One of the Port Adventures We Selected--Cozumel Beach Break

We are currently on the countdown to our next Disney Cruise, a 7-night Western Caribbean voyage stopping at Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, and Castaway Cay.  This will be our second time sailing the exact same itinerary and our third time on a Western Caribbean cruise--the first time we stopped in Key West, not Jamaica.

While in Cozumel, we have selected a port adventure that will take us to Playa Mia Grand Beach and Water Park.

One of the reasons we selected this excursion was because of the floating obstacle course.  The boy is super excited about this part! 

The husband read the description of the excursion that included amenities such as buffet and open bar along with all non-motorized water sports.  He wants to give the water bicycles a try.

When reserving this port adventure on-line, we had two choices of times in which to gather for the excursion on board:  8:45 am and 9:45 am.  I initially chose the 8:45 time and when the screen updated, it indicated that we would return by 1:30 pm.  That would have been okay, but I cancelled that choice and opted for the 9:45 time with a 2:30 return.  This way we get to enjoy a leisurely morning on the ship.  The husband prefers excursions that have us returning to the ship in time to get cleaned up for dinner and relax a bit before the busy evening.  Our return time will work out for him, too.  

I'm predicting that our waterproof camera is going to get a workout! 

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Multiple Countdowns for Multiple Upcoming Trips

Even before we left on our Summer Vacation in July, I had already purchased airfare for two more trips--well, round trip airfare for one and half the airfare for the other.  And now, we're managing multiple countdowns and planning for more than one trip.

The trip furthest away is a celebratory birthday jaunt to Walt Disney World, but due to the Disney planning calendar--180 days prior--the planning for this trip came first.  I asked the guys to give me one restaurant to put onto our list.  The boy, without hesitating, said Tony's.  The husband, after thinking about it awhile asked for Garden Grill.  'Ohanas, Crystal Palace, Rose & Crown, Tusker House, and 50's Prime Time Cafe round out the other dining locations.

The trip that is happening first, a seven night sailing on the Disney Fantasy, requires planning attention next.  Since we are Gold Castaway Club members we can make reservations for Port Adventures and on board experiences such as the spa or adult dining 105 days prior to our sailing if when paid in full. 

So now we need to look closely at port adventures.  Right now the top runners are a Cozumel Beach Break at Playa Mia Grand Beach and Water Park and  River Tubing in Falmouth, Jamaica.  Some of our criteria for selecting port adventures is the value of the experience, the length of time--Does the travel time to the port adventure last longer than the experience?  And is it something that all of us would enjoy? Right now the husband has his eye on the water bicycle that is include in the Cozumel Beach Break.

Soon it will be time for us to check-in online for our cruise; filling out the required paperwork online.  And since the boy has a new Passport, we need to update that information as well.

As a part of our cruise, we needed pre and post cruise one night hotel stays.  Our fantastic travel agent is on this and we have reservations at the Hyatt at Orlando International Airport.  The location of this hotel could not be any more convenient. 

Another day in the countdown I need to keep track of is the 60 day before Walt Disney World so we can make Fastpass + selections.  My current calculations indicate that we will be sailing on the Disney Fantasy when the 60 day mark arrives.  A dilemma.  Do we purchase wi-fi on the ship and make our plans using the app on my phone or do we wait until we disembark?   When I posed this question to a message board group I am a member of, the results were mostly to wait unless we can get in on a free wi-fi offer the first day on the ship.

It's exciting to anticipate an upcoming Disney vacation.  It's doubly exciting to have two upcoming Disney vacations!

Which Disney Ship Do You Like Best?

When people hear that we’ve sailed on all four Disney ships, they want to know which ship we like better.  Well, it isn’t quite that easy, but let’s just say for now, our preference is the “Dream Class” ships—The Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy.  Two reasons—category 8A staterooms and The Edge—tween club for ages 11-14. 

