March 23, 2013 FANTASY - The Final Inaugural Cruise of the Disney Fantasy

[lupitail]

I have reservations with my DH for Palo the last night of the cruise, should we skip and go to farewell dinner??

[lbgraves]

Originally Posted by lupitail

I have reservations with my DH for Palo the last night of the cruise, should we skip and go to farewell dinner??

That is up to you. The kids can go to dinner in the MDR while you are at Palo. The last night is usually rushed with packing, the final show and Till We Meet Again. The kids will want to spend time in the clubs saying goodbye to the CMs & their cruise friends. Personally, after 9 cruises, that is one night that I would not go to Palo. Is this your first cruise? We didn't go to Palo until the second cruise. We just didn't want to miss anything. It could also be the night of your annimation show in AP, so you would miss that.

[DisneyFans222]

Originally Posted by LV Disney Fan(atic)

Welcome to the group and to the DIS boards!

Thank so much for welcoming us! I cannot believe as much of a Disney fan that I am that I did not find the DIS boards sooner. Have always been the go to Disney gal with friends, family, and co-workers, but felt like an anomaly...mainly because of the running joke ... "It's SpringBreak (Summer vacation, Holiday break) ...no need to ask where Katie is going on vacation." I knew my "community" was out there somewhere ... and now I have found it

[DisneyFans222]

Originally Posted by lbgraves

There are several 11 & 13 yo boys on this cruise. Once you have 10 posts here on the DIS, you can request to join the FB group [link in first post]. Several of the kids are in contact with each other already so they will have friends when they board.

Lisa,

Thanks so much for the "welcome" and the great information. I will get to posting so that my DS will be able to begin some new friendships before we board on our Fantasy journey.

[lbgraves]

*** FE GROUP CHANGE ***

I sent an email out to the contact list, but posting here and on FB to make sure every one knows. Another family has been added to the FE group. An email was not received by the group months ago, and have already made their gifts. Sorry for the confusion. The list has been updated to include their room.

[JacksGirlz]

Originally Posted by lbgraves

*** FE GROUP CHANGE ***

I sent an email out to the contact list, but posting here and on FB to make sure every one knows. Another family has been added to the FE group. An email was not received by the group months ago, and have already made their gifts. Sorry for the confusion. The list has been updated to include their room.

This was Diser jdkdorn correct? Just want to make sure we aren't leaving anyone out. I printed out the facebook FE list today.

[lbgraves]

Originally Posted by JacksGirlz

This was Diser jdkdorn correct? Just want to make sure we aren't leaving anyone out. I printed out the facebook FE list today.

Yes! I still am not sure that it happened but very glad that she contacted me here so they were included.

[lupitail]

Ok experienced cruisers we are staying at Pop Century then using Disney transfers to port. DH believes this is the easiest thing to do ... my argument is that we can't leave early and get o the ship ASAP?

From what I read all the buses from resorts get there later in the day.

Is is worth renting a car and driving or getting a town car?

Already paid for transfers. .. Not sure I could get refund at this point.

[lbgraves]

Originally Posted by lupitail

Ok experienced cruisers we are staying at Pop Century then using Disney transfers to port. DH believes this is the easiest thing to do ... my argument is that we can't leave early and get o the ship ASAP?

From what I read all the buses from resorts get there later in the day.

Is is worth renting a car and driving or getting a town car?

Already paid for transfers. .. Not sure I could get refund at this point.

You can cancel the transfers and get refunded!!! Look on mousesavers.com for rental car discount codes to find the best or see what has been posted on the boards lately. DH can drop you and the girls off at the port & return the car, then take the shuttle to the port. Should be easier without luggage and only one person needing a seat. What is your PAT? The buses do start to arrive after 1 p.m. from WDW resorts...or later.

[hbg4]

We've traveled to the port using transfers and car rental.

