October 13th, 2007~"Cruise-A-Palooza"

[CrazyZeus1]

I just had to chime in that, we too, are counting down the days Just yesterday, at Rainforest Cafe with my 4yo son, we had a talk about the ports of call & what we could do at each. Instant homeschool lesson!

I printed out a map when we got home & we talked about our trip itenerary. He helped Mommy draw on our map the ship route. We looked up the Butterfly Farm in St. Maarten online & found a good scented lotion in Mommy's bathroom that we'll wear to the farm (I read that they'll be attracted to floral/sweet smelling perfume?). That led us to a discussion about why the butterflies would come to us better with lotion instead of none.

We talked about what butterflies eat, and that caterpillars eat different foods than butterflies. My son remembered a lesson we did last Fall with our homeschool CoOp about the Monarch migration, & we found a book in the closet about Monarchs. We read that the caterpillars need milkweed to eat, and that's the only food they will eat.

I had found a website to order free milkweed seeds a few months ago, & had ordered some and saved them for "just the right time." Here it was! So we pulled the milkweed seeds out, planted them in some little pots, and we'll maintain them inside until Spring & transplant them into the ground.

All because of our Disney cruise conversation

 

[kpflillirpf]

I'm looking forward to meeting up with you all. And who knows, maybe I'll slip a grass skirt in the suitcase at the last minute. Heee Heee (I'm do devious) My DH won't know what hit him. HEEE HEEE

I know we touched base on the meeting up earlier on and Kevin (I do believe) made the suggestion of meeting up on Sunday between 2 and 3 somewhere (can't remember where right now). We should probably make a definite time and place to meet up or else we may have half of us visiting on one day and half of us visiting on another. I wanna meet ALLLLL of you. When we check in my family will be the ones with the Mardis Gras beads on. Oh wait, we'll all hopefully have our beads on. HEEE HEEE By the way, on my countdown clock I set it up to go off at 4:30pm on Friday the 12th. So my clock is saying 43 days and a few hours left to go. I'm so excited!!!!!!! See ya'll soon. Kristi

 

[CrazyZeus1]

I agree about the FINAL meeting time & decision...we need to get it out early & often so in case anyone misses a post they'll still be in on the time/day.

As far as Sunday, I know my DH will be watching the Bears play whenever that happens on Sunday so it may just be my DS and I. Which is fine too...either way works for us!

We look forward to putting some faces with names.

 

[TnRobin]

No you don't have to preregister for the Kids club events. You just show up. The only time they will not let you sign in or out is when they are transitioning between areas of the ship or at the movie theater.

 

[seagee]

I'm also anxious to find out how many people will be participating in the Dis Tag game. I want to gather my goodies! Can we nail this down also.
Thanks so much!

Anyone else staying at the Hyatt the night before? Cathy

 

[d'Isigny]

WOW - I've been away for a day and it looks like you guys have been busy posting. I've got ~2 pages to catch up on...should be current tonight or tomorrow.

I don't have much time on the computer...Nan is at a PTA meeting and I need to start getting the DD's ready for tomorrow - bed tonight. Wanted to share a few words and a photo from my trip. We had a blast - leasurly ride to Sedona and a 30 minute helicopter ride around the redrocks and Indian ruins...in one word....FANTASTIC. What an awesome way to see this beautiful part of the South West - I highly recommend trying this once.

This photo does not do this area justice....just breathtakingly beautiful.

 

[bevtoy]

I'm also anxious to find out how many people will be participating in the Dis Tag game. I want to gather my goodies! Can we nail this down also.
Thanks so much!

Anyone else staying at the Hyatt the night before? Cathy

Me too! I am anxious to prepare the gifts........

 

[kpflillirpf]

So we're all in agreement that we wanna nail it all down. I wanna buy my tag gifts too. I know that many people have gotten their invitations from Kevin to join the Yahoo Group and there is a great list/database with the tag information. The last time I checked it, out of 22 families 21 were interested in playing tag. I'd say if you haven't asked to join that group you should think about it. It doesn't take long and then your information is there for everyone to see (names, where you live, ages, room#, tag Y/N, etc.). It will make it MUCH easier to count who is playing tag and who isn't.

As far as meeting up, I like Kevin's idea of Sunday. Maybe we could meet earlier in the day though so as not to interfere with any sports events. Instead of meeting at 2 or 3, why don't we meet around 10 or 11? I'm sure no matter when we meet there will be MANY of us wearing our mardis gras beads on the day of boarding which would help us all to see each other. Meeting a few people on boarding day wouldn't be a bad idea either.

Soooo, those are my thoughts. They are the best I can do with not the best night of sleep. I'll be looking forward to everyone's responses. Have a great day! Kristi

 

[margaritaqueen]

I like the Sunday idea, too - and any time will work for us, but the 2pm might be better so as to not rush around in the morning. (Hey, I am up at 5am regardless, but I can't say my family will be!!)

The Sedona photo is gorgeous! I remember being there 4 years ago but never experienced it from a helicopter!! I bet you got some cool photos of that chapel in the rocks!!

6 weeks from today we leave for FL!!

