March 5, 2011 - Bushwacker Wild Wild Westerners

[Bamfield]

I suggested in that email and will repeat here that perhaps we can add to the spreadsheet the kids' Disboard names they are using for the "kids only" thread? I want to make sure Ryan (who will be soxdude928) actually meets the kids he's talking with and I can only facilitate that if I know who they are.

AJ is having trouble being able to use his name he signed up for I think it may be an age thing because I sent the permission form twice. So for now, his is using my account (with my oversight which he loves )

Our accident: It was really really bad; but we have no complaints. We are blessed to be alive. The guy who hit us head on; crossing into our lane died. Since we are walking & talking we are blessed. Our car did not even flip when it went into the ditch! I was the passenger but got really banged up. Again; we are only counting our blessings and just now wantint our bodies to get back to normal... So thank you all for your concern and now even more reason to party on the "BOAT". By then I will be off pain pills and can have all the Bushwackers BJ will feed me.

Wow! I am so glad your family is OK.

We are a family from Scilly Isles in the UK (a tiny group of islands off Cornwall) who have booked our first visit to Florida and our first cruise. There are 3 of us, mum, dad and Kenny (4) and we are really looking forward to it. Have found this site and are trying to work out what is going on - it is all a bit different to what we are used to over here!! So just thought we would get on here and join in.

This has been a very friendly group to get to know. Ask anything, this is a very knowledgeable group. Is this your first cruise?

Lisa

 

[Johnna_Story]

AJ is having trouble being able to use his name he signed up for I think it may be an age thing because I sent the permission form twice. So for now, his is using my account (with my oversight which he loves )
Lisa

Me too!! Ryan's login (soxdude928) isn't active yet... he's frustrated... but I'm good with the oversight too.

WELCOME to all the newbies and MIA's. As others have said... ask away. We are all happy to help...

Johnna

 

[dumb_dogs]

Hi, Scillycruisers-Glad to see you found us! We are looking forward to meeting you all! Is this your first cruise? We will have a 4 year old in our party, as well. Maybe we can introduce them! She is pretty shy!

My son is 4....and he is NOT shy at all! So he would love to meet others to play with!

 

[Johnna_Story]

Folks - lots of us are coming at all different days/times and staying different places the night before the cruise. So rather than try to plan a pre-cruise meet, perhaps the best thing is to plan a meet on board!!

We did this last cruise, and it worked well. For those of you new cruisers, I'll walk you through a typical boarding process/day (in my experience):

Arrive at port at or anytime after 10:00. Check in, get your Key to the World Cards, hang out in the terminal, take pix with characters, etc... and start boarding around 12:00 noon.

Go to Parrot Cay (deck 3) or Topsiders (deck 9) for buffet lunch. You can also divide and conquer - if you want to get reservations that you couldn't get online, the cast members will tell you where to go for Palo, excursions, etc. ** YOU CANNOT GO TO YOUR STATEROOMS YET! They won't be ready until around 2:00 p.m. So have lunch, go to the pool (if it's not freezing!), explore the ship... etc. (So keep in mind that whatever you carry on is what you will be lugging around with you until at least 2:00.)

2:00 - go to your room and check it out. Rest a little bit if you want. Unpack your carry on bags, etc. Your luggage may or may not be there yet... we've gotten ours as early as 3:00, and as late as 6:00... no way to predict...

3:00 p.m. - DIS GROUP MEET IN PROMEADE LOUNGE!
The lounge is outside Parrot Cay restaurant I think on deck 3 - it's an open area/lounge/bar that kids are allowed in (they are not allowed to sit at the bar, only at the tables) so we can all meet there, chat, grab a bushwacker... or two... and we'll get to finally put faces to usernames!

4:00 (OR 4:15??) is the lifeboat drill; so you'll have to get your life jacket on in your room, and go to your evacuation station. HINT: there are whistles on the jackets THAT NEVER GET CLEANED!!! So don't let your kids blow them. ICK... ICK... and triple ICK.

After that is the sailaway party on decks 9 and 10 near the goofy pool - it's REALLY fun, so try not to miss it. And you might want to be on the side of the boat that faces the terminal - the terminal staff wave you off with a little special treat (I'll keep it a secret!). And the people at the restaurants on shore also wave to you. It's really fun. A lot of people bring bubbles for fun for the kids during sailaway... if you want to carry those with you, they are allowed.

Then dinner, unpacking, eveing activites, etc., etc.,

So... that's about all for now. Others - have I forgotten anything?!??!?? Hope this helps the newbies, and that everyone is good with the planned meet at 3:00 in the Promenade Lounge.


