1/24/09 - Disney Magic - Western

[WDW Dreamer]

Hi everyone. Our group will be joining you on this cruise. We are from Canada (Toronto) and this is our 1st cruise. There will be either 11 or 15 of us. The final 4 haven't completely made up their mind. I think we cover all ages (6 - 82). We are so excited! My kids, Scott (9) and Sarah (6), were thrilled when I told them about this site I found where they could actually know of some of the other kids that will be on the ship before they even leave home. Can't wait to go. Counting the days!!!

 

[tw2123]

Hi WDW Dreamer,

You will have so much fun on the cruise it is the best vacation ever. I have 2 kids as well Tyler (8) and Kaylee (5). They will be 9 and 6 at cruise time. Maybe they can chat before the cruise. You are lucky to be traveling with such a large group. We (my husband and I) are always trying to get family to join us but so far nobody wants to join in the fun or spend the money I suppose is the real reason. Oh well. So welcome to the DIS boards and be careful because they are so addicting.

 

[WDW Dreamer]

Hi Tw2123,

My kids will actually be 6 & 9 at cruise time as well. I've just gotten so used to saying 6 & 9 for all the booking information that I forget they aren't that old yet! Well our party is final at 11 people. Should be interesting(and fun of course!). My kids would love to chat with yours. I think this site is a wonderful way to 'break the ice' a little for the kids.

Thank you for the welcome and the addiction warning

 

[tw2123]

WDW Dreamer,

My kids were so excited when I told them I had found someone who is the same ages that they are. This will be our 3rd cruise and the kids had so much fun in the kids clubs the first cruise and on our last cruise they had fun in the club once they got there, but it was hard to get them to go. Maybe if they have made some connections with other children they will be more willing to go and try things out. Also have you thought about excursions that your family might want to do?

 

[Melrosgirl]

Welcome! I'm glad you found this thread! The only excursion that I know for sure I want to try out is parasailing. Always wanted to try it!

 

[WDW Dreamer]

My kids are really excited about the clubs now, but we'll see what happens when we get there. We've just started thinking about excursions. My goodness there is so much information available about stuff I would have never even thought of - this site is great!

My hubby wants to do snorkeling. Does anyone have a recommendation for him? Grand Caymen vs. Cozumel? Disney vs. Private operator?

 

[Melrosgirl]

I always stick with the disney excursions. I think it makes me feel safer (get back to the ship on time, etc. bc they know the times they are following). Reputable companies, etc. Hopefully someone can give tips on which location to snorkel. This is my first time on the western

Hey, it's March...just over 10 months away

 

[WDW Dreamer]

Thanks Melrosgirl. We were thinking sticking with DCL was best.

 

[WDW Dreamer]

Tw2123,

Being from Michigan, when do you guys book your flight to arrive in Florida? I was thinking we'd catch a flight on Friday, but DH says he's worried that if there was a big snow storm we might not get there in time. He's suggesting we leave Thursday evening, but I'd rather not pay an extra night at a hotel unnecessarily. What's your experience been travelling in the winter?

 

[Melrosgirl]

We've never had a problem flying in the winter, but yes it's always a concern. Especially for a January cruise. (Could we be snowed in here in PA?), etc. We'll arrive the day before. Stay on site (only bc I have 30 points leftover for DVC that I must use or lose!) So that will be enough for a studio somewhere. Then we'll get to the port on Saturday. That's the plan at least

Get the insurance. Always important.

 

[tw2123]

We have always gone down on the earliest flight we can find Friday morning it is like a 7:00 or 8:00 a.m. flight. Then go to Disney World for the day. We then spend Friday night in a hotel in Cocoa Beach. We get to the terminal in plenty of time on Sat. morning. We have done this the last 2 years and it always works out fine. We have been delayed a little so our plane could be de-iced, but other than no big problems. Not sure if we are going to do it to do it this way for the next trip because we are considering spending more time at Disney World. We still have to figure things out.

 

[WDW Dreamer]

Thanks for the replies. I think we're going to head down Thursday evening and then have Friday at the Magic Kingdom since MIL has never been. I don't know about your families, but this cruise is the topic of regular discussion around here. We're so excited!

 

[Miscoehill]

My husband and I are thinking of going on this cruise. Some of you have been cruising in January - how's the weather then? I'm not a sit in the sun kind of person, but seeing the sites and enjoying some warmer weather will be nice. Get us out of Mass for a week!
Thanks!

 

[Sigtau21]

Just booked this morning!! 7th cruise total, but first Disney. It will be My wife, my son and me. My son will be 2 about one month after the cruise! He probably wont rmember it when he is older but I hope he will enjoy it while he experiences it!

Can't wait!!

 

[tw2123]

Hi Miscoehill,

My family has done 2 eastern cruises in January and we had beautiful weather in St. Maarten and St. Thomas, both years it was warm and we were able to swim in the ocean it was great. Castaway Cay was nice the first time, but the water was to cold for swimming, and last time Castaway Cay was chilly and the water again was to cold for swimming. We still enjoyed the activities on the island just not the water. Also on our last trip which was 2008 all of the excursions on Castaway Cay got cancelled due to weather. But like I said this was the Eastern Cruise so I don't know what the Western is like, and I am nervous about the weather too. But we will make do with what we get and hopefully still have a great time. Hope this helps you to make your decision.

 

[tw2123]

Hi Sigtau21,

How exciting to be going on your first Disney Cruise. I am sure you will have such a great time. Also I am sure your son will have so much fun it is so magical for children. Like you said he may not remember a lot, but you can take a ton of pictures and remind him for the rest of his life. But if you are like us you will become addicted and this will be the first of many Disney Cruises.

 

[Melrosgirl]

Only 9 months away now!

 

[skelly08]

Just booked this cruise, its our fourth cruise, but our first Disney, and the first with our daughter. My family consists of myself, my wife, and my daughter, who will be 7 at the time of the cruise. We are all very excited, and have been reading over all the tips and suggestions of this board. Trying to come up with our excursions, I can't pick a beach at Cozumel. I am leaning towards Nachi Cocom, anybody ever been there? Or heard good/bad things about it?

 

[Melrosgirl]

I haven't looked into many excursions yet, but wanted to welcome you to our thread!

 

[wolfe-pak]

Hello everyone! We will also be joining this cruise. Myself, my husband and our 2 girls (6 and 4 at the time of the cruise). It is our 3rd cruise, but our first with Disney. We are all so excited and cannot wait for it to be here. We are also taking a week before to spend time again in WDW.

Kelly