11/06/04 Western New and Improved Official Thread!

[jjgarv]

Hi, CatLady! DH and I are leaving DD-20months behind with her grandparents, so we will be child-free, although we're traveling with my parents/siblings/nephews/niece. (We'll be camped out by the Quiet Cove pool on the ship, and can't wait to hit Serenity Bay on Castaway Cay!)

We're getting in on Friday and staying at the Holiday Inn Select. DH got some great rate months ago on priceline, I think. He made dinner reservations for Emeril's restaurant Tchoup Choup for Friday night. Anyone ever eaten there? What do you recommend?

We're getting closer to hearing that wonderful sound from the Magic's horn!!!

Jennifer

 

[mikedog]

This is my first Disney cruise.Would love any info that might be helpful.I have two boys 9 and 10. I noticed excursions stating 10 years or older. Anyone know how strict they are on age?

 

[jerry112]

Hi everyone,

MiaSRN62 - Call DCL directly at 1-877-566-0968. If you go on the website first, you'll see a list of all the excursions available. My DH and DS are doing the catamaran race in Key West. We will be going to Paradise beach in Cozumel but lots of folks are doing the catamaran sail and snorkel and CC is relaxing on the beach. Costa Maya we'll see. Good luck!

Karen

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hi Karen,
Thanks for the reply ! I'm looking at a couple different things for Cozumel now---will have to poll the family. Where is Paradise Beach though ? I only see Playa Sol beach listed as an excursion on DCL's web site for Cozumel ? I'm also looking at the sea lion discovery and snorkel ---anyone know how this ?

Mikedog---welcome to the DIS ! Which excursions are you interested in ? I don't see too many that restrict children 9 years old. I'm guessing you might be interested in the jeep or kayak excursions though ? Perhaps if you started a thread asking that question you might get someone with experience about those. I wish I could help you but I'm not sure how strict they are.

 

[CatLady]

DH, who made the reservation, said that we do have the late seating. He thinks I'm crazy after all of the questions I asked him after he said we were booked. "Which seating? (late) Do we know which rotation? (no) Do we have a stateroom assigned? (not yet)." I think he's starting to wish that I had made the reservation so I will stop asking questions!

jjgarv, glad to hear we aren't the only ones traveling without children. I have plans to spend a lot of time near the quiet cove pool, and I am dreaming of Serenity Bay! Last November, I remember getting over to Serenity Bay and understanding the name immediately!

I have never eaten at Tchoup Choup, but I know people who have, and they say it is fantastic.

As for excursion plans... We are planning to go off on our own rather than take ship excursions in Key West and Cozumel. We were in Key West in May just after our wedding, so we feel pretty confident in getting around there. I think we're going to snorkel at Ft. Zachary Taylor park. I'm sure DH really wants to rent a moped again, but with three of us, I think we can safely say we won't all fit on!! I went on a dive trip to Cozumel a few years ago, and we are thinking of snorkeling a site I previously dived where there is a sunken airplane. Both places, we figure we can snorkel, return to the ship to change and eat, then have time in town to wander and shop. I don't know about Costa Maya. Like MiaSRN62, the conflicting stories about the beaches and the port itself have me a bit uncertain. I'm being awfully bossy about what I want to do in Cozumel, so I may leave it to DH and my sister to decide in Costa Maya!!

MisSRN62, you wanted to know where Paradise Beach is in Cozumel? Here's a map that might help:
http://cozumelmexico.net/Cozumel-Beaches.html

 

[MiaSRN62]

thanks for the link CatLady ! I'm assuming Paradise beach is a free beach that you can just do on your own ? Is it better than Playa de Sol which DCL offers as an excursion ?

 

[jel0511]

Originally posted by MiaSRN62
thanks for the link CatLady ! I'm assuming Paradise beach is a free beach that you can just do on your own ? Is it better than Playa de Sol which DCL offers as an excursion ?

Yes, Paradise beach is a do it yourself excursion, and we plan on going. It is MUCH cheaper than taking a DCL excursion, and from what I've read, MUCH nicer. It is free, as all of the chairs and umbrellas. They do expect you to order food and drink while there, but since we'll be there during lunch time, a pretty easy thing to do. Here is the direct website for Paradise Beach.

http://paradise-beach-cozumel.net/home_pbeach.php

 

[jerry112]

MiaSRN62

Paradise beach is a free beach (at this time). Taxi to and from is about 12.00 each way for 4 people. The website to check them out is http://paradise-beach-cozumel.net

Check it out on cruisecritic.com also. It usually gets rave reviews!
You can do a search on the disney cruise line forum also.


Karen

 

[scottygirl]

Boy this thread has been busy since yesterday afternoon!! Welcome to CatLady and mikedog ! I hope you two can get along! Haha!

TYTY, no BROWN truck has showed up at my door yet.


CinRN, I am glad you made it over to our thead!! We also have late seating.


confal1, I have three cute blonde (varying shades) kids with blue eyes too!! The DISmeet is the day we board, Saturday at 3:00.

