MR January 29 2012- Who's in?

[lyssandre]

Yahoo!! I'm laughing at "freedom of speech day" -- my husband actually said, "Ahhhh . . . *finally* we can talk about it!" We've been ready to go _now_ for quite a while.

Actually, though, all the Christmas confusion was good for me. I was too busy to obsess on the Dis boards or stalk the cruise website. Just got back from our holiday travel last night, had a little holiday get-together with family, and finally settled down with my computer today. Merry Christmas to me, we have a cabin number!! And it's right across the hall from the cabin we had aboard the Magic for our first cruise -- we were 7037 then and we're your neighbors in 7040 this time! I'm glad because my sis-in-law made a huge deal about cabin placement when we booked last time, and since they were veteran cruisers I figure she's got wisdom to share. She said that the cabins she chose for us were picked to help w/ seasickness, which none of us had any trouble with. LOL I was worried that it was because of her cabin choice and that we'd end up somewhere random -- and seasick

So on to the packing from here. I'm getting a new sewing machine for my Christmas gift (yay!) so now I am hoping to make us a fish extender and some pirate gear. The boys are pretty pirate-y already, but dh and I need help. As to formal night, that may be our night to slip out to the buffet LOL None of us is super big on dressing up, though I do plan to buy something pretty to wear to Palo

 

[Mimiminie]

Finally! We can talk to our kids about the cruise!!! Another person on the cruise called it "Freedom of Speech day"

The present with the balloons:

They were happy. I think they don't know what to expect so they didn't jump and scream. I think when we go on the next cruise they will be more excited.

Calendar is up and already has one day crossed off.


Yeah My kids were like way cool no BIG reaction but then I put in the cruise video and that helped a lot ... And missing a week of school as well can't believe it's just a few weeks away ... I am super excited were have cruise docs and costumes ... Kids got new cameras from grandma ...and so the adventure to pack begins ....

 

[inhousemouse]

Just got my new luggage so I get to start packing tomorrow. YIPPIE!!!!

 

[alaskanabbott]

WOW! Packing already? I'm thinking I'll start the 15th...then I have a couple weeks to add to the case. We offically have TOO MANY pirate costumes, lol! I have 3 for my oldest daughter and I to choose from ( we both wear small) two for Mackenzie (7yr old girl) 2 for my dad and two for my DH, who informed me that next week-end he is going to start shopping for his REAL costume- apparently he doesn't want a "Halloween" one, he wants to peice it together himself Then him and my DS Caelan (16yr) found these three point leather hats, that are HUGE and are insisting they wear them. I'm going to need a seperate suitcase just for pirate night! Then DH and DS decided we should all wear our pirate outfits on the plane down, to save space Could you just see the looks the 9 of us would get ? My daughter thought we should do the same thing, but in our formal wear- my family is so crazy BTW, none of them were kidding, and would do it in a heartbeat. Looks like I'm down to FE's and FE extenders, and my oldest daughters formal wear, then I'm done with the big stuf. It stills feels far off to me, hopefully when the calander says JANUARY, it will begin to feel closer.

 

[inhousemouse]

If I were you I would totally wear my Pirate and Formal wear... but at the same time. If anyone says anything just tell them you're from Alaska and you need to layer to keep warm

We don't have most to much in the way of costumes but I figure I have to figure out what spring/summer clothes we aren't using right now that can be packed. I also have to figure out how I'm going to pack all the FE loot. We like to take our bags to the airport here and pre weigh everything. So this will give us lots of time to do that.

 

[moomy-san]

For any one who is joining us on this cruise, if you haven't introduced yourself and would like to join us in our fish extender fun gift exchange, please let me know before January 2 so that I can add you to our list!!

