DCL Party Planning Thread (combined threads)

["Got Disney"]

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

Kudos to you...I have just started too clean my house. I do have my videos done and my food list and did get the decorations, plates and such. DH says the party sounds like so much fun that he wants to dress up as a girl just to come.

I also have all my gifts purchased but need to call everyone tonight to get a current head count. May be running out tomorrow for more stuff. Still need to get the balloons blown up and buy a few more. Cant really do anything till I get my box so I can see what the hits and misses are.

Someone want to come and clean my house...please!!!!!! RRRRRRR

 

[SILLYANDI]

Does anyone have an opinion about using the grape jelly and chili sauce recipe for chicken wings instead of meatballs? I asked earlier but I think it got lost in the melee back there.

BTW received my package, actually not as disappointed as I expected (it was torn to shreds so I feared the worst). It is actually not a bad package-if it were all for the host or something. I can't figure out how to divide it but I thought of a partial solution. I called my TA and explained the problem (lack of "marketing type" giveaways) She was more than willing to assist. She is going to make up her own little bags of Disney promo stuff ASAP AND is offering all of my guests $150 shipboard credit for booking with her. I am picking it up tomorrow. So now I can give all the other stuff as raffle prizes and not worry about having 10 empty DCL bags to send my kids school lunches in!

 

[barney4liz]

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?

I think it would be good as long as the wings were already grilled or baked first. It's meant to put on something that is already fully-cooked. I say go for it!

I had another idea for a quick fix using that sauce -- we really like the gourmet smoked chicken sausage (like Aidell's, which they sell at Sam's). I may get some of those and cut into 1 inch chunks and put in the sauce, though I think I might try the cranberry version I posted earlier.

 

[Tikihula]

Does anyone have an opinion about using the grape jelly and chili sauce recipe for chicken wings instead of meatballs? I asked earlier but I think it got lost in the melee back there.

BTW received my package, actually not as disappointed as I expected (it was torn to shreds so I feared the worst). It is actually not a bad package-if it were all for the host or something. I can't figure out how to divide it but I thought of a partial solution. I called my TA and explained the problem (lack of "marketing type" giveaways) She was more than willing to assist. She is going to make up her own little bags of Disney promo stuff ASAP AND is offering all of my guests $150 shipboard credit for booking with her. I am picking it up tomorrow. So now I can give all the other stuff as raffle prizes and not worry about having 10 empty DCL bags to send my kids school lunches in!

Grape jelly and chili sauce (or BBQ sauce) make sweet-and-sour, so that combo should work on wings as well as meatballs.

Wow - $150 OBC through your TA? That's great!! Wish I was ready to book, I'd invite myself to your party!

 

[barney4liz]

Sounds like everyone is ready to party on! I appreciated the most recent HP/DCL email about the OBC and other issues.

I think I have settled on a little something to round out my gift bags. Since I am only having ladies over, I am going to put together a small "Cruise Survival Kit" for each bag -- one each of travel-sized Dramamine, Purel on a keychain, sunscreen, and a rum miniature. Whaddya think??

Oh, and I found an inexpensive little Bingo set at Toys R' Us ($9.99). That's something we could use again perhaps.

My orange rum cake just came out of the oven and smells wonderful!

 

[barney4liz]

I called my TA and explained the problem (lack of "marketing type" giveaways) She was more than willing to assist. She is going to make up her own little bags of Disney promo stuff ASAP AND is offering all of my guests $150 shipboard credit for booking with her. I am picking it up tomorrow. So now I can give all the other stuff as raffle prizes and not worry about having 10 empty DCL bags to send my kids school lunches in!

Your TA rocks!!

 

[barney4liz]

I know I need to get a life -- I am feeling like a thread hog here.

And I don't normally photograph my food, but I think this one's a winner!

That is the orange variation of the rum cake recipe I posted earlier. I'm going to have to put a padlock on the fridge to keep DH and DD away from it until Saturday.

 

[Mozart]

FWIW, I called DCL tonight to try and get my OBC applied to my reservation for later this year. The rep at DCL told me that they had just gotten word themselves that the credit would be applied to existing reservations, and their programming team had not even had time yet to get it into the computer system. They're expecting it to be available in the system by Monday, and asked me to call back then.

 

[lillygator]

thanks for the update.
I got my lipstick jungle party box tonight - so well put together and 10 of each item for each guest!

 

[msminniemouse]

thanks for the update.
I got my lipstick jungle party box tonight - so well put together and 10 of each item for each guest!

I'm just curious. What was in the lipstick jungle party box? I applied for that one and didn't get accepted.

 

[SILLYANDI]

I'm just curious. What was in the lipstick jungle party box? I applied for that one and didn't get accepted.

