September 3, 2005 --- Who is going?

[DisneyDadJax]

We have brunch reservations at Palo Monday, but not until 10:30. I'll be happy to chaperone a group!

I'm sooooooooooooo ready for vacation!!!

 

[captaincrash]

Lisa....

I'll volunteer my spouse to help (she's not looking over my shoulder <heh-hee-heee> so she's not here to comment!)... and if we have an infant crisis that only she can handle - then I will substitute for her. Otherwise I am expert at holding a fidgeting toddler while shooting photos! So.... approximately what time would you like us at the lounge? I'm hoping we don't have a character breakfast at that time otherwise we might try to reschedule it so we have no conflicts.

Of course, I was going to be still photograher.... and if you like I can also shoot VGA 640x480 30FPS video (near TV quality) footage off my compact digital camera. This is not the usual half VGA movie footage but rather it has the fast frame and higher resolution for pretty good image quality. Plus after I distribute them - everyone can slice off selected files to email to to other firends who were NOT on the cruise! And it can be burned onto a CD or DVD. The only thing is I can only capture about 17 minutes with one gigabyte - as that is the size of my memory card. So I might drop the resolution or frame rate for some of the footage to increase the time volume recorded. These videos should play on anyone's computer but not most DVD players.

Also, I may have to burn DVDs for any folks who want all of the movie footage - and for those everyone else and those with regular CD driven computers I'll furnish photos with maybe a couple of short select movie files on CDs. DVDRs have about 7.5x the capacity of regular CDs.

At any rate, My spouse will follow our daughters' team and I will try to "float" between teams to capture some of their treasure hunting exploits.

If in fact we conduct the ice cream speed contest I would be happy to draw up award certificates + I'll dontate some special prizes to add some real competitive zeal to the fray.... I'm thinking of (maybe) tossing in some Disney Pins if I get them delivered in time for the cruise - so THAT element depends on the speed of delivery in time as well as IF the seller has shipped promptly or not. In fact I also ordered a really "fun" pirate suitable costume that I'm hoping will get here in time. And NO.... I passed on the Toga outfit but in retrospect maybe I should have ordered one?! Oh... the mardi gra beads have just arrived.

Oh well.... gotta go .... but I'll be lurking today.....

TTFN from the Captain!

Arrrg Arrr Arrr

 

[lisa702]

The character breakfasts are at 8:15 and 9:45 at Parrot Cay. 9 am is kinda between the 2 seatings. I don't know how long they usually last. If we could begin at 9 am on the dot, hopefully it will work out ok for all. We are in stateroom 6080 if you need to reach me for anything after we get onboard.

 

[captaincrash]

We've only sailed a couple of times on DCL ....

... and we were kind-a pedestrian about it each time... so my expertese is limited on these matters - but don't they host character breakfasts over several days at sea? If so - do we have 3 sea days - and if so, then does this mean there are 6 character breakfasts?

If so can estimate there is a 1 in 3 chance for everone to be scheduled for a charcter breakfast if we run the treasure hunt at 9AM? Or should we just assume everyone who has a character breakfast on Monday will either leave the early morning breakfast in time to make our Treasure hunt (seems easy) OR depart the hunt in time for the 9:45 breakfast (seems slightly tight)?

So - do you suppose it is convenient for folks to determnine in advance when their character bk assignments are? Or would there be an after lunch time better suited to running the treasure hunt?

Either way - I think your suggestion that IF we start on time we'll be OK... especially for those with a 9:45 breakfast. Of course, I don't think it matters for folks to show up at the breakfast exactly on time - OR it should be more or less close to over by 9AM (if not already done by then).

I think there will be slight tendency for things to run behind though when dealing with the unpredictible nature of working with so many young kids.

Please don't view my meddling as a ruckus rousing exercise. Enuf special stuff is being done already. I was just curious what I might do to ensure my family could join the fun with minimal schedule conflict.

????


Arrg arrr .... R?

 

[wendyk]

We'll be there. I think the morning is probably best. We also have on brunch at Palo that day. (Hoping to go to the spa in the afternoon)

Lisa, just let me know what you need help with etc. I'd be happy to do anything to help out.

