???’s Tip, Time we leave WDW, Excursions & Discovery Magic Package

[vjmartin]

Hi, I have been stalking these boards for about 10 months (I guess you could say I’m addicted), around the time we decided to do an all girls 7-night Land & Sea Cruise and I have to say they are so informative. Questions I would have never even thought to ask. Now my trusty notebook is just about full with all the little tips and answers to question that a first time cruiser should be aware of and need to know.

Our vacation is not until July 18th but I’m a planner and here are a few questions I need a little more info on any help would be appreciated.

1) The tips do we give it directly to the person it goes to or does Disney take it off our room bill and give it to the correct person?

2) What time will we leave WDW for the ship? Just wondering if we would have time for a Character Breakfast this A.M. or to wonder through one of the parks before we leave.

3) Any suggestion on a shore excursion in Nassau for 2-mom’s and 2-DD’s a 7 and 9yr old. Since we live in Oklahoma and don’t get to go the beach that often (this will be my 3rd time to go the beach and everybody else their 2nd time) I would like to spend it at the beach, but I’m open to suggestions.

a. I’ve read a lot of conflicting reports about the Blue Lagoon Beach Day. Discover Atlantis sounds neat, but the Atlantis Beach Day sound wonderful too. What kind of food is the coupon good for does it include soft drinks? I know there is not any use of the slides and pools at Atlantis with this beach day, but did your children want the pools or the beach? The pools sound nice but there is a pool on the boat and we want to visit one of the water parks a WDW while we are there.

b. We would also like to do some shopping in Nassau any suggestions on where?

c. Will this be too much to do while in Nassau??

d. I’m also worried that if I do not go ahead a reserve our excursions 60-days in advance we won’t get to do them. Has anyone had any problems reserving after the 60-day mark (before you leave for your cruise?)?? The same thing with the Castaway Cay (for the getaway package) do I need to reserve it 60-days out also?

4) Anyone ever add the Discovery Magic Package to the Land part of your trip?? Did you feel like you got your moneys worth??

5) Money do you think $800 would be enough for DD and myself?

Any information would be helpful.

Thank you,

vjmartin

 

[NCRedding]

I can answer some of your questions, and can bump you up to get some other answers. TIPS: Envelopes will be left on your bed or in your cabin. If paying cash, just put in it the envelope, and hand to server, etc. If you charge your tips, guest services will give you a slip showing the amount charged, you put that into the envelope and give that to the person. IN Oct. we left WDW at 11 going to the port--we parked the car so we had no trouble with shuttles--were able to get on board, eat lunch and get Palo's ressies with no trouble. I didn't try for spa ressies. We ate that am at Crystal Palace: it worked great for us. In January, we left Orlando a little later than 11:15 , got to the ship, made ressies for Palo, and for massage on Castaway with no problem. I believe there is a way to do AK and use disney transfers, but I've never done it. We didn't do excursions in Nassau. OUr DD stayed on the ship in the lab, while we walked around Nassau, and went to the straw market for cheap t-shirts and souvenirs. Can't help with the rest, but maybe someone else can.

 

[albiats]

I'll try some answers also:

For the tips, if you use cash, you put it in the envelope and give it to the person in the dining room on the last evening. If you don't see the cabin steward, you can leave the envelope on the bed if you don't see them, but they do make themselves available that evening. If you want it to be added to your staeroom account, you go to the Guest Services desk and they have a form where you fill in the amounts. They print the gratuity stubs for you with the names of the cast member on them, you out them in te envelopes and distribute them. I have always preferred to use the stubs with their names on it.

I haven't been too concerned with booking excursions before boarding, unless you want one at a specific time. Most of them have adequate capacity, especially on Castway Cay, except for the motorized boats or parasailing. We have been on two DCL cruises before they did pre-booking and never had a problem then either.

