June 17 Wonder to Alaska

[LvCruzin]

Aloha again from Hawaii....

Does anyone on this thread know how to start the FE...Fish Extenders. I am willing to learn how to organize it or help anyone as I am new to all this. It sounds like a fun thing to do. Please help!!!

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

I would have thought that DCL will make some kind of announcement about the Pixar themed night on the Alaska cruises before the first one sets sail in May

As you rightly say, if they don't, everyone will turn up with Pirate costumes!

I am guessing that there will be lots of Pixar characters roaming the ship

Perhaps we should all be modelling Mosters Inc University Ts and cheerleader pom poms

Lol - I agree! BTW, I love your Monsters Inc University idea! TOO CUTE Now if I could get DH to go along with the pom poms!

Hi, my family will be on this cruise and just trying to get a feel of what to expect. This is our first DISNEY cruise! I'm soooo excited. I have a ton of questions so I'll be back with them a little later. Just wanted to say "Aloha" from Maui!

WELCOME!!

Hi everyone*waves*

First time cruiser and Disney adventures too! My DH has been on a Disney Cruise before. A little about our trip: we are going with 12 family members (my in laws) and will be traveling with our DD who will be almost 16 months when we set sail. We all love to have a good time, my sister in law is 11 and our cousin is ~12 everyone else are adults. Super excited! I am looking for fun ways to include everyone from gma to DD to the 21 year old.

Awesome - welcome to you too!!

Sadly I stayed up to midnight the night we were able to book excursions, and kept thinking to myself...I know I am up for a reason...then couldn't figure it out so I went to sleep. I woke up the next morning in a panic, because I remembered why and rushed to the computer. Luckily the excursions we were hoping for were there...whew.

OMG - I giggled when I read this - so funny and sorry you panicked! I'm glad you got everything you wanted!

Yes! I did. I have driven myself crazy, but I booked it all. Palo brunch for our first sea day, and Palo dinner on day six. Also got my spa appt and our excursions.

Now I'm trying to prepay some stuff like hotels. I'm drawn to the idea that I could get on a plane and not worry about money or budgets for ten days.

Welcome to our new additions!

WOOHOO! Glad you got what you wanted too! Yes, I hear ya! I ended up having to pay for "everything" basically in one night! Since I moved our DCL reservation from 2014 to 2013 I had to PIF the rest on the spot since the PIF date had just passed but luckily I had already started chunking away at it. Then, I booked airfare that night (had to PIF) and then hotel as well which naturally had to be PIF! GOOD GRAVY! I agree, it will be nice to know it's all paid for ahead of time and no surprises except for the KTTW bill!

They did, for the most part. Palo is always tricky with parties of four or more, especially when the parties span THREE DIFFERENT CC CATEGORIES. So we decided we are all going to Palo on Tracy Arm night, just at different times. It's officially "date night"

Brunch will be a bit trickier but I think if we keep watching every day it will work itself out. Worst case scenario, we go to Palo when we board. I've never not been able to fix brunch so all parties sit at the same table.

All excursions are good! We are booked! Now we wait....won't be long now, will it?

Glad it worked out for you guys, for the most part at least! Yep, now we wait but I think it's going to go by fast. I was thinking, now that my son's Spring Break is over on Monday, the next vacation is Alaska and we "only" have two more months to go before school is out and Alaska! We are so excited!
Heather

 

[808MauiMama]

Aloha again from Hawaii....

Does anyone on this thread know how to start the FE...Fish Extenders. I am willing to learn how to organize it or help anyone as I am new to all this. It sounds like a fun thing to do. Please help!!!

I'm thinking I would love join in the fish extender group. I have 10 in my party, the youngest is 10. Let me know if you hear of anyone organizing it.

 

[ScottFamily2005]

Good grief! Why is everything so expensive?

I'm making plans for our time in Vancouver. The short list includes walking around Canada Place and down to Olympic torch, visiting Stanley Park, Granville Island and the Vancouver Aquarium. So most of this is free, but the aquarium tickets just went up to $65 for the three of us.

I was just looking into Capilano bridge and that would cost about another $76!

What put me over the edge was the price of the hop on/hop off bus. The family rate for one day is 90 bucks! It might be a bargain compared to taxis - still haven't checked prices on those.

The Science Center would also run a small fortune.

Living where I live, I am no stranger to high prices, but dang!

 

[808MauiMama]

whew....got the final payment over with...and now just a few more weeks until we can book our excursions!
I have been trying not to obsess about the excursions too far ahead, but I think it is now official obsession time!
I hope to set up a FE exchange if anyone is interested. In the mean time, off to do some research!!

