July 15-22 2006 Western Anyone?

[suziq14]

We did not book an excursion at Key West either. I had heard everything was pretty much in walking distance. We'll probably be doing the aquarium also.

 

[sillykidsmom]

Has anyone visited the Key West Aquarium before?

We are thinking of doing this with the kids and would like some feedback on what everyone thought.

I've heard it's pretty close to where the ship docks......walking distance I think.

What are you all planning to do at Key West???

We've never done the aquarium before but we have heard good things about it.

We too are going to do Key West on our own. My DH and I have been to Key West several times before. Our kids love the Margaritaville in Orlando, so we are going to show them the original one in Key West. (We are BIG Jimmy Buffett fans) I just hope they don't get to disapointed since it's not as commercialized as the one in Orlando. We may take them over to Ernest Hemingway's house too. They would get a kick out of all the cats with the 6 toes!!

I'm just happy to be going back to Key West. I would love to live there!!!

 

[sillykidsmom]

I wish your son and the team the best. I think, as parents, we do stress more than the kids. It is difficult to watch sometimes. Have a great time!!

Thanks BTSEN5,
Hope all goes well on Sunday with the graduation party!! Well the team made it to the Championship game!!!! It was so nerve racking!!!

 

[BTSEN5]

Thanks BTSEN5,
Hope all goes well on Sunday with the graduation party!! Well the team made it to the Championship game!!!! It was so nerve racking!!!

That is awesome!!! Now you have more to get worked up about. ) It is a good thing though.

Have a great weekend!!

 

[BTSEN5]

We may take them over to Ernest Hemingway's house too. They would get a kick out of all the cats with the 6 toes!!

I'm just happy to be going back to Key West. I would love to live there!!!

We have not planned any excursions in Key West, because I thought that it would be nice to just explore. I would like to go to Margaritaville also. Hemingway's house sounds like a great idea.

Are these places easily accessible by foot, or do you need to catch a cab?

 

[sillykidsmom]

We have not planned any excursions in Key West, because I thought that it would be nice to just explore. I would like to go to Margaritaville also. Hemingway's house sounds like a great idea.

Are these places easily accessible by foot, or do you need to catch a cab?

We've always done it by foot. (but then again we never had the kids with us) I would say it's about 1/2 mile or so to Margaritaville. Hemingway's house is a few blocks up from Margaritaville. Almost everything is on the main strip of Duval street. If you want go to the Southern Most point I would suggest taking a cab there. It can be a brutal walk under the Florida sun. I really wish we were in port long enough to see the sunset from Mallory Square. It's amazing and the street performers are great. I can taste that Cheeseburger in Paradise now!!

Is it time to go yet?????

 

[ansky922]

When it comes to doing things on our own I am such a chicken.

My DH wouldn't care if we got off the boat at all. So I am not sure what to do

I could cancel my key west tour do that on our own and maybe do the Seven

mile beach at Grand Cayman which sounds really nice is anyone doing that.

I book the tours because they tell me where to be and get me from point A to B

Sorry to be babblin I am just a little confused

And the time she is a

 

[suziq14]

Does anyone know anything about a pirate museum in Key West? The boys might want to do that also.

 

[sillykidsmom]

I was pulling up info on Key West and came across a webcam showing the Magic docked in Key West.

Go to the following link:

www.fla-keys.com/keywest
click on the webcams (towards the top right)
click on Mallory Square webcam
I believe it's there until 7pm or so.
Just think, that will be us real soon!!!!!

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there!!!

Here's a picture of my AllStar Zach. Sorry the picture is so big. I'm new at this!

 

[thegales]

I really wish we were in port long enough to see the sunset from Mallory Square. It's amazing and the street performers are great. I can taste that Cheeseburger in Paradise now!!

On our original reservation from Disney (lol, from October 2004!) had the Departure at Key West at 10:00 pm, so I was surprised at your statement. However, when I look at the itinerary online now, it has the All Aboard at 7:30 pm.

We were planning on doing the Schooner which ends at 4:40 pm., grab something to eat, then head down to Mallory Square for the sun set. Since sunset today is 8:14 pm, I don't think we will make it. Hmmm, what to do, what to do...

Maybe they will surprise us and make the All Aboard later once the cruise starts.

 

[thegales]

Well, I watched the Key West port cam tonight, and the Magic left at 10:35 pm. I also looked at the Key West port calendar for July 16, and she arrives at 11:30 am and is showing a departure of 10:00 pm. We may get to see that sunset yet.

 

[BTSEN5]

Here's a picture of my AllStar Zach. Sorry the picture is so big. I'm new at this!

What a great picture. Was this after the all-star game? I miss my boys playing baseball. Two of ours have wrestled (which I love) and our youngest played soccer and football. It seems baseball has not been a big interest after they got to a certain age.

Well, I am now finished with the graduation excitement and work, so I will be back to the DIS boards full force. I am counting down, and it just cannot get here fast enough. this pink bounce reminds me of my children when they were younger.....and this is the way I feel now...."Are we there yet? huh? huh? Are we there yet?"

 

[sillykidsmom]

Well, I watched the Key West port cam tonight, and the Magic left at 10:35 pm. I also looked at the Key West port calendar for July 16, and she arrives at 11:30 am and is showing a departure of 10:00 pm. We may get to see that sunset yet.

