DCL for the non-Disney crowd: Eastern Carib. Fantasy Jan 26 - Feb 3 2013 - all done!

[MoonDaughter23]

It took me 3 days to read (among other life activities) but - as a full on Disney fan (and many other forms of entertainment with characters and superheroes) since the age of 2 (I'm 36 now) - I found your thread informative, entertaining and brilliant!

I most appreciated you knowing your family's limits and making no attempts to force "the magic" as opposed to many other non-Disney families I've seen over the years at various Disney venues.

I have to add...like many other readers I am also a fan of "sneaky pee". And I thought "mouser boat" was too cute!

If you ever start a blog other than on DIS please post the link here. Looking forward to reading that too!

 

[Conorama]

Each of our 3 have one of those heys and they are (virtually!!!....ha, ha) indestructible....although, we only have 2 of the 3 remaining; The one that broke was clearly abused since my oldest was wheeling the younger ones around it like a ride-on toy, which proved just too much for the telescoping handle....yes, they have a 7 year warranty, but this was undeniable misuse and not the intended treatment, so we just pitched it.

We actually don't use them anymore and have now made the kids each carry their own lighter backpack, for which they must take FULL responsibility for contents and carrying and mom and dad are not picking up the slack anymore. With 3 of them lugging one of those, since they are bit bulky, they take up a fair amount of luggage space and were too difficult to carry and add to load if one ( or heaven forbid 2, or 3) gets too "tired".

I guess we worry most about the luggage and the lines...adding to the 3 children are 2 80-somethings in the mix, so talk about a lot of bathroom breaks! So we need to stay nimble and flexible....we have gone back and forth with disney transport versus our own ( on another thread) trying to really sort things out....so overall its a quest for maximum convenience ( not as concerned about cost, more concerned with minimization of lines and crowds and most direct means to our destination).

Its tough to judge from others, because what denotes "convenience" can be surprisingly pretty subjective.....

Anyway...again great report from a familiar perspective and the details help sort through some questions....

Re: Heys - oh my, I see. Yes - carrying 3 of those puppies would just be awful. Or, 2, rather, after the, um, off-label use of the suitcase as a child transportation device.

Re: Lines and luggage - I get it! I work in geriatrics, so I really get it! The Hyatt/DCL combo was great on the way down for that for sure. (I'm glad someone appreciated my stories about being able to take luggage carts to check in at the Hyatt ... because these are the things that matter to us too.)

I can't comment, though, on other transportation much except to say... there did seem to be a big ugly line of people waiting for other transportation at port on disembarking day - and I have read stories about the horrors of getting to one's rental car, which seemed to depend on who was telling the story. I confess to a small amount of gloating as, in our DCL bus, we drove by the masses standing in line outside the port for something or other. That kind of thing sends my anxiety over board - how do I find OUR car? Or our (non-DCL) bus? DCL transportation won out there - I barely needed to engage my brain.

So, not sure if that helped, but your post reminded me of that aspect of things. In those moments, I *like* being a sheep - just lead me, oh shepherd that is Big Mouse, and don't make me think!

 

[Conorama]

It took me 3 days to read (among other life activities) but - as a full on Disney fan (and many other forms of entertainment with characters and superheroes) since the age of 2 (I'm 36 now) - I found your thread informative, entertaining and brilliant!

I most appreciated you knowing your family's limits and making no attempts to force "the magic" as opposed to many other non-Disney families I've seen over the years at various Disney venues.

I have to add...like many other readers I am also a fan of "sneaky pee". And I thought "mouser boat" was too cute!

If you ever start a blog other than on DIS please post the link here. Looking forward to reading that too!

Thanks so much! 3 days is a lot of time when life is interfering, so I'm honoured!

It's an interesting nature/nurture question - is it just Conor's nature to not be interested in characters, or did we make him that way? (If we did - it wasn't on purpose... honest!) We never forced him to sit on Santa's lap either - didn't want to line up when he was 6 months, at 1.5 it would have been torturing the kid so we didn't try, and at 2.5 we got this far:

(What do you mean, not everyone goes to see Santa in a fire fighter hat, carrying a spatula? Did I miss that section in the ever-missing manual that was supposed to come with the kid?)

His "magic" is talking to people not dressed up in costume (complete strangers are good for this, particularly), and his imagination - best if these two are combined. We like to say we nurture his nature, and we're all happier for it. Plus, it's fun, because you get to hear about the near-famous sneaky pee.

