2/15/2013 - 8 Night Western Cruise, Galveston, TX

[FloridaFun]

Samily – Thanks for the excursion booking information. I would love to be on the 6:30 bus to Epcot, but highly doubt my mom and Step-Dad would do very good with that early start, so I am hoping there will be a 7:15 bus slot still available when my booking time comes (also Nov. 17 as I am Silver).

Gina – I will look into Google Docs as right now I just have it in an excel spreadsheet. Thanks for the tip.

Duck Window – Great to have you on our cruise and in the FEE. I didn’t know about it in my first Disney cruise and all I could think when I saw everyone having so much fun doing it is, “I’m missing out!” My DH and I lived in Sunnyvale when he was at Onizuka Air Force Station, so have hung out in your neck of the woods for a couple of years. We both loved our time there, but that was coming to an end anyway as they closed it.

FEE- Confirmed for the FEE I have FloridaFun (me with 2 cabins), Dismom73 (2 cabins), Kimbo71 (1 cabin), I Heart Mickey (1 cabin), Gina (1 cabin), Duck Window (1 cabin). Please let me know if I missed you or PM me if you would like to join in. I will be looking into the Google Docs that Gina mentioned and let everyone know if I get that set up to put in your own information.

I hope this email makes sense. The granite people are putting in my new bathroom and wet bar counter tops and the glue smell has me ready to pass out. UGH!

Beth

 

[I❤MICKEY]

Yes, its quite useful! Thanks for posting. However, since this is our first DCL, we can't book until 12/02/2012.

We are first time cruisers too. December 2nd feels like an eternity. I've read that you can log on at midnight and sometimes the servers crash. I plan to pay in full November 30th so that is at least taken care of and doesn't cause any delays.

I really hope the bus situation isn't too full. I'm also worried about the ride back since it doesn't appear that you are required to reserve your return bus.

 

[jzandmeplus3]

We've never been to Key West, but a friend who has been there several times recommends we do the Conch Train Tour. Its a 90 minute tour of Key West on a trolley shaped like a train (or what passes for a train to a 5 year old). You'll see the sights and then have time to explore more of the port on your own. Google "Conch Tour Key West" and you'll get several web pages that will give you more info.

Thanks, that sounds like that would work well for us.

 

[wdrl]

I really hope the bus situation isn't too full. I'm also worried about the ride back since it doesn't appear that you are required to reserve your return bus.

Disney and DCL have shuttled passengers back from WDW to the ship many times, so I trust they will manage the buses well enough to minimize backlogs on the return buses.

Although there is something to be gained if DCL let us reserve a specific return time from a specific Park, I like having the flexibility of picking my own return time and Park at the last moment. Right now, we think we'll be trying to return on the earliest bus from Magic Kingdom. But if we are having fun and aren't getting too tired, we might stay much later. Or we might want to go to DHS and leave from there. We'll just enjoy our day at WDW and trust that, sooner or later, we'll get back to the ship.

 

[I❤MICKEY]

Disney and DCL have shuttled passengers back from WDW to the ship many times, so I trust they will manage the buses well enough to minimize backlogs on the return buses.

Although there is something to be gained if DCL let us reserve a specific return time from a specific Park, I like having the flexibility of picking my own return time and Park at the last moment. Right now, we think we'll be trying to return on the earliest bus from Magic Kingdom. But if we are having fun and aren't getting too tired, we might stay much later. Or we might want to go to DHS and leave from there. We'll just enjoy our day at WDW and trust that, sooner or later, we'll get back to the ship.

I like the open ended return too. We normally come close to closing the park. But after spending the day before at Castaway not sure how my little ones will make it.

 

[the great cornholeo]

Wow. Look at all if the posts. I can't believe that we ate already within the booking Windows. I'm silver still so I can't book yet either :'( . I may have to talk to dismoms about booking a rental car instead of the bus so we can get there fast and stay late. We will see.

 

[dismom73]

Hi!!

I'm subbing in to join the fun. We knew we'd do a Disney cruise someday and couldn't pass up the KSF sale while our kids are on winter break, also got fairly cheap air from SF so couldn't resist. Any other west-coasters among us??

This will be our 7th cruise for DH and I, and the 4th one for the kids and our first DCL cruise and first trip to WDW. We love cruising and I'm sure will be wanting all DCL after this. We love Disney and are also DVC members.

I am so excited, but trying to keep it a secret until Christmas and need ideas for a clever way to tell the kids. Any ideas?

I just learned about decorating doors and FEE, so I will definately be doing those and keeping that stuff a secret. I think those will really make the cruise extra-special. I will PM my FEE info shortly. Thank you Beth for organizing!!! I also do the Mickey tie-dye shirts for our DL trips and will make more for the cruise. Any other tie-dye folks here??

I am soooo excited!!!

