Our MAGICal 8/23 Cruise

[DisneyNutMary]

Cast: Me, Mary, 30
DH, Jimmy, 47
DS, Bobby, 9
DS, Tommy, 5 on 8/23/03

Day 1: 8/22/03, Friday. Whose Idea Was It To Leave This Early?

When this trip was planned, we searched high an d low for flights, and found the perfect flight on American Airlines out of JFK Airport in New York, at 6:00 pm. Unfortunately, American Airlines played around with our flight, first changing the time of departure and then the airport of departure. So now we were leaving out of LaGuardia Airport, the least desirable of the New York area airports. We decided that since we would all have to take the day off anyway, we might as well switch to an earlier flight, which we were able to do without a charge because they switched on us. So now we were on an 11:30am flight.

New York morning traffic is a nightmare on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway(BQE) so the men of our group decided that we had better reserve the airport van for 7am.

Our full group consisted of my family, my sister, Lucy, her DH, Frank, their 10 year old DS, Anthony, and their 9 year old DD, Victoria. Also, our friend, Lucille, her DH, Wade and their 7 year old DD, Amanda.

We assembled at my sister’s house on Friday morning, and the airport van arrived promptly at 7am. We loaded up, and after a quick stop at Dunkin Donuts, were on the road by 7:20 am. The van driver decided to take the Belt Parkway rather than the BQE, which got us to the airport in approximately 1 hour. We had our bags checked and were through security by 9 am. Our flight would not begin boarding until 11:15, what the heck do we do now???

We proceeded to our gate to wait, and found the we were not the first to arrive, two families were there before us! The kids were itching to get on the plane and go, so it was not a pleasant wait. The question tossed out most often was....Whose idea was it to leave this early??? Wade accepted responsibility for suggesting that we leave no later than 7am, and was verbally abused for the rest of the wait by all of us!

Finally at 11:15 we are allowed to board, and have a mostly uneventful flight into MCO. We retrieve our bags, and head to the Avis counter to get the cars.

Since we arrived so early, the plan was to visit City Walk at that other park and have dinner at Tchoup Chop at that other resort!

After taking the scenic route to Universal’s parking lot (read: we were lost), we parked and hit City Walk, we got the kids pretzels and drinks to hold them over until dinner and it started to rain....no not rain, POUR. The skies were black and the rain just kept coming down. So we hopped a shuttle to the Royal Pacific Hotel and waited for Tchoup Chop to open.

The kids having pretzels at City Walk

Tchoup Chop is a really beautiful restaurant, with a waterfall wall, and a pond right in the middle. The service was excellent. And everyone thought the food was great. It was not to my taste, but I am not that daring in my tastes, so you cannot go by me.

By now, it was getting late, and we still had a long drive to the Radisson at the port ahead of us, so the guys, hopped a shuttle to City Walk, in the pouring rain, to get the cars and come back for us. Unfortunately, going from the perking garage to The Royal Pacific Hotel at night is an hour long process, due to traffic, so we were pretty cranky and tired when they got back.

It was about 10pm when we arrived at the Radisson at the Port, we checked in and put the kids to bed. Tomorrow would be a big day.

Coming Soon: 8/23 Boarding the Magic.....

 

[CindyBeth]

Great report so far!!! Can't wait to see more!

 

[DisneyNutMary]

I don’t know if it was excitement, or just the bad mattress at the Radisson, but I was up at 6:00am. I showered and dressed and by the time I was done, everyone else was awake. While Jimmy showered I got the kids dressed and ready. Today was Tommy’s birthday so I wanted the whole day to be magical for him. So, while Jimmy got ready, and Bobby watched tv, Tommy and I went to the lobby to see if there was any place in the hotel to see the Magic docked. There was no place other than the suites on the third floor, so instead we walked around. We got to see the Carnival Glory docked for the second floor walkway, but alas, no Disney Magic just yet.

I walked around the grounds, hoping to see if anyone from the DIS boards was around yet, as I had missed the DISmeet the night before, due to traffic and weather. I think the only person I would have recognized on sight was Andy, aka Verandahman on DISboards and PassPorter boards. No one was awake yet, so back to the room.