Wendy
ps. 3 more sleeps for us!!

 

[lisa702]

We've only sailed a couple of times on DCL ....

... and we were kind-a pedestrian about it each time... so my expertese is limited on these matters - but don't they host character breakfasts over several days at sea? If so - do we have 3 sea days - and if so, then does this mean there are 6 character breakfasts?

If so can estimate there is a 1 in 3 chance for everone to be scheduled for a charcter breakfast if we run the treasure hunt at 9AM? Or should we just assume everyone who has a character breakfast on Monday will either leave the early morning breakfast in time to make our Treasure /hunt OR depart the hunt in time for the 9:45 breakfast?

So - do you suppose it is convenient for folks to determnine in advance when their character bk assignments are? Or would there be an after lunch time better suited to running the treasure hunt?

Please don't view my meddling as a ruckus rousing exercise. Enuf special stuff is being done already. I was just curious what I might do to ensure my family could join the fun with minimal schedule conflict.

????


Arrg arrr .... R?

With several different age groups, later in the day we are more apt to have scheduling conflicts, with the activities in the clubs. Some of us have earlier dining and some later so 9 am is middle ground in case your particular character breakfast is scheduled for Monday. I believe you are scheduled for character breakfast, the sea day after you eat in Parrot Cay. Goofy is scheduled for 10:30 and the Princesses at 11:30 according to old navigators. Of course we could board and it ALL be totally different and then we will have to make changes.

 

[DisneyDadJax]

I'd like to keep it on Monday morning as well. We're booked for the Rasul Monday early afternoon

Frank

 

[clonefans]

I need one or 2 volunteers to send their spouse with their child or children and help me out with the loot bags. If everyone would bring their "loot" to the Promenade before the hunt begins, I and my volunteer(s) will get the bags sorted and ready for when the "pirates" arrive back at the Promenade.

Lisa - I would be glad to help stuff "loot" bags as well. arrrrrg...

 

[captaincrash]

Monday - 9AM....

... be there or be square ... uh huh...

... or rather in our case we'll be there early to help set up ... unless we have a character breakfast in the morning ... in which case we'll see about rescheduleing it or if we cannot reschedule it then we'll regretfully withdraw from the labor pool to set up.

Plus do we have your blessing to follow the treasure hunt with an ice cream eating speed contest? Since I didn't get my TOga party with kegs and pyrotechnics this seems like a suitable bit of insanity to substitute. As I envision it ... It will not involve too much - just get enough ice cream bars on time and divide the volunteers participants lined up in front of everyone want =ing to take pictures and such. Our success may vary with our ability to get marks... er, rather ... to get willing participants.

Frankly, I would invite any opinions as to whether we should pull it off. I think even IF I could get ONE person to race ME... I'd have fun... so in so many words I will volunteer my spouse to join in as a competitor in the speed ice cream contest (that was predictible - since she is not here right now!!! ). Plus I would be happy to draw up award certificates for all - I happen to have some blank award paper that should be OK... gotta go take a second look at it. wHAT DO YOU FOLKS THINK?

YEAH.... I just editied the paragraph above ... I was going to volunteer myself to participate... but I figured why not send the wife instead? She's actually pretty formidible!

It can't be all that bad... I don't think anyone is gonna choke on an ice cream stick - and the worst that might happen is our kids will stage their own ice cream races among themselves later in the sailing or back home.

 

[lisa702]

No real setting up needing to be done........if everyone could bring the loot to the promenade or drop it off to me in 6080. We'll hand out the "clues" and off the kids will go with their adult and captain. The adult will assist with the clues and making sure no one gets lost. Now if the adult gets lost then I don't know what to tell you. The clues are not difficult and it should be completed in 30 -45 minutes at the most. And if not everyone still gets their "loot". Everyone should be back at the Promenade by 9:45 at the latest to collect "the booty". While the kids are ahunting those of us that remain at the Promenade will put together the bags and wait for everyone to return. Those that have late character breakfast seating can immediately go on to PC for it since its down the hall.

 

[lisa702]

Monday - 9AM....

... be there or be square ... uh huh...

