Francisca64
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2003
- Messages
- 198
I hope you enjoy...I had fun organizing it. It is a compilation of all the tips from an earlier thread. Just copy and paste to WORD (or some similar program)...
BEFORE YOU LEAVE ON YOUR CRUISE TIPS:
Arrange to have your mail held
Stop your newspaper delivery
LOTS of extra batteries.
ID holders at Wal-Mart for only .97
Dry boxes" from a dive shop keep KTTY cards, credit cards, cash (change too) and receipts safe and dry even on snorkeling and diving excursions
PACKING - CLOTHES TIPS
Use label maker to tag everything that might leave the room
Bring swimwear in your day bag
Pack one suitcase full of stuff, then put that suitcase inside another one. Then when you get where you're going, you've got an extra, empty suitcase for all the stuff you know you're going to buy!
Small assortment of plastic zip straps - the kind that police are using for handcuffs
Pack what you think you will need...then take out 50%
To cut down on clothing, bring a nice pair of black slacks. They go with just about everything, and just change tops each night. Plus you only need one pair of nice black dress sandals to go with them.
Comfortable walking shoes
More bathing suits than I thought I'd need
Button hole extenders
Sweater
Save your old socks, underwear, swimsuits, etc and have them make a one way trip with you.
By tossing out old clothes you'll have LOTS of room for souvenirs et al when you pack to come home.
Save the plastic bags that your dry-cleaning comes home in - "wrinkle free" clothes!!!!
Send out clothes out to be pressed on first night, and for $40 they will ready for the week
Pack your small item clothes (underwear, socks, kids clothes, etc.) in Ziploc bags, much easier to stay organized especially with a full stateroom
MAKE IT YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME TIPS
Nightlight
Over the door shoe holder
Extension cord
Clothes pins to close curtains to keep that morning sun out of your room
Cork screw
Coffeemaker
Store all life vest under bed to give more shelf space
Your own hairdryer...the ones in the cabins are weak
Bungee cord or rope if you have connecting rooms
Little spray cans of pillow and room scent by The Healing Garden....Ginger lily therapy or ZZZZ therapy
Flashlights that only work while you are holding down the button
Air freshener
Light up travel alarm clock
Little flash lights
Get a wake-up call everyday. It is Mickey Mouse calling!
Duct tape
Wire hangers
Store suit cases under the bed
If you have a veranda, bring about 15' of close line and close pins. there are places high up near the ceiling to tie off the close line to hang wet items
A FEW CHORES TIPS
Do your laundry at the crack of dawn cause their always filled
Dryer sheets
Sample bottle of dishwashing detergent and handy wipe for washing out cups
Detergent tablets
Individual Shout stain remover packets.
Roll or 2 of quarters
Treat your clothing with wash-in sunscreen. The product is called Sun Guard from Rit.
Collapsible hamper
Mesh laundry bag
Large thick trash bags
Windex wipes to clean your glass on your veranda
NOT FEELING WELL/SUNBURN/STAYING WELL TIPS
Spray on sunscreen for the scalp if you have your hair braided
Bonine
Cold medicines
Papaya Enzyme. chewable tablets
Correctol, gentle laxative
Relax, enjoy and don't stress......remember this is a vacation.
Skin So Soft insect repellent
Aloe
Individual antibacterial hand wipes
Bring your sense of humor.....
FOOD/DRINK TIPS
Gift basket from the Perfect Gift - One that includes snacks, juice boxes, sand toys, sunscreen, champagne, beer, etc - so you don't have to pack all of that in your suitcase!
Order the 'All Hands on Deck' cheese platter every single night
Own beverages and mixers and cups w/lids to mix the drinks
Order room service coffee the night before
Drink station located aft deck 9, includes milk, tea, coffee, water and lemonade
DON'T DO THE SODA MUG DEAL
Bring back some fruit from the breakfast buffet and boxes of cereal to snack
Bottles of H20 and you can refill them with the filtered water on deck.