The category 8A staterooms on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy are our dream staterooms.  They are HUGE—click here to read and see more.  They are just right for us, a family of 3.  There is no verandah—we are okay with that.  There is no Disney Cruise Line signature split bath or round rub and we are okay with that, too.  The space and location on the ship which is convenient to everything make up for any other cons—for us.  We feel like we can spread out and move around.

The other reason—The Edge tween club for ages 11-14.  Now, the other ships, the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, say that there is also a tween club on the ships, but the dedicated space is conference room and video game simulator turned into The Edge on Deck 2.  On the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, The Edge has a dedicated space forward funnel and designed specifically for kiddos that age.  The boy loved it on our last cruise.  The Oceaneer’s Lab and Club are similarly designed on all the ships, so if the boy was younger, this would not be a deciding factor.  And, as he gets older, the Teen Clubs—The Vibe, with dedicated space on all the ships—may no longer be in the decision making matrix.  The Vibe has the forward funnel on the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder and the entire front of the ship on Deck 5 on the Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream including an outdoor space with splash pool.

After the ship preference, there are other deciding factors such as port, length of cruise, and whether or not Castaway Cay is in the itinerary.  We could go almost anywhere on a Disney Cruise and someday we just may.  For right now, our preference is to sail out of Port Canaveral and to have a minimum of 5 nights on the ship.  Again, these preferences put us with the Dream Class ships.  And, for us, a stop at Castaway Cay is an essential part of a Disney Cruise. 

Disney Cruise Line offers a variety of cruises sailing from different ports, with varying itineraries with its fleet of four ships.  Find your preference!  And, now is a great time to book a Disney Cruise as there is a special with only a 10% deposit needed to reserve your stateroom.  Usually the deposit is 20%.  Book a 2015 cruise by Feb. 15, 2015, to get this great deal!

"Child's Age At Time of Travel". . . Nostalgic

You know that part of the Disney Cruise Line website where you get to "Find a Cruise" and after you select your destination, time of travel, length of cruise, departure port, ship, and then enter in details about the number of adults and children in your travel party along with "Child's Age At Time of Travel"?  Well, every time that drop down menu appears, it makes me think of all the cruises we have experienced as a family and how time is running out for us to experience more with the boy considered a "child."  The next time we sail, the boy will be 13!  Yikes--only a few more ages on that darn drop down menu left until he is considered an adult!

The first time we sailed the boy was 4.  We already had one trip to Walt Disney World under our belts and had actually booked the cruise first to celebrate the husband's 40th birthday.  Once we knew we were going on a Disney Cruise it only made sense to take a trip to Walt Disney World first.  (Don't you just love Disney logic!)

For our second Disney Cruise, the boy was 5 1/2.  We sailed on the Disney Magic out of L.A. and it was our first seven night voyage.  We bought photos from Shutter's this trip AND booked our next cruise while on board--correcting two things we had regretted from our first cruise.

Disney Cruise number 3 was over New Year's and the boy had just turned 7.  It was another great week on board the Disney Magic.  We rebooked on board for our next sailing!  While there was a Pirate Night, the fireworks were saved for New Year's Eve and there were many new and interesting characters out for New Year's.  We spend the first day of the new year at Castaway Cay!

Our 4th Disney Cruise was onboard the Disney Dream!  It was our first 5 night sailing, our first "double dip" cruise with two stops at Castaway Cay, and the first time we combined a cruise with a visit to Walt Disney World.  The boy was 8 1/2.  We parasailed on Castaway Cay and kissed some sea lions at Blue Lagoon while in Nassau.  Oh, and we rebooked our next cruise while onboard!

Cruise number 5 was also on the Disney Dream--over Christmas!  The boy had just turned 10.  He was picked, okay he lobbied to be picked, to be the Holiday Prince of the Sea and got to usher in the holidays in a ceremony in the Lobby Atrium.  This was the first time we stayed on board while the ship was in port.  We spent three days at Walt Disney World after we disembarked the ship.  And, we booked our next cruise while sailing!