I hope so. Seeing the sunset at Mallory Square is just awsome. It just makes your trip to Key West a whole lot nicer. (IMO) Let's keep our fingers crossed.

 

[sillykidsmom]

What a great picture. Was this after the all-star game? I miss my boys playing baseball. Two of ours have wrestled (which I love) and our youngest played soccer and football. It seems baseball has not been a big interest after they got to a certain age.

Well, I am now finished with the graduation excitement and work, so I will be back to the DIS boards full force. I am counting down, and it just cannot get here fast enough. this pink bounce reminds me of my children when they were younger.....and this is the way I feel now...."Are we there yet? huh? huh? Are we there yet?"

No, the picture was from Saturday's Semi game. I am happy to say the TEAM WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!! I was in tears, just like I will be when we board the Magic! It's getting closer.

Here's a picture of Savannah on the Verandah from our cruise last year.

 

[patporter13]

Sorry haven't posted in a while, I've been in London for 10 days on business (and sightseeing).

Key West: We booked a quick 2 hour wave runner tour around the island through shoretrips. We have two families with 4 adults and 4 kids. Figured a good way to see some of the island and beat the heat of the day (3:00 tours)

Cozumel: We also booked the Dolphin swim directly with
dolphindiscovery as the website still shows that they will be opening on 7/1. This is in Chankanaab national park which took quite a beating from Wilma. We have not received any emails saying that it is not opening. We went direct on the booking as both families have a dd9 that will get to actually swim and be pulled around by the dolphins. I do not think the DCL excursion includes that.

 

[jonida3]

Oh, yeah, we are getting closer!

Thanks gales for the info about the kids rooms. My 12 year old is definitely a 'tween'! Also, gales, we are currently booked at the Residence Inn for the Friday so would miss a get together at the Radison but will plan on meeting up at 3 by the pool.

By the way, when is the lifeboat drill?

Congrats BTSEN on your sons graduation and sillykidsmom on your little allstar!

FYI, my husband and I 'met' on a scuba diving trip in Grand Cayman 14 years ago and today we are celebrating our 13th anniversary. That's one reason I wanted to book the Western cruise and not the Eastern -

So far we are doing:
Key West - on our own
Cayman - stingray snorkel
Cozumel - still trying for the dolphin snorkel
Castaway Cay - banana boat

See you soon!
Terri
p.s. We are from Dallas!

 

[noahsmom]

Welcome Jonida! We've had a very busy weekend, but I did get my guys out shopping yesterday. DH got a new suit and we found a white short sleeved shirt for ds! Now I just hope the dress I ordered fits

I see that Noah has a couple of PM's to respond to, I'll try to get him on tonight. He's very excited about meeting the other kids.

Since last Thursday I've been trying to book our Stingray excursion with Nativeway. She was very good at returning my emails when I had questions but I haven't heard a thing from her since I said I wanted to book. Makes me a little concerned. I sent another email this morning.

 

[BTSEN5]

No, the picture was from Saturday's Semi game. I am happy to say the TEAM WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!! I was in tears, just like I will be when we board the Magic! It's getting closer.

Here's a picture of Savannah on the Verandah from our cruise last year.

Congratulations!!! That is so cool.

I myself have done enough crying this week, so I should be good and ready for a good cry when I get to the ship. I am sure I will be overwhelmed. I tear up thinking about how blessed we are to have this opportunity.

Well, we are at a point in which we eat, sleep, and drink the disney cruise. The boys are so excited; they cannot stop asking questions, making plans, dreaming up ideas as to what they will do. It is so cute to see them chit chat about it.

 

[sillykidsmom]

Finally made it over to Staples today for the magnetic paper. Does it only come in 8 1/2 X 11 ? That's all they had so I picked it up anyway. Now I have to figure out how to be creative and make some door signs.

I also did some shopping online today for some clothes for Zach for Formal and Semi-Formal night. I sure hope they fit!!! He's a tough one to shop for but I usually do pretty good at Land's End. He was actually trying to talk me into buying him a sport coat. Sorry kiddo, I'm not spending that kind of money for something he is only going to wear once. Does anyone have any idea wear to get ties for an 8 year old?

What is everybody doing at Castaway Cay? When looking through everything there is nothing we can do as a family because Savannah is only 3. I'm just thinking it's going to be a beach day. Any ideas?

OK, I will leave ya'll alone now. My mind is racing in 100 different directions right now.

 

[thegales]

Yep, the Magnetic paper comes in 8.5 x 11. Our Staples was out of it yesterday, so I need to try someplace else. Arg.



Regarding Castaway Cay. We generally find a spot on the beach and hang out. The DDs will have some sand toys and they like to play. It is also a great way for them to meet other kids. On our last cruise, we did the Castaway Ray Stingray excursion. Not sure if they put an age limit on it, but that might be an option, as it was very laid back. DD8 (7 at the time) did no want to get near the rays, so she just observed from the beach. The CM's were great with everyone, and kept her occupied as we did some snorkeling.

We also rented bikes. They say they rent for an hour, but there really is no time check. It will be a little hotter this time, so we may pass on that. But they did have bicycles with the kiddie seat in the back.

We found the game room to be fun too. I think there are some things to entertain a little one.