DECEMBER 6, 2009 Winter WONDERland sailing!!!

[disneegrl4eva]

BUT, I have decided! Fate is going to give us a totally WONDERFUL server this cruise.

Smiles,

Holly

yes indeed and I have decided that we will sit with you and have your wonderful server

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

ha ha! I bet you'll get a wonderful server. You also have children with you and they'll probably bend over backwards to make them happy.

Palo is just going to take determination because there is only one day that they have brunch. On a longer cruise there are more days as they only do brunch on at sea days. Dinner probably won't be as difficult to get.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

ha ha! I bet you'll get a wonderful server. You also have children with you and they'll probably bend over backwards to make them happy.

Palo is just going to take determination because there is only one day that they have brunch. On a longer cruise there are more days as they only do brunch on at sea days. Dinner probably won't be as difficult to get.

oh smack and I was just thinking that if I had to choose between the 2 I would pick brunch....well all I can do is hope you know??

 

[taswira]

Ah....yeah...our server. I'd heard all these stories about how GREAT the servers were, how they'd recall what you liked, etc. Then I went on my first cruise. Our head server proceed to immediately give one of our table mates a difficult time.

Holly, hate to correct you but that was our SERVER, not the "Head Server." We have a Server and Assistant Server. The "Head Server" is in charge of all of them. Our Head Server was actually quite helpful and understanding, which is sometimes unusual for someone in that position.

disneegrl4eva - Were it not for the YOUNG children with you, I'm sure we would love to link our dining with you as that would be fun, BUT . . . We have Second Seating (On the Wonder that's 8:15 unless it changes) and since that can make some young ones VERY restless and irritable, I think we are hoping for an adults-only or adults with older kids table. We need a little of Mickey's magic here!

But we would definitely like to get together when those children are off doing their own thing!

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

Holly, hate to correct you but that was our SERVER, not the "Head Server." We have a Server and Assistant Server. The "Head Server" is in charge of all of them. Our Head Server was actually quite helpful and understanding, which is sometimes unusual for someone in that position.

True - our HEAD server was fantastic. Just a basic typo during editing. I'm way overtired as I worked very late and just didn't sleep well. (read: brain dead)

Interestingly, it's always the head server you hear people complaining about - that they don't show up until the last night with hand outstretched for the tip envelope. Ours was excellent.

Smiles,

Holly

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

You know some good advice I've heard on these boards - is not to let yourself get TOO high in the expectations department. There are bound to be SOME things that don't go as magically as you hear in some trip reports. But then you'll get moments or things that are even better.

It is HARD to not build up some fantastic expectations. I'm doing a bit of that even now though I've been on a Disney cruise and know some things can just not go the way you dreamed. I will tell you what though - my FIRST thought when stepping off the ship was, "when can I do this again?!"

For me, on my first cruise it was a mixture. Our server was horrible, our assistant server was new but really tried, and the head server was way better and more involved than you hear. Our stateroom host was nice - but not the stellar treatment you often hear about. But he did do things quietly - like making sure we had fresh ice even though we didn't always use it. He just didn't have a outgoing personality and probably didn't speak English well.

Once we got to know some of the crew (or vice versa really) many went out of their way to make sure we had a good time. There were a LOT of moments that I'll always treasure - like the Spa Director actually making an appointment for our Pal Mickeys to have a treatment. I mean this guy actually set out little towels, flowers, etc. (he was so into it...LOL) I know Shari posted a link for some of the photos and the spa ones are in there.

Any way, my whole point is to be a bit flexible in expectations. You're going to have them (and I sure do) and be open to the whole experience overall.

You'll find it's going to be fun to recognize some of your Board mates from this thread as you go about the ship and ports. There will be the fun stuff with the decorations, those who do fish extenders, little group meets, etc.

My feeling is - that this will end up being one of the best times of your life!

Smiles,

Holly

 

[disneegrl4eva]

disneegrl4eva - Were it not for the YOUNG children with you, I'm sure we would love to link our dining with you as that would be fun, BUT . . . We have Second Seating (On the Wonder that's 8:15 unless it changes) and since that can make some young ones VERY restless and irritable, I think we are hoping for an adults-only or adults with older kids table. We need a little of Mickey's magic here!