Which brings us to Disney Cruise number 6 and our most recent sailing.  The boy was 11 1/2 and enjoyed the tween club--Edge--immensely.  This was our first time sailing on the Disney Fantasy and our first time going to Jamaica.  We also combined this trip with a week at Walt Disney World and a day at Universal Orlando.  And, yes, we booked our next cruise while on board!

We have had so many great memories as a family on Disney Cruise Line vacations in seven years.  And, the time has flown by!  See what I mean about the time running out?

Random Thoughts and Thoughtful Questions!

Today’s post is dedicated to random thoughts and thoughtful questions!

Our Disney fan status is evident.  From the watch on my wrist to the lunchboxes both the husband and I take to work to the magnets and window decals on our vehicles it is easy for friends, colleagues, and even strangers to become aware of the Williams Family’s passion for all things Disney.  And, that means we/I get asked lots of questions.  Here are a few from just this week. . .

“How long did you have to wait to meet them?” pointing to the photo of us with Anna and Elsa.  My reply—less than three minutes.  The conversation goes on about how they had heard that the wait times to meet Anna and Elsa were very long.  Well, yes, they were, but now the Magic Kingdom has instituted a return time pass along with Fastpass+ reservations to meet the newest Disney royalty, so wait times are minimized.  But, when the return time passes and Fastpass +’s are all gone for the day, guests are out of luck.  Back to the question though, the photo being inquired about was actually taken on the Disney Fantasy and for that, we had a special ticket with a specific time.  Again, less than 3 minutes of a wait.

“When is your next vacation?”  Bite, twist, and scrunch the lips while painfully responding that I’m not sure.  The answer is more complicated.  I am sure of our next Disney cruise—December 2015 which is closer than you would think.  What I am not so sure about is whether we can swing a trip next summer.  And, if we can, Disneyland will be the plan.  My need for some Disney anticipation is clinging to our cruise plans.  When I consider no firm dates or plans for anything else, I get a bit sad.  Even last night I was searching airfare and found a very reasonable round trip flight to LAX for about $250 per person.  I didn’t pull the trigger. . . yet.

“Have you heard about that Mom’s Panel thing yet?”  Not yet.  When the calendar turned to October the twitter and internet world was all a flutter with expectations of notifications of those moving onto round 2 of the selection process.  If I were a predicting sort, I would predict news will come in the next few days.  We’ll see and I will definitely keep you posted.

“Can you help my brother plan his trip?”  Sure!  Here’s my number. . .  When the husband reads this he is going to ask where the commission is—with a smile of course.  My commission?  Knowing that a magical adventure is on the horizon for that family. 

I wonder what questions I’ll get next week!

New Experiences Planned for Our Upcoming Trip

“Haven’t you done everything yet?” people ask when they learn we are returning to Walt Disney World for the 12^th time as a family and embarking on our 6^th Disney Cruise.  Our answer, NO!  We haven’t done everything yet.  And, part of planning a trip—the fun as well as challenging—is balancing the favorite and familiar with new experiences.  It is this balance that makes returning even more exciting.

So, with that, I’ll share the new experiences we have planned for our upcoming vacation:

• Dining at Via Napoli in the Italy Pavilion at EPCOT.  We continue on our quest to “eat around the World”—World Showcase that is and this will be our first time dining in Italy.  Only Mexico is left!
• FastPass+.  This will be our first time using and navigating FastPass+.  Just when we thought we had FastPass figured out, even with the enforcement of return times, Disney goes and changes the system.  I am excited to give it a try.
• MagicBands.  Ours are packed and ready (we won’t need them until we get off the ship).  I already know that I will have a hard time taking it off when we get home.  Do I have to?
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Coaster.  Enough said!
• All the FROZEN inspired opportunities.  While we don’t have these specifically put into our plan, I have a feeling we will at least see the fireworks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. 
• Experiencing the champagne brunch at Remy on the Disney Fantasy.  The husband and I will surely enjoy this decadent experience.
• The Rainforest Room on the Disney Fantasy.  Our one-day passes will allow us to experience and explore.  Just get me to the heated benches overlooking the ocean so my body can melt.
• The Disney Fantasy!  This is our first time onboard this particular Disney ship and we are looking forward to exploring.
• Pirates League on the Disney Fantasy.  The boy has a reservation for a First Mate Make-over on Pirate Night.  What a treat!
• Universal’s Express Plus and Photo Connect.  While we have been to Universal Orlando before, this will be our first time using the Express Plus Pass as well as Photo Connect.  Curious to see how these work out for us.

