April 8, 2006 Western Magic Cruise

[MNrae]

polly p - I noticed that you stayed at the Villas at Wilderness Lodge. Judy asked where we were staying while in WDW and I guess that's it. We'll only be there for two days following the cruise. I heard it's pretty fun - kids love it. Any opinions or suggestions?

UMTerp - no word yet from Native Way - I'll keep you posted

 

[MNrae]

A couple other questions for you all...

What can the kids expect from the Wide World of Sports Deck (is that what it is called)? They keep asking me what's available. Any ping pong? Is there a running track anywhere for DH?

Thanks!
(the newbie )

 

[poconoboatniks]

Polly

Glad to hear the test went well and will keep you in prayers for good results.

MNrae

There are ping pong and foosball tables on deck 9 and dh can run on deck 4. Deck 4 is not a running track per se, but it circles the entire ship and lots of people run or walk there. There is a basketball court on deck 9 forward. The kids will have plenty to do.

Poconoboatniks

 

[windermerejudy]

MNRae---I hae never been inside the villas down at the wilderness Lodge but the Lodge which you will share facilities with is great. There is a nice waterslide and pool. A few good restaurants on property. Best of all boat launch to MK. They have this geyser that erupts every so often. It is very peaceful and there is a jogging walking trail over to Fort Wilderness. We used to go down there for a nice nature walk.


So all of our families here are falling apart. Is everyone going to be all systems go by the cruise?

Tickets never came for Milllionaire. It is supposed to drop again this weekend. It has been beautiful all week but now that a whole new cruisers are getting on tomorrow its gonna be cold again. I wanted to go to Grills to see the Magic leave tomorrow but thus far my DH has had a rough weekend on call. Maybe next weekend.

Hey did anybody try to book Cozumel ressies? Just wondering if they took them. I think we will be back but it sounds like tendering will be the only option because the pier won't be done until late this year Nov or so.

Gonna run for now.
Judy

 

[Vavasmon]

my browser just crashed so I am retyping my post

Sorry to hear about everyones health issues this week - heres hoping that all are on the mend.

Pocono - I would check about Palo. The only meal that seems completely gone is brunch on day 6. They still have opening for Key West and the first day at sea. Most nights still have dinner slots also (but not all times)

Judy - I booked the atlantis sub for Cozumel via the DCL website. I am still awaiting an email back from Native Way. I really want the stringrays and Island Tour not RRR so I may end up booking with Disney. To answer your earlier question - yes I have been following the first night in club thread. For us personnalyit is not that big of an issue - DD spent very little time in the clubs - she liked the shows, deck parties (I may have a problem in a few years) and the game shows in Studio Sea. She wants to eat in the dining rooms each night. We have agreeded that she can do our dining room the night we have Palo - I know this decision would be flamed on a few other threads but I trust her to follow the rules I have set (dining room - cabin or club - no where else until we are back). She is 10 but has a level head and common sense. DD is not interested in the club on CC since the kids can not enter the water. She and her father snorkled for about 3 hours and enjoyed a bananna boat ride. We also had a blast floating around on the rafts/tubes.

DH and I are interested in the wine tasting idea.


Judy (or anyone) - suggestions for 1/2 day on Friday before the cruise if we don't have a car? I am considering the Raddison but people keep saying it is not a good deal unless you use the parking. Some say stay near the pier. I don't think DH would go for staying at WDW - it too short of a time and it will be packed with spring breakers (we went that week in 2003 and 2004).

 

[windermerejudy]

I know Ron Jon 's books up so quickly. We are still trying to get in for a weekend. I hear it is awesome. Do you have transfers? How are you getting to the port? In Orlando the I drive area is a little closer to the airport or some people will stay near the airport on Semoran. There is a Hyatt in the airport that sometimes has great rates. I'll give you more specifics depending on transfers.

