March 26, 2011 - Eastern Caribbean Magic and FE Exchange!

[lflynn]

Great news about St Thomas! Phew...

Great news about the movies!

WElcome to the teen boys. Plenty of teens onboard!

 

[jcarwash]

Welcome postel!!!

And, hey, Lee is tweeting about the cruise again:

"So, any Tweeps going on the Disney Cruise to the Eastern Caribbean next week?"
about 7 hours ago via Twitter for Mac

I just saw this from Lee too! This is a real highlight I'm looking forward to. I was so excited when KristiMc told us about him being on the cruise.

 

[karajeboo]

Help!!!!! I've got all my clothes packed, but I'm having trouble with carry ons. I have some of my FE gifts that I have to carry on. AND I want to bring my swimsuit and cover up (Ally is carrying her own bag with suit, plus her camera). Then I will have my backpack that I always use in the WDW parks, with my wallet, ID, and just about anything I might need. So that is backpack AND beachbag style bag. Jeff will have the rolling carry on with wine and a couple liquor bottles in it.

What do I do with my camera bag? It's a backpack, too, but it has both cameras, zoom lens, and Flip camera all in there. Or should I send it through with our luggage and just keep out the camera and Flip and put those in one of our bags?

This is becoming way more stressful than I thought it would be. ON a positive note though, I'm obviously packing very light on clothes because I have all my clothes packed (except for dresses) and I have plenty of room left over for the extras - pop up hamper, FE, hanging shoe organizer, toiletry bag, etc. You name it, it can go in my suitcase. So that makes me very happy. I've even added an extra backpack in there for Jeff to carry if needed on the islands or something.

One more question. Do we need to bring beach towels for the islands?

 

[postel]

Hey KristiMc--We've been on the western and the 3-day, but not the eastern. I'm looking forward to seeing new places.

Glad to hear there are some other teens onboard... Is everyone bringing the whole fam to the meet?

This will be the first time we will have the 2nd seating for dinner--not too sure how that's going to work out...and one of the excursions we wanted was already booked -boo. I wonder if we could stop by the excursion desk and see if there are cancellations. We didn't book until January, so I guess it is be expected. We'll have loads of fun anyway!! Haven't started packing yet, but I think I'll get it going this weekend.

 

[luvndizny]

What do I do with my camera bag? It's a backpack, too, but it has both cameras, zoom lens, and Flip camera all in there. Or should I send it through with our luggage and just keep out the camera and Flip and put those in one of our bags?

I would keep it!! Can you consolidate some stuff into a fanny pack for the ID, etc.? (Yeah, I know...I went there, but I swear by our little fanny pack with three storage areas- never fails me.) And then maybe consolidate and put everything else into one bag for you to carry/roll? Are we limited on what we can carry-on? We have had to do the trick where you have your rolling carry-on bag, then strap a smaller or equivalent-sized bag on top of it with a strap or bungee. Will the cooler fit on top of hubby's rolling carry-on?

If it makes you feel better- I haven't packed anything at all! That is all gonna happen this weekend. I am stressing too- afraid I am gonna forget something. I just can't wait until it is all said and done and we're on the boat! (We get on the train one week from today- insert sound of Mike Wakowski doing his train sound 'wooh-wooh'!)

Oh and any chance you can mail your FE gifts instead of having to lug them around?

I have plenty of room left over for the extras - pop up hamper, FE, hanging shoe organizer, toiletry bag, etc. You name it, it can go in my suitcase. So that makes me very happy. I've even added an extra backpack in there for Jeff to carry if needed on the islands or something.

Please share where you got your Mary Poppin-esque suitcase!! LOL! Mad organizing skills ya got there!

And as far as the beach towels- I read somewhere they supply you ONE person, but their small-ish. I am thinking of bringing our own. Others have said they just brought two of the DCL ones.

