December 7,2013 Wonder from Galveston

[The4Woods]

Hi everyone. My wife and I just booked this cruise as our first ever cruise... Not only with Disney, but EVER!

We are excited to bring our 10 year old and our 8 year old with us too. I've been reading about this FE and we'd love to participate.

Anything we should know before we set sail? Any do's or dont's we should be aware of?

Also sent a FB request from Dan W.

 

[dryvithome]

Hi everyone. My wife and I just booked this cruise as our first ever cruise... Not only with Disney, but EVER!

We are excited to bring our 10 year old and our 8 year old with us too. I've been reading about this FE and we'd love to participate.

Anything we should know before we set sail? Any do's or dont's we should be aware of?

Also sent a FB request from Dan W.

Welcome aboard! Received and approved the request.

We did our first cruise on Disney as well and thoroughly enjoyed it. Haven't taken any other cruise lines, so we don't have a comparison. Don't really feel the need to do that either.

There is a few threads under the FAQs for the DCL forums that contain a ton of good information. Packing threads, what to do first threads, and more stuff than I can think of threads.

Don't try to use a cellphone in open water. It gets expensive. Turn it off and enjoy a week away from the world. Also, from what I've heard, the internet is slow onboard. Haven't felt the need to try it out yet, and this will be the third cruise for us. If family needs to get ahold of us, they can call long distance to the ship. (at $10 a minute! 'cause I ain't calling anyone for that price!) Cellphones can be used for other methods, but I think the given idea is it must be on airplane mode. Nothing like autodownloading an app update at an extra charge for data unless you have a worldwide plan, or something similar. Or pay extra for the week. There are a few threads of parents not realizing the kids turned on the cellphone and getting hit with about $400 or better phone bill.

 

[The4Woods]

Don't try to use a cellphone in open water. It gets expensive. Turn it off and enjoy a week away from the world.

That's the plan. Only reason I'd have my phone would be as a backup camera.

But ya I've found other pages within the forums and so has my wife. She's gone all Mickey on me.

Anyways can't wait till the time gets here. It's kinda nice to talk to people before hand.

 

[dryvithome]

That's the plan. Only reason I'd have my phone would be as a backup camera.

But ya I've found other pages within the forums and so has my wife. She's gone all Mickey on me.

Anyways can't wait till the time gets here. It's kinda nice to talk to people before hand.

My wife was the one who got me all Mickey-fied. I've found the forums here a good way to meet beforehand, or even the FB group, since we've got that going.

I'm eagerly anticipating the day we can start planning the excursions. And I'm waiting for the Navigators to be posted so I can get a general idea of what activities will be onboard for our cruise.

 

[1stdisneycruiser]

Started the FE List on the FaceBook page. See FB page for more details and signup.

So far We've only put people who have expressly put FE posts into the thread. For those who are not on the list, or those who Don't want to be on the list, let us know your preferences.

We need all the basic information for everyone sent to us in a PM, then we can update the list.

I would love to get on the FE list. It's our first cruise and we are so excited. I love the whole idea of the FE thing. I think that would add a lot of fun to our whole experience.

 

[dryvithome]

I would love to get on the FE list. It's our first cruise and we are so excited. I love the whole idea of the FE thing. I think that would add a lot of fun to our whole experience.

If you use Facebook, you can submit a request to the group (leave first name and last name's initial here, so we know who the request is from) and we'll get you added. Or, contact Tracy via PM. I think you need eight more posts to PM on DISboards though, requires 10 posts. If you've already requested to be added to the Facebook group, check your "other" mail folder for messages from the admins if you didn't leave name on DISboards. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. We'd be happy to help out as much as we can.

Here's to a great first cruise!

 

[1stdisneycruiser]

Ok, so I sent Tracy a request through Facebook giving her my DIS name.

 

[1stdisneycruiser]

If you use Facebook, you can submit a request to the group (leave first name and last name's initial here, so we know who the request is from) and we'll get you added. Or, contact Tracy via PM. I think you need eight more posts to PM on DISboards though, requires 10 posts. If you've already requested to be added to the Facebook group, check your "other" mail folder for messages from the admins if you didn't leave name on DISboards. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. We'd be happy to help out as much as we can.

Here's to a great first cruise!

How do I PM? Obviously I am a rookie. I did send the FB request. My first name is Gina C. I hope that works!

