EBPC December 9, 2012!!! Who's in????

[goiu]

Still can't get in but, does anyone know if you book an excursion today can you still cancel without penalty? My husband and I can't make up our minds on a couple and would hate to book and not be able to change it if we so decided (of course if it isn't sold out).

Also, try going in under planning center like they stated above. That's the only way I got in tonight! Good luck!

 

[dededisney]

I got in, but I had to trick the website by clicking on planning centre and booking my reservations.

Thank you for this information...I was able to get on this way as well. We booked a night in Palo (just picked a random night and hopefully once we see the schedule, we can change it if we want to later) and we booked the Canapy Tour in PV. Can't wait for that one...I have always wanted to do a zipline.

 

[dthogue]

I give up - now the site is closed for maintenance going back to bed again

 

[Relaxin']

Good Morning Fellow Cruisers,
We set sail in 15 weeks,
that is 105 sleeps!
Golds, did you sign up today? There are still a lot of options.

 

[colkath2005]

We are doing the double digit dance today in our house! We have exactly 99 days until we leave for the airport. Still seems a long way off but i'm sure it will go fast.
Colette

 

[decked out]

I have a question for those who live close to DL or WDW. What is it like to be able to pop into the parks whenever you feel like it? At the risk of being banned from the boards for voicing such a blasphemous thought, I have to ask, is it possible to get tired of doing Disney? Since I live in Ontario, obviously making a trip to Florida or California is a big thing and doesn't happen too often. Sometimes I stay at my sister's time share off site in Kissimmee and only get into the parks for a day or two on my vacation. Other times, we have stayed on site and fully immersed ourselves for the whole week. But usually by the end of the week, I feel like I have had my fill of Disney and am good to go for another year or two (or so I think). However, Disney is like a drug and usually within a month or two, I am itching for another fix. However, I have often wondered that if I lived close by, and could go as often as I wanted, would I still enjoy going all the time or am I just suffering from a case of wanting what I can't have?

I grew up in Orlando and have lived in the area nearly all of my life. I remember when the plan for WDW was announced, my dad drove the whole family out into the woods to visit the WDW welcome center that had little mock ups of the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT (now known as Epcot). Later, through a family friend, we got invited to the "sneak preview" (soft opening) of the MK, two days before the official opening. I basically grew up with WDW. We also spent a couple of Easter breaks camping at Ft Wilderness. Later, while going to college I was a seasonal worker at tomorrrow land terrace. Now, my family volunteers for the marathon. Last year my daughter sang with her HS chorus in the candlelight processional and we loved seeing that.

I don't ever get tired of the Disney parks, but we don't over do it. There are (legit) ways* to get free park passes, and we don't go unless it is "free." Also, there are many ways to enjoy WDW that don't involve a park visit. Once you get on property all the public transit is free and there are many things to do and see at the various reorts, restaurants and entertainment venues.

*park passes are offered to those who volunteer for marathon, half marathon, and other sporting events at Wide World of Sports, golf classic etc. Friends/acquaintances work for WDW and get free admission and sometimes invite our children for a day at the park. Passes are also given for singing in the processional.

Disney is a nice perk that helps offset some of the negative aspects of living in this area. We are especially spoiled by the convenience of Port Canaveral and the availability of special offers on the cruises!

Re the private room at Palo. It is not too small or cramped, but just about right.

Re websiite problems las night. Early Sunday morning is a popular, if not standard, time for computer maintenance. That plus maybe there was a lot of traffic of people trying to be first to book on board reservations. We always wait until we board before making Palo reservations so we know our dining rotation, confirm pirate night, formal nights, etc. No problems getting seated this way.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

2. The Palo private room looks tight with everyone around the table. Is it difficult to get past the chairs to get out for more food?

4. I am interesting in the different tastings, but don't drink much. Is it allowed, frowned on or not allowed at all to share a tasting with someone? We have done Napa wine tastings and shared a glass with no problem at many wineries, so wondered if it is possible to do this on the ship.

2. Not difficult at all, there is plenty of room

4. I've never seen anyone sharing a tasting. The tables/seats are pre-set with the glasses already on them. Once you're in the room, there is really no way for them to know a guest is only there to share. As I recall, the tastings are $15/person.

