April 12, 2008, 4-12-08, 4/12/08 Eastern Magic

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Did you guys feel it? We snuck over the one year mark!!!!! With the weather in the Northeast right now, I am thinking about nothing but warm weather. Heading down to Tampa tomorrow----YEAH!!

Anybody else out there on our holiday?

Skuba2: We faxed a request at around the same time. I'm guessing that will mean we are in the same type of room.

Yes We felt the one year mark and celebrated on the day. We were on vacation and just got back so we were celebrating anyway. It was nice to miss the bad northeastern weather.

Sounds like a few 13 year old girls so far. Welcome EAP'sDAD.

HBC

 

[maslex]

GOOD MORNING!!!!

Just found this thread and thought I would jump in. We too are sailing on April 12 of next year and we can't wait. This will be our 2nd cruise but first DISNEY one. We took our first cruise in August 06 aboard the Norwegian Dawn and we went to the Bahamas and Bermuda. So seeing a couple new islands this time around will be nice.

There will be a total of 7 of us (we going with our neighbors--their 1st cruise)
DH
ME
DS--11
DS--12 (these are the ages at time of sailing)

Our neighbors also have an 11yr old son.

We've always been Disney fans and once we got the taste of cruising, we thought the Disney one would be great for us. So we'll see.

This year we are heading down to WDW for 9 days the beginning of July and can't wait for that one either. While there, we'll go to Universal for one day (also seeing the Blue Man Group there---front row center baby)!!!! Never seen them yet, but I hear they put on a great show.

I see that a couple of us are from CT. Where abouts? I'm in Plainfield (northeast corner).

 

[Skuba2]

Welcome Maslex. Yes, we live in Connecitcut also. Probably as far away from you as can be. LOL!! We are down in Fairfield County.

We saw the Blue Man group in Vegas--just the two of us. It was fun and stupid at the same time. LOL!! You'll see what I mean. To think someone is making a fortune off of these ideas is absolutely amazing. My kids do some of their stuff everyday. It is an experience. Wear something you don't mind getting paint and stuff all over. Even if your in the back, you could get some paint on you when they do the last stunt with the paper.

We do Universal a few days prior to our cruise. We haven't done Disney yet. I am not the kind of person that does well with "planning the rides" and my kids aren't ones to put the effort in to stand in long, long, long lines. They don't do the big rides---my oldest can be a chicken.

Yes Cat, we are in one of the suites. We actually have a Cat 1 but have no clue at the moment which one. LOL! That part is sort of moot---right.

I have to start looking into hotel ressies and rental car ressies. I always forget as time goes by and end up almost not getting what I need.

Deb

 

[Skuba2]

Just a reminder. If anyone needs or wants a rental car---you can book now. I just booked my Van for the time I'm down there. They do go fast it being Disney/Universal area.

Deb

 

[momto3angels]

Hi,
We just booked our first Disney cruise for 4/12/2008 and this will be the
first time our girls cruise and we would love to get some insight as to what to expect. When we cruise the girls will be 9, 6 and 4. We got 2 connecting rooms and we hope there is enough room for the girls to run around!

Please feel free to email me with any suggestions or advice!

Thanks!

 

[EAP'sDAD]

We are also from Fairfield county, Norwalk to be exact.

We are going to Universal in the beginning of July for a couple of days and then heading off on a Royal Carribean cruise (had to save a little money for a 7 day next year).

 

[Skuba2]

Eaps---we are basically on top of you!! LOL!! We are up in Wilton. We did a cruise last July--Disney. We felt it chopped the summer so short. We'll have to meet up at the aquarium or something.

DG

 

[momto3angels]

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone could answer a few of my questions..

1. Is there a less ex*****ve way to get to the ship from the airport then buying the transfers?

2. We might come in the day before and I was wondering if we should stay at Disney or I have read some rent a car and stay at the Radisson?

3. What time should we go to the ship?

4. Is there a problem with the water on the ship? I have read about people bringing their own bottled water.


Thanks!

 

[Skuba2]

Good questions. We spend the few days before at one of the Universal Resorts and go there.

We rent a car from the airport and drop it off at the Radisson at Cocoa Beach. We get a van. If you are even considering it---reserve now. Vans and cars sell out quickly. We take a limo company back from the ship to the airport. They are waiting at the port and you don't have to hassle. Some people will rent one way to the airport. Whatever you do, make sure you take into account the amount of luggage you will have. It is amazing how much luggage you end up taking. You will need enough room in whatever transportation you take to hold you and your luggage.

You can get there when they open the port at 10 am but I don't think they board until after 11 or maybe later. I believe they have characters in the terminal for a while. You can't get into the rooms (or near some people say) until 1:30 or so. Some people dress in swim suits to swim. We tend to wait until after lunch to head on. We do our liquor shopping by the Radisson on Cocoa Beach. We don't bring on water, but we do buy it on the cruise. We also bring on drink mixes to mix up lemonade for some vodka or limeade for tequila. I think the water is more a matter of taste and portability on islands.


