Magic ~ 1/12/2013

[Mommy2Emmy]

I don't know about y'all, but I'm getting so excited I could jump out of my skin!! 66 days!!

 

[shantomp98]

You are awesome! Thanks for the info! I am killing myself trying to keep this huge secret from my kids!!! I can't wait Already buying up some cool pirate stuff & working on my packing list, excursions booked, dog sitter organized - it can't come fast enough.

Is anyone else surprising their kids? If so, how are you doing it? We are going to go for a scavenger hunt & then the big reveal will be done by the character call. Our girls are 13 (will be 14 by cruise), 11 & 6 so the older two are a little over the traditional Christmas morning. Santa will come visit then we will begin the scavenger hunt (done by our crazy elves-they hid all of mom & dad's gifts for the kids). I am hoping to put stuff related to the cruise but not too obvious b/c our oldest already has started guessing that it's a cruise - gotta throw her off! Ideas would be fabulous, my creative mind has checked out.

Thanks!

 

[Lovin DCL]

I am surprising my kids on Christmas Day, assuming I can keep the secret that long. It's so hard!

I plan on having a gift way in the back under the tree that has a big #1 on it. Inside will be a calendar with the dates circled and a riddle directing them to a gift with a big #2 on it. Another small clue and riddle will be inside. So far I have figured out 7 clues and riddles which will lead up to gift #8, where I will have the itinerary, DCL water bottles, DCL beach bags, pirate costumes, etc. Basically all the little "extras" they'll need for the trip. In the last box will also be a gift for their Grandma, which will completely confuse them, so I will then get to surprise them even more by telling them that she's coming too.

I have been figuring out fish extender gift ideas and buying materials so that they can help me put those together in the couple weeks between when they find out and when we leave. I would love to start working on these now but I know they'll want to help and it will get them that much more excited for the cruise, so I'll try to behave.

I can't wait to meet everyone. This is my 4th Disney cruise but only the 2nd with my kids. On the first one they were just getting the hang of it and didn't do as much as I would have liked, so this time I want them to do it all!

 

[jjones144]

Just a reminder that we will be ending the signups for the FE on November 16. If you do want to do the FE, make sure you let me know before this date, so that I can add you to the list. Everyone that I have emailed the list to please check and make sure that everything is correct. As of now we have 8 staterooms.

8 men
7 women

19 kids

10 Girls
ages 18,16,14,12,12,11,11,6,6, and 3

9 boys
ages 13,10,9,9,7,6,6,6,and 5

 

[darling996]

We got the passports for the kids ordered today!!! When they get here we will be within a month of the cruise!!!! So excited!!

 

[Lovin DCL]

Just wondering what everyone is doing for excursions?

We are doing the Seaworld Explorer Semi-Submarine in Grand Cayman through Disney and then may do the Turtle Farm on our own if we have time and the kids are up for it. Has anyone done this before? Was it worth it?

In Cozumel, we are doing the Amazing Cozumel Race. I saw many great reviews online and then found out Disney does not offer it as an excursion (only Carnival does), so I just booked directly through the company that runs it. My mom is coming with us and is a big Amazing Race fan, so I hope this one doesn't disappoint.

If anyone has any information on either of these, or on others they have chosen, I'd love to hear all about it.

 

[ZoneOrr]

Just wondering what everyone is doing for excursions?

We are doing the Seaworld Explorer Semi-Submarine in Grand Cayman through Disney and then may do the Turtle Farm on our own if we have time and the kids are up for it. Has anyone done this before? Was it worth it?

In Cozumel, we are doing the Amazing Cozumel Race. I saw many great reviews online and then found out Disney does not offer it as an excursion (only Carnival does), so I just booked directly through the company that runs it. My mom is coming with us and is a big Amazing Race fan, so I hope this one doesn't disappoint.

If anyone has any information on either of these, or on others they have chosen, I'd love to hear all about it.

I went to the Turtle farm when I was teenager and I wasn't too impressed. It's not big, but they do have a ton of turtles. It's cool for the first ten minutes. Maybe it's grown since then.

 

[Lovin DCL]

I went to the Turtle farm when I was teenager and I wasn't too impressed. It's not big, but they do have a ton of turtles. It's cool for the first ten minutes. Maybe it's grown since then.

Thanks so much for the honest opinion. I've heard many people say that a half hour there is more than enough time and I just don't think that would be worth the cost. I'm tempted to skip it and with the money I save do some shopping and a nice lunch in the port area instead.

 

[ZoneOrr]

Thanks so much for the honest opinion. I've heard many people say that a half hour there is more than enough time and I just don't think that would be worth the cost. I'm tempted to skip it and with the money I save do some shopping and a nice lunch in the port area instead.

I think thats a great idea!

 

[Mommy2Emmy]

We are doing the Rum Point Beach Adenture through DCL in Grand Cayman, but right now we are thinking of staying on the ship in Cozumel!

 

[shantomp98]

We are doing Captain Marvin's stingray & snorkel tour in GC then a beach in Cozumel (can't remember name). We did Cozumel on our last cruise so may just stay on the ship.

 

[jjones144]

Thanks for the info on the turtle farm. We are still going to go, because I know my boys would love it, but maybe part of another tour. Instead of doing the whole day thing.

 

[jjones144]

I just wanted to put out a reminder that the last day to sign up for the FE exchange will be November 16. If you have already signed up for the FE, please check the list to make sure that all of your information is correct. If it is not please email me and let me know. Thanks so much.

 

[darling996]

So for all of us in the states any big plans for Thanksgiving? I can't believe the holidays are almost upon us!

 

[Mommy2Emmy]

We are heading to Arkansas for the LSU/AR game! Geaux Tigers!

 

[Lovin DCL]

So for all of us in the states any big plans for Thanksgiving? I can't believe the holidays are almost upon us!

We are heading to NYC to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! I've watched it on TV every year but this will be the first time seeing it in person.

 

[darling996]

We are heading to NYC to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! I've watched it on TV every year but this will be the first time seeing it in person.

That is so cool! I'll be watching it on tv as I'm cooking the turkey! Wouldn't be thanksgiving without Macy's!

 

[jjones144]

We are heading to Arkansas for the LSU/AR game! Geaux Tigers!

Are you from LA, or just a LSU fan? We are originally from Shreveport, LA.

 

[jjones144]

We are heading to NYC to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! I've watched it on TV every year but this will be the first time seeing it in person.

That is to cool. I love NYC, but have never been to the parade. You guys are going to have a blast.

 

[Mommy2Emmy]

Are you from LA, or just a LSU fan? We are originally from Shreveport, LA.

No, DH's family is from Baton Rouge and we'e just sort of adopted it as our second home! We JUST drove through Shreveport! Going home from Saturday's game!!