Welcome ...We will be flying out of SFO as well. We will either be flying late Wednesday or early Thursday, not sure yet. Where in the Bay Area are you? We are in Vacaville, it would be closer to for us to fly out of Sacramento, but I work for United and get free parking at SFO, plus all of our direct flights to IAH are out of SFO.

 

[kreedham]

We'll probably jump in but have to check with DW. We were on the 1st Fantasy and there was a huge FE group. Ended up having a large group and a small group (about 18 in small) Then they got fancy. Large group giving to all, Large group giving to only large group, and small group. It was fun though! Manageable at 15-20.

Will let you know soon. Thanks for coordinating!

 

[kreedham]

Don't know if they will cut off departure times but they'll probably have to (or already have a set # of buses) so if you want to go early sign up as soon as possible. We've decided to start at Hollywood, switch to MK early afternoon, have dinner at Tony's (Be Our Guest was already full) and a short time at Epcot to see Illuminations. Thought about Cabana but it's a roll of the dice...if it's too cold we'll just stay on the ship!

 

[Ichiban]

I am so excited!!! I just snagged a family stateroom with the kfo offer. I almost booked last weekend, but we weren't 100% sure and waited. When I went back a couple of days later to book, there was no availability. I have been checking every day hoping for a. Cancellation and today was our lucky day.

It will be me, DH, DD13, DS11, and DD7. This is our first time on DCL and our first cruise with kids.

 

[I❤MICKEY]

I contacted my TA to find out about passports. I wasn't sure if we would need to go through customs in Castaway Cay. His response back was:

Passports are not required for this cruise but are strongly recommended.

This is Disney's official word on required documents:

All Guests claiming U.S. citizenship, including children, who board a cruise ship within the United States, travel only within the Western Hemisphere, and return to the same U.S. port on the same ship may present one of the following documents as proof of U.S. citizenship for each member of their party :

• A valid, unexpired U.S. Passport
• A valid, unexpired U.S. Passport Card
• State Issued Enhanced Driver's License - this is a special type of license that provides proof of identity and US citizenship; not all states offer Enhanced Driver's Licenses please visit www.getyouhome.gov for more information.
• Trusted Traveler Program Card (NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• U.S. Citizens 18 years and older will be able to depart and enter the country with an original or certified copy of their state issued birth certificate and government-issued photo ID.
• Children under the age of 16 may present an original or certified copy of their state issued birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Naturalization Certificate.

Photocopies of any of the above documents are not acceptable.​

What is everyone else doing? What are the pros and cons? Not sure if I want the added expense if it isn't required. Especially for the boys as it isn't likely they will travel internationally.

 

[Kimbo71]

I contacted my TA to find out about passports. I wasn't sure if we would need to go through customs in Castaway Cay.

.

We have been to CC twice (last time was four years ago) & have never been through customs to get back on the boat. I think it has something to do w/ the island belonging to Disney?!? Not exactly sure how all that works.

 

[SnipsNSnails]

I was able to book our excursions this morning - yay! It makes it feel more real!!

For those looking for this info...the busses are starting at 7:15 for all parks except Epcot, which starts at 6:30. For Magic Kingdom they are leaving every half hour, to the other parks it is every hour , all ending at 9:15am. (Epcot has a 6:30, then a 7:15, and then every hour to 9:15am. Epcot also has a 4:45pm listed). You can reserve your time under port adventures. I didn't see any info on the return busses.

There are 6 cabanas left on the family beach and 2 on SB.

Palo brunch is offered on the sea days, every half hour, 10:00 - 12:30.
Palo dinner is offered each evening, every half hour, 6:00 - 8:30.
No high tea offered anymore.

Pirate night is listed as night 6.

Hope this info is useful!

Super helpful, thanks for all the great info.

We are first time cruisers too. December 2nd feels like an eternity. I've read that you can log on at midnight and sometimes the servers crash. I plan to pay in full November 30th so that is at least taken care of and doesn't cause any delays.

I really hope the bus situation isn't too full. I'm also worried about the ride back since it doesn't appear that you are required to reserve your return bus.

Us too! I'm just hoping that there is still availability on an early bus. There are things that we could do in any of the parks so I will be snagging the earliest bus we can get wherever it is going LOL I told my mom today that she should pay the full amount a few days early for the same reason and I will likely stay up to midnight to book our bus. We don't plan on booking anything else. We'll probably just do a little shopping at Key West. No cabanas, Palo, nursery, or spa needed here either.

What is everyone else doing? What are the pros and cons? Not sure if I want the added expense if it isn't required. Especially for the boys as it isn't likely they will travel internationally.

My parents have passports. The boys and I have passport cards. We went to Canada a few years ago to do the Agawa Canyon train trip and needed them for that. Since we have them, that's what we will use.

We have been to CC twice (last time was four years ago) & have never been through customs to get back on the boat. I think it has something to do w/ the island belonging to Disney?!? Not exactly sure how all that works.

You usually only go through customs when entering the US again at the end of your cruise but since we will be reentering the US at Port Canaveral, I'm not sure how that will work. It's possible that since we aren't making a foreign port call other than CC there is a different proceedure and because our baggage etc. is staying on the ship?

