Tuesday, March 29, 2011

25 DAYS TO GO . . .

     TUESDAY MARCH 29, 2011

     WITH ALL THESE UNBELIEVABLE OPTIONS OF THINGS TO DO ON-BOARD YOUR CRUISE, YOU'LL BE COVERING SOME SERIOUS GROUND, AND DECKS.  DON'T WORRY.  A SHIP ALMOST 4 FOOTBALL FIELDS LONG AND 14 DECKS HIGH HAS IT'S OWN ELEVATORS; IN THREE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS I BELIEVE.  ONE SET IS TOWARD THE BACK OF THE SHIP, ONE IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SHIP, AND ONE IS TOWARD THE FRONT. 
     THE MID-SHIP ELEVATORS ON THE NEW DISNEY DREAM ARE TRULY SOMETHING TO BEHOLD.  THEY'RE LOCATED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SHIPS ATRIUM LOBBY THAT ALONE IS THREE DECKS HIGH.  THEY'RE BEAUTIFULLY APPOINTED GLASS ELEVATORS WITH A SPECTRUM VIEW OF THE ENTIRE SHIPS CENTRAL HUB OF AN ATRIUM.  THE CENTER PIECE OF WHICH IS A GIANT ART DECO COLORED GLASS CHANDELIER HANGING FROM THE CENTER OF THE LOBBY'S CEILING.  BUT THAT'S NOT ALL.  THE ELEVATORS SHAFT WALLS ARE ALSO ADORNED WITH FANCIFUL DISNEY ANIMATION PAINTINGS TO VIEW AS YOU RISE AND FALL ON YOUR RIDE.  NO ONE DOES THE LITTLE THINGS LIKE DISNEY.
      AHH, BUT THERE IS A DRAWBACK.  THESE SAME CENTRALIZED ELEVATORS ARE THE MOST USED BECAUSE OF THEIR LOCATION NEAR THE LOBBY, SHUTTERS PHOTOS, RESTAURANTS, ETC.  SO CATCHING ONE OF THESE AT TIMES WITHOUT A LONG WAIT CAN SEEM ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE UNFORTUNATELY.  THE FORWARD AND AFT ELEVATORS RARELY HAVE NEARLY THE SAME CROWDS OR WAIT TIMES, SO IF YOU CAN PLAN FOR IT, IT MAY BE WORTH THE WALK ACROSS THE SHIP TO ONE OF THOSE.
     THE OTHER OPTION, AND ONE MOST SHOULD REALLY CONSIDER, IS TAKING THE STAIRS.  THAT'S RIGHT.  I SAID IT.  NOW GRANTED, MOST PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO BE HOOFING UP STAIRS FROM THEIR ROOM ON DECK 2 TO THE POOL ON DECK 11 AND BACK EVERYDAY, BUT THEY MAY BE THE EXCEPTION.  CASE IN POINT: OUR STATEROOM IS ON DECK 5 AND PRETTY CLOSE TO THE FORWARD ELEVATORS.  BUT SHORT OF NO LINE OR ANYBODY IN THEM WHEN THEY STOP, WE'LL TAKE THE STAIRS.  WHY?  IT'S A LITTLE EXERCISE IN A PLACE WHERE YOU'RE CONFINED TO NOT DOING TOO MUCH WALKING.  ALREADY KNOWING THE CROWDS AND THE WAITS, EVEN GOING FROM DECK 5 TO DECK 11, WE CAN PROBABLY MAKE IT FASTER. 
     MOST PEOPLE ARE TAKING ELEVATORS AT THE SAME TIMES.  BREAKFAST.  LUNCH.  DINNER.  AFTER.  THE SHOWS.  THE POOLS.  PRETTY CONSISTENT CONSIDERING MOST THINGS ON A CRUISE ARE SCHEDULED, SO YOU CAN EITHER PLAN AROUND THE CROWDS OR PLAN AROUND THE ELEVATORS. 
     STAIRS DON'T STOP.  STAIRS ARE NEVER TOO CROWDED FOR TWO MORE.  IF YOU KNOW WHAT FLOOR YOU'RE HEADING TO, THAT BIG NUMBER ON THE STAIRWAY DOORS SHOULD MAKE IT PRETTY EASY FOR ANYBODY.  GRANTED SOME PEOPLE MAY NOT BE PHYSICALLY ABLE TO TAKE THE STAIRS, BUT COME ON, MOST OF US CAN.  I'M GONNA USE EM TO TIRE MY KID OUT!  MAKES FOR AN EARLIER BED TIME AND SOME FREE TIME FOR ME.  ;-)  SO NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE ON THE SHIP, KEEP IN MIND THAT THE STAIRS ARE ALWAYS AN OPTION WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING TO COMPLAIN LIKE CRAZY THAT YOU HAD TO WAIT SO LONG FOR AN ELEVATOR!
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
BREAK IN THE CHRONOLOGICAL CHAIN TONIGHT.  "TANGLED" CAME OUT ON DVD TODAY, SO WE RENTED IT.  NEITHER OF US HAD SEEN IT AND FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN'T, DO SO.  IT WAS GOOD.  REALLY FUNNY.  NICE MIX OF A GIRLS PRINCESS STORY AND BOYS SLAPSTICK HUMOR.  AS GOOD AS ALL THE REVIEWS.

Monday, March 28, 2011

26 DAYS TO GO . . .

     MONDAY MARCH 28, 2011

     TALKS AND LECTURES ON-BOARD.  THERE ARE SO MANY ACTIVITIES ON-BOARD THAT WHEN YOU FIRST SEE YOUR PERSONAL NAVIGATOR, YOU'RE LIABLE TO BE OVERWHELMED WITH THEM ALL.  I'M SURE YOU, LIKE MOST CRUISERS, WILL WANT TO DO ALMOST ALL OF THEM AND WILL CONSTANTLY BE AFRAID OF MISSING SOMETHING.  IT'S FUNNY ISN'T IT?  WE'RE CONSTANTLY GETTIN ON KIDS FOR BEING NOSEY AND TELLING THEM, "YOU'RE JUST AFRAID OF MISSING SOMETHING."  NOW THE SHOE'S ON THE OTHER FOOT HUH?  GRANTED, A LOT OF THESE ACTIVITIES WERE SEARCHING OUR ARE FOR THE KIDS, BUT THERE'S PLENTY IN THE LINE-UP FOR US TOO.
     SO DISNEY HAS SPEECHES, TUTORIALS, OR, BASICALLY, INFOMERCIALS, ON-BOARD FOR MOST OF THESE MAJOR EVENTS.  LIKE THE ONE THEY HAVE IN THE THEATER ABOUT SHOPPING AND EXCURSIONS IN NASSAU.  IF YOU'RE PLANNING ON GETTING OFF OF THE BOAT IN NASSAU, YOU ALMOST FEEL OBLIGATED TO GO AND FIND OUT EVERYTHING YOU CAN IF YOU'VE NEVER BEEN THERE BEFORE.  GET SOME INSIDE INFORMATION OR SOME SPECIAL YOU WOULDN'T HAVE KNOWN ABOUT OTHERWISE.  IRONIC THAT BY ATTENDING THIS YOU COULD BE MISSING SOMETHING FUN INSTEAD.  ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU REALIZE THAT THE SAME SPEECH IS PLAYED ON YOUR T.V. ON ONE OF THE CHANNELS IN YOUR ROOM. 
     THERE ARE EMBARKATION, AND DEBARKATION TALKS AND LONGER EVENTS TO GET YOU TO TRY AND BUY INTO THE DISNEY VACATION CLUB.  AT LEAST AT THIS ONE YOU HAVE A CHANCE OF WINNING SOME PRIZES OR ON-BOARD CREDITS.  BUT DON'T SACRIFICE ANYTHING ELSE FOR YOU OR YOUR PARTY FOR ONE OF THESE LECTURES.  YOU'RE GOING TO FIND THAT YOU PROBABLY ALREADY KNOW MOST OF THE INFORMATION ALREADY OR CAN JUST CATCH IT ON YOUR TV IN YOUR ROOM IF YOU REALLY WANT TO HEAR IT.
     ONE OF THE NEW ONES ON THE DISNEY DREAM IS "THE MAKING OF THE DREAM".  I WAS TEMPTED MYSELF AFTER JUST HEARING THE NAME, AND I'VE READ ALL I CAN ON THIS SHIP.  BUT AFTER FINDING OUT EXACTLY WHAT IT IS, IT'S NOT FOR ME.  IT'S NOT THIS BEHIND THE SCENES DOCUMENTARY FILM LIKE IT SOUNDS.  IT'S REALLY JUST A POWER POINT PRESENTATION.  SOME MAY ENJOY IT, BUT MOST WILL BE DISAPPOINTED IN THE END AND LEAVE THINKING, "THAT WAS NOT WHAT I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE."  AND YOU CAN'T GET THAT TIME BACK ONCE IT'S ALREADY GONE.  AND ONCE AGAIN YOU, AND EVEN WORSE, YOU AND OTHERS, MAY HAVE MISSED SOMETHING REALLY ENTERTAINING ELSEWHERE. 
     NOW IT'S ALWAYS A MATTER OF PERSONAL TASTE, BUT PUT SOME THOUGHT INTO IT BEFORE YOU CHOOSE TO ATTEND ANYTHING INFORMATIONAL, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, DON'T BE AFRAID TO LEAVE BEFORE IT'S OVER IF IT'S NOT FOR YOU.  I'VE READ REVIEWS FROM MANY WHO SAID THEY "DIDN'T WANT TO WALK OUT BEFORE IT WAS OVER."  NOT ME!  I HATE WASTED TIME.  IF IT'S NOT FOR ME, I'M OUT.  DON'T BE AFRAID TO DO THE SAME.  ENJOY THE TIME YOU HAVE.
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "THE GREAT MOUSE DETECTIVE",  A CUTE ANIMATED PLAY ON SHERLOCK HOLMES.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

27 DAYS TO GO . . .

     SUNDAY MARCH 27, 2011

     FINDING YOUR FAVORITE CHARACTERS ON-BOARD.  SINCE THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE IS SO DOMINATED BY FAMILIES THAT ARE ALREADY FANS OF DISNEY, YOU CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO SEE YOUR FAVORITE CHARACTERS AROUND THE SHIP, JUST LIKE AT THE PARKS.
     WELL AT THE PARKS YOU KNOW YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SEE CHARACTERS SPREAD OUT INTO THE DIFFERENT "LANDS" AT DIFFERENT TIMES.  YOU CAN FIND CHARACTER SPOTS ON MAPS OR ASK AS TO WHERE TO GO AND WHEN.  THE PROBLEM AT THE PARKS CAN BE THAT ONE DAY MAY ONLY HAVE 10,000 VISITORS, WHILE ANOTHER DAY OF THE YEAR CAN HAVE 100,000 PEOPLE ALL TRYING TO SEE THE SAME THINGS.
     THIS IS WHERE THE REAL ADVANTAGE OF TAKING A DISNEY CRUISE CAN COME INTO EFFECT.  NO MATTER WHAT DAY OF THE WEEK, OR WHAT MONTH OF THE YEAR YOU'RE CRUISING, THE SHIP IS NEVER GOING TO HAVE MORE THAN A FEW THOUSAND PEOPLE ON IT.  IT'S A FINITE NUMBER.  MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY.  TRUE THAT IT CAN FEEL MORE CROWDED ON SOME DAYS THAN OTHERS, BUT NOTHING LIKE THE DIFFERENCE OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. 
     TO MAKE THINGS EVEN EASIER ON YOU, THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE PRINTS IN YOUR PERSONAL NAVIGATOR WHAT CHARACTERS YOU'LL BE ABLE TO FIND WHEN AND WHERE.  NOW THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH SPACE ON A 4 PAGE DAILY ITINERARY PAPER SO YOU CAN FIND EVEN MORE DETAIL ELSEWHERE TOO.  THERE IS A DIGITAL BOARD IN THE LOBBY OF ALL DISNEY SHIPS THAT HAS THE TIMES AND LOCATIONS FOR ALL CHARACTERS FOR THAT DAY SHOWING CONSTANTLY.  BUT YOU CAN GET EVEN MORE DETAIL EASIER THAN THAT TOO.  YOU CAN PICK UP YOUR STATEROOM (OR ANY HOUSE) PHONE AND DIAL 7-PALS AND FIND OUT THE EXACT TIMES AND LOCATIONS OF EACH AND EVERY CHARACTER APPEARANCE FOR THAT DAY RIGHT FROM YOUR PHONE IN ADVANCE AND EVEN PLAN OUT YOUR PHOTO OPS WITH THEM.
     THE DISNEY CHARACTERS ARE KNOWN TO APPEAR FROM THE BEGINNING OF YOUR CRUISE ALL THE WAY TO THE END.  YOU CAN SEE CERTAIN ONES APPEARING IN THE TERMINAL BEFORE YOU EMBARK, AROUND THE POOL DECK, AT DECK PARTIES, IN THE ATRIUM, THE LOUNGES, THE KIDS CLUBS, THE SPA, AND EVEN JUST RUNNING INTO THEM IN THE HALLWAY OR ELEVATOR.  AND AGAIN, IT COULD BE JUST YOU, OR A FEW OTHERS WITH YOU AND THAT'S IT, COMPARED TO POSSIBLY HUNDREDS WAITING FOR THE SAME AT THE PARKS.
     MANY SCHEDULED CHARACTER APPEARANCES WILL HAVE PHOTOGRAPHERS STATIONED NEARBY WITH THEM, JUST LIKE THE PARKS.  ALTHOUGH ON THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE THERE IS NO "PHOTOPASS" LIKE THE PARKS.  PHOTOGRAPHY IS RUN BY "SHUTTERS", A PRIVATE COMPANY.  BUT YOU CAN PURCHASE PICTURES THEY TAKE JUST LIKE AT THE PARKS.  THEY WILL TAKE PICTURES OF YOU WITH YOUR OWN CAMERA AS WELL, OR LET YOU TAKE SOME OF YOUR KIDS OR FAMILY WITH THE CHARACTERS TOO.  A REAL ADVANTAGE TO THESE SITUATIONS IS IF YOU FIND YOURSELF IN LINE WITHOUT YOUR CAMERA.  AT LEAST SOMEONE WILL BE THERE TO CAPTURE THE MOMENT FOR YOU.
     IF IT'S A PRINTED AND SCHEDULED APPEARANCE, ODDS ARE THERE WILL BE AT LEAST A FEW OTHERS THAT ARE THINKING THE SAME AS YOU, SO YOU SHOULD TRY TO PLAN ON BEING THERE A FEW MINUTES EARLY.  LIKE AT THE DISNEY PARKS, EACH INDIVIDUAL CHARACTER IS USUALLY ONLY SCHEDULED TO APPEAR FOR 15-20 MINUTES BEFORE BEING REPLACED BY ANOTHER.  A CAST MEMBER WILL USUALLY TELL A CERTAIN PERSON IN THE LINE THAT THEY ARE AT THE CUT-OFF POINT FOR THAT PARTICULAR CHARACTER.  IF YOU KNOW WHO'S NEXT AND WHERE THE CUT-OFF POINT IS, YOU CAN ALSO PLAN TO BE THE FIRST PERSON IN LINE FOR THE NEXT CHARACTER.  BY FAR THE MOST POPULAR APPEARANCES HAS GROWN TO BE THE PRINCESSES.  THEY USUALLY APPEAR IN A GROUP AND THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE HAS ONE LINE FOR YOU TO SEE ALL OF THEM SO THE TURN OUT OF LITTLE GIRLS IN GOWNS IS HUGE, SO MAKE SURE YOU PLAN ON IT . . . AND TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES!
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "THE RESCUERS".  GREAT VOICE TALENT IN THIS FILM.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

