March 12, 2011 Eastern Caribbean, Let's rock the Magic!

[candizfan]

We're getting so close now (less than 2 weeks) so we're down to the last trivial details.

What do you use to carry your KTTW card around while on board? I've heard about lanyards but not sure where to get them. You can buy lanyards at the dollar store but do the cards have holes in them so you can attach the lanyard?

I'm just concerned that if my DD doesn't have the card attached to her somehow, she'll lose it!

Thanks. Michelle

Hi Michelle

You can buy lanyards on the ship that have a plastic sleeve for the room key. I received one at the DVC meeting on board the first trip we took.

 

[jennyh2829]

I will jump on the countdown bandwagon too!!! I am finishing the last min stuff this weekend for myself and saving next weekend for last min kid stuff. I agree that I am tempted to pack but I am afraid I will forget what I have packed!!!!
Yep... a little North Texas sun and sons lacrosse game left my family with bright sunburned faces yesterday. Guess we can call it a base tan??

I always use the lanyards for my card. I never have pockets and refuse to take a purse around!!! In the room I make the kids put them in the shoe hanger when they walk in the door so we don't lose them in the cabin!!!

I have a question...we've never used a shoe hanger before...how and where do you hang yours up?

 

[Ashansen]

I have a question...we've never used a shoe hanger before...how and where do you hang yours up?

One of the greatest "cruising" tips ever!!! Several folks found some at the $1 store and take it and then leave it (so they don't have to bring it back home)....I did that once, but the one I purchased didn't have a good way to hang on the door. Next time, I went and got one at Target on sale (so about $8 I think) and it has metal hangers that hook into the shoe bag and I hang it over the BATHROOM door...so that the pockets are on the outside of the closed door. In otherwords, when you walk in our cabin, you see the shoe bag hanging on the bathroom door.

I leave the lower pockets open for the kids to put their "treasures" in and also they each had a pocket for their toothbrush and toothpaste...That way, we had no little random stuff laying around....I put my KTTW card in there too, cell phone, etc.....

I've found I use it on any family trips that are more than a few days and it makes it waaaaay easier to manage the little hotel bathrooms. Well worth it for me to buy the sturdier one, since I use it over and over.


Okay...a little too much raving about the shoe bag! Ha!

Gonna try to make my last trip to Target today to be DONE with the packing for the triip...I am about to get VERY busy at work right up until the cruise!!! I will SO appreciate this trip!

Ashley

 

[jennyh2829]

I've always heard how great they are, just never used one...I'll be putting that on my Target list for the week... Thanks!!

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Well two weeks from today it will be formal night

 

[Michelle064]

Well two weeks from today it will be formal night

Just finished ironing DH's dress shirt for formal night. Hope it doesn't get too wrinkled on the trip to Florida. I HATE ironing so I'd hate to have to do it again on board!

I'm sitting at my computer desk looking at piles of clothes and luggage all around me. I'm stressed that it won't all fit!!! DDs' stuff will all fit in their bags, but I'm not sure about DH and mine. My goal is to fit his clothes and mine into one large suitcase and a garment bag. Wish me luck!

On the bright side, at least the fact that I'm thinking about packing means it's getting closer!!

Michelle

 

[haynay]

So, I'm finally sitting down to plan what I'm packing! The kids and I are squealing with excitement with everything we read!?!?

Have a quick question...I've read on the DIS boards that we can bring our own wine in a soft-sided cooler. Is this right? On the disney website, it says no alcoholic bev. brought on board. Can someone confirm which is right? We are big wine drinkers, and it would be awesome to bring our own to save some $$$!

And one more Question...my daughter will turn 6 on the 16th...I'm thinking of getting some birthday celebration stuff for her...you know, like door decorations, party hats, etc? I *think* they will provide a cake at dinner, or do I need to order a special one? But, would love to decorate the family and possibly our table at dinner. Is this possible or do I need to buy their birthday package online? Should I just call to ask?