I am so over suggesting things to that poor lady over there and her knocking everyones ideas..(referring to kids club issue thread) Our kids will be fine and they wouldl have fun in the broomcloset with an empty toilet paper roll if they knew they were on Mickey's ship.

It is nearly impossible to explain to someone who can't fathom how awesome it is.

So I am thinking that because they let you book Atlantis submarine that we stand a good chance of going there.

I totally agree about CC. My kids like us to go with them to the dig so they can then leave with us and go get back in the ocean. Besides the fun stuff is at night mostly anyway. So you get to have a nice day together playing on the beach and then have dinner and they get to go get away from us for awhile and be with new friends and we get to clear our minds and go do whatever we like. What could be better than that?

Pocono it is so good having you back here. You were our matriarch on this thread. Not by age but by starting this so long ago. And I give you credit, you hung in there when none of us were around.

 

[Vavasmon]

I don't have Disney transfers.

I will probably use a towncar - like we did in Dec. That has always worked well for us. My DH hated the one time we used Mears - Dec 25, 2001. We took a very senic tour of the WDW property. It took almost 2.5 hours to reach the hotel after we were checked in for the bus.

I am thinking somehwre with a nice pool where we could walk to a restaurant for Dinner is the way to go.

 

[polly p]

Hi everyone

MNrae- the kids loved the villas at Wilderness Lodge. There really isn't anything at the villas, everything is at the lodge. The pool is great with a slide and lots of room. DH and I liked the pool side bar.

There is a game room, the kids stayed there a bit. They also have a playground and a beach the kids can play on. It was nice for them.

We had 60 degree weather yesterday and now it is snowing. So crazy. My dd has a semi formal tonight. We are busy getting ready for it. At least she can bring this dress on the ship for formal night.

Hope everyone is feeling better.

Lori

 

[windermerejudy]

Vavasmon---I have been thinking on this one all day. There are several really nice hotels with good pools. One place you might consider looking is the Royal Pacific at Universal. There are several great restaurants on property including Emerils newest Tcoup Tcoups. There is a boat that takes you over to Universal City Walk where there are all kinds of rest, clubs, stores.....Their pool is a huge lagoon shape and has a large boat with water cannons and a mega bucket that fills up and dumps like every 10 minutes or so. Islands rest aurant is where we ate for Christmas. They have a buffet and menu every night. The buffet being themed on a different South Pacific island. The Hard Rock and Portofino both on Universal property are also nice but RP is my favorite and usually the least expensive. We have put up realtives here on many occasions. It is one of my favorites!!!!! Rooms are gorgeous. It is much closer to the airport than Disney. Actually it is very close to our house. There are shuttles from the resort over to Wet and Wild if you were interested in spending half a day there. They have heated pools and it usually clears out mid afternoon and we love to go there in the evening.
I have seen rates as good as $89.

Other nonDisney ideas are the Nickolodeon hotel although I have to say I have no personal experience withthis one. I am still trying to figure out which Holiday Inn changed. If it is across the street from Universal which that is what I have heard, there is a Fridays, Cracker Barrell and Dennys. One of my y husbands patients went there and loved it. They advertise heavily on Nick.

Hyatt Grand Cypress is gorgeous but is behind Disney and usually realy pricey. If you want just a square pool no slide there are lots of breand new ones right by the airport. I have to fgo pick my mom up on Wed and if you want I will check out the ones that are brand new.

I feel like a traitor on the DIS telling you to stay at Univ. but it is nice.

Polly P--it is the same here in Florida. All week its warm and then this freezing windy weather today.

 

[windermerejudy]

The least expensive rate for the time we are speaking of is $299 at RP. I looked at Nick Suites and it is not where I thought it was.It is down beyonod Disney so way far away. It does look great but no availability. I will check out other options and let you know.

 

[Vavasmon]

Judy - I went ahead and book the Raddison at the port - I kinda wimped out - but got a great rate $139 plus tax. That means I have my plane tickets, hotel first night and most excursons done. This trip is starting to come together. I also finished my trip report from our Dec 29 cruise and got that posted. Now if the wind would stop howling (we are having 50 MPH gusts) maybe I could get some sleep.

