"10/23/2010 Seven Days of Magic Sailing to the Saints Looking for Serenity Now!"

[d'Isigny]

How much is the budge shuttle and how do you set it up? We are staying at the Radison and also do you know when the first shuttle leaves the hotels? Can you sign up for the shuttle when you check in?

I've never stayed at The Radisson but have rented from Avis and used the shuttle split between the hotel/Avis - so...some of the info I am offering is from my experience, hearsay, trip reports and posts on the general cruise boards.

The Radisson/Avis at Coco Beach has their own, or a combined shuttle. They have a 'sign up' sheet at the hotel check-in desk for shuttle times. Am sure...it's a 'first come---first served'. You might call or e-mail them to request the shuttle times...and ask if you can sign up early. It's worth a shot.

Budget Car Rental would have their own shuttle. Most (I'd guess all car rental agencies) do not scheudle transportation to port. The van will leave when full...or...after a short wait. Again...first come --- first served...also depenant on the number of people in a group...number of empty seats on the shuttle van.

There is no charge to use a hotel or car agency shuttle van. It is common to tip the driver - esp...if they handle your luggage.

Additionally...you might consider using Avis. From my experience, Avis rental is 'on-property' inside The Radisson at Coco Beach. That might be easier - jus a thought.

Avis/Enterprise worked well for us in the past...I normally use Hertz. Through the company I work for...I get discounts and the fee for their gold club is waived. All interested in renting a car...might check with your credit card, shopping/automobile club (Costco - Sams Club - AAA - etc) or company employed with. You might be eligable for discounts, upgrades and special incentives - it's worth a shot.

More suggestions...If you have a large group (imho - Four or greater). You might offer some thought in taking the rental car to port...dropping everyone off and giving all the checked luggage to a Porter. Then...one person returns the car and takes the shuttle back to port. It's much easier for a car rental/hotel to squeeze one person in. Just remember that the person returning the car will need to have 'some id' with them to enter the Port parking lot. I always keep my drivers license and give my DBride my passport. That way...Nan can use my Passport to check us in. By the time I get a ride back to port...we are already checked in and waiting for the time we can board.

 

[angelabielanin]

Thank you so much for the great info! Since you are such a wealth of knowledge. When you book Palo's what are the times? I know Palo's brunch is only on days at Sea. We are big planners and there is my brother and sister-in law and mom and dad so there we are planning when we want to go to Palo's. Also for the life of me I can't remember where I saw the the prices for the Rainforest Passes. Do you know the price?

Thanks looking forward to meeting you.

 

[d'Isigny]

Thank you so much for the great info! Since you are such a wealth of knowledge. When you book Palo's what are the times? I know Palo's brunch is only on days at Sea. We are big planners and there is my brother and sister-in law and mom and dad so there we are planning when we want to go to Palo's.

Shhhhh - don't tell anyone - this will be our little secret. I may not be the 'wealth of knowledge' you mention...and...well...needed to use the search function on these main cruise boards to get you an answer. The below is from a Dis Member (disneyfaninaz) that has posted great info --- many, many times. Keep in mind...the below times are subject to change;

- Brunch is offered only on sea days. Reservations are for 10:30 AM, 11:00 AM or 11:30 AM.

- Dinner is offered each night. You can get reservations every half hour from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM

- High Tea is offered on sea days only at 3:00 PM. Tea might only be available on two of our three sea days.

Here is where I need to add some info from my experience. Pending your cruise status (first cruise, silver, gold, platinum level or convierge [cat 1, 2 or 3]) - will (IMHO) depend on the best 'plan of action' to ensure you get a ressie that suits your schedule.

+Did you book a Cat 1, 2 or 3? if so...no worries. If you don't get what you want 'on-line'...call DCL or speak with Concierge on board. I've heard that Concierge will make 'your wishes come true'. You should have no problem getting the day/time you.

+Platinum cruiser (10 previous sailings - or greater) can book and receive a Palo diner of choice 120 days prior to sailing.

+Gold (5 to 9 completed sailings) get to book 105 days in advance and will most likely have choices of day/time to book Palo.

