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

[dmja716]

We have first seating too and I was a little concerned about rushing back to the ship to get ready but I think we will be ok. It helps that Im traveling with 2 males, I will take the longest to get ready.
The only day Im worried about making dinner is Key West day. Sunset is at 5:40 pm. and the ship is there till 7:30, so I may just miss dinner that night to stay in port. But Im not planning that day, wherever it takes us.

My son will be 4 so, Im not too sure how many shows we will make after dinner, but if he is awake we will go if not I wont be too disappointed.

I made a packing list for the trip, It seems I need a lot of luggage. I did ask for a garment bag for Christmas so Im excited about that for our nicer clothing and it has alot of small compartments to put shoes and such. This should be fun packing in November, time to get creative

 

[Disneyday]

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.

Just looked in my Passporter and main (early) seating is at 5.30, 5.45 and 6.pm. Late is at 8.oo, 8.15 and 8.30. I think this will be a problem for us on Cozumel day as we are doing the Excaret excursion which is 7.5 hours. This would leave us 15mins to get ready for pirate night Do you think we could get away with a 'look what the tide washed up' look?

Talking of dinners is anyone trying to work out which day is best for Palo? I think because we have older kids our rotation will be PLAPLAP. Do you think that Parrot Cay maybe the one to miss?

 

[coastiewifern]

I believe we have the 6 pm seating. My kids would never be able to wait for the late seating without being crabby during dinner.
We really want to see the shows as well so I am hoping that will be a good time. When we went to WDW for DS 7th bday the were exhausted by 8 pm. Hoping this cruise won't be so energy depleting and more relaxing. My dd is a very picky eater which is one of the reasons we are taking the disney cruise. I figure they will have menus that cater to kids and if nothing else they will have cheese pizza right. Question is her favorite drink is chocolate milk. I hope they have this. My kids don't drink pop.

 

[izma]

Xcaret looks marvelous but I have booked the royal dolphin swim at chanakaab park. Perhaps we'll have to leave Xcaret to another holiday. I will be anxious to hear your reviews!

I think a "look what's washed up" look is ENTIRELY appropriate for pirate night!!!

How "formal" do we dress our children for formal night? The most formal my DS has been is dress jeans! I was going to make him wear dress pants and a shirt and tie to the formal night. I think kids look silly in tuxes. Will we stick out like a sore thumb? It will be hard enough to get my first husband into a suit, let alone DS!!

We are in the process of changing our park stay to pre-cruise. Is anyone else going to the parks pre-cruise? We will be at the POP century and I understand the buses do not go there. How the heck do we get to one of the hotels the bus does go to? Hauling the luggage could be dreadful! Should we just book other transportation?

Can you leave a parcel for the next occupants of your cabin? I was thinking of leaving sand pails and floats. I am sure someone on the next cruise could use them and it saves me from hauling them back or just throwing them out which seems so wasteful. What do you guys think?

I think we will stick to the main seating. I don't want to be too tired to eat (we're all foodies, that's the real reason I run ), and I am hoping to try and catch a show after supper.

Here's my crab...I looked into the Goofy Challenge for Jan 09 and it is already filled up!!! I was all resigned to start training and !!POOF!! there went that plan. 2010 just sounds so spooky. Oh well I guess I'll just have longer to train (ruin my knees, blow a tendon, crap out a hip...I am no spring chicken!).

Angie, should I ask you park questions here or do we go to another thread?

Thanks AGAIN everyone!!

 

[Disneyday]

Izma

Heres a link for the 'Passing it on' thread
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1627762

Ive not read it for a while, but there may be someone who is on the cruise before us that could leave sand toys for you. You just return the favour by passing it on.

Don't quote me on this, but I'm sure I've also seen a 'pass it on' thread for fridges at some of the Disney resorts

 

[izma]

Another plan gone...DCL does not allow this anymore. I can understand why.

 

[Disneyday]

Another plan gone...DCL does not allow this anymore. I can understand why.

Thats a shame it was a great idea, but I suppose a lot of work for Guest Services.
We had started making magnets for our door but I'm in 2 minds now after reading this thread
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1710271&page=1

I am still going to make the fish extender though
sue

 

[izma]

I think DCL probably prohibits "pass it on" for legal reasons. As in...if someone were to leave you something that is banned in the US or any of the ports on the itinerary. I imagine the liability issue is pretty sticky!!

I would go ahead with the magnets. They sound like fun!

For any of you who are going to be in the area prior to the cruise. There is a space shuttle launch scheduled for Nov. 6, 11pm-ish (a rare night launch). NASA hasn't announced it officially yet...at least they hadn't last time I checked.

As a result, I have changes my holiday schedule AGAIN!!! We have added 2 extra days...I wonder if I will qualify for the residents discount

 

[crazykunis]

My thought was to come in a few days early so I don't have to worry about flying out of PA in November and missing the boat leaving. Plus we can extend and visit the space center that the kids have wanted to do. Now I am thinking I should make it a longer vacation and visit sea world too...LOL....

