April 8, 2006 Western Magic Cruise

[poconoboatniks]

Welcome Lak,

Wow! For a first timer you have covered quite a bit. Welcome! Take lots of pics and video if you can. DCL is addictive and you will be missing it before you get on the plane to go home. As I write, it's snowing like crazy and all I can think about is walking deck 4 the first evening onboard.

Polly, congrats to ds. What is your dd doing in the musical? Are you guys GMac fans? He graduated from high school with my cousin. My nephew drives to SU from Utica to see him play.

Um, Bob is a huge Jimmy Buffet & Hemmingway fan. We had to check out Smokey Joes (?) and Margueriteville (good Alligator bites) He loved the aquarium (right size for Brett at the time and we were able to pet a lemon shark) and walking around KW. The Key Lime pie on a stick was pretty good. About a month or so ago the Travel Channel had a show about the hauntings on Key West. We want to check out some the places mentioned on the show. I think Key West is special to him because it was our first port of call.

I can't wait for the UPS man to show up with our docs.

Who's going to be online on April 4th trying to get Med. reservations?

Pocono

 

[UMTerp]

Hey Pocono!

I had a pretty bad experience our first time at Key West because I was so unprepared! We took the Conch Train and the kids were so bored! It seemed like we were just going around in circles (actually, I know we were because I was reading the street signs). Half-way through they stop at a gift shop where they want you to buy the pics that they take of you when you start the trip. We got off and just walked around. I couldn't locate the places I was looking for because I didn't have a good map. I was frustrated and hot so I took the kids back to the ship. Security was fighting with me about putting my film camera through x-ray. They finally told me that they wouldn't and put it through anyway! I was hopping mad! They called the head of security for me to talk to. After that I never had a problem because I would use his name but to say the least the cruise did not start of well for me. I ended up in our stateroom crying on our first day of our first DCL cruise! Luckily, none of my film was ruined and I bought a digital shortly after returning home. This time I ordered a package of info from Shirley and I will have our day planned out better! I'm sure that's more than anyone wanted to know but for your newbies we will be going on our third DCL cruise since that time so I recovered Just don't stress out like I did before our first cruise and you will be fine!

I want to try that key lime pie on a stick! Where do you get that?

UMTerp

 

[poconoboatniks]

I can't believe you decided to take another cruise after your first experience. I glad you recovered. Remind me to tell you our story about our experience in Nassau on the Wonder.

What packet of info did you get from Shirley? I knew that Shirley and Norm are from KW, but I didn't know that she had info you could get to help with planning. Bob and I are hoping to stop by The Perfect Gift to say hello while we're in PC.

We took the Conch Train too, but it was fine for us because poor Brett was getting sick and we didn't know it. I don't remember a stop or photos. Maybe that was when the poor kid was falling asleep. He had green strands of gunk coming out of his eyes. He ended up having a sinus infection. I had to take him back to the ship to the onboard doctor. I wish that I had found a MediStop or ER on KW instead. The insurance company was a pain in the neck. We walked around for a while after we had seen the doctor on the ship. Kate and I had the frozen Key Lime pie at little stand outside the Pirate Museum. We tried the Key Lime soda, but it was too sweet for us. My mouth is watering thinking about it.

Pocono

 

[polly p]

Polly, congrats to ds. What is your dd doing in the musical? Are you guys GMac fans? He graduated from high school with my cousin. My nephew drives to SU from Utica to see him play.
Pocono

DD is a dancer and ensemble singer. She is in almost every scene. She is having a ball.

We've watched quite a few SU games. I used to work at home games at the dome doing concession. You wouldn't believe the number of GMac fans there are. Fund raising got old fast though, so I don't see many any more. It will be sad when Jerry graduates.

Not snowing here yet, but they say it's coming.

I too can't wait for the docs to come

have a great day,

Lori

 

[lak]

We have 2 daughters - 8 and 6. We're from University of Illinois area. GO ILLINI! We have late seating. Darn it!

This discussion board has helped me tremendously on getting prepared. Plus...have many friends who have gone. Neighbors are getting back today from a 4-day Western.

Can I ask a question regarding transportation? We're thinking of renting a car to take from the airport to our hotel. Then doing the drill of hubby dropping us off while then taking the car back. Haven't seen a ton of info on the best option for returning to the airport. Opinions? Rental Car? Towncar?

Thanks Everyone!

 

[UMTerp]

Lori - we rented a SUV or minivan (can't remember which) from Budget for the day before (about $65). We willl pick it up at MCO and drop off Sat morning at the port (Budget location CC5, I believe). This location is not far from the port and they have a free shuttle to the port. I will take all of DH's docs and his passport to check us in while he is returning the rental. He will keep his driver's license. On the way home we have arranged for a 10 passenger van pick up from Happy Limo. We have a 12:45 flight so I didn't want to risk being late to MCO. The van was a little more than a town car but I decided that maybe all of our luggage and the four of us would be tight in a town car with the driver. I used Happy Limo one other time and surprised the family with a limo. Not this time!
My DD(8) will want to meet your DD (8) too!

Good luck with your planning!

UMTerp

 

[chuchubipretu]

Thanks for the welcome! We have not cruised with any other line......we wanted to take our first cruise with Disney. I tried to get Palo brunch reservations but I guess I was too late. It appears that all brunch spots are filled already. We have booked our only excursion with Capt. Marvin's for GC. We are doing Key West on our own and are waiting to hear if we sail to Cozumel or Costa Maya before booking others. Any word on when that decision will be made?

