4/20/02 "MAGICal" Cruise (new thread)

[wovenwonder]

The 'unofficial' listing of 4/20 DIS Board Cruisers:

wovenwonder - Jody, Don, Stacy-19, Shelby-18, Colby-13
castawaymagic@hotmail.com

Laurelann - Wife, Hubby and 5 year old son
theatwoods@earthlink.net

medotmom - Jill, Frank, Eric-14
jburns0002@aol.com

JAN ENOS - Jan, Jack, Shelley, Sean, Emma-2, Sadie-4, Abigayle-5

myjeep93 - wife, hubby and 10 year old daughter

BHNJ - Camille, Joe, Joseph-17, Brianna-13
teacup5680@hotmail.com

Dodie - Dodie and Phillip
indipalass@hotmail.com

islandhoppers - JoAnn, Doug, and Sarah-7
islandhoppers3@hotmail.com

msmicky - Micky and Aster
msmicky@hotmail.com


The following is a large family group traveling together:

Donna-Lee, John, Justin-18, Eliza-11
dleejess@yahoo.com

Kelly, Quig, Lowen-8, Tivon-6

Lori, Scott, Carley-5, Nathanial-2

Lynn, Ken, Gabrielle-7

Kristine, Rob, Kelly-8, Lydia-6

all traveling with their mother/grandmother Helen!

More newcomers -- our list is steadily GROWING!

chickabug - Nancy, daughter Hannah-6, and 80 year old mother - Betty.
contact wovenwonder for their email info


EVee - Liz, Tom, Samantha-10, Tommy-8
vangav@bestweb.net
amykline - couple on honeymoon with dd-8 and ds-9
3Disneyteers - Ken, Shelia, and Molly-8
ny2pa@rcn.com
SweetDreams - Jay, Sharon, Avery-7, Emma-3 with
Grandparents Sal & Janice
glacierbreeze2@aol.com
snowtemom - Jean Marie, David, and Nicholas-8
dnjwancio@msn.com

Pentz-Foreman Family - Kelly (25) Monte (29) DD (15 mths) - Amy (26) Michael (31) - Wesley (22) - Barbara (53) Tom (54) - Bobby (55) Diane (50)
foremanmk@excite.com

KMacKenzie - Tracy, Kim, Haley-5, Nannie Donna, Grampy Doug

JCALR - Jon, Cindy, Alyssa-9, Leslie-7, Rebecca-5, Beverly and Linda
jkrowe@eastman.com

INMYIS - DH(35), DW(34), MIL(63), DS(13), DS(11), DS(9), DD(9).

dillon423 - Mike(35), Tina(35), Laura(5), Tommy(4), Michael(13mths)

 

[wovenwonder]

The 'server' is having problems -- and our first thread has been effected! BUT, that won't stop US, will it?!? If you missed this weeks questions, you can still cut and paste them from our old thread.Here is the link to our 'old threas' if you'd like to still refer back to it.
http://198.65.131.237/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33227


JoAnn, I haven't started packing yet. Every weekend I tell myself that I will start...... but I am a procrastinator! THIS weekend I will start!

I heard from everyone in regards to the leis/lanyards except myjeep93's family and JAN ENOS family. I don't want to seem like I'm pressuring -- BUT I would feel bad to leave someone out --- that really wanted to join in. Email me if you'd like more information.

Be sure to bookmark 'our thread' and put it in to your favorites. Check it often to see if there are any new posts --- as it seems the board isn't always 'bumping up' when we have a new post!

 

[SweetDreams]

