Way Early I know but anyone going on Eastern May 1-8 2004?

[howardk613]

Although I am not going on your cruise, I noticed that you guys were up to 999 replies on this thread and just wanted to put you over the 1000 mark. Great job on this thread and have a terrific time on your cruise.

 

[monkeyboysmith]

Jason

THANKS for all the help. Are you guys planning on coming to the POR meet on Friday night?? Ryan and I have a bet on it! Anyway I have contacted your ride.net who is taking us from the airport to POR on Wed night to see if they would take us by a Publix or something to get some tonic and club soda on the way. If not we may just take you up on your offer and pay you cash for the tonic and club soda on board! You are SO SWEET to offer such a thing! Ryan and I don't dare fly with tonic water in our suitcases because in our luck it would explode. I'll let you know if they will stop by a grocery store for us..but thanks for your offer! It would be a total of like 6 bottles.nothing too major. But thanks I'll let you know!!

On to question #2....

Ryan and I are wondering if ANYONE is interested in doing a Palo brunch with us one day. We are thinking of doing one either...

Sunday May 2nd or Monday May 3rd. For the LAPLAPL it wouldn't interrupt any character breakfasts or anything. For the APLAPLA or PLAPLAP it also wouldn't interrupt character breakfasts and would be sea days for all 3 of them. If anyone is interested we plan on boarding and going right to Palo to make ressies..just let me know!!!

Ok..off to get DRUNKER (do you know how hard it is to type on Ryan's laptop *it has a wireless card* and be drunk at the same time??) anyway I Hope you are all doing well! Happy end of the weekend and next weekend we will all be having a great time!!

Heidi

 

[dthogue]

Hey Everyone - here I am - checked in yesterday, but no one was around.

Sounds like everyone is busy packing. I have 5 suitcases in varying stages of disarray. I need to finish the laundry before we can finish packing.

JenL - congrats on the award - I am envious of the talented scrapbookers - I just fo my best, but I'm not very creative.

Heidi - wow that is some bra. Did McKaylee get Kaitlyn's email? SHe is so anxious to meet her.

Jason - thanks for posting the pictures. Sounds like you had a nice visit and its great that you got to meet them before the cruise.

Jeff - them girls - learn the shopping bit early. I think Brenna is going to need a suitcase for shoes alone.

Kristen's cheerleading competition went well - and I spent 9 hours outside in the rain today with Kaitlyn at soccer. It was so miserable - it would rain enough to get the girls wet, then stop, they would dry off, then it would rain again. This was the last try out for the Eastern PA Olympic Development Team - we'll find out this week if she made one of three teams (this whole thing started with over 200 girls trying for 54 spots). Oh my the tension. But I figured either way we still are cruising on Saturday.



Time to crash - enjoy your night.

Tammy

 

[ThreeCircles]

Per Alice's request, here are a few pictures from our visit to the 11th Annual International Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot yesterday.

 

[Boatingman]

OK so I have a minute to breathe. HELLO ALL ARE YOU READY?????????????????????????????????????

The children are packed. Myself and DH are not. I put on a Reggae /Steel Drum CS today and started with the children's shoes first and ended with the DS's fromal clothes on top. One suitcase down. I packed the thermometer and the bandaids, Children's Tylenol and suntan lotion.

I went to church too (Alice was that you that said it was a Catholic thing??? Hey... you never know right?)

I ran out to Payless shoes store for loafers for my DS as his topsiders were too tight (only according to him). I got DD a pair of sparkly sandals so she looks dresssed up on formal night (I should have left her home)- She's bleeding me dry).

Now I have work tomorrow, Tues & Wed and we leave for the Polynesian at 7:30 am Thurs. I still have a tremendous amount of work to do before they'll even let me leave but the anticipation is half the fun. An the panic too

Conny & Silke I'm glad you made it safe & sound and are having a good ole time.

