May 28, 2005 Mexican Riviera

[grammiegail]

OK, it's 9:15 and there are no new posts. I live by the ocean and I immediately think of surfing (the Disboard). Here's what I have found for the novices (like me) or kind of novice cruisers...a board with helpful hints. Here's the link => http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?threadid=468132 . WARNING - It appears to be an unedited list from several people; some of the stuff is geared towards the eastcoast cruisers; it's really long. Enjoy!

The long unorganized lists were driving me nuts so I consolidated and categorized them. Here is my gift to my fellow cruisers:

Disney Cruise Tips
Disclaimer – These are not my tips. They are just a compilation of over 18 pages of tips from other cruisers (yes, we are a family of A-Rs)

RULE #1 –
1. Relax, enjoy and don't stress......remember this is a vacation.
1. Bring your sense of humor..... remember this is a vacation.


Before You Leave Home –
1. Let someone know how to contact you if there is an emergency at home.
2. Have Post Office hold your mail.
3. Stop newspaper delivery.
4. Have a friend look in on your house, water your plants, etc.


Packing Tips –
1. Save the plastic bags that your dry-cleaning comes home; pack everything in these bags (one person doubled and tripled some items in the bags and allegedly unpacks virtually "wrinkle free" clothes!!!!)
2. Pack one suitcase full of stuff, then put that suitcase inside another one. Then when you get where you're going, you've got an extra, empty suitcase for all the stuff you know you're gonna buy!
3. Pack what you think you will need...then take out 50% (another recommendation was 60%)
4. Earlier tipsters said to “lock” bags with plastic zip locks (the kind police use for handcuffs), but make sure to pack a nail clipper in an unlocked outside pocket of your suitcase to cut them off. Make sure to leave some wiggle room (don't cinch it all the way) so that you can fit the clippers around the cable. Or buy the new ATF approved combination locks (about $10 each).
5. Pack your small item clothes (underwear, socks, kids clothes, etc.) in Ziploc bags, much easier to stay organized especially with a full stateroom
6. Make sure you leave a set of clothes out for debarking....people have been known to pack EVERYTHING the night before and leave the ship in their jammies!!!
7. Save your old socks, underwear, swimsuits, etc and have them make a one-way trip with you. By tossing out old clothes you'll have LOTS of room for souvenirs et al when you pack to come home
8. Take some large thick trash bags. Put the dirty clothes in them when you get ready to go home. Gather up the top and hold tight. Have partner roll or smoosh from the other end to get the air out. The "dirties" take up much less room and no worry that they will “infect” your left over clean clothes or new t-shirts. Also makes room for more stuff!!
9. Bring an extra suitcase filled with bottles of water. You can buy less expensive bottled water at home and, as you drink the water, you are emptying the suitcase for souvenirs to bring home
10. Add "return address labels" to our packing list. That way you don't spend 15 minutes filling out your luggage tags on the last day of the cruise! Stick on a sticker and your stateroom number and you're done!
11. Number your bags--i.e. 1 out of 3, 2 out of 3)


Packing List (Essentials) -
Packed in carry-on bag –
Passport or Certified Birth Certificate
Extra copy of above
Cruise Documents
Air Tickets
List of credit cards/telephone numbers (in case of loss or theft)
Credit Cards
Wireless Telephone
Eyeglasses
Sunglasses
Medicines and prescriptions (in original containers)
Cash (small bills, especially)
Travelers Checks (if desired)
Telephone Number of Cruise Agent (toll-free and direct)
Important Telephone Numbers
E-mail Addresses
Telephone Credit Card (be sure to get one that will work in Mexico)
Jewelry/Valuables (as few as possible)
Sun Screen
Headache medication
Motion medication
Medication for stomach disorders
Light first aid supplies
Set of casual clothing/underwear
Swimsuit

Miscellaneous –
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Shampoo (your brand in small plastic bottle)
Deodorant
Body Powder
Hair Brush/Comb
Skin Lotion
Makeup Case/Bag
Umbrella
Small duffel bag or backpack
Light Sewing Kit
Flash Light (small)

