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

[pennymike]

I'm sorry for being so indulgent. I'm rather melancholy--with zero Christmas spirit and I find myself missing putting up a tree and designing my Christmas cards. In this mood, I was looking thru images and wanted to share this. This was my Christmas card last year with the theme "rockin around the Christmas tree." I designed all four sides in black--and did it up very goth. It was, um, a bit controversial for my neck of the woods My sweet college photographer indulges my every whim.

Oh, well, think I'll go downstairs and put Lola in the front window with the color wheel and she can be my tree this year.

Alright....we haven't met you, but we officially you! These photos are SO great! Thanks for sharing!
Penny & DH (He laughed....said he LOVES it when kids are willing to have fun and dress up!)

 

[3princessMommy]

Hi everyone! I haven't been able to go through the last several pages - it's been a madhouse around here.

But I wanted to let everyone know who requested the main seating disgroup dining WHO SENT ME A PM - that I received confirmation from DCL that they have made that request. As with everything, nothing is guaranteed...

If you did not send me a PM, but posted to the main boards that you were interested, I attempted to figure out your last name and cabin number and included you on the list. I think I was successful there too - but I may have missed someone. So if you did NOT send me a PM and want to be included in this group - please, please, please send me a PM. Tonight will be my last night to do much as we are flying out tomorrow night.

Joann

 

[minneapolismickey]

Joann- Have a great trip! Looking forward to meeting you and your family next week.

Today I sent my FE box. I sure hope it arrives safely so that you can all enjoy the gifts that I am delivering! I also checked out my new underwater camera (in the bathtub) that my mom bought me for Xmas. It is awesome.

I think that I am going to start a little packing tomorrow night. Perhaps pack one day at a time. I am struggling with doing laundry on the boat. When and how much? I hate the lines for laundry, but 12 days away is a long time...

miatamel- those pics are amazing!

 

[jgura]

Just a tip and another thing to do before packing. I bought several new clothing items for the trip, a lot with red. Make sure you wash your new stuff before packing so it won't bleed when you wash on the ship. I do not separate things on the ship laundry like I would at home.
Can't wait, I have a sitter tomorrow afternoon so I can lock myself in the bedroom to pack and try on clothes. I'm sure it will be stressful!

Thank you for the beautiful child clothing link!

 

[3princessMommy]

I am taking full advantage of the two bags per person deal. Problem is, we can't carry anything on the plane because we get off the plane and go straight to Harry Potter's world while our bags go to the resort. I don't want to be toting carry ons all over the Wizarding World. So, in bags it must go.

Here's a thought - I've never been to Universal, but WDW has lockers when you arrive at the park to stow things you don't want to carry with you. I couldn't fathom traveling without a carryon - three kids and most of our flights are over 24 hours including layovers - so...that wouldn't be an option for me. But if you could stow it in a locker for a couple hours, you should be good!

I think that I am going to start a little packing tomorrow night. Perhaps pack one day at a time. I am struggling with doing laundry on the boat. When and how much? I hate the lines for laundry, but 12 days away is a long time...

miatamel- those pics are amazing!

Don't worry about the lines at the laundry! Just call us and we'll tell you if there's a washer free! (Then we can hang out with a DOTD! - we're across the hall from the laundry on Deck 2!)

See you all soon!

 

[Liz Arjay]

Yeah, this surprise thing is killing me!! I've got bags and boxes hidden everywhere. I have to sort out what's coming with us, what's staying, what's going in the stockings at home, what's being wrapped for the stockings in the staterooms...And, throw in 3 December Birthdays!!! Mine is tomorrow, DS is turning 11 on 12/15 and DD is turning 9 on 12/27.

Some of my kids still believe so you KNOW Santa has to have different gift wrap than the Mommy and Daddy presents!!

And, to top it all off, Daddy is away on an unexpected business trip!! Gotta go deliver those planes so everyone else can fly home for the Holidays!!

Gotta go back to stuffing and wrapping!! What's the DOTD today?!

Marguerite

I should come deliver a DOTD to your house! Wow, it is amazing how many balls you are juggling... Good luck! BTW, my birthday is 12/27 also - I will wish your DD happy birthday on the ship - easy to remember!
Liz

 

[BBQMommy]

Just saw this on the DIS boards for US Wizarding World of Harry Potter and thought I'd share for those heading thre pre or post cruise:

\UOR17DIS

Hi, well im a frequent Universal Orlando vistor, especially because I live 25 minutes from Universal and have an annual pass and can tell you that from experiences its best to to visit HP land right when the gates are open at 9a.m or trying waiting til after the macys parade at about 6pm. From experiences on average busy day by
9:30 am line for HP FJ ride will be under 30 minutes (even maybe a walk on!) and by 10am the area of the HP will mostly likely be packed with lines forming with shops and definitly Olivanders and the ride being between 30 mins to 60 minutes at minium. Heres my advice

