09/08/07 Early Check in September 8, 2007 Western

[JJCJFL]

Woo-hoo! TDS Rocks! (Well, the OLD TDS rocked!)

I agree...it's just not the same as when we wore the letterman sweaters and the beige shorts with pantyhose. Great look!

 

[S.S.Oceanlover]

she's make it down to Port Canaveral in record time!

Bill

 

[fltink]

I was just watching the Travel Channel getting my DCL fixx too! Got a look at that giant new movie screen over the pool! I haven't been on the Magic since '05 so I know there have been some upgrades, including new beds and linens!

But I have to say, I was a bit suspicious of the Castaway Ray stingray experience on Castaway Cay. There were people petting the stingrays on TOP of their backs. When we went on the Grand Cayman stingray snorkel they told us never ever pet a stingray on the back because that's where predators attack stingrays and it freaks them out if you touch them on the back. It kind of made me upset that they were teaching people to pet the stingrays on the back.

Just watching the special made me pine for our cruise. I can't wait! I think it's great that there will be lots of off-duty cast members on our cruise, they sure know how to party! I bet they'll be a lot of fun.

stina

I agree that they shouldn't teach the wrong way, however, keep in mind that the sting rays at Castaway Cay are "altered", as in, have their barbs removed. It's not like Sting Ray City in Grand Cayman. It's more like a sting ray "pat", as opposed to swim.

 

[JJCJFL]

To All -

I ran into a Disney Cruise Line supervisor today. She was out of the office, meeting was purely by chance, purely out of school.

Evidently there were a plethora (this is our word for the trip) of empty cabins available for 'OUR' cruise as well as the 2 cruises following 'OURS". Disney does what they do in situations like this, they opened up the cruise (with a much discounted fair) to the cast members. According to my source, the rooms were snapped up. I am not sure what to make of this. We traveled with cast members on our first Disney cruise, the rate was wonderful, I don't begrudge anyone traveling for the low fair they offered.

My concern is for those of you waiting on an upgrade..... Now that the ship is 'fuller....", there might be less of a chance for that 'sweet upgrade' that we ALL dream about.

On a side note - We have hit the rainy season in Orlando (about time, but wish it wouldn't rain so much each day). I glanced at the pool on the way in, I am going to have drain some of the water tonight, this is the first time all year that I have had to do this.

Are we getting excited yet? Will any of the Pub Crawlers be joinging us for the wine tasting? We have done this each time on the ship, hoping that they will offer the 'upgraded' wine tasting this trip. Dom P anyone?

Hope all is Well -

So, if the ship is not full, why are there no reservations left for the Palo Brunch? We really wanted to do that this trip.

 

[stina]

Yeah, I know the stingrays are altered and they swim up onto this little platform so people can pat them, it just makes me think that if anyone did a stingray encounter after doing the Disney one, they'd be completely misinformed in terms of how to touch a stingray.

So I'll put my opinion out there... if you want a real, natural stingray experience do the Stingray City excursion on Grand Cayman!!!

I noticed that the DCL special that Travel Channel ran last night was updated. Included more interviews with cast and crew, including Cruise Director "Brent" the Australian heartthrob! While I've never met him, I've practically seen shrines to Brent here on the DIS. Apparently Ladies Love Brent!

stina

 

[CINGULARONE@YAHOO.CO]

So, if the ship is not full, why are there no reservations left for the Palo Brunch? We really wanted to do that this trip.

The easy answer is that most people who have been on a Disney Cruise feel the same way you do.

 

[Grandma4ever]

But I have to say, I was a bit suspicious of the Castaway Ray stingray experience on Castaway Cay. There were people petting the stingrays on TOP of their backs. When we went on the Grand Cayman stingray snorkel they told us never ever pet a stingray on the back because that's where predators attack stingrays and it freaks them out if you touch them on the back. It kind of made me upset that they were teaching people to pet the stingrays on the back.
stina

Stina, I have done the stingray excursion and you are right they did not say anything about touching the rays back. However, they did not seem the least bit uncomfortable. I guess I am not sure which information is correct. They did talk about needing to be careful not to step on them as that coud scare and injury the ray.

If you were not to touch the rays back how did they have you touch them? I want to assure that when I go this trip I don't do anything wrong and I teach my sister and nieces the best way to interact with the rays.

