October 25, 2008 Western DD

[woody73]

Lynn, thanks for posting. Sounds like they switched back to the original Character Breakfast.

Have a great time on the Magic.

Woody

 

[TotallyAngelic]

HEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JUST wanted to let you guys know!
I am on the MAGIC RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and
I just left the character Breakfast
and
It is now a picture taking at your table type breakfast npt the dancing around thing like previous!
I know alot of you willbe HAPPY!

chat when i get back
this is expensive so i haev to go!

LYNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOW Lynn

great to hear from you. Hope you are having a fantastic time on the MAGIC - looking forward to all the details real soon (hopefully not too soon for you of course!). The character breakfast arrangement sounds better though with the characters visiting your table - lots of photo ops!

 

[CruiseBoundnKY]

Thanks dizzi! I am so glad they have changed it back. I did not like it as the Island Party. The kids just didn't get anything out of it.

I am definitely an overpacker. We are on vacation at Myrtle Beach this week and I have a huge suitcase that is full of clean never worn clothing. In my defense I have done laundry twice so we wore our more comfy clothes and left the rest in the bag.

I have to say though that I have been Disney spoiled.

We have done nothing but complain about this vacation and how it is not kid friendly, the staff stinks, basically everything is below the standards that we now have thanks to Disney. So we are definitely looking forward to October.

I just want to get on the cruise and not have to worry about anything. Believe me we take ALOT of things for granted that Disney just does for us (land or sea).

 

[kvaday]

Awwwww now I want to go even more! Sounds like shes having a good time.

Does Disney limit the amount of bags per room? (DCL) I just got this cool fabric but am not sure what to use it for. My mom-in-law just came over with a fish extender she made for us. Its really nice but not Disney at all. I'm thinking I might make another one and bring hers for something else but I dont know.

 

[woody73]

. . . Does Disney limit the amount of bags per room? (DCL)

No, but many guests are limited by what their airline allows.

Woody

 

[LovableGluttons]

Woohoo Lynn!

I hope you are having a grand time!


I haven't started packing, haven't made t shirts yet, fish extender not done.


Someday..... soon!

 

[disney4dana]

I am having trouble signing onto the site tonight for chat. Anyone else having trouble? Password is still the same?

Dana

 

[NewfieMom]

I just got in not problem - but I'm in there all by myself!

Valerie

 

[disney4dana]

Help Val!
would love to chat but it is not letting me in tonight! can you pm me the username and password so I make sure to have it right.
Thanks
Dana

 

[disney4dana]

I did get into chat tonight. We had a great time chatting!

Here is the question I offered to ask everyone~~
since our group is so large and it is hard to keep every straight (short of a cheat sheet right Valerie and Sue?) I am offering to make name tags for everyone to wear at the dis meet. Is this something that the group is interested in?

Dana

 

[jns]

I think this would be a great idea
count us in

 

[woody73]

. . . since our group is so large and it is hard to keep every straight . . . I am offering to make name tags for everyone to wear at the dis meet.

Sounds good.

Woody

 

[NewfieMom]

Dana - count us in for the name tags. Think it will work much better than writing everyone's details all over your body as you were considering !

In case everyone doesn't realize it, what Dana is offering to do is awesome as there are presently 274 of us in this group ! Sue and I figure that in her spare time she's going to do all our t-shirts and fish extenders too .

We were also talking last night about trying to organize an official group photo op with Shutters either in the atrium or on Castaway Cay. (See - it wasn't all fun and games on chat - we talked serious stuff as well!) Anyone have any experience with this? I'm going to post a question on the main board to see if it's possible and what would be involved. If we can do it, we'd just pick a place and a time and let everyone know, and hopefully get as many to show up as we can. If we can do this, who would be interested?

By the way - still taking names for those interested in the tour for Costa Maya. Have been going through the responses posted so far, and will post list later.

