Sept. 7, 2012 - Magic NYC - Canada

[EllaEnchanted]

Please let us know how you make out with the Palo reservations - I won't be able to book til Friday at the earliest.

I too was wondering about what clothes to pack - I have read that it was very chilly on the first cruise - I'm hoping we have warmer weather, but I guess we need to park for cold as well.

My daughter spent 2 years at East Stroudsburg University - she just transfered to a college closer to home at the end of this last semester.

Hopefully the DCL site will let me book tomorrow and not have to wait a day for the payment to clear. I'll let you know what I see left for Palo, no matter what day I get to book it.

I think we should plan on some chilly days and especially nights. We might get an Indian Summer and it will get warm midday, but when that sun goes down....it's going to be cool.

ESU is such a great school and very close to me.....maybe 15-20 minutes away. I'm sure you're glad that your daughter is closer to home now.

 

[jilljill]

Thanks so much, that's very helpful. I will check out Windermere. We're keeping our house in the Poconos, DS "the kid" will be living here....he lives next door now in an apartment over the detached garage. He's an adult. So we only want to rent a house with a pool when we get to Florida. But we want to rent long term.

I have already been in touch with a realtor, but it's still early. I have been checking houses for rent on craigslist and other realtor sites on the internet. We're planning a week in December to go to WDW and to do some serious house hunting. John retires 2/1/13. That should be the right timing and I'm hoping it will only take one week to lock something in.

Thanks again for all your info. It really helps a lot. I didn't know about the traffic in Davenport. We definitely won't like that. We want to be closer to WDW.

Glad that was helpful for you. Any other questions just ask.
Don't rule out buying down here. With all the foreclosures still out there it could be cheaper to own then to rent.
A couple of the neighborhoods around us are Mabel Ridge and Independence. When I'm out again I'll look at the names of a few more neighborhoods and give them to you as well. They will all be along Reams Road or Fiquet (sp?) Parkway.

If you remind me towards the end of August, before I go north, I can pick up a couple of real estate books (buying and rentals) and give them to you on the ship.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Glad that was helpful for you. Any other questions just ask.
Don't rule out buying down here. With all the foreclosures still out there it could be cheaper to own then to rent.
A couple of the neighborhoods around us are Mabel Ridge and Independence. When I'm out again I'll look at the names of a few more neighborhoods and give them to you as well. They will all be along Reams Road or Fiquet (sp?) Parkway.

If you remind me towards the end of August, before I go north, I can pick up a couple of real estate books (buying and rentals) and give them to you on the ship.

Thank you so very much. I wrote down Mabel Ridge and Independence. Reams Road looks like a perfect location. I have to look for Fiquet Parkway.

I will remind you late August about the real estate books. I would love to have them. Thanks again.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

I PIF today.....YAY!!!!!!!!! I was able to book Palo and excursions. YAY!!!!!!!!!! I'm doing one Palo dinner and I was able to get a brunch too. YAY!!!!!!!!!!! I'm doing a winey tour and a train ride for excursions. I have to check with DH John to see if he wants me to book him a spa massage. Then I'm done and ready to go.

 

[dthogue]

I PIF today.....YAY!!!!!!!!! I was able to book Palo and excursions. YAY!!!!!!!!!! I'm doing one Palo dinner and I was able to get a brunch too. YAY!!!!!!!!!!! I'm doing a winey tour and a train ride for excursions. I have to check with DH John to see if he wants me to book him a spa massage. Then I'm done and ready to go.

Woo Hoo glad to hear that you were able to snag those Palo reservations. Keeping my fingers crossed that they aren't completely booked by Friday.

 

[jilljill]

Thank you so very much. I wrote down Mabel Ridge and Independence. Reams Road looks like a perfect location. I have to look for Fiquet Parkway.

I will remind you late August about the real estate books. I would love to have them. Thanks again.

I guess I should have mentioned that REams Rd turns into Fiquet Pkwy which is the road that Independence is off of.
Since Obama will be speaking at the Contemporary on Friday we'll not be driving on property that day. In fact, the FL Highway Patrol have been out today along World Dr and the news media vans have started their camp outs by the convention center. It should be an interesting couple of days around here.

