November 8, 2008 7 Night Eastern 11/8/2008 11-8-2008 FIRST POST UPDATED ON 10/16/08

[Chiefos]

We took lots of pictures of other peoples FEs and Magnets but forgot to take one of our own. If anyone has pics of 7578 please post them.

 

[willful]

Sorry we missed the first day meet'n'greet. We didn't get much sleep because of some last minute packing from me getting off work late Friday. UGH. So we were pretty tired...we ate the so-so welcome buffet then the wife dosed off in our room during the afternoon. But we're on vacation, right? so it's all good! We did get to see the welcome party (or whatever it was called)!! Such a FUN and AWESOME trip!! We interacted with outstanding CMs...the entertainment staff...Brent, Dave, Lisa, etc were funny, warm and inviting and exceeded expectations! Every person we came into contact on the ship - whether it was a behind the scenes person or front line person had a smile and a friendly hello for us.

We met some neat people along the way...just in passing or our dinner mates or on excursions Our Cozumel excursion (cooking class) was GREAT!! Our chef was funny...and the free beer was flowing. LOL

What I learned on this trip:
1. Never sail on anything BUT a Disney cruise line ship
2. Never sail for less than 7 nights.

I felt as if the days just flew by. I was soooo sad when it was over. Luckily we went to WDW for a few days to get over the post-cruise blues.

I was disappointed with some of the food (mostly the breakfast and lunch buffets)...but Palo's was UNBELIEVABLE!! And my Pirate Night lamb shank was sooooo yummy As well as breakfast at Lumiere's. Actually dinner each night was fabulous. It was just a few buffet trips to Topsiders or Parrot Cay that were meh.

Hope everyone else had as fun as we had!!! And that everyone returned safely!! I hope to have some pictures up in a few days.

 

[willful]

We took lots of pictures of other peoples FEs and Magnets but forgot to take one of our own. If anyone has pics of 7578 please post them.

Oh that stinks! And I probably passed your door too. UGH... We were at 7067... And I'd pass all the neat looking doors (actually didn't see any FEs that I recall) and thought I should take a picture but didn't. And I'm glad for the decorated doors because I'd know where to go. Especially the family that are Cubs fans because I knew my stateroom was just down the hall from theirs. LOL

So sorry I didn't take a picture of yours...but hopefully someone else did!

 

[Gecko1]

Castaway Cay !!

Sunset

Kids enjoying veranda at sunset

2!

 

[Gecko1]

I will post more direct pictures later, but you can see most of the good ones here: http://www.gattofamilycruise2008.shutterfly.com

 

[mrsv98]

*sigh* here I sit in the cold and thinking I am a fool for coming home! Wow, what a great cruise. I never had much interest in going to Mexico but we loved Cozumel. Costa Maya was a bit sad since the devestation is still so evident but we helped the local economy by buying some beautiful pottery!

The only blot was the fact someone stole our FE the second to last night. DD had enjoyed it so much, we weren't part of the exchange but DH and I put little things in for her everyday and there were even a few surprises from others that really made her day, thanks! It really makes me mad that someone thought they could just take it, either for a joke or to keep. I have learned my lesson and will personalize the next one as it seems the ones with names weren't bothered.

We have rebooked for Jan 2010 in "our" cabin so the next countdown has started!

Cheers to all, it was great to meet so many of you!

 

[twoandtwins]

We are home and unpacked, wishing we were still on the Magic. I wanted to say Thanks for all the wonderful FE surpirises. It was defintely one of the highlights for my girls. They ran to it everytime we came back to the cabin! DH was impressed also. I know he thought I was a bit crazy between the shirt making, the FE gifts and magnets for the door.

I keep thinking about the gentleman that had to get off in Key West. Does anyone have an update?? I do hope he is doing Ok and is reunited with his family.

 

[willful]

I keep thinking about the gentleman that had to get off in Key West. Does anyone have an update?? I do hope he is doing Ok and is reunited with his family.

I've been thinking about him as well. We didn't know there was a medical emergency 'til we got to dinner. I think we napped through it. Or I should say the wife was napping... I might've been chillin' in the room with some coffee... But I went up to the Deck 9 beverage station, thinking how fast we were moving...as if the Captain was making up time or had to be somewhere quickly. I figured that was the reason. I do hope all went well with that guest!

 

[Mozart]

I keep thinking about the gentleman that had to get off in Key West. Does anyone have an update?? I do hope he is doing Ok and is reunited with his family.

I spoke with a woman who claimed to be his niece while we were waiting for the Coast Guard to arrive. She stated that he was simply losing blood due to an internal bleeding issue he had previously had and they just needed to get him somewhere where blood could be given to him and he would be okay. It apparently had come up a few weeks ago as well but his doctor thought it would be okay for the cruise.

