September 15 Wonder Roll Call

[Katesdad]

Looks like my TA was right and the experiment ends September 8. For us on second seating it would be nice if they would extend it, but I do feel for those with the first seating. That's way too early.

 

[Katesdad]

Okay, so as we suspected DCL is now trying to fill up the ship with Florida residents. Just thought I'd bump our thread to see if any one new is coming on board.

 

[Gillian]

I didn't think our sailing was included in the Fl resident discounts. I don't think it's good on the 4 nights or for September 2002.

Still, hello to anyone new

 

[Katesdad]

Not that I have anything against those that put up with living in that heat and humidity for five months a year but I'm glad to hear they won't be filling up our cruise.

 

[Gillian]

It looks like no one will be filling up our cruise, LOL!

I'm trying to plan our days. It's hard to figure out when we want to ask for Flounders spots and if we want to try Palos & when! I'm thinking maybe the third night, go to dinner with DS, put him in FR and then go to Palos later. I'm not sure how late they seat though.

I'm brushing up on my video poker for AC this weekend!

 

[Katesdad]

TA just called. Cruise docs are in. Not trusting the mail, we're on our way to pick them up.

Gillian, I remember reading elsewhere latest Palo ressies are 9:00. Putting DS into Flounders that late and he should be sleeping while you enjoy the dinner.

By the way, TA said that DCL informed her today that ship was approx 80% full. They couldn't be more specific but based on what we've seen, I would think this is reasonable. She said she had called to see if any discounts were available for us. Nothing as of yet, but she said she'd keep checking.

 

[cmraman]

THE DOCS ARE HERE!!! THE DOCS ARE HERE!!!

Sorry I shouted but...

 

[Katesdad]

You know, I had the same feeling when I was looking at mine last night. To make it even better, we found some park hopper passes from 1994 with a day left on them to use for our planned trip to Epcot on the 19th. Couldn't believe it! Given what we paid for those four day passes in 1994, they were just about as expensive as the one day is this year.

Gillian, leave the scissors in the checked bags. Can't believe that will be a problem as long as they are small. Now, if you are taking hedge trimmers with you, that's another story.

 

[Gillian]

Thanks Katesdad I was planning on doing that anyway, but I called expecting them to say, "yes, small scissors in your checked bag will not be a problem." Instead, I got the guy who's manager said to carry them on

I am seriously thinking of taking a sewing kit in my carry on, just to see what happens. I don't want to hold up the line though! I know how badly you all want to get on the ship.

It's been a bad week here. I was sick with a stomach thing friday-tuesday & now my DS has it. The poor guy

 

[Katesdad]

Hope you all are feeling well soon and it doesn't ruin your trip to AC. Let us know how it goes.

By the way VllyGrrl, I didn't get the VCR to cooperate with me this morning so I missed your big show on GMA. How'd it go?

 

[Lowe6]

Just had to tell ya I got my DOCs YEAH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Katesdad]

Quick question for you, what type of camera equipment will you be taking with you? I am debating on carrying the tripod for the times I want a picture with me and the DW together as well as for use with the video camera. I'm probably just going to bring my video as well as a small instamatic that uses 35mm film and one disposable underwater. Don't think I want to bring the good camera and all the lenses this year. I will miss the wide angle though for some of those deck shots.

By the way, the DW got the lime green ribbon today. I plan on tying it on the camera bag which never leaves my side.

 

[Lowe6]

We are just bringing the regualr camera. We had thought about bringing our camcorder but we decided that still pictures are just as good & why waste the money since vcr's are out anyways

BTW what is the lime green thing?

 

[Gillian]

I think we're buying a new video camera. Kid's 1st to disney world and all

Leave the big camera stuff at home. You won't have time to use it! We'll have an older digital camera, an Olympus point & shoot & probably a Canon digital video camera. I'm still shopping. I guess it depends on how AC goes tonight!

Lowe6, the lime green ribbon is what DISers use to identify each other. You can tie it to your bag or pin it on your shirt. I've never seen anyone with it, and I've never worn it myself. I'm shy

 

[Katesdad]

Got to bring the camcorder so the kids know what they missed. Last cruise had the good camera with some lenses and really got some great pictures with the wide angle. I'm really going to miss not having that, but I think the camcorder with that optional photo card may be okay. We just bought it last spring for the son's high school volleyball games and I haven't had a chance to really use it yet. Need to practice before sailing.

How's school going Lowe6? Almost finished for the summer. Do you continue this fall?

