11/14/09 - Special Western - 2 CC stops

[DisneyStowAway]

First - thanks MrP for the info on the Jeep Excursion!

Now, I've read that there is a "special" process or place for Castaway Club Members to check-in... Is this true, and if so, how does it differ from the first time cruiser process/place?

Also reading that Castaway Club Members get a "gift" in their stateroom. Is that true? Because I love gifts.

Just trying to figure out what the Castaway Club perks are besides the one and I think really great benefit of being able to book Palo and Shore excursions 90 days out...

Thanks!

 

[Woobie]

I just checked the DCL website (newly updated) for our reservation and our waitlisted main dining came through
John

Can you only tell this if you're paid in full? I checked my ressie, and couldn't find any info about dining.

 

[glindamood]

First - thanks MrP for the info on the Jeep Excursion!

Now, I've read that there is a "special" process or place for Castaway Club Members to check-in... Is this true, and if so, how does it differ from the first time cruiser process/place?

Also reading that Castaway Club Members get a "gift" in their stateroom. Is that true? Because I love gifts.

Just trying to figure out what the Castaway Club perks are besides the one and I think really great benefit of being able to book Palo and Shore excursions 90 days out...

Thanks!

Castaway Club check in - it is just like the first time checkin - just a different line to get into. With DCL having SO many repeat cruisers, this line can be longer than the first timers.

CC gift - if you watch the main cruise board, they quite often report on what it is and especially when it changes. When we cruised last October, we got (please remember that I am old and the memory is the second thing to go) a mesh type backpack, a smaller mesh bag, water bottle, little zipper case with crayons in it (get fuzzy) a notepad and pen. I am sure there are pictures posted of it, I have seen them. If I come across it, I will post a link.

Raining here (at least I am no longer whining about snow) complete with lightening and thunder. I need to go to the grocery but maybe I will put it off as I may melt in the rain .

I am pleased to report that I changed our airline (again). Flying out of Grand Rapids now. But, I have a question. If you do DCL transportation with the airline checkin - I know that your flight needs to leave at 11:30 or later but I thought I had read somewhere if you have an early flight (and ours is now 11:55) that you need to be off by a specific time. We have late dining and I would really like to go to breakfast in my regular restaurant. I would imagine that we could show up for early breakfast and be seated as so many don't go.

 

[sharen24]

Can you only tell this if you're paid in full? I checked my ressie, and couldn't find any info about dining.

I don't know about the paid in full part, but I can see my dining status on both of my reservations - 2010 is not paid in full, 2009 is. Just call DCL directly because I am currently able to make a new reservation and select main dining.

 

[Woobie]

I had to call DCL b/c I couldn't find the dining info ANYWHERE! I stumped the agent b/c she couldn't find it on the web either. LOL Good news is she told me we are now main dining. YAY!!!! Thanks.

 

[sharen24]

I had to call DCL b/c I couldn't find the dining info ANYWHERE! I stumped the agent b/c she couldn't find it on the web either. LOL Good news is she told me we are now main dining. YAY!!!! Thanks.

Congratulations!!! One less thing to worry about.

 

[mousemom11]

I just ordered our Pirate Night t-shirts. We decided that rather than spending money on costumes that would be worn infrequently, that we'd buy pirate-themed t-shirts instead. I have Pirate Ears from DL and I'll get some pirate bandannas for DH and DDs. Whew, another thing crossed off my list!

 

[sandiegosusie]

I just ordered our Pirate Night t-shirts. We decided that rather than spending money on costumes that would be worn infrequently, that we'd buy pirate-themed t-shirts instead. I have Pirate Ears from DL and I'll get some pirate bandannas for DH and DDs. Whew, another thing crossed off my list!

We are going to do the same thing for my DH and I. Where did you order from. I had a diser create a design for me, that I may just iron on myself or send to one of those online shops. The kids want to dress up now, but that may change...we getting close aren't we?

 

[glindamood]

All this talk of pirate attire made me realize that after our October cruise last year, I pitched DH's as it was so large. And now, guess who has put on 40 pounds and it would have been just about right?? DANG! But, we sail after Halloween so hopefully I can find something on sale somewhere. Or we may wear tropical attire and call it a night.

 

[LindaBabe]

I'd just show up for early - I don't think we've ever had a full table for that breakfast.

 

[Fivepin]

Hi Everyone-

I haven't checked in in a long time. Life has just gotten in the way. I just lost my dad 6/26. My parents were still staying with my family while they looked for just the right house. I tried to convince my mom to go on the cruise, but she's going to go to Taiwan for 3-4 months to see my grandmother on 9/2. I thought I would spend the summer getting ready for the cruise. I haven't started yet. I've sent my 3 boys to summer camp so I could help my mom with paperwork and such.

Here the kids start back to school 8/25, so I need to think about back to school. I'm starting to focus on the cruise again and can't wait. I had been busy researching Europe as well, b/c my DH and I are doing the 12 nite Northern capitals cruise next year.

So...anything major I missed? I can't go back and catch up now. I still have to get added to spreadsheet. I'll PM Hypermommy for that.

 

[mousemom11]

Hi Everyone-

I haven't checked in in a long time. Life has just gotten in the way. I just lost my dad 6/26. My parents were still staying with my family while they looked for just the right house. I tried to convince my mom to go on the cruise, but she's going to go to Taiwan for 3-4 months to see my grandmother on 9/2. I thought I would spend the summer getting ready for the cruise. I haven't started yet. I've sent my 3 boys to summer camp so I could help my mom with paperwork and such.

