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

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Hi!!!

Can I join this thread?! We have been booked on this trip since March 2008 but I didn't know this thread was here!

It will be me (31) and my DH (30) on our first ever cruise! Two friends of ours are also doing it, and we are going to meet for dinner each night and do our own thing during the day (as long as our request for eating together got through to Disney!). We have requested late dining rotation.

Stateroom should be 2578.

Hmm what else? Oh - trips. Key West I want to walk to the Southernmost bit. No other plans apart from eating one of the key lime pies on a stick I keep reading about! Grand Cayman - DH wants to do the Sea Trek and I have not found a way to talk him out of it so looks like I'm doing that! Cozumal - the Tulum Tour I think - I really want to see these, but the trip does sound a bit long and possibly dull!!!! Castaway Cay we are just going to rent snorkels!

I have a question please?! So soon!! Does my DH need to hire a tuxedo, or will a suit do? I dont mind hiring one, I just want to fit in with the majority!!!!!

Thanks!

 

[lucyddr]

Hi!!!

Can I join this thread?! We have been booked on this trip since March 2008 but I didn't know this thread was here!

It will be me (31) and my DH (30) on our first ever cruise! Two friends of ours are also doing it, and we are going to meet for dinner each night and do our own thing during the day (as long as our request for eating together got through to Disney!). We have requested late dining rotation.

Stateroom should be 2578.

Hmm what else? Oh - trips. Key West I want to walk to the Southernmost bit. No other plans apart from eating one of the key lime pies on a stick I keep reading about! Grand Cayman - DH wants to do the Sea Trek and I have not found a way to talk him out of it so looks like I'm doing that! Cozumal - the Tulum Tour I think - I really want to see these, but the trip does sound a bit long and possibly dull!!!! Castaway Cay we are just going to rent snorkels!

I have a question please?! So soon!! Does my DH need to hire a tuxedo, or will a suit do? I dont mind hiring one, I just want to fit in with the majority!!!!!

Thanks!

No...you can't join, it's too late... Just kidding!
Welcome to the boards!

My husband will be wearing a black suit both formal nights with different shirts and ties. We don't bother with tuxedos or 2 suits anymore as they take up too much space in the luggage! There will be lots of men in tuxes, lots of men in suits, and many in just a dress shirt and slacks. (There are also occasionally men in formal military dress, men in formal kilts, etc.) I'd say to have him wear whatever he feels most comfortable in!

 

[austin77]

Welcome!!!

I am wearing a suit for the formal nights, On our last cruise (Wonder) most people were in suits. So from my experance Suits will do just fine! But like lucyddr said, What ever he is most comfortable in!

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Welcome!!!

I am wearing a suit for the formal nights, On our last cruise (Wonder) most people were in suits. So from my experance Suits will do just fine! But like lucyddr said, What ever he is most comfortable in!

I think he is worried he won't fit in his suit (as it will be week 3 of our vacation) whereas a tux we could order in the next size up!!!!

 

[Faith&Hope]

My husband also does one black suit and switches shirt & tie.

I have never posted a picture before. Do i have to create a photobucket account in order to post a pic? Or can I just post a pic somehow. Sounds great with the pics. It's hard once you are on the ship (and even after a DIS meetup) to remember who is who. All week long you wonder if that person that passed you could be ......! We haven't booked anything additional yet and not sure when we are flying in, etc. We have always come in on Wed. before but I think we might have to do Friday before to cut costs. I'll post everything when we book it!

I thought the other park we went to was called Paradise Beach. Since my brain only half works, I'll have to look it up! It's past Chaunkanabb(sp) and has an entry fee, extra fee for chair and umbrella, has a gross pool, has a restaurant, and extra fee to play on the water trampoline thingy out there in the water. Does this sound like the Paradise Beach that you've heard about? I will have to see if I can come up with the info...probably on the other side of the island!

Because we book everything on our own, I will onlybe up to reserve Palo. And I might not do that at the 90 day mark if I can't get this paid in the next few days!! FOr those of you who don't get Palo, don't worry....try onboard. I did that our first cruise and got my choice of nights.

