12-3-09 December 3, 2009 3 nite WONDER

[Minybear]

From my experience, when I ordered my card without the rush it got to me in two days. They are usually pretty quick. When I renewed our passes online they got to us in a week. I think you should be safe ordering them as long as it's next week and no later than that. Now that I think of it though, there are a couple of holidays coming up too so that might delay mail a bit, so maybe be on the safe side and order now.

Thanks. For your reply. If I don't get the reward cards by Tuesday then I am ordering the tickets. I want no delay in park tickets coming in.

 

[mousebrat]

Cruise Docs just arrived! Can I leave now?

 

[Minybear]

looks like our cruise is now offical. Our cruise docs just arrived.

Cindy

 

[tngal]

Yea Mousebrat and Minybear!! Now keeping my fingers crossed for the rest of you!!!

Lisa

 

[donmil723]

Our docs came today too!!! Its official--we really are going on a cruise!!!

 

[tngal]

YEA, Donna!!! Hopefully everyone else will get their docs Monday!!

Everyone got their FE's done?

Lisa

 

[Minybear]

We haven't been to WDW/DCL for 5 years so ME wasn't operating at that time. We are arriving the day prior to our cruise. Would you have ME deal with your luggage and for your luggage to be delivered to your room late that night or would you NOT put the luggage tags on your luggage and pick up your luggage and then proceed to the motorcoach w/luggage to the resort? How successful is this program with your luggage? I want to make sure our luggage goes with us on the cruise!

Thanks everyone.

 

[donmil723]

Minybear, Are you staying at a Disney resort prior to the cruise? Also, what time does your flight arrive in Orlando?

Donna

 

[Minybear]

Minybear, Are you staying at a Disney resort prior to the cruise? Also, what time does your flight arrive in Orlando?

Donna

Hi Donna
We are staying at the AKL and our flight comes in at 3:30 pm the day prior.

Cindy

 

[tngal]

Hey "shipmates" ! I have a question...are we supposed to deliver our FE gifts just whenever or certains or what? I have been trying to figure that one out. I think I'd rather do mine the first day and get it done so I don't have to keep smacking the kids out of all the stuff lol Any thoughts or ideas?

Also, do you plan on getting off the ship at Nassau or are you staying onboard? If you're getting off the ship, what do you plan on doing in Nassau? I have been 2 times, but this will be my mom and stepdads 1st..and I can't for the life of me figure out what to suggest to them!!! They said something about spending some time at the beach. Would you go to the public beach on Paradise Island, or is there another that you'd recommend? Thanks for putting up with all my questions!

Lisa

 

[donmil723]

Cindy--Put your ME luggage tags on before you leave home. When you arrive at MCO go to the ME check in area and get on the bus. Your bags will be delivered within 3 hours to your room at AKL. Pack a bag with anything you might need for the first afternoon/early evening.

We have used ME several times and love it. It is so nice not to have to go to baggage claim. We have never had a problem with missing luggage.

We are arriving about noon on Wednesday, December 2, but are renting a car so we can drive to the port on Thursday morning. I didn't want to wait until noon to leave WDW on the DCL busses. Also, we are planning to go to Gaylord Palms on Wednesday afternoon to see their exhibit "Ice".

I am actually dreading going to baggage claim, standing in line at the car rental, and then driving to WDW. ME has gotten us so spoiled.

 

[donmil723]

Lisa--I think everyone should deliver their FE gifts whenever it is convenient for them to do so. I am thinking it might work best for me to deliver our gifts on Nassau day.

As for Nassau, we plan to get off the ship for a little while. On our last cruise to Nassau, we walked around and went to Fort Fincastle and Queen's Staircase and to Atlantis to gamble a little. We had 2 18 year olds with us then and they wanted to play the slots. This time, I want to go to Hard Rock Cafe and buy a t-shirt for me, my DD, and my DDIL. Then we'll probably go back to the ship. I didn't want to book any beach/water excursion in case the weather/water was cool. I thought about the Segway tour but my DS and DDIL did that through RCL on their honeymoon last year and they weren't too impressed.

I enjoyed seeing Fort Fincastle and Queen's Staircase but it was quite a walk. If your folks like history or experiencing the culture of another country, then I would suggest one of the city tours. We did ours on our own with the walking tour described in the Passporter book.

 

[Minybear]

Cindy--Put your ME luggage tags on before you leave home. When you arrive at MCO go to the ME check in area and get on the bus. Your bags will be delivered within 3 hours to your room at AKL. Pack a bag with anything you might need for the first afternoon/early evening.

We have used ME several times and love it. It is so nice not to have to go to baggage claim. We have never had a problem with missing luggage.

We are arriving about noon on Wednesday, December 2, but are renting a car so we can drive to the port on Thursday morning. I didn't want to wait until noon to leave WDW on the DCL busses. Also, we are planning to go to Gaylord Palms on Wednesday afternoon to see their exhibit "Ice".

I am actually dreading going to baggage claim, standing in line at the car rental, and then driving to WDW. ME has gotten us so spoiled.

Thanks Donna for assuring me about ME. We get very nervious about our luggage. It will be great for Disney to take care of our luggage and for them to spoil us! We are staying for 1 nt only at our favorate resort AKL on Wedesday, Dec 2nd. That night we have resv's for dinner at Jiko's. We did thia last time the night before we boarded DCL.