DD got a job, she's going to be working food & beverage at the new Art of Animation resort. She goes in Thurs. to do paperwork and background check and I'm sure she'll get assigned a day to do Traditions. She's so excited.

Please remind me around August 20th or so and I will pick up the books to bring to you.

 

[lpizzuro123]

I PIF today.....YAY!!!!!!!!! I was able to book Palo and excursions. YAY!!!!!!!!!! I'm doing one Palo dinner and I was able to get a brunch too. YAY!!!!!!!!!!! I'm doing a winey tour and a train ride for excursions. I have to check with DH John to see if he wants me to book him a spa massage. Then I'm done and ready to go.

If you are referring to the train ride in St. John, you might want to check out some of the reviews on these boards. I have read that it was so bad that Disney gave a refund of half the cost because so many people complained.

Linda

 

[DL1957]

I PIF today.....YAY!!!!!!!!! I was able to book Palo and excursions. YAY!!!!!!!!!! I'm doing one Palo dinner and I was able to get a brunch too. YAY!!!!!!!!!!! I'm doing a winey tour and a train ride for excursions. I have to check with DH John to see if he wants me to book him a spa massage. Then I'm done and ready to go.

Great news which day for dinner and brunch did you get. I have some first time cruisers traveling with us who do not book until the weekend. We are going on the winery tour in Halifax. As OP stated there has been a lot of bad press on the train ride in St John. DCL refunded 50% of the fee.

 

[dthogue]

One more day closer to being paid in full - can't wait til the morning to see a zero in the balance due column of my reservation

This trip has been a whirlwind for me - I've never booked and paid for a cruise so fast We usually plan 9-12 months in advance, I can't believe we will be cruising in a little over 2 months.

I think we narrowed down our excursions to the Peggy's Cove and Hop on Hop off tour in Halifax and the Saint John River Cruise.

 

[jilljill]

One more day closer to being paid in full - can't wait til the morning to see a zero in the balance due column of my reservation

This trip has been a whirlwind for me - I've never booked and paid for a cruise so fast We usually plan 9-12 months in advance, I can't believe we will be cruising in a little over 2 months.

I think we narrowed down our excursions to the Peggy's Cove and Hop on Hop off tour in Halifax and the Saint John River Cruise.

I closest I've booked a cruise was 12 or 13 days out. I was on a cruise and rebooked to go back 2 weeks later.

 

[dthogue]

I closest I've booked a cruise was 12 or 13 days out. I was on a cruise and rebooked to go back 2 weeks later.

Now that's the life guess you didn't unpack???

Congrats to your DD on her job - bet she is excited

 

[jilljill]

Now that's the life guess you didn't unpack???

Congrats to your DD on her job - bet she is excited

Oh course we did. Had to wash clothes and then only pack for DD & I, since DH had to go home and back to work. LOL!


Thanks, she's more than excited.

 

[LWQuestie]

Ok - were is everyone This thread is way too quiet

2 and 1/2 months to go - we need to generate some excitment.

Keeping my fingers crossed to get a Palo reservation - if not we'll try once we get onboard.

What is everyone planning on doing while in Port?

Anyone requesting a specific dining rotation or serving team?

I've been gathering up images to make magnets for our doors. I want to do it up right for my aunts!

I've booked Palo brunch and dinner for my mom and myself and hopefully will be able to add my aunts when Sunday rolls around. Luckily, I'll be out at a 9:30pm showing of Brave, so staying up to midnight shouldn't be an issue!

We are planning to do the Peggy's Cove excursion in Halifax and the Blueberry thing in Saint John. We'd considered the railway tour, but have cancelled it with all the poor reviews.

I haven't been on the Magic in close to 6 years, so no specific serving team request, but we'll be at the late dinner seating.

 

[dthogue]

Ok can you tell I'm happy - I am officially paid in full - submitted my last payment to Dreams Unlimited at 9:30pm and by 10:00pm it was applied to my account and PAID IN FULL

I was able to make my Palo reservations for both the Brunch (2nd sea day) and Dinner (1st sea day) as well as book my excursions - Peggy's Cove with HOHO and Saint John's River Crusie. Not too sure about the excursions, may switch them once DH gets a chance to look at them.

