09/12/10 - DVCers Take Over the Wonder (S.S. Member Cruise 2010) - Thread #1

[conchflats]

To all a Happy Turkey Day

 

[conchflats]

Hello DVC ers,
I know this question has be asked and answered many times on this forum. But, here I go, my wife and I went on the ill fated 1998 Disney Cruise that spent 4 days surviving hurricane Mitch. So it has taken this long for me to connivence her to step on a boat again. So please be kind to us and our trepidation.
Here the question: We are spending the 3 nights pre cruise at the BCV and the joining you wonderful people on the Members Cruise.Do we use Disney's Magical Express, Disney Cruise Line transportation or a private car/ rent a car ? on our last and only cruse in our live we used the (pretty much forced to use) the Disney Cruise Bus from hell.We had a near crash and we stopped at 7 resorts before being dropped off at the Beach Club. It took 3.5 hours to get from the airport to our Hotel.They lost our luggage forgot about us at arrival, 2.5 hours late to get us to the boat. So we are a little scared of "The Bus" That was 1998 and they were a little new at this cruise thing. I'm sure given the raves you cruisers give them now they have improved.

 

[dopeygirl76]

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!

 

[Luckymomoftwo]

Hello DVC ers,
I know this question has be asked and answered many times on this forum. But, here I go, my wife and I went on the ill fated 2008 Disney Cruise that spent 4 days surviving hurricane Mitch. So it has taken this long for me to connivence her to step on a boat again. So please be kind us and our trepidation.
Here the question: We are spending the 3 nights pre cruise at the BCV and the joining you wonderful people on the Members Cruise.Do we use Disney's Magical Express, Disney Cruise Line transportation or a private car/ rent a car ? on our last and only cruse in our live we used the (pretty much forced to use) the Disney Cruise Bus from hell.We had a near crash and we stopped at 7 resorts before being dropped off at the Beach Club. It took 3.5 hours to get from the airport to our Hotel.They lost our luggage forgot about us at arrival, 2.5 hours late to get us to the boat. So we are a little scared of "The Bus" That was 2008 and they were a little new at this cruise thing. I'm sure given the raves you cruisers give them now they have improved.

I am so sorry to hear of your horrible experience with Disney's Magical Express!! I've never used it before, and after hearing that story I probably never will now! We normally rent a car when we're there. By the time you pay for transportation to and from Port Canaveral, you have pretty much paid the amount you would have paid for a rental car. And, in a rental, you have the added convenience of having your own transportation to come and go as you please on your own time during your few days at WDW prior to the cruise. And, don't worry, so far everyone on this thread is VERY kind and VERY helpful! Please don't be afraid to ask any of us a question!

Also sorry to hear that your first cruise was less than perfect weather! I'm glad you convinced your wife to cruise again!

 

[calypso726]

Traditionally the President pardons a turkey every year for Thanksgiving. This year we have had a different sort of pardon take place. Today when my DH arrived home from playing football he asked if our cat, Miko, had gotten out as he thought he was hearing a cat meowing outside. I went out to investigate and sure enough I heard something. It sounded more like a kitten mewling in despair. I scanned all around the front yard and kept following the noise until I realized it was coming from above the front of my house. I looked up at the top of our hurricane shutters and saw where the noise was coming from. It took almost a full minute for me to register what I was actually seeing Perched just over the top of our shutters was a snake in the process of eating a tree frog alive The piteous mewling was coming from the frog! I am not afraid of snakes and quickly identified that this one was non-venomous (it was a rat snake). But the mewling coming from the frog was breaking my heart! I asked DH to please save the poor little tree frog that was disappearing before our eyes before it was too late. We have really tall windows and there is no way I could reach the top of the shutters. Even DH wound up having to get a ladder and broom to reach them. He knocked the snake from its area and it fell between the shutters, stunned, the snake let go of the frog DH opened the shutters up to reach the snake trapped behind it and then took care of it. I couldn't watch that part. The little tree frog hopped away to live and survive another day. So, Happy Thanksgiving to the little tree frog and may he keep my yard free of mosquitos

Terrie

 

[3DAN]

Hey to Conchflats,,,,,
We have done the trip to Port Canaveral all of the ways. Being familiar with the route, I personally like renting a car and arriving at the port. I got to drive right up to the front door to drop everyone off and then walked right back to the front door. The others were allowed to go on up. It was soooo cool to go right up to the front. Of course, they check your docs , I think , twice before you get up there. Who cares, it was great!!!! Taking DCL transportation is okay. The problem is that if you are at a resort, don't expect to get there in the morning. I don't like that. We have taken limo service and it is good , if you like that kind of stuff. This time , we are going by chartered van. There are five of us and we will have 10 bags as well as our carryons. That pretty much excludes a standard limo. So,,, I was left with getting a "car" for a day that would hold over 10 bags and five people, DCL(don't like the arrival) or charter. Therefore,,,,,, Charter. I am suspicious of the organization that I have a ressie with.
Bill
PS,,, This is for our 12/19/2009 Christmas cruise comin up in 22 days.

