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

[bevtoy]

...and I'm a

DH is making fun of me ~ he says I've spent more time on planning this cruise than the time we're going to BE ON the cruise

I told him he'll thank me later!

Heather ~ that is awesome re: your DS's pirate gear! No such luck on my end yet ~ Target & Disney Store didn't have anything I wanted. Will try Goodwill/Salvation Army/flea markets next.

Already started packing my first aid kit

Read a great idea on one of the threads here: Instead of bringing a pillowcase to have the characters sign (which I wasn't planning on), lots of folks are bringing the mat part of a photo frame and having the characters sign that. This way, you can frame a pic from your trip surrounded by autographs. I'm going to do that.

That's all the random babbling I can think of for now.

Have a great day everyone and can't believe only 66 more days!

Hello APOOFAN(from circle of other Cruisapaloozaholics)

As of this post we are the proud owners of 4 pirate costumes for every member of our family. We decided to go all out for pirate night.
Purchased a wool tux for DH for formal night and we three ladies have our outfits all picked out.
A notebook full of packing and cruise tips, a schedule of tips for crew members awaits Microsoft Word.
I have a prospective itinerary worked up and divided sections into post cruise, pre-cruise and during cruise. I am going to type them and put them in a note book. We have so much stuff to pack that we are going to attempt a pre pack to make sure it fits. I am having a blast and am working on our DIS tag gifts but really wish I had more info on it.
Cruise magnets are printed and organized by what day I am putting them on the door. I have page organized where we can easily look up the location of main sites on the ship that will tell us what deck and if its fore or aft. I am nuts.


BTW DCL is suppose to have cell phone service available for most major carriers in the staterooms but you need to call your carrier and have them turn on international calling.

 

[APOOHFN]

Bevtoy ~ the next time DH makes fun of me, I'm going to show him your post You are definitely organized and that's awesome!!! Way to go on the all out pirate costumes.

I am the QUEEN of packing light so we're not going to bring any "costumes" or "formal" formal wear (no tux, etc...). We're going to be "boring"

Still debating whether to bring our stroller or to just rent one at the Disney parks and to try to get one on DCL.

 

[jenmack]

I am the QUEEN of packing light

Then I must be your counterpart for I am the QUEEN of packing heavy. Or at least I thought I was. I think Bev mught have me beat.

 

[APOOHFN]

We'll be able to spot each other easily...I'm the one w/the tiny carry-on (j/k!) and Bev & Jen will be the ones with porters behind them pulling piles of suitcases, right?!

Any of you remember on the main forum page there was a long thread where people posted their pirate night pics. I can't find it and was hoping to get inspired with costume/outfit ideas.

 

[jenmack]

Bev & Jen will be the ones with porters behind them pulling piles of suitcases, right?!

Right, except my porters will be a husband and 4 kids.

 

[bevtoy]

We'll be able to spot each other easily...I'm the one w/the tiny carry-on (j/k!) and Bev & Jen will be the ones with porters behind them pulling piles of suitcases, right?!

Any of you remember on the main forum page there was a long thread where people posted their pirate night pics. I can't find it and was hoping to get inspired with costume/outfit ideas.

Heres a short thread with pics:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1067299&referrerid=&highlight=pirate+pictures

 

[Kruegs]

I am participating in the Chicago Distance Classic half marathon with some other DISers and after that it's planning for October!

Ooh! Another person crazy enough to jog around the Magic?

DW says I'm crazy for wanting to run on vacation, but I enjoy it so much (it's a twisted sort of enjoyment, indeed) - and am excited to breathe the clean Caribbean air while I torture myself!

 

[d'Isigny]

Jason ~ that pic looks great!!! Thanks for sharing. I will definitely be bringing a mat!

this is an awesome idea...hope you don't mind another doing the same.

(Side note here - I call my wife my better half and she calls me, "That idiot that lives with me!!" -- Go Figure!!!) Not sure just what she means, can anyone explain?!???!!!

Funny....very funny. Sounds like you and yours have a similar relationship...I answer that this October will be ‘my’ 22nd year of ‘penance on earth’ – Nan just shrugs and introduces me as her ‘first husband’.

Fish Extenders: I have never seen one only read about it, heres a link to the description. You use them for delivery of DIS tag gifts I think, or you can let your room steward know you are accepting deliveries if you don't want to use a extender. MAny people make these. I am not crafty so I doubt I will.

