Sept 4-8 2005 Wonder S.S. Member Cruise! Part 2

[HookdonWDW]

Happy Birthday Amy!!! ​

Hope you had a great trip over the weekend!

Lisa

 

[alikat99]

Hey everyone! Thanks for the birthday wishes!! We had a blast at WDW over the weekend. We went to MGM on Saturday and then to the pool at Wilderness Lodge in the evening. Then, we headed to MK on Sunday. Chris, Emily and Madison all got their hair cut at the barbershop. Madison did really well, and she looks so cute. She looks more like a toddler now, and less like a baby. We also realized while we were there that it was the 50th anniversary of DL, so we got some limited edition pins. We got home about 7pm last night and I crashed pretty early. I'm still tired today, but I've been hanging out with my mom here at home, and then we're making a nice steak & shrimp dinner on the grill tonight to celebrate!!!

 

[HookdonWDW]

yummmm!! Sounds good! Glad to hear you're enjoying your day

Lisa

 

[Bompy213]

Hey Guys...I haven't posted in a week, but I've kept up w/ reading 'em (even when I was at DBF's family's shore home this weekend!) As usual life is hectic and as I read these boards I get more and more excited...Mary, I loved your comments several posts back about your feeling that this is going to be a great cruise - I agree...I'm that much more convinced that I need a vacation NOW! I've been suffering from a terrible allergy flare-up, work is crazy all day long w/ kids coming to the library for dif. programs or to get their summer reading and my school work is piling up (3 weeks to go w/ that though!) Now for the catching up:

I bought my shoe organizer. It's 19" wide - I hope it fits I have more shoes than is humanly necessary and I have a habit to pack what I think is "enough." Note to self - buy another!!!!!

I'm a little confused about the possible change of Pirate's Night. I know Mary had it on a good source and I'm going by that, but I got all my stuff together and I'd rather pirates than tropical. More info as you get it would be great.

I have EVERYTHING squared away w/ the exception of actually packing. The only thing hanging in the air is booking the electric car. Alikat...is this a definite thing you're handling? I had PMed you. If not let me know and I'll book it on my own.

Some of you mentioned using a planning binder. I do the SAAAAAMMMMMEEE thing : ) My DBF happened to be reading over my shoulder when I was at one of the posts discussing the binder use. His exact words, "Oh my, there are OTHERS like you!" It's pretty funny how this group is so homogeneous. For example I love Cracker Barrel too. Non are near me, but we always go on road trips or make a special trip just to go to one : )

Finally, I don't think I mentioned this but my parents and aunt each closed on a condo in Celebration this past February. My mom and aunt are teachers so they're headed down this Friday for four weeks. I'll be going down on 8/6 for two weeks. I CAN'T WAIT. I've been wanting my parents to get a place there since DAY 1 and now I'm doubly blessed w/ two condos to go to. Just thought I'd share.

Sorry for the length - more convinced that I should post more, write less

 

[goofy4dvc]

Hi, all. I was at Bed Bath & Beyond on Saturday and discovered a really cool over the door bath organizer. It had hooks for over the top of the door and elasticized hooks to secure it to the underside of the door. It looked like it would be very stable that way and wouldn't flop around. Also the packets were made out of mesh and had a shallow one and a deeper one on each one. The mesh might not work for things that are pointy or skinny, but I thought it would be alot easier to clean. Probably just throw it in the washing machine. You wouldn't have to wipe out each pocket with a wet washcloth. I tried to find it on their website but couldn't. So, if you happen to be in a BB&B, you might want to take a look at it. I think it was $19.99 or maybe $29.99. Can't remember, but it would hold alot of stuff.

 

[alikat99]

I have EVERYTHING squared away w/ the exception of actually packing. The only thing hanging in the air is booking the electric car. Alikat...is this a definite thing you're handling? I had PMed you. If not let me know and I'll book it on my own.

Yes, Chris and I are still working on the electric cars in Key West. Basically, we tried the guy who's the cheapest on the island, but he wouldn't even work with us. Heck, he wouldn't even make reservations for us because it's a holiday and they don't take reservations on holidays. It's a get there early and maybe we'll have a car. He told us that if we're there when they open, that we'll probably get a car. The problem is that we don't even arrive in KW until just before noon.

So, we called a couple of other places and Chris finally found a guy that will give us a group discount. He told Chris to call back a few weeks before the cruise and they will work out the details. So, I would guess that Chris will call him back in early August for more details.

