November 1, 2008 "Election Day Castaways!"

[podsnel]

Hi Plutospup and thanks for welcoming us! We've been on RCI and Celebrity (both to the Bahamas) and just last month on Norwegian Dawn for a cruise to nowhere out of NYC with a bunch of friends for 2 nights. All of our cruises have been so quick, and I've always wanted to go on a longer cruise. I ESPECIALLY have wanted to do a Disney Cruise, so now I am doubly excited!! Which have you been on?

 

[podsnel]

Oh! I forgot to answer one of your questions- I think I am looking forward to CC the most of all the ports, I've heard it is a fabulous day, and I know I loved the private island RC/Celebrity has when I was there. If my kids weren't joining us, I would be really psyched for Key West- we had a GREAT time celebrating my birthday there once with 3 other couples and I am crazy about the place. Which port do you like best?

 

[plutospup]

We've done Costa, NCL (Seaward, Norway), and DCL's Magic-3 times(Eastern -1, Western-2)! Each of our Magic cruises has been different. We've tried new things each time, and as our DD (now 10) gets older, the experiences have been different as well.

When DD was 5 & 6 we enjoyed visiting Key West. We went to the Butterfly Conservatory, Aquarium, Hemingway House, and the stops along the way via the Conch Train/Trolley. Who knows what we'll do this time!

Grand Cayman we've gone to a beach, did a tour of the island, saw the old Turtle Farm, and did some shopping. A lifetime ago, DW & I snorkled. This time we're thinking about the Pirate ship that sails in the harbor.

Cozumel...shopping. DW enjoys shopping in Cozumel. Best of all she buy real vanilla for baking. She bakes - I eat. We're happy! We're thinking of maybe doing the Royal Dolphin swim next time, but we're still not sure. Only 11 months to make up our minds!

Castaway Cay is wonderful! We've enjoyed the beach, paddle boats, kite flying, Cookies Barbeque, I went parasailing, bannana boat rides, ...and of course the drink of the day...the Konk Cooler. I really don't drink except for the occasional Christmas party, or the obiligatory Konk Cooler on Castaway Cay. Next time DD & I are going parasailing-tandem! Can't wait!

It's hard to believe that I started this thread when we had 21 months to go! Now it's down to 11.

 

[podsnel]

Wow, you are a DCL pro!!! I guess they must be a great time if you keep going back for more. I've only just started to look at the excursions, although I know we will want to parasail and do banana boats in CC. I love to cook, so shopping for vanilla in Cozumel sounds like a great thing, too. What else does DW buy there? My men HATE to shop, so usually I'm lucky if they'll spare 10 mins for me to buy a tshirt when we're on vacation- LOL!
When do you start booking your excursions and can I book Palo before I board, or is that just for Castaway Club members (the pre-cruise booking)?

I never realized people booked this cruise so far in advance- I can barely wait 11 mos, I'd never make 21!!!! That takes a TON of patience. Smart to do, though- we wanted cat6 and got cat5 because 6 was sold out.

Are most folks going down ahead of time? We will likely stay at AKV on HAlloween and go trick or treating in MK at MNSSHP. We just joined DVC, so I am thrilled I will be able to stay in our home resort!! SO much to be excited about!! It's going to be a long 11 mos!

 

[muffin07]

Hi Dis,
We just booked our first Disney Cruise for this Jersey week, Nov 1, 2008
included are my dh. Just started the planning, so much to consider, but
we selected the 7 day cruise, as we were in WDW for 10 nights last year.
Hope to see you on the cruise.

 

[jenny2]

Are most folks going down ahead of time? We will likely stay at AKV on HAlloween and go trick or treating in MK at MNSSHP. We just joined DVC, so I am thrilled I will be able to stay in our home resort!! SO much to be excited about!! It's going to be a long 11 mos!

That's our plan too!! We are going to spend a few nights at AKV, do MNSSHP on Halloween, and drive to the port the next day! How funny is that. We'll probably see you around the Lodge

 

[plutospup]

Muffin07...Welcome aboard! Glad to have you along! You'll find a whole crew of DCL experts on this thread. If you have any questions - ask away! In the meantime I'll add your name to the list on page 1.

Sounds like many of you are planning on staying at WDW prior to the cruise and doing MNSSHP! We're planning on flying to Orlando Friday evening and staying at the Residence Inn. DD10 & DW were disappointed we wouldn't be home for trick or treat. Hopefully, we can do something special to make up for it on the cruise.

 

[muffin07]

Thanks for the welcome, we are planning on coming down early too, but
have not deceided where to stay yet, still in the planning mode. Any
suggestions? Were were in Orlando this past October for Halloween, and
my son took our GD (age 6) to downtown Disney for the Trick or Treat, it turned out to be a great idea, as they really enjoyed it, they had her dress up and off to all the shops in downtown disney.
Muffin07

 

[podsnel]

That's our plan too!! We are going to spend a few nights at AKV, do MNSSHP on Halloween, and drive to the port the next day! How funny is that. We'll probably see you around the Lodge

That's too funny!!! We'll have to make sure we see each other at AKV- we're going to try for an early flight, so we should be at the pool by noon on Halloween! I'm really looking foward to checking out the resort and seeing that magnificent lobby. Have you been to MNSSHP before? Do you think it will be really difficult to get the tickets for Halloween?

