OCT 16 2010......7 Night Western.... "BRING BACK THE MAGIC"!

[pinkygirl]

hey everyone!!! hope you are all well and keeping busy LOL
not much going on here, I guess that's good right?

 

[pperfectmom]

nenner1-after keeping up with your TR I am now planning to do several things I never would have even considered on our cruise. Stingray City is a must as is Margaritaville Cafe in GC. I can't wait!

 

[schwenksvillemouse]

I'm weighing my options on how to get to the port. I'm leaning towards a towncar so I can leave earlier in the day to arrive at the port by 10 AM. I'm not feeling like I want to deal with a rental car drop off at the port either.

Do most of you take Disney transportation or get to port on your own? It looks like a town car is about $200 round trip from the airport.

 

[RanCan]

Well, I found something to keep me busy and to make the time fly by faster...I just signed up for the Avon Breast Cancer 3-day walk that will take place the end of this October. Since I am soooo out of shape right now, I have some serious training to do! I have wanted to do this for years, but everyone thought I had lost my mind and NO ONE wanted to participate with me...but this year I found people as crazy as me!!

So, I will be working my tushie off for the next few months so I don't wimp out during the three day, sixty mile walk for a cure!

Thanks for letting me share my news! Okay. Back to cruise talk...

That is fantastic!!!!
I wish I could find someone to do that with!! I think it is great that you are going to take the time to do something so physically challenging for such a great cause!!
Good luck!! And please keep us posted!!

 

[livingis2me]

nenner1-after keeping up with your TR I am now planning to do several things I never would have even considered on our cruise. Stingray City is a must as is Margaritaville Cafe in GC. I can't wait!

Stingray city is awesome! That is one you'll probably want to do "on your own". The excursion(s) Disney offers are not as good. The crowd is way too large and they don't do the extra snorkeling stops. Not to mention they charge more than twice as much as doing on your own.

Thanks for taking my advice and checking out Jen's TR .

 

[nenner1]

Hi, all,

We had a GREAT time in WDW.....Can't wait to go back in August.........

Glad to hear you had a great trip!!!

nenner1-after keeping up with your TR I am now planning to do several things I never would have even considered on our cruise. Stingray City is a must as is Margaritaville Cafe in GC. I can't wait!

Thanks! I'm so glad it has helped you! It will be great time for you, I know. As far as Cozumel....all I can say is "Do as we say and not as we did"....that story is coming up in the next few days..as soon as I can get it typed and the pics uploaded.

Thanks for taking my advice and checking out Jen's TR .

I swear he's like my pimp!

I'm weighing my options on how to get to the port. I'm leaning towards a towncar so I can leave earlier in the day to arrive at the port by 10 AM. I'm not feeling like I want to deal with a rental car drop off at the port either.

Do most of you take Disney transportation or get to port on your own? It looks like a town car is about $200 round trip from the airport.

Well, we live here so we drive our own vehicle.
But parking is pretty expensive ($15/day) so we were thinking about staying the previous night at the Radisson where you can park for free for the duration of the cruise...so basically we would get a nights stay at the port and parking for less than we would pay just to park at the port..

However, I know that doesn't work for you. I had actually considered not arriving at the port so early next time (but Ron vetoed that pretty quick). If you get there at opening, you have plenty of time to do your check ins but realize that just a difference of 15 minutes could make the difference for huge lines. We were about 15-20 minutes after 10 am on our last cruise and the lines were all pretty bad (the security line looked worse than it was but the other lines were pretty nasty). Then you have to just wait around in the massive crowds (often there is nowhere to sit unless you snag chairs very early). It isn't like that in the afternoon, after the masses have already boarded. The benefits to getting aboard early are the buffet at Parrot Cay is still available (and we much prefer that to Topsiders!), the Palo/Dining rotation lines are open (should you need to make adjustments), and for the first hour the pools are pretty reasonably empty. Downfall to boarding early is the staterooms are not ready yet so you have to lug your carryons around.

The towncar....I'd have to say if we were in your situation we'd probably go that route. It doesn't cost *that* much more than parking at the port does, for those of us who have to do that. Heck, Disney transfers are pretty expensive, the towncar may even be a better value!

 

[schwenksvillemouse]

Thanks for the input. I think I got an on line quote of $190 round trip to the port from the airport. Obviously I have a lot of time to figure this all out. I am an early person by nature. I like to get to where I'm going early. Am I correct in that they start letting people on the boat by noon?

 

[dizzi]

Can you tell me more about the raddison.......
Like.........

The Address
Website if i would like to look at it?

Tell me about how you get to the port and how early can you get there??

What is available to do at the hotel?
Pool?
Dining?
Other?

