06/24/2006 - Special Western Cruise - Who Else!?

[jtjcwise]

I hope to link up with some of you who have kids or similar ages or who are experienced cruisers who can provide recos on excursions, etc. DH and I will be accompanied by DS--will have just turned 13; DD-will have just turned 9, and DS-6. This is our first cruise, so we a lot to learn!

We have 2 DSs. The oldest will be 9 in February and the youngest will be 6 also in February. We did the 4 day Disney Cruise this past June.

Haven't been on for awhile, but have been busy and out of town alot. We will be arriving in Orlando on 6/22 and staying at the Wilderness Lodge for 2 nights before the cruise. Not sure if we are flying or driving, but am watching the airfares daily. Have looked at excursbut not sure what we will do since we have 7 ranging from 71 to 6.

 

[Jillpie]

Jeff, its been ages since we talked about this and I forgot what you said (sorry), but are you doing the parks while at DW? We're at the BCV's starting the 21st (wed) of that week and still not sure if we want to fork over the expense of the parks and the cruise. Its soooo hard for me to think we couldn't go to the parks. What are your plans?

 

[BuzzLightYear3]

O.K.....I have finally at least scanned through all 29 pages of this thread! Whew! Seems like nice people and lots of great information! I think we are pretty much set with the basic logistics.....now I need to get serious on researching the excursions.

We have our flights (thanks to frequent flyer miles) and today we rounded up the whole family (and some neighbor kids too just to make it more hectic) and made our way to the Post Office to submit the passport applications for the kids.

Jillpie, we have reservations starting 6/22 at BCV .... maybe we'll see you there! Are you using transfer from BCV or renting a car? I'm not expecting to do any parks either....just thought we'd head down early to get some swimming time in (although I have some park hoppers that might burn a hole in my pocket!) We checked into some of the hotels by the Port.....Ron Jon's sounded really cool, but I didn't know about the codes at the time, so with 5 of us, it seemed better to just use our DVC points. Our 'home resort' is BWV, so we figured we'd take advantage of the two night visit to give BCV a try. We used the pool there once before they cut off pool hopping; at that time though, the kids were much younger, and since they have us out-numbered I found it rather stressful trying to keep track of all of them or get to them quickly in the winding pool. Now that they're older, I think we'll really enjoy Stormalong Bay.

jtjcwise, thanks for your response. It'd be fun to get our youngest together. Coincidentally, his name is J.T. Is your screen name a reflection of a J.T. in your family?

Well, as noted above, I'd be interested in what people are deciding as far as excursions go. I have mixed feelings about this. Seems like snorkeling is the thing to do, but I'm not sure my kids would like the fish swimming in around them. (I only did it once myself on our honeymoon, and I wasn't sure I liked that.) I feel like we should do some sight-seeing, but I expect my kids will have a limited attention span, so it will need to be something relatively short . My older two kids indicated they'd like parasailing. I think we'd all like renting waverunners (although I'm not sure my DS-6 will be old enough to ride along.) I also need to be careful on the food front as my oldest DS was just recently diagnosed with Crohn's Disease....he's a really picky eater to start with and now we need to watch his diet carefully; I assume the food on approved excursions is safe though, right? Anyway, any advice on excursion choices from you experienced cruisers would be much appreciated!

Thanks!
Linda

 

[musicgirl]

Hi Linda,

Here's what we are doing.

Coz-we along will Jill and her family have ressies with Eagle Ray to go snorkeling. It is not a DCL excursion but it had great reviews.

Planning right now for Coz seems questionable because of the hurricane damage. They should be pretty close to being 100%. The main thing about excursions for Coz is to check to see if you can do it on your own. DCL is way over priced when it comes to this.

I am also hoping to go to Coz. Mini-golf sometime. It looks like a lot of fun and you can order drinks from the course!!!

Costa Maya- A number of people only go to the shops and pool right at the port and are disappointed.

Uvero Beach-looks good, but it is a long bus ride and I haven't heard great reviews on this board and on others.

Do not go to Tequila Beach-lots of sea grass!!!!

The best reviews I have heard are for Maj. Beach. It is about 2 miles down the road. $5 roundtrip per person by taxi. You can rent waverunners, arrange for snorkel tours, horseback riding, and get massages cheap!!!

To get to Maj. Beach-do not take the shuttle bus, go to the circular drive outside the gates and arrange for a taxi. They can not take you from inside, but you can ask them to meet you outside the gate

Make sure you tell them that you do not want to go to Tequila Beach, it is the first beach in town. Ask them to take you further into town. If they don't it is only a few minutes walk down the road.

Some disers did a dis meet here. I thought that was kind of a cool way to hang out at the beach and meet the people from the boards.

I've done a bit of research on the different places, so if you have any questions I share whatever I can!!!!

 

[BuzzLightYear3]

Musicgirl.....thanks for all the info!