Fruit and cookies available at Scoops throughout the day
Skip the lunch buffet at least once, and eat at Tritons/Lumiere's
Some hard candy
Straws
They quit serving drinks at the eating establishments (except at the bar on the Family Beach) on Castaway Cay when they stop serving food (when the food outlets close at 2:00 P.M.) Make sure you have enough liquids to last the rest of the day unless you want to visit the bars
Order anything you want off the menu's, your servers will be happy to mix and match menu items, even combining veggies from one entrée, with main course from others. You can also get multiples (more than one appetizer, main course, dessert, etc. so you can sample more things)
Bring an appetite!
Bring several large-mouth plastic bottles (that will fit into your collapsible cooler) for excursions, or for keeping drinks & water in your stateroom beverage cooler. We kept them full of ice/water from the drink station and made our own ice tea, lemonade, Tang, and Crystal Light (all sugar free). You can also fill these easily with Ice, water, etc. from the drink station on Deck 9.
Since there is no milk to be had on Castaway Ca and it is too warm to bring some from the ship without ice & a cooler, bring some UHT boxes of milk for this purpose. UHT milk is the shelf stable milk. It comes in quart containers & 8 ox "juice box" size. My kids like milk & I couldn't get any without going back on the ship. People carry soda/wine etc. why not milk?
SAYING HI TIPS
Two-way radios.
If you like the Internet, buy the unlimited access, while on board. It is 89.00 but worth it if you on the computer a lot.
Pre-Written address computer labels for post cards.
Bring an address book, and meet new people! Exchange emails addresses with people (especially tablemates, and you can stay in touch, swap pictures and stories!
Bring thank you cards for the staff
Watches/pagers
SAYING THANK YOU TIPS
Save the tip $ aside before your trip and had them all labeled and in separate envelopes. It made it so nice at the end of the cruise to just take the $ out of the in-room safe and put them into the little tip envelopes. No standing in line at guest services
The counselors in the children's programming are not tipped positions, but appreciate a small gift (phone cards)
You can go to guest services at anytime during your cruise to take care of the tips
The lines at guest services get longer towards the end of the cruise, so make sure you get any business (paying tips, etc) done as early as possible. The same applies for shopping.
Bring a couple of rolls of the "new" Dollar coins. They were very uncommon when we did this and the crew seemed to like the uniqueness.
$2 bills for tips for room service, etc
BEACH/EXCURSION TIPS
If you're dong Disney excursions sign up online before your cruise (avoid the ressie rush)
If you want a Beach Cabana Massage on Castaway Cay go directly to the Vista Spa once you have boarded. The reservations go VERY fast
Soft sided cooler
Zip-lock bags
Beach bag
Underwater camera is fun too! We took it with us to Castaway Cay and to Stingray City (on the Western Cruise).
Twice the film, money and sunscreen you think you need.
If you're undecided about that beach towel, or t-shirt, or other souvenir... buy it. You'll be mad at yourself later if you don't!
Waterproof watch
Order sandwiches the night before and put them in your soft-side cooler for excursions
Bring your own beach toys from Target/Wal-Mart
Fanny packs
Small pair of binoculars
Swim goggles
Take a large hand bag for excursions
Snorkel early
ACTIVITIES ONBOARD TIPS
Go to at least one program/activity a day
Play, or at least attend Jackpot bingo the last night
Secret deck 7 aft verandah
Bring your own movie / show candy
On 7nt cruise, Who Wants to be a Mouseketeer show, wait to sit down until everyone else is. Pick out an empty row or one that has very few people. When the computer picks seats for the "Hot Seat" it is done randomly. If the seat is empty they go to the next closest one. So....if your row is practically empty you have a better chance.
The best time to find characters is during the sail-away celebration, on deck 10.
Don't leave "Disney Dreams" early. This is a "must-see" show, but at the end, don't join the people who leave before the final bows. There is still one more surprise to see.
Allow your kids to participate in the kids program at the end of the cruise. They get free t-shirts.
