May 9, 2012: 5 Night Bahamas Cruise on Disney Magic

[wildforgoofy]

We were talking about having DH drop the car (Budget rental we think) while I wait with DS to check in. My concern is our checked luggage. If he drops me off is there a place to leave it, or do we have to keep it with us until we board/check in/get a boarding number? I am planning on tags with our Stateroom # on them, but this is a part of the process I can't seem to find any info on! I can handle DS and carry ons but not the big bags too. Thanks!

Thanks for asking this question, we're doing the same thing. Are you renting the car in Orlando and then driving to Port Canaveral? Does anyone know how close the car rental places are to the ship? If DH drops us off and then goes to drop off the car and he takes the shuttle from the car rental place to ship how long could that take. HA! this sounds like a math problem.

Your DH will be directed to the drop off location, and there will be porters right there to take your bags. DCL will send with your cruise docs luggage tags for all the checked bags, so no need for you to make your own. The porters are DCL protocol, but it is a nice way to start the cruise, they wisk your bags away, and they will be delivered to your room. They should show up before dinner. Ours are usually there when we return to our room from the sail away party.
And again, you can go ahead and get the check in DONE while DH is returning the car. You dont have to wait for him to check in. The only thing is that you will need his passport, and he will need his DL to get into the terminal.

Thank you I needed this info because I hate to be left alone with the kids wondering WTH do I do? We are also thinking about trying for an upgrade if anything is available, so this means I'd have to do that too.

 

[Britster18]

We stayed at the Fort last Easter and it's by far my FAV place there!!!

I'm debating spending a few days at WDW before too but can't afford the tickets to the park

 

[sweetpee_1993]

We stayed at the Fort last Easter and it's by far my FAV place there!!!

I'm debating spending a few days at WDW before too but can't afford the tickets to the park

We're staying at Pop for 2 nights although my heart really yearns to stay back at the Yacht Club. Tryin' to pinch some pennies myself plus, it'll be fun to go back to the same places we have pics of our boys when they were little guys and snap new pics this many years later. My hubby's parks AP is still valid but the boys and mine are not. We have no intention of going back to WDW in the next 2 years so I'm not about to repurchase or renew the passes. In all our many trips we've never been to a Disney waterpark because we mostly go in the cooler months. So, on the 8th we plan to go to Typhoon Lagoon which we think will be a fantastic kick-off to our cruise trip. Hubby keeps whining about going to Epcot, tho. I'm doing all I can to keep from buying any park tickets. Every time he says, "It suuuure would be nice to go eat dinner in Epcot then see Illuminations..." I tell him we can eat dinner at an Epcot resort and watch Illuminations from the bridge between Boardwalk & Beach Club. When he says, "I suuuuure would like to ride Test Track & Soarin'..." I tell him he has a valid pass so he can go ride if he wants. I'm deadly serious, tho. I do NOT want to go into any of the 4 parks while we are there. I'd rather do something we never have before and save the rest for later this year when we go to Disneyland for the first time. The rest of WDW I totally feel like we've been there and done that....to death. I'm ready for new and exciting adventures. And relaxation.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

DVCTigger! I have a question!

When we checked-in for our Dream cruise last September we had to all be at the check-in counter for the CM to take a quick picture of us (I think for the facial recognition software that Shutters uses). Will this also be part of the check-in for the Magic? Not sure if they use the same system/process.

TIA!

 

[Britster18]

OOOHHH!!!! The yacht club rocks too!!
I stayed there once when I was little and still remember it to this day.

My other thing is trying to find a dog sitter. I really like the Best Friends place at WDW but it's about 250.00 for 6 days and we would have to travel an hour extra (we are coming straight down from D.C.) Plus our hotel is free with rewards points so staying at WDW would be out of pocket.
Ugh, decisions decisions.