I'll have the lime green ribbon on my bag. But from what I've read on this and other boards, not too many DISers use it. Guess they want to remain incognito.

 

[cmraman]

Katesdad:
I have access to a Nikon N90s with 35-70 2.8 and 80-200 2.8ED
I also have access to a Nikon D1 with the same lenses and a 24mm since the digital format requires a wider lens. Last cruise (10 years ago) I took the full rig and got some great pics. So what, you ask, am I taking this time?

A Canon Elph 330 (The size of a pack of cigarettes) and a Sharp mini-dv Viewcam (The size of a paperback book.) A couple of extra tapes, a 256MB compact flash card, and a couple of extra batteries. The whole setup fits in a medium fanny pack with plenty of room to spare. The SLR body and one lens wouldn't fit comfortably in this bag.

My reasoning is this: With the Elph at max resolution, I can get 407 pictures, printable with minimal loss up to 8x10 on the one card that stays in the camera. (No film to carry around, try to keep cool, keep from x-ray damage, get wet etc...) The only reason to bring the big stuff would be if I intended to make lots of 11x14 or larger prints. I can e-mail the pics from the Elph to Walmart and pick them up at my local store a few days later for 26 cents each. And since I will delete anything I don't like, I will only print the ones I want.
To see a pic from the Elph, go to www.geekteach.net/pics It's just a picture of the brick sidewalk and step I built on the front of my house, but you can get an idea of the picture quality. (Sorry if it takes a while to load. My upload speed is slower than my download)

The camcorder is capable of shooting stills in a pinch but doesn't have near the quality. You could make a 3x5 off of it but no bigger. I bought the Sharp because of the rear mount screen. I am blind in one eye (I know-getting photo advice from the blind guy ) and of all of the camcorders with screens, the Sharp is the only one with the buttons in the right place to make the screen useful for recording. When I put a small eyepiece up to my eye, I can't see what's going on around me. With a 10 year old, I think the camcorder is a must. Pictures of him parasailing at Castaway Cay won't capture the joy/fear as well. I bought mini-dv format because the tape resolution is better, the tapes are smaller, the camcorder is smaller, and 1 hour per tape makes it easier to find what I'm looking for when I play them back.

Sorry I ran long. I hope it helps.

 

[Katesdad]

CmraMan, sounds like you've got all the bases covered. My daughter is taking a photography class this year, her senior year, at HS. May be a good excuse for dad to go and get some new equipment too!

VllyGrrl, need a full report.

Gillian, did the trip to AC pay for the trip to DCL?

Pulled out the docs again just to look and make sure it's all real and we will be going in five weeks.

 

[vllygrrl]

Katesdad -

I had a wonderful time...thanks for asking! They picked us up in a white stretch limo to take us to the city on Thursday. The hotel was absolutely amazing...almost too hip, with the absolute most comfortable bed I have ever slept on in my life! Friday morning, they picked us up in another stretch limo to take us to the show...we had the option of being on the side of the stage (where we would be on tv frequently) or front and center, which my hubby chose because he's such a fan of the band. I was directly in front of the lead singer, with no one between me and the stage! I took many pictures. From there we went to visit Ground Zero, where I shed a few tears....it's indescribable. DH took the train home, and I took a nap while waiting for my sister who took his place the rest of the weekend. Friday night we saw a Broadway show...The Full Monty....which made me laugh more than anything I've seen in years. Saturday we took a bus tour around the city, and visited the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, followed by a visit to a street fair, a visit to Madame Tussaud's wax museum, a visit to the Disney Store (where I added three more antenna toppers to my collection, as well as picked up an NYPD Mickey pin for DH) and we ended the day with a visit to a perfectly lovely Italian place on Restaurant Row. The fairy tale ended yesterday, when the limo arrived to pick us up. Ah, well, in less than five weeks we will all be on the Wonder, and I'm sure that the trip will be just as heavenly as this one was!

 

[Lowe6]

Wow it sounds like you had a great time in New York
I'm really happy for ya.

Ok I have a ??? We are trying to figure out how to pack for this trip. We are doing Disney first w/ a pre nite hotel stay & then 6 nites on site. I was thinking of trying to keep the lugguage down to maybe 3 @ the cruise & 3 for Disney but it gets complicated w the shoes & bathing suits. There are a total of 7 of us so if anyone has any suggestions I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[Lowe6]

Just a little bump It's almost sailing time :0 )