Live From The 8/31 Magic!!!

[npall]

Hello there everyone!

We are just finishing up our day and I thought I would check in. The day was pretty uneventful. We were able to meet up with one other DIS family at the Sailaway party. They did let us board by noon today and Palo's and Flounders Reef ressies were being taken at twelve. This was so nice because as soon as we boarded dh went to Palo's I went to Flounders and then to lunch. Much better than last year when we had to interrupt lunch to do the ressie rush. GOOD NEWS FOR MOMMIES WITH KIDS UNDER TWO! Flounders is now open from 10am-2pm on Thursday sea day, so that means we can do the champagne brunch!!! I am not sure if this change is new but I was so excited that we could go. Character breakfast is tomorrow morning. Here are some clarifications.

The unlimited internet package for 89/week is still here, that is what I am currently using.

We are on the 5:30pm/ 7:45 dinner times slots with shows being at 6pm/8pm. I am glad we switched to 7:45pm because 5:30 would've been to rushed to do anything.

Well if anyone has any questions I can answer, please let me know.

BTW- We met Shirley from the Perfect Gift! What a doll! It was an instant connection, but I am sure it's that way for everyone! She made my ds a Mickey puppet basket with shovels, juices and some candy! He loved it and it was so beautiful.

Will check in later!

Naomi

 

[cruisinpenguin]

Naomi.....have a great cruise!! I hope you have great weather all week!! Looking forward to your live posts!! How are the seas? This time of the year they are usually calm. Are the dining times changed for good or are they still in the testing stages? Happy cruisin'
Laurie

 

[PiperG]

Have a wonderful time!!! Our Eastern cruise is getting closer by the day!!

 

[belu]

WOW!!!!

I am so glad to hear that we can do brunch. Hope that flounders is still open when we go in May.I was just boo-hooing about this last month!

Thanks for the great news!!!

 

[Hans Solo]

Glad to hear the All-You-Can-Surf Internet Package is alive and well.
Enjoy your "Magic"al Vacation

 

[npall]

Thanks everyone!

Cruisin': not sure about the dining times, I read somewhere on here that it was going through Sept. 28th. The seas are alot calmer now than they were earlier.

BTW- They had to close the Mickey pool once already today due to a child getting sick in the pool. It was pretty rough around that time though (6pm.)

Well I am calling it a night! Want to be well rested for Key West. Will let everyone know how that goes, we are planning no excursions, but are doing the Trolley and Conch Train tour on our own.


Talk to you later:

Naomi

 

[snelsonbrown]

Hello sweetie,
thank you for the spanish food - needless to say Norm and I had thought we die and went to spanish food heaven - awesome - listen I spoke with my uncle Lalo and told him you all could be calling him - he is thrilled that you might - if you do- he can give you awesome information or give your mamie someone to chat with that might make her feel comfortable - also I truly enjoyed your mom - hope you can find information on Tim's dad and I will look into it more when I get there in less than 4 weeks.
It was my pleasure to get to meet you and your family.
With hugssssss
Shirley

 

[Doctor P]

Thanks for posting. Glad the unlimited package is still alive!

 

[WDWLVR]

Naomi,

Thanks for posting from the ship. Glad to hear that the internet package is alive and well. What differences do you notice to the internet cafe. Do they have more stations, different set-up, anyting different?

Please also report about the trolley and train tour on your own. We are thinking of doing the same thing.

 

[Hopkins]

Thanks for checking in with us here. What are your plans in Cozumel and Grand Cayman?

Have a great trip.
Tina
Magic Western 137 days

 

[eshannon]

Hi there, you lucky person. We are on the 9/28 cruise and I am concerned about the pin trading times. We love to do the shows but DH an DS are really into pin trading. When do they have this? How do you fit it in with dinner and shows? Am thinking we will be eating at Topsiders quite a bit

Also, wonder if you can sign up ahead of time for the Segways on CC. Thanks for any answers you can give. Elaine

 

[npall]

Hello Everyone!

Today was our day at sea. The mickey pool was PACKED!!! You couldn't fit another soul in there. There are lots of activities through out the day. We didn't get to many because we slept in and took a nap with ds.
To answer some questions:

WDWLVR: Internet cafe setup hasn't changed and everytime I come in here, there is never more than 2 people. I come before dinner or about 10pm. We ended up going to the Art and History museum in Key West which was very interesting. DS(2) was not happy, it was really hot so we didn't do the train tour, but it will be so easy for you to do on your own. There are several ticket booths in Mallory Square and it tells you when the next train will be leaving. So don't worry about that. I have to say that it was very crowded and if you're not a drinker, if you don't do an excursion or the train tour there isn't much to do. LOTS of Bars!!!

Hopkins: Grand Cayman we don't have anything planned yet. In Cozumel (I speak fluent spanish) we are playing it by ear and doing the touring on our own as I feel very comfortable there.

eshannon: Don't Fret, my dh and I are into pin collecting too. The pin trading is usually at night so it won't interfere.

