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

[Marcy Mouse]

DH booked our hotel last night for Dec. 16 and 17. It is Sheraton Suites Orlando Airport and the total for two nights is $107.50. This includes taxes and free parking. We used Priceline to book. It is quite easy to do and we frequently use them for one or two night stays, you just have to know what options to pick to get the level of hotel you prefer and area you want. If you need help to do this PM us and we can explain how to use Priceline as there is a learning curve.

Tracey

We are doing MVMCP and we got Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress for the 16th and 17th for 65.00 a night.

The reviews look good! We are driving down from Brampton - It looks like you guys are flying.

 

[Three at Sea]

Would absolutely like to meet for a drink if you are around. That would be great!

awesome! I'll PM you....

 

[Cam Fam luvs Dsny]

We are doing MVMCP and we got Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress for the 16th and 17th for 65.00 a night.

The reviews look good! We are driving down from Brampton - It looks like you guys are flying.

We have stayed there on a couple of quick in and out trips. You will enjoy the property - especially for the price!

Yes we are flying, but we are flying on seperate days because I can't go until school is out.

Check local maps for the back roads into the resort area as it saves you going on the main roads. Someone from the area likely knows the names of the roads we just know it from many years of experience but not by name. They are listed on the maps of the area.

Have a safe drive.

 

[Three at Sea]

ok, so I haven't yet done the "get to know us" part...I've been debating whether to, since we're a bit of a soap opera this year! But, glass of wine in my hand, why not!

So we are doing the 11 day cruise and then 5 days at WDW. I (37) and DH (39) are huge Disney fans and go as a family to WDW every other year (we try to go other places in the world in between, to balance things out!). We have a DD9 together and a DD16. I travel a fair amount for work, so visit other Disney properties when I can.

I work in R&D, in the minting industry. I have 3 engineers (one a PhD) and a couple of technicians working under me, so very smart people, much smarter than me...I'm the business side of the equation to make sure their hard work sees the light of day (and is profitable, of course). I love the work since everything we do is new and exciting and involves working with other companies and academics all over the world.

My husband works for the school board and we have a DD9 together. I was married before and my DD16's dad lives in Washington (he's American). My hubby now has pretty much raised her since she was 4 and she only sees her dad a couple times of year and he isn't, I'm afraid, that dependable.

2010 has been a really weird year for our family. For our family unit, it has been a great year - we moved into a brand new big house, work is awesome, kids are healthy, can't complain at all! But for the extended family it has been a tragic year.

Originally, we booked this cruise because the rest of our family was going to be away and we were the only ones left behind, so we figured we'd cruise instead. This Christmas was supposed to be my ex-husband's year with our DD16 and my mom and brother were booked to go to Australia for Christmas with his girlfriend who is an Aussie. My brother was also married before, and his ex-wife had primary custody of their DD10 - my nephew. It was also supposed to my nephew's year with his mom's family.

The sad part starts here....my brother's ex-wife (who lived in Toronto with my nephew) died tragically and completely unexpectedly this summer, leaving my brother a newly 'full-time' single parent, living in Montreal, which is two hours away from us family for support. Add to that, my nephew is Autistic, so not an easy situation doubly for him, my poor boy.

Well, this all resulted in my brother and his girlfriend breaking up (too stressful a situation for them both), and obviously the trip to Australia was cancelled. Then, my ex-husband, perpetually having problems with current wife (who unfortuantely my DD16 can't stand) ...they broke up, they got back together, broke up again and all this turmoil caused financial problems and I'm sad to say it looks like they are losing their house, so, you guessed it, my DD16 isn't going out west for Christmas afterall. She is actually happy about this, as she wants to go to Montreal and hang out with her 'fun' uncle, which also means her boyfriend can tag along (which I think is the real reason for her joy).

All that said, I feel terrible for everyone in our family. We're giving a lot of support (my brother and nephew are in town most weekends and we take care of my nephew a lot so my brother can get a break). I try to be positive with my DD16 about her dad but her rose-coloured glasses are starting to fade despite my best efforts.

