Andy and Rae's 50th Birthday Celebration - 2005

[kpgclark]

So what I'm gathering then is that everyone wants to just wait it out and see what sort of itineraries show up, right? The Disney guy I talked to said that he usually hears about the schedule about 4 weeks before it is released for booking. He hasn't heard anything yet so I think it will be at least another month.

 

[CAMICKEY]

That would be fine for me. - i.e to wait and see the itinieraries first. Too much still up in the air to make solid confirmations\dates. I do know if DCL comes out West, I plan on cruising them (whether a repositioning cruise (my 1st choice) or a cruise along the western coast (2nd chice) and will try to make my reservations onboard in May if they offer the 10% discount and onboard credit. I just wish they would announce everything so we all can start making plans\decisions and whether a group booking would be beneficial. - Mike

 

[Verandah Man]

Just read this on another thread. The "SPECULATION" continues:

Disney Magic To West Coast?
AN INTERESTING ARTICLE PRINTED IN CRUISE WEEK...

Disney Magic To West Coast?
Agents calling in to reserve group space for the Disney Magic
next summer are being told space is not being made available
due to an itinerary change. However, they're told group space is
available for spring or fall.

That response prompted speculation that Disney will relocate the
ship to Southern California next summer to tie in with the 50th
anniversary of Disneyland in Anaheim.

But Disney Cruise Line says don't jump to any conclusions. "We
are making plans for going somewhere different in summer
2005," says spokesperson Mark Jaronski. "We're looking at the
pros and cons of staying in the Caribbean as opposed to going
somewhere else."

He notes Disney has put a lot of money into its own terminal and
its own private island (Castaway Cay); hence, pulling the ship
from the Caribbean will not be an easy decision.

 

[moocow35]

For fun, I had a friend of mine who's family owns a travel agency, and she works there, call DCL to see if on a "professional level" she could get any more information for us. They gave her no information, and told her that the rates and dates should be available in a "few months".

Like gassmandy, if this "speculation" is indeed true, I would fly out early also and visit family. Then hopefully take the repositioning cruise back to Florida.

I am in agreement to wait and see what actually becomes available before booking. I am definately in on the 50th birthday cruise!

Robin

 

[kpgclark]

One of the reasons I really like Disney is because of Castaway Cay. I hope that no matter what they do they stop there. That is the best port I've ever been to.

 

[Verandah Man]

Originally posted by kpgclark
One of the reasons I really like Disney is because of Castaway Cay. I hope that no matter what they do they stop there. That is the best port I've ever been to.

I've only been on one cruise, but I'll agree with you on that one, even if I did leave my glasses at the bottom of the ocean, LOL!!! There will always be a part of me at CC!!!

BTW, the glasses I have on in this photo of me on the verandah, they are the glasses that are laying on the bottom of the ocean.

 

[NYdiscuisers]

I added a "Speculation" cruise countdown.

 

[Verandah Man]

Originally posted by NYdiscuisers
I added a "Speculation" cruise countdown.

That's cute, made me chuckle!!! What date did you select???

 

[NYdiscuisers]

Andy,
I chose August 20th. I'm speculating on a least 10 days (could be more) to get back to FL, before the first advertised Fall Cruise on 9/3/05.

 

[Verandah Man]

Originally posted by NYdiscuisers
Andy,
I chose August 20th. I'm speculating on a least 10 days (could be more) to get back to FL, before the first advertised Fall Cruise on 9/3/05.

Believe it or not, that was the date I had selected for our August 2005 cruise before all the hoopla came out about the Disney "SPECULATION" for 2005.

 

[rae519]

Kathy, thanks for the leg work!
I need two cabins for us so that's a start!

Paul - so glad you and Kaye will be part of this!

Yes, August 20th!

Oh, please that "time and money invested into CC" - it would be for a short 12-14 weeks, that's less than 1/4 of a year! Not forever!!!!! And the publicity and $$$ alone for this cruise would more than make up for any "lost" by not going to CC.

Yes, CC is beautiful, paradise, great place to hang out - but it's always going to be part of the DCL itinerary, this is different and regardless of the smokescreens being put up - and the excuse that "fall doesn't fill up as fast so they are holding up summer" - if I could cough up a hairball this would be the remark that would get it.

