March 25, 2006- Anyone else?

[myboysmom]

I posted this before on the old boards. One other family responded. Are there others out there who are booked or planning to book this cruise?

[geffric]

Maybe we will have the whole ship to ourselves.. woo!! :Pinkbounc hoo!!

[geffric]

I guess it really is only us.. wonder what types of special things DCL will do for just two families on the whole boat??

[myboysmom]

It really will be fun with only 2 families on the boat! :cool1:

Actually, I am really excited that I talked my hubby into booking so early. Our cruise if we booked today would be $1,200 more. Guess those early booking savings are real.

[geffric]

It really will be fun with only 2 families on the boat! :cool1:

Maybe they will move us to a suite?

Just think Palo's just us...and all of those wonderful waiters...

Yep early booking really helps plus we had booked on board on our last spring break cruise, so we are saving BIG $$$$....:Pinkbounc

[E&BMom]

My DH, DD, DS, and I are on the March 26th 2005 cruise but am hoping to book the Mar25, 2006 cruise while on board. Hope to be joining you!!! :flower1:

[geffric]

bump... anyone else signed up yet???

[westjones]

I booked us for the March 25, 2006 Wonder 4 night....BUT our school hasn't officially announced their spring break yet. All the other schools around us have their schedules and this is their week for spring break, so I think we will be too. It just isn't official yet.

BUT I am booked! I booked early because I knew the prices would go up. We are hoping to go to WDW the Thursday and Friday after the cruise.

Looking at the counters it sounds SO far away! We have a WDW trip coming up this summer, so my counter won't be reset for the cruise until that trip.

Oh! In our family will be DH (45), Me (same as DH), twin DDs (12 or will be at the time of the cruise).

Can't wait! We love the Disney Cruise! This will be our 7th one!
DJ

[geffric]

Hi westjones.. glad you have joined us.... But I think that I am on the 7 day Western Magic leaving saturday March 25, 2006.. does the 4 day wonder leave at the same time??

[westjones]

Hi westjones.. glad you have joined us.... But I think that I am on the 7 day Western Magic leaving saturday March 25, 2006.. does the 4 day wonder leave at the same time??

OOPS! I wish I was on the 7 night! Sorry! Wrong date. We are FLYING in on the 25th, but our cruise is on the 26th.

Hope you guys have a great cruise!
DJ

[myboysmom]

Have fun on the 4 day! Hopefully your school gets its dates out soon. Our district lists them on their website two years out, but we had our TA (who also lives in our small town) double check by calling the district.

Wish you were with us!

[geffric]

we are getting really close to the 1 year countdown... anyone joining us???:boat:

[myboysmom]

geffric, it looks like it is really just going to be two families! :cool1: :cool1:

This is going to be hard keeping the secret from our boys for 9 more months!

[geffric]

I just checked at Orbitz to see if we were, in fact, the only ones that are on the Magic.. but it looks like there are some cabins left but not many...So I am surprised that we are the only ones on the DIS so far. ( well we got the good rate..according to Orbitz, it cost $2K more than I paid )

.. However, it is getting closer... 1 year from now, we will have our documents, excursions selected , weight lost, clothes bought.. but now we have all of that to look forward to...

I am not great at keeping a secret, so I would have a difficult time not telling the kids.. especially when you start buying them summer clothes at the end of the season with hopes that they will fit for the cruise... Last year, there was a family on our cruise that did not tell the kids until the night before.. Oh I could not have done that. but the kids were thrilled!!!!

[myboysmom]

We are going to tell them at Christmas.

It will be fun to have them involved in planning what they want to do as far as excursions and so forth. I know that our cabin is now 2K more as well! So there must be some people on board, guess not here on the DIS.

[geffric]

myboysmom:wave: what a great Christmas present.. how are you planning on telling them?? That will be fun to plan...

We are a cat 10 SPH.. what about you?

[myboysmom]

We are in an 8. I can't believe it myself. I had worked on DH for two years about doing this for our 20th wedding anniversary. I would have been happy to be in an 11. When we had our friend and TA over to talk about this, the prices were so good and with us planning on driving (saving the $1000 in airfare from Madison) DH said lets go with an 8!

As far as telling our boys. I got a great big Mickey from Toy's R Us this past Christmas- one of those spend x dollars, get him for $5 type of thing. I think I will wrap him up with things about the cruise. Maybe the DVD, the booklet and such.

Christmas of 2002 we told them about going to WDW for Spring Break 2003. It gave them something to look forward to and they were able to help plan.

We have main seating, which seems to be the most desired here on the boards but I am having second thoughts. One reason is I don't want to feel rushed or over committed on port days and having to be back at 4:00 to get ready for dinner. I also have been to the Keys and didn't get to see the sunset at Key West (although the sunsets everywhere in the Keys are great) and I really want to do that. I don't want to be eating dinner and not get to see that.

8:30 dinner would really only be 7:30 at home. I am not sure if my boys really want to eat in the dinning rooms (except AP, they won't want to miss the show). I know they could eat anywhere on the ship, or in the clubs. Good thing I have a year to decide.

As I write this, it is snowing! I don't want to wish the year away- but the Travel Channel's Beach Week is making it hard not to!

[geffric]

hi... we are late seating. The first 2 cruises we were early seating but the kids were little and I was worried about the staying up late..Last year (Spring Break 2004) we were late seating and really enjoyed it. Weren't rushed, didn't have to end things to get ready. The kids are older and it wasn't an issue with the kids being hungry as they can have 'burger, hot dogs, pizza and ice cream all day long by the pool. Plus they stayed at the lab/stack until closing..so they tended to sleep later. So their schedule was late for everything...


As far as eating in the dining room.. it is fun for the kids, when the kids were little , the servers do magic tricks and really cater to the kids. However, last year, my teen, was having so much fun with the other teens.. that he was not intersted in doing the dinner with the parents.. but we told him that was required. so he did a flyby.. came in, ate and then left for the Stack..and of course #2 had to do what #1 was doing, so he eat and went to the lab or the sports deck.


In the past 3 cruises we have had a table of 4 for just our family, but this cruise, I am going to ask to be seated with others since I know the kids will eat and run..

BTW since you are driving right past our house, wanna pick us up??? We are DIS driving veterans.. We do the CHI/ WDW drive trip once a year.. Thanks for offering but actually , we don't have time to drive, as the kids have to be in school that Friday, so we will fly out Friday night, stay by the airport and then get to the ship in the morning..

[myboysmom]

Yes, time is important.

Lucky for us, our kids are still in elementary school and I don't feel too bad for them to miss the Friday before Spring Break. It won't be too long and even one day will be expensive educationally. My boys will be 7 and 12 at the time we sail and I am really thinking that late seating will be the way to go for all of the reasons you state.

[geffric]

When I booked late seating last cruise, DH was very noncommital.. but the first night, people have to leave to get ready for dinner during end of the sail away party.. the deck became desserted.. we watched the ship cast off and sail past the coast.. relaxed, enjoyed a drink. Dh said ... i think that late seating is gonna work real well.. and it did..we were just less stressed, didn't have to ruch back to the ship... so many thing emptied out when the early seating folks were getting ready for dinner.. we really enjoyed the peaceful time.. ( of course,i realize that those with verandahs have this all the time which is why they choose a verandah.. but it was wonderful for us.)


LOL... my #2 son will be 12 too for the cruise but he will be 7th grade and #1 will be freshman in high school.. so i can't take them out of school. Mainly the real reason is that I am in sales and I am not supposed to EVER take vacation the last month of a quarter. As it is, if I haven't made my #, management will frown BIG time on my leaving especially since I will be traveling without access to email or voice mail...

[myboysmom]

I know how the sales thing is, I used to have a similar type job and our end of the year was the end of the calendar year and if I hadn't made my # I could take off during the holidays. I am now in higher education and I usually frown big time on missing school for any reason other than being very sick I will let them miss one day for a big trip like this.

My 12 year old will be in 6th grade and I will have a 7 year old in first grade.

My DH and I don't want to be rushed to get ready for dinner as well. Something about having to go get everyone together at 4:30 to get cleaned up and dressed to make dinner at 6 doesn't sound too much fun for us. If we are at a port and having a good time, getting back on the ship by 4:30 sounds very early. This late seating thing is sounding better all the time :goodvibes

It sounds like you have done the cruise thing several times. Have you done the Western before? If so, what were some of the things your family has enjoyed doing at the ports?

[geffric]

Hi... no, we haven't done a western before. Because we are limited to the weeks/times that we can take trips, the weeks that we have had for the cruise in the past have all been eastern.. so we were really happy that this was a western.. we are really looking forward to the ports.

[myboysmom]

We are just shy of the 12 month mark. :cool1: :cool1:

With all the snow we got this past weekend in Wisconsin it is making me wish for nice sunny beaches. I guess the Dells will have to do this year.

[geffric]

OOOOOO you beat me to it!!! I was waiting for the exact date to post a :


Woo !! Hoo!!!:jumping1: only 1 more year... only 12 little months...

I have been thinking about it though... next year at this time.. we will be gazing at our docs, packing our bags and getting ready to head out the door... for a week of pure Magic...

[mickeyworld]

Hello you guys, add me to the cruising group. Just got off the Magic two weeks ago and now I can look forward to this one! Have 2 DD, 11 and 14- single myself. Ww are travelling with another family... daughter will be 13.
Love disney only second to my family- feel the magic whenever I can! Look forward to talking to you over the next 12 months- maybe our kids can join in the talk. My qq year old did that for our last cruise and had a friend from LAs Vegas before we ever got on the ship!
Love the thought of that Palo food and the rainforest room in the spa...
DREAMING..... of Disney! :earsboy:

[mickeyworld]

bump!

[geffric]

Hi mickeyworld welcome to our private cruise..LOL..( we are calling it our private cruise since we are the only 2 on it that we know of..):teeth:


I have 2 DSs - at time of cruise they will be HS Freshman 14 ( turning 15 on cruise) and 7th grade( 12 1/2)
:scared1: I guess that I am bringing the boy friends for your DDs for the cruise.:cool1: .

[myboysmom]

Yes, welcome to our private little cruise!

My oldest son will be 12 at the time we cruise. He claims to not like girls just yet, but it does seem the girls like him :lovestruc

They don't know about the cruise and will be told at Christmas time. They would go nuts waiting for a whole year if they knew. As it is, I might have a tough time waiting a whole year!

Looking forward to warm breezes and tropical drinks :sunny:

[ashley4OG]

My family and I are going on the cruise then!!! Do you have any children ages 15-17? Well I just thought I would let you know that my family is going on a cruise that date!

[ashley4OG]

I am going on the curise at that time!!! Do you have any kids that range from 15-17 that will be going and they will be that age when they go? I will be 15 when we go! Just wanted to ask because i want to meet people my age before i go !! Thanks! email me with a response! ashley4og

[ashley4OG]

How old is your DS?

[ashley4OG]

How old is your DS?? :cheer2:

[geffric]

ashley.. I sent you a pm
mickeyworld 's DD will be 14...and my DS#1 will turn 15 on the cruise

[myboysmom]

I am happy to see we won't be all alone. I was wonder what we would do on such a big ship with only 8 people!

