March 5, 2011 - Bushwacker Wild Wild Westerners

[AmandaRG]

Johnna, I hadn't noticed in years past that suits were out so early, but this year they definitely are!

 

[LadyOfNawlins]

I don't know if it is because this is our first cruise or my type A personality, but I seem to be on the boards all the time lately. I am getting very excited (and a little nervous too). I hope everyone is having a happy New Year's!

 

[RN_Mom]

WOOHOO WE CAN FINALLY SAY WE ARE CRUISING THIS YEAR! Just counting down the days now. Excursion wise we are doing Nativeways Stingray tour in GC, in Cozumel we are doing Excaret, KW we are just playing by ear---whatever fancies us that day. DD4 is just full of excitement that we are going on our Mickey Mouse Cruise for 7 days. We have done a 5 day DD and a 3 day only. Well just checking in! HAPPY NEW YEARS TO EVERYONE

 

[AmandaRG]

We just put together our paper chain! The girls are getting so excited looking at it.

We may stay in town on Saturday as I have a friend that lives in the area and haven't seen him in years. We could talk for days and I'm sure the girls will do their fair share of entertaining!

 

[Diana Lyn]

I checked in a while ago, but since we're cruising this year now, I'm checking back in to say Hi!

We're so excited for this cruise, our paper chain was made this weekend and we're counting down.

We're doing the Dolphin Swim/Turtle Farm in GC and Xcaret in Cozumel.

 

[LadyOfNawlins]

Happy New Year everyone!!

Seems like we have quite a few new folks - WELCOME!

I'm keeping a spreadsheet of all the Disers on this thread/cruise who want to share information ahead of time. So send me the info listed below in a PM, and I'll add you to the spreadsheet and send it to you. (NOTE to golfermike and malbet - I have your messages and will update the spreadsheet and send it to you soon).

Ciao for now...
Johnna

When you get an updated list, could you please e-mail it to everyone? I know that lots of people have joined since the last spreadsheet I have.

Thanks so much!

 

[AmandaRG]

Just putting out a quick note that we do have a small FE going. At this point we have about 8 families and the deadline to sign up is Jan 15. The following information is requested for it: family name, cabin number, first names of family and ages of children, e-mail address, and any allergies that anyone might have.

For those that have already sent a PM to let me know you want on the list, please send me your e-mail address. I have a spreadsheet and want to send it out for any corrections before I send the final one out. It will also give you an idea of where we are with ages/participants if you are wanting to get a jump start on your item(s).

Our family is so very excited. Our youngest dd is asking several times a day if we can go already!

 

[ctgirl]

Hey y'all I'm Pam. My family and I are very excited about our FIRST EVER cruise!!!! I have been skimming over the boards the last few weeks, but I just really started digging deep today. I am posting for the first time today as well since I was a BIG chicken before now It's exciting to find a place where you can chat with other families traveling the same time you are. I read from someone else that the kids get to know each other before the trip which is really important to me. So, any tips on how to get that started would be great. I've started making a list of things to bring along...lots of great suggestions from veteran cruisers!
Now where do I go from here??? Thanks and look forward to meeting some fellow DCL "Magicians".

 

[Bamfield]

We just put together our paper chain! The girls are getting so excited looking at it.

We're so excited for this cruise, our paper chain was made this weekend and we're counting down.

The paper chains sound fun! But, I have never heard of them before. Is it a countdown chain that you remove a link as you get closer to the day?

Hey y'all I'm Pam. My family and I are very excited about our FIRST EVER cruise!!!! I have been skimming over the boards the last few weeks, but I just really started digging deep today. I am posting for the first time today as well since I was a BIG chicken before now It's exciting to find a place where you can chat with other families traveling the same time you are. I read from someone else that the kids get to know each other before the trip which is really important to me. So, any tips on how to get that started would be great. I've started making a list of things to bring along...lots of great suggestions from veteran cruisers!
Now where do I go from here??? Thanks and look forward to meeting some fellow DCL "Magicians".

Your family is gonna have some fun. This is a really nice way to vacation. I was really nervous about my first post too. I read the main boards but seem to only post on the cruise meet one.

My sons are near your kids age. My oldest DS is turning 12 the first day of the cruise and the youngest is 9. DS12 is really into reading, video games and loves music. DS9 is really into sports. Both boys love water sports and hanging out in the kid clubs. If you are interested in exchanging emails so the kids can chat via e-mail together just PM me. I usually work with the boys on the e-mails usually to help with the spelling. (I believe you need 10 posts to PM?)

Lisa

 

[Diana Lyn]

The paper chains sound fun! But, I have never heard of them before. Is it a countdown chain that you remove a link as you get closer to the day?

We just use strips of paper, red, yellow and black Mickey colors, of course! I link them together and every day the girls tear off a link to show we are one day closer.

 

[AmandaRG]

The paper chains sound fun! But, I have never heard of them before. Is it a countdown chain that you remove a link as you get closer to the day?

I printed these off. There are several for other events (holidays, different Disney vacations). DCL start with post #38.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2018621&page=3

 

[2totsmom]

Hi everyone, my family will be on the Magic March 5th and we cannot wait. It will be me my DH and DS(8) and DD(6). We will also be traveling with another family who has a DD(6). We are not doing many excursions this trip but my kids are really looking forward to the kids clubs. This board is great!!!!!

 

[ejkjmom]

It's been awhile since I have posted so thought I would do so tonight!!!! First of all Welcome to all our new comers..like I said it has been awhile since I have posted so I have kinda lost track of everyone!!!! Will be looking forward to meeting everyone once we are aboard the Magic

Hard to believe that we are getting so close..now with the holidays over, it is bound to be here before we know it!!!
We still haven't booked any excursions, really haven't even looked into any, guess I had better get busy with that as well as with ALOT of things!!! LOL

Tinker...have you heard anything from MicDay???? Just wondering if they are still planning on going?

