March 15-22, 2008 Eastern - Way-Way Early Check In

[wrightz05]

nlm I think you are right I reserved three rooms at the Radisson. (had to do three kings because the 2 fulls were smoking rooms!!) This included breakfast buffet for two, parking for the duration of the cruise, and the shuttle. I came up with the same idea you did. I am going to shuttle the family and everyone else in our party over and then come back park the car and take the shuttle. I should have no problem getting on with just me, no luggage or anything.

The port opens at 10:00 right?

 

[wrightz05]

I am still excited and need someone to talk to about it. Everyone at work is probably sick of hearing me already!

 

[nlm]

Hi everyone!

I've been reading some other trip reports, and saw the idea of using green Mardi Gras beads instead of the green Mickey paint chips from Home Depot. That way, you don't have to pin something on your clothes - you can just wrap them around your wrist or hang them around you neck.

What do you think? Should we go with the beads instead of the paint chips to identify each other? I'm willing to spring for the beads and bring them to hand out at meets.

Also, what about planning a kids meet in the terminal? I know not everyone will be arriving early, but I was thinking we could aim for 11:00 or so. We've got a big group of kids and it would be really nice if they could meet and get to know each other before we get on board.

 

[DiszyGram]

That's ok Liz, you can't help but be excited! There is no other cruise anywhere close to a Disney Cruise, for children of ALL ages.

My daughter, grandson and I were on the Disney Magic just last Thanksgiving, and here we go on the Magic again.

This is just part of my report on that Thanksgiving cruise if any of you would like to read it. We met up with some really nice people from the Dis Cruise Meets. It was a western cruise and went to Grand Cayman, Cozemel, and Castaway Cay twice.

Disney Magic Thanksgiving 7 night cruise, 2006

The cruise was a magical experience and any small problems we had did not subtract from it.

We had early dining and will take the late dining if we sail again. Early dinner seems to rush us too much. Our dining room rotation was APL, which put us in beautiful Lumiere's on Thanksgiving and put us in Animator's three times.

Our servers were Noel from France and David from Australia. They were great! Noel kept my 7 year old grandson entertained the whole time with jokes and magic tricks. On our last night he smacked Joey's hand and yelled "High Four". Since I knew Noel is still learning English, I whispered, "It's high five". He said, "No, it's high four", and showed me he didn't have his little finger. I never noticed it until then.

Our cabin was very nice but I would not advise any one else taking it. It was cabin 2586 and noisy. At first I thought people above us were tossing around suitcases and practicing bowling lessons. We called up the guest desk and discovered we were located right below Lumiere's galley. The rest of the nights were a lot quieter but we could still hear a few noises. I can't say enough good things about the wonderful staff at the guest desk.

This is a post about one experience that I thought was especially Magical.

My grandson, seven year old Joey, wasn't interested in getting an autograph book for the Disney characters to sign during the cruise. We saw many of them every day and he wanted to have pictures with them, but not their autographs. I did try to talk him into it. I believe his reason for not wanting autographs is he is profoundly deaf and doesn't want to reveal he has a problem. Joey does get a lot of help with his hearing aide. He is proficient at reading lips but some character's lips are impossible to read. Stitch is his very favorite character and we did get his picture with Joey.

The last full day we were on the cruise, I took Joey into the ship's store and asked him to look and see if he wanted anything. I was very surprised when he picked out a Disney autograph book. It had a fold out picture of Magical Mickey on the front. He told me he wanted to get autographs now. We ran into Mickey and Minnie Mouse on the stairs and he was able to get his first two autographs. He was REALLY hoping to find Stitch and get his also.

We didn't find any more characters signing books before it was time for Joey to get some sleep. The next morning we had to be at breakfast and off the ship well before 9am. Joey was sad that he only had two autographs in his book. He fell asleep almost as fast as his head hit the pillow.

