Jan. 22- 29 , 2011 Western Caribean Cruise on the Disney Magic!!!

[Cheechow]

Lynn, we are staying in a house as there are 9 of us going. Since we are doing the week on the cruise we decided to stay off property for the land portion. My husband's family all went when he was a teen so its just me and the 3 kids that have not yet been so we are pretty stoked. My DS tells everyone he is going on Mickey Mouse's boat and Mickey Mouses house. We went with 5 day passes and are skipping the water parks. Figured a day at each park and then return on the final day to our favourite of the 4. It was recommended to us to do AK and Epcot first then MK and HS. DS will be too small for most rides i think but this time around will all be about the experience and then go back when he is older and can really enjoy the rides.

We would love all the tips you guys can provide.

 

[Tinkerkell123]

Tell me about the scavenger hunt and the magnet exchange i see that on the FE LIST!

THANKS


Looking up the couch to 5k in 8 weeks.

But i can do 3 miles but dont know if i can do it in an hour.

We are going to do 2 scavenger hunts (on sea days I am sure) 1 for kids/families and 1 for adults. I'm going to make prizes for the kids winners (which will, of course, be every one!) so shortly before January I am going to post to have anyone who wants (or even thinks they want) to do it to let me know so I'll have enough prizes for all the kids.

Magnet Exchange: everyone doing it brings a magnet to put on the door of the other magnet exchange participants. It can be a Disney magnet or a magnet that has something to do with where you are from.

Anyone can do it. Google "couch to 5k". It is an 8 week program. I've gotten to week 6 last year but wasn't consistent. I would love to finish it and do it at CC. Tinkerkell - if you can jog 3 miles at a time, you can easily do this. It's only 3.1 miles. The 5k I "ran" two years ago was 5 months post partum and I ran only half of it. We can do this! It is a good goal and we will look smokin' in bikinis by January!

Oh and I believe it is at 8:30am. We finish by 9:30, late breakfast and shower and we will be back on the beach by 11am.

I looked up Couch to 5K and I am in! 8:30 isn't bad at all. I am pretty sure the DH will have nothing to do with it!

I was also conscious of others thinking why is she bringing her child in here but think it will be quite different on DCL for that aspect.

i suggest to bring a night light as it does get quite dark in the room. DCL has bath tubs so that will be a bonus compared to other cruise lines for little ones.

but u may want to bring some childrens gravol just incase. It went much smoother then i expected and he loved it!

So now that you have been to WDW do you have any tips for me as we are spending a week there after the cruise and it will be mine and DS first time there?

RE: others wondering why you brought a child in. They will get over it!

Definitely bring a nightlight!

What is gravol? Where do you get it?

For WDW, buy the Unofficial Guide to WDW and Passporters. Unofficial is huge but really good and fun to read! If you go to Passporters.com you can get one with a really nice binder with all kinds of pockets & stuff. I just ordered 1 like that for DCL and when we do WDW next year, I can just order the refills for WDW...

Chrisse I think we better make room for some ketchup chips to share as my hunch appears to have been correct.

I still don't know what those are! What are they and what do they taste like?

And someone mentioned pull-ups. I would definitely bring them, and you can also let your steward know you would like a plastic sheet underneath the regular ones...

 

[Lokkabear]

I still don't know what those are! What are they and what do they taste like?

LOL! What do they sound like? They are potato chips that taste like Katchup! Brooke LOVES them and when I told her yesterday that the US doesn't have them she was rethinking the trip...lol. I told her we would bring some and some Aero Bars(which are completely nut and gluten free!!!), Mars(again, nut and gluten free) and some goodies for those who tell me which bar they would like. I made a list a few posts back of some of our bars you do not have. I would take chips as well but maybe I will just mail some to those who want to try them so they wont get as crushed as in my luggage.

 

[Lokkabear]

Anyone can do it. Google "couch to 5k". It is an 8 week program. I've gotten to week 6 last year but wasn't consistent. I would love to finish it and do it at CC. Tinkerkell - if you can jog 3 miles at a time, you can easily do this. It's only 3.1 miles. The 5k I "ran" two years ago was 5 months post partum and I ran only half of it. We can do this! It is a good goal and we will look smokin' in bikinis by January!

Oh and I believe it is at 8:30am. We finish by 9:30, late breakfast and shower and we will be back on the beach by 11am.

