Disney Magic - Nov 10, 2012 - Western Caribbean from Galveston - Sun, Fun & Beaches!

[llqool]

I've updated the Roll Call just now. I've made a few assumptions that llqool is the DW? Let me know and I'll correct if necessary. It's found at the top of page 5.

Yes, I'm the wife...my husband thinks I'm slightly loopy for going on these boards, although he's pretty grateful when i'm able to plan an awesome vacation based on info I've gathered here!

Our girls are 9 (will be 10 by the cruise) and 7 and they LOVE the clubs.

What's the best rate you've found on a shuttle, if you don't mind my asking? Our flight will probably be getting in super late on Friday, and I was thinking of spending the night near HOU and then getting down to Galveston. I would love it if there was a way to make a stop and get water and wine beforehand!
My husband has a sister who lives in Houston, so if she is willing, we may beg her to take us down Saturday morning (and pick us up again the Saturday we get back). But I have to have a good back up plan, b/c I think that may be asking a lot of them!

 

[Tower]

Yes, I'm the wife...my husband thinks I'm slightly loopy for going on these boards, although he's pretty grateful when i'm able to plan an awesome vacation based on info I've gathered here!

Our girls are 9 (will be 10 by the cruise) and 7 and they LOVE the clubs.

What's the best rate you've found on a shuttle, if you don't mind my asking? Our flight will probably be getting in super late on Friday, and I was thinking of spending the night near HOU and then getting down to Galveston. I would love it if there was a way to make a stop and get water and wine beforehand!
My husband has a sister who lives in Houston, so if she is willing, we may beg her to take us down Saturday morning (and pick us up again the Saturday we get back). But I have to have a good back up plan, b/c I think that may be asking a lot of them!

Well welcome to the 'loopy club'!
I haven't actually booked one, may do that this weekend. I'll let you know when I do.
If your DSIL is unavailable to play 'taxi driver', and this is just me, I'd recommend taking a shuttle that same night to Galveston. Then you're in town, 10 min away from the ship when you wake up in the AM and less chance of logistical challenges the morning of the cruise. We're in Canada so we always cross the border the night before we fly out of Buffalo because I want no challenges keeping us stuck at the border long enough for us to miss our flight. I know you're not in a foreign country when you get to Houston, but still one less challenge.

 

[llqool]

So now I'm thrown for a loop...I had been going off of the previously posted dining rotation when I was making my Palo reservations, but this is what my TA just told me that DCL told *her* is the dining rotation:

Nights 1, 3, 5 and 7 are casual, Night 2 is formal, Night 4 is Pirate night and Night 6 is semi-formal.

Arghh!! Now I have to change everything! Of course, everytime one calls DCL they are apt to tell you something different, and they always tell you it's subject to change, but still....

 

[Tower]

Nights 1, 3, 5 and 7 are casual, Night 2 is formal, Night 4 is Pirate night and Night 6 is semi-formal.

Wow! I had booked night 3 to be our Palo brunch without looking up when formal night is. We're not doing the dinner as DW didn't care for it all that much for the extra price. I'm glad we're on the night we're on now as I'd like an opportunity to wear my suit more than once.
Now to find a nice pirate outfit for my 6'5" frame.....

 

[vmedisneymom]

So now I'm thrown for a loop...I had been going off of the previously posted dining rotation when I was making my Palo reservations, but this is what my TA just told me that DCL told *her* is the dining rotation:

Nights 1, 3, 5 and 7 are casual, Night 2 is formal, Night 4 is Pirate night and Night 6 is semi-formal.

Arghh!! Now I have to change everything! Of course, everytime one calls DCL they are apt to tell you something different, and they always tell you it's subject to change, but still....

I am with you - that what I was told as well.

 

[vmedisneymom]

So we only have 4 cabins participating? Wow! Anyone want to join in with us? It is so much fun to get the gifts - kids love it - and it is fun to pass them out as well.

 

[CruisinMama]

So we only have 4 cabins participating? Wow! Anyone want to join in with us? It is so much fun to get the gifts - kids love it - and it is fun to pass them out as well.

