Feb. 7, 2008 3 night wonder...Anyone???

[DisneyBride'03]

Well we are well and truly already on our countdown!!!
Our flights out there are on 1st Feb so our holiday is less than a month away!!!!!!!

DB - Glad that the package arrived . . . perhaps after the cruise we will have to arrange for you to come visit . . . we can be your very own tourist guides!!(reasonable fees!)

Currently we are arranging the rest of our spending money, getting to and from the airport and our itinerary as we want to do so much!!!
Think we need to be there for about a month . . .

With getting together at AK after the cruise and the Pirates and Princesses party meet to arrange times for is there anything else I need to put on the itinerary!?!? lol

Didnt realize , or forgot, you guys are leaving on the 1st!!!
See my pm abt the P and P Party....we're not going to that We gt in just the night before! I have done it twice last year....its awesome!! Maybe its tinks you are meeting?

I really want to try Jiko or Boma....will talk to DH....DS and DD can hang out with the little one and we can perhaps do an adult dinner! We will probably have to make ADR's though! Check out their menu's at Allears.net and let me know what you think!!

 

[Mom2PrincessK]

First time family cruise. Myself, DW, 13yrDS, 8yrDD. Christmas present to the family. We're all pretty excited and trying to figure everything out.

Some early questions:
1) We're leaning to not do Palo's due to short cruise. (comments?)
2) What should you do the first day to get familiar with the boat and get the kids comfortable with the boat and activities?

Jon

Welcome! Another 13yo boy!.....we have a few 13-14 year olds....sounds like they will have plenty of company!

I think several are skipping Palo's - we are going Saturday night - celebrating our 20 year anniversary. I think London Couple is going - not sure what night.

I agree with just getting in and reviewing the Navigator. (We live with ours the entire cruise!) There are some sample ones posted on here (there's a link on a prior post). This will give you an idea of some of the events, although it will vary somewhat.

TO ALL: Are we going to try to do a formal meet at some point? (Or is it already set and I wasn't invited?)

I will be at the P&P Party on Sat 2/2...I think that is when London Couple is going too - right? I'm not sure what time we will be getting in Saturday to make firm meet plans - but maybe we can exchange cell #'s and try to catch up?

We planned on leaving on Friday night and getting in early Saturday....however, something has come up Friday night and we are undecided. DS won first place (6-8 grade) in an Art Contest for the GMAC College Bowl....his pic will be on tour and will be in the GMAC bowl program. They are having an artist "meet & greet" from 6-8 that Friday at an art center here (while we were going to leave around 3). DS wants to go, and I hate to disappoint him, but we will basically lose an entire day in the park if we don't. I will probably end up leaving it up to him and let him decide.

 

[JonR]

Look forward to meeting all and having kids the same age is reassuring. So much to plan and so little time. We'll probably stay on the ship in Nassau and do the CC stuff the next day (bikes, snorkeling,...). My kids are looking forward to the independence! Mom and Dad are too!

Jon

 

[TLPL]

We have a DS14, DD10 and a DD1 1/2!

Hey DisneyBride, my SIL is very protective about her kids, naturally she worry about her daughter who is turning 10 end of this month, she claims my niece wouldn't have fun spending time at Oceaneer Lab. I suspect otherwise. Are you planning to take your kids to Oceaneer Lab? Any advice how I can convince SIL/niece to go so the grow ups can spend time with each others?

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Yes, my DD10 will be 11 in March, however, at the Lab...they divide the kids into age groups..10-12 will be groupoed together. She can at least pre register them online before the cruise...stop by the first day, (that is what we are doing) and allow her DD to meet other kids.
She can also have it set up where she has a pager...if her DD wants to leave, they will page her.
From what I have read, and seen on the DCL DVD..kids LOVE this place and love the freedom!! And its free! lol
Our DS14 (keep thinking he is 13..lol..denial) anyway , he is looking forward to checking out the teen area, and we have some time for Ava to be in the nursery, she will be 19 mths.