+Silver (1st to 4th completed sailing) can book 90 days prior to sailing

+First time sailings can book 75 days before sailing.

Regardless of your above listed status...there are other options on booking Palo if you didn't get want you want - on line/on land. the famous/infamous --- 'ressie scramble' can get you other options. Directly after boarding...Rocking Bar D (deck 3 forward) is the place to go and get your Palo fix directly after boarding - Saturday afternoon.

Also for the life of me I can't remember where I saw the the prices for the Rainforest Passes. Do you know the price?Thanks looking forward to meeting you.

From previous posts...the Rainforest passes are ~$15 to $18 per person/day...~$90 per person/week.

Looking forward in meeting...you...as well. K

 

[Grandma4ever]

+First time and those with four or less sailings can book 90 days before sailing.



I believe those who are planning their first cruise cannot book till 75 days out. Please do not panic as Palo is the only ressie that you will have difficulity in obtaining. If it is important' once on board, go to the Rockin D Bar and see if you can get one or get wait listed. Folks Cancel all the time.

Another item to keep in the front of our obsessive planning minds is that the cruise must be PAID IN FULL prior to making any reservations.

Please feel free to correct me if I am incorrect. Got to run need to work today. Lois

 

[Anjelica]

+First time and those with four or less sailings can book 90 days before sailing.



I believe those who are planning their first cruise cannot book till 75 days out. Please do not panic as Palo is the only ressie that you will have difficulity in obtaining. If it is important' once on board, go to the Rockin D Bar and see if you can get one or get wait listed. Folks Cancel all the time.

Another item to keep in the front of our obsessive planning minds is that the cruise must be PAID IN FULL prior to making any reservations.

Please feel free to correct me if I am incorrect. Got to run need to work today. Lois

That is what I thought as well - first time cruisers book at 75 days out. I agree not to panic regarding Palo. We used to be able to book at 105 days out when we got the REAS package but now that they don't offer it my family can only book at 90 days out - and I truly don't expect any availability on the 90 day mark. I have resigned myself to just book onboard once we get there.

 

[angelabielanin]

Thank you so much! We cruise once in 2002. We were on the first ever western cruise. We had small children so we weren't able to book Palo. I'm having a great day....I just won family pack of 4 tickets to Disney on Ice! I have never won anything in my life!!! Now I can have a little Disney fix to hold me over until Oct.

 

[angelabielanin]

Wow I didn't know that there might not being anything at the 90 day mark. Thanks for telling me that so I can prepare myself

 

[d'Isigny]

+First time and those with four or less sailings can book 90 days before sailing.
I believe those who are planning their first cruise cannot book till 75 days out. Please do not panic as Palo is the only ressie that you will have difficulity in obtaining. If it is important' once on board, go to the Rockin D Bar and see if you can get one or get wait listed. Folks Cancel all the time.
Another item to keep in the front of our obsessive planning minds is that the cruise must be PAID IN FULL prior to making any reservations. Lois

That is what I thought as well - first time cruisers book at 75 days out. I agree not to panic regarding Palo. I have resigned myself to just book onboard once we get there.

75 days is correct - my bad...thank you very much for posting the correction - and other great information.

The ressie-scramble at Rockin D for Palo reservations is fairly quick and almost painless.

 

[angelabielanin]

Hi, just notice I must have forgotten to add my parnets Cliff, Eva not sure of room #, please add them to our list. Also will you start a kids thread?

 

[angelabielanin]

Sorry I was trying to send the previous post to Brenda

 

[sunshine1259]

Hi, just notice I must have forgotten to add my parnets Cliff, Eva not sure of room #, please add them to our list. Also will you start a kids thread?

Hi, Angela. I added your parents. As far as the kids' thread, is it any different than a regular thread? I could start one, I guess. I could call it "10/23/2010 Kids 7 Days of Magic Sailing to the Saints Looking for our Parents at Serenity Bay!"

Let me know if it is that easy. If so, I will gladly start the thread.