THanks

 

[dizzi]

Thanks for the input. I think I got an on line quote of $190 round trip to the port from the airport. Obviously I have a lot of time to figure this all out. I am an early person by nature. I like to get to where I'm going early. Am I correct in that they start letting people on the boat by noon?

I dont recall what time they started us getting on the boat....But we were the 7th person inline waiting in our car to get into the parking lot and even being that early it didnt feel like we waited along time.

By the time we got our lugage out and sent on its way
Got through security
got up to the counter to check in
located our dis group
chatted a bit
took pictures of the miniature boat \
pictures with minnie
signed kids up for kids clubs
DH bought too much stuff in little shop
went to potty
sat down to take it all in
and they called our #

I did topsiders when we left out of Port Canaveral
and
Parrot Cay when we left out of California
I perferred Topsiders actually and sitting outside
We got a great table outside and sat and watched thethings happening around us.

Even after eating we got a great place by the pool and lounged for a bit.
The kids did not have their bathing suits on but they will this time!

Leaving out of California it was cold and i was sick with a mild cold and dint want to sit outside so we chose to go to Parrot Cay i was not impressed with there food but that is just my opinion.

Any way you choose to go.....Your on vacation on the MAGIC what more could you ask for!!!

 

[kritter]

Well, I found something to keep me busy and to make the time fly by faster...I just signed up for the Avon Breast Cancer 3-day walk that will take place the end of this October. Since I am soooo out of shape right now, I have some serious training to do! I have wanted to do this for years, but everyone thought I had lost my mind and NO ONE wanted to participate with me...but this year I found people as crazy as me!!

So, I will be working my tushie off for the next few months so I don't wimp out during the three day, sixty mile walk for a cure!

Thanks for letting me share my news! Okay. Back to cruise talk...

That is AWESOME that your going to do the walk. My mom had breast cancer a while back about 8 years ago and we did the one day walk here in CT.....Your going to feel so good after you complete the race.....Please keep me posted on your training.....GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[dizzi]

I just went ot that Raddison Web site and it say on the front page room and parking starting at $84 but then when you get to it and put in fake dates(cuz they only go a year ahead) the october for this year is $139.

But still if you are planning on staying a night before it is still a good deal......But only if we can get to the port EARLY!!!!

 

[livingis2me]

I just went ot that Raddison Web site and it say on the front page room and parking starting at $84 but then when you get to it and put in fake dates(cuz they only go a year ahead) the october for this year is $139.

But still if you are planning on staying a night before it is still a good deal......But only if we can get to the port EARLY!!!!

I've seen a lot of threads regarding the Radisson on the DCL forum. I think the first shuttle is 10 am. That is when the port usually starts letting people in. I think it would get us there by 10:15 and we may not have quite as good of a boarding pass as we would by being one of the first to arrive. Plus you'd have to stand in line outside to check your luggage. I could be wrong, maybe they have an earlier shuttle.

The other thing that I wonder about is the return shuttles. I would not want to wait around at the port for a long time when we get off the boat. Take it from me and stay tuned to Jen's trip report that it is not fun to see all the happy folks getting ready to enjoy their vacation as you are unwillingly finishing yours.

 

[schwenksvillemouse]

I dont recall what time they started us getting on the boat....But we were the 7th person inline waiting in our car to get into the parking lot and even being that early it didnt feel like we waited along time.

By the time we got our lugage out and sent on its way
Got through security
got up to the counter to check in
located our dis group
chatted a bit
took pictures of the miniature boat \
pictures with minnie
signed kids up for kids clubs
DH bought too much stuff in little shop
went to potty
sat down to take it all in
and they called our #
QUOTE]

Thanks. So from what I gather here they open up at 10 AM & allow folks in at that time. As mentioned there several items to take care of once luggage is dropped off.

One more question. I've seen references to getting a boarding number. How many people get the same number? How much time does it take to load each group? I've seen reports of people arriving before 11 AM, but getting a higher boarding number. I realize it all depends how many show up ahead of you.

 

[pperfectmom]

I just went ot that Raddison Web site and it say on the front page room and parking starting at $84 but then when you get to it and put in fake dates(cuz they only go a year ahead) the october for this year is $139.

But still if you are planning on staying a night before it is still a good deal......But only if we can get to the port EARLY!!!!

I did that and got a rate for $107. I think it may have been a AAA rate though. Also, I read that you get free parking and shuttle even if you don't book the actual room and parking package. Not sure why they even sell it that way. We'll be driving down most likely from Kentucky so will definitely need a place to stay. I'm going to try to talk DH into a couple nights at WDW after the cruise for a quick fix and maybe a MNSSHP.

 

[livingis2me]

So from what I gather here they open up at 10 AM & allow folks in at that time. As mentioned there several items to take care of once luggage is dropped off.

