Fantasy February 16, 2013 - 7 Night Western Cruise Meet

[kk92476]

We switched a to the late diner the 2nd time we went on a Disney Cruise, because DS would always fall asleep at the shows (and be VERY SAD that he missed it). At dinner, if he feel asleep, the waiters just pulled up an extra chair proped his feet up, layed a napkin over him, packed up his dinner and let him sleep.

Now that both are older we don't have that problem (thank goodness, but truth be told I miss it too...) - So, we thought we would try it again my only concern is the popularity of the early dinner might be a little crowded - we love conversating and joking with the wait staff and they might be too rushed to be able too

Decisions Decsions???

We've been twice. Once we were able to switch, the other time we were shut out. I know tons of families prefer the later dinner and early show, but it just doesn't work for us because we end up eating junk and then are too full for the good stuff! I hope we get to switch this time!!

 

[erinsmom03]

We've been twice. Once we were able to switch, the other time we were shut out. I know tons of families prefer the later dinner and early show, but it just doesn't work for us because we end up eating junk and then are too full for the good stuff! I hope we get to switch this time!!

We also have been wondering about trying to switch to the earlier dining (it was the only thing available when we booked). But I'm thinking it might not be so bad to use the Dine and Play, let the kids eat with us then be whisked away for playing at the kids club, so us grown ups can relax and enjoy dinner. Most of us are good at being night owls, so I'm hoping late dining might not be too bad????

Has anyone used the Dine and Play before?

 

[Disney1430]

We also have been wondering about trying to switch to the earlier dining (it was the only thing available when we booked). But I'm thinking it might not be so bad to use the Dine and Play, let the kids eat with us then be whisked away for playing at the kids club, so us grown ups can relax and enjoy dinner. Most of us are good at being night owls, so I'm hoping late dining might not be too bad????

Has anyone used the Dine and Play before?

We haven't as it is relevantly new (last few years) and our kids where/are too old. ---

But - we have seen the routine - the counselors arrive at the dinning room 40to 45 min into dinner - the parent goes up with child(ren) signs them in and then the conselors take the children to the lab/club. Not sure if you need to tell your server before hand so they can get the child's dinner out sooner.

 

[silmarg]

Queston - so I know for next time can you transfer an existing reservation to Dreams Unlimited and keep all your benifits of booking onboard AND get their extra benifits too??????

Indeed!

 

[MatthewsMommy]

The boys are getting excited too,my oldest(15)came in the house with the
mail,with a big smile saying"We got a package from Disney".
I'm finding no matter how old they get I still see those little boy smiles.

MatthewsMommy are you flying out Wed?We have a 7 A.M. flight so we
could get settled at the hotel and still have time for Magic Kingdom before
going to Bomas for dinner.

Really looking forward to Valentines this year.

Our flight is at 10:35 am, we were booked for later in the day but I changed it when prices dropped. We only got 2 day base tix so no park on arrival day. Hoping it's nice enough for my Matthew to go for a swim or we might head to DTD. We have an ADR at Whispering Canyon but I've been trying to get Ohana's. Might even switch to T-Rex but I'd like to order a birthday cake for him that night. We're doing the Pirates and Pals cruise on his Birthday so no TS for dinner that night.

Can't wait to get our docs!! Although I still have to hide my excitement from Matthew. We booked through DU.

We have early dining but I'm not thrilled at just how early it is, but I thought this would be better with Matthew and for the shows. We have Palo for the 3rd night.

 

[jandj524]

We're doing the Pirates and Pals cruise on his Birthday so no TS for dinner that night.

Enjoy this, you will have a great time! We did this with our son when he turned 5 as well - he loved it, hope your son does as well!

 

[MatthewsMommy]

Enjoy this, you will have a great time! We did this with our son when he turned 5 as well - he loved it, hope your son does as well!

Thank you! I've only read positive reviews and he loves pirates! I bought him a pirate's costume for this and for the cruise.

 

[robhawk]

Just rushed out to the mailbox. No documents!!!

Gonna drive Sue crazy til we get them now! LOL!

 

[Disney1430]

Just rushed out to the mailbox. No documents!!!

