Arrived at Hyatt Airport at 10;15 a.m. 11/30. They had no record of reservation. (I asked Disney for a confirmation # before I left, but the # they gave me was not a Hyatt res#). Luckily, I was being checked in by the manager at the front desk and he was very willing to make several calls to Disney, contacted the Disney rep at the hotel who also got in on the calling and after one hour of standing there, Disney called Hyatt reservations dept to make our reservations (along with a few others) and they told me this was all done Wed. night! This may seen like it was a big ordeal and we were delayed, but it was all handled very professionally by the Hyatt rep and the Disney rep), so we were not THAT bothered by the delay.
Unfortunately by the time we got to our room it was 12:30 p.m. and had to get lunch (we planned to go straight to Universal by, hopefully 10:30 a.m. and just grabbed lunch there). By the time we got to the rental car (won on priceline 11/29 $27 - thanks for the suggestion), it was 1:45 PM. Long story short Didn't get to Universal (actually started out at Islands of Adventure) til about 2:20 p.m. and it closed at 7:00 p.m. Also, IOA was mobbed b/c Michael Jackson was there and I forget it was going to be packed b/c of the holiday weekend. Kinda feel like we wasted a day's admission, but we made the best of it.
Sunday morning the Disney rep met us at the elevators and walked us down to the Disney bus line. We waited and upon trying to get on were asked for our tickets (rep had left by this time). Explained we had no docs at all. Rep hesitated just for a moment and then said, "Welcome." Relief there.
At the pier we went straight to the supervisor's desk, explained that we were on back-to-back and asked if our room could remain the same for both cruises (we were told that we had to change but to check at the pier). The rep was extremely professional, added our name to the "priority upgrade list for cancelled 11/30 Magic cruisers" and even took our cell phone # and promised to call if someone no showed. She did indeed call us at 3:30 p.m. with apologies.
On the 12/1 cruise we stayed onboard for Nassau and Freeport. On Monday DH and I did the Elemis Whole Body massage $144 for 105 minutes together. Booked PALO for FIRST night as we had PC-T-AP-PC and were told that the LAST DAY the MENU is the BEST and SAME in all restaurants.
Monday night about 9:30 p.m. kids club paged my 9 year old son was ill and vomited three times. Kids club manager said he could not come back until he saw the doctor and was cleared. He had severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and diarhhea. I was up all night w/him til 6:15 a.m. He had episodes at least every30 min. We took him to the medical center about 10:30 a.m. The place was jammed with people with the same complaints. I am surprised that there were no official reports of how my people were ill on this cruise. In the medical office, they just were having the people fill out forms and then supplying them with meds for symptoms w/o seeing the doctor unless the passenger specifically insisted. We did insist since kids club told us we had to; the doc gave us Pedialyte popsicle, immodium, something for nausea and we signed the $95 bill. I thought I read somewhere that Disney was giving the medical treatment free, but no compensation was offered to us. Oh well, I'll just hope to be reimbursed by my ins. We went back to the cabin (This was now Freeport day) were son just laid around all day. We had a Surial bath scheduled for 3:30 p.m. B/C I didn't feel comfortable leaving him alone, I called to cancel.. Even after I explained situation the spa still told me that there would be a 50% cancellation fee b/c we didn't cancel 24 hours in advance. I explained we were on back to back cruises and could we please reschedule for later in the week? No, we couldn't. So, ended up leaving sick kid to go to surial bath. Needless to say I was not happy, but oh well. Contrary to popular comments I Did not find the surial bath to be all that people have said it is. One thing about the spa that irked me...they always seem to "short us on our time." ie. We got to spa at 3:20 p.m. Hae a seat and wait. 3:38 p.m. meet and greet, escort to the changing rooms, escort to surial bath (now I didn't have my watch on) but from the time she closed the door to the time she came back WAS NOT 60 min-maybe 30-40 at most. This also happened during our very expensive 105 minute massages - no way were they 105 minutes. We arrived at 10:50 a.m. for our 11:00 a.m. massage. By the time it the therapists were "hands on" it was 11:20 a.m. (I had my watch), but they had already started the clock. Here when I get a 60 minute massage, the 60 minutes don't start until the massage starts. I was very disappointed with this since we spent $450+ at the spa - won't be doing this again. Also had my hair cut and styled "$43-$63." I have short hair, but of course the charge was $63. Along with a lot of push about if I don't buy the products he was using, I wouldn't be able to make my hair look the way he did. And of course, everything he asked me that I was using was all junk, but I expected as much I guess. Saw Mousekateer and a lady WON THE 7 NIGHT CRUISE - it was VERY exciting!!