Please double check info and let me know of any changes or mistakes If you are celebrating a birthday, maybe let us know which day, too. You never know when the Birthday fairy might show up
FISH EXTENDER GROUP:


Moomy-san
#8040
Roxanne (36th Birthday~January 31st)
Mike
Mikhaila 11 (girl)
Dannan 7 (girl)

Mimiminie
#6540
Alan and Michelle (aka Mimi)
Nico - 9 boy
Jaxson - 6 boy

Inhousemouse
#7003
Terry Anne - 38
DH Chris - 42 turning 43
DD Florie - 3 turning 4
DS Andrew - just turned 1

LCVB
#1045
Lisa and Stephen
Kayla 8
Kathryn 5 1/2

Lyssandre
#7040
Bethany & Drew
Aidan (boy, age 11)
Riley (boy, age 8)

Alaskanabbott
#2133
Grandpa Mel
Caelan- 16 (boy)
James- 14
Elijah- 11

Alaskanabbott
#2643
Mike and Amber
Macylea- 14
Mackenzie- 7 (girl)

Disnanny
#7068
Bill
Janice

53-Tink
#6054
Andrea (self)11th year wedding anniversary.
Phil (husband)
Katelin age 10 (girl)
Heather age 7 (girl)


53-Tink
#8022
Karyn (sister in law) Having her birthday on the ship!
Jeff (brother in law)
Ashley age 7 (girl)
James age 6 (boy)

Megglas
Husband, David
Me - Meg
Carsten 13 (Boy)
Calyssa 9 (girl)

Falco
#7016
Tara and Andy
Josh - 5
Jack - 2 (turning 3 on the cruise)

Pizzieduster
# ??
Darlene (Me)
Stella (my mom)
Lacey (DD13)
Dakota (Dnephew5)

hmontgomry
# 7544
Heather
Jimmy (11),
Andrew (5)
Aubrey (5)

Magic Mornings
#6562
Julie
DS 13-Jayden
DS 11- Rilie

 

[Magic Mornings]

I stumbled upon this thread last week and WOW, a whole new Disney sickness I knew nothing about! I am so excited!!! This will be our first Disney cruise, and like many others I had to wait for the "great reveal" on Christmas to talk to the family about it. Yay for "freedom of Speech day." I am very much behind on planning as I had to put it out of my mind or I would have blown the surprise. I will be scouring the internet for information and reccomendations on excursions as well as FE stuff. Please put us on the FE list.

Magic Mornings (Julie)
6562
DS-13
DS11

I am local to the port, I work in Long Beach, if anyone wants to ask questions about the area.

 

[moomy-san]

I stumbled upon this thread last week and WOW, a whole new Disney sickness I knew nothing about! I am so excited!!! This will be our first Disney cruise, and like many others I had to wait for the "great reveal" on Christmas to talk to the family about it. Yay for "freedom of Speech day." I am very much behind on planning as I had to put it out of my mind or I would have blown the surprise. I will be scouring the internet for information and reccomendations on excursions as well as FE stuff. Please put us on the FE list.

Magic Mornings (Julie)
6562
DS-13
DS11

I am local to the port, I work in Long Beach, if anyone wants to ask questions about the area.

Welcome to our group!!!
How lucky for you to be local. No $$$$ for flights!
I do have some questions. We are going to grab a cab from our hotel to a Target for supplies and general shopping. Is the one in San Pedro good? Is there another one in the area that wouldn't be too far that would be better? (we are taking a cab) and are there any restaurants in the area of Target or should we just plan on going back to the Port area to eat?
We've never stayed in San Pedro- last year we were at Disneyland for a week before the cruise and came direct from there. We go to Disneyland every year and I am not used to having things 'unknown'!
Glad you joined our FE group, too. Did you want to give us your sons names just in case? Some folks like to personalize the FE gifts.

 

[TheLanes]

I will be on the cruise just after your cruise. I would like to nicely ask that you all keep it in good shape, and PLEASE, pick up after yourselves.

 

[Magic Mornings]

I do have some questions. We are going to grab a cab from our hotel to a Target for supplies and general shopping. Is the one in San Pedro good? Is there another one in the area that wouldn't be too far that would be better? (we are taking a cab) and are there any restaurants in the area of Target or should we just plan on going back to the Port area to eat?QUOTE]

I am not a huge fan of San Pedro BUT that Target is actually ok (1701 N Gaffey St, San Pedro, CA 90731) and one of my occasional lunch spots is very close. Big Nick's Pizza is a local spot usually full of cops and city workers, good sized portions. Big Nick's Pizza:‎1110 North Gaffey Street San Pedro, CA 90731-1357 bignickpizza.com

If you want a more upscale place to eat then take the bridge (the 47, Vincent Thomas Bridge) over to Long beach and eat over in The Pike area. The aquarium of the Pacific is also there if you need something to do with the kids. My DS(11) LOVES the Aquarium.

