November 26, 2005/ 7 day Eastern Magic

[jjbescher]

The weather here has gotten too cold for shorts (just barely) so those will be the 1st in the suitcases!

LGM

The weather is never too cold for shorts.

 

[Michelle2]

Hey everyone!
I am so excited, it is right around the corner. I was one of the first ones on this thread, so its been a loooong time for me! LOL Now that I look back, it hasn't gone by that slowly at all...alot of planning and researching makes time go by quick.

I would love to know if anyone is doing these excursions with us??
St. Marten: We (4 of us) are doing the Rhino Riders, earliest time. We were planning to just do the beach by the ship with the rest of the kids for the rest of the day...

St. Thomas: We (4 of us) are doing Capt. Nautica, earliest time. Maybe a beach with all of us the rest of the day...Hoping to do either Sapphire beach or Coki beach (for the iguanas for DS12). It all depends on time though.

Castaway Cay: 3-4 of us are doing the Eco tour, earliest time. 4 of us will be parasailing later in the afternoon, and I was thinking of asking which kids would like to do the Stingray adventure....

Other than that, we have 1 Palo dinner and 1 Palo brunch reserved, a couple's massage, and a facial for me...all on sea days.

I haven't even thought about packing. I set aside some new swimsuits for all of us a long time ago, but that's about it....lol With 6 of us, I am afraid I will overpack...Summer clothes and shoes are a great idea because it is getting way too chilly for them here in Boise.

 

[DiaLady]

We're down to 50 days here in Virginia. It still close ot 80 degrees, but the weather man is promising it won't last much longer

I've just started thinking about the little things we need to purchase to bring with us such as the water cameras, phone cards, etc. We've got all our ressies ready to go. I saved new bathing suits, too Actually I still need to lose 10-20 lbs to fit into the one for me. . .LOL. Don't worry, I'll get there. I only have 50 more days of not eating to be able to enjoy the cruise to its fullest . . .LOL

Our kids are really reving up for the trip. With fall baseball, the FIRST LEGO competition, and scout awards happening before we leave, the cruise will be a huge break. I even decided not to take on any new web design clients before the end of the year so I can have most of my work wrapped up before the cruise.

Let's keep chattering!! Are we doing a hometown token exchange at our cruise meet on embarkation day? I love the stories on boards of others bringing little things to share from their hometowns. What does everyone else think? How many total people are we up to?

Have a super day!

Theresa

 

[jjbescher]

How many total people are we up to?

Theresa, I think we are up to about 158 not including some of the extra rooms that people have.

Check out
Post #358 for the breakdown of the kids and number of adults.

Also, do we know how we are going to tell who everyone is once we get there? I know we are going to meet at the Goofy Pool(also stated at that post) at 3:00 on Saturday, but there maybe a lot of people at the pool at that time.

jon

 

[TJGorman]

I like the idea of exchanging hometown items. How do we go about it? I haven't read other threads and this will be my first DIS meet, so let's hear some ideas on how to go about it. I have to agree that we need to be a little more active! For goodness sakes, we are just under 1 1/2 months away. Did everyone read the changes in the documentation?

I am getting very excited because we are halfway through football/cheerleading season and I know at the end of the season, we are a week away from the cruise!!!

So much to do not nearly enough time.

 

[Boo Mc]

Yikes - what changes in documentation? We just ordered birth certificates because we didn't have ones with raised seals. Will I need something else now? HELP! Also just found out that Avis is no longer in the Radisson which is one of the reasons we decided to stay there. Now I have to rethink our transportaion from MCO to Radisson at the Port. Kids would get a kick out of a limo but not sure if it's worth the money. I'm excited but starting to feel a bit overwhelmed with the details. This is our first cruise so I feel like I'm going to forget something.

See you all soon!

 

[jjbescher]

Yikes - what changes in documentation?

Here is the link describing the changes.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=927833

Essentially, they are cutting down on the amount of paperwork that needs to be filled out. Saving money by not wasting duplicate data.

jon

 

[TChrist05]

Hello all...we are joining you guys in 7 short weeks...it is myself 52, my DW49 and my MIL80+....I think my MIL likes cruising more than we do....but definately looking forward to meeting many and just relaxing....Flying in that morning on Jet Blue from JFK so we hope the weather is good here in New York....at least the baseball playoff's will be very much over...hopefully my Yankees can do a little better this year.....Boston looks like they have a foot in the grave...but thats the way it looked last year...and do I remember what happened then.....good luck!

Tom & Marilou

 

[DiaLady]

HI All --

Welcome TChrist to the cruising crowd! Hard to believe there is 158 of us and counting. Where is everyone?

jjbescher - good question . . .how will we know the DISers from the rest of the crowd.. . ummm . . . does anyone know if HomeDepot still has the Mickey Mouse shaped Paint Color swatches? I know one group used those (in flourscent green) to illuminate their crowd of DISers. My dh loves any excuse to visit HomeDepot. I'll ask him to check next time he's there. . . .or if someone else is there first, let us know. Any other ideas or suggestions?

With 158+ folks, we'll need to have something simple to hand out from our hometowns. Oh, the kids would have a blast doing it! How about something we're thankful for? Being it's only a few days after Thanksgiving . . .or is that too complicated . . .

Well off to get some sleep. . . we're enjoying the rain from Hurricane Tammy tonight. Boy do we need it!!

Have a super Friday!

