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

[Brooklyn]

Brooklyn, most Walmarts are 24/7, try their web site and use the airport or orlando zip code to find the closest, wally world.

We also hit the one in Kissimmee for those things we don't want to pack on the plane. Sams Club in Kissimmee is reported to have a liquor section. Will stock up there when we get Wine and Cheese part supplies.

Sams Club would be a great idea, I did not think of that. I am sure they would be closed by the time we could get there.

Oh how I wish there were more hours in the day!

 

[gismo1554]

Well thank you to all for your concern about the rabbit. She had a very agressive tumor that had spread throughout her lungs, stomache, etc and had to be put down. So now we have one lonely bunny out side and two pretty upset kids. This was technically Marika's rabbit and was the only pet she has ever had. She is in total denial. She stayed in the car for almost two hours while we were at the vet--refused to come in and will not talk about it now. She's reading like it will kill her to stop. Rio is acting more like "normal" sad and telling her Willy (his bunny) can be hers now too. Hard enough to go through, but much harder to watch the kids deal with this. I am so glad she didn't get like this while we were gone as the poor tenageer from next door who keeps them when we travel would have ahd no idea what to do and she probably would have suffered longer.

I'm so so sorry. I know it must be really hard at the moment but as said at least it wasn't while you were away. Give Marika time and she will come to terms with it. The break away might actually be a good thing for her as it might help her come to grips with it all. Big hugs to you all at this sad time.

 

[gydell]

Well my DD took DGS to dr yesterday for an ear ache and today he wakes up with pink eye. Now we are all scared that all of us will get it! At least now is better than next week.

 

[gismo1554]

Can someone tell me if you are allowed to bring alcohol on board?

Thanks!

Definately can!

 

[NHdisneylover]

Well my DD took DGS to dr yesterday for an ear ache and today he wakes up with pink eye. Now we are all scared that all of us will get it! At least now is better than next week.

Tell Brent we hope he feels better soon. Wash your hands a LOT and hopefully no one else will get it. But, absolutely better now than next week.

 

[gismo1554]

Well my DD took DGS to dr yesterday for an ear ache and today he wakes up with pink eye. Now we are all scared that all of us will get it! At least now is better than next week.

Nasty! Hope he gets better quickly - and no one else gets it!

 

[Scott H]

Brooklyn, would Super shuttle, or something like that be easier, rather than parking at LAX???

While in FL, Divide and conquer , one shop whilst the other does the other stuff.

Class is going well and there is a guy from Barcelona in the class, he warns of pick pockets, will pick his brain for other scoop.

 

[milestogo]

Is anyone parking there car at LAX long term? Did you find any good rates? Are you pre-paying?

We are trying to figure out if we drive ourselves and find parking or somehow find transporation from where we live???

My DH parks there often, so I'll ask him when he calls in this morning. I can tell you that you will pay approx. $11 per day with a coupon from AAA magazine. I may have one I can send you if you need it. It's hard to say what the super shuttle will be from that far away. Also, check out parking at our house near John Wayne Airport and then taking a shuttle from John Wayne. If that works I'll PM my address and then let me neighbors know.

 

[milestogo]

How about our price of gas, Scott? $3.40

 

[KaptainJack]

Hi everyone!

Sorry about the loss of the bunny, Marika.

The DisBoards are certainly a source of comfort when it comes to pets as I have read and seen the love of these special friends by all. I was touched by the "Tippy" tribute and the "Zoe" story.

We are saying goodbye to our puppy tomorrow who was just staying with us to have "a childhood" until he goes into training to be a guide dog for the blind. The kids are home from school today and spoiling him rotten. We're trying to keep it positive but ... He was therapeutic for me as I had trouble getting over the loss of our family dog. It worked.

We also have two little pets near the end of their life (brothers/littermates). They are not suffering but one of them is starting to go. My son has been tending to him so lovingly. So brave. It's a bit stressful with the trip being two weeks long. Last night the kids pitched a little tent in my son's room and I read them stories in it. The little pet sat up in his cage beside us and listened. It was very cute. I know he probably just thought, "Hey, that's the lady's voice ... that means peanut butter!" ... but it's still cute. Pets are so interesting, no matter what kind they are. (not everyone is a fan of this type of pet (even I said "NO" when my son first asked if he could have one ... so of course we have TWO) so I'm being vague as I can't handle any jokes about it right now, hee hee)

I also remember the first time I did SCUBA in the ocean and was shocked at the interactive personalities of the fish. It was a real education for me. They had always been something beautiful to look at but I didn't realize the extent of their cognitive ability.

Warm pet thoughts to all!

 

[padalyn]

Cayla--watch out that you don't bring any sand grains home in your pockets fm Castaway Cay. It sounds like your luggage is so close on weight that could put you over the edge How will you get your castaway club gift and other freebies home?

