1/19/18 -- Disney Dream Mouseketeers!

[Corielynn2]

Hello Everyone!

I am so excited to be joining all of you on our first Disney Cruise! DH and I decided to do "adults only" just to check things out...haha! We have one 4yr old DS and are planning a land/sea pkg next year for his 5th birthday. Nice to meet all of you!

 

[pixiehallow]

Hello Everyone!

I am so excited to be joining all of you on our first Disney Cruise! DH and I decided to do "adults only" just to check things out...haha! We have one 4yr old DS and are planning a land/sea pkg next year for his 5th birthday. Nice to meet all of you!

Welcome to the group Corielynn2!

So how long before your birthday cruise with your little one?
If I am understanding right, you have a second cruise planned for him, right?
I usually tell people to be careful, Disney cruises are addictive, but if you already have 2 planned, I think the bug has bitten you!
If you have any questions, feel free to ask, and we'll try to get an answer for you.
Glad to have you planning with us.

~Tink~

 

[Corielynn2]

Welcome to the group Corielynn2!

So how long before your birthday cruise with your little one?
If I am understanding right, you have a second cruise planned for him, right?
I usually tell people to be careful, Disney cruises are addictive, but if you already have 2 planned, I think the bug has bitten you!
If you have any questions, feel free to ask, and we'll try to get an answer for you.
Glad to have you planning with us.

~Tink~

Thank you! We do have a second cruise planned, we are going again in the fall of 2019

 

[pixiehallow]

Thank you! We do have a second cruise planned, we are going again in the fall of 2019

You have it bad if you have 2 booked without stepping one foot on board! A tip for Disney cruise addicts,
when on board, you may want to check out on board booking for future cruises. If you book a future cruise while on either this cruise, or the one in the fall of 2019, I suggest adding your travel agents name in the travel agent space. If you do, you can get booking bonuses from both Disney and your travel agent.
What ship are you sailing on in 2019?

~Tink~

 

[AbbyLeePAPD]

Just bought our FE gifts!!!! I’m getting excited!!!

 

[pixiehallow]

Just bought our FE gifts!!!! I’m getting excited!!!

Bring on the packing.
I will get to pack twice. I am going to find out if packing using the ranger roll or the skivey roll allows for more space.

~Tink~

 

[pixiehallow]

Monday Forget Me Not's

Happy Monday all. We only have 6 more Mondays after today before we set sail.

This week, I want to remind everyone to bring their Dancing Feet. Leave all your inhibitions at home, and don't worry about what others may think. You are on the cruise to have fun, so live it up.

We are going to have several opportunities to show off our dancing skills.
The smooth moves will start with the sail away party up on the pool deck. This is a must do event. It gets you in the mood to have fun Disney Style.
During the cruise adults will have nightly opportunities to get their grove on in the different night clubs.
Which can be intermixed with some comedy, game shows, and snacking.
The kiddos will get daily opportunities to improve their moves in the kids areas.

On Pirate Night, we will be having another deck party, which means, you guessed it, more dancing.

And if you still have a few moves left in you by the time we get to Castaway, there will be a family dance party scheduled as well.

Now, if you are one to stay on the sidelines and just watch keep in mind my Forget Me Not about your appetite. If you are enjoying the Disney food as much as I know I will be, all of this dancing will give you the opportunity to burn off some of those calories (yes I know I said vacation calories don't count, but who wants to take the chance). Plus you are burning the calories with out stressing about exercise, because you are having FUN!!!!

So, practice up, and be ready to Bust a Move.


Have a great week,

~Tink~

 

[Mimi-Anne]

Hey everyone! I can finally start doing cruise stuff now that this whole cheer competition thing is over. Our girls came in the top 5. They got 4th place. They have the option of doing Globals next month but they are tired so I think they are going to sit it out. While inndosney last week I attented MVMCP for the first time. It was pretty cool. I probably won’t do it again though. Pop Warner also gave the cheerleaders and football players a private party at Animal Kingdom. Now that was amazing and super fun. We even had fastpasses to ride Navi River. That ride is so pretty. The detailing is simply gorgeous.

I’m now just doing Christmas stuff. I don’t have much to do since I’ve already purchased and wrapped everything. Lol.

