May 11th 2008 ~ Any Double Dippers Out There?

[CustardTart]

My thinking is: Definitely not just for children! It will be up to the giver if gifts are left for each person in the stateroom or just for the stateroom as a whole. Small gifts, like figurines or magnets, maybe... Maybe something the gifter wants to make... in reading threads about this, I've seen all kinds of gifts, limited only by the imagination (and perhaps budget) of the person giving the gift. Cruises are expensive enough, I'd not want this to be a strain on anybody's pocketbook. Just a little fun thing, to come back to your stateroom and find a note or a small surprise in the FE.

Thank you - that's given me something to think about! And I like the idea of it not being restricted to kids!

I feel odd because I haven't done this before, so I feel like I'm going into it a bit blind. SO, if anybody has any ideas for guidelines they'd like, etc., please share.

Well, I've only been on a couple of DCL cruises and didn't know anything about the exchange thingy until a DISfriend of mine mentioned she was doing it on her DD cruise in August! All your info is brilliant, Melissa and I really appreciate you taking the time to think about this...

 

[wwoodles]

Hey fellow maties/jk
I am such a dork w/ things like this and I love birthday party themes or scavenger hunts...stuff like that so this is very cool// and possiblilities endless. I was thinking about like something from where people are from--yes and im talking cheap too..a trinket etc/ I live right near Washington DC so I was thinking something from there...dont quote me on that, but something along those lines. I come from a Elementary background and love like homemade is fine/my kids get excited for stickers. Just def. put me on the list "to do" and looking forward to getting to know you too. Hope yall had a great Easter/holiday. Also, I am staying a few extra days in Orlando or Port Canaveral / cocoa beach and since IM soooo last minute any suggestions on what you would do. We are coming morning of the 11th and getting off ship 15th and then we don't fly back to DC til the 17th....should we get a hotel and chill at a pool there in P. Canaveral or go to Orlando (flying otu of there). Keep in mind I have a 4 and 3 year old and I have Rheumatoid Arthritis/can't walk a ton (like the parks/too much for my guys..including hubby). Just thought this wealth of knowlege and disney veterans had a good idea. ;-) btw you know its Mothers Day over our cruise right? i just figured that out. ...see im last minute

 

[momof4ngls]

Hey fellow maties/jk
I am such a dork w/ things like this and I love birthday party themes or scavenger hunts...stuff like that so this is very cool// and possiblilities endless. I was thinking about like something from where people are from--yes and im talking cheap too..a trinket etc/ I live right near Washington DC so I was thinking something from there...dont quote me on that, but something along those lines. I come from a Elementary background and love like homemade is fine/my kids get excited for stickers. Just def. put me on the list "to do" and looking forward to getting to know you too. Hope yall had a great Easter/holiday. Also, I am staying a few extra days in Orlando or Port Canaveral / cocoa beach and since IM soooo last minute any suggestions on what you would do. We are coming morning of the 11th and getting off ship 15th and then we don't fly back to DC til the 17th....should we get a hotel and chill at a pool there in P. Canaveral or go to Orlando (flying otu of there). Keep in mind I have a 4 and 3 year old and I have Rheumatoid Arthritis/can't walk a ton (like the parks/too much for my guys..including hubby). Just thought this wealth of knowlege and disney veterans had a good idea. ;-) btw you know its Mothers Day over our cruise right? i just figured that out. ...see im last minute

Yes, something from where you live, maybe. Something homemade maybe. Whatever strikes your fancy. Just to spread a little Disney magic!!

I have no advice for ya on the hotel, things to do subject, sorry. However, while I don't have Rheumatiod Arthritis, I have fibromyalgia, so often have similar pain, from what I'm told, but without the damage that arthritis causes, so I can definitely relate to the not walking a ton. A change in my routine might indeed get me flaring, and I'm worried about that, because I don't want to be miserable on the trip. I hope you have a pain free trip as well!!!

I am THRILLED to be celebrating Mother's Day on the ship! The 11th is also my daughter's 14th birthday, so we'll be celebrating with her at dinner (well, all day long, of course) and then go on to a special dinner at Palo.