Valerie

(PS: If we opt to do Castaway Cay for the photo, I'm hoping we do pre-swimming time - I t'ain't one of those who look good after being in the water )

 

[Aneille]

NewfieMom - My group wants to do the Ruins tour with Ivan and David.

There are 11 of us.

6 adults
2 children
3 kids under 3 (do they charge for kids 2 and under?)

Thanks,

Kim

 

[Buckeye Gal]

Hello! Another Double Dip'n Costa Maya cruiser here crashing your thread. I'm representing the September 27 Double Dip Delight Cruise, which is the first out of dry dock! I'm looking for some help in Costa Maya, so I thought I would take the plunge and ask you guys, especially since you seem to be an organized and larger group of DISers like ourselves!

A little over a year ago, someone mentioned that she wanted to follow suit from a previous cruise she was on that went to Costa Maya that we think is a brilliant idea, particularly since Hurricane Dean hit them last summer. We want to donate school supplies and maybe even toothbrushes and candy for the children to enjoy. You can read more details about it from the "Page 1/Post #6" link in my signature.

We're still trying to find a friend or a friend of a friend who may know someone in Costa Maya who can help us get these supplies to the school. I'm not sure if this is an activity your Meets thread has talked about or not, nonetheless, I wanted to see if anyone on the October DD might also have a contact there. Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated! So I don't clutter your Meets thread, feel free to PM me or post on our Meets thread! We would love to hear from you!!

It was great visiting you guys, so thanks for the unexpected crash! I hope you have a fabulous cruising vacation!!

 

[NewfieMom]

Hello fellow cruisers!

Just replied to Buckeye Gal on their thread about what we've found out about the school supply plan and found this (told her I was going to steal it!)

(someone's TA apparently provided the info...)

Many details of the Costa Maya cruises have yet to be published on the Disney Cruise site and that includes the excursions. I have a tentative list on the excursions but be aware that these are not official until they are posted on the regular DCL website.
SHORE EXCURSIONS:

Jungle Beach Break
Take a tropical beach break at Uvero Beach, a popular beach located 30 minutes from Costa Maya. Spend the day relaxing on the powdery-sand beach among the palm trees, or join in some of the fun activities provided at the facilities.
Activity Level: Active
For Ages: All Ages
Adult Price: $55 USD (ages 10 and above)
Child Price: $45 USD (ages 3-9), under 3 free
Duration: 4-4.5 hours

Beach Snorkel Adventure
Enjoy seeing various tropical marine life at 3 to 15 foot depths as you snorkel one of the newest destinations on the Mexican coast for diving and snorkeling. The tropical marine life is plentiful and will greet you as you enter the water.
Activity Level: Active
For Ages: 5 And Up
Adult Price: $45 USD (ages 10 and above)
Child Price: $35 USD (ages 5-9)
Duration: 4-4.5 hours

Catamaran Sail and Snorkel
Sail the beautiful Caribbean blue waters with the sun on your back and the wind in your face when you board a catamaran at the "Fisherman's Pier."
Activity Level: Active
For Ages: 5 And Up
Adult Price: $48 USD (ages 10 and above)
Child Price: $38 USD (ages 5-9)
Duration: 3-3.5 hours

Clear Kayak and Beach Break
Get ready to experience the wonderful undersea world with out getting wet! See the Caribbean from a totally unique point of view as you glide over the crystal clear waters in your 2 person clear kayak.
Activity Level: Active
For Ages: 10 And Up
Adult Price: $59 USD (ages 10 and above)
Child Price: NA
Duration: 3-3.5 hours

Costa Maya Dolphin Encounter
Make a magical connection with real-live dolphins in an exciting, unforgettable dolphin interaction experience. Learn interesting facts about these gentle creatures before suiting up and diving in for your very own dolphin encounter.
Activity Level: Moderate
For Ages: 5 And Up
Adult Price: $129 USD (ages 10 and above)
Child Price: $109 USD (ages 5-9)
Duration: 3-5 hours

