April 29, 2012 ~ Aloha! ~ Inagural Wonder to Hawaii-Part 4

[Happy Goofy]

This goes to show you that one hand does not know what the other hand is doing at DCL

Yesterday I was told that there was no 8am tour and the vendor cancelled them. Well I called today and spoke to the supervisor in the excursion dept. She was extremely nice. She told me that there were still 8am tours but they were full. I told her I booked the 8am one on the day I was allowed to book and that I had other plans for the late afternoon. She took my number and called me back and said I was back on the 8am tour! So apparently the 8am tour was never cancelled. I'm just glad I got this straightened out.
Also I got an email today with the $28 refund from DCL

Monica - we are all set- (I think)

 

[dylan'smom]

Kindred spirits indeed.....did I tell you that mine and John's first date was a wine tasting? April 29th is the 22nd anniversary of that day. So we're celebrating! It all started with the wine.....until we discovered champagne. I still love wine.....white or red, but I love champagne more.
Although I know the names, Chateau Lafette Rothschild and Madame Veuve Clicquot....but I have not had the pleasure of sampling them....due to the pricey amounts that they cost. I'll stick with the more middle of the road prices like the Moet Chandon. If ever given the opportunity, don't get me wrong, I would jump all over it. But not if I'm paying....hahaha.

Our costco does have a Veuve clicquot at around $39 (yellow label one, not the vintage, I don't think). Maybe I should invest in a bottle to share at some point during the cruise? DH doesn't like champagne, so I may need some help with it!!

Thanks for asking! It was a little disappointing.......... however, my girls could NOT have done their routine better than they did on Day 2 of the competition (especially because we were down an entire stunt group because one of our flyers broke her tailbone about 5 weeks ago and so we ended up looking like a much smaller team than usual and we had to insert extra tumbling for her bases to do since they couldn't stunt). So we're still very, very happy with our showing because in our hearts we know we deserved higher scores (and probably the win) and that we couldn't have done any better......and we all understand that's one of the frustrating components of competing in a subjectively judged sport. .....

My DS competed at the national level in HS debate/forensics & I can so relate to that statement -- perfectly put! It's so tough to see them work so hard, do really well, and then lose to a subjective, maybe even lazy, response (one judge literally slept through his LD, then awarded it to his opponent, particularly frustrating)!

But your team did a phenomenal job! Thanks for sharing the clip!!
I just wanted to say that I appreciate your position and it sounds like you got past it (frustrating as it can be), and helped them to still feel good about themselves & their excellent performance. Good job to you too!

How this works
Each player will be placed into a group with 10-12 others - and will leave a small snack size candy/chocolate bar in each of the other FEs in their group - this activity will closed approximately 1 month before sailing when groups will be arranged

............

Okay, now I'm in trouble!! I really thought the groups would be bigger & now have enough candy to give to about 80 people.....guess I will be forced eat some of it myself...

So, I'm reading from the main board that Debbie (EpcotKilterFan) is the originator of the Fish Extender phenomenon.
Is this true, Debbie???
Wow - to think a little pixie dust as you passed through the Panama Canal would result in complex excel spreadsheets, copy-cat FEers and so much shared love...
We're lucky to have you onboard!!

Cool! A celebrity in our midst!! We need a good slogan to commemorate this...like May we never forget, it all started with...___________! Okay, I can't think of how to finish it....! But it really is cool how it just took off like it has. Genius!
.

 

[Grammy4Lizzy]

if anyone else is curious....here is a video link on youtube to my girls on Day 2 of the competition this past weekend. They made me so proud!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hj8go...e_gdata_player

Wow what a group. You should be very proud of your team.

 

[dylan'smom]

..........
Since you have been to Hawaii before, what are the must sees for us first timers?? Okay were would I find the roll call spreadsheet for the private luau. Is Mickey and the gang at the DCL luau, I didn't see that online?? Hawaii is a dream for us that we weren't even considering doing anytime soon so I know if we go anything we do will be amazing. I don't know what has got into us thinking about this so late in the game! I think we are crazy, but in a good way!

...........

Well, guess it all depends on the types of things you guys like to do....there's such a wide variety. There are historical & geographical sites to see, of course, but the beaches are gorgeous there too. We were on Oahu for a couple weeks one year, so rented a car & hit the Polynesian center, north shore, beaches, Pearl Harbor memorial......even a huge flea market at a stadium!! But with a little one, seems like the beaches & local "cuisine" (puka dogs, shaved ice) would be a can't-miss activity too! We spent most of our time there, anyway.

