(Updated 2/15) Western Caribbean on the Magic -March 2011-better late than never!!!!

[golfermike35]

First things first........THANK YOU DISboards!! I have received so much information from these boards that have made our two previous cruises even more special. I felt that it was my duty to put together a TR after using so much information from others.....her we go.

The cast of characters include myself (Mike), my wife (Kate) and our son (Matt - he almost three). Here they are waiting in the concierge area before we boarded.

We spent a few days before the cruise at Disney World - hence Matt's Mickey Ears!! As you can see by my timestamp - it's late so I'll add more tomorrow - this TR will have a ton of pictures!!

 

[JoshAndEvsMom]

Hi! I have young kids too so I'm excited to follow along!

 

[Toria]

Following along!

 

[jedijill]

Can't wait to hear all about it. Your DS is a cutie!

Jill in CO

 

[golfermike35]

Can't wait to hear all about it. Your DS is a cutie!

Jill in CO

Thanks....he's a handful but being a little biased I think he's cute as well - pretty sure the glasses help!

Following along!

Hi! I have young kids too so I'm excited to follow along!

Thanks for following! I've already missed my "yesterday" deadline to update with new information. Maybe as I get more comfortable posting it'll become easier to do.

 

[golfermike35]

Day 1 - Boarding the Magic and heading to Key West:

The boarding process was amazingly quick - from curb to relaxing in less than 20 minutes! We all know that Disney is known for "line control" but this was very impressive.

After getting on the ship we headed straight for lunch at Parrot Cay - we preferred this to Topsiders. Lunch was very good with an assortment of options - a little bit of EVERYTHING - though Matt was partial to the Mac & Cheese!

After checking out our rooms it was time to go check out the "Kids Club"! Boy were we lucky - since Matt was "potty trained" we were hoping that he would be able to go the big boy club instead of Flounders Reef but were concerned if he would like it or not..........as soon as we walked in guess who decided to sit with Matt and color!!!!! Now he WANTED to go back ALL the time - yee haw - more time for Mom and Dad!

Now it was time to check out the "Sail Away Party"!! BTW - Kate decided to get a massage during the party - so it was Matt and I and we got front row seats - or front row standing.

Matt had a ball!!!!!! He couldn't stop dancing and swinging his streamer! Now it's off the Key West. We didn't have any excursions planned in Key West - we just wanted to wander around and take in the sights AND get a piecec of FROZEN KEY LIME PIE..........it was unbelievable! I wish I could have bought 20 of them and had DCL hold them in the freezer as my daily dessert!!

I understand that the Blonde Giraffe has now closed BUMMER!

 

[JoshAndEvsMom]

Wow! Your pictures from the sail away party are fantastic! They look like they should be in the dcl brochure!

 

[golfermike35]

Wow! Your pictures from the sail away party are fantastic! They look like they should be in the dcl brochure!

Thank you! The weather was great and good sunshine makes a big difference.

 

[golfermike35]

Some sea days and Grand Cayman:

Here are few character pictures......believe me there are plenty of opportunities to take candid and posed pictures with the characters. Matt's favorites are Minnie and Daisy. Don't be afraid to ask the cast members to take a picture with your camera - they are happy to help!

One piece of advice I would give would be to take time to RELAX - don't feel like you have to always be doing an activity. As you can see below Kate and Matt took some time to enjoy the lounge chairs on the Promenade deck.

Matt found it easy to meet new friends and enjoyed running around - when it wasn't too crowded. We didn't mind that he was tiring himself out - that allowed Kate and I to spend some evening time on the veranda.

One of our favorite ports was Grand Cayman!! We did the Turtle Farm excursion - on our own - and it worked out great!!! Just get a taxi to the farm and back - btw, the bar/restaurant at the turtle farm was pretty decent and not overly expensive.

Next up......Cozumel and the cooking class excursion

 

[jedijill]

OMG, the picture of Matt on the lounge chair is adorable! The Turtle Farm is fun...looks like you guys had a great day!

Jill in CO

 

[golfermike35]

Before I get to Cozumel I have to show you some of the towel animals......don't all TR's have pictures of towel animals??

...............ok, now it's time to talk about Cozumel and the Mexican Cooking excursion!!!! WE LOVED IT!! I honestly believe it's the best value of ANY excursion.

Of course we met in one of the lounges on the Magic and headed as a group near the pier for a van to take us to the location. The resort that they took us to (can't remember the name) was fabulous with "open bars" - yes FREE drinks all day - even while you cooked - which made it even more fun! We happened to secure a Cabana on Castaway Cay and had arranged - through DisBoards to split it with another family - and guess what?? They were on this same excursion - Dustin and Hara. We had a blast! They break you into groups of four and you spend the next couple of hours drinking and cooking a full meal - appetizer, entree and dessert - and then drink some more!! We had so much fun and it was great to get to know Dustin and Hara before our day together at Castaway Cay.

I hope you are lucky enough to get Luis - he is a riot!!!!!!

Here's Dustin and Hara - we really enjoyed their company

Here are some random pictures of our vacation............
Looking so serious

Part of the character breakfast

Matt was loving dessert everynight!!!!!!

NEXT UP.........Castaway Cay - Palo - and some beautiful sunsets!!!!

 

[JoshAndEvsMom]

I have seen many pictures of towel animals but never knew how big they were! When you put your little boy next to them it really puts it into perspective!

Your son is adorable, btw. I'm sure you hear that a lot but he just looks so darn happy! That cooking class looks like so much FUN! Looking forward to reading about your day on CC.

 

[Linda67]

Such lovely pictures, you all look sooooo happy

 

[Cari2109]

Following along.