Dream: May 22, 2011

[poison ivy]

Melissa,

I'm so glad your family is safe. The devastation from those storms is just heartbreaking. I can't imagine what everyone must be going through.

If your town needs our help Please let us know!!!!

 

[poison ivy]

PI, don't forget to bring JIM.
I saw on the boards somwhere that at CI&S now charge $4 pp to use the shuttle......do you think that is true?
Forget that,...... I am just going to park in the multi-level-garage at the port. .

I believe that if you booked the Cruise and Park option/reservation, the parking and shuttle are included in the nightly fee. IF you booked just a regular room, you would then need to pay for the shuttle, thus the $4 per person charge.

Kris and Don,

This is our dilemma and I have to reconfirm everything with CI&S. There is a $4/person fee for the shuttle for non-park and ride guests. If your room is on the pkg, the shuttle is complimentary, but I'm not sure if that is for every guest in that room or just one or two persons.

We're first timers, and I have my parents to consider. I certainly don't want to subject them to chaos when it comes to logistics. Hence, parking at the port with Jim as their curbside chauffeur, sounds pretty darn good compared to bartering for a seat on a shuttle bus. We did put the park and ride pkg on one room and the price differential seemed pretty reasonable.

On our other room we snagged the carson F&F rate back in Dec. for something called the Captain's Qtrs. I've given that room to my parents and believe it has a full kitchen w/ full size refridgerator, so if anyone needs to prepare/store anything please don't hesitate - we're more than happy to share.

Unfortunately the promotion had ended by the time we added the second room so we applied a senior discount.

As far as the trip ins. - Yes, my parents room is booked thru Disneycruise line and they have the ins. add-on. However, our room is booked thru DVC so I'm researching our options - but it may be too late. We're only a few weeks out!!!!

 

[Henlady]

PoisionIvy: I agree with you that having Jim chauffer your parents to port would be easiest for them. I'm not sure how many are covered under the park & cruise pkg. CI&S would best answer that question. I booked CI&S back in October and the park and cruise option was $119 for 2 people ($131+change with tax added). I noticed recently that rate is now $166 for 2 without taxes.

We used Travel Guard thru insurmytrip for our trip insurance. I paid $84 total for coverage for both Don and I. We do not include travel to and from Florida in the amount covered. We just want the basic coverage incase something out of the ordinary happens.

I think finalizing those "little" details are more anoying than actually booking the cruise itself.

 

[doughmankc]

i printed off the suggested packing list i found on disboards, for dinner it says no shorts- which i totally get for men, but for my son who is 10- does he need to wear khakis every night? i have him lots of "dressy" shorts with polos.. but if that is not appropirate, then i am going to have to hit the mall asap!!!

 

[flightrn]

hey. havent been on here for several days. our town had 5 or 6 tornados touchdown this week on the same day. we and my family are very fortunate to be ok. none of our homes were damaged. 6 miles from my home, so many homes leveled, trees snapped in half and roots pulled out of ground, cars are missing from some homes, power still out in over half the town. about 3 miles from my home we only lost trees and in my area we had some trees down mostly limbs from trees everywhere. this place looks like a war zone literally. and appliances are laying everywhere. you can not imagine how this looks til you see it for yourself. 9 people lost their lives in our town alone. we only was without power 1 1/2 days. some will be without power 3 weeks or so predicted. school will be out at least through next week because no power and several schools may be damaged beyond repair. governor has issued a state of emergency here. can not count my blessings enough..

I am thankful that you and your family are ok, my hospital was hit from a tornado during this outbreak as well. Some damage to my ER and we lost six people to the storms about 30 miles from my home. It was very nerve racking for me as I left my children with my father due to an emergency preparedness conference in DC and was worried sick the whole time. We were truly blessed as we had a bad thunderstorm but nothing else and my family was safe. I hope that your community will recover quickly.

 

[flightrn]

Kris and Don,

This is our dilemma and I have to reconfirm everything with CI&S. There is a $4/person fee for the shuttle for non-park and ride guests. If your room is on the pkg, the shuttle is complimentary, but I'm not sure if that is for every guest in that room or just one or two persons.

We're first timers, and I have my parents to consider. I certainly don't want to subject them to chaos when it comes to logistics. Hence, parking at the port with Jim as their curbside chauffeur, sounds pretty darn good compared to bartering for a seat on a shuttle bus. We did put the park and ride pkg on one room and the price differential seemed pretty reasonable.

On our other room we snagged the carson F&F rate back in Dec. for something called the Captain's Qtrs. I've given that room to my parents and believe it has a full kitchen w/ full size refridgerator, so if anyone needs to prepare/store anything please don't hesitate - we're more than happy to share.

Unfortunately the promotion had ended by the time we added the second room so we applied a senior discount.

As far as the trip ins. - Yes, my parents room is booked thru Disneycruise line and they have the ins. add-on. However, our room is booked thru DVC so I'm researching our options - but it may be too late. We're only a few weeks out!!!!

I can't imagine what it will be like with double the people on the dream trying to get the shuttle. We used the park and ride back in december on the wonder, got off the boat around 9:00 and we were still waiting on the shuttle at 10:15. It was chaotic and I wished that I had parked at the port a thousand times over that morning.