I'll keep everyone filled in on the details through this board. And when the time gets closer and we need final numbers, then I'll ask for confirmation of individual interest.

If you have any questions, put them up here on the boards (because I can't stay away) or PM me.

 

[Bompy213]

Sounds great Amy. Thanks so much. It's nice after all this PLANNING that something will be handled by someone else I appreciate your efforts and if you need assistance I more than available.

Stephanie

 

[WDWLVR]

Good morning everyone! Amy sounds like the plans are coming along for the cars - thank you to you and Chris for all your help. That's what I love so much about the DIS - everyone helping each other!

 

[bonzie1]

A late, but heartfelt HAPPY BIRTHDAY to MARY!
Glad you enjoyed your weekend in WDW.
Hope your steak + shrimp dinner was good too!

Amy thanks for the update on the cars!

Happy Tuesday everyone... one day closer to cruisin'
​

 

[cgcw]

Mary, you beat me to it this morning. You are an early bird.

Between reading the Passporter and reading online, I now have about 12 dinner outfits for our 4 day cruise. I haven't been shopping for real clothes (my work attire is shorts/jeans/tshirts) and I've had a lot of fun picking things out. But, now I know I have much to much and need to sort through some of it and make my final selections.

So, here's my long drawn out question. What do woman wear for dinner? We are not doing Palos (that would be easy).

Here's what the Passporter says for dress:
Tritons - upscale casual
Animator's Palate & Parrot Cay - resort casual

I would never consider wearing jeans or shorts. But, can someone define what upscale casual & resort casual are? Being I don't have an extensive wardrobe because I don't need it and haven't worked outside of my home for many years, I just feel a bit out of touch. Are slacks and a blouse upscale casual? Skirt and blouse? Are capri's resort casual? Are sundresses? And the last thing I want to do is got on the ship and find out I made the wrong choices. But then again, if I'm going to error, I'll error on the side of dressier is better. Thanks.

 

[MarkRG]

A late, but heartfelt HAPPY BIRTHDAY to MARY!

Do you mean my Mary? Then that's a VERY belated birthday as hers is nearly the same as mine, both in March.

I do think you mean Amy.

 

[WDWLVR]

Cindy - any of the options you said would be fine. Mark usually does dockers and polo shirts. I do pant sets or a skirt/top. Capri's would be fine as well and I'm thinking of bringing a capri outfit. We also have matching Disney shirt/sundress so I think we will bring that as well. Oh and of course our outfits for Pirate night!

For the days shorts, swimsuits and a top to cover it will be fine!

 

[cgcw]

Thanks, Mary. That's good to know. I spent most of last night tossing and turning, changing outfits in my sleep. What I need to do is pick out my favorites, return the rest and then stay out of the mall.

I'm also very anxious for the cruise. Planning that has been a thrill and the excitement is building. I don't know how my kids are going to start school with the antipation of the cruise being a couple of weeks later.

And, we're also all ready to go to Hilton Head this Saturday and in my spare time, I'm planning a trip for me & Cameron to go back to WDW in October. I never would have thought that having 3 trips so close together would get mind boggling but it is starting to.

 

[HookdonWDW]

I don't know how my kids are going to start school with the antipation of the cruise being a couple of weeks later.

LOL, I was thinking the same thing Cindy, and then the school sent out classroom assignments and schedules for this school year. I looked and saw that midterm reports come out on the 7th, so I told Sam I was going to check with his teachers and make sure his mid-term grades were high enough to pull him for the trip.

He rolled his eyes and said, "Yeah, like that'll be a problem..". Ahhh... the joys of raising an honor roll student... He's never gotten below a B, but I figured the knowledge of a grade report before the cruise will keep him at least a little focused on school work...

 

[cgcw]

LOL, I was thinking the same thing Cindy, and then the school sent out classroom assignments and schedules for this school year. I looked and saw that midterm reports come out on the 7th, so I told Sam I was going to check with his teachers and make sure his mid-term grades were high enough to pull him for the trip.

He rolled his eyes and said, "Yeah, like that'll be a problem..". Ahhh... the joys of raising an honor roll student... He's never gotten below a B, but I figured the knowledge of a grade report before the cruise will keep him at least a little focused on school work...

Cameron does well in school too. We don't have honor roll until the upper grades so I can't use that as a parenting "tool".