 

[jenf22]

We're staying at Pop for 2 nights although my heart really yearns to stay back at the Yacht Club. Tryin' to pinch some pennies myself plus, it'll be fun to go back to the same places we have pics of our boys when they were little guys and snap new pics this many years later. My hubby's parks AP is still valid but the boys and mine are not. We have no intention of going back to WDW in the next 2 years so I'm not about to repurchase or renew the passes. In all our many trips we've never been to a Disney waterpark because we mostly go in the cooler months. So, on the 8th we plan to go to Typhoon Lagoon which we think will be a fantastic kick-off to our cruise trip. Hubby keeps whining about going to Epcot, tho. I'm doing all I can to keep from buying any park tickets. Every time he says, "It suuuure would be nice to go eat dinner in Epcot then see Illuminations..." I tell him we can eat dinner at an Epcot resort and watch Illuminations from the bridge between Boardwalk & Beach Club. When he says, "I suuuuure would like to ride Test Track & Soarin'..." I tell him he has a valid pass so he can go ride if he wants. I'm deadly serious, tho. I do NOT want to go into any of the 4 parks while we are there. I'd rather do something we never have before and save the rest for later this year when we go to Disneyland for the first time. The rest of WDW I totally feel like we've been there and done that....to death. I'm ready for new and exciting adventures. And relaxation.

I'm losing my mind trying to re-plan our pre-cruise! We've got flights into Ft. Lauderdale, but now I'm trying to switch them to Orlando or Tampa. We were originally going to spend time with family in Ft. Lauderdale, but are now re-thinking that (long story involving a death in the family). I think we're going to spend 2 or 3 nights at Pop and do Legoland on Monday and then either Kennedy or Magic Kingdom on Tuesday. I'm leaning towards Kennedy, but I'm not sure how much our 5-year old would enjoy it. If we do Kennedy, we'll move and spend the last night closer to the Port so we don't have to drive back and forth from Orlando. We're booked on Southwest, so if the airfare would go down to what we paid then we could switch for free. I guess if it doesn't go down, we'll rent a car in Ft. Lauderdale and just immediately drive to Orlando. This is all making my head hurt...

That being said... I'm blessed this is the biggest problem in my life right now!

 

[DVCTigger]

DVCTigger! I have a question!

When we checked-in for our Dream cruise last September we had to all be at the check-in counter for the CM to take a quick picture of us (I think for the facial recognition software that Shutters uses). Will this also be part of the check-in for the Magic? Not sure if they use the same system/process.

TIA!

I have an answer! Your pictures should be on file from your September cruise! No need for new pics! I haven't needed to take a picture at the terminal for my last 3 cruises. And one was at a different port! Its all in the computer, and will just be attached to the info strip. The picture will come up when your card is swiped to get on or off the ship.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

OOOHHH!!!! The yacht club rocks too!!
I stayed there once when I was little and still remember it to this day.

My other thing is trying to find a dog sitter. I really like the Best Friends place at WDW but it's about 250.00 for 6 days and we would have to travel an hour extra (we are coming straight down from D.C.) Plus our hotel is free with rewards points so staying at WDW would be out of pocket.
Ugh, decisions decisions.

I swear I could stay at the YC and never set toe in a park! Stormalong Bay is the BEST....as Miss Rocky, our drink-chick friend from last September, is the icing on the cake. She even gave us her cell phone number so we could give her a heads-up when we were coming back. Love her to pieces. Me-thinks my brother (who stayed at YC with us) and Tracey tipped her a good bit extra just for bein' the killer chicka she is. ((I know her status is official 'taken' but I soooo wish my older brother could find a down to earth, awesome lady like that to spend his life with....))

And, YES, I'm now on this quest to figure out what to do with the family pooch. Normally my mom would keep her and we'd stop in Pensacola to meet Mom for the drop at my grandmother's house. However, Mom had surgery on her foot a month ago and isn't recovering as well as she had hoped. She's still having a lot of trouble. I mentioned keeping Riley to her a few weeks ago and she didn't seem thrilled. So, now I'm trying to figure out what to do with my little baby girl. We've boarded at Best Friends on-property before. She doesn't do well in non-home settings with family that she knows. Even with us visiting her at least every other day for 10 days she wouldn't eat and lost weight. She only weighs 11 lbs. to start with. She can't afford to lose much. If we *have* to board her I would prefer it's at Best Friends but only if she can have one of the rooms like last time with tv to keep her company. And she doesn't do well with group playing. She doesn't like dogs bigger than her or pooches with more energy than hers that jump all over her. ((Yes, she's a little princess!!!)) When I checked availability they didn't have any for those rooms for the duration of our trip. So now I'm at a loss for what to do with her. It's not like I can go down and check places out that are off-property. Ya know? Ugh. What to do????? I'm really worried about her. Seriously. She's the only dog I've ever had. She's like my 3rd child or something. I know that sounds ridiculous to non-dog people (I thought dog-peeps were out their minds before I had one of my own). But really, she's my girl.

