Disney Wonder March 20th 2011 sailing

[catwoman25]

What a great idea to meet in the Double tree lobby at 7pm on Saturday sounds great. This way as we are waiting to get onboard Sunday morning the kiddos can be social together!

 

[toescat]

I have been reading a lot of Negative comments about Disney in the main forum and how dis-organized the port is in LA. I posted this on the main forum and I thought should post it here. This is a small port that was built during the Love Boat days and the ships back then were much smaller, average size was 36,000 to 50,000 tons and did not hold the number of passengers that the new ship carry today. So it is impossible for the port to handle large crowds at one time.

The port of Los Angeles in San Pedro is not operated by Disney. It is operated by the port authority and they have system they follow for every cruise. I have sailed out of this port 15 times and each and every time it has been the same. They do not let any people in the building until the ship has been cleared. Arriving before 10:30 will mean you will wait in a long line outside of the building. Shuttles, buses and taxies will drop you off right in front of the building. Cruisers departing from the ship will leave on the second floor. New cruisers will enter on the ground floor. So if you have a car and you park it in the long term parking, then please note, enter on the ground floor not the second floor.

When you do get to go in the building the port staff will require you to have your tickets, passport, or driver’s license and a birth certificate out to show them before they will allow you to enter the building. They ususally have someone letting people know in line to have this ready. They will not allow you entry into the building without showing all the documents. The same goes if you need to go out of the building for some reason. Remember to take your documents with you or you can't get back in. Once you enter the building the port staff will direct you to sit down in an area to wait (30-40 minutes) before the staff to start processing your tickets and give you your room keys and boarding passes. After you receive your boarding pass you will be again asked to go sit in another area until they start boarding, usually around 12:30. For those who wait until 1:00 to get to the pier, it is smooth sailing. Walk in, check in and board the ship.

Ok who is getting excited!

I have already packed and will start my weeding out the suitcases in about two week. I have been putting clothes and other items in the suitcases since October. If I think I am going to need it, it goes in. In the end we really pack light. I usually find myself wearing a pair of sweats in the morning, bathing suit and cover up or shorts during the day and so I usually weed out 80% of the clothes I put in half of the year. Oh well, its a ritual and I feel if I don't over plan I might forget something.

Don't forget a little flashlight for the middle of the night bathroom treks, baggies quart size and gallon size for the must haves.

 

[Lissame]

I have been reading a lot of Negative comments about Disney in the main forum and how dis-organized the port is in LA. I posted this on the main forum and I thought should post it here. This is a small port that was built during the Love Boat days and the ships back then were much smaller, average size was 36,000 to 50,000 tons and did not hold the number of passengers that the new ship carry today. So it is impossible for the port to handle large crowds at one time.

The port of Los Angeles in San Pedro is not operated by Disney. It is operated by the port authority and they have system they follow for every cruise. I have sailed out of this port 15 times and each and every time it has been the same. They do not let any people in the building until the ship has been cleared. Arriving before 10:30 will mean you will wait in a long line outside of the building. Shuttles, buses and taxies will drop you off right in front of the building. Cruisers departing from the ship will leave on the second floor. New cruisers will enter on the ground floor. So if you have a car and you park it in the long term parking, then please note, enter on the ground floor not the second floor.

When you do get to go in the building the port staff will require you to have your tickets, passport, or driver’s license and a birth certificate out to show them before they will allow you to enter the building. They ususally have someone letting people know in line to have this ready. They will not allow you entry into the building without showing all the documents. The same goes if you need to go out of the building for some reason. Remember to take your documents with you or you can't get back in. Once you enter the building the port staff will direct you to sit down in an area to wait (30-40 minutes) before the staff to start processing your tickets and give you your room keys and boarding passes. After you receive your boarding pass you will be again asked to go sit in another area until they start boarding, usually around 12:30. For those who wait until 1:00 to get to the pier, it is smooth sailing. Walk in, check in and board the ship.

