September 29, 2012 - Ropin' Some Magic in the Western Caribbean

[jenandjuice]

I am excited to get first hand knowledge of the activities! We have our own "advance scouts."

And she's gonna sign in every day and tell us what's going...right? hehehe a girl can dream!

 

[Amandalovesminnie]

Welcome!

I'd say five hours from Flower Mound to Galveston with only one stop at Buckee's and a bit of a heavy foot I've got a heavy foot and I've never made it from north Dallas to south Houston in much under five hours. I did check and right now I don't see any construction scheduled for Sept 29 on I45 in Houston. If you can, I'd come in the night before, but if you leave home at 6:00 a.m. Saturday you can be confident that you will be on the ship probably by 12:30 after parking, and definitely before we sail .

If you arrive too early you can always check out the seawall or take some breakfast tacos to Seawolf park and look at the Magic from the other saide of the port. What is your boarding time?

Thanks! I'll definitely be checking out Buc-ee's after all the chatter about it this morning. Where do I find out my boarding time? Will that be on the cruise documents?

We are going on Thur. Usually take us about 4.5 hours. I am originally from LaPorte, just a little ways from Galveston. I grew up going to Galveston on a weekly basis..... Can't wait to get there again!

I grew up in Beaumont and visited Galveston frequently then but haven't been back in almost 20 years so I'm going to try to twist dh's arm into driving in on Friday. Would love to spend some time in Galveston!!

 

[Belle6000]

As a side note...if someone still needs to do FE gifts, you could always treat us all to Beaver Nuggets from Buccees!

So what are we doing today? Been studying the Roaring 20s in history, and part of our lesson was watching Steamboat Willie & thought we'd share!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBgghnQF6E4

We had seen clips but never the whole thing. Love that we can incorporate stuff like Mickey into our history studies Babe Ruth, Charles Lindbergh, flappers, Mickey Mouse, Charlie Chaplan...it's been fun around here! And we just watched Singin' In The Rain for the first time ever. LOVED it. I'm still amazed that old movies (but especially Charlie Chaplan) interest my 9yo son so much. In a world of video games, 3D movies, high-tech everything, some things really DO stand the test of time! We spent about an hour last week with him on my lap & both of us laughing at different Charlie Chaplan videos.

Anyway--just wanted to share the link to the Steamboat Willie video we watched this morning. Have a great day!

Thanks! What a fun lesson! School is always more fun with Mickey Mouse!!

My daughter's history this week happened to be the Spanish invasion of Mexico. I checked out a History of Mexico kit from our local museum and we are having a whole Mexico history unit this afternoon with some of our other homeschool friends....just in time for our Mexican cruise.

And tomorrow her book club is discussing The Little Mermaid so guess what movie we will be watching!! Even going to work a little ocean lesson in there.

All of this actually just fell into place this way. I didn't even plan it out ahead of time. Gotta love when that happens!!

 

[kpaulson]

Thanks! I'll definitely be checking out Buc-ee's after all the chatter about it this morning. Where do I find out my boarding time? Will that be on the cruise documents?



I grew up in Beaumont and visited Galveston frequently then but haven't been back in almost 20 years so I'm going to try to twist dh's arm into driving in on Friday. Would love to spend some time in Galveston!!

I think I got our boarding time when I did the online check in...IIRC you get to pick a time on there. WELCOME by the way!

 

[jsimpson111]

Oh my!! I just looked at the menus for the cruise. AMAZING!! But how in world am I going to be able to eat everything? I'm going to gain back the 15 pounds I lost...maybe more! I guess I'm going to have to find time to exercise.

My mouth is watering already!

Where do you find the menus? And how do you find out about the activity night.. you need to pack for... like the pirate night and such?
Any help is greatly apriciated this is our first time!!! Thanks.

 

[jsimpson111]

We're in!! Dh just booked this week and as a first time cruiser I am so overwhelmed. There will be 4 us...... myself (Amanda), Dh (Gary), and our two sons Gavin (4) and Grant (2). We were going to drive to Destin for a family vacation but felt compelled to check out the cruises since it would be a shorter drive and was completely shocked to see there were cabins available. We're in the DFW area.

Welcome!!

 

[jpglisson]

It is 16!!

Thank you! I fixed it!! How could I add an extra day????

