September 15 Wonder Roll Call

[vllygrrl]

Just over 29 days till we set sail!!!

 

[motherhen17404]

Just checked my count down timer. We have 25 days until we leave. I have a feeling that the next 25 days are going to be the longest days of the year...

 

[Lowe6]

I hear ya mother hen There's so much happening for me in the next 3 wks so that makes it even harder. Oh well relaxation city is on it's way.

I am treating myself to a Castaway Kay cabana message

 

[Katesdad]

Gillian, your counter is getting down there! Started packing yet? By the way, how was the luck in AC?

VllyGrrl, glad you had a good time in NYC. Did you do AC before the trip?

It must be getting close. Even the DW has started to read these threads, and she normally is IT challenged. Haven't gotten her to sign on yet though. Can't do these things too quickly you know.

 

[Gillian]

DH is a member, but he won't post! Everyone PM him a hello to beerguru....

Hi katesdad's DW

We had a great time in AC, but didn't win enough to pay for the trip. I did pretty well on video poker, but I couldn't remember all the discard rules! We found some nickle slots that were really fun (999 bottles of beer, Bewitched) and we kept MIL company while she played Reel Detectives.

Our packing so far consists of motion sickness meds & ear planes thrown in a suitcase. I bought trucks & a coloring book for DS for the plane ride. I got our ID & travel docs together & I'm working out a daily budget for food & souveniers. The clothing I'll do a day or 2 before. I think I'll hit the summer sales one more time to look for sundresses & shorts.

I am getting panicky!! I carry a notebook around so I can make lists. It helps keep me calm

 

[Katesdad]

Hey BeerGuru, I'll see you at ESPN on Sunday for the football games. I plan on getting the ESPN glass and making good use of it. I'm not a picky beer drinker so I should be okay with their selections.

Like the idea of the notebook. Maybe I'll get that started this weekend.

I've seen IDontKnow posting out on other boards but haven't seem them here for a long while. Don't know if they are still with us or had to back out.

Any other lurkers out there that haven't signed in yet? Don't be afraid, we don't bite.

 

[vllygrrl]

Hey Katesdad!

We did go to AC before NYC, but alas, not such a good trip this time....

We'll see you at ESPN...can't miss football!

I haven't even begun to think about packing...soon though. I just have to make sure to leave enough room in the suitcases to bring back all the extras we'll inevitably pick up along the way!

 

[Katesdad]

Just read the post on the dining times and saw someone received confirmation from a CM that the early dining times have been extended on the Wonder through September. Trying to figure out what that means to watching Monday night football and the Sunday games. Guess it's a good thing the DW and I are on the late seating. The 7:45 start time for dinner will actually work out in our favor, I think!

It will be interesting to see what happens at the sail away party as those with the 5:30 seating rush off to dinner. Can't wait to see Tony and Barb's navigators from their upcoming 10 day excursion (3/4/3). They should give us a pretty good idea of what is going on. But for those who will already be at WDW, what are you going to do for planning?

IT'S GETTING CLOSER!!!!!!!!

 

[Kathy Cores]

Hello!
I happened upon this board accidentally. What great information from the experienced cruisers.
We will be cruising Sept. 15th as well. Myself, husband Dave and our two kids Spencer 3 1/2 and Benjams 1 1/2.
I'm really excited after reading all the posts. Getting some packing ideas and making plans for things to see do.
Question-are the seating times something we take care of once we're there or should I call and take care of that now? Can we bring our own sodas and beer for our cabins or is it easier just to get it there?
Any other info we should have for first timers that wasn't already covered here.
Great site! Looking forward to meeting you all.

 

[Katesdad]

Welcome Kathy, Dave, Benjamin and Spencer to the Sept. 15th cruise. You've got some great company going with you for the four days. Kathy, I am assuming by your post you haven't had time to take a swing through the DIS board. Hope you can get a look at some of the great ideas other cruisers have come up with to make your four days just fantastic.

You already indicated when you made your reservation whether you wanted early or late seating. When you check in, you will be notified of what your dinner rotation is. Are you doing the land portion first then coming over? If so, where will you be at WDW?

You can bring soda and beer on board. Lots of discussions on that particular subject on the cruise board. Suffice it to say, it's all personal preference. My DW and I will not be packing it on board, but we will be making full use of the mugs, especially the ESPN beer mugs (that's for me, the DW is a Pepsi fanatic).

Be sure to get out and look at Barb's (Inkognito) and Dave's (Dave from Marrietta) sites. I don't have the links here, but you'll find them all over the Cruise board threads. These are sources of invaluable information to help you plan your trip. By the way, when do you leave? Some time next week I'll try to pull a complete list together, as short as it is. We figure we are going to have an empty ship and lots of attentive CMs at our beck and call.

