July 9th 2005 - West Coast Cruise.

[KatyBug106]

Hello all! I'm new to this! My Family (18 of us!!) will be on this cruise (July 9th through July 16th). We are so excited! We will also be staying at the grand Californian for the week of July 3rd through July 9th. Anyone there with us? So what do we do on this message board thing? Do you all plan to meet up? That would be cool!! I'm such a newbie!!

We're all from the Chicago area....anyone?

I'm looking for any tips that anyone has or have heard. 8 fof our 18 are kids. 13, 10, 6, 3, 3, 3, 21 months, and 7 months. Mine is the 21 month old. I've seen things for the older kids, but I'm looking for any ideas for mine. What can he do? Obviously I can't leave him in the clubs like the older kids, but can we be there with him and let him play? I'm sure Disney wouldn't leave him out in the cold (or heat as it will be!!) Let me know If you have any info!!

Can someone explain the "Pirate" thing?

Thanks all!!
Katy

 

[Dylcal]

Welcome Katy adn the rest of your family!! I was new to these boards last year for my cruise and it can be scary at first. You will find that everyone on this cruise is great and we have alot of activities planned. Tons of kids too. My son is 11 and is very excited. We will be at the Pardise Pier starting July 5. It might be kind of fun to plan a meet in the park prior to the cruise! Is anyone interested? Maybe those of us who have been unable due to geography to do the West Coast meets?

Sheryl

 

[KatyBug106]

Cool! It would be very neat to meet up with others!

We did a Disney cruise in July of 2000 also! I'm trying to think when it was. I think it was a 4 day and I believe we drove straight down to the port and stayed at a hotel there. It maybe sailed on Saturday the 1st? I can't remember! I do remember that we had a great time, but it wasn't long enough! I'm sure this won't be long enough either!!

My parent's 40th Wedding Anniversary is this November, so that's what we are celebrating! They have been Disney Vacation Club Members since the Summer of 1992, so we don't usually stray far from the Disney World vacation! So this is a whole new world (or "Land") for us!!

Katy

 

[Sarangel]

So what do we do on this message board thing? Do you all plan to meet up?

If you're brave (and have a lot of time), you can go back to the beginning of this thread & read about what we've done so far. Mostly, we talk about what we've found out about the cruise and get to know each other. Several groups are going horseback riding together in Mazatlan, and we're planning a group beach excursion of our own in Cabo San Lucas. Chris is having a party one afternoon (Monday? - I'd have to check), I'm organizing a Scavenger Hunt, Craig has made us all shirts in Lime Green... You get the idea.

Mine is the 21 month old. I've seen things for the older kids, but I'm looking for any ideas for mine. What can he do? Obviously I can't leave him in the clubs like the older kids, but can we be there with him and let him play?

I have a daughter who is going to be 25 months old in July, so we should definately talk. It'll be nice to have someone with a kid in more or less the same age range. The kids clubs *will* let you visit with a younger child, you just have to stay there with them (not so hard, if you ask me). There's a single ear of the Mickey Pool that's set aside for the non-potty trained, with a fountain in it. There's also Flounder's Reef which is baby-sitting for the smallest children, if you want to go to Palo's one night. They charge $6.00/hr with a 2 hour minimum and have a 6:1 ratio for toddlers.

Let me know if you have any other questions, and welcome aboard.

Sara

 

[KatyBug106]

Sara,

This is great! Knowing someone with a child Hunter's age will be great! I'm sure everyone on the boat will know Hunter! (We have to yell his name so much!! Gotta love that independence age!!) I don't know my room number, but is eveyone meeting somewhere on the boat the first day? I guess we will need those green shirts!!

So, what are all of the theme nights? (Like I need to pack more stuff!!)

I feel like I'm running out of planning time so quickly!!

Excursions - now you said something about planning your own beach excursion. Can you do that? You don't have to pay for theirs? I've tried to get an idea of what we can do at the ports. The excursions just don't seem like the right thing with a small child. I know we can shop and stuff, but beaches are something you can just walk up to? Too many thoughs in my head right now!! I can't type fast enough!!

I'd love to get a list of when and where's!

Katy

 

[FOJMO]

Hello all! I'm new to this! My Family (18 of us!!) will be on this cruise (July 9th through July 16th). We are so excited! We will also be staying at the grand Californian for the week of July 3rd through July 9th. Anyone there with us? So what do we do on this message board thing? Do you all plan to meet up? That would be cool!! I'm such a newbie!!