Jason & Travis- We were at the flower & Garden thing at Epcot last year. Isn't it great? We loved the dragons near the international pavillion.

BTY to all you tanners-I have given up on the tan. To all the shoppers-I have not found a bathing suit either.

I cant wait to meet you all and tip a few 'tails with you all.

If I get a chance I'll write again. I think soon my DH will be planning to tell a divorce attorney that the marriage broke up because I was addicted to the the Disney Boards

I better go see what he's up to.

Take Care

 

[hydster]

Ok so the drunk lush can't stay away from the boards..go figure? Anyway...

Tammy--McKaylee JUST wrote Kaitlin back tonight! She was with my inlaws all day yesterday and we were packing most of today but she finally wrote her back before bedtime! Sorry to hear of standing in the on again off again rain! I HATE THAT!!!! Yeah my bra is HUGE..I think I'll have to give Tom an allwoance for the charge of carrying that puppy home! LOL I can't wait to meet everyone!! I'm so excited I think I might pee my pants before Saturday!!! I still have a little laundry to do on Tuesday night but for the MOST part we are packed! I hope you will meet us at POR on Friday night..it would be great for McKaylee to meet Kaitlin beforehand!!!

Jason--AWESOME PICS of the Epcot Garden!! Those are way awesome!!

Kathy--Cool about the reggae music! We listen to that either through our Digital Cable or shoutcast! I love it..it so gets me into the mood to cruise (yeah like I needed a mood)
Good job getting the kids packed.. now get busy for yourselves!!! We have the nice shoes and the nice dinner clothes so I think we are set!! Have fun at the Poly! I liked it there! We plan on no PS this time..just eating counter service until the ship (much cheaper..we went to Le Cellier in Epcot last time and it was over $150 for the 5 of us for dinner) so we plan on counter service at POR for dinner for 2 nights and the airplane for 1 night where we will buy overpriced airport food since the cheapskates DON'T feed us anything! LOL I think you just need to get DH addicted like MINE and then divorce won't be an issue! Well typing drunk is WAY too taxing so I'm off to watch the SUCKPRANOS (aka the sopranos on hbo) and then to finish matchstick men and then to bed!

I will post again tomorrow (I'm sure you are all waiting with baited breath!)
Heidi

 

[hannahandkatesmommy]

I KNOW I should be doing something other than reading these boards......

 

[Alice Sr.]

Don't worry Alice, I'll be on here until the very end! Travis and I probably won't leave for port until 8 or so on Saturday so we'll keep each other company.

You're the best.

Great pictures Jason, maybe you'll have time to show me how to use this "explicit" camera.

Alice was that you that said it was a Catholic thing??? Hey... you never know right?

Right Kathy! Better safe than sorry. LOL

Man, big anxiety today putting stuff in the suitcase without a list, and so many last minute details, yikes. At least the house is now straightened enough for the cleaning people to come through tomorrow. Having the house back in order will probably help.

Off to bed and at 10:06, I'm on a roll now

Alice

 

[hydster]

LOL Philly Jen..me 2! I should be sleeping this drunken stupor off..maybe tomorrow?? RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alice--I said some prayers does that count???? I didnt' go to church today BUT I did wait til 6 pm to start drinking AND I said HI to my bishop in my thoughts!!!!!! Damn typing while drunk is SO hard!! I think my dyslexia turns into full steam with gin in my system!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Off to bed to be able to type more tomorrow..................

Nighty night all!
Heidi

 

[CM_Mom]

Jason, the pictures are great. Stuff like that almost makes me wish I lived in Florida. But I'm a TEXAN and no place really seems like home.

Glad everyone is getting the packing done. We have the stuff hung together in the closet.

My Christmas Present to myself - the cleaning lady - comes tomorrow so am waiting till she's through to get the packing done. Paul was checking lists today and collecting flashlights, travel alarm clock, power strip, and various assorted stuff. We downloaded all the pictures from the digital camera to the computer and wiped the memory to get ready.

