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

[Cayley]

The last two vacations Heather and I have been on have been unseasonably cold and/or wet!

Here's hoping the third time is a charm

PS the umbrella will come in handy to shade you from the sun

Our last Disney cruise was in October of 2008 in the Bahama's and it was beautiful, hot, and sunny the entire trip. I'm expecting the same weather!! The averages in all of our ports indicate hot and sunny. I know one of our ports (I can't remember which one) does get a lot of rain in September but it drops off drastically in October. I am extremely optimistic....

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

Our last Disney cruise was in October of 2008 in the Bahama's and it was beautiful, hot, and sunny the entire trip. I'm expecting the same weather!! The averages in all of our ports indicate hot and sunny. I know one of our ports (I can't remember which one) does get a lot of rain in September but it drops off drastically in October. I am extremely optimistic....

We cruised on October of '08 too, the only bad part was that we couldn't dock at Grand Cayman because the seas were too rough for the tender boats, but we hit Key West instead (it was a double-dip with 2 stops at Castaway Cay ). So I'd expect sunshine, but the winds could be whipping. We're going to do an inexpensive excursion at Grand Cayman, so if we can't tender then we won't lose much (it's not through Disney).

2 1/2 weeks and counting down!

 

[Onkel Hans]

Question for everyone going to the Palo brunch...has the reservation shown up on your page on DCL? Whenever I sign on and check my reservations, the brunch isn't on there. I didn't know if this was because we were using the private room.

Interesting question Alicia, it doesn't show up on mine, I think it may only show up on Hans' page, since he coordinated the reservation. We're confirmed, so I'm not worried about not having it, and the Palo folks can get the costs billed to the right KTTW cards, so that's no biggie either.

It actually shows up oddly on my reservation--the number of activities rose by one after getting the confirmation, but it doesn't show up on my itineraries. I was worried about that and I have since then reaffirmed that this behavior is normal with our friend in Cruise Activities. I will be visiting Rockin' D when we board to re-re-confirm.

Question: is there anywhere to get chocolate-chip pancakes aboard?

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

Question: is there anywhere to get chocolate-chip pancakes aboard?

That's actually the one thing that DCL doesn't do well. Their pancakes & waffles leave something to be desired...

 

[dkfajr1]

That's actually the one thing that DCL doesn't do well. Their pancakes & waffles leave something to be desired...

The kids love waffles and pancakes.....maybe it won't be too bad for them.


On a different note--to the experienced cruisers.....do you bring a lot of cash? I know we need some for tipping the porters, room service, and various other tips but how about in port? Can you use US dollars in the ports we are going to or will a credit card suffice?

 

[Cayley]

The kids love waffles and pancakes.....maybe it won't be too bad for them.


On a different note--to the experienced cruisers.....do you bring a lot of cash? I know we need some for tipping the porters, room service, and various other tips but how about in port? Can you use US dollars in the ports we are going to or will a credit card suffice?

I bring cash for the ports. I think it's possible some won't accept credit cards. We put a lot of Disney Gift cards down on the room for charged items and than we bring cash for tips and ports. I am going to make sure we bring singles and fives for tips. I'll be anxious to hear others thoughts on this.

 

[tinkerbelx]

The kids love waffles and pancakes.....maybe it won't be too bad for them.


On a different note--to the experienced cruisers.....do you bring a lot of cash? I know we need some for tipping the porters, room service, and various other tips but how about in port? Can you use US dollars in the ports we are going to or will a credit card suffice?

I am not big on traveling with a lot of cash. Most ports take us dollars (that i have been too) you will need cash for open air markets and some souvenir shops. The higher end stores all take credit cards (amex can be an issue sometimes when traveling outside the us). Just to let you know i think the exchange rates maybe higher when you use us dollars. Also you might want to call your credit card companies and let them know you will be away on a cruise. Amex froze my account when they saw me shopping in different countries each day, i had to call in and verify it was me.

 

[diznpat]

Getting more excited every say! I went to Good Will and found really inexpensive pirate costumes for my girls. A couple if clearance dresses. All in all pre-cruise shopping has started to get out of hand

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

The kids love waffles and pancakes.....maybe it won't be too bad for them.


On a different note--to the experienced cruisers.....do you bring a lot of cash? I know we need some for tipping the porters, room service, and various other tips but how about in port? Can you use US dollars in the ports we are going to or will a credit card suffice?

Most of the ports will accept US dollars. I'll end up bringing about $200 in cash for cabs and tipping on our scuba excursions, then of course for room service and the porters, other than that, probably nothing, I'll do the rest on the cards.

 

[tinkerbelx]

I am just sad that it's hard to find excursions that are able for 2 yr olds.