And with that, we must have our always-entertaining family supper. Last night, when DH and I were discussing my sister's recent, um, tailbone injury (she fell at Winterlude in Ottawa), Conor proclaimed: "We should not be discussing other people's bottoms at the dinner table. It's bad manners." So, tonight, we'll just discuss our own rear-ends, it seems.

 

[Ensusieasm]

Now that's what we're talking about! We want more of that! You should have hosted the Oscars! You and Conor! Maybe next year?!

 

[Conorama]

Now that's what we're talking about! We want more of that! You should have hosted the Oscars! You and Conor! Maybe next year?!

I watched about 30 seconds this year, and ... went to bed. Seemed appropriate. Not nearly as fun as hearing the rules from the 4.5 year old male version of Ms. Manners.

 

[bgdyer916]

I am booked in 9120 in September with my mother and my DS (18 months old). Can you tell me if the tub was a round one or the bigger oval one? I'm hoping its one of the smaller round ones. Thank you.

 

[Conorama]

I am booked in 9120 in September with my mother and my DS (18 months old). Can you tell me if the tub was a round one or the bigger oval one? I'm hoping its one of the smaller round ones. Thank you.

Lovely and round. It's an awesome room!

 

[bgdyer916]

Lovely and round. It's an awesome room!

Thank you very much. Glad to hear its a quiet room too. Really enjoyed your review.

 

[Msmit002]

Hello there!

I just spent an embarrassing amount of time reading your trip report when I should be crunching statistics on my research for my graduate thesis. I especially enjoyed your pithy writing and candid view of your entire trip from start to finish. Normally I just lurk and read, but I just had to respond...

First, I believe I have a glimpse into your future. My Conor, age eight (yes, the Irish spelling. Yes, people goof it frequently) is so amazingly similar to your Conor. Right down to the medium brown hair and dark eyes. Anyway, now in third grade, he is just as inquisitive and talkative as he was at age four, albeit with more social graces than before. He is more comfortable conversing with adults and older kids than children his age, but I wonder if it is because he has no siblings and he spends a fair amount of time with adults. I laughed heartily at your recounting of how many times you played the Mystery game aboard the ship. We had a very similar experience at Great Wolf Lodge and the MagiQuest game. I'm sure your Conor will love it once he's about age six and beyond, if you ever go someplace that has MagiQuest. Reading about his antics (we too had sneaky pee) sparked a similar trip down memory lane.

Second, as for the whole Disney thing and the magic... Interestingly, one of my father's duty assignments was Southern California so I visited Disneyland a few times in the two years we were there. Fast-forward nearly 20 years and my husband and I spent our honeymoon in Disney World - first time either of us had been. It just looked like fun (and it was. Exhausting, but fun). So, 16 years later, we finally went back to DisneyWorld and we took Conor with us. We had a blast but, like you, don't see the need to go with any regularity. Don't get me wrong, I don't think we are anti-Disney, we just aren't (gasp!) Disney fanatics.

With that said, many of our friends that have sailed DCL are similar to my family - not anti mouse, but not fanatics either and they all have said they enjoy DCL the best for many reasons. So, we are looking at the possibility of going on a DCL cruise this year - which would be a record for us. Two Disney trips in decade.

Oh! I will end with this... So, we have already talked to Conor about the possibility of booking a DCL cruise and he surprised me with his take on the Disney characters. He said that he felt sorry for the people that had to dress up. He thought that it must be roasting in the costumes, hanging out in the Caribbean sun and heat. I explained to him that this is their job, they get paid to do it and that many of them actually enjoy it as it brings smiles to people's faces. He thought about it for a second and he said, "We'll, I'm glad that they make people happy. I wouldn't want to be on vacation with unhappy people." I think he hit the nail on head. A vacation is what you make of it. And it seems that you all have a great time, despite not being fanatics. And you, I surmise, are not alone.

Fabulous TR!

 

[Conorama]

Hello there!

I just spent an embarrassing amount of time reading your trip report when I should be crunching statistics on my research for my graduate thesis. I especially enjoyed your pithy writing and candid view of your entire trip from start to finish. Normally I just lurk and read, but I just had to respond...