Called the Hyatt and verified the reservation and that they KNOW we'll be there VERY late. Tuesday I have to go online and pay the credit card bill for the cruise so we won't have any late charges if it comes while we're on vacation. Those credit cards have been shrinking the "grace" period and we're pathologically allergic to late fees--or outstanding balances either.

Called my Aunt and had a long visit with her discussing preparations and clothes etc.

Big excitement for the weekend was buying a garage door opener for my mom. Hers decided on Friday that it would self destruct. DS went by and verified that it was toast so DH and I went to Sears and got another one. My Brother will install it while we're gone. Guess what Mom's getting for mother's day?

Kathy, I think steel drum CDs are one of the things I'll probably purchase on the trip. Don't have any and I think one would be fun to evoke the "feel" of the cruise after we're back. I don't need ANYTHING to get me excited before we go. I'm having a hard enough time sleeping as it is.

ONLY 5 MORE DAYS --- actually the counter is down to 4 days and some hours.

Jason, thanks for the matrix. I printed all of them since no telling which rotation we'll have.

Robyn mentioned on the phone today that she was going to see if we could get standby reservations for Palos for Saturday night since that's the least busy night. I think after crew food and working with kids for three months, she's ready to be an adult for a while. We don't have any excursions booked. For a control freak and compulsive planner like I am, this is gonna be an unusual vacation. Winging it isn't really my style but guess I'll learn. I will say that I usually try to make flexible plans since they usually change.

Bedtime for me. Check you guys tomorrow.
Reine

 

[Alice Sr.]

Heidi !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Your countdown clock is down to ONE day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyone else leaving early this week?

TTYL
Alice

 

[hannahandkatesmommy]

Good Morning all! I have a few last minute questions bc I know that come tomorrow, we technically should all be way too busy to sit and read these posts....

These are mostly for people who have cruised Disney before but please anyone feel free to chime in:

1. Do they have strollers on board? I read somewhere that they did,but then I read they didn't.....I am thinking of when Kate wants to sleep and the rest of us aren't ready we could just throw her in the stroller with her "wankies" and let her sleep(her blankies...I know, embarassing when she is screaming I want my "wankies" at the top of her lungs).

2. I am confused about the "carry on" liquer. I have read through all these posts and many others and it seems that Disney will allow you to bring your own wine or liquer on board. My friend Patty called Disney and they said absolutely not, that they used to but since 9/11 they have had to make changed to their security policy etc blah blah blah....So, my question is, do they just say no and let you anyway? I have expensive taste in wine and don't want to pay the $$ to buy it only to have it confiscated......in front of my children

3. Has anyone taken a 3 YO on any excursions? It seems like all the fun ones are 5 an up? The Golden Eagle Catamaran sounds like fun but I refuse to leave Katie on board while we go off snorkeling... How strict are they on the ages?

4. I somehow ended up on the post where parents were venting about how bad other parents were on the cruise. I tend to think I am a good mom and try my best to raise my kids right, but I am now terrified about the kids club. Kate has been potty trained for about 8 months, #1&#2. Lately, she has been regressing both at home and at Daycare, just with #1(she's a champ with #2). I know it is because we all just assume she can recognize the signs and go herself but she forgets sometimes when she is playing and doesn't want to leave. Am I one of those moms who is trying to sneak a non-potty trained kid into the club??? I know we have gone over this a million times but...helllppppp! The good news about Kate is that she hasn't found a public bathroom she doesn't like. In fact, we are leaving at bedtime so we don't have to stop and experience all the finest restroom facilities along the east coast which was what happened at Christmas...

Raining and cool here today and I think that is great! Now- the kids won't want to play outside and I will actually get something done.

Jennifer

 

[ThreeCircles]

Originally posted by hannahandkatesmommy
Good Morning all! I have a few last minute questions bc I know that come tomorrow, we technically should all be way too busy to sit and read these posts....

