October 22, 2005 Roll call

[Skallywag]

Have piles of things in our spare bedroom already but know if I put anything in a suitcase too early it will all come out as I check time and time again that I have everything. Just me having panic attacks about forgetting things, never have yet but there is always a first time.

Really do not know why I worry as I can buy all I need anyway when we get to your lovely country. Not long now to wait. Hurry up documents.
Brenda

 

[scrapperjill]

American Scrapper...Did you survive the night...aka the sleepover We've had many of those with both the girls...but I know how diffrent boys and girls can be...I'm not sure what would be worse...a sleepover with a bunch of roudy boys or one with a bunch of emotional girls. I'm not sure if it's like that with boys...but the girls..you NEVER know what to expect. One min they're all laughing and having a good time then the next you have yelling, screaming and crying then just as fast at that starts...they're laughing again

Well were really getting close now ...Not to long it will be time to start packing. What sort of time frame is everyone looking at... Not just getting the bags out and setting stuff aside but actually starting to pack?

I'm starting to get worried about the amount of luggage we'll be taking...I swore after last years cruise..I would NOT overpack and didn't plan on bringing as many bags as we did last time..but thinking about what we need to bring or want to bring..and where it's going to fit. I'm not sure how many fewer bags we'll actually be taking. Anyone else have that problem? What's the average amount of luggage you bring per person? I find the biggest problem is the formal/dinner wear....and the bulk that it has. That and the snorkel gear.

 

[SCDizneyDawn]

I won't actually pack until the weekend before or maybe even the Friday before the cruise if I end up off for the day(requested it last winter, still do not have anyone to work for me the Friday before the cruise)
I have already started a list of things I will need and have a small bag started with wierd things like dry boxes and a sun hat that I only use on vacations! Also, in my closet I have a section with the clothes for dinners!

I also am a little worried about having too much luggage. We have always driven to our cruises but now live in the North East so we have to fly. All the vacations we have taken from up here have been to Disney in a DVC one bedroom unit, so packing was easy! Hoping to not be too outrageous or my DH will not be happy I always find that shoes and purses take up one whole bag, so I need to be more conservative with that! I am a purse queen!

Well, time is quickly approaching! Cannot wait to meet everyone!

 

[American Scrapper]

Yes, I did make it through the night! You are right about boys, they are very, very rough. We did have a couple of outbursts of arguments, but with boys that is a minor thing and if it didn't happen I'd be worried. That testosterone even at 9 is big amongst boys. Girls seem to get very emotional and who knows if they'll be friends again after the night. I am not sure now which I would rather have, the emotions or the rowdy boys. All I can really say is I am TIRED!! I think I need to go on a cruise just to relax! Oh, that is right, I am going on one soon!!

I haven't begun to pack or really even thought about it, but I agree with the other comments. Snorkel Gear and shoes take up alot of space!

Well, gotta go get a kid out of the bath tub.


Kathy

 

[ThreeSmiths]

Hi Everyone!

Kathy: glad to hear you survived the sleepover! I agree with Scrapperjill... with girls one minute they're getting along great, the next arguing, and then they love eachother again...and these are 8 year olds!!!!

Have you had your JB party yet?

We have had a busy week...we were scheduled to go to the beach over the weekend but Ophelia kept us away, and DH had yet another dive trip cancelled. Instead we went to see the BoDeans concert in Atlanta...always a good time. Let's hope the tropical storms start to slow down. I will be happy just to be on the ship but would enjoy it even more if we are not diverted!!!

Packing??? I can't even think about it yet....I too will only go through my bags 20 times between now and then to make sure I didn't forget something!

Did everyone read the announcement of the dry dock changes? Sounds cool.....especially a Stingray Excursion on CC!!! I wonder if/when we might be able to book that? We are already going to Stingray City in Grand Cayman, but I would like to do it twice for sure!

TTFN!
Stacy

 

[MNmousecouple]

Hello all
with all the talk about packing I guess I need to ask yet another question How many bags is each person allowed in checked luggage on the ship? Our group is doing a charter bus to FL so we aren't restricted there but would hate to have more than is allowed.
Also does anyone know if WDW has luggage storage main center. 11 of our group isn't going on the cruise and will be at the world while we are off cruisin, after the cruise we are going to the world just for Saturday night. but we are staying at a different resort (9 of us). After checkout we would like someplace to store both groups bags til sunday evening when our bus picks us up to return north to reality

anyway thanks .......the excitement is building

 

[scrapperjill]

I'm not sure if I can truly answer your questions...but I can tell you my experience. I think DCL trys to stick with the standard luggage allowance simular to airlines...With two checked bags and a carry-on. The'll send you two luggage tags per person with your cruise documents. But we found out if you have more than the two bags per person...the porters at the curb (at the DCL terminal) wiil give you more luggage tags and will check more than just the two bags per person. I don't want to even admit it...but we checked somewhere around 3+ bags per person at the curbside.

I really don't know about WDW luggage storge...But I bet if your staying on properity you could call the resort your booked with and ask them directly. I would think if they allow you to ship boxes and stuff to the resort ahead of time..then they'd have some area to keep your luggage on your departure day until the evening.