Optional –
Short extension cord with multi-plug for various uses)
Business Cards (who knows?)
Pen/Highlighter
Hair dryer
Batteries
Portable reading light
Alarm Clock
Plug-in Night Light
Beach bag
Water Bottle
Snorkeling Gear
Other sports gear
Binoculars
GPS (for the super-techies!)
Portable iron or steamer
Book(s) for recreational reading
Guidebooks for ports of call
Radio communications devices
Photographic stuff – camera. lenses (if necessary), lens hoods, outdoor film (ASA 100 or lower), indoor film (ASA 400 or higher), panoramic camera (disposable), underwater camera (disposable), flash attachments, filters (if necessary), extra batteries, digital camera, disks/memory modules, cables (depends on camera), laptop for image storage/display

Luggage (per person)
One medium-large suitcase with nametag
One carry-on bag (meets aircraft requirements)
One folding bag for laundry, purchases, and extra room for homeward trip (can double as backpack/beach bag)
Baggage strap (for hard-side luggage to preclude opening during handling)


In Room –
1. Over the door shoe holder for the bathroom to hold all of the toiletries
2. Nightlight for bathroom
3. Clothespins to close curtains to keep that morning sun out of your room
4. Extension cord so you can have extra outlets
5. Little spray cans of pillow and room scent
6. Use label maker to tag everything that might leave the room. “Lost items” have been reportedly been returned.
7. Gift basket from the perfect gift - One that includes snacks, juice boxes, sand toys, sunscreen, champagne, beer, etc - so you don't have to pack all of that in your suitcase
8. Air freshener for the potty. Plug-in Glade/Wizard oil based deodorizer for the bathroom
9. Light up travel clock/alarm clock
10. Baggies
11. Post it and pens for the room...... great to leave notes for family who "Cross like ships in the night....." or even your cabin steward....
12. A cutting knife for your room
1. Sample bottle of dishwashing detergent to wash items in the sink (especially for food stains) and to wash snorkel gear in the bathtub
13. A coffee maker
14. Get a wake-up call everyday. It is Mickey Mouse calling!
15. Flashlights that only work while you are holding down the button (Walmart has them in cool colors) This solves the problem of the little angels falling asleep with the security flashlight on and going through a set of batteries every other night!
16. Bungee cord or rope if you have connecting rooms. You need something if/when you want to keep the connecting doors open
17. Your own hairdryer...the ones in the cabins are weak
18. Lysol spray can
19. Store suit cases under the bed (even our two largest 30" Pullman's fit)
20. Windex wipes to clean your glass on your veranda - the salt spray accumulates and obstructs the view (the 1/4" glass is clear)
21. Suction hooks for hanging up wet swimsuits, pasting a picture on the cabin door so kids can quickly see our cabin and not get lost,
22. Store all life vest under bed to give more shelf space


Laundry –
1. There is a change machine in the 2 upstairs laundry rooms. On the 7th floor room you get more time than the 6th floor. People are CUTTHROAT with the washers and dryers. It's better if you wash on a Port day, because sea days are killer in the laundry. Guaranteed that the dryer will take 2 cycles. You can put more than one cycle worth of money in the dryer. i.e. you could put $2.00 for a load and it would dry for 80 min.
2. Do your laundry at the crack of dawn cause their always filled.
3. Shout sheets for removing stains
4. Little laundry, individually packaged, detergent tablets
5. Downy wrinkle release spray
6. Bring along a roll of quarters
7. Collapsible hamper for a very convenient for putting our dirty clothes in and carrying to the laundry room.
8. Mesh laundry bags (Wal-Mart) and hang them in the closet (loop over the hanger). Put dirty clothes in there, when you pack, all the dirty clothes are together in one suitcase. Unpacking, all the dirty things are ready to be sorted and washed while the clean items are put away
9. If you have a veranda, bring about 15' of clothesline and clothespins. There are places high up near the ceiling to tie off the clothesline to hang wet items
10. OR Don’t bring change & laundry soap for washing / drying onboard (don’t sacrifice time / activities for this chore while on vacation)


