Wonder, Waves and Wishes. 18th October 2009. Remembering the waves!

[matthewsmom1]

WOW! You look FABULOUS - both of ya!

Nice picture!! We loved the MNSSHP!! That was one of the bigger highlights of our trip.[/QUOTE]

 

[matthewsmom1]

Ok, so we've talked about what we're going to do on our Nassau day....

What about Castaway Cay?? What are your 'plans'? Any excursions? Or just 'hanging out'?

I would LOVE to smoosh 3 excursions in, but maybe we'll only have time for 2. LOL!

I have my son all hyped up to Parasail & I really want to Jet ski too. So that leave snorkeling for another time..... I do want a little time to 'relax' on the beach & a girl's gotta eat lunch some time too! LOL!!!!!!

What about you? Tell us your CC day plans....

 

[quiltymom]

I think that we're just going to take it easy that day. Taking a bike ride around the island is a must! Then we'll most likely spend the rest of the day swimming, playing in the sand, and eating & drinking. Maybe we'll splurge on the water bikes so we can get up close to the Flying Dutchman. My kids just love the beach, so it's really going to be a beach day.

 

[Zach's Mom]

I am letting DH plan the excursions so who knows what we will do. On vacation last year I told him I was going to lay on the beach all day and have a Cabana boy (played by him) bring me drinks all day Of course this was as we were driving through a huge mud puddle going down the side of a mountain.

Jody

 

[jajomo0118]

I think that we may do the island tour on Nassau, mostly since it will be the first time my kids will have been out of the country. The only thing I really want to purchase is a hand-made doll - I've been collecting them for DD for a while and would love to get one from there for her collection.

I contemplated the pirate museum, but we just may head back to the ship and enjoy it for all it's worth!

For pirate night, we're gonna pull out our Halloween costumes - I'll be Elizabeth Swann, DH Jack Sparrow & I still need to make something for the kids. But here is a pic of us at MNSSHP a couple of years ago...

And now you know what we look like ... kinda...

Love you pics...you both look great

 

[TartanTinker]

Great picture quilitymom. We also are planning to stay on the ship in Nassau will might get off and have a look around. I would love to parasail when in Castaway Cay will have to try and talk dd's into that. The water bikes also sound good fun. Is there a BBQ in Castaway Cay?

 

[DCLMan]

I would love to parasail when in Castaway Cay will have to try and talk dd's into that.

I want to do that as well.

There was a very interesting piece on last weeks Dis podcast about first time cruises and what to expect.

 

[hlkeck]

My kids would like to go snorkeling and find the hidden mickey in the water! Otherwise - drop the kids off at the kids club area, DH and I hang at Serenity Bay and maybe get some massages...a fruity drink...and just relax.

 

[quiltymom]

Thanks, everyone, for your comments on our MNSSHP photo! That night was a blast. In fact, we'll be heading back to MNSSHP after the cruise. Yay!

As far as CC is concerned, I was able to pick up some kid's snorkeling gear and a tube float real cheap at Target last year at clearance, so we'll be bringing those for the day. Personally, after our bike cruise I'm gonna find me a hammock and make myself at home for the rest of the day.

And I think that I'll make my DH my cabana boy, too. Do I ever like that idea!

Now, I'll just need to convince him of that ...

 

[TeamTinkerbell]

Okay, so here's the info I got from my friend about Nassau:


There was a list of places to go to get things for free but it wasn't in the personal navigator. There will be a 1 hour Nassau seminar and if you attend that you will get a map and a list of places (along w/coupons for each place) that will give you a free item. The seminar tells you which stores you can trust and which ones cater to the cruise liners. My mom and I went to a few of them (all the ones that had free stuff for sure). Most of the free stuff was jewelry. The coupons will show you what you can get.

The one store that was the most fun to shop in was De Sol. ALL their stuff was SO cool. I bought the boys t-shirts in there (they were more pricey but so worth it) be sure to look at their jewelry. They have necklaces and rings that turn colors in the sun (everything they sell does that) but this jewelry was so cool and for the price worth it. I bought a necklace and ring from them and love it. JUST BE CAREFUL if you buy jewelry from them you can't wear it in the pool b/c the chlorine will ruin it.

We only visited one store that wasn't on the "preferred list". She bought some t-shirts at that store and b/c they were a lot cheaper than the ones the seminar recommended. So far the quality of what she bought has been good. We were off the boat in Nassau for about two hours, maybe less, and were ready to get back on. It's VERY busy there so stay within the area that the map shows you. You'll be fine but just be careful crossing the street...it's packed w/cars and I don't think there are any real right a ways for pedestrians.

I hope this helps everyone.

 

[TeamTinkerbell]

Good morning! I was just reading some threads and thought I'd share this with anyone who is in the dark as I (was). Did you know that you can take a pillowcase, photo mat, place mat, etc to Guest Services and they will have the characters sign them for you? You take those items to GS, fill out a form on how the item is to be signed and who, like princesses, all, etc and you get it back on the last night. We're definitely going to do that. Haley is not excited about standing in line again for autographs. She'll still take her autograph book and I still want photos with the characters, but this would be something really cool to bring home and display. Just thought I'd share. If anyone has done this, please share.

 

[DCLMan]

I had heard that it was possible. Sounds like a good way of getting lots of signatures.