 

[Belle6000]

Where do you find the menus? And how do you find out about the activity night.. you need to pack for... like the pirate night and such?
Any help is greatly apriciated this is our first time!!! Thanks.

you can find it on the disney cruise website.

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ships-activities/ships/magic/dining/

Click on the links to each restaurant to find the menus. My son looked up the menus the day I booked the cruise!! (Which was the first day of booking so he was planning well in advance!)

 

[txtricia]

We're in!! Dh just booked this week and as a first time cruiser I am so overwhelmed. There will be 4 us...... myself (Amanda), Dh (Gary), and our two sons Gavin (4) and Grant (2). We were going to drive to Destin for a family vacation but felt compelled to check out the cruises since it would be a shorter drive and was completely shocked to see there were cabins available. We're in the DFW area.

Welcome to your group!. We have 2 - 4yr olds in our group (just shy of 5 actually)... only 16 days to go

 

[Phelpsie70]

Just wanted to say welcome to the newcomers! I can not wait to get on the ship and meet everyone. The next two weeks can not go fast enough for me!

 

[TxMermaid1]

Where do you find the menus? And how do you find out about the activity night.. you need to pack for... like the pirate night and such?
Any help is greatly apriciated this is our first time!!! Thanks.

I called Disney to ask about the special nights... this is what they told me.


formal night is 23rd
pirate night is 25th
semi formal night is 27th

I will be able to give y'all more info after the first week. I will try to post something mid week.

 

[KimmySue]

I just finshed my Fish Extender gifts; they have a suitcase of their own!! See y'all in 16 days!! I'm so excited!!

We were planning on traveling to Galveston from Austin on Saturday morning but after reading the last few pages, it seems that some of you think there will be alot construction or traffic?? Wondering if we should leave on Friday but my husband isn't back in town til that evening so should be wait til morning or leave around 9pm when he arrives? Thanks for advice in advance!!

 

[TxMermaid1]

I just finshed my Fish Extender gifts; they have a suitcase of their own!! See y'all in 16 days!! I'm so excited!!

We were planning on traveling to Galveston from Austin on Saturday morning but after reading the last few pages, it seems that some of you think there will be alot construction or traffic?? Wondering if we should leave on Friday but my husband isn't back in town til that evening so should be wait til morning or leave around 9pm when he arrives? Thanks for advice in advance!!

I always like to go at least a day early.. for that .. just in case factor....
It is only about 3 hours from Austin so if you leave early and give yourself plenty of extra time then you should be ok. Just don't cut it too close.

 

[jenandjuice]

I called Disney to ask about the special nights... this is what they told me.

formal night is 23rd
pirate night is 25th
semi formal night is 27th

I will be able to give y'all more info after the first week. I will try to post something mid week.

Awwww you are so sweet, but as much as we all want to know, pls don't worry about checking in w us and enjoy your vacation!!!

 

[SeeJennyCruise]

I just finshed my Fish Extender gifts; they have a suitcase of their own!! See y'all in 16 days!! I'm so excited!!

We were planning on traveling to Galveston from Austin on Saturday morning but after reading the last few pages, it seems that some of you think there will be alot construction or traffic?? Wondering if we should leave on Friday but my husband isn't back in town til that evening so should be wait til morning or leave around 9pm when he arrives? Thanks for advice in advance!!

You'll be fine leaving early Saturday morning. I'm sure you DH won't want to drive after arriving home late. What is your boarding time?

 

[txtricia]

I just finshed my Fish Extender gifts; they have a suitcase of their own!! See y'all in 16 days!! I'm so excited!!

We were planning on traveling to Galveston from Austin on Saturday morning but after reading the last few pages, it seems that some of you think there will be alot construction or traffic?? Wondering if we should leave on Friday but my husband isn't back in town til that evening so should be wait til morning or leave around 9pm when he arrives? Thanks for advice in advance!!

Hi Kimmy,
We are leaving from the same area and taking off right when the kids get out of school at 3pm in Georgetown. We have also taken at least 6 different cruises out of Galveston and have gone down the night before twice. Here are my reccomendations:

A) See if hubby can change his flight home and fly into Houston (either airport) and get a hotel within a shuttles distance of the airport. You and the kids can drive down Friday at a good time and all meet at the hotel. Just leave his travel luggage from the business trip in the car while your on the cruise.