Thank you for adding the link with additional information about Fish Extenders - I've never heard of them...learn something new every day. How creative some are - I have to just admire them...cuz...I aint one of em. Guess these can be used for DIS-Tag - but not required. We've always left items in front of the door - in the fish mail holder - or asked a Roomsteward to take the item inside the stateroom.

Hey to all...(all says hey),

I still have soooo much on this thread to 'catch up on'. Hope you will forgive me for being away....work has been a pain and the limited time off I had over the weekend was recovering from 'the stomach flu'....fun - fun - fun.

OK...more info on DIS-Tag – (a little disclaimer first...I will try really hard to offer an explanation...please be patient with me --- I have a challenge with written communication)

I suggest we choose a date that people need to make a yes-no commitment. Early to mid September would probably work well. We all need time to prepare ‘our gifts’ and I’ll need a few days to create/copy the participant list and assemble the magnets (DIS-Tag magnets: I’ll shrink ‘our logo’ down and adhere it to a magnet...they will be ½ the size of a business card).

At our DIS-Meet...I’ll pass out to all participating; (1) magnet and (1) list of participants. – after our meeting....THE GAME IS ON (as they say)!!!

The ‘list’ will look similar to this:

• No Name Stateroom number
• 1. Mickey Mouse (dis screen name) 1060
• 2. Pluto (dis screen name) 2120
• 3. Donald Duck (dis screen name) 2251
• 4. Ariel (dis screen name) 4021
• 5. Goofy (dis screen name) 4580

Post our meeting....AND....when convent for you/yours...deliver your ‘item’ and place the magnet toward the top of the recipients stateroom door. For the purpose of this explanation...using Ariel from the above participants....”Number 4—Ariel” would deliver to Goofy at stateroom 4580. Then....Ariel would wait for Donald Duck to deliver her an item. After Donald tags Ariel...she...will --- at a good time for her and her family...and tag the next person. In this example...she would move to the top of the list and tag Mickey Mouse at stateroom 1060. She will continue until she tags the person listed directly above her name --- Donald Duck.

Now...it is possible you’ll be having too much fun (my sincere hopes) and the game might slow up a bit....no worries – cuz...this game is to enhance your time aboard the ship...not be a burden. There is no need to treat your last ‘TAG’ as a ‘hot potato’. If by Thursday morning (my suggestion – am open to others input), you still have an item(s) to deliver...when convenient --- deliver the remaining items to the persons left on your list – by end of day Thursday.

I really hope...all have some great experiences playing this game. We (the whole family) have some fantastic memories playing DIS-Tag---the anticipation of – “did we get tagged”...”what got delivered”...”hurry Dad...open the door”...etc. Here’s a short story – one participant, a young Grandmother, did not want to ‘get caught’ tagging another person...she and her husband would sneak around the hallways like they were in a Mission Impossible movie. Every time I think of her...I can’t help but laugh. Well...this couple would not be in Mission Impossible...maybe more like the comic routine of Agents 66 & 99 in “Get Smart” (tell me you all remember Get Smart ---- cuz...I’m feeling a little aged right about now).

Again...I’ll try hard to answer your questions. Please be patient with me...work has been very demanding...and...I promise to be better in responding. Keep in mind...this is our time...this is our game. If those participating want to change a rule...make a change...go for it. This ‘game’...is to enhance our time during what’s going to be a fantastic vacation.

I do have some exciting news...I am a blessed man – for many reasons. This blessing is something I won from work (I work for a great company – by the way). My team mate and I get to board a stretch limo and ride to Sedona (about 2 hours). We will take a 20-30 minute helicopter ride around the red rocks...enjoy lunch at some ‘fancy-schmancy’ – trendy – overpriced place...before heading back to the office. AND...my boss from Northern California is flying in to join us – he’s needed...as he’ll bring his credit card and stock the limo with our favorite ‘adult beverages’. This was the second contest we’ve won this year...last quarter...we caught a plane to San Diego for lunch on the beach. Did I tell you...I work for a great company!

Hope this finds all well...hope to find some time this week to pass a few photos...take good care....K

 

[TnRobin]

The planning for DIS Tag is great. Thanks for doing this. My only problem is I am not sure I will have a stateroom number by then.

 

[CrazyZeus1]

It's more clear now than before...thanks for explaining!

 

[jenmack]

Thanks for explaining Kevin and what great fun for you and your partner. Have lots of fun!

 

[APOOHFN]

Bevtoy ~ thanks so much for the link to the pirate pics thread!

