May 11th 2008 ~ Any Double Dippers Out There?

[Tarabra]

Denise, there are tons of autograph opps on the ship. Everytime they have a character pic, they will sign your book. I don't know if we have a character breakfast on the 4 day or not, but they will also sign then, and not sure about the princesses signing at a table. They do that on the 7 day too. We never paid much attention because we were kidless for so long. DD will probably be more into it this time around. They do have the Disney autograph books for sale on the ship too. We dropped ours going into our character breakfast last time unused and figured someone snatched it up. Well, on our way out, we found it at the podium. Very nice of someone. That's a great idea about all the little surprises. Too bad DD usually gets up before me!!!

We hit the stores this past weekend and somehow, DD ended up w/ Princess tennis shoes, princess flipflops and Tinkerbell sandals. Probably a heck of a lot cheaper than if I bought that stuff on the ship or parks.

 

[Cruiser1969]

My kids are both so little and so into Disney characters (Cars and Princesses are the two biggies in our house) so I decided to start a little Disney Magic of my own, starting this weekend.... Someone at work gave me a set of Mickey Mouse dishes- never been used (they are still in the box) so this Sunday when the kids wake up the table will be set with the plates and a note from the Mouse himself telling them how excited he is that they'll be coming on the ship in a week. Then maybe Wednesday they'll get something from tinkerbell (maybe stickers or something). On the cruise ship they'll wake up each morning to find something left for them by someone - I have PJ's for the first night (I'll lay them out with a note so they are there after dinner), sand toys for the 1st morning at CC, autograph books (anyone know if there's an autograph session on the boat or should I wait until we get to the parks?), and a few other things. I think this is what makes it so magical for me - seeing the reaction of my kids. It makes Disney that much better (and pre-kids I thought that it just couldn't get any better!!)

That sounds so wonderful!! It is as much fun to plan these things as it is for the kids to experience them!! You've set your family up for such a magical experience

I'm not sure about an autograph session on the 4-day , but there were a couple on the 7-day we went on in 2004. Maybe someone can answer that for you!!

 

[princessh]

Hey everyone!!! We are getting so close to the cruise!!! I am getting so excited!!!! We leave a week from Friday.

Another suggestion for autographs..... Take your autograph book, photo mat, or pillowcasr to guest services. They will have all the characters sign it for you, and will return it to your stateroom on the last night. We did this and it was great. That way you do not have to carry the autograph book around with you. Just stop by, get your pictures with the characters, and you are on your way! My kids love to sleep on the pillowcases, and I smile everytime I see our picture from DCL with the signatures on the mat!

Heather

 

[Tarabra]

My wife thinks we should demand that we be switched to the early seating... I told her the best we can do is put in a request to be switched.

What's my best bet to get switched to the early seating. My kids 7 & 5 will do much better with the early seating..

Also, i saw a thread where someone said you can ask the servers to "speed things up" a bit... I think that a 2hr dinner on a cruise with kids is a bit much personally anway... You think its ok to do this.

Let's see - 9:20 on Nite 2 of the Cruise... Kids are in the club, wife and I have a seat in one of the lounges (is there a piano bar on board), and a bucket of Miller Lites in front of us...

Gary, what we are planning on doing, is either just taking DD3.5 to the club for dinner (she's a very picky eater and will probably just eat before at Pluto's) or taking her there after about 1/2 hour. Usually the meals are about an hour and a half. Even for 2nd seating. It seemed though Before kids we always seemed to be enjoying the company of our tablemates so much that we were one of the last tables to leave, and even then, it wasn't 2 hours. We also brought a mini DVD player for DD which kept her occupied. We love late seating because we're not rushed during the day and it is a great time to enjoy the pools while everyone else is getting ready for early seating. We love being the only ones on deck too. Check out my link below to see how we "owned" the decks!!! DD is a night owl anyway, although she'll probably be exhausted on the ship. Trouble was, last time, she was still taking naps, but didn't on the ship and then was a crab. Also, I've heard from others that they liked the late seating so the kids were actually awake for the shows prior to dinner. Some say that after dinner, the kids fall asleep during the shows. I don't think you need to "demand" early seating, put your request in and if you get it great. If not, then look at the bright side of late seating.

 

[branv]

Hey wanted to warn anyone leaving from the parks Sunday, 5/11 -- a triathlon will be going on. I looked at the course map, and I don't think it will affect you unless you're trying to get somewhere around the Grand Floridian or to the west of the Poly, but thought I'd give a heads up for possible road closures, etc.

