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

[tsarina13]

Ok -- so one dilemma that I am struggling with. Will we regret the late dining? My TA was going to request an 8pm seating but am starting to worry that the "fun" kids activities will be while we are in dinner and they will NEVER want to eat with us (which may still be the case). I am also a bit nervous about being so full and tired after dinner that we don't want to enjoy the nightlife -- something Yoni has told me over and over and over again that I was terrible about on our first cruise (I was pregnant!). Has anyone here had both with young kids (late and early dining)? I would love to hear your thoughts. It sounds like we could still possibly get into the early dining.

Thanks for your help!

I had to think about that, too. I looked at the available navigators and in general most of the special activities for the 5-7 age group happened between 2-4pm, and then from 7-9pm or 10pm. In particular, Carissa is interested in attending the Pajama Party which the navigator said is on Sunday at 7pm.

I originally had second seating but switched to main. We're early eaters so the chances are we all would have had to eat around 5pm anyway and then eat again at 8pm. Better to save the calories for dessert and alcohol than to eat two dinners!

I actually took those navigators and created an excel spreadsheet that is broken down by day, hour, and then each hour is broken down into adult and kid activities. Mainly I wanted to capture what would be "family time", when Carissa would go to the club, and then for the adults when the art of entertaining and various tastings were. Itineraries like this is why my family calls me the vacation nazi. When I sent this spreadsheet to my niece she "pshaw"ed me because I didn't create a laser light show or powerpoint presentation. I told her I was saving that for when she came home for spring break.

So here is my question - for those previous cruisers that put their kids in the Oceaneer Club, how late did they stay there? How early did they get up the next day? I don't want Carissa (or me) to miss any of the really good stuff at nighttime, but I also don't want to give up the sunrise on the ocean or a nice quiet morning on deck or at the pool. The last time I did the Disney Cruise was before Carissa, and those nice quiet mornings were my favorite part of the day.

 

[texfinn]

I had to think about that, too. I looked at the available navigators and in general most of the special activities for the 5-7 age group happened between 2-4pm, and then from 7-9pm or 10pm. In particular, Carissa is interested in attending the Pajama Party which the navigator said is on Sunday at 7pm.

I originally had second seating but switched to main. We're early eaters so the chances are we all would have had to eat around 5pm anyway and then eat again at 8pm. Better to save the calories for dessert and alcohol than to eat two dinners!

I actually took those navigators and created an excel spreadsheet that is broken down by day, hour, and then each hour is broken down into adult and kid activities. Mainly I wanted to capture what would be "family time", when Carissa would go to the club, and then for the adults when the art of entertaining and various tastings were. Itineraries like this is why my family calls me the vacation nazi. When I sent this spreadsheet to my niece she "pshaw"ed me because I didn't create a laser light show or powerpoint presentation. I told her I was saving that for when she came home for spring break.

So here is my question - for those previous cruisers that put their kids in the Oceaneer Club, how late did they stay there? How early did they get up the next day? I don't want Carissa (or me) to miss any of the really good stuff at nighttime, but I also don't want to give up the sunrise on the ocean or a nice quiet morning on deck or at the pool. The last time I did the Disney Cruise was before Carissa, and those nice quiet mornings were my favorite part of the day.

Ok, so now I don't feel so badly about stressing out about all of this! I think I am among friends!

I PM'd you to see if you are willing to share your spreadsheet. I haven't had the time to do that yet but need to. I need to have a sense of when we will have alone time and when we will have together time. I am like you too -- want to stay up late and have fun but am definitely a morning person and am hoping to enjoy the verandah with a cup of coffee and a morning stroll around the deck while the rest of the family sleeps. I love my mornings!

Still on the fence about the timing for dinner but starting to lean towards requesting the change. I think I have to get on a waiting list. Can you request a 6pm dinner? Is the ship on EST time? Ahhh....decisions decisions decisions!

Jane -- could you send me the latest version of the FE list? I want to make sure I am counting the kids right. Thanks again for doing this!

Ok, another dilemma -- has anyone done the stingray thing through DCL? I was watching it on the Travel channel last night and starting to second guess our excursion in GC (me by myself with the 2 kids). I am thinking Kai won't even get in the water with the stingrays so wondering if I should just try to take Sabrina at KC instead. That leaves me and kids with nothing to do in GC while Yoni goes diving so looking into the pirate ship. Has anyone done that? Ok, I am stressing now!

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

Jane, your picture isn't showing up. Did you use the link or the html like you tried to PM to me? I did post it on #1 also, but in case people aren't looking at that, we'd sure like to "see" you here, too! :goodvibes Maybe I can try and incorporate it here.

