October 21st 2006 !!!!

[Timon]

Welcome to all the October 21st 2006 Disney Magic Cruisers!!

Okay, how about we get to know each other and let the planning begin!!!

We've got about six months to go so let's all get pumped!!



I have started a website for all of us which you can find HERE !!!

Hopefully it will be helpful in all your cruise planning!!

 

[tinkerfun]

Thanks for the new thread and mentioning there's just about 6 months left, I feel like I can finally start getting excited now! We booked this cruise in Oct 2004 while we were on our 1st Disney Cruise, so it seems like it has taken forver to get here!!!!
We are planning on going to Discovery Cove doing our stay in Florida and maybe seeing Kennedy Space Center. And the kids want to stay at the Nick Hotel they've seen on TV. It looks like the rates aren't too bad for a Sun-Thu stay. So let me know if anyone has any info on those places.
Thanks,
Julie

 

[J&ADisneyMom]

Hi Cass,

I am happy to see you will probably be on our cruise! I read your trip report religiously last fall. I loved all the info and all of the pictures. It looked like you had so much fun. We're considering going two days early, spending one night on site and attending MNSSHP prior to sailing. I'd love to hear all of your tips for the party, sometime.

We booked Capt Marvins for the stingray swim, already. I hope you (we) get there this time!!! Will you go through DCL for the stingrays, or will you go through a private tour service?

My dh was just looking at your photos posted with your signature and we both think you look like friends of ours that are married!!! I should bring a picture of them onboard to show you.

Thanks for setting up the new site,

Shell

 

[Timon]

nrsldy & J&ADisneyMom...your info is up on the website!

Let me know if you want to add something or if I made a mistake anywhere!


tinkerfun,

We did Discovery Cove this past October and it was awesome!!!
I have photos and video of it on my website:
WDW 2005 Video This has some footage of the park and some of the Dolphin Encounter from the beach area.

Our Dolphin Swim Video This is the video that they took of us during the dolphin swim.

Discovery Cove Photos And these are my photos from our day at DC.

Tips:
Get there early! Try about 8 am if you can get there that early! You will get your Dolphin swim early which is good cus then you can get that done and just relax for the rest of the day instead of checking your watch all the time.

Prepare to have sticker shock when you go to buy your photos/video!!

Check out park maps BEFORE you go so you can at least get an idea of how the park is layed out.

Most importantly, suck up all the magic you can, it's a wonderful experience but it goes by SO fast!
btw...did you want to add your info to the Who's Going page???


J&ADisneyMom,

Thanks! It was a lot of fun to post the live report! I will be doing it again this October if we go!!!

Yes, definitely see MNSSHP!!!! The parade and fireworks alone is worth the admission price! The new Hallowishes was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!

You can watch a video I made of MNSSHP on my web site HERE or look at some photos and my trip report HERE Photos are at the bottom of the page after the trip report.

Definitely bring that photo!! Ya know, I get that a lot! People are always asking me "Do you know Susan??" or "You look familiar, do I KNOW you??"

LOL

If we go, which of course I am ALL excited about now , I will be booking the Short Excursion (approx. 2.5 hours): 11:15 AM to 1:15 PM
with Captain Marvins. I've seen the cruise line boats and most of them have about 100 people on board! Capt Marvins and Nativeway (we booked with them in 2003) have smaller boats with about 15-20 people on board so you get more attention from the tour guys to feed the stingrays or to look/learn about them.

 

[abitjaded]

Thanks Cass! The web site looks grand.

NRsldy, will DS12 still be 12 when we cruise? DS13 will turn 13 in July, too old for the kid's clubs. Off to the tweens. What does your son like? My DS plays Runescape and World of Warcraft constantly. Not too crazy about that. He isn't playing this week, though. Not until his math grades come up. Yuk, what an age, he is in 7th grade.

Heard a rumor from school that one of DS10's classmates may be cruising, too. Need to talk to his parents to find if this is the week. DS13 is on traditional year, his fall break is the week we cruise. DS10 has three weeks off for his track, and his friend could be one of two weeks. He told me they were going to Margaritaville, so this may be the one!

Will try to avoid real names on this thread, unless folks say it is O.K.

Carla

 

[tinkerfun]

Hey Cass,
My dd11 and I loved looking at your Discovery Cove photos and video, she was sooo excited after seeing them and can't wait to go. Thanks for the tips you had. I just got the kids break schedule, I thought we were going to have a week off before the cruise, but it looks like it's going to be the week after now, so I'm glad I hadn't book Discovery Cove yet.
We missed Grand Cayman last time and had really wanted to do the sting rays, so I'm hoping to get there this time.
Thanks,
Julie

 

[tinkerfun]

Does any one know the days for MNSSHP this year? And when do tickets go on sale? We just read Cass' trip report there and thought that might be a good way to spend Halloween since we won't be home.
Oh, and any ideas for easy, inexpensive costumes that don't take up much suitcase room? I have a dd11 & a ds9. Maybe we should all be pirates this year since we would be able to get to use them twice on the trip!
Thanks,
Julie

 

[Timon]

You can see the expected dates for MNSSHP on this website

Scroll down to October and you will see MNSSHP written on the right hand side of the expected days.

