August 25 2012

[krisgils33]

I agree....everyone does what is right for their family.
We each like to have a family time, alone time, and grown-up time on our vacation. That way everyone in our family gets a bit of everything. It works for us.

Everyone is on vacation and there is no right or wrong way to enjoy it

There are so many options for dinner and the truth be said, my family doesn't always eat a full dinner every night

Where else can you eat five times in a day and still eat dinner

 

[My4PhillyGirls]

Anyone glad that DCL no longer makes you get up early in the morning on St. Thomas port day to report to the WD theater for customs

That would be crazy to have to go through that on the Fantasy

 

[sdaniel]

I remember doing this on our Disney Eastern Carribean cruise so many years ago, not fun! I'm glad that it's changed, it would be a definate hassle with so many more people!

Anyone glad that DCL no longer makes you get up early in the morning on St. Thomas port day to report to the WD theater for customs

That would be crazy to have to go through that on the Fantasy

 

[sdaniel]

Went to the passport office (District Clerk @ courthouse) today and got the kids renewals sent off. No line and we had two clerks helping us - took maybe 10 minutes to renew four kids! We spent more time at CVS getting their passport photos!!

The weather here has been nice up till the last two days - It's been raining/thunderstorming. Power went out last night around 10 and didn't come back on until 5:30 this morning; oh the joys of living in rural Texas.

Just got our kids passports renewed too. Very fast, took 2 weeks. Kills me that I had to pay an agent fee for each kid to verify they are ours. And, like you, dd's first passport had her name spelled wrong. They don't always read!

Since we are first timers, we hope the few things we want to reserve will be available for us.

Can't wait for summer. This cloudy week-end made some gray days.

 

[My4PhillyGirls]

Hello Everyone!

Booked my airplane tickets last night

Will be arriving at MCO closer to 10:30 a.m. than eleven, which was my plan

I had to move a few weeks earlier than I wanted to due to the seats selling for the return flight

Tonight I am going to pick up a new grill from Home Depot in preparation for Mother's Day

I was too lazy to put it together and since it was free, I let them do it

 

[FJS961]

Hello Everyone!

Booked my airplane tickets last night

Will be arriving at MCO closer to 10:30 a.m. than eleven, which was my plan

I had to move a few weeks earlier than I wanted to due to the seats selling for the return flight

Tonight I am going to pick up a new grill from Home Depot in preparation for Mother's Day

I was too lazy to put it together and since it was free, I let them do it

you flying in 10:30 am on Friday? what are you going to do all day?

 

[My4PhillyGirls]

you flying in 10:30 am on Friday? what are you going to do all day?

I have a rental car pick up with National scheduled for noon. We will probably run out and get a quick lunch and shop for carry on stuff.

We will come back to the hotel and maybe enjoy the pool. Then we plan to go to DTD in the early evening to eat at the Rainforest. The kids and wife love Volcanoooes We have the new safari card so that may save us some waiting time

 

[krisgils33]

I am ridiculously excited about this cruise. I don't know if it's the new ship or what.

Any other DVCers get the email about the discounted June sailings? I wish we had the time to go sooo bad.

 

[dvcdisney]

I am ridiculously excited about this cruise. I don't know if it's the new ship or what.

Any other DVCers get the email about the discounted June sailings? I wish we had the time to go sooo bad.

I didn't receive the email. I found out from here.

It's such a great deal. I wish they would offer it during our cruise. Apparently members are able to just switch an existing reservation and get a large refund back. Unfortunately, I didn't get any type of discount because I booked this vacation before I cruised on our first cruise, so I couldn't book onboard and take advantage of the discounts and benefits. Also, I like to control my own reservation, so I can't bring myself to book with a TA, so no extra OBC. So, I'd love to get that type of DVC discount...even if it's just 10% (which is what you get onboard), I'd be ecstatic!

