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

[Lisa F]

I also couldn't really care less where we stop along the way. The highlight of this cruise is the panama canal and as long as we have two wonderful weeks aboard the Disney Magic I don't really much care where we stop. I think that if someone really feels like a few hours at Puerto Quetzal is the whole reason they booked this cruise and without it they lose tremendous amounts of vaue, they should just cancel and open up the slot for someone who is dying to go on the cruise. I also agree that it's WAY too early to get hysterical... I mean, all of us booked this cruise without really knowing what truly was going to be going on. Isn't there some quote about the difference between a disaster and an adventure being attitude? Oh well.

 

[Lisa F]

If anyone is curious, I just called to find out how much the points are in standard rooms at all of the resorts.

They are:

39/night for a standard at the Grand Californian (117 for 3 nights).

31/night at the Disneyland Hotel (93 for 3 nights).

25/night at Paradise Pier (75 for 3 nights).

We are currently holding the 50th anniversary package for 3 nights at the Grand Californian including 4 day parkhoppers and 2 "walk in walt's footsteps" tours and tax for just under $1400, which still seems like a much better deal than using points there.

 

[Sarah'sMomfrom PA]

LisaF...sorry to barge in on your thread but I am on the other repo cruise and was just wondering about the 50th anniversary package...how did you book this..directly or thru your travel agency. I am a DVC member and also don't know if I want to waste all of the points for the consierge perks at GC because they don't seem like alot of perks to me for the points. I might just see about booking the 50th anniversary package--what is the Walk in Walt's tour? Sounds interesting. Thanks again. Mary Jo

 

[Lisa F]

MaryJo,

The 50th anniversary package is currently the only way that I have found to make a "cash" reservation for any of the onsite Disneyland resorts. You must stay for exactly 3 nights (no less, no more) and it just happened to work for us, plus my husband wanted to do the "walk in walt's footsteps" tour anyway. You can only book it on Disneyland's site, I tried to call because I was having trouble with my browser and they said it's only online.

Someone in this thread mentioned being able to book room only through AAA, but I don't have any more info on that. I keep meaning to check it out myself. I don't think they have released "room only" rates yet for 2005 at Disneyland Resort (so I was rather surprised that points were available!)

Here's info from the Disneyland site on the Walk in Walt's Footsteps Tour:

Take a guided tour through Disneyland® park to fully understand the vision, challenges, hard work and excitement that went into creating everything we associate with the name, and the man, Walt Disney.

-Lots of fun facts and trivia
-A ride on the Disneyland Railroad
-A unique visit to Disneyland® park's first attraction featuring -Audio-Animatronics®: Walt Disney's -Enchanted Tiki Room
-A peek at the lobby of the exclusive Club 33, open to members only
-A private lunch on the patio of the Disney Gallery, originally designed as Roy and Walt Disney's private apartment
-An exclusive, collectible "A Walk in Walt's Footsteps" pin


Party Size:
Limited to 15 Guests per tour.

Price Info:
$49 for all ages

Tour Length:
Tours are approximately 3.5 hours

Does that help? I hope so!

 

[meb51]

My 9 year old ds will live in the kids clubs and be in his glory on the 14 day cruise. He absolutuely loved the activities on the last cruise. However, when we were on that cruise, my then 11 year old dd would only occasionally go to the oceaneer lab. She's now 13. I'm hoping she likes the teen club but she's pretty reticent and is definitely not the type of kid to just "hang out". Anyone have suggestions for all those days at sea? (She was disappointed with the pools on the Wonder because she thought they were too small. I'm assuming the pools on the Magic are the same size as on the ones on the Wonder). I'm sure the shows will keep us busy at night but I'm starting to be concerned about the days.

 

[Sarah'sMomfrom PA]

Thanks LisaF...do you just go to Disneyland.com (sorry for being so dumb!!) I think that we would really enjoy this also especially the Walk in Walt's shoes tour...wonder if I could book mine also since we are going three months after you guys? I will try to go online to their website later on and see what they have to offer.

 

[Scott H]

Thanks, Jindy, good info, might rethink the concierge. Not much more than the HI Express, guess I could hit the Mini Mart and get some wine and cheese. We will see.

The Walk in Walt’s Footsteps Tour sounds interesting. Will see if Lynn is interested.

 

[tap & dap]

Anyone know how close to the cruise Disney can still change ports? I would imagine at some point the ports are set and that is it. Not sure how close to the cruise date Disney would still be able to change the ports?

From all the posts sounds like it could be a long 9 months of different changes from Disney.

I personally think it is exciting, as we still really don't know much about the adventure, hopefully a lot of great surprises along the way.

 

[Julebobo]

Hello, I am fairly new to the site. We too are going on the repositioning cruise in May. We are also sailing 10/16 with about 32 other friends and relatives. Wanted to let Lisa know that we booked our rooms in Disneyland for 3 nites when we get to CA. The only way we were able to do this was through the travel agent. She booked our transfer to Paradise Pier and to airport on the 31st. However she could not book the special walk with walt tour. Don't ask me....it took alot of time and no one seemed to know what we were talking about. But this is how we ended up and we are hoping to take the tour seperate sometime when we are there. Hope this helps.

Julebobo

 

[jin diesel]

Originally posted by tap & dap
I personally think it is exciting, as we still really don't know much about the adventure, hopefully a lot of great surprises along the way.

i agree!