We met the rest of our group and checked out before heading to Perkins for breakfast. Surprisingly, they were able to seat our party of 11 right away. After breakfast, we went to Avis to return the cars and were on a shuttle to the port by 10:20am.

We were one of the first groups to arrive at the port, and there were no lines at all! I ran right up to get checked-in, not looking back at my group, who did not have their docs filled out. By the time I was checked in, the line have grown until the whole queue area was filled. I ran ahead to hold our place in line to go through the Mickey head to board while the others waited in line to check-in. While I was waiting, I spotted Andy, Verandahman, and his family, so I went up and said “Hi” All I can say is, what a nice guy. Friendly and soft-spoken, and he has such a nice, friendly family.

Bobby and Tommy on line to board Disney's Magic

They announced the boarding procedures at 11:30, and we were allowed to board at 11:45. We had a group photo taken and were announced by Que as the Welsh’s of Staten Island, NY. That’s Walsh but Welsh is close enough...and who cares? We are aboard the Magic.

Our first glimpse of the Magic

Our dining reservation was screwed up, only two of us were together, so we went straight to have this fixed. A table for 11, first seating, APL rotation, was no problem. Next we went to get Palo’s Brunch ressies, and secured and 11:00 Brunch for Monday. Got the kids signed in at the Oceaneer’s Club and Lab, got our beepers...and we coordinated that all three families would use the same password to make it easeir to sign each other’s kids in and out. This worked out great.

After a lunch at Topsider’s Buffet, we were finally able to get into our rooms at 1:30. While we were at Topsider’s, I kept calling to my DS, Tommy, who was ignoring me, when a red-headed crew member came up to me and asked if the little red-headed guy was Tommy too. He told me his name was Tommy, and introduced himself to my son. From then on, whenever he saw me with Tommy, he would say hello to Tommy.

Tommy (from Norway) and Tommy (from Staten Island)

In the afternoon, we explored the ship. Took pictures (which I hope to be able to post soon!) And went to the SailAway Party, which was held in the Lobby Atrium, due to the rain. It was crowded, very crowded, and hard to see anything so we put the kids on our shoulders and hoped they got a good view.

After the party, we decided to get Soda Packages, and Beer Mugs. I bought 1 soda package, plus the mug and carry strap...this came out to $40, $35 for the soda sticker, $3 for the mug and $2 for the strap. I know it is frowned upon, but we shared the soda package, one sticker for myself, my DH and my two sons.....my sister did the same for her family. My DH bought a beer mug for $9.99, and made good use of the discounted refills. He especially liked that they would switch his mug for a fresh, frosted mug with each fill-up.

Dinner this night was in Animator’s Palatte, where we met our server, Paulina from Chile, Assistant server Mihaela, and Head server, Nick from the United Kingdom. We got to see the famous Animator’s Palatte show, and were invited to our Character Breakfast in Parrot Cay the next morning. After dessert, Nick, Paulina and Miheala brought over a birthday cake for Tommy, and we all sang Happy Birthday.

Dinner was very nice, and we followed this with pin trading in the lobby afterward. I bought some exclusive Disney Cruise Line pins and my kids had a ball trading with crew members. Afterward, the kids were dropped off in their clubs and the adults went to Off Beat for Dueling Pianos with Fidelio and Anton, then to Rockin Bar D for drinks and to see the band, Spirit.

About 11:30, the girls left to get the kids to bed....Jimmy came back to the room at about 1:30am...the guys had stayed at Rockin Bar D for a while, then hung out on Deck 4 until they got tired.

We had a very full and very fulfilling first day.

Coming Soon: Day 3 8/24 Day at Sea....

 

[DisneyNutMary]

This was a day for us to take it easy and relax, work is over a thousand miles away, and we can no longer be reached by cell phone. Aahhhh!!!!

My Goofy DH with Goofy's silhoutte

Relaxing on Deck 4

Breakfast was the Character breakfast in Parrot Cay. The food was great and the service impeccable, but the character greeting was very rushed, the photographer snapped a quick picture and both the character and the photographer ran to the next table. What we enjoyed most was the little show they put on with the characters dancing in the aisles. Chip and Dale danced right by our table. The kids were bopping to the beat and waving their napkins.