Just suggest to SIl to allow her DD to check it out....girls that age will usually have Hanna Montana, etc in common....and being on the cruise...she may meet someone and want to hang out there. Get the pager, at least try it for a few hrs. The CM's have activities etc planned....your SIL may not realize how fun it may be for her daughter!
Good Luck!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

TO ALL: Are we going to try to do a formal meet at some point? (Or is it already set and I wasn't invited?)

Haven't sent out the invites yet....

Well, lets get the ball rolling!

I think you and tinks are the only cruise veterans here.....sorry if I missed someone The rest of us are the newbies.....where is a good place...is it way too crazy at the Sail Away party ? Or could we pick a spot on deck beforehand and have our own little "area"?
I have seen on other meet threads where they make a list of everyone....their dinner seating time...not sure if we need to list staterooms, unless any of you want to leave gifts at my door!!
Well I can start on the list, and when tinks get back...she can update her first post maybe of where the list is....

Oh..DisneyStore had their Valentines stuff out(actually on Dec 26) SShh I wanst there...lol...anyway they had these cute shirts for girls with hearts and a spakling Mickey head, got one for each DD and one for me yesterday! (didnt know they had adult sizes) Being so close to Valentines, we may wear them on the day we disembark...We also have matching Mickey and Minnie jean jackets...I only have a year or so left with Dd10 before she thinks I am a dork, so....lol

So, if anyone wants to PM me their info...for those I dont have, I will make an official list....now we just need a cool catch phrase...lol...

 

[DisneyBride'03]

tinkerbelle77- (tinks)

*Tinks, TIm, DD11, DD9, DD4, parents and grandma*
(psst...they're doing a B2B cruise....so jealous )

DisneyBride'03- (DB) Deck 8, #8528, Main DIning

*Diana, Bob, DS14, DD10 and DD 19 mths old* 1st Timers

Mom2PrincessK- (Mom2PK) just made that one up

*Joyce, DH, DS13 and DD6..Celebrating 20th Wedding Anniversary

jontheref- (London Couple) 1st TImers

*Jon and Kirsty* Celebrating??

MariaTia

* A Mr and a Mrs.*

DSNYFRK

*A Mr. and a Mrs. Celebrating their Honeymoon a few years late.....we won't
see much of them.... (just kidding)

Finally08

*Kim and Mike, DD3 and DS11....another 1st Timer Family

TLPL

* Mr. & Mr., w/ MIL & hubby, SIL & BIL, w/ DN16 and DN 10...Birthday Girl Deck 6, Main Dining, 1st TImers!
(3 cabins, love DVC)
JonR

* A Mr. and Mrs. with DS13 and DD8




**All info was obtained on this thread**

 

[Finally08]

tinkerbelle77- (tinks)


Finally08





**All info was obtained on this thread**

Just wanted to add my info for those who care!

We are Mike & Kim, cruising with dd (3) Layla, and ds Kelly (11)....first timers!

Is anyone doing the fish extender thing? I bought one and have been gathering goodies, but didn't know if there were others on the same cruise who might to swap secret gifts and such.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Kim, thanks!

I will go add that to the list now! I knew you had a cutie, (avatar!)
I would love to do the fish extender...some folks are blessed with creativity, I am not one of them! Where did you buy yours? I have seen some on the other threads!

 

[Finally08]

Kim, thanks!

I will go add that to the list now! I knew you had a cutie, (avatar!)
I would love to do the fish extender...some folks are blessed with creativity, I am not one of them! Where did you buy yours? I have seen some on the other threads!

I got mine on ebay last week and it arrived today! Really cute too. I have been stocking up on goodies for others I might see...the Target dollar spot has a bunch of cute pirate themed things right now.

 

[TLPL]

Is any of you planning to check out Nassau? We have never been to Bahama so we really want to experience it. Atlantis looks so much like a Las Vegas resort is there anything else there that's more "exotic"? Also why is there no Parasailing reservation available on the DCL web site? Are they all booked or they are not taking reservation? Does anyone know the answer? Thanks so much.

