As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
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There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
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It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
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So I'm having a bad month and doing lots of driving which leads to thinking which doesn't usually go well. I thought about how nice it would be just hubby, me & kids with no way for family to track me down. CRUISE!!!!
Right now we are booked for 8 nights at Poly in Jan. I checked with my most amazing TA and we can do a 4 land/3 sea cruise with 2 nights at ASMo before package kicks in for less than what our package is now.
DS1 is Autistic and has medical issues and is a fish. DS2 has diabetes as well as other medical issues and also loves the water. Going to the kids clubs are out for them & I really don't mind. So here are some questions I have (in no particular order).
When we are in Nassau would the pool be open if we decide to stay onboard?
Are the Golden Mickey's performed on the 3 night cruise?
What restaurants are open while docked in port?
How early can we get to port?
Has anyone seen Stitch on board?
If we did the Atlantis beach day, can we pay to get into the aquarium?
I know I have others but I can't think of them right now.
When we are in Nassau would the pool be open if we decide to stay onboard?
Are the Golden Mickey's performed on the 3 night cruise?
What restaurants are open while docked in port?
How early can we get to port?
Has anyone seen Stitch on board?
If we did the Atlantis beach day, can we pay to get into the aquarium?
In order 1) Yes 2) I don't think so, but we've only done 7 night 3) Lots of options -- check navigator for the specifics 4) Will defer to others who arrive earlier than we do! 5) No -- we didn't see stitch onboard 6) Yes, we did this.
Hope someone else fills in my blanks!
Chris
P.S. I am convinced that a special place in heaven for parents of kids with medical or developmental problems who make sure that their kids don't miss out because of their conditions. What a wonderful thing to do!
Yes, the pools are open while the ship is in Nassau, and they are less crowded than while the ship's at sea.
Both Golden Mickeys and Disney Dreams are performed on the 3-night cruise (or were as of last year).
On embarkation day, Parrot Cay and Beach Blanket Buffet are open with buffet lunches. On Nassau day, I think Triton's was also open for lunch. I can't remember whether Triton's and/or Parrot Cay was open on Castaway Cay day, but I'm sure Beach Blanket Buffet was. Animator's Palate is open only for dinner. There are also snack bars on the upper deck which may be open.
I'm not sure how early you can check in at Port Canaveral. Boarding usually begins around 12 or 12:30, with rooms ready by 1:30.
I don't remember if Stitch was onboard, though I have a vague picture in my mind of him dressed as a pirate so he may have been.
We didn't disembark in Nassau on either of our 3-night cruises, so I don't know anything about Atlantis.
I can answer some of your questions. The pools are always open when the boat is in port - except possibly on the final morning you dock back in Port Canaveral. The restaurants that are usually open include Topsider's and Pluto's Dog House, although Topsider's isn't always open. There's usually somewhere you can get food - and you can always order room service as well.
The Golden Mickey's are performed on the three night cruise and Stitch was certainly on the 11 night cruise we just took and I'm pretty sure I recall seeing him on the three night one we did a couple of years back, although as you know, any particular character is never guaranteed anywhere, but it's possible.
When we are in Nassau would the pool be open if we decide to stay onboard?
yes
Quote:
Are the Golden Mickey's performed on the 3 night cruise?
yes
Quote:
What restaurants are open while docked in port?
Parrot Cay and Beach Blanket Buffet are open in Port Canaveral. All except Animators Palate are open while in Nassau (AP is only open for dinner). Not sure what's open when ship is in Castaway Cay, I know the main dining rooms aren't, because the servers are working at the buffets on the island.
Quote:
How early can we get to port?
I assume you're talking about arrival at Port Canaveral on the day you sail. The answer is that you can get there as early as you like, but you won't be able to enter the terminal until 10:30 or 11, since DCL likes to have all the disembarking passengers off the ship and through customs before dealing with the next batch.
Quote:
Has anyone seen Stitch on board?
Yes, we have some really cute pictures of Lilo and Stitch from our first cruise on the Wonder, and we saw them on Castaway Cay last December.
Quote:
If we did the Atlantis beach day, can we pay to get into the aquarium?
I don't know, but I see that someone else has done this.
THANK YOU ALL!!! You answered all the answers correctly! I am definately booking this.
I think it would be ideal to get to Port Canaveral early since we have to take medical supplies with us. I thought this would give us time if there are any questions or issues.
The one rule I live by is we run the kids' illness's, they don't run us.
Thank you all again! Now I'm really excited. Here's hoping we get our passports realtively quickly.
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We visited The Dig (the aquarium) at Atlantis a few years ago. Tickets then were $25 per adult. Don't know the kids' price. Just grab a taxi over there. Really fascinating. Your boys will love it.
Hi Julie,
Our son is Autistic also. Have you checked out PassPorter's Open Mouse for Walt Disney World and the Disney Cruise Line? It's schedule to be released next week, but if you pre-purchase it, you can download it in PDF form. It has been a huge help in planning our Cruise on Dec 9-13, 2007.
Don't rule out the Oceaneer's Club/Lab entirely. From what I've read and heard on this board, the staff are very good with special needs children. You will get a pager that they will use to contact you if they, or your child needs to see you. And while they won't administer meds for you, you can stop by and administer the meds which gives you and your kids a chance to touch base and see how things are going. The most important thing would be to meet with the staff and share with them what your son's triggers are and what coping mechanisms work well for him. We're planning on letting our son check out the clubs the first night (with us there) and see how it goes. If he feels comfortable and want's to stay, great. If not, no loss and at least he can say he got to try it out... Good luck and have a wonderful cruise...
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I am definately booking this. 
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