09/05/09 LABORless MAGICal Meanderers

[ibela]

That's a major bummer!!! We just had to buy a ticket for our son to fly to camp. We thought it was a good deal and definately better than the cost to drive him. Then we saw the small print... since he is flying by himself (a nonstop 1 hour flight) they charge $100 each way. I don't know about anyone else, but that seems like a lot to me. On top of that we still have to pay for his baggage. So much for a bargain.

Still wondering if we are exchanging FE treats?

No kidding! $100 surcharge on a 1hr flight is rough . .

Hi disney minnie and smilingmouse,

In regards to the FE, a few people were unaware (myself included) of what they were originally and what is entailed and some have expressed that they do not intend to do FE's. As such, my family have also made the decision not to do so. By all means go for it but we apologetically will not be taking part this time. No disrespect meant here to anyone who would like to participate.

In saying that, I have thought of a couple of goodies to hand out from here Down Under once we all meet up.

Sad to hear that, but I completely understand. Anyone else that is lurking out there and has an interest in joining us...we'd love to have you join in. If not, smiling mouse will get a bigger surprise!

I'll bet smiling mouse is hoping no one else wants to join!

I'm not sure if I'm going to have the chance to create a FE but I think I'd like to try. Mel, on my previous cruise what we did was exchange goody bags for the kids - they weren't in FEs at all. In fact, I still have some stuff left in the bag. DD was too little for it at the time. Everyone met up at Lumiere's for lunch on a sea day and stuffed bags. By doing this, we all saved a trip around the boat stuffing in FEs too. Just wanted to throw that out there as possibly a suggestion?

 

[UGAFan0829]

Hi, everyone!!
I hope y'all are all doing well! Unfortunately, I haven't had much time to be on the boards lately, so I just wanted to check-in here!
The days are slowly counting down! Actually, it seems as though they are ticking by much faster now!!!

disney minnie-As for the FE's for us, as of right now I don't think we'll be participating. I hate to say no, but it just seems like a lot to take on. I'm sure that it will be fun though, and I'll probably regret not doing it after the fact, but I don't want to bite off more than I can chew right now. If I change my mind, I'll let you know.

 

[disney minnie]

I'm sad to hear that, but I understand. Feel free to change your mind! At this point there are only two families, but hopefully that will change when school's out.

Did anyone notice the new hot air balloon ride at DTD? Maybe they need to stop adding things; I can see all my money going out the door!

 

[smilingmouse]

Hi Everyone!

If the FE isn’t everyone’s cup of tea (which is understandable), would it be better if we did a ‘secret Mickey’ exchange instead? A ‘Secret Mickey’ is like a Secret Santa and only 1 gift is exchanged between each group of participants. If anyone is interested in the in addition to, or instead of, the FE I am willing to coordinate it.

 

[TLHB70]

I didn't have a break to post here yesterday, but I had to share our exciting news.........
Free Dining was released for Disney Visa holders yesterday. Since we have a Disney Visa, DH told me to go ahead and book us a room at WDW the week following the cruise! We will go straight to WDW when we get off of the ship. We will be able to get all of our meals for free!!!! (one snack, one counter service, and one table service per person each day!)
We considered going before the cruise since that will also fall under free dining. However, we thought that the parks will be more crowded before the cruise because some schools don't start until after Labor Day. After the cruise most schools have started and many people will not take their children out of school that close to the start date.
BTW, I homeschool my two daughters so that is how we can do it. We will just start our school year a week earlier than originally planned.

For those that are interested in free dining at WDW before/after the cruise, here are the details:


Disney Rewards Visa FREE Dining Package Offer
Disney Rewards Visa cardholders can get FREE dining when you book a full price Walt Disney World vacation package for check-ins most nights 8/16/09-10/3/09. To qualify, you must use your Disney Rewards Visa card to reserve and pay for a vacation package that includes at least 3 consecutive hotel nights at an official Walt Disney World resort, plus at least a one-day theme park ticket.

If you don't have a Disney Rewards Visa card, an identical offer is expected for the general public on 3/30/09 -- check back on that date for details.

With this offer, you basically get the Magic Your Way Plus Dining package for the price of a regular Magic Your Way package. To qualify, you must purchase a regularly priced Magic Your Way package consisting of at least a 3-night stay at an official Walt Disney World resort hotel, PLUS at least a 1-day Magic Your Way Base Ticket.

This deal saves a family of four (2 adults, two kids ages 3-9) $101.96 per day -- the cost of adding the regular Dining Plan to a basic vacation package.

If you want, you can upgrade to the Deluxe Dining Plan for just $32 per adult per night and $10 per child age 3-9 per night. (This represents the usual price difference between the regular Dining Plan and the Deluxe Dining Plan.) The Deluxe Dining Plan includes three meals a day at your choice of table service or counter service locations. You get an appetizer with your table service meals on the Deluxe Dining Plan. The Deluxe Dining Plan also includes two snacks per day and one refillable mug per person. You can eat like royalty!