Clothes –
1. Send all of your clothes out to be pressed on your first night for about $40 and have your clothes ready for the week
2. Comfortable walking shoes
3. Take less clothes, more film
4. To cut down on clothing, bring a nice pair of black slacks. They go with just about everything, and just change tops each night. Plus you only need one pair of nice black dress sandals to go with them.
5. More swimsuits than you think (no one wants to put on a wet suit!)
6. Treat your clothing with wash-in sunscreen. It's cheap (under $3 a wash load) and doesn't affect color or feel of the cloth. Works in water (swimming) too. The product is called Sun Guard from Rit
7. If you bring a lot of clothes that need to be hung in the closet bring extra hangers.


Clothing List –
(Based on 7-night Caribbean Cruise)
One-two sets of formal clothing
One set of informal clothing (coat/tie or suit for men)
Additional ties/shirts for men
Casual clothing for casual nights in dining room
Comfortable shorts/slacks for daytime wear, depending on season/temp
Swim suit (2-3 if planning extensive water-related activities)
Cover-up for travel from pool/beach (remember, ships are air-conditioned)
T-shirts (plan to buy a few of these)
Gym clothes for running/workouts
Light Sweater (for air conditioning)
Hat (could also be purchased)
Underwear as desired
Robe (optional)
Shoes – appropriate for formal wear, nice casual shoes for ship wear, sneakers/running shoes for ship/shore, beach footwear (sandals/flip-flops), water shoes (Optional)


Medications –
1. Your medications in their original container (ensures that you don’t run into problems with customs). You can separate them into daily doses later.
2. Cold medicine
3. Anti-diarrhea medication
4. Mild laxative – Correctol recommended several times
5. Pain reliever
6. Antihistamines
7. Crystallized ginger or peppermint – good for the “urpies”
8. Papaya Enzyme chewable tablets, helps digest food in case you eat something that doesn't agree with you
9. Chewable Dramamine


Miscellaneous –
1. Sun screen – don’t forget the babies!
2. Aloe for sunburn
3. Antibacterial wipes – individual packages or small bottle of liquid
4. Waterproof watch
5. Insect repellant
6. Take a folder to keep papers in that you want to take home with you
7. Zip lock bags were VERY useful
8. Small pair of binoculars. It's great for looking a passing islands, dolphins, etc. Be sure that the kids keep the cord around their necks when they're using them so they don't drop them overboard
9. Buy a couple of "dry boxes" from eBay or a dive shop. We spent $1.25 each on ours, and kept our KTTY cards, credit cards, cash (change too) and receipts safe and dry even on snorkeling and diving excursions. You could keep your smokes dry if you are a smoker... Disney sells these for about $7
10. Before one couple went on their last cruise, they decided which cruise they were going to book while on board. They went to several on-line travel sites and got quotes for that cruise. When they booked the cruise on board, they took the quotes and were able to match the cost plus got a $200 credit
11. Take pictures of everything, if you don't you will regret it once you get them developed and wish you had a photo of it.
12. Bring blow-up pool/water toys.
13. Zip tie straps
14. Pre-addressed computer address labels for post-cards
15. Bring an address book and meet new people.
16. Save everything, and make a scrapbook
17. Go to at least one program/activity a day. The cruise staff is great, and you get to meet people other then the ones you see at meals
18. Fanny packs!!!!
19. When you see the Shutter's staff, drag (ask them) nicely over to photograph your kids / you, etc. rather that wait from them to ask - you will have a lot more pictures to choose from later.
20. At Shutters, stack the pictures you are considering purchasing together each day so you don't have to search all the displays repeatedly. Shutters staff will keep the stacks together.
21. Give each kid a 24 exposure disposable camera before the trip. Let them take a picture of whatever they want. But once they use it up they are done.
22. Bring a pillowcases for the characters to sign
23. Bring small scrapbook for autographs. It lets you have the picture on one side and the autograph on the other and you can also add as many pages as you want Spray on sunscreen for the scalp if you have your hair braided.


