11/22/08 Thanksgiving 2008 cruise thread. Double Dipping Travelling Turkeys!

[mlemmons]

Hi - I recently joined the board after a friend recommended it. Thanks so much for all the information. It has been really great and extremely helpful! We are travelling with our extended family. We were also unable to get the Palo reservations we wanted. How early should we plan to arrive at the port to have a good chance at getting that? Thanks!

Disneypoor is spot on with her information. You can "check in" at the terminal as early as 10:00 a.m. and they give you boarding cards with numbers on them (kind of like Southwest used to board their planes). The earlier you check in the earlier you get on the ship. They don't actually let you on the ship at 10:00 a.m. You'll have to sit around the terminal for awhile. I don't remember the approximate time they let you board but my memory says it was around 11:30 a.m....maybe noon. I can't tell you how quickly the Palo reservations get booked though...of course it's going to depend on the size of your group and the day/time you want to dine.

 

[TwoByFour]

Hi - I recently joined the board after a friend recommended it. Thanks so much for all the information. It has been really great and extremely helpful! We are travelling with our extended family. We were also unable to get the Palo reservations we wanted. How early should we plan to arrive at the port to have a good chance at getting that? Thanks!

Welcome Aboard!!!

 

[lexandme]

I love taking the bus from WDW to the port but I hate not being in control of the time of arrival. Last cruise we got there around 12:30 and just walked right on the ship. When I called WDW to find out what time pick up will be at AKL they had no idea. Then I called DCL and they said around 11:00 - 11:30.
That should put us there around 12-12:30. I might feel differently this trip. I know I will fall in love with AKL and may not want to leave! I'll keep reminding myself I have a date with a dolphin! (until they make a dolphin smilie, I will continue to use this mackerel)

 

[TwoByFour]

Little DS's cold has now developed into an eye infection. There went our entire afternoon. I'm hoping DD doesn't get it.

Judy--We'll probably get to the port about the same time. I like to sleep in, especially on vacation. As long as I'm there in time for the sail away party, I'm good. When we took DCL transportation time before last our bus left the Beach Club at 11:45 and we got to the port somewhere around 1:00 and walked right on the ship, and right to our room.

 

[lexandme]

Little DS's cold has now developed into an eye infection. There went our entire afternoon. I'm hoping DD doesn't get it.

Judy--We'll probably get to the port about the same time. I like to sleep in, especially on vacation. As long as I'm there in time for the sail away party, I'm good. When we took DCL transportation time before last our bus left the Beach Club at 11:45 and we got to the port somewhere around 1:00 and walked right on the ship, and right to our room.

Stacie
Are you staying at WDW Fri night? You're going to MVMCP, right?
Our 10 month old DGS is just getting over a double ear infection. I feel so bad when the little ones get so sick. I hope your little guy feels better soon!

 

[plutoluvsfifi]

I love taking the bus from WDW to the port but I hate not being in control of the time of arrival. Last cruise we got there around 12:30 and just walked right on the ship. When I called WDW to find out what time pick up will be at AKL they had no idea. Then I called DCL and they said around 11:00 - 11:30.
That should put us there around 12-12:30. I might feel differently this trip. I know I will fall in love with AKL and may not want to leave! I'll keep reminding myself I have a date with a dolphin! (until they make a dolphin smilie, I will continue to use this mackerel)

Judy, AKL would know just what time the bus leaves if you talked to them. Give the Zebras my regards.

Does anyone know what time the first buses pull out of airport for the terminal?? We are spending the night before at the airport Hyatt so I’d like to be on the first bus outa there! It’s my only consolation for not getting to spend the night at DW.

 

[billsteph]

Thank you everyone for your replies and advice. We had planned on getting to the port around 11:00 - but now I think we will try to get there a little bit earlier. I was able to get a reservation for my DH and me, but we wanted to go with DH brother and wife so we need a table for 4. We figured the kids 15, 9, 8, 7) could have kid night while we went out.

