09/05/09 LABORless MAGICal Meanderers

[queenof2princesses]

Hello all!!!!!! Sign me up for this cruise
The cast is me(Angel), Mom, DD(turning 12 on the cruise) and DD9. DH refuses to do more than 3 nights

We just booked a cat 6 with Mouse Fan Travel and got such an awesome deal that I got a close friend to book the cabin next to us!! Hello Mel, I am next door to you!!! The location is so good! Our DD's are both having Bdays, although there is a slight age difference Her very first trip to WDW was the same as you are doing for your DD. She was 'almost' 3. It was so incredible for her at that age, I know you will have an unforgetable trip.

This is our first verandah. I have booked cat 12's both times before and once got upgraded to a 9, then this past April we were upgraded to a 10. We decided if we book above a 12, it had to be all the way up to a verandah. I am so excited, I am about to explode. I was feeling a little weird telling my friends, "I just booked a Disney Cruise for Sept. 2009, yeah, not this September, next September" , you know the excitement and all. Well, they kind of look at me funny, and say, "Oh that's great". I know ya'll understand

I am so glad to have found ya'll!! Now, I am going to stop driving everyone around me crazy, and just start typing.

So, my latest trip was April 3night Wonder with family of 4. This was the beginning of our Spring Break week. (We left a little early) We then went to Disney for a week at SSR in a 2bed suite (a close friend has a gazillion DVC points). So we were there with another 2 families, 3 total. (Only mine and the DVC member sharing the villa..On Tuesday we sent all DH's home together and moms with kids stayed until Sunday!
DVC friend/family and me and my girls arrived home from a magical 12 days just after midnight before the return to school after Spring Break!!! We partied (like kids) until the very last minute!

DVC friend and I are going to F&W sometime in OCt, haven't decided yet..
DH has decided (for now) that he wants to wait a few years to return, a little burnt out So, I have recruited DM (is that right for mom?) to do a mom, daughter, granddaughter cruise. This is her first cruise!! We have assured her she will not be disappointed, or get too sick.

DDnow10 fell asleep with her Passporter a couple of nights ago, and our TA is sending a comp copy of the Passporter cruise edition in the mail today. DD is so cute, she's sitting beside me with her laptop reading the boards...while we're having family movie night..NEMO I can't stop looking at pics/floor plan of the verandah rooms!

Sorry for such a long post, just really excited!

UGAFAN, I am also about 7 hrs away, on the Gulf Coast in Alabam, so we are driving down after school on Friday, picking up DM from airport, and staying somewhere at port. I'm thinking about a park/stay hotel. Anybody have any experience here?

My hands are now falling asleep, goodnight to all..

 

[aussieinvasion]

Welcome Angel and family!!!
Wow you are next door to me yay!! The location is so handy, isnt it? Near the elevators and near the laundry ( although hoping to not have to do too much of that while we are away!!) Have you thought about what you are going to do for your Daughter for her birthday? My DD's birthday is the day we are in Cozumel so I guess the pirate party is a bit hard to out do !! Thats if she stays awake long enough for it. I really hope she does!!
I am so glad to hear your own experience of taking your DD at the age mine will be. Its very reassuring considering we are travelling such a great distance to get over there.
I totally understand the thing about driving everyone crazy with talk of the holiday. I have just about sent everyone bananas here! DH thinks Im obsessed and when we are just about to go to sleep I wake him up with some odd fact about the holiday. Please tell me I am not the only freak ??

Ibela, dont leave us!! Are you really thinking of switching ressies? When else were you thinking of going? I didnt know you were pregnant! Congratulations!! When is bub's due? Im guessing this is the reason for considering the change of date maybe? Another vote here for pics
Can I ask a dumb question about the photopass? Are you able to get the disk at the parks at the end of your trip? Reason being I dont think they'll post out to us somehow

Missy how are you going? Long time no speak.... How is your beach holiday plan turning out?