 

[haynay]

Just finished ironing DH's dress shirt for formal night. Hope it doesn't get too wrinkled on the trip to Florida. I HATE ironing so I'd hate to have to do it again on board!

Michelle

Pack it in a plastic bag--like from dry cleaners--and it most likely won't wrinkle. We'll get my DH's shirts cleaned before going and not take the wrapping off!?!?

 

[Mickeyhugger]

So, I'm finally sitting down to plan what I'm packing! The kids and I are squealing with excitement with everything we read!?!?

Have a quick question...I've read on the DIS boards that we can bring our own wine in a soft-sided cooler. Is this right? On the disney website, it says no alcoholic bev. brought on board. Can someone confirm which is right? We are big wine drinkers, and it would be awesome to bring our own to save some $$$!

And one more Question...my daughter will turn 6 on the 16th...I'm thinking of getting some birthday celebration stuff for her...you know, like door decorations, party hats, etc? I *think* they will provide a cake at dinner, or do I need to order a special one? But, would love to decorate the family and possibly our table at dinner. Is this possible or do I need to buy their birthday package online? Should I just call to ask?

You can bring all the booze you want on DCL as long as you carry it on with you not in your luggage. I will be rolling on a soft sided cooler with a case of beer and a 12 pack of DP

Rob

 

[haynay]

Another question...do you bring cups/water bottle to carry around with you so you can fill up whenever?

I've read to bring our own candy for the movies? Can we take our own drinks too?

 

[haynay]

You can bring all the booze you want on DCL as long as you carry it on with you not in your luggage. I will be rolling on a soft sided cooler with a case of beer and a 12 pack of DP

Rob

You really are a Texan!?!? I'm from Waco originally and the only thing I can complain about Disney is no DP!?!?!?

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Another question...do you bring cups/water bottle to carry around with you so you can fill up whenever?

I've read to bring our own candy for the movies? Can we take our own drinks too?

Yes you sure can

BTW the DP that we will have with us will be the real thing....made with real sugar

Rob

 

[haynay]

[/B]

Yes you sure can

BTW the DP that we will have with us will be the real thing....made with real sugar

Rob

YUM! You can't get that in NM!?!? We do get it in Waco when home!?!?

 

[jennyh2829]

Just finished ironing DH's dress shirt for formal night. Hope it doesn't get too wrinkled on the trip to Florida. I HATE ironing so I'd hate to have to do it again on board!

I'm sitting at my computer desk looking at piles of clothes and luggage all around me. I'm stressed that it won't all fit!!! DDs' stuff will all fit in their bags, but I'm not sure about DH and mine. My goal is to fit his clothes and mine into one large suitcase and a garment bag. Wish me luck!

On the bright side, at least the fact that I'm thinking about packing means it's getting closer!!

Michelle

DH usually has his pressed when we get onboard...I'll see if I can find how much it was last time. I HATE ironing period...

 

[terimac]

I definitely miss my DP when onboard...may have to change that this year (can you buy it in Orlando at all??)

Ok, so I am halfway finished making the adult FE gifts! I still have 11 days, and I work best under a little pressure!
Oh, and I still haven't made my actual FE! Nothing like being indecisive about fabric of all things!
But I am about 75% packed! That should be worth something, right?!?

Is anyone as excited as I am about EATING on the ship? The food was so delicious on our last cruise that I think that eating has got be one the top 3 reasons that I can not wait for March 12th!!!

 

[Mickeyhugger]

I definitely miss my DP when onboard...may have to change that this year (can you buy it in Orlando at all??)

Ok, so I am halfway finished making the adult FE gifts! I still have 11 days, and I work best under a little pressure!
Oh, and I still haven't made my actual FE! Nothing like being indecisive about fabric of all things!
But I am about 75% packed! That should be worth something, right?!?

Is anyone as excited as I am about EATING on the ship? The food was so delicious on our last cruise that I think that eating has got be one the top 3 reasons that I can not wait for March 12th!!!

