DDC XXXIV: The Original Home Of The DISDads!!!

[Rental01]

Good seeing you and your DW yesterday Ian!

It was great catching up with you, Dave. Of course, no pics so it didn't happen, but you were working and that would have been weird. Still, I'm glad that I can see you again.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Afternoon, Fellas! Not much going on today. Took today off and have been running errands. Been at pediatrics the last 2 weeks, and I was about to walkout on Tuesday. Ok, not really, but man I wanted to. It was just one of those days combined with being short a person...who happens to be short.

I'm off here shortly to go and take rehearsal pictures of a local high school's production of Pippen, so everyone have a great rest of the day.

It can definitely be overwhelming. I think the key is to realize that you can't possibly do everything, so prioritize the attractions you absolutely don't want to miss. Going early for rope drop is a good strategy. I don't know if your family is comfortable doing single rider since you have a child with you, but that's pretty much the only other way to get on a ride quickly without using Genie+.

No you can't. It's just impossible to get it done in one day. So, as you said, I am going to come up with a list of rides and attractions we want to do and just see what happens. I've said it before, we're not park commandos, so we're not going to rush around. That doesn't mean we won't be walking briskly towards a ride if a good wait time is found, but otherwise we'll just kind of wonder around and enjoy ourselves. Part if the experience for us is just being in the parks and enjoying the sights and sounds.

Who dis?

The Ghost of DisDads Past.

Good for you.

Thanks. I wrenched my back a couple days ago, so I skipped the last two days. I think I'll just work on cardio for a while.

Deep breaths...

Like into a paper bag? (goes and grabs a paper bag)

Who dis?

This time the Ghost of DisDads Present.

What he said.

There's just no way to get it all done. So I'm going to pick the things I know we'll like and go from there.

Today is 2nd Monday

Now that's just crazy talk.




Question for everyone: Would any of your suggest a mid-day break to head back to the resort for a rest and swim? I know this will come down to me knowing my family and what works for us, but getting suggestions. I've also tried asking my wife but all she says is: "I leave it up to you to plan everything." Sounds like she's setting me up for something, but I know she doesn't like planning vacations....it stresses her out. Just wondering. Thanks all

 

[Rental01]

Question for everyone: Would any of your suggest a mid-day break to head back to the resort for a rest and swim? I know this will come down to me knowing my family and what works for us, but getting suggestions. I've also tried asking my wife but all she says is: "I leave it up to you to plan everything." Sounds like she's setting me up for something, but I know she doesn't like planning vacations....it stresses her out. Just wondering. Thanks all

Yup. Esp if you have littles. This is why we always bought APs - we had the freedom to come and go as we pleased, and if a park was crazy busy when it wasn't supposed to be, we would just go to a different park. When we did single park tickets we would go early, get in as much as we could, then take some time off when it got hot, coming back later in the evening. It worked out pretty well and we weren't stuck with the hot sweaty masses all the time when they started to have meltdowns for not getting their "Disney dollar's worth".

 

[dvczerfs]

Yup. Esp if you have littles. This is why we always bought APs - we had the freedom to come and go as we pleased, and if a park was crazy busy when it wasn't supposed to be, we would just go to a different park. When we did single park tickets we would go early, get in as much as we could, then take some time off when it got hot, coming back later in the evening. It worked out pretty well and we weren't stuck with the hot sweaty masses all the time when they started to have meltdowns for not getting their "Disney dollar's worth".

Only way to do it. Even if you go back just to kick your shoes off and put your feet up for awhile in the A/C.
Florida heat can take a toll on even the Florida natives. I use to work outside, major reason why I transferred, with quite a few people who hit the pavement.
I drank an ocean of water and all that does is keep you wet with sweat and makes you run to the bathroom and I love the heat. Lol Your still baking in the sun and you will lose your Disney like attitude in a real hurry. I’ve seen more than one person who came with their family on vacation and left on probation. Kids start screaming, mom starts screaming …………. You will have a better time if you take a mid day break. Even before I was a cm, I did a lot of bench sitting and I can point out who has been here at rope drop and has attempted to to an all dayer in the middle of July or August. The few hours you missed in the middle of the day, you will gain after the sun goes down and you will be a lot happier.

