Sept. 23, 2012 Pacific Coast - Wonder Cruise

[peja]

I just emailed out the current list of those participating in the FE exchange. If anyone else would like to join in on the fun, please send me a PM with your names, children's ages, cabin number (and don't worry if you are GTY as that isn't an issue) as well as your email address. I will get you all added to the list. Cutoff will be toward the end of August.

Also - we are going to do a postcard exchange. That is nothing but sharing local postcards with the others that choose to participate. It is so much fun to get to see all the other places where are fellow DISers live. Just send me a PM for that as well as cabin number and I will get that list out as well.

I never received the email about the FE. Did you sent it to the right email???? Should I PM you again. We also would like to be added in post card exchange.

Renata

 

[BigDisneyOE]

I think we've managed to steer Oliver towards two pairs of Mr Bump glasses for the same price as the Nic Jnr Diego ones. We spent most of the weekend going around spec shops for Oli to try stuff on, man for 4.5 that kid has some fairly fixed fashion ideas (given he wears trackpants and gumboots all day every day I'm not listening to his styling advice). Roll on the optican telling us about how hazy his distance sight is and what sort of correction he will need.

Yes the testing here is really good. It's mainly to catch kids that would fall thru the cracks and give them the hand up they need before they are into the system and swallowed up. I agree with Gail, it's better to 'stream' classes so that the teacher can teach at one level to all. The problem comes in determining when to stream, in my day it was done first at year one of college/high school (13). We have a lot of questions to ask the teachers on Wednesday I guess, that's if we can actually speak to the teachers (DH was tasked with making that call and, like the rental car, it's sliding).

I dunno about our health system. Sometimes it's okay and others it's terrible. You have to pay to go private for a consult to get on the public list here - that's how it happened with my tonsils. I've been battling the specialist for three years to have a part removed but she's hesitating despite pleas from my GP, meanwhile I'm stuck with said part causing me bother. That said, our public hospitals are great when you are a patient and the doctors are very good. I just wish some of them wouldn't fly to Australia to work the weekend and then back to NZ for the week!!

I'm up for postcard exchange too. Do we just put them in the FE of the DisBoard participant?

My kids have been starting to ask questions about American food. It cracks me up. They want to know if America has McDonalds and KFC (where they get occasional treat meals from)! Then I let them look on the Ben & Jerry's site last night. Alex particularly wants to visit the Tip Top Deli in Carlsbad as he's a bit obessed with good salami.

 

[glindamood]

I never received the email about the FE. Did you sent it to the right email???? Should I PM you again. We also would like to be added in post card exchange.

Renata

I see your PM. I will update the list and send you an email this evening.

Have a grand day everyone! Oh how I love Mondays - not!!!!

 

[AussieMumma]

Apart from the gale force winds and rain, it's been a lovely Monday here in Queensland, public holiday for the Queens Jubilee woohoo!!! And to top that off, Friday is a public holiday here on the Sunshine Coast for our local fair! 3 day week for us

 

[jetskigrl]

Good Morning and Happy Monday everyone!!!

Well I'm back at work today after a long day at California Adventure yesterday. We were able to attend a preview event for Cars Land and Buena Vista Street. To all of you planning some time at DLR before or after the cruise, you are in for a real treat. The new areas of DCA are simply amazing!!

Of course the Radiator Springs Racers is awesome but don't overlook Mater's Junkyard Jamboree. What an cute and super fun ride Disney really did a great job with both of these new areas. And I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to try them out before the Grand Opening this Friday. I don't plan on being anywhere near DLR until the end of the month (when we have another passholder event for WOC).

 

[erbie]

Another question for you all, do we have to book for the character breakfast or is it just on a set day, or are we on a rotation? I read somewhere that you have your character breakfast the next at sea day after you've dined at Animators Palate?

The character breakfast will be in Parrot Cay one morning. You will get the info on your meal tickets along with your rotation. I forget when it is in relation to other meals, but it's automatic and you'll be seated at your same table number as you have at dinner, and will have your regular server and assistant.

This is unlike most breakfasts, where you can go to the buffet or Triton's, or I think Parrot Cay. At Triton's or Parrot Cay you sit wherever they seat you and you don't have your regular team unless you get them by chance. Often they will see you come in and ask the host to seat you in their section.

