August 29th, 2009--Eastern Magic...Let's Get it Started!

[Mojodisney]

On my way into work on Fridays there is a road that we go down and we see a big cruise ship in front of us, one of the Alaska ones, and this morning there wasn't one and we kept looking for it, crazy us it's only Wednesday!! This is how excited we are for this cruise to get here!!!! Can't wait to see our boat as we drive up to it.

 

[lotsofboys]

Still have my fingers crossed. I'm definitely a worry wart just don't want ANYTHING to interrupt my vacation, I so BADLY need it.

I hope I can say this without making anyone worry more and trust me I am the biggest worry wort!

We were on the Magic from Aug 20 - Sept 3rd 2005. Hurricane Katrina was 8/29/05. We left Los Angeles headed for Cabo San Lucas and ended up sailing through Pacific Hurricane Hilary. On the Pacific side when you have a specific time the ship must be in the Panama Canal there isn't a lot of leeway for sailing around a hurricane.

Of course we missed Cabo completely and had some fairly rough seas for about 30 hours starting in the middle of the night so only affected one sea day. We did learn that outside the medical office they have a basket of chewable meclizine which works wonders particularly if taken early enough.

DCL was incredible at rescheduling the unanticipated sea day, put out a new navigator and even arranged a new stop the next day at Manzanillo.

We passed through the Panama Canal on August 28th and Katrina hit the next morning. We were headed for CC when two more tropical storms got in our way. The captain was excellent at keeping us informed at all times of changes to our course and weather conditions. The ship ended up passing between the two storms via a different route than originally planned and we barely noticed with the exception of some rain in the middle of the night. We did not miss CC and to this day the only one who really remembers the hurricane day is my DS who refused to take the seasick meds and went down for the count!

Again, not trying to scare anyone, but merely point out that the captain is trained for these types of situations and as has been said before as long as we are on the ship everything will be fine

Michelle

 

[JrZoeLeahMom]

Thanks to everyone for calming my nerves including my daughter who reminded me that we always sail mid to the end of August and never worried about any hurricane before...sooo on to the next best thing PACKING!

Looking forward to meeting everyone!!

 

[fabumouse]

Can't wait to see our boat as we drive up to it.

Honestly, I got tears in my eyes and took photos out the blurry/foggy window last time.

It really is amazing. It's huge and so well taken care of and the staff is superb.

 

[MakingScrapbooks]

It's my official 40th birthday today so I deserve a little break from all this stressful work.

But my real celebration doesn't start until next week. Looking forward to meeting all of you soon. See you at the Goofy pool at 3pm on 8/29!!!

Happy Birthday!!!! We can celebrate together. I'm celebrating my 40th on the cruise too!

 

[luvMickey&Minnie]

Hey everyone! I'm trying to get the last minute magnets ready for decorating my cabin door. Does anyone know where to get the magnets that look like the Disney CM's name tags but you put your name on it instead (graphic looks like the ones TVEPFOX has on the bottom of her postings)?

Also, where do you get the Mickey ears that go around the porthole on the door?

 

[jel0511]

Hey everyone! I'm trying to get the last minute magnets ready for decorating my cabin door. Does anyone know where to get the magnets that look like the Disney CM's name tags but you put your name on it instead (graphic looks like the ones TVEPFOX has on the bottom of her postings)?

Also, where do you get the Mickey ears that go around the porthole on the door?

Here is the link to post your request.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1936740

It took him about 2 weeks to get back to me, he'll reply by PM with your name tags.

 

[annieL]

I've made a Disney countdown on my dining room wall. Kids have been driving me crazy asking how many more days till we leave. I think my eldest DD is more excited about packing than going on the actual trip! Maybe I should hire out her packing services!

 

[My4PhillyGirls]

On my way into work on Fridays there is a road that we go down and we see a big cruise ship in front of us, one of the Alaska ones, and this morning there wasn't one and we kept looking for it, crazy us it's only Wednesday!! This is how excited we are for this cruise to get here!!!! Can't wait to see our boat as we drive up to it.

If you go to page 17 of this thread, I took some pictures of the Magic in Puerto Vallarta last summer.

