May 11th 2008 ~ Any Double Dippers Out There?

[Bibbidi]

Speaking of "buying ahead" for the cruise--I tend to be an overpacker with clothes, not terrible, but I always tend to have a few too many things. What is suggested. Do you find yourself changing outfits two or more times per day? The reason I ask is because I can see starting out in one thing, then having to change again before dinner. Should I plan on 8 outfits total for the 4 days or more or less than that? What about for my girls. Usually I do laundry at least once on a 7 day vacation to Disney, sometimes 2 times. I don't plan on doing laundry onboard.

 

[branv]

Can you believe DH is the overpacker? I keep telling him, "look, you know that no one will even know if you wear the same pair of khaki's to dinner twice, right?" Especially since he only wears them for 2 hours before he goes back to the room and changes back into shorts. That is the trouble with a cruise - that you need pool wear, and casual wear, AND dinner wear! Add in a trip to the parks along with it, and talk about a lot of clothes.

I try to be realistic about it. I would love to have a big selection of clothes, but I also know I'll be miserable hauling luggage around and, of course, trying to store it all in those cabins! Psychologically it can be hard to put on something you've already worn, but realistically so many things you wear on your cruise get worn for a short time bouncing from different types of activities. So I shake it off, and pack lighter.

What I try to do is bring bottoms that can be worn twice and neutral shoes. I do bring more shirts since that's the thing more likely to get dirty and what people notice. But I try to buy shirts that can go from casual to dressy, and casual shirts that I can wear once and then use as a pool/beach cover-up later. My favorite cruise things are jean capris. They take a lickin' and keep on tickin'!

For dinners, last time I knew I was going to Palo, so I only packed one nice dress. I wore the nice dress to the dressy dinner night and the same dress to Palo. Since I wouldn't be seeing the same people except for DH, I didn't have to be embarrassed. And again, each time I only wore the dress about 2-3 hours.

Of course one thing I won't do is wear something wrinkled unless it's a quick trip from the room to the pool. So, I do have to dedicate myself to going to the laundry room to iron things or using that wrinkle remover stuff on stuff I've already worn.

Shoes are the most suitcase hogging and the hardest to leave behind for me. I think I finally have it down to 5 pairs of shoes. Now if someone can just tell me why it is that I must bring 6 tools/products for my hair even though almost everyday I wear it twisted up.

I'll tell you what I would pack for DH b/c for me it's too variable since for a woman a "shirt" can mean sooo many different things. (Does not including the parks, b/c that's just a whole other story):
2 golf shirts
2 dress shirts
2 pairs of pants
4 pairs of shorts
2 bathing suits
4 t-shirts
5 underwear
5 pairs of socks
either black or brown dress shoes/belt - chooses shirts by which he can wear just the one option with
crocs
leather sandals
tennis shoes
toiletries

 

[Bibbidi]

Thanks for all the packing tidbits. That's what I was wondering about, poolwear, daytime casual, dinner. I like the suggestion about the dressy night and Palo being the same outfit. I agree, I do tend to pack more tops than bottoms. What are the best two pairs of shoes to bring on a cruise? Teva type sandals and then a pair of casual shoes for dinner? I am a light packer when it comes to shoes, but you mentioning bringing so many pairs has me wondering...

 

[branv]

Well, b/c of the incredible support and traction I am bringing Crocs. First for the parks (the only shoe that doesn't make me want to weep after walking all day), but also for walking around the pools and the beach. Everytime I walked near the pools I slid on water except for when I was wearing my clown shoes..rr..I mean, Crocs. (And there is a good chance that if I fall down I may never get back up again. ) Plus just when you enter the water on the adult beach it's rocky and painful on the feet, and I can wear my Crocs into the water. (There, I've officially turned into my mother - choosing practical over fashionable. Next thing you know I'll be frosting my hair and griping at everyone to stop mumbling .)

SO, here's what I'm bringing

Cayman Crocs - black (park)
Mary Jane Crocs - gold (beach and deck)
strappy heeled sandal for dinners
platinum colored flip flops
black flip flops

 

[CustardTart]

Wow! You ladies really are organised! I'm only just thinking about outfits/footwear for this September's cruise! Hopefully I'll recycle most of what I eventually come up with. As DD and I will be in WDW the week preceding our May DD cruise, I'm hoping to pack light and launder our stuff midaway thro' the vacation.

branv, I received my 1st pair of Crocs last week and I'm very impressed! They're a pair of pink/pearl Disney Crocs and I love 'em - sooo comfortable and well, just easy to wear! Pretty sure they won't be my last pair...

