March 4, 2007 Wonder - Anyone Else?

[rpclmc]

After reading about a couple of bad incidents on airplanes and knowing several of us are flying in from areas prone to weather delays, we are planning to have plenty of snacks, water and pull-ups in our carry-on bag. You have to buy the water at the airport inside the security check points. I can't imagine being stuck on an airplane on the tarmak for 8-12 hours without food or water.

Other packing itmes we have thought about that might not be on our normal packing list:

Small flashlight (never leave home without one)

2 way radios. We are traveling with another family and kids in two age groups so we expect to split up at times.

Big Ziplock bags. In case suits are wet from the resort when it is time to pack to head to the ship.

Disposable camaras for each kid. They can take pictures of what they find interesting. My wife will create a photo album for each from these. Very interesting to see what kinds of things the chose to take pictures of.

Bungee cord. We have adjoining rooms. Will use this to keep the door between the cabins open.

Autograph books and sharpie pens for the kids to get character signatures.

Large fanny pack. Big enough for sun glasses, a bottle of water, sun screen, bandaids (inevitable blisters on little heels), maps....

Swim shoes/aqua socks. I hear the sand at the beach on CC can be rough on little feet (and big feet)

I am sure I will think of others as we go along. I will post any that I think people might forget.

Oh, and I almost forgot, thanks to Linda's reminder, I have to dig out the fishing equipment. Did your husband ever decide on the appropriate gear for fishing off a cruise ship?

DH stated you need a tow truck hook and a very large electric wench with lots of cable to it. He decided it would be too much to bring and may have problems getting through security, so he is just going to "try" to enjoy the family time and cruise

Linda

 

[rpclmc]

Eagercruiser; don't feel bad. While I was putting my make-up on this morning my husband asked me where we were going on our cruise. LOL!! I just starred at him like, seriously? He said he had to fill out paperwork at the office to say where he was going and didn't know. I'd probably be upset with him but he is lovingly standing in 18 degree weather shoveling off my car and warming it up for me right now. You gotta love these guys. I bet if you asked him which resort we were staying at he'd get a deer caught in the headlights look. LOL!! I doubt he has listened to any of my babbling since I booked this trip in Oct. It probably sounds a lot like charlie brown's teacher to him when I talk about this trip.

Linda. Try this link. Let me know if it doesn't work. I want you to read it. It shead a lot of light on the system for me and really put me at ease. I hope you are able to view it. If all else fails, email me and I'll give you my phone ## and I can talk you through it. This thread is located at:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1357607&goto=newpost

I hope everyone has a great day. It's back to work for me today.

~Michelle

I could have sworn my husband had read your comment about Charlie Brown's teacher. We went on a road trip today (4 hours - what a great way to have an undivided attention husband to talk to about the trip). Well about 10 minutes into my babbling about luggage, groceries to order, the trip, etc., he made a comment about me sounding like Charlie Brown's mom and he hadn't really heard anything since I started talking. UGGGH!

Linda

 

[Michellepooh]

Hi everyone!

My documents arrived yesterday so this is all starting to seem real! I can't believe that 2 weeks from tomorrow I will be on the Mickey Boat (that's what we call it ). I'm hoping to drag out the suitcases this afternoon when my 2 year old goes down for his nap. There's a lot of packing (and ironing ) to do!

The countdown is on!

 

[rpclmc]

You can order groceries from gardengrocer.com They are the cheapest way to deliver to the resorts. Only $10 delivery fee. The grocery prices weren't much different than our local store. I went ahead and ordered what we needed last night to have them delivered March 1 when we arrive. So convenient! They already have the address and details for all of the hotels.

I'll have to check in to the motion sickness meds. that seem to be better than dramamine. Someone in my office was talking about those too. Even the non-drowsy dramamine affects me. I spent our entire drive through Austria passed out in the back seat. I was woken up long enough to look at the snow capped mountains and say, "nice".....then it was back to sleep. I don't want to go through that again.

But how do the groceries get to your room? Do they leave them up front or ask for your name? I assume you don't know your room # in the hotel yet?

