DCL Party Planning Thread (combined threads)

[bubb9]

I received that email today, too. Disney is listening!!

"As a matter of fact, based upon your feedback, we want to take this opportunity to advise hosts who are already booked on a future Disney cruise that the $50 onboard credit you received with your party pack can now be applied toward your existing booking and is combinable with other offers."

Did you just email DCL thru the website? I would like to ask them about the OBC too. I am in a group and it seems like every OBC has restrictions with that - the VISA and the DCC credit we were told couldn't be used with a group discount. I just wanna know.

Thanks!

 

[Soccer Princess]

Just a quick question. Has anyone received a confirming E-mail that they are entered in the House Party Host drawing? The HP webpage says e-mail will go out before the drawing confirming your entry.

Ken

Nope -- I think they are sending them out tomorrow? Please correct me if I'm wrong!

 

[Mickeyhugger]

I received that email today, too. Disney is listening!!

"As a matter of fact, based upon your feedback, we want to take this opportunity to advise hosts who are already booked on a future Disney cruise that the $50 onboard credit you received with your party pack can now be applied toward your existing booking and is combinable with other offers."

Thanks for listening Disney

 

[bubb9]

Did you just email DCL thru the website? I would like to ask them about the OBC too. I am in a group and it seems like every OBC has restrictions with that - the VISA and the DCC credit we were told couldn't be used with a group discount. I just wanna know.

Thanks!

oh wait...nevermind. I see the email from HP now.

I do wonder about the group discount and OBCs - anyone have any experience with that?

 

[hyandui]

barney4liz, I agree with you as for the smaller gifts, Pens, small tablets, key chains, or maybe hand towels, no matter what they send, the dollar amount isn't that important, but it should all have DCL Logo's because that is what we are pushing for them, as for the OBC, in my business when people buy a security system from us I give them a $50.00 coupon they can use on any additional piece of equipment or as part payment for their Monitoring Bill, if they recommend someone else who buys a system they get 3 months of free monitoring, that's a 75.00 dollar value, it is so little of a thing to give away and yet the people are always grateful.
So, lets all do our best with the parties and post a lot of pictures, maybe they will wake up and smell the roses.

 

[Gina]

I am sooooo happy about the now-usable OBC!! (We sail next Saturday!) Now I just need to find what I did with that paper that has the code, since I didn't think I could use it anyway!!

 

[Soccer Princess]

oh wait...nevermind. I see the email from HP now.

I do wonder about the group discount and OBCs - anyone have any experience with that?

You would need to contact your TA or DCL directly to get the official answer.

 

[skylynx]

I'm glad DCL is listening. Despite the relaxation about the usage of the host OBC we are all happy about, it is still a bit disappointing to know that originally they decided to offer the OBC with serious restrictions, full well knowing many people hosting a DCL party will already have a future cruise booked and would be unable to use it. Why did they feel it necessary in the first place to impose such restrictions? That decision had nothing to do with House Party or being new at the game.

I read the "explanation" from the marketing person at DCL posted earlier. While gracious and reasonably apologetic, I'm still having a hard time understanding how the DCL folks in decision-making roles didn't think about what to put into those boxes until it was so late they couldn't get cruise line merchandise and had to scrounge up leftover stuff from other Disney departments including out of date promos? These are smart people here...look what they got all of us to volunteer for...can't believe they didn't "get" the concept of the house party even as newbies or didn't realize 1000 x #of party guests is a lot of stuff!

I love the merchandise in my party package, but the volume isn't sufficient to make me not have to even things up myself. I agree with some earlier posters that more, lower value items would have been better so people (esp. kids) won't be left out. Since it wasn't clearly stated that the list House Party originally released was just a teaser, I think many people saw it as very close to the final list and even used it as enticement to get guests to come...The Brigadoon appearance and disappearance of the OBC for guests was particularly noticeable and will be awkward to explain to guests.

I think it's the combination of things that has a few folks grumbling, especially those having really large parties who are going to come up way short. It will be interesting to see what DCL learns from this experience, and if they will try it again, and what they will do differently next time. I think they always want to do the right thing, but oh, trying to loosen that death grip on the purse strings....

 

[Sunshineanddaisys]

Do I need to contact my travel agent and give her the code for the obc or call disney direct?

Anyone know?