Well not much has been happening over here. Its getting pretty cold now for us (15 degrees) and the kids have had the flu, which is never fun. I went to a concert during the week for Boyz II Men. That was fun hearing some of the (not so) old songs. Cant believe they've been going for 17 years!!

Anyway, Ive started thinking (obsessing) about excursions again and I go back and forth trying to make up my mind. I know its very early days and we've got heaps of time but still I cant help myself. Waiting to see what the REAS package will be (cost wise and inclusions) and hoping it will be released soon so we can add to the booking maybe. Any of you guys started to think about your excursions? Trying to work out how much OBC to cover the cost of things is confusing. Thinking of adding some extra OBC to our booking as the dollar is still so great for us at the moment.

 

[UGAFan0829]

Hello all!!!!!! Sign me up for this cruise
UGAFAN, I am also about 7 hrs away, on the Gulf Coast in Alabam, so we are driving down after school on Friday, picking up DM from airport, and staying somewhere at port. I'm thinking about a park/stay hotel. Anybody have any experience here?

Welcome to our little group, Angel!!
I'll be down close to your neck of the woods next week...We're going to PC Beach for a week. What part of Alabama are you in?
I know what you mean about people not understanding. That's why I love these boards so much! Everyone understands!!!

Missy how are you going? Long time no speak.... How is your beach holiday plan turning out?

It has been a while! We are down to less that a month to go before our beach trip now. I'm actually getting a little excited now. I think it's mainly due to the fact that I'm just ready for some time away from work!
I do have some exciting news regarding our trip next year...Since we aren't going to be able to make it to Disney this year like we had hoped, we are gonna TRY and go for a week after the cruise, so I am REALLY excited about that!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

 

[queenof2princesses]

Thanks for the warm welcomes

Have you thought about what you are going to do for your Daughter for her birthday? My DD's birthday is the day we are in Cozumel so I guess the pirate party is a bit hard to out do !! Thats if she stays awake long enough for it. I really hope she does!!

Well, DDturns 12 the day we disembark. She is such a little planner that I have told her to plan that day as she wishes with 2 nights in the parks. We are not going to miss more than the following Monday of school/work. That will be 5 days missed since Labor Day is the Monday of our cruise. Originally she wanted to go to Contemporary and MK all day, with lunch at the castle and bibbidi bobbidi boutique, but she has decided not to do BBT because she wants to break in the day and swim at resort pool. Now, a few days later, but still 15 months away , she has changed the plans to AKL concierge because she wants to do the sunrise safari. Since it is only 2 nights, I am letting her decide. I am a budget girl, and prefer paying for the values!! But, if she wants this safari, and it looks really cool, I'll fork it out for a couple of nights. MK on the bday all day is the plan, with lunch at the castle, break after lunch at resort..Sunday she wants to hit the 3 others after the early safari...ikes
Unfortunately, I can talk about any surprises, because she reads these boards faithfully!!

Welcome to our little group, Angel!!
I'll be down close to your neck of the woods next week...We're going to PC Beach for a week. What part of Alabama are you in?
I know what you mean about people not understanding. That's why I love these boards so much! Everyone understands!!!

Sweet Home Beautiful Orange Beach. We've been here 3 years, came from just outside of Huntsville. I'll be coming to Atlanta at the end of the month!
Well, I will keeping the beaches nice and warm until you get here. Have fun on your trip!
Have a great day everyone, family is all off today, so we will play

 

[ibela]

Hello all!!!!!! Sign me up for this cruise
The cast is me(Angel), Mom, DD(turning 12 on the cruise) and DD9. DH refuses to do more than 3 nights

We just booked a cat 6 with Mouse Fan Travel and got such an awesome deal that I got a close friend to book the cabin next to us!! Hello Mel, I am next door to you!!! The location is so good!

Welcome aboard! Yes, few understand booking a vacation so far in advance let alone being excited about it!