 

[CustardTart]

Hey fellow maties/jk
I am such a dork w/ things like this and I love birthday party themes or scavenger hunts...stuff like that so this is very cool// and possiblilities endless. I was thinking about like something from where people are from--yes and im talking cheap too..a trinket etc/ I live right near Washington DC so I was thinking something from there...

Sounds cool to me! Anything would be lovely as it's a city I hope to visit in the future...

...looking forward to getting to know you too. Hope yall had a great Easter/holiday.

Same here and yes, we had a lovely Easter break here in London... Back to reality today...

...Also, I am staying a few extra days in Orlando or Port Canaveral / cocoa beach and since IM soooo last minute any suggestions on what you would do. We are coming morning of the 11th and getting off ship 15th and then we don't fly back to DC til the 17th....should we get a hotel and chill at a pool there in P. Canaveral or go to Orlando (flying otu of there). Keep in mind I have a 4 and 3 year old and I have Rheumatoid Arthritis/can't walk a ton (like the parks/too much for my guys..including hubby)...

Well, our previous cruise mates recommended the Radisson at Cocoa Beach. Apparently it has a great pool area and is a really relaxing hotel. Other than that, have you thought of staying at one of the on-site WDW hotels? The theming is awesome at all of them and you'd get a little more Disney magic without having to go to the parks. I'm sure your little ones would have a great time in and around in the pool areas...

 

[Tarabra]

Yea, I would advise to stay in Orlando after the cruise. Cocoa Beach is o.k., but we got tar all over us from the beach. You can at least take a bus to Downtown Disney and walk around for free if you stay at a Disney Resort. That's what we plan on doing one of the days prior to our cruise. Also, spending a couple of days at the pool and 2 days in the parks.

 

[branv]

So if no one minds, I'm going to divert from the cruise a second to ask a few questions of those of us going to the parks.

Anyone want to share their touring plans (tentative, I know)? I'm trying to figure out how I want to handle having just a few days in the park, so other than P&PP for sure, I'm altering our plans on a practically weekly basis

So c'mon, share your story (that means you too YVONNE! DO YOU HEAR ME?! Come out, come out, wherever you are! I know we're on the same travel schedule, so I want to know what you think).

Are any of the rest of you dealing with shortened times in the parks? How are you handling it? Trying to cram a lot in or just going easy? Have any tricks to share? We have 2-day tickets and the P&PP tickets. We've done this kind of short trip before, and with no kids to stop for, had absolutely no problems getting to 4 parks and doing the highlights in 2 days...it was actually fun. And we still manage afternoon breaks. It's definitely easier with a car. Though to be fair, we really only do 1-2 rides at AK and at MGM, which frees up a lot of time at MK and Epcot.

So right now I'm just trying to decide if we want to start Thursday or Friday. If you were me, would you rather have more hours in a park on the day you fly in (our plane arrives at 2:30 pm, but MK is open until 11 pm), then chill out Friday morning (swimming, breakfast at Kona) since you'll be at P&PP from 4-12? Or would you rather relax the day you arrive, but only have 3 hours in the park on Friday morning b/c you'll need a break before heading to MK from 4-12?

And on that note, how about a few top tens for the parks? What are some things that for you are "do or die trying!" I know just picking 10 is hard, but you can do it!

For me, in no particular order:

1) Haunted Mansion
2) ToT
3) Space Mountain
4) Dole Whip!!!!!
5) Wishes
6) Spaceship Earth
7) Shopping on Main Street after the big crowds have cleared out and the Kiss Goodnight is going on. Ideally leaving with something very naughty from the Bakery.
8) Stroll around World Showcase (finally gonna get a Grey Goose Slushie this time)
**the last 2 are ones I've never done, but want to do so badly on this next trip that I'm moving everything around to cram it in**
9) Macadamia pancakes at Kona (and a press-pot...anything to get decent coffee at WDW )
10) FINALLY ride Everest.

