"10/23/2010 Seven Days of Magic Sailing to the Saints Looking for Serenity Now!"

[Reedi]

Who all are doing MNSSHP at WDW? What day are you going? Have any of you done that before? And last, did you enjoy it? I don't know that my DH would want to do that, but I think it might be fun.

We'll be there!! It's our first, so I don't have any feedback for you. Sorry, but we hope to see you there!

 

[DisneyMama27]

Any suggestions? Do previous cruisers have favorite (but inexpensive) St. Maarten's and St. Thomas activities?

Welcome, Dan! Your girls are cute - my girls are the same ages (Katie will be 11 3/4 on the cruise!) and they have been getting to know each other on the kids' boards!

We are wondering the same thing... we know from our previous cruise that we will be spending a lot of $$ ON the cruise (drinks, souvenirs, photos) so we are trying to keep the port days simple. My kids just want to go to the beach and play in the ocean, so I am hoping we can get a taxi or walk at both of the ports. Anyone with experience that can give us some tips?

 

[JanDave]

Hi Dan and family! Welcome to our cruise thread.

Perhaps you and your family could go to a beach at St. M or St. T. as an affordable option. Others on this thread will have other suggestions, too. I use cruise critic to get ideas about what to do at the various ports, as well.

Looking forward to meeting you and your family.

Jan

 

[Simbalic]

Hi Dan and family! Welcome to our cruise thread.

Perhaps you and your family could go to a beach at St. M or St. T. as an affordable option. Others on this thread will have other suggestions, too. I use cruise critic to get ideas about what to do at the various ports, as well.

Looking forward to meeting you and your family.

Jan

Thanks Jan!

We'll check out cruise critic !

Dan

 

[Simbalic]

Welcome, Dan! Your girls are cute - my girls are the same ages (Katie will be 11 3/4 on the cruise!) and they have been getting to know each other on the kids' boards!

We are wondering the same thing... we know from our previous cruise that we will be spending a lot of $$ ON the cruise (drinks, souvenirs, photos) so we are trying to keep the port days simple. My kids just want to go to the beach and play in the ocean, so I am hoping we can get a taxi or walk at both of the ports. Anyone with experience that can give us some tips?

Thanks Shari! Your girls are cute too!

I'm going to be looking into cruise critic, like Jan suggested, to get some idea about how best to manage the ports and beaches for inexpensive fun. Like others have said "Every dollar you save is another dollar towards your next trip!"

Dan

 

[minniesota]

I've been to MNSSHP 3 times and it is a lot of fun! Several years ago before the party was really popular, we practically had the park to ourselves. Still, it is a hard-ticket event (You need to buy a separate ticket) and there is a limited number of tickets sold.

One important tip: first, you do not need a park pass that day - just your MNSSHP ticket AND you can get into the park at 4 PM with your party ticket. Now CMs will tell you that you can't get in until 7 PM but for the past 8 years or so, you have been able to get in by 4.

You go to the far right gate and you will be given a wristband and trick or treat bag. There are trick or treat stations throughout the park; music for dancing, special shows and the characters are all dressed in costume. A lot of people dress up but many do not. One year my kids all wore Minnesota Twins t-shirts with red and blue beads (we were in the playoffs that year). Another year I found cute Halloween t-shirts at Target and they wore those.

There is a special parade - 2 of them, in fact (do not miss the start when the headless horseman rides down the middle of Main St.) and a special Hallow-Wishes fireworks display. It's a great night!

Let me know if you have any other questions!

 

[Grandma4ever]

Grandma4ever
10/24/2010 - Sea -Tea @ 3:00 PM
10/25/2010 - Sea - Spa @ 10:30 AM
10/26/2010 - St Maarten - Tiki Hut Snorkel @ 8:45 AM
10/27/2010 - St Thomas - Doubloon Turtle Cove Sail and Snorkel @ 8:00 AM
10/28/2010 - Sea - Palo @ 8:00 PM
10/29/2010 - Castaway - Walk the Adult Beach and relax!!!

