Roll call for the 10/23/2004 Western Magic. Who's with us?

[Mom2Princesses]

Sorry it took us so long to get back to you all, between camping, my college classes, and getting ready for back-to-school, we have been crazy! Anyway, my DD 6 1/2 wrote a message which I am typing for you both:


My name is Melinda and Chloe and we are going to bring Ariel and Belle (costumes). I like and . In Toon Town I like Goofy's Barnstormers. And I am 6 and Chloe is going to be 4 in October 16. I am not sure about Stingray City yet. Our room is 7509. Do you like to swim? I am excited to meet you both on the cruise. We are going to the Magic Kingdom before we go on the cruise.
Bye,
Melinda and Chloe

 

[abitjaded]

Gee Sandy,

We saw a few at WDW, but just did not have a lot of time. Thanks for the heads up. We had no idea! We ride bikes over there a lot, about 4 miles from our house on the Highline Canal. Gotta do it, that is if the youngest feels better. He had a Mission to Mars type-protein spill on the school bus yesterday and is not his best today. This is also the last week-end my oldest is a little kid. He starts Jr. High Monday, yuk. But this sounds like a great last summer "Hurrah!" Bike, Mickey, then BLT pizza at California Pizza Kitchen.


PAID OFF!!!!!!!! Still just wait listed for early dinner, though.

Scanned availability of our cruise date with this site:

http://www.nlgsolutions.com/cruises/

Looks like most every category is still available if looking for cat 4-11. The only category that is on guaranteed status is cat 6. Be interesting to see what happens the next few days as the 60 day mark comes and goes.

Carla

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Carla, my dd went on 9News website and couldn't find exactly where in Cherry Creek. It was on 9News this morning or last night. My advise to you is to call the mall first before heading out.

 

[DudetteTwo]

JEANNEI just want to warn you all that the Three Disney Dudettes have reunited for the cruise. Bonnie (alias Disney Dudette #1) will be joining us! Hope she gets an opportunity to post & introduce herself.

SANDY: Have fun camping! Congratulations on the weight loss.

Hope you all have a fun-filled weekend. I am supposed to work for "WEEKEND INCENTIVE" which is another name for "BIG BUCKS"$$$$$$$ Cruise is paid so we REALLY are going!!!!!!! Toodles JEANNE

 

[jenmack]

Hi, I'm Haleigh and I am 7 years old. I have never been to a Disney Cruise or to Disney world. I am going to Magic Kingdom, too. I am in room 8050. I can't wait to go to stingray city. My brother's are going and so are my mom and dad. I asked my mom if I have to wear a life jacket. I don't want to, but my mom said I have to. I like to swim and I went off the diving board my first time this summer.

My mom didn't get my costume for me yet. I have a cinderella costume, but it doesn't fit me anymore. I'm going to wear my princess crown when I wear my party dress. My brothers are going to wear eye patches and pirate hat's and they want to bring swords, but my mom no.
Do you like lizzie mcQuire? I gotta go now, bye.
-Haleigh

 

[BeanoC]

Hi Everyone, Renee here......

Wondered if anyone else is getting excited yet?
My son starts freshman year tomorrow....yikes!
Hope everyone had a nice weekend.....
Looking forward to seeing you all onboard,
Renee

 

[diz_princess]

Hello,
We are going on this cruise...my husband, my son (8mo) and I. We will be spending a couple of days at WDW beforehand.

 

[pdarrah]

Hi Cori,

I am a 1st time DCL cruiser for this one, but it doesn't look like they do anything for Halloween other than just on the actual day. My son (5 yrs) is still planning on bringing his costume. He is being a pirate this year and if he can't wear it anywhere else (kid clubs or the new "pirate theme" night) then he will wear it on the formal night. The logic there is that if the little girls can wear princess costumes for formal night, then he can wear his costume.

We traveled to DisneyWorld with our son at 6 weeks, 6 months, (and every 6 months thereafter). The parks were really easy with him before he could walk! The "baby care" centers in each park are great and you can carry him on every ride except the ones with restrictions (ie. the Mountains, Rock & roller coaster, etc.) I was never really willing to change my travel plans that much - so we have always just taken him with us to nearly everything. At this young an age, you probably want to bring a reclining stroller so he can sleep whenever/whereever he wants.