Ok, today after I finish moving my son I am going to see if I have time to start this program and maybe some miracle will happen and I will be able to join you guys but I WILL need someone to kick my in the butt and keep me motivated because honestly, I am just SO BUSY! I have NEVER ran in my life though and not sure someone my size can even do it but I am sure going to try! Thanks for the info!

 

[SSR Lover]

Strangely enough, I did see ketchup chips in a vending machine once. I think they were Herr's Chips (those of you in MD/PA will know what I mean), but I've never seen them in the grocery store. Of course now that I think about it, it may have been in the vending machine outside my office when I worked at the hospital which was almost 10 years ago, so who knows if they still make them. I thought they sounded like something I would like, since I do like to dip my chips in ketchup, but I never did try them.

I requested all my magnets the other day and even got this awesome "announcement" to print out to reveal the surprise to the boys on Christmas. I told Doug he has to wait until we are on the ship to see the magnets, so he keeps trying to get me to tell him what they are. Now I have to decide what to do for the magnet exchange.

I saw the e-mail from Colleen about candy, but Chrissie, can you tell me if there is any American candy you guys can eat? Like M&M's or Starburst? Maybe lollipops? I may or may not add candy to the FE's I just wanted to know what my options were.

I hope everyone has a great day - and that those of you on the East Coast stay dry today, lol.

Julianne

 

[Tinkerkell123]

Ok, today after I finish moving my son I am going to see if I have time to start this program and maybe some miracle will happen and I will be able to join you guys but I WILL need someone to kick my in the butt and keep me motivated because honestly, I am just SO BUSY! I have NEVER ran in my life though and not sure someone my size can even do it but I am sure going to try! Thanks for the info!

You totally can do it!

I saw the e-mail from Colleen about candy, but Chrissie, can you tell me if there is any American candy you guys can eat? Like M&M's or Starburst? Maybe lollipops? I may or may not add candy to the FE's I just wanted to know what my options were.

I hope everyone has a great day - and that those of you on the East Coast stay dry today, lol.

Julianne

I sent Chrisse & Colleen lists I found on-line about safe gluten-free and nut-free snacks & candy. As soon as they okay it, I will send out to all the FE people to help with that...

 

[Lokkabear]

Strangely enough, I did see ketchup chips in a vending machine once. I think they were Herr's Chips (those of you in MD/PA will know what I mean), but I've never seen them in the grocery store. Of course now that I think about it, it may have been in the vending machine outside my office when I worked at the hospital which was almost 10 years ago, so who knows if they still make them. I thought they sounded like something I would like, since I do like to dip my chips in ketchup, but I never did try them.

I saw the e-mail from Colleen about candy, but Chrissie, can you tell me if there is any American candy you guys can eat? Like M&M's or Starburst? Maybe lollipops? I may or may not add candy to the FE's I just wanted to know what my options were.

Julianne

Gluten free is not as complicated as it sounds. Yes, gluten is found in alot treats you would not expect to find it in but things like Starburst(one of Brooke's Favorite treats) IS gluten free, M7M in Canada are Gluten free but I would have to look up US ones. Canadian Smarties are NOT gluten free but US ones are but from what Kelli has told me they are COMPLETELY different. If you have any questions as to an item being gluten free you can simply email me(cbbell5@telus.net) and I wil help you out.

As for Katchup chips, it is a very common flavor in Canada and I will mail some to those of you who want to try them.

 

[Lokkabear]

You totally can do it!



I sent Chrisse & Colleen lists I found on-line about safe gluten-free and nut-free snacks & candy. As soon as they okay it, I will send out to all the FE people to help with that...

Well I don't know how well I will do but I sure am going to try!

 

[Cheechow]

What is gravol? Where do you get it?

Gravol i think is probably the name brand so its possible you just call it something else. They are to help with motion sickness. Pills essentially that help settle your stomach.

 

[Cheechow]

If i were driving i would fill the car up with ketchup chips for all of you (i dont actually care for them but DH likes em) but i dont think they would survive in my suitcase either.

Is anyone staying at the Wingate Orlando the night before the cruise? Just working out our transfer to the ship so if anyone else is staying there to I can book a bigger vehicle if anyone wants to go together. There is already 9 of us so the more the merrier. I think we will go with Happy Limo as they responded to my request quickly and come recommended.

 

[Lokkabear]

If i were driving i would fill the car up with ketchup chips for all of you (i dont actually care for them but DH likes em) but i dont think they would survive in my suitcase either.