There's often a Pirate or Princess tea that you have to sign up for. Do it early, as it gets full quickly. We didn't get to do it last time because we forgot to sign up and then it was full. We did it on our PC Repo when my oldest was 4, and it was very sweet. I hope we can do it this time for my little one. She's all about princesses in a way her sister never was, so she'd love it.

 

[peja]

@ AussieMomma Are you guys going to Disneyland post cruise??? So are we we are staying September 30 to October 4....we are very much excited for this trip.

 

[glindamood]

Good Morning / Good Day!

The dress I ordered for youngest DS's wedding in August should arrive today, it is on the FedEx truck for delivery. Fingers crossed I really like it - and that it fits! I have color concerns as it is navy blue but we shall see what we see with it. Fingers crossed it works without the addition of Spanx!

I have started working on the master packing list. I am the preverbial overpacker and with the luggage fees these days, it would be easier and much less expensive if I could get that under control! By the same token, I think that I should be able to go the week without having to do laundry so I guess we shall see. If I could do just two suitcases instead of my usual three, I would be happy. Renting DH a tux would be almost as costly as that third suitcase..... Decisions, decisions, decisions!

Have a grand day everyone - or evening, depending on your part of the world.

 

[jetskigrl]

I just emailed out the current list of those participating in the FE exchange. If anyone else would like to join in on the fun, please send me a PM with your names, children's ages, cabin number (and don't worry if you are GTY as that isn't an issue) as well as your email address. I will get you all added to the list. Cutoff will be toward the end of August.

Also - we are going to do a postcard exchange. That is nothing but sharing local postcards with the others that choose to participate. It is so much fun to get to see all the other places where are fellow DISers live. Just send me a PM for that as well as cabin number and I will get that list out as well.

I don't remember if I asked to be added to the postcard exchange or not. But if I didn't, please add me

Apart from the gale force winds and rain, it's been a lovely Monday here in Queensland, public holiday for the Queens Jubilee woohoo!!! And to top that off, Friday is a public holiday here on the Sunshine Coast for our local fair! 3 day week for us

WOO HOO on the 3 day week!!

The character breakfast will be in Parrot Cay one morning. You will get the info on your meal tickets along with your rotation. I forget when it is in relation to other meals, but it's automatic and you'll be seated at your same table number as you have at dinner, and will have your regular server and assistant.

This is unlike most breakfasts, where you can go to the buffet or Triton's, or I think Parrot Cay. At Triton's or Parrot Cay you sit wherever they seat you and you don't have your regular team unless you get them by chance. Often they will see you come in and ask the host to seat you in their section.

Any idea how they will handle the character breakfast when we only have 2 sea days? I wonder if they will still have it, and if so, what day they will do the 3rd batch of people.

Good Morning / Good Day!

The dress I ordered for youngest DS's wedding in August should arrive today, it is on the FedEx truck for delivery. Fingers crossed I really like it - and that it fits! I have color concerns as it is navy blue but we shall see what we see with it. Fingers crossed it works without the addition of Spanx!

I have started working on the master packing list. I am the preverbial overpacker and with the luggage fees these days, it would be easier and much less expensive if I could get that under control! By the same token, I think that I should be able to go the week without having to do laundry so I guess we shall see. If I could do just two suitcases instead of my usual three, I would be happy. Renting DH a tux would be almost as costly as that third suitcase..... Decisions, decisions, decisions!

Have a grand day everyone - or evening, depending on your part of the world.

Finger's crossed for your dress!! I'll be in that same situation next year when we do the Fantasy. It is very difficult to keep those bags under 50 pounds. I ended up with 4 checked bags and 8 carry ons for our trip last year. I pushed our airline limits to the max

Happy Tuesday (or Wednesday) everyone!! I'm trying to get everything organized to make it through this week. It started yesterday with writing out birthday invites for DS (since he needs to hand them out to kids this week). Then to filling up water balloons and packing extra clothes for DS's class picnic today. Then tonight is DD's academic achievement awards. Nothing tomorrow (yeah!) but then DD's promotion ceremony and dance on Thursday. After that I have to get things ready for Father's day on Sunday.

