January 15, 2011 - Magic

[Melino]

Welcome to Melino!



I'm not sure where everyone else is but for those of us that are here, I'm putting together a Scavenger Hunt for the port terminal while we wait to board. If you'd like to participate, let me know and I'll have enough copies of clues for you.

I know it's a little strange meeting up with people whose only connection is the random booking of the same cruise. But for the past cruises when we've participated in disboard meets, it's been a lot of fun. It's doesn't have to be a huge commitment and it's kind of nice saying hi to a familiar face every once in a while. For some people, their kids end up playing together and it's great for the kids. When we cruised through the Panama Canal, it was hysterical since about half the ship was on the disboards and filling fish extenders became a part-time job. We came home with a small suitcase full of trinkets that people left us.

Just to touch base online is nice because (and I bet you've experienced this as well) some of my good friends think I've gone over the deep end when it comes to cruising with Mickey. Heck, I wonder about that myself. So, I can use this forum to type things like this paragraph and not burden my friends with my obsession and you'll understand. Hopefully.

You're still reading? See, you're as obsessed as I am.

Sharon

Hi Sharon,

Thanks for the warm welcome, and yes I know what you mean about the obsession.

This will be our first Disney cruise, but we have sailed on other cruise lines before. One of our most enjoyable experiences on all of our cruises was meeting all the new people at the Dinner table. This board gives us an opportunity to "meet" people before we even get to the port. What a great idea this is.

We are staying at WDW the night before the cruise. Not sure what time the Disney shuttle will get us to the port, but please send us the info for the scavenger hunt; sounds like fun.

Talk to you soon!

Lino

 

[ralsmom]

Thanks for including us!! We are so excited over here!!
my kids will be 8 (my son) and 6 ( my daughter) her birthday is the day that we set sail Jan 15th!

Was out of town, got back tonight.

Looking through the posts, here is who I noted as wanting to participate in a Fish Extender so far:

Accola
Weavers1995
croppincolburn
LuvtheEars
Ralsmom
Tw2123

If I missed anyone or put you on the list by accident let me know. If you aren't on the list and would like to participate, also let me know. At some point we will need to determine a cut-off date....thinking maybe around the first week in December - long enough for others to join but still enough time for participants to get things put together.

Anybody have any thoughts??

Thanks.

 

[ralsmom]

I like the idea of the scavenger hunt while waiting to board, please include us!!

 

[sopandbass]

I would like to participate in the Fish Extender and the Scavenger Hunt! This is our first trip and I am SOOO Excited! What other fun things do you do to get ready for the cruise??

First Cruise and First Post!!!



Have fun planning!

On another note:

Last night, I asked my DD10 if she'd wear the Cinderella outfit that she so desparately wanted last cruise one more time this January since we're going on Disney again. Alas, she doesn't think so. I guess princess dresses are behind us. She seems fine about the whole thing. Her mother is having a harder time of it.

 

[Eric Julie and Hailey]

I would like to participate in the Fish Extender and the Scavenger Hunt! This is our first trip and I am SOOO Excited! What other fun things do you do to get ready for the cruise??

Don't forget to book your Palo and excursion reservations on the 75th day prior to your cruise (coming very soon). You may want to start your research now regarding excursions and what night to book Palo.

We also put a countdown on our fridge. It starts on a white board -- then - at about 60 days we put up 60 Mickeys with numbers and other little decorations on them (thank you Home Depot paint sample section). We glued small magnets to the back of the samples (art store purchase) and -- voila -- a big countdown board. We've used it for years.

 

[steelemdsd]

My family would love to be in the fish extender. This is our second cruise and we did not do this the first time. I have read a lot about it in the trip reports and it sounds like a great time.

Please include our family:
DH - Matt
DW - Denette
DS - Spencer 11
DD - Delaney 9

Let me know if you need any additional information. I can't wait to start the cruise !!!!

 

[weavers1995]

We hope to be at the port early on Saturday and would love to be part of the scavenger hunt as well!!

Thanks so much~
The Weavers

 

[croppincolburn]

Scavenger hunt sounds fun! Not sure how early we will get there though. Time change is not in our favor.

Just paid off my cruise. Almost time to book excursions. Hope you Castaway Club members left some good things for the rest of us.

 

[sopandbass]

I'm starting to plan the WDW pre-cruise portion of our trip. Alarming discovery! Extra Magic Hours at Epcot until Midnight on Friday. So, if you see anyone sleeping in the corner of the terminal on Saturday morning and they start to call boarding numbers, please throw cold water on us. We'd be very thankful.

 

[accola]

Updated Fish Extender list (deadline to be included is 12/1):

Accola
Weavers1995
croppincolburn
LuvtheEars
Ralsmom
Tw2123
sopandbass
Meretta
Eric, Julie and Hailey
NCHappyMom
Steelemdsd


Flight booked , Pre-crusie hotel booked , rental car booked , Palo Brunch booked , St. Maarten - snorkel / beach excursion with independent party booked , St. Thomas - probably go to St. John on our own .....what to do now, seems kind of early to start packing

 

[mhdorman05]

Hi everyone,

I am new to disney cruising, however very experienced cruiser and Disneyworld resort traveler.

I noticed that you can't book PALO until 75 days out for new cruiser..What is the likelyhood of us getting a reservation?

Marlana

 

[sopandbass]

Hi everyone,

I am new to disney cruising, however very experienced cruiser and Disneyworld resort traveler.

I noticed that you can't book PALO until 75 days out for new cruiser..What is the likelyhood of us getting a reservation?

Marlana

Hi, Marlana,

If you can't get a Palo reservation at the 75 day mark, you most likely will be able to get a reservation if you book it upon boarding. Best of luck!

Sharon

 

[LindsayB]

You shouldn't have trouble booking Palo. We booked both the dinner and brunch once on board last year. You will likely have fewer time slots to choose from (but honestly, any time is fine in my opinion.)

 

[croppincolburn]

I'm trying to decide if I shuold see if there is a Palo Brunch slot. My mom was worried about my son(7). I don't have problem leaving him in the kids clubs. I guess I'll check and see what is available. Can't believe it is almost time to pick excursions!

 

[accola]

Just thought we needed another post to move us up a little on the list. I think we were almost on page 4 this morning.....When is the 75 day mark - must be within a couple days - hoping everyone gets wat they want when we get there . When we booked there was plenty of availability with everything.

 

[croppincolburn]

I think Nov 1st is the 75 day mark. That is the day I have to pay and book excursions, etc. We are in Mountaian time zone so I will be up Sunday night seeing what is available. Now let's see what my ticker says...

 

[sopandbass]

Maybe someone has already posted something about how full our cruise is but I went expedia to see what kind of rooms are available. I thought that since the 75-day marker is coming up, if anyone is going to jump ship to another date they would do so by now. But I only found a few rooms open - one Navigators verandah, one one-bedrooms suite (that would be nice) and several ocean view rooms on Deck 2. Most of the other categories are gtys. Just thought I'd pass that along -not that I've ever felt like the ship was packed (with the exception of debarkation after the EB Panama Canal cruise in Aug 2008 - we were held up with customs and there were some cranky mouseketeers that morning and, on that same cruise, when Ally and AJ were giving autographs - but trust me, we were in that long line with everyone!)

 

[croppincolburn]

Since it is so close to the new ship sailing I've been surprised that they are so full.

 

[vassello]

We are cruising this week also - so looking forward to this cruise! It's been 5 years since our last DC - I'm totally looking forward to the pampering

Our family includes:
DH Doug
me Shari
DD Sarah (16)
DS Nick (14)

 

[vassello]

My two teens are wondering if there are any other teens joining them on the cruise?