May 11th 2008 ~ Any Double Dippers Out There?

[CustardTart]

Hi!

I've searched for a thread for this cruise but couldn't find one so I hope nobody minds if I go ahead and get the ball rolling...

I'm going to be on the cruise with my DD24, Sophie - it's a Girls Only vacation for us which includes a week at WDW. This will be our 2nd Girls Only cruise and we can't wait!

My countdown tells me we have 14 months to go, so who's with us?





Looking forward to meeting you all soon...


DD DISCruiser List...

CustardTart:
Karen, DH & DD25.

branv:
Brandi & DH.

alecsmom:
Yvonne, DH & DS5.

momof4ngls:
Melissa, DH, DD15, DD14, DS4 & DS2.

disneyfool_1202:
Denise, DH, DS4, DD2, DM &DSD plus 2 other families.

Tarabra:
Tara, DH, DD3 & DS 9 months.

MGM94:
MGM94 & DP.

pallamb:
Patty & DH.

Pansy:

garys12:
Gary, DW, DD7 & DS5.

buzzlightyear:
buzzlightyear, DH, DD12, DD9 & DS4.

princessh:
Heather & DH.

Pirate at Heart:
Pirate, DD11 & DD9

luvmygoofyguy:
Theresa & DH.

DAD AT DISNEY:

inkkognito:
Barb & Tony.

TADsMommy:
Karen, DH, DD15, DD14 & DS12.

IamAnniM:
IamAnniM.

Singlemomplus2:
Singlemomplus2, DS13 & DD4

mousebit:
Barb, DGD12.

soapydonutzs:
George, DW & DS.

wwoodles:
Wendy, DH, DS4 & DS3.

Frankiesmom:
Angel, DH, DD15, DS6 &DS3.

ExcessivelyDiverted:
ExcessivelyDiverted, DH, DD10 & DD7.5.

Cruiser1969:
Maria

MariaTia:
MariaTia & DH.

dopey67:

sakkujaan:
sakkujaan, DH & DS3.

sasser05:

momtocss:
Kelly, DH, DD12, DS9 & DS9.


Kids Age Inventory...

garys12 - DD - 7; DS - 5

tarabra - DD - 3 1/2; DS - 9 months

momof4ngls: DD - 15; DD - 14; DS - 4; DS - 2

alecsmom: DS - 5

buzzlightyear: DD - 12; DD - 9; DS - 4

disneyfool_1202: DS - 4.5; DD: 2.5

disneyfool_1202's friend: DS - 3; DD - 6; DD - 12

wwoodles: DS - 4; DS - 3

momtocss: DD - 12; DS - 9; DS - 9

 

[CustardTart]

*bump*

 

[Bibbidi]

We just booked this one tonight. It will be our first cruise! So excited for the double dip at Castaway Cay.

 

[CustardTart]

Hi there - great to have you along! Excellent choice for a first cruise - you are going to love the 2 stops at Castaway Cay...

 

[Mousermom]

DH, DS (12), and myself are considering this cruise. I was wondering if the two stops to CC is worth doing? We are new to cruising, and I want to go with DCL because I love Disney and we just returned from WDW on March 9th.
I am trying to decide if I want the day at sea (5/4/08 Wonder) or this one because I want to see all the ship has to offer. However, we are also interested in a few excursions (Parasailing, Glass Bottom Boat Tour, etc.)
Maybe if we book the some of the excursions on sepreate days we won't have to rush around on one day. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I'm a newbie--I know I can learn from you guys!

Thanks,
Mary Beth

 

[Bibbidi]

We have never cruised before--I am not particularly interested in getting off the ship to tour Nassau, so we will stay on the ship that day and explore then. We have heard fantastic things about Castaway Cay. Our girls are younger (they'll be almost 7 and almost 5) when we travel and for them, Castaway Cay will be perfect. I looked at it somewhat like you mentioned--if we have two days there, then we won't be in a rush to get it all done in one day. Personally I'm not real keen on being out for long periods on the open ocean (you wonder, why am I taking a cruise, right ), so extra days at sea don't appeal to me either. We will do this 4 night and then spend 3 or 4 nights at Disney World afterwards. I would rather do it that way since I would rather head home from Disney World than feel like the cruise was the end of our vacation. Anyway, that's just my thinking on selecting this particular one.

 

[Mousermom]

I'm not particularly interested in getting off the ship at Nassau eithier. Maybe we can tour the boat then. I've heard so many good thing about CC that we will probably do this cruise. Although, I've been looking around on the boards and I have just seen that the parasailing has been cancelled on CC. I am also doing the Land/Sea package, but I am doing WDW first. Figure we can relax on the cruise. Anyway, if my DH and DS have thier heart set on parasailing, they offer it at the lagoon near the Contemporary. I think my mind is made up. Add us to this cruise. Thank you for the advice!