My daughter, Valerie, saw there was a final good-bye party that evening and decided to go see what it was. She was exhausted but still wanted to just check out what was happening at the party. I stayed with Joey. She was only gone a short time when she rushed back into our cabin and was very excited! ALL of the Disney characters on the ship were gathered together in one area and they were ALL signing autograph books! Valerie grabbed Joey's book and headed back out.

She got in line and saw she was the only adult among all the children. Someone hugged her around her neck and she turned to see Stitch standing there. Valerie told him that Joey was asleep and how much he loved Sitich. Her camera can record and she was able to record Stitch both signing Joey's book and throwing Joey kisses. He even put his big face right up to the camera.

Valerie got 10 more character's autographs that night and she recorded them all. Most of them also wrote special messages to Joey.

Very early the next morning, Joey woke up very grumpy from lack of sleep. Valerie handed him his autograph book and told him to look through it. You should have seen the surprise and glee on his face. Even more so when she showed him the recording of the actual signings. I felt myself tearing up watching his reactions.

It was a Magical experience.

Our wondeful assistant dinner table server, Noel, told us a story about when he arrived at the ship for the first time. He brought a whole lot of clothes with him. (count me in with that too ) His cabin had an extremely small locker. All of the uniforms he was given filled it up. He had no extra room for his clothes. I don't think he told us what he did with them.

We used the cloth shoe hangers and shelves for extra storage space. They worked out great! You can hang them over a door or in the closet. Anything can go on or in them.

The ocean was VERY rough when we arrived at Grand Cayman. Only three cruise ships were allowed in and all had to line up on the opposite side of the island for safety. The Disney cruise line made sure the Magic was one of the three. I heard another ship tried to get in but couldn't get past the heavy surf.

We had chosen the city tour, turtle farm, and butterfly farm as our excursion. All excursions that involved going into the water were cancelled. We also went to Hell. There is still a lot of hurricane damage on the island and construction was going on everywhere. The turtle farm was fun. The butterfly farm didn't have many butterflies flying around inside their enclosure. I don't blame them. The wind kept blowing those beautiful insects into the net enclosures.

It was exciting getting back on the ship. We had a rolling ride back on the small boat and nearly slammed into the side of the Magic a few times while trying to dock. Once the ramp was connected, it was rolling up and down. Crew members were watching it and making sure we got across it, one by one, in a calm second. I still felt safe and loved the excitement.
Of course falling off would have spoiled the fun.

All of the shows on the cruise were VERY nice. We loved every one of them. Since my grandson does have the hearing problem, my daughter and I made sure we got in line early to get close seats. Even with the headphones on, he isn't hearing everything.

Each show had the same problem. In every navigator it states, Reserved Seat Policy: As a courtesy to all Guests we kindly advise that saving of seats is not permitted in the Walt Disney Theatre, Show Lounges, or for Sun Loungers on Decks 9 & 10

We were fortunate for the first few shows to get our three seats at least in the second or third row. Adults and children were saving whole and half of the seats in the front rows. They were aggressive about doing it.

We were about six people back in line for the last farewell show. By the time we got down to the front, the first 4 rows were completely reserved by a handfull of adults and children. When we turned around, most of the seats were already taken. We walked up about 15 rows and sat in three seats on the aisle. A woman yelled. "Those are saved!!" My daughter was furious and she read the Navigator policy to her, also saying my grandson is hard of hearing. She recounted her seats and said she had enough.

I was very upset at that time and went to the back of the theatre to at least express my anger to someone. A Disney staff member said he would see what he could do. I saw him checking for empty seats near the front. He came back and told us to follow him. Two close rows were actually reserved by the crew for some families with handicaps, and one family didn't arrive. We got three of those seats. It was still only a small thing in comparison to the whole wonderful cruise experience.

Our room server was Pa from the Philippines. She was soooo nice. Pa took a special interest in Joey, my grandson, and went beyond her duty to make him happy. He couldn't wait to get back to the room each night and see what she had done.