 

[Kimbo71]

You usually only go through customs when entering the US again at the end of your cruise but since we will be reentering the US at Port Canaveral, I'm not sure how that will work. It's possible that since we aren't making a foreign port call other than CC there is a different proceedure and because our baggage etc. is staying on the ship?

True-we will likely need them to get off/on the boat in PC.

 

[Kimbo71]

We're trying to keep this a secret until Christmas, & DD 11 was just fussing at DH & I again this morning that it was "no fair that only you & Daddy have gone on a Disney Cruise."

 

[Gina]

We're trying to keep this a secret until Christmas, & DD 11 was just fussing at DH & I again this morning that it was "no fair that only you & Daddy have gone on a Disney Cruise."

I love it!! Oh man, the looks on their faces are going to be priceless...

As for passports, they are obviously the thing to have in this day and age - for peace of mind if nothing else - but you don't need them to cruise. The NY itinerary was pretty much the same as ours, as far as stopping at CC in the middle, and I never heard one word about any sort of different customs procedures other than the usual.

Actual birth certificates and current official photo id is all that is required for a closed-loop cruise. If there was an emergency back home or something and you had to fly out from one of the ports, birth certs and passport cards would be utterly useless -- but that isn't really as big of a worry for anyone now since they changed the itinerary and we aren't really going to any foreign ports, CC aside.

As far as the bus thing goes, I will be joining those paying their cruise off in full a few days early just to make sure I can log on and and hopefully snag a spot on the early bus. I know it's going to make for a ridiculously long day... but we can get more done in that first hour of EE at Epcot than pretty much in most of the rest of the day. New Test Track, here we come!!

Then we're going to take a more leisurely approach after that, and take some time mid-day to just get off our feet and relax. Maybe ride the long loop of the monorail around, hop on a boat, something, since we can't just go back to Pop and relax like we're used to. Then we'll head to MK for the rest of the day. It's a tradition for us to eat at 'Ohana, so I'm about to go get us a reservation for that for an early-ish dinner, to make sure it doesn't get in the way of seeing MSEP.

So, to make myself feel better, does anyone else keep a "cruise box" at the ready? I have a box in my bedroom where I toss stuff for the cruise, like sample-size bottles of toiletries I get, or sunscreen when it's on sale, or things like the wind sock for the balcony I just picked up the other day, It makes me smile every time I see the box. Anyone else do anything like that?? Or am I just weird all by myself, lol.

 

[I❤MICKEY]

I could put this on the main thread but does anyone know if food and non-alcoholic beverages are included on Castaway Cay or would we have to pay for his separately?

 

[Kimbo71]

I could put this on the main thread but does anyone know if food and non-alcoholic beverages are included on Castaway Cay or would we have to pay for his separately?

Yes, they are included. No extra charge.

 

[Kimbo71]

I could put this on the main thread but does anyone know if food and non-alcoholic beverages are included on Castaway Cay or would we have to pay for his separately?

Yes, they are included. No extra charge.

 

[jzandmeplus3]

I love it!! Oh man, the looks on their faces are going to be priceless...

As for passports, they are obviously the thing to have in this day and age - for peace of mind if nothing else - but you don't need them to cruise. The NY itinerary was pretty much the same as ours, as far as stopping at CC in the middle, and I never heard one word about any sort of different customs procedures other than the usual.

Actual birth certificates and current official photo id is all that is required for a closed-loop cruise. If there was an emergency back home or something and you had to fly out from one of the ports, birth certs and passport cards would be utterly useless -- but that isn't really as big of a worry for anyone now since they changed the itinerary and we aren't really going to any foreign ports, CC aside.

As far as the bus thing goes, I will be joining those paying their cruise off in full a few days early just to make sure I can log on and and hopefully snag a spot on the early bus. I know it's going to make for a ridiculously long day... but we can get more done in that first hour of EE at Epcot than pretty much in most of the rest of the day. New Test Track, here we come!!

Then we're going to take a more leisurely approach after that, and take some time mid-day to just get off our feet and relax. Maybe ride the long loop of the monorail around, hop on a boat, something, since we can't just go back to Pop and relax like we're used to. Then we'll head to MK for the rest of the day. It's a tradition for us to eat at 'Ohana, so I'm about to go get us a reservation for that for an early-ish dinner, to make sure it doesn't get in the way of seeing MSEP.

So, to make myself feel better, does anyone else keep a "cruise box" at the ready? I have a box in my bedroom where I toss stuff for the cruise, like sample-size bottles of toiletries I get, or sunscreen when it's on sale, or things like the wind sock for the balcony I just picked up the other day, It makes me smile every time I see the box. Anyone else do anything like that?? Or am I just weird all by myself, lol.

I keep a "vacation" box at the ready and I do exactly the same thing. It's one less thing I have to think about come packing time cause I keep it well stocked.