March 22-29, 2008 - Here Before You Know It!

[DisneyMom92]

First, relax, you are cruising with Disney! your DH will easily "get by" with the slacks and dress shirt/tie for semi formal night. For both formal and semi formal you will see various interpretations of the word from extremely formal prom-style dresses to khakis and a polo shirt. There might be a few tuxes, but not that many, really.

Good Friday will be busy, because you will have locals there as well as travelers, but I don't think it will be unmanagable. For many people it will be a travel day.

We, too, have late seating. We prefer it, so we don't have to rush in port and after dinner. My DS is 12, he probably would "sort of" pen pal with your DS if you want, but he's not that prolific by e-mail. He's been trying the IM thing with another boy from this cruise and they are talking in monosylables

My 15 DD was hoping for a pen pal, but no one has taken her up on it yet. Anyone out there with a 15 yo, boy or girl, who would like to know someone before they board?

 

[stellamb]

Hi

we to have late seating for dinner.

 

[dlf246]

If I'm reading weather.com right, it looks like we will have a full moon when we leave!

And we received our "docs" yesterday. I put docs in quotes since so much is online that we mainly have luggage tags.

 

[MN Dis Fans]

dlf246 I'm sooooo jealous! You already have your "Docs"?

Mind you, you are so right. It's kind of lost its appeal with the ability to do everything on line!

I have to ask you a question: Did you get Bahama's Immigration forms with everything else?

I read somewhere on the Dis, that these are no longer required, as they (Disney) just takes the information they already have for you, and this is forwarded to the Bahamian authorities.

I still want my "Docs", so must send e-mail to AAA travel agent and ask her where they are!

 

[llp479]

Another late dinner seating here. Got our docs yesterday too! Tried on some of my summer clothes today. My favorite shorts from last summer don't fit They're too big

We'll be arriving late Thursday and checking into BCV. DVC wait list came through, so we'll be there instead of OKW. We'll be at WDW with the crowds for Good Friday too. Can't wait! Even if it's crowded, it's got to beat what it will be like here in IL. With the way this winter has been, there will probably still be snow on the ground.

 

[JerseyBelle]

I still want my "Docs", so must send e-mail to AAA travel agent and ask her where they are!

We are with AAA too. I stopped in on Thursday on my way home from work and was told docs are not in. They probably came on Friday but we didn't get a call. I guess I better contact our TA and wake her up. I thought that I would receive a call when our GTY room was assigned but nothing. I knew on my own through checking DCL. Even though it is purely psychological, I think getting that package even though it is just tags seems to put the cruise officially on the horizon.

We have early seating. Even though it is a bit of a hassle when returning from excursions, we find it a better fit for us. If we have late seating, we tend to eat something to tie us over and then we don't leave enough room for our dinner. We normally eat around 6:00 pm at home so the early seating is better fit.

How will I ever work the next few weeks. It is one of my busiest times (I am an accountant but not for taxes) and I never take vacation during this time. When my DH said that we should get one more DCL in before our dd is too old for the Oceaneer's Lab, I first thought of the summer as that is when we always go on vacation. When I discovered that the Magic was not going to be in the Caribbean for the 2nd summer in a row, I looked to Easter and cringed due to my work. I then decided that I am tired of always scheduling my vacation around my work schedule. My boss doesn't and my staff doesn't so why should I. I have the right to put me (and my family) first. So this is how we ended up looking forward to this fabulous cruise.

 

[whamma]

We are with AAA too. I stopped in on Thursday on my way home from work and was told docs are not in.


How will I ever work the next few weeks. .

My travel agent with Small World Vacations said that DCL usually mails the docs out about 14 days prior to departure. But our WDW documents arrived this week--so we will have luggage tags galore!

I agree that I will not be able to work for the next 3 weeks! It is heavy duty test time for the schools in my District so I should be busy finding kids who are absent (I'm a social worker/truancy officer.) But still, I'm SO distracted. Can't wait to check the DisBoards each day. It's a good thing all chat rooms and outside email are blocked at work or else I'd never get any thing work related done.

I spent most of today making my kids try on cruise clothes. (Boy, did they love that.) And making my door decorations! How exciting. My DH just walks by and doesn't get it all yet. As I was working on them the thought hit me that no one will see them down on deck 2--but oh well. Hopefully our "neighbors" appreciate them!

Three weeks!!

 

[JerseyBelle]

Just wanted to post the Fish Extender information again and update everyone on the participants. If you recently joined this meet thread, I have pasted below the original email forming the event. There is still time to join in the fun. Here are the current participants:

Jerseybelle dd10
Whamma ds10 and dd5
Stellamb ds9
MS DIS FANS ds12 and ds10
momdislover ds9
disneymom92 dd15 and ds12
akarts ds11 and ds8

Original Fish Extender info:

From reading the posts I gather that several families want to participate in the Fish Extenders but there doesn't seem to be anyone with experience organizing it. I have read several posts throughout the board about these activities but never participated. I am willing to organize it; however I am leaning towards keeping it simple. Here is how I define simple:

1. I don't think it should be an every day activity. No one wants to run around to 20+ staterooms dropping off small gifts for 7 days. I think one round is enough and can be on whatever day works best for the family.
2. Each family participating should bring one trinket/gift for each child participating. No one wants to add a whole lot of more items to their already over packed luggage.
3. No kids? You can still participate.
4. Instead of trying to assign categories to each family (so that your child doesn't get 20 princess notepads), why don't we just try to purchase a variety of items. If you wish, send a message on this cruise meet when you have purchased items and provide a general description of your purchase so that purchasers after you will know.

If you have anything to add, I would like to hear from you. Anyone wishing to participate, send me a private message (PM) (I don't think room numbers should be just listed on the disboard). I will compile the information and forward the complete list to all participants around two week prior to the cruise with a final list one week prior to sailing if there are any late joiners.