 

[dvcdisney]

This will be my first time booking a DCL excursion. I was wondering if during the booking process, I would be able to see how many guests they accomodate per excursion. I would prefer the numbers be low and not so crowded that it's difficult to take photos etc during stops.

Can someone walk me through the excursion booking process? Is it as simple as just choosing the excursion and possibly the time or is it more elaborate, requiring several things to fill out?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Pudo]

We are officially PIF'd. We are Gold for the last time so we are doing our online booking this Friday! Funny thing is we will be Platinum at the time of sailing since we are going on another DCL cruise in June out of NYC. The excitement is starting to build on this cruise, still kind of focusing on the June cruise first.

 

[Pudo]

This will be my first time booking a DCL excursion. I was wondering if during the booking process, I would be able to see how many guests they accomodate per excursion. I would prefer the numbers be low and not so crowded that it's difficult to take photos etc during stops.

Can someone walk me through the excursion booking process? Is it as simple as just choosing the excursion and possibly the time or is it more elaborate, requiring several things to fill out?

Thanks for any help.

Unless things have changed from last August there isn't anyway to know how many people have booked an excursion. Although, you should be able to find out the capacity of an excursion if there is one.

The online booking process allows you to reserve many things including Palo/Remy, Spa, excursions, kid's clubs, etc. You choose the appropriate link on the web page, in this case, excursions and then chose port of call and the excursion you want. If there is more than one time slot you'll get a choice assuming none are booked up.

In the past, I have posted screenshots of the online booking process for first timers. If time allows, I try to do that again. I'll be booking this Friday @ midnight EDT.

Jeff

 

[krisgils33]

I don't think you can see how many people are going, just if there is availability for your family. I've always done the Disney excursions. A little more pricey, but I like the comfort of knowing that if there is a problem getting back to the ship, they will hold the ship til everyone on the excursion can board. This has happened to me once and I've also heard of it happening to people not on Disney excursions and the boat left without them.

As far as crowds, I've never found them to be overly crowded, maybe around 20-25 people on the bus. I think they have multiple transports per excursion, so it would never be more than a bus/van full of people.

This will be my first time booking a DCL excursion. I was wondering if during the booking process, I would be able to see how many guests they accomodate per excursion. I would prefer the numbers be low and not so crowded that it's difficult to take photos etc during stops.

As far as the process, the DCL website tells you what day you can begin booking excursions. To make it simpler, I would go through the lists beforehand and mark the ones you're interested in as "favorites". Then, when booking is available, it's simply a matter of clicking on the link to sign up. Things like spa appointments and adult dining would have options for times. I think all the excursions have set times.

Hope this helps!

Can someone walk me through the excursion booking process? Is it as simple as just choosing the excursion and possibly the time or is it more elaborate, requiring several things to fill out?

Thanks for any help.

 

[i12go2wdw]

Hello, only 105 days till we set sail

We have a great group for the FE which will make it so much fun. In an earlier post I said we woud split the group if it got too big, I think 20 cabins was the #. As it stands now we have around 30 cabins participating and still a few weeks till we close the exchange so we can all get our gifts together and know the final #.

SOOOO, do we want to split the group in 2, keep it as one, or split in 2 but everyone has the option to join both groups if they want?

Here is the list of participants I have so far, if you are not on the list and want to join that is great, if you are on the list and want out that is fine too, either way please let me know. Also if you are on the list and I have the wrong info or if you are missing some info let me know.