Ironically I was on vacation in Nuevo Vallarta at the Grand Mayan when the Magic came to port. The ship is so big that you could see it from my hotel

Joe

 

[My4PhillyGirls]

The Radisson Web Cam is showing what looks like beautiful weather in Port Canaveral and the Wonder looks pretty good too

Joe

 

[Az Pirates]

Hey jel0511,
We're staying at HRH pre-cruise too.
I couldn't stand the thought of flying all the way to Florida and not playing a little bit. We'll only be at HRH one night though, just enough to get a couple of days of FOTL at US/IOA... better than nothing I guess.
I was hoping the new coaster would be up and running by the time we got there, but last info I read... it wasn't looking good.

Also, where do you get the Mickey ears that go around the porthole on the door?

Plain Ears:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33016782&postcount=1840

There are different sizes of ears floating around. I think these look to be a pretty good size. The door number is a 7.5 inch circle, so you can use that as a guide if you want to try them on.


Lots of options for more dressed up ears here:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2172891

 

[annieL]

we are staying for two nights precruise at POR Riverside. This is our first time staying there. Any suggestions or tips. Also DH and I haven't been to MK since we were 16. 20 years and two children later we are going back. Any quick tips to do disney with kids? DD's 5 and 7.

 

[TVEPFOX]

Code Red in the Atlantic.

Be glad we're sailing on the 29th. This tropical wave is a wide low pressure system. It is slowly organizing and growing, the NHC believes the system will go tropical in the next 48 hours.

I'll check the global maps tonight and report back.

 

[Waltworshiper]

we are staying for two nights precruise at POR Riverside. This is our first time staying there. Any suggestions or tips. Also DH and I haven't been to MK since we were 16. 20 years and two children later we are going back. Any quick tips to do disney with kids? DD's 5 and 7.

If you're doing the MK start in Fantasyland at the Dumbo ride and do all the rides in that area first. Those lines get long later in the day, especially Dumbo!

 

[jel0511]

Hey jel0511,
We're staying at HRH pre-cruise too.
I couldn't stand the thought of flying all the way to Florida and not playing a little bit. We'll only be at HRH one night though, just enough to get a couple of days of FOTL at US/IOA... better than nothing I guess.
I was hoping the new coaster would be up and running by the time we got there, but last info I read... it wasn't looking good.

Sheila -

We check in at HRH on the 25th after visiting my MIL in Hollywood. We should try to hook up before hitting the Magic!!!!!

 

[My4PhillyGirls]

If you're doing the MK start in Fantasyland at the Dumbo ride and do all the rides in that area first. Those lines get long later in the day, especially Dumbo!

Another tip is if you get to MK when it opens is to take the train to Fantasyland and you can be the first in line to take a picture with Mickey before the lines get long

Joe

 

[jmaya]

Does anyone know a name of a reputable store to buy a man's watch? What about a Cuban Cigar?

 

[TVEPFOX]

we are staying for two nights precruise at POR Riverside. This is our first time staying there. Any suggestions or tips. Also DH and I haven't been to MK since we were 16. 20 years and two children later we are going back. Any quick tips to do disney with kids? DD's 5 and 7.

We stayed at POR in September. DD loved the pool. Make some time for swimming, it can get hot. I would also do a character meal. Try some characters we won't see too often on the ship, like Lilo and Stich.

 

[TVEPFOX]

Does anyone know a name of a reputable store to buy a man's watch? What about a Cuban Cigar?

In St. Marteen I'm going to AMA Jewelers. I have bought from him for years, gives me good deals on diamonds, watches, gold, etc and he's honest. The best part, free drinks and your steps from the beach. Check out my post on Mickey's So Long Summer Unofficial Excursions.

As far as stogies, the line forms behind me! I can taste them now, some are flavored!!! They sell them in the duty free store on the ship and up in Cove Cafe on deck 9 in the adult only area. I really don't have a stateroom on this ship, because I live outside that bar.

Nice comfy deck beds there! Anyone want to share my pillow?

 

[Michele325]

If you're doing the MK start in Fantasyland at the Dumbo ride and do all the rides in that area first. Those lines get long later in the day, especially Dumbo!

We've used a touring plan from touringplans.com or the one from Burnbaums for kids book. Dumbo do or Die is a good plan. The plans work out so great, and include how to use fastpass the best too. One reason we like the touring plans so much is there is no decision making while at the park. We can be done with the park really early if it isn't crowded, or we can stay all day. But we rarely wait on a line more than 15 minutes. Have fun! We aren't going to MK this time and I am sure that is killing my DH! He loves it there.