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

[Clari]

Mary (or anyone) did you figure out the tip calculator electronically? I need help there.

It's almost Friday...
Angela

What Tip calculator are you having trouble with? Maybe i can help.

 

[wegs3000]

Thanks, Clari! I do not find the tip calculator to be intuitive as there were a couple things that took me too long to figure out what to do in the column headers (and I'm sure that is me with pilot error). I just tried again and got the amounts and quantity of $ bills to transfer across - now do you have any idea how to print it?

 

[Clari]

Thanks, Clari! I do not find the tip calculator to be intuitive as there were a couple things that took me too long to figure out what to do in the column headers (and I'm sure that is me with pilot error). I just tried again and got the amounts and quantity of $ bills to transfer across - now do you have any idea how to print it?

I just sent you a PM.

 

[disney-akj]

I really hope my acceptance into Mickey's Magic Mateys isn't based on my ability to sew a FE : ) I know realize why I scrapbook instead of sew. I believe that was the third time I have ever used my sewing machine, possibly the last???

 

[mommyofthreeboys]

I really hope my acceptance into Mickey's Magic Mateys isn't based on my ability to sew a FE : ) I know realize why I scrapbook instead of sew. I believe that was the third time I have ever used my sewing machine, possibly the last???

LOL....I know the feeling! I'll be buying mine off of e-bay. Or maybe sweet talk my SIL into making me one

I tried to sew onto a scrapbook page once....even that was a disaster!!!

 

[disney-akj]

I have been spending most of my rainy day dreaming about March. I am a teacher and I am back to work tomorrow, but it will be a good thing. Time always goes by quickly when I am busy, so the cruise will get here faster that way. Even though it is sad that another summer went by so quickly!

I have read that Clari and Christina scrapbook. Are there any others in our group that scrapbook?? Also a few other questions from a first time cruiser. How dressed up do you guys get on formal/semi-formal nights?? Also about how many rooms would you estimate to plan for on the FE gift exchange?? My kids will dress up for the pirate night (they are very excited about this) and possibly my husband and myself?? I am sure I will have more questions later I am sure! Thanks in advance for the advice.

 

[wegs3000]

I have zip, zero, nada crafting skills of any kind but I thought I would try the no sew FE and took the instructions to Joanne's. When I hit the $50 mark on the supplies I would need I said forget it. I'm going to pay the $35 for a beautiful personalized one from a great gal on ebay who did a pillowcase for me already.

DD and I will dress up for pirate night for sure. And I need to be a smart packer so I have a couple little black dresses that are easy to dress up as needed and they don't wrinkle and don't take up much space. I need more room for shoes...

Happy back to schooling. I'm not ready yet. But I do like the idea of time flying by quicker!

 

[Clari]

I just made a quick one. The back is a Tink pattern and the white is a princess one. Just stitched it together. I asked my grandma to sew the top loop. Everything cost me about 15 dollars at Joanne.

 

[wegs3000]

Clari, that is great! Is it one pocket? Maybe I need to try harder and be a smarter shopper. Super cute.

 

[dytx]

Hi everyone. just a couple lines to let you know that we lucked out this morning with member services at DVC. today is our 7 month window for 18 Mar; so we were able to switch our two days prior to the cruise from Saratoga Springs to a studio at Bay Lake Towers at WDW. We are so thrilled that it was open (bay lake view) and grabbed it.

dee and don

 

[Clari]

Clari, that is great! Is it one pocket? Maybe I need to try harder and be a smarter shopper. Super cute.

Thanks, yeah it is one pocket about 9 in. deep cuz i didn't want to crop the glittery princess picture of sleeping beauty.

dytx, congrats. Take pictures that you can share with us on the ship.

 

[dytx]

Thanks, yeah it is one pocket about 9 in. deep cuz i didn't want to crop the glittery princess picture of sleeping beauty.

dytx, congrats. Take pictures that you can share with us on the ship.

thanks clari. last cruise I took over 100 pics and now have a different camera; so I plan on a bunch more

don

 

[disney-akj]

Very cute FE Clari! Mine did not turn out nearly as cute. I made two, since we have 8 people and two rooms. They are both in need of a little extra ironing, but I am just happy that I accomplished finishing them: ) The first one is green and purple with Tink. It has two deep pockets. This was my first attempt, which you can probably tell by the uneven pockets. I am almost tempted to redo the pockets, but do I have time and will my kids really notice???

The second one turned out a little better I think. It has 4 smaller princess pockets. Still not a seamstress, and the sewing machine is packed up for another 3-5 years, but it all only cost me $13. Thank you Hobby Lobby : )

 

[Clari]

I think they look great disney-akj. You can't tell they are uneven. If you haven't said anything I don't think anyone would know. The fact is made them and you great job. Now all we need is for it to be March.

 

[disney-akj]

Hopefully March will get here quick. The more time I have to plan, the longer my packing list is becoming : ) 7 months from today we will all (most of us) be Florida bound and 7 months from tomorrow aboard the Magic : )

 

[wegs3000]

Dee, Don & Alan - congrats! Sounds like you will have a really nice vacation both before and during the cruise.

Clari & Michelle, you have inspired me and thanks for posting pics of your FE! I think they both look great and I'm going to make my own also. A one pocket version ought to be in my capabilities (hah, I say now!).

All, wasn't it great reading that it is only 7 months away? Better than 8.

 

[Clari]

Also about how many rooms would you estimate to plan for on the FE gift exchange??

Do we have a count of how many staterooms??

