may 12, 2012 7 Night Western on the Fantasy

[Boomerang4]

The flight. It's looong with a 3.5 year old Seattle to Orlando. I've flown far just DH and I ... Turkey, Italy, etc. but the farthest we've flown with DS is LA. (2 hrs to Disneyland and Disney cruises out of LA for us) I am super super nervous about this long flight. I know people do it with small kids all the time, but my little guy is active not sure how I'm going to get him to sit still for 6 1/2 hours. it's hard for me to sit that long! The cruise? Not nervous at all!

I hear you sister. Our flight from Prague is 14 hours including a two-hour layover in Frankfurt, but they're a little older than your little guy.

Our boys are relatively practiced at this, but it's always a challenge. Our main tool is not something for everyone, though. We have iTouches that we purchased with rewards points. They have tons of memory. I load them up with new puzzles, books and games from iTunes, and digital movies and TV shows. They have kid-sized headphones (from Amazon) and get to use these iTouches only when they travel on long trips. (I carry a small reserve battery too)

Something else that works is a variation of mom of a lil pirate's suggestion. Get a few new dime store things, small books, special snacks, puzzles, etc. wrap them each separately, and pull one out every hour or so. He will be intrigued, excited, and maybe even, possibly, perhaps...eager to please.

We also play "what's different", spotting something that he's never seen before, read books about the airport and planes for a week beforehand and use that to find things out the window or in the airport, and talk about security and the x-ray machine before we go.

Don't worry about other people, there will be a meltdown (maybe you, maybe him). Just remember, it's all good in the end, you're closer and closer to the cruise with each minute on that flight.

 

[chrisrunty]

Our flight is not that long. But I have driven with my son from Chicago to Florida. I packed up some new toys (coloring books, cars, etc) along with some of his favorites that I hid a week or two before leaving. Every 30 minutes or so ( depending when he was getting antsy) I would pull out something new. For him to play with, putting the toy he was playing with back in the bag. This worked out great For him. Just an idea for you anyway

I hear you sister. Our flight from Prague is 14 hours including a two-hour layover in Frankfurt, but they're a little older than your little guy.

Our boys are relatively practiced at this, but it's always a challenge. Our main tool is not something for everyone, though. We have iTouches that we purchased with rewards points. They have tons of memory. I load them up with new puzzles, books and games from iTunes, and digital movies and TV shows. They have kid-sized headphones (from Amazon) and get to use these iTouches only when they travel on long trips. (I carry a small reserve battery too)

Something else that works is a variation of mom of a lil pirate's suggestion. Get a few new dime store things, small books, special snacks, puzzles, etc. wrap them each separately, and pull one out every hour or so. He will be intrigued, excited, and maybe even, possibly, perhaps...eager to please.

We also play "what's different", spotting something that he's never seen before, read books about the airport and planes for a week beforehand and use that to find things out the window or in the airport, and talk about security and the x-ray machine before we go.

Don't worry about other people, there will be a meltdown (maybe you, maybe him). Just remember, it's all good in the end, you're closer and closer to the cruise with each minute on that flight.

Thank you so much ladies for the advice and words of encouragement!
What I have planned so far is lollipops (doesn't get those at home), healthy snacks, his favorite little blanket, the iPad with about 15 movies.... Good thing the battery life is like 10 hrs. I want to get some little "new" toys just haven't done it yet.... Thanks for reminding me! Also about remembering to bring his headphones! I will TRY and tell myself not to worry about what others think if my little guy gets antsy...

 

[mom of a lil pirate]

Thank you so much ladies for the advice and words of encouragement!
What I have planned so far is lollipops (doesn't get those at home), healthy snacks, his favorite little blanket, the iPad with about 15 movies.... Good thing the battery life is like 10 hrs. I want to get some little "new" toys just haven't done it yet.... Thanks for reminding me! Also about remembering to bring his headphones! I will TRY and tell myself not to worry about what others think if my little guy gets antsy...

He will be fine, but I always used to buy some cookies and some earplugs on plane rides when my son was a baby. This way if he was crying I could at least say, " Cookies? Earplugs?" with a smile and hopefully break the tension of those around us. Of course we never needed them, but it made me feel better having them lol.

 

[sarahfla75]

Holy cow! Only 12 more days!!!!