There you have it—our list of new experiences planned for our trip.  And, there may be new experiences that aren’t planned as we stay open to the magic that is Disney.

Tomorrow—the list of familiar favorites!

Summer 2014 Planning and Preparation--An Update

Just a handful of days left before we commence on our grand summer 2014 vacation which includes a day at Universal Orlando—both parks, a sailing on the Disney Fantasy, and a week at Walt Disney World. The list of “to do’s” is dwindling and other obligations are starting to be visible in the rear view mirror.  Soon, we will be in full vacation mode. 

Here’s an update:

• Took one last trip to the grocery store.  We will be taking sandwiches, snacks, and fruit to eat while in transit.  Nothing like enjoying a juicy peach on the plane!
• Shared our itinerary with family and friends so they know how to contact us.
• Uploaded any pictures from cameras and then erased all SD cards.  Cameras fully charged.
• Refilled the boy’s allergy medication.
• Figured the tip budget.  Our tips for the cruise have already been pre-paid, so the tip budget included mousekeeping, room service, luggage handling, the town car, and table service meals.  Tips for our entire trip, including the cruise comes to just over $500.  This budget category can catch people off guard.
• Ordered 2 one-day passes to the Rainforest Room.  Looking forward to sharing this experience with the husband.  It will be our first time using any of the spa services on the ship.

Now, to get our paperwork in order, including Passports and finish packing (we’re actually almost done—it just never feels like it until the suitcases are loaded into the car).  Oh, and maybe a treat for me—a pedicure.

Matching Shirts For Summer 2014 Vacation!

We have six new sets of matching shirts for our upcoming grand summer vacation!  By "set" I mean three shirts that match to wear on the same day.  It's our thing. . . our tradition.  If you want to know why we wear matching shirts--click here.

We plan to wear these new "Cruisin' With The Mouse" shirts the day we head to and board the Disney Fantasy.  Oh, and there will be photos to mark the occasion!  This shirt was custom made at Zazzle.com.

Another Zazzle creation features the gang from Lion King.  We will be wearing these shirts on our day at Disney's Animal Kingdom.  No worries. . . the day will be great!

The shirt featuring Olaf on the beach was a must do design at Zazzle.com for our day at Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line's private island in The Bahamas.  After me made and ordered the shirts, we found out Olaf greets guests on the island.  Can't wait!

Another Olaf design from Zazzle.com that we originally planned to wear to EPCOT.  But then Anna and Elsa relocated to the Magic Kingdom.  Now the plan is to wear these shirts to the Magic Kingdom on the day we are there all day.  Looking forward to Anna and Elsa's reaction to our shirts.

Another new set of shirts, this time from Disney Store.com features Mickey.  These shirts are packed in the Walt Disney World bag.  Purchased with a discount, we can't wait to wear our favorite pal!

Yes, I will be wearing a Captain America t-shirt.  These shirts were too purchased with a discount code at Disney Store.com and were originally planned for our day at Universal Studios.  Then, we learned that Captain America greets guests on the Disney ships.  So, these shirts are packed in our Disney Cruise Line bag.

All of these shirts along with enough matching sets for each day of our vacation including the days we fly to and from Orlando are packed and ready.  Let the vacation commence!