B) Option A may not work depending on schedulesl, airlines, fees etc. If it does not I would drive down the night before when he gets home. Then you can settle in anywhere south of Houston all the way through Galveston (We are staying in Webster near Nasa). Even if you get in late you can have a nice leisurely morning, have breakfast without getting up at 5am and get to the pier at your pace. Otherwise you run the risk of stressing the entire drive to Galveston and worrying along the way everytime traffic slows down.
We did this the first time last year on our family cruise and swore we would never drive down the day of again. Plus its make the day not so long for the kids since they are not worn our from a long car drive and seem to make it through the first day on the ship in better moods.

Hope this helps

 

[marybeth2007]

Welcome! What a great birthday present. You know you are setting the bar pretty high for the older and younger boys.

Several people offering to include you if you get an FE and post your cabin number. Post back when you know.

I have been working on 2 FE for the Kids. I have little gifts also. Somehow I just cant stop! THink Im going to have more fun then the boys. When I go to Disney World I walk around with a stupid smile on my face the whole time. Disney has to be MY Happy Place and cant wait to try a cruise out!

 

[KimmySue]

Hi Kimmy,
We are leaving from the same area and taking off right when the kids get out of school at 3pm in Georgetown. We have also taken at least 6 different cruises out of Galveston and have gone down the night before twice. Here are my reccomendations:

A) See if hubby can change his flight home and fly into Houston (either airport) and get a hotel within a shuttles distance of the airport. You and the kids can drive down Friday at a good time and all meet at the hotel. Just leave his travel luggage from the business trip in the car while your on the cruise.

B) Option A may not work depending on schedulesl, airlines, fees etc. If it does not I would drive down the night before when he gets home. Then you can settle in anywhere south of Houston all the way through Galveston (We are staying in Webster near Nasa). Even if you get in late you can have a nice leisurely morning, have breakfast without getting up at 5am and get to the pier at your pace. Otherwise you run the risk of stressing the entire drive to Galveston and worrying along the way everytime traffic slows down.
We did this the first time last year on our family cruise and swore we would never drive down the day of again. Plus its make the day not so long for the kids since they are not worn our from a long car drive and seem to make it through the first day on the ship in better moods.

Hope this helps

Not sure if Option A is possible but Option B could certainly work. I'll talk to him and make a plan. I'm already feeling stressed out about this so I'm sure the day of the cruise I will be a basket case and drive my family crazy.

This is our 7th Disney cruise and we have always been near the port the night before so I'm not sure why I though this one should be any different.

Someone asked me what our boarding time was; I think it's early. We are in a suite so I think we board pretty soon after the "family of the day" gets on. That being said, we can board anytime after that. But as most people do, we like to spend as much time on the ship as possible.

Thanks for your advice!!!

 

[TxMermaid1]

Hi Kimmy,
We are leaving from the same area and taking off right when the kids get out of school at 3pm in Georgetown. We have also taken at least 6 different cruises out of Galveston and have gone down the night before twice. Here are my reccomendations:

A) See if hubby can change his flight home and fly into Houston (either airport) and get a hotel within a shuttles distance of the airport. You and the kids can drive down Friday at a good time and all meet at the hotel. Just leave his travel luggage from the business trip in the car while your on the cruise.

B) Option A may not work depending on schedulesl, airlines, fees etc. If it does not I would drive down the night before when he gets home. Then you can settle in anywhere south of Houston all the way through Galveston (We are staying in Webster near Nasa). Even if you get in late you can have a nice leisurely morning, have breakfast without getting up at 5am and get to the pier at your pace. Otherwise you run the risk of stressing the entire drive to Galveston and worrying along the way everytime traffic slows down.
We did this the first time last year on our family cruise and swore we would never drive down the day of again. Plus its make the day not so long for the kids since they are not worn our from a long car drive and seem to make it through the first day on the ship in better moods.

Hope this helps

Great idea's....

 

[jsimpson111]

I called Disney to ask about the special nights... this is what they told me.


formal night is 23rd
pirate night is 25th
semi formal night is 27th

I will be able to give y'all more info after the first week. I will try to post something mid week.[/QUOTE

Thank you... you are our fairy godmother!