June 18, 2010 - WONDERful Waverun - Bahamas 4-Night

[MouseNDaHouse]

Subscribing

Good idea, IrishCowboy - we have a full year's subscription available for the price of two!! Call it our Black Friday offer...


Welcome aboard and how are you?? So far as I can tell we've got a nice and big-hearted group here...still to be seen if any of us have a twisted sense of humor...other than me, of course!

And WOW - I can't wait until I can say I've been on that many cruises.

Tracie - I wouldn't dream of skipping the FEs...they made the cruise for my daughters last time! We'll git'r'done fer sure!

I can't believe it's only November...sheesh I can't wait.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

Good idea, IrishCowboy - we have a full year's subscription available for the price of two!! Call it our Black Friday offer...

LOL!

I've read about FE's, though obviously since this is our first time cruising, haven't done one. But I'm all for it!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

 

[Smileneyes]

From our family to yours, we hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving today!

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

Hey all! It looks like my sister Hannah is cancelling (finances) so it will just be me and the kiddos. I'm a little worries- I've neer done a big vacation alone with them before- and the WDW part after our trip seems really overwhelming now.

Anyone here have experience with traveling with 2 kids alone?? The cruise part seems easier- and I think I can stay saner. lol. But what about the parks?

 

[MouseNDaHouse]

Hey all! It looks like my sister Hannah is cancelling (finances) so it will just be me and the kiddos. I'm a little worries- I've neer done a big vacation alone with them before- and the WDW part after our trip seems really overwhelming now.

Anyone here have experience with traveling with 2 kids alone?? The cruise part seems easier- and I think I can stay saner. lol. But what about the parks?

First off - you'll be just fine! There's no better place than Disney to try and take care of kids alone. Sure there is just too much to choose from, but you have a 9 year old who can probably be trusted to not melt down. That's huge.

Secondly, you're right - on the cruise ship you're golden. There are literally hundreds of things for the kids to do in the kids clubs and any time that you are with them there will be a lot of help for you!

For the parks, I would recommend that since you're by yourself you don't try to do too much. Maybe just one park a day (rather than park-hopping) and make sure that you do both of these things:
1) Get there before the park opens - you will see/ride many more rides before the crowds really grow than you will later in the day. That will help you get past the "But I want to ride that!" cries when the line is 3 hours long...
2) TAKE BREAKS - do not try to power through. There are great little park areas in Magic Kingdom (Pooh's Corner), Hollywood Studios (Honey I Shrunk the Kids) and Animal Kingdom (Dino dig site - can't remember the name). And you should also feel comfortable just letting the kids go back to the hotel for naps, TV or pool time.

Just don't be militaristic and you'll be fine!
Ask me/us anything and we'll be glad to help you through...on the cruise or before.

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

First off - you'll be just fine! There's no better place than Disney to try and take care of kids alone. Sure there is just too much to choose from, but you have a 9 year old who can probably be trusted to not melt down. That's huge.

Secondly, you're right - on the cruise ship you're golden. There are literally hundreds of things for the kids to do in the kids clubs and any time that you are with them there will be a lot of help for you!

For the parks, I would recommend that since you're by yourself you don't try to do too much. Maybe just one park a day (rather than park-hopping) and make sure that you do both of these things:
1) Get there before the park opens - you will see/ride many more rides before the crowds really grow than you will later in the day. That will help you get past the "But I want to ride that!" cries when the line is 3 hours long...
2) TAKE BREAKS - do not try to power through. There are great little park areas in Magic Kingdom (Pooh's Corner), Hollywood Studios (Honey I Shrunk the Kids) and Animal Kingdom (Dino dig site - can't remember the name). And you should also feel comfortable just letting the kids go back to the hotel for naps, TV or pool time.

Just don't be militaristic and you'll be fine!
Ask me/us anything and we'll be glad to help you through...on the cruise or before.

We do Disneyland usually once, sometimes twice a year and usually come with a good plan- and ALWAYS do naps/pool breaks. We're staying at the Contemporary Resort which I heard has semi fast trans. (w/the monorail right to MK and Epcot) since I'm not renting a car (that's also a first for us). I only got base tix for 4 days (1 park a day) and then we are going to Univ. Studios on day 5 (Harry Potter world is opening and the kids both are dying to go). I also scheduled a whole day off somewhere in there. So I think I'm okay (? )

Hopefully. Thanks for the reassurance!!!

