I'm still overwhelmed just being home... some time I hope to write a trip review... but in the meantime, here are a few random thoughts I figured I'd share:
* a friend who went on a February Magic Western cruise told me that the merchandise at the stores would go on sale a couple days into the cruise. This did NOT happen on our's. So word to everyone -- just because something happens on one cruise, does not necessarily mean it will happen on your's.
* I had asked some questions about Shutters on here and was told about the "packages" they offer. On our cruise, whether it's because it was Earth Day or it's something they are changing to -- the only package they offered was $229 for unlimited pictures. But there were no in between pictures. It was promoted as a special for Earth Day -- to which my reaction was, if it was an Earth Day special, they wouldn't waste all of that processing and paper and they would have offered them in the form of a CD or online ordering (I have to say -- I had issues with the whole Shutters experience).
* I just don't get why Shutters is such a process... why don't they have a PhotoPass system? Why can't you order after you get home? I've heard rumors that at Disney they will swipe your Key to the World Card and then that links your pics together so you can view electronically. I'm pretty sure this technology has been around for at least a year... why is it taking so long to incorporate into DCL? Trying to scour through a gazillion pictures on a wall is time consuming and frustrating. I ended up buying the above mentioned package, but honestly, I just wanted the images -- I didn't want/need over 100 6x8 and 8x10 pictures (which goes back to my thoughts on Earth Day --- HA!)
* I guess I'm getting to be older, and my kids aren't into the getting characters to sign autograph books (we sent in pillow cases to Guest Services instead, see below)... but I have to say, having all of the kids getting autographs took up a lot of time in line waiting for a pic with characters -- so much so that there were times that we missed out on pics with certain characters because their allotted time was up. It was just a bummer.
* Speaking of the pillow cases getting signed, I was a little disappointed because there were only 11 signatures (seems like a fair amount, but when you see how many characters there really are, it just seemed a bit lacking on a standard sized pillow case, especially considering they had almost a whole week to have "characters" sign it... but maybe this makes my last point moot because if I had brought it around with us, I would have gotten more siggies). Also, I gave two sharpies but it didn't look like they used them... there weren't many red or black signature... but there was blue, orange, etc. No big deal, and I'd still pack the sharpies, just in case... but just don't be surprised if you see multiple colors.
* During our Key West day on Sunday, my son said he had a sore throat. It got to the point where I took him down to the medical center. What I didn't know was that just to be seen, they charge $112. They give you the receipt so that you can submit to your health insurance when you get home, for reimbursement, but it was a totally unexpected charge. Additionally, they gave him some tylenol, and AFTER giving it to him they "sold" me the remainder of the bottle. I think if he needed a band-aid they would have charged me for that too. The only "free" thing I saw was seasickness pills in the entry area.
* We went up to the Mickey pool during the At Sea day... and no more than 5 minutes after we got there, we saw them whistle for everyone out of the pool... turns out, a little kid pooped in the pool. Ick... What we didn't know, and wouldn't have unless I had asked... they close the pool down for a minimum of 3 hours. It makes sense (drain the pool, sanitize it and refill it), but just had no clue and it would have been nice to prepare my son that we wouldn't be able to go back any time soon.
* I didn't need the over-the-door-shoe-organizer for our family of 4. I felt like there was plenty of room for all of our accessories/toiletries.
* I was surprised at how many people do NOT do the FE or door magnets. I have to say that I LOVED how we did it... I loved the ohhhhs and ahhhhs as people passed our door and saw all of our magnets. It also helped spot our cabin from down the hall without having to automatically remember the number.
* Be careful in Key West if you rent an electric car... we almost totally got scammed. I had reserved one before the cruise through Tropical Rentals. When we got off the ship, I called and they came to pick us up. Well, the guy who picked us up was not from Tropical Rentals, but acted as if he was. It wasn't until we got to their agency that I realized we weren't in the right place. Even though they were going to give us a better rate, I ended up calling Tropical Rentals and had them come pick us up there. When they picked us up, there was another couple in the front seat who had the exact same thing happen to them.
* Remember that there really is too much to do on your trip and too little time. MH seems to think that we did not get our money's worth because we didn't see any shows, go to any movies, etc... There just was not enough time for us because we chose other things. I'm trying to get him to understand that we still had a very full vacation.
I'm sure there is more... but this is what I have so far.