Costa Maya Dolphin Observer
Dive into a one-of-a-kind dolphin encounter without ever getting wet! Accompany a family member or friend as they take to the water with real-live dolphins in our Costa Maya Dolphin Observer -- and enjoy it all high and dry!
Activity Level: Moderate
For Ages: All Ages
Adult Price: $40 USD (ages 3 and above)
Child Price: NA
Duration: 3-5 hours

Horse Back Adventure
Get on your jeans and join in the fun! You will be greeted by a bi-lingual guide and transported to the horse ranch. Ride through prairie and jungle terrain while keeping your eyes peeled on new trees, shrubs, and animals along the way.
Activity Level: Active
For Ages: 12 And Up
Adult Price: $82 USD (ages 12 and above)
Child Price: NA
Duration: 3.5 hours

Bike and Kayak Adventure
Experience first-hand, the endless stretches of beach and local flavor as you ride and kayak the coast on this exciting adventure.
Activity Level: Active
For Ages: 10 And Up
Adult Price: $45 USD (ages 10 and above)
Child Price: NA
Duration: 2.5-3 hours

All Terrain Truck Expedition
Climb aboard our original 4x4 military-style all terrain truck, customized for you and your companions to ride comfortably in this safari-style tour through the beautiful and exotic terrain of the Caribbean.
Activity Level: Active
For Ages: All Ages
Adult Price: $75 USD (ages 10 and above)
Child Price: $55 USD (ages 3-9)
Duration: 3.5-4 hours

Dune Buggy Exploration
Hop in your customized Dune Buggy convertible and travel caravan style away from modern civilization to the isolated fishing village of Mahahual. Feel the wind in your hair as you ride along rough dirt roads through unspoiled terrain.
Activity Level: Active
For Ages: 10 And Up
Adult Price: $85 USD (ages 10 and above)
Child Price: null
Duration: 3.5-4 hours

Chaccohoben Mayan Ruins
Experience the secrets of the mysterious and relaxing un-excavated Mayan ruins of famous Chacchoben and still have time for shopping back at the Costa Maya pier.
Activity Level: Active
For Ages: 5 And Up
Adult Price: $69 USD (ages 10 and above)
Child Price: $59 USD (ages 5-9)
Duration: 4.5 -5 hours

Kohunlich Mayan Ruins
Discover this magnificent, multileveled, famous Mayan ruin best known for its Temple of the Masks! Kohunlich?s broad range of architecture, natural beauty and expansive, uncrowded seclusion set it apart from the more widely toured sites.
Activity Level: Active
For Ages: All Ages
Adult Price: $85 USD (ages 10 and above)
Child Price: $75 USD (ages 3-9), under 3 free
Duration: 6.5 hours

4 x 4 Jeep Safari
The perfect combination of lush jungle, turquoise blue sea, state of the art 4x4 vehicle, isolated terrain, white sandy beach and Mexican lunch.
Activity Level: Active
For Ages: 10 And Up
Adult Price: $85 USD (ages 10 and above)
Child Price: null
Duration: 3.5-4 hours

Mini-Rhino 4 x 4 Safari Beach Break
Hold on tight for an off-road adventure like no other! Take the wheel of your very own 2-person, 660cc Yamaha Rhino, the latest and greatest all-terrain vehicle to grace Costa Maya, and follow your guide along a pristine coastline to secluded Pelicanos Beach. Once there, immerse yourself for 90 minutes in the tropical atmosphere where you're invited to sunbathe, swim and relax while savoring a complimentary beverage and light snack. Afterward, return to the coastline for the scenic ride back to the pier.
Activity Level: Active
For Ages: 10 And Up
Adult Price: $75 USD (ages 10 and above)
Child Price: n/a
Duration: 4 hours

As far as what night is formal night and so on…in general the formal & semi formal nights are usually on the at sea nights and Pirate Night is on Cozumel night but again, this info hasn’t yet been published for the Costa Maya sailings so all that can change.

