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

[acourtwdw2]

Hope everyone is watching the disney travel on demand

 

[acourtwdw2]

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.

The 40 second rule gets me again. Congrats on the pirate.

 

[tikimimi]

Oh my goodness - I am doing this while chatting on facebook. I had no idea. Thanks though!

 

[acourtwdw2]

Oh my goodness - I am doing this while chatting on facebook. I had no idea. Thanks though!

What is facebook?

 

[JOANNEL]

facebook is like my space for college kids.

 

[tikimimi]

Yep, it's a social networking tool. It used to be only for those in college but then they extended it to alumni and grad students, etc... I think now, anybody can have one

 

[JOANNEL]

it's so slow tonight I couldn't even get signed on.

I really want to do brunch with Nancy & Dan- they have never been. But I guess we will survive with out it if we can't get it when we get on.

 

[tikimimi]

This is another one of those trips for us where we consider ourselves very blessed to be able to go at all. We don't know if we will ever do another Disney cruise, so we would love to do the brunch as well. I think we may do a drink and dessert if we don't get brunch.

 

[JOANNEL]

We have dinner reservations but brunch is my favorite. I don't really like all the fancy stuff so brunch is nice being a buffet. The filet at dinner is fabulous but the other stuff is really too foo foo for me. But the desserts are wonderful. Too bad they didn't just do a dessert buffet from Palo at night!

 

[JOANNEL]

This is another one of those trips for us where we consider ourselves very blessed to be able to go at all. We don't know if we will ever do another Disney cruise, so we would love to do the brunch as well. I think we may do a drink and dessert if we don't get brunch.

I know what you mean, who knows what the future will bring. I am just happy to be doing this.

That's what I say to people who complain about their jobs, at least you have a job. With this economy who knows whats in store for us in the tourist industry.

 

[tikimimi]

Since it is our first Disney cruise, we don't want to miss any of the scheduled dinners. We also would love to try the other too though. I'm not sure what we'll end up doing if we don't get brunch. Of course with brunch, we're a bit concerned we'll end up missing some speaker we'd love to hear. We just want to do it ALL!

 

[JOANNEL]

Yep, it's a social networking tool. It used to be only for those in college but then they extended it to alumni and grad students, etc... I think now, anybody can have one

My kids both have pages. I try not to be too nosy. They are 19 & 22. Most pictures have girls and beer in them. SO I really don't want to know.......

 

[JOANNEL]

Since it is our first Disney cruise, we don't want to miss any of the scheduled dinners. We also would love to try the other too though. I'm not sure what we'll end up doing if we don't get brunch. Of course with brunch, we're a bit concerned we'll end up missing some speaker we'd love to hear. We just want to do it ALL!

There is so much more to do on the member cruise than a normal cruise. WE were going all the time. Plus the Red Sox were on so dh spent alot of time in Diversions.

 

[tikimimi]

19 and 22? Mine are 18 and 21. I know what you mean about not looking.

Mack is a big football fan, so with the cruise during football season, he'll probably find that spot too.

 

[CarolAnnC]

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.

There will be a set of reservations released at the 75 day mark for folks in that booking window, and once again on board the ship. Unless, there is something new that has changed recently? Anyway, good luck in getting your Palo's!

 

[cherylp3]

Looks like I missed the pirate yet again, was watching TV.

 

[MOsFriend]

Yeah!!! Only 82 days until we sail.

Has anyone heard who will be on the ship this year? I know the theme but haven't heard anything about who the special guests may be or about any other entertainment.

Last year was amazing (and our first member cruise). Are they all this good or was last year an exception?

Please let me know and thanks

 

[manascarfan]

Plus the Red Sox were on so dh spent alot of time in Diversions.

I am sure I must have met him, as we spent alot of time there watching as well!

Dave

 

[tikimimi]

There will be a set of reservations released at the 75 day mark for folks in that booking window, and once again on board the ship. Unless, there is something new that has changed recently? Anyway, good luck in getting your Palo's!

Wow - thanks Carol! I guess we will be staying up really late on July 7! Do we try to do it online? Do we have to complete the online registration before we can book anything else?

 

[WDWLVR]

Good morning everyone! Happy Wednesday!

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?

Mimi -all concierge gets boarding group #1. They board first along with any handicapped cruisers and their parties. The good thing is they were able to book Palo at 105 days so most likely got everything they wanted so they shouldn't be in competition with anyone boarding to get it. If you want to try and book Palo onboard then yes I think it would be worth it to get to the port early and try and get in group #2.

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

Robin, hope you had fun over the weekend. Yuck on the dental surgery but at least you have a long weekend to recover. Good luck!

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!

Welcome aboard! Getting to the port early is important if you want to try and book Palo, a spa appointment or if your kids want to hit the pools early. Otherwise you'd be ok arriving later. The port opens at 10 and boarding usually starts about 11:30 - 11:45. There will be some special touches in the terminal for the Member Cruise. Welcome Home banners and such. In addition DeeVeeCee usually makes an appearance. Some enjoy that and some don't . Plus the usual pictures with Mickey etc. Our friends with kids like to get to the port early so the kids can enjoy the pool. The kids come to the port with their swimsuits on. Upon boarding they head up to deck 9 and grab a table near the pool. Lunch is then a combination of pizza, chicken fingers, as well as lunch from Beach Blanket. The kids get to enjoy the pool before it gets crazy. Of course there will be fewer kids on the Member Cruise so that might not be as important this time.

Hope this helps. If you check out post #1 in this thread you'll find links to our web page (or just click the Member Cruise link in my signature. We have links to our trip reports from all our past Member Cruises to give you an idea of what to expect. That first post will also show you want into to send me if you want to be included on the web page and with the DIS buttons.

Yeah!!! Only 82 days until we sail.

Has anyone heard who will be on the ship this year? I know the theme but haven't heard anything about who the special guests may be or about any other entertainment.

Last year was amazing (and our first member cruise). Are they all this good or was last year an exception?

Please let me know and thanks

Welcome aboard! Got your info and will be putting it up on the website either tonight or tomorrow (need to leave for work soon).

Last year was an exceptional cruise but we've really enjoyed all of the Member Cruises. I would say my favorites in order were 2007 & 2005 tied for first, then 2003 and finally 2006 (DVC seemed to drop the ball on this one a bit but was still a good cruise). I will say each and every DVC cruise has blown away a regular 4 day cruise. DVC brings the best guests.