 

[JonR]

Small update

*Tinks, TIm, DD11, DD9, DD4, parents and grandma*
(psst...they're doing a B2B cruise....so jealous )

DisneyBride'03- (DB) Deck 8, #8528

*Diana, Bob, DS14, DD10 and DD 19 mths old*

Mom2PrincessK- (Mom2PK) just made that one up

*Joyce, DH, DS13 and DD6..Celebrating 20th Wedding Anniversary

jontheref- (London Couple)

*Jon and Kirsty* Celebrating??

MariaTia

* A Mr and a Mrs.*

DSNYFRK

*A Mr. and a Mrs. Celebrating their Honeymoon a few years late.....we won't
see much of them.... (just kidding)

TLPL

* A Mr. and Mrs., along with in laws and kids, 16 and 10*

JonR

* Jon, Sara, DS13 and DD9 ...another 1st Timer Family

Finally08

* Mike & Kim, cruising with dd (3) Layla, and ds Kelly (11)....first timers!


**All info was obtained on this thread**

 

[Finally08]

Is any of you planning to check out Nassau? We have never been to Bahama so we really want to experience it. Atlantis looks so much like a Las Vegas resort is there anything else there that's more "exotic"? Also why is there no Parasailing reservation available on the DCL web site? Are they all booked or they are not taking reservation? Does anyone know the answer? Thanks so much.

We weren't planning on doing much there for a few reasons. 1. - $$$ 2. DD is 3, might be tough doing any big activities with her 3. we want time to enjoy the boat, and since it's a short cruise, we'll use that day for it!

I'd love to parasail though, I have always wanted to do that!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Is any of you planning to check out Nassau? We have never been to Bahama so we really want to experience it. Atlantis looks so much like a Las Vegas resort is there anything else there that's more "exotic"? Also why is there no Parasailing reservation available on the DCL web site? Are they all booked or they are not taking reservation? Does anyone know the answer? Thanks so much.

We were going to do Atlantis....but yes, has that Las Vegas aura about it...we are staying on the ship...I am hoping you are able to sign up for parasailing once you arrive at CC....? It has shown booked up since I can remember! Maybe call DCL for a definitive answer I am hoping they should know!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

JonR, thanks for updating, I will go edit the list on Page 14, post #207!

 

[Mom2PrincessK]

Hey DisneyBride, my SIL is very protective about her kids, naturally she worry about her daughter who is turning 10 end of this month, she claims my niece wouldn't have fun spending time at Oceaneer Lab. I suspect otherwise. Are you planning to take your kids to Oceaneer Lab? Any advice how I can convince SIL/niece to go so the grow ups can spend time with each others?

I agree with DB - she really should give it a try....if she (either your SIIL or you niece) doesn't like it, she doesn't have to go back. She'll have the pager if she is needed...and they do not hesitate to use it -if your child says they want them paged...they do it. My dd would have us paged, I would go to the lab, my daughter would see us, and then want to stay and play. After the first few times she didn't want to leave. They do so many different things it really keeps them busy.

I'm not sure what age it is that you can allow them to check themselves out, but you do not HAVE to give them this option. When signing up, she designates this, so she wouldn't have to worry about her roaming the boat, if that is her concern.

I think my son was 11 when we first gave him check-out privileges. He loved it. We went over the route from the room to the lab, and went over rules (he was not allowed to go anywhere except the lab or the room unless he told us where he was going). Now he is 13 and trying to decide if he want to go to the club or the stack.

 

[Mom2PrincessK]

Mom2PrincessK- (Mom2PK) just made that one up

Thanks - I was getting jealous because I didn't have a nickname!

I'll leave it to Tinks on the meeting recommendation. The sailaway party is pretty crazy...but perhaps designating an area before it? With different dinner times, I'm not sure how that would work. It would be nice to have the kids meet early so they would "know" someone in the stack.

