October 17, 2009 Western

[bourgie]

111 days to go!!!!!!

 

[missusem]

looking forward to it... Here's today's QOTD (Question of the day)..

Of all your family members, who is the BIGGEST Disney fan?

I have to say -- it's gotta be me!

 

[MommyTo5]

(Question of the day)..

Of all your family members, who is the BIGGEST Disney fan?

Me!!!

 

[MommyTo5]

Today's Question:

If you've cruised before on Western, what Disney Shore excursion OR activity off-ship did you like best?

Our favorite activity so far has been parasailing at Castaway Cay!

There is another Western activity that we've been looking forward to for years though... and this is actually one of the main reasons that we're booked on the Western itinerary for the 3rd time:

The amazing Stingrays at Stingray City in Grand Cayman! We want to interact with them, feed them, swim with them!!!

Somehow, it has never worked out for us though. In 2005, we didn't make it to GC due to wind conditions. Instead, we had an extra sea day. We actually made it there in 2008, but we had to tender to the opposite side of the island at Spott's Bay (again... due to wind conditions) and all water excursions were cancelled. DCL hired buses to take us into Georgetown to shop instead.

I'm really hoping that it will work out for us in October!

 

[MommyTo5]

When was your first trip to a Disney park?

My first visit to WDW was back in 1978 when I was 5. My Mom and I were in FL staying at my Grandma's beach-front condo in Indialantic. The three of us went to MK for a day visit. I remember it being fabulous! I was able to go for a 2nd visit (same circumstances) when I was 11. These trips left such an impact on me that I wanted my children to have the same magical childhood experiences. When we first traveled to WDW as a family in 2001, I didn't realize just how much of a part of our lives these Disney vacations would become!

 

[MommyTo5]

It's good to know you didn't all vote to call him Dopey!

Yeah, I don't think he would have went for that!

 

[yazee1]

Answer to YESTERDAY's Question


Today's Question:

If you've cruised before on Western, what Disney Shore excursion OR activity off-ship did you like best?


.

This trip will be our third time on the Western itinerary.

Key West - I am especially eager to tour Key West this time. I've finished reading one travel book and have some maps and brochures from the Chamber of Commerce to look over.

• 1st time- kids too young for extensive touring and shopping. Brief visit. Can't remember if there was anything to recommend.
• 2nd trip - left kids in clubs - dh and I perused the shops and enjoyed lunch and people-watching at an outdoor cafe. Nothing in the shops piqued our interest but the people watching and lunch was great.
• upcoming visit- looking forward to historic and architectual tour, pirate museum and more food and people watching - kids' attendance optional

Grand Cayman - Stingray City with Captain Marvin's.

1. 1st visit - booked Captain Marvin's online ahead of time as per Disboard advice. Excellent experience. Saved money & smaller group than a DCL excursion. Downside - kids had never snorkeled or been in the ocean. Tolerated but didn't enjoy the experience.
2. 2nd trip - Captain Marvin's again. Didn't book ahead. No need. Off-season. Excellent time for everyone. Kids were used to snorkel and open water.
3. upcoming: no current plan. Research in progress.

Cozumel - Dune buggy tour -

1. 1st visit - booked Dune buggy tour online - So much fun! Not recommended for little ones. Youngest was 4 but that was pushing it. She did have a great time. Dh drove our buggy. Heaven on earth for him. Three snorkeling stops, visit to ruins (laughable) and a delicious lunch included.
2. 2nd visit - Snorkeling - arranged at the port (hardcore bargaining for good price). Had 9 year old with us. Worth it for the price but not if we had paid the asking price.
3. upcoming visit - Thinking about a ruins tour with underground river experience

I'm not into shopping but I did enjoy shopping for trinkets, souvenirs and silver jewelry (bargaining).

Castaway Cay - Hmmm. Loved all of it.

