March 31-April 7, 2007 Eastern...3rd try :-)

[minniesota]

I don't think we'll rebook either - we have so little time off together and so many places we want to visit. But you never know - we may have such a fabulous time we won't be able to resist!

dpuck - I'd love to see your itinerary! I love to see where people are eating, what they're planning, etc. So indulge us!

We still haven't told our kids but it will be soon. We need passports and I'd like to get that done this summer when things are less schedule-crazy. Do you all have your passports?

 

[ScrapinDisney]

We don't have our passports yet but as soon as All Stars is over for the kids and summer becomes more relaxing, we'll order them. I think the rest of the group that is traveling with us have passports.

 

[dpuck1998]

OK, you asked for it. I'll start with our first day. I think I covered this a little, but it has been firmed up now.

We fly into West Palm Beach to visit my inlaws for 3 days then head to Disney on a Sunday morning. We are going to head to DD and then check-in to the CR. We are staying on the 14th floor Castle View it should be awesome!! We are going to hit narcosses that night for dinner and head back to CR to watch the fireworks from our hotel room.

Day 2 we are doing the first seating at Chef Mickey then heading to MK. My DD, will be almost 2 at travel time, will get her first haircut with everyone in attendance. Half a day at MK then the inlaws and DD will head back to West Palm and leave the rest of us (Me, DW, DS(7), DS(6)) We are going to switch resorts and stay at the BCV (our first vacation club stay as owners) and grab early dinner at Cape May. Then head to MK again for the Pirates/Princess Party.

I know it seems silly to pay to get in for half day in the moring then pay again for the party, but everyone wants to goto MK for the haircut so we have to head there on day one. Plus we will be able to focus more on the party itself and not the rides during the party.

I'll pick up with the rest of the trip later Only 10 days until my 180 day windows

 

[minniesota]

dpuck - Sounds like you're going to have a lot of fun! What is the Princess/Pirate party? I've been away from the regular boards for awhile and that's a new one to me. I'll be anxious to hear your report on the 14th floor at CR and how your first "official" DVC stay goes.

Has anyone else been thinking about clothes yet? I do remember way overpacking on our first cruise so I'll try to avoid that. Still trying to figure out formal and semi-formal nights. Especially for DH and DS.

Anyone looked at airfares? We are still looking at almost $500 out of MSP!!! Since it's the week before Easter, I don't expect a bargain but sheesh- $500? Guess I'll keep watching...

 

[dpuck1998]

The Pirate/Princess Party is brand new. Its like MNSSHP/MVMCP but the kids get a pirate/princess map, hunt for candy etc and get to learn how to be a pirate/princess. We will be attending the very first event EVER. Kinda exciting

We haven't thought much about clothes yet, other than if I should rent/buy a tux or just go with a nice 3 piece suit? Thoughts on that?? My suits for the most part are nicer than most rental tuxs.

Haven't looked at airfare yet, last spring break we paid 250 from Det to West Palm. I'll be on the lookout though for any sales. Travelocity keeps me updated when any prices drop.

 

[dpuck1998]

Okay, thoughts...since DQ is closing should I try to get there in Jan? Anyone heard if the change to EPSN Zone means the good rides/games will go away? I love the Pirates and raft ride...

Anyway, you have my first two days already...here is the plan for day 3

Since we are at BCV we usually just eat a light breakfast in the room or on the go. Cereral or whatever. Its Epcot EMH so we are heading there for opening. My wife wants to eat at Beirgarten so thats out lunch. We hope to hit the new Nemo ride, other than that just a half day or so at epcot. We plan to hop to MK to see Spectro tonight. If we think the Princess/Pirate Party Parade (say that 10 times fast) was good we might skip Spectro and stay at Epcot for Illuminations (although I'm not a big fan).

That sums up day 3. Only 3 more to go

 

[ScrapinDisney]

Ok I'm totally lost on all the lingo/abbreviations for your trip to DisneyWorld since I've never been but sounds like you will be busy and have fun!!!
Had to bump us up since we were back down to page 3, maybe some other cruisers will join up with our group.

 

[dpuck1998]

I'll try to help Us DIS junkies just use the abbr. all the time and expect people know what they mean

DQ = Disney Quest
BCV = Beach Club Villas
EMH = Extra Magic Hours

Let me know if any of it still isn't clear....

Anyone get those mickey pocket things for the "fish" hook yet? I was bidding on one on ebay and didn't win it.

 

[minniesota]

dpuck - OK, I'll bite! What Mickey pocket things? Do tell...

Can't help with the DQ decision as we have never been. But now that it's an ESPN Zone, I'll bet my DS12 will find a way to get us over there. Your plans sound great, by the way. We have not eaten at Biergarten in a long time - I think it was 1987. You'll have to let us know what you think.