I'm losing my mind trying to re-plan our pre-cruise! We've got flights into Ft. Lauderdale, but now I'm trying to switch them to Orlando or Tampa. We were originally going to spend time with family in Ft. Lauderdale, but are now re-thinking that (long story involving a death in the family). I think we're going to spend 2 or 3 nights at Pop and do Legoland on Monday and then either Kennedy or Magic Kingdom on Tuesday. I'm leaning towards Kennedy, but I'm not sure how much our 5-year old would enjoy it. If we do Kennedy, we'll move and spend the last night closer to the Port so we don't have to drive back and forth from Orlando. We're booked on Southwest, so if the airfare would go down to what we paid then we could switch for free. I guess if it doesn't go down, we'll rent a car in Ft. Lauderdale and just immediately drive to Orlando. This is all making my head hurt...

That being said... I'm blessed this is the biggest problem in my life right now!

Yay for POP! Yeah, I'd rather be at YC but it'll be fun to bask in some nostalgia, too.

Amen on the bolded part above. I hear ya! It's the little things sometimes that make you realize how good you really have it. Doesn't even fully qualify as some huge life-problem but, yeah, feelin' ya as I wait for the washing machine repair guy to get here. You'd have to read my trip reports to get a sense for it, really, but I have this thing for keeping the laundry done...even on vacation. I do a LOT of laundry. My washer flooded the laundry room Sunday morning. It's like this weird nagging irky-thing just knowing I can't wash something if I want to. And I dread how long it could take for the thing to get fixed if parts have to be ordered. Ugh! Laundry piles up so fast!!!!

 

[DVCTigger]

Thanks for asking this question, we're doing the same thing. Are you renting the car in Orlando and then driving to Port Canaveral? Does anyone know how close the car rental places are to the ship? If DH drops us off and then goes to drop off the car and he takes the shuttle from the car rental place to ship how long could that take. HA! this sounds like a math problem.

The rental places are just a couple of miles from the port. the most time consuming part is waiting for a shuttle. You can probably figure about 30 min from the time he drops you off until yousee him again, give or take a few minutes.

Thank you I needed this info because I hate to be left alone with the kids wondering WTH do I do? We are also thinking about trying for an upgrade if anything is available, so this means I'd have to do that too.

You can do it, or you can wait for your DH. The sooner you get in line for an upgrade, the better your chances though. You will check in, get your key cards, then typically go straight to the upgrade counter. Or if you are checking in kids to the clubs, have DH do the upgrade while you do the clubs. It really just depends on what your priorities are. The upgrade rooms typically go fast

Tough choices, but when it comes down to it, you will all be there, get done what you need, and be on vacation!!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I have an answer! Your pictures should be on file from your September cruise! No need for new pics! I haven't needed to take a picture at the terminal for my last 3 cruises. And one was at a different port! Its all in the computer, and will just be attached to the info strip. The picture will come up when your card is swiped to get on or off the ship.

Well that's awesome news for us! I can have Tracey dump one of the boys & me at the curb with the luggage to go start check-in while he parks the car. Plus, it's kinda nice to know they'll have a younger-version of me on-file for a while. It's the little things, ya know? However, would the first-timers in our group need their family to be all present at check-in for the pic? Eeek! Just in case, right?!

And thanks for the lightning-fast response! I appreciate it!

 

[DVCTigger]

I swear I could stay at the YC and never set toe in a park! Stormalong Bay is the BEST....

I agree! We did this last summer, spent our two days at Beach Club Villas and never stepped one foot in a park! The Fantasia mini golf across the street is so fun! My big kids Love it!! And, AP gets 50% off! Another resort that we LOVE is AKL. Same thing, DD and myself will be spending 5 nights after this cruise there, and will not have park passes! There is SO much to do there, we just love it, it is our family favorite! Yes, DVC is the BEST!!! Don't know what we would do without it!!

 

[DVCTigger]

Well that's awesome news for us! I can have Tracey dump one of the boys & me at the curb with the luggage to go start check-in while he parks the car. Plus, it's kinda nice to know they'll have a younger-version of me on-file for a while. It's the little things, ya know? However, would the first-timers in our group need their family to be all present at check-in for the pic? Eeek! Just in case, right?!

And thanks for the lightning-fast response! I appreciate it!

First timers will need a picture taken. But they can do that when they arrive. They prefer them there at checkin, just to make it easier on them, but DH has come in later on one occasion and they just snapped his pic, added it to the card, and off we went.