I forgot how to check to see how many other ships will be in a port on a given day. Anyone have the link to look that up?
Thanks!

Kym

 

[austin77]

I think he is worried he won't fit in his suit (as it will be week 3 of our vacation) whereas a tux we could order in the next size up!!!!

LOL I Understand that for sure!!! I know when im on Vacation I go ALL OUT!!

 

[indigodisney]

No tuxes here...just a suit probably.

I am not sure what I am going to wear either - after I get all booked for everything, I will worry about that in April.

Welcome Pooh's Honey Pot!!! Glad you are joining in.

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

Thanks Val for your work in doing this!

Thanks for putting it up!

Thank you!!!!

You're welcome!! Keep 'em coming! If you post them here, can you also please send me a PM with the same info, too? THANKS!!

Pooh's-Honey-Pot!! Better late than never!! I'll get you put onto post #1.

My husband will be wearing a black suit both formal nights with different shirts and ties.

Ditto!

I have never posted a picture before. Do i have to create a photobucket account in order to post a pic?

Photobucket is pretty easy. I'll post some instructions after I find them (it was way back in the early days of the thread!). They look intimidating, but it's very simple! Stay tuned...Okay. Here's a link to how I learned how to post a pic. http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=17171429&postcount=394

I thought the other park we went to was called Paradise Beach. Since my brain only half works, I'll have to look it up! It's past Chaunkanabb(sp) and has an entry fee, extra fee for chair and umbrella, has a gross pool, has a restaurant, and extra fee to play on the water trampoline thingy out there in the water. Does this sound like the Paradise Beach that you've heard about? I will have to see if I can come up with the info...probably on the other side of the island!

The only things we paid for at Paradise Beach was the beer & nachos. No entry fee (unless you did the water activities, which we did not do) and no chair/umbrella fee. I think it might also be called San Francisco Beach (or at least was right next to it). I remember seeing a sign with both names on it, but I don't know if it's because they're two separate beaches or just an alias. The food area was just an open-air hut type thing where the bar is (in the background of the pic below). I don't even remember if there were tables to sit down at or if you just ordered food & took it to the beach with you.

 

[austin77]

How soon does it take to find out what our room number is? The 75 day mark?
I CANNOT wait till I find out my number!!! Im on my Disney account every day hoping to see it changed from "guarantee" to ####

 

[texfinn]

Hi Everyone!

I am amazed (and excited) -- I was gone to Vegas for a long weekend and 6 NEW pages to get back to!

WELCOME to all the newcomers!!!!

Ok, let's see.....

2_Eagle_Mom -- I was heartsick to hear about your Dad. I am sorry for your loss.

Tim -- can you send me the navigators? I am at matpitk@sbcglobal.net

lucyddr & 2_Eagle_Mom -- We should be on the FE list. Please add us. We have 2 kids (DD 7 and DS 4) and in cabin 6568.

lucyddr -- can you send me the FE list AND please please please help me with ideas?? This is my first time and am a little lost and you seem to be an EXPERT!!!!

sfrasc2000 -- is the dolphin discovery safe to get to without disney? It is just me and the kids (DH is diving) and am nervous about going anywhere in mexico that isn't a disney trip.

albertofreitas -- I will tell Sabrina about Gabriela. She will be so excited to "know" another girl on the boat!

noodlesmom -- Welcome! We have DD7 and DS4 so very close in ages. We are from Austin AND our goal for this trip is the same as yours -- part family/part alone time. We also justified the cost by elminating our solo weekend w/out the kids this year.

Ok, those are all of my questions I think. I'll try to catch up on everything elase and respond with our excursions, dinner res, etc later tonight.

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

Faith&Hope (Kym) and Pooh's-Honey-Pot (Sonya)--do you have a pic you want me to add to post #1 with the rest of your info?

 

[NoodlesMom]

Sorry, this is a dummy post. According to the rules, I can post a picture after post #10 and I think this is #10.

 

[austin77]

Sorry, this is a dummy post. According to the rules, I can post a picture after post #10 and I think this is #10.

Lol, i rember having to do that!!!