For those of you traveling with toddlers around the age of 2 who can not go into the pool(and yes they are pretty strict about the non potty trained children in the pool) Bring sand toys, and set up camp by the Goofy pool. There is a railing that separated the pool area from the deck area. Along the railing on deck side are tables and chairs. Using the table, chairs, and railing, create a barrier. Place your child in the middle with sand toys and bucket of water. You can sit around them in the chairs. My son was completely satisfied with this set up and would play for hours.
Bring a small memo pad to plan your day
Bring an envelop to keep your Navigators in and organized
Don't show up just-in-time for movies - the Buena Vista Theatre is small and if your party is large, you may not be able to sit together. Same goes for the Walt Disney Theatre - find your seats early (at least 5 minutes before the show) so you will be more successful finding good seating and as a courtesy to others.
MAKING MEMORIES TIPS
At Shutters, stack the pictures you are considering purchasing together each day so you don't have to search all the displays repeatedly. Shutters staff will keep the stacks together
When you see the Shutter's staff, drag (ask them) nicely over to photograph your kids / you, etc. rather that wait from them to ask - you will have a lot more pictures to choose from later
Cameras
Digital Camera
Take more film, less clothes
Take pictures of everything, if you don't you will regret it once you get them developed and wish you had a photo of it.
Folder to keep papers in that you want to take home with you.
Save everything, and make a scrapbook
Give each kid a 24 exposure disposable camera before the trip
Pillowcases for the characters to sign
Small scrapbook for autographs
Crayons, books and plain paper for kids during the down time in the room --- have them make a "picture" scrapbook for when they get back home!
SAYING GOODBYE TIPS
Don't worry about getting to the disembarkation talk, as it will be repeated all evening on your stateroom television.
Deposit for rebooking your next cruise while onboard
Make sure you leave a set of clothes out for debarking....people have been known to pack EVERYTHING the night before and leave the ship in their jammies!!!
Do not disembark - if you have nothing to rush to, be the last ones off the ship! do not go to breakfast in the restaurant - go to the buffet, pick up a tray and fill it for everyone in your cabin. back at the cabin, take your time, have a nice shower, breakfast on the verandah in port - relax - the cruise is not over yet! When you are ready, you can walk off the boat, no crowds, easily find your luggage and cruise through customs.
BEFORE YOU LEAVE ON YOUR CRUISE TIPS:
Arrange to have your mail held
Stop your newspaper delivery
LOTS of extra batteries.
ID holders at Wal-Mart for only .97
Dry boxes" from a dive shop keep KTTY cards, credit cards, cash (change too) and receipts safe and dry even on snorkeling and diving excursions
PACKING - CLOTHES TIPS
Use label maker to tag everything that might leave the room
Bring swimwear in your day bag
Pack one suitcase full of stuff, then put that suitcase inside another one. Then when you get where you're going, you've got an extra, empty suitcase for all the stuff you know you're going to buy!
Small assortment of plastic zip straps - the kind that police are using for handcuffs
Pack what you think you will need...then take out 50%
To cut down on clothing, bring a nice pair of black slacks. They go with just about everything, and just change tops each night. Plus you only need one pair of nice black dress sandals to go with them.
Comfortable walking shoes
More bathing suits than I thought I'd need
Button hole extenders
Sweater
Save your old socks, underwear, swimsuits, etc and have them make a one way trip with you.
By tossing out old clothes you'll have LOTS of room for souvenirs et al when you pack to come home.
Save the plastic bags that your dry-cleaning comes home in - "wrinkle free" clothes!!!!
Send out clothes out to be pressed on first night, and for $40 they will ready for the week
Pack your small item clothes (underwear, socks, kids clothes, etc.) in Ziploc bags, much easier to stay organized especially with a full stateroom
MAKE IT YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME TIPS
Nightlight
Over the door shoe holder
Extension cord
Clothes pins to close curtains to keep that morning sun out of your room
Cork screw
Coffeemaker
Store all life vest under bed to give more shelf space
Your own hairdryer...the ones in the cabins are weak
Bungee cord or rope if you have connecting rooms
Little spray cans of pillow and room scent by The Healing Garden....Ginger lily therapy or ZZZZ therapy
Flashlights that only work while you are holding down the button
Air freshener
Light up travel alarm clock
Little flash lights
Get a wake-up call everyday. It is Mickey Mouse calling!
