April 2, 2005 Magic-First DCL cruise-anyone going?

[mousecrazy]

I'm needing to figure out our airfare as it's very difficult to get in and out of Spokane at Spring Break and I need your opinion. The only flight I can get out of Orlando on April 9 is at 4:50...will we want to do Typhoon Lagoon? (DD will be 7 and DS almost 4) Is there even enough time? We'll have a rental car and we definitely don't want to be rushed.

Thanks for your opinions/ideas.

Lisa

P.S. BriarfoxinWA - where do you fly out of? Do you already have flight plans?

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

Mousecrazy - We live in Ephrata and tend to fly out of Seattle. It's easier - with the direct flights and the drive is only about an hour longer. We did fly out of Spokane a time or two - before Alaska started doing the 2 non-stop flights to MCO every day. We made reservations on Alaska's 8:30 a.m. flight for March 30th and then we're coming home on the 5:30 flight on the 9th of April.

I don't think you'll have time to really do the waterparks. If I remember right - didn't really "clear" the ship to about 9:30. It's about an hour drive if you go straight to Typhoon or Blizzard Beach. So you'd have from about 10:30 to about 2:30. With it being a Saturday it's hard to say what the lines will be like. When we were there two years ago we had a couple of days with nice warm mid-80 degree days but we also had some mid 60 degree days too...We didn't do too much swimming...

 

[Tiggerish]

I just had to tell someone! I have booked two cabins for myself, my nieces, ages 14 and 7 and their parents for this cruise.

We have 6636 and 6637 which are: Cat 7 with the navigator veranda and the Cat. 11 directly across the hall. For budget purposes I booked myself and DN 14 in the Cat. 7 and the others in the Cat. 11. However, since DN 8 gets up at 6:30 AM without fail and falls asleep early also, we will probable put her in the Cat. 7 so that who ever is "watching" her has a nice place to sit and there is somewhere for her to be taken when she wakes up. Am thinking that room service breakfast on the veranda will be the "reward" for getting up early while on vacation.

We have cruised once before, the 3 day Wonder over last Halloween and loved the experience but felt rushed. Am hoping this will be more relaxing. Also it is our first ever spring break trip.

My DN 14 (will be 15 days after we get back) was disappointed in the teen club as there were few teens and most of the activities were cancelled for lack of interest. Am hoping that this was because most teens were in school and that it will be different at spring break time.

 

[mousecrazy]

You are one great aunt! When and how are you going to tell them your secret? What a wonderful surprise - just adds to the excitement of planning for the cruise.

I have a DD7 and so does cwf1028 - maybe we can get the girls together on the first day. Megan is a little leary of new places, but I think a couple pre-arranged 'friends' might make her feel better going to the club.

I'll look forward to hearing how your surprise unfolds.

Lisa

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

I'm hoping there will be some boys on this cruise! My DS's are 8 and 14 - last time they didn't really find anyone to hang out with. Which was o.k. they still had a great time - but I'm hoping that they can meet someone on board to have fun with...

 

[Tiggerish]

Mousecrazy, I am having the most fun planning this surprize. It is my Christmas present for my nieces (and their parents). For almost four years I worked from home for the most part and was part of their lives on a daily basis. Now I am away from home 11 or 12 days out of 14 and I miss them tremendously. The only upside to my current position is the financially ability to provide this "treat".

To announce the trip, I have prepared a series of letters that I will mail to the girls starting six weeks before Christmas.

Week 1 Pirate Mickey asks them to join in a fun game to hunt for hidden treasure.

Week 2 they are getting pirate hats, 'cause you have to think like a pirate to find a pirate's hidden treasure.

Week 3 they are getting small stuffed parrots, since all good pirates have a parrot.

Week 4 is pixy stixys (the candy) 'cause you need fairy dust to help you hunt.

Week 5 is a deck of mickey mouse playing cards 'cause when not searching for treasure, pirates play lots of cards.

Week 6 are magic towels, since you need to belive in magic to find treasure and a note that the last clue is being delivered to their Christmas stockings by special arrangements between Mickey and Santa.

