October 16, 2008 3 night

[ndepaola]

Yup, that would be Baltimore. Though I have been told it's really Balmer and I'm saying it wrong.

Took me a while to get used to the kid at the pet store calling me sweetie, and the woman at the coffee shop calling me hon.

We're just not that friendly where I'm from in Boston.

 

[brucechase]

Yup, that would be Baltimore. Though I have been told it's really Balmer and I'm saying it wrong.

I was born there and have plenty of relatives still in that area. I haven't been back there in 12 years so I'm not sure what it is like. My mom grew up smack in the middle of downtown in the row houses. Never could get used to that.

As for friendly, I'm not sure I remember that place as all that friendly. I guess living in the south has jaded me a little. One thing about down here is I still can't get used to having all my iced tea already sweetened. When I ask for unsweet tea, I usually get "you're from up north". Actually, I grew up in Florida, but it's too hard to explain.

 

[brucechase]

Based on what I saw on a thread on the main board, I got thinking about what my children will wear for dinner. I am probably one of the more laid back type of people about this and was just assuming that my kids (and maybe me) will probably wear shorts to eat. Seeing some of the responses, I actually want to get into a big argument, but I am holding back (way back).

For all those with kids, are you planning on any kind of "nice" clothes for the dining room? Am I being overly worried - sorry ndepaola, I trying to say OOHHMM. Is anyone thinking like me that this is a vacation and really just want to relax and enjoy it? Since this is my first cruise, just had to ask.

 

[ndepaola]

OK, obviously no kids here, but I will tell you what I saw on my cruise.

I don't remember seeing anyone in shorts at any dinner - with the exception of pirate night. On that night a lot of us were in capris or cargo shorts with white shirts and pirate gear. Sort of a - "I don't have a cutlass but here is my best attempt and toss me that bandana" kind of thing.

Now, I have heard that the Wonder is less formal - but I assumed that was because there is no formal night. I don't think that means there is no dress code at all. And we still have a semi-formal night right? If you wear jeans or shorts that night you will definitely be underdressed. Of course - its YOUR cruise. If you want to wear shorts to dinner, knock yourself out. If it's semi-formal night and I'm in a dress and you're in shorts then its YOU who will look silly, not ME. So what do I care?

All that said - if you wear shorts to the main dining rooms, you WILL freeze your behind off. You have been warned.

 

[zulaya]

There is not even a semi-formal night on the Wonder any more. I think it's officially called a "dress-up" night.

I know it's more of a cruise thing to dress up, but I'm with brucechase. When I'm on vacation, I really want to relax and not worry about all the do-dads of getting dressed up. I guess I'm the anti-cruiser, then.

I'm also a hot body...as in, even when you feel cold, I'm probably dying of heat stroke. There are many times that this 34 year old body feels like I'm having constant hot flashes...sorry if that's TMI. So I'm not worried about being cold. DH and DS are like me...so they probably will be wearing nicer shorts to dinner. I do have a lightweight Mickey Mouse dress for myself and DD. Something that's easy to pack and that I won't sweat in. If you see me all 3 nights in the same dress, well, too bad. I'm not overpacking for a 3 day cruise when I'm hitting WDW right after.

No offense, ndepaola. I know there will be people who will be more dressed up than I. If you won't care, I won't care.

 

[brucechase]

OK, obviously no kids here, but I will tell you what I saw on my cruise.

I don't remember seeing anyone in shorts at any dinner - with the exception of pirate night.

Now, I have heard that the Wonder is less formal - ... If you wear jeans or shorts that night you will definitely be underdressed. Of course - its YOUR cruise. If you want to wear shorts to dinner, knock yourself out. If it's semi-formal night and I'm in a dress and you're in shorts then its YOU who will look silly, not ME. So what do I care?

I've never been one to care about looking silly, but I would care if someone came up to my kids and said some of the stuff in the other thread.

All that said - if you wear shorts to the main dining rooms, you WILL freeze your behind off. You have been warned

But this, this hits close to home. I wear a jacket from Oct to April because I hate the cold. I would much rather be in 105 degree weather than in 20 degree weather.

Looks like me and zulaya are complete opposites! zulay - I do notice in most of your signature tags that your trips to FL are in the winter. I think you are from MN if I remember correctly. If I lived there, I doubt I would even own a pair of shorts

 

[zulaya]

brucechase--

I'm from MN. I can't hack it when it gets above 85, especially if it's humid.

 

[ndepaola]

Sunday night, the 19th, we head right to training over by Downtown Disney and have to dress biz for the next three days.

So I'd be packing dressy even if we were on a nudist cruise.

(Now, THAT'S tmi! )

 

[Butterx3]

I'll chime in. When we went on the 3 day wonder over 2 years ago they only had a dress up night, not even a semi formal. My DS 13 who celebrated his 11th birthday on board, had packed his own bag and didn't pack any pants that weren't jeans. So he had no choice but to wear shorts and jeans, I think the rule at that time was no, shorts, jeans, tanks, swimsuits and flip flops. But Disney didn't enforce anything, and there were quite a few people in shorts. This time I will pack slacks for the boys with polo's or button downs and my DD can wear some of her various sun dresses. But I am glad you pointed it out Zulaya that is was chilly, you are right, I was cold at the dinners. I am also from MN and tend to chill easy, I have a space heater by me at work everyday, no matter what the season, but I think that is because they crank the AC at work. I feel like I need to defend MN as people get this idea that it is this frigid cold state, (alright, alright , January pretty much sucks) but it is a beautiful place to behold. It makes me laugh, as the last time we went on the cruise we road tripped it, and we stopped in Kennesaw GA to stay the night and fill our gas tank. Some locals at the gas station must have seen our liscense plates as they yelled across the parking lot "Hey MN, I bet this feels like July to you"! We had to laugh as we yelled back, "the temperature is warmer back home than it is here". GA happened to be having a cold spell. it was 33 degrees in MN and only 29 in Kennasaw. It was so discouraging watching the digital temp thing in our vehicle go down the further south we drove. But by the next day when we got to FL it was 78 and sunny.

