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

[Magic3forme]

Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. I didnt venture out on Friday, not a Black Friday kind of shopper, which is weird, since I love love to shop.

Big night for the girls... John got them Hannah Montana/ Miley Cyrus tickets from his work. their first concert.. and its a louge box... wow these kids have the life!!

Cant believe Dec is right around the corner.. then less than a year to go on our cruise!!

 

[Donald_Quackers]

Yup, it just gets better from 1 year to go on!

Probably will see even more cruisers join our group.

 

[taswira]

For those of you on Facebook, we now have an FB Group for our cruise, located HERE. You will need to request to join, as content will only be viewable to members (provided FB works right!).

For those who do not use Facebook, don't worry. Our Chip 'n' Dale's Cruisin' Nuts website will continue to be the first (and sometimes the only) place for our "official" news, meets & events, and Cruisin' Nuts graphics, and you can keep in touch through our message board threads - most importantly here on the DIS.

 

[Jenngoofys]

Back from Disney Had a great time. Now time to focus on the Cruise for a year Thinking about staying on property a couple days before our Cruise. That way if there are any flight delays we shouldnt miss the Cruise. May stay a day or 2 after the Cruise too. Have to plan more now that its my next trip Excursions, what parks to visit, what hotel to book, etc... I love planning

 

[Magic3forme]

Jenn-- we always stay the night before the cruise... years ago my fil took us all on a cruise... well the morning of the airlines cancelled our flight with no warning. we drove from Cleveland to Pittsburgh and caught a plane. ( with 30 minutes to spare.) 3 cars with 6 adults, 8 kids... after that, the day before it is.

we might stay near the port this time, we probably wont leave until Friday afternoon since we can drive now.

I am sure we will stay and do a park after the cruise... Dh is our Disneyaholic!!

 

[taswira]

I'm glad you had a great time, Jennifer! I think it's a wonderful idea to stay on property or even anywhere in the local area a couple of days before the cruise. Between possible weather delays and the airline situation in general, I'd be doing that just to avoid the stress if I didn't already live here. I know that isn't possible for everyone, but for those who have the opportunity, just do it!

 

[taswira]

I am sure we will stay and do a park after the cruise... Dh is our Disneyaholic!!

What? You mean YOU are not a Disneyaholic ... yet? You will be!

 

[Jenngoofys]

Thank you We have a new airline we tried out this trip it flies into Sanford/Orlando its closer to drive to and cheaper but doesnt fly on weekends. So we are debating which airline to use and how long we want to stay before we Cruise. So the airline may be the deciding factor as to how long we are there before and after. But we will be there a day or so before the Cruise. Just not sure how long. I dont want to be tired from the parks for the Cruise so may do the longer stay after the Cruise.

 

[plutojudy]

We have tried a few different things. We have arrived the morning of the cruise, we have flown in the night before and stayed at the Hyatt, we have stayed two days after a cruise and we have arrived two days before the cruise and stayed in WDW. We have decided that the best way for us is to arrive two days before and go home the day we disembark. The two days before allow us to get really get in the Disney mood. Shopping at DTD helps us buy a few things we need for the cruise. The funny thing for us about staying at WDW after the cruise is the first time we have to pay for something! It's like "you want money?" What a shock to pay for food.

 

[dato63]

We were considering a one night post cruise at GF. However, I wound up booking AKL instead.

To those that have gone from the cruise port to WDW, how long does it usually take? Is it easier to use Disney's transport, or better to book something private.

I'm now debating seeing if DH will take another day of his vacation so we could do the one night WDW before the cruise instead of after. He does hate me burning his vacation time. But it's for a good cause - right?

 

[Magic3forme]

it is about a 45 minute drive. (we always stoppped at Walmart and got Pepsi and some other items.) it is soo much cheaper to do your own transportation. When we would fly in, we would rent a car at the airport. John would drop me and the kids off at the terminal, and then he would return the rental car. ( I was able to get us checked in while he did all that.) it worked out well. we have done that twice.

even for the ride home, we would rent a car for the day.

dont know how early you want to get to the port, but some of the Disney buses dont pick you up until 10:30 or 11.

 

[dato63]

Thanks Val.

If you are going from the port to WDW - do the buses to WDW leave that late as well? Or do they leave earlier since you dock earlier? Right now we are booked for one night after the cruise - and I was curious about what time we would hit WDW.

I am reconsidering changing our one night to before the cruise - would depend on if John wants to give me another of his vacation days.

 

[Magic3forme]

I am not sure about the buses back to the resorts, I am guessing they would leave earlier.. because it is probably a round trip for them.
(and they want everyone off the boat by 9:30 I think)... all I know is we were one of the last groups off last year..... they had to throw us off.

I know one on of the hotels by the ports is available on priceline.. but I cant remember which one.

 

[plutojudy]

It is finally getting closer. One more day and it is only a year away.

 

[taswira]

lol - When I started this thread (Oct. '08) the cruise was more than TWO YEARS away! It's hard to believe now.

This final year will sail by quickly!

 

[Donald_Quackers]

Yay! I was waiting for this day to come-the only day that is better is the day we get on the ship.

 

[Magic3forme]

and the true countdown begins!!

 

[dato63]

Thanks for the information Val. I want to book a lunch at MK for that day - and was trying to guess what would be a safe time. My DDs fell in love with Tony's this year. . .so did DH come to think of it. Seemed like a nice plan.

I can't believe it. . one year. And considering how fast the last year went, it will be here before we know it! I'm really excited.

 

[plutojudy]

I wish...DCL would offer a shore excursion from St Maarten to Tortola or St Croix. We have run out of things to do on St Maarten. We enjoyed St Croix on our last cruise but did not have time to go to Point Udall. We would like to do that. We have never been to Tortola. I think we could go to either of these on our own, but I am not "brave" enough. I don't want to be standing on shore while the Magic sails away.

 

[dato63]

Judy, this is our first trip to St. Martin. So I'm curious, of the excursions you have done - what has been your favorite.