 

[CustardTart]

Sorry to read about your feline friend, Brandi. I'm a somewhat concerned at the moment as my Old English Sheepdog seems a little mournful and she's off to kennels on Friday. It's nothing I can put my finger on - I just feel she's not herself... Ah well, the people who run the kennels are kind and she'll be with her lifelong Dalmatian buddy so I hope she does OK...

Going to finish my packing this afternoon - not much longer now...

 

[branv]

Sorry to read about your feline friend, Brandi. I'm a somewhat concerned at the moment as my Old English Sheepdog seems a little mournful and she's off to kennels on Friday. It's nothing I can put my finger on - I just feel she's not herself... Ah well, the people who run the kennels are kind and she'll be with her lifelong Dalmatian buddy so I hope she does OK...

Going to finish my packing this afternoon - not much longer now...

You caught me before I deleted it Gushed a little bit and then was embarrassed that I'd done so, but now I'm glad you did so I can give you a big hug back for your own fur baby. Healthy or not, it's still hard to leave a friend behind.

BTW: love those dogs, they're so CUTE!

Green with envy over your early departure, can't wait to hear the details of the journey

And on that note of near departures, where the heck are you Yvonne...you've been here from way early on, you can't miss the last countdown!

 

[Tarabra]

Brandi,

I was laughing about your bathing suit shopping. I was at my parents' this weekend and my mom subltely said, "Oh, not sure if any of your suits fit since you've had the baby, but here are some of my old ones if you want to try them on! " It's like that Seinfeld episode where Jerry's dad says he has an extra suit. Anyhow, one of them was from when she went to Hawaii in 1976!!! (yes she was cleaning out drawers) I had always thought she was pleasingly plump, especially by 70's and 80's standards. Well, I thought, I'll show her HOW BIG they are on me. Well...ahem...they fit!!!! Yikes! The one was actually a really nice Eddie Bauer Slimfit suit that I got for like $2 when I used to work there. That one was almost tight. I guess they do start out small and then streeeeetccccchhh. Man talk about depressing. I guess I will just pull out my tankini with the skirt. It is nice, but I feel kinda old in it. It's also so thick and bulky. DD has her bathing suit on right now. I had a gift card from Gap kids and got her one there. It's beautiful and a perfect fit. I've already bought her two others that I've had to take back. I would never have paid the Gap price if it weren't for the gift card, but I'm seriously thinking about going back for another in a different color. In her target one, her nipple hangs out and not sure how the crotch is going to fit without undies. (not a good look for a child although we had Brazilians on one cruise and the little girls wore thongs. very disturbing) She's teeny for 3.5 and I hate to buy her a size 2. I'm also trying to get her to break in her new shoes, but she's not a shoe person to begin w/. (takes after her mom) and kicks them off after about 5 minutes.

Getting Psyched!

 

[disneyfool_1202]

..... although we had Brazilians on one cruise and the little girls wore thongs. very disturbing...

Oh come on! Are you serious?? That's horrible - especially with all of the perverts in the world today!!!

I like the idea of leaving the books for the characters and I had completely forgotten I'd wanted to buy a photo mat to have it signed. Hmmm..... what size should I get?? Gigantic will be veto's out of the suitcase! (not by me though...)

 

[Cruiser1969]

. . .although we had Brazilians on one cruise and the little girls wore thongs.

OMG, when I first read this, I thought you meant you and your DD had Brazilians (as in the waxing procedure . . . not the people!!!)

I just about fell out of my seat!!!!

 

[CustardTart]

...we had Brazilians on one cruise and the little girls wore thongs. very disturbing...

OMG I was getting all kindsa confused about Brazilian waxes and little girl thongs just then - had to reread many times... As if the proper story isn't bad enough!!!

 

[garys12]

Gary, what we are planning on doing, is either just taking DD3.5 to the club for dinner (she's a very picky eater and will probably just eat before at Pluto's) or taking her there after about 1/2 hour. Usually the meals are about an hour and a half. Even for 2nd seating. It seemed though Before kids we always seemed to be enjoying the company of our tablemates so much that we were one of the last tables to leave, and even then, it wasn't 2 hours. We also brought a mini DVD player for DD which kept her occupied. We love late seating because we're not rushed during the day and it is a great time to enjoy the pools while everyone else is getting ready for early seating. We love being the only ones on deck too. Check out my link below to see how we "owned" the decks!!! DD is a night owl anyway, although she'll probably be exhausted on the ship. Trouble was, last time, she was still taking naps, but didn't on the ship and then was a crab. Also, I've heard from others that they liked the late seating so the kids were actually awake for the shows prior to dinner. Some say that after dinner, the kids fall asleep during the shows. I don't think you need to "demand" early seating, put your request in and if you get it great. If not, then look at the bright side of late seating.

