September 18th Wonder 3 Night Cruise

[Malone]

My family, including my parents, have matching Tropical Mickey outfits to wear at some point during the cruise. (Probably Parrot Cay dinner). My mom wondered if we would look like geeks, then she said, "We'll probably get on the ship and see 2,000 outfits just alike."

Did anyone else buy the Tropical Mickey outfits from the Disney Store? I got them on clearance--the only way I shop!

So, at least I know we won't be the only family in matching clothes on the ship! I also thought about us all wearing black and white outfits for Animator's palate-we all happen to have one (seriously!), or would that be too geeky?

JuJu, are you guys dressing alike at dinner?

I'm really getting excited--this is a much needed vacation (aren't they all?).

Carrie

 

[Malone]

kcatoir,

We're flying in on Wed too. Are you staying at the port that night? We're staying at the Bestern Western Oceanfront Resort. I wanted to get as much beach into my vacation as possible! It's right next to the pier, too, which will be neat to check out.

We're also going to WDW after the cruise. It will be our first visit "home" to our vacation club resort, Beach Club Villas. We joined this spring, and have been dying to get there! I think it will be nice to look forward to going to WDW, because I'm sure that getting off the cruise ship will be a let down! I wonder how many paint scrapes there are on the gangway from all the people that have to be "drug off the ship" !!

Westjones,
Thanks for all the tips. We'll try to look nice for the picture. What time are you getting to port? We'll also check out the mickey pool when we get on board. Maybe that will be our DIS meet. Also, I've read on other posts that people have a "meet" in the port before boarding. Have you ever done this with any of your cruises? I know that 3 days will go quickly--a person almost doesn't want to add anything to the schedule, so it can all be enjoyed!

 

[westjones]

We own at Beach Club Villas too! We stayed there for the first time last March and LOVED IT! We are staying at Old Key West this time though (less points). We just joined DVC last year, so we banked last year's points and used them for this cruise.

The only other time I have met people on the cruise from the Dis Board is on our last 7 day. There was someone who was sort of 'leading' the idea of a meet and he brought lime green leis to port and told us to look for him. Well we found him and so did a lot of others and so we could all recognize each other because of that. We talked at port while waiting to board (up at the front area where you can view the ship and there is a sitting area). But once we got on the ship we didn't have a 'met'.

I will be honest, on a 3 day, and especially for those of you who are new, you won't have the time. There is so much to do. I have NEVER been to a Castaway Club gathering (free drinks and food for repeat cruisers). Not because I didn't want to go and get a free drink, but because there is always something else we wanted to do.

If we want to recognize each other, we could all bring green leis (the color of DIS BOARD members, I didn't pick it, that is just what I am told), and then maybe we will see each other at port and by the Mickey Pool.

I will warn you, I am TERRIBLE with names and will probably forget everyone's screen name. But on the last cruise, I did see a lot of people because of them wearing the 'lime green leis'.

You can usually get them at party stores (I think--I have never bought them before).

DJ

 

[ez]

Now I'M doing the happy dance!

 

[kcatoir]

Yeah for Ez!!!!!

Malone,
We are staying at the Best Western Airport Inn Wed night, we don't arrive at MCO until 7pm or after so didn't want to get into a car for another hour. We are driving to port thurs am.
Yes I think the 3 days will FLY by, thats why we have not booked any specific excursions have some ideas (maybe ck out the dig at Atlantis, etc) but will wait to see what we want to do once we get there. For a first cruise I think it will be a good intro to cruising.

Getting Anxious to go!!!!

 

[westjones]

EZ,
I am SO glad your DOCS came!!!!! I know how much it meant to us when they showed up. Makes the trip seem all the more real!

I don't know how we are going to last the next 9 days (we leave on the 14th for WDW). My kids are bouncing off the walls!

DJ

 

[kcatoir]

My kids are bouncing off the walls

I know the feeling.
Every morning I hear "how many more days of school till we go?????"

BTW tonight (if you haven't already seen it, we were out of town last weekend) on Travel channel is the DCL special.

 

[westjones]

I saw it, but I will watch it again!!! Thanks for the heads up! I love the Travel Channel.

I also have the DCL Video and we love watching it. I took my video camera on last year's 7 day cruise and we watch that too.