Linda

 

[doodlesmommy]

Hi Linda. You type in which resort you are staying (they have the address; you'll see it printed on the screen). They will call you on your cell phone before delivery or if there are any problems. I plan to call the hotel on our way there to let them know we are expecting a delivery. Apparently, they deliver groceries that need to be cold in coolers. If the hotel already has your room assigned, they deliver it to your room. Otherwise, they keep it up front until your room is available. We only ordered cokes/waters/snacks; not much. The $10 delivery fee was much cheaper than a cab ride and I don't have to spend any of my vacation trompin through a grocery store. I also don't have to spend $40 per day on snacks inside the parks either. It really saves $$. (It's about the only thing frugal I seem to be doing for this vacation.) This sure has been expensive and I haven't even made it there yet. LOL!!

Michelle

 

[rpclmc]

Michelle

Your not a kidding about how expensive this is getting. My husband thinks doing the grocery thing is a waste, but I tried to explain to him we don't eat big breakfasts, so it makes more sense to just eat in the room. He only eats apples for breakfast, I am thinking finding apples may be hard and then what would the cost be. And I am with you on having snacks, drinks and water and just putting them in a backpack in a locker. Makes sense to me. I would rather save the money on these little things and not have to feel like I scrimp on others because I have spent too much on chips and soda.

I don't know if you can answer this. My husband likes to have beer in the room. I don't see that you can get beer from the grocery store, am I wrong?

O.K. I have put off cleaning the office again, I better get to it.

Man, I can't believe the trip is so close.

Linda

 

[rpclmc]

Update for those who were asking; Bonine does come in children's chewables. I just picked up some today.

Linda

 

[FrazzledDad]

End Result of NorEaster/Lake Effect last week. Thank God it's over

 

[doodlesmommy]

Hi Linda. I just checked; they have a 3 lb. bag of apples for $3.99. Not too bad. They have a pretty good selection of other fruits as well. They do not sell alcohol, but if you call the resort, they can refer you to a local store that does. I know there is a store that delivers because I've run across it on the threads. I just can't remembere where.

Has anyone started to pack yet? I was going to but I think I may put it off until next weekend. I've packed in my head. LOl!! My DH keeps asking me how many bags are we going to have to take to haul all this crap in the closet upstairs (that's where I've been stashing stuff). I want to try and fit it in to three bags (just to say; told you so......) but I'm not sure that's going to happen. Everything has been purchased, it's just a matter of stuffing it in to bags as this point.

~Michelle

 

[FrazzledDad]

I knew I shouldn't have opened my mouth. 2"-6" of Lake Effect today.

 

[rpclmc]

Michelle,

I have committed to 2 large checkthrough bags and 6 carry on. 6 carry on sounds like a lot, but it is actually broken down like this; Riki will have her toy backpack and a rolling clothes suitcase, Rich will have his laptop rolling thingy and a backpack and I will have my rolling clothes carryone and my large handbag (I actually put my purse inside this large handbag). And then the 2 27" check throughs. I don't think that is too bad. We usually have a large checkthrough for Riki and I and Rich has a duffle check through and they don't carry the backpacks, so I have a lot (for us) of extras. I really wanted the backpack for the parks.

Luckily Riki is going on track break (year round) for the month of March and we won't have to worry about any homework for her.

I worked hard on cleaning out the office last night and so I think after today, I should be ready to start packing. The easy thing about packing now, is the stuff is clothes we don't wear in winter.

Frazzledad, it sounds like your getting a bit tired of the snow. A little cabin fever? It is only a week.

Linda

 

[rpclmc]

O.K. I am packing my first suitcase (the biggest one). Didn't know you could work up a sweat packing.

Linda

 

[Paxton's Mom]

The DIS is so addictive! I find myself sneaking a peek every day, sometimes more than once. I've got a ton of work to do, yet here I am!

I know that some of you are leaving earlier that I am (we're not traveling until the day before the cruise) and I wanted to touch base and see if anyone has a plan to meet on the first day of the cruise. I'm guessing that we'll all be at the sail away party. Am I supposed to do something with "alien green" to identify myself?

 

[rpclmc]

I suggested doing name tags on the lime/alien green mickey paint chips from Home Depot. We (myself, DD and DH) will be wearing those and I think Doodlesmommy said she would.

Well, I got the first suitcase packed last night and it weighs 85 pounds and I had to sit on it to close it. Guess I will be taking more bags than I thought.

My husband is not the kind of guy to dress up. Does anyone know if he could get away with dockers, nice shirt and crocs for the dress up dinner? I am having a hard time justifying lugging his dress shoes for just a couple hours of wear. Does anyone know if the other dinner nights will allow jeans and tennies or does it also require nicer clothing?

