20050618 - June 18, 2005 - Magic to Mexico

[CruisingCA2005]

Aloha.....

DD & I are still in Hawaii but I just had to have a DIS fix. I can't believe that the 50th Anniversary of Disneyland is tomorrow. I'm sure they have a lot of spectacular things planned.

I can't believe we don't have any more news!!! If they wait any longer they'll be faced with a DIS mutiny soon!

 

[DBinMV]

For you folks who are into PodCasting, Disneyland has a site set up so you can subscribe to audio describing all the events of today and tomorrow:

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dis...ail?name=PodcastingSpecialEventDetailPageGold

Note that if you don't want to use a PodCast, you can click a link down the page which will give you an MP3 file -> it's long, almost an hour. I've only gotten through the first few minutes of it, but it sounds pretty interesting.

For those of you visiting this summer from non-drivable distances, it sounds as though you might get some tips of "must-see" stuff.

Still waiting on that DCL website....<tick><tick><tick>

DBinMV

 

[CACruisin']

I just read on the May 28th cruise thread that they finally have some theme info for their cruise.

I don't know how to post links, but it was on the second to last page.

Per LegalBriefs:
As promised, here it is, the official word from Disney on the matrix for the 7 night crises on the west coast... (at least until they change their minds!)

Saturday (28th) Casual Dress (theme yet undetermined)

Sunday (29th) (AT SEA) Formal Night/Golden Mickeys

Monday (30th) (AT SEA) Casual Dress (theme yet undetermined)

Tuesday (31st) (Puerto Vallarta) Pirate Night!

Wednesday (1st) (Mazatlan) Casual Dress (theme yet undetermined)

Thursday (2nd) (Cabo San Lucas) Semi-Formal Night/Captain's Gala (LOBSTER!!!)

Friday (3rd) (AT SEA) Casual Dress (theme yet undetermined)

Saturday (4th) Disembark


I just called DCL (again) and the reservation gal couldn't give me specifics. She did confirm: 1 formal, 1 semiformal, 1 Pirate or Tropical, and 4 casual.

Sooooo...... maybe we are close to getting some real info?

 

[Hollyster2]

Still no hard confirmation on us getting a pirate night, eh? I am so excited to see that it is still a possibility!

 

[CACruisin']

I was also happy to hear that night is at least still a possibility.

Actually did some summer planning this morning that was not disney related and registered the DD's for a couple of day camps. Everything is online this year , but I did have one problem registering DD9. Parks & Rec had her birth year wrong and thought she was only 6!
After I got that straightened out, it was all so smooth and easy this year.

V-Bug: hope you studying is going well! Just 6 more days and you are officially done for the summer! Hope it warms up a bit too. 37?!!! way too for this girl!

DB: thanks for the info on podcasting. I'm hoping the LA stations at least will have some good news coverage today and tomorrow.

Red: Aloha! I hope you are having a fabulous time. It is cold and gray here again. Maybe even rain later Hopefully, it will hold off for DL's celebration though.

DD's are done with school in 5 minutes so I have to wake DD1 and over to school!

 

[CACruisin']

The DCL website is now up and running with the online reservation system for Palo, Spa, children registration, flounders reservations -- just about everything!

However, I don't see how REAS or concierge has any kind of priority over anyone else, so go over quickly and make your reservations.

 

[DBinMV]

However, I don't see how REAS or concierge has any kind of priority over anyone else, so go over quickly and make your reservations.

In fact, I don't even see anything ANYWHERE about REAS. It doesn't look like you can even order it any more. What the ???? I've got a bad feeling this is going to be a billing nightmare - guess I'll be on the phone tomorrow.

90% of the reason I got REAS was so I could make Palo and Spa reservations in advance. I wonder if now that I have my reservations, they'd let me cancel REAS (and get a refund, since I already paid for it)??

Thanks for the heads-up CACruisin'!!!



DBinMV

 

[Hollyster2]

I made my travel arrangements through AAA. I brought up my reservation on the DCL website and my information is all there. When I tried to register my kids for the clubs, it states that I haven't made a final payment and/or am missing birth date information. I know I have done both, so I don't know what is wrong. I have a call out to my TA. I paid off my cruise the month before the final due date too, so why do you suppose this is happening?

 

[KelNottAt]

I made my travel arrangements through AAA. I brought up my reservation on the DCL website and my information is all there. When I tried to register my kids for the clubs, it states that I haven't made a final payment and/or am missing birth date information. I know I have done both, so I don't know what is wrong. I have a call out to my TA. I paid off my cruise the month before the final due date too, so why do you suppose this is happening?

Well, I'm in the "same boat," but in a little better shape. When I checked my reservation on the DCL site this morning, it showed "paid" and my excursions were properly recorded, but our birthdates were messed up, too. Very strange. I was successful registering the kids for the Lab, which was convenient.

