March 20, 2010*** Mickey's Magic Matey's Cruise the Western!***

[disney-akj]

Everything is pretty much in walking distance at Key West. I also heard that in Grand Cayman there are beaches close enough to walk to? Castaway Cay we might snorkel but that would be it.

FE- maybe even a disney gift bag?

 

[wegs3000]

Dawn-
I saw a picture of a door FE where the person got three cloth bags from the dollar store, some lamp chain from the hardware store and a hot glue gun and it looked as good as any of the others posted. You could even use one of those gift with purchase totes that I'm always suckered into at the cosmetics counter. I wouldn't use a paper bag because of the durability and because several posters have said naughty cruisers have stolen their bags. I'm taking a zip tie for that reason - and nail clippers or I won't be able to circumvent my own security system.

I hope no one is getting too caught up in how much to spend on FE gifts. I will honestly be geeked to get anything at all from anyone. It will be like secret santa every day.

I'm loving seeing that counter go down!
Angela

 

[addieandreece]

Dawn-
I saw a picture of a door FE where the person got three cloth bags from the dollar store, some lamp chain from the hardware store and a hot glue gun and it looked as good as any of the others posted. You could even use one of those gift with purchase totes that I'm always suckered into at the cosmetics counter. I wouldn't use a paper bag because of the durability and because several posters have said naughty cruisers have stolen their bags. I'm taking a zip tie for that reason - and nail clippers or I won't be able to circumvent my own security system.

Thank you, Angela, for the idea! I was thinking along those lines! I am so excited!! 8 weeks from tomorrow!!!!!

 

[dytx]

FYI; at the debs wdw website there is a site for "give a day-get a day" volunteer program. we are staying at wdw for two days prior to the March cruise. I entered all the info for the volunteer program and all three of us pulled a 2 1/2 hour shift at Love and Care Ministries center here in Abilene. all we did was sort clothing during that time. the church ( official site) notified disney that we worked and disney has given each of us a one day voucher for a park at walt disney world. that is roughly $85 a pop so we will have a ball for one of the two days prior to the cruise. let me know if anyone else gets a chance to jump on this offer.

dee,don, and allen

 

[addieandreece]

Just in case anyone is looking for one for their door/stateroom. . .Dollar General has Dis Green Magnetic Memo board w/ marker for $2!

Don, Dee and Allen, so glad you had the opportunity to volunteer and get your day pass! That will work out perfectly for the time before the cruise! I'm not sure when we are getting down there yet. My daughter is striving for perfect attendance and so we probably won't leave until after school Thursday afternoon (they do get out early). We'll get there sometime Friday evening!

Hope everyone is still doing well! 56 days!!

Dawn

 

[hotdiggetydogs]

Hi to all!
My family and I are excited to join you on 3/20/10! This is our first cruise and will be celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary.

DS will also be turning 3yrs old the day after we return so we've also scheduled a cake at dinner for Friday night. We're hoping that they'll let us put him into the Oceaneer Club but can't do it until we get to the ship since he's officially not three until after the trip. He's potty trained and in daycare. Based on the activities I've read about it sounds like it will be a better fit for him than Flounder's Reef. I'd be interested to hear of other's opinions/experiences. DD just turned 1 yr old last week so Flounder's will be fine for her.

Angela and Michelle - please add us to the FE list.
Thanks!
Brenda

 

[disney-akj]

Welcome Brenda, This is our first cruise too. Got you down for the FE gift exchange. Let us know your stateroom # sometime, you can PM Angela or myself if that makes you more comfortable.
Since it is my first cruise, I have no experience to speak of, but I have learned some info regarding your question from reading various post on the disboards. My DD will be three weeks shy of 8. I wanted her to be able to move up age groups as well (at least before the new age group changes in the kids clubs), so she could be with her sister. My understanding is that they base their decision upon meeting the child and if they are usually within 30 days of turning that age that they will move the child up on the parent's request.

 

[addieandreece]

Welcome Brenda!!

My husband and I went on a Disney Cruise to celebrate our 10th anniversary a few years back! It was the most fun celebration!!!

