April 2, 2005 Magic-First DCL cruise-anyone going?

[BriarfoxinWA]

Your not the only one planning! I was looking into towncar services this week. We've used both Tiffany & Your Ride and both were fine. But then I saw one of the others has a stretch Hummer! Wouldn't that be cool to ride to the port in! My family would have heart failure! I'm hoping I get as big of a bonus from work as I think! If I do - I'm going to surprise them with that! Can't afford to do it for every leg of the trip (Airport/universal/port/airport) but maybe for just one of the longer legs...

 

[RachelTori]

I would be a basket case if I wasn't planning! I want to do all the work BEFORE the cruise!! Stacey, I'm glad you're going to spend several days @ Cocoa - you'll get sooooo relaxed and ready for the cruise! How many hours drive is it for you? We would love to come early, but as it is Tori will miss a day of school (Friday). We'll get to the Radisson mid to late afternoon - if we don't have any problems on I-75.

I spent many hours on these boards last time, reading every thread I could about the cruise and people's experiences/advice. It really helped tremendously. This time I shouldn't have to do too much of that - but it never hurts to read the recent trip reports!

Keeping my fingers crossed, Valli, for that big bonus! The stretch hummer would be a nice surprise for your family!

Laura

 

[anlashokna]

Oh its between 1400 and 1500 miles down. Since my parents decided to come down later I'm going to make it in two days. Stopping in TN on day 1 and getting into Cocoa Beach Day 2. Then I'll have Friday to relax. Am at the Hampton Inn since its close to the beach and Ron Jons. Decided to change since I'll have the extra day And want to be near the beach

 

[Tiggerish]

I am struggling with airfare issues. There is a convenient, non-stop flight from my sister's home town that would get them into Orlando at supptime the night before the cruise and the return flight is also an excellent time. The problem is the cost.

If they drive about 3 hours to a major city (Detroit) then they would stay over night by the airport on Thursday night, take a non-stop early morning flight and get to Orlando by breakfast. The savings is enough to pay for the gas, the overnight in Detroit, parking and staying at Port Orleans Riverside for Friday night and the extra leg of a town car to get them there. They would have the whole day at the disney resort and be able to take the boat to downtown disney. And have money left as the difference in price is $1000. But my sister would have to miss one more day of work since she works nights and on the way back they would still have to drive home and would get home quite late.

Sooo, is it unreasonable to ask them to do the extra driving and time and hassle?

I will be flying out of Chicago separately and so getting a reasonable flight and price is much easier. I am trying to wait to see if the local airfare comes down in price, but the entire state of MI is on spring break that week and several of the local flights are already sold out so I want to make a decision within the next week or so.

By the way, I can manage the higher cost airfare but it will have to come out of the funds available for "extras" like shore excursions.

 

[RachelTori]

IMHO, I don't see that they would have a problem with that. I think making the drive to Detroit will just add to the excitement of the trip! Have you been to the airport there lately? It is an awesome facility - one of the nicest airports I've seen in years!

Too, it's not like they'll have to drive hundreds and hundreds of miles - 3 hours or so is really reasonable. And $1,000 difference is a big chunk of $$$. Since your sister will have about 3 month's notice, I wouldn't think she'd have much problem with getting off from work an extra day or 2 (?)

Another plus for Detroit, should there be a problem with a flight, many more options available than at the smaller airports.

Laura

 

[anlashokna]

Not too much to ask at all.

You might consider a couple more things though.

How much your sister might loose in pay (if its not a vacation day) and if she can afford too.

Also what time of year and typically weather...a 3 hour trip in bad weather can turn into a nightmare.

Anyway..just a couple more things to throw into the mix

 

[Tiggerish]

Thanks for the advice. I think I will offer to reimburse her for the missed day of work from the airfare savings. Of course, this morning the cheaper Detroit fare has gone up. So I am back to waiting.

I went ahead and called this morning when the new discount code went into effect and got 2 rooms at Port Orleans French Quarter for the night before the cruise. Before the code, one trundle bed room at Port Orleans Riverside was going to be $206, with the code, two rooms at FQ are total of $254.

It is much more than pricelining for an airport rooms. But can cancel if budget doesn't work out.

 

[mousecrazy]

Tiggerish,
Is the code you used at POFQ the annual pass code or is there a general one out now?

Thanks. Lisa

 

[Tiggerish]

It is a new code for the general public, BDP. I got it from the mousesaver site and it worked like a charm. It is supposed to be good for dates through 4/16/05.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

Well I decided not to try to do the stretch Hummer...after checking the price - over $600! I don't think I want to pay that much even if I do get a huge bonus!!!

So I opted to use FL. Tours with a limo. We have always gotten just a regular town car - so this will be a big surprise. We've never ridden in a Limo before

 

[RachelTori]

Ouch! That's a lot of $$$$ A regular limo will be very nice - your family will have a blast!! We've hired limos before -- lots of fun!

