12/24/08 Christmas Cruise on the Wonder

[brendalee59]

I wouldn't call myself a regular being 3000 miles away. However with that being said I had to figure it out quickly. Tour Guide Mike can help you plan your days based on crowd expectations at each park. eg: try to avoid emh parks on those days and hop over there if you want to see something special. As always hit rope drop and go back for a rest during the day if necessary and then back for dinner and evening activities. Having adr's restricts your schedule a bit as you have to plan your days as more structured however you would be eating cs every day without them. Plan what parks/hotels you want to see and plan your meals around that. The calendar on the WDW website is out for December showing hours and the emh hours. If you go the theme park and strategies forum you can click on a link through there and receive a DIS discount on the program if you want to use it. I would recommend using it for peak travel times it is worth every penny.

Thanks Annette. I'll go check it out. We will be eating most meals CS as we tend to do everything on the fly. We will probably eat breakfast at Kona Cafe so will want ADR's for that. We want one dinner at Sci Di Drive In,One at Kona,and if we decide to get Cirque tickets, Planet Hollywood. There will be no escape from the crowds considering we will be there Christmas week.

Our biggest delimma is what to do on arrival day. Our flight gets in at 10 am,so we have plenty time. The problem is, will we have enough energy to actually DO anything. Our flight leaves DFW at 6:30 am,which means we have to be at the airport at 4 am? Maybe sooner as it is Christmas. Thankfully, we are doing the park,stay,and fly pkg with the Hyatt on airport hotel. At least we are on property,and just have to walk or take the shuttle over to the terminal. We are going to arrive at the Poly tired and hungry. Probably hit Capt. Cooks after checkin.

 

[drag n' fly]

We are arriving early the first day also. The odds of us being able to book concierge on DVC points again is pretty low. We are going to try and use concierge as much as possible. Our first day we are checking in and relaxing at the resort. Eating cs at Mara and supplementing with concierge. We are then doing the candlelight processional dining package at Tutto Itallia.

 

[brendalee59]

We are arriving early the first day also. The odds of us being able to book concierge on DVC points again is pretty low. We are going to try and use concierge as much as possible. Our first day we are checking in and relaxing at the resort. Eating cs at Mara and supplementing with concierge. We are then doing the candlelight processional dining package at Tutto Itallia.

We are waitlisted for concierge at the poly. I'm hoping once final pmt comes due, something will open up. Concierge will really help supplement our dining too.

 

[TXdeVille]

The odds of us being able to book concierge on DVC points again is pretty low.

Why is this? I, myself, think it is neat we are both DVC owners at AKV AND going on this cruise. There might be others but we certainly don't know that yet, do we? We will probably even see each other at the meet n greet on board ship.

Brenda,
When we went to WDW in January, we took a red eye out of DFW as well, only we had to get up a little earlier as we drove in. Most of us slept on the plane. We were soooo stoked about being at WDW that we closed down Epcot and they were having Extra Magic Hours that night! Boy did we sleep well! We hopped over to Hollywood Studios, had lunch at 50's Cafe, did a few things there, and then went to the luau at the Poly. I won't do that again. The luau I mean. Part of the dinner was good and the show was good. But some of the dinner was downright disgusting. HOWEVER, the Pacific Royal Resort at US has a luau which includes a buffet! That might be worth it. If you have park hopper passes, use Annette's idea about avoiding EMH. I will check my sources later (Passporter and Birnbaum's) to find out which days to avoid which parks and get back with you. Trying to make barbecue sauce right now....

Annette, what's the web address for the source you were talking about? I would be really interested in that. And as for your DH being in the oil/gas industry, my DFIL is as well and has started the process of retirement. Ask DH if he knows Merlin and Associates. Consulting firm with clients such as China, Exxon, Texaco, Dubai.....etc. Of course he is doing well, even on his way out. Have faith though in that he says we are not running out of oil anytime soon. I am sure you already know this. Did you hear that the House has passed a bill to sue OPEC???? To apply anti-monopoly laws to them as well? Should be interesting if the Senate passes it....

Oh, I almost forgot. DD's driver's education class tacked on a few bucks to the cost of the class due to the cost of gas. Would've never seen that one coming.

I know we will eat at Emeril's on the 23rd but still trying to figure out where else we will eat. I think we will try Jiko this time, for dinner perhaps our first night there. As for anything else...who knows?? Boma was great but want to try other stuff. Annette, we'll have to get the names of the bars at AKL!!! Maybe the new restaurant will be open??