 

[branv]

branv, I received my 1st pair of Crocs last week and I'm very impressed! They're a pair of pink/pearl Disney Crocs and I love 'em - sooo comfortable and well, just easy to wear! Pretty sure they won't be my last pair...

Once you succumb to the dark side, you never go back. I just initiated my mother. Like your really wiley Croc pusher, I gave her a little free taste with a pair for her birthday. Now she's addicted and can't stop using.

So did you guys see the "rumor" on the Disney Dining board about the DDP no longer including the tip? I say "rumor" b/c theoretically people claiming to be servers at Disney are saying that the new union agreement passed saying that tipping would now be seperate (though we really only have their word that they actually do work at WDW). Anyway, does that change any of your plans to get the DDP now that it's not quite as good a deal, to be specific, an 18-20% less savings?

 

[CustardTart]

Once you succumb to the dark side, you never go back. I just initiated my mother. Like your really wiley Croc pusher, I gave her a little free taste with a pair for her birthday. Now she's addicted and can't stop using...

You bad daughter!

Actually, I was only just thinking that I wish they did the blue/green Disney Crocs in adult sizes - they're sooo cute! And so it begins...

...So did you guys see the "rumor" on the Disney Dining board about the DDP no longer including the tip? I say "rumor" b/c theoretically people claiming to be servers at Disney are saying that the new union agreement passed saying that tipping would now be seperate (though we really only have their word that they actually do work at WDW). Anyway, does that change any of your plans to get the DDP now that it's not quite as good a deal, to be specific, an 18-20% less savings?

Mmm - that's interesting. Is this supposedly effective immediately?

 

[branv]

You bad daughter!

Actually, I was only just thinking that I wish they did the blue/green Disney Crocs in adult sizes - they're sooo cute! And so it begins...



Mmm - that's interesting. Is this supposedly effective immediately?

The rumor says it's for 2008.

But then, of course, now they're reporting the possibility of a higher pricing structure for weekends at the hotel for 2008, so it looks like WDW is eeking out every last dime Which is terrible b/c I just developed a cunning plan to make DH see my side of things. I knew if he started really looking at the hotels, the covetous side would overtake the frugal "it's just a bed" side. So this weekend I handed a list of websites and my guidebooks to him and said, "here, you pick a hotel." Last night he told me he'd pretty much narrowed it down to Wilderness Lodge or maybe the Swan/Dolphin. Woo-hoo! Just what I wanted (do I know my man, or what?) But now that they're coming out and saying that weekends may be priced at a premium, I think he's going to back away. I do understand, since you can get the Gaylord or the Hyatt Grand Cypress on Priceline for about $100-140 and are on par with the WDW deluxes. May be off-site from now on for us. Not that the Gaylord or the Hyatt is a hardship, far from it, but I do love staying onsite.

 

[CustardTart]

The rumor says it's for 2008.

But then, of course, now they're reporting the possibility of a higher pricing structure for weekends at the hotel for 2008, so it looks like WDW is eeking out every last dime......now that they're coming out and saying that weekends may be priced at a premium......May be off-site from now on for us. Not that the Gaylord or the Hyatt is a hardship, far from it, but I do love staying onsite.

That's such a shame! Tho' TBH, I'd always assumed weekend rates (like DVC points) would be premium. Swan & Dolphin seem to have some great deals on a regular basis so there might be flexibility there. Fingers crossed you get a result...

 

[branv]

That's such a shame! Tho' TBH, I'd always assumed weekend rates (like DVC points) would be premium. Swan & Dolphin seem to have some great deals on a regular basis so there might be flexibility there. Fingers crossed you get a result...

LOL, thanks! Goodness knows either way it's not a tragedy; I'm still at WDW!!

OMG, CT, I just realized how many trips you have coming up - How exciting! How do you handle jet lag since WDW is such an active vacation? Do you dedicate a day or two to down time or are you just easily acclimated to time difference, long plane rides, etc?

 

[CustardTart]

LOL, thanks! Goodness knows either way it's not a tragedy; I'm still at WDW!!

Too true!

...OMG, CT, I just realized how many trips you have coming up - How exciting! How do you handle jet lag since WDW is such an active vacation? Do you dedicate a day or two to down time or are you just easily acclimated to time difference, long plane rides, etc?

