OCTOBER 30th & NOVEMBER 3rd Cruises (FE and Meets)

[ajaysmom825]

After a few phone calls and some waiting time, the room upgrade has been put into place. My parent's (Happytime) new room is #8142; however, because this room is NOT handicap accessible, I'm going to keep trying to get another room change. They've been upgraded to a larger room for now.

Thank you for your understanding! I'll keep everyone posted to the new room number (if we change again). On a good note, the surgeon was able to fit her in today.

Have a great afternoon everyone! Looking forward to some relaxation in just a few short days here.

Angela

 

[ppartekim]

After a few phone calls and some waiting time, the room upgrade has been put into place. My parent's (Happytime) new room is #8142; however, because this room is NOT handicap accessible, I'm going to keep trying to get another room change. They've been upgraded to a larger room for now.

Thank you for your understanding! I'll keep everyone posted to the new room number (if we change again). On a good note, the surgeon was able to fit her in today.

Ok. FE updated with new cabin. If you don't get another cabin until boarding just stop by our cabin (5538) and update the Master List there.

 

[Mickeygolf]

We have a 7th grader and the twins are in 5th grade. My 7th grader will have some homework, but not much. The twins teachers have told us to have them do a journal. They'll have a little reading to do but that's about it.

I'm with you, I'd be a little put off as well. These trips are educational and as far as we're concerned our family time together is so valuable. Can't believe they are expecting her to have much homework. My guess is if she was to finish half of what they give her that would be enough. It's not like it's going on any permanent record at her age. I would expect a lot more if they were in High School. We might not even take the kids out by then.

Good luck!!!

 

[Princess Olivia]

Good morning all,

My mother (Happytime) took a tumble this morning and broke her foot in two places. The doctors have said that she will need surgery, but do not know when this will be done. Please send some pixie dust her way that we can have the surgery before we leave on the cruise... Trips to the ER = No fun at all!

Angela

Sending good thoughts your way!

 

[Princess Olivia]

MissJen, this is just my take on it but your sweet daughter is going on this special trip due to her poor health and all the hardships she ( and all of you) have had to endure. I would kindly remind the teacher why you are away and then respectfully inform her your dd will do the work on her return. Frankly, I'm rather appalled that she would even consider asking her to do work on this type of trip. My big kids are freshman in HS and an 8th grader. All of the teachers have been great. Just a few things to get done when they can. I don't need to tell you, but time with our children is priceless and as for schoolwork, it will be there on their return.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Quick question... does anyone else in our group homeschool or do virtual school?
Lily is homeschooled out of necessity this year because of her health, her homeschool online teacher is wanting her to do homework while on her MAW trip. I'm a little put off by it. I don't mind having her read or journal about her experience or even write when she gets back about what she learned during her trip, but to me, this is NOT the time to have her take tests or do reports. Math, science and social studies can wait a week.

So now I digress.... does Disney do anything educational that can be applied to school? How do you work out missing school with your children's teachers?

It seems our son in High School is being told not to do anything during the trip. And our first grader just has to take pictures of all the fun things she does and bring them back. To me it seems ridiculous that they would make Lily (who is the MAW kid!) do schoolwork.

Sorry for the rant... I'm just wanting some sort of justificiation in blowing off her teacher and making Lily enjoy her experience rather then do schoolwork the whole week we're gone.

You know what - just smile and nod at the teacher. When you get back, then explain, "those darn MAW and Disney people - well, they just kept us so busy that we didn't have time to sit down and do the homework on the ship. They were just so wonderful and understanding about how special Lily is, I just couldn't say no when they insisted on another character greeting and having Lily participate in the kids club activities." Let's face it, people either get it or they don't and no amount of reasoning before hand is going to change it.

It's easier to ask forgiveness than permission.

Good morning all,

My mother (Happytime) took a tumble this morning and broke her foot in two places. The doctors have said that she will need surgery, but do not know when this will be done. Please send some pixie dust her way that we can have the surgery before we leave on the cruise... Trips to the ER = No fun at all!