Traveling with Kids –
1. For those of you traveling with toddlers around the age of 2 who can not go into the pool (and yes they are pretty strict about the non potty trained children in the pool) Bring sand toys, and set up camp by the Goofy pool. There is a railing that separated the pool area from the deck area. Along the railing on deck side are tables and chairs. Using the table, chairs, and railing, create a barrier. Place your child in the middle with sand toys and bucket of water. You can sit around them in the chairs.
2. Bring your own sand toys
3. Crayons, books and plain paper for kids during the down time in the room --- have them make a "picture" scrapbook for when they get back home!


On-Board/Off-Board Coordination
1. Bring two-way radios OR don’t bring 2-Way Radios (reportedly didn't use them once)
2. Watches/pagers - anything to tell time for when everyone has to meet up. Extremely useful in parks, but we also found it useful on ship if you could set alarm.
3. Bring a small memo pad to plan your day - what activities at what times (makes it easier if you have to plan between multiple Navigators
4. Bring an envelop to keep your Navigators in and organized


On-Ship Entertainment –
1. On 7 night cruise, Who Want to be a Mouseketeer show, wait to sit down until everyone else is. Pick out an empty row or one that has very few people. When the computer picks seats for the "Hot Seat" it is done randomly. If the seat is empty they go to the next closest one. So....if your row is practically empty you have a better chance.
2. The best time to find characters is during the sail-away celebration, on deck 10.
3. Don't leave "Disney Dreams" early. This is a "must-see" show, but at the end, don't join the people who leave before the final bows. There is still one more surprise to see.
4. Allow your kids to participate in the kids program at the end of the cruise. They get free t-shirts.
5. Play, or at least attend Jackpot bingo the last night. It's a blast.
6. If you are a repeat cruiser on DCL, and are invited to the captain’s cocktail party, then be sure to show up early. We showed up on time and did not have a comfortable place to sit down
7. Don't show up just-in-time for movies - the Buena Vista Theatre is small and if your party is large, you may not be able to sit together. Same goes for the Walt Disney Theatre - find your seats early (at least 5 minutes before the show) so you will be more successful finding good seating and as a courtesy to others.
8. You can call up to a week before you sail and find out which movies are showing during your cruise. Call 1-888-325-2500, choose the "reservations" option, then ask what movies will be showing.


Off-Shore Necessities –
1. Soft sided cooler to bring off the ship for excursions and beaches.
2. Beach bag
3. Bring a luggage carrier or something w/wheels for the soft pack cooler
4. Take a large hand bag for excursions
5. If you're doing Disney excursions, sign up online before your cruise (avoid the ressie rush)
6. Bring several large-mouth plastic bottles (that will fit into your collapsible cooler) for excursions, or for keeping drinks & water in your stateroom beverage cooler. We kept them full of ice/water from the drink station and made our own ice tea, lemonade, Tang, and Crystal Lite (all sugar free). You can also fill these easily with Ice, water, etc. from the drink station on Deck 9.
7. Order sandwiches from room-service and put them in Ziploc bags for excursions


Embarkation/Debarkation Day Hints –
1. Bring swimwear in your day bag and hit the pool as soon as you get your Palo & Spa reservations done. (One of the best times for an uncrowded swim is in the period of time between embarkation and the safety drill)
2. Do not disembark early - that is for people who are rushing to catch a plane or other transportation
3. If you have nothing to rush to, be the last ones off the ship! Do not go to breakfast in the restaurant - go to the buffet, pick up a tray and fill it for everyone in your cabin. Back at the cabin, take your time, have a nice shower, breakfast on the verandah in port - relax - the cruise is not over yet! When you are ready, you can walk off the boat, no crowds, easily find your luggage and cruise through customs.