 

[conchflats]

Hey to Conchflats,,,,,
We have done the trip to Port Canaveral all of the ways. Being familiar with the route, I personally like renting a car and arriving at the port. I got to drive right up to the front door to drop everyone off and then walked right back to the front door. The others were allowed to go on up. It was soooo cool to go right up to the front. Of course, they check your docs , I think , twice before you get up there. Who cares, it was great!!!! Taking DCL transportation is okay. The problem is that if you are at a resort, don't expect to get there in the morning. I don't like that. We have taken limo service and it is good , if you like that kind of stuff. This time , we are going by chartered van. There are five of us and we will have 10 bags as well as our carryons. That pretty much excludes a standard limo. So,,, I was left with getting a "car" for a day that would hold over 10 bags and five people, DCL(don't like the arrival) or charter. Therefore,,,,,, Charter. I am suspicious of the organization that I have a ressie with.
Bill
PS,,, This is for our 12/19/2009 Christmas cruise comin up in 22 days.

So Dan,
Let me see if I understand you. You rent a car at MCO dive it to WDW then to Port Canaveral where you park it for the duration of the cruise (paying $15/day I think) then drive back to MCO where you turn in the car?

 

[BigDogHU75]

Hello DVC ers,
I know this question has be asked and answered many times on this forum. But, here I go, my wife and I went on the ill fated 2008 Disney Cruise that spent 4 days surviving hurricane Mitch. So it has taken this long for me to connivence her to step on a boat again. So please be kind us and our trepidation.
Here the question: We are spending the 3 nights pre cruise at the BCV and the joining you wonderful people on the Members Cruise.Do we use Disney's Magical Express, Disney Cruise Line transportation or a private car/ rent a car ? on our last and only cruse in our live we used the (pretty much forced to use) the Disney Cruise Bus from hell.We had a near crash and we stopped at 7 resorts before being dropped off at the Beach Club. It took 3.5 hours to get from the airport to our Hotel.They lost our luggage forgot about us at arrival, 2.5 hours late to get us to the boat. So we are a little scared of "The Bus" That was 2008 and they were a little new at this cruise thing. I'm sure given the raves you cruisers give them now they have improved.

I'm glad you convinced DW to cruise again. This will be my second members cruise. I was on this year's cruise and the weather was beautiful.

We took the Disney Cruise bus back in 2002 to the port and then to MCO after the cruise. We did not have any issues but of course we did not experience a hurricane. This year we drove our car to the port and left it there for 4 days at $15/day.

Feel free to ask any questions that you or DW have. Make sure to read the first post of this thread to get info on our logo, DIS meet, etc.

 

[3DAN]

I am trying to remember which cruise we rented a car on. I think it was only a three day. We cruised because we had trouble getting ressies at WDW. It IS a problem with the parking at the port if you leave the car there for seven or more days. Makes you think about whether or not it is financially viable. I won't rent this time. Price for a one day rental twice is not good for a van. I would have to drop it off at the rental company before and then pick up another after the cruise. Prices right now are very high. I even plugged in a couple of discount codes and no luck. SOOOOOOOOOOO,,, Lots of factors play into your decision. I just like the drive and drop off. BUT,,, this time , no.
It is a seven day cruise and at 15 a day, it adds up. If I found a super deal for the 10 days I was there, I certainly would consider it. It was very nice walking out of the terminal and moseying over to our car without hurrying. The porter came with us.
Bill

 

[Time4disneynow]

Hello DVC ers,
I know this question has be asked and answered many times on this forum. But, here I go, my wife and I went on the ill fated 2008 Disney Cruise that spent 4 days surviving hurricane Mitch. So it has taken this long for me to connivence her to step on a boat again. So please be kind us and our trepidation.
Here the question: We are spending the 3 nights pre cruise at the BCV and the joining you wonderful people on the Members Cruise.Do we use Disney's Magical Express, Disney Cruise Line transportation or a private car/ rent a car ? on our last and only cruse in our live we used the (pretty much forced to use) the Disney Cruise Bus from hell.We had a near crash and we stopped at 7 resorts before being dropped off at the Beach Club. It took 3.5 hours to get from the airport to our Hotel.They lost our luggage forgot about us at arrival, 2.5 hours late to get us to the boat. So we are a little scared of "The Bus" That was 2008 and they were a little new at this cruise thing. I'm sure given the raves you cruisers give them now they have improved.

Hi and

You have gotten some good responses....I think it goes to personal preference. My DH and I have used the bus...which is good. We have also hired a town car. That is our favorite. We decide what time we want to be picked up at our resort so we can be at the port at a certain time. We have done this several times. When the cruise is over...our driver was there waiting for us. He then takes us back to the resort or if we need to stop at a grocery store, he will do that.

This will be our 3rd members cruise. We went in 2008 and 2009. We had such a great time....meet so many nice people and we have a great bunch of people here on the Dis. Please feel free to ask any questions. There's always someone here who can answer it. Come chat with us anytime.

Have a great day.