I haven't decided if I am taking my video camera this year. We are flying this time, so I am trying not to take too much. BUT it is my DD's 10th birthday......

DH says to leave the video camera at home, but I don't know....anyone else taking theirs? Just seems like on a 3 night cruise we won't have that much time take video. But then again.....it is their 10th birthday!

DJ

 

[kcatoir]

Sorry can't help you with the video dilema, we are probably the only family on the planet that don't own one.

But definately have LOTS!!! of film for still camera.....am an avid scrapbooker and am planning ahead for our vacation album.
also bought small scrapbooks for autograph books for dd's, thought will be great souviner once photos are added.

 

[Malone]

Video camera:
Yes, I know we'll be taking one. My parents got us one for our anniversary this year with this trip in mind. My Dad is a "techie junkie"--he loves digital cameras, video, computers, etc. I'm hoping he'll be loving taking the video (or some) so I won't be spending my vacation through a view finder!

DCL on Travel Channel:
Anyone else watch last night? My family was squealing in the living room! My mom called me and she and dad were squealing from their house too! I could hear my dad in the background saying, "Oh my gosh.....Holy cow.....Oh Wow!" I think they are game for this trip! We should all enjoy it!

Green leis:
I'll probably see you at the Mickey Pool. Not sure if we'll be in the terminal at the same time. We're planning to go the buffet when we get onboard first, though, so not sure about the timing. We'll check there after we eat. I think I'll just bring one green lei for our whole group. BTW, I have about 100 of them--we had a luau party last year and have tons left over. If anyone wants me send them a green lei, I'll be happy to. (now I'd better check the box and make sure there are green ones... )

Or, I read on another thread where people were getting lime green paint chips from the Disney paint section in Walmart or home stores (they are shaped like Mickey heads), and using that as a tag to wear. Those would take up less packing space and be less obtrusive. Whatcha think?

Or, we could meet by the pool without anything--I'm sure we'd find each other!

Carrie

 

[DISFANSHAN]

I want to bring our video camera. This is our first cruise and I think it would be nice to have the video to remember it by. I also want to be able to show our family how great DCL is! But my DH isn't sure he wants to lug the camera around! I think I will win this battle!
I am very jealous of all of you who got to see DCL on the travel channel. Our cable doesn't carry that channel!!

 

[Malone]

DISFANSHAN:
We taped it. email me your address and I'll be happy to send you a copy.

Also, I've noticed that video cameras keep getting smaller and smaller, almost like carrying a camera around--although the smaller they are, the pricier! (we selected a mid-size)

Carrie

 

[westjones]

That is the whole issue with our video camera. DH doesn't want to have to carry it on the plane and all around. We took it with us last year on our 7 day cruise (but we drove then).

I am seriously thinking of just taking it even if we doesn't want to. I am packing very little (for me) this time. I have really went through and weeded out what we do and don't need. We are staying in a 1 bed room DVC resort room (Old Key West) before the cruise, and will have a washer/dryer, so I am only packing enough for 4 days and will do laundry before we head to the ship.

The Travel Channel show was great! We watched it last night (didn't tell DH it was coming on, just turned to it and his face lit up and said, "Did you know this was going to be on." And I told him my 'Dis Board Buddies' told me about it!

DJ

 

[kcatoir]

Watched the DCL on Travel channel last night.
It was GREAT!!! Makes the trip come alive.
Taped it for dd's to watch this weekend, came on too late out here on the west coast
Also watched some of the other shows about the other cruise lines and boy am I glad we chose DCL.....the others just don't seem very family oriented.
Can't believe we leave next week!!!!!! YEAHH!!!!!

Question for you DCL veterans:
What are the character signing and photo opts like????
Pretty hectic????
Are they usually very crowded???
Does everyone wait in a line or just mill around????
Organized????
How long does it usually take to get a signature and photo???

 

[westjones]

*******Question for you DCL veterans:
What are the character signing and photo opts like????
Pretty hectic????
Are they usually very crowded???
Does everyone wait in a line or just mill around????
Organized????
How long does it usually take to get a signature and photo???
**************************************

I think they go a lot better than the ones at the park. You get in line and they take pictures as well as do signing.

NOW, I do suggest you get there early because it the time comes for them to end, they end. They do not stay longer.