Food/Beverage –
1. Cork screw if you bring wine for the romantic evenings on the verandah
2. Bring some of your own beverages and mixers and cups w/lids to mix the drinks.
3. Order room service coffee the night before. It stayed hot in the carafe and have ready when you wake up each morning
4. Sippy cup
5. Order the 'All Hands on Deck' cheese platter every single night even if you aren't hungry (and room service is free, just tip him a couple of dollars when he brings you your tray)
6. Bring a water bottle to refill with the filtered water available on deck
7. Bring your own movie / show candy (we love Skittles) and brought a gallon bag full of individual serving bags.
8. Order a pitcher of lemonade from room service each day (no charge or maybe not anymore?) and keep it in the fridge
9. There is a drink station located aft on deck nine, includes milk, tea, coffee, water, juice and or lemonade
10. Bring back some fruit from the breakfast buffet and boxes of cereal to snack on
11. Fruit and cookies available at Scoops throughout the day.
12. Order sandwiches the night before a day on land and put them in your soft-side cooler
13. Unless you can't live without soda 24/7 DON'T DO THE SODA MUG DEAL. You can get soda for free at every sit-down meal
14. If you do not want to get dressed up for your normal dinner seating -- there is always an alternative site available for a served meal in Parrot Cay, Lumiere's, or the Topsider's area (where the afternoon buffet is).
15. Order anything you want off the menu's, your servers will be happy to mix and match menu items, even combining veggies from one entrée, with main course from others. You can also get multiples (more than one appetizer, main course, dessert, etc. so you can sample more things) - Bring an appetite!
16. Bring several large-mouth plastic bottles (that will fit into your collapsible cooler) for excursions, or for keeping drinks & water in your stateroom beverage cooler. We kept them full of ice/water from the drink station and made our own ice tea, lemonade, Tang, and Crystal Lite (all sugar free). You can also fill these easily with Ice, water, etc. from the drink station on Deck 9.


What to buy –
1. If you're undecided about that beach towel, or t-shirt, or other souvenir... buy it. You'll be mad at yourself later if you don't!
2. The lines at guest services get longer towards the end of the cruise, so make sure you get any business (paying tips, etc) done as early as possible. The same applies for shopping.



Bad Habits??? –
1. If you smoke, bring them with you
2. If you like the internet, buy the unlimited access, while on board. It is $89.00 but worth it if you on the computer a lot


Tipping –
1. Save the tip $ aside before your trip and had them all labeled and in separate envelopes. It made it easier at the end of the cruise to just take the $ out of the in-room safe and put them into the little tip envelopes. No standing in line at guest services
2. The counselors in the children's programming are not tipped positions, but appreciate a small gift (phone cards available at CostCo or Sam’s Club at a discount)
3. You can go to guest services at anytime during your cruise to take care of the tips
4. The lines at guest services get longer towards the end of the cruise, so make sure you get any business (paying tips, etc) done as early as possible. The same applies for shopping.
5. Go to the bank before your trip and get $2 bills for tips for room service, etc.


How to get around –
1. In the corridors on the ship, just look at the carpet to find out which way the back or front of the ship is - the anchor on the carpet is two-colored, the red points towards the back of the ship, the blue towards the front.


Safety Advice?????? –
1. Don't worry about getting to the disembarkation talk, as it will be repeated all evening on your stateroom television


Don’t-Know-Why Department –
1. Don't forget the duct tape. (why, I’m not sure!)


Secret Locations –
1. Seek out and enjoy the secret deck 7 aft verandah

 

[challada]

Wow...grammie...you have been a busy bee!

FYI...I have most of this info run off already in our packet from Tandy.
I've got lists, lists and more lists...plus that passporter thing.

Disney forces you to # your luggage w/their little luggage tags.

The duct tape is to keep the kids quiet while we are having our wine.

Keep up the good work!

 

[wmjivey]

GrammieGail: Your list is great. Much easier than the other one. Glad to hear you were able to snag those dolphin encounters.

Challada: Your mom is great. I can't wait to meet you all. We also have the Passporter and will definitely add this list. Will get the photos off to you this week, things have been a little hectic around her the last day or so but I promise I will get our pictures out to you this week.

Happy Easter to everyone.

 

[grammiegail]

What's a Passporter?

 

[challada]

Passporter is the book about the cruise....it's kinda like the "Unofficial Guide to DL or WDW" that I buy (AKA...the AR TourPlan).