Pudo-Jeff, Missy, Catherine-19, Sarah- 8 Cabins 10578/10580
hortontrio- Michael, Carrie, Jessica- 8 Cabin 6690
Kaizen- Susanne, Jim, Alexa- 12
JKSwonder- Jane, Mike, Allison- 11, Michael- 6, Nana (Janet) Cabin 7102
i12go2wdw- Dan, Christine, Jordan- 20, Rebecca- 16, Mitchell- 14, Nicole- 9 Cabin 2523/2523
i12go2wdw- Iain, Nonie, Kate-15, Eric-12 Cabin 2015
Suzannecat- Suzanne, Joe, David -14, Eliana -10 Cabin 8559 and 8563
Disneydonnam- Curt and Donna Room 6082
John21601- John, Heather, Megan- 7 Cabin 6876
Chrisd12- Christina, Demitrios, Nicholas- 10, Sophia- 7 Cabin 8582
Trinity524- DF, DW, DH, DS Cabin 8092
Bytor01-Mary, Tim,, James-10, Moira-10 Cabin 10534
Allisonmilam7- DW, DH, DD-12, DD-8
Oldpatterns- Peter, Michelle, DD Sam-15, DS Erick-11 Cabin 8508
Minie meese- Elaine and David Cabin 9514
-Ruth, Matt and Ceanna-9 Cabin 9516
-Sondra and Nicole-8 Cabin 9510
Krisgils33-Kris, Greg, Casey Emma (Age 10 at cruise time) Cabin #10090
Cloei_13-- Jenn, Victor, Arianna - 8, Callea- 6 Room 6068
My4PhillyGirls- Joe, Michelle, Natalia- 20, Jenei- 16, Deyshia- 12 Cabins 7588, 7590
coconutsunshine- Jenny, Sean, DS Crewe- 3
Kymicheyfan717 -Kathy W. Cabin- 7192
gdulaney-Andy, Ginny and Diana Dulaney.... Cabin # 6508
eyes4Mickey -Kim DH-Brian DS-Troy 15 and DS-Patrick 12Cabin 7580
Patricia1- Paty, Bob, Laurenza- 8 Cabin 10584
Susiesark- Susan, Rick, Grace- 8
Lynn G - DM, Sara-10, Chris- 14
DierFam4-Laura, Jon, Kaleb- 10, Makiah- 8
cjnix29- Carrie, Dave, Ethan- 9
evie308- Evie, Gil, Justin- 8, Ryan- 6, Claire-3 Cabin 10047
. .[/B][/COLOR]

Once we close the FE I will put together a complete list with everyone's name, age (kids only) and cabin # along with which day each cabin will deliver their gifts (not written in stone but a good guideline so we don't get all the gifts on at-sea days), if you are in a GTY rooom once you learn which cabin you are in we will get that out to everyone too, if something changes at the port you can come to my cabin or leave a note in my FE and I will let everyone know the change on the first day (I will deliver my gifts the first day for this reason).

If you have any questions or great ideas let me know,
Christine

 

[Pudo]

Hello, only 105 days till we set sail

We have a great group for the FE which will make it so much fun. In an earlier post I said we woud split the group if it got too big, I think 20 cabins was the #. As it stands now we have around 30 cabins participating and still a few weeks till we close the exchange so we can all get our gifts together and know the final #.

SOOOO, do we want to split the group in 2, keep it as one, or split in 2 but everyone has the option to join both groups if they want?

Here is the list of participants I have so far, if you are not on the list and want to join that is great, if you are on the list and want out that is fine too, either way please let me know. Also if you are on the list and I have the wrong info or if you are missing some info let me know.