I guess I just don't understand what the fish extender is, and HOW to participate. We might want to participate, once we understand it... Please clarify. Thanks!

 

[CruisinMama]

I guess we do not understand what the fish extender is, or how to participate. We might be interested, if we knew the purpose and functionality. Please clarify! Thanks!

 

[vmedisneymom]

I guess we do not understand what the fish extender is, or how to participate. We might be interested, if we knew the purpose and functionality. Please clarify! Thanks!

The fish extender that the exchange is named for
Is the hook next to your door where you can receive notes etc. People started buying multiple pocket "stocking" type hangers that each family member could receive treats. I am not an expert - this will be our 3rd
Cruise but some folks make one gift per family some
People make a gift for each family member. Some
Make CDs or bring goodies, ie little notebooks temporary tattoos etc. some folks give stuff based on their hometown. If you go
To the forum there are threads about them with ideas etc. so much fun for kids and parents! Love it!

 

[UCFALUM]

We've also talked DSIL into going with her DH, DD9, twins DS5. Her DH is a huge fan and they have been on quite a few Disney Cruises'.

We've been shopping and planning our FE stuff and that is another fun way for the kiddies to get excited. My 7 yo DD is soo excited to make our items. I had to explain what it was to my cousin so not sure if she is fully in yet or not?? Maybe as long as I make her the FE, she is in.

We've had our ressies for Palo but the change in nights might mess them up. Oh well, not going to stress!

 

[Tower]

We've also talked DSIL into going with her DH, DD9, twins DS5. Her DH is a huge fan and they have been on quite a few Disney Cruises'.

We've been shopping and planning our FE stuff and that is another fun way for the kiddies to get excited. My 7 yo DD is soo excited to make our items. I had to explain what it was to my cousin so not sure if she is fully in yet or not?? Maybe as long as I make her the FE, she is in.

We've had our ressies for Palo but the change in nights might mess them up. Oh well, not going to stress!

Great convincing! We're on a family vacation to our north for the week, so I'll update the Roll Call when we get home on Saturday. I'm assuming DSIL will participate in FE with her DH being so 'enthused'?

 

[dittymau]

So now I'm thrown for a loop...I had been going off of the previously posted dining rotation when I was making my Palo reservations, but this is what my TA just told me that DCL told *her* is the dining rotation:

Nights 1, 3, 5 and 7 are casual, Night 2 is formal, Night 4 is Pirate night and Night 6 is semi-formal.

Arghh!! Now I have to change everything! Of course, everytime one calls DCL they are apt to tell you something different, and they always tell you it's subject to change, but still....

Well, on Aug. 16 I sent an e-mail to DCL asking for clarification of the schedule, and Kaylee replied as follows:

Thank you for choosing a Disney Cruise Line vacation!

I would be happy to assist you.

Dining attire varies by venue or theme night on your cruise. In general,
most meals are "Cruise Casual"-- jeans, khakis and capris are permitted;
however, we ask that Guests refrain from wearing shorts, swimwear or
tank tops in the dining rooms.

Below is the recommended attire for your cruise itinerary and is subject
to change:

On 7-night Western Caribbean cruises:
*Nights 1, 2, 4, & 7: cruise casual
*Night 3: "formal night" - formal wear for men: tuxedo or suit; for
women: gown or dress
*Night 5: pirate night with deck party - cruise casual or bring your
best pirate outfit!
*Night 6: "semi-formal night" - semi-formal wear for men: suit/jacket;
for women: dress or pantsuit.

Now, I had made Palo res for Night 4 based on this, it would put Pirate night on top of the Costa Maya port day. Would that be practical? Costa Maya departure is 5:30 PM, would surely cause problems for the early dining rotation...

Which one is right? I don't know, maybe we will know after the 22 Sept maiden Galveston Cruise?

Cheers,
dittymau

 

[llqool]

Now, I had made Palo res for Night 4 based on this, it would put Pirate night on top of the Costa Maya port day. Would that be practical? Costa Maya departure is 5:30 PM, would surely cause problems for the early dining rotation...

