May 18-21-06 Anyone traveling with toddlers?

[Tahoe]

I think I am leaning towards the towncar - much less of a hassle even though it will cost more.

You can bring a hair dryer. But I do think they have them in the bathrooms, not sure how good it works!

I am so unprepared for this vacation - I was thinking in Nassau to rent a room at Comfort Suites, but I think we will just stay on the boat.

What is everyone else doing?

Joyce

Joyce, we're staying on the ship. I just want a nice leisurely day. I would like to do the wine tasting (anyone else want to join me??!). DH is getting a massage. Then we'll probably just hang out by the pool, have a nice lunch, and enjoy the ship. IF we are the closest ship docked, I have directions on how to get to a particular hotel to take a great "postcard" picture of the Wonder. But that probably won't happen.

I thought about the pirate museum (Joyce, your DS might like that--it supposedly doesn't take long to go through and it's not far from the docks), but the ship seems to be calling more to me. I also thought about getting off to buy some rum cakes.... We'll see. No matter what, it won't be for more than an hour. I also think it depends on how hot and humid it is. (I don't do humidity very well!)

Let me know, anyone, about wine tasting!! DH doesn't drink much wine, so I'll most likely be by myself.

 

[mamaof2]

Karin, Joyce, Fredms:

When you see my hair you would never think that I had a curl in it. The truth is that my hair is naturally curly and I don't like it. Besides having had traumatized my dh once upon a time with my hair, I wish it upon noone. I am "high maintainance" sort off. I do have to carry around with my hair dryer and straightners....Wow--lot of luggage..It is soo bad that I really put it in my carry on, in the event that my luggage is lost..LOL.
I remember that my husband -back in the boyfriend days-didn't know that my hair was curly. We went away for a weekend and like any ordinary person-I took a shower, was too tired to dry my hair, so I went to bed.. In the morning I woke up to him calling me. When I sat up in the bed, the reaction on his face was priceless. He asked me what the hell happened to the person that went to bed with him. He was shocked. He really doesn't like my curly hair. it really does look like I have snakes on my head. Well, not so much lately. I now have short hair. It's easy to maintain.
Just sharing a little personal humor to all Hope you all have a beautiful day...good hair day that is....

 

[Tahoe]

Annie, the hair story is hilarious! I, too, have naturally curly hair, but I have found a good cut for it and can deal with it most days now. I just wish they had the good straighteners back in the '70s, early '80s, when I needed them--when Farrah Fawcett and Dorothy Hamill were the rage!

I ventured out today without makeup because I woke up with pink eye (just as I am starting to feel better from the strep throat). I was a sight to see--but I don't care anymore. I just hope one day I can feel better....

Just made the last of our reservations this morning! Got a hotel near LAX for the night before we fly out. We leave three weeks from tomorrow! I can't believe how close it is now! Time to go shopping for a few new things.

There's a Delta 4 rocket launch at 6:15pm the day we leave, though we'll probably be too far out to sea to see anything by then.

 

[mamaof2]

You are a mess Karin! What happened to you? I can not imagine you with strepp, a runny nose and pink eye! Yikesss-what a sight. Ha-thought I'd make you laugh. well deserving of these smilies>>>
Wow, did you go to your doctors? You really need to rack up on some rest hours-and drink your vitamin C. Can't stress it enough.
I really do hope you get better soon..But then again, it's better to get this over with, then suffering while on your 2nd honeymoon/vacation.
I am sending you some pixie dust-make sure you don't get any in your eyes, nose or throat..Off humor I know!!! GET SOME REST!!!!
Here goes nothing!

 

[Tahoe]

You are a mess Karin! What happened to you? I can not imagine you with strepp, a runny nose and pink eye! Yikesss-what a sight. Ha-thought I'd make you laugh. well deserving of these smilies>>>
Wow, did you go to your doctors? You really need to rack up on some rest hours-and drink your vitamin C. Can't stress it enough.
I really do hope you get better soon..But then again, it's better to get this over with, then suffering while on your 2nd honeymoon/vacation.
I am sending you some pixie dust-make sure you don't get any in your eyes, nose or throat..Off humor I know!!! GET SOME REST!!!!
Here goes nothing!

