October 17, 2009 Western

[yazee1]

I have no idea when our seating status changed since I never check on it. It could have been weeks ago. I think the cruise line holds spaces back or maybe it has something to do with the size of the family like when you go to a restaurant. A table for two is easier to get than a table for six.

I just (literally minutes ago) got back from PA. I was born and raised in Philadelphia and we have family in the Philly area and in Lancaster county.

 

[yazee1]

This could be good fun or this could be a bad way to start one's vacation. You all know we're driving from Maryland to Florida for the cruise. Usually, we find a hotel when we're too tired to drive any further. Ordinarily, that's somewhere in South Carolina on the way down. This year, Dh has decided that instead of sacking out at a motel, we're going to camp out. I admit it is a lot cheaper to pitch our tents at a state park than pitch our tired bodies into a hotel bed, but I confess I don't really like camping out much. I've managed to avoid all camping trips since 1982 when I was 15 and my family camped our way to and from the World's Fair in Tennessee.
Any camping enthusiasts out there?

 

[strega7]

I really enjoy camping, we are looking forward to a few camping trips this summer. What you need to understand is when I say camping, my "tent" fits in the back of our F-350 and comes with a bathroom, shower, lights, kitchen and a bed......we are done with the cot and tent days. If my husband threatend to have me camp on the way to the cruise, when we get tired, I would be sleeping while he was driving so that I could drive while he slept. As much as I enjoying camping I find it more work than relaxing...you will be ready for the cruise.

 

[doberlady]

We also pull our "tent" and we have a slide out and a queen bedroom, full kitchen, full bathroom, bunkbeds etc.

Now thats camping!!

We did tent camp a few times and the last time with Bourgie. Had fun in the RAIN.

 

[aan1701]

Again I would like to apologize for being gone so long. I have just returned from a great trip on the Magic down to St. Croix. Only one bad thing that happened and it was bad. They did a very poor job (except in Rockin Bar D) of enforceing the adults only area. I did write in about it and how dissatisfied I was with our cruise directors handeling of the problem. ( I will now appologize to all the Brent fans, but sorry he really sucked on this trip). I hope this improves for this voyage. Well I hope you will be more accepting of those who do not want to go to a meet cause he wants to take a quick nap, or go to the same old boring sailaway when he wants to be in a hit tub at the Cove. Anyway enough of that. Looking forward to the trip.

 

[yazee1]

If my husband threatend to have me camp on the way to the cruise, when we get tired, I would be sleeping while he was driving so that I could drive while he slept. As much as I enjoying camping I find it more work than relaxing...you will be ready for the cruise.

I suggested we switch off with the driving, but I can only drive for a few hours at the most before nodding off myself. Nothing helps - not music, audio books, coffee, chewing gum, or fresh air. We've driven through before this way, with him doing most of the driving except when he can catch a few hours while I drive. He's not up for it this time. I guess we're just getting too old to bounce back quickly from 17 hours on the road like that. If he wants to tent camp, that's fine. He and the boys can plan, pack, pitch and repack. Even still, hunger is a good cook and we will definitely be ready for the luxury of a hotel suite in Cape Canaveral once we arrive.

 

[yazee1]

We did tent camp a few times and the last time with Bourgie. Had fun in the RAIN.

Rain??? Bite your tongue! I don't want to camp in the rain! If it rains, I'm sleeping in the car.

 

[yazee1]

They did a very poor job (except in Rockin Bar D) of enforceing the adults only area. I did write in about it and how dissatisfied I was with our cruise directors handeling of the problem. ( I will now appologize to all the Brent fans, but sorry he really sucked on this trip).

Which areas were the minors infiltrating? The pool? Quiet Cove? Serenity Bay? Was it a one time incident or a persistent problem? What did the cruise staff do or not do? This is shocking. DCL is usually so good about keeping the kids out. Dh and I highly value our kid-free time.

 

[shancan911]

Camping... Well?
The first time I camped (other than in my Granny's pull behind) was when DH and I started dating. His brother and SIL and her fam were camping at a nearby state park and invited us along. I don't think either one of us wanted to say no, in fear of hurting the other one's feelings We stuck it out. That was circa 1996. Fast forward to Sept 2007. Cub Scout family camp out. DH was on call and there was no cell signal at the camping area, so it was just DS and myself. I bought a cute little tent, and myself a sleeping bag, he already had one for sleepovers. Some lanterns, bug spray, cooler, drinks, and other various food items. Got the car packed with that, and off we went, at 7:00. By the time we got there, it was dark, and I was trying to find a campsite in our very full cul-de-sac. Friends found me, and directed me to their site, and an hour later, my "quick" pop up tent was erected We had some snacks, shared a fire with the neighbors, and called it a night around midnight. By 7, the kids were all out. Obviously, because it was not a school day. At this point I realize I'm a bad parent because my son does not have a bicycle, scooter, or other vehicle. Drive home to get scooter. Come back. As DS and I enjoy our Coke and Pop Tart breakfast , we enjoy the smells of bacon and sausage from nearby sites. So this is what you do when you camp. Pack up tent, enjoy the rest of the cub scout activities for the day. Go home. September, 2008. New and improved tent, with room divider, air mattresses, DH NOT on call, cookware, bacon, eggs, stuff for campfire pies, bicycle, fire color changers, firewood, even a second night. Much better I plan on taking him this summer once or twice, the state park is only 10 minutes away. And we're looking forward to the fall family campout next September.

