Mar. 19, 2009 Wonder: Aye, But We're Loved by Our Mummies and Dads

[Aunt Stepody]

Hey, we have our GTY room assignments! We are room 1067!

 

[chrisann]

Heh Neighbor!!! We're room 1075!!!

 

[Out to Sea Lee]

YEAH!!! Hello neighbors!!! I just checked and we are in 1060!!! I'm so excited!!! It's now time to get the suitcases out of the attic!! I cannot believe we went from a cat12 to a 9!!! I just wish I had checked it yesterday!!!

 

[chrisann]

Did I look it up wrong? I though we were a cat 10 now?

 

[MollyMcDaniel]

We were not so lucky w/the upgrade fairy We are cat. 12, as close to the bow as physically possible. Oh well, at least we're going!

 

[Juliet25]

We were not so lucky w/the upgrade fairy We are cat. 12, as close to the bow as physically possible. Oh well, at least we're going!

LOL, we were "upgraded" to a cat 11 by virtue of the fact that we're a family of 4. I was hoping for an upgrade to a porthole, but oh well! We're in 2641.

 

[Juliet25]

YEAH!!! Hello neighbors!!! I just checked and we are in 1060!!! I'm so excited!!! It's now time to get the suitcases out of the attic!! I cannot believe we went from a cat12 to a 9!!! I just wish I had checked it yesterday!!!

I've started packing as well and ordered several bathing suits from Lands End yesterday. I plan on returning all but the least offensive. Gotta love control top tankinis!

 

[Txgirl1]

I need to vent a little...Hope ya'll don't mind. (Yes, I said ya'll...what can I say...right now I'm just a frustrated Texas girl)

So, we changed our plans to do Universal prior to the cruise. (Instead of the dolphin encounter) Now, my husband is telling me that his back is bothering him again. He has 2 bulging discs in his lumbar spine. I wasn't going to agree to do Universal, because he has had a history of back trouble. I questioned him over and over before I purchased the tickets yesterday...which of course are non-refundable. He insisted that he would be fine. So, today he tells me that he has made an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon because he has been getting some numbness down his leg. RRRH! God bless him. I love him dearly. But, I sure do not want him to get on a ride and mess his back up even more prior to going on the cruise.

Anybody have any ideas? Anybody can relate?

Thanks for listening. I feel better.

How is your husband feeling now?

I don't have any ideas... I can only relate in as much as I have back problems on and off again. Not as bad as him though. Was the numbness caused by a pinched nerve?

On a side note...I would not get on nor let my dh get on pretty much any ride for fear of jarring the back if I were in that situation.

I hope he feels better.

~v

 

[Aliswa]

Hi! This is my first post on the site! i'm really enjoyed seeing Lee's pictures! This will be our first DCL. We were married on RCCL. We've decided not to tell the kids until we show up at the ship! I have a DD Olivia (4) and DD Savannah (will be turning 2 right after we return home).

We booked second seating. We're more concerned with the kids staying awake for the show than dinner!

I"m so excited!

 

[Aliswa]

i like the one on the left too!

 

[Txgirl1]

I was at Dollar Tree a couple of weeks ago and they had the fab five (mickey, donald, minnie, etc.)-Disney clings. I picked up a set of those and I think either Tink or the Princesses to put on the veranda door. I thought they would be cute on the glass--or mirrors or whatever. Just a thought.

~vivian

:debswalk:

 

[Txgirl1]

I've started packing as well and ordered several bathing suits from Lands End yesterday. I plan on returning all but the least offensive. Gotta love control top tankinis!

Haha! I ordered 2 suits--from somewhere--and I got them in a bit ago but I'm askeert to look at them and try them on!

I plan to do it sometime this week though. Can't put it off forever. My luck the water will be to cold for me.

~v
:debswalk:

 

[Txgirl1]

Hi! This is my first post on the site! i'm really enjoyed seeing Lee's pictures! This will be our first DCL. We were married on RCCL. We've decided not to tell the kids until we show up at the ship! I have a DD Olivia (4) and DD Savannah (will be turning 2 right after we return home).

We booked second seating. We're more concerned with the kids staying awake for the show than dinner!

I"m so excited!

Welcome we are excited to have you join us. Feel free to jump in here anytime. I'm vivian, there is dh and dd(6)maggie. This will be maggie's 1st cruise and our second. We've been on RCCL--which I really liked. I'm so excited for this one, can't wait. We are doing Disney before the cruise. DD and I have not been to Disney. Dh spent a lot of time at DLand and I think has been to DWorld.