 

[kpflillirpf]

Hey all! I have a question. It's completely off what we've just been talking about so, shift gears with me will ya. My family's stateroom is "guaranteed." How soon before the actual trip do we get an actual room number? Also, for those of you who have in the past had DCL do your plane reservations, how soon do you get those? Just curious. Thanks!

Now, on to the subject we were discussing. It seems that Sunday probably would work the best on many levels. First, it's not the crazy boarding day. Second, it's a sea only day. Third, we wanna meet as soon as possible so to start DIS-tag. I guess it's the time that we all need to agree on. Maybe someone go put a poll together on the yahoo group to vote on times? Or, we could just stick with Kevin's original idea of 2pm (which works fine for us). I still can't remember where it was suggested that we meet. We obviously want to meet somewhere where the kids can join us if they so wish. And another obviously, it would need to be somewhere where there is plenty of room for all of us. So, get those votes in so we can spread the news throughout the discussion board between now and when we go so everyone knows the scoop. See ya in 43 days! Kristi

 

[lawhit88]

"My family's stateroom is "guaranteed." How soon before the actual trip do we get an actual room number?"

We also have a GTY room so I went off yesterday searching the DIS for the same information. I have found some who say as early as 5 weeks before that they were able to view their room assignment on the website. Others just say they found out when they received their final cruise documents around 2 weeks before cruise. I am planning on just checking back in about once (or 2 or 3 or 4 times) per week (per day ) on the website throughout September until it shows up.

 

[kpflillirpf]

Hi lawhit88! I've already started checking daily for the room assignment. So it looks as if we're in the same boat (no really, we're in the same boat). HEEE HEEE Alright. Can you say ditsy. Anyway, I appreciate you hunting that information down. Now I don't have to. Thanks muchos. And, may our room numbers arrive SOON. Kristi

 

[Claudine&John]

All,
We have a stateroom number and we have had it for a while as I believe we requested it at the time we made the reservation. We have an adjoining room with my DW's DS and I was wondering what the possibilities were for an upgrade??? is there some advantage to booking GTY without a room #? I've read quite a bit on how some people will book CAT 12 GTY and receive an upgrade, but does that mean that if you actually book a room you have no chance for an upgrade??? it's really not important to us if we do get upgraded but I was curious.....

 

[davidls]

Hey Kevin, that is a great shot you took. Some pretty nice hills you got out there!!! Seriously, that is a great picture. We haven't been out your way for several years, gona havta do that soon.

Our cruise is coming up fast now everyone. I can't believe like the rest of you that in just 6 short weeks we head down to Florida!!!!! Hey........... wait a minute.............I already live in Florida. Short trip for me!!!!!!

We can't take the wait any longer, so we are going over to our home away from home.......WALT DISNEY WORLD We are staying for a couple of days at the Caribbean Beach Resort. Goin' to start our Caribbean vacation a little early!!! Layout in the Florida sun and git burnt again!!!! Ouch.........oooooooooooo.........ouch.......don't touch me!!!!!!! I'll talk to ya'll later!!!

 

[lawhit88]

All,
We have a stateroom number and we have had it for a while as I believe we requested it at the time we made the reservation. We have an adjoining room with my DW's DS and I was wondering what the possibilities were for an upgrade??? is there some advantage to booking GTY without a room #? I've read quite a bit on how some people will book CAT 12 GTY and receive an upgrade, but does that mean that if you actually book a room you have no chance for an upgrade??? it's really not important to us if we do get upgraded but I was curious.....

In the process of reading about GTY rooms, etc I did read some on upgrades. I don't have any personal experience but here is what I read:
Those that do choose a room at booking DO sometimes get upgrades. I came across some threads where some people were upset about getting upgrades - they had picked their room for a specific reason and were bummed that they weren't there any longer. It seemed that most could call Disney and request their old room back (No thank you - I do not want the verandah. Please give me my secret porthole room back )

There were 2 main reasons we booked a GTY vs a room #.
1 - We wanted on the boat for as cheap as possible so we went for the General Admission price.
2 - We are a family of 4 and we read that there are no Cat. 12 rooms for 4 - they hold 3 or less. This was a guarantee of at least a 1 Cat upgrade Now we can just hope for more!!!

 

[lawhit88]

Hi lawhit88! I've already started checking daily for the room assignment. So it looks as if we're in the same boat (no really, we're in the same boat). HEEE HEEE Alright. Can you say ditsy. Anyway, I appreciate you hunting that information down. Now I don't have to. Thanks muchos. And, may our room numbers arrive SOON. Kristi

I don't know why I am so anxious for a room number. After all - we just wanted to make sure we were on the boat (Cat. 12 GTY). Doesn't get any lower than that. I guess I am hoping for a 8 or 9 category upgrade

 

[Kborn]

For those who have or might get an inside cabin...BRING A NIGHT LIGHT!!!!!! I know this sounds silly, but with the lights off, you have no idea what time it is. We had some friends on our last cruise lay in bed till 10:30 in the morning, they kept waiting for some sort of light to wake them up. The only clock in the room is a dail clock (no clock radios). Plus, with it being that dark, some kids get spooked and the parents have to sleep with a bathroom light on! I hope this helps.....

