Disney Wonder Sept 3-7, 2006 Part 2

[LCTsMom]

My family and friends are abandoning me in Nassau. We rented a room at Comfort Suites and they will do Atlantis all day. Myself and DD 4 are staying behind. I figured she can swim a little and then play in the club. Is anyone going shopping? I won't go by myself.

We are walking to the Straw Market, Pirate Museum and back to the ship. You're welcome to tag along with us if that works for you!

 

[zweihund]

I have a question hopefully you veteran cruisers can help me with....

Do you sit around waiting for everyone at the table to finish their appetizers before salad comes.... wait for dessert etc. as a group or do they bring each person the next course as they individually finish. So would it be possible for my sister and I to finish our whole meal before say... the granny across the table who is chewing every bite of her steak 50 billion ever lovin' times because it aids in digestion..... or the guy who talks non-stop so he never actually eats anything.....

I know the meals are supposed to be "dining experiences" and you will probably chat with your table mates and make yourself slow down a little and actually enjoy the food, but sometimes it is hard for me to break that habit.

Anyway, I understand about being polite and waiting for everyone to get their plates of food before you start, but was just wondering if dinner really HAD to take three hours, or could you eat it in an hour and run on to the next "event" on the ship....

I'm fine either way, just like to know what to expect. I suppose if the custom was to wait for everyone then that would probably just give my tummy more time to settle so I can eat more.... "why yes I would like two desserts thank you very much..."

When we went last year, we were alone for 2/3 meals. We had company on the third - a young-ish couple with a toddler. From what I recall, we were served at our own pace within the "main pace" - for instance, the appetizers come out for most of the tables all around the same time. Same with meals and desserts. However, I distinctly recall the other couple leaving much earlier than we did, and I'm fairly certain they had all of their courses. So while it is paced to a certain degree, there appears to be some leeway.

 

[lunamum]

When we went last year, we were alone for 2/3 meals. We had company on the third - a young-ish couple with a toddler. From what I recall, we were served at our own pace within the "main pace" - for instance, the appetizers come out for most of the tables all around the same time. Same with meals and desserts. However, I distinctly recall the other couple leaving much earlier than we did, and I'm fairly certain they had all of their courses. So while it is paced to a certain degree, there appears to be some leeway.

Thanks for the info!

 

[lunamum]

This is a really stupid question, but...

I haven't flown in 8 years. This will be the third time in my life. I have no idea how to check in, what to expect, etc. I'm at the website reading about online check-in and boarding passes blah blah blah. None of it makes sense to me. I mean, is a boarding pass my ticket? Is it that electronic thing they sent me when I bought the tickets? I'm totally clueless.

Can anyone kind of walk me through what I should know? I was thinking that if someone could kind of tell me what to expect, it would be easier to understand. Can anyone maybe give me a blow-by-blow of the trip from the drop-off at the airport to the actual airplane? I'd be very grateful.

Dawn G.

Well I will give this a stab and try to answer some of your questions too and hopefully ease some of your anxiety....

I know some people have already answered your question, but I know for me, it is nice to get lots of people's perspectives. Sorry that this is going to be long, feel free to just skip it altogether

Here are some of my experiences of how my recent flights have been (I have flown about 6 times this past year, the most recent trip being in April)

Each airport might have their own policies or procedures but they are probably pretty similar.

I hope other people jump in here and chime in if I get somethin wrong (don't hesitate, it won't hurt my feelings, )

So I guess, first, when you order online most airlines/expedia etc do e-tickets. So that receipt or confirmation is all you are going to get. Most places don't do paper tickets anymore.

I always print out the receipt and the e-ticket and make a couple of copies (just in case). I'm a big worry wart so like to have back-ups. I don't know how important it is but when I order on expedia, the first few hours you only have an expedia confirmation number then you have to wait for the airlines (usually 24 hours) to get your financial stuff etc and then give expedia an airline confirmation number. I wait until I have that confirmation number before I print it out.

I'm not sure how you are getting to the airport but I do know you need to make sure to get there VERY early. Usually it is recommended to get there two hours early, but I think I will get there even earlier since it is a holiday weekend. The only thing that has changed in parking at our airport since 9/11 is that the drop off area in front where you just leave your car and run in is more tightly patrolled and if a car is abandoned they are on it quickly.

I don't have too much info on leaving your car at the airport and paying to leave it, (long term parking) because I have never done that before.

Usually I am dropped off. My parents usually just drive us in to hourly parking. We park the car, go to the machine, grab the little parking ticket thing and keep it with us.

