Who's Cruising the Wonder? 2/1/09 (4day)

Yep! We had our "unofficial" last treatment on Tues. I say unofficial because we won't know for sure the tumor is really gone until he has his next MRI in mid-Jan. It's a wierd feeling, being in limbo. :confused3

We have our fingers crossed for you! I definitely understand the limbo feeling. We will be praying for it to be completely gone for AJ.
 
It seems there are still some questions about the FE gift exchange, so I will try to clarify it.

The FE's are what you hang on the outside of your door, it can be a bag or custom made with pockets. Then the people who sign up will leave gifts in each others FE's outside the stateroom. From what I see the items vary like pencils, candy, Disney themed items, cheap small toys or some people are very crafty/creative and make things. Each person who signs up gets a list of the room numbers and what day you will deliver your items, that way everyone doesn't deliver on the same day and you get something daily in your FE.

So it looks like so far 2-3 people have a interest, anymore takers? If you do want to participate please PM me with your info; how many people in your party with kids ages and room numbers/deck level that way we can get a list going soon. It will be fun for the kids and adults!!
 
Has anyone made the magnet signs? I would like to learn, but need detailed step by step instructions to do it. Where does everyone get there designs from?
 
Has anyone made the magnet signs? I would like to learn, but need detailed step by step instructions to do it. Where does everyone get there designs from?

I made quite a few to decorate our door on our last cruise according to what day/location we were at. The first day I had welcome aboard, bon voyage, etc. magnets. For Nassau day, I had general Disney cruise characters, etc. magnets. For Castaway Cay Day/Pirate night I had magnets representing both and the last day I had Christmas Disney magnets. I found most of the graphics here on disboards on different threads. There's a few on the Disney Cruise Line thread and TONS on the Creative "Disign" thread. There's lots of people willing to customize them too. Once you find one you like, right click and save. Once you want to print them, you need magnet paper or plain paper and magnet tape. I know that Michaels/AC Moore also has magnetic sleeves you can put picutres in that have a backing. What I did was buy magnetic paper, print them out, used contact paper on top to seal/protect and cut them out. It was time consuming but they turned out great. Staples has magnetic paper, but it's like 4 sheets for $15. I found decalpaper.com was a great deal with fast shipping. They come out to about just over $1 a page of magnetic paper. Once I upload our pictures from our trip, I'll post some of the pictures I took of our door.
 

I've tried looking a little bit at disigns, too, but I don't find it easy to navigate. There's tons of information, all right, but trying to find something specific is like trying to find the proverbial needle in the haystack. If anyone comes up with a link or two they like, that would be extremely helpful. I'm at a place in my life where I have very limited searching time. (I have a full time job, plus three hour daily commute and a 'real' life, too!)

I have an unfair advantage because I met a fellow Diser; I did a small favor for her, and she wants to repay me by doing my research for me, and even customizing my signs! However, I'd still like to do some of my own work, if I can figure out where to start!

I can get to the Disigns just fine, but I find the 'search' and 'advanced search' functions mostly unhelpful. I also had some trouble getting some folks' links to open. I also tried a google search with Disney cruise door designs, and got some personal websites, but picking through all of it is very time consuming.

I am going to try to enlist the kids to help me, but they are currently distracted by Christmas. However, today we have a snow day, so maybe we can go pick up the oldest one (they live with their parents across town) and give him the job. He's 11, and a bit of a technogeek, so he can prob'ly find something somewhere. :thumbsup2

Debbie
 
Did anyone book anything exciting on the cruise?

We booked Palo brunch as we don't want to miss any evening actvities.
I have a massage booked at CC and Hubby has the snorkel booked (I don't snorkel that much anymore, fish scare me now!)

I want to book the exotic rassul, but they are at odd times or the Flounders is closed (they close midday for a few hours)
 
we have a few fun shore excursions booked. I didn't get in on the Palo in time, by the time we got our check in info everything was booked up except the first evening we sail and we want to be with the kids that night I'm sure.
 
we have a few fun shore excursions booked. I didn't get in on the Palo in time, by the time we got our check in info everything was booked up except the first evening we sail and we want to be with the kids that night I'm sure.

