May 3rd-10th****Dis Maytees-May Magic send off

[mrstimster]

We're flying in the day before and staying at the Radisson. My DD and DH loved the pool 2 years ago when we stayed there. Also it's so close - easy to get to the port early. The rooms were fine - not great - but we don't really plan to spend much time in the room anyway.

 

[misslissa]

This trip we decided to do Universal before hand, and we will be at the Hard Rock Hotel for 5 nights and over my birthday. We've always managed to postpone my birthday celebration by a few days, and this is the first time we'll be on vacation on my actual birthday. It's the little things ....

We are doing a Royal Caribbean cruise in August for my parents 60th birthdays, and that too leaves out of PC, so I was selfishly looking for ideas of where to stay the night before for that trip. My parents don't really do the parks. Well, my mom would. My dad would desperately be looking for a golf buddy.

Bobbi, have fun returning to the classroom! I've thought about it several times, but now I'm afraid I don't remember the difference between Keating and Longfellow at this point (gulp, it has been THAT long!).

We are going to Universal for the day on May 10. We have never been yet!

 

[RhondaInMA]

We are staying at the Polynesian the night before (and after)... and using Disney transportation which means we won't get to the port until later. But last year we got to the port before 1:30 and it made me crazy to not be able to get into our room.

 

[AlexandNessa]

We are going to Universal for the day on May 10. We have never been yet!

How fun! We go to Universal all the time. We actually have APs and are platinum at the hotels there so we get comped suites, which is such a nice perk. Let me know if I can help. Will you be doing both parks in one day?

 

[misslissa]

How fun! We go to Universal all the time. We actually have APs and are platinum at the hotels there so we get comped suites, which is such a nice perk. Let me know if I can help. Will you be doing both parks in one day?

Neither of us are too into roller coasters. I will do RnR at MGM and he will do Everest... but I really am too scared to do any of the "Mountains" at MK, well... I have done Big Thunder. So, from what I hear, Islands of Adventure is mostly rides. I figure we can just spend the day at Universal Studios and maybe the evening at City Walk. We haven't really done any looking in to it. Do you think that'll be enough time? We are staying that nite on International Drive and then have an early morning flight home on Sunday. Any pointers???

 

[AlexandNessa]

I think it should be fairly busy that Saturday, so don't mess around, and go straight to the Studios! If you get there early, you should have plenty of time to do everything.

Shrek and Jimmy Neutron often have long lines in the beginning of the day, since they are the first rides you come to as you enter the park. If Jimmy has a long line at first, skip that and come back later. Don't be too concerned about a long line at Shrek, because they allow loads of people in at once. If you want stationary seating on either ride, ask to sit in the front row.

If there is a long line at Twister, skip it. So not worth a long wait!

I think you should be fine on the Mummy if you can handle RNR and Everest. The coaster portion of the ride is very short, so if you get nervous, it'll probably be over before you know it.

Disaster (formerly Earthquake) is new, and I hear the preshow is very good.

We love Jaws ...

Come on over to the Universal boards, and study up on Men In Black so you can beat your hubby!

I have never been to the Fear Factor show, but I have been to the Animal Planet show, and if you need to skip something, skip that!

Maybe the new Simpsons ride will be open by then!

If ET has a really long line, skip it. It's not worth it. But if there is a relatively short line, think of silly names you can give to the attendant so ET can thank you at the end of the ride.

Don't miss the Horror Make-up Show! It's actually pretty funny, especially if you've never seen it before.

T-2 is a show, not a ride. Sometimes that is confusing for a first timer.

If you find the lines are really long, they have express passes for sale that you can buy in most of the gift shops.

If you have CAA (or whatever AAA is called in Canada ), make sure you bring your card with you as that is good for discounts on all food and souvenirs.

NBA City is our favorite place to go for Happy Hour. They have 2-for-1 draft beers on Coors Lite, Miller Lite, and Yuengling. Don't miss Pat O'Brien's in City Walk on a Saturday night. Get there before 9 so you don't have to pay a cover charge.

 

[CruisinEars]

We're flying in the day before and staying at the Radisson. My DD and DH loved the pool 2 years ago when we stayed there. Also it's so close - easy to get to the port early. The rooms were fine - not great - but we don't really plan to spend much time in the room anyway.