Include the following in your PM:

a. Age and gender of the children who will participate (it is not necessary to give names if you would rather not). Just use dd and ds (Disney Daughter/Disney Son) and their age. (ie dd10)

b. Your deck and room number. If you are a GTY and don't have your number yet, just list GTY and provide your deck and number as soon as possible.

c. If there is anything that participants should know about your child (ie no candy, afraid of a particular disney character etc), include this information but there is no guarantee that all will note your request.

 

[momdislover]

Hello all,
I do not know how I can keep my mind on work for the next 3 weeks!!! I am a nurse---so I guess I should not be daydreaming while I am working. My Co-workers and my patients are sick of hearing my talk about my vaca!!!! I am so ready to go.
I am glad to see so many posts today, I was beginning to wonder if everyone was still out there.
We are going to start packing next week. I figure it is probably safe to go ahead and pack all the summer stuff, I think we are in no need of our shorts right know!!! Although we had a scorcher today folks 54 degrees in the shade can you believe that!!!

 

[DisneyMom92]

We actually saw the sun today The tempurature got to a balmy 57 degrees. We were all pretty excited!

 

[MN Dis Fans]

Hmmmmmmmmmmm

Easter Sunday in Key West!

I'm sure that none of you realized this!

 

[llp479]

Can not wait!!! Started the "staging area" in our bedroom today. Bought two jumbo sunscreens today at Sam's Club. DH bought a book on cruise line stops in the Caribbean.

NO, we're not excited!!!

 

[whamma]

Easter Sunday in Key West!

I'm sure that none of you realized this!

EVERY DAY I think, "_____ weeks from today we'll be______" (Getting on the ship, in Key West, in Grand Cayman, etc.)

I've been shopping DAILY for clothes, etc. My mind is totally on the cruise. My cruise basket of stuff is overflowing the closet now and will have to find a new home before moving to the suitcase. Been buying Fish Extender gifts too! FYI---I'm probably doing a "goodie bag" kind of thing--just misc. "stuff". Hope the kid's like them.

After working on my door decor yesterday, I must say--it's kind of addicting! I had to force myself to stop. There's only so much space on the door any way!!

Back to work tomorrow which will seriously put a cramp in my thinking, shopping, packing, and planning for the cruise!

 

[momdislover]

Okay-I am unsure of the weather that we will have while on the cruise. How hot are we going to be? Am I going to need more swimwear than anything? Or will we need sweaters for cool night air on the ship? Will I freeze at night in a sleeveless top? OOOOOH someone help or DH is going to need to wear the same clothes as he will have no room in his suitcase!!!! I am going to end up packing the whole walk in closet!!!! (dh says I do this anyway).

 

[DisneyMom92]

Anyone who is participating in the Fish Extender program have a pattern for the fish extenders? I would love to make mine, but I am somewhat sewing impaired. I am hoping with step by step instructions I can make one.

Thanks in advance.i

 

[MN Dis Fans]

EVERY DAY I think, "_____ weeks from today we'll be______" (Getting on the ship, in Key West, in Grand Cayman, etc.)

I've been shopping DAILY for clothes, etc. My mind is totally on the cruise. My cruise basket of stuff is overflowing the closet now and will have to find a new home before moving to the suitcase. Been buying Fish Extender gifts too! FYI---I'm probably doing a "goodie bag" kind of thing--just misc. "stuff". Hope the kid's like them.

After working on my door decor yesterday, I must say--it's kind of addicting! I had to force myself to stop. There's only so much space on the door any way!!

Back to work tomorrow which will seriously put a cramp in my thinking, shopping, packing, and planning for the cruise!

I have been having a conversation with the DW (who has also started packing!) daily. "I need to go shopping for this, I need to go shopping for that!"

I'm beginning to think that the cheapest part of the cruise, is the cruise!

Anybody else out there agree with me?

DH's of the world unite?

 

[whamma]

Anyone who is participating in the Fish Extender program have a pattern for the fish extenders? I would love to make mine, but I am somewhat sewing impaired. I am hoping with step by step instructions I can make one.

I don't have step by step instructions but I can give you the dimensions of mine. It's 8" wide and 20" long. Mine has 3 pockets--they're 5" long each plus the top section is 5" (which totals 20"). If you decide that making one is too overwhelming, I highly recommend trying to buy on ebay. The gal I bought mine from on ebay is a DISer and she lives in NC. Her seller name is gradysmommy. If you watch for when she first posts one you can "Buy It Now"--and not have to go through the hassle of bidding. She makes really nice fish extenders!! But if you decide to make one--it shouldn't be too hard either. Good luck with whatever you decide!

Weather report: freezing rain here this morning. Lovely.

 

[akarts]

Thanks to everyone for there kind words and thoughts. My husband did great with his first chemo treatment. His next one will be the day before we leave to drive down...finger crossed. My biggest issue will be keeping him out of the sun for too long. I got him and my boys long sleeve rash guards to cut down on the sun exposure and amount of sun screen needed . I have 2 out of 4 bags packed. I keep adding to my pile of clothes to take...I know I won't wear them all but have a compulsion to take them "just in case"! My youngest has a countdown on the fridge...he keeps annoucing to us each morning how many days until vacation! It just can't come soon enough for me!

 

[Susanbee]

Hi everyone! I haven't posted much but we are getting so excited for our first cruise. We haven't received our docs yet, but I have made some magnets for the door and started packing.

Can anyone tell me if I need a plug adaptor?

Thanks, Susan

 

[momdislover]

we got are docs today!!!!! So excited about the trip!!! My docs came from ups is that normal? Does anyone know what to do if a member of your party is not going to be able to cruise, do i just need to call DCL?