But we would definitely like to get together when those children are off doing their own thing!

aww that was a nice lovely way of saying theres no way in hell I can handle being with young kids and I completely understand...if it wasnt for the kids I would be eating at the 2nd seating as well just for that reason...and I would really like to hang out with you guys for sure

 

[disneegrl4eva]

You know some good advice I've heard on these boards - is not to let yourself get TOO high in the expectations department. There are bound to be SOME things that don't go as magically as you hear in some trip reports. But then you'll get moments or things that are even better.

It is HARD to not build up some fantastic expectations. I'm doing a bit of that even now though I've been on a Disney cruise and know some things can just not go the way you dreamed. I will tell you what though - my FIRST thought when stepping off the ship was, "when can I do this again?!"

For me, on my first cruise it was a mixture. Our server was horrible, our assistant server was new but really tried, and the head server was way better and more involved than you hear. Our stateroom host was nice - but not the stellar treatment you often hear about. But he did do things quietly - like making sure we had fresh ice even though we didn't always use it. He just didn't have a outgoing personality and probably didn't speak English well.

Once we got to know some of the crew (or vice versa really) many went out of their way to make sure we had a good time. There were a LOT of moments that I'll always treasure - like the Spa Director actually making an appointment for our Pal Mickeys to have a treatment. I mean this guy actually set out little towels, flowers, etc. (he was so into it...LOL) I know Shari posted a link for some of the photos and the spa ones are in there.

Any way, my whole point is to be a bit flexible in expectations. You're going to have them (and I sure do) and be open to the whole experience overall.

You'll find it's going to be fun to recognize some of your Board mates from this thread as you go about the ship and ports. There will be the fun stuff with the decorations, those who do fish extenders, little group meets, etc.

My feeling is - that this will end up being one of the best times of your life!

Smiles,

Holly

point well taken Im not expecting stellar service in all aspects but I dont want to wait on drinks or be overbearing either..Id kind of rather have a "quiet" stateroom host I think..but yeah I will keep the expectations down to a minimum

 

[taswira]

aww that was a nice lovely way of saying theres no way in hell I can handle being with young kids and I completely understand...if it wasnt for the kids I would be eating at the 2nd seating as well just for that reason...and I would really like to hang out with you guys for sure

Ha-ha - Thanks for being so understanding. Truth is - I've never had kids (my hubby and I never wanted any), but I did have a good part in helping raise my nephew and was even his Cub Scout Den Mother and used to take him to Disneyland most weekends. So I don't want anyone here to get the wrong impression. But VERY young children at a late dinner on a cruise ship? I'll try to skip that, thank you.

And hey - I hope no one minds, but to keep a running tally of how many cruisers we have on this one, I did a little "list" web page HERE. That way we can see who's who at a glance. Right now I have cruisers listed in order of their posting on this thread. For those who list their age, I'd like to put the ages as of sailing, but may not have those correct. Anyone who does not want to be listed, just let me know. Those who want to correct or add info, PM me and I'll get it on there! In the past I did full websites for the cruise I was on, but this is a thrown together list at the moment. Maybe I'll work on it!

 

[disneegrl4eva]

Ha-ha - Thanks for being so understanding. Truth is - I've never had kids (my hubby and I never wanted any), but I did have a good part in helping raise my nephew and was even his Cub Scout Den Mother and used to take him to Disneyland most weekends. So I don't want anyone here to get the wrong impression. But VERY young children at a late dinner on a cruise ship? I'll try to skip that, thank you.

And hey - I hope no one minds, but to keep a running tally of how many cruisers we have on this one, I did a little "list" web page HERE. That way we can see who's who at a glance. Right now I have cruisers listed in order of their posting on this thread. For those who list their age, I'd like to put the ages as of sailing, but may not have those correct. Anyone who does not want to be listed, just let me know. Those who want to correct or add info, PM me and I'll get it on there! In the past I did full websites for the cruise I was on, but this is a thrown together list at the moment. Maybe I'll work on it!

how neat ...I pm'd you

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

I like having the cruiser list too. Of course as Shari says - any info put on there is up to the individual. It'll make it easier to keep track of how many on the list as it WILL grow.

