10/20/2013 Disney Magic Miami Double Dip

[ksinglet]

I just wanted to say hi to everyone!!! I've been lurking here & on facebook for awhile, but haven't jumped in on any conversations!! I decided that I needed to do some research tonight & decide on a hotel for our night prior to the cruise. I've been putting it off.......haven't decided yet. Has anyone else booked a room in Miami???

 

[iloverags2]

I just wanted to say hi to everyone!!! I've been lurking here & on facebook for awhile, but haven't jumped in on any conversations!! I decided that I needed to do some research tonight & decide on a hotel for our night prior to the cruise. I've been putting it off.......haven't decided yet. Has anyone else booked a room in Miami???

I have three reservations and need to figure out which one we are keeping!

First is at Holiday Inn University Coral Gables. Main reason for this one...Univ of Miami is my alma mater. We are getting in on Friday evening so I can spend Saturday at the bookstore and just wandering around campus (and meeting up with friends down there).

I also have reservations at La Quinta Inn & Suites Airport East and Comfort Inn & Suites Airport North. Both of those have free shuttles to the port (but not for a return - they do for return only if you are spending the night after the cruise as well).

Which one I keep will depend on things such as renting cars (one-way for each leg) vs. driving our own, parking needs during the cruise, etc.

As for ratings on the hotels...the Holiday Inn is going through renovations right now. Back during my time in Miami (in the mid 90's) it was a decent place to stay...more recent reviews are less than thrilling, but I think with the updates it should be a good place once again. From what I understand the updates should be done by October.

The other two hotels by the airport both have decent reviews on TripAdvisor, with the Comfort Suites Airport North having some really good reviews! (The cost is just slightly higher than La Quinta.)

Oh, by the way...welcome aboard!

 

[Silverfox97]

I just wanted to say hi to everyone!!! I've been lurking here & on facebook for awhile, but haven't jumped in on any conversations!! I decided that I needed to do some research tonight & decide on a hotel for our night prior to the cruise. I've been putting it off.......haven't decided yet. Has anyone else booked a room in Miami???

We booked the Hampton Inn Blue Lagoon. We have friends that recommended it to us - they stated there before their cruise. We chose it because of the Stay & Cruise package - it includes 14 days of parking in a gated parking garage.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Sparkypluto]

Jumping onboard for this cruise ! Just got off the Magic yesterday and the crew is super excited about the changes coming. DH and I decided we needed to see the "new" girl as soon as we could, so we booked the cruise. (Double dip doesn't hurt either!).

 

[taylor3297]

We are debating on staying at the Comfort Suites or the hotel at the Miami airport.

Comfort Suites has free transfers to the hotel and too the port. After the cruise we would have to arrange transfer back to hotel.

The hotel at the airport costs a bit more, but we can purchase the transfer from the airport to the port and back.

Does anyone know about what time DCL buses pick up after the cruise?

 

[ZoneOrr]

Hello everyone!!! My Bestie and I are doing a Mother daughter trip! We just booked today so were pretty excited!!!! I need info please, is there a fish extender started and is there a Facebook page????

 

[EvaSue]

Hello everyone!!! My Bestie and I are doing a Mother daughter trip! We just booked today so were pretty excited!!!! I need info please, is there a fish extender started and is there a Facebook page????

Welcome! There is an FE and a Facebook page, you shouldn't have to look too far back on the thread to see that info posted. Glad to have you girls joining in the fun!!

 

[tlcoke]

We aren't going straight home after the cruise. We do need to be in Orlando by 5:30 PM if not earlier .

I know our group is planning on renting a car or two and traveling to Orlando after the cruise. From my understanding the drive is approximately 4 hours depending on traffic on the Turnpike.

 

[jeanigor]

I know our group is planning on renting a car or two and traveling to Orlando after the cruise. From my understanding the drive is approximately 4 hours depending on traffic on the Turnpike.

We drove to WDW from Fort Lauderdale (slightly north of Miami) after disembarking from the Oasis of the Seas on Saturday morning.

We picked up the car a bit after 9 and were at the Wide World of Sports picking up our Expedition Everest Challenge bibs by 12:30~12:45, even with parking in the double overflow lot. I am the king of bathroom stops, so we also stopped frequently.

 

[taylor3297]

I know our group is planning on renting a car or two and traveling to Orlando after the cruise. From my understanding the drive is approximately 4 hours depending on traffic on the Turnpike.

We drove to WDW from Fort Lauderdale (slightly north of Miami) after disembarking from the Oasis of the Seas on Saturday morning.

We picked up the car a bit after 9 and were at the Wide World of Sports picking up our Expedition Everest Challenge bibs by 12:30~12:45, even with parking in the double overflow lot. I am the king of bathroom stops, so we also stopped frequently.

We had considered renting a car, but neither dh and I really like to drive. Then we would need to return the car to the airport or somewhere else, and we didn't want to have to figure all that our.

Thanks for the information. I am going to save it as a back up plan.

 

[iloverags2]

Jumping onboard for this cruise ! Just got off the Magic yesterday and the crew is super excited about the changes coming. DH and I decided we needed to see the "new" girl as soon as we could, so we booked the cruise. (Double dip doesn't hurt either!).

Welcome aboard! How awesome you just sailed and will be returning to sail so soon!

Does anyone know about what time DCL buses pick up after the cruise?

I'm guessing the DCL buses are ready and waiting for departure as soon as the ship begins disembarkation. Call DCL and see what they say!

Hello everyone!!! My Bestie and I are doing a Mother daughter trip! We just booked today so were pretty excited!!!! I need info please, is there a fish extender started and is there a Facebook page????

Welcome aboard! There is an FE started...PM TheBeadPirate as she is heading up the group. There is also a Facebook page...I will have to get that link when I get home tonight (my work blocks FB from our Internet access). You can search the group which is named Disney Magic 10/20/2013.

I know our group is planning on renting a car or two and traveling to Orlando after the cruise. From my understanding the drive is approximately 4 hours depending on traffic on the Turnpike.

It's just under 4 hours if you take the Turnpike (just over 4 hours going up I-95). Keep in mind we will be returning to Miami on a Friday morning, so you will need to build in some rush hour travel time as well.

Are we really just over 5 months away from cruise time???

 

[Bonniec]

Is our cruise sold out? I went to look yesterday and nothing came up.

 

[jeanigor]

Is our cruise sold out? I went to look yesterday and nothing came up.

If it was sold out, it isn't now. I found most categories available.

 

[amandajunebug]

Getting super excited! The energy is great here! We are making our FE and are so ready! Question for everyone that has been on a Disney cruise before. Can you tell me the different stuff I should pack for? I heard about the White Party, and the Pirate Night. What else?

 

[EvaSue]

What White Party??

 

[ethanash1]

What White Party??

I've never heard of a White Party either.... What is it??

 

[amandajunebug]

I've never heard of a White Party either.... What is it??

One of my friends mentioned an evening dance party where everyone wears white..... Hmmmmm

 

[EvaSue]

She's makin stuff up, haha!

 

[amandajunebug]

She's makin stuff up, haha!

That wouldn't surprise me lol

 

[jeanigor]

What White Party??

I've never heard of a White Party either.... What is it??

I was waiting until I got a computer to read the answer to this as I hadn't heard of a white party on DCL before either.

That being said, we could start one on our own....