My TA emailed me yesterday and said she sent out my cruise package so I can’t wait for that to arrive. I’ve decided to surprise my niece and tell her the weekend before the cruise so I’m working on some ideas for that. If anyone has any cool ideas please shoot them my way!

 

[pixiehallow]

Hey everyone! I can finally start doing cruise stuff now that this whole cheer competition thing is over. Our girls came in the top 5. They got 4th place. They have the option of doing Globals next month but they are tired so I think they are going to sit it out. While inndosney last week I attented MVMCP for the first time. It was pretty cool. I probably won’t do it again though. Pop Warner also gave the cheerleaders and football players a private party at Animal Kingdom. Now that was amazing and super fun. We even had fastpasses to ride Navi River. That ride is so pretty. The detailing is simply gorgeous.

I’m now just doing Christmas stuff. I don’t have much to do since I’ve already purchased and wrapped everything. Lol.

My TA emailed me yesterday and said she sent out my cruise package so I can’t wait for that to arrive. I’ve decided to surprise my niece and tell her the weekend before the cruise so I’m working on some ideas for that. If anyone has any cool ideas please shoot them my way!

I have been talking with a mom that I am hoping to get an interview with for my YouTube channel that is planning her reveal with a scavenger hunt. She said each gift will have a clue to the next until they finish by being able to put everything together for a final reveal.
You could also plan your character call so that she gets the call.
Oh, I jumped right to the idea sharing and forgot the CONGRATS!!! That is awesome. I know how much work they put in for the competitions, and how tough the competition is at the Disney hosted event. She definitely has earned her Disney cruise.

~Tink~

 

[Mimi-Anne]

I have been talking with a mom that I am hoping to get an interview with for my YouTube channel that is planning her reveal with a scavenger hunt. She said each gift will have a clue to the next until they finish by being able to put everything together for a final reveal.
You could also plan your character call so that she gets the call.
Oh, I jumped right to the idea sharing and forgot the CONGRATS!!! That is awesome. I know how much work they put in for the competitions, and how tough the competition is at the Disney hosted event. She definitely has earned her Disney cruise.

~Tink~

Oh that sound so cool! Unfortunately I don’t have the patience to create a scavenger hunt lol.

 

[pixiehallow]

Oh that sound so cool! Unfortunately I don’t have the patience to create a scavenger hunt lol.

On one of our Disney trips, I planned an Amazing Race around the worlds at Epcot. The prepping was crazy long with all the research, but being a part of them play it all out (which was a full day activity) almost broke me. I kept wanting to point them in the right direction, and give them hints. I can tell you, I did not bring my patient bone with me that day. So when someone says "I don't have a patient bone in my body", that would definitely described me. Everyone had a great time though!

~Tink~

 

[pixiehallow]

Happy Monday everyone! We are down to 5 Mondays. With next week being Christmas, I will either post 4 weeks before this coming weekend, or next week on Tue. or Wed. But for now....

Monday Forget Me Not's
(Only 5 more Monday's after today )

This week, is all about items you need after you have enjoyed your day on deck or at the beach

Make sure you pack products for after Sun and after wind.
Nothing ruins your cruise faster than a bad sun burn or dried out chapped skin from wind burn.
As much as I hate to admit it, knowing that with skin cancer I should be very careful out in the sun, I will start having fun, and forget to reapply my sun screen. And, unless you live in southern Florida, the sun will be more intense than you are used to, on this cruise. The last thing you are going to want after a day of fun is going to be the reminders that you too forgot to reapply. A good product to have in your luggage to help with this is a tube of Aloe Vera or an after sun treatment w/ a pain reliever. I have found that keeping this in the ice box in the room, makes for a soothing relief from the burn.
And for the first time cruisers, something that you may not realize is how much the wind will effect you. After being up on deck all day, or on the beach all day (we will most likely have windy days on the beach this time of year), your skin and lips will dry out and potentially become chapped. A helpful prevention is to stay hydrated, but after the fact you will want a good moisturizing lotion, and some chap stick (or Eos - now with UV protection). As part of the toiletry amenities in your cabin, you will have body butter. This is good for your dry skin. Our family is also partial to Mary Kays night cream (if you have ever used Mary Kay, it is the pink stuff that has the consistency of Vaseline and has a distinct smell).
These to small (and easily forgettable) items could make the difference between being comfortable enough to make it through all of the clothes that you have packed in your 2 allowed pieces of luggage (per person), or wearing the only comfortable sun dress or tank top in your luggage for the remainder of the cruise.

