KC's Western POST trip report 4/19-4/26

[nzdisneymom]

** sniff sniff *** I'm sad, too, reading about the end of your vacation - I know how much you all looked forward to it, and I know how much you'll look fwd to another journey.

I love the pic of the clock at the end. One thing that I like to think about as we're disembarking is how exciting it must be for those who are just arriving at the Port -- about to venture on a fabulous cruise!

Thanks for sharing this with all of us.

 

[jollytammy]

loved it! loved it! loved it!
Thank you so much for sharing such a wonderful report and all your pictures!

 

[daveyc150]

Wow!

What a great trip report, I have been checking this thread everyday for updates. It has been great to enjoy your trip through your story and makes me excited for my 7 night western next year.

Hope that you get to go again soon and that you write another amazing trip report like this one.

David

 

[DisneyDavO]

Deniece and Jim, that was a great tr! I too was reading the whole time and re-living the cruise with everyone. It realy does feel like its over all over again.

It was nice to meet you and your boys, I hope we see you again on another cruise or park visit somewhere down the road. Ill be looking for you on the Dis till then.

Dave

 

[King Charming]

I am also bummed about coming to an end (again) . In an effort to extend this a few more days I thought I'd bore yous guys with a few observations, opinions, and other reflections from a first time cruiser.

Between the PRE TR (that's still getting hits BTW) and this here TR, I've been writting and posting for ten weeks. Looks like it's time to find a new hobby. I sure hope my new passtime is less expensive than this one has proven to be. It will be some time before my wallet is ready for another free cruise. .

About your room attendant, do not expect to talk to these folks Friday evening or Sat. Am. I know you will grow to appreciate the person who has been picking/cleaning up after you twice a day, and will want to say thank you/goodbye. Although you might see them, you will both be too busy to stop and chit-chat like you have all week. Due to split shifts and odd Sat. hours, they might not be on-shift until you leave. I took me 15 mins to find Clefus on Fri night for the beers, but I couldn't find him later. I'm glad we passed out the tip slips on Thurs.

 

[King Charming]

As you might expect, some things were much better than hoped for, other items not so much. For what it's worth, here are the things that get my thumbs up/down awards.

Keep venues open later. It was such a drag watching the ship fold up and close down at midnight. Granted, staying up till 4am drinking, or being in the hot tub till dawn has it's consequences, but I should be able to make that choice.

Kids Clubs were fantastic! With so many age groupings, age related activities are easily coordinated. I have yet to hear about folks who's kids didn't WANT to go there.(Fussy, clingy kids excepted). My two boys loved it. DS14 spent just about every ship-board minute either sleeping, eating, playing in the arcade, hanging out at The Stack, or doing Stack related activities (no particular order). OB was similar in his quest for independence and also was engrossed in Ocean Club stuff and never had us paged.

Bring out Mickey for photo ops more often! This is a DISNEY cruise, so please bring out our beloved icon and show him off. Also, if I get in line for a pic w/ mic, please don't swap him out for another character when his time is up and I'm nearing the head of the line. Bringing out Mickey2 as soon as Mickey1 is out of sight should solve any illusion problems. Or how about a Mickey room for stop by anytime afternoon pictures like in the parks?

Giveaways. DCL gives away all kinds of stuff. Hats, keychains, laynards, flashlight, etc. for attending stuff from Bingo to trivia. A limited number of people get goodies for participating, or just luck of the draw. DCL and Castaway Club members also get bonus stuff for attending the sales meetings.

Fix the character breakfast to make it like the in park character breakfasts. Partitioning off the room and bring out two sets of characters might help. This goes hand in hand with getting more Mickey interaction.

Extra CM's were a great help. I didn't notice this until later in the week, but they were very good at giving you as short a wait as possible. Friday night at Shutters, Sat am at Customer Service, or even at the Cay where there were extra CM's on hand just in case, most lines were 10 mins or less.

Either enlarge the smoking area, or have alcohol free zones. Discrimination against smokers has gotten out of hand, no matter how misguided. Anybody who complains about second hand cigarette smoke outside, on a windy deck, just doesn't have enough to complain about. (The full-time smokers made me write this, right John?)

Shutters. For a place I initially thought would be a huge rip-off, I am now singing their praises. With knowledgeable photographers who take multiple shots, great backgrounds, cool dated borders, and most importantly, you are able to pick which ones you want, you WILL take home THE most personalized mementos. I had a real hard time justifing the cost of them until I put it in perspective. Considering the total cost of the entire vacation, it's only another 1-3%

High gift shop prices of forgotten items. The shops must be embarrassed at the price they charge for items like batteries and sunscreen because finding prices is a challenge. Being beaten up to the tune of 10 dollars for something that should cost 2 or 3 bucks shouldn't happen if the get on the boat cost is the highest in the industry. Just like the old saying, if you have to ask, you probably can't afford it.