Brenda...not to complicate things for you, but the new T-Rex restaurant in DTD will be opening this fall. Don't know if you are interested. And DCL will be sailing to St. Croix and Tortola in 2009.

As for future trips, I am still scratching my head on that one as well. If things stay the way they are.....I was originally thinking DC or WDW next June but I don't know.....

 

[drag n' fly]

Why is this? I, myself, think it is neat we are both DVC owners at AKV AND going on this cruise. There might be others but we certainly don't know that yet, do we? We will probably even see each other at the meet n greet on board ship.

Brenda,
When we went to WDW in January, we took a red eye out of DFW as well, only we had to get up a little earlier as we drove in. Most of us slept on the plane. We were soooo stoked about being at WDW that we closed down Epcot and they were having Extra Magic Hours that night! Boy did we sleep well! We hopped over to Hollywood Studios, had lunch at 50's Cafe, did a few things there, and then went to the luau at the Poly. I won't do that again. The luau I mean. Part of the dinner was good and the show was good. But some of the dinner was downright disgusting. HOWEVER, the Pacific Royal Resort at US has a luau which includes a buffet! That might be worth it. If you have park hopper passes, use Annette's idea about avoiding EMH. I will check my sources later (Passporter and Birnbaum's) to find out which days to avoid which parks and get back with you. Trying to make barbecue sauce right now....

Annette, what's the web address for the source you were talking about? I would be really interested in that. And as for your DH being in the oil/gas industry, my DFIL is as well and has started the process of retirement. Ask DH if he knows Merlin and Associates. Consulting firm with clients such as China, Exxon, Texaco, Dubai.....etc. Of course he is doing well, even on his way out. Have faith though in that he says we are not running out of oil anytime soon. I am sure you already know this. Did you hear that the House has passed a bill to sue OPEC???? To apply anti-monopoly laws to them as well? Should be interesting if the Senate passes it....

Oh, I almost forgot. DD's driver's education class tacked on a few bucks to the cost of the class due to the cost of gas. Would've never seen that one coming.

I know we will eat at Emeril's on the 23rd but still trying to figure out where else we will eat. I think we will try Jiko this time, for dinner perhaps our first night there. As for anything else...who knows?? Boma was great but want to try other stuff. Annette, we'll have to get the names of the bars at AKL!!! Maybe the new restaurant will be open??

Brenda...not to complicate things for you, but the new T-Rex restaurant in DTD will be opening this fall. Don't know if you are interested. And DCL will be sailing to St. Croix and Tortola in 2009.

As for future trips, I am still scratching my head on that one as well. If things stay the way they are.....I was originally thinking DC or WDW next June but I don't know.....

There are so few concierge units available at AKV it is very hard to book. With Kidani being sold now there are even more owners trying to book the same few concierge units so availability will become even more difficult. The chances of us being able to book it again are next to nill since we will only be travelling at spring break from this point forward every other year.

I will mention what you said to dh. We are going on a Mom and Dad date tonight

Here is the link it should only cost you 18.95 through this link

https://www.tourguidemike.com/signup/

 

[TXdeVille]

There are so few concierge units available at AKV it is very hard to book. With Kidani being sold now there are even more owners trying to book the same few concierge units so availability will become even more difficult. The chances of us being able to book it again are next to nill since we will only be travelling at spring break from this point forward every other year.

Maybe not. I bet you could get some pixie dust sprinkled on you from time to time. How many do they plan on having? I would imagine they would have some in Kidani as well. And I would be surprised if a lot of people chose concierge. I would think that quite a few people would want to try to get the most bang for their buck.

 

[adrianna_sarah]

I know we will eat at Emeril's on the 23rd but still trying to figure out where else we will eat. I think we will try Jiko this time, for dinner perhaps our first night there. As for anything else...who knows?? Boma was great but want to try other stuff. Annette, we'll have to get the names of the bars at AKL!!! Maybe the new restaurant will be open??

Brenda...not to complicate things for you, but the new T-Rex restaurant in DTD will be opening this fall. Don't know if you are interested. And DCL will be sailing to St. Croix and Tortola in 2009.

As for future trips, I am still scratching my head on that one as well. If things stay the way they are.....I was originally thinking DC or WDW next June but I don't know.....

