MAGICal Christmas 2008 - December 20, 2008

[DCLInauguralXmas]

This is also my last post before departing tomorrow afternoon. We are in the winter watch for ice, yuk, for tonight and tomorrow morning. DH says if the plane doesn't take off on time we are driving. 19 hours in good weather, but we will make it!!!!! Good luck to all! See ya'll on Saturday!

 

[HFC1969]

Wintery mix here in STL area..

Slid off the driveway....


Nothing 50lbs of calcium chloride didn't fix.

Its crunch time!!

 

[xmascruise04]

wait by the front door here in Morristown, NJ
we depart at 8:30 am for a flight out of Newark tomorrow...bed down in Orlando and then off to ship Saturday Morn!!

Safe Travels to ALL!!!

 

[njmom23grls]

well in the other Moorestown, NJ - we have 5 suitcases and 4 carry-ons - how the heck are we going to fit it all in the rental cars! See you all on Saturday!

 

[nzdisneymom]

Duffel bag - now why didn't I think to look and get one out of the closet - I can probably combine what I have in two small bags into one duffel and that will give us one less bag. I have two big suitcases, one medium, and two smalls, plus we have four carry-on-size bags (although we'll check two with the porters and the other two we'll carry with us onto the ship). It seems like a lot but when I think about it, usually the boys each have a backpack but I'm not having one for them this trip.

I have a feeling I'll be "talking" to myself tonight and tomorrow morning here on the board. The passports are packed, the meds are packed, the fish extender and gifts are packed. I have the lastload of laundry in the dryer - and it's my stuff - I stayed in my driveway talking to my friend after the party at the neighbor's house too long so I was delayed starting the laundry which means it is not finished yet.

Gary is still feeling sinusy and Zachary felt warm so I am treating his cold aggressively. Please pray for him to feel better - i don't want to take him on the trip all snotty. I did call the pedi's office and they said he had to run his course for a week before they would even consider seeing him as an 11 y.o. Argh. I did talk to a different nurse today than usual.

But at least we aren't tummy-sick -- that would keep us off the ship. And Nathan and I are perfectly fine - but we do take allergy meds - I think Gary's is clogged sinuses from allergies, but Zachary's is probably a cold. Loads of handwashing and hope that he's better in the next 36 hours before we head to the terminal.

I confirmed our hotel reservations and parking/shuttle transportation logistics today and our post-cruise hotel reservation - we're planning to go to Kennedy Space Center on Saturday when we get back.

Nathan just told Zachary that he'd better get well or we can't go to Grandma's tomorrow They are going to be so surprised!

See you all there.

 

[alikat99]

Don't worry Cindy - you won't be talking to yourself!!! I'm going to be up for at least a few hours with LOTS of last minute stuff!!! Plus, I have to be at school until at least noon or so, before going to the girls' tumbling & class parties!!!

 

[nzdisneymom]

Thanks, Amy! I'm still waiting for the dryer to get done. Everything else is ready except whatever stuff the kids want for the car ride which they can get in the morning / afternoon. I have their secret codes in envelopes ready to leave out for them - Nathan is still awake - middle schoolers do that - stay awake half the night. But he doesn't have to be at school until 9;25 so it's not as bad as it sounds for him to be up still at 11:15

This is the worst - the just waiting around when everything else is done. The boys have school in the morning and Gary and I have work. but we're done at noon. and Nathan is last - done at 1:20.

 

[alikat99]

See for me, I still have SO much to do, but I'm still procrastinating!!! I have NO clothes packed, but I'm kinda still waiting for some laundry to finish too. But, I really need to get going on it. I know it won't take me long, because in my head, I know what clothes I want to pack. I just need to do it!!! JUST DO IT!!!

 

[hinsok1]

Gary is still feeling sinusy and Zachary felt warm so I am treating his cold aggressively. Please pray for him to feel better - i don't want to take him on the trip all snotty. I did call the pedi's office and they said he had to run his course for a week before they would even consider seeing him as an 11 y.o. Argh. I did talk to a different nurse today than usual.