I see your renting a car and then going to Gaylod Palms and seeing their exhibit Ice. Good enjoy the exhibit. I understand why you are renting a car to go to the port. We are planning on having Disney take care of us and they do the driving! Since we cannot go into the parks the day we go to DCL we can always go to AK Park and I believe they have a gift shop we can visit before entry into the park. So we may do that.

We noticed in DCL's excursion list for Nassau that majority of these excursions was for Atlantis. I guess Disney has a contract with Atlantis but it was very disappointing on how many excursrions was at Altantis and very few excursions touring Nassau. Of course this is my observation. We have done Atlantis before but not this time. We have scheduled Nassau Forts and Junkanoo Discovery so we can tour Nassau.

Cindy

 

[donmil723]

AKL is a beautiful resort. We stayed there last March after our DCL cruise. We have not eaten at Jiko but really like Sanaa at the new Kidani Village portion of AKL.

Although we have APs, I don't think we'll go into any parks on December 2nd. We are staying at PO-French Quarter. Besides going to see "Ice", I want to go to Character Connection, Banana Republic, and Nike at the outlet mall or maybe drive around to several of Disney's resorts to see the beautiful decorations. We didn't make any reservations for dinner but will probably eat at DD either at Paradiso 37 and do some shopping there.

We are taking DCL's transportation from the port back to WDW where we'll be staying at BCV for four nights. We'll do the parks then.

Your Nassau excursion sounds like it would be fun! Maybe that would be something tngal's parents would enjoy.

It's hard to believe that in a little over 3 weeks we'll be boarding the Wonder!

 

[Minybear]

What time does DCL buses pick us up at WDW resorts (AKL)? Donna said in post prior that pick up is 12:00 and I just want to double check. Last time we did this I think we were picked up around 11:00 am (of course 5 yrs ago!).

Got our Disney Reward card and I was thinking about what are we going to do between breakfast and DCL pickup. I am thinking about adding 1 extra day onto our tickets for additional $6 for 12/3 and go into the AK Park. So I want to make sure what time DCL picks us up.

Thanks.
Cindy

 

[donmil723]

What time does DCL buses pick us up at WDW resorts (AKL)? Donna said in post prior that pick up is 12:00 and I just want to double check. Last time we did this I think we were picked up around 11:00 am (of course 5 yrs ago!).

Got our Disney Reward card and I was thinking about what are we going to do between breakfast and DCL pickup. I am thinking about adding 1 extra day onto our tickets for additional $6 for 12/3 and go into the AK Park. So I want to make sure what time DCL picks us up.

Thanks.
Cindy

Cindy,

The times vary from resort to resort. DCL also picks up from AK. I did a search and found this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2252596&highlight=akl+transfer+port

If I were you, I would call DCL or AKL directly and ask them what is the pickup time. Another thought--Check your ground transfer info in your cruise docs. Perhaps the time is listed there.

 

[Minybear]

Cindy,

The times vary from resort to resort. DCL also picks up from AK. I did a search and found this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2252596&highlight=akl+transfer+port

If I were you, I would call DCL or AKL directly and ask them what is the pickup time. Another thought--Check your ground transfer info in your cruise docs. Perhaps the time is listed there.

Thanks Donna I looked on our docs and it wasn't there. I looked o DCL also and not there. DH and I discussed this further and he decided not to do this due to he would be nervious about missing the bus! You cannot really rely on the WDW buses to get you back on time! (breakdown ect) Oh well looks like we will be in AKL gift shop for a long time

Cindy

 

[Minybear]

Donna what trip have you arranged after this vac? I see on your signature it said WDW and Key West. I am wondering if your going back on DCL on 6/8 to do Key West?

Cindy

 

[donmil723]

Donna what trip have you arranged after this vac? I see on your signature it said WDW and Key West. I am wondering if your going back on DCL on 6/8 to do Key West?

Cindy

DH and I will be at BWV for 5 nights in March and then we are renting a car to go to the Everglades and the Keys. We fell in love with Key West in May, 2006 when we did DCL Western Caribbean cruise. We'll fly home from Ft. Lauderdale.

We do have the March 5, 2011 Western Caribbean cruise booked as long as my DD's wedding plans don't interfere with that date.

One thing I really enjoy doing at the AKL is walking around and watching the animals. So sleep late, enjoy breakfast at Boma, watch the animals, and shop in the gift shop. You can also walk over to the new Kidani Village portion of AKL and check out their Christmas decorations too. The morning will fly by, I'm sure.

 

[Minybear]

DH and I will be at BWV for 5 nights in March and then we are renting a car to go to the Everglades and the Keys. We fell in love with Key West in May, 2006 when we did DCL Western Caribbean cruise. We'll fly home from Ft. Lauderdale.

We do have the March 5, 2011 Western Caribbean cruise booked as long as my DD's wedding plans don't interfere with that date.

One thing I really enjoy doing at the AKL is walking around and watching the animals. So sleep late, enjoy breakfast at Boma, watch the animals, and shop in the gift shop. You can also walk over to the new Kidani Village portion of AKL and check out their Christmas decorations too. The morning will fly by, I'm sure.

I have never been to Key West and I have always wanted to. We had originally booked DCL 5 night that stops at Key West on 6/8/2010 and unfortunately had to cancel that cruise. It's a shame the Dream doesnt go into Key West. My DH suggested at some point for us to stay at WDW/BCV and then rent a car and drive down to Key West (like you are doing) or we can go on a cruise that takes us to Key West. One of these days we will get there!

AKL is our favorate resort. So we will definately be walking around and seeing everything especially the animals and the new AKLV's.

Now we just have to wait until our vacation begins!

Cindy