Ok who is getting excited!

I have already packed and will start my weeding out the suitcases in about two week. I have been putting clothes and other items in the suitcases since October. If I think I am going to need it, it goes in. In the end we really pack light. I usually find myself wearing a pair of sweats in the morning, bathing suit and cover up or shorts during the day and so I usually weed out 80% of the clothes I put in half of the year. Oh well, its a ritual and I feel if I don't over plan I might forget something.

Don't forget a little flashlight for the middle of the night bathroom treks, baggies quart size and gallon size for the must haves.

My mom and dad also told me not to forget the baggies...my mom said it was amazing how often she used them!

It makes me sad to read the negative comments, but I'm right with you--any time I don't have to cook and clean up I'm in heaven! I'm hoping that the next month's worth of cruises works out some more of the bugs and that everything is running smoothly by the time we go. I also hope it warms up a bit more!

We went on a MR cruise in February of 2007 and it was pretty hot the entire time. That's what I'm hoping for!

 

[toescat]

My mom and dad also told me not to forget the baggies...my mom said it was amazing how often she used them!

It makes me sad to read the negative comments, but I'm right with you--any time I don't have to cook and clean up I'm in heaven! I'm hoping that the next month's worth of cruises works out some more of the bugs and that everything is running smoothly by the time we go. I also hope it warms up a bit more!

We went on a MR cruise in February of 2007 and it was pretty hot the entire time. That's what I'm hoping for!

I have been on a MR cruise in Dec, Jan Mar, April, Sept, and Oct and it was always nice and warm. Only once did I ever see rain, and that was on a cruise that left Christmas Eve, we boarded the ship in LA and it was a very nice 85 degrees, the morning we arrived in PV it was cloudy and by 10:00am it was raining. It was warm rain and lasted all day, but it did not ruin anything for us. We took a cab to Mismaloya Beach sat in a chair on the beach, eating food, drinking a Margurita, the wavew rushing up to our feet, while the rain poured on our heads. The people who run the beach brought us umbellas and we were not alone. By the time we got to Mazatlan it was beautiful and warm. That was a back to back cruise and when we arrived back in PV the following week it was sunny and beautiful. When we cruised in 2009 in April it was beautiful the whole 7 days. I will be finishing up a huge audit friday before we sail so I am looking forward to some serious down time.

I think by the time our cruise leaves, the new staff (50%) will be well trained and will not have the issues I been reading about on the forum. There is always new staff on the ships as their contracts are for only 9 months at a time. Many of them decide not to come back, some have been working on cruise ships for 10 years and decide they have had enough. But this time with Disney's new ship they have taken 50% of the staff from both the Wonder and the Magic to work on the new ship with a lot more new staff. Its the only way to it when there is on two ships in line. Carnival had some growing pains in 1999 when the Destiny was deployed. The Destiny at the time was the largest cruise ship on the sea and even alot of the staff complained that it was too many people on board. They got the kinks out. My DH and I alway visit with the staff when we cruise. We have found out a lot over the years and made some good friends. One of our favorite waiters arranged to serve us on 7 of our cruises. He would write us to let us know which ship he would selling on so we could plan our cruise around him. But the moral of the story is time. Disney will go thru this again next year when they deploy the Fantasy, with three ships to pulls staff from, I don't think it will be as bad as what I am hearing.

 

[Vegaslover]

The port of Los Angeles in San Pedro is not operated by Disney. It is operated by the port authority and they have system they follow for every cruise. I have sailed out of this port 15 times and each and every time it has been the same. They do not let any people in the building until the ship has been cleared. Arriving before 10:30 will mean you will wait in a long line outside of the building. Shuttles, buses and taxies will drop you off right in front of the building. Cruisers departing from the ship will leave on the second floor. New cruisers will enter on the ground floor. So if you have a car and you park it in the long term parking, then please note, enter on the ground floor not the second floor.

