November 15, 2008 7 night Western 11/15/08 11-15-08

[dthogue]

Hello,

So glad to have found you - we will be on the 11/15th cruise as well. It will be me, my DH and my DD's (16 and 10). This is oue 2nd DCL, we did the Eastern the first time. I haven't had time to read the entire thread, but I will. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone.

Tammy

 

[dmja716]

Welcome dthogue.

Only 9.5 months to go everyone.

I was up late the other night reading the DCL boards here and I had a dream that night, that I was on the cruise and I didnt get to do everything that I wanted to, so I was trying to do everything the last morning and they were trying to get me to leave and they had to chase me off the boat. It was pretty funny. I hope that doesnt happen

 

[izma]

Hello dthogue!

There's so much information here...I'm overwhelmed!

Glad to have you join us!

 

[izma]

Oh!!!!

I forgot all about Thanksgiving (ours is different than yours)!!!

Would I be better off to go to WDW for 6 days BEFORE the cruise, store a suitcase full of cruise-unnecessaries at Bell services, and then spend a couple of days back at WDW AFTER the cruise...just to finish things off?

And...I have another question. Can anyone tell me if there is a charge for bottles of water ordered through room service? I see soda's are free at meals and deck 9, but not water. We are big water drinkers.

Just curious.

 

[MommyTo5]

Oh!!!!

I forgot all about Thanksgiving (ours is different than yours)!!!

Would I be better off to go to WDW for 6 days BEFORE the cruise, store a suitcase full of cruise-unnecessaries at Bell services, and then spend a couple of days back at WDW AFTER the cruise...just to finish things off?

If you have the option to avoid Thanksgiving week in the parks, I would absolutely rearrange your schedule to do that. The week before our cruise would definitely be MUCH less busy and you should have just light to moderate crowds. Any time the kids are out of school here, the park attendance increases significantly - not to mention the fact that many families choose to plan their holiday get-togethers at WDW. We've been on busy days (President's Day weekend in February is pretty bad) - and on some of the slowest days on the year and I guarantee that you will have a much better time when you have shorter wait times, less crowded restaurants, etc...

And...I have another question. Can anyone tell me if there is a charge for bottles of water ordered through room service? I see soda's are free at meals and deck 9, but not water. We are big water drinkers.

Just curious.

They DO charge for bottled water, unfortunately. They have a case (24 bottle) deal that would save you a bit over purchasing individual bottles onboard... but your best bet would be to carry-on your own case(s) of water. If you'll have a rental car while you are in the area before the cruise, you could pick it up then or if you are taking a towncar/van/limo to port, you can generally request a free 15-30 minute grocery stop with most companies. Officially, DCL says you aren't supposed to bring your own food or drinks BUT many do it and I've never heard of anyone being questioned. I believe they do confiscate any opened food containers during the scanning process after you enter the DCL terminal, but you should be fine taking any sealed food or drink (even alcohol) items onboard. Note that hardsided coolers or ice inside of any cooler is not allowed.

 

[MommyTo5]

They DO charge for bottled water, unfortunately. They have a case (24 bottle) deal that would save you a bit over purchasing individual bottles onboard...

Oops! I meant to add that the water on board is Evian - 16 oz. bottles and last I heard, it was $40/case.

 

[Disneyday]

If you have the option to avoid Thanksgiving week in the parks, I would absolutely rearrange your schedule to do that. The week before our cruise would definitely be MUCH less busy and you should have just light to moderate crowds. Any time the kids are out of school here, the park attendance increases significantly - not to mention the fact that many families choose to plan their holiday get-togethers at WDW. We've been on busy days (President's Day weekend in February is pretty bad) - and on some of the slowest days on the year and I guarantee that you will have a much better time when you have shorter wait times, less crowded restaurants, etc...