Welcome Angel and family!!!
Wow you are next door to me yay!! The location is so handy, isnt it? Near the elevators and near the laundry ( although hoping to not have to do too much of that while we are away!!) Have you thought about what you are going to do for your Daughter for her birthday? My DD's birthday is the day we are in Cozumel so I guess the pirate party is a bit hard to out do !! Thats if she stays awake long enough for it. I really hope she does!!
I am so glad to hear your own experience of taking your DD at the age mine will be. Its very reassuring considering we are travelling such a great distance to get over there.

Ibela, dont leave us!! Are you really thinking of switching ressies? When else were you thinking of going? I didnt know you were pregnant! Congratulations!! When is bub's due? Im guessing this is the reason for considering the change of date maybe? Another vote here for pics
Can I ask a dumb question about the photopass? Are you able to get the disk at the parks at the end of your trip? Reason being I dont think they'll post out to us somehow

We actually did do our laundry on the last cruise. It's kind of nice to come home and be able to just relax and not have to do it while you're rushing to get ready for back to school and work.

Yes, I'm pregnant. That last post was my big "coming out". I'm due towards the end of Nov. so I'm thinking about postponing because I'm going to take all my vacation time to stay home with the baby longer in January. I'm also not sure how comfortable I'll be taking a 9 month old on a cruise for a week but dh says I'll need a break by then and he doesn't want to wait until the following Jan. so I think we'll stay with you guys.

As for photopass, not a dumb question because I think you're right. With the pre-purchased photopass CD I think the only shipping included is US and UK, not sure if you can pay extra to have it shipped to you. You can pick up the CD in the parks before you leave but I don't think there's anywhere you can edit the pictures (zoom/crop/add icons) so it'd be whatever images the photographers take of you.

Since we aren't going to be able to make it to Disney this year like we had hoped, we are gonna TRY and go for a week after the cruise, so I am REALLY excited about that!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

And the week after the cruise should fall right into Free Dining time so that's extra incentive for you to go then.

Happy Monday all!

 

[kasidak]

Hi Fellow Cruisers,

I was thinking about our cruise today. I am wondering if anyone would like to share their dining experience with us? Last cruise we were seated just our family of three and we would love to meet and chat with others this time around. Anyone interested? Of course, we have plenty of time to think about it.

 

[queenof2princesses]

ibela,
congrats on the baby!! That is so exciting. I think your DH is right about you needing a break then. Do you pay full price for an infant? Our travel mates may have a baby to add to their ressie They are working on it. I would love to tell her she won't be the only one traveling with a little one, and at a reduced rate. I'm sure you won't regret. I nursed my baby in every restroom at MK when she was 8 weeks old!! We brought my parents along so that they could babysit, and we could enjoy disney with DDalmost3 (at the time). The spoiled baby refused a bottle!! Totally! She went straight to sippy cup..and weened early, which was a little confusing for me . Anyway, the break was good for me (even though it was commando style disney in July) This baby just turned 8, and is now sorting through old disney pics to take tommorrow for her collage at art camp

I believe they can be a challenge at any age. This past cruise (April 3 nt ), she had me in tears on Pirate night. She was overtired, and had had enough. How could we miss anything!?! I pushed, and she melted... Hopefully, on this cruise, the extra 4 DAYS will be enough to relax a bit, and not feel so rushed. And that veranda is exciting me more every day....

Kasidak,
We have 8 at our table so far. I don't know how many they can seat together. We, too, have always been alone with our 4. I think a big table would be more fun, sharing with others about your day, and all. I have been reading my passporter cruise edition all weekend, and never realized what I've missed on the 3 nights! I am really looking forward to all the food, and excursions.

 

[UGAFan0829]

Hi Fellow Cruisers,

I was thinking about our cruise today. I am wondering if anyone would like to share their dining experience with us? Last cruise we were seated just our family of three and we would love to meet and chat with others this time around. Anyone interested? Of course, we have plenty of time to think about it.