I don't know what will happen if we ever go on a longer cruise with a really dressy dinner. I suppose we would just order room service. My DH does clean up nicely, he just doesn't like to dress up.

Linda

 

[doug46]

Linda, I read that shorts, jeans and tank tops are discouraged by DCL int he dinning rooms. Remember, you always have the choice of Topsiders for dinner rather than going to your designated dining room for the night. I don't think anyone will have an issue with the dockers and polo shirt and tennis shoes on any of the three nights (dressing up is not mandatory). I plan to wear kakis, a polo shirt and casual shoes the three non-formal nights. I plan to bring a dress shirt and tie and maybe even a sport coat for formal night becuase my wife would like a nice picture (and my daughter loves to dress up and would be disappointed if we did not join her).

Be careful with the weight of the suitcase. If you are flying in, and given where you are coming from, I hope you are, the airline will charge you extra for anything over 50 lbs.

 

[eagercruiser]

Hello everyone,

Back from our weekend trip to CT.Gave the class test on friday and cleared it with A grade.So that worry is over at least.Haven't read all the posts yet but only few of the latest ones.Surely would love to meet everyone.Let's decide the time and day.I have some mickey paint chips but how do you make name tags with it?I made door signs with them by putting magnets on the back.

My DH was planning to take a dress shirt and tie for formal nights.If I have space I'll keep a sports coat.His packing is done last(packed according to leftover space.Remember he is traveling with 3 females).

I had thought about squeezing all the stuff in 25" suitcases.Looks doubtful now.Plus a carry on for each of us.

My bedroom and dining room furniture is arriving this friday.So the focus has shifted to cleaning up and emptying both the rooms.Plus got to do the unpacking first.Starting to get into a frenzy.Want to start packing but cannot find the time.

 

[rpclmc]

Doug 46

We travel a ton and are aware of the weight restrictions. That is why I am breaking out into several suitcases. I like to cram into minimal suitcases, but that does not leave any room to bring home anything, so this is good.

I have a problem with the tennis shoes when it is dress up, but I could handle crocs (even though those are quite ugly), it really is just the color - white tennies with dark pants - yuck or dark crocs with dark pants - can handle that.

Eagercruiser

My daughter loves dressing up, but is so used to us not, so she doesn't get upset. Our big picture night will be the pirate night, since I went full out and got great full costumes.

I am just writing my name on the paint chip ears and doing double stick tape. Nothing elaborate. I think we should meet up to, but being new to cruising I wouldn't know where or when. Maybe someone who has done the cruise could suggest an area to meet for the cast off party or something?

Linda

 

[doug46]

I have a question. Looking over the DCL materials and other stuff, it appears that there is not really a formal night on the 3-day or 4-day cruises. They only talk about the formal night on the 7-day or longer cruises. What is your take on this? Is there one? Or is it just that people choose to mke one night a formal night? Or is it that people choose to dress up on the night they are scheduled to eat in the fanciest of the dinning rooms? Still trying to decide whether to bring the sport coat and tie.

 

[eagercruiser]

ok.My travel documents finally arrived today.More work to do.

I took out my older DDs clothes yesterday and put them in the suitcase.Only her clothes filled it up.Skirts,capris- if it is cold,formal dress,clothes for evening,pair of jeans and full sleeves t-shirt for our journey back.Have to take more suitcases I guess or reduce the number of clothes.

My shopping is almost done.Still looking for a nice black top but couldn't find any anywhere.I am petite and thin.Couln't find bonnie in chewables either.Have to check walgreens.

 

[rpclmc]

ok.My travel documents finally arrived today.More work to do.

I took out my older DDs clothes yesterday and put them in the suitcase.Only her clothes filled it up.Skirts,capris- if it is cold,formal dress,clothes for evening,pair of jeans and full sleeves t-shirt for our journey back.Have to take more suitcases I guess or reduce the number of clothes.

My shopping is almost done.Still looking for a nice black top but couldn't find any anywhere.I am petite and thin.Couln't find bonnie in chewables either.Have to check walgreens.

I found the chewable Bonine at our Albertsons, which is our main grocery store here. I didn't look at a Walgreens or Walmart, so don't know if they carry it.

If you can't find any, just let me know and I could pick up another package and bring along some extras. My daughter has actually never gotten motion sick and we have travelled by all methods of transportation and been on several rides, so she may not even touch what I have.

Linda