March 25 2007 Wonder anyone else going?

[mermaidlady]

We will be there with my DD 16 DS 15 and DS 10. My mom is also coming. It will be her first cruise. Can't wait!!!!

 

[tiggerFriend]

Our family is going that day for the 4-night cruise. This is our first cruise and I am really looking forward to it. We have two children KL is 9 (boy) and AN is 5 (girl). My Mom will be going too. I hope that they will have some DIS friends to share the trip with.

 

[CapnJackGroupie]

This is our first DC too!! My DS (8) and DD (5) are very excited!! I've been very CONSUMED w/ planning this trip for the last 18 months and my DH thinks I'm nuts but I can't help it. March 25th will be here before we know it and I can't wait!!

 

[tiggerFriend]

Great. Your children are about the same age as mine.

 

[CapnJackGroupie]

Hi Tiggerfriend, That's nice your kids are ~the same age as mine. I was concerned about them being split up between the Oceaneer Club and the Lab. I'm sure they'll be fine but it'd be nice if they knew some other kids.

Mermaidlady: I'll be checking the countdown timer on the bottom of your post everyday!! Thanks!

 

[kkoelr]

Good afternoon everyone!

We are also on this cruise. We were on this cruise last year, too! So feel free to ask me about our experiences if this will be your first - glad to reply. My kids (DD 11, DS 8) enjoyed the trip very much - especially Castaway Cay. However, their experiences between Oceaneer's Lab and Club was not a good for them - and so I have some thoughts about that if anyone is interested - especially if you're forced to split your kids between the two programs.

Mermaidlady,

We are from Mundelein - just east of you. How exciting to see someone here that's practically in our backyard.

I would welcome the opportunity to explore meeting families with similarly aged kids - it would be nice for my kids to pal around with kids their own age. Anyone interested in exploring this possibility; let me know.

Otherwise,

Happy McSailing.....

 

[tiggerFriend]

Hello Kkoelr,

My kids will be separated in the Club and the Lab. My KL(9) will probably be fine, by my AN(5) may not like being in there with out KL. I would very much like to here about your experience.

Thanks,

 

[mermaidlady]

I will only have 1 in the lab because the other two plan on ditching us for the teen club. He usually loves group activities. I am in the secret porthole rooms. Where are your cabins everybody?

kkoelr I sent you a PM

 

[CapnJackGroupie]

57 days - woohoo!! We're on deck 7, forward - planning on doing a LOT of walking up and down those stairs!

kkoelr- my kids are also going to be separated and curious to hear your story. I really think they'll be fine but you never know. Thanks.

 

[kkoelr]

Hi everyone!

This year we are also on Deck 7. Last year we were on Deck 8 and found that Deck 9 (where the pools are), that Pirate Night tended to be a just a bit too loud and too long. This year, we elected to go down one deck. We are still mid-ship to aft; we found this perfect as it was not too far from the bank of stairs leading up to pop dispenser machine. It's the little things in life...lol

As for the Oceaneer's Club and Lab. My 2 kids were at that split age last year (DS was 7 and DD was 10). While we did sign them up at boarding, it is not something we generally took advantage of until the last day of the cruise. At that point, the kids who had been in the program pretty much throughout the cruise got to know each other; kids who participated late (as with ours) were more on the outside. Additionally, both sections had graduation days that last day; which, made the whole notion of participating uncomfortable. While the counselors probably would have let the kids participate in graduation - it just seemed uncomfortable.

In the end, we concluded that kids really need to participate right from the beginning - even if it's off and on. Hoping that any child will feel comfortable with the other kids and blending right in as it gets later in the cruise is, I think, wishful thinking.

Any other questions about the cruise, let me know.

 

[CapnJackGroupie]

Thanks for sharing....... I think that's a good idea, to have the kids in there from the beginning - even if not all the time, it will get them used to it so they'll be comfortable and hopefully play w/ the other kids. We'll find out soon enough!

Can't wait!!

 

[dotterson]

Hi Folks! I placed a thread last year and it's gone! No matter! Mermaidlady and I have met and our daughters have been emailing for months!!!! DD will be 14 1/2.

We can't wait to go! This is our 5th, I think! Already set up the Palo's reservations!

 

[mermaidlady]

Hi Dotterson nice to see you again. The girls have been busy haven't they. Can't wait to go!!!!

 

[tiggerFriend]

I will only have 1 in the lab because the other two plan on ditching us for the teen club. He usually loves group activities. I am in the secret porthole rooms. Where are your cabins everybody?

We are in the secret porthole rooms as well on deck 5. We have two of the connecting rooms.

kkoelr,

Thanks for sharing the great tips about the kids clubs!

 

[mermaidlady]

We have the two connecting SPH opposite yours tiggerfriend. I wasn't even trying for these, just got lucky. It's snowing here this AM so that makes even more eager to go. We decided not to do Palo because we are so busy during the year it will be nice to eat with the kids every day. Also since we only vacation every other year this will be the last big vacation with our DD.

 

[kkoelr]

Mermaidlady,

I tried to PM you. I must have 6 or more posts to enable that feature (according to the Disney Forum rules I guess). There's definite interest. I copied my response to you off in a Word document. I could send to you in a private email. Let me know your thoughts.

Kelly

 

[tiggerFriend]

This is all wonderful. It will be great for my kids to get to know other kids to pal around with. I looks like my KL9 will be able to make a few new friends so far. And CaptJackGroupie also has a child the same age as my AN5. I hope there are even more before our trip!

I'm so excited I can hardly wait!

 

[CapnJackGroupie]

Hi everyone! Our cruise is getting closer! Is everyone as excited as I am??? I bet you are!!

 

[mermaidlady]

5 weeks and 6 days. With the weather so cold I really can't wait.

 

[mermaidlady]

What time will everyone be at the port? We are flying in on Sat but will not get there till late in the evening. Staying at a hotel near the airport. The next day we will drive down. I hope to be there between 10:30 and 11:00