Magic, January 16, 2010--Winter Day Castaways

[Bunless]

Okay..my documents came today..so now I've really got them.

Anybody doing a day or two at Disney prior to the cruise?

Kind of... We're flying in the night before and staying at a non-view Animal Kingdom Lodge room on DVC pointes. It was actually the cheapest (pointe wise) of all the locations.

Afterward, we're going to Disney's Vero Beach resort for 3 nights.

 

[pit303]

Kind of... We're flying in the night before and staying at a non-view Animal Kingdom Lodge room on DVC pointes. It was actually the cheapest (pointe wise) of all the locations.

Afterward, we're going to Disney's Vero Beach resort for 3 nights.

We still haven't decided if we are going to go down to the Cape on Friday we arrive early Friday or stay up at Disney for the night. Also, still deciding whether to switch Sat flight to Sun and spend a day at WDW again on points O decisions decisions

 

[williamson_ja]

We're staying a night at Pop after the cruise but not going to the parks. We were just there in Sept. and have never ventured off Disney property. I think we might actually go to Universal or something that day, then head over to DTD for the evening. The hotels in the Universal area seemed questionable and about the same price. UNLESS I wanted to spend $250/night on a Universal owned hotel... which I don't. It's funny because staying at Pop was one of the cheapest options in the area. I figured that I could either stay there, or some Holliday Inn or something in a questionable area. At least I know this hotel will be in a good area.

I wanted to check out the value hotels anyway. I've never stayed in one, but want to take a trip to WDW with the kids next Dec. and want to see if staying value is an option for that trip. This gives me the opportunity to check it out without having to stay too long if I hate it.

 

[brennanavery]

If anyone a runner? My husband runs 1/2 marathons and was intersted in running the Castway 5 K if anyone wants to joing him

I am a runner (first half-marathon this past October). I really wanted to do this but am currently nursing a stress fracture. Don't know if I will be able to run in time for Castaway. Keep trying to run too soon and probably setting myself back in the recovery period!

 

[RockiesLady]

I see there is a Pirate night...but, is there anything "Princess" for the girls??

Which night is Pirate night as well??

 

[hgon76]

I see there is a Pirate night...but, is there anything "Princess" for the girls??

Which night is Pirate night as well??

Pirate night is the same day as St Martin. There are princess meets onboard. Also they do things in the kids clubs w/ the princesses too. There will be plenty of "princessy" things to do for your little girl. You should bring a couple of princess dresses for her. My DD7 wears them to dinner on formal/semi formal night. And to the clubs for the princess activities. Or to the shows. Always an opportunity to dress up as a princess. I saw one woman last time change her daughters outfit for each pic with each princess. She had them all!

 

[lsebastyn]

Now I understand what you mean about needing 10 posts. I can't send a pm to get invited to the facebook page due to the fact I am new and only have three posts...now four! I better get busy.

 

[harleys mom]

I am a runner (first half-marathon this past October). I really wanted to do this but am currently nursing a stress fracture. Don't know if I will be able to run in time for Castaway. Keep trying to run too soon and probably setting myself back in the recovery period!

Actually I am not sure if he will be up to it or not know as he injured his leg in a car accident today. Not serious, but he irrated his siadick nerve. He is hoping to be back at running next week.
He ran his first half last year in Indianapolis, and ran two this year. He is hoping for the Disney Marathon next year.

 

[hgon76]

Wow! It's getting soooo close! For anyone who didn't get their docs yet there is a post on the main cruise board to a UPS tracking page where you enter your ressie #, country,zip and dates & it tells you if they're in transit. Pretty cool! Just came back from getting my hair lightened for the cruise! These next couple weeks are going to fly by!! Before we know it, we'll be back from the cruise & on these boards talking about how much we miss the ship. But don't want to think about that now! I'm done packing and ready to go

 

[harleys mom]

I havn't even stated to pack... I did pull out the suit cases and went thru my my Disney Box. I do need to try on my dresses. It may mean a shopping trip.

 

[RockiesLady]

Hey folks. Any tips for getting one dinner resv. for Palo?? I'm frustrated that it's full. I just got all my documents, and didn't know what Palo was until about 3 days ago. I sat down tonight to book reservations and they're all full

I hate being a Newbie..feel like I don't know anything.

 

[harleys mom]

On our last trip, we were one of the first on board and we were able to book Palo's on board. It was worth the extra money and really romantic.

 

[hgon76]

Hey folks. Any tips for getting one dinner resv. for Palo?? I'm frustrated that it's full. I just got all my documents, and didn't know what Palo was until about 3 days ago. I sat down tonight to book reservations and they're all full

I hate being a Newbie..feel like I don't know anything.

Just go to guest services when you board. They save a few reservations for that reason. Also you can check about being put on a cancellation list if someone doesn't show. But you should have no problem booking once you get to port.Oops! I meant rockin d bar not guest services! Sorry!