 

[Gillian]

Hi Kathy! Welcome to the DIS!

We'll be on the sept 15th cruise (obviously!) - me, Lisa, my husband Kevin & our son Griffin who will be not quite 2. We have requested early seating, which was supposed to be at 6 PM but they have changed it to 5:30. At first I was upset about this, but now I think it will work well.

I'll see if I can dig up some links for you while DS is napping!

Barb's site:
http://www.castawayclub.com

Dave from Marietta's site:
http://www.dcltribute.com/

Deb Wills' site with a link to the magical cruise guide:
http://www.wdwig.com/cruise.htm

The main DIS information page:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/

abbreviations used here & elsewhere:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/abbreviations.htm

That should be enough to get you started

 

[motherhen17404]

Bump

Just wanted to say Hi to Kathy. Glad to see some new people signing on (just not too many, we don't want a crowded ship!)

 

[vllygrrl]

Welcome Kathy! You'll love this group!

Hey all....we will be on the second day of our voyage 3 weeks from today!

I know this has been discussed, but who here will be visiting WDW before the cruise? After? DH and I will be staying at BWI from the 19-22. I'm ready to mingle with the Mouse!

 

[Katesdad]

We're going to Epcot for the day on Thursday, and then to downtown Disney on Friday before flying home late Friday night. Can't rush home without a few more relaxing days in "Wonder"ful Florida.

 

[cmraman]

Motherhen17404 and I will be at the Beach Club before and concierge at the Polynesian for two extra nights after. We figured: "Why go home Thursday? It's not like we would go to work for one day on Friday anyway." We were originally going to stay three nights after at Port Orleans but when it closed last year without a definite re-opening date we swapped for two nights at the Polynesian for almost the same cost. We don't really need the concierge service but want to see how the other half lives for a couple of nights.

 

[Kathy Cores]

Wow! Great welcoming party already! It seems the fun has already started. Thanks.
Our journey starts Sept. 12th at WDW. We're staying at the Grand Floridian. We're in Cat 3 on the ship and thanks to the board I called and asked for one of the 4 larger (wider? better?) cabins in that Category and got one. Is the ship that empty? I'm already liking that.
Thanks Lisa, for the links. I'll check them out tonight after I get the boys to bed. Maybe we can hook Griffin and Benjams up.
Our travel agent didn't ask us about dinner seating times. I guess she took it upon herself to handle that. I'm guessing the early seating has most of the children in it. That would probably be us.
ESPN beer mugs? I'm intrigued. Do tell more...
Are children allowed in the ESPN Club? Dave and I would love to do some football but I'm a little hesitant to drop the kids with the babysitter the minute we get on the boat. Also, should we make all our reservations for babysitting up front even if the boat is not full? It's hard to know for what we'll want adult time only right away. Suggestions?
Thanks again for the warm welcome, everyone!

 

[Katesdad]

From what I've read, you get a 20oz mug and fill it for the price of a 16oz brew. That works out to having five for the price of four. Not much, but every little bit helps.

Didn't see any kids the last time we were there, but then the place was empty. I would think you could take the boys along with no trouble.

Jealous about the Cat 3. I'm hoping for an upgrade since the ship seems to be less crowded, but I'm not holding out hope for this.

Don't you get help for reservations from your concierge? Does this extend to Flounders? I would think you would want to set up front particular times then fill in later in the week as things pop up. However, I would think that this time of the year, the ship will have the much younger crowd and that times will fill up there quickly.

Nice of your TA to make the assumption regarding your seating times. You know, I read somewhere on this board that someone found out their dinner rotation before getting on board when making early ressies with the concierge which I believe you are allowed to do. You may want to check this out to confirm your dinner time.

Toad, I'm going to try to get a complete list out this week of those that have signed in so you all will have it before you all leave for your weeks stay at WDW. Lowe6, is school over? How'd ya do?

 

[Gillian]

I've read here that they won't make flouder's reservations

katesdad, you're planning to get there early, right?

I have 2 cats that have to go to the vet today. I hope this craziness ends sometime before we leave!

 

[Katesdad]

Right now I'm planning on trying to be on the first bus out of the Airport Hyatt which should put us at the docks around 10:30 - 11:00 if all goes well.

 

[Lowe6]

School is going great I still have A's in both subjects. After Wed. I only have my finals left. Hopefully we can pull 2 A's for my return back to school in 15 yrs

Welcome to our newbie our little group here is great.

I am still hoping for an upgrade as I've noticed that this sailing is not very full. I can wish upon a star with a little luck maybe some pixie dust.

BTW are we planning on getting together somewhere on the ship or is everyone too shy ???