May 28, 2005 Mexican Riviera

[wccruiser]

Yeah, what the heck is a blog anyway?

I had already made a nametag too, using the green Mickey paint chip inside one of those pins, but only put WCCruiser on there. Good idea to laminate them, I'll do one with my real name and do ones for my DH and DD with WCCruiser's DH and his real name and WCCruiser's DD and her real name.

I'll really miss chatting with all of you who will start travelling next week. Have fun at DL!!!

Brandy, bummer about the tank tops. Maybe you can find a cute light jacket or two in a common color and just wear that over your tanks? You know like those small, short fitted cotton blazer types?
Hope you feel better soon!

 

[wccruiser]

Brandy,
Or those light shrugs with sleeves that tie in the front (I see them everywhere)?

 

[poconoboatniks]

Good Morning Dissers,

Did you guys catch the Magic going through the Gatun Lock? It was awesome. Brett & Kate were watching with me. Brett said, "I wish we were on the Magic now." If he only knew what is going to happen next Saturday. HE HE I read Rocknyt was in Netherlands watching the Panama Canal feed.

We'll be wearing our paint chips with our dis name and our real name. If you write small you can fit it on the chip.

Ron, can you give me a link to the powers to be and I'll ask for a banner.

I read somewhere that DU hosted a wine tasting this week. I wonder if they are going to be doing the samething on our cruise. We booked through DU. Also, read that Marco & his brother are onboard. They are wonderful, attentive servers in Palo. Can't wait to see them!

Brandy, have you tried Airbourne? I've used it in the past and have avoided a cold or two. Get your rest.

Poconoboatniks

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

Good Morning Dissers,

Brett said, "I wish we were on the Magic now." If he only knew what is going to happen next Saturday.
Poconoboatniks

Forgive me for being absent minded but, your children are the ones who don't know they are going to be on a cruise, right?
That's AWESOME! Brett and Kate-->

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

And I'll try that Airborne Poc, although it may be too late for me. But I'll definatley make my husband take some when he gets here on Wed. Thanks for the tip!

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

HOT TIP #13 - If your formula for a restful nights sleep calls for a feather pillow, request one when you get to your stateroom. The supply is limited.

Recap of this and last weeks HOT TIPS...

#1 Mon - The midship elevators are the most crowded throughout the day, but especially at mealtimes. Try to use the forward and aft elevators as often as possible.

#2 Tue - You may bring your own (unopened) bottle of wine to dinner. A $15 corking fee will be charged to your shipboard account for each bottle that was not purchased on board.

#3 Wed - To avoid being charged, you must cancel a Palo reservation by noon for a brunch or tea, and by 4pm for dinner on the day of the reservation.

#4 Thu - At table-service restaurants, a 15% gratuity is automatically added to the bill for alcoholic beverages. At bars and lounges, a gratuity is added for carbonated soft drinks too.

#5 Fri - Beer drinkers take note: If you purchase a refillable mug at the start of the cruise, you will be entitled to discount suds for the duration of your stay aboard the Disney Wonder or Disney Magic. (You must have the mug with you to get the discount)

BONUS FRIDAY HOT TIP - If you or a member of your party misplaces a Key to the World card while onboard, head to the Guest Services desk on Deck 3. They can issue a new one (free of charge).

#7 Sat- Children's menus are available in all shipboard restaurants (with the obvious exception of Palo). Buffets all stock kid-friendly vittles such as mac and cheese and chicken nuggets.

#8 Sun - If your 3- or 4-year-old isn’t completely potty trained, Flounder’s Reef Nursery is the place to go for supervised activities/baby-sitting. Keep in mind that there is an hourly fee for this program.

#9 Mon - There are specialized Personal Navigators for the Teens and kids. They’re available at the Oceaneer’s Lab and Club. They list activities of interest for each age group.

#10 Tue - If you fail to get an appointment for a treatment at the spa, ask to be put on the waiting list - and be prepared to drop everything and run to the spa at a moments notice.

