October 17, 2009 Western

[shortbusmom]

To answer the question, yes we drive straight through but at planning to leave early am on Friday and get into Orlando, early afternoon and relax at OKW and wait for the arrival of our friends to get there. we drove straight through in June usually leave at 8-10 pm and arrive by noon but it is getting harder to do and DH likes to do most of the driving-- this time I think we will start around 3 am and get in around 5ish that evening which should help. Last year we drove straight through and arrive to the port but what an awful feeling arriving in the clothes that you wore from the day before, washing your face and brushing your teeth in the port terminal bathroom. We both couldn't wait to get out of our clothes and shower and then DH slept for a couple of hours it just makes for a long day. That is why this time we will go a day ahead sorry this is rambling. Are you going without you DS on cruise we are going without the children, they were unable to get off school and work -- that is why our friends are coming.

 

[MommyTo5]

Wasn't someone considering DCL's Castaway Ray’s Stingray Adventure at Castaway Cay?

There is a new review on the DIS Unplugged blog!

 

[MommyTo5]

Anjanette, momsully and Carole ~

Welcome Aboard!!! So glad that you've joined us!!!

 

[yazee1]

Are you going without you DS on cruise we are going without the children, they were unable to get off school and work -- that is why our friends are coming.

We cruised without our kids last year, just dh and me. I hope we can do that again next year. This year they will be with us. I homeschool, so time out of "school" isn't an issue.

 

[lucky1]

Wasn't someone considering DCL's Castaway Ray’s Stingray Adventure at Castaway Cay?

There is a new review on the DIS Unplugged blog!

Thanks, I saw it on facebook. Still think we will do it, even with that review. Only because don't think DD7 would be able to do the one in GC.


Has any one done Mr Sanchez on Coz? Nothing really appeals to us on Coz and so thinking maybe we might just stay on the ship. While the Dolphin encounters see good, they mention it is in waist deep water for kids and since DD7 is very small for her age, I am afraid it might be too deep for her.


Laura

 

[missusem]

Hey Laura --

Our DD is 5 and we're taking her on the Dolphin excursion in Cozumel (Dolphinaris).. they've got great reviews even for the younger kids - instructors will go with them, and you can hold/help your child if needed.

We were checking Dolphinaris vids in Youtube as well to see how it might look.. maybe you'd like to?

Figure it's a once in a lifetime thing right?

 

[lucky1]

Ok Sue.. I will check it out tonight and see if DD would be interested. She is a strong swimmer, just short. Did you book a specific time for this excurison? Might be good to have someone close to her age on the same excurison.


I did a dolphin swim in Cancun years ago with my MIL and for me it was a disaster. I am not a strong swimmer, I am close to blind without contacts, so I couldn't see a thing. (saltwater and contacts don't mix) Plus they had it in an area right around where the ferries come cover from the mainland (not in the nice setting that is in the videos), and so we were chocking on exhaust from the ferry. Looking back I should have stayed on dock and took picture of MIL.

If we do it then DH would go with DD or at least I could skip the swim part, so I could at least see.

Laura

 

[missusem]

We're booked on the 10am one I believe at Dolphinaris with DCL.. (we booked at 105 days).. the full Swim. Dolphinaris looks really safe since it's in pools.. Let me know if you do it.. you're right, it would be soo nice to have another girlie to be at the excursion together..

 

[calmpets]

Has any one done Mr Sanchez on Coz? Nothing really appeals to us on Coz and so thinking maybe we might just stay on the ship.

I've asked this same question in a few different places, but I haven't received many answers. I'm planning to go there myself, since they have everything my party is looking for (tequila tasting for me, horseback riding for Sue, beach massage for Jenn, etc) but I can't seem to get much feedback. My initial online research had almost all positive reviews, but then they had a problem with one of their main vendors (who sells Mr Sanchos packages) and all the feedback seemed to relate to problems with that.

 

[MommyTo5]

The Fatfish waverunner excursion in Grand Cayman is looking like a lot of fun. It's probably too expensive for the five of us, but we'll see what happens. I emailed the company to ask about the minimum age for passengers. I haven't heard back yet.

Monica,

Did you hear back on the minimum age yet?

 

[TheDawnPatrol]

I've asked this same question in a few different places, but I haven't received many answers. I'm planning to go there myself, since they have everything my party is looking for (tequila tasting for me, horseback riding for Sue, beach massage for Jenn, etc) but I can't seem to get much feedback. My initial online research had almost all positive reviews, but then they had a problem with one of their main vendors (who sells Mr Sanchos packages) and all the feedback seemed to relate to problems with that.

Hello,

Don't know if you have seen these sites, but I came across them when looking for excursions at Cozumel:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=911216

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=848066&page=6

Regards,
Pete

 

[MommyTo5]

Our stay at BLT will be a quick one before the cruise. We plan to arrive in the early afternoon on Thursday, and just relax and hang out around the hotel pool. At night, we may try to do the campfire at the CR beach and then maybe watch Hallowishes at 9:30 from the observation deck. Friday will be our commando parks day, with the Studios in the morning, a short break, and the Magic Kingdom in the afternoon and evening. Saturday morning will be a quick breakfast and an excited drive to the port!

We'd be happy to say hi if you're going to be at the hotel on Thursday afternoon or in the terminal on Saturday morning. What are your plans for those days?

We'll be at Epcot on Thursday, but I'm hoping to leave early enough to grab dinner at the Contempo Cafe followed by the campfire & movie on the beach @ CR. On Friday, we're planning a short day at MK. I'm still debating dinner that night at Chef Mickey's. After that, I'll probably send the kids to the pool with DH, so that I can finish washing and re-packing. Saturday morning breakfast will be at Captain Cook's @ the Poly. We'll be taking a private van to port... which I still need to book - ugh! I'm so behind!