Brucechase, if your wife wouldn't mind that would be great, I can pay her for the supplies, otherwise I totally understand if she doesn't want to also. I was telling one of my coworkers about the FE and magnets, (she thinks its the most insane thing she has ever heard of by the way), but she suggested I use the poster I made from the scavenger hunt as my door magnet and to just stick magnets on the back. That isn't a half bad idea, so maybe I will do that. That is if it doesn't weigh alot, I wouldn't want to go over my 50lb baggage allotment for my flight out. HAHA.

 

[ndepaola]

So - is anyone up for having an evening grown-ups cruise meet one night? Some of the adult comedy/variety shows are great and they usually follow with dancing. But I'm not really one to dance if I don't know anyone else there...

I would also be down for a quick meet the first afternoon, so we can peg names with faces (as another poster has said).

 

[Butterx3]

I would be up for an adult meet and cocktails. Since I am the only adult in my party, it would be nice to meet other adults. Both meets are a good idea.

Thanks

 

[gatorcruiser]

Meeting up for cocktails sounds great! I am sure my DD (12) will be having a great time with so many kids around her age going. I am also up for sharing a cab to Comfort Inn. You guys are doing a fantastic job of keeping the thread organized. Thanks!

 

[brucechase]

So - is anyone up for having an evening grown-ups cruise meet one night? Some of the adult comedy/variety shows are great and they usually follow with dancing. But I'm not really one to dance if I don't know anyone else there...

I would also be down for a quick meet the first afternoon, so we can peg names with faces (as another poster has said).

Sorry, I can't dance. There was some kind of genetic problem that gave me 2 left feet and NO rhythm (wow that's a hard word to spell). We are up for anything. I'm pretty sure that you will be able to find me, I'll be the thirsty guy in teal shorts and a bedazzled tube top !!!!!

 

[brucechase]

Meeting up for cocktails sounds great! I am sure my DD (12) will be having a great time with so many kids around her age going. I am also up for sharing a cab to Comfort Inn. You guys are doing a fantastic job of keeping the thread organized. Thanks!

OK, that makes 8 in a cab. If crazy4disney06 goes, we'll have a full cab. When we get closer I'll try to get everyone together so we can meet at a good location. As for you daughter, my older DD is 11 (will be 12 in 2 months). If they have similar interests, we should get them chatting so they will know someone before they get on. She is mostly into sports and animals, not the dress up princess kind (that's my 9YO).

 

[zulaya]

brucechase - My DD11 is turning 12 in November! She's so not a princess. And pink? Don't even think about it. She's a big animal fan, big into reading, and also big into dragons and such.

 

[gatorcruiser]

That would be great. My DD loves animals but is more into reading than sports.

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

OK, that makes 8 in a cab. If crazy4disney06 goes, we'll have a full cab. When we get closer I'll try to get everyone together so we can meet at a good location. As for you daughter, my older DD is 11 (will be 12 in 2 months). If they have similar interests, we should get them chatting so they will know someone before they get on. She is mostly into sports and animals, not the dress up princess kind (that's my 9YO).

I'm still up for the cab ride to comfort suites, however I will have to let you know for sure next week. I was going to book our room last Friday and then some unexpected car repairs came up. I will need to wait until next payday (Friday) too book, so cross your fingers there is still a room open for us!!!

 

[brucechase]

brucechase - My DD11 is turning 12 in November! She's so not a princess. And pink? Don't even think about it. She's a big animal fan, big into reading, and also big into dragons and such.

WOW, it sounds like you are describing my daughter! We have way too many dragon books around here.

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

I've never been one to care about looking silly, but I would care if someone came up to my kids and said some of the stuff in the other thread.



But this, this hits close to home. I wear a jacket from Oct to April because I hate the cold. I would much rather be in 105 degree weather than in 20 degree weather.

Looks like me and zulaya are complete opposites! zulay - I do notice in most of your signature tags that your trips to FL are in the winter. I think you are from MN if I remember correctly. If I lived there, I doubt I would even own a pair of shorts

I did a 4-night Wonder in Jan of 2007. On pirate night, which was "dress-up OR pirate" I wore capris. There were people in full out pirate gear with parrots and everything. There were people in shorts. There were people in evening wear. There were people in clothing I wouldn't wear out to get the mail. lol

For DS 13/DS 3, we are going with polo shirts and knee length khaki shorts for dinner. That was pretty standard on the cruise I was on.

My cousin wore nice jeans, a black and gold pirate shirt, and all her jewelry. Neither of us felt out of place.

I would avoid: Cut offs, flip flops, ripped shorts/shirts, tank tops, swim suits...you know....that kind of wear. I would say business casual, with nicer shorts okay too. THere were some guys in the long jean shorts with nice T shirts on, as well, and they looked just fine. Of course....jeweled tube tops are acceptable for any occasion!

I really only noticed what people were wearing as we entered and at the couple of tables near us. We were having so much fun at our table (we sat with a mom, dad and GREAT 8-year-old girl from GA) that we hardly noticed anyone else in the dining room.

I wholeheartedly agree though.....bring a sweater! DCL must blow their entire air conditioning budget during dinner. It is COLD. And I live near Buffalo, NY, so that is saying something!

 

[952LisaR]

Count us in - DH (keith) and me (Lisa) another family from MN would like to joing the adult get together.

Where are all the MN families from - we are from St. Louis Park.