A MAGICAL Columbus Day Cruise Texas style 10/6/2012

[ChristyTX]

Finally 10 posts! Signing up for FE now

 

[CrusinLattas]

I have several questions that I hope some of you have answers to. First, the rotational dining includes 3 restaurants, but the cruise is 7 nights. Does this mean that we get to go to each location more than once?

Also, we are still looking for a hotel for the night before. It is a 10 1/2 hour drive from our home. I can't decide if we should stay in Dallas and do the rest of the drive in the morning or stay in Galveston and find a hotel where we can leave the car. It seems that most of the hotels in Galveston are on Seawall Blvd, which is the opposite side of the Gulf than the cruise ship. It is only 3-5 miles across, but that is not walking distance.

Rotational dining is great and yes, you will be at the same places more than once. When you get on the ship you will have your dining schedule. Animatiors only changes colors on the first night you are there. Menus change and there are theme nights, so even though you are in the same dining area it is a different experience.

If you have to spend the money on a hotel anyway, I would drive closer to the port. If you were to stay in Galveston at a hotel that will let you leave your car, then you only have to pay for a taxi the next morning and don't have the rush of getting up early the next day. Our delima was hotel or no hotel, but that's what I would do if I had to do a hotel anyway. Just call before you go to see what the parking policy is at the hotel and make sure it is in a decent area if you are going to leave your car there for a week!

 

[CrusinLattas]

Can you tell me what you are making, or is that against the rules? We want to do the FE as well. Can't wait, so excited!

I just got started on what I am doing - I will either do a card with Disney trading pins or bottle cap pendents (I have not done this one before so I have to make sure they turn out decent) I am not overly crafty, so I have to figure out things I can do that will turn out ok. I am still debating on whether I will try to create a new FE holder or use mine with the Disney Christmas theme. This will be our first non-holiday cruise in 7 years so if you see an F/E that is Mickey Christmas you will know I ran out of creative time...

 

[leahsmom0813]

I would suggest staying in Glaveston. Especially for traffic issues. We are staying at the La Quinta East. It's $79 and you can leave your car for free.the port is only 2 miles away and They will call you a taxi and it's a $7 fare. Lots cheaper than the $150-$200 per night hotels across the street from the port. hope this helps

Have you stayed there before. I was looking at that location too.

 

[KingdomSusan]

Hi everyone...

I am also going on the Oct. 6 cruise out of Galveston and I am glad to see that there is a group posting here. I have cruised before, but never on Disney and never with a baby (my daughter will be 15 months old in Oct.). So, it will be me, my husband and baby in one cabin. My sister, brother-in-law and 2 nephews (ages 6 and 2) in another.

I have booked Palo for dinner and brunch and booked out all of my Flounders hours. Unfortunately we have a 2nd seating for dinner, so I booked the nursery for my daughter most evenings because I don't think she will make it through a late dinner... and then no one will enjoy themselves . Does this seem like a good plan for those who have cruised with a little one?

I am going on the assumption that the Pirate night will be night 4... anyone have any info on that? Also, is there a Character breakfast and how does that work?

I really want to do the FE, but I have to research it some more and see if I have time to do it any justice this trip... I don't want to be person giving out lame gifts

 

[disneyli22ie]

I'm on my way to posting 10 as well!

 

[disneyli22ie]

I just got started on what I am doing - I will either do a card with Disney trading pins or bottle cap pendents (I have not done this one before so I have to make sure they turn out decent) I am not overly crafty, so I have to figure out things I can do that will turn out ok. I am still debating on whether I will try to create a new FE holder or use mine with the Disney Christmas theme. This will be our first non-holiday cruise in 7 years so if you see an F/E that is Mickey Christmas you will know I ran out of creative time...

The bottlecaps are loved by everyone. I bought some gold coins to give out on pirate night. I need to put "magic" stickers, etc. on one side. I love the idea that you aren't giving out food. so many people have food allergies now!

Gotta go on pinterest and get some cute ideas. I think that the Christmas FE would be great. Hey, just add Jack Skellington to it!

 

[disneyli22ie]

Hi everyone...

I am also going on the Oct. 6 cruise out of Galveston and I am glad to see that there is a group posting here. I have cruised before, but never on Disney and never with a baby (my daughter will be 15 months old in Oct.). So, it will be me, my husband and baby in one cabin. My sister, brother-in-law and 2 nephews (ages 6 and 2) in another.