 

[pit303]

Hey folks. Any tips for getting one dinner resv. for Palo?? I'm frustrated that it's full. I just got all my documents, and didn't know what Palo was until about 3 days ago. I sat down tonight to book reservations and they're all full

I hate being a Newbie..feel like I don't know anything.

go to Rockin Bar D as soon as you board you should be able to book a dinner ressie there they always keep some open

 

[RockiesLady]

I am so thankful to have found this board. My husband things I'm nuts..have been at this computer all day working on this trip. Thank goodness for being a teacher and having "Winter break". I don't know how I'd get this done

Okay, I called because I wasn't sure how to determine my seating time, I didn't see it anywhere. I was planning things today assuming I had main seating, but apparently, we do not..we have late seating.

I have never done a cruise with children, but I am fearful that my kids will be wiped out by that time, and not be able to sit through dinner. Then, we won't be able to due to them falling asleep.

Any thoughts?? They are 4 and 6. Do your kids eat at the late or earlier time??

 

[williamson_ja]

I am so thankful to have found this board. My husband things I'm nuts..have been at this computer all day working on this trip. Thank goodness for being a teacher and having "Winter break". I don't know how I'd get this done

Okay, I called because I wasn't sure how to determine my seating time, I didn't see it anywhere. I was planning things today assuming I had main seating, but apparently, we do not..we have late seating.

I have never done a cruise with children, but I am fearful that my kids will be wiped out by that time, and not be able to sit through dinner. Then, we won't be able to due to them falling asleep.

Any thoughts?? They are 4 and 6. Do your kids eat at the late or earlier time??

I think it depends on a few things. For one thing, what time zone are you in now? If you are from the west, this won't be too bad of a dinner time considering the time difference. The 8:15 is really 6:15 our time. Also, do your kids tend to stay up late and eat late at home or is it usually early nights at your house? I send my 4 yr old to bed at 8:30 at home. We tried to push the bedtime back a few times at WDW this Sept. and found her sleeping at dinner a few times even with the time change. If you think it will be a problem, you can see if there is any way for them to change it once you get on board.

 

[ljcrochet]

I have never done a cruise with children, but I am fearful that my kids will be wiped out by that time, and not be able to sit through dinner. Then, we won't be able to due to them falling asleep.

Any thoughts?? They are 4 and 6. Do your kids eat at the late or earlier time??

We are doing late seating with my 4 1/2 year olds. We cruised when they were 2 on a carnival cruise and found early seating to be a pain. It seemed to kill to much of the day. There was no time for an afternoon nap (for us or the kids) since it was time to get dressed for dinner.

 

[AimeeJ]

Hey folks. Any tips for getting one dinner resv. for Palo?? I'm frustrated that it's full. I just got all my documents, and didn't know what Palo was until about 3 days ago. I sat down tonight to book reservations and they're all full

I hate being a Newbie..feel like I don't know anything.

Do not feel bad about being a "newbie". This is my 5th cruise and I was a CM at DCL for a year and am still learning stuff!

The first seating for dinner is the hardest thing to get into, but it is always worth it to go to Rokin' Bar D and see what they can do. There are a lot of pluses to late seating. The day is not as rushed and the servers serve the kids first then CM's come to the dining room so the kids can go to the clubs. There is also a nice dinner at Beach Blanket Buffet if you want to eat with the family at a different time.

 

[shellcruiser]

Hey folks. Any tips for getting one dinner resv. for Palo?? I'm frustrated that it's full. I just got all my documents, and didn't know what Palo was until about 3 days ago. I sat down tonight to book reservations and they're all full

Don't stress!!! This is the first cruise that I actually have been able to get Palo ressie prior to embarkation. When you board the ship on Sat. go directly to Rockin Bar D (rockin' D Bar??). On our cruise Oct '08, they blocked about 1/2 of the ressies from the online reservation system. That means that the other 1/2 of ressies were available for booking the day of embarkation.

I have never done a cruise with children, but I am fearful that my kids will be wiped out by that time, and not be able to sit through dinner. Then, we won't be able to due to them falling asleep.

Any thoughts?? They are 4 and 6. Do your kids eat at the late or earlier time??

Honestly, on our first cruise the kids were 4 and 6 and they literally slept at the table. IF you can change to early dining once onboard I would. That said Disney has really tried to accomodate families and now the kids will be served first so they are finished quickly and can then go to kids club. The kids club team will pick them up in the dining room which allows the adults to enjoy a quiet meal.

If anyone a runner? My husband runs 1/2 marathons and was intersted in running the Castway 5 K if anyone wants to joing him

I'll let DH- Gary know. He is a runner too. I do not enjoy running, but even I am trying to get in shape enough to run the 5K. DH and I do NOT run together-- as I said he IS a runner.

I see there is a Pirate night...but, is there anything "Princess" for the girls??

Which night is Pirate night as well??

Pirate night is a fun evening. I think it will be Tues night. As far as Princess theme... seems like the Princesses are available everyday somewhere. We have never done it, but there is also a tea with Wendy (or Alice?) that mom and daughter can attend.

 

[Bunless]

go directly to Rockin Bar D (rockin' D Bar??).

Knowing the Disney love of puns and word play, I could 99% say it's the first...and I've never been on the Magic or Wonder.


.......and speaking of exercise, and wanting to try and walk a couple of miles around the ship on sea days, as well as do the pilates and yoga classes. If anyone else is in, it's easier to commit to it if you've got a partner with you!