[mickeyworld]

Just waiting for a year and a day.....
My girls will be in 9th grade and 6th grade. It is our 3rd Disney cruise so if you have any questions, just send us an email. We loved the Eastern so much we booked the western while on board. We love first seating because it gives us evening flexibility, but my kids are usually off in the clubs or meeting friends. Our stateroom is already choisen- 7060- where we were just a few weeks ago.
Checking into the Dolphin swim in Cozumel- oh! a year to plan. Think I'll keep my door decorations from our last cruise but new teeshirts and other great stuff to make and plan. Keep me posted if any great ideas come to you- I am a planning mainac!
Happy Easter.
judy :flower:

[geffric]

Hi Judy..:wave: watching Illini basketball !!! .. This is our 4th DCL, First Western. We are stateroom 5020. It's a SPH room. We are late seating and looking for other families to sit with for dinner since I know the boys will do a "fly by - eat and run " and then go back to their friends and activites.. Tomorrow it will offically be only 1 more year...:boat:

[mickeyworld]

ACC basketball is so big here- DUKE, North Carolina, NCState..... March Madness!
I look forward to talking to you soon!

[mickeyworld]

hey im kayla and will be 15 on this cruise saw a couple of ppl asking if there were other kids my age onboard.. and was wondering the same so post me back and we can chat!

[geffric]

Well 1 year from today....... I'll be waking up in sunny Florida, getting the kids and DH up, having breakfast, stopping at the Target/Sams for a few carrry on things and heading to the car rental place in Cocoa Beach to return the car and then shuttling to the port...


http://dcltribute.com/images/magic_passing_jetty_park.jpg
This picture is from Dave's Disney Cruise site..http://dcltribute.com/

[myboysmom]

Ok, so now I know we have an Illini fan and some fans of the ACC. Well, you can add a die hard Badger to the list.

I am so excited that the Big 10 has done so well in this tourney. Who said the Big 10 was a poor conference... oh yeah, ESPN!

I will admit I was pulling for UW-M, but now that they are out of it, it could be fun to have a Wisconsin-Illinois rematch for the whole thing. I know we have to get past North Carolina on Sunday! A girl can dream can't she?

Looking forward to get to know virtually all the others on our ship over the next year.

[myboysmom]

Just a bump to see if we have added anyone else!

[tinkerbellmagic]

Hi everybody! :flower:

I am pretty sure we will be joining you all on this cruise. I have a courtesy hold on it now and need to plunk down the deposit tomorrow. *ouch*

It will probably be another mother/daughter cruise for us. My daughter is 16 -will be 17 for the cruise. Did someone else say they had a 17 year old going?

We just got off the 3/26/05 Western and I am KICKING myself for not booking on board. Everyone that I spoke to, including a family we met in the airport (who had been on the same cruise as us), re-booked on board. Even our tablemates rebooked on board. I just didn't think we'd be going again next year, but got very restless once I got home and realized I had no cruise to look forward to. I decided an inside standard stateroom is better than no stateroom. :teeth:

We had such a wonderful time this past cruise, I can't bear the thought of not going again next year. :sunny:

As I unpacked from this cruise, I started putting things aside for the next one. Yeah, I know it's early, but a lot less painful that way. ;)

Mickeyworld, on our first cruise in 1999, we had #7060. We've had cat 5,6,7 twice, so now we are moving down to a standard inside cabin. Our tablemates gave us a tour of their cat 11 and it is very do-able. Yeah!

Tink

[geffric]

Hi Tink... welcome aboard.. glad you are here..


got any tips for us.. this is our first western..

[tinkerbellmagic]

Hi Tink... welcome aboard.. glad you are here..


got any tips for us.. this is our first western..

Thanks! Glad to be onboard!

Ok, I feel like we're really going now that I have my countdown clock. :teeth:

Before our last cruise, I wondered what the differences would be between the eastern and western. We did notice the extra day at sea on the eastern created more time for relaxating and enjoying the ship and activities. The western seemed to be more go go go, but it was lots of fun to be able to visit an extra port.

One thing I can recommend is to bring water and wear comfortable shoes for all the walking you do in Key West. I think I would have seen more of Key West, if we would have toured by trolley. The trolley was $22 per person, but you could get on and off the trolley until it made a complete circle.

We loved the Disney stingray city sail and beach excursion and would highly recommend it or the Captain Marvins (or something similar). It was a definite highlight of the trip. It included a surprisingly very tasty lunch too. :)

About the Fury Catamaran in Cozumel... It might be a great choice for snorkeling fans, but not necessarily for beach fans. The crew was fantastic and lots of fun, but time on the beach was not too long and we were not impressed with the beach anyway. If there were lounge chairs instead of rubber mats, it would have been more relaxing. Still, there is a great party atmosphere on the catamaran, so that's always lots of fun. The crew does a wonderful job making you feel welcome. :sunny:

You will love pirate night! pirate:

Oh and one more thing, but you probably already know this from your other cruises, brush up on your Macarena, Electric Slide, Cha Cha Slide, any other slides ;) and get ready to learn the new Pirate dance!

Geez, I need to write my trip report.

Tink

[myboysmom]

Welcome Aboard Tink!

My parents had friends on the March 26, 2005 cruise. I am looking forward to hearing their trip report in person up at the lake this summer. Thing is, we will have to make sure the kids don't overhear. Oh well!

::MickeyMo

[geffric]

:wave: :moped: just scooting on over to say hi to my cruise buddies... closing in on the 11th month mark!!! woo hoo

[myboysmom]

Just stopping by to say hello as well.

[geffric]

11 more months to go... only 11 more months to go....

[myboysmom]

Just moving us up towards the top again. I hate having to search for this thread :)

I am hoping with summer just around the corner I won't be dreaming of warm weather, sandy beaches and tropical drinks as often.

[mickeyworld]

How's everyone doing? Schools almost out and I wish I was MK bound! :cool1:

[geffric]

school's almost out?? Where are you? Our kids go until June 8th... the weeks seem to drag all May...



Happy Mother's day...

[mickeyworld]

I'm on the coast of North Carolina... my youngest has her end of year exams this coming week, my 8th grader has them the following week, the kids are out the 25th- yippeeeeeee!
Went to the beach today and soaked up the rays, dreaming of Castaway Cay!
:sunny:

[geffric]

Hi..


mickeyworld That's great. I am sure that my kids would love to trade schools with you.. They will go to June 8th. My 6th grader has a 1/2 day on Wednesday the 8th. My 8th Grader has graduation on Tuesday June 7th.. so he doesn't get much time off.. but they are both losing interest fast..My younger one has football camp starting today and the older one is getting ready for the last few track meets and then next week is the district competition...

[myboysmom]

It depends on which type of school. At the U we are in finals week, k-12 goes until June 9. This is because of a state law that calls for all schools (public universities included) to start after Sept. 1.

I don't mind the kids going into June because unlike those of you in the south, June weather is very iffy. Same with May, a week ago today we were having snow. It is not that much fun to be on vacation in Northern Wisconsin when the highs are in the low 60's! Give me August for summer vacation any day :cool1: That means we can water ski, tube and float in the lake all day long.

[geffric]

I agree with iffy weather in the spring.. DS#1 had snow and hail and rain at camping the last weekend of April....


We start usually the week before Sept 1st... wonder if we get more days of school than you?

[myboysmom]

We get less random days off now that the start day is after Sept. 1. Prior to that date, my now 11 year old started school the 24th or 25 of August and got out June 3 or 4 - some place in there. However, they had 1/2 day off for this, and then a random day off for that and it was a big pain to then take time off work or get him to a sitter.

Time off from school is now more compact and no more random days or part days.

[myboysmom]

Oops, forgot to mention that each district must send it's students 180 days.

[myboysmom]

Oops, forgot to mention that each district must send it's students 180 days. It does look like Illinois goes for 185 days.

[geffric]

we used to have some 1/2 days too but they have been eliminated in favor of full days too. I think that all of the working Moms got to the district and said that this was impossible.. of course now my oldest is graduating 8th grade, we will have different days off except spring and winter break..:rolleyes2

[myboysmom]

Saw my T.A. on Friday at a school event. She told me that it looks like they are 99% sure that passports will be required for 2006. We have added it to the budget (which was my real concern). Perhaps we will now have an excuse to travel outside the country as we now will have passports :) Of course, they will be handy if we just want to go up North to Canada. Our summer home is not too far from the U.P., and Canada.

Hope everyone is enjoying the last few days of school- 13 days for my boys. Wish I could say the Memorial Day weekend was going to be a great kick-off to summer, but again we have a very cool forecast (low 60's in the Madison area, hate to see what it will be like up North.

[geffric]

thanks for the heads up on the passports myboysmom. I wll add that to the list of things to be taken care of.. I am going to wait until early Feb 2006 for the kids though, since they groow and change so much, might as well be a current as possible.


I have been watching the Magic going thru the panama canel.. Oh I do wish that I was on that cruise.. but school is more important for the kids..

[mickeyworld]

:cool1: School's out for the kids...I have another week of paper work but that's okay- now on to planning for the summer and the cruise- loving it!
What link are you watching the panama cruise on geffric? I can live thru other cruiser's good times! :sunny:

[geffric]

mickeyworld I wish school was out soon. The kids have until June 8th....... here is the link to the loive report from the DIS cruises http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=815319&page=95&pp=15 Oh I wish I could go on the 14 day repo cruise... drat school schedule...

[mickeyworld]

Hey Ashley,
my DD's are 11 and 15, we also are travelling with another family with a DD 13 years old..I'' have them write later, they are out with friends - have you cruised Disney before?

[geffric]

so we found two more people that are crusing with us.. YEAH!! myboysmom invited them to join us on the thread..

Oh Skibum and Laura24... where are you???

We are only 9 months and 2 weeks to the cruise but then again who is counting. ;)

[skibum]

hey! we have 2 DD. 1 is 13, turning 14 on the cruise ::MinnieMo The other is going to be 9 on the cruise. We are traveling with my in-laws and this is our 2nd Disney Magic cruise. The other was that special 4 day one in January. We loved it!!!! :love: looks like you guys won't have the private cruise anymore...lol! Will anyone have kids in 8th or 3rd grade during the cruise!?!?
ttyl
skibum :earboy2:

[geffric]

skibum :wave: and welcome..

I believe that there are many families on this thread that have girls your daughters age. I have the BOYS!!! DS#1 is turning 15 on the cruise ( freshman in HS) and DS#2 will be 12 in 7th grade..

If you oldest DD wants to know about the stack.. DS#1 was there last cruise.

[myboysmom]

Hi Skibum,

I too have boys :), but I think you figured that one out.

My boys will be 6 and 12, and will be in first and sixth grade. It is sounding like there will be plenty of young ladies on our ship.

Glad summer is finally here. Weather has finally gotten warm (80's), but that has brought along storms. School was out last Thursday :cool1: for my kids and they are already having a great summer. I am afraid that part will go by way too fast (although I can't wait to go on our first cruise ever I really don't want to have my brief summer gone so fast!). I hope the warm weather lasts so we get plenty of use out of our boat this summer. The last few summer's have been really cold, last 4th of July we had hooded sweatshirts on and a fire in the fireplace :cold: !

Have a great week!

[geffric]

9 more months 9 more months 9 more months 9 more months 9 more months


what are you doing 9 months from today? We haven't decided to fly or drive.. since all the flight that have space available have stops and change planes and it will take us 6 hours to get to MCO, either way, we will be on our way.. how about you?

[skibum]

I blew it by not booking air a couple months ago, when it was under $200 (x4). I was being cheap! I figured to drive it would be about $300, and no need for a rental car. Now with gas going up, who knows how much it will cost to drive.
Our plan is to probably leave on the night of the 23rd, and hopefully drive straight through, spending Friday night at the Radisson (free shuttle/parking, and a good pool for the kids).
IF a sale fare comes along for these dates, we may change our mind, but flights appear to be booking pretty strong for spring break.