And the bands came today!!!! There is lime green goodness all over the table.

If you wanted to use paypal.... my email is mel0215(at)aol.com (use at symbol) 1.25 each band.

Please put your disname, and how many in the notes. Thanks

I just paid for the bracelets through PayPal...10 bracelets total. Thanks again!

 

[gigi1313]

Thank you so much ladies for the advice and words of encouragement!
What I have planned so far is lollipops (doesn't get those at home), healthy snacks, his favorite little blanket, the iPad with about 15 movies.... Good thing the battery life is like 10 hrs. I want to get some little "new" toys just haven't done it yet.... Thanks for reminding me! Also about remembering to bring his headphones! I will TRY and tell myself not to worry about what others think if my little guy gets antsy...

at 3.5 my ds was obsessed with matching game games on the ipad... there are tons of free ones and a few we paid $.99 for... they kept him happy for hours... plus, ISpy books... (which reminds me to get some! LOL!)... i also bought a pad of big post-its (big like 4x8) and they are great for coloring, writing numbers, playing "guess what mommy's drawing," etc as they don't fall down, adhere to the tray table, and work great in restaurants too! Oh, another thing ds loves when flying is the inflight catalog... we can spend 45 minutes just looking for dogs and cats! LOL!

also, are you bringing his carseat? ds (now 4) travels much much better in his own carseat than in the airplane buckle... he can see more, reach the tray table better, and most of all, nap better!! it's worth hauling it imo!

 

[CoreyB]

Is it just me or has anyone else looked and noticed that it appears our cruise is going to be nowhere near full. I have looked on DCL website just seeing what was still available and it seems there are still 8-10 rooms available in almost all verandah categories and many in other categories as well.

 

[chrisrunty]

at 3.5 my ds was obsessed with matching game games on the ipad... there are tons of free ones and a few we paid $.99 for... they kept him happy for hours... plus, ISpy books... (which reminds me to get some! LOL!)... i also bought a pad of big post-its (big like 4x8) and they are great for coloring, writing numbers, playing "guess what mommy's drawing," etc as they don't fall down, adhere to the tray table, and work great in restaurants too! Oh, another thing ds loves when flying is the inflight catalog... we can spend 45 minutes just looking for dogs and cats! LOL!

also, are you bringing his carseat? ds (now 4) travels much much better in his own carseat than in the airplane buckle... he can see more, reach the tray table better, and most of all, nap better!! it's worth hauling it imo!

We don't bring his carseat anymore, we have that C.A.R.E.S system for flights. But I agree he was much better at being able to nap when he had his carseat. Post-its is a fantastic idea! It's now on my shopping list.

 

[chrisrunty]

He will be fine, but I always used to buy some cookies and some earplugs on plane rides when my son was a baby. This way if he was crying I could at least say, " Cookies? Earplugs?" with a smile and hopefully break the tension of those around us. Of course we never needed them, but it made me feel better having them lol.

I think I'd want the cookies for me!

 

[sasmmb]

Ok, names and other info updated for Linda67 and Bethleham.
I got home around 1:30 AM. Blegh!

 

[ilovetexas]

-------------------------------------------------
OK, new questions for anyone who is game:

--What are you most worried about (sane response)?
That I won't be able to get all the FEs in a suitcase. (I have to have room for alcohol )

--What are you most worried about (not so sane response)?
Pirates.

--More social on the boards or on the cruise? Even steven?
I would talk to a fence post and so would Seth (even though he doesn't appear on the boards). Not that any of you are fence posts!

--Day or night you are most looking forward to?
Remy on Costa Maya night.

--New flavor you expect to try?
Gnocchi di patate con Gorgonzola e Asparagi in Palo

Answers in blue.

 

[sherri675]

Hi Sherri! How do I go about getting a copy of the spreadsheet from you? This would really come in handy!

Thank you!!
Sarah

Hi Sarah - you can send me an email at sherri675@aol.com and I will reply with the spreadsheet. I kept it up-to-date with all of the recent posts.

 

[mom of a lil pirate]

1 more week!!!!!

 

[Boomerang4]

Has anyone ever stayed at Ron Jon resort? It's right next to the port. Or heard anything about it? We are staying there the night before and I'm curious to see if anyone has any thoughts on it. Seems like most people are staying elsewhere.