AAA's On Board Gift/Benefit For Disney Cruise Line

An example of an 8X10 photo

Four 8X10’s and three 6X8’s—our AAA on board gift for our upcoming cruise.  That’s right, the moment we walk onto the ship, okay, into our stateroom, we will find a certificate honoring us with credits for the photos.  All we’ll need to do is provide Shutters, the on board photography headquarters, with the certificate and then pick out our photos.  But wait. . . (insert screeching sound).

Selecting seven photos from the hundreds that will be taken during our 7 night sailing will be difficult.  Not only because of the quantity but also because of the quality—and some photos only come in certain sizes. 

An example of a 6X8 photo.

Instead of lamenting over which photos to select, I have a different plan.  (This is where the husband would say, “of course you do.”)  I plan on using the photo credits towards the purchase of the photo CD from Shutters which would include ALL of our photos.  And, often, there is a special where the prints are also included as well—ALL of the prints.  I will happily pay the difference!

A "Lifestyle Portrait"

In addition to the character photos, there are photo opportunities with the ship’s Captain on formal night.  Also, “Lifestyle Portraits” are available each evening before and after dinner with various backgrounds.  Our packing list includes clothing for family photos with the idea of holiday cards in the future.  Ship’s photographers are also found on Castaway Cay and in the dining rooms to capture candid photos.  See what I mean about hundreds of photos?

Not purchasing photos was one of two regrets after our first Disney Cruise (the other was not rebooking onboard).  We won’t make that mistake again and recommend photo purchases to others—click here to read our top travel tips for Disney Cruise Line.

Now the bad news.  Bad news?  Yes, there is bad news.  Disney Cruise Line has discontinued its partnership with AAA and there is no longer a AAA gift or benefit when booking a Disney Cruise.  AAA and its agents can still handle Disney Cruise Line reservations and bookings, and our travel agent will continue to handle our reservations, it’s just that there will no longer be any benefits.  And, if you are a AAA member and receive AAA’s Living magazine, you will notice the lack of advertising for Disney Cruise Line amongst the pages of the magazine.  Walt Disney World—yes;  other cruise lines—yes, but not Disney Cruise Line.

The AAA gifts have varied over the years—free fruit basket in your stateroom, on board credits, drink credits, free float/tube rental at Castaway Cay, photo credits, etc. and were based on the length of the cruise and category of stateroom.  Each year, AAA negotiated with Disney Cruise Line about the on board gift/benefit. 

We are planning to enjoy this one last AAA gift/benefit and make the most of it!

Summer 2014 Vacation--Tickets and Paperwork Have Arrived!

Tickets and paperwork for our upcoming Summer Vacation have arrived! 

The Walt Disney World packet contained our luggage ID tags, but not Magical Express luggage tags because we aren’t using Magical Express to get to our resort.  The packet also contained vouchers for arcade points. Miniature golf, DisneyQuest admissions—even though we have those added tour tickets with the Water Parks and More Fun option.  My favorite part of the packets is the discount card in the very back.  This little card is going to save me 10% on a purchase of $75 or more at the World of Disney Store at Downtown Disney!

Our cruise booklet also arrived for our 7 night sailing on the Disney Fantasy.  The entire booklet is customized with our names, our flight information (including fees for our airline), and our port adventures and travel plans for after the cruise.  The husband’s favorite part was the cover that said “Gold” and my favorite was the personalized letter that said, “Dear Jody, Welcome back!”  Disney Cruise Line knows how to do it right!

We also have our Universal park tickets AND Express Pass vouchers.

Still waiting on our MagicBands but a marvelous email was in the inbox yesterday from Disney Destinations indicating that the bands have been shipped.

The boy wakes up each morning and tells us how many days until our trip.  He wants to know when it is the “perfect” time to pack.  My response was anytime is the perfect time to pack, but we settled on 10 days prior to our trip would be a great time for him to pack his rolling backpack.  It will include toys (he already found his Disney Planes characters), a book to read, at least one stuff character (my money is on Stitch), snacks, and his video game.

Next for the husband is sorting and packing his Disney trading pins and lanyards!