Ok so I'm not a WDW newbie or a Podcast newbie, I've been listening for over 2 years. I was saddened when we lost Bob, I've had an email read on the show and I even have a DISunplugged tshirt to show for it which always makes it into my WDW wardrobe (even if it's just by the pool). But I don't really hang out on these boards or go to events. My question is this: I consider myself a Disney fan, I've been going to WDW for 10 years now. But I don't consider myself a fanatic. I don't have Disney memorabilia in my house, I'm not a Disney historian (although I did read the biography that was a million pages long!) and while I post on these boards I'm by no means militantly Disney like some of the posters on the boards that take great exception to many things "non Disney". Anyway, I booked a stateroom on the Podcast Cruise in Dec 10. I've never been on a cruise before. What I like about Disney is the adrenaline, the exploring, the "coolness" of the simple, yet meticulously designed rides. Am I going to be bored on a cruise? Are there Podcast things to do most of the days? I know there was a Disney Institute speaker on the last cruise but did you do lots of other things too? I worry about there not being lots of area to explore and discover or that the activities will be stereotypical "cruise" activities like shuffleboard and Bingo (no offense to those that like these things). I listened to the Cruise primers, I've read a lot of trip reports, the price is great and I've always wanted to do DCL. I guess I just wanted to jump out there and see if most of you are die hard fanatics that I might not "fit in" or if you're all just people like me who love Disney and augment your Disney experiences with the cruise? Thanks for the show. You guys are funny and very entertaining. I think you are even when you're talking about something other than Disney! And I look forward to meeting all the podcast fans!
I dont think you have to be a Disney fantatic to have fun on the cruise. Sounds like you can do as little or as much of the activities they have planned. Cruising is a freakn blast. I would never have thought it, I expected it to be insane boring. But one year my sisters told me and my brother they wanted to send our parents on a cruise for their anniversary. So I said cool, I would be happy to chip in...my mom turns around and says it sounds great but she doesnt know what she would do for a week on a ship with just my dad Take that for what you will, they had a very good relationship while my dad was still alive, but they had different ideas of relaxing, I didnt expect my dad to actually enjoy the trip personally. So my mom said she wanted us to come along. My bother couldnt make it but both my sisters myself and my aunt actually ended up going. I expected to be bored out of my mind....wow was I wrong. Absolutely an incredible experience...everyone enjoyed it and I have now been cruising 5 or 6 times. But enough of my ramblings...I honestly think you will still have an awesome time on the cruise even if you arent a disney fanatic...havent dont DCL yet, but am looking forward to next december!
I totally get what you are saying. I am in the same boat (no pun intended lol). This will be my first cruise too. I NEVER wanted to go on one, EVER! I was in the mind set, if I can't jump in the car and go, or walk the parks... or have to be in what I consider confined space (LOL) then it wasn't for me. Then the podcast cruise came- and went... and I was like I should of went. They had so much fun!! I think because of the DIS people being there. I love the thought of meeting new people, but how often do you get that change really when you work and such. So for me, I think this will be fun. I don't sit around the pool tanning, I don't drink much at all, its not my thing, so I was like nah- why cruise. But the people, Disney and the fact that I SHOULD really try it is what make me book. I am really banking on the fact that it is something new to us (me and DD 17 then) and meeting people and all. I do know what you mean. I think we may just really enjoy it!
PCC 1.0 was my first cruise and the first time I met all but a handful of DIS'ers. (I met Shanan and Jason and their son, Aaron at a Chicago meet). I know what you mean about not feeling like you are going to fit in. I don't own DVC. I don't have an annual pass. The last time I was to the world was 2001. I have more fingers than nights spent at a WDW Resort. I'm not married. I don't have kids. However, none of that mattered. We were there to have an enjoyable relaxin time. Nobody made me feel like I was any less of a person because I didn't have the same Disney experience as they had. Nobody treated me as if I were unworthy of being there. As for stuff to occupy your time, that is all on how you tackle it. I can honestly say, that with the exception of the muster drill and talking to Katherine while she had a smoke, I did not step foot on Deck 4, outside of the ship. The part where you can walk around outside, under the life boats. I did see a family playing shuffleboard, but the children ran up to it and dragged the parents. According to the Navigator, there was bingo, but I don't know how it was, as I was too busy to find out. There were things constantly to do. Some of them were Podcast related. Most were DCL activities. Disney ties us together. The boards give us the power to become familiar with each other. Nobody in there right minds could talk about it 24/7. We were actually like 'normal' people, enjoying each others' company--sharing in the moment.
You'll be fine I honestly can't remember a conversation that was 'all about Disney' we spent our time relaxing and meeting some new fantastic people - the only thing that disapointed me was that it wasn't longer We're also going this September - hope you have a great time (I don't know how I'll survive waiting another 15 months til our next trip)
A lot of what you are asking fit me personally before PCC 1.0. I am a huge Disney parks and animation fan and have been to WDW countless times if you count my trips over while I was living in Tampa. My trips down are far too easily countable, but that is besides the fact. I am not by any stretch of the imagination a cruise person. I always wanted to do a Disney cruise just for the experience and with all the events and chance to meet people from the boards I went on PCC 1.0. I met some people from the WISH boards at the Nashville marathon but knew no one on the boat. I found plenty to do, some very Disney some not Disney at all. At no time I feel like an outsider because most of the others there were also meeting people for the first time. True, on PCC 2.0 there will be a lot of people who met this year but from the number of rooms booked you will by no means the only first timer. I say go for it. Even if you end up not liking cruising per se you will have a lot of like minded people to meet and talk to and you will be able to say at least you tried it.
I am not an extreme disney fanatic, but I do enjoy going to the parks and listening to the Podcast and spending time on the Disboards. I do have a few disney pins (mostly from special events or tours) along with a couple for trading and a disney watch. I don't collect disney memorabilia mainly because I can't justify the cost and second, I don't have any place to put it. Up until this year, there has usually been a couple of years between trips as you can see below with my trips listed below, but I got an opportunity to go again this October, that I couldn't pass up. I don't own DVC or an annual pass. However, I do find Disney a very affordable Vacation spot, whether you are a family or just a single solo traveler like me. I enjoy spending time on the boards chatting with my new family of friends. I too, will be a first time cruiser on the Podcast Cruise 2.0 (unless I decide to go on 1.5). I will be a single solo traveler and I don't know what to expect. I recommend joining the sub thread for the Podcast Cruise and join in and get to know everyone by posting more often and by getting involved now so that you won't feel like an outsider when the cruise comes around next December. Ask questions, someone there will answer it or give you a suggestion on where to look for the answer. Also check out the Cruise boards, too. Also, join us in Chat on Wednesday night. I am working to get to know people online before the cruise so that I will be more at ease when meeting them in person, as I normally don't warm up to people until I get to know them better. and I look forward to meeting you on the Podcast Cruise.