Jennifer--

I think "technically" is the key word!

1. Do they have strollers on board? I read somewhere that they did,but then I read they didn't.....I am thinking of when Kate wants to sleep and the rest of us aren't ready we could just throw her in the stroller with her "wankies" and let her sleep(her blankies...I know, embarassing when she is screaming I want my "wankies" at the top of her lungs).

From the Disney Cruise Line website:

"A limited number of strollers are available for rental on board."

2. I am confused about the "carry on" liquer. I have read through all these posts and many others and it seems that Disney will allow you to bring your own wine or liquer on board. My friend Patty called Disney and they said absolutely not, that they used to but since 9/11 they have had to make changed to their security policy etc blah blah blah....So, my question is, do they just say no and let you anyway? I have expensive taste in wine and don't want to pay the $$ to buy it only to have it confiscated......in front of my children

We've sailed three times since 9/11 and as far as I know nothing has changed in regards to Disney's policy on allowing Guests to bring beverages onboard. Disney is actually one of the few, if not the only, cruise line that does not mind if you bring alcohol and other drinks on the thier ships. They only ask that you carry it on and not to pack it in any luggage that is going to be checked.

3. Has anyone taken a 3 YO on any excursions? It seems like all the fun ones are 5 an up? The Golden Eagle Catamaran sounds like fun but I refuse to leave Katie on board while we go off snorkeling... How strict are they on the ages?

Can't really answer this one Jennifer. You may want to start a thread on this subject on the main cruise forum. Perhaps others who have children the same ages will have input or can share their experiences with you. I do hope you can attent the Golden Eagle Catamaran though! We have a pretty large group going (see ThreeCircles.net) and would love to have more Dis people in our group!!!


I'll let someone else address #4. Somehow I don't think I'm qualified to even start!

Hope this info helps a little!

 

[jrydberg]

Jennifer,

Since they're obviously dealing with young kids on a regular basis, surely they know that even potty-trained kids have accidents on occasion. Shoot, my daughter still has one every so often. As long as it's not a consistent problem, I wouldn't worry about it.

Jeff

 

[saturday97]

Hi all!
I only have a minute but I wanted to post a photo of Justin's DCL b-day cake:

http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=4118481&a=31215033&p=67916505

And it was delicious!

 

[ThreeCircles]

How cool! What an awesom cake! I think I want one of those for my next birthday!

 

[JenLynn]

Hey Jennifer ....
1. I am not sure about whether or not they have strollers on board. On our last cruise we brought our own stroller (since we were at WDW first) and left it on the verandah the entire cruise.
2. Jason fielded this one already.
3. They seem to be very strict about the age limits on excursions. When i called to book the Golden Eagle for Joe and I the CM on the phone took my name and room number and then punched in the number of the excursion we wanted and then told me we were unable to do that excursion because one of the members of our group was under age 5. I told her that we just wanted to book it for Dh and myself and she said fine. We will be leaving Teddy and Madalyn in the kids club while we go on the excursion... i am a wee bit nervous about this, but think things should be fine (and we have friends who are staying on board so someone will be around if need be).
4. Kids will be kids and the CM's know this. I have heard that they take the little ones to the bathroom very frequently (once an hour?) to be sure they don't just forget to go. From my own experiences and everything i have heard, i don't think Kate will have any problems.

HTH!
JenL

 

[hydster]

GOOD MORNING MAY 1 CRUISERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope everyone is doing well! It's going to be a nice day here and since I am all packed I think Tanner and I will go enjoy a day at the park without the older kids home!!!

Reine--Good job on getting stuff together and getting the Hyatt called to make sure all is well. There is nothing worse than getting to a hotel late and they look at you like you just smoked crack Cool you got mom a new garage door opener! Those are the kinds of Mother's Day Gifts I always dream of (just kidding...I'm in giddy mode today) but that is good that it will get put in while you are gone!! Cool about DD and Palo and I'm sure she does want to be a grown up for awhile now! I have wanted to be a grown up for years but have yet to achieve that status!

