09/21/08 SSMC08 S.S. Member Cruise 2008

[JOANNEL]

When we get to the port and are sent over to wait for the lot to open, can some one get out and go into the terminal to get a boarding #?

 

[WDWLVR]

Lots of rain. thunder & lightning today. So the traffic was awful since every one who can't be on the beach was trying to go shopping.

We were hoping Patrick would have Friday of from ROTC and we could go up to see him. But we haven't heard a word from him. I guess it will be a quiet week end around here.

Happy Monday night all.

Here's hoping you hear something and can go see him!

Can we try again or is it just for first timers?

You can try and I could be wrong but I don't think they add in any extra times at the 75 day mark.

When we get to the port and are sent over to wait for the lot to open, can some one get out and go into the terminal to get a boarding #?

Don't see why not. In April my friend Karen and I got dropped off with her DD while Mark, her DH and her DS took the car back. We were among the first in the terminal and we were able to check everyone in. When the guys got back they just had to come see us and get their KTTW cards. We used their passports to check them in while they kept their drivers licenses to be checked off the list on the way in. Worked out great and we got group #2!

 

[JOANNEL]

Here's hoping you hear something and can go see him!



You can try and I could be wrong but I don't think they add in any extra times at the 75 day mark.




Don't see why not. In April my friend Karen and I got dropped off with her DD while Mark, her DH and her DS took the car back. We were among the first in the terminal and we were able to check everyone in. When the guys got back they just had to come see us and get their KTTW cards. We used their passports to check them in while they kept their drivers licenses to be checked off the list on the way in. Worked out great and we got group #2!

So I can go upstairs and check us in and they can check in the luggage? Sounds like a plan.

I will try on the 8th and see what happens

 

[WDWLVR]

Good morning everyone - happy Tuesday!

Joanne - yes you can go check in and they can drop off the luggage and park the car.

Have a great day everyone.

 

[dejnosluvmickey]

Ok sooooo seeing how I'm a newbie to this cruise thing, does anyone that has children have a list of MUST DOS?

My kids are
13:
12:
9:
6:
5:
1:


I'm getting soooo excited about getting ready to sign up for the things on the cruise.Only 7 more days =)

 

[tikimimi]

Mary, we are planning to rent a car at the airport and will be driving to port. I think I remember somehting about concierge level guests being able to board first, so would it be worth it for Mack to drop me at port to get us in the queue for boarding if we want to try to get Palo's when we get on?

Steph - Must dos for your kiddos will depend a lot on what your gang likes. On other cruises (this is our first Disney cruise) a must do for us was snorkeling. After our snorkeling adventure on our very first cruise, my husband and I knew our kids had to see the other wonderful world God created close up! We have gone swimming with sting rays too which would be a must do again for our bunch.

Not on a cruise, but on a vacation to the gulf, we rented a boat and swam with dolphins in the wild - not on a tour or anything. I think doing a dolphin encounter would be a must do if it were one they could actually hold on to fins and swim with them. If it were just rub their bellies and touch them - well, they've done more than that in the "real world" so that wouldn't hold much for them.

I would say this is a must do - they need to go to the events for their age groups the first night for sure. That was suggested to us when we first took our kids, and it really did make all the difference. We were told to make them go that first night so they could meet others their ages, get a feel for how things were done, and decide afterward what they thought. If they wait, kids will have found friends, grouped together, and it will be harder for them. We have one who is very outgoing and one who is perfectly content alone. They both went the first night, and it really did make a difference.

I am sure our Dis veterans on here can suggest the special Disney things that are msut dos and other things you will find valuable suggestions. This is a great board!

 

[JOANNEL]

Steph,

I agree with Mimi. My kids were older when we first started cruising, but when we went with our frinds her kids loved the clubs. They can be shy at first but after that we could never get them out. My two loved the teen activities. We never saw them. The member cruise also has a lot less kids so they should have more time to do things.

 

[TnRobin]

Just got a second.

Got back from Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg last night. Had pretty good time. At work have 5 days of work to do and only working 2 days to do it. (Monday at Dollywood, Having Dental surgery on Thursday, Holiday on Friday). Woo Hoo

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

does anyone that has children have a list of MUST DOS?

My kids are
13:
12:
9:
6:
5:
1:

We have DS8, DD5 and DS2. This is our third Disney cruise (once on the Wonder and once on the Magic). I asked my kids and this is the list they came up with . . .

Studio Sea
Tea with Wendy
Who Wants to be a Mouseketeer (game show)
Magic - Making gingerbread house

Walt Disney Theatre
Toy Story Musical

Buena Vista Theatre
WALL-E

Oceaneer's Lab
Making Flubber
Making chocolate chip cookies
Going to Ocean Quest

Oceaneer's Club
Dress Up
Slide
Seeing the characters
Looking for Heffalumps

Scuttles Cove
Splashing Water on the CMs
Playing in the sand with the buckets

Deck 9 (Goofy Pool)
Pirates in the Caribbean Party
Sail Away Party

There are things they have done and some they want to do on a future cruise. They still don't know about the September cruise (or the WDW trip). We are taking a car service to port from our WDW resort. They are going to think we're going back to the airport. I can't wait to see their faces when we cross over the bridge to Port Canaveral. We are sneaky parents. So far, no cancellation on our AA flight. We are checking it weekly. We have more options with AA for a non-stop flight from Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. So, we are a little more confident that if there is a change, no big deal.