I can't wait though...November seems ages away...

 

[izma]

Hello all!!

More questions!!!

I have read something on this thread about a Christmas Party. Is there one on the ship during our cruise?

Are we doing fish extenders? It could be fun!

Oh, and how about boycotting Feb. 29th. I thinks it's unfair that we have an extra day to wait. Let's just ignore it!!

 

[crazykunis]

I need to read up a little more on the fish extenders but I think it would be fun. I hope to meet everyone on the ship and form some great friendships. Especially for my boys. 2 of 3 can be shy but when the make friends they are at peace (ie: leave us alone..LOL)

I was wondering if the ship would be decorated at all since it is the week before thanksgiving!! Anyone else a little stressed about that....I am thinking I should of made it a full 2 weeks and just have thanksgiving in Florida.

 

[bambilin]

I just figured out how to find this boar, duh!! I am on Cruise Critic thread as well. Will be on the 11/15/08 cruise with my hubby and two boys who will be ages 4 (well 6 weeks shy of 4 that is!) and 15 months. We are also sailing with another couple with two girls ages 8 and 10. I have not read all of the posts yet, but I will as soon as I get some free time. We are all from New York, sailed on the Magic in 2002 when we were single and no kids. Guess we won't be visiting Serenity Bay this time around!! :0)

Just wanted to jump on to join the party!

Linda

 

[izma]

Welcome Bambilin!

 

[LauraLap]

Hi Everyone! I'm new too. We just booked this cruise. Looking forward to getting ot know everyone!

 

[MommyTo5]

Welcome aboard, bambilin and LauraLap!

Glad you joined us!!!

 

[MommyTo5]

I was wondering if the ship would be decorated at all since it is the week before thanksgiving!! Anyone else a little stressed about that....I am thinking I should of made it a full 2 weeks and just have thanksgiving in Florida.

I've read that we should definitely catch some/most of the Christmas decorations! I'm considering packing Santa Hats and taking a nice family pic in front of the tree to put on our Holiday cards this year!

 

[MommyTo5]

Hello all!!

More questions!!!

I have read something on this thread about a Christmas Party. Is there one on the ship during our cruise?

The Christmas party we were discussing at one point is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP) and it takes place on several dates in November/December at the Magic Kingdom. I've always read wonderful things about it!!!

 

[MommyTo5]

How "formal" do we dress our children for formal night? The most formal my DS has been is dress jeans! I was going to make him wear dress pants and a shirt and tie to the formal night. I think kids look silly in tuxes. Will we stick out like a sore thumb? It will be hard enough to get my first husband into a suit, let alone DS!!

I think this is what most do...

On our first cruise (and I'm 99% sure that I will do the same for this cruise), I made our Palo reservation for Formal Night solely to avoid having to purchase/pack the extra clothes & shoes the boys would need to dress 'formal'. It wouldn't be an issue for my girls (they have the clothes and already take up more suitcase room - lol), but the boys are really hard on their clothes and generally live in jeans/shorts and hoodies/t-shirts. I'd rather just bring khakis & polos for them. With 6 kids, our packing space will be limited anyway! (We are shooting for 4 large suitcases, 3 medium suitcases, & 1 carry-on for the 7-night cruise & 2 nights hotel) So --- on formal night, we'll just feed the kiddos an early Dinner from Pluto's and send them to their clubs.

We are in the process of changing our park stay to pre-cruise. Is anyone else going to the parks pre-cruise? We will be at the POP century and I understand the buses do not go there. How the heck do we get to one of the hotels the bus does go to? Hauling the luggage could be dreadful! Should we just book other transportation?

If it were me, I would book private transportation. As a bonus, you will likely save money this way! If you'd like to PM me, I can tell you the service that we've used before and will use again in November along with a discount code. I plan on booking as soon as I figure out our pick-up/drop-off times.

Angie, should I ask you park questions here or do we go to another thread?

I don't mind answering them here!

 

[MommyTo5]

I figure they will have menus that cater to kids and if nothing else they will have cheese pizza right.

At Pinnochio's Pizzeria. The restaurant is (walk-up) poolside, but you can carry the pizza anywhere you wish!

Question is her favorite drink is chocolate milk. I hope they have this. My kids don't drink pop.

They do have chocolate milk at the buffets (definitely at breakfast, not sure about at lunch time), in the 3 Dining Rooms during evening meals, and thru room service. You may want to grab and few extra off the buffet and keep in your room just in case your son wants a drink at an off-time.

 

[bambilin]

I may be late in jumping in on this but when we sailed on the Disney Magic in 2002, most of the shows were set up so if you had early seating you went after dinner and if you had late seating you went before. Don't know if that helps anyone.

We took second seating, luckily my kids are used to eating late because of our work schedules.

I really have to take the time to read all of the posts and get better aquainted, just kind of hard with a 3 year old and a 5 month old!!