28 DAYS TO GO . . .

     SATURDAY MARCH 26, 2011

     STOCK YOUR ROOM.  ODDS ARE YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE IN YOUR ROOM A WHOLE LOT.  MORNINGS WHEN YOU GET UP AND NIGHTS WHEN YOU'RE GOING TO BED.  GETTING CLEANED UP AFTER SWIMMING IN THE POOLS OR GOING TO THE BEACH AND GETTING READY FOR DINNER.  REALLY OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL DAYS, IT'S NOT A WHOLE LOT OF TIME.  IT COULD BE, BUT IT GENERALLY ISN'T.  IT COULD BE MORE IF YOU HAVE KIDS THAT NEED NAPS OR SOMEONE IN YOUR PARTY IS JUST WORN OUT OR ISN'T FEELING WELL TOO.  SO YOU SEE WHAT TIMES HAVE THE MOST POTENTIAL FOR BEING IN YOUR ROOM.
     YOU KNOW YOU  HAVE ALL THE COMFORTS OF HOME, JUST IN A SMALLER SPACE.  SO WHY NOT TREAT IT AS SUCH?  WHILE YOUR OUT AND ABOUT CHECKING THINGS OUT, WHY NOT PICK UP SOME OF THE THINGS YOU KNOW YOU MAY HAVE NEED FOR IN YOUR ROOM OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS?  PICK UP EXTRA NAPKINS, CUPS AND LIDS AT THE DRINK STATION.  DID YOU BRING YOUR OWN ZIP LOCK BAGS LIKE YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO?  WHEN YOU GO TO THE BUFFET, PACK UP SOME COOKIES OR FRUIT FOR YOUR OWN COOKIE TRAY OR FRUIT BOWL.  SEE WHAT FOODS WILL KEEP, OR ARE GOOD AT ROOM TEMPERATURE, OR EVEN BETTER SERVED COLD.  YOU HAVE A REFRIGERATOR IN YOUR ROOM.  SEE WHAT DRINKS ARE IN BOTTLES OR CARTONS THAT YOU CAN KEEP IN YOUR FRIDGE.  OPEN CARBONATED DRINKS WON'T KEEP LONG BUT LONG ENOUGH.  JUICES AND MILKS WILL DO FINE. 
     BE CREATIVE.  REMEMBER, IT'S LIABLE TO BE YOUR WHOLE FAMILY IN THAT ROOM.  SO IF YOU PLAN AHEAD, YOU COULD SAVE A FEW HEADACHES JUST BY HAVING SOMETHING AROUND IN A PINCH.  ROOM SERVICE MAY SERVE 24 HOURS A DAY, BUT IT COULD ALSO TAKE 30 - 45 MINUTES TO GET THERE. 
     KEEP EXTRA NAVIGATORS IN YOUR ROOM AS WELL.  YOU CAN ALWAYS GET EXTRAS FROM YOUR ROOM ATTENDANT, THE KIDS CLUBS, OR GUEST SERVICES.  THEY NOT ONLY GIVE YOU SOMETHING TO READ, BUT ALLOW YOU TO DO SOME ADVANCE PLANNING WHILE YOUR IN YOUR ROOM.  THAT WAY YOU WON'T FEEL LIKE YOU'RE MISSING SOMETHING LIKE SO MANY DO WHEN THEY'RE NOT ACTUALLY INVOLVED IN AN ACTIVITY ON A CRUISE.
     IF YOU ARE ACTUALLY IN YOUR ROOM, CHECK OUT WHAT DISNEY'S ON-BOARD TELEVISION OPTIONS ARE.  SOME PEOPLE COMPLAIN THAT THEY CAN'T GET ANYTHING ON THEIR TV's OTHER THAN DISNEY OWNED CHANNELS LIKE ABC & ESPN.  BUT, THERE ARE SPECIALTY CHANNELS YOU COULD NEVER FIND ANYWHERE ELSE LIKE EXPLANATIONS ON SHOPPING IN PORT, A SHORE EXCURSIONS CHANNEL, SHIP TIPS, A DEBARKATION CHANNEL, A BRIDGE REPORT CHANNEL, A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, AS WELL AS CHANNELS THAT PLAY NON-STOP DISNEY ANIMATED CLASSICS, DISNEY ANIMATED FEATURES, WALT DISNEY THEATER PRODUCTIONS, DISNEY VACATION CLUB, PIXAR MOVIES, AS WELL AS FREE "ON DEMAND" MOVIE CHANNELS OF FIRST RUN FILMS AND THOSE IN THEATERS.  TONS OF OPTIONS.  FEW GO ON VACATION TO WATCH TV, BUT THERE ARE TIMES YOU'LL BE THANKFUL YOU HAVE ALL THESE OPTIONS, NO MATTER HOW FEW A TIME THAT IS.
     SO MAKE YOUR STATEROOM YOUR OWN, AND STOCK IT FOR YOU AND YOUR PARTY SO YOU'LL NEVER BE FORCED TO RUN OUT UNEXPECTEDLY AT THE LAST MINUTE. . . . WITH A COMPLAINING KID(S) OR SPOUSE!
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "THE BLACK CAULDRON".  DARK AND FUN AND DEFINITELY MORE OF A LITTLE BOY'S MOVIE.

Friday, March 25, 2011

29 DAYS TO GO . . .

     FRIDAY MARCH 25, 2011

     YOUR STATEROOM FRIDGE.  THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE HAS HAD REFRIGERATORS IN ALL THEIR ROOMS SINCE FIRST SAILING.  THE PROBLEM WAS THEY REALLY WEREN'T REFRIGERATORS.  THEY WERE "COOLING BOXES".  HUH?  YOU KNOW YOU'RE THINKIN, "UH OH.  WHAT'S THE CATCH?"  COME ON, LIKE ANSWERING "DO YOU HAVE AIR CONDITIONING?" WITH "NO BUT THE CEILING FANS KEEP THE ROOM COOL ENOUGH."  REALLY?  HOW COOL IS COOL?  MY COOL MIGHT NOT BE WHAT YOUR COOL IS.  AND IS IT COOL ENOUGH?  YOU SEE WHERE THE PROBLEM IS.  AND EVEN THOUGH I'VE NEVER HAD TO DEAL WITH IT PERSONALLY, WHAT IF YOU HAD MEDICINE THAT NEEDED TO BE KEPT COOL AT OR BELOW A CERTAIN TEMPERATURE?  EVEN THOUGH THERE'S A "FRIDGE" IN YOUR ROOM, YOU COULDN'T STORE YOUR OWN MEDICINE IN IT BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T BE SAFE.
     WELL WITH THE NEW DISNEY CRUISE SHIPS COMING ON LINE, THEY'VE TRIED TO RECTIFY THIS.  I SAY TRY BECAUSE THERE WAS ALL KINDS OF INFORMATION RELEASED PRIOR TO THE DISNEY DREAM'S FIRST SAILING THAT SAID THERE WOULD BE AN HONEST TO GOODNESS SMALL REFRIGERATOR IN EVERY ROOM.  COME THE FIRST SAILING . . . A NEW COOLING BOX.  UNBELIEVABLE.  I'D REALLY LOVE TO KNOW WHAT THEIR RATIONALE WAS FOR THIS.  I KNOW IN THE HOTEL BUSINESS IT'S A PROBLEM BECAUSE GUESTS IMMEDIATELY TURN THE FRIDGES TO AS COLD AS THEY CAN GET.  THE LITTLE FREEZERS FREEZE OVER, OR AT LEAST OVER THE COOLING COILS AND INEVITABLY AT SOME POINT THEY HAVE TO BE DEFROSTED.  THE ICE BUILDS UP, DECREASES THE USABLE SPACE INSIDE AND IT'S ACTUALLY BAD FOR THE COILS AND THE FRIDGE AS WELL.  WELL WITH A CRUISE SHIP THAT'S SAILING EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK.  WHEN DO YOU DEFROST IT?  THERE'S ONLY ABOUT 5 HOURS MAX BETWEEN GUESTS LEAVING AND NEW ONES COMING ON.  AND DO YOU JUST UNPLUG IT AND LEAVE TOWELS IN THE BOTTOM?  YOU CAN'T HAVE WATER HITTING THE FLOOR, BECAUSE THAT CAUSES MOLD AND SMELLS.  IT'S A REAL QUANDARY IN A ROOM THAT IS OCCUPIED ALL THE TIME.  I'M JUST CURIOUS IF THAT'S WHAT DISNEY'S MOTIVATION WAS. 
     EITHER WAY, THE NEW "BOXES" ARE DESIGNED TO GET COLDER AND BE SAFE TO AT LEAST PUT MEDICINES IN AND KEEP DRINKS "COOL".  THERE ARE NO ICE MACHINES ON DISNEY CRUISE SHIPS, MOST SHIPS ACTUALLY.  DISNEY DISPENSES ICE AT THE DRINK STATIONS ON THE UPPER DECK FOR DRINKS.  ICE BUCKETS HAVE TO BE FILLED BY YOUR STATEROOM HOST, AND IF YOU WANT TO MAKE COLD DRINKS IN YOUR ROOM, THIS MAY BE A NECESSITY.  ANOTHER POPULAR USE FOR A FULL ICE BUCKET IN YOUR ROOM IS TO PUT IT IN YOUR REFRIGERATOR.  BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THIS WELL HELP MAKE YOUR FRIDGE COLDER AND SLOW THE MELTING OF THE ICE DOWN.  IT'S SIMPLE PHYSICS.  HEY, THE ORIGINAL AIR CONDITIONERS WERE FANS BLOWING ACROSS ICE BLOCKS.  SO WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO LOSE?  PLUS, FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, YOU CAN HAVE YOUR STATEROOM HOST BRING YOU A FULL ICE BUCKET TWICE A DAY.  DAY AND NIGHT.  MAYBE ONCE FOR THAT BOX COOLING AND ONCE FOR THOSE ICE COLD SCREWDRIVERS IN YOUR ROOM.  MMMM.  SCREWDRIVER.  OH WAIT, THAT'S ANOTHER TOPIC.
     BUT, AT LEAST YOU KNOW THERE IS A REFRIGERATOR IN YOUR ROOM, NO MATTER HOW COLD IT MAY GET.  LET'S FACE IT, IF YOU STAY IN A HOTEL, YOU USUALLY WANT ONE EVEN IF NOT SURE YOU'RE GOING TO USE IT.  NOW YOU HAVE IT.  AND WITH MOST PEOPLE TRAVELING WITH FAMILIES, IT'S A REAL BONUS TO KNOW IT'S THERE TO PLAN ON OR JUST IN CASE.  MOST PEOPLE AREN'T IN THEIR ROOMS MUCH, BUT YOU WILL BE AT SOME POINTS, AND THE BIGGER THE ROOM, THE MORE PEOPLE ARE USUALLY IN THEM.  SO START MIXING THOSE DRINKS . . . I'M ON MY WAY! 
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "THE FOX AND THE HOUND".  ONE I'VE ONLY SEEN PART OF, NOT REALLY SURE WHY.  IT NEVER REALLY GOT A WHOLE LOT OF DISNEY PUBLICITY.  MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE THE CHARACTERS DON'T TRANSLATE WELL ENOUGH TO THE PARKS.  HAD TO RUN TO THE THRIFT STORE TO BUY THE VHS FOR A BUCK.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

30 DAYS TO GO . . .

     THURSDAY 3/24/11

     SMELLS IN YOUR ROOM.  MY SON JUST STUNK UP THE HOUSE (SORRY), SO THERE COULDN'T BE A BETTER TIME FOR THIS.  I KNOW CRUISE SHIPS AND ALL THEIR TECHNOLOGY HAVE COME A LONG WAY, BUT LET'S KEEP IN MIND YOU'RE STAYING IN AN AWFULLY SMALL SPACE.  HOTEL ROOMS CAN BE A CONCERN FOR PEOPLE AND THEY'RE BIGGER THAN CRUISE SHIP STATEROOMS.  SOME OF YOU HAVE 3, 4, OR 5 PEOPLE STAYING IN THEIR STATEROOM.  IT DOESN'T JUST HAVE TO BE ABOUT A LOT OF PEOPLE IN A SMALL SPACE EITHER.  TOILETS, SHOWERS, SINKS, ETC. ON CRUISE SHIPS DON'T JUST LEAD OUT INTO THE OCEAN.  EVERYTHING IS KEPT AND TREATED ON-BOARD.  SO SOME WATERS, OR DRAINS, MAY SMELL DIFFERENT TO SOME PEOPLE.  THEY DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO SMELL BAD, JUST DIFFERENT.  THIS USED TO BE AN EVEN BIGGER PROBLEM ON SHIPS THAT PEOPLE COMPLAINED ABOUT ENDLESSLY.  LUCKILY, LIKE MOST PROBLEMS, WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE WORKING ON THEM, THEY'RE BOUND TO IMPROVE.
     LIGHTING CANDLES IS NOT PERMITTED ON CRUISE SHIPS, IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM.  SO IF THAT'S THE SCENT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GO ABOUT IT ANOTHER WAY.  SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT IT WAS THE INCREASING CRUISE SHIP MARKET THAT INSPIRED "FLAMELESS" CANDLES.  ABLE TO PRODUCE A PLEASING ODOR WITHOUT HAVING TO BE LIT AND GIVING OFF THAT FLICKERING LIGHT EFFECT AS WELL.
     SOME PEOPLE PREFER CARPET DEODORIZER.  BUT UNLESS YOU'RE INSISTING YOUR ROOM HOST VACUUM YOUR RUG EVERY DAY, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAPPEN, YOU COULD BE STUCK WITH A LOT OF POWDER UNDER FOOT.
     SOME PEOPLE HANG DEODORIZERS ON THEIR TOILET BOWLS, BUT THAT STILL LEAVES OPEN DRAINS.  SOME BRING WATER DEODORIZERS, BUT THIS ISN'T STANDING WATER THAT COMES FROM YOUR HOT WATER HEATER.  THIS IS WATER FROM A PLANT FOR SOMETHING THE SIZE OF A SKYSCRAPER.
     SOME PREFER SPRAYS.  I GUESS THIS REALLY DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU'RE WILLING TO PACK.  DO YOU HAVE ROOM FOR A BIG CAN OF SPRAY?  IS IT SAFE TO TRANSPORT WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT THE HEAT OR COLD OR IT CRACKING OR PUNCTURING?  THAT KIND OF THING.  THERE ARE GELS AND BEADS AND POTPOURRIS AND STICK-UPS AND TWIST TOPS.  SOOOO MANY CHOICES NOW.  I LITERALLY JUST CHOSE OUT OF SIZE.  I FOUND A DEODORIZER THAT WAS THE SIZE OF A VISINE BOTTLE.  AND IT IS ACTUALLY DROPS.  IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE CONCENTRATED AND SMALL.  I HAVE NO IDEA IF IT'LL BE EVEN NECESSARY.  WE WON'T BE IN OUR ROOM MUCH EXCEPT TO SLEEP AND IT MAY BE ABSOLUTELY FINE TO BEGIN WITH.  BUT IF IT'S NOT?  I WANT TO HAVE SOMETHING TO MAKE IT A LITTLE MORE PLEASANT.  I'D RATHER BE THINKING IT SMELLS LIKE A PINE FORREST IN HERE OR A GIANT MINT THAN BE SAYING, MAN DOES IT STINK IN HERE.  KNOW WHAT I MEAN?  BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY.  THAT'S MY THOUGHT ANYWAY.
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "THE MANY ADVENTURES OF WINNIE THE POOH".  LOOOOVE POOH.  I'M ACTUALLY A BIG TIGGER FAN.  GO (CLEMSON) TIGERS!  BUT I LOVE ALL THE POOH MOVIES.  CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEW ONE TO HIT THE BIG SCREEN JULY 15, 2011!

31 DAYS TO GO . . .

     WEDNESDAY MARCH 23, 2011

     YOU'RE IN FLORIDA AND HEADING FURTHER SOUTH.  IT'S TIME TO START THINKING ABOUT THAT SOUTHERN SUN.  AAAAH, WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE, RIGHT?  WELL, I'M GOING TO TELL A LITTLE STORY THAT BEST EXPLAINS THE DIFFERENCE.
     FIRST LET ME PREFACE THIS BY SAYING THAT THE EARTH IS CLOSEST TO THE SUN IN JANUARY.  THAT'S RIGHT.  NOT THE SUMMER TIME, BUT WINTER HEADING INTO SPRING, AND CLOSER STILL TOWARDS THE EQUATOR.  ONE YEAR MY FAMILY, IRONICALLY ENOUGH, HOPPED IN OUR MOTOR HOME FOR EASTER VACATION AND HEADED FOR DISNEY WORLD, FORT WILDERNESS TO BE EXACT.  A WHOLE WEEK OFF AND THE CHANCE TO NOT ONLY ENJOY "THE WORLD", BUT GET SOME SUN AND GO HOME WITH A SAVAGE TAN TO MAKE THE OTHER KIDS JEALOUS.
     WELL THE FIRST FULL DAY, MY BROTHER AND I RACED DOWN TO THE LAKE AND LAID OUT IN THE SUN FOR ALMOST 6 STRAIGHT HOURS.  FELT GOOD.  HARDLY FELT BURNT.  YET.  AS THE HOURS PASSED, OUR SKIN BEGAN TO GLOW, AND SWELL AND BUBBLE UNTIL WE LOOKED LIKE THE ELEPHANT MAN . . . OR MEN.  OUR EYES SWELLED ALMOST CLOSED AND OUR BODIES OOZED OILS AND FLUIDS.  ANYTHING TO TRY AND FIGHT THE TORTURE WE PUT OURSELVES THROUGH.  WE KNEW BETTER.  WE LIVE ON THE BEACH IN JERSEY.  HOW DIFFERENT COULD IT BE?  WE MISSED MOST OF THE TRIP, OUTSIDE OF OUR CAMPER ANYWAY, AND WENT HOME WHITE AS GHOSTS WHEN OUR ENTIRE BODIES PEELED BEFORE WE EVER GOT HOME.
     YES, WE WERE YOUNG AND STUPID, BUT COME ON, YOU'VE SEEN THOSE PEOPLE.  WALKING BY THEM YOU NOTICE HOW RED THEY ARE.  TRYING TO GET IT ALL IN ON THE FIRST DAY.  THEY KNOW BEST.  THEY KNOW THEIR SKIN.  THEY KNOW WHAT THEY CAN TAKE.  TRUST ME.  A SUNBURN IS A SUNBURN AND IT CAN RUIN YOUR TRIP, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO KIDS.  YOU'RE BETTER WITH THE IDEA OF TRYING TO MAKE SURE NO SUN GETS THROUGH TO THEM WHATSOEVER THAN YOU ARE HAVING TO PUT UP WITH THE COMPLAINING THAT COMES WITH A CHILD'S SUNBURN.
     I'VE WORKED AS A LIFEGUARD AND GREW UP ON THE BEACH.  WHEN I WAS A KID, MY DAD'S IDEA OF SUN PROTECTION WAS PUTTING A T-SHIRT ON US WHEN OUR SHOULDERS STARTED TO BLISTER.  HE'S HAD SKIN CANCER BY THE WAY.  IT'S REAL.  SO, THE LESSON.  NEVER USE A SUN TAN LOTION THAT HAS LESS THAN 30 SPF.  WHAT'S THAT?  IT'S ON EVERY BOTTLE OF SUN TAN LOTION.  YOU CAN'T MISS IT.  ANYTHING LESS THAN 30 AND YOU MIGHT AS WELL BE USING BABY OIL, OR THAT SPRAY BOTTLE FULL OF WATER YOU SEE SOME PEOPLE USING.  NOT ONLY DO NEITHER OF THOSE HAVE ANY PROTECTION FOR YOUR SKIN, BUT THEY WILL DAMAGE IT.  DID YOU EVER SEE THOSE DARK SKINNED OLD LADIES ON THE BEACH OR BY POOLS WITH THAT WRINKLY SKIN THAT LOOKS LIKE A SHAR PEI DOG?  THAT'S WHAT THAT'S FROM.  MMMM ATTRACTIVE.  AND THAT'S WITHOUT EVEN CONSIDERING THE SKIN CANCER FACTORS.  HEY, I'M A SUN WORSHIPPER, AND I KNOW IT'S BAD FOR ME.  I'VE HAD SUN POISONING, SUN SPOTS, SUN SICKNESS.  I'M NOT AVOIDING BEACH DAYS OR DAYS AROUND THE POOL (ALTHOUGH I PROBABLY SHOULD), BUT I AM USING LOTION NOW AND I ALWAYS PUT IT ON MY SON.
     A STRONG SUN TAN LOTION IS A SMALL INVESTMENT TO KEEP YOU OR YOUR FAMILY FROM BEING IN PAIN FOR YOUR WHOLE VACATION.  CHOOSE AN SPF 30, OR 45, OR HIGHER FOR THE LITTLEST KIDS.  TRUST ME.  YOU'LL STILL GET A TAN.  THERE'S LESS IN OUR OZONE TO PROTECT YOU ANYMORE AND YOU'RE HEADING TO WHERE THE SUN IS STRONGEST.  YOU COULDN'T POSSIBLY AVOID GETTING SUN.  DID YOU KNOW WHAT YOU CAN GET JUST AS GOOD OF A TAN SITTING OUTSIDE IN THE SHADE?  IT'S TRUE.  IT JUST TAKES LONGER.  SAME AS RUNNING 5 MILES TAKES YOU LESS TIME THAN WALKING IT BUT YOU'RE STILL DOING 5 MILES WALKING IT.  SO BE CAREFUL NOT TO TRY AND SPRINT TO THAT FINISH LINE AND HURT YOURSELF.
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "PETE'S DRAGON".  NOT REALLY ONE OF MY FAVORITES.  DON'T REALLY HAVE A REASON EITHER, BUT MY SON THE DINOSAUR FAN LOVES IT!