He's from Orlando and his brother was driving down to pick him up on Friday while we were to be at Castaway Cay. The extended family on the cruise were all staying onboard. They wanted to go with the man, but he wouldn't let them. The second person you saw getting on board the Coast Guard cutter was a nurse the Magic was sending to accompany the man to the hospital as a precaution.

 

[1DisneyQueen]

The pictures are great. We are home safe and sound and, unfortunately back to work.

We now have time to plan for the next cruise in 2010. It was nice meeting some of you. I agree the FE gifts were a great addition for my granddaughters. I sent one of them home with a BAG FULL of candy. I figure her parents can figure out what to do. I also figure with this cruise and Halloween some dentist is going to be very busy.

Kate thanks for organizing the FE and Nancy thanks for taking charge of introductions at the meet and greet.

I hope to meet some of you again. Until then. Happy and healthy holidays and travels.

 

[FloridaMom3461]

Hi all,
The pictures are so wonderful!

Thanks to everyone who participated in the FE exchange. It was one of many highlights of the week and Leigha continues to play with her various "treasures". They are all over our coffee table right now!

It was great meeting all of you - despite our "stateroom bad luck woes" we loved the Disney Magic and booked the 12 day European Northern Capitals for June 2010! Let me know if any of you are going also.

The quick version of why we moved staterooms halfway through the cruise: Sunday a water pipe broke over our stateroom - that got corrected but caused some bathroom work to be done on Wednesday that rendered our room uninhabitable due to the strong chemical smells....so we finally were able to move around midnight.

magical wishes to all,
Randi, David, and Leigha

 

[PoohluvsFigment]

I wouyld just like to Thank everyone for the goodies on the fish extenders. Some of you are extra talented and had such neat things. My cabin was labeled 1DisneyQueen2. Thanks to my great Sister.
I am finally signed back on and hopefully will be back till we cruise again. Sept 2010 cannot wait till we sail again.

 

[KBennett]

Hi all,
The pictures are so wonderful!

Thanks to everyone who participated in the FE exchange. It was one of many highlights of the week and Leigha continues to play with her various "treasures". They are all over our coffee table right now!

It was great meeting all of you - despite our "stateroom bad luck woes" we loved the Disney Magic and booked the 12 day European Northern Capitals for June 2010! Let me know if any of you are going also.

The quick version of why we moved staterooms halfway through the cruise: Sunday a water pipe broke over our stateroom - that got corrected but caused some bathroom work to be done on Wednesday that rendered our room uninhabitable due to the strong chemical smells....so we finally were able to move around midnight.

magical wishes to all,
Randi, David, and Leigha

Randi, I had no idea you moved staterooms! How did you still get your FE stuff?

Our room was infested with ants! We found them all over the place, even in the sheets. It was disgusting. While we were at Castaway Cay on sunday, they came in, moved our furniture, ripped out the rug, treated, and put everything back. No more problems.

Kristine

 

[dleem63]

It was fun doing the FE exchange, I loved finding stuff for kids and everyone always needs a guardian "DIS Board" Angel to keep them safe.

I know many of you went back to cooler/cold weather and snow but you didn't have to send it down to Orlando. The wind chill this morning was in the 30's Burr. I am sure you do not feel sorry for us. Did have the fireplace going last night. Of course it will be in the 70s by the weekend.

My mistake for taking pictures of everyone elses FEs and doors and never ours.

DeAnna

 

[FloridaMom3461]

Randi, I had no idea you moved staterooms! How did you still get your FE stuff?

Our room was infested with ants! We found them all over the place, even in the sheets. It was disgusting. While we were at Castaway Cay on sunday, they came in, moved our furniture, ripped out the rug, treated, and put everything back. No more problems.

Kristine

We left a note posted on the door of our old room saying where we had moved to and all the wonderful FE elves found us! Just shows what a great group we had!

Bummer about the ants...mustve been something with our side/floor of the ship. We had ants too and we had them put down that liquid stuff which seemed to work - they wanted to spray and I said "no". Sounds like yours was a lot worse though then ours.
RLK

 

[Morgan4]

Finally got all my pics uploaded. Still all out of order and no captions yet but thought I would share:

http://photos.jrsfanatic.com/GalleryThumbnails.aspx?gallery=141546

J.R. and DeAnna

Dee,

loved your pics, I actually stole a couple of them I wished that I had pictures of the "alive" statues, and you had them, and even Bill is behind one of them!!

Great meeting you and James and yes, the weather here is awful!!! 30 degrees and snow!!! Can't believe that we were just with 88 degrees and SUN!!

Kate

 

[Morgan4]

Am back...boo hoo. Had a blast. I was hoping to thank everyone individually for the wonderful FE gifts but my dd had them opened and either eaten, worn or played with before I had a clue what was what. She enjoyed everything. So thank you all!

And a special thanks goes out to Kate-Morgan4 for organizing the meet and greet and the FE gifts!! Good job kate!!

Hope to see some photos of everyone!!

I couldn't get any pictures either of our gifts. I started to try and write down what people gave us, but then you know how that turned out. I wouldn't see something until it was all ripped open and half was eaten.

