Aug 03 2008 Magic (West Coast)

[ufcabear]

Hi to all - Looks like you have been talking with each other quite a while. I am Debi and my husband is Cal. We are in our early to mid 50's and love cruisin with the Mouse. This will be our second Magic, however, we have cruised on the Wonder a number of times (as well as some other lines.) I am excited to get to know you all. I am preparing for neck surgery in a few days and will be home from work for a bit so I can read the other posts. I am very excited.

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

I am excited to get to know you all. I am preparing for neck surgery in a few days and will be home from work for a bit so I can read the other posts. I am very excited.

My excitement level increases as our Embarkation Day gets closer and closer. Neck Surgery! I hope all is well. Don't return to work too early. You need to be good-to-go for our cruise. Take Care.

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

:cool1:

Mom, preparing for this cruise and your renewal ceremony has been the coolest thing that Cher and I could do for you and Dad. Remember your job is to enjoy this experience. You're going to be the prettiest bride that ever cruised the Seven Seas. Luv ya.

 

[BabyFavorite]

Susan, we'll definitely have to meet up on the cruise. The boys will probably see each other at Ocean Quest. I don't know how much time the kids will spend at the clubs as we'll want to spend a lot of time together as a family. But our staterooms are on Deck 2 not far from Ocean Quest, so I'm sure DS12 will be spending some time there. He loves simulator games.

Have you reserved any excursions? After hearing negative reviews about the Mazatlan City Highlights tour, I changed it to the longer Mazatlan Highlights, Folkloric Show and Mexican Buffet excursion. Waiting to hear reviews on that one. I'd also like to try to go parasailing on our own somewhere. I'm sure only DS12 will try it. I've gone a few times in Hawaii and love it.

I'm anxiously awaiting more info from returning cruisers. Can't wait to see the full navigators. I'm the planner in the family and can't have too much info!

Have fun planning!
Debbie

Hi, Debbie!
We have only booked a little... the pirate ship at Puerto Vallart and the Beach Escape at Cabo. Nothing for Mazatlan; we're thinking of just taking a taxi to Tony's (a restaurant at the beach) and hanging out there. I want to go parasailing, too, but NO ONE in my family will go -- not even my 12yo! (He's very athletic normally BUT afraid of heights!) Who knows, maybe you & I can meet up and go!

I'm dying to hear more trip reports, too! I am also the planner in the family.

Yes, we'll have to meet up at some point -- that would be great! Have fun too in your planning and anticipation. Heck, that's 1/2 the fun of the whole thing, isn't it!?

Susan

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

Well, today was the final fitting. The dresses fit! We also purchased the accessories and mailed the invites for the Bon Voyage Party. Beer was on sale so we purchased it for the party. My kitchen looks like a bar. I also started purchasing items for the wedding party's gift bags. I hope to have them ready to give them on July 3rd (to start the one month countdown). Did anybody watch Disney Cruise Line today on the Travel Channel? Watching the program just added to the already building excitement in my home. I want to transfer it onto DVD and include it in gift bags.

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

Hi, Debbie!
We have only booked a little... the pirate ship at Puerto Vallart and the Beach Escape at Cabo. Nothing for Mazatlan; we're thinking of just taking a taxi to Tony's (a restaurant at the beach) and hanging out there. I want to go parasailing, too, but NO ONE in my family will go -- not even my 12yo! (He's very athletic normally BUT afraid of heights!) Who knows, maybe you & I can meet up and go!

I'm dying to hear more trip reports, too! I am also the planner in the family.

Yes, we'll have to meet up at some point -- that would be great! Have fun too in your planning and anticipation. Heck, that's 1/2 the fun of the whole thing, isn't it!?

Susan

It appears that we, wives, are the planners. I agree 100% that planning is 1/2 the fun. I keep looking for updated trip reports, and I read them over and over again. Anticipation is building especially after watching the Disney Cruise Line program on the Travel Channel today. HAPPY PLANNING!

 

[sylnbry]

It appears that we, wives, are the planners. I agree 100% that planning is 1/2 the fun. I keep looking for updated trip reports, and I read them over and over again. Anticipation is building especially after watching the Disney Cruise Line program on the Travel Channel today. HAPPY PLANNING!

Hi IceSk8ersMom. I too love the planning part of the vacation. My husband laughs as I tell him about all the things I have yet to do for the cruise every evening after work and share all the neat things I learned on the DISboards.