The only real restrictions I could see in the ports would be some of the more active excursions. Dune Buggies probably wouldn't be a good idea! Even snorkeling would be OK if you and your DH were willing to take turns. If you do an excursion that involves a boat, I would buy and bring your own life jacket for him - "infant" ones are available, but they may not have them at the excursions.

I hope this helps a little....

Pamela

P.S. We have a website for our cruise at www.bwdarrah.com/dcl. If you would like to be added to the "Who's Going" page, just send me a PM or an email (pdarrah@sprynet.com) or post your info here.

 

[abitjaded]

Welcome Cori and family,

My kids loved the beach when they were little. They found the waves in Hawaii (North Shore, January Pipeline) a little intimidating, but liked just sitting in the biggest sand boxes they had ever seen. Pack a pail and trowel if you have room!

Hey Denver, the Mickeys are in Cherry Creek North, not the Mall. We biked over Sunday. Disney Radio had a thing for the kids, music, free comics, travel brochures, kits to build Mickey bookends. The statures are stationed around on the corners. Bit of a hunt to find them, we had a map and still walked a long way just to see a few. Don't think there are anywhere near 75 of them. But it was fun, had lunch at Cucina Colore on the patio and the kids quietly read Donald Duck comics.

Carla

 

[DudetteTwo]

I don't know about anyone else but two months to go & I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited I can't stand myself!
I think it is sinking (poor choice of words) in that it is getting close. Shopped all weekend & got some real bargains. I decided I didn't want all the pictures to look the same by wearing the same outfits. Strawbridges had a great sale 75% off the clearance items & them if you spend $25.00 they took another $10.00 off, so they were practically giving the clothes away! The Disney Dudettes are doing their "formal" shopping this weekend. I even got a new pair of P.J.'s half price at the Disney Store.

I really can't wait to meet some of you & see some of my old friends again Back to work for three in a row. Hope you all have a great week. Toodles JEANNE

 

[abitjaded]

O.K., glad someone finally went bonkers over the 60 day thing. Me. too, now it seems real.

I want the lowdown on the Dudettes. Once there were two and now there are three?????? What gives? Sinking, arrrghhhh!

Also Denver and otherwise citywise, when we were looking for the Mickeys Sunday, we stopped off in a strange store that is legion in Denver. The place is called Wizard's Chest, full of Dungeons and Dragons, strange games, magic tricks, and.....drum roll COSTUMES. I was amazed to note a huge collection of wild pantyhose and GLOVES. Man, they had long ladies gloves in every price range. Red, lace, pink, shorties, over the elbow. And, of course, black, in a variety of fabrics. They had your Goth look, pretty princess, Sunday church-lady, you-name-it. Now I'm really tempted. Plus, all kinds of cool Pirate Gear!!! Think I'll get the kids a few patches and earrings. Close enough to Halloween to pull it off? If you are looking for cruise stuff, try your friendly local costume store. We are kind of missing Halloween, due to a late return on Sunday, maybe a wild Pirate Night would make up for it. Anyone seen the menu yet?

Carla

 

[skylynx]

So, Carla, how many pair of gloves did you get?

I was happy to find my long black gloves tied around the hanger of my husband's tux--no need to turn the house upside down to find them!

I will be teaching two English/writing courses at a local college this semester(and just found out), so I've been going crazy developing the syllabus for each and FORGOT the 60 day marker until this morning when I caught up reading Disboards! Since I got laid off I've been piecing together employment doing contract work and, as oft occurs, ended up with three deadlines for three different jobs all this week, plus I'm supposed to be interviewed for a tv show about my racehorse rescue next week and have to prep for it. Of course, weeks went by earlier this summer with my scrapping for a few hours of work here and there. Oh well, I'm happy to have the work, even if one week it blasts like a firehose and the next week barely dribbbles.

Our local department stores are pretty much giving things away, as well, with 75% off sales on summer merchandise (great for fall cruisers!) The Christmas ornaments are already out in the Hallmark store. I have to laugh, because I distinctly remember growing up on Long Island about a hundred years ago when not a HINT of Christmas decor or merchandise came out until the day after Thanksgiving!