The OFFICIAL dates should be released at the end of April as they were released last year on April 30th.


We went as pirates last year for the same reason, we could use them during Pirate Night on the cruise AND MNSSHP I suggest either ebay or your local Walmart or Target come September/October for costumes!

 

[tinkerfun]

Thanks for the website with the MNSSHP dates. Do you know if they always have it on Halloween? The site listed dates for MNSSHP, but on 10/31/06 it just said Halloween, not MNSSHP. That would be our preferred date. I can check on it when tickets go on sale.

My family has really been enjoying your website, Cass. I showed my husband some stuff on it the other night. He never seems to get as excited as I do about Disney, or the whole vacation planning stuff!

I'll keep my eye out for pirate stuff , I'm hoping there will be a lot of it out this season with the new Pirate movie opening in July.

Thanks,
Julie

 

[Timon]

Yes, they always have it on Halloween Night. We went to it last year and although everything I read about the crowds being really bad, they weren't as bad as everyone said. Yes, a little busier than other nights but not intolerable.

Halloween Night is also a little more expensive and ALWAYS sells out so make sure you get your tickets relatively soon.

Okay, come on people!!! Where are you all???? Let's get it started in here

Okay, how about sharing our excursion choices...I will start!

Key West
I think we will just be walking around in town. I would like to stop by Kino's and check out some sandals and watch the sunset celebration from Mallory Square and go to the obligatory southernmost point of continental USA since hubby and I have been to the southernmost point in ALL of USA in Hawaii.

Cozumel
Going to book the Fury Catamaran. Booked it last year but we never made it to Cozumel, so I am crossing my fingers
Then some shopping perhaps.

Grand Cayman
Cpt Marvins Short Excursion 11:15 AM to 1:15 PM
Then we are gonna grab some more HRC shirts and maybe do some shopping.

Castaway Cay
We are going to park our butts in a shady hammock and snuggle each other in paradise while sipping on some virgin daiquiris!

 

[J&ADisneyMom]

Cass, you must have a familiar face!! The funny thing is that your dh looks like our friends dh as well...must be your virtual married twins.

OK, lets see what our plans are so far-

We plan to arrive in Orlando Thurs and go to MNSSHP (thanks for posting the link to your pictures and video, Cass. They are great!). Friday we'll enjoy the boardwalk and then catch some lunch at Earl of Sandwich before heading to Cocoa Beach. We'll meet up with friends and family in Cocoa Beach and probably have a nice dinner at Grills.

Key West-I expect we'll go into town to get some Key Lime pie and just walk around a bit. We've been to Key West before. Shirley posted where to get the best key lime pie and I have it written down someplace, so that is where we'll be heading. We'll also spend some time on the ship while it is less crowded.

Cozumel-right now the plan is to take the kids to Paradise Beach while the guys are doing an ATV tour. My kids loves the sand and the water and I'll love having some authentic Mexican food and drinks. Hopefully we can shop a bit too.

Grand Cayman- we'll also be taking the 11:15 short excursion with Capt Marvins. We can't wait! Not sure how the kids will do. I expect my dd will be jumping right in and my ds will be hanging on the boat, but we'll see. Even if they both stay on the boat, it will be an awesome excusion for them (and us!). Afterwards, we'll check out the town and try out some Stingray beer. I just bought some rum cakes from the Tortuga factory and when my family is visiting over Spring break, we'll make some rum punch and try the cakes. That should help to get us in the traveling mood.

Thurs is our anniversary! We'll be celebrating by renewing our vows onboard and then having dinner at Palo.

Castaway Cay- we're hoping to do the Banana Boat ride, rent some bikes and enjoy the beach.

Next...
Shell

 

[latoberg]

Hey thanks for starting up this thread. Mine didn't go anywhere, so I'm glad there's some excitement for this cruise building.

Self, DW, DS7, & DS4 will be making our first cruise. We changed plans from a week at WDW to this cruise.

DW is getting excited about this trip that she is ready to go NOW.

Boys are very curious about everything they can do.

I hope we can find them some "buds" before we set sail. It will help them adjust to something very different.

We haven't planned our excursions yet, but here is what we have said so far:

In Key West, I want to check out the Mel Fisher museum. Mel Fisher was one of the gurus of treasure hunters for Spanish ships that sunk around Florida (I love treasure hunting).

Wife is wanting to swim with some kind of critter. Rays, dolphins, snorkling with fish. She loves the water stuff. (Since I have a terrible fear of water, that isn't my thing..although I have adapted enough to shower fairly frequently )

Boys are looking forward to the Oceaneer Club (big pirate ship room) but DS7 loves new places. It will trip his little, wonderful mind that he is in another country.