After breakfast, the kids were checked into their clubs so the adults could go to the DVC member meeting in Off-Beat. Lots of freebies were given away and they had a raffle. When my number was called, I had to answer a DVC trivia question and I won a DVC travel mug. SO many prizes were given away that no one walked away empty handed.

After the meeting, we got the kids from the clubs and went up to the pool. We split up for a bit to find a place to settle down and finally found a place by the Goofy Family Pool. The kids had a great time on the slide and playing in both the pools.

Lunch was from the counter service places, Pluto’s and Pinocchio’s, with ice cream and fruit from scoops.

Tonight’s dinner was in Parrot Cay, for formal night. It wasn’t the best restaurant for formal night, everyone wanted to order ribs, but no one would dare eat ribs while all dressed up.
I am not much of a formal person, so I ran out when dinner ended and changed back into shorts. When I went to the lobby for pin trading, I felt so out of place in my shorts Everyone was dressed in formal wear and were lining up for pictures. I grabbed a cocktail and waited out the crowd up on deck 4, overlooking the action.

The kidds spent the evening in their clubs while the adults headed off to Rockin Bar D. Rich Purpura was the entertainment of the night, he did a comedy/magic bit. He had us rolling in the aisles. By the time my beeper went off to pick up my kids, I had pain in my side from laughing so hard.

My sister, Lucy and Lucille had gone ahead to get their kids, so I said good-night to the men and tucked my kids into bed by 11:30.

Coming Soon Day 4 8/25....I am not taking off my bra in this bar....

 

[jgalecpa]

OK,DisneyNutMary

....I am not taking off my bra in this bar....

I am waiting!

 

[jlawall]

Great reports!!!!! I know what she means....it's not as bad as it sounds!!!!!!

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by jgalecpa
OK,DisneyNutMary


I am waiting!

RE: Your fish picture

Jim, do you know what that means? Big fish......bigger fib!

Rae

 

[DisneyNutMary]

We slept in today, as it was a day at sea and we had no plans other than to relax. Okay, well 8:00 am is sleeping in to my family. We had a reservation for Brunch at Palo at 11:00 am with Lucy, Frank, Wade and Lucille, so we were in no big rush to get to breakfast. There was going to be Team Trivia in the Promenade Lounge at 10 am, so Jimmy and I got dressed in our nice clothes for Palo and took the kids to Topsiders for breakfast. After dropping them off at the Oceaneer’s Lab/Club, we went down to play Team Trivia...and we did pretty well considering it was general trivia (not one Disney question at all). Now, at least I could feel like we took part in some shipboard activities (we haven’t been to a single show yet)

At 10:45, we headed up to Deck 10 to meet our party for brunch and were seated right away. The view, spectacular, the food, delicious, the service, top notch. Do you think we liked it just a little? The only thing to take away from our perfect meal was the uncouth couple seated two tables away wearing swimsuits with rainbow tie-dyed coverup, tank top and flip-flops. But even looking at them did not stop us from stuffing ourselves.

When we finally rolled out of there, we went downstairs to change into looser...uh, more comfortable...clothes. We had time to rest a bit before picking up the kids for the 1:30 pm showing of the ‘Island Magic’ Character Stage Show. This show was a not to miss show. It was held in the Buena Vista Theatre, so it seemed more intimate. But it also seats fewer people, so to get a good seat arrive early.

The afternoon was spent lounging by the pool, followed be dinner in Lumiere’s. (I have great pictures, that I will post as soon as I can get them onto a CD) Hercules, the MUSEical was tonight’s show. Great show, funny for the adults as well as the kids.

The kids were deposited in their clubs while the adults headed for Beat Street. Tonight we discovered Mudslides by the pitcher. Yummy!! The guts got their beer mugs filled while the girls ordered pitchers of Mudslides. (Our best discovery yet!) Tonight would be 70's night, and the cruise staff was already dressed the part. But before 70's night activities was the Magical Quest Scavenger Hunt. Easy enough, we thought, so we separated into two teams, boys vs girls. First item was a Navigator, which my dear loving husband wrestled from my hands, and ran up with to get a point for the boys at our table. The items got trickier, and may people were forced to improvise. Wade leaped over the bar when ShiShi asked for someone spinning a bar tray. (Good thing Criss was used to us by then, or he might have clobbered Wade!)

