20050514..May 14, 2005...Official Check in Disney's 1st 14 Day thru Panama Canal

[karaeric]

Friday at 5:00 works, bring the kids, they are also on this trip. It's not just for us big kids, if we get too many folks we will find an area at SSR where we can get together.

That means I can let Lynn know about this at 4:30, just as she asks, "who do you think is going to eat all that cheese and why did you buy so many crackers." I love surprises.

Scott, should we have Jen pick up some Surprise Party hats at the store on her way over? We can all knock on the door at the same time, yell "SURPRISE!!!" and come marching in with our wine wearing the hats!

 

[Scott H]

Jen, Thanks so much for the offer, we will have a car and can get to Publix or where ever.

I would offer a ride to the port on 5/14, but we will have an intermediate rental car, and don't know if we will have room for all our junk, as what rental cars think are intermediate I think are sub compact.

I like the surprise idea, but then reality sets in and I want to stay married for another 25 years or more. Then again Lynn is pretty unshakeable , and anything I do really doesn't surprise her anymore.

 

[Scott H]

Has anyone flying in on Delta checked to see if their air fare has dropped and re booked?

 

[first timers]

We are Carolyn and Alex, we just got back from the 10-Day Holiday Cruise where we spoke with many people about the DIS Boards, we didn't know they exsisted. I think we talked to more people on the 10-day cruise than our other 18 Disney Cruises. Our kids think we are Disney freaks. We are not the most savey computer people, but we have signed up to try the disboards. Having done the maiden voyage for both ships, the first eastern and western cruises, and the first 10 day cruise; we are booked on the first Panama Canal Cruise and staying onboard for the first West Coast Cruise. We live in Lake Mary, just north of Orlando. We will try to keep up with things. Anyone else crazy enough to be onboard for 21 days?

 

[kpros]

Welcome Carolyn and Alex

I spoke with you the first day at Topsiders. I'm glad you made it to the boards and picked the appropriate screen name.

Several of us were also on the 10 day. DisneyPinDiva, Karaeric, Kpros (me), Seaulater and I've probably missed a few others.

Be sure to review the last 10 pages or so to get caught up with whats going on.

Again, I'm glad you found your way here.

Ken

 

[BobandLee]

Ooooh! Sounds like the perfect place for a DIS meet! Think the Embassey Suites folks would notice?!?

Not sure if they would notice or not. When we were there before our cruise last February, it was really busy. Had a good bartender though. He gave us two drinks every time we ordered, so we didn't leave thirsty. Munchies were kinda of scarce, so we ordered a pizza.

 

[BobandLee]

We are still researching our flights to MCO and back from Los Angeles. Is Disney recommending flights after 12 noon on the saturday of arrival?

Seems like everyone is going SCUBA at Castaway Cay. Perfect. I should have no trouble finding a hammock.
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[Scott H]

Welcome to First timers, we were also on the inaug Western as well as the Hygiene99 crew.

Bob, sorry about the lack of munchies at the Embassy Suits, I was also hosting a party that night and stopped by and picked up a few items. Tee Hee

 

[Mickbee]

Welcome Mickbee! Glad you can join us. As Scott mentioned, here is the link to Jeff's site: Jeff's Canal Site . I haven't seen Jeff post in a bit, but if you PM Jen (JenKatt), she can tell you how to get in touch with him. If you send him your names, where you are from, cabin # (if you want), and picture, he'll post it all to the site so you're on the roster for the trip.

Kim, thanks for the tip about the mailing tube that fits into the suitcase! I never like to carry things onboard the plane unless I have to, so that would work perfectly!

Scott, glad your flights worked out for you! That is good news. We booked our flights on SW just before we left for the 10-day cruise, so we too are all set! I am so excited! I can't believe we only have 134 days to go!

Have a very safe and Happy New Year everyone!!

Kara & Scott,

Thanks for the welcome! We are (DW, DS) are staying in a GTY Cat 9. I'm not holding on too tight for a free upgrade on this one! We have sailed on the Magic in 02 & 03 in June-July. We REALLY wanted to sail this June for our 15 yr wedding anniversary. We were sad to hear the Magic was moving for the summer as we really wanted the 7Day. I would say this is a nice bonus! Our favorite time is at sea so it doesn't get much better.

When we sailed in 03 we met a great bunch of folks from the board and it looks as though this will be picking up right where we left off.

Who booked the Walt and Roy O suites?

Have fun!
Steve

 

[SandraLee]

Welcome Steve! How old is your DS? I have DS9 and DD6 coming onboard with us.

 

[Mickbee]

Passports would be a good thing if for some reason Disney changed their port of calls at the last minute. As it stands right now, a birth certificate would do just fine, but then you never know.

Everyone mentioning all those eating places makes me hungry. We like the House of Blues and Bongos (the Tres Leches is great). But then almost everything at DTD is good. Since we are staying at the Embassey Suites, we will eat there or somewhere close by. Or maybe we won't even make it out of the manager's reception and the open bar there.

LOL! Making me hungry too! Wolfgang Puck's is nice for lunch. We love Jiko at the Animal Kingdom Lodge as well.

 

[Mickbee]

Thanks for all the dinner advice. I appreciate the help! The Earl of Sandwich sounds good for the first night and we might try Ohana for the last night. But on the other hand .......... who knows

It's so much easier on board.

Ken

If you plan to go to Ohana's on the night and time you choose, make Priority Seating as soon as yo can. They always fill up fast.

