11/17/12 It's a Magical TEXAS Thanksgiving with the Mouse!

[discruiser]

We thought about doing a Mayan ruins tour but what with the Mayan "end of the world" December 2012 thing, we're wondering if they'll be less crazy if we wait to visit them in the spring.

We just returned from a Western Caribbean cruise on the Fantasy and we did the ruins tour in Costa Maya. Although I think it could be an interesting tour, it was miserable in June. It was extremely hot and the bugs were awful! I would hope it would be more comfortable in November, although I don't know what the average temp in November is. We also traveled with our 4 kids, ranging in age from 5 to 14. The only one who was remotely interested in what our guide had to say was my 14 year old son. I wouldn't mind doing this tour again when my kids are older or without kids (and as long as it's not in the summertime), but I feel like we wasted $400 on this tour. We also had early dining and had very little time once we returned from the tour to shower and dress for dinner, and trust me, we felt nasty after being in the heat!

Thanks for the welcome! I am interested in excursion recommendations, too. I was thinking about doing the dolphin swim in Cozumel (we've been wanting to swim with dolphins for a long time), but I'm open to suggestions for the other two ports. It seemed like quite a few of the excursions excluded kids my son's age. How strict are they on age requirements? Will the system prevent you from booking the excursion if the child is too young. The thing is, he will turn 8 just one month after the cruise. If it is a height/size issue, he is over 50 inches tall, which makes him the size of the average 10 year old.

Disney is very strict on age requirements for their tours. If the child is not eligible for the tour due to age, you will not be given the option to book him on the tour.

Kim

 

[dato63]

We just returned from a Western Caribbean cruise on the Fantasy and we did the ruins tour in Costa Maya. Although I think it could be an interesting tour, it was miserable in June. It was extremely hot and the bugs were awful! I would hope it would be more comfortable in November, although I don't know what the average temp in November is. We also traveled with our 4 kids, ranging in age from 5 to 14. The only one who was remotely interested in what our guide had to say was my 14 year old son. I wouldn't mind doing this tour again when my kids are older or without kids (and as long as it's not in the summertime), but I feel like we wasted $400 on this tour. We also had early dining and had very little time once we returned from the tour to shower and dress for dinner, and trust me, we felt nasty after being in the heat!



Disney is very strict on age requirements for their tours. If the child is not eligible for the tour due to age, you will not be given the option to book him on the tour.

Kim

Thanks for the insight about the ruins. That was one thing I was considering - but I wasn't sure about how rushed it might feel due to the time in port. Now I am pretty sure I'll wait until my DDs are older.

I hope you had a wonderful time on the Fantasy! Sigh. We were suppose to try the Fantasy this past June but wound up switching to go back to Alaska (not with DCL though). Every time I see pics of the Fantasy I have a pang of regret. It looks incredible.

On the positive side though - we leave in 2 weeks for Seattle, and in 15 days we board our Alaskan cruise. I can't wait for the cooler temps.

 

[dato63]

I am a single parent and this will be our 2nd cruise. We had so much fun the first time leaving from Florida we decided to go again close to home. We want to do the Fish Extenders too. How do I get a hold of the person in charge of the list. We did the Fish Extenders the first cruise and the girls had so much fun coming back in the evening to see what they had received. I am bring my DD13 and DD 11 plus my Mom. I have the room number and all too. Thanks for any info.

I don't know if you found the information. Dagney has kindly offered to head up the FE exchange. The information can be found on page 8, post #120 on this thread:


All: I am going to be setting up the FE exchange information on google docs. For those participating, can you pretty please send me a PM with the following information

DIS Name
First Names of everyone in your travel party
Ages of any corresponding kiddos
Cabin Number
Favorite Disney Character

Additionally, I made name tags for all the DISers on my last cruise so we could easily identify each other. I am happy to do so again.

If you would like a name tag and are not participating in the FE exchange, please PM me the following:

First Names of people you would like a name tag for and your cabin number.

Thanks everyone!!! Time will not go by quick enough!

 

[discruiser]

Thanks for the insight about the ruins. That was one thing I was considering - but I wasn't sure about how rushed it might feel due to the time in port. Now I am pretty sure I'll wait until my DDs are older.

I hope you had a wonderful time on the Fantasy! Sigh. We were suppose to try the Fantasy this past June but wound up switching to go back to Alaska (not with DCL though). Every time I see pics of the Fantasy I have a pang of regret. It looks incredible.

On the positive side though - we leave in 2 weeks for Seattle, and in 15 days we board our Alaskan cruise. I can't wait for the cooler temps.

The Fantasy was incredible, but I think the Magic is still my favorite!

We did Alaska with DCL last year, and it was beautiful! I would love to go back!

So excited that we paid off this cruise today! I am ready to book Palo brunch next week!

 

[cruisecrasher]

I'm so happy they've announced fall 2013 will have the Wonder out of Galveston! I think we'll need to book a cruise for the first of January 2014 while onboard.

 

[TexasGirl]

CAST OF CHARACTERS!!!