Have a great week and a happy holidays,

~Tink~

 

[pixiehallow]

For anyone that may be visiting Disney before or after the cruise, and is staying at one of the Disney Springs (Down Town Disney) area resorts that are not owned by Disney may find this news release helpful. Actually anyone visiting in this next year.
EXTRA MAGIC HOURS For Disney Springs Resort Area Hotel Guests!
Stay at any of the Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels and enjoy Extra Magic Hours at the Walt Disney World Parks from January 1 – December 31, 2018!*
The Extra Magic Hours program allows you to enter a specific theme park one hour before official opening on certain days of the week. On other days of the week, one of the theme parks stays open for two hours after the general public closing time. You can enjoy extra time on select attractions with smaller crowds! This benefit has been reserved for guests of the Disney-owned Walt Disney World hotels and the Swan and Dolphin, but for 2018, Disney is opening up the benefit to guests staying at hotels in the Disney Springs Resort Area!
The seven Disney Springs Resort Area hotels are considered Official Walt Disney World Hotels by Disney, and are on Disney property but not Disney-owned. They run their own bus transportation and are within walking distance of Disney Springs.
Be sure to read more about the MouseSavers Preferred Hotels in Disney Springs, where you can get exclusive MouseSavers offers and discounts for the following Disney Springs Resort Area hotels:
B Resort and Spa located in Disney Springs Resort Area
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton in the Walt Disney World Resort
Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista in Disney Springs Resort Area
Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace
MouseSavers readers who stay at any of the MouseSavers Preferred Hotels in the Disney Springs Resort Area during 2018 via any exclusive MouseSavers offer are eligible for Extra Magic Hours! No special codes are required to get the Extra Magic Hours benefit. Just book the hotel through our special links (or using the given phone number in some cases) and you’ll be given the Extra Magic Hours voucher when you check in.*
*Valid Theme Park admission and an Extra Magic Hours voucher are required. To get your Extra Magic Hours voucher, you must show your valid theme park tickets at the hotel front desk (you can purchase tickets at the hotel upon arrival, but obviously it’s cheaper to buy them in advance ). When planning your schedule, please remember that to visit more than one theme park on the same day, you’ll need to purchase the Park Hopper Option or Park Hopper Plus Option with your theme park ticket. Extra Magic Hours must be used during the dates of your reservation. Valid through 12/31/18. Please note that not all Walt Disney World attractions are available during Extra Magic Hours. Extra Magic Hours schedule and available attractions are subject to change without notice.
60-Day Booking for FastPass+ Selections For Disney Springs Resort Area Hotel Guests
The other big news is that guests of the Disney Springs Resort Area hotels who book a Walt Disney World vacation package will also get 60 day advance booking of their FastPass+ selections, starting January 10, 2018! Booking an official Walt Disney World vacation package via an Authorized Disney Travel Planner agency like Small World Vacations does qualify for this benefit, and the rates will be the same as booking directly (but you will not get the special MouseSavers exclusive discounts). Room-only bookings directly with the hotel or via other sites like Expedia or Orbitz will not qualify for this benefit.
In order to book FastPass+ selections at 60 days from the arrival date, the Walt Disney Travel Company package booking number needs to be linked to the guest’s MyDisneyExperience account, and a valid theme park ticket or annual pass needs to be linked as well. (Typically the package will include a ticket, but there are ticketless packages for people who already have an annual pass or prefer to get their ticket separately.)

 

[Mimi-Anne]

Finally at 30 days!! I’m so excited!! I got the cruise documents that my TA sent. She’s so sweet she send me some extra stuff for my niece and she sent me some light cards. I’m really excited about those light cards. I was going to buy some from Etsy but now I don’t have to anymore. Lol.

 

[pixiehallow]

Finally at 30 days!! I’m so excited!! I got the cruise documents that my TA sent. She’s so sweet she send me some extra stuff for my niece and she sent me some light cards. I’m really excited about those light cards. I was going to buy some from Etsy but now I don’t have to anymore. Lol.