[quote="2_Eagle_Mom, post: 30621332"]Val - thanks for the assist with the Photobucket. I'm going to try and post the pic here to see if it will work. Are you able to see it here?

[IMG]http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu200/2_Eagle_Mom/JimandJane2007-1.jpg

Hopefully that worked. It's from our last day at WDW in 2007.[/QUOTE]

Looks like there was some extra "stuff" in the link, so I cleared it out for you. :goodvibes Great pic! :thumbsup2



I also pulled up the Google map again, and I noticed that Point A (Polar Bear ice cream shop) isn't [I]exactly [/I]where it's located on the map--it's close but not quite exact. I know sometimes points aren't exactly where they should be with technology--the navigation system in my Denali takes me to my neighborhood but not exactly to my house! Anyway, I just don't want people to miss it because it's not exactly right on the map. You'll walk right past it getting to Point A, but if you're not looking for it, you might miss it--doubt it, though. :laughing: It's actually across the street to the west of point A and then just southwest across the sidewalk. If you click on Point A, it'll bring up the street view, and you can pan to the left to see the KW Museum of Art & History (red bldg). It's tucked behind there in the white three-story building with the palm trees (the boomerang-shaped strip mall I mentioned the other day) where the pink taxi is parked.

 

[SpeedFigure]

Ok, another dilemma -- has anyone done the stingray thing through DCL? I was watching it on the Travel channel last night and starting to second guess our excursion in GC (me by myself with the 2 kids). I am thinking Kai won't even get in the water with the stingrays so wondering if I should just try to take Sabrina at KC instead. That leaves me and kids with nothing to do in GC while Yoni goes diving so looking into the pirate ship. Has anyone done that? Ok, I am stressing now!

I have done the Stingray thing through DCL twice. The company DCL had hired was very nice and encouraging kids to get into the water. One little girl was terrfied and screamed bloody murder when we got there, but the guides helped the parents with the kid and explained everything about the stingrays. She then loved it and didn't want to leave.

I'm a nervous nelly, so I feel more comfortable booking things with the DCL than going off on my own to do it. On my last cruise, our bus got stuck in traffic on the way back and they phoned ahead to DCL to tell them what was happening. They held the last tender boat until we all made it back onto the ship. It was a relief to not have to worry about it.

 

[tigger2002]

We are doing Native Way on GC for the stingrays. They have good reviews on TripAdvisor and have responded well to my eMails. We are doing the one that includes a trip to Rum Point and lunch.


http://www.nativewaywatersports.com/


From TripAdvisor
On January 27th we arrived via Carnival Cruise. Following advise from Travel Advisor we prearranged with Native Way to go to Stingray City. Most boats heading there were packed like sardines. Ours was not, we had plenty of room and were very comfortable. The Captain and crew were wonderful. Swimming, hugging and kissing the Stingrays was an experience I will remember forever. On our way to snorkeling one crew member jumped off the ship and retrieved 2 large starfish for everyone to feel and take a picture holding. They were very careful to keep them in water most of the time. Then the Captain gave us menus and ordered ahead to Rum Point. Lunch on this beautiful beach was excellent. You could order a large dinner, but I ordered the Mahi Mahi sandwich and my husband ordered the jerk pork sandwich. Both were very good. I can't say more about how good Native Way is and the value we felt we got for our money. A great excursion!!

<

 

[texfinn]

I have done the Stingray thing through DCL twice. The company DCL had hired was very nice and encouraging kids to get into the water. One little girl was terrfied and screamed bloody murder when we got there, but the guides helped the parents with the kid and explained everything about the stingrays. She then loved it and didn't want to leave.

I'm a nervous nelly, so I feel more comfortable booking things with the DCL than going off on my own to do it. On my last cruise, our bus got stuck in traffic on the way back and they phoned ahead to DCL to tell them what was happening. They held the last tender boat until we all made it back onto the ship. It was a relief to not have to worry about it.

Thanks for your input!!! I am a nervous nelly too but a bit braver with Yoni (my DH) around. Unfortunately he is going diving in GC and knowing I am going with just the kids, it has me rethinking it. Unfortunately there aren't too many excursions they will let Kai (DS - age 4) on which is why we booked outside of DCL to begin with. The more I think about it, the more I am realizing he probably will NOT get off of the boat. He is not as much of a daredevil as his sister.