 

[pkondz]

Been at pediatrics the last 2 weeks, and I was about to walkout on Tuesday. Ok, not really, but man I wanted to. It was just one of those days combined with being short a person...who happens to be short.

Wanted to walk out because... staff? Management? Patients? Patients' parents?

The Ghost of DisDads Past.

Thanks. I wrenched my back a couple days ago, so I skipped the last two days. I think I'll just work on cardio for a while.

Sorry to hear that. Back pain is the worst.

Like into a paper bag? (goes and grabs a paper bag)

Sure. That'll work.
When you pass out you'll feel better... for a bit.

This time the Ghost of DisDads Present.

When the Ghost of DisDads Future shows up, I want some stock market tips.

Question for everyone: Would any of your suggest a mid-day break to head back to the resort for a rest and swim? I know this will come down to me knowing my family and what works for us, but getting suggestions.

I'll say what everyone is saying... take the break. I did until my DDs were at least in their teens.

I've also tried asking my wife but all she says is: "I leave it up to you to plan everything."

Uh oh... I broke my ex that way.
She did not appreciate the rope drop to park close schedule.

 

[Cinderella's Fella]

 

[dvczerfs]

 

[Maroonag1]

View attachment 760210

Agreed, hell of a week gonna be a bit of that in my household this weekend.

 

[pkondz]

View attachment 760203

Yep. Not too far off now. My weekend is a few hours on Tuesday
I work until midnight Monday night and back at it Tuesday night at midnight. So… a full 24 hours off.
Ahhh the weekend.

View attachment 760210

 

[Maroonag1]

Cruise packing question. We started packing this weekend. Is there anything other than the obvious beach trip items we need to include.
Im worried we are forgetting something since we have never done a cruise and the packing list looks too short. we used Dreams so I got their welcome pack with the white board and mugs and stuff.

 

[pkondz]

Cruise packing question. We started packing this weekend. Is there anything other than the obvious beach trip items we need to include.
Im worried we are forgetting something since we have never done a cruise and the packing list looks too short. we used Dreams so I got their welcome pack with the white board and mugs and stuff.

My packing list will vary from yours just by dint of mine being an Alaska cruise where weather is always a concern.
Hmmm... Do you like to do formal? I'm sure there's at least one formal night aboard.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Cruise packing question. We started packing this weekend. Is there anything other than the obvious beach trip items we need to include.
Im worried we are forgetting something since we have never done a cruise and the packing list looks too short. we used Dreams so I got their welcome pack with the white board and mugs and stuff.

The less you bring, the less you have to worry about. It's really no different from heading down to The World.

Do bring some cash for tips. Especially for tipping room service deliveries, as all other tips can just be added to your account like any other credit card transaction.

Also bring one or two carry-on bags/backpacks just in case there are any delays in getting your main baggage delivered to your cabin. The carry-on stuff needs to be all the paper work (passports, boarding documents, ect...) any medications, makeup and toiletries, any electronics you're bringing and their chargers (don't forget the phone chargers, you'll need your phones). You may want to carry on a change of clothes for dinner (again, in case your bags are delivered late), and if you're thinking about hitting the pools and such as soon as you board you'll need to carry swimwear on as well.

One note about curling irons... if any one absolutely must have one, the US versions often don't work well with the voltage on the Wish. You may want to test that as soon as you can get into your cabin. If it doesn't work, you can go by Guest Services and ask for a Europe-to-US converter or bring one if you have it (just remember to also return it back to them before you get off the ship).

My packing list will vary from yours just by dint of mine being an Alaska cruise where weather is always a concern.
Hmmm... Do you like to do formal? I'm sure there's at least one formal night aboard.

They do, but it's not a mandatory thing. My experience has been that only between a third to half the folks on board will dress to the nines that evening, so you'd be fine either way.

 

[Rental01]

Cruise packing question. We started packing this weekend. Is there anything other than the obvious beach trip items we need to include.
Im worried we are forgetting something since we have never done a cruise and the packing list looks too short. we used Dreams so I got their welcome pack with the white board and mugs and stuff.