Isn't it awesome when our TA's start our Disney vacations off with a bit of pixie dust. Ours sent us a gift box a week before our trip last January. She takes such good care of us.

 

[pixiehallow]

Happy Tuesday everyone, we have 5 days left in 2017 and 4 Mondays left until our vacation.
This week I want to share a Bare Bones packing list for this weeks Forget Me Not's. You can also watch the list on my very first video I ever recorded (spoiler alert: I was very green under the collar when it comes to videos) - check it out here:

And now........
Here is this weeks Monday (Tuesday) Forget Me Nots.

First let me start by asking a question. How many of you look like this or or or or or or in prep mode currently. If you raised your hand for any of them, take a deep breath and remember that planning is supposed to be HALF the fun, not ALL the anxiety. Even though it is still, technically a school holiday, I am going to step into teacher mode for a minute. We are going to let P = Planning, C = cruise, and F = Fun (oh, and we can not forget S = stress). In a balanced equation, 1/2 P + 1/2 C = 1F. Now if you try to add -1SP + 1/2 C it will not = 1F. The result will be -1SP + 1/2 C = -1/2 F. If I lost you with all of the algebra , basically, what I am saying is don't let yourself get so stressed with your planning and packing that it takes away from the fun of anticipation, and the fun of the vacation.

So, as if I didn't confuse you enough with vacation planning algebra I am sure you are wondering what does all this have to do with your Forget me not's?????

Well, I don't want anyone to loose sight of why we are all here. Sure we may come from different backgrounds, and different parts of the country (heck even different parts of Texas where the football team or college team you support could create a strong difference in opinions), and different ideas of what a vacation means to us, but one thing we all have in common is a strong enough love for Disney, and a desire to enjoy time with our family (what ever family means for you) that we booked a Disney Cruise.

To help everyone take a moment to refocus, I am going to have a Forget Me Not list that is contrary to all my previous ones. I have 3 more weeks after this to get in last minute reminders. This week, I want you to imagine that I am telling you today that the ship is here, and it is time to go. I am not trying to bring you to maximum level stress, instead, I am going to list the bare minimum that you could probably grab in just a few minutes, and be out the door and on the way to the ship for a cruise of a life time.
Here goes, the bare bones, must haves, to enjoy your cruise:

Family and friends that you are sailing with
Swim suit
A dress for the girls, and pants for the guys so you are set for dinner
A change of clothes and shoes so you are not always in your swim suit and flip flops or dinner attire
Your Disney side
Everyone's boarding documents (if you already did the online check in, it is just a printed copy of your signature forms)
and Your photo ID.

Everything else is just extra. With these 7 things, you are set for fun.

The theme for today is, Take a deep breath, Refocus, and Remember all the fun we are going to have in just over a month!!!!!

~Tink~

PS. The video actually has 13 things!

 

[Mimi-Anne]

So I'm getting everything ready for the cruise BUT somehow I forgot to tell my bosses I'll be taking off for 3 days. I should probably get around to doing that right? I'm a nanny so I need to do it fast so they have coverage for the days that I'm gone.

Our Magic Bands came yesterday for our WDW part of the trip so I'm very excited! I took Pixiehallow's advice and got those PDF surprise tickets for the cruise and Disney World. They are super cute! My husband is going to print them on card stock for me. I'm currently about to order a special made autograph book from Etsy for my niece but was curious about how many signatures she can realistically get on the cruise. We have the Frozen meet and the princess meet. But how many other characters can she meet?

Also I've decided to take the DCL bus back to our resort instead of using outside transportation. How early do the buses start running to go back to resorts? We are staying at AOA. I'd like to get back I guess as early as possible to we can hit the park.

 

[pixiehallow]

So I'm getting everything ready for the cruise BUT somehow I forgot to tell my bosses I'll be taking off for 3 days. I should probably get around to doing that right? I'm a nanny so I need to do it fast so they have coverage for the days that I'm gone.

Our Magic Bands came yesterday for our WDW part of the trip so I'm very excited! I took Pixiehallow's advice and got those PDF surprise tickets for the cruise and Disney World. They are super cute! My husband is going to print them on card stock for me. I'm currently about to order a special made autograph book from Etsy for my niece but was curious about how many signatures she can realistically get on the cruise. We have the Frozen meet and the princess meet. But how many other characters can she meet?