TBH, branv, I try and get over it asap. On the outward journey, I change my watch as soon as I get on the plane and stay awake until a normal bedtime - even if it means I've actually been up for 24 hours. Homeward bound, I have my meal on the plane and then go to sleep for about 5/6 hours! I find that really helps. It's usually an overnight flight, so we land early morning. Once I'm home, I keep active for the rest of that day and have an early night. It works for me...

 

[branv]

Hola chicas!

Just giving us a little bump

 

[Mousermom]

Hey Everybody!

Just checking in to see how everybody is doing.

Been very busy with work and other fun stuff.

Hope eveybody is doing well.

Talk to you soon.

Mary Beth

 

[alecsmom]

Hey Mary Beth! How is the Disney job going?? I'm interested to hear!

Hope everybody's doing well.

Been celebrating my Spurs!!!!

 

[CustardTart]

Hey Everybody!

Just checking in to see how everybody is doing.

Been very busy with work and other fun stuff.

Hope eveybody is doing well.

Talk to you soon.

Mary Beth

Hi Mary Beth! Great to hear from you.

How's the job? Enjoying it?

...Been celebrating my Spurs!!!!

Congratulations! We've been watching the play-offs too - my DH's a Spurs/Ginobli fan!

Have a great weekend everyone. It's Father's Day here on Sunday - is it for you?

 

[alecsmom]

Thanks we love our Spurs! How awesome we have a fan over in the UK!! It's always fun to go to the Caribbean islands and tell people we're from San Antonio - all the locals seem to know the Spurs!

Yes tomorrow is Father's Day - hope everyone has a great one!

 

[branv]

Ok, I am officially a bad bad Texan.

I didn't even know basketball was still playing or that the Spurs were in the playoffs. Whoops! So ummm...yay Spurs! (belatedly) Though as a Dallas-bred girl I'm probably supposed to shake my fist curmudgeon-like. However, I only consider it really heretical to turn my back on the Cowboys, so I'm probably safe. So again, YAY SPURS!!!

I totally also want to hear how the new job is going MouserMom. I though about you when I was at the Disney outlet store last week. I asked them how crazy Christmas was, and the lady just shook her head. LOL. We're not very close to a regular Disney store, but at least we're only about 9 miles from the Disney outlet. Wait, maybe instead of "lucky" I should have said, "dangerous." In fact I bought a really ugly Mickey shirt just b/c it was only $2.99. Does that make me demented? Oh well, I may not wear it in public, but it's darn comfy for a nightshirt. Pretty impressed with the overall quality in fact. I also got myself a Tink coffee mug and the DH an Eeyore (b/c he IS Eeyore...ooooooooh wellllll ). Yay, coffee Disney style! (well, not entirely, b/c then it would have to be that nasty Nescafe, and that ain't gonna happen).

So has anyone seen the PotC ride since its refurb? When we were there last they were still working on it, so we look forward to seeing it. Wondering if the changes and additions are really nifty. I can't WAIT to see how they've updated the Haunted Mansion. One of my top 5 favorites, very excited Though I live in constant fear of what they'll announce as being refurb'd during next May. Not Space Mountain, say it won't be Space Mountain, big money, no whammies! (ok, does anyone get that last part?)

 

[Mousermom]

Hey Girls!!

Things are going well at the new job. I caught on pretty fast and I am enjoying it very much.

However...

I haven't received my discount card yet and I'm getting a little antsy!!!

I will probably get it with my paycheck this coming Thursday!!!

branv:

I have been on the refurbished POTC...it's AWESOME!!!

Also...who doesn't love them some Press Your Luck!!! I am a game show freak!!!

Talk to you all later!

Mary Beth

 

[branv]

Hey Girls!!

However...

I haven't received my discount card yet and I'm getting a little antsy!!!

I will probably get it with my paycheck this coming Thursday!!!

LOL I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed for you

Hope everyone is enjoying their Father's Day, giving lots of love to the men who indulge your Disney obsessions

 

[CustardTart]

Glad to hear all is going well, Mary Beth! Fingers crossed your discount card comes soon...

We had a fab Father's Day here. The weather held (despite the Met Office threatening rain) and we BBQ'd burgers, steaks and lamb kofte all served up with salad - delicious... Whilst our menfolk played soccer, DD and I passed a pleasant hour watching a DCL DVD which was fantastic and really whet our appetite for the May 2008...

Just thought I'd see how the countdown was going...