10/15/2011 - Taking the West by Magic!

[amazingact21]

My MIL has been there and told us that the stringrays were huge - as big as flying saucers Which made me cry because I was laughing so hard how in the heck does she know how big flying saucers are

Haha. Oh that made me laugh out loud.

Il Gondolieri di Palo
The list so far...
Onkel Hans & Nicole
LySand & Heather
Ivet & DH
ColoradoDF
AmazingAct & DH​

LUUUV it!!!!

That is awesome. I love the mouse ears on the man.

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

I am happy to hear that you are also not booking through Disney--I am bit paranoid that the charter won't get us back in time and the ship will leave us behind. I shouldn't be worrying about that, should I?

We did a morning trip the last time, and got back about 12:30, so had plenty of time to get back to the ship. We'll book the same thing again this time, the trip we did stopped at the sand bar for the stingrays and then we went to Coral Gardens, so 2 snorkel stops, and we still had plenty of time! We had even left the kids back in the kids' clubs and didn't have any trouble.

When we first got there, it was the huge swarm of rays, they were everywhere! It died down a bit after all of the boats ran out of food, but there were still lots of rays and we got plenty of pictures with them. At the time, there was a ray with no barb or tail that they'd catch and let you take a picture kissing the ray, it's supposed to be good luck. I think Stumpy may not be around any more (but who knows?) but if so, keep an eye on your snorkel guide and he can set you up with a picture maybe!

There were some big ones, a few smaller ones, I'd say they averages 4 - 5 ft across.

 

[tinkerbelx]

I wish I had ideas on excursions, but unfortunately DF and I can't even decide what/if we want to do anything. I thought about doing the 7 mile beach on the caymens, as well, but DF is still griping about the beach, so we might not do it.[/QUOTE]

I have been to the caymens before and i did stingray city... (although not through disney)but i am sure it is the same tour. I highly recommend it.

 

[tinkerbelx]

Consider your seats reserved. Just be sure to stand clear of the doors. For the comfort of others no smoking, please. Thank you!

por favor mantengase alejado de las puertas

 

[joyjanet]

You now have to sign up for a check-in time at the port. You do this when you do your on-line check-in. You need to do all your info before you can pick the check-in time. The earlier you do it the better. The check-in time starts from 11:00-11:30, 11:30-12:00, etc, and goes until 4:00. My DH and me will be on this cruise along with some other friends. We would like to be a part of the FE and will provide the room numbers and names as soon as I get them.

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

You now have to sign up for a check-in time at the port. You do this when you do your on-line check-in. You need to do all your info before you can pick the check-in time. The earlier you do it the better. The check-in time starts from 11:00-11:30, 11:30-12:00, etc, and goes until 4:00. My DH and me will be on this cruise along with some other friends. We would like to be a part of the FE and will provide the room numbers and names as soon as I get them.

Welcome aboard joyjanet!!!! I'll add you to the roll call in the first post, and put you in for the FE, do you want me to put down any kiddos? Also, we're thinking we may do cruise meet wristbands, just in case you didn't read through the whole thread, what I've found is like $2.35 each with no minimum. We've also got a possible Palo brunch getting set up, we're at 9 now and the private room holds 12 - 14...

Wow, we're busier than I thought!

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

I am happy to hear that you are also not booking through Disney--I am bit paranoid that the charter won't get us back in time and the ship will leave us behind. I shouldn't be worrying about that, should I?

I was wrong, it wasn't Stingray Ray's, but Captain Marvin's that we went through. For a 1/2 day tour, which hits Stringray City, Coral Gardens and the Barrier Reef, it's $44/person, which isn't a big deal at all. The tour is listed as being from 10:00am to 1:00pm, and we're scheduled to be in port at 7:30am and leave at 4:30pm. So there's 3 1/2 hours leeway. Plenty of time!

 

[joyjanet]

Welcome aboard joyjanet!!!! I'll add you to the roll call in the first post, and put you in for the FE, do you want me to put down any kiddos? Also, we're thinking we may do cruise meet wristbands, just in case you didn't read through the whole thread, what I've found is like $2.35 each with no minimum. We've also got a possible Palo brunch getting set up, we're at 9 now and the private room holds 12 - 14...

Wow, we're busier than I thought!

We are going to have 3 rooms. One room will have 2 adults, 1 room will have 2 adults and 1 child (girl who is 6) and the other room will have 1 adult and 2 kids (boys who are 11 and 13). Will provide names and room numbers to you on Saturday. We booked a brunch already but I will see if the other 4 adults will want to join your party. I like to have a bowl of cereal in the morning and lunch so we took the 11:00 brunch time. It is the sea day (Thursday) before we arrive at Castaway Cay. Do you have a day and time yet for your brunch? Thanks for adding us to the list.

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

We are going to have 3 rooms. One room will have 2 adults, 1 room will have 2 adults and 1 child (girl who is 6) and the other room will have 1 adult and 2 kids (boys who are 11 and 13). Will provide names and room numbers to you on Saturday. We booked a brunch already but I will see if the other 4 adults will want to join your party. I like to have a bowl of cereal in the morning and lunch so we took the 11:00 brunch time. It is the sea day (Thursday) before we arrive at Castaway Cay. Do you have a day and time yet for your brunch? Thanks for adding us to the list.

Whoa now!!! You're thinking we're waaaayy more organized than we actually are!