He He He - this is the beauty of all of this - my carryon luggage is inside the larger piece...so going I have 2 pieces and returning I have the 2 checked and the one carryon!! I figured I would have way too much to add to the luggage, and when I packed the first time, I got it all in one bag at 65 pounds...thus the carryon inside the larger checked bag.

 

[AuntyBrat]

He He He - this is the beauty of all of this - my carryon luggage is inside the larger piece...so going I have 2 pieces and returning I have the 2 checked and the one carryon!! I figured I would have way too much to add to the luggage, and when I packed the first time, I got it all in one bag at 65 pounds...thus the carryon inside the larger checked bag.

Tres Smart!!!! We are just planning on making sure they are half filled with the clothes and such split 50/50. Yeah, right....

 

[tig82174]

Well my DD took DGS to dr yesterday for an ear ache and today he wakes up with pink eye. Now we are all scared that all of us will get it! At least now is better than next week.

I am actually fighting an ear infection, too....last week when I got sick I had a NASTY ear infection in my right ear (literally.....like it was really painful so I went to my doctor and when the P.A. looked in my left ear, she said..."looks ok" and when she looked in my right ear she reflexively said "OUCH! EW!" and stepped back, "Yeah I can see how that would hurt!!" ) Anyhow I've been on antibiotics now for 9 days....my prescription runs out tomorrow but my ear still doesn't feel 100%....it's less painful but still feels "full" kind of like it won't pop or something....I am thinking of going back tothe doctor later today or tomorrow just to have them look because I don't want to stop the meds tmw and then over the weekend while I"m in WDW have the infection flare back up and become painful again!!


Erik

 

[CACruisin']

Laura - too funny about your boss. I guess he still working on the definition of "vacation"

DH said last night that he expects to see lots of pictures from the trip. Sure, I'm going to take lots of pictures! Then he says he expects me to upload from the ship to ofoto - with a slow internet connection? I don't think so!

Does anyone know where the closest WalMart/Target is to the Hyatt at teh Orlando airport. We fly in at 6:50pm on the 11th. I want to rent a car for the night and buy things that i do not think I can fit in my luggage, LIKE 80 DIAPERS! My DH thinks everything will fit This is coming from a Marine who has spent 29 months in Iraq. He can live off of anything, me on the other hand I am more of the and so are our girls.

I found a rental with tax for $26 for the night. My DH concearn is that we get in late that we have to get the girls settled, get them dinner and then find a way to get to a store to buy the stuff.

Then I brought up the whole alcohol thing. I said there is no way that we can bring it from CA. We would have to buy it in FL. He is now considering the idea. My husband is the most easy going guy out there but I do want to get all of the facts first. Ido not want to plan on renting a car and not packing things if we will not make it in time for the stores to even be open.

THANKS!

I agree with Scott with Divide and Conquer! One of you gets checked into the hotel and gets the kids fed. The other gets the rental car and heads out to pick up the last minute stuff.

Is anyone doing this in Barcelona. I thought that my girls would just LOVE it. It does not seem available to book anymore. That does not surprise me though with booking this cruise so late. I was just wondering if there is a chance to still book this when we get on board???

I am also interested in it, but it was booked up. I am assuming that I will be able to book onboard, or I think there are some people interested in doing this on our own. I'm game!

Sorry to keep posting. Everytime I hit "submit" I think of something new!

Is anyone parking there car at LAX long term? Did you find any good rates? Are you pre-paying?

We are trying to figure out if we drive ourselves and find parking or somehow find transporation from where we live???

That is a long time to park at LAX. The best we have gotten was $10/day in longterm LOT C. Do you have a neighbor/friend who would be willing to drive you in and pick you up? Also look at SuperShuttle or car services or do as Milestogo suggests and park at her place and take a car service from there to LAX.

Well my DD took DGS to dr yesterday for an ear ache and today he wakes up with pink eye. Now we are all scared that all of us will get it! At least now is better than next week.

Bummer! here's for fast healing and that NO ONE else gets it - yuck!

Class is going well and there is a guy from Barcelona in the class, he warns of pick pockets, will pick his brain for other scoop.

KEWL! Can't wait to hear more scoop from a local! Would you mind asking if the Chocolate Museum is worth it with kids? Thanks!

 

[Scott H]

Reference to laundry soap, I remember on the Panama Canal cruise, someone posted a website that sold travel soap. I think there was even some tabs of laundry soap. Of course, I cannot remember the website, but those of you who are more internet literate than I might be able to search it out. It sold all kinds of travel items. Of course, it also is probably a little late to get anything for this cruise, but it might help some of you in the future. One thing I have done is package powder laundry soap in double zip lock bags. Lately, I just buy a small bottle of liquid laundry soap in Orlando before I leave. This time I am taking some small bottles of liquid Tide (each will do 2 or 4 loads, I'm not going to unpack them to check it out) that I found last year at Target in their travel section. I was also very upset to learn that Tide is no longer making the tablets, they were very handy.

