Christmas 2003 - Who's sailing (20-27 Dec 03)?

[Ginny]

Julie, Thanks for the update! I'm glad to know you got your card and I only have about 6 weeks to go. Speed is all relative.

By the way, I saw an ad for the new Haunted House movie and thought of your son and how much you said he enjoys the ride. I think it will be fun to see it on the Magic!

 

[LynnTarrant]

Ginny
I haven't received my card either!!!
Good to know it may still arrive

On a different note has anyone any experience of parasailing at castaway cay?
My hubby and I fancy this
Lynn

 

[Ginny]

Guess what came in the mail today.......no joke!! The Loew's company must have known I was getting impatient. So, Lynn hang on, cause your Loews' card must be in the mail as well.

Well, we have booked two excursion thus far: The Jungle Jeep Tour in Cozumel and the Native Ways Stingray City and Snorkeling Tour in Grand Cayman. I am so excited!! The Jeep tour sounds like so much fun and something different and after reading "Dave in the Frozen North's" review of Native Way Sports, we were sold.

If you haven't read any of Dave's reports before, he does a great job and we have followed his advice twice before and been thrilled. Plus, he includes all the details so you really get a feel for the experience. It was so nice to see a post from him, again!!

 

[jgalecpa]

Hello all!

Gotta second Ginny's words about Dave's site. It is well done.

I remember growing up that all soft drinks were called "cokes" for some reason, no matter what you actually drank.

Of course, when we moved to Ireland all soft drinks were then called "Guinness"



Jim

 

[hawkrn]

Ginny, not only will be be watching Haunted Mansion on the Magic, but on 11/26 when it hits the theaters. Hope Pirates, Brother Bear, Freaky Friday are on the Magic too.

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

THEY WERE SURPRISED!!!!!!!!! AND THRILLED!!!!!!!

Lots and lots of questions -- mostly about (shopping) excursions, (shopping) the movies on board, (shopping) dinner, (shopping) the teen club, (shopping) hair braiding, (shopping) what to wear on tropical night (more shopping), get the picture???

Very excited about the MVMCP -- DD-13 wanted to know if there was going to be real snow on Main Street, and exactly what day she should get her hair braided (for the cruise or have it done at Castaway Cay to enjoy when she gets home). DD-17 wants to do too many excursions at the same time and is struggling with that. Said the BF will be worried about her (flirting), but then I told both DD's how most families who had posted to this thead had at least one teen DD. DD-13 was extremely disappointed to hear that there weren't going to be any boys her age -- we told her that out of the 2600 people on board, surely there will be a few!!

We will spend this weekend going over everything (DH will be in NYC for a meeting and spending his free time in SOHO) and get ready for our Family Meeting Monday night to finalize all of our plans.

Ginny, I printed out Dave's thread on Stingray City yesterday for DH to read, and the site information from Native. I am hoping he can give me information on the company they used for their Dolphin swim, if they did not do Disney.

Well, now that they know, I feel like this is a reality and I can really begin to enjoy it. Let the preparations begin!!! YIPPPPEEE!!

 

[Ginny]

Bonnie -

Here is the link to the company Dave used and wrote about for the dolphin swim - We followed his advice on that one as well and it was great. We also bought all the pictures and the video and love them! But, please know that this company is in Nassau and we did it on our January 2000 4 day cruise.

http://www.dolphinswims.com/

Here is one that I found in Cozumel which got good reviews on the DIS board when I was first looking at excursions for this cruise:

http://www.dolphindiscovery.com/cozumel.htm

I am so excited for you & DH and happy the girls were thrilled. Only 8 weeks to go!! It will blow by quickly now!! I can just envision the "wardrobe olympics!"

Lynn,
We have parasailed before at other locations but we're really hoping that Santa comes through for DD because that is one of the things she really, really wants to do. We know she will have to tandem with Mom or Dad but are excited for her that the possibility exists. Santa is really having to be creative this year!

 

[LynnTarrant]

I've booked a dolphin swim in Cozumel for hubby and my self with dolphin discover, we've also booked Stingray city with Captain Marvin and an Atlantis sub trip in grand cayman, prices not to dissimiliar to Disney but better times for us.
We will take the trolley tour in Key West, so parasailing is the only disney tour we need to try and book.
I'm quite keen to try parasailing but i have a problem with heights and Hubby has high blood pressure to you forsee any problems?
Lynn

 

[jgalecpa]

Bonnie,

Great story.

Very proud you could hold out so long.

I'm disappointed with the 12/13 cutoff as my DD12 and your dd13 may yet hit it off.

Enjoy your family meeting.