The entire experience! Although a bit of advice to all financiers. Begin to complain around Thursday, find something (anything) to moan about on Friday, and be sure to grumble on the way home. Now when the subject of another cruise comes up, you have laid the groundwork for nixing the idea before it gains momentum, thereby saving you literally thousands of dollars. (maybe you'll have better luck with this strategy than I did). Yes I did have a blast. It was far more fun than I dreamed it would be. But until I can find a better way to do it again, it might be a while before we see deck 9 again.

 

[Hypermommy]

LOL at your last point there, KC. Yeah, like I would believe you didn't have the time of your life. And you know good and well that we're gonna get on another cruise within the next few years. You know how I am

 

[okwminnie]

Thank you so much for posting - i loved all the pictures as well as every word of your report!

 

[jollytammy]

You guys are the greatest! Just loved your report and you insights!

 

[purplepeg]

I can't speak.....it's over I'm so sad. It was an awesome report.
I loved the financial breakdown. It's scary when I looked at the breakdown $100 here $250 there...I thought, "that doesn't add up to over 2k" but what do you know it does! Ours was the same, our biggest expense being Shutters and I agree with you, budget for it. They are fabulous photographs. We have others from other cruises and I do remember them being taken, and it does make me smile
I can't believe you went parasailing and on the banana boat ride. You are braver than I. I do recognize my fear of heights and don't try and get over it. Last summer our niece talked me into going on the power tower at Valleyfair in Minneapolis. I believe it was over 200 ft in the air they shot you or you could get taken to the top and then wait and wait and then get shot down. That was the one dd7 decided to do once we talked her into coming on with us. I never stopped talking CALMLY to her the whole way up and while we waited because she was really scared and I didn't want her to see how scared I was You feel pretty good after you do something you're scared to do and survive it
Your son will always remember you doing that with him
I have an idea on ways to save for your next cruise and it will happen quickly if you follow my plan....
quit smoking but keep putting the amount you would have spent on cigarettes in a travel fund jar, KC quit drinking all that Pepsi and put that money in a travel fund regularly. Take jar money to the bank regularly and put in a special travel account and watch it grow and grow You'll be amazed how soon that cruise will be here. Sons could start saving for their arcade money so you wouldn't have to provide that.
Well what do you think? I think it would work

What am I going to do for entertainment now
Keep in touch

 

[Hypermommy]

I have an idea on ways to save for your next cruise and it will happen quickly if you follow my plan....
quit smoking but keep putting the amount you would have spent on cigarettes in a travel fund jar, KC quit drinking all that Pepsi and put that money in a travel fund regularly. Take jar money to the bank regularly and put in a special travel account and watch it grow and grow You'll be amazed how soon that cruise will be here. Sons could start saving for their arcade money so you wouldn't have to provide that.
Well what do you think? I think it would work

What am I going to do for entertainment now
Keep in touch

We'll definitely have to keep in touch. I'm looking forward to reading more of your report too

Now, as to your plan, on the surface it sounds like a great idea. But remember how that prince turned into a Beast? Well, that's what KC's like without Pepsi. And me? I'm a b with an itch in general life. Can you imagine what I'd be like without my nicotine fix? Besides, we all need a vice, right? (whenever I say that around this one girlfriend of mine she says I should pick one )

Okay... I'm off to go read your TR. I'm sure more's been written now.

 

[King Charming]

In an effort to clear my mind and notebook of the exciting trip, here are some more random thoughts that didn't fit into the TR

The first is actually a wish. With such an excellent resource available, I sure would like it if DCL/travel agencies would let future cruisers know about the DIS boards, even in some un-official way. I know corporate rules and all that BS apply, but it really enhanced our trip by knowing and seeing familar faces on board. Having a forum where you can get to know folks you will meet on board insures you will not be some anonymous family traveling among a huge group of strangers. Also, by having a site that is slap full of helpful people eager to answer your 'stupid' questions truely helped a rookie like me to understand what it would be like. Thank you.

Don't wear suspenders or any other metal on your clothes that can not be easily removed. EVERY single time I got back on the ship I was directed over to the wand CM. Wand person always took their job seriously, even when I played 'let's get off the ship/let's get back on' at Castaway Cay many times. The opposite was the X-ray scanner folks working the door. With all the packages, purses, keys/coins, etc. going thru, they seemed more interested in moving the line than going through your stuff. Not once did I see someone say 'Please open that bag'. I assumed the X-ray unit worked by detecting dense metal objects (like handguns), since my hatful of coins attracted no attention.

Early dinner seating seems to work better for families with small children (bedtime issues), and gets you to the night time activities early. Drawbacks are that it cuts into late afternoon; either getting back on ship, or just getting ready (dressed) for dinner. You are also the first group off the ship and get to do the bag hunt in the terminal. Late seating worked well for us, although it was a drag to have the evening half over by the time we got done. Either way, do NOT let your dinner schedule dictate YOUR schedule. Topsiders serves great meals when you are ready, and is a good alternative.

