From WDW to DL With Love - January 06, 2011 part 2

[valbob89]

Yes I am a huge Dodger fan, but I am a huge baseball fan in general. It is by far the sport I love the most. I think it is cool that you booked from EPCOT. I was on my phone for a hour and a half on the day they opened up for Gold CC members right at the time they opened. We are going to be doing B2B on the Wonder on 10/14 and 10/17 and hope the 2012 dates do not open while we are on the ship.

Actually, you should hope the 2012 dates open while your on the ship. Sorry if you already know this but even if the dates don't open while on the ship you can book a "placeholder" while onboard and then move the reservation to the one you actually want once the cruise opens up. You keep any deals they gave you for booking onboard, like onboard credits and low downpays and % off. Then if the rate drops even more before your final payment, if you (or your TA) call, you can ask them to recalculate at the better rate. We're booked on the transatlantic crossing, Barcelona to Port C, the day before final payment was due the cost dropped 61%. So it is worth it to wait to make final payment to the last minute and to watch the price. Again, sorry if I am telling you something you already know.

val

 

[JenKatt]

We haven't booked anything for dinner the night before. We don't know when everyone is flying in yet. We're at BLT, so we can always just walk over to the Wave (hugely underrated in my opinion)

 

[aan1701]

Actually, you should hope the 2012 dates open while your on the ship. Sorry if you already know this but even if the dates don't open while on the ship you can book a "placeholder" while onboard and then move the reservation to the one you actually want once the cruise opens up. You keep any deals they gave you for booking onboard, like onboard credits and low downpays and % off. Then if the rate drops even more before your final payment, if you (or your TA) call, you can ask them to recalculate at the better rate. We're booked on the transatlantic crossing, Barcelona to Port C, the day before final payment was due the cost dropped 61%. So it is worth it to wait to make final payment to the last minute and to watch the price. Again, sorry if I am telling you something you already know.

val

I already did know all that. The reason why I hope it does not open for Gold Members ( We get to book like a week or two before others) is I do not want to possibly have to sleep overnight in a chair next to the future cruise desk. See it looks like DCL will hit Hawai'I in 2012. That is what I want to do. So that's why I hope books don't open while on board. In fact I hope they open before then when I am on the ship I will just do what I did with this cruise, rebook and get the discount nod OBC.

 

[DCL_FAN_TAC]

I already did know all that. The reason why I hope it does not open for Gold Members ( We get to book like a week or two before others) is I do not want to possibly have to sleep overnight in a chair next to the future cruise desk. See it looks like DCL will hit Hawai'I in 2012. That is what I want to do. So that's why I hope books don't open while on board. In fact I hope they open before then when I am on the ship I will just do what I did with this cruise, rebook and get the discount nod OBC.

Alan, you should be sleeping in your own berth during your B2B -- although the chairs in front of the Future Cruise Deck are comfie enough for a snooze!! The announcement is rumored for early September & booking window for Platinum & Gold at the end of September/first week of October for the 2012 sailings. Yep, Wonder should aloha HI islands in April 2012 & September 2012

 

[aan1701]

Alan, you should be sleeping in your own berth during your B2B -- although the chairs in front of the Future Cruise Deck are comfie enough for a snooze!! The announcement is rumored for early September & booking window for Platinum & Gold at the end of September/first week of October for the 2012 sailings. Yep, Wonder should aloha HI islands in April 2012 & September 2012

Those chairs are almost to comfy. I hope you are right about those dates. I have my sights set on HI in September 2012. Fingers crossed that article that was posted it true.

 

[WDW Princess 71]

Question for all of my SoCal friends here- I need some advice about the road to Vegas from Santa Monica. My sister and I are planning to leave sometime in the middle of the night to get to Vegas early in the morning- you see, we are taking a 3 week round trip cross country road trip, so we only have limited time in each place- only 1 day in Vegas, and we want to make the most of it. I am totally used to us leaving at like 3:00 AM from NJ when we do our drives to FL, and feel perfectly safe stopping at the rest stops along the way. However, I am not familiar with the drive on I-15 through the CA desert, and I've heard some areas are kind of sketchy. Can those of you who live there and are familiar with the drive please give me some advice about whether you think it is safe for us to drive in the dark, leaving around 3 or 4 AM to hit the road through this area? Are the rest stops safe or are the desolate in bad areas?