One more question. I've seen references to getting a boarding number. How many people get the same number? How much time does it take to load each group? I've seen reports of people arriving before 11 AM, but getting a higher boarding number. I realize it all depends how many show up ahead of you.

We were among the first 30 or 40 in the building for our 3 night cruise and we got boarding pass 2, which is the best you can get unless you are concierge. Our 1st cruise we were in the building around 10:15 and got a #3. Our last one we were a little late. I'd say we were in the building by 10:30 and we got #5.

Once they begin boarding (around 11:45am I think) they will select a special family to board first and then concierge and then boarding pass #2, then #2's and #3's and so on and so on. It seems as if each pass gets about 5 minutes or so. Being #5 took no more than 15 minutes after "rope drop".

 

[livingis2me]

Also, I read that you get free parking and shuttle even if you don't book the actual room and parking package. Not sure why they even sell it that way.

Wow, if that's the case what a great savings!!!

 

[livingis2me]

I'm going to try to talk DH into a couple nights at WDW after the cruise for a quick fix and maybe a MNSSHP.

That would be fun! We could just drive up Friday afternoon, do MNSSHP and then drive to the Radisson afterward. Catch that Jen? But, what to do with all that candy? I guess we could bring it in a carry-on.

We'd still have to get up a little early on cruise day and do our traditional Cracker Barrell breakfast, or do we hit one on the way over to MNSSHP?

But then we'd miss out on all the fun we usually have the night before "marathon" packing?

 

[nenner1]

Can you tell me more about the raddison.......
Like.........

The Address
Website if i would like to look at it?

Tell me about how you get to the port and how early can you get there??

What is available to do at the hotel?
Pool?
Dining?
Other?

THanks

I'm sorry I don't know much about it at all! We've only casually discussed our parking plans at this point. A lot of people from our previous cruise stayed there, and I don't recall hearing any negatives.

I
But still if you are planning on staying a night before it is still a good deal......But only if we can get to the port EARLY!!!!

I've seen a lot of threads regarding the Radisson on the DCL forum. I think the first shuttle is 10 am.

Yeah, that is what I thought too 10 AM.

I'll have to ask Kimberly I know they stayed there and I know she was at the port very early so I'll ask her how she got there.

The other thing that I wonder about is the return shuttles. I would not want to wait around at the port for a long time when we get off the boat. Take it from me and stay tuned to Jen's trip report that it is not fun to see all the happy folks getting ready to enjoy their vacation as you are unwillingly finishing yours.

Yup. That would suck.

We were among the first 30 or 40 in the building for our 3 night cruise and we got boarding pass 2, which is the best you can get unless you are concierge. Our 1st cruise we were in the building around 10:15 and got a #3. Our last one we were a little late. I'd say we were in the building by 10:30 and we got #5.

Once they begin boarding (around 11:45am I think) they will select a special family to board first and then concierge and then boarding pass #2, then #2's and #3's and so on and so on. It seems as if each pass gets about 5 minutes or so. Being #5 took no more than 15 minutes after "rope drop".

Yeah, what he said. I really hate how they are not consistent with how they handle the boarding passes. One cruise they gave it to us when we checked in at the desk. One cruise they were handing them out at the elevator and I walked right by the lady in my hurry to get to the counter where I *thought* I was going to get my boarding pass. And last cruise there was a huge line and they were passing them out at the beginning of the line, but they are not very conspicuously handing them out and I walked right past *again*. I had to go back and get it (lucky the people in line in front of me and behind me held my place). As far as how many people get each number..no consitency there either. On our first cruise it seemed like very few people were 2's but a lot of 3's. On our second cruise there were a TON of 2's. On our last cruise it seemed like there were not very many of 1,2,3 but a lot of 4,5 and on. Most of us were 5's...we were all standing together chatting and there was a mass exodus for the Mickey Ears when they called 5...

That would be fun! We could just drive up Friday afternoon, do MNSSHP and then drive to the Radisson afterward. Catch that Jen?

Oh yeah, I caught that!

But, what to do with all that candy? I guess we could bring it in a carry-on.

Two words. FISH EXTENDER.

We'd still have to get up a little early on cruise day and do our traditional Cracker Barrell breakfast, or do we hit one on the way over to MNSSHP?

Yeah, that is when it would have to be. It's always the first thing we do on vacation, right???

then we'd miss out on all the fun we usually have the night before "marathon" packing?

Yeah, you wish. The packing marathon would just be a day earlier, that's all.

 

[livingis2me]

Anyone have any big plans this weekend???

We do... Jimmy Buffett concert tomorrow! We'll spend the day tailgating and then the show. To parrotheads this is like Christmas!

 

[livingis2me]

Oh yeah, the next installment of Jen's TR is up. Check it out if you'd like to read about the first half of our Cozumel adventure.