Talk your kids into swimming in the late afternoon. The Mickey pool, and to some extent the Goofy pool are crowded early in the day. It will be much easier on you trying to keep track of them, and pool lounge chairs should be available.

Don't be foolish like I was by bringing games, cards, or the like, for either you or the kids. I took along a back gammon set to take up on deck to pass the time. That's right, it never got unpacked. Unless you simply can't live without it, leave it home. There is way more available to do than can be accomplished on TWO cruises, so being bored will not be a problem.

 

[Hypermommy]

Don't be foolish like I was by bringing games, cards, or the like, for either you or the kids. I took along a back gammon set to take up on deck to pass the time. That's right, it never got unpacked. Unless you simply can't live without it, leave it home. There is way more available to do than can be accomplished on TWO cruises, so being bored will not be a problem.

"So does that mean we're ready to start planning the next one?" she asks hopefully?

 

[pixidustmom]

I am truly sorry it's all over. I have read the pre and the post and loved reading your stories. You have been so much fun. I so can't wait to go on mine and I will take your idea of writing it down each day. I know from my last trip I just couldn't remember so many things that happened.

 

[Jillpie]

KC, I pretty much doubt DCL would ever recommend the Dis to customers. As much as I LOVE this place, and all the good that it brings to everyone, it also brings out all the bad. Every last detail of bad. That is the last thing they want to have shared with new potential guests. Agreed?
We'll keep this thread alive if its the last thing we do!

 

[King Charming]

Don't make plans for the Sunday after you get back. Between keeping short hours during the week, and traveling home that Sat., when you finally get home you will be too tired to even eat. (Cook? I'm not sure I remember how, its been over a week!) Sleep till noon that first full day back, do a few loads of laundry, then hit the hay again around 6 or 7. Tell the children it is a 'survival day'; meaning that if they survive the day without you, you just might take them with you again. Hire a sitter if need be, but you will feel SO much better for resting and putting your feet up.

Speaking of feet, please wear sensible walking shoes. Good looking flip flops or sandals may be stylish, but remember, active people will probably walk 3-5 miles a day on sea days, and 5-7 miles a day going ashore. It really is a very large ship. If your footware is not suitable for running laps, why would you walk a mini-marathon in them?

Apply sunscreen (waterproof please) at 9am, noon, and 3pm. The sun's rays ARE stronger towards the middle latitudes. It only takes one sunburn to make you irritable all week. By getting some smaller travel/pocket sized bottles to fill will encourage you to keep it with you and actually use it.

The other three thousand people on board with you don't have to be strangers, get to know them. While I don't advocate smoking, I did get to meet the other 200 or so smokers. A few from Europe, some from the west coast, most from the northeast. With a shared habit and limited space, we saw each other quite often. Even though I won't be sending them Christmas cards, I wouldn't mind hanging out with the lot of them again, or listening to more of Dear Barbara's interesting travel stories.

Although it works at any time of year, or for any holiday, during the later third of the year cruisers should bring along a Xmas sweater or hat to wear in addition to or instead of formal wear pictures with Mickey. The CM's and Mic sure don't care. Scan it when you get home for smaller prints you can send out with your cards.

If you are going to several places, arrange transportation and go to the farthest destination first, and work your way back toward the ship. This works well for two reasons. First is you are getting closer to the port as the day wears on. And since 4 out of 5 times the furthest place is also the place you most wanted to go, you ensure that you actually get there before something comes up to cancel your day.

I wish I had a GPS device to bring along. I think it would have been cool to get a reading in the middle of the gulf 93 feet above the water.

The ship's closed circuit TV was great. In addition to CNN and Disney movies and shows, two were my favorite. The 'View from the Bridge' channel (11)was neat, but channel 12 was better. The navigation/info channel stayed on most of the time. It showed our course plot, weather conditions, time of sun rise/set, and other nerdy info I really enjoyed. Did you know our cruise traveled over 2K naut. miles?

 

[Hypermommy]

So now y'all see how KC handles Hypermommy. Notice that there was not one breath of a response to my question. No, darling... I do not go away if you ignore me But as y'all may have guessed, after 22 years together with no possibility of parole, he's learned various ways of handling my Type AAA personality and maintaining his Type Z personality

 

[purplepeg]

you guys are so funny You guys have to find a way to do it again. Think, Think, Think It was fun getting a gps reading and really seeing where in the world you were.

 

[pfuentes1098]

I've really enjoyed reading your TR. Very funny! DS12 looks familiar- soccer, maybe? I hope you get to have that next cruise.

 

[Daisy5115]

It would be nice if there were a school spring break chart somewhere on the disboards. Not sure if you realized it, but it was school break in NJ, NY, and Mass. It's the same week every year around us. 3rd week in April. I did notice the week before is more money in 2009. However, I think your reasoning about the possibility of a veranda coming down in price makes more sense on other weeks. If you are willing to take your kids out of school, you may as well make the most of it. Just more helpful planning info for next time.

Karen