First, I believe I have a glimpse into your future. My Conor, age eight (yes, the Irish spelling. Yes, people goof it frequently) is so amazingly similar to your Conor. Right down to the medium brown hair and dark eyes. Anyway, now in third grade, he is just as inquisitive and talkative as he was at age four, albeit with more social graces than before. He is more comfortable conversing with adults and older kids than children his age, but I wonder if it is because he has no siblings and he spends a fair amount of time with adults. I laughed heartily at your recounting of how many times you played the Mystery game aboard the ship. We had a very similar experience at Great Wolf Lodge and the MagiQuest game. I'm sure your Conor will love it once he's about age six and beyond, if you ever go someplace that has MagiQuest. Reading about his antics (we too had sneaky pee) sparked a similar trip down memory lane.

Second, as for the whole Disney thing and the magic... Interestingly, one of my father's duty assignments was Southern California so I visited Disneyland a few times in the two years we were there. Fast-forward nearly 20 years and my husband and I spent our honeymoon in Disney World - first time either of us had been. It just looked like fun (and it was. Exhausting, but fun). So, 16 years later, we finally went back to DisneyWorld and we took Conor with us. We had a blast but, like you, don't see the need to go with any regularity. Don't get me wrong, I don't think we are anti-Disney, we just aren't (gasp!) Disney fanatics.

With that said, many of our friends that have sailed DCL are similar to my family - not anti mouse, but not fanatics either and they all have said they enjoy DCL the best for many reasons. So, we are looking at the possibility of going on a DCL cruise this year - which would be a record for us. Two Disney trips in decade.

Oh! I will end with this... So, we have already talked to Conor about the possibility of booking a DCL cruise and he surprised me with his take on the Disney characters. He said that he felt sorry for the people that had to dress up. He thought that it must be roasting in the costumes, hanging out in the Caribbean sun and heat. I explained to him that this is their job, they get paid to do it and that many of them actually enjoy it as it brings smiles to people's faces. He thought about it for a second and he said, "We'll, I'm glad that they make people happy. I wouldn't want to be on vacation with unhappy people." I think he hit the nail on head. A vacation is what you make of it. And it seems that you all have a great time, despite not being fanatics. And you, I surmise, are not alone.

Fabulous TR!

Thanks for coming out of lurk-dom - I'm honoured! If I can provide a break from statistics, I feel I've accomplished something good in life.

Glad to hear life with an 8-year-old Conor is a good place to be! 4.5 year old Conor is mostly great, but there might be periods of incessant whining, and not listening, if I'm being honest. Might those be gone in your world? Good to know about MagiQuest - there is a GWL not far from here, and I've wondered about it. That might work for us- there are pools/slides, and, heck, we know someone likes those! Oh, and is there hope that I don't have to have long and public conversations about peeing and private body parts at some point in my future? One has to have dreams in life.

(As I type, he's leading DH through an imaginary muddy swamp in our kitchen- for the record, our cleaning lady/goddess was by yesterday, so there is not even a speck... - they're off to look for treasure in the muddy swamp of mud-land, we're told ... with his trusty spy-scope. I hear they just hit dinosaur island...)

I'm not sure we can keep up with your pace - wow - 2 trips in a decade. Crazy. I'm exhausted thinking about it! (We may well be back within a decade, though, even I will admit ... or we might check out the other Disney stuff - I hear there is something in Florida?)

"We'll, I'm glad that they make people happy. I wouldn't want to be on vacation with unhappy people." <- That rocks. Good on Conor!

Thanks for reading, again, and good luck with the graduate thesis. I took (ahem) 6.5 years to do a part-time degree that was supposed to take 5. I would like to point out I had a child and took on a brand new job with way more responsibility in the middle of that, and, to be blunt, I did bupkis for 2 whole years, so technically, I finished in 4.5 years of actual work (yes, I'm delusional). It's an amazing feeling to be done. I don't envy you the stats (they make me break out in hives, I swear), so maybe you do need a good vacation to look forward to ... wherever that may be.

 

[Msmit002]

If I can provide a break from statistics, I feel I've accomplished something good in life.

Admittedly, I like the statistics. It's the defense that will kill me.

...but there might be periods of incessant whining, and not listening, if I'm being honest. Might those be gone in your world?

Well... The incessant whining has largely abated and has been replaced with constant, but well reasoned, arguments that would make a seasoned litigator blush. The not listening? We're still working on that. But the parental units have developed a mean 'Stink-eye' to indicate the end of the game du jour.

