09/15/07 Early Check in September 15, 2007 Eastern

[Lisa0503]

I saw that the Beach Club was a location for a DCL pickup but since we were just at the BWV this past Sept, taking this cruise and then taking the kids back to BWV for 9 days in January (all on points), we literally only had just enough points left that we could borrow for these 2 nights at SSR or OKW. We own at SSR but have never stayed there so I am looking forward to checking out our new home anyway...

 

[Windy City Heather]

We hired a driver and will get either a SUV or a van. There are 5 of us in our group. I got our transfers at the old rate of $59.00 each so that was $295. and I got a SUV or van for $225.00 round trip hotel/port/airport plus tip. We will also get a grocery stop. We might get another $8.00 off because MouseforLess people have a coupon code.

We are arriving very late on Wednesday night. Thursday we are going to MGM. Friday we are going to EPCOT during the day and the MNSSHP that night. We will eat breakfast at Chef Mickey's and then head to the port. We have a 9:00 ressie. I planned to have the car arrive at 10:30. Do you think that is enough time? We are staying in the Cont.

 

[Bareacuda]

We hired a driver and will get either a SUV or a van. There are 5 of us in our group. I got our transfers at the old rate of $59.00 each so that was $295. and I got a SUV or van for $225.00 round trip hotel/port/airport plus tip. We will also get a grocery stop. We might get another $8.00 off because MouseforLess people have a coupon code.

We are arriving very late on Wednesday night. Thursday we are going to MGM. Friday we are going to EPCOT during the day and the MNSSHP that night. We will eat breakfast at Chef Mickey's and then head to the port. We have a 9:00 ressie. I planned to have the car arrive at 10:30. Do you think that is enough time? We are staying in the Cont.

Sounds like you all have things mapped out like old pros!

Me... I take the no hassle way out...
let Disney do it and I pay more bucks

 

[kamgen]

Heather- who did you hire your transportation from?? We are still debating what to do for transportation. There are 3 adults and 2 little ones with us, so we are not sure. I am really considering the SUV/Van thing. In the past I have had a car and driven to port, so we are not sure since we are flying down this time.

MNSSHP??? LOVE IT!!!! We have gone a few times, including last year. We probably wont do it this year but to those of you who havent done it before, it is a great time!!!


Anyone wish we had the Navigators now??? LOL!!!!

 

[Jennifer48]

Is anyone going to be attending the Castaway Club Party? I haven't read many nice things about the 'change' but this will be the first Castaway Club cruise for Dan and I and we were going to try to attend.

 

[kamgen]

What "change"??? I am so out of the loop! I havent cruised since Oct 2004.
Fill me in! I used to LOVE the party!

 

[Windy City Heather]

Normally I am with the "pay more and let Disney do the work" but I want to stay at the cont. and there is no bus pick up there. I picked the cont. because with only going for a couple of days I want to be on the monorail line and it is the cheapest monorail resort. I don't do cabs and I think getting one to go to another resort is not worth my time. So, I started a thread her about limo company's. The people recommended Happy Limo (the guy was not to happy when he picked up the phone), FL tours, Transportation2disney and Sunray. I could not get a hold of Transportation2disney. All rates are round trip from cont/port/airport. Happy Limo was $252. for a van, FL Tours was $230. (with disboard coupon) for a van and Sunray was $225.00 (without a coupon but mouseforless has one) for a van or suv. The guy on the phone at Sunray was very nice and the reviews I have read were fantastic. I read 2 reports of them being at the airport even when they did not know the flight time or had the wrong flight number. They will also include a free grocery stop. I only sent the email last night to reserve it so I don't have my answer about booster seat cost.

 

[Jennifer48]

What "change"??? I am so out of the loop! I havent cruised since Oct 2004.
Fill me in! I used to LOVE the party!

I don't know! I'm trying to find out more! I did a search and people kept mentioning they didn't like the 'change' but they didn't say what the 'change' was in regards to! I think it has something to do with food? They aren't serving as much food as they used to with previous CC parties? Let me go do more digging

 

[Jennifer48]

What "change"??? I am so out of the loop! I havent cruised since Oct 2004.
Fill me in! I used to LOVE the party!

Ok so it looks like they changed the food options. They used to have some kind of buffet style and now they only serve water, soda and Mickey shaped Rice Krispie treats. Some people love it, some hate it. Take a look:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1360020&referrerid=&highlight=Castaway+Club+party

 

[kamgen]

I am going to have to look at this! Seriously no food......that is not the way to show your appreciation for return cruisers. What about the yummy drinks they used to serve??? I will check it out! Thanks!

Heather- let me know what you hear. We will have two little ones and will need the car seats too!!! Thanks!

