May 28, 2005 Mexican Riviera

[EnchantedPlayroom]

I found this great link on another page. http://www.allearsnet.com/cruise/mdcg.pdf It's "The Magical Disney Cruise Guide: Your Unofficial Guide to Having a Magical Voyage Aboard the Ships of the Disney Cruise Line January 2005 Edition"
I looked at it for a second and decided to print it up, before I noticed it was 89 PAGES LONG! (My printer is smoking!) My computer shut down on me 3 times while trying to print it. I am watching kids this evening from 6-10, so I'll go through it tonight and see if there is anything worth posting for you guys.

 

[challada]

Brandy-
I have last years printed copy of this and there are a few good tips (ie, ask at Shutters for their special package; order coffee pot in the morning, etc) but most of the info is stuff you already know (ie room configuration) or stuff about the FL ports of call. I checked the new one and there is only one line referring to our west coast cruise and that's about it!

Margaret...you are welcome on the bags...I'm off to WallyWorld myself to get last minute stuff so I'll see if I can find more (though I have tons and have been working on these for days). I've found the bags very easy for packing in that I do all of the kids stuff into a certain bag...so each kid has a bag of shorts for the trip, each has a bag of tshirts, etc, etc....which should make finding everything simple too!

 

[JediJazzMan]

Hey EnchantedPlayroom --

Since you like the "The Magical Disney Cruise Guide: Your Unofficial Guide" -- be sure to tell Deb Wills -- she's coming to Scoops!

 

[suesings]

Brandy-
I have last years printed copy of this and there are a few good tips (ie, ask at Shutters for their special package; order coffee pot in the morning, etc) but most of the info is stuff you already know (ie room configuration) or stuff about the FL ports of call. I checked the new one and there is only one line referring to our west coast cruise and that's about it!

Margaret...you are welcome on the bags...I'm off to WallyWorld myself to get last minute stuff so I'll see if I can find more (though I have tons and have been working on these for days). I've found the bags very easy for packing in that I do all of the kids stuff into a certain bag...so each kid has a bag of shorts for the trip, each has a bag of tshirts, etc, etc....which should make finding everything simple too!

Hi Chris, So do you separate the clothes by outfits (i.e. daily outfit, etc) or all shorts in one back per kid?? I've heard of people doing daily outfits together. My question is, so how does this save space? Do you roll the outfits or something? Sorry, if I'm sounding lame? I have a bunch of cotton outfits for dinner that I ironed for them so I guess I could put them in a baggie but I wouldn't roll it or it would just get re-wrinkled, right? Boy, I sure don't sound very domestic, eh?

I still have to go find pirate stuff for the kids. I thought I read somewhere that they give out bandana's at dinner or something like that?? Anyone else have info on that?

 

[suesings]

Hey EnchantedPlayroom --

Since you like the "The Magical Disney Cruise Guide: Your Unofficial Guide" -- be sure to tell Deb Wills -- she's coming to Scoops!

She's coming to Scoops?

 

[528 Cruiser]

I still have to go find pirate stuff for the kids. I thought I read somewhere that they give out bandana's at dinner or something like that?? Anyone else have info on that?

Sue, I searched last week at a few party stores for kids' pirate stuff but I found nothing. I was able to find some kids costumes online and the prices were fairly reasonable. I just ordered yesterday and shipping only takes 3-4 business days.

On the cruises from Florida, I saw pictures of people with reddish/orange bandanas on Pirate Night. I think this is what they gave out.

 

[wccruiser]

Sue, I searched last week at a few party stores for kids' pirate stuff but I found nothing. I was able to find some kids costumes online and the prices were fairly reasonable. I just ordered yesterday and shipping only takes 3-4 business days.

On the cruises from Florida, I saw pictures of people with reddish/orange bandanas on Pirate Night. I think this is what they gave out.

Suesings and 528Cruiser-

I will have extra hoop clip earrings
Challada has extra eye patches
Yes, I believe they pass out bandanas

Also, at our dollar store they had plastic hooks in the party aisle

 

[ssnyder]

I have changed our reservations FROM the Holiday INN to Best Western in San Pedro... is anyone else staying there? Does anyone know for sure if this is a better location than Holiday Inn. From what I could decipher on map quest, is that Best Western is closer to the water than Holiday Inn. Anyone know for sure?

I just checked my brand new "PassPorter's Field Guide to the Disney Cruise Line and Its Ports of Call" and it shows a map of the San Pedro area with the hotels on it. Yes, it's much closer. It's also real close to the Sheraton.

 

[challada]

Hi Chris, So do you separate the clothes by outfits (i.e. daily outfit, etc) or all shorts in one back per kid?? I've heard of people doing daily outfits together. My question is, so how does this save space? Do you roll the outfits or something? Sorry, if I'm sounding lame? I have a bunch of cotton outfits for dinner that I ironed for them so I guess I could put them in a baggie but I wouldn't roll it or it would just get re-wrinkled, right? Boy, I sure don't sound very domestic, eh?

I still have to go find pirate stuff for the kids. I thought I read somewhere that they give out bandana's at dinner or something like that?? Anyone else have info on that?