TEXAS (& More) TURKEYS

TexasGirl (Nita) Plus DH and DD (will be 12) and DS (will be 7)
terimac (Teri) DH mason, DS Rylan & dd brynlea
cruisecrasher (Lori) KetchAggie(Ben) DS(will be 6) DD(will be 3)
shera: christine & 18 yr old DD - bday on cruise
S'sMom DH DD(will be 10) DS(will be 4)
JenBill5(Jenny) DH and DD(7)
CheeChick DH DS(will be 7) DD(will be 3)
rebeccatp(Rebecca) DH DD(will be 20) DS(will be 15) DS(will be 11)
Disney Fans DH DS DS and Her mom, aunt or brother
donald'sdarling(Lynn) DH and DD(16) and grandparents DS(22)
Dahly(Leslie) DH DS(will be 15)
Tx<3sDisney DH DS(will be 16) DD(will be 6)
DisneyMama629(Krista) grandma DS(3) and aunt niece(12) Canceled
WMILLER86(Willie) DW DD(22) DD(17)
Mickeyhugger(Rob and Priscilla) DD(18)
LAMPSKIES(Ron and Kim) and DD DD
Christine & DD 18
Collectoraholic(DW) plus DH, DD (16 @ time of sailing) & DD (10 @ time of sailing)
CodyBoy (DW 44) plus DH 45 & DD 19 DS 17 (11th grade)
Aristocath (Cathy) plus DH, and three sons who will be 14, 13, and 9.
JennyH2829 DW plus DH, DD (12 at time of cruise) and in laws
Princess CKL DH & DW
FatFish with dd 11
Dagny: DW, DH, dd 21 and DS 13
Luv that cruise: DW, DH , dd16, DS 19
Txgirl5: Mom and dd 10
Scuba diver.
DIScruiser: DW, DH, DS 14, dd12 and DS 6
LoneStarTX: DW, DH & 3 kiddos. Canceled
Autmur: Autumn, DH Tracy plus dd & niece who are 3rd graders.
dato63: Deb, John 2 twin daughters age 9
PugHugs: plus DDs 11& 14 plus grandma
Aggal98: DW, DH, dd 9, DS 5
Mayhan party of 6
TxTransplant: mom & DS 7


General Information:

Disney Magic 2012 - Galveston
Seven-Night Western Caribbean
11/17/12
Balance due Sept 3, 2012

Day 1 - Galveston
Day 2 - At Sea
Day 3 - At Sea
Day 4 - Grand Cayman
Day 5 - Costa Maya
Day 6 - Cozumel
Day 7 - At Sea

Fish extender info via Dagney!!!! Pm Dagney with below
Dagney has kindly offered to head up the FE exchange. The information can be found on page 8, post #120 on this thread:


Quote from Dagney; "I am going to be setting up the FE exchange information on google docs. For those participating, can you pretty please send me a PM with the following information

DIS Name
First Names of everyone in your travel party
Ages of any corresponding kiddos
Cabin Number
Favorite Disney Character

Additionally, I made name tags for all the DISers on my last cruise so we could easily identify each other. I am happy to do so again.

If you would like a name tag and are not participating in the FE exchange, please PM me the following:

First Names of people you would like a name tag for and your cabin ."

----------------

Any other info you guys want on front page? Do we have a design, name, or meet?

Sorry I have been away for so long! I did go ahead and updat post 2 with what I think is the full group plus Dagney's FE info.

Welcome to all the new folks that have joined since I posted last.

Our group is myself and my DH plus a beautiful 12 year old daughter and a 7 year old son! We live in Dallas Fort worth.

Anyway, I'll post whatever anyone suggests as helpful on the first page.

 

[thedisneydiva]

Hi Everyone!

We will be on this cruise, me- Christy, DH Travis and 3 boys Blake (13), and Brayden and Bryson (2 year old twins)

I just booked all our excursions for this cruise last night, so excited. Our last two cruises were on the Fantasy and Dream, but we have been on the Magic twice before and love it! Also love that we are only an hour from Galveston!

Is there a FB group for this sailing? There was one on the Fantasy for the June 30 sailing we just came from and having the FB group in addition to this was awesome.

 

[TexasGirl]

Hi Everyone!

We will be on this cruise, me- Christy, DH Travis and 3 boys Blake (13), and Brayden and Bryson (2 year old twins)

I just booked all our excursions for this cruise last night, so excited. Our last two cruises were on the Fantasy and Dream, but we have been on the Magic twice before and love it! Also love that we are only an hour from Galveston!

Is there a FB group for this sailing? There was one on the Fantasy for the June 30 sailing we just came from and having the FB group in addition to this was awesome.

Welcome Christy and family. My Daughter turns 13 a couple of days after we return so she'll be in Blake's group!

Jealous you just sailed the June 30!! How awesome! I'm also jealous you already PIF and booked excursions. We are still working on the $$$$$.

By the way, I added y'all to post 2!

 

[cruisecrasher]

Welcome Christy and family. My Daughter turns 13 a couple of days after we return so she'll be in Blake's group!

