1/15/2005

[big jack 2002]

Yes, It is only about 50 miles from here.

 

[karebear1]

Is anyone staying at Ron Jon's the night before we leave?
If not, where are you staying?

 

[mark & sandra]

Hello again karebear1- We decided to skip the Radisson and booked a room at Ron Jon's for the 14th. We used code 102 and got a 1 bedroom for 119.00 w/ tax. Where are you staying the night before

Sandra

 

[karebear1]

Sandra-
We were going to stay at BWV the night before, but I was reading about Ron Jons and I'm thinking about driving down the day before now and staying there. How are you getting from the resort to the port? And.... after the cruise is over, how are you getting back to the airport? I might change my mind back though because I was reading that check in time for Ron Jons is 4pm! Doesn't leave a lot of time to do too much there! THere are just so many decisions to make, that I just don't know what to do! SOOOOOOOOO FUN!!!!

 

[mark & sandra]

Don't let check-in time worry you. If a room is available they usually allow you to check-in as early as you get there. If not they allow you to use all the facilities on the premises until your room is ready. We were thinking of doing the one way rentals again from Budget like last year. We liked the flexibility it gave us for the evening before the cruise, even though we are at the resort we can still do some last minute running around to get whatever we forgot to bring. If Ron Jon's shuttle is a problem then we'll have Budget drop us off at the ship. Have you started to think about any excursions that your family may do? We did the Sting-ray and snorkle tour on Grand Cayman, and the royal swim with the dolphins in Cozumel.

 

[karebear1]

We are definetly looking at the sting ray swin. Did you book your tours through DCL or independantly? We'd also like to do some snorkeling- any suggestions? The rate for a studio unit at Ron Jons looks great. I was wondering if that 102 code was sill good for our check in dates- I think I read you used it. Why did you decide to take a 1 bedroom instead of a studio?
I also meant to as how the weather was for you on your cruise this January? Was it warm enough to swim?

 

[mark & sandra]

We booked our excursions directly. It is cheaper and we were in control. In Grand Cayman, the seas were very rough and they cancelled the tenders and ALL disney booked excursions. When we finally got off the boat, after moving to the other side of the island, we were already over 1 hour late for our excursion, we were met by the tour bus and told that we could go on the next boat out for the sting-ray swim, no problems at all. In Cozumel, I'd suggest you take a cab to Chananaab Park. Thats where the dolphin and sea lion excursion go. They have a great beach, plenty of area to snorkle, a calm sheltered kids beachfront, and a beachside restaurant. The cab costs 10.00 each way and the park is 10.00 per person. It's very clean and safe. I guess we switched to the 1 bedroom because of the extra area. Sometimes I can't get to sleep the night before a vacation and having the extra room to sit back and watch t.v. and not disturb everyone else is a good thing and it's only 20.00 more then the studio. I have also heard that the 1 bedroom comes with a washer/dryer in the room, if you're coming from a mini-vacation like you say, you can do laundry without leaving the room, as late as you'd like.

Sandra

 

[karebear1]

I think not being able to sleep the night before a Disney Vacation is a common phenomenom! And I say....... if the 1 br is only 20.00 /night- go for it! I'm gonna talk to DH about this tonite and I'll let ya know if we decide to saty at Ron Jons on Friday night. Are you bringing children along with you?

 

[mark & sandra]

Yes, we're bringing our DD12, and our DS10 ( that will be their ages by the time we cruise). We might even get to see them this time during dinner.

 

[karebear1]

From what I read on these boards- I don;t think you'll have any better chance at seeing your kids for dinner then you did last time!
I do have another question-
How did you get to the port the last time? What time did you get there? Did you eat at Palo's and if so- what was your experience in trying to sign up for that dinner? I just hatea confusion and the anxiety I feel while in line is just not worth it to me sometimes. I hate the thought of me getting there, standing in line nad then not getting into the restaurant!

 

[mark & sandra]

karebear1- We came in a day early and started out at Universal for the day. We headed to the port about 5pm. We checked into the Radisson a little after 6pm. We kept the rental until Sat. morning , and I brought it back about 9am and walked the 2 blocks back to the Radisson to wait for the shuttle to the ship.
We didn't do Palo on that trip, but hope to do it this time. After you check-in at the port, a line starts to form to enter the ship. Only 1 person needs to be there and I suggest you have someone stay there. People in the concierge level staterooms board first, and they usually book their spa and palo times before us regular folks. It would be wise to go straight to the area, wherever that is, and book Palo. If we find out where, we'll let you know. If your staying at Ron Jon's the night before, maybe you and Sandy can make plans to team-up for Palo and Spa ressies. ...Mark

 

[karebear1]

Would they let me make ressies for another couple as well as myself do you know?
I'm a little conerned about the waiting inline to get into the the check in area at the ship. You arrived pretty early- and had to wait to get in! Did you wait outside under the infamous white tent? When you finally did get in, where were you in the line to get on the ship?

 

[mark & sandra]

We got to the port at about 10:30am, we got off the shuttle and moved our luggage under a tented area. A DCL rep asked us to wait until our luggage was put into container for transfer over to the ship. They brought out, by forklift, a huge cargo box and we watched as everyones luggage was put on. We then walked across the street and had to wait about 5 minutes for the line to go through the metal detectors. Then it was up the escalators into the main room. They have a desk for those who are unsure of how to finish their documents. The line for check in is alot like a check-in line at Disney resorts. When a rep is free they call the next person over. You give them your completed documents, show proof for all passengers, register a credit card, and after you receive your kttw card( similar to the card you get at the resorts) , your done. I decided to get on the line for entry to the ship. We were there about 45 minutes and by then the line snaked clear across the room and then some. We were on within 10 minutes of when they finally allowed boarding. The concierge level people went on first, and since they were filming a sitcom on our cruise, about 100 crew members , and family of crew members went on with the first group. We boarded and went up to the top deck to explore. Sandy heard from a few people that the large group that pre-boarded had snatched up alot of the preferred times for Palo's. I think you'll need to post the question if someone can reserve for another person at Palo's or Spa....Mark

 

[kellimomo3]

Mark & Sandra,
I just saw your post that you did the dolphin swim in Cozumel. We are thinking of doing the dolphin encounter, we just can't decide whether or not to bring the boys. My oldest (8) would probably love it, bu the younger two (7 & 4) would probably be scared. I'm curious if you brought your kids, did they like it? Did you see anyone else's kids backing out from nerves?? If so, do you have any idea if those families were charged full price??

