May 4, 2008 4 Day--- Official Cruise Meet--- Anyone out there???

[mindy327]

WOW! No more boxes!!!! So much for my already packed box of DCL stuff to bring. I guess I need to pack another suit case just for my stuff. Now I have to lug around an extra 14 lbs of costumes and fish extender gifts to WDW. Oh well, too bad for the bell hops! Their the ones that now have to make up for the work. No more liquids?! We dont drink so thats not a concern but we were going to bring our own Martinellis 2$ at walmart 18$ on the boat.!!! I am definately still bringing strollers though, I have been to Disneyland too many times to know what my kids do after a long day. No way am I carrying them back to the hotel after they fall asleep. Have you thought of purchasing a 10$ stroller at walmart and just dumping afterwards? Thats what we have planned. Perhaps we could put a "free" sign on it after we are done and could pass it along to a family in need.

 

[CSwan1]

I hear you about the box! Mine is already packed too!! I may still be able to bring our stroller. My wonderful brother, who is going with us but is not flying, is driving so he offered to bring it with them if they have room. It is a small stroller but unlike most umbrella type strollers, it has a good size basket under it and it folds in half. We have one of the huge ones too but this is much more convenient to travel with. Oh well, all will work out in the end! I just hope Delta doesn't implement the extra fee for more than 1 bag like US Air and United!!

 

[CSwan1]

Well, it looks like liquids are okay as long as they are in your carry-on. We are planning on bringing on a case of water so this is good news!! Still no shipping boxes to the port, though.

 

[CSwan1]

New Update On The Main Forum
THIS IS THE OFFICIAL WORD AS OF TODAY.
I SPOKE WITH BOTH DCL AND THE OWNER OF IDS IN A THREEWAY CALL.

This is the OFFICIAL word not hearsay ar a maybe but what we are honestly ALLOWED to do.

The owner of IDS called the Coast Guard yesterday and told them about us crazy Disney people and our desires to ship boxes of fish stuff and pirate gear. The problem before was the screening of our stuff.The boxes had to have a way to be screened so the Coast Guard is now going to have a dog sniff our stuff that we ship. SO WE CAN SHIP BOXES!!! The owner of IDS arranged this and seems like a very nice guy.

Now the bittersweet part.
1) We are allowed one box shipped per stateroom only.

2)It must be the size of a records box and weigh no more then about 20-25 pounds he said.

3)No alcohol in boxes.

4)No food or drinks. This may cause the dogs to hit on your box and that would be a bad thing.

5)Label the box with your sailing vessel, sailing date, stateroom or ressie number and GTY status if you are unassigned still.

6) Make a packing list and put it in a sealed envelope and tape this to the box. Your list may or may not be read but it must have one. Write packing slip on the outside of the envelope.

7) If your box is hit on by the dog or choosen for addition screening they will open the list and the box and look through it. They will close it back and provided nothing bad is in it then it will be in your room as usual later after boarding.

These boxes will be coming on the ship with the crew mail amung other things so they may be in the staterooms later then they were before as they are low priority in the scheme of things for Disney.

Hey one box is better then none!

THIS IS NOT JUST FOR OUR SAILING BUT ALL SAILINGS FROM TODAY FORWARD

I don't know what to think of this!!! I'm torn now between sending boxes and HOPING they make it or just toting this stuff with me!?!?! What to do, what to do!

 

[Frequent Flyer]

Happy Easter!!

 

[CSwan1]

Happy Easter Everyone! I hope everyone is enjoying the day with their families! The Easter Bunny brough DD Hairspray the movie and new scrapbooking supplies (and chocolate) so we have been watching the movie and scrapping all morning!!

 

[mindy327]

Well, we had a great Easter Holiday and a wonderful Spring Break for the kids. Back to school today. So all is quiet in the house today! Just getting some "work" done at home. I was thinking about the box issue and all I can conclude is, I am still packing my stuff now. HOW in the world would I fit all of the stuff into a 12x12x6 size box?
I am packed with all of our stuff anyhow so no going back now. When does the Toy Story show start? I am anxious to see pics. I love BUZZ. cutest feet/shoes ever. I know, it weird.
Well, I booked Cecily for the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Were going the 30th when we get there at 6pm. She'll be able to sleep in her hair and get up for the Cinderella's Royal Breakfast that we have reserved for the 1st all princessed up. Im not sure how we got that (very hard to get reservations for) but I wont complain. What a better way to start off our vacation that breakfast at Cindy's house!

 

[CSwan1]

I hope we get to see the Toy Story Musical! That is one on my favorite movies! Did you see that the Disney Channel Games are going to be filmed while we are at Disney???!!! May 3rd, they are doing a concert at the Wide World of Sports Complex with the Jonas Brothers, Cheetah Girls, etc!!! DD would come out of her skin if she was able to see this concert! We are concert junkies and she loves going to concerts! The tickets are free of charge and are first come first serve on Saturday! I'm going to try for them but won't tell DD either way! This way no disappointment if we can't get them and HUGE surprise if we can!!
So, the box issue.... Up until today, I wasn't going to chance it with the boxes. However, I got a phone call from Delta today to say they needed to change our flights. When I called them back, I asked if they had implemented the charge for more than one suitcase and guess what they said? As of May 1st, you will be charged $25 each bag over one per person each way!!!!! That would be an extra $300 for the 6 of us traveling on Delta! I guess now I will be stuffing those records boxes to the brim to mail to the port ahead of time!!! AHHHHHHH!! 36 Days, 36 days, 36 days!