Wow, that's really sweet of you to ask. Are you guys doing the late or early dining time?

 

[kasidak]

We are doing early dining.

 

[ibela]

ibela,
congrats on the baby!! That is so exciting. I think your DH is right about you needing a break then. Do you pay full price for an infant? Our travel mates may have a baby to add to their ressie They are working on it. I would love to tell her she won't be the only one traveling with a little one, and at a reduced rate. I'm sure you won't regret. I nursed my baby in every restroom at MK when she was 8 weeks old!! We brought my parents along so that they could babysit, and we could enjoy disney with DDalmost3 (at the time). The spoiled baby refused a bottle!! Totally! She went straight to sippy cup..and weened early, which was a little confusing for me . Anyway, the break was good for me (even though it was commando style disney in July) This baby just turned 8, and is now sorting through old disney pics to take tommorrow for her collage at art camp

I believe they can be a challenge at any age. This past cruise (April 3 nt ), she had me in tears on Pirate night. She was overtired, and had had enough. How could we miss anything!?! I pushed, and she melted... Hopefully, on this cruise, the extra 4 DAYS will be enough to relax a bit, and not feel so rushed. And that veranda is exciting me more every day....

Kasidak,
We have 8 at our table so far. I don't know how many they can seat together. We, too, have always been alone with our 4. I think a big table would be more fun, sharing with others about your day, and all. I have been reading my passporter cruise edition all weekend, and never realized what I've missed on the 3 nights! I am really looking forward to all the food, and excursions.

Thanks on the congrats! It's funny because I had to reserve for the baby too but I don't even know the gender much less the name so the 4th place in our cabin is under "Baby", lol. Tell your friends if they're working on it they should add the baby now. Even though September is a slow time there's a slight chance of the under 3 category filling up at some point so if DCL reaches their limit (whatever that is) then they won't be able to add the baby on to their reservation. If they do add them on now and pay, they have until 90 days before the cruise to cancel if they change their mind about um, working on it, lol. Also, you only pay taxes and port charges for an infant. We're cruising on DVC points so I don't remember how much they said it'd be if we wanted to pay cash for the baby but I'm thinking it was somewhere around $300 (regardless of the category).

I guess we'll just have to make creative use of Flounders. Here I was getting excited that ddnow2 will be able to use the kids clubs and that I'd finally get a chance to do all the adult activities I had wanted to last time and didn't get a chance to - NOT!

We're on early dining as well, we haven't requested a rotation yet. On our last cruise we linked reservations and sat with 2 other DIS families so we were a total of 11 (they had to put 2 tables together for us). It was fun to see how we all had COMPLETELY different experiences on the boat as if we were on totally separate vacations!

 

[NYCDisneylovers]

Anyway, how is everyone else's planning going? NYC- when's your other cruise?

Sorry guys have been lost for awhile. The other cruise is Aug. 17, 2008 and then 4 days in Animal Kingdom Villa's. We have been getting ready for that trip, and then we have 1 more cruise before Disney to Bermuda in May 2009 for my 40th Birthday. I promise I won't be lost again.

 

[UGAFan0829]

We are doing early dining.

That's what we have booked as of now...But, I can't decide if I want to leave it that way, or change it to late. And y'all can give me your thoughts on this...on the last 2 cruises we did the later seatings. We don't mind eating late at all, but the problem was that we were usually late getting out of the dining room which meant we ended up missing the beginning of some of the activities. And we totally missed out on "Til We Meet Again" on the last night, which was really disappointing to me. So, I thought that by having the early seating this time, that wouldn't be a problem. BUT...I'm kinda worried about having to be back on the ship so early in order for us to get ready for dinner each night. Of course this won't be an issue on the at sea days, but it will when we're in port. Yes, I'm one of those who take forever to get ready, so I don't want to have to cut our time off the boat short and have to rush back to get ready for dinner...especially on formal night. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