Is anyone staying at the Wingate Orlando the night before the cruise? Just working out our transfer to the ship so if anyone else is staying there to I can book a bigger vehicle if anyone wants to go together. There is already 9 of us so the more the merrier. I think we will go with Happy Limo as they responded to my request quickly and come recommended.

We are completely booked through DCL with my wonderful Abraham! We are staying at the Hyatt Airport hotel and traveling with DCL transport.

Kelli and Lynn: i spoke with Abraham and he said you can either call him or give me your name and reservation number and he will set everythign up for is for dinner! If you want to call him, this is his info:

Abraham

Vacation Services Specialist

Disney Cruise Line

1-866-DCL-2552

1-866-325-2552

VSSAbraham@disneycruise.com

I have no problem handeling it all though of you want, I will just need your Res # and names it is booked under.

 

[dizzi]

Lynn, we are staying in a house as there are 9 of us going. Since we are doing the week on the cruise we decided to stay off property for the land portion. My husband's family all went when he was a teen so its just me and the 3 kids that have not yet been so we are pretty stoked. My DS tells everyone he is going on Mickey Mouse's boat and Mickey Mouses house. We went with 5 day passes and are skipping the water parks. Figured a day at each park and then return on the final day to our favourite of the 4. It was recommended to us to do AK and Epcot first then MK and HS. DS will be too small for most rides i think but this time around will all be about the experience and then go back when he is older and can really enjoy the rides.

I think that your son WILL enjoy the rides he may not remember it years to come but he will enjoy it. I dont know the percentage but it has to be pretty high of rides you can do as a family no matter the age.

I understand when people suggest doing AK and Epcot first i think they are arfraid kids will not like these parks after doing the others as they are geared differently, i think kids will like the parks NO matter what order you do them in as they are so different they apeal in different ways.

My thought is to do them on the days that they are NOT having the early or late special hours for those on property....these tend to be the more crowded parks on those days.

Or you may want to look up when the parades shows etc are that you want to see and work that around your schedule too.....some fireworks and specialty shows are not done everyday.

Also if you are doing any specialty dining when you can gt those reserved will be a factor too. And dont foget to look up parades etc beforemaking your reservations for dinner.

Allow plenty of time for fidning seating and waiting for parades etc the best seats may have you waiting for a little while. Make sure to take snakcs or toys for the waits.

USE FAST PASS WISLEY!!!!!!
Organize it before you use it , it is really helpful!

There is probablly a good spot in each park to take a nap if your sons needs it.

EPCOT is definitley the UNIVERSE OF ENERGY...it is about a 45 minute ride in dark cool place looking at dinosaurs etc.

MK is the presidents

DHS dark and cool yet could be sensory oveload for napping would be little mermaid.

FOR DHS.....make sure before you get your day started you look at the times of the shows and organize some shows you will need to find your own seat some shows you will be qued to seats, the shows you have to find your own seat you wan to give yourself at least 2o minutes before show starts to get in and get seated. watch your maps dont spend to much time going back and forth across park to do shows.

I could go on and on.....ask all the questions you want



We would love all the tips you guys can provide.

We are going to do 2 scavenger hunts (on sea days I am sure) 1 for kids/families and 1 for adults. that sounds really cool!...if you need help with adult prize let me know!



I looked up Couch to 5K and I am in! 8:30 isn't bad at all. I am pretty sure the DH will have nothing to do with it!

My DH Is going to give it a whirl!
.

Ok, today after I finish moving my son I am going to see if I have time to start this program and maybe some miracle will happen and I will be able to join you guys but I WILL need someone to kick my in the butt and keep me motivated because honestly, I am just SO BUSY! I have NEVER ran in my life though and not sure someone my size can even do it but I am sure going to try! Thanks for the info!

Totally get it i had not ran much either, but i started before our last cruise then got so busy at work i barley was sleeping but gonna start again,my DH is on the bigger side and he is going to try it we may be doing it slower than 8 weeks he wants to walk the 3 miles for a week first
BUT YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!

 

[dizzi]

LOKKA

I will look up the res # and send it to you soon....if you dont mind doing it.

THANKS SO MUCH I TOTALLY AM GETTING PHSYICED about this cruise and meeting you all. And dinner with all of us will be a blast!!!

YIPEEEEE!!!

 

[dizzi]

Anyone else already making list of clothes........
Cant believe it but i started last night.

I dont think i have to buy anythign for me excpet what we might need for pirate night.

DD will need formal and semi formal

I have recently purcahsed 2 dresses for me when we were school shopping that i will be using.