Are you guys going to Universal before your cruise this year too?? We are doing a week at Universal & Disney prior to the cruise and I just can't wait!! We have reservations at the Holiday Inn Family Suites for the week, but it will be the Nickolodeon Kid Suites Hotel by the time we go. We have reserved the Jimmy Neutron suite for $116 a night! The kids all eat free and it's convenient to both parks. What time do you suggest arriving at port on Saturday? We are doing REAS so I'm not concerned with making Palos/spa ressies. Thanks!!

January seems so far away!!

Kelli

 

[mark & sandra]

kellimomo3- I would suggest that you book directly with www.dolphidiscovery.com . We did and they offered to let our group in even though DCL and Shoretrips said it was booked full. I would also suggest you book the Royal Swim instead. For both excursions you start off doing the same thing, kiss the dolphin(photo op) shake hands with the dolphin(photo op), but in the Royal Swim they allow you and your child to swim out into the water, an instructor is already out there, and the dolphins push you by the feet so you rise out of the water. Then you both swim out again and the dolphins let you hold their top fin and they pull to the platform that you started at. Then they jump over poles that you two hold up in the air and then swim around the whole group. Your other 2 can walk around on the platform above and watch the whole thing and enjoy the show. I'd ask how young they allow, maybe one or two of the younger ones can join in.
We'll be doing Universal from Friday morning till we head to the Port, probably around 4pm-5pm. We've stayed at the HIFS before and it was great, you'll wonder why anyone ever stays on site when there are great resorts like this off site. They are undergoing MAJOR renovations, I'd call and see what part they have planned to be under construction during your visit. It could make a big difference.
Are you renting a car? If so it might pay to spend Friday night at the port instead of HIFS. You can then park the car for the whole cruise for free instead of paying 70.00 to park at the pier....Mark

 

[karebear1]

Mark&Sandra- how was the weather when you cruised this year? What about the water temp? Was it too cool to enjoy a verandah or the ships outside decks in the evening? Did it rain alot?

 

[kellimomo3]

Mark & Sandra,

We are renting a car at MCO from Budget. We are staying at HIFS for 6 nights, then driving to port in our rental Sat. AM, returning the car to Budget and heading to the port. We are planning to get there by 11am. How does that sound??
Thanks for the info on the Dolphin Swim. Did you see any kids that were scared?? My boys will be 8, 6 & 4. I think we will leave the younger two on the ship for this one!
As far as the renovations at HIFS, I called and they expect to be done by the end of the year so we should be okay. They are not closing for any part of their renovation so even if it's not done we still have a place to stay whether it's Nickolodeon Family Suites or HIFS!
Also wanted to ask the same question as Karebear, how's the weather in January?? Did you do REAS last time? We are thinking about trying it. We were planning on Palo and spa services anyway and it's a nice way to beat that embarktion stress.
Kelli

 

[mark & sandra]

karebear1- Temps were a bit chilly in Port Canaveral ( if 70 with wind) We only had 1 evening of rain and that only ruined activities on deck 9 & 10. There's plenty to do around the ship without going on top deck. It was never too cool to be on our verandah. It was too windy some of the time to enjoy some activities on decks 9 & 10. (ping-pong, and sunbathing). The pools are fresh water and heated, I don't think the kids really care how cold it was. Castaway Cay was very windy in the morning, water was even too cold for the kids to enjoy it until mid-afternoon.

kellimomo3- 11am sound o.k. The shuttle will drop you off by a tented area where you'll wait for them to load your bags onto containers for delivery to the ship. Afterwards you walk across the street to the DCL entrance. You'll line up to go through security (like at the airport) and then go up the escalator to check-in. After you check-in and get your kttw cards, you can line up for entry to the boat. If getting on early is important to you for Palo ressies, you might want to leave your husband after Budget drops you off and get across the street to line up. You can check-in for him upstairs while he saves a place on the line to go aboard. People in staterooms 1-3 get to board early and they take prime Palo and Spa times. Getting onboard early will really help.

 

[karebear1]

On My Gosh- it took me 30 minutes to find this thread! We gotta keep it bumped up to the front you guys!
Does anyone know if you can still sue the code for Ron Jon's - also- is Ron Jon's within walking distance of the port or do they have a shuttle tthat will take you to the port? I think we're goinna stay there Friday night.

 

[pershing]

Hi!

We are also on Jan. 15.

I am a single Mom with 3 sons, DS10, 8, 6. However DS8 has Autism, which may mean another counselor will be added to the kids area if available. (That's what they said last time anyway!)

We've done Wonder and they loved it so much they wanted to do a full week.

I've been to all the Eastern Islands when I was young and single so I 'm looking forward to seeing the Western side.

We won't be staying near the port the night before as I got really rates at the Swan for 3 days before.

I'm still deciding whether to drive or do towncar. I'm not sure how I would get from the car rental office to the port if I rented so I will probably towncar it just for convenience. I did that last time and it was so easy.