Good to know about MagiQuest - there is a GWL not far from here, and I've wondered about it. That might work for us- there are pools/slides, and, heck, we know someone likes those!

The good news is that there is plenty to do at GWL, not just water activities. Although, we did find that two days is about all we can spend there so overall it can be a nice, short and inexpensive burst of fun.

Oh, and is there hope that I don't have to have long and public conversations about peeing and private body parts at some point in my future? One has to have dreams in life.

Well, I make no promises. I believe that the lifelong love for potty humor comes with the Y chromosome. So, you will likely trade frantic bellows in an effort to avert disaster for admonishments of crude or perhaps raunchy comments (looking ahead to the teenaged Conor.)

As I type, he's leading DH through an imaginary muddy swamp in our kitchen- for the record, our cleaning lady/goddess was by yesterday, so there is not even a speck... - they're off to look for treasure in the muddy swamp of mud-land, we're told ... with his trusty spy-scope. I hear they just hit dinosaur island...

I promise, you will miss this brilliant imagination if your Conor is acting like mine and realizes, sooner than most, the difference between real and fantasy. What I didn't say before, about the characters, is that my Conor was never really afraid of them. He just always saw them for what they were: people in costume. A part of me wishes we had some of the childlike suspension of disbelief, but I suppose it's the price we pay for having a uniquely minded child.

I'm not sure we can keep up with your pace - wow - 2 trips in a decade.

I know, right? Hey, we live on the edge here. Such is the life of a geek, a scientist and their progeny.

I took (ahem) 6.5 years to do a part-time degree that was supposed to take 5. I would like to point out I had a child and took on a brand new job with way more responsibility in the middle of that, and, to be blunt, I did bupkis for 2 whole years, so technically, I finished in 4.5 years of actual work (yes, I'm delusional). It's an amazing feeling to be done.

Finishing is the most important feat. I'm blessed with a supportive employer, and even more supportive husband and a good support system (yaaay Grandma!) which is allowing me to finish in three. In return, I have a self-imposed hiatus on any semblance of a social life until this little adventure ends. Luckily, I can break away at times, thus the cruise research. Your TR was particularly helpful.

 

[Conorama]

Admittedly, I like the statistics. It's the defense that will kill me.

Defense was exhausting, but worse were the 2 full days of "minor revisions" (which I prepared for, fortunately) with a drop-dead deadline looming. Just like arriving at the airport with a child - you think you're done, but then you're not - ARGH!

Well... The incessant whining has largely abated and has been replaced with constant, but well reasoned, arguments that would make a seasoned litigator blush. The not listening? We're still working on that. But the parental units have developed a mean 'Stink-eye' to indicate the end of the game du jour.

Oh dear- this will be my future. Last summer (just turned 4), I lost this one:

Conor: Mom- can I have a popsicle for breakfast? (We had made them the night before)
Me: No, bud, sorry - but we don't have popsicles for breakfast.
Conor: But Mom - we made them from yogurt, orange juice, and strawberries, and we eat those things for breakfast all the time.
Me: (Long pause, as I try to detect a flaw in his logic. Mourn the loss of my ever winning an argument again.) OK, bud, you're right. Have a popsicle.

I'm blessed with a supportive employer, and even more supportive husband and a good support system (yaaay Grandma!) which is allowing me to finish in three. In return, I have a self-imposed hiatus on any semblance of a social life until this little adventure ends. Luckily, I can break away at times, thus the cruise research. Your TR was particularly helpful.

Glad to help! Now, to look into this fabled social life you speak of... but, Sherlock Holmes is on PBS, so maybe I'll just procrastinate on that one for now...

 

[Ensusieasm]

Wish I had one of those Popsicles! They sound delicious! I deserve one..... because ....I finished packing last night !.... And I don't leave for the airport until early Friday morning! Everything is in a carryon roller and an under seat personal tote..... Swapped our pre cruise night at the Hyatt for a night at a Disney Resort, because we just couldn't get over the fact that we were in Orlando and not going to see the annual Epcot Flower and Garden show. Still going to come back to the airport to drop off our rental car and take that first bus to the pier. The resort buses just get to the port so late.
So glad you are still blogging..... I'll probably have some last minute questions.

