Dec. 7, 2008 4 nite Mousefest Cruise - who's all going?

[mkmommy]

Clara

Thanks for posting your pictures the pool ones are great, I am sure the kids loved that.

Lisa

 

[clarasunnyside]

Beth, Thanks for the information, I told my sister about the reservations, since she is usually in charge of that, so she was going to call and try and make reservations.


Lisa you are welcome, I love sharing disney stories, the boys absolutely loved the pool. It was just great


Clara

 

[memobrien]

Hi! I’m new to this cruising thing. I went on 1 short one as part of my honeymoon, but that was almost 1 years ago and it wasn’t Disney. It’s going to me and my DD(5) cruising. I love WDW and thought the cruise would be fun. Ok..technically Georgia(my DD) and I were watching the travel channel and saw the Disney cruise and she has become obsessed with it. We went to WDW in Jan 2007, so I thought the cruise would be fun.

My excuse is that with all the times I’ve been to WDW, I’ve never gone at Christmas. So we are going to the park for a few days before and 1 after. Plus we are going smack in the middle of DD and my birthdays. So this will be our birthday vacation (hey I’ll take any excuse to go to disney). I’m dying to learn more about the whole cruising thing. Plus, last holiday season was we were not feeling in the mood to be in the holiday spirit. It was the first holiday season since my husband passed away. So this year I figured we need something different to help us get in the mood, or at the very least to escape for a bit. So I would really LOVE any tips to make this trip extra special for my daughter!!!

Thanks!

Maura

 

[mkmommy]

Maura

Welcome aboard, I am so sorry about the loss of your husband, and I hope that this Christmas will be better. Your daughter will love the cruise, DCL is a great vacation to travel alone with kids, if you have time skim through my trip report (link in my signature), we travelled alone this past March and all my girls talk about is going back. This Decemeber cruise I am going alone, but I am taking them back in March 09.

We are having a Christmas Fish Extender gift exchange and I am sure your daughter would love that, so hoepfully you will join us for this.

The DIS board is great for planning, and with so much information you will not feel lost when you board the ship in December, please make sure to ask lots of questions, as someone always has the answer.

Lisa

Hi! I’m new to this cruising thing. I went on 1 short one as part of my honeymoon, but that was almost 1 years ago and it wasn’t Disney. It’s going to me and my DD(5) cruising. I love WDW and thought the cruise would be fun. Ok..technically Georgia(my DD) and I were watching the travel channel and saw the Disney cruise and she has become obsessed with it. We went to WDW in Jan 2007, so I thought the cruise would be fun.

My excuse is that with all the times I’ve been to WDW, I’ve never gone at Christmas. So we are going to the park for a few days before and 1 after. Plus we are going smack in the middle of DD and my birthdays. So this will be our birthday vacation (hey I’ll take any excuse to go to disney). I’m dying to learn more about the whole cruising thing. Plus, last holiday season was we were not feeling in the mood to be in the holiday spirit. It was the first holiday season since my husband passed away. So this year I figured we need something different to help us get in the mood, or at the very least to escape for a bit. So I would really LOVE any tips to make this trip extra special for my daughter!!!

Thanks!

Maura

 

[sssteele]

Has anybody been able to confirm a date for Mousefest gathering for MVMCP? I've heard that in the past it has been the firsy day of the land portion which would be Dec. 11th, but that's a premium price night. My wife and I want to attend, but are trying to pin down the date.

 

[Hanover]

Hi Maura, and welcome. I'm sorry for the loss of your husband. Cruising when all the Christmas decorations are up is awesome. This will be our 3rd December cruise and we really enjoy them, especially since it's always freezing at home that time of year. When are your birthdays? Mine's on the 7th. There's nothing better than being on DCL on your birthday! Last year, mine was while we were at Castaway Cay. My husband got me a cabana massage on Serenity Bay and I couldn't imagine being anywhere better.

I'm not sure about MVMCP/mousefest. We are going on the 12th because I thought my kids would be too tired on the 11th after getting off the ship early. We've been to MVMCP twice before and loved it, especially the parade.