Cindy - has Gary ever tried a Netty Pot . . . they have two version . . . one looks like a smal tea kettle, and the other is a spray bottle type thing . . . it is a natural solution to sinus . . . I have used it several times and I am amazed. I am very prone to sinus infections and bronchitis. I was told about this about a year ago and haven't had one since. . . . basicaly it is a salt wash, but it does wonders . . . we have left for the hotel already and I am regretting not bring it along. . . I always have sinus problems with flying. . . go to your local drug store (target, walmart, walgreens all carry them) they are usually by the cold meds . . .

Hope everyone is feeling better.

We decided to head to a hotel by the airport. We are staying at a Hyatt Place . . . It is a Hyatt, but with a different spin. Much smaller than the Hyatt's I have stayed at, and a lot less formal, but really nice. It has self check in, and a 24 hour grill that is by the comp breakfast area. Very surprised.

Really had to rush to get everything together so we could get down here by 9:30 or so . . . had a moment of panic when I could not find my power cord for the laptop . . . I was not pleased . . .Someone moved it from the front seat of my car . . I need to finish a report tomorrow before I can officially go on vacation . . . Ended up stopping by work on the way to the airport to pick up a spare . . . thankfully it is on the way!!!

I need to get to bed, but everyone is too wound up. Need to catch the shuttle at 6:00. (6 1/2 hours from now!!)

It isn't looking good for Milwaukee . . . so those of you flying out of there . . . we will say our Prays. MIL and FIL are on the 9:50 Midwest Express. It currently says they expect it to leave by 11:00 . . . we'll see. We hope BIL and family will make their 5:30 p.m. flight out of Milwauke. (and they thought I was crazy catching the early morning flight! )

Can't wait to meet everyone. Kat has finally started communicating with a few of the teens . . . She is looking forward to meeting Morgan and Anna tomorrow at the Hyatt.

Safe travels everyone. Let's hope no one is delayed!!! I'll check in tomorrow.

 

[KathyFP]

We are here at the Raddison. I can't believe that it is almost cruise time. The weather is great. So glad to leave the freezing weather of Pittsburgh behind.

We rented a car rather than using a towncar. Heck the towncar was going to be 100 and the rental was only 136. We went to Cocoa Beach last evening. Not sure what we are going to do today.

I am looking forward to meeting everyone soon.

 

[psharrock]

Wow it looks as though we are near the disney area, or near the port.

We arrived late yesterday afternoon, and just about managed to stay up until 10pm last night. My DD woke me up at 5:15am this morning to say they can't sleep. (Why do they always do that). She is now watching TV, and of course I couldn't get back to sleep, so here I am catching up on the forums and email.

I have to hide all the clues in the house this morning, and then start the kids and their treasure hunt, so that they will finally know where they are going.

They have no real idea where they are going, as we told them when we were last on the cruise ship, that it would be at least 2010 before the next one, due to renovating our home.

We probably going to aim to get to the port at about 11:30ish

Paul

 

[nzdisneymom]

We love a Neti Pot, and Gary uses one pretty regularly, but we have been out of the salt for it for a little while - he had been using regular "salt" - guess it's ok?? I told him not to but then I never went to get him any neti-pot salt.... and of course now he's got sinus issues - but he said this morning he's much better - in fact when I asked him first thing "how are you feeling?" he responded "I'm too excited to sleep!" (LOL)

The boys are still sleeping. I have biscuits in the oven for their last-day-of-school breakfast. Once they come out, I'm waking Zachary up. I'm going into to work late today because I wanted to be here when they find out where we're going! I just have a few odds and ends to put in the suitcase (things I needed this morning) and then after work, we'll load up the car and head out. We're going to my folks near Savannah for a few days afterwards so we have a few things to take with us that will be for then, so I don't want to forget them.

I'm so glad to hear that some of you have already made it; I'm afraid to watch the Weather Channel or else I'll worry about the rest of you ... here's to flights making it on time.