Postel- the excursion we originally wanted to book was full at the 75 day mark for us too. (Tiki Hut snorkel.) It wouldn't hurt to ask when you arrive to register to see if there are any slots available. I read (and it makes sense) that they do save some slots for those who aren't 'in-the-know' about booking those excursions online. (I have never cruised though before, so again, I am going off of what I've read on here.)

 

[karajeboo]

Besides, I promise I won't be like Kate Winslet and hog that piece of flotsam all to myself....

Oh and speaking of lifeboats , did you know that Disney had to get special permission to have them painted yellow (instead of the usual orange) so it would match the yellow/red/black of the boats? (Or is that a deep navy on there?)

Well, you are just a giver now aren't you??? And yes, Jeff actually told me about the colors of the life boats. Leave it to Disney to have the power to break the rules to fit them......

This will be the first time we will have the 2nd seating for dinner--not too sure how that's going to work out...and one of the excursions we wanted was already booked -boo. I wonder if we could stop by the excursion desk and see if there are cancellations. We didn't book until January, so I guess it is be expected. We'll have loads of fun anyway!! Haven't started packing yet, but I think I'll get it going this weekend.

We have the second seating too and I'm really hoping that it works out. Ally will turn 10 on the cruise, so that is pretty late for her, but hopefully she'll be having so much fun that she won't even notice.....

I would keep it!! Can you consolidate some stuff into a fanny pack for the ID, etc.? (Yeah, I know...I went there,No you did NOT just go there!!!!!! I will NOT do the fanny pack!!!! AAAAAHHHHHHHH! OK, now that I got that little overreaction out of the way, I feel better..... but I swear by our little fanny pack with three storage areas- never fails me.) And then maybe consolidate and put everything else into one bag for you to carry/roll? Are we limited on what we can carry-on? We have had to do the trick where you have your rolling carry-on bag, then strap a smaller or equivalent-sized bag on top of it with a strap or bungee. Will the cooler fit on top of hubby's rolling carry-on?

Our rolling carry on will have the bottles in it...... Really not much more room for anything else in that one. Plus, it will be heavy, even pulling it. I think what I can do is to pack my backpack and put everything else in my pool bag, then carry the camera case as well. That will make 4 bags for three of us. And guess who will get to carry the extra bag????

If it makes you feel better- I haven't packed anything at all! That is all gonna happen this weekend. I am stressing too- afraid I am gonna forget something. I just can't wait until it is all said and done and we're on the boat! (We get on the train one week from today- insert sound of Mike Wakowski doing his train sound 'wooh-wooh'!)

Oh and any chance you can mail your FE gifts instead of having to lug them around?

No, can't do that because they are breakable so I feel better with them on my person..... It's only for a couple of hours, right? I'm sure I'll be fine.

Please share where you got your Mary Poppin-esque suitcase!! LOL! Mad organizing skills ya got there!

It's just a BIG suitcase and I made the, uh, er, "sacrifice" and said I'd take that one..... But I have not packed any dresses, so it's just shorts and shirts, three pairs of capris, a couple sweatshirts, shoes (which is only two pairs of heels, 2 extra pairs of flops, and tennies.....) oh, and my "unmentionables....." I don't know yet how to pack my nicer dresses..... we haven't used our garment bags in ages, and they are in really bad shape. I'm thinking of just hanging our suits/dresses/sportcoats in the car on the way down and the morning we go to port loosely putting them in the suitcases and then getting them out immediately when we are reunited with our luggage......

And as far as the beach towels- I read somewhere they supply you ONE person, but their small-ish. I am thinking of bringing our own. Others have said they just brought two of the DCL ones.

Postel- the excursion we originally wanted to book was full at the 75 day mark for us too. (Tiki Hut snorkel.) It wouldn't hurt to ask when you arrive to register to see if there are any slots available. I read (and it makes sense) that they do save some slots for those who aren't 'in-the-know' about booking those excursions online. (I have never cruised though before, so again, I am going off of what I've read on here.)

