DCL Member Cruise

[iluvdisney]

rsschneck - I remember it being approx half if we were to book before we disembarked - that being said it was a great value to us!

Crissup - nicely said.

I can't really place a dollar value on having a fun time with new friends that I have so much in common with - there were smiles everywhere on the last DVC Member Cruise and the gifts we received in our staterooms every night made me feel like it was "Christmas". The special little perks were great but I was just happy to be there. It's either something you want to do or not - but for me - I wouldn't miss it!

This is not a debate - it's all up to the individual.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Originally posted by iluvdisney
rsschneck - I remember it being approx half if we were to book before we disembarked - that being said it was a great value to us!

Crissup - nicely said.

I can't really place a dollar value on having a fun time with new friends that I have so much in common with - there were smiles everywhere on the last DVC Member Cruise and the gifts we received in our staterooms every night made me feel like it was "Christmas". The special little perks were great but I was just happy to be there. It's either something you want to do or not - but for me - I wouldn't miss it!

This is not a debate - it's all up to the individual.

OK, so now I am back to thinking we should go! I loved the free Castaway Cay towel we got for being Castaway Cay Club members...if I had a free gift every night! WOOHOO!

 

[MarkRG]

Originally posted by Crissup
The answer to this really depends on your specific viewpoints. No one argues that WDW tends to be more expensive than comparable accomodations with their competition. However, most people on this board (because we're here as a result of our love of WDW) feel it's the "Magic in the air" and the whole "experience" that makes it all worth the extra expense.

For someone who is not into Disney, and just can't seem to "feel" the magic, a trip to Six Flags may be just as enjoyable to them and they might argue that WDW is not worth the money.

Well, it's kinda the same thing with the DVC Cruise. You're on a ship full of other DVC members (many of them from this board) and you know that you all share at *least* one thing in common... Your love for the DVC experience. To the average person, finding a small tea pot left on their bed as a surprise is pretty nice. For a Disney fanatic to find a small Disney Tea Pot left on their bed as a surprise gift is a huge thing! That Tea Pot might be worth $20, but the thrill and experience is priceless!

So, you can't really look for the value in whether Disney compensates with enough material items. You need to decide if you would enjoy the experience so much that the extra money is worth it to you.

Everyone I've spoken with who attended the first one has felt it was an awesome experience that they would *love* to do again.

Crissup, that was perfectly eloquent.

On the harder numbers side, we still have the info on the 2003 cruise, this cruise is no higher in points or dollars compared to a regular cruise than the last time.

And I'd add the thing I kept falling back to the last time, a lot of it depends on your viewpoint. Mary and I got into DVC for one reason. We have a resort stay, in a unit better than even the deluxe resorts that will not go up in price (except the dues, possibly) for the life of the contract. To us that is the deal. Especially the fact that the points are already paid for, one less thing to budget for vacation-wise. Anything else, for something worthwhile I expect to pay for it. You only get what you pay for, nothing is free, and to me discounts means something has been limited to cover that lower cost.

I think the biggest 'material' thing that happened last time was two days at Castaway Cay. That was a can't be beat experience.

This time, the biggest announced perk is the fact we'll be going to Key West, something normally on the 7-day, and Castaway Cay.

 

[poohnpiglet3]

Hey #1Mouse... we're just up the road from you in Romeo!

Maybe we'll have to get in on this cruise - sounds like so much fun!

Sherri

 

[MarkRG]

Remember, tonight, 9pm eastern, Cruise Chat!

Click here to join DIS Chat!

Then Sunday, 9pm eastern, DVC Chat!

 

[Tinkmom]

Those who have commented about needing several phones, DCL's number in redial, trying for hours to make reservations on last member cruise, etc. -- did you get a busy signal instead of the usual queue?

Lord knows I have called Disney often and sometimes during very busy periods. I have never spent hours dialing and redialing, although sometimes there was a fairly long wait time on hold.

What about those who called late in the day. Did everyone have a major hassle getting reservations or what?

Just curious.

 

[MarkRG]

Busy signal, not in the queue.

By got in, that means in to the on hold loop.

We got very lucky and got in after about an hour of dialing. Then it was the on-hold loop for about 15 minutes. There were reports of people starting at 9am and not getting in until 1pm or later

 

[WDWLVR]

Crissup - you summed it up very very well.

To some "value" is totally dollars and cents. Perfectly fine.
To others, like us, "value" is what we get for our points in enjoyment as well.

From the minute we walked into the terminal and saw all the welcome home banners we knew we were in for something special.

Taking a tour of the ship with a Disney Imangineer - that's special.

The little gifts every night - yes just like Christmas!

These are all things that can't have a monetary value put on them, yet they "cost" us 6 extra points per person over a similar cruise at the same time of year. Did we get a good "value" - you bet we did! Would others see the value? Maybe not, but judging by how many from the first cruise have signed up for the 2nd I'm sure we weren't alone.