Up next -- Top Ten "Do or Die Trying": DCL Style

 

[Tarabra]

Yea, I think we are only going to spend 2 days in the parks. We will be there 4 days before the cruise and think we may just spend the first day, Wed. at the pools and Downtown Disney, Thurs and Fri at the parks and Sat. at the pool so we won't have to deal w/ the crowds. We are travelling on DVC points and last time we had a welcome party on Thurs. evening at Downtown Disney. I'll have to try to find out when they have that again because we may just decide to take that day off. We will definitely hit WDW and Animal Kingdom and breeze through Epcot and MGM. I'd love to do a waterpark, but don't feel like paying extra and w/ a 9 month old it may not be too much fun. Plus we will be swimming alot at the resort and w/ 2 days at CC. Anyhow, I haven't really come up w/ a list yet. I'm never on the Parks boards and for the first time just got on the restaurant board so that is really piqueing my curiousity. I'm on this board enough. I should be working right now!!! Getting excited!!!

 

[CustardTart]

If anyone's interested, I've just posted my pre-trip report for our May vacation... Here's the link...

Couldn't resist - it makes the trip seem more real...

 

[momof4ngls]

I love the trip report! I thought about writing one for our trip as well. Will have to ponder it, as I know it would not be as entertaining as yours already is.

I'm a bit envious of the amazing trip you have planned for just mom and daughter. I'd LOVE to take a fun trip like that with my SIL, Mother and MIL one of these days.

 

[Tarabra]

Holy Cow!!! You really are organized! Sounds like a blast. You've got it down to the drinks. Amazing. That's funny, we're pretty much the same age from what I can tell and I here I have a 3 year old and 7 month old. I told my husband a few weeks ago that if I had a 20 something daughter, we'd be out whoopin' it up!! What a hoot! My DD and I may share a cup of milk!!! I've got to look into the parks thing a little more. I'm never on the Parks board, so I guess I'm a little out of the loop. We've done 7 cruises and usually don't hit the parks. The last time, briefly in '05 and before that in 2000.

 

[princessh]

Hi everyone! Count me in on the fish extender! I will bring you all something from Maryland!

Tim and I are getting so excited about the cruise!

 

[princessh]

Hey fellow maties/jk
I am such a dork w/ things like this and I love birthday party themes or scavenger hunts...stuff like that so this is very cool// and possiblilities endless. I was thinking about like something from where people are from--yes and im talking cheap too..a trinket etc/ I live right near Washington DC so I was thinking something from there...dont quote me on that, but something along those lines. I come from a Elementary background and love like homemade is fine/my kids get excited for stickers. Just def. put me on the list "to do" and looking forward to getting to know you too. Hope yall had a great Easter/holiday. Also, I am staying a few extra days in Orlando or Port Canaveral / cocoa beach and since IM soooo last minute any suggestions on what you would do. We are coming morning of the 11th and getting off ship 15th and then we don't fly back to DC til the 17th....should we get a hotel and chill at a pool there in P. Canaveral or go to Orlando (flying otu of there). Keep in mind I have a 4 and 3 year old and I have Rheumatoid Arthritis/can't walk a ton (like the parks/too much for my guys..including hubby). Just thought this wealth of knowlege and disney veterans had a good idea. ;-) btw you know its Mothers Day over our cruise right? i just figured that out. ...see im last minute

Hi Wendy,
My family and I have stayed several times at the Raddison. We are staying there again this cruise. We just love it there! If you just want to relax, I would recommend there! They have a few really nice pools. You said you were in the DC area. We are from Maryland ( Harford County), but my husband is from PG county. Kind of neat that we are from the same area. Last cruise I sailed with a lady that lived 7 miles away from me!

 

[wwoodles]

WOW. I live in Northern VA, (Alexandria to be exact) but grew up in Crofton, MD near Annapolis. I taught and was a School Counselor in PG County until I had children (in Greenbelt/Lanham). ITS A SMALL WORLD AFTER ALL. Very very cool. Look forward to reading more and planning more and getting more and more excited. My 4 year old wants to constantly watch the disneycruise.com website and listen to "Emily Kaufman" the anchor woman for the site. I am still deciding where to stay/I saw good deals at teh Dolphin/WDW
I must say I am very very impressed w/ the itinterary of Custard tart (lol)...and its so wonderful of that relationship w/ her dd. Makes me want to go on a cruise w/ my mom. I need a daughter. I have 2 sons...I want more but not after two toddlers today..ugh. I hear the mom who said they share milk w/ the kiddos--we do cheers w/ that or juicy juice. ugh..gotta go to beddie. ttfn Wendy

 

[disneyfool_1202]

That's funny, we're pretty much the same age from what I can tell and I here I have a 3 year old and 7 month old. I told my husband a few weeks ago that if I had a 20 something daughter, we'd be out whoopin' it up!! What a hoot! My DD and I may share a cup of milk!!!

