May 2, 2009~~~Magical MAYniacs!~~~ 7 day Western....Updated, April 3,2009!!

[WDWLVR]

Good morning Cruisers
We sail in 50 weeks!​

Hmmmm - that looks familiar. Sorry to butt in guys - just giving Randy a hard time. Enjoy your planning.

 

[laura001]

Disney cruises vacation heaven for kids

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TRAVEL/getaways/05/19/disney.wonder/index.html

AND BIG KIDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[itutorfortravel]

Hi everyone! Wow, it looks like a crowd is forming ...

I've been over on the main boards trying to get advice on 'selling' this trip as an educational opportunity next year to the school. Hopefully our absences will be few and we won't really have to worry too much about that, but I'm the type that always likes to prepare for the worst!

DH and I aren't telling DD about the cruise until just a couple weeks before we go...can you imagine keeping that under our hats that long?! I think I am going to explode! As a matter of fact, we aren't telling anyone except our parents until just before we go so that DD won't find out from someone else by accident. Her birthday is in March so I've decided to throw her a luau birthday party and surprise her with it on that day...she loves anything islandy, so she should go for the theme without any problem. I can't wait!! I've already started buying stuff to stash away for the party. My husband would call me crazy if he knew I was doing that!

Things have been busy here. Kids in NC have to take tests at the end of the year for grades 3 and up, and at the end of their core math courses in high school, so my tutoring has really picked up. I should be able to enjoy a little break in just a few weeks, so I am looking forward to that.

I hope everyone else is doing well...I can't believe that it's less than a year until our trip! YEAH!

 

[laura001]

Hi everyone! Wow, it looks like a crowd is forming ...

DH and I aren't telling DD about the cruise until just a couple weeks before we go...can you imagine keeping that under our hats that long?! I think I am going to explode! As a matter of fact, we aren't telling anyone except our parents until just before we go so that DD won't find out from someone else by accident. Her birthday is in March so I've decided to throw her a luau birthday party and surprise her with it on that day...she loves anything islandy, so she should go for the theme without any problem. I can't wait!! I've already started buying stuff to stash away for the party. My husband would call me crazy if he knew I was doing that!

I hope everyone else is doing well...I can't believe that it's less than a year until our trip! YEAH!

That is awesome that you are going to surprise your DD, not sure how you are going to contain yourself til then though

This year will go very fast! I have started thinking about things to take on the trip already too. Am looking for the over the door holder thingy and I have been kicking myself since last week for not picking up something else I saw. I was at Target a week and a half ago and they had the greatest beach bag.........I should have bought the darn thing! I have been so mad at myself for not picking it up. I am sure they are gone by now and I am not going to go over to the US just to find out they aren't there anymore Oh well.......I will try not to make that mistake again over this next year. If I think I need it............I am buying it

 

[zerog]

Hi everyone!

I've been over on the main boards trying to get advice on 'selling' this trip as an educational opportunity next year to the school. Hopefully our absences will be few and we won't really have to worry too much about that, but I'm the type that always likes to prepare for the worst!

DH and I aren't telling DD about the cruise until just a couple weeks before we go...can you imagine keeping that under our hats that long?! I think I am going to explode!

We took our kids out of school for the April cruise. My DS8 missed a week of 2nd grade. I think my DS is allowed 9 unexcused absences each half year. On the other hand, the family vacation hopefully will be something the kids remember for a lifetime.

In February 2007, I booked our first Disney cruise (3-nite) for that May. I was going to keep it a secret till a few weeks before the cruise. I suffered for about a month and just couldn't hold it in any longer - I caved.

 

[itutorfortravel]

Yes, it ishard to not tell DD about the trip. However, it is actually working well for me because by not telling anyone other than my parents and in-laws, it isn't a constant topic of conversation and so I don't think about it all the time. I think if I did I wouldn't get anything else done and it would seem soooo much longer till it got here!

The other reason I'm glad we are not telling her is just in case we can't go for some reason. A year is a long time away...anything could happen that might change our plans. One of which would be DD missing a bunch of days next year before we PIF. I don't think I could deal with having to disappoint her if for some reason we were unable to go so it's better that I wait to tell her until I am sure we are going to be on that boat!!! I'm trying not to think about that possibility but I have to be realistic.

Have a great day everyone

 

[lbullard]

We sailed this past Nov 2007 I put a deposite down for me and got the on board credit. My husband just said he would be willing to try this itenerary. So I will be placing his money down and my son. We are husband 41, myself 38 and son will be 10 from Virginia.

I would like to get some ideas of excursions if anyone can suggest any.

We have early dinner, but I might be hoping to get the last seating of the early dinner, what time would that be?

I am pretty sure we won't push forward the reservation. Is it worth requesting the last seating of the early seating now? Should I do any reservations, I guess I can't to early.

We are in room 2052. Last year 2050 and had no trouble with sea sickness, how is the weather and bumpiness that time of the season on the boat?

Yeah!! Lynn

 

[zerog]

We are husband 41, myself 38 and son will be 10 from Virginia.

We have early dinner, but I might be hoping to get the last seating of the early dinner, what time would that be?

