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

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

It seems like pretty much all the times are still open right now for Palo dinner. I just booked dinner for Wed @ 6 PM. I'm not sure if that's what I really want or not. I can't really figure out a better time to do it, though. I hope it's enough time to do Palo, pick up the kids, see the movie in the theater, and get to the pirate party. Yikes! That's a lot!! I didn't choose Sat, Sun, Mon, Tues, or Thurs because of regular menu choices that we would want. I thought about Fri, but with CC day, it might be too much of a rush to be ready in time (I prefer the 6:00 seating). It looks like there's lots of pirate activities in the club on Wed after they get back from dinner, so that's kind of why I chose it, too. I'm sure if they still want to dress in pirate costumes, they could do it there and wouldn't necessarily have to be in the dining room to "show off."

 

[BMICKEY]

Since there seems to be some open spots for the earlier dining, I went ahead and sent my request for the change. I'm still thinking that it may be earlier than we would like, but 8:30 is later than I would like. (Yes....I'm indecisive about travel details sometimes...) I figure if we get the earlier time, it will be nice and if not...we'll survive and be happy either way!

I think it really depends on your family schedule at home, the age of your kids, and if you plan on doing any shore excursions. If you plan on being on land later, you don't have to rush getting back to clean-up. On the other hand, I don't like eating so late, especially if there is a deck party or midnight buffet planned! LOL Have fun!

 

[2_Eagle_Mom]

Almost finished booking things

Monday - Key West - High Tea - full; booked a massage for 9:15am
Tuesday - Grand Cayman - Shipwreck & Snorkel Tour (10:15am - 12:55pm)
Wednesday - Cozumel - Mexican Cuisine Workshop
Thursday - Palo Brunch - 11:00am
Friday - CC - Bike Rental

I guess we can try and add the Tea after we board the ship.

I can't believe how easy it was.

Amazing!

 

[dznyacct]

2 Eagle Mom ~ Hey , we'll see you at Brunch on Thursday at 11:00 !!

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

I think it really depends on your family schedule at home, the age of your kids, and if you plan on doing any shore excursions. If you plan on being on land later, you don't have to rush getting back to clean-up. On the other hand, I don't like eating so late, especially if there is a deck party or midnight buffet planned! LOL Have fun!

Hi! Are you sailing with us?!?! to our thread!

 

[lucyddr]

Easy, but I didn't get the high tea... (I'm sorry Noodles!)

We have the following:
Monday: Rasul at 11 AM
Tuesday: Palo Dinner at 6:30 PM
Thursday: Palo Brunch at 10:30 AM and Couples Massage at 2:00 PM

As for dinner, we've done early and late on our cruises in the past. I agree there are advantages to both. Adam prefers early (after much prodding), so we'll see what happens!

 

[2_Eagle_Mom]

2 Eagle Mom ~ Hey , we'll see you at Brunch on Thursday at 11:00 !!

Cool! Glad to have someone we will "know".

I was so worried that something would go wrong with the computer, or I wouldn't get through. I'm all hyped up and everything went smoothly. AND I didn't have to stay up till all hours of the night waiting to book things. Hopefully this is a good omen for how the rest of the vacation plans work out.

Well, I've spent most of the day cruising the boards, guess I better get off and detox before going to sleep.

Hopefully everyone else that was booking tonight was as successful as I was.

Goodnight!

 

[austin77]

Alright!

The 16th- Elemis Sole Delight Foot Treatment with Pedicure (for DGF) at 1:45pm

the 19th-GC-Grand Cayman Island Tour (the two of us) at 11:30am

The 22-CC- Bicycle Rentals (the two of us) few Hrs

Thats all I found that looks fun for us!!

No palo for us!!!

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Hi all!

Thanks for all your help with questions! Set the alarm for 6am this morning (much to DH's horror on a Sunday!!) and got everything we wanted!

Sunday - Palo brunch before Key West - 10.30 was latest time available and I was hoping for a little later but it will do! How long are you usually in there?

Monday - couple massage 10.45 -have not told Dh about that one . . . need to drop it in at some point over the next 2 months without mentioning cost . . !

Tuesday - Grand Cayman Sea Trek - yikes

Wednesday - Tulum ruins. Still not sure about this. Keep thinking about the dolphin trips, but we have "done dolphins" 3 times at Discovery Cove so DH is not really interested again. I want to see the ruins, but I am dreading the 45 minute ferry trip!

Thursday - Palo dinner 7pm. I couldnt think straight about what time to book to fit in with the shows, in the end I gave up thinking!!!

Friday - booked the getaway package on CC so we have the option of a bike ride as well as the snorkels.

Very excited!! Hope everyone got all that they wanted!

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Have just realised I didnt get asked to pay for any of the bookings - is that right?! Does it just get added onto my bill once on the cruise?