My brother in law wanted me to find out if you are able to bring your own beverages on board - the adult variety. I know you can order wine packages, but didn't know about anything else or if that was not allowed. Any advice? Also - it will be my nephew's 10th b-day the day we sail. What a great b-day! Has anyone ordered the birthday package from the ship? Thanks!!

 

[billsteph]

WELCOME
I'm Judy and I am a disaholic.
Will you be joining us at our meet onboard, 3:00PM,day 1, prior to the sail-a-way party? DCL will be getting back to me on the room and I will post the location as soon as I hear.
Judy

Hi Judy - thanks for the invite! I have been reading all of the neat things the group has planned. I haven't even made it through all the stuff yet! But, we are travelling with our extended family -three familes total - 11 in the group and I am still trying to get that organized! We don't get to see each other a lot and day 1 is my nephew's birthday. But - I am very excited for the trip and we are all looking forward to it. This site is great and I have learned so much to help us with our trip! Now - I need to get organized and figure out a plan!! Can I respond once I talk to my group?

 

[seadooken]

Thank you everyone for your replies and advice. We had planned on getting to the port around 11:00 - but now I think we will try to get there a little bit earlier. I was able to get a reservation for my DH and me, but we wanted to go with DH brother and wife so we need a table for 4. We figured the kids 15, 9, 8, 7) could have kid night while we went out.

My brother in law wanted me to find out if you are able to bring your own beverages on board - the adult variety. I know you can order wine packages, but didn't know about anything else or if that was not allowed. Any advice? Also - it will be my nephew's 10th b-day the day we sail. What a great b-day! Has anyone ordered the birthday package from the ship? Thanks!!

Hi billsteph,

I think you will have even better luck if you are just modifying an existing res at Palos. Just get their early.

You can bring almost any kind of "adult" drinks onboard. Just carry them on and don’t bring ice. Our last cruise, we brought a bottle of wine for each day, and a bottle of Crown Royal. My parents brought a 12 pack of beer. What worked best for us is a rolling collapsible cooler. Easy on and since it was empty after the cruise , we packed all of our souvenirs in the cooler.

 

[TwoByFour]

Stacie
Are you staying at WDW Fri night? You're going to MVMCP, right?
Our 10 month old DGS is just getting over a double ear infection. I feel so bad when the little ones get so sick. I hope your little guy feels better soon!

No, we're renting a townhouse off site. We've never stayed off-site before, we thought this would be a good way to try it, short enough if we hate it, long enough to get the feel for it.

 

[billsteph]

Hi billsteph,

I think you will have even better luck if you are just modifying an existing res at Palos. Just get their early.

You can bring almost any kind of "adult" drinks onboard. Just carry them on and don’t bring ice. Our last cruise, we brought a bottle of wine for each day, and a bottle of Crown Royal. My parents brought a 12 pack of beer. What worked best for us is a rolling collapsible cooler. Easy on and since it was empty after the cruise , we packed all of our souvenirs in the cooler.

Hi Seadooken -

Thanks so much the reply. Very exciting news !! I think we will both invest in a rolling cooler. We are staying at Disney for three days prior to the cruise so we can stock up before we get to the port. I didn't realize it would be that easy. My brother in law will be so happy to hear this as well.

I just told my husband that we will need to leave Disney earlier than our planned 10:00 a.m. I'd rather be on the ship as early as possible to start the cruise. I was happy to hear that there are still reservations available for Palo's. I didn't think about it - but hopefully trading one for another will make it easier. Can't wait - thanks again for your help!

Steph

 

[lexandme]

Ken - Did you say Crown Royal!!!!!!!!!!?!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Linda - Duh. I should have called AKL, you're right. Why didn't you tell me that before? How are ya? Talk to you day after tomorrow, 8:00 AM sharp!

Billsteph - Just poke your heads in and say hi if you get a chance once onboard.

Judy

 

[billsteph]

Welcome Aboard!!!

Thanks for the link - I appreciate it!