Angie
Is it busy all week at WDW? We have 8 days after the cruise and were hoping to have a couple of days at the parks but have never been at holiday time before.
We decided to take our 2nd week after the cruise so at least theres something to look forward to. Imagine having to get off the ship AND fly home
Sue

Welcome Dthogue!

 

[MommyTo5]

Angie
Is it busy all week at WDW? We have 8 days after the cruise and were hoping to have a couple of days at the parks but have never been at holiday time before.
We decided to take our 2nd week after the cruise so at least theres something to look forward to. Imagine having to get off the ship AND fly home
Sue

First, let me say that I haven't actually visted the parks this particular week, but I've been on these boards and other Disney lists since back on 2000 when we started planning our first family trip. I am obsessive about my Disney trips, so I read everything!!! I actually did some moderating for quite awhile (elsewhere - not here on the Dis) so I do feel qualified to give some advice on many topics!

Anyhow, the parks will become increasingly crowded as the week goes on. Saturday thru Tuesday shouldn't be near as bad as later in the week. Wednesday - Saturday will be extremely crowded. The crowds will begin to lighten again on Sunday as many will head home that day.

Your best bet to avoid the crowds would be to go early in the week and avoid the park that's offering Extra Magic Hours to the WDW resort guests on that particular day. Also, make sure you plan you make a list of your must-do attractions, arrive early, and grab those Fast Passes!

 

[izma]

Thanks for all the info Angie.

I am trying to work it out so we will spend 7 days at WDW before the cruise and 2 days after. I think that this is the best option;
- Avoiding the let down of having to go home right after the cruise
- Avoiding the big Thanksgiving crowds in the parks
- getting the RnR in after the 7 days at the parks
- still having two days after to try and sneak in a few of our favourite attractions before we head back to the icky Canadian winter!!

Can you get water instead of soda at the food spots on Deck 9 or are the "free" beverages strictly sodas? What about milk and juice? I am not a health food nut, we just aren't soda drinkers...and $40!, that's hysterical but I guess we'll pay it if we have to!!

I think it's rather short sighted of DCL to have the soda free instead of the water. A boat load of sugared up kids and checked-out parents?!?! My kids aren't used to all that sugar so one or two sodas and they're swinging from the chandelier!!

Sue, if your schedule is at all flexible maybe you should try to change it? Disney is so good at handling crowds though, I am sure you'll have a great time regardless!!

My kids got an E on Feb 1. They now have S S C and E. They were guessing San Fransisco (and Disney Cruise) and secretly hoping for the cruise, now the E has eliminated SF. I think I'm going to have to get mean and toss them a rogue letter...maybe an F next month - throw them off the scent!

I have decided to not tell them the date of departure, even after they have guessed our destination and I have confirmed. Then wake them up on the morning we leave with a full blast of the Magic's horn. I think this will be quite funny.

 

[izma]

Hi Angie,

Why avoid the parks with the EMH day? We are staying at POP for the first 7 and then AKL for the last two. I was thinking we'd spend the day at another park and then go to whichever park has the EMH just for the EMH time. I hope that made sense!LOL!!!

 

[izma]

DMJA716,

I heard there is awesome snorkeling in both Cozumel and Grand Cayman. The tour we are doing has 2 snorkeling stops. There are a couple companies I researched that do snorkeling in Cayman, the one we booked with and Captain Marvins dot com, I heard they were good too.
My DH is a runner. He said he will be glad to join you if it is early enough and he is not hungover[/QUOTE]


Has your husband ever done or considered the WDW marathon?

Has anyone here done or considered the WDW marathon?

I was going to do it to celebrate my big 40 but then booked the cruise and 2 trips in one year is just too much $$$.

I am over that line of thought now and I am pretty sold on the idea of doing the Goofy challenge in Jan 09. If you are a runner or know someone who has done this ...give me the skinny!!!

 

[Disneyday]

Thanks for the advice Angie. I think we will do the parks until Tuesday and then shop and relax the rest of the week.