Gail NMM...don't worry, when you get to it is fine...I hear you about crazy as we've got three board meetings, recitals and three parties and a pinewood derby to ad to our already crazy schedule this week! I haven't even bothered looking at next week on the Palm Pilot!

yes, mom, I've finally broken down and started palmpiloting my life! I know you never thought that would happen!


Woohoo...I hit 200 posts w/this one! Does that make me a DISgeek?

 

[wmjivey]

Challada: Pinewood Derby for us is April 2nd, this is also the day for Tyler to crossover into Boy Scouts, so Toby will be his proxy for the race. Tell Alex good luck from Tyler and Toby and let us know how he does.

I haven't gotten to the Palm pilot stage yet. Got a Palm a few years ago but never quite got into using it. With the way life is going these days, I may need to find it.

65 days and counting.

 

[Jedisan]

GrammieGail - that was an awesome list you put together. Thank you very much. It will come in handy!

I'd also like to participate in the picture exchange. I know my girls will be really excited to have an idea of the new friends they will get to meet.

Poconos - We live in Culver City, CA - Heart of Screenland. We are fortunate to be 35 minutes from Disneyland and 25 minutes from the port. I'm hoping to find some cool postcards.

May is such an exciting month! Not only do we have the cruise, but it's also the final installment of the Star Wars saga

 

[poconoboatniks]

Grammie, you have been a very BUSY grammie. Maybe you should consider writing "The DCL Book." I can't wait to read your trip report.

I'm checking in today because DH will be working from home tomorrow and I won't be able to do the daily surfing. My sisters and dd are going to be doing the Rainforest Horseback Riding. Does anyone know if those excursions have been closed out? We're going to be doing the city tours and harbor cruise. My dad can't walk for too long. The guided tours seemed to be the best option for us.

I have started getting stuff together for the trip. DD and I helped the economy during our trip to LTD02 today. I'm keeping Gap Kids in business with stuff for my son. They had some nice polos on sale this week. They were $9.99 each.

Can someone tell me what the weather will be like in June in the LA & San Diego area? I'm packing very little for the cruise as most of the time the kiddos will be in bathing suits. I do laundry at least once during the trip. Grammie is right about doing laundry in the morning. I wouldn't wait until Thursday to do laundry either.

In case I can't get computer time before Sunday, have a great Easter .

Poconoboatniks

 

[grammiegail]

Grammie, you have been a very BUSY grammie. Maybe you should consider writing "The DCL Book." I can't wait to read your trip report.
Poconoboatniks

Thanks for the kudos, but remember, I didn't come up with the great ideas (maybe some of the so-so ones), I just consolidated the collective wisdom of those who have gone before us (on DCL, not on like into the great beyond or anything!).

Weather, hmmm. I would ordinarily tell you that May and June in Southern California is nice.... with lots of and warm leaning to hot and very dry. But, after this winter, who the heck know? According to the Weather Channel, the average lows are in the high 50s to low 60s. The days are in the mid to high 70s. Here is a link to keep checking => http://www.weather.com/ .

 

[grammiegail]

We have lived on the coast for the past 20 years in Montara. It's about 8 miles north of Half Moon Bay. Ironically, we have never been to the Ritz. Another irony, I work in Santa Clara. I should live with you. It would be a lot closer!

 

[suesings]

Grammiegail -

I just have to tell you how young you look in the photo Chris sent us. You look my age and I have a 19 month old and a 4 year old!!!

I must say I started later than most mommies though!!

 

[challada]

THANKS everyone for pics of the kids! I've started a file for my kids that's "cruise kids" so they can go see their new friends pics whenever they want.

We're getting very excited...definitely keeping the kids clothing stores in town in business! Anyone know if DD can wear sleeveless dress to dinner? I bought her the cutest Polo dress, but then realized it's sleeveless which might be an issue.

Just ordered my formal night Dooney purse (what a good excuse to have to buy another purse!).

Looking forward to seeing everyone!
Wish Alex good luck w/his car...he races the Derby tonight!
(last night was violin recital)

 

[grammiegail]

Grammiegail -

I just have to tell you how young you look in the photo Chris sent us. You look my age and I have a 19 month old and a 4 year old!!!

