February 16, 2008 - 7 night Eastern

[kcashner]

We also have a hotel near the airport because we are flying down after school on Friday. When we get in late, my only requirements are that it is clean and safe. The fact that we have a free shuttle (between MCO and hotel) and breakfast is a bonus. We got the hotel for $36 on Priceline (total with taxes, fees, etc. was $46)

 

[Sandaneli]

We used Hotwire and got a room at the Wingate Inn at the Airport for 4 for $117.47 for 2 nights also includes breakfast and shuttle service. Airfare was outrageous! By flying on Thursday we saved $400.00 and it gives us extra time in case of snow. We are flying from Boston so in Feb that is a possibility.

We leave 3 weeks from tonight!!!!

 

[Jodijo]

We booked rooms 6643 and 6641 from the beginning. We wanted rooms next to each other, we're travelling with teenagers but couldn't get connecting rooms. We like to be near the small deck on the 7th floor it's great in the morning and there is a staircase from 6 to 7 so the access is quick. There weren't any rooms available on the 7th floor when we booked.

We didn't take the kids with us on the Med cruise and booked this one out of pure guilt while in the Med last August by then there wasn't much left to pick from and since we wanted rooms next to each other we weren't willing to take a chance on not being together. I'm worried enough about the rooms not being connnected.


Sandra

We are in the same boat (so to speak)! We are in 2 rooms on the 6th floor. I am nervous about the kids being next door to us. I guess we will have to lay down some rules when we get on the ship.

Also, we have no excursions planned either. I was wondering if others took cruises and stayed on the ship like we do. I love being on the ship when it is not very crowded. Also, it seems like there are so many things to do on the ship that I don't want to leave.

20 days until we start our vacation!

 

[Sandaneli]

We are in the same boat (so to speak)! We are in 2 rooms on the 6th floor. I am nervous about the kids being next door to us. I guess we will have to lay down some rules when we get on the ship.

Also, we have no excursions planned either. I was wondering if others took cruises and stayed on the ship like we do. I love being on the ship when it is not very crowded. Also, it seems like there are so many things to do on the ship that I don't want to leave.

20 days until we start our vacation!

We were thinking of bringing an intercom so we can hear what is going on next door. On our last cruise I woke up at 2:30 am to find my son was not in our room. After a search of the ship I found him talking to friends in the elevator lobby on the 10th floor. They were not misbehaving and a crew member was nearby but I was quite nervous not knowing where he was at that hour. The teen activities end at about 1:30 am but the kids are on their own to get back to their rooms or not. We will be setting the rules but I'd feel much more comfortable if the rooms were connected.

We probably won't be getting off the ship either. We also like the quiet of the ship when it's less crowded.

What rooms are you in? We are on the 6th floor too.

We leave in 20 days

Sandra

 

[Wachsdds]

We are in the same boat (so to speak)! We are in 2 rooms on the 6th floor. I am nervous about the kids being next door to us. I guess we will have to lay down some rules when we get on the ship.

Also, we have no excursions planned either. I was wondering if others took cruises and stayed on the ship like we do. I love being on the ship when it is not very crowded. Also, it seems like there are so many things to do on the ship that I don't want to leave.

20 days until we start our vacation!

We were fortunate to get connected rooms because our kids are very young DS8,DS5,DS2, and DD7 months. How old are your kids. On our past cruises I have seen the teens up on deck dancing to the music or in one of the clubs well after midnight. They were being supervised my cast members. I thought it looked like a lot of fun. I wished I had activities like this when I was a kid traveling with my parents. As for the separate rooms, you know your own kids as far as how strict the rules have to be!!! I haven't set formal excursions. We did rent a car for St. Maarten to explore on our own. Counting down the days until the warmth. It was 9 degrees this morning when I got into my car. BRRRR!!

 

[kcashner]

Teen activities end at 1:30am on most nights. Yes, they are on their own to get back to their cabins (or roam the ship.) One night, DD "explored" on her own--she just wanted to see what went on after everyone was asleep. The funny part was that a security officer was following her. She stopped and asked him if he was, and he said that he was "just doing my job." She laughed and said that it seemed like his job was to follow her. She added that she loves the Magic and no one needs to worry about her doing anything bad--and he said that part of his job was to keep her safe! I loved it. The funny thing is that this was on a cruise a couple years ago...before the one where DD did have a security detail.

The counselors from The Stack supervise any organized activities (which do take place in other locations sometimes) until 1:30, after that, the kids are on their own.

