October 15, 2005 anyone?

[PearlandPaige]

Crazyformickey, we're booked in 7114, so we'll almost be neighbors! Very exciting!

 

[wayneg]

Welcome pearlandpaige

Sorry can't help with toddler, I'am sure someone will have advice for you.

DS and I are considering Castaway Cay Bottom Fishing trip. Has anyone any experience with this? we have never been fishing so I hope they cater for total novice.
Wayne

 

[llyolf]

1st off, P &P: welcome to the Molar Express and to crazyformickey: welcome back! we have been very busy on this thread. Not much to do in the cold and colder states. It's may and we still are getting snow/rain mix.... luckily it's not sticking... seems more like football weather than baseball (Go Cubs). Here are some ottomh (off the top of my head) tips:

#1 - when flying anywhere, try to get direct flights... we got stuck in Charlotte for 4 or 5 hours with our 2 youngins... whopee we got a free meal on USAir...

#2 - never pack a 6 pack of water bottles in your carry-on bags... it tends to make things VERY heavy.

#3 - flounders was great when we cruised in 2000.... it costs money... but the CMs are GREAT!!!

#4 - there are open times when lil guys and gals can go to the OC (Oceaneers Club) with mommy/daddy in tow.

#5 - it's ok to make a schedule or plan of what your going to do on a day, but always be open to flowage.... flowage meaning just go with the flow.... sometimes toddlers get tired out (especially towards the end of the cruise) so a little down time or nap time is needed...

#6 - Have fun
#7 - Have fun
#8 - Have fun

Besides Have fun, I can't think anything else right now..
Thanks,
Paul

 

[shmoogrrrl]

Has anyone cruised with infants/toddlers before? If so, what was your experience with Flounder's Reef? Any tips, particularly on what to pack for a toddler, would be greatly appreciated.

Welcome! Yay! More people!

We sailed in April of 2003 when our Daughter was 10 months old. Our friends sailedwith us, and their daughter was 15 months.

Katie LOVED Flounders. She is used to short term babysitting from Church on Sundays, so she adapted very well. My friend's daughter had a bit more of a problem, but they were very good at getting her in and involved so that she was too distracted to cry or miss her parents. We loved the staff and felt perfectly safe with her there. Another thing...If you find that you'd like some adult time on a night that you don't have Flounders scheduled, give them a call and see if they have an opening. We actually did that TWICE on our cruise and was able to get the kis in both times.

As far as what to bring, anything your child uses regularly. You can get some toiletries and diapers on the ship, but they may not have the brand that you prefer and you will pay a premium for them. I would get a set of those disposable sippy cups so that you don't have to keep up with the non-disposables.

One of the greatest things about the cruise, in my opinion, is that at meals, we could try a wide variety of foods with Katie and see what she liked and what she didn't. They would bring smaller portions, and if she turned her nose up at something, they would bring her smething else. That was very helpful!

 

[d'Isigny]

Gosh...it is just too much that work expects me to be away from The DIS and my Cynbernet friends. When will the government accept those with 'Disnyitis' as a protective class. We could get a grant...yea...that's it...a grant...to yeah...study the benefits of families taking a Disney vacation. For your benefit...I...would volunteer my family to make this sacrifice…no – no…please don’t make a fuss. We will gladly do this for you and your future generations…regardless of the number of trips they force us to make.

Welcome to the newer members…Paige and family – You must know…that Paul (AKA - llyolf) shares some outstanding opinions on traveling/cruising with a toddler. Flounders is AWESOME!!! This was the best money we spent while on-board during our last cruise. The staff, location and care offered to our precious little ones is ‘top-notch’. During the ‘ressie scramble’ please be sure to include Flounders in your ‘game plan’ to ensure the time you want to spend as a ‘couple’ is covered. They do fill up fast…but, appear to offer preference to those with spa or Palo reservations.
Some items to consider for during your flight;
- Take something for your little one to ‘sip’ or ‘snack’ on during take off/landings. You and I can yawn or swallow to clear our ears…our precious ones may not have developed this understanding. If milk is the ‘drink of choice’ for your 18 month old…check to see if your airline carrier offers this on afternoon or evening flights (we learned this the hard way). In absence of your child’s favorite beverage…lolly or tootsie pops make an excellent substitution.
- Activities that keep your little one occupied are suggested to keep in your carry on luggage.
- Choose areas of the plane that might offer you additional room – i.e., the bulkhead is a great place for families. I believe http://www.seatguru.com/home.shtml will offer you some excellent suggestions on what seats are suggested for traveling with little ones.
Where I must openly disagree with Paul…is on his choice of Major League baseball teams. Yes, The Cubs are beloved…albeit, maybe one of the best loved in the entire league – but…please don’t count out my AZ Diamondbacks.