We are in room 2052. How is the weather and bumpiness that time of the season on the boat?

lbullard family ​

Lynn, you got a GREAT room in 2052. For one, it is mid-ship. But another reason is because Ocean Quest, the high-tech room for 10 to 14 year-olds is 10 feet away. My 8 year old loved Ocean Quest the best (they move the kids from place to place).

As far as early or late seating, that may a matter of personal taste. I've heard pros and cons for each. For us, early seating may be the best choice. We have 2 young children and it is very trying to keep them entertained during a 1-1/2 hour slowwwww dinner that begins at 8pm or later. Instead, they are more likely to stay alert during the late shows. Perhaps one drawback of early seating is that you have to be back on the ship from excursions earlier, so that you have time to get ready.

Your guess is as good as mine for the weather. Last year, we sailed in late May and had some rather rough seas leaving Port Canaveral. This year we sailed in late April and the weather was beautiful.

For excursions, I'm going to try hard to reserve the Dolphin swim in Cozumel. I haven't decided what to do in Key West, GC, or CC.

 

[toribelle]

we need to come up with a group name.

 

[zerog]

we need to come up with a group name.

I concur! but I can't seem to come up with anything..
"I'm trying to think but nothing happens."

There's nothing special about May 2, LOL (except our cruise, of course)...

Here are 2 options to consider:

1) something related to itutorfortravel's plan for a luau birthday surprise for her DD

2) the first one on this board was Laura001, so perhaps we could allow her (our founding mother ) to choose a group name.

 

[colleenlg]

I signed up for early seating b/c we have young kids, but since we are from the West Coast, maybe it's best to take the late seating & keep the kids on West Coast time. Hmmmm...any parents have any experience with this?

 

[laura001]

Welcome lbullard!!!!!

 

[laura001]

I concur! but I can't seem to come up with anything..
"I'm trying to think but nothing happens."

There's nothing special about May 2, LOL (except our cruise, of course)...

Here are 2 options to consider:

1) something related to itutorfortravel's plan for a luau birthday surprise for her DD

2) the first one on this board was Laura001, so perhaps we could allow her (our founding mother ) to choose a group name.

Well............I have been thinking of that too, what about a list with a few to choose from and that way all of us can partake in the choosing!!!! So...........ideas anyone?????

LOL about me being the founding mother.......... ewe just had the old matriarch pass by my eyes... The funny thing is, I sat here for months waiting for all of you slowpokes!!

 

[laura001]

We signed up for early seating because by the time I eat a late dinner, a few glasses of wine, on top of a busy "disney" day.........well......(insert emoticon of me laying in bed........sleeping, ok....maybe even snoring away).

At home we eat late, usually around 7 or later, so it will be a challenge eating so early. That way I will be awake for the dinner and the shows etc.

 

[toribelle]

How about the Slowpokes.....heehee

 

[zerog]

After we come up with a name, we need a team lead or coach. That is, someone willing to stand up a cruise meet and ensure we all properly introduce ourselves. That wouldn't be me - I tend to post too much online, but I'm rather reserved in big groups.

My last cruise meet went okay, but people tended to gather in small groups. The chairs and tables (in the promenade where we met) weren't really conducive for a large group meet.

I read a trip report from one cruise meet where they exchanged 'inexpensive' gifts (white elephant style, or whatever you call it..). They said it was a lot of fun and a great way to meet your fellow passengers. These folks also met in the promenade, but their vocal (ex-boyscout) leader immediately called for everyone to put all the chairs and tables together.

 

[laura001]

After we come up with a name, we need a team lead or coach. That is, someone willing to stand up a cruise meet and ensure we all properly introduce ourselves. That wouldn't be me - I tend to post too much online, but I'm rather reserved in big groups.

My last cruise meet went okay, but people tended to gather in small groups. The chairs and tables (in the promenade where we met) weren't really conducive for a large group meet.

I read a trip report from one cruise meet where they exchanged 'inexpensive' gifts (white elephant style, or whatever you call it..). They said it was a lot of fun and a great way to meet your fellow passengers. These folks also met in the promenade, but their vocal (ex-boyscout) leader immediately called for everyone to put all the chairs and tables together.

Well.........perhaps someone will just eventually emerge or it could be a "team effort" of a few of us. I don't mind playing a part in that, but with it being our first cruise..........I am hoping that someone that really knows the ropes joins us. (if no one else sticks out, I don't mind assembling a team ) Plus, it is nice to have a team of people, that way not just one person ends up with all the organizing.

I read the report you are talking about and that sounds like it is a good ice breaker!!! You are right, it is important to set the tone immediately and get everyone involved and included!

Back to the name..........

 

[toribelle]

how about playing on a word, like MAY
May den voyage????

Just a thought to get the brain waves flowing.

 

[laura001]

How about the Slowpokes.....heehee

"Who are we" ideas:

1. Slowpokes (The Western Slowpokes, The Magical Slowpokes....etc.)?

2. May den voyage

3.

(keep it coming toribelle...lol)

 

[toribelle]

Dizknees Slowpokes