Disney Fantasy Eastern Caribbean December 14 2013

[disneydiva16]

Robin and Norma , you guys are lieing---You know OUR favorite thing to do is take as many pictures as we can on the cruise and at the parks....WE ARE THE QUEENS OF PHOTOPASS FOR SURE!!

Yes, this is true. I do love the pictures!!!!

 

[ForTheLoveOfDCL]

I just reserved a room at Buena Vista suites using the mouse savers discount $99 per night! They say they have shuttles to the park and free breakfast. Any comments on this resort? I have never been but it is cheaper than staying at the port, and if we stay in Orlando before the cruise we are def. doing mvmcp!!

Our large party animal group of 14 are planning on doing the MVMCP. I was planning on staying onsite. and have never stayed at Buena Vista before.

Sorry I can't help you there Alisha but I can direct you to a way to get to know ur fellow Christmas cruisers if you would just answer the above questions and not avoid them

 

[aymekae]

1. Which Disney character would describe your personality and why?
My nickname in high school volleyball was Bashful, and I think it still suits me. I am pretty shy, and I avoid conflict like the plague.

2. If you have been on a Disney Cruise, What is your favorite thing to do?
Eating! Palo brunch is high on my list. But honestly, the best thing was simply getting to spend 24/7 with my husband, no phones, no computers, no TV, just getting to relax, eat, be entertained, with no "real life" intruding.

3. Favorite thing to do at Disney?
I think I get the biggest kick out of the shows.

4. Are you dressing in pirate gear for Pirate Night?
Nope. Don't like to dress up, even for Halloween.

5. What are you most looking forward to on this cruise?
Spending time with the hubby, sitting on a beach all day doing nothing, eating delicious food every day without considering prices.

6. What is a tip you have learned you would like to share?
Not for everyone, but we followed one tip on our first cruise that we thoroughly enjoyed. Spent an hour exploring the ship while most folks were eating, then when our stateroom was ready, we ordered room service and unpacked while we waited for the food to arrive. It was cozy and awesome. Esp. ordering Mickey bars!

7. What dinner seating do you have?
Late dining

8. What excursions look good to you?
Haven't looked at them too specifically for this cruise, but I'm pretty sure we'll snorkel a few times, and do absolutely nothing on Castaway Cay.

9. Drinker? Just wondering who we are gonna find passed out on the deck chairs?
Rarely; last drinks I had were probably on my last cruise. But I did really enjoy some of those drinks of the day.

 

[noahsketomom]

Here are mine....

Ok I thought I would ask some quesions for us all to get to know more about our fav. DIS'ers. Here are some of my questions with the answers.
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1. Which Disney character would describe your personality and why?
I was going to say Goofy mainly because he tries hard, but oftentimes misses the mark. But I did the quiz thing and that came out Dory, from Nemo. I find it interesting that they are both kind of flighty. What does that say?

2. If you have been on a Disney Cruise, What is your favorite thing to do?
RELAX and UNPLUG. Also Looooove the fact that I don't have to plan out our day....just take most things as they come, eat when you are hungry, etc.

3. Favorite thing to do at Disney?
Ride rides and enjoy the magical ambiance!

4. Are you dressing in pirate gear for Pirate Night?
Maybe, but it will be low key most likely.

5. What are you most looking forward to on this cruise?
Trying out some new things -- like Palo and the spa.

6. What is a tip you have learned you would like to share?
I second Lianne's tip about BOOKING ONBOARD! (She knows I ended up regretting not doing that!!!

Also -- I pre order coffee, tea, fruit, etc. every night before bed. Loooove having hot coffee every morning on the veranda!!!!

7. What dinner seating do you have?
Late -- I got trumped by the other adults.

8. What excursions look good to you?
IDK about St. Maarten -- maybe just do it on our own? Bernards? IDK. Totally want to do a sail/snorkel in St. Thomas or St. John.

9. Drinker? Just wondering who we are gonna find passed out on the deck chairs?
Not a big drinker, but I love the mohitos on board! Also I will be holding off on drinking konk coolers this time until at least noon! Last time I finished the 5k and was waiting for my family. It was so hot that I couldn't resist the waiter who offered me a huge konk kooler. Note to self: After a run you want WATER...not alcohol!!!