I had been buying Joey a steady collection of the Disney characters in cruise dress from the ship's store. Pa had a lot of fun using them in her towel sculptures. He howled with laughter when he saw she made a large alligator and had it eating Pluto. I don't know when she ever got a break but her smiling face was there to greet us every time we headed back to the cabin.

The last night, Pa decorated our large porthole with pretty ribbons that had character face decals hanging from them. All 7 of Joey's characters, which included Stitch, the beloved one he brought from home, were looking out the porthole.

We were signed up for a submarine ride on Cozumel. Because of rough seas, all water excursions had to be cancelled. We changed our reservation to a day on the beach. It did save me some money since it was less expensive. The water was still rough but the colors of the water were absolutely beautiful. I could stare at it all day. My daughter and grandson went in it for a short time.

A Mexican buffet was included in the excursion. I did not eat the fresh fruit or vegetables because we were warned not to. What I did eat tasted good. My daughter didn't follow her own advice. She wore sea bands on the whole cruise and also took anti motion sickness medicine daily. That night she lost a whole lot of weight the hard way.

Unlike the Grand Cayman, the ships at Cozemel had cement berths to dock in. You could walk right into your ship from the shore. It was impressive to see so many massive cruise ships docked side by side in one area. Makes you feel pretty small.
__________________

 

[carolmp]

Hi everyone!

I've been reading some other trip reports, and saw the idea of using green Mardi Gras beads instead of the green Mickey paint chips from Home Depot. That way, you don't have to pin something on your clothes - you can just wrap them around your wrist or hang them around you neck.

What do you think? Should we go with the beads instead of the paint chips to identify each other? I'm willing to spring for the beads and bring them to hand out at meets.

Also, what about planning a kids meet in the terminal? I know not everyone will be arriving early, but I was thinking we could aim for 11:00 or so. We've got a big group of kids and it would be really nice if they could meet and get to know each other before we get on board.

This sounds good to me. I think the terminal meet is a good idea. We can meet up with each other before we get on the ship.

The mardi gras beads sound good too. Now, should I pack clothes that go with the beads or without? It could affect my packing!

 

[DiszyGram]

The beads sound good to me.

Last year a bunch of us bought those lime green colored, short sleeved crew shirts from the Disney store. They had a good sale on them. Not everyone looks good in lime green shirts.

Once you meet someone and see their faces, you will keep running into them all over the ship.

One thing some people did on my other Disney cruises, is put a door decoration on their outside door to help people find them. Some decorate their door pretty elaborately. It also helps young children find their cabin too.

I made a magnetic sign for our door with a surfing Stitch picture on it. It was the size of a sheet of paper. I worried about magnets and airport security but had no problems. Happily!

 

[happymommy]

I'm so happy for you! I'm sure it'll be great to see them and even better to experience this cruise with them. I hope we get a chance to meet them, and of course you, at the meet. Their DD6 will be in the club with our DD5 (I think it's split 3&4 and 5&6)



Wow - I bet that's a tough transition. Hope you have a reasonable commute. I know how bad the Washington/Baltimore traffic can be at rush hours.

Nancy

Thanks - the commute is actually a long one (an hour most days there, 45 minutes to pick up the kids) but it's at my DH's office. Just about 3 days/week. I really like getting out, but it's tough with the new (year and a half) house. Kids love aftercare at school (private school 5 minutes from our house).

I saw someone's daughter is turning 9 on the 15th - went back and couldn't find the post! Whoever you are, that is cool, Hillary will turn 9 on the 17th. Makes it tough, as I was thinking about brunch that day, but feel bad if it's her birthday. She'll probably be having fun in the club though, and we'll celebrate at dinner!

We booked the Four Points by Sheraton for the night before - used points and (maybe it's cause we're gold members) we got a suite for the same points as a "deluxe" room. I just want the space for all 4 of us.

I plan on renting a car and turning it in that morning, don't know yet. Aren't the rentals high? It seemed almost $100, so it's a toss up. But we could stop by a store and pick up stuff we may forget, like sunblock, or a couple of bottles of nicer wine for the room.