We're all from the Chicago area....anyone?

I'm looking for any tips that anyone has or have heard. 8 fof our 18 are kids. 13, 10, 6, 3, 3, 3, 21 months, and 7 months. Mine is the 21 month old. I've seen things for the older kids, but I'm looking for any ideas for mine. What can he do? Obviously I can't leave him in the clubs like the older kids, but can we be there with him and let him play? I'm sure Disney wouldn't leave him out in the cold (or heat as it will be!!) Let me know If you have any info!!

Can someone explain the "Pirate" thing?

Thanks all!!
Katy

Katy,

Welcome! I'm Val and my DH (Stu) and I are traveling with our 19 YEAR old, Carly, and her 18 YEAR old friend, Alexis. We are staying at the Grand Californian for just 6/7-9, and then driving to the port on Saturday in a rental car. Our girls are not interested in the the DL thing, so we're unsure of our plans to meet up with anyone.

The "pirate thing" -- one of the nights, I think Tuesday night, is Pirate Night on board, and you can dress "piratey" or in tropical attire. Stu and I are just doing the tropical, but I think the rest may be wearing their green shirts.

Craig (SCOUTER DAD) posted on one of his posts a link to order lime green T-shirts with a great logo for our group and personalized with your screen name and real name. There's also pirate pins with your pirate name you can order. To get your pirate name(s), find Craig's post with the link to the questionnaire you take to find our your name.

Also, there's a spreadsheet that Chris (SOCCERDAD) created with everyone's info on it. Ask him about it.

Lots going on with our group. You'll find a lot of younger kids in our group and plenty of people to converse with. There's a few get-togethers planned, but I don't remember what's scheduled and when.

Welcome aboard!

Val & Stu (Tampa)

 

[Sarangel]

Katy -

I'll have to check my notes at home (can you tell I'm working really hard this morning?), but the theme nights are limited to Tropical and Pirate (which may be the same night). You'll also need clothes for Formal night & Semi-Formal night.

As for the excursions, my family's schedule is looking like we're going to skip Disney's excursions altogether. We're looking at going over to the Krystal resort in PV - they supposedly have a wonderful pool & beach and will let you stay all day as long as you buy food & drinks. In Mazatlan, we booked horseback riding with Mike's Gentle Horses for the morning, and expect to spend the rest of the day on the ship. In Cabo, we expect to hang out with our DIS friends wherever we end up going - we've discussed a couple of places, and I'm not 100% sure we decided on one, but they all look good.

I guess I'm just cheep, but I can't see paying $80 for a "Resort Stay" through Disney if I can do the same thing for 1/4 of the price by doing it myself. There's a lot of good information coming out of the current cruisers, and I've been trying to keep up with it on the Cruise Board.

Sara

 

[disneyfanatic510]

Can someone who has received their shirts please let me know how the sizes run? Do they run big, small, true to size?

Thanks Craig for all of your hard work!!!!

 

[GrumpyMom1]

Katy - welcome to our crazy group!

Sounds like you have quite a group coming with you. Are the 10 and 13 year olds boys or girls? I'm still looking for a friend for my 12yo daughter.

We have decided to do the Pirate Sail excursion in PV, we are horseback riding in Mazatlan, and we are just going to the beach in Cabo. Did you guys see the good review of the Mango Deck on Cabo on one of the live threads.

I am so ready for this trip!

 

[Mulan's Ma]

I'm new and can't wait to sail on the 9th. I'll be sailing with my parents, DD (5 1/2) and two other families. Glad to meet all of you!

Linda

 

[Dylcal]

Welcome Linda! It seems the closer we get the more people are joining. This is going to be a great cruise!!!! Is it time yet????

 

[KatyBug106]

Sheila,

My nephew will be 13 on July 17th and my neice will be 11 September 13th. I'm sure she would love to find a friend on this cruise! She's a mature 10 and very friendly! Her name is Amanda! They are brother and sister along with their 7yo sister. That's my brother family. Then My sister has the 3 year old Triplets, 2 boys and a girl. My other sister has the 7mo girl, and I have the 21mo, my son Hunter!

I'm getting so excited!!

So you just plan on taking a taxi to a beach in Cabo? You can't just swim right around where we dock, right? I totally have no clue about this!!

Mango deck? I don't know what that is! I'm such a procrastinator!! I should have started all of this months ago!!!