I have booked Palo for dinner and brunch and booked out all of my Flounders hours. Unfortunately we have a 2nd seating for dinner, so I booked the nursery for my daughter most evenings because I don't think she will make it through a late dinner... and then no one will enjoy themselves . Does this seem like a good plan for those who have cruised with a little one?

I am going on the assumption that the Pirate night will be night 4... anyone have any info on that? Also, is there a Character breakfast and how does that work?

I really want to do the FE, but I have to research it some more and see if I have time to do it any justice this trip... I don't want to be person giving out lame gifts

This is what I was told by the cruise co.

Day 2 is Formal night

Day 4 (Grand Cayman night) is Pirate night

Day 6 is semi formal night

I don't know anything about character breakfast. We have the second seating as well. I'm going with my 8 year old daughter and 82 year old mother. They will be exhausted by the time dinner is over! I'm going to tuck them in bed and head back out!!

 

[KingdomSusan]

Thanks! That schedule is perfect for me since I booked Palo for Day 5 (and I don't want to miss special things in the main dining room).

 

[kdzbear]

Thank you for all of the help with hotels! I also appreciate the clarification on the dining rotation. I am so excited that the cruise is getting so close.

I made a spreadsheet for the FE list so I could sort it by boys vs. girls and by cabin number for easier delivery. As of the last update I counted: 16 adult males, 21 adult females, 20 girls and 13 boys. Since then a few more people said that they were planning on signing up. I hope this helps!

 

[KingdomSusan]

Does anyone know what is different about semi-formal night, other than being a bit dressier? Any special menu items normally? I read that they may have lobster on the formal night, correct? My sister's palo reservation is night 6, so she is curious if she is going to miss something special.

 

[disneyli22ie]

This is our first Disney cruise. Can't tell you how excited we are!

Do guests really dress in formal wear on Disney cruises? Tuxes, gowns, etc.?

 

[CrusinLattas]

The bottlecaps are loved by everyone. I bought some gold coins to give out on pirate night. I need to put "magic" stickers, etc. on one side. I love the idea that you aren't giving out food. so many people have food allergies now!

Gotta go on pinterest and get some cute ideas. I think that the Christmas FE would be great. Hey, just add Jack Skellington to it!

The coins sound cute! You are right about the food, plus, I am never hungry on the cruise...lol. I am so addicted to pinterest! What a great idea about adding Jack Skellington since we are going in October! I LOVE it!

 

[CrusinLattas]

Hi everyone...

I am also going on the Oct. 6 cruise out of Galveston and I am glad to see that there is a group posting here. I have cruised before, but never on Disney and never with a baby (my daughter will be 15 months old in Oct.). So, it will be me, my husband and baby in one cabin. My sister, brother-in-law and 2 nephews (ages 6 and 2) in another.

I have booked Palo for dinner and brunch and booked out all of my Flounders hours. Unfortunately we have a 2nd seating for dinner, so I booked the nursery for my daughter most evenings because I don't think she will make it through a late dinner... and then no one will enjoy themselves . Does this seem like a good plan for those who have cruised with a little one?

I am going on the assumption that the Pirate night will be night 4... anyone have any info on that? Also, is there a Character breakfast and how does that work?

I really want to do the FE, but I have to research it some more and see if I have time to do it any justice this trip... I don't want to be person giving out lame gifts

If 1st seating was unavailable for you, you can always get moved up when you get on the ship - with two little ones - your's and the 2 yr old, dinner would be really late. It will be perfect for the 6 yr old because of Dine and Play - Kids eat for the first 45 min and then the workers from the kids club come and get them - it is a life saver and I will only do 2nd seating just for this feature with mine - but they are older. The other good thing about 2nd seating is that the little ones will be awake for the shows - mine LOVE the shows and have since they have been babies, so if they are into that - 2nd seating dining may still be your best option. When mine were really young we didn't do the regular dining every night - we would eat at Topsiders or just grab a burger or pizza so that they didn't have a melt down with a 2+ hour dinner. Hope that helps!

When you get on the ship you will have a ticket in your stateroom that will have your dining rotation and what morning you have the character breakfast. They happen on sea days and are split into three groups, like the dining rotations. The character breakfast is a lot of fun and the kids (and adults) will really enjoy them!