Our cruise was already booked and paid for before this all came down, so we couldn't change plans. Once we thought we'd be the only ones left in town for Christmas, but now we are the only ones NOT going to be in town. We are so excited to go on this cruise (my DD9 doesn't know yet, it is a surprise), but, given the circumstances we feel so bloody guilty.

I know that we can't change things so we are determined to enjoy ourselves and have fun. I can't stop obsessing about this cruise so we can 'leave it all behind', but it sure is tough not to feel like a lousy person for it....

Ok, sorry, enough blah blah from me. Leave it to say that I look forward to meeting you all - over the next glass of wine and having a GREAT time!!

 

[BigHugsForEeyore]

.

 

[tinkmischief]

Just a reminder the zazzle t-shirt sale is on right now!!

I was able to get in on the back of the shirt, I know someone was having issues. It's in the edit pull down menu and just select move to the back!
Just did a simple Castaway Cay 5K 2010 on the pocket position in front! Thanks for the ideas and images everyone - very fun! Got one for my Dad to wear too since he said he would join me after he found out about all of us slower back of the packers

 

[pennymike]

Do you sign up for the 5k onboard?

Also i love the scrapbook! What a find!

From what I've read and understand, it will be in the Navigator when we receive it the night before Castaway Cay day, with reference to what time and where on the dock to meet the CM who is organizing it. I don't believe you sign up, just submit your name/stateroom number to CM upon completion, then the certificate and water bottle show up that night in your room. Just what I've gathered thus far....

P.

 

[disneydash]

Well I managed to win some VIP Shuttle Launch tickets with transportation included on eBay tonight!

Congrats on getting the tickets and hoping the timing of the launch will work out for you.

Go away for two days and I fall 13 pages behind. Went over to the west coast of Florida and we had Thanksgiving with my parents along with our two older kids who go to the University of South Florida.

Went and saw Tangled Thursday morning with the younger boys and we all really enjoyed it. Apparently my younger sons are closet Three Stooges fans because it was amazing how a frying pan to the head cracked them up every time. Will definitely be seeing that movie multiple times on the cruise.

Did the family Black Friday shopping thing this morning but did not start until 8:00 because I don't need anything that badly to get up at 3:00 a.m. Ended up buying more luggage because my DW calculated that we need another bag to bring our FE gifts on board plus another empty one to fill while shopping at the ports.

 

[disneydash]

Words of Wisdom from a 7 year old.

While walking through Target this morning, my DS looks around at all the people and says "Dad, don't these people know they can stay home and buy all this stuff on the internet?"

 

[thegales]

Dang, it is tough to keep up.

DW and DD's went shopping this morning at 3:30 am. I got up to see them off, but went back to bed. DD14 called DW's cell phone at 5:30 am. But guess who forgot to take her cell phone with her. So after answer the phone and having a very confused DD, I went back to bed. Then she butt dialed DW at 7:30 am. So much for me trying to sleep while they were off shopping.

But besides some clothes, both DD's came home with very big suitcases. While this should help with packing, I am not sure where we will be storing them in the room.

 

[disneydash]

We will be at the CI&S on Friday the 17th and would love to meet up with people before the cruise. The kids don't finish school until that afternoon so it will probably be around 7:00 before we get up there.

 

[pennymike]

Just a reminder the zazzle t-shirt sale is on right now!!

I was able to get in on the back of the shirt, I know someone was having issues. It's in the edit pull down menu and just select move to the back!
Just did a simple Castaway Cay 5K 2010 on the pocket position in front! Thanks for the ideas and images everyone - very fun! Got one for my Dad to wear too since he said he would join me after he found out about all of us slower back of the packers

YOU are my HERO!!!! I had JUST placed an order with the image on the front, even tho I wasn't thrilled with it there, about 10 minutes before you posted this. I was able to go back and cancel and revise it. Only when I went back to revise did it give me all the options for design where I could edit, change font, etc. So, yay! Got it remade to how I want it. I got the micro fiber tank, with "Castaway Cay 5K" across the front, the "looking under the legs" Mickey and "Is anyone behind me?" on the back. Took most of the evening, but thanks to everyone for their help! And made it just in time for the 50% off dealio! Now just to hope it gets here before we leave!
Penny