 

[kamgen]

WOW!!! I just checked out the thread and I have to say I am really disappointed. We always loved this party and found it nice to have a free drink and snack! LOL! Seriously though, DCL used to hand out freebies like drinks and a food buffet to show appreciation to return cruisers....now we are only worth a rice krispy treat and a CHANCE to win a clock???
Well this frees up an hour on the cruise that was otherwise taken....we probably will pass on attending this!

 

[Windy City Heather]

I put in my request form to Sunray last night. I got an email this morning asking questions to confirm exactly what I wanted. I just got my conformation from them. 5 people, with 1 booster seat and a grocery stop, cont. resort to port to airport, drum roll please, $217.00 plus tip. This is for a van or suv. I also asked if they had multiple drivers and vehicles and they have 7 drivers.

Also, still 9:00 breakfast at Chef Mickey's and 10:30 for the the pick up?

 

[lg3]

MNSSHP??? LOVE IT!!!! We have gone a few times, including last year. We probably wont do it this year but to those of you who havent done it before, it is a great time!!!

kamgen (or others who have been to MNSSHP), is it really worth it to come down earlier for it? Do the little ones like it a lot? I need some ammo to persuade dh!

We haven't booked our air fare yet, as we are waiting on Southwest to release their flights/rates for mid-Sept. yet. They said they probably weren't going to release the dates until around Memorial Day! I don't know if I can wait that long, but everything else is pretty darn expensive. Who we fly with makes a big difference for when we leave, and if we can fit a day at WDW before the cruise.

 

[Windy City Heather]

We went the last two years and love it. When else can you dress up and trick or treat around the Magic Kindgom? The parade and fireworks are the best. My dd4 dance with Daddy and Minnie and Daisy. Rare characters come out to play. You get so much candy it is insane. I think the headless horseman is the best. I think it is worth it. Plus, I always think it is best to go down the day before. Look at the 100 plus people who missed the boat a couple of weeks ago because of the storms in the east coast.

We have not booked our air either. I am holding out for United. They just dropped our price from $203.00 to $187.00 but that is still more than I want to pay.

 

[Lisa0503]

kamgen (or others who have been to MNSSHP), is it really worth it to come down earlier for it? Do the little ones like it a lot? I need some ammo to persuade dh!

We haven't booked our air fare yet, as we are waiting on Southwest to release their flights/rates for mid-Sept. yet. They said they probably weren't going to release the dates until around Memorial Day! I don't know if I can wait that long, but everything else is pretty darn expensive. Who we fly with makes a big difference for when we leave, and if we can fit a day at WDW before the cruise.

We went last year for the Sept 22nd party and LOVED it!!! It was alot of fun for both adults and kids as well. You can even dress in your pirate outfit and get double use out of it in one trip! I personally can't see spending the $$$ for a 1 day park ticket so we would spend the morning at the resort pool or DTD but you can get into MK between 4-5pm with just your MNSSHP ticket so we head over to the MK then. Last year we just did mostly the MNSSHP events so this year we would probably do more of the MK rides...except for Trick or Treating! It would be great to have a candy stash for the cruise

We have not booked airfare yet either. I am waiting for SW to come out with there fares since they are the only airline that has a direct flight from Providence and their prices are very good. Last year we went to the parks in Sept and they didn't release their schedule until the end of May. We booked as soon as they came out to get the specific times we wanted. They then came out with a discounted fare on our flights a few weeks later and I was able to get a refund of about 40% (credited to my credit card) so you have to love that!!!!

 

[Lisa0503]

WOW!!! I just checked out the thread and I have to say I am really disappointed. We always loved this party and found it nice to have a free drink and snack! LOL! Seriously though, DCL used to hand out freebies like drinks and a food buffet to show appreciation to return cruisers....now we are only worth a rice krispy treat and a CHANCE to win a clock??? Well this frees up an hour on the cruise that was otherwise taken....we probably will pass on attending this!

Well this is our first cruise as CC Members so we will probably go and check it out regardless... It is too bad that they changed the party though.

 

[Lisa0503]

FYI.... I have it on very good authority that MNSSHP will definately be held on the 14th!!! YAY!!!!

 

[lg3]

FYI.... I have it on very good authority that MNSSHP will definately be held on the 14th!!! YAY!!!!

I noticed on a different website, that has always been accurate, they are projecting MNSSHP for the 14th also.

 

[Bareacuda]

Well this is our first cruise as CC Members so we will probably go and check it out regardless... It is too bad that they changed the party though.

Sorry to say we havent been to the "party" since 1999. Food was very good and talked to alot of the officers.

Right after that some over dosed lady poured her champagne all over me . She blamed it on the ship rocking too much

We just might show up this time...


Ann

 

[Windy City Heather]

Boy, I am really in full cruise mode! Is everyone planning on doing fish extenders? We are and I ordered gifts for everyone's extender this week. I know that my sister has already ordered hers too.

I am planning on making door signs but I have not started planning them yet. This is next.

I am also planning on Secret Mickey.

What else do I need to plan on?