 

[lawhit88]

For those who have or might get an inside cabin...BRING A NIGHT LIGHT!!!!!! I know this sounds silly, but with the lights off, you have no idea what time it is. We had some friends on our last cruise lay in bed till 10:30 in the morning, they kept waiting for some sort of light to wake them up. The only clock in the room is a dail clock (no clock radios). Plus, with it being that dark, some kids get spooked and the parents have to sleep with a bathroom light on! I hope this helps.....

Night lights are great!! One other tip - don't forget them when you leave!!! We have donated three so far!!!

 

[d'Isigny]

Alright. My family has decided against the grass skirts. (Yes I know you are all extremely disappointed.)

Ahhhhh….you have no idea how happy this makes Kevin…me no likee – wearee grass skirts…LOL

we heard from our social worker yesterday that it will be any day now that we'll hear about our second daughter from Vietnam (like her name, birthdate, birth weight, etc.). Sooooo, the anticipation is so thick in the air at our house between this awesome cruise and the knowledge that any time now we could be "having a baby" that I just don't know if I can take it much longer

Congratulations…it’s wonderful to hear someone is going to a ‘wanted home’…blessings that all goes smoothly.

My DH won't do the skirt, but he did agree to a pirate costume for Pirate night. The first day there is a lifeboat drill thats mandatory at 4:00

tell hubby….Kevin says, THANK YOU!!!

I'm also anxious to find out how many people will be participating in the Dis Tag game. I want to gather my goodies! Can we nail this down also.

sorry…I’ve procrastinated in getting this confirmed. If we go by the Yahoo Groups Data base – we have 17 that said - yes….1 - no….and 4 undecided. Discussion please – should I go in and edit the data base removing all the replies under DIS Tag….requesting all to confirm their ‘YES’ in playing……..or…..do I list all the DIS names of those playing and request they pm me if they want to be added…..or opt out. I am wondering if this category was fully discussed prior to all filling out the Database. I’d like to make sure all playing….really want to do this so the game does not stall. Sure would appreciate any input on this.
2nd topic of discussion….we need to agree to a ‘drop dead’ date for signing up to play. Does anybody have a problem with this being Saturday, September 15???? I have no heartburn if this pushes out a week…I really would not want it to go much further than that – THOUGHTS?

like the Sunday idea, too - and any time will work for us, but the 2pm might be better so as to not rush around in the morning. (Hey, I am up at 5am regardless, but I can't say my family will The Sedona photo is gorgeous! I remember being there 4 years ago but never experienced it from a helicopter!! I bet you got some cool photos of that chapel in the rocks!!

I’m with you…will be up before the sun rises – most if not all mornings. I love that time of day – walking around the top decks…enjoying coffee and wishing for a sunrise that makes me shoot a whole roll of film (or…max out a media card). If we want….I can build a Poll on Yahoo with times and we can vote on when to meet. I have to agree that 2 or 3 pm allows all to ‘get their day started’…spend time with family before coming to the meet. Plus (and…no flogging this bad spelling/poor use of grammar - author), we have reservations for Palo Brunch between 11 and 1 on Sunday. I’ll be – where ever….when ever….really looking forward in meeting each of you and your families.

We obviously want to meet somewhere where the kids can join us if they so wish. And another obviously, it would need to be somewhere where there is plenty of room for all of us.

Our past group stressed with this. We wanted to meet someplace inside like the Promenade Lounge - Atrium…but they sometimes have events there. We checked with DCL on renting out Cadillac Lounge but that got a little pricey - ~$35 per person with some snacks and a few bottles of wine/sodas. Deck 10 is not very crowded…but there is a concern with weather. So…I’d suggest Deck 9…just forward of the Cove Café. This way…if this area is over crowded and we need to move to another location….I’ll tip the person behind the coffee bar to inform anyone asking about a DIS meet…where the new location is. Does this sound like a plan?

We can't take the wait any longer, so we are going over to our home away from home.......WALT DISNEY WORLD We are staying for a couple of days at the Caribbean Beach Resort.

I’m sooooo jealous…have a great time…safe travel to you.

For those who have or might get an inside cabin...BRING A NIGHT LIGHT!!!!!!

if you bring a night light…you might also plan on an extension cord. There are 2 outlets in each cabin (if I remember correctly – someone please verify) – the bathroom and behind the small tv. I normally bring a small power strip…1 plug needed for up to 6 items. Another option is to block open the sliding closet door – with a life preserver or ?…there is a dim light in there that would also work for a night light. Heck…if the ship has some motion…you might need to block the doors anyway (they will open and bang closed making an unwanted racket in the middle of the night).

Well…I hope this gets me current. Wishing all with travel plans…safety…and great time away.

 

[TamieH]

I called Disney today to give them our passports numbers since we finally got them (17 weeks) and I questions our booked excursion for parasailing since I heard that some were getting the cancel phone calls. The CSR asked her supv and they just found out that the operator fixed their mechanical problems and now they had to call everyone back up to rebook their excursions on all future trips. This was great news since we really wanted to try this at CC.