Lately I have been gathering some pirate gear to wear on Pirate Night. I don't think we will go all out with costumes, but I thought it would be fun to look a little Piratey. Anyone have any good suggestions on where to get some Pirate Gear?

 

[BabyFavorite]

Hi IceSk8ersMom. I too love the planning part of the vacation. My husband laughs as I tell him about all the things I have yet to do for the cruise every evening after work and share all the neat things I learned on the DISboards.

Lately I have been gathering some pirate gear to wear on Pirate Night. I don't think we will go all out with costumes, but I thought it would be fun to look a little Piratey. Anyone have any good suggestions on where to get some Pirate Gear?

We got some personalized t-shirts for the kids (and they come in adult sizes, too) at disneystore.com! We got their names on the front and cruise info/dates on the back. Very piratey and cute! AND they came like 4 days after I ordered them. I was shocked!

 

[vossjemi]

Welcome to all the new people! Looks like we're growing and growing!

Has everyone gotten their excursions figured out? We've finally decided.

In Cabo, we're just going to take a water taxi out to see Land's End, Los Arcos, Sea Lion Island, Lover's Beach, and then go to Medano Beach for the day. Will probably take land taxi into town later for some shopping and back to ship.

In Mazatlan, we're doing Randi's Happy Horses on Stone Island. Anyone else going?

In PV, we decided to go to Sea Life Park for the day.

And Friday is our Palo Brunch. I just wonder when our character breakfast will be as I'd hate it to conflict w/Palo!

 

[sylnbry]

Hi vossjemi. We are also doing Randi's Happy Horses in Mazatlan.

In Cabo, we are going to catch a water taxi to Los Arcos too. Maybe we can coordinate something together? I haven't researched too much about it yet. After that, we might visit with some friends who are staying at a condo in Cabo.

In PV were hanging out at the Krystal hotel and getting massages.

I speak Spanish and have traveled in Mexico some, so I feel comfortable not going with the Disney excursions. (and the Disney excursions were kinda pricey)

What is everyone else planning for excursions?

 

[MN Dis Fans]

Lot's of New Folks signing up. Welcome aboard!

Excursions?
In Cabo: 4x of us are doing a fishing excursion with Red Rum.
The DW, my mom, and eldest DS are swimming with the dolphins.

In Mazatlan: All 7x of us are doing a private tour.

In PV: 6x of us are doing the Historic Town & Tequila making, the eldest DS is doing the teen cruise.

We're at 47x before we fly to LA!
In another couple of weeks, we'll hopefully be doing the "Doc Dance!"

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

Hi IceSk8ersMom. I too love the planning part of the vacation. My husband laughs as I tell him about all the things I have yet to do for the cruise every evening after work and share all the neat things I learned on the DISboards.


The items on my checklists are quickly being crossed off, but it appears as I cross off one, I add another. I guess it is all part of that planning process , which I love. My husband says that I am getting a degree in DIS. We usually do not dress up as pirates. We prefer to dress with a tropical island flare even though I do enjoy looking at all the different pirates onboard. It adds to the fun Pirates of Caribbean atmosphere.

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

Welcome to all the new people! Looks like we're growing and growing!

Has everyone gotten their excursions figured out? We've finally decided.

In Cabo, we're just going to take a water taxi out to see Land's End, Los Arcos, Sea Lion Island, Lover's Beach, and then go to Medano Beach for the day. Will probably take land taxi into town later for some shopping and back to ship.

In Mazatlan, we're doing Randi's Happy Horses on Stone Island. Anyone else going?

In PV, we decided to go to Sea Life Park for the day.

And Friday is our Palo Brunch. I just wonder when our character breakfast will be as I'd hate it to conflict w/Palo!

You are signed up for exciting excursions. We are only doing the Dolphin Swim in Cabo, and my daughter and her friend are going on the teen cruise in Puerto Vallarta. We decided to take it easy with excursions because when we did the Mediterranean last summer, we were going 24/7. This time around we want to spend more time relaxing and soaking up the sun.

I am looking forward to the Palo's Brunch (Monday). After three cruises, we finally got reservations!

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

Lot's of New Folks signing up. Welcome aboard!

Excursions?
In Cabo: 4x of us are doing a fishing excursion with Red Rum.
The DW, my mom, and eldest DS are swimming with the dolphins.

In Mazatlan: All 7x of us are doing a private tour.