Time for bed

 

[dthogue]

I've been gathering up images to make magnets for our doors. I want to do it up right for my aunts!

I've booked Palo brunch and dinner for my mom and myself and hopefully will be able to add my aunts when Sunday rolls around. Luckily, I'll be out at a 9:30pm showing of Brave, so staying up to midnight shouldn't be an issue!

We are planning to do the Peggy's Cove excursion in Halifax and the Blueberry thing in Saint John. We'd considered the railway tour, but have cancelled it with all the poor reviews.

I haven't been on the Magic in close to 6 years, so no specific serving team request, but we'll be at the late dinner seating.

Magnets - that's the next thing I need to work on.

Good luck with the Palo reservations - I hope you are able to book what you need.

I thought about the Blueberry tour - will have to take another look - I was also thinking about the maple syrup tour too!

 

[EllaEnchanted]

I guess I should have mentioned that REams Rd turns into Fiquet Pkwy which is the road that Independence is off of.
Since Obama will be speaking at the Contemporary on Friday we'll not be driving on property that day. In fact, the FL Highway Patrol have been out today along World Dr and the news media vans have started their camp outs by the convention center. It should be an interesting couple of days around here.

DD got a job, she's going to be working food & beverage at the new Art of Animation resort. She goes in Thurs. to do paperwork and background check and I'm sure she'll get assigned a day to do Traditions. She's so excited.

Please remind me around August 20th or so and I will pick up the books to bring to you.

Thanks so much for all the great info you have given me. I will use it wisely.

How exciting for DD that she got her job at Disney. That's what my DH John wants to do when he retires and we move down there. He wants to work part time for the mouse.

August 20th, I got it. I'll remind you then. Thanks again.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

If you are referring to the train ride in St. John, you might want to check out some of the reviews on these boards. I have read that it was so bad that Disney gave a refund of half the cost because so many people complained.

Linda

Thanks for the heads up Linda. I'm so sad because it sounded so nice. Oh well. Better to know now rather than later.

I cancelled the railroad and booked the Mississippi River Boat instead. I think we'll like that one as well.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Great news which day for dinner and brunch did you get. I have some first time cruisers traveling with us who do not book until the weekend. We are going on the winery tour in Halifax. As OP stated there has been a lot of bad press on the train ride in St John. DCL refunded 50% of the fee.

We're doing dinner on the first sea day and brunch on the second sea day.

YAY!!! We'll be on the Halifax winery tour together. It sounds like so much fun.

I took your advice and switched from the train ride to a river boat ride. I just hope it's warm enough. If not, there's an inside where we can sit.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

One more day closer to being paid in full - can't wait til the morning to see a zero in the balance due column of my reservation

This trip has been a whirlwind for me - I've never booked and paid for a cruise so fast We usually plan 9-12 months in advance, I can't believe we will be cruising in a little over 2 months.

I think we narrowed down our excursions to the Peggy's Cove and Hop on Hop off tour in Halifax and the Saint John River Cruise.

Hi Tammy, we're doing the St John's River Cruise too. We're doing it at 1:15pm. What time are you doing it? Maybe we'll see each other there.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

I've been gathering up images to make magnets for our doors. I want to do it up right for my aunts!

I've booked Palo brunch and dinner for my mom and myself and hopefully will be able to add my aunts when Sunday rolls around. Luckily, I'll be out at a 9:30pm showing of Brave, so staying up to midnight shouldn't be an issue!

We are planning to do the Peggy's Cove excursion in Halifax and the Blueberry thing in Saint John. We'd considered the railway tour, but have cancelled it with all the poor reviews.

I haven't been on the Magic in close to 6 years, so no specific serving team request, but we'll be at the late dinner seating.

Good Luck!!! Booking for your aunts on Sunday. I hope you get to add them to your Palo ressies and to your excursions. I don't think you'll have any problems. This is a slow DIS cruise. More for us, I say! haha.