November 5th 2011 Eastern on the Magic

[LovesToRun]

Good afternoon, everyone! Well, today, I officially built our first fire in our fireplace! I've been holding off because once we start the fires, that just means cold is really officially here, and I don't like the cold, and that means dark, rainy winter is coming. So, here I am typing next to our fire... it is cozy, though!

Phil,
thats it!
Purex 3 in 1 is what I was trying to think of the name of earlier in a couple of posts. Thank you.


Kathy

Thanks for this!! I'm definitely going to look for these and buy them! I'm so glad to know about this product!


Well, here's a "small world" (no pun intended ) story! I was at church this morning, and sitting in front of me was a young couple that I had never seen nor met before. Anyway, we started chatting after church, and turns out they just went on a Disney cruise! So, of course, that just made an automatic connection between us. Then, she asked me if I've ever heard of the DIS boards... ... well, of course you all know my answer to that. Turns out both she and her DH are very active members here on the DIS boards, and they do the FE exchange thing, cruise meets, write in on the boards, etc. What a small world! So, they told me all about their FE exchange experiences, and said how much fun it is, and how neat it is to be part of a cruise meet group because you have all these new friends on the ship from day 1.

Anyway, it was a fun discussion, and made me even more excited about our upcoming cruise!

Anyway, what are the odds that I'd meet an active member of the DIS boards right here in my own community? Very cool!

Well, happy Sunday evening... less than 3 weeks now until we board the Magic!! I can't believe it!!! Soooo close. I can't wait!

-Kathy

ps. Scott, that is great you already had a pre-cruise meet!!! That is really neat that worked out!

 

[LovesToRun]

Good morning,

well I got 95% done with my FE yesterday. I will finish it this morning and will finally be done. YEAH!!!
Saturday just had too many distractions for me to get done.

Today is pouring rain. Can't wait to be in the warm weather on the cruise.

Back later today to see who has a question for the day today?

Kathy

Can't wait to see your FE, Kathy!!! You have to post pictures! I bet it looks great.

We have no rain here today... just really cold outside. But, rain is coming... the forecast says so, and I can smell it in the air!

Ok, here is a question for the day:

How many suitcases does your immediate family bring on the cruise (so not including other relatives/family going with you... just your immediate household family).

For us (DH, me, 2 boys), we do try to pack light, but still feels like we bring a lot! For a 7 day cruise, we typically bring 1 large suitcase (normal size you put through baggage claim), 1 suit/garmet bag (this has all our formal/dressy clothes in it), and 2 carry-on sized roller bags. We bring the carry-on sized roller bags as carry-ons on the plane so we don't have to pay the baggage fees on the plane. Then, we obvioulsy have to check the suitcase and the garmet bag, so we end up having to pay the darn baggage fees for just 2 bags. Oh well... no way around it.

Oh, and our kids usually bring backpacks with all their stuff in it (things/activities to do on the plane, a stuffed animal... gotta have the comfort item!...stuff like that).

-Kathy

 

[SLM]

Hello everyone! I was away for the weekend with seven of my best girlfriends so I had a lot of posts to catch up with. Happy (belated) birthday to Claire, thank you to everyone for posting the great tips and Kathy, your family photos were beautiful, the boys grins are adorable! I thought your hair looked lovely. I'm thinking about getting my hair done for formal night now-so will make an appointment right away. Now I just have to find a picture because I'm terrible at describing what I want. Since I trust him, for my daughter's wedding I just told my hairdresser to do what he thought would look good with my dress (I brought it with me) and I was happy.
We have gorgeous fall weather in PA today-low to mid sixties and sunny, the trees are gold and red and you can smell fires burning. Now if the Ravens win this afternoon all will be good.
Gma Kathy, thank you again for sending out the meet/FE list. Jay and I are looking forward to saying hello to all of you nice people in three weeks!

 

[LovesToRun]

Hello everyone! I was away for the weekend with seven of my best girlfriends so I had a lot of posts to catch up with. Happy (belated) birthday to Claire, thank you to everyone for posting the great tips and Kathy, your family photos were beautiful, the boys grins are adorable! I thought your hair looked lovely. I'm thinking about getting my hair done for formal night now-so will make an appointment right away. Now I just have to find a picture because I'm terrible at describing what I want. Since I trust him, for my daughter's wedding I just told my hairdresser to do what he thought would look good with my dress (I brought it with me) and I was happy.
We have gorgeous fall weather in PA today-low to mid sixties and sunny, the trees are gold and red and you can smell fires burning. Now if the Ravens win this afternoon all will be good.
Gma Kathy, thank you again for sending out the meet/FE list. Jay and I are looking forward to saying hello to all of you nice people in three weeks!

How fun you got away with your girlfriends!! Next weekend, my closest girlfriend and I are going away for a girl's weekend up in Vancouver, BC! Can't wait.