I was a bit shocked by my DH, Jimmy’s behavior...and Wade, who is usually quiet! They were getting ruthless. Jimmy stripped to the waist when the called for a woman in a man’s shirt, so the girls got a point, and ran up there with Lucy’s shoes on when they asked for a man in woman’s shoes. The final item was a man with a woman’s purse, woman’s shoes, earrings wearing a woman’s bra....everyone at our table looked at me. Anything for fun, but I am not taking my bra off in this bar!!!! So we had to bow out of this one. And it was a good thing because they had a beauty contest with all the men who went up for this one.

It was side-splittingly funny, but I think I would have been mortified if Jimmy went up there! After the beauty contest, they went right into 70's night, which was funny, and great fun. They had a Gloria Gaynor sing alike contest and a group of guys they conned into doing a Village People act. If you do a 7-day cruise, do not miss 70's night (btw, it is adults only!)

That night, we were rocked to sleep by 8-13 foot waves, and rough seas. But no one felt sick, it was more like being in a cradle than being tossed about.

Coming soon: Day 5- 8/26 Tropicalifragil....oh whatever

 

[Verandah Man]

So far, so good Mary, keep it coming, I'm enjoying your TR. It's nice to see what others did during the same cruise. There was just sooooooo much to do and see, it was hard picking and choosing, but we made the most of it!!!

 

[rae519]

Couldn't agree with you more - the 13' swells make sleeping just so wonderful!
Wish there was something we could buy that could make our beds do that!!!!!

Rae

 

[DisneyNutMary]

As you can see, it gets very crowded, so arrive early, or skip it!

 

[DisneyNutMary]

Here are some pics from the Character Breakfast at Parrot Cay.

My nephew, Anthony, Bobby and Tommy with Dale

Amanda, Bobby and Tommy with Pluto, what a ham!

Bobby and Tommy with Goofy...hey he kind of looks like Daddy!

The main Mouse stops by to say Hello.

 

[Credit Man]

Great report! Keep them comming.

 

[figment52]

Please keep it coming - Ican almost taste the mudslides.....

 

[DisneyNutMary]

Today, we woke up to beautifully sunny skies, and the tropical vista of St Maarten, or as I learned this cruise aka Sint Marten. Wade, Lucille and Amanda had planned to spend today with relatives who live in St Maarten (if you know Bobby’s marina, that is a relative of Wade), so my sis and I and our families were on our own. We had no real plans other than getting suitable tropical attire for me for tonight’s deck party. My brother in law, Frank, wanted to check out the casinos...to him it becomes a vacation only when there is gambling involved.

After checking the kids into their respective clubs (we didn’t want to drag them out to do things they would find boring) We exited the ship and headed for the Water Taxi. I found the Water Taxi to be the best deal on the islands. We had a nice trip, great view of the island and the ships at the dock, and one fare was good all day...plus they give you that nifty blue bracelet...hahaha.

We exited the water taxi at the first stop, only because we didn’t know better, and were immediately attacked by locals pushing everything from hair-braiding to timeshares. They were a little pushy, but I had expected this so we just said a firm NO and moved on.

We walked the strip on Front Street, browsing the shops, and hit a casino or two. In the middle of town we went to the flea market. Here is where I, and apparently everyone else on the ship found a tropical outfit for tonight. I should have realized that so many people would get the same outfit, as it was so reasonably priced, and so plentiful. I even managed to get a reduced price by walking away from one vendor, she lowered her price...and when I couldn’t find her later, I let the other vendor know that I could get the same outfit cheaper, so she lowered her price too! We also picked up some 4 for $10 t-shirts here. I felt so fulfilled by my purchases at such low prices.

My DH and I headed back to the ship early, there wasn’t much left to do after our shopping was done. My sister and her DH stuck around to visit some casinos and shop some more.

Back at the ship, we changed and got the kids. The plan was to head up top to take advantage of the empty pools. What a great plan this turned out to be. We practically had the place to ourselves. My sister soon joined us, and we had a nice relaxing afternoon. The kids made good use of Scoops, eating enough ice cream to fill up one of Mickey’s ears!

Before dinner, we showered and changed into our tropical duds. I thought we looked pretty darn good....if only I knew everyone else looked pretty darn good in my outfit too!

