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

[dairyou]

Deb, we are going out early to spend 2 days at WDW!! Don't think we'll be able to cram your 11 days worth of fun into 2, but it'll be a good taster for us. We're going to try to focus on Magic Kingdom (2 youngish kids, will be 8 and 5) and Epcot. Our homeschooled DS7 LOVES geography, so we're hoping he'll enjoy World Showcase (I think that's what its called..). How early are you going out before the cruise?

Carolyn

Carolyn,

I believe we will be there the Sunday before the cruise. I just posted something on the Theme Parks Board asking how crowded Jersey Week is. Thanksgiving is the week after our cruise, so I don't think we'll do that.

The World Showcase is great. When the boys were younger they sold passports and in each country they can get it signed and place the countries sticker on the page. It was pretty neat. My kids tend to stay at the front of Epcot now where Living in the Land, Energy, ect.. are. The entire Epcot is so educational. We never leave without learning something

Now hopefully in a couple of weeks this cruise won't be fully booked or else we'll have to pick another time

Deb

Deb

 

[dairyou]

Yikes! I just read about the 2007 Med cruises. Anyone thinking about going to this one?

Deb

 

[minnieandmickey]

Bad news and good news for us. We have to cancel this cruise due to DH couldn't the time off to fly the day before (which we have to). Good news is that we got to reschedule for the 4 day cruise on Sunday and got a secret porthole room, one cruise is better than no cruise. Everyone have a blast.

 

[ibouncetoo]

Bad news and good news for us. We have to cancel this cruise due to DH couldn't the time off to fly the day before (which we have to). Good news is that we got to reschedule for the 4 day cruise on Sunday and got a secret porthole room, one cruise is better than no cruise. Everyone have a blast.

THIS SUNDAY?!!!!
So sorry you won't be joining us, but glad you still get to cruise with the mouse!

 

[minnieandmickey]

No sorry the Sunday after you guys leave. My DH couldn't get the Friday off before you leave (they have to bid for vacation and someone who has more seniority got that week and he is a police officer so there is no such thing as having the holiday off) so we have to fly out Sat 11/11 and get on the Wonder on 11/12. Either way I get to spend my birthday on DCL. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[michelle9343]

Hello all
Life as been crazy at our house. My DD has a problem with ear infections. Well its been going on her whole life but the past few months we can not get it to go away at all. This past weekend it has gotten really bad. The poor angel is in sooo much pain. My DS as also been home sick with a cold. I was back at the Dr for post checkup for surgry and I have a infection. To top it all off my DH got hurt at work, had to get 30+ stiches On his arm.
On a good note a really great friend and her family look like they will be going with us on the cruise.We have told them so many woderful thing about our cruise on the Wonder, they decided to give it a try. They have cruised on other lines, but never with there DS, who is special needs like my DD, actually the kids are so crazy about each other. Since we moved from NY my DD really misses him and every night she gives his picture a kiss goodnight. Hopefully today they will book. Rooms seem to be going really fast.
Has anyone gotten a friend to cruise and then were so worried they would not love it has much has you do?
Michelle

 

[clynne]

Deb...I hope they still have the kids' passports. I think both our kids would really like that, especially DD4...you know, the whole STICKER CRAZE. Well, at least for her. I hope you get to come on this cruise, too! When I asked about Jersey Week, those more knowledgeable than I indicated that it really wasn't that bad...not like peak summer season or anything. We do DL ONLY off-season and preferably mid-week, so I am anxious about the Jersey Week crowds, too.

So, can anyone in more northen California than us (we're in northern San Diego county, an hour from Mexico) OR anyone more traveled than we are(that should be easy...) suggest a family-friendly restaurant in San Francisco that's not too expensive, but that's also not fast-food?? I know, it's a lot to ask for that in downtown San Francisco, but I gotta try.

Thanks, in advance.....Carolyn

 

[Vanvmom]

Carolyn we are just south of Sacramento, but I only know restaurants that are along the wharf in SF. What is your price range/food preference and I can ask some of my friends who live right around SF?

 

[Vanvmom]

Michelle- We have several good family friends with specials needs children, although I could not convince any of them that cruising DCL is definitely worth the extra cost over other cruise lines. What is your daughter's situation?

