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

[Dagny]

Just found this site this morning. We are so excited to be joining all of you on our first Disney Cruise! Myself, DH, DD (9), and DS (will be 6). Also traveling with some friends and their DD (7) and DS (5).
I just found out from another friend about the fish extenders, and we'll definitely be participating in that! Apparently we need to sign up somewhere, so that the participants know how many gifts to bring?? Anyhow, we are very excited and are counting the days until we sail away with Mickey!

You can send me a PM and I can add you to the FE list - just need your cabin number, first names and what everyone's favorite characters are

Edited to say: Dato63 is much faster than me. I will be updating the FE list shortly. We have had several additions

 

[Dagny]

Ok, I *think* I have the FE List updated. I see we have lost a few cruisers along the way. If I missed you, please let me know!

I just booked a cruise in June on the Dream with a VGT rate so I am really excited about that I am really surprised at the number of VGT cruises available for summer travel. With airlines ticket prices what they are, I guess I shouldn't be surprised at the number of cancellations DCL must be having. Must to my dismay, we are actually going to drive to Florida for our summer cruise (sigh...). We have done this twice in the past and both times, I said, never again!

Here is a link to the updated F/E List.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AsmkQNaikh9OdHdTcHFfaEdDdmVXQmlUV2JtZkxnaVE#gid=0

 

[dato63]

Dagny, thank you so much for taking the time to do this. That will be most helpful. I've booked DCL cruises before, but generally we wind up cancelling and doing something else (another cruise line or a Disney World trip). I'm really looking foward to finally getting to use the FE I had made a while back.

I don't know that it will matter in the long run, but just in case. But my DD's name is spelled differently. It is Makayla. And they will both be 9.

LOL, we have cruised NCL a few times and I was looking at specials today - and you FE list reminded me why I want to stick to this. It just seems soooo family friendly, and being Thanksgivng - I'm pretty darn excited.

 

[fatfish]

Anyone else interested in doing Nachi Cocum in Cozumel? Its not offered thru DCL, but it looks like a fabulous way to spend the day at the beach. Several Dis-ers have given it good reveiws.

 

[dato63]

My DH wants to do the XRails in Cozumel.

Anyone have a recommendation for Grand Cayman? We went to Grand Cayman for the 1st time last year, we did the Pirate Encounter. I've been going around and around with 7 Mile Beach, Boatswain or the Aquaboat through DCL. Also looked at a neat waverunner tour booked independently, or the amphibious vehicle tour. LOL. . I'm so fickle. We did two duck tours last year, one in Seattle and one in Ketchikan (last minute change when our floatplane excursion was cancelled). I know my DDs love them.

 

[aggal98]

I love the Pirate & turkey design!

 

[aggal98]

Dagny - we will be joining the FEs, but I'm not yet able to private message you. There are 8 of use, though. 4 adults, 4 children. Please include us and as soon as I've posted 10 times and the site allows me to pm you, I will send all the details. Thanks so much!!

 

[aggal98]

Where do I go to find the excursions?

 

[dato63]

Where do I go to find the excursions?

It depends on if you want to book your excursions through Disney or directly with providers.

To see a list of the Disney ones, you go to the Disney Cruise Line website. Under the "Cruises and Destinations" tab, you select "port adventures". This will be our first cruise with Disney - so as newbies, we won't be able to book any excursions through Disney until 75 days prior to the cruise.

If you prefer to book directly with a provider, you might search here on disboards to see who people have used & recommend. Or even on Cruise Critic they have boards set up for each port - see who/what people recommend. Or even tripadvisor.

 

[autmur]

I wanted to check-in to say hello again. I'm Autumn, my hubby, Tracy and I will be cruising with our DD (8) neice (9). I lived in Galveston for college and know it well.

Hotel recommendation near port: Harbour House
Hotel recommendation near beach: San Luis

A restaurant we could meet at to welcome the ship into port or see it set sail around 9/22 would be Olympia Grill. It's a greek place with divine food. It's indoor/outdoor right on the ship channel. It has very good prices too. It's located on 21st street just north of the strand. Free parking with dining.

We are excited about this cruise...less than 7 months to go now!

 

[fatfish]

A restaurant we could meet at to welcome the ship into port or see it set sail around 9/22 would be Olympia Grill. It's a greek place with divine food.

I'm not a big fan of Greek food. There are many, many restaurants on the island, perhaps we could pick one that might appeal to more people? I live in Houston and get down to Galveston several times a year. I know there are some great restaurants along the seawall. I'll check out what's there the next time we get down to the beach.

 

[cruisecrasher]

I love the Pirate & turkey design!

You're welcome!

Question of the day (week?):
What part of the cruise are you most looking forward to?
For me this one is easy. My kiddos haven't been to WDW or ever gotten to meet Mickey and the princesses. Kylee was so happy at the 5K we attended where she got to meet a runner dressed as Snow White and then when we got Kylee a princess dress a month ago, she asked if she could wear it to meet Aurora one day.
And then meeting the big cheese.

So watching them get to meet the characters is way up there.

Followed by setting sail and watching as the ship pulls away. The whole off on an adventure feel is so palpable and when the horn sounds it's just exciting.

 

[Chee Chick]

Question of the day (week?):
What part of the cruise are you most looking forward to?

I am looking forward to just having some good old family fun time without all the everyday life distractions. The last family vacation we had was our WDW trip in April 2009 which was before DD came along. This will be our first vacation as a family of four. We have had a stressful year thus far moving to Louisiana from the Houston area. This cruise will give us the perfect opportunity to just relax and have fun.

Some of the specific activities I am excited about are the shows, beach excursions, alcohol tasting, spa, and introducing DD to all the princesses. Now I just have to get DD potty trained before November so she can go in the kids club with DS. It is not going so well.

 

[aggal98]

Can anyone tell me how to find the best excursions? Really would like to find a dolphin swim...

 

[aggal98]

We will be doing the fish extenders, too! Our first cruise, as well (Disney, that is). There are 4 in our party, plus 4 friends next door! Can't wait!

 

[dato63]

You're welcome!

Question of the day (week?):
What part of the cruise are you most looking forward to?

I'm most looking forward to surprising our DDs.

Last year we surprised them with a cruise out of Miami. It was great to see their reaction. Well, as much as our DDs love Mickey Mouse - I think they will love this even more. At 8 they still believe in the characters & Santa Claus, not sure how many more years of this we have. Plus, not having to fly we might be able to pull it off again where they are clueless until we get there.

Having never cruised with Disney, I'm also looking forward to seeing what the "Disney" touch adds to it.

 

[dato63]

Can anyone tell me how to find the best excursions? Really would like to find a dolphin swim...

I don't know how to find the best excursions. I can tell you I researched/read on this board. ..as well as the port of call boards on Cruise Critic. I even bought the Passporter Disney Cruise book. And on ones I thought sounded interesting for what we like, I searched for feedback on Tripadvisor.

We did the dolphin trainer program in Cozumel last year. Depending on the age of your children, mine loved it. It was more expensive than some of the swims, but the group was small - just 7 of us in the group. We got to prepare the dolphins meal, learn how to get them do tricks, as well as swim & pet them. We were not on a Disney cruise, so am not sure if it is offered on Disney's list or not.

 

[dato63]

Happy Mother's Day!

 

[cruisecrasher]

Question:

Imagine you are suddenly on board the Disney Magic, right this minute...what would you do first?

I'd head for a massage. I just finished working out and am tired and sore!

 

[dato63]

Question:

Imagine you are suddenly on board the Disney Magic, right this minute...what would you do first?

I'd be hitting the bar looking for a tall tropical drink, then a nice spot to stretch out.