One more thing - alcohol: you are allowed to bring alcohol on the ship with you. And you are allowed to bring a soft-sided cooler also - but it has to go through the security machine, so it can't have ice in it. If you're planning to bring alcohol on board, know that you'll be carrying it around until 2:00 the first day. Keep in mind (THANKS ejkjmom for reminding me!) that we'll be in Key West the next day, and you can get more there if you want so you don't have to carry too much around the first day.

Ciao for now... Johnna

 

[Scillycruisers]

This is our first ever cruise on any ship - though living on an island we spend a lot of time on boats. Wondering what it will be like to be on a ship with substantially more people on it than live on our islands!

It's our first visit to Florida as well (though we have been to the States several times before) and we are spending a few days at Disney Resort before the cruise .

Would be great if Kenny could meet some others his own age. We are hoping he will enjoy spending some time in the kids club - if we can persuade him to go once I am sure he will love it. I have read that they have computer games so we could be on to a winner with those. I wouldn't really describe him as shy but he can be nervous in new surroundings and this will certainly be new for all of us.

The outline of the arrival / boarding was very useful, we haven't booked our transfers to the port yet, but will try and get there fairly early so we get maximum time to look around and explore. Haven't booked any excursions yet - is anything particularly recommended bearing in mind we have a 4 year old?

Am looking forward to doing some more planning in a few days when am less busy with work.

And thanks for all the welcomes - looking forward to meeting some friendly people on board.

 

[Johnna_Story]

And thanks for all the welcomes - looking forward to meeting some friendly people on board.

Scillycruisers - I send you an email so you can reply back and send me the info for the spreadsheet. It will help you identify who else may have 4 yr olds for Kenny to hang with, and to get to know our real names better.

No rush... I know you're work busy! When you get the chance, just send it to me and I'll update everything.

Ciao for now... Johnna

 

[donmil723]

WELCOME SCILLYCRUISERS!

Glad to have you onboard!

What Disney resort are you staying at before the cruise? We will be at Beach Club Villas and, I believe, Bamfield and family are too.

I noticed that you hadn't yet booked your transportation to the port. I don't know if you were planning to rent a car and drive yourselves, hire private transportation such as a limo or town car, or take DCL transportation from WDW. If you want to get there early, you'll want to rent a car and drive or hire private transportation because DCL's busses from WDW do not leave WDW until almost noon. Although we usually rent a car to go to the port, this year we are just taking DCL's bus from the Beach Club to the port. We our time at BCV just as much as on the cruise so we don't mind getting to the ship a little later.

Hope everyone has a good Sunday!!!!!

 

[Johnna_Story]

All - this is a REALLY helpful thread, especially for newbies, but also as a refresher for those of us who have but not in a while.

it's the "must have" stuff to bring on board with you.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2405070

I totally agree with these things that I can't live without on our cruises:

- clear over-the-door shoe organizer (for toiletries, sunglasses, sunblock, shoes, small electroinics, etc.)
- gallon and quart size ziplocs
- power strip for all the electronics - there aren't many spare outlets in the room
- digital clock: the one in the room is analog, and has no light. The rooms are DARK so if you want to know what time it is, bring a clock with numbers that are already lit, or one you can hit a button to see them.

As you can see, I'm in helpful cruise planning mode right now...

 

[mark_story]

Ouch.

Tell Ron that he needs to get feeling back in his arm - so he can put it around me.

Thanks Donna...he is actually doing real well!
Before his surgery they gave him a Block which has him numb from the shoulder all the way down to his fingers, the block will last up to 18 hours, so he doesn't have any pain what so ever right now...But they warned him that will change in the morning, and will become quite painful for a couple of weeks...we are hoping that the pain meds can keep it somewhat under control after the block wears off, they said just to keep on top of the meds....

He doesn't actually start therapy for 3 weeks, which I think is a good thing, I've heard many that have had to start therapy while still in so much pain .

SO... we are going to put him on the SPEEDY road to recover and have him ready to go in time for the Big Sail Away party!!!!!

 

[jessica29]

Being my first criuise, how will I know who the disers are in the promonade lounge at 3:00?

 

[ejkjmom]

As you can see, I'm in helpful cruise planning mode right now...

I'm in Cruise mode.... PERIOD!!!!!!! Bring it on

A couple of things that really work for our family (and are a bit out of the norm to pack) would be Liquid hand soap for the bathroom with the toilet..much easier and a whole lot less messier than bar soap... and little bathroom Dixie cups for brushing teeth in the other bathroom

Also, I like to have a room deodorizer for the cabin area, just to keep things, and spray to keep other areas fresh

The soap and deodorizer get left behind after the cruise is over..either in the trash or I will ask our stateroom host if they would like it..