Guess i just assumed Mickey would be at the DCL luau (from some ABD videos), but I may be wrong on that one!!

 

[gdaneowner]

Serriously?!? only 40 kids!? Wow. if that's an indication of how kid-lite the cruise will be my girls will be in heaven with all the extra attention from the staff.

.. Makes you wonder tho, how many aren't on the DIS that are traveling with kids. I am traveling with 2 kids, but we are not on the FE list.

 

[Lexa]

Serriously?!? only 40 kids!? Wow. if that's an indication of how kid-lite the cruise will be my girls will be in heaven with all the extra attention from the staff.

You need to know that not all people are on DIS boards and not all joined FE. We have 90 cabins or so, not sure how many people in all but there would be at least 2300 passengers on the board...we are a little fraction of whole number.

I would like to think there is not too much kids, because that means clubs would not be overcrowded.

 

[dolphingirl47]

I would expect a similar demographic than on the 2010 WBTA and 2011 PC cruise, when we had about 200 kids per cruise.

Corinna

 

[dolphingirl47]

I am so excited right now. The Hawaiian sun dresses that I ordered from Maui Shirts on Amazon where tracked in the UK this morning. So I am hoping they will arrive tomorrow or at least before the end of the week.

Corinna

 

[seaulater]

Thanks for asking!

It was a little disappointing....we had very minor problems the first day and were 4 points out of the lead, we KILLED it the second day (literally everyone in the arena was stopping us and our girls to say it was the best routine of the weekend)....but the scores didn't jump from day one to day two as much as they should have and so we came in second by less than 1.5 points...the team that won was a local team that won that competition for the 6th year running yesterday beating us by such a small margin....but the scoring didn't quite feel right. For instance, on day one we got a 2 out of 5 in one category of our tumbling because timing was off and on day two the girls NAILED that section and the same judge still gave us a 2 out of 5 but wrote in the comments section "much better than yesterday! gave me goosebumps!"------so our question was....if yesterday it was a 2 out of 5 and today it is "much better" and induced "goosebumps"...then shouldn't the score have increased? and maybe even to like a 4 or 4.5 out of 5? Because that would seem to make sense....and then even those additional points would have put us over the top for a 4th consecutive National Title (we end up entering a different Nationals competition every year basd on their timing, etc.).

All that said, however, my girls could NOT have done their routine better than they did on Day 2 of the competition (especially because we were down an entire stunt group because one of our flyers broke her tailbone about 5 weeks ago and so we ended up looking like a much smaller team than usual and we had to insert extra tumbling for her bases to do since they couldn't stunt). So we're still very, very happy with our showing because in our hearts we know we deserved higher scores (and probably the win) and that we couldn't have done any better......and we all understand that's one of the frustrating components of competing in a subjectively judged sport.

It just makes you a little sad as a coach because it would have been nice to send our seniors off of their final competition with our team with a National Title to reward them for all their hard work over the years----especially this one.....

....but that's not to sound like sour grapes. It was a great trip. We had a great time and a great performance and it was an end to a pretty great season for us. And so we'll take a week off and next weekend we'll start working on NEXT year's routines and skills and tumbling and start training and prepping the younger girls in the program to see who will be ready and skilled enough to pull up to Varsity in the Fall at tryouts so we can try for another great competitive season next year!!

Ah yes, the days of competitions with Jamie....don't miss them at all. I love watching the girls perform, but do not miss the frustrating components of competing in a subjectively judged sport at all! We had and have the same issues here in Utah with judges. Certain schools get higher scores, whether they deserve them or not.

 

[DisneyDiva4ever]

Hello Hawaiian Cruisers!

I'm just dropping in to say hello and share some info. I'm on the April cruise with the rest of this bunch. I don't spend a lot of time on the boards, so I haven't been keeping up with the 100s of pages for this cruise. I might have very old info, but I thought I'd drop by and share anyways.

I called DCL and the CM told me that there would be 1 formal & 2 semi-formals on our cruise.

Here's what he told me for days:

Formal night - 2nd night of the cruise
Semi formal - 11th night & 14th night
Pirate night - 13th night

This is what I was told, so I can't confirm it's in concrete. I hope this helps anyone who didn't know or is starting to think about what to pack!