 

[Bibbidi]

Where did you see that parasailing was cancelled at CC? I have heard that it could be cancelled at times due to high winds, I hadn't read where it was cancelled altogether. But you are correct, if your family is set on doing it, just do it at the Contemporary on your land portion. I bet it will be a lot less crazy doing it there since you won't be part of a potentially large number of people all trying to get it done in one day.

Let us know when you're booked! Welcome Aboard

 

[CustardTart]

Hi Mary Beth! Nice to have you along.

I agree that Nassau isn't the best port to get off when you have young kids unless (like most people seem to) you're heading off to the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island. DD and I spent some time there shopping in May 2005 but she's an adult and we both have a shopping habit. This time we plan to lounge around the pool, do some onboard activities and maybe hit the spa as they sometimes offer port day discounts...

I think the parasailing operator on CC has been dismissed by Disney and they are currently looking for a replacement - I've got my fingers crossed it'll be back on in September as DH and I want to do a tandem parasail(?) then...

Where are you guys staying in WDW? DD and I are planning on spending a week in VWL or AKV before the cruise to get our park fix...

 

[Mousermom]

I can't remember which thread I read it on! I am new to this and there are so many posts on here! I told my DH about the cancelled parasailing and he said, "No big deal, we'll do something else". Very laid back guy! Anyway, we are planning on staying at POFQ. We just returned from there on March 9th. We loved it. This might sound corny, but my favorite part of the trip was in the early mornings when I would go down to the food court and I would hear the jazz music playing outside and I would just sit at the table with a feeling of contentment. That doesn't happen to me that often! Anyway, I'm very excited about these boards and being able to share my obession with fellow DISers! My family members just don't get it! My family are Jersey Shore People!!! Been there, done that! Gonna book after some family events are over (a couple weddings, bridal showers, etc.) Can't wait!

Talk to you soon!

Mary Beth

 

[CustardTart]

...Where did you see that parasailing was cancelled at CC? I have heard that it could be cancelled at times due to high winds, I hadn't read where it was cancelled altogether...

Here's one of the threads...
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1381429

 

[Bibbidi]

Thanks for the link to the parasailing thread. I won't be trying it, but my husband might, he's done it before. I guess we'll just have to wait and see if they find a new operator.

We will probably stay at Port Orleans, but in the Riverside section--it is my favorite mod! I've always wondered though why Disney doesn't offer the land sea cruise in reverse--why can't you book it as a package sea first land second???

I have to admit, it feels like there is a huge learning curve for these cruises. I have spent most of my life (since the age of 9) helping plan Disney trips, so that is old hat, but a cruise is an entirely different proposition! Is the best book for the disney cruise the Passporter one?

 

[CustardTart]

...I have to admit, it feels like there is a huge learning curve for these cruises. I have spent most of my life (since the age of 9) helping plan Disney trips, so that is old hat, but a cruise is an entirely different proposition! Is the best book for the disney cruise the Passporter one?

TBH, Bibbidi, it's still a learning curve for me too. I've only been on the 3 night Wonder cruise before, in May 2005 and I didn't really know what to expect, just kept my fingers crossed that the Disney magic would shine through. It did and the experience was fantastic!

As a result, I managed to persuade DH to book a 7 night Western Caribbean cruise for our 25th Wedding Anniversary/Vow Renewal this September and that's where my need to plan took hold - DD did most of the planning for my previous cruise.

I've learnt an awful lot on here but I love the PassPorter guides and would definitely recommend getting hold of one. It's nice to have so much info at your fingertips - there are great descriptions of the staterooms, dining options, kids clubs and the excursions available...

 

[Bibbidi]

TBH, Bibbidi, it's still a learning curve for me too. I've only been on the 3 night Wonder cruise before, in May 2005 and I didn't really know what to expect, just kept my fingers crossed that the Disney magic would shine through. It did and the experience was fantastic!

As a result, I managed to persuade DH to book a 7 night Western Caribbean cruise for our 25th Wedding Anniversary/Vow Renewal this September and that's where my need to plan took hold - DD did most of the planning for my previous cruise.

I've learnt an awful lot on here but I love the PassPorter guides and would definitely recommend getting hold of one. It's nice to have so much info at your fingertips - there are great descriptions of the staterooms, dining options, kids clubs and the excursions available...

Karen,
Am I reading this correctly? You are doing a 7 night in September for your anniversary and then the double dip next May? Wow! Congratulations! We are celebrating our 10th at Disney World this year and then for our 11th we're doing the double dip (well technically our anniversary isn't until June 1st, but it's close enough).

You come all the way over from England for the cruises? Maybe it isn't as far as it seems, but somehow hopping the pond seems longer than flying across the US.

I can see a Passporter guide in my future for sure. I love the information I am getting here, but I think I need a more portable reference.

One thing you might be able to tell me is how does the dining rotation work. What I mean is this--I realize that we will eat at a different restaurant each night, but how do you know which restaurant on which night? If we want to book a Palo dinner, but don't want to miss out on say the evening at Animator's Palate, how would we know what night to reserve Palo?

