Disney Wonder - October 14, 2012 - Hawaii

[yukongirl123]

We had a postcard exchange on the WBTA 2010, but it was separate from the FE. Those who wanted to exchange the postcards, with a small note exchanged with each other. It was organized like an FE but separate. There were also separate exchanges for candy and scrapbooking embelishments (sp)

We also had separate lists for linking early and late dining, so that DISer's could sit in the same area.

Janice

 

[ppartekim]

We had a postcard exchange on the WBTA 2010, but it was separate from the FE. Those who wanted to exchange the postcards, with a small note exchanged with each other. It was organized like an FE but separate. There were also separate exchanges for candy and scrapbooking embelishments (sp)

We also had separate lists for linking early and late dining, so that DISer's could sit in the same area.

Janice

Could make for a lot of separate lists. Unless the postcards meet together some where I would probably suggest that we make a combined "Exchange" list with a separate column (checkbox) for each of the different exchanges. I think that would simplify the exchange lists. I'll post a suggested combined list after I give it a thought.

Either way we go, I will gladly add the items to my website so that everyone has one place to go find it.

 

[yukongirl123]

There were separate lists but all on one website that a DIS member had created, too techie for me.

The April Hawaii cruise uses Google documents with a separate tab to track each of the activities on a spreadsheet. Does that help?

Janice

 

[ppartekim]

I'll post a suggested combined list after I give it a thought.

OK. Here is the first draft of a combined "Exchange List".

http://dcl.trapperhq.com/20121014/exchange_list.htm

 

[bonnielynn]

We had a postcard exchange on the WBTA 2010, but it was separate from the FE. Those who wanted to exchange the postcards, with a small note exchanged with each other. It was organized like an FE but separate. There were also separate exchanges for candy and scrapbooking embelishments (sp)

We also had separate lists for linking early and late dining, so that DISer's could sit in the same area.

Janice

So what do you do with the postcard/candy exchange? on the boat.. or before you go? Bring postcards from your state?.. just wondered?

 

[yukongirl123]

So what do you do with the postcard/candy exchange? on the boat.. or before you go? Bring postcards from your state?.. just wondered?

We all brought postcards from our homes and wrote a short note on the back, then just popped the postcards into the FE or under the door. Not everyone who did the postcard exchange did the FE. Same thing for the candy exchange-there were participants from several different countries including USA, Canada, Great Briain, Wales, Dubai, New Zealand And Australia.We swapped mini chocolate bars, one per person was suggested. Coming from Canada, I brought items that were only available here for the exchange.

Janice

 

[maxs gm]

OK. Here is the first draft of a combined "Exchange List".

http://dcl.trapperhq.com/20121014/exchange_list.htm

Thanks for taking this on. We'll particpate in the FE, postcard, and Scrapbook exchanges. The only way I can control my sweet tooth is to stay away from temptation, so I will pass on the candy exchange.

 

[nocruisecontrol]

Not sure I 'opted in' for the exchanges; so add me and hubby to any and all exchanges. (note to self - remember you did this).

Don and Barbara #5638 (I think - guess I should go check)

Is someone keeping track of the suggested dis activities in one place?

Has anyone participated in dis meets on other cruises? I never have. Any thoughts on which were the most fun and/or successful?

 

[ppartekim]

Thanks for taking this on. We'll particpate in the FE, postcard, and Scrapbook exchanges. The only way I can control my sweet tooth is to stay away from temptation, so I will pass on the candy exchange.

Updated the Exchange List with the info...

Thanks for the vote.. If everyone likes this form, I will keep it and discard the FE (only list).

http://dcl.trapperhq.com/20121014/exchange_list.htm

 

[auntlynne]

...
And a mockup of the type of changes you could make for your cruise. You could make it any color with any text.

I was sad to be missing out on this aspect of the April cruise - but maybe we can have our own great material.

As of this moment, my husband and I are scheduled to go with yall to Hawaii. Things may change but I hope not! We are taking our first cruise in a few more weeks to the MR on the Wonder. I am hoping we love it so much that we can't wait to stay 14 days on the ship. However, right now, that many days on the ship kind of bothers me. I am afraid that I will get bored. My only experience on a cruise ship was Carnival and I did not really enjoy the sea days. It was only drinking, gambling and hairy chest contests on sea days. That is not really my cup of tea. However, I hear that Disney is different! So I have high hopes. I will know for sure if we will keep this cruise by middle of Nov. ...

Okay, I do get bored on the long cruises. Doesn't keep me from going, though. I think the anticipation of being in Hawaii might keep my mind off it at the beginning of the cruise and then it's only 4 Sea Days at the end. And HAWAI'I in the middle!

I also am not fond of DCL food. But I cruise for the companionship of friends I'm traveling with and new ones I make along the way. Sort of like summer camp - this time Kamp Aloha (there is no C in the Hawai'ian alphabet).

 

[auntlynne]

Love the Graphic and vote that this becomes our logo (until something better which is doubtful) shows up...