 

[lillygator]

I fell asleep!!

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Sorry, me again!

I have questions about fish extenders . . . I don't want to be a party pooper and not join in, but what sorts of things do you put in them? Do you leave the things secretly or do you know who put what in?

Thanks!

 

[adedward]

I am jealous! Did you all leave anything for those of us who still have to wait two more weeks to book?

 

[austin77]

I fell asleep!!

LOL I almost did to!! I closed my eyes at 11:00pm then i opend them at 12:15am! lol Almost missed it!!!

I am jealous! Did you all leave anything for those of us who still have to wait two more weeks to book?

There is still plenty of spots open, but you never know for how long!!!!

 

[tsarina13]

I didn't pay either and thought it odd.

We have Monday - Palo High Tea
Grand Cayman - Pirate Encounter
CC - bike rentals

DD has already started packing! We've started breaking out the summer clothes to see if we need to enhance our wardrobe.

We have put some things in a suitcase like our pirate outfits, our Disney pins, bathing suits - stuff we won't need before the trip.

FYI: Our family gives Disney Dollars/Disney gift cards as gifts for holidays, birthdays, mother's day, etc. We've been saving for 3 years (since our last Disney trip) and I can proudly say that I won't need any additional money onboard. We should have enough Disney money to cover it all!

I can't wait for this trip! I don't get to spend enough time with my niece Tiffany (who I practically raised) since I had Carissa, and now Tiffany is in college so we really don't see her very often. She's vacationed with me since she was 8 and I have a feeling this could be our last family vacation with her. Once she graduates and starts working it will be harder for her take time off, not to mention the fact that she probably won't want to do the family vacation anymore. Can you feel empty nest syndrome at 35 with another child still in the home?

 

[Disgirl83]

Shew, so after a late night I had to finish everything this morning.

Sunday Key West - 10:00 Palo Brunch
Monday At Sea- 9:30 Metabolic Testing
Tuesday Grand Cayman - 11:30 Island Tour
Thursday At Sea - 3:15 Couples Wellbeing Massage

We really wanted Palo Brunch on the Tuesday but there were no slots left, I hope it totally doesn't ruin my key lime pie tasting! I've always wanted to get my Metabolic Rate Tested, I lost alot of weight my second year of college (a little over 50 pounds) but over the past few years I've been slowly addiing it back despite what I do so I think the quick weight loss completely ruined my metabolism. Looks like we'll be going fellow dissers on the island tour (yay!).

For Cozumel we are thinking about the 3 reef snorkel but really not sure, I'd love any of your alls snorkel experiences in Cozumel. For CC we will probably end up doing the getaway package so we can do the bikes, snorkel, and floats!

Now just 90 days to go until we can enjoy all our activities! Good luck to those in the next reservation window!

 

[texfinn]

Good Morning Everyone!!!!

It sounds like everyone got almost everything they wanted. I can't believe how ast it all filled up.

I have a ressie for me and Yoni for tea on Monday but he won't go so that covers at least one person. If we have a count, I will try to increase the reservation once we get on the ship.

Sounds like a couple of you will be joining us for brunch on KW day. We are eating at 11 -- I figured the later the better for us -- we get to sleep in more and since we don't arrive to KW until @1 -- at least that is the logic.

We are also eating at Palo on Thursday night at 8. There are a couple of you eating on Thursday. I am hoping to get DH a cake (that is his 35th birthday) so if you guys are still around, maybe you can help us celebrate!!!!

Pooh's-Honey-Pot -- you will like the metabolic testing. It is informative. Will they tell you your Anabolic Threshold as well? I think knowing your AT is the single best thing you can do for your workout. I know how you feel about the slow creep of weight. I have never been thin but after college gained @60 lbs over the next few years. I have fought and fought trying to take them off (thus the RMR test). I finally discovered last year that I had thyroid disease. I had my thyroid removed last September and then became very hypothyroid. Now with medicine am almost balanced -- in fact right now a little bit hyper --thus the incredible amounts of posts!!!!! I am finally losing weight and am hoping that I can get back to normal. I think it is important to listen to your body and do what you can to figure out what is working and what isn't!!! Ok, enough preaching....

Shoudl we book a pkg on CC or can we wait? I was kind of hoping to wait so we could see if we really needed the entire package.

I don't think you pay for excursions until you are on the cruise BUT there is a fee if you don't cancel by a certain time. I just read it in the Passporter last night (ok, call me obsessed).

Austin -- the foot treatment for your DGF looks heavenly!!!! I also read in the Navigator that on embarkment day they were offering $30 off any treatment over $100. If you book that in advance do they still honor that discount? I may have to look at the treatment.

Ok, enough chit chat. Folks, forgive me -- I am hyper, obsessed with the cruise and just happy to have a place to go each day to read and chat about our cruise.

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Hi all!