 

[PixieMom712]

Your DH will be directed to the drop off location, and there will be porters right there to take your bags. DCL will send with your cruise docs luggage tags for all the checked bags, so no need for you to make your own. The porters are DCL protocol, but it is a nice way to start the cruise, they wisk your bags away, and they will be delivered to your room. They should show up before dinner. Ours are usually there when we return to our room from the sail away party.
And again, you can go ahead and get the check in DONE while DH is returning the car. You dont have to wait for him to check in. The only thing is that you will need his passport, and he will need his DL to get into the terminal.

And I really like your door magnet!

I am just quoting this one post but thank you so much for ALLL the answers! This will make our lives so much easier. I knew about them taking the bags on board and delivering them later (by 5:30 or whatever) but wasn't sure when the taking part happened - before or after check in.

Tiffany I love your magnet!!! My DH loves the Redwings too! I think you should make us all magnets for the FE

Thank you! You're more than welcome to take the image and make a magnet if you like. I am sure DH would love to have all 15-20 doors with a Redwings magnet but I am equally sure not all the DHs would appreciate it.

You should be able to just right click and save the image, then print it out. I am planning on printing mine as photos using a Shutterfly coupon, then possibly laminating them and finally using a roll of magnetic tape stuff to turn them into magnets. I think. XD

Thanks for asking this question, we're doing the same thing. Are you renting the car in Orlando and then driving to Port Canaveral? Does anyone know how close the car rental places are to the ship? If DH drops us off and then goes to drop off the car and he takes the shuttle from the car rental place to ship how long could that take. HA! this sounds like a math problem.

We are staying in Sarasota (near Tampa...sorta) with DH's dad and his wife for a few days on each end of the trip. So we'll be renting in Sarasota - likely from Budget - then driving to PC. We'll do the reverse on the way back. They have a free shuttle to the Port and the drive in is only around $35. For whatever reason it's more going the other direction.

And, YES, I'm now on this quest to figure out what to do with the family pooch.

What kind of dog is little Riley? I feel like I saw a pic in one of your trip reports or something but I can't remember this morning. No chance you can leave her with local friends? If not, I would suggest looking at online reviews, then looking at The American Animal Hospital Association website. They will list all of the accredited hospitals in the area - it's a very rigorous process (trust me I just took a clinic through it last year) so these should all be great clinics. Then call them and tell them your situation and ask them to recommend a place to board your furbaby.

I thought I quoted everyone but apparently, I failed. SO many posts since I checked in yesterday! Someone asked how I made the magnet. I use Photoshop Elements. I took inspiration from the cruise magnet thread here, then pulled the pieces from different places online. I'm working on doing a few more. Do you guys want me to post them as I finish? I can /try/ to do personalized ones for anyone who wants them. Then you'll just have to print them out and make them into magnets.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I agree! We did this last summer, spent our two days at Beach Club Villas and never stepped one foot in a park! The Fantasia mini golf across the street is so fun! My big kids Love it!! And, AP gets 50% off! Another resort that we LOVE is AKL. Same thing, DD and myself will be spending 5 nights after this cruise there, and will not have park passes! There is SO much to do there, we just love it, it is our family favorite! Yes, DVC is the BEST!!! Don't know what we would do without it!!

We stayed at AKL in January 2010 for that super-mega cold snap. The pool at Jambo was empty for a refurb but considering it snowed in the wee hours twice that week, I don't know that we'd have been up for a dip anyway. LOL! I did love the lodge and felt like it really was a destination unto itself, no parks needed. The activities and all are so great. Definitely plenty to do to stay busy and have a fab time! I totally agree! Here's a very odd shot from that trip. Doesn't look like we should be at WDW at all, does it?

First timers will need a picture taken. But they can do that when they arrive. They prefer them there at checkin, just to make it easier on them, but DH has come in later on one occasion and they just snapped his pic, added it to the card, and off we went.

Well yay for the first-timers, too! I just wanted to make sure they'd be okay doing the check-in minus their spouses as well.

 

[Mom2Finn]

Hope that helps. . . feel free to ask away if you need more!

Thank you so much! That was super helpful!

I thought I quoted everyone but apparently, I failed. SO many posts since I checked in yesterday! Someone asked how I made the magnet. I use Photoshop Elements. I took inspiration from the cruise magnet thread here, then pulled the pieces from different places online. I'm working on doing a few more. Do you guys want me to post them as I finish? I can /try/ to do personalized ones for anyone who wants them. Then you'll just have to print them out and make them into magnets.