My family will be sailing on the Disney Magic April 20th - 27. Words cannot describe how excited we all are. We have already pulled out the suitcases and started to review our packing lists. We make up a family of 6. Sharon (34), Jay (35), Avery (7), Emma (3), Sal and Janice (Grandparents). What area does your family reside in? We are from the New England area, big fans of the Patriots (Superbowl Champions). We will be arriving the day of departure…. kicking myself I didn’t make plans to fly out the night before because I think we will be exhausted from traveling by the time we get to the ship. I think Ziploc baggies are going to be a must pack item on my pack list because I have so many uses for them … laundry detergent to excursion snacks they are a must have. This will be our 3rd cruise but the kids and grandparents have never been on a cruise before. We cruised the Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Line and Carnival. We will be dinning in the early seating. I just can’t make up my mind about whether to Palo or not. I really don’t want to stand in line to make reservations after I get on the ship. I find it hard to believe that they make you wait in long lines to make these reservations when they could be made in advance prior to arrival. Not really complaining but just wishful thinking. I am really hoping to take in a variety of the decks but I will probably end up at the Mickey pool with a 7 year old and a 3 year old for a good portion of my days. I have been counting the days and reviewing the boards on a daily basis. I have been able to get some really good advice from this board and I am so happy to now be a member. Looking forward to meeting some friendly faces.

 

[snowtemom]

Going on April 20th too:Jean Marie, David and Nicholas 8
Too excited. Can't wait.
dnjwancio@msn.com

 

[wovenwonder]

SweetDreams and snowtemom - Welcome to the DIS Boards, and especially 'our thread' for the 4/20 cruise. Be sure to check out the link (second post on this thread) for more information posted by 4/20 cruisers.

Glad to have you join us!

 

[wovenwonder]

What are your plans for St.Maarten Day?
Taking the water taxi over to Great Bay Beach. Maybe walking around town a little. Probably catch the water taxi back to the ship for lunch. Fruity umbrella drinks on the beach!

How about St. Thomas day?
We might walk around the shops by the ship -- then treat it like a day at sea? Enjoy the pools, etc - while most of the crowds are on the island.

Are you making any plans for castaway cay day?
Not really, just hope to make it there this time! I'd like to check out the adult beach also. PLUS, I'll be sure to have a conch cooler!

What shows are you most looking forward to on board?
Disney Dreams. And also hoping for some good movies!

Cut and paste. Replace my answers with yours!

 

[chickabug]

What are your plans for St.Maarten Day?
Maybe the Butterfly Farm excursion

How about St. Thomas day?
Trunk Bay excursion? I really want to see St. John for some reason!

Are you making any plans for castaway cay day?
Nothing special - but I'm sure my daughter will want her hair braided if she hasn't already got it done before then. But I hear the lines are long for braiding at Castaway Cay .....

What shows are you most looking forward to on board?
Sounds like Disney Dreams is a must see!

 

[wovenwonder]

chickabug:
They've started doing hair braiding on the ship -- during the days at sea. Hopefully it will continue!! So much nicer than wasting island time standing in line.

 

[EVee]

What are your plans for St. Maarten Day?
We'll probably rent a jeep and see the island ourselves. We've been there twice before, but not in 12 years! Not since the bad hurricanes they had. We like Maho Beach Resort- might even check out the casino a bit!

How about St. Thomas day?
Not sure yet. Sapphire beach sounds nice. Haven't talked to dh about excursions yet. Shopping is one thing, though.

Any plans for castaway cay?
Swimming, snorkelling (we'll bring our own equipment) relaxing, etc.

What shows are you most looking forward to on board?
As first timers, all of them!

 

[Dodie]

What are your plans for St.Maarten Day?
Taking the water taxi and walking around the town - maybe checking out a nearby beach. Shopping and relaxation. Probably lunch back on the ship.

How about St. Thomas day?
We are going to do the Champagne Catamaran Sail to St. John! I'm pretty excited about this as I have heard that it's a great all-adults getaway!

Are you making any plans for castaway cay day?
DH will try parasailing for the first time. Other than that, we'll probably just relax and enjoy the adult beach!

What shows are you most looking forward to on board?

Disney Dreams. And also hoping for some good movies!

wovenwonder: You took the words right out of my mouth, LOL!

 

[wovenwonder]

A 'Welcome to our Thread' to the Pentz-Foreman Family. Looking forward to meeting everyone on board the ship!

 

[wovenwonder]

Dodie,
You can bring the popcorn, Okay??

 

[msmicky]

What are your plans for St.Maarten Day?
We are playing it by ear. Will probably do some shopping. Other than that just relaxing sounds good.

How about St. Thomas day?
Same as above.

Are you making any plans for castaway cay day?
We are all about not making any plans.

What shows are you most looking forward to on board?
Not sure. I haven't really read up on them. Maybe I'll wait and just be suprised. I am also looking forward to some good movies.

