November 5th 2011 Eastern on the Magic

[Switzert]

The work I am doing has been in Nashville in years past, and I have volunteered not to go. This year asked to go! I will be driving down with one of my coworkers\close friends who also is doing the cruise.

We opted to save our employer money by driving the thousand miles to Orlando and back. It saves them thousands in Airfare and we get paid 50 cents a mile to drive, so it will help offset the some of the extra expenses. It also allows my DW and DD and his DW to pack unrestricted and we will take their luggage with us. Poor Porters!!!

We will be getting there on Saturday evening. as well, but will be driving 12 or 13 hours that day. Luckily no wife and kids so fewer stops. We will be driving back with everyone so it may be a much slower drive back, but we will just have fun and and enjoy our drive as much as we can.

 

[Switzert]

I want to recommend to everyone La Nouba at Downtown Disney. It is awesome and great for kids. We have been twice and love Circqu du soleil shows. It is very pricey but coupons can be found. If you've never been it is worth it. www .youtube.com/watch?v=IrwtqDh-mEc

Still won't let me post links yet but it is above to see a preview.

I only wish they would put a show like this on the cruise. Maybe hard on with the ship rocking.

 

[Switzert]

Beauty and the Beast Castle and many other new features to DW.

I am so glad that DW is expanding. Most of DW rides have been there since I was a kid. I know they will never add roller coasters to compete with Busch Gardens or Cedar Point, but it would be nice.

My DD will love it, and many other young girls as well. Belle character in the movie's and real life character meets. She always seems to be the most caring princess.

 

[Switzert]

Tropical Storm missed St. Martin and the USVI yesterday turning north.

It now looks as though with will go west of Nassau and the other Bahamian Islands. Castaway Cay should only get a little wind and rain. Maybe some rough seas, but nothing damaging.

Three tropical waves in succession coming off Africa. I hope this active spell will take the energy out of the warm water by NOV! Generally it does but nothing is Guaranteed. Last year we didn't have an active Aug\Sep\Oct and had a Hurricane in NOV. So this activity maybe a good thing.

 

[Switzert]

Toree after dance class cutting of the days link! She loves it Kathy, thanks again! Great Idea! We have it on the mantle hang down! at least for know!

Even though she is four she has a great attention span. Especially when doing crafts!

 

[LovesToRun]

Hi All,

Boy, such a busy day for me today, so I've hardly been able to check this board. I feel deprived! With school back in session, it's just a lot busier now. The rest of this week is pretty busy for me because of some back to school events I'm helping with at school, but I think starting next week, things should quiet down for me during the day while the kids are in school.

As for the dress code, I don't know if DS (5) will wear pants each night to dinner, it may end up being shorts. Any opinions, anyone???

My boys go pretty casual to dinner, except on formal night, we do dress up (because we enjoy dressing up), but the other nights, they wear jeans and a nicer t-shirt, or a short sleeve button up shirt. I also bring Khaki pants for the boys, and they usually will wear those one night at dinner. But, they also have worn shorts into the dining room (not raggy shorts, but nicer shorts, and there has never been a problem). It's pretty easy going, and you see every type of dressing style at the dining rooms, and that is because everyone's idea of "casual" is different and everone's idea of "formal" is different, so really they are pretty relaxed about the rules... I think. I've never seen anyone be asked to leave because of what they were wearing. My DH on cruise casual nights wears jeans and a nicer t-shirt, and it's never been a problem at all. I just wear a casual skirt and tank top for cruise casual nights, only because it's just something easy to throw on after being in the sun all day!