 

[pennymike]

Just got back from Big Lots ... and here's my find of the day:

At least this time we can get the scrapbook done as soon as we get home and I don't have to worry about "What paper looks good? Where should this photo go? ... yada yada yada. It has 20 designed and embellished pages, 10 page protectors and 2 pages of cruise related captions. I'm all set And the ship on the front kinda looks like the Magic, too

I love it! I hope that theory works for you better than it has for me thus far....we spent the big bucks for one from "Mickey's Treasure Ketch" on the Magic during our Med cruise. It has the itinerary on it, and colors all matched, just perfect! Of course, it has yet to have photo #1 inserted in it... Apparently that requires me to ACTUALLY sit down and DO it. AH, well....some day....
Penny

 

[mmi]

What a day! Online shopping for me, lots of good deals in the Disney store online! We've got the craziest weather, air conditioner yesterday and heat on today. DD and my Mom went shopping locally before the big game and what a game! Down by 24 points and Auburn came back for the win! All of the men in my group have discovered that ESPN plays on the ship, so they are excited about that. 3 more weeks! End of semester, final exams, state gymnastics meet, football banquet, SEC championship game, Family Christmas with DH's unit, and wow, I've got to pack too!

 

[pennymike]

For all you HP experts out there.....

I am frantically reading HP7 before a movie date with the In-Laws to see the movie on Sunday evening. I know it is only part 1 of the 7th book. How far do I need to get through the book before seeing the movie? Is there a chapter at which they stop, and the rest is in the next movie? I'm guessing it is not that cut and dried, but wondering at what point can I relax and slow down the reading? Thanks for any help you can give.
P.

 

[3princessMommy]

For all you HP experts out there.....

I am frantically reading HP7 before a movie date with the In-Laws to see the movie on Sunday evening. I know it is only part 1 of the 7th book. How far do I need to get through the book before seeing the movie? Is there a chapter at which they stop, and the rest is in the next movie? I'm guessing it is not that cut and dried, but wondering at what point can I relax and slow down the reading? Thanks for any help you can give.
P.

Sent you a PM

 

[mdargen]

Wow! All the shirts look great! Mine has the running Mickey on front with Back of the Pack 2010" on the front &Castaway Cay 5k on the back. I bought a t-shirt and tank because I couldnr decide! we are going to be the envy of Castaway Cay.

Is there a bar on the island where we can get a celebratory drink after we crawl back to the ship?

I haven't been around much today. Busy getting read for the biggest football game of the season Ohio State Buckeyes v. Michigan Wolverines. I am a born and bred Buckeye fan and tomorrow might as well be another holiday!

I've been working on a street map of Martinique to use while my family & I have our big shopping/eating adventure through Fort-de-France. If anyone else would like one when I am done I would love to share it. The phrase sheet should hopefully be done in the next few days.

 

[colkath2005]

My Zazzle order got cancelled! I had an email that the design was against the policy I remember there is a t-shirt printing place in Downtown Disney so I will get it done there. Its too late to order anything here now.

Its good hearing about your Black Friday bargains. I am living through your purchases nd cant wait to shop myself.

Its stopped snowing now didnt get very much but thats a good thing really as I have to go work over the weekend. Only 4 shifts less. On Monday my family will be doing the single digit dance!

Colette

 

[BBQMommy]

Oh no, Colette! If Zazzle has a graphic on their page and it looks to be Disney sponsored (i.e. getting a cut) there should not be a problem with copyright issues.

I would love a copy of one of those Martinique maps, thank you

Company here, SIL and niece, and I am so tired from cleaning. Guest room is the storage room ...

Happy Saturday, folks!
Caryn

 

[colkath2005]

Michelle,May I have a street map also?

Im not sure why it got cancelled Caryn, the design I used was on Zazzle Oh well I will get them printed somehow.

Colette