By the time the cruise actually happens you'll feel as though you've known some people for years and it'll be like a reunion on the ship. On my last cruise it made things fun and it was neat to be in the terminal waiting to board and "recognize" someone from the cruise thread. Made the wait better. (after all, we just want to walk through the archway and be greeted by our names!)

I remember two couples hit it off and did a lot of activities together. Many others attended little group meets and events but went their own way much of the time. I'm just throwing this in - just in case there are a few reading the threads thinking, "I'm not sure I want to be too involved with a group, after all this is my (or family's) vacation." There is NO demand or requirement to hang out with people for the whole cruise.

However, it's an easy way to meet people to do things with. I know I am looking forward to meeting people from here and doing things with them.

This cruise will be a little unique in that it will also be MouseFest, so between this forum and the MouseFest boards (I think they have them) there will be a larger proportion of people you can "know" beforehand.

Smiles,

Holly

 

[msgoofy]

Thanks taswira for the list.

I'll be 54 and my DH will be 65.

We'll be dining at the first seating and are in a Cat 11, unless we decide to upgrade!

 

[taswira]

Thanks, msgoofy! I updated the list.

 

[Totally Tink]

YAY!!!!!!! This thread has finally sprung to life. I'm so excited about the website that was made, too!

Here's more info to add about me on the site:

Trisha - age 35 at time of cruise
Matt - age 34 at time of cruise (just missing his birthday on 12/14!)
Drew - turns 7 on Dec 9th 2009!

It's our 1st Disney cruise, but we've been to WDW several times.

We are booked for the 1st dinner seating. I MAY try to wrangle my way into a day or two at WDW before the cruise. We'll have to see how negotiations shape up for that idea!

 

[taswira]

Update made! Thanks, Trisha!

 

[taswira]

Our cruiser list is coming together nicely as people are sending me their info or posting it here. Thank you!

Just wondered: Do any of you have any opinion on the order in which we are listed? Right now I have it from first booked poster on this thread to last. I wondered if anyone thought I should change it to alphabetical by user name. Then as the list grows it might be easier to find someone in particular when looking for them on the list. What do you think?

 

[lori1043]

Please take us of of the cruise list. With hurricane evac and house issues lately- I am stressing over paying for it-so we will do it another time. A vacation is Not worth stressing over! We may go to Disney World though, since that can be done for a bit cheaper!

Thank you and have fun!

Lori

 

[taswira]

Please take us of of the cruise list. With hurricane evac and house issues lately- I am stressing over paying for it-so we will do it another time. A vacation is Not worth stressing over! We may go to Disney World though, since that can be done for a bit cheaper!

Thank you and have fun!

Lori

You're off the list now, Lori. Sorry to lose you, but I understand. Take care.

Shari

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

Was the background on the cruiser list there before? I LIKE it! Nice to have CC to look at when perusing the list.

 

[lori1043]

BTW- IF we were going, we had already opted for the 2nd seating as we are NOT morning people. BUT I must add, and it will be a small brag, I guess, But my kids are 8 and 10 and very well behaved in a restaurant environment, so I hope the poster asking for the 2nd seating has either no kids or decent kids at her table. I guess since DH and I started off as wait staff at nice restaurants in NOLA, we were determined not to have kids that ran around and disrupted others . Determined. We really couldn't stand when parents allowed thier kids to run around -no matter what age they are. I think you should stay home or go to Picadilly or Sicily's if you allow them to run around. I never blamed the kid though-they were usually adorable!

ONE time, on the last day of a very emotional vacation(Make a Wish), our DD8, 2 at the time, pitched a fit at a kid happy place (Give Kids the World) and laid in the middle of the floor at the restaurant and we left her there. Within site, of course. She was not crying or loud, just didn't want to move. So we stepped over her and walked on!! She gave in a came to sit with us and never did it again! There were not many people that and even the characters came out and tried to perk her up-she is a stubborn girl!!

Mean mom here-Lori