May 21, 2012 - Mickey's Mooseketeers Take Alaska 2012!

[peterpan47]

Yeah the day that it rained nonstop till 3 or so was our planned laundry day anyway. Though that was a pain since people were using the dryers to dry their rain-soaked clothes and even shoes. It's more of a problem for us now since we have the 2 kids. We haven't ever actually bought raincoats for them since that's almost the only time we'd use it! DH wore mine since DD4 wanted his (and was swimming in it) and mine wouldn't fit over my big tummy anyway so I bought a poncho and DD2 was semi covered in the stroller.

We have bought ponchos at DL in the past, but they rip pretty quickly, so what we have done lately is to just bring our own. I buy packs of two rain ponchos at DollarTree for $1 and leave them in the plastic they came in and pack them in my fanny pack. I couldn't believe how they fit into the pack, pretty much unnoticeable. They come in handy for many things in addition to possible rain, like Grizzly River Rapids or if you happen to have to watch Wonderful World of Color standing on the water's edge If you buy several packs of two, you don't even need to fold them back up, but can instead, just pack new ones each day in case it rains or you need it for something else.

 

[rillsung]

We have bought ponchos at DL in the past, but they rip pretty quickly, so what we have done lately is to just bring our own. I buy packs of two rain ponchos at DollarTree for $1 and leave them in the plastic they came in and pack them in my fanny pack. I couldn't believe how they fit into the pack, pretty much unnoticeable. They come in handy for many things in addition to possible rain, like Grizzly River Rapids or if you happen to have to watch Wonderful World of Color standing on the water's edge If you buy several packs of two, you don't even need to fold them back up, but can instead, just pack new ones each day in case it rains or you need it for something else.

Hehe that's a good idea. DH and I have decent rain coats and pants that stuff into small bags. He had his before I met him, I think and I got mine before my first WDW trip with him. We often will use them as light jackets too when we need one. Unfortunately, they're starting to not protect so much from rain! I might look at the dollar store for the ones you're talking about for the girls though instead of paying more for something that'll get used only a couple of times.

 

[ckcurtis]

Hey Everyone!! We are just fresh off the Dream and my husband and I booked our 15th Wedding Anniversary to Alaska. We are so excitied. We will be flying from Georgia, so it's gonna be a long flight for us, but so worth it. Looking forward to this cruise so much!

 

[rillsung]

Hey Everyone!! We are just fresh off the Dream and my husband and I booked our 15th Wedding Anniversary to Alaska. We are so excitied. We will be flying from Georgia, so it's gonna be a long flight for us, but so worth it. Looking forward to this cruise so much!

Welcome to the group! This is our next big trip so we're getting really excited

 

[mrp4352]

It's just seven months from tomorrow!!!

 

[rillsung]

woohoo!

 

[Tiresius]

Hiya! We are booked on our first DCL (or any!) cruise headed to Alaska, picked this early season offering for both the price and the extra time in the ports. A little nervous about cruising, since neither of us are luxury people, much more of the hiking boots and granola bars for breakfast types than formal wear and sit-down dinners, but we love WDW and figured DCL would be a good first-cruise with Alaska as a much more appealing destination than the traditional Caribbean/Bahamas options.

So, add us to your list!

Dis name: Tiresius
Names of travelling (ages of kids too): Ben (age 30), Sue (my mom)
Cabin Number: 1046
Early/Late dining: First/Early
FE? (Yes/No): Probably
Secret Mickey Interest? (Yes/No): Also Probably
Celebrating: Life

We also are planning (as I am seeing quite a few folks) to fly into Seattle on Saturday, take the train up to Vancouver on Sunday, before boarding Monday. We haven't bought any of the tickets for the plane or train yet, but that's the plan at the moment. (Haven't lined up hotels or anything yet either, since we are retaining our cancellation rights for just a bit longer, although we both know we won't cancel).

 

[mrp4352]

Hi Ben - and welcome!