 

[Bmwdsny]

Originally posted by Lisa F
If anyone is curious, I just called to find out how much the points are in standard rooms at all of the resorts.

They are:

39/night for a standard at the Grand Californian (117 for 3 nights).

31/night at the Disneyland Hotel (93 for 3 nights).

25/night at Paradise Pier (75 for 3 nights).

We are currently holding the 50th anniversary package for 3 nights at the Grand Californian including 4 day parkhoppers and 2 "walk in walt's footsteps" tours and tax for just under $1400, which still seems like a much better deal than using points there.

I am lurking here again!! LOL!! Thanks so much for getting info regarding DVC points for DL...PP doesn't look so bad!! I may be staying there...Are those points for every night??? or higher on weekends???
also I agree the Concerige is a waste of points...There is no advantage to that....
Thanks again!!

 

[BobandLee]

Originally posted by tap & dap
..........
I personally think it is exciting, as we still really don't know much about the adventure, hopefully a lot of great surprises along the way.

If you have been on one of the DVC members' cruises you know that Disney is good at "great surprises"!
try this!
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Lee and Bob's 2004 Disney Magic Western Carribean Cruise

7 day western cruise with Payton-2002

 

[SandraLee]

meb51 . . . Great to know you have a DS9! So do I! I think he will *still* love the lab. This will be our 3rd cruise. I'm pretty sure there are other DS9s around (AZPirates?) and that will be great.

I have a DD6 that will be in heaven on the Disney ship for 14 days. She can't wait.

I am wondering about the sea days all-together. Have they posted the new itinerary on the DCL website?

I would LOVE a stop in Costa Rica. That would be a great surprise.

What kinds of surprises happened on the Maiden voyage and on the DVC members cruise that you guys are talking about?

 

[JenKatt]

Greetings back from the Mouse. Jeff took the day off and we were off to WDW for the day. We called yesterday and booked DiveQuest for today. It was our first dive after our check out dives. What a great time. It was a blast interacting with the guests in the Living Seas. Beautiful aquarium and saw some amazing sea life. Also had an unexpected surprise when we decided to go to Cinderella's Royal Table (CBT) for lunch. We walked up at noon and were immediatly seated. Wonderful food and ambiance.
So what should our theme be for the cruise? Pirates? Fiesta? Luau?

 

[Cap]

Originally posted by tap & dap
Anyone know how close to the cruise Disney can still change ports? I would imagine at some point the ports are set and that is it. Not sure how close to the cruise date Disney would still be able to change the ports?

Well, if it is hurricane season, they can change the day before. For "planned" ports, I suspect they need a few months notice. We'll be somewhat in the "off" season when we're south near the canal, so there may be more port vacancies.

 

[JenKatt]

Jeff and I both really expect them to add another port this side of the canal. There's only 2 ports before we go through and enough time to stop somewhere else. Don't be surprised if another port is added.

 

[Tigfanjeff]

Puerto Quetzal? We don't need no steenken puerto quetzal

http://www.tiggerfan.net/canal/door2.html

 

[Scott H]

Dive Quest is fun, what they (Disney) should tell folks is that the profits go to the Conservation Fund. This is a little known tidbit.

Had some interesting things happen while doing Dive Quest. Actually Lynn and I have thought about trying to get on the Dive Quest staff as a retirement job, we got the certs and plenty of experience. Would be fun. Wetsuit can cover the tatoos.

If you liked the Living Seas Dive Quest you will love the Big Blue Wet Thing (the ocean).

Me thinks you are correct about another Port being added.

Reference themes why not do them all, Start with Luau for the voyage till just before Curacao, From there do the pirate theme till we are through the Canal and then end with the fiesta theme whilst in Mexico.

Jeff way to go on the magnet change. All I can say is WOW.

 

[Julebobo]

Bobo ( my DH ) and I are all so new at this. We have been on one cruise before, in Nov. 02 just a 4 niter. We had a blast met some great people. But I am just new to the board 3 days ago so help me understand. What is this about new cruise itinery? Are they adding some stops that we don't know about? I checked the DCL page and they were the same as to start with. But we would like some new islands added......also tell us about the themes, something for just the board users or what? Sounds like fun. As I said I am also sailing on the 10/16 eastern cruise with friends and family.......getting ready it is fun. Keep me up to snuff on the goings on, I appreciate it

Thanks, Julebobo

 

[JenKatt]

Scott, They just did quite a few chnages to DiveQuest from what we were told. They spend a good 10 minutes now about the Conservation fund, where the money goes, that the T-shirts are made out of recycled material, etc. They also give the Disney Conservation Fund buttons out now. I'm excited to go in the Big Blue Wet Thing... we'll have to get a diving thing together for Curacao.
Welcome Julebobo! Disney announced that they changed the itinerary. The Disney web site is the absolute last thing to be changed. We believe the itinerary will change quite a few more times before we set sail. Disney will keep trying to make this cruise something special since it's the first ever and will be well covered. The theme thing is something we've been talking about for the last 5 or 6 pages. Oriental Trading has themes you can go with for our sail away party, we haven't decided what theme yet. It will pretty much be just for the board users since we'll be the ones putting forth the money.
Here's the web site to get started on for who's cruising with you (us!): Panama Canal Cruise Roster Also, after looking at the list, email Jeff (my hubby with your info): jeffc@tiggerfan.net

I do like your idea Scott about changing themes, it's just the cost factor...