There appears to be some discussion on ‘taking the kids’ out of school. Please report me to CPS…but, I truly believe that as critical as school time is…time with family can be even more of an education. We’ve ‘extended’ holidays for our ‘little ones’ on our past WDW/DCL vacations. Speaking with the teachers as early as possible has made a difference. We request extra credit and ask if there is a special assignment they can complete while on our trip.

 

[SamR]

Have any of you folks checked out DCL's web site lately? Sometime late yesterday, they went online with a major revamped version. It looks a bit slicker, but there are some serious enhancements:

• You can now retrieve and view your reservation even if you booked through a TA. My reservation is with Dreams, but I was still able to retrieve it this morning using the DCL confirmation number that Dreams had given me.
• Much more significantly, DCL has effectively eliminated the onboard "reservation scramble". You can now book Palo reservations (dinner, brunch, and high tea), excursions, spa appointments, and Flounders reservations online! You can also register your kids for the kids clubs. When you can do this varies: 75 days before the cruise for everyone, 90 days before for Castaway Club members, and 105 days before for those in Categories 1-3 (concierge guests).
• They also have added "wish list" capabilities for the excursions and spa appointments. That is, even though we are too far out to book excursions and spa appointments, you can choose the ones you are interested in and save them to a "wish list", making them easy to find later (at booking time) under the "My Cruise Plans" view.

Here is a cut-and-paste from DCL's FAQ page:

The Advantage of Making Reservations Online

Availability for shore excursions, Palo dining reservations, spa treatments and nursery reservations is limited. When you book online, you can easily check availabilities and make reservations well in advance of embarkation, avoiding long lines and paperwork on the first day of your cruise. Relax and enjoy the first hours of your vacation — make reservations online.​

Wow! This is big news! I had heard rumors about something like this, but didn't know whether to believe them, nor did I think they would be this sweeping.

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

So those of us that have sailed before can make these 90 days out?? We need to figure out that date!

Are we all going to do a brunch at Palo still and how would we go about arranging that???

I know we want to do Palo for dinner once or twice and I have to do the brunch. Wow this is just great!

Thanks for the information.

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

Let me know what you guys come up with???

 

[SamR]

would it be July 15th for 90 days out????

July 17th would be exactly 90 days before October 15th. (July and August both have 31 days, hence the two-day difference.)

You said you wanted to have dinner at Palo "once or twice". Note that the DCL FAQ says that you will only be allowed to book one of each meal type (dinner, brunch, high tea) at Palo. I guess that once you are on the ship, you can ask to be put on a waiting list for a second dinner.

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

I am terrible at math...That is why I wanted someone else to check. Ok so I think I know what night I want Palo dinner.

Do you know when Pirate night is on our cruise. I don't want Palo that night!

Thanks for the info...This is so exciting and will make boarding the ship much more relaxing.

I guess if we want a second night at Palo I will check when we get on board.

 

[SamR]

Do you know when Pirate night is on our cruise.

If our cruise follows the pattern they have been on, then Tuesday will be Pirate Night. Sunday will be Formal Night, and Thursday will be Semi-Formal (and Lobster!) night. There's a lot to consider when choosing Palo night!

This is so exciting and will make boarding the ship much more relaxing.

Agreed! Vacations are supposed to be relaxing, and this will remove the one thing (ressie scramble) about DCL that was NOT relaxing.

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

I think I will make Palo dinner on ST.Thomas night and I am going to make brunch for Monday on our day at Sea!
Then I hope to get a Spa treatment on Sunday afternoon??? Thinking about the Lime Salt Glow???

So we need to decide if our group is going to do a brunch or High Tea?? I wish we could? I wonder how we would go about doing this for a big group?

I bet if we called DCL direct and told them about our group they would help?

This is so fun!

Ok I got to get some work done!