Gonna drive Sue crazy til we get them now! LOL!

LOL poor Sue - Our Travel Agent doesn't have ours - she will call on MONDAY!!!

I did accomplish geting all the FE gifts taged and packed - All 30 (104 Cruisers) staterooms (31/108 - total - but we don't give to ourselves though my daughter did try to swipe one ) -

I also have the Three or Five Bags Packed - FE suitcase, Pre-Cruise (wdw) suitcase, and Bag 1 of 2 of cruise wear, Just 1 bag and the shoe/snorkel bag left!!

 

[Disney1430]

Going nutty - can't find our door magnets -

I know I put them away for "safe" keeping - BUT I can remember where that is!!!!????

 

[DizJohn]

I am an Outside TA and haven't received a call from the owner of the agency yet that my docs are in

Was at Chucky Cheese today for my Son's 9th Birthday and the soap smell in the restroom reminded me of the soap smell from the public area restrooms on the Magic Made me want the next 4 weeks to hurry up...

on FE still procrastinating on how going to make our holder two thoughts were 1) Duct Tape 2) IKEA 3 pocket (saw this on another thread) I know I am running out of time..

 

[threeboysny]

We had late seating on the Wonder last year and my two younger sons and nephews did Dine and Play a couple of the nights. They liked it. It was nice to to feel rushed by impatient kids. My oldest son (11 at the time) didn't want to order off the kids menu, so he stayed with us. (I believe the kids need to order off the kids menu to get their food early).

Overall, late seating worked OK for us. We got the boys a snack in the late afternoon from room service or the pool deck to tide them over. The problem we had was that by the time we got them a snack, it never seemed to work out to go to a show or "do" anything, really. So we'd just hang out until dinner. Then, after dinner, it was time to go back to the cabin to settle them down for bed. So I think we only saw 1 show all week, and didn't do any of the adult stuff, either.

I originally booked late dining for this cruise, but had my travel agent put us on the wait list for early dining to give it a try and see if we liked it more. We got confirmation that we were switched a few weeks ago.

We also have been wondering about trying to switch to the earlier dining (it was the only thing available when we booked). But I'm thinking it might not be so bad to use the Dine and Play, let the kids eat with us then be whisked away for playing at the kids club, so us grown ups can relax and enjoy dinner. Most of us are good at being night owls, so I'm hoping late dining might not be too bad????

Has anyone used the Dine and Play before?

 

[erinsmom03]

We had late seating on the Wonder last year and my two younger sons and nephews did Dine and Play a couple of the nights. They liked it. It was nice to to feel rushed by impatient kids. My oldest son (11 at the time) didn't want to order off the kids menu, so he stayed with us. (I believe the kids need to order off the kids menu to get their food early).

Overall, late seating worked OK for us. We got the boys a snack in the late afternoon from room service or the pool deck to tide them over. The problem we had was that by the time we got them a snack, it never seemed to work out to go to a show or "do" anything, really. So we'd just hang out until dinner. Then, after dinner, it was time to go back to the cabin to settle them down for bed. So I think we only saw 1 show all week, and didn't do any of the adult stuff, either.

I originally booked late dining for this cruise, but had my travel agent put us on the wait list for early dining to give it a try and see if we liked it more. We got confirmation that we were switched a few weeks ago.

So, I wasn't really checking my email often when we were on Christmas break and I realized today that I got one of those emails too! We are main dining now too!

So, I guess we don't have to worry about Dine and Play now.

On another note, I've been haunting the mailbox, hoping to see the cruise docs... got rewarded two days in a row with AN EMPTY MAILBOX! Seriously, not even a coupon flyer! Probably the only two days in a row of my adult life when I've gotten nothing for mail! Thankfully, today I was rewarded with our pre cruise stay docs.

Only 5 weeks...I can not wait!

 

[nikitta28]

LOL poor Sue - Our Travel Agent doesn't have ours - she will call on MONDAY!!!