Also I've decided to take the DCL bus back to our resort instead of using outside transportation. How early do the buses start running to go back to resorts? We are staying at AOA. I'd like to get back I guess as early as possible to we can hit the park.

I am excited to see how the surprise turns out. As for autographs, she will be able to start with autographs in the terminal. I have seen both Mickey and Minnie either in the terminal, or on the way into the boat at a photo opportunity before boarding. You should be able to get about 5 autographs at the princess meet and greet, and between 3 to 4 at the Frozen one. Aside from that, they will have characters out in the lobby before dinner each night and a few other opportunities through out the day (make sure to check your Navigator daily, and mark the character appearances that you want to be sure to make it to). All that being said, some of the meets or autograph opportunities are repeated characters (to make sure everyone gets a chance to meet them). So, on top of the 2 functions you have, I would expect to get a minimum of 2 more a day. Oh, and I forgot about the new Beauty and the Beast stage show. They will most likely have a special character greeting tied in with that as well. When all is said and done, if you take the time to plan out your meets, you could get around 15. The cruise has done away with asking guest services to take an item to get it signed by all of the characters on board, but if there is one character you have not been able to make it to see, you could try asking to see if they can help. So, the key is be ready for autographs as soon as you arrive at port, and utilize your daily Navigator to make sure you catch all your favorites.
Are there any autographs you specifically will be looking to get?

Now, the buses will typically begin leaving between 8 and 9. The quickest option for unboarding and catching a bus is to choose to walk off the boat with your luggage. Passengers that choose to keep their luggage with them and carry it all off themselves can leave the boat as soon as it is cleared by customs.

Only 20 more days!!!!

~Tink~

 

[Mimi-Anne]

I am excited to see how the surprise turns out. As for autographs, she will be able to start with autographs in the terminal. I have seen both Mickey and Minnie either in the terminal, or on the way into the boat at a photo opportunity before boarding. You should be able to get about 5 autographs at the princess meet and greet, and between 3 to 4 at the Frozen one. Aside from that, they will have characters out in the lobby before dinner each night and a few other opportunities through out the day (make sure to check your Navigator daily, and mark the character appearances that you want to be sure to make it to). All that being said, some of the meets or autograph opportunities are repeated characters (to make sure everyone gets a chance to meet them). So, on top of the 2 functions you have, I would expect to get a minimum of 2 more a day. Oh, and I forgot about the new Beauty and the Beast stage show. They will most likely have a special character greeting tied in with that as well. When all is said and done, if you take the time to plan out your meets, you could get around 15. The cruise has done away with asking guest services to take an item to get it signed by all of the characters on board, but if there is one character you have not been able to make it to see, you could try asking to see if they can help. So, the key is be ready for autographs as soon as you arrive at port, and utilize your daily Navigator to make sure you catch all your favorites.
Are there any autographs you specifically will be looking to get?

Now, the buses will typically begin leaving between 8 and 9. The quickest option for unboarding and catching a bus is to choose to walk off the boat with your luggage. Passengers that choose to keep their luggage with them and carry it all off themselves can leave the boat as soon as it is cleared by customs.

Only 20 more days!!!!

~Tink~

Thats a lot of characters! I dont think she has a certain character she wants to see outside of Tiana. lol. I was just wondering since I have to make a decision on how many pages her book should have. I will probably go with the one that has 24 pages for pictures and 24 for autographs. I would love to be able to meet Jack Sparrow though! So thats who I'm keeping an eye out for. lol.

I guess I'll plan to just walk off with my own luggage since I want to get on the earliest bus.

I can't believe it's coming so quick. I'm so excited!

 

[pixiehallow]

Thats a lot of characters! I dont think she has a certain character she wants to see outside of Tiana. lol. I was just wondering since I have to make a decision on how many pages her book should have. I will probably go with the one that has 24 pages for pictures and 24 for autographs. I would love to be able to meet Jack Sparrow though! So thats who I'm keeping an eye out for. lol.

I guess I'll plan to just walk off with my own luggage since I want to get on the earliest bus.

I can't believe it's coming so quick. I'm so excited!

Keep an eye out for Jack all day of Pirate Night and at Castaway.