Just Chip No Dale
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2001
I'll try not to make this too long! I mainly want to give highlights and tips.
We boarded the ship at around 12:45 and went right up to Beach Blanket Buffet for lunch. We sat outside. The weather was warm and breezy. It was great! After lunch I took the kids to the kid's pool (Mickey pool) while my husband made spa reservations. I would recomend getting a Navigator right when you get on board (they are at Guest Services, near the main entrance). Then, during lunch, read the Navagator with the family and plan your day.
I brought a "day bag" (a beach bag) with me on board with the following in it:
Bathing suits
suncreen
sunglasses
We also, of course, brought our camera and camcorder.
When my husband came back, I went to sign the kids up for their progams.
The Oceaneer's Club and Lab:
Had I known how much our kids would LOVE the kid's groups, I would have made reservations at Palos! We were afraid that they wouldn't like the kid's programing. But instead, they begged to go everyday and I had to MAKE them eat supper with us the last night! We have 2 boys, 9 and 5. The 9 year old really loved it and never had us paged. He stayed until closing time everynight and his head never hit the pillow before 1:00am!!
My little one had us paged only about 2 or 3 times. I think he would have had more fun in the Oceaneer's Lab than the Club
because of the computers and games (the Club has computer games, too and dress up clothes) and he really likes K'nex and the Lab had a HUGE K'nex area. His group did spend time in the Lab when the big kids weren't in there.
All in all, I would say that the counselors did a great job (security is very tight to check your child in and out). I'm sure most of the counselors feel alittle burned out at times because they have very little time off.
My kids loved the fact that they ate up at Beach Blanket Buffet everynight. The food was a kids fantasy: chicken fingers, french fries, pizza, etc. with ice cream and cookies for dessert. You can check your kids in and out even during their dinner time ( usually around 5:30).
One final FYI about the kid's program that I almost didn't find out about! On the last day (the day at sea) the kids WHO ARE SIGNED UP AT THE TIME are in a farewell show on the stage in the WD Theater. They march up with their age groups and sit or stand on the stage. A slide show is shown (look for pictures* of your child! I saw one of mine!). In the end, Mickey himself comes out and says a few words. It was very cute and unlike all of the other shows, you are allowed to videotape this one! Also, the kids all get a very nice "I discoverd the Magic" (even on the Wonder!) t-shirt so,save your money for other souvenirs!
* You can't get copies of any pictures, I tried!
The Sailaway Party
Get there early! We first went up to Deck 10 to secure a table and a few chairs overlooking Deck 9. I actually ended up sitting on the table instead of a chair! My husband and kids stayed on Deck 9 to dance. I went back and forth between the 2 Decks, videotaping from both places. When the dancers and characters come out, it is best to be front and center on Deck 9.
I had read on the boards to bring jars of bubbles to blow when the ship started to sail. Don't bother! You'll be so busy blowing bubbles that you won't get to take pictures or videotape anything. PLUS, there are 2 bubble machines on the stage! There will be no shortage of bubbles!
The Restaurants
Our rotaion was supposed to be Parrot Cay, Triton's, Animator's Palate, Parrot Cay, but for some reason (they said it was because of the holiday) we went to Triton's 2 nights in a row. We hadn't planned on dressing up twice so, on the second night we were much more casual. I don't remember seeing any tuxes and our table mate (and others) wore t-shirts. I would say to bring more clothes than you think you'll need, just in case.
Our servers were very good and they went out of their way to see that my dietary wishes were respected (strict vegetarian). I had almost forgotten that I told our TA that we'd be celebrating our son's 9th B'day. They had a very nice small cake with a sugar Mickey on top. They also gave him an "It's my Birthday" pin!
Food is available somewhere at almost anytime on the ship so you'll never go hungry! I think I ate my weight in french fries from Pluto's Dog House! I normally NEVER eat them so I let myself have an "I'm on vacation so who cares" pig-out! One of my favorite lunches or snacks was the vegetarian wrap sandwich from Wraps (connected to Scoops).
If you don't eat dairy products (I don't), you can get soy icecream at the restaurants and they can have it brought up to Scoops if you ask in advance. But next time I'll bring my own soymilk from home. Their's was GROSS!