I was thinking the same thing - I'm 42 with a 2.5 and 4.5 year old. I keep telling DH it's his fault we'll never be able to retire! (he took forever and then some to propose) And I keep thinking of menopause with TEENAGERS! Oh well... we'll cross that bridge when we come to it (walkers and all!!).

Karen awesome trip report! I second the 'you're so organized' comment. We're also doing VWL (our DVC home resort) but we're doing it after the cruise. It's funny, I read your trip report and it's so packed with stuff to do - I thought to myself, "ah the good old days"... that's what our vacations were like before kids!! Now it's literally "fly by the seat of our pants and hope no one has a meltdown" vacation planning! We've found we've become much more laid back about our WDW vacations though and have learned to slow down and go with the flow (our kids flow, mind you, not ours). While I do miss the adult only vacations with the ability to do what we want when we want, I love seeing Disney through the eyes of my kids now.

OK, enough blabbering.... Here's my Top 10- DCL Style....
1. Sail Away Party with what ever the "specialty drink of the day" is
2. Reading my 1st Personal Navigator
3. Parasailing on CC (something new for both DH and I)
4. Building sand castles with my kids and not worrying about tracking sand back home!
5. Character meet and greets
6. Match Your Mate show
7. Steeling some evening time up on deck with DH while mom watches the kids (adjoining rooms with the grandparents - FREE BABYSITTING!)
8. Spa time for hubby and I (exotic rasual here we come!)
9. All that scrumptious food to try
10. Going on this cruise with our best friends in the whole world (2 couples and their kids who have never cruised Disney before) and looking forward to doing it again in a few years because I know they will love it as much as we do!

 

[alecsmom]

So if no one minds, I'm going to divert from the cruise a second to ask a few questions of those of us going to the parks.

Anyone want to share their touring plans (tentative, I know)? I'm trying to figure out how I want to handle having just a few days in the park, so other than P&PP for sure, I'm altering our plans on a practically weekly basis

So c'mon, share your story (that means you too YVONNE! DO YOU HEAR ME?! Come out, come out, wherever you are! I know we're on the same travel schedule, so I want to know what you think).

Are any of the rest of you dealing with shortened times in the parks? How are you handling it? Trying to cram a lot in or just going easy? Have any tricks to share? We have 2-day tickets and the P&PP tickets. We've done this kind of short trip before, and with no kids to stop for, had absolutely no problems getting to 4 parks and doing the highlights in 2 days...it was actually fun. And we still manage afternoon breaks. It's definitely easier with a car. Though to be fair, we really only do 1-2 rides at AK and at MGM, which frees up a lot of time at MK and Epcot.

So right now I'm just trying to decide if we want to start Thursday or Friday. If you were me, would you rather have more hours in a park on the day you fly in (our plane arrives at 2:30 pm, but MK is open until 11 pm), then chill out Friday morning (swimming, breakfast at Kona) since you'll be at P&PP from 4-12? Or would you rather relax the day you arrive, but only have 3 hours in the park on Friday morning b/c you'll need a break before heading to MK from 4-12?

And on that note, how about a few top tens for the parks? What are some things that for you are "do or die trying!" I know just picking 10 is hard, but you can do it!

For me, in no particular order:

1) Haunted Mansion
2) ToT
3) Space Mountain
4) Dole Whip!!!!!
5) Wishes
6) Spaceship Earth
7) Shopping on Main Street after the big crowds have cleared out and the Kiss Goodnight is going on. Ideally leaving with something very naughty from the Bakery.
8) Stroll around World Showcase (finally gonna get a Grey Goose Slushie this time)
**the last 2 are ones I've never done, but want to do so badly on this next trip that I'm moving everything around to cram it in**
9) Macadamia pancakes at Kona (and a press-pot...anything to get decent coffee at WDW )
10) FINALLY ride Everest.