Jim

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Jim - that brings up a thought -

Ginny has graciously put together a brunch for us adults, but what about some type of meet for all the families - maybe Sat. night (but the kids will want to be going to their respective clubs for the introductory sessions). Or maybe in Key West, if we could figure a time for all of us to meet for lunch - may be hard with the excursions, etc. - I think we are just going to do the trolley, lunch, shopping (of course -- the DDs insist they need NEW tropical wear) and enjoy the sunset and Mallorie Square -- anyone else have any ideas on that?

Lynn, I have a problem with heights too - I have ridden Tower of Terror only once (to my DH's 50+) and that just about did me in. Parasailing is NOT on my list of excursions -- lol

Julie, we will be at the theater on the 26th too - my DDs' love this ride -- wouldn't miss it. I expect to find DD=13 at the movie theater on board quite frequently - has this thing for Johnny Depp - she's going to be a pirate (wench) for Halloween!!

 

[Ginny]

To all - Head's up!! Saw a good friend at DD's homecoming yesterday and his family did a summer Western Magic. Pre-booked all their excurisons. They just happened by Guest Services to check on the time for the Conch Train and were devastated to find out that they did not have any excursions pre-booked. So, I've started a thread on the main board to see what we should expect and if others have had similar experiences to Pete's.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=454123

Lynn - If heights are really an issue for you, I'm not sure that parasailing would be as enjoyable an adventure you are up high and essentially supported by the wind, harness and parachute. With that said, I hate to discourage anyone because it is such a great experience! As to DH's B/P, if he is on a consistent medication regime and his B/P is stable, I don't see that as a showstopper but if he's concerned, he might ask his doc.

BRUNCH - Lynn brought up a good thought that Brunch might conflict with folk's character breakfast because there are only two days at sea on the Western instead of three. I am still happy to organize it and try to pre-book before we cruise but don't want to pick a "bad" day. It appears from a search I did on character breakfasts that APL is a popular rotation for the Western because it has you in Lumiere's for formal and Parrot Cay for Tropical night and the character breakfast is on Sunday. I found this link which gives us an idea of the rotations.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/52061656/70830733GubfrW

Any thoughts??

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Ginny, if we have APL rotation, our character breakfast would be Sunday morning - what about brunch on Monday, when we will be at sea? Hopefully, all of the kids will be either asleep (mine) or involved in their respective clubs.

I had planned on trying to get APL if we weren't placed in that rotation (which from what I have read on the boards it seems we would because of ages of the girls) for exactly the reasons you had stated, and because from what it says down below we most likely will end up with LAP, which would put us in Parrot Cay for dinner on Christmas.

What do you think the chances are of us all getting APL???

Do you have a number of how many families there are on this thread? Would we be interested in asking to have our tables in the same area? Could that be done before we get there? I know that Jim and his family are doing the early seating, but if they get APL too, then perhaps Brunch Monday would work. I don't see any other time to do that.

Any ideas about families meeting? With the age cutoffs of the clubs, as Jim pointed out, different dinner seatings, and different rotations, it will be hard for some of us to meet, and for our children to meet.

Ginny, you know the ins and outs of these boards much better than I do - is there somewhere we can put together either a poll or a spread sheet here to post our dinner seatings, hopeful rotation, children's clubs, etc? If not, I can set it up on my system, everyone can PM me, and I can PM it back out, so we can all take a look at it and see what would be the best fit --

I found this at http://wdwig.com/cruise/cruise_4.shtml#rotat in the Magical Cruise Document -- and the Passporter relates the same -

Have a lot of little ones...count on Animator's, Parrot Cay then Lumiere's.
Have say 7-10 year olds...count on Parrot Cay, Lumiere's and then Animator's
Have older teens, senior citizens, honeymooners, or just adults...count on Lumiere's, Animator's and then Parrot Cay.
Of course this isn't guaranteed. They still need to move groups around to fill the dining room evenly.

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

I was curious about what other groups on the boards have done regarding a dis meet - I did a search and am posting below what was of interest (in the 3 threads that came up).

This was taken from "Last call for 10/18/03 Eastern Magic) - hopefully some of the cruisers will post when they get back:


"Let me give you a basic outline of how we usually go about having DIS meets, and recognizing everyone:

First of all, our luggage and carry-ons are adorned with flowing lime green ribbons (this also makes it easier to identify your bags at baggage claim at the airport!). We also usually wear lime green
t-shirts, and sometimes nametags.

Our first unofficial DIS meet is at the port, where we can chat while we wait in line to board, which sometimes means 2 or 3 hours!

Next, after the lifeboat drill, we head for deck 10 above the goofy pool for the sailaway celebration, and usually form a group near one of the towel receptacles (where we can set our drinks!!) Then we have bubbles or 'poppers' to help us say goodbye to Florida, as we watch it fade into the background!!