 

[LindaBabe]

GOOD Morning, Happy Cruisers!

Good Morning Fellow Cruisers,
We set sail in 15 weeks,
that is 105 sleeps!
Golds, did you sign up today? There are still a lot of options.

I am SO ready! (Still got a few uncomfortable things to get through before the cruise, so when that comes, I know they will all be done with)

GOLDS! Don't fret - there is STILL time. The website is ALWAYS twitchy on the first night of sign ups.

And, remember you still have until 3 days prior to sailing to change your mind and withdraw from an excursion. At that point, if you are still dithering, I would withdraw and book it on board if you make a decision and there is availablity. Otherwise, it's an expensive lesson if you decide later you don't want to go.

Today, Farmer's Market, wake for neighbor, and work on holiday cards. What are you guys up to?

Happy Day, all!

 

[decked out]

I don't see how there could be a problem with sharing a tasting. Disney.

That sounds like a good plan if you don't care to drink that much. They are not stingy with the alcohol at the tastings.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

However, I have often wondered that if I lived close by, and could go as often as I wanted, would I still enjoy going all the time or am I just suffering from a case of wanting what I can't have?

Being in north Alabama, we're a 10.5 hour drive away from WDW; however, over the last 19 years, I can't count the number of times we've been. We've ridden every ride dozens of times, eaten at every restaurant, seen every show...done everything there is to do (including the marathon) so we're at a point where we only visit once or twice a year - The International Food & Wine Festival is a must for us. So yes, it is possible for to tire of going all the time.

 

[Relaxin']

We always wait until we board before making Palo reservations so we know our dining rotation, confirm pirate night, formal nights, etc. No problems getting seated this way.

For this cruise, I agree with your strategy, especially if you do not have a special day that you want to pick.

On the NYE and the Maiden Voyage cruises, and as a silver on these cruises, if I was not on at midnight, the options were slim pickings or not available at all. We were not able to get a brunch on the maiden voyage through the on line sign up. There were availabilities on board, but very few, and some people had to wait until the day of the meal to find out they were available.

 

[adnil530]

I give up - now the site is closed for maintenance going back to bed again

They may have fixed the problem as I got on with no problem this morning.

Columbia - I picked the Tour of The Rosario Islands knowing I can change it if I wanted.
PV and Cabo - no plans yet
Brunch - Signed up for group brunch and will pick up another brunch onboard
Costa Maya - Signed up for the group Chacchobean ruins
Spa - I think I will treat myself to a massage on one of those sea days
Ornament exchange - signed up
Scrapbooking - signed up
Stateroom crawl - signed up
Panama certificate - signed up
Online check-in completed!

Now the hardest part....waiting

Linda

 

[haileyboo]

I think I remember a few people who were cruising without kids talking about being seated together for dinner. We are doing a late seating & would be interested in sitting with fellow DISers.

Also, I think I PM'ed the correct person, but just in case, we would like to sign up for the ornament exchange......me & DH (Lyndi & Denver).

For the people who were organizing tours of the ruins in Costa Maya.....are they all full or do you still have room for 2 more? Are they families or just adults?

Thanks for any info.....sorry, I jotted down info when I would see it but forgot to keep track of people or post #'s to go back to & I'm finally getting around to planning!

 

[decked out]

For this cruise, I agree with your strategy, especially if you do not have a special day that you want to pick.

On the NYE and the Maiden Voyage cruises, and as a silver on these cruises, if I was not on at midnight, the options were slim pickings or not available at all. We were not able to get a brunch on the maiden voyage through the on line sign up. There were availabilities on board, but very few, and some people had to wait until the day of the meal to find out they were available.

We adopted this strategy because there were never openings when we tried to book online! We have also gone to the special Palo reservation session on boarding day, which is the next best option if you really want a special day or time and are shut out out online.

All I know is sometimes our best coordinated plans turn out to be lackluster and our spontaneous wing-it plans turn out to be the most fun.

Also, Liz wants to try early dining on this cruise for a change. We are going to request first seating and would love to sit with other disboarders (sailing without children).