Angela

Oh I'm so sorry to hear that! I hope that things work out for your mom. If you're mom's in a wheelchair for the cruise, make sure you let special services know (there's a fax on the DCL site in your check in docs). They can make sure that you're seated on an aisle in the dining rooms. Even if you can't get an accessible cabin, they may have accessories available that would be helpful (like toilet risers, shower chairs, etc).

 

[Mickeygolf]

You know what - just smile and nod at the teacher. When you get back, then explain, "those darn MAW and Disney people - well, they just kept us so busy that we didn't have time to sit down and do the homework on the ship. They were just so wonderful and understanding about how special Lily is, I just couldn't say no when they insisted on another character greeting and having Lily participate in the kids club activities." Let's face it, people either get it or they don't and no amount of reasoning before hand is going to change it.

It's easier to ask forgiveness than permission.

Wow, I like your style!!!

 

[AmandaRG]

We homeschool and I have stressed over taking a week off. After the struggles we have been having with school the past few days, we are going to take the week off. We will do like normal and expound on things for educational purposes, but we need a vacation, so that is the primary reason for our trip. I'm just going to have to make a point to keep it that way!

 

[BealsRwe]

We will be taking our DD (7) out of 2nd grade for this trip. She will miss 4 days-Mon-Thurs. We asked for all of her school work so we can make sure she doesn't fall behind. Her teacher (awesome!) sent it home Friday, and we are over 1/2 way done. DD teacher even offered to let her take next week's spelling and reading tests this week, so we don't have to study and worry about that next week if we prefer. DD has little lessons this week due to a teacher work day yesterday, and a fun pumpkin day Friday. I am creating a journal for her from pages on DIS boards, and we will have her write in it daily. We will add pictures to it when we return. We did this last year, and it is a great memory of our family trip.

I am also of the mindset that our family vacations are educational. We may be do the sting ray excursion on Castaway Cay this time to get a little science in. We will definitely get in PE with the 5k, stairs, walking around the ship, and bike ride on Castaway Cay. A little art with the midship detective agancy activity. Home Ec...we need to eat all the food and we can chat recipes! DH and I both work at WDW, and getting time off during school vacations is generally impossible!

I hope and pray that your daughter's teacher comes to the realization that her expectations are out of line for your family MAW trip. This is the time for you all to be together, enjoy each other, have fun, and forget about life for awhile.

 

[luvdis31]

Are there life jackets for toddlers on Castaway cay?

 

[Princess Sleepy]

Sorry to hear about everyone's trips to the ER. Staying in good health is my main concern for the next few days. We got a notice today that strep throat is going around the 3rd grade at DD's school. I told her she is not to touch anyone, breathe near anyone, or think about breathing near anyone!

I got a great toy today to bring along. I have been coordinating this trip for my family of 4 plus my sister-in-law and her family, DH's mom, aunt and uncle, his cousin and her son. I don't mind at all. Obviously obsessive planning is one of my pastimes. But my MIL and SIL sent me a "little thank you" today. It's a Nook! Yay! Now I don't have to pack all those heavy hardcovers I picked up at the library this morning. What a great surprise.

4 days to go. Here is my list of 4 things I am looking forward to:

1. Riding the Aquaduck
2. Eating at Animator's Palate
3. Doing the detective agency game.
4. Fireworks at sea.

My DD5 is also excited and asked me to add a smiley for her:

We are leaving Friday evening. Only 3 more sleeps to go.

 

[JLSE50]

Ok, I added a GTY line with only Nathan as the name
GTY 1 Nathan (b6 - MAW)

Hopefully, someone will get a room number and the rest of the info typically on the line.

http://dcl.trapperhq.com/20111030/fe_list.htm

If and when I learn more I will post it here and on your door. Thanks!
Jan

 

[MissJen]

Disney and Make A Wish came through in a big way. They moved our rooms so that we can now stay in adjoining rooms with our family all together.
So incredibly thankful!
You can now update our room numbers to 10504/10506.

We will have it decorated and there will be Fish Extenders with our names on them.

Jim has his first day of leave tomorrow! We leave at 4am on Friday morning!!

