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

[taswira]

Shari-- I have only gotten 5 emails addresses since we posted. hopefully more will start reading the boards since we are getting closer!

We tried convincing my mom to cruise with us.. but she doesnt want to go 7 days.. (crazy!!) and it was too close to Christmas!

Now for the Florida rates...does everyone in the cabin have to be from Florida?

You mean 5 in addition to the ones I gave you? Well, hopefully the rest will contact you or post here.

Only one guest has to be an FL res for the cabin to get the rate. It's easiest if it's the primary name on the reservation.

Funny about your mom not wanting to do a 7-night cruise. When I first told my mom about the FL res rate for this 4-night, she wasn't too thrilled because "It's only 4 nights!" Her very first cruise was a 4-night Wonder when she turned 80. She loved it. But after this January's 7-night Magic, she said it was SO much better because she could unpack and relax for a week instead of feeling like she has to start re-packing as soon as she settles in. But then my mom decided she REALLY needs to see The Golden Mickeys. I'm SURE your mom would love the 7-night. It being close to Christmas is part of the magic!

 

[Jenngoofys]

CONGRATS Shari!!!! So happy for you!! Got bit by the Disney Bug like the rest of us. Seems October is a popular month for us to be in Disney or on the cruise like you LOL.

 

[taswira]

Thanks Jenn! Yeah - I was bitten by the Disney bug the day Disneyland opened. No turning back now.

Cruising is much easier for my mom than doing the parks even when staying on-property at a monorail resort. With cruising, it's never far back to your stateroom. She feels like she's a pro at it now, with this being her 3rd. She always tells me I can go ahead and do what I want to do, but I worry too much. Maybe this time I'll at least "break free" a couple of times for awhile.

 

[BeachPartyof3]

Ok, I know I am crazy, but I will be up at midnight booking our trip! There isn't even that much we 'have to do' this trip. Palo one night, but we aren't bothering with brunch. I had gastric bypass a year ago to get off my insulin pump and I eat 1/4 cup of food per sitting.. brunches and all you can eats are completely wasted on me. But since I lost almost 100 lbs it should be interesting comparing the last cruise family pics with this one!

Anyway, Palo one night, and a snorkeling excursion at St. Thomas/St. John (haven't figure out which one yet) and that is probably it. I might reserve the equipment at Castaway Cay, but I think St. Marteen is going to be the 'casual' stop. I can't snorkel 2 days in a row without completely being exhausted, so I think shopping is in order for St. Marteen. My 7 year old learned she does not like to 'shop' in other countries and has requested we leave her in the kids club one of the days so probably St. Marteen. If she decides to come maybe we will hunt down the butterfly farm.

Last year I booked a castaway cay massage for my DH, but it took a big chunk of our spending money and the massage people around here are so much better and cheaper.

Question, my DD will be 1 month shy of 8. I know they now 'mix and match' the kids activities so she isn't limited to the club or lab..but how 'loose' are they will the checking in and out? The passporter says 8 to 12, with parent permission. My DD is homeschooled and VERY mature for her age. I know if we let her 'leave' and come straight to the cabin, she would do it. I've told her she 'probably will need us to pick her up and drop her off...but it would be so NICE if she could check herself in in the morning and we don't have to get out of bed The last cruise 2 years ago we had to beg and plead with her to come out of the kid's club and 'spend time with the family'... I'm thinking this year it isn't worth the battle and she can do her thing and we will do ours http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/banana.gif

One last question, I saw in the Passporter that at late dining you can arrange for an 'early dinner for the kids' then 45 minutes into the meal, the counselors come to the dining room and do a kid pick up? Is this true? If so, we may change to late. We had a 'horrible time' getting through a meal with her and some nights even during main dining, I would leave dinner, run her to the kids area and run back to enjoy our meal in piece. Plus I hated rushing our day, just to get dressed and ready for early dinner. It isn't like you can't 'snack your way through the day' to survive til late dining. Opinions anyone?

I fought for early dining 2 years ago so it wouldn't mess with my diabetes, insulin, and fixed meal schedule (then they placed us at a table alone, because they said i was 'special needs') But now, no diabetes and I barely eat..so it doesn't matter.

Thanks for your help!
Tanya

 

[GolfNPirate]

Tanya, Does Mike plan on dancing again at the Sail Away party? I can't remember the name of the party after the life boat drill. I was reviewing our video from our last cruise and there was your Mike on stage. We'll be on at midnight. We're doing Palo Brunch, golfing on St Thomas(me), Paradise point, Orient Beach on St Maarten, shopping in Marigot. I think we could get by not booking equipment on Castaway Cay. Good Luck and cya on the DIS boards and in person in 3 months.

 

[BeachPartyof3]

*grin* didn't realize you were going to be on this cruise with us as well as the last.. small cruisin world .. plus the fact you are in glen burnie and I grew up around Annapolis. I am now running BaltimoreNightOut guide and radio station.. so we should talk sometime!