Tara -

My kids are looking forward to staying up till midnight, so you won't have the decks to yourselves..LOL

 

[garys12]

Tara -

My kids are looking forward to staying up till midnight, so you won't have the decks to yourselves..LOL

Hit the enter button too fast...

I also wanted to ask - can we be put on a waiting list for early dinner prior to the cruise just in case. I am not sure if we are going to change - DW and I are hoping to get a Palo Ress one nite, and one nite the kids like to eat in the clubs anyway.. So its really only 2 nites we have to worry about...

I will be packing tonite.

GS

 

[alecsmom]

Hi everybody! Wow how did time go by so fast these past few weeks!!!

Brandi- I don't manage time well, I always intend to get back here - and always something seems to come up. And I have no idea what you posted then deleted about your kitty - but I am sending hugs to you too because if Karen sent you a hug I'm sure it warranted one. I'm a huge cat lover, have been all my life but currently am cat-less as my dear little Minnie passed in 2006 at the age of 16 - and I have not been able to replace that void - although Alec keeps telling me we need a cat, so maybe one day soon.

ANYWAY on a lighter note - I had to LOL when I read about the brazilian thongs etc - on our last cruise on the Liberty of the Seas in September - there were a bunch of Venezuelan women - a VERY large group - and they ALL wore thongs - every time we turned around there was one. It was crazy!! I was just glad my son and my nephews weren't on that cruise with us - Lord only knows how it would have affected those young boys!!! Hee hee I guess we're just prudish Americans aren't we?? My husband got a kick out of it I'm sure.

Okay anyway - tonight I'm going to go home and get all my stuff ready - I have little piles here and there - so now it's down to the wire. I can't believe it's almost here!!!!!!!!!

 

[branv]

YAY, Yvonne!! Nice to see you! Hard to believe after all these months it's so close, so let's do the happy countdown dance

I misread the brazilian thing as well I guess it's to be expected, since we're all so aware of getting into a swimsuit soon.

On my honeymoon to Playacar, I knew the area had more European tourists than further north in Cancun. So I knew to expect more topless or thong-wearing women. I was bound and determined to be totally suave and fight my WASP-y prudish tendencies. Yeah....well that went all to heck when the GUY walked by in his thong. Now THERE was someone who needed a brazilian wax.

 

[disneyfool_1202]

I guess it's to be expected, since we're all so aware of getting into a swimsuit soon.

OK speaking of that. I got home from work tonight and was changing into my PJ's when I noticed an area of swelling - a LARGE area of swelling, right in my lower abdomen (where my uterus / bladder are). I poked around down there and felt what feels like a good size lemon. Now... last November I had a little minor surgery in the area and ended up with a HUGE hematoma. It totally resolved but this bump is in the same area and 6 wks ago I had my gall bladder out and the surgeon went in through the scar on my lower abdomen. But that was 6 wks ago. So I'm getting myself all worked up wondering if it's a tumor, a fibroid, somehow a "slow leak", an abscess - and all I can think of is "oh crap- I have to wear my tankini in less than 2 wks - this HAS to be fixed!" Pretty sad huh that while in the back of my mind I'm thinking "this could be a problem" the forefront concern is how it's going to affect my bathing suite appearance.

On a good note- our local school system does a lottery for open slots for the public preschool to 'fill in' the open seats with peer / role models. Public preschool is only 'guaranteed' to special ed kids. So I put DD in the lottery for the September 08 school year. There were originally almost 70 kids that applied for the program and then they paired it down to about 30 kids (based on developmental history and other "required" information). They only had 16 slots open. DD's name was the FIRST one pulled from the hat!! My baby girl is going to preschool in the fall. I came home and told my husband while she was eating dinner. She heard me, got up from the table, ran and got her Disney Princess backpack AND put on her Ariel dress up shoes and announced that she was ready to go to school. Think she's ready for school? Too bad the kid doesn't want to use the toilet as bad as she wants to go to school! Then I'd be able to put BOTH kids in the kids club!!!

 

[alecsmom]

On my honeymoon to Playacar, I knew the area had more European tourists than further north in Cancun. So I knew to expect more topless or thong-wearing women. I was bound and determined to be totally suave and fight my WASP-y prudish tendencies. Yeah....well that went all to heck when the GUY walked by in his thong. Now THERE was someone who needed a brazilian wax.