Ok so I was having a hard time coming up with questions So if you feel like answering any... just cut and paste and erase the previous answers and fill in with your own. Or if you have any to ad feel free!
__________________

 

[casilliman]

Ok I thought I would ask some quesions for us all to get to know more about our fav. DIS'ers. Here are some of my questions with the answers.
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Ok so I was having a hard time coming up with questions So if you feel like answering any... just cut and paste and erase the previous answers and fill in with your own. Or if you have any to ad feel free!
__________________

1. Which Disney character would describe your personality and why?
Alice, I suppose. Adventurous, determined, and a curious of course!

2. If you have been on a Disney Cruise, What is your favorite thing to do?
Hanging out with my husband, in the Quiet Cove, and EVERY trivia challenge in the pub ! Last cruise (in alaska, BRRR!!!) we spent several afternoons playing backgammon in the pub. he is my best friend

3. Favorite thing to do at Disney?
My new favorite thing is the Food and Wine festival !

4. Are you dressing in pirate gear for Pirate Night?We never did before but we are definatlely doing it this time!!

5. What are you most looking forward to on this cruise?
Watching the magic through the kids' eyes, and spending hours in a hammock on Castaway Cay reading a book for pleasure (NOT a textbook for a change!!) and having conch coolers delivered by a cabana boy !!

6. What is a tip you have learned you would like to share?
Use the stairs !! especially at show and meal times, the elevators can be a traffic jam. Plus you can work off a mickey bar or two

7. What dinner seating do you have?
Late, 'cause that's when we booked .... but I'm good with that

8. What excursions look good to you?
Regatta for my husband, shopping and tours for me, parasailing for my 73 year old mom !!!!

9. Drinker? Just wondering who we are gonna find passed out on the deck chairs?
We are social drinkers too, I LOVE the Conch Coolers too! You may, however, find a few of my adult children on some of those lounge chairs on Pirate Night LOL

 

[disneydiva16]

9. Drinker? Just wondering who we are gonna find passed out on the deck chairs?
I am not a big drinker and I find that I am more of a social drinker. You know one of those have a drink or two every couple of months? Since I just had surgery I don't plan on having any alcohol until our cruise (although I have read I can have it earlier it just doesn't seem wise). Rapid weight loss is hard on your liver so I don't want alcohol to make it any more difficult. So I may be one of those passed out on the deck chairs since it will be well over a year since my last drink. But since I will be celebrating graduation and vacation I do plan on indulging in a few drinks.

Lianne, you only have 10 1/2 more months to hold out for your celebratory drink. We will make sure you dont end up in a deck chair.

 

[lianne_0325]

Lianne, you only have 10 1/2 more months to hold out for your celebratory drink. We will make sure you dont end up in a deck chair.

I am going to try and contain the deck chair sleeping to my own cabin. I knew I booked an extended balcony for a reason. Just kidding of course. I have never fallen asleep on one and can't imagine starting that habit now.

I couldn't believe the other day when I looked at the countdown thing and saw only 10 and a half more months to go. We have been booked longer than that! Which shocks me too as each of our other Disney Cruises were last minute Florida resident deals. I have to admit the pricing on the Panama Canal is pretty darn tempting right now for Florida residents (would be cheaper for two weeks on that than this cruise is). But I still want Christmas time with all of you

 

[disneydiva16]

But I still want Christmas time with all of you

Awww....good choice lol

 

[scrapbookingtigger]

Our large party animal group of 14 are planning on doing the MVMCP. I was planning on staying onsite. and have never stayed at Buena Vista before.

Sorry I can't help you there Alisha but I can direct you to a way to get to know ur fellow Christmas cruisers if you would just answer the above questions and not avoid them

Ugh...Fine you caught me avoiding the questions LOL I just had to share because anything that has to do with Disney gets me Soooo excited!! I am still considering staying onsite, that is the only way we have done WDW thus far, so I am nervous to go outside the resort and not get the full experience.

1. Which Disney character would describe your personality and why? Ok I cheated and took the quiz too!

You Scored as Cinderella

Your alter ego is Cinderella! You often find yourself doing a lot of housework, but if you are patient, your hard work usually pays off. You are prone to losing things, so dont rush through everything.