[geffric]

skibum we are in the same boat.( tee hee) .I should have booked the airfare when i did the cruise but thought I had plenty fo time..guess i was wrong the airfares from Chi are outrageous and the ones that are afordable have massive lay overs, so the trip is all flying. I am still watching Southwest out of Midway to see if anything is decent from there.. but we will probably be driving.. in fact we could follow each other since we live so close to each other.. BTW I am in Palatine..

[myboysmom]

We plan to drive down. We did it for our trip to WDW Spring Break 2004. It was a pretty easy drive for us...of course the flat lands of Illinois :rotfl: always seem to take forever. I did learn that southern Illinois has oil...who knew!

Our plan as of today is to pick our boys up early from school on Thursday afternoon and try to get to at least Effingham (where we stopped the last time) or even a little further South. Spend all day on Friday on the road and get into FL. That would leave us a little drive to the port on Saturday morning. Atlanta is the only bottle neck in the whole drive. I really don't know how people do it who live there. It is much worse than Chicagoland traffic anyday.

Our return trip will be more of a challenge. Off the boat as early as possible and much more time on the road on Saturday. Get to Chattanooga at least, then the last push home on Sunday.

Now, if we win the lottery we could change our mind and fly down. We have kept the Disney transfers in just in case, we will take them out if it doesn't look like air will drop or we haven't won the lottery.

Enjoying the hot weather this week :cool1: We have gotten our boat out finally and hope to use it more this weekend. We really do need the rain. Our corn crop around here is starting to curl :guilty: What we could use is nice night time gentle rain and beautiful hot days, then it would really take off. It would help on the water bill as well.

[geffric]

myboysmom for some reason. and I am not sure why, we take 165 through Indiana not the Ill route. Might be the cheaper gas prices LOL. So going around Indy on the beltway is a challange depending on the time of day.. We are not sure if we will leave at noon on Friday and let the us/boys go a 1/2 day to school/work or if we are gonna take off Thursday.. If we leave Friday, we will be making some time on the road and going as far as we can, maybe even GA that night. I am just not sure.. I keep praying that the airfare will come down and we can find a direct flight..

[geffric]

It has been a hot week.. both boys have been at Boy Scout camp.. the little one is up WI way in near Wild Rose. Hope they have been hydrated well!! The air conditioning in the Sears Tower works just fine and downtown has been rather pleasant.

[myboysmom]

My oldest has been at Boy Scout camp too. Our camp is near Mauston, WI. We are going to the family night tonight (only 1 hr and 15 minutes). I am looking forward to hearing about how it went. It has been hot, so I presume he has spent tons of time at the water front. We will be driving boys home in the morning, so we will be back to camp at 8 in the morning.

You must be in the Northwest Sub. Council- I know they have a camp up that way. If you are in one of the northwest subs going east and then down through Indiana would be the ticket. Being from Madison we just take I-39 straight on down. Most of our friends whose parents are "snowbirds" use that route. Any time we are out of Wisconsin we think gas is cheaper too. Right now we are about $2.19 or so. Lots of taxes! My plan would be to try and miss Alanta if I could. You still have to go through Alanta with your plan, correct? If not I would be interested in learning more :)

[geffric]

hi myboysmom yes we are NW suburban council.. ;) small world. Actually the oldest one is at the Boy scout camp for TLD in Woodstock IL. I go there tonight for a banquet and to learn about the TLD challenges and what he has to do next. My #2 son will leave camp tomorrow am and they are driving to Rockford to the water park there. so the boys come home clean. LOL..



I think that the way we drive joins your way about Louisville, KY or Nashville? we have to go around Atlanta too. I don't think there is any way around it.

[skibum]

If you do see any great fares to MCO, please let me know. I am willing to fly out of ORD, Midway, Milwaukee, Gary,or Rockford. I will do the same if I find anything.
Time to go jump in the pool and cool off!

[myboysmom]

Yes, it has been very warm. DS #1 loved BS camp, said it went by way too fast. I know in just a few years he will be a staffer- he already has said that is what he wants to do for his summer job.

DS#2 gets to do an evening CS camp with dad this week. He is looking forward to that as well.

Yes, we do go through Nashville so I would imagine that is where the two routes connect. Darn, I was so hopeful there would be a way around Alanta :)

Skibum, if I hear or see anything about better fares from this part of the world I will let you know. Just an FYI, you were thinking that before prices went up you could drive for less than $300. Well, unless you drive something that gets really bad mileage you should be able too still. We drive a large SUV that gets about 17 mpg. on the highway. I figured even with fuel at $3 per gallon (I really hope not!) that the four of us will spend $260 in fuel (or 1 plane ticket).

Have a great week!

[myboysmom]

Just wishing all of you a great weekend just a little early- but here in Madison the weekend ALWAYS starts on Thursday :cool1:

[geffric]

thanks.. you too.. once I get off work, it is time to pack and then off to DL/DCA/san diego for us..

[skibum]

Off to the Northwoods of Wisconsin for relaxation and water sports.
Have a safe 4th everybody. :banana:

[myboysmom]

Hey Skibum- where do you head? My parents live on a lake in Hazelhurst, so that is where we head every chance we get. We will be motoring up Hwy 51 (yes, I-39 but I am so old it will always be 51) this weekend along with lots of those blue and white plates from down south :) Taking our boat and hoping to get some skiing in.

Looking forward to a great weekend. Just a few more things to do and then we are off!

[skibum]

We are in Three Lakes (10 miles south of Eagle River). It is 50 degrees and drizzling right now.
I know Hazelhurst well, as I spent every summer of my youth in Woodruff on Lake Arrowhead. Been coming to the Northwoods every year, including riding my bike up here a couple times - first time when I was 14.
Well, the weather looks like it will be up to 80 by Sunday, so we will be able to get some waterskiing in. We plan on being here through next weekend.
Have a safe 4th! :sunny:

[myboysmom]

Hi Skibum,

Stop by WaterCraft Sales and test drive a new SeaRay for me! We saw all of their ads for the inwater boat sale next weekend. I know the Eagle River area fairly well as well. We always vacationed in the Boulder Junction area, camping on Trout Lake, even when we lived in southern Indiana.

Funny how just a few miles makes all the difference. We only had a little rain in the evening of the 3rd and after the fireworks on the 4th. We burned a lot of gas as now our oldest has learned to ski and both boys love to tube. This could be a problem when we get to go for a full week in August! I enjoyed the sun (but not the wind). When we left yesterday it looked like the forecast was going to improve for you and get up in the high 80's. Enjoy the rest of your week.

[skibum]

Every day has been good, just different. The last two days were cooler, not hitting 70, but we went horseback riding. The water is 74 degrees, so we have been in the lake and waterskiing.
You are right about gas - my kids are now enjoying waterskiing, and that really burns it up.
Supposed to be high 70's today, and maybe 80 tomorrow. Now they are talking 90's next week.
It rained last night at the water ski show - a nice constant drizzle.
A couple more days, and then home.

[myboysmom]

Just bumping us back to the top of the list.

Saw the first "back to school" ads in our paper this week :( and school doesn't start for us until Sept. 1!

[mickeyworld]

Hi everybody... March 25, 7 days... come on!
It is hot, I am watching the hurricane patterns and so far, so good for North Carolina- but it is early!
The girls are at camps in the mountains this month- I am still sorting pictures from last March's cruise , working on my Disney hall of Fame bathroom- and dreaming of Castaway Cay......

[geffric]

mickeyworld i understand, i need to get the 2004 cruise scrapbooked before the 2006 cruise comes upon us..LOL

Well , our DL/DCA/SD vacation is over, and DS#2 is leaving on saturday for Space Camp, and DS#1 leaves on next Wednesday for National Boy Scout Jamboree... then it it full speed ahead for the Spring Break Magic cruise.. Only 8 more months!! Wish DING would release the airfares for then...

[myboysmom]

National Jamboree! How much fun is that. My son is too young to go this year, but is planning to go in 5 years when BSA will be celebrating 100 years of Scouting.

Summer is going way too fast! Our Spring Break Cruise will be here before we all know it!

[Northwoods]

I think we will be joining you. We were on the Magic in 2003 and rebooked on the cruise. We have moved it back twice now. I told my DH that we need to make a decision this weekend so I can get the flights booked.
They eliminated our school spring break this year so we would have to pull the kids out of school. But this is our last chance before DD is in high school

Traveling with us will be our DD 14 and DS 10 (almost 11) at the time of the cruise.

[geffric]

Northwoods welcome great to have you on board with us... LOL
BTW several of us are watching for fares from Chi or Milwaukee.. Let us know if you find a good fare..

I have a DS14 who will turning 15 on the cruise.:scared1: and my other DS is 12...

[mickeyworld]

Hey Northwoods!
My DD is 14 and will have just turned 15 on the cruise in March. She starts high school on August 25th...other DD is 11 and starting middle school. We LOVED our March cruise last year and now we are excited about the Western side. Hope you make the trip!

[myboysmom]

Hi Northwoods,

Looks like this cruise should really be named for Northern Mid-Westerners with the Wisconsin, Illinois connection!

Glad you will be joining us!

[Northwoods]

Thanks all for the welcome. We did decide to go thru with the trip - YEA!!

Need to book those flights tomorrow. Looks like $295 on NWA nonstop from Minneapolis is the best I can do. Anything under $300 is good for us - unless we try to drive to Chicago.

[geffric]

Hi Northwoods - right now there isn't anything under $300 from ORD at all and most of the flight have stops and take forever.. Unless we find a good fare we are driving..

[geffric]

8 months from today.. we will be relaxing on the Magic..:boat:

[myboysmom]

You are so great keeping us on the count down. Hope your DS is having a great time at the Jamboree!

Spending next week in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Looking forward to swimming and skiing and some needed time off!

[Northwoods]

myboysmom -
We will be at our cabin in Northern WI this next week also. We are near Luck, WI.


Hoping for good lake weather.

[geffric]

I just checked our cruise and it looks like they have plenty of space but for a family of 4 cat 10 it was $6500... :faint: I am so glad that we booked early.. :cool1: :sunny:

[skibum]

Greetings from Vail, Colorado, where it is nice and cool (about 70, and dropping into low 40's overnight).
Well, we certainly would not be going at those prices! Glad we booked early and onboard. Although I am disappointed we did not get the Magical Rates price (although I tried). For those savings we could have dealt with a smaller cabin and one bath.

[myboysmom]

Wow, just back from one great week in the Northwoods :cool1: weather was perfect. I now have a great tan...too bad that won't last until next March! We put 10+ hours on the boat skiing. Best thing is although the days were warm, in the upper 80's at night we got down into the low 50's- perfect sleeping weather.

Wow, I just checked our cabin out. It is now $2,600 more than what we paid :eek: I know we wouldn't be able to do this cruise if we were just starting to think about it. Even in a category 10! We ran into our TA at a local festival and she told us the early booking discounts are amazing, they will never tell how much of a discount it will end up to be.

I am sure that most people aren't the compulsive planners we are, so I am sure many people wonder how anyone affords a Disney Cruise.

