November 18, 2006 Thanksgiving Magic Special Western 2X Castaway Cay 11/18/06

[DiszyGram]

So far all is going smoothly for us. Our onboard reservations are listed on the cruise site.

I do know I've packed way too many clothes and probably didn't pack at least one important item. Anyone using those vacuum clothes bags? They look like big zip lock bags and you roll your folded clothes up in them, forcing out all the air. It makes a nice compact pile for packing. I've found them to be great. Makes more room in your suitcase for other clothes you will never wear.

 

[DiszyGram]

Ok, gang, don't make me feel like a thread killer. .... I keep checking and just find my own post.

 

[mollygirl13]

Hello all-
It is a rainy Sunday afternoon here in Philly Burbs. I am in my glory because I am PACKING!!! Boy I love to pack for a trip-esp a Disney Cruise!
My parents left in the wee hours this morning for Disney World. They are staying at Wilderness Lodge until Sat & then they will head out to the Port to meet us. Cant wait until Fri when we leave.

 

[TIGGER41681]

Hello 11/18 cruisers,
Have a great cruise !! And leave the lights on and the music going for us when we board on 11/25!! Have a great time!!

 

[andilynn]

Hi Guys,

I hope you are having a great Sunday. Does anyone know what time the Disney Welcome Center opens at the airport? My flight arrives Saturday morning at 6:02 AM and since I don't have to pick up my luggage I'll have some free time at the airport.

I read somewhere that if your flight arrives before 6 you need to pick up your luggage. 6:02 is after 6 so I'm assuming I don't have to pick it up. That last sentence sounded really stuipd! Part of the appeal of the Disney transportation for me was not having to see my luggage once I check it in, in San Francisco.

In case anyone else is taking Disney transportation I learned that the Disney Welcome Center used to be in Terminal A but in October moved to Terminal B.

I've been watching the weather. So far this is what we've got on the horizon:

11/18 Orlando Sunny 74/57 10% chance of rain
11/19 Castaway Cay Partly Cloudy 76/63 10% chance of rain
11/20 At Sea
11/21 Grand Cayman Scattered Showers/Wind 82/76 60% chance of rain

I'll update as we get closer and add our other days as we get in reach.

See you soon!

Andrea

 

[cruisecrzy]

Melissa,

Thank makes sense since a lot of people said they were from New Jersey.

We have not had the chance to do anymore packing since we have so much company in town. I am hoping to get a chance by Tuesday. This week will fly by I am sure.

 

[ICEMANPAD]

Thanks for the weather update Andrea!!

2004 we had perfect weather the entire week.

2005 we were traveling during a crazy hurricane year. Gamma was in the vicinity of where we were travelling. As a result, the first night was very choppy and we missed our stop at Grand Cayman. The water was too rough for the tenders. However, the weather was perfect for both CC days and Costa Maya. We went to Costa Maya since Wilma beat up Cozumel. It was still a wonderful trip!!

This year I'm hoping for sunny skies and calm water!!

Lisa

 

[ICEMANPAD]

As to the question about the terminal opening, the time is usually about 10am, dependent in part on when they can clear the folks from the preceeding cruise. If you arrive early, they will have you queued in the parking lot across the street, where we will be waiting...LOL. Last year, the first 5 cars were all from the Disboard's group.

Chuck

 

[cruisecrzy]

Andrea.

I would call about your luggage. 407-566-3600 is the number for ground transportation (the DME folks that take care of your luggage). I'd give them a quick call and verify that all will be good with them collecting your luggage.

Well we have checked all our packing lists and are set to load up the suitcases. I cannot believe that on Saturday I will be heading to the port.