<3,
Kandie

Hi there! Wondering if you we're organizing a fish extender group. I would love to be a part of one. Thanks!

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Good grief! Why is everything so expensive?

I'm making plans for our time in Vancouver. The short list includes walking around Canada Place and down to Olympic torch, visiting Stanley Park, Granville Island and the Vancouver Aquarium. So most of this is free, but the aquarium tickets just went up to $65 for the three of us.

I was just looking into Capilano bridge and that would cost about another $76!

What put me over the edge was the price of the hop on/hop off bus. The family rate for one day is 90 bucks! It might be a bargain compared to taxis - still haven't checked prices on those.

The Science Center would also run a small fortune.

Living where I live, I am no stranger to high prices, but dang!

I hear ya! We are trying to balance it all out. We will definitely explore Canada Place and the area near by for "free" and my DS really wants to go to the Lions Gate bridge and he would ideally love to be on top of it when one of the other cruise ships leaves in the days ahead of ours. Not sure about it but we shall see. Stanley Park seems like a must do but I'd prefer to walk there if it wasn't too far? I think I had read somewhere else it was about a 20 min walk from Canada Place so I'll have to check on that.

I ended up adding another excursion for us last night. We had planned to do Mendenhall Glacier on our own to save a few bucks, but I do like the idea of staying with DCL and having it all arranged for us and the tour I looked at also included a stop at the salmon hatchery and small aquarium in Juneau and it wasn't that much more if we had done solo. SO - booked it! I actually liked that it leaves around 7:45am so we don't "waste" the day away

That reminds me - to the previous Alaskan cruisers - for the early days we get into port, will there be warm breakfast available? On the Caribbean cruises I've been on, we always arrived to ports after breakfast had opened so it wasn't big deal but I'm thinking all the ports have an early arrival, with the exception of Ketchikan. So if we arrive in Skagway at 7:15am and the excursion is 7:15am, will they open for breakfast earlier to accommodate folks?

Thanks,

Heather

 

[ScottFamily2005]

I hear ya! We are trying to balance it all out. We will definitely explore Canada Place and the area near by for "free" and my DS really wants to go to the Lions Gate bridge and he would ideally love to be on top of it when one of the other cruise ships leaves in the days ahead of ours. Not sure about it but we shall see. Stanley Park seems like a must do but I'd prefer to walk there if it wasn't too far? I think I had read somewhere else it was about a 20 min walk from Canada Place so I'll have to check on that.

That reminds me - to the previous Alaskan cruisers - for the early days we get into port, will there be warm breakfast available? On the Caribbean cruises I've been on, we always arrived to ports after breakfast had opened so it wasn't big deal but I'm thinking all the ports have an early arrival, with the exception of Ketchikan. So if we arrive in Skagway at 7:15am and the excursion is 7:15am, will they open for breakfast earlier to accommodate folks?

Thanks,

Heather

So I had map quested the walk from Canada Place to Stanley Park, and it probably is about twenty minutes to get to the gate. To walk all the way to the aquarium is a couple of miles. DD could probably handle it one way. It is about a ten dollar cab fare one way. It looks like the trolley doesn't start running until June 21.

I hope they serve hot breakfast in port. We are NOT early risers. We booked late morning and early afternoon excursions. I don't want to be a cranky yell machine on vacation.

 

[MommyB]

We would also like to participate in the fish extenders. There is just the 3 of us. Our DD is 11.

 

[zweihund]

Good grief! Why is everything so expensive?

I'm making plans for our time in Vancouver. The short list includes walking around Canada Place and down to Olympic torch, visiting Stanley Park, Granville Island and the Vancouver Aquarium. So most of this is free, but the aquarium tickets just went up to $65 for the three of us.

I was just looking into Capilano bridge and that would cost about another $76!

What put me over the edge was the price of the hop on/hop off bus. The family rate for one day is 90 bucks! It might be a bargain compared to taxis - still haven't checked prices on those.

The Science Center would also run a small fortune.

Living where I live, I am no stranger to high prices, but dang!

I think you can find plenty of neat things to do for free. Even walking through parts of Stanley Park are neat. The beach is pretty cool. It was funny for this Florida girl to see trees washed up all over the beach, and rocks! Rocks on beaches! Unheard of....

I downloaded a free iPad app called triposo - it's pretty much like having a travel guide to almost any city you can think of. Search Vancouver and tons of stuff pops up, it might help

Alaska is in there too - not each city, just one entry for the state! But it's informative. Lots of great ideas!

