March 5, 2011 - Bushwacker Wild Wild Westerners

[Johnna_Story]

Here's my thoughts on your questions.... hope this helps!

I have never done the 7 night so I was wondering for those who have...what is a good Dining Rotation to request?

We've never requested a rotation - if you really want to request one, you could think about which night you want to be in which restaurant (e.g. on formal night in Lumiere's) and then figure it out from there. Our first cruise we were in Parrot Cay for Pirate night - which I thought was perfect! But since then, we've been elsehwere on Pirate night and it really didn't matter.

We also want to do Palo, possibly twice. I have NO CLUE when to book that! Should I wait until I get onboard to decide?

Again - different strokes for different folks! We love brunch at Palo - super yummy! We try to do that one of the first sea days. And we love dinner there too of course. We always book a dinner for our last night on the ship - for us, it's the perfect way to just have the two of us together to wrap up our trip.

What about excursions...book through DCL or on my own? Any recommendations?

I can't really answer this... we've done DCL excursions and some on our own, but never on the Western. The boards probably have some great recommendations on companies where you can book your own. Remember the only downside to that is it's not likely that you'll get a refund if there is a problem with docking, etc. Disney will refund them if there is some problem, but it's risky with other companies.

I am getting REALLY excited!!!!

ME TOO!!!

 

[noladave]

Just finished making final payment - guess there's no turning back now!

Hopefully, we can book private cabana's online... I will find out Sunday...

 

[atinkerbellmom]

I guess I have been a little MIA.... But tonight I will go and catch up. Hope everyone is well. My family is in "work your BUTT off for Disney" Mode. Plus all of the snow brings babies! I do not complain though, it helps me pay off this trip! Let me catch up the last 3 pages.

 

[Bamfield]

Just finished making final payment - guess there's no turning back now!

Hopefully, we can book private cabana's online... I will find out Sunday...

We just made our final payment too! I am hoping to sign on tonight to see about getting our spa reservation. A couple of the excursions we were looking at don't allow diabetics. That was the first time we have run into that for restrictions for snorkeling. So, we have had to think about some other possibilities.

Seems like the countdown to the cruise is really moving now we are down to double digits.

Good luck to those signing on late tonight or early morning.

 

[farah]

Since this is my first cruise, I have to wait until the 20th to book but for those who have already booked, will I have luck booking Palos for either dinner or brunch? Is there anything left?

 

[marbet]

Since this is my first cruise, I have to wait until the 20th to book but for those who have already booked, will I have luck booking Palos for either dinner or brunch? Is there anything left?

Earlier today I booked Palo reservations. Here is what was not available at that time:
Day 3 at 6:30
Day 6 @ 7:00 and 7:30

Everything else was available. Good luck!

 

[AmandaRG]

We will not be able to book until the 75 day window, either. Hoping for a brunch, but will be happy either way!

 

[sunburnin]

We booked a Palo brunch yesterday. I pulled it up this morning and almost everything was still available. For the week, only 2 timeslots were unavailable all week.

Should be fine unless there's a rush during the next 2 weeks.

We skipped Palo on our first cruise, but thought I needed to try it this time. We enjoy the dinners with the kids so a brunch felt like a good match.

Good luck!

 

[RN_Mom]

THe countdown is on Im so excited for this cruise as it will only be our 3rd cruise(all disney) in 1 year but our first time on the Magic. Our first cruise was a 5 night DD which we loved. Went again in October on a last minute FL res rate 3 day(WAY TOO SHORT). SO definitely looking forward to this longer cruise. Ive decided we should have never taken the first cruise because this addiction is EXPENSIVE I know I posted awhile ago that we were unsure about this one with the timing of final payment being right before Christmas but we pulled it off and are paid in full with stuff booked too. Anyone figured out there pre-cruise plans yet? We are hoping to go to the parks for 2 days prior, have a breakfast booked at this point in Animal Kingdom for Friday morning. WE are hoping to do MK thursday and AK Friday since they are our 2 fav parks. THen we will drive to port Friday evening and stay????? Being in Tampa makes it easy to get to port. Anyways Im just excited and rambling esp since I just spoke with my Grandma who is currently on the Epic in St Thomas looking at the Magic

 

[Bamfield]

Since this is my first cruise, I have to wait until the 20th to book but for those who have already booked, will I have luck booking Palos for either dinner or brunch? Is there anything left?

