12/04/2010 Eastern MAGIC - CHIP 'N' DALE'S CRUISIN' NUTS

[Donald_Quackers]

Looking on DCL's site today, I am finding eight Cat. 4 and four Cat. 3 staterooms available. Interesting. I'm betting a lot of people may end up with upgrades, whether paid or free.

*Begs Tink* Please be me! Please be me!

 

[taswira]

*Begs Tink* Please be me! Please be me!

Well, I know it won't be ME! They are not going to give a Cat. 4 or Cat. 3 to a solo cruiser, and I already turned down a free Cat. 4 upgrade on my last cruise (mainly because my mom wanted to stick with the Nav. Verandah).

But hey - Can you picture it? Me all by myself in a Cat. 3? It would definitely be Cruisin' Nuts party time!

 

[Donald_Quackers]

Well, I know it won't be ME! They are not going to give a Cat. 4 or Cat. 3 to a solo cruiser, and I already turned down a free Cat. 4 upgrade on my last cruise (mainly because my mom wanted to stick with the Nav. Verandah).

But hey - Can you picture it? Me all by myself in a Cat. 3? It would definitely be Cruisin' Nuts party time!

I can just see you convincing Chip and Dale to come to the party!

 

[taswira]

I can just see you convincing Chip and Dale to come to the party!

They promised me they'd show up IF I get a suite!

Unfortunately there is NO possibility of that happening!

 

[Donald_Quackers]

Would you mind if I brought Donald?

 

[taswira]

Would you mind if I brought Donald?

Of course not! All Disney characters are welcome. Well, maybe not all . . I wouldn't be too happy if Lilo & Stitch showed up for the party. I know they have their fans. I have really tried to like those two, but it just hasn't happened!

 

[bluemoon1070]

The DH and I bought a DIsney Parks DVD set at Sams club two weeks ago. It has each of the travel channel videos in it including DCL. The DH likes watching it as a pick me up.

As far as upgrades, the DH and I have a #9 DTY with four adults in our room. Fingers crossed for an upgrade lol

 

[Jenngoofys]

The DH and I bought a DIsney Parks DVD set at Sams club two weeks ago. It has each of the travel channel videos in it including DCL. The DH likes watching it as a pick me up.

As far as upgrades, the DH and I have a #9 DTY with four adults in our room. Fingers crossed for an upgrade lol

Wish my Sams club had that video

We have a Category 11 we go cheap and hope for upgrades we are never in the room any way. Last time we got an upgrade to a Port hole, It was great. Abby wants at least a port hole or she thinks she will just die lol. I am just happy to go on the cruise.

 

[taswira]

The only reason I get a Nav. Verandah room is because I do spend a lot of time in my stateroom, in addition to the rest of the ship. Since here at home I am never truly alone because I look after my elderly DM, my cruise cabin gives me the op for "alone time." I enjoy sitting on the verandah late at night, writing in my journal or just listening to the sea and the ship's engines. I also like morning room service, although it's a toss-up because I really like breakfast in the table service restaurants. So the time I intend to spend in my room is one of the reasons I will bring as many Chip 'n' Dale items as I am able - for atmosphere!

I am also Cat. 7 next year, but after that, it's a pretty sure bet that I'll be sailing in inside staterooms if at all, and especially if solo. Considering that with DCL, sailing cost me just 25% less than for 2 full-fare adults, it's really depressing. That's why I am hoping for an FL res rate, but only if I could remain aft. Makes me wish I were a TA again - lol.

But FYI - I did stay in a Cat. 11 once, for the first half of a B2B until my Cat. 7 was available. It was just fine! The only thing I can say about inside cabins is that the tips are right regarding bringing a nightlight for those. It's DARK in there!

 

[Jenngoofys]

I agree it is definetly Dark in those rooms, but we dont mind LOL As long as Im on the ship I dont care where my room is LOL.

We just decided we are going to go to Disney for My Birthday in October!!! We are going from Oct 28th - Nov 1 I will get to attend the food and wine festival for the first time!! Anyone ever been? Any hints? Also doing the MNSSHP Cant wait!! My Husband wanted to go to the parks pretty bad apparently to decide to go only a month before out cruise but im not complaining!! Im beginning to feel spoiled this year lol

 

[taswira]

Awesome, Jenn! I go to the Food & Wine Festival every year, but I don't sign-up for special events anymore. Guess I've gotten lazy as a local -haha. I just go when I feel like it, wander around World Showcase purchasing whatever tasty goodies appeal to me, and sit in on various seminars. It's fun whether you do it that way or spend a lot on their big events. I will probably do F&W on Oct. 11th or 12th, because my old fave Air Supply will be performing that evening.

 

[Jenngoofys]

How does it all work? lol I have never been. I know about the food kiosks but thats about it. what else do they have or do you suggest?

 

[taswira]

Well, there is a lot. Without referring you to a non-WDWinfo/DIS site, check out this page for a start.

 

[Jenngoofys]

Well, there is a lot. Without referring you to a non-WDWinfo/DIS site, check out this page for a start.

