OCT 16 2010......7 Night Western....

[DizzylandDeb]

Here is a link from a DIS'er who has travelled with a small child and has several good ideas/suggestions. I love reading her posts . . .

I know my DIL is researching the same options for the baby (who will be 6 months at the time of sailing). She thought it was helpful too.

 

[LCoulter]

the max amount of time you can use the nursery is for 15 hours.

Wow, they limit you to only 15 hours for the week? Well, I guess that's enough time for a short excursion at each of the ports.

 

[myolite]

Wow, they limit you to only 15 hours for the week? Well, I guess that's enough time for a short excursion at each of the ports.

For a 3 or 4 day, I can understand 15 hours. But for a 7 day? Not so much. We're talking about switching over to the DVC Members Cruise that is a 4 day in September instead, with 2 days at castaway cay. I'm conflicted.

From disneycruiselines.com:

Reservations
Reservations for Flounder's Reef Nursery can be made online up to 105 days in advance for Concierge Guests, 90 days in advance for Castaway Club members and 75 days in advance for all other Guests. You can also make a reservation during the open house on Embarkation Day on a first-come, first-served basis. Because space is extremely limited, be sure to book your child's nursery stay early. Please note that 15 hours is the maximum total visit length per child per cruise.

 

[myolite]

Here is a link from a DIS'er who has travelled with a small child and has several good ideas/suggestions. I love reading her posts . . .

I know my DIL is researching the same options for the baby (who will be 6 months at the time of sailing). She thought it was helpful too.

Thanks! Their report says 18 hours. Hrmm. Wonder which is accurate. Maybe dis hasn't updated their page?

 

[DizzylandDeb]

Thanks! Their report says 18 hours. Hrmm. Wonder which is accurate. Maybe dis hasn't updated their page?

I noticed that too, but the Disney site says 15, so I go with what the "official" site says.

 

[LCoulter]

For a 3 or 4 day, I can understand 15 hours. But for a 7 day? Not so much. We're talking about switching over to the DVC Members Cruise that is a 4 day in September instead, with 2 days at castaway cay. I'm conflicted.

From disneycruiselines.com:

Reservations
Reservations for Flounder's Reef Nursery can be made online up to 105 days in advance for Concierge Guests, 90 days in advance for Castaway Club members and 75 days in advance for all other Guests. You can also make a reservation during the open house on Embarkation Day on a first-come, first-served basis. Because space is extremely limited, be sure to book your child's nursery stay early. Please note that 15 hours is the maximum total visit length per child per cruise.

We've considered the DVC Member Cruise also...two days at Castaway Cay is tempting. The deciding factor for me is that 7 days is better than 4. 4 just doesn't seem long enough...you just get to know the ship and it's time to go home. Ideally, 10 day is really nice.

 

[myolite]

I think you're right.

 

[goslingl]

Hi! We booked this cruise last week on board ship. We are really looking forward to this cruise. I am Leisha and will be traveling with Tom (DH), Megan (DD 21) and Jose (DD fiancee' 24). We are hoping to convince them to get married at Castaway Cay on this cruise but we will see. I look forward to getting to know you all.

 

[DizzylandDeb]

Hi! We booked this cruise last week on board ship. We are really looking forward to this cruise. I am Leisha and will be traveling with Tom (DH), Megan (DD 21) and Jose (DD fiancee' 24). We are hoping to convince them to get married at Castaway Cay on this cruise but we will see. I look forward to getting to know you all.

goslingl
We are glad to have you sailing with us. Congratulations to your DD & DD fiancee'!

Will add you to our roll call on page 1

 

[myolite]

Hi! We booked this cruise last week on board ship. We are really looking forward to this cruise. I am Leisha and will be traveling with Tom (DH), Megan (DD 21) and Jose (DD fiancee' 24). We are hoping to convince them to get married at Castaway Cay on this cruise but we will see. I look forward to getting to know you all.

Welcome!

 

[goslingl]

Thank you for the welcome. We are really looking forward to being back on the Magic. We have not been on this western iteniary. I am looking forward to seeing Key West. I am not sure about going into Grand Cayman.

 

[truck1]

Hi! We booked this cruise last week on board ship. We are really looking forward to this cruise. I am Leisha and will be traveling with Tom (DH), Megan (DD 21) and Jose (DD fiancee' 24). We are hoping to convince them to get married at Castaway Cay on this cruise but we will see. I look forward to getting to know you all.

