Oct 30 2010 7 Night Western (PART 2)

[tjbaggott]

We have now made it to ORLANDO!!! Janice, even if Tim had reacted Badly, all 4 of us would still be cruising, even if it meant carrying him on board kicking and screamin LOL.
Daniel was very excited, he told me today, he just was too shy to act it (Fan club, and people he'd never met) But Tim very quietly said to me as he pointed to the picture on the ship, "I want to go on this" So all is good. Sheri and her family "THANK YOU" for hosting us! I'll never be able to say that enough. Oh and Sheri, Pm me the lines about Lamont LOL


The last bit of the drive was awful, it just seemed to stretch on forever once we hit the FL border. And then Tim was asking every 5 min.s "How much longer". DH and the boys are in the pool currently, IT'S SO NICE OUT!! And I'm in our beautiful Hotel room (snagged by using Priceline), trying to order Pizza for us. The front desk gave me the number for a Rodney's Pizza, but when I call, the operator says the number is not in service. I've got the phone book out, but it's hard tryiing to find a place nearby!!
The plan for tomorrow is to sleep in!! Thats a priority after 3 mornings in a row of extra early waking. Oh and Washington was fun but I'll never do it again. SO much Walking. The upper back of my calves are SO STIFF STILL! I suppose sitting in a van for 14 hours didn't help. I'll use the pool tomorrow and that should relax them a bit I think. Any, lots of video taken. The boys had a great time with their cipher puzzle in Washington, and figured out "Meeshka Mooshka Make A Very Big WISH". Once they clued in to WHO says Meeshka Mooshka, Daniel started to think it had something to do with Disney, but then the GPS Coordinates to Sheri's, threw him off. He told me today, he was DYING of anticipation, but he didn't want to show it on the outside. Thursday will definately be MK, thats what the boys chose, as I suspected they would.
Gotta run now and figure out this pizza thing. (Oh, I forgot to do someones Collage for them, Pudo I think. I'm SO VERY SORRY. When I get home, I can still do that up, if you would like it for scrapbooking purposes)
Take care all, till we meet later this week

 

[eyes4mickey]

We have now made it to ORLANDO!!! Janice, even if Tim had reacted Badly, all 4 of us would still be cruising, even if it meant carrying him on board kicking and screamin LOL.
Daniel was very excited, he told me today, he just was too shy to act it (Fan club, and people he'd never met) But Tim very quietly said to me as he pointed to the picture on the ship, "I want to go on this" So all is good. Sheri and her family "THANK YOU" for hosting us! I'll never be able to say that enough. Oh and Sheri, Pm me the lines about Lamont LOL


The last bit of the drive was awful, it just seemed to stretch on forever once we hit the FL border. And then Tim was asking every 5 min.s "How much longer". DH and the boys are in the pool currently, IT'S SO NICE OUT!! And I'm in our beautiful Hotel room (snagged by using Priceline), trying to order Pizza for us. The front desk gave me the number for a Rodney's Pizza, but when I call, the operator says the number is not in service. I've got the phone book out, but it's hard tryiing to find a place nearby!!
The plan for tomorrow is to sleep in!! Thats a priority after 3 mornings in a row of extra early waking. Oh and Washington was fun but I'll never do it again. SO much Walking. The upper back of my calves are SO STIFF STILL! I suppose sitting in a van for 14 hours didn't help. I'll use the pool tomorrow and that should relax them a bit I think. Any, lots of video taken. The boys had a great time with their cipher puzzle in Washington, and figured out "Meeshka Mooshka Make A Very Big WISH". Once they clued in to WHO says Meeshka Mooshka, Daniel started to think it had something to do with Disney, but then the GPS Coordinates to Sheri's, threw him off. He told me today, he was DYING of anticipation, but he didn't want to show it on the outside. Thursday will definately be MK, thats what the boys chose, as I suspected they would.
Gotta run now and figure out this pizza thing. (Oh, I forgot to do someones Collage for them, Pudo I think. I'm SO VERY SORRY. When I get home, I can still do that up, if you would like it for scrapbooking purposes)
Take care all, till we meet later this week

So glad you made it to Orlando and sounds like you're finally relaxing. I just started packing our bags. We leave Friday after school!!

Can't wait to see everyone on the ship!!!