Your kids, esp. Olivia (love that name) will be so excited.
We got 2nd dining changed to 1st. We'll see how it works this time around.

~vivian

 

[Aliswa]

Nice to meet you Vivian! My husband just declared this is the most excited he's ever seen me for a vacation! I can't wait! i'm currently reading the 2008 Passporters guide to Disney Cruise. A lot of good info in there! Have you told your daugher you're going yet? I told Savannah (2 year old) but it's not like she's going to spill the secret to anyone. Olivia doesnt know about the cruise yet but I think she's starting to pick up on some of our conversations. Guess i'll have to learn to contain my talk.

To anyone interested The Disney Store online is having a sale on ringer Tshirts today. $3.99 - 4.99! Great cheap souveniers!

 

[ksoehrlein]

Hi! This is my first post on the site!

Welcome to the DIS and welcome to our thread! I'm so excited to cruise with all of you!
-Kim

 

[Txgirl1]

Nice to meet you Vivian! My husband just declared this is the most excited he's ever seen me for a vacation! I can't wait! i'm currently reading the 2008 Passporters guide to Disney Cruise. A lot of good info in there! Have you told your daugher you're going yet? I told Savannah (2 year old) but it's not like she's going to spill the secret to anyone. Olivia doesnt know about the cruise yet but I think she's starting to pick up on some of our conversations. Guess i'll have to learn to contain my talk.

To anyone interested The Disney Store online is having a sale on ringer Tshirts today. $3.99 - 4.99! Great cheap souveniers!

I've been stocking up on stuff needed for the trip--can't forget the shoe holder for the bathroom! I've downloaded all the lists I can for ideas on what to take, it's long!-- I bought Passporters also, I guess I should read it!

Yes, we've told her about Disney and the cruise. She pretty much takes everything in stride. She will say things like, "Great!" and go on her way.
She has never been a huge Disney fan--except for Lady and The Tramp, when she was younger--not a big princess fan either. She likes them and knows them but doesn't go gaga over them. She's not much of a girly girl. She'll play dress up but it's with a hodge podge of outfits.:

She's pretty much open to playing with dolls as well as legos and slot car racers. That said, she loves amusement parks and is really looking forward to Disney. We went to Dutch Wonderland in PA last year and she thought that was the greatest thing ever.

I'm up waaaay to late, I guess I should hit the sack.

~vivian
:debswalk:

 

[Txgirl1]

Does anyone know how many posts you have to have before you can post attachments? My little list on the bottom still says I cannot. I have 50+ posts.

~vivian

 

[Aliswa]

the shoe holder is a great idea! What web sites have you used to find packing lists? Passporters has one web site but i havent looked there yet.

 

[Txgirl1]

Stepody,

This is for you too. I was going through my list of things needed and while you can find this stuff on the board I thought I'd make it easy for you guys to find.

1. I also am ordering one of these mesh bags from this canvas company for the beach. I figured I can always use them here at home too. There are some on sale!

http://www.saltwatercanvas.com/meshbags.htm

2. Click on the first message where it says packing list. It will open an excel spreadsheet. There are tabs on the bottom of the spread sheet for different sections.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=935094&highlight=packing+list

3. Ok, here are some random tips for DW and cruising that I've cobbled together from all over. I don't even remember where I found them--my many nites of being up late on the computer. It's long, sorry about that but maybe you can use some of this info. (Where it says "I"--it's not me. jfyi)

Organizational tips:
I make a spreadsheet at home with each day (vertically) and include park hours and EMH info. When we make our ADRs I put the conf # on there too. About a week or so before the trip I print out the spreadsheet, cut the days into separate strips and use my home laminator. Or you could use contact paper or some over thing to cover them. My friend just tapes hers to index cards. It is great to have everything in one small spot that way you can just tuck it into your pocket or fanny pack and not have to look at those sheets & dig thru anything to find your dining #s.

I also make up a small sheet that has telephone #s on it--like the resort, the airline we are using, even the local 24-care clinic. It is just a little piece of mind for me knowing that I have that info on hand.

Space Saving tips
I agree with those who use Ziplocs, great to keep everything organized. We use them for all our clothing & toiletries, etc....esp considering that the TSA people can search your bags, do you really want them touching your stuff or have to worry about your sandals getting your clothes dirty.

I also send a box of items to our resort ahead of time, I use my FedEx account (for my eBay store) and send down snacks, even toiletries if we are trying to pack really light. Costs very little & can save you time & money if you want some snack items & don't want to have to pack them in your luggage.

I bring an extra collapsible bag & pack it inside one of our suitcases. No matter how often we say we won't be lots of souveniers, we always come home with a bunch & we don't have to cram our suitcases to make them fit.

