February 03 2007 Eastern

[Magicbound2007]

Dear Joksten2000
What do you put on your door sign?? What does everyone hang on their doors??
So many questions so little time....
Tammy

 

[djarhansen]

Tammy

We too are having car seat issues. We have a 11,6 and 4 year old. We are renting a car from Orlando airport (national) and renting 2 car seats and then driving to Port Canaveral and returning the car there. Then just after the cruise we are doing the same thing in reverse order to get back to the airport. I was told that Disney transportation (the buses) do not have car seats or even seat belts which made me too nervous being on a major highway. If my younger kids were a couple of years older I would probably do it differently. Good luck!

 

[Magicbound2007]

Thanks! I just spoke with Disney and they said the shore excursions through them are motorcoaches and the same...do not have seatbelts so car seats are not needed....hopefully they drive safely! I didn't realize that the rental car companies rent car seats....who are you going through?
Tammy

 

[queenbee1127]

We're in the car seat crew, too. We're flying down on 1/31 and spending a couple of days at WDW - off-site w/ a rental car - and then driving to the Port. Our kids are 4 and 7 so we're able to use the backless boosters. We don't use them at home; I like the idea of the car seats being latched to the car. However, for travel, we're going to use them. A pain in the neck to schlep on the plane and store in the stateroom, but I don't see a choice. UGH!

We're not doing planning on any excursions. There wasn't anything that seemed that thrilling (that my 4 yo could do) so we're looking at some beach time, I guess! That's fine w/ DH and me!

See you all soon!!

 

[djarhansen]

I have conflicting info here, maybe somebody can clear up. My sister in law is flying into Fl. on Sat. the 3rd, b/c of this reason they decided to pay and use disney air just in case. Well if they miss the plane back at home trying to get to FL. will Disney hold the boat for them? They are under that impression, and I thought that Disney would just cover the expense of flying them to the first island and they would be out the first couple of days at sea. I know if the disney bus breaks down in route from Orlando to port they will hold it but if they miss the plane or their connecting flight gets delayed, what then? Does anybody know exactly what would happen?

Thanks
Debbie

 

[queenbee1127]

We have used car sears from rental car agencies in the past (Budget and Avis). The problems we had w/ them were:

- they were sooooo dirty
- they were infant sized (not the infant carriers, but the infant seats that can rear-face or forward face). Our 3.5 yo was way too big for them!

I definitely think it's better than nothing, but try to get some specifics about what seats they have if your child is a bit older!

This is why we're dragging along the booster seats.

 

[vic32]

Wew rent from Budget, and never had a dirty seat. So we are using them again. We are in room 6516. Early dining. Other than that we are only doing little sightseeing tours. Hard to find tours that work for little ones!. Besides we would like to spend time waling around looking at the shops! Have a great afternoon on the boards gotta go!

 

[queenbee1127]

LisaPisa - I think your girls will be adorable in their Christmas dresses. If you like it, that's what matters. I have a feeling there will be a wide range of dress out there! Kate will be wearing a more summery dress, but that's b/c she was a flower girl this summer and I want to get another use out of the darned dress!

Also, I sympathize w/ the great clothes try-on. I did the kids last weekend and most of their stuff fits. Unfortunately, I need some shorts. And they're hard to find in NY in January. UGH!

 

[mickeyfanatic3]

Hello Everyone!
My name is Tammy and I will be on the cruise with you along with my husband, 3 1/2 yr old dd, and 2 1/2 yr old dd. Anyone else with children close in age?? I'm wondering what excursions to book for us with them being so young. Also a big concern is car seats....please advise what everyone else is doing. Thanks!!!
Tammy
Buffalo, NY

We will be in cabin 7058 and will be flying in on 2/2 staying at Radisson at port canaveral. Anyone else staying there that night??

Tammy:

Welcome! I am cruising with my DD who turned three last July. Her name is Lauren. We are in cabin 6074. We planned on going out to the Butterfly farm in St. Marteen. We may go to the beach in St. Thomas - not definite yet. Also - as for car seats, she doesn't need one on the plane and the transfer bus doesn't have seat belts so we will not be bringing her booster seat. This will be her first time to not be in a booster seat.

Cathy
aka Mickey Fanatic

 

[mickeyfanatic3]

My daughter will be wearing dresses that I purchased right after Easter last year. Some are more formal and others are casual. I think that there will be a wide variety being worn.

I do want to remind everyone that the ship's dining room can get rather chilly and you may want to bring a sweater for your girls (and for yourselves).

Cathy

 

[Magicbound2007]

Hi Cathy,
I was thinking of the butterflies too....the kids love them. We will also be doing mostly beach things...although I thought the glass bottom boat tour would be nice for them...anyone doing that?