 

[UMTerp]

Hello everyone!

So crazy around here! Lots going on!

Pocono - so glad to see you back! We hope DH is back to 100% soon!

MNrae - I got a confirmation e-mail from Native Way with a request to fax them my CC number. Did you get an e-mail too?

Got my first night (Thursday) hotel through Priceline - Airport Marriott for $80.72 (including all taxes and fees). I didn't think that was too bad. First time using Priceline so we will see! Not the Hyatt but it will do for one night!

Still deciding about Friday night hotel.

Thanks for the good wishes for DS - he is OK now!

Hope everyone is enjoying their long weekend!

UMTerp

 

[MNrae]

UMTerp - Yes, got mine as well. Does Disney operate on Central time? I notice they want us there at 8am and don't we get in at 7:30am? Isn't that cutting it close? I've never done this before.

Also, in Cozumel our excursion leave at 10:30am and we don't get in until 10:30am. They said they would wait but I bet it will take a bit to get off the ship, right?

How does the time thing work? Can I assume 7:30 in GC and 10:30 Coz will be the same as the times we get in? Does that make sense?

 

[windermerejudy]

Yes if the country or island is on a different time you would be told on board the ship to change the night before so the ship is always exactly the same as the island. So when the Magic states we dock at 7:30 It is GC time 7:30. Remeber though to find out there cancellation policy because many companies do not refund and often the Magic does not dock at GC due to high seas or winds. One other thing is that DCL excursions have priority on the tenders which will start at 7:30. If there is room others are allowed on but be prepared to wait. Last time we finally got off at 10:00. Word of warning. I guess that would also apply in Cozumel now since it is a tendered port now too. If the sea is rough they can't load people in tenders. I do hear the tenders in CZ are huge but DCL purchased excursions ALWAYS have the first few tenders. You go to the theatre and your whole party has to be with you and they give you a sticker or ticket for that tender. First come first serve. I know in Cabo we waited atleast an hour. The theater was full. I do not mean to be a party pooper just wanted you to be aware.

 

[UMTerp]

MNrae - Yes, this might be cutting it close. I looked at some recent Navigators and it appears that the first tender times are approximately 7:30. I guess we should plan on being at the theater early to get early tender tickets. When I send in my credit card info I will write a note that the ships first tenders may not leave until 7:30 and DCL excursions may get priority. Others have gone on this trip from DCL so I'm sure it will all work out OK.

Cozumel may be another story. If you are booking an independent excursion I would make sure that they will wait for you in case of a tendering problem. I have read some stories on the cruise critic board about it taking a long time to tender in Cozumel. Of course, we should know more after the first DCL ship returns.

My DH wants to stay at the Radison on Friday night so I'll probably make that ressie today (if they have any space left!).

Have a great day!

UMTerp

 

[Vavasmon]

Yes if the country or island is on a different time you would be told on board the ship to change the night before so the ship is always exactly the same as the island. So when the Magic states we dock at 7:30 It is GC time 7:30. Remeber though to find out there cancellation policy because many companies do not refund and often the Magic does not dock at GC due to high seas or winds. One other thing is that DCL excursions have priority on the tenders which will start at 7:30. If there is room others are allowed on but be prepared to wait. Last time we finally got off at 10:00. Word of warning. I guess that would also apply in Cozumel now since it is a tendered port now too. If the sea is rough they can't load people in tenders. I do hear the tenders in CZ are huge but DCL purchased excursions ALWAYS have the first few tenders. You go to the theatre and your whole party has to be with you and they give you a sticker or ticket for that tender. First come first serve. I know in Cabo we waited atleast an hour. The theater was full. I do not mean to be a party pooper just wanted you to be aware.