Christmas stockings will have a note in a bottle that says to look under the Christmas tree.

Under the Christmas tree will be two bejeweled treasure chests with glittery necklaces, jewels (chunks of rock candy), gold coins (chocolates), a countdown to the Magic keychain clock set to the cruise date and a fancy scroll with the details of the cruise that is their Christmas present from me.

As you can probably tell, I spend too much time in hotel rooms at night with my laptop!

 

[anlashokna]

Make sure you have a vid camera to catch that final moment ! They're going to be bouncing off the walls

 

[RachelTori]

Hey! Sorry it's taken me awhile to welcome you! That is such a nice thing you're doing for your nieces! You picked a GREAT time for the cruise. There should be plenty of kids, including teens and the weather will be GORGEOUS!

We had heard the 3 & 4 night cruises left many people feeling like they needed more, so for our very 1st cruise we booked the 7 night. You'll be so glad you did! It gives you enough time to really experience the Magic; you'll feel you got your money's worth!

You'll have to tell us how the surprise goes! As we get closer to cruise date, we'll all be figuring out our travel plans; where to stay the night before, etc. If you get ressie at the Radisson, you'll surely meet other cruisers Friday evening! And we'll have to get our lime green Mickeys (do you know about those? they're paint chips at Home Depot and it's how you spot a fellow disser! Lime green ribbons, t-shirts, etc. will also work!) Last cruise, we had a lady from Michigan State put together a roster of families on our cruise (listed everyone's name; home city; kids ages; excursions; special interests.) It was really nice to have. I'm just not that computer savvy!

Laura

 

[cwf1028]

Tiggerish, what a neat surprise. I feel like a bad aunt now, but can't afford to bring my nieces and nephews . I do have a DD 7 going and think it would be great for them to meet along with mousecrazy's DD(7) before going to the clubs and being overwhelmed. My DD makes friend pretty easy, but has never been thrown in the a situation quite like this! She is really looking forward to the clubs . Hope this is good news for me and DH. We have another DD who is 4 and I assume she will do OK. I am sending a Minnie card to the girls a couple of weeks before the cruise telling them that they are looking forward to seeing them. I've also made a pillowcase for signatures and bought them matching Princess nightgowns that they are going to flip over. Can't wait to surprise them with those. . Have o go for now....Christy

 

[Tiggerish]

It is my pleasure to meet you all. I had made a list for myself of who all had posted so I could keep people straight in my mind. This is it, please let me know if I missed someone or got something wrong.

Anlashokna (Stacey)
from Wisconsin, going solo for the cruise part

brendmar
from New Jersey with husband, no children

BriarfoxWA (Valli)
from Washington with husband (John) and two children
DS 8 (Clayton)
DS 14 (Chase)

cmaasfamily (Craig)
from Georgia with wife (Mindy)and two children
DD 12 (Alison)
DD 4 (Annie)

cwf1028 (Christy)
from Georgia with husband (Anthony) and two children
DD 7 (Elayna)
DD 4 (Ansley)

greytlady (Nena)
from Georgia with former mother-in-law (Delphia) and two children
DD 12 (Kaitlyn)
DS 11 (Nathan)

logan 1_2000
from Georgia with wife and one child
DS 9

molli&Emmas_mom (Kathy)
from South Bend, IN with Mom (mary Jane) and younger sister (Becky) and two children
DD 6 (Molli)
DD 2 (Emma)

mousecrazy (Lisa)
from Spokane, WA with husband (Victor) and two children
DD 7 - Meagan
DS 4 - Trevor


RachelTori (Laura)
from Georgia with husband (Dwight) and one child
DD 11 - Tori
Also has two older "kids", Eric & Rachel who will not be joining us

Tiggerish (Phyllis)
from Michigan with sister (Lisa), brother-in-law (Greg) and their two children
DN 14 (almost 15) Amanda
DN 8 (at time of cruise) Madeline

 

[anlashokna]

Oh boy...finally got plans settled till things change again I thought about staying at the Radisson but decided to go to the Hampton. Will get in Thursday night so I have Friday to play at the beach and go check out the space center Keep an eye on rates where ever you stay. I had to change that ressie and ended up $20 cheaper a night.

