Mexico Lindo 10/23/2011 MR Cruise!!!

[tsb2]

I heard about this! I am for sure bringing some items to get signed.

We did this on our last cruise and were grateful that the characters took the time to sign picture frame mats for us that I brought in big ziplocs, added the markers I wanted them to use and some candy for them as a thank you. I recently read on another thread that this is becoming popular (code for overwhelming so they are limiting the number of items to 2/per stateroom. If you have more than one kid this can be tricky. I just chose a picture frame mat and therefore could put a trip photo in it when we got home.

I also think a great tip is ordering room service to bring pb & j's, chips and bananas the night before a shore excursion and then you have snacks in your bag for hungry little ones. The pb & j's are the smuckers pre wrapped kind.

I also order cereal/ milk, pastries and coffee every night for the next morning so that we don't have to hustle screaming kids to breakfast before we are showered and ready to leave the room. If your kids are like mine, they wake up screaming for something to eat at 6:30 or 7 am!

Tara

 

[WestCoastMama]

Tip: For those with small kids you can request a bed rail, booster, highchair, etc. in advance. Especially nice for the bed rail! My son usually wants a short nap when the room is first available. Also if you have an early excursion, call and order coffee to be delivered in the morning. It's my back up if we over sleep. Someone knocking on the door with coffee will guarantee you get out of bed.

Is it better to request the bed rail in advance or just ask the stateroom attendent. Great idea for the early excursions, we have one of those this trip.

Kids Club Questions
On another note I wanted to ask all you experienced DCLers about the kids club. Can the kids go back and forth between the Oceanears Club and Lab? Or do I need to choose one and they stick with that? Also, I saw one of the schedules and it showed different activities depending on what group the child is in. How do you decide which group and when do you decide this?

 

[tsb2]

Your kids can go between the clubs. This was a recent effort on Disney's part to accomodate kids who had siblings older than them and who felt more comfortable being with their older sibling in the lab or having their older sibling join them in the club. On our last cruise I had mixed feelings about this rule. I was happy that our very shy 3 year old could be with his 6 year old brother, but there were some drawbacks as well. It seemed with many older kids in the club that the little ones were getting run over in the pirate ship play area, conversely when our little one was in the lab because his older brother wanted to play video games, our youngest was virtually ignored because the hands on activities were outside his learning triangle due to the fine motor skills necessary to make the crafts. I am very discerning when it comes to the people who care for my kids and I was VERY pleased with all of the "castmate" counselors. They were very patient, friendly, and accomodating with helping my three year old go to the bathroom or get a drink from the fountain. Additionally, my son took off in the ship thinking he could find his way back to our room by himself (under our care, not the clubs . When he got lost, we went directly to the club and they were able to tell us where he was at based on the security bracelet/locator he was wearing. I would find activities that seem age appropriate for your preschooler or school age kid and then take them for that activity irregardless of the location and then know that when the activity is over, it may be a free for all in the club or lab until you retrieve them. Just my opinion but others may chime in.

Tara

 

[traveljen1027]

I thought the kids had to be a certain age to go into the lab, but the older kids can go back and forth between both (i.e. the little ones have to stay in the front at all times, but the older ones can pick and choose)...is that different now?

 

[khoos]

Hi new cruiser here
Just abt to book this today. I have DD 9 DS 6. So four of us
Anyone doing the dolphin swim in Cabo?

 

[traveljen1027]

Hi new cruiser here
Just abt to book this today. I have DD 9 DS 6. So four of us
Anyone doing the dolphin swim in Cabo?

My daughter is doing the Kid's Dolphin Encounter - she specifically said she wants to do it by herself, not with me or her dad.

 

[khoos]

Depending how old she is, an adult might have to participate too. My DD is 9 yrd old and I read I have to participate.
Do you plan to book through Dinsey or independently?

My daughter is doing the Kid's Dolphin Encounter - she specifically said she wants to do it by herself, not with me or her dad.

 

[WestCoastMama]

Hi new cruiser here
Just abt to book this today. I have DD 9 DS 6. So four of us
Anyone doing the dolphin swim in Cabo?

Love that our group is getting bigger.