I think you made a really good point... I think when you go to get your hair styled at a new place where the hairdresser doesn't know you, it becomes all a guessing game (if you don't bring a picture of what you want), because if the hairdresser knows you well, then it's easy for him/her to know what not only looks good on you, but fits your personality and likes and tastes. Many pages ago on this cruise meet, I posted a family picture of us from my Dh's 40th birthday party, and my hairstyle in that picture, I had my normal hairdresser fix up my hair for that event... I've been going to her for about 7 or so years now, and she knows me very well! I LOVED my hair and how she did it... and I didn't bring a picture at all. I just showed her my dress, and told her to make my hair look pretty! She did a fabulous job. But, with someone you just met for the first time and does not know you at all, it does make it hard for them to really guess what you would really like. So, that is a good point!

You should get your hair done for sure on the ship! It is really really fun!!! But, like I said, just bring a picture if you do have an opinion of what you'd like it to look like.

Kathy

 

[NC2WDW]

Lots to catch up on and read over the weekend! Yes, GreensboroKG, the pre-meet was great. Who knows, the boys may be friends for life. Who would have thought that a cruise would put people together! Kole has talked about Peter all weekend and can't wait to see him again!

To answer question of the day:
Since we have never cruised for seven days or cruised with the kids, I can only estimate our bags. I'm hoping to have 1 bag for the kids, 1 bag for DH and I, and 1 garment bag and maybe 1 bag for just shoes. Of course we will bring a carry on for the cruise too. It will be interesting to post, later on, what I end up with! Someone will have to post that question, closer to the date. However, if all goes well, I plan to finish before the 31st (at least).

 

[Switzert]

Well I'm officially mad at all Canadian's (Not Really). Acutally glad my credit card company is proactive. Someone got my number and tried to run transactions of $850.00, $750, and $700 through a single store at a beauty supply store. Hopefully that helps them catch the person.

Luckily it I won't have to pay it and I'll have my new cards this week, but I was like WOW! What if this happened the week of the cruise.

The only real different merchant online I had used is for my DD costume. Oh well, I still like shopping online too much to stop.

To top that off I can't get into the disboars.com on in firefox this weekend. I tried Internet Explorer and it works so I switched for now.

Besides that is has been a great weekend going to the Bob Evans Farm Festival.

 

[Switzert]

I budgeting our baggage at 6 for the three of us.

We take our own snorkel gear. I wear size 16 shoes and rarely find snorkel gear that fits. Wife doesn't like the idea of putting her mouth on a shared mouth piece. So I will have one bag for clothes and one bag of FE & beach stuff.

MY DD wil likely have on bag for her and one bag of our formal clothing.

My DW will have one or two bags. I am hoping for 1 but we will see. She may have on bag for DW for her and my DD and one for the cruise.

We have two friends that say they will have one bag between them and one formal clothing bag. I won't be the only luggage carrier on this trip though so I am pumped.

 

[wtgilligan]

I also wear a size 16 shoe and just don't go snorkeling because I can't find any equipment.

We will have so much luggage. We are planning 1 bag for me, 1 for DW, 1 small for DS, 1 small for DD, 1 large with extra stuff, 1 bag for carryon, and at least one for formal clothes.

 

[mrp4352]

Hi all!

Checking in from my lovely hotel on a business trip! (actually, it really is a lovely hotel, and I'm in Orlando - so even better!!) I saw a cruise line bus at the airport yesterday and it was all I could do not to run and jump on! I think the last couple of weeks are the hardest! I am getting to play at WDW on the weekends - the MK was a madhouse yesterday, but Epcot was very pleasant today! The weather is warm, but not too hot (remember - I'm from Texas, others may think 87 was too warm). Mickey said he could hardly wait to see us all on the cruise!

I think I'm two questions behind, so here goes!
1) best tip for a first timer - remember to relax! Yes, there are tons of wonderful things to do, but also take time to relax and enjoy just being on the ship! (A glass of the adult beverage of your choice and a rail on deck 4 or 10 is one of the best ways!)
2) We're shooting for one suitcase and one carryone each. We'll see...

Michelle

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Usually its one suitcase each and 1 small carry on each.
'
I have learned how to pack light for a cruise after taking way too many clothes the first 2 or 3 cruises.

Kathy

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Besides that is has been a great weekend going to the Bob Evans Farm Festival.

Love the photo, thats really cute and I love the bright pink colors too.


We just went through having to get all our cards replaced too. Greg thought he lost his wallet. As soon as we got them all replaced he found the wallet

But last cruise we had someone get our card just prior to the cruise and use it too. So our card we used for our on board account was frozen and we didnt know it. That was embarassing it didnt work on board at the end of the cruise . Luckily we had another card to use.
I called the company and they told us about the bogus charges but they hadnt been able to reach us while on the crusie. So they had froze our account. They re-issued the cards and removed the charges which had been made from over seas.