1. 1st visit - no excursions - just enjoyed the beach fun. Kids loved the Scuttler's Cove.
2. 2nd visit - more of the same. No excursion. Some snorkeling. That was fun.
3. 3rd visit - Just dh and me (kids not on trip) - rented bikes. Really fun. Be careful. Our bikes were taken while we were on the beach. Attendants at the rental place didn't care though when we told them. It was at the end of the day so I don't know if they would have given us new bikes to ride given our old bikes were MIA.

 

[lucky1]

looking forward to it... Here's today's QOTD (Question of the day)..

Of all your family members, who is the BIGGEST Disney fan?

I have to say -- it's gotta be me!

DH is our biggest Disney Fan. He would have most vacations at Disney or Hawaii. (I am addicted to the DISboards).


Laura

 

[lucky1]

Our favorite activity so far has been parasailing at Castaway Cay!

Angie - Is the age for this 8 and up? I really want DD7 to go and she would love it, even in the tandem chair, but I thought I read it was age 8 and up. DD may be 7, but she is the size of most 5 year olds. Very Petite.


I read that Key West has a good pairsailing adventure that takes younger kids, but doesn't seem like there is enough time there at port to do that and do the walking that we wanted to do.


Laura

 

[kerickson]

I've been out of town for work and too busy to check the DISboards (which is super busy for me!)

Let me catch up:

How did you first hear about the Disney Cruise..?

I don't remember how/when i first heard about a Disney Cruise, but when we joined DVC in 2008 it was the first time we actually thought about booking one. We are using some Developer (bonus) points so it makes it worthwhile for us. I've been paid in full (with points) since spring 2008!

Which are your family's favourite Disney Characters??

Me: Tink
DH: Buzz Lightyear
DD: Sleeping Beauty
DS: tie between Captain Jack & Lightin McQueen

When was your first trip to a Disney park?

I went to DL sometime in the late 70's with my parents and sister, stayed at the DLH. Remember the monorail and bringing home a stuffed Donald Duck! Never been to WDW, so I'm excited to go in 2010 before a short 3night cruise.
Our first family trip was DL in Dec 2007. I cried watching my kids walk down Main Street, we were hooked for family vacations ever since...

If you've cruised before on Western, what Disney Shore excursion OR activity off-ship did you like best?

If you've NOT cruised before on Western itinerary, what are you looking forward to doing?

Looking forward to being on a cruise for the 1st time, enjoying the islands, and some alone time for my husband and I My husband has always wanted to take me to Key West, so I'm excited to walk around there, I've always wanted to go to Grand Cayman, and it's been a while since we've been to Mexico so I'm looking forward to practicing my Espanol in Cozumel.

Of all your family members, who is the BIGGEST Disney fan?

Well, my husband at 6'2" 225lbs is the BIGGEST Disney fan , but I'd have to say right now it's a 4 way tie between all of us! We bought DVC, have DL APs this year, and 4 Disney trips planned! We are jumping in head first! I'm the planner though, so I'd say more of my time is consumed with thinking about Disney...

 

[lucky1]

I don't remember how/when i first heard about a Disney Cruise, but when we joined DVC in 2008 it was the first time we actually thought about booking one.


Never been to WDW, so I'm excited to go in 2010 before a short 3night cruise.

Wow. Amazed that you purchased DVC before going to WDW. DH has been bugging me for years for purchasing (we have been going yearly to WDW since 1997), I am just a big chicken when it comes to "timeshares". Where is your home location? We looked at the Grand Californian Villas, in February, but they would not sell to first timers yet.


Laura

 

[MommyTo5]

I don't remember how/when i first heard about a Disney Cruise, but when we joined DVC in 2008 it was the first time we actually thought about booking one. We are using some Developer (bonus) points so it makes it worthwhile for us. I've been paid in full (with points) since spring 2008!

We joined DVC on the Magic last year. (The incentives offered onboard are FABULOUS... often better than on land!) This October cruise is actually a bonus for us. We had our 4/10 Transatlantic cruise booked prior to cruising last November, and planned 2 weeks at WDW this October. After joining DVC, we were given enough Developer Points to cover the cost of one of the two staterooms that we would need for a 7-day cruise, so we changed our plans to stay one week at WDW (staying at our "home resort" - Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary Resort) followed by the cruise. We are really looking forward to our first trip "home" and attending the DVC celebration onboard!