 

[poison ivy]

I can't imagine what it will be like with double the people on the dream trying to get the shuttle. We used the park and ride back in december on the wonder, got off the boat around 9:00 and we were still waiting on the shuttle at 10:15. It was chaotic and I wished that I had parked at the port a thousand times over that morning.

thanks flightrn,

this reinforces my concern. We were driving over anyway so we'll just park at the port.

We called CI&S today to cancel an extra night on one of the rooms and inquired as to the price savings to remove the park and ride pkg. Well, surprised to say, there is no price savings - it is considered a rebook at the current rate of $166.00 + tax. So we'll leave it. We have a rate of $143.10 + tax for a two room suite w/cruise pkg.

We were told we could get about 20.00 back if we don't use it after we check-in. Also the shuttle is free for all guests booked in the room with the pkg.

Kris,
Travel Guard sounds familiar. I'll check it out.

 

[Husurdady]

21 more days and we are a goin' cruisin'.......just 21......can't wait! can't wait!

 

[Tracykim]

Silly question!!!

I am a Notary. Would there be ANY reason that I should bring my stamp? I would hate to see someone crying because they are being turned away from the cruise because of needing something notarized and there was something that I could do about it. (free of charge of course)


Thanks for your info!!

 

[Figment56]

It seems like it took forever to get here, but the trip is only weeks away! Our dd is graduating from college the week before and this is our present to her! We went back in 02 and we loved it, so I used our dvc points for this cruise. We cannot be more proud of her as she is graduating with a 3.8+ gpa. Sorry, just a proud mom! Anyway, my question is we have ressies at Palo one night (at sea) and I was wondering if we will still get the pirate dinner? We are on deck 6 and can't wait to meet everyone!

 

[mousejunkie98]

i printed off the suggested packing list i found on disboards, for dinner it says no shorts- which i totally get for men, but for my son who is 10- does he need to wear khakis every night? i have him lots of "dressy" shorts with polos.. but if that is not appropirate, then i am going to have to hit the mall asap!!!

This creates a huge debate on the boards all the time!! I know there are quite a few people out there who are of the "Disney says no shorts so NO SHORTS!!!" opinion, but I have to disagree. All of the dinner outfits I have bought for my two little boys are dressy shorts paired with a polo and in some cases a sweater vest. They honestly look very dressed up in these outfits, and then can be comfortable in the kids club while DH and I finish our dinner in peace It's not like I'm letting them come to dinner in swim trunks and flip flops. They'll be nice and neat and well dressed and will hopefully not ruin anyone's dinner .

 

[mousejunkie98]

It seems like it took forever to get here, but the trip is only weeks away! Our dd is graduating from college the week before and this is our present to her! We went back in 02 and we loved it, so I used our dvc points for this cruise. We cannot be more proud of her as she is graduating with a 3.8+ gpa. Sorry, just a proud mom! Anyway, my question is we have ressies at Palo one night (at sea) and I was wondering if we will still get the pirate dinner? We are on deck 6 and can't wait to meet everyone!

You can still be a part of the pirate deck party (which includes the pirate buffet ), but your food at Palo won't be the pirate meal they serve in the three main restaurants.

Congrats to your daughter!

 

[Figment56]

Thanks, Mouse, but how do we know what night is Pirate night?

 

[Henlady]

Hi Figment56
On the 4 night cruises, Pirate night is normally on Tuesday - Castaway Cay Day.

Doughmankc:I say let the little guy(s) wear nice shorts and shirt, etc..... I don't think anyone would or should have a problem with that. When we took our almost 3yo grandson last May, that is exactly how we dressed him for the dining rooms and no one batted an eye. Nice shorts and a polo are completely acceptable IMHO.

 

[MTmomma]

Does anyone know FOR SURE how much parking will be for our cruise if we park at the port? I keep seeing on the boards people saying 15/night, and others are saying 20! help!

 

[Henlady]

Silly question!!!

I am a Notary. Would there be ANY reason that I should bring my stamp? I would hate to see someone crying because they are being turned away from the cruise because of needing something notarized and there was something that I could do about it. (free of charge of course)

What a nice thing for you to do. Personally, I can't think of any instance where it would be needed, but you never know. If you have room for the stamp you could take it. I'm sure if someone needed a notarized item it would be very much appreciated if you were able to help. You can never be sure who might need what.

 

[Henlady]

Does anyone know FOR SURE how much parking will be for our cruise if we park at the port? I keep seeing on the boards people saying 15/night, and others are saying 20! help!

Naomi, I've seen the same thing. I actually checked on the Port's website yesterday out of curiosity. Their website is saying $15, but who knows when it was last updated. Maybe you could check out the website for a phone # and give them a call just to be sure.

 

[MTmomma]

Found a phone number, got the "I am on the other line" voicemail que... Going to try back in a few minutes, and will post the answer to the per day cost when I get it!

Just off the phone with the port authority secretary. She just said $15/night.

 

[MTmomma]

Just off the phone with CI&S.... they gladly took our cruise package off for us. Granted we are still at the 159 rate for four adults and one child....... but it took the woman less than a minute to get it done, and said that its never a problem to add or remove the cruise package......
also, i called them directly, not the 800 number for reservations

 

[Figment56]

I had read a thread that said you could request your dining rotation. Just got off the phone with DCL and was told, no, that you can't do that. Guess it just depends on who you get when they answer the phone?