The only time I "sensed" that I wasn't dressed totally appropriately is one time we went to lunch at the dining room, rather than eat at the buffet up on the top deck. We decided kind of last minute to have lunch in the dining room, and I was up on deck 9 at the pool sitting in the sun when we decided to go to the dining room. Because it was lunch time, I didn't think I needed to go change into real clothes, so I just threw on my cover up over my swim suit, and went to lunch like that. The cover up is not see through, like some swim suit cover ups are, but you can definitely tell it was a swim suit cover up. But, it really just looked like a little sun dress, too. Anyway, as the host was directing us to our table, he stopped and just looked at me with kind of a "your dressed borderline" look, but he said nothing, and still sat us down. Anyway, after that experience, I decided from now on when I go to the dining room for lunch, I'll just swing by my stateroom and put on real clothes rather than just wear my bathing suit and a cover up.

So, I know that wasn't dinner (I would have never gone to dinner dressed in that), but I do think for the dining rooms no matter what time of day it is, there are "relaxed" dress codes.

Toree after dance class cutting of the days link! She loves it Kathy, thanks again! Great Idea! We have it on the mantle hang down! at least for know!

Even though she is four she has a great attention span. Especially when doing crafts!

That is SUCH a cute picture!!!! We are going to make paper chains, too. We'll do it at the 30 day mark. Fun fun!!!

Kathy

 

[LovesToRun]

Tropical Storm missed St. Martin and the USVI yesterday turning north.

It now looks as though with will go west of Nassau and the other Bahamian Islands. Castaway Cay should only get a little wind and rain. Maybe some rough seas, but nothing damaging.

Three tropical waves in succession coming off Africa. I hope this active spell will take the energy out of the warm water by NOV! Generally it does but nothing is Guaranteed. Last year we didn't have an active Aug\Sep\Oct and had a Hurricane in NOV. So this activity maybe a good thing.

Yes, all of the hurricanes and tropical storms can go ahead and hit St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Castway Cay now and just get it out of their systems so by the time November comes, it's perfect weather!

I just have a feeling that this cruise will be perfect!! I know for me, it just has to be!! The last 3 cruises I've been on, something has gone wrong, and so this one... it just has to be THE one where everything goes right

Let's all keep our fingers and toes crossed!!!

 

[flygrl]

Good Morning,
Haven't been here since Friday I think... Just a busy weekend and Monday's are crazy. Lots of post to catch up and read on, I skimmed through them.

Love the chains as well, might do that at the day 30 mark as well. AS for dressing, we are first time cruisers so I will bring everything... I will have nicer pants for Sean and Meghan loves dresses anyways... good note on lunch time with a dress code. Hoping the weather will be fantastic in November, I have to come back with some color to show people I went away.

I like that you can book your next trip on the ship with a discount... We might just do that, though I hear so many wonderful things about going to WDW we might have to do that instead... Though I promised Darcie we fly to Sweden next.... Ah decisions

I still have to do my door signs... I did order for my printer the ink, I ran out of Yellow and Black so I am just waiting for that and I will get started on printing them out. It is about that time to start getting it together it will be here sooner than we know it. I am already planning Sean's birthday party for October 30th, I want to go to the movie with the kids and see the Three Musketeers but at the movies you can rent the theatre and play XBox 360 on it, he wants that.... 8 kids can play at once so I told him that he can invite 9(encase one can't come) but I had to message some of the parents are the games that they want to play are rated "M" ie Halo... So I only knew 5 out of the 8 so just waiting to hear back. I prefer the movie so I can go and watch but he has his heart set on the games.... AH BOYS!

OK back to work for me...
Tanya

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Tim,

What a great photo. Toree is just bubbling over with happiness
Thats great you can bring stuff with you so you don't have to run it through security while flying, plus so many charge luggage fees. I hate those extra fees.

Kathy

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Good morning everyone,

Tanya,
goog luck with that many boys Im sure your son will have a blast no matter what you guys do.

Tim,

never been to La Nouba but friends have and they agree with you, they loved it.
Another fun experience at Down town Disney is the hot air balloon ride. I was sick last year so i never made it on our last trip
.
It is tethered so safe and has a round metal floor so several can go up at once, although it is never lined up. Probably due to the price. I think it was $75.00 per person. I never timed it but probaly 10 minutes airtime.
The best time to go is after dark because you get a great view of WDW all lit up. If you time it right you may catch some fireworks

It goes up over the lake.