I've been watching all the summer stuff go on sale and clearance but haven't spent any money yet! Oh, I did buy a couple pair of sandals online. I know I should be getting stuff for the kids (hard to find shorts in MN in Feb.!) but we still haven't told them the big news.

Is anyone requesting a specific dining rotation or time (5:30, 5:45, 6)?

 

[Deb & Bill]

dpuck ...Is anyone requesting a specific dining rotation or time (5:30, 5:45, 6)?

We requested late dining this time. Our son is older, we may want to stay off board when we dock and we just might sleep in this time. Fat laugh!!

 

[minniesota]

We are also slated for late seating but I was hoping for the 8 p.m. rotation rather than 8:15 or 8:30. Maybe it won't make that much difference but somehow eating at 8 sounds late enough for me. We did main seating last time and it worked well but there were a lot of little ones - and for some reason, there were a lot of cranky, crying, melting down little ones! Now that our kids are teens, we thought the later seating would work. My only concern is if they have teen activities they want to attend in the evening, we might not be done with dinner until 9:30 or 10. I guess we'll see how it goes but I am thinking about requesting the 8 p.m. rotation. Any thoughts?

 

[dpuck1998]

These are what I was talking about...

Holder

so you can hang extra stuff on the "fish hook" outside your stateroom.

 

[ScrapinDisney]

We are slated for early seating, which is good since we'll have some little ones in our big group. On our last cruise it worked out ok, except we did miss the pirate dinner since that was the day we went swimming with the dolphins and got back late.

How do the DVC points/membership work? Would being a member be benificial being that I'm in CA and have never been to FL?

 

[ScrapinDisney]

dpuck, that holder is cute but what is the "fish"hook you are referring to outside of your room?
Is anyone making door signs? I thought about it, but reading on the boards how they get swiped from other doors I wonder if it's worth it?

 

[dpuck1998]

Apparently, so I'm told, there is a hook outside your stateroom that is the shape of a fish. People hang that holder from it to make room for other DIS'ers little tokens to say "HI".

We are planning on decorating our stateroom door. If someone steals it...oh well...guess they want/need it more than I do. I'll be tossing most of it at the end of the trip anyway.

 

[dpuck1998]

Okay, its day 4 of our planning!

Today....MGM!!

As usual I'm sure we will be up early to hit some of the major rides. We booked a late character meal at Hollywood and Vine. We are excited about this meal since my youngest DS loves Little Einsteins. We booked the last seating for this meal at 11:20. If you haven't done this, it's great. The place clears out and the you can have the characters almost to yourself.

We will skip lunch, hit the park. Hopefully my youngest DS will be brave enough for the Jedi Academy this time. Last trip my oldest DS did this and LOVED it. My youngest was a little shy to go up on stage. He says he is up for it this time!!

We are eating an early dinner with the fantasmic package at Brown Derby at 4:30. (anyone know why they only have such early times for this thing) Anyway, after the meal some more rides, wondering, shows and about 6:30 we head over to catch fantasmic! Another full day. Ohh yea, hopefully we can catch the parade so we can see the characters from cars!!

Another day done...

Feel free to give me any input if you think there is something I need to do

 

[minniesota]

Sounds like a full day with lots of fun for everyone. What is the Jedi Academy? I'm not familiar with that one. We've had a couple of character meals at Hollywood and Vine and have always enjoyed them. Back when Sound Stage was the setting for character breakfasts, we did just as you are doing - "brunch" at 11:30 and we did have all the characters to ourselves. At the time it was characters frfom Alladin and Pochahantas so the girls and boys were both happy!

Have not dined at Brown Derby but I do know that later times for the Fantasmic package become available after the initial "rush" - or at least they used to. I've made 4:30 ressies and then called back at 60 or 30 days and gotten later times. You could keep trying.

MGM is a great place for autographs if your kids are into that. Mine have outgrown that activity (thank God!) and now they concentrate on R&R and Tower of Terror. Yep, they're teenagers

 

[ScrapinDisney]

Sounds like you are going to be very busy!

 

[dpuck1998]

Sounds like a full day with lots of fun for everyone. What is the Jedi Academy? I'm not familiar with that one.

Well...they have a "jedi" on stage and call kids up from the audience. The kids get robes and light sabers and they teach them some moves. Then Vader walks out and each kid get to battle him. Thats the jist of it. Before it was only on star wars weekends, but now it is going on all the time. BUT, I just heard the stopped in recently. DANG!!

 

[minniesota]

OK, Easter week cruisers - we were falling way too low on the Cruise Meets thread! Just thought I would bump us up! Things have been a little quiet for us as far as the cruise goes because we still have not shared the news with the kids. Waiting on SIL and maybe another family who may join us. I did some pricing for them this weekend and they are considering it. It's hard to get in the cruise mode when I'm in the middle of back-to-school shopping! Is there anyone else out there who is planning to cruise the week before Easter???? And for those of you on the cruise, any airfare
arrangements yet? The fares still seem so high!