Kelley

 

[vacationbug]

I agree with you guys...there's no reference to REAS, so if that is the case, then why do it? Also with the REAS, weren't we able to "request" a dining rotation? I still would like PLAPLAP! I reshuffled my Palo dinner plans because of the potential Pirates Nite - I couldn't possibly miss THAT dining experience could I? Harrrrrr!

DBinMV: let me know how it goes/what you find out with the REAS refund. Maybe that's what we'll do too! Seems silly now that I made the ressies myself! Tea, Brunch, Dinner, Spa (and only a limited number of spa thingys, too, I might add. Seems to be only the pricer treatments!) and the kiddie registration for the Lab (now - that was a nice unexpected add-on).

So glad to see the May 28th notes of the 7-day matrix. Looks like our collective planning instincts were right...AND semi-formal IS on Cabo. Makes it easier packing up the following night! (boohoo! )

Thanks for the "heads up"!!

 

[CACruisin']

So it is once again here and I am spending way too much time on the computer. From reading other posts,
1. It appears that REAS is still available as a package to book under the main reservations page. I agree with you DB though, I couldn't find it anywhere last night.
2. REAS and concierge clients will be able to book online at 105 days (assuming paid in full!) vs. 90 for castaway club members and 75 for everyone else. -- Doesn't mean anything for us or most of the west coast cruises however, since we are well inside that window anyway -- so no real benefit for this cruise.
3. I read on one thread that DCL did not make all of the reservations slots available online, and there will still be reservations available online (Be interested to see how this actually works.)
4. You are right V-Bug, not all of the spa treatments were available online. So do we still need to get those reservations when we board or will they be available online later?
5. Unclear how we will get pagers, wristbands for the kiddo's. Hopefully, they will be ready and waiting the first time the kids go to the club/lab? I haven't ever cruised before so I was a little unclear how this worked before.
NOTE: did anyone else notice in the kid registration area that it said pagers would be issued for children under age 10? I thought it was 12 or is this new?

V-Bug: I put a note in DD11 and DD9's registration that they would like to be together in the 10-12 group. Are you going to move your DD9 up also?

Holly & Kelley: DH's birth month was wrong also. He likes that he is 10 months younger according to DCL , but I told him I would have to fix it since his passport won't match

Kelley: you need a pirate name (see post #286) arrgh ...

I sent an email to my TA at DU last night with some questions, but I got a generic email back this morning saying that there would be a delay in responding. I am guessing they are swamped right now! The compulsive planner in me (Cap'n Anne fits!) went ahead and booked Spa and flounder ressies last night and registered the kids. I had previously been able to book Palo with the TA (CAT 3) and those reservations were already in DCL's system.

In the immediate short term, I think REAS and concierge people lost one of the big "perks" that we have paid extra for since we are inside 105 days, However, overall, I think this new system is great and I think the website is really well done and organized -- Kudos to Disney
Going forward I can imagine it will make embarkation that much more wonderful and magical

 

[vacationbug]

Hey Cap't Anne! STill kickin' I presume? How's that peg-leg doin' ? Better each day! Harrr!!!

Yes, I plan on jumpin' "lil'sweetie" into the 10-12 side, as she is in 4th grade and closer to 10 than 9 (is that on the longside of 9??)

I tried to get on to put in a note about that, but it will have to wait until the ship, because apparently the site is now down or crashed from overuse! (Must have been me - checking everything out! or Bloody Davy with his disembowling techniques

We have today! Wooohooo! imagine that ....well...only about half the day, but hey that is something! It was cold again this morning - a lovely 33 degrees but I hear it has warmed up nicely! I have been inside all day! Not fun!

How's everybody doin' with their ressies?

 

[Hollyster2]

Oh you all are going to LOVE this one!
When I tried to register my kids and make Palo reservations the site said "Sorry, no can do-you have not made final payment". I paid it off a month before the due date. OR SO I THOUGHT!
My TA called DCL this morning and said the my account was underpaid by one cent. Yes, you read that right... one single penny. I paid the balance as it was given to me by my TA and she said she called and straightened it out. I have to go online and check it all out again to make sure. Can you imagine if I had been cancelled for not paying that last cent I supposedly owed? Maybe I would have never received my Docs! OMG I shudder at the thought!
Anyway, of course I am a worrier by nature, and now worry that I won't receive the docs any. I will be calling and checking, as well as visiting the website again. My TA also said that DCL would have called her if the were going to cancel my reservation over this. I paid for 7 fares, 2 cabins(cat 8)and am a castaway club member. I paid all of it early except for than one red cent. LOL Wouldn't it be awful to lose my trip over that?
Just thought I would update you. Please think positive that this is the last of the mix ups for me!

 

[CACruisin']

Holly: OMG! So how do you make a 1 cent payment Here's hoping this is the last and only problem for you on this trip!