I'm getting really bored of waiting for this cruise now. We are going to Disneyland Paris on Thursday for 4 days for a mini Disney fix though.

 

[jajomo0118]

Good morning! I was just reading some threads and thought I'd share this with anyone who is in the dark as I (was). Did you know that you can take a pillowcase, photo mat, place mat, etc to Guest Services and they will have the characters sign them for you? You take those items to GS, fill out a form on how the item is to be signed and who, like princesses, all, etc and you get it back on the last night. We're definitely going to do that. Haley is not excited about standing in line again for autographs. She'll still take her autograph book and I still want photos with the characters, but this would be something really cool to bring home and display. Just thought I'd share. If anyone has done this, please share.

This is a wonderful service that DCL offers, I know there have been a couple of threads about them maybe stopping it or putting on restrictions because many people seem to take advantage of it.

It would be so sad it they did, I didn't use it on our first DCL cruise and would love to this time. I only want one photo mat signed, boys are a little to old for the pillow cases.

Good ole mom wouldn't mind a jack sparrow siggy to lay her head by...LMAO...but I read that he won't sign anything beside another character...temperamental pirate...lol.

 

[TeamTinkerbell]

I guess if they do away with it then I can just get in line behind DD and get some autographs of my own. I can imagine that people do take advantage of this, but I hope they don't do away with it before we get there.

DCLman, I am with you about waiting for the cruise. Get some Disney in for us too.

 

[matthewsmom1]

I read about the photo mat/autograph thing too! I'm SUPER excited for it! What a special momento to have!! Don't forget to pack some candy for Mickey & company to snack on while they sign....

 

[Zach's Mom]

I really hope they are still signing the photo mats I would love to have one to put a family photo in.

I am excited that the dates of MNSSHP have been announced We will be able to go our first night at WDW. QuiltyMom, Are there alot of people who do not go in costume? I am not big on costumes but I don't like standing out either.

I have another question for the past cruisers, I am looking at booking our airfare and it looks like the economy is dictating that we drive 2-3 hours to another airport to save over $200 a ticket. Unfortunately, all the return flights that leave after 12 don't get back to the originating airport until 9 pm at the earlyist. On the disney website is says to use DCL transport the flight has to be after 11:30. There is a flight that leaves at 11:35 which wouldn't be to bad. Is that possible to make?

Thanks,

Jody

 

[jajomo0118]

I really hope they are still signing the photo mats I would love to have one to put a family photo in.

I am excited that the dates of MNSSHP have been announced We will be able to go our first night at WDW. QuiltyMom, Are there alot of people who do not go in costume? I am not big on costumes but I don't like standing out either.

I have another question for the past cruisers, I am looking at booking our airfare and it looks like the economy is dictating that we drive 2-3 hours to another airport to save over $200 a ticket. Unfortunately, all the return flights that leave after 12 don't get back to the originating airport until 9 pm at the earlyist. On the disney website is says to use DCL transport the flight has to be after 11:30. There is a flight that leaves at 11:35 which wouldn't be to bad. Is that possible to make?

Thanks,

Jody

Would love some more info on MNSSHP, cost and dates would be great? Does admission get you on the open attractions I read about or do you need tickets separate for these? DH & DS (13) have never wanted to go to WDW so this might be the perfect way to give them a little sample and the "bug" might bite them. I think if I can just get them there once they will want to spend a proper vacation in WDW someday...lol

 

[TeamTinkerbell]

For the list of dates and costs for MNSSHP, go to allearsnet.com. The party is one of the highlights for us. DD dressed up and we had my niece and nephew with us and they dressed up too, but I just wore a t-shirt with pumpkins on it and light up pumpkin necklace. If you do dress up, make sure it's something that you can be comfortable in until midnight and you can ride the rides.

 

[Zach's Mom]

We haven't been to the halloween party but we've been to the Christmas party twice and loved it. DS11 had more fun at the party than he did after spending a whole day at Magic Kingdom. It doesn't seem to be as crowded, therefor shorter lines for the more popular rides plus riding them at nights give a whole new perspective. Plus there is a special parade, firework and special shows that can't be seen any other time. Another big plus for the christmas party is the hot cocoa and cookies that are handed out for free. Yum. For the halloween party it is the trick or treating.

Good luck convincing them to go. My husband is learning very early on the proper response is "I don't care honey whatever you want."

 

[jajomo0118]

We haven't been to the halloween party but we've been to the Christmas party twice and loved it. DS11 had more fun at the party than he did after spending a whole day at Magic Kingdom. It doesn't seem to be as crowded, therefor shorter lines for the more popular rides plus riding them at nights give a whole new perspective. Plus there is a special parade, firework and special shows that can't be seen any other time. Another big plus for the christmas party is the hot cocoa and cookies that are handed out for free. Yum. For the halloween party it is the trick or treating.

Good luck convincing them to go. My husband is learning very early on the proper response is "I don't care honey whatever you want."

DH really really hates amusement parks hence the reason for the Disney Cruises, I get Mickey he gets no lines. He's not a big rider either, but he does love the shows on DCL and since the MNSSHP is just one big show I think he'll go with out to big of a fight...I'll just put down my size 5's...(I know crazy small feet uh!!!...lol..I'm not a small lady but feet are!!)

I have been saying for years if they would just go they would love it, so I think that this really will be a great and cost effective way of introducing them to WDW.