 

[clynne]

Wendy...we'll be right on the wharf, so anything close to there would be great. I think we need to do Chinese and, maybe, Italian. Price...geez, we NEVER go out to dinner, so I guess all I can hope for is a total that doesn't make my heart stop but food good enough to make us glad we walked in. Does NOT need to be fancy...just tasty and in a clean environment. In fact, too much of a "fine dining experience" would probably make me a little nervous. (Yes, I DO need to get out more!)

Michelle...well, this is our first cruise, but I do feel responsible for talking DH into going and I'm hoping that I choose to share enough positive comments from here to keep him interested, but not create extremely high expectations. A fine little line on which to balance

Carolyn

 

[dairyou]

Michelle...well, this is our first cruise, but I do feel responsible for talking DH into going and I'm hoping that I choose to share enough positive comments from here to keep him interested, but not create extremely high expectations. A fine little line on which to balance

Carolyn

Hey Carolyn,

What does your husband like to do on his free time? My husband likes to roam around and do the activities on the Navigator. Maybe the husbands can do something fun.

Deb

 

[michelle9343]

Vanvmom
My DD has a rare genetic disorder. She is 7 yrs old , non-verbel, not toilet trained , has seizures , cronic sinus and ear infections and only 1 kidney(had surgry to remove one when she was only 7 months old). She is age equivalent to a 18 month old. But she is such a funny , happy little angel. She loves Mickey Mouse big time(thats why we live in Fla), We were on the cruise last Nov and she loved it. I know a lot of people with special needs kids are afraid of the cruise( before we went so were we). But it was by far the best family vaction. The only down side is that she can not go to the kids clubs , so hubby and I cant get any adult time, but we never have a babysitter at home so we are kinda use to it.
clynne
I have already told my freinds so many wonderful stories, it would be hard to tone it down now It is really funny my one friend got so excited about goining with us that she told another friend and well now we will be joined by 2 families( an extra 7!!!) It should be amazing!!!Traveling with special needs childern always seems better when we travel in a group..safety in numbers..When we lived in NY we would get about 10+ special needs families together and do the ice shows or circus. It always felt great not to be the odd family out..
I have to tell you my DH was really reluctant to cruise . He is someone that does not know how to relax. On the cruise it was the first time I actually saw him sit still and just hang-out. He only agreed to the 7 day because it was a double dip. That is coming from a man who never does the beach. We lived 5 mins from the beach on Long Island and I could never get him to go.So hopefully your DH will love it as much as mine did.

 

[faireygod mother]

You guys sound like you are describing my DH. He is such a wonderful guy who works very hard for our family. He is also a home body, so traveling is not really his cup of tea. We have now tried several cruise lines and he loves DCL. He loves the movies and tv shows. It is the only time I see him relaxing and happy instead of bored. When we were on RCCL he said he was ready to jump over after about day 3. It was awful. We like CC because we can snorkel (for free). I also talked him into parasailing and he really enjoyed that. Otherwise he likes to play with the grandkids on the beach or in the water. Oh did I mention he loves to eat Also the only other time that he is not regimented on his diet.

 

[clynne]

Deb...I can NOT picture my husband just roaming around...really, I can't wrap my little brain around it. He works VERY hard at work (network admin/security analyst for a satellite communications co.), but his "down time" is always just kid time, yard time, or computer time. He would, however, go along with most things just for something to do. He's quite accomodating that way. Just difficult to picture him roaming aimlessly. Honestly, difficult to picture myself roaming around...maybe, I should be more worried about whether I'm going to like cruising, rather than if he'll be happy. He was in the Navy for YEARS and swore he'd never cruise on a vacation. I've convinced him that he'll have a few extra perks on DCL, compared to what he's used to...Personally, I'm just really liking the idea of not having to plan meals, coordinate schoolwork, and do laundry every other day. For that, I think I may just learn to love roaming.

But, yes, I think organizing a husband or two might be in order! What's your DH into?

Dee...my DH is perfectly content to stay at home, too. I am always the one coming up with suggestions for outings. He does understand that we can't keep the kids in a cave all their lives, so he puts on a cheery face and goes with the flow. And, as a stay-at-home, homeschool mom, I sometimes just NEED to get out!

Michelle...we live 30 minutes from the Pacific Ocean and went to the beach only twice last year. But, my DH too chose the double-dip over the other itineraries. Weird...something in the water?...