Ended up at Shades of Green at Disney after way too much debate. Vacation planning is stressful or is it only when relatives get involved?

Stacey

 

[mousecrazy]

Tiggerish,
Thanks for compiling that list - I guess you do have a few extra moments in that hotel room of yours - eh? heh

I live in Spokane Washington and my real name is Lisa. DH is Victor, DD is Megan and DS is Trevor. Would you be so kind as to add names to your list as you get them? Thank you!

Your creativity is going to put you into the Greatest Aunt Hall of Fame, for sure.

Stacey,
Glad to see that your arrangements are straightened out - nothing more disappointing than having everything arranged, then have to start over.

Ut oh - just noticed that all the other DD/DNs will be 8 at cruise time - do 8 year olds go to the lab?

 

[RachelTori]

Yes! The Lab is for 8 to 12 year olds. When we cruised April 2003, they had 2 groups within the Lab - DD was 9 at the time, her BF was 8 and they were in a group with 8 & 9 y/o's. The older kids were in another part of the Lab. BTW, the Counsellors are WONDERFUL with the children. We do not "tip" them, but many people bring "gift cards" - either Target, WalMart or phone cards, which are always appreciated!


Tiggerish,

I'm Laura; husband is Dwight; DD11 is Tori (I have 2 older children, Eric & Rachel who don't vacation with us anymore!)


Stacey,

I think Shades of Green was a good choice -- it's just been thru an extensive rehab so I'm sure it'll be nice.

 

[logan1_2000]

Hi all!

April 2, 2005 Eastern will be our 3rd DCL cruise, myself, DW,and DS (9 when we sail in April). Booked last October--skipped this winter because DS would still have been 7 and he was already bored in Oceaneer's Club last time as a 6 year old. He's very excited about going to the Lab. Postponed from winter, when I really need the caribbean, until Spring Break when we added Shades of Green WDW trip w/ extended family for Jersey Week in November. Pulling DS out of school for TWO weeks in the same school year was just too much!

We drive from ATL to Jacksonville the night before, then have about two hours left on I-95 the next morning--have always gotten there early and boarded early, make the most of the first day.

 

[mousecrazy]

Welcome logan1_2000!!

 

[Tiggerish]

Hi Logan 1_2000,

I have added your family to the roster.

Is GA like MI in that all the schools have the same spring break week? 'Cause it seems like half the ship will hail from GA.

 

[RachelTori]

I think your son will enjoy the Lab - they do more "grown up" type activities!

What part of Atlanta are you from? Do you stay with family in Jacksonville the night before, or is there a nice hotel we should know about?!!


Tiggerish, I'm not sure about the rest of Georgia (there are some school systems here with 'year round schooling'), but I know where we live, Cobb County always has their spring break the 1st week of April. Some of the Atlanta Metro area systems do try to coordinate their breaks.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

Tiggerish - you can add our "real" names:
BriarfoxinWA a.k.a - Valli
DH - John
DS (14) - Chase
DS (8) - Clayton

 

[cwf1028]

Tiggerish, you can add our names too. Its me (Christy) DH (Anthony) DD7 (Elayna) and DD4 (Ansley). Also, DD will be 7, not 8 at cruise time. HTH mousecrazy!
We're in Gwinnett Co and I know we have had Spring Break the first week in April for the last two years, not positive if that is what we always do.

Mine will both be in the Club, but my 7 year old just turned 7 and still loves to play dress up and pretend and although she acts pretty mature behaviorally for her age, she still loves to play things that others her age may have already grown out of. She is also used to playing on her younger sisters level so I think she will enjoy the Club.

 

[RachelTori]

I just noticed, my DD is listed as "Trevor" - please change to "Tori"!! Thanks!

Laura