Has anyone done the Botswain's Pirate tour? It talks about a stop in Turtle Farm afterwards and that might be fun. That is a DCL sponsored excursion and they let kids ages 3 and up go. I think Kai may get a little freaked with the whole pirate thing but maybe if we explain to him they aren't really pirates, it will be ok. Would love any feedback on this...

We are doing Native Way on GC for the stingrays. They have good reviews on TripAdvisor and have responded well to my eMails. We are doing the one that includes a trip to Rum Point and lunch.
<

I found Moby Dick tours the same way. We are currently booked on that and they have been super via email. They also have small groups going and told me that someone would be in the boat if Kai won't get off to swim with the stingrays.

Ahhh....decisions decisions......

Is the Botswain tour a new tour? I didn't find much info on it via a search on the main thread. Maybe I'll post a question out there.

Ok, see, now, this is the danger in working from home -- get too distracted on things other than work!

 

[texfinn]

Ok -- now I am getting myself all confused.

Have any of you guys done either the Pirate Experience or the Boatswain Park in GC? I will post this on the big board too.

 

[Bellamickey]

Ok -- now I am getting myself all confused.

Have any of you guys done either the Pirate Experience or the Boatswain Park in GC? I will post this on the big board too.

Hi There

The hubby and I booked the Boatswains adventures marine park excursion in GC!!!

We've never done it before, but went to their website and checked it out.
It looks amazing and so much fun. Lots to see and do!!

Here is the website boatswainsbeach.ky

 

[tsarina13]

We will be doing the Pirate Encounter excursion in Grandy Cayman - the 9:15am meet.

 

[tsarina13]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=25688011#post25688011&highlight=pirate+encounter

Here is a link to a TR that has a lot of pics of the Pirate Encounter.

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Well just take a peek at the inside!

Believe me, if it actually did taste like lime, I wouldn't eat it!

!

OMG - how good does that look?!?!

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

Okay, now all I can think about is FKLP!!

Well, I looked again at the page that Jane linked to the Polar Beaer ice cream shop, and when I look closer at the green & yellow sign with the elephant, I see that it says Key West Lime Shoppe, and it's actually Kermit's, which is the one on Elizabeth Street!! (Point C on the Google map.) So I wonder if there really is only Kermit's & Blonde Giraffe on KW? (Here, I thought I had discovered some unknown homemade pie at the ice cream shop! )Has anyone checked out the prices to order online?!?! (I looked 2 years ago as soon as we got back because I was craving them!)

http://keylimeshop.com/html/key_lime_pie.html

http://www.blondgiraffe.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=129

YOWZA!! Better load up on them while we're there (hence the FKLP tour!) The boys just saw me looking at them, and they are SO excited for it again, too!! And anyone who is still skeptical can rest assured that if my kids love them, they are definitely NOT limey!

 

[lillygator]

We are doing Native Way on GC for the stingrays. They have good reviews on TripAdvisor and have responded well to my eMails. We are doing the one that includes a trip to Rum Point and lunch.


http://www.nativewaywatersports.com/


From TripAdvisor
On January 27th we arrived via Carnival Cruise. Following advise from Travel Advisor we prearranged with Native Way to go to Stingray City. Most boats heading there were packed like sardines. Ours was not, we had plenty of room and were very comfortable. The Captain and crew were wonderful. Swimming, hugging and kissing the Stingrays was an experience I will remember forever. On our way to snorkeling one crew member jumped off the ship and retrieved 2 large starfish for everyone to feel and take a picture holding. They were very careful to keep them in water most of the time. Then the Captain gave us menus and ordered ahead to Rum Point. Lunch on this beautiful beach was excellent. You could order a large dinner, but I ordered the Mahi Mahi sandwich and my husband ordered the jerk pork sandwich. Both were very good. I can't say more about how good Native Way is and the value we felt we got for our money. A great excursion!!

<

we'll be with you on that one.

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

So I searched for other KLP in KW, and I came up with this:

The best KLP in south Florida comes from Pubix supermarket bakeries .......

get a whole pie for what a tourist vendor will charge for a slice of less ......

Guess we should try to find a Publix, too! Doesn't sound like it's frozen & chocolate dipped, though.

MUST...GET...KLP...OFF...MY...MIND...AND...GET...BACK...TO...WORK!

 

[texfinn]

We will be doing the Pirate Encounter excursion in Grandy Cayman - the 9:15am meet.

Tammy, looks like we will be on that with you! If you see a poor woman with a crying 4 year old and a hyper 7 year old on the ship -- it will be me and please don't feel sorry for me, I will have a cup of rum punch in my hand!

