April 8, 2006 Western Magic Cruise

[poconoboatniks]

Bumping us back to page 1

Where is everyone?

Poconoboatniks

 

[windermerejudy]

Hi, I have been checking back in periodically but it does not seem like we can get a good chat going. Any suggestions? Orlando is beautiful this weekend, parks aren't too bad. Seems like maybe the hurricane refugees are going home. Our friends just booked this cruise as well so we now not only have our 6 but 5 of them. I have been telling her about the crazy DIS group things. We can't disappoint our new friends. Anyone thought about a group name or cruise name? Door signs? Tag decal?

 

[UMTerp]

Hi windermerejudy!

We were at the parks this weekend too! It was great for us! It was really crowded at Epcot on Monday though! We didn't even stay for Illuminations because I was worried about all of the drunk people (F&W) standing in long lines for the buses. We'll have to catch it next time.

We did a marathon four days in the parks and rode/saw just about everything we wanted to - multiple times for most of the "good" ones!

One thing we did on our last cruise which was fun as a wine tasting just for the DISers. Everyone brought a wine from their local area and we all tasted the different ones. DU sponsored ours and provided food but it was a very large group (repo cruise). Maybe we could do the same thing on a smaller scale - everyone order a cheese platter and meet at a certain spot to share our wines. I don't know much about wine and don't drink it much but it was fun trying the different ones and getting to know some of the other folks on board. What does everyone think?

Talk to you soon!

UMTerp

 

[windermerejudy]

Sounds great UMTerp.

You know if everyone that has visited us here is still going it should be a good size crowd.

We need to get excited and get our party going. Could we try for one week to write everyday and maybe others would come back too?

EPCOT was packed. We were there for the Temptations and surprisingly it was empty back in America. Mexico and France had Easter like crowds.
We went down to the art festival Friday not realizing that it closed at 5:30 but none the less it was wall to wall people and the restaurants all had 2 hour waits. Whatever happened to those off peak weeks?

One thing we did is put together an album of who all was cruising so we could recognize each other right from the beginning.

More later
Judy

 

[UMTerp]

Sounds good Judy!

Anyone dressing up for pirate night? I have t-shirts that I made for our repo cruise (without dates). We will most likely wear those again. I have to find some hoop clip-ons!

Do you think we will end up at Costa Maya? So far I haven't read much good about that port.

Enjoy!

UMTerp

 

[windermerejudy]

I hope that if we do not get to go to Cozumel we do get another port. Maybe if the feedback is poor they will take us to CC twice. I have mixed feelings on the Nassau additions that some cruises are getting. I guess I do not know enough about Costa Maya.

Yes we are definitely dressing up for pirate nights. I need to pop back down to "Pirates of the Car." and pick up a couple of new sizes for my kids. We will be wearing the whole garb. Eyepatches, bandanas, ... Naps will definitely be in order that day. My kids fell asleep mid party last time.

Lets start to formulate a tenative schedule for things if that is OK. I would love to do a wine tasting. Can we pack that in our suitcases?

This whole ticket boarding I hated in California. I guess we will get there at the earliest possible ticket time which sounds like 10am. Do you know when they have begun boarding since back here? I always wonder if it is worth the wait for 2 hours from 10-12 or better to just come at 12 and walk right on.
All I know is I want on my Magic as soon as they will let me in order to eat at buffet and head out to pool and have a Bahama Mama before boat drill. I wish you could collect your ticket NO. and leave and go have a nice breakfast somewhere. One other question---we did not board in CA until 1pm but we have been allowed to board as early as 11am here. Has any one read any reports on this recently?

 

[poconoboatniks]

Hi Um & Judy,

I haven't been on the boards much lately. Where is everyone? I was trying to keep us off of page 3.

What's this I hear about possibly going to Nassau? I hope not. We were there in February and decided that if we ever went back that we probably would stay onboard. A double dip to CC would be great!

Our kids will be dressing for Pirate night. I got their costumes for the Calif. trip. I hope Kate's still fits. They wore them for Halloween this year. I added a Pir of Car. hat for Halloween. I don't think the adults in our party will be dressing up.

I read somewhere that DCL was starting to use the same boarding procedure as Calif. UGH! We didn't like that process.

We tried to do a wine and champagne tasting on our last cruise, but everyone was too exhausted by the time the night for the tasting came. Grammy Gail and I did get together to walk deck 4 in the morning, then she got pneumonia and we weren't able to walk again.

I'm open for suggestions. We're traveling with Bob's family who have never been on DCL. My in laws are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary a little early. Their actual anniversary is in June. We have early seating this time around. What seating times do you guys have?

Pocono

 

[UMTerp]

Hello everyone!

Yes, they are using the same boarding procedures as in CA. We actually liked not having to wait in line and checking in the kids before we got on the ship. Since we didn't have to worry about Palo ressies or anything we were not in a huge hurry to get onboard. Of course we were all so excited to be going on the repo that we were busy trying to meet everyone in the terminal before boarding.