2. If you have been on a Disney Cruise, What is your favorite thing to do?
I have never been on a Disney Cruise, but I am excited to try the aqua duck and to lounge on my veranda oh and eat lots of yummy food! My boys are excited about the all you can eat mickey ice cream. bars

3. Favorite thing to do at Disney?
Wishes fireworks! I would go every night if I could...heck I would live at the castle if I could do that too! My first Disney trip was at age 30 and I am a total addict now!
4. Are you dressing in pirate gear for Pirate Night?
Not sure, but the kids will. We did Pirates League at WDW last year and we had so much fun dressing up as pirates

5. What are you most looking forward to on this cruise?
Experiencing cruising "Disney style" I love the way disney does the parks and am hoping the cruise is the same way. Hoping to make our anniversary more special with Palo or a couples massage, Oh and just relaxing and spending time with my family

6. What is a tip you have learned you would like to share? The hard work that goes into planning a Disney vacation definitely pays off while on vacation (at least in the parks)


7. What dinner seating do you have?
Main.

8. What excursions look good to you?
The pirate boat/swim with sea turtles... I love sea turtles!

9. Drinker? I am a cheap date, one drink and I am feeling it! I too think it would be fun to see who passes out in the loungers though, hopefully it's not me LOL

 

[tntstults]

Has anyone done the beach excursion at st marteen? I'm worried that because its a European type beach it won't be family friendly. Thanks!

 

[noahsketomom]

Has anyone done the beach excursion at st marteen? I'm worried that because its a European type beach it won't be family friendly. Thanks!

No I haven't done the excursion and the last time I was in St. Maarten was 12 years ago (pre-kids) and we stayed on the dutch side so didn't have any nudity issues.

That said, I've been reading LOTS of TRs about the island recently. (It's in the SINGLE DIGITS this morning here ---- YOWSERS. Even my mom called me to find out how many days until the cruise --- lol!) So reading about the Caribbean has helping. anyhow, I digress......

Are you talking about the ones to Orient Beach? I read somewhere that there is a nude section to avoid with kids, then a more modest section. Not sure where the excursion goes. Also, several folks have raved about Le Galleon (sp?) beach that was very family friendly and just as nice as Orient.

I'm interested in hearing what folks have heard about St. Maarten, too. Right now, I'm thinking about either doing a Bernard's tour, just staying in the Philipsburg/Dutch area, or going on our own in a taxi. We hope to do a beach on St. Thomas or St. John, so want a low key sort of day there.....but it will also fall on my hubby's birthday, so wanted to do at least something! IDK -- all this might change -- but I'm still enjoying reading about warm weather during this freezing cold spell!!!!

 

[tntstults]

I see that there are multiple beach excursions. I like the idea of going on our own taxi but I'm nervous having never done it. I was reading about Magen beach but also read its overcrowded.

It's 9 deg here and the windchill is -13 deg.

 

[noahsketomom]

I see that there are multiple beach excursions. I like the idea of going on our own taxi but I'm nervous having never done it. I was reading about Magen beach but also read its overcrowded.

It's 9 deg here and the windchill is -13 deg.

OH, MY!!!!! I knew it was cold when my mom was asking about the cruise --- she usually just laughs at me when I mention it since it's so far away!!

Magens beach is on St. Thomas, right?
We are hoping to do either an excursion to Honeymoon beach (St. Thomas) or Trunk Bay (St. John). Trunk Bay is the most beautiful beach I've ever seen (at least it was 16 years ago on our honeymoon!). IMHO, it even trumps Hawaii. But it takes so long to get over there -- not sure I want to wast time traveling-- unless it was on a boat.

RE: ST. Maarten I know what you mean about worrying about traveling on your own. At least we've got a longer day (I think?) in St. Maarten. I have a local friend who works on boats and he has spent a lot of time there. We will ask him as times gets closer of his opinion of what to do. He has mentioned Maho beach and the planes. I just don't want to do too much. There is a beach close to the pier, if memory serves. I know most folks don't think it's that nice compared to those on the French side, so I must be easily impressed.