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT'S ONE WEEK FROM TODAY????

Where can we see the ship from (I totally don't know Cape Canaveral)? Fishlips? Somewhere else closer to the Disney dock? Oh well, actually, I guess the ship won't be in until the wee hours of the morning. So what is the thought, has anyone settled on a possible cocktail hour the night before embarkation? I know there was discussion, but I can't remember if anything was decided?

Last minute things to pack/remember? I remembered how useful it was to have tape, a small pair of scissors, and a few bag clips onboard. And a corkscrew rolleyes1) for shore purchases... I packed a little bag of "tools".

 

[Linda67]

Hello fellow cruisers
Can you believe we are only one week away!!!!!!
Wishing everyone safe travels if your heading down soon
Anyone heading to WDW before or after the cruise?

 

[mom of a lil pirate]

Hello fellow cruisers
Can you believe we are only one week away!!!!!!
Wishing everyone safe travels if your heading down soon
Anyone heading to WDW before or after the cruise?

We are heading to HS and MK on Thursday . My DS has no idea at all! We are doing a birthday breakfast at HS so he can meet the beloved Jake!! I can't wait to see his face...I will probably cry. I am getting teary eyed just thinking about it. LOL. Most likely spending most of the day at HS then going to catch the Electrical light parade and fireworks at MK. Then going to do a half day at DTD (doing lunch at Trex) before heading back to the Hyatt around check in time. It is hard to believe we are leaving in a few days . Safe travels to everyone!!!

 

[steelek_29]

Hello fellow cruisers
Can you believe we are only one week away!!!!!!
Wishing everyone safe travels if your heading down soon
Anyone heading to WDW before or after the cruise?

I'm going to MK, IOA, ans US after the cruise

 

[chrisrunty]

Has anyone ever stayed at Ron Jon resort? It's right next to the port. Or heard anything about it? We are staying there the night before and I'm curious to see if anyone has any thoughts on it. Seems like most people are staying elsewhere.

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT'S ONE WEEK FROM TODAY????

Where can we see the ship from (I totally don't know Cape Canaveral)? Fishlips? Somewhere else closer to the Disney dock? Oh well, actually, I guess the ship won't be in until the wee hours of the morning. So what is the thought, has anyone settled on a possible cocktail hour the night before embarkation? I know there was discussion, but I can't remember if anything was decided?

Last minute things to pack/remember? I remembered how useful it was to have tape, a small pair of scissors, and a few bag clips onboard. And a corkscrew rolleyes1) for shore purchases... I packed a little bag of "tools".

We are staying at the port. I almosted booked us Ron jon. But since we arrive MCO at 5:30 pm then drive to the port we wouldn't have enough time to to enjoy it. So we booked Country Inn and suites which you can see the ship from their higher floors. We will do Fishlips for dinner then hit the hotel pool until bedtime. Our check in for the cruise is 11:00 so we will be there like 10:45 am after breakfast with our swimsuits on under our clothes. hopefully 43 inch DS will past for the aquaduck.

 

[Boomerang4]

We are staying at the port. I almosted booked us Ron jon. But since we arrive MCO at 5:30 pm then drive to the port we wouldn't have enough time to to enjoy it. So we booked Country Inn and suites which you can see the ship from their higher floors. We will do Fishlips for dinner then hit the hotel pool until bedtime. Our check in for the cruise is 11:00 so we will be there like 10:45 am after breakfast with our swimsuits on under our clothes. hopefully 43 inch DS will past for the aquaduck.

We're coming in on Thursday, so we'll have one day at Ron Jon. I think we will do Fishlips for dinner the night before the cruise too. Maybe we'll cross paths.

The Disney website has been down for the past couple of hours. Hope it's nothing serious.

 

[JERSEYGIRLINSI]

We decided to rent a car, and park it @ Park n Cruise for the duration of the cruise. But we will be staying at Pop Century on Friday May 11th. Is it really 90 minutes from Pop to the port? I really had no idea that it would take that long to drive to the port. That info I got from the Disney Cruise line website.

 

[gigi1313]

We are flying in Friday morning and spending afternoon and evening at MK, staying at Contemporary and taking DCL transport to port... Still no pickup time or DCL yet though...