Sept. 14, 7 Day Roll Call

[ruvidu]

Westjones - Miss Vivian was reading your reply over my shoulder and said she felt exactly the same way. Not me. I too want to experience it all, the good and the bad, the pretty and the ugly. I have walked the streets of Hong Kong, Singapore, Yakooska, Japan and even Olongopo City in the Phillipines. I love seeing what's out there. That said, we will probably be on the ship when it gets dark. I only have one vote in this house and Miss Vivian has the other two.
I did get my trolly tickets yesterday and it came with a great map of Key West and all the stops the trolly makes. We are trying to decide where to get off and on and how much walking we want to do.
I also received confirmation on our stingray snorkle trip with Capt. Marvin.
We have printed out all of the Western Cruise Navigators and are going through them with Highligters, she is blue and I am pink, marking the things we want to do on board ship.
If we get any more excited we may be committed before we get to leave.
Anyone else excited?

Russ and Miss Vivian

 

[catts5]

I can't sleep at night!!! I will be pretty exhausted before we even leave!! We got our confirmation for our excursions on Castaway Cay. I read the boards several times a day and I check and recheck my Avis rental!! Everything is done but I keep trying to do more!! I just hope my expectations won't be too high. Part of the excitement is waiting to see my brother again. We only see each other once a year. I am so looking forward to lounging in the sun with a cool drink and chatting with my "bro"!!

We may all be committed together soon!!

By the way, ruvidu, I admire the way you adore Miss Vivian!!

See you all soon,
Cheryl

 

[westjones]

You won't be disappointed.

Our first cruise, we got up at 2:00 am to catch our plane, hours and hours of delays got up on the ship at about 2:00 that afternoon in the middle of a hurricane (I forget the name, that was in 2000). We were starving because we didn't have time to eat on the planes and didn't have layovers anywhere (just stuck sitting on the plane), so we went up to topsiders to eat and the only seats were outside. We sat 'in the rain' trying to eat while our food got soggy. We were exhausted, so we thought we would take a nap, only to awaken by the loud speaker telling us to go to the mandatory drill. Then I went to sign up my kids for the kids club and I was SO exhausted by that time that I must have been mumbling "I'm so tired" because the lady in front of me turned around and asked me if I was OK .

That night, we got a good night's sleep and woke up the next morning and found ourselves surrounded by magic! DH and I both could not believe that after the 'start' we had, that we ended up having the best vacation of our lives! So much so that we went back again last year (both times on our twin daughters' birthday). We had an even better time last year (we drove this time and got a good night's sleep before we got on the ship!). We didn't want it to end!!!! So DH (who is VERY frugal and rarely ever splurges on things....the cruise was my idea) said, 'Let's make it a family tradition! That's bring the girls on the DCL every year for their birthday!" I couldn't believe my ears! I asked him if he was serious, and he said yes!

So this year we are going all out and doing the 7 day cruise! So if you see two adorable little girls getting birthday cake at the early seating on Thursday of the cruise.....but is probably my daughters! This will be their third birthday celebrated on DCL and they will be turning 9 (gee, if they weren't twins, I guess we would have to cruise twice a year!)


DJ

 

[ruvidu]

westjones- I loved that trip report about the rain, delays and all. Isn't it amazing how the Magic can make all things seem right after a few hours. On the first cruise I lost my wallet on the way to the room. On the second cruise I lost my glasses. Never found either but had a ball anyway. I just put my book at the end of my lounge chair and read it from about 3 feet away. The wallet was returned 16 months later. Someone found it on board ship and turned it in. Money, cards, liscense and all were still there. In all of our trips we have never had any rain on any day. I did check today about booking a 4 day cruise in Dec. 2003. We want to go back to DW and stay at WL again and then drive over to the ship and see in decorated fro Christmas as well. Looks like the cost for two of us right now would be $2497. Thats cat 10 room on ship and standard room at WL and includes Park Hopper Pass at DW. 8 days of Disney for $310 per day. Not too bad.

catt5 - I love Miss Vivian more each day. It's just on her good days that I really adore her. She has been a great friend and partner for 34+ years. I envey those of you who can bring families and share this experience with them. I am the only one of my family that knows how to have a good time.
As Jimmy Buffett says "If we wern't all crazy, we would all go insane".
I have been listening to a lot of Buffett in the last couple of weeks preparing myself for this trip.

Take care all.

Russ

 

[whytcrystal]

I am sooo relating to all of you! Can't wait to meet.