Talk to me and my fiance. We are getting married on the ship that week.
The only down side I can see to getting married on the island,and this is me, is that when the ships make one stop at CC, you lose the day on the island.

 

[100acrewoodfan]

Hi! We booked this cruise last week on board ship. We are really looking forward to this cruise. I am Leisha and will be traveling with Tom (DH), Megan (DD 21) and Jose (DD fiancee' 24). We are hoping to convince them to get married at Castaway Cay on this cruise but we will see. I look forward to getting to know you all.

Welcome aboard!! Congratulations to your DD and her fiancee'. A wedding on CC would be very exciting!!

 

[nokidz]

I am not sure about going into Grand Cayman.

You will love Grand Cayman. So far, that is our most favorite Port of Call. You have to do the Turtle Farm!!!

 

[LCoulter]

Does anyone have an idea of how the dining rotation typically works on a 7 day?

If we elect not to do excursions, are we going to be bored? With an 8 month old, I just worry it will be too difficult to do an excursion...

Myolite, is this your first cruise ever or just your first Disney cruise?

I know there is an early (6:00ish) and a late (8:30ish) seating for dinner and you rotate between the three dining rooms, for example:

Day 1 Animators Palate
Day 2 Parrot Cay
Day 3 Lumiere’s
Day 4 Animators Palate
Day 5 Parrot Cay
Day 6 Lumiere’s
Day 7 Animators Palate

Your room key card with indicate if you are early or late seating and the dining room sequence. Your waitstaff and table mates rotate with you. If you don’t like your tablemates, your dining time, your waitstaff or the sequence of your rotation, you can request a change.

I hope this answers your question.

 

[myolite]

Myolite, is this your first cruise ever or just your first Disney cruise?

I know there is an early (6:00ish) and a late (8:30ish) seating for dinner and you rotate between the three dining rooms, for example:

Day 1 Animators Palate
Day 2 Parrot Cay
Day 3 Lumiere’s
Day 4 Animators Palate
Day 5 Parrot Cay
Day 6 Lumiere’s
Day 7 Animators Palate

Your room key card with indicate if you are early or late seating and the dining room sequence. Your waitstaff and table mates rotate with you. If you don’t like your tablemates, your dining time, your waitstaff or the sequence of your rotation, you can request a change.

I hope this answers your question.

First cruise EVER! We requested early dining, but are on the wait list for it.
I guess the nice thing about the 7 day is that when booking Palo's, you don't have to worry about missing a night at AP, or Lumieres, for example.

 

[LCoulter]

First cruise EVER! We requested early dining, but are on the wait list for it.
I guess the nice thing about the 7 day is that when booking Palo's, you don't have to worry about missing a night at AP, or Lumieres, for example.

I have some dining room tips that new cruisers don't usually realize. They are very flexible in the dining room. If you can't decide between two entrees or appitizers...order both. You can mix and match...the veggie from one entree, the meat from this other entree, the potato from a third entree. You can order things without sauces. I've even heard that you can order something from one of the other dining rooms....I'm going to try to order French Onion soup the first three nights.

There are some always available items that are not on the menu but I can't remember exactly what they are but I think steak and grilled chicken are two of them. On Princess, we order baked potatoes every night and are going to try this on Disney.

My understanding is that for the first 3 nights, each of the dining rooms have a completely different menu and as you rotate, you will get each menu (although you could ask to order from one of the other dining rooms). Starting on day 4, the menu in all 3 dining rooms are the identical.
Will the experienced Disney cruisers correct me on this if I am wrong?

 

[myolite]

You will love Grand Cayman. So far, that is our most favorite Port of Call. You have to do the Turtle Farm!!!

I just got done rereading The Firm, so I was joking with hubby we should open up our offshore acct while there. Now to find the money tree with which to fund it.

 

[LCoulter]

I just got done rereading The Firm, so I was joking with hubby we should open up our offshore acct while there. Now to find the money tree with which to fund it.

Good Idea!

 

[LCoulter]

First cruise EVER! We requested early dining, but are on the wait list for it.
I guess the nice thing about the 7 day is that when booking Palo's, you don't have to worry about missing a night at AP, or Lumieres, for example.

We are wait listed for first seating also. I hope I can get it once we board. Eating at 8pm with a 3.5 year old just won't work for us.