Donna...good luck to you and Russ on your marathon, that is coming up (right?)

Okay...just wanted to check in, hope everyone had a Great Holiday and the New Year brings everyone Good Health and Happiness

 

[jessica29]

Anyone want to share their pre or post cruise details for hotel and rental car or any excursion itineraries.

 

[Johnna_Story]

Anyone want to share their pre or post cruise details for hotel and rental car or any excursion itineraries.

Jessica - we are actually driving from DC this year. We figured we'd save about $500-$600 by not flying and renting a car. So more $$ for our bar bill!!

It's a 13 hour trip (prob. 14.5 with pitstops!) and hopefully our kids are old enough now to handle that trip without too much complaint - especially given all the electronics!!!!

The current plan is to leave at 3:00 a.m. on Thursday scared1 and arrive at the Radission "Resort at the Port" in Cocoa Beach by dinner time. It's a great hotel. We've also stayed at the Marriott Residence Inn the past few times (I earn a lot of Marriott points for events I plan for work) and it's a nice hotel too. But the Radisson has a bigger, really nice pool, some bars, gift shop, and a restaurant. Plus, a STARBUCKS in the lobby. So the amenities there are better. It's also closer to other restaurants, and McDonalds across the street.

We love to have the extra day (Friday) to relax, swim (if it's nice enough), and go to the store for sunscreen, water, and alcohol to bring on board with us.

When we've flown, we've always gotten the best deal with Budget rental car - we'd get a one-way rental from Orlando airport, and drop it off Saturday morning at the Cocoa Beach location. My advice would be for one person (husband or wife) to drop off the other and the kids and all the luggage at the port, then that person alone can return the rental car and take the rental car shuttle back to the port. So much easier than switching luggage in and out of cars, shuttles, etc.

Hope that helps....

We haven't even THOUGHT about excursions (well, one actually) so we need to get on the ball!

So, my goal is to check in on this board at least once a day between now and March 3. SO EXCITED!!

Ciao for now!! Johnna

 

[jessica29]

4-5 Need to find hotel still We arrive late at 9:30 pm
5- get to cruise at 10
6-Key West (12:30-7:30)
Pie at Blonde Giraffe
Sloppy Joes
Mallory Square- Sunset ( 6:32 etimated time) starts around 4:00, bring tip money
taking it easy maybe leave kids in club and pick them up around 3 to go to mallary square...

7-Sea Day

8-Grand Cayman 9-3 (7:30-4:30)
*Stingray City, coral gardens, starfish snorkel ( possibly native ways40.00 adult, 30 kids)
*7 Mile Beach afterwards, taxi $3-5 per person back ( possible wreck of cali or cemetery beach)

9- Cozumel (9:45-6:30)
Chankanaab day on our own 18.00 online, taxi 10.00 back to port

10-Sea Day
Rasual!!!
11- Cast Cay
12-13 disney quest in am then AKL for the day night and hang out there( swim and enjoy the resort!

*We plan to do the beer tasting one day too!
*We are taking a budget to port from airport($50) and Budget back to Disney world and dropping off at the doubletree ($42) while at disney quest

 

[LadyOfNawlins]

4 - Cocoa Beach
DoubleTree - Oceanfront
This is my husband's 40th B-day, and he wanted to spend it relaxing, walking along beach, etc. I'm not sure where we will go for dinner. Where is everyone else going?

5 - Port Canaveral
Get to cruise for 10. We are so EXCITED!!!! I am sure I won't be able to sleep.

6 - Key West
Old Town Trolley Tour, key lime pies, etc....

7 - Sea Day
Pool, relax, beer/wine tasting??, Tea with Alice??

8 - Grand Cayman
Extreme Dolphin Swim & Turtle Farm (11:15)

9 - Cozumel
Fury Catamaran Sail, Snorkel & Beach

10 - Sea Day
Couple's Choice Spa Villa; Dinner at Palo

11 - CC -- no plans

 

[cyndi-rella]

Hi, everybody...we too chose to stay at the Radisson on Friday night. Maybe we will see some of you at the pool.
Still working on our excursions, but we did book Palo for Day 2. We have 11 people travelling with our group. We booked AAA taxi because it was the least expensive option for a large group. Does anyone have any feedback on them? Any suggestions would be helpful.

Looking forward to seeing how many people are going to participate in the FE exchange and can't wait to meet some of you.

 

[Diana Lyn]

We're also staying at the Radisson on 3/4. We have a half day of school that day, so we'll be driving over as soon as car line is over! We're about 2 1/2 hours from the port, but I'll have the car packed and ready to go.

Jessica--I have read that the Blonde Giraffe has gone out of business. I'm truly devastated because we had taken our girls there on their first cruise and wanted to return. I've read good things about Kermit's so we're thinking of hitting there. They too have the Choc Key Lime Pie on a Stick.

We're thinking of doing the Trolley or Train Tour in KW. The last time we were there we just walked around and went to the Butterfly Museum.

GC--Dolphin Swim and Turtle Farm. We did the Turtle Farm last time and it is one of the coolest places I've ever been.

Cozumel--Xcaret. I'm a little nervous about the distance you have to travel to go here, but everything I've heard about it says it's amazing.

 

[donmil723]

Anyone want to share their pre or post cruise details for hotel and rental car or any excursion itineraries.

We'll be staying at the Beach Club at WDW March 2-5 and taking Disney transportation to the port. The only excursion we have booked is the Champagne Sunset Sail at Key West. I am so far behind in planning this cruise! Yikes!!!!!