But if I had to pick my all time favorite must have for us, it would hands down be the clear over the door shoe organizer!!!!

We put EVERYTHING in there from $$$$ for tips to sunscreen, sunglasses, toothpaste, deodorant. hairbrushes/spray you name it..it saves alot of "where is the.... " and besides being able to find everything, it gets rid of a lot of the clutter (which drives me crazy)!!!!!

Also on the digital clock...

 

[ejkjmom]

Being my first criuise, how will I know who the disers are in the promonade lounge at 3:00?

The promenade lounge has always works well for the fact that nobody is really in it at that time..people are all usually up on the deck by the pool or in cabins unpacking etc.... so basically the only ones in there will be us, I have done it before were we met up on the deck and that was way to confusing as to know who are the disers',
The lounge is much easier, and better for visiting,
not to mention shorter lines at the bar

 

[ejkjmom]

Ouch.

Tell Ron that he needs to get feeling back in his arm - so he can put it around me.

Yes Mark...I'm sure that he will be back in huggable order by then, just for you!!!!

 

[donmil723]

Ouch.

Tell Ron that he needs to get feeling back in his arm - so he can put it around me.

Hey Mark! Is there anything you want to tell us about your trip to Germany????

 

[farah]

3:00 p.m. - DIS GROUP MEET IN PROMEADE LOUNGE!
The lounge is outside Parrot Cay restaurant I think on deck 3 - it's an open area/lounge/bar that kids are allowed in (they are not allowed to sit at the bar, only at the tables) so we can all meet there, chat, grab a bushwacker... or two... and we'll get to finally put faces to usernames!

Johnna

Johnna...3 is a great time to meet! Looking forward to meeting all of you! I just want to say to everyone...that I am so bad with names and such, so please forgive me if I forget a name here or there

 

[atinkerbellmom]

4:00 (OR 4:15??) is the lifeboat drill; so you'll have to get your life jacket on in your room, and go to your evacuation station. HINT: there are whistles on the jackets THAT NEVER GET CLEANED!!! So don't let your kids blow them. ICK... ICK... and triple ICK.

This is very very true and I see kids blowing them all of the time. YUCK!

After that is the sailaway party on decks 9 and 10 near the goofy pool - it's REALLY fun, so try not to miss it. And you might want to be on the side of the boat that faces the terminal - the terminal staff wave you off with a little special treat (I'll keep it a secret!). And the people at the restaurants on shore also wave to you. It's really fun. A lot of people bring bubbles for fun for the kids during sailaway... if you want to carry those with you, they are allowed.Actually they are NOT allowed. People bring them, but the staff will inform you they are not allowed. Bubbles NOR Balloons are allowed on the ship. They say that bubbles when they hit the deck floor make it wet and slippery and is a hazzard for guest. I once heard a CM tell a lady that with my own ears. She choose to let the kid blow them over the rail, but they asked her to put them away. Now, we have brought Biodegradble Silly String; but after our last encounter; I think that will be crossed off the list. Since my DS sprayed the Mouse with Hot Pink Silly String in his perfect WHITE sailor outfit. Balloons are not allowed because they endanger Marine life.
Then dinner, unpacking, eveing activites, etc., etc.,

So... that's about all for now. Others - have I forgotten anything?!??!?? Hope this helps the newbies, and that everyone is good with the planned meet at 3:00 in the Promenade Lounge.
PL is usually empty at this time. SO we will be the only wierd people standing there. Maybe someone should bring name tags.

One more thing - alcohol: you are allowed to bring alcohol on the ship with you. And you are allowed to bring a soft-sided cooler also - but it has to go through the security machine, so it can't have ice in it. If you're planning to bring alcohol on board, know that you'll be carrying it around until 2:00 the first day. Keep in mind (THANKS ejkjmom for reminding me!) that we'll be in Key West the next day, and you can get more there if you want so you don't have to carry too much around the first day.
BUSHWACKERS BABY!!!

Ciao for now... Johnna

I also have dinner Palo reservations that we are probably going to give up. Let me know if anyone wants it.

 

[mark_story]

Hey Mark! Is there anything you want to tell us about your trip to Germany????

I'll leave that to Dave and Michael.

 

[Johnna_Story]

My check in for today...

40 days people!!!!

Can we start packing yet?!?!?

 

[ejkjmom]

My check in for today...

40 days people!!!!

Can we start packing yet?!?!?

Not only can we...but I think we should!!!!!!!
Even if I did start now, I would still be in panic mode the day before we leave
I am not very good at time managing

 

[farah]

If anyone is planning on canceling their Palo brunch, please do let me know..i would love to experience Palo
thanks