12/04/2010 Eastern MAGIC - CHIP 'N' DALE'S CRUISIN' NUTS

[taswira]

This isn't Chipmunk related - but it's a favorite of ours. My DD Maddie is trying to climb up on the rock - but we tease her that she mooned Ariel.

It DOES look like she is mooning Ariel! Look at Ariel's expression.

Totally CUTE pic though!

 

[Jenngoofys]

Thank you That Pic is way too funny. And poor Ariel LOL that expression is priceless.

 

[taswira]

Thank you That Pic is way too funny. And poor Ariel LOL that expression is priceless.

Perhaps Ariel was fearing a "gas attack." In that position . . .

 

[dato63]

Perhaps Ariel was fearing a "gas attack." In that position . . .

she does look scared (Ariel). LOL

We are 45 days to WDW! We decided to go to MVMCP 2 nights instead of one, so I ordered the second set of tickets this morning. YEAH!

Come on November.

Those of you that have cruised with children, have you gone on other cruise lines? DH and I wanted to do Alaska in 2011 - and were excited by the DCL announcement. But we are still debating DCL vs Princess and can't make up our minds. So haven't booked yet. DCL offers atmosphere & magic that my DDs would love. Princess goes one way, and includes Glacier Bay - and I have family in Anchorage we could see.

Just curious (as it would help I think) to know how kids liked other kids clubs vs. DCL for activities. We've never cruised with anyone - but picked DCL for our first due to the kids club. Figured if they are happy we get more adult time.

One day I talk myself into Princess (family/glaciers) and the next DCL (characters /Disney touch / kids grow up so fast, etc).

 

[Magic3forme]

we did a Princess cruise in 05. we did the Wonder in Feb, then a day day Princess in July. we were not impressed at all with the kids club. they are only open certain hours of the day. they closed for lunch and dinner. and were only open until 10pm. sometimes until 12, but you had to pay for the 2 additional hours. both girls were bored because of the lack of activities. (after doing the Wonder mos before, they were spoiled by Disney). also there were not as many "family" activities.
the food was great however and the ship was beautiful. (we are not gamblers.. so a casino is not a perk for us.)

maybe their hours have changed or maybe the kids clubs have improved.


Ariels reaction is priceless... not a proud Disney in character moment.

 

[dato63]

we did a Princess cruise in 05. we did the Wonder in Feb, then a day day Princess in July. we were not impressed at all with the kids club. they are only open certain hours of the day. they closed for lunch and dinner. and were only open until 10pm. sometimes until 12, but you had to pay for the 2 additional hours. both girls were bored because of the lack of activities. (after doing the Wonder mos before, they were spoiled by Disney). also there were not as many "family" activities.
the food was great however and the ship was beautiful. (we are not gamblers.. so a casino is not a perk for us.)

maybe their hours have changed or maybe the kids clubs have improved.


Ariels reaction is priceless... not a proud Disney in character moment.

We are not gamblers either.

I told DH I was having trouble deciding what I wanted. Normally his answer is "just tell me when and where to show up". Today he surprised me by offering to help pick. So I told him I would type up the two itineraries and what I saw as pros and cons. He said that would help him with his eenie meanie minie mo. Ugh.

I bought a book on Alaska cruises over the summer - Frommers. And Princess is rated highly for the kids club. But I have a hard time imagining kids the age of mine enjoying it as much as DCL. We are really in the princess loving age at my house. Knowing how short a time frame that can be makes me lean to DCL. But Glacier Bay looks amazing.

Thanks for listening to me wrestle with myself. I appreciate it - a lot. AS I shared, DH is not a lot of help. And the more time I spend on disboards DCL and cruise critic the more confused I get. I may resort to flipping a coin.

 

[Magic3forme]

I havent priced the 2 cruises, but is there a huge difference in money?

I say flip the coin.. no matter what it is 7 days of not cooking/ cleaning and spending lots of time with your family. (the food I think was better on the Princess...shhhh)---the BEST pizza!!

 

[dato63]

- I'll have to flip a coin. LOL

No, the cost was pretty close in the end. However with Princess as the cruise itself cost was lower - and I have an aunt in Anchorage, I am adding in the train from Whittier to Anchorage & a hotel night.

I know DH and I (or at least I think I know) would enjoy Princess more - simply due to the longer time in ports, the train ride + getting to see my aunt. I'm sure I met her, but it was long enough ago I don't remember her. And I only have one aunt. But the kids would prefer DCL, and there is something to be said for happy kids on vacation.

Thank you for taking the time though - to listen to me ramble. Again, I do appreciate it. I'm sure my IRL friends are ready for me to make up my mind and stop debating myself. I figure if I'm annoying myself - I have to be driving them bonkers.

 

[taswira]

- I'll have to flip a coin. LOL

I think you'll be happy either way!

For myself - If I chose to do Alaska, it would have to be with an Alaska-experienced line that does Glacier Bay. I say that because if it's a "Disney fix" I want, I can more easily get that out of Port Canaveral - cheaper for me and it's only an hour's drive.

Even not having kids myself, I am aware of and greatly appreciate the way DCL has their kids clubs and activities and "separates" the adults better. BUT I also think your children would make some wonderful memories visiting Glacier Bay. They will be a bit older in 2011 and would probably love it. So as much as I love Disney, my vote would go to Princess on this one. Whatever you decide, it's sure to be an awesome vacation!