Kathy

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

We are missing a few who were posting often.

We miss you guys,

Jai, Kathleen, Phil, Melissa, Felicia, Heather, Sandy, Michele, Carolyn, Rob& Jen.

Where is everyone???

Hope to see all of you posting soon,

Kathy

 

[LovesToRun]

Hi everyone,

Hope everyone is having a good Tuesday! Does anyone watch America's Got Talent? We've been watching that show, and tonight and tomorrow is the finale! Can't wait to see who wins!! I have my guesses who will win, but it's going to be a hard one because there are some very good acts in the finale!

Well, our weather is getting colder now, so I think the hot temperatures are gone until next summer. We are starting to get back into our normal fall temps (low 60's, high 50's). Now that it's getting colder, it makes me even more excited about the cruise.

I have a question. Has anyone here on this board been on a Disney Cruise since they started doing specific check-in/arrival to port times? The last cruise we were on (January), they did not have the port arrival time slots, but now they do. Well, I've read about this on the main DIS boards, and I'm not sure, but it sounds like if you take the Disney Cruiseline transfers, the port arrival times do not apply to you (ie, you can go into the port building once your bus arrives to port), but the Port Arrival times apply to those who use their own transportion to get to port. Is this correct?? I have read on the main DIS boards there people arrive to port early, but their port arrival time isn't until later, so they just have to sit outside the building until it's their time to enter the building and check-in. Is that true?

We are using Disney Cruiseline transfers from MCO, and I think we have an 11:30 checkin time, but I know the first cruiseline bus leaves MCO around 9 AM, I think, which means if we get the 9 AM one, and our checkin time isn't until 11:30, I don't know if that means we'd have to sit outside port on sidewalk for 1 1/2 hours, or if we'd get to just go in right when we get to port (around 9:45-10:00). Or, if we need to wait at MCO and take a 10:30 DCL transfer to get us there right around 11:30 or so. It actually doesn't matter to us, just because we aren't goign to try to get an upgrade at port, but it's just a lot more fun to wait at port than at MCO, I think. But, if we had to wait outside on the sidewalk for an hour, then waiting at MCO for an hour sounds much better!!

Just wondering if anyone knows how this whole thing works?

And, who here in this group is using Disney transfers (either from WDW or from MCO)? Just curious. We always use the transfers just for the convenience and just no hassle of dealing with a rental car, and trying to navigate to port, plus our kids love to watch the little videos they have on the bus about the ship, and some Disney cartoons.

Good morning everyone,

Another fun experience at Down town Disney is the hot air balloon ride. I was sick last year so i never made it on our last trip
.
It is tethered so safe and has a round metal floor so several can go up at once, although it is never lined up. Probably due to the price. I think it was $75.00 per person. I never timed it but probaly 10 minutes airtime.
The best time to go is after dark because you get a great view of WDW all lit up. If you time it right you may catch some fireworks

It goes up over the lake.

Kathy

I totally agree! The Hot Air Balloon ride is so much fun. It is a bit pricey, but totally worth it for a one-time experience. We did it a couple years ago, and it was so neat!!

Well, have a great day everyone!

Kathy

 

[Daniellenbella]

Switzert -- Toree is adorable! Thanks for the weather update, I hope you're right and we have no problems in Nov!

Our night before we are getting in at 10:30 pm and going to a hotel near the airport. The next morning we are taking a car service to port, they do a half hour stop at a store where we plan to pick up some alcohol & maybe soda/water. Our port arrival time is also 11:30.

We are doing Port to MCO Disney transfers. The onboard checkin & baggage handling was a huge motivator for us to fly Air Tran (instead of Southwest).

I finally uploaded a pic of Isabella's first day of school. I take one the first day & last day every year

 

[clj1410]

We plan on renting a car from Budget, to and from the port, we find it the cheapest way to go. Budget offers a free shuttle between the port and the car rental place. Still not sure where we will stay the night before!