So funny to look at someone else's pictures and see yourself! You got a picture of us, we were at the tequila tasting too!


Thanks for all the FE treats. My kids had so much fun checking for surprises. I can't believe how much stuff we brought home! you guys are the best! Hope you all had as much fun as we did! I still can't believe it's over........

We were at the tequila tasting too!!! Brought home some Blanco!

Back at work.... No one has offered me a drink of the day.... I wonder if my room has been cleaned yet?....

Great cruise. I will try to get together the highlights and post later. The priority now to get my deposits back from the planned excursions we never made it to on STM and STT.

We rebooked onboard for the Med in Aug 2010. Let's hope we can budget our way there so we don't have to reschedule.

Rick,

Bill said the same thing. He came home Monday for lunch and was REALLY CRABBY!! I asked what was wrong and he said that It's cold!!!.....No Sun!.... My bed wasn't made......and Noone has offered me a Konk kooler today!!
So we found the recipe and are making them this weekend, putting them in our souvenir glasses adding some slices of pineapple (if I can find one) and sitting with the fireplace on HIGH!! Close our eyes and "POOF" we are there. Now I just need someone to sway us back and forth and add a gentle sea breeze.

*sigh* here I sit in the cold and thinking I am a fool for coming home! Wow, what a great cruise. I never had much interest in going to Mexico but we loved Cozumel. Costa Maya was a bit sad since the devestation is still so evident but we helped the local economy by buying some beautiful pottery!

The only blot was the fact someone stole our FE the second to last night. DD had enjoyed it so much, we weren't part of the exchange but DH and I put little things in for her everyday and there were even a few surprises from others that really made her day, thanks! It really makes me mad that someone thought they could just take it, either for a joke or to keep. I have learned my lesson and will personalize the next one as it seems the ones with names weren't bothered.

We have rebooked for Jan 2010 in "our" cabin so the next countdown has started!

Cheers to all, it was great to meet so many of you!

So sorry about your FE. I just don't understand some people.

The pictures are great. We are home safe and sound and, unfortunately back to work.

We now have time to plan for the next cruise in 2010. It was nice meeting some of you. I agree the FE gifts were a great addition for my granddaughters. I sent one of them home with a BAG FULL of candy. I figure her parents can figure out what to do. I also figure with this cruise and Halloween some dentist is going to be very busy.

Kate thanks for organizing the FE and Nancy thanks for taking charge of introductions at the meet and greet.

I hope to meet some of you again. Until then. Happy and healthy holidays and travels.

Your very welcome. I actually had fun with it. So sorry that I didn't get to talk with most of you. I wasn't sure who people were after the meet n greet. I would think someone looked familier, but didn't say anything. Next time I think pictures before hand would help. Harole Ann, you were right, we should have done that.

Kate

 

[cheeringmom]

I wouyld just like to Thank everyone for the goodies on the fish extenders. Some of you are extra talented and had such neat things. My cabin was labeled 1DisneyQueen2. Thanks to my great Sister.
I am finally signed back on and hopefully will be back till we cruise again. Sept 2010 cannot wait till we sail again.

Hugs Wanada! Pete is still in the doghouse!! hehe

 

[chkdrumr]

*sigh* here I sit in the cold and thinking I am a fool for coming home! Wow, what a great cruise. I never had much interest in going to Mexico but we loved Cozumel. Costa Maya was a bit sad since the devestation is still so evident but we helped the local economy by buying some beautiful pottery!

The only blot was the fact someone stole our FE the second to last night. DD had enjoyed it so much, we weren't part of the exchange but DH and I put little things in for her everyday and there were even a few surprises from others that really made her day, thanks! It really makes me mad that someone thought they could just take it, either for a joke or to keep. I have learned my lesson and will personalize the next one as it seems the ones with names weren't bothered.

We have rebooked for Jan 2010 in "our" cabin so the next countdown has started!

Cheers to all, it was great to meet so many of you!

I'm sorry to hear that someone had to spoil your fun I had read somewhere that FEs are sometimes stolen and some suggest using zip ties to make them harder to remove. Of course I did that and then went to take mine down after packing my scissors and couldn't remember where.
My cabin was off in a little corner with only about 4 total, but someone still stole one of my DVC, welcome home magnets. I was a little pissed, but what can you do?

 

[Zoom]

Hi All!! We would to like thank everyone for all the FE treats, DS always wants to go back to the room after dinner just to see what he got. It was very nice meeting all of you and Kate, again thank you for organizing this.
I'm sure you guys saw the news a week ago, we went home to a brushfire here in California and it took us about 2 1/2 hrs to get home (normally just 45 mins. to 1hr drive from L.A.) because of the traffic. One of the fires were really close to where we live, believe it or not the one in Corona (where it started) was just about 2 miles away from our house, lucky for us the wind blew in the opposite direction otherwise we would have been hit.