Thanks Annie! I don't know what happened to me. Maybe I just boasted a little too much about not being sick since before Christmas! Thanks for the pixie dust and the smilies! You're silly! I went to the doc on Friday, and I will be calling back again tomorrow. I might just need a stronger antibiotic. What's really bugging me tonight is the eye. Hopefully I just need to get some sleep. I can hope for miracles! Otherwise, it's a no makeup day again tomorrow. I have been using eye drops. Just hope it works by tomorrow.

 

[mamaof2]

Good morning Karin,

How is the red eyed monster w/ the runny nose and sore throat doing?
I do hope you are feeling better! Did your Dr. change your Rx?
I ususally get sick 3 times a year. With major seasonal changes. Even as a child, I would only get sick 3/4 times a year. My DDs are the same. Lucky is a key word. Well, I know that you are tempted to go out shopping for those last minute items, but don't. I am telling you, rest is what you need. If your Dr. gave you drugs-take them. I know how difficult it is to rest with kids, but try. I was reading that to take good pix of the kids in the Mickey pool, we should do it, as soon as we get on board. Do you think that our rooms will be ready before dinner? If they are, I might just let them play in the mickey pool for a while. We have early seating, so that is why I am asking about the rooms. My flight arrives at MCO at 10:30 am. I was thinking about making a quick stop and getting something to eat before taking the bus to the port. If we do that, then I won't have to worry about eating at BBB or PC. We can always get a bite to eat after the pix, right?
Well, it's almost time to make my monsters their lunch.

 

[Tahoe]

Annie, good morning! Yes, I think I'm slowly getting better. Eye's still red, but it feels much better than yesterday. I just think it's going to take time.

About the first day, here is what I suggest: Get to the Port as quickly as you can! So if you and your DH can wait for lunch until onboard, have snacks for your girls to tide them over until they get on. I wouldn't even take the time to stop. When you board, go straight to the Mickey Pool, grab a table, and snap the pictures! (Make sure that the girls are in their swim suits.) You and your DH can trade off going to BBB (it's VERY close by) and bring your tray out to the Mickey pool. You can get the girls chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, or something from BBB and just eat by the pool. Scoops also has tons of great fruit, and the drink station is right there too. This is what we did when we arrived. We weren't even the first to board, and the pool was still almost empty. Here's one of the many pics I took:

The room should be ready by 1:30, but all your luggage might not be there yet. That would be the only problem with getting ready for dinner.

 

[GJM]

This is what I plan on doing - getting to the port as soon as possible my DS will have his bathing suit on and going straight to the Mickey pool. Love the picture, can't wait to show him.

There is a place right by the pool to get something to eat, is that correct? I will just eat something from there as long as he is having fun. I hope he will meet other kids since it will just be him -

 

[Tahoe]

There is a place right by the pool to get something to eat, is that correct? I will just eat something from there as long as he is having fun. I hope he will meet other kids since it will just be him -

Yes! In the picture, you can see Pluto's (by the lady in the orange shirt). They have chicken strips, hot dogs, hamburger, fries, and potato chips. Scoops (behind the man in the blue shorts) serves soft serve ice cream with toppings and tons of fresh fruit. Sometimes they have other things too. The drink station is by the bottom of the Mickey slide. On the other side of Pluto's (by the Goofy pool) is the pizza place. Your son will never be out of your sight!!

If your son likes basketball or soccer, or another ball game, I recommend that you take him up to the sports deck on Deck 10 forward. My son practically spent the entire day at sea up there. He met and played with kids from all over, including from other countries. Because he was 8, we let him walk up there by himself and then could keep tabs on him--Channel 11 on TV has a camera overlooking the sports deck. It's on all the time!

 

[GJM]

It sounds "perfect" hopefully he will play and I can sit and read -

 

[fredms]

mamaof2 - Karin is giving you good advice. Bring PBJ or something from home and head directly to port (do not pass Go do not collect $200 - because you'll spend it on the cruise anyway). Then do exactly what she said. Don't be put off by the crew who will tell you to go to Parrot Cay for lunch (rookie mistake). Its been a long cold winter and you want to eat outside! Head directly to the Mickey pool and have you or your DH grab food from BBB - don't worry the awesome staff will help you carry your trays out.

How many more days? Can't wait!