 

[lucyddr]

Hi Everyone!

I am amazed (and excited) -- I was gone to Vegas for a long weekend and 6 NEW pages to get back to!

WELCOME to all the newcomers!!!!


Tim -- can you send me the navigators? I am at matpitk@sbcglobal.net

lucyddr & 2_Eagle_Mom -- We should be on the FE list. Please add us. We have 2 kids (DD 7 and DS 4) and in cabin 6568.

lucyddr -- can you send me the FE list AND please please please help me with ideas?? This is my first time and am a little lost and you seem to be an EXPERT!!!!

Ok, those are all of my questions I think. I'll try to catch up on everything elase and respond with our excursions, dinner res, etc later tonight.

Hope you had a great time in Vegas! Reading that you were going made me think about missing some of my friends there and the simplicity of my fellowship/urgent care job!

I'm actually not an expert in FEs, but I am a great organizer and I LOVE giving gifts to people! Anytime a "creative" gift is involved that requires a "budget", I'm all over it!

Here are some items I've considered based on others' experiences: mini-highlighters, princess necklaces/stickers for the girls, pirate eye patches/stickers for the boys, temporary tatoos, candy of any sort, ginger candies (for sea sickness), nail clippers (maybe personalized for the cruise), zip ties for the FE (to prevent theft), door/frig magnets, Christmas ornaments, ziplock bags (the really big ones are VERY handy), emory boards, pre-packaged meds (Tylenol, Dramamine, etc), themed pencils/erasers/pens/crayons/markers/coloring pages for the kids, glow necklaces, pirate necklaces, acryllic photo holders for the frig, post-it pads, paper clips, bandaids, tiny baby shampoo (good for kids, snorkel mask defogging, rinsing swimsuits), "cruise" music CDs, etc.

Here are my personal ideas (which I haven't read about, but I'm sure others have probaby done them for ages): Personalized pillow cases for the children (to be given to GS for character signatures), movie theater-type candies and Pringles potato chips(since these are expensive on the ship), for the adults beer from a Smokey Mountain brewery or tiny bottles of alcohol, something from the Smokey Mountains (I live right at them...), water-tight card case (maybe personalized), afterburn or aloe vera gel, etc.

PS To Everyone: I'm going to start adding room numbers to the FE list. I also have a spot for special considerations for those with food allergies, who wouldn't want alcohol, etc. Please feel free to email me anything you want on the list (lucyddr@yahoo.com) and I'll place it. I think I'll start an email folder so that I can "mass email" the list with updates as they come in. If you don't want to be included, just let me know.

 

[NoodlesMom]

Ok, here we go. These are a few picks of me and DH on Paradise Beach with the best pina colada in the world, swimming with the stingrays in GC and a pic of us on formal night last year. I will follow up with a pic of the family. I think you can see why were not taking the kids on the stingray adventure. I was scared to death because the stingrays were huge. I can imagine their reaction.

 

[2_Eagle_Mom]

Welcome to our new cruisers! If you would like to be added to our FE list, just let us know.

I've just combined my FE list with the one that Lucyddr created and have emailed it to everyone that had requested it previously. I too have the overplanning/organization gene (good thing for a Meeting Planner to have).

I'm going to have to search to find some photos and re-read the post on how to get them on the page. Once we get closer to the trip I can create a "Getting to Know Your Fellow Cruisers" where I'll copy the photos from the posts and create a document that has all the FE info and small pics and email them just prior to the cruise. That way all the info will be in one document. I do it all the time for one of my meetings and it really makes a great one stop document.

I posted a question on the Cruise board about the cooking class in Cozumel and got one really great review so it looks like we might try that. Not sure if I want to book a spa treatment before we get on the ship or just wing it when we board.

The only ressie that I'm really nervous about is the Palo brunch. I'm not sure what time we should shoot for. We don't want to make it too late as to really block most of the day, but I don't want to make it too early either. Hmmm.... decisions, decisions....