 

[Luckymomoftwo]

Where is everyone? Our thread was in the middle of page two! Were all of you out getting the great deals of Black Friday? We left our house at 2:00 am Friday morning and were done shopping by 9:00. I wanted to get a few other things, but the lines were too long and we only had a sitter until 9 am. Well, I'm off to my nephew's birthday party, have a great day!

 

[BigDogHU75]

Good Morning everyone! I did not do any Black Friday shopping. DH did go to Best Buy around 5:30 a.m. and was back I don't know when since I was half asleep when he came home.

 

[BigDogHU75]

Where is everyone? Our thread was in the middle of page two! Were all of you out getting the great deals of Black Friday? We left our house at 2:00 am Friday morning and were done shopping by 9:00. I wanted to get a few other things, but the lines were too long and we only had a sitter until 9 am. Well, I'm off to my nephew's birthday party, have a great day!

Wow! You were up early yesterday. Did you get everything you wanted? Have fun at your nephew's party.

 

[Time4disneynow]

Good Morning Everyone.

Stayed home yesterday and enjoyed my day with my family. I am not one to go shopping on Black Friday...I've tried...didn't care for it. There are a lot of outlets in my area so I like to do my shopping during the week or go online shopping.

I was just at the Port Canaveral web cam...if anyone is interested, you can see the part of the Magic...unfortunately another cruise ship from another cruise line... is blocking the Magic so you can only see part of the Magic.

Have a great day.

 

[BigDogHU75]

PORT CAMERAS
Some people like to watch the Disney ships leave port. As the time was getting closer to our sail away date last year, some posters in the '09 thread would log on every Sunday to watch the Disney Wonder sail away. We would chat and countdown to when we would actually be on the ship for our very own sail away party. If anyone is interested in watching the Wonder or Magic sail away, here are the port cameras:

Port Canaveral Webcam
Two Palms Webcam
Ron Jon Resort Webcam
Cocoa Beach - Port Canaveral Webcam

 

[conchflats]

Hello DVC ers,
I know this question has be asked and answered many times on this forum. But, here I go, my wife and I went on the ill fated 1998 Disney Cruise that spent 4 days surviving hurricane Mitch. So it has taken this long for me to connivence her to step on a boat again. So please be kind to us and our trepidation.
Here the question: We are spending the 3 nights pre cruise at the BCV and the joining you wonderful people on the Members Cruise.Do we use Disney's Magical Express, Disney Cruise Line transportation or a private car/ rent a car ? on our last and only cruse in our live we used the (pretty much forced to use) the Disney Cruise Bus from hell.We had a near crash and we stopped at 7 resorts before being dropped off at the Beach Club. It took 3.5 hours to get from the airport to our Hotel.They lost our luggage forgot about us at arrival, 2.5 hours late to get us to the boat. So we are a little scared of "The Bus" That was 1998 and they were a little new at this cruise thing. I'm sure given the raves you cruisers give them now they have improved.

Thanks again for the great responses. At $250 for the 3 way transfer by Florida Tours is the the winner in the how do get to the cruise contest. Adding the cost of a rent a car and parking fees also not having to drive myself . This looks like the way to go.

 

[Luckymomoftwo]

Wow! You were up early yesterday. Did you get everything you wanted? Have fun at your nephew's party.

Yes, I was up very early! I actually went to bed at 10:30, after I went through all the ads and marked everything I wanted to try to get. Then I tossed and turned for about an hour. The last time I remember looking at the clock it was 11:30. Then I FINALLY fell asleep and then the alarm went off at 1:30. We got up, brushed our teeth, dropped the kids off at my in-laws, and headed to Wal Mart. We got pretty much everything we wanted. There were a couple of things we didn't get, but they were just for myself & DH and not for Christmas gifts.
And, thanks, we did have a good time at my nephew's party. He didn't know his dad threw it together for him, so it was a surprise. It was cute!!

 

[Time4disneynow]

Hi everyone.

Thank you Marsha for posting the web cam sites...I completely forgot about adding them when I posted.

Now...if anyone is interested, the large cruise ship from another cruise linehas finally left and now you can see more of the Magic on the Port Carnaveral cam.

http://www.portcanaveral.com/webcam.htm

Have a great day.

 

[scooter7487]

Thanks to everyone that posts on here. Even though 10 months away been looking at a lot of information concerning members cruise. I am a planner and my wife justs laughs at me as she gets home and I am on some Disney web site. Still debating travel plans for Sept. Probably gonna head in on Friday night or Sat. morning to enjoy a day at the parks w/out kids. First time for that. Wish I could take the kids on this cruise but have been told it will be nice for just my wife and I to go. Just got finished planning our summer family trip. Goofy me forgot the 7 month requirement for non owner resorts so was told I had to call back tomorrow to set up remainder of our trip. Keep all the excellent info coming!!

 

[Time4disneynow]

Hi Scooter

The way I see...it never hurts to plan ahead....We usually come in a day before the cruise and stay at one of the Disney resorts. After the cruise...we go back to Disney and spend a few days at WDW.

Have a good evening.