 

[mollygirl13]

Well, I am officially packed now! It took me a while today to figure what I needed and didn't need. It took DH about 14 minutes to pack; me about 4 hours He doesn't need 1/2 of the stuff I need! Plus I did go over everything just now and took out alot. What was I thinking earlier? But I am all set. We are leaving Philly around 4 AM Friday morning. We are driving the 1st day to Savannah, Ga and then on Sat we are getting up early and driving to the Port! We are meeting my parents since they will have already been in Florida.
CAn't believe it is *almost* here! Is everybody EXCITED!!!!

 

[ICEMANPAD]

Not only have we not started packing, we have not even figured out which pieces of luggage we will be taking. However, I have left some of my dry cleaning in the plastic for easy packing. It usually takes me about 15 minutes. After all, besides a suit, some nice slacks and a few shirts for dinner, what i do i really need except for the essentials during the day? Of course it will take Lisa considerably longer, but she plans to get an early start by beginning on wednesday instead of the usual thursday late at night routine (b/c we are leaving on friday, not saturday)...LOL. Seriously, once you have done this a few times, you pretty much know what to pack and what not to pack.

Chuck

 

[MontclairBear]

Hi All- just returned home from visiting Nanna in Oregon. She is doing well- especially for being 89 years old! Thanks for all your messages of support. She has kept her great sense of humor and was writing her name on a dry erase board for the speech therapist when I left (she is in a skilled nursing facility). Now I'm back in Oakland, CA. Had a terrible day yesterday because my Cal Bears lost to an unranked Arizona, and then my knee went out of socket (it has done this randomly since I was 12). So I have a sore knee, and DH left at 6am this morning to fly to ORLANDO (!?!?!) for a conference. He will return on WED, then we turn around and leave for Orlando on Friday! Poor guy.
On Friday, we fly Oakland to Salt Lake, meet up with my Brother and family there and fly to MCO. Get in around midnight, staying at the Radisson. We are booked on the 10am shuttle to the ship. I'm so excited.

I ordered duffle bags with the kids names on them- most of the stuff we are taking is piled up on our guest bed. I managed to send 2 boxes last week with Tinkerbell presents and Pirate costumes. Phew!
Got Sea Bands for everyone. Hope we don't need them.

Remember to leave a photocopy of your passport at home, and it is also a good idea to pack a copy in your suitcase.

I am so ready for a vacation- I'm sure you all are too

Here is our group info update:
9 in group, self, DH, DD4, DD2 (almost 3), Brother & wife with DS11, DS6, DS3
Late dinner seating, deck 8. We don't have green shirts to wear, but I will look for you. I have brown hair and eyes, and my girls are Katie and Mary.

 

[cruisecrzy]

Note: Anyone that has not recently checked in I hve moved to the botom under the heading Not Recently checked in.

DiszyGram
Maryland
Myself (Gail) DD 38 & her DS 7-wearing disney shirts
Early Seating

Mollygirl13
Bucks County, Pa.
self, DH, twin sis, and parents (60th birthday)
Late seating
6072/6074


pdeep
self (pat 49) & DW (Shirley 54) 23 anniv. on Nov. 19
Late seating

outahere
Suburban Boston West
self (ED) DW, DS12 and Ed's parents-wearing yellow lanyards
Early LAP
Deck 8

njmoms
New Jersey
5 adults and 1 child (7)

The Ducks
Self and DH, DD16

ICEMANPAD
Weston Fl.
Chuck, Lisa and DS7-wearing bright green Tday 2005 shirts
Late Seating
7127


MontclairBear
9 in group, self, DH, (7 year anniversary on 11/20) DD4, DD2, Brother & wife with DS11, DS6, DS3,
Late Seating
Deck 8

njdisneymomof2
New Jersey
#1 self, DH, DD9, DS8
#2 SIL, BIL, Niece 2 (almost 3)
#3 MIL, Niece 11 from PA.
Early Seating
3 cabins on Deck 2

Cruisecrzy
Kissimmee, Fl
Michelle 31-wearing bright green tink shirt
DH John 32
DD 27 months-wearing green tink dress

