Anyone for the Western cruise 4/9/05???

[katyblue04]

Katy- You won't find out your dinning rotation until you get your KTTW card. It will be printed on that. I have read on the other boards that adult only parties usually have the LAP rotation but no one really knows for sure. I have never done Palos or the spa so I'm no help there. If you think you may do both you may want to check into the REAS package. That way you can book Palos and Spa now. It's worth the price for some who want to make sure they get the times the want.

You know, that sounds like a good plan. Being that this is our first cruise, the so called "reservation scramble" seems like a lot to worry about when I'm just going to want to explore! Plus I'm the type who likes things nice and planned out before hand. I'm not good with last minute decisions! This board sure is helpful for compulsive planners like me!

So, I called to add on the REAS package, but they had me call another number and it was a message system for someone named Debbie. I've heard her mentioned before, I'm assuming you are all good friends? Will she call me back? Or should I just try calling again in the morning?

OK guess what? Now I have MORE QUESTIONS! (I hope I'm not becoming a pain! You guys are all great and I love you for helping me so much already!)

Here we go- When picking a night for Palo dinner, do you make it for the same time as your dinner seating? (we have the early seating...cause I get hungry early!) I'd like to make it for a little later in the night, but I don't want to miss the show. And there seems to be a different fun show every single night after dinner!! I can't figure out how you decided ANYTHING on this cruise without sacrificing something else!!! Ahhhhh why is this complicated! And to think, I almost walked on the ship without knowing anything!

I think I want Palo for either Thursday or Friday night. The "Captians Gala" and "Best Of" menus don't appeal to me really for some reason. I found out those menus for those nights by using the castaway website. I'm assuming they are real? (lol wouldn't that be funny? I'm planning around these menus..)

Next...Which do you prefer- Palo Brunch or High Tea? From looking at the menus, the Tea looks better. We both love tea, and egg salad sandwiches! Ok I guess I answered that myself.

Umm, what else can I think of...Oh. So adults often get the LAP rotation...How sucky!! Doesn't that mean we'd be in the Parrot restaurant for both the formal and semi-formal nights?! It just doesn't seem as fancy as Lumieres or even Animators. Can I request the APL rotation? That looks like it works out best, you even get to be in the Parrot one for Tropical/Pirate night. But I'm assuming you all know that!!

Alright I need to get to bed. I'm worrying too much now. I know that no matter what it'll be fantastic and I'm sure I wouldn't even notice the difference if I hadn't read so much about everything! But now that I know more, now that I'm so Disney Cruise enlightened, I want it all to be perfect!!

...deep breath...

Ok. Thanks again!
-Katy

 

[joehips]

Katy- You can book Palos for anytime you choose. According to my passporter they are open at 6 until between 9 and 10. If I were you, i'd book for the Friday night. But not too early. I am also judging this information on the Navigators on castawayclub(dot)club. Thursday night is Disney Dreams an awesome show that I would recommend to anyone who loves Disney. Friday is a fun day at Castaway Cay and it would be nice to unwind with a nice dinner at Palo.

I went to some comedy juggling show last cruise and wish I had done something different with my time. It wasn't what I was expecting, but I was also on the 4 day Wonder. I think Palo was my favorite restaraunt by far. Oh, and get the chocolate souflee, its to die for.

If you can't do it all and miss something I guess you are just going to have to rebook onboard for another cruise.

Have fun and see everyone real soon!

Jordan

 

[Madden6]

I don't believe it! Another virus has hit my family! I feel like I am falling apart at all ends! I don't think there is anything else we can get before the cruise This time it is strep. At least the older ones can be on antibiotics, but the baby has to go with the flow! No Easter for us this year.

Had to vent! I really, really, really , really can't wait for this cruise to get here!

 

[hopelea]

Oh Kate, I am so sorry. I hope everyone is feeling better soon!
My DFIL has been in the hospital with a kidney stone. I won't take the girls to visit him. Too many sick people! He isn't too happy about that. (he likes the attention and wants everyone at his side!)

One more day closer. Two weeks from today the girls will be taking their last day of SAT's and I will be packing the van. I hope we will be able to leave at noon.

14 days for me!!

Hope

 

[Evans Family]

"GC is really funny beacuse of tendering, If you have excursions you are allowed to get off earlier than everyone else, If you have excurusions you get off at about 7:45 or so open tendering dosent start till about 11:00 am!!! (that only leaves 5 hours on the island! since we leave at 4:30)"


What if you take an "independent" excursion (i.e. Captain Marvins)? Will Disney let you off the ship with the Disney excursions?


(Sorry, don't know how to do the quote thang"

 

[katyblue04]

I did it! I booked the REAS package and Debbie was SO wonderfully helpfull! Now I feel so much better. I have my Palo Dinner, High Tea, and Massage reservations! I asked if I would miss other activites/shows by booking these things, and she assured me that it would all be fine.

