September 3, 2005 --- Who is going?

[pogopossum]

i never thought that you were trying to be pushy, ginny. i understood that it was a mental exercise, and i think its a darn fine one at that, thanks.

as for our family:

dw would be jane, quite stylish, and girly, but can get dirty when she has to, and adapts well to the great outdoors.

me - i guess, bob parr, i'm supposed to be normal, but everyone expects me to be able to do or fix just about anything.

dd would have to be whatever the disney equilavent to angelica of the rugrats is. she is bossy and me centered and thinks that she is in charge.

and ds, well he would be dash, always moving 100 mph and a little bit mischievous.

 

[lisa702]

We are 60 days out!!!!!

 

[disneyfanforever]

Wow! 60 days. I didn't realize it was that close. I have got some major exercising to do before the cruise. I hope everyone has had a happy 4th of July.

 

[lisa702]

I know its annoying ............ but 58 days out! :thewave:

 

[gdulaney]

5 weeks....that sounds so sweet. I can't wait!!!

Ginny

 

[lisa702]

Is anyone nervous that its only the first week of July and we already have had 4 named storms? Not to mention how menacing Dennis is? I said I wasn't going to worry and here I go......

 

[DisneyNutMary]

Positive thoughts Lisa, just keep thinking positive thoughts

Hopefully these hurricanes will blow themselves out before it's out turn to cruise. Maybe if enough of us think positive thoughts, the good vibes will reach the Carribbean, and clear up the skies.

Anyone in Fla, Ga, or La? I am thinking of you at this time. I pray that this year is not as bad as last year.

 

[lisa702]

Well pulled my suitcase from the spare room yesterday and kind of started packing. Need to make a list of what to bring. I told my husband to sort thru his clothes to see what might need replacing etc. I think I will rent a tux for him onboard so we won't have to get his suit dry cleaned and packed. Wonder if he'll go for that but then that means I'll have to get a formal I guess. I've been shopping online and I can't find anything I like in a reasonable price range.
Its sunny here in Central Fl but we are getting some wind gusts. Wonder when the rain will really start. We had some short rains this morning but my DD6 Skye was still able to attend her riding lesson. Hopefully Dennis won't be as bad as expected. I'll be praying for all in its path and those who have already been hit. Wishing everyone a safe weekend.

 

[pogopossum]

it looks like the pensacola/gulf shores is in for it again, they've got to get a break sometime. got out the map and looked at an alternate route around escambia bay bridge last night, doesn't look too bad, just some lights to go through instead of flying along the interstate for an hour. well i still say that we will be on the eastern cruise that we are planning for and will have a great time in the sun.

 

[captaincrash]

Hello Lisa and Pogo...

I had to chime in ... we're on the same sailing Sept 3rd - and we are watching the named storms parade with a sort of cautious (but humorous) attitude. We've sailed DCL 2x in the past 2 years - both were Magic 7 days trips with the 2003 sailing A-OK and the 2004 sailing shortened by Francis (? or Charlie?) from a 7 day enhanced eastern to an impromptu 4 day western.

Also, earlier on this thread I posted a link to the National Advisory FOrecast for the hurricane season - I found it a couple days after it was made public. The "experts" forecast what is probably now general knowledge - that this season is expected to be higher than normal and generally similar to last season.

We - of course - remain the eternal optimists. Just like last year we are prepared to go one way or another.... AND we are determined to have a great time .... one way or another. Last year we made a couple of minor mistakes in navigating into Orlando - and this year we'll do a bit better. One thing in particular is the morning that the storm passes we HAVE TO GET GOING EARLY in the AM. Of course, we would have gone to Port Canaveral if we had left early - and that would NOT have been correct as we were diverted to FOrt Lauderdale. Plus - our departure was delayed a day - so we should have gone to Orlando instead of PC.

The foregoing may not make perfect sense unless I shared the whole story - but we gotta go in a couple of minutes.

So - my 2 bits.... we will indeed be fortunate to have a sailing as scheduled with the islands expected (with good condition shore conditions). On the other hand - if we encounter any storm diversion or interruption - than I TRUST in DISNEY to do the right thing and help us through. Last year they spiffed a variety of off-sets and such .... and they MISSED a few things (like food for us while we were at their resort on their nickle. You would have figured that if we were on ship our food would have been included - but then again they provided lodging, park passes (which we could not use), and a pro-rated REFUND on the cruise fare... among other things.

My point - plan ahead - be positive - IF we are threatened with any disruption (travel or cruise) than likely DCL will step in and assist sufficiently. Pre-plan your hotels enroute and don't end up like my spouse and I who ended up hundreds of miles short and had to drive in oblique to the storm path - and we did it because we are just a bit psychotic!

LOL! By the way - assuming we get aboard - anyone want to split on an unlimited use internet account? I figure it is $100-120. And we have one family already sharing - but if we made it a 3 or 4 way split then it would bring the cost down to $40-25 per family. We would share a password and we could not access the internet at the same time - BUT - we would have accesss for pocket change. I consider the regular FULL price to be just a bit stiff... but tolerable. That's why you usually don't see the internet cafe packed solid with folks using it - because they've priced it a bit high. Anyone interested? Then email me at MAGIC4XTC@hotmail.com to confirm.

Gotta run!

 

[lisa702]

LOL! By the way - assuming we get aboard - anyone want to split on an unlimited use internet account? I figure it is $100-120. And we have one family already sharing - but if we made it a 3 or 4 way split then it would bring the cost down to $40-25 per family. We would share a password and we could not access the internet at the same time - BUT - we would have accesss for pocket change. I consider the regular FULL price to be just a bit stiff... but tolerable. That's why you usually don't see the internet cafe packed solid with folks using it - because they've priced it a bit high. Anyone interested? Then email me at MAGIC4XTC@hotmail.com to confirm.