Up next -- Top Ten "Do or Die Trying": DCL Style

Hey girl - I am glad you asked - I want to hear opinions on my touring plan as well and was just wondering what you'd be doing! You've got a good list going on there by the way.

We obviously have different circumstances with me taking my 5 year old son and my mom - so I figured that I was going to take it easy for the most part - keep it kid-and-grandma friendly - slow paced but still try to make the most of our time there.

okie dokie - after weeks of going back and forth on what we should do with the limited time we have there - here is what I've tentatively decided:

Thursday - we arrive at 1:10. I figure we will get to AKL and have lunch at Mara (dining plan of course). Then head on over to MGM (sorry it'll always be MGM to me too) - the things I want to do (for my son of course) are the Muppets 3D, Indiana Jones stunt show (he's a HUGE Indy fan), of course he's gonna want to hit the playground - so I thought maybe Mom and I could sneak over to the Great Movie Ride - I don't know why but I really really like that ride, we'll have to see Al's Toy Barn and Pizza Planet as my son is also a huge Buzz/Woody fan. Playhouse Disney if we have time. Toy Story Mania - will it be open?? we can hope~ and my DH and I are going to have to do the Rock n Roller Coaster. We will try to make Fantasmic if we're all up for it.

Friday - I hadn't planned on going to Epcot but as long as we have the park hoppers we might as well try to hit everything once - so here's my plan - have a quick breakfast at AKL then head on over to Epcot - have to do Nemo and Turtle Talk with Crush for my son and I am determined to get on Spaceship Earth - another of my faves. Not even gonna try World Showcase with my son and my mom - we'll save that for another day...

Then I figure we'll head on back to AKL early afternoon for a nap, lunch, swim, whatever - then head on over to the Princess and Pirate Party as early as we can get over there (finally bought my tickets ) and ride as many of the rides and do as much as we can that evening - I can't wait - don't know if we'll make it till midnight but I plan on staying as long as we can keep going! I want to see the fireworks, parade, the whole thing.

Saturday - I have a reservation for Donald's Safari Breakfast at Tusker House at Animal Kingdom at 8:05 before the park opens - I plan on doing everything we can that day before we wear ourselves out - including riding Everest too!! Then dinner reservations at 5:50 at Boma. If we didn't make it for Fantasmic our first night - I thought maybe we could swing on over to the Studios and catch it that night.

Sunday - another reservation for Boma - this time for breakfast - figure we'll have a nice breakfast, enjoy the Lodge for the last time and head off for the cruise!!

So that's what I'm going with today - tomorrow it may change but I've convinced myself at least for now that I'm on the right track.

 

[alecsmom]

If anyone's interested, I've just posted my pre-trip report for our May vacation... Here's the link...

Couldn't resist - it makes the trip seem more real...

Karen - LOVED it! can i go with you guys instead?

 

[branv]

If anyone's interested, I've just posted my pre-trip report for our May vacation... Here's the link...

Couldn't resist - it makes the trip seem more real...

Seriously, can we just get it over with and start the formal adoption proceedings? Haven't I suffered enough with my measly 3 value trips to WDW, don't I deserve to be in a family like yours?! You can just tell people I'm really 8 but you accidentally left me in the sun too long as a baby. C'mooooon, you know you wanna...aren't I pitiful, how can you resist this sad face?

I love that you're fitting in a trip to the shops The ultimate in bonding. For your off-property dinner, have you tried Maggianos? I was a little psyched to read they have one on International Drive. I could possibly be convinced to sell government secrets for a lifetime supply of their Rigatoni D' and Tiramisu. Come to mama!

Thursday - we arrive at 1:10. I figure we will get to AKL and have lunch at Mara (dining plan of course). Then head on over to MGM (sorry it'll always be MGM to me too) - the things I want to do (for my son of course) are the Muppets 3D, Indiana Jones stunt show (he's a HUGE Indy fan), of course he's gonna want to hit the playground - so I thought maybe Mom and I could sneak over to the Great Movie Ride - I don't know why but I really really like that ride, we'll have to see Al's Toy Barn and Pizza Planet as my son is also a huge Buzz/Woody fan. Playhouse Disney if we have time. Toy Story Mania - will it be open?? we can hope~ and my DH and I are going to have to do the Rock n Roller Coaster. We will try to make Fantasmic if we're all up for it.