Pudo-Jeff, Missy, Catherine-19, Sarah- 8 Cabins 10078/10080
hortontrio- Michael, Carrie, Jessica- 8 Cabin 6690
Kaizen- Susanne, Jim, Alexa- 12
JKSwonder- Jane, Mike, Allison- 11, Michael- 6, Nana (Janet) Cabin 7102
i12go2wdw- Dan, Christine, Jordan- 20, Rebecca- 16, Mitchell- 14, Nicole- 9 Cabin 2523/2523
i12go2wdw- Iain, Nonie, Kate-15, Eric-12 Cabin 2015
Suzannecat- Suzanne, Joe, David -14, Eliana -10 Cabin 8559 and 8563
Disneydonnam- Curt and Donna Room 6082
John21601- John, Heather, Megan- 7 Cabin 6876
Chrisd12- Christina, Demitrios, Nicholas- 10, Sophia- 7 Cabin 8582
Trinity524- DF, DW, DH, DS Cabin 8092
Bytor01-Mary, Tim,, James-10, Moira-10 Cabin 10534
Allisonmilam7- DW, DH, DD-12, DD-8
Oldpatterns- Peter, Michelle, DD Sam-15, DS Erick-11 Cabin 8508
Minie meese- Elaine and David Cabin 9514
-Ruth, Matt and Ceanna-9 Cabin 9516
-Sondra and Nicole-8 Cabin 9510
Krisgils33-Kris, Greg, Casey Emma (Age 10 at cruise time) Cabin #10090
Cloie 13-- Jenn, Victor, Arianna - 8, Callea- 6 Room 6068
My4PhillyGirls- Joe, Michelle, Natalia- 20, Jenei- 16, Deyshia- 12 Cabins 7588, 7590
coconutsunshine- Jenny, Sean, DS Crewe- 3
Kymicheyfan717 -Kathy W. Cabin- 7192
gdulaney-Andy, Ginny and Diana Dulaney.... Cabin # 6508
eyes4Mickey -Kim DH-Brian DS-Troy 15 and DS-Patrick 12Cabin 7580
Patricia1- Paty, Bob, Laurenza- 8
Susiesark- Susan, Rick, Grace- 8
Lynn G - DM, DD-10, DS- 14
DierFam4-Laura, Jon, Kaleb- 10, Makiah- 8
cjnix29- Carrie, Dave, Ethan- 9
. .[/B][/COLOR]

Once we close the FE I will put together a complete list with everyone's name, age (kids only) and cabin # along with which day each cabin will deliver their gifts (not written in stone but a good guideline so we don't get all the gifts on at-sea days), if you are in a GTY rooom once you learn which cabin you are in we will get that out to everyone too, if something changes at the port you can come to my cabin or leave a note in my FE and I will let everyone know the change on the first day (I will deliver my gifts the first day for this reason).

If you have any questions or great ideas let me know,
Christine

Either way is fine with us. 30 is not too large, but if you want to break it up into 2 groups that's cool. From a completely selfish standpoint my little girl would enjoy getting FEs from 29 other families instead of 14.

By the way, please update our stateroom numbers. I decided awhile ago to move to the right side of the ship so we are in the exact opposite side of the ship now in 10578/10580. Just to be clear, we have adjoining rooms but only one Fish Extender. Don't want anybody to think we are trying to get "double prizes" <Sid @ Pizza Planet, Toy Story>.

Jeff

 

[krisgils33]

Either way is fine with me. Are there rules/guidelines already established (this is our first time and I have some questions like, is it one gift per person or per family, should the gifts be unisex type or girl/boy depending on who it's going to...things like that). thanks.

Hello, only 105 days till we set sail

We have a great group for the FE which will make it so much fun. In an earlier post I said we woud split the group if it got too big, I think 20 cabins was the #. As it stands now we have around 30 cabins participating and still a few weeks till we close the exchange so we can all get our gifts together and know the final #.

SOOOO, do we want to split the group in 2, keep it as one, or split in 2 but everyone has the option to join both groups if they want?

Here is the list of participants I have so far, if you are not on the list and want to join that is great, if you are on the list and want out that is fine too, either way please let me know. Also if you are on the list and I have the wrong info or if you are missing some info let me know.