You don't need towels. Just bring 1 change of clothes per day plus a day in case of disasters - adults included, extra for your kids who need it. Costa Maya was so hot and miserable that I sweated through all my clothes and had to change when we got back. Sunscreen - the sport stuff that is sweat proof. It is expensive on the boat and in ports, though ports are cheaper if you can wait it out. Bring some benadryl (pills and the cream). We really needed it when my wife had some random reaction to something. Sunglasses, battery bank if you need one. Aloe is safe to bring so I would bring a little. If this is your first cruise you can bring a lanyard with a card holder for your key to the world cards. I would bring a over the door shoe organizer to put on the bathroom door since it will hold a lot of your stuff you need every day (sunscreen, bug spray, etc). Crocs are good for the castaway cay day if you are a croc person (I wasn't until this last year in Florida). There are laundry services on the boat if you need them, but I wouldn't plan on using it if you can avoid it so others who need it can use it. Don't bring an expensive camera if this is your first trip. Camera phones are good enough to do most of what you need, and you won't be on the internet much anyway. Ship internet is kind of garbage and you will have to be in airplane mode for most of the trip anyway. Cellular at sea is like $15/mb so avoid it like the plague. We use T-Mobile so we had signal and service in Mexico and the Bahamas (and in Japan, but that's a different story) and it was pretty great. Costa Maya signal was alright, but it was hard to get signal once we left the coast.

There are fun shopping experiences on the ship and your wife can get a free charm bracelet and charms by going to these things. No purchase required. We got a few of them for fun.

Absolutely do the shows. Movies are available as well, but the shows were totally worth it. Also you have to do the midship detective agency. My wife and I did the Muppets version and it was a lot of fun.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Morning, Fellas! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Took the DW, DMiL and DSiL to dinner yesterday. Outside that we didn't do much.

We're down to 26 days before our trip and the excitement is building. The DW and I were talking over the weekend about how excited we're getting on springing this surprise to our DD about the trip. We have right about 3 weeks before we can spring the surprise and it's getting difficult to keep. I keep slipping and mentioning things, or have some Disney planning site pulled up on my computer when the DD walks into my office, but I always manage to talk my way out of it when questioned. I'm hoping that my love of planning vacations is what's keeping the DD from asking too many questions. She is a smart one, my DD, and I know she suspects, but she thinks it's not happening for 2-3 years...and I want her to continue to think that.

It can definitely be overwhelming. I think the key is to realize that you can't possibly do everything, so prioritize the attractions you absolutely don't want to miss. Going early for rope drop is a good strategy.

This what I've decided to do. As we all know, there's just no way to get it all done, and we're not a park commando type family, and I don't want to push the family, so we're going make a list and see what happens. Plus, for me, and I'm sure the DW, we like to slow down and smell the roses, as they say. With Disney World, that means slowing down to enjoy the details in the park. As I've said before, that doesn't mean that we're not going to ride and do as much as we can. It just means that we're going down with the expectation of not getting everything done. We know it'll be crowded and the chances of getting everything done will be low. So if we do wind up getting everything done, or close to it, it'll be a nice little surprise for us.

I don't know if your family is comfortable doing single rider since you have a child with you, but that's pretty much the only other way to get on a ride quickly without using Genie+.

I hadn't thought about this until you mentioned it, but something to think about. I know when it comes to rollercoasters there's a good chance I can do single rider line.

Yup. Esp if you have littles. This is why we always bought APs - we had the freedom to come and go as we pleased, and if a park was crazy busy when it wasn't supposed to be, we would just go to a different park. When we did single park tickets we would go early, get in as much as we could, then take some time off when it got hot, coming back later in the evening. It worked out pretty well and we weren't stuck with the hot sweaty masses all the time when they started to have meltdowns for not getting their "Disney dollar's worth".

Only way to do it. Even if you go back just to kick your shoes off and put your feet up for awhile in the A/C.
Florida heat can take a toll on even the Florida natives. I use to work outside, major reason why I transferred, with quite a few people who hit the pavement.

I've been to Disney World 3x while in college, once with a friend, and 2x by myself, and each time I didn't think twice about heading back to the resort and taking a chill in the pool. However, this trip with the family, and most likely being our one and only time (the DW made it sound that way), I thought I'd push it and just stay all day. However, after reading these responses I think I'll take that mid-day break and head back to the pool. It'd be fun to splash around the pool with my little Munchkin, who's not so little.