I hear ya! We are trying to balance it all out. We will definitely explore Canada Place and the area near by for "free" and my DS really wants to go to the Lions Gate bridge and he would ideally love to be on top of it when one of the other cruise ships leaves in the days ahead of ours. Not sure about it but we shall see. Stanley Park seems like a must do but I'd prefer to walk there if it wasn't too far? I think I had read somewhere else it was about a 20 min walk from Canada Place so I'll have to check on that.

I ended up adding another excursion for us last night. We had planned to do Mendenhall Glacier on our own to save a few bucks, but I do like the idea of staying with DCL and having it all arranged for us and the tour I looked at also included a stop at the salmon hatchery and small aquarium in Juneau and it wasn't that much more if we had done solo. SO - booked it! I actually liked that it leaves around 7:45am so we don't "waste" the day away

That reminds me - to the previous Alaskan cruisers - for the early days we get into port, will there be warm breakfast available? On the Caribbean cruises I've been on, we always arrived to ports after breakfast had opened so it wasn't big deal but I'm thinking all the ports have an early arrival, with the exception of Ketchikan. So if we arrive in Skagway at 7:15am and the excursion is 7:15am, will they open for breakfast earlier to accommodate folks?

Thanks,

Heather

Ok - bear with me for this one. You'll need a map of Vancouver. Take this one, for example. We were staying pretty much in the center of square C3. One day we walked from the apartment to the launch for Granville Island (F3), and then all around Granville Island, and then back to the apartment. With a toddler in a stroller. Another day we walked to and from the aquarium (A4) IN THE RAIN with a toddler in a stroller. And it was fine! We took our time and made a day of it. The only time we were in a car or cab was to and from the airport, and getting from the apartment to the cruise terminal (because of the luggage....otherwise we could have easily walked it).

Maybe that will give you some scale?

I am having a hard time remembering what time breakfast was open, to be honest. I know you CAN order room service, it starts pretty early. Might be worth checking out a TR with navigators from last year's cruises. And the buffet does have plenty of hot food items available...again, depends what time it opens....but I'm sure you can get something before your 7:15 start time. Also keep in mind you are not meeting at the train at 7:15, you're meeting onboard at 7:15 and headed to the train together. So that gives you a little wiggle room

Hope that helps!

 

[ScottFamily2005]

I checked last Year's navigators and it looks like full breakfast on port days. Goofy's Galley opened at six, while the buffet and Parrot Cay opened at 6:30.

Erica, I am going to check out that app. Thanks!

 

[808MauiMama]

We would also like to participate in the fish extenders. There is just the 3 of us. Our DD is 11.

Yay! I hope we get one organized soon.

 

[LvCruzin]

Yay! I hope we get one organized soon.

Me too....there is not that much people on this thread but I read someone having to give like 75 FE out. That would be too much for me to bring stuff all the way from Hawaii. I would need another suit case....lol.

I don't mind organizing one but I don't know where to even start. I will check the other threads to see if there is someone that would help me get started or I will try to look it up.

Do you guys think we should do it for everyone or just the kids?

 

[808MauiMama]

Me too....there is not that much people on this thread but I read someone having to give like 75 FE out. That would be too much for me to bring stuff all the way from Hawaii. I would need another suit case....lol.

I don't mind organizing one but I don't know where to even start. I will check the other threads to see if there is someone that would help me get started or I will try to look it up.

Do you guys think we should do it for everyone or just the kids?

I don't know if I'm doing this right, but I'm trying to post something and it tells me that I have not made 10 posts - so I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to try and get my 10 posts in. Thanks

 

[808MauiMama]

I'm testing to see if I can post.

 

[808MauiMama]

Aloha everyone! I have been waiting to see if anyone is organizing a fish extender for our cruise. But it seems like our thread has had a slow start. I'm willing to jump all in and get this thing going! This is my first Disney Cruise, my second cruise overall (last one was 22 years ago) and only just discovered DISboards last week. I'm still unsure of how this site works, but I will try my best to navigate these waters.

I checked on some other sailings before and after us and they all seem to have been working on organizing their FE exchange for quite some time. I counted the number of people here on our thread and there are 17 of us. Isn't it such a small group? I wonder why? Well any way, the important thing is that we are all here and ready to go on this awesome cruise so lets get this FE going! Please message me if you have any ideas or suggestions on how we can encourage more people to join our thread.

I am going to ask that if you are interested in participating to sign up by April 21. I would like to have at least 12 cabins signed up. If on the 21st its less than that, I will cancel this FE and do a small exchange with my family (we have 3 cabins).