 

[seadooken]

Ken - Did you say Crown Royal!!!!!!!!!!?!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Linda - Duh. I should have called AKL, you're right. Why didn't you tell me that before? How are ya? Talk to you day after tomorrow, 8:00 AM sharp!

Billsteph - Just poke your heads in and say hi if you get a chance once onboard.

Judy

Yes, that's Crown Royal in the LARGE purple bag. I found if you cut a hole in the top, they make a great poncho.

 

[pixidustmom]

So we got our flight info from DCL. Ya we fly out of LV into Atlanta then on to FL we leave here at 6am We don't make it to FL until 5pm what a very long day. But what fun it will be for sure The down side is I think we may not go to the Christmas party at Magic Kingdom. Once we are all checked in at the Hyatt it would be time to start the party. Oh well. So I am wanting to know who else might be staying over night at the Hyatt at the airport? I really want to go to the store wants there and get some things to take on the ship. Does anyone know where the closes store is?

 

[lexandme]

Good Morning.
Can you say SEVENTY DAYS LEFT!!!! 707070707070707070

Ken - My BIL likes Crown Royal - a little too much! I have a gagillion of those ponchos. Didn't have a clue what to do with them and now I know. I'll make ponchos and sell them on ebay! How ya doin' with those Cheetos?

We fly out of Pgh at 6:15am and arrive in Orlando at 9:56am after a short layover in Atlanta. I want every minute I can at AKL, DD and MK on Friday!
Splash Mt. & Buzz Lightyear here I come! DH is not happy about the early hour but since I made all of the arrangements he's unaware of other later options. Shhhhh. It's our secert.
Have a great day everyone.
Judy

 

[Mean Queen]

Good Morning.
Can you say SEVENTY DAYS LEFT!!!! 707070707070707070

Ken - My BIL likes Crown Royal - a little too much! I have a gagillion of those ponchos. Didn't have a clue what to do with them and now I know. I'll make ponchos and sell them on ebay! How ya doin' with those Cheetos?

We fly out of Pgh at 6:15am and arrive in Orlando at 9:56am after a short layover in Atlanta. I want every minute I can at AKL, DD and MK on Friday!
Splash Mt. & Buzz Lightyear here I come! DH is not happy about the early hour but since I made all of the arrangements he's unaware of other later options. Shhhhh. It's our secert.
Have a great day everyone.
Judy

I highly recommend if you can to take time to try out Toy Story Mania. I absolutely love, love, love that ride. Maybe it's my competitive nature though. DH and I try to beat each others score like we do on Buzz. My poor DD2 never gets a chance to pull that string, because neither DH or I want to handicap our score.

And I've also heard there are only early flights to MCO. That's the story and we'll stick to it for you.

 

[seadooken]

You guys are aweful tricking your spouses like that! The only thing I told my DW is that we have to be to the port before 10:00. Its a Florida Resident rule. I know I read it on this board somewhere, but I just cant seem to find it.

 

[lexandme]

Ok. Just so I have the rules straight -

1. Never ever let your kids participate in Toy Story Mania while challenging your spouse. They must learn to fend for themselves.
2. All Florida residents must be at the port no later than 10:00am or they will be denied entry. I'm assuming no refunds will be given.
3. All flights out of Pittsburgh to Orlando MCO depart no later than 6:30am.
4. No matter how far in debt you are and how you just can't afford it, you can always do Disney. This is called "Disney magic"! Make sure you rebook on board.
5. No matter how old you are, you are always 10 at Disney. Make sure you act your age! It's the only place in the word where it's socially acceptable.
6. I'm a damn fool if I don't join DVC!!!!!

Did I forget any?

Judy

 

[Mean Queen]

You guys are aweful tricking your spouses like that! The only thing I told my DW is that we have to be to the port before 10:00. Its a Florida Resident rule. I know I read it on this board somewhere, but I just cant seem to find it.

I read that rule too. It's in the official Florida Resident Disney Cruiseline rulebook. I just hope we get up and out early enough to make it by 10. I'd hate to break the rules.