My friends are staying at the 4 points also. Anyone else going there? We plan on dinner at Thai Thai that night, as sushi is DS's favorite food, and he won't get much raw tuna onboard.

Isn't mardi gras in February? St. Paddy's day is the 17th (DD birthday so I can't forget that one).

Anyone making fish extenders?

Got my Southwest flights booked - yikes. I used two free awards EACH for the one way home - paid for the flight down - still almost $200 each one way from BWI. This is more than it's ever cost, but with the price of fuel now, not surprised. No more $49 one way maybe. Oh well... Plus, it's spring break.

Getting excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DiszyGram]

Amy, how close are you to BWI?. It takes me 15 minutes to get there from my house. Far enough away to not be bothered by the airplane noise, and close enough to not have to take out a loan for a taxi trip there.

I am in Glen Burnie.

Gail

 

[limati]

Hello Everyone!

The beads and the meets sound good to me. I think it would be neat to get the kids together to get to know each other.

The time is going by isn't it? I can't believe that Christmas is so close! I've been getting busy with holiday activities so my obsession has cooled just a bit.

We are going to have just a few door decorations on our door. I made a few magnets and there are good ideas on this site.

Lisa

 

[wrightz05]

I saw someone's daughter is turning 9 on the 15th - went back and couldn't find the post! Whoever you are, that is cool, Hillary will turn 9 on the 17th. Makes it tough, as I was thinking about brunch that day, but feel bad if it's her birthday. She'll probably be having fun in the club though, and we'll celebrate at dinner!

It is my daughter who is turning 8 on 3-15. We are going to do a few different things for her. She looks at it like the whole cruise is for her birthday!!!!!

 

[happymommy]

Gail -

I'm in Glenelg, so it's just about 30 minutes or so to BWI.

wrightz05-

Same with my daughter. I don't know what we'll do special for her on the 17th (actually I have brunch for me and DH booked that day already) but something at dinner I guess. Last year we went to WDW on her birthday (it seems to be falling during spring break). But I don't know if we'll let her have a party the weekend before for her friends. I may get gift baskets from Shirley, who knows.

 

[lizg123]

Hi again everyone!
Well, we are now fully paid and waiting for the packet to come. We have decided on shore excursions. We are renting a car to drive from the airport to Cape Canaveral. We will be staying at the Comfort Inn and Suites and taking the hotel shuttle to the docks. Then we will be catching the Disney shuttle back to the airport at the end. Boy, was this a lot of planniing!!! I feel ready to sit back and dream now. I love all the information I get from this board.

I am going to find some green beads for all of us. Do any of you know if there will be anything special for St. Patricks Day? Thought about bring lots of green. I know I will have more questions as the time goes on and I also know that I will get answers here from my new friends.

Count us in on the Friday night and Sat. a.m. meets. Looking forward to the future!!
Liz, Bill and Sean (13)

 

[limati]

Hello Everybody,

Less than 100 days now! Can you believe it? Hope everyone's holiday plans are going well.

We got our first measurable snow yesterday. My kids had a snow day. My daughter had a blast making a snow family with her cousin next door.

99 DAYS TO GO!

Lisa

 

[nlm]

This sounds good to me. I think the terminal meet is a good idea. We can meet up with each other before we get on the ship.

The mardi gras beads sound good too. Now, should I pack clothes that go with the beads or without? It could affect my packing!

The beads and the meets sound good to me. I think it would be neat to get the kids together to get to know each other.

The beads sound good to me.

Once you meet someone and see their faces, you will keep running into them all over the ship.

Isn't mardi gras in February? St. Paddy's day is the 17th (DD birthday so I can't forget that one).

Anyone making fish extenders?

I am going to find some green beads for all of us.

Count us in on the Friday night and Sat. a.m. meets. Looking forward to the future!!

Hi everyone!

