April 2, 2009 3 Night Bahamian Cruise

[knawest8]

Well I got our two girls registered for the kids club this morning. We are really interested in renting bikes, but still not sure what to do with our youngest who can't ride on her own. I will have to do some more investigating into that. I just wish we were there already!

 

[chrisnglenn]

Wow! It's been a few weeks since I last logged on, and many new people! Yay! Happy to share our cabin #, it's 5524.

Let's see -- this is our second Disney cruise (second cruise, period), our last was the 7-day Western Carribbean, but we only have a week this trip, and wanted to spend some time in the World, too. I absolutely adored Castaway Cay last time, and intend to soak up the relaxation again. In Nassau, we're going to do our own thing (no one into snorkeling much), so we're planning to contact a local cab driver (recommended by a friend who just came back from a week in Nassau), who will give us a tour of the island for $30 u.s. a person. He has a mini van and there are only three of us, so there'd be room for more, if anyone would like to join us. Let me know and I'll make the reservation! The tour is only about three hours, so plenty of time for other stuff. My friend highly recommended a restaurant in Nassau, said I needed to try the conch items, which are apparently a local specialty. We're going to go to the Pirates of Nassau museum and then shop in the Straw market on our way back to the ship.

We dressed for pirate night last time, not sure if we'll do it again. It was somewhat crazy. May just do a Hawaiian shirt and be done with it.

Our DS will be 12 by the time we cruise, and I really don't anticipate him being in the kid's club, but we'll see. He had a ball there last time when he was 9, and the only time he paged us to get out was when they were going to do a "show" for farewell on the last night and he wanted no part of it.

We're doing second seating for dinner this time -- first seating just came too quickly, and besides, DS is older......

Looks like dress up for a three day is optional -- but sparkle is good. Last cruise, we did the whole shebang, needed an extra suitcase just for the tux, dress, pirate clothes, etc. Not going there this time, but may bring dressy clothes for dinner. Don't miss the show, though - "Disney Dreams" was fabulous!

We're arriving in Orlando on March 28th, spending the 29th at Magic Kingdom, 30th at Hollywood Studios, 31st at Epcot and 1st -- DH and DS are going to Blizzard Beach. I don't do those, although I'll swim at Castaway Cay, so I'm renting a car and going shopping!!!

Thursday is CRUISE DAY -- ought to be fabulous!

Looking forward to getting to know folks......the day will be here soon!

 

[TAKitty]

I thought I would look back on this thread and summarize who we have so far.

Name: chrisnglenn aka: Chris
Kids: DS 12
Cabin: 5524
Dinner: Late

Name: ladypoo
Kids: 2 and 8
Cabin:
Dinner:

Name: MMLong3996 and company aka:Michelle
Kids: DD9, DS6,
Cabin: 6567 (6583, 6569, 6571, 6581, 6587)
Dinner: Main

Name:knawest8 aka: Angela and Kyle
Kids: DD4 Genavieve, DD5 Madison
Cabin: 2004
Dinner:Late

Name:2cats1kid
Kids: DD11 Kat
Cabin:5020
Dinner:Main

Name:May baby06
Kids: leaving kids at home
Cabin:
Dinner:

Name:TAKitty aka: Tracie
Kids: DS14, DS11, DB19
Cabin: 6082, 6083
Dinner: Main

 

[TAKitty]

We're arriving in Orlando on March 28th, spending the 29th at Magic Kingdom, 30th at Hollywood Studios, 31st at Epcot and 1st -- DH and DS are going to Blizzard Beach. I don't do those, although I'll swim at Castaway Cay, so I'm renting a car and going shopping!!!

We have only two days at WDW, April 1 and 5. One of the days will be at a water park. I was telling the kids that when they do the water park I may go to Epcot to see the flowers. Have fun shopping!

Where is everyone staying before the trip, if you are arriving early. We are staying at AKL. It will be our first time in the villas there.

 

[knawest8]

Name:knawest8 - Angela & dh Kyle
Kids: DD4, DD5 - Genavieve & Madison
Cabin: 2004
Dinner: Late

We live in Orlando, so we will be at home before the cruise and parking at the port. I don't think we will be dressing up much. Just going to play it as simple and easy as possible. The girls will probably bring all their princess dresses, I am sure. They love to dress up. How good are our chances of running to the princesses for a photo op?

 

[2cats1kid]

We are in 5020 and are down for early seating. I understand that if there are lots of little ones needing early we may be bumped, so I'm easy about which we are in, really. Early seating seems pretty early, but late seems way late! We normally eat about 6.30 at home, so early seemed the better option for us, but like I say we'll be happy with whatever as we're just excited to be going.

DD is Kathryn (likes to be called Kat, or KitKat LOL).

We are looking at doing the sealion encounter at Blue Lagoon when we are in Nassau. DH will do the observer program as he doesn't "do" water. We were going to do Aquaventure but it is seriously expensive, especially since the £ has weakened against the $, and I wanted something that we could do together really. At least at Blue Lagoon we can look at the dolphins and hang out on the beach together.

We'll probably snorkel at CC but chill out mostly as we're at the parks before and after so this is our recharge time. We are at POR before the cruise and CSR after - first time at both (we normally go to the values) so excited about new places to stay, too.

 

[TAKitty]

I really like POR. It is easy to find your way around and the landscaping is very nice.

 

[may_baby06]

we booked Palo, atlantis adventure (i think thats what its called) and the stingray thing on castaway cay. we are thinking about a bike rental too. i'm excited about snorkeling even though i don't know how lol.

 

[TAKitty]

Here is my pirate shirt find at Target. The shirt costs 7.99 in the boys' department.