We go to the airline ticket counters. Here is where it gets fun

There are a few options when it comes to checking in. If you aren't checking any bags then I believe you can go right to security and check in right at the gate. I have never done this before, but I have heard it is possible. It seems like you get through security faster when you actually have your airline boarding pass.

Another option is curb side check-in. After 9/11 ours shut down and now they are slowly opening back up. I haven't done this but it sounds like other people have.

Inside you have a few options. There is an e-ticket check in line or a regular ticket check in line, plus there are special gold member/frequent flyer lines at certain airlines. Some also have first class check-in places.

The e-ticket line uses computers to check you in, you don't really get a human until you go to check your bag. This used to be the quickest way to check in because hardly anyone used it because it was so new, but lately it seems to be a toss up for me as to which is easiest or fastest.

I tend to doubt my technological abilities so I stick with the human and avoid the computer check in. I just KNOW I would screw it up somehow and end up canceling my reservation!

Anyway the e-ticket line is for people who have already bought their tickets online or otherwise. You wait in line until a "computer" is open. It seems like they were similar to ATM machines.

You stick the credit card in that you used to make the reservation. Your reservation is pulled up, you touch the screen as to whether you have any luggage to check, how many pieces etc.

Make sure all of your bags are labeled (they still have those handy little luggage tags on the counter in a basket, but they often don't have pens).

At our airport there is one scale and one person in between several of these machines, so basically one staff person to deal with all of the luggage for all of those machines.

Anyway when they call your name you give that person your luggage to be checked. they weigh it etc. blah blah. then it goes on a cart or conveyor belt to go through security.

Your boarding pass will shoot out of the machine you were working at. You grab your carry on, your boarding pass and head towards the security area (oh yah this would be a good place to make sure you still have your children )

If you go to the regular ticket counter you wait in line until your turn. Give them the e-ticket you printed out from your computer and your i.d. Set your luggage on the scale right by your counter. (Pay the extra money for having overweight luggage, because all that pirate crap sure weighs a lot!)

The ticket counter person will ask their obligatory "did you leave your luggage unattended" questions and (Oh by the way they don't joke AT ALL, which they will remind you one million times with little signs posted every where).

The ticket counter person will usually write on your envelope what gate to head towards and you're off (I find that handy!)

We then head towards security. It is a long cattle line type set up where you are in a maze winding back and forth waiting and waiting and waiting.
I flew a red eye once and walked right up to security and was VERY happy, swore to never fly in the day time again!

This is where we have to leave your family that is not traveling with you (if anyone came to see you off). My parents usually hover around on the outside of the line watching in case there is a problem. (and to wait until we make it through the security screening and then we can look back and wave bye ) You can't be walked down to the gate anymore unless you get special permission, have special needs, etc.

Once you finally get to the head of the line, you show your boarding pass and i.d. to a security check person/TSA agent. They then point you in the direction of one of the many security metal detector type machines.

Ours has about a dozen of them. You walk up and put your carry-ons on the converyor belt so it can go through the x-ray machine. If you have a lap top they make you take it out of the case and set it on top.

They have little plastic bin things you can stick your purse, wallet, keys etc in. that goes through also. I usually don't wear any jewelry, belts etc. because I just wanna get through security as fast as possible!

The last few times they have also made us take our shoes and coats off and put them on the belt too. Then you wait to be waved through the detector thing and then you go through.

If it goes off they make you go back and try again. If it still goes off they have you check your pockets, etc. If you are still setting it off then they have you step to the side and wand you. (Just as a side note, I would always worry that my underwires would set the dern thing off so I would hold my breath and pray when I went through )

They will look at your carry ons as it goes through the xray machine and If they find anything they can't identify they'll ask if they can look in your bag and then they do. Usually nothin or they tell you that you can't carry that on and they take it (forever).

Sometimes they "randomly" choose people to do more in depth security screening. I have never been chosen and they seem to be doing less and less of these so I wouldn't even worry about it.

Getting through security takes a pretty long time just because of sheer number of people going through each stage, but it goes very smoothly.

Anyway after you get through security yay you head towards your gate. I like to find my gate, set eyes on it and see that the gate hasn't been changed (there is usually a reader board that says your flight number, destination etc right at the gate.)

Once I know that I am at the right place I agree that this is a great time to celebrate by getting a nice Frappie from Starbucks and relax!

Usually on your boarding pass it will say what "group" you're with. I am guessing this is sort of the same as Disney loads people on the ship.

The first class, people with disablities, people in wheel chairs and people with families, children/strollers are usually in group one.