My DH and I agree that the only thing that Jiko has on Boma is atmosphere. We loved Boma!!! It is officially our favorite WDW restaurant. Unless you're ditching the kiddos, so... not worth all the money... IMHO. I am so missing the atmosphere at the AKL. We have requested the DVC literature twice, considered it twice and twice declined. Our military lifestyle always seems to unpredictible, yet and I am not kidding you here...with what we spent in January and what we will spend in December on WDW and cruises, we could have paid off 150 points in total. When will we learn!!!???

A T-Rex restaurant? Like a dinosaur themed place? My son would love that!

We are budgeting to make a down payment on a future DCL trip, hoping that DCL is returning to the Meditteranean for summer 2010, and hoping to hit the discount. They probably won't have announced summer 2010 itineraries by then, so we may have to book a dummy cruise and transfer.

Adrianna

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Where to begin. First of all. Dale's profession has taken a serious hit due to the situation in Iraq. 85 to 90% of his loads used to be military. At this point,the government isn't moving very many people. Right now for example,out of the 5 shipments he has on, only one is military. As expensive as gas is for our cars, he has to pay his own diesel,which here is $4.65. Much higher in most states. So his income is much less than we are used to. It's ok though. We had become a very spoiled family over the past 15 years,and now have to make some lifestyle adjustments.

Wow, that has to hurt. I still remember gassing up as we were leaving Atlanta in 2002 and paying 89 cents per gallon. Never again. 5 shipments on one truck? We take up the whole moving van, most of the time. We were 13,500 lbs. on our last move and have picked up a healthy chunk of furniture since then. He probably prefers to do the long hauls to other parts of the country. I'll tell you when we have our move date and who they put us with. Our house at Leavenworth will be no kidding... 1220 square feet, with a 500 square foot finished basement, which we will probably use as a master bedroom, because apparently a king sized mattress won't clear the stairs to the second floor, which means that neither will some of the other master bedroom furniture.

 

[drag n' fly]

Maybe not. I bet you could get some pixie dust sprinkled on you from time to time. How many do they plan on having? I would imagine they would have some in Kidani as well. And I would be surprised if a lot of people chose concierge. I would think that quite a few people would want to try to get the most bang for their buck.

There are five 2 bedroom units total in Jambo. It can be broken down into studio and one bedrooms. There will be no concierge in Kidani. It has turned out exactly the opposite. It is getting increasingly difficult to get. A lot of people really enjoy the perks plus housekeeping etc daily. The points are not that much more so we are splurging this time. On our next trip in 2010 we will stay in a 1 bedroom savannah probably

 

[brendalee59]

Brenda,
When we went to WDW in January, we took a red eye out of DFW as well, only we had to get up a little earlier as we drove in. Most of us slept on the plane. We were soooo stoked about being at WDW that we closed down Epcot and they were having Extra Magic Hours that night! Boy did we sleep well! We hopped over to Hollywood Studios, had lunch at 50's Cafe, did a few things there, and then went to the luau at the Poly. I won't do that again. The luau I mean. Part of the dinner was good and the show was good. But some of the dinner was downright disgusting. HOWEVER, the Pacific Royal Resort at US has a luau which includes a buffet! That might be worth it. If you have park hopper passes, use Annette's idea about avoiding EMH. I will check my sources later (Passporter and Birnbaum's) to find out which days to avoid which parks and get back with you. Trying to make barbecue sauce right now....

Oh, I almost forgot. DD's driver's education class tacked on a few bucks to the cost of the class due to the cost of gas. Would've never seen that one coming.


Brenda...not to complicate things for you, but the new T-Rex restaurant in DTD will be opening this fall. Don't know if you are interested. And DCL will be sailing to St. Croix and Tortola in 2009.

As for future trips, I am still scratching my head on that one as well. If things stay the way they are.....I was originally thinking DC or WDW next June but I don't know.....

Courtney, Do you think we need to be at the terminal earlier than 4:30 am for our 6:30 am flight? We have never flown out of DFW,as we usually fly out of OKC. I don't want to cut it too close, but don't want to arrive too early either. I'm hoping there will be less crowded terminals that early. Once we get through security, and find our gate, we can sleep awhile. I'm hoping that we get oue second wind once we get on property.


We don't plan on the luau. Having been to Hawaii,and experiencing the real thing, I can't imagine it could compare. I'm not saying it wouldn't be good, just not the same.