When you do get to go in the building the port staff will require you to have your tickets, passport, or driver’s license and a birth certificate out to show them before they will allow you to enter the building. They ususally have someone letting people know in line to have this ready. They will not allow you entry into the building without showing all the documents. The same goes if you need to go out of the building for some reason. Remember to take your documents with you or you can't get back in. Once you enter the building the port staff will direct you to sit down in an area to wait (30-40 minutes) before the staff to start processing your tickets and give you your room keys and boarding passes. After you receive your boarding pass you will be again asked to go sit in another area until they start boarding, usually around 12:30. For those who wait until 1:00 to get to the pier, it is smooth sailing. Walk in, check in and board the ship.

The shuttle is picking me up at 11 from my hotel in Anaheim. I think I'll get there around 11:45 or so depending on traffic. do you think the port will still be jacked up then?

 

[toescat]

The shuttle is picking me up at 11 from my hotel in Anaheim. I think I'll get there around 11:45 or so depending on traffic. do you think the port will still be jacked up then?

I think you will be fine. You should be able to get right into the building then get in line to check in. I will say that the last five cruises they have checked us in based on what floor our cabin was on as it was easier to dispense the keys that way.

 

[Lissame]

Cruise docs arrived today! I'm so excited, makes everything feel so much more real!!

 

[bookite]

I want to do the FE's. We have 2 cabins, but I don't know the numbers yet. Me (Shannon) (female 35), Trevor (male 38), Birkley (female 10), Gavin (male 8), Reese (female 6), Addison (female 3), Arlene (female 60) and Jim (male 65). Can't wait.

Shannon

shannon, w/ the exception of you having a 10yo girl and us having a 5 yo boy, our parties sound almost identical! lol dh and i are similar ages to you and your dh. my il's are joining us, similar ages to the older ones in your party and we will have a 8 yo boy, just turned 7yo girl, 5 yo boy and 3 yo girl. hope we can meet up!!

Lara

 

[toescat]

Cruise docs arrived today! I'm so excited, makes everything feel so much more real!!

Awesome, I will have to wait about another 1.5 hours to see if mine came in today. Princess Cruises always shipped them via Fed Ex, did your's arrive via US mail or Fed Ex.

 

[Lissame]

Awesome, I will have to wait about another 1.5 hours to see if mine came in today. Princess Cruises always shipped them via Fed Ex, did your's arrive via US mail or Fed Ex.

US Mail. The mail arrived just as my husband came home for lunch so we both admired the luggage tags and read the entire thing. The one difference is it says we leave Cabo at 1:30 on the 2nd day and the website says 2:30. Not sure which one is correct.

 

[Kailua's Belle]

Cruise docs already? It's going by so fast, I'm starting to panic a little bit. I usually do way more research, planning than I've done. Family and work life have been sooo hectic. I'm hoping my lack of planning won't show too much!

I'm a first time cruiser, so if there's one can't live without tip I should know, please share it with me!!

 

[Vegaslover]

Do you ever wonder why your kids are so cute and how you are so compelled to do anything for them? My DD and my DH were cleaning her playroom today before I got home from work. the room looks great! Anway, as I was tucking her in bed, she said I have to tell you something something but not until tomorrow. I asked her "what?" she said, "it's okay. I'll tell my friends tomorrow." and then she started crying. I said, "please tell me what is making you so sad. You can't sleep if you're sad." she said, "Daddy found a pig toy with a broken leg and he made me throw it away and now it's going to get burned up." I looked at her in amazement and said, "you mean like in toy story?" she nodded still crying. I said, "I'm glad you told me now because the garbage man is coming tomorrow and he will end up in the truck." I told her not to worry. I immediately went through the garbage an found it. I took it back to her and told her it was in the garbage so it just needed to sit on her nightstand for a while. she was so happy and told me I was the best mom ever. And I told her she was the best daughter and I was proud of her for being so caring. Thanks Disney for giving me that moment

