~~~ May 16, 2009 ~~~ Western Magic ~~~

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

I am so ready for this cruise...I need some warm weather - it was 37 in FL today!!

How's the weather today, V? I can't believe it's colder in FL than it is in Nebraska! Yesterday we had ~65 degrees and even better today! We may hit 70! We've gotten so used to the days with high temps around 20 or less, but I'm DEFINITELY ready for spring now!! I checked a map to see where Siesta Key is, and I see it's near Sarasota. Last time we cruised, we sailed & did excursions with a similar family from Sarasota--two girls about the same ages! So how far of a drive is it for you to the port?

 

[lillygator]

Do we need to book a "group" rate, or jsut the super saver room? If there is a group already set up, I jsut want to be sure I book under it...

the group rate wasn't much different so I just did the super saver.

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

I think they offer a breakfast buffet, not sure how much. Yes, I booked the $107 deal, came to $119 total. The shuttle is 10-2:30 with it leaving every half hour.

GREAT!! THANKS!! I think it's time I book it. When will you be getting there on Friday?

 

[lillygator]

How's the weather today, V? I can't believe it's colder in FL than it is in Nebraska! Yesterday we had ~65 degrees and even better today! We may hit 70! We've gotten so used to the days with high temps around 20 or less, but I'm DEFINITELY ready for spring now!! I checked a map to see where Siesta Key is, and I see it's near Sarasota. Last time we cruised, we sailed & did excursions with a similar family from Sarasota--two girls about the same ages! So how far of a drive is it for you to the port?

Siesta Key is Sarasota for the most part....SK, is just an extension off Sarasota.

Not sure how long it will take us, we usually stay at WDW the night before a cruise. 2 1/2 hours maybe?? I can't wait!!

It was 45 this am....way too cold for us. We don't own clothes for this kind of weather, there is usually no need!!

I finally feel like this is all coming together. I tried to talk to DH last night about excursions...that is like talking to a wall! Key West was the one we are undecided on. I thought snorkeling would be good but now he wants to do the trolley tour again since my mom and sister haven't been. So I guess we will see.

 

[lillygator]

GREAT!! THANKS!! I think it's time I book it. When will you be getting there on Friday?

I think we may work a half day and leave here around noon so 2:30ish? I figure we can check in, check out the rooms, resort, maybe swim and then head out for dinner.


BTW - if anyone wants a case of water or anything, we'd be happy to throw it in the car for you - of course you are responsible for getting it on the ship! I know most everyone is flying in and may not have a car to get to the store. We've checked it with the luggage on the previous cruises....(I know it's kind of a sore subject on the main boards).

 

[shasess]

I just booked the Radisson and am on the 10 am shuttle! Whooo hooo!!!

DH and I are booked for the same shuttle! I guess we'll see you there!!!!!

 

[lillygator]

DH and I are booked for the same shuttle! I guess we'll see you there!!!!!

very cool! Maybe we can fill the shuttle with DIS'ers.

 

[shasess]

It looks like everyone's plans are coming along well. I was looking over the Navigators last night and DH and I would like to have the 8:30 dinner seating. I think that we might put in a request for it. We are going to try to book Palo dinner for May 17 as it will be our anniversary that day. We are also planning on doing Palo brunch on the 18th as it will be my birthday. I'm sure that we probably won't be able to get them online (we are only able to book 75 days out ) so if all else fails then we will try to book it once we get on the ship. I'm guessing that we will try to book the Rasul for Thursday.
I have a question about the Palo brunch....My DH does not eat seafood. Is it mostly a seafood/dessert brunch or will there be lots of other things to try there?

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

DH and I are booked for the same shuttle! I guess we'll see you there!!!!!

very cool! Maybe we can fill the shuttle with DIS'ers.

OKAY! Count me in! I'm going to call and book right now!

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

It looks like everyone's plans are coming along well. I was looking over the Navigators last night and DH and I would like to have the 8:30 dinner seating. I think that we might put in a request for it. We are going to try to book Palo dinner for May 17 as it will be our anniversary that day. We are also planning on doing Palo brunch on the 18th as it will be my birthday. I'm sure that we probably won't be able to get them online (we are only able to book 75 days out ) so if all else fails then we will try to book it once we get on the ship. I'm guessing that we will try to book the Rasul for Thursday.
I have a question about the Palo brunch....My DH does not eat seafood. Is it mostly a seafood/dessert brunch or will there be lots of other things to try there?

Sounds like good plans!!

I'm not a seafood eater either, and I did find other things to eat. There's lots of seafood, breads, cheeses, and of course desserts. If I had to choose between brunch & dinner, personally, I would choose dinner. I know Justin really enjoyed both. We haven't talked about whether we're going to do brunch again or not. We will DEFINITELY do dinner again! Here's pics of our brunch plates (the first time through):

Justin's (with seafood & caviar)

Mine (with cheese & bread)

 

[lillygator]

It looks like everyone's plans are coming along well. I was looking over the Navigators last night and DH and I would like to have the 8:30 dinner seating. I think that we might put in a request for it. We are going to try to book Palo dinner for May 17 as it will be our anniversary that day. We are also planning on doing Palo brunch on the 18th as it will be my birthday. I'm sure that we probably won't be able to get them online (we are only able to book 75 days out ) so if all else fails then we will try to book it once we get on the ship. I'm guessing that we will try to book the Rasul for Thursday.
I have a question about the Palo brunch....My DH does not eat seafood. Is it mostly a seafood/dessert brunch or will there be lots of other things to try there?

there are quite a few other things as well as entree's. I had a filet and they have made to order omlettes, etc.

 

[lillygator]

I have an excel spreadsheet that has teh cruise packing list and tips in it, I am going over it now, I know I should be working but this planning stuff is much more fun!

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

I had a filet and they have made to order omlettes, etc.

Oooh! I missed out on that! Maybe we'll have to do it again so I can have that! I had it at dinner, and it was SO GOOD!!

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

I did it!! I booked the Radisson and the 10 AM shuttle!!! I'm looking forward to riding to the port with V & shases! Anyone else?!?!

I had to call back and talk to someone else to schedule the shuttle, though. The reservation gal told me to call back a week before the cruise. Yeah, right. Like I'm going to take a chance on that!! I also asked about their KSC shuttle, but she only gave me early times that were before our arrival at MCO. As we got to talking more about it (she didn't know it was a shuttle launch day), she said if we do get the press passes, we'll be taking a bus that will pick us up from the hotel. Cool!

 

[lillygator]

cool, how many does the shuttle hold? so far it looks like we all take up 10 spots. better get my mom to reserve.

 

[austin77]

Looks like DGF and I are going to be left out of all the fun!! lol we already booked a room at the Riverside Inn. And were driving into port, but driving my Miata i feel better knowing that its in a Lock up!!

 

[lillygator]

Looks like DGF and I are going to be left out of all the fun!! lol we already booked a room at the Riverside Inn. And were driving into port, but driving my Miata i feel better knowing that its in a Lock up!!

are you driving from Canada?

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

cool, how many does the shuttle hold? so far it looks like we all take up 10 spots. better get my mom to reserve.

I thought I heard it holds 30. We're 6 people and shases is 2. How many are you?

 

[lillygator]

4 --- oops, I thought you were a group of 4 too.

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

4 --- oops, I thought you were a group of 4 too.

My mom & stepdad are coming with us this time!