Pocono - the most recent Magic cruises are switching Nasau for Costa Maya. No word as to why but it doesn't seem like a good switch!

We had our wine tasting in the afternoon on a sea day - around 2:00 if I remember correctly. We brought three bottles of wine in our carryon -
a small rolling suitcase - in a cardboard wine carrier box. I will probably not bring three for one week - but we will see! If we have the wine tasting while topsiders is still open/just closing we could grab some cheese, desserts, etc from there and meet at the adult pool. We can get some glasses from the bar. Should be able to bring our own corkscrews and/or borrow one. Want to tentatively say the second sea day if we have two in a row? What do you guys think?

Have a great day!

UMTerp

Edited to add - we have early dinner seating too.

 

[windermerejudy]

Well I guess I did like having the kids prechecked and not having to rush to Rockin Bar D for ressies. I love that those are available for us in Jan. I still can't ever seem to hit a good dinner time to do Palos on a night I want to relinquish or that is not the kids favorite---ie..Animators Palate is their favorite and I do like the butternut acorn squash soup and caesars salad. We found we like the brunch even better. I think we will skip dinner at Palos and just do brunch. I keep hearing these wild rasul stories and thought I might see if its available or maybe try the new villas. I have never been near the spa. All 3 of my kids will be in programming this time for the first time ever.

I would love to do the wine tasting.

We are early dining.

When are you guys coming in to Orlando? Are you staying here or at the port? It would be fun to meet up the night before if you are here or for an early breakfast.

One thing that might be fun if anyone is interested is to have a drink in Key West. We always enjoy getting back off in the evening and sitting at one of the sidewalk bars and people watching. We are not doing excursions here. Shopping and enjoying Mickey pool. My boys want to do Stingray City in GC but we usually book when we get off at dock not through Disney. And if by some blessing we get to visit Cozumel we love the Beach Escape.

 

[windermerejudy]

I went back and pulled all of our DIS group:

poconoboatniks dw, dh, dd11, ds8 MIL,FIL,SIL,BIL,cousin 5
UMTerp dw, dh, ds11, dd8
windermerejudy dw, dh, ds9, ds6, dd3 Mom
friends of ours dw, dh, ds 9, dd6
vavasmom dw, dh, dd10
PollyP dw, dh, dd15, ds13, dd7
neighbors dw, dh, dd14, dd13, dd6
Lil1062 dw, dh, dd16, ds12
MNRae dw, dh, dd7, ds7 MIL,FIL,SIL,BIL,cousins 7,4
disney mommy she, Mom, Dad, DS7
red terp dw, dh, dd5, dd3, Brother, SIL, 2 kids Mom
Melora dw, dh, dd17, ds11, dd6, ds5

That is 69 people total. I really would not be surprised if some have changed their mind or do before Jan.

 

[UMTerp]

Judy - Are you planning to use Capt. Marvins for the stingray trip in GC? If so, we would be interested in that too. Maybe we could get our own group together. I've heard of lots of others doing that!

Right now we are planning to arrive in Orlando Thursday night and going to Kennedy Space center on Friday, staying near the port Friday night. Planning to rent a car from Budget. However, our airline, Independence Air, has just declared bankruptcy and is looking to auction everything off within 60 days! I don't know what that's going to mean for us. I will be looking into booking "backup" tickets with Southwest as soon as they come out.

One other thing we did on the repo cruise was arrange for private transportation (buses) from the port back to MCO. It was only $7.50 per person! If we have enough interest, maybe we could do that too.

Have a great day!

UMTerp

 

[windermerejudy]

Yes, I believe that is who we used before. All I know is we had gone to GC several years before and wanted to revisit Stingray City and DCL would not allow the kids at their ages to be booked. We got off the ship and booked with a very shady looking person who I was not really sure was legitimate but we loved our day. We arrived at Stingray City before the DCL or other cruise boats. We had a total of 16 people on our boat including kids. The DCL cattle boat pulled up and they had 50 people or so crammed on theirs. We also did a reef snorkel stop. All my kids got to enjoy it including my 1 1/2 y.o. Blake. She is now 3 and wants to go back.

I am so sorry to hear about your air. I hope it all works out for the best. Are they affiliated with another airline? Hopefully someone else willl honor your tickets.

So is the consensus that it does not pay to show up really early and be the first one in line anymore? If you were to come at 11:30-noon I wonder when you would get on. I know in Ca. we were group 2 or 3 and they made us go to PC for lunch. I prefer Topsiders and the pool before it gets too crowded.

 

[UMTerp]

A smaller group for Stingray city sounds great! I know my kids would enjoy it! We tried snorkling for the first time on the last cruise!

No, unfortunately Independence Air is not affiliated with any other airline. I'm hoping another airline will buy them and keep the current schedule/tickets. I really don't know what happens in this type of situation. Just crossing my fingers.