I drank an ocean of water and all that does is keep you wet with sweat and makes you run to the bathroom and I love the heat. Lol Your still baking in the sun and you will lose your Disney like attitude in a real hurry. I’ve seen more than one person who came with their family on vacation and left on probation. Kids start screaming, mom starts screaming …………. You will have a better time if you take a mid day break. Even before I was a cm, I did a lot of bench sitting and I can point out who has been here at rope drop and has attempted to to an all dayer in the middle of July or August. The few hours you missed in the middle of the day, you will gain after the sun goes down and you will be a lot happier.

This is such a great line, "....and left on probation." I don't want to leave on probation, so I'm going to take that mid-day break. While my DW gave me full authority to plan this trip, I need to take into account breaks.

Wanted to walk out because... staff? Management? Patients? Patients' parents?

The amount of work that was coming in for being short staffed. It was a constant flow of parents/patients and the constant ringing of the phones. I have absolutely no problem with being busy and working hard, but having down time once in a while is nice, like a short reset. I had no such downtime on Tuesday, so it was a bit much. It was nonstop.

Sorry to hear that. Back pain is the worst.

It really is. I’ve started concentrating on core strengthening, so hopefully that’ll help out.

Sure. That'll work.
When you pass out you'll feel better... for a bit.

When the Ghost of DisDads Future shows up, I want some stock market tips.

I won’t promise anything, but I’ll try.

I'll say what everyone is saying... take the break. I did until my DDs were at least in their teens.

Yeah, I just think that’s what’s going to happen. But now the question is: Do I do it before or after the parade. it’ll probably be after. Now I have to figure out where to watch the parade. You know, wWhen I was flying solo and wanted to catch a ride before leaving for the mid-day break, I'd always watch the parade in Frontierland and station myself so I could jot off to the ride I'd want to watch before leaving for that mid-day break. However, since this will be my families' first time down there, I think Main St. will be a great place to catch it.

Uh oh... I broke my ex that way.
She did not appreciate the rope drop to park close schedule.

Well, sorry this took so long to get written and posted, but as I said before, it can take a while for me to formulate and write responses. Have a good day and we'll chat later

TTFN

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Cruise packing question. We started packing this weekend. Is there anything other than the obvious beach trip items we need to include.
Im worried we are forgetting something since we have never done a cruise and the packing list looks too short. we used Dreams so I got their welcome pack with the white board and mugs and stuff.

I would probably pack some clothes too. But to each their own.

 

[Maroonag1]

came with their family on vacation and left on probation.

Do you like to do formal? I'm sure there's at least one formal night aboard.

Yes, DD wants to do Formal night. And I discovered none of my suits fit anymore. Waiting on her to decide what she is wearing so I know what I need to pick up. And we have our pirate costumes for pirate night.

Crocs are good for the castaway cay day if you are a croc person

Oh yes, I plan on wearing them the whole trip. I joked I'm not even taking socks and shoes, and I may not.

There are fun shopping experiences on the ship and your wife can get a free charm bracelet and charms by going to these things. No purchase required. We got a few of them for fun.

Absolutely do the shows. Movies are available as well, but the shows were totally worth it. Also you have to do the midship detective agency. My wife and I did the Muppets version and it was a lot of fun.

Didnt know about the charm bracelet, will look into that. Are they just at the gift shops on board?

and yes planning on doing midship detective. I figure there will be tons of people doing it our sea day, so we may do it on Nassau day since we are only planning on going ashore for a couple hours.

The less you bring, the less you have to worry about. It's really no different from heading down to The World.

Thats what I was thinking just seemed a little light.

I would probably pack some clothes too. But to each their own.

AGHHH knew I forgot something. Probably not a nudist cruise I guess.

 

[declansdad]

Afternoon all.

Been a busy few days, just finished our last major tournament of the season, 112 14U teams over 3 day, From setup Thursday to last night, I spent a total of 42 hours at the venue. Taking today off to nap and watch Stripes.

Hope you all have a good day.

 

[Maroonag1]

Afternoon all.

Been a busy few days, just finished our last major tournament of the season, 112 14U teams over 3 day, From setup Thursday to last night, I spent a total of 42 hours at the venue. Taking today off to nap and watch Stripes.

Hope you all have a good day.

Thats a long weekend. enjoy your day off.