... or rather in our case we'll be there early to help set up ... unless we have a character breakfast in the morning ... in which case we'll see about rescheduleing it or if we cannot reschedule it then we'll regretfully withdraw from the labor pool to set up.

Plus do we have your blessing to follow the treasure hunt with an ice cream eating speed contest? Since I didn't get my TOga party with kegs and pyrotechnics this seems like a suitable bit of insanity to substitute. As I envision it ... It will not involve too much - just get enough ice cream bars on time and divide the volunteers participants lined up in front of everyone want =ing to take pictures and such. Our success may vary with our ability to get marks... er, rather ... to get willing participants.

Frankly, I would invite any opinions as to whether we should pull it off. I think even IF I could get ONE person to race ME... I'd have fun... so in so many words I will volunteer my spouse to join in as a competitor in the speed ice cream contest (that was predictible - since she is not here right now!!! ). Plus I would be happy to draw up award certificates for all - I happen to have some blank award paper that should be OK... gotta go take a second look at it. wHAT DO YOU FOLKS THINK?

YEAH.... I just editied the paragraph above ... I was going to volunteer myself to participate... but I figured why not send the wife instead? She's actually pretty formidible!

It can't be all that bad... I don't think anyone is gonna choke on an ice cream stick - and the worst that might happen is our kids will stage their own ice cream races among themselves later in the sailing or back home.

Speed ice cream eating, huh? That would be fun to watch, although I will decline in the participation Who will retrieve the ice creams and from where?

 

[itdjbw]

What wonderful organization and ideas for the treasure hunt!

And - it looks like we have at least one "mark"... or rather .... one volunteer for the mickey ice cream eating contest. Frankly, if folks think this might be too disruptive or inappropriate - just PM me. Otherwise ! do we have any other spouses willing to volunteer their counterparts or kids?

I'm volunteering my DH for the mickey bar eating contest, he says it will take a few to fill his belly!!!

 

[captaincrash]

can't we have room service bring the ice cream up? Or bring it to the nearest cabin with a DIS family? Or can we pick up a tray worth from the ice cream bar topside OR from one of the restuarnts near by?

So my spouse is giving me some resistance on my volunteering her for the ice cream thing. I may reluctantly volunteer myself as a token sacrificial lamb from our cabin... provided we have enough ice ceams on hand.

SO can anyone confirm they got ice cream bars top side. I seem to vaguely recall we ordered mickey bars from room service - but I have had a few senior moments lately... so I cannot be too certain of what is correct or not anymore. Anyone want to confirm or deny my recollections?

SO - I just opened the box of mardi gra necklaces - and it seems like we have enough for everyone... but I think I'll try counting them to see what we have here.

 

[WilsonFamily]

Our 11 year old daughter will be happy to serve as a Captain!! She volunteered this summer to be a helper at a camp with younger children and will gladly put that expertise to use here! I think it's a great idea to put siblings together and I will definitely help her group search for the hidden Mickey's. Thanks to all of you for making this a great adventure!!!
On the weather note, anyone else worried about the tropical storm? I hear it will hit land this weekend but for those of us arriving in Orlando mid-week next week, I still worry that rain will be ever-present and that one tropical storm invites another....
And, thanks to you all for trip doc advice. We got our documents YESTERDAY (do we get the award for being the most patient??) and are very relieved.
Here's to blue skies next week!

 

[pogopossum]

as far as the character breakfasts go they have three days of character breakfasts, i believe it is the morning after your dinner in parrot cay, i've got a pm in to andy verandahman walters for the definitive answer.

i'll be there to help with the hunt, and there are no mickey bars topside, you have to order from room service.

a good idea is to order the cheese platter at night and snack on it the next day, keep it in your room fridge, which by the way will not really cool down drinks, it more or less keeps cool things cool.

 

[captaincrash]

The NOAA....

...hurricane prediction center puts it in Virginia on tuesday.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at2+shtml/025641.shtml?5day

But other than that I don't know much. Funny, over dinner my spouse was just mentioning this storm in the region - and I came over to see if anything had been mentoned on our thread - and there it was from the WIlson family.