I was a zoo keeper for 3 years and have a great respect for all living animal including some in the human species. I wiill do a internet seach and see what I can't come up with. Maybe bring some info along for the CM's. Lois

 

[stina]

You were a zookeeper? That's so cool!

When we went on the stingray excursion to Stingray City on Grand Cayman in '05 our excursion leaders were great. They gave us lots of information about the biology of the stingray and how we were to interact with them before we even got in the water. (The water was waist deep, we were on a sandbar) One of the things they made sure to tell us was NOT to touch the stingray on its back, to only touch it from BELOW on the soft side of its belly. The reasoning was that stingrays are attacked by their predators from above, not below. So touching them on the back would "freak" them out and lead them to believe you are a predator. So we were all really careful to touch them only underneath on the soft slippery side. (which feels AWESOME by the way!) We also got to feed them and they do feel like a vacuum when they suck up the food! Now the stingrays on Grand Cayman are au natural. They still have their stingers. But they are very sensitized to humans as there are tours there all the time. But they are still considered wild animals, they are free to come and go in the ocean. Nobody in our group was stung but we all obeyed the instructions including no touching on the top, and doing the "Stingray Shuffle" shuffling in the sand in order to not step on a ray.

It is my understanding that the Castaway Cay rays do not have their stingers. They have been altered. (probably due to Disney liability) And that the Disney rays are captive animals. They obviously can't be let out in the open ocean with no natural defenses! I noticed on the show last night that people were standing in the water but that the rays would swim up onto a little platform where people would stand over them and pet them. (Which explains why they were petting them on the top, rather than the underside). And I'm sure this is all fine for the Disney rays which are stingerless and have no predators and are probably as friendly and magical as every Disney CM. BUT, my concern is that by learning to pet stingrays on the back at Castaway Cay, if any child or adult ever did the Stingray City AFTER doing the Disney Stingray excursion they would be misled. But it's really a minor point and if anyone did go to Stingray City they would receive proper instruction I'm sure!

I do know that when we went to Stingray City a lot of the little kids were frightened of being IN the water with the rays all swimming around them. Not to laugh at their expense but when we were on our way there all the kids were all excited and the minute they hit the water they started screaming like crazy! I would imagine that the Disney stingray experience is a bit more kid-friendly because they don't actually have to be IN the water while the rays are swimming around them, they can choose to pet them on the platform.

But I do highly recommend Stingray City on Grand Cayman. Just being in the water with the rays is amazing. I love being "in nature" so for me it works. And the rays are so neat, they're like big cats just rubbing on you. (you know the way cats do) I can't wait to do it again!

stina

 

[stina]

The whole Palo being full thing is bizarre. I have a feeling it's not really full, I think they only partially book it and leave a certain amount of space open so you can try to get a ressie when you board. This exact thing happened to us in '05. We tried to prebook online, couldn't get the brunch and when we got on the ship the first day, I hoofed it to the Palo ressie area (which was Rockin Bar D) and was able to get a brunch ressie no problem. So who knows?!

 

[Bareacuda]

The whole Palo being full thing is bizarre. I have a feeling it's not really full, I think they only partially book it and leave a certain amount of space open so you can try to get a ressie when you board. This exact thing happened to us in '05. We tried to prebook online, couldn't get the brunch and when we got on the ship the first day, I hoofed it to the Palo ressie area (which was Rockin Bar D) and was able to get a brunch ressie no problem. So who knows?!

Stina you are so right....

Palo's keeps many ressies open for all the changes on the ship, that's why you can still get a date on the ship. Only so many are booked on line and all the "open" dates and many are saved for ressies being made in person on the ship. I really wouldn't worry about any ressie. People cancell them all the time. Just keep checking back on the web site for changes.

Ann

 

[CINGULARONE@YAHOO.CO]

Stina you are so right....

Palo's keeps many ressies open for all the changes on the ship, that's why you can still get a date on the ship. Only so many are booked on line and all the "open" dates and many are saved for ressies being made in person on the ship. I really wouldn't worry about any ressie. People cancell them all the time. Just keep checking back on the web site for changes.

Ann

I can 2nd (or is it 3ed) the above. We had the same situation (in '05 as well). Try to get to the ship early, hit Rockin Bar D right off. We found that there were 3 lines, all taking reservations. We each stood in a line, to increase the chance of getting to the front faster.