Linda

 

[bairdbeth]

Been reading and lurking since we booked. We just got back to Sanibel, Florida. Being at the beach made me think of Castaway Cay. Can we just skip ahead to June? I am soooo ready to go! We are now going down ahead of the cruise. A friend wanted to go to WDW for the first time and wanted us to go. How could I say "No"? We will be at Pop from 6/19-6/23

 

[musicgirl]

Oh how I wish it were June as well!!! My only sad thought is that when it is July, it will be over!!!!

 

[jtjcwise]

Sorry I have been slow in responding, but my Dad went in to ICU at the local hospital on New Years Eve. He had been in the hospital for pneumonia and they found him in his room in the evening collapsed with no pulse and not breathing. They preformed CPR for 15 minutes before he started breathing again. He was in ICU and the doctors the next day after he went in told us there was little hope of a recovery. He opened his eyes on Monday. And on Tuesday he pulled his own ventilator our and started talking. They moved him out of ICU Wednesday. He still has some time of recovery, and they are not sure yet of long term effects, but the only problems we notice is some problem with short term memory and some problems with his strength in his arms, but they said this could continue to improve. They are still not sure why he collapsed, but are running lots of tests. The doctors have no explanation for his recovery, but we give the credit to prayer and God. We had lots of people praying.

Our cruise is to celebrate his and my Mom's 50th Anniversary. One of the first things he said was that he was planning on the cruise. So we are still planning on going, but may need to adjust some plans depending on his physical recovery.

Jillpie, we are planning on arriving at WDW on June 22, and we ae staying at the Wilderness Lodge. We plan on skipping the parks, but taking my 2 sons to Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon. I am thinking about scheduling a fireworks cruise for my parents as a suprise.

Linda, the jtjc is initials of my family. Sorry, no J.T. Getting the youngest together sounds like a plan. Last year my youngest was no real big on the kids club because he did not know anyone and he was kind of shy, but with starting his first year of school, he seems to be more at ease with being in groups, so I am hoping he will really enjoy the clubs. My oldest loved the clubs last year.

 

[musicgirl]

Wow Jeff, it sounds like you had a rough start to the new year. I'm sending prayers and some pixie dust your way. I hope his recovery goes well. It's a really good sign that he's still thinking about cruising!!!

Ok, everyone has been talking about staying at the parks before the cruise. Is anyone staying at Cocoa Beach?

Maybe we'll have to switch!!!! It does sound like there are some good deals going on. Some of the packages with hotel, tickets, food, activities like special tours, golf and shows sound pretty cool.

 

[musicgirl]

Ok, we're following the crew!!! I just made ressies at Movies for 6/22-6/24.
We probably will not be doing any parks either. We decided it would be fun to just hang out, ride the buses to the other resorts and check them out. Of course shopping at DTD is a must!!!!

We'll be using the magical express for airport to resort-free!!!!

It looks like Art's is the cheapest port to airport at $65. We used them before.

Now I have to figure out which towncar to use for resort to port. I don't know if Art's has a run for this or not. It looks like most are around $105.

Happy Limo does a large van for $120 for 10 adults-anyone interested??????

Well, now I've got lots to think about as to what to do, what to do at WDW!!!!

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

OMG, I am totally freaking out right now! I have avoided this thread for a long time because I was trying to loose weight before our cruise. Note the word "trying". Well, It is around the corner now and I am going to work very hard at losing weight. That said... I start student teaching on Monday and I will still be working weekends at my nursing job.... AKA I have NO IDEA where I am going to find the time to plan stuff for our vacation. OMG.... I am in panic mode!!!! Here are some questions to help get me started. I think I may have to devote at least 15 minutes every couple of days to get going on this....

What is the date that excursions can be booked for Castaway club members?

Are the excursions listed yet for Costa Maya?

Do kids need passports?


WE already have our flights taken care of, I will need to book our hotel room. We are flying in Thursday, doing SW on Friday, then when we come back that Saturday night we are thinking of going to MK. Is that crazy? What is everyone else doing that Saturday??? I am going to go back and slowly read through the thread, but I would appreciate any and all help you guys.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

One more question...

I posted this on the transportation forum, but I was wondering if you guys might help me out too...

These are my transportation needs.... would you go with a town car or renting a car?

Thursday fly in ---- to hotel (WDW resort)
Friday -------------To Sea World
Friday---------------Sea world to hotel
Saturday-------------To DCL port
Saturday-------------Back to resort
Sunday----------------To airport


Looks like they are both over $400. any ideas??? Thanks!

 

[musicgirl]

Hey there Princess!!!

Breathe!!!!!

ok, First day for cc members and ressies, Mar. 26 final payment must be made.

No one has to have passports since it was changed to 12-31-06.

Yes, the CM excursions are posted. Reports from those who have gone are not great. I have heard that many will be going to Maj. Beach including myself. The one excursion that I thought would be cool is at Maj. Beach which is a clear kayak snorkel excursion that you can only arrange through DCL.

