VWL Groupies...yes, we love the Lodge!!

[jimmytammy]

Loving the pics rfassett!

And the cruise report leans me waaaaaayyyyy away from considering a cruise of any nature. I realize this is an isolated case, but it happens, so, I will stay on dry land for awhile

 

[eliza61]

Morning all,
No power in South Jersey, using my lovely Dis app . Lots of water everywhere. I've got a gas stove so can have my coffee!
Rfasset, love the pictures

 

[Muushka]

The first was sending this cruise out in the first place. We were not two hours out of dock when the weather turned south. The winds picked up, the waters turned rough and it was raining. They had to know that was going to be the case before that boat ever left dock. Of course we were told we were on track for nicer weather and calmer seas and that one of the two ports was out of the question and the other was highly questionable. The inference was that we would find smoother seas and nicer weather and hunker down for a couple days. Less than two hours out of port deck 12 was closed as was the aquaduck both of which were never re-opened because once we found nice seas and weather we hung around there for less than an hour and turned back into the storm to head to Nassau only to learn two miles away that the dock was damaged and we would not be able to dock. I guess that information must not have been available before the Captain could see the little guy on the dock with the red flags waving us off. Two miles away after we have spent the last 36 hours rocking and rolling? Conditions continued to deteriorate and got much worse during Saturday and Saturday night. Rather than hold back, even though the ship was rocking and rolling, the captain chose to forge ahead to get back to Canaveral in time for the next cruise. The ship should have never sailed in the first place but once sailed, we should have never sailed back into the storm. What other motivation would there be for DCL besides money? Did I mention that all outside access was shut off by the beginning of the second day and not opened up again until we were back at Canaveral? The final night I was literally gripping the bed until my hands hurt to keep from being tossed out of the bed. Anything loose in the cabin had already been sent to the floor and was sliding to and fro. All in an effort to get back to pick up the next group of cruisers. I continue to call for Captain Henry's discharge. He put our families at great risk. As you can tell, I still am very much agitated about this whole experience. We got on the boat only because I was assured by DCL that we would not be put in harms way and that even if the ports could not be accessed, there was calmer waters and nicer weather that we would be in. Lies! Sorry, but it will be a long time before I am over this.

I don't blame you at all. I would be very angry too.

When you think about it, had Fantasy delayed a day, then Dream delayed a day, it would have been a much different story. I know hindsight 20/20 and all, but this is DCL. They charge a premium so one would expect better treatment. My in-laws have our family cruise booked for next June. If it was my reservation, I would cancel. I wouldn't give up cruising, I would probably cruise at a different time.

Morning all,
No power in South Jersey, using my lovely Dis app . Lots of water everywhere. I've got a gas stove so can have my coffee!
Rfasset, love the pictures

Glad you are safe E!

 

[sleepydog25]

Your wish was my command! I still have a few more to upload and will give it a shot tonight.

I noticed you had posted more. . .thanks! Love the pics!

As for the cruise, I feel your pain, though I've had only good times from DCL; however, in your case (and your fellow travelers during that time), I do feel that DCL made a decision based more on the pocketbook than the comfort of their passengers.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Well we made it through mostly unscathed. My aunts car tent didn't survive and some shingles got blown off. Also had a small amount of water in the cellar. And I had a very nervous and scared dog! Poor thing. She was shaking like a leaf because of the wind. Never lost power for more than a few minutes. Very lucky. So glad it wasn't as bad as they predicted at first. Feel really bad for the people along the shore.

Eliza - Glad you are doing well and I hope you get your power back on soon! Keep us updated.

How is everyone else doing?

 

[bobbiwoz]

Morning all,
No power in South Jersey, using my lovely Dis app . Lots of water everywhere. I've got a gas stove so can have my coffee!
Rfasset, love the pictures

Stay safe! My family is not in Cape May, they left for Toms River, but have no phone now, so I'm praying they and others who are out of touch are OK, just waiting for some normalcy.

I heard they were going to shut off gas service for safety sake.

 

[blossomz]

DLI glad to hear you are Ok.

Eliza...thank goodness you had your coffee! I know the feeling! I probably was more worried about the power going out and not getting my morning coffee than having no lights!

Luckily we too are pretty unaffected. Just some low and broken tree limbs. Think we skirted the worst!

 

[wildernessDad]

I hope that my fellow groupies are getting through Sandy. We were lucky. We did not lose power nor did we lose any of our house.

 

[tea pot]

Just checking In
Praying that all the Groupies and families are OK
Staying dry,warm, and safe.

Morning all,
No power in South Jersey, using my lovely Dis app . Lots of water everywhere. I've got a gas stove so can have my coffee!
Rfasset, love the pictures

Eliza especially thinking of you and praying that you and your boys were safe

Some of the pictures coming out of NYC are really scary
Hanover Square was shut down and the Apt bldg was evacuated 7pm
Sunday night
As some of you know my DH works and stays in Lower Manhattan
Mon-Fri. I am so grateful the this started over the weekend and
he was already home.
My heart go out to all the people that couldn't get out and to
the staff of the NYC Hospital that had to evacuated 200 patients.

How about our southern Groupies all OK??

