A DREAM is a wish your heart makes – a First-time Cruise pre-trip report complete On the cruise ! - Page 19 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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I'm enjoying reading your PTR & hearing about your family & the fun things you guys are doing since we live 45 min from each other. We'll be hitting up the new outlet mall this weekend! Great per cruise plans!
I didn't know you were getting to see Cam and Luke, that's exciting!!!
The plans sound good and chilling at AKL is exactly what we did after our Dream cruise. Never missed the park at all...........well OK, maybe, but not realy. Did you check on the storyteller times by the campfire? We tried to do that, but it must have been cancelled because a bunch of us were sitting around waiting for it and it never happened. The kids didn't mind because they were off looking at zebras
Wow! Only just caught up with this and it has been such fun reading it all. Your movie and dinner ideas are awesome! Our boys will be very similar ages when we cruise next December so I cannot wait to hear all about the cruise! Happy planning.
Jo
Welcome and thanks for reading!
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Originally Posted by Russi01
Good luck shopping this weekend!!
Thanks! We got some good stuff - that'll I'll share later.
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Originally Posted by OneLittleSpark
Plans sound great!
Thank you!
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Originally Posted by mfirst
What great updates and plans so far! How did the book report go? Patrick just brought home his first night's worth of homework.
Here's a Kindle Fire tip you may already know - the plug to recharge? It's the same size as a standard Verizon cell phone (non-I phone). When we travel, I take my phone cord and our car charger for our phones so I can alternate between the Kindle and the phone. Also, if you leave the wi-fi setting off unless you're using it, it will make the batteries last longer - especially helpful on a long car trip
The book report went fine. This was a 'picture' book report so he had to draw a picture of the beginning, middle & end of a book. Next up is an opinion book report due the end of next month.
And I did know that about the Kindle as that's how Mike charges his phone - with his Kindle charger. We usually turn the wi-fi off when the boys play with it anyway - don't want them buying a car or something.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mommapants
Your pre-cruise days sound fun - except driving down - yuck - too long.
I bought a Kindle in the spring and Evan loves it. I bought him kid size ear buds, best investment and a shock absorbing cover. It is soft foam that fits around the kindle, not a case but much more protective to drops . You can search on Amazon, both well worth it.
I'm taking Evan to Legoland on our next visit so you'll need to pass along any great tips. I'm afraid if we don't do it this trip he will outgrow it by our next visit. Evan got TOTALLY into Lego lasts year and since Dylan is a year younger than Evan - that sounds about right. I don't think they can really follow the instructions or have the dexterity to make them until they are about 5-6 years old. Let’s just say last year was a very "Lego" Christmas and Birthday.
How is Dylan doing in school so far?
Legos are getting pretty popular here too - Dad sure enjoys that.
Dylan loves school! It sure wears him out though - doesn't take long for him to fall asleep anymore.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cheyenne
I'm enjoying reading your PTR & hearing about your family & the fun things you guys are doing since we live 45 min from each other. We'll be hitting up the new outlet mall this weekend! Great per cruise plans!
The mall is really nice (well the one is; Taubmann apparently not so much) so I hope you enjoy it. We'll have to try to plan something to do together in our fine city.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Linnynad
I didn't know you were getting to see Cam and Luke, that's exciting!!!
The plans sound good and chilling at AKL is exactly what we did after our Dream cruise. Never missed the park at all...........well OK, maybe, but not realy. Did you check on the storyteller times by the campfire? We tried to do that, but it must have been cancelled because a bunch of us were sitting around waiting for it and it never happened. The kids didn't mind because they were off looking at zebras
I'm excited to see them again! I think hanging out will be fun. We'll be at Kidani, but if Jambo has something more interesting we'll take a stroll over there.
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Finally caught up....I so love all your movie and dinners, they are just so cute and what a fun way to get excited for the trip. Love your before cruise plans...this year we had a late flight on our way home so our last day we did nothing but relax at the resort and Angel and my neice participated in a whole bunch of fun activities, they did cookie decorating, face painting, story-telling, then we all did the Culinary Tour, and all three girls did some animal thing, funny how the CM had a whole crowd when they started and slowly people started filing away, like they saw the animals and then they left - my girls, they were so facinated I think the CM ended up sitting and talking with them for almost 20 minutes after the scheduled time was over.
YEAH for BLT waitlist coming through. That will work out so perfectly with your MNSSHP - we did EMH the night we stayed there and we loved the ease of walking back to the resort.
Walk was not bad at all - don't remember maybe 5 - 10 minutes depending on how little the legs are that is doing the walking
Finally caught up....I so love all your movie and dinners, they are just so cute and what a fun way to get excited for the trip. Love your before cruise plans...this year we had a late flight on our way home so our last day we did nothing but relax at the resort and Angel and my neice participated in a whole bunch of fun activities, they did cookie decorating, face painting, story-telling, then we all did the Culinary Tour, and all three girls did some animal thing, funny how the CM had a whole crowd when they started and slowly people started filing away, like they saw the animals and then they left - my girls, they were so facinated I think the CM ended up sitting and talking with them for almost 20 minutes after the scheduled time was over.
YEAH for BLT waitlist coming through. That will work out so perfectly with your MNSSHP - we did EMH the night we stayed there and we loved the ease of walking back to the resort.