Kathy

 

[clj1410]

Happy Monday Everyone

We will probably bring 2 suitcases for the 4 of us, plus the kids will bring their backpacks! I have travelled back and forth to England by myself with the kids since they were babies, so I learnt to pack only what I needed. It was pretty challanging pushing a stroller, wheeling a suitcase and keeping track of a toddler, luckily they are bigger now and they fight over who gets to wheel the suitcase now!!!

Claire

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Good morning everyone,

we are starting another week, which means we are that much closer to the cruise

43 degrees this morning but heading for 70 this afternoon, still it really makes me want for this warm tropical crusie to come. I do NOT like the cold.

Anyone have a question of the day today??

I'll be back later to see if one is posted.
You guys have been coming up with some great questions. Lets keep it going!!

Kathy

 

[flygrl]

Well I'm officially mad at all Canadian's (Not Really). Acutally glad my credit card company is proactive. Someone got my number and tried to run transactions of $850.00, $750, and $700 through a single store at a beauty supply store. Hopefully that helps them catch the person.

Happy Monday... Sorry your credit card number was taken... It wasn't me...LOL
Love the pic...

Kathy: Loves to Run, you are so young looking too! Love your hair-do!

Hope everyone had a great weekend... We had apple day for cubs so we were out and about with that and Meghan had a birthday party on Sunday. My sister comes home next week, it is the mad rush on the last minute stuff... For the question about suit cases, i think we will be taking two between the three of us and the kids will take their back packs. I am an over packer so I am going to try to pack light!

Question: I haven't travelled that much in a long while... Guess people don't use traveller's cheques any more???

Tanya

 

[Daniellenbella]

Kathy LTR: 3. Along the lines of laundry, you just use your room key to pay for laundry on the ship, so you don't need quarters (I didn't know that on our first cruise, so our first cruise, I brought like $10.00 in quarters and never used them).

How much is it to do a load on the ship? I've been thinking that I'm going to end up overpacking b/c I don't want to do laundry on vacation. But if it's easy & cheap, maybe I'll plan to do it once (I already have a travel size ALL).

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Tanya,
You really never hear of Travelers checks any more but I'm sure any where that would take a check should take a travelers check.

Now days everyone uses credit cards, debit card and a few still use cash.

We bring a small amount of cash for souvenirs, tips on excursion, and room service. Other than that we use CC's that are cash back cards. That cash back is the start of next years vacation money.

So each vacation helps to pay for our next vacation. I love that. Of course the trick is to pay it off 100% when we return so no interest to pay and no bill to worry about. We just stick to our budget.

Kathy

 

[Daniellenbella]

I'm sorry, I still haven't gotten past page 109, but I will catch up today!

But I have a question that I keep forgetting to ask...What is the humidity like inside & outside the ship this time of year? My hair gets super frizzy so I'm wondering if I even need to bother to pack straightening products.

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Kathy LTR: 3. Along the lines of laundry, you just use your room key to pay for laundry on the ship, so you don't need quarters (I didn't know that on our first cruise, so our first cruise, I brought like $10.00 in quarters and never used them).

How much is it to do a load on the ship? I've been thinking that I'm going to end up overpacking b/c I don't want to do laundry on vacation. But if it's easy & cheap, maybe I'll plan to do it once (I already have a travel size ALL).

I think its $2.00 to wash and $2.00 to dry. It may have gone up again.

I usually break down and do laundry the last night, just so when I get home and I am tired I can just put away the clothes and not have ot worry about washing them first.

Since we have a week at WDW first I will have to do laundry there, probably the day before the cruise. I figure thats better than having to bring twice as many clothes.:


Kathy

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

I'm sorry, I still haven't gotten past page 109, but I will catch up today!

But I have a question that I keep forgetting to ask...What is the humidity like inside & outside the ship this time of year? My hair gets super frizzy so I'm wondering if I even need to bother to pack straightening products.

The high humidity is gone by November most places. There will be a bit more on the islands but we usually dont even notice it in November. If we were going a month earlier it would be quite humid.

Inside they keep the AC going so it feels like any other air conditioned building. I never noticed it feeling humid at all.

Kathy

 

[2ksilverbullet]

Catching up from yesterdays question of the day. I've limited the family to 3 checked bags, and everyone gets a backpack for a carry on for whatever they want. I imagine mine will be the fullest (as usual) since I'll have the entertainment and Logans meds in it. I have a large duffel bag that is going in one of the checked bags in case we need another one for the trip home.

Chilly motorcycle ride in to work today, 45 degrees out in Pittsburgh. Beautiful day though, sun is shining, should be a high of about 60 I believe. All that ends soon though, more rain coming (sigh....).