DCL will issue you a "mom key" so that you can get into the kid's cabin. Another thought is a baby monitor so that you can hear what's happening in there.

We have no excursions planned. We've done so many Easterns that if we decide to leave the ship, we are comfortable on our own. We'll probably just enjoy the Magic!

 

[durango kid]

We haven't seen Enchanted yet. It is one of the things we are looking forward to. Also the new National Treasure Movie and the Hannah Montana Concert if it's available. IT comes out on Feb 1st so it might be.

Sandra

When I checked the movies a couple of weeks ago I was told the Hannah Montana concert movie will NOT be shown onboard, as it is 3D.

I was able to get tickets for my daughter and two of her friends to see the Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus concert. She will be in Orlando on the 28th and the 29th. I suprised the girls with them. I was planning on selling them on Ebay, but I figured, for once in my life I might be the cool parent. The only down side is that I have to go with them.

 

[Sandaneli]

When I checked the movies a couple of weeks ago I was told the Hannah Montana concert movie will NOT be shown onboard, as it is 3D.

I was able to get tickets for my daughter and two of her friends to see the Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus concert. She will be in Orlando on the 28th and the 29th. I suprised the girls with them. I was planning on selling them on Ebay, but I figured, for once in my life I might be the cool parent. The only down side is that I have to go with them.

DurangoKid, welcome back,
I'm sorry to hear about Hannah Montana not being on the cruise. I don't see why being 3D makes any difference, the film runs the same you just need the special glasses. They could put them in the cabin as a special gift. Oh well, there are enough other things to do anyway.

Only 20 more days
and we'll be in the warm weather too.

Sandra

 

[durango kid]

Glad to be back!!

I was on a ski trip to West Virginia, as a chaperone for the church youth group. Twelve hours on a bus full of teenagers

It did remind me of one of the big reasons for moving to Florida...the rest of the planet is freezing!! It was nice to come home to find my cabin had be assigned, no upgrade, but there is still hope I guess. We will be in the last cabin before the officers quarters, so, in theory it should be quiet.

 

[kcashner]

Three weeks from now I will be on the Disney Magic!!! I brought my snorkel gear up from the basement today. Guess that counts as starting to get ready.

I really can't wait. I'm tired of cold, no sun, etc. And the water isn't fixed yet although they are bringing the supervisor and the whole crew out on Monday morning (I've been the squeaky wheel!)

 

[dad2kids]

We are also a family of Canadians getting away from the weather. We are turning into BIG Disney fans after our first trip to Disneyland last year. This is our first cruise and very excited! Weather is cold and windy here in Calgary, Alberta and we are all counting the days! Family of 4, 2 boys 10 and 9. We are in rooms 6131 and 6133. The message board has been great information. Anyone near us? We would love to meet some other families.

20 days and counting!!!

 

[sisterpate]

We are also a family of Canadians getting away from the weather. We are turning into BIG Disney fans after our first trip to Disneyland last year. This is our first cruise and very excited! Weather is cold and windy here in Calgary, Alberta and we are all counting the days! Family of 4, 2 boys 10 and 9. We are in rooms 6131 and 6133. The message board has been great information. Anyone near us? We would love to meet some other families.

20 days and counting!!!

I love Canada. My husband lived in Quebec for 18 mons and 6 months in Nova Scotia when he served a mission for our church. I was fortunate to have two work trips to Ottawa and stayed for a total of 1 month. While there I explored the capital, and spent some time in Quebec being a tourist. Doesn't matter where, just as long as I eventually go back. We had very good friends from your neck of the woods. They were an older couple and passed away awhile ago. The husband was from Lethbridge and they lived there for a number of years as a family before moving to UT. (She was originally from Toronto.)

Looking forward to meeting you and your family on board!

Renée

 

[sisterpate]

Several of you got great deals in FL. We did not fair so well. Our room with tax is about $180. Luckily free shuttle to/from airport + breakfast. Since we are splitting the cost, I can deal with it.

For those of you who have stayed by the airport before, then went back to get on the Disney shuttle, where do you go? Last time I sailed my husband and I stayed in the airport, so we just basically had to go down the elevator and walk about 25 yards.

Can't wait to sail. I only lost 5 of the 15 I was hoing to before sailing. Maybe if I am lucky, I will lose another 5 befoe we set sail. Of course, all I am doing is deciding which food I want to eat this time so I am sure all that was lost will be found before I return home.

TTYS,
Renée

 

[kcashner]

Renee:
When you return to the airport to catch the DCL bus, you go the the Magical Express desk on the lower level.

