Catching up on your pre-trip report!
We have stayed at POR a couple of times - we loved it! With three boys, we always stay in Alligator Bayou. We would still be staying there but we became DVC members - it is not worth the points to stay at POR anymore but it is definitely one of our favorites. On our June trip in a few months we are going to eat @ Boatwright's just so we can spend an evening @ POR.
We had a wonderful time on the Magic a few weeks ago (four night cruise)! My boys had fun in the kids areas! Our tween enjoyed the activities on the Edge as well. We liked the smaller ship and the fact that there were less people. Our boys enjoyed both slides - especially the Aqua Dunk! One of the things our 7 & 9 year loved the most was hanging out in the funnel vision pool - they could have stayed there all day!! I thought the pool was a little small but it did not bother them a bit. We would relax at a table & enjoy a few drinks while they played. On our port day @ Nassau, since DH & I had just been there in Dec., we decided to just get off to take a few pics and walk around for about 20 mins. When we got back on the ship, they pretty much had the pool & slides to themselves the whole day. They were in heaven.
We LOVED the Animator Palate show so much more on the Magic (we were disappointed on the one on The Dream). We also really enjoyed the menu at Carioca's- the Banana bread that they served as the bread service was really good (I asked for the recipe I liked it so much!). The food was good at Lumiere's; I think we chose the menu items that we had at Royal Palace because we enjoyed them so much on the Dream. We liked the food @ Cabana's too- ate there for two breakfasts and two lunches. It may have been in our head but we thought the food was a little tastier on The Magic than on the Dream.
Since this was our boys first ever cruise we decided to skip dinner @ Palo's (was sad to not have the chocolate soufflé -will next) so we could eat with them on the dining rotation. Instead we had brunch at Palo's (we did both brunch & dinner on our cruise on the Dream) on our sea day. Just as amazing as on the Dream, the one thing I missed from the Dream was that when you looked out the windows you only saw ocean. On the Magic you look out at a deck so you would see people walking around - it was just a small thing I would change. Our server was Lazlo from Hungary - we would recommend requesting him - he was so good!
When we re-booked for March '15, we had a hard time not booking on The Magic - because we loved the "smaller" atmosphere so much- but in the end we decided to sail on The Fantasy because we liked the 7 night itinerary that was being offered better than the 7 night on the Magic. It will be fun to sail on a ship we have never sailed on so we are looking forward to trying something new.
Looking forward to your trip report!!! I hope your family has a great time!!!!
One of your mystery readers here! You are getting so close.
One thought I had...not sure how late you are staying at MK, but if you are planning on staying into the evening, you might want to move your two early FPP to afternoon times. SB lines should be shorter in the morning, and if you run into big crowds mid morning, you can always go to a ride that is less impacted (ie. CoP, Little Mermaid)
I love your wave phone holder! I have been trying to figure out what to do with DS 11 and DS13 phones so we can keep up with each other and this looks like a great option. Can't wait to hear if they work well for you guys.
Thinking about the KYSS bag too, but not sure it will be necessary for us.
I found those Alaska prices disappointing too. Since we are going just on our first cruise this fall, I am not "Disneyed out" yet, so was thinking about booking OB for another fall break cruise. Of course if prices are insane, maybe not...
Please keep posting, reading about other's excitement is helping me pass these long months!
Sorry to butt in again, but on the DIS podcast I listened to yesterday they mentioned that booking a B2B saved someone 1500 over a 7 day cruise AND of course included the double dip at CC. I am going to take a look at this option and thought it worth mentioning to you since I know the double dip was your second choice.
I like your FPP choices for 11 year old boys! My two DS, 10 and 12, would agree.
As far as what to ride first without a FPP, I would prioritize the following, Peter Pan (always long waits, so without a FPP it is first thing), Space Mountain (my boys love this and always want two rides), Buzz, Winnie the Pooh (only if you are interested, my family can skip this one), Jungle Cruise, Pirates, Haunted Mansion.
I would move your Splash Mountain FPP to after lunch. At 9:30 you should still be able to use the stand by lines effectively for other rides and you will appreciate getting a little wet much more in the steamy afternoon! If you want to plan out more of a touring plan, take a look at this link
http://www.easywdw.com/cheatsheets/mk_cheat_sheet_fastpass_plus_v2.pdf
It makes a lot of practical sense and is pretty easy to use. If you want a more personalized touring plan you could use touringplans.com, which is also a great resource, but costs about 10 dollars. I am also happy to answer questions if I can!
Now back to your regularly scheduled cruise planning...
I love the treehouse too, maybe since it is one thing I remember being marvelous when I was a kid! It is kind of special to do it at dusk as the lights are coming on and yet there is still enough daylight to see everything. I had my boys watch the movie before we went last time and it really gave them an appreciation for it. If you time it right, you could go from this to Jungle Cruise, which is another ride that is improved in the dark!
I always think I will find time to go sit on Tom Sawyer's Island and relax, but it hasn't happened since the kids were babies. If there was a bridge, it would be so much more likely, I just can't make time for the boat.
I haven't done Pirate's Adventure, but I think it is like Sorcerors of the MK. Sort of a treasure hunt around Adventureland? If you haven't done Sorcerors your boys would probably appreciate it. You stop in the fire station at the entrance and they will give you guys some cards and get you started.
Last year, I rode Dumbo for the first time in about 10 years, and loved the new play area/que, and I think my boys would have liked it too, even though they would be a little on the older side. You guys are going to have an awesome time!