32 DAYS TO GO . . .

     TUESDAY MARCH, 22, 2011

     NOW THAT YOUR ON-BOARD AND AMONGST THE THOUSANDS ON A SHIP 1,115 FEET LONG (THAT'S ALMOST 4 FOOTBALL FIELDS BY THE WAY), HOW DO YOU FIND WHO YOU'RE LOOKING FOR?  HOW DO YOU KEEP IN TOUCH?  THE NEW WAVE PHONES, OF COURSE.
     MUCH LIKE AT DISNEY'S AMUSEMENT PARKS, PEOPLE HAVE REALIZED IT'S JUST TOO BIG A PLACE WITH TOO MANY PEOPLE TO HOPE TO FIND SOMEONE.  SO PEOPLE STARTED USING TWO-WAY RADIOS.  AS A MATTER OF FACT, AFTER I READ ABOUT THESE, I ASKED FOR THEM FOR CHRISTMAS ONE YEAR SO WE WOULD HAVE THEM FOR OUR FAMILY'S TRIP TO DISNEY WORLD.  WE ENDED UP HAVING 4 OF THEM BY THEN AND THEY PROVED INVALUABLE (WITHIN RANGE) TO TRACKING PEOPLE DOWN AND MEETING UP.
     WELL IT SEEMS PEOPLE HAVE REALIZED IT'S BECOME A NECESSITY ON DISNEY CRUISE SHIPS AS WELL.  WITH A CRUISE LINE THAT SPECIALIZES IN FAMILIES LIKE DISNEY DOES, YOU'RE RARELY TRAVELING WITH LESS THAN 3 PEOPLE, USUALLY MORE.  AND MOST TIMES FOR MOST PEOPLE, SOME OF YOUR PARTY WILL BE KIDS, ESPECIALLY ON DISNEY CRUISE LINES.  SO NOW THAT YOU KNOW THAT GOING IN, YOU KNOW THAT YOU'RE NOT ALL ALWAYS GOING TO WANT TO DO THE SAME THING.  ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE PARENTS OR GRANDPARENTS AND ANY OLDER KIDS THAT CAN MOVE ABOUT ON THEIR OWN.  SO THESE TWO-WAY RADIOS HAVE SPREAD LIKE WILD FIRE.
     DISNEY QUICKLY LEARNED THROUGH FEEDBACK THAT THIS WAS A REAL CONCERN FOR CUSTOMERS AND DEVELOPED AN IN HOUSE SYSTEM OF THEIR OWN FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS.  THESE ARE CALLED "WAVE PHONES". (www.disnology.com/2011/01/14/disney-cruise-line-wave-phones)  THEY REALLY JUST LOOK LIKE ANY BASIC HOUSEHOLD PHONE SYSTEM.  SLEEK AND BLACK AND SITTING IN A CHARGER AND TWO TO A ROOM.  THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE AND YOUR HOUSE PHONE IS THAT THESE ARE DESIGNED MORE FOR AN IN HOUSE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM. 
     EACH WAVE PHONE HAS IT'S OWN NUMBER, USUALLY YOUR STATEROOM NUMBER THEN 1 & 2 FOR EACH HANDSET, AND THAT'S EXACTLY HOW YOU CALL OTHER ROOMS.  YOU DIAL THE HANDSET NUMBER; ROOM NUMBER AND THE PARTICULAR HANDSET.  THEY ALLOW YOU TO LEAVE MESSAGES AND YOU CAN TEXT ON THEM AS WELL, JUST LIKE A CELL PHONE.  THEY HAVE GREAT RANGE, CAN BE USED ALL OVER THE SHIP, AND CAN EVEN BE USED ON DISNEY'S PRIVATE ISLAND, CASTAWAY CAY.  WHILE FAMILIES LOVE THE IDEA OF FREE COMMUNICATION (NO RIDICULOUS CELL PHONE BILL FOR THE SAME PURPOSE NOW), DISNEY DOESN'T DO ANYTHING JUST FOR THE GUEST.  THERE HAS TO BE SOME BOTTOM LINE INVOLVED.  IN THIS CASE IT'S SO DISNEY CAN GET A HOLD OF YOU AS WELL.  USUALLY, AND PROBABLY MOST IMPORTANTLY AS WELL, IS THAT THESE WAVE PHONES ALSO REPLACE THE OLD PAGERS FROM THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE'S KIDS CLUBS.  SO NOW WHEN YOUR CHILD IS HUNGRY OR CRYING OR JUST WANTS OUT OF THERE, THEY CAN REACH YOU WITHOUT PROBLEM OR EXCUSE FOR YOU TO COME GET YOUR KID!  lol 
     I LOVE THE IDEA IN GENERAL, BUT IT DOESN'T REALLY WORK FOR ME.  MY SON IS EITHER WITH ME OR IN THE KIDS CLUB, WHICH MEANS HE'LL NEVER NEED TO CARRY ONE.  SO THAT JUST LEAVES ME CARRYING ONE WHEN HE'S NOT WITH ME.  AGAIN, THIS IS JUST LIKE YOUR HOUSE PHONE.  WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE TO CARRY AROUND ONE OF YOUR HOUSE PHONE HANDSETS ON VACATION?  I WOULD HAVE RATHER HAD THE PAGER.  WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH IT?  I DON'T CARRY A PURSE.  AND IT'S AN EVEN BIGGER PROBLEM FOR ME AND THOSE WITH THE SAME CONCERNS BECAUSE IF YOU LOSE (OR HAVE STOLEN) ONE, YOU'RE CHARGED $250!  I'M SURE I'M NOT THE FIRST TO NOTICE OR SAY SOMETHING, SO NOW THAT THE TECHNOLOGY IS IN USE, I'M SURE IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THEY GET SMALLER OR JUST BECOME AN "APP" FOR YOUR PHONE.  IN THE MEAN TIME, MAKE DUE AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FREE ON-BOARD COMMUNICATION AND NOT HAVING TO PACK TWO-WAY RADIOS ANYMORE.
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "ROBIN HOOD".  OOH DA LOLLY!

Monday, March 21, 2011

33 DAYS TO GO . . .

     MONDAY MARCH 21, 2011

     THE HORNS OF THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE.  I SAY HORNS WITH AN S HERE BECAUSE THE NEW DISNEY DREAM SHIP NOW HAS THE ABILITY TO PLAY MORE THAN ONE SONG.  YES SONG.  THE TWO CLASSIC DISNEY CRUISE SHIPS, THE DISNEY WONDER AND DISNEY MAGIC, PLAY THE FIRST LINE OF "WHEN YOU WISH UPON A STAR".  MOST CRUISE SHIPS ARE ONLY ABLE TO GIVE THE NORMAL HORN BLAST, LIKE A TRACTOR TRAILER.  THIS MUSICAL HORN WAS A REAL INNOVATION IN THE MARKET PLACE AND HAS BROUGHT DISNEY FANS TO TEARS SINCE.  YEAH, THEY'RE AN EMOTIONAL BUNCH.  lol
     THE NEW DISNEY DREAM CAN PLAY THE FIRST LINE OF "WHEN YOU WISH UPON A STAR" AND BECAUSE IT HAS THE ABILITY TO PLAY MORE NOTES, IT CAN PLAY MORE SONGS.  IT CAN ALSO PLAY THE SECOND LINE OF "WHEN YOU WISH UPON A STAR", "MAKES NO DIFFERENCE WHO YOU ARE", "A DREAM IS A WISH YOUR HEART MAKES" FROM CINDERELLA, "BE OUR GUEST, BE OUR GUEST, PUT OUR SERVICE TO THE TEST" FROM BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, "HI DIDDLE DEE DEE, AN ACTOR'S LIFE FOR ME" FROM PINOCCHIO, "IT'S A SMALL WORLD AFTER ALL" FROM DISNEY'S CLASSIC RIDE, AND "YO HO YO HO A PIRATE'S LIFE FOR ME" FROM THE PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN MOVIES AND RIDE.  THIS VIDEO LINK PROVIDES A RARE RECORDING OF THE DREAM AND THE MAGIC BOTH AT DISNEY'S PRIVATE ISLAND, CASTAWAY CAY, HAVING A HORN BATTLE OF THEIR OWN OF SORTS. (www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqdgg51qq3l)
     THE HORN SOUNDS FOR ALL AS THE SHIP LEAVES PORT AND AT 12 NOON EVERY DAY.  BECAUSE IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS ALL DAY, IT'S BECOME A REAL HIGHLIGHT FOR DISNEY CRUISE LINE PASSENGERS WHEN THEY DO GET TO HEAR THE RARE HORN "SONGS".  SO YOU MOST STOP IN THEIR TRACKS AND TRY TO RECORD THEM AND CHEER WILDLY AT THEIR FAVORITES.  IF YOU ARE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO COME ACROSS ANOTHER CRUISE LINE'S SHIP AND EXCHANGE HORN BLASTS, THE CHEERS YOU'LL HEAR ON-BOARD AT REALIZING HOW UNIQUE DCL'S CRUISE SHIP HORNS ARE WILL THREATEN STADIUM CHEERS.  SO GET READY.  IT'S ALMOST TIME!  SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
     TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "THE ARISTOCATS".  THIS MOVIE HAS REAL SENTIMENTAL VALUE FOR ME, BECAUSE I ACTUALLY SAW THIS IN THE MOVIE THEATER AS A LITTLE KID.

34 DAYS TO GO . . .

     SUNDAY MARCH 20, 2011

     THE SAIL AWAY PARTY. (www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgkhiwtvjoo)  EVERY DISNEY CRUISE (MOST CRUISE LINES IN FACT) KICKS OFF WITH A STAGE SHOW CALLED THE "SAIL AWAY PARTY" AS YOUR SHIP PULLS AWAY FROM THE DOCK.  YOUR CAPTAIN WILL GREET YOU FROM THE BRIDGE VIA DISNEY'S HUGE VIDEO SCREEN OVER THE POOLS AND DECK, YOU'LL MEET AND HEAR FROM YOUR CRUISE DIRECTOR AND BE ENTERTAINED BY CAST MEMBERS TO MUSIC AND DANCING AS YOU AWAIT THE TRUE DISNEY HEADLINERS.  ALL DISNEY SAIL AWAY PARTIES STAR THE BIG 8 - CHIP & DALE, GOOFY & PLUTO, DONALD & DAISY, AND OF COURSE MINNIE & MICKEY! 
      THIS IS ABOUT A 45 MINUTE SHOW TO GET YOU IN THE MOOD FOR YOUR CRUISE.  IT WILL INTRODUCE YOU TO THE CAST AND SOME CREW AND SOME OF WHAT YOU HAVE ACCESS TO AND IN STORE FOR YOUR VOYAGE.  IT TAKES PLACE RIGHT AFTER THE MANDATORY LIFE BOAT DRILLS BEFORE AND DURING CAST-OFF.  THERE ARE SING-ALONGS AND DANCE-ALONGS, BUBBLE BLOWING AND POM POM WAVING, AND OF COURSE LOTS OF SCREAMING AND YELLING FOR THE BIG CHEESE AS YOU COUNT DOWN TO THE BLOWING OF THE SHIPS HORN TO OFFICIALLY KICK OFF YOUR CRUISE.
      ONE OF THE LITTLE SECRETS TO THE KICK OFF OF A DISNEY CRUISE IS TO LOOK TO THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE TERMINAL FOR THE ON-SHORE CAST MEMBERS WAVING TO THOSE ON THE SHIP WEARING THEIR MICKEY MOUSE WHITE GLOVES.  ANOTHER OCCASIONAL SURPRISE IS THAT IF YOU GO TO THE FRONT OF THE SHIP (OR BOW) AS YOU HEAD OUT OF PORT, YOU WILL OFTEN SEE DOLPHINS SWIMMING, JUMPING, AND DIVING WHERE THE FRONT OF THE SHIP MEETS THE WATER.
     THIS IS OFTEN A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO MEET FELLOW PASSENGERS AND EMPLOYEES.  YOU CAN ALSO HAVE THAT FIRST DRINK.  YOU'LL SEE CAST MEMBERS WALKING AROUND WITH COLLECTIBLE GLASSES FILLED WITH THE "DRINK OF THE DAY".  THEY OFTEN COST MORE, BUT MAKE A NICE REUSABLE SOUVENIR FROM YOUR TRIP.  GET OUT AND ENJOY.  YOUR TRIP HAS BEGUN!
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "THE JUNGLE BOOK".  ON A SIDE NOTE, IF YOU'VE NEVER HEARD SWING BAND, BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY'S VERSION OF "I WANNA BE JUST LIKE YOU" FROM THE JUNGLE BOOK MOVIE, IT'S WELL WORTH LISTENING TO!

35 DAYS TO GO . . .

     SATURDAY MARCH 19, 2011

     BIRTHDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS.  AS MANY OF YOU PROBABLY ALREADY HAVE, OR HAVE AT LEAST HEARD OF OR EXPECTED, DISNEY IS THE HOME OF CELEBRATIONS.  THEY'VE EVEN GEARED AD CAMPAIGNS AROUND THE FACT THAT SO MANY GO TO DISNEY TO CELEBRATE.  WHETHER IT'S TO THE PARKS OR ON A CRUISE, THE NUMBERS CELEBRATING SOMETHING VS. JUST VISITING, IS INCREDIBLE.  AND NOBODY DOES CELEBRATIONS LIKE DISNEY.
     ALTHOUGH THE INFORMATION IS MUCH MORE READILY AVAILABLE NOW, THERE ARE STILL VAST NUMBERS THAT THINK THEY CAN ONLY CELEBRATE AT DISNEY IF THEY PAY MORE FOR IT.  THIS COULDN'T BE MORE UNTRUE.  YES, YOU CAN PAY EXTRA TO HAVE A SPECIAL CAKE MADE OR HAVE THEM DECORATE YOUR ROOM FOR YOU, OR SEND A SPECIAL GIFT.  BUT DID YOU KNOW THAT BY JUST GOING TO GUEST SERVICES AT ANY OF THE PARKS AND TELLING THEM WHAT YOU'RE CELEBRATING, THEY'LL GIVE YOU A FREE BUTTON TO WEAR DESCRIBING YOUR OCCASION?  AND JUST BY WEARING THAT BUTTON AROUND THE PARKS OR YOUR HOTEL, DISNEY EMPLOYEES (CAST MEMBERS) WILL CONSTANTLY SHOWER YOU WITH ATTENTION, AND SOMETIMES MORE.  WHEREVER YOU GO TO EAT, TELL THEM OF YOUR CELEBRATION.  THERE'S ALMOST ALWAYS A SPECIAL DESSERT COMING YOUR WAY BECAUSE OF IT. 
     THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE IS NO EXCEPTION.  BECAUSE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT'S "FREE" FOR YOUR PARTICULAR CELEBRATION IS LESS AVAILABLE FOR DISNEY CRUISES, IT'S BEST TO CONTINUE TO ASK THOSE THAT MAY HAVE HAD THE SAME CELEBRATION, OR PLAN LITTLE THINGS YOURSELF AS WELL. 
     I AM CELEBRATING MY SON'S 9th BIRTHDAY ON-BOARD.  I TALKED EARLIER ABOUT HOW YOU CAN SEND THINGS AHEAD TO THE SHIP TO YOURSELF ON-BOARD.  I FOUND THIS KIDS BIRTHDAY PRESENT ON THE DISNEY STORE CLEARANCE SECTION CHEAP (DISNEY GRAM PERSONALIZED MICKEY MOUSE BIRTHDAY PLUSH).  IT'S A 19" STUFFED MICKEY WEARING A BIRTHDAY HAT AND HOLDING A SATIN GIFT BOX, A PERSONALIZED FELT MICKEY TAG, AND A PERSONALIZED BIRTHDAY CARD.  BEST OF ALL IT COMES IN A BOX THAT LOOKS LIKE IT IS WRAPPED IN LIGHT BLUE PAPER WITH YELLOW RIBBON AND SAYS "DISNEY SPECIAL DELIVERY".  I ALSO FOUND THIS DISNEY CRUISE BIRTHDAY PIN ON-LINE (www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/disney-cruise-line-its-my-birthday-pin) THAT I PINNED ON THE MICKEY INSIDE THE BOX.  I INCLUDED A BIRTHDAY CARD, A COLORING BOOK AND DISNEY TISSUE PAPER AND AM SENDING IT ALL AHEAD TO THE SHIP FOR OUR ARRIVAL. 
     I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE OFFICIALLY DOES FOR A CHILD'S (OR ANY ONE'S) BIRTHDAY, BUT THEY ASK IF YOU HAVE A CELEBRATION ON-BOARD AT EVERY TURN.  I'M HOPING TO HAVE MY SON'S BIRTHDAY "BOX" DELIVERED TO HIM IN THE DINING ROOM AT DINNER ON HIS ACTUAL BIRTHDAY NIGHT (HE WAS BORN AT 6:53PM). 
     THERE ARE LOTS OF GIFT OPTIONS ON THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE WEBSITE TO HAVE DELIVERED TO YOUR PARTY AS WELL, DEPENDING ON WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR, WHAT THE CELEBRATION IS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY PROBABLY, WHAT YOU'RE WILLING TO SPEND.  SOME INCLUDE ROOM DECORATIONS THAT YOUR ROOM ATTENDANT WILL HANDLE FOR YOU.  I'M PACKING MINE.  MY SON'S 8.  I CAN DECORATE WHEN HE'S ASLEEP OR WHILE HE'S AT THE KIDS CLUBS.  EITHER WAY I'LL FIND THE TIME AND HIS BEING A BIG DISNEY FAN MEANS I ALREADY HAVE A LOT OF DECORATIONS AND PARTY SUPPLIES THAT WILL SUIT THE OCCASION PERFECTLY.  I'M EVEN PACKING PARTY HATS FOR OUR FELLOW DINERS AT DINNER.
     I'VE BEEN TOLD ON THE PHONE TO BE SURE TO REMIND THE CAST MEMBERS AT GUEST SERVICES, THE RESTAURANTS, THE KIDS CLUBS, ETC. THAT MY SON IS CELEBRATING HIS BIRTHDAY.  NO MATTER WHAT YOUR CELEBRATION, DISNEY SPECIALIZES IN MAKING YOU FEEL LIKE THE CENTER OF THEIR WORLD.  TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.  LET THEM DO WHAT THEY DO BEST.  THEY KNOW HOW MUCH YOU'VE SPENT TO BE THERE, AND THEY KNOW HOW MUCH YOUR FAMILY'S VACATION MEANS TO YOU.  CELEBRATE, AND LET DISNEY HELP.  IT'S A VACATION!
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "MARY POPPINS".  JULIE ANDREWS IS THE GREATEST.  HER BEAUTIFUL SMILE AND  BEAUTIFUL VOICE MAKE ANY MOVIE WORTH WATCHING!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