Right from dinner, we went to the Walt Disney Theatre for a showing of Freaky Friday. A very cute movie, but not one I would have taken my kids to otherwise. When the movie ended, we got caught up in the sea of bodies headed up to the Tropicalifragilistic deck party. Hey, I can spell it, I just can’t say it!!
[imghttp://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3d728b3127cce8e7a65a375d40000001610][/img]

I was actually surprised that it wasn’t overly crowded up here. Nothing at all like the Lobby Sailaway Party. We joined right in the fun, dancing just to the side of the deck.....the kids were too shy to get on the deck. One word of warning....ever since this party, I am cursed with the same song playing over and over in my head....it’s driving me nuts. “Upside down, bouncing off the ceiling....” I am sure many of you know it. The party was great, but I could have done without the song!

The characters came out and did a little show, and the Disney Magic Dancers did a nice dance routine for us. A tropical mini-buffet was opened up and we found ourselves partying all night.

When you’re having fun, it never seems to occur to you that you have to be up at the crack of dawn to go through Immigrations! But what the heck....we’re on vacation!

Coming soon-Day 6: St Thomas....”Usually when a digital camera hits the water, it’s dead!”

 

[DisneyNutMary]

Chilling on Deck 4

Jimmy and his pal. Goofy

My DH and me!

 

[Thumpersmom]

Thanks for the report!! We can't wait for our cruise this November and first time on the Eastern!!! We are a group of 25 family and friends and it sounds like you are doing what I have planned already!! Keep the reports coming!

Thanks!!!
Kristina

 

[rae519]

Great report! Thanks!
Love the pictures!!!!!!

Rae

 

[DisneyNutMary]

At the ungodly hour of 5:45 am, the phone rang. Mickey told me that it was time to get up and at ‘em, there’s big doin’s going on! Well, the big doin’s for today was an early visit to immigration in the Walt Disney Theatre. Fortunately, this was both very organized and very quick. The officer barely glanced at our documents.

We managed to meet up with my sister and Lucille and their families at Topsiders not long after, and headed down to disembark.

I was not really impressed at first glance, and I was shocked at the prices that the taxi drivers wanted.

We took an open air taxi from the port to Magen’s Bay, at $6.00 a person, each way, I was convinced this was highway robbery. The views were breath-taking....that is when I was actually looking. The hills are very steep and the taxi drivers driver like maniacs. Yes, they even drive worse than New Yorkers!

This was the last time we felt safe in that taxi!


We slowed just before descending the final hill and the driver pointed out Magen’s Bay to us. It would have been the ideal time to take pictures....if we all weren’t holding on for dear life.

The kids enjoying the water

The beach itself was a paradise, but here is where my good mood ends. I was absolutely in love with this beach...clean, calm water....warm water. It was so nice, I had to take pictures. And with each shot I had to get closer....until I was standing in the water. BIG MISTAKE!

I took a picture of Jimmy and me by holding out the camera. I was anxious to see how it came out. As I turned the camera around, I lost my grip. My beautiful Kodak Digital, non-waterproof camera, took a dip!!!!! Not a very long dip, but enough. Boo-hoo! So my DH says...”Maybe it’ll dry out and be okay!” Well, usually when a digital camera hits the water, IT”S DEAD!!! I was so upset, I knew it was never coming back. It wasn’t so much the loss of the camera, I was so afraid I had lost all the pictures I took...they were irreplaceable (thank God the SD card was okay).

The last picture that survived my dearly departed camera

So from here on out, all pictures I post came from my sister’s camera.

I tried to enjoy the beach after that, but my heart was just not in it. My DS, Bobby, wanted really badly to go back to the ship and check into the Lab. So, I took Bobby, and sulked my way back to the ship. I was so sad about my pictures, I didn’t want to stay and rain on everyone else’s parade.

The cab ride back was an adventure in Hell! The driver was nuts, and my fellow passengers were all annoying. Two families waited until we were almost back at the port to say they did not want to go back to the ship, so the driver turned around....much to my annoyance. One family wanted to go shopping downtown, and the other wanted to go to BlackBeard’s Castle, way back at the top of the hill!!

Half hour later, finally back on the Magic, I got Bobby showered and dressed, and ran him up to the Lab. I had some time after that for a leisurely shower before everyone else got back.