My kids absolutely LOVED the kids clubs when we went last time. My daughter is pretty outgoing so we were pretty sure she would enjoy it, but my son was very quiet and reserved at the time(4 years old)and attached to our hip, so we weren't so sure about him. As it turned out, we never did get paged to come pick them up EVER because they didn't want to leave the clubs! If we wanted to see them, we had to go get them! We were so happy for them, though, and it gave us some great grown up time as well! I hope your DS will enjoy it as much as mine did if he does get to participate!

I'm glad you are joining the FE. I've actually never done it before on the other cruises, so it will be a first for us, too, but it sure sounds fun!

Where abouts in Michigan do you live? We go up every summer to a camp in teeny tiny Onekama. . .so beautiful up there.

Dawn

 

[wegs3000]

disneymom92 are you out there? I sent you a PM to get cabin numbers for FE and just want to know if you are still interested in participating.

The counter is getting low enough that it feels real! Can't wait. I'm worse than my kid.

 

[Vegaslover]

I have been checking to see if our cruise is sold out yet. Only a few 10s available and the 9s and 5s are gty only. So, DCL must me doing some upgrades and moving stuff around. Last week there were lots of rooms available and even a 12gty catagory.

 

[MinniesMommy]

Anybody have any suggestions of things to do in Grand Cayman or Cozumel with a 2 girls under 5 (without spending a fortune)?

 

[addieandreece]

Anybody have any suggestions of things to do in Grand Cayman or Cozumel with a 2 girls under 5 (without spending a fortune)?

Hi MinniesMommy! I am actually looking into that myself. My kids are a little older, but we want to spend a little time at each port without spending money! I've heard there are very nice beaches. . .just need to research my options for getting to them!

Still waiting for our stateroom to be assigned. We booked a GTY 12, so know we will at least get moved to an 11 with the four of us. Angela and/or Michelle, I can pass along that info when I get it. I've heard of people getting their assignment as far as 45 day out, but know it will probably be closer to 30 days. It will be here before we know it!

Dawn

 

[Arkansasmom]

Just wanted to introduce myself. DH and I will be taking our 2 DS's, ages 8 and 3 on our first Disney Cruise. I have been learning a lot reading all your posts! Hope to see you there!

 

[Vegaslover]

Anybody have any suggestions of things to do in Grand Cayman or Cozumel with a 2 girls under 5 (without spending a fortune)?

There is actually a free public beach. Just ask the cab driver to take you to the free beach at Grand Cayman. It's pretty nice and clean.

Also, in Cozumel you can go to Chankanaab Park $19 for adults and $10 per child. Again, just ask the taxi to take you there.

 

[disney-akj]

Wow! The time is flying! Can't wait! Welcome to MinniesMommy and Arkansasmom! If you guys want to join the FE gift exchange, let myself or Angela (wegs3000) know!
I have heard that there are beaches walkable from the tender pier at Grand Cayman that are free. I also heard that the margaritaville in grand cayman is walkable from the tender pier and has a waterslide. (Unsure on price or age restrictions) If we have time after the dolphins, we might stop by there.

 

[Vegaslover]

I'm thinking we should know about room assignments and upgrades within the next few days. DCL webite has reopened their categories so it looks like they are done doing their "shuffling" of the rooms assignments.

I don't think I'll get an upgrade because even though we have in inside stateroom, we really love our location and we specifically requested our room. I asked our TA to put notes on our reservation that DCL could not change our room without asking us first. But, ya never know.

 

[MinniesMommy]

Thanks for the suggestions! We're looking into a short snorkeling trip with Capt. Marvin's in Grand Cayman. Has anyone ever taken small kids on one? They have told me that we can. My biggest issue with the shore excursions through Disney is that we haven't been able to find many that we can all 4 do (b/c of age restrictions) that we are interested in. I had read a lot of good stuff about Capt. Marvin's on here and other places, so we are looking into that.

 

[addieandreece]

Just checked to see if we had been assigned a stateroom yet. . .we booked a Cat. 12 GTY and got upgraded to Cat. 9!! YEA!! Can't wait to tell the kids we will have a "view"

Hope everyone is well! It will be here before we know it!

Dawn

 

[Vegaslover]

Just checked to see if we had been assigned a stateroom yet. . .we booked a Cat. 12 GTY and got upgraded to Cat. 9!! YEA!! Can't wait to tell the kids we will have a "view"

Hope everyone is well! It will be here before we know it!

Dawn

Awesome!

 

[disney-akj]

Good : ) We have a category 9 as well so maybe we will be on the same deck?