*Be at IOA gate between 8:30a.m-8:45a.m
*Head straight to Olivanders!!! line grows very quickly. TIP: exit to the show is the shop devish and bangles where you can buy wands, scarfs, robes, e.t.c.
*Then Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
*Next is the shops if you perfer them or the the three broomsticks which by 10:30am usually has a wait 15 mins and under. In rare cases no more than 30 mins.
*The other 2 rides in Harry Potter area (Dragons challenge and Flight of the hippogriff) usually will have no wait exceeding 30 mins except the flight of hippogriff with maybe 45 mins.
*If taken this advice right you could be done with the HP area by 11am-12pm if not earlier so good luck and enjoy the area!
TIP: If you decide on Express, its will only work towards Flight of the hippogriff in the hp area. anymore inf you need ill be happy to post.

 

[DVC4US]

Don't have the time this morning to go back and check the posts so...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to anyone with birthdays today or in the past few days!

Safe travels Joann and Aaron and to anyone else who might be starting their trip today!!!

 

[miatamel]

really pretty little dress up things on zulily this morning.

http://www.zulily.com/invite/mplum216

fairies, princesses, pirate hat, wizard.
Go to the "shop" that says "fairy finery"

 

[disneydash]

Woke up this morning to 34 degree and winds. December has not been this cold South Florida for 70 years. My DW says we have to move away from this frozen tundra to somewhere warmer.

I guess we will be house hunting in Martinique.

FEs are bagged, tagged and packed. One suitcase down, 13 to go.

 

[miatamel]

Can someone from the area help me? I'm having trouble figuring out my Friday when we arrive. Something just keeps jiggering at me, like I don't have it right somehow.
Right now, I have ME from MCO/resort/port/MCO. However, we are going to US/WWoHP Friday afternoon, already have the tickets. So, I was going to pay for transport directly from MCO to US while our bags went to resort. But, according to traffic reports at WWoHP, this might not be ideal, maybe better to wait til evening. I thought it would be best to go, get 'er done, come back to Pop to rest because we fly in the wee hours Friday morning. I guess I'm worried if we don't get on the ME at MCO, they won't take our bags. Or the thought that I'm paying for transfers I'm not using while also paying for transfers from MCO to US. But, I also thought MCO to Pop just to check in to a room that might not be ready then transport to US seems pretty awful too.

That's a long way of asking this: what are the time traveling frames for MCO to Pop; MCO to US; US to Pop? Approximately?

 

[HFC1969]

My DW says we have to move away from this frozen tundra to somewhere warmer.

We will trade you!

DW wants to move her practice to Naples... as of this AM I am offically for it.. Can't stand cold weather anymore..

So ready to leave for vaca... This week is terribly busy..

10 days til vaca​

 

[decked out]

Can someone from the area help me? I'm having trouble figuring out my Friday when we arrive. Something just keeps jiggering at me, like I don't have it right somehow.
Right now, I have ME from MCO/resort/port/MCO. However, we are going to US/WWoHP Friday afternoon, already have the tickets. So, I was going to pay for transport directly from MCO to US while our bags went to resort. But, according to traffic reports at WWoHP, this might not be ideal, maybe better to wait til evening. I thought it would be best to go, get 'er done, come back to Pop to rest because we fly in the wee hours Friday morning. I guess I'm worried if we don't get on the ME at MCO, they won't take our bags. Or the thought that I'm paying for transfers I'm not using while also paying for transfers from MCO to US. But, I also thought MCO to Pop just to check in to a room that might not be ready then transport to US seems pretty awful too.

That's a long way of asking this: what are the time traveling frames for MCO to Pop; MCO to US; US to Pop? Approximately?

Pop = ?

Depends on the time of day...

Actual driving time should be 30 minutes or less between any combo of Airport, Universal, and/or Disney resorts and parks. Airport to the port is about 40 minutes. Disney to the port about an hour.

During rush hour, Interstate-4 and Universal area can get pretty congested and it will take longer. Getting around parking lots and to/from gates adds time along with the waiting for and loading the bus factor.

That's a long way of saying, I would call DCL and the resort and the carrier to find out what they suggest.