[mickeyworld]

Hi Everybody,
We are getting close to Back to School.... you guys had me tempted to look at the current prices- Wow! our cat.is $2100 more than we booked while on board last March. Cant imagine what it will be after Christmas, if there are any rooms left at all!
Our weather has been hot and humid, but no hurricanes here so far.. keep those fingers crossed. If we see the Weather Channel truck in the area, we all start to worry! Hope you all had a fabulous summer- now I am off to dream about swimming with the dolphins !
tata for now! Judy :cool1:

[tinkerbellmagic]

Hi All,

When I checked the price of cat 11 today for our cruise, it has only gone up $250.00 (for 2 people) since I booked last April. I did notice the cat 12 is considerably less now than it was when I booked, unless I have my facts wrong. I'm having trouble locating my initial scribblings... lol. At this time, the cat 12 is $900 less than cat 11 for 2 people. That just seems like a big difference to me. I really don't think there was that big a difference between the two when we first booked, but I could be wrong.

We have stayed in cat 5,6, and 7, so cat 11 will be something different (with a lot less light...;))

Still, can't wait to be cruisin' again!

Tink

[skibum]

We got back from the mountains, where it was cool and dry (NICE!), and back into the hot and humid.
Over the weekend, we made a last-minute decision to book the 3 day 9/8 Wonder trip for our 23rd Anniversary (first time ever doing anything without kids). :love: It was between WDW, where we spent our honeymoon, or a cruise. We are in a Cat. 12 GTY, and imagine we will be in a 12 since we booked so late, but that will be OK.
The kids are jealous, but are willing to wait to get back on the Magic in March.
Looking forward to it - hope the hurricanes stay away. :sunny:

[myboysmom]

How fun to do something like that on the spur of the moment! I hope you are right about the bad storms.

Last night our county got hit really hard. I am sure you saw the pictures on one of the network morning shows (they all were here) or the Weather Channel. Anyhow, Stoughton is in the southern part of Dane County (the 2nd largest county in the state milage wise) and I live just north of Madison. No damage, just heavy rain where I live. After the storms in our area were over we found we had some very interesting cloud formations to watch to our south. One of my husbands co-workers did have family loose their home, waiting to hear about others we know from Stoughton. Reports have it that personal papers from families in Stoughton have been found as far away as Milwaukee (60 miles). This is after a bad fire earlier this week distroyed a 150 year old church.

The fire dept. is volunteer, I don't know how they are all managing to keep it all together.

On a brighter note, we have been watching the Travel Channel's show on the RCCL liner in dry dock. My DS12 has found it very interesting (he has no idea we are going crusing!) and we saw "Travel Spies" last night on the Travel Channel who went to check out the service on a Raddison ship going on a 3 night to the Bahama's. Very interesting and fun. Husband was very interested in the show too.

[babs4]

We will be cruising too. It will be our 4th cruise but first western. It will be myself, dh, dd (18) dd friend (16) dd (13) and disney grandma. We will be traveling with my niece and her husband, it will be their first cruise!

[mickeyworld]

Welcome to our thread! My daughters (11 and 14)are busy gettingready for school- we start on Thursday, but our hearts are counting down until March!
We've been on 2 eastern but this is our first western, too. Look forward to "chatting" over the next few months. :wave2:

[geffric]

Hi.. this is our 4th DCL cruise too.. and Our first Western..LOL we are all in the "same boat"...

I have 2 DS's one Freshman in High school and the other is 7th grade...
High School started today!!!

[geffric]

7 months 7 months 7 months 7 months 7 months 7 months 7 months 7 months


We will be driving and driving and driving and driving 7 months from today to get to the port and the MAGIC on time...

[skibum]

Unfortunately, it looks like we will be driving as well. No good airfares at all! Maybe when Southwest release rates for March it will be affordable.
Going down in two weeks for our 23rd Anniversary (without DD 13 and DD 8 - they're staying with Grandma), for a 3 day Wonder cruise. Got air on United for $136 R/T. That beats driving - it saves time and money.
The kids are excited, and so are we - 7 months.

[mickeyworld]

bump.. just checking my ticker..........

[myboysmom]

Hi babs4, Welcome Aboard!

This will be our first cruise and I am looking forward to it.

Just learned at the "ready, set, goal" conference from DS teacher that 6th graders in our district learn about Central and South American cultures (Incas and Aztecs). My husband and I had been really thinking about the Tulum Ruins as an excursion for our family. Now I think it might be a done deal. It would be really cool if the curriculum fell at the same time as the trip. Nothing like sneaking a little education into the trip :rotfl:

"Parent Freedom Day" is just around the corner for us- Thursday :cool1:

[geffric]

"Parent Freedom Day" is just around the corner for us- Thursday :cool1:

Okay I am confused. what is parent freedom day? LOL Or are your kids not back in school yet..

[myboysmom]

Parent Freedom Day is Back to School Day. State law mandates that state schools can not start before Sept. 1, so Thursday is the big day!

[myboysmom]

Bump :cool1:

[geffric]

:sunny: :boat: :bored: :fish: HI...

[myboysmom]

Six months until we are "sitting on the beach, sipping a drink and hanging loose". Ok, so it won't be a beach, but I know I will be sipping a drink and hanging loose! :cool1:

[Northwoods]

Looks like we will be cancelling our cruise. Kids don't have spring break this year so DH and I decided to go to Tahiti by ourselves instead.
So we will be cancelling rooms 6072 and 6074 soon. I hate to do it since we had such great rates - but it makes the most sense for us right now.

Enjoy Everyone!!

[geffric]

http://bestsmileys.com/drinking/2.gifmyboysmom http://bestsmileys.com/drinking/10.gif


Northwoods sorry that your kids won't have spring break.. did the school district just eliminate it?

tough to have to go to Tahiti just you and DH...http://bestsmileys.com/kissing1/2.gif

[Northwoods]

Yes, the school just eliminated it. None of the other schools in the area have a spring break, we have in the past because we are a college town.

[geffric]

I am sorry for the kids that they miss their break. Do they end the term earlier?

[myboysmom]

Wow, no Spring Break. I don't think the teacher's union would go for that around here- even if they ended the term early. Although we are in a college town too, our spring break does not go along with the University's or Edgewood College. Each district in our area are off at different times.

Enjoy Tahiti, but we will miss you.

[mickeyworld]

We lost three days for Hurricane Ophelia, but had NOTHING like the gulf coast... Held our breath to see the makeup days - not spring break yet! As a techer I can't imagine not having a spring break. Do you have a shorter school year? After all, 180 days is 180 days- that's what is required.
Enjoy Tahiti, went there many years ago and loved it.

[geffric]

6 months from today..... we will be finishing the drive , parking the car at the port, and relaxing at Topsiders with lunch waiting for the sail away party ...http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v499/estelmiire/dclmoving.gif

[mickeyworld]

Anybody making room sessies yet? I guess it will be a toss up from driving or flying at these gas rate... just went to $3.09 tonight!
Always stayed at the radisson before but last year, I almost closed the port(seriously) when the Radisson driver left a piece of my baggage on the sidewalk and the port authorities were about to call in the bomb people when they found me in the terminal and had me id it! That was tramatic!

Anyway, just trying to decide whether to make plans or wait to see what happens later... whatcha all doing??? :confused3

[skibum]

So far we are driving - cannot find a decent airfare. Made ressies at the Radisson (tentatively - will see what the new hotels do when they open up). Radisson's rates seem way up to me.

As I posted earlier, we were on the September 8th Wonder, and it was an experience. Found out the day before (spent the day on the computer) that we would be leaving out of Port Lauderdale, due to Hurricane Ophelia. I called DCL direct to find out options, and after checking airfare to Fort Lauderdale, made reservations on a bus from MCO instead of driving to Port Canaveral and then catching a bus. Later in the afternoon, DCL actually called my cell, and told me of the change.

Arrived MCO on Thursday morning about 10:35, and was told to go to one place to catch the bus. Sent my wife, and I went for bags. She went there, and nobody knew anything about it. She finally talked to somebody who told her she had to go check-in on the other side of the airport to the Hilton. She walked over there, and waited. She called me and first they wanted me to head over there with our luggage, but I said no, that makes no sense if we are loading where they originally stated. I waited for maybe 30 minutes before a group came over from the Hilton to board the bus.

We waited a little bit as they started to board people on the bus, putting luggage away. Seemed very disorganized - not Disney-like. Finally started moving towards Fort Lauderdale, but had a mandatory stop after about two hours. After about three-and-a-half hours, we finally saw the boat.

Good thing I waited there, because some other people said they were at the Hilton at 10:15, and waited forever, not getting to the boat until 7:30.

Checked in through a cavernous warehouse at the Port - nothing like the DCL Terminal. Used the Castaway Club line and got right up there. Did the security screening, picture (really bad - shows the warehouse), and had them call out our name upon entrance. It was nice being on the boat again (was just like the Magic).

We walked around the ship a little bit, made ressies for Palo, changed to early dining, and grabbed a small lunch from the buffet line. We then went to our room (5006 - category 8) which had been a nice upgrade from our 12 GTY. My wife (surprised) really enjoyed the large porthole. The room was virtually identical to our category 10 SPH cabin (5022) for 3/25 Magic.

We had dinner by ourselves at a table for 6. After this, we enjoyed Hercules, which we had never seen before. We met up with two of our tablemates the next night (on their honeymoon, and us on our 23rd anniversary), and they told us they did not get in until 7:30 the night before, and just grabbed buffet. The other two never showed up. After dinner, we went to Pirate Night, and then met our tablemates in one of the bars doing karaoke.

The seas were pretty rough the first night. Some crew members told us they had only seen it worse once before - so it must have been substantial. Seas were reportedly 12 - 15 feet. My wife was feeling queasy, so we bought
Sea Bands from Treasure Ketch. They worked???

Cloudy (had rained a little bit) and warm in Nassau, although we were onshore for only about two hours, and spent the rest of the time on the ship. Castaway Cay day was hot. Had a leisurely breakfast at Triton's, and then went off to the beach. Snorkeled at the main beach - all the way out, and saw lots of fish, as well as all the things Disney has placed out there (Mickey was there!). Then we went to Serenity Bay (Adults Only). Water was much deper there than last time, but walked around in the water. I went out to snorkel while my wife moved a chair into the water. The water was much clearer here, and out-a-ways I saw lots of fish.

We ate lunch at Serenity Bay, and then started heading back. We decided to stop by and check out the area where they were going to be doing the searay excursion, and were invited to particpate in a test session. We went through an educational lecture, and then got to feed and pet the searays. I thought it was great! They allow you to snorkel afterwards, but due to all the shuffling, visibility was virtually zero.

Had an awesome meal at Palo's on the last night. I would strongly recommend it!

The Captain told us that we would endure rough seas starting about 11:00 that night, and he was right. Got our bags packed, and went to bed - did not want to be awake as the seas got rougher.

Early breakfast due to early seating (5:30?), but we got off the ship about 7:15. We went standby and caught some connecting flights to get home early.

It was a great trip, and a totally different experience without kids. DCL works for adults too!

[geffric]

skibum sounds like a great trip. I have never been on the Wonder.. , sounds WONDERFUL...

mickeyworld I haven't made any ressies yet, still waiting/hoping for an airfare that is under $200 per person... we can drive for less than that even at $3 per gallon.

The kids don't get out of school until 2:30, so if we drive, we are leaving Friday , we need to drive pretty straight though...as it is a 20 hour drive.. brutal..

here is hoping for the airfare to help us out..

[myboysmom]

We are still planning on driving. We will leave home on Thursday afternoon and pull the boys out for Friday. We would like to get there early Saturday so that we can take advantage of the ship for the afternoon.

