Anybody on the Thanksgiving Magic????

[vgaskin]

We have never been to Palo's because we prefer to dine with our kids. But, you can go to dinner with your kids at the regular rotation and put your Palo ressie very late. Then get an appetizer or something while your child eats. Or you can get your child room service before heading down to Palo's if that helps.

 

[vgaskin]

You have to book cabana massages at the spa when you first board or they sell out quickly, maybe not that bad since we have 2 days there!

 

[Keoni]

Hey Thanksgiving Cruisers:

Did you all know we're going to see the premiere of "The Haunted Mansion" starring Eddy Murphy on our cruise?

Keoni

 

[vgaskin]

Yes, my mom is thrilled. they couldn't wait to see Pirates but I haven't seen it yet so should get to see that and Haunted Mansion and Brother Bear. I still hope Nemo will be on but since it is coming out on Video next month, I don't know that it will. I am at the "I wish this trip would get her NOW" phase.

 

[lsmac]

I had just heard that we would get the premiere of Haunted Mansion and ds was "stoked" (teen word).

vgaskin: last December they were still showing stuff that had come out on video (Lilo and Stitch) so I am hoping too that Nemo is still showing. I have seen it, but I LOVE that movie! I also want to see Pirates again.

I am also at the "are we there yet"? I want this vacation NOW! Especially since we almost had to cancel...gasp!

Lisa

 

[Wendybird63]

All right!!!!!!
I was so excited when I read about the premiere! I had told my boys we'd see Brother Bear on board and probably Pirates. They asked whether we'd see Nemo. I didn't think we would, so they'll be excited to hear that's a probability. They're also excited to see these with their Dad, as he's not the Disney nut that I am.
My DS9 was also stoked. Unfortunately, I knew exactly what this meant, as I was once a high school teacher.
I'm the only one in my family who's this excited about the trip. I'm glad to have found other disers who share my enthusiasm!
Thanks for the movie info.
Wendy

 

[lsmac]

I'm the only one in my family who's this excited about the trip. I'm glad to have found other disers who share my enthusiasm!
Thanks for the movie info.
Wendy

Well stick with us on this board, because I guarantee the closer we get, the more excited and, yes, STOKED...we will all get!

I can't believe that after 3 DCL cruises, this being our fourth, I can still get this excited.

Lisa

 

[vgaskin]

Is it here yet?????????????????? Everything has been planned and double checked, the waiting is horrible with nothing else to plan or do. Hopefully docs will be here soon and that may pass a few hours. I am happy, I just called and got a Wishes cruise booked for 11/29 after we get off the cruise so we can see the new Wishes fireworks at the MK on our own private boat. Never thought I would get it this late! I think everyone else around me hopes this trip would hurry up and get here so everyone can stop hearing about it and get on with our lives!!!

 

[goofydadeo]

We (me, DW, DS9, DD5) must be out of our minds... but All Seasons Travel just sent me a fantastic Georgia Residents offer and we now have a stateroom on hold! Our very first cruise was the week after Thanksgiving and it was great, so I know this one would be very special too! After all, two stops at Castaway Cay! Having been on the western before I prefer this over Key West. Will let you all know once we make the final choice in the next few days...

 

[vgaskin]

We really hope you will join us. Looks like they are having trouble selling this one out. they thought it would be sold out months ago. When they dropped the price and brought out FL resident rates, we got $3840 back for our then party of 7. So we upgraded to a cat 5 from a 10 and added one and still got money back! Gonna be a great cruise and I have a 5 & 6 yr old daughters and I know someone has a 9 yr old son I think. They won't miss as much school this way!

 

[jlawall]

I'm not going but I know a family who is. They are celebrating the parent's 50th anniversary. Look for this large group of really nice people (early seating) Have a great cruise to all!

 

[Wendybird63]

jlawall: 50 years! I'll be certain to look for them and offer sincere congratulations!

Tiffany: How did you get some money back? We booked directly through Disney, as all of the prices on orbitz, etc., looked similar. It would be fantastic to get some cash back!

I don't know how to make that little calendar thing come up, but it's

36 days (at least from the 10th of Oct)

 

[Wendybird63]

Goofydadeo: We have DS9 and DS7. They would love to meet more kids their own ages! Hope you can join us, especially if they've dropped the prices! Wish I qualified for the Florida residents' special
Can't wait, can't wait!!