 

[Dyerneeds]

Do I need to contact my travel agent and give her the code for the obc or call disney direct?

Anyone know?

we got our package yesterday and was very happy with everything, however our box was BADLY crushed and our 3 posters and our "collector print" was
wrinkled. ive emailed houseparty so im hoping for results.
they really wernt packaged very well were they?

 

[SILLYANDI]

OK, putting on my positive hat now...

Someone posted the grape jelly & chili sauce meatball recipe earlier, I was wondering what you thought about doing that sauce on chicken wings. I'm not a big buffalo chicken wing person but I thought it might be ok. Opinions?

 

[Dyerneeds]

Do I need to contact my travel agent and give her the code for the obc or call disney direct?

Anyone know?

we need to know this also. help anyone??

 

[Tigger1221]

I finally got my package!!! I didn't get a photo albulm but got 5 ears. I got 2 of the same posters too, the one with mickey and minne on the boat, if any one got 2 underwater ones and wants to trade one PM me.

 

[Hanover]

I was just making sure I had all our alcohol ingredients before I do my last bit of party shopping. Does anyone know if the "one pina colada mix" in the Konk Kooler recipe is an ounce of mix? I haven't seen packets of pina colada mix anywhere. I bought the premade kind you just add rum and ice to in the blender and 2 of the kind you buy in the frozen food section.

 

[jship210]

Hey, I got two underwater posters! I'll trade

 

["Got Disney"]

But I'm floored about the negativity from what she has told me and what little I've chosen to read. If I remembe correctly when we all applied to be hosts, I don't think there was a list of items we'd be getting for the party, yet we chose to apply and share our excitement about DCL. Yet there are now a lot of complaints about the free stuff we've received.

We're very excited about the package and the party. Sure, everyone has their opinion on how things should or could be done better, but give the company a break, this is their first shot at this. And it's not a little endeavor, 1000 parties, that's a big deal. I do think constructive feed back will be very useful and productive and that DCL will learn from the experience and enhance it in the future.

I have ben to a HP before and DCL knows that it is usually 1000 or more partys through HP at a time. It was no secrete to them. I will not give them a break for the fact that they did not give us enough for even 10 guests. HP as usuall has been great with there customer service.

I think you have to read the comments in the context of what a "House Party" (tm) is supposed to be. I did a lot of research on the HP site before applying to be a host, so I knew in advance that a typical party package included items for 10 gift bags for guests. Because the HP concept IS all about sharing the product with your guests, and the gift bags are planned accordingly.

As I mentioned above, the DCL Party package has some adorable things and the host thank-you's are very generous (nice plush, great litho, OBC -- now with restrictions lifted so we can actually use it).

However -- if you do some research about other HP's, it seems clear that the items included for the guests' gift bags were not well thought-out.

Just my .02! I have some very enthusiastic former and future cruisers coming, and I know we will have a blast. Party on!

Well, for me, it was this: I applied and was thrilled to be accepted not knowing what was in the party package. But I applied knowing there WAS a party package--which, for me, meant there was going to be something to help make the party fun and special. Maybe a little something to set up as decoration but certainly something to hand out to guests. I had perused the HP site before I applied and looked at some of the past parties and went by that when I applied. Again, it was NOT about getting something free for myself but making it a fun, unusual party and for the guests to leave with something that made them smile and be even more curious about DCL (nobody around me has ever been). These goodie bags in no way do that. And while it is their first shot, I imagine these other HP parties were first shots, too, (Friday Night Lights, Clairol, Gerber) and they seemed to manage a bit better. It is just uncharatercistic of Disney, is all, as I think most would agree, not to do better than this.

ETA: OTOH, I probably would NOT have applied had there been NO party package. I really did need help with favors, etc as I mostly only have pics from cruises and nowhere around me to buy Disney stuff and certainly not alot of $$ to go fill goodie bags with stuff without help from the party site. So I think knowing there was something coming was definitely an incentive to apply to host and therefore we are somewhat justified in being upset.

EDITED AGAIN: UHHH, BARNEY4LIZ SAID IT MUCH MORE ELOQUENTLY THAN ME!!

 

[SILLYANDI]

I was just making sure I had all our alcohol ingredients before I do my last bit of party shopping. Does anyone know if the "one pina colada mix" in the Konk Kooler recipe is an ounce of mix? I haven't seen packets of pina colada mix anywhere. I bought the premade kind you just add rum and ice to in the blender and 2 of the kind you buy in the frozen food section.