I recently got a tatoo on my back and want my straps to be just right to show off my tat.


HAVE A GREAT EVENING ALL!!

TTFN

 

[clawmachine]

Hi everyone!

Kelli - I just saw that you sent me a candy list today, but I didn't get it. Maybe you could re-send?

I just want everyone to know we will not be offended if you skip our FE if you want to give out candy that will not be safe for DS6 who has a severe peanut and tree nut allergy. It is your vacation and there should be no worries! Unfortunately, we can never let our guard down so if we receive any candy that is unlabeled or that has nuts or a nut "warning" then we will have to give it away and none of us will eat it. I'm always happy to give you more ideas but in general candy that is primarily high fructose corn syrup or sugar is labeled as ok, and most chocolate is not. Some Hershey kisses are fine, as are the plain chocolate Hershey bars (checkout counter size, not the miniatures). Most lollipops, Starburst, Skittles, Twizzlers, tootsie rolls, sweettarts are ok. We always have to check the label each time because sometimes they change the manufacturing plant and suddenly slap on a warning. His doctor said his skin test reactions are so strong that we have to avoid the "warning" products too. I just would feel bad for him if we frequently came back to find our FE filled with stuff that he could not have. My kids are easily pleased, so if you want to just substitute a sticker or something little like that in place of a candy, that would be great!

We plan to do a non-food FE gift, so hopefully that will work for all.

Canadian Candy: From what I hear in the states, both Canada and the U.K. are experiencing even higher rates of food allergy than here and manufacturers there may be more careful with cross-contamination issues. Sometimes friends tell me certain foreign candies to buy specifically because they are safe whereas our American equivalents are not. I just got a tip to go to our local grocery store to get Aerobars and my son was THRILLED to be able to try something new. They were imported from the U.K. They also had U.K. Kit Kat bars which are slightly different from ours but still yummy (and ours have nut warnings). Unfortunately, the Mars bar I picked up (U.K. import) did have a nut warning, so now I know I need to look for CANADIAN Mars bars instead!

 

[FabFivePA]

I have definitely been agonizing about clothes already. LOL
Think I am going to play it by ear on the weather since just not sure how it's going to be. AH!

We are contemplating skipping formal night. It honestly doesn't matter to me if we get a pic dressed up. DH is military, so he does not own even one tie or dress shirt, never mind a jacket. LOL And he's not going to want to pack his dress blues. Luckily we haven't gone to a wedding in a while that he hasn't had to rent a tux for. LOL Anyway, I can't see spending money on an outfit for him that he will likely never wear again or a formal dress for me and the girls. So I think semi will be our dress up night and we may skip the dining room on Formal night and lay low. Plus less to pack for this family of 5 and have to store in our one room as well!

I do plan on hitting up after Halloween sales for a bunch of princess dresses though. We have some left from our WDW trips, but they've been pretty well "loved", so hoping I can find some good deals so the girls can be princesses at dinners.

I am really getting into finalizing our excursions this week. I thought we would do all DCL ones, but now it looks like NONE will be through DCL. LOL
Think we're gonna do Nachi Cocom in Coz, and stingray city in GC, and just a trolley or butterflies, or something simple on our own in Key West. We'll probably rent snorkeling gear just for me and DH at CC.

The clothing store Justice has some cute pink pirate shirts and bandanas.. think i'm gonna pick those up for them.

 

[Melissa&Shawn]

Wow, I go away for a little bit and we're on page 19!!! Awesome!!! What a great group we have!

I am soooo happy to hear so many people are interested in the 5K! You CAN absolutely do it! Just doing it, walking/running/combo is just as great! And think of all those calories we are going to burn...so we can eat more Mickey bars of course! Of course that motivation is why I will never be skinny! I have to wait two more weeks to start, have a doctor appointment that I want to clear it with him as we are trying for baby #2.

I hate to be a party pooper, but can I just add a disclaimer here. If you normally don't work out, or even walk long distances, please check with your doctor before starting it. I normally don't do stuff like that BUT my family has had a bad experience lately and I don't want anyone else to suffer the way my dad has. A few years ago my dad was walking long distances on a vacation we took as a family. He started to get really weak, and he was overweight. 5'10" and around 300 lbs. He went to the doctor and found out he had Type 2 diabetes, within a couple years he lost almost all kidney functionality and the only kidney that was working had cancer. They took out his kidney, he was on dialysis for 2.5 years and a year ago he got a transplant. Long story short, my mom gave to a guy whose daughter gave to my dad because our families weren't compatible with each other. He's been feeling much better, and started walking a couple months ago. He is up to 2.5 miles a day, several times a week. Yes you can do it! But please, don't push yourself and check with your doctor. We almost lost my dad that vacation because we pushed him too hard and he didn't want to let us down. OK....sad story over, but please be careful.