 

[Rental01]

Didnt know about the charm bracelet, will look into that. Are they just at the gift shops on board?

You may get it with your paperwork, or it may be in the room. They look like advertisements for the fancy jewelry place. It was kind of fun for us and we burned a couple hours with them. Also, if you want a free $50 room credit, go to the DVC show they have.

As other have said, bring a couple hundred dollars in cash. It's better to use that than anything else in the ports and most will have USD prices as well. I went through $200 for me and my wife on a 7d cruise to Costa Maya and Cozumel.

If you need to change the card you use for your room credits you can do that in the app.

Also, bring a laptop and download some movies and shows to it, and an HDMI cable to plug into the TV. I have a plex server in my house and my wife and I unwind every night by watching Stargate SG-1/Atlantis, so I was able to put a couple seasons on there and we were able to watch that while on the boat. Not saying that you will need it, but it's nice to have if you or your kids just need to unwind a little.

 

[pkondz]

You don't need towels. Just bring 1 change of clothes per day plus a day in case of disasters - adults included, extra for your kids who need it. Costa Maya was so hot and miserable that I sweated through all my clothes and had to change when we got back. Sunscreen - the sport stuff that is sweat proof. It is expensive on the boat and in ports, though ports are cheaper if you can wait it out. Bring some benadryl (pills and the cream). We really needed it when my wife had some random reaction to something. Sunglasses, battery bank if you need one. Aloe is safe to bring so I would bring a little. If this is your first cruise you can bring a lanyard with a card holder for your key to the world cards. I would bring a over the door shoe organizer to put on the bathroom door since it will hold a lot of your stuff you need every day (sunscreen, bug spray, etc). Crocs are good for the castaway cay day if you are a croc person (I wasn't until this last year in Florida). There are laundry services on the boat if you need them, but I wouldn't plan on using it if you can avoid it so others who need it can use it. Don't bring an expensive camera if this is your first trip. Camera phones are good enough to do most of what you need, and you won't be on the internet much anyway. Ship internet is kind of garbage and you will have to be in airplane mode for most of the trip anyway. Cellular at sea is like $15/mb so avoid it like the plague. We use T-Mobile so we had signal and service in Mexico and the Bahamas (and in Japan, but that's a different story) and it was pretty great. Costa Maya signal was alright, but it was hard to get signal once we left the coast.

There are fun shopping experiences on the ship and your wife can get a free charm bracelet and charms by going to these things. No purchase required. We got a few of them for fun.

Absolutely do the shows. Movies are available as well, but the shows were totally worth it. Also you have to do the midship detective agency. My wife and I did the Muppets version and it was a lot of fun.

Whoa! Lots of info there. Thanks for taking the time to type that all out.

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.

What is this "weekend" you speak of?

Okay, I know what a weekend is. It's tomorrow. Then back to the work week tomorrow night.

We have right about 3 weeks before we can spring the surprise and it's getting difficult to keep.

Good luck! Are you going to film the reveal?

The amount of work that was coming in for being short staffed. It was a constant flow of parents/patients and the constant ringing of the phones. I have absolutely no problem with being busy and working hard, but having down time once in a while is nice, like a short reset. I had no such downtime on Tuesday, so it was a bit much. It was nonstop.

Yeah...

Remember this: "Poor planning (i.e. staffing) on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part."

Yeah, I just think that’s what’s going to happen. But now the question is: Do I do it before or after the parade. it’ll probably be after. Now I have to figure out where to watch the parade. You know, wWhen I was flying solo and wanted to catch a ride before leaving for the mid-day break, I'd always watch the parade in Frontierland and station myself so I could jot off to the ride I'd want to watch before leaving for that mid-day break. However, since this will be my families' first time down there, I think Main St. will be a great place to catch it.

That's what I'd suggest. Then it's a quick exit out to the busses.

I would probably pack some clothes too. But to each their own.

Depends on what kind of cruise it is!

Oh yes, I plan on wearing them the whole trip. I joked I'm not even taking socks and shoes, and I may not.

There ya go. Your formal night wardrobe is half planned already.

Been a busy few days, just finished our last major tournament of the season, 112 14U teams over 3 day, From setup Thursday to last night, I spent a total of 42 hours at the venue. Taking today off to nap and watch Stripes.