Theresa

 

[Michelle2]

I agree with doing some sort of exchange. I know my kids would love doing that. And last time I checked, I think Home Depot had those Disney mickey head paint sample cards. I might have been to Lowe's last...I can't remember which one. But I did notice them there. If they have them, I will be sure to pick some up for us! Everyone would recognize us by all the red heads though, including DH! (only me and DS3 do not.) LOL

All the planning, and it still seems like I have a zillion things to do. I like hearing everyone's lists and things they are starting to prepare for, because since it is our first cruise, I love (and NEED) the tips!! You might mention something you are gathering in advance that I haven't thought of!

 

[jjbescher]

Tchrist05 we are happy you can join us on the cruise.

I have added you to the list.

Post #358

I have also added the information about the Mickey Mouse Swatches, Right now it is tentative. Also, stated that we may do a hometown gift swap.

Michelle2 - we are going to bring some 1/2 gallon to gallon drink containers. You can also pack clothes or stuff in them. Big enough to hold water or soda that we can get from the drink machines and then fill up before we go to our cabin. This way we will not have to go back and refill cups.

jon

 

[jjbescher]

Are any of you planning on dressing up for Pirate Night? I am debating about it. If I act quick enough I can use it as my Halloween outfit.

jon

 

[thumpery]

I'm Here, I'm Here! Where does the time go?! We've been busy like everyone else.

We have all our shore excursions booked and a brunch at Palo's! We are very excited! We had an unexpected opportunity arise, and we are taking advantage of it. Instead of going down Thanksgiving to Orlando, we are leaving the Saturday before and spending a week on property. My boys can't believe they are going on a 2 week vacation! Neither can I!!!

So, I've been busy booking that portion of the vacation and trying to get ready for the cruise.

As far as Pirate Night, we did dress up for last year's cruise. It was so much fun, and we have great pictures. I don't think we will this year though. I'm trying not to overpack, which I know I will do anyways.

Anyone planning on rebooking on board? That is what we did last year. I seriously doubt we will this year. I wonder what the prices will be for 2007. We have been thinking of Hawaii, but it just thinking and dreaming. We'll see.

Before you know it we'll be cresting that bridge and seeing the beautiful Magical Ship!

 

[DiaLady]

I'd love to dress up for Pirate night. Our boys will get a kick out of that . . . What kind of things are folks using for their costumes? Yes, I think I need to look around now that it is Halloween season . . .

Only 48 more days. . . our boys are talking about it every day now. Can't believe it is so close!

Have a super weekend!

 

[Michelle2]

Thumpery--congrats on extending your vacation! You are so lucky. Our original plan was to stay after for a week and a half and go to WDW and Universal, but plans changed and we went to DL for the 50th anniversary with lots of family instead, which was just fine with me!! Now we will only be there for a quick 3 day 2 night sprint! We can always go back another time!

Theresa--I would love to know more about what you wore to Pirate night on your last cruise. I need all the ideas I can get. I don't think my kids will go all out and wear full costumes, but maybe eye patches, the kerchiefs that I know they give you...maybe hats for the boys...
What would be good basic attire to wear that will make us still feel like we are piratey, but without actually wearing pirate costumes???

And if we do find the Mickey paint swatches at Home Depot or wherever, what would we do with them, cut them out and pin them on something (on us, on our bags)??

 

[DiaLady]

Hey Michelle2 --

This is our first pirates night. On our last cruise, they hadn't started it yet. It was only a late night buffet. I think my boys would be most excited about having swords . . .LOL. That's what they think of when they think of pirates

Time is flying. We're waiting to get our passports back. New Orleans was our passport agency. We're glad we waited. As a precaution I'm going to order more copies of our birth certificates. Oh, the challenges . . .

 

[TJGorman]

I would like to dress up but I think I will be the only one of my group to do so unless I can convince my daughter how much fun it is to dress up.

We are quite busy here. It turned colder so now it feels like fall! We just got a new dog yesterday, so it will be interesting with two dogs in the house. I just realized I now need to kennel two dogs while we are on the cruise. So many details, so little time! Have a great Sunday.

 

[halestrm]

Hi, I have been gone awhile. Partially because I needed to calm down. Spent so much time on the cruise boards I was afraid my head would explode for the excitement.

jjbescher - Great list. Real name is K.Lee pronouced Kaylee.

OK, any recommendations on getting up to speed on this thread w/o reading 27 pages?

Also, anyone with a DD or DS around 6 who may want to start emailing with my DD who will be 6 on 11/25? She finally knows about the cruise (husband wanted to keep it a secret from her since it was her Bday present), and asked me if she would know anyone. I told her I would ask.

Anyone else adding things to the packing list daily? I keep saying Oh we should bring this... I have to buy more suitcases next week.

 

[DiaLady]

Welcome back halestrm I don't know about reading all 27 pages of this list. You might want to pace yourself . . .LOL

One of things most veteran cruisers recommend is packing lightly. I bought both boys new swim suits for the trip. A few others on the list talked about doing the same. We're basically bringing swimsuits, t-shirts, water shoes, and a few nice outfits for dinner. My boys would wear the same thing every day if I let them (including my big boy - dh . .. LOL). Make it easy on yourself. Carry less

If you search around the boards a bit, there are some great lists of things to bring. We'll bring our snorkle gear, too. OH, my dh is betting I won't be able to leave my laptop at home - esp since there is now some wireless on the ship. Ummmm . . . I'm still debating. We'll see.

Well, back to prepping for our homeschool day tomorrow. We don't usually take holidays off b/c we have our own needed days off. It balances out.

Have a super day!

Theresa

 

[jjbescher]

halestrm,

I would not read all 27 pages. Most of the pertinent information is on the post that you already have read. If anymore information about the meets, way to know who is part of the Disboards or additional people come onto the list, I will update it.

jon