Food and drinks are sold outside of the W.D. Theatre before each show. We brought our own cokes and beer* from home and it saved us a lot of money. I wish I had brought snacks from home,too. They sell Wise brand popcorn (man, I wish they had their famous,fresh, hot popcorn from the parks!) in white cheddar and butter. Buy some before you leave home and you'll fit right in AND save money!
* we just put the cans in our suitcase (room temp.) and brought along a collapsible cooler which we filled with ice. We iced down several cans of each overnight then put them in the fridge in our room. NOTE: the refrigerator in your room will NOT chill things, however, it WILL keep cold things cold! Cool!
Castaway Cay
Please don't pronounce it "Kay", it's "Key"!! This place is truly beautiful. The water is crystal clear, there are beautiful flowers everywhere and lots to do and not a whole lot of time to do it in (Kid's programing and water rentals close at 3:30 and the ship sails away at 5:00). If your kids want to go to Scuttle's Cove for the kid's program, sign 'em up and then head to Serenity Bay the 18 and older beach. We parked ourselves near the bar which was playing loud music, so it wasn't too serene, but it was still very nice. The B-B-Q was very good. They have homemade veggie burgers, but you have to ask for them, they aren't on the menu. There is also salmon, steak, chicken and burgers as well as fruit, potato salad, coleslaw and chips. At the family beach ( at Cookie's), there is also ribs, corn on the cob and cookies.
We went for a walk down the beach (probably where we weren't suppose to go!) and saw a HUGE and BEAUTIFUL starfish! We, of course, didn't touch it and I hope that no one will think that one would make a cool souvenir! Please, just look, don't touch! I'm off my soapbox now...!
Pack in your suitcase some large ziplock bags and bring a few with you to the beach. I found some really pretty shells and was glad I had something to put them in.
She Sells... had some cute things to buy and my son and I had a hard time picking out a souvenir. I couldn't decide between 2 t-shirts for myself so I bought both, but only after asking the guy if I could return or exchange one of them at the ship's store. He said that as long as I kept the tags on and had the receipt, it was o.k.
We boarded the ship at around 12:45 and went right up to Beach Blanket Buffet for lunch. We sat outside. The weather was warm and breezy. It was great! After lunch I took the kids to the kid's pool (Mickey pool) while my husband made spa reservations. I would recomend getting a Navigator right when you get on board (they are at Guest Services, near the main entrance). Then, during lunch, read the Navagator with the family and plan your day.
I brought a "day bag" (a beach bag) with me on board with the following in it:
Bathing suits
suncreen
sunglasses
We also, of course, brought our camera and camcorder.
When my husband came back, I went to sign the kids up for their progams.
The Oceaneer's Club and Lab:
Had I known how much our kids would LOVE the kid's groups, I would have made reservations at Palos! We were afraid that they wouldn't like the kid's programing. But instead, they begged to go everyday and I had to MAKE them eat supper with us the last night! We have 2 boys, 9 and 5. The 9 year old really loved it and never had us paged. He stayed until closing time everynight and his head never hit the pillow before 1:00am!!
My little one had us paged only about 2 or 3 times. I think he would have had more fun in the Oceaneer's Lab than the Club
because of the computers and games (the Club has computer games, too and dress up clothes) and he really likes K'nex and the Lab had a HUGE K'nex area. His group did spend time in the Lab when the big kids weren't in there.
All in all, I would say that the counselors did a great job (security is very tight to check your child in and out). I'm sure most of the counselors feel alittle burned out at times because they have very little time off.
My kids loved the fact that they ate up at Beach Blanket Buffet everynight. The food was a kids fantasy: chicken fingers, french fries, pizza, etc. with ice cream and cookies for dessert. You can check your kids in and out even during their dinner time ( usually around 5:30).
One final FYI about the kid's program that I almost didn't find out about! On the last day (the day at sea) the kids WHO ARE SIGNED UP AT THE TIME are in a farewell show on the stage in the WD Theater. They march up with their age groups and sit or stand on the stage. A slide show is shown (look for pictures* of your child! I saw one of mine!). In the end, Mickey himself comes out and says a few words. It was very cute and unlike all of the other shows, you are allowed to videotape this one! Also, the kids all get a very nice "I discoverd the Magic" (even on the Wonder!) t-shirt so,save your money for other souvenirs!