 

[1stdisneycruiser]

There is also a free event where you get to make and take a Gingerbread House. One per family. They did have Tea with Alice, when you get on board request tickets for this. They had plenty at that time since the ship was not full. There is also a life size Gingerbread House and it smells so good. It is real and they list all the ingredients and how much was used to make the house. Make sure you take professional pics in front of the house.

Is this Tea with Alice on the December 7th cruise?

 

[1stdisneycruiser]

FE question. When we knowthe finally count? Or do we just go by the list on here as people join? I am just thinking about buying supplies to make stuff. Thanks!

I would love to know the final count but it will probably be a while before we know that right? How will we be notified?

 

[1stdisneycruiser]

So, will we get a final list of total people in October in the this forum that includes FB and those without it?

 

[1stdisneycruiser]

My hubby and I are considering Palo's one night but we were told on other forums to not miss the Animator's dining on it's first night because the room changes. Does anyone know which night is Animator's? Also in regards to formal night, do people get really dressed up?

 

[PIGLETSMOMMA]

My hubby and I are considering Palo's one night but we were told on other forums to not miss the Animator's dining on it's first night because the room changes. Does anyone know which night is Animator's? Also in regards to formal night, do people get really dressed up?

The Palo's "not to miss" is the Brunch! It is excellent and the very best experience! I beg you not to miss it. I have been on 17 DCL cruises and once I discovered the brunch, I never went back to Palo dinner...as just like you, I did not want to miss the MDRs.

 

[dryvithome]

How do I PM? Obviously I am a rookie. I did send the FB request. My first name is Gina C. I hope that works!

Have to have 10 posts, and then the mailbox stuff opens up on DISBoards. I just checked, and it did show you're part of the FB group now, so at least that worked out.

 

[PIGLETSMOMMA]

My hubby and I are considering Palo's one night but we were told on other forums to not miss the Animator's dining on it's first night because the room changes. Does anyone know which night is Animator's? Also in regards to formal night, do people get really dressed up?

Only 2 more posts then you can PM. go ahead and send two posts about the weather!

 

[dryvithome]

My hubby and I are considering Palo's one night but we were told on other forums to not miss the Animator's dining on it's first night because the room changes. Does anyone know which night is Animator's? Also in regards to formal night, do people get really dressed up?

I forget how the dining rotations are assigned, but you can always try to swap the Palo reservations on board, if it turns out to be the wrong night. We're aiming for brunch, ourselves. Dinner was good, but we felt brunch was better. To each their own, though. It's still a good dinner.

For the formal nights, some people did go all out. It's up to you on how formal you want to be, though. I saw tuxes, suits, church dress, and polo/khaki combos from people. (And, no, I wasn't one of the khaki polo combos....for once. ) I didn't notice anyone giving horrible looks to those who were dressed differently, but I do know there are some very "angry" sounding threads on some of the forums about how people who didn't dress up ruined the cruise for some people. I'm not really on the cruise to ruin others experiences, and I sure don't take a cruise to have others tell me how to live my cruise experience, either. That being said, as long as clothes are worn, you won't be hearing a complaint out of me.

 

[1stdisneycruiser]

I got signed up on FB and put our info in the roll call. Thanks so much, we are soooo excited!!!

 

[1stdisneycruiser]

Wow! That's unbelievable!

 

[1stdisneycruiser]

Welcome aboard! Received and approved the request.

We did our first cruise on Disney as well and thoroughly enjoyed it. Haven't taken any other cruise lines, so we don't have a comparison. Don't really feel the need to do that either.

There is a few threads under the FAQs for the DCL forums that contain a ton of good information. Packing threads, what to do first threads, and more stuff than I can think of threads.

Don't try to use a cellphone in open water. It gets expensive. Turn it off and enjoy a week away from the world. Also, from what I've heard, the internet is slow onboard. Haven't felt the need to try it out yet, and this will be the third cruise for us. If family needs to get ahold of us, they can call long distance to the ship. (at $10 a minute! 'cause I ain't calling anyone for that price!) Cellphones can be used for other methods, but I think the given idea is it must be on airplane mode. Nothing like autodownloading an app update at an extra charge for data unless you have a worldwide plan, or something similar. Or pay extra for the week. There are a few threads of parents not realizing the kids turned on the cellphone and getting hit with about $400 or better phone bill.

So what if we do need to make calls? Maybe every other day, my step son needs to call his mom to say good night did you say it was $10 a minute?

 

[1stdisneycruiser]

Good to know, Brunch it is then!