I also switched us to the late seating, because she told me there were 1,000 kids on this cruise and most of them are in the 6pm seating. I told her I was worried because I get hungry early, and she laughed and said "Oh don't worry about that! You'll be eating ALL DAY!" haha.

2 weeks from right now I will be laughing my head off in Buzz Lightyears Space Ranger Spin!! And seeing Mickey's PhilharMagic!

Yay!
-Katy

 

[DCDevil2007]

"GC is really funny beacuse of tendering, If you have excursions you are allowed to get off earlier than everyone else, If you have excurusions you get off at about 7:45 or so open tendering dosent start till about 11:00 am!!! (that only leaves 5 hours on the island! since we leave at 4:30)"


What if you take an "independent" excursion (i.e. Captain Marvins)? Will Disney let you off the ship with the Disney excursions?


(Sorry, don't know how to do the quote thang"

I'm not sure on that one...I'm pretty sure Disney will give you a tendering ticket if you bring some sort of confirmation about your excrusion, maybe that is something you better call DCL for...I dont know! And to do the quote you just clikc the quote button of the message you want to respond to and it puts it in your resonse

Have work orientation tommorow at 9 am I would normaly still be in bed!

1 week...6 days...cant wait!!!

 

[MelissaJMuller]

I haven't written in a while, but i have been reading all the posts. Just received docs today and am mad- first we got a connecting flight from Newark which I knew could happen but heard from many people who have done this that it rarely happens- so we get to Orlando hopefully by 12, we are going to get on the ship late- okay so we'll deal with that- our own fault because with 2 kids and MIL, figured it would be easier to let Disney handle all transfers etc, live and learn. Then reading our docs we were supposed to have two rooms next to each other b/c my boys would stay with MIL and me and DH right next door (connecting rooms no longer available when we booked) Now t he three of them are on the other side of the ship!!!! I want my boys next to me. I know in the scheme of things this shouldn't matter and other people have major worries- but this is a lot of money to be spending and already I am nervous!!! Of course, we'll call TA tomorrow and hopefully have some kind of solution. Next time I will follow my instincts and go the day before---so sad!!!!

Melissa

 

[joyfulinhope]

We booked our trip in Dec., but I have not had much time for research. I am most concerned about excursions. (My family just wants to go to the beach.)
If anyone has some tips, I would be greatful.
Also, I have 2 teens that are not very excited about this trip, I hope that will change when we get on board. My 8 year old has been dreaming Disney since Christmas.
At this point, I am just ready to get on board and "sail on..."

Be joyful in hope... Romans 12:12

 

[hopelea]

Hi Joyful........My name is Hope & I live below you I also have an 8 yr dd . Her name is Sara and will be delighted to know there is another on board!

Our family did the DCL excursion in Cozumel that was a beach break. But it was really expensive, $180.00 for four! This trip if we get off the ship we are going to grab a taxi ($12 each way) to Paradise Beach. It is free to enter, you can buy a wrist band for $5 and the kids can use the water trampoline and other water activites. There is a website for it, if you want it I'll try to find it. My parents went there in January and they said it was really nice and clean.

Turk, DCDevil is our teen coordinator on this thread. He will be glad to know there are more teens going!

2 weeks from today we will be standing in line I can't start packing my clothes yet. The weather is hot and I need my summer things!! Summer is here!!!

Have a wonderful EASTER!!

Hope

 

[DCDevil2007]

If anyone has some tips, I would be greatful.
Also, I have 2 teens that are not very excited about this trip, I hope that will change when we get on board.

Turk, DCDevil is our teen coordinator on this thread. He will be glad to know there are more teens going!

Thats right hope, Teen coordinator...sounds so official Joyful- Dont worry your teens will REALLY enjoy it if they come hang out in the teen club, even if there not avid lovers of disney like me are your teens (M) or (F)? Either of them can e-mail me @ GRAM33US2002@HOTMAIL.COM

Went to work Orientation today, my 1st hour of pay Dont have to work tommorw as planned, I get to Stay home 4 my B-Day Yay! Have Bagger training Tuesday at 8:00 am though

2 weeks from today we'll be sailing into the sunset!!!!! (I wish that hour glass actually changed sides, there woud only be a few grains left!!!)

 

[joyfulinhope]

Hello Hope and Turk,
Thanks for the tips! I may have some info on Paradise Beach, I just was not sure how to get transported there. This is our first cruise and our first time outside the country; I am excited but nervous. I told my princess, Mandie, about your Sara and she is very excited. Are you going to take Sara to the kids play area? Mandie thinks she will get to stay there all the time. We received our Docs today, we have second dining. I hope Mandie can stay awake.