All that being said, the last thing i want to think about pre cruise is pitching a tent. But, you've read my experience. I guess you should ask me in a few years. I have perused the camping boards here. Don't know if I'd do it at WDW or not. The budgets aren't THAT much more, and you don't have to lock everything up in your car every morning. Wow, this post has gotten way off topic. Sorry!!

DFIL (Dcannon101) and DMIL are at WDW right now, staying at OKW. Called yesterday and said it was in the 80's and sunny. While we had a beautiful day here in Cleveland, 60's and sunny, I'm still jealous. I sent a message to Mickey, that we'll see him on his yacht in October.

Josh, I'm still holdin out for ya, buddy? How bout that FE organizer position?????

 

[aan1701]

Which areas were the minors infiltrating? The pool? Quiet Cove? Serenity Bay? Was it a one time incident or a persistent problem? What did the cruise staff do or not do? This is shocking. DCL is usually so good about keeping the kids out. Dh and I highly value our kid-free time.

Well at the cove was a huge problem. I went to talk to Brent after a saw a couple change their five year old right there on one of those nice new lounge chairs. Also on Pub Night in Diversions around 9:30 this dad came in with his kid and ordered a beer. Not only was he served, Brent and the asst. cruise director were standing right there when it happened and did not say a word and just left. These are just two of about 20-30 different things this I saw. From what I overheard a lot of people were planing on writing in and saying how disatisfied were with Brents handeling of this. The only staff that I saw enforcing the 18 and up was the staff in Rockin Bar D.

 

[bourgie]

7 months to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[dcannon101]

Hello everyone from WDW -

The weather is great. High 80's yesterday and suppose to be mid 70's today. They are predicting some rain for today but I don't see any now. They really need it here. It has been 40+ days since they have had any rain. Yesterday was the 10th day in a row of above 80 degrees.

Really looking forward to the cruise. Sad to hear about the adult-only area being infiltrated. That is one of the main reason DW and I go on this cruise. We like the fact that no kids are allowed in certain areas.

As for camping. We did it once in the 80's and NEVER AGAIN. Out idea of camping is a hotel without a pool.

Dale

 

[kerickson]

Yay! 7mo to go! I'm watching the DCL Planning DVD right now during my lunch hour. It's getting me excited about our cruise, but also having me second guessing our plans..should we have booked a verandah?...what excursions do we want to do... I need to just watch and enjoy!

We took our 1st camping trip last June to Yosemite with a 4 and 2 yr old. My sis camps regularly with 4 kids and sent me a prep list before hand, so I brought everything and then some (I think lugging the bins around is what eventually threw out my back, but that's a different story...) It was a great trip, we loved it, the kids loved it, but we did have a nice 2 room tent with a blow up mattress. We saw a bear in camp our 1st night , so after that we felt like camping pros. We'll probably camp again, but I'm looking much more forward to our ocean view stateroom with it's own bath!

 

[aan1701]

Hello everyone from WDW -

The weather is great. High 80's yesterday and suppose to be mid 70's today. They are predicting some rain for today but I don't see any now. They really need it here. It has been 40+ days since they have had any rain. Yesterday was the 10th day in a row of above 80 degrees.

Really looking forward to the cruise. Sad to hear about the adult-only area being infiltrated. That is one of the main reason DW and I go on this cruise. We like the fact that no kids are allowed in certain areas.

As for camping. We did it once in the 80's and NEVER AGAIN. Out idea of camping is a hotel without a pool.

Dale

Well I do hope, Dale, that they do improve on the enforcement of the adult only areas. This was my 5th trip with DCL and the only time this has been an issue. I am with you. This is one of the main reasons I take DCL. I will be at WDW next month using my DVC incentive points. They expire in October so I need to burn them and they are only good at Saratoga Springs. That is were I will be for two nights before our cruise. One the same note I will be at Animal Kingdom Villas (my home resort) in the concierge in a one bedroom for five nights after so I can enjoy food and wine at EPCOT.

 

[yazee1]

Hey, there, "campers". I just had to post today so I can see my signature time line say "7 months".

Did I ever mention on this thread that we have (GASP) never been to Disney World with our children? Is that neglect?

 

[doberlady]

Did I ever mention on this thread that we have (GASP) never been to Disney World with our children? Is that neglect?

 

[strega7]

We have been to Disneyworld only once...and that was because our first cruise was a land/sea. We were hooked to the sea part. We have been to Disneyland a couple of times and found we actually like it better than WDW (you can walk all over Disneyland instead of having to take a bus to get to all the parks). With only 7 months to go I better get the luggage down and start packing

 

[yazee1]

With only 7 months to go I better get the luggage down and start packing

Okay, that sounds like a plan, but I suggest you wait on packing the toothbrush for a little bit longer!

 

[strega7]

Okay, that sounds like a plan, but I suggest you wait on packing the toothbrush for a little bit longer!

Yeah, should probably hold off on the underwear too...

 

[ImagineerM's Wifey]

Hello all!
As my name suggests - I'm ImagineerM's Wife. I wanted to join in on all the fun this time around, so I signed up to join the site that my hubby likes so much! Anywho, I'm super excited about this trip and can't wait to meet you all! See you in a few months!
woohoo!
~M