October 18, 2008- Living Large on the Western!

[Colmenares3]

Between all the activities and video games, he wasn't interested in shows. We figure its his vacation too, so let him do what he likes and/or interested in.

I agree- the only time I definitely will need Max to go to the Lab is during our Palo dinner.

How about on Castaway Cay? Did you do any excursions, or just hang out, mostly? I was wondering about the treasure hunt- some seem to think it's not worth the time, but heck, it's free!

 

[GolfNPirate]

We didn't do the treasure hunt. Ryan was with the Lab cast members while DW & I were getting massages on the Adult Beach. Highly recommended.
The rest of the day we snorkeled, played in the water and ate at Cooky's BBQ. Lunch was awesome. You can get some great pictures of the boat and The Flying Dutchman. Characters are out in the morning (Jack Sparrow,too). We think Castaway Cay was the highlight of the trip, except after the day is over, its the last night and back to reality.

 

[kris-co]

We're going!! Just booked today! This is our first cruise Traveling will me myself, my husband, and my 2 boys - ages 7 and 8 1/2. We haven't told the boys yet and my husband told me to stop obsessing over planning this trip, but I can't help it - I'm so excited

 

[Colmenares3]

I'm so excited

Hey, we must be twins, 'cause I'm all as well! How on EARTH are we going to get through the next 14.5 months!!!

 

[GolfNPirate]

One way to count down the time is to find out how many days out you can book your excursions and Palo. I believe it is 75 days for first time cruisers. Castaway Club members are 90 days. You become a Castaway Club member after your first cruise. Some about a year from now.

 

[flower91882]

Yay, our group is getting larger!

 

[Colmenares3]

Has anyone followed other cruise threads? Do we want to keep track of who's going and their kids ages, or anything like that, in the first post? I'm happy to do that, although I can't promise to update it daily?

I am pretty sure I won't be doing Meets (though you never know). But I'd love to keep track of the DISers on our VERY SPECIAL cruise!

 

[kris-co]

Colmenares3 - I think that would be a great idea to keep track of who is going, kids ages, where we are from, etc.. on our special Oct 18, 2008 cruise!! Do you know how to do this or set this up? We're newbies here here as this is going to be our first cruise
To get us started we are from Denver, CO - dh(45), me(42), ds(8) and ds (7) will be going on this cruise. Come on everyone - who else is going????

 

[Colmenares3]

I'll start adding what I know to my first post, so we'll have an ongoing list there. That seems to be what some of the other cruise threads do.

Heck, we may even want to all meet for drinks one day . . . or not. I'm easy. LOL

ETA: I put in the info I knew, from those who posted. I'm guessing it's most useful to have the kids ages be their cruise-ages . . . didn't know, kris-co, if your ages were for now, or for Oct 08?

 

[WHATIF]

Hi Everyone,
My name is Linda, and I live in Elk Grove Village, IL.a suburb of Chicago. My grandson Calvin (age 11) and I are booked for this cruise. We have been on one other cruise (Princess), but this will be our first Disney Cruise. I am SO excited about this cruise. Cal loved our 1st cruise, but I Know this one will be so much better! I am also glad to have found this thread so I can ask all the million and one questions I am sure to have. Please, add us to the list.

 

[Colmenares3]

Linda, I added you to the list. Is Calvin going to be 11 then, or is that now? My DS Max is now 10, and will be 11 for the cruise (May bday). He is SO excited, and would love to get to know some kids ahead of time. He's a little on the shy side, and doesn't like large groups unless there's a familiar face.

 

[WHATIF]

Hi Erica.
Thanks for adding us to the list. I see you are in WI, just a hop and a skip from us.
Cal is 11 now, so will be 12 on the cruise. He is a very friendly and outgoing sort, who I am sure will be glad to get to know your son, both ahead of time and on the ship. The only problem right now is that the cruise is a secret because I am giving it to him as a Christmas present. Right after Christmas I am sure Cal will be happy to have someone to write/e-mail to about the cruise. Lets keep in touch.

 

[Colmenares3]

Yep, in fact, we're coming your way this week, for a night in Schaumburg (Max's idea of a good time: Medieval Times. Mine: IKEA ).

2008 sounds perfect for getting the boys acquainted!

 

[WHATIF]

I just wanted to say Hi to everyone (Jessica, GolfnPirate, Danielle, and Kris).
I am pretty new to these boards, and have been having a great time cruisin' the Disney cruise boards. I was wondering if all of you know about

1. Green Mickey Heads

2. Fish extenders

3. Door decorations

They all sound like fun to me, and I am going to at least try my hand at door decorations. Any thoughts about any of these things?

Also, by my count there are only about 414 days until our cruise!!

 

[Colmenares3]

I was wondering if all of you know about

1. Green Mickey Heads

2. Fish extenders

3. Door decorations

Feels like a quiz. OK, are the green Mickey heads the paint-chip samples? For, um, nametags? Luggage tags?

I know I've read about fish extenders, but for the life of me I can't retrieve that file from my memory.

As for door decorations, we bought a large (2 ft tall by one ft wide) flat plastic palm tree, like a party decoration kind of thing. I'm going to put magnets on the back of it, and our name somewhere artistic , maybe in a hammock under the tree? Who knows? Don't want it to be too cute, as DS would be sad (and disillusioned) if it were stolen.

 

[WHATIF]

I am so glad you are doing a door decoration!! And it sounds so creative and CUTE!!

I was asking because I am really new to these boards, and they were things I read about very recently. And, yes green Mickey heads = paint chip samples. The fish extenders are pockety type things that you hang from the fish mail holder outside your door so fellow boarders can leave you little things. I saw a few pictures on the board, but noone seems to know how to get them.

I am just being my completely OCD self here. But I always think the planning is half the fun.

 

[Colmenares3]

I am just being my completely OCD self here. But I always think the planning is half the fun.

ITA! If I average the cost of the cruise over all the hours of enjoyment I get planning for it, it's really quite a thrifty vacation.

 

[flower91882]

Unfortunatly, due to some schedule changes, we had to change our sail date. So, we are not longer going to be sailing with you. I hope you all have fun on this cruise!

 

[Colmenares3]

So, we are not longer going to be sailing with you.

I'm sorry that we'll miss having you on board "our" cruise, but at least it sounds like you aren't having to cancel, just reschedule. So that's good. Have a wonderful, wonderful vacation!!

 

[WHATIF]

I am so sorry Danielle that I won't get to meet you, but I am sure you will have the time of your life whenever you cruise!

Erica, How was your Medieval Times weekend? Did Max like it? We took Cal and his two BFs for his tenth birthday and we ALL had fun. We rooted for the Evil Green Knight, and he loved it!

GolfNPirate, How is everything going for your family?

Only two more months until Christmas, then I can surprise Cal with the cruise.
Can't Wait.

Stay happy everyone!
Linda