*May 26, 2012 - Mickey's Memorial Day Fantasy*

[bagley15]

Question for those of you who have done the dolphin swim at Dolphin Discovery in Cozumel. We were curious if the "observation" platform area was close enough to have a family member take pictures and video?

 

[Magic3forme]

Question for those of you who have done the dolphin swim at Dolphin Discovery in Cozumel. We were curious if the "observation" platform area was close enough to have a family member take pictures and video?

To be honest, I would say no. They charge to have a family member sit close by. and they have a few swim areas... and the one we were at, was not very close by. Also, you are down into the area, so it would be very hard for them to see you.

Do you have an underwater camera? our friends have some good shots with us.
Also, the photographer is on one side, you are able to turn the other direction and have someone take your pic with your camera. We didnt realize this until half way through. ( we faced right for photos, left for family).

What a fun adventure.. we loved this!!

 

[bagley15]

We have several underwater cameras....Since my husband and I are both going with my daughter would one of us be able to take a camera then switch out? Are we all in the water at the same time? I tried to get some questions answered by the company's live chat...but didn't get very far. My brother and his wife and two boys are participating also. My parents are paying to go to the observation deck...thought maybe they would be able to get some shots... I thought it said that we were not able to bring a camera with us...maybe they will let us...

 

[Magic3forme]

We have several underwater cameras....Since my husband and I are both going with my daughter would one of us be able to take a camera then switch out? Are we all in the water at the same time? I tried to get some questions answered by the company's live chat...but didn't get very far. My brother and his wife and two boys are participating also. My parents are paying to go to the observation deck...thought maybe they would be able to get some shots... I thought it said that we were not able to bring a camera with us...maybe they will let us...

You will definitely have time to switch with the camera. When we did it.. there were 15 of us in the water? How the girl did it with the pictures, was take someone from one group, then someone from another group etc etc.
We did this back in 07, so I am sure things have changed. --cameras were allowed then.

If your parents are paying then you should be able to get some great shots. Just make sure they have a zoom on the camera. we were at the very end of the tank. at the end, they have you watch a video they make of everyone. it is actually pretty cool.

Just make sure when you kiss the dolphin, turn towards your family too... they might not be happy with you... but it goes by sooo quickly!!

If you havent done so, purchase aqua shoes!!

 

[twokats]

We got the 11 am arrival also.

Could have gotten a Palo Dinner, but we were not interested, would have done brunch if available, but DH really did not care either way, so was not a big deal for us.

We got the Atlantis Submarine at Grand Cayman, and we are doing Chacchoben Mayan Ruins at Costa Maya and Cozumel Highlights and Mayan Ruins at Cozumel. We are not big on beaches and get all we want at Castaway Cay. We love sitting at Serenity Bay and relaxing.

It is amazing how having the check-in done makes it seem so much closer. Now my DH and I are discussing when and where our next cruises will be. I think he is a little excited about what we will book for the future.

Hope everyone has a good week and an enjoyable Leap Day!!!

 

[carriemp]

My kids were really wanting to do the boat blast snorkel and beach day at Costa Maya, but it was not listed in the activites I could book. It was not sold out or anthing, it just was not there. It is listed as an excursion on the generic Costa Maya excursions page. Does anyone know anything about this?

We ended up booking the catamaran and snorkel at Costa Maya, dolphin swim and turtle farm in Grand Cayman, and Xcaret in Cozmel. I would really love to scuba dive, but my kids are not old enough yet and I don't want to leave them on the ship. I guess the hubby and I will just have to take a vacation without them to get my diving fix. Really I hate leaving them, so I end up trying to talk other people to come with us on vacation to watch them in the morning while we go dive. I had no luck this time with cruise prices being so high.

 

[TinaRN]

If you have a low number for boarding, there is a good chance to snag a Palo brunch. Just go immediately to sign up for it. ( not sure where it is on the Dream/Fantasy). Since there are only 2 sea days, there will not be as many available.
we are more than happy to have someone join us on our reservation if they would do that too! we have Sun at 11.

I can't believe they aren't offering a brunch on our Costa Maya Day! The website now shows us arriving at 1p! That's plenty of time to have brunch! The website now shows us arriving in Grand Cayman at 11:30am. I hope they will stop changing the times soon.

We were able to get Palo on Monday night at 8pm. It wasn't my 1st, 2nd, or 3rd choice, but it's not bad. We'll be able to get the girls settled into dinner and see the 3rd dining room, then maybe get to see some of the show. We weren't able to get a brunch, which we REALLY wanted But we have 11am check-in time, so I'm hoping like the rest of you to be able to book it once on board.

As for excursions, GC-we chose the Island Tour & Snorkeling with Stingrays, CM-we are doing the Dolphin Swim for now since there isn't a lot to do at that port and there were SO MANY other things we wanted to do at the other two ports, Cozumel-our family really loves History so we chose the Cozumel Highlights & Mayan Ruins. The only thing about this tour is it is 8:30a-1p, so the computer wouldn't let us book anything else. With us having so much more time in Cozumel, we may go to the beach afterwards or go back to the ship and enjoy it! The ruins tour in CM had us spending 2 hours on a bus going to & from them. Since we aren't there very long, I didn't think it was enough time actually visiting the ruins.