 

[ibela]

That's what we have booked as of now...But, I can't decide if I want to leave it that way, or change it to late. And y'all can give me your thoughts on this...on the last 2 cruises we did the later seatings. We don't mind eating late at all, but the problem was that we were usually late getting out of the dining room which meant we ended up missing the beginning of some of the activities. And we totally missed out on "Til We Meet Again" on the last night, which was really disappointing to me. So, I thought that by having the early seating this time, that wouldn't be a problem. BUT...I'm kinda worried about having to be back on the ship so early in order for us to get ready for dinner each night. Of course this won't be an issue on the at sea days, but it will when we're in port. Yes, I'm one of those who take forever to get ready, so I don't want to have to cut our time off the boat short and have to rush back to get ready for dinner...especially on formal night. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

We did early when we went last time so I can't speak from experience, but that's a common post on the DIS that late seating means missing some evening activities. Regarding having enough time to get ready, do you go to the shows in the evenings? If so, they're before dinner for the late diners so I think you'd need to be ready by the same time anyway, wouldn't you?

 

[UGAFan0829]

We did early when we went last time so I can't speak from experience, but that's a common post on the DIS that late seating means missing some evening activities. Regarding having enough time to get ready, do you go to the shows in the evenings? If so, they're before dinner for the late diners so I think you'd need to be ready by the same time anyway, wouldn't you?

We do go to the shows, but there are some things that they only do once, like Match Your Mate (that we were late for) and 'Til We Meet Again (that we totally missed out on).

 

[aussieinvasion]

Wow you guys have been chatty in the last week! I would love to sit with any of you guys but I have no idea how to arrange this. Do you just put in a request to DCL?
We are on early dining. I think they may give early dining preference to those with younger kids, at least thats what Ive read on here before. I requested a dining rotation of APLAPLA. Whether or not that happens will be another thing but it means we will be in Lumiere's for formal night.
Missy, I am worried also about being back in time on the boat for early dining and hope I dont rock up looking like a fright
If I can score an appointment at the Salon for formal night I will be very happy.
Just so you guys know, my DD who is 2 when checking in was a total of $389 and I was told this was for taxes. She is classed as an infant apparantly.
Anyone doing Palo, and if so which night are you thinking?

 

[UGAFan0829]

Missy, I am worried also about being back in time on the boat for early dining and hope I dont rock up looking like a fright

Anyone doing Palo, and if so which night are you thinking?

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to get you all worried. I am sure that it will work out fine for all of us!

We haven't decided on Palo yet. We had a bad experience last time, but are thinking of trying it again...still haven't made up our minds.

 

[NYCDisneylovers]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to get you all worried. I am sure that it will work out fine for all of us!

We haven't decided on Palo yet. We had a bad experience last time, but are thinking of trying it again...still haven't made up our minds.

How bad was your experience at Palo's? We were thinking of doing it but not sure. Fill me in please.

 

[UGAFan0829]

Oh great...Here I go again...I think I'm just gonna keep my mouth shut from now on!! LOL

Well, first off...I had booked the REAS for the DH and I, which included the surcharge for Palo. When we were seated at our table, our server brought me a very pretty rose and told me "Congratulations on your marriage". I guess I must have given him a "HUH?" look because he said, "Oh, you mean you aren't on your honeymoon?". I told him no, and he said that he noticed that we had booked the REAS, and usually only honeymooners booked that package. The way that he said it made the DH and I feel as though we were in the wrong for booking the REAS and not being on our honeymoon. Anyway, we just brushed it off.

