Some questions about the Magic--Western

[goodfaerie]

This is my 2nd trip on the Magic, but first on the Western. Here are three questions
1)It's my 40th birthday (Yikes!), and there will be 8 of us (7 adults, one child) travelling together. Any suggestions on a few group activities that I can plan for all of us? Most of us will be doing our own thing and then meeting up at dinner, but I also wanted to have a couple of "together times." Any ideas for excursions/activities that would be good for a group of 8 to do together?

2) Is one ruins tour better than another? Can anyone fill me in on the differences?

3) Any suggestions for a birthday "party" during dinner--I don't want to get in the way of our servers, but would like to have maybe some decorations and some candles...You get the idea...

Thanks in advance!

goodfaerie

 

[WDWLVR]

The Western is a fun itenerary.

Here are some answers to your questions:

1. My favorite excursion of the Western was the Snorkeling with Stingrays. You can do the DCL excursion or you can use Capt. Marvins or Capt. Bryans. We did the DCL one that also included Hell and the Turtle Farm.

2. We did the ruins that were right on Cozumel. This is a shorter tour than the one that goes to the Mainland. We liked it because we have heard that the board ride over the mainland was very fast and thus very rough water. In addition we didn't want to spend all day at the ruins. If you really want to see the best ruins out there do the mainland. If however you want a lot of variety than I suggest the San Gervasio tour which includes an hour long stop at Playa Sol.

3. Just let the servers know (or call DCL now and let them know now) when your birthday is. You will be brought a cake and a pin. No decorations, but decorations can be ordered for your room through DCL.

Enjoy - sounds like you have a great time planned with the entire family.

 

[AnnMorin]

(yup after you turn forty there is no 41 just 40 for life )
Anyhow the coolest thing is stingray city!! We did captain Marvins and it was fantastic, we went out to the barrier reef to snorkle first and a HUGE manta ray swam right under DS and I-(he grabbed his mama like he did in the old days...nice to know I am still of some value ) then you go to the sandbar and it is just amazing seeing these animals act like little puppies!!
In Cozumel we shopped and did golf but they do have ruins on the island we considered visiting. The ones at Tulim are much better but it is a very long day if you do that excursion.
Email DCL and tell them what day you want to celebrate your bday and they will bring you a cake, on bday number one I got a pin too but not last year.. guess it depends on your server?
Have a fantastic time!

 

[goodfaerie]

Thanks to all for the tips! The Stingrays sound wonderful--and I think with as much time as I want to spend at the spa, we'll pick the shorter ruins tour this time around.

Happy Cruising!

 

[JLSE50]

The coolest thing about turning 40 is now you can do what you want. You don't have to worry about impressing anyone. Your family has kept you this long and know what you are really like, so now the world can know too. And if they don't like it, tough.

When I turned 40 I figured, why should I only wear Minnie Mouse clothing and jewelry on the weekend and at WDW. So now I wear it every day.

People say "OH, you wear Minnie Mouse stuff because you work with children." (I am a pediatric homecare physical therapist)

I say "NO, I wear Minnie Mouse stuff AND I work with children."

Welcome to the freedom to be who you want to be.
HAPPY 40th BIRTHDAY

Jan