Midterms -- is that 9/7? When on earth does Sam start? Tomorrow? I think you must have mentioned it along the way but WOW. What happened to the days when school didn't start until after Labor Day? Oh wait, that must have been the "olden days" when I was a kid.

 

[WDWLVR]

Cameron does well in school too. We don't have honor roll until the upper grades so I can't use that as a parenting "tool".

Midterms -- is that 9/7? When on earth does Sam start? Tomorrow? I think you must have mentioned it along the way but WOW. What happened to the days when school didn't start until after Labor Day? Oh wait, that must have been the "olden days" when I was a kid.

Cindy - I was thinking the same thing. We'd be out by Memorial Day (when the community pool opened) and went back after Labor Day (when it closed)

 

[cgcw]

Cindy - I was thinking the same thing. We'd be out by Memorial Day (when the community pool opened) and went back after Labor Day (when it closed)

Yeah, way back when. (edited to add -- I don't mean way back when you were a child -- I was right there too as I suspect we're right about the same age)

The pools here now open around Father's Day weekend and close by mid August.

Things just move so fast these days.

 

[HookdonWDW]

Cameron does well in school too. We don't have honor roll until the upper grades so I can't use that as a parenting "tool".

Midterms -- is that 9/7? When on earth does Sam start? Tomorrow? I think you must have mentioned it along the way but WOW. What happened to the days when school didn't start until after Labor Day? Oh wait, that must have been the "olden days" when I was a kid.

ROFL... Sam goes back on 8/8. Alabama schools are on that "modified school year" thing. Don't feel too bad for him though. He gets a week off in October, two weeks at Christmas, a week in March for Spring Break, and a week in April for Easter. After all of that (and misc. other holidays/teacher days), he STILL gets out of school at the end of May.

I grew up in MA during the stone ages, and I remember going back to school after Labor Day, and getting out around the 3rd week of June... ahhh, the good old days...

 

[cgcw]

ROFL... Sam goes back on 8/8. Alabama schools are on that "modified school year" thing. Don't feel too bad for him though. He gets a week off in October, two weeks at Christmas, a week in March for Spring Break, and a week in April for Easter. After all of that (and misc. other holidays/teacher days), he STILL gets out of school at the end of May.

I would actually prefer that kind of a schedule. I personally think summer is a bit too long and know the kids would excel having more of a dedicated schedule towards learning.

A couple years back, our principal wanted to pilot year round school. The PTA was in an uproar and looking for parents to write letters discouraging this idea. I was asked to NOT write a letter because it would be right up my alley. I could see their point in that it would have to be an entire community on year round schooling - not just our school. I know it would be difficult to arrange schedules when younger kids were on one schedule and older kids were on another. I'm also in a different position because I don't have a need for daycare (as I have my own ) and could see how scheduling childcare could be a major problem for working parents.



8/8 I'll tell Cameron he shouldn't complain when he starts on 8/23.

 

[HookdonWDW]

I would actually prefer that kind of a schedule. I personally think summer is a bit too long and know the kids would excel having more of a dedicated schedule towards learning.

A couple years back, our principal wanted to pilot year round school. The PTA was in an uproar and looking for parents to write letters discouraging this idea. I was asked to NOT write a letter because it would be right up my alley. I could see their point in that it would have to be an entire community on year round schooling - not just our school. I know it would be difficult to arrange schedules when younger kids were on one schedule and older kids were on another. I'm also in a different position because I don't have a need for daycare (as I have my own ) and could see how scheduling childcare could be a major problem for working parents.



8/8 I'll tell Cameron he shouldn't complain when he starts on 8/23.

I like his schedule. He gets just enough time off in the summer to enjoy himself, and just as the "I'm bored" comments start, it's time to get ready to go back to school. As you said, it also helps to increase subject matter retention and limit the amount of re-teaching needed in the fall. Plus, it's nice to have the break in October. A little reset time in the fall is a good thing... as is time off of school during the F&W Festival.

When we were in Hawaii, they did what your school was looking at, and it was a NIGHTMARE! All of the schools were on modified schedules, but their days on/off didn't line up. I had one in HS and 1 in Elementary, and their schedules tended to run a few days off of each other. If you had kids in middle school, it could be different again...

Since I was either a SAHM or teaching at the time, it didn't affect me too much for childcare, but it was a total PITA when we were trying to plan family trips around vacations, since they didn't line up. They were trying to straighten it out when we left, but I don't know if they ever did.