Magic In Paradise: 10/8-10/15 2011 All cruisers check in here

[KellyJeanDVC]

Okay, this one is just funny.

We were one of the first families to board the ship and when we got to Deck 9 there was no one there. Cory was so excited he just couldn't hold it in.

I love how his sister is looking at him like, "what are you doing?" Classic.

 

[TartanTinker]

Great pictures I will try and load some later but I have to say that we didn't take as many pictures as I thought we had so this year the girls are on camera duty they click at everything.

 

[KellyJeanDVC]

Great pictures I will try and load some later but I have to say that we didn't take as many pictures as I thought we had so this year the girls are on camera duty they click at everything.

Its a lot of fun to give the kids disposable or inexpensive cameras and see what they come back with. I liked seeing pictures of their day from their perspective.

I think its hard to get all the pictures you want the first time because you just want to see and do all there is to do. Now that you are going again I'm sure it will be easier to make the time and feel more relaxed about it. Taking pictures of the ship early in the morning or late at night gets you a lot of great shots without a bunch of strangers in them!

 

[Lauralooneyfordisney]

You can book the MCO Hyatt now if you want. You do not have to wait. We are also staying at the Hyatt. We will book the hotel once we book our flights on 3/15 for SWA. We will use the stay certificate to pay for it. When you book make sure you ask for an outside room. The inside rooms are loud and all you hear ALL night long is the public service anouncements that echo from the terminal.

Isn't the stay certificate just through Costco? or am I wrong on that? we do not have a costco membership. I really didn't want to have to book it for over $100 but I guess we could and then cancel it later if we get it cheaper through Hotwire?

 

[Lauralooneyfordisney]

Apparently the schedule is up now for the whole year according to friends on FB

We'll be waiting until 2013 to get on the Fantasy, or at least there will be a dummy date in there. May be 2014 before we actually set foot on DCL again. Dh and I refuse to go for less than 7 days too, so unless they do a special for the Dream that long then Fantasy is next up for us too. We'll see what our bank account brings

Somebody remind me in Sept. to ask about rebooking specials at the time. Would LOVE to get a half off deposit again like we did last time.

Us too Maureen. We will be booking for 2013 on board and we refuse to do less than a 7 day cruise. I am really hoping for Alaska or Hawaii.

 

[sullins5]

Okay, this one is just funny.

We were one of the first families to board the ship and when we got to Deck 9 there was no one there. Cory was so excited he just couldn't hold it in.

I love how his sister is looking at him like, "what are you doing?" Classic.

O.K. Kelly, you've got me curious. Why deck 9? Did you go up there to eat lunch? Is that where the Sail Away Party is? Is that the best place to go when you board and why? I'm so afraid we'll be on deck x and everyone else will be on deck 4,5,6, etc, and we'll be going "Oh no, we should be up there!!"
I really would like to know where everyone goes when they board! We def want to be part of the party, but we'll want to eat lunch too. You know, we just don't want to miss anything! Tips anyone?

 

[TIGGER/POOH4]

Isn't the stay certificate just through Costco? or am I wrong on that? we do not have a costco membership. I really didn't want to have to book it for over $100 but I guess we could and then cancel it later if we get it cheaper through Hotwire?

The stay certificate is offered by Hyatt and not Costco. I have placed the link below. The certificate is $141 after shipping so it does not meet your $100 number. Using it just guaratees me a room now. To me it is only $40 extra and considering I am paying close to 6 grand after flight cost that it is worth it me. If want to try the Hotwire/Priceline method I would check out the threads that talk to this.

https://www.certificates.hyatt.com/products/CertsStay.aspx

 

[Lauralooneyfordisney]

Thanks I will check on the certificate.

 

[TIGGER/POOH4]

Thanks I will check on the certificate.

If you are thinking of getting a stay certificate make sure you call first and make sure the date is available first and a certificate can be used for that date.

 

[Lauralooneyfordisney]

Oh another off topic question. I saw that you could book the private dining room at Palo for brunch so just wondering how many people would have to be booked to do this? also does each person have to be able to book Palo for that time or can just one person do it? I thought it might be fun to get a bunch of us together for brunch..The pictures of the food look yummy!
Welcome to all the newbies!

 

[aan1701]

Will it be the magic that will be going to Hawaii? Like the sound of that. I will have to try and talk dh into having a vacation next Year.

No it will be the Wonder. I am not going to post or say how I know this, but right now, and I have seen the chart, the Wonder has Pier space in Honolulu for an overnight May 6-7 and one day Sep. 16. If my theory is correct I will be on the one that is there 9/16/12.

 

[aan1701]

Oh another off topic question. I saw that you could book the private dining room at Palo for brunch so just wondering how many people would have to be booked to do this? also does each person have to be able to book Palo for that time or can just one person do it? I thought it might be fun to get a bunch of us together for brunch..The pictures of the food look yummy!
Welcome to all the newbies!

I have been told it is for groups 12-14. You can only book 30 before sailing. That us what I have been told by DCL.

 

[KellyJeanDVC]

O.K. Kelly, you've got me curious. Why deck 9? Did you go up there to eat lunch? Is that where the Sail Away Party is? Is that the best place to go when you board and why? I'm so afraid we'll be on deck x and everyone else will be on deck 4,5,6, etc, and we'll be going "Oh no, we should be up there!!"
I really would like to know where everyone goes when they board! We def want to be part of the party, but we'll want to eat lunch too. You know, we just don't want to miss anything! Tips anyone?