 

[LindaBabe]

I've always had early dining, and sat with other disboarders. It's fun. But this time, i'm going to try something different. I've requested my favorite head server, but planning to allow the seat assigner to pick my table mates. We'll see if the luck of the draw gives me fellow dis-ers

 

[ArGa]

We adopted this strategy because there were never openings when we tried to book online! We have also gone to the special Palo reservation session on boarding day, which is the next best option if you really want a special day or time and are shut out out online.

All I know is sometimes our best coordinated plans turn out to be lackluster and our spontaneous wing-it plans turn out to be the most fun.

Also, Liz wants to try early dining on this cruise for a change. We are going to request first seating and would love to sit with other disboarders (sailing without children).

Since you have switched over to first seating, Gary and I would love to sit with you. Of course my father is now coming too if that's ok. So that would be 5 of us at a table of 8 with room for 3 more.
Arlene

 

[Relaxin']

I know that Jeff was setting up an early dinner group. Not sure if it is full.

DH and I went out for coffee this morning and discussed our options for excursions. It great to be on a cruise that everything does not fill up so quickly and we have the opportunity to change our minds. Now that the excursions are booked, I am starting to get excited again about the cruise.

 

[buckeyesix]

Can you use purex 3 in 1 laundry sheets? They're easy to pack in no space. Or, having laundry/ dry cleaning done by the ship laundry isn't too horribly expensive. You can get a lot of laundry done for the cost of shipping a suitcase on some airlines.

Nope, can't use 'em. At least for me. For the rest of the family, they would be fine. I use All Free and Clear, and I think I can get that in the pod form, so I'll probably bring some just in case. But at home I use a much smaller portion than called for and then double rinse, with vinegar in the rinse water to strip all the soap out. I can't really duplicate this on the ship. And I don't want the ship's laundry room to do my clothes, because I can't tell what detergent they will use. It's a minor problem, really, but it takes some thinking through. Most detergents will give me a rash.

DS8 is unusually messy, so we'll probably have to do some laundry onboard whether we want to or not. We'll come prepared, just in case!

 

[decked out]

Informal poll: Do you think Panama Canal transit day would be a better day for Palo brunch than a sea day? (not related to disboard group brunch, but brunch in general)

Since you have switched over to first seating, Gary and I would love to sit with you. Of course my father is now coming too if that's ok. So that would be 5 of us at a table of 8 with room for 3 more.
Arlene

Sounds good to me, but I suppose your dad gets a vote! The first step is to get our dinner changed to first seating, if that goes thru we can work out the details.

 

[LindaBabe]

Nope, can't use 'em. At least for me. For the rest of the family, they would be fine. I use All Free and Clear, and I think I can get that in the pod form, so I'll probably bring some just in case. But at home I use a much smaller portion than called for and then double rinse, with vinegar in the rinse water to strip all the soap out. I can't really duplicate this on the ship. And I don't want the ship's laundry room to do my clothes, because I can't tell what detergent they will use. It's a minor problem, really, but it takes some thinking through. Most detergents will give me a rash.

DS8 is unusually messy, so we'll probably have to do some laundry onboard whether we want to or not. We'll come prepared, just in case!

Be certain you submit the health form with that allergy noted on it, and request that your sheets be washed in hot water only (no soap).

I had a massive asthma attack on the Magic once, and the head housekeeper called up and suggested it. Any laundry you send out can also have the request "no soap" on it. Or even do your own in the laundry room, with no soap at all - unless they're really spotted/stained they should get pretty clean from a good dousing.

John, if it were my call - NO! I would be so distracted by the view, I would have a tough time paying the appropriate attention to the fabulous food. Canal day, I want to be up on deck 10, down on deck 4, forward, aft and side to side. I barely even sit down, and I wasn't alone, by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, I'm NOT sure if you can get a brunch on Canal day, because many of the servers are out on deck with coffee & pastries, water, and the deck barbecue at lunch.

If ArGa & family are already on first seating, you should link dining AND request 1st seating (or have your travel agent do so) That will increase your likelihood that you will get first seating.