March 29, 2013 8 Nights on the Magic

[QueenEleanor]

The ground transportation available from Disney ($60 per person round trip) from Houston Airport to the ship and back leaves from the Marriot hotel at the airport. This is also the "official" hotel that Disney puts you up in if they provide flights for you. My recommendation would then be to stay at this hotel if you can swing it.

We too are coming from SoCal flying out of LAX. I made my travel arrangements through Disney as they will fly us out the day before the cruise, and put us up in the hotel, and bus us to and from the ship.

As for the liquids, yes, you can bring your own. This is especially cost effective if you bring wine. If you bring the bottle to the dinner table you will have to pay a corkage fee (forget how much it is...but the Palo corkage fee is $20!) but if you open it in your cabin, pour it into a glass, and carry the glass to dinner...no corkage fee! I'm not much of a wine drinker but my BIL with whom I was on the Panama Canal trip last month is quite a connoisseur. But even he can't drink an entire bottle by himself ha ha! So he kept his bottle(s) in his cabin and would stop at one of the lounges and get a glass so he could enjoy some wine in his cabin in the afternoon while reading.

[QueenEleanor]

Whoops. Forgot to say that the character breakfast date and time depends upon your dining rotation.

[BlueMarlin]

Originally Posted by sranes

We live near Disney CA but could really use some help on WDW - is the ticket to Epcot or Park? What is most fun to do at either for adventurous kids? Any place not to pass up for eating?
Thanks to the FE s'sheet guru! I use Google doccs also so can help if you need it.

Christi and I were at WDW twice in 2012. We looked into the day we are going and it's a red day. So even though our tix are park hoppers we are worried about leaving one park and then getting locked out. So we are picking the most important thing and taking the early bus there. Then hopping and hoping. On a red day they only have to guarantee admission to a park not your choice of parks and not guaranteed hopping.
If you can hop there are a few key things in each park that are must sees. We have DisBoard friends that did all four parks in one day and were looking raggedy at the end. They stayed till last bus and said never again.
You can eat around the world at Epcot and last time I did at quick service it came in at $300 for me. Had to have a beer in Canada and Italy since no quick food.
This is getting long, so I will add posts for my must do rides and food in posts to come.

[BlueMarlin]

Thanks for the help offer. I will update the list Monday and check the link.

[BlueMarlin]

Originally Posted by BlueMarlin

Thanks for the help offer. I will update the list Monday and check the link.

Here is the FE Link:
FE List


Susie, you are added.

There are a few room numbers for guarantees, or that have not been provided yet. If yours is missing, please let me know when you can.

[BlueMarlin]

Originally Posted by Nanato2

My granddaughter, Kylee (14), is looking forward to meeting girls close to her age so she can have some friends to go to the club with. This is our first cruise and I know there is supposed to be a "meet" when we can all get together so the kids can meet.

Yes, it is traditionally on the first day of the cruise, and I will let smarter people pick the time. I remember the life boat drill leads into the sail away party, so perhaps before the lifeboat drill? Suggestions?

[BlueMarlin]

Originally Posted by disneymom13176

Hey! Do we have a current count somewhere on the FE list? I need to start ordering supplies and a general idea of where our count is at would really be helpful.

The google doc is back online and updated.

I have the cabin count at 10 - 12 right now. If you need people, then we are at 18 - 24 Adults, ~14 Teens, ~12 Children.

There is a second page to the Google doc, and it has a running tally. The people count is accurate, but the Room count is low because I am only officially counting rooms with numbers, I may need to update the algorithm, to deal with guarantees.

[stsomewhere]

The best place for a cruise meet is 3 pm in the promenade lounge on Deck 3.

[BlueMarlin]

In response to Susie's request for help at WDW for recommendations for adventurous tweenager's, I would suspect that each of us could provide the "best rides" and "best eats" at our favorite parks, and there may be some alternate opinions on what is best.

So, hypothetically speaking, if you had one day in Disney, what would you try to hit, and when, to maximize your experience? Would you run to the Safari or Everest at AK to start your day, or would you run to Mission Space or Soarin' at EPCOT, knowing that the fast passes are going to go? Would you give up all that to sprint through Studios for the elusive Buzz Lightyear Fast Pass? Do you take the time for a sit down meal or keep up the pace at the quick service?

Are there some links that you know of to professionally recommended routes in other forums on the DisBoard?

Also, what is your best bite ever at WDW? Honorable mention to the Chef's Table at V&A if you have done that, but in the parks is more practical. You could mention categories like entree, dessert, quick service, etc.

[stsomewhere]

Originally Posted by BlueMarlin

The google doc is back online and updated.

I have the cabin count at 10 - 12 right now. If you need people, then we are at 18 - 24 Adults, ~14 Teens, ~12 Children.

There is a second page to the Google doc, and it has a running tally. The people count is accurate, but the Room count is low because I am only officially counting rooms with numbers, I may need to update the algorithm, to deal with guarantees.

You need to change it. It is only showing 5 cabins right now. Also, would you please put a space between our cabins .
Jordan and Terick will be in the Tween group.

Thanks

[stsomewhere]

Epcot- Flower show

We will be eating at Sunshine seasons in The Land pavillion. They have the best desserts.

Mexic0- Nachos and churros and margaritas for adults

China- Orange chicken (MAtt)

America- steak and funnel cakes (Marina)


We will be spending time at the jumping water fountain.

[Mistylynn526]

Hi, I'm pretty sure we are booking our cruise tomorrow!!!! We are traveling with my MIL/FIL they are experiences cruisers, but my husband and kiddos have never been on a cruise. My son is 5 and my daughter is 3. They are thrilled! I've just read a little bit about the FE and saw a few things on pinterest and etsy. It looks like lots of fun and I'm sure my kids would love it. How can we join and what exactly do we need to do? Also any good tips on thing we need for a cruise or need to see/do? Thanks!!!!

[LuvtheEars]

I just booked our flight this morning! Everything is coming together! We are flying in the day before using Galveston Limousine service to the hotel in Galveston and back to the airport post cruise. We have a day at the beach in Galveston and will take a taxi from the hotel to the port!

This is going to be the best Spring Break ever! Normally we just stay home. The beaches in NC are nice, but March/April is still too cold for me.

The Bahamas are a better choice!

This is so exciting!

We would like to join the Meet too. I think 3pm in the promenade lounge a great location.

[sranes]

So sorry to cause any trouble but we have had to, at least temporarily change our spring break plans.
It looks like the cruise is out so please do not add us to FE. If things change, I will repost.
If you are new to the FE you will really enjoy it - especially with 4 sea days and time to scamper around to all the cabins and drop off goodies. Personally, I think the shorter cruises are too busy to do an FE.
Everyone have a great trip

[zzelenia]

Hello everyone, can someone help me to be in the right direcction, we are cruisin in the Dream Cruise feb. 21-24 and we will like to participated with the FE but I can not find any information. please help me.. thank you. We are four two girls 7 and 6 and we are deck # 7 cabin no to sure where to find that. ...