Hi MrsTimster,

We will be at the Radisson too. Won't be able to get my kids out of the pool. But, our plane doesn't get into MCO until about 6pm, then we have to get the car and get dinner. So we will be there kinda late. But we will be sorta on West Coast time, but with the long travel day, we usually adjust right away. I'm sure the kids will be too excited to want to sleep.

 

[mrstimster]

Hi MrsTimster,

We will be at the Radisson too. Won't be able to get my kids out of the pool. But, our plane doesn't get into MCO until about 6pm, then we have to get the car and get dinner. So we will be there kinda late. But we will be sorta on West Coast time, but with the long travel day, we usually adjust right away. I'm sure the kids will be too excited to want to sleep.

If I had to guess I would say we will be at the pool late so maybe we will see you there! We get into MCO at 1PM. We will head right to the Radisson and hit the pool until dinner time. Then I'm sure the kids will want to go back in for a before bed swim. And like you, everyone is going to be VERY excited and not exactly ready to sleep. Maybe we can introduce Emily & Elisabeth before the cruise even starts? DH and I might be looking for a before bed adult beverage also

 

[CruisinEars]

If I had to guess I would say we will be at the pool late so maybe we will see you there! We get into MCO at 1PM. We will head right to the Radisson and hit the pool until dinner time. Then I'm sure the kids will want to go back in for a before bed swim. And like you, everyone is going to be VERY excited and not exactly ready to sleep. Maybe we can introduce Emily & Elisabeth before the cruise even starts? DH and I might be looking for a before bed adult beverage also

I am sure we will see you at the pool. Elisabeth would love to meet Emily early. We are booked on the 10am shuttle from the hotel to the port on Sat. morning. I can't believe we are at just over 2 months now. Time is flying!

 

[misslissa]

Jodie! I'm pouring over all the info you have given me... Thanks for the wonderful tips... but I don't get the ET thing. Why do we give names to the attendants? I can't wait!!!!!! Maybe next trip we can fit in more time at Universal.

Anyway, I'm sitting here and dreaming about the cruise today. It is grey out and we are getting hit by a big snow storm. My car also got put to rest this week after a long time together. It is 11 years old and required $1500 in repairs... so, it is hardly worth it. But, Hubby promptly got me a new one! I get it tomorrow... today I have no transportation and I pray that hubby reaches me safely from his job... over 45 mins away... in this snow.

Castaway Key save me!!!!

 

[bobbi565]

Bobbi, have fun returning to the classroom! I've thought about it several times, but now I'm afraid I don't remember the difference between Keating and Longfellow at this point (gulp, it has been THAT long!).

Hey, don't be afraid to give it a try, if it's what you really want to do! When I moved from middle school to high school, I had to teach Brit Lit after only taking romantics to moderns in college. The class I taught started right at the beginning with Beowulf. You only have to be one week ahead of your students to be able to teach the stuff!!

 

[AlexandNessa]

Jodie! I'm pouring over all the info you have given me... Thanks for the wonderful tips... but I don't get the ET thing. Why do we give names to the attendants? I can't wait!!!!!! Maybe next trip we can fit in more time at Universal.

Anyway, I'm sitting here and dreaming about the cruise today. It is grey out and we are getting hit by a big snow storm. My car also got put to rest this week after a long time together. It is 11 years old and required $1500 in repairs... so, it is hardly worth it. But, Hubby promptly got me a new one! I get it tomorrow... today I have no transportation and I pray that hubby reaches me safely from his job... over 45 mins away... in this snow.

Castaway Key save me!!!!

Hey there! You get a "passport" before you ride, and you need to give your name to the attendant, who programs it into your card. Then, you give your passport to the TM who puts you on the bike. At the end of the ride, ET will thank you personally ... we've always had fun trying to come up with names that sound funny when ET says them. Sometimes, you can't understand ET at all at the end of the ride, and first timers are left wondering why in the world did I have to give my name to ride?!

Enjoy your new car!

 

[bobbi565]

Here is a great thread that has instructions for fish extenders for non-sewers (like me)! I guess I'll participate after all.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1739770

 

[imheather]

Hi Everyone,

I am staying at the LaQuinta because it is cheap($71) and got good reviews. We are coming in Friday night late so we will really just be sleeping there. It is 2 miles from port and includes breakfast. We will have our rent a car to get to the port.