Hey Turk,
My teens are 16, just had his birthday on the 20th. and 13 going on 21 . I think they will go to the teen club, but may be a bit uncomfortable at first. Have you been before? (and Happy Birthday to you) Russell is on-line alot, I'll give him your info.

Counting down the days...
Be joyful

 

[hopelea]

Joyful.........Yes, Sara will be in the lab. She loved it so much the last trip. I had a hard time getting her out to eat dinner with us. She is already telling me that she will be at the lab until they close! I make my dd's eat dinner with us most of the nights.


Hope all of you have a wonderful Easter Holiday.

 

[hopelea]

Hey Joyful, I meant to tell you that you can get put on a waitlist for 1st seating for dinner. More than likely your request will be granted. We have first, but I am wondering if 2nd would be better. I really want to see the sunset in Key West. We missed it last time because we were eating. (it sat early in October). I think we might be done before this time. I don't want to miss dinner in Key West either. It will be my dad's 68th birthday that night and we will be celebrating on the ship!

Hope everyone has a great day. 13 days until we board, 12 days until I leave! Lots to get done in the next 12 days!!!

 

[DCDevil2007]

Hey Turk,
My teens are 16, just had his birthday on the 20th. and 13 going on 21 . I think they will go to the teen club, but may be a bit uncomfortable at first. Have you been before? (and Happy Birthday to you) Russell is on-line alot, I'll give him your info.

Counting down the days...
Be joyful

That would be great tell him to put the subject line as Disney cruise or something so i dont delete it accidentily matbe your DD would like my little sister, she's 12 going on 20 her email is DCDEVIL2010@HOTMAIL.COM we're hoping to bump her up to the teen club because she is only about a month or so away from her birthday and she really wanted to go in last time, which was about 7 months b4 her birthday there jsut werent enough friends her age in the lab/club

I have been on a 3-day cruise before, which was just enough time for me too settle in and then get yanked away from everyone, trust me your teens will be fine we'll have alot of fun

 

[yazee1]

Hey Joyful, I meant to tell you that you can get put on a waitlist for 1st seating for dinner. More than likely your request will be granted.

I may have shared this already, but we were waitlisted for first seating when we booked our cruise in January. I called DCL about something else a few weeks ago, and while I had the lady on the phone asked for a first seating and it was granted. So much for waiting to be called about an opening. Not everyone has had the same result, but it's worth a shot. I didn't book through DCL, I booked through AAA. I've heard DCL won't talk to you about these kinds of things if you didn't book through them, so again, it might not turn out but it doesn't hurt to give it a try.

My feeling about rushing to get onboard for dinner is this. If what I'm doing on land is more fun than going to dinner onboard, I'm staying on land. Unless that's against the rules or there's something I'm not considering, that's what we're going to do.

 

[DCDevil2007]

My feeling about rushing to get onboard for dinner is this. If what I'm doing on land is more fun than going to dinner onboard, I'm staying on land. Unless that's against the rules or there's something I'm not considering, that's what we're going to do.

Nope...No rule, but you'll be missing out on GREAT and INCLUDED food, although if you choose the right nights you can either go through Topsiders or go to the desert buffet if offered

 

[jkssands]

I'm starting to get really excited!!! We have less than 2 weeks left. We don't leave untill Sat morning. It's only a few hour drive for us. I got busy at work last week so I haven't packed yet. I do have a big pile in the living room of stuff we're taking. Now I have to get the suitcases out and start putting everything in. I have made a list of stuff that we shouldn't forget. Hope I don't loose that. Hope everyone had a great easter!

Jill

 

[joyfulinhope]

I have made a list of stuff that we shouldn't forget. Hope I don't loose that. Hope everyone had a great easter!

Jill

Jill,
If you don't mind, would you share some of the things that you have on your list.

Thanks,
Be joyful

 

[katyblue04]

Hi,

As far as tipping goes, how much cash do you bring on board? I read somewhere to take $100 in ones...that would be quite a full wallet. Lol! And I read somewhere else to not take any cash at all...so which is it?

And now, of course, more q's!

-Do the rooms have clocks in them?
-How many outlets are available?
-Is the hair dryer really as weak as people say? Should I bring my own?
-Are water shoes important?
-Is there somewhere to eat breakfast at Port Canaveral? We'll be getting there around 10 am, and If we dont get to board until around 1, I'll need to eat!

This weekend I went to storage and got out all my summer clothes! Then I sort of packed, just to see if I had too much. Looks like for clothes I'm all set, but I still need to figure out what extra random stuff to pack.

I can't wait! It's rainy and yucky here in NYC...These next 11 days are going to be so hard for me! It's like the countdown to Christmas!

-Katy