Oohhhhh WDW stuff! I love it!!! We will be going for DD's 4th time this November (as a celebratory thing for my parents, especially my dad now that he can walk!)! Some people say don't bring kids so young because they won't remember it. For me, I'll have pictures and amazing memories of it! My advice is to take it slow and at DS's pace. If he still naps like DD does, take the break. We like to go back to the hotel/house, but if he sleeps well in a stroller, even better! They have Baby Care Stations in each of the parks that are priceless! You can change DS there as they have changing tables, bathrooms, high chairs, little rest areas, and even nursing rooms. I believe they even have little pottys, or some of them do. Some rides we love are Magic Kingdom - Dumbo, Its a Small World, Buzz Lightyear (let DS "shoot"), tea cups, train, Epcot - Spaceship Earth she has always fallen asleep on!, Hollywood Studios - Playhouse Disney Live!, Little Mermaid, Toy Story Mania (a little jerky, but it's awesome!), Muppets, Animal Kingdom - Safari ride, Lion King Show. We LOVE character dining and are lucky DD likes the characters. I should say LOVES the characters! If DS likes them as well, and likes Playhouse Disney, the Little Einsteins (June and Leo) and Handy Manny are at Hollywood and Vine's breakfast buffet. It is the most expensive buffet, but they sing and dance with the kids....it is a highlight of our trip. We love Piglet so there is a Pooh and Friends buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner at Magic Kingdom's Crystal Palace. What do you like to eat? What characters does DS like? We can definitely help you figure out good places to go.

I think we are going to bring PullUps. I'm not sure if DD is going to "make it" if she decides she "has to go" right now! I'm not sure if I'll know all the places to "go". If she makes it - great! If she doesn't, well it's just a change. Depending on how well she is doing, we will swim. I know she won't "go" in the pool.....every time we swim around here she can tell immediately so I'll pull her out. I just still feel weird if she isn't 100% potty trained.

M&M Mars headquarters for the US is located in the town next to mine! Can I get anyone anything? Do they have those gluten free/nut free items there that I can request? I've never been there but worth a short drive!

 

[Cheechow]

thanks for all the great tips Lynn and Melissa. DS still naps in the afternoon so we will definetly work around his schedule if they are still needed. He loves the Cars movie Manor and Cheechow as he calls them so we are hoping to see them in DHS he is also liking Nemo these days and recognizes Mickey and Donald.

 

[Lokkabear]

Re Candy:

I know for a FACT that Canadian Mars bars are manufactured in a peanut free facility because they advertised it big time when they started doing it. We have a few people in our school that have anaphylactic reactions to nuts of all sorts so we have a nut free school. Canadian Aero bars are another gluten free item that I am sure is nut and gluten free (http://www.nestle.ca/en/products/brands/Aero/aero_bar.htm). There are also the following CANADIAN products from Nestle that are PEANUT FREE but only the Aero bars are Gluten Free (http://www.nestle.ca/en/products/Grouping/Peanut_Free/favourites.htm). They actually have a peanut promise! I can send you any of the following if you would like to try them, just let me know!

 

[dizzi]

FAB FIVE...........................

Just to let you know,
FORMAL NIGHT, is nothing more than SEMI FORMAL NIGHT with a different name!
Yes some people on formal night do get all dressed up and do the tux .... gown, we actually did on our first cruise, but wont any more.

On Formal night for us...it will be my $10 sale black flowered tank dress and some slides i got on sale for $8.
For DH it will most likely be smae pants he will wear couple times maybe a tucked in shirt and a tie no jacket
FOr DD....she will prob purchase a fancy short dress and
DS will be same pants wearing couple times and a tuck in shirt (most likley bought at good will and tie bought at good will)

So dont feel like you have to skip it.

And honestly there will be people LESS dressed up than us!

I saw girls in jean skirts and heels and tank tops for formal night.

Still your choice but no extras are really needed.

BUT eating in Topsiders or somewhere else for dinner isnt horrible we did that one night on our last cruise and are thinking od doing it again on Priate Night this year.