V-Bug: glad you have some Just a few more days and you can put the books away and go outside and enjoy it!
Glad to here DD will be in the 10-12 also. Should be fun for them.
Peg Leg is doing better, but the whole experience is definitely getting old Two more weeks ....

We have all the ressies we could book online! I went back in this morning and booked flounders time for the pirate party in addition to my massage, dinner and brunch times. Of course there is other stuff I want to add: more flounders times, hairbraiding for DD's, etc. that I guess I will just have to take care of onboard. The compulsive planner in me LOVES this new system -- there is so much information I have been looking for: when exactly will flounders be open? What are the time slots for massages, etc.
Information makes me happy

 

[CruisingCA2005]

Whew! I'm glad you got that one straightened out Holly!

I've gotten my ressies done and have sent an email to my TA to cancel the REAS package. I wouldn't be surprised if they get a lot of REAS cancellations - especially from the cruisers who have past that 105 day mark. Now if I were guaranteed a dining rotation of my choice that may change my mind.....

I don't know whether to put in a request for a dining rotation or not. PLA would be nice.

Since we have a party of 12 with 2 twelve year olds, an eleven year old, an eight year old, and 2 three year olds I'd guess that we'd either have APL or PLA.

 

[DBinMV]

I just got off the phone with my TA. Cancelled the REAS, no problem. I'm still going to Palo ($20), and still getting a couple's massage ($242), without having to pay the $339. I didn't really need turn-down service and a basket in my room, just the reservations. The money saved can be put towards some adult beverages...not that I'm a lush or anything. (Hi Rae Ann!)

Anyway, on another note, I was looking at the gratuity guidelines. The dollar amounts given (say, $25.25 for the Main Server) is per person, correct? The DCL web site is unclear.

Aaarrgghh!! Yes, them servers be busy! The lubbers see me brandishing my 'ook, and are working as fast as they can muster, but seem to have nipped all me rum! Scurvy Dogs....

Lastly, on Pirate Night, what's the story? Is it something not suitable for kids, or just too late? Should I be getting Flounder's reservations?

Thanks again,

DBinMV

 

[CACruisin']

Pirate don't know that much about it since we haven't cruised before, but I went ahead and booked Flounders for our youngest since it starts so late. I decided that I would have more fun if I didn't have a cranky 24 month old with me (selfish mommy!)
Also, I hadn't booked a full 10 hours at Flounders yet. Interestingly, the website allowed me to book 1.5 hours (otherwise I was over my max of 10 hours). I thought you had to book a minimum of 2 hours in a block?

 

[tink1963]

I don't know whether to put in a request for a dining rotation or not. PLA would be nice.

Since we have a party of 12 with 2 twelve year olds, an eleven year old, an eight year old, and 2 three year olds I'd guess that we'd either have APL or PLA.

If you request the PLA rotation, does this put you in parrot cay on pirate night?

 

[vacationbug]

HI Tink! I think that's right...PLAPLAP---according to below information (how reliable? Honest, I don't know, but sounds reasonable) the Pirate Party will be on the fourth night (Tuesday) so, yes, you'd be back at Parrot Cay.
****The question is then, can we request our dining rotations with this on-line system? I don't see how, so that is something to consider doing on-board should the meal tickets say otherwise.

Quote from Cap't Anne's (aka CACruisin") Harrr! previous post
"Per LegalBriefs:
As promised, here it is, the official word from Disney on the matrix for the 7 night crises on the west coast... (at least until they change their minds!)
Saturday (28th) Casual Dress (theme yet undetermined)

Sunday (29th) (AT SEA) Formal Night/Golden Mickeys

Monday (30th) (AT SEA) Casual Dress (theme yet undetermined)

Tuesday (31st) (Puerto Vallarta) Pirate Night!

Wednesday (1st) (Mazatlan) Casual Dress (theme yet undetermined)

Thursday (2nd) (Cabo San Lucas) Semi-Formal Night/Captain's Gala (LOBSTER!!!)

Friday (3rd) (AT SEA) Casual Dress (theme yet undetermined)

Saturday (4th) Disembark "

weather report: 50-degrees on walk out this morning -whoooohooo! Above freezing! AND!!!! Supposed to get up to the mid-60's today! (can 'ya tell this here -wench is happier than a ship's rat?) It's supposed to be a nice weekend! (although that is bad for studying!)

Happy Friday mes amigos! We're REALLY getting close NOW!

 

[CruisingCA2005]

This is from the July 30th Thread:

I just called Debbie at the REAS number. I explained to her that I no longer had the REAS Package booked on my reservation but I'd still like to request a 4 top PLA dining rotation. She took care of it for me! (no guarantees, of course) FYI...she told me that for main seating ALP is at 6:00 pm, PLA is at 6:15 pm and LAP is at 6:30 pm. She didn't offer late seating times since we're confirmed for main dining.
Kathy

If this is the case, I'd assume that for late dining ALP would be at 8:00, PLA at 8:15 and LAP at 8:30.