April 16, 2013 - Disney Magic out of Galveston

[ForeverTheSmiths]

I've got several ideas for FE gifts. Should be fun. Are the adults including themselves too? I've got an idea for older kids/adults. Getting excited!!

 

[jarudinski]

I've got several ideas for FE gifts. Should be fun. Are the adults including themselves too? I've got an idea for older kids/adults. Getting excited!!

I have my stateroom gift and adult gifts done and working on the kids gift now. I want my friend and her daughter who are going on this cruise to join us but she is scared of the commitment, so if all goes well with the kids gift, I may make another stateroom gift for her ... but I just have lots of fun making things, my only problem is time =). There are some folks who did not tell how many adults as they only wanted kids to participate, and there are a few adults sailing without kids, so it really is up to what you want to give.

Julie

 

[jarudinski]

Just booked our hotel rooms at Hotel Galvez for the night before (priceline had dome good deals). Now just have to look into parking .. getting closer to sail date and making final arrangements.

The excitement is building .. even if that means having to pack as I do not look forward to that part.

Julie

 

[wallawallakids]

I am having an awful time with transfers. Has anyone used a particular company they found reputable? I had DCL transfers booked but then Delta bumped our departure flight up to 12:30. After reading about how hard it is to get though Hobby I started to worry that we would miss our flight if we waited for everyone to load for the DCL transfer so I thought a private car might be better for us. I booked one company, who then totally flaked on me and sent me a conformation for all the wrong dates/places/etc. Cancelled it after he couldn't fix the information and booked a second company for our dates. I just read several bad reviews now on the DIS about her! Several saying she was over and hour late for pick ups. I am so frustrated because my gut was saying she was kind of flaky over the phone and now I am hearing that is true. I don't know if I should stick with her, try to rebook DCL transfers, or find a third company. Does anyone know how long we can book DCL transfers until? I just canceled them 3 days ago. Or does anyone recommend a car company? There is 6 of us, so we don't fit in a whole lot. We really need an SUV. Renting a car and parking it is way too much money. I am spending about $360 right now and I would like to keep it around that much. Thanks so much!

 

[Kommando K]

Wish we could help out. We're driving down and we don't know much about Galveston or cruising from there. Good luck though. I would think that you shouldn't have any trouble on Disney transport. We're off the boat by 8:30 and Disney is pretty good about making sure people get to their flights. I'd say that if you eat on the 1st rotation (you can do this even if you are at 2nd seating), and Disney has your departure times, they will make sure you are on a shuttle early enough to get you there. But again, I only know about Port Canaveral routine.

 

[wallawallakids]

Wish we could help out. We're driving down and we don't know much about Galveston or cruising from there. Good luck though. I would think that you shouldn't have any trouble on Disney transport. We're off the boat by 8:30 and Disney is pretty good about making sure people get to their flights. I'd say that if you eat on the 1st rotation (you can do this even if you are at 2nd seating), and Disney has your departure times, they will make sure you are on a shuttle early enough to get you there. But again, I only know about Port Canaveral routine.

Thank you. We are first rotation, so I think that may help. I think I will just take your advice and call Disney back and see if they can add us back on their transportation list. Hopefully they still have room. I am exhausted trying to find other options for our family at this point. Thanks again for your help.

 

[Kommando K]

Thank you. We are first rotation, so I think that may help. I think I will just take your advice and call Disney back and see if they can add us back on their transportation list. Hopefully they still have room. I am exhausted trying to find other options for our family at this point. Thanks again for your help.

I'm sure Disney will have something for you. The last time we were leaving Pt. Canaveral, we were leaving WAY earlier than a lot and they actually put us in a van so we didn't have to make ALL the resort stops! I guess we were fortunate. A few minutes later and we might have been stuck on a long bus ride. Disney usually takes care of its own, so I would make sure the desk KNOWS you have an earlier flight. They will make certain you get there. Can you check your luggage from the ship, or do you need to carry it with you?

 

[Kommando K]

Are we wanting to meet somewhere so we can say "HI" to everyone? Last time or FE group met in the Promenade Lounge right after the lifeboat drill. It was a lot of fun and we found we "bumped" into friendly faces a lot! What say y'all?

 

[jarudinski]

I think that is a great idea. If there are any room changes for the FE we can announce them there as well.

Julie

 

[bkfarris]

We are 1st time Disney cruisers...and forum poster! So excited for April 16th to get here...we will be surprising our 3 kids (10yrs, 7yrs, and 5yrs) they think we are just going for an overnight in Galveston. Since I'm not good at secrets...the days can't pass fast enough...lol!
If it's not too late we would love to be added to FE list...since we are newbies I had no idea what this was until I was googling things to pack for our trip. This might be a silly question but since it is a relatively short cruise does it take up much time handing out the gifts...I would hate for my kiddos to miss out on something fun and I know it's a big boat so lots of walking.

 

[jarudinski]

There is currently only a dozen or so cabins on the list, so delivery of gifts would take no more than an hour. I usually allow my oldest daughter (14) to deliver as she loves to deliver them. Since there is no set time/date for delivery, you can always deliver in the morning before the kids get up or in the evening after they are asleep, (of course I am assuming there is another adult sailing with you).

The agreed upon cutoff date for signing up is 4-1, so you are not too late. Just get me all the info by then. I am replying from my phone so I can't go back to find the post, but basically I need your cabin number and breakdown of your sailing party. You can either post it her or send me an email to julie@thecoyotesden.net, you won't be able to pm anything as you haven't posted enough.

Hope this helps,
Julie

 

[teamadco]

Question about the KTTW card...is there a way to track spending?

 

[jarudinski]

The only way I know of is to get an itemized print out of your account from guest services on deck 3. The print out is organized by card/person, but they don't give it to you until the end of the cruise unless you request it in person.

 

[bkfarris]

Thanks Julie. I had went ahead and sent you an email with all of our info last night!

 

[CampCorp]

Here's my tip- it will only save you 5%, but go to Target and get a red card (they can link your debit card to it, so you dont have to apply for the credit). Then, buy as many $50 Disney gift cards as you want (I'm getting hundreds of dollars to pay for a spa treatment and our excursion). It lets you pay ahead and you get 5% off.
When you get on the ship you can add all the gift cards to your on board ship credit to pay for things!

 

[teamadco]

The only way I know of is to get an itemized print out of your account from guest services on deck 3. The print out is organized by card/person, but they don't give it to you until the end of the cruise unless you request it in person.

Great thanks for the info...I can easily get carried away! :0)

 

[CampCorp]

It's finally April! We're getting super close, I am ready to start packing!

 

[Kommando K]

I think that is a great idea. If there are any room changes for the FE we can announce them there as well.

Julie

Okay--it's getting close and somebody has to say this--let's meet in the Promenade Lounge at 3:00pm? Also--anyone want to link reservations for 2nd seating dinner? We are empty nesters, so anyone else out there interested???

 

[wallawallakids]

Okay--it's getting close and somebody has to say this--let's meet in the Promenade Lounge at 3:00pm? Also--anyone want to link reservations for 2nd seating dinner? We are empty nesters, so anyone else out there interested???

Sounds like fun to meet up. I will try to find my way to the Promenade Lounge at 3 then. (First time ever on a ship, so we will be the ones staring at a map completely lost!)

 

[jarudinski]

We have early dining so that is not a possibility for us. I am going to be traveling with another group now, their first time sailing so I will be busy showing them around, will head to the lounge at 3 for a meet up though. Hope to see everyone there.

Julie