I guess if I can find more room in my Mary Poppins bag, I'll grab a couple of beach towels (for me and Jeff, Ally is small and can use a DCL.....) but it's good to know that we can take them off the ship if we decide to do that.

Oh, and don't anyone go and look at the extended forecast for the CAribbean.... I'm a weather junkie, I keep the radar pulled up on my computer any time there is even a chance of bad weather..... so I know that it is too far out to put any real stock in it, but still......

As for who is going to the meet with me? For sure Ally, so she can meet up with some other kids her age. And maybe Jeff. He may have nail marks in his arms and his heels may be worn down from the dragging he'll be doing....... Actually, when I told him there were other husbands like him, he smiled..... Just last night I brought up the cruise and I got so I told him to just forget it, don't discuss it any more and I will not consult with him on any more plans. If he doesn't want to talk about it I'll just make the plans that I want, and if he doesn't like it, too bad!!!! That got him talking!!!

 

[irishgal_02]

I have not even started packing!! I am such a procrastinator!! I have an essay due before I leave and I am focusing on that first!
My girls are ready to pack now! I can't wait to spend a few days with my mom and then set sail!

Happy packing everyone!

 

[luvndizny]

Oh man, I totally forgot about these- SPACE BAGS! My hubby ordered some a while back. If you don't have any on hand, I think you can get them in Bed, Bath & (To Infinity and) Beyond, Wal-Mart, maybe on the "As Seen on TV" aisle in Walgreens, etc.?) Those things rock and would definitely come in handy if you decide to bring your own towels, etc. Then you can just mail your formal-ish clothes back since you won't need them right away. (For those without their own vehicle- like us.)

Since we're riding the train, we gotta coordinate more than before. (First time not driving down there.)

We'll be at the meet- at least me and the kids...I'll be the one with a blonde-haired boy (10) and darker blonde girl (9) and a hubby with a case of the ....

 

[disney kat]

and a hubby with a case of the ....

That cracked me up! My husband is usually in mode: , but I suspect I could have a couple in my family! We are an easy group to spot. My four boys pretty much look the same (not to me...but, you know what I mean), except for the size difference and my oldest has glasses . Our daughter was born in South Korea (came home as a baby), so she has long black hair and she is !

I am far enough along in my packing that I could leave today. Next week will be busy with work stuff and appointments...haircuts for everyone, dentist appts. and still trying to decide if I should get spray tanned . Do I want to look less tan as the cruise goes on? I will be the one at the dismeet that is either glowing white or orange !

 

[KristiMc]

I am pretty much all packed. Just need to add in the toiletries.

Kara - I have been looking at the weather also was getting mad till I found a site that shows what the forecast and actual have been for the month. It looks like rain has been forecasted for many of the days but has not actually rained there (St. Maarten) this month. So I am still hoping for a nice day to drive around. We ended up renting a jeep for the day also.

http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/TNCM/2011/3/18/MonthlyHistory.html#calendar

We (well me and the boys) will be at the DISmeet. I will probably be dragging DH there

 

[SeeJayPandP]

Groan. Our FE has not arrived from Grady's mommy. She mailed it at the beginning of the month. We have one more day (Monday) and then we leave so it's not looking good. Not much time to make one if it doesn't work out. Darn.

I am going for my spray tan on Monday so I too will be a very nice shade of orange for the meet-up! I will be bringing Parker 8 (almost 9), Paige 7 so they can meet up with some kids. My DH will be dragged along as well.

 

[KristiMc]

I am pretty much all packed. Just need to add in the toiletries.

Kara - I have been looking at the weather also was getting mad till I found a site that shows what the forecast and actual have been for the month. It looks like rain has been forecasted for many of the days but has not actually rained there (St. Maarten) this month. So I am still hoping for a nice day to drive around. We ended up renting a jeep for the day also.

http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/TNCM/2011/3/18/MonthlyHistory.html#calendar

We (well me and the boys) will be at the DISmeet. I will probably be dragging DH there

OK - don't look at the calendar that I sent. I went back a few months and there was never any actual rain filled in - they must not fill it in because I am sure that St. Maarten would have had some sort of rain this year.

