Any new info on DCL comging to California?

[Mboothby]

Of course, being IN California, I am SOOOO hoping it does and just can't WAIT to hear one way or the other!!!

Mandie

 

[ivanova]

have to wait until May 5th before they'll admit anything publicly

That's the day they make the official announcement about Disneyland's 50th anniversary celebration.

 

[CAMICKEY]

Nothing new as far as I have read. I am going to try to be there on the 5th just to see in person. - Mike

 

[KaitlinsMom]

Hey Mike - I was going to try and be there too - Do you know what time and where? I think it is in California - But I am not sure -

Maybe we could get the phone number from someone on the DIS so we could call from our cell phone and have them post the info on the DIS!

Karen

 

[ivanova]

not sure what time, but it'll be May 5th inside DL in front of the castle.

 

[CAMICKEY]

I thought it was going to be at the grand opening of the Tower of Terror. If anyone knows where and exactly what time, could they please post it. I may need to take a few hours off of work for a Dr appt that day (if the announcement is during the day). - Mike

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Attending the May 5 press event at Disneyland will undoubtedly require press credentials. Mere park guests will be kept at a distance or excluded entirely. And that's normal and reasonable for a press event.

 

[twhipple]

We're coming out there for the announcement. I heard in front of the castle on the 5th from miceage. Mike and Karen, we should have a mini DIS meet there? Even if we can't get close to the announcement, we should be able to hear what happens. I haven't heard the time anywhere.

 

[Mom2Belle&PeterPan]

Don't know about times on May 5th, not in the AP flyer. Anybody going on preview ride for ToT? Did you see the commercial?! Looks really COOL! I'm off in the a.m. that Weds. so I hope we hear about a California cruise in the a.m. BTW, we're doing ToT next Monday p.m. - YAHOO!

 

[KaitlinsMom]

DIS meet would be cool! I will wear some Lime Green -

Mike - I am doing the TOT preview - I am going this Wednesday - I haven't been on the one in Disneyworld - So I have no idea what to expect (that's a good thing)

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

See the new thread posted and the annoucement on the WDWINFO site;-

Rumors have been circulating for months that the Disney Magic will be based out of California on a 'test' basis starting in May 2005 through late August 2005. The rumor is that 7 night sailings will begin on May 28th 2005 out of Long Beach, CA, and that the itinerary will include certain stops in Mexico. While not yet confirmed, we've heard Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas as among the ports of call. The rumors we’ve heard is that the 7 day cruises will begin on May 28th and run through August 20th (meaning there will only be 12 cruises). If history is any indication, any time Disney does a 'special' itinerary, they tend to sell out fairly quickly.

The rumor also speculates that there will be two 14 day "transition" cruises, where the ship first travels to Long Beach from Florida, then again when it comes home to Port Canaveral (transition cruises are necessary in order to move the ship from one coast to the next). The rumor is that those itineraries will include Castaway Cay (of course) as well as several Mexican destinations that will not appear on the 7 night cruises (including Acapulco and Curacao. What we've heard (which we've found hard to believe, but we'll see) is that the 14 day transition cruises will be very well priced. For example, a Cat 6 on a 14 day cruise will run about $2400 per person, and Cat 11's will run about $1200 per person. For a 14 day sailing, that's great. We’ve also heard that there will be a limited number of staterooms offered on the transition cruises (again, this is rumor, but more than one person told us that they do not intend to sell out the entire ship on the transition cruise. This makes absolutely no sense to me, but that’s not unusual either : ). Of course, since it's a 'transition' cruise it is only "one way" and you'll have to make arrangements to fly back from California rather than Orlando (or vice versa depending on which transition cruise you choose). However, with air fares on many carriers being so good right now, that should not be too much of an issue.

Of course all of this is speculative until Disney confirms this, which we anticipate will happen during the Disneyland Press Event on May 4th & 5th, we won't know for sure. However, our confidence is fairly high that this information is accurate. We’ve heard this information from more than one source and over a period of the last several weeks.

Rumors on pricing have been sketchy, but we understand that the prices will be higher than what is currently charged on the East Coast cruises. For example, we heard from one CM that Category 12 staterooms will run between $1200 and $1600 per person (adult). We've heard that Category 5 staterooms will run between $2000 and $2700 per person and Category 6 staterooms will run between $1800 and $2600.

We think that this 'test' will be part of an overall plan to add a ship out of California on regular basis, but if that happens, it will be a few YEARS before a ship is ready. If you think you might be interested in doing a California Cruise, we suggest you fill out a special request form on the Dreams Unlimited Travel site (CLICK HERE). This will not be a guarantee of a stateroom or price, but it will get your request in as soon as they are released. Remember, the more full the ship gets the higher the price will go. If you want the lowest tier pricing available, you have to be among the first to book. Be sure to include the date you would like to sail. Since we are not sure of the exact dates, our agents will price out the date closest to what you requested. As I said, we expect the 7 night sailings to start on May 28th, which would mean the following sail dates:

May 28, 2005
June 4, 2005
June 11, 2005
June 18, 2005
June 25, 2005
July 2, 2005
July 9, 2005
July 16, 2005
July 23, 2005
July 30, 2005
Aug 6, 2005
Aug 13, 2005
Transition sailings are rumored to happen on May 14th – May 28th (from Port Canaveral to Long Beach, CA) and Aug 20th – Sept 3rd (from Long Beach, CA to Port Canaveral, FL). Keep in mind that if you book a transition cruise, they are, in effect "one way", meaning you will have to fly in to Orlando and out of Los Angeles (or vice versa).

The pricing that we’ve heard is substantially higher than the Caribbean cruises, and we feel this is due (in part) to the fact that these are unique cruises and Disney has been very successful with specialty cruises (as I said, they book out quickly, and usually do well). If the cruises do not sell well (which I’m doubting), they will adjust the price accordingly. We just want to make sure that we release what we’ve heard, and remind everyone that this is still unconfirmed, but if it is something that interests you, you should look to make plans fairly soon. We will release more as we get the info.

 

[twhipple]

I'll pack my lime green Mickey swatches. I don't know if I can convince DH to wear one (it was difficult on the cruise) and neither of us own lime green, but we'll see. But we'll be there at the castle!

 

[mmouse37]

My birthday is May 17.....hmmmm maybe a repositioning cruise for my birthday next year!!!

MJ

 

[ericamanda01]

I know that those of you on the east coast would hate to see the Magic leave, but hey you still have the Wonder and WDW! I don't care what we have to do I will be on one of those cruises!!!!! And honestly I don't care what the ports are, it's the Magic why leave the ship!!!!!! :happy2:

I am just a little curious how fast those cabins will sell out. There are so many cruise lines on the west coast. Wouldn't it be nice if it were only filled with people from the boards!!!

 

[KaitlinsMom]

Yeah - A DIS charted vacation! That would be fun!

 

[ivanova]

I don't care what the ports are, it's the Magic why leave the ship

Amen!! We've already decided we'll never disembark the ship. We'll be perfectly happy staying onboard the whole time (unless Disney has made some kind of deal with someone private beach so that they can simulate Castaway Cay .. not holding my breath on that though )

 

[markmyboy]

How long has Dreams Unlimited had that disclaimer for booking an unreleased 2005 cruise date?? I think that is pretty telling. I really hope the rumor is true, I would LOVE to sail through the Panama canal on a Disney Ship!! Wow, May 5th cannot come soon enough!!