Definitely keep posting them. I've found some great images to use but haven't figured out how to edit them at all other than adding our names.

Two clothing questions for tooday:

How dressed up is everyone planning on getting for semi formal night?

How do little kids dress for dinner normally and on semi formal night?

Thank you!!

 

[PixieMom712]

Thank you so much! That was super helpful!



Definitely keep posting them. I've found some great images to use but haven't figured out how to edit them at all other than adding our names.

Two clothing questions for tooday:

How dressed up is everyone planning on getting for semi formal night?

How do little kids dress for dinner normally and on semi formal night?

Thank you!!

Yeah I am not a wizard, I will most likely keep to adding names for the most part. Though the Redwings one I did a lot more. There are so many cute images already out there, unless I come up with a great idea I probably won't bother putting TOO much work into it.

I did this one from scratch, but I have since seen similar designs so I could have saved myself the trouble!

I am going to be 5 months pregnant, so I am planning on wearing a black dress that is cute, but it's made out of jersey material. DH is going to wear nice slacks and a button down shirt. DS will probably wear similar, possibly a vest since he has a bunch he never wears. I was CONSIDERING doing one of those cute little slacks/shirt/tie/vest combos they have on sale for Easter right now, but we'll see.

Normally for dinner I am planning cargo-type pants for DS(4) and polo shirts. DH will probably be similar, though he has a few short-sleeved button downs (Tommy Bahama style though not brand name) he might do. I'll be doing sundresses. Basically, not shorts/tank tops.

 

[Britster18]

UGH, I just went through all 3 kiddos clothes (I'm starting my consignment sale stuff) and all they have is tshirts and shorts...

I need to brush up on what we should/could wear to dinner.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

On our last/first cruise (on the Dream) the guys wore khakis and polos to dinner on the cruise-casual night while I wore a maxi/halter sundress I got a few years ago from VS. For pirate night the boys wore t-shirts with skull & cross-crutches as seen in a certain Johnny Knoxville/former-Mtv-show movie logo & DH & I wore our 'Goonies Never Say Die' t-shirts with shorts. I know that's technically more casual than you're supposed to be but it's pirate night and very laid back. This cruise I'm going to wear my same t-shirt but with a pirate-themed ruffled skirt I'm making for myself. Gotta get some pirate ribbon for my hair. My youngest wants me to help him go full-blown costumed so I may go ahead and invest in some pieces for him. The oldest son wants to do the same as last time so I imagine the old man will do that as well. I'm looking for khaki-type shorts that have the skull & crossbones embroidered on them (I've seen them before but can't remember where!). For dress-up night last time the guys all wore khaki pants with long-sleeve button-down shirts. I wore a nice, chambray sheath-type dress with a white sweater over my shouders. This time the boys will prob'ly wear the same. Maybe they'll add their sports coats. That's also going to be our Palo dinner night so I'll likely wear a nicer dress. I have a dip-dyed looking jersey sleeveless that's floor length that's pretty elegant. I may wear that. Or, I just might go buy myself a little something new, short, and dressier. I don't know if Tracey will do a tie or not. I secretly hope he will. For Palo brunch I think I'll just do a little sundress while Tracey does slacks & polo. Maybe he'll wear his vintage-looking Flying Tigers short-sleeve button-up. His folks got it for him in Hawaii 2 years ago but he's never worn it.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

UGH, I just went through all 3 kiddos clothes (I'm starting my consignment sale stuff) and all they have is tshirts and shorts...

I need to brush up on what we should/could wear to dinner.

I feel ya. My oldest is good about keeping stuff he's grown out of pitched from his dresser and closet (and his room mostly clean) but the youngest is the polar opposite. You gotta search to find the floor in there...hence the reason I gave up and just steer clear. Some things truly are a hopeless, losing battle. This from a mom who kept the entire house completely spotless from dusk til dawn when the kids were squirts. I've been saying every day that we're going to get in that room and dig thru the clothes to see what fits, what doesn't, and make a list of what we need. Of course, it's one of those tasks I dread with my entire being so I seem to always put it off.

 

[Jaxs27]

Is it not ok for my 5 & 8 yr old boys to wear khaki shorts and a polo shirt to dinner?

We are not big on dressing up, but my dh will wear pants to dinner and I will wear a skirt or dress. DD is our dressy girl, so she will be in dresses every evening.

What night is semi formal night?