February 2, 2008 Eastern early check in

[Gina]

Hi Eddie.. I'm sorry you're having so much trouble with the frequent flyer stuff. I just read an article yesterday that stated airlines as a whole are now scoring lower than even the IRS in customer satisfaction. That's incredible, and pathetic to me. I hope you're able to get it all sorted out!

-gina-

 

[olewnikpe]

Hey Gina, we did book our flights via Tampa instead of Orlando (we really didn't have much choice, thanks to USAirways), but we think it will work out pretty well because we have friends near Tampa that we'll get to see and the flight times are very workable.

I often see posts from people asking what time they should leave WDW or MCO to get to the port for boarding, but is anyone familiar with the trip from Tampa to the port? It appears to be a pretty straight shot across the state and wouldn't expect any issues, thinking it should take 2-2.5 hrs to drive. Is there anything we should be concerned about or factor into our schedule/budget? Anyone know how much in tolls?...

Eddie

 

[JR]

DVC member booked for 2/9/08 Western. Going to apply for passport today and anticipating a long wait. Any other DVC members going?

JR

 

[big jack 2002]

and I am starting to look for clothes for the cruise. The summer stuff at the department stores is being marked down and I love to shop off of the mark down racks!! We are starting to plan our excursions and I am waiting for the 90 day out so I can reserve our Palo brunch and dinner. Do you know if I wait until the 90 day mark for the start of the cruise or 90 days from the Wednesday that I want?
We are having planning meetings almost every week when we get together now!

 

[vbarry]

Hi everyone- We just booked this cruise last week and I am sooo excited. I joined the yahoo groups and look forward to planning my trip with all of you.

This is our first cruise!! I have two daughters ages 7 and 3.

I am also starting to shop. You gotta love those summer sales!!

 

[Gina]

Welcome, vbarry!! And welcome to cruising, which will be your new addiction.

 

[pjohnson]

Hi everyone- We just booked this cruise last week and I am sooo excited. I joined the yahoo groups and look forward to planning my trip with all of you.

This is our first cruise!! I have two daughters ages 7 and 3.

I am also starting to shop. You gotta love those summer sales!!

Glad to see ya'll will be joining us on the cruise. Cruising is a whole new experience. Once you cruise with Disney you are hook! This will be our 2nd Disney Cruise and we are already talking about doing one in 2009. This time we are bring more people with us on the cruise. We will have children traveling in our group that are 17,10,7 and 3. I'm sure your daughters will meet them in the group activities. If you have any questions I will be glad to help answer. Pjohnson

 

[pjohnson]

and I am starting to look for clothes for the cruise. The summer stuff at the department stores is being marked down and I love to shop off of the mark down racks!! We are starting to plan our excursions and I am waiting for the 90 day out so I can reserve our Palo brunch and dinner. Do you know if I wait until the 90 day mark for the start of the cruise or 90 days from the Wednesday that I want?
We are having planning meetings almost every week when we get together now!

Big Jack,
I'm pretty positive it is the 90 days from the 1st day of the cruise. My step-daughter, my sisters and I have been hitting all the big sales for the summer. Every time we see something we call each other to make sure we don't miss out. I already have a suitcase in the other room and when I pick something up it goes in the suitcase. We just hit a 40% off sale at the disney store. Picked up the kids pirate stuff for pirate night. Pjohnson

 

[niccic]

Hi everyone me(28) my DH(30)l be on this cruise. This is our second(1st nov 10, 2007) cruise. We are cat 5 on deck 7. I do have a question though for dvc members. We are staying in a disney resort the night before, does anyone know what time e buses pick you up?

 

[Billinaz]

Here is something I get to see on my dreams unlimited reservation page now:

Paid in Full: Balance Due:
Yes $0.00

 

[Billinaz]

Since the US Air flights to PHX leaving very early in the AM or later in the day, we chose the 5:00 PM flight.

I booked a day room at the Hyatt @ MCO. Its much nicer relaxing in a room than in the terminal waiting for your departure......

 

[TrolleyGirl]

Today we are at the..........


200 day mark!!

 

[Gina]

Today we are at the..........


200 day mark!!

Woo hoo!!!

 

[kasidak]

Hey Everyone!

I am so glad I found you!

This will be our first Disney Cruise and we are so excited!!! My DH and I sailed on NCL wayyyyy back in '93 on the Norway (so sad that ship is no longer).

We will be in a category 8 and it will be me, my DH, and our 4 year old son (one month shy of turning 5 at that time).

 

[Gina]

Hi Karyn, and welcome!! You are SO going to love this cruise... and your son is a great age for it. Once he sees that big pirate ship to climb on and all the other awesome stuff in the Oceaneer Club, you'll be lucky if you see him again all week.

I saw that you just joined our Yahoo group -- great! Please add yourself to the database there with as much info as you feel like giving. It's a closed group, so no one will see it besides all of us in the group.

Glad to have you!

-gina-

 

[big jack 2002]

I forgot. I haven't been in for a month or so. Now, I can't find it. Where do I look???
Thank you all so much!!
Barbara

 

[Gina]

Hi Barbara! Just got to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/febcruise

 

[big jack 2002]

We are coming down the Wednesday before the cruise and staying at POFQ. A week from tomorrow is when I can make our Hoop-de-do reservations. I have to start thinking about how to get 15 people from the resort to the ship and than to MCO. The largest van that I have received information about holds 14. Happy Limo has a small bus. I am thinking about that. It would hold all of us and our luggage. I would like all of us to stay together. 3 of the people in our group have never sailed Disney before and I want to see their face when they first see the ship when we come around the bend on the highway.

 

[Gina]

Okay, need some suggestions, you guys! I'm posting this here because I know Tyler Dean won't see it.

I've planned a surprise for him... instead of flying back home the Saturday we disembark, we're going to spend the day at our beloved Epcot, then head to Pop Century to spend the night. Then we're going to spend most of the next day at Epcot again, before flying home in the evening. I'm giddy just thinking about it. Now if Disney would hurry up and release AAA rates for next year, I'd be even happier!

Here is where my dilemma lies: We've never stayed at Pop, and it looks soooooo cool!! I would love to have time to really wander around the place, but we would have to give up Epcot time for that. So I came up with my new plan: Stay at Pop the night before the cruise also, and spend the better part of that Friday and Friday night exploring the resort. Then we could just get up way early and take ME back to the airport, and the DCL shuttle from the airport to the cruise terminal.

Problem is, I already have the Wingate Inn via Hotwire for that night, at $45. So would have to eat that money, plus lose the free breakfast Saturday morning. (Although honestly, we are usually too excited that morning to eat very much.) But I really really want to have some fun resort time after seeing all the pictures, and I know we're not going to be back at WDW for a while. But I just hate throwing away money.... Tyler Dean and I wouldn't get to do the things we do if I didn't watch every penny.

What would you guys do??

 

[olewnikpe]

That's a tough call. Your best bet might be inquiring if anyone here and in the group has interest in taking the Wingate Inn rez off of your hands (it sounds like you had to pay for the night in advance).

We're staying at friends of ours, and can't help, but that's a real good price, especially with it including breakfast. Is it near MCO or Port Canaveral?

Eddie