Russ- My MIL and FIL went to GC two years ago and did the Sting Ray City Snorkel. I asked the other day if it was Captian Marvel and they said, 'Yes'. They absolutely RAVE about this trip. Is lunch included on teh trip you will be taking? It was on theirs and along with the many foods they had, they also had Conch.
Had lunch with my SIL today and we are talking each other into going parasailing! .

 

[ruvidu]

I think you have to do the 1/2 day trip to get the lunch. I would probably do that the next time if this trip goes good. We just want to make sure we have time to do everything.

As for the parasailing - DO IT!!!!
Remember "This is not a dress rehersal, this is our only chance." Miss Vivian and I try to live up to this quote. We don't plan to leave our son anything when we die but a thick scrapbook. He knows this and thinks it's great. He and his wife are doing the same.

Looking very forward to meeting all of you too.

Russ

 

[ruvidu]

Bumped to the front so I can remember where it is.

NEW UPDATED LIST BY LOCATION

UPDATED 7/16/02

Our prize for the couple traveling the longest distance to be with us goes to:
paulc traveling from the United Kingdom with his wife.
They will be celebrating their 25th anniversary while on the cruise
It will be their first cruise.

CO - Eva & RJ will be coming from Denver with their two children 4 & 8. It is their first cruise and they will have late seating.

CT - Carol RN and her family of 14 adults, 3 girls; 14, 14, 13, 1 boy 16 and 2 toddlers; 2 1/2 and 1 1/2. Staying near the airport on Friday night and they have first seating.

FL - Orlando - bdurrett and his wife, Bobby & Marielle, will be celebrating their 10th anniversary with us. First time Magic cruisers

Fl - Windermere - Windermere and her husband are joining us for the first leg of back to back, Western and Eastern cruises.

GA - Atlanta, Jazzbran (Jackie), her husband and two daughters 13 and 9 years old will be coming on board for their 3rd seven day Magic cruise. Finally, another Southerner.

IN - westjones – She, her husband and 9 year old twin daughters will be taking their 3rd cruise. It will be their first 7 day cruise.

ILL - Donna G - This family of 5 consists of Mom, Dad, a 14 year old son and twin 12 year old boys.

Maine - Portland - Pmouse (Paula), her husband, 7 year old son and 10 year old daughter will be staying at the Radisson before joining us on 9/14.

Mass. rgionet – Renee is traveling with her husband and twin 3 year old sons.
This is their second Magic cruise.
They are bringing the In-laws. Add another brother-in-law on 7/16.

Mass - DeniseHop – 40 something couple celebrating their 3rd wedding anniversary on 9/17. This will be their first cruise.

Mich - Katholyn (nativetxn) will be joining her friend from NY, Karen, for their cruise.

NH - whytcrystal - Cryrstal and David White – They are joining us to celebrate their honeymoon after 17 years of marriage. They are bringing Brother in Law and Sister in Law, Pete and Doreen White. They have first dinning.

NY - Tonawanda- DJY252 and her husband, 18 year old son and 27 other people are sailing and will celebrating their 4th anniversary.

NY - KarenNY and her friend Katholyn (nativetexan) will be joining us.

OR – stepherella. NOTE: WE HAVE HONEYMOONERS HERE.
This is their first cruise and they have second seating for dinner.

SC - ruvidu – Russ and Vivian are a mid 50s couple who will be on their 4th magic cruise, second 7 day.
We have second seating at dinner and will be staying at the Hampton Inn in Cocoa Beach on Friday night.

TX - Kaa Tammy – She, her husband and son may join us for this cruise. It would be her 4th and her family’s 3rd.

Wash - catt5, they are a family of 4 with two teens
This will be their first cruise and they will be staying at the Radisson on Friday night.

WI – This is catt5’s brother and family. They will total 5 with two teens and one 12 year old.

AS OF TODAY WE HAVE 106 DISERS SIGNED UP FOR OUR CRUISE. FIRST 48 TO SEE ME IN THE TERMINAL WILL GET LEIS.

If anyone wants to add more info let me know.

Russ

 

[westjones]

So Russ, how do we find you got get our Leis? My daughters would love it!

Oh I am getting SO excited! It is almost August! Then it is just one more month!
Debra

 

[djy252]

Hi....Today my 18yr old son told me he did NOT want to go on the cruise with us. It broke my heart. But after along talk I cant force him into going so I had to call and switch all my reservations. I will be getting a refund minus $159.00 for penalty fees for cancelling. We are also staying at the Caribbean Beach at disney for 4 days after the cruise. I am soooo excited but I still want to cry that my baby wont be with us. My hubby says now we have a second honeymoon. Well I will see you's all in 51 days.