Then most planes load from the back so if you are in one of the last rows then you will board first but you will get off laaaaaaaaaaaast, yuck! I don't know why getting off the plane takes soooooo dannng lonnnng!

Anyway, one thing I don't have a lot of experience with is traveling with kids and strollers, but i know that if you go up to the counter attendants before your flight is called and speak with them then you can talk to them about being one of the first to load, I hear that sometimes you have to stand up for yourself and insist that it will be easiest on EVERYONE if you get on first.

You can wheel a stroller all the way down the ramp right up to the plane, then you have to go to your seats (without the stroller) and they take it and stow it and then it is sitting there when you get off the plane. I don't know about rules about size of stroller etc. but just thought i would mention this in case you have little ones.

well sorry that was so long, but I hope it helps!

 

[suzannef]

Wow lunamom I feel like I'm right there at the airport!!! That's a great detailed report and very true to how it went for us when we all flew last year. Although ironically I got picked to "step aside" for extra wanding last year. I can certainly understand how a 5'3" blonde haired blue eyed mom of three is a huge security risk lol. Although my kids got a kick out of it and I think for a minute my dh was nervous that it was all a conspiracy to make him take the kids on vacation by himself We live about 10 minutes from the airport and only got there 1 hour ahead and we really cut it too close. Our plane was boarding when we got to our gate. I will not do that again. Our plane leaves at 6 am and I plant to be there by 4:30 at the latest. Again, thanks lunamom.


Suzanne

 

[Blackunicorn]

We are walking to the Straw Market, Pirate Museum and back to the ship. You're welcome to tag along with us if that works for you!

LOL! We're running to the Pirate museum, snatching lunch, hopefully seeing the straw market, and we have a dolphin encounter scheduled for 1:30. Sheesh. I'm so glad I haven't given anyone the option of excursions at CC.

 

[lunamum]

Although ironically I got picked to "step aside" for extra wanding last year. I can certainly understand how a 5'3" blonde haired blue eyed mom of three is a huge security risk lol. Although my kids got a kick out of it and I think for a minute my dh was nervous that it was all a conspiracy to make him take the kids on vacation by himself
Suzanne

 

[mom_of_2_princesses]

We are walking to the Straw Market, Pirate Museum and back to the ship. You're welcome to tag along with us if that works for you!

Thanks Lisa,

I may just take you up on that offer.

 

[JLSE50]

LOL!! This cracked me up! If you would only hear some of the things we talk about while eating!!! My Mom does the same thing!!! She always says " I eating ".
Logan must be destined to be in the medical field!

When my brother was in medical school he visited me and DH one vacation. He was telling about observing a tubal ligation while we ate spagetti. I was fascinated and DH nearly got sick before he finally managed to say it "I'M EATING!" We had no idea it would bother anyone.
We are so rude.

I HAD A DELIGHTFUL AFTERNOON WITH TAE JA AND OFFSPRING!!
WHAT AN ADORABLE FAMILY!!
I guess it was a mini DIS meet
Jan

 

[JLSE50]

My dh tolerates alot of my caziness but would probably draw the line at matching clothes!!! I have to be more subtle....Like last cruise I had red white and blue clothes for all of us to board but nothing that totally matched so we coordinated for the embarkation photo but my dh never noticed and he thought I was just being nice when I pulled out his clothes that morning
Suzanne

When our sons were little we would wear matching shirts to WDW each day. I figured if we are separated it would be easy for the kid to tell a CM what we had on and vice versa. Of course I never let them out of my sight!!
As they got older they wore matching things less and less but DH still likes to wear matching shirts with me. We are disgustingly cute.
Jan

 

[JLSE50]

no and he was HOT!!!!! But he sent me the most beautiful white roses in the hospital and took me out about 2 months later. He was freaked out though because I was apparently the second girl he had a fist date scheduled with and the day of the date we were in an almost fatal car accident! So he couldn't date me. I was a curse. Boys are so stupid some times!

Sounds like HE WAS THE CURSE!! And both you and the other girl are better off without him!
Jan

Can you tell I am finally trying to get caught up with all you wrote today while TAE JA and I were out GABBING?

 

[JLSE50]

You put all your stuff to be scanned on the conveyor belt and remove your shoes and put those on the belt as well. You walk through the metal detector. If all goes well there, you pick up all your stuff and then put back on your shoes.

I personally like to wear sandals as the idea of walking in my CLEAN SOX through that metal detector and then putting my now DIRTY SOX back into my CLEAN SNEAKERS is abhorant So I will wear sandals and have dirty feet before and after the scanning.

I personally like to stop on the way to the gate for a treat of some sort. Like Cinnabon or Starbucks. Depends on the airport.