The F/E is also a lot of fun and you can do something that does not take that much time - one year mine didn't make it onto the ship (that suitcase got left at home!) Everyone ended up getting drink coasters I got in the gift shop vs the magnetic calenders - yes it had to be calenders, so I couldn't use them the next cruise...! Anyway, it is one of the highlights of our cruise to come back and find things in our F/E holder - plus it is fun to deliver too!

 

[disneyli22ie]

The coins sound cute! You are right about the food, plus, I am never hungry on the cruise...lol. I am so addicted to pinterest! What a great idea about adding Jack Skellington since we are going in October! I LOVE it!

I was thinking cute little sombreros (Costa Maya), tiny beach towels (like Malibu Barbies) for Cozumel, Jack Skellington something, etc. Gotta come up with something for the Grand Caymans- maybe origami stingrays.

I'm a Girl Scout leader and we make what are called SWAPS (special whatchamacallits affectionally pinned somewhere) We trade these at scouting events, etc. Go on pinterest and search for swaps and you will be amazed at how cute they can be. And, if Girl scout leaders are involved, it's gonna be cheap!

 

[CrusinLattas]

This is our first Disney cruise. Can't tell you how excited we are!

Do guests really dress in formal wear on Disney cruises? Tuxes, gowns, etc.?

I have seen people who are very dressed up to those who don't dress up at all on Disney. Some people dress up every night. You will not be turned away from the Dining room on formal night if you don't dress up - Palo, you will, but not the regular dining.

 

[disneyli22ie]

I have seen people who are very dressed up to those who don't dress up at all on Disney. Some people dress up every night. You will not be turned away from the Dining room on formal night if you don't dress up - Palo, you will, but not the regular dining.

Thanks Renee. What a sigh of relief! I have semi formal and cocktail attire, but not any RECENT formal wear. If i could fit in any of my formal dresses, I would look like a sad bridesmaid from the 80's!

 

[CrusinLattas]

Does anyone know what is different about semi-formal night, other than being a bit dressier? Any special menu items normally? I read that they may have lobster on the formal night, correct? My sister's palo reservation is night 6, so she is curious if she is going to miss something special.

Formal night usually has the more formal food - lobster tail and steak, etc.

Here is the schedule for our cruise:
1 night - Theme of your dining location
2nd night - Formal with Captian's reception
3rd - Theme of your dining location
4th - Pirate Theme
5th - Theme of your dining location
6th - Semi Formal
7th - Farewell Dinner

If you have a dining rotation you really want, you can call and request it or have your TA do it if you are booked with an agency.

The current movies showing on the ship:
3D - Toy Story 3
3D - Tangled
3D and regular - John Carter
3D and regular - Brave
Other non-3D movies:
Cars 2
Real Steel
Muppets
Chimpanzee
Avengers
People Like Us
Timothy Green

Movies might change if a new movie comes out - I don't remember seeing anything due out before Oct. 6th.

You can also call in and prepay your gratuities - $84 pp or they will be added onto your cruise bill at the end of the sailing - you no longer have to do this at guest services. Disney is currently starting to put these on the bill earlier in the cruise so you will see it with your final bill, but this may not be in place before our cruise.

 

[CrusinLattas]

I understand all too well! I usually go with a black dress with a beaded jacket - same one every year...lol I dress my kids like a prince/knight and princess - those outfits come in handy anyway! My husband will pack a suit - we love Palo, so we will get dressed up for that! I have seen people on Formal Night in sun dresses or even cruise casual. Most do dress up, but I have not seen very many ball gowns other than on the princesses! You should be fine in cocktail attire.

Thanks Renee. What a sigh of relief! I have semi formal and cocktail attire, but not any RECENT formal wear. If i could fit in any of my formal dresses, I would look like a sad bridesmaid from the 80's!

 

[ginny75]

This is what I was told by the cruise co.

Day 2 is Formal night

Day 4 (Grand Cayman night) is Pirate night

Day 6 is semi formal night

I don't know anything about character breakfast. We have the second seating as well. I'm going with my 8 year old daughter and 82 year old mother. They will be exhausted by the time dinner is over! I'm going to tuck them in bed and head back out!!

Very helpful information thanks!!