted and walked the streets until I found a book store. Plenty of "English HP7" copies available since not many people in Italy want to read it in English! I now own both the British and English Version. Love that book...

OK- now questions about the FE. I have completed my fish extender and I'm amazingly psyched about how it turned out. Now I want to start thinking about the gifts. I know that we are waiting until Nov 1 for a final count, but it
seems to me that at most only a few more will add to the list. Are there any good thoughts on whether we split the list? I have never done this before. My first instinct is to include everyone...but what am I going to do when my children each have 50+ gifts to bring home???

I am so excited to start planning the FE gift. If anyone is ready to make a decision on splitting

the group or not, please come forward. Am I ordering 50 something or 20 something? Thanks again to tinkmischief who has been keeping this list. Awesome Job!

Thanks, Angie

OMG!
We were on the same Med cruise. I remember everybody reading Harry Potter.
I am rereading it before the movie comes out next month. I cannot wait to see it.

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

I vote to split the group. I just want it to be manageable and not too overwhelming.

But either way, I will be on a Disney cruise so let's just get the party started.