ruvidu
SC Traveler --- I have spent most of my life fishi
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2001
- Messages
- 806
Well, we have been back a week and I have been trying to decide how to deal with this trip report. Last year I wrote a report for each day. This report will be done in several parts as I have time but will not be a daily report.
First off, we are a mid 50's couple who love all things Disney. As you can see from our signature, we have been traveling on the Magic almost as long as she has been traveling. We were traveling alone this trip as we normally do.
We booked this cruise in July of 2001 almost immediatly after DCL announced the Western cruises. We had just left the Magic a couple of months before and could not wait to board her again.
We flew down from Upstate SC on 9/12, checked into the Holiday Inn, Main Gate near Celebration. We paid $50 a night and we thought that was a great deal. We would stay here again.
We rented from Avis and they upgraded us at the airport from a mid size to full size car, Grand AM to Impala. We spent Thursday afternoon at the parks which was just OK. The Crystal Palace was closed as well as Caseys. Tony's was closed for a private party it seemed since there were people inside but a rope across the steps. We ended up eating a Cindy's Castle and it was a treat. Great food and great service for about $40 including tip. That evening we went over to Downtown Disney and had dinner at The Rainforrest Cafe. It was our fourth and last time to eat here. Way over priced with almost non-existant service.
On 9/13 we went to Sea World. This was our first time to visit this park in nearly 12 years and we thought it was great. There were no crowds and we got to see every show and every exhibit. If we lived closer we would have an annual pass.
On Saturday, 9/14, we left Orlando and headed over to the Radisson to turn in our car and catch the shuttle to the Magic. We parked our car, removed our luggage and went to turn in the keys. When I asked about the shuttle the clerk told me it would not leave until 10:15 - 10:30. I looked at my watch and it was 9:15. I asked where we could wait and she pointed to the sidewalk in front of the building. No seats, no shade, just hot concrete. I asked if there were any other places to wait and she said "not unless you want to sit in the car for an hour" as she held the keys out. I declined to reload the luggare in the car so we put it on the sidewalk and we sat on a curbing where we could be in a little shade and keep an eye on it. Not a great way to start the day. I mention this because I have never seen any mention of where you wait before catching the shuttle. Be prepared or make arrangements to keep your car to around 10 or so. The shuttle driver was great as were the DCL people in the parking lot. For those of you who do not know, the shuttle has to drop you off in the DCL parking lot across the street from the terminal. They have a tent set up for those disembarking and waiting to go to the Radisson for a car.
From the parking lot we crossed the street and headed to the ship. Our first stop was two nice ladies wanting to see our IDs which they checked against the boarding list. The second stop was to show our IDs and go through a metal detector. I was feeling safer by the minute.
The first mistake I made was going to the Castaway Club line to check in. There was only one lady there and she was in no hurry. She asked the clerk every question about the ship, about her flight the next week and was just very rude holding up the line. 6 people in the line beside me checked in while I was waiting. Good news. While I was waiting I did get to meet Donna and Joe from DU. Great folks. Donna and Miss Vivian were amazed at how much Joe and I were alike. We decided we were seperated at birth. I also met Pmouse, Kaa, and Westjones before I ever got in line. Later on Stepharella, Bdurrett and Deb came by to say Hi and het a green Lei.
We got in line aroung 11:30 when the lline was just past the ship model. They opened the doors and started letting us on about 12:15. We were on our way. We were announced in the atrium and then we proceeded to buy a Coke and beer mug right there.
We checked our room, 8564, and it was not ready. First time for this so we headed up to Topsiders for lunch. Steak and shrimp for lunch along with the cold Mango Soup. That would hold us for 7 hours.
We then went to the ESPN lounge and watched some of the Clemson - Georgia Tech game. Here we met up with toKathy andher group. Hey guys.
When we got back to the room we found our luggage in the hall. I assume our room host would have brought it in eventually but we did it. while we were there.
First Complaint - Anyone who does not go to the lifeboat drill and put their lifejacket on should be shown the door off of the ship. We stood there on the deck for a half an hour while they called names of people who never showed up. Parents - your children should know what that lifejacket is for and how to wear it. Just because they don't want to wear it is no reason to let them get by without going through this drill. DCL, enforce this please.
We went to dinner, LAP, and were anxious to meet our dinning companions. They came in one couple at a time until we had a table of 8. A young couple from Austin, TX who sell dart supplies and set up dart leaques. We did not know there was a market for this. A couple about our age who were origianlly from Chicago but had moved to Fl. near Orlando. He makes glasses and she works at Universal and an auto auction. The last couple were about our age and were originally from England. She babysits and he is Chief Engineer on a bannana boat. He is gone 3 months and home for 6 weeks. I think he applied for a job with DCL befoe they left. He knew a bunch of the officers. We all hit it off and sat and talked and ate until 11:00 PM.
I will not mention our servers names since they were the worst we have had in 4 trips. We all sat there with empty glasses, tea and Coke, and they only poured one cup of coffee per person.
Miss Vivian and I were beat. It had been a long 3 days so we went to our room. We had met our room host, Austin, before going to dinner and liked him immediatly. He had our bed turned down, chocolates on the pillows and the lights set to low.