 

[Castaway Kev]

I don't want to hijack the thread with news of my daughter, but a quick update might not hurt.

She has been off the respirator for about a week now (which is HUGE progress). We've finally been able to hold her this past week. It's incredible!! She's now at the point where she just needs to keep eating and growing.

Thanks for all your prayers. They are appreciated!

 

[plutospup]

Great news!
Updates on the "Lil Sailor" are always welcomed here. I was wondering how she was doing, but I didn't want to ask. How's "Mom" doing? I'm sure both of you are tired after the events of the recent weeks. Hmmm...you probably need a vacation...maybe a cruise...a Disney cruise!

Continuned prayers for the "Lil Sailor" and your family.

 

[podsnel]

I don't want to hijack the thread with news of my daughter, but a quick update might not hurt.

She has been off the respirator for about a week now (which is HUGE progress). We've finally been able to hold her this past week. It's incredible!! She's now at the point where she just needs to keep eating and growing.

Thanks for all your prayers. They are appreciated!

Hi CK- I'm new here, but I wanted to say how WONDERFUL it is that your baby girl is doing so well!! What a joy that you can hold her!!! Lots of health and happiness to all of you, as she grows stronger and bigger every minute!

 

[plutospup]

WooHoo! Booked airfare today! From our small airports, the price only goes up as you get closer to departure. Selected the flights/times we wanted, and we're ready to fly! Let's see now...
DCL Magic...booked, Residence Inn...booked, Airfare...booked
Next on the agenda are Palo, and Parasailing!

Ok, so DW thinks I'm obsessed! Fortunately, you folks understand

 

[podsnel]

WooHoo! Booked airfare today! From our small airports, the price only goes up as you get closer to departure. Selected the flights/times we wanted, and we're ready to fly! Let's see now...
DCL Magic...booked, Residence Inn...booked, Airfare...booked
Next on the agenda are Palo, and Parasailing!

Ok, so DW thinks I'm obsessed! Fortunately, you folks understand

You ARE obsessed!! We ALL are!!!

Congrats on having everything ready to go!
My airfare is really high right now for that time- $500/pp!!! For me, it should come down in the next couple of months, I fly out of Newark. But I did notice that in May the airfare is only $118/pp!!!!!! I need to find a friend to take a quick cruise!!! That is soooo low. How can I pass that up? It's like getting PAID to visit the mouse!!!

Told you I didn't know how I'd make it until November!!!!

 

[jenny2]

She has been off the respirator for about a week now (which is HUGE progress).

You can hijack this thread anytime to report on how your angel is doing! And I'm thrilled to hear that she's breathing on her own!! So my next question is... when can we see pictures!!

Have you been to MNSSHP before? Do you think it will be really difficult to get the tickets for Halloween?

No, we haven't done MNSSHP before. I'll be my usual obsessed self and get the tickets on the first day they're available, lol!!

AKL is a wonderful resort! We've stayed there a couple of times in the past, and during our Oct 2008 cruise we bought into AKV. We're very excited to go back there again! We drive down from NC, and we haven't decided how many nights we're going to stay there yet.

 

[podsnel]

You can hijack this thread anytime to report on how your angel is doing! And I'm thrilled to hear that she's breathing on her own!! So my next question is... when can we see pictures!!





No, we haven't done MNSSHP before. I'll be my usual obsessed self and get the tickets on the first day they're available, lol!!





AKL is a wonderful resort! We've stayed there a couple of times in the past, and during our Oct 2008 cruise we bought into AKV. We're very excited to go back there again! We drive down from NC, and we haven't decided how many nights we're going to stay there yet.

What? You mean there are people who wait until the SECOND day they're available??!!!!What kind of free-wheelin', careless haphazard lifestyle is THAT!!??!!!

Glad to hear it's so awesome at AKV- we have only ever stayed at BC and are looking forward to something new (although we love BC!). It must be wonderful to be within driving distance of Mickey- I guess it gives you alot of flexibility.

 

[jenny2]

What? You mean there are people who wait until the SECOND day they're available??!!!!What kind of free-wheelin', careless haphazard lifestyle is THAT!!??!!!

It must be wonderful to be within driving distance of Mickey- I guess it gives you alot of flexibility.

Well... we've always driven. The first 14 trips in my sig were made when we lived in Mass... and we drove each and every time! We only moved to NC this past January... now the drive is only 9 hours versus the 24 we were doing from Mass

 

[wuv tigger]

I don't want to hijack the thread with news of my daughter, but a quick update might not hurt.

She has been off the respirator for about a week now (which is HUGE progress). We've finally been able to hold her this past week. It's incredible!! She's now at the point where she just needs to keep eating and growing.

Thanks for all your prayers. They are appreciated!

Updates from a new daddy and especially about a lil sailor are always welcome.

glad to hear she is doing better.

 

[robsmom]

We just booked this week so i wanted to say hi to all and introduce myself. I am really excited.

I am Lisa and my DH and DS (9 at sailing) will be joining you all of Jersey Week!

About us: yes we are from Jersey so DS is only missing a day of school. We are thinking about making that 2 and like many of you heading to WDW for Halloween. The three of us took our first Disney cruise last summer when we did the the westbound transatlantic crossing.

I look forward to chatting with you about excursions and other ideas as we all plan for this great trip.

 

[plutospup]

Welcome aboard Robsmom & crew! Glad to have you along.