March 11, 2006 - 7 Day Magic

[Mortlives]

Actually, tomorrow's is a picture of the outside of the terminal from the DCL picture of the day thread.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=10223461&postcount=1773

For those whose last day of work is Wednesday, March 8, we have 34 working days left, and those leaving on the Thursday before the cruise have 7 weeks to go today.

It is currently (8:16am) 66F, with a high of 78.

 

[sk8ingmom]

For those whose last day of work is Wednesday, March 8, we have 34 working days left, and those leaving on the Thursday before the cruise have 7 weeks to go today.

It is currently (8:16am) 66F, with a high of 78.

33 WORKING DAYS ??? Aaaarrrhhhh. That is really stressing me out right now. I think I have about 300 days worth of work to do before I can leave.

Outisde my window it is currently (2:29 pm) 3F, with a high of 5.

OK, maybe I can just leave all this stuff on my desk and get on a plane!

 

[Castaway Stowaway]

tross, I really like the western more than the eastern. Just our preference. It was warmer and i absolutely love Grand Cayman. 7 mile is the most beautiful beach ive ever seen. i cant wait till our next one. my fam and i have been watching all of our videos of our las cruises. Has anyone made a door sign? Know how?

 

[kcarl021]

Has anyone made a door sign? Know how?

I made one last year and will probably do so again this year, but I need to start thinking about what I am going to do! It is pretty simple, just google for some free Disney Clip Art and make your sign in Microsoft Word. You can buy magnetic paper from Walmart and it goes right through your printer. I had read that they don't like people taping things on the doors and will remove it if they find it, but they don't care about the magnets.

Very few people on my cruise decorated their doors but I liked it because it made it easier for me to find our room. It's easier for the little ones too - all of the doors look exactly alike and there are just rows and rows and rows of them!

 

[I'mWong]

We are going to be on the cruise with you. There are four of us Me(39), DH(49), DD(9) and DS (will turn 7 on the cruise!). We were on the wonder twice in 01, but our first 7 nighter. We are so excited! We are making our signs pretty soon. We are going to do everything we can think of to make this our best vacation ever!

 

[Mortlives]

We are going to be on the cruise with you. There are four of us Me(39), DH(49), DD(9) and DS (will turn 7 on the cruise!).

Welcome aboard! I've added you to our roll call, and I couldn't resist trying the new smily.

 

[DisneyPinDiva]

Just booked this cruise this afternoon!!! This will be our 6th cruise on DCL, but first Western. Well, we went WAY west last May... but not these ports. We were holding out for the rumored 2007 itineraries but I need a DCL fix before that!
Can't believe how easy it was to catch up... only 10 pages??? Okay people LET'S TALK!!!
OH... cruising will be me... Leslie and Joe my DH. That's it.

 

[tross]

Welcome aboard Disneypindiva. MK fireworks from your yard. How cool is that! We love the MK. I'm assuming from your name you are a Pin fan. My DSs have some from previous vacations and want to to take them on the ship for trading.

 

[Castaway Stowaway]

Welcome aboard Disneypindiva!! this will be our third 7 day on dcl. I am soooooo ready for this. we booked kind of last minute too. only about a week ago! Last time we were in cat 4. now we are going back to cat 9. cat 4 was waaay to much $$$. what do you guys think the chances for an upgrade at the port are?

 

[DisneyPinDiva]

Hi Everyone!
Yes, I am a pin addict!! The last two cruises I was on .. there was not too much pin trading between the guests. A few sharks onboard and that's always discouraging. I encourage kids to trade with the CM's. They have pin trading all the time.. any time you see a CM with a lanyard... they will trade with you. One of the nights in the atrium they have the officers all come out with lanyards too. That's always fun. If there are any special limited edition pins released on our cruise (the artist choice of the month or Captains Choice) they will only be sold during "pin trading" time usually 7:30 each night in the atrium. They may have a special one for St. Patricks Day so keep an eye on your navigator!

As far as upgrades go... the only time we ever got one was from a 12 to a 9. It wasn't really an upgrade per se. About 4 days into the Repo cruise they said our room steward reported a plumbing problem... something they had to tear the wall out in our bathroom to fix. They moved us to an outside room for the remainder of the cruise. I never noticed anything wrong with the plumbing but I wasn't going to argue! We've never been upgraded at the port. This time we have a gty for an outside room ... so we'll see what they come up with. Cat 4 is fabulous. We've seen all the catagory staterooms but never stayed higher than a 9, most of the time we go for 11 or 12. I'd rather have more cruises! Never spend that much time in the room anyway. When we booked yesterday... they said all the inside rooms were booked.

Okay... gotta go.. it's STEELER time!

 

[kcarl021]

think the chances for an upgrade at the port are?

Last year we booked a Cat 8 and were upgraded to a Cat 4. Of course now we are spoiled and had to book at Cat 6 this year because the rooms are the same, just a deck lower. I really don't know how they decide who gets upgraded. I assume if there are rooms available they will try, but I thought this cruise was pretty booked already. Some people think it depends on how long ago you booked and that the first to book are the first to get upgraded, but we booked a March cruise in December last year and still got a good upgrade. Other think if you are a new cruiser they try to upgrade you to get you to rebook again. I don't really know what the system is.

Me I am hoping to not get upgraded. We booked adjoining rooms with my parents and my girlfriend is only 4 staterooms away, same floor. We linked our reservations so I don't think they would upgrade us unless they ugraded us all which is even more doubtful.

Just cross your fingers and see but even if not, you still made the cruise!

 

[I'mWong]

Hi DisneyPinDiva. My kids and DH LOVE pin trading. They weren't yet into it when we cruised in 01. Are there announcements about the pin trading events you were talking about? I know they would love to trade. Sorry to be so out of it, but when you say "Sharks", what are you referring to? Just curious! Want to know who to avoid. My kids are pretty shy and unassuming.