Gotta Run,

Naomi

 

[npall]

Hi Everyone!

Today was Grand Cayman day and eventhough we had no intentions of doing any excursions, when we got there we saw the Atlantis Submarine shop. In Disney's excursion children under 4 years old are not allowed on the Atlantis Explorer submarine (the one that takes you 100ft depth.) Well I went inside and asked the girl and she initially said he had to be four but then asked to measure him, and they had height line and he was just tall enough. So we did and it was AWESOME!!! So worth the money. It was an 1 1/2 tour and we saw all kinds of fish and coral and the captain was very knowledgeable. For the four of us 3 adults and one child was $210.00. We got a pciture and a post card at the end that was really nice along with a certicate of submarine dive (cute!)

For sail away they had a cinco de mayo party and it was fun but it started at 4:40pm. I think with early seating you miss out on alot! Eventhough my little one is really tired at dinner. I rather rush a bit through dinner and have more time for the activities and party.
Tomorrow is Cozumel and we are planning on doing the ruins on our own. I will let you know how that goes. I am gaining more courage with DS as this cruise goes along. He is doing wonderful so far.

If anyone has any questions, please let me know!!!

 

[Tluvs2talk]

npall,
Sounds like you are having a wonderful time!!!! I am enjoying hearing your trip report so far, you will have to post a more in depth post when you get back.

 

[Hopkins]

I'm hearing such positive things about the Atlantis sub, that I'm definitely looking forward to it. I can't wait until January. Have a great time in Cozumel! Can't wait for a mini-report. -Tina

 

[nedleycan]

What has been your favorite meal so far? I can't stop thinking about the delicious food!

 

[npall]

Hello everyone!!!

I will be posting a more in depth trip report when I get back but here are our Cozumel highlights.

Originally we weren't going to do much (that was the trend on this trip) but our ds(2) has really suprised us and we got brave. Yesterday in Cozumel we got off the ship around 10:30am. Where the Magic docks is an area they call (Punta Langosta) or Lobster's Pointe. Beware this is a BIG tourist trap. to cross the road you have to go up these stairs or escalators and walk through this overpass area which has tons of shops to the other side to take a down escalator and be on the other side of the road. My dh said it reminded him of Vegas casinos. They make it really easy to get it but hard to get out. Anyway DO NOT BUY FROM HERE!! Eventhough it says Duty & Tax free. We were looking for a backback because we forgot ours. They had a Tommy Hilfiger back pack sort of bag for $19.00. After getting out of this area and walking down the main street about seven or 8 blocks we made a right into this big open plaza which was a craft market. We found the same bag and negotiated it down to ten dollars. Just an FYI. You can get a much better deal with street vendors then any of these tourist shops.
Anyway we hadn't planned an excursion so we decided to do and Island tour and make some stops. Other tip: there will be alot of street vendors selling tours. All these are, are brokers. You tell them what you want, negogiate a price then they go and negotiate a deal with a cabbie. Cut out the middle man and go straight to the cab drivers. We got a 3 1/2 hour island tour with stops at Gervasio Ruins (the largest in Cozumel), Merdia Pointe and if we wanted Chankanaab State Park for $95.00 for 3 adults and one child in an a/c car. Daniel are driver was very nice and told us all about the ruins and the island.

We did a little shopping. Another hint, everything is in Pesos, so just and easy way to figure out how much everything is, it's a 10th. of whatever the price is. Let's say something is a 100 pesos, that's $10.00. 450 Pesos is $14.50.

We also went to Carlos & Charlies, it was about 5pm. It was crazy not a place for children (glad we left ds with Mom back on the ship) There was a girl there (about 21) passed out on one fo the benches with her chest exposed. I went to cover her up but her Mom said that she could take care of her...She didn't .. very sad...
It was a fun place if you are a big partier..but just for a nice margarita with your spouse..there are many nice quiet places to do that on the same strip.

Well today is the day at sea and we did the Palo's brunch. one word AWESOME!! Well worth the money, if you can don't miss it, we liked it better than dinner. If we had to choose between them. Do the brunch!

Nedley: My favorite food so far was today at the brunch. So much to choose from! I had the Tilapia and loved it. Along with everything else!!!

That's all for now! Tomorrow Castaway Cay. I will write soon.

 

[Hopkins]

Sounds like you did well getting around in Cozumel.

Have a great day in Castaway Cay!
Tina

 

[pal2pluto]

npall.........all the buzz on the boards today have been about the Mickey Pool possibly becoming for potty-trained kids only. You should see the thread!!!!! But my question to you is....have you seen any diaper/swimmie wearing kids told to leave the mickey pool?

 

[cruisinpenguin]

Thanks for the info on Cozumel.....When buying things there did you pay in pesos or American money? Where do you get the pesos on ship? Glad you're having a great cruise. How's the weather temp wise? I'm sure it's beautiful!!
Happy cruisin'
Laurie