I listed it in post #126 here, I don't know how to do the link thing sorry

 

[Luckymomoftwo]

Ok, ready? Here's my first ever attempt to create hidden mickey's on frosted brownies. It takes a steady hand and my DD-4 was standing right next to me and bumped my arm a couple times. (I know...excuses, excuses) Anyway, they're chocolate brownies with vanilla icing...I wonder if these are even going to last until Saturday evening!!

 

[Tikihula]

I know I need to get a life -- I am feeling like a thread hog here.

And I don't normally photograph my food, but I think this one's a winner!

That is the orange variation of the rum cake recipe I posted earlier. I'm going to have to put a padlock on the fridge to keep DH and DD away from it until Saturday.

That looks absolutely yummy! Great job on the cake!

 

[Tikihula]

Ok, ready? Here's my first ever attempt to create hidden mickey's on frosted brownies. It takes a steady hand and my DD-4 was standing right next to me and bumped my arm a couple times. (I know...excuses, excuses) Anyway, they're chocolate brownies with vanilla icing...I wonder if these are even going to last until Saturday evening!!

Those look delicious! Do you need a taste tester?

 

[Bowman1]

Here is the Mango Salsa Recipe I plan to use:

2 fresh mangoes, diced
1/4 cup crushed pineapple
1/4 red bell pepper, coarsely chopped
1/4 green bell pepper, coarsely chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced finely (optional) - I leave these out!
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (I cut this in 1/2 to 1 tbl spoon)
1 clove garlic, minced finely
1 shallot, finely diced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, or parsley or parsley
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice, or lemon or lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
salt and pepper (to season)

Mix together all ingredients in a bowl.
Serve with chips or over grilled tuna, salmon, chicken or pork!

 

[Im_A_Princess]

Our Partyhttp://www.houseparty.com/party/43744

OK everyone! Listen up (please)

Did Disney mess up on the quantity of gifts? ...Yes
Did they really mess up with the OBC restrictions (now fixed due to comments they received)? ...Yes
Will Disney do better next time and learn from this? ...Yes

Disney is a mass marketing machine. No one does marketing better than the Disney Company. Their mistake was in the subcontracting of the House Party to a Non-Disney fanatic who does not know the attention to details that we have come to expect from Disney (like the free-floating napkins in the box).


But...
One of the things they REALLY did right was trusting us to hold their parties!

We ARE Disney Cruise Line Fans. I don't think there is anyone signed up for the parties that does not LOVE DCL. We share our love all the time without a party.
WE can make the party a HUGE success.
We know Disney's attention to details and in customer service.

Everyone here, I believe, wants to host a party to show their love of DCL to others. It was not about host gifts or guest gifts at all. Although enough guest gifts would have been really nice

I am off to the party stores and grocery store to get ready for tomorrow.

HAVE A GREAT PARTY EVERYONE!

This is gonna be FUN!!!!!

Remember: RELAX!

PS- Not sure if this was mentioned before as an idea for the party but.. I am going to put together all of our past Navagators (in order by month, year,...) in a big spiral notebook so that guests can flip though it at their leisure to see all the kids activities, information, movies, late night activities for adults, ...

 

[Im_A_Princess]

LOL

I have a Tortuga Rum Cake from our last cruise in Dec that I am going to put out at the party! YUMMMMMMMM!

 

[BethA]

I saw someone contacted DCL about the packages- who did you contact and where??

Glad to see they are letting you use the OBC for cruises booked already--is there a date you must sail by?

Everyone sounds so prepared, with great ideas. Have a great time.

 

[DisneySpirit]

My HP Box arrived yesterday and was badly crushed. Luckily only the Peter Pan Masks were slightly bent (the part that wraps around your head, so not too serious)
I was surprised (pleasantly) that I had been sent (10) of the Cruise Planning kits and (9) of the Where Will Your Dreams Take You booklets! I just scanned one of the bookets and then printed it on my color printer to make a 10th booket. So I am now able to put one of each in my party bags. I received 20 of the recipe cards (all for the Souffle!) The other items were normal counts.
5 Goofy Bandana-Ears, 5 Eye Patch-Earring sets, 4 Peter Pan masks, 12 coloring sheets, 6 magazines, 1 Green Tinkerbell photo album, 1 Mickey Plush, 2 Peter Pan tatoo sheets, 1 Kids DVD, 1 Castaway Cay Music CD, 2 large posters (Mickey-Minne back of ship), 3 area posters, 1 bag of balloons, lots of napkins, 1 pack of party points, 1 T-Shirt Iron-On, 1 litho, and the cover letter w/OBC, Party suggestions, & FAQ.

We have around 21 guests coming so it looks like each household will get a bag.

We are really excited about our party and can't wait to get it started!

Hope everybody has a magical party too!

 

[zakatak]

Question for those having more than 5 kids at the

What are you doing with the Mickey/Goofy ears? How do you prevent tears? What is everyone doing with the large Plush?

Thanks!