 

[dznyacct]

update on info on page 1 ~ Can my info on page #1 be reflected to show that we have 2 cat 12 guarantee cabins and Jake's friend Johnny is joining us. I'll try and get a picture to post later. Thanks !! ~ Kathy

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

update on info on page 1 ~ Can my info on page #1 be reflected to show that we have 2 cat 12 guarantee cabins and Jake's friend Johnny is joining us. I'll try and get a picture to post later. Thanks !! ~ Kathy

Gotcha taken care of!

 

[texfinn]

I've just combined my FE list with the one that Lucyddr created and have emailed it to everyone that had requested it previously. I too have the overplanning/organization gene (good thing for a Meeting Planner to have).

You guys are so AWESOME for organizing this! I tell EVERYONE about the FE exchange and they think it is soooo cool!

I also have a spot for special considerations for those with food allergies, who wouldn't want alcohol, etc. Please feel free to email me anything you want on the list (lucyddr@yahoo.com) and I'll place it. I think I'll start an email folder so that I can "mass email" the list with updates as they come in. If you don't want to be included, just let me know.

This would be very helpful. You have me thinking of some fun things and it would be good to know if you don't drink or have allergies. Also -- will we have names in case we do any kind of personalizing? I don't mind sharing on our end.

I posted a question on the Cruise board about the cooking class in Cozumel and got one really great review so it looks like we might try that.

I so want to join you BUT if DH goes diving then the kids are alone on the ship and I don't think I can do that for the whole day.

Hope you had a great time in Vegas! Reading that you were going made me think about missing some of my friends there and the simplicity of my fellowship/urgent care job!

THANKS! I had a BLAST in Vegas. The JW was beautiful! I can't imagine you woke up to mountains every day --so different my view from home! I looked for the sandwich shop but we never found one. I kept talking about it and my roommates were getting frustrated trying to find it but it didn't work out. The only issue I had in Vegas was laptop withdrawal. I also didn't have time to read and my new Passporter is burning a hole in my pocket!!!!

Ok, here we go. These are a few picks of me and DH on Paradise Beach with the best pina colada in the world, swimming with the stingrays in GC and a pic of us on formal night last year. I will follow up with a pic of the family. I think you can see why were not taking the kids on the stingray adventure. I was scared to death because the stingrays were huge. I can imagine their reaction.

Beautiful pictures! I don't think we have one but let me dig around. I know I have one of the kids -- just have to figure out how to post it! Your pina colada does look amazing!!!! The pic of the sting rays does make me wonder. We booked with Moby Dick for the stingray tour in GC. My daughter is an animal lover and am thinking she will LOVE it -- not so sure about my son. Think it is a mistake?

Ok, back to planning. Right now we have the following booked/planned:

KW day -- brunch at Palo, no excursions, maybe a trip to the aquarium on our own with the kids
Sea day 1 -- tea at Palo
GC day -- stingray tour with Moby Dick tours
Cozumel -- DH is diving with DCL, no clue on us yet -- maybe dolphins?
Sea day 2 -- massages for me and DH, dinner at Palo
CC -- just hang out on the beach?

Should I book another kind of spa treatment or look into specials on board?

Also -- debating on the wine package or bringing our own. What is y'all's experience like?

There is a STORM brewing here so better get done before I lose power. Have a good night!!!

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

The pic of the sting rays does make me wonder. We booked with Moby Dick for the stingray tour in GC. My daughter is an animal lover and am thinking she will LOVE it -- not so sure about my son. Think it is a mistake?

He doesn't have to get off the excursion boat if he doesn't want to (he's 4, right?). I was the only one in our family that did last time (through Cap'n Marvin's) because the boys were scared, and I didn't want to upset them even more. They seemed to be fine with me being out there with them, though! Justin stayed with them on the Cap'n Marvin's boat while I checked out the 'rays. Other families took their small children off the boat with them, and the kids were NOT HAPPY!! (I personally would not intentionally do that to my kids...) I'm not sure if it was because they were scared of the 'rays or if it was the choppy waters. You're literally miles away from land, and the waves were pretty big (see below). It was very hard to stand in one place with the rush of the waves. I'm glad my kids didn't get in, but I'm glad I did! The man with the snorkel mask is sliding the 'ray across my back! So soft and smooth!!