36 DAYS TO GO . . .

     FRIDAY MARCH 18, 2011

     MANDATORY LIFE BOAT DRILLS.  HAVING NEVER CRUISED BEFORE, WHEN I FIRST HEARD ABOUT THESE, I WAS A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED THAT SOME 20 - 40 MINUTES OF MY FIRST DAY WAS GOING TO BE GOBBLED UP BY A SAFETY DRILL.  I SAY 20 - 40 MINUTES BECAUSE I'VE SEEN THEM BLOCKED OFF ON DISNEY'S PERSONAL NAVIGATORS FOR 30 AND 45 MINUTES BOTH, AND HEARD PEOPLE SAY THEY WERE DONE IN 15 MINUTES.  SO I GUESS TIME WILL REALLY TELL.
     UNTIL RECENTLY, EVERY SINGLE PASSENGER HAD TO GO TO THEIR STATEROOM AND PUT ON THEIR LIFE JACKETS AND THEN REPORT TO THEIR ASSEMBLY STATIONS.  EACH INDIVIDUALS ASSEMBLY STATION IS PRINTED ON THEIR LIFE JACKET AS WELL AS ON THE BACK OF EACH STATEROOM DOOR WITH DIRECTIONS ON EXACTLY HOW TO GET THERE.  YOU KNOW, LIKE WHEN YOU WERE IN SCHOOL AND THERE WAS A FIRE DRILL.
     WELL NOW YOU DON'T HAVE TO PUT ON YOUR LIFE JACKET AND GO.  THIS RULE HAS BEEN CHANGED.  SUPPOSEDLY FOR ALL CRUISE LINES, IT IS NO LONGER MANDATORY.  EITHER WAY, YOUR LIFE JACKETS ARE STORED IN THE TOP OF YOUR CLOSET, SHOULD YOU NEED THEM.  A COMMANDING VOICE WILL COME OVER THE INTERCOMS AND SPEAKERS TELLING YOU TO REPORT TO YOUR ASSEMBLY STATION FOR THE MANDATORY BOAT DRILL.  ALL ACTIVITIES OF ANY KIND ARE SUSPENDED ON ALL SHIPS DURING THIS PERIOD, SO YOU WON'T BE MISSING ANYTHING.
     WHILE YOU MAY NOT BE REQUIRED TO WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKET ANYMORE, IT MAY BE A GOOD IDEA TO AT LEAST PAY ATTENTION TO HOW TO "UNFOLD" IT (THEY'RE FOLDED INTO LITTLE SQUARES) AND PUT IT ON.  YOU NEVER KNOW.  BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY.  WHEN EVERYONE IS GATHERED AT THEIR MUSTER STATION, ATTENDANCE WILL BE TAKEN WITH YOUR KEY TO THE WORLD CARD TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS THERE THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE.  IF NOT, THEY WILL PAGE THE MISSING, AND ALL WILL HAVE TO WAIT FOR THEIR ARRIVAL.
     ONCE EVERYONE IS INDEED ALL ASSEMBLED, A DISNEY CAST MEMBER WILL GO OVER THE SAFETY STEPS TAKEN IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY.  WHERE TO GO AND WHEN.  HOW THE LIFE BOATS WILL BE HANDLED AND LOADED, ETC.  HOWEVER UNLIKELY, REMEMBER, THERE ARE 4,000 PEOPLE ON-BOARD.  THAT'S A LOT TO ORGANIZE IN A HURRY, SO PAY ATTENTION! 
     ANOTHER, MORE REALISTIC, USE FOR THE BOAT DRILL IS TO ALREADY START TO GET TO SEE AND KNOW SOME OF YOUR FELLOW PASSENGERS.  YOU MAY HAVE SEEN THEM IN THE TERMINAL ALREADY, OR AT THE BUFFET, OR AT THE POOL.  SAY HELLO.  INTRODUCE YOURSELF.  INTRODUCE THE KIDS.  IT'S A VACATION.  ENJOY IT AS MUCH AS YOU CAN.  YOU'RE JUST GETTING STARTED!
     SEE YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "THE SWORD AND THE STONE".  A LESSER KNOWN FILM, BUT ONE THAT ALL LITTLE BOYS END UP LOVING.

37 DAYS TO GO . . .

     THURSDAY MARCH 17, 2011

     WHEN YOU CHECK IN AT THE PORT FOR YOUR DISNEY CRUISE, YOU WILL NOT ONLY BE GIVEN YOUR KEY TO THE WORLD CARD, BUT YOU WILL BE GIVEN THE FIRST DAYS "PERSONAL NAVIGATOR" (www.disneycruiser.info/navigate.htm).  THIS IS YOUR BIBLE.  EVERY CRUISE LINE AND INDIVIDUAL CRUISE HAS IT'S OWN PRINTED AND PUBLISHED "NEWS PAPER".  THEY ALL LOOK DIFFERENT, HAVE DIFFERENT NAMES AND LAYOUTS.  DISNEY'S IS CALLED THE NAVIGATOR.
     THE COVER PAGE WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE TIMES OF SUNRISE, SUNSET, ALL-ABOARD, DEPARTURE, THE NIGHTS THEATER SHOWS AND GAME SHOWS AS WELL AS ANY ADDITIONAL SHOWS, PARTIES, DINING OR SHOPPING INFORMATION.
     THE INSIDE 2 PAGES WILL PRIMARILY BE BAR GRAPHS OF THE TIMES COVERING THE ENTIRE DAY, USUALLY STARTING AROUND 7AM GOING TO ABOUT 3AM.  THE INDIVIDUAL BARS REPRESENT ACTIVITIES, DINING, AND EVENTS SEPARATED BY GROUPS.  ONE BAR FOR ADULTS, TEENS, TWEENS, THE OCEANEERS CLUB, THE OCEANEERS LAB, WHATS PLAYING ON FUNNEL VISION OVER THE POOL, OR IN THE MOVIE THEATER, IN THE CLUBS, INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES OR CLASSES, WHERE CHARACTERS CAN BE FOUND AND WHEN.  IT'S LOADED.  AND THE ADVANTAGE TO HAVING EVERYTHING BROKEN OUT INTO AGES OR GROUPS OR LOCATIONS IS THAT EACH INDIVIDUAL CAN EASILY FIND WHAT INTERESTS, OR IS GEARED TO, HIM BEST.
     ONE OF THE BEST TIPS I'VE FOUND OUT THERE YET IS TO BRING HI-LITERS WITH YOU ON YOUR CRUISE.  YOU MAY FIND SEVERAL USES FOR THEM, BUT NUMBER ONE IS FOR THE NAVIGATOR.  CERTAIN BARS MAY BE COLORED ON IT ALREADY, BUT BY HI-LIGHTING WHAT YOU'RE INTERESTED IN, IN A FLASH YOU KNOW THE WHERES AND WHENS.  THERE'S ONLY MY SON AND I ON OUR CRUISE.  I'M BRINGING A YELLOW AND BLUE HI-LITER.  YELLOW FOR ME.  BLUE FOR HIM.  IF THE ACTIVITY IS SOMETHING FOR BOTH OF US?  YELLOW AND BLUE MAKE GREEN.  SIMPLE HUH?  BUT EFFECTIVE.  IF YOU'RE NOT INTERESTED IN PACKING YOUR DAYS WITH ACTIVITIES THIS MAY NOT MATTER TO YOU.  BUT, JUST LIKE DISNEY PARKS, YOU ALWAYS SEE PEOPLE STANDING AROUND POINTING AT AND STARING AT MAPS.  BY READING OVER AND HI-LIGHTING YOUR INDIVIDUAL POSSIBLE ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS, BOTH YOU AND YOUR PARTY CAN KNOW WHAT YOU'RE CONSIDERING, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, KNOW WHERE YOU'LL BE AND WHEN.
     ANOTHER ADVANTAGE IS THAT, JUST LIKE I HAVE POSTED HERE, MANY NAVIGATORS TO TRIPS SIMILAR TO YOUR OWN CAN BE FOUND SCANNED AND POSTED ON-LINE.  THIS GIVES YOU THE CHANCE, IF YOU LOOK, TO GET AN IDEA OF WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE OFFERED ON YOUR CRUISE FOR DIFFERENT AGES AND EVEN ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THEM BEFORE EVER EVEN BOARDING.  OR YOU MAY FIND A DESCRIPTION OF SOMETHING YOU DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WAS OFFERED AND NOW KNOW TO TRY AND PLAN FOR IT.  WHETHER IT'S ANIMAL TOWEL FOLDING OR WINE TASTING OR A BARTENDING COURSE OR A SHOPPING SEMINAR, KNOWLEDGE IS POWER.  THE MORE YOU KNOW, THE BETTER OFF YOU'LL BE!
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S FILM IS "101 DALMATIANS", ANIMATED OF COURSE.  :-)

38 DAYS TO GO . . .

     WEDNESDAY MARCH 16, 2011

     YOUR "KEY TO THE WORLD CARD" (ROOM KEY), STATEROOM LIGHTS AND ROOM SAFE.  YOUR "KEY TO THE WORLD" CARD IS ONE OF THOSE PLASTIC HOTEL ROOM KEYS.  EXCEPT ON A DISNEY CRUISE YOUR CARD HAS A DISNEY CHARACTER'S PICTURE ON IT, INDICATING HOW MANY TIMES YOU'VE CRUISED WITH DISNEY BEFORE, YOUR NAME, YOUR STATEROOM NUMBER, WHAT TIME YOUR SCHEDULED FOR DINNER, AND IN WHAT ORDER YOU WILL "ROTATE" THROUGH THE RESTAURANTS ON WHAT NIGHTS.  SO IT HAS A LOT OF VALUABLE INFORMATION ON IT, SO IT IS TO BE GUARDED.  BUT MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVEN THE AFOREMENTIONED IS THAT THIS IS YOUR CRUISE CREDIT CARD.  ALL CHARGES YOU INCUR ON-BOARD ARE CHARGED TO YOUR ROOM THROUGH YOUR KEY TO THE WORLD CARD.  SO YOU CAN SEE HOW LOSING IT CAN BE SUCH A BIG DEAL.  YOU MAY EVEN WANT TO CONTROL OR REMOVE SPENDING PRIVILEGES FROM THE KIDS ROOM KEYS SO THEY DON'T RUN UP A SURPRISE BILL ON YOU.
     NEW TO THE DISNEY DREAM IS THE AUTOMATIC LIGHT SWITCHES.  NOW THESE AREN'T AUTOMATIC AS IN THEY AUTOMATICALLY GO ON.  IT'S MORE THE OPPOSITE.  THERE'S A SLOT FOR YOUR ROOM KEY JUST INSIDE OF YOUR STATEROOM DOOR.  WHEN YOU ENTER, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO PUT YOUR KEY IN THE SLOT, THEREBY ENABLING THE POWER TO YOUR ROOM LIGHTS.  WHAT THAT MEANS IS, WITHOUT A KEY IN THE SLOT, NO LIGHTS.  TURN THE SWITCHES, NO LIGHTS.  THE IDEA IS REALLY THAT WHEN YOU LEAVE YOUR ROOM, YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE KEY, AND THEREBY NOT UNNECESSARILY LEAVING THE LIGHTS ON AND WASTING ELECTRICITY.  AFTER ALL, IT'S A BUSINESS, AND DISNEY'S TRYING TO MAXIMIZE THEIR PROFIT LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE.  SMALLER BILL, BIGGER PROFIT.
     WHERE THE PROBLEM HAS LIED WITH THIS SYSTEM IS IN THAT SAY WIFE'S KEY IS IN THE SLOT.  HUSBAND IS IN THE SHOWER.  WIFE WANTS TO RUN UP TO THE DECK AND TAKES HER KEY.  HUSBAND IS NOW IN THE SHOWER IN THE DARK.  LUCKILY, ALTHOUGH DISNEY DOESN'T ADVERTISE IT, IT WAS QUICKLY SURMISED THAT ANY CARD WITH A MAGNETIC STRIPE IN THE SLOT WILL KEEP THE POWER TO THE LIGHTS ON.  SO, FOR THE MOST PART, THIS ENERGY SAVING ATTEMPT HAS BEEN CIRCUMVENTED AND IS ALMOST MUTE NOW, AT LEAST TO THOSE THAT KNOW ABOUT IT.
     THE THIRD IN-ROOM ABILITY OF YOUR KEY CARD IS TO OPEN THE SAFE IN YOUR ROOM.  EVERY STATEROOM HAS IT'S OWN SAFE LOCATED INSIDE YOUR CLOSET.  IT'S ROUGHLY THE SIZE OF A SHOEBOX (14"wX6.5"hX9"d).  YOU PICK A 4 DIGIT CODE AND USE YOUR ROOM KEY.  BUT ONLY THE SAME CARD WILL DO, SO PLAN IT OUT.
     A LOT OF PEOPLE WEAR LANYARDS AROUND THEIR NECKS WITH PLASTIC POUCHES FOR ROOM KEYS AND ANYTHING ELSE SMALL THEY MAY WANT (NOT MUCH) TO CARRY ON-BOARD.  WHEN YOU KNOW THIS IS THE ONE THING YOU HAVE TO HAVE, YOU HAVE TO PLAN AROUND WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO PUT IT BASED ON WHAT YOU'RE WEARING AND WHEN.  IT'S ABOUT THE ONLY THING YOU REALLY NEED TO PLAN AROUND MOST OF THE TIME.  HAVE ONE POCKET AND YOUR SET!  lol
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S DISNEY MOVIE IS "SLEEPING BEAUTY".  ONE OF THE CUTEST PICTURES I EVER GOT WAS MY SON ALL ALONE WITH SLEEPING BEAUTY IN EPCOT.  IMPROMPTU ONES ARE ALWAYS THE BEST.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