Lynn

 

[CACruisin']

I am actually fighting an ear infection, too....last week when I got sick I had a NASTY ear infection in my right ear (literally.....like it was really painful so I went to my doctor and when the P.A. looked in my left ear, she said..."looks ok" and when she looked in my right ear she reflexively said "OUCH! EW!" and stepped back, "Yeah I can see how that would hurt!!" ) Anyhow I've been on antibiotics now for 9 days....my prescription runs out tomorrow but my ear still doesn't feel 100%....it's less painful but still feels "full" kind of like it won't pop or something....I am thinking of going back tothe doctor later today or tomorrow just to have them look because I don't want to stop the meds tmw and then over the weekend while I"m in WDW have the infection flare back up and become painful again!!


Erik

Definitely go back to the Dr. You do not want to be flying with fluid in your ear - OUCH! See the Dr and make sure the infection is gone. Make sure he knows you are flying too and will be out of the country. For awhile there I was ear infection guru. We saw the pediatrician every single week for about 3 months at one point with one or the other of the kids!

Tips from my pediatrician for flying with plugged sinus/ears (we still do this):
1. Couple of sudafed before you board and, for a long flight, before you start to descend.
2. Afrin Nasal Spray after you are seated on the plane before take off.
3. Lots of Motrin in case steps 1 & 2 don't work!

 

[tig82174]

Well, needless to say....I had a VERY long day yesterday. I work with an LGBT youth group and yesterday we took them to an all day conference and legislative lobby day to meet with senators and assemblymembers in the state Capitol...which meant boarding a bus with 27 teenagers at 4:30am and not getting home until almost 10pm....a VERY long day!!

And to top it off I had no internet access during that time so couldn't check the boards and when I finally got home...exhausted and ready to fall over...you looney tune posting maniacs had filled nearly 14 pages of posts!!!

*sigh*

Anyhow....

Hadley---I'm so sorry to hear about your and Marika's bunny. About 5 years ago I had to put down my childhood cat who I'd had since 1986 for a very similar reason and there's no other way to put it----it sucks! New pets are not a replacement...but they do fill a void....our new kitten, Demeter, is literally the joy of our life now and I think we'lll miss her (and our parrot, Sarabi) more than we'll miss most humans while we're away! So give it time....and then find a new companion!

Also, Hadley....you'll think this is fun. Part of our day yesterday was a big rally on the lawn of the State Capital building and at the end of all the speakers when the crowd was dissipating and migrating back into the building for lunch and meetings, etc. they started blasting "We're All In This Together" over the loudspeakers...I was so excited that several of my kids and I started doing the dance (because I've basically compelled all of them into being HSM fan(atics), too!). Then I was telling them how exciting it was that I was going to meet Rio on this cruise----another youngster with some love for HSM like me!! WOO HOO!!

Now....I have one more trip this afternoon for work and that's my last major work project really before laveing for FLA! I have to admit I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. This week has been so crazy that I haven't gotten nearly the cleaning or packing done I had hoped so tomorrow night is going to be an absolute frenzy at my house, I promise!


Erik

 

[CACruisin']

Brooklyn - I just had another thought on your stateside transport. Look into renting a car and doing a one way to LAX and then reversing it to get home. This may be your cheapest option.

You are not particularly close to any airports, but there maybe a Hertz Local Edition close by and then drop off at the airport is easy. Another option would be Enterprise which has lots of non-airport locations, but I don't know about drop off at LAX.

While I was typing I thought of one more option. When the kids were little and we had early morning flights, we would go into LAX the night before and stay at the Marriott Renaissance the night before. AAA has a "park, sleep & Fly" package with about 10 days of free parking at the hotel.

 

[seaulater]

Does anyone know where the closest WalMart/Target is to the Hyatt at teh Orlando airport. We fly in at 6:50pm on the 11th. I want to rent a car for the night and buy things that i do not think I can fit in my luggage, LIKE 80 DIAPERS! My DH thinks everything will fit This is coming from a Marine who has spent 29 months in Iraq. He can live off of anything, me on the other hand I am more of the and so are our girls.

I found a rental with tax for $26 for the night. My DH concearn is that we get in late that we have to get the girls settled, get them dinner and then find a way to get to a store to buy the stuff.

Then I brought up the whole alcohol thing. I said there is no way that we can bring it from CA. We would have to buy it in FL. He is now considering the idea. My husband is the most easy going guy out there but I do want to get all of the facts first. Ido not want to plan on renting a car and not packing things if we will not make it in time for the stores to even be open.

THANKS!

Ken (Kpros) knows where the Walmart is. However, it might take you awhile to get back to the Hyatt. But, he does know all the back streets of Orlando really well.........................

 

[milestogo]

Yes, Erik. Go back - sometimes it takes two courses of antibiotics. And the nasal sprays have done wonders for me.