Here the kids start back to school 8/25, so I need to think about back to school. I'm starting to focus on the cruise again and can't wait. I had been busy researching Europe as well, b/c my DH and I are doing the 12 nite Northern capitals cruise next year.

So...anything major I missed? I can't go back and catch up now. I still have to get added to spreadsheet. I'll PM Hypermommy for that.

I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad, Fivepin. Losing a parent is tough. My best to you and your family. As for what you missed, check the link in my sig for a post that summarizes all the DIS plans.

We are going to do the same thing for my DH and I. Where did you order from. I had a diser create a design for me, that I may just iron on myself or send to one of those online shops. The kids want to dress up now, but that may change...we getting close aren't we?

I ordered them from Cafe Press and used their designs. I just did a search on their website for Pirate t-shirts.

Well, now I must go help DD 10 finish packing for her first ever overnight camp. We leave in about an hour to take her there and she'll be gone the whole week. I went to this camp when I was her age, so I know that she'll have a blast. She's very excited. I am too, but it also means that my baby is growing up. Hmmm. Time for some Margarita therapy.

 

[Fivepin]

I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad, Fivepin. Losing a parent is tough. My best to you and your family. As for what you missed, check the link in my sig for a post that summarizes all the DIS plans.

Thank you for the info. That post was very helpful. I found the link for the spreadsheet. As far as the website link-could you please PM me or is that Denise as well? I still have to find out more about SM game.

 

[CalsMomma]

Hello, I'm a newbie here (1st Disney or any cruise!) and I'm getting in very late on all the action! One of my best friends just introduced me to the wonderful world of DCL, and I'm happy to say we just decided to join her and booked for the 11/14 cruise!

I've been spending the past few days immersed in all of the DIS fun and I hope you don't mind if we join in! I have a DS who will be turning 2 in Dec, and I know he will get a kick out of meeting other kids his age and doing the FE's, etc. I'll be sending my info into Hypermommy's spreadsheet asap. Anything else I need to know? I'm going to keep reading backwards...

Looking forward to meeting everyone!

 

[mousemom11]

Hello, I'm a newbie here (1st Disney or any cruise!) and I'm getting in very late on all the action! One of my best friends just introduced me to the wonderful world of DCL, and I'm happy to say we just decided to join her and booked for the 11/14 cruise!

I've been spending the past few days immersed in all of the DIS fun and I hope you don't mind if we join in! I have a DS who will be turning 2 in Dec, and I know he will get a kick out of meeting other kids his age and doing the FE's, etc. I'll be sending my info into Hypermommy's spreadsheet asap. Anything else I need to know? I'm going to keep reading backwards...

Looking forward to meeting everyone!

Glad to have you aboard! Is your friend a part of our meet thread? If not, please invite her to join us as well. This is a great group of people and we have lots planned. Check the link in my sig for a summary of all our activities.

 

[big jack 2002]

My sister and her husband just decided to join us last weekend!! They were able to get cabins near us on deck 2!! They were able to link to our reservations and they got main dining, too!! I am going to send her the link to this so they will be able to join us on the DIS board!!
I am making FE's for all of the cabins--and I'm working on our FE gift!!
We can hardly wait for our cruise.
Barbara

 

[glindamood]

Hello, I'm a newbie here (1st Disney or any cruise!) and I'm getting in very late on all the action! One of my best friends just introduced me to the wonderful world of DCL, and I'm happy to say we just decided to join her and booked for the 11/14 cruise!

I've been spending the past few days immersed in all of the DIS fun and I hope you don't mind if we join in! I have a DS who will be turning 2 in Dec, and I know he will get a kick out of meeting other kids his age and doing the FE's, etc. I'll be sending my info into Hypermommy's spreadsheet asap. Anything else I need to know? I'm going to keep reading backwards...

Looking forward to meeting everyone!

Glad to have you and your family joining us. This is a great group with lots of experienced cruisers among us so feel free to ask any questions that you may have.

 

[mrp4352]

Welcome to all the new cruisers!! You're brave, brave people to hook up willingly with this crazy group! If you haven't PM'd Denise your e-mail address, you'll want to soon. She's set up a great form for everyone to fill out and our own set of personal discussion boards. CalsMomma, you'll need to post a little more before you can send a PM - I think it's a 10 post minimum... But I'm sure you'll find plenty to ask/say to us!


We've been making progress on our FEs, too. Mom's (MsTxMom) almost done with her's and I've finally moved past the "talking about what I want to do" stage into the "actually starting to do something about it" stage!

 

[binky1]

Welcome to all our newest members!!

Did you think I'd fallen off the face of the earth?!?? I haven't been on here in ages but now I've bundled my kidlets off to day camp and I can take care of all those really important things like checking in with my fellow Double Dippers.

Disney is now offering Free Dining while we are there - I managed to save another $300. At first they said it was only for Disney VISA holders (which we can't get here in Canada) but then they announced today that it was for everyone. YIPPEE!!

Going to start work on my adult FE gifts this week - so many plans, so little time....

Can you believe how fast time is flying??? I need to get it in gear!!

Cheers,
Lisa

 

[Fivepin]

Hi Everyone-

Just wanted to share my experience about the fuel surcharges....
I had been reading stories about others experiences about getting their fuel surcharges refunded. I didn't even know until last night that DCL had stopped charging the fuel surcharges. I called my TA about it today, and she was able to get me the refund. I consider myself one of the lucky ones, b/c others have not been able to even get OBC. I had booked mine onboard and then transferred to my AAA TA so I could get the rebooking OBC and the AAA OBC.

I wish others luck as well and spreading some pixie dust your way.....it just means more drinking for us