Sorry if this is old news! I'm sure getting excited about this cruise! It's been almost 4 years since I've done a 2-weeker! ACK! My "cruise fever" is getting out of control. I hope I can make it 45 more days!

Aloha!

 

[gdaneowner]

I would expect a similar demographic than on the 2010 WBTA and 2011 PC cruise, when we had about 200 kids per cruise.

Corinna

This would be super awesome.. If that is all there are! Small group, lots of open kid areas!.. And smaller character lines!

 

[SerbianPrincess]

Hello Hawaiian Cruisers!

I'm just dropping in to say hello and share some info. I'm on the April cruise with the rest of this bunch. I don't spend a lot of time on the boards, so I haven't been keeping up with the 100s of pages for this cruise. I might have very old info, but I thought I'd drop by and share anyways.

I called DCL and the CM told me that there would be 1 formal & 2 semi-formals on our cruise.

Here's what he told me for days:

Formal night - 2nd night of the cruise
Semi formal - 11th night & 14th night
Pirate night - 13th night

This is what I was told, so I can't confirm it's in concrete. I hope this helps anyone who didn't know or is starting to think about what to pack!

Sorry if this is old news! I'm sure getting excited about this cruise! It's been almost 4 years since I've done a 2-weeker! ACK! My "cruise fever" is getting out of control. I hope I can make it 45 more days!

Aloha!

Thanks for the information, very inportant when packing!

I had snow here this morning really making hawaii look very good!!! Welcome back!

 

[Lexa]

Thanks for the information, very inportant when packing!

I had snow here this morning really making hawaii look very good!!! Welcome back!

Snow? Oh my...we are having wonderful, sunny day with temp of 83F.

 

[padalyn]

it was 80 in Reading Pa today according to my S.O. I know it got really warm her in NJ since I tossed the covers off (I rarely do that!)

 

[Fivepin]

We still talk about that trip as well. Are you coming in before the cruise? We're meeting Beth, Stacy, and Jack for a day in the parks.

Debbie and I arrive the night of the 27th. We're staying VGC and we're going to get a one day park hopper. We are also planning on WOC dinner. It would be great to meet up with them. Beth had helped me spread a little Disney magic to Christopher's classmate who went on her first Disney cruise last May-the Transatlantic and Beth was on there. I had sent her some magnets and autograph book. She decorated their door for me and took the autograph to Guest services.

 

[TChrist05]

Hello fellow Hawaii cruisers....I did not want to interject any negativity into this thread or cruise but I am not real happy. We were, my DW and I one of theunlucky people who had our Arizona excursion changed from 8 to 9:15--no big deal except we have a 2:45 going over to Aulani. Called an spoke to a cast member at DCL and then on to the supervisor of excursions. Cannot do anything for us--vendor did the change and nothing available at 8 AM. I suggested a waiting list for the early excursion but that is not possible since they don't have the manpower to do it. I guess some of the lucky people who called right away were able to get on the early excursion. Just got the feeling that the whole time I was being talked down to. So on the the DVC to try and change to a later excursion to Aulani. Spoke to a wonderful cast member Sue who tried her best but was unable to change our time for Aulani--she even called DCL and spoke to the supervisor who told her there were no 8:00 excursions scheduled. So now we have to keep our 2:45 excursion and when we get on the ship possibly DVC can change it for us--bottom line is in my heart as an American I have to do the Arizona first and anything else second. Just unhappy with the change. I never ask anything from Disney, and we have taken 27 Disney cruises and been a DVC member since 2003. I just feel sometimes you get spoken to with that Disney arrogance.
OK...I have vented and we will see what happens....no more negative from me from now on. Thanks for listening--I feel better now.
Tom

 

[padalyn]