In PV: 6x of us are doing the Historic Town & Tequila making, the eldest DS is doing the teen cruise.

We're at 47x before we fly to LA!
In another couple of weeks, we'll hopefully be doing the "Doc Dance!"

We are also swimming with dolphins! The girls are just hoping that they do not have to feed the dolphins fish. Also, my daughter and her friend are going on the teen cruise. How old is your eldest DS? TEQUILA MAKING! Sounds fun especially if you get to take home your own tequila creation. What is the "Doc Dance"?

 

[vossjemi]

Hi vossjemi. We are also doing Randi's Happy Horses in Mazatlan.

In Cabo, we are going to catch a water taxi to Los Arcos too. Maybe we can coordinate something together? I haven't researched too much about it yet. After that, we might visit with some friends who are staying at a condo in Cabo.

In PV were hanging out at the Krystal hotel and getting massages.

I speak Spanish and have traveled in Mexico some, so I feel comfortable not going with the Disney excursions. (and the Disney excursions were kinda pricey)

What is everyone else planning for excursions?

Cool. Do you have any children? Mine are 6 and 8. I don't mind catching a water taxi together...only thing I don't know is how big they are and how many people they carry. We only have 4 in our group. We kind of just figured we wouldn't rush out first thing in the morning as we knew others would & that we'd sleep in & take it leisurely off the ship when we were ready. No real time schedule. Can't wait for Randi's! That should be fun. I had spanish in high school, but that was 20 something years ago! LOL. I'll remember a phrase or two, but that's all...should have kept up with it better than I have. I don't guess we are technically going on any disney excursions either...too expensive and I like to get away from the crowds too.

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

Cool. Do you have any children? Mine are 6 and 8. I don't mind catching a water taxi together...only thing I don't know is how big they are and how many people they carry. We only have 4 in our group. We kind of just figured we wouldn't rush out first thing in the morning as we knew others would & that we'd sleep in & take it leisurely off the ship when we were ready. No real time schedule. Can't wait for Randi's! That should be fun. I had spanish in high school, but that was 20 something years ago! LOL. I'll remember a phrase or two, but that's all...should have kept up with it better than I have. I don't guess we are technically going on any disney excursions either...too expensive and I like to get away from the crowds too.

I concur that sleeping in and leisurely strolling off the ship are wonderful ideas. We too are on no real time schedules. We had enough of that on the Mediterranean. Hablo Espanol un pequeno tambien. Maybe, we can find one of our old high school Spanish Dictionaries. I know the excursions are very pricey, but most of the excursions that we have been on through Disney have been worth every penny.

 

[MN Dis Fans]

IceSk8ersMom Our eldest DS will be 13x. The "Doc Dance" will be the cruising documents you get in the mail about 1 month before cruise time. It's lost quite a bit of its significance with the "online" registration / check in capabilities, but for us, there is the symbolic representation that cruise time is quickly approaching! I'll let the DW know that other folks from our cruise thread are also doing the dolphin swim.

 

[sylnbry]

Hola Amigos. Como estan? ('thought we could start practicing our Spanish here on the thread. Or maybe not...school's out for my kids so it's officially time for Summer Fun. (I still have to go to work everyday, but our DCL vacation gets closer everyday.)

Cool. Do you have any children? Mine are 6 and 8. .

'
Hello vossjemi. My DD is 5 and DS will turn 7 in August. Randi mentioned there were some people on our ride from the Magic. I don't know if it is just your group or if there are others. Can't wait...should be fun.

Hello Fellow Cruisers. I was just checking to see if we were planning on having a FE swap? Anybody interested? We should probably get a list together soon if there is any interest.

 

[M&C]

What's a FE swap?

------------
M&C

 

[sylnbry]

I guess the correct name is the "Fish Extender Exchange". (I just recently found out what this meant too.)

Here is a link for a fish extender thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1219607

Basically, the FE (Fish Extender) Exchange (Swap) is when you leave little gifts for fellow DISboard cruiser in the pockets of the Fish Extenders. The gifts can be toys, candy, stickers, etc. I've never participated in it, since this is our first cruise, but it sounds like a fun treat for the kids and adults too. (I've read some trip reports and they all list the FE Exchange as a really nice treat of the cruise.)

If anyone is interested, you can PM me and I'll get a list together. I'll post the list once I get a few names on it. Please list the ages of the kids who are participating and your cabin number (If you have it already.)​