 

[WestCoastMama]

In case anyone is interested, today @ Costco we found Jack Sparrow kids costumes for only $15. Fun for Pirate Night!

 

[WestCoastMama]

Oh and they also had the Disney Princesses too! For $15!

 

[globerunner]

Oh and they also had the Disney Princesses too! For $15!

Thanks! I'll check it out tomorrow. My daugther has been more interested in other girls wearing princess dresses so maybe she'll finally wear one on the cruise. She wouldn't let me buy her a dress at the Disney store so if she decides not to wear this one at least it won't be too expensive of a try.

 

[khoos]

A little help here. Do we already know what dinner nights are planned? I am trying to reserve one night at Palo's but did not want to go if it formal night, pirates night etc.
TIA

 

[LuvIt]

I cut and pasted below something I had found on another thread, but frankly don't know if theme nights are something Disney might change from cruise to cruise. I'm hoping to see Navigators from the first MR cruise this September to get a better idea of what activities, etc. will be offered:

Quote:
Originally Posted by cidymom View Post
Stinkerbell - thanks for your informative and humorous Trip Report. I'm glad to read that your family had a great time on the Wonder to the MR. My question: as you picked Tritons for Formal Night, which restaurant would you pick for Semi-Formal Night if the whole family was dressed up? I'm thinking of renting my husband a tux so it will free up some precious luggage space. Appreciate your opinion. Thanks.
I found out the "theme" nights ahead of time and based my request on the rotation PTAPTAP(formal night was night 2, pirate night was night 4) so that we would have formal night in Triton's and pirate night in Parrot Cay. You can't choose each restaurant individually, you have to start and end in the same one, does that make sense? (I have a foggy medicine head today-sorry if I'm making zero sense). So you can choose from these rotations:
PTAPTAP, TPATPAT, ATPATPA. You just have to figure out when the theme nights are on your cruise and match the restaurants up with that. Based on our rotation, semi-formal night was in Animator's..Do you see how it works now? I'm sure there are threads that deal with this question and I am sorry if I'm making it clear as mud.

 

[khoos]

help! My only check in time was 2:30pm. We fly into LAX at 10:40am. Do you think they will let me check in before my alloted slot?

TIA
Sandra

 

[chrisrunty]

I cut and pasted below something I had found on another thread, but frankly don't know if theme nights are something Disney might change from cruise to cruise. I'm hoping to see Navigators from the first MR cruise this September to get a better idea of what activities, etc. will be offered:

Quote:
Originally Posted by cidymom View Post
Stinkerbell - thanks for your informative and humorous Trip Report. I'm glad to read that your family had a great time on the Wonder to the MR. My question: as you picked Tritons for Formal Night, which restaurant would you pick for Semi-Formal Night if the whole family was dressed up? I'm thinking of renting my husband a tux so it will free up some precious luggage space. Appreciate your opinion. Thanks.
I found out the "theme" nights ahead of time and based my request on the rotation PTAPTAP(formal night was night 2, pirate night was night 4) so that we would have formal night in Triton's and pirate night in Parrot Cay. You can't choose each restaurant individually, you have to start and end in the same one, does that make sense? (I have a foggy medicine head today-sorry if I'm making zero sense). So you can choose from these rotations:
PTAPTAP, TPATPAT, ATPATPA. You just have to figure out when the theme nights are on your cruise and match the restaurants up with that. Based on our rotation, semi-formal night was in Animator's..Do you see how it works now? I'm sure there are threads that deal with this question and I am sorry if I'm making it clear as mud.

In April we requested PTAPTAP and we had day 2 formal tritons day 4 pirate night. I did the same request for October... I think you can call and find out the theme nights... If they change it.

 

[chrisrunty]

help! My only check in time was 2:30pm. We fly into LAX at 10:40am. Do you think they will let me check in before my alloted slot?

TIA
Sandra

We arrived 12:30 and had the 3:30 check in back in April. (the cruise was sold out) we checked in and boarded right away no waiting.

 

[khoos]

Chris
Thanks for responding. So they let you check in at 12:30 even though the alloted time was 3:30? Oh good I feel better now. And this was at the same port correct?

TIA
Sandra

We arrived 12:30 and had the 3:30 check in back in April. (the cruise was sold out) we checked in and boarded right away no waiting.