Walk was not bad at all - don't remember maybe 5 - 10 minutes depending on how little the legs are that is doing the walking
Thanks Meg! Although I may admit that I'm looking forward to just going back to pizza or chicken nuggets on Friday nights.
Dylan's going to love watching the animals at AKL - he loves going to the zoo and will spend a good amount of time just watching them if you let him.
I'm thinking we may just rent a stroller at both Legoland and for MNSSHP - I don't see it fitting in the car. So either they'll have to walk or Mike & I will have to find the energy to carry them back.
Thursday was movie night as Fri-Sun was just too busy (I explain in a minute). The theme was Lion King and we had:
Ants on a Log, Chicken Legs, Potatoes with Afritude (from Boma), African Smoothies (from AKL club level lounge), Zebra Cakes
So the weekends are just getting busier & busier! Thank goodness this holiday weekend isn’t too bad. Here’s a taste of all that’s going on:
Wednesdays Lukas has soccer @ 6pm (starting this week)
Fridays Dylan has soccer practice @ 6pm (started last week), but could change days
9/7 – Dylan’s first soccer game
9/14 – Dylan has a game
9/15 – get together with friends & their families we haven’t seen in a few years (we all have multiple boys!)
9/21 – Lukas’ 3rd birthday; Dylan has a game in the am
9/22 – Dylan has a game at 1pm; nephew’s 1st birthday @ 3pm
9/28 – Dylan has a game in the am; Disney on ice @ night (Boys’ birthday celebration from us)
9/29 – Dylan has a game; FiL’s bday is today
10/5 – Dylan’s 6th birthday; going to Grant’s Farm for Dylan’s bday and to meet up with Melanie, her Mom & Meri while they’re in town
10/6 – Dylan has a game
10/7 – Junior Achievement starts for me
10/9 – we leave!
Above is pretty much all the weekend stuff. Monday – Friday is work which we don’t get home until after 5 now that I pick up the boys from 2 different places. Plus themed dinner & movie nights are supposed to happen somewhere too, but if soccer practice continues to be on Fridays I’m not sure when they’ll be put in. Enough of the pity party.
I did get some stuff done for the trip this weekend. I found the boys Jack Skellington shirts at the new Disney outlet. Yep went to the Grand Opening Saturday morning – got my free Mickey ears. J I had gotten Mike & I each a shirt a few weeks ago at the regular Disney store in the mall, but they didn’t have any kids, so I was happy to spot them as soon as I walked in the store. There’s a Vera Bradley store there too and the whole store was 50% off so I got a new purse (to use at Disney) and a little id wallet for the cruise. And of course I have to try them out and am currently using both. J My final purchase that day was new shoes for the boys at Adidas – got them both pairs for $32 together!
That night we visited with my family and I got crafty. I made a seatbelt pillow for Dylan. Now that he’s in a booster and just a regular seatbelt he’s constantly falling forward when he falls asleep. He’s seen the Pillow Pets on tv and I wasn’t about to buy one of those so after a few google searches I figured I could handle one. I had everything (Mom provided the Velcro) so I whipped one up while at their house and he used it that night & last.
Sunday I went through the travel box and organized all the contents – putting things aside and in bags for the boys for stuff to do in the car. I had a good size tub full of happy meal toys that were never opened so I divided those and put in cinch bags for a grab bag type thing when they get antsy in the car too. Then we went to Mike’s parents to swim since it’s gotten hot finally. After that I made us our shirts for the day we board the Dream.
I’m really tempted to get out the suitcases this weekend too. At least to start putting things in there that we’ll need but won’t need until we go.
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
Another great theme night dinner! You have a more-than-busy fall ahead. I can't believe Lukas starts soccer so young. That's going to be fun to watch! The pillow for Dylan in the car looks perfect. Juliana uses a booster but doesn't seem to fall forward when she sleeps. She's quite a bit taller than Dylan, so maybe that makes a difference. Love the shirts for boarding day. Can't wait to see the photos!
My daughter could have used that seatbelt pillow when she was younger. Love it and the Mickey/pirate themed shirts for boarding. You'll have a great boarding photo. Also love the Jack Skellington t-shirts especially the one made of little Jack heads.
Wow! you sure are busy but it'll make the time speed by which is great.
Busy, busy! Love the shirts for boarding! Nice job. I noticed you got the bags "for Disney and the cruise"... as long as it's for Disney or the cruise, it's a legitimate expense!
I love the Jack Skellington shirts!
I went back and showed Lauren all your themed dinners. She was so amazed at all the things you came up with. She thought your dinners were cool! She asked if we could do something like that for our trip in May, maybe after the first of the year.
Your weekends sound like my weekdays right now. Lauren is playing volleyball and have games twice a week and Maddie is playing softball and has games 3 days a week. Two days they are the same days and a little time difference, so I am running all over the place trying to make a little of both games. Whew, I have been tired the past week and a half. Then since I am a tax accountant, it is extension time, so I have to work Saturdays and possibly Sundays, so no rest for this lady!
At least you being busy will hopefully make the time fly by!
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. We'll be hitting up the new outlet mall this weekend! Great per cruise plans!
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Pixie Dust
Disney Magic - Oct 2015
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Love the shirts for boarding! 
Liz 
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