May 12, 2007 -- Taking the Magic to the Mediterranean -- 14 day Repo Cruise! Part 2

[cquick]

Hey, does anyone listen to Clark Howard? (He's on the radio; consumer advocate)
I was just on the radio with him!!
!

You were actually talking to him!!! That is so neat!!!!
1 I usually listen to him, but I am in the sewing room today, and totally forgot. I think he is so smart, I have one of his books and I read his website often.

 

[seaulater]

Well, I got the postcard from Coldwater Creek last week in the mail that they were having a big sale. So had to run down to their store downtown during lunch.

Needless to say, I have taken care of numerous clothing items on my list (not that I needed anything new!), but wanted something easy to pack for formal/semi formal night and not take my dress I already have that takes up so much room. Got a great dress/jacket made of that slinky material in dark, dark blue, and a great black skirt and they will both roll up very well and will not really wrinkle, so I am about set for both of those nights. Just need to figure out which accessories to wear to dress up the plain colors. Oh, and i might just need some new shoes to go along with the dress!

 

[milestogo]

Linda, Pearls, Pearls and some more Pearls! Oh yea, and minnie says a red polka dot bow. That's what I'm going with.....

 

[eller]

Woo hoo! I've been waiting so long to post; we were finally able to book the cruise today!

Hello to everyone! I've been reading for about two weeks now and feel like I know everyone and cannot wait to meet you all. I started at about page 210and kept up from there, but went back and read from the beginning. It was a wonderful read; it makes me feel like I've been a part of the group since the beginning.

I'll take this time to introduce myself and my family. I'm Lori 43 (I think, I loose track sometimes), DH Mike 48, DD Jessica 16 (but sadly big girl is staying home), DS Johnathan 10, and DS David 8. We have lived in Maple Valley WA for nearly 7 years, having moved from the Kansas City, MO area. It's a beautiful sunny day today. When the sun shines, there is no place better. (Although I really like So Cal and Orlando). As you can tell from my signature, we've been to WDW a couple of times, not DVC, but maybe some day when we have a spare $30,000.

Mike and I are wine drinkers and have done a vertical tasting and a couple of the signature dinners during Food and Wine. Our very first wine tasting was on the Magic in October of 2001. Unfortunately, that is the only other time we have sailed with Disney. DS John (10) is beside himself he is so happy to be doing another Disney cruise. We did a 4-night Carnival back in November, which was okay, but it just wasn't Disney.

Kelly - DH won't commit to a favorite character, but mine is Donald, John's is Peter Pan (and he will tell you he won't grow up) and David's is Stitch.

Erik - You've talked about HSM so much that now I'm going to have to go out and rent it to see what all the fuss is about.

Well, I just thought I'd say, "Hi!" We have not finalized our flights yet so I don't know if we will be down for the Cheese and Wine Meet. Time is an issue as with so many others.

Lori

 

[milestogo]

Lori, nice to meet you. We are finally getting some more little boys. For a long time Littleowensmommy's owen was our only boy. He's finally going to have some friends.

 

[kpros]

Lori - for the name badges, does your DS like Johnathan or John.

Welcome aboard!

Ken

 

[cupcake]

Did the weekly check on the status site, and it's completed and in the mail to me!!!!! ystifyingly, the USPS tracking # says it was delivered at 8:31 a.m. today and our mail normally shows up btwn 4:30 and 5:00 p.m. and my dh, who works from home, says it hasn't arrived yet. But I am feeling really good!

My hairdresser had a long and complicated problem that he could not resolve in the 14-days prior to the trip window and they had to cancel their trip!!!! (to Mexico, they got 3 out of the 4 passports on time, and the final person's was caught in administrative limbo). Needless to say, I this made me totally paranoid.

Lesson learned: If you end up in the 14 day prior to travel window sans passport, get an appt and go in person to straighten it out, and do not rely on the phone people. I felt SOOO badly for him. He was looking for an alternate trip when I came in, and luckily had trip insurance.

Hey, on a happier and less neurotic note, welcome Lori and family!

Cupcake

 

[gydell]

eller - WELCOME! Glad you joined us.


Finished the 5yo's shopping today, I think. He may need new tennis shoes, but that will wait until closer to the cruise. My DD's and mine is finished as far as clothes go. I did pick up a new night light and new suction cups today. Any other little things anyone can think of I might need?

 

[kpros]

eller - you may want to visit this post for some info about the cruise:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=16792501&postcount=2131

Ken

 

[AuntyBrat]

Did the weekly check on the status site, and it's completed and in the mail to me!!!!! ystifyingly, the USPS tracking # says it was delivered at 8:31 a.m. today and our mail normally shows up btwn 4:30 and 5:00 p.m. and my dh, who works from home, says it hasn't arrived yet. But I am feeling really good!