 

[chickabug]

Dodie and Jody (hey I like that it rhymes!) - can you tell me more about the water taxi? Where's it leave from, where's it go etc. Thanks!

 

[wovenwonder]

You will catch the water taxi right near the ships dock. The cost is $5 per person (young children are free). For the $5 you can ride back and forth all day long. It will take you right across the harbor to the island. There is a beach (nice) right where the water taxi drops you off in St. Maarten. It is Great Bay Beach. You can rent chairs, umbrella's, etc for a very reasonable price. Locals will come around selling their wares and offering hair braiding (for a fee). Locals will also walk around selling island style drinks. You can pay $5 per person to use a big trampoline out in the water. And they also have jet ski's available from different vendors to rent.

We plan to visit the beach late morning. Return to the ship to shower and eat lunch. Then possibly catch the water taxi back over to the island and walk around the many shops. This is a great place to buy outfits (inexpensively) for the island night themed dress that evening on the ship.



Had anyone else in our group used Dreams Unlimited to book their cruise? I read on another thread that when any travel agent has 8 or more rooms booked for a particular sailing that DCL throws in a gift to be waiting in the staterooms. We have 2 rooms booked thru Dreams, and so does BHNJ's family. So, I was just wondering if there might be 4 more rooms booked thru Dreams in our group?

 

[Dodie]

"Yes" to Dreams Unlimited for us! This is our 4th time using them, and our second time with our AWESOME consultant, Michelle H.!!!!

 

[KMacKenzie]

Hi! I just found this site and all the great messages. We too are going on the 4/20/02. My husband Tracy, myself Kim, our daughter Haley (5yrs) from Nova Scotia and Nannie Donna and Grampy Doug from New Brunswick. We are so excited and are counting the days. Everyone provides such great tips that I think I will need a new suitcase for all the extras. We leave to drive down on the 16th , should take us 3 days to get there. Hope to meet you all on board!!

 

[wovenwonder]

Welcome to the DIS Boards -- and especially to our thread for the 4/20 cruise.

WOW, we have lots of Grandparents traveling on this cruise! (and lots of LUCKY Grandchildren too)-- how nice to share this vacation with your extended families!


Look at our list of cruisers -- our group has grown to 91 people! I still have plenty of green leis (no charge) and Lanyards with cases ($2 ea) available for everyone in our group. I hope to see everyone wearing the green leis at the port terminal and on board the ship on 4/20! I'll let you know when they go in to the mail. If you haven't contacted me with your mailing address yet -- it's not too late! I can still put your family on our list for the leis. (thanks again Camille - BHNJ - for such a great idea of the green leis!).

 

[chickabug]

One reason I chose the April 20th cruise was because it was after Mass's school vacation week and I thought it might be less crowded. However, just realized NH has school vacation the week of the 20th and also found out that our cruise is booked to the max as far as kids go. Now I'm getting worried my 6 yr. old DD may not like the kid's club because it will be too crowded. And in 'eshannon''s trip report she states "They [her kids] didn't really enjoy the clubs that much. I think there were too many kids for them." Any of you veteran Disney cruisers have any opinion on how crowded 'crowded' is? Also, would love to have my DD (who is in kindergarten) find some buddies in this DIS group, so that she might be more likely to enjoy the kids club/activities with them - and so maybe I will get a chance to relax!!!! 5 weeks and counting.... Nancy

 

[wovenwonder]

Nancy,
We cruised this exact same week last year - as did islandhoppers, BHNJ, and medotmom. I think that they would all agree that the ship did not seem full at all. My son chose NOT to do the kids clubs -- but that was his personal choice. He just wanted to relax from the everyday structure of life -- the same as I did.

You may want to PM a few people with kids close in age to Hannah's -- we have quite a few in our group. Every child is different -- and it's really hard to tell how they will adapt until they are in the situation. The only thing I would suggest - is to take her to the club the first night to get to know kids. I found that many kids formed groups early on in the trip -- the longer she waits to join in on the activities, the more left out she may feel.

Final advice (for now anyway) is just RELAX! Hannah will surely have the vacation that only dreams are made of!