MiaSRN62, I like the idea of something lime green if possible. I was thinking of making a quick pin out of a lime green Mickey head from Home Depot. I booked my DCL excursion by fax. They faxed me back a confirm within 5 minutes!!

mikedog, If you are booking a DCL excursion, they are probably pretty strict about the age. What excusions are you looking at? Sometimes you can book them on your own. I have a 10 year old boy and a 7 year old boy (he will be 8 next month) Come to the DISmeet so the boys can make friends!!

I hope I responded to everyone!! I started pulling out the kids dress clothes last night. Of course, DS10 being the oldest has nothing to wear. DS7 has a lot to wear!! DD7 is all set thanks to my DN9 hand-me-downs! I need to get DS10 two dress shirts and a tie.

TTFN,

Jackie

 

[CinRN]

posted dinner seating wrong we are at the early seating, dd wouldn't probably make it through the late seating. Who am i kidding that 3 year old has more get up and go then all of us combined. Is it definate that the ship will not be going to grand cayman, or more speculation? Can't wait.

 

[CatLady]

I don't think anything is definite as far as ports of call until you're tied up at the pier (or on the tender, as the case may be).

There's a lot of speculation about when Grand Cayman will be reopened for cruises. I know what parts of Florida look like after the hurricanes coming through, and I understand the conflicting needs of getting your universe put back together and also needing the tourist dollars that will ultimately help you do so.

As for what is official, my sister pointed something out to me on the Disney Cruise Lines site's 7-night western itinerary page. At the bottom, it says: "Sailings before November 6, 2004 will visit Costa Maya in place of Grand Cayman. These sailings may also depart Key West at a later time than posted here."

I would imagine this is a bit speculative at this point, since there's no telling how quickly or slowly the cleanup process will go in Grand Cayman.

 

[WheresGoofy]

My DW and I have a question. What is the significance of the Lime Green color? We have noticed it on a couple threads talking about the Lime Green Mickey heads from Home Depot which we noted those colors were were empty at both our local HD stores. Thanks in advance.

 

[mikedog]

Mikeydog with DW,DS9,DS10

 

[jerry112]

I agree with WheresGoofy about the Lime green mickey heads at HD. Our local store only had Alien Green or Sonic Boom, no Lime green in sight. A slight difference in the shade probably won't make a difference. I'm sure we'll be able to recognize each other as only disboarders will be walking around with green mickey heads on their clothes!!

 

[sjcubedofct]

Wow, I take a couple of days off and some new folks show up! Welcome, everyone! It's hard to believe we're under the one month mark. Documents should be arriving shortly.

Each day, Paula (TYTY) and I chat about where we'll be in one month!! We'll be preparing to board that big ship in one month, dropping off rental vans and heading to the port....

I've updated the first post of who's going, arrivals, dinners, etc. Please let me know if I've missed something!

Thanks, Sherry

 

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

jjgarv - we have eaten at Tchoup Choup (December 2003) and I have a very different opinon about it. I did like the decor in the restaurant, but that was about it. If you are adventerous with food then you will be able to find something on the menu. I am not that adventurous and had a hard time getting somthing I enjoyed. Do not expect to come out of the restaurant full. THe portion sizes are very small. I expected better service in that type of restaurant - it was extremely slow!! Maybe they were having an off day when we were there, however there were only a few other table with guests, so they were not busy. I do hope that you enjoy your meal there though!!!

We can't wait to be on the ship either!! Less than one month to go! I am hopefully going to start packing our summer stuff soon, before it gets put away for the winter!! It was ICE COLD in Rhode Island today - winter jackets were on!! I was sooo tempted to get the hats and mittens on the kids too!!

Enjoy the next couple of weeks getting ready in preparation for a wonderful Disney Vacation!!

Lisa

 

[CatLady]

Okay, what's the story with the Mickey heads? I keep seeing them mentioned from home depot... Where at home depot do you find mickey heads!?

 

[scottygirl]

WheresGoofy and CatLady,

Lime Green is the official DIS color. HD has a line of Disney paint and the paint swatches are MIckey heads. Someone came up with the idea to use these to signify that you are a DISmember.

CatLady, Good observation by your sister on the Grand Cayman issue. Maybe we will get lucky and be the first cruisers to return to the island.

Lisa, it is cold here in MI too! I finally broke down and turned on the furnace this morning!

Hi Sherry!

TTFN,

Jackie

 

[WheresGoofy]

Thank you for clarifying the significance of the lime green Mickey heads. May have to check another HD this weekend for green Mickey heads now that we know...We have a few shades of blue, yellow, and orange that we picked up last weekend for fun.

 

[WheresGoofy]

I have to make a correction of my abbreviations that I used in my arrival post. My wife pointed out that we all of sudden had 2 sons...I meant for DS to stand for dear sisters...

So here is my new post:
Myself, my wife and our daughter will arrive Tuesday for a stay at POFQ.

My 2 sisters will arrive on Saturday and are meeting us on the Magic.

Counting down to our magical vacation!