 

[vgaskin]

Wendybird, if Disney lowers the rate, then you call them and they will reduce your fare and if you have paid it in full, they will refund it to you. Same if you are using a TA, or atleast most of them. I check prices at www.allseastravel.com because it is right there, quick and easy and if they show lower rates, I contact my Ta. My mom and stepdad are going with us and they are Fl residents so that is how we got money back. We were told since it has 2 CC days and it is Thanksgiving week that there would be no FL rates and it would sell out quickly. For some reason, this did not happen! We have 2 cabins, Disney allowed my TA to put one FL in each cabin so all 7(at the time) fares were reduced. The difference between the FL 2 cat 10's and the non FL rate 2 cat 10's was $3840. We upgraded to 2 cat 5's so we only ended up with $1070 back. Then we added one more so we only got about $200 back. Also, last month for some reason Disney gave us one of those mystery credits to our credit card for $200. This was issued on an old card that we used for our first cruise in April. The credit was issued exactly 5 months to the date of the trip. We have no reason why. But it was not for this one as they have never been given this cc number as that account was closed. The airfare also went down when we purchased the 8th ticket. We got nonstop airfare for $320 back in July. And these are at peak times and coming home the Sunday after Thanksgiving. A couple of weeks later, it went up to $650!!! Just because of our mid afternoon Sunday after Thanksgiving flight. Well it went back down to $320 so we prepared to add our 8th member. By the time we did it, it went down to $296. So for a couple of weeks there, we were saving and getting money back everywhere we looked. So keep checking, if you find a reduced rate that will apply to you, call Disney, they will honor it!!!

Also, how do you get 36 days? Are you leaving earlier? We leave on the 20th of November and we have 40 days. Either way, I love your math! lol

 

[Wendybird63]

Thanks for the info. Tiffany, but the price is the same that I've paid already. I'm thrilled for you,though!
H'mmm, don't know what to say about my math I must have been hoping we were leaving 11/15. We're also leaving on 11/20. We won't be returning home until the 2nd of Dec. Our sons have a strange break this Thanksgiving, so even with our extended vacation they'll only be missing two days of school.

All right, we'll try this again:

Time til' cruise as of 10/10:

43 days!

 

[Wendybird63]

I just received my documents on Sunday. I'm so excited!
I was upgraded from a Cat 11 to a 9. This had me concerned at first, as our room is 2002 and is on Dave's site for being loud. Several people on other threads assured me that it's a much better room than a Cat 11.
I've booked our rental car, our excursion, (Stingray City), and decided what we'll do with a days following the cruise.
How's everyone else doing? Just over five weeks to go! (Sorry, I don't know how to do that calendar thing.)
Wendy

 

[lsmac]

Wendy! I am sooo jealous! Since we book through Dreams, Disney has the habit of chucking all our documents to the very end of the line. Meaning, I am not expecting to see mine for several weeks now!

But anyway, I do have the countdown so thought I would post so you can see how very close we are! And boy, am I ready...not packed or anything....just ready! LOL

Lisa

 

[Wendybird63]

Lisa,
You got a better fare through DU than we did through DCL, so that should make you feel better.
I'm not packed either, of course, though I've read where people have chosen each outfit for every night on the cruise.
Yikes! I thought I was organized!
Wendy
Oh yeah, thanks for the calendar!

 

[vgaskin]

Oh Documents, I am so glad they are arriving! Our TA said he would notify me the moment he got them. I am waiting!

Ismac, did you book airfare with Disney, I thought that was you? If so, you probably won't get your docs until about 2 weeks prior. I am told if you didn't book Disney air, they should be here 4-6 weeks before, I am now waiting now that I know some are getting docs!!!!

 

[lsmac]

Tiffany, yep we went with Disney air this time so I am not expecting tix until about 2 weeks prior. Last year we did our own air and rec'd them about 28 days prior.

Wendy, saving money always makes me feel better!
As for packing and choosing outfits. I learned after the last three cruises to pack only half of what I think I will use, because I won't wear half of that! I will most likely throw stuff in suitcases about a week prior, using all the great tips I learned here regarding ziplock bags etc....that way the week we leave all I need to worry about is getting the dogs to their "doggie sitter" and making sure ds has all his homework for the three days he will miss school.

Lisa