My ds7 and I just had a quick WDW trip 6/13-6/17. I had not planned on taking him this year for Star Wars weekends, but then a $54 ding rate came out and I got a Annual Pass discount on a room at Pop. We are DVC members, but I couldn't get in any one resort for all 4 nights so went with Pop. DS11 and my DH stayed home and did some museums in DC and went to Hershey Park. It was quite hot and very crowded compared to most of our past trips, but we had a great time. We really loved Toy Story Mania at DHS. I highly recommend getting fast passes as soon as possible, as they were gone by noon each of the 3 times we were at DHS.

We enjoyed the Pop Century resort and had great bus transportation. We went to Animal Kingdom 6/13, DHS on 6/14 & 6/15, MK on 6/16 and hopped between Epcot and DHS on 6/17 before flying home. We did the Disney dining plan and had meals at Tusker House, Hollywood and Vine, 50's Prime Time Cafe and Liberty Tree Tavern. We had been to all of them before and they were all great once again. I was pretty lucky to get TS ADR's 10 days from our trip.

I did not tell DS7 about the trip until we were 5 minutes from the aiport. That morning, I told him we were going to visit an old friend and go on a safari. He was wearing his little safari outfilt he just had to buy when we were at WDW in April. When we were close to the airport, I handed him a letter from "Mickey" inviting him down for Star Wars Weekends. I had everything packed up in his suitcase covered in the trunk and told him the old friend was Mickey and the safari was at AK. He was thrilled. He got lot of attention at AK in his little uniform ---a VIP private safari tour with just us and the driver, another front seat safari trip (skipping the stand by and fast pass lines), a pin and a stuffed giraffe. Here are some pictures (a lot actually) that we took on our trip: http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=11ts6mtz.2db2t09z&x=0&h=1&y=-a2d7gs&localeid=en_US

You don't have to join the kodak site to see them, just double click on the picture and then double click on the next page's picture.

 

[Hanover]

Southwest released their prices through January and looking at the days we are flying in/out of MCO, it would be $1400 for the 4 of us. I'm glad we booked through Air Tran with that Mother's Day special for $644 round trip (non- stop) for the 4 of us!

 

[goofy4tink]

Has anybody been able to confirm a date for Mousefest gathering for MVMCP? I've heard that in the past it has been the firsy day of the land portion which would be Dec. 11th, but that's a premium price night. My wife and I want to attend, but are trying to pin down the date.

According to all the MouseFest stuff I've seen, they (MF planners) haven't yet decided. Deb Wills who used to host the MVMCP meet has said she just can't do it again this year..getting off the ship and then hurrying to host the meet is just too much. So..it seems they are thinking of doing it either the 11th, with different hosts or on the 14th...but noting official. There are no reduced prices for any of the parties during that time frame....seems Disney got smart. So, we pay full price for any of them during MF. I know a lot are still going on Thursday night, but there is a growing group heading to the party on Sunday night. I'm leaning towards Sunday myself. I'm going to be pooped after getting up so early Thursday morning and leaving the ship, then heading to WDW and getting settled. An earlier night might not be a bad thing.

 

[memobrien]

Thanks Everyone! My birthday is 11/28 and my DD is 12/26. So this will be kind of in the middle of them both. We are looking forward to it all. I've never been to MVMCP, or on the cruise. I can't wait to learn all about it. What's Mousefest. Apparently our trip is right in the middle, but I had no idea. Also, what's a Fish Extender exchange?

Maura

 

[mkmommy]

Thanks Everyone! My birthday is 11/28 and my DD is 12/26. So this will be kind of in the middle of them both. We are looking forward to it all. I've never been to MVMCP, or on the cruise. I can't wait to learn all about it. What's Mousefest. Apparently our trip is right in the middle, but I had no idea. Also, what's a Fish Extender exchange?

Maura

A fish Extender gift exchange is a way of passing the Disney magic around fellow DIS cruisers, we will have a list of people who want to join in the fun and then each cabin will deliver a small gift to each person's fish extender.


Here is a link that might help, and I think there are some pictures.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1219607

I am making a list for our cruise so let me know if you would like to join in. Once we get closer to the cruise we will come up with the finer details, at the moment I think we only have about 8-10 families wanting to join.

I will let someone else explain Mousefest.

Lisa

 

[memobrien]

oh fun!! my DD loves mail and surprises. I think she would get a big kick out of this! pease do count me in! now i just need to get or a make a fish extender. hehe

i sort of feel like i've got so much to learn. anyone have tips on what we can't fish, what we need to know, what else can i do to make it more special?

thanks!

maura

 

[mkmommy]

oh fun!! my DD loves mail and surprises. I think she would get a big kick out of this! pease do count me in! now i just need to get or a make a fish extender. hehe

i sort of feel like i've got so much to learn. anyone have tips on what we can't fish, what we need to know, what else can i do to make it more special?

thanks!

maura

Maura

I will add you to our list.

