5/22/2008 Wonder Cruise!

[TiggerzFan]

My dear niece has a boyfriend????????
Darn good thing I read the DIS boards to keep up with the family!

I was just thinking, wouldn't this make a GREAT Tag??? Anyone here been tagged by the Tag Fairy???

 

[abca]

We did the Discover Atlantis about 5 years ago. You go on a whirlwind tour of Nassau in a small bus, with the bus driver talking and pointing out the points of interest as you whiz by. They stop at a shopping arcade and you walk about 2-3 blocks up to the Atlantis Resort, though the lobby, out the back, past the tide pools, around the lagoon to the far side where you may choose a beach chair. You are also given a voucher for lunch which you can redeem at 2 places around the pool area. You are not allowed to use the pool or the slides, but may walk around the "ruins", tide pools and beach/lagoon area. We didn't think it was worth the money we spent. 2 or 3 years ago, we booked a room at the Comfort Suites and got wrist bands for the Atlantis pool. The slides were a blast, but unfortunately, shortly after lunch, a thunderstorm came along they the pool complex was shut down for the rest of the afternoon.

 

[kaykels]

After I saw the FE, I decided I'm going to make a new one for my next Disney cruise with the dwarfs on there. If you read my self-made tag, it states that I'm cruising with Dopey and Grumpy. DH is Dopey (but he's cute), and DF was born grumpy but has a big 'ol heart!

Andrea, the unofficial guide is the best book out there for touring the parks. Where are you staying?
If you get a chance, visit the Animal Kingdom Lodge (the hotel). Many of the animals are out at night for feeding. They have their own savannahs. We like to pool hop there, sshhh, don't tell. They have a zero entry, locker rooms with shower, and such a great atmosphere. And BOMA is one of my favorite restuarants in all of Disney World. Try the zebra-domes. OMG, pure heaven.

We are also hanging around until Monday. We'll do Downtown Diseny, eat dinner there and catch fireworks from the beach of GF over some Mickey bars.

Wine get together? I'm in! Where and when? Kaylee and Bill will bring their accoustic guitars. I'll bring some local wine from the New Hope, PA. Vinyard.

 

[kaykels]

I was just thinking, wouldn't this make a GREAT Tag??? Anyone here been tagged by the Tag Fairy???

Yeah, I know of the tag fairy. We cruised with them last time, remember? I don't which one is the "official" tag fairy but their tags said, "official keeper of the tag fairy story". or something like that. We were hiding from them because... get this.... are you sitting down......
they wanted to know how to identify each other at the cruise meet, so one of them came up with the brilliant idea of wearing lime green feather boas and tiaras. That's when I bailed.
THEY ACTUALLY SHOWED UP AT THE PORT IN LIME GREEN FEATHER BOAS AND TIARAS.
That was a weird bunch.
Sorry tag fairy.
I guess I'm too cool for them. kidding, just kidding

 

[TRUN]

one more note on atlantis - last year - we actually did book the comfort inn and go play on the slides all day - that was actually fun - overall - we thought price was pretty high for what we got - but was a fun experience and it was vacation - going through the shark tunnel/slide is fun a

dolphins -- if you are staying in orlando for a bit after - you may want to think about discovery cove --- that really is a great experience - we did trainer for the day and really enjoyed it - i think two years ago - and you get a lot more than just the dolphin interaction

but the top dolphin experience is in Hawaii - in Kona - for the past two years we chartered a boat with a guy who brings along a swimming instructor and you go out for about 5-6 hours and when you see a big pod - you get in - a truely amazing experience and the cost was less than a day at discovery cove - granted you have to get to Hawaii - but if anyone is going - id be glad to forward over the company - its been the highlight of our trip the past two years

 

[EPCOT_VA]

How far away from the ship is Atlantis? I'm thinking it might be better to take a cab, get tickets to use the water slides, and then come back whenever we feel like it. How does that sound? The excursion runs $156 for the four of us. It really sounds like they drive you there and back and just show you the ruins. No water slides. I know my kids are going to want to go on the water slides when they see them.

EPCOT_VA

 

[Coffeeguy48]

Got the cruise docs.

I guess it really wasn't just a dream. We really are going back on the cruise.

I'd like to hear more about Atlantis from the folks that have been before.

The Discover Atlantis excursion runs from 11:15 am to 4:15 pm. $39 per person.

EPCOT_VA

It is expensive but it is a sight. I have not visited the water park tho I hear it is awesome! We did the dig. It was nice but I wouldn't neccessarily pay full price for it....The grounds are just gorgeous as is the hotel. It is definitely something to see!

 

[Coffeeguy48]

How far away from the ship is Atlantis? I'm thinking it might be better to take a cab, get tickets to use the water slides, and then come back whenever we feel like it. How does that sound? The excursion runs $156 for the four of us. It really sounds like they drive you there and back and just show you the ruins. No water slides. I know my kids are going to want to go on the water slides when they see them.