Pudo-Jeff, Missy, Catherine-19, Sarah- 8 Cabins 10078/10080
hortontrio- Michael, Carrie, Jessica- 8 Cabin 6690
Kaizen- Susanne, Jim, Alexa- 12
JKSwonder- Jane, Mike, Allison- 11, Michael- 6, Nana (Janet) Cabin 7102
i12go2wdw- Dan, Christine, Jordan- 20, Rebecca- 16, Mitchell- 14, Nicole- 9 Cabin 2523/2523
i12go2wdw- Iain, Nonie, Kate-15, Eric-12 Cabin 2015
Suzannecat- Suzanne, Joe, David -14, Eliana -10 Cabin 8559 and 8563
Disneydonnam- Curt and Donna Room 6082
John21601- John, Heather, Megan- 7 Cabin 6876
Chrisd12- Christina, Demitrios, Nicholas- 10, Sophia- 7 Cabin 8582
Trinity524- DF, DW, DH, DS Cabin 8092
Bytor01-Mary, Tim,, James-10, Moira-10 Cabin 10534
Allisonmilam7- DW, DH, DD-12, DD-8
Oldpatterns- Peter, Michelle, DD Sam-15, DS Erick-11 Cabin 8508
Minie meese- Elaine and David Cabin 9514
-Ruth, Matt and Ceanna-9 Cabin 9516
-Sondra and Nicole-8 Cabin 9510
Krisgils33-Kris, Greg, Casey Emma (Age 10 at cruise time) Cabin #10090
Cloie 13-- Jenn, Victor, Arianna - 8, Callea- 6 Room 6068
My4PhillyGirls- Joe, Michelle, Natalia- 20, Jenei- 16, Deyshia- 12 Cabins 7588, 7590
coconutsunshine- Jenny, Sean, DS Crewe- 3
Kymicheyfan717 -Kathy W. Cabin- 7192
gdulaney-Andy, Ginny and Diana Dulaney.... Cabin # 6508
eyes4Mickey -Kim DH-Brian DS-Troy 15 and DS-Patrick 12Cabin 7580
Patricia1- Paty, Bob, Laurenza- 8
Susiesark- Susan, Rick, Grace- 8
Lynn G - DM, DD-10, DS- 14
DierFam4-Laura, Jon, Kaleb- 10, Makiah- 8
cjnix29- Carrie, Dave, Ethan- 9
. .[/B][/COLOR]

Once we close the FE I will put together a complete list with everyone's name, age (kids only) and cabin # along with which day each cabin will deliver their gifts (not written in stone but a good guideline so we don't get all the gifts on at-sea days), if you are in a GTY rooom once you learn which cabin you are in we will get that out to everyone too, if something changes at the port you can come to my cabin or leave a note in my FE and I will let everyone know the change on the first day (I will deliver my gifts the first day for this reason).

If you have any questions or great ideas let me know,
Christine

 

[Pudo]

Either way is fine with me. Are there rules/guidelines already established (this is our first time and I have some questions like, is it one gift per person or per family, should the gifts be unisex type or girl/boy depending on who it's going to...things like that). thanks.

My experience has been that the sex of the child is on the spreadsheet so you can give specific gifts instead of unisex. Also, and not an absolute rule, the gifts are mostly for the kids, but many families will give one gift per child and then another "family" or gift for the adults.

 

[i12go2wdw]

Either way is fine with me. Are there rules/guidelines already established (this is our first time and I have some questions like, is it one gift per person or per family, should the gifts be unisex type or girl/boy depending on who it's going to...things like that). thanks.

We have said, to make things easier and less of a chore, that the rule will be one gift per family but anyone is welcome to give more than that if they wish. So getting a gift for your cabin will be the norm, anything above that is icing on the cake

 

[krisgils33]

thanks, it's good to know what the rules/guidelines are and that if we want to go beyond that we can.

We have said, to make things easier and less of a chore, that the rule will be one gift per family but anyone is welcome to give more than that if they wish. So getting a gift for your cabin will be the norm, anything above that is icing on the cake

 

[Chrisd12]

Getting realllllly excited now!!!! As we are flying in from NY....my preference is to split into two groups.....though would love to participate with everybody. Already worried about luggage weight with 4 people. We have booked a flight down on Friday but are having a heck of time finding a reasonable flight home.....hoping prices start dropping soon. Can't wait to meet all of you.