FEBRUARY 14, 2009 (very early roll-call!)

[Dino-000]

This is my first post and I hope I don't mess things up. We are on this cruise. The three of us. myself 46, wife 32, and our beautiful 8 year old daughter are going on the Eastern Feb 14th. This is our 4th Disney cruise. We always do the western but had to reschedule so we are doing the Eastern. I know we will have a good time. How can you not when your sailing on the Disney. I was just hoping to meet a few people on the board so when we are on the ship it could even be more fun

 

[disnutt]

I'm trying to catch up with everyone.

Purtypat1- My sympathy for you and your family on the death of your father. My prayers are with you.

Jodijo- Congratulations on completing your degree!

Dino-000-Welcome to the group!

LovesDCL-

My MIL does have cancer. She's having more tests. Waiting for a bone scan to see if she can start radiation or what. My DH isn't the best about relaying information. I need to talk to her to get the whole story.

We're still hoping we can cruise. I guess our final decision will have to be made soon. I've got to say that bounceback deal is going to make this decision harder!

On a happier note- my DD and I completed the Tower of Terror run last week! We had a great time doing it. I was so proud of DD because I thought the late night time of the race would be a problem for her but she was so excited. Our time for the 8 miles was 1:43. I figured we would finish in 1:45 so we beat our goal! Now she wants to do it again-faster-next year!

 

[PURTYPAT1]

I'm trying to catch up with everyone.

Purtypat1- My sympathy for you and your family on the death of your father. My prayers are with you.

Jodijo- Congratulations on completing your degree!

Dino-000-Welcome to the group!

LovesDCL-

My MIL does have cancer. She's having more tests. Waiting for a bone scan to see if she can start radiation or what. My DH isn't the best about relaying information. I need to talk to her to get the whole story.

We're still hoping we can cruise. I guess our final decision will have to be made soon. I've got to say that bounceback deal is going to make this decision harder!

On a happier note- my DD and I completed the Tower of Terror run last week! We had a great time doing it. I was so proud of DD because I thought the late night time of the race would be a problem for her but she was so excited. Our time for the 8 miles was 1:43. I figured we would finish in 1:45 so we beat our goal! Now she wants to do it again-faster-next year!

Will keep you DML in our prayers

Congrats on your Tower of Terror!!! Yesterday was NYC & it seemed like everyone I know were running.

Dino-000-Welcome

grizbuzz I called my travel agent, & she was able to apply. Maybe we'll do a quickie 3 day cruise next Nov "Jersey week"

Can you believe it's only a few more weeks till Thanksgiving

 

[grizbuzz]

This is my first post and I hope I don't mess things up. We are on this cruise. The three of us. myself 46, wife 32, and our beautiful 8 year old daughter are going on the Eastern Feb 14th. This is our 4th Disney cruise. We always do the western but had to reschedule so we are doing the Eastern. I know we will have a good time. How can you not when your sailing on the Disney. I was just hoping to meet a few people on the board so when we are on the ship it could even be more fun

Welcome Dino-OOO!

disnutt--many healthy wishes to your MIL

Just wanted to remind everyone about the gift exchange. If you're not signed up and want to sign up, let me know.
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=26378362&postcount=296

We got our packet in the mail today. I'm not sure if I'm going to sign up for any excursions. I'm thinking we just may take taxis to beaches on St. Marteen and St. Thomas.

Now just have to pay off the remainder of the cruise, and we'll be good to go!

 

[Jodi]

Hey all!

Kiena - Sorry to hear about your MIL, hopefully all will be well. Congrats to you & DD for finishing ToT! Was it a blast?

Welcome to Dino!!!

Grizz - I know what you mean about the excursions...may just beach it!

Patty - RU planning away?

Hi to all others. OK, we're all paid off (Disney Reward Points ) and I'm now debating excursion, Rainforest room pass, formal night, etc. Anyone think missing formal night would be terrible? The DH is SO not into it . Also, is Palo open every day? Not sure how this works?

Any suggestions would be appreciated, as this is our first 7 nighter!!

 

[lovesDCL]

Hey all!