 

[lucky1]

We'll be at Epcot on Thursday, but I'm hoping to leave early enough to grab dinner at the Contempo Cafe followed by the campfire & movie on the beach @ CR. On Friday, we're planning a short day at MK. I'm still debating dinner that night at Chef Mickey's. After that, I'll probably send the kids to the pool with DH, so that I can finish washing and re-packing. Saturday morning breakfast will be at Captain Cook's @ the Poly. We'll be taking a private van to port... which I still need to book - ugh! I'm so behind!

Angie - We are thinking now about actually coming in Wednesday and staying (somewhere onsite) for 2 nights and then heading back to the Hyatt MCO friday night and taking the DCL transportation to the port. Using ME transportation from MCO to Disney. Then we would do something on Thursday (maybe Epcot). MVMHP on Thursday evening (if there are still tickets). Pool or Waterpark and DTD on Friday and then head back to the airport in the evening and stay at the Hyatt. Is this too complicated??? I really wanted to get to the Port early enough, because I know leaving Disney resorts with DCL you don't get to the port until 1 or 2 pm.
I like taking DCL transportation for coming back to the airport after the cruise because they will handle our luggage. We looked into private transport from a Disney Hotel to port and then DCL transfers back to the airport, but it would end up cost more for the 3 of us.

Laura

 

[calmpets]

Thanks Pete, for the links on Mr Sanchos. And now I can do my happy dance, because I'M PAID IN FULL! PAID IN FULL! YIPPEE_KY_YAY I'M PAID IN FULL!

 

[missusem]

Congrats on being paid in full April!!!! I guess you can't wait huh?

We're driving in from Miami the night before and staying at one of the hotels at CC. We're probably getting the Hertz Shuttle into the port like we did last time.. and then the Hertz shuttle out again...

I'm soooooo excited!! There's a chinese/japanese place in front of the Radisson at Cape Carneveral which I really enjoyed the last time.. will probably stop there for dinner the night before the cruise.. anyone there with me? ...

 

[MommyTo5]

And now I can do my happy dance, because I'M PAID IN FULL! PAID IN FULL! YIPPEE_KY_YAY I'M PAID IN FULL!

Woohoo!!! Congratulations, April!!!

 

[frndofpooh]

We'll be at Epcot on Thursday, but I'm hoping to leave early enough to grab dinner at the Contempo Cafe followed by the campfire & movie on the beach @ CR. On Friday, we're planning a short day at MK. I'm still debating dinner that night at Chef Mickey's. After that, I'll probably send the kids to the pool with DH, so that I can finish washing and re-packing. Saturday morning breakfast will be at Captain Cook's @ the Poly. We'll be taking a private van to port... which I still need to book - ugh! I'm so behind!

It doesn't sound like you're behind at all! Park days planned, dining planned, hotel activities planned - what's one little van ride to worry about?

 

[frndofpooh]

I have a silly question that I hope someone can answer. When in Grand Cayman and Cozumel, will we need to get foreign currency? If so, what's the best way to do this? I'm mainly concerned about things like cab drivers or local restaurants or anyone who won't take credit cards. Thanks!

 

[MommyTo5]

Angie - We are thinking now about actually coming in Wednesday and staying (somewhere onsite) for 2 nights and then heading back to the Hyatt MCO friday night and taking the DCL transportation to the port. Using ME transportation from MCO to Disney. Then we would do something on Thursday (maybe Epcot). MVMHP on Thursday evening (if there are still tickets). Pool or Waterpark and DTD on Friday and then head back to the airport in the evening and stay at the Hyatt. Is this too complicated??? I really wanted to get to the Port early enough, because I know leaving Disney resorts with DCL you don't get to the port until 1 or 2 pm.
I like taking DCL transportation for coming back to the airport after the cruise because they will handle our luggage. We looked into private transport from a Disney Hotel to port and then DCL transfers back to the airport, but it would end up cost more for the 3 of us.

Laura

It does sound a bit complicated, but I understand wanting to get to the port early. We've done it both ways, and (IMO) it makes a HUGE difference in your enjoyment of that first day

Have you considered just staying at WDW until Saturday morning, taking ME back to the airport then, and just catching a DCL bus from there? This way, you wouldn't have to worry about switching hotels - and all the extra time that it would cost you to do that. The DCL buses from the airport run continuously all morning with no reservations required, so you should be able to hop off ME and be leaving on your DCL bus within 15-30 minutes.

I just found out that the company we've always used for transportation to port no longer has their van. I just contacted them and if they can't accomodate us in one of their SUVs, we'll have to use another transportation company to get us to the port this year. If this is the case and we do end up in a van, you could just hop over to our resort on Saturday morning and ride along with us... if you would want to! We are only 7 and the vans usually seat up to 10 plus luggage. I'll let you know what our plans are when I hear back on this!

 

[MommyTo5]

I have a silly question that I hope someone can answer. When in Grand Cayman and Cozumel, will we need to get foreign currency? If so, what's the best way to do this? I'm mainly concerned about things like cab drivers or local restaurants or anyone who won't take credit cards. Thanks!

It's not necessary. Most places will accept credit cards. I've used Mastercard, Visa, and even AMEX with no problems... just keep in mind that most card issuers *except Capital One* charge a foreign transaction fee between 1% and 5%. The small businesses that don't accept CCs are happy to accept U.S. currency. In fact, most stores in the ports mark their prices in US $. For the cash that you do take, I'd recommend bringing lots of small bills (ones and fives) since you will usually be given your change back in that country's currency!