 

[Tinkmom]

It appears that DVC is aware of the problem and hopefully will have more lines/CM's available to take reservations.

Did anyone call late on that first day or early the next business day and still have extensive problems?

And how did the waitlist work out? I can imagine quite a few people who made a reservation and were unable to go. Did the waitlist start to be filled soon or more at the 30-60 day period?

I am still not sure if we are going to try it, but like to get all of my ducks in a row. Actually, we will be on the Magic (or just getting off) that morning, so we will have to call from our cell phones (on the way to a day at WDW) if we decide to go for it!

 

[#1Mouse]

Sherri - Hi Neighbor, we spend quite a bit of time in Romeo - twice just last week, of course it was at the soccer field (33/Powell). I know we had such a good time on the last Member's Cruise - I'm sure you would too. We flew in the night before and met a bunch of Diser's at the hotel and then met some more at the sailaway party - really made for a special trip.

Crissup - I couldn't have said it better - You're right, it's just that feeling!!!!!

Gail

 

[WDWLVR]

Originally posted by Tinkmom
It appears that DVC is aware of the problem and hopefully will have more lines/CM's available to take reservations.

Did anyone call late on that first day or early the next business day and still have extensive problems?

And how did the waitlist work out? I can imagine quite a few people who made a reservation and were unable to go. Did the waitlist start to be filled soon or more at the 30-60 day period?

I am still not sure if we are going to try it, but like to get all of my ducks in a row. Actually, we will be on the Magic (or just getting off) that morning, so we will have to call from our cell phones (on the way to a day at WDW) if we decide to go for it!

Tinkmom, I'm hoping they would have a few more operators but you also have to consider the computer system - the more people trying to access it at once and all. I do think people trying to call later in the day or on Monday didn't have as hard a time getting through, but in those cases had to settle for maybe their second choice in category. The real die-hards were the ones that wanted the special rooms like the secret portholes or the reclassified cat 7's.

It is really no different than when you are trying to call in for concert tickets or very popular athletic events. I know many people last who last year when the Cubs made the playoffs setting their alarms early so they could call in and try for tickets. Same thing for us on that Saturday.

 

[RuthnPaul]

I've seen these cabins referenced but don't know anything about them? Could someone shed some light on what these are?? Thanks!

 

[bobbiwoz]

There's a thread on the cruise board regarding Secret Portholes. These are rooms in Cat. 10 deck 5, 5020-5024 and 5520-5524. If it works, here's the link: (otherwise try a search on the cruise board)

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=595270&highlight=+secret++portholes

Bobbi

 

[RuthnPaul]

Bobbi, thanks for the link! I was able to get to the thread so now I know all about those secret porthole cabiins...

 

[zurgswife]

So, just like a regular cruise you book your exact cabin if available....ie the porthole rooms...???

 

[goldilocks_63]

I called MS, and they said I had to use atleast one adult's allotment of points.

I thought we could use entirely cash????

Does anyone know. Trying to see if I need to rent points.

Goldi

 

[WDWLVR]

I called MS, and they said I had to use atleast one adult's allotment of points.

I thought we could use entirely cash????

Does anyone know. Trying to see if I need to rent points.

From the point chart on the DVC Member site:
** Cash rates are per person, based on double occupancy, and apply to 1st/2nd Passenger. For the S.S. Member Cruise only, all travelers can be confirmed with cash. Total cash amount due must be paid at time of confirmation.

So, just like a regular cruise you book your exact cabin if available....ie the porthole rooms...???

Yes if you get in early enough you can even get one of the secret porthole rooms. The only problem I see is that they aren't so secret on here and some other sites so you will have competition.

 

[MarkRG]

Remember, tonight is DVC chat! 9pm Eastern!

Click here to join chat!!

 

[poohnpiglet3]

Will they do the Cat. 11 GTY rooms? Last cruise we took we were upgraded to a cat 8 with a porthole. It was great! I just can't figure out how we'll work our points if we don't get as small of a room as possible.

One more question... if I am indeed pregnant for the cruise past 24 weeks along (DH and I might be trying again this winter) will I still have to pay the $75 cancellation fee if I have medical reasons that won't allow me on board?

Sherri

 

[WDWLVR]

Sherri - don't know how much help I can be with your questions but did want to offer an opinion on the first part.

While I'm pretty sure they can put you in for Cat 11 GTY I'm not sure how much chance you'll have for an upgrade. Maybe it was because the last cruise had a shorter wait (booked in Sept. I think and sailed in early Feb.) but I didn't hear of very many cancellations or upgrades.

Not saying this cruise will be the same (fast sell-out, few cancellations etc.) but I wouldn't count on an upgrade.

As they often say on the cruise board. Book the category you'll be happy with. If you get an upgrade that's a bonus!