You can also add the "Wine & Dine" Plan to this package, at full price.

You must book this offer by 6/21/09. The number of packages available is limited. Suites are excluded from this offer. No group rates or other discounts apply.

It is rumored to open to the public this upcoming Monday.

 

[ibela]

Hi Everyone!

If the FE isn’t everyone’s cup of tea (which is understandable), would it be better if we did a ‘secret Mickey’ exchange instead? A ‘Secret Mickey’ is like a Secret Santa and only 1 gift is exchanged between each group of participants. If anyone is interested in the in addition to, or instead of, the FE I am willing to coordinate it.

I'd be willing to do this. OR just make goody bags for the kids if anyone's open to that. I'm not yet decided on making a FE, I think my daughter would get a kick out of it so I will probably end up doing it, just not sure yet.

I was going to post about free dining too lol. I used the bulk of my vacation days to stay home with the baby now so we won't be staying onsite but it sure is a good deal and a great way to start off the trip.

 

[UGAFan0829]

I didn't have a break to post here yesterday, but I had to share our exciting news.........
Free Dining was released for Disney Visa holders yesterday. Since we have a Disney Visa, DH told me to go ahead and book us a room at WDW the week following the cruise! We will go straight to WDW when we get off of the ship. We will be able to get all of our meals for free!!!! (one snack, one counter service, and one table service per person each day!)
We considered going before the cruise since that will also fall under free dining. However, we thought that the parks will be more crowded before the cruise because some schools don't start until after Labor Day. After the cruise most schools have started and many people will not take their children out of school that close to the start date.
BTW, I homeschool my two daughters so that is how we can do it. We will just start our school year a week earlier than originally planned.

For those that are interested in free dining at WDW before/after the cruise, here are the details:

That's awesome news! The DH and I actually decided to do the same thing. Originally, we had booked at the Wilderness Lodge for the entire week after the cruise, but then didn't think we could swing an entire week in Disney AND the cruise, so we cancelled the WDW portion. Of course, we've been sad about it since, so when the free dining was announced, we just had to call and book again!!

So where are you staying at TLHB70? We'll be at Pop Century which is what we wanted. I didn't call until this morning, so I was a little nervous wondering if Pop would still have availability since it seems like it's always one of the first to book up. The nice CM that I talked to told me that it was at 60%. We're actually only going to be there 4 nights, but I am super excited. It's cool to know that we'll be on the ship and in Disney at the same time!!!!

 

[TLHB70]

We booked at AS Music. We have stayed in all of the All Stars and the Pop, and AS Music was our favorite. It is just more relaxed and quieter than the other All Stars and we prefer the layout of the All Stars over Pop.
We usually always stay in values just because I am a die-hard Disney park person. We are there when the gates open, and we always stay until after fireworks. Since we usually travel in off season (Thankfully we can do that since I homeschool!) we usually do not have to stay up late when we are in the parks so this schedule is fine for us.
We have done WDW after a four day cruise before. We said then that if we ever did it again we would do the park BEFORE and not after the cruise so that we would have the cruise to relax after the park. However, since the cruise is Labor Day week, I assume the parks will be less crowded after the cruise. I haven't checked crowd calendar yet, but since some schools will still be out before Labor Day, I am guessing that after the cruise is the better park time on the crowd issue.

 

[queenof2princesses]

Hello all!! I have to share our exciting news We are headed to MK when we disembark, for my DD11's 12th bday! Well, we had booked a standard room at CR, (because she 'wished' to stay there), I have never paid that much for a room!! Well, I am a POP girl..and also priceline..and I love to get a deal. Since I have been lurking on this site the past week, I hear everyone talking about FD, and we are only staying 2 nights. My kids are in public school, so 5 days is our max to miss.. FD would not pertain to us So then I see everyone talking about this 40 off pin..I looked and I had it in my email and never even opened it!!!! I called and changed our ressie to include the pin..upgraded to a Tower room with MK view!!!! and it was cheaper than our std room with the AAA discount!!!! So now we have a chance at a room I would NEVER pay full price for!
Now, I am getting ready to start booking excursions. Dolphin Discovery has 10% off for bookings until 3/31, I wander if they will have something better later. I am also planning to get our passorts next week!! The clock is ticking

 

[disney minnie]

We're staying in the Contempory on the Thursday before with the 40% off code.Yeah! FYI I didn't have the code, but I called and they had it in the computer so always check for a code before booking your room. You never know.