 

[CustardTart]

Karen,
Am I reading this correctly? You are doing a 7 night in September for your anniversary and then the double dip next May? Wow! Congratulations! We are celebrating our 10th at Disney World this year and then for our 11th we're doing the double dip (well technically our anniversary isn't until June 1st, but it's close enough).

You come all the way over from England for the cruises? Maybe it isn't as far as it seems, but somehow hopping the pond seems longer than flying across the US...

Yes, that's right! One of the benefits of having a grown-up daughter who is your best friend, loves Disney as much you do AND can pay her way on any vacations you do together! The flights to/from MCO take about 8 hours but visitors from the UK tend to stay for longer - some guys I know have a place in Celebration and stay the whole summer...

...One thing you might be able to tell me is how does the dining rotation work. What I mean is this--I realize that we will eat at a different restaurant each night, but how do you know which restaurant on which night? If we want to book a Palo dinner, but don't want to miss out on say the evening at Animator's Palate, how would we know what night to reserve Palo?

OK this is a very general rule but DCL tend to put families with younger children on the APPT rotation which is Animators Palette; Parrot Cay; Parrot Cay; Tritons. So you could choose to do Palo's on one of the 2 Parrot Cay nights - bearing in mind that Day 2 is Dress-Up night and Day 3 is Pirate Night... What seating are you - main or late?

Technically you won't know your dining rotation until you get your KTTW cards onboard - the rotation code APPT; TAAP; PTTA will be be printed on them. You can go and change your dining rotation during that first day if necessary. There's also the Palo Brunch on the 4 night cruise which sounds yummy - that tends to be on the last day of the cruise...
Hope that helps!

 

[Bibbidi]

OK this is a very general rule but DCL tend to put families with younger children on the APPT rotation which is Animators Palette; Parrot Cay; Parrot Cay; Tritons. So you could choose to do Palo's on one of the 2 Parrot Cay nights - bearing in mind that Day 2 is Dress-Up night and Day 3 is Pirate Night... What seating are you - main or late?

Technically you won't know your dining rotation until you get your KTTW cards onboard - the rotation code APPT; TAAP; PTTA will be be printed on them. You can go and change your dining rotation during that first day if necessary. There's also the Palo Brunch on the 4 night cruise which sounds yummy - that tends to be on the last day of the cruise...
Hope that helps!

That has helped me considerably. I think the kids would be sad to miss either of those nights, dress up and pirates, so we will aim for the Palo brunch. I've only seen positive reviews of that on this board so far. Thanks!

 

[CustardTart]

What I've read that some people do is go to dinner with their children (I guess this only works for the main sitting) but not eat anything and then go on to Palo's later when their kids return to Oceaneer's Club/Lab. I'm not sure if that would've worked for me when my babies (now 24, 21 and 13 ) were little but it's an option.

Palo's Brunch sounds awesome - DD and I definitely want to try that out...

 

[CustardTart]

One thing you might be able to tell me is how does the dining rotation work. What I mean is this--I realize that we will eat at a different restaurant each night, but how do you know which restaurant on which night? If we want to book a Palo dinner, but don't want to miss out on say the evening at Animator's Palate, how would we know what night to reserve Palo?

Bibbidi, I am so sorry - I totally told you the wrong info regarding the rotations! Goodness knows what I was thinking!

Basically it's the second night that repeats the previous night's restaurant SO the code for those with young families should read as follows - AAPT! In other words, Dress-Up night you will probably be in Animator's Palette and Pirate's Night should still see you in Parrot Cay. Apologies again for the mis-information. Hope that's cleared it up now...

 

[Bibbidi]

Bibbidi, I am so sorry - I totally told you the wrong info regarding the rotations! Goodness knows what I was thinking!

Basically it's the second night that repeats the previous night's restaurant SO the code for those with young families should read as follows - AAPT! In other words, Dress-Up night you will probably be in Animator's Palette and Pirate's Night should still see you in Parrot Cay. Apologies again for the mis-information. Hope that's cleared it up now...

No problem! I probably wouldn't have figured it out anyway
So let me see if I have this correct. First night Animator's Palatte-regular clothes, Second night is Animator's Palette-dress up clothes (but isn't that the night when we wouldn't see the room transform?), third night is Parrot Cay with Pirates and 4th night is Tritons and no special attire?

What I'm wondering is if the first Animator's Palette night is when we'd see the room change and if that same night was also dress up night. I don't want to schedule a Palo dinner on the night when Animator's Palette changes, nor do I want to schedule it on a dress up night. My best case scenario is that our first night at Animator's is also our dress up night. If not, we'll just be doing the brunch at Palo if we can reserve it.

 

[CustardTart]

I think you're probably right about the AP only changing on the first night. According to my PassPorter, the 2nd night is the Dress-Up night so if you're set on Palo's (and it is a fab experience) your best bet might be to change your rotation to TTAP or PPTA and booking it for that 1st evening. OR you can focus on the Brunch and plan Palo's for next time you cruise DCL...