39 DAYS TO GO . . .

     TUESDAY MARCH 15, 2011

     YOU'VE ARRIVED!  NOW IT'S TIME TO UNPACK.  THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE DOES A GREAT JOB OF PROVIDING SPACE FOR YOUR THINGS, BUT IT'S AMAZING HOW, FOR SOME, IT'S NEVER ENOUGH SPACE.
     END TABLES NEXT TO THE BED HAVE BEEN WALL-MOUNTED FOR MORE ROOM.  THE BEDS HAVE ALL BEEN RAISED SO YOU ARE ABLE TO STORE YOUR LUGGAGE UNDERNEATH.  THE DESK AREA HAS BEEN STREAM-LINED TO PROVIDE EXTRA SHELVING, AND THE CLOSETS ARE NOW DESIGNED AS A BUILT-IN CLOSET ORGANIZER TO MAXIMIZE YOUR CLOSET SPACE.
     I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND THE "LACK OF STORAGE SPACE" ARGUMENT.  I'M AN OVERPACKER.  I GET IT.  BUT FOR ME IT'S USUALLY JUST ME AND MY SON, SO WE HAVE EXTRA SPACE AND LESS STUFF.  WHEN IT'S A COUPLE WITH KIDS, YOUR AVAILABLE STORAGE SPACE IS MUCH MORE SHARED, SO YOU HAVE TO EXPECT THAT GOING IN.  FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN ABLE TO FIND OUT, NOT MANY PEOPLE DO.  MOST ARE STILL OVERPACKING, FOR A FAMILY, AND NOT ABLE TO FIND SPACE TO PUT IT ALL AWAY, TO THEIR SATISFACTION.
     I THINK WHAT MORE PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT THIS IS A CRUISE SHIP STATEROOM, NOT A HOTEL ROOM.  SPACE IS MUCH MORE LIMITED, AND DISNEY HAS SOME OF THE LARGEST STATEROOMS ON THE HIGH SEAS.  PLAN ACCORDINGLY.  IT'S NOT LIKE YOU CAN'T LOOK UP ON LINE EXACTLY WHAT THE STATEROOM LAYOUT IS, WHAT STORAGE IS AVAILABLE, AND EXACTLY THE SIZE AND SHAPE OF IT.
     IT SEEMS ONE OF THE "PROBLEMS" HERE IS THAT THE SHELVES OVER THE DESK ARE OPEN AND SOME PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO STORE THINGS ON OPEN SHELVES.  REALLY?  YOU'LL COMPLAIN ABOUT THE LACK OF STORAGE, BUT NOT WANT TO USE WHAT'S THERE?  ANOTHER COMPLAINT IS HAVING TO KEEP THINGS IN SOME SUITCASES UNDER THE BED DURING YOUR CRUISE.  HAS ANYONE ELSE EITHER HAD TO, OR CHOSE TO, KEEP THINGS IN THEIR SUITCASE AND WORK OUT OF IT WHILE ON A TRIP?  SO WHY IS SUCH A BIG DEAL NOW?  NOW THAT THE BEDS ARE ALL HIGH ENOUGH TO STORE ANY SUITCASE UNDER, YOU'D THINK MORE PEOPLE WOULD BE ANXIOUS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT.  MOST OF YOUR CRUISE WEAR IS SHORTS AND SHIRTS OF SOME SORT ANYWAY.  DOES IT REALLY NEED TO BE HANGING IN THE CLOSET?  HOW BOUT JUST LEAVING THE KIDS STUFF IN THE SUITCASES UNDER THE BED, SO THE ADULTS BELONGINGS, OR JUST THE DRESSIEST OUTFITS CAN BE IN THE CLOSET?
     PACK THE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE HUNG WITH THINNER WIRE HANGARS IN YOUR LUGGAGE.  THEN SWITCH THEM TO THE BIGGER HANGARS ALREADY IN YOUR CLOSET WHEN YOU ARRIVE.  THEN YOU'LL HAVE SOME EXTRA HANGARS SHOULD YOU NEED THEM, AND KNOW WHAT KIND OF EXTRA SPACE YOU'LL HAVE IN YOUR CLOSET AS WELL.  YOUR LIFEVESTS ARE USUALLY STORED IN THE TOP OF YOUR CLOSET AND THEY CAN EASILY BE MOVED TO UNDER THE BED OR INSIDE THE STORAGE OTTOMAN.  THERE ARE ALSO AMPLE ADDED SHELVES IN THE BATHROOM FOR THOSE THINGS YOU'RE ONLY GOING TO USE THERE.  IF THERE ARE ENOUGH OF YOU OR YOU JUST HAVE A LOT OF TOILETRIES, BRING AN OVER THE DOOR SHOE HOLDER TO HANG ON YOUR BATHROOM DOOR AND FILL WITH ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING YOU HAVE A CONCERN OVER.
     OR YOU CAN PUT YOUR OUTFITS FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IN ORDER OF THE DAYS YOU PLAN TO WEAR THEM AND PULL THEM OUT OF WHEREVER AS EACH DAY ARRIVES AND ROTATE YOUR WORN OR DIRTY CLOTHES BACK SO THEY'RE NOT IN YOUR WAY OR TAKING UP SPACE EITHER.
     BY GETTING YOUR ROOM, CLOTHES, CLOSETS AND SHELVES ALL SITUATED UPON YOUR ROOM ARRIVAL, YOU'LL HAVE MORE ROOM IN YOUR STATEROOM FOR A LONGER AND MORE COMFORTABLE AMOUNT OF TIME ON YOUR CRUISE.  IT MAY SEEM LIKE A SACRIFICE AT SOME POINT EARLY ON, BUT AS SOON AS YOUR TRIPPING OVER SOMETHING OR WONDERING WHERE THE HECK SOMETHING IS, YOU'LL WISH YOU HAD DONE THIS SOONER.
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "LADY AND THE TRAMP".  I REMEMBER ACTUALLY SEEING A RE-RELEASE OF THIS MOVIE IN THE THEATER AS A KID.  REMEMBER WHEN THEY USED TO DO THAT?  lol

Monday, March 14, 2011

40 DAYS TO GO . . .

     MONDAY MARCH 14, 2011

     GET THERE EARLY!  WHERE?  THE TERMINAL.  SOME PEOPLE, AS IS RECOMMENDED BY MANY, FLY OR DRIVE TO THE PORT (CANAVERAL IN THIS CASE) THE NIGHT BEFORE THEIR CRUISE.  THE LOGIC IS THAT JUST IN CASE SOMETHING WERE TO GO WRONG, YOU'D HAVE THE TIME TO STILL MAKE YOUR CRUISE AND NOT RISK MISSING IT.  SO IF YOU'RE ALREADY NEARBY YOU CAN PRETTY MUCH PICK WHEN TO LEAVE FOR THE PORT.
     SOME OF US CAN'T FLY IN TIL THE SAME DAY AS OUR CRUISE, FOR A PLETHORA OF DIFFERENT REASONS.  SO YOU MAY BE LIMITED TO ARRIVING AT THE PORT BASED ON YOUR FLIGHTS ARRIVAL TIME IN ORLANDO OR WHATEVER OTHER AIRPORT YOU CHOOSE.
     WHAT I CAN SAY IS, IF YOU CAN, TAKE AS EARLY A FLIGHT AS POSSIBLE.  I KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THE LOGIC OF, "I DON'T WANT TO BE WAITING AROUND FOREVER".  BUT, YOUR VACATION STARTS AS SOON AS YOU ARRIVE.  I'LL USE MYSELF AS AN EXAMPLE.  I LIVE NEAR ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. AND IT'S AIRPORT, WHICH MEANS I HAVE TO FLY SPIRIT AIRLINES (KING OF THE EXTRA FEES).  I CAN ARRIVE AROUND 8AM OR AROUND 2PM.  I COULD PROBABLY HAVE A FEW MORE OPTIONS IN BETWEEN ON OTHER AIRLINES IF I FLEW OUT OF PHILADELPHIA AN HOUR AWAY, BUT YOU GET THE IDEA.
     MY SON AND I WILL MOST LIKELY BE ON OUR FLIGHT FROM A.C. TO ORLANDO BY 6AM, ARRIVING AROUND 8-8:30AM.  WHY, DISNEY CRUISE LINES TRANSFER BUS SERVICE ISN'T EVEN OPEN YET?  THE ANSWER IS SO WHEN IT DOES OPEN AND THE FIRST BUSES START LOADING AND TRANSPORTING PEOPLE TO THE PORT, WE'RE ONE OF THE FIRST PEOPLE ON THEM. 
     A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT TO ARRIVE AT THE PORT EARLY, BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T TOO.  BY ARRIVING EARLY, YOU AT LEAST GIVE YOURSELF THE BEST OPPORTUNITY YOU CAN TO BE ONE OF THE FIRST ON-BOARD.  EXCLUDING THE V.I.P.'s WHO ALWAYS BOARD FIRST, THE FIRST TO CHECK-IN AT THE PORT GET THE LOWEST BOARDING NUMBERS.  THIS IS LITERALLY A CARD WITH A NUMBER ON IT THAT TELLS YOU WHAT NUMBER TO LISTEN FOR AS THEY START BOARDING.  FIRST IN THE TERMINAL, FIRST ON THE SHIP. 
     WHY DOES IT MATTER?  I'LL GIVE YOU A FEW REASONS.  WE'VE BEEN AT THE AIRPORT AND TRAVELLING SINCE 5AM, LUNCH SOUNDS GOOD RIGHT ABOUT NOW.  IF YOU'RE ONE OF THE FIRST ON, YOU KNOW THERE'S NO CROWDS AT THE BUFFET OR COUNTER SERVICES, BECAUSE MOST AREN'T ON YET.  AND BELIEVE ME, THEY'RE ALL GOING TO EAT ONCE THEY'RE ON-BOARD.  SECOND, AS IS GROWING IN POPULARITY, IS RIDING THE DISNEY DREAM'S NEW "WATER COASTER" THE AQUADUCK.  IF YOU'RE ON EARLY AND ALREADY EATEN LUNCH, YOU CAN HEAD TO THE POOL AND RIDE THE DUCK BEFORE THE LINES START TO GET BIG.  AND FROM ALL REPORTS, THE LINES ARE PRETTY BIG FOR MOST OF THE CRUISE, SO PICKING AND CHOOSING WHEN YOU WANT TO RIDE, WITHOUT WAITING A LOT THAT IS, CAN BE A REAL TIME SAVER.  THIRD, REMEMBER, THIS IS THE VACATION YOU PAID FOR.  YOU CAN'T GET INTO YOUR STATEROOM TIL 1:30PM, AND WHILE YOUR LUGGAGE MAY ARRIVE FAIRLY EARLY, DISNEY ONLY GUARANTEES YOU'LL HAVE IT BY 5PM.  SO WHY NOT GET ON-BOARD EARLY, EXPLORE THE SHIP, GO TRY TO MAKE FORMAL DINING RESERVATIONS, GO TO GUEST SERVICES, CHECK OUT THE RESTAURANTS OR BARS.  THERE'S PLENTY TO SEE AND DO.  YOU COULD HAVE AN EXTRA 3 OR 4 HOURS ON-BOARD IF YOU PLAN ON IT.  IF THIS WERE A DISNEY THEME PARK, YOU WOULD NEVER GIVE UP 3 OR 4 HOURS IN THE PARK AS IF IT WERE NOTHING.  SO GET THERE EARLY.  PUT UP WITH THE CROWD IN THE TERMINAL OR THE LINE YOU MAY HAVE TO WAIT IN, IF YOU WANT TO GET A FEW EXTRA HOURS IN ON THE SHIP WE ALL CAN'T WAIT TO SEE.
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "PETER PAN".  LOVE THE MOVIE.  LOVE THE RIDE.

41 DAYS TO GO . . .

     SUNDAY MARCH 13, 2011

     UPGRADES.  YOU'VE ALL HEARD OF THEM.  SOME PEOPLE PRACTICALLY DEPEND ON THEM.  OTHERS JUST CONSIDER THEM AS LIKELY TO COME ACROSS AS A UNICORN.  BELIEVE ME, COMING FROM THE HOTEL INDUSTRY, THEY DO EXIST, AND SOMETIMES CAN BE JUST AS VALUABLE AS THAT LEPRECHAUN'S POT O' GOLD.
     ALL UPGRADES ARE BASED ON AVAILABILITY.  NO MATTER HOW YOU SLICE IT, IT STILL COMES DOWN TO WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE OR NEED THE SPACE TO BE ABLE TO GIVE SOMEONE A BIGGER AND/OR BETTER ROOM; WHETHER ON LAND OR ON THE OCEAN. 
     LIKE ANYTHING IN REFERENCE TO YOUR CRUISE, YOU CAN REQUEST AN UPGRADE AT ANY TIME ON YOUR RESERVATION.  NOW THAT OBVIOUSLY DOESN'T GUARANTEE YOU ANYTHING, BUT IN MOST CASES IT CAN'T HURT.  I SAY MOST BECAUSE, SOME EMPLOYEES MAY READ THAT REQUEST AND JUST THINK YOU'RE TRYING TO GET SOMETHING FOR NOTHING, AND MAKE SURE YOU DON'T GET IT.  REMEMBER IT TAKES ALL KINDS.
     ANOTHER OPTION ON A DISNEY CRUISE IS TO BOOK A "GTY" STATEROOM.  YES, "GTY" MEANS GUARANTEE.  YOU ARE GUARANTEED A STATEROOM TYPE EQUAL TO WHAT YOU BOOKED OR PAID FOR.  THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T REQUEST OR RESERVE A PARTICULAR ROOM NUMBER, BASICALLY SAYING IT DIDN'T MATTER TO YOU, YOU MAY BE UPGRADED.  WHY?  LIKE ANY HOTEL OR CRUISE SHIP, THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO BOOK THE CHEAPEST ROOM POSSIBLE OR THE LOWEST PRICE ROOM FOR THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THEIR PARTY.  SO INSTEAD OF TELLING PEOPLE, "NO, I'M SORRY, ALL WE HAVE IS THE MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE ROOMS."  BUSINESSES CONTINUE TO BOOK THOSE ROOMS FOR THE MOST PART AT THAT LOWER PRICE UNTIL THEY ARE SOLD OUT AND CHOOSE WHO TO UPGRADE INTO THE LARGER MORE EXPENSIVE ROOMS WITHOUT PAYING FOR THAT HIGHER RATE ROOM.  THUS YOU HAVE AN "UPGRADE".  THE LOGIC ON THE DISNEY CRUISE IN TAKE A "GTY" RESERVATION IS THAT YOU'RE WILLING TO SACRIFICE A PARTICULAR DECK OR LOCATION ON THE SHIP FOR YOUR ROOM WITH THE HOPE OF BEING UPGRADED FOR YOUR SACRIFICE, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE SHIPS, THE DREAM IN PARTICULAR, ARE SELLING CONSTANTLY.
     WHAT HAS BECOME THE REAL PROBLEM WITH THIS SUPPOSED SACRIFICE IS THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF CRUISE SHIPS, PEOPLE ARE REFUSING UPGRADES.  BECAUSE THE DISNEY DREAM HAS THE NEW VIRTUAL PORTHOLES IN THEIR INSIDE STATEROOMS, FAMILIES WITH KIDS ARE SAYING THEY DON'T WANT TO BE UPGRADED, FOR THE SAKE OF THEIR CHILDREN.  WHY WOULDN'T THAT HELP MORE FAMILIES GET THE UPGRADE THEY HAD HOPED FOR?  WELL SO MANY PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO RESERVE THESE INSIDE STATEROOMS WITH THE "MAGICAL PORTHOLE" THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, INSIDE STATEROOMS ARE NOW SELLING FOR MORE THAN STATEROOMS WITH OCEAN VIEWS OR BALCONIES!  IT'S SIMPLE SUPPLY AND DEMAND.  MORE PEOPLE WANT THEM, SO THE PRICE GOES UP.  AND I WAS ONE.  I'M BIG ON VIEWS, AND WOULD HAVE LOVED A VERANDAH ON THE WATER, BUT I KNEW MY SON REALLY WANTED THAT VIRTUAL PORTHOLE WITH IT'S APPEARING ANIMATED CHARACTERS.  SO I SAID TO MY RESERVATIONIST, "I DON'T THINK I TAKE AN UPGRADE.  MY SON WOULD BE UPSET."  HER REPLY WAS, "YOU'D BE AMAZED HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING THAT NOW."
     YOU CAN ALWAYS ASK IF ANY UPGRADES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE TERMINAL WHEN YOU CHECK IN AND AT GUEST SERVICES WHEN YOU'RE ON-BOARD, BUT ON SOLD OUT CRUISES, LIKE PRETTY MUCH EVERY DREAM SAILING, THERE'S NOWHERE TO UPGRADE YOU TO.  SHIPS, LIKE HOTELS, HAVE TO KEEP SOME ROOMS EMPTY FOR UNFORESEEN EMERGENCIES.  SO, BECAUSE OF THE UPSIDE DOWN VALUES OF THE NEW DISNEY DREAM, YOU WOULD SAVE MORE MONEY, BY REQUESTING THE LARGER OCEAN VIEW STATEROOM TO START.  UNBELIEVABLE HUH?  BUT REMEMBER, LIKE ANYTHING ELSE, IT NEVER HURTS TO ASK!
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "BAMBI".  FOUND A VHS COPY AT A FLEA MARKET FOR $1.00!