I'm not sure of when you would board if you arrived later. I probably won't be rushing to get there unless I need to make some ressies or change something. I say that now, but I'm sure when I see that ship I'll want to be ON NOW! If it were me and I really wanted to eat at Topsiders I would walk toward Parrot Cay and then take the elevator up to Topsiders. I understand that they want to try to avoid overcrowding but one family one way or another shouldn't make a difference! It's funny because I prefer Parrot Cay for the first lunch. I just think the food is better! Isn't that crazy?

Hey Pocono - where are you?

Have a great day!

UMTerp

 

[UMTerp]

Hello everyone!

Home today waiting for Thanksgiving lunch at DD's school! Meanwhile, I think I finished my holiday shopping for my kids online! I love the free shipping at some of these online sites! Woo Hoo!

Is everyone cooking for turkey day? I will cook but it will only be us and my brother so not too bad.

Turned really cold here overnight - guess it had to happen sometime!

Have a great day!

UMTerp

 

[windermerejudy]

Hey have you guys seen that the other cruise lines went back to Cozumel this week and there are pictures. It looks gorgeous like always. I was trying to research the beach day parks there. We went with DCL to Playa Mia (formerly Playa Sol) last time and it was awesome but packed. I don't remember the price but it was around $45 and included open bar and buffet lunch which did not prove to be great.

There are now several that you can go to on your own: Paradise Beach Park, Mr. Sanchos, Playa Mia ....Do you guys know anything about these? Anyone interested in going with us to one of these? The kids loved the rock climbing inflatable in the water.

Yes I am cooking for my family and my very picky in laws. My mother in law truly thinks I can"t cook because I have 3 young children I cut corners alot. I love to cook when time allows. I am a little stressed that it won't be perfect. Oh well!

 

[UMTerp]

Hi Judy,

I'm so glad to hear that Cozumel is coming back strong! I've got my fingers crossed that we will be stopping there. I don't know about any of the beaches. We went on the Atlantis submarine through DCL last time we went. We also went to Cozumel Sally's (I think I'm remembering her name correctly) mini-golf after dinner. She used to post on the DIS boards quite a bit but haven't seen her in a while.

We may be interested in going to one of the beaches - especially if they have other activities for the kids like you mentioned.

P.S., Best of luck with you MIL. I've got one of those too!

UMTerp

 

[poconoboatniks]

Hi Um & Judy,

We'll be at the in law's for Thanksgiving. I'll find out what everyone else is interested in doing while onboard. My FIL is having some testing done after Thanksgiving, so my MIL hasn't been able to think about the cruise.

We just got a packet of brochures from DCL yesterday. I didn't notice anything new, just some new packaging. We're scheduled to arrive in Orlando sometime on Friday. I won't know the time until Southwest opens up the dates. We're planning on spending a day or two in the parks afterwards. After Thanksgiving, we'll be finalizing our plans.

If I don't get a chance to post again, Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families.

Pocono

 

[UMTerp]

Hi Pocono & Judy,

We got the package too! I didn't have time to look through it but it was much larger than normal. I guess they are doing pretty well financially if they can afford to send out newly designed packages to everyone. Maybe that's why the prices are going up so much!

Pocono - I hope your FIL pass his test with flying colors! Hope you have a great Thanksgiving too!

I will be around next week so I'll probably be posting up until Thursday!

Have a great day!

UMTerp

 

[windermerejudy]

When I received our excursion packet, I thought it was some sort of
Castaway Club thing. I did not realize it was going out to everyone. Pretty nice.

Boy have I had one heck of a week. We are at this new school this year and both of my sons are having friends issues. I guess I am too. I miss all of my old buddies. I don't seem to fit in at the new school as well. This new school is awesome academically though because for once the currriculum is fast paced and challenging. It is hard learning that you need to just consider it school and then come home to your friends. I have always had friends at school also and it was alot of social time. I guess I am kind of in withdrawal. I always knew I had a support network, but yet my son was bored and unchallenged. Life just seems lonelier this year. The trade off. Guess I need a cruise. (and a Bahama Mama.......and to do the stomp...........and to waste a lot of money on bingo..........and to gorge myself on 5000 calorie meals.........and to pamper myself for a few days.)

I finallly sat down last night and went through cook books to see if I could find some different recipes for Thanksgiving. Emeril had some great ones so I am feeling better about what I am going to prepare.

Time to go start my cleaning. You guys have a great Thanksgiving with your families.

P>S> We got into Ohanas on a cancellation 2 nights ago and they had totally changed the menu. It was very good but different. Don't know if you guys are Ohana people but it is very good in Poly resort.

 

[UMTerp]

Hello everyone! Happy Thanksgiving!

Judy - I'm sorry to hear about the school friends problems! What a bummer!
A few years ago a friend's DD was having friend issues at school due to being new to the school. She invited a handful of the kids over to their house for pizza one evening and things immediately improved. Just a thought. Good luck!
You gave me new inspiration about our cruise with your descriptions! I was thinking BTDT about this cruise (esp after the 14-day one). It will be a great time!

It won't be long until we will have to pay the balance to get those ressies!

Have fun and be safe!

UMTerp