We had lunch at Topsider’s and took advantage of the empty pools again.

After we had all changed for dinner, we went to Bingo. The jackpot was growing and we wanted to get a crack at it. I won $236....just enough to replace my camera! So I was very happy!!!

Following dinner in Parrot Cay, it was kids to the club and we went to see Who Wants to be a Mouseketeer, followed by drinks at Rockin Bar D....Love those pitchers of Mudslides!!

We took a walk down to Deck 4 to see Donna Giuliano, the re-booking queen and our new friend. We wanted to annoy her again with a bunch of dates, and a bunch of categories, for a bunch of quotes. Told her we’d talk it over and be back.

Coming Sooner or Later: Day 7, 8/28: I’ll jump in if you will!

 

[DisneyNutMary]

This was our third day at sea, and a pretty quiet one. We were all beat and we knew that Castaway Cay was on the horizon, so we wanted to rest up for our big day in paradise.
We all woke up pretty late, and my DS, Bobby was looking forward to going to the Lab. He was the only one of the kids who was really into the Lab, the rest had a take it or leave it attitude.
We had breakfast at Lumiere’s, our first sit-down breakfast of the cruise. Then we headed topside to the pool.
As is custom when cruising, it felt like we went from breakfast directly to lunch. We lazed around the pool until the early afternoon. There was an early showing of Disney Dreams that we were hoping to catch.
We headed down about 1 and picked up Bobby, who was reluctant to leave the Lab; changed and headed to the Walt Disney Theater. We figured that we better get good seats because Jackpot Bingo was being held here right after the show.
What a great show! All the excitement and magic of Disney all rolled into one show. It made me cry. I want to fly with Peter Pan too!
We were evicted after the show so that they could clean up before bingo, but we managed to be first on line to get back in, so our great seats were safe. While we waited, we once again brought up the topic of coming back next year, but since we decided not to tell the kids, it was a conversation mostly in code. And nothing was decided other than the fact that we needed to talk about it.
The jackpot for Jackpot Bingo was up over $11,000, which we were told is a cruise industry record.. So, of course, the place was packed. Josh and Karen of the cruise staff were told to show us how we should react if we got bingo. This had to be the funniest moment of the entire week. The cruise staff does a hell of a job without much recognition for their work (no tips)
Exciting as it was, bingo was quite disappointing, as we walked away empty handed. We had planned to plunk it down on the Walt E Disney and Roy O Disney suites for a return trip if we had won. Oh well, maybe next time. Even though we should have been happy for the winner, there was no Bingo Love in that room when the jackpot was won by one person.
We were done in time to shower and change into our semi-formal duds for dinner. Tonight was Lumiere’s and for the first time all week our dress theme actually fit with our restaurant assignment.
After dinner, it was back to comfy clothes and the kids were banished to Oceaneer world. We adults decided to take a walk on deck, which we found quite deserted due to the fact that it had just stopped raining. We found ourselves at Signals, the bar by the adult pool, and we ordered a round of drinks.
The pool looked so inviting, but we were not dressed for it, so instead we ordered another round of drinks. Now the pool looked even more inviting....hmmmm. We discussed going down and changing, when Wade and Lucy began daring each other to jump in. I will if you will was tossed back and forth, then to all of our shock Lucy pushed Wade in! She felt so guilty that she jumped in after him. I stood there thinking how I would regret it if I didn’t, so Frank Jimmy and I said I will if you will. Before we knew it we were all in the pool....which was a little chilly so we all switched to the hot tub.
A word of warning to any drunk fools who try this....Disney over chlorinates the pools at night. Our black clothes turned an funny brown shade (like black does when it is bleached)
We were now pumped up, so we went down to Deck 4 to see our friend Donna at the re-booking desk. Dripping wet, and clutching our drinks we plopped down in front of her. We were mostly stuck on dates, we wanted to take advantage of the re-booking special with the $400 per cabin credit, but the dates available weren’t exactly great for us. So we all took what price quotes she gave us and headed into Sessions, which we were disappointed to see does not have Mudslides by the pitcher, bummer!
Some discussion followed, but we girls were cold and tired, so we left the guys to talk it out and picked up our kids for the night.

Coming up Day 8, Castaway Cay, and will we ever re-book?