The twins are done with drivers ed. Both have their permit,and are badgering me to drive everytime we go somewhere. Sorry about the rate increase. Don't you just love how everyone passes the increase down, till it gets to us....then we're stuck with no one to pass it on too?

We have always loved Disney, but this will most likely be our last Disney vacation. The twins are older, and are better suited to the activities onboard RCCL's ships. Honestly, they are tired of being dragged on cruises with me. Dale only goes to make me happy. My next cruise, will be with a friend to share the cabin expense. We have enough Royal Points for at least$500 of on board credit. Or an upgrade, which ever we prefer.

I'd be interested in more info on the T-Rex restaurant. I haven't heard anything about it.

 

[brendalee59]

Wow, that has to hurt. I still remember gassing up as we were leaving Atlanta in 2002 and paying 89 cents per gallon. Never again. 5 shipments on one truck? We take up the whole moving van, most of the time. We were 13,500 lbs. on our last move and have picked up a healthy chunk of furniture since then. He probably prefers to do the long hauls to other parts of the country. I'll tell you when we have our move date and who they put us with. Our house at Leavenworth will be no kidding... 1220 square feet, with a 500 square foot finished basement, which we will probably use as a master bedroom, because apparently a king sized mattress won't clear the stairs to the second floor, which means that neither will some of the other master bedroom furniture.

Dale has a 53 ft trailer. Your 13,500 may take up half the trailer.Depending on how bulky your furniture is. It would be awesome, if he was able to move you. BTW, If you really want your master bedroom upstairs, there are ways to get it there. The drivers and their help don't like it, but it can be done. Provided transportation will authorize (pay for)it. Just make sure the driver know before he leaves for Kansas,so he can let his agent start working on it.
Right now, everyone at Affiliated is hoping Brac would hurry up and start moving those families in.

 

[TXdeVille]

Adrianna,
I understand about the military life not being predictable enough to do DVC. Have you ever asked them if other people were in the same boat? Maybe they have some suggestions. You can always check the DVC Disboard as well and ask. If you have already spent that amount of money and your kids are young, you seriously might consider it. Everyone always says that they wish they had done it sooner, when their kids were younger. I don't think we will ever outgrow Disney but the kids have certainly outgrown the magical years, princess fever, etc. But they still have some magical moments left. I know people who can plan years in advance. I can't. My schedule is unpredictable as well, but not as much as yours. I have to go off of what the other RNFA is taking off, making sure we switch holidays, what DH can and can't take off, etc. I don't know if you have ever sat down with one of the people onsite to take a tour, etc. We started to but didn't realize it would be a couple of hours and tried to do it on our last day before heading to the airport. You usually get a perk of some sort to use during your stay at the parks. If you ever decide to do it, use my name as a reference and they usually give you some bonus points. Even if you do last minute stuff, there is usually something available....like at Old Key West. And their rooms are bigger, albeit older but newly renovated, and cost less points. Which restaurant isn't worth all the money - Jiko or Boma? I didn't understand....We only did Boma last time as we had the DDP.

Brenda,
Sorry to hear this will probably be your last Disney vacation. I don't think you will need to be there sooner than 0430. We got there shortly after 0500. The security line was longer than I expected that early but we made it with a few minutes to spare before boarding. But that was also in mid-January. I would think with Christmas traffic and all that it would be early enough. But, then again, it seems less people are flying. Maybe not? I want to go to Hawaii and experience a real luau. Until then, I can only live vicariously through continental experiences. DVC is building a resort out there which will open in 2011, I think. They are talking about doing a theme park out there that they tried to do in California which fell through - Port Disney. Possibly more cruises leaving out of there too. Ideas in the works. Of course, they have abandoned ideas before...mostly post 9/11. Wish they would have still done the resorts at Vail Valley and Beaver Creek. OMG!!! I'd be in heaven. The other cruise line we have considered is RC. I'd like to know how they differ from Disney for the teens. They have some that leave out of Galveston for a few months out of the year which is good for us. In-laws live in Houston so we wouldn't even have to pay for parking!! I have heard Carnival is too much "Motel 6". Would love your opinions!! DD isn't bugging me too much about practicing driving. She is afraid to hurt the car. Gotta take her, though. We could pass the program increase because of gas onto the kiddos!!