 

[MommyTo5]

DH has been bugging me for years for purchasing (we have been going yearly to WDW since 1997), I am just a big chicken when it comes to "timeshares".

Laura,

You should definitely consider attending one of the DVC presentations onboard. It takes only about an hour and they have a drawing for an onboard credit! If I remember correctly, it's $300!

 

[MommyTo5]

Angie - Is the age for this 8 and up? I really want DD7 to go and she would love it, even in the tandem chair, but I thought I read it was age 8 and up. DD may be 7, but she is the size of most 5 year olds. Very Petite.


I read that Key West has a good pairsailing adventure that takes younger kids, but doesn't seem like there is enough time there at port to do that and do the walking that we wanted to do.


Laura

DCL is very strict on the age restriction and unfortunately, children do have to be at least 8. By any chance, are you flying into Orlando early or staying in the area after the cruise? We've decided to take the kids parasailing on Bay Lake at WDW before the cruise. The dock is right there at the Contemporary and they only require children to be 6!

Here's a link if you're interested!

 

[bourgie]

My husand and I are both big fans of Disney...not sure who is bigger fan.....

Has anyone gotten/made their FE's yet? I would love to see! I am making mine, but have not started yet.......

 

[yazee1]

Laura,

You should definitely consider attending one of the DVC presentations onboard. It takes only about an hour and they have a drawing for an onboard credit! If I remember correctly, it's $300!

This is going to sound crass, but is the drawing only for people who decide to buy points or for everyone who attends the presentation? I've always wanted to learn more about DVC points but we're not in the market to buy any right now.

 

[yazee1]

My husand and I are both big fans of Disney...not sure who is bigger fan.....

Has anyone gotten/made their FE's yet? I would love to see! I am making mine, but have not started yet.......

I don't sew much, so this is assembled with stitch witch. It was supposed to be fancier but I ran out of time.

 

[MommyTo5]

This is going to sound crass, but is the drawing only for people who decide to buy points or for everyone who attends the presentation? I've always wanted to learn more about DVC points but we're not in the market to buy any right now.

Everyone attending the presentation is entered into the drawing... you just have to be 18. During our 11/08 cruise, my oldest DD (had just turned 18) attended an early session and there were only 12 people in her drawing. My husband and I attended the last session on Thursday afternoon and we had probably 100+ people - it was packed! Since these presentations are open to current DVC members too (since we may be interested in getting info on the new resorts, adding on, etc...), I think DH & I will try to attend an early session next time!

DVC is really great since they don't actually try to sell you anything. They show you a video, and the (2) guides will take turns speaking and giving info. You'll get some pamphlets and a nice Dream book on your way out. If you have any questions or are interested in finding out more, you can sign up to speak to one of the guides privately later on during the cruise.

 

[missusem]

Wow! Love the start of seeing the Fish extenders... I understand we are 4 families signed up - is that right? Anymore??

since we're in the middle of moving, no FE yet for us -- but I'll probably make something .. Can't wait to know the final numbers of 'receivers' so I'll know how many goodies to get!!

Anyone up for a question of the day? Here goes..

How much of your vacation (Cruise or otherwise) is about taking photos of the things you do??

For me, it's about the photos (scrapbooker here!) and I like my camera very much .. I love snapping the places but mostly snap my own family.. I probably took a thousand photos the last cruise.. but probably not too many this time - I don't think but you never know.. ..

 

[NCjenn]

On a whim I checked the DCL site today and my reservation had a stateroom listed! It is for 6606...anyone stayed in that before? Hoping it will be a good one.

Been so busy with the kids for the last couple of weeks that I haven;t been on here much and haven't really been thinking about the trip at all. Seeing the room number re-excited me!

Jennifer