Friday, March 11, 2011

42 DAYS TO GO . . .

    SATURDAY MARCH 12, 2011

     I WAS GOING TO COVER THIS UNDER BEING ON-BOARD, BUT I GUESS IT'S STUFF YOU HAVE TO PACK, SO I'LL GET INTO IT NOW.  DOOR DECORATIONS.  I DIDN'T HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THIS WAS ALL ABOUT.  I JUST FIGURED PEOPLE HUNG STUFF ON THEIR DOORS.  WOW.  IT'S WAAAAAY BIGGER THAN THAT.  THE STATEROOM DOORS ARE ALL METAL AND DISNEY HAS "OUTLAWED" TAPING OR STICKING ANYTHING TO THE DOORS TO PROTECT THEIR PAINT JOBS.  THE ONLY OTHER WAY TO DO IT IS WITH MAGNETS.  AND BOY DO THEY USE MAGNETS. (www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=838817) THERE ARE WEBSITES AND THREADS DEDICATED JUST TO DISNEYITES AND DECORATING THEIR DOORS WITH MAGNETS.
     EACH DISNEY CRUISE LINE STATEROOM DOOR HAS A "PORTHOLE" ON IT WITH THE ROOM NUMBER IN IT.  WELL "DISSIGNERS" HAVE COME UP WITH DESIGNS FOR MAGNETS THAT GO AROUND THE PORTHOLES MAKING THEM LOOK LIKE WHAT EVER CHARACTER YOU WANT.  AMAZING.  AND I HAVE TO ADMIT, I'VE ALREADY PRINTED OUT 2 FOR OUR TRIP MYSELF.  YOU PRINT THEM OUT ON MAGNETIC PAPER AND CUT OUT THE SHAPE.  I CHOSE A CAPTAIN MICKEY (MICKEY EARS WITH A SHIPS CAPTAIN'S HAT) THAT LUCKILY MY SON SAW ON-LINE AFTER AND LOVED!  THE SECOND WAS A BIRTHDAY MICKEY (MICKEY EARS WITH A BIG BIRTHDAY PARTY HAT ON) FOR MY SON'S BIRTHDAY ON-BOARD.
     WHAT YOU DO BEYOND THAT IS ALL UP TO YOU.  THERE ARE LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF DESIGNS OUT THERE.  CHECK PASSPORTER BOARDS OR DISBOARDS OR JUST TYPE IN DISNEY CRUISE DOOR MAGNETS.  IT'S LITERALLY THAT EASY.  YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO MISS THEM.  AND THERE ARE MAGNETS FOR EVERY TASTE.  BIG, SMALL, ROMANTIC, ADVENTUROUS, COUPLES, FAMILIES, EVERY CHARACTER DISNEY EVER MADE, PERSONALIZED, PHOTOS, SKETCHES, YOU NAME IT.  I WAS SHOCKED AT THE AMOUNT.  SOME ARE REALLY IMPRESSIVE TOO.  I SAVED SOME I PROBABLY WON'T EVEN USE, BUT I'LL USE EM FOR SOMETHIN.  WHETHER IT'S FOR YOU OR THE KIDS OR FOR A COMPETITION ON-BOARD (AND YES PEOPLE ARRANGE THEM) YOU CAN DECORATE YOUR DOOR IN ANY WAY YOU CHOOSE.
     NOW AS YOU MAY EXPECT, SOME, MANY, DON'T DECORATE AT ALL.  BUT THE REAL ADVANTAGE TO PUTTING SOMETHING, ANYTHING, ON YOUR DOOR IS THAT IT'S SPECIFIC TO YOUR ROOM AND YOU AND YOUR PARTY CAN PICK OUT YOUR DOOR EASIER IN A LONG HALLWAY OF THE SAME DOOR AFTER THE SAME DOOR AFTER THE SAME DOOR.  ANOTHER ADVANTAGE?  THEY'RE MAGNETS.  THEY'RE NOT THAT BIG AND THEY'RE FLAT.  HOW MUCH ROOM CAN THEY REALLY TAKE UP IN YOUR SUITCASE?  I HAVE A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT TAKE PLANNED FOR OUR DOOR SINCE IT'S MY SON'S BIRTHDAY, BUT I'LL SAVE THAT FOR LATER.  TIL THEN, START SEARCHING FOR THE MAGNETS THAT SAY YOU.
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
WE SQUEEZED IN TWO MOVIES TONIGHT.  "ALICE IN WONDERLAND" AND "CINDERELLA".  I ALWAYS THOUGHT CINDERELLA WAS A LITTLE TOO GIRLY FOR ME, BUT WATCHING IT AFTER ALL THIS TIME, IT REALLY IS A CLASSIC.  PLUS THE THEME SONG IS THE DISNEY DREAM CRUISE SHIP'S HORN!

43 DAYS TO GO . . .

     FRIDAY MARCH 11, 2011

     HOW DO YOU PREFER TO DINE?  WHAT DO I MEAN?  WOULD YOU LIKE TO KEEP IT AS INTIMATE AS POSSIBLE?  ARE YOU HOPING IT WILL BE JUST YOU AND YOUR FAMILY?  OR ARE YOU WILLING TO EMBRACE THE IDEA OF A SHIP AND DINING ROOM FULL OF FELLOW CRUISERS THAT ARE TRYING TO HAVE THE SAME GREAT TIME YOU ARE?  WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?  WELL YOU CAN REQUEST EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE HOPING FOR AT DINNER.  NOW WITH 4,000 PEOPLE ON-BOARD, YOU CAN'T BE GUARANTEED ANYTHING.  IT'S JUST NOT POSSIBLE TO GUARANTEE EVERYONE'S REQUEST, BUT LIKE A JIGSAW PUZZLE, THEY TRY TO PUT ALL THE REQUESTS TOGETHER FOR EACH SEATING.  FOR EXAMPLE: ALL I REQUESTED WAS THAT OUR ONE NIGHT IN ANIMATOR'S PALATE THAT WE BE SEATED NEAR A SCREEN WHERE CRUSH TALKS TO THE DINERS FOR MY SON'S SAKE.  THE SACRIFICE?  I SAID I DIDN'T CARE HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE AT OUR TABLE, BIG OR SMALL, MADE NO DIFFERENCE.  IF I KNEW THAT REQUEST COULD BE HONORED AT A TABLE OF 20, I'D BE PERFECTLY FINE WITH THAT. 
     YES YOU RUN THE RISK OF HAVING SOME NO COOTH HILLBILLIES, OR SCREAMING UNSUPERVISED KIDS AT YOUR TABLE, BUT WHO ARE WE TO COMPLAIN?  WE PLAN ON DRESSING UP FOR EVERY DINNER.  MY KID WOULD WEAR A TIE TO SCHOOL EVERYDAY IF HE COULD.  BUT THAT COULD TURN SOME PEOPLE OFF JUST LIKE THE OPPOSITE COULD.  IT'S LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING NEW PEOPLE, SEEING WHERE THEY'RE FROM, AND HEARING SOME OF THEIR STORIES.  PLUS YOU'RE ALL EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING AND ENJOYING IT ALL TOGETHER.  AND IF YOU MAINTAIN A SENSE OF HUMOR, YOU COULD ALL GET A GOOD LAUGH AT THE NOT SO ENJOYABLE PARTS WHEN THEY COME UP.
     THE POINT IS TO KNOW THAT YOU CAN MAKE A REQUEST TO SIT IN THE GROUP THAT YOU PREFER, AND DISNEY WILL MAKE THE EFFORT FOR YOU, SO BON APPETIT!
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "THE ADVENTURES OF ICHABOD AND MR. TOAD".

44 DAYS TO GO . . .

     THURSDAY MARCH 10, 2011

     NOW THAT YOU'VE FIGURED OUT WHAT YOUR PACKING.  FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU'RE EATING.  HOW?  IT'S AMAZING HOW DETAILED THE INFORMATION OUT THERE IS ALREADY ABOUT WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO EAT ON YOUR CRUISE.
     FOR STARTERS, YOU CAN LOOK AT THE MENUS OF EVERY RESTAURANT IN THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE ROTATIONAL DINING, INCLUDING ALL THOSE ON THE DISNEY DREAM; ANIMATOR'S PALATE, ENCHANTED GARDEN, & ROYAL PALACE.  THE MENUS STAY THE SAME EVERY NIGHT BECAUSE YOU ARE ROTATING THROUGH A DIFFERENT RESTAURANT EVERY NIGHT AND NOT SEEING THE SAME MENU.  EACH PERSON EACH NIGHT SEES A DIFFERENT MENU.  SO YOU CAN GO ON THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE WEBSITE (http://www.disney.cruise.go.com/) AND LOOK AT YOUR PARTICULAR SHIP AND EACH PARTICULAR RESTAURANT AND SEE THE INDIVIDUAL MENUS.  THE DISBOARDS AND OTHER WEBSITES ON-LINE HAVE ACTUAL PICTURES OF THE CURRENT MENUS ON-BOARD AS WELL.  THEY HAVE THE DRINK SPECIALS, THE APPETIZERS, THE SOUPS AND SALADS, THE MAIN COURSES AND SIDES, BREADS, AND DESSERTS ALL LISTED SO YOU AND YOUR PARTY CAN START TO THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU MAY ORDER IN ADVANCE.  THE REAL ADVANTAGE HERE IS TO BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT YOU WOULD NOT WANT TO EAT IN ADVANCE AND PLAN AROUND IT, WITHOUT FEELING RUSHED OR PRESSURED ON THE SPOT.  THE MENUS ARE DEFINITELY MORE REFINED DINING.  THEY'RE CLOSER TO GOURMET THAN THEY ARE TO AVERAGE AMERICAN.  SO THOSE OF US WITHOUT COMPLETELY REFINED PALATES MAY FIND IT HARDER TO PICK SOMETHING THAT YOU'LL LIKE.  OBVIOUSLY YOU CAN HAVE DINNER AT THE COUNTER SERVICE SPOTS OR GO TO THE BUFFET ON DECK (WHICH IS WAITER SERVICE AT DINNER) IF YOU FIND YOU JUST WONT LIKE YOUR MEAL, BUT IT'S WELL WORTH TRYING.  THE AMBIANCE, THE SERVICE, THE "SHOW" OF IT ALL, AND THE RARE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE GREAT CHEFS SERVE YOU MEALS YOU WOULDN'T OTHERWISE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EAT IS SOMETHING YOU SHOULD CHERISH.  LOOK AT EVERY MENU.  SEE WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE.  YOU CAN ALWAYS ORDER BASIC STEAK OR CHICKEN OFF OF THE MENU ANY NIGHT AT ANY RESTAURANT FOR THOSE WHO ARE FAINT OF HEART.
     I'VE DONE EXACTLY THIS ALREADY.  WANT AN EXAMPLE?  MY SON AND I ARE ALLERGIC TO MUSHROOMS.  I ALREADY KNOW WHAT MEALS OR COURSES HAVE THEM IN THEM AND KNOW TO AVOID THEM.  EVEN BETTER IS THAT MY SON GOT TO LOOK AT THE MENUS (HE'LL EAT ALMOST ANYTHING) AND PICTURES OF COURSES SO HE COULD PICK EXACTLY WHAT HE WANTED.  IT SURPRISED EVEN ME.  A GOLD AND RED BEET CARPACCIO?  DOUBLE BAKED SPINACH SOUFLEE'?!  BUT HE GOT TO READ EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS, AND SEE PICTURES OF THEM AS WELL.  NO MYSTERY AT ALL.  TELL ME THAT ISN'T AN ADVANTAGE.  NOW FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE PICKY EATERS, LIKE MY BROTHER AND HIS BOYS, YOU CAN AVOID SOME HEADACHES AND INEVITABLE COMPLAINING JUST BY PLANNING AHEAD A LITTLE.  THERE'S SOMETHING EVEN FOR THE MEAT AND POTATOES CROWD.  SO DON'T JUST SAY IT'S DIFFERENT AND I DON'T WANT IT.  TAKE THE TIME TO SEE EXACTLY WHAT YOUR CHOICES ARE AND YOU MIGHT JUST SURPRISE EVEN YOURSELF.
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "SONG OF THE SOUTH".  GREAT FLICK ALTHOUGH DISNEY DOESN'T EVEN ADMIT TO MAKING IT ANYMORE!  lol

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

45 DAYS TO GO . . .

     WEDNESDAY MARCH 9, 2011

     YOUR CARRY-ON.  IT USED TO BE THAT THIS WAS JUST A WOMAN CARRYING A PURSE.  THEN IT TURNED INTO A GUY CARRYING SOMETHING FOR HER OR MAYBE A BACK PACK WITH A FEW IMMEDIATE ESSENTIALS.  THEN WHEN LUGGAGE CONTINUED TO GROW AND DEVELOP, CARRY-ON BAGS BECOME PERFECT SMALLER VERSIONS OF YOUR LARGER SUITCASES.  SO IF YOU DID IT RIGHT, YOU COULD PACK EVERYTHING IN YOUR CARRY-ON WITH MAYBE ONE SMALL EXTRA AND NOT NOT HAVE TO CHECK ANY BAGS AT ALL WITH YOUR AIRLINE.  WELL LET'S REMEMBER AIRLINES ARE IN THIS BUSINESS TO MAKE MONEY TOO.  SO THEY STARTED CHARGING FOR EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN TO MAKE THAT MONEY BACK.  THEY LOWERED THEIR WEIGHT LIMITS ON CHECKED BAGGAGE FORCING YOU TO BRING MORE BAGS.  THEY LOWERED THE SIZE LIMITS ON WHAT BAGS COULD BE CARRIED-ON WITHOUT PAYING FOR THEM.  SOME ARE JUST CHARGING FOR CARRY-ONS PERIOD.  IF YOU HAVE TO PUT IN THE OVERHEAD COMPARTMENT, YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR IT.  MY HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED.
     SO NOW YOUR CARRY-ON BAG AND IT'S RESTRICTIVE SIZE LIMITATIONS HAS BECOME MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER.  WHAT YOU HAVE TO BRING IN YOUR CARRY-ON, WHICH CAN ONLY BE THE SIZE OF A BACK-PACK NOW, HAS BECOME VITALLY IMPORTANT.  LET'S NOT FORGET THAT AFTER 9/11, BASICALLY NO LIQUIDS AT ALL ARE ALLOWED IN IT, UNLESS THEY'RE TEENY TINY.  SO PICK WISELY.
     FIRST, YOU SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE A PEN AND PAPER IN THERE.  YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU'RE GOING TO NEED IT.  IF YOU DON'T HAVE A WALLET ON YOU, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR I.D. IN YOUR CARRY-ON; PASSPORTS, LICENSE, BIRTH CERTIFICATE, CREDIT CARDS, CRUISE DOCUMENTS, CHILD TRAVEL WAVERS, ANY PAPERWORK PERTAINING TO YOUR CRUISE.
     SECOND, MEDICINE.  OBVIOUSLY IT HAS TO BE ABLE TO PASS SECURITY CHECKS, BUT YOU DON'T WANT MEDICINE YOU CAN'T BE WITHOUT FOR MOST OF A DAY TO BE PACKED IN YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE WHERE YOU CAN'T GET TO IT.
     THIRD, CAMERAS,BATTERIES AND FILM.  I SAY PLURAL HERE BECAUSE IT MIGHT BEHOOVE YOU TO BRING MORE THAN ONE.  MAYBE A DIGITAL, A DISPOSABLE, AND A VIDEO CAMERA IF YOU HAVE ONE OR CAN BORROW ONE.  YOUR PHOTO OPS START AS SOON AS YOUR TRIP DOES AND YOU DON'T WANT TO BE CAUGHT WITHOUT YOUR CAMERA....EVER.
     FOURTH, SUNGLASSES, PRESCRIPTION GLASSES AND/OR CONTACTS AND THEIR SOLUTIONS, ETC.  YOU'LL BE GOING FROM INSIDE TO OUTSIDE, FROM HOT TO COOL, LIGHT TO DARK, ALL IN ONE DAY, AND ALL IN A DAY WITHOUT YOUR LUGGAGE UNTIL IT'S DELIVERED TO YOUR STATEROOM.
     FIFTH, IF YOUR NOT TRAVELING WEARING ONE, CARRY-ON A BATHING SUIT.  YOU MAY HAVE HOURS TO SPEND ON-BOARD BEFORE YOUR LUGGAGE SHOWS UP AND THE SUNDECKS, POOLS AND SLIDES WILL BE OPEN.  WHY NOT ENJOY THEM?  PLUS AN EXTRA PAIR OF SHORTS OR SHIRT JUST IN CASE YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR LUGGAGE TO CHANGE FOR DINNER.
     SIXTH, SOMETHING TO KEEP THE KIDS OCCUPIED, AGE DEPENDANT OBVIOUSLY.  IF THE KIDS AREN'T BIG ENOUGH TO CARRY THEIR OWN BACK PACK, WHICH YOU SHOULD TRY IF YOU CAN AND NEED THE EXTRA BAG, BRING SOMETHING(S) TO KEEP THEM CALM.
     SEVENTH, CASH AND/OR TRAVELER'S CHECKS.  SEEMS HARD TO BELIEVE YOU'D BE WITHOUT THEM, BUT ON A CRUISE YOU DON'T REALLY NEED THEM SO YOU CAN EASILY FORGET THEM.  THEN WHEN YOU'RE IN PORT OR LOOKING TO TIP SOMEONE CASH, YOU COULD BE WITHOUT THEM.
     EIGHTH, SUN PROTECTION.  STRONG SUNTAN LOTION (SMALL TRAVEL SIZE IS LEGAL TO CARRY-ON), LIP BALM, HATS, SHIRT.  BE PREPARED FOR THE SURPRISING STRENGTH OF THE SUN AS YOU GO SOUTH.  IF YOU'RE NOT, YOU COULD BE SUNBURNED FOR AN ENTIRE TRIP.
     NINTH, ELECTRONICS, CORDS, AND CHARGERS.  WHATEVER ELECTRONIC DEVICES YOU FEEL YOU HAVE TO HAVE WITH YOU ON YOUR VACATION, YOU'LL PROBABLY WANT TO KEEP AN EYE ON THEM AND HAVE THEM IN CASE YOU NEED THEM ON YOUR LONG DAY WITHOUT YOUR CHECKED BAGS.  WHETHER IT'S PHONES, PALMS, IPODS, GAMES, LAPTOPS, WHATEVER.
     LASTLY, SNACKS.  YOU COULD BE TRAVELING FROM EARLY IN THE MORNING UNTIL YOU FINALLY GET ON THE SHIP IN THE AFTERNOON.  DEPENDING ON HOW TOUGH YOUR CREW IS WITHOUT FOOD, IT COULD BE 8, 9, OR 10 HOURS BEFORE YOU CAN GET ON-BOARD TO GET TO THAT BUFFET.  PACKING A FEW EMERGENCY TRAVEL GOODIES COULD PREVENT A MAJOR MELTDOWN AT SOME POINT.
     SOUNDS LIKE A LOT, BUT ODDS ARE YOU'LL HAVE MORE THAN ONE PERSON TO HELP, AND NOT EVERYONE NEEDS ONE OF EACH, BUT YOU WILL WANT TO PLAN AHEAD FOR YOUR CARRY-ON.  WITHOUT THIS BAG, YOU MIGHT NEVER GET ON-BOARD!
     TONIGHT'S MOVIE IS "MELODY TIME".  FUNNY HOW IF YOU'RE NOT SEARCHING OUT THESE TITLES, OR DON'T ALREADY KNOW THEM, THERE'S SOME YOU PROBABLY WOULD HAVE NEVER HEARD OF.
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº    
   