If anyone has a Palo Brunch and wants to have 3 more guests (DH, DS18, & me!), please just let me know!

 

[bagley15]

Hi Kathy,

My DH, DD and I are also doing the Atlantis Submarine in GC!!! It really is very exciting!

 

[KellyMB]

We got PALO dinner (on Tue.. really wanted Thursday) and brunch Sunday (only when I added all 5 adults.. there were no openings for 2).
We got 1130 check-in. 11 was available... but we have some first time cruisers traveliing with us from the Hotel and we were not sure if they would be allowed to check in with us so I decided to take the 2nd check in just in case.

We have not booked any excursions yet. We are waiting for the first time cruisers to be able to book so we can make sure we can go ont he excursions together.

So excited!

 

[KellyMB]

Do we have a final FE list yet? I just need to know how many boys/ girls for the kids...

 

[Magic3forme]

Do we have a final FE list yet? I just need to know how many boys/ girls for the kids...

no final on the list.. April 1st is the cut off date... I will send you over the list.. only one family was added.

if anyone else wants the list... just let me know!

 

[firstcruise2012]

Val,

First of all, I can't thank you enough for collecting all of this information you are providing! Especially for this first timer cruiser! I have no ideal what to expect. I just know from my first time at DisneyWorld in 1975 and all the times since - I know it will be magical!

Please add my name to the list of Fish Extenders.
Jane Henry (mom), DD Laura (22) - Stateroom 2002
The more I read about them and the more I see the beautiful made FE's I have been motivated!

I do have a couple of questions.. I am thinking of doing gift bags...Do you make individual bags or one bag per stateroom for a one time gift? Or is it better to have small gifts given every day? Do you put your name / stateroom on the items?

 

[Magic3forme]

Val,

First of all, I can't thank you enough for collecting all of this information you are providing! Especially for this first timer cruiser! I have no ideal what to expect. I just know from my first time at DisneyWorld in 1975 and all the times since - I know it will be magical!

Please add my name to the list of Fish Extenders.
Jane Henry (mom), DD Laura (22) - Stateroom 2002
The more I read about them and the more I see the beautiful made FE's I have been motivated!

I do have a couple of questions.. I am thinking of doing gift bags...Do you make individual bags or one bag per stateroom for a one time gift? Or is it better to have small gifts given every day? Do you put your name / stateroom on the items?

You are added! if you have enough posts, send me a message with your home email.
How you do the FEs is entirely up to you.
Some do gifts for each person, some do one cabin gift.
some sign their names, some do not. I would say most do just one delivery!

We normally do one gift per cabin. in the past I have done paintbrushes with baby powder, highlighters, sharpies and other trinkets. havent decided yet what to do for this cruise!

 

[firstcruise2012]

Val ,

Thank you for answering my questions. I have been on the Oriential Trading Co website getting ideas. (I wasn't sure if i could mention their name.)

I only have 5 post...I'll be glad when I reach ten!
my email - jhenry-gmayo@att.net

Since I also ordered lanyards - you would need the email to see an invoice.

Could you do me a favor and pass my e-mail address onto Poohs4life regarding the post card/ recipe and her beautiful logo she designed for the cruise.

 

[capntavis]

We are diving in Cozumel and Grand Caymans. I have no clue what to do in CM since we are only there for 4 hours or so. Anybody have any suggestions. We thought about either just staying on the ship or shopping a little. I opted for the 12 check in time. I'm in no hurry to get to the ship. We have always arrived at 10 or 10:30 in the past and I hate just waiting for the ship.

 

[goofymama]

I've been to CM one other time and there is a shopping area right where you get off of the ship. I plan to get off for just a little while and pick up some vanilla and do a little shopping.

 

[alikat99]

Woke up this morning and on my Facebook was someone posting about the Fantasy arriving. I went onto the NY Harbor webcam, and as I got out of the shower this morning, there she was!! SO beautiful. Can't wait until the end of May!!!

 

[Magic3forme]

Woke up this morning and on my Facebook was someone posting about the Fantasy arriving. I went onto the NY Harbor webcam, and as I got out of the shower this morning, there she was!! SO beautiful. Can't wait until the end of May!!!

the Fantasy looks awesome....
I always love when you are in port and someone says.. wow Disney does make a good looking ship!

 

[Magic3forme]

I've been to CM one other time and there is a shopping area right where you get off of the ship. I plan to get off for just a little while and pick up some vanilla and do a little shopping.

I forgot about vanilla~ thanks for the reminder!!

 

[harleykarolynmom]

the last cruise I went on we were able to register for the kids club before boarding have they changed that? we have 4 to register it woul save time to do as much as posible before the port