 

[taswira]

Yet another week closer to sailing and the gathering of the Cruisin' Nuts!

 

[dato63]

I'll dance to that!

 

[plutojudy]

We booked this cruise 23 months out. It's the first time we booked that far in advance. How can I be losing interest? It is still so far away. Help.

 

[taswira]

I've never booked one so far ahead either, but instead of losing interest, my interest level is increasing. I just think about all the GREAT things about it - - the Christmas decorations onboard, it not being miserably hot and humid as some of my "warmer month" sailings have been, the Magic will be "close enough to fresh" from the next dry dock, meeting all the wonderful people from this thread (and seeing some again whom I've already met), an entire week of not having to cook or make a bed (Yes!), and just being on this very special Cruisin' Nuts cruise! My interest hasn't lessened a bit. In fact, I am trying hard to be enthusiastic about my January 9th Magic with my mom since it's so much closer, but although I look forward to the getaway and being on the Magic again, I don't feel as "into it" as I do for this cruise.

Judy - I hope your waning interest doesn't mean you are contemplating canceling.

 

[dato63]

Oh Plutojudy, I'm with Shari. It has my anticipation a twitter. We've been making magnets, saving designs for tshirts, etc.

I've never booked anything so far in advanced either - but it's given me more time to read & research about excursions, etc. I knew when I saw this thread - this was the meet & greet group I wanted to book with. #1 get to see the Christmas decorations. #2 Shari/Holly were so darn organized with the thread and #3 just loved the logo. (have to admit picking the Alaska one has not been as easy!). So I booked early! I think the anticipation, research, etc. has added to the fun.

My DH says I have vacation planning OCD.

 

[plutojudy]

Judy - I hope your waning interest doesn't mean you are contemplating canceling.

NO! I still want to cruise I just feel like my enthusiam peaked too soon. We already cruised in December 2007 and really ejoyed the Christmas decorations on the ship and Castaway Cay. Don't miss Mrs. Claus reading "'Twas The Night Before Christmas" in the atrium. I only caught the ending and must be on time this cruise.

 

[dato63]

I'm glad you mentioned Mrs. Claus - I had asked on the DCL board if she reads on all the Christmas time frame cruises or just the ones that cruise over Christmas day - and didn't get an answer.

We'll we get to see that on this cruise (hoping, hoping, hoping). My DDs are big fans of Santa Claus, and meeting his wife would send them over the top.

How fun you have a trip to Maui to look forward to! I grew up on Oahu, but never got to see Maui. Suppose to be gorgeous.

 

[plutojudy]

As far as I know she reads on all December cruises.
We were Oahu and Maui in 2005 for our anniversary and I loved Waikiki (not sure I spelled that correctly)Beach. Pearl Harbor and the Punchbowl made me very emotional. Next trip we are hoping for a day trip to the Big Island or Kauai.

 

[dato63]

Now that's the kind of stuff that keeps me excited. Mrs. Claus. I know it's not a guarantee but I really hope she is there. That would make such a nice memory & picture.

I'm also trying to work on my waistline, so I can fit back into something from pre twin days for formal night. Pretty bad that my twins are nearly 6 and I'm so lazy I've not worked on it before now. But I figure at 1 pound a week I'll get there.

We lived on Oahu for 7 years, but the only other island I ever saw was the big island. I thought it was pretty neat - with the black sand beaches. I have several cruise books, vacation books & maps sitting on the fire place and my daughters love to look through them with me. They have asked if we could do Hawaii after Alaska (by ask I mean they pointed at a picture and said they loved it and wanted me to take them there). I asked DH his feelings and he said "hula girls? what do you think?" LOL So it could be in our future. I've not been to Hawaii in 30 years, I'm sure it's changed.

 

[Magic3forme]

we just got our Birnbaums Disney cruise line book for 2010. I have to say I was disappointed. there wasnt much in there that I didnt all ready know. I was hoping for more info on Alaska and the new ships. just a mention of them. the kids are enjoying seeing pics!

Hawaii is our goal next summer!! a big year of vacations for us! dh just needs a few more airline miles . we have 3 tickets all ready and the room is all Marriott points.

we are having a big party at our house for Johns employees. so time to do some cleaning and buying food etc.

hope everyone is having a good week!!

 

[dato63]

we just got our Birnbaums Disney cruise line book for 2010. I have to say I was disappointed. there wasnt much in there that I didnt all ready know. I was hoping for more info on Alaska and the new ships. just a mention of them. the kids are enjoying seeing pics!

Hawaii is our goal next summer!! a big year of vacations for us! dh just needs a few more airline miles . we have 3 tickets all ready and the room is all Marriott points.

we are having a big party at our house for Johns employees. so time to do some cleaning and buying food etc.

hope everyone is having a good week!!

Are you going to do one of the DCL Alaska cruises? I think we've decided to go with DCL. It will depend on if the prices go too much higher before we can book. Between WDW next month, followed by Christmas - we are holding off until January to book. Thankfully there are nice choices if DCL prices us out. The kids club swayed us to go with DCL one more time. OUr DDs would be 7.

Hope you have a smooth & successful (and fun) party!