November 1, 2008 "Election Day Castaways!"

[Boys Papa]

DH and I went a few years ago and loved it. We were able to do all of the rides that we wanted to, watched the parade, fireworks, and got a ton of candy. I think it is worth it. In fact, we'll be doing it again this year with my sister's family. You can get into the MK at 4pm that day with your MNSSHP ticket, so we don't do other parks that day--just relax by the pool and such until we go to the party.

Sounds good to me!! I'm convinced. See you on 10/31. Thanks..

 

[jenny2]

We'll be there too!! Oh and Shauna... sitting by the pool all day sounds like a fabulous idea to me

 

[stampinshauna]

227 days to go (but who's counting ).

 

[LBIGirl67]

Counting...Heck ...kids using hash marks on calendar...Useless now, looks like a tic/tac/toe board....

Found the mickey vest/bow tie for boys on ebay, but was hoping for more Pirate themed ones. Anyone know if anyone makes them custom? Almost tempted to pull the sewing machine out....<bringing back really bad memories of high school Vest project>, then thought it would look like this trying to figure out how to thread it again.

Ladies....tea length, gown length...what is the norm for formal night. Being first "formal" cruise ( usually do NCL ) I'm on a shopping stooper. Just got adjusted again with Lap Band, hoping to lose another 50lbs before cruise...be nice to finally see my feet. Not ashamed to say I started this journey at 329lbs. and am currently down to 260. For a 5'10" woman I will be so excited to finally see myself in a dress again.

 

[jenny2]

Wow! LBIGirl67 that's wonderful weight loss!! You must be so happy with yourself!

The dress I wore last time (and will wear this time, lol) was black and fell to just below my knees. But there was a wide array of dresses - ankle length to miniskirts, lol. There were slinky, shimmery dresses and some women in Sunday best kind of dresses.

 

[stampinshauna]

My dress is black and just below the knee. Like jenny2 said, there is a wide array, so you won't feel out of place with either length.

 

[fabumouse]

I know there's a thread out there that debates the merits of different hotels for the night before the cruise. Does anyone have any idea where it is? I cannot decide whether I am going to take the kids to MNSSHP (the youngest will be 2, I don't think she's going to love it) or Ron Jon's (my MIL says they don't have any rooms for Halloween night, which seems unlikely to me) or some cheap hole in the wall with the alarm clocks nailed to the table.

 

[plutospup]

There are many different thoughts on where to stay the night before a cruise. FWIW, here are my family's thoughts...
...we prefer a calm, relaxing night precruise. We know we're going to busy for the upcoming week, and we want a good night's rest before the fun begins. This year we're staying at the Residence Inn. Nice place with a separate bedroom, and hot breakfast buffet. In the past we stayed at Holiday Inn Express - nice, and had a good breakfast buffet. We also stayed at the Radisson.

Fabumouse, do what is best for your family. Good luck with your decision.

 

[bfosbenner]

I am still waiting for flights to be anounced by Spirit from ACY. They still only have up to 10/31. I can get down but not back.(hmm is that realy a problem)

Anyone else wondering when Spirit will release those November flights?

 

[Boys Papa]

I know there's a thread out there that debates the merits of different hotels for the night before the cruise. Does anyone have any idea where it is? I cannot decide whether I am going to take the kids to MNSSHP (the youngest will be 2, I don't think she's going to love it) or Ron Jon's (my MIL says they don't have any rooms for Halloween night, which seems unlikely to me) or some cheap hole in the wall with the alarm clocks nailed to the table.

Our two cents although by no means expert, we plan to stay at the Residence Inn at the Orlando Airport (It's scheduled to open in May) and take the D11 and DS8 to the MNNSHP on 10/31. I think the thought of relaxing the evening before the cruise is certainly appealing, I don't think two hyper grandsons will let us get much rest anyway, so may as well go to the party. All a matter of where your desires take you. No matter what, have fun...you may never pass this way again.

 

[LBIGirl67]

I am still waiting for flights to be anounced by Spirit from ACY. They still only have up to 10/31. I can get down but not back.(hmm is that realy a problem)

Anyone else wondering when Spirit will release those November flights?

I was told that they were releasing the flights in May sometime....why they wait for 6mos out is beyond me. If you are not aware, the checking bags thing got real expensive with them. Now it costs $20 per bag ($10 each way)after the 1st one. We take Southwest out of Philly, cheaper and yes, you have to pay to park if you can't get someone to take you, but there is no extra bag fee. It also just seems so much easier than AC, now AC charges $7 to park each day and I don't know if garage will be done by then or not. Last year we got stuck parking in the garage in Philly for Economy was filled and ended up paying $17 a day, it was closer to elevator and baggage claim, but we left on a Sat and had no choice, everything was taken. This year I'm hoping we beat the rush. We also use our Rewards points, so usually airfare and car rental are free for trip....let's hope I can do it again or we may be on same flight down !

