February 19, 2011 Magic Western - Presidents of the Caribbean!

[wcw57]

Denise:

NICE LIST!

not many names on there but 21 people are enough to buy for....if we double the amount between now and cut-off date (when is the cut-off date?) we might consider dividing into groups so we won't go broke buying/making gifts.


QUESTION:

we made a payment towards the balance yesterday. Today I received an email with a "reservation confirmation"....it had all the exact same info as before (names, room, number, etc) but we now have been given a $25 OBC. Anybody else get the OBC? Whats this all about

I'm thankful for the credit but don't know why I have been chosen.....

 

[eggarstevens]

we got the $25 OBC when we first booked months back..

 

[mdezot]

Hello Everyone,

Since we are DCL newbies I have been trying to do as much research as possible. The FE exchanges sound great, but I need more info please. I tried to search FE guidelines and I got about 75 pages of how to make one. I want to know about protocol for the exchanges.....Do we bring one set of ___________ and distribute it at a certain time? Are they anonymous or are we supposed to state who they are from? I need to know HOW to participate. Expectations??Hints?? I don't want to mess this stuff up. Oh and what happens if someone gets upgraded or something and they are not in the room number that we have??? Thanks in advance. We are looking forward to a great trip.

 

[wcw57]

mdezot:

WELCOME!

as per FE:

you can make/buy anything at all you feel would be appropriate...that is, a box of crayons, a magnet, a Cadillac, even a hand-made replica of the Magic constructed from toothpicks and lint removed from your left sock

you may make/get all one type of thing (bearing in mind that it should be "unisex") or get different things for everyone.

you can participate for children only or for adults only or for both

(DENISE: ANY ADULTS?)

in short, you can do anything you want in any fashion you want....there is a thread where people show off their FE gifts....if I find it, I'll post it for you

I have an idea what I want to make but it may cost too much moohlah and my DGD is supposed to help me BUT that probably won't happen

you can let people know that the gift was from you (name tag) or not....up to you

I personally plan to deliver a few FE gifts each day....we have a week to do it and that way I can explore more of the ship and won't have to carry around a large bag of goodies like some deranged Santa who is running 2 months late

anyhow.....there will be more info flying on this meet board soon, I am sure....

please post any questions and we'll see who has answers...

of course, I've been posting a LOT of questions with very few responses over the past few months.

Thanks for the info regarding the OBC, by the way, Egg!

 

[maronvin]

ok- so in btwn Bdays, Grads, Vacas, and the rest of the summer craziness- I have locked myself in my cool basement on this 100 degree day!!!!!!!!

Here is a tenative list of what we have so far:-- keep in mind I will add rm numbers as I get them. Please let me know what else needs to be included-- again first cruise, first FE- so I need help!!!--I still need names from some of you.....Also it looks like the majority wants only a kids FE- am I correct???-- also what is the age cut off for kids? 16?? 18 ?

11 Girls
10 Boys

Please note/ck ages at time of sailing--Please let me know who is missing!!!!- and what changes are needed!
G-girl B-boy

Emma (8) G
Brendan(5) B
Julianna (6) G
Tatum(10) G
Lauren(6) G
Spencer Age?? B
Luke(9) B
Owen(6) B
Kylie(8) G
Skylar(7) G
Finnley(4) G
Camden(almost 3) B
Tony(14) B
A's Princesses-- names?--G- (7) -B- (10)
Joseph(9) B
Vincent(7) B
Jacob(10) B
Elise(9) G
Maya(6) G
Morgan(3) G

Denise,

Can you please add Nicholas (9) and Brianna (9) to the list, it's also their first cruise and they'll be staying right next to us, I believe in room 6060.

We just got off the plane from Turks and Caicos last night and couldn't believe how hot it was here, then went home to a broken AC. So we were locked in the basement too!

As for transportation to the hotel that someone asked about, there is a company that advertises on the WDWINFO site that is about half the price of the Disney shuttle. As for hotel shuttles to the port, my wife looked into it a few months back and many of them had shuttles for a $5 fee, just check with whatever hotel you plan on booking in first.

Vinnie

 

[nemofans]

Denise,

Can you please add Nicholas (9) and Brianna (9) to the list, it's also their first cruise and they'll be staying right next to us, I believe in room 6060.

We just got off the plane from Turks and Caicos last night and couldn't believe how hot it was here, then went home to a broken AC. So we were locked in the basement too!

As for transportation to the hotel that someone asked about, there is a company that advertises on the WDWINFO site that is about half the price of the Disney shuttle. As for hotel shuttles to the port, my wife looked into it a few months back and many of them had shuttles for a $5 fee, just check with whatever hotel you plan on booking in first.

Vinnie

We were there last month! Isn't it so beautiful there!!!

 

[mdezot]

Thanks WCW57.

That was very helpful. So we can drop off a few at a time. That is good to know. I also had an image of running around the ship- probably on an at sea day- trying to find everyone's rooms. It would have been a good bit of exercise though.

 

[eggarstevens]

we would be fine in adult participation if others were up for it!!

 

[DENISEES]

marovin=I will add those name to the list!--- I am up for adults too- so lets see what everyone else wants--- let's hear from the rest of you! We are leaving for T & C- in 2 weeks- how funny!-- Did anyone stay at Beaches? We went a few years back now bringing the little man... it has the most beautiful water/sand I have ever seen ---I hope Castaway Cay is similar!!!! I am guessing it will be HOT - but hey 104 yesterday-99 here today-- we are ready for it!

