February 7, 2009 Western early check in!

[SeattleGirl]

Is anyone visiting the parks before the cruise? We're thinking we may have to schedule our trip on a different week because the Super Bowl is in Tampa the week before (just figured this out!). And on the theme parks board they are saying that the days before and after the super bowl are predicted to be a 9/10 on the crowd predictor. It is so hard to find weeks where there is no holiday!

 

[DizNutDad]

We stayed at AKL during the Super Bowl. We didn't see any crowd problems before or after (and even on Super Bowl Sunday) at any of the parks. I wouldn't be too concerned.

 

[SeattleGirl]

Thanks for the response!

Was it when the Super Bowl was last in Tampa? I'm worried about the proximity of the event...

 

[DizNutDad]

Good point. It was this year and the Super Bowl was in Arizona.

 

[cdnstitchfan]

Hi everyone,

I see there are a few new cruise members since the last time I checked in. Welcome Aboard !!!!!

Now that we are back from an excellent trip to Puerto Vallarta, it is time to start really thinking about what we are going to do on this cruise.

SeattleGirl, thanks for posting about the Superbowl, I hadn't even thought that it might be an issue. I guess the good thing is, we are not planning on visiting any of the theme parks this time around. For now just plan on spending time around the port and see what is there. Not sure yet what day we are going to arrive, but our selection on direct flights are limited...

 

[pgsahm2]

Welcome DizNutDad!

SeattleGirl, did you decide if you were sticking with the Feb 7 date? I thought about the timing after we'd already booked and that's why I went ahead and secured us a hotel as soon as I could. Within 2 weeks of each other there's two huge events in Florida. The Super Bowl and then the Daytona 500!!!! I'm hoping it does not affect us in anyway. I guess we'll survive either way...

cdnstitchfan, what kind of exciting things did you do in Puerto Vallarta? I'd love to escape to some consistent warm weather right now. So far the month of April has brought RAIN the entire time. It's depressing!

I've been reading through the Passporter the past few weeks and it's really added to my excitement for the trip. Especially reading the menus! lol

I feel like we need a name for our cruise. A lot of the cruise meets have these fun names... We need one too! Any ideas?

 

[SeattleGirl]

I'm sticking with this date. We don't want to go on the Eastern and I figure there are just competing holidays/events every other week. It's still the off season. Even if there is a rise in crowds for a day or two, it won't kill our trip. I am most worried about my mom and stepdad who will be arriving in WDW the day before the Super Bowl and will be totally confused (my mom hasn't been there since the early 70's). I don't want them to have a bad impression of WDW just because it's a "holiday" weekend.

 

[DizNutDad]

SeattleGirl...

If you and Antonio are looking to sit with a family of four again, we would be more than glad to have you join us. I hope to see you are the ship.

 

[SeattleGirl]

DizNutDad - Did I mention our dining woes before? Either that or you glanced at my trip report. Just so it doesn't seem all gloomy, we did actually have very nice dinner mates. We had late dining (I'm unsure as to whether we should do that again - soooo loong) and sat with two nice couples and then a single father and his child. We like having people to chat with! (though we seem to be the only ones because I read thread after thread with people trying to request tables alone...it's not so bad!)

 

[DizNutDad]

I did take a look at the trip report. Things seemed fun. Some people can be pretty stuffy and not just enjoy themselves.

Here's to making our trip great.

...For Everyone

 

[brinalyn530]

Hello everyone!

It only took four months and two registrations, but I am now finally able to post on the DIS! I have been lurking since before our last trip but there were some issues with my registration and I was able to view everything but not post. So glad that is finally fixed.

My family (Me, DS who will be 8, DMom, and DDad) will be cruising with you all in February. I took my son and my brother on the Land/Sea in January (looks like we just missed you on the Wonder SeattleGirl) and couldn't resist booking a seven day for next year while still onboard (I mean come on, 10% off + OBC, what a deal )l. I convinced my parents to come along with us this time since my brother will be immersed in college life at that point and I know my mom will just be in heaven on the Magic.

I am beyond excited - we were so rushed and exhausted from the parks by the time we got on the Wonder that we missed so much (or were just too cranky to enjoy it properly). I think the 7 day will give us a chance to really enjoy the ship and relax.

I would love for DS to join the kids' email group - I'll have to tell him about it tonight and see what he says. He didn't really enjoy the limited time he spent in the club last time and I think if he has some buddies beforehand it will be more fun.