Thank you

 

[dwcsk8]

I go to Epcot Food & Wine Festival every year at least once. I suggest the concerts Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. There is a different headliner each week. If you can not get a seat (free but long line), the sound is loud enough to enjoy by hanging around the area. The weekly Party for the Senses (separate ticket - $95+) is a humdinger of an evening, from 6pm - 9+pm). Food tasting, entertainment, wine tasting, etc. The Puerto Rico pavilion has a great margarita, or is it mojito?. The Greek pavilion has great Greek Salad. The French pavilion has a scrumptious Pomegranite Cosmo. The ticketed events are definitely worth the price. I usually pay for one cooking demonstration and one Party for the Senses per year and enjoy the pavilions the rest of the time. It depends on my budget. I am retired. My favorite pavilion is the one that has chocolate truffles and five different types of champagne. I am a fan of quality champagne.

 

[Jenngoofys]

I go to Epcot Food & Wine Festival every year at least once. I suggest the concerts Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. There is a different headliner each week. If you can not get a seat (free but long line), the sound is loud enough to enjoy by hanging around the area. The weekly Party for the Senses (separate ticket - $95+) is a humdinger of an evening, from 6pm - 9+pm). Food tasting, entertainment, wine tasting, etc. The Puerto Rico pavilion has a great margarita, or is it mojito?. The Greek pavilion has great Greek Salad. The French pavilion has a scrumptious Pomegranite Cosmo. The ticketed events are definitely worth the price. I usually pay for one cooking demonstration and one Party for the Senses per year and enjoy the pavilions the rest of the time. It depends on my budget. I am retired. My favorite pavilion is the one that has chocolate truffles and five different types of champagne. I am a fan of quality champagne.

Thank you so much for this information It really helps let me know whats there and what to expect. I will have to research more now lol. see whos playing while im there.

 

[Magic3forme]

I just read that Taylor Dane will be there Oct 1st.

Getting close to the 90 day mark!! I just hope I can stay awake til midnight!

23 more days til we go to WDW!!

 

[GolfNPirate]

They can upgrade me anytime. We were in a Cat. 3 Oct 2008 and loved it. The verandah was cool. Concierge was very nice, we even got to tour the ship's control room. We also got a private 5 minutes with Capt Jack Sparrow. I hope the upcoming hurricanes don't do any damage to the islands or cost any lives. We're going to WDW for 2 days after the cruise, but we're keeping that a secret to our 12 year old. Doing the Christmas party on that Sunday too.

 

[MakinMemories4MyKids]

Hi all

I was just on the phone w/ DCL questioning my reservations. This will be cruise #3 for me and the past 2 cruises I had late dining (8p.m.) I was originally booked for 8 this time also but just asked them if they have main dining (6pm) available and they said yes, so I changed to main dining. Previous cruises dining was even earlier so i never chose it. But i feel w/ late dining i'm rushing to get to the shows, pirate party and that by the time you're done w/ dinner the boat is soon to be closing down for the night. I HOPE i made a good choice by trying main dining. I'm crusing w/ 23, 11, and 10 yr old daughters so its not like they HAVE to eat early just thought it would free up my night. I'd like to know what you chose at dinner seating and what was your reason for the time. what are the pro's and cons of the times? Thanks all!! BTW, hope everyone is doing well!! I for one can't wait for this cruise

 

[taswira]

I'd like to know what you chose at dinner seating and what was your reason for the time. what are the pro's and cons of the times?

Just my opinion. I've done Main once and Late ever since:

Main/Early Dining: Great for those with young children and for those who are in the habit of dining early (at home) or remain in "early to bed" mode. Not great for those who don't like feeling rushed through dinner (servers need to get you out, clean up, re-set and get late diners in) because (in most cases) you won't feel like you are having a "leisurely dinner." Also maybe not great if you are doing island excursions that may cause you to be scrambling to get back in time, clean up and get to dinner. And not good for anyone (those like me who hear everything in a room, unable to block it out) whose dining experience would be less than pleasurable if they are subjected to a lot of loud, often irritable (rightfully tired), sometimes shouting kids, plus the occasional crying, screaming baby. Nothing against kids here, but we are talking LOTS of kids in each dining room at once, so what would otherwise be a minor disturbance can become a major irritant (like the 2-year old who crawled around under the table on one of my cruises and had a reputation for throwing up often).

MUST ADD that I have also witnessed PERFECTLY well-behaved little angels on several occasions. When I do, I usually make it a point to compliment the parents . . and to thank them!

Late/Second Seating: Doesn't help you when you are trying to lose weight, since you tend to snack heavily in late afternoon to last until late dinner, plus eating that close to bed time is not the best choice. Also not good if you have very young children, as by that time of night they can be too wiped out to enjoy dinner. Bad choice for getting to the deck parties on time ONLY if you have slow servers or very slow eaters at your table. At a normal pace, you'll be fine.

Late Dining Pros: No need to rush to get to dinner. Watch the early shows, then have about 30 minutes before dinner. Fewer young children (generally) equals slightly quieter experience. After dinner, catch the deck parties or hit the clubs. Most nightclub activity doesn't get going until 9:30 or 10 anyway.