 

[Pudo]

We have now made it to ORLANDO!!! Janice, even if Tim had reacted Badly, all 4 of us would still be cruising, even if it meant carrying him on board kicking and screamin LOL.
Daniel was very excited, he told me today, he just was too shy to act it (Fan club, and people he'd never met) But Tim very quietly said to me as he pointed to the picture on the ship, "I want to go on this" So all is good. Sheri and her family "THANK YOU" for hosting us! I'll never be able to say that enough. Oh and Sheri, Pm me the lines about Lamont LOL


The last bit of the drive was awful, it just seemed to stretch on forever once we hit the FL border. And then Tim was asking every 5 min.s "How much longer". DH and the boys are in the pool currently, IT'S SO NICE OUT!! And I'm in our beautiful Hotel room (snagged by using Priceline), trying to order Pizza for us. The front desk gave me the number for a Rodney's Pizza, but when I call, the operator says the number is not in service. I've got the phone book out, but it's hard tryiing to find a place nearby!!
The plan for tomorrow is to sleep in!! Thats a priority after 3 mornings in a row of extra early waking. Oh and Washington was fun but I'll never do it again. SO much Walking. The upper back of my calves are SO STIFF STILL! I suppose sitting in a van for 14 hours didn't help. I'll use the pool tomorrow and that should relax them a bit I think. Any, lots of video taken. The boys had a great time with their cipher puzzle in Washington, and figured out "Meeshka Mooshka Make A Very Big WISH". Once they clued in to WHO says Meeshka Mooshka, Daniel started to think it had something to do with Disney, but then the GPS Coordinates to Sheri's, threw him off. He told me today, he was DYING of anticipation, but he didn't want to show it on the outside. Thursday will definately be MK, thats what the boys chose, as I suspected they would.
Gotta run now and figure out this pizza thing. (Oh, I forgot to do someones Collage for them, Pudo I think. I'm SO VERY SORRY. When I get home, I can still do that up, if you would like it for scrapbooking purposes)
Take care all, till we meet later this week

Congrats!! Florida is a long state, you cross the border and you are excited to finally be in the state, but you are still almost 3 hours away from WDW

Collage: You did ours, it was one of the first so we're good. Thanks again.

We are flying down Thursday afternoon, checking into BLT and then going to DTD. Dinner reservations at T-Rex @ 5:30 then some WOD shopping. Don't think we are getting to MK until Friday @ 4:00 for MNSSHP.

Enjoy your (hopefully relaxing) day by the pool.

See you real soon!

Jeff

PS Sarah wants to add some emoticons

 

[JKSWonder]

We have now made it to ORLANDO!!!

Yay! Glad to hear it!

We are flying down Thursday afternoon, checking into BLT and then going to DTD. Dinner reservations at T-Rex @ 5:30 then some WOD shopping. Don't think we are getting to MK until Friday @ 4:00 for MNSSHP.

We have reservations for T-Rex for that same day and time! We will probably be leaving MK on Friday when you are arriving as we have a dinner reservation at Chef Mickey's on Friday night.

 

[threeiscrazy]

We have now made it to ORLANDO!!! Janice, even if Tim had reacted Badly, all 4 of us would still be cruising, even if it meant carrying him on board kicking and screamin LOL.
Daniel was very excited, he told me today, he just was too shy to act it (Fan club, and people he'd never met) But Tim very quietly said to me as he pointed to the picture on the ship, "I want to go on this" So all is good. Sheri and her family "THANK YOU" for hosting us! I'll never be able to say that enough. Oh and Sheri, Pm me the lines about Lamont LOL


The last bit of the drive was awful, it just seemed to stretch on forever once we hit the FL border. And then Tim was asking every 5 min.s "How much longer". DH and the boys are in the pool currently, IT'S SO NICE OUT!! And I'm in our beautiful Hotel room (snagged by using Priceline), trying to order Pizza for us. The front desk gave me the number for a Rodney's Pizza, but when I call, the operator says the number is not in service. I've got the phone book out, but it's hard tryiing to find a place nearby!!
The plan for tomorrow is to sleep in!! Thats a priority after 3 mornings in a row of extra early waking. Oh and Washington was fun but I'll never do it again. SO much Walking. The upper back of my calves are SO STIFF STILL! I suppose sitting in a van for 14 hours didn't help. I'll use the pool tomorrow and that should relax them a bit I think. Any, lots of video taken. The boys had a great time with their cipher puzzle in Washington, and figured out "Meeshka Mooshka Make A Very Big WISH". Once they clued in to WHO says Meeshka Mooshka, Daniel started to think it had something to do with Disney, but then the GPS Coordinates to Sheri's, threw him off. He told me today, he was DYING of anticipation, but he didn't want to show it on the outside. Thursday will definately be MK, thats what the boys chose, as I suspected they would.
Gotta run now and figure out this pizza thing. (Oh, I forgot to do someones Collage for them, Pudo I think. I'm SO VERY SORRY. When I get home, I can still do that up, if you would like it for scrapbooking purposes)
Take care all, till we meet later this week

I'm so glad you arrived safely. Marcus woke up this morning and asked where our company was. He was VERY sad when I told him you had left. He said he wanted you to stay. I think he'll be excited to see Tim & Daniel on Saturday.