We are having a gift exchange, if anyone would like to join please let me know.

Our group so far.
Foxes Den- Food allergies, request no food gifts
Clarasunnyside
Mvlimmex
the2princessesmom
mkmommy
bmazsmith
Hanover
memobrien



Lisa

 

[tinker1bell]

I just can't wait until December.

I've cruised several times, but this is my first Mousefest cruise.

I want to do it all. I want to do meets. I want a fish extender. I want to decorate my door. I want to do dinner. I want to parasail.

I want to do Secret Santa. I want to sailaway and dance.

I want to walk around Nassau with Dave and Jennifer. I want to walk around the deck with Deb.

Is it December yet?? Sure feels like it!! If this is spring, I'm in big trouble...

I am so with Ya. Infact you and I are cruising together!!!

Yep, we are staying at ASMo for two nights, then cruising, then staying at Pop for six days.

I am getting so excited. We talk about this cruise all the time. We plan and replan everything. I am making our fish extender. I am having my son help with the door magnets. I have even broken down and bought two swimsuits.


Just one question???


























Is it December yet?????????

 

[tinker1bell]

For those flying have you booked flights yet?

I got a really cheap flight on Air Tran Buffalo to West Palm Beach for Dec 6,(never been there) so I will spend the day there and then drive to the port on Sunday AM, but I am having a hard time find suitable return flights. I guess I will have to wait for Jet Blue and Southwest to open up for December, anyone have an idea when that will be? I am hoping stay at DW for a couple of days after the cruise and fly back from Orlando.

Lisa

My friend Steffy and I just got our tickets for the flight down. It ended up being $88 per person one way. Three hours later the price went up by over 100% We are watching for a good price for the flight home.

 

[TiggerTails57]

What's a fish extender??

 

[Avery'sMom]

Hello everyone, I wanted to join in the celebrations. We just booked our cruise and are so excited. This will be our second cruise on the Wonder, but our first during the holidays. I can't wait to see the ship all decorated for Christmas.

It will be me, my DH, and DD(2). Well, I just wanted to introduce myself and start joining in on the chatting. Did I mention how excited I am!!!!

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks Everyone! My birthday is 11/28 and my DD is 12/26. So this will be kind of in the middle of them both. We are looking forward to it all. I've never been to MVMCP, or on the cruise. I can't wait to learn all about it. What's Mousefest. Apparently our trip is right in the middle, but I had no idea. Also, what's a Fish Extender exchange?

Maura

MouseFest is a gathering of Disney fanatics from various sites. It is not an official, Disney sanctioned type thing. Various Disney guidebook authors help plan it, and folks plan different meets and events throughout WDW from Dec 11-15 or so. There is also a group of MouseFest people that are on this particular cruise. They will arrange various 'meets' and activities. Some will be open to anyone passing by, while others may be limited to those who register for the meet/event in advance.

 

[goofy4tink]

What's a fish extender??

A fish extender is a shoe pocket type hanging. It goes over the 'fish' that is outside your stateroom door. Many people make their own fish extenders...they sew pockets onto a long piece of fabric (maybe 2' long or so)..there can be any number of pockets depending on the lenght. The extender is about 9" wide. You can put a dowel through the top with a hanger on it to put over the 'fish' by your door. Then, others who are so inclined can drop little gifts or notes into the pockets as they pass your door.
I have my fabric bought but have yet to start putting it together yet.

 

[TiggerTails57]

Thanks! I found some pics on another thread......I wanna make one!
Is there a sign-up for the Mousefset Cruise, for the Fish Extender exchange?

 

[mkmommy]

Thanks! I found some pics on another thread......I wanna make one!
Is there a sign-up for the Mousefset Cruise, for the Fish Extender exchange?

I will add you to our list.

We are having a gift exchange, if anyone would like to join please let me know, or if if have missed anyone.

Our group so far.
Foxes Den- Food allergies, request no food gifts
Clarasunnyside
Mvlimmex
the2princessesmom
mkmommy
bmazsmith
Hanover
memobrien
tiggertails57



Lisa