I have to call rental cars now...
Tammy

 

[Magicbound2007]

For formal night, my daughter wants to wear her Cinderella dress...is that appropriate, or is there another night I can let her wear it??

 

[gmark2000]

Tammy/Cathy/Debbie/Samantha/Vicky - Sounds like our kids will be hanging out together at the Oceaneers' Club!

Our stateroom is in the forward Deck 7 section. We have twin DDs who turned 4 just before Xmas and they love to dress up as Princesses (hence we'll probably be bringing their costumes). I read that many kids wear this costumes for the formal dinner so this is a definite possibility.

Last night we were having a mini-fashion show trying out which summer clothes still fit the kids. The challenge will be to not overpack since we know for sure that we'll be buying lots of souvenirs at WDW just before hand.

We've only booked the submarine on St.Thomas. We figured we'll enjoy all that CC has to offer and not tie up that day with an excursion. St. Maarten we'll do shopping and maybe take a taxi out to a beach. We've read that it's cheaper and less crowded if you take a taxi to the Butterfly Farm yourselves (this will be an option).

LisaPisa - Our TA was the one who informed us of the 8:30pm seating last March. Reading the thread about late seating and small kids, I think that we won't push for the early seating. It might work out - just hoping the kids don't get grumpy when they're overtired. (Another late seating thread.)

OKWmember - DTD for dinner is a possibility for Friday night!

 

[mickeyfanatic3]

For formal night, my daughter wants to wear her Cinderella dress...is that appropriate, or is there another night I can let her wear it??

We are packing Lauren's Aurora Dress (sleeping beauty) to be worn at the Pricess Tea which I believe is hosted by Wendy (Peter Pan). I heard that a lot of the girls wear them then. ixiedust:

Cathy

 

[mickeyfanatic3]

Hi Cathy,
I was thinking of the butterflies too....the kids love them. We will also be doing mostly beach things...although I thought the glass bottom boat tour would be nice for them...anyone doing that?

I have to call rental cars now...
Tammy

I originally picked the glass bottom boat tour until I read the Passporter's book. It said that the boat was overcrowded and that everyone was crowded around one glass window in the bottom. So - I skipped it!

Cathy

 

[MyLove4Disney]

We're staying at the Port Orleans Riverside for four nights prior to the DCL transfers taking us to PC on Saturday. I hope that they get us to the terminal early enough so that we can board early and get our Palo ressie.

Nevertheless, we'll be spending Friday at DTD shopping and eating.

The last two years I went on DCL, I stayed the night before at POR, great place. But I have to warn you, they didn't leave the hotel until just after noon. You get to port about 1:30 ish. But the good news is they pick up your lugage in your room by 8am at take it to the ship for you and it was in by our room before we got there. Great never had to wait for lugage. Have a great time.

Hey if you are going to DTD the night before eat at Fulton's Crab House it is an old paddle boat. Great food seafood and steaks. I acually liked it better than Palo, I guess cause I an not used to the fancy foods.

see ya on the ship

 

[gmark2000]

if you are going to DTD the night before eat at Fulton's Crab House it is an old paddle boat. Great food seafood and steaks.

Thanks for the recommendation. I went there in 2001 with corporate group on the VPs expense account. Probably one of the priciest meals I ever had because the execs ordered the best wines. $$$$

Last year DW and I went to Bongos for lunch and were very underwhelmed.


The 1:30pm arrival DCL transfer might not allow us have lunch on the boat .

We were hoping to have a good leisurely day on the boat before all the debarkation hub-bub. Oh well...

 

[tjeagle]

LisaPisa (and anyone else out there with DDs!!)
I thought my DD was the only one who was ready for the cruise...clothes wise...Well we tried her clothes on last weekend, and although her tops and dresses fit well, ALL of her shorts were too small! Went to the mall (again!) and hit the jackpot in Limited Too (no I'm not kidding!), in the back of the store on the clearance racks...we found 4 pairs of shorts for $4.99 each!!

We will be at the Radisson.....keep you eyes out for the green wristbands!!

 

[OKWMEMBER]

OKWmember - DTD for dinner is a possibility for Friday night!

Cool Beans!!! We will look forward to it!!!

HADD!!!

 

[weloveDCL]

we did the land and sea last year with the cruise being the last part of our trip. we didn't arrive til 1:30 either when taking the shuttle.. then we had to hustle.. up to the buffet (we were starving) and then the boat drill and then early seating. Everything was handled beautifully and went smooth but, we opted to not do that. We are arriving at the Orlando airport early Saturday am and have reserved a car service.. who will meet us in baggage claim and help us with our luggage.. we have a grocery store stop and should hopefully arrive at the ship around 11:00. We also opted for a late dinner. Mostly just a live and learn for us.