Hi to all others. OK, we're all paid off (Disney Reward Points ) and I'm now debating excursion, Rainforest room pass, formal night, etc. Anyone think missing formal night would be terrible? The DH is SO not into it . Also, is Palo open every day? Not sure how this works?

Any suggestions would be appreciated, as this is our first 7 nighter!!

hi Jodi!
i don't think missing formal night is terrible... if you both are not going to enjoy it i say find an alternative that makes you both happy!

Palo is open for dinner every night...below are the time options available:
2/14: 6:30pm, 7pm, 7:30pm, 8pm, and 8:30pm
2/15-19: 6pm, 7pm, 7:30pm, 8pm, 8:30pm, and 9pm
2/20: 6pm, 7pm, 7:30pm, 8pm, and 8:30pm

Palo Brunch is only on sea days:
2/15, 2/16, & 2/19: 10:30am, 11am, and 11:30am

Palo High Tea is also only on sea days:
2/15, 2/16, & 2/19: 3pm only

we also got the Rainforest pass and can't wait to use it! i love it in there i suffer from OCPD (obsessive compulsive planning disorder ) and have already scheduled "rainforest time" into each possible day

hope this helps a bit and good luck with all the planning !

Booking went well! Here's what we got!
Day 1: Pedicure
Day 2: Spa Villa for Two
Day 3: Palo Brunch
Day 4: Golden Eagle Excursion
Day 5: Helmet Dive Excursion
Day 6: Rasul & Palo High Tea
Day 7: Wave Runner Excursion, Couples Cabana Massage, & Palo dinner

good luck with the planning all!

 

[lovesDCL]

I'm trying to catch up with everyone.

Purtypat1- My sympathy for you and your family on the death of your father. My prayers are with you.

Jodijo- Congratulations on completing your degree!

Dino-000-Welcome to the group!

LovesDCL-

My MIL does have cancer. She's having more tests. Waiting for a bone scan to see if she can start radiation or what. My DH isn't the best about relaying information. I need to talk to her to get the whole story.

We're still hoping we can cruise. I guess our final decision will have to be made soon. I've got to say that bounceback deal is going to make this decision harder!

On a happier note- my DD and I completed the Tower of Terror run last week! We had a great time doing it. I was so proud of DD because I thought the late night time of the race would be a problem for her but she was so excited. Our time for the 8 miles was 1:43. I figured we would finish in 1:45 so we beat our goal! Now she wants to do it again-faster-next year!

hi disnutt, sorry to hear about your MIL...been keeping her and your family in my prayers

great to hear about your TOT run

hope you and your family are still able to make the cruise

 

[Wachsdds]

I am thinking of the plans for Palo etc. I forgot which nights are Pirate night, dessert showcase and the captain's dinner. Does anybody remember which nights?

 

[Jodi]

Thanks for all the info, DCL! Man, sounds like you're all set! Tell me about his Rassul thing???
What's best, Palo dinner or Palo brunch??? What night is formal night? Maybel we'll book Palo then & let the kids fend for themselves .

Wachsdds - I have no idea when Pirate night is, or anything else, if that's not obvious enough from the above query

 

[lovesDCL]

Per Passporter and past navigators, this is what the rotational dining looks like:

Saturday: Cruise Casual, regular rotation menu
Parrot Cay: Island Dinner
Lumière's: French Dinner
Animator's Palate: Show Dinner

Sunday: Formal Night,
The navigator from 10/11/08 Eastern says dinner menu is Golden Mickey's
2008 Pasporter says dinner is from the regular rotation menu so

Monday: Cruise Casual, regular rotation menu

Tuesday: Pirate Night, dinner menu is Pirate Dinner

Wednesday: Cruise Casual,
Master Chef dinner menu per Passporter, but did not see thing on the
10/11/08 navigator but then again their schedule was altered due to
the weather, so again

Thursday: Semi-Formal, dinner menu is Captain's Gala menu

Friday: Cruise Casual, dinner menu is 'Til We Meet Again menu

I am waiting for people to post navigators from the Eastern that leaves this Saturday 11/08/08 and I will update the questionable nights when they do

As for the Dessert Showcase, I'm not really sure, but they generally have a dessert buffet on Pirate Night starting around 10:45pm and sometimes there is a Gala Dessert Buffet in Lumière's on the last sea night which starts at around 11:15pm (all this info per Passporter)

Palo Brunch vs. Palo Dinner
I've never done brunch so I can't say how good it is but from ALOT of reading i've done people say this is not to be missed. I've done dinner right as the sun was setting and the view was beautiful and the dinner was far better than in any of the dining rooms. If you can, I say do both!