Lynn, do have a hi-res version of the graphic? or can you send me the link to the original source? I can grab a copy and put on my website for everyone.

Even if it isn't our "official" logo - I am sure we'll see plenty of tee-shirts bearing the design.

The image is only 160 x 196; I found one in the 500 range, but the website immediately jumps to ad pages. I did capture it before it jumped:

I am not really fond of the pink border, but I suppose it could be cropped off the image or trimmed off iron-on transfer paper.

Here is the source for the small version:

Source

Hey, to whoever created the graphic: great job! It's really amazing and looks like the kind of marketing material that Disney would come up with. My only complaint (if you can call it that) is that the font style on "Disney Cruise Line" across the bottom is very boring and not up to the high standard of the rest of the piece. Any chance you could tweak that a bit?

Sadly, I have no graphic manipulation skills. But could it be a reflection of styles of earlier ads for cruise lines? Let's check:

Hmm - funny how these 3 ads are very similar. Wherever could the DCL artist gotten his idea?

 

[ppartekim]

I was sad to be missing out on this aspect of the April cruise - but maybe we can have our own great material.

Okay, I do get bored on the long cruises. Doesn't keep me from going, though. I think the anticipation of being in Hawaii might keep my mind off it at the beginning of the cruise and then it's only 4 Sea Days at the end. And HAWAI'I in the middle!

I also am not fond of DCL food. But I cruise for the companionship of friends I'm traveling with and new ones I make along the way. Sort of like summer camp - this time Kamp Aloha (there is no C in the Hawai'ian alphabet).

Hope to have some more info on the Shirts/Fabric in a day or two; I'll post then.

What wrong DCL food?

Can't say we've ever been bored on the long cruises we've taken (granted they have all been on DCL) too many things to do on ship or movies to watch (either in theater, jumbo or in-room).

 

[ppartekim]

Even if it isn't our "official" logo - I am sure we'll see plenty of tee-shirts bearing the design.

The image is only 160 x 196; I found one in the 500 range, but the website immediately jumps to ad pages. I did capture it before it jumped:

I am not really fond of the pink border, but I suppose it could be cropped off the image or trimmed off iron-on transfer paper.

That photo is the same size as one posted earlier (and now available on my website and if you click on the pic on the exchange list).

http://dcl.trapperhq.com/20121014/exchange_list.htm

I tried to download a Hi-res version from the linked Disney page but you need to have registered on the site as a Media person (of which I am not).

 

[auntlynne]

I'm skipping the Fantasy Maiden Voyage DIS thread and focusing on this cruise, as it is about Hawai'i, because it is more exciting to me.

The times in port for April have changed for the better (longer). They now have enough time on Maui to get to the Old Lahaina Luau and return to ship before onboard. I'm hoping they modify our port times, also.

April
Hawaii .. noon -- 7:30 pm
Maui ... 7:30 am -- 10:30 pm
Oahu ... 7:30 am -- 10:30 pm
Kauai ... 7:30 am -- 5:30 pm

October
Maui ... 6:30 am -- 6:00 pm
Kauai ... 7:30 am -- 5:30 pm
Oahu ... 7:00 am -- 3:30 pm
Hawaii .. 7:30 am -- 4:30 pm

Approaching Hawaii from the Mainland, you encounter the islands in this order:
1. Hawaii
2. Maui
3. Oahu
4. Kauai

The April cruise will be at the farthest point west when they begin the return voyage. We depart the islands from the island closest (eastern) to the Mainland.

They arrive in Ensenada in the morning. We arrive in the afternoon. Explains how our cruise is one day shorter.

Random thoughts.

 

[ppartekim]

I'm skipping the Fantasy Maiden Voyage DIS thread and focusing on this cruise, as it is about Hawai'i, because it is more exciting to me.

The times in port for April have changed for the better (longer). They now have enough time on Maui to get to the Old Lahaina Luau and return to ship before onboard. I'm hoping they modify our port times, also.

April
Hawaii .. noon -- 7:30 pm
Maui ... 7:30 am -- 10:30 pm
Oahu ... 7:30 am -- 10:30 pm
Kauai ... 7:30 am -- 5:30 pm

October
Maui ... 6:30 am -- 6:00 pm
Kauai ... 7:30 am -- 5:30 pm
Oahu ... 7:00 am -- 3:30 pm
Hawaii .. 7:30 am -- 4:30 pm

Approaching Hawaii from the Mainland, you encounter the islands in this order:
1. Hawaii
2. Maui
3. Oahu
4. Kauai

The April cruise will be at the farthest point west when they begin the return voyage. We depart the islands from the island closest (eastern) to the Mainland.

They arrive in Ensenada in the morning. We arrive in the afternoon. Explains how our cruise is one day shorter.

Random thoughts.

So does that mean you are not doing the Fantasy MV or still going and just ignoring the thread (PS. we are doing both the Fantasy MV and this one)?