Trip Making tips
Hmm, not sure how much trip making they are but I would buy a mister fan if you are going down there when it is hot/humid--they really do help. My DS has to carry it because he's the one who wants to take it.

Remember to stop & smell the roses, literally, check them out in Epcot or just sit down on a bench & soak up the atmosphere!

Try something new, a new kind of food, miniature golf, a swim in the resort quiet pool or just watching the entertainers on the Boardwalk!

Teach your kids to perform a RAOK (random act of kindness) now & then. DS once gave a coveted balloon to a boy that was really admiring it. We often give up parade seats (DH & I) for those with young kids behind us. Buy an ice cream for the person behind you in line. I honestly believe in paying it forward, good karma & all that.


I bring bottles of liquid hand soap for the hotel bathroom. I can't stand the gooey mess left by the bar soap. I also bring an inexpensive toothbrush holder (the kind that sits on the counter) so that we have someplace to put our toothbrushes. $1 store

When we went to Disney I bought collapsable toothbrushes for a dollar at walmart. They fold up easy and we were able to just throw them away when we left.


I came up with this one years ago. We were getting ready to go to the parks, I had frozen a water bottle that we could refill throughout the day. I realized that if I put a frozen bottle in my small back-pack purse that it would get everything wet. In desperation I searched the room for an idea and grabbed my son's clean white tubesock and slippped the bottle inside. It worked perfectly, nothing in my bag got wet and it also kept the water cold longer. Now I always travel with a clean sock from the mis-match pile. I throw it away when I'm done.

A magnetic wipe board (dry-erase) we have our DIS SNs on it and then people left us messages all day!! some signed DIS names and others just signed names! we even had CM sign it!! we had to wipe it clean every night as it got soo full sometimes by our lunch break!!!

ALWAYS pack a change of clothes when you go to the parks! If they get messy, you will always have a back-up outfit. (unless you plan to buy them something in the parks, this works out great!)

SUNSCREEN...don't go anywhere without it!!!

Mini spray bottles of OUST air cleaner! they are on clearance at TARGET for .80!! i love em for when you get into those STINKY bathrooms and the like!!

Before the trip I take a 5x7 lined index card for each park and write the hours of operation for during our stay and any EMH. Along with reminders of rides that are a must, restaurants that everyone wants to eat at with a breif description of what they serve (after researching the menus at allearsnet.com) and any ADR's we might have and for when.
Then I laminate them so they are industructible and water proof. We take which ever one we need to the park of the day.

We have Guest of Honor Badges, on each trip I get out the label maker and print out my cell phone # and my name and what resort we are staying at, and put the label on the back of the badge, just in case one of the kids gets lost. They like wearing them and know what to do in case of us getting lost!

We use a pop-up hamper, which is great for carrying to the laundry room.
We bring a small bottle of laundry soap and softner (sold at Walmart).

Prior to the trip we take MAAS polishing compound and shine up pennies for the penny presses.

We make special autograph books for our kids, we take a 5x7 ring binder and punch holes into blank, white 5x7 index cards. We download or scan Disney characters into the computer and then print them out on the cards. We take card stock and cut it to fit in the outside pockets of the binder and decorate them with Disney stickers, stamps and scrapbooking supplies with their names, the trip and date (example: DD & DS's Very Merry Christmas Trip to WDW 2006). We bring along several Sharpie markers for the characters to use. The characters LOVE , absolutley LOVE, seeing their picture and signing on the page. Our kids have gotten so much extra attention each time from our signature books!! And we've had a ton, yes a ton, of people ask us where we bought it from. It's great to tell them we made it! There's only been 3 characters we didn't have in our book, so we always buy the small autograph book at WDW just in case!!

About the shoe organizers--> we use a suction cup with a hook on it we bought at TARGET, it works great and makes no mess!! and totally re-useable! we store it in the shoe organizer throughout the year!

Thank you SO much for posting about the 3M stickys. My organizer needs to be hooked by something and I was trying to figure out what I was going to do..no longer, thanks again!

get new stick cleaners for clothes--shout??? tide???


I am also taking Clorox wipes for use in the room. Sorry, but I have read and have seen things in the bathrooms that are just too disgusting. For that same reason, I am taking seat covers for the restrooms in the parks.

Have Grand Tea at GF-Grand Floridian

I packed a bunch of packages of glow bracelets from the dollar store for our kids to wear. They were a huge hit after dark and a lot cheaper than anything they sell in the parks. During Fantasmic, my boys 8 & 7 gave some extra glow bracelets to some younger boys who sat next to us, but didn't have any. It was awesome to see the faces of my boys and the other boys when they shared such a simple thing. That was $1 well spent!!