About the upgrades. Our first cruise, we booked a category 11 and were upgraded to a room with a veranda on the 7th floor. Not sure what that category would be, but we found out about it when we went to the desk to check in. It was on the Wonder in January, so there was probably more availability. I too have heard this cruise was pretty much sold out. I tried to book back in November and was told there was not anymore room in the children's programming so we wouldn't be able to sail. I kept calling and either people have cancelled, or more counselors became available. Either way, lucky for us. We are going! See you there!

 

[DisneyPinDiva]

WOW.. those are some great upgrades! I think I would fall over if they told me at the desk I had been upgraded like that!

Sorry about the pin lingo. "Sharks" are what can be catagorized as unscrupulous adult pin traders who take advantage of newer traders, young ones in particular and will try to make an unfair trade for something the newer trader has but may not know it would be an unfair trade. Does that make sense?? Like offering a younger trader an open stock or "rack" pin for one of DCL limited pins that may be available. Or get you to BUY them the LE pin in trade for something simple they have that a child might want. A lot of these people try to get as many as they can to then sell on Ebay.
You just have to watch out and especially with kids, make sure they check with you before they trade anything, espcially the special cruise pins.

Pin trading is a lot of fun, and I hate to see someone's experience be ruined. I try to watch out for kids especially and guide them away from someone who may take advantage of them. Sticking with the CMs is their best bet. Feel free to email me with any questions.. I know this isn't the forum to get into the intricacies of pin trading!!
Pin trading times will be announced in the personal Navigators that you receive in your stateroom each evening for the next day. From my experience, it's usually around 7:30pm each evening in the 3rd floor atrium, in the sitting area by guest services. If there are any special limited edition pins.. that's usually the only time they will be sold... from a cart they bring out. The regular open stock pins and some pins from WDW are sold in Mickey's Mates. The CM"s in Mickey's Mates always have lanyards on for trading too!
Okay enough pin rambling.

On to other fun topics... Will everyone be dressing up for Pirate Night??

 

[kcarl021]

On to other fun topics... Will everyone be dressing up for Pirate Night??

I didn't dress up last year and didn't see many who did. What do you suggest? I wish we were leaving TODAY!!!

Another question - I need more FREE CLIP ART!!! Any suggestions, I keep getting the same old pictures and I really want a Micky and Minnie either in wedding gear or kissing or something sweet!

 

[Castaway Stowaway]

My boys definately want to dress up!! I d rather dress for that than the formal night. We are gonna go to a party supply store and see what we can find. also in the oriental trading co. catalog, they had some cute stuff.ditto that kcarl. i wish we could leave right now, but as the great Willy Wonka said"the anticipation is terrible, i hope it lasts." The cruise will go by so quick. I really want to enjoy every bit of the anticipation!OH... i cant wait for the vista spa!! And i need some serious help making door signs. I have absolutely NO idea what to do!!

 

[I'mWong]

Thanks for all the pintrading info DisneyPinDiva. We will stick to the CMs. I cannot wait for this cruise. I teach school and everyday is so busy that it flies by! That is the good part! I have been on about 7 cruises before, even DCL twice, but I'm more excited about this one than I have been about the others. My family is made up of disney fanatics! Last June we went on the Carnival Pride out of Long Beach and at one port in Mexico (can't remember which one) we were docked beside the Magic. It really bummed me out to be so close...and yet so far away! Everyone on the decks of the two ships started singing back and forth M-I-C from one ship and K-E-Y from the other. It was really funny! I decided then I would be back!

Castaway Stowaway my DS and DD are planning to dress up for sure! We have been looking for things and haven't had much luck. I am going to try the Oriental Trading Co. online tomorrow. I didn't think of them. Thanks for sharing. My son has a Captain Hook costume from a trip to WDW, but need to see if it still fits. We were talking about it today and DH and myself aren't quite sure what to wear. If all else fails, could go tropical. That is usually easier to find. Good luck in your search!

 

[DisneyPinDiva]

Well you will also need Tropical stuff for Tropicalifragilistic night!!

Now wait a minute... I hear you all talking about your KIDS dressing up... but what about YOU! DH and I always dress up! It's so much fun! All the cruise staff gets dressed too and it's great for pictures with Pirate Mickey and Minnie! We get a little more elaborate with each cruise! You can always start with some sort of Pirate tee shirt and rolled up jeans. Get a cheap eye patch, you'll have your bandanna from dinner to tie around your head! I always figure it this way.... you are probably never going to see any of these people again... so really get into it and have a good time!!

Don't forget your polyester and tye-dye for 70's night!!

 

[I'mWong]

What are the other theme dress nights? I LOVE the 70s! I was in grade school, but my husband was in high school and we both love the music, the dress, all of it! I didn't know there was a tropical night too. I guess I will have to rethink this pirate thing after all!

 

[I'mWong]

By the way DisneyPinDiva, your dogs are awesome! I love the picture of you and your lovebug too!

 

[DisneyPinDiva]

Thanks... Our Goldens, Woody and Tink (all our dogs have had Disney names) are our babies. Now that our human kids are grown and out of the house... these two are the "kids" They are littermates and were born in our bedroom.. so we've had them since birth. The only drawback to cruising is that we have to leave them behind 70's Night is actually in the nightclub. It's hilarious and not to be missed!! Pirate night is the big one for dressing up, and Tropical night. On the Repo cruise we had a Mickey Mouse Club night that was really great.... don't know if they have continued that.. but they should! Of course Formal and Semi Formal. The cruise is usually the only time DH and I get that dressed up..so we do the whole tux/gown thing!

I can't wait to see what changes they made to the Magic during drydock! The Dumbotron should be a great addition to the deck parties!