Carolyn

 

[dairyou]

Deb...I can NOT picture my husband just roaming around...really, I can't wrap my little brain around it. He works VERY hard at work (network admin/security analyst for a satellite communications co.), but his "down time" is always just kid time, yard time, or computer time. He would, however, go along with most things just for something to do. He's quite accomodating that way. Just difficult to picture him roaming aimlessly. Honestly, difficult to picture myself roaming around...maybe, I should be more worried about whether I'm going to like cruising, rather than if he'll be happy. He was in the Navy for YEARS and swore he'd never cruise on a vacation. I've convinced him that he'll have a few extra perks on DCL, compared to what he's used to...Personally, I'm just really liking the idea of not having to plan meals, coordinate schoolwork, and do laundry every other day. For that, I think I may just learn to love roaming.

But, yes, I think organizing a husband or two might be in order! What's your DH into?

Dee...my DH is perfectly content to stay at home, too. I am always the one coming up with suggestions for outings. He does understand that we can't keep the kids in a cave all their lives, so he puts on a cheery face and goes with the flow. And, as a stay-at-home, homeschool mom, I sometimes just NEED to get out!

Michelle...we live 30 minutes from the Pacific Ocean and went to the beach only twice last year. But, my DH too chose the double-dip over the other itineraries. Weird...something in the water?...

Carolyn

Carolyn,

DH likes to golf. He too works hard at his job. He works graveyard and most times 12 - 14 hours a day. It can be hard to be so quiet as a homeschooling family. He likes to walk around deck 4..which is what I mean be roaming. He likes to look at the electrical parts (which he can find, and I can't), and how the ship is made. We play quite a few card games too. He'll play ping pong and shuffle board with the boys. We were on the repo cruise for 14 days and I can tell you we were never bored.

Hmm..what can the guys do? How about a poker game in the game room on deck 3 or 4 I think? I'll plan it if others are interested.

Deb

 

[DIS NURSE]

Clynne.....my DH is also a network administrator/security analyst for a Community College.

 

[Vanvmom]

Carolyn- We liked Bubba Gumps, fun atmosphere, but you have to like seafood. There are several restaurants on the Wharf (all fun, and all have menus outside the door). They are all on the pricey side though (figure about $10 per person as an estimate). The best Chinese food we've had in the bay area is across the Golden Gate Bridge in Saulsalido. Not sure what the name of the place is, but I could PM you the directions. WONDERFUL food! In college we would drive to SF (The City) for dinner - it was only about a 60-90 minute drive away.

Michelle- Our boys are great with special needs kids! We have a couple of friends with downs children, and our kids know several autistic kids through school and church. They totally appreciate the unique personalities that special needs children have. Our elementary school has a "special day program" on site, and the kindergarten kids have recess at the same time as my youngest son. There is one little boy that my son loves to play with at recess (he is about the 18 month old development as well). I've watched them run, play tag, throw balls and play on the play structure together. This little boy is an only child, and the only "kid time" he gets is at school. I also work as an intervention teacher (okay group, no jokes about "interventions" ) at different school and I work through the learning center. There is a sweet little girl there who is Kindergarten age (non-verbal, "walks" with the aide of a sit down walker). Her aide rolls her eyes at me everytime I walk through the room, because the little girl always wants to stop what she is doing and come visit with me.

I'm glad you ventured into the world of DCL cruising with your family, and that you've talked so many other special needs families into coming along too!

 

[michelle9343]

Vanvmom
Your post gave me such a warm feeling. It is beautiful that your children have been able to give the gift of friendship to some special childern My DS10 would love to communicate with your sons before we cruise. It would be great for him to have some boys his own age to hang out with a little. He was really excited when I showed him the pictures for Ocean Quest. I am so excited about this cruise I hope I don't explode before we sail It is exciting to be sailing again but more exiciting that some of our "special" friends will be sailing with us.
carolyn
"It must be something in the water."LOL!!! I think being on CC was the 1st time in years that my DH was relaxed. I was so worried about him cruising because he never sits still, but it must be the Disney Magic that gets them to slow down .

 

[ibouncetoo]

Morning fellow cruisers!

I've had the week from heck (making sure all our advertisers Olympic buys are A-OK) and am sure glad it's FRIDAY!!!!!

Gotta hit the shower and head back into the fray.....I'll catch up on posts tonight (or tomorrow in case I go out and tonight)!

 

[chichihoney]

i got my new computer today i know jeanna be happy