 

[mindy327]

YIIIIIIKES!!!! The bag issue is not good! Luckily, were on Continental and they have not issued this policy yet. Hope not till we get back either. Hey, the box idea?! Yeah, good call on your part crystal. You can send one per stateroom so maybe your family wont need theirs. Or send it to ours. We wont be getting one sent. So let me know if you need some help. What are the Disney Games? We watch Disney channel a lot but havent heard of this. DD would fall over to see Cheetah Girls. It must be a 6 year old thing!

 

[CSwan1]

Thanks for the offer Mindy! I think I will send 2 boxes and hopefully this will be enough. I did press the issue last night with a Delta supervisor and they gave us $200 in travel vouchers for the extra luggage tags or for future travel. I guess it doesn't hurt to stand up for yourself alittle. Especially now that our flights were changed too and we are getting into Orlando later than originally planned and this is a major bummer.
The Disney Channel games are chariety games that the Disney channel stars take part in. I saw some of it last summer with DD. They will be taping them from April 28-May 3 and will air on the Disneyy Channel some time this summer. I really hope we are able to get the tickets! It is definately a 6 year old thing!!

 

[CSwan1]

Today is the day you can request tickets for the Disney Channel Games concert if anyone is interested. This is the email
dcgamesconcert08@gmail.com. Include in the email your name, email address, phone number, number of tickets (up to 6) field or seats and special requirements. Goodluck!!

 

[bsusanmb]

DH and I will be there ..... where are you meeting? I don't know anything about the fish thing...what do you fellow disers do? Do you go around the ship looking for dis magnets or something? I love to do things that are fun...please let me know.
Susan

 

[CSwan1]

We don't have our meet times set in stone yet but we are thinking of the first day around 3:15 or so, then at the Sail Away Party, pirate night and maybe the at sea day?? As for the fish thing, some of us have decided to make 'FishExtenders" and do a gift swap. There are a few threads on the main forum that show fish extenders, some people are even offering some extras that they have made. The gifts are small trinkets, maybe stuff native to where you live. Pencils, pens, magnets, candy, keychains, etc are some of the things I have heard of. We have 11 staterooms participating; if you are interested, I will PM you all the info on who is participating and add you to the list! Welcome aboard!!

 

[bsusanmb]

We don't have our meet times set in stone yet but we are thinking of the first day around 3:15 or so, then at the Sail Away Party, pirate night and maybe the at sea day?? As for the fish thing, some of us have decided to make 'FishExtenders" and do a gift swap. There are a few threads on the main forum that show fish extenders, some people are even offering some extras that they have made. The gifts are small trinkets, maybe stuff native to where you live. Pencils, pens, magnets, candy, keychains, etc are some of the things I have heard of. We have 11 staterooms participating; if you are interested, I will PM you all the info on who is participating and add you to the list! Welcome aboard!!

Great, Crystal, I'm in!

 

[CSwan1]

Susan, this is great! I will PM you all the FE info. Everyone else involved in the FE, I will PM updated lists!!!

 

[mindy327]

Hi Susan!!! We love new friends (I feel like Gizelle on Enchanted right now!) The Fish Extenders are going to be fun. Lets just be sure to bring Zip Ties so they dont wonder off by some inconsiderate person. We are all packed and ready.
Let me introduce myself.
I am Mindy. Disney Dis board addict. I am married to Brandon and two kids. Cecily 6 and Kaden 3. Counting down days now. 1 month from today.
I dont know what I was thinking when I booked a 5am flight to Orlando with two little kids from Phoenix. Yikes. Lots of naps on the plane I guess.
Glad to have aboard. (no pun intended)

 

[bsusanmb]

Hi, Mindy.
My DH Bob and I are travelling alone...going to try to make an extender. I have lots of disney fabric. I used to post a lot on the family board where we displayed our custom made disney clothes for our kids...and my grandchildren.
So, I think I can do this...do you mean I should somehow secure my extender so nobody steals it?
I will let you know when I get my room assignment....we are a category 7 guarantee right now.
We live in PA...near Heshey and in the PA dutch country...so I will see what I can come up with.
Should be fun..those are my grandbabies below...we take them to Disney every year. No one wants to cruise..."do they have animals? do they have rides?..then no..I don't want to go." LOL too funny.
Susan

 

[CSwan1]

I GOT THE TICKETS FOR THE DISNEY CHANNEL GAMES!!! DD is going to be so excited. I'm not going to tell her until we are there!

 

[mindy327]

I GOT THE TICKETS FOR THE DISNEY CHANNEL GAMES!!! DD is going to be so excited. I'm not going to tell her until we are there!

That is soooo great. I know that she will have fun. I wish we could go too. Hey, you should try to get on tv! Now that would be cool. The magic fairy dust is at work.

Hi Susan. The Fish Extenders are so easy to make and are going to be a lot of fun. How do you like your DVC. We have thought of getting this for as much as we do Disney. But then again I do Disneyland on a wopping $300.00 We know major secrets to get in for next to free, and love pricelining our trip. We always get the Hyatt for $28 a night.

 

[CSwan1]

Look- Our trip countdowns say days not months! YEAH!!