* a friend who went on a February Magic Western cruise told me that the merchandise at the stores would go on sale a couple days into the cruise. This did NOT happen on our's. So word to everyone -- just because something happens on one cruise, does not necessarily mean it will happen on your's.
* I had asked some questions about Shutters on here and was told about the "packages" they offer. On our cruise, whether it's because it was Earth Day or it's something they are changing to -- the only package they offered was $229 for unlimited pictures. But there were no in between pictures. It was promoted as a special for Earth Day -- to which my reaction was, if it was an Earth Day special, they wouldn't waste all of that processing and paper and they would have offered them in the form of a CD or online ordering (I have to say -- I had issues with the whole Shutters experience).
* I just don't get why Shutters is such a process... why don't they have a PhotoPass system? Why can't you order after you get home? I've heard rumors that at Disney they will swipe your Key to the World Card and then that links your pics together so you can view electronically. I'm pretty sure this technology has been around for at least a year... why is it taking so long to incorporate into DCL? Trying to scour through a gazillion pictures on a wall is time consuming and frustrating. I ended up buying the above mentioned package, but honestly, I just wanted the images -- I didn't want/need over 100 6x8 and 8x10 pictures (which goes back to my thoughts on Earth Day --- HA!)
* I guess I'm getting to be older, and my kids aren't into the getting characters to sign autograph books (we sent in pillow cases to Guest Services instead, see below)... but I have to say, having all of the kids getting autographs took up a lot of time in line waiting for a pic with characters -- so much so that there were times that we missed out on pics with certain characters because their allotted time was up. It was just a bummer.
* Speaking of the pillow cases getting signed, I was a little disappointed because there were only 11 signatures (seems like a fair amount, but when you see how many characters there really are, it just seemed a bit lacking on a standard sized pillow case, especially considering they had almost a whole week to have "characters" sign it... but maybe this makes my last point moot because if I had brought it around with us, I would have gotten more siggies). Also, I gave two sharpies but it didn't look like they used them... there weren't many red or black signature... but there was blue, orange, etc. No big deal, and I'd still pack the sharpies, just in case... but just don't be surprised if you see multiple colors.
* During our Key West day on Sunday, my son said he had a sore throat. It got to the point where I took him down to the medical center. What I didn't know was that just to be seen, they charge $112. They give you the receipt so that you can submit to your health insurance when you get home, for reimbursement, but it was a totally unexpected charge. Additionally, they gave him some tylenol, and AFTER giving it to him they "sold" me the remainder of the bottle. I think if he needed a band-aid they would have charged me for that too. The only "free" thing I saw was seasickness pills in the entry area.
* We went up to the Mickey pool during the At Sea day... and no more than 5 minutes after we got there, we saw them whistle for everyone out of the pool... turns out, a little kid pooped in the pool. Ick... What we didn't know, and wouldn't have unless I had asked... they close the pool down for a minimum of 3 hours. It makes sense (drain the pool, sanitize it and refill it), but just had no clue and it would have been nice to prepare my son that we wouldn't be able to go back any time soon.
* I didn't need the over-the-door-shoe-organizer for our family of 4. I felt like there was plenty of room for all of our accessories/toiletries.
* I was surprised at how many people do NOT do the FE or door magnets. I have to say that I LOVED how we did it... I loved the ohhhhs and ahhhhs as people passed our door and saw all of our magnets. It also helped spot our cabin from down the hall without having to automatically remember the number.
* Be careful in Key West if you rent an electric car... we almost totally got scammed. I had reserved one before the cruise through Tropical Rentals. When we got off the ship, I called and they came to pick us up. Well, the guy who picked us up was not from Tropical Rentals, but acted as if he was. It wasn't until we got to their agency that I realized we weren't in the right place. Even though they were going to give us a better rate, I ended up calling Tropical Rentals and had them come pick us up there. When they picked us up, there was another couple in the front seat who had the exact same thing happen to them.
* Remember that there really is too much to do on your trip and too little time. MH seems to think that we did not get our money's worth because we didn't see any shows, go to any movies, etc... There just was not enough time for us because we chose other things. I'm trying to get him to understand that we still had a very full vacation.
I'm sure there is more... but this is what I have so far.
Go Back - do it again!!! Do over for cctimmon!!!! Can we have a do over over here for the lady, please 