EPCOT_VA

It is a quite $10 cab ride if that! However, I am not sure if you can purchase water park tickets for the day. You might want to call ahead and check. I believe the water parks are now limited to hotel guests only. That is why the cruise ships no longer offer it as an excursion.

 

[Coffeeguy48]

I wrote this lengthy reply and it got lost . I will see what I can do as far as a wine party get together. I will call the cruise line and see if I can reserve a room, area and somehow get some food arranged. Let me see what I can arrange. In the worst case scenario, I will bring plastic cups and we'll have to wing it on a deck somewhere. What time of day would be best? Perhaps just before dinner in later afternoon? Otherwise dinners get in the way, no? Please let me know if you are interested so I can have a general idea of what our requirements will be....

 

[TRUN]

depending on space - I believe Atlantis still does day rooms that are not advertised - pretty much a day of - but not sure if that has changed - I was watching rates at the comfort inn just in case we decided to do atlantis, but I think we are just going to be lazy --- but you can book a room over there, get your passes - enjoy the slides and beach and everything and come back later - last year we never stepped foot in the room, they just checked us in and out first thing in the morning.

Cab ride over - make sure you dont pay more than $5 person - they will usually wait till they have a full load to go - I was able to pay $15 for the two of us last year and go right away without waiting as we were one of the first off and wanted to get over and get our atlantis passes - there is a ton of barginning that can go on and lots of competition - just to be aware if its soemthing you have not ever seen

 

[kaykels]

If you want to save a few bucks, go to Cable Beach. We have done that twice and they have a great pool, water slide, swim up bar, water sports, and yes, even a casino. It used to be free but I've heard it is now 15.00 pp to use the amenities. That is a whole lot cheaper than Atlantis!

As far as wine... I thought maybe after the latedinner would be nice. I love night time up on deck, unless it's windy. But wherever, whenever, I'm interested. The problem with before dinner is the shows, unless it's before the early dinner. And then we might be just getting back from Nassau or CC. Just a thought...

 

[cruisindisney]

I agree with Rachel. We would be more likely to come if it was after dinner and the show.

 

[ImagineerM]

I agree with Rachel. We would be more likely to come if it was after dinner and the show.

Hey all! We're interested in the wine thing as well. Will gladly bring a nice wine from Kentucky with us if possible. Let me know for sure what you all wanna do!

I think the after dinner idea Rachel had is best for us!


On a personal note...I finished my student teaching today! Also won my College Education Department's highest award today! Tomorrow I'm up for the school's biggest award -- so keep your fingers crossed for me!

Tomorrow i start substitute teaching!

Oh -- and the cruise docs showed up today! Yippee! Almost here!

Cheers,
Josh

 

[Coffeeguy48]

Okay I sent the info to Disney to see what they can do for us. I guess after late dinner sounds like it but that will have to be at like 10pm... I think some will be eating at 8:30.... I will let you know what I find out. Also, good news, the buttons have shipped! I should get them this weekend! I can't wait!

 

[KayBear]

We are eating at 8 pm. That's what we requested, so hopefully that's what we'll get. I'll be the one with the guitar.

 

[TiggerzFan]

And I'm guessing we won't want to schedule the wine thing on Pirate Night. Doesn't that start around 9:30ish and go on for awhile? Are we thinking the first night? And the last night is always tough... everyone is packing, rebooking and soaking in every last bit of Magic.

 

[TiggerzFan]

Josh -

CONGRATULATIONS! And Good Luck tomorrow. Let us know!

 

[kaykels]

Another vote for the first night. Sounds like a great kick off. Maybe we can catch a buzz under the stars. How about we all bring a bottle of wine from our local area?

 

[TiggerzFan]

Was just reading a thread on the Main board. Seems like the most recent Wonder cruises are seeing a change on the Navigators about the evening dress. It used to be that the 3rd night was a "dress up" night, though not to the extent of the Formal Night on the longer cruises. Hmmmm...will have to watch this.

Okay. We're just back from the April 17 3 night cruise. I have our Navigators in front of me. The second night is "Pirate or Optional Dress Up Night". The other two nights were Cruise Casual. There were a number of people who still dressed up.

 

[swissgirl66]

Josh, well done and "herzliche Gratulation" (congratulations) from Switzerland. And good luck for tomorow.

Re. wine night, we wont be able to bring wine from Switzerland, but we will sure bring one bottle of our preferred wine (if we find this in your local stores). We would vote for the "first night" it might be, that I come alone, as we have will have to see how Alena spends the nights and if we can do it with a "baby phone", would they even work on the ship?

Another questions, do you know if we as "foreigners" are alowed to buy pre-paid-card for our cellphones, any experienced cracks on your side?

Have a great start into the weekend
Andrea