Claire

 

[GreensboroKG]

Love the back to school photos and the paper chain! The corn maze was a lot of fun. It was 14 acres and took us about an hour to complete. My dad - (plaid shirt in our pix) cheated and cut thru some of the corn rows to get out. I liked the corn cannon and DS just had fun being outside and running around. They had a petting zoo and a "jumping pillow" - this large inflatable mat that all the kids were bouncing on. DS said that was his favorite thing.

This weekend DH is off to a Carolina Panther's game so I will have to come up with something to do with DS. If we have nice weather the park is always a good option.

We too are renting a car the day we sail. We're getting in 2 days early so we'll have one to get around MCO and go to WDW MK. My aunt and uncle will pick us up on the return since we have 6 hours before our flight (estimate). We were just planning on returning the rental car and taking the shuttle over around 12-1pm. Do we get an assigned time to board when we complete our cruise registration info? Awaiting DH's updated passport for that.

Happy Tues everyone.

 

[flygrl]

Once in a while I watch America's Got Talent my kids like it and my parents love it. I usually watch Hell's Kitchen and Big Brother but they will be ending too
Great picture of Isabella's first day of school. We are renting a car from Hertz to and from the airport. Just hope we can find our way....LOL

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Danielle, great photo of Isabella.
My question is does she look happier on the first or last day of school.

My kids loved the last day better than the first day I think.

We are doing the cruise line buses from WDW to the port. Dont know the exact time, but last time we caught it around 1:00 P.M. Port arrival was around 2 P.M.
I dont know what our official arrival time is suppose to be, but I cant imagine all the cruisers who paid extra for the bus to be made to stand around outside for an hour

I could be all wrong as they never had specific arrival times before when we cruised.
The reason they started this new rule was to handle the crowds for the larger ships. They dont want 3000 people milling around the terminal at the same time waiting to board the ship.

I do have a couple friends who cruised recently, dont know if they used the bus or not. I will e-mail and ask them.

Kathy

 

[clj1410]

Once in a while I watch America's Got Talent my kids like it and my parents love it. I usually watch Hell's Kitchen and Big Brother but they will be ending too
Great picture of Isabella's first day of school. We are renting a car from Hertz to and from the airport. Just hope we can find our way....LOL

Love BB, sad Jordan is gone. Hells kitchen is one of my other fav's too!

 

[SLM]

Hello, everyone! We were at the beach least weekend enjoying the beautiful weather. The days before we were deluged with rain here in PA-over 8 inches, flash flooding, schools closed a day. Glad that is behind us.
I've enjoyed catching up and seeing all the new pictures. Those little girls are adorable. I think it's so nice all the children will get a chance to meet-familiar faces at the clubs and the pools.
Kathy, (LovesToRun) we are also doing DCL transfers. It's just the two of us. We are staying at the Hyatt Friday night and plan on checking in with DCL desk early Saturday morning. I get the impression even if we have been given a time from checking in on-line, they will give us a time as well which could be earlier. Is that your understanding? Right now I'm worrying about letting the Hyatt get our bags to the cruiseline or take them ourselves. If our luggage didn't get onboard I would be suicidal!
And for the record, I think little or young boys in shorts are just fine. Especially with a warm weather destination.

 

[MouseinMelbourne]

We are missing a few who were posting often.

We miss you guys,

Jai, Kathleen, Phil, Melissa, Felicia, Heather, Sandy, Michele, Carolyn, Rob& Jen.

Where is everyone???

Hope to see all of you posting soon,

Kathy

Here I am!

Sorry I've been quiet. Haven't kept up as much as I would have liked. I'll be sure to check in every day now. We're getting excited about the cruise! Just booked our St. Maarten excursion tonight. And I know someone is going to love me in a few minutes when I cancel a Palo dinner reservation. I'll post separately so others will see it.

Thanks for keeping everything going on here, Kathy!!!

Carolyn