MAGICal Christmas 2008 - December 20, 2008

[CrusinLattas]

I feel like a posting pig, but I am focusing on this stuff this week and thought I would share what I have learned. I had asked about shipping in the main area and many people said they have had great success with it! No negatives. Here is what I learned:

Ship it to this address and on the outside of the box put Your Name, the Ship Name, Sail Date, and Stateroom.

The address is

IDS
9001 Marlin Street
Cape Canaveral
32920
321.799.9100

I talked to Dave Adams from IDS- very nice fellow - and got more details on the shipping.

There is no additional cost to you from IDS. The boat pays them so your only cost is the postage.

They have a huge warehouse and you should plan on having your items there a couple days before you sail - 2nd or 3rd day delivery is probably the best way to go to get it there at the right time (especially with our Christmas timeframe).

Mark your stateroom on all sides of the box for best delivery results.

They X-Ray the boxes for security so make sure you include a packing list in case there are any items that look questionable.

No liquids or food items unless it is formula or something like that and you have talked with them ahead of time.

You are only allowed one box per stateroom. The boxes should be 1 Ft. Cubed or smaller. You can wrap gifts etc. but they need to be able to fit in the box.

If the items are not in your stateroom by 2:30 PM you need to call them and they will do what they can to solve the problem. (No one said they had a problem getting the packages.)

Dave even gave me his cell phone number for the day of departure if the items are not there: 321-536-1290 or you can call the main number I posted above. Tommy is the other fellow there that can help.

I plan on doing decorations and maybe a couple wrapped gifts this way - easier than the airport!

 

[dbxazd]

Renee -
Thanks for the information in regards to last years Christmas cruise activities!

Robin

 

[CrusinLattas]

Well - after 3 1/2 years, three cruises and todays many posts I finally hit the 75 number! I was wondering how long I had to earn them! I know - it's the little things in life that make my day! Now if only the 'tag fairy' will visit life will be complete...

 

[Diana Lyn]

Renee, thanks so much for all the info! It's awsome!

I'm so excited----Christmas themed Drinks of the day!!! I really can't wait for this cruise.

 

[gardengirlco]

Well - after 3 1/2 years, three cruises and todays many posts I finally hit the 75 number! I was wondering how long I had to earn them! I know - it's the little things in life that make my day! Now if only the 'tag fairy' will visit life will be complete...

Congrats on finally earning your ears and becoming a Mouseketeer!

 

[gardengirlco]

Monday - December 24th
Christmas Eve
Day at Sea
Dinner Dress: Cruise Casual
No special Eve meal – Drink of the Day was: Jingle Bash
Holiday Stuff:
Santa Visits – pictures etc. with Santa in Lobby Noon – 4:30 PM
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas - Mrs. Claus in Lobby 10 PM
Teens – Jingle Bell Ball – Midnight in the Stack
Ocean Quest – Christmas Eve Party – 9:45 PM – 12:30 AM
Show was Twice Charmed

Am I the only one who wonders why the Night Before Christmas with Mrs. Claus is so darn late? My DS3 would love that, but we'd be paying the price the next day if we kept him up that late.

 

[CrusinLattas]

I agree! We missed it last year due to the late hour. At least Santa was in the middle of the day!

 

[cataworm]

Am I the only one who wonders why the Night Before Christmas with Mrs. Claus is so darn late? My DS3 would love that, but we'd be paying the price the next day if we kept him up that late.

Maybe they wanted it to be a bedtime story and available to the late dinner cruisers too?

 

[CrusinLattas]

That does make sense.

Maybe they wanted it to be a bedtime story and available to the late dinner cruisers too?

FYI - I do know that I learned last time that if you have an active little guy and are looking for activities they will enjoy you can visit the kids club with them even if they are not 3 or potty trained and do some of those activities - I took AJ when he was not quite 2 to play with Anna last year - and he had a ball! We all went as a family for many of the activities and it was a nice play break! He loved all the toys, slide and dress up clothes and the crafts!

 

[gardengirlco]

Maybe they wanted it to be a bedtime story and available to the late dinner cruisers too?

That could well be. Still, you'd think they could do it twice, one earlier for the younger set and one later. It's only one day a year. Yes, I want it all.

 

[nzdisneymom]

Well - after 3 1/2 years, three cruises and todays many posts I finally hit the 75 number! I was wondering how long I had to earn them! I know - it's the little things in life that make my day! Now if only the 'tag fairy' will visit life will be complete...

Renee - congratulations! I went over 3,000 posts today

 

[xsjackson]

Wow. I miss one day and we haVE 3 PAGES OF POSTING. Sorry for the caps I accidentally hit it. Wednesday is my tv night and I can't wait for it to start. Had to take a class today to update my lesson plans by making flipcharts that included activevote, audio, video, and interactive sections. This stuff is fun but sometimes I feel we have to make every lesson entertaining to get 13-14 yr old to pay attentions - and my district buys into all that. My students think I'm cool for doing it all but they don't know it is a requiremnet that some teachers are ignoring. School ,is school, life is not always entertaining.

I am waiting for my new pirate costume. My sister, Ginny, is an excellent sewer and I can't wait t see what she creates for me. My babysister - 37 - thinks doing all this stuff is toooooo much but Ginny and I are all for it. We have our FE gifts done and are ready to go. I cam counting down the days.

Some days I am such a kid. Can't believe I am old enough to have a college kid!!! Okay, I've been married 251/2 years and she is only 18 but I am too young. We will be at Pop Century after the cruise - wish I had a week off when we get back but Monday will ber back to school and teaching.

Anyone else taking the autotrain? My dad, daughter, and sister plus 4 kids are all traveling on that on the 18th.