My hairdresser had a long and complicated problem that he could not resolve in the 14-days prior to the trip window and they had to cancel their trip!!!! (to Mexico, they got 3 out of the 4 passports on time, and the final person's was caught in administrative limbo). Needless to say, I this made me totally paranoid.

Lesson learned: If you end up in the 14 day prior to travel window sans passport, get an appt and go in person to straighten it out, and do not rely on the phone people. I felt SOOO badly for him. He was looking for an alternate trip when I came in, and luckily had trip insurance.

Hey, on a happier and less neurotic note, welcome Lori and family!

Cupcake

Cupcake - When did you originally submit yours and what state are you in? Jeannine did hers 6 weeks ago tomorrow in California and the status site has nothing on it yet. Did her normal, not priority. I am thinking that she should be calling the end of this week if it isn't here. She was quoted 4-6 weeks.

Thanks!!

Laura

 

[eller]

Kpros - He likes John. Thank you. And thanks for reminding me about the page 143 post. I did need to review it. You mean we made it in time to get lanyards! I'm so excited!

Kelly - Owen and Rio will have good company with John and David. Although, my boys are more into going to watch a movie than to read a book!

Lori

 

[juliekatie]

Hi,

I can't remember where I saw this, but I remember reading that DCL blocks Skype somehow. I think I might have read it in the Passporter that just came out - I will check when I get the chance. I could be wrong, but I wanted to warn everyone just in case....

 

[Scoobypop]

Hey Chris, don't you have a permanent Disney outlet in Las Vegas? If you don't know about it I'll send you the Warehouse website. Making the countdown calendar is extremely helpful. Big Picture thinking makes micro management easier!!!

Floridians: Lynn made me wonder if there are any permanent Disney outlets near the parks?

I use powerpoint to make my signs, laminate and add magnets.

Yes, we are going to be doing lots of laundry, lots of repeat clothing, few shoes (planning to buy shoes in Barcelona)

Actually I believe there are 2 official Disney outlets here in town. There are some pretty good deals at times depending what you're looking for. For instance, some of the Shag artwork that I saw at Disneyana right there on Main Street was at the outlet. In fact, a few things from the 50th anniversary year that I paid full price for at WOD was in the outlet for at least half what I paid! Also, I remember when I was last at Disney World (sadly, 2004) we specifically found a Disney outlet on our drive to Universal Studios, although as you said, the Floridians would probably have more specific info for you. Hope your back is feeling better, sorry to hear about it popping out of whack! p.s.--I'm a huge TV junkie too!

 

[NHdisneylover]

Kpros - He likes John. Thank you. And thanks for reminding me about the page 143 post. I did need to review it.

Kelly - Owen and Rio will have good company with John and David. Although, my boys are more into going to watch a movie than to read a book!

Lori

Welcome Lori and family. It's great to have you along. I can tell you REALLY have been following along for a while--greta memory on many things.

Rio says an extra special hello to David and John. Rio reads, but he also LOVES movies so no worries. He was temporarily bummed to realize we would be gone for the opening of Shrek 3. I had to remind him he should see the premier of Pirates 3 on the ship AND (DUH!!) It's a 2 week Disney Cruise--better than any movie. Oh Yeah Mommy (course he has made a date with a chilldess friend who likes the excuse of a kid when she goes to see it the first weekend we are back home). I'm sure the boys will get along great.
Oh, and if your boys like movies so much you really should rent HSM. Rio loves it.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Scoobypop--you must get to the world again soon! Three years is too long. Are you getting to spend a few days there before the trip?

 

[tig82174]

Oh my heavens.....what a busy day...and with a bum back....then come home to finally relax, send Jason out for dinner and relax reading the DisBoards and what do you know...you people have gone hogwild posting again!!! Trying to keep up on here is as stressful as packing and waiting for this darn trip to start!!!

So...yes...for anyone who has not yet seen High School Musical...please see it ASAP...BEFORE the cruise. I'm going to enlist little Rio in an onboard "education" program....and anyone we learn has NOT watched the film we will be jointly re-enacting it from beginning to end on your dinner table during a meal....so be warned!!!

TV Junkies? You're all amateurs, I assure you! I'm almost ashamed to confess what a horrible TV fiend I am (except then I remind myself that there are worse vices to have, so if too much TV is the worst I do to myself then so be it! ). I try to keep up with so many TV shows that we can't even keep track anymore! (Just ask Scoobypop....he'll tell you....I have a real problem....there's like 5 programs a night I feel compelled to watch and so I am perpetually behind! hehehe ) And you're right, Kelly, this past week's episode of Ugly Betty was delightful....truly one of my faves in the series thus far!