#11 Wed - There is a small number of wheelchairs to borrow for use onboard, but if you’ll be using the wheelchair for the entire trip (including ports of call), You should bring your own.

#12 Thu - 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).

 

[challada]

Yea...my mom swears by the airborne and I think I'm going to pick some up this weekend for "just in case" (can kids take it?).

I missed the Panama Canal crossing (yea, I like to sleep at 4 am), but I'll try to see what I can find online.

Hard to believe we are so close!!! I think I'll end up peeing in my pants by the time we get to port since I'm so excited! Now I know why they make adult diapers

LAST ONE, LAST ONE, LAST ONE!!!
Hidden Mickey Time
Hidden Mickey #20:
Listen to that Whistle....check it out if you get to see it too!

 

[poconoboatniks]

Yes, my kids are the clueless ones. Kate said that she likes knowing she's going away and not knowing where she's gonig. I tried to confuse them by telling them I needed hats, gloves and coats. Brett was so cute! He wanted to know if he was going to be able to pet a penguin. He's so happy to be going away, it doesn't matter where he's going. Kate just wants to be able to see marine animals.

Airbourne is good for kids. There is still time to take it, if you're not sick already. The package says that at the first signs of getting sick or before going on a plane or entering a classroom.

The Magic will be going through the Miroflores locks sometime this afternoon. I'm going to check around 1 and 2. I think someone posted The Magic would be going through the locks sometime around 2 EST. It is so cool, especially since we know we're getting on next. I have to print off some info on the canal for Brett before he gets home from school. He wants to know why it takes the Magic so long to go through the canal. He's been interested in volcanos since that volcano in Wash started spewing ash in Sept. Maybe, this will change his interest for a little while.

Grammie, thanks for the blog address. I wonder what those little gifts were. I wonder if we will be getting some little surprises everyday? It doesn't matter to me, I'm just glad to be on the ship.

Next week at this time, Bailey will be in the kennel, Bob will packing the car, Kate & Brett will be in school for their last day. Yeah!

Poconoboatniks

 

[poconoboatniks]

Brandy,

You need a countdown timer for your hubby's return home. I can only imagine how excited you must be getting.

Chris, You're too funny

pocono

 

[sandysplayhouse]

Our ship is coming in!... I can hardly believe we will be waving at her in just 7 days! (Does anyone else count like me??) My mom will be arriving tomorrow, my DSnL will be arriving on Wednesday and my last day to work is Friday @ 2pm! How I will make it until then is beyond me! I have butterflies in my stomach and I can hardly sleep from excitement. I'm with you Challada.. I'm peeing in my pants just thinking about seeing the ship pull into port on Saturday morning! Geeeeeeeeeeeez, I don't know how I'm gonna stand myself until then.

 

[challada]

Poconos...how exciting for the kids! That is so awesome!
FYI...the gift thing is something the DISers chose to do on their cruise...they ALL brought some small gift for all 300 other DISers and are exchanging these daily. Frankly, I love you guys, but don't want to buy gifts for everyone, so let's stick w/the postcards for the kids!

Sandy...I about cried seeing the clip of our boat coming thru the canal! She's going to be on "our side" of the world now!!!! YEA!

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

Hey POC, when do you plan on telling the kids? In the morning at the doc? If you're staying in a hotel that night, be sure not to let the front desk people mention anything about the ship. Like asking of you guys are going on it or anything. I would hate for your surprise to be ruined at the last minute.

 

[528 Cruiser]

We are also surprising our kids, DD7 and DD5. Since they are very young, they're not at all suspicious.

They think they are going to a Pirate Party (which is true), but they have no idea where we're going for this party, and they haven't asked either. They saw the pictures of the other kids and know that they will be at the party too. They have been shopping with us for pirate gear. We are secretly packing at night while they're asleep.

We'll be driving to the port early in the morning, and they'll soon realize that we'll be going on the cruise when they see the ship. Their expressions will be priceless. We have cameras and video ready to capture the moment of their surprise.