So for the FUTURE here is a map from NOAA with what I think is their evaluation of storm developement weather cells. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at2+shtml/025641.shtml?basin We have a region in the southern Atlantic under observation for the next 36 hours.

So far so good ... I think.

 

[thetaleof2sons]

Hi

We are a new family on board. I have two boys 6and 4 We would love to join you guys? Is it to late?

Thanks
Deana

 

[captaincrash]

Welcome aboard Taleof2sons (Deana)!

It is never too late! We have the DIS meet as previously mentioned Saturday at 3PM promenade lounge - deck 3. Followed probably by the after fire drill gathering on the secret veranda on deck 7 (however I am pretty sure that all of us cannot fit on that veranda), then we have the treasure hunt on Monday at 9AM however you should send a private message to Lisa702 about the logistics of adding your boys to a hunting team and all. Plus I believe we have a lot of different goodies being contributed by various parties and in some cases we need t-shirt sizes for the kids. Plus MAYBE we'll pull off an mickey bar speed eating contest right after the treasure hunt. Then after that who knows?

You might want to consider whether you want to volunteer your dining shift to see who is potentially is dining in your shift (still have rotational venues - so it's a one in three for that). Then we had a voluntary thing where folks were sharing 5 things about themselves to break the conversational ice. You might want to drop down to posting #540 by DisneyNutMary who made the original proposal to see what other folks wrote after #540. Also - there is a reference roster being made so name tags can be made up for you for use at the DIS meet. I believe DisneyDadJax is managing that so you might want to send a PM. You might want a copy of the list too if you want to see how many children are at the same age as your boys. I hear they are having great fun emailing one another. My 4 year old daughter would enjoy exchanging photos and/or emails too if your 4 year old is up for it. Send to Magic4XTC@hotmail.com ~ Julianna.

Of course, there are now 778 entries and reading through them might take you til embarkation time depending on the amount of free time you have. Plus - there is the inconvenience of the long postings made by psychotic types like myself.

So have I missed much? Probably... if so - it's just me idling in neutral from the mild exhaustion of another week rolling by!

So at any rate, welcome aboard. And for the record - the Toga party is officially deferred until we can settle on how many kegs we really need! LOL!

Welcome aboard!!!

 

[Drcell01]

The NOAA....

...hurricane prediction center puts it in Virginia on tuesday.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at2+shtml/025641.shtml?5day

But other than that I don't know much. Funny, over dinner my spouse was just mentioning this storm in the region - and I came over to see if anything had been mentoned on our thread - and there it was from the WIlson family.

So for the FUTURE here is a map from NOAA with what I think is their evaluation of storm developement weather cells. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at2+shtml/025641.shtml?basin We have a region in the southern Atlantic under observation for the next 36 hours.

So far so good ... I think.

Hey Captian, I thought we agreed to leave the "H" word out of this thread...What are you trying to do JINX US? LOL

Here is today's updated weather forecast for Cocoa Beach, FL for the days leading up to Embarkation and beyond...

Thu
Sep 1 Mostly Cloudy
92°/76° 20%
92°F

Fri
Sep 2 Scattered T-Storms
91°/76° 60%
91°F

Sat
Sep 3 Scattered T-Storms
90°/76° 60%
90°F

Sun
Sep 4 Scattered T-Storms
90°/76° 30%
90°F

Just 6 days (only 4 working days) until we leave for WDW!!!

 

[captaincrash]

OMG!

You're right! It slipped my mind ... QUICK!.... who's the board monitor?!??! Lets get an urgent request out to have posting 776 erased from our thread. I am so sorry.... When I posted that - I was just trotting over because of my spouse mentioning something was in the news about the storm in FL. I glanced and then pulled up NOAA... and just started drafting a brief reply... and as you know... any entry less than 3" tall is a pretty small effort on my part.

I simply have to be more careful in the future ...

Please do not make a motion to have me banished from the DIS for this minor infraction!

SO - on another note.... my 1.75 year old for some reason is simply NOT sleeping tonight. This is not good. I feel wacked. My spouse is geting some sleep - and I have a huge dinner tomorrow evening and an involved afternoon from 1PM on.

I gotta go....
Adios all...