Maj. Beach is a few minute taxi ride at $5 pp roundtrip. The water is good. At Uvero beach, I hear there is alot of sea grass and it is at least a 30-40 minute trip.

You can set up snorkel trips at the beach, rent waverunners, go horseback riding and get cheap massages (around $20 for 30 minutes).

The idea of a dis meet at Maj. Beach has been tossed around. Anyone interested?????

 

[musicgirl]

Back again PV,

Which resort are you staying at? We just decided to stay at ASMO instead of Cocoa Beach.

Since you will be going to SW on Fri. it might be worth it to rent a car because from resort to the port is around $105.

However, if you are not really doing anything off the WDW site on Thursday, you may be able to cut a little off the rental by taking the FREE magical express disney offers right now from the airport to resort and even from resort to airport.

This way, you would only need to rent the car Friday and Sat. am. You could then pick up a rental to go from the port to resort.

I am definitely a newbie when it comes to the cost of a car rental. With the price of a towncar at $105 from resort to port, I think this may be an option for us. I wonder how much just for Sat. morning to the port, any ideas???? anyone

 

[musicgirl]

Now I know some have said that they are not doing the parks on their stay at WDW. So what does everyone do?? We probably won't do any either, but we'll see.

I know swimming at the pool.
I'd like to explore the other resorts.
Shop, of course!!!!
We'll probably do the mini-golf. It is listed at $10 pp with 50% off the second round.

Has anyone eaten at any of the following?
Beaches and Creams
House of Blues
Earl of Sandwich
Wolfgang express

We're trying to keep the food cost down since the REAL eating will be "already paid for" and soooooo much better on the ship. We'll probably bring some pop tarts, breakfast bars since we don't normally eat bk. We will eat bk on the ship though!!!! And I'm sure we'll hit Cafe Mickey-D in DD.

I'm trying to keep the cost down, but then I think, well this may be the last trip for a while let's just go for it!!!!

I would LOVE to go to Discovery Cove, but I just can not pay that much. If we hit any of the parks, it would probably be Typhoon Lagoon if it is an awesome day on Friday.

Well, I'm off to dream some more about what to do!!!!

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

We ate at peaches n cream and had the kitchen sink. surprised the kids with it and it was so much fun!!!!

Thanks for the helpful hints. I really appreciate it.

Why aren't you guys doing the parks??? I can't imagine being down there and not doing parks. I think when we come back that saturday we will go to MK. I know we are crazy... but it is Mickey's home!

 

[disgal1]

just booked our airfare.
we are coming into orlando on the 21st and staying at Beach Club villas till sat. We are renting a car.

We have our Annual passes and leftover days for the boys (ages 20 and 17) meeting up with 2 other couples and their boys for the trip. The kids are doing a roller coaster day...hitting all the big rides only in each park. I'm dodging that one

We are in room 6050.

The boys can't wait for the jeep tour at Coz. They did this last time and it was the highlight of the trip for them. ( Sure hope that will still be available!) Along with Carlos and Charlies, which I'd love to skip, but will probably have to go. The girls plan to hit Paradise beach at Coz.

Our oldest is Scuba certified, so he will do a dive at Costa Maya, and I'll probably go out with him. The rest of the gang plans to go to Maj. beach and just hang out there.

This will be our sons 3rd disney cruise, and even at their ages, they have loved every minute and can't wait for this one.
I'll really appreciate this one, I think this will probably be our last big vacation as a family one will be starting college, the other finishing.

Disney has given us some wonderful memories.

See you all there!!

 

[musicgirl]

disgal1, sounds like there will be a few disers at BCV before the cruise.

Princess, I've got to ask. What is the "kitchen sink"??????? And where are you staying before the cruise?

As much fun as it would be to visit the parks, for the time we are there and to spend the $210 to get into 1 park is a bit much. We like to go early, take a break, go to another park in the afternoon. If we were there longer and had a hopper ticket or had annual tickets, we would be there.

The more I think about it though, TL seems like a great way to spend Fri. We all enjoy water parks and in late June it should be!!! I also just saw the new water coaster ride. I've seen these on the travel channel specials and they look pretty cool. At least $140 is a bit better than $210. not much, but a bit!!

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

musicgirl, The kitchen sink is an amazing ice cream dish. It is served in a bowl that looks like a kitchen sink. It has tons of icecream, all of their toppings and bits of cake if I remember right. It is HUGE! When we went it was 3 adults and 2 kids and we barely dented the ice cream. It was a fun novelty for my kids and I loved surprising them with the biggest ice cream sundae they ever saw! Check out this link...

http://www.magictrips.com/dining/kitchensink.shtml

 

[musicgirl]

Thanks Princess, I think I might need to find a few more people since there are only 3 of us!!!!!!!

Are you ready to teach? You were talking about losing weight, maybe all the work you'll get to do will keep you so busy, you won't have time to snack. At least that is my downfall. If it is around and I'm not busy, munch munch munch!!!

Good luck with the student teaching and just remember, it gets easier every year!!!!