Thanks for all your help with questions! Set the alarm for 6am this morning (much to DH's horror on a Sunday!!) and got everything we wanted!

Sunday - Palo brunch before Key West - 10.30 was latest time available and I was hoping for a little later but it will do! How long are you usually in there?

Monday - couple massage 10.45 -have not told Dh about that one . . . need to drop it in at some point over the next 2 months without mentioning cost . . !

Tuesday - Grand Cayman Sea Trek - yikes

Wednesday - Tulum ruins. Still not sure about this. Keep thinking about the dolphin trips, but we have "done dolphins" 3 times at Discovery Cove so DH is not really interested again. I want to see the ruins, but I am dreading the 45 minute ferry trip!

Thursday - Palo dinner 7pm. I couldnt think straight about what time to book to fit in with the shows, in the end I gave up thinking!!!

Friday - booked the getaway package on CC so we have the option of a bike ride as well as the snorkels.

Very excited!! Hope everyone got all that they wanted!

I have had to cancel my brunch already, so there is one available if anyone missed out. My friends asked us to hire the electric car with them in Key West which sounds fun. According to the website that starts at 12.15 (which is strange because I'm sure I read we don't get to port until 12.30) so the website made me cancel our brunch because it doesnt finish until 12.30. I am really disappointed as there are none left any other day. Do they open more slots up later?

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

I fell asleep!!

AGAIN?!?! Did you book anything when you woke up?!?!

Have just realised I didnt get asked to pay for any of the bookings - is that right?! Does it just get added onto my bill once on the cruise?

I know Palo brings you a "ticket" to sign after the meal--like they do when you order a drink.

FYI: Our family gives Disney Dollars/Disney gift cards as gifts for holidays, birthdays, mother's day, etc. We've been saving for 3 years (since our last Disney trip) and I can proudly say that I won't need any additional money onboard. We should have enough Disney money to cover it all!

We've been doing this, too. We buy them through preschool as a fundraiser. It's the Great Lakes Scrip program, and the preschool gets a certian percentage of the price. There's literally THOUSANDS of gift cards to buy, and each store determines the percentage they're providing to the program (unfortunately, Disney is pretty low--only 2%). If I buy a $100 Disney card, I pay $100 to the school for it, but the preschool pays Great Lakes Scrip $98 and keeps the $2 (2%). That's how we do alot of things that we know we're going to spend the money on anyway--Wal-Mart, Red Lobster, Carlos O'Kelly, Blockbuster (SWEET deal! I pay $3.79 [no tax] for a rental voucher, including Blu-Ray rental, which are over $5 plus tax! And the preschool keeps 15% of that one!! It really adds up when I buy 10 at a time--$5.69 for the preschool to keep. Hey, it's better than $2!). Anyway, I got off on a tangent...sorry! Now with the boys' gift cards that they've gotten for birthdays, Christmas, etc., we'll put them onto our acct at GS when we board (since you can't use them in the shops--only your KTTW card), and the boys will have "play" money in their wallets that they'll "pay" us whenever they want to buy something so we can keep track of how much of their gift card they're spending! And they don't have to worry about losing real money if they lose their wallets.

Shoudl we book a pkg on CC or can we wait? I was kind of hoping to wait so we could see if we really needed the entire package.

I want to do some sort of pkg on CC, but I didn't book it because there's always plenty of equipment to rent when you actually get there.

Ok, enough chit chat. Folks, forgive me -- I am hyper, obsessed with the cruise and just happy to have a place to go each day to read and chat about our cruise.

I THINK WE ALL ARE!!!! I think Justin was getting tired of me being here ALL THE TIME recently until I told him that I got Palo booked last night. Now he's even MORE excited and sees the reasoning for my madness!! Mmmmmm...we can taste Palo already...


I'll start updating everyone's changes after last night--and the PM's I've been getting--sometime (hopefully) today or maybe tomorrow. Unfortunately, I have a few other things I need to do today besides sit on the computer all day (gasp!). Is there really life outside the DIS?!?!

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

I have had to cancel my brunch already, so there is one available if anyone missed out. My friends asked us to hire the electric car with them in Key West which sounds fun. According to the website that starts at 12.15 (which is strange because I'm sure I read we don't get to port until 12.30) so the website made me cancel our brunch because it doesnt finish until 12.30. I am really disappointed as there are none left any other day. Do they open more slots up later?

You can always rent one independently of DCL (what we're planning on doing), so you can keep your brunch time, and then whenever you get done & get off the ship, you can do the electric car at your leisure. I think it's a little cheaper not going through Disney, too. They probably say 12:15 as a meeting time just to get everyone in one place early enough.

ETA: I just saw that the electric cars excursion is the only one for all the ports that's "sold out!" And Palo brunch & high tea are also full. Dinner is full Mon @ 6 & 7 and Thurs @ 7 & 8.