I am also very excited about setting up a meet and fish extender exchange. We got to the port later than expected last time and missed our meet, but we all loved checking the fish extender when we got back to the room (and I loved shopping for the gifts to hand out). I was lucky to find a DISer on the CruiseCritic board who introduced me to everyone for the FE exchange - otherwise we would've missed out since I couldn't post.

Anyway, enough blabbering from me. Just wanted to finally say hello to everyone!

Take care,

S

 

[cdnstitchfan]

Welcome brinalyn530!!!

"cdnstitchfan, what kind of exciting things did you do in Puerto Vallarta? I'd love to escape to some consistent warm weather right now. So far the month of April has brought RAIN the entire time. It's depressing! "

Pgsahm2 we mainly relaxed by the pool on this trip. The weather was awesome.

The weather here is not great today, we had one of our freak snow storms this morning. Good thing I am an early bird and I was at work already.

A name for our group would be great, I am not that creative, so will have to think on it for awhile.

Has everyone booked hotels already for the nights they are going to be in the area before the cruise. I haven't got that far yet. I am considering staying near the port, we have spend much time around the area yet, checking things out. I think we will probably be coming in on the Wednesday night, we have limited direct flights from here and I don't like doing connecting flights.

Has any one started a thread for the kids yet?

 

[pgsahm2]

Welcome brinalyn! We've spoken on the cruisecritic board about this cruise! I have 3 boys who will be 9, 7 and just shy of 3 when we cruise.

cdnstitch, keep your snow! It's been in the 80s the last few days here. I love it! I've finally been able to get outside and work in the dirt again.

We booked the Country Inn & Suites for the Friday night before our trip. We'll be driving down from VA that day and only staying one night. We really just need a place to sleep and that's it. But the free breakfast and free parking at CI&S couldn't be beat.

300 days and counting!!!!!!!

 

[Paxton's Mom]

Hi everyone!

We did a four day in March 2007 and while onboard my mom and DD convinced my husband and me that we ABSOLUTELY had to book a seven day. (It didn't really take all that much convincing as we were all having a blast!) We booked a dummy res and rolled it over when the 2009 dates were released. I've held off on checking in on the DIS since I found myself spending WAY too much time reading posts before our last cruise. Glad to see all of you are already getting pumped up. I love the anticipation and planning but I make my family crazy.

It will be me, DH, DD9 and my mother, who will be celebrating her 60th b-day while on board. Just wanted to check in and say hi!

 

[DizNutDad]

Paxton's Mom,

Welcome on board.

Will your DD be 9 on the cruise or 9 now?
I will have our DD on and she'll be 9.

 

[Paxton's Mom]

Hi DizNutDad-

Paxton's Mom here. She will be 9 on the cruise (August b-day). She is in 3rd grade now and of course will be more than happy to miss a week of school next February.

 

[cdnstitchfan]

Figured we need to be bump up.

Welcome Aboard Paxton Mom's.

Finally we are having spring like weather. Hopefully the last of our snow is gone.

We have good news are party has just increased in size. There will be 16 of us in total. Kids ranging from 1 to 18. I think just in our party, we will have most age groups covered!!!

Still haven't decided where we are going to stay before the cruise. Any one else coming in early? We will probably arriving the Wednesday evening before. Planning on staying around Cocoa Beach. We haven't explored this area yet.

 

[pgsahm2]

Another bump. The Magic will soon be on its way to California and then it comes back to the East Coast for some plastic surgery. THEN just 5 months later we'll all be boarding!

I'm contemplating booking flights this weekend. We were originally going to drive but AirTran is running a coupon special through tomorrow and we can fly roundtrip for about $150 a person. HOWEVER that's guessing on the return flight because they haven't released the rates for Feb 14. I have my fingers crossed that maybe they'll release this tonight and we can book a cheapie flight.

 

[Billinaz]

Another bump. The Magic will soon be on its way to California and then it comes back to the East Coast for some plastic surgery. THEN just 5 months later we'll all be boarding!

I'm contemplating booking flights this weekend. We were originally going to drive but AirTran is running a coupon special through tomorrow and we can fly roundtrip for about $150 a person. HOWEVER that's guessing on the return flight because they haven't released the rates for Feb 14. I have my fingers crossed that maybe they'll release this tonight and we can book a cheapie flight.

I already booked ours. It was $350.00 each but we used $99 companion coupons and saved quite a bit!

 

[cdnstitchfan]

I already booked ours. It was $350.00 each but we used $99 companion coupons and saved quite a bit!

Companion coupons??? Do only certain airlines offer these? Am interested in finding out how I can save money.