Hello fellow Hawaii cruisers....I did not want to interject any negativity into this thread or cruise but I am not real happy. We were, my DW and I one of theunlucky people who had our Arizona excursion changed from 8 to 9:15--no big deal except we have a 2:45 going over to Aulani. Called an spoke to a cast member at DCL and then on to the supervisor of excursions. Cannot do anything for us--vendor did the change and nothing available at 8 AM. I suggested a waiting list for the early excursion but that is not possible since they don't have the manpower to do it. I guess some of the lucky people who called right away were able to get on the early excursion. Just got the feeling that the whole time I was being talked down to. So on the the DVC to try and change to a later excursion to Aulani. Spoke to a wonderful cast member Sue who tried her best but was unable to change our time for Aulani--she even called DCL and spoke to the supervisor who told her there were no 8:00 excursions scheduled. So now we have to keep our 2:45 excursion and when we get on the ship possibly DVC can change it for us--bottom line is in my heart as an American I have to do the Arizona first and anything else second. Just unhappy with the change. I never ask anything from Disney, and we have taken 27 Disney cruises and been a DVC member since 2003. I just feel sometimes you get spoken to with that Disney arrogance.
OK...I have vented and we will see what happens....no more negative from me from now on. Thanks for listening--I feel better now.
Tom

Tom - with that many cruises under your belt, I am sure you know that DCL makes some massive mistakes - then makes it all work in the end. Maybe you should consider purchasing the Arizona tickets on your own (I saw a post a bunch of pages back) that would alleviate the issue?

Good luck, it will all work out.

 

[Mickey&JoshNut]

if anyone else is curious....here is a video link on youtube to my girls on Day 2 of the competition this past weekend. They made me so proud!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hj8golxYIrI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

WOW!!!!!!!

Simply amazing....I can see why they made you so proud....that routine was incredible!!!!!

 

[MousseauMob]

Great video - the girls did a wonderful job, and boy do I know how frustrating subjective competition can be! Although, still lots of fun and rewarding in other ways. Speaking of which, everyone send some pixie dust our way on Saturday, DS's band is competeting in another battle of the bands.

Hello fellow Hawaii cruisers....I did not want to interject any negativity into this thread or cruise but I am not real happy. We were, my DW and I one of theunlucky people who had our Arizona excursion changed from 8 to 9:15--no big deal except we have a 2:45 going over to Aulani. Called an spoke to a cast member at DCL and then on to the supervisor of excursions. Cannot do anything for us--vendor did the change and nothing available at 8 AM. I suggested a waiting list for the early excursion but that is not possible since they don't have the manpower to do it. I guess some of the lucky people who called right away were able to get on the early excursion. Just got the feeling that the whole time I was being talked down to. So on the the DVC to try and change to a later excursion to Aulani. Spoke to a wonderful cast member Sue who tried her best but was unable to change our time for Aulani--she even called DCL and spoke to the supervisor who told her there were no 8:00 excursions scheduled. So now we have to keep our 2:45 excursion and when we get on the ship possibly DVC can change it for us--bottom line is in my heart as an American I have to do the Arizona first and anything else second. Just unhappy with the change. I never ask anything from Disney, and we have taken 27 Disney cruises and been a DVC member since 2003. I just feel sometimes you get spoken to with that Disney arrogance.
OK...I have vented and we will see what happens....no more negative from me from now on. Thanks for listening--I feel better now.
Tom

Tom, I don't know if this helps, but what we are doing is after the memorial, we're taking our own transporation from there to Aulani for our excursion. It's not the DVC tour, so I don't know if that is possible or not, but for us it saves us quite a few hours, and driving time. You could chat with DVC, about grabbing a taxi to Aulani and meeting up with the 2:45 tour.

I would expect a similar demographic than on the 2010 WBTA and 2011 PC cruise, when we had about 200 kids per cruise.

Corinna

Boy, you can tell we haven't cruised DCL in a bit. I saw 200 and thought - that's a lot. Until I read the other posts about how small that was and had my sanity check. All of our cruises (other than DCL) have been less than 60 - and the kids LOVED all the one on one attention. I've been hoping the numbers would be small.

 

[Mickey&JoshNut]

So, I'm reading from the main board that Debbie (EpcotKilterFan) is the originator of the Fish Extender phenomenon.

Is this true, Debbie???

Wow - to think a little pixie dust as you passed through the Panama Canal would result in complex excel spreadsheets, copy-cat FEers and so much shared love...



We're lucky to have you onboard!!

You are absolutely correct....Debbie started the FE craze back in May 2005 when she posted a picture of a cute Mickey Door hanger with pockets....everyone wanted one so Debbie went and bought out the dollar store and gave them as her FE gifts!!!! I still have my original (lime green, no, less)..it is hanging on the door to our family/rec room so I see it every day!!!!!!!!