 

[Conorama]

Wish I had one of those Popsicles! They sound delicious! I deserve one..... because ....I finished packing last night !.... And I don't leave for the airport until early Friday morning! Everything is in a carryon roller and an under seat personal tote..... Swapped our pre cruise night at the Hyatt for a night at a Disney Resort, because we just couldn't get over the fact that we were in Orlando and not going to see the annual Epcot Flower and Garden show. Still going to come back to the airport to drop off our rental car and take that first bus to the pier. The resort buses just get to the port so late.
So glad you are still blogging..... I'll probably have some last minute questions.

Hey- congratulations on being done packing! I've never been able to swing finishing until the night before ... or the morning we leave, to be totally honest. I would blame Conor for that, but I wasn't able to in the PK years (pre-kid) so that's not it.

That's amazingly light packing - wow!

Happy to answer last minute questions - I hope the weather is looking great for you. (And yes, the popsicles were yummy, but they were not intended as breakfast food )

 

[binkytell]

Loved reading your report even if or maybe because you didn't
Gush about all things disney , this coming from a disney addict who is
Packing for our 2 week transatlantic disney magic cruise in 10 weeks.

 

[Conorama]

Loved reading your report even if or maybe because you didn't
Gush about all things disney , this coming from a disney addict who is
Packing for our 2 week transatlantic disney magic cruise in 10 weeks.

Thanks! I think I'm missing the gushing gene.

Have a great time on your transatlantic cruise- something you could literally not pay me to go on!

 

[Ensusieasm]

Well, just two days to go and it's snowing hard here, but luckily it should stop by midnight, and with sun tomorrow, my Friday departure should be in the clear. I do have a last minute question. Is there some kind of "voucher" I need for the bus? All I have are luggage sticker tags and the page in the booklet that says we are signed up for Disney Bus Transfers. Is that considered the "voucher"? Thank you!

 

[Conorama]

Well, just two days to go and it's snowing hard here, but luckily it should stop by midnight, and with sun tomorrow, my Friday departure should be in the clear. I do have a last minute question. Is there some kind of "voucher" I need for the bus? All I have are luggage sticker tags and the page in the booklet that says we are signed up for Disney Bus Transfers. Is that considered the "voucher"? Thank you!

2 days is very exciting, even with the snow. Good luck, regardless!

Somewhere in your cruise documents, it says you've paid for DCL transport - when you check in at the ground transportation area, they'll just ask for your documents and go from there. I think they then just gave us pictures of Stitch, and told us that when they called for the Stitch group, we should go line up, if I remember correctly. (Aren't you impressed that I a) remembered the character, and b) knew its name? Conor just called him (I think it's a him?) the purple friendly monster. Nope, we haven't seen the movie!)

As I said, on the way back, I realized I didn't have my documents anymore, but that was not a problem since it's noted on your KTTW card.

Have fun!

 

[Ensusieasm]

Thank you for your speedy reply! Now I won't stress! Yes! I am impressed that you recognized Stitch! Perhaps you saw a preview at the movies or a trailer on TV. I never saw the movie either, but Stich has his own attraction at Magic Kingdom ( not sure if its still there) and I did go on that once. I'm just a big kid! The snow stopped ahead of schedule and tomorrow's sun will help prepare my runway! Now I'm going to do my homework since I have the snow day off from teaching.....and go read your entire trip report all over again from the start!
What are the sock pals up to today?

 

[Conorama]

Thank you for your speedy reply! Now I won't stress! Yes! I am impressed that you recognized Stitch! Perhaps you saw a preview at the movies or a trailer on TV. I never saw the movie either, but Stich has his own attraction at Magic Kingdom ( not sure if its still there) and I did go on that once. I'm just a big kid! The snow stopped ahead of schedule and tomorrow's sun will help prepare my runway! Now I'm going to do my homework since I have the snow day off from teaching.....and go read your entire trip report all over again from the start!
What are the sock pals up to today?

I can usually recognize that a character is from Disney - just hard to remember names/which movie, etc. My brain is too full with other facts, like where the quiet public washrooms are.

Snow day off from teaching? NICE. Enjoy your vacation! The sockies were sick this morning, I was told, but they were feeling better by the end of the day, though DH got in royal trouble for having put them in a laundry basket full of stuff that needed to go upstairs. We frequently can't do much right, it seems!