No -- seriously, did a lot of research and decided the stingray tour might be better left for CC. Yoni wanted to go too so this way he gets to enjoy. Kai can't participate so we will leave him in the OC but I think he may have freaked. I looked into Boatswain -- that looks beautiful and really made this decision hard but the clincher was that I decided I wanted to do a DCL excursion since I am alone with the kids at a port that has to tender AND I am thinking I will not go completely insane on a 2.5 hour excursion with just me and the kids but I just might not make it on a 4.5 hour excursion.

It all works out -- we will be back from GC around the same time Yoni gets back from diving.

So I searched for other KLP in KW, and I came up with this:
Guess we should try to find a Publix, too! Doesn't sound like it's frozen & chocolate dipped, though.

MUST...GET...KLP...OFF...MY...MIND...AND...GET...BACK...TO...WORK!

I know how you feel -- I have KLP, GC, Margarita tastings, all of it on my mind -- was not a very productive day at work!

Another hopeful change (I am so sorry Val for all of these changes) -- we did get wait listed for main dining. After looking at Tammy's spreadsheet and all of the past Navigator's I realized that I would NEVER have the kids with me at dinner because all the fun stuff happens around the late dining time so...I requested early dining at 6. I am confirmed at 8pm for the late dining but hopefully will get moved to the 6 seating....

 

[Bellamickey]

No -- seriously, did a lot of research and decided the stingray tour might be better left for CC. Yoni wanted to go too so this way he gets to enjoy. Kai can't participate so we will leave him in the OC but I think he may have freaked. I looked into Boatswain -- that looks beautiful and really made this decision hard but the clincher was that I decided I wanted to do a DCL excursion since I am alone with the kids at a port that has to tender AND I am thinking I will not go completely insane on a 2.5 hour excursion with just me and the kids but I just might not make it on a 4.5 hour excursion.

I didn't know that some of the excursions in GC we're run by DCL? I thought they we're all run by outside vendors?

How do I look online and see which one's do and don't?

 

[dznyacct]

I must say that the Key Lime pie at Publix is really good ! Whenever we are at WDW and have a fridge in our room (and access to Publix ), we always get a whole Key Lime pie from there. Just like I did when we spent a week in Key West, I would have a slice of pie every morning for breakfast (yes, I have a "bit" of a sweet tooth ). I had the chocolate dipped on a stick on our western cruise almost 5 years ago and all I can say is mmmmmmmmmm . It does have more of a cheesecake texture. I can't wait!!

 

[Dizneyholic]

Ok, so add us to the list of people whom have never tried KLP! The funny thing is I love limes!!! But I also love chocolate so whenever we go somewhere for dessert, I always get a fudgy somethng.

I can't believe the money we have spent to go on this cruise and instead of thinking about sailing off into the sunset...I'm most excited thinking about trying my first chocolate covered KLP on a stick!!

 

[shasess]

Well just take a peek at the inside!

That really looks good! I just might have my first of KLP frozen on a stick!!!!!

 

[lucyddr]

Disgirl83 and LucyDDR-- I'd be more than happy to share a table with you all. Who should I give my Res # to?? That would be fun.

Jordan, I sent our reservation number to Lynsday (Disgirl83). She's going to call and try to link us up, so you might want to PM her with your reservation number and full names! That will be fun!

Ok, another dilemma -- has anyone done the stingray thing through DCL? I was watching it on the Travel channel last night and starting to second guess our excursion in GC (me by myself with the 2 kids). I am thinking Kai won't even get in the water with the stingrays so wondering if I should just try to take Sabrina at KC instead. That leaves me and kids with nothing to do in GC while Yoni goes diving so looking into the pirate ship. Has anyone done that? Ok, I am stressing now!

The stingrays are very overwhelming, so you made the right decision to change to the pirates instead! I think the environment at CC is way better for a first time ray experience. We were a little scared ourselves with the DCL stingray excursion in GC and found the experience kind of miserable because of all of the screaming children in the group... They are HUGE and kind of "swarm" you when you first get into the water!

Mati...since you may get early dinner, want to link up? I don't know if we can all get one table, but we could probably be in the same area near each other! If you want to, let Lindsay know as she said she would be glad to call. I just PM'ed her our reservation number and full names...

It's kind of fun to see the excitement in the KLP. I'm actually not that crazy about it, but I've never had it frozen and dipped in chocolate...so maybe I'll like it better that way! We are going down to the fort that day to snorkel and bike, but we may meet up with some of the group tasting the pies if the timing works out!