 

[casilliman]

Has anyone done the beach excursion at st marteen? I'm worried that because its a European type beach it won't be family friendly. Thanks!

I am a big fan of Trip Advisor, type any location in the browser, I have read hundreds of reviews over the years with them, and most are very accurate. Orient beach got pretty good reviews, they say there are 'clothing optional' beaches on the french side. I am interested in finding a way to Maho beach, to watch the planes come and go. I would put a link on here for you but it never works when I try .... just google it, looks amazing to see!!

 

[disneydiva16]

Here's one link to Maho Beach.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGbRRLgtmu0
CRAZY!!But we are going to do that too. My husband wants to video tape a plane or two landing.

Christy, I read in your answers to the "get to know ya" questionnaire that you sailed to Alaska. Was it on Disney? I am hoping to get there in 2015. Did you do a veranda or an ocean view? We are trying to decide which is better to have. What do you think? Please say inside cuz it's cheaper.

 

[casilliman]

Here's one link to Maho Beach.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGbRRLgtmu0
CRAZY!!But we are going to do that too. My husband wants to video tape a plane or two landing.

Christy, I read in your answers to the "get to know ya" questionnaire that you sailed to Alaska. Was it on Disney? I am hoping to get there in 2015. Did you do a veranda or an ocean view? We are trying to decide which is better to have. What do you think? Please say inside cuz it's cheaper.

Wish Granted We stayed inside and it was much less than a verandah room. I looked at it this way, the whole ship has a deck, really.. The warmest day was 65 degrees we FROZE up there, I felt warm and snuggly inside actually.

It was amazing, words can't explain how beautiful it was to cruise up the inside passage, past glaciers and whales. Disney of course does it in style. The White Pass Railroad was the best excursion we took, well worth it, we felt, and we loved Liarsville. My husband goes fishing in the NW Territories of Canada yearly, he loves Canada, so the Alaska trip was right up his alley. The characters all decked out in fishing gear and winter clothes was a lovely chagne up in in August, vs going to the islands in January. Book it and GO !!!

 

[ForTheLoveOfDCL]

Wish Granted We stayed inside and it was much less than a verandah room. I looked at it this way, the whole ship has a deck, really.. The warmest day was 65 degrees we FROZE up there, I felt warm and snuggly inside actually.

It was amazing, words can't explain how beautiful it was to cruise up the inside passage, past glaciers and whales. Disney of course does it in style. The White Pass Railroad was the best excursion we took, well worth it, we felt, and we loved Liarsville. My husband goes fishing in the NW Territories of Canada yearly, he loves Canada, so the Alaska trip was right up his alley. The characters all decked out in fishing gear and winter clothes was a lovely chagne up in in August, vs going to the islands in January. Book it and GO !!!

Thank you Thank you Thank You Christy!! I am traveling with Robin(well hopefully if we can make our kids schedules work) and I have been convincing her we need to spend the extra and be on Disney for Alaska. I said let's just get a cheaper cabin and forgo the verandah. So thanks for telling her all that.... Locking her in!!!!!!

 

[casilliman]

Thank you Thank you Thank You Christy!! I am traveling with Robin(well hopefully if we can make our kids schedules work) and I have been convincing her we need to spend the extra and be on Disney for Alaska. I said let's just get a cheaper cabin and forgo the verandah. So thanks for telling her all that.... Locking her in!!!!!!

My pleasure! I hope to go back to Alaska one day too.. but alas, after this cruise will be a trip to the park in 14 ( Lord willing!) Once a year Disney is a reach for us, we average every two to three year trip. You all that do this so often are blessed !!!

 

[lianne_0325]

Alaska is my dream cruise. I have ALWAYS wanted to go there. One day I will make it.

My husband on the other hand enjoys the warmer climates for cruising. I figure since we live in Florida and have our own jet ski that seeing something drastically different than home would be preferable.

 

[SEVP]

OK. I am catching up on the last few pages and I have been giggling about the comments re the cold weather.

It is -35 degrees C right now in Northern Nova Scotia, Canada. Seriously. You can google it if you think I'm kidding. My sister, who lives in Alberta told me not to complain as it is -48 where she is.

-10??? That's beach weather

Gotta go google and see who my Disney character is . . .

S.