Sue- I have heard of folks doing it by outfit per day, but I don't have that many bags (and I give my kids mostly mix and match stuff so they can choose their own clothes), so I did bag per kid of certain item....ie, Emily has all her shorts/capris in one bag, all her tshirts in another bag. I use mostly knits for travel, so wrinkling is not as much of a problem. I put the folded items in a bag, put the bag on the floor, sqeeze out the air while zipping it closed (you can roll the bag to get the air out). This saves a TON of space as the clothes w/out the air in them are about half the depth they would normally be folded in a suitcase. I ended up going back and doing my first two luggages over the weekend and fit all that was in the two into one luggage and the other one had only shoes left (I didn't try to vaccuum pack them as I have to stuff them w/everything else...LOL).

Hope that helps!
Chris

 

[carriep1657]

We got a call from Disney today saying that our Palo brunch reservation on the 30th had been moved from 11:30 to 11 am. It's not a problem but I was curious if others had had their reservations changed.

I've got to start packing. I always leave things for the last minute and then I'm up all night. I can't do that this time, since DH and I will be taking turns driving.

Sammy and I went to Michaels today and got 2 little scrapbooks and stickers to decorate for autograph books. I couldn't convince Sammy that Disney themed stickers would be appropriate. He's decided that he needs a dinosaur autograph book.

 

[rccllap]

poconos--I'm headed to law school in the fall, so am planning on pidgeonholing our pal Ron aka LegalBriefs for the inside scoop. (Will he respond well to fermented grape bribery?)

Those jumbo bags are great for packing, aren't they? And they serve double duty; keeping clothes protected from odd spills in transit, smells, and when things are dirty, just shove 'em in there and deal with 'em when you get home.

I think I'd better get to work on the suitcases!

R.

 

[LegalBriefs]

poconos--I'm headed to law school in the fall, so am planning on pidgeonholing our pal Ron aka LegalBriefs for the inside scoop. (Will he respond well to fermented grape bribery?)

You know, I woulda done it for free, but... with that temptation there, well... I am only human.... LOL...


What law school are you headed to?

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

For those of you still searching for Pirate wear, I know someone said all they found in Party City was the cardboard masks and party bags. That's all in the b-day party section. If you go in the WAY back, hidden almost behind a wall, is COOL Pirate stuff. Your Party City may differ in it's set up from ours, but I'm sure if you ask them, they will show you. We got a cool MASSIVE hook, they had hats, patches, telescopes, all kinds of wigs and facial hair. Good, good stuff. Happy hunting.
And JediJazzMan, you'll have to point out Deb Willis to me. Because I know I will NEVER remember her name. I'm BAD at that.

 

[DebWills]

She's coming to Scoops?

Yes, I'll be on the cruise with you all.

For whoever is keeping track of cabin numbers, I am in 7128.

Looking forward to meeting you all!

Deb

 

[rccllap]

If any of y'all would like, here is a link to one photo of me graduating this past Saturday. I'm the first one, beaming, flags in the background

www.unca.edu/~moseley/graduation05/graduation05.html

(the other photos are honors students if anyone's curious.)

Ron, I'm probably headed to Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville Florida, a mere two hours from WDW...but can't let that distract me. I'm on the waitlist at UTenn and would prefer to go there as it's closer to home but doubtful.

One week from tomorrow, my son and I will on that plane headed west!!!! OMG I cannot believe it's finally happening. I've been planning this for a year, and I am just about to burst my buttons!

So if Thursday is captain's dinner night--lobster--will that be served in all the restaurants including Palo? That's the night I made ressies for me and my GM there and while I am not complaining, I sort of wanted to get the Palo menu for the Palo "experience". But if it's lobster I will still be happy!

everyone have a great day--
peace
Rebecca

 

[DebWills]

For those of you staying in the DL area before the cruise, what kind of transportation are you using to get to the Port?

Thanks,

Deb

 

[wmjivey]

Excuse me, just passing through to get another beer.
The Man

 

[Mommyuf3]

DebWillis, I was on the phone a lot last night-Super Shuttle is the way to go! 2 hotels even said that's who they use. The people at Super Shuttle are very nice, and helpful-a little slow 714-533-6600. I hope this helps!

Also, for anyone, I was going through my Docs and see there's the medical form...do I need to have a Dr sign one for everyone? Or is that just if we have medical needs on board? I just want to make sure I get to the Dr. if I need too.
6Days and counting until we're VACATIONING!!

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

HOT TIP #12 - All room have small safes (big enough for a wallet or two, but not a laptop). There is no charge. (Your stateroom key opens and locks it).
Oh, I had another cruise dream the other night. I don't remember what it was about though. I waited to long to post it. Hey, did you guys hear that Michael Eisner will be getting off the ship when were getting on? I'll be there to greet him. JEDISAN and JEDIJAZZMAN~ Star Wars was BAD!!! (Like...cool) Of course my favorite part was when Anakin got out of bed shirtless. My Dfriend Jennifer and I almost melted out of our seats.

 

[challada]

Medical form???? I thought this was just for folks w/pre-existing conditions incase they need health care services or meds on board...I assumed us healthy folks were ok w/o it.


If anyone is still making their door signs (I just made MORE last night), I found a site w/a bunch of Disney clipart www.talkdisney.com and found some great stuff that I'm using for signs #2 and 3.


Hidden Mickey #19:
Fancier family dining, but watch the clock on the wall for what he is wearing.
(challenging)