I'm right there with ya sista - why is it the people that have a chance of pulling that look off are never the ones who are wearing that stuff in real life?? We went to St. Martin on our first cruise - Orient Beach - a nude beach - but we had our clothes on of course. One side of the beach was nude, the other was not, so we took a stroll down to the nude side just to check it out - curiousity got the best of both of us, come on, you can't go there and not check it out right?? So anyway - OMG I will never forget the horror We are talking OLD men and women - letting it ALL hang out. And then - get this - there were two couples there - sort of on the younger side - they were on the cruise with us - and they were butt naked - and we found out they were neighbors back home!!! Now maybe it's just me, but I don't think I'd ever want my neighbors to see me naked - and Lord knows I would NEVER want to see my neighbors naked!!!

Okay I'm gonna do the happy countdown dance with you - a week from tomorrow we leave Alec is outside right now playing on his jungle gym in his Captain Jack Sparrow costume. I keep telling him that thing is going to be just threads by the time we get to the Pirate Party...

 

[Bibbidi]

Hey there, just wanted to wish everyone a great cruise! We were supposed to be on this trip with everyone but cancelled for a variety of reasons. Anyway, I was just checking back in and am so excited for your upcoming trip. I hope to read all the details when you all get back from the cruise.

 

[alecsmom]

OK speaking of that. I got home from work tonight and was changing into my PJ's when I noticed an area of swelling - a LARGE area of swelling, right in my lower abdomen (where my uterus / bladder are). I poked around down there and felt what feels like a good size lemon. Now... last November I had a little minor surgery in the area and ended up with a HUGE hematoma. It totally resolved but this bump is in the same area and 6 wks ago I had my gall bladder out and the surgeon went in through the scar on my lower abdomen. But that was 6 wks ago. So I'm getting myself all worked up wondering if it's a tumor, a fibroid, somehow a "slow leak", an abscess - and all I can think of is "oh crap- I have to wear my tankini in less than 2 wks - this HAS to be fixed!" Pretty sad huh that while in the back of my mind I'm thinking "this could be a problem" the forefront concern is how it's going to affect my bathing suite appearance.

On a good note- our local school system does a lottery for open slots for the public preschool to 'fill in' the open seats with peer / role models. Public preschool is only 'guaranteed' to special ed kids. So I put DD in the lottery for the September 08 school year. There were originally almost 70 kids that applied for the program and then they paired it down to about 30 kids (based on developmental history and other "required" information). They only had 16 slots open. DD's name was the FIRST one pulled from the hat!! My baby girl is going to preschool in the fall. I came home and told my husband while she was eating dinner. She heard me, got up from the table, ran and got her Disney Princess backpack AND put on her Ariel dress up shoes and announced that she was ready to go to school. Think she's ready for school? Too bad the kid doesn't want to use the toilet as bad as she wants to go to school! Then I'd be able to put BOTH kids in the kids club!!!

Oh Denise I hope all is well!! I will send good vibes your way.
Congrats on the preschool deal - that's awesome! My son skipped preschool - stays at home with Grandma - so he will start Kinder this fall - I'm sooo nervous, he's my baby. That's one of the reasons we're doing this Disney trip - it's a Pre-Kinder blowout vacation.

 

[disneyfool_1202]

Oh Denise I hope all is well!! I will send good vibes your way.

Thanks for the good vibes. I'm getting quite nervous about this - it's bigger and now looks like someone implanted a softball into my pelvis. Can't call the doctor until 8am so I'm sitting here at work IMPATIENTLY working!!!

Congrats on the preschool deal - that's awesome! My son skipped preschool - stays at home with Grandma - so he will start Kinder this fall - I'm sooo nervous, he's my baby. That's one of the reasons we're doing this Disney trip - it's a Pre-Kinder blowout vacation.

We did preschool w/DS because he was in early intervention and trasnsitioned right in when he turned 3. Luckily, his birthday is mid August, so he was only without services for 2 wks (it was a nice break) and then started right up in September. I was glad that he got to start right with the 1st day of school rather than transition in mid year. I think that's harder for some kids.

As for DD - well, she's as cute as an angel and apparently thinks she's going to get by on her looks alone because the child doesn't retain anything that she's not interested in. She can name every Disney princess, sing songs she enjoys, and "read" books back to me (from memorization) but ask her what color her shirt is and she has no clue - and no desire to know!! She's very clingy and a mamma's girl BIG TIME. She had a really hard time when I went back to work full time (DS could care less) and even when we go to dancing school she's hesitant to leave my side. So I think she needs school, especially for the socialization.

OK....... now 40 minutes until I can call the doctor......