As for packing....we're going to attempt to pack light and then do laundry twice during the trip...once after our week at the World before we get on the cruise and once mid-cruise. So we'll be recycling...you'll see the same outfits twice (but NOT the same ties twice!!!)....but at least we won't smell funky! Also as for hair products....it takes a lot of product to tame the beast growing out of my head...so I have to pack tons of product and toiletries...but it's good to know the products onboard are good so we won't have to pack anything for Jason to use other than what's in the room (he has virtually NO hair so he doesn't need to use my products! )

Alright...I'm off to watch some TV and eat and ice my poor back!


Erik

 

[misseulalie]

You were actually talking to him!!! That is so neat!!!!
1 I usually listen to him, but I am in the sewing room today, and totally forgot. I think he is so smart, I have one of his books and I read his website often.

Actually this was my 4th time calling in. I've called about a whole bunch of stuff, IRA's, Paying off a car, etc...

The only problem is that you are on hold FOREVER!!! about 90 minutes is average.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Oh my heavens.....what a busy day...and with a bum back....then come home to finally relax, send Jason out for dinner and relax reading the DisBoards and what do you know...you people have gone hogwild posting again!!! Trying to keep up on here is as stressful as packing and waiting for this darn trip to start!!!

So...yes...for anyone who has not yet seen High School Musical...please see it ASAP...BEFORE the cruise. I'm going to enlist little Rio in an onboard "education" program....and anyone we learn has NOT watched the film we will be jointly re-enacting it from beginning to end on your dinner table during a meal....so be warned!!!

TV Junkies? You're all amateurs, I assure you! I'm almost ashamed to confess what a horrible TV fiend I am (except then I remind myself that there are worse vices to have, so if too much TV is the worst I do to myself then so be it! ). I try to keep up with so many TV shows that we can't even keep track anymore! (Just ask Scoobypop....he'll tell you....I have a real problem....there's like 5 programs a night I feel compelled to watch and so I am perpetually behind! hehehe ) And you're right, Kelly, this past week's episode of Ugly Betty was delightful....truly one of my faves in the series thus far!

As for packing....we're going to attempt to pack light and then do laundry twice during the trip...once after our week at the World before we get on the cruise and once mid-cruise. So we'll be recycling...you'll see the same outfits twice (but NOT the same ties twice!!!)....but at least we won't smell funky! Also as for hair products....it takes a lot of product to tame the beast growing out of my head...so I have to pack tons of product and toiletries...but it's good to know the products onboard are good so we won't have to pack anything for Jason to use other than what's in the room (he has virtually NO hair so he doesn't need to use my products! )

Alright...I'm off to watch some TV and eat and ice my poor back!


Erik

Had to interrupt the three TV junkies in the family (watching Star Trek TNG--the kids were alive when they were new, so reruns it is) to read them that post. Rio suggests we bring HSM with us and have a movie wathcing party (though he WOULD perform hte entire thing on your table if he could ) I had to ask him with what DVD player on what big TV? Oh yeah Mommy.

Okay, so David and I will feeel very left out of the TV conversations. We've never even seen Ugly Betty. All we watch (other than TNG and Home Improvemnet reruns with the kids) is Monk, Everybody Hates Chris and Two and a Half Men. Pathetic aren't we?

Oh, and Cupcake--glad to know you can quit worrying about the passport! Must have been soooo stressful.

 

[iluvdisney]

milestogo - there's a Disney park outlet on Vineland just off I-4 - only about a 15 min ride from WDW property. I visit that one everytime I go to WDW. Also another one up in St Augustine and there's one on International Drive.

 

[tazzmacd]

Man checked this morning at work and we were 3 pages back. I hate to see what we will be like when the cruise gets even closer then 46 sleeps away.

Welcome to Lori and the gang, not sure if my son would let me leave him at home for a trip like this. I think he would kill me first

Well Passports arrived, those are off the list now. Baskets are ordered, thanks for the site gang, I think the kids and the wife will be pleased with them. They are going to be a surprise for them. Door decorations have begun. Packing list has started to be filled out.

Of course I realized today that my night that we have booked for Palo is on the same night as the Pirate Night. So I am going to keep the Palo reservation for now and wait until we get confirmation once we board the ship when Pirate night is. And speaking of Pirate night, one piece of my costume arrived tonight woot, couple of pieces of Eric's are being shipped in the morning. Just have to find the rest of it now.

I plan on packing light and doing a laundry part way thorugh the cruise so you will see some of hte same shirts on me and the kids. DW is still trying to decide how much to take but I have pointedout that the more she takes the less she will be able to bring back home. That is helping some.

Well 24 is almost on, got to run. Night all

Cheers!!

Pat