This is really a personal preference. Some folks love going to Parrot Cay for a sit-down lunch, but we much prefer to head up to Deck 9 the first day.

Right when we board I usually have to sign up for something at Guest Services (Martini or Wine tastings usually) and book Palo tea or brunch if I wasn't able to get it online. Last time I also stopped by the Vista Spa line to change the time of my Alone Time treatment I couldn't do online. All those things happen on Deck 3 and go really fast if you are on the ship early. I was done with everything within 15 minutes and got everything I wanted.

Then we go straight to Deck 9. We're usually hungry and stop at a table outside to leave our carry-ons. One of the kids usually hang out with the stuff and I will get their first plate for them. Both times we've done this we were among the first in line for the buffet and didn't have to wait long at all.

Then the adults can eat liesurely while the kids scarf down their food and head to the pool. They wear their suits under their clothes and are able to get some swimming in with a nearly empty pool and hot tub.

They are also usually anxious to hit up the pizza place and eventually one of them will join us back at the table for a slice.

You can't get into your cabin until 1:00pm, so it gives us plenty of time to just enjoy the ship (and hopefully good weather).

Once you get into your cabin you still have plenty of time before the Sail Away party. I usually start unpacking and the kids check into the teen/tween clubs. Courtney usually comes back and orders room service before the safety drill just 'cause she can. Usually a Mickey bar or a piece of cake.

Everyone does the safety drill and then heads to Deck 9 for the party. I, personally, like to stake out a spot on Deck 10 for a better view. Although the kids will run back and forth between the dance floor on Deck 9 and Deck 10 up where I'm at.

So, that's my plan. Other people have different preferences. But this works out great for our family. If you're eating on Deck 9 too I'll save you a place at our table!

 

[aan1701]

OK I hope this works. Since someone was asking about the Brunch, here is some Brunch pics from the Panama Cruise. That Chicken Parmeggiano is to die for.

 

[aan1701]

One more. This is me right after we got on the Wonder. What can I say I am a geek. What a great movie that is.

 

[aan1701]

Alright another Panama Canal Pic. This shows we are about to rub up on the protective wheels in one of the locks.

 

[TIGGER/POOH4]

Just wanted to say hello! Hope I'm doing this right. My family just booked last week. First time Disney cruiser but so excited. We love everything Disney so figured we couldn't go wrong with a this cruise. It will be me, my DH, and my DD 9 and 5 at the time of the cruise. Love seeing all the great photos! Glad I"m not the only one counting down the days!

aboard the Magic to Paradise cruise to the Eastern Caribbean. Also welcome to the DIS. If you have any questions no many how silly you may think it is do not hesitate to ask. We have several DISsers here who have been on many DCL cruises in the past and would only happy to help. We only have 233 days to the Magic. but whose counting

 

[aan1701]

O.K. here is another. This is the Wonder in Cabo.

 

[TIGGER/POOH4]

To keep the embarkation and food theme here is a pic of the topsiders and the embarkation lunch

 

[sullins5]

This is really a personal preference. Some folks love going to Parrot Cay for a sit-down lunch, but we much prefer to head up to Deck 9 the first day.

Right when we board I usually have to sign up for something at Guest Services (Martini or Wine tastings usually) and book Palo tea or brunch if I wasn't able to get it online. Last time I also stopped by the Vista Spa line to change the time of my Alone Time treatment I couldn't do online. All those things happen on Deck 3 and go really fast if you are on the ship early. I was done with everything within 15 minutes and got everything I wanted.

Then we go straight to Deck 9. We're usually hungry and stop at a table outside to leave our carry-ons. One of the kids usually hang out with the stuff and I will get their first plate for them. Both times we've done this we were among the first in line for the buffet and didn't have to wait long at all.

Then the adults can eat liesurely while the kids scarf down their food and head to the pool. They wear their suits under their clothes and are able to get some swimming in with a nearly empty pool and hot tub.

They are also usually anxious to hit up the pizza place and eventually one of them will join us back at the table for a slice.

You can't get into your cabin until 1:00pm, so it gives us plenty of time to just enjoy the ship (and hopefully good weather).

Once you get into your cabin you still have plenty of time before the Sail Away party. I usually start unpacking and the kids check into the teen/tween clubs. Courtney usually comes back and orders room service before the safety drill just 'cause she can. Usually a Mickey bar or a piece of cake.

Everyone does the safety drill and then heads to Deck 9 for the party. I, personally, like to stake out a spot on Deck 10 for a better view. Although the kids will run back and forth between the dance floor on Deck 9 and Deck 10 up where I'm at.

So, that's my plan. Other people have different preferences. But this works out great for our family. If you're eating on Deck 9 too I'll save you a place at our table!

I guess I should search the threads, but gotta ask anyway...what restaurant is on deck 9 that you're eating from? Is that the welcome aboard feast that I saw a few posts back? And do you do Palo w/o the kids? Where and when do they eat if you do? Talking about Courtney and Emily's age...
And is deck 3 where guests services is to make/change ressies for everything (like excursions, Palo, spa, etc)? Don't flame me..just too tired to do a search and see!
Just so you know everyone... my sweet 22yrdd bought me a journal so I could start jotting down all y'alls notes! Now do I dare go back all these pages? Probably~ but not tonight!

And...I'm so excited! We booked our 'free' (yep, due to the inlaws' skymiles cc) flights yesterday! All I've got left is the rental car, and I have NO idea how far out I need to book that!

But thanks for all the tips so far!!! Love all these pics!!!