On our first Disney Curise, we were able to book on Thursday (cancellations) for a party of 4 on Friday.

Keep a stiff upper lip, run to Rcokin Bar D and as usual-

Hope all is Well

 

[Grandma4ever]

You were a zookeeper? That's so cool!

When we went on the stingray excursion to Stingray City on Grand Cayman in '05 our excursion leaders were great. They gave us lots of information about the biology of the stingray and how we were to interact with them before we even got in the water. (The water was waist deep, we were on a sandbar) One of the things they made sure to tell us was NOT to touch the stingray on its back, to only touch it from BELOW on the soft side of its belly. The reasoning was that stingrays are attacked by their predators from above, not below. So touching them on the back would "freak" them out and lead them to believe you are a predator. So we were all really careful to touch them only underneath on the soft slippery side. (which feels AWESOME by the way!) We also got to feed them and they do feel like a vacuum when they suck up the food! Now the stingrays on Grand Cayman are au natural. They still have their stingers. But they are very sensitized to humans as there are tours there all the time. But they are still considered wild animals, they are free to come and go in the ocean. Nobody in our group was stung but we all obeyed the instructions including no touching on the top, and doing the "Stingray Shuffle" shuffling in the sand in order to not step on a ray.

It is my understanding that the Castaway Cay rays do not have their stingers. They have been altered. (probably due to Disney liability) And that the Disney rays are captive animals. They obviously can't be let out in the open ocean with no natural defenses! I noticed on the show last night that people were standing in the water but that the rays would swim up onto a little platform where people would stand over them and pet them. (Which explains why they were petting them on the top, rather than the underside). And I'm sure this is all fine for the Disney rays which are stingerless and have no predators and are probably as friendly and magical as every Disney CM. BUT, my concern is that by learning to pet stingrays on the back at Castaway Cay, if any child or adult ever did the Stingray City AFTER doing the Disney Stingray excursion they would be misled. But it's really a minor point and if anyone did go to Stingray City they would receive proper instruction I'm sure!

I do know that when we went to Stingray City a lot of the little kids were frightened of being IN the water with the rays all swimming around them. Not to laugh at their expense but when we were on our way there all the kids were all excited and the minute they hit the water they started screaming like crazy! I would imagine that the Disney stingray experience is a bit more kid-friendly because they don't actually have to be IN the water while the rays are swimming around them, they can choose to pet them on the platform.

But I do highly recommend Stingray City on Grand Cayman. Just being in the water with the rays is amazing. I love being "in nature" so for me it works. And the rays are so neat, they're like big cats just rubbing on you. (you know the way cats do) I can't wait to do it again!

stina

yea, I was a part-time zoo Keeper for 3 years. It was a blast. But then I moved and wasn't near a zoo. When I divorced I needed to have something to support myself so I went to school and got my degree. Now I am a social worker. Still in a zoo of sorts.

Just wanted to say I see what you are saying with the rays. Do you have any written documentations? I agree it would be good for the CM to instruct the folks how to interact with both the Disney rays as well as the rays they may encounter elsewhere. I could see how a person could get hurt if they didn't understand the difference between the Captive Disney rays and those in the wild. Thanks for providing this info.

I have done a quick search but have not located any info that confirms what you were told. If I can find any I will bring it with and give it to the CM's so they can add the info, if they, chose into the educational piece. Lois

 

[stina]

Lois, I couldn't find any info about specific petting of a stingray by doing a quick google search, but I swear that's what they said. If any of you have been to Stingray City and have a vague recollection of the petting process please speak up now!!! If you do google Stingray City photos in a lot of photos you'll see people patting or holding the stingrays from underneath.

Honestly, Disney *may* know about this and may inform guests that the stingrays at CC are not wild stingrays and so they won't get stung no matter how they pet them. I do not know. Since we will be going on the Stingray City tour I will be sure to get more info on this topic!

That's really neat that you were a zookeeper. My ideal Disney job would be working at Animal Kingdom as animal guide talking about the animals! I love animals!

stina

 

[ladyemmaann]

Stina, I have done the stingray excursion and you are right they did not say anything about touching the rays back. However, they did not seem the least bit uncomfortable. I guess I am not sure which information is correct. They did talk about needing to be careful not to step on them as that coud scare and injury the ray.