We haven't made any hotel reservations as we will just get our AAA books and call ahead as we drive down. That seemed to work for us the last time we did a big road trip. The ride back will be all day on Saturday and Sunday.

Fall has finally arrived- 87 on Wednesday, low 50's on Thursday! Camping this weekend- should be beautiful.

Homecoming theme this year at Wisconsin is a Bucky as a Pirate! pirate: Got us our "W" Marks the Spot shirts for the Pirate party next spring. The back says V-ARRRR-SITY! If you were an alumni, you would know that is our song (Varsity).

Have a great weekend!

[tinkerbellmagic]

Anybody making room sessies yet? Anyway, just trying to decide whether to make plans or wait to see what happens later... whatcha all doing??? :confused3

Hi, I haven't posted on this thread in a while. Like some of you, we are waiting for airfare. Last year, we enjoyed a 2-night pre-cruise stay at Ron Jon. This year, we were going to try a pre-cruise stay at the Radisson or maybe WDW. *Edited to say that now I just realized that since this isn't Easter week (like last year's cruise), DD does not have a day off from school on Fri 3/24. Back to the drawing board, so no, lol, no ressies made here, but looking at WDW, Radisson, or Hyatt. :)

Tink

[geffric]

bump...

[myboysmom]

Happy Monday :)

[myboysmom]

I just checked to see if there was any room on our cruise, and I don't see any availability. It looks like we are full.

I can say I am glad I talked my husband into this last October. With the rates as they stand now, we wouldn't be able to do this in 2007. If we were to go on a cruise it would be on another line.

I told my husband if it turns out we like cruising we would have to go on a different line. Mr. Grumpy replied this will be a once in a lifetime, as everything is too expensive. Think I caught him on a bad day. I hope if we like crusing we will get to do it again.

[geffric]

:wave: in another few months we will decide about excurions... any ideas which ones are wonderful?

[mickeyworld]

Our 90 day reservation day is Christmas Day, not sure how that works!!!!!
We are thinking about the dolphin experience but booking it on our own- the Disney one doesn't let you "swim" with the dolphins but you can book it on your own in Cozumel(if there is anything left of it after Wilma). I have been looking at beaches in Cozumel and will talk to Shirley at a Perfect Gift about Key West. We are really about the boat and the ports and not the excursions- always try to hit the spa early on port days because they are offering specials!!!! Rainforest, here I come!!!!! :cool1:
Can't wait!

[myboysmom]

I too hope Wilma hasn't taken too much out of Cozumel and Grand Cayman. We have booked a rental car on Grand Cayman and are going to be adventurers- driving on the "wrong" side of the road :) We had hoped to go up and see the turtle farm. My parents were there last spring and got the grandkids a beautiful puzzle that took all of them many days over the summer to put together. I understand that when a hurricane comes, they release all the turtles, so there might not be too many turtles there. We then were going to drive around to see the sights, and hit a beach or too.

In Cozumel we want to do the Tulum ruins. DS12 will be studying Mexico's navtive people. We thought that would be fun for him to see real ruins.

Key West will be on our own as well.

[geffric]

We want to do the Tulum ruins in Cozumel too. On Key west we are just going to get the trolley pass and explore the island on our own.. http://www.historictours.com/keywest/ with a stop or two for key lime pie..

[geffric]

OMG I just got this really nice package from DCL... it had a letter reminding me to make reservations for Palio and excursions and the date I could start plus this nice booklet with lots of info on the excursions and the ship and activites in general..


Very nice..

BTW anyone have late dining and want to share a table?

[skibum]

We just got that mail info also. :cool1: Haven't really looked at it yet - it seems so far away. :hourglass
We have early seating, and will be with the grandparents.

Looking at airfare, and it just keeps going up. Southwest released fares for the last week of March (no April yet), and it was $249 one way!!!! :rotfl2:
Not looking forward to that drive - oh well! :confused3

[geffric]

Looking at airfare, and it just keeps going up. Southwest released fares for the last week of March (no April yet), and it was $249 one way!!!! :rotfl2:
Not looking forward to that drive - oh well! :confused3

we were just talking about that... checked orbitz and the lowest fare was $302 per person on Indepandance Air... We driving for that price...

[geffric]

I am so relieved.. Dh found an affordable airfare from ORD to Jacksonville FL.. so we booked and will rent a car and drive the rest of the way.. I am soooooo glad that we aren't driving all Friday night from Chi to get to the Magic before it sails..

[gimpeaux]

We are glad to say we'll be joining you good people for the March 25 Western Caribbean cruise! It's me, the DW, and our DD (a sixth grader who will be 12 years old then). We are incredibly excited. DD has never cruised, and it will have been more than 13 years since DW and I last did so. We're all big Disney fans - countless times at Disneyland (esp. since DW grew up in LA) as well as Disney World. We thought we'd booked early by reserving in July, but having seen how soon you guys all booked and noticing that the ship was mostly full, I guess it was late. We have an outside stateroom in the bow of deck 5 (great for DD with the lab right there). We have late seating for dinner, which we thought might be a problem, but from what we've read on here, sounds as though it will work out well. It's great to see we'll be sharing the ship with such great people (and at least one fellow Chicago-area family).

[skibum]

This ship seems to be primarily filled with midwesterners based on this thread. :cool1:
Looking forward to a great trip!

[mickeyworld]

Welcome aboard gimpeaux! I am travellin with DD 11 and friend 12 who are vetern sailors so let' s try to hook they up when we get closer!

Havew had the fabulous offer to stay at a condo several days before the cruise soI am taking the kids out of school, early and driving so I can afford the tickets to the world. A few days of land based Magic before the real Magic begins!

Talked to Disneycruise.com last night, we can start making reservations as of midnight on CHristmas on line- a final thing to do as we finish the tree- a spa present for ME! If you haven't visited that site and checked your reservation, you should- fun just to see it show up on the screen! Ah, the simple pleasures1
Have a great weekend and magical thoughts!
Judy :jumping1:

[myboysmom]

Hi everyone!

Package from DCL? We haven't gotten anything from them yet. Of course, we haven't paid in full just yet- maybe you all have. Guess I will talk with hubby about paying the cruise off so we can start getting some of those mailings. I am hoping the piers and ports get back into shape by the end of March. So looking forward to those ports.

Welcome gimpeaux, we also have a 6th grader (12 as well). As you can see by my screen name however- a boy :goodvibes

We are still driving. We can drive all four of us for the price of one ticket from Madison, Milwaukee or Chicago. We are planning on driving part of the way down the long state of the Illini on Thursday, giving us all day on Friday to get pretty far with the remainder of the trip done on Saturday morning. The drive back we will do in just two days (Saturday and Sunday).

We are early seating, but I requested with my TA to try and get us at the 6:30 time. I think that would be just about right.

Have a great Friday!


:cheer2: :cheer2: Go Badgers Beat Penn State! :cheer2: :cheer2:

[geffric]

We have an outside stateroom in the bow of deck 5...... We have late seating for dinner.

Us too... We are in 5020 and late dinner.. and I have the teen boys... DS#1 turning 15 on the cruise and DS#2 12 in 7th grade.. are you in Chi area too? There are several of us on the cruise...LOL it is spring break..

[geffric]

Hi everyone!

Package from DCL? We haven't gotten anything from them yet. Of course, we haven't paid in full just yet- maybe you all have. Guess I will talk with hubby about paying the cruise off so we can start getting some of those mailings. I am hoping the piers and ports get back into shape by the end of March. So looking forward to those ports.
:cheer2: :cheer2: Go Badgers Beat Penn State! :cheer2: :cheer2:

We aren't paid in full. The letter is a reminder of all of the dates especially the final payment date... The package came direct from DCL.. maybe check with your TA about it..

[myboysmom]

Thanks, I will send her a note.

[gimpeaux]

We haven't yet received any package, but I think our TA said it wouldn't arrive until January.

I'm envious of those of you who can sign up earlier for excursions -- as first-time Disney cruisers, it looks to me as though we have to wait until 75 days before the cruise leaves to do so. Which is January 9, by my count, the day the balance of our payment (gulp) is due.

DW and I were in Key West back in '96 (sans DD, then just 2), but with DD along I think just wandering, maybe with the aid of the trolley, sounds about right.

We're flying into Orlando that Friday, got decent airfare last July and free hotel thanks to Hilton Honors program, but will seem odd to be in Orlando without seeing WDW. Then taking either Disney van or a private car from the Orlando airport to Port Canaveral that Saturday morning -- looks as though with 3 people the cost is about the same either way ($59 p.p. on Disney, though DW thinks she read or heard somewhere kids go at a lower rate). If any of you kind people know anything about this, I welcome your thoughts. And I'm sure the answers, as always, are somewhere on the boards. pirate:

[gimpeaux]

Us too... We are in 5020 and late dinner.. and I have the teen boys... DS#1 turning 15 on the cruise and DS#2 12 in 7th grade.. are you in Chi area too? There are several of us on the cruise...LOL it is spring break..

Yes, we are in Chi area too - up north in Highland Park. Spring break here that week as well. We'll be in 5002 in 138 days - pretty wild that Chicagoland folks will be so close. Cool that they added a new tween area when the Magic was in drydock recently. Although I may want to go myself and try out the docking simulator there...

[skibum]

Gimpeaux -

Have you considered renting a car? Far and away the least expensive way to get to the port. Rent it at the airport for a one day rental, drop everybody off at the port, return the car a few miles away (no drop charge), and take a free shuttle back to the ship. We have had good luck with Budget doing this. If we can find a decent airfare, we will be doing this, otherwise we will be driving.

[gimpeaux]

Have you considered renting a car? Far and away the least expensive way to get to the port. Rent it at the airport for a one day rental, drop everybody off at the port, return the car a few miles away (no drop charge), and take a free shuttle back to the ship. We have had good luck with Budget doing this. If we can find a decent airfare, we will be doing this, otherwise we will be driving.

skibum - great idea! Thanks! I just assumed there would be a drop charge. What time would you suggest leaving Budget in Orlando to get to the port with plenty of time to drop DW and DD, return the car, and then take a shuttle back to the port to meet up with them? Also, do you do the same thing upon return (take shuttle from port to Budget, rent, return to port to pick up family, drive to Orlando, and drop off the car)? Our flight on the Saturday we return (April 1) is at 1:55 p.m. Thanks again. :goodvibes

[skibum]

Due to the new boarding procedure mentioned upon these boards, I don't know what time (if any) is best to get to the port. Seems to me that DCL busses leave MCO between noon and 1:00, so anything you do will probably beat them.
It is about a one hour drive, add on a half-hour (extremely conservative) for dropping off, and determine your own schedule.
Upon return, Budget has a shuttle to bring you back to their office. In September, we had early seating for breakfast, were first in line for the shuttle, got our car and arrived at the airport by 9:30. We were able to go standby on an earlier flight through Charlotte (nonstop to ORD was pretty full), and got home earlier than expected.
These boards are great, but also check out the book Passporter Guide to DCL. You can purchase it, or many libraries have it. Lots of valuable info, plus you can bring it with.

[geffric]

We rented a car for this cruise too. I just reserved for $38 for the drive from the airport to the ship. Not too bad and the return is the same.