 

[belle'ssister]

Do you ever wonder why your kids are so cute and how you are so compelled to do anything for them? My DD and my DH were cleaning her playroom today before I got home from work. the room looks great! Anway, as I was tucking her in bed, she said I have to tell you something something but not until tomorrow. I asked her "what?" she said, "it's okay. I'll tell my friends tomorrow." and then she started crying. I said, "please tell me what is making you so sad. You can't sleep if you're sad." she said, "Daddy found a pig toy with a broken leg and he made me throw it away and now it's going to get burned up." I looked at her in amazement and said, "you mean like in toy story?" she nodded still crying. I said, "I'm glad you told me now because the garbage man is coming tomorrow and he will end up in the truck." I told her not to worry. I immediately went through the garbage an found it. I took it back to her and told her it was in the garbage so it just needed to sit on her nightstand for a while. she was so happy and told me I was the best mom ever. And I told her she was the best daughter and I was proud of her for being so caring. Thanks Disney for giving me that moment

Vegaslover, that is soooooo precious! She sounds like such a little sweety. How old is she? She reminds me of my little granddaughter, always saying something special. You are blessed.

 

[belle'ssister]

My mom and dad also told me not to forget the baggies...my mom said it was amazing how often she used them!

It makes me sad to read the negative comments, but I'm right with you--any time I don't have to cook and clean up I'm in heaven! I'm hoping that the next month's worth of cruises works out some more of the bugs and that everything is running smoothly by the time we go. I also hope it warms up a bit more!

We went on a MR cruise in February of 2007 and it was pretty hot the entire time. That's what I'm hoping for!

Stinkerbell is writing a great report about her recent MR cruise, very honest, with the good and not so good. Pictures too!

Doing the dock dance her in Vancouver. Is it standard to just list the adults in the documents? Andre is not listed in the Dolphin Swim, just hubby.

 

[Vegaslover]

Vegaslover, that is soooooo precious! She sounds like such a little sweety. How old is she? She reminds me of my little granddaughter, always saying something special. You are blessed.

Elsa is 6. I keep telling her not to grow up too fast!

 

[Lissame]

Stinkerbell is writing a great report about her recent MR cruise, very honest, with the good and not so good. Pictures too!

Doing the dock dance her in Vancouver. Is it standard to just list the adults in the documents? Andre is not listed in the Dolphin Swim, just hubby.

What does it say when you look online? Our dolphin swim lists all of our names. So does our canopy tour.

 

[toescat]

US Mail. The mail arrived just as my husband came home for lunch so we both admired the luggage tags and read the entire thing. The one difference is it says we leave Cabo at 1:30 on the 2nd day and the website says 2:30. Not sure which one is correct.

Every cruise I have been on except one, we had to be back on the ship by 1:30. Once all the passengers are on board, they will start getting the ship ready to sail, that takes about an hour. Then off we go. BYW the one exception was when we stopped in Cabo first. We arrived in Cabo around 2:30PM and had to be back on the ship by 7:30PM

 

[Dayita]

Our cruise documents arrived in the Great White Canadian North (okay, the Wet West Coast) as well! My daughter's name is listed for the dolphin swim in the cruise documents, so I would recommend you double-check with DCL.

Charlene

 

[belle'ssister]

Our cruise documents arrived in the Great White Canadian North (okay, the Wet West Coast) as well! My daughter's name is listed for the dolphin swim in the cruise documents, so I would recommend you double-check with DCL.

Charlene

I called today and they said he is all signed up and because he's a child he's not listed on the documents. Hmmmmmmmmmm.

 

[Lissame]

I called today and they said he is all signed up and because he's a child he's not listed on the documents. Hmmmmmmmmmm.

Although our kids are kids in my eyes, in Disney's eyes they are "adults"--my daughter is 10 and my son is 12. That must be why they are listed. It's a racket!