Anyway, I don't think they will pull him up to dance a 2nd time in a row..but you never know. I hang on to the video and threaten him occasionally with it that I will show it around to his co-workers at the hospital LOL

We are sitting down now to hash out what to do on St. John/Thomas/Marteen. Mike dives but Sianna and I snorkel and I don't know if we can find a combo trip.
I'm back on the boards more now.. so will let everyone know what we decide.

 

[Donald_Quackers]

Yay! Got Palo Dinner at 6:30p on Tuesday, Brunch at 11:30a on Thursday, and setup a couple of port adventures and spa!

Let's get this cruise going!

 

[Magic3forme]

We got the Palos we wanted too.
Sunday nite at 6pm (no formal nite for us!)
Thurs at 11 am for brunch (we originally picked Mon and then changed it).

 

[dwtraveler]

Got our Palo night(Thursday) and our brunch(Sunday)!Set up a spa date(Monday) and port excursion...we are set to cruise!

 

[WestCoastNovaks]

Bah! I booked two excursions, and then the site said that it couldn't retreive my reservation. meh. try again in 20 min.

 

[MakinMemories4MyKids]

Palo night, sunday 6pm for erik and i, thursday brunch 11 a.m. for my daughter (23) and I (quality time) also 3pm sunday high tea for erik and I. Honestly I dont know why i picked the high tea...anyone ever go for that? I dont know what its all about or if its worth the time...i can always cancel. how is it?

 

[BeachPartyof3]

I got us High Tea on Monday (my husband may kill me, - do they serve scotch?) Palo dinner on Thurs at 7 (the night I wanted!) and we booked the Full Day Caribbean Cruise snorkeling and then lunch at Honeymoon Bay on St. John.. it is on a 'pirate ship' called Bones, and it has a full lunch, so hopefully everyone will be happy.
According to Passporter's it is new, so there were no reviews.

I read up on St. Martin, I think we will just rent a car and explore. That is right up our alley and DD can stay in the kid's club!

Still waiting to hear if there is the 'yank the kid out of dinner option on late dining to go to the kid's club' if so, we will probably switch from Main to Late. That is NEVER a problem.

Plus if they will let her check herself into the kids club one month shy of 8. I'm sure if she shows up enough..going 'let me in' they might let her in LOL.

One more question, anyone done the 'rainforest' I was thinking of trying it for one of the first few days at sea...

 

[BeachPartyof3]

I caved and added Brunch for Sunday.. 11:30 so we can pretend it is lunch. We will see.. we can always cancel it closer to the date if we decide not to.

 

[WestCoastNovaks]

Whew - website let me back in. Huzzah! Booked excursions are the Regatta (SOOOO excited about that), and Tanya, we'll be joining you on the full day Turtle Bay/Honeymoon Beach trip BBQ thingy. Woot!
Also got 11a brunch at Palo's on Sunday and 8:30p dinner on Thursday. As well as a massage for hubby and facial for me at 4:30 on Thursday, sigh, so good.
I am ready! Can it start tomorrow?
We're also going to book a couple of extra days at the parks for after the cruise, but not going to tell our daughter, until maybe we get in the hotel room. Total surprise. Tee hee.
So I'm thinking the Contemporary for a hotel - I like the idea of the monorail IN the lobby - cool! pros/cons anyone? We've only been to WDW once and stayed at AK, great hotel, but too far for this trip, we want to be closer to MK.

 

[GolfNPirate]

What a breeze. Palo Brunch booked for Monday. Massages booked for some time. Golf on St Thomas, Orient Beach for St Martin followed by shopping and taxi back to the ship. Shopping and Paradise Point by taxi on St Thomas for Michele and Ryan. Seems that since we are tendering in St Thomas, DCL is not offering an excursion to Paradise Point. Tender right into town. Take taxi to Paradise Point. Might be one crowded island that day.

Can't think of anything else to book.

 

[taswira]

Congrats to all of those who got their desired ressies!

Val - I think that means you won't be able to wear your Steelers jerseys on formal night, at least for your Palo dinner.

 

[Magic3forme]

Congrats to all of those who got their desired ressies!

Val - I think that means you won't be able to wear your Steelers jerseys on formal night, at least for your Palo dinner.

John has a Steeler tie! no jerseys at Palo, but right after!!

 

[taswira]

John has a Steeler tie! no jerseys at Palo, but right after!!

 

[dwtraveler]

Just finished my online check-in, I was just too tired last night when we finished booking Palo, excursions and Spa. I almost feel a let down, waited so long to book things and stayed up so late to do it. Now it's done and I still have to wait 90 days to go on the cruise! I'm really ready to cruise now...

Thanks goodness we have the Food and Wine Festival stuff booked, a little wine will help the wait! Also nice to have the Candlelight Processional to look forward to the night we get back from the cruise, it will help the transition from cruise to home again. Shaping up to be a fabulous Holiday Season!

 

[Jenngoofys]

On Island Days what is there to do on the Ship? We are thinking of staying on the ship not sure yet? Just debating the idea. Might be peaceful and quiet. We arent sure what we want to do yet.