 

[Mickbee]

We are still researching our flights to MCO and back from Los Angeles. Is Disney recommending flights after 12 noon on the saturday of arrival?

Seems like everyone is going SCUBA at Castaway Cay. Perfect. I should have no trouble finding a hammock.
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We are flying from LAX to MCO on Southwest @ 1:50 with one stop arriving at 10ish. This way there is no real rush if things are delayed.

 

[Mickbee]

Welcome Steve! How old is your DS? I have DS9 and DD6 coming onboard with us.

Thanks! He will be 12 at the time of sailing. He can't wait!!!

 

[kaylin]

Bob- I'll race you to the Hammock! I called DCL and they told me to pick a flight anytime after 12!

Kim

 

[karaeric]

We are Carolyn and Alex, we just got back from the 10-Day Holiday Cruise where we spoke with many people about the DIS Boards, we didn't know they exsisted. I think we talked to more people on the 10-day cruise than our other 18 Disney Cruises. Our kids think we are Disney freaks. We are not the most savey computer people, but we have signed up to try the disboards. Having done the maiden voyage for both ships, the first eastern and western cruises, and the first 10 day cruise; we are booked on the first Panama Canal Cruise and staying onboard for the first West Coast Cruise. We live in Lake Mary, just north of Orlando. We will try to keep up with things. Anyone else crazy enough to be onboard for 21 days?

Welcome Carolyn and Alex!

Boy, you are lucky! Unfortunately, we won't have the vacation time or the $$ to do 21 days in a row. I am SO jealous!

Glad you joined us, chime in often! Sounds like you are very experienced cruisers, so you may have some tips for us!

 

[rcostello1]

Would anyone be intersted in doing the premium viewing for Fantasmic at Disneyland? I know many of us are going to Disneyland after the cruise. Just thought I'd see how many out there might be interested. I *love* Fantasmic at Disneyland (not that I dislike the WDW version or anything). I saw it waaaay back in 1992 before it "opened." I just hate sitting and waiting for 2 hrs.

I thought about doing the balcony viewing but either one I guess is fine...I just hope we can get it if we want it! Figured maybe I could get those GC concierge folks to do some work since I'm paying for it!

Below are the details of the 2 options... Discussions commence!

(copy from Disney corp. info)

Please note there are two kinds of Fantasmic! viewing arrangements: "Premium" and "Balcony".

Fantasmic! Balcony Viewing
Where: The Disney Gallery Balcony (21 seats available)
What: Includes special seating, and a dessert offering.
Cost: $49.75 all ages
How: Call up to 30 days in advance.
Reservation line open 8:00 - 17:00, 7 days a week.
Credit cards only accepted over the phone.

In person, Guests may reserve seating at any Guest Services Window.
Tickets arranged in advance may be picked up at the Will Call window.

Cash, checks and credit card payments accepted in person.
Seating will be done in order of ticket purchase, 30 minutes prior to show time.

Menu: (Subject to Change)
Desserts may include:
Chocolate Mousse Cake
California Cheese Cake
Fresh fruit platter
Assorted French pastries (varies nightly)
May include Tiramisu, fruit rolls, chocolate fudge cake, éclairs & cream puffs.

Beverages may include:
Mint julep
Lemonade
Milk (for children)
Hot Coffee (regular & decaf)
Hot Tea
Water

Fantasmic! Premium Viewing
Where: Special viewing area between the French Market and Rivers of America (50 seats available)
What: Includes special seating and dessert sampler (for adults) and a dessert in a Mickey Mouse cup (for children).
Cost: $49.75 Guests ages 10+ / $39.75 Guests ages 3-9
How: Call up to 30 days in advance.
Reservation line open 8:00 - 17:00, 7 days a week.
Credit cards only accepted over the phone.

In person, Guests may reserve seating at the Guest Services Window.
Tickets arranged in advance may be picked up at the Will Call window.

Cash, checks and credit card payments accepted in person.
Check-in is 1 hour before show time. Seating begins 30 minutes before show time. Seating is first come-first serve.

 

[karaeric]

Would anyone be intersted in doing the premium viewing for Fantasmic at Disneyland? I know many of us are going to Disneyland after the cruise. Just thought I'd see how many out there might be interested. I *love* Fantasmic at Disneyland (not that I dislike the WDW version or anything). I saw it waaaay back in 1992 before it "opened." I just hate sitting and waiting for 2 hrs.

I thought about doing the balcony viewing but either one I guess is fine...I just hope we can get it if we want it! Figured maybe I could get those GC concierge folks to do some work since I'm paying for it!

We did the Balcony viewing about a year and a half ago and it was nice. However, I will warn you that the seating is still based on how early you get in line. The earlier you start to line up in the designated location for the "preferred viewing" options, the better your chances of getting the better seats. For the balcony viewing, they have two rows of chairs, and they are not tiered, so if you're short like me, being in the second row meant I had to stand for most of the show, since the folks who lined up earlier than us were taller than me. Oh well, but thought I would warn you that even with the preferred viewing choices, you still need to go early if you want the front row seats.

Have fun! We aren't staying to spend time at DL on this trip, but if we were we would love to join you!

 

[rcostello1]

I figure we have enough to "take" the balcony, it's only 21 seats...that's only $1000 if nobody wants to go What's $1000 when I spent $15000 on the cruise?

 

[karaeric]

I figure we have enough to "take" the balcony, it's only 21 seats...that's only $1000 if nobody wants to go What's $1000 when I spent $15000 on the cruise?

Are you adopting?