Another complaint here - The beds have just about seen all of their good days. Ours swagged towards the middle but we just cuddled up there and dreamed good dreams.
More later,
Russ
First off, we are a mid 50's couple who love all things Disney. As you can see from our signature, we have been traveling on the Magic almost as long as she has been traveling. We were traveling alone this trip as we normally do.
We booked this cruise in July of 2001 almost immediatly after DCL announced the Western cruises. We had just left the Magic a couple of months before and could not wait to board her again.
We flew down from Upstate SC on 9/12, checked into the Holiday Inn, Main Gate near Celebration. We paid $50 a night and we thought that was a great deal. We would stay here again.
We rented from Avis and they upgraded us at the airport from a mid size to full size car, Grand AM to Impala. We spent Thursday afternoon at the parks which was just OK. The Crystal Palace was closed as well as Caseys. Tony's was closed for a private party it seemed since there were people inside but a rope across the steps. We ended up eating a Cindy's Castle and it was a treat. Great food and great service for about $40 including tip. That evening we went over to Downtown Disney and had dinner at The Rainforrest Cafe. It was our fourth and last time to eat here. Way over priced with almost non-existant service.
On 9/13 we went to Sea World. This was our first time to visit this park in nearly 12 years and we thought it was great. There were no crowds and we got to see every show and every exhibit. If we lived closer we would have an annual pass.
On Saturday, 9/14, we left Orlando and headed over to the Radisson to turn in our car and catch the shuttle to the Magic. We parked our car, removed our luggage and went to turn in the keys. When I asked about the shuttle the clerk told me it would not leave until 10:15 - 10:30. I looked at my watch and it was 9:15. I asked where we could wait and she pointed to the sidewalk in front of the building. No seats, no shade, just hot concrete. I asked if there were any other places to wait and she said "not unless you want to sit in the car for an hour" as she held the keys out. I declined to reload the luggare in the car so we put it on the sidewalk and we sat on a curbing where we could be in a little shade and keep an eye on it. Not a great way to start the day. I mention this because I have never seen any mention of where you wait before catching the shuttle. Be prepared or make arrangements to keep your car to around 10 or so. The shuttle driver was great as were the DCL people in the parking lot. For those of you who do not know, the shuttle has to drop you off in the DCL parking lot across the street from the terminal. They have a tent set up for those disembarking and waiting to go to the Radisson for a car.
From the parking lot we crossed the street and headed to the ship. Our first stop was two nice ladies wanting to see our IDs which they checked against the boarding list. The second stop was to show our IDs and go through a metal detector. I was feeling safer by the minute.
The first mistake I made was going to the Castaway Club line to check in. There was only one lady there and she was in no hurry. She asked the clerk every question about the ship, about her flight the next week and was just very rude holding up the line. 6 people in the line beside me checked in while I was waiting. Good news. While I was waiting I did get to meet Donna and Joe from DU. Great folks. Donna and Miss Vivian were amazed at how much Joe and I were alike. We decided we were seperated at birth. I also met Pmouse, Kaa, and Westjones before I ever got in line. Later on Stepharella, Bdurrett and Deb came by to say Hi and het a green Lei.
We got in line aroung 11:30 when the lline was just past the ship model. They opened the doors and started letting us on about 12:15. We were on our way. We were announced in the atrium and then we proceeded to buy a Coke and beer mug right there.
We checked our room, 8564, and it was not ready. First time for this so we headed up to Topsiders for lunch. Steak and shrimp for lunch along with the cold Mango Soup. That would hold us for 7 hours.
We then went to the ESPN lounge and watched some of the Clemson - Georgia Tech game. Here we met up with toKathy andher group. Hey guys.
When we got back to the room we found our luggage in the hall. I assume our room host would have brought it in eventually but we did it. while we were there.
First Complaint - Anyone who does not go to the lifeboat drill and put their lifejacket on should be shown the door off of the ship. We stood there on the deck for a half an hour while they called names of people who never showed up. Parents - your children should know what that lifejacket is for and how to wear it. Just because they don't want to wear it is no reason to let them get by without going through this drill. DCL, enforce this please.
We went to dinner, LAP, and were anxious to meet our dinning companions. They came in one couple at a time until we had a table of 8. A young couple from Austin, TX who sell dart supplies and set up dart leaques. We did not know there was a market for this. A couple about our age who were origianlly from Chicago but had moved to Fl. near Orlando. He makes glasses and she works at Universal and an auto auction. The last couple were about our age and were originally from England. She babysits and he is Chief Engineer on a bannana boat. He is gone 3 months and home for 6 weeks. I think he applied for a job with DCL befoe they left. He knew a bunch of the officers. We all hit it off and sat and talked and ate until 11:00 PM.
I will not mention our servers names since they were the worst we have had in 4 trips. We all sat there with empty glasses, tea and Coke, and they only poured one cup of coffee per person.
Miss Vivian and I were beat. It had been a long 3 days so we went to our room. We had met our room host, Austin, before going to dinner and liked him immediatly. He had our bed turned down, chocolates on the pillows and the lights set to low.
Another complaint here - The beds have just about seen all of their good days. Ours swagged towards the middle but we just cuddled up there and dreamed good dreams.
More later,
Russ
Hi Karen!