Duct tape
Wire hangers
Store suit cases under the bed
If you have a veranda, bring about 15' of close line and close pins. there are places high up near the ceiling to tie off the close line to hang wet items
A FEW CHORES TIPS
Do your laundry at the crack of dawn cause their always filled
Dryer sheets
Sample bottle of dishwashing detergent and handy wipe for washing out cups
Detergent tablets
Individual Shout stain remover packets.
Roll or 2 of quarters
Treat your clothing with wash-in sunscreen. The product is called Sun Guard from Rit.
Collapsible hamper
Mesh laundry bag
Large thick trash bags
Windex wipes to clean your glass on your veranda
NOT FEELING WELL/SUNBURN/STAYING WELL TIPS
Spray on sunscreen for the scalp if you have your hair braided
Bonine
Cold medicines
Papaya Enzyme. chewable tablets
Correctol, gentle laxative
Relax, enjoy and don't stress......remember this is a vacation.
Skin So Soft insect repellent
Aloe
Individual antibacterial hand wipes
Bring your sense of humor.....
FOOD/DRINK TIPS
Gift basket from the Perfect Gift - One that includes snacks, juice boxes, sand toys, sunscreen, champagne, beer, etc - so you don't have to pack all of that in your suitcase!
Order the 'All Hands on Deck' cheese platter every single night
Own beverages and mixers and cups w/lids to mix the drinks
Order room service coffee the night before
Drink station located aft deck 9, includes milk, tea, coffee, water and lemonade
DON'T DO THE SODA MUG DEAL
Bring back some fruit from the breakfast buffet and boxes of cereal to snack
Bottles of H20 and you can refill them with the filtered water on deck.
Fruit and cookies available at Scoops throughout the day
Skip the lunch buffet at least once, and eat at Tritons/Lumiere's
Some hard candy
Straws
They quit serving drinks at the eating establishments (except at the bar on the Family Beach) on Castaway Cay when they stop serving food (when the food outlets close at 2:00 P.M.) Make sure you have enough liquids to last the rest of the day unless you want to visit the bars
Order anything you want off the menu's, your servers will be happy to mix and match menu items, even combining veggies from one entrée, with main course from others. You can also get multiples (more than one appetizer, main course, dessert, etc. so you can sample more things)
Bring an appetite!
Bring several large-mouth plastic bottles (that will fit into your collapsible cooler) for excursions, or for keeping drinks & water in your stateroom beverage cooler. We kept them full of ice/water from the drink station and made our own ice tea, lemonade, Tang, and Crystal Light (all sugar free). You can also fill these easily with Ice, water, etc. from the drink station on Deck 9.
Since there is no milk to be had on Castaway Ca and it is too warm to bring some from the ship without ice & a cooler, bring some UHT boxes of milk for this purpose. UHT milk is the shelf stable milk. It comes in quart containers & 8 ox "juice box" size. My kids like milk & I couldn't get any without going back on the ship. People carry soda/wine etc. why not milk?
SAYING HI TIPS
Two-way radios.
If you like the Internet, buy the unlimited access, while on board. It is 89.00 but worth it if you on the computer a lot.
Pre-Written address computer labels for post cards.
Bring an address book, and meet new people! Exchange emails addresses with people (especially tablemates, and you can stay in touch, swap pictures and stories!
Bring thank you cards for the staff
Watches/pagers
SAYING THANK YOU TIPS
Save the tip $ aside before your trip and had them all labeled and in separate envelopes. It made it so nice at the end of the cruise to just take the $ out of the in-room safe and put them into the little tip envelopes. No standing in line at guest services
The counselors in the children's programming are not tipped positions, but appreciate a small gift (phone cards)
You can go to guest services at anytime during your cruise to take care of the tips
The lines at guest services get longer towards the end of the cruise, so make sure you get any business (paying tips, etc) done as early as possible. The same applies for shopping.
Bring a couple of rolls of the "new" Dollar coins. They were very uncommon when we did this and the crew seemed to like the uniqueness.