[mickeyworld]

Is there aything better than planning your trip? We spent the weekend deciding our dining rotation preferences. Once we decidedthat, I called DCL and within seconds, she cheerfully put in our request. Now we are ready for CHristmas eve to book Palo. I LOVE THE DISNEY FEELING!!!!!
We've decided to drive and park at theport. We like to get there as soon as the doors open and start the feeling- usually we are one of the first on the ship..... moms run tothe rooms and sprinkle a bit of surprise magic around the room while the kids and dad head to Topsiders and the pool.
Yipppeeee! :earboy2:

[myboysmom]

Yes, I too am getting excited. Perhaps the main reason is we finally will get to tell the kids! This has been a tough secret to keep :)

I hope the new boarding proceedures won't be too big of a deal as we are driving to the port as well.

[geffric]

good idea mickeyworld , I think I will email DU and request the dining time too. I had thought it was too early but.. why not.. I am looking for the 8 pm dining, I wonder if that will be very popular?

myboysmom :wave:

I am so glad we aren't driving from Chi.. we would have just arrived at the ship late and beat from driving all night.. So driving from Jacksonville won't be bad, in comparison.

[myboysmom]

geffric I would be right there with you if we were going to try and pull an all nighter! I am tooo old for that :). By breaking it up over almost three days we shouldn't be as tired.

[geffric]

. By breaking it up over almost three days we shouldn't be as tired.

Yep! For normal vacation we drive to WDW and it isn't bad. We leave on one day and drive that whole day with a fun stop for a few hours plus food stops. Stay at a hotel along the way, ususally after Macon GA. Then arrive about 2 or 3 pm the next day..

[mickeyworld]

Am I missing something about boarding? Guess I missed that thread! Let me know what has changed, please! We are driving from WIlmington, North Carolina so it isn't that bad... trying to dave money for the boat!

[geffric]

this is from Sue Ellen:


Just back from the Magic and can tell you that you get your boarding number when you arrive on the upper floor of the terminal. They hand out one boarding number per family/group and I was told there are about 25 numbers per group. We arrived at about 10:45 a.m. and got a number 5, and we were on the ship very quickly once they opened boarding. I believe they started boarding around 11:45 a.m. or so.

I really prefer the new number system because you do not have a line wrapping around the terminal and you can actually sit down and enjoy your time in the terminal (with the characters, have a snack, etc.) We even saw a couple of Manatees in the water next to the ship over by the luggage loading (that was cool.)

The only difference in boarding the ship is that you no longer have to wait in line forever, and instead can board a bit more leisurely.

Sue Ellen

[skibum]

WOW!
I was almost ready to commit to flying - had it worked out in my head. Went in to make reservations the next day, and United raised the rates $80 each - $320 for us. We can drive for less than the increase, but will cost us each a day off work.
Unbelievable.
Hopefully there will be a fare sale along the way.

[tinkerbellmagic]

I love the new boarding system. What a great idea and nice improvement!

Tink

[geffric]

WOW!
I was almost ready to commit to flying - had it worked out in my head. Went in to make reservations the next day, and United raised the rates $80 each - $320 for us.Unbelievable.
.
:faint:

[dlf246]

Well you can add us to the roster. Along with myself there is DW, DD15, DS13, DD5.

We are veteran cruisers except it's the 1st for DD5. We have done a RCCL western. Hence, we are watching repairs on Cozumel closely. I'm certain we will go there, but whether dolphin discovery is open looks pretty unlikely :guilty:

But we will enjoy cruising with all of you!!
Scott :flower:

[gimpeaux]

Well you can add us to the roster. Along with myself there is DW, DD15, DS13, DD5.

We are veteran cruisers except it's the 1st for DD5. We have done a RCCL western. Hence, we are watching repairs on Cozumel closely. I'm certain we will go there, but whether dolphin discovery is open looks pretty unlikely :guilty:

But we will enjoy cruising with all of you!!
Scott :flower:

Scott, welcome aboard! (so to speak -- I guess we do still have 4 months or so to go). Looking forward to joining all of you great DIS Boards folks on the Magic in March. :goodvibes

As a newbie to DCL (and crusing for the first time since 1993), I've been going through all of the boards gathering tips on what to pack, what not to miss, "things I wish I had thought of" variety, etc., ending up with a couple of Word docs. Obviously, DW, DD (12), and I won't bring everything everyone on the boards thinks is good to pack (we'd need a U-Haul to do that!), and will end up not planing out things to the nth degree, because the whole point of this is to go with the flow and relax. It's just nice to have all of those great ideas in one place to pick and choose among to make things go smoother. (If any of you would like me to e-mail you the docs, just let me know.)

With the weather here in Chicago finally getting cold, it was nice this week to have the DCL brochure listing ideas and excursions come in the mail, book ground transportation to get to and from the port, and read all these threads and see pics of the ship sailing in the blue sea -- a nice way to get away to the Caribbean early....at least virtually. :cool1

[skibum]

I happened to be on the DCL website today, and noticed that at this time our cruise is sold out! Last week when I checked, prices had gone up again. Still checking airfares every day.

[myboysmom]

Picking up my packet today from my TA :cool1: !

Also making plans to present our cruise as a Christmas present. Looking forward to warm sunny skys and sand between my toes!

[dlf246]

Called TA yesterday and no packet. We are first time on DCL and not in concierge class. So, when should we expect packet?

Separately, we're hoping hoping hoping that we still go to Cozumel...

[geffric]

dlf246 You don't need to be concierge class to get a packet of information. This one is for everyone. The packet is a letter from DCL telling you the dates to make final payment and reserve stuff. Plus info on the excurisions.
BTW we are not concierge class.. we are on deck 5 in a SPH room.
Also, tell you DS13 that I have a DS14 and a DS12 - 7th grade.

[myboysmom]

Ours just came this past week to my TA, even though the letter to my TA was dated in October. It was a letter with the dates we needed to know and a nice booklet on excursions, packing....we are not in a suite either. I would imagine your items should be coming soon.

By the way, we have a DS who will be 12 1/2 at the time we sail. He is in 6th grade.

Cold and snowy here today, kinda nice in one way. Deer hunting starts this weekend, and having snow for it and Thanksgiving is nice. However, it was 65 only a few days ago. Hard on the system :)

[dlf246]

Thanks geffric and Myboysmom for your replies. Incidentally, myboysmom, I have noticed that your countdown clock seems to be one day more than all the other posters with that type clock. Surely you are not planning on embarking in Key West? ;)

[myboysmom]

I think my clock is messed up because sometimes I am just not so great with forms and computers! I hadn't even noticed. Now I don't even remember how I got my counter :badpc:

[myboysmom]

With the busy weekend, I am sure I won't be getting my fix of the boards for awhile and wanted to wish you all a happy turkey day! :earboy2:

[geffric]

http://bestsmileys.com/thanksgiving/4.gifhttp://bestsmileys.com/thanksgiving/1.gif

[gimpeaux]

Happy Thanksgiving! (a little belated, but hey, I turned 50 today, so I'm a little slower than I used to be).

Just 17 weeks from Saturday!

:boat:

[skibum]

Thanksgiving greetings from Kaanapali Beach, Maui (84 and sunny).

Happy Birthday from another November 24'er (but two years younger).

Leaving Paradise tomorrow, to return to the cold.

[gimpeaux]

Skibum ----> :bday:

Two people on the March 26 cruise both from the Chicago area, and both born on November 24....*Twilight Zone music*

119 days from now, the Magic will be sailing through the Atlantic toward Key West... Oh yes.... :cool1:

[geffric]

okay .. some interesting news from work this morning..

my manager asked me if I had any DISire to go back to WDW anytime soon.. So I thought to myself, is this a trick question?

But I answered truthfully, "well you know I have an Annual Pass.."

So he asked if I would mind working a booth at a conference at the Dolphin on December 12-14.. :banana: nope don't mind at all.::yes:: . be more than happy to. In fact I can get there on Sunday or Saturday to make sure that the booth is all set up etc. http://disboards.com/images/smilies/smiler.gif

anyone wanna play?

[skibum]

That's awesome. What a great time to go, too. Get out of this cold and snow, and enjoy beautiful holiday decorations and lights in the warm weather. :earsboy:
I would offer to join you, but I am taking 40 people to the snow and cold in Vail that weekend. :rotfl2:

[geffric]

I would offer to join you, but I am taking 40 people to the snow and cold in Vail that weekend. :rotfl2:

do you arrange ski trips.. let me know some details the boys and i love to ski.. Actually the boys are really good i am lite blue at best..

[myboysmom]

geffric and skibum,

Lucky you, both trips sound so much fun! Right now my oldest son is trying to talk me into going winter camping in January on a frozen lake in a cardboard box (did I mention TWO nights! :rotfl: ).

I think I would take Vail in a nice warm condo after skiing or sunny Orlando (even if it can be cool to the locals).

Only a few more weeks and I can tell my boys about the cruise :)

We got 3 inches of snow this morning. Beautiful to look at, but made the morning drive really slow. Didn't anyone remember we do live in Wisconsin, and we are supposed to know how to drive in it! Does make me want to dust the skis off.

[geffric]

myboysmom my boys are going winter camping this weekend but not in a cardboard box but in a tent with the boy scouts. Needless to say I am not joining them..too much laundry and cooking and cleaning to do.... Should be interesting..

[mickeyworld]

Hi everyone!
Haven't hear much from anyone lately so I thought I'd drop by. Putting up the CHristmas tree and trying not to sulk since we were at the World at this time last year! Trying to add a teen to our room and the boat at this time is sold out! My DD who is 15 has found a friend to travel with us. Keep your fingers crossed I can get her on. My other DD is 11 and we traveling with a family with a 12 yr old DD. Love thise teens and tweens!
Happy holidays to you all
Judy

[geffric]

. Keep your fingers crossed I can get her on. Happy holidays to you all
Judy


Hi Judy...http://bestsmileys.com/fingers/1.gif I hope that things work out for you and your DD...

[skibum]

Space should open up over the next month as final payments become due - so don't fret over it.

Just plowed the drive, and more snow is coming - but nothing like Vail, where they have received over 10 feet of snow so far - a record for this early.
This is the only group trip that I organize anymore - an early preseason warmup that I have done for the past 18 years. I'll go out another two or three times with friends, and would go out over Spring Break with the family, but they have other plans. :rotfl2:

If it wasn't for vacations, I wouldn't have to work.

[dlf246]

Trying to add a teen to our room and the boat at this time is sold out! My DD who is 15 has found a friend to travel with us. Judy
Judy: I have twice checked DCL web site, and was able to book (just short of credit card) an additional teen (worked with both 11 y/o and 15 y/o age; I could not tell for sure from your post the actual age of friend). Are you sure you cannot add?
Scott

[mickeyworld]

Hi!
the problem is adding to a person to a quad room with three people already in it. Evedently, there are rooms open at a higher price, they are trying to get new bookins but no three people rooms can change to a four person room. Sounds crazy to me. we will keep trying! :earsboy:

[mickeyworld]

Never thought we would have tickers less than in the hundreds! I'm paying off my balance this weekend.... happy holidays and a merry christmas to me! I've asked for on-board credits to be added to my account from every one of my relatives for CHristmas- rainforest spa days, here I come!

Happy 99 days to go everyone! :cool1: :Pinkbounc :cheer2:

[gimpeaux]

With the snow piled up outside, DD soon-to-be-12 off ice skating, and the Christmas and Hanukkah presents mostly wrapped, we'd like to wish our fellow cruisemates a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Joyful Solstice, and Happy New Year. See you in just 97 days! :wave:

[myboysmom]

This morning we started out at -9, currently at 9:50 we have warmed to a -1. So looking forward to the sun, sand and warmth!

[geffric]

. So looking forward to the sun, sand and warmth!