Kevin ~ CONGRATS on the limo ride to Sedona ~ how cool!
Have a wonderful time!!!

And since I am the queen of packing light, I won't be participating in the distag game but it does sound like fun and I'm sure y'all will have a great time doing it!!!

 

[d'Isigny]

The planning for DIS Tag is great. Thanks for doing this. My only problem is I am not sure I will have a stateroom number by then.

No worries…we can work around this. Currently, some may have a ‘category guarantee’ – i.e., no stateroom number – yet. Most will have their stateroom number when cruise documents arrive. I can leave it blank for now…fill it in later. And…who knows…some may receive pixie dust between receiving documents and showing up at port…with an upgrade. During our ‘cruise meet’….we will ask everyone to confirm their stateroom number…..cuz…well….I’ve made a mistake – once or twice.

I am the QUEEN of packing light so we're not going to bring any "costumes" or "formal" formal wear (no tux, etc...). We're going to be "boring"

Oh….please – please…teach us how to do this. We (ok…I) are pros at over packing.

OK….here is today’s photo…with a tip. Below is a shot of the carpet in the stateroom hallways. I know…it looks like a casino floor but it can offer some help to those that are ‘directionally inept’ (like me). If you look at the red anchor/arrow…they always point to the rear of the ship – i.e., ‘R’ed = ‘R’ear…you’ll always know what direction to travel if you look down at the carpet.

 

[bevtoy]

Kevin congratulations on your prize!

On the DIS tag I have a question. Are we supposed to use a tag so people know who they were tagged by, and are we supposed to give something in our gift indicative of who/where the gift is from?

 

[CrazyZeus1]

And just to clarify for my peanut brain...
We bring enough Tag Gifts for the number of people on our list? Or just one tag gift for the person below our name?

It sounds like you're Tagged more than once. I'll go back and read the description again. Can you tell I don't play board games or group games often? I taught 1st grade, and for the life of me I couldn't explain some games to my students because they never made sense to ME!

 

[d'Isigny]

Kevin congratulations on your prize!

On the DIS tag I have a question. Are we supposed to use a tag so people know who they were tagged by, and are we supposed to give something in our gift indicative of who/where the gift is from?

First thanks to all for the kind words…I am sooooo looking forward in riding in a helicopter – I’ve never done that.

From playing in the past…everybody wrote their sir &/or screen name on or in the bag/package/envelope/small box. (Personally) I’d prefer knowing who it’s from so I can offer a positive comment when I great them around the ship…or…posting after we get back.

And just to clarify for my peanut brain...
We bring enough Tag Gifts for the number of people on our list? Or just one tag gift for the person below our name?

(1) one gift/item per DIS’er participating…..so – if we have (15) fifteen people Cruis-a-Palooza’s participating…you’d need to prepare and bring (15) fifteen gift/items.

 

[CrazyZeus1]

Thanks for clarifying! I got it now...so we'll know ahead of time how many gifts to bring. And we won't see the list until we're at the Dis-Meet, and everyone's name will be on one list. There won't be multiple "groups" from this group...just one big group.

Got it! Thanks for explaining over and over until it sinks in

 

[bevtoy]

Thanks for clarifying! I got it now...so we'll know ahead of time how many gifts to bring. And we won't see the list until we're at the Dis-Meet, and everyone's name will be on one list. There won't be multiple "groups" from this group...just one big group.

Got it! Thanks for explaining over and over until it sinks in

Thanks for the laugh. I am the same about instructions. I like to make sure I understand.

 

[seagee]

Kevin Congratulations on your big win!

We are off to Destin Florida bright and early in the morning! 16 hour drive (give or take an hour or two) from Maryland. Everyone have a great week.

Cathy

 

[davidls]

Yep you are right Kevin sounds like you & your "Better Half" and my "sweet, loving, brillant, best thing that ever happened to me, wonderful, kind, caring, and simply the best EVER wife." We have similar relationships. Also, Kevin I want to give you my congrates on your job well done at work.

And, I want to thank both you and Bev for the explainations on the Tag Game. I understand the rules now. I was in the same boat......... get it same boat I cracked myself up on that one. I know, I know that idiot thing comes into play here! I can hear all of you saying at the same time......IDIOT!!! Anywho, I wasn't clear on how Tag was played until ya'll explained it. Thanks again. I do have a question, about the gifts we leave the tagged person. What are some examples we might use as gifts? And, where do we sign up to play at the Yahoo site? I feel like I'm the only dumb one here.