Friday - I hadn't planned on going to Epcot but as long as we have the park hoppers we might as well try to hit everything once - so here's my plan - have a quick breakfast at AKL then head on over to Epcot - have to do Nemo and Turtle Talk with Crush for my son and I am determined to get on Spaceship Earth - another of my faves. Not even gonna try World Showcase with my son and my mom - we'll save that for another day...

Then I figure we'll head on back to AKL early afternoon for a nap, lunch, swim, whatever - then head on over to the Princess and Pirate Party as early as we can get over there (finally bought my tickets ) and ride as many of the rides and do as much as we can that evening - I can't wait - don't know if we'll make it till midnight but I plan on staying as long as we can keep going! I want to see the fireworks, parade, the whole thing.

Saturday - I have a reservation for Donald's Safari Breakfast at Tusker House at Animal Kingdom at 8:05 before the park opens - I plan on doing everything we can that day before we wear ourselves out - including riding Everest too!! Then dinner reservations at 5:50 at Boma. If we didn't make it for Fantasmic our first night - I thought maybe we could swing on over to the Studios and catch it that night.

Sunday - another reservation for Boma - this time for breakfast - figure we'll have a nice breakfast, enjoy the Lodge for the last time and head off for the cruise!!

So that's what I'm going with today - tomorrow it may change but I've convinced myself at least for now that I'm on the right track.

Your plan looks GREAT! Gotta love da' Boma. I'm currently on temporary suspension from cooking anything curry-spice-like in my own house (long story), so I really wish I'd planned to go there! I can't wait to hear how you guys like AKL, and how Alec likes the world. Has he gotten over some of his ride fear?

So here's a question for everyone: which would you rather have....a four day visit from a MIL who gets snarkier every year or a root canal?

Tough choice, huh?

Well wait Bob, I think I'll choose what's behind door number three!

Congratulations, you've won a year's supply of Rice a Roni (the San Francisco treat, ding ding) and BOTH a visit from your MIL while getting a root canal at the saaaaaaaaaaaame time!

Seriously....well, about everything but the Rice-a-Roni. And I am so weird that I am actually deeply amused that it really does sound like an in-law joke . You want to hear something even more funny? It's happening on April Fool's Day and they're working on the 13th molar. I guess I really will do anything for a laugh. I'm a sick sick woman.

 

[momof4ngls]

It's happening on April Fool's Day and they're working on the 13th molar. I guess I really will do anything for a laugh. I'm a sick sick woman.

UGH!!! I'm getting a crown on #14 on the 4th! LOL Actually, this will be the temporary crown and they'll give me a couple of weeks to decide if that will take care of the issue, if not then I'll be heading for a root canal also! UGH I hope it all goes well for you.

 

[CustardTart]

I love the trip report!

Thanks Melissa!

...I thought about writing one for our trip as well. Will have to ponder it, as I know it would not be as entertaining as yours already is.

Don't be silly! If ever there was a trip worth writing about, honey it's yours! I just do it as I've found it's the best way of making the trip last forever. If people enjoy reading them, well, that's a bonus...

I'm a bit envious of the amazing trip you have planned for just mom and daughter. I'd LOVE to take a fun trip like that with my SIL, Mother and MIL one of these days.

Now that's where you have me envious. My MIL and SIL are not people I would ever want to take a trip with - ever!!! And my own dear Mother passed away 15 years ago...

 

[CustardTart]

Holy Cow!!! You really are organized! Sounds like a blast. You've got it down to the drinks. Amazing. That's funny, we're pretty much the same age from what I can tell and I here I have a 3 year old and 7 month old. I told my husband a few weeks ago that if I had a 20 something daughter, we'd be out whoopin' it up!! What a hoot! My DD and I may share a cup of milk!!! I've got to look into the parks thing a little more. I'm never on the Parks board, so I guess I'm a little out of the loop. We've done 7 cruises and usually don't hit the parks. The last time, briefly in '05 and before that in 2000.

Why thank you, ma'am! Age-wise, I'm 45 in June and now reaping the benefits of getting knocked up when I was just out of high school...