This is what I have booked for this Cruise. It feels like it is so far away yet so close. But it will be here and gone before we know it. Lois


Paul 2003
St. Maarten - Island Drive & Explorer Cruise
St. Thomas - Coral World Ocean Park and Scenic Drive
Castaway Cay - Castaway Island Cruise

JanDave
10/25/10 Palo Brunch 11am
10/27/10 St. Thomas - Sunny Liston Tour
10/28/10 Palo Dinner 6:30pm
10/29/10 CC - Parasailing - 10:30am

fastrakphil
Sunday October 24-Palo High Tea 3:00 PM
Monday October 25-Palo Brunch 11:00 AM
Tuesday October 26-St. Maarten- Under Two Flags Island Tour 8:45 AM
Wednesday October 27-St. Thomas- Skyride To Paradise Point 9:00 AM
Thursday October 28-Palo Dinner 8:00 PM
Friday October 29-Castaway Cay- Adult Beach Relaxation ALL DAY

With changes at work I have had difficulity in keeping up with my DIS responsibilities. If you would like to be added to our excusuion list please send me a PM. I will have you added. Then we will know if other DISER will be on the same excusions with us. We can do the same with Palo. I am looking forward to see what each of us are planning for this trip. Feel free to add any plans you may have.

 

[MrsMunchie]

There's a really great thread on this years MNSSHP with details on characters and events.

This is my first time posting a link to another thread. Hope it works.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2504773

 

[sunshine1259]

With changes at work I have had difficulity in keeping up with my DIS responsibilities. If you would like to be added to our excusuion list please send me a PM. I will have you added. Then we will know if other DISER will be on the same excusions with us. We can do the same with Palo. I am looking forward to see what each of us are planning for this trip. Feel free to add any plans you may have.

Here's my list, Lois.

Exotic Rasul for me on Sunday, from 3:30-4:20 pm.
Under 2 Flags Island Tour in St. Maarten for both us on Tuesday, from 8:45-11:45 am.
Palo dinner for both of us on Tuesday, at 6:00 pm.
Certified Scuba in St. Thomas for DH on Wednesday, from 8:15 am-12:15 pm.
Well being massage for me on Wednesday, from 4:30-5:20 pm.
Palo Brunch for both of us on Thursday, at 11:30 am.
(I haven't decided which spa treatment to get yet. Won't be doing both, though, that's for sure).

 

[sunshine1259]

My two girls (Ellen-12 and Claire-9) are getting really excited for the cruise. They are beginning to meet the other kids, and plan about what they want to do on the boat. Their enthusiasm is infectious!

Our family has been on 2 previous Disney Wonder cruises, and we are giddy to be going for a whole week this time on the Magic.

My wife and I are looking for some helpful, money-saving suggestions. We haven't booked any excursions----it just seems crazy to think about spending more $$ on top of all we're spending for the cruise.

On our previous 3-day Wonder cruises, we mostly stayed on the ship and enjoyed the "free" food, and extra space with everyone being on shore.

But we can't imagine staying on the ship for the whole week! Any suggestions? Do previous cruisers have favorite (but inexpensive) St. Maarten's and St. Thomas activities?

Thanks for your input!

Dan

Hi, Dan, WELCOME ABOARD!!! I have been on 4 Disney Wonder cruises myself, but this will be my first Disney Magic 7-day cruise. I think that it will be hard to stay on the boat the whole time, too. I haven't anything planned for St. Thomas. For St. Maarten we are doing the Under 2 Flags tour. That was about the least expensive, Disney-sponsored tour of interest that I was able to book.

I am sure that if you stay posted here, there will be many suggestions of what you all can do. If nothing else, if weather permits, it would make for some great beach days.

I will add you all to our cruise page. Please let me know if you are interested in joining the FE gift exchange.

Again, Welcome Aboard!!!

 

[sunshine1259]

I've been to MNSSHP 3 times and it is a lot of fun! Several years ago before the party was really popular, we practically had the park to ourselves. Still, it is a hard-ticket event (You need to buy a separate ticket) and there is a limited number of tickets sold.

One important tip: first, you do not need a park pass that day - just your MNSSHP ticket AND you can get into the park at 4 PM with your party ticket. Now CMs will tell you that you can't get in until 7 PM but for the past 8 years or so, you have been able to get in by 4.

You go to the far right gate and you will be given a wristband and trick or treat bag. There are trick or treat stations throughout the park; music for dancing, special shows and the characters are all dressed in costume. A lot of people dress up but many do not. One year my kids all wore Minnesota Twins t-shirts with red and blue beads (we were in the playoffs that year). Another year I found cute Halloween t-shirts at Target and they wore those.

There is a special parade - 2 of them, in fact (do not miss the start when the headless horseman rides down the middle of Main St.) and a special Hallow-Wishes fireworks display. It's a great night!