I did accomplish geting all the FE gifts taged and packed - All 30 (104 Cruisers) staterooms (31/108 - total - but we don't give to ourselves though my daughter did try to swipe one ) -

I also have the Three or Five Bags Packed - FE suitcase, Pre-Cruise (wdw) suitcase, and Bag 1 of 2 of cruise wear, Just 1 bag and the shoe/snorkel bag left!!

my hero!!!!!!

 

[kshark1958]

Renting car from Budget for WDW to port.I will drop wife off at port then return car. Read on another thread that the line at Budget to get on shuttle back to port sometimes could be as long as an hour because of crowds. Has anyone here had this issue before and is their a good time to get to rental office before crowds. Another side note read somewhere that Budget won't take anyone from office to DCL port until everyone is off ship. That sounds crazy.

 

[Jennifer_W]

Hi all! I am new to the thread. We are a family of 5 (me-Jennifer, DH-Mark, & our 3 sons--Alex 18, Ben 16 & Luke 5 1/2) from northern Minnesota. This will be our 5th DCL cruise, and are so excited to be on the Fantasy! We are traveling with our dear friends Jeff & Kaye.

This will be our first cruise with an 18 year old. He loved the clubs, and I am hoping there is a good group for him to hang out with. Anyone know if there are many other kids in the 18-20 age group on this cruise? I looked through the FE thread, but didn't see any.

I know they (DCL) are supposed to do a group for the 18-20 year olds, and going to the first night meet-up is important, as that's when they set "the plan" for the cruise. He is an outgoing kid, so I think as long as there is some kind of opportunity to meet others, he'll be OK. I have read other reports of families cancelling their cruises once their kids turned 18, and it makes me so sad. I hope he enjoys this cruise.

Anywhoo... SO excited to cruise in a month!!!

 

[Jennifer_W]

Renting car from Budget for WDW to port.I will drop wife off at port then return car. Read on another thread that the line at Budget to get on shuttle back to port sometimes could be as long as an hour because of crowds. Has anyone here had this issue before and is their a good time to get to rental office before crowds. Another side note read somewhere that Budget won't take anyone from office to DCL port until everyone is off ship. That sounds crazy.

I would like to know that, too. I currently have a minivan booked from Budget, and a van & driver from Quiksiver Limo. We are a party of 7 with LUGGAGE, so I don't know if we will all fit in the minivan (although it would be cheaper). if Budget is a big hassle, we will just stick with the private transfer.

 

[Disney1430]

Hi all! I am new to the thread. We are a family of 5 (me-Jennifer, DH-Mark, & our 3 sons--Alex 18, Ben 16 & Luke 5 1/2) from northern Minnesota. This will be our 5th DCL cruise, and are so excited to be on the Fantasy! We are traveling with our dear friends Jeff & Kaye.

This will be our first cruise with an 18 year old. He loved the clubs, and I am hoping there is a good group for him to hang out with. Anyone know if there are many other kids in the 18-20 age group on this cruise? I looked through the FE thread, but didn't see any.

I know they (DCL) are supposed to do a group for the 18-20 year olds, and going to the first night meet-up is important, as that's when they set "the plan" for the cruise. He is an outgoing kid, so I think as long as there is some kind of opportunity to meet others, he'll be OK. I have read other reports of families cancelling their cruises once their kids turned 18, and it makes me so sad. I hope he enjoys this cruise.

Anywhoo... SO excited to cruise in a month!!!

- and I'm sure he will LOVE IT!!! - My DD doesn't spend that much time in the clubs and always finds lots of fun things to do. Definitly have him goto the Club 18*21 Icebreakers at 10:00 PM on the day of boarding -

I would like to know that, too. I currently have a minivan booked from Budget, and a van & driver from Quiksiver Limo. We are a party of 7 with LUGGAGE, so I don't know if we will all fit in the minivan (although it would be cheaper). if Budget is a big hassle, we will just stick with the private transfer.

We have never had a problem with renting a vechile- but we always have rented with AVIS - and they run continuously from open to close everyday.

GOOD LUCK

 

[DizJohn]

labels are all made and started to fill FE bags

 

[Ottawacruiser]

We just received our documemts on Friday and are soooooo excited!

I'm wondering if there's any plan for a dis meet anytime???