March 11, 2006 - 7 Day Magic

[otoole]

Thought I would reply to your question about where we are all from. I am still trying to book a reasonable flight for the cruise - hoping that Southwest posts their fares for March soon. I have a husband and two children, son aged 6 and daughter 4 (at time of travel).

 

[Mortlives]

I wonder how many of us are going to end up being from Toronto.

We're driving down, since we discovered a few years back that we prefer that to flying. Not afraid to fly, it's just cheaper and more scenic to drive, and we don't have to take off our shoes and empty out our pockets before getting into the car.

 

[MickeyMania]

OToole - what cat did you book? With a 3 and a 6 yo I was nervous about the verandah.

Other folks have said - as long as you move the furniture off the deck - there are no worries... I say, other folks obviously have not met my kids - who I believe are part monkey! My daughter takes every opportunity to show off her skills!

So - we settled for a cat 9 porthole. I really shouldn't say settled - since I would have even taken an inside cabin just to get on a cruise!

Have you thought about what kind of excursions you might do? I want to take my 6 yo son on a horseback riding trip or swim with the dolphins - but haven't found something that allows his age. Have you had any luck?

Hope you all have a great day!!

 

[lovinaz]

Wow, driving from Toronto?!? I am ready to claw my way out of the car driving to our property in northern AZ (3.5 hours)...

I am also going to book Southwest the minute they start taking reservations for March. The have a direct flight from Phx to Orlando and they are still the least expensive.

Otoole, I would be embarrassed to tell you how many hours I spent on the boards looking at all the info when I booked my cruise a couple months ago! I had to stop because I was getting too anxious to go!!!

My kids (DS9 and DD6) are very excited, they have been practicing snorkeling in the pool already!!

 

[Mortlives]

Wow, driving from Toronto?!? I am ready to claw my way out of the car driving to our property in northern AZ (3.5 hours)...

Well, we take frequent breaks, and do it over a couple of days. It's not that hard, espcially when you're driving through West Virginia, and you have all those mountains to gawk at. Also, because we are usually driving in late winter, we get to watch a rapid version of the change of the seasons, as we go from winter (boo!) to spring (pretty!) to summer (huzzah!). Then we get to watch it in reverse on the way back, but that's a little more depressing.

 

[Mortlives]

By the way, my confirmation/itinerary finally arrived yesterday. Looks like we're not going to have all that much time in Grand Cayman, but we should be able to manage a fair chunk of evening time at Carlos 'n' Charlies in Cozumel.

 

[otoole]

I booked through the Magical Rates at the end of July so we have a Category 12 room (although from what I have read that it will end up being a category 11 since there are four of us). This is our first cruise and I figure we won't be in our room much - although you never know we could upgrade before March.

I am driving myself crazy checking the Southwest website daily to see if they have posted flights for March. I have even called to see if they know when they will be posting the March schedule (they have no idea). Flights can be quite expensive from Toronto ($2000+) and even from Buffalo a direct flight (essential with young kids and a boat that will leave without us) on other airlines is ~$1500-$2000. Driving isn't an option - I am a teacher and cannot take time off directly before or after March Break (truly the Board will not allow us). So let's hope Southwest comes through!

I have a question about arriving the night before. We have paid for transportation between the airport and port with DCL bus. If we arrive the night before to stay at a Disney hotel then the Magical Express will get us to the hotel. Can I then get the DCL bus to take us from the hotel to the port instead of from the airport to the port? Flying from Buffalo or Toronto won't allow much time for delays, etc. in the morning of the cruise so I would feel more comfortable arriving the night before and airport hotels seem similar in price to POR.

Finally, someone asked about excursions. I think we will stay on the ship in Key West (since only day 2) however, I am thinking about the dolphin excusion in Cozumel for the family. I visited a site about Chankanaab National Park (where the dolphin encounter occurs) and it also appears to have a great beach, shops, etc. I know my children would love to interact with the dolphins especially my son (6). They aren't old enough to do a dolphin swim which you can arrange on your own. I also think we will do a snorkeling excursion at Stingray City in Grand Cayman (possibly not my daughter). We will see how comfortable my son and daughter are with snorkeling before Dec.. My husband and I used to be diving instructors for years and I would really like to expose my children to the underwater world while young. Although I would love to go for a dive while away (haven't been since having kids) I can't imagine leaving the kids on board - even with everything I have read about how great the Oceaneer Club is - especially if we were diving.

 

[lovinaz]

We are flying in the day before and staying at the Crowne Plaza by the airport. We also got Disney transportation. We are going to take the hotel shuttle back to the airport in the a.m. and catch the Disney transportation from there. I will keep checking Southwest every week or so and post it when they are available (maybe you can do the same in case you find out before I do!)

For Key West, there is a pirate museum and a wine place I want to go to. Other than that, nothing too exciting for little ones. From what I've heard it is mostly shopping, dining and bars. Maybe we'll put the kids back into the clubs and sneak back off the ship for a few cocktails!

Grand Cayman we are doing the Stingray snorkeling.

Cozumel we are spending the day at a beach club.

Castaway Cay we will just hang out on the beach and play it by ear!!