I think you got the right thing-the frozen ones I mean.

 

[DVCLaurie05]

Do I need to contact my travel agent and give her the code for the obc or call disney direct?

Anyone know?

I have a call into my travel agent (she's a friend) to see what's what w/the credit, my thought is, we might have to call DCL ourselves!

I was so happy to get that email today! WOO HOOO!! At least we can use it on our upcoming August cruise.

As far everything else - I am excited the party is in 2 days - I am looking forward to it, I am disappointed w/some of the stuff in the box, actually the lack of stuff.. I am happy that someone got an answer from someone at Disney - hopefully next time it's better- hopefully we'll all be selected to host again - my guess is it probably won't be for a while..

But, I am ready to go - guest bags are DONE - I think I might have posted this - I got the magnetic tropical drink pads, the photo albums w/the palm trees, the candle things, made the CDs and put the planning kid, recipe cards, and 6 bags have the family fun mags. As far as the pirate hats, I am going to give them out AFTER the party to my cousins kids, and mine - I don't want to bring them out and have hurt feelings, and I am not going to spend more $$ on giveaways.

Food is all ready - well, not ready, but planned in my head. I have friends bringing desserts and all, so, it should be good.. my kids are excited to have their tribe of friends coming over at once!! 19 kids - I am going to need a drink w/that bunch!

We are up to about 40 people - luckily 10 families, so, there are enough bags, and I explained to some about the lack of the mags, so, they said "don't worry about it, I don't need it" - so, that was good...

I have a friend that is a travel agent - she said she would be willing to come over if I wanted to talk to the guests about booking, questions, etc.

Also, and this was my thought - you know if you have a Tupperware party, or Partylite, or Home Interiors - as a host/hostess, you get credit based on sales - it would be nice if Disney would give us an OBC if any of our guests book.. or at least give the guests something if they book through a HP party - As far as 'getting the name out there' - Disney's name is out there in the cruiseline industry - it's out there w/a price tag, and to give someone $25 or $50 OBC - doesn't cost DCL that much - you all know how far $50 goes - you can get a few drinks and maybe a t-shirt -

I am not venting - I am happy to be doing this - just think they should make it worth our while, and our guests while as well - ya know?

Just my 2 cents..

Laurie

 

[LCTsMom]

I was just making sure I had all our alcohol ingredients before I do my last bit of party shopping. Does anyone know if the "one pina colada mix" in the Konk Kooler recipe is an ounce of mix? I haven't seen packets of pina colada mix anywhere. I bought the premade kind you just add rum and ice to in the blender and 2 of the kind you buy in the frozen food section.

I actually tried making the non-alcoholic version of the Konk Kooler recipe last weekend. They came out really good! I used the frozen Bacardi Pina Colada mix, and mixed it with one can of water (since I wasn't using rum). I then mixed equal parts of that with the passion fruit and OJ. It was a little on the heavy side so I'm probably going to cut it with 7Up, since that's the universal punch mix. If I am really ambitious, I'll serve the alcoholic version as well. Right now though, I'm planning on the virgin mixture as my teens will be able to enjoy it as well.

 

[Tigger1221]

I finally called HP today after the e-mails were not working out. They gave me a tracking # saying it had been delived yesterday (wish they had given that to me ModaY!!!) I called the apartment complex and they called the guy who is in the apartment. He brought it back to the office saying he was sorry it was opened his son thought it was his but he made him put it all back. So I went and picked it up after school. Everything is there except the photo album which I think Disney left out. I liked the package and so did my sister and mom who wanted everything in it. However it would have been nice to have some small DCL merchandise to put in goodie bags. My DM, DD, and sister (10) are going on DCL in Oct.

I am happy with what I got and my party will be small. We are having mostly family. We kept it small. We will have Pizza, Mickey rice Krispy treats, and make you own ice cream with Mickey Sprinkles. I found huge Disney chocolate bars for 50cents each and will give those as favors. We are playing game (disney pictionary, scene it). We have H2O products for favors. I might be able to convince DH to go to AC Moore and get a few more things for the goody bags.

I am very happy we can use the obc now!!!

I am very excited about the party.