Nena, how was the trip to FL? Did your family enjoy Busch Gardens?

Laura

 

[greytlady]

We had a wonderful time in Tampa. Busch Gardens was wonderful. I wish I had more time to spend there. We only got to do one day at Busch Gardens and didn't get to see any of the shows there. My SO went with us and he's not as into amusement parks as the kids and myself. We did see the baby Clydesdale - Hazel who is now about 4 months old. We visited the Aquarium so I now know how to get to the ports in Tampa if ever I decide to sail from there. The weather was beautiful while we were there. Now it seems so long ago - how quickly the work routine had to set back in. We stayed at the Residence Inn while in Tampa (about 5 miles from Busch Gardens) and was pleasantly surprised with how nice it was. We had a 2 bedroom suite and complimentary buffet every morning, heated pool & spa. Kids even played on the basketball court. I would definitely stay there again.

Nena

 

[RachelTori]

Glad to hear you had a great time! We've never stayed at the Residence Inn - will have to give that a try next time! I really like the Tampa area. It's just hard to go to Florida and not visit WDW!!!

And look - now that you're back, our counters are in the 150's!! When we booked this cruise, we were in the low 500's

Laura

 

[greytlady]

I had to get my Disboards fix this morning so just popping in to say hi. Are ya'll ready for the trick or treaters tonight? Around here we do it on Saturday night instead of Sunday. Nathan (DS10) just finished his last football game of the season Thursday night so we are off to his team's end of season party today. It was his first year playing and he loved it.

Hope everyone has a great weekend and don't forget to reset your clocks and change the batteries in your fire alarms.

Nena

 

[anlashokna]

Questions

I may have asked this one before Old age you know..

Can you check bottle water through or does it need to be in a suitcase?

My father had the ridiculous concept I could carry two CASES in this duffle bag...can barely carry one! And not lugging it around a ship!!


Is there a way to get a message to the cabin stewards via dcl pior to boarding?

Thanks

Is it april yet????

 

[cwf1028]

Just got my confirmation last week of my payoff for the cruise! There's no stopping us now! I went ahead and paid because I wanted the points on my Disney Visa to continue to grow! I should have almost $600 in points by the time we sail. I hope this will cover most of our onboard expenses (were not booking any Disney excursions). I bought the girls princess costumes last year after Halloween for the cruise and this Halloween. I am happy to say that they both decided to wear last year's costume instead and now I don't have to worry about them messing them up! Can't wait!

Christy

 

[RachelTori]

It's been quiet for awhile! Look! We're already in the 140's!!!

Stacey, I can't remember what the deal was with the bottled water - but I believe you can bring it on the ship without it being in a suitcase. I remember there being a rule about coolers - I think only the collapsible ones were allowed. (not much help, am I?!!)

Christy, what a nice feeling, huh?!! We have half our cruise paid for - we're going to go "down to the wire" - last week of January - before we pay the balance.

Well, I'm off to Disney World this weekend - without the family. I'll leave Saturday morning and return home late Wed night. (I'm soooo looking forward to this!!)

Laura

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

Figured I'd post to bump us up to the top again!

Had to restrain myself from shopping for dress shirts for the boys today. They are both growing so fast! I made that mistake on the first cruise we took. Bought nice suits for the boys and they had both almost outgrown them by the time the actual trip came around.

I think I'm just going to get them nice dress shirts with ties to wear for the formal/semi formal nights. Last time DH wore and tux and the boys both had suits. But we were far outnumbered by those that either didn't dress up at all or just had on shirt and tie. I'm debating about what to do for a dress. I have a nice black halter/cocktail dress but it's literally 2 sizes too big. I took it in myself before our other cruise but didn't do a very good job. There was a really cute red halter dress at Gotschalks today...but of course it wasn't on sale and I didn't want to spend the $$.

How's everyone else doing? Surely I'm not the only one who's itching to start packing up my suitcase!?

 

[cwf1028]

You're not the only one! I've had two collapsable laundry baskets full of stuff for months. This weekend is the first time Georgia has not seen the upper 70s (still in the very low 70s) at days. Now that we are FINALLY feeling Fall tempretures, I have starting "packing" for the cruise by adding clothes to my piles. Mainly going through the bathing suites and coverups for us and the girls to see what we have and what we need. Instead of packing them all away this year, I'm "packing" them! We were lucky enough to have gone to Kaiser's flu clinic the weekend before the shortage was discovered and got our flu shots. Boy did we get lucky. I feel sort of bad that two of us should not have received it under the restrictions, but we didn't know. Hope everyone is well. I feel like now that the holidays are here, time will go faster and it will be here before we know it! Christy

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

I was just shopping Old Navy online and found a pair of lime green flip flops! I just had to buy them! They have a bunch of their swim suits on sail for 0.99. Of course they have tops that would fit but all of the bottoms are either out of stock or way too big! Oh well - I needed a cheap suit to wear in our hot tub anyway....