So if you are interested in joinig this M.U.F.E. - Monsters University Fish Extender, please provide the following information on this message and lets see how we do! Give me a M - m, Give me a U - u, Give me a F -f, Give me a E - e, Goooooo Teammmmm!

DIS Name: 808MauiMama
People in Cabin: Myself-50, DH-48, DS-21, DD-18
Cabin # - 5144
Special Occasion: 22nd Anniversary
Where from: Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii

 

[808MauiMama]

Aloha everyone! I have been waiting to see if anyone is organizing a fish extender for our cruise. But it seems like our thread has had a slow start. I'm willing to jump all in and get this thing going! This is my first Disney Cruise, my second cruise overall (last one was 22 years ago) and only just discovered DISboards last week. I'm still unsure of how this site works, but I will try my best to navigate these waters.

I checked on some other sailings before and after us and they all seem to have been working on organizing their FE exchange for quite some time. I counted the number of people here on our thread and there are 17 of us. Isn't it such a small group? I wonder why? Well any way, the important thing is that we are all here and ready to go on this awesome cruise so lets get this FE going! Please message me if you have any ideas or suggestions on how we can encourage more people to join our thread.

I am going to ask that if you are interested in participating to sign up by April 21. I would like to have at least 12 cabins signed up. If on the 21st its less than that, I will cancel this FE and do a small exchange with my family (we have 3 cabins).

So if you are interested in joinig this M.U.F.E. - Monsters University Fish Extender, please provide the following information on this message and lets see how we do! Give me a M - m, Give me a U - u, Give me a F -f, Give me a E - e, Goooooo Teammmmm!

DIS Name: 808MauiMama
People in Cabin: Myself-50, DH-48, DS-21, DD-18
Cabin # - 5144
Special Occasion: 22nd Anniversary
Where from: Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii

Early or Late Dining: Early

 

[LvCruzin]

Aloha everyone! I have been waiting to see if anyone is organizing a fish extender for our cruise. But it seems like our thread has had a slow start. I'm willing to jump all in and get this thing going! This is my first Disney Cruise, my second cruise overall (last one was 22 years ago) and only just discovered DISboards last week. I'm still unsure of how this site works, but I will try my best to navigate these waters.

I checked on some other sailings before and after us and they all seem to have been working on organizing their FE exchange for quite some time. I counted the number of people here on our thread and there are 17 of us. Isn't it such a small group? I wonder why? Well any way, the important thing is that we are all here and ready to go on this awesome cruise so lets get this FE going! Please message me if you have any ideas or suggestions on how we can encourage more people to join our thread.

I am going to ask that if you are interested in participating to sign up by April 21. I would like to have at least 12 cabins signed up. If on the 21st its less than that, I will cancel this FE and do a small exchange with my family (we have 3 cabins).

So if you are interested in joinig this M.U.F.E. - Monsters University Fish Extender, please provide the following information on this message and lets see how we do! Give me a M - m, Give me a U - u, Give me a F -f, Give me a E - e, Goooooo Teammmmm!

DIS Name: 808MauiMama
People in Cabin: Myself-50, DH-48, DS-21, DD-18
Cabin # - 5144
Special Occasion: 22nd Anniversary
Where from: Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii

Much Mahalo's for taking lead on this....this is so awesome and I hope we get enough. It sounds like so much fun to do. I just get so excited reading all the other posts and seeing all the things they do on Disney Cruises. This is my DH and I 4th cruise to Alaska but first time on DCL with our DS. Our last cruise was 17 years ago so we are sooo excited.

Let me know if I can help in anyway.....

Here is my info....

DIS Name: LvCruzin
People in Cabin: Myself-50, DH-52, DS-3
Cabin # - 2517
Special Occasion: 28th Anniversary
Where from: Kaneohe, Oahu, Hawaii
Early Dining

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

So I had map quested the walk from Canada Place to Stanley Park, and it probably is about twenty minutes to get to the gate. To walk all the way to the aquarium is a couple of miles. DD could probably handle it one way. It is about a ten dollar cab fare one way. It looks like the trolley doesn't start running until June 21.

I hope they serve hot breakfast in port. We are NOT early risers. We booked late morning and early afternoon excursions. I don't want to be a cranky yell machine on vacation.

Thanks for sharing the info!! 20 mins is completely do-able!

I think you can find plenty of neat things to do for free. Even walking through parts of Stanley Park are neat. The beach is pretty cool. It was funny for this Florida girl to see trees washed up all over the beach, and rocks! Rocks on beaches! Unheard of....