 

[pdarrah]

I'm about 5 pages behind still, but just started looking at the new navigators (10/16) and I'm REALLY confused over what they have done with the kid clubs. We last sailed on the Eastbound repo in 2008. At that time the Lab was for kids up to 12 (and I think some 13yo who requested it). They also had just opened OceanQuest on deck 2 and it was supposedly for 11-13yo but had almost no organized activities - it was just a hang-out place and the kids were bored before the end of the 1st week.

My 11yo son has been looking forward to the LAB, but it looks from these navigators that they have dropped the maximum age to 10! There seems to be a "group" for tweens called "Edge" that is located at OceanQuest. Is this group going to do any of the Lab type stuff (flubber, group-games, craft projects, etc) or is this just a room full of video games and they are supposed to amuse themselves? The navigators do at least show some "activities" but a lot of it seems to be "Hanging at Edge" and "Chilling at Edge". Without more descriptions I'm not sure if the other stuff is more organized or not.

I tried looking on the main cruise board, but the general info post seemed to still have the old info. The Passporter I have is from 2009 and it also describes the old ways.

I am suddenly really, really worried. DS is going to be horribly disappointed if he doesn't get to do any of the "usual" stuff that he has been looking forward to for 2 years! Just hanging out with a bunch of strangers isn't going to work for him at all.

 

[karana]

DH is counting the hours until he can put work behind him for a week.
I am counting the errands on my to do list, and still hoping I can get a mani/pedi beforehand. If not, I guess I will just HAVE to do this on the cruise!

 

[adnil530]

I sent ahead two white vinylmation 9 inch mickeys in my box that I plan to leave with guest services for the characters to sign. Someone on the boards posted a picture of a signed vinyl mickey about a month ago and it looked really cute with all of the different colored signatures plastered all over it. The girls can put them up on their shelf by their trophies and treasures as a lasting momento.

Beth

What a great idea that I may have to borrow! I was at the Disney Outlets just today and DH said that he saw some plain white ones there. I'll go have a look tomorrow and see how much they are and such and report back. I'm not a fan of the vinylmations, but the girls are, youngest especially. I was pretty busy at the outlets looking at other stuff I didn't know I had to have.

I've done the blank picture frame mats before. They do come out well. We provided 4 or 5 different sharpie colors and I like the colorful way they turned out.

We have now made it to ORLANDO!!!

It's amazing how something like a "vacation" can bring so many people from so many different places to just one place. Most have never met but have become very good friends. Everyone is migrating towards Port Canaveral.

This is going to be an absolutely wonderful cruise.

Linda

 

[jerry112]

Just wanted to wish everyone safe travels. We leave Friday afternoon and with work and packing there is still so much to do!! See you all
Saturday 3:00!
Karen

 

[figmentnnemo]

The one thing I forgot-my FE list! I'm on list B-does anyone have an extra list I can use for the first night?

 

[eyes4mickey]

Just wanted to wish everyone safe travels. We leave Friday afternoon and with work and packing there is still so much to do!! See you all
Saturday 3:00!
Karen

Does anyone know what form you hand in when you check in at the port for onboard flight check in for the return flight? I just read that Southwest is finally participating in the onboard check-in.

 

[JKSWonder]

I'm about 5 pages behind still, but just started looking at the new navigators (10/16) and I'm REALLY confused over what they have done with the kid clubs. We last sailed on the Eastbound repo in 2008. At that time the Lab was for kids up to 12 (and I think some 13yo who requested it). They also had just opened OceanQuest on deck 2 and it was supposedly for 11-13yo but had almost no organized activities - it was just a hang-out place and the kids were bored before the end of the 1st week.

My 11yo son has been looking forward to the LAB, but it looks from these navigators that they have dropped the maximum age to 10! There seems to be a "group" for tweens called "Edge" that is located at OceanQuest. Is this group going to do any of the Lab type stuff (flubber, group-games, craft projects, etc) or is this just a room full of video games and they are supposed to amuse themselves? The navigators do at least show some "activities" but a lot of it seems to be "Hanging at Edge" and "Chilling at Edge". Without more descriptions I'm not sure if the other stuff is more organized or not.

I tried looking on the main cruise board, but the general info post seemed to still have the old info. The Passporter I have is from 2009 and it also describes the old ways.