$180 for a room by the airport, not the Hyatt? DId you try Priceline or Hotwire? You're paying 4 times as much as we are, and we also have complimentary shuttle and breakfast.

I'm seriously starting to count the days....

Let's plan on the DIS meeting about 3 pm by the Goofy pool Starboard side. Is that OK with everyone as a meeting time/site? That way, the kids can be in the pool if they wish.

Home Depot has paint samples shaped like Mickey--you can pick up some of the green ones and use them as nametags. I don't know why, but lime green is the unofficial color of the disboard cruisers.

 

[Sandaneli]

We are also a family of Canadians getting away from the weather. We are turning into BIG Disney fans after our first trip to Disneyland last year. This is our first cruise and very excited! Weather is cold and windy here in Calgary, Alberta and we are all counting the days! Family of 4, 2 boys 10 and 9. We are in rooms 6131 and 6133. The message board has been great information. Anyone near us? We would love to meet some other families.

20 days and counting!!!

Welcome,
We are also a family of 4 (DD13 and DS16) and have rooms right around the corner from you 6641 and 6643. Try to make it to the Dismeet at 3pm on the starboard side near the goofy pool. That way you'll get to meet some of the people on this thread.
My family is from Cranbrook BC, we sometimes fly out of Calgary. It's quite a drive but there aren't too many places in the world as beautiful as on those roads.

Is this your first cruise? This board is full of great information and helpful ideas for making your Disney Cruise the best it can be.

We are counting the days, we leave in 18 days

 

[AlfreNY]

We also have a hotel near the airport because we are flying down after school on Friday. When we get in late, my only requirements are that it is clean and safe. The fact that we have a free shuttle (between MCO and hotel) and breakfast is a bonus. We got the hotel for $36 on Priceline (total with taxes, fees, etc. was $46)

One thing about the Radisson at the Port that works for us is the fact that they let you park for the whole week for free. If we park at the port we'll have to pay $10 dollars a day... That's $80 + tax. We are paying $139.00 +tax. Paying the difference is not a bad deal for a Radisson Resort. Besides, if you get up early on Saturday you will be able to see the Magic arriving to the port...
... TO PICK US UP!!
Anyway, we are also counting the days, it is really hard to keep this trip a secret to our DD, I'm ready to burst!

Have a happy week everyone!

Alfredo

 

[durango kid]

I'm seriously starting to count the days....

Let's plan on the DIS meeting about 3 pm by the Goofy pool Starboard side. Is that OK with everyone as a meeting time/site? That way, the kids can be in the pool if they wish.

I will be there, I am sooo looking forward to meeting all of you! My wife made me do some shopping for the cruise this weekend. She's already packed . We also stopped into Epcot for about two hours yesterday, just long enough to see Turtle Talk and visit the manatees. We walked over to Japan and had a little bit of lunch. The only place in th ewhole park that was crowded was Space Ship Earth, the line was CRAZY LONG, but that always happens when an old ride gets an update.

Taking the girls to the Hannah Montana concert tonight...wish me luck.

 

[Wachsdds]

I will be there, I am sooo looking forward to meeting all of you! My wife made me do some shopping for the cruise this weekend. She's already packed . We also stopped into Epcot for about two hours yesterday, just long enough to see Turtle Talk and visit the manatees. We walked over to Japan and had a little bit of lunch. The only place in th ewhole park that was crowded was Space Ship Earth, the line was CRAZY LONG, but that always happens when an old ride gets an update.

Taking the girls to the Hannah Montana concert tonight...wish me luck.

Good Luck tonight. My DD is only 8 months old. I am not sure if I could say I am looking forward to taking her to the tweeny events. We will have to see how much she wraps me around her finger. She is off to a good start!!!

 

[Sandaneli]

I will be there, I am sooo looking forward to meeting all of you! My wife made me do some shopping for the cruise this weekend. She's already packed . We also stopped into Epcot for about two hours yesterday, just long enough to see Turtle Talk and visit the manatees. We walked over to Japan and had a little bit of lunch. The only place in th ewhole park that was crowded was Space Ship Earth, the line was CRAZY LONG, but that always happens when an old ride gets an update.

Taking the girls to the Hannah Montana concert tonight...wish me luck.

Durango Kid, how was the concert? It's hard enough watching the tv show I can't imagine thousands of teeny boppers screaming at the same time. I'm sure your daughter appreciated you taking her.

Only 17 more days til we are in Sunny Florida

 

[kcashner]

I started really packing today--getting out the Disney t-shirts to decide what to take, etc. Not long till we see some sun!