 

[Mortlives]

I think I missed something, what are Magical Rates? Mine were not so magical.

 

[Disneyjamie]

I keep second guessing my rates too - for GTY 12, is 1935 for two good? I know March is prime time, but just wondered. I posted this before and was told it was okay, but still second guess everything.

 

[Mortlives]

Excursion plans: We have nothing concrete yet, but, at a guess:

Key West - on foot, maybe do the pirate museum and trot down to Hemingway House.

Grand Cayman - shipwreck snorkelling? Other snorkelling? Lots of snorkelling!

Cozumel - take a cab to Chankanaab, and snorkel, snorkel, snorkel.

Castaway Cay - I hear they're putting in a Stingray City here, so we'll probably skip the one in Grand Cayman, in favour of this.

 

[lovinaz]

I think I missed something, what are Magical Rates? Mine were not so magical.

I didn't think my rates were too magical either!

We are paying $5728 (oh, that looks AWFUL in b&w!!!) for 2 adults, 2 kids in a Cat 8. I will bargain hunt with the best of them, but since this is our first cruise and we are stuck with the Spring Break date, I knew we'd be paying a little extra and wasn't too worried about it. I did check with Dreams Unlimited and Travelocity and they couldn't do any better so I think I did as good as I could! Don't keep second guessing your price, you will go nuts!

 

[TammyAlphabet]

I found out about Magical Rates from www.mousesavers.com. I believe that they are only available on Category 12. We paid 2519 for two adults and one child and booked with www.cheaptickets.com. I am assuming that when the boat is not selling out as quickly as some computer program has planned, they introduce the "Magical Rates" for up to 50 cabins in a category 12 for reduced rates. Now, there are only 13 cabins in this category so a significant portion are going to get upgraded. But that means that other categories would need to get bumped also, I would assume.

 

[otoole]

We booked Magical Rates through the Disney Cruise Line website at the end of July. It was listed under Special Offers and had a few cruises available - one of which was obviously the March break cruise (I couldn't believe it). I actually discovered the offer the last day it was available while searching for a Land/Sea package and couldn't pass up the savings. I did have to book a Categroy 12 guarantee room though (not preferred) but saved ~ $2000.

 

[Mortlives]

Thanks for the answers. So Magical Rates wouldn't apply to us anyway. DH is somewhat claustrophobic, so I wanted him to have a verandah to make it easier for him. He does so much for me (including agreeing to go on this cruise when he has different vacation priorities), that I want to make sure he's as comfortable as possible.

So who else has excursion plans, is/is not wearing a tux, is wondering if they might not be happier fore or aft?

 

[CBEB]

We haven't decided on excursions yet. We did this itinerary last year and did our own thing (walking) in KW, then the Turtle Farm and Stingray swim at GC and then the beach break at Cozumel. They were all great, but we'll probably pick something different just for the variety.

My DH rented a tux that was delivered to our stateroom (cruiseformals.com I think?) and it was perfect (did it twice). Last year we didn't go quite so formal. Not sure what we'll do this year, but you'll see plenty of people dressed anywhere from nice outfits to over the top formal. You won't feel out of place no matter what you decide!

Anyone following the thread of the Magic coming back home? Boy I sure wish we could have done one of the repo cruises - what an experience! Unfortunately for us Texans, both cruises were while school is in session - Boo!

Come on, March!!

 

[otoole]

I was just on the Disney site checking to see if we have received the earlier dinner seating yet and noticed that Magical Rates are listed for the March 11th cruise once again. I don't know if these compare to the rates I booked in July because the only available cabins left for a family of four that I could see were Cat. 10. If interested just click on "Reservations" and then "Special Offers" and scroll down to the 7 night Western.

On a separate note: I am so tired of waiting for Southwest to post their flights for March. Checking every day is driving me crazy and inevitably it will be posted on the day I don't check.

 

[MickeyMania]

As much as I love a bargain - even I don't bet on disney for a real bargain!

We booked way back in January!! So we did get better rates - but the waiting has been killing me!

We haven't decided on excursions yet. I would really like to do the dolphin excursion... and would like to do a horse back riding one - but I haven't found one that will allow my 6 year old to go. Anyone come across one for kids that age?

Walking in KW is our plan. and some extra ship time!

Not decided on tux for dh yet... anyone else?

 

[Mortlives]

We're back from Universal and St. Augustine, and I'm surprised at how little activity there's been here since we've been gone.

I don't think DH is going to tux, but he has his clan tartan kilt, and will probably be showing his colours formal and semi-formal nights.

 

[MickeyMania]

Okay - so I find out today that one of our major conferences at work falls on... March 12 - 15!

Well - what the heck am I to do? It is the week of Spring Break - the only week we can go. This event is always the last week of February - so I didn't even worry. In fact - I thought it would be a great break after a crazy week.

I called DH and his immediate reaction was -"well, they'll miss you this year!" I agree. So - I sent a note to my manager and now I am waiting for the response....

I actually write the speeches for some of the folks who present at the conference - so I can do it before hand -and just hand the rehearsals to someone else.... (while I am enjoying a mickey bar and the drink of the day! )

Please end pixie dust my way!