I am suddenly really, really worried. DS is going to be horribly disappointed if he doesn't get to do any of the "usual" stuff that he has been looking forward to for 2 years! Just hanging out with a bunch of strangers isn't going to work for him at all.

From what I understand, the tween and teen clubs were renamed to conform with the names that they will be on the Dream and the Fantasy.

DCL also changed the age limits for the Club and the Lab. Now activities have "suggested" ages, but it's not hard line age limit anymore. A child who used to only be able to go to the Club may choose to go the the Lab if there is an activity that child is interested in being held there. I am not sure how this works for kids who are tweens, 11 - 13. I would talk to the counselors at the Lab. I would guess there is a very good chance that they would let your 11 year old to participate in Lab activities. You might ask on the main board...someone from the recent October 16th cruise may know the answer to this one.

The one thing I forgot-my FE list! I'm on list B-does anyone have an extra list I can use for the first night?

The lists are still available in Post #1 of this thread, but I'm guessing you have no way to print them out, correct? I packed one list with my FE gifts that I shipped and I am bringing another with me. I can printout an extra Group B list for you. Will you be at the Dismeet on 10/30?

Does anyone know what form you hand in when you check in at the port for onboard flight check in for the return flight? I just read that Southwest is finally participating in the onboard check-in.

There is a form in your cruise document booklet that DCL sent to you....it's towards the back of that notebook. It's a tear out form. From what I understand, you fill it out and then turn it in at the Port when you check in. I was told by someone else that they used to take them at Guest Services, but that this was changed, and that if you did not hand your form in at the port at check-in, you would not be able to use the service.

 

[tjbaggott]

The one thing I forgot-my FE list! I'm on list B-does anyone have an extra list I can use for the first night?

The Group B list isn't very long. I can write out a copy for you to give you at the meet if you can't access the list from page one yourself. More than happy to

 

[Pudo]

My office whiteboard has a big red number on it!!

1

Woo Hoo!

​

 

[mvlimmex]

We leave this afternoon and are getting very excited! It is sooo windy here in Wisconsin that our travels have thrown us into a couple hour delay of travel. Things are suppose to get better tonite---so hopefully.

Have safe travels everyone! We;'ll see you at 3:00 on Sat, or maybe at Grills on Fri.

Vicki

 

[nenner1]

We have now made it to ORLANDO!!! Janice, even if Tim had reacted Badly, all 4 of us would still be cruising, even if it meant carrying him on board kicking and screamin LOL.
Daniel was very excited, he told me today, he just was too shy to act it (Fan club, and people he'd never met) But Tim very quietly said to me as he pointed to the picture on the ship, "I want to go on this" So all is good. Sheri and her family "THANK YOU" for hosting us! I'll never be able to say that enough. Oh and Sheri, Pm me the lines about Lamont LOL

That's awesome, In think you will see the excitement build exponentially over the next couple of days!!!

Thursday will definately be MK, thats what the boys chose, as I suspected they would.

So you guys will be in MK Thursday? WE will be there as soon as they will let us in at 4. Shall I bring your lanyards in case we run into eachother, or just save them for Grills?

I'm about 5 pages behind still, but just started looking at the new navigators (10/16) and I'm REALLY confused over what they have done with the kid clubs. We last sailed on the Eastbound repo in 2008. At that time the Lab was for kids up to 12 (and I think some 13yo who requested it). They also had just opened OceanQuest on deck 2 and it was supposedly for 11-13yo but had almost no organized activities - it was just a hang-out place and the kids were bored before the end of the 1st week.

My 11yo son has been looking forward to the LAB, but it looks from these navigators that they have dropped the maximum age to 10! There seems to be a "group" for tweens called "Edge" that is located at OceanQuest. Is this group going to do any of the Lab type stuff (flubber, group-games, craft projects, etc) or is this just a room full of video games and they are supposed to amuse themselves? The navigators do at least show some "activities" but a lot of it seems to be "Hanging at Edge" and "Chilling at Edge". Without more descriptions I'm not sure if the other stuff is more organized or not.

I tried looking on the main cruise board, but the general info post seemed to still have the old info. The Passporter I have is from 2009 and it also describes the old ways.

I am suddenly really, really worried. DS is going to be horribly disappointed if he doesn't get to do any of the "usual" stuff that he has been looking forward to for 2 years! Just hanging out with a bunch of strangers isn't going to work for him at all.

I have been anxious about it and have read many threads on the topic. A lot of the initial feedback here was negative but things seemed to have settled into a routine. I haven;t seen nearly many complaints as of late.