Last year we had a group brunch at Palo on Monday, with 16 in attendance. We'll see how this group feels about that over the next couple of months, and maybe do it again.

My wife and I enjoy hosting a DIS party in our stateroom on Thursday afternoon. Last year it was wine, and cheese and crackers, sandwiches, etc. This year, we plan on cake and champagne! Lots of birthdays and anniversaries surrounding our cruise... We had 18 for last year's gathering. Let's see if we can beat that this year!

Other than that, we always have a few impromptu meetings during the week, such as at trivia games, karaoke, bingo, etc. It really does add alot to the cruise when you know other people participating with you in those things!"


This is from the February 21, 2004 thread -

(first was a meet on Friday night at the Radisson - I guess they had a lot of cruisers staying there)

"Next would be at sailaway, up on deck 10 right by the funnels, for anyone else who doesn't like being down in the people crush below. Bubbles will be provided.

Then Sunday late morning is a good time to have a small get-together on the secret 7-aft deck. Last time, I ordered up a plate of croissants and danishes, and we all just munched and chatted and stuff.

By then, everyone will have had a few chances to get to know each other, and have most of the week still ahead to plan things with the new friends they have made. "

Thoughts??

PS - I have spent a little more time reading through the 2500 posts that come up with "meet", as the search feature doesn't like "Dis meet". Seems like some time/place during the sailaway party may be the best bet for families to meet - then when the kids get to their respective clubs in the evening, they may have already met a new friend.

 

[jgalecpa]

Some of my fondest cruise memories are with friends we've recently met, in one stateroom or another laughing and having a ball!

I think everything you've posted about the Dis meets sounds good, with the exception I don't know if I can get Rieann (DW) to commit to the Palo brunch. I'll keep trying!

I've got My Dis Mickey Heads ready.

It's really should be a lovely Xmas, what with the at sea day, now a party in the afternoon, and fancy dress that night.

Ginny, thanks for the link for the Rotation. I do note that as of now I think the Formal is Mon and the semi-formal Thursday. I was hoping for Formal staying Thursday as it is Xmas night.

I think this will be a week we never forget.

Jim

 

[hawkrn]

ok Jim, what exactly are you going to do with your green Mickey heads? Our Home Depot doesn't open until 12/6 so hopefully they'll have some (although I'm not sure what to do with them!) We went to deck 10 for the sail-away party last time so if we get together there that would be fine! I have a mint green shirt, does that count?? ha ha. I have a feeling that because there's just me and Ds and he's 10 that we'll be in a different rotation than everyone else. Main seating and sitting at a large table is all I know.

 

[hawkrn]

Hey, is the sun going to be setting in Key West while the early diners are eating? That would be my luck

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Took me five minutes to figure out the party -- BTW, the OP, "Beano" booked either a Cat 2 or 1 -- had plenty of room to have a party.

Thought maybe you all were planning something and my invitation had been "lost"!!

I have gone back and edited my post --

I think a party on Christmas afternoon is an excellent idea - probably something a lot of us would be doing one way or another if we were home -- What do you think Room Service can rustle up? Eggnog? Christmas Cookies?? Cognac??

Would be glad to host it -- don't know yet what kind of room we will have - Hoping to get to a Cat. 6, which is what our TA thinks will happen.

We could make plans for it, and then schedule it when we see what Disney is doing - Or I might post on the main board to see if anyone went during Xmas last year and can give us some idea of what the schedule for Christmas Day was. There is a Christmas menu on Dave's site -- looks yummy!!

 

[hawkrn]

Bonnie, that's nice of you to offer up your room for a party! But I guess you don't have to clean up afterwards, like at home! It sounds great if we can work it out! DCL eggnog in the Caribbean-the thought is giving me goosebumps!!! Did everyone see that someone who just got off the 10/11 cruise said that Golden Mickeys is set to debut on the Magic 12/11? yea!

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Decided to post to see if anyone can fill us in on Christmas Day - here is the link --

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=454306

 

[jgalecpa]

Julie

Sunset is listed for 5:45 on sunday 12/21, when we are in Key west. I believe it will be off the Port side of the ship.

I understand it is standard practice for those with main seating (like us!) to go watch it on deck and then go down to dinner.

Any body planning to go back out in Key West AFTER dinner?

Also, I don't really know what I am doing with the Mickey head. If you want me to pick some up and send them to you, just ask (pm me)). I'll be happy to.

Maybe soemone else has an idea? (lime green AINT my color, so I don't really have anything in that shade).

I'll be the short (5' 6") little guy with the big mouth smiling non-stop.

Jim