 

[tsb2]

I thought the kids had to be a certain age to go into the lab, but the older kids can go back and forth between both (i.e. the little ones have to stay in the front at all times, but the older ones can pick and choose)...is that different now?

The club is across the hall from the lab. Kids have to be at least 3 to be in the club (younger kids have to be in Flounder's nursery) and "should be" at least 7 and younger than 12 to be in the lab. However, under the new policy kids can go between the club and the lab no matter what age and will be escorted by a counselor when desiring to switch. This was the policy in May of 2010.

Tara

 

[tsb2]

Hi Friends - As promised, here is a preliminary list of people committed to participate in the FE. Yeah!!! I am waiting on one person to identify their parties names for anyone who wants to personalize gifts so I will update when/if they let me know. For those that gave me your last names, I excluded them as I didn't feel it was necessary for the purpose of the FE. Some of us don't have stateroom numbers yet but I will update the list as people let me know. Hopefully we get more people to join the thread, but if not, I am so happy with the people already willing to participate.

Finally, if you are lurking and would like to join but don't know what its all about...let me tell you FE's are soooo much fun....so, what are you waiting for?? PM me with your party information and read posts #57 and #71 because we would love to have you join!

FISH EXTENDER LIST:

traveljen1027 - Jennifer (34 - 35 on 10/27!), DH - Devin (35), DD -Lily (7), DS -Asher (2) stateroom 2510

Luvit - Cathy (that's me!), DH -Don (his birthday is the day we sail!), DS -Alexander or Alex (age 11) stateroom 6018

alleluia5- Shelly, hubby is Avito, boys are Aaron (12), Micah (9) and Christian (7). We don't have room numbers yet as we are guaranteed but will send them once they show.

WestCoastMama - Jennifer (35), DH - Chris (37 turning 38 during the cruise!), DD -Allison (7), DS -Turner (4) and we're traveling with my mom Mary Leu. We have two SR 2594 and 2596 but I figure we'll only have one FE. We will probably hang it on SR 2594.

chrisrunty – Christine, DH - Khan, DS -Carson (3), stateroom 7120 we may try to upgrade to a suite the day of the cruise...

globerunner - Kim (36), DH -Javier (37), DD- Aubrey (3) (celebrating her 3rd on the ship!). Also joining us is my sister - Fanessa (47), her DH-Daryl (49), and her DS Micah (2, almost 3). Additionally, we have encouraged another family to join us who want to participate... here is their info: Jessie, her DH steve, DD (2), DS (1). We do not have stateroom numbers yet.

jhill10428 - Jason (30), DW - Heather (38), DD -Emily (17), DS -John (15). We have a stateroom guarantee at this time.

tsb2 – Tara (36), DH -Adam (37), DS- Seth (7), DS - Ryan(5). We have a stateroom guarantee at this time and will update the list when we receive our documents.

jiales??? – Get me your info and we would love to have you be a part of our FE group!

_________________________________________________________________

Please be advised that some DISmembers participating have multiple families in their group so plan accordingly and if any of the information is incorrect please let me know and I will correct the mistakes. Good luck and happy shopping/crafting!

Tara

Hi Friends - You will notice in RED that we have the addition of another new family joining Kim (Globerunner) for our FE exchange. The more the merrier!

Tara

 

[WestCoastMama]

A little help here. Do we already know what dinner nights are planned? I am trying to reserve one night at Palo's but did not want to go if it formal night, pirates night etc.
TIA

Hey All! So this is what I found on a thread for a cruise that is 3 weeks before us. Just FYI. I guess we'll have to wait and see what the September cruises will be doing.

Quote:
Originally Posted by dolphingirl47
There are going to be 3 different rotations on this cruise if the spring cruises are anything to go by:

PTTAPTA (Formal Night - Triton's, Pirate Night - Animator's Palate, Semi-formal Night - Triton's)

TAAPTAP (Formal Night - Animator's Palate, Pirate Night - Parrot Cay, Semi-formal Night - Animator's Palate)

APPTAPT (Formal Night - Parrot Cay, Pirate Night - Triton's, Semi-formal Night - Parrot Cay)

APPTAPT is probably the least desirable option.