11/06/11 Dream 4 Day

[ibouncetoo]

darn! I was really thinking of surprising DH with this! He would love the seclusion. Since we're doing the b2b, I guess I can still hope for our 11/10 cruise (but it seems pretty doubtful since I'm a first time cruiser and can't book till very late). Oh well. $500 bucks saved, right?

Even if they are gone when you can book...keep checking, I think sometimes folks grab them and then rethink the decision, of have other change of plans.

.

 

[bellebud]

Even if they are gone when you can book...keep checking, I think sometimes folks grab them and then rethink the decision, of have other change of plans.

.

thanks! I'll definitely remember that! That would be a really great surprise for my dh... it's right up his alley!!! The second sailing would probably be better anyway, since the first we'll want to wander around CC a lot not feel too secluded. I'll keep my fingers crossed and keep checking... either way, it will be awesome!!

 

[ibouncetoo]

Racing out the door for work....

can't remember if it has been mentioned here, but wanted to make sure everyone was aware that effective Aug 2 the port will not open till 11AM and DCL will be enforcing the check in times you selected when you did your on line check in.


There are a couple of threads on the main board on the subject if you want to read everyone's worries, concerns and gripes.

.

 

[dthogue]

Tammy we are heading to WDS (me and DH) in September and was hoping to close before that time so we could bring our FE's and leave them in our Owners Locker. Any chance we can close before that time? Also, thank you so much for all your hard work on this list. I know that ALOT goes into it and you have done a great job

when in September are you going?

 

[iankh]

Racing out the door for work....

can't remember if it has been mentioned here, but wanted to make sure everyone was aware that effective Aug 2 the port will not open till 11AM and DCL will be enforcing the check in times you selected when you did your on line check in.


There are a couple of threads on the main board on the subject if you want to read everyone's worries, concerns and gripes.

.

This probably a silly question but the selectable check-in times online will be commensurate with when the port opens? Meaning you can't select a time before they open?

 

[bellebud]

Racing out the door for work....

can't remember if it has been mentioned here, but wanted to make sure everyone was aware that effective Aug 2 the port will not open till 11AM and DCL will be enforcing the check in times you selected when you did your on line check in.


There are a couple of threads on the main board on the subject if you want to read everyone's worries, concerns and gripes.

.

So the people who are first time DCL cruisers, since we have the latest on-line check in date, will probably get the latest boarding times, I'm guessing (???)

 

[iankh]

So the people who are first time DCL cruisers, since we have the latest on-line check in date, will probably get the latest boarding times, I'm guessing (???)

Not necessarily. It will be a combination of factors, when the online checkin window opens for the Castaway Club levels and what people choose. I suspect that the time slots are not necessarily as capacity limited as other things. It really depends on the number of platinum, gold and silvers on the cruise.

You might get a later slot but I think you still have a very good chance of getting one in the first third.




.

 

[ibouncetoo]

They have changed the check in times to reflect 11AM as the first one. Someone who is a first timer did report that for THEIR CRUISE there were 11-11:30 slots open. I also believe that people will be more realistic when they select their times. I personally know someone who was taking a DCL bus from a resort who had selected an early time (hoping it would mean a low boarding number) when they knew the bus wasn't even getting to the ship till after 1PM!

We are fortunate that there will be a shake-down period before our cruise and we will have plenty of feedback on this! The disappointing thing is DCL doesn't seem to be making much of an effert to alert the folks who are cruising in August (other than some fine print on their documents. Can you imagine the poor folks who are used to showing up at the port at 9:30 to be the first in line?

.

 

[dthogue]

So my online check in date is August 8th - so at midnight I can try to make a Palo reservation, will I be able to select my check in time then as well? I thought I read somewhere that that option wasn't available til later??? We'll be at WDW then and I don't want to be up all night trying to check in

Any ideas?

 

[ibouncetoo]

At 12:01AM (the NIGHT OF 8/7) you can do your Palo/Excursions.

The 'My on line check in' section does not open at that time. I think it opens at the start of the 'business day' on the 8th. I just waited till the next morning to do mine and had no problem, and I'm 3 hours behind the east coast. (Though...I'd still double check on it while you are up that night....you know Disney, they always change things up!)

.

 

[iankh]

At 12:01AM (the NIGHT OF 8/7) you can do your Palo/Excursions.

The 'My on line check in' section does not open at that time. I think it opens at the start of the 'business day' on the 8th. I just waited till the next morning to do mine and had no problem, and I'm 3 hours behind the east coast. (Though...I'd still double check on it while you are up that night....you know Disney, they always change things up!)

.

I think it's quite a good change and speculate that the crowding must have reached dangerous levels.

I suppose I'll see what slots are available when I go in next week. I'll be making Palo reservations and the online check-in hours after.

 

[ACDSNY]

I've never been one that has to be at the port early so it won't bother me one bit. I don't like waiting around in the terminal so we usually have arrived later and walked right through.

 

[ACDSNY]

Atlantis Paradise Island - Nassau

For those of you with reservations at Comfort Suites for your Atlantis day, check the current rates and see if it's gone down. Ours went from a base of $189 to $135 for the 4 of us, a nice overall $60 savings.

 

[goofystitchfan]

when in September are you going?

Oh geeze Tammy, I just saw this.... We are going Sept. 24

 

[MommaluvsDis]

DH and I are coming from WL on the bus. What check-in time should we select?

 

[ibouncetoo]

DH and I are coming from WL on the bus. What check-in time should we select?

Bus usually shows up at the port in the 1-130P window. If you've already registered for the bus, it MIGHT not even list an option for you....mixed reports on that, so I'd love to know what shows up when you do your online paperwork.

.

 

[MommaluvsDis]

Oh okay. Just realized though that I'll already be at the port as this will be the second cruise of our B2B! Gotta get my stuff together. However, it will paaly to my Nov 3rd cruise so thanks for the info.

It really won't bother me at all to get there that late. I like walking thru the terminal and getting right on the ship.

We usually travel with another couple that always wants to be first in line!!!!!

 

[iankh]

Oh okay. Just realized though that I'll already be at the port as this will be the second cruise of our B2B! Gotta get my stuff together. However, it will paaly to my Nov 3rd cruise so thanks for the info.

It really won't bother me at all to get there that late. I like walking thru the terminal and getting right on the ship.

We usually travel with another couple that always wants to be first in line!!!!!

Speaking of back-to-backs, does one have to check-in online for the second cruise?

 

[ibouncetoo]

Speaking of back-to-backs, does one have to check-in online for the second cruise?

Yes, well you still have to fill out all your online paperwork (CC stuff, ID stuff, emergency contact yadda yadda yadda).

You know, for the life of me I can't remember if the board time for leg #2 was even an option? I sure don't remember picking one. Guess I'll go over to the DCL site and report back here with the answer.

.
EDITED:
Well, first of all, DUH....Platinum, don't pick an port arrival time. Second...I never filled out the online check in stuff for the second leg of the B2B~ So, Ian...I can't answer your question.

 

[iankh]

So, Ian...I can't answer your question.

My world just tilted on it's axis a bit.


.