This is part of the reason I decided to go ahead and book the Disney excursion. I was not worried in Nassau last month (you walk down a gangway) but I have heard too many hooror stories from people at work about tendering into port. UMTerp - there was tons of space at the Raddison when I booked this weekend. I appears that the discount rate does not quallify to book the first shuttle reservation time. I have decided that instead of paying them another $30 to prereserve a shuttle that has mixed reviews I ought to be able to get a cab - maybe I am wrong - worst case is the 2nd or 3rd shuttle. I am also leaning twords the cab to avoid the cattlle car that many have described at the shuttle loading point.

 

[UMTerp]

Judy - we must have been writing our responses at the same time because I didn't see yours before I posted mine! Funny! Thanks for the good info!

Thanks Vavasmon - I'm going to look at their website now.

Is everyone starting to get excited?

UMTerp

 

[Vavasmon]

I am definately getting excited - We booked over a year ago but made the final decision to go 2 weeks ago today and now most of the planning and reserving is done. My DH is going to be suprised when he comes home Sunday night from skiing in Colarado. It hit me when I updated my signature with the new ticker tonight how soon we will be sailing.

Is anyone still thinking about the wine/cheese meet? Also it is starting to sound like we should have a pre-cruise party at the Raddison the night before.

I went back and read all the old posts earlier this evening. A few of you really kept this thread going in the early months. UMTerp you mentioned the Atlantis Submarine in Cozmel - did you enjoy that? I have booked it but am interested in feedback. I noticed we are the only DISers with the second seating.

I have decided we are going to do Key West on our own; the island tour and stingray snorkle with DCL in GC, the atlantis submarine with DCL in Cozumel, and parasail in CC. I am sure we will rent snorkles and rafts at CC again but I don't see any point in pre-reserving. I booked Palo Dinner for Key West night and am really hoping for APL as our dining rotation - otherwise I will need to change Palos when we board. I also really want brunch day 6 but it is completely booked on-line - I check for cancellations every day with no luck.

I have decided we will have fun no matter what. :thewave:

(expecting another full ship and hoping for wonderful weather, interesting places, new friends, and no Norwalk this time)

If only it was as easy to decided where to make ADRs for my August WDW trip (taking DD, her counsin, and my sister) - We tried that 2 years ago and got to meet hurricane Francis. With 180 day ADRs that is right around the corner. It is hard planning for other than your immediate family.

 

[UMTerp]

Hello everyone!

OK - since most everyone has made their ressies, lets pick a day/time for the information wine tasting. How about 2PM on the second sea day? How does that work for everyone?

Are we going to have a short meet onboard the first day? When I cruised before we met at scoops before the safety drill. What do you think? Anyone have any other ideas?

I made my ressie at the Radisson for Friday night so those of us who are staying there can meet up ahead of time too!

Anyone ordering gift baskets from Shirley? I have before and they were great! My kids have sort of outgrown the sand buckets so I'm not sure I'll order this time.

Vavasmon - yes,we went on the Atlantis submarine on our first cruise. We loved it! Went down about 80' and it was really neat! Saw flying fish on the boat to/from the submarine. I would recommend this excursion! Have fun!

I'm writing a note to Native Way with my credit card info telling them that the first tenders will not be leaving until 7:30 and that DCL excursions will get first priority. I've been trying to send my fax today but the number is always busy!

Have a great day!

UMTerp

 

[windermerejudy]

MNRae-- You might want to check out the thread talking about people getting off the ship in GC. I think its called "tendering in GC" Most say they have gotten off on the first open tender (meaning not DCL excursions filled) at around 8:30 or 9:00.

UM Terp --will you be our social director? Pick a place and time once on board and we will be there. We also have met at the Mickey Pool and Scoops. I can't drive to the port the night before but I can start an Orlando meet too if anyone will be here.

We have the spa ressies for 3pm on both sea days, but that is fine we cancome and have a glass of wine before our appt. Sounds pretty relaxing actually. Do we bring one bottle or more?

Judy