Which one is right? I don't know, maybe we will know after the 22 Sept maiden Galveston Cruise?

I don't know...when we were on our Alaskan cruise last summer, the formal night was on the longest port day (Skagway) and those w/early seatings were scrambling, I believe, and I heard that they later changed which days were which. So they are not set in stone. But I didn't want to chance Palo being on our pirate night (we're taking my mom, whose never been on a cruise!), so I moved it to night 6, the semi-formal night according to my TA (and your info, too). It would bother me less to miss that. Also didn't want my mom to miss AP the first time round.

I was able to very easily switch my Palo stuff around. I'm selfishly hoping this means that we will be able to nab a second Palo dinner if we want to once we get on board.

 

[llqool]

Also....

I had been reading online about difficulties finding one way car rentals down to Galveston from HOU. I just called Enterprise's USAA 1-800 number and they set me up with a one way van rental. They didn't mention anything about any extra fees associated w/a one way rental, and it didn't say anything on the email confirmation that I just got. The only thing they said was that the Galveston branch closes at noon on Saturday, and we plan to be there long before then!

Much cheaper than a shuttle for five of us!

 

[vmedisneymom]

Hi Dittymau and everyone -
I am curious as a cat so as to not to die of such curiosity - I called Disney regarding the 11/10. So those of you not on it, this could be different, but it does reflect what my travel agent told me previously.

Day 1 - Casual/rotational
Day 2 - Formal night/Captain reception
Day 3 - Casual/rotational
Day 4 - Pirate night
Day 5 - Casual/rotational
Day 6 - Semi formal
Day 7 - Casual/Till we meet again

Also, the movies on there currently
Timothy Green, Brave, Avengers, Chimpanzee, John Carter, Muppets, People Like Us, Real Steel, Cars 2, Tangled 3d, Toy Story 3d

As always, things can change - I don't mean to tell anyone this so that their plans are messed up by relying on this information. However, I do offer it as a point of information for obsessed planners like me - happy sailing everyone!

 

[llqool]

So...it's completely different than what Dittymau and I (well, my TA) were told. Disney can be frustrating in this way -- everyone gives a different answer. Very frustrating for the detail-obsessed (like me!)

Well, I'm just going to leave Palo on night 6 at this point. And I'm going to request a rotation that begins in Animator's palette for my mom's sake.

In the end I don't really care, just would rather *not* be in Palo for formal night or Pirate night. I'm going to try and go with the flow on this one -- this is a totally unexpected cruise for us, hadn't planned on going for a while, but couldn't turn down the great military fare and the chance to take my mom with us. Any dinner on a cruise ship is a good dinner!

 

[vmedisneymom]

I thought that would help everyone. Is that what your TA told you? That is what mine told me originally that I posted a couple pages ago. Everything I have seen on other threads and what my TA line up with this rotation. Of course I know dittymau emailed Disney and my only guess here is that the email responders have different info than the phone answerers? Oh well, but at least we have the two most likely scenarios to plan with - everyone have a great day!

And more people join the Fish Extender - sooooo fun !!!!!

 

[Zbkurtz]

We live in Tulsa and I have a DD who will be 8 by the time we cruise on Nov 10. I'm thinking about the FE thing, but we have never done it and I am clueless how to get involved.

 

[Tower]

We live in Tulsa and I have a DD who will be 8 by the time we cruise on Nov 10. I'm thinking about the FE thing, but we have never done it and I am clueless how to get involved.

Welcome Zbkurtz! Wonderful to have you aboard! Here is a link to hopefully fill you in on the FE's. We don't have a volunteer yet on who's coordinating that aspect, but I'm sure someone will step up to the plate soon.

I'll add your name to the Roll Call on Pg 5 when we get back from the vacation we're currently on. If you have any additional information you'd like to share, I'll be happy to add it.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1219607

I was in Tulsa about 6 years ago. Nice place when I was working there, love to revisit someday!

 

[surberd]

Will you add us to the fish extender list,please?