DS4 really doesn't know yet. As long as he can bring a lightsaber, he'll probably be just fine.

 

[abitjaded]

Hey all,

I think DH actually booked a couple tickets already for Orlando using Frontier mileage. We leave Friday and arrive late, so we will probably stay near the airport and drive to the port on Saturday. I hope we arrive early enough to upgrade. DH has to visit someone at one of the universities there and may be going a day or two before.

Then the cruise. We won't do much in Key West, maybe walk around and chill. I would love to see Tortuga, but not enough time to do that. Captain Marvins at Grand Cayman. Cozumel, probably just find a decent "beach" off the beaten track for snorkeling, though our favorite is supposedly a mess from shore. We may have to find a boat, but not a Disney one, they just take too much time in gathering to be worth it.

After the cruise, we hope to get space at the Swan on the teacher discount and hit MNSSHP and the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot. I think we do not leave until late Monday afternoon. Need to start planning, but it has been so crazy around here, I have not gotten much done.

I hope I get some time this next few weeks, Spring Vacation this next week, then two more weeks off for DS9 who is on tracks, so I do not need to work as much.

Carla

 

[nrsldy]

Carla,
My DS will be 12 during the cruise. He loves his PS2 games. We are doing Capt.Marvins because DS wants to swim with the stingrays.I do not snorkel but will be learning during the summer.

We will be coming in on the 19th and will go to MNSSHP either thur or fri. I plan on us walking around Key West on our own. No other excursions planned at this time.
I am still hunting for pirate costumes.
Have A Magical Day!

 

[abitjaded]

Tracy,

Lots of pirate stuff should show up in the stores as Halloween nears. Before the last cruise in October we were able to find a lot of things at the party stores and even Target. Found some stuff at the second hand stores, too. Of course there were a lot of things since Pirates Of the Carribean (the movie) had just been out. We dressed up a lot for Pirate Night but were so shot from doing too much we had to go to bed before the deck party started. Did manage to see the full eclipse of the moon that night, though.

This will be the first cruise where one of our boys will be too old for the kids' clubs, so not sure how that will work. I'm hoping the tweens club will keep him happy. He is 12 going on crabby teen. If your DS 12 wants to email my DS12, 13 on the cruise, we should set it up.

Have you been to Key West before? My kids liked the Mel Fisher museum and it is a very short walk from the ship port there. We also took the Conch Trolley around the town. You could jump on and off at will. We walked around the light house and Hemmingway's house. Did some walking around at some of the other stops, too. The kids went to their clubs and we had our Palo dinner that evening, early, and watched the sunset from the ship, rather than going to Mallory Square. According to Shirley of a Perfect Gift (Key Westers originally) the beaches and reefs are pretty lousy, so we gave those a pass. It was a good opportunity to treat it as a partial day at sea.

Good luck on the snorkel lessons. Get a decent mask and snorkel, rather than renting. Nothing worse than stuff you are not familiar with, or a mask that leaks.

Carla

 

[abitjaded]

Woo hoo! Got the Swan cheap for our Saturday and Sunday nights post cruise. Cannot wait until the ressies open for Food and Wine Specials and MNNSHP. Years ago we did an amazing Vintner's Reserve dinner, but you cannot get those anymore, all the Florida Wine and Dine card holders get first crack, and they are instantly gone. Just cannot figure out what to do with the soon to be 13 yo if we do something one evening. I do not feel comfortable leaving him alone. Has anyone ever used the baby sitting services? They loved the kids clubs but most limit the age to 12 and under.

Carla

 

[Timon]

Hello cruisers!! I just wanted to pop in and say...

207 more days till we cruise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



That means next week we are in the hundreds!!

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

Cass, I noticed on your cruise website that you are in 6634. DH and I loved that stateroom so much we rebooked the same one on our February 3, 2007 Eastern. We really like the locationand the obstructed hull verandah was great. It is cozy but yet you have a full verandah. It took me about 3 minutes to get to Topsiders using the aft stairs that end up by the dessert bar. If you have any questions about 6634, just ask.

 

[Timon]

Cass, I noticed on your cruise website that you are in 6634

Yes, I am VERY excited about it!!! When I bugged DH about cruising one last time before kids, I looked at the DCL site and saw that 6634 was available!! I know that these normally go very fast so I was all giddy about it and after I told hubby about why I was giddy he told me to book it and if we end up pregnant soon then we will just cancel.

I prefer an enclosed verandah but wanted to be able to look through the glass so this cabin is perfect for me! I hope we can go!

Do you happen to have any pics of the room??

 

[J&ADisneyMom]

Well, we made a nice, big payment over the week end, on the cruise and yesterday we booked Pop for the 19th, and the new Marriott Residence Inn for the 20th. I can't wait to see that we are under the 200 mark. We booked almost a year ago and the time has gone by quickly. Now with nice weather approaching, I'm sure our departure date will be here before you know it. I'm off to order matching outfits for the kids, from Gymboree.

Shell