 

[oldshovelhead]

Well...a little rain here in eastern PA this morning, then sunny and 71 degrees for most of the rest of today. Thankfully the snow is history!!! Even though the weather is improving now...I STILL CAN'T WAIT to step onto a sandy beach under a palm tree somewhere in the Caribbean...

This cruise is gonna’ be GREAT!!! We can't wait...

 

[angelabielanin]

Hi, Angela. I added your parents. As far as the kids' thread, is it any different than a regular thread? I could start one, I guess. I could call it "10/23/2010 Kids 7 Days of Magic Sailing to the Saints Looking for our Parents at Serenity Bay!"

Let me know if it is that easy. If so, I will gladly start the thread.

Thanks Brenda! I don't know how to start a thread, I just noticed when look for cruise meets Magic 2010 so show a kids thread. Love the title

 

[Grandma4ever]

Great idea to have a thread for the kids.

I hope this finds everyone doing well. We are doing alot of moving furnture as my partners sister is moving in. She is 42 something going on 13. She has Bi polar and she not able to work. So she is going to live with us so we can monitor her care and help her out in general. We hope she can get Social Secuity benefits then we can help her find a small plce of her own to live. We may need to become payee for her money as part of the manic phase of her disease is uncontroled spending. Not good when you only have about 550.00 to live on.

On a positive note this is forcing us to spring clean and fix up the house.


I need this vacation NOW!!!!
Lois

 

[sunshine1259]

Ok, I posted the thread for the kids. It is called "10/23/2010 Kids' 7 Days of Magic Sailing the Sts. Looking 4 R 'Rents @ Serenity Bay!".


Hope it helps.

 

[mrsdn5]

Hello everyone again,
I havent been on for a very looong time. I think it was at the very begining. Anyways I have the disney bug again and I am getting very excited for this up coming trip. Just booked are airfare a few days ago. It is amazing though how it all starts creeping up on you. It will be time to sail before we know it. Yipee!!

 

[sunshine1259]

Hello everyone again,
I havent been on for a very looong time. I think it was at the very begining. Anyways I have the disney bug again and I am getting very excited for this up coming trip. Just booked are airfare a few days ago. It is amazing though how it all starts creeping up on you. It will be time to sail before we know it. Yipee!!

Hi, Laura. Good to hear from you again. And I totally agree with you. Before you know it, we will all be meeting each other. We still need to book the airfare, but I'm not to concerned yet.

 

[Paul2003]

Ahoy Mates,

Just a little update of our stateroom tour. (post# 1197 dated 3/7/2010) As of today we have an Inside standard stateroom, a deluxe inside stateroom with a secret porthole, an oceanview stateroom (one with a big porthole), a navigator's stateroom, a deluxe stateroom with a veranda, a deluxe family with veranda, a handicap stateroom, and yes The Roy O' Disney Suite. I still need a stateroom with adjoining rooms, and a one or two bedroom suite. I'm pretty sure we can view a sideways stateroom. Our Mate is on GTY for one of these. We have about 23 of us doing the tour. If anyone is still interested in joining us on a stateroom tour or would like to 'open" their stateroom (I could use some back ups) please PM me.

Have a Magical Day Paul (Paul2003)

 

[Nathalief]

Ahoy Mates,

Just a little update of our stateroom tour. (post# 1197 dated 3/7/2010) As of today we have an Inside standard stateroom, a deluxe inside stateroom with a secret porthole, an oceanview stateroom (one with a big porthole), a navigator's stateroom, a deluxe stateroom with a veranda, a deluxe family with veranda, a handicap stateroom, and yes The Roy O' Disney Suite. I still need a stateroom with adjoining rooms, and a one or two bedroom suite. I'm pretty sure we can view a sideways stateroom. Our Mate is on GTY for one of these. We have about 23 of us doing the tour. If anyone is still interested in joining us on a stateroom tour or would like to 'open" their stateroom (I could use some back ups) please PM me.

Have a Magical Day Paul (Paul2003)

Hey PAul, i don't know if i'm your Oceanview Stateroom (with the big porthole ), but I have also an adjoining rooms with my in law's ... Keep me posted if you will need my room. Have a nice weekend!!!

 

[sunshine1259]

Bump.