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

See, I KNEW someone else was surprising their kids. That is a GOOD idea. A Pirate Party. Sneaky sneaky sneaky!! And at least that's something for them to be excited about doing, and killing 2 birds with one stone taking them Pirate shopping with you. They will flip OUT when they realize where they're going. Your kids--> In the daycare business, you see all kinds of parents who really don't give two flips about their children. Just as long as they dont have to watch them or be around them, the parents are satisfied. So, it's very nice and refreshing to see people like Challada and 528Cruiser actually loving your children and taking extra precaution to "create magic" for yor kids. My parents were very good at creating magic for us when we were little, and I can't wait to continue the tradition with my own children one day!

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

*Sorry, that was a double post*) But while I'm here, I would like to commend ALL you parents bringing your children on this great trip. I know this is not a cheap thing to do. But these memories will last them a lifetime. Good for all of you!

 

[rccllap]

Sadly, my son is NOT the type to handle a surprise well. He needs to be coached and prepared for everything. I'm like that to a certain degree, but he's very very organized and detailed and cannot handle changes; so I've been prepping him almost as long as me!

My mom surprised me with a two week trip to Hawaii when I turned 13. I must have been the most ungrateful brat in the world; I actually complained about paradise. Silly me!

I've made nametags with the paint chips too

What is this webcam stuff y'all are talking about?? I want to see too!

Rebecca

 

[poconoboatniks]

This has been in the bag since Mother's Day 2004. The kids don't know my parents and sisters are joining us on vacation. I think we'll probably let the cat out of the bag at the airport when they see my family waiting at the gate for the same plane we're getting on. Their faces are going to be priceless. Dh explained to Kate that for an adult there are very few true surprises in life and that she should just enjoy the anticipation. She has been very curious, but careful not to ask any questions in front of Brett. So far, so good. They both know that we'll be away for 2 weeks and that's it.


Brandy, I like the dh countdown timer.

I'm trying to get the Mirofloras camera feed back. I was bumped over an hour ago and cannot get it back. OH NO! I don't want to miss the next lock

Poconoboatniks

 

[Jedisan]

This is getting very exciting. My DH is gone for the weekend. I will post an updated list of the DisBoard Navigator tonight or tomorrow. We have our shirts - just need to make the nametags. (I will probably copy Enchanted & Sandy - as we really liked your buttons).

Because DH (aka JediJazzMan) has been busy this week, we have not yet seen the final installment of the Star Wars Saga. This must be done before we board. I don't think I could wait for two weeks before seeing this movie. We have promised each we will see it together.

Next week will be very busy for me work wise - as I'm sure it will be for most of you - trying to get ready to go on vacation and doing all the prep work at home.

The "Live From the May Repo Cruise" board has been so much fun to read - even with all the mishaps they have had with the pins. I'm glad to know DCL is trying to make amends.

Enchanted - I'll be thinking good thoughts for your husband to come home to you safely. I also would like to voice my support for the Airbourne. I have a co-worker who has used a couple times this season with great success. I am planning on picking up enough for the family (along with Clorox wipes and Purell hand sanitizer).

Woohoo - a week from tomorrow and we'll be sailing!!

 

[poconoboatniks]

Rebecca,

If you go to www.pancanal.com/eng/photo/cmera-java.html you can see the Magic as it goes through the next lock sometime around 2:30 - 3:00. We saw the Magic going through the Gutans Lock (sp?) this morning. Check out the Live from the Magic thread.

Ellen

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

Jedi ~I will be off to see Star Wars again next week when DH arrives. And I'll be taking my cousins, Drew and Alyssa (who are on the cruise with us) to see it . Andrew is more the Star Wars type, but far be it from Alyssa to let anyone leave their house w/o taking her along. She is 12 and BENT ALL OUT OF SHAPE because she is not allowed in the Spa on board. She has already started her tricks to not allow her mom, Julie the wine-o, to join in any of the adult activites. We must all help my Dear Aunt to get some alone time on this cruise, as she TRULY deserves it.