John and I bought tickets on eBay to go to the Jimmy Buffett concert here Thursday night (as a warm-up for Key West!). The eBay seller accidentally sent our tickets to someone else in Chicagoland who'd also won tickets, so we're trying to figure out if we can get them in time. I'll be disappointed if we can't go--we went last year and it was the wildest thing I've ever seen. I went to a Buffett concert during grad school, but it was in the Dean Dome at UNC-Chapel Hill--a huge, no-nonsense indoor place with no "lawn" seats. The stage was too far from everyone for the three-hour beachball volley game to occur. At the Tweeter Center, everyone spends the entirety of a Buffett concert standing in front of, not in, their expensive seats except during intermission. It is a non-stop party with inflatables flying around the whole time and lots of men dressed up in grass
skirts. The lawn area looks like Woodstock. Well, fingers crossed.

PS There's still time to get your black gloves, ladies!

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Good morning everyone. I am finally able to post again after being MIA due to a 2 week training course for work.

I am so excited that the cruise is getting closer, I can't wait.

YEA Bonnie is coming on the cruise, I am so excited she decided to join us.

I am very busy at work today but thought I would check in. I haven't been to work since August 5th.

 

[pdarrah]

Here is a reply from Darrah to all the "princesses"

Pamela
------------------

Hi Haleigh and Melinda and Chloe,

I wanted to say I am going to talk a lot on the cruise. I always talk a lot! Before the cruise, I am going to go to GatorLand. My cruise room is #2548. I am going to Stingray City on the Mickey Cruise. So I am REALLY excited to go on the Mickey Cruise!!!

Tomorrow I am starting Kindergarten. One of my best rides at Mickey's World is Dumbo. At Castaway Cay I want to go to the snorkeling place and I want to see what is at Key West. I want to go to the Fort at Key West. Are you going to see stuff in Key West?

Bye, Time to go.

Darrah

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Jeanne, thanks for the congratulations on the weight loss. Lots and lots more but it is a start.

Bonnie, (dudette 1), welcome aboard. I am so happy that you decided to join all of us. What would the cruise be without ALL of the dudettes?

Welcome back Heidi. Missed you!

 

[Mom2Princesses]

Excursion Questions:

Grand Cayman:

Nautilus Undersea Tour (All ages) Good for 4 year old and 6 year old? My kids are interested in this one! Meet at 9:05 [1-1.5 hours]

OR

Captain Marvins -- 2 hr excursion to meet the Stingrays -- but keep in mind my children are saying that they don't want to meet the stingrays (they are scared!). Meet at 1:15pm [2 hours]

I could do them both, 1st with kids and 2nd without??? I would just have to get them back on the boat. It seems doable

Cozumel:

Xcaret Eco Archeological Park -- 6.5 to 7.5 hours! I think this one, although it sounds kid friendly, is a bit too long but it sounds so nice! 9:45 [all day] Anyone taken small ones before?

Then there are all these beach excursions, like Mr Sanchos, Cozumel Beach Break, etc.

The Sea Lions Discovery also sounds great, but my kids are not into the sea lions (I think they actually would be if they saw the show, but they keep saying they are scared!)



How do I decide what to do????

Thanks for your help

PS Melinda & Chloe will be writing back to the kids here tomorrow!

 

[abitjaded]

Hey Nancy, cannot answer any of your questions with specifics, BUT. Xcaret is actually across on the mainland, you have to ferry over, and this ferry ride can be notorius for being rough. We planed over the one time we went between CanCun and Cozumel. But Xcaret is amazing, Some of the snorkeling is in strange water. The "lake" is a stream feed between fresh and salt water, so there are real thermoclines, layers of the water and temperature mixtures that make visibility "wobbly" in some areas. Amazing fish, some pretty large. The ruins at Tulum are interesting and the location is spectacular. The ruins on Cozumel are paltry. But if you have been to other places in Mexico, the ruins at Tulum are quite small. The whole area is quite crowded, many vendors and tourists. I think some are considering Chanknaab, somewhat similar to Xcaret, but much easier to get to. There is a DCL excursion to there, but it can be done for less via taxi. Take a look at Pamela's site. She has good links. Just a note, we think Mexico is easy to do on your own, very non-intimidating. We are thinking of taxiing down to PalMar, mostly because DH tends to get strange Tourista in Mexico, if you want company negotiating the natives. DH speaks SOME very rusty Spanish.