Then once dinner started, we plainly told him several times that even though our package included wine, we weren't wine drinkers and were fine without it. He insisted that since we didn't like wine that he had something "special" that he was going to bring us to try. At this point we were like "Ooookay". We just wanted him to leave us alone about it, so we agreed. Then through out the meal he insisted that "our experience at Palo had to be PERFECT...Good was not acceptable". I can't tell you how many times he repeated that to us. So, he kept brining us more food that what we ordered. I think we ended up with 3 or 4 appetizers and extra entree and an extra dessert. And believe me, as much as I wanted to tell him "NO, I DON'T WANT ANYMORE, I AM FULL!", he kept insisiting that it had to be perfect. I think that he was really trying to hard and his insistance made the experience awful. We did try the "wine" that he was telling us about. As usual, I couldn't stand the taste and couldn't make myself finish the glass that he had poured for us.

I don't know if it was all the food or the little bit of "wine" that I drank...but once we had made our way back to the stateroom to change clothes for the Pirate party, I was feeling terrible. I had the worst "sick to my stomach" feeling I had ever felt. So needless to say, we sat in the room for the rest of the night praying that I didn't get sick. Thank goodness I never did, but it ruined our whole image of Palo.

I really think that this was more of the waiters fault than the restaurant. And I know that I probably should have spoke up and said something, but he made it almost impossible. Not to mention, it's not really in my or the DH's nature to say anything.

So, that is pretty much why I think we should give it another try.

 

[queenof2princesses]

I really think that this was more of the waiters fault than the restaurant.
So, that is pretty much why I think we should give it another try.

I think that is totally true. Don't let a pushy waiter keep you from trying it again. We've never been, and I'll be cruising with my DM (who is totally attached to my kiddies) so Palo for dinner is out of the question. I was thinking about a brunch while the kids are in activities.

As for dining preference, we have done both. I prefer early dining, because not only do you not miss anything, but if you eat late, you miss out on the dessert buffet, and desserts are my favorite

I am also going to request APLAPLA for the same reasons, Lumiere's on Formal night. We have skipped Lumiere's on both of our cruises (at DH's request), so I would like it to be our special night. I am so excited about dressing up the girls

We are thinking about doing
1)a dolphin excursion in Cozumel
2)a Stingray/snorkeling in Grand Cayman
3)the trolley? in Key West
4)Banana boat, water trikes in Castaway Cay


We NEED to plan our F&W girls trip for THIS October. We don't have dates or ressies yet
DF is a DVC member with a gazillion points, so hopefully she'll get us something. She said yesterday if we get a 2bedvilla we can sleep 8. That is 8 women, 3 nights away from family and all responsibility, a desperately needed trip. Can't wait for this one. I love her for thinking of this....

Oh, boy, I better get to work so I can pay for this

And 5 of us are going to Atlanta Friday, that is 2 days away...We are going to see Beth Moore, Kay Arthur, somebody else and it is sold out. We have an extra ticket if anyone wants to go Well, if you happen to be in Atlanta that is..
DF booked 2- 3* rooms months ago for 149 each, I asked her at church Sunday if she would mind if I looked for something with a better rate...She said OK, so I headed over to Priceline and got 2- 4* rooms for 80 each!!! We are staying nicer, for MUCH cheaper.
OK. time for work. Have a great day!

 

[UGAFan0829]

As for dining preference, we have done both. I prefer early dining, because not only do you not miss anything, but if you eat late, you miss out on the dessert buffet, and desserts are my favorite


And 5 of us are going to Atlanta Friday, that is 2 days away...We are going to see Beth Moore, Kay Arthur, somebody else and it is sold out. We have an extra ticket if anyone wants to go Well, if you happen to be in Atlanta that is..
DF booked 2- 3* rooms months ago for 149 each, I asked her at church Sunday if she would mind if I looked for something with a better rate...She said OK, so I headed over to Priceline and got 2- 4* rooms for 80 each!!! We are staying nicer, for MUCH cheaper.
OK. time for work. Have a great day!

Ooooh, good advice about the early dining and not having to miss the dessert buffet. That's all the more reason to keep early dining!

I hope that you have a great time in "Hotlanta". Where are y'all staying if you don't mind me asking?

Thanks again for the advice!