As for the question is $800 enough for you and DD, if you mean for the cruise only, I'd say probably. If it's for both the Land and Sea, I'd say maybe. Just for the cruise, if you didn't use the Spa or the gift shops too often, it should be fine. If it's for the Land and the Sea portion, you have to consider the meals at the Parks. A character meal for one adult and one 9 year old would be $40 easily, with tip.

I have never used the Discovery Magic option.

We have been to Nassau but have only shopped along the main street and the Straw Market, and never for a large item like jewelry. We liked the Del Sol shop, they have the tshirts and hats that go from black and white to full color when exposed to the Sunshine. We also have some straw items like hats and hand bags.

We did the Discover Atlantis tour on a previous cruise. My DW wasn't feeling that well and it was very humid that day. We walked through the aquarium at Atlantis and it was interesting, but just not exciting. After about 75 minutes, we told the guide that we were leaving the tour and we went to the hotel entrance and took a land taxi back to the ship, We showered, had a cool drink, and relaxed until dinner. You do get to walk past several area where the Atlantis pools are visible and all of the kids would go 'Wow!'.

The Atlantis Beach Day would give you use of their beach and also the Aquarium. It sounds like a better deal and more fo what your group would rather do.

hope that helps

 

[inkkognito]

We have done Discovery Magic, although not as part of the cruise package. You can definitely get your money's worth if you have a taste for fine dining and are willing to devote the time to going to the more expensive restaurants. We plot out our strategy via the menus on www.wdwig.com and have always come out way ahead of the price. The servers are glad when you order the more expensive items because their tip is calculated based on what the bill would be (and of course that's included too). We go to places like Jiko, Chefs D'France, the Living Seas, etc. Eventually you actually get tired of eating...we also spend a couple of the points on something like horseback riding or spa treatments. It's a very decadent way to vacation.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[vicnmickey]

They offer an option with the land portion of doing the character breakfast at Animal Kingdom. I am unsure of the name right now. When you check into the hotel you tell them you want the Animal Character Breakfast with the DCL bus pickup at the park. You leave your luggage outside your hotel room before checking out and head over too Animal Kingdom. Upon arriving you check in at the DCL desk, check all your carryon luggage and head over for breakfast. You go back to the DCL desk at 12:15 to get on a bus headed for port. This will also give you a short time to enjoy the park after breakfast. Hope this helps.

 

[vjmartin]

Thanks for everyone's help.

vjmartin

 

[PiperG]

Dear VJMartin,

I saw on your profile you did the cabins at Fort Wilderness. Was that really like camping? DH wants to stay there in '04 but I am hesitant as camping for me is a hotel without room service.

Thanks for your help.

 

[vjmartin]

We loved the Cabins @ Fort Wilderness. The cabins are actually a trailor house (with log cabin siding). They are a "home away from home." Each can sleep 6, they have a kitchen, living area (with a pull down double bed), 1 bathroom & 1 bedroom(with a double bed and bunk beds. They do have housekeeping daily, but no room service. Fort Wilderness does have its own internal bus system.

We really liked having the kitchen and grill outside, since we brought (we drove to WDW) steak, chicken, hot dogs & hamburgers just for that purpose(btw the groceries at the settlement were pretty high$$). We were able to take a break during the day and have a sandwich, or go have dinner at our cabin as a family. I know not many people enjoy cooking on vacation and would rather be pampered(me inclulded), but it was nice to get away from the crowd and just be with the family. Then of course go back to the parks.

The pools are nice. If you go make sure you make prior reservations for a golf cart its the best way to get around at Fort Wilderness(you can do this 1 yr in advance). The Back Yard BBQ is a Fort Wilderness we also did this it was great. They have the campfire program(I thank that's what its called), the hayride, the petting zoo. I could go on forever. There is just so much to do.

As for Fort Wilderness it was nothing like camping, I've been camping (really camping) in a tent when it was raining this was nothing like it.

Nice, Clean, Quiet, great for familes.

If this didn't answer any specific you might have just e-mail me @
vjmartin@sstelco.com

I hope that helps a little.
VJMartin

 

[PiperG]

Thanks so much. That was exactly what I was looking for!