I am so excited we are all set with our plans.

I ordered everyone their own snorke gear yesterday! It is getting so close but not close enough.

 

[Mendoza5]

hi, I am cruising in June, is anyone planning on doing a trip report before then? this is our first cruise, I know some people get their trip reports done qucik! have tons of fun.

 

[captured]

Hi everyone! My family will be on the cruise with you guys. I'm cruising with DH, DS9 & DS13

I'm very excited! I can't wait.

We are first time cruisers. This will also be the first time my kids and I are seeing the ocean. It's a cruise of many, many firsts for us.

Sorry I've been lurking for about a month now. I didn't find this website until recently even though I booked last May. I'll get my signature and all that set up for the next time I want to post. I've been posting my pre-trip report on my blog before I even knew what that was. I've learned a lot here.

I really researched all the hotels in the Orlando airport area I did the whole excel spreadsheet and everything. I finally decided on the Hawthorne Suites on Augusta Dr. They had good reviews, They have free shuttle, which I had to have, free HOT breakfast not just bread items, free Internet, a pool, and a manager's reception in the evening which is basically free drinks but I really don't drink and free food that you can make a meal out of if you aren't picky.

When traveling with older kids especially boys that can really eat I've found it's cheaper to find a hotel with a good breakfast. I can spend 20-30 bucks possibly more easy on breakfast. Plus when traveling with older kids you're basically paying for an extra adult everywhere you take them.

We will be staying there the day before and after our cruise. The reason the day after is I've read that sometimes you can get held up on your return. I had a friend that cruised a different line recently and there was so much fog the ship couldn't dock until later. She missed her return flight.

I decided I didn't want that stress coming or going so it was worth another night in a hotel to me.

 

[misslissa]

Hi there!

Welcome to our little thread I'm so excited to see more and more of us on here. I'm so excited too!

This trip of many firsts is excellent. You will all remember this for years to come!

We also booked a hotel room the for the night after the cruise. We weren't as much interested in it because of missing flights... I actually never thought of that... but we don't have to be back to work until Monday so why not spend another day in Orlando!

Anyway, nice to see you on here.

 

[CruisinEars]

Hi everyone! My family will be on the cruise with you guys. I'm cruising with DH, DS9 & DS13

I'm very excited! I can't wait.

We are first time cruisers. This will also be the first time my kids and I are seeing the ocean. It's a cruise of many, many firsts for us.

Sorry I've been lurking for about a month now. I didn't find this website until recently even though I booked last May. I'll get my signature and all that set up for the next time I want to post. I've been posting my pre-trip report on my blog before I even knew what that was. I've learned a lot here.

I really researched all the hotels in the Orlando airport area I did the whole excel spreadsheet and everything. I finally decided on the Hawthorne Suites on Augusta Dr. They had good reviews, They have free shuttle, which I had to have, free HOT breakfast not just bread items, free Internet, a pool, and a manager's reception in the evening which is basically free drinks but I really don't drink and free food that you can make a meal out of if you aren't picky.

When traveling with older kids especially boys that can really eat I've found it's cheaper to find a hotel with a good breakfast. I can spend 20-30 bucks possibly more easy on breakfast. Plus when traveling with older kids you're basically paying for an extra adult everywhere you take them.

We will be staying there the day before and after our cruise. The reason the day after is I've read that sometimes you can get held up on your return. I had a friend that cruised a different line recently and there was so much fog the ship couldn't dock until later. She missed her return flight.

I decided I didn't want that stress coming or going so it was worth another night in a hotel to me.

Welcome to our meet thread! I just noticed you have 2 boys. I showed it to my ds and he is thrilled to finally find some boys his age. He will be 10 in a couple of weeks and was hoping to meet someone his age to hang with. He loves video games and will spend some time in the OQ playing the wii and he will have his Nintendo DS with him.

 

[captured]

Thanks for the welcome!

CruisinEars tell your son not to worry! I'm sure there will be a ton of boys onboard for him to play with.

 

[bobbi565]

hi, I am cruising in June, is anyone planning on doing a trip report before then? this is our first cruise, I know some people get their trip reports done qucik! have tons of fun.

I've already started mine!! I'm sure I'll have a good portion of the actual cruise up before June; that's how anal I am . Check it out at http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1726945 so you don't miss a minute of the excitement !