I am happy to help with the local stuff.

DS 13-Jayden
DS 11- Rilie

 

[alaskanabbott]

I am happy to help with the local stuff.

DS 13-Jayden
DS 11- Rilie[/QUOTE]
OOO I DO have some questions!! Our flight home isn't until 5pm (out of Long Beach ) and we are looking for something to do until we go tot the airport. Is the Aquarium close tot he LB airport?

Also, we are flying in on Friday the 27th and we are planning on going to Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach Saturday, so I'm trying to figure out if staying in Long Beach is a better plan than San Pedro. Is LB closer to Santa Monica? I don't want to spend the day in traffic, but we also want to be close to the port too. Plus, there's a better selection of hotels in Long Beach, and better dining. There are 11 of us, so we need 3 rooms for two days, looking for an inexpensive hotel is becoming difficult

 

[inhousemouse]

Hi Welcome to our group! We're going to be staying at the Comfort Inn Long Beach. Seems like a decent area. My question is is it better to take a cab or hire a shuttle to get to the port?

 

[alaskanabbott]

Hi Welcome to our group! We're going to be staying at the Comfort Inn Long Beach. Seems like a decent area. My question is is it better to take a cab or hire a shuttle to get to the port?

I'm thinking about the Comfort Inn in LB- did you book directly with them?
I'm curious about your question, too.

 

[inhousemouse]

I'm thinking about the Comfort Inn in LB- did you book directly with them?
I'm curious about your question, too.

Hi I called and booked with them. I had a couple different people there tell me different things but all in all I've been very happy with them. Very reasonable. I booked a while back got a King room for around $100 a night. Seems like a great location. Right across the street from a CVS and a Albertsons. Looks like a closed in court yard with a well fenced in pool. A bit of a walk but it looks like a park. Places to eat right near by. On I think the Blue line for transportation.

Did you look them up on trip adviser? They have a very decent rating.

We're hoping to get in a few nights before if we don't get stranded in Denver.

 

[alaskanabbott]

It's not the Crowne, but I'm super excited about the place I found. 2.6 miles from the port, ON THE BEACH!! We got a 2 bedroom apartment, one room w/ a king, the other with two queens, and a sofa sleeper in the living room. Full kitchen, heated pool and jaccuuzi, and a private balcony over looking the ocean....which I'm told, I can see the Queen Mary from too . Oh, and free wi-fi and breakfast. Ok, but here's the real impressive part- $150 a night. It's an older hotel, but the staff is so riduculously friendly, and I've read 67 reviews on Hotel.Com all were raving about the place. Finding the right pre-cruise room was begining to really be a bother, now I'm feeling pretty happy!

 

[inhousemouse]

That's great!!!! You have a much larger group so that works very well to have an apartment! <--- me doing a happy dance for you!

 

[alaskanabbott]

That's great!!!! You have a much larger group so that works very well to have an apartment! <--- me doing a happy dance for you!

Beats paying for two or three rooms, and the kids will love walking on the beach at night. OK, I'm starting to get a little excited!!!! We leave in 30 days!!!

 

[inhousemouse]

We leave in 28 days! It feels scary close to me. Not near the packing done that I was wanting to have done. Picked up more fe loot today. So I should be more then set. I have to still make my FE so that should be interesting. Can't wait to see it done.

 

[inhousemouse]

Beats paying for two or three rooms, and the kids will love walking on the beach at night. OK, I'm starting to get a little excited!!!! We leave in 30 days!!!

A little excited?

 

[PizzieDuster]

FE Group:

We got our stateroom assignment: #8024

I'm still waiting for my documents! The mail man must think I'm stalking him