$2 bills for tips for room service, etc
BEACH/EXCURSION TIPS
If you're dong Disney excursions sign up online before your cruise (avoid the ressie rush)
If you want a Beach Cabana Massage on Castaway Cay go directly to the Vista Spa once you have boarded. The reservations go VERY fast
Soft sided cooler
Zip-lock bags
Beach bag
Underwater camera is fun too! We took it with us to Castaway Cay and to Stingray City (on the Western Cruise).
Twice the film, money and sunscreen you think you need.
If you're undecided about that beach towel, or t-shirt, or other souvenir... buy it. You'll be mad at yourself later if you don't!
Waterproof watch
Order sandwiches the night before and put them in your soft-side cooler for excursions
Bring your own beach toys from Target/Wal-Mart
Fanny packs
Small pair of binoculars
Swim goggles
Take a large hand bag for excursions
Snorkel early
ACTIVITIES ONBOARD TIPS
Go to at least one program/activity a day
Play, or at least attend Jackpot bingo the last night
Secret deck 7 aft verandah
Bring your own movie / show candy
On 7nt cruise, Who Wants to be a Mouseketeer show, wait to sit down until everyone else is. Pick out an empty row or one that has very few people. When the computer picks seats for the "Hot Seat" it is done randomly. If the seat is empty they go to the next closest one. So....if your row is practically empty you have a better chance.
The best time to find characters is during the sail-away celebration, on deck 10.
Don't leave "Disney Dreams" early. This is a "must-see" show, but at the end, don't join the people who leave before the final bows. There is still one more surprise to see.
Allow your kids to participate in the kids program at the end of the cruise. They get free t-shirts.
For those of you traveling with toddlers around the age of 2 who can not go into the pool(and yes they are pretty strict about the non potty trained children in the pool) Bring sand toys, and set up camp by the Goofy pool. There is a railing that separated the pool area from the deck area. Along the railing on deck side are tables and chairs. Using the table, chairs, and railing, create a barrier. Place your child in the middle with sand toys and bucket of water. You can sit around them in the chairs. My son was completely satisfied with this set up and would play for hours.
Bring a small memo pad to plan your day
Bring an envelop to keep your Navigators in and organized
Don't show up just-in-time for movies - the Buena Vista Theatre is small and if your party is large, you may not be able to sit together. Same goes for the Walt Disney Theatre - find your seats early (at least 5 minutes before the show) so you will be more successful finding good seating and as a courtesy to others.
MAKING MEMORIES TIPS
At Shutters, stack the pictures you are considering purchasing together each day so you don't have to search all the displays repeatedly. Shutters staff will keep the stacks together
When you see the Shutter's staff, drag (ask them) nicely over to photograph your kids / you, etc. rather that wait from them to ask - you will have a lot more pictures to choose from later
Cameras
Digital Camera
Take more film, less clothes
Take pictures of everything, if you don't you will regret it once you get them developed and wish you had a photo of it.
Folder to keep papers in that you want to take home with you.
Save everything, and make a scrapbook
Give each kid a 24 exposure disposable camera before the trip
Pillowcases for the characters to sign
Small scrapbook for autographs
Crayons, books and plain paper for kids during the down time in the room --- have them make a "picture" scrapbook for when they get back home!
SAYING GOODBYE TIPS
Don't worry about getting to the disembarkation talk, as it will be repeated all evening on your stateroom television.
Deposit for rebooking your next cruise while onboard
Make sure you leave a set of clothes out for debarking....people have been known to pack EVERYTHING the night before and leave the ship in their jammies!!!
Do not disembark - if you have nothing to rush to, be the last ones off the ship! do not go to breakfast in the restaurant - go to the buffet, pick up a tray and fill it for everyone in your cabin. back at the cabin, take your time, have a nice shower, breakfast on the verandah in port - relax - the cruise is not over yet! When you are ready, you can walk off the boat, no crowds, easily find your luggage and cruise through customs.
On our second cruise he tried his pants on the night before--and they fit.
Thanks oodles! This is one more great list that I can add to my growing "Dis"organization folder! 