Just one thing I wanted to note to everyone, I won't put your names on the roll call unless you post them for me on the thread. I know a couple from PMs, but really don't want to presume and post names without someone giving the OK, privacy is really important to folks and I don't want to step on any toes! So, I'm going to work on re-organizing the whole roll call post, it's gotten long and sort of hard to read, and I'll get your crew added joyjanet whenever you're ready!

 

[ivet]

My DH and me will be on this cruise along with some other friends. We would like to be a part of the FE and will provide the room numbers and names as soon as I get them.

Hi joyjanet and

 

[Onkel Hans]

For a 1/2 day tour, which hits Stringray City, Coral Gardens and the Barrier Reef, it's $44/person, which isn't a big deal at all. The tour is listed as being from 10:00am to 1:00pm, and we're scheduled to be in port at 7:30am and leave at 4:30pm. So there's 3 1/2 hours leeway. Plenty of time!

I definitely appreciate the reassurance! Our trip sounds a lot like that, Stingray City, Coral Gardens and Starfish Beach, and I feel comfotable enough that it will leave enough time to maybe stop by Margaritaville to do the tourist thing before we get back on the ship.

We've also got a possible Palo brunch getting set up, we're at 9 now and the private room holds 12 - 14...

Do you have a day and time yet for your brunch? Thanks for adding us to the list.

I didn't even think about whether it would brunch or dinner--sounds like brunch is the best choice? Hopefully we can corral a few more people before August 1!

Does anyone have any suggestions for getting from MCO to the port? We will be flying in the day before, and had planned on having a local relative pick us up at the airport, put us up for the night and then drop us off the next morning. We are thinking we may have to do it ourselves, now. I have a Carlson membership, so I am leaning toward the Country Inn at the port, but I would love some ideas about how to get from the airport to the port.

 

[LySand]

I definitely appreciate the reassurance! Our trip sounds a lot like that, Stingray City, Coral Gardens and Starfish Beach, and I feel comfotable enough that it will leave enough time to maybe stop by Margaritaville to do the tourist thing before we get back on the ship.





I didn't even think about whether it would brunch or dinner--sounds like brunch is the best choice? Hopefully we can corral a few more people before August 1!

I thought it was Palo for dinner! Silly me

Does anyone have any suggestions for getting from MCO to the port? We will be flying in the day before, and had planned on having a local relative pick us up at the airport, put us up for the night and then drop us off the next morning. We are thinking we may have to do it ourselves, now. I have a Carlson membership, so I am leaning toward the Country Inn at the port, but I would love some ideas about how to get from the airport to the port.

I will be staying at port the night before also but probably leaving from a Disney resort, most likely All Star. I thought closer to the cruise I would start looking for someone to share a ride/taxi/etc. from WDW to the port. Right now I don't have accomodation booked. Just the cruise and my flight to Orlando!

I have been away at the lake for a few days. It has been incredibly hot here at home. 33degrees C. Sorry I don't know what that is in farenheit. I just know its hot!! Just dreaming of ocean breezes.......

 

[LySand]

So is the group a Palo dinner or brunch? I guess I am in either way but I was really hoping for a dinner ;}

 

[The Browns]

This is our first cruise with DCL and our first cruise with the kids. With all the info we have received from CruiseCritics and DisBoards I feel like a veteran.

There are two rooms in our party, 4 adults & 4 kids. We are working on our FE and also making some for our friends. Shhhhh, it is a surprise for them . Unless they find this post, then the cat is out of the bag.

 

[Onkel Hans]

So is the group a Palo dinner or brunch? I guess I am in either way but I was really hoping for a dinner ;}

I admit I was thinking dinner, too, but I don't think I ever made it clear. As you pointed out, we may not have a choice! Do you think we should take a vote to decide our preference?

 

[LySand]

I admit I was thinking dinner, too, but I don't think I ever made it clear. As you pointed out, we may not have a choice! Do you think we should take a vote to decide our preference?

A vote is the most democratic way to do things but seeing as you and I are here and we thought it was dinner ..... hmmmm what to do? what to do? I'm just kidding. A vote is a great idea

When I was talking about choice, it was mainly regarding about which night/time we got a reservation for.

 

[ivet]

This is our first cruise with DCL and our first cruise with the kids. With all the info we have received from CruiseCritics and DisBoards I feel like a veteran.

There are two rooms in our party, 4 adults & 4 kids. We are working on our FE and also making some for our friends. Shhhhh, it is a surprise for them . Unless they find this post, then the cat is out of the bag.

hello and

 

[momtylerashley]

I'm sorry...I'm so new to all of this. Fish extenders, excurison...really need help with this one. Wristbands???? what is this for. I am reading and skipping around, but I hope now to check this daily. I know this sounds weird, but what are all the DH and other letters by people's names/ages of kids mean.

Thanks so much...I'm sorry I think it was ivet...that I FINALLY replied to. Are we in a group for fish extenders and how does this really work.

We have two kids and Tyler with be celebrating his 16th birthday and my daughter, Ashley her 9th. They don't know we are going...so hard to keep a secret!

Thanks for ALL your help.

Renee

 

[momtylerashley]

I'm in for four wristbands...let me know how to pay you.

 

[momtylerashley]

I'm lucky, mine does

OK, Oh My Gosh, I found a site that has the Walt Font to make wristbands! They'd end up being $2.13 a piece, and we'd need a minimum order of 50, they do also have adult and youth sizes and they're the same price for each. So, I guess we can start a poll to see if folks want them?

I'll take four---let me know how to pay you.