On another note....I am so busy this week! In getting in the spirit, we are having Katelyn's 6 year Bday next Saturday - a Princess Party of course. We did one last year too, and it was so fun she wants it again. We just finished decorating the "Birthday tree" which is our Christmas tree with ornaments removed, and re-decorated it with a pink/purple package of ornaments we found that actually included "princess" items such as dresses, shoes, lipstick, purses, that are ornaments. I was able to buy it after Christmas at a big discount. It is a white tree/white lights so the pink/purple looks so pretty!

I really go all out decorating, and have the stuff from last year so that is nice. We play classic bday party games but with princess themes -took them from birthday party ideas .com. Like hot potato (with a poison apple), musical chairs (with Jasmines "magic" carpets), "Cinderella Say"s like simon says...etc. We also do a mini-makeover and then go to the "ball" where they dance to a Princess Party CD I bought.

They'll also do crafts like a tiara and wand and the little bears you stuff/dress from Hobby Lobby while waiting for their makeover.

Oh....and if I forgot to mention....I dress up as a Queen. Well...it's an Elizabeth Swan costume I got on clearance, but close enough! As you can probably tell (or as my husband will tell you!) I am way too into this - I have more fun planning than she does at the party.

Now I am trying to decide if I wear the costume to the P&P party or to Pirate night. If I do, DH may not come with me

 

[Mom2PrincessK]

Is any of you planning to check out Nassau?

We are staying on the boat in Nassau - then doing the Nature/Kayak tour (I think) in CC. A bit worried if DD6 will let us be gone 3 hours.

We went into Nassau our first trip, but it was not really our taste. We went to Atlantis, which was nice, but it would be a lot better if you were participating (some people get rooms there for access to the pool/slide etc.) There's a lot of shopping in Nassau. We did not venture very far, and I'm sure there was a lot more to do if you got past the markets. If I was to go again, I would do it in conjunction with an excursion...not just wander on my own....but that is just me!

 

[MariaTia]

Hey guys - it's getting closer!!! Good news - some friends of ours just booked this week, so they will be on our cruise with us! It will be:

me - Maria - 32 - loves all Disney - 6th Disney Cruise!

DH - Isaac - 33 - likes Disney - celebrating his 33rd Bday - 4th DCruise

DF - Jason - 30 - 1st cruise and 1st time meeting Mickey! newbie

DF - Eleanor - 26 - 1st cruise - and Disney trip - celebrating BDay


They are excited and not sure what to expect!!


Isaac and I were booked for Palo's for Friday night - but now not sure since they will be joining us. Would love to go either Friday or Saturday early with them and then do our late dining too just for apps/dessert so not to miss the dining room and servers!

Hoping for sunny, warm weather!

 

[tinkerbelle77]

Hello everyone!!! We are home, tired, and sad to be back from WDW, but glad because we now cruise in 1 month!!!!

The parks were relatively busy, but not too bad! We enjoyed the NYE fireworks the 29, and 30 at MK and also were able to do the Epcot fireworks on the 30th, because they do them at 9:30! We went to MGM for NYE and it was not too crowded...We stayed until about 1 am, enjoyed the fireworks, and went back to AKV.

AKV was beautiful, we had a savannah view, and when we came back to our NYE, there were giraffes sitting on the ground outside our room. It was a great end to a great day!

We had warm weather the first 4 days, and then it was colder, it got down into the lower 30's at night a few nights! Glad we packed extra sweatshirts and gloves!

Jon, I was able to pick you up a limited edition NYE 2007 pin, and a NYday 2008 pin! I will take pics this week and email them to you!

DB...I didnt make it over to the poly this trip, we were so busy with other things that we never made it over to look at Christmas Decor! So Sorry!!!!

Overall we had a very enjoyable stay, and are going to plan on going back at the holidays again! Maybe 2009!!!

1 more day off work, and then back to work for me, I know theres alot piled up on my desk currently, but its all worth it for the time spent at WDW!