Gotta run!

Um............Crash didn't we already do this................I'm still in of I didn't dream it................

 

[lisa702]

Oh forgot to say that if DCL is sailing, we are sailing UNLESS I have a hurricane aiming for our property while we are gone then I would think I would tend to cancel. I would hate to worry about about a hurricane peeling my roof off while I was gone.......... Praying for hurricane free weather at least that week. If WE in FL HAVE to have hurricanes this year......PLEASE PLEASE not that week Last year Jeanne shortened our 4 day to a 3 day.

 

[DisneyDadJax]

I'd be willing to go in with you guys and split the unlimited internet access for the week, if you ahve room for one more...

I do have a question... I'm planning on bringing my laptop with me . Is there internet access in the cabins? I was planning on doing it anyway to download my camera throughout the week.

8 weeks from today, we'll be at sea!!!

 

[captaincrash]

I meant to say - we were still open to add another family to the roster besides us who are already sharing - and Disney Dad Jax - yes - we'll count you "IN" and .... I don't recall any way for us to plug in our notebooks to the ships' system - especially not from the room. On other cruise ships we could access a WiFi for a fee from the central atrium area - but that was not the case on DCL last year (obviously).

We do have two access points though - last year (or this year) they converted the ESPN sports bar into an adult retreat and there are one or two terminals in there. So - you can surf there if it's closer and or if you prefer that environment.

I usually pack a notebook too for downloading and watching DVDs on the flights - I'm a total digicam nut - I've shot over 35,000 images in the past 4 years since I started with digital cameras AND since our 1st daughter was born. I can remember the 1st time I borrowed a digicam for a 9 nite Tahitian cruise on the old Rennisance Line (now MSC?) - I shot 880 pictures over those 9 nites! This compared to shooting about 30 rolls of regular film and saving about $600. This convinced us to dump 1500 into equipment back then - and now I shoot a DSLR with more memory and having spent just under 1500. Amazing how things get more powerful and cheaper!

At any rate - anyone have any news on what's happening with the current cruises that are sailing out of Port Canaveral? Is DCL siling as usual? I guess with the storms on the western side of Florida there should not be any problem except those western routings. I guess DCL knew exactly what they were doing when they moved the Magic to the west coast, eh?

Warmest Regards to all.... and mutual well wishes for our sailing to be disruption free and full of the usual pleasures!

Tom & Alicia
:thewave:

 

[captaincrash]

Hey Lisa!

I saw your comment : ".... if your family were Disney characters who would they be. I thought it would be fun to see who everyone would be. I will go first (if no one follows, I will get the hint that this was a very poor idea) ...."

I would have to say your Q was not go entirely unnoticed. I would say my older daughter (4) is definately a Donald Duck combination with snow white type ~ and the younger one (1.5) is more like a Pluto / Tinkerbell type. As for my spouse - she would HAVE to be Wendy and I would pass for Peter Pan. Our older daughter has called us Peter Pan/Wendy and TInkerbell for a couple of years now. Plus the dog is Nana!

I added Pluto to our younger daughter because she loves dogs!

 

[DisneyDadJax]

Thanks Captain!

Definitely count me "in"! I'll PM you my details... I took over 700 MB in pics our last trip to WDW. Even though lugging the laptop's a pain, it beats buying that many more memory sticks!

We're spoiled though. We have a little more than 2 hour drive from home to the port with a built in DVD player in the new van. I figure a movie and a half and we're there! The kids in their wireless headphones and an occasional giggle from the back seat. Great way to travel!

 

[DisneyDadJax]

We had fun with this one...

DS4 - Abu from "Aladdin", he's 4, need I say more?

DS9 - It's between Flick from "Bug's Life" (always building and inventing things) or the young Tarzan (with his skateboard, bike and scooter).

DW - Sleeping Beauty, she LOVES her naps, especially on sea days!

and of course, I'm Prince Charming!

 

[salbythec]

I know its a little late but we just booked! Its my DH and I , leaving the DD home for a romantic getaway!
Hello to all
Captain Crash, I don'tknow if you have room for one more, but would love to share the internet.

 

[lisa702]

I know its a little late but we just booked! Its my DH and I , leaving the DD home for a romantic getaway!
Hello to all
Captain Crash, I don'tknow if you have room for one more, but would love to share the internet.

Welcome Salbythec!

 

[Drcell01]

Our Magical Gathering Vacation!!! WOO-HOO!

Docs coming soon...DME tags should be here in a few weeks...can't wait.

I have read a few concerns here about Hurricanes...some suggestions:

1. After encountering Frances and all of the indigestion that we encountered at this time last year one rule applies...no matter what you do YOU can't control the weather. Stop worrying and just keep planning on having a great vacation no matter what road blocks are thrown in your way! Our family is a great example as we changed flights 3 times, drove from Ft. Myers (only airport open after Frances) to WDW in a rented car (that we expected to drop off in Port Canaveral) ended up taking a bus to Ft. Lauderdale, and were the last ones to board the Magic due to bus problems (we will be the first this year!) and we still had such a great time on the Magic that we are back again this year at the same time as last year. No matter what challenges are presented, you make or brake your own vacation.

I herby deem this thread a NO-HURRICANE ZONE and further worry-some discussions are OFF LIMITS...LOL!

As for internet access...salbythec maybe we can start another shared access pool as it looks like the other has 4 members and a 5th might be a burden on usage time. Let me know via PM if you would like to start another group access..I'm in.