 

[SamR]

I think I will make Palo dinner on ST.Thomas night and I am going to make brunch for Monday on our day at Sea!

Boy, those days sound familiar. (Sam ruffles though his DCL planning paperwork.) Yep! Those are the same dates I had chosen: Palo dinner on Wednesday night, with brunch on Monday. Let's hope we're both successful at landing the reservations!

 

[llyolf]

which brings up a good question.... do we want to reserve a DIS meet brunch on Monday?

later,
Paul

(desparately searching the dead sea scrolls for a clue as to when SW will release October fares)

 

[PearlandPaige]

As a newbie to Disney cruises, I'm just curious why you wouldn't want to do Palo on Pirate night. Is it a different menu then or you just don't want to miss out on the Pirate activities?

Also dying to know when SW will release their October flights...

 

[oybolshoi]

Just checked out the new features on the DCL website - that's awesome! I can't wait to make those reservations early so that when we get to the ship on the 15th I can devote my full attention to the shrimp at Parrot Cay!

I did notice something with the spa reservations - either DCL has drastically reduced their services or they aren't listing everything. I didn't see the Rasul Treatment ( AKA The Naughty Mud Treatment for Two ) which DH and I thoroughly enjoyed last year.

PearlandPaige, I believe that most cruisers don't want to go to Palo on Pirate Night because they probably don't serve the pirate themed menu there that you'll get in the main restaurants. The servers all dress up in pirate gear, the menu is presented like a treasure map, and there is dancing and yelling and fun stuff like that. Oh, and everyone will get his / her own pirate bandana to wear at dinner (they force you to keep it on or give you the option of walking the plank!)

I doubt that it is carried over to Palo.

I don't want to miss the Pirate night dinner this year - it was loads of fun!

Brenda

PS - am working with nephew on official Molar Express logo...hope to share it within the next month or two (probably two -- the next four weeks are ridiculously busy).

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

I Definetly want to be at our scheduled rotation on that night!

Sam,

That is too funny that we have chosen the same times?? I don't think we will have a problem getting what we want as long as we do it on the 17th. I think about how many people don't understand FASTPASS at WDW and so this will fly by lots of people too???? I don't get it,but that is ok for us. I think the St.Thomas Palo ressie won't be a problem at all. I figured that would be a good night and we will be hungry after being on our St.John Excursion. I was thinking 7ish???

Their are not that many on Cat 1-3 that can fill up everything. So we can be ready to book at 90 days.

I e-mailed my TA at MouseEarsVacations today. I don't know if maybe she handles our request or if I do it???

This will be so nice!

 

[llyolf]

since we no longer have kewl countdown timers, here;s the breakdown:


162 days 5 hours until October the 14th.... so add or subtract depending on when you get to FL....

 

[SamR]

I was thinking 7ish???

OK, are you sure you haven't been peeking at my notes? I had Wednesday at 7:00 as my first choice for Palo! I've got Monday at 11:00 as my first choice for Palo brunch, although it worries me a bit choosing the brunch day before I know which rotation we have, and therefore which morning we will have the character breakfast. However, I have read a number of reports on the DIS that claim the food at the character breakfast isn't all that great anyway, so if it lands on the same day as brunch, we'll take the kids to the character breakfast, and try to save our appetites for the brunch!

Their are not that many on Cat 1-3 that can fill up everything.

I read on the Cruise Board that those with the REAS package can also book Palo (dinner) at 105 days. Of course, it is possible that fewer people may end up buying the REAS package now that online booking is available.

I don't know if maybe she handles our request or if I do it???

I believe that as long as you have paid in full by the 90-day mark, and you have your DCL confirmation number (which your TA can give you, if she hasn't already), that you can do it yourself through the DCL web site. She might be able to do it for you, but if you handle it yourself you can make sure it gets taken care of immediately, and you can also see the list of what is available and choose appropriately (instead of having to give the TA first choice, second choice, ...).

I'm afraid that I enjoy this planning stuff entirely too much!

 

[FinVicMom]

Quick question - Michelle and Sam - to find out our dining rotation, do we call our TA or should we contact Disney either through customer service or via the Castaway Club. Also - I had ordered the RP at sea and I wonder if we still get a little priority... Any how for all the Moms - Have a Happy Mother's Day. My DH and DD and DS will be setting up some sort of surprise I can't wait

Thanks
Evie!!!!