ideas and must do"s for 7dayEastern

[mickeyworld]

Okay, I am only a year away and have to start planning my next cruise. We did the 4 day and now are getting to plan a 7 day trip in March(Eastern). I need to start somewhere, what excursions are amust do- withor without Disney connections!
Any specific things for a 10 and 14 year old? Mom is traveling solo. Can't wait to hear from you all!

 

[kcashner]

Just back from 2/7 Eastern Magic as a solo mom with 13 year old. The Stack was a big hit. The Wild Side excursion and the "Gotcha" game were the best according to DD. The Golden Mickeys was great.

We've done the Eastern several times, so do excursions on our own. Consider taking a cab to the Butterfly farm on St. Maarten. It's much less crowded away from the DCL group. Go about 1/2 -1 hour later than the excursion. Butterflies are more active in the morning.

On St. Thomas, we liked Coral World and Coki beach (they are across a parking lot from each other. Again, when you get off the boat, go to the tourist info center and pick up their freebie magazine. it has a coupon for discount admission. Just take a cab from there. Bring towels from the beach.

A BIG hint with a 10 year old. DCL considers your child an "adult" for cost purposes at age 10. Most places on land will consider her an adult at 12 or 13. Thus, you save a small fortune by doing excursions on your own--you'll pay child's rates on your own. Thru DCL, you will pay adult rates plus the DCL surcharge.

Also, consider buying your own snorkel equipment. The 14 year old will get her's with the WIld Side excursion. You can buy it for about what a single rental will cost....and then you have it.....check Sam's, dive shops, etc.

I wasn't sure about doing Palo for dinner solo, so I did the tea. It was great! I didn't do any of the "single parent or travelling solo" events this time....was too busy with other things.
Kathryn

 

[WDWLVR]

We loved Coral World - a great place for families. We also liked Paradise Point - it is a short walk from the dock and gives you a great view of the harbor and the Magic below.

 

[sbatty]

Last week we took at cab in St. Martin to Le Galleon beach. The water was very calm. The beach was uncrowded and beautiful. They have a small shack for snacks and essentials, chair rentals and some water sport rentals. We talked with another family on the beach that took a cab to the Butterfly Farm and then walked the rest of the way to the beach.

 

[jrabbit]

Here is a thread asking the same question.
Events (on the Eastern)