I keep telling myself I'm not packing as much as we did last time...but the closer we get the harder that's becoming. Last year when we went to the airport...my mom gave us a ride and couldn't beleive the amount of luggage we had....she went on and on about how crazy it was and how she'd never pack that much stuff... Well just yesterday she mentioned that she was fearing she was going to be packing close to what we did when we went last year .....bags and bags and bags. I just had to laugh at that thought...after she had so much fun with us last year. But really after you get the dinner clothes (including formal/semi formal ware), day clothes, shoes, snorkel gear, shower supplies, duct tape and that wonderful list...the bags are stuffed.

 

[SuzPasq]

When we flew from ATL to NYC in May we were hit with the overweight baggage fee(dh thought it would be a good idea to have as few bags as possible, so three of our five bags were overweight, to the tune of $75). Since then we've been packing an extra duffle bag in each of our big suitcases. That way if we're over, we can move things from the big suitcases into smaller ones. He had to do it on Sunday, when he was on his way to L.A. for the week.

 

[Timon]

I am weak, oh so very weak. I just started packing tonight
Just a few things that I know I won't use in the next 4 weeks. And I printed off my packing list and I am writing up my to do list.

I can't help myself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We leave in 27 days!!!!!!! WOW, the last few months just FLEW by!!

On a crappy note, Westjet changed our flight home and instead of a direct flight home, we now have a 4 hour stop over in Toronto!! Oh well, at least the flight there is direct!!! 5 hours and 20 minutes from Calgary to Orlando, gotta love that! Normally it takes us all day to get there.

Keeping my eye on the weather and those storms!!

Looking forward to seeing everyone after all this time chatting! I wonder if we will spot each other in the Terminal before we actually get on board??

 

[scrapperjill]

I've been strugling with the urge to pack for the past week. We're planning on having a Yard Sale this weekend.. and after that... the packing is ON We were going to have the Yard Sale this past weekend..then start pelimary packing this week..but the weatherman predicted rain...and rain it did. Needless to say that's why the yard sale was bumped to this weekend I'm almost positive I would have broke down and started packing...BUT our HUGE pile of yard sale stuff is in front of our suitcases and there is NO way to get them out until the stuff is gone.

I was just thinking today...of where/what I was doing last year today... Can you guess....Yep sailing on the Magic. We were pulling into our first port this evening (San Juan PR)...The bunch of us got off (all adults...left the kids aboard...hey after all it was night time in a unfamiluar city)....and headed for Senior Frogs ...Let's think how many of those "Yards" did we have??? By the end of the night there...I for one couldn't beleive how many CM from the ship were off enjoying the night. And wasn't Tarzan there also???

Oh...I got a call yesterday from our TA at AAA...she said all of our "stuff" came in for the WDW portion of our trip. I wonder if our ME tags came also. She said hang on and wait until the end of the week to pick everything up...because when we booked (in May) it was AAA disney month..and for booking kids recieved a free duffle or backpack. And for some reason those were shipped out today...that's why she said to wait until the end of the week. Makes me want to call our other TA and ask about our cruise things. I don't have alot of faith in that TA...I'm not sure she'd call us when she got them..or hold onto them for a while...like she did with the excursion pack. We still never recieved any info on stateroom gifts. I know you can view and order online...but last year they sent out a booklet.

 

[MNmousecouple]

Semi Document Dance
Got Documents for Deborah Son in law and granddaughter (but not daughter?) who are in adjoining room with us. PAPER WORK IS ON IT'S WAY!!

Thanks Sandi for the information, hate to be left at the dock with too many bags

Hello to everyone! We are so pumped!

 

[ThreeSmiths]

Scrapperjill: How funny, I was thinking the same thing!!! How when I went to the bathroom at Senor Frogs and came out I thought I was in the wrong bar!! And Tarzan!!! And how when Que came in it seemed like everyone errupted in a "HEY QUE!" Good times ! Good luck on your yard sale!

You guys, if I started packing now I would have to keep going back through my luggage to see what I packed...I wouldn't even trust my own check list! Not to mention that I am prone to overpacking if I do it slowly. I want to so badly though!

Timon: Our return flight got bumped up to 11:20 a.m. forcing us to make other return transfer arrangements. But it has all worked out and I'm no longer stressing...I did a lot of stressing over it at first.

MNMousecouple: Congrats on the documents!!! I think you are the first of our group to get them! That's a sure sign that it won't be long now!!!

TTFN!
Stacy

 

[MelissaE1]

WOO HOO! MNMouseCouple... cool on getting some docs. That's so exciting!! The rest of us can't be too far behind.

Packing, packing. I am also going to be waaaay overpacking... again. Think I'll start a new organization... how about D.O.P.E.Y.? Disney Over Packers Every Year? LOL.

Speaking of packing, does everyone have the Cruise Diva link? There is tons of info there including packing lists, countdown lists (what to do when), etc. Sometimes it seems like planning for a cruise comes second only to planning a wedding, and it's a very close second. For anyone who is interested, here's the link: http://cruisediva.com/pack_it.htm

Although I am not a huge TV watcher (couldn't have anything to do with the fact that I'm always in front of my computer ) but I am really excited about the huge screen they are putting by the Goofy Pool during drydock. I think that will be really fun! Hope it's up and running by our cruise.