Nautilus is ages 6 and up, only. We took DH1 on a semi-submersible when he was about two (Hawaii), it was pretty rough, DS was fine, but DH nearly had a protein spill. These things stay in the wave action and it can be unpleasant, though some love it. They are just a boat with a deeper hull that is windowed, confining, too.

You do not have to get in the water with the Stingrays, lots of folks take excursions to Stingray City and don't get in the water with the rays. Check ages with Marvin's, Disney's are also ages 6 and up. Ask if Marvin's can load some face mask boogie boards. These are surf board size things with a mask in the front. A kid can "snorkel" and you can tether them to you.

Carla

 

[Mom2Princesses]

Thanks Carla!

Xcaret sounds so awesome, but I do think that the rough ride will be too much for the girls. I have showed the girls a few images on the internet, and they are interested in the dolphins, now. I did not realize that at Stingray City they didn't have to get out of the boat! So, we could take turns (DH and I) with sitting back with the girls? That may work. And they may wind up going in after they see us in there...hmmm

In the Passporter, it says that the Nautilus is for all ages...I will try to find out for sure, though. Still, if they do Stingray City that will probably be enough.

Mr Sanchos website looked like it was for adults to me, so that one is out.

The Spanish is intimidating to me -- I took French! LOL! It does worry me some and we have never been to Mexico before! What about those vendors? We were in Toronto several years ago and the vendors were a pain there--especially the ones in drag!!! No joke, men dressed as women trying to sell roses at the subway stops. I may need assistance in Cozumel!

Off to research a bit more, everytime I think I have it narrowed down, I get new info!

Does anyone do any excursions in Key West? The ratings are not very good for them in Passporter, we are planning on doing our own thing there.

 

[pdarrah]

Hi Nancy,

If you are thinking of doing Stingray City with Capt. Marvin, there are already several of us from here that are doing the "1/2 day" tour with them. It is actually just 3 hours and stops at a couple of reefs and the stingrays. Since my DS5 is going, your's wouldn't be the only little ones... Darrah is actually really excited about it. We have been reading books from the library about coral reefs and practicing snorkeling at the public pool. I have no idea how it will go when we get there, but right now he plans to snorkel every reef and touch a stingray!

It has been about 12 years since I was last in Cozumel, but at that time the vast majority of people (and all shopkeepers) spoke perfectly adaquate english. I believe that they start teaching English in the schools in Mexico at a very early age. I took 2 years of Spanish in high school (then switched to German) and my tiny bit of remembered words were more than enough. We actually enjoyed the interplay and bargaining at the shops. Basically, you just have to reallize that this is how it works in this culture and try to join in and enjoy it. 12 years ago the shopkeepers weren't that agressive - yes, they would come out and talk to you and try and get you to come in, but it wasn't agressive (not like Jamaica or some of the other islands) and a simple "no thankyou" or "no gracias" was enough. I don't know if this has changed a lot - if it has, I will just get off the main street, since usually this type of thing isn't as bad if you are a block or two away from the "strip" in any city. There was a wonderful "market" (small stalls or tables for each vendor) a little way back from the square that I hope is still there.

We still haven't decided about Cozumel - Chankanab, Mr. Sanchos or other beach, or another snorkel excursion are still in the running.... I hope to spend a few hours early in the day doing one of those things and then a little time later in the day looking around/shopping in town.

In Key West, we are definitely going to just do stuff on our own. There is a garden I really want to see and (for some unknown reason) Darrah wants to see the fort that is there. I also want to find a good place to have cuban food for lunch - I haven't ever been to a cuban restaurant, but have made "cuban inspired" recipes that I really enjoyed. Nearly everything in Key West is within walking distance (and there is also a bus system). There are links to most of the attractions at http://www.bwdarrah.com/dcl/links.htm.

Pamela

 

[pdarrah]

Oops - Duplicate post (I'm never sure what to do when it stops responding and you get that "server busy" message....)