Cruised in May: No longer a DCL beginner-what I learned from this board!!

[felixdacat]

I must confess that my husband was the one that spend most of his time on this boards doing all the research. I also used the
resorts boards as well. they were invaluable.

We went late april/early may with DD 5 and DS 3 1/2.

We did arrrive the night before and stayed outside property
(got hotel thru priceline). It did take a while to register at the
poly. We made it to MGM right before noon.

we picked the 2nd day to do the MK. it started to pour at 3pm,
so we had to leave early. we missed the parade.

WE did AK the 3rd day and then came back to use the pool and
later in the day I took the kids back to MK one last time. It
was near closing, so less crowded (sat night they close early).
Having the monorail was great. They also enjoyed the boats.

because we went with family, we managed to work our babysitting for the 4 kids. This was nice. Also, I brought peanut butter and bread with us and kept that in the room. Since we drove we also brought our mini fridge. this was great as well.

We did not take advantage of that last morning. Just took our times. We got to the port before noon and I took the kids up
to the pool and lunch (bathing suits in carryon). Both kids
crashed on the drive to boat. having your own car does have
its advantages. they really needed the naps. I think that was
the least crowded time at the mickey pool-when we first got
on board.

We spend a lot of time in line getting autographs for our DD.
At the parks and on board. Some are duplicates characters.
I liked that I spread it out for both, rather than trying to do it
all on board.

Fast pass is great. take advantage of it (while at parks)

I thought using our room keys for the ship was wonderful.we had a room switched with my folks, so we had to use Guest services,
but if that had not happened, it would have been so effortless.

We were also glad to do land first. The other way around would
have been too exhausting.

having the REAS was well worth it to avoid the ressie scramble, though DH did make addl reservations once on board for the spa.
when making reservations, keep in mind that some of hte shows
will be at 3:30 the last 2 days , so if you have kids that want to see them, dont make other plans that time.

I am sure that I have more to add. I know it was more $$$ but
worth it for the experience.

sandy

 

[DopeyDisneyDad]

.

 

[LostGirls]

why did you wish you had an air freshener? Room not clean or........? THANKS!

 

[DenverVal]

For the bathrooms. I don't remember them having fans to de-stink them after heavy use.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Originally posted by Luv2Dream
I believe I've read that on the Magic they have stopped taking the pillowcases for signing. Just in case anyone is planning on going on the Magic.

What?
WHY??
I was so looking forward to this.
I swear I need to just stop reading the boards until we get closer to our cruise/Disney trip because I keep finding out about more and more stuff- then way before our cruise gets here those things are no longer existing in the world of Disney cruiseline (or the theme parks... like IASW not going to be running for a year).

SO BUMMED!
Why would they stop doing this just on the magic?

I wonder if this "secret" got out to a few too many people and it became too much of a hassle?

Much as I love Disney and was looking forward to this trip and cruise... it's not going to take much more (I don't think) for me to just cancel and go on another trip to Jamaica or something. It's becoming more and more "too expensive for what you get" in my mind... about the cruise I mean.

 

[gamom2three]

Okay, I don't want to burst anyone's bubble here SO, if you still believe that each "character" signs the pillowcase, STOP READING!


The key to the magic of any of the autographs is that your child BELIEVES the character (who, remember is a fuzzy costume with a real person inside or for the human characters, a really good look alike), signed it. Since the kids weren't going to "see" the characters sign the pillow case if I took it to Guest Services, I bought a plain white pillowcase, colorful sharpie markers and using my children's previous autograph books, signed all the characters names with a personal message on each child's pillowcase, MYSELF. The kids were thrilled, there was no hassle to and from guest services, they got the pillowcases the first night on board the ship with a note attached "Have some wonderful Disney Dreams" and the magic continues!

I have heard and believe it to be true, that Guest Services does the same thing. Imagine the logistics of getting every character to sign every pillowcase in such a short time span.

Hope everyone who wants an autographed pillowcase will get one. . .one way or the other!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I know it's not really any characters signing them... I also know the characters aren't really the characters. LOL
However, I'm not talented enough to write in all those different ways and my children DO have autograph books... and since I couldn't copy the handwriting even close to what is written in the autograph books... I wouldn't get away with that. LOL

The autographed pillowcase was to be for my youngest (then 4yrs old) but I will have an 11yr old and mouthy nosey 7yr old (LOL)... who might have been a little less "mouthy" about the characters not really signing it had it been like it's always been- hand it over and get it back with signatures. Not the same for me to have it already signed myself when packing with these nosey older children around....

 

[DopeyDisneyDad]

gamom2three

I understand your LOGIC, but I believe you miss some important elements. As the old adage goes - you know what is the truth and not the truth, you will also know you signed that pillow case and are going to tell whoever that the characters did it - that devalues the Disney magic. Please considered that all characters - wether in costume or not - are trained to sign the character name in the same manner, so as not to have the Mickey Mouse you see at Magic Kingdom sign the name differently than the Mickey Mouse you see at Animal Kingdom - that is Disney magic......