Annette,
Pooh!! We might try concierge once. Who knows. You would think they would have more. How do you know if something is concierge or not? They have concierge levels for all the different rooms. BTW, do you know what unit you have bought in to? We are Unit 13. Boy do I wish it was another number. I tend to be a little superstitious. There is a map of ownership on one of these boards somewhere...We will most likely do 1BR most often. I want to find a time sometime where my sister and her family can join us but when we have an opportunity, they are busy and vice versa. Maybe one day we will take the kids out of school in order to meet up and vacation with the family we never get to see. I know....I am one of those that shudders at the thought of taking the kids out of school for that. Guess we can call it a reunion. They live too far away from us. Their youngest is just over a year old so I imagine it might be a couple of years before she will want to go. We are in a Studio this time since it is a shorter trip.

 

[TXdeVille]

According to Birnbaum's, it says that the week after Thanksgiving through the week before Christmas is one of the least crowded times. And, of course, the parks with EMH are busier on those days. If you aren't going to MVMCP, hit MK then. MK is busiest on Saturdays and Sundays. Late afternoon is the best time to visit AK, but you also miss The Adventure Begins show that starts 15 min. before opening in front of the entrance. (On a side note, we may try to visit this as we missed it last visit even though we aren't going to the parks. Gotta get my fill of Baloo!) Of course, there are many more tips and info but too much to fill here.

Also, consider if you want to see any of the special shows/parades etc. They have a schedule online. Same place where you can find the EMH schedule. Sometimes they offer them twice a day or not at all. Like the SpectroMagic evening parade at MK. Some nights, they don't show it. If there are two showings of a parade, go to the second one as it will be less crowded and spend your time on the rides. Ooooo....on that note, when we went to Epcot for the EMH after the fireworks we were strolling around World Showcase. After a bit, they needed to expel the rest of the fuel/heat/whatever from the center of the lagoon. And they tell you they will do it so you can watch. If you are a pyro like me, it was awesome! Plus, the burst of heat warms you up a bit.

 

[TXdeVille]

Okay...here is the skinny.

The folks at Landry's Restaurants, operators of Rainforest Cafe, along with a partner are calling on animatronics and other special effects to create a prehistoric family adventure completely free of carnivorous danger or genetic engineering. The one at DTD will be the second of only 9 restaurants. The first one is in Kansas City, KS. It is two stories tall, 31,000 square feet and more than 15 animatronic dinosaurs built to scale. The restaurant will call on the natural elements that created the earth - water, fire, and ice - and present a broad range of unique experiences. The Fern Forest will surround guests with lush palms and ferns, while the Sequoia Room will find dinosaurs hiding among ancient sequoias. (duh) The Geothermal Region will feature a 26-foot-high lava wall oozing and dripping over geological formations, as well as a two-story waterfall meeting the lava in a mix of mist and fog. Guests also will explore an Ice Cave with actual ice comprising the walls, floor and ceiling, and an Aquatic Region creating the illusion of an underwater dining experience. Other planned highlights include a Shark Bar featuring an oversized shark aquarium, an open Kitchen of Fire in which a series of sequenced rotisseries will create a visual ring of fire (enter Johnny Cash ), and a dig site that will allow guests to dig for souvenir fossils. There will be a 3,000 sq ft retail space stocked with more than 2,000 unique items, including customizable plush dinosaurs as part of a Build-a-Dino experience (which is by Build-a-Bear, not a wannabe).

Here is the website for the menu:
www.trexcafe.com

Sounds pretty cool.....

 

[brendalee59]

Adrianna,
Brenda,
Sorry to hear this will probably be your last Disney vacation. I don't think you will need to be there sooner than 0430. We got there shortly after 0500. The security line was longer than I expected that early but we made it with a few minutes to spare before boarding. But that was also in mid-January. I would think with Christmas traffic and all that it would be early enough. But, then again, it seems less people are flying. Maybe not? I want to go to Hawaii and experience a real luau. Until then, I can only live vicariously through continental experiences. DVC is building a resort out there which will open in 2011, I think. They are talking about doing a theme park out there that they tried to do in California which fell through - Port Disney. Possibly more cruises leaving out of there too. Ideas in the works. Of course, they have abandoned ideas before...mostly post 9/11. Wish they would have still done the resorts at Vail Valley and Beaver Creek. OMG!!! I'd be in heaven. The other cruise line we have considered is RC. I'd like to know how they differ from Disney for the teens. They have some that leave out of Galveston for a few months out of the year which is good for us. In-laws live in Houston so we wouldn't even have to pay for parking!! I have heard Carnival is too much "Motel 6". Would love your opinions!! DD isn't bugging me too much about practicing driving. She is afraid to hurt the car. Gotta take her, though. We could pass the program increase because of gas onto the kiddos!!