So, they are reversing the order. Great, we had gotten a port side cabin in order to get island views. Now, we will be on the sea side...

Oh, well better the sea side than no side..

 

[auntlynne]

Hope to have some more info on the Shirts/Fabric in a day or two; I'll post then.

What wrong DCL food?

Can't say we've ever been bored on the long cruises we've taken (granted they have all been on DCL) too many things to do on ship or movies to watch (either in theater, jumbo or in-room).

This is my critique of the food: They are trying too hard to make fancy food, yet have to prepare it convention style, brining out 400 plates very quickly. I think I actually like simpler food. Less sauces. And I love both Italian and Tex-Mex (so does much of America, based on restaurant success), but they are not on the main dining room dinner menus. There are things they do well. Unlike many, I like their salads and probably should just ask for 2 servings of that and be happy, with an occasional appetizer thrown in. Could just be my personal preference. I was stuffed for 2 weeks last month on the Transatlantic, so it's obviously not inedible.

I have done the TA each way on DCL and got bored; did the 11-night port-intensive Med and loved it, as I did the 7-night Alaska. I stay at home when not at cruising and use this time away to do something; the opposite of many people who are vacationing from work and would like a chance to slow down. Give me a port and I am happier. (Now, put me in front of my computer and I can spend hours doing "nothing" and not get bored - I love looking up stuff, which you may discover over the next year when I share that information with you.)

That photo is the same size as one posted earlier (and now available on my website and if you click on the pic on the exchange list).

http://dcl.trapperhq.com/20121014/exchange_list.htm

I tried to download a Hi-res version from the linked Disney page but you need to have registered on the site as a Media person (of which I am not).

Okay, if someone from Silicon Valley has problems with something on the computer, I certainly don't stand a chance.

 

[auntlynne]

So does that mean you are not doing the Fantasy MV or still going and just ignoring the thread (PS. we are doing both the Fantasy MV and this one)?

So, they are reversing the order. Great, we had gotten a port side cabin in order to get island views. Now, we will be on the sea side...

Oh, well better the sea side than no side..

I am doing the M/V, but I think I'd rather "fixate" on this cruise. I think I am on the thread for it. I spent March - September preparing for the WBTA and sort of ignored the Fantasy thread. I am also hoping that between ports and inaugural cruise activities that I won't "need" the DIS activities so much.

Your room should still be perfect. While April takes the islands in geographical order as you travel west 1 - 2- 3 -4, we are doing a 2-4-3-1 itinerary. I expect that port side will have the view both ways. ... Actually, most of our views from the ship will be when we are actually in port or as we pull away. You should have a great view of Diamond Head as we leave Honolulu.

 

[auntlynne]

I would love to do Lanyards (with others help/input, of course) or at least the name tag inserts. This is such a fun project. I use photo paper and laminate them to keep them fresh for such a long cruise.

I know we will have more join our thread after the Fantasy Maiden Voyage and the December holiday season, so we might get the Great Lanyard Leader joining us then (this is not referring to anyone in particular, just the possibility of a great lanyard person existing).

I think the easiest way I've seen is to have a Lanyard team to contribute to the cost and then make them available to everyone for free.

Here's a copy of the insert from last year's EBTA (the graphics from the top and bottom are other DISers contributions; thanks Brooklyn and thosink):

and the Med (well, 6 name tags):

 

[ppartekim]

This is my critique of the food: They are trying too hard to make fancy food, yet have to prepare it convention style, brining out 400 plates very quickly. I think I actually like simpler food. Less sauces. And I love both Italian and Tex-Mex (so does much of America, based on restaurant success), but they are not on the main dining room dinner menus. There are things they do well. Unlike many, I like their salads and probably should just ask for 2 servings of that and be happy, with an occasional appetizer thrown in. Could just be my personal preference. I was stuffed for 2 weeks last month on the Transatlantic, so it's obviously not inedible.

Ok, I can understand that.. I just go into each dinner looking at it as one big Food tasting. I order practically everything on the menu and just taste each. I tend to eat less and always tend to fine what was cooked best that night (at which I might eat everything.)

I have done the TA each way on DCL and got bored; did the 11-night port-intensive Med and loved it, as I did the 7-night Alaska. I stay at home when not at cruising and use this time away to do something; the opposite of many people who are vacationing from work and would like a chance to slow down. Give me a port and I am happier. (Now, put me in front of my computer and I can spend hours doing "nothing" and not get bored - I love looking up stuff, which you may discover over the next year when I share that information with you.)

Ok, guess we will have to agree to disagree... We did two WBTAs (2007, 2010) and the inaugural EB Panama Canal crossing (2005). I think the only time we actually had any downtime were when we were sleeping off the tastings (wine, martini, tequila, etc).

Okay, if someone from Silicon Valley has problems with something on the computer, I certainly don't stand a chance.

I am power user, not a hacker.

 

[catislander]

Count us in on the postcard exchange. I vote for hometown postcards, but I'm biased.
Just think, on Saturday our cruise will be less than a year away.