 

[TAKitty]

Just checking in. I ended up booking Boardwalk Villas for June 15-18 before the cruise. We have a Boardwalk view which is a first for us.

Anyone else traveling to Disney before the cruise?

Jessica--Don't worry about traveling alone with the kids. You will have a great time! If it gets to be too much, head back to the resort and enjoy time at the pool.

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

We will be at Disney at the Carribean beach resort for 1 full day before the cruise (we get in early early morning on the 17th from a red eye- hope we can get our room early- if not we will hit DTD or the boardwalk for breakfast).

Then staying at the Contemporary for 6 nights after

 

[MouseNDaHouse]

We do Disneyland usually once, sometimes twice a year and usually come with a good plan- and ALWAYS do naps/pool breaks. We're staying at the Contemporary Resort which I heard has semi fast trans. (w/the monorail right to MK and Epcot) since I'm not renting a car (that's also a first for us). I only got base tix for 4 days (1 park a day) and then we are going to Univ. Studios on day 5 (Harry Potter world is opening and the kids both are dying to go). I also scheduled a whole day off somewhere in there. So I think I'm okay (? )

Hopefully. Thanks for the reassurance!!!

Sounds like you're WAY ahead of the curve. Great ideas...and I truly can't wait until my kids are old enough for me to share my Potter addiction with them, too!

Just checking in. I ended up booking Boardwalk Villas for June 15-18 before the cruise. We have a Boardwalk view which is a first for us.

Anyone else traveling to Disney before the cruise?

We will be at AKV for 5 days prior to the cruise with my cousin's family - fingers crossed that we can convince them to join us on the cruise...still pushing.

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

Hi everyone! Just checking in I hope everyone had a great holiday and a happy New Year!

It looks like flight wise for me it made sense to come in a day earlier, so we'll be at the Carribbean Beach Resort from the 16th till cruise day, and then at the Contemporary as planned for 6 nights after sailing.


Also- I know it's 5 months out yet, but I'm trying to budget shore excursions. Has anyone done the Blue Lagoon Dolphin excursion at Nassau? Parasailing at CC? Sting Ray at CC? All 3 are on our radar (though my youngest can't do the PS one) - but doing all would be $$$. Anyone have thoughts on those? Or other suggestions?

 

[Smileneyes]

Hi everyone! Just checking in I hope everyone had a great holiday and a happy New Year!

It looks like flight wise for me it made sense to come in a day earlier, so we'll be at the Carribbean Beach Resort from the 16th till cruise day, and then at the Contemporary as planned for 6 nights after sailing.


Also- I know it's 5 months out yet, but I'm trying to budget shore excursions. Has anyone done the Blue Lagoon Dolphin excursion at Nassau? Parasailing at CC? Sting Ray at CC? All 3 are on our radar (though my youngest can't do the PS one) - but doing all would be $$$. Anyone have thoughts on those? Or other suggestions?

Hi, Jessica! Thanks, and I hope your holidays were very special!

As for the excursions above, the only one on your list that we've done would be the Stingrays at CC...and that was a package deal w/bikes and snorkeling. Our first trip to Nassau we also did the Blackbeard Cay Stingray excursion, and thoroughly enjoyed that one as well. If you have your hearts set on doing dolphins in Nassau, I'd stick with the CC Stingray Adventure. Aidan and Piper will likely enjoy either one.

--Drew

 

[TAKitty]

Hi everyone! Just checking in I hope everyone had a great holiday and a happy New Year!

It looks like flight wise for me it made sense to come in a day earlier, so we'll be at the Carribbean Beach Resort from the 16th till cruise day, and then at the Contemporary as planned for 6 nights after sailing.


Also- I know it's 5 months out yet, but I'm trying to budget shore excursions. Has anyone done the Blue Lagoon Dolphin excursion at Nassau? Parasailing at CC? Sting Ray at CC? All 3 are on our radar (though my youngest can't do the PS one) - but doing all would be $$$. Anyone have thoughts on those? Or other suggestions?

Hi! I agree that coming in the day before is so much less stressful. I have always wanted to do the Dolphin excursion, but the cost is so much and my mom has no real interest in swimming with dolphins. Heck, she can't swim. We actually did the catamaran snorkle at Nassau. Othewise, he didn't do any other excursions.

I almost have the trip paid off. I can't wait!!