We love Hawaii. We did three islands in 10 days for our 25th anniversary,and each island was our favorite. I heard they are building the Disney resort near the Ko Olina area. This makes me sad,as we stayed on that side of the island and loved. Much less crowded than the Waikiki area. I love Disney, but hate to see the unspoiled leeward side of the island become over developed. Hawaii is our special place,and as much as I love Disney,I love unspoiled nature much more. Not bashing Disney, just the personal opinion of a nature lover
RCCL is our cruise line of choice with teenagers. Carnival in the Motel 6 of cruising. That said, with RCCL not having a ship full time in Galveston anymore,I admit I have considered the Conquest. Voyager only sails from Galveston from just before Christmas, through April,then goes to Europe. Galveston is my favorite port. But then I like Galveston anyway. I was sad to see our favorite ship,Rhapsody, moved from there. She is a medium size ship, about the size of the Wonder. Don't get me started, I'll go on forever
You would enjoy RCCL,and it is much more budget friendly. We loved Disney when the kids were little, but it is time to move on.
Lucky you, Michael has already hit the garage door frame denting the front fender of the durango.

 

[brendalee59]

Have you guys seen this?

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1849566

I don't think it will effect us either way,but figured those of you with younger children might want to know. Having never been to a pirate party, I don't know what to expect anyway.

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Oooh. I like that.

Brenda-

After we got home in January I got curious about the other cruise lines that I'd seen in different ports and bought an "Unnoficial" cruise guide. I think we are way too UNCOOL for Royal Caribbean with it's rock climbing walls, putting greens and such. We are not casino people either. Every time I see that "this is way more than a cruise" commercial it reaffirms my complete and total lack of hipness. So very unhip. Yup, that's me.

Another I have no desire to try is Norwegian and their freestyle cruising. For pete's sake I WANT to be told where to eat and when and what to wear. The predictable life is a relaxing one. I already make all those decisions at home every night. Freestyle cruising sounds a lot like the life I need a vacation from.

I would love to try Holland America Line or Windstar (I think... the book is upstairs... is that the one with the large yachts). We are more lay about the deckchairs with a book and a glass of wine and stroll the promenade at sunset people. Too bad our kids are not! LOL! Maybe someday, when the baby goes off to college in say... 17 years or so. Until then we are probably DCL people, at least as far as cruising goes.

Have a good night, ladies (and Andy). Am off to crack open and unhip beer and watch something on basic cable.

Adrianna

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Brenda-

Meaning to ask if you meant like taking out a window to get the bed in? We actually had an apartment in NY where they had to move in all of our big furniture that way.

This is only for 10 months while he attends a school, then we'll be off to someplace else, so I am willing to live down in the basement if I have to. Hubby is actually trying to get us traded into a single level house that's not any bigger, just all laid out on one floor, so I'll keep you posted.

Adrianna

 

[drag n' fly]

Have you guys seen this?

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1849566

I don't think it will effect us either way,but figured those of you with younger children might want to know. Having never been to a pirate party, I don't know what to expect anyway.

This does affrect us because we have requested the second seating. However we will make the best of it. Due to the time difference evenings work in our favour....I am definitely looking forward to zero rope drops

 

[TXdeVille]

This does affrect us because we have requested the second seating. However we will make the best of it. Due to the time difference evenings work in our favour....I am definitely looking forward to zero rope drops

Kinda sounds like they were trying it out and seeing how everyone feels about it. Does affect our second seating dinner though, but someone said that they delayed second dinner seatings because of it. We'll have to keep an ear out for any changes . BTW, what is the pirate buffet? I thought they had the same dinner in each restaurant.

Brenda,
We are sooooo nature lovers too. Most of our vacations deal with the outdoors. I think I remember them saying they won't change the area too much, kinda like they have Castaway Cay, leaving most of it undeveloped. I would think each island would be my favorite too.

Oh, forgot to tell all of you!!! DH agreed to let me buy my dream camera!! He wants me to be good with it before we leave. Waiting to see how much extra pixie dust will come my way on my birthday in a couple of months and then buy it. WOOHOO!!!!