- Jennifer

 

[hrpoth]

3rd time cruisers, first DVC Member Cruise. I was reading the threads about arriving, checking-in and parking. Is it best to get to the terminal as early as possible? When is the soonest you can check-in and board? We are driving down from Mooresville, NC and would like to stay somewhere cheap overnight Saturday. We had thought about a quick "day" at Amelia Island, then drive the 2 hours Sunday to get to port, but we don't want to wait forever with a 5 and 7 year old to check in and board. So, after all that rambling, I would love if someone could give a DVC Member Cruise rookie some advice for arrival. Thanks!

 

[acourtwdw2]

So I can go upstairs and check us in and they can check in the luggage? Sounds like a plan.

I will try on the 8th and see what happens

Good luck on getting the reservations you want!

 

[acourtwdw2]

Ok sooooo seeing how I'm a newbie to this cruise thing, does anyone that has children have a list of MUST DOS?

My kids are
13:
12:
9:
6:
5:
1:


I'm getting soooo excited about getting ready to sign up for the things on the cruise.Only 7 more days =)

My Niece and Nephew really enjoyed having the freedom to roam the ship. they were like your older kids. they also liked the dance parties and having kids thier own age to hang out with.

 

[acourtwdw2]

Mary, we are planning to rent a car at the airport and will be driving to port. I think I remember somehting about concierge level guests being able to board first, so would it be worth it for Mack to drop me at port to get us in the queue for boarding if we want to try to get Palo's when we get on?

Steph - Must dos for your kiddos will depend a lot on what your gang likes. On other cruises (this is our first Disney cruise) a must do for us was snorkeling. After our snorkeling adventure on our very first cruise, my husband and I knew our kids had to see the other wonderful world God created close up! We have gone swimming with sting rays too which would be a must do again for our bunch.

Not on a cruise, but on a vacation to the gulf, we rented a boat and swam with dolphins in the wild - not on a tour or anything. I think doing a dolphin encounter would be a must do if it were one they could actually hold on to fins and swim with them. If it were just rub their bellies and touch them - well, they've done more than that in the "real world" so that wouldn't hold much for them.

I would say this is a must do - they need to go to the events for their age groups the first night for sure. That was suggested to us when we first took our kids, and it really did make all the difference. We were told to make them go that first night so they could meet others their ages, get a feel for how things were done, and decide afterward what they thought. If they wait, kids will have found friends, grouped together, and it will be harder for them. We have one who is very outgoing and one who is perfectly content alone. They both went the first night, and it really did make a difference.

I am sure our Dis veterans on here can suggest the special Disney things that are msut dos and other things you will find valuable suggestions. This is a great board!

concierge level guests have a seperate waiting area and get to board before everyone else

 

[tikimimi]

Thanks Amanda; I get that part. I was wondering if it would be worth it to have my husband drop me before he takes the car to the car rental place. I don't know if there will beany ressies left after concierge or if that would mean I could get a good place for regular boarding and it might help.

 

[acourtwdw2]

Just got a second.

Got back from Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg last night. Had pretty good time. At work have 5 days of work to do and only working 2 days to do it. (Monday at Dollywood, Having Dental surgery on Thursday, Holiday on Friday). Woo Hoo

Did you go to dollywood like planned. Annette and i went there years ago and really enjoyed our time. I also got us lost in the mountains there and spent 2 hours going around in circles but we did find a new casino

 

[acourtwdw2]

We have DS8, DD5 and DS2. This is our third Disney cruise (once on the Wonder and once on the Magic). I asked my kids and this is the list they came up with . . .

Studio Sea
Tea with Wendy
Who Wants to be a Mouseketeer (game show)
Magic - Making gingerbread house

Walt Disney Theatre
Toy Story Musical

Buena Vista Theatre
WALL-E

Oceaneer's Lab
Making Flubber
Making chocolate chip cookies
Going to Ocean Quest

Oceaneer's Club
Dress Up
Slide
Seeing the characters
Looking for Heffalumps

Scuttles Cove
Splashing Water on the CMs
Playing in the sand with the buckets

Deck 9 (Goofy Pool)
Pirates in the Caribbean Party
Sail Away Party

There are things they have done and some they want to do on a future cruise. They still don't know about the September cruise (or the WDW trip). We are taking a car service to port from our WDW resort. They are going to think we're going back to the airport. I can't wait to see their faces when we cross over the bridge to Port Canaveral. We are sneaky parents. So far, no cancellation on our AA flight. We are checking it weekly. We have more options with AA for a non-stop flight from Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. So, we are a little more confident that if there is a change, no big deal.

- Jennifer

Were flying spirit and so far no changes. I love your surprise. We did this when my neices and nephews were young and they still remember it

 

[acourtwdw2]

3rd time cruisers, first DVC Member Cruise. I was reading the threads about arriving, checking-in and parking. Is it best to get to the terminal as early as possible? When is the soonest you can check-in and board? We are driving down from Mooresville, NC and would like to stay somewhere cheap overnight Saturday. We had thought about a quick "day" at Amelia Island, then drive the 2 hours Sunday to get to port, but we don't want to wait forever with a 5 and 7 year old to check in and board. So, after all that rambling, I would love if someone could give a DVC Member Cruise rookie some advice for arrival. Thanks!

I like to get to the ship early so i would stay near the port. I think they have kids club activities in the terminal and to get to know each other and the club cast members

 

[acourtwdw2]

Just checking in!

Are you logged on? We are close to a pirate.

 

[acourtwdw2]

Waiting is anyone else on

 

[tikimimi]

I am hoping I can get ressies at 75 days, but I think Mary said they don't have any set aside for the new people.