April 12, 2008, 4-12-08, 4/12/08 Eastern Magic

[ROIE01581]

As we did last time, we will all have tee shirts on saying this is our 2008 family vacation. This year they are "loud" red....and the baby boys are blue.
we are from Westboro, Ma, daughter kim is from Shrewsbury, Ma and daughter Megan is from W.Warwick, RI.

We get a family picture taken before we get on the boat... So if you are behind us...Sorry for the delay...


Stated getting my summer things together and the granddaughters are watching the travel channel when they have the disney crusie stuff on.

 

[Skuba2]

Here's a question for you people who have already been able to reserve things.

Do I need to create a separate profile for each person in my cabin in order to reserve shore excursions, etc? I have registered myself, and when I bring up my reservation at "My Reservation" my hubby and boys come up on the screen. Will I be able to make our reservations as a family, or do I need to do each person separately?

I would ask a Disney rep, but there is currently a 15 minute wait on the phone! What a surprise!

Bev

Whenever you pick your excursion/diningtime/spa item, anyone eligible for that particular item will become available to check. So, if you select a spa item----only those 18 or older will be able to be checked. The others will be faded gray. Dining will ask you how many. Jet skis will ask you single or double and may ask you to select the other person.

Don't get thrown off by not being able to pick the people you think you should be able to pick. Get your time slots or items selected and registered, then call later to get it straightened out or ask your questions. You have until 3 days prior to sailing to cancel and even that isn't set in stone. We cancelled the day prior for one excursion and got our money back because it was a popular one and there was a waitlist. It isn't always the case, but it worked out.

Also, I would suggest you go on and make sure all is ok with your payment. Your account should read zero or you can't register. Go with picking your most important item first. I usualy pick the excursion I would be the most disappointed in. I can do a spa and/or a nice restaurant at home. I can't just go on an excursion on an island anytime soon. And, sign on and retrieve your ressie a few minutes early. I believe you have to refresh your ressie every 30 seconds to pick up the change to midnight. Try it a few times early to see what happens.

Good Luck!

Deb

 

[Jeanne62]

Thanks Kat for keeping the list. We are from RI (North Kingstown).

Bev - My daughter will be 17 on May 31.

 

[cindyd1@optonline.ne]

Dsyfangoofy2- we were told the same thing and couldn't get in!!!! Now they are saying its the 28th!

 

[Fast Pass]

For those booking excursions and Palo tonight...

If you live on the East coast it should be at midnight.
If you live in the Central time zone it should be 11:00pm on the 27th.
If you live in the other time zones you will have to do the math to calculate what time you need to do your ressies.
Also, don't be discouraged if you can't get on right at midnight, sometimes Disney is a little slow releasing the times.
Good Luck everyone!

By the way, it might be a good idea to list everything you want on a piece of paper along with two or three alternate things you will be willing to do.

 

[cindyd1@optonline.ne]

Thanks Fast Pass I have my list all ready to go!!!!

 

[DisneyMomforLife]

Cindy,

So you have the info - we have Palo's on Monday at 6pm and our massage is on Thursday at 9:15. Parasailing is at 10:30.

Good luck!!

Kat

 

[DisneyMomforLife]

Hey!

I went back through the posts and didn't see any family information posted for you. Would you like to add anything to our master list?

Kat

 

[cindyd1@optonline.ne]

Thanks Kat...I am waiting to get on!!!!!!

 

[hannahguad]

Waiting also!! Counting the minutes..

 

[cindyd1@optonline.ne]

Time just does not go by fast enough

 

[DisneyMomforLife]

Ha!!! I came down to log into mine and see if I could add you to the parasailing if you weren't on, lol~

kat

 

[ajeent]

Arghhh - I am getting this message

Sorry, you cannot make Shore Excursion reservations at this time. Our records indicate that you have either not paid for your cruise vacation in full or have not provided complete birthdate information for each member of your travel party. If a payment is still due, please apply payment now online or contact your travel agent.

To update birthdate information, you must first call a Disney Cruise Line representative at (800) 951-3532 or your travel agent to update your reservation information. In either case, please return to the My Disney Cruise section of disneycruise.com afterwards to continue making your cruise vacation plans online.
Everything looks fine - we paid the travel agent on 1/8 - the disney site says booked. All of the birthdays are fine... Darn!

 

[cindyd1@optonline.ne]

Ajeet === Keep trying....I was getting the same message and it finally went through!!!!!

 

[cindyd1@optonline.ne]

Kat.....I got Parasailing!!!! 10:30 for 4! Banana Boat and the Couples Massage. No Palo though! Oh well I will try again if not wait until we get on to see if we can get something then ...

 

[ajeent]

Yup - finally went through for me too. Got our excursions and a spa treatment - althought not til Thursday. Did not get Palo Brunch, so I guess I will be hoofing it to sign up when we get there.

 

[trent08]

What was your first Disney cruise and how was it for you?

 

[dsnyfangoofy2]

Holy Smokes! What a crazy process, especially when you are working with 30 other family members! People were on two or three phones at once, and of course the Disney system kept saying "error." (I think they need an upgrade!)

My boys wanted Capt. Nautica on St. Thomas, we shared that idea with relatives, and the relatives got it and we didn't! We did get the afternoon version, but are wondering if we should just do Trunk Bay instead. The rest of the family is doing morning stuff and then going back to the ship for lunch and walking over to the new Butterfly Farm for a relaxing afternoon. We'd be totally on our own if we stick with the afternoon Capt. N., which isn't necessarily bad!

My DH and I really wanted Palo brunch, but of course there were none. Do they save some ressies for boarding day?

Bev

 

[Skuba2]

For those in bigger groups, have you guys thought of booking outside of Disney? You may get a better rate and a private tour.

If anyone wants an island tour, may I suggest hiring a taxi for the day. You know what Disney is charging per person and what your group will cost. You can use that knowledge to barter with a taxi. They do this often and you will generally get the same tour with longer, more personalized stops. The people on these islands make their living from tourism. Tourism is a must to these islands and their economy. For instance, we spent a week in St. Thomas. We befriended a taxi driver who got up early and took my dad each morning to the golf course. We got his card and passed them out to friends.

Also, remember, port days are a great time to enjoy the pool. There is generally no one onboard. There are also discounted spa treatments.

Ok---gonna go work out!

Deb

 

[cindyd1@optonline.ne]

Thanks Skuba2 Thats what we were thinking to do our excursions on our own. You don't happen to remember the taxi driver's name do you?