We are hoping that they still have the stone crab claws at the buffet the first day We are also looking forward to the pizza at Palo

Rob

 

[llambert]

We brought large mugs with lids on our last cruise and I can't tell you how many people stopped us to ask where we bought them! They would be 2nd only to the shoe hanger for cruise MUSTS for me BUt.... I am a huge diet coke drinker and I like to have one at night and didn't want to go to the 9th floor again and again!

 

[Paragd911]

We brought large mugs with lids on our last cruise and I can't tell you how many people stopped us to ask where we bought them! They would be 2nd only to the shoe hanger for cruise MUSTS for me BUt.... I am a huge diet coke drinker and I like to have one at night and didn't want to go to the 9th floor again and again!

and don't forget about the Beer mugs!!!!!!!!


Mark

 

[llambert]

Not a beer drinking but my brother in law is... Is there a special beer mug?? Hate to miss an important detail I am busy worrying about getting wine.

and don't forget about the Beer mugs!!!!!!!!


Mark

 

[Stinasmom]

Hey Everyone!
Guess I took a little break from my computer there... Back now!

Catching up on posts, questions, countdowns, etc.
Lots of details and loose ends here at home to deal with too.
If it would just stop snowing! Sheesh!
I could easily be all packed since I am not taking ANY of the clothes I have been wearing around here!

First.. WELCOME! HaileyCakes to the DIS and our Cruise Meets thread!

I love that you already have a second cruise booked... we did the same thing when we sailed first back in 2005, after being on these DIS boards and learning so much, I booked a 2006 cruise as soon as dates were released, even before the first sailing. Guess you are pretty sure you're going to enjoy yourself just based on other's experiences!

azrealator - WOW, $355 in a cash back award for booking with Costco is pretty good. We're getting $200 or $250, can't remember which is the TA credit and which is the "rebooking" OBC. Most TA's including ours offer On Board Credit which will show up on your stateroom folio along with any other credits like from using Disney Visa, or having rebooked onboard last time. These credits will just go against any charges you have such as photos from Shutters, DCL excursions, Palo charges, alcohol charges, spa charges, etc. Most people charge their tips to their stateroom, so, Yes, they could apply to that too.

Michelle - I thought I saw lanyards for sale at the cruise terminal. Castaway Club (returning cruisers) get them upon check in. I also have seen the ones that have a plastic zip type pouch the right size for a credit card at Walmart in the sporting goods area (like for a fishing license).
My DS lost his KTTW card out of his lanyard at Castaway Cay, it wasn't any big deal, Guest Svs got him a new one.

Jenny2829 - Over the Door shoe hanger:

I have noticed that the metal hangers kind of scratch the paint on the top of the doors and sometimes the door won't close all the way. We always put it on the shower room door instead of the toilet room.

haynay - As others have said, YES! BYOB! But don't put ice in the softsided cooler until you are on board. Your stateroom attendant will be able to get you ice daily.

As for the birthday/anniversary cakes... you may want to call or check with your TA. Seems like they have some cakes available on the first day, but much into the week they only offer these weird jello type cakes. You may have to make special arrangements for a traditional type cake.

terimac - OH the FOOD! Yes, looking forward to food, however I am a bit anxious too after my weight loss... We'll see what I can handle, I guess.

llambert -

Here is a pic of the beer mugs available on board:

You pay a certain amount for the mug ($13???) with your first fill, then after that you get the 20 oz mug filled for the price of 16 oz of draft beer. They trade out your mug each time for a clean one. We made sure to leave the ship with one that said "Disney Cruise Line" and not ESPN. The hassle was carrying around the heavy glass mug. However, I think they may have come up with a different way of handling this... like you have a ticket or something. I am really not sure of this, if anyone else knows???
We have used the original mug from our first cruise on subsequent cruises, so it's certainly paid for itself!

OK, I need to go do a thousand other things...
Hope you are all having a great day! Only one more Monday before cruising!

Marcy