December 9, 2007 4 night

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

I also have to ask dthogue.....Is Hogue your last name? It was my maiden name and pretty uncommon, just dont see it much!

 

[dthogue]

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[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

We are soooo excited!! We are officially going. I have not made my mind up on WL or the poly for a couple of days. We loved the poly. I have always wanted to stay at WL. Anybody have any suggestions? We went on this same cruise last December. My DH told us we had to skip a year but evidently he is as hooked as we are. We have decided not to tell the children. We are going to pick them up from school and head out for the airport. It could pose a problem from my DD who thinks she can only pack for herself but I think she will get over it quickly! When we went last year, we did the banana boat ride (which is a big fat NO) They were training a guy who obviously didnt care about the little ones. My children were the only ones on the boat and they were crying their eyes out. The rest of the full boat was me, DH, one man and the rest women. Everyone wanted off and the guy kept going until my DH yelled and shook his fist at him and then he stopped and carried us back. It was horrible. We did the stingray adventure which was alot of fun, we have some awesome pictures. My DS was ten at the time and a little intimidated at first but quickly got to were it was an enjoyment. (He races go karts and goes about 55-60 mile an hour but afraid of a stingray!) He laughs about it now. Then we relaxed on the beach and had a great time. If you havent been to Castaway Cay....it is awesome. It wouldnt hurt my feelings if that was our only stop! Take you camera! Nassau...I am not a fan. It is dirty. We shopped our first time..no big deal. Not great deals on stuff either. Last time we rented a room at atlantis. Had a great time, but been there and done that. My children said that they want to stay onboard if we ever go again. They were disgusted by the conditions of the taxis etc. My DH thinks they need to see some more of the city so we may go a little deeper into the city unless someone tells me something they would like and make it back to the ship early. On our day at sea I got a massage, went to pajama bingo and just chilled. My children hung out at the lab, pools and aracade. My DH roamed the ship and then just chilled with me. Very Relaxing. We thoroughly and completely loved the cruise. It was my childrens first, and they are hooked. My DD will have just turned 12 when we go this year, DS will be two weeks shy of 11th birthday, I will be 39 and DH will turn 42 while we are on the cruise. We look forward to meeting everyone and I hope some more people join in.

 

[Crystal_27]

Minnie, I'm so glad to hear that you enjoyed your cruise last year. It certainly says a lot that you all are going back on the same one - LOL! I think it's great that you are surprising your children too - they must think they have the coolest parents! This is our first cruise, and I just can't even begin to imagine how great it's going to be!

How did your massage compare to others you have had? I'm thinking about doing the seaweed wrap and massage.

Anyway, glad you are joining us.

 

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

I wasnt sure how I was going to like it because I had never had one. Our TA gave us a couples massage for our 20 year anniversary. My DH didnt want to go so I got a massage and a facial. The were both unbelievable. I will do the massage again this time. I really want to carry my daughter too but I dont think they will let me. I dont know if I read that somewhere or if I am assuming. We enjoy getting pedicures together and I know she would love it as she loves to be pampered. I wouldnt get one locally. I dont know why, I just dont feel right. My friends do, I just havent mustered up the courage!

 

[Crystal_27]

I really want to carry my daughter too but I dont think they will let me. I dont know if I read that somewhere or if I am assuming. We enjoy getting pedicures together and I know she would love it as she loves to be pampered.

It would honestly surprise me if they didn't let your DD get a pedi with you. Girls deserved to be pampered too! I can't wait until my DD gets old enough to start doing the "spa" experience with me. She loves to get her fingernails and toenails painted but I can't yet justify paying for it (I just do it at home). It's so much fun to have a girly girl!

 

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

Crystal27 - I was wanting her to get a massage with me. That is why I am not sure if they will let her. We could do a mother/daughter couples massage! I think their pedicures on the cruise are overpriced. We will enjoy that locally before we leave. My son actually like to get them too! He said he has no problem with some rubbing on his feet! My DH wouldnt dare.

DH and I was laughing today about our luggage situation last year. I read these threads with the children every day and we wrote down every good idea someone had. We packed them up too!!! We had eight pcs of luggage and four carryons! This year since we are sneaking, I will only be bringing the things we have to have. I had costumes for us for pirates night. I had decor for our table for the same night. I had special bags for the children made up with disney stuff to correspond with the next day. (like a personal fan, disney water bottle, disney camera, disney sunglasses and visor for castaway cay) The room steward put them out for me each night when we went to dinner. It was fun but my children were on overload!!! They had freedom to have fun and do what they wanted because we always knew where to find them. I wont leave my over the door shoe holder at home as it was very handy. I am not moving in this year either!!!! I am going to tell yall my experiences a little along. If you get tired of them let me know! I love to talk! This is it for today. Last year on the first night I went through my luggage and got out what would need to be pressed over. Our room steward took it for me to be pressed. I had all of our dinner clothes and our dress up night suits and dresses and it was only like $35.00. They were back in our room the next day hangin up in closet and we never had to worry about it. Very convenient. Our shorts survived the travel. No need to iron.