Barely more than a month left!

 

[hyandui]

Scrapperjill, I checked in on the DISBOARD about 2 weeks but haven't had time to reply to anyone, Sherry and myself are set to sail on the 22nd, this year we have 2 friends traviling with us, we will also be celebrating our 32nd wedding anniversary, actual date is tomorrow 9/15/05 but what a better way to celebrate than a cruise. A friend of ours, (Brenda) traveled with us about 3 years ago, her companion Bob is new to crusing and is afraid he won't like it, I know he will like it once he's settled in. I believe we met you last year, we traveled with our daughter Carolyn (rockadonismon). We passed out light sticks to everyone and lit up the theather. Our dinner is in the 2nd setting this year. Well it almost time to start packing, sure hope the weather works in our favor.

 

[scrapperjill]

ThreeSmiths.... I got a good laugh while thinking about the bathroom incident yesterday also. To funny..Kathy and I were wondering what the heck happened to you...then boy did I get worried when I went into the bathroom looking for you....only to find it EMPTY. Then to top it off...all the guys had the same reaction when they came back in...thinking they were in the wrong place.

MNmousecouple.... YEA!!!

MelissaE1....I'm also excited about the new things at dry dock. I'm having mixed thoughts on the big screen thought....I can't wait to see it...but I wonder how it'll change the "look" of the Magic and of the stack area. I am excited to see what they play in the evening/night on it. I wonder if it will be select times or a continious playing of something.

Hyandui...Welcome aboard

 

[ThreeSmiths]

Think I'll start a new organization... how about D.O.P.E.Y.? Disney Over Packers Every Year? LOL.

Count me in! Last year we drove to PC, so we didn't have to worry about airline weight restrictions and such. However this year I will be forced to be more conservative since we are flying.

Thanks, too for the website, MelissaE1...I hadn't seen that one before.

I have mixed feelings on the big tv too, but I'm sure like everything else Disney will do it on a grand scale. I think DD will love to be able to "drive" the ship. She had so much fun in Minnie's House at WDW...trying everything out, opening this, closing that, exploring. The new "bridge" sounds like it will be a similar experience. Obviously the convention rooms did not get much use.

The more I think about it, I really liked pulling into San Juan in the evening and staying overnight last year. Too bad we don't do that in Cozumel or GC (or at least aren't SCHEDULED to. You can't count on any schedule in hurricane season, eh?) That would be fun!

 

[scrapperjill]

Yep...I liked pulling in at night...and spending the evening at San Juan...I think the CM liked it also..it's not to many times they get a chance to get off the ship and live it up. They all seemd to be having a blast.

 

[MNmousecouple]

While looking over our Documents (they have all come now) there is unfortunately a letter...that the fitness center is expected to still be under going renovation (equipment available in different location) and spa will be open for normal services (the wording seems to indicate the new suites wont be available yet) We really got excited about the sounds of the new suite spa experience, what little we had heard anyway.

Maybe they'll be wrong!

 

[American Scrapper]

Scrapperjill & Threesmiths, how funny! Remember them pulling down the doors where we were sitting?! And Tarzan...oh, Tarzan!! Hmmm, I wonder if he will be on the ship again? The guys kept calling him all week long! I loved coming into San Juan at night, the castle was so pretty all lit up, and what fun at Senor Frogs! Yes, we had a couple of Yards that night.

I know that I would get a laugh by coming here tonight. I had to do one of the hardest things tonight. I had to go to a wake for the husband of a friend of mine. We play softball together, and he was only 28 years old. They just got married about 4 months ago and she is 13 weeks pregnant. He was a Chicago police officer and was in Indiana doing a fund raiser for another slain officer and on his way home fell off his motorcycle and was run over by a truck. They think he was clipped by the truck's ladder and that is how he fell. As you can imagine there were literally hundereds of people and police officers there. What a sad situation. My heart goes out to her and her family. She is doing OK, but very much numb right now. So, all the talk about Senor Frogs put a smile on my face! Thanks!!

Timon, I keep thinking of packing, but know that I would be doing the same as Threesmiths, unpacking to see what I packed. Anyways, I will start deciding soon what needs to go.

Well, it seems like docs are starting to come!! YEAH!!!! It sure is getting close!

Kathy

 

[MelissaE1]

Oh Kathy, that is so sad. I am sorry you had to go through that. Glad you could come here for a laugh! I am sorry I missed the fun you guys had last cruise... it sounds like it was worth being there!

Don't know if this is good for a laugh or just having your mouth drop open, but I couldn't find Bonine at Walmart, so I remembered from a few years back that there was Drugstore.com. As I was browsing the site tonight, I was looking for other things I might need and ran a search on the site for "travel size." Well, you would NOT BELIEVE what they make in travel size now!!

Ummm... drugstores have apparently changed! Gives a whole new meaning to the song Rubber Duckie!!

(Warning: Before you go look, be forewarned... this is a somewhat, shall we say "risque" product! )