You might start looking at flights. The first weekend is a holiday weekend in Canada and the second weekend is a holiday weekend in the US! If you see a good rate - I'd grab it!

I had to be dragged kicking and screaming on my first cruise (which was DCL) - I couldn't image what there would be to do on a ship. Now, I won't hardly consider the short cruises!

Michelle

 

[rillsung]

We're doing the repo from LA-Vancouver and then Vancouver-Seattle so our first flight will be to LA probably a couple days before the cruise. Then we'll hang out and be tourists in Seattle for a few days after our cruise so that will avoid that holiday weekend

 

[ljhayes]

A Litle Pixie Dust, I just saw on the DFTW board that you had a DCL VR a couple years ago. We're doing a VR on this cruise! I may start stalking you now to read all about your VR...

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

A Litle Pixie Dust, I just saw on the DFTW board that you had a DCL VR a couple years ago. We're doing a VR on this cruise! I may start stalking you now to read all about your VR...

We did! We were on the Magic Panama Canal cruise. I did not do a trip report on it but I will be happy to post some pictures and such. If you have questions - ask away! Congrats on your VR!

 

[ljhayes]

We did! We were on the Magic Panama Canal cruise. I did not do a trip report on it but I will be happy to post some pictures and such. If you have questions - ask away! Congrats on your VR!

I'd LOVE pictures! So far I'm just waiting to get my planning packet or hear from DFTW, but since it's only going to be the two of us that *should* help keep me from going too overboard (pun intended ) with the details.

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

I'd LOVE pictures! So far I'm just waiting to get my planning packet or hear from DFTW, but since it's only going to be the two of us that *should* help keep me from going too overboard (pun intended ) with the details.

Your packet is fun - things to look through and decide. Originally it was just my immediate family but ended up inviting some Disers to join us. We had been chatting for 18 months by then..LOL!

 

[ljhayes]

Has anyone started planning their excursions yet? I just picked up a couple guidebooks to help with my research.

 

[mrp4352]

Has anyone started planning their excursions yet? I just picked up a couple guidebooks to help with my research.

We've pretty much decided that we're going to do the Taku Glacier Lodge flight and Feist in Juneau (my Dad did that excursion and said it was the best thing on their Alaskan cruise), the White Pass Scenic Railway in Skagway and the Lighthouse, Totems and Eagles tour in Ketchikan.

Did you find a good guidebook? the one I got for Alaska Cruises didn't have much more info than what I had gotten from the Alaska excursion thread here on the DISboards!

 

[ljhayes]

Did you find a good guidebook? the one I got for Alaska Cruises didn't have much more info than what I had gotten from the Alaska excursion thread here on the DISboards!

I got Fodor's Alaska Ports of Call and Alaska by Cruise Ship. I probably could've just read through everything here and on cruisecritic (and I probably still will), but having the books made it more exciting

 

[rillsung]

Your packet is fun - things to look through and decide. Originally it was just my immediate family but ended up inviting some Disers to join us. We had been chatting for 18 months by then..LOL!

We've pretty much decided that we're going to do the Taku Glacier Lodge flight and Feist in Juneau (my Dad did that excursion and said it was the best thing on their Alaskan cruise), the White Pass Scenic Railway in Skagway and the Lighthouse, Totems and Eagles tour in Ketchikan.

Did you find a good guidebook? the one I got for Alaska Cruises didn't have much more info than what I had gotten from the Alaska excursion thread here on the DISboards!

I think we were also looking at the scenic railway. We haven't gotten much farther than that though! We want to see what's actually offered in case it changes before then.

You can also get the Alaska official tourism book for free from http://www.travelalaska.com/

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

We are only looking at booking a tour that includes the Mendenhall Glacier and Whale Watching. I will find out which one it is and post it.

I can't do the railway because the drops to the side of it makes me nauseous looking at the pictures! LOL

 

[rillsung]

Oh I quoted you earlier but forgot to put in my comment in. Nothing like inviting 100 of your closest Dis friends, huh?

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

No kidding!