The busiest we have seen was in late June but I guess nothing like Thanksgiving. I always have a plan, the kids moan that I am like a military commander but at least they're never stuck in long lines
Sue

 

[dmja716]

Hello izma,
My DH has only done about 8 miles tops, so no marathons in his near future. My close friend did the Disney Marathon in 07 and loved it. She stopped and took pictures with all characters on the way through the parks. She trained with Team in Training, a cancer fundraising group. She ran a marathon and raised alot of money, i give her a lot of credit. Let me know if you have any other questions and I can ask her.

DMJA716,

I heard there is awesome snorkeling in both Cozumel and Grand Cayman. The tour we are doing has 2 snorkeling stops. There are a couple companies I researched that do snorkeling in Cayman, the one we booked with and Captain Marvins dot com, I heard they were good too.
My DH is a runner. He said he will be glad to join you if it is early enough and he is not hungover

 

[izma]

Thanks Dmja,

The Disney Marathon experience looks like fun to me. The Goofy Challenge is a half marathon (the Donald) on Saturday and the full marathon (the Mickey) on Sunday. If you complete both...you're Goofy! I think that's so funny!!! I think I will look into signing up and giving it a go. A big congratulations to your friend, it's a very empowering experience...and not as hard as you might think!

If we get the opportunity, I am sure your husband and I could run together nicely ( I mean that in the runningest way!LOL!!) Now...can we get you running!?!?!

 

[izma]

I am reading through these boards a little at a time. There is certainly a load of information here. I have a couple of questions for my fellow Nov.15 08 cruisers.

What is your opinion on taking beach towels?

What is your opinion on taking your own snorkelling equipment? There is some decent/fun stuff at Costco/Sams right now. I thought maybe for valentines...or easter...HEY there aren't many holidays between now and DEPARTURE.OOoooooh I'm excited. what am I going to be like in OCT!?!?! Thanks goodness I've had the sense not to tell the kids!

What is your opinion on taking those beach shoes? We're going to the park at Cozumel - rocky corally or sandy?...not flipflops (I am of the "thong" vintage), but those ones that are good on rocks and coral.

Thanks!

 

[izma]

It's me again.

I have a little info. I looked up sunrise and sunset times for our dates. Sunrise falls anywhere between 5:36 and 6:48 - depending on where we are. Sunset falls between 4:42 and 5:46 - depending on where we are.

I thought this might help people decide on early/late seatings for dinner and some of the excursions.

I must have OCD...but there it is!!!

 

[Disneyday]

Hi Izma

We chose our dinner times when we booked last year. We booked the main seating, but I'm wondering if we might miss out on excursion days
This planing is really difficult even when you've read everything. Do you have a Passporter guide? There's loads of info in there, I read mine over and over just in case I've missed something.

I'm definately not packing any towels, I need the space for clothes, clothes and more clothes. I know that you are given towels when you go on excursions so that is a big help

Good question about shoes, I really want to keep these at a minimum as they weigh so much. Any suggestions anyone?

 

[izma]

We booked for the earlier dinner seating. I just figured that the excursions would likely be back by sunset. What is considered the "main" seating? I was hoping to have time to fit the shows in after supper.

I do not have a passporter but I am tring to order them (DCL and WDW) at the local library.

 

[crazykunis]

I found this on another site just to confirm memory was correct...you never know anymore...LOL. Yes, water, milk, lemonade available on deck 9. It's not bottle water but there are other options besides soda!!

There is also a milk, water, soft drinks, lemonade, tea and coffee station on Deck 9 aft that is available most of the time each day.

 

[crazykunis]

I remembered my password...yahooooo I can blog with everyone now!! Just as an update this will be our 2nd cruise and it will be me age (36) dh( 42) and our 3 son's 15, 11 and 9. Just follow 3 noisy boys to any of the food buffets and that will be us!!

One of the excursions we want to do is the Sea Trek...anyone do that?? Is it fun??