 

[mamaof2]

fredms,
I will listen to what you all are saying. I will make sure to have the girls bathing suits on and ready for the pool. I guess I could pack up some PBJ's that is my dds favorite anyway...LOL. My worries were having to be in the airport at 5:30am w/2 toddlers. They are not big morning eaters-that's why I thought of stopping. I will try to get to the port asap. I really want this to be special for my kids. My 4 1/2 yr has good recollection. I hope that this trip will stay with her for a LONG time. Last Sept we went on our 1st wdw trip. She was still 3 at the time, but it's still fresh in her mind. When we did wishes, the castle for dinner, chef mickeys, the rides. Till this day she laughs at us swimming in the pool with no daylight out. How cool is that? She really had fun.

 

[Tahoe]

This time we will be going to Parrot Cay for lunch when we board. We went to BBB several times last cruise, AND I don't think I can eat outside in May! Even in January, it was too humid! If we have a leisurely lunch and a stroll around the ship, maybe then it will be time to check out our room. Also, I'll need to get a computer account ASAP so I can keep in touch with my kids when we're out of cell phone range....

Honestly, I can't believe that it's getting so close!

 

[fredms]

If its an consalation - I took my four nieces and nephews January 2004 to Disney World and on the Wonder. The twins were four and still talk about the Mickey Slide, the big boat and the bunk bed they slept on. I suspect your 4 1/2 year old will remember as well. Having taken four kids before as well as going with just adults and observing others interaction with their kids I think a key is just to relax and take things as they come (a bit contradictory to my earlier post). I won't tell you how many times on the three cruises I've been on that you see parents shouting at their kids and that's just not the point.

I am sure it will be great!

 

[Tahoe]

I won't tell you how many times on the three cruises I've been on that you see parents shouting at their kids and that's just not the point.

I am always puzzled by this too! Our January cruise was the first time in a very long time where I was able to completely relax. No thinking about the next meal, no worrying about doing dishes, laundry, or even making the beds! We had no where to be and no set schedules. This is embarassing to admit, but my son commented on how I hadn't been crabby once on the trip.

Annie, just make sure that you take tons of pictures and leave room in the budget to buy pictures from Shutters. My daughter still looks at the pictures and her autograph book 3-4 times a week.

I also got photo mats signed and then enlarged a couple of the Shutters pictures taken on Castaway Cay. Every time we walk down the hall we're reminded of the best family vacation ever!!

 

[mamaof2]

Hi everyone,

How do you feel about a carry on luggage. Say about 20". Is it too much? Or should I just stick to back packs? I am contemplating on buying the rolling backpack. It just feels heavy. Knowing me, I will pack it up to the rim, and make it feel heavier. So any opinions? I really do have to take a lot on board with me. I have to pack up sandwiches, besides taking a change of clothes for the girls-including bathing suits for all of us. Not including the camera, camcorder and paperwork.
I am cooking dinner tonight-my dh tells me to please not overcook the meat.. I can not cook steak for the life of me. I am good with chicken and fish-but when it comes to steaks-I suck!!!! Maybe I should consider following a steak recipe and surprise him--Ah, who has time?

 

[GJM]

When DH & I went on our cruise I got big zip lock bags, found them in Walmart, I put clothes in them and rolled the air out. It worked great was able t fit so much more in. I have learned to pack light, but I will have a rolling bag also to take on board with me. I'm heading straight for the Mickey pool!

 

[Tahoe]

This time I have vowed to bring nothing onboard with me except my purse (with all the proper paperwork). Actually, last time, I did pack lightly for embarkation. Fit all the bathing suits and sunscreen in a small, small bag. It was my DH who overpacked. He had his heavy carryon with his laptop, books, etc. It was so heavy and bulky and a pain because someone always had to sit with it. I just recommend the less the better!!

And we plan just to have two small suitcases. The ziploc bags are a great idea! That's the second idea I have heard for the huge ones. The other idea was to put kids' toys in them and hang them with the pants coat hangers on a portable clothes rack in the garage. Gets the stuff out of the house and organized.

 

[mamaof2]

Do you think my dh will fit into one of the large zippys? He's being a pain in the rear today! I will have to try to stick to just 1 back pack! I think next time I have to book a flight for the night before. I think it would make things so much easier. Karin, I admire your determination to enjoy this very special vacation. Good for you!

 

[Tahoe]

Do you think my dh will fit into one of the large zippys?

How did the steak turn out??