I know it’s not much but I hope this info helps.

Talk to you soon!
*************************************

Now please understand that, as she stated in the email, NONE of this information is official yet...but it does give you an idea of some of the types of activities, excursions and costs we might expect when the official list of excursions is released. Also it looks like she pretty much concurs with everyone else on which night is pirate night, etc.


Thought you might be interested in seeing the info. Requested they let us know about trip reports and any other hints/useful research they've found.

Valerie

 

[Buckeye Gal]

Thank you, Valerie!!!

Absolutely take any info or ideas out on Page 1/Post #6 in our thread!!! I'm constantly updating it with current news, so feel free to keep an eye out on it. I'll try to remember and post back info here for you guys, too!

I'm so excited to hear that you guys are also exploring the school supply drop off! How cool is that?!! So at least the first two times the Magic stops there this year we can create some "magic" for them!

Just an update for you. This past week we got official news on the dinner dress attire agenda. It's also in that same post at the bottom, Valerie, so if you want to go back and modify your post above with that info feel free too.

 

[NewfieMom]

Me again - gosh I'm busy today! (or not - which is why I'm on here!)

Any hoo - from quick replies on main board to photo op question, it looks like we might not be able to get a date/time from Shutters until we board - which will be a pain in the butt to let everyone know, but we're an industrious crowd so I am sure we will cope!!


Secondly - here's what I have so far for those interested in the David and Ivan tours...

(if I've missed someone, please let me know! And of course, you can still express interest - an early e-mail from Ivan said they can accomodate 6 groups of 10 people each))

Me- 2 adults, 2 kids
Aneille - 6 adults, 5 kids
Midwest Cruisers - 2 adults, 2 kids
Totally Angellic - 6 adults
disney4dana - 2 adults, 2 kids
GAkitkat - 1 adult, 1 child

Total - 31 people (19 adults, 12 children)

And so far, unless I missed someone or something, I think everyone is interested in the 4 hour Chacchoben Mayan Ruins tour, with the school visit added in?

And these are the questions/points I so far need to go back to Ivan and clarify - recognizing that we are not booking anything until we get official confirmation from DCL that we are going to Costa Maya.

1. How long a walk is it to the shuttle from the ship? How far is Majahaul from the ship - would we need to get a taxi back (at what cost/how hard to get) or can we walk? If we can walk - how long/safe?

2. If we have a large group, will they still charge as much for pickup at the port (heard they dropped cost to $2 per person before)? Is the stated $10 per person or per couple/family?

3. What is their refund policy if we don't get to the port? How would this work?

4. Do they charge more for the school visit? Can we do this with either of the excursions?

5. How can we pay individually, yet be booked on the same tour/as a group?

6. If large group, can we pay when we board the bus, as opposed to paying deposits? (have heard they have done this before).

Like I said - let me know if I've missed anyone, or any questions people have raised. Still hoping we get other people to join in, which I'm sure we will as we get closer to sail date.


Valerie

 

[NewfieMom]

Here's the info Buckeye Gal suggested we steal - thanks Buckeye Gal!....


Dining Dress Attire Rotation

Thank you, cyndifan, for calling Disney and getting the official word that the dining dress rotation will follow the standard 7 night Western schedule, which is as follows:

Casual Nights: 1 (Saturday), 2 (Sunday), 4 (Tuesday), 7 (Friday)
Formal Night: 3 (Monday)
Semi-formal Night: 6 (Thursday)
Pirate Night: 5 (Wednesday)

Valerie

 

[Aneille]

Valarie - You missed 4 adults in my group. Should be a total of 11.

6 adults
5 children total (although 3 of them are under 3 years old and I wasn't sure if the under 3 crowd needed to pay the same)

Geez, I guess my group is a group in its own, if they do it by 10's and count the children. Would it be easier if did my group myself? Obviously my family would like to be in the same group as one another.