::yes:: ::yes:: yep... gonna make the final payment and then start dreaming for the Magic.. and sitting on the deck 4 chairs reading, or sitting on the deck 9 chairs by the adult pool reading or watching the ocean..

[geffric]

I may have asked this before but..


we are late dining, if anyone wants to link dining reservations with us that would be great... let me know if you do..

Happy Holidays to all...

[dlf246]

We're early seating. DW & I usually cannot even stay awake for 8PM shows... But we're fine at 6AM!!

[skibum]

Merry Christmas to all!!!

Only three more months! :dancer:

[tinkerbellmagic]

Hi, I hope everyone had a great holiday!

For this cruise, does anyone know if they are booking excursions for Cozumel, Costa Maya, or Nassau? We have not booked any excursions yet and I was wondering if Disney knows where we are going yet... or will they keep us hanging until some time after our deposits are due? :scratchin

Thanks a bunch,
Tink

[geffric]

I just paid the final payment.. woo hoo!! But I do feel poorer..LOL...


Now on to the important things like excursions..

tinkerbellmagic I don't know and if you find out please let me know too.. we are looking for excusions for Grand Caymans and hopefully the ruins tour at Cozemel. I read on the board to buy the trolley tickets for Key west from them not Disney 'cause then you can get on and off as many times as you want.. http://shophta.com/acb/stores/15/product1.asp?SID=15&Product_ID=13


Happy New Year to all.. just a few more months!! (
Now i have to really get serious about those 20 lbs. )

[tinkerbellmagic]

I just paid the final payment.. woo hoo!! But I do feel poorer..LOL...


Congratulations! I still have not made the final payment! :scared:

Now on to the important things like excursions..

tinkerbellmagic I don't know and if you find out please let me know too.. we are looking for excusions for Grand Caymans and hopefully the ruins tour at Cozemel. I read on the board to buy the trolley tickets for Key west from them not Disney 'cause then you can get on and off as many times as you want..

Hmmm... somehow I thought that when we were paid in full and tried to book excursions online, something would pop up on the DCL site and say, "Awwww... too bad.. looks like you are not going to Cozumel... :( Please check out excursions for Costa Maya and Nassau until further notice."

We like the idea of the trolley also. :) I wanted to do that last year, but cheapened out and walked. Big mistake. ;)

Happy New Year to all.. just a few more months!! (
Now i have to really get serious about those 20 lbs. )
Happy New Year to everyone! Hee hee, I hear ya! I keep sending my husband to work with all this Christmas candy and other holiday treats to share with his co-workers so I can get these temptations out of the house! :crazy:

Tink

[dlf246]

Hmmm... somehow I thought that when we were paid in full and tried to book excursions online, something would pop up on the DCL site and say, "Awwww... too bad.. looks like you are not going to Cozumel... :( Please check out excursions for Costa Maya and Nassau until further notice."

Tink
Given that the February western cruises are still going to Cozumel, I think we are pretty safe now. We're glad to be doing scuba there, but sad that the dolphin discovery at Chank. park is out. We don't have time to ferry to go to the puenta aventuras (sp?) location for dolphins....

[mickeyworld]

I watched the travel channel yesterday {for the 100th time}all about the boats.... dreaming!
Turns out my family has put money on my account for Christmas presents- dreaming of that rainforest in the spa!
We are not big excursion people but Shirley at the the Perfect Gift is a Key West expert so I am turning to her for ideas. We love to wander. Plan to go to Paradise Beach in Cozumel- just LOOK it up if you haven't seen the website(Find it on Google) it is repaired and ready to play!
Made my Palo reservations on Christmas day... now to start the packing list!
:cool1: :)
Have a Disney Day!!!!!
Judy

[gimpeaux]

Hi everyone. I'm going to be 12 in February and can't wait 'til we set sail in March. :banana:

We have the later seating for dinner, does anybody else? :wave: Also, are there any other DDs my age who I can meet up with in the Lab?

-pirate: Rachel

[mickeyworld]

My name is Rachel too and I am turning 12 in May. Last time I went on the cruise there were two other Rachels and I was wondering if you have sailed here before. Any questions about the cruise and just ask me. Talk to ya Later

Rachel #2 :wave:

[gimpeaux]

Wow, what a coincidence! :Pinkbounc

No, I've never cruised before.But we've been to the Disney theme parks lots of times. :earsgirl: I really don't think I have any questions, except questions like 'is it fun?' and stuff like that. Oh, and which seating do you have for dinner?

- pirate: Rachel

[myboysmom]

Hi,

We too have paid off the balance. The boys were extremely surprised at their Christmas present! The 12 year old just couldn't believe it, and the 7 year old got excited because his big brother was excited.

I see we have a couple of 12 year old girls looking for friends...sorry I can't help you out in that department as I have only boys!

Would you believe we have been having thunderstorms-seems like spring already!

[geffric]

Important Information


Thank you for your interest in the ports of call featured on our western Caribbean itinerary.

As you may be aware, Hurricane Wilma passed directly over the island of Cozumel. While Cozumel is involved in its recovery we will be unable to call on this port. Therefore, we have changed our itinerary for our western Caribbean sail dates as follows:


January 14, 2006 Saturday




Port Canaveral, FloridaSunday




Key West, FloridaMonday




Day at SeaTuesday




Grand Cayman, The Cayman IslandsWednesday




Costa Maya, MexicoThursday




Day at Sea Friday




Disney's Castaway Cay, BahamasSaturday


Port Canaveral, Florida
January 28, 2006
Saturday


Port Canaveral, FloridaSunday




Key West, FloridaMonday




Day at SeaTuesday




Grand Cayman, The Cayman IslandsWednesday




Day at SeaThursday




Nassau, BahamasFriday




Disney's Castaway Cay, BahamasSaturday


Port Canaveral, Florida

We do not anticipate any additional western Caribbean voyages will need to be modified. However, as Cozumel continues the recovery process, we will monitor their progress closely.

[dlf246]

According to my calculations: at 2Am central time (seems like most of you live in the midwest) this coming Monday morning, is the earliest time for first time (non concierge) cruisers to make your palo reservations, flounders, shore excursions, and spa reservations; and other things.

Am I not correct? If so, good luck!

An aside: still mixed news on Cozumel. Sure looks like the 2/11 Magic is going there, but strangely does not show on the Cozumel port website...

[dlf246]

According to my calculations: at 2Am central time (seems like most of you live in the midwest) this coming Monday morning, is the earliest time for first time (non concierge) cruisers to make your palo reservations, flounders, shore excursions, and spa reservations; and other things.

Am I not correct? If so, good luck!

2:50AM
Yup, it's now available. Only Sunday is left for Palo brunch, so make your reservations if you haven't. Spa reservations are few a far between (8Am!) on sea days.

Don't fret on Palo, if you cannot make reserv. They put aside plenty of reservation slots to be made early afternoon of embarkation (but must be done on ship THEN).

[geffric]

The is the calandar for the MAgic's Key West time of arrival and departure info for March 2006. Looks like we arrive about noon and leave at 10 pm....

http://www.keywestcity.com/depts/port/cruiseships/calendars/2004/March-2006.htm

[myboysmom]

Yes, I had thought about getting up at 2:00 this morning, but after a very busy weekend I just needed to sleep.

Lucky for me, DH (who never snores) must have been really tired. He woke me up at 4:45 with his snoring. I got the two excursions we wanted. Tulum and the Stingrays at CC at 10 in the morning. No Palo on the day we were looking at, so I will try when I get onboard. If we don't get it, I guess that will be ok too.

Really looking forward to sun. Our hometown went 14 straight days with out sun, got a little early on Sunday. Now we are back into the clouds. Hope it is not another 14 days! I think I might need one of those lamps if I don't get some :sunny: soon.

[monkeybug94]

Hello everyone, long time no post! It's me, the 1st Rachel to post, on my own DISboard account! Hooray!

Would you believe we have been having thunderstorms-seems like spring already!
Us too, us too! It rained a ton last week--AND it rained on Christmas in Ann Arbor! *shudder*

mickeyworld, which seating do you have for dinner? And *pokes gimpeaux* I din't know you could pick your rotation--hmm...

- :upsidedow Rachel

[DMKaren]

Hi All! We're sailing with you too. Me, DH, DD12, DD10, DM and DB. We can't wait!!!

Anyone doing a land tour in Grand Cayman? I can't get anyone in my family to do a snorkeling tour, but they would like a land tour.

[myboysmom]

Hi DMKaren,

Welcome Aboard. We aren't doing any tours on GC, going to explore on our own. It seems like there are going to be lots of 12 year old girls on this trip. Hope there will be some nice boys as well. My boys are 7 and 12.

We too are getting very excited! It is hard to believe spring break is right around the corner when second semester hasn't even started.

[monkeybug94]

Hi All! We're sailing with you too. Me, DH, DD12, DD10, DM and DB. We can't wait!!!

:cool1: Yay yay yay! More 12-y-o girls! :cool1:

- :upsidedow Rachel

[geffric]

oh Rachel.. guess what - I have a really cute football player who is 12 going on the cruise... :teeth:



http://images.snapfish.com/3459%3B7%3A%3C%3B%7Ffp7%3Evq%3D3233%3E25%3B%3E8%3C 5%3EWSNRCG%3D3232%3C%3A%3A669645vq0mrj (http://www.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=31387585/PictureID=901076321/a=1029693_1029693/t_=1029693)

[babs4]

We will be on the cruise as well. It will be our 4th disney cruise. Any teens? We have a DD18 and DD13. We are also from the midwest, Indiana!


Soon we will be sailing!

[monkeybug94]

oh Rachel.. guess what - I have a really cute football player who is 12 going on the cruise...
LOL, geffric!

- :upsidedow Rachel

[dlf246]

oh Rachel.. guess what - I have a really cute football player who is 12 going on the cruise... :teeth:



http://images.snapfish.com/3459%3B7%3A%3C%3B%7Ffp7%3Evq%3D3233%3E25%3B%3E8%3C 5%3EWSNRCG%3D3232%3C%3A%3A669645vq0mrj (http://www.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=31387585/PictureID=901076321/a=1029693_1029693/t_=1029693)
Hey geffric and Rachel, our DS, just turning 14, is the team's star tailback! Maybe they organize a scrimmage at Castaway Cay!!

[myboysmom]

Well, if we are going to talk about cute boys...I also personally think my DS12 and my DS7 are pretty cute. ::yes:: DS12 plays football too, but is really a good competitive swimmer. DS7 plays flag football and also swims.

I would add a picture too, but I don't know how to do that.

[geffric]

I hope we can get our cute football boys together. I am sure that Eric will have a football with him.. LOL he never goes anywhere without one just incase someone wants to play..

myboysmom I am not very literate on picture posting but I uploaded my photos to snapfish and then copied and pasted the picture to the DIS thread reply..

[andreab]

Hey, My Boy's Mom, just noticed that you're in Madison - we're in Genesee - right near Delafield and we'll be on the Disney Wonder, but for only four days. Soon I too will be able to post notes about my adorable son, but not for a few years (he's only four):), so I guess I can post it as DS4 - Right?? And also DD2!!
Hope that you have a wonderful vacation with lots of great memories... How easy is that??
Take care and have fun WI!!

