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

[Ginny]

Hi, Julie -

I'm so glad you bumped us back to the first page. I hope other Christmas cruisers will jump in but, if not now, certainly as we get closer.

Now, that we have been able to really commit to doing this I am getting very excited. My schedule has been the challenging one because of world events but we are in full planning mode now. I booked our flights last weekend down to Orlando on the 16th and returning on the 29th. Julie, you got me thinking about the MVMCP and I have to tell you that even DH said, let's go. So, instead of staying longer on the back end, we will be starting our trip earlier.

I have been going to Dave from Marietta's site and Inkkognito's site to look at the latest excursions and navigators. It looks like they have added things to the 8/9 y/o Oceaneers Club and DD is thrilled. DS loves Common Grounds and so we aren't worried about him. We know what we like to do at the spa, although this time I will try to do some special things with DD if they open things up to young ladies of "almost 9." Both children are great about time for us at Palo's so we usually choose the night and they know that its "our night!"

From the current schedule, it looks like our second day at Sea will be Christmas Day. How really memorable. I hope it stays that way but I can adjust to most anything as long as I am surrounded by my family, nice people and a little Disney Magic.

 

[Msteg]

Hi

We will be on the Magic this Christmas! We have two cabins on Deck 6 for our family of six. Wife and I have the verandah and the kids (girls 16, 14 and 10; boy 12) will have an inside cabin across the hall. This will be our third Disney cruise and the first Western itinery. We will fly in from Pennsylvania on Friday afternoon. We were not planning on doing anything that night but your discussion about the Christmas Parade sounds interesting. Can someone give us more details: cost , time, etc. Thanks

Mike

 

[hawkrn]

yea Mike-glad you responded! If you go to Disneyworld.com you will find ticket prices for MVMCP. The last day is 12/19-it's a hard ticket event, in other words you have to have a ticket to get in. They close MK to other guests at 6pm and then the party starts for the ticket holders. They have 2 parades, stage shows, rides are open, fireworks, etc. You'll probably find more info in the DIS boards under theme park attractions or on WDWIG.COM. My son will be 10 for the cruise although he's currently not interested in "playing with girls". Maybe he'll change his mind for the cruise!

 

[Ginny]

Hi, Mike!!

Welcome to our "small but select" group of Christmas DIS'ers!!
The cruise sounds terrific and I loved Julie's idea of getting in the spirit by attending the Christmas Party......so now we are, too! Here is the link to the Special Events page and you can purchase tickets on line from there or call if you decide to go:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wa...rkevents/parkeventrootindex?id=ParkEventsRoot

We went last year and had a great time.....................all the rides were open, there were lots of "special activities" throughout the park, no waiting in lines for your favorite rides, everything looks so festive with all the decorations, the fireworks were awesome and with music playing, we really got into the Christmas spirit!!

 

[belle&beastcrazy]

Hi put my family on the Christmas Magical cruise. Myself, husband and two daughter's 19 and 13. We to are thinking of doing the MVMCP but have to wait till our oldest daughter get's back to college the end of August and see's when her final's are. I have my fingers crossed that they finish up the 17 or 18th. We will be driving down from Virginia and have plans to stay 6 days after the cruise for New Year's Eve. This will be our second Disney cruise the first was a 4 day Wonder last Aug. I can't wait just keep counting the day's. I know Disney World is Magical at Christmas so the curise should be great. I will keep in touch . KIM

 

[LynnTarrant]

Hi Mike and Kim
Its good to speak to some other folks , the really nice thing for me is that you've all cruised before so you must have had a good time to want tot come back!!
I'm also going to MVMCP before we cruise. I'm staying at the Polynesian for three nights on our return and then moving to the Royal Pacific for three nights.
We went to Disney for the first time ever last Christmas and New Years it was magical.
Speak to you soon
Lynn

 

[jgalecpa]

GLAD I FOUND YOU!!!

I've been waiting for this thread.

We are first time DIS cruisers (My wife and I have cruised often), we have DD's 12 and 15.

We are so looking forward to this!

We have only really decided on Captain Marvins for Sting rays, and no other excursion (Unless the bring the fishing back to CC).

I was away when this thread was started so I'm glad it got bumped.

We are staying on Deck 2 (rooms 2646-2648 [I Think], adjoining rooms)

Jim

 

[LynnTarrant]

Hi Jim
I think we're all really excited. Have you booked your capt Marvin's excursion yet? We are booked on the one at 8:30am, It sounds like alot of fun.
Lynn

 

[jgalecpa]

Dear Lynn,

We have booked the 1030 era time, I think. (we're at our beach house and don't have the actual data).

My DW and DD's could be ready that early.

Looking forward to It!

Going to Don Sanchos(Sp?) at cozumel and planning the key west trolley.

Any one else into fishing????????

 

[Ginny]

Welcome Kim (belle&beastcrazy) and Jim (jgalecpa)!! It is so nice to see our group expanding!! I am getting more excited by the day about the cruise.....and time with my family.

Jim, DH and I make the drive in to DC every day from Virginia. It is so beautiful to watch the sun coming up over all the memorials with the faint pink and lavender hues. It never ceases to catch my attention -(not that I am not paying attention to the road while applying mascara, using my cell phone and drinking my soda simultaneously) LOL

Kim, it looks like you are to the west of us!! It is so very pretty out there!

Any info on CAPT Marvin's is welcome. We've started looking at excursions but no real definite plans yet.