If you can get a car rental or town car for the day which is less than your transfers, then yes it is worth it in my opinion IF you have an EARLY boarding time . At least you can aim to start checking in early. Last year DCL was not letting non Disney vehicles into the port before 10.30am, but I've heard they have become more lenient now.
The advantage of getting on board early is that you can get to have an early lunch which starts 11.30am or 12pm depending on which restaurant, do the ship tour, the first one usually starts around 1pm, do the spa tour, unpack if your luggage has arrived or take a quick break in your cabin after 1.30pm.

I've also traveled using the airport transfers and it seems that these passengers are the earliest cruisers allowed in. When I cruised on the Dream 2 weeks ago, the first DCL bus left MCO at 9.15am, the next at 9.30am. When we got to the port check in desk, the only people I saw there at 10.15am were those from the airport. I got a photo with captain Mickey for the first time in 10 yrs without waiting more than 3 minutes.
Unfortunately when they started boarding at 11.15am the only people allowed to board first was group 1 which included the concierge and platinum members.
The next cruise we took (the DVC cruise) , group 2 and 3 were boarding at 11.45am.

I've taken the transportation from the resorts also. The earliest we have got to the port was at 1.45pm. We got picked up from the deluxe resorts around 12pm and then the bus picked up other passengers from another 2 or so resorts before heading out.
The advantage of this is that by using DCL transportation you don't have to handle your large check in luggage or tip the workers at the port. The whole trip is more relaxing, and as soon as you've checked in at the desk, you are allowed to board the ship no matter what your online boarding time states. With DCL transportation, you can get there very early or very late, but at least you avoid the manic crowds.

As for refund of your transfers, I don't think it's too late.

Good luck. We'll be taking transfers from the resort for this trip.
Brenda

[hbg4]

WEEKLY REMINDER :VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR OUR DISNEY FANTASY CABIN TOUR

Hi again we will be doing a Cabin Tour of the different categories and variations of cabins on our beautiful ship.

Volunteers are really needed to make this interesting tour work.

We need volunteers who don't mind showing off their cabins, and volunteers/disers who would like to tour.

The tour is most likely to take place on our 1st sea day Sunday March 24th at 2-3.30 pm, while our cabins are newly lived in.

This will also help us to locate our some of our FE doors, make plans for future cruise selections, say hello and get to recognize some of our dis friends.

If you are willing to show your cabin please PM (Private Message) me with your category and cabin number so I can add it to the tour.

If you would like to just do the tour post or PM me your request so I can add you to the list.

I'll be including my cabin a category 8A. See the courtesy pictures below of some of the variety of cabins I have sailed in on the sister Dream ship.

Brenda
Cat 8A

Best picture for seeing the layout of the room, separated bedroom area


room 5522 from the hall



CAT 5E was 6A



Out the door looking to the left:



Cat T

[Munkamamacallie]

We're flying into Sanford/Orlando airport. Our rental car for an overnight and then turning it in at Port Canaveral is only $47.92. I also really like the freedom of picking our port arrival time. I thought that was a bargain. Anyone have a suggestion whether we should stay in Sanford, the Port or in between? Also my mother is coming and she has a bad ankle. Are there plenty of seats for her to sit at while they are waiting for me to arrive from the car rental facility? THX!

[lupitail]

Originally Posted by lbgraves

You can cancel the transfers and get refunded!!! Look on mousesavers.com for rental car discount codes to find the best or see what has been posted on the boards lately. DH can drop you and the girls off at the port & return the car, then take the shuttle to the port. Should be easier without luggage and only one person needing a seat. What is your PAT? The buses do start to arrive after 1 p.m. from WDW resorts...or later.

PAT???? Port Arrival Time??? Not sure. I don't think I have that info? Would that be on my reservation?

[DisneyFans222]

Originally Posted by lupitail

PAT???? Port Arrival Time??? Not sure. I don't think I have that info? Would that be on my reservation?

Your port arrival time can be found when you do the Online Check-In under your reservation on the Disney Cruise Line site.

[lbgraves]

It's something that you have to select when you do your online checkin. You can go back now and select it if you haven't already.