I heard that they hold spots, after you board check in at the desk to see what they have open. We have a time that I would like to change to accommodate something else.

Did you book anything for the Atlantis?
I was thinking of booking the comfort suites so we can use the water park, being that Matthew loves the water and the little Mickey splash pool isn't going to cut it. I'm working hard on getting him potty trained, but his mind is saying something else:)
 
We are doing Atlantis waterpark (it was a must with an 8yo & 13yo LOL). Since we are going through MAW (this is AJ's Make A Wish trip) we just booked it through Disney, but after seeing advice and some stuff here I would go through Comfort Suites.
 
We booked Palo, but didn't get the a.m. that we wanted. Still, we're glad we got the evening. I can't remember which evening, but it's Tues or Wed. I should check. We wanted the brunch, so may try to switch once we get aboard.

We booked the catamaran snorkeling adventure for Nassau, but I was considering the Comfort Suite option with Atlantis also. Here's our dilemma: We still don't know if Josiah (11) will have his passport. Long story short: his adoption is scheduled for Jan 5. That, of course, will change his name. Therefore, we will have to wait until after the court hearing to receive the birth certificate so we can have the passport expedited. In other words, no passport, no excursions for him. One of us will have to stay on board with him while the other one takes Alissa (8) out.

We have the swimming with the stingrays scheduled for Castaway Cay and are also planning to rent bikes. There's also an area where you can get free games, such as ping pong, etc, and that appeals to our family.

All this may change if the passport deal doesn't work out; Josiah's more interested in the water excursions than Alissa.

I need to work on the details of all that still.

It's been crazy busy here, on top of everything else, we've had a 'snow event'. In the Pacific NW, that means more than 1" of snow. School's been closed, tomorrow, too, for a total of 3 days. Work hasn't closed, though, which means a difficult commute. I do, however, understand it doesn't snow much in Nassau. :rotfl2:
 
Congratulations on the adoption! It took less than 2 weeks to get our passports when we applied back in Sept. with all the hype about passports we were shocked it was so fast and we didn't even expedite it.

Also, are you postitive you need them? Our wish planner told us that the only reason we needed ours was in case of an emergency with AJ should we need to fly out of a foreign port. If it wasn't for that we didn't need them.
 
When we sailed on the 7th, we went to Studio Sea at 2PM to make dining changes and switch our Palo spot. There was a line of 20 people (at 2!) and it looked like everyone was getting what they wanted. We switched our Palo dinner from Pirate Night to Nassau night and our dining rotation to APPT, which was what we'd asked for initially and planned everything around. We missed out on brunch because we couldn't dock at Castaway Cay the first day the captain tried and they rescheduled the brunch for that day, which became a sea day, and we had already eaten by the time we missed the 2nd docking at 10:00.

As far as passports go, I noticed a lot of people in check in still using their birth certificates and driver's licences. We have passports, but adults still need their licenses to get on/off the ship in ports along with their Key to the World cards. I agree with Christy that the passports are great to have in case of emergencies and the need for flights in a foreign port.

As far as excursions, we aren't going to do anything in Nassau but maybe walk around the immediate shops. We've done the dolphin excursion, Atlantis and the pirate museum in the past and enjoyed those. I'd like to do the water park but DS7 isn't tall enough for a lot of the slides and will probably be next year so we'll try then. I am hoping to do the onboard spa deal that they offer when docked in Nassau. I know some people on our last cruise that booked online for the Comfort Suites and got some great deals--much cheaper than going through Disney (like 3/4 cheaper).


Josiah-congratulations on the adoption
 
Be forewarned: I told you this was a long story! ;)

We called Disney Cruise Line regarding the passport and were told that he would need it if he wanted to disembark during the cruise.

Yes, we know we can expedite the passport, and that it won't take much time once that's done. Here's the wrinkle:

Josiah's adoptive father is in the military, scheduled to deploy...guess when...in January, around 1/10. Therefore, if the court hearing is Jan. 5, there is a small window before Dad will be leaving. Dad MUST appear physically in order to give permission for the passport, as well as Mom. Dad has to certify that he IS Dad, etc.