HACK HACK HACK!

Rae

 

[Cap]

Rae,

Having worked for 30+ years in a major corporation, I recognize the noise in the DCL system. It means that they have not gotten all the top management approvals for what the working team has recommended, so they are waffleing, offering lots of coverup stories, etc. It all means that the top person who has to approve has either expressed some doubts (e.g. what will this do to Castaway Cay revenues?), or wants to wait to see if the money will be available after the uncertainty of the Comcast and other Disney business disruptions settles down.

This is one that we'll just have to wait out. The pressure of time (e.g. a self-imposed May 5 deadline) will force the decisions to be made so they can announce.

 

[twhipple]

I have been following the DL news through miceage.com ever since Matt went to DL. DL was going to announce plans for the 50th in February, but after Cynthia was ousted, the new management scrapped quite a bit of the plans for the 50th and went back to the drawing board. They changed the announcement to July, 2004, but just recently backed off on that to May 5. My guess is that the plans have been made as far as DCL is concerned (they probably have to reserve port space, canal space, etc. long before they will use it), but since the plans will be part of the 50th celebration, need to wait to make the announcement. I think there is a good chance the cruises on the West Coast will book full and if they released the dates now, DL couldn't really offer Land and Sea trips because there wouldn't be room. Those of us already booked may or may not go to DL and that would hurt DL and their 50th party.

I just hope I can hold it together until May 5th's announcement! I've hardly been thinking about this years cruise to Antigua, I'm so obsessed about the announcement! My bags are packed, just tell me where I'm going

 

[rae519]

Good information and good points here - thanks!!!

Can you imagine how crazy it will be when midnight May 5 comes along?

Personally, I check the DCL reservation online site daily - just in case! You know how partial I am to MY stateroom!!!
And I do so want to venture through the Canal, what a education that would be for all of us!

And I'd get to CA a few days early to see my "old stomping grounds" and see DL!!! Why not!!!!

Rae

 

[kpgclark]

Do you think travel agencies that do a lot of work with Disney will find out the information first? Maybe it would be best to contact one of them to do this booking rather than try to do a group cruise on our own. Maybe we should contact Dreams Unlimited. It seems like they would be able to offer a group incentive as well. Their prices might be better too. What do you think?

 

[rae519]

I agree!

Since this is sponsored by DU, they are aware of our interest and none of their "employee/posters" have replied so I'll ask the big question:

Okay, Dreams Unlimited - what's your best offer for a group rate on the "repositioning cruise - west to east?!!!

Premature, yes!
But with the interest is generating, travel agencies will be buzzing!!!

Rae

 

[kpgclark]

They must be busy or something. I requested a quote for an 05 cruise the night before last and I've heard nothing.

 

[rae519]

You just never know!!!!
Spring break is coming up fast and if anyone gets their tax refund money, what better way to spend it than on a Disney cruise!!!

Speaking of income tax, we filed on January 29 and had refunds on February 20. Since my 1999 Montana finally bit the dust for the last time (WHAT A LEMON!!!!), I had to use our refund to get another vehicle (Saturn 2001 with 24,000 miles).


Rae

 

[Verandah Man]

I filed our income taxes on Jan 31 and we had our direct deposit in our account on Feb 13, holding it for a deposit on the Disney "Speculation" cruise!!!

 

[Cap]

Originally posted by kpgclark
Do you think travel agencies that do a lot of work with Disney will find out the information first? Maybe it would be best to contact one of them to do this booking rather than try to do a group cruise on our own. Maybe we should contact Dreams Unlimited. It seems like they would be able to offer a group incentive as well. Their prices might be better too. What do you think?

Letting the experts use their built up knowledge is good. Also, Dreams Unlimited is a board sponsor, and we all get a lot of enjoyment from using the boards, so it would seem fair to ask them.

Key would be to get a good, experienced, patient, DU salesperson who has handled knowledgeable groups in the past. Since we use these boards so much, we'll be picky. Rae and Andy won't want just any stateroom, and know where the laundy room is so they they won't want to be across from it.