[skibum]

Babs4:
We will also have a DD13, turning 14 on the cruise.
Only a few more months! :banana:
My DD13 is already making door signs and planning coordinated T-shirts. :rotfl2:
I guess you can never be too excited! :dancer:

[monkeybug94]

I second that! I'm already making signs on PowerPoint, and Dad's already finished the packing list. :)

- :upsidedow Rachel

[dlf246]

So far, we have kept this a complete surprise from DD5. No easy thing with DS14 (the star tailback ;) . I too have not conquered posting pics) and DD16 wishing to tell her. Since grandparents live in Florida, we would be able to keep her naive on plane trip.

She was a little puzzled with needing passport picture and when the passport clerk asked, "are you going to Mexico?" DW and I looked him with a look of :eek: , and he picked up on it and didn't say more.

We planned telling her day or two before embarking, but have just pondered keeping it a surprise all the way to the ship. Have any of you done that? Another challenge is that we have DCL transfers, so will be a little tough to keep a surprise on bus! :scratchin

[geffric]

:wave: the boys are going to ski at Cascade over the weekend with the boy scouts... I am going to stay home and clean and go to my Dad's apart and continue the packing/sorting/cleaning effort..

I emailed Moby Dick's to book the stringray snorkel at Cayman's but not heard back.. i am going to give them a few more days and then book with Capt Marvins..

[dlf246]

Cozumel port website has finally resumed showing the Magic coming starting Feb. 15. Yea!

[skibum]

Nice and warm week-end for skiing. :sunny: It is unbelievable to me how well the snow is holding up at the ski areas, in spite of the weather. They made snow 3 nights in the last week at Wilmot, so Cascade should be even better since it's further north..

The bad thing is they will miss the Bears game (Sunday, 3:30) - oh well. :confused3 Skiing is more fun anyways!

DD13 ::MinnieMo is really getting excited for the cruise - making door signs and thinking about t-shirts. ::yes:: Disappointed that Dolphin Discovery won't be available in Cozumel, :( so we don't know what we will do there. Grand Cayman DD13 turns 14, and she does not want to do Stingray City, so I told her she should go to Hell! :rotfl2: She thought that was funny, and now wants to go there. DD9 :earsgirl: refuses to do snorkeling - she has done it a few times and this time I am not going to force her.

Grandma and Grandpa are paid up (they were talking like they may not come), so we have a sixsome. I know once they experience it, they will be talking about it forever (in spite of having been on four cruises, including the Mediterranean). Disney does it right!

I was on the DCL site yesterday and noticed that there are rooms available again - you should check out the new prices! :crazy2: Lucky we booked when we did, or we would never be going. Did Judy/mickeyworld get her additional teen booked? I would think it would be easy now (except for the $$$).

We are still driving, and plan on staying at the Radisson on Friday night.

Everybody is already excited - the countdown is on.

[gimpeaux]

Yes, we're all getting way excited now (and not just because the Bears are in the playoffs tomorrow)! :banana: DD12 (a/k/a monkeybug94) has been busy gathering clip art and designing room signs, and we're off this morning to buy magnetic tape, as well as other odds and ends suggested on the Dis Boards like over-the-door shoe holders.

I was crazy enough to set my alarm and get up at 2 am last Monday to make all of the 75-days-in-advance reservations I could. I started wth the shore excursions, getting everything we wanted (including parasailing at Castaway Cay) except catamaran racing in Key West and dolphin excursion in Cozmel (which, as skibum noted, is closed due to Hurricane Wilma's aftereffects). When I then moved onto Palo at about 2:10 a.m., it was already unavailable for dinner on Thursday (my first choice) or Friday. I picked Wednesday at 7:30 -- not ideal as we have a 5-hour shore excursion that day ending at 5:30, and of course we want to rejoin DD12 for the pirate party at 9:45. But I have been told that if we go to the right place right after boarding, we may be able to switch to a different night. Finished up with the spa, getting couples massage at Castaway.

As wiped up as I was the next day :crazy2: , I'm glad I got up -- by 2:45, it looked as though all Palo dinner reservations and all shore excursions at Cozumel and Grand Cayman were gone, as was the parasailing excusion on Castaway Cay. While I'm sure I could have still reerved things onboard, it made me feel better to have these in hand.

mickeyworld -- if my DD12 Rachel (monkeybug94) hasn't yet e-mailed your DD12 Rachel c/o you, I know she will soon. She is VERY excited :hyper: about meeting up with other girls onboard....and this dear old Dad hasn't asked her yet about all the cute boys.... :eek:

[geffric]

The boys, even though they are skiing, will not NOT miss the Bears win tomorrow. They have planned it that they will be done skiing at 3:30 on Sunday. At that time, they will head to the car for the drive home and to listen to the bears game...

skibum and gimpeaux - the differences 'tween daughters and sons.:scratchin LOL.. my boys wouldn't even think of door signs and t-shirts.. just wanna make sure that the snorkeling gear still fits. The younger one wants to make sure that he has enough skin tight underarmour to look cool:eek:

[dlf246]

I was crazy enough to set my alarm and get up at 2 am last Monday to make all of the 75-days-in-advance reservations I could. I started wth the shore excursions, getting everything we wanted (including parasailing at Castaway Cay) except catamaran racing in Key West and dolphin excursion in Cozmel (which, as skibum noted, is closed due to Hurricane Wilma's aftereffects). When I then moved onto Palo at about 2:10 a.m., it was already unavailable for dinner on Thursday (my first choice) or Friday.
Gimpeaux: I too was up in the wee hours, and found Palo scant; my own suspicion is that the concierge and returning cruisers took up all the other slots before the 75th day. Only a portion of Palo reserv are made this way, and can be gone by the time 1st time cruisers book. Threads on the main board say that if you really want Thurs, you have a good chance of switching to it IF you board a bit early and get to the place where you change ressies at the time specified in Navigator.

[monkeybug94]

Cozumel port website has finally resumed showing the Magic coming starting Feb. 15. Yea!
:tongue: Feb. 15 is my birthday-LOL!

[mickeyworld]

Hey everybody!!!

My cruise wishes have already come true, my oldest DD's best friend just worked her way up the wait list and will be joining us in March. I did this last year, 1 11 year old and two 14 year olds- call me crazy but I am so happy. Don't know if I mentioned this or not, I lost my husband to cancer three years ago, the biggest Disney lover of them all- so I can't imagine a happier cabin than ours will be.
gimpeaux: we had a fabulous door magnet last year, ended up with a magnetic sheet it got so big... made tee****s to have all the girls match and pillowcases with the boatpicture ironed on waiting on their pillows. We(my DIsney co-traveling family's mom) and I went all out....goodie bags, pillowcases, lots of stuff.... get great ideas if anyone is interested-
I know the girls will be "talking" soon! have a great weekend and I know this may not sit wellwith you guys but... GO PANTHERS! :banana:

[myboysmom]

geffric, my Scout is away camping this weekend in northern Wisconsin- in a cardboard box! Today they plan to ice fish and will head home on Monday. We have been so warm here, wonder how Cascade is (they are only 30 minutes from us). Hopefully they had a good time.

We have the Bears on too right now. Even though we are die hard Packers fans, we are chearing for the Bears.

My husband realized that we will be sailing during the NCAA basketball March Madness. The Badgers look awesome so far, and he was hoping we might be able to see some of the games if the Badgers are in it. Looking around the boards today, it looks like people were able to watch the games last year.

I think I will do a sign for our door, just to help me remember where my room is!

[camom3]

Hi Everyone,

This is my first time ever posting at any forum. I'll be on the 3/25 cruise with my 3 DD (12, 10 & 6) and DH. We are coming from So. Cal. and all of my DD's are missing a week of school.

Will there be enough for the 12 to do? :cool1:

[skibum]

Welcome, camom3:



Will there be enough for the 12 to do? :cool1:


Oh, yes! My DD who was 12 on our last cruise had a blast and is even more excited for this one (although she wishes she was still in the Oceaneer Lab so she could get a T-shirt and cap :rotfl2: )

Don't worry...it's lots of fun for everyone!

[mickeyworld]

OKAY! Everybody, 66 days to until cruise for us all,
66 days til the cruise...
if one of the days should should happen to pass
65 days days til the cruise for us all! :rotfl2:

[camom3]

Welcome, camom3:




Oh, yes! My DD who was 12 on our last cruise had a blast and is even more excited for this one (although she wishes she was still in the Oceaneer Lab so she could get a T-shirt and cap :rotfl2: )

Don't worry...it's lots of fun for everyone!


Thanks for the info. We can't wait.

[soccerfire11]

i'm emily
I'll be sailin on March 25-
guess what rachel(s), i'm 12 too! :cool1:

we all should meet up in the lab some day :chat:

my little sister will be there too, anybody 9? :confused3 :cloud9:

my OTHER little sister will be goin to the club, she's 5 :wizard: princess:

im going with my mom ::MinnieMo
&dad ::MickeyMo

hope i see you guys! :hyper: :banana: :Pinkbounc
:hourglassCOUNTDOWN!

:disrocks: :jumping1: :fish:

[soccerfire11]

how do you get like ur signiture and icon under your name? :confused3

[tinkerbellmagic]

Hi,

I haven't posted on this thread much, but wanted to pop in to let you know we cancelled our cruise.. many factors involved.. nothing major ..I'll spare you the details ;) and "might" just go to WDW instead to hopefully ride EE...So, have a magical trip!

Tink

[monkeybug94]

i'm emily
I'll be sailin on March 25-
guess what rachel(s), i'm 12 too! :cool1:

we all should meet up in the lab some day :chat:

Hi Emily! Sounds like there are 3 or 4 12-year-old :cheer2: girls on this trip! Too cool!

[Starfish-Destin]

We are going on the 7 Night WC Cruise leaving on March 25th. Is this the cruise you are talking about?

[mickeyworld]

Yep, that's us! Are you joining us? We are a fun group already. Looking forward to hearing from you. :cool1:
Judy

[skibum]

my little sister will be there too, anybody 9? :confused3 :cloud9:



My daughter is also 9, so tell your sister that there will be another 9 year old on the ship!! :mickeyjum

[camom3]

Hi,

I'm Emily's mom and I'm excited about your 9 year old.

Anyone have a 6 year old DD?

Can't wait. :Pinkbounc

[pbmgrl34]

I dont hav any 9 or 6 year olds in my family but i hav a sister and her and her friend are coming one is 15 and one is 14

Are there anymore 14 or 15 year olds????? :confused3

I hav a screeen name to so if i no u i'll tell u but my mom will only let me in a private message. CANT WAIT TO MEET YOU!!!!!

Rachel :yay:

[pbmgrl34]

My best friends name is Emily thats soooo cool!!!!!

I hope to c you guys on the criuse!!!!

Rachel :yay:

[myboysmom]

Starting to get really excited about our trip. Can I manage 2 more months of waiting? I hope so, as we have been planning since Oct. of 2004!

Will have to do some shopping in early March so my ever growing boys will have pants and shoes that fit!

[geffric]

Starting to get really excited about our trip. Can I manage 2 more months of waiting? I hope so, as we have been planning since Oct. of 2004! yep and we booked on board 2 years ago..

Will have to do some shopping in early March so my ever growing boys will have pants and shoes that fit!

us too.. and shirts and jackets too..

[dlf246]

Hi,

I'm Emily's mom and I'm excited about your 9 year old.

Anyone have a 6 year old DD?

Can't wait. :Pinkbounc
We have a DD5 who turns 6 just a few months later! Playing with friends is her passion!!

[monkeybug94]

:thumbsup2 Soon we'll be cruising! I can't wait that long! :thumbsup2

- :upsidedow Rachel

[skibum]

Two months from today we start our MAGICal journey, as we are still planning on driving. Can't wait!