I hope all of the first timers enjoy the cruise as much as me and my family. It is something about that time of year and travel and family that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside!!!!!! Have a good day!!!!

 

[Busygirl100]

I think you can add three more cabins to this cruise!! We have six adults and two boys age 7!!

This will be our third Disney cruise and the fourth is scheduled for September 2008!!!

 

[princesdi]

Minnie of 2 mice----we also loved, loved our first cruise in August '06. Who would have known that 6 months later we would book a Dec. 9, '07 cruise? This time we are doing the 4 day cruise. I feel like we left our hearts on the ship.

Your experience with the bananna boat was EXACTLY how ours went, I would NEVER do it again--they did not take small children, or adults for that matter into consideratiohn---we did not feel safe. Also dunking a child into the ocean while parasailing, not such a bright idea!!! I was not pleased with the people they get to do their excursions.

Like you, If I can keep my big mouth shut we will surprise our children who will be 11 and 15 at that time. It is going to be super hard to stay quiet. My biggest delema since DD will be in 9th grade and DS 5th--if we should tell them ahead of time so they can make up homework.

Since you have cruised in December--can you tell me about the weather??

 

[princesdi]

Forgot to note, last August when we went I wanted to surprise my DD who was 13 at the time with a spa treament. I was told no, they had to be 18. I asked if I signed a parent waiver if they would let her....nope. So instead she just got her hair braided.

On another note, since this is our first 4 day cruise, what is open for meals on sea days?

 

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

I know this is going to sound crazy...... ...But I cant remember what was open on sea day. I woke up , got my massage and facial and went to pajama bingo and before I knew it it was 1:30. I am sure my husband probably ate but the chances of him knowing the names of the places are slim to none. I am sure everything was open though. I am going to try for the brunch @ Palo this year. We booked last year but ended up giving our reservations to someone else because we wanted to chill out! I am not going to book any excursions unless I get the feel that my children would like to do the stingrays again. I have to be sneaky in asking. They are pretty vocal about Alantis. They thought it was overated. The only thing I am not sure about is Atlantis was under construction last year and I dont know if the new addition is open and if it is, if it would be something they would like to do. I personally want to swim with the dolphins but I dont know if they offer it at Nassau and if anyone had a good experience. I want to hang on a fin and go for a ride. If not this will be total relaxation cruise.

Last year on our dis meet we made all of the children(17) goody bags pertaining to the city you were from. The children and I had a great time making the bags. We started like in August. If we saw something we would pick it up. The adults all brought magnets from their city which was cool. I had bracelets made up that was glow in the dark rubber that said "Disney Cruise 2006" that had Christmas trees on either side and mailed them out prior to the cruise so we could recognize each other. We had a great time talking beforehand. Our meet was a flop. We ended up getting one person whose cabin we met at give the goody bags for those who didnt show. We had each others room numbers and the adults put there magnets on the doors here and there. Saying this, that was a whole suitcase. Magnet swap maybe goody bags no. They took up too much room. Another suitcase I am not planning on taking is the one full of shoes. This will be hard for DD once she gets there and finds out at the most she only has two pair but who cares this is a surprise to her she better not complain!!!!!!!

The weather was fine. It wasnt too hot or too cold. We got tanned not burned. DH and I got burned in June last year with some friends on a cruise. We were at Nassau on the beach for no more than an hour. Plenty of sunscreen. We were in the water though. I had a tan both times before going. I smothered my children in sunscreen in December and they got a beautiful tan.

If I have time tonight after the children go to bed I will tell yall about the great story about meeting one of the dissers on our cruise before our cruise at the parks. It was very cool. We ended up seeing each other more than anyone. We had alot in common so we were always at the same place unplanned. I had a great picture with them at castaway cay. If I wasnt technically challenged I would post the picture!

 

[Crystal_27]

Last year on our dis meet we made all of the children(17) goody bags pertaining to the city you were from. The children and I had a great time making the bags.

I think this is a great idea, if everyone else is up to it. Even if we don't do goodie bags, like you suggested, even magnets from the city we are from would be wonderful keepsakes. I, too, would love to schedule a little DISmeet - you guys all seem wonderful!

 

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

The magnets would be great and easy to get for those of us whose arent telling our children beforehand.

