November 11, 2006 - MAGIC - Special Western "Double Dip" Cruise 11/11/06

[Favorite Auntie]

Thanks for the offer. Some of us are flying down the morning of and the rest will be staying with my parents. That rate is better than anything you can get at the Hyatt!!

 

[DIS NURSE]

We just got off that magic and yes, I am already starting to plan what the approach will be for next time. We are flying in from Oregon and have been victim to lots of luggage mishaps in the past so we will definitley stay at either the Radisson at the port the Friday night before, or possibly at the Hyatt, especially if enough of us were game and we got a good deal. I liked that hotel very much last week and the service was great!

I thought we'de rent a car from MCO to the Budget place (returning it early Sat AM and catch the shuttle to the terminal) if we stay at the Rad.

The two nights we stayed at Ron Jon's before this last cruise was nice but quite spendy!

Favorite Auntie.....we did the stingray excursion on CC at 3 PM, the last time slot. I loved it but the kids were a little freaked out, unfortunately.
You were with awoltoday and Choc Marg at 10 AM. He did a great review with great pictures on the trip reports section of this board. Check it out.

 

[suzadrew]

Hello fellow cruisers. Just wanted to say Happy December.

 

[faireygod mother]

Happy December right back at you. Well I had better get out the advent calenders for the grandkids. They will love that chocolate everyday. LOL

 

[DIS NURSE]

Woke up to another 7 inches of the white stuff this AM! December came in with a bang!
All schools are closed today and my brown bunnie little children are out playing in the snow!
Just one week ago today we were at Typoon Lagoon in the Florida sunshine!

 

[ibouncetoo]

Woke up to another 7 inches of the white stuff this AM! December came in with a bang!

Guess you don't want to hear that I had lunch on the patio today, eh? This is my favorite time of year in the desert.....chilly at night and sunny and warm mid-day.

I got my DCL "Shoreside Survival Kit' in the mail today, with my Castawy Club card. WOOOOOO HOOOOOO. Now if my computer only had sound! I can either listen to the CD or watch it.....but not both! I wonder if I'll get in trouble if I take it to work????

 

[quackattack]

I can not stand the silence.

I know part of our crew are sailing even as I type but, the silence is deafening.

Please:

Rochelle

 

[chichihoney]

Jeanna is next to me as I type - we are at the Promeade Lounge. We are on the 12\3\05 cruise heading to Costa Maya right now. We saw "Twice Charmed'' and I loved it

 

[faireygod mother]

Oh Sarah I wish I was with you. I bet it is warm where you are. It is cold here in Virginia Beach. Have a great time tomorrow and let us know all about Costa Maya.

 

[CJLKIM]

Hey guys, I'm checking in from the 12/3 Magic and having a fabulous time. Can't wait until 2006!!!!

We're in Costa Maya right now - getting ready to head to Castaway Cay a little later. Tonight is Pirate night so I'm looking forward to watching Pirates of the Caribbean on the big screen....it's huge!

Can't wait to fill everyone in and start our planning for next year! We'll be chatting soon.......

 

[DIS NURSE]

You rock! Can I reach out an touch you? Thou, sailmates who are now on the Disney seas?

We just watched our videotape of our 11/12 Eastern Magic tonight! I got chills!

I got GREAT footage of the Pirate Party and fireworks!
I hope you are having a fabulous time!

So great to begin chatting about and planning a 2006 meet!
Yes, want to hear all about Costa Maya! So much to learn. We all need to build a strategy about that stop. Some good reports, some not so good. With kids it is different, also.

 

[GreenGirl8]

Have a great trip everyone. I am anxious for the Thanksgiving '06 thread to start hopping.

 

[faireygod mother]

Okay, where is everyone? Now I know some were gone cruisin, but they should be home by now. Where is everyone else?

Hope all is well.

 

[GrayFal]

Okay I have already admitted that I suffer from OCPD, so please bear with me.

Does everyone have plans as to where they are staying the night before we set sail?

What about transportation to and from the port?

I am negotiating a group rate at the Hyatt airport hotel if anyone is interested.

I also found this awesome company with the busses, quite reasonable and they had a trailer for the luggage.

Just some food for thought.

Dee,
I would be interested in a group rate....although HallsOfVA reported she got the Hyatt for $64 on priceline...YIKES - that is a GREAT rate......
What are they quoting you??????

 

[faireygod mother]

Rates have not been released yet for November. Should be released this coming week.

Welcome home. Sounds like a great trip. Please fill me in on Costa Maya. I would love to know what to plan for as I am not really excited about doing a western. We booked because it was one of the few dbl cc's. Now they have several, go figure.

Pat I pm'd you. If you have a ball park idea please let me know.

 

[DIS NURSE]

I still go round and round as to where to stay the night before the cruise. Or, do I stay 2 nights somewhere on Cocoa? Do I rent a car? Do I stay on Disney property and take advantage of them getting us the terminal?
I never thought about all of the options with our last cruise 'cause I knew we wanted to be at Ron Jon's for a few nights. Now I am willing to try something different.....and cheaper.

I had heard not so great things about Disney bussing you to the terminal. Lost luggage, late arrival with LOTS of crowds, etc.

Any thoughts?
Staying at the Rad would be my #1 choice but I refuse to pay $150-$180 for that! It certainly isn't worth that from all that I have researched. They, IMHO, are taking advantage of the DCL groups that come through there.

If the Hyatt MCO could give us a good deal, I would just stay one night there.
How exactly do you get from there to the terminal? As a group? Can you do it early so you get to the terminal at 10-10:30? That would also be ideal.

Any thoughts.
No pressure.....you only have MONTHS to think about it!
I just like to dream.....and I am a MAJOR planner!

 

[GrayFal]

If the Hyatt MCO could give us a good deal, I would just stay one night there.
How exactly do you get from there to the terminal? As a group? Can you do it early so you get to the terminal at 10-10:30? That would also be ideal.

Any thoughts.
No pressure.....you only have MONTHS to think about it!
I just like to dream.....and I am a MAJOR planner!

You have the option of taking DCL transpo from the airport to the Cruise Ship - it now costs $59 round trip.
You could do a one way car rental....for under $50.
Or you could rent a town car/limo/van to take you - $160ish-$240ish R/T depending on how many are going.

 

[ibouncetoo]

Hi I'm around.....just busy getting ready for the Holidays!


Isn't it the Hyatt that is INSIDE the terminal? Anyway, some hotel is.

I used Disney transportion from the resort to the port, and your luggage travels with you on the bus. Don't know about travel from the aiport to the seaport, but isn't that one of the reasons for arriving the day before? Also, our bus arrived about 1:40P and I was on the boat and in my stateroom by 2PM.

 

[faireygod mother]

The Hyatt is the hotel inside the airport. It is simply wonderful and I have my fingers crossed for a good rate.

As for the transportation from the airport to the terminal on Disney. Disney claims your luggage for you and takes it to the ship.

I think we are going to us "around the clock usa" for our transportation. I was really impressed with their equipment and the fact that they bring a trailer for the luggage.

I will keep everyone posted on the info I receive. If anyone is interested they can partake if not that is okay as well.

I am very interested in having some chats so I can do some planning. Remember I suffer (and it is suffering) from OCPD.

 

[CJLKIM]

Let me know about rates on the Hyatt because we're leaning that way with the crew of 8. Will probably fly in on Friday afternoon/evening and chill before heading to port. Would also be interested in rates for things in Cocoa Beach and car rentals in case that's more cost effective!