Wed was
Castaway Cay and son was feeling better. It was only about 80 and windy. The ocean was very chilly. We went and fed the fish with an English muffin from breakfast. The kids (I have a 7 y/o also) stayed on the raft and had a blast seeing all the fish swarm! Saw Disney Dreams -excellent! We then booked another cruise - Western for January 2004. The rep tried to apply 50% but it wouldn't take. I told her don't worry, I'll just mail it in when I get it (hope I don't have a problem w/this!!) Bakc to room to get packed. Guest services came by 9:00 a.m. Thurs. to stow our luggage (too MUCH luggage for a 4 and 3 day!!)
Thursday back to port canaveral. We stayed on the ship and I had packed a bag with our swimsuits. We ran up to our new room and ploped the bag there about 9:30 a.m. . . . only to find that a whole group of people in the white suits boarding and told us to get to the lobby. They then closed all fire doors on every level of the ship. Later in talking to a kids crew counselor, this startled them, so I guess this was the first time this had ever been done (Wonder how many people really got sick on THIS trip!!). Anyway we were SOL now w/o our swim suits. Also, we realized we forgot to empty our fridge of first cabin that had 8 cans of pop. At guest services, they took the info but said all rooms would be sanitized and gave no hope of getting our pop back) Kids were bored all day w/ nothing to do. We waited on the couch in front of guest services until 12:15 p.m (when they opened). Mailed out post cards and then finally at 1:00 p.m. they opened the fire doors and we got on our swimsuits.
Thurs night my husband was ill w/diarrhea and severe nausea (no severe vomiting) but it felt like it was "right there." We had plans to go to Atlantis (already made ressie for Comfort Suites b/f we left Cleveland). Fixed hubby up w/ immodium, etc and got a late start off ship. Took taxi $4 pp x 4 + $1 bridge toll to Comf. Suites and walked to Atlantis about 1:30 p.m. Again it was warm but not hot and found the pools cold (esp. lazy river EXTREMELy cold). Took cab back about 5:30 p.m. (everything closes on Nassau at this time) at hit traffic jam. Taxi driver stopped at a liquor store for us where we purchased an A&W for rep at guest services who never heard of it and to replace our pop we left in our first room. Cost $6 for a six pack...$15 if we bought a case!
Bill came to $199.50 for Comf suite room (166.50 Ent. rate + energy surcharge + housekeeping (we weren't every in the room) charge + tax) $36 for taxi ($18 ea way). About $25 for lunch for kids at Atlantis (we shared) - pretty expensive four hours, but still cheaper than Disney's $60 Atlantis shore excursion where you don't even get the water slides!!
Saturday back to Castaway Cay. A cloudy and drizzled in the a.m. w/temp of 70 degrees. Got off about 12:30 p.m. and it was nice temp and partly cloudy. Water still very cold. Son lost snorkel and mask. Hubby very upset (We just bought our own paid $150 for the 4 of ours)...dove for 30 minutes...and FOUND it. Son off the hook!! Mommy then carried hubby's and son's mask for safekeeping.... only to then leave BOTH of them by the shower on way back to ship!!! Mommy in lots of trouble. Did not discover this until Friday evening!!!). Ran down to Guest Services to see if anyone turned in our "brand new" Bodyglove gear. Not there. Made lost report. EVERYONE PLEASE PRAY FOR ME!!! They said they would attempt to get it back to me if someon turns it in next time around.
Sunday Off the ship. Gorgeous day. Picked up rental at Avis and drove straight to Sea World. Met sister-in-law at the lighthouse as previously planned. We got there about 10:45a.m. stayed until 5:30p.m. then to Homesuites (hers) to get pants on and off to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas. SNOW on Main Street ...how do they do it...parade was great. Rides were fanatastic. A whole new experience in the dark and NO LINES!! It was WONDERful! Back to hotel at 12:30 a.m. Let's see in one day we were on a cruise, at Sea World and at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas and drove an hour to boot. Wish I could be this productive in my everyday life! Monday 12/9 rainy and gloomy in Orlando ...that's ok... we're off to the airport, returned car and in Cleveland by 4:00 p.m. Whew what a trip!! Not the way I planned it, but, you know, the kids never knew the difference! Back to reality and planning the next trip! Thanks for listening
just to have enough room). Is paying for a room to use the pool/waterslide a new thing? DH and I got a GREAT rate for Atlantis through travelocity. If you do have to book a room, book in the Beach Tower (the cheapest one). You will have FULL access to The Dig as well if you have a room for the night there. This in and of itself may be worth it, if there is really no other way to use the pools and waterslides. 