Somewhere in the middle of all that, I have to work fulltime This is a long week....

 

[erbie]

Any idea how they will handle the character breakfast when we only have 2 sea days? I wonder if they will still have it, and if so, what day they will do the 3rd batch of people.

Nope. I hope they'll be able to fit us all in! The kids love it.

 

[ShinyDaisy]

The Dis has some great blogs up about Cars Land and Buena Vista Street. On the DL forum, there is also a sticky for Aussie DL aids and there's a roll call for Sept DL visits. Might be worth a look.*

Their photos of the new areas are great!! There were a lot of photographers with some. serious equipment.* Finding that Magic! Don't know when we'll be back; so, it's fun to see their pics.

 

[glindamood]

I don't remember if I asked to be added to the postcard exchange or not. But if I didn't, please add me

You are already there. I need to verify those and will send a list but I think there are only like 4 or 5 of us.

Any idea how they will handle the character breakfast when we only have 2 sea days? I wonder if they will still have it, and if so, what day they will do the 3rd batch of people.

Nope. I hope they'll be able to fit us all in! The kids love it.

I don't know what they will do - our scheduled port days are all early, could be they could do one rotation but certainy not two. We have brunch scheduled for Monday but if we can, we will go to the character breakfast for pictures and then go to brunch (the best meal on the ship as far as I am concerned).

Finger's crossed for your dress!! I'll be in that same situation next year when we do the Fantasy. It is very difficult to keep those bags under 50 pounds. I ended up with 4 checked bags and 8 carry ons for our trip last year. I pushed our airline limits to the max

I don't push the airlines to the limit as I am sure they would be more than happy to take as much of my money as possible - it is DH that gets pushed to the limit. But, I also need to plan on souvineer space - one never knows what they will have to have while gone.

Happy Tuesday (or Wednesday) everyone!! I'm trying to get everything organized to make it through this week. It started yesterday with writing out birthday invites for DS (since he needs to hand them out to kids this week). Then to filling up water balloons and packing extra clothes for DS's class picnic today. Then tonight is DD's academic achievement awards. Nothing tomorrow (yeah!) but then DD's promotion ceremony and dance on Thursday. After that I have to get things ready for Father's day on Sunday.

Somewhere in the middle of all that, I have to work fulltime This is a long week....

Jobs have a way of getting in the way of life. If I could figure out how to live without it, I would be all over it!

 

[BigDisneyOE]

What on earth are you guys packing to get so many bags? Even with the kids in tow and all their extras needed for night times, we struggle to get over two main bags.

Gail I'm sure the dress will look just fine, I love navy blue as you can dress the colour to several occasions with it always appropriate. Are you off on your long drive this weekend?

JSG - are water ballons like water bombs?

I'm on the Sept Aussie thread already Shiny Daisy. The Aussie threads are awesome but I maintain they should be called Antipodean as there are plenty of Kiwis on it too.

School visit today and Rich booked us some time with the Principal. The day has got off to a good start with Alex throwing Milo all over the lounge carpet and the Keeshond. The carpet is stained and needs a commerical clean and the dog is going to need several hours of grooming and bathing as she's sticky and very uncomfortable. Mummy and Daddy are not happy with #1 son.

My brother has a venue, dress and shoes. So it looks like 10 August may be a go. I'll need to get him to set it in stone as Qantas are having a 48 hour sale and we can get there for $1600 NZ (about 1200 USD).

Gack, all this extra stuff (Oli's renal is this week and he's not going up a grade in swimming yet again) and I've broken out in a rash.

 

[erbie]

We always take a formalwear hanging bag, one large (and I mean LARGE) suitcase, and then a couple of day bags. Aside from dinner, we pretty much live in shorts and swimsuits, so it's pretty easy to pack.

I think I might need an extra bag this time since we're doing the FE for the first time. I went and bought some supplies for my FE and FE gifts last night. I can't wait til this weekend when I can get started!

 

[AussieMumma]

Hi all, just a quick read and go from me. It's 7:15am here and we should be leaving for school in 45 minutes but here I am reading the dis boards

BBL

 

[ShinyDaisy]

I'm on the Sept Aussie thread already Shiny Daisy. The Aussie threads are awesome but I maintain they should be called Antipodean as there are plenty of Kiwis on it too.