 

[nemofans]

We did! Loved it! You are right, the ocean is beautiful! So clear. It will be hot, but you have plenty of pools & the ocean to keep you cool. My boys loved everything about Beaches. A stingray swam by DH & DS while they were standing in the ocean near the shore. DS was so excited.
Oh, there was this dessert at Barefoot By the Sea that was unbelievable. It was a passion fruit mousse w/homemade strawberry ice cream. WOW!
We also did a semi submarine ride that was amazing. The boys were able to see ocean life w/o having to know how to snorkel.
You'll have a great time!

 

[wcw57]

DENISE:



looks like its time to start the adult FE list, too.....


FOR THOSE OF YOU ON PARTICIPATING IN ANY FE:

list names, ages at time of cruise (not so important for adults), and ROOM NUMBER!!!!!

 

[wcw57]

we will be doing children only, Denise!

Many thanks for all you've done!

 

[DENISEES]

NEMO-- I have to ask you more questions about T & C!!!!-- first thanks for the dessert tip!!! What did you think about the New Italian Village?? They were just building it when we were there 2 yrs ago.....Where did you do the semi- sub ride??-- off site I am assuming?- so can I book it through the conceirge at Beaches?-- my DDS & DS would love it!!-- very into "sea creatures" right now- for some reason.....- we are even having LIVE "Nemos- and some of the other live fish including a "Mr. Ray" touch pool- for my DDs
7th bday party when we get back.....should be saving more $$ for this cruise instead..... but I think it is perfect for her Sea Creature Party!!!
thanks for the help!!!
And WCW- I will work on the adults FE--- dont you want a little something??-- perhaps with a little bit of pixie dust a fairy will surprise you!?

 

[wcw57]

i am an old-school old f-rt who would feel guilty if i received but did not give.....

what about hotels at PC? anyone? anyone? bueller? anyone?

 

[A's Princess]

We are going to opt out of the FE. Thanks for organizing it Denise! Have fun at Beaches - good friends of ours go every year and rave about it.

Bueller here. In terms of hotels at PC we have reservation at Country Inn & Suites but am shopping around for a better price. Hotwire has a 2 1/2 star hotel (assuming its CI&S) for $73 per night for 2/17 & 2/18. There is a 3 star for $101.15 per night and I am guessing it is the Radisson. We are applying for DH & the kids' passports this afternoon (rumor mill has the prices going up Monday) and we just got hit with a big bill to fix our AC so I am not booking the hotel this month. Next month (8/17 to be exact) Southwest opens up reservations for Feb 2011 so I'll hopefully get a good deal on our flights So we will probably do the rental car and hotel in Sept.

 

[nemofans]

NEMO-- I have to ask you more questions about T & C!!!!-- first thanks for the dessert tip!!! What did you think about the New Italian Village?? They were just building it when we were there 2 yrs ago.....Where did you do the semi- sub ride??-- off site I am assuming?- so can I book it through the conceirge at Beaches?-- my DDS & DS would love it!!-- very into "sea creatures" right now- for some reason.....- we are even having LIVE "Nemos- and some of the other live fish including a "Mr. Ray" touch pool- for my DDs
7th bday party when we get back.....should be saving more $$ for this cruise instead..... but I think it is perfect for her Sea Creature Party!!!
thanks for the help!!!
And WCW- I will work on the adults FE--- dont you want a little something??-- perhaps with a little bit of pixie dust a fairy will surprise you!?

We stayed in the Italian Village & it was very nice. We used that pool the whole time. Yes, the sub ride was off site. You need to book it thru concierge. Actually, the owner of the sub told me they have an agreement thru Beaches that all bookings need to be done thru Beaches, not them directly. The shuttle picks you up at Beaches & takes you to the dock (about 10 min ride). We saw lots of different size fish, sea turtles, barracudas, puffer fish, & coral. A really nice husband & wife from New Zealand run the tour.
Sounds like a great party! Is it at a location?
Let me know if you have any other questions!

 

[vavalynn2]

I have been very absent on these boards recently, but am getting excited about our upcoming cruise!

We, DH and I, will opt out of the FE. It is a lot of fun for kids (even though we are kids at heart) and I will likely be overwhlemed and stuggle with getting all of our stuff to fit in the suit cases.

I see some chatter about the night before the cruise. We will likely stay at the Hyatt at MCO. I have a voucher that I have not used yet (we were booked for this past Feb, but transferred our ressie to 2011).

I wonder what people are doing for transportation? I have a budget rental car booked for each Saturday 56.03 for the 19th and 71.19 for the 26th. We like to have the freedom to stop, or should I say we like to have the freedom to go to a store on the way (on our first and only cruise, DH forgot his contacts at home- this was before we had a GPS and it was a struggle to find a lens crafters, and buy some contacts then make the boat!! )

Excited and can't wait! A great group and I can oin the teacher list, well, sort of, since I am a school counselor. We chose this week since I had the week off.

 

[nemofans]

We will also stay at Hyatt MCO the night b4. Then we will take DCL bus to port. I don't want to have to deal w/car seats.

 

[maronvin]

Beaches was great, the boys tried to get us to rebook for next year but we already have the cruise planned and we do Lake George every year. While you're standing on Beaches property looking out at the water about 500' to your right there is a reef you can walk to. Just grab your snorkeling gear from the office near the all the water activies. Don't miss it and don't waste your money on the Kitty Kat, the snorkeling was just as good right off the beach. Enjoy the trip!

 

[maronvin]

Beaches was great, the boys tried to get us to rebook for next year but we already have the cruise planned and we do Lake George every year. While you're standing on Beaches property looking out at the water about 500' to your left there is a reef you can walk to. Just grab your snorkeling gear from the office near the all the water activies. Don't miss it and don't waste your money on the Kitty Kat, the snorkeling was just as good right off the beach. Enjoy the trip!

Sorry, if you are looking out at the water the reef is to your left.