Oh - we stayed at a Hyatt Place in Ft. Worth over the summer - we really enjoyed it. The only thing it was lacking was an on-site guest-laundry - so we had to pack for the whole week instead of half. But we liked the relaxed atmosphere. It used to be an AmeriSuites and Hyatt Place took over.

Wow - you guys realize we're sailing TOMORROW????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bbbeeepppp.... that means my biscuits are done!

 

[tinksmom]

Just a quick update -- Carly got all her testing done yesterday and we got a diagnosis of tarsal tunnel syndrome. She will most likey have to have surgery after the holidays and will be in a boot for vacation.

Onward, but not upward. Our flight today was cancelled and we are scheduled on a flight for tomorrow with no guarantees. So, the car is packed and we are headed out on an 18-20 hour drive from DFW to Port Canaveral.

Good luck to everyone flying out from areas where the weather is really bad!
tenya

 

[nzdisneymom]

Just a quick update -- Carly got all her testing done yesterday and we got a diagnosis of tarsal tunnel syndrome. She will most likey have to have surgery after the holidays and will be in a boot for vacation.

Onward, but not upward. Our flight today was cancelled and we are scheduled on a flight for tomorrow with no guarantees. So, the car is packed and we are headed out on an 18-20 hour drive from DFW to Port Canaveral.

Tenya - safe travels, ok? Thank goodness have the time today to make the drive, even though it will be long. I just heard on the news that loads of flights out of Chicago have been cancelled today already.

 

[nzdisneymom]

I have two very excited boys in my house! They each opened their envelope, decoded their messages, and still had a look of puzzlement on their faces. I asked them what they thought it meant. Zachary said "a cruise" - and Nathan said "the Magic." So I asked them why they thought those things and then told them that yes, the Magic and Cruise were correct. They still looked a bit confused as to why it was such a big deal - they were thinking it was for next year or something.... until I told them that after school today, we're getting in the car, driving to Port Canaveral, and tomorrow we were boarding the Magic. I had to repeat TOMORROW to give their half-asleep brains time to catch up - and then it was like flipping a switch - they were so excited!

They said that their friends had asked what we were doing for Christmas and then said "let me guess, something Disney." To which both boys had said no, we're just going to grandma's. Now they can tell their friends that we are, indeed, doing something Disney for the holidays!

Of course they are pretty excited that I kept this a secret since February 2007! I asked them when they thought I booked this cruise and Zachary said "yesterday." So when I said February 2007, they were shocked! And proud.

So yay - two very excited boys and two very excited parents are looking forward to this trip!

To quote Mickey: "See you real soon!"

 

[KathyFP]

Tenya - I hope that you have a safe trip!

Cindy D - that is so cool. I love suprising our daughter. I might try your decoder when we do our next WDW trip!

 

[nzdisneymom]

There's a thread on the main board about Calypso Magic that is playing on the Magic - we'll be their 4th week out of 5 - they are getting favorable reviews - and there is a link to their blog about their time on the ship that is fun to read. We will definitely be checking them out. Tomorrow!

 

[BearFan]

Bad news for WI. Mitchell airport is closed due to thundersnow right now. We're still saying on time for a 1:25 PM departure out of O'Hare. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. We've gotten 8+ inches of snow already. It's coming down app an inch an hour and not supposed to stop until noon and it's 9:25 now. See you all there come heck or high(frozen) water. We're leaving now. It usually takes about 75 minutes to get there. Who knows today.

Lisa Marie

 

[nzdisneymom]

Bad news for WI. Mitchell airport is closed due to thundersnow right now. We're still saying on time for a 1:25 PM departure out of O'Hare. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. We've gotten 8+ inches of snow already. It's coming down app an inch an hour and not supposed to stop until noon and it's 9:25 now. See you all there come heck or high(frozen) water. We're leaving now. It usually takes about 75 minutes to get there. Who knows today.

Keep us posted! Safe travels.

 

[nzdisneymom]

We just found out that our offices are going to be closed on Friday the 26th (with pay!) so when we're basking in the sun at Castaway Cay this time next week, we'll be drinking a toast to our boss for an unexpected paid-day-off!