Also, both parents have a few other things on their mind during these last days together. We figure if Josiah can at least get his birth cert. & military i.d., he should be good to go, even if he can't get off the boat for excursions. At this point, we'll call that good enough.

All this is why we started the process in September. Unfortunately, circumstances did not fall our way, but we won't let it rain on our parade, just like all the rest of us who are battling far more serious problems. We'll keep our head up and our shoulders back, and LET'S GO!:thumbsup2
 
I hope everyone's holiday plans and preparations are going well. Things have been super busy for us. Our ds7 is in full swing of wrestling season now and has kept us running around each night of the week for practice, weigh ins, etc.

Does everyone have a room assignment for our cruise? We are still GTY 6. My friend tried to get a quote for the same cruise and she said she was told only category 6 and 7's were left. I guess they are still selling 6's even though we don't even have a room!

I'm not sure who is organizing it, but I would like to join the FE group. I ordered a couple of the things that I gave out on our December cruise that went over well so I hope you all like them!

Happy holidays and 2009!
 
Hanover,

That would be ToodlesRN (from Seattle, BTW) who is organizing the FE. You may want to PM her. She wants to know your room # (which it sounds like you don't have yet), everyone's name from your group who is participating, and the names of children.

Toodles and I have been involved in a 'snow event' in the Pacific NW. Bear in mind, we are snow wimps up here, as it's a relatively unusual phenomenon for us. I believe she works whatever the weather. I, otoh, have had a couple days off, since I work in a public library.

We are soooo looking forward to this trip. We do have our stateroom already, which is 2101, I believe. We're cat 10. We thought we'd talk about an upgrade once we got there, but it sounds like the ship is pretty full.

I'm sure you already know, but there's a site you visit to see where staterooms are located and view comments others who have been in your room previously have noted. Should be at:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/cruise-new/cr-overview.htm
www.wdwinfo.com


We've also been talking with the kids about the different kinds of dining we'll do in WDW. On www.allearsnet.net we've been able to show them sample menus so they can think about what they'd like to choose. We've explained that some meals will be geared toward them, and some toward us, and they'll deal with it. (They're 8 and 11). Mainly, the oldest one doesn't deal as well with surprises, so the more info, the better for him.

I have the 11 year old checking out WDW on Google Earth, too. Building anticipation. We're also watching Disney 365 occasionally. That's essentially a 2 minute Disney commercial, but it features some of their faves, such as Zack and Cody.

See you real soon...
 
Thanks for the information about the FE, I'll PM Toodles RN.

We had a dusting of snow/ice yesterday and today it's 1 degree with the wind chill. I'm glad wrestling is inside! We finished football less than a month ago and it was bitter cold at practice then!

I reall love Allearsnet dining link. I was lucky to meet Deb Wills (Allears founder) last month on the MouseFest cruise. She opened up the Roy Disney suite for tours and was beyond kind.

We also tend to do a few character meals and add a new restaurant on our WDW trips. It's nice to try out different places and stick to a few favorites. Just make sure to have ADRs because I saw a lot of people turned away earlier this month that didn't have them.

See you soon!
 
Yep, we have the dining ressies already! We were lucky to score 9 a.m. at Cindy's; I was looking for Liberty Tree, but the reservationist said, "Sorry, all full; would you like anything else?" So I took a stab at it, and Viola! We also have adr's at Sci Fi, Hollywood & Vine, Le Cellier, Rose & Crown, and California Grill, so I think we're pretty set. We didn't choose them for AK; not sure what we want to do that day. Is anyone familiar with Yak & Yeti?

Also, is anyone doing the Photopass? Someone encouraged me to do it, but I'm hesitant.
 
For those of you that signed up for the FE gift exchange here is what we have so far for those who want to start getting ideas.

We have 4 families; each with 2 adults in the cabin, 6 boys and 1 girl.

I have a excel sheet made out, if you want a copy PM me your email address and I can send it to you.
 

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