Last year I had talked to the other dissers for about six months before going on the cruise. After talking to someone for that amount of time you kinda get the feel of the person. One other disser and I had always had the same opinion on alot of topics discussed on our thread. On our first night at MK(we had been there all day) a lady walked up beside us with four children alone (she had told us her husband had to take another flight because of a business meeting) at the spectromagic parade. It is my favorite by the way! We had the perfet spot but when she walked up the little ones couldnt see so I told her if she wanted to let them get in front of me we would keep our eye on them. She said "oh thank you, We just got in from California and we are beat but my middle child had to see the spectromagic because its her favorite". I paused for a moment and then asked her "If you dont mind me asking what is your name?" She knew immediately and said "No freaking way....You cant be Shari" She said she knew from my southern accent and my family. We saw each other many times throughout the trip. We both were staying at the Poly. Who would have thought that out of thousands of people we would run into each other and know who each other was on the first day of our trips? She and her family were great and I will never forget them. She is going on a seven day western next December and I hope that we can sweet talk my DH into seven days! If not it will be another four nighter for us. We own our own business so he doesnt like to be gone that long but really you are only missing one more week day! We havent convinced him yet but I still have 19 months!

I kinda brought up last years cruise last night and was talking about some of the things we would do or not do if we got to go again. The children liked the stingrays but said if they didnt get to do them next time they wouldnt be upset. They really sounded like they could take it or leave it. We may just rent floats and bikes.

I would love another massage but since my DD cant do it I guess I wont either. I will just see another show or hang out with DH.

 

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

crystal 27 - Last year we did the poly and a four night cruise for mine and DH 20 year anniversary! We were going on a cruise for our ten year but I had DD who was 10 months old and I was almost four months pregnant with my DS. We kept saying next year, next year, next year. We kept putting a cruise off until our best friend gave us a carnival cruise in June 06 for our twenty year anniversary. He went with us!!! We already booked the Disney Cruise for our family but he wanted us to leave the little ones at home because we just never had. We had a great time but there is no comparison to me in the two cruise lines. I ended up paying $27.00 to talk to my children for ONE MINUTE! I had to talk to them. I had never been away from them that long. The phone call made it worse. It made me miss them more! I like them close to me!!!! Taking them on the cruise may have been a huge mistake because they were already DisneyWorld nuts. Now they have a hard time deciding.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Hey All!
We're booked on this cruise!
I searched for this thread weeks ago but didn't see it...glad I checked again today. Just added a ticker today, too.

It'll be our 5th Disney cruise...but first for our kids (one on the way). My Mom and her boyfriend will also be joining us and hopefully my sister, BIL and their three kids. There are 11 of us total.

We booked the Residence Inn/Marriot at Cocoa Beach for the night prior to the cruise and will be staying at Disney's Vero Beach for 2 nights afterwards.

Let the countdown begin! ​

 

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

Glad your going with us and congratulations on your new little one! Do you know what your having? Smart move carrying your Mom. By that time you will be looking for some "me and DH" time.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

We are having a boy...still need to figure out a name.

It'll be nice having my Mom there - she went with us to WDW last year at this time and it was nice having that extra set of hands to help us with all our gear or for watching her while we did whatever we needed to do. It was definitely helpful.

 

[Crystal_27]

YAY - glad to have another DISer to add to the ship. Welcome, CRSN!

 

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

Trying to decide between Wl or the Poly. I love love love the Poly but I like to try new resorts. I think since we are on a short trip I want to try WL. Has anyone ever stayed there?

Last night after my son thought his Daddy was asleep he came in and said "Try to talk Dad into a cruise this December" I said "Oh son I just dont know " He said " maybe next year " He is racing in a state series in go karts and we had told him if he placed in the top three that we would take them on a cruise. Right now he is in second. I assured him we would not go back on our word not to worry. I am so excited already. DH was so tickled that he was whispering trying to get me to talk his dad into it! We are excited about how we are going to surprise them. We keep coming up with all of these different scenarios. Even though as they grow up sometimes they can be taxing on my nerves......They can be so precious! DS10 is growing up and he is my baby. I can barely pick him up. His height is catching up with mine. Thank God I can still hold him. My DD11 is 11 going on 21! She has almost caught me in height, takes my shoes(I got me some new tennis shoes and she put them on and said "thanks Mom, I love them") She likes to snuggle and watch TV in bed. They had school reports today and thats what brought on my little sadness. I realized they arent my "baby babies" anymore. I dont even want to talk about the teenage years!!!! NOT going to be good at our house!!! I hope everyone is having a good week. We are racing this weekend. I mean where else would I rather be on "mothers day" other than at the track!! Happy Mothers Day everyone.

 

[princesdi]

Last August we went to the WL to eat at Whispering Canyon---awesome restaurant and the lodge was amazing!!!!! I wish we would have set aside time to just look around, beautiful, beautiful resort!!!

I am curious about your sons go cart racing. How did you get him into that---my DS10 would love to do something like this. He wants and ATV or dirt bike---but DM keeps saying no, no no! he doesn't understand the $ $ $ behind all that---but go carts could be doable.