Okay, sounds like we'll go with the beads and the kids meet in the terminal. If you can't get the beads, don't worry - I'll get a ton extra to give out. Mardi Gras is in February, but that'll just makes it easier for us to find the beads.

Gail is right - once you meet others, you do seem to run into them all over the ship for the rest of the cruise. We probably won't need the beads more than the first day or so.

Nancy

 

[carolmp]

Hi everyone! How's it going?

When do the Castaway Club members get to start booking their excursions and things? I'm a first-timer, so my booking date is 12/31.

Once you book your stuff, can you let the rest of us know if things are filled up? I can't actually see what is available and if something fills, I'd like to have a few days to re-examine my plans.

Thanks!
Carol

 

[LisaBi]

Hi All - Just posting here for the first time. I haven't read too much of the thread yet, but I hope to keep up with the goings on between now and the cruise. This will be my 3rd cruise (Western Double Dip Oct. 06 and Eastern Oct. 07). On the first one, I did good keeping up with the DIS group, but on the 2nd one not so well.

It will be me and DS17 cruising. (Not the DS in my avatar - that one is 14, and there's no way I'd take him solo at this point! Maybe when he's a little older.) This trip is "sneaking" in one more before DS turns 18, so we only just got back from our 2nd cruise in October - just 2 months ago, and now here it is only 3 months until the next (and last for quite some time I'm afraid).

I am getting nervous about airfare. I didn't even think about it being high due to spring break. Still hoping some deals pop up. Southwest is usually a good bet from Kansas City, so we'll see.

Don't know about night before plans yet. We will definitely fly in on Friday. I'm just not sure yet if we'll stay at WDW or near the airport. I doubt we'll head out to the coast.

If there are any other solo moms on this cruise, I'd love to meet you. I'll be looking for company for Palo brunch and dinner. Last time I booked on my own, and ended up enjoying brunch alone, then dinner with one of our table mates who also traveling solo with a teen.

Looking forward to meeting everyone.

Lisa B

 

[swilphil]

Gail- Be prepared to hear someone yelling "Joey" incessantly. My son has the same name as your DGS, and my Joey is somewhat of a wanderer.

Liz--Are you staying at the Country Inn and Suites or the Comfort Inn. If it's the Country Inn and Suites, I'll be on the lookout for you Friday.

Lisa B-- I'll look for you at the Kansas City Airport on Friday. We are flying Midwest Express, but booked it way back in April 2007. I learned my lesson last year during Christmas Break with Southwest, so I suspected their Easter prices would be just as bad especially since everyone in the KC area has the same spring break.

I'm hoping for a snow day tomorrow!

 

[wrightz05]

Hi everyone! How's it going?

When do the Castaway Club members get to start booking their excursions and things? I'm a first-timer, so my booking date is 12/31.

Once you book your stuff, can you let the rest of us know if things are filled up? I can't actually see what is available and if something fills, I'd like to have a few days to re-examine my plans.

Thanks!
Carol

Good question Carol. I was wondering the same thing. When you return cruisers get in can you book more than one seating at Palo's? Or more than one trip to the spa?

From what I am reading it seems like I could be out of luck for early booking and have to fight the crowd and try to get one on embarkation day ( I SOOOOO HOPE I CAN DO AT LEAST ONE EARLY!!!!)

Can you guys let us know if it is filling up when you go in and book yours?

Excitement is building more each day. Finally started ebaying for some of my shopping deals

 

[DiszyGram]

swilphil, how did you come up with that board name? Is there a Phil in your family?

My grandson will let you know he is around. Joey is an only child and is a big ham. He is used to getting attention. Just told my daughter she will have to buy new dress clothes for him. Everything halfway formal looking that he has will be too short now. He will need nice shoes that fit too. For a child that only weighed 2 1/2 pounds at birth, he caught up in size.

If we have a pirate night, I'm all set for it from the last Disney cruise.

 

[lizg123]

Sheri,
We are staying at the Country Inn & Suites. So I will watch for you too!
Liz