This year planning and dreaming is going to be so exciting for you. I can't believe it is only a year. If you are even considering hotels, cars, etc, make the ressies now knowing you can cancel without penalty---making sure cancellation policy. Things run out fast on April break.

Deb

 

[momto3angels]

Thanks Deb...you answered them all. Now I just have to hope to find someone on these boards who will be going with a DD for my daughter to hang around with. My two younger ones will be in the same room and my older daughter (9 when we cruise) will be very reluctant to go to one of the kids clubs by herself. I don't mind if they all stay with us but I would like for them to try some of the activities. Afterall, that is why we are paying for Disney!

 

[Skuba2]

Well then I have good news for you---my daughter now 9 will be 10 on the cruise. She is extremely outgoing and friendly----extremely!! LOL! She is the one of my 3 that always finds someone to play with on any beach we go to. Is your daughter into Webkinz yet? If she is, you can pm me with her webkinz handle and my daughter can invite her to join her friends' list. They can visit and play games together.

Deb

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Yes Cat, we are in one of the suites. We actually have a Cat 1 but have no clue at the moment which one. LOL! That part is sort of moot---right.

I've been away for a while. Nice to see others signing on.

Small world after all Skuuba2. We are in the other Cat1 suite!

Momto3angels: We have always hired a car service to take us to the Port from either Disney, Universal or the airport. We use FLTours as they are a Dis-Board sponsor. Here's a link to their site:

http://www.fltours.com/

HBC

 

[Beginsters]

we will be there April 12 2008 too. Myself, DH, DD 14,DD 12,DD 7(she turns 7 six days before we leave), and DGM(grandmom). The ages of the girls are what they will be on the trip.
This is our second Disney cruise, last time it was 4 day and 3 day disney world

Less then a year.......CAN'T WAIT!!!

 

[Skuba2]

Hello Beginster and welcome. Sorry for not saying it earlier.

We have been both busy and exhausted. I figured out one reason I am glad I am done with having babies. We brought home a 8 month old puppy Thursday and I am soooo done with the all-nighters. Brought back some great memories of the quiet solitude of those midnight feedings, but it also brough back the memories of just how exhausted you can get with no sleep.

Back to cruise talk. I can't imagine doing a 4 day. I would think you are just getting settled when it's over. We do the 7 day with a few days prior to cruise. It makes for 10 days and I am so exhausted by the end and so ready to get home.

What is everyone's favorite thing to do on the cruise? I enjoy the day at sea and the rainforest spa. I also enjoy just laying on the verandah with my book, a drink, a pillow and my ipod. Oh to do just nothing.

Dg

 

[Beginsters]

Yes, a new puppy is like having a baby all over again!

When we did the 3 nights in Disney and 4 nights on the ship, we found trying to do all parks in 2 1/2 days too much! The ship was the relaxing part, but not long enough. We are really looking forward to 7 days on the ship!

As far as things I like to do on the ship.......EVERYTHING, swimming, having a drink beside the pool, going to Palos, watchng the shows, etc.....

11 months and 4 days to go!!!

 

[cvspsych]

My daughter (age 10 at sailing) and I will be on the April 12, 2008 eastern cruise. Looking forward to going-only wish it were coming sooner.

 

[cvspsych]

Does anyone know how single parents fare on these cruises? I am wondering if I am going to feel out of place.

 

[Skuba2]

Welcome. My daughter will also be age 10 at sailing and it couldn't come too soon. Although, then you'd miss the fun of anticipating.

Since I am not a single parent, I couldn't answer your question. But, if you are looking for a vacation that can give you both time with your daughter and some time by yourself and some time with other adults, then DCL can be a very enjoyable experience. The nice thing about getting on the disboard meet thread is that once you meet the people from here on your cruise, you have someone to say hi to in the hallways, someone familiar may be at the pool, you may even run across them at the show and lets not forget castaway cay. Have you started a thread on the main board about single parent cruising? I am sure you will find others.

Deb

 

[momto3angels]

Does anyone know what the age breakdown is for the particular kids clubs? I am just wondering if any of my 3 girls will be together?

Deb, it seems that Abbi and Jen have not had the chance to be on Webkinz at the same time. Is there a time where you think Jen might be on and I can try and get Abbi on at the same time?

Thanks!

 

[Skuba2]

Tell Abbi sorry. I'll pm you with times

The kids' clubs age breakdown is 3-7, 8-9, 13-17.

The 3-7 are broken down into two groups for some activities and the whole group for others. The 3-4 I believe use the club while the 5-7 go between the club and the lab. The 8-9 stay in the lab mostly, but do get to use the quest and the club a few times. The 13-17 are mostly in Quest and the stack I believe. They also go around the ship and use other parts like the sports deck, studio sea, etc.

Hope this helps. It usually works out well if they aren't together all the time. They can get so engrossed in their own age activities and making new friends. It just makes the family time together that much more fun because each child has their own stories to tell.

Deb