 

[lak]

This transportation info is VERY helpful! Thanks!

How do people hook up and identify each other? (I'm gun shy on posting much on the intranet).

 

[UMTerp]

Pocono - I sent Shirly a SASE with about $5 in postage and she filled it with Key West info. Lots of brochures, maps, etc.

chuchubipretu - if you get to the port fairly early and go directly to Rockin' Bar D when you board the ship you will probably still be able to get a Palo ressie. If not, get put on the waiting list. Many times slots open up.

lak - we are planning an informal "meet" at Scoops (ice cream place) on deck 9 Saturday at 3:00 (is that time right Pocono?). We will have lime green Mickey heads (paint sample from Home Depot) on our lanyards. Many other folks will wear lime green t-shirts, etc. Lime Green is the official DIS Boards color. It's good to at least see familar faces throughout the trip after meeting the first day. I usually meet at least a few others in the port before boarding the ship.

Enjoy!

UMTerp

 

[polly p]

Hi lak

My initials used to be lak before I got married. Now I'm lae. Anyways, welcome. We are renting a car at the Airport from Thrifty. Thrifty has a drop off really close to the port. They told me a shuttle will bring dh to port after he drops off car. Then we are gettting shuttle after cruise to take us to thrifty and get our car to go back to the airport. I got online and then called the cape canaveral location. Good Luck.

One of my dd's is 7 turning 8 on the cruise. Maybe they will be in the same club.

Lori

 

[poconoboatniks]

Hey Lak,

Ditto to Um's rental. We rent a car and drop it off on Saturday after DH drops us at the Port. DH rides the shuttle back. It's very easy and cost effective.

We'll be the ones at Scoops with the lime green t-shirts at 3:00. We'll have plenty of time to meet before the manditory drill. We're going to be doing a wine tasting on one of our sea days (Um, am I correct?).

Polly, Tell your daughter to break a leg. She sounds like a fun kid. My dd likes to play flute and piano. She tried Drama club last year. She had one line and wanted more.

Windermere Judy, Where are you? How's Florida? I just finished shoveling the driveway. See all the fun you are missing by living in Florida.


Pocono

 

[lak]

We've rented Tiffany Towncar servce to bring us down there. We'll take a cab to the port from the hotel. Then the towncar will pick us up when we get back. We've used that company twice. They're wonderful. Will cost us $180....the convenience will be way worth it.

I'm unable to post the url. But be sure to use tiffanytowncars with an 's'.

 

[UMTerp]

Yes, wine tasting is still on if anyone is interested. We seem to have had a drop off in participation from early in the thread. As of now my plan is for 2:00 on the second sea day somewhere on deck 9. I'll take a poll of who is interested as we get a little closer.

UMTerp

 

[Vavasmon]

So sorry to hear abot more snow - spring should be coming soon. UM did you hear the long range report for Monday? The national weather service can keep their sleet and freezing rain at this point. I am planning on teach DD a new chant to say in the car each morning - I do not want a snow day.. I do not want a snow day.

We are still looking forward to meeting a scoops and the wine tasting.

chuchubipretu - we also did not get a bruch reservation - I am planning on going to the change point as soon as we board (often one of the bars). I may also need to change dinner based on our roation. I have it booked on Key West night gambling on APL for the rotation. We decided to do it our first Parott Cay night but if we end up with PLA then no Palo dinner for us since DD can't go to the dining room herself the first night.

transportation - wise we are having FLTours between airport/hotel and port/airport. We will fly in Friday and spend the night at the Raddison.
Polly - best of luck to DD

 

[UMTerp]

Vavasmon - No, I haven't seen the long-range forcast! NO MORE SNOW! I don't want them to take away that Friday before our cruise. If they do, my kids will just have to miss school. We are going to Kennedy Space Center that day so that will be educational anyway - shouldn't that count?

UMTerp

 

[poconoboatniks]

Our kids missed school yesterday and today. The school board will tack on today to the end of the year. We'll still be out of school early. I just wish they would build in more snow days or give us a mid winter/spring break. We have high winds and snow drifting which has cause some roads to ice up. The major roads are ok, but the secondary roads have icy spots. Good luck to Va and Um. NO MORE WINTER WEATHER!

Have a great weekend. Sell those Girl Scout cookies

Pocono

 

[poconoboatniks]

What happened to:

redterp
MNrae
Disney Mommy
Melora
Lil1062?

Are you guys still cruising?


Pocono

 

[UMTerp]

And... where's windmere Judy?

Delivered most cookies today. Still three houses left!

DS's basketball team won their tournament game today! They won the regular season and the tournament!!!

UMTerp

 

[polly p]

DS's basketball team won their tournament game today! They won the regular season and the tournament!!!UMTerp

Congratulations!! That is so good. DS had a wrestling tournament today. He didn't fare well. won one lost one, but he hurt his foot and shoulder. He had fun though. It's only his first year and he'll learn better techniques in time.

good job with the cookies. I always hated trying to get the boyscout popcorn delivered.

5 more weeks!!

Have a good night.

Lori

 

[Vavasmon]

Did you all see Judy's question about cruising with a child with a broken foot in a cast? That didn't sound too good.

I thought about you all with the cokkies each time I passed a booth sale (7 of them today alone)