 

[podsnel]

I am still waiting for flights to be anounced by Spirit from ACY. They still only have up to 10/31. I can get down but not back.(hmm is that realy a problem)

Anyone else wondering when Spirit will release those November flights?

JetBlue is the same thing. (And I agree- no problem not being able to get back!! ). I fly out of Newark, and Continental, which we usually fly, is STILL over $500/pp!!!!! They are really messing with NJ week!! A friend of mine is a TA and she says Continental plays with the prices more than the other airlines, and also that, as of now, the flights are pretty empty. FWIW, my flight in June on Continental is $198. So I will be booking Jetblue for November, and I believe they release Nov on April 1st.... maybe Continental will change their prices then, too, because they'll have competition for direct flights. It IS making me anxious, though, not having the tickets already I would hate to take 2 planes, when really, from here, it's supposed to only take 2 1/2 hrs flight time. So, anyway, maybe we'll both get lucky on April 1st.....

 

[muffin07]

Just wanted to say Happy Easter to all of the Election Day Castaways,
have a good holiday to all. Just return from sunny Florida, weather was
great, low 80 degress. Cold and windy here today in NJ.
Muffin07

 

[jenny2]

I know there's a thread out there that debates the merits of different hotels for the night before the cruise. Does anyone have any idea where it is? I cannot decide whether I am going to take the kids to MNSSHP (the youngest will be 2, I don't think she's going to love it) or Ron Jon's (my MIL says they don't have any rooms for Halloween night, which seems unlikely to me) or some cheap hole in the wall with the alarm clocks nailed to the table.

Last year we stayed at the Country Inn And Suites. I would highly recommend it! I got the name off the thread I think you're talking about... it's here. It was inexpensive, clean, great breakfast, nice pool, quiet, right across the street, included the shuttle to/from the port, and we could leave our car there. I'd stay there again in a heartbeat!

 

[plutospup]

Just wanted to say Happy Easter to all of the Election Day Castaways,

Happy Easter to all!

 

[CruizinTigers]

Greetings all!! I recently joined this forum. My wife, two kids, in-laws and their two friends will be joining you on this cruise this November. We can't wait.

I've been reading some of the recent posts about airfare. This was a HUGE issue for us as well. Being frequently flyers of Continental out of Newark, I was appalled by the rates that Continental was charging. I even went so far as to write Continental and complain. This has become a pet pieve of mine... I think the government should step in and prevent the airline from charging 3 to 4 times their normal fare for just that week. It seems criminal. We too looked into flights out of Philly, JFK and Atlantic City. In the end, we broke down and chose our flights on Continental after all because of the times and convenience. However, we could not afford four tickets at the prices they were charging. Fortunately my wife and I just had enough OnePass miles to get our tickets free. So we only paid for two. And my in-laws and their friends decided to drive down (from NJ) instead of fly... they are retired and love traveling by car.

This will be our fourth cruise on DCL, three on the Magic, one on the Wonder. Our kids are 5 and 12, and have a blast on these vacations.

Any way... looking forward to meeting everyone on board the Magic!

CruizinTigers

 

[plutospup]

Wow, that's quite a crew you're bringing aboard! I've added your family & friends to the list on page one.

You're fortunate that you could use Freq. Flyer Miles. Unfortunately, my US Airways miles (when trying to get flights to MCO) are about as worthless as Confederate dollars. Yesterday I noticed that our return flight times have changed. We now have 3 minutes between our connecting flights in Phila. Hmmm...I don't think that's going to work!

In the meantime I'm thinking warm, sunny, seabearing thoughts!

 

[podsnel]

Happy Easter, Election Day Castaways!!!

 

[jenny2]

Welcome CruizinTigers!! Now that Pluto's Pup has added you to the "official" list on page 1 PM me your email address if you like and I'll send you an invite to our Yahoo group. We've got all sorts of information safely stored there - who we are, what we're planning to do on the cruise, etc.

We're driving down... so luckily we're not involved in all the flight talk. We're involved in the "how much is a gallon of gas now?!" talk, lol.

And podsnel... WONDERFUL picture! Happy Easter!!!

 

[jblb1020]

Hey Everyone!! Hope you all had a wonderful Easter! We are also looking at flights but we want to leave out of Atlantic City on Spirit but they don't have any dates available past Oct. 31st. Bummer! I am afraid to see what the return flight will be coming back to NJ since it is "Jersey Week." We are planning on leaving for Florida on Oct. 30th. I will just have to keep my fingers crossed.