Let me know if you have any other questions!

I think that you have answered all of my questions. Just one more; People can still ride the rides while this all going on, correct?

Thanks a bunch for the information.

 

[sunshine1259]

There's a really great thread on this years MNSSHP with details on characters and events.

This is my first time posting a link to another thread. Hope it works.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2504773

Heading there now.

 

[minniesota]

I think that you have answered all of my questions. Just one more; People can still ride the rides while this all going on, correct?

Thanks a bunch for the information.

Yes, most of the attractions are open and there are additional shows going on as well. The thread MrsMunchie provided is a good one!

 

[sunshine1259]

Yes, most of the attractions are open and there are additional shows going on as well. The thread MrsMunchie provided is a good one!

Great, thanks.

 

[mrsdn5]

With changes at work I have had difficulity in keeping up with my DIS responsibilities. If you would like to be added to our excusuion list please send me a PM. I will have you added. Then we will know if other DISER will be on the same excusions with us. We can do the same with Palo. I am looking forward to see what each of us are planning for this trip. Feel free to add any plans you may have.

10/24-SEA Resting/relaxing enjoying ship
10/25-SEA Exotic Rasul me, DH 11:00-11:50, PALO me,DH 6:30
10/26-St Maarten Under 2 flags Island Tour 8:45-11:45,me,DH,DD3,DD4
10/27-St Thomas Stay on ship and Enjoy
10/28-SEA Palo Brunch, me, DH 10:30
10/29-Castaway Cay Parasailing 10:30-11:30 me,DH (Dh not too thrilled he's not a fan of heights, but he's going)

 

[dennisbryce]

I was sitting at work today and one of my co-workers said, "it would be so nice to go on a cruise." The other co-worker said, "yeah I heard Disney has an awsome cruise." I said yep and I am going!!! You should have seen there mouths drop. It was great!!! Now I have them talking about going on one. I have been talking about all the information that I have gathered and one of them asked if it was only for kids. I told them nope I have seen and talked to others who go on adult cruises only. They could not believe it!!!

Oh the suspense is killing me!!! Only 86 more days...only 86 more days... I have to keep telling myself that only 86 more days!!!

 

[sunshine1259]

I was sitting at work today and one of my co-workers said, "it would be so nice to go on a cruise." The other co-worker said, "yeah I heard Disney has an awsome cruise." I said yep and I am going!!! You should have seen there mouths drop. It was great!!! Now I have them talking about going on one. I have been talking about all the information that I have gathered and one of them asked if it was only for kids. I told them nope I have seen and talked to others who go on adult cruises only. They could not believe it!!!

Oh the suspense is killing me!!! Only 86 more days...only 86 more days... I have to keep telling myself that only 86 more days!!!

Bob, if you check out the first page, it list everyone who is going. You can see that there are quite a few cruisers who are going sans kids. My DH and I are among those. . Just have them take a look at that.

 

[Simbalic]

Hi, Dan, WELCOME ABOARD!!!

I will add you all to our cruise page. Please let me know if you are interested in joining the FE gift exchange.

Again, Welcome Aboard!!!

Thanks for the welcoming!

We haven't committed yet to the Fish Extender gift exchange. It sounds like a lot of fun, but we're not sure exactly how this is done.

Do people drop off gifts throughout the cruise, or is it just one day or so?
Are we assigned to one 'secret family' to exchange with, or do you put gifts is the pockets for everyone? (that sounds like a lot of work).
And, when do you need a definite answer if we are in?

Thanks for all your hard work, and helpful advice!

Dan

 

[Simbalic]

I use cruise critic to get ideas about what to do at the various ports, as well.

Jan

I checked it out today, and it was really a good place to get ideas of things available on St. Maarten, and St. Thomas.

Thanks again!

Dan

 

[Simbalic]

I was sitting at work today and one of my co-workers said, "it would be so nice to go on a cruise." The other co-worker said, "yeah I heard Disney has an awsome cruise." I said yep and I am going!!! You should have seen there mouths drop. It was great!!! Now I have them talking about going on one. I have been talking about all the information that I have gathered and one of them asked if it was only for kids. I told them nope I have seen and talked to others who go on adult cruises only. They could not believe it!!!

Oh the suspense is killing me!!! Only 86 more days...only 86 more days... I have to keep telling myself that only 86 more days!!!

Great story! Thanks for sharing! I keep busting because I want to tell people I'm standing in line with at the grocery store!

Dan