August 17, 2010 - From Keys to shining Cay.

[lauriegs]

Hi everyone! we'll be on the cruise as well - dh and I (Mark and Laurie), Josh (DS-12) and katie (DD - 10). first time cruisers, can't wait! need to start packing, as we leave for beach Club Villas on Friday morning.

Anyone else a bit concerned about weather right now? hard to tell looking at noaa's maps if anything will develop with those 2 weather formations right now.

 

[kpros]

Hi Everyone

DW and DS arrive in Florida today - I'll get there on Saturday. Looking forward to some quality DCL time!

Ken

 

[jsolar]

I have tried hard not to look at the weather.
Are you saying the weather may not look so good?

 

[Suz D]

I have tried hard not to look at the weather.
Are you saying the weather may not look so good?

I'm always aware of the weather this time of year so I actually checked this morning. Most of the news was about TD #5 in the Gulf. There is one disturbance way out in the Atlantic and another nearing Africa but they didn't focus on them at all so right now I'm feeling pretty good about our weather chances.

I checked the historical tracking of Eduardo in 1996 (just picked it because it started off the coast of Africa) and it took about 11 days to reach the vicinity of the Bahamas. That storm also started quite a bit off the west coast of Africa and the current storm near Africa is off the eastern coast which means it have even more distance to travel. I don't think that one will have the potential to impact us at all.

The other disturbance is further west but looks to be more north. Unless something in the middle of the Atlantic develops soon we should be in good shape. Obviously there is always that chance but I'm going to think positive and plan on smooth sailing!

Oh, and in case anyone is wondering...yes, I'm a weather nerd. I grew up in the midwest with spectacular thunderstorms and spent a good many hours in recent years camping out in the basement during tornado warnings and have learned to love severe weather. Our oldest was always nervous during severe weather so we'd have a party in our storm room while the sirens wailed.

 

[Suz D]

Hi everyone! we'll be on the cruise as well - dh and I (Mark and Laurie), Josh (DS-12) and katie (DD - 10). first time cruisers, can't wait! need to start packing, as we leave for beach Club Villas on Friday morning.

Anyone else a bit concerned about weather right now? hard to tell looking at noaa's maps if anything will develop with those 2 weather formations right now.

Laurie,

I see the other disbturbance you are referring to (the one that is further south). I think we'll be good on that one too as NOAA says it has less than a 10% chance of becoming anything major.

I'm so excited for you to take your first cruise!! Our first was in 2005 and we loved it so much that this will be our 5th cruise. Do you have any last minute questions for anyone? Your kids are at a great age to enjoy the clubs and feel really grown up.

We cruised last year in early June and there was a huge thunderstorm at the sail away party and I was amazed that they didn't move it indoors. We usually love the sail away party but chose to spend the sail away time on deck 4 and it was so peaceful and we just enjoyed the storm. I definately would recommend the sail away party for your kids though. It's so high energy and so much fun.

Despite the big storm when we sailed, we had wonderful weather the whole cruise. Castaway Cay was great, the water was nice and warm. In fact, one evening we left our dinner for a minute to take pictures of the sunset and the sea was like glass. I mean, REALLY like glass. There wasn't a wave in sight. Even the crew was remarking on how smooth it was. They said they rarely see that sight. It was spectacular. I'd love to see that sight again this cruise.

Be sure and bring some highlighters to help you keep track of who wants to go where and when (how's that for a sentence?) There are so many cool activities for everyone.

Okay, obviously I'm very chatty this morning (my DH left this morning for five days so I'm already missing him and spending time on the cruise board puts my mind on things that are more fun).

 

[GrumpyBelle]

My FE came today, but thanks so much for the offer!

Happy to hear you got your fish extender in time . Can't wait to see all of them on the cruise.

 

[ShellBell13]

First time cruisers as well--getting so excited I can't stand it Our group includes DH & I (Daryl & Shelley), Connor (DS-4), Cara (DD-2), & my in-laws (Daryl & Doris).
We are flying into Orlando Tuesday morning, can't wait!

 

[lauriegs]

I'm so excited for you to take your first cruise!! Our first was in 2005 and we loved it so much that this will be our 5th cruise. Do you have any last minute questions for anyone? Your kids are at a great age to enjoy the clubs and feel really grown up..

Suz D, thanks for the reply! great idea about the highlighters, I'm putting it on my packing list I just printed out. trying to think if I have any other questions, hmmm...

dh is nervous at the thought of letting the kids do stuff on the boat without us - I told him it would be fine! just hoping the kids make some friends onboard too!