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

Hi! I agree that coming in the day before is so much less stressful. I have always wanted to do the Dolphin excursion, but the cost is so much and my mom has no real interest in swimming with dolphins. Heck, she can't swim. We actually did the catamaran snorkle at Nassau. Othewise, he didn't do any other excursions.

I almost have the trip paid off. I can't wait!!

It is really pricey- but my kiddos both have their heart set They are total animal lovers! I think we are almost for sure doing it. I really wanted to go parasailing, but my 8 year old seems iffy on the heights aspect- and the reviews on here I've read about that one say that sometimes they make you pair up with a total stranger for tandems. Which to me doesn't seem worth the $ to be hooked up to someone I don't know. The stingray excursion is a go I think. So then we have something to do in each port (besides relax on the beach!!).

Yea you for having your trip almost paid off! We will be cutting it close to the deadline ourselves (my tax refund each year pays for our annual trip). The smal amounts I save each month goes towards smaller vacation related items, spending $, etc.

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

Oh- and Jeremy- can you take my sister Hannah off on page 1 ))

Thanks!

 

[MouseNDaHouse]

Oh- and Jeremy- can you take my sister Hannah off on page 1 ))

Thanks!

DONE!
How is everyone? We're getting close now - there aren't a lot of us, but we should probably start figuring out the FE gift situation. On our last cruise there were nearly 30 staterooms involved. So far there are only 4 or 5 of us here but that could be very fun as-is. So, who's up for the Fish Exchange??

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

DONE!
How is everyone? We're getting close now - there aren't a lot of us, but we should probably start figuring out the FE gift situation. On our last cruise there were nearly 30 staterooms involved. So far there are only 4 or 5 of us here but that could be very fun as-is. So, who's up for the Fish Exchange??

We are in I know what it all involves, but how do you guys come up with a good budget to stick by? Does it completely depend on the number of people in the FE?

 

[MouseNDaHouse]

We are in I know what it all involves, but how do you guys come up with a good budget to stick by? Does it completely depend on the number of people in the FE?

We never set a budget limit on the last cruise, but it was made really clear that everyone could do what was most appropriate for them - meaning some people did little bags similar to a party favor bag and some people did handmade beautiful scrapbooks, etc. In other words, it's really up to you...spend or do as much or little as you can/wish.
Every gift is much appreciated.
Some of my favorites were the ones that people brought from their home towns or countries - there were gifts that were unique to England, Canada, Vermont, Montana, etc. Really cool.

We will likely do one or two things that have something that recalls where we're from...Las Vegas, baby!

 

[TAKitty]

I keep checking the DCL site and there seems to be a lot of rooms still open. I am sure that we will get a couple more Dis people as it gets closer. We are excited to participate in the FE gifts. Just let us know the "rules" like how often we will give a gift etc.

Also, I started a website with educational explorer challenges for kids (they are all pdf files) that center on the WDW attractions. Adults will find some of the puzzles fun too. You can find the link in my signature.

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

I keep checking the DCL site and there seems to be a lot of rooms still open. I am sure that we will get a couple more Dis people as it gets closer. We are excited to participate in the FE gifts. Just let us know the "rules" like how often we will give a gift etc.

Also, I started a website with educational explorer challenges for kids (they are all pdf files) that center on the WDW attractions. Adults will find some of the puzzles fun too. You can find the link in my signature.

Thanks for the link- I will def have my 9 year old check this out As far as the rooms- the week I booked my category I was offered my stateroom and no other options- DCL said that it was the last one left. I booked it, and checked the website and sure enough there were just GTY cat 6 rooms. Now though, there are tons of rooms in that cat. Is that just becaues of "holds" that were released? Or cancellations? Either way- a cruise I thought might be crowded, is now fairly open.

 

[b00kw0rm429]

Hello! My family will be cruising for the first time on this cruise! I have a 7 year old daughter and a 12 year old boy. We will also have 5 more relatives along. My children (and I!) are very excited. I think the hardest part are all of the questions...passports, passport cards, birth certificates? In addition to a ton of others. I would love to hear the tips that make it easier and more cost effective. My MIL is booking and I haven't heard a lot of details yet. I have heard to bring a soft cooler of drinks, to pack a bathing suit in the carryon because rooms aren't ready...Please share your tips, veterans! And what is the FE thing I have been hearing about? Can't wait to chat!

Laura