Having an 11 y/o DS who- like yours really enjoyed the activities in the Lab, I understand that they can participate in the Out and About program which is basically all of the activities that occur in places around the ship (outside of the clubs). I also believe that if there is an activity they want to join in the Lab or Club like Flubber or Cooking School I think they can, especially being close to the lower end of the tween age range.

I agree, I would much rather have them busy with an activity than just "chilling".

The one thing I forgot-my FE list! I'm on list B-does anyone have an extra list I can use for the first night?

No worries, I have copies of all lists A,B, and C. I'll have them at the Dis meet up at the Lanyard table. If I remember I'll try to bring one along to MNSSHP but I do already have that stuff packed, so it will depend on if I end up having time to get it out or print another. Either way I'll have one for you at some point.

Anyone else who loses or misplaces a copy of the FE list(s) come and see me at the Dis Meet Lanyard table. I won't have the maps, just the lists.

My office whiteboard has a big red number on it!!

1

Woo Hoo!

​

I just felt that needed repeating. I am officially now on vacation!

Safe and happy trails to all of you on your way. We have some last minute shopping and a little more packing, and we'll be heading out bright and early tomorrow morning.

 

[Pudo]

I just felt that needed repeating. I am officially now on vacation!

Safe and happy trails to all of you on your way. We have some last minute shopping and a little more packing, and we'll be heading out bright and early tomorrow morning.

Lucky you! I have 5 more hours and then it is Yabba Dabba Do!

Yes, safe and happy trails to all. See you Saturday!!

 

[pdarrah]

I have been anxious about it and have read many threads on the topic. A lot of the initial feedback here was negative but things seemed to have settled into a routine. I haven;t seen nearly many complaints as of late.

Having an 11 y/o DS who- like yours really enjoyed the activities in the Lab, I understand that they can participate in the Out and About program which is basically all of the activities that occur in places around the ship (outside of the clubs). I also believe that if there is an activity they want to join in the Lab or Club like Flubber or Cooking School I think they can, especially being close to the lower end of the tween age range.

I agree, I would much rather have them busy with an activity than just "chilling".

Thank you! Hopefully the Out and About will interest him Maybe we can introduce our DS11's and see if they'll hit it off and can "hang out" together or visit some of the Lab programs together. We will be at the meet on embarkation day!

I have also posted the question in the main forum, but so far no responses...

 

[tjbaggott]

Any recent info on Caribbean Weather? Just curious.
Nenner, I don't know if I would recognize you, actually, truthfully, I think I might recognize your kids if I saw them, lol. For some reason, kids faces become more familiar in my mind than adult faces. I don't want you to have to carry around any more stuff than you already are, so it's ok to just bring them to Grills. The kids are getting more and more excited. I just made our reservation on the shuttle bus for tomorrow morning. The hotel (I guess most do) offer it as a complimentary service. We chose the 8:15 leave for park time, and the 6:15 return time. That will save us gas on the van. Personally, I love the shuttle idea. I spent WAY too much time in that van. My legs muscles from walking around Washington, and then a 13 some hour drive were really hurting. I put some muscle rub on them last night, then a hot shower this morning, and they finally feel almost normal. I'm already NOT looking forward to the drive home. Don't even want to think about that right now.
The boys have been talking about what they are most looking forward to tomorrow. They both want to go to BUZZ LIGHTYEARS Space Ranger Spin 1st!!!!! And then ride it again!!! Last fall, I had a park plan, that we pretty much stuck to (because we had ADR's). Tomorrow, it will be ALL ABOUT THE KIDS. If they are happy, then we are happy. We will just relax and go at a more leisurely pace, and not be in a rush to get to everything and not miss anything. Some rides are now "Been there Done that", and the boys know what they DON'T want to do.
They've done quite a bit of home work now, and actually DON'T want to go to the pool right now. DH bought Tim a BeyBlade Stadium at Walmart this morning, and two more BeyBlades (tisk tisk tisk), and THAT'S what they are playing right now. Can you imagine? Beyblades vs 34 some degree (Celcius) weather and an outdoor gorgeous pool in FLORIDA!!!!! I think an adult has to step in here and say, OUT!!!!!!!!!

 

[TifffanyD]

As far as I know it has been Nov. 1 for quite a while. I remember checking into that back when we booked our hotel in Feb or so (thinking "gee how cool would that be") LOL I am actually glad now we are missing it, there will be enough going on with the Air Show!

Oh... duh! It's the air show going on that day - not the launch. I was confused and/or forgot! As schimj said, we are super busy this week so I should have known better than to try to rationalize anything. Thanks for the info