Alice--I KNOW..it's so AWESOME!! LOL My kids are starting to not sleep well last night and I'm sure tonight and tomorrow are going to be pure torture on them...they will be on me for sure! I had a full blown panic attack in the middle of the night and thought I was going to end up in the emergency room with a heart attack...then I took 1/2 of an Ambien and things were better!

Philly Jen- I'll be here tomorrow and Wednesday so if you have any other things to talk about I'll be around! Some of the answers are:

1. If you have a stroller that would be more comfortable for Kate I'd bring it. We brought our jogging stroller (yep we are one of THOSE park type people when we had small kids) and we had the one room and we just moved it around when we needed to or put it on the balcony. If you have an umbrella stroller it would be easy and that way you could make sure you had one in case Disney runs out. LOL about the wankies! My kids are ALL wankie kids too! I think McKaylee has 8 or 9 and Miles has the equivalent of that many blankets in stuffed animals and he has a blanket and Tanner has equal amounts of both...wankies and animals. Rule is they can only bring 1 of each!!

2. I think your friend just got a rude customer service person on the phone because I called them earlier in the year and they said no problem. I think Disney is the only "liberal" cruiseline that will let you bring drinks on without smuggling them. I plan on bringing some on with me (I hear all of you say NO in a sarcastic voice out there!) LOL

3. They are way anal strict about the ages on the excursions! I wouldn't even try it to be honest! I know we wanted to do the Dolphin Swim in Freeport through Disney but they would only let us do the encounter because Tanner wasn't old enough and there was no bending the rules at all.

4. I wouldn't let that parent post get you all in a bother! I swear some of the people on that thread are so weird! We saw out of control kids sure but where DON'T you see out of control kids these days??? I wouldn't worry too much about it. Also if you check Kate into the clubs tell them what you told us. Also I'd take her to the bathroom before you take her and then maybe go back and check on her in an hour or 45 min or something and take her to keep her dry. They do scheduled potty breaks but if you are worried about it go check on her. I know an accident they will just page you for it but I think you'll be surprised at how well she will do after a day or two. I'd go check on her a few times and take her potty yourself but I'm sure she'll be fine! I think with the kids they took them to the bathroom at scheduled times but really if you are worried about her (you know her habits...like how often she goes in a day) then go check on her. They won't kick her out of the clubs for one accident..as that happened with Tanner on our 4 day cruise but I'd make sure you tell them what you told us. No one is going to think you are "sneaking" her in and if they do so what...you know you didnt! Some people will nitpick on the disboards about EVERYTHING no matter what! LOL about her loving public bathrooms! It seems our kids do too..everytime we leave we ask if they need to go..they say no or they go and then no matter where we go they HAVE to go there! LOL Don't sweat the small stuff!!

Amber that cake is AWESOME!! It looks so good to eat!!! I am starving so it looks doubly good! LOL

JenL- As long as someone who knows your kids is on the ship I"m sure they will be fine. We've told our kids that on St. Marten we are going to go to the beach for awhile and then if they want to go back to the clubs that's fine but we are going to go shopping! I agree with you about Kate not having problems! I think the parents on that thread and many others on the board are just a wee bit sensitive and dramatic!!

It's nice and warm and sunny here today so I think me and Tanner might go to the park for an hour or so and then come home and take a nap!

I'm sure I'll be back on here again in a few hours!
Heidi

 

[JenLynn]

One of my 'winning' layouts ... can you tell i am excited?

My scrapbook page that won first prize for the page layout contest (last time)

(phooey ... can't get it to link directly to the page .... it is the layout in the bottom right hand corner titled "Disney Memories" - blue background with a border of pictures)

 

[hydster]

WOW Jen that's awesome! NOW I KNOW I'd never win a contest like that because mine are not even close to that creativity!!!

Good job!
Heidi