 

[Kitster]

Can someone from the area help me? I'm having trouble figuring out my Friday when we arrive. Something just keeps jiggering at me, like I don't have it right somehow.
Right now, I have ME from MCO/resort/port/MCO. However, we are going to US/WWoHP Friday afternoon, already have the tickets. So, I was going to pay for transport directly from MCO to US while our bags went to resort. But, according to traffic reports at WWoHP, this might not be ideal, maybe better to wait til evening. I thought it would be best to go, get 'er done, come back to Pop to rest because we fly in the wee hours Friday morning. I guess I'm worried if we don't get on the ME at MCO, they won't take our bags. Or the thought that I'm paying for transfers I'm not using while also paying for transfers from MCO to US. But, I also thought MCO to Pop just to check in to a room that might not be ready then transport to US seems pretty awful too.

That's a long way of asking this: what are the time traveling frames for MCO to Pop; MCO to US; US to Pop? Approximately?

Not sure about travel times, but ME will NOT take your luggage if you aren't on the bus. Sorry.

 

[Three at Sea]

MY DH brought this one to my attention. This is a man who believes in minimalist packing. He has suggested that on the day which he and the kids are spending in Orlando before I arrive they will be sure to pick up a take out drink tray!

Any other thoughts he might buy into?

As a fellow Canadian, i have to recommend bringing a couple Tim Horton's large travel mugs...we do this every time we go south as they keep drinks cold in a large enough container that you don't have to keep going back to refill....you can always tell the lushies from Canada...Timmy mugs are dead giveaways

 

[Three at Sea]

Don't worry about the lines at the laundry! Just call us and we'll tell you if there's a washer free! (Then we can hang out with a DOTD! - we're across the hall from the laundry on Deck 2!)

See you all soon!

hey, we are on deck 2 nearby the laundry as well - we could have a DOTD dirty clothes party....

 

[Three at Sea]

How is everyone feeling this week? I saw we had a few sick cruisers and hope everyone is on the mend....my DD9 came down with an unusual rash on her face a few days ago...the doc gave her a special cream which my hubby tells me is starting to do the trick, but something is definitely fishy here - maybe jealous non-cruisers have put a hex on the rest of us!

Have to say I'm a bit lonely here - I'm in Coventry UK for my conference and feel a bit alone, with no one to talk to about anything other than business (boring) when I really want to talk Disney but am holding myself back so as not to seem like a crazy person! Thank God I have you lovely people to empathize and give me my dis fix!

I have one more day here, then a day in London for a meeting (hoping to have time to visit Harrods to find a cool ornament for the exchange!)...and then home to Canada for five days before the flight to MCO...the suspense is killing me...I actually get heartburn if I think about it too much

BTW, if anyone is wondering, the bad weather being reported on in the UK is actually pretty tame, but this is coming from a Canadian, so probably not much merit! As long as my flight leaves on time, I'm happy!

 

[miatamel]

Not sure about travel times, but ME will NOT take your luggage if you aren't on the bus. Sorry.

Oh, dear, really? My TA knows my travel arrangements--actually, she recommended doing it this way--and never said that they wouldn't take them on while we headed in another direction.

I just cannot get this worked out. Trying to get DD9 to WWoHP and not cause DH undue anxiety about toting bags, transportation, etc. Renting a car is NOT an option for us (I only drive in my town of 6000 and he will not consider driving in a place like Orlando).

 

[HFC1969]

Have to say I'm a bit lonely here

10 days til vaca... You can do it...

Traveling for business is a

Don't miss those days at all... Amy & I did a role reverse when she opened her practice... don't miss the big time corporate world at all...

 

[mdargen]

How is everyone feeling this week? I saw we had a few sick cruisers and hope everyone is on the mend....my DD9 came down with an unusual rash on her face a few days ago...the doc gave her a special cream which my hubby tells me is starting to do the trick, but something is definitely fishy here - maybe jealous non-cruisers have put a hex on the rest of us!

Have to say I'm a bit lonely here - I'm in Coventry UK for my conference and feel a bit alone, with no one to talk to about anything other than business (boring) when I really want to talk Disney but am holding myself back so as not to seem like a crazy person! Thank God I have you lovely people to empathize and give me my dis fix!

I have one more day here, then a day in London for a meeting (hoping to have time to visit Harrods to find a cool ornament for the exchange!)...and then home to Canada for five days before the flight to MCO...the suspense is killing me...I actually get heartburn if I think about it too much

BTW, if anyone is wondering, the bad weather being reported on in the UK is actually pretty tame, but this is coming from a Canadian, so probably not much merit! As long as my flight leaves on time, I'm happy!

Hugs! Traveling for business is the worst. I always thought it would be so glamourous and exciting. Then I was stuck doing it for months on end. Yeah, the glamour fades quickly. I'm pretty lucky though. I was so miserable at my previous job that when I got married my hubby told me to quit. I did. Now I own my own bakery. It's awesome...however we don't get to travel as much. LOL This is our first trip in almost 5 years.