Bye.....Denise

 

[ruvidu]

Westjones

5'10", 220 pounds, white headed with big white mustache. I will be wearing an orange shirt, kahki shorts and carrying a shopping bag with Ruvidu on the side of it. Think you can find me?

DJY252 - Sorry to hear your son will not be joining you. Sounds like you and DH have decided to make the best of the situation though.

I was in a local Hallmark store today and purchased a great travel journal half price. It has places for why you are making the trip and how you plan for it. A place for all the names of the people you meet. A place to log in each roll of film you shoot. A very nice book to keep notes in. At the back is a section to write in what you would do different next time. Y'all may want to keep your eyes open in your local Hallmark stores.


Good night all,
It is hot tub time.

 

[djy252]

Hello again...I just wnated to share with everyone a deal on a hotel I got for the night before the cruise. It is at the Radisson which is right across the I understand for $59.00 a nite. It is called the Fall Special. I tried to do it online but it wouldnt take my phone number so I had to call. Hope someone can use this info. If anyone knows of any good rental car deals going on at this time please let me know. My email address is....djy252@aol.com


See you's all soon......Denise

 

[bdurrett]

We stayed at the radisson just for fun one weekend and liked it. We got the $59 rate as well. It has a really big swimming pool with a waterfall you can swim under.

- bobby

 

[KarenNY]

Now, I'm really getting excited. I just booked a tandem parasail in Key West with Fury Catamarans. We're also planning a snorkle trip with Capt Marvin's in Grand Cayman

 

[ruvidu]

Did you book the same Capt. Marvin that we did or are you going half day?
Russ

 

[KarenNY]

I think we're going to do the half day. Kath is booking it.

 

[TxJasmine]

Hello everyone!

I've been "lurking" off and on for the last month or so, but just didn't get a chance to post until now.

My husband, 7 yr old daughter, 5 yr old son, and I will be on the Sept. 14 Magic. We are really looking forward to it! We did the 3 day Wonder in '99, and the 7 day Magic (Eastern) last Sept. We are especially excited about the Western because it is a great itinerary.

Please add us to your list. We are coming from TX.

Thanks!

 

[ruvidu]

Ok, Jasmine, her husband, son and daughter are joining us now. I will get you added to the list. If there is any other info you would like to get added for your little piece of history here, let me know. I have to ask "Where from in Texas"? I have had my new Texans (new football team) ball cap on today and have a lot of comments. I love Texas.

Our itinerary has changed. With air fare prices dropping nearly 50% we have decided to fly instead of drive. We will be connecting with Delta flight 1999 in Atlanta which will arrrive in MCO arund 10:00 am on the 12th. We are renting a car from Avis, picking it up at MCO, turning it in Sat. at the Raddison at Port Canaveral. We will be using DCL transfers to go back to MCO on 21st. Is anyone else coming in early? I hope to still be able to pack 50 leis in my suitcase. By the way, Miss Vivian thinks I am crazy.
If any of you are flying and have not checked ticket prices lately you may want to do so. The two of us are flying in from SC roundtrip for $330.

Gotta go help with dinner,
Russ

 

[kinicki]

Hello All,

My girlfriend and I will be on the cruise so please add us to the list. We are from Boston and This will be our second disney cruise. Our first one was the inaugral 7 day back in 2000. After the cruise we will be off to WDW for a couple of days at PO-FQ. We will be flying from Boston nostop to MCO on the day. We got a great rate of $149 per person roundtrip the other day on AA. We are both in our mid twenties and we both love to cruise Disney Style.

On the ship we be staying in a Cat.11 on deck seven. No window but that's ok..See you on the ship

 

[ruvidu]

Welcome to our travel group.
You will love POFQ. We stayed there a couple of years ago. Our son and his wife will be staying there in Jan.
I will get you added to the list tonight and bump the list up front for everyone. Look us up in the terminal if you can.
Early or late seating?
See you there.

Russ and Miss Vivian

 

[rgionet]

I am from Mass also!!! We live about an hour outside of Boston in Leominster. We will be flying down the morning of the cruise out of Providence. We should be arriving in Orlando around 10:20 and renting a car from Avis. After the cruise we will be renting a car from Avis and heading over to the Polynesian for 4 nights. The day we get in from the cruise my husband will be heading over to Disney's Wide World of Sports to join his softball team. They are playing in the World Series of Softball that weekend! Can't wait to meet everyone!!