Your pictures are great by the way! It's neat that you were able to be there for the inaugural west coast cruise!

 

[disneyfanatic510]

Sheila,

My DD, Sarah is 13. What is your DD's name?

Susie

 

[mommykeg]

This is great! Knowing someone with a child Hunter's age will be great! I'm sure everyone on the boat will know Hunter! (We have to yell his name so much!! Gotta love that independence age!!) :

Now everyone will be confused...they won't know if the screams for Hunter will be for your DS or mine! My Hunter is 4 and we are constantly having to "call" him! Hopefully he'll really enjoy the clubs so that someone else can be calling his name!

Welcome to our group, by the way!

Kim

 

[KatyBug106]

Kim,

That's great! I hasn't been that common of a name, but it's getting there! I'll have to listen for people calling out "Hunter!"

By the way....DD, DS, DH? Darling or dear, daughter, son, & husband? Am I on the right track? I'm trying to learn all of these things!!

 

[hayesktrm]

Welcome to the newcomers!

Sara, what do you know about the Krystal Hotel? We were going to do the Tropical Jungle Expedition, but I guess it isn't very lush or tropical. I don't want to be disappointed. So the next thing I was interested in was the Paradise Beach excursion. If the Krystal is just as nice, I would prefer to go there. So maybe you could give me a bit of information.

Thanks Sara!

Karen

 

[mickeycutie]

Lori...my DD just e-mailed your DD.

Kim

hi i was wondering if there were any teenage girls going on the cruise like between 13 and 14 cause im 13 and im turning 14 on july 17 (the same day as disneylands) so if anyone knows please get back to me!!
-Sarah

 

[Sarangel]

Sara, what do you know about the Krystal Hotel?

Most of what I know comes from our cruise board, but with your question in mind, plus my own curiosity I did a little digging. Here are some quotes from Cruise Critic:

We went to Krystal Resort. This was a ten minute walk from the ship. We purchased a few drinks and sat in their pool for over four hours. This place offers jet skis, banana boats, and parasailing. There are also pool games that go on. The pool is so large that you can stay well enough away. There is a swim-up bar and a buffet area. The restrooms were clean. The staff did not bother us and it was clear from the towels and sign & sail card (hanging around my neck) that we were from Carnival

Went to the spa at the Krystal Hotel (walking distance) and had the couples massage. 75 minutes for $65 for both of us. Very nice. It is called the Millenium Spa and is right near the beach on the Krystal grounds

In Puerto Vallarta the Krystal Vallarta resort is two blocks south of the ship - an easy walk. This is a lovely resort with a great expansive pool area right on their beach. They charge $6 to use their facilities and it is certainly worth it. Spend the day here and forget about shopping for trinkets.

I've also gathered that there may be a little timeshare 'push' since they are partly a timeshare, and I found a good website. They may or may not charge, I've seen various reports, but the highest $$ amount I've seen is $6/pp. I can live with that.

Hope that helps.

Sara

 

[Amous]

Can someone who has received their shirts please let me know how the sizes run? Do they run big, small, true to size? Thanks Craig for all of your hard work!!!!

I found the shirts to be very 'true to size'. I have a medium and thought about getting a small. Glad I didn't! I won't dry my medium.

Welcome aboard Linda and Katy and Sarah!! Nice to meet ya'll. Sarah, my son Matt is 15. We have lots of teens traveling too. I'll offer his e-mail through a PM if you'd like?

It's only 4 more weeks!! Where are my docs?! Gimme, gimme, gimme!

 

[Soccermom-Cheri]

Welcome, welcome, Katy!

I think you have already gotten most of your questions answered. I'll just chime in with a "hello"

That Krystal Hotel sounds good, Sara. It's Cabo right? (Sorry, folks. The end-of-the-year brain melt has begun I can't even figure out what word of Craig's got edited ...... )

Did anyone tell Katy we are meeting on deck 10 over looking the Mickey pool, right after the life boat drill, for the sail away party? (Maybe I made that up in my little head ) Wear lime green shirts and buttons if you have them. I'll bring the magnets for all who didn't get them at the "meet" on the 28th (Katy, read those posts, for sure). Someone is working on nametags, too.

(doc dance)
Amy, I'm with you: WHERE ARE MY DOCS? gimmie gimmie gimmie

Ooh I am soooo excited! are anybody else's kids looking at them like "you've lost your mind, Mom'" ??