Monday, March 7, 2011

46 DAYS TO GO . . .

     TUESDAY MARCH 8, 2011

     SENDING STUFF AHEAD.  HUH?  YEAH THAT WAS PRETTY MUCH MY ANSWER WHEN MY RESERVATIONIST SAID YOU CAN MAIL SOMETHING AHEAD TO YOURSELF ON THE SHIP.  THERE ARE SOME LIMITATIONS ON WHAT YOU CAN SEND, BUT THIS CAN OBVIOUSLY HELP WITH HOW MUCH YOU HAVE TO PACK IN EACH BAG OR HOW MANY BAGS IN GENERAL.
     YOU CAN'T MAIL ANY FOOD PRODUCTS, BEVERAGES, CHEMICALS, OR ANY BAGGAGE.  ANYTHING ELSE IS FAIR GAME.  YOU CAN BOX UP PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING, ADDRESS IT TO YOURSELF, MAIL IT, AND IT'LL BE WAITING FOR YOU AT THE SHIP WHEN YOU ARRIVE.
     SOME PEOPLE MAIL HOLIDAY DECORATIONS, ROOM DECORATIONS, DOOR DECORATIONS, GIFTS OR SURPRISES FOR PEOPLE IN YOUR PARTY, TOYS FOR THE KIDS, STUFF FOR THE BEACH OR POOL.  THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS REALLY.  YOU KNOW WITH MAILING YOUR PAYING FOR EXACTLY WHAT YOU MAIL AND HOW MUCH IT WEIGHS.  WITH LUGGAGE, THERE'S A LIMIT FOR EACH BAG.  IF YOUR BAG IS OVER THE AIRLINE'S WEIGHT LIMIT, YOU GET FINED.  THESE "FINES" CAN BE UPWARDS OF $100!  I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU'RE MAILING IN A BOX TO THE SHIP, IT'S NOT GONNA COST A HUNDRED DOLLARS TO DO IT.  SO PRACTICALLY SPEAKING, IT'S WORTH LOOKING INTO, WHETHER FOR SPACE IN YOUR LUGGAGE OR TO JUST LIGHTEN THE LOAD.  I'LL GET INTO WHAT I'M MAILING AHEAD WHEN I GET TO THAT SPECIFICALLY ON ANOTHER DAY.  IN THE MEAN TIME  . . . SMILE!
     NEXT IN OUR MOVIE RUN IS "MAKE MINE MUSIC" & "FUN AND FANCY FREE".
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº

47 DAYS TO GO . . .

     MONDAY MARCH 7, 2011

     CREATE YOUR OWN FIRST AID KIT.  DISNEY SHIPS HAVE FIRST CLASS MEDICAL FACILITIES.  THEY'RE BASICALLY MOBILE HOSPITALS, BUT THEY CAN BE JUST AS EXPENSIVE TOO.  SAVE YOURSELF THE TIME AND WORRY BY JUST CREATING A CARRY ALONG MEDICAL SUPPLY KIT FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.  EVEN THE SEEMINGLY SMALL AND OBVIOUS THINGS MAY NOT BE CARRIED FOR PURCHASE IN GIFT SHOPS LEAVING YOU WANTING WHEN YOU NEED IT.
      MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE OBVIOUS ADHESIVE BANDAGES (BAND-AIDS), AND IT'S PROBABLY BEST IF YOU HAVE A FEW DIFFERENT SIZES AND SHAPES.  ALSO BE SURE TO INCLUDE: ANTIBACTERIAL CREAM OR NEOSPORIN, SMALL HAND SANITIZER, ASPIRIN, BUFFERIN, AND/OR TYLENOL (KIDS VERSIONS AS WELL IF NECESSARY), SOME KIND OF ANTI-NAUSEA MEDICATION OR SOMETHING SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR SEA-SICKNESS, ANTI-DIARRHEA MEDICATION (HEY, YOU NEVER KNOW-BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY), ANTACID TABLETS OR TUMS, COLD OR ANTIHISTAMINE MEDICATION FOR ALLERGIES OR ALLERGIC REACTIONS, COUGH AND CONGESTION SYRUP, ZIP-LOCK BAGS FOR ICE IF NEEDED (OBTAINABLE AT THE DRINK STATIONS OR THROUGH YOUR STATEROOM HOST), DENTURE CREAM OR ANYTHING ELSE TEETH SPECIFIC NEEDED, EYE DROPS OR ANY AND EVERY KIND PREFERRED, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, ANY AND ALL PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION, IN THEIR ORIGINAL CONTAINERS, FOR ANYONE IN YOUR PARTY.  IMPORTANT PRESCRIPTIONS ARE USUALLY BEST KEPT IN YOUR CARRY-ON FOR EASY AND IMMEDIATE ACCESS.
     THIS LIST MAY SOUND LIKE A LOT, BUT MOST OF THESE ITEMS ARE SMALL AND YOU CAN OBVIOUSLY ADJUST FOR THE SIZE OF YOUR PARTY AND THE LENGTH OF YOUR TRIP.  IT'S THE FACT THAT YOU'RE PREPARING FOR THE UNLIKELY THAT GIVES YOU A LITTLE MORE PIECE OF MIND AND CAN SAVE YOU A LOT OF TIME LATER SHOULD SOMETHING SMALL AND ANNOYING COME UP . . . ESPECIALLY TO KIDS, WHERE YOU MAY NEVER HEAR THE END OF IT!  lol
     "BAMBI" WAS OUR NEXT MOVIE UP, BUT WE DON'T HAVE THAT ONE.  I THOUGHT WE DID, SO I'M LOOKING TO BUY IT CHEAP ON EBAY.  WE MOVED ON TO THE NEXT FILMS ON OUR LIST:  "SALUDOS AMIGOS" & "THE THREE CABALLEROS".
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
 

Saturday, March 5, 2011

48 DAYS TO GO . . .

     SUNDAY MARCH 6, 2011

     NOW I START TO MOVE INTO WHAT I'LL CALL THE "LITTLE THINGS", IN SIZE, BUT MAYBE MORE IMPORTANT THAN SOME OF THE BIG ONES.  A BIG CONCERN FOR PEOPLE IN A CRUISE SHIP STATEROOM IS LIGHT AT NIGHT.  I'VE HEARD SOME TRULY CREATIVE WAYS OF MAKING NIGHT LIGHTS FOR YOURSELF OR YOUR LITTLE ONES. 
     ALTHOUGH MOST CABINS ON A CRUISE SHIP ARE ON THE OUTSIDE AND HAVE EITHER PORTHOLES OR VERANDAHS, LIGHT IS STILL A CONCERN.  OUT ON THE OPEN OCEAN, NIGHTTIME GENERALLY MEANS PITCH BLACK.  AND MOST PEOPLE CLOTHES THE DRAPES TO THE OUTSIDE BECAUSE THERE'S NOTHING TO HIDE THAT EARLY MORNING SUN AS IT STARTS CREEPING OVER THE HORIZON.
     SO FROM SUNDOWN TO SUN UP AND LATER, HOW DO YOU SEE TO MOVE AROUND IN YOUR ROOM.  REMEMBER, IT'S NOT JUST YOU IN THERE, THERE'S AT LEAST ONE MORE.  ON A DISNEY CRUISE, ODDS ARE YOU'RE TRAVELLING WITH YOUR FAMILY, WHICH CAN MEAN 4 OR 5 PEOPLE IN YOUR STATEROOM.  YOU CAN'T JUST TURN ON ALL THE LIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT TO FIND YOUR WAY.  WELL YOU COULD, BUT YOU MAY NEVER HEAR THE END OF IT. 
     SOME PEOPLE LEAVE THE BATHROOM LIGHT ON AND ADJUST THE DOOR ACCORDINGLY TO GET JUST THE LIGHT THEY NEED TO SEE AT NIGHT.  OTHERS TRY CLOSET LIGHTS TO FIND THEIR WAY.  SOME ACTUALLY BRING NIGHT LIGHTS TO PLUG IN IN ONE OR MORE PLACES.  THE PROBLEM THERE IS THAT THERE AREN'T A LOT OF OUTLETS IN CRUISE SHIP STATEROOMS, SO NOW YOU HAVE LESS IF YOU'RE PLUGGING IN NIGHT LIGHTS.  USUALLY PEOPLE ARE USING THEIR OUTLETS TO CHARGE THINGS, SO YOU'RE DEFINITELY CHARGING AT NIGHT.
     YOU CAN'T BURN CANDLES OF ANY KIND ON A CRUISE SHIP FOR FIRE HAZARD REASONS (I JUST HEARD BIRTHDAY CANDLES ARE A NO NO TOO!), BUT SOME PEOPLE ARE USING "FLAMELESS" CANDLES NOW FOR BOTH SCENT AND LIGHT.
     ONE OF DISNEY'S LATEST INNOVATIONS IS AN ACTUAL BUILT IN NIGHT LIGHT OF SORTS.  ONE OF THE LIGHT SWITCHES OVER THE DESK CONTROLS A CEILING LIGHT THAT HAS TWO OPTIONS.  FULL LIGHT FOR WHEN NEEDED AND A SECOND SETTING FOR A DIM BLUE LIGHT FOR NIGHT LIGHT PURPOSES.  IT SEEMS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT NO ONE HAS COME UP WITH SOMETHING SIMILAR SOONER, BUT AT LEAST IT'S MADE IT ONTO THE NEWEST SHIPS.  THE MAIN REASON WAS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE MUCH FEWER INSIDE STATEROOMS HAVE LITERALLY NO NATURAL LIGHT.  SO WITH THE LIGHTS OFF, IT'S NO DIFFERENT THAN BEING IN A CLOSET WITH THE DOOR CLOSED.  BLACK AS NIGHT.  SO IF YOU KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO NEED IT, OR AT LEAST EXPECT YOU MIGHT, PLAN ON SOME EXTRA LIGHT FOR NIGHT.
     OUR 4TH MOVIE IN SUCCESSION IS "DUMBO".
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº

49 DAYS TO GO . . .

     SATURDAY MARCH 5, 2011

     SO YOU'VE GOT YOUR SUITCASE PACKED, OR AT LEAST YOU THINK YOU DO, BEFORE YOU CHECK IT THREE MORE TIMES.  NOW COMES A REAL QUANDARY.  DO YOU LOCK YOUR LUGGAGE?  I NEVER KNEW WHAT A BIG DEAL THIS WAS UNTIL I STARTED READING ABOUT IT.  I GUESS I SHOULD HAVE FORESEEN SOME OF THE ONCOMING PROBLEMS INVOLVED AFTER ALL THE INCREASED AIRPORT SECURITY CHECKS.  I ONLY RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT YOU CAN'T USE THE LOCKS THAT MAY HAVE COME ON YOUR SUITCASES ORIGINALLY UNLESS THEY'RE APPROVED BY THE TSA, AND MOST LOCKS AREN'T.  YOU'LL KNOW.  THERE WILL BE ONE OF TWO SYMBOLS ON YOUR LOCK: A TORCH AND FLAME OR AN OPEN DIAMOND TYPE SYMBOL. 
     ALL LUGGAGE IS NOW SCREENED BY THE TSA BEFORE IT IS PLACED ON AN AIRPLANE, BUT SOME LUGGAGE NEEDS TO BE PHYSICALLY INSPECTED FOR MANY DIFFERENT SMALL REASONS.  IF YOU HAVE ONE OF THESE APPROVED LOCKS, THE TSA CAN USE A UNIVERSAL MASTER KEY TO OPEN THE LOCK, INSPECT YOUR LUGGAGE, AND RE-LOCK IT BEFORE SENDING IT ON IT'S WAY.  IF YOUR LOCK IS NOT APPROVED AND YOUR LUGGAGE NEEDS TO BE INSPECTED, YOUR LOCK IS SIMPLY CUT OFF.
     ANOTHER OPTION THAT IS GROWING IN POPULARITY IS LOCKING YOUR LUGGAGE WITH ZIP TIES.  THEY'RE CHEAP AND COME IN PACKS OF BIG NUMBERS AND ARE EASILY REPLACEABLE.  ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS REPLACEABLE OPTION IS THAT IF THE TSA NEEDS TO PHYSICALLY INSPECT YOUR LUGGAGE, THEY WILL REPLACE THE ZIP TIES FOR YOU IF THEY'RE FORCED TO CUT THEM OPEN.
     NOW THE "WHYS" OF LOCKING YOUR LUGGAGE.  HOWEVER UNFORTUNATE, AND EVEN UNLIKELY, THE REASON PEOPLE LOCK THEIR LUGGAGE IS BECAUSE THINGS CAN FALL OUT.  A ZIPPER GETS CAUGHT AND YOUR BAG OPENS A LITTLE.  BUT THE TRUTH IS THINGS ARE STOLEN OUT OF THEM.  WHETHER BY BAGGAGE HANDLERS OR TRANSFERS, OR AS I'M FINDING OUT MORE AND MORE, AT YOUR DESTINATION.  WHETHER IT'S A HOTEL, RESORT, OR CRUISE SHIP, BAGS ARE OPENED AND THINGS ARE STOLEN.  NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRY, OR HOPE, UNLESS YOU ALWAYS HAVE YOUR LUGGAGE WITH YOU, YOU JUST CAN'T KEEP AN EYE ON IT ALL THE TIME.  WHEN YOU'RE TRAVELING IN A GROUP, YOU'RE LUGGAGE IS USUALLY MOVED IN MASS AND STORED FOR SOME PERIOD OF TIME, AND YOUR LUGGAGE JUST WON'T BE VISIBLE BY SECURITY AND CAMERAS ALL THE TIME.  IT'S THE STAFF HANDLING THESE BAGS THAT KNOWS THIS BEST, AND WHERE IT'S BEST TO OPEN THEM.  SO TAKING THESE PRECAUTIONS, HOWEVER UNNECESSARY THEY MAY SEEM, MAY JUST PROTECT YOU MORE THAN YOU THINK IN THE END.  I JUST READ ABOUT A WOMAN THAT HAD SOMETHING SHE PURCHASED ON HER CRUISE FOR HER DAUGHTER THAT MYSTERIOUSLY WASN'T IN HER SUITCASE WHEN SHE GOT HOME.  WHAT CAN YOU DO?  ALL THE COMPLAINING IN THE WORLD ISN'T GOING TO PROVE IT EVER WAS THERE, LET ALONE WAS STOLEN.  I TALKED BEFORE ABOUT PUTTING EVERYTHING IN YOUR SUITCASES IN A BAG, OR BAGS, INSIDE THEM.  WELL THE SMALL INVESTMENT OF TSA APPROVED LOCKS OR ZIP TIES AROUND YOUR BAG ZIPPERS MAY SAVE YOU THE SAME HEARTACHE.  JUST PACK A PAIR OF NAIL CLIPPERS OR A REAL SMALL PAIR OF SCISSORS, THAT WON'T RAISE ANY SUSPICIONS, BUT CAN STILL SNIP YOUR ZIP TIES WHENEVER YOU NEED TO.  PLAN AHEAD, BE SAFE, AND BE SECURE.  YOUR FUN AND TRIP MEMORIES MAY JUST BE TIED TO IT.
     NIGHT NUMBER 3 OF OUR DISNEY MOVIES IS THE ORIGINAL "FANTASIA".
     SEA YOU REAL SOON!   ºOº

50 DAYS TO GO . . .

     FRIDAY MARCH 4, 2011

     NOW THAT YOU'RE FOCUSING ON PACKING AND ALL THAT GOES INTO IT, YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT WHO IN PARTICULAR IS GOING.  IF YOU HAVE KIDS GOING, ANYWHERE FROM TODDLERS TO TEENS, YOU NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO HOW LONG YOUR TRIP IS AND HOW LONG YOU'LL NEED TO KEEP THEM OCCUPIED.
     THE LITTLEST OF THE KIDS, AS YOU WELL KNOW, NEED LOTS OF OCCUPYING.  WHILE THERE IS PLENTY FOR THEM TO SEE AND DO ON A DISNEY CRUISE, THAT MAKES UP ONLY A FRACTION OF THE TIME YOU'LL NEED TO KEEP THEM SMILING.  THEY CAN'T STAY AWAKE LIKE THE OLDER ONES, SO YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT WHAT WILL SETTLE THEM BEST FOR NAPS AND BEDTIME.  AND THERE'S BATHS AS WELL.  YOU NEED TO BE SURE TO PACK THEIR FAVORITES OR AT LEAST WHAT WILL SUFFICE.  THINGS FOR THE POOL OR THE BEACH, THE ROOM AND/OR FOR DINING ROOMS.  THE LAST THING YOU NEED IS TO BE LEFT WANTING AT THE LAST MINUTE. 
     THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AGED ARE A LITTLE EASIER TO PLEASE WHEN THEY'RE SURROUNDED BY ALL THIS DISNEY MAGIC, BUT SOME CLOTHES THEY LOVE, OR AT LEAST WILL, WILL HELP IMMENSELY, AND SOMETHING TO SLEEP WITH, WHETHER BOUGHT OR BROUGHT COULD CERTAINLY SAVE YOU SOME HEADACHES.  ONLY YOU KNOW WHETHER YOUR KIDS GET ALONG AND PLAY EASILY WITH OTHERS, OR ARE THE SHY SINGULAR TYPE.  IF THEY'RE THE LADDER THEN YOU MAY HAVE TO PLAN ON THINGS THAT WILL OCCUPY THEM IN SOCIAL SPOTS RATHER THAN OTHER KIDS.
     AND DON'T THINK THAT THE OLDER KIDS ARE EXEMPT FROM PLANNING EITHER.  THEY'RE THE ONES THAT COULD BE SURROUNDED BY ENDLESS THINGS TO SEE AND DO AND WILL STILL TELL YOU THEY'RE BORED!  lol  SO IF THEY'RE WRITERS, MAKE SURE THEY HAVE OR GET A JOURNAL.  CONSIDER BUYING THEM SOME INTERNET CARDS FOR TIME ON-BOARD.  PACK DVD PLAYERS, IPODS, HEADPHONES, OR GIVE DISNEY GIFT CARDS OR GAME ROOM CREDIT CARDS.
     YOU MAY CERTAINLY HAVE TO PLAN YOUR SHORE EXCURSIONS AROUND THE AGES OF WHO WILL BE GOING ON THEM, OR PICK OR EXCLUDE SOME JUST BECAUSE OF THEIR AGES.  DO YOUR RESEARCH ON THESE AS WELL, SO YOU DON'T GET STUCK AT THE BEGINNING OF SOMETHING TORTUROUS WITH HOURS LEFT TO GO.
     LUCKILY NO CRUISE LINE ON THE SEAS ENTERTAINS CHILDREN BETTER THAN DISNEY, SO PUMP THEM UP WITH THEIR AGE APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES YOU KNOW WILL BE ON-BOARD AHEAD OF TIME TO HELP LESSEN YOUR LOAD, BUT BE PREPARED EITHER WAY SO YOU'RE NOT WORKING THE WHOLE TIME EITHER.  REMEMBER IT'S YOUR VACATION TOO!  ;-)
     NIGHT NUMBER 2 OF DISNEY FILMS FEATURED "PINOCCHIO".
     SEA YA REAL SOON!     ºOº