 

[JLSE50]

Disney and Make A Wish came through in a big way. They moved our rooms so that we can now stay in adjoining rooms with our family all together.
So incredibly thankful!
You can now update our room numbers to 10504/10506.

We will have it decorated and there will be Fish Extenders with our names on them.

Jim has his first day of leave tomorrow! We leave at 4am on Friday morning!!

YAY

I suspect there will be some DCL event for the MAW cruisers where you will meet Nathan and his parents.
or
You could always ask at Guest Services if they can deliver a message from you to them and then arrange a meet when they call you back.

Enjoy the vacation!

Jan JLSE50

 

[travalinfam]

Putting the fininshing touches on packing here in Chicago, and as DH is packing his Halloween costume, he turns to me and asks if we're wearing our costumes to dinner. Now of course I'm second guessing wearing them!

Our costumes are not super elaborate just Halloween t's with accessories (same for the kiddos)

So is anyone else planning on wearing costumes to dinner? We have early seating. We want to be festive, but don't want to feel out of place either!

Can any of you put my mind at ease?

Can't wait to meet you all on Sunday!

 

[ppartekim]

If and when I learn more I will post it here and on your door. Thanks!
Jan

Disney and Make A Wish came through in a big way. They moved our rooms so that we can now stay in adjoining rooms with our family all together.
So incredibly thankful!
You can now update our room numbers to 10504/10506.

We will have it decorated and there will be Fish Extenders with our names on them.

Jim has his first day of leave tomorrow! We leave at 4am on Friday morning!!

Ya'll will have to post to my cabin door (5538). FE Lists are final, printed (60 copies - thanks Kinkos) and packed for the cruise.. We board the shuttle in about 7 hrs; assuming I am packed by then; 7 hrs - 5 minutes if not.. (We are doing a B2B 27th/30th)

Catch you all on the boat....

 

[JLSE50]

Putting the fininshing touches on packing here in Chicago, and as DH is packing his Halloween costume, he turns to me and asks if we're wearing our costumes to dinner. Now of course I'm second guessing wearing them!

Our costumes are not super elaborate just Halloween t's with accessories (same for the kiddos)

So is anyone else planning on wearing costumes to dinner? We have early seating. We want to be festive, but don't want to feel out of place either!

Can any of you put my mind at ease?

Can't wait to meet you all on Sunday!

No matter what you do, you will be FINE as long as you are happy with your choice.

Some people at every dinner are dressed fancy.
Some are dressed casually.
Some will be in full costume worthy of a Hollywood production.
Some will be in seasonal t's as you describe.

No worries!!

 

[Auntmeme]

Ms. Jen - Your daughter's teacher is being ridiculous. Really, homework on the Dream???? You just be sure your daugher and your family have FUN and enjoy your time together.

My son's teacher(5th grade) wants him to keep up with his math online, not going to happen. Journaling and reading are fine by me but anything else, not.

Sorry to hear about trips to ER, hopefully all will work out.
I've been fighting a cold for a week and there is no time to rest. I don't want to be the person coughing on the plane.

Does anyone know if I can buy liquor at the airport before we get on the disney bus?

I may have missed this but do we register for children's services online?

Anyone find out special tips for sailing the Dream? recommended activites or recommended food.

 

[BealsRwe]

I believe the only alcohol at the airport is in the duty free shops, which you can't buy at unless you are flying with an international ticket. Are you taking DCL shuttle to the port or a private shuttle/car? You could always get a cab at the port and have 1 head off to buy some beverages of choice.

 

[BealsRwe]

Between printing off things for our FE gifts, labels, and now DD journal...I am going to have to replace my brand new cyan ink already. Yikes!

On a side note...anyone looking to do journals? I had some pages from Millipie's DISign pages before she took a break, but just found this DISigner's stuff. There are some great Disney Dream journal pages...makes DD project that we ask her to do that much easier. Her teacher doesn't require it, but I do...it becomes a great memory. DD is almost 1/2 way done with her school work that was sent home. She will be all caught up when she returns next Friday, without having to do too much on the Dream.

http://s940.photobucket.com/albums/ad245/bababearbucket/

4 Days!