Jealous you just sailed the June 30!! How awesome! I'm also jealous you already PIF and booked excursions. We are still working on the $$$$$.

By the way, I added y'all to post 2!

I'm PIF too. But can't book until August (silver cc).

I've got a bigger countdown than cruising.

40 days until Kimdergarten!

 

[dato63]

I'm PIF too. But can't book until August (silver cc).

I've got a bigger countdown than cruising.

40 days until Kimdergarten! &#55357;&#56883;

40 days to Kindergarten is pretty important.

Our immediate countdown is Alaska! We leave Friday for Seattle, then board the (non DCL) ship on Saturday. We are pretty much packed and ready to go. We went last year & loved it - so are very excited to be returning.

 

[TexasGirl]

40 days to Kindergarten is pretty important.

Our immediate countdown is Alaska! We leave Friday for Seattle, then board the (non DCL) ship on Saturday. We are pretty much packed and ready to go. We went last year & loved it - so are very excited to be returning.

Kindergarten is a huge milestone! My son just finished 1st grade so it wasn't long ago for us! I cried. My baby growing up. Congrats on this wonderful but bittersweet milestone.

Alaska sounds awesome! I def want to go when the kids are a bit older.

 

[fatfish]

I just booked this cruise for my son (7) and myself. I am a single mom, so I'm a little nervous about cruising among so many families. Any other single parents out there who will be on board?

Another single mom here. That's 3 of us in this group alone. Don't worry, there's plenty of single parents on a Disney cruise. On our last cruise, at dinner we sat with 3 other single moms. And that was just our table!

This will be our third Disney cruise, but first on the Magic. I love the classic ships. And I'm so happy to be cruising so close to home.

 

[fatfish]

I am a single parent and this will be our 2nd cruise. We had so much fun the first time leaving from Florida we decided to go again close to home. We want to do the Fish Extenders too. How do I get a hold of the person in charge of the list. We did the Fish Extenders the first cruise and the girls had so much fun coming back in the evening to see what they had received. I am bring my DD13 and DD 11 plus my Mom. I have the room number and all too. Thanks for any info.

I'm also a single mom with a DD11. Maybe we could get the DDs together??

 

[autmur]

It's getting so close - less than 4 months now!

Who else would like to help organize the meet up in September?

I am still leaning toward Olympia Grill. Eating on the Seawall is not near the port and would involve moving cars / paid parking / and lots of hassle.

I'd love other suggestions from those near here too.

Autumn

 

[cruisecrasher]

It's getting so close - less than 4 months now!

Who else would like to help organize the meet up in September?

I am still leaning toward Olympia Grill. Eating on the Seawall is not near the port and would involve moving cars / paid parking / and lots of hassle.

I'd love other suggestions from those near here too.

Autumn

There's a good chance that DH will be overseas for work in September. If so there's no way I'll make it two hours there and two hours back with my kiddos. But hoping we can go!

 

[cruisecrasher]

109 Days!!!

 

[fatfish]

It's getting so close - less than 4 months now!

Who else would like to help organize the meet up in September?

I am still leaning toward Olympia Grill. Eating on the Seawall is not near the port and would involve moving cars / paid parking / and lots of hassle.

I'd love other suggestions from those near here too.

Autumn

There is another group organizing a "welcome to Galveston" event for the first sailing of the Magic. Its a larger group not specific to any one cruise. I think we should just join up with them. No sense having 2 different groups trying to do the same thing. Here is the link to that thread.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2964617

In case I posted the link wrong, here is the title of the thread so it can be searched...

Welcoming the Magic to TEXAS and sending her off in style!! 9/22/12

 

[aggal98]

Hi fellow cruisers! I am in need of help figuring out if I am on "the list" for the FE group, and how to access the official list to get my gifts going. I have sent a private message to Dagny a couple of times, but haven't heard back, so I don't know if I've missed out on something. Any help is appreciated!!

 

[dato63]

There is another group organizing a "welcome to Galveston" event for the first sailing of the Magic. Its a larger group not specific to any one cruise. I think we should just join up with them. No sense having 2 different groups trying to do the same thing. Here is the link to that thread.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2964617

In case I posted the link wrong, here is the title of the thread so it can be searched...

Welcoming the Magic to TEXAS and sending her off in style!! 9/22/12

We just got home from Alaska last night. This is next for us - and I'm beyond excited. We have booked DCL before, but normally end up switching to something else before it gets here. But this one is paid in full and coming up fast! So I think we are really going to go. Not having to fly is a BIG bonus.

Thank you for sharing the information! I've been debating going to Galveston to welcome the Magic myself. On the one hand it sounds like a whole lot of fun. But my DDs do not know about this cruise, as it is a birthday surprise - so going may just tip them a bit.

 

[TexasGirl]

It's something like 99 days away now?! Wow! Any updates needed to page 1 summary?

PIF date is 9-3! I imagine several will drop then, maybe not many from DISboards hopefully.

We unfortunately fall in the category of may cancel. Money. We will see. Hoping for the best as we crunch numbers.