I downloaded a free iPad app called triposo - it's pretty much like having a travel guide to almost any city you can think of. Search Vancouver and tons of stuff pops up, it might help

Alaska is in there too - not each city, just one entry for the state! But it's informative. Lots of great ideas!



Ok - bear with me for this one. You'll need a map of Vancouver. Take this one, for example. We were staying pretty much in the center of square C3. One day we walked from the apartment to the launch for Granville Island (F3), and then all around Granville Island, and then back to the apartment. With a toddler in a stroller. Another day we walked to and from the aquarium (A4) IN THE RAIN with a toddler in a stroller. And it was fine! We took our time and made a day of it. The only time we were in a car or cab was to and from the airport, and getting from the apartment to the cruise terminal (because of the luggage....otherwise we could have easily walked it).

Maybe that will give you some scale?

I am having a hard time remembering what time breakfast was open, to be honest. I know you CAN order room service, it starts pretty early. Might be worth checking out a TR with navigators from last year's cruises. And the buffet does have plenty of hot food items available...again, depends what time it opens....but I'm sure you can get something before your 7:15 start time. Also keep in mind you are not meeting at the train at 7:15, you're meeting onboard at 7:15 and headed to the train together. So that gives you a little wiggle room

Hope that helps!

Yes that does help - and thank you so much for the ideas and map! I had downloaded that map on my iPad one day so I'm going to print it out for reference for us. Strangely - I had requested a bunch of free info/brochures through the travel bureaus for each city and usually when I do this I get bombarded and so far, I haven't received anything yet and it's been weeks. I hope they send the info soon as I'd love to have more maps of the cities were going to visit and take with us.

I checked last Year's navigators and it looks like full breakfast on port days. Goofy's Galley opened at six, while the buffet and Parrot Cay opened at 6:30.

Erica, I am going to check out that app. Thanks!

Thanks!! AWESOME! I guess you won't be eating that early with us, then huh? You said you weren't an early riser....lol

Aloha everyone! I have been waiting to see if anyone is organizing a fish extender for our cruise. But it seems like our thread has had a slow start. I'm willing to jump all in and get this thing going! This is my first Disney Cruise, my second cruise overall (last one was 22 years ago) and only just discovered DISboards last week. I'm still unsure of how this site works, but I will try my best to navigate these waters.

I checked on some other sailings before and after us and they all seem to have been working on organizing their FE exchange for quite some time. I counted the number of people here on our thread and there are 17 of us. Isn't it such a small group? I wonder why? Well any way, the important thing is that we are all here and ready to go on this awesome cruise so lets get this FE going! Please message me if you have any ideas or suggestions on how we can encourage more people to join our thread.

I am going to ask that if you are interested in participating to sign up by April 21. I would like to have at least 12 cabins signed up. If on the 21st its less than that, I will cancel this FE and do a small exchange with my family (we have 3 cabins).

So if you are interested in joinig this M.U.F.E. - Monsters University Fish Extender, please provide the following information on this message and lets see how we do! Give me a M - m, Give me a U - u, Give me a F -f, Give me a E - e, Goooooo Teammmmm!

DIS Name: 808MauiMama
People in Cabin: Myself-50, DH-48, DS-21, DD-18
Cabin # - 5144
Special Occasion: 22nd Anniversary
Where from: Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii

That is very sweet of you to organize the FE. We are passing this time around but I wanted to at least acknowledge you and mark as down as no. We only booked this cruise last month and due to the excursions, too much needed for our suitcases to travel for 9 days, we just can't make it happen this time around. I hope you get your group together and have a blast!

Heather

 

[808MauiMama]

Thanks for sharing the info!! 20 mins is completely do-able!


Yes that does help - and thank you so much for the ideas and map! I had downloaded that map on my iPad one day so I'm going to print it out for reference for us. Strangely - I had requested a bunch of free info/brochures through the travel bureaus for each city and usually when I do this I get bombarded and so far, I haven't received anything yet and it's been weeks. I hope they send the info soon as I'd love to have more maps of the cities were going to visit and take with us.



Thanks!! AWESOME! I guess you won't be eating that early with us, then huh? You said you weren't an early riser....lol


That is very sweet of you to organize the FE. We are passing this time around but I wanted to at least acknowledge you and mark as down as no. We only booked this cruise last month and due to the excursions, too much needed for our suitcases to travel for 9 days, we just can't make it happen this time around. I hope you get your group together and have a blast!

Heather

Thanks!! Let us know if you change your mind! here hee!

 

[Spart02]

Great to see that a FE is being organized, however, we are going to pass as well. Please mark us down as a "no". Thanks!