* You can't get copies of any pictures, I tried!
The Sailaway Party
Get there early! We first went up to Deck 10 to secure a table and a few chairs overlooking Deck 9. I actually ended up sitting on the table instead of a chair! My husband and kids stayed on Deck 9 to dance. I went back and forth between the 2 Decks, videotaping from both places. When the dancers and characters come out, it is best to be front and center on Deck 9.
I had read on the boards to bring jars of bubbles to blow when the ship started to sail. Don't bother! You'll be so busy blowing bubbles that you won't get to take pictures or videotape anything. PLUS, there are 2 bubble machines on the stage! There will be no shortage of bubbles!
The Restaurants
Our rotaion was supposed to be Parrot Cay, Triton's, Animator's Palate, Parrot Cay, but for some reason (they said it was because of the holiday) we went to Triton's 2 nights in a row. We hadn't planned on dressing up twice so, on the second night we were much more casual. I don't remember seeing any tuxes and our table mate (and others) wore t-shirts. I would say to bring more clothes than you think you'll need, just in case.
Our servers were very good and they went out of their way to see that my dietary wishes were respected (strict vegetarian). I had almost forgotten that I told our TA that we'd be celebrating our son's 9th B'day. They had a very nice small cake with a sugar Mickey on top. They also gave him an "It's my Birthday" pin!
Food is available somewhere at almost anytime on the ship so you'll never go hungry! I think I ate my weight in french fries from Pluto's Dog House! I normally NEVER eat them so I let myself have an "I'm on vacation so who cares" pig-out! One of my favorite lunches or snacks was the vegetarian wrap sandwich from Wraps (connected to Scoops).
If you don't eat dairy products (I don't), you can get soy icecream at the restaurants and they can have it brought up to Scoops if you ask in advance. But next time I'll bring my own soymilk from home. Their's was GROSS!
Food and drinks are sold outside of the W.D. Theatre before each show. We brought our own cokes and beer* from home and it saved us a lot of money. I wish I had brought snacks from home,too. They sell Wise brand popcorn (man, I wish they had their famous,fresh, hot popcorn from the parks!) in white cheddar and butter. Buy some before you leave home and you'll fit right in AND save money!
* we just put the cans in our suitcase (room temp.) and brought along a collapsible cooler which we filled with ice. We iced down several cans of each overnight then put them in the fridge in our room. NOTE: the refrigerator in your room will NOT chill things, however, it WILL keep cold things cold! Cool!
Castaway Cay
Please don't pronounce it "Kay", it's "Key"!! This place is truly beautiful. The water is crystal clear, there are beautiful flowers everywhere and lots to do and not a whole lot of time to do it in (Kid's programing and water rentals close at 3:30 and the ship sails away at 5:00). If your kids want to go to Scuttle's Cove for the kid's program, sign 'em up and then head to Serenity Bay the 18 and older beach. We parked ourselves near the bar which was playing loud music, so it wasn't too serene, but it was still very nice. The B-B-Q was very good. They have homemade veggie burgers, but you have to ask for them, they aren't on the menu. There is also salmon, steak, chicken and burgers as well as fruit, potato salad, coleslaw and chips. At the family beach ( at Cookie's), there is also ribs, corn on the cob and cookies.
We went for a walk down the beach (probably where we weren't suppose to go!) and saw a HUGE and BEAUTIFUL starfish! We, of course, didn't touch it and I hope that no one will think that one would make a cool souvenir! Please, just look, don't touch! I'm off my soapbox now...!
Pack in your suitcase some large ziplock bags and bring a few with you to the beach. I found some really pretty shells and was glad I had something to put them in.
She Sells... had some cute things to buy and my son and I had a hard time picking out a souvenir. I couldn't decide between 2 t-shirts for myself so I bought both, but only after asking the guy if I could return or exchange one of them at the ship's store. He said that as long as I kept the tags on and had the receipt, it was o.k.