I've been watching the Dolphin Excursion website, too. When I looked about a month ago the deal was "kids free"!!!!! I wish I had booked then since my DS is going to do the Royal Swim with my husband. I didn't book because they had changed the policy from a full refund to exchanging the date within a year. Well, we would not be going back within a year and I didn't want to lose all that money. I called the other day and they told me that you actually have a choice between switching the date or a refund - 10%. That's much better than losing everything if the boat id diverted. Anyway, I think I am going to hold out and see if they bring back the "kids free" discount since we have a lot of time.

We ordered our passports on Feb. 28 and still have not received them. I've been reading a lot of sad stories about people stressing before the cruise because they were waiting for their passport to arrive. Go ahead and get them, better safe than sorry.

 

[queenof2princesses]

OK disney minnie..I am going to hold out, too..We have 2 adults and 2 kids, so the kids free would be an awesome deal for us. maybe they will have a new deal when this expires on Tuesday.
As for the code, I asked when I booked and when I called back this week, and they said I would have to give them a pin code luckily i still had it in email.

 

[idrivealumina]

HEY HEY HEY! We figured you guys might need some company, and will be joining everyone on the Sept 5 Western Cruise aboard the MAGIC!

Me (Chris) 34, DW (Kim) 32, 2 of our 4 DS's 4yr (Aidan, will be 5yr at time of cruise) and ~5mo (Rylan, will be ~11mo at time of cruise)

My folks are taking our other 2 DS's 12 (Devin) and 8 (Ethan) to WDW with their cousins at the same time.

This is our first cruise and already have plans to cruise next year with my folks and 2 brothers and all of their respective family members. You could say we are just going to check it out for everyone else

 

[disney minnie]

Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! Glad to hear you are joining us and can't wait to hear your plans.

 

[disney minnie]

We are room #6542. What are you???

 

[UGAFan0829]

Welcome, idrivealumina!
Glad to have you here!!!
Hey, that's pretty nice that you are taking on the task of "checking things out" for the family!!!

 

[smilingmouse]

HEY HEY HEY! We figured you guys might need some company, and will be joining everyone on the Sept 5 Western Cruise aboard the MAGIC!

Me (Chris) 34, DW (Kim) 32, 2 of our 4 DS's 4yr (Ethan) and ~5mo (Rylan, will be ~11mo at time of cruise)

My folks are taking our other 2 DS's 12 (Devin) and 8 (Ethan) to WDW with their cousins at the same time.

This is our first cruise and already have plans to cruise next year with my folks and 2 brothers and all of their respective family members. You could say we are just going to check it out for everyone else

Welcome to the group!

 

[idrivealumina]

WOW! Thank you all for the very nice welcome. I have been doing a little bit of reading and this thread goes back a long way. I thought having to wait 6 months was a long time... While I have not read the whole thing I hope to get to know more about you with some more reading.

Anyhow... we will have some questions for the veteran cruisers, if you don't mind. Got a funny story for you all... I got on Youtube the other day and found a video of the DCL ship pulling away from port blowing that all too famous horn, which many of you have probably seen (I was going to post the link, but I do not have 10 posts under my belt yet). Anyhow, the DW and I work together, and I sent her the link to that video with the instructions to "REALLY TURN YOUR SOUND UP". A little while later I hear what sounds like the Disney Wonder sitting in front of my office blowing the horns as all that sound comes flowing down the hall!

AND I LOVED IT!

I cannot wait to hear that big horn in person. Hey can you all help me get excited about this?!? BTW we are in room 6101.

Chris

 

[idrivealumina]

Ok question time already. As far as the FE's go...

1) Do you make one thing for every person in a stateroom or do you make one thing for stateroom or one thing for each child of a stateroom?

2) Is there a certain time/day these are done/delivered?

Next...although not really a question

If the interest in the FE's is not there I think we would certainly be interested in the "Secret Mickey".

I guess that is all for now. DW and I are reading frantically over the DIS boards through the weekend soaking up all the great information.

Chris

 

[aussieinvasion]

Hey there welcome idrivealumina Your son Aidan will have a play mate, Travis is also 4 turning 5 before the cruise

Well I am now sweating on the release of free dining for before the cruise, hoping that I am lucky enough to book it for my stay at Wilderness Lodge. We are doing a split stay, 5 nights Wilderness Lodge, 5 nights Boardwalk but that will be Room Only and I am praying I get a pin for the Boardwalk. 40% off would be nice. Its nice to dream

 

[TLHB70]

Welcome idrivealumina!
Thanks for the tip about Dolphin Discovery. DD wants to do it for her birthday. That falls on Grand Cayman day. We have booked Nachi Cocum for the Cozumel day. There are 2 dolphin places in Grand Cayman. I have been reading online about them, but they are both new. There aren't many reviews out yet. I thought I would wait a little longer, into the summer, to book that trip. I want to get feedback and see which one has better reviews. DH and DD will do it. My older DD and I will watch (if allowed). I have no desire to get in the water with the dolphin.
For Key West, I thought we would just walk around the ship area.