Hope this is not too much info let me know if i can help with anything else

 

[PURTYPAT1]

I've done both, it seems like Palo dinner is very fancy, & the brunch is more casual. I also did High Tea (I think that is what it is called) That was fun & casual.

Jodi, my DD girlfriend & her Mom might join us on this cruise. I have been busy planning for them, getting prices. The more the better

Does anyone know the date that Castaway members can book?

 

[lovesDCL]

Tell me about his Rassul thing???

so we haven't done the rasul but have read many good things about it!

but the official description per Passporter is the following:
"This unique treatment is inspired by the Rasul cleansing rituals performed by the Sultan's harems during the Ottoman Empire. You are escorted to the tile-lined ritual chamber, which is a suite with a sitting area, steam room, and shower. Exfoliating mud is in a small bowl-smear the mud on yourself or on each other (if you are with a friend) and relax in the steam room to absorb the minerals and trace elements from the mud. Afterward, shower off and apply complimentary lotions and scrubs. This is very popular with couples...Be warned that it does get very hot..."

one particularly entertaining description is by Erica author of Geeks on a Boat! and the other "Geek" reports (very good reading )
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=14450671&postcount=28
(note: that the gift that she mentions is not the norm and i've read not to expect it )

hope this is useful!

 

[lovesDCL]

Does anyone know the date that Castaway members can book?

I believe it is November 16th

 

[PURTYPAT1]

one particularly entertaining description is by Erica author of Geeks on a Boat! and the other "Geek" reports (very good reading )
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=14450671&postcount=28
(note: that the gift that she mentions is not the norm and i've read not to expect it )

hope this is useful!

I just read above, how funny

Thanks for the date

 

[lovesDCL]

I just read above, how funny

Thanks for the date

no problem! glad you enjoyed it!

 

[Jodi]

OMGosh!! That was SO funny . Thanks, DCL. NO WAY will my husband go for that, he's WAY too shy! He would DIE of embarassement. . I could always trick him into it, though....hmmmmm .
The Rainforest Room is a communal room though, right? There are usually people in there all the time, correct? Anyone think it's worth it? I've never been in there before.

Patty - That'd be SO cool if your DD friend & mom came along!! What a BLAST! Is the food different for Palo brunch & dinner? Maybe brunch would be better so the kids don't feel like we're totally dumping them . Not that they'd care .

 

[Jodijo]

Congrats on both Jodijo!!!

enjoy the planning!

I just wanted to thank everyone for your support and congratulations. It means a lot to me.

Time to party (in Feb.) !!!

 

[lovesDCL]

so i guess i won't know about those nights i was unsure about the dinner menu since this saturday's sailing has been changed to a western itinerary due to the weather... i hope all those people still have an amazing cruise on the new route!

 

[Dino-000]

It's nice to hear from people that enjoy Disney as much as my family. This is our fourth DCL cruise. We cruise a lot, but our DD enjoys the fresh water pool and the characters, so we try to make her happy...It is all about her . I find Palo at nigh to be more like classic cruise dinning. The way it used to be. I remember on the first cruise I ever when on everybody dressed for dinner and it was more elegant. Times have changed. . The industry has really changed over the years. For those that has been on the ship before how do you find the food?

 

[suzct]

Airfare is just not cooperating so we are changing plans. May stay at the GF club level the first week of Feb. Will save over $2000 and fulfill a dream of always staying at GF. Have a great time everyone. MAybe we'll try for the new ships in 2010.

Suzct