Thursday, March 3, 2011

51 DAYS TO GO . . .

     THURSDAY MARCH 3, 2011

     SO, YOU'VE GOT ALL YOUR OUTFITS LAID OUT FOR DAY AND NIGHT FOR THE WHOLE LENGTH OF YOUR CRUISE . . . AND THERE'S JUST NO WAY.  YOU'LL NEED TO PACK AN EXTRA SUITCASE OR HIRE VALETS JUST TO LUG THE THING AROUND.  WELL HERE'S THE ADVANTAGE IN THAT PROBLEM.  THERE ARE LAUNDRY ROOMS ON-BOARD, AND QUITE HONESTLY, IF YOU'RE TAKING ANYTHING LONGER THAN A 4-NIGHT CRUISE, I SUGGEST YOU PLAN ON USING THEM.
     A FOUR-NIGHT CRUISE IS PRETTY DOABLE PACKING WISE FOR MOST PEOPLE, IF YOU'RE NOT TOTALLY RIDICULOUS ABOUT IT THAT IS.  BUT ONCE YOU GET INTO 5-NIGHT TRIPS AND MORE, YOU MAY JUST HAVE TOO MUCH TO BRING.  THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE DOES NOT WANT YOU TO WEAR SHORTS OR T-SHIRTS TO DINNER.  THEY CALL IT "CRUISE CASUAL", BUT IN ESSENCE THEY'RE SAYING, "DON'T BE A SLOB.  SOME PEOPLE WANT TO DRESS UP FOR DINNERS ON VACATION, AND YOU'RE RUINING IT FOR THEM!"  I GUESS YOU HAVE TO READ BETWEEN THE LINES.  lol  GRANTED, YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH PROBABLY 2 PAIRS OF PANTS, LIGHT AND DARK, AND JUST ROTATE THEM.  BUT OVER 5 OR MORE NIGHTS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU GET SOMETHING ON THEM, YOU'LL PROBABLY NEED TO DO SOME LAUNDRY.  COME ON, LET'S FACE IT, IF YOU HAVE KIDS, YOU'RE PRACTICALLY DOING LAUNDRY ALL THE TIME ANYWAY RIGHT?  WELL WHY PACK ENDLESS OUTFITS FOR AN EXTENDED TRIP WHEN YOU CAN JUST DO LAUNDRY PROBABLY ONE DAY IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR TRIP. 
     THE DISNEY DREAM HAS LAUNDRY ROOMS ON DECKS 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, & 10.  WASHERS AND DRYERS ARE BOTH $2 PER LOAD AND NO LONGER NEED COINS.  YOU CAN SWIPE YOUR "KEY TO THE WORLD CARD" (KTWC) AND IT WILL CHARGE YOUR ROOM FOR THE COST.  NICE IF YOU DON'T WANT TO CARRY MONEY AROUND, WHICH YOU DON'T REALLY NEED TO WHEN MONEY REALLY ISN'T ACCEPTED ANYWHERE ON THE DCL.  EACH MACHINE TAKES ABOUT 45 MINUTES FOR THE FULL CYCLE AND EARLY REPORTS HAVE BOTH THE WASHER AND THE DRYER DOING A FINE JOB WITHOUT ANY EXTRA CYCLES NEEDED.
     IF YOU'RE LIKE ME AND WON'T BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE WRINKLES PRODUCED IN YOUR EVENING ATTIRE AFTER WASHING AND DRYING, THERE ARE IRONS AND IRONING BOARDS IN EACH LAUNDRY ROOM AS WELL.  SO IF YOU'RE IRONING ALSO, YO MAY BE LOOKING AT 3 HOURS TOPS WITH WASHING, DRYING, IRONING, AND PUTTING EVERYTHING AWAY WHEN YOU'RE DONE.  NOT TOO BAD CONSIDERING YOU KNOW YOU HAVE 45 MINUTES COUNTED DOWN ON EACH MACHINE, SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO FEEL TIED TO THEM, AND CAN GO DO SOMETHING.  BUT LIKE ANY LAUNDROMAT, IF YOU'RE NOT BACK SOON AFTER THEY STOP, YOU'RE STUFF MAY BE TAKEN OUT SO SOMEONE ELSE CAN USE THEM. 
     THIS IS A GOOD INVESTMENT IF YOU NEED TO SAVE A LITTLE SPACE IN PACKING.  A FEW HOURS TOTAL TO HAVE, WHAT COULD BE, TWICE AS MANY AVAILABLE CLOTHES FOR YOUR TRIP WITHOUT HAVING TO PACK THEM. 
     DETERGENTS, DRYER SHEETS, ETC. ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH MACHINES IN EACH LAUNDRY ROOM, BUT YOU MAY WANT TO PACK SMALL AMOUNTS OF THESE IN ADVANCE IF YOU KNOW YOU'LL PROBABLY BE DOING LAUNDRY AND WANT TO SAVE ON THE INCREDIBLE MARK UP THAT WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE MACHINE PRICES.
     DRY-CLEANING IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON-BOARD.  PRICES ARE FAIRLY CLOSE TO YOUR LOCAL DRY CLEANERS PRICES, RANGING FROM ABOUT $4 PER ITEM UP TO ABOUT $8.  IF YOU DON'T WANT TO USE THE LAUNDRY ROOMS ON-BOARD YOU CAN HAVE YOUR ITEMS LAUNDERED FOR YOU FOR ABOUT $1 - $4 EACH DEPENDING ON THE ITEM.  THERE ARE BAGS IN YOUR STATEROOM AND YOU JUST FILL THEM AND SET THEM OUT TO BE PICKED UP.  CONVENIENT FOR FORMAL WEAR ESPECIALLY AFTER TRAVELLING.  YOU CAN ALSO HAVE THINGS SIMPLY "PRESSED" TO AVOID WRINKLES PRIOR TO WEARING.  SEE?  ANOTHER ADVANTAGE TO BEING ON VACATION.  HAVING EVERYTHING DONE FOR YOU.  ;-)
     WE ALSO STARTED OUR VIEWING OF ALL OF DISNEY'S ANIMATED FEATURES TODAY, COUNTING BACK FROM THE FIRST ONE RELEASED UP TO THE PRESENT.  FIRST ONE WAS "SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS".
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

52 DAYS TO GO . . .

     WEDNESDAY MARCH 2, 2011

     KEEPING YOUR STUFF DRY.  WHAT STUFF, RIGHT?  WELL THE ANSWER IS ACTUALLY ALL OF YOUR STUFF.  ALTHOUGH I NEVER REALLY THOUGHT ABOUT IT MYSELF, AFTER DOING A LOT OF READING, YOU'D BE AMAZED AT HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE REACHED THEIR DESTINATION AND THEIR SUITCASE AND STUFF IN IT, WAS WET!
     YOU SEE, ALTHOUGH YOU MAY BE DRY, WHEN IT'S RAINING, ODDS ARE YOUR SUITCASE IS GOING TO BE OUT IN IT AT SOME POINT.  WHEN YOU STOP AND THINK ABOUT IT, IT'S REALLY NOT EVEN THAT SURPRISING, BUT NO ONE EVER THINKS ABOUT IT.  YOUR LUGGAGE HAS TO GO FROM THE TERMINAL TO THE PLANE, RIGHT?  AND THE PLANE ISN'T PARKED INSIDE. . . AHHHH.  NOW SOME LUGGAGE CARRIERS ARE COVERED, BUT REALLY, IT'S NOT A LUGGAGE HANDLERS JOB TO KEEP YOUR LUGGAGE DRY.  THEIR JOB IS TO MOVE IT FROM POINT A TO PLANE B WITH AS MUCH THROWING AROUND OF THE BAGS AS POSSIBLE.  O.K.  I'M KIDDING ABOUT THAT, SORT OF.  BUT WHY SHOULD THEY CARE IF YOUR BAG GETS WET?  IF IT'S RAINING THEY'RE WORKING IN IT.  YOUR BAG IS THE LEAST OF THEIR WORRIES. 
     THEN YOUR BAG ARRIVES AT IT'S DESTINATION AIRPORT AND YOU HAVE THAT CITY'S WEATHER TO THINK ABOUT AS WELL.  NOT TO MENTION PUDDLES, OR SPRINKLERS, OR WHATEVER OTHER H2O THEY MAY COME ACROSS ALONG THE WAY.  NOW YOUR BAG HAS TO GO FROM AIRPORT TO SHIP PORT AND BE TRANSFERRED ABOARD THERE AS WELL.  YES, SOME BAGS HAVE TO BE ON TOP, SOME ON THE BOTTOM.  BUT AS YOU THINK ABOUT IT, NOW YOU REALIZE THAT YOU COULD HAVE RAIN AT BOTH ENDS OF YOUR FLIGHT AND AT YOUR PORT, THUS INCREASING THE ODDS OF YOUR BAG GETTING WET.  AND IF YOUR BAG IS FACING THE WEATHER IN ONE, TWO, OR ALL OF THOSE OPPORTUNITIES, YOU CAN NOW SEE HOW IT'S VERY POSSIBLE.  LET'S FACE IT, NOT MANY PIECES OF LUGGAGE ARE DESIGNED TO BE WATERPROOF. 
     THE EASIEST PROTECTION FOR THIS IS A LARGE TRASH BAG.  39 GALLON SIZE OR MORE.  THAT WAY EVERYTHING YOU PACK CAN GO INSIDE OF THIS BAG JUST LIKE YOU WOULD YOUR SUITCASE.  IT ACTS AS A WATERPROOF LINER.  YOU CAN TIE IT OR TAPE IT OR JUST FOLD IT OVER INSIDE YOUR SUITCASE.  THAT'S THE CHEAPEST WAY TO DO IT.
     JUST UP THE EXPENSE LADDER IS ZIP LOCK BAGS.  THEY MAKE HUGE ONES NOW, SO YOU COULD STILL PUT EVERYTHING INSIDE ONE BAG AND BE ABLE TO SEE THROUGH IT AS WELL.  OR YOU CAN ZIP LOCK THINGS INDIVIDUALLY.  THIS IS A VERY POPULAR TECHNIQUE WITH FAMILIES WITH KIDS TRAVELLING TOGETHER.  THIS WAY YOU CAN PUT EVERYONE'S INDIVIDUAL OUTFITS FOR EACH DAY IN GALLON SIZED ZIP LOCK BAGS IN YOUR SUITCASE.  PRESSING THE AIR OUT OF EACH BAG AS YOU CLOSE IT FUNCTIONS LIKE THOSE SPACE SAVER BAGS YOU SEE ON TV, AND TAKES UP LESS SPACE IN YOUR SUITCASE THAN IF YOU PACKED WITHOUT THE BAGS TOO.  LITTLE THINGS GET SMALLER ZIPLOCKS, ETC.  SO WHEN YOU'RE DONE PACKING IT LOOKS LIKE ONE OF THOSE HOUSES WITH THE PLASTIC ALL OVER THE FURNITURE!  BUT, EVERYTHING STAYS DRY, TAKES UP LESS SPACE AND IT ALSO PREVENTS WRINKLES, BECAUSE WHEN YOU LET THE AIR INTO THE BAGS AS YOU OPEN THEM THE WRINKLES YOU SEE IN THE BAGS, RELEASE.
     THE LAST POSSIBILITY IS TO JUST BY LUGGAGE THAT GUARANTEES THAT IT'S WATERPROOF.  I IMAGINE THAT MAY HAVE TO BEGIN WITH ONE OF THOSE HARD-SHELLED SUITCASES, BUT I'M NOT REALLY SURE.  I GUESS IT ALL REALLY COMES DOWN TO IS WHAT THE BAG IS MADE OUT OF, AND HOW THE SEAMS AND ZIPPERS ARE SEALED.  THEY'RE PROBABLY GOING TO BE A LITTLE PRICIER THAN MOST LUGGAGE, BUT IF THIS IS A CONCERN, YOU TRAVEL FREQUENTLY, AND YOU HAVE THE MEANS, THIS MAY BE THE WAY FOR YOU TO GO.
     SEA YA REAL SOON!   ºOº
IN PREPARATION FOR TOMORROW'S FIRST FILM IN THE CHRONOLOGICAL SUCCESSION OF DISNEY'S ANIMATED FEATURES, TONIGHT WE'RE WATCHING THE CLASSIC DISNEY CARTOON COMPILATIONS CALLED "IT'S A SMALL WORLD OF FUN VOLUMES 1 & 2".

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

53 DAYS TO GO . . .

     TUESDAY MARCH 1, 2011

     SINCE YESTERDAY WAS ABOUT PACKING THE ESSENTIALS, TODAY I THOUGHT I'D GET INTO SOME OF THOSE PACKING TIPS THAT THE EXPERIENCED DISNEY CRUISERS HAVE SHARED OVER TIME.
-AN EXTENSION CORD OR POWER STRIP.  IT KIND OF DEFEATS THE PURPOSE OF BEING ON VACATION AWAY FROM IT ALL, BUT SOME PEOPLE NEED THEIR PIECES OF HOME:  PHONES, IPODS, LAPTOPS, MUSIC, MOVIES, READERS, ETC., AND NEED TO BE ABLE TO CHARGE THEM ALL.  THERE AREN'T MANY OUTLETS IN STATEROOMS, SO IF YOU HAVE MANY THINGS TO BE CHARGED, A STRIP MAY BE NECESSARY.
-A WATCH.  WHILE THERE'S A DIGITAL ALARM CLOCK WITH IPOD STATION IN YOUR DREAM STATEROOM, CLOCKS ARE HARD TO COME BY.  I RELATE IT TO CASINOS.  TRY FINDING A CLOCK IN ONE.  CASINOS NEVER WANT YOU TO KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS; SIMILAR TO CRUISE SHIPS.  THEY JUST WANT YOU TO ENJOY YOURSELF AND NOT WORRY TOO MUCH ABOUT THE TIME.
-A SMALL FIRST AID AND SEWING KIT WITH SAFETY PINS.  THEY'RE SMALL AND TAKE UP NO ROOM, AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THEY'LL COME IN HANDY.
-HI-LITERS.  EVERY CRUISE HAS A SORT OF NEWSPAPER THAT TELLS YOU ABOUT EACH DAYS ACTIVITIES, BAR AND RESTAURANT HOURS, SHOWS, MOVIES, ETC.  HI-LITERS OF DIFFERENT COLORS ALLOW YOU TO MARK WHAT YOU AND EACH MEMBER OF YOUR PARTY WANT TO SEE AND DO FOR THE DAY IN A QUICK GLANCE.
-ZIP-LOCK BAGS.  YOU CAN BRING THEM FULL WITH SMALL THINGS YOU MAY NEED ON YOUR CRUISE, OR JUST FOR THINGS YOU WANT TO STORE IN YOUR FRIDGE FROM THE BUFFETS OR ROOM-SERVICE.
-WATER BOTTLES.  REFILLABLE OR STORE BOUGHT, THIS WILL PROVE A REAL MONEY SAVER COMPARED TO THE PRICE OF WATER ON-BOARD.  PLUS SOME, ALTHOUGH FEW, JUST DON'T LIKE THE WATER ON TAP.
-IDENTIFY YOUR LUGGAGE.  ADD RIBBONS, STICKERS, BANDANNAS, ANYTHING TO MAKE YOUR LUGGAGE QUICKLY IDENTIFIABLE FOR YOU NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE.
-$1 BILLS FOR TIPPING.  MOST TIPS ARE INCLUDED, BUT YOU ROOM SERVICE TIPS ARE NOT.  PLUS IF YOU HAVEN'T TIPPED YOUR MEAL SERVERS IN ADVANCE, YOU MAY NEED THEM FOR THAT TOO, OR FOR TAXIS, TOURS, ETC.
-OVER THE DOOR SHOE HANGAR OR ORGANIZER.  IF YOU'RE IN A ROOM WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE, THIS CAN BE A REAL BIG SPACE SAVER.  TAKES UP NO SHELVES OR DRAWERS AND CAN HOLD A LOT OF STUFF.  PUT IT IN THE BATHROOM AND ALL THOSE WOMEN'S MAKE-UPS, TOILETRIES, ETC. ARE OUT OF THE WAY.
-BATTERIES, MEMORY CARDS, FILM, CAMERAS, SMALL BINOCULARS.  ALL OF THIS IS DESIGNED FOR VIEWING NOW AND LATER.  CAPTURE THE MEMORIES AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE.  IT'S OVER BEFORE YOU KNOW IT!

      SEE YA REAL SOON!    ºOº