If you are interested- we are thinking of getting a day pass to the Marriott on grand cayman. I saw on cruise critic that it is 12 bucks for a day pass. I am going to call them and see if that info is correct. You get use of their beach, chairs, towels, umbrellas and pool. Sienna will be looking forward to the pool as she wont be able to use it on the ship- and she loves the pool. I hope it works out.

If anyone else wants to join-once i confirm i will let you know-although i wish we were doing stingray ray city

 

[Cayley]

Most of the ports will accept US dollars. I'll end up bringing about $200 in cash for cabs and tipping on our scuba excursions, then of course for room service and the porters, other than that, probably nothing, I'll do the rest on the cards.

Is it customary to tip for excursions? If so, how much? We ended up booking the jet ski excursion that I found online for Grand Cayman. We will jet ski to Stingray City and Rum Point Beach. It is refundable if we do not dock there.

 

[amazingact21]

Getting more excited every say! I went to Good Will and found really inexpensive pirate costumes for my girls. A couple if clearance dresses. All in all pre-cruise shopping has started to get out of hand

I know what you mean about pre-cruise shopping...I keep making more and more trips to the store for trip items!

Most of the ports will accept US dollars. I'll end up bringing about $200 in cash for cabs and tipping on our scuba excursions, then of course for room service and the porters, other than that, probably nothing, I'll do the rest on the cards.

This might sound like a silly question, but I was curious. As far as tipping servers and such, are you required to pay in cash or can you charge the costs? I just know it'd be easier and more convienent for me if I didn't have to keep up with the tip envelopes for a week.

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

Is it customary to tip for excursions? If so, how much? We ended up booking the jet ski excursion that I found online for Grand Cayman. We will jet ski to Stingray City and Rum Point Beach. It is refundable if we do not dock there.

If it's a guided excursion, you'll see a lot of people tipping the guide, if it's just a bus driver, unless he's helping you on and off the bus by picking you up and carrying you to your seat, nope.

This might sound like a silly question, but I was curious. As far as tipping servers and such, are you required to pay in cash or can you charge the costs? I just know it'd be easier and more convienent for me if I didn't have to keep up with the tip envelopes for a week.

The 4 main tipped positions can just be added to your stateroom account, so charged to whatever card you've got on record. Then on the CC day, they'll leave coupons for you to put in the tip envelopes to deliver to you servers and stateroom host. We've always done it that way.

 

[tinkerbelx]

Is it customary to tip for excursions? If so, how much? We ended up booking the jet ski excursion that I found online for Grand Cayman. We will jet ski to Stingray City and Rum Point Beach. It is refundable if we do not dock there.

just wanted to know what tour operator you booked this through?

 

[Cayley]

just wanted to know what tour operator you booked this through?

It is through Island Marketing LTD. They offer other excursions as well.

http://grandcaymancruiseexcursions.com

 

[Cayley]

Check out the "What to wear to dinner" thread on the forum page. There is an awesome picture taken on formal night of all the families onboard that were part of the disboards for that cruise. Great idea.....

 

[LySand]

If it's a guided excursion, you'll see a lot of people tipping the guide, if it's just a bus driver, unless he's helping you on and off the bus by picking you up and carrying you to your seat, nope.

 

[LySand]

The main road that the loops branch off from is lit up, but there are no street lights within the loops, so yes it can be very dark. However, if people are at their sites and decorations lit up, you can see ok. I would STRONGLY suggest getting a cart. It is super fun! And yes, you can spend hours there, the campground is huge! Fort Wilderness is the only place we have ever stayed at Disney, and I wouldn't go anywhere else We had never rented a cart, either, until our last visit (we always just brought our bikes) and I won't go again without it...looping is amazingly fun!!

I'm not sure if you know this, but they have an outdoor movie (Disney) that plays every night there and Chip and Dale come out before for autographs and stuff. It is played by the Meadows Trading Post. They also sell marshmallows and roasting sticks there so you can sit around the firepit before and enjoy marshmallows. It really is fun and relaxing...but remember bug spray! You can also go down to the beach area and see the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the dock.

HTH

Thanks for the info. I am going to call tomorrow and reserve a cart. I hope I can do that even though I am not staying at the resort.

A trip around the resort in my cart, movies with my best pals Chip'Dale and then fireworks - sounds like a perfect day! I was also reading about the carriages. Do you know if there are there lots of places to park the carts?

No much longer now

 

[LySand]

k

 

[Onkel Hans]

Check out the "What to wear to dinner" thread on the forum page. There is an awesome picture taken on formal night of all the families onboard that were part of the disboards for that cruise. Great idea.....

DISmeet #4?