School visit today and Rich booked us some time with the Principal. The day has got off to a good start with Alex throwing Milo all over the lounge carpet and the Keeshond. The carpet is stained and needs a commerical clean and the dog is going to need several hours of grooming and bathing as she's sticky and very uncomfortable. Mummy and Daddy are not happy with #1 son.

My brother has a venue, dress and shoes. So it looks like 10 August may be a go. I'll need to get him to set it in stone as Qantas are having a 48 hour sale and we can get there for $1600 NZ (about 1200 USD).

Gack, all this extra stuff (Oli's renal is this week and he's not going up a grade in swimming yet again) and I've broken out in a rash.

The one I saw last night wasn't specifically Aussie & Kiwi, just under DL forum a Sept roll call from all over. I haven't seen the one you're part of.*
No worries. Hope it's a fun group & helpful.
Hope things level out soon and your rash gets better.
I'm glad everything's coming together well for your brother's wedding & hope you can get that discounted airfare.

 

[BigDisneyOE]

The one I saw last night wasn't specifically Aussie & Kiwi, just under DL forum a Sept roll call from all over. I haven't seen the one you're part of.*

There's a whole section on the Disboards for Other Lands and then a sub section for Australia. Pop in, it's quite fun down here as everyone seems completely mad. Under the Aussie section there's a Sept 2012 thread, which could be what you spotted - a lot of us are heading to a Disney park/cruise in Sept to escape our winters.

 

[ShinyDaisy]

The one I saw last night wasn't specifically Aussie & Kiwi, just under DL forum a Sept roll call from all over. I haven't seen the one you're part of.*

There's a whole section on the Disboards for Other Lands and then a sub section for Australia. Pop in, it's quite fun down here as everyone seems completely mad. Under the Aussie section there's a Sept 2012 thread, which could be what you spotted - a lot of us are heading to a Disney park/cruise in Sept to escape our winters.

Great directions! I didn't know about that section on the DIS. Way cool!
I thought I'd seen someone ask who would be at DLR before or after the cruise and thought this thread might help. Here's a link:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2894377&page=7

I also thought the Aussie DL planning aids might be helpful.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2171941

I'm new and am struggling to relay what I can see. Sorry for the confusion; thanks for hanging in there, Marian, and showing me the thread you've found. Maybe I shouldn't be sending these messages through my phone. LOL

 

[AussieMumma]

jetskigirl, last night I spent an hour or so looking through some photos that another member Sherry posted on here of Cars Land, it looks amazing I can’t wait to go, you are so lucky to have been able to go to the preview!!! Did you get to go on the rides?

erbie, thanks for the info on the character breakfast. We’ve done a few character breakfasts when we’ve been to DLR and WDW so it’s really nice to have one included in the cruise!

peja, yep we are going to Disneyland post cruise, for 2 whole weeks well currently 13 nights but that all depends on what flights home we get!!
Whereabouts are you staying? We are currently booked at two places, Residence Inn Maingate and Ramada Plaza Hotel. No specials yet so I'm keeping my options open

Gail, with your mention of packing enough clothes for the week you’ve reminded me of a question I had, are there guest laundries on the ship? With six of us I need to keep on top of the washing every second day otherwise it gets out of control

ShinyDaisy, thanks for thinking of me re the Aussie sections on here, I’m subscribed to quite a lot of them already


We are flying down south to visit the inlaws from Friday to Monday, should be a blast

 

[BigDisneyOE]

AussieMumma - yeah there are coin op laundries on the ship (dunno what type of coin they are tho'). All the irons are in the laundries too as you can't have an iron in a cabin. Like you, we'll be in the laundry a lot. (Sounds like your inlaws are a bit like my Mum! She's referred to as The Outlaw by DH. )

Booked our flights to Sydney today. We are off on the 8th of August and taking the last flight of the night back on the 13th.

Our school visit was good, so they can go to the school they are zoned for and all I have to do is the paperwork for enrolment.

Managed to get most of the Milo off the dog with the rake, now I have to bathe her. I hate this bit...