On Friday, there is a Princess Autograph Session in the morning. That is nice, the prinesses sit at a long table and you just go one to the other (Doopey was there too last year, not sure why).

Also, look all around at where the characters are at, the 'main' ones seem to be on the 3rd floor, but if you look up at the 4th floor landing that looks down to the 3rd floor there will usually be a couple other characters that don't seem to have as long of lines.

ALSO, on the very last night, when the do the Final Farewell, there are NO lines, that is just a Free For All and is very crowded.

Another thing, they will not sign T-shirts if the child is wearing them (at least last year this was the case). So if you want to T-shirt signed bring it along instead of wearing it.

There are LOTS of characters on the ship (although there is no one from Winnie the Pooh for some reason). Watch your navigators for when they will be out, be there a little before it starts and you shouldn't have a problem.

Can't wait! We fly out a week from tomorrow!!!!
DJ

 

[ez]

Thanks for all that info...we watched the travel channel last night and are majorly psyched!!!!

 

[kcatoir]

Thanks for the heads up. Lets us know what to expect, will definately be there early.
Getting closer and closer!!!!!

 

[JuJuJasmine]

What are your plans when we hit Nassau?
I'd love to hear what others are doing as I simply can't make up my mind...which is totally contrary to my "hyper-over-the-top" planning mode.

For the DCL Kid's Club Vets - here's another thing that is causing me agita - what happens if my kids are totally psyched to stay on board (let's use Nassau as an example). We're feeling free - hit the Casino - and the kids decide they've had enough. Are the pagers going to work? How long is it going to take us to get back to rescue them?

While I'm on the subject of the Kid's Club - do they have a special
"excursion" through the Club at Castway Cay? I've seen the kids digging at Monstro's for bones and seen Captain Hook leading a parade in the video but is that an "organized" activity?

I AM BEYOND EXCITED. Next week at work is going to be hellish. So glad I have full internet access during my 9 to 5 (wink, wink - don't tell my boss!)

JuJu

 

[JuJuJasmine]

I just hit post 100!
Ok, Ok - I'm a dork.
(Please don't let this be the one line of the one post the tag fairy finally finds me on!)

But you'll still want to meet me, right?
LOL!
Ju

 

[westjones]

*****What are your plans when we hit Nassau? I'd love to hear what others are doing as I simply can't make up my mind...which is totally contrary to my "hyper-over-the-top" planning mode.*****

We are staying on the ship. We asked the girls what they wanted to do (since that is their actual birthday) and they want to stay on board. They can't miss the Princess Autograph Session that morning! If it were just DH and I, we would have liked to go on the Garden Tour (but we will do that another time).

******For the DCL Kid's Club Vets - here's another thing that is causing me agita - what happens if my kids are totally psyched to stay on board (let's use Nassau as an example). We're feeling free - hit the Casino - and the kids decide they've had enough. Are the pagers going to work? How long is it going to take us to get back to rescue them?******

I guess I was under the impression that they only worked on the ship or at CC. But I could be wrong. I would make sure your kids are really OK about staying at the club the whole time you plan to be gone.

*************** While I'm on the subject of the Kid's Club - do they have a special "excursion" through the Club at Castway Cay? I've seen the kids digging at Monstro's for bones and seen Captain Hook leading a parade in the video but is that an "organized" activity?**********

They have a special area for kids called Scuttle's Cove and they do organized activities with the kids. They do not take them to swim at the beach though. My girls have never done the activities at CC with the kids, so this time they are planning to do that for the first time. They also want some beach time too, so they are going to pick which activities they want to attend at CC and then we will take them to the beach at the other times.

Ju, have you looked at the navigators for the kids'? You can see them here:

http://www.disneycruiser.info/w3day0.htm

They won't be exactly the same (these are from July 4th). I was hoping Barb would scan in her new ones from last week's cruise, but so far they aren't on her website.

******* I AM BEYOND EXCITED. Next week at work is going to be hellish. So glad I have full internet access during my 9 to 5 (wink, wink - don't tell my boss!)*****

Me too! Actually I have all the documents sitting out on a table for DH to fill out. I told him I wanted him to get all the paperwork ready THIS weekend, because next weekend we will be busy with mowing and getting the house cleaned before we leave.

DJ