7520
Late Seating 8:15PLA

Friends traveling with us
Ettie 34
DH34
DD5
DD3
Deck 1
Late Seating linked with us

Fran and Bill (Parents of Ettie)
GTY Cat 6
Late seating with us

5 Adults
1 2yo
Deck 2 midship
Late seating with us

Andilynn
Andrea traveling alone
Sanfrancisco, CA
Deck 6
Late Seating

NOT RECENTLY HEARD FROM
hoplea
Alabama
Party of 6, self, DH, two parents, DD's 12 & 10

4boons
West Texas

catnip0113
Connecticut

maggiekid
Moonbeams
Dallas, Tx
Jennifer & Berry


GreenGirl8
San Diego, Ca.
Jennifer Marie... self and a new husband. Anniv. cruise.

 

[cruisecrzy]

Now that my DD pillowcase is sewn together and ready to go I had to share. It me about three weeks to do all the stitchwork. But she loves it so it is worth it.

 

[DiszyGram]

WOW, Michelle!! You can tell how much work it had to take to make that pillowcase. Something to save forever as an heirloom.

Now that my one suitcase has had a chance to sit for awhile, I'm going to go through it and make it lighter. My other one has a pillow in it. The pillow is a husk one and I can punch it into any shape that feels comfortable. Hope it doesn't look really strange on the xray exam and get shredded.

I'm carrying four little baggies of white powdered laundry detergent in my carry-on. They are labeled and in zip lock bags. Easy to open, sniff, and taste. Bags of white powder substances might make an inspector pause and look.

 

[andilynn]

I need to vent.

So I got an email on Friday from Travelocity saying that they Fedexed my documents to me and that I would have them by 10:30 today. I changed my work schedule around so I could be here to get them. Then at 9:00 I get a call from Fedex saying that they came to the building but didn't have my apartment number. So I gave them my apartment number and they said that they would try to redeliver tomorrow. Tomorrow? They are horrible!!!!

I told the guy on the phone that the Fedex guy was at my building five minutes ago why couldn't he come back? Can I go and meet him at his next location? Can I pick up my package at the Fedex office? Nothing! Man....I was so excited and have been waiting since Friday. If I drank beer, which I don't usually, I'd be crying in one right now. You know how you get your hopes set on something and even though the alternative isn't the worst thing in the world you are sad anyway...because you had your hopes set on it.

Ok, Montclair I'm sorry to hear about your bears. Cal - you've got to love them. On another note...my bears won again!!! Yea, Chicago Bears! I'm originally from Chicago and moved to California the year after the Bears won the Super Bowl in 86'. Brings back good memories.

Ok, now I have to get to work. Thanks for letting me vent. Weather update coming this afternoon.

Andrea

 

[ICEMANPAD]

I'd reconsider on that white powder and suggest instead the small packages or especially the tablets that are available for detergent. In this day and age, plastic bags of white powder are an invitation to trouble you dont need.

Chuck

 

[DiszyGram]

I used to be able to find travel sized boxes of detergent everywhere. Little boxes of Tide, etc. My other option is to just pay for whatever detergent there is on the ship. After all the other expenses for the cruise, a little extra money for detergent won't kill me.

It will also save the time it takes to put me in a room in the airport and strip search me.

 

[ICEMANPAD]

Good news...Our reservation info was fixed today!! One less thing to worry about!!

Andrea--I am also from Chicago originally. The superbowl shuffle in '86 was awesome!!!!

Lisa

 

[cruisecrzy]

We are also originally from Chicago. We moved to Florida in 1998, but both my husband and I were born and raised there.

Dizsygram I actually found travel packets of detergent (I think Tide) at Wal-mart in the area where they keep all their travel (sample) size stuff.

Icemanpad, I am so glad your reservations are fixed. I had faith they would be.

I just finished loading my signs to my husband's thumb drive. I ended up doing 19 signs. We will have one decorated door that is for sure.