I also have my emergency duct tape in my bag. I've never had to use it but won't travel without it.

A tiny tip from me but it is a great help to us....I always take a small plastic basket....dollar tree....about 8 X 6 X 2...to hold stuff in the bathroom. They fit on most counters in even the values. It helps keep all your toothpaste, tylenol and bathroom"stuff" neat and easy to find. Also dont forget to bring from home cold medicines, allergy medicines, pepto and such since it is sooo much more expensive there.

My dh and I both take a variety of vitamins, including calcium, etc. That used to mean several large bottles rattling around in the suitcase. Now this is what I do -- go to a local pharmacy and ask for several perscription bottles. Usually they will give them to you free. Pack a days' supply of supplements per bottle, and I print out labels with name and supplement name. Its so much easier that way. You just take out your bottle for the day and that's it, no rummaging around for this and that bottle. Just throw the empties away when used.

I also pack a mesh bag I purchased from http://www.saltwatercanvas.com/meshbags.htm I can hang all the wet bottles, razors, etc and let it dry. Have a second smaller one for all the tooth brushes and paste. If you look around the above link, you'll find beach bags. I put all our bathing suits, goggles, sun screen, etc. in one of these (I have the whale bag) and our swim gear is ready when we are. Because its' mesh, it's also good for the gear when wet. v--take beach towel

ear plug package on plane--maybe extras in bag

dryer sheets in zip lock for laundry

buy little bottles of liquor

Disney's Magical Express is located on on the B-side of the Main Terminal on the Ground Transportation Level at Commercial Lane spaces B42-B47. Only guests of Disney owned resorts may use Disney's free Magical Express. A reservation is required prior to arrival at the airport. Call Walt Disney World Reservations at 407-934-7639 to make a reservation.

Don't forget to check in going and coming with airline. As close to 24 hr. check in as possible.

To get into the "A" boarding group on Southwest Airlines, ticket holders need to check-in online as close to the 24 hour check-in window as possible. If your phone has Internet capabilities, you can check-in while at the parks and re-print your boarding pass later in the evening at your resort. 24 hour check-in boarding passes can also be confirmed and printed at Resort Concierge desks in the lobby of Disney resorts and at Guest Services/Relations at Disney parks and at Downtown Disney.

* General tips: cinderella dinner.....Use DDE card, and request to sit next to the window so you can see the sunset over Fantasyland. We were by the elevator, which was fine - but we were in the traffic flow. Fairy Godmother comes out and does this big routine and interacts with everyone seated on the floor, so if you want that, request to be seated on the floor. Personally, I would prefer being by the stained glass windows.

Also, I think everyone automatically thinks of "Breakfast" when they think of CRT - and we got dinner ressies for 4 like TWO WEEKS OUT! So - don't overlook doing dinner, because it was really a nice thing. Our ressies were at 5:50, so it worked out that we were finished about 20 minutes before Wishes started.

TheMouseForLess tips: The prime rib was HUGE. Also, use DDE card and tell them this when you make ressies. They didn't ask for my # over the phone - but I did have to show the card when I got there. One GOOD thing about this is that you have to pay for this meal at the time you order (and it includes tip!), so it is a nice feeling to know that you show up, eat, and you aren't even worried about the bill, or how much you are spending because it is already paid for. That was a major plus with the budget.

Extra Comments: We had to wait about 15 minutes to be photographed with Cinderella! We had our daughter in a cute dress, but lots of girls were DECKED OUT in FRESH cindy outfits - like their parents had a bag at the park just for the dress. Also they had crown, shoes, bows in hair, etc. - something to keep in mind if you are into that. I thought having her in a cute dress would have been enough, but she was just in awe seeing all of the other little princesses walking around. The photos we got were GREAT and are normally priced around $26 at other character buffets (like Chef Mickey or Restaurantosaurus) so if you think about the price of this, minus discount for DDE and the fact that pictures are included, this was really a great deal.


Hope this helps,

~vivian

 

[khiguchi]

Hi Everyone!!

I am so super lucky this year and will be going on (essentially) two cruises in one month - one next week (hence the ticker in my sig) and this one in March!

For this March 19 Wonder Cruise, it will be me (24 y/o) and my 20 y/o sister! We went together last year at Spring Break as well, so we are really excited, of course!! We are both pretty crafty as well, so since I am new to the DIS, I am new to the whole idea of door decorations and Fish Extenders etc...I'd love to participate and I know she would be too! I'm most definitely going to send her some of the info here!!!