JenLynn
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2004
- Messages
- 716
Well, we are just back from our May 1st cruise on the Magic (Eastern itinerary) .... I took notes during the length of the cruise so i could share everything with everyone.
JenLynn (Me) - 31
Joe (DH) - 34
Teddy (DS) - 6
Madalyn (DD) - 4 (almost 5)
We also travelled with 2 other families:
Terri (DW), Chris (DH) and Jordan (DD)
Kristi (DW), Eric (DH) and Bradley (DS) and Adam (DS)
Our flight was scheduled to leave out of Baltimore at 4:30 on Friday, April 30th. We arrived at the airport at a little past 2pm and parked at a private "Park and Go" lot (very convenient). We checked in at the Southwest counter without incident and then made our way to the gate to wait for boarding. At about 3:30 an announcement was made that the incoming flight would be delayed about 15 minutes and they would get things moving as quickly as they could. We finally boarded the plane at about 4:30 and took off around 5pm. A peaceful, easy, uneventful flight and we landed only about 10 minutes later than originally scheduled. I brought new coloring/activity books for the children as well as playing cards. Also, i gave them each a ring-pop to suck on during take-off and bubble gum to chew for landing. Seemed to work pretty well.
While the rest of my group gathered our luggage, i used the airport courtesy phone to call Sheraton Suites for the complimentary shuttle. I had booked 3 rooms for the Sheraton Suites through Hotwire for a price (including all taxes and such) of about $64 a night. All the luggage arrived without incident. A porter loaded all 20 or so pieces of luggage for our group onto a cart and led us to the designated location to catch our shuttle. The clerk at the hotel had told me that they say the wait is not longer than 20 minutes, but may be a bit longer for us since we would basically need a shuttle dedicated for just our group.
After waiting about 20 minutes, a shuttle from the hotel arrived which was already about 80% full. The wives and kids took this shuttle to the hotel while the guys stayed and waited for the next shuttle with all of the luggage. We arrived at the hotel and checked-in. The reservations were all in my name since i had booked everything, but each group was able to leave their own credit card number for incidental expenses. The hotel lobby was small but tastefully decorated. By this time it was about 8:30pm and everyone was tired and hungry. As we finished checking-in, the guys arrived with all of the luggage. We each went to our own rooms to leave our luggage and then planned to meet at the small restaurant just off the lobby. We were able to leave the majority of our luggage with the front desk since we wouldn't be needing it overnight.
The rooms were very nice 1 bedroom suites. Each room had a pull-out sofa, a microwave with mini-bar, 2 televisions, a kingsize bed, a hairdryer, etc. We were very pleased.
We met at the restaurant for dinner (now after 9pm). The food was good (we got hamburgers and such) but the service was slow ... probably in large part due to the size of our group. Everyone was tired and getting grouchy. We finished eating and then everyone turned-in for the night. Tomorrow was going to be an exciting day as we headed for the first day of our Mickey cruise!
In the next report .... transferring to the port, checking-in at Port Canaveral and our first day on-board!!!
Let me know if you have any questions!
JenLynn
JenLynn (Me) - 31
Joe (DH) - 34
Teddy (DS) - 6
Madalyn (DD) - 4 (almost 5)
We also travelled with 2 other families:
Terri (DW), Chris (DH) and Jordan (DD)
Kristi (DW), Eric (DH) and Bradley (DS) and Adam (DS)
Our flight was scheduled to leave out of Baltimore at 4:30 on Friday, April 30th. We arrived at the airport at a little past 2pm and parked at a private "Park and Go" lot (very convenient). We checked in at the Southwest counter without incident and then made our way to the gate to wait for boarding. At about 3:30 an announcement was made that the incoming flight would be delayed about 15 minutes and they would get things moving as quickly as they could. We finally boarded the plane at about 4:30 and took off around 5pm. A peaceful, easy, uneventful flight and we landed only about 10 minutes later than originally scheduled. I brought new coloring/activity books for the children as well as playing cards. Also, i gave them each a ring-pop to suck on during take-off and bubble gum to chew for landing. Seemed to work pretty well.
While the rest of my group gathered our luggage, i used the airport courtesy phone to call Sheraton Suites for the complimentary shuttle. I had booked 3 rooms for the Sheraton Suites through Hotwire for a price (including all taxes and such) of about $64 a night. All the luggage arrived without incident. A porter loaded all 20 or so pieces of luggage for our group onto a cart and led us to the designated location to catch our shuttle. The clerk at the hotel had told me that they say the wait is not longer than 20 minutes, but may be a bit longer for us since we would basically need a shuttle dedicated for just our group.
After waiting about 20 minutes, a shuttle from the hotel arrived which was already about 80% full. The wives and kids took this shuttle to the hotel while the guys stayed and waited for the next shuttle with all of the luggage. We arrived at the hotel and checked-in. The reservations were all in my name since i had booked everything, but each group was able to leave their own credit card number for incidental expenses. The hotel lobby was small but tastefully decorated. By this time it was about 8:30pm and everyone was tired and hungry. As we finished checking-in, the guys arrived with all of the luggage. We each went to our own rooms to leave our luggage and then planned to meet at the small restaurant just off the lobby. We were able to leave the majority of our luggage with the front desk since we wouldn't be needing it overnight.
The rooms were very nice 1 bedroom suites. Each room had a pull-out sofa, a microwave with mini-bar, 2 televisions, a kingsize bed, a hairdryer, etc. We were very pleased.
We met at the restaurant for dinner (now after 9pm). The food was good (we got hamburgers and such) but the service was slow ... probably in large part due to the size of our group. Everyone was tired and getting grouchy. We finished eating and then everyone turned-in for the night. Tomorrow was going to be an exciting day as we headed for the first day of our Mickey cruise!
In the next report .... transferring to the port, checking-in at Port Canaveral and our first day on-board!!!
Let me know if you have any questions!
JenLynn