As for the weather, I think it's looking better right now, so I'm not too worried..

here's a good one - what do you recommend doing for breakfast onboard? we love eating breakfast, so I'm wondering where we will want to dine..

 

[kpros]

Suz D, thanks for the reply! great idea about the highlighters, I'm putting it on my packing list I just printed out. trying to think if I have any other questions, hmmm...

dh is nervous at the thought of letting the kids do stuff on the boat without us - I told him it would be fine! just hoping the kids make some friends onboard too!

As for the weather, I think it's looking better right now, so I'm not too worried..

here's a good one - what do you recommend doing for breakfast onboard? we love eating breakfast, so I'm wondering where we will want to dine..

Well, for first breakfast - you go to Beach Blanket Buffet, then for second breakfast - you go to Tritons (or whichever place is serving that day).

We usually do the Buffet because we are up early. But try both! Everyday!!

Ken

 

[DumboFan]

For almost two hours .... hopefully I'll be in orlando before the morning!

 

[kpros]

For almost two hours .... hopefully I'll be in orlando before the morning!

Bummer!

 

[Suz D]

For almost two hours .... hopefully I'll be in orlando before the morning!

That totally stinks!

 

[Suz D]

Well, for first breakfast - you go to Beach Blanket Buffet, then for second breakfast - you go to Tritons (or whichever place is serving that day).

We usually do the Buffet because we are up early. But try both! Everyday!!

Ken

LOL! We have done it this way before but I was too full to really enjoy my second breakfast.

One thing I really enjoy is if you are an early riser, there are some lighter breakfast offerings at Goofy's Galley which opens at 7:00 I believe. If we're up for the sunrise then we have a snack from there while we wait for whichever restaurant is serving b-fast to open.

If you're wondering about the "whichever restaurant is serving breakfast" thing...

The Beach Blanket Buffet always serves breakfast as does Goofy's Galley. Then one of sit down restaurants will also be serving breakfast where you order off the menu and are served at your table. I really enjoy the relaxation of this option as well. Your Navigator (which will be delivered to your stateroom in the evening for the next day) will have all of the details of what is open when.

It's so much fun knowing people who've never cruised before. Our friends went with us last year and another group of friends the year before. None of them had cruised Disney before and it was just like living our first cruise over again through their eyes. There's no other word besides "Magical" to describe it.

 

[GrumpyBelle]

For almost two hours .... hopefully I'll be in orlando before the morning!

Glad you are flying in for some DW time first and not late for the cruise.

 

[DumboFan]

So we finally made it to orlando! now we're just waiting for magical express to load & we're off to the wilderness! We're actually on dcl bus which thrills my dd since we're not using dcl transfers! See everyone next week!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[cyndisun]

We leave for the airport in 6 hours! I don't know where all my time went. At 11 p.m. I felt like I was *throwing* things in my suitcase.

Well, whatever I forgot, I'd rather be missing it in Disney than anywhere else.

We're off to the YC. See ya real soon!

 

[lauriegs]

Well, whatever I forgot, I'd rather be missing it in Disney than anywhere else.

LOVE that, Cyndisun! I'm finally starting my packing today, after endless errands this week (Kids go back to school as soon as we get home, so I had lots of stuff to buy!)

Even though I use a packing list, I still feel overwhelmed, and this is the part I hate about vacationing!! We leave here tomorrow at 4am for the airport - sooo ready to relax at Beach club, then take our first cruise. Excited for the first day meet up as well!!

Hoping I can snag a Palo brunch ressie on board - do they have brunch more than one day?

 

[kpros]

I leave on Saturday and I haven't started packing yet. But I do have the passport and the WDW annual pass ready to go. I guess that is all that is really necessary.

Ken

 

[kpros]

LOVE that, Cyndisun! I'm finally starting my packing today, after endless errands this week (Kids go back to school as soon as we get home, so I had lots of stuff to buy!)

Even though I use a packing list, I still feel overwhelmed, and this is the part I hate about vacationing!! We leave here tomorrow at 4am for the airport - sooo ready to relax at Beach club, then take our first cruise. Excited for the first day meet up as well!!

Hoping I can snag a Palo brunch ressie on board - do they have brunch more than one day?

I think they are doing brunch on Key West day and the sea day. We have brunch scheduled for Key West day.

Ken

 

[jsolar]

So jealous of everyone who has left already!
I just finished making my FE. It's not as good as the ones from Ebay, but I was proud that I made it myself (I don't have a creative bone in my body)!
I'll spend the weekend getting my FE's together. I feel like I am forgetting something.
Looking forward to Tuesday!!
For those of you already en-route, safe travels!