If you were not to touch the rays back how did they have you touch them? I want to assure that when I go this trip I don't do anything wrong and I teach my sister and nieces the best way to interact with the rays.

I was a zoo keeper for 3 years and have a great respect for all living animal including some in the human species. I wiill do a internet seach and see what I can't come up with. Maybe bring some info along for the CM's. Lois

I thinik I have read or heard that stinrays at Castaway are without their stingers.. More reading and surfing...

 

[ladyemmaann]

The whole Palo being full thing is bizarre. I have a feeling it's not really full, I think they only partially book it and leave a certain amount of space open so you can try to get a ressie when you board. This exact thing happened to us in '05. We tried to prebook online, couldn't get the brunch and when we got on the ship the first day, I hoofed it to the Palo ressie area (which was Rockin Bar D) and was able to get a brunch ressie no problem. So who knows?!

Hope and HOPE for Palo openings now... I received an email that said to call and talk to DCL about it. I Might just keep checking back on line then first thing on ship.
Stina, So glad to hear from you. Hope your partner is doing good.

 

[ladyemmaann]

yea, I was a part-time zoo Keeper for 3 years. It was a blast. But then I moved and wasn't near a zoo. When I divorced I needed to have something to support myself so I went to school and got my degree. Now I am a social worker. Still in a zoo of sorts.

Just wanted to say I see what you are saying with the rays. Do you have any written documentations? I agree it would be good for the CM to instruct the folks how to interact with both the Disney rays as well as the rays they may encounter elsewhere. I could see how a person could get hurt if they didn't understand the difference between the Captive Disney rays and those in the wild. Thanks for providing this info.

I have done a quick search but have not located any info that confirms what you were told. If I can find any I will bring it with and give it to the CM's so they can add the info, if they, chose into the educational piece. Lois

MO. social work WHAT a zoo!!!..

 

[Grandma4ever]

I thinik I have read or heard that stinrays at Castaway are without their stingers.. More reading and surfing...

You are right. The rays which are kept at CC have their stinger trimed much the same way we trim or toe and finger nails. That still does not answer the question about the proper way to handle them. Still looking. Lois

 

[fltink]

I have to admit.....I dont remember the folks at Stingray City saying not to touch their backs. I DO remember being told not to pick your feet up when walking, not to touch other parts of your body after handling the ray food since it can make that body part smell like food and the rays may try to suck on you (beware of super sonic hickeys!). To clarify though, I have emailed the gentleman who is doing our chartered StingRay City Tour in Grand Cayman and asked him to clarify. I will let you know when I hear from him.

 

[fltink]

I have to admit.....I dont remember the folks at Stingray City saying not to touch their backs. I DO remember being told not to pick your feet up when walking, not to touch other parts of your body after handling the ray food since it can make that body part smell like food and the rays may try to suck on you (beware of super sonic hickeys!). To clarify though, I have emailed the gentleman who is doing our chartered StingRay City Tour in Grand Cayman and asked him to clarify. I will let you know when I hear from him.

OK, so my Sting Ray expert friend, Mark says that the rays at Sting Ray City are fine with being touched anywhere as long as it's gentle. You can certainly pat them on the back, again, as long as you're gentle. So, there it is, from a Sting Ray City guide himself! Sounds like there's some misconceptions out there, but no need to fear....the ray's love them some pattin'.....on their bellies OR backs.

 

[Grandma4ever]

OK, so my Sting Ray expert friend, Mark says that the rays at Sting Ray City are fine with being touched anywhere as long as it's gentle. You can certainly pat them on the back, again, as long as you're gentle. So, there it is, from a Sting Ray City guide himself! Sounds like there's some misconceptions out there, but no need to fear....the ray's love them some pattin'.....on their bellies OR backs.

Thanks for clearing that up. When I went to the Stingray City Web site I noted that they had picture of people touching the back of the rays. Mostly the fins but they were touching the backs. There were not all that many pictures.

I was concerned that my nieces get the most correct information. I think I will tell them that touching MIckeys Rays is OK but if they see any anywhere else not to touch tnem. Just to prevent an accident. They are only 9 and gental is not real clear all the time. Give them just a little more time on earth and they will have it. Lois