Just back from my last business trip for the year. Had to make our reservations really quick before I went on the trip.

We usually like to do Palo on sea days so we don't miss much with the kids. Those days were fairly well booked. I booked a brunch and a high tea for Thursday (Day 6 - At Sea). However, I am pretty sure I am going to cancel the brunch reservation. This is our first time seeing a high tea slot in our 3rd try.

I am sure you will be OK. If not, they always hold slots for the day you boards and some folks cancel once they get on board. We did our first cruise because we were having so much fun with the boys at dinner.

Good luck!
Lisa

 

[LadyOfNawlins]

I am anxious to see what is still available on the 20th!!

 

[mic.keyfan]

So not very far from us. I have co-workers who live in Wyoming up that way. What day are you guys leaving? Are you staying somewhere the days/night(s) before? We do not get our air usually until after Christmas in January. The rates come down then. Do you guys travel Delta lmao: what else is there from her right?)

Oh my goodness, sorry I haven't had the chance to respond...I have taken on the task of managing my son's squirt hockey team, and they keep me very busy At any rate we actually were thinking for a couple of weeks of cancelling the cruise and doing Disneyland instead...BUT we've come to the conclusion that the cruise is what we're doing!
We are flying in to Orlando on Friday and have rezzies for CIS that night, our niece just got an internship at Disney, so we may change and stay at the resort that night, so we can visit with her. Don't have the air figured out yet...we too wait till after Christmas! Let me know if you find air cheap, and I'll keep you posted as well! We usually travel with Sun Country, but they've been higher the last couple of years...last year we used Delta!

 

[GettinReadyforDisney]

Hey everyone -- just wanted to let everyone know that we ended up canceling this cruise and rebooking our original WDW trip. My husband had to fly home for work on our vacation this past summer and he just really started freaking out about not being available for 8-10 days. (we own our own business and in this economy it just seems like everything is more complicated!)

No one here is too disappointed because we know we will do a Disney cruise again in the future and, of course, we're going to WDW!!

Anyway -- enjoy your cruise everyone!!

 

[AmandaRG]

Hey everyone -- just wanted to let everyone know that we ended up canceling this cruise and rebooking our original WDW trip. My husband had to fly home for work on our vacation this past summer and he just really started freaking out about not being available for 8-10 days. (we own our own business and in this economy it just seems like everything is more complicated!)

No one here is too disappointed because we know we will do a Disney cruise again in the future and, of course, we're going to WDW!!

Anyway -- enjoy your cruise everyone!!

Sorry you won't be joining us, but enjoy your trip to WDW! We are looking to do that in 2012!

 

[mic.keyfan]

Made final payment today! Super dee dooper excited! Now, to decide on excursions if any.... We have a cabin assignment now too, not just a guarantee anymore!

 

[toverly]

Woo hoo! I am so excited about this cruise. Did a Fish extender list get going or is that a bust. I'll be glad to join.

 

[LadyOfNawlins]

Woo hoo! I am so excited about this cruise. Did a Fish extender list get going or is that a bust. I'll be glad to join.

I think Amanda was planning this. I'm not sure how many people she has on the list. I am one of them. I hope at least a few people will want to participate!

 

[cyndi-rella]

Not sure if anyone has asked this, but aren't we sailing during Mardi Gras? Does anyone know if there will be any celebrations?

 

[AmandaRG]

Woo hoo! I am so excited about this cruise. Did a Fish extender list get going or is that a bust. I'll be glad to join.

I'll add you to the list. We have five or six families now. We're going to cut it off Jan 15 so that everyone has plenty of time to do what they need to.

I sent a PM to all the families I had heard from. If you didn't hear from me and want to be on the FE list, please send me a PM.

 

[Sinderelli]

Not sure if anyone has asked this, but aren't we sailing during Mardi Gras? Does anyone know if there will be any celebrations?

We sailed during Mardi Gras last year- no celebrations on board, but expect LOTS of New Orleanians as kids have this week off of school. Looking forward to this cruise!