One a funny note
our Florida family members were calling to check on us
because of the hurricane ... now that's a switch

Take care my dear friends

 

[horselover]

The first was sending this cruise out in the first place. We were not two hours out of dock when the weather turned south. The winds picked up, the waters turned rough and it was raining. They had to know that was going to be the case before that boat ever left dock. Of course we were told we were on track for nicer weather and calmer seas and that one of the two ports was out of the question and the other was highly questionable. The inference was that we would find smoother seas and nicer weather and hunker down for a couple days. Less than two hours out of port deck 12 was closed as was the aquaduck both of which were never re-opened because once we found nice seas and weather we hung around there for less than an hour and turned back into the storm to head to Nassau only to learn two miles away that the dock was damaged and we would not be able to dock. I guess that information must not have been available before the Captain could see the little guy on the dock with the red flags waving us off. Two miles away after we have spent the last 36 hours rocking and rolling? Conditions continued to deteriorate and got much worse during Saturday and Saturday night. Rather than hold back, even though the ship was rocking and rolling, the captain chose to forge ahead to get back to Canaveral in time for the next cruise. The ship should have never sailed in the first place but once sailed, we should have never sailed back into the storm. What other motivation would there be for DCL besides money? Did I mention that all outside access was shut off by the beginning of the second day and not opened up again until we were back at Canaveral? The final night I was literally gripping the bed until my hands hurt to keep from being tossed out of the bed. Anything loose in the cabin had already been sent to the floor and was sliding to and fro. All in an effort to get back to pick up the next group of cruisers. I continue to call for Captain Henry's discharge. He put our families at great risk. As you can tell, I still am very much agitated about this whole experience. We got on the boat only because I was assured by DCL that we would not be put in harms way and that even if the ports could not be accessed, there was calmer waters and nicer weather that we would be in. Lies! Sorry, but it will be a long time before I am over this.

I can certainly see why you are angry & you have every right to be. I'm so sorry your cruise was such a miserable experience for you. On a positive note loving all your pictures of the Lodge!

Granny - I have tons of pictures of the Lodge's elevator doors!

All is well in my neck of the MA woods. We did lose power for about 6 hrs. yesterday. One small tree down & our side fence bit the dust but all in all it could have been so much worse. I feel very fortunate. Glad to hear all the other groupies seem to be ok.

Only 50 more days until the Lodge!

 

[rfassett]

Thinking of all in the wake of Sandy. Pray for your continued safety.

Here are some more photos from last week.

 

[rfassett]

Since it is always nice to put a face with a name - Rebecca and I.



I'm the little guy in the second row holding the big guy's hand.

 

[MiaSRN62]

eliza....stay safe and warm my not-too-distant neighbor ! Power just came on in past couple hours here. Even the AT&T cell towers were damaged in my area so I couldn't even connect to the DIS app very well. It was painfully slow or non-existant.

Just catching up on the boards now.....it's nice to be warm again. MANY down'd trees in my neighborhood. FB pals can see a few I posted today. Prayers continued for all who are still in need in the aftermath of Sandy !

 

[Muushka]

Anyone else feel all warm and fuzzy when you come to this thread?
I feel like you all are my family and everyone is checking in to let us all know that you are all right.

Since it is always nice to put a face with a name - Rebecca and I.



I'm the little guy in the second row holding the big guy's hand.

You are much shorter than I thought you would be.

Nice to have a face!

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Gosh did you guys see about that fire in Breezy Point NY? All those poor people. Sure makes me feel bad for being concerned about a little water in our cellar.

This is for Kathy and any other corgi lovers out there! Hope everyone has a great Halloween!

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Costumed-Corgis-do-Howloween-176184661.html

 

[Muushka]

I want a Corgi so bad I can taste it!! Those pups are so cute!

 

[Nicoal13]

Hope all of the groupies and their families weathered the storm and are ok.

rfasset, so sorry to hear about the cruise. That is unacceptable. Disney has some major explaining to do.

We got the edge of the wind from Sandy. Made for some very big record setting waves on Lake Michigan. I went down there this morning to take a look, got some neat pictures. But glad that is all we have to deal with of course.

Made the decision to take DS to WDW in February with my parents. As discussed before, DH is not a fan, so he will be staying home. Now to decide where to stay. My parents loved the Lodge last time, but we're thinking of giving OKW a try this time or maybe Boardwalk since there are so many dining options. We need a 2 bedroom and with my points, I have some banked from this year, and will need to borrow some. I hate borrowing, but I guess it's a necessary thing. Very much looking forward to the break from winter.

 

[MiaSRN62]

rfassett,
Just wanted to say again---thank you VERY MUCH for sharing your thoughts and experience from your Disney cruise with us all. Loved your photos as well.

I also had some time to catch up with all the posts and want to thank everyone for their kind words in regards to "Sandy". What a rough couple of days we had---but many had it worse.
But I can now say first hand what 80-90 MPH winds feel like !!!

 

[jimmytammy]

Reading all the posts from the last couple of days, glad all are hanging in there. Praying that recovery is quick for all affected.

 

[horselover]

Gosh did you guys see about that fire in Breezy Point NY? All those poor people. Sure makes me feel bad for being concerned about a little water in our cellar.

I agree. Our loss of power & a fence down is nothing compared to what so many others are going through. I feel very fortunate & my heart & prayers go out to all that were affected in much worse ways then me.