 

[belle&beastcrazy]

Wow Ginny and Jim we seem to live very close to each other. I work here in the valley and my DH drives to Dulles each day. I am just now looking into excursions. The trolly in Key West, some string ray/beach in GC. The girls want to play min-golf at Sally's place. KIM

 

[hawkrn]

Lynn, you'll have to tell me how Royal Pacific turns out-we're staying at HRH next June. What's with all these teenage girls on this cruise? My DS, 10 wasn't at the kids club much on the 3 day so I was hoping he'd have a change of heart this time! We're doing the Tulum Ruins, the Key West Trolley (on my own) and leaning towards the Stingray City and Rum Point Beach Adventure through DCL.
Jim, we're right down the hall from you in 2066. Hoping being down low helps my stomach (got queasy the first night last time)

 

[LynnTarrant]

We'll tell you all about it Julie, I'm really looking forward to the express line privilege for on site guests.
I'm glad more people have joined the thread, the ship would have been a little empty with just us 3 on board LOL
You can read about my mad Grand Cayman day further up the posts, but here is the link for Captain Marvin's for Ginny

http://www.captainmarvins.com/

In Key West we'll do the trolley tour and get on and off as the fancy takes us.
In Cozumel I have booked the Sea Lion swim and Dolphin swim in Chankanaab, but not through Disney will probably spend all day there.
Speak to you soon
Lynn

 

[Ginny]

Just checking in -

Julie - We are staying at HRH the 27th and 28th of December so we can spend a day at IOA (or 2) before heading home. When I told them we might be checking in around 11AM, it was not a problem. So, we will see how it goes. I thought DS would love it as a close to our vacation. I also got a LoewsFirst card and will see if that provides any extras. When we went on our first DCL trip in 9/99, we were on a great adventure due to Hurricane Floyd and missed all ports except they threw in Key West. We had a GREAT time at the Hard Rock Cafe in Key West. The staff were just terrific to us.

Lynn - Thanks so much for the link to CAPT Marvin's - it sounds great. Are you doing the all day (09-3PM?). I did a search before work this AM and all the reports on CAPT Marvin's sounded great. So, I will forward the link to DH and DS for them to think about. DD will be happy with anything we do as long as we are all together!! We were also thinking about the Dolphin Swim in Cozumel.

Kim - I hadn't heard about Sally's mini-golf until your post so had to look for that info, too. It sounds like lots of fun and we really love mini-golf.

I didn't realize how out of touch I was not having really read any of the Western info until now. I have alot of studying to do! LOL.

 

[hawkrn]

I thought about doing Captain Marvin's too but I really want to go to the beach afterwards. I suppose I could get a taxi. What's everyone else doing after the stingrays? The beaches sound too good too miss! Ginny, I also got a Loews card (or I should say a number, haven't seen the card yet and it's been 2 months) and am looking forward to cookies and milk!

 

[LynnTarrant]

Julie and Ginny, I'm doing an 8:30am trip for 2 hours with Captain Marvin.
Julie i'm sure I read in one post that the family had been dropped at 7 mile beach on the way back and then just took a taxi back to the ship later.
We are hiring a car and going to Hell and back! LOL and then taking a sub ride.
Ginny here is the link to the company who organises the dolphin swims in Cozumel:-
http://www.dolphindiscovery.com/home.htm
What is a LoewsFirst card should I try to getone for my stay at RP? Cookies and Milk sound good!!
Lynn

 

[hawkrn]

Lynn go to loewsfirst.com (i think) and sign up for the free card. You get little gifts when you check in, etc. Definitely sign up for it. There is a universal resorts dis board too with a lot of info. I guess it increases a chance for an upgrade too.

 

[LynnTarrant]

Okay Julie, I went to that site and guess what I must ahve signed up for a card when I booked, It was so long ago I'd forgotten!! I have a number but like you I don't have a card, still I've made sure my number is connected to my ressie so the cookies and milk should be waiting for me
Thanks for your help
Lynn

 

[Ginny]

What a wonderful night! One of things I love about summer is thunderstorms!! And, it is really coming down at our house now. I love the air when it just smells like rain.

Started vacation today and am going to be a counselor at DD's Girl Scout Camp next week!! They are doing a Nickelodean theme so it should be fun!! The camp is only from 6-9 at night so we have the days off together..................and can do lots of different fun things and lots of planning for our trip. DD is my very best assistant planner.

We "happened" into my favorite children's clothing store this afternoon and found her the most incredibly elegant dress for formal night. She just looked so lovely...................and so much the young lady instead of the little girl (but not like she was trying to be 8 going on 18). It hit me how fast she is growing up!

We really decorated our room for Halloween on our last cruise (we brought one of the "Disney Halloween In A Box" from the Disney Store and other decorations and it was great). We are planning to do the same for Christmas - I am thinking about calling Shirley at the Perfect Gift and see if she has any ideas. She has done baskets for us before and they were just incredible. Is anyone else planning to decorate?

 

[LynnTarrant]

Hi Ginny I'd like to decorate abit. I saw on one site the idea of printing things on the computer and sticking small magnets to them, apparently the cabin doors are metal I thought the corridors would look really festive done like this!
I worked on a girl scout camping programme in Maine. It was called Camp Nataswi and we were based in the woods outside the small town of Millinocket, at the foot of Mount Katahdin. It was so pretty there and I made some really good friends sadly I haven't kept in touch with any of them and it was over 20 years ago!! But I still have good memories
Lynn