 

[KristiMc]

Groan. Our FE has not arrived from Grady's mommy. She mailed it at the beginning of the month. We have one more day (Monday) and then we leave so it's not looking good. Not much time to make one if it doesn't work out. Darn.

I am going for my spray tan on Monday so I too will be a very nice shade of orange for the meet-up! I will be bringing Parker 8 (almost 9), Paige 7 so they can meet up with some kids. My DH will be dragged along as well.

That stinks that your FE has not arrived.

 

[LeeUnkrich]

I just saw this from Lee too! This is a real highlight I'm looking forward to. I was so excited when KristiMc told us about him being on the cruise.

Hi, everyone --

Lee Unkrich here, director of Toy Story 3. I'm happy to say that my family and I will be on board with all of you on this cruise, and I'll be giving a couple different talks on the making of Toy Story 3. I hope you can all make it!

Lee

 

[KristiMc]

Hi, everyone --

Lee Unkrich here, director of Toy Story 3. I'm happy to say that my family and I will be on board with all of you on this cruise, and I'll be giving a couple different talks on the making of Toy Story 3. I hope you can all make it!

Lee

So glad that you are going to be on the cruise and can't wait to hear your talks. My family loved TS3. We live in Twinsburg and I am friends with your cousin Laura. She told me that you and your family were going to be on board.

 

[jcarwash]

Hi, everyone --

Lee Unkrich here, director of Toy Story 3. I'm happy to say that my family and I will be on board with all of you on this cruise, and I'll be giving a couple different talks on the making of Toy Story 3. I hope you can all make it!

Lee

Hi Lee - Glad you found the thread via our tweets. Tonight my son and I were reading a Toy Story treasury and he had a couple of questions, such as, how old is Bonnie supposed to be, and what will the next story be. I told him maybe we could ask you on the cruise.

I'm sure you're busy but if you want to meet a bunch of Disney nuts we're all have a "DIS meet" at 3pm on Saturday in the Promenade Lounge. But I know my family is definitely planning to attend your talks.

 

[irishgal_02]

Hi, everyone --

Lee Unkrich here, director of Toy Story 3. I'm happy to say that my family and I will be on board with all of you on this cruise, and I'll be giving a couple different talks on the making of Toy Story 3. I hope you can all make it!

Lee

Hi! We are so excited you and your family will be cruising with all of us! We love TS3, as well as TS and TS2! You have NO idea how long I had to look for a stuffed animal of Lotso! We have a question about that character!

We look forward to meeting you and hearing your talks.

 

[karajeboo]

Hi, everyone --

Lee Unkrich here, director of Toy Story 3. I'm happy to say that my family and I will be on board with all of you on this cruise, and I'll be giving a couple different talks on the making of Toy Story 3. I hope you can all make it!

Lee

So excited you will be on our cruise and thank you for finding us here on disboards!!!! We will definitely be there to hear you!

 

[karajeboo]

Just when I thought I was done packing, I wore an outfit to dinner last night that I loved, so I think it will be my embarkation outfit. I'm worse than Ally...... So I am doing my last loads of laundry for the trip today. I will still do laundry Thursday night just so it's not waiting for me when I get back, but the suitcases will be locked and loaded by then.

This is really happening, isn't it??? We are less than a week away!!!!!!!!

I will be at the meet probably wearing a black shirt and black/white capris with Ally and Jeff. Oh, heck.... here we are.......

[/IMG]

OK, that was 3 years and about 20 pounds (40 pounds if you add up Jeff AND me! lol) ago but I cannot for the life of me find a family photo from anytime recent!!!

 

[KristiMc]

Nice family photo Kara. We have a Bella puppy also - well not actually a puppy - I just call her that.

Here is a photo of us. Not the best but it is from February - the day our beloved Steelers did not win the Super Bowl (the pic was taken before the game - that is why we look happy)