 

[minnie1]

Wow. I miss one day and we haVE 3 PAGES OF POSTING. Sorry for the caps I accidentally hit it. Wednesday is my tv night and I can't wait for it to start. Had to take a class today to update my lesson plans by making flipcharts that included activevote, audio, video, and interactive sections. This stuff is fun but sometimes I feel we have to make every lesson entertaining to get 13-14 yr old to pay attentions - and my district buys into all that. My students think I'm cool for doing it all but they don't know it is a requiremnet that some teachers are ignoring. School ,is school, life is not always entertaining.

Off Topic-I know what you are saying about the "fun" stuff for students. I am an education student and all my professors talk about is making the lessons exciting and entertaining. Then I go into my observations and every teacher tells me that they just don't have time for the entertaining and fun. Hopefully I will get into a district that wants the "fun" lessons because that is what I am learning. I agree though that, sometimes school just has to be school.

Anyway, back to the cruise. I love how busy this board is getting now that we are getting closer. It is so great being able to read something everytime I come look. I just realized that between the cruise and WDW afterwards we are going to be gone for a total of 17 days. I believe that is the longest vacation ever for us. We might not want to come back. I am going to make a countdown calendar for my girls this weekend. They will be so excited to see the days go by.

Thanks for the information on the water package and the information on shipping packages to the ship. I think I will be doing that with FE gifts and other presents.

Have a great day!
Angie

 

[tinksmom]

OMG, I, too, miss a day and it takes an afternoon to get caught up!

Renee, thanks so much for the info on what to expect. I'm an obsessive, compulsive planner, so your notes helps me tons! We're neighbors. We live in Arlington, how about y'all? Carly and I are staying at VWL after the cruise, but I call DVC every few days to see if they've had a cancellation for the Contemporary.

Welcome, Marie!

tenya

 

[dbxazd]

I made up a countdown calendar for my children too! It's a Disney Calendar for the months of November and December - and I just wrote in the number of days until we leave (which is the 17th of Decmeber since we're doing 3 days at WDW beforehand). So - the countdown is now at 40!!!

Any ideas on laundry detergant? Target used to sell little "Tides" in their travel section - but there wasn't any when I went today. I've read where other's have used powder - but I have never used powder at home.....

Later all -
Robin

 

[psharrock]

I made up a countdown calendar for my children too! It's a Disney Calendar for the months of November and December - and I just wrote in the number of days until we leave (which is the 17th of Decmeber since we're doing 3 days at WDW beforehand). So - the countdown is now at 40!!!

oooohhh we must be on 41 days to go then, as we leave the UK for Orlando on 18th Dec

Paul

 

[tinkerbell_29]

I'm trying to decide whether to ship stuff down or just pay for the extra suitcase. There probable both going to cost about the same and we could probable use the empty space coming home as we always end up shipping items home. This summer after 14 days we had to ship home two big boxes. I really do not want to have to do that at the end of this trip. Hope everyone has had a good week so far.

Lissa

 

[corinnak]

Any ideas on laundry detergant? Target used to sell little "Tides" in their travel section - but there wasn't any when I went today. I've read where other's have used powder - but I have never used powder at home.....

Maybe they are just out? I don't really like the scent of Tide, so I always bring my own powder. I pack it, pre-measured in little snack baggies and keep all of them in a bigger baggie. I keep the used baggies and refill them when I get home. They're easy to use and not a lot extra to bring along. Some others have talked about laundry tablets of some kind, but I have never used those, mostly because it seems like they are not that easy to find.

 

[nzdisneymom]

I used the liquid Tide before on DCL. In fact, I took it with us on the Med. I just made sure that the lids hadn't been opened, and double-ziplocked them and put them in the suitcase that if they leaked, it wouldn't ruin anything. I found that worked well for us, and that's what I generally take, although I have also taken the samples of laundry detergent that I've picked up or received through freebies.

Don't forget to take your dryer sheets, too, if you use them. I always keep some in a baggie in my suitcase.

Lissa, sounds like you all might want to take at least one extra suitcase with you, especially since you'll have some WDW days along with the cruise.

Our countdown is til Friday, December 19th which is when the boys get out of school and we head to Port Canaveral. So that's six weeks from today. I think the next three weeks are going to go by super fast. We're planning to put our Christmas Tree up the weekend before Thanksgiving since there is such a short time between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, and since we'll be leaving on the 19th, by doing it a week early, that gives us four weeks to enjoy it. Plus it helps with the illusion for the boys

One good thing about the cruise coming up is that with all the stuff I have to do at work, I can see the vacation coming up - and it's like a cut-off point for me -- I know I have to get s,t,u,v,w,x,y, and z done before then (I have way more assignments than just x, y, and z!). And speaking of which, I'd better get on them.

Happy Friday!

 

[CrusinLattas]

Tenya - We do live close! I work in Arlington and we live west of Ft. Worth! How exciting!

I'm sure we will be doing laundry during the week as well - it is just too much stuff to pack for with the cruise and WDW afterward! We have always just bought our detergent in the laundry room.

Alan is getting the 1 ft. boxes to ship today so I can figure out what all will fit in them! I love this part! I usually try to pack on the long Thanksgiving weekend - I do like that most people on here are as into planning and OCD as I am!

Did anyone else do the Disney Cruise House Party last year? We hosted one and it was really fun. I hope they do that again. We had several smaller gatherings after the big party where we watched the cute kids video and shared the planning material with friends that were thinking about a cruise. I always enjoy sharing our trip experiences with others since they have always been so great!

Happy Friday and everyone have a wonderful weekend!