 

[DisneyMom92]

We are returning this year for the Spring Break cruise. This will be our fourth cruise this time of year, fifth total including a Mexican Riviera cruise in 2008. My sister and I have two rooms, each rooming with my kiddos. DD17 will room with my sister and DS14 will room with me. We will have second dinner seating, it works better for us. We most likely won't have any plans for excursions, we will stay onboard to enjoy the ship while everyone else is enjoying the ports we have already seen. We have done dolphins twice in the past and loved it. Toured Grand Cayman, as well as shopping. Key West we do enjoy on our own sometimes. The trolley tour is great and easily done on your own.

Ummmm, count us in on FE too. I made some several cruises ago the night before the cruise and they looked tacky but they did the job. Embellished a little last cruise and they looked less tacky and still did the job. If I can find them I might do a little more and they might not look tacky, but don't count on it. LOL

What else...my kids will most likely be the loudest, possibly the most obnoxious kids on the ship. If they aren't they will be hanging out with them. They will dance in the talent show, and would love support because it's more fun that way. For those who don't know, there is a talent show toward the end of the cruise, can't remember if it's Thursday or Friday. There's a rehearsal the day before when the crew sees what the talent actually is. It's a lot of fun and was a highlight last year.

I was pretty excited to see such an active group. I will try very hard to get back in here often.

 

[disney-akj]

I guess Sundays have turned into my planning days. A few questions and a lot of rambling. Sorry!!! Has anyone done the tea party and does it usually fill up quickly? I have been doing a lot of thinking about Excursions. So here is my ramblings. I think we are going to rent an electric car in Key West (a few in our party might go on the Thrill Boat ride?). We will have to rent through a private company though because Disney requires you to be 5 or older where private companies do not. I plan on finding a company for this soon. I will add that to my to-do list. We will probably drive around the island. We plan on going to the Southern Most Point, looking at the 6-toed cats at Hemingway's house, visiting the beach, a stroll on Duvall Street and Mallory Square while there. I am disappointed about the ship leaving before the sun sets though. I have been to Key West and it is a beautiful sight to see. I looked up the time of sun sets and it is a little past 7:30 in March which is disappointing because I believe our ship leaves at that time : ( I guess we will be on the Magic and will have to get the view from the deck. Things could be worse : ) I believe while in Cozumel, my daughters want to do the kids swim with the dolphins and I will watch them. My husband and mom plan on going to the Ruins, while my in-laws watch DS (3) on the boat. At GC some of us plan on going on the semi-sub and snorkeling excursion. At CC we plan on relaxing. Maybe do a little snorkeling. We thought about doing the sting rays, but we just got to pet some at the STL zoo for free, so probably won't pay to do it on the cruise.

We plan on driving. We are going to try to rent a hotel in PC for Friday night so we are there ready to leave Saturday morning. Does anyone know if any of the hotels in the area offer free shuttles to the port, and allow you to leave the cars at their hotel. Since there are 8 of us, we will have two cars. We would rather not have to pay $30 a day for parking if possible???

Since I started this thread a little later than some, I went back and scanned through some posts. I tried to count how many people and rooms we have so far? I hope I didn't miss anything and if I did I apologize in advance. I hope everything is ok with Belinda because it has been a while since she has posted?
mommyofthreeboys-christina (34), Jared (37), Bradley (15), Brett (10) and Nolan (8) Late Dining 1st cruise

dytx-Dee (65) Don (66) and Allen (42) Early Dining 2nd cruise

wegs3000-Angela (44), DD (9) and dad (69) Early Dining 1st cruise

Clari (33) and mom (56) Late Dining 3rd cruise

Bellamickey- Belinda and Shawn Late Dining 5th cruise

rkwier (41) and DH (43) Early Dining 3rd cruise

Pixie08- Mary(32) and Dan(31) Late Dining 2nd cruise

Disney-akj Myself (Michelle 32) father-in-law (75), mother-in-law(71), my mother(67), DH(32), DD(9), DD(7), DS(3) Early Dining 1st cruise

Disneymom92- Disneymom, Sister, DD (17), DS (14) Late Dining 5th cruise

I believe I counted 12 staterooms since (Christina, Disneymom, and me have 2 staterooms) and 31 people. I hope I didn't miss anything.

Done Rambling now : )

 

[wegs3000]

This is the best place for rambling! I have learned so much from the DISers and it is so great to have a thread just for our cruise.

Michelle - there is a thread under stickys on the main DIS page with FAQ. In that section is a list of Port Canaveral information compiled by Shirley from The Perfect Gift. She lists everything you could want to know about PC and then some. The hotels with cruise packages, distance to port, manager name, everything is there. And yes, you can park at several hotels and take the shuttle. Here's my recent tip: I initally booked us at the Radisson but recent reviews have been terrible (bad service, bugs in the room!!!, slow shuttle, etc.) so I cancelled and booked us at the Country Inn & Suites.

I too have been back and forth on the excursions. I can't see any reason to spend the $$$ on Disney booked excursions in Key West, however. There are no language, travel to and from the boat, or foreign country issues to deal with and you can easily do any of them on your own and save the $ for something else. I'm getting confused with the costs/age restrictions/timing that you see on the excursion providers' web sites vs. what DCL says. I need to just figure out what we want and map out the options to pick best. They don't make it easy on you and as first time cruisers I'm worried anything with the word dolphin in it will be long gone well before the 75 day mark.

My dad asked me yesterday what could he possibly wear on pirate night? Hah! He has just issued me a challenge. We're talking closer to Barbosa than Jack Sparrow but hey, it's the thought that counts.

Thank you for compiling an updated room and name list!

My DD and I have figured out our FE gift. We are really excited as it gives us something to do to pass the time a little bit quicker.