 

[MMLong3996]

I thought I would look back on this thread and summarize who we have so far.


Name: MMLong3996 and company aka:Michelle
Kids: DD9, DS6
Cabin: 6567 (6583, 6569, 6571, 6581, 6587)
Dinner: Main

Just thought I'd repair mine a bit. We're traveling with A LOT of family but I only have these two little ones.

 

[MMLong3996]

Here is my pirate shirt find at Target. The shirt costs 7.99 in the boys' department.

CUTE! I bought my son the shorts when school started this year - I'm hoping they still fit him for the cruise!

 

[TAKitty]

Page 3 post 43 is the updated post with who is going.

 

[TAKitty]

CUTE! I bought my son the shorts when school started this year - I'm hoping they still fit him for the cruise!

I like the idea of shorts! I didn't see anything like that. Sometimes boy stuff is so scary looking. I don't let the kids wear anything too evil.

I am having the kids try on shorts etc. in February to see what we might need to purchase. They grow so fast!

 

[MMLong3996]

I like the idea of shorts! I didn't see anything like that. Sometimes boy stuff is so scary looking. I don't let the kids wear anything too evil.

I am having the kids try on shorts etc. in February to see what we might need to purchase. They grow so fast!

Yep, I bought Jackson a pair of black shorts with little white skulls all over them back before school, they're REALLY cute! My daughter wanted a pair but I couldn't find them again - they sold out fast! I'll try to remember to scan them in for you.

I agree about the evil looking things. My kids both LOVE skull/crossbones items but I won't let them get any of the scary ones. And for my daughter if it has pink on it too, even better in her eyes! They were both pirates for Halloween and we decorated our car in the same theme for Trunk/Treat at our church. I have LOTS left to decorate our cabin with!!

 

[TAKitty]

Yep, I bought Jackson a pair of black shorts with little white skulls all over them back before school, they're REALLY cute! My daughter wanted a pair but I couldn't find them again - they sold out fast! I'll try to remember to scan them in for you.

I agree about the evil looking things. My kids both LOVE skull/crossbones items but I won't let them get any of the scary ones. And for my daughter if it has pink on it too, even better in her eyes! They were both pirates for Halloween and we decorated our car in the same theme for Trunk/Treat at our church. I have LOTS left to decorate our cabin with!!

I love that you decorated your car for Trunk/Treat.

I went back to Target and I found the shirts but not the shorts. The oldest is leaning toward a tropical shirt for pirate night since that is what my brother will probably wear. I was surprised that they didn't have the pirate polo shirts in mens too.

 

[2cats1kid]

Starting to get really excited! This morning we paid the balance on our hotels/DDP/Disney tix so it is starting to feel really close. We also have all our ADRs made and the sealion encounter booked. Just need Seaworld/Busch tickets and Dine with Shamu to book (DD is desperate to do this, so I am indulging), and our transfers to/from the airport, and we are set!

Actually we still need to decide whether to go and see the Blue Man Group. Last twice we have done La Nouba, but fancy something different this time, but since we aren't going to the Universal parks I'm jibbing at paying a taxi fare to City Walk just for the show. Seems daft when we're paying so much for everything else, but that's me!

DD and I will dress up somewhat for pirate night, but I need to get DH a pirate t-shirt so at least I'll feel he's not being a total grump!

Anyone else feeling yet?

 

[knawest8]

I am totally excited!!

Just FYI- Dine With Shamu is awesome! The food is excellent and you can't get any closer to a killer whale than that. I did it last year and loved it. I can share some pics from the dinner you are interested. Also I saw Blue Man a few years ago and that show was amazing as well. You won't be sorry for splurging on either. There are also lots of things to do at CityWalk. I like eating at Margaritaville. It sounds like you have one heck of a trip planned!

 

[2cats1kid]

Oooh you've just made me even more excited. DD is mad for killer whales - she was pumping the trainer at Seaworld last visit for how you get to be a trainer. But since she wants to be a musician I can't see her combining the two! Dine With Shamu bookings were only available up to the end of March last time I looked - I guess come February they'll put April up.

And yes, we do tend to do a lot when we are over as we figure we are crossing the Atlantic to do it, so no point getting home with lots of things we wished we had done. We are splurging a little more this time as DD got a 50% scholarship to her senior school (11+. Is that your high school? Sorry, your education system baffles me!) so we told her we could do extra bits this time as a well done for her.

Oh! And I'd love to see your Dine With Shamu pics, if you don't mind posting.

 

[MMLong3996]

I love that you decorated your car for Trunk/Treat.

I went back to Target and I found the shirts but not the shorts. The oldest is leaning toward a tropical shirt for pirate night since that is what my brother will probably wear. I was surprised that they didn't have the pirate polo shirts in mens too.

Oh, Trunk or Treat was a blast!!! We belong to a pretty big church and we ended up with about 3-4000 kids on campus for Halloween!!!

 

[MMLong3996]

Oooh you've just made me even more excited. DD is mad for killer whales - she was pumping the trainer at Seaworld last visit for how you get to be a trainer. But since she wants to be a musician I can't see her combining the two! Dine With Shamu bookings were only available up to the end of March last time I looked - I guess come February they'll put April up.

And yes, we do tend to do a lot when we are over as we figure we are crossing the Atlantic to do it, so no point getting home with lots of things we wished we had done. We are splurging a little more this time as DD got a 50% scholarship to her senior school (11+. Is that your high school? Sorry, your education system baffles me!) so we told her we could do extra bits this time as a well done for her.

Oh! And I'd love to see your Dine With Shamu pics, if you don't mind posting.

She can always work in one of the shows where they sing/dance AND perform with the animals! It sounds like you have a GREAT trip planned! How long will you be on holiday?