I must say I started later than most mommies though!!

Thanks! On the cruise, buy me a drink and I will tell you the secret! In fact, I will open that offer to any of the Disboarders as a win:win situation (at least for me) a way to make new friends and bring less beverages!

 

[suesings]

Grammiegail: If you really have a secret (not just good genes) I'll buy you a drink I can't do anything about the genes, my mother has some serious wrinkles going on but Ill take all the secret help I can get

 

[suesings]

I just got a fedex yesterday from Costco Travel with the list of excursions and gift baskets you can get. I wonder if it is worth it to try to send the excursion form back since it sounds like everything is booked?

It looks like real little ones can go on the Pirate Sail in PV. Our DD will be 22 months when we sail and I'd love to take her on a boat (my husband said, "she will be on a boat" ) but I mean on an excursion boat so if the Pirate boat allows little ones, I'd like to try to book it but I think I read that it is sold out too!! Hopefully Disney is holding some for on-boat booking? I don't want to take they on a city tour because I know Kelly (our will be 5 year old) and Ava (the baby) will be bored to death sitting in some shuttle bus looking at sites.

I guess we'd better try to get something booked quick!! Other choice is the Paradise Beach Resort excursion. Maybe the early one isn't sold out yet?

 

[challada]

Sue-
I wouldn't mess with the form from Costco Travel, but call Disney directly to see about the excursions. Mom called (couple of times) to get our stuff all straightened out and said they were more than accommodating and helpful in getting what we want. I think the girls would enjoy the pirate sail (it was our second choice)!

We only have the dolphins booked thru Disney...so we're waiting on what to do in Cabo until we get on board (and get a few beverages in to us)!

Gail NMM- Alex did not win the Derby...he was in the first round eliminated! He was really happy that happened so he could get to play on crash derby on the practice track...I just love "boy perspective"! Our pack does give trophies to every boy for something special about their car (ie, he got "Best Coupe" this year....last year was "Best Hummer"), so I think that helps take the sting out of it.

 

[wccruiser]

Happy Easter to all!

Here are some random questions I have:

1) Are travel irons allowed in staterooms?

2) When making res for Palos it says on navigator $10 fee per person for both dinner and brunch. Is that one $10 fee per meal or you pay only $10 and can make a res for both dinner and brunch?

3) Do the special activities, such as-champagne cocktails or champagne and strawberries in lobby or cooking classes have a charge and if so about how much?

4) Is there anywhere pipe smoking is allowed? We don't have a verandah.

5) Which in anyone's opinion is the best show? Heard alot about Disney Dreams.?

Thanks in advance

 

[challada]

Answers I know:

1. Formal answer is "no" because of fire hazzard...real answer is "yes" as long as you are not ironing when your room attendant comes in . We have one we are bringing as I'm not paying for pressing everything in our bags!

2. My understanding is Palo is $10 per person per meal

3. Instructional classes are part of the included stuff (napkin folding 101)...I don't know about champagne & strawberries, but I'd be happy to join you!

4. Verandah, verandah, verandah...I believe there are open public verandah areas and that might be where it's allowed.

5. I've heard all the shows are amazing...Dreams being best of the best.

QUESTION: Anyone have Disney documents yet?

 

[poconoboatniks]

Happy Easter Everyone!

Champagne cocktails in the atrium are usually for a fee. The amount depends on which brand you choose. The Navigotor lists this as Sparkling Moment and is between the dinner seatings. My husband and I like Iron Horse Fairy Tale Curvee. Iron makes the Fairy Tale Curvee exclusively for Disney.

Brunch in Palo includes a free glass of champagne. There may be one night where the cocktails are free. The cocktails are free at the Castaway Cay Club with the captain.

You can purchase a wine package which includes champagne choices. DH & I drink Fairy Tale every evening during dinner.

Poconoboatniks

 

[suesings]

Hi,
I've read that there are ironing boards in the laundryrooms but irons are not allowed in the staterooms because of the fire risk.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter.