March 15-22, 2008 Eastern - Way-Way Early Check In

[cozit]

At which Smithsonian do you do your volunteer work? I'm ashamed to admit that we don't go to them as often as we should. I mean, we're only about 20 miles from DC, so we should go at least a few times a year. We did do Zoo lights in November, and signed up for Fonz again, but it's been more than a year since we've been to any of the museums.

"Normally" it's the Museum of American History... but as it's been closed for the last year and approaching a half (lots and lots of major renovation work as well as some desired remodeling at the same time), I've been over at Air & Space with the National Treasures of American History exhibit since it's been open. I highly recommend that exhibit if you get a chance.... and it will be closing mid-April, to start putting things in order for the re-opening of the museum this summer (no date yet, just "Summer 2008" is the best we've been told too).

 

[Pammy jo]

I know what you mean about ever actually getting to the museums. If it weren't for school field trips I'd never make it to any of them. Off to the Natural History Museum on Thursday to study dinosaurs!

 

[cozit]

I know what you mean about ever actually getting to the museums. If it weren't for school field trips I'd never make it to any of them. Off to the Natural History Museum on Thursday to study dinosaurs!

LOL - because I go down there with the purpose of spending several hours in one museum, I nearly never see any other... and often no more than that one exhibit (after over a year I still haven't re-seen most of Air & Space even, though I did make it over to American History once). Just too tired, or time short to manage more.

One of our goals for the day the Magic returns to port is to manage to make it over to the Kennedy Center... I haven't been there since about a year after WDW opened... though I remember a surprisingly large amount from that trip - especially the huge building where they assemble(d?) the rockets before pushing them out towards the launch pad. And yes, I know they've built a new visitor center/museum.. which might just be the second since then....

 

[carolmp]

Hi,

We really enjoy the pin trading when we are at WDW. But I'm wondering if it is worth it on the cruise? Has anyone done much pin trading on a previous cruise? Is anyone planning on pin trading on this cruise?

Carol

 

[Pammy jo]

I haven't done it before. What exactly do they do? Is there a specified time where everyone gets together to trade or just throughout the cruise?

 

[carolmp]

I think they have specific times, and then you can trade with any CMs that are wearing lanyards anytime. I'm just not sure how many CMs wear lanyards all of the time.

At WDW they were a nice option to "can I get something at this gift shop?" I purchased some pins off of eBay before we left for a lot cheaper than they were selling at WDW. When we traded it was like getting something new. But since we won't be seeing as many gift shops, it may not be necessary.

 

[cozit]

They did have specified time for trading when we went on the Wonder about 3 years ago, but I know there was trading at other times as well. My family's not so into pin trading, but IIRC my daughter did trade one pin for another at one point. We had an extra of one I'd bought and then forgotten, so she traded it just to have something different (though where either is now, who knows).

 

[happymommy]

"Normally" it's the Museum of American History... but as it's been closed for the last year and approaching a half (lots and lots of major renovation work as well as some desired remodeling at the same time), I've been over at Air & Space with the National Treasures of American History exhibit since it's been open. I highly recommend that exhibit if you get a chance.... and it will be closing mid-April, to start putting things in order for the re-opening of the museum this summer (no date yet, just "Summer 2008" is the best we've been told too).

Okay - this is totally off the subject of our cruise, but that is cool that you volunteer there! I just went with my son last week, and we had such a great time with his class at the Air and Space Museum. We had a tourguide that was so informative, and enjoyed the 30 minute show in the flight area. Boy were we tired at the end of the day (the bus ride back up took almost an hour!). Anyway, it's neat to see folks from our area on the cruise.

I don't know if we'll make it to the ice cream place for a meet before the big deck party, but we may try. Is anyone still planning on that? We'll be with friends from Arizona, so we will probably be catching up with them (they have 2 kids that I've never met, DH has since he's out there every 3 months for work).

I don't think my kids will bring their pins, do many folks bring them? It seems like they'll be so busy with the kids activities and all; we bring them to WDW but DS is less interested in the pins than he used to be. They may just be a remembrance for him at this point (an expensive one!).

 

[nlm]

Hi,

We really enjoy the pin trading when we are at WDW. But I'm wondering if it is worth it on the cruise? Has anyone done much pin trading on a previous cruise? Is anyone planning on pin trading on this cruise?

Carol

We traded pins on one night - w/the officers. DH, DD10, & DD5 loved it! I chatted up some husbands leaning on the wall while their families traded pins and got a great tip about the character warehouse in St. Augustine. (we stopped on the way home and they had great stuff!)

The cast members in the stores also have lanyards and traded pins with our kids.

I don't know if we'll make it to the ice cream place for a meet before the big deck party, but we may try. Is anyone still planning on that? We'll be with friends from Arizona, so we will probably be catching up with them (they have 2 kids that I've never met, DH has since he's out there every 3 months for work).

We're still on for the ice cream meet before the lifeboat drill. Is 3pm a bad time? Should we try for earlier - before the cabins are opened?

As of right now, here's the meet schedule:

Friday night - 7:30 @ the Radisson's pool
Saturday - 11:00 kids meet in the terminal at the port (DD10 will have lots of green Mardi Gras bead on to make the meet easy to find)
Saturday - 3pm @ Scoops (In case of rain - 3pm @ Promenade Lounge)

If anyone wants to set up another meet, I'd be happy to post it on page 1 post #8. (And I'd be happy to come another meet - maybe one later on in the week?)

Liz - is DIStag still on?

I don't think my kids will bring their pins, do many folks bring them? It seems like they'll be so busy with the kids activities and all; we bring them to WDW but DS is less interested in the pins than he used to be. They may just be a remembrance for him at this point (an expensive one!).

We'll have our pins - the kids really enjoy trading, even if we only do it once or twice.

Nancy

 

[cozit]

Liz - is DIStag still on?


Nancy

I have *one* extra magnet sheet I can make a Mickey out of... it might be better if someone else could as well if folks are interested. I know we still are - and off the top of my head we're on deck 7... just forward of the elevators I think... I'm not sure where I wrote down the room number.

Hey, Nancy! Are you up to keeping a DIStag list on that first "who's going" post, so that we can find it?

Basically, if I know who is interested, I can start off my mickey on one of those doors (with a note). Each who gets it should add a note (keep them small... because we can keep this going for a week! and put it on another player's door... trying to make sure that no one gets left out. It *should* move on pretty much as soon as it's noticed, but with all the activities on board it's ok if it doesn't, as long as it doesn't stay put for more than a day (move it right before bed if you haven't had a chance before, please).

So... any other takers?
-Liz / Cozit

 

[julie t]

My 12y/o DD LOVES to pin trade--she is very serious about it. She became very involved in trading this past Dec when we were at WDW. She will definitely be bringing her pins to trade.

Julie

 

[pop5]

where is everyone??

 

[wrightz05]

where is everyone??

I am here!!!!!! I didn't work yesterday and didn't check it from home.. The time is drawing near! We went to the Disney store yesterday and got the kids a few items. A little at a time over the last few months. I am running out of suitcase room

 

[pop5]

I am just going to try and take less this time. I never end up wearing most of what I bring. Do you dress up much for the formal nights??

 

[happymommy]

We don't plan on dressing up a whole lot. We won't wear shorts to the dining rooms, but I don't think we'll get super dressed up at all.

I'm trying to not overpack either - so I may be in the same 3 outfits all week! Of course I'll do wash.

Anyone bring their own snorkels? I saw some from Costco that our friends are probably getting, and I think we will also. That is bulky, but it'll be easier to have them with us, esp at St. Maarten, as we're just doing a bit of beach time and walk around a bit there.

 

[wrightz05]

I plan on having a suit for formal night. I am not going to go the tux route. Last cruise we took hardly anyone had a tux.

 

[limati]

To those of you who have cruised before - What did you end up wearing during the day? I'm thinking shorts and tees. I'm going to try not to overpack. I hate digging through all the excess to find what we need. Also, are the adult areas fairly casual in the evenings?

Also, would anyone be up to meeting up on St. Pat's day in the evening? Maybe have a "pint" or two?

OUR CRUISE IS NEXT MONTH! Can you believe it?

Lisa

 

[pop5]

I have always worn shorts and a light weight shirt during the day. It is never anything too cute since we can be back and forth from the pool.

 

[nlm]

Hey, Nancy! Are you up to keeping a DIStag list on that first "who's going" post, so that we can find it?

Sure! I guess I'll start with the people who have expressed interest. That's you, carolmp, julie t, limati, and me.

Basically, if I know who is interested, I can start off my mickey on one of those doors (with a note). Each who gets it should add a note (keep them small... because we can keep this going for a week! and put it on another player's door... trying to make sure that no one gets left out. It *should* move on pretty much as soon as it's noticed, but with all the activities on board it's ok if it doesn't, as long as it doesn't stay put for more than a day (move it right before bed if you haven't had a chance before, please).

So - what do I need to include with the list? disboard name, deck, and something you'll have on the door that will identify you?

So... any other takers?

If anyone else is interested in playing, just post the information Liz says we need and I'll add it to the list.

Also, would anyone be up to meeting up on St. Pat's day in the evening? Maybe have a "pint" or two?

Me, me, me! Where and what time? I'll add it to the "who's going" post as a meet, if you'd like.

Nancy

 

[limati]

Hello Nancy! I'm not sure what time the shows are over. Does 9:30 or 10:00 sound okay? Where do you think would be a good place to meet?

Distag sounds like fun. What info. is needed?

I can't believe how close we are getting. We need this vacay so much right now. I can't wait!

I am working on a few door decorations. I made each of our three doors have a theme. We have Mickey, Princesses, and Pirates for my mom (she does love her Johnny Depp!) Nothing too elaborate.

My dd is looking forward to meeting her online cruise friends. She has had fun e-mailing with them.

Take care,
Lisa