I personally like to stop at the ladies room.

Jan

 

[JLSE50]

Jan, I meant to ask you, are you Steelers fan since your from Pennsylvania?

I am not FROM Pennsylvania. I lived there for 7 1/2 years but was over on the east side, far from Pittsburgh, close to Philadelphia.

I know enough about sports to not be too stupid in a conversation but am not a fanatic.

I grew up in upstate New York. Have lived in PA and now IN. The most I have ever known or paid attention to a football team was the COLTS here in INDY. And that is mostly because I live downtown and PAYTON MANNING does commercials for a car company and they crack me up.

DH is a Cardinals fan--it is genetic--he was born with it. He used to be a football Cardinals fan until they moved to Arizona and then he became nothing until now when he pays some attention to Colts because he also lives downtown. I crack me up.
Jan

 

[JLSE50]

(Just as a side note, I would always worry that my underwires would set the dern thing off so I would hold my breath and pray when I went through )

I wear a bra with no wires--either one that never had wires or one where one of the wires broke so I took them both out.

A security lady once told me that if my hands were near the walls as I walked through the metal detector it would register a metal even though there was no jewelry there. She said I should hold my hands together in front of me. (This was a kind and gentle way of saying the the metal detectors are not really made for Pooh-sized people so we need to make ourselves as much like a pencil as we can.)

Jan

 

[lunamum]

I wear a bra with no wires--either one that never had wires or one where one of the wires broke so I took them both out.

A security lady once told me that if my hands were near the walls as I walked through the metal detector it would register a metal even though there was no jewelry there. She said I should hold my hands together in front of me. (This was a kind and gentle way of saying the the metal detectors are not really made for Pooh-sized people so we need to make ourselves as much like a pencil as we can.)

Jan

That is too funny, Jan! I can just see you already worried about making it through security without getting strip searched and she starts telling you to twist in to yoga positions just to get through the dern machine!

On a positive note, at least the airlines are accommodating for Pooh-sized people when it comes to making their seats nice and wide so once you're on the plane you can just sit back, get comfy and relax....

 

[mom_of_2_princesses]

Speaking of getting pulled aside at security. Before 911 my DH would always set off the detectors. He has size 16 shoes and would wear his Rockports because they were comfortable. You did not have to take your shoes off and we did not know what it was until a security guard finally scanned them and said there were metal rods in there for support. They must have thought he was hiding a bomb in those things they are so big.

 

[JLSE50]

On a positive note, at least the airlines are accommodating for Pooh-sized people when it comes to making their seats nice and wide so once you're on the plane you can just sit back, get comfy and relax....

Which airlines did you say that was again?
Jan

 

[LCTsMom]

I HAD A DELIGHTFUL AFTERNOON WITH TAE JA AND OFFSPRING!!
WHAT AN ADORABLE FAMILY!!
I guess it was a mini DIS meet
Jan

Where did you go for lunch? I bet her kids are just adorable! Take any pictures?

 

[taeja71]

Where did you go for lunch? I bet her kids are just adorable! Take any pictures?

First of all, you ladies are cracking me up! Poor Bill. O.k. Jan, your probably being truthful when you posted, I personally like to stop at the ladies room......But, your cracking me up any way. If you were serious, which you probably were, exuse me for my outburst.

I forgot my camera yesterday. I knew I forgot some thing at home. I did bring three sonic boom/ lime green mickey heads( HD ran out of Alien Green the last time I was there) and stuck them on the glass of the playroom wall. I should've brought more! I had a great time with Jan. She was Disneyed to the nines. I was so impressed. Jan's so much fun to talk with. It took a while for my kids to butter up to her, but they had a fun time getting to know mommy's Disney friend. I'm sure the security camera at Chik Fil A has pictures of us, but not together.....I'm still tired.

My FIL and niece are here from the west coast so, they were up late. I couldn't take it any more after 12:45 so, I went to bed. Their schedule and my schedule's going to be wacky for a couple days , then we'll all get adjusted , and then they'll have to leave

Dawn, do you have any Renn. pictures to post? Logan, you should've seen Jan's picture of her DH in a pirate coat. The fabric she was telling me about, you would've loved seeing and wearing it. I'm still working on my costume. I hope I can get it together in time.

Hmmm, Vicki must be working.... Shout out to every one! Have a great weekend every one! Stay dry!

 

[taeja71]

Look Logan and Conor! POTC blinkies for your signature line! http://blinkiemadness.alwayslisa.com/movies.html

animated squares http://groups.msn.com/johnnydeppandpotc