 

[NotSoLittleMermaid]

Guess it's time to introduce myself (I don't think I've done it yet, or if I did it was so long ago I don't remember)

I'm Cheri, from Prescott, AZ and this will be my second trip through the PC. I was on the WBPC in 2008 along with several others on this trip. I'm single, traveling alone, late dining. I was an elementary school teacher (mostly first grade) and reading specialist for almost 35 years and have been retired 4.5 years.

I loved being a teacher and am now enjoying the next phase of life...retirement! I am on the go quite a bit. I just returned from a So. Carib. cruise on Carnival, which I took primarily to see and scuba dive at islands I'd always wanted to visit. Later this month I'll be going out to DL (I'm an AP) at least once.

I'm doing this trip because I'd really like to see the PC again (I found it fascinating), because it's a long trip with lots of sea days, and because friends from the '08 WBPC are going. I'm looking forward to getting to know some new friends from this thread and being part of the festivities.

Who do I contact to get my name and photo on the website? Thanks!

Re: booking this cruise, I happened to be on the Magic last Sept. when the bookings opened up and didn't have to do a thing except give my information to the reservations gal on board the ship, a few days ahead of time. She took care of the whole thing for me. So I'd say that being on one of the DCL ships on the day reservations open is the easiest way to go!

As far as what to do on PC day, here's what I did last time: I went out about 5:30 a.m. because I wanted a spot near the front. I knew the very front would be impossible but I got a spot on the rail, just above the place where they can "drive" the ship from the outside. It was a good spot, I could see straight ahead and also could see folks like Capt. Mickey, our Capt., and others who were gathering below for photographs. I didn't have a verandah cabin so I wanted to be where I could get a good view and take photos. I stayed at my spot until we cleared the first set of locks, which I think was about 10:30 or 11. By then I was SO HOT and tired I went back to my cabin and slept for a couple of hours. It was *really* hot that day. By the time I woke up, we were through Gatun Lake.

This time I don't know if I'll feel compelled to be out at the crack of dawn. I think I might hang around the pool and watch it on the big screen and listen to the narration (which I couldn't hear last time).

I watched us go through the last locks from a table by a porthole in the Promenade lounge, which was interesting BUT....I missed all the excitement going on outside when we passed through the Panama City area. I'll definitely be out on deck for that on this trip!

It was really fun to wave at people as we went along, people on the banks and on the bridges. They would wave from their cars and cheer when the ship's horn blew. I want to do that again this time.

Looking forward to finding out what the group has planned and getting to know people!

 

[Happy Goofy]

Welcome Val and Bob. It is just my husband and I going. We are both retired and we did this cruise is 08. It was great. I was up at the crack of dawn to get a great place on deck. Everyone was so friendly and the crew was passing out drinks and food. It was a party atmosphere. Our room was on Deck 2 with the big porthole and when my husband went down to the room for something he could see the people on the dock disappearing and we went down. They kept waving to him until he was out of site. It is a great experience.

 

[granmaz]

We haven't booked anything for dinner the night before. We don't know when everyone is flying in yet. We're at BLT, so we can always just walk over to the Wave (hugely underrated in my opinion)

I love The Wave and would go every trip. It has a great ambiance, and far quieter than the Cali Grill. We had excellent service both times we have eaten there. Last time we ate at the Cali Grill we had bad service by someone who really should not have been working there. I do think the menu at The Wave little strange, but no problem finding something. The desserts are so.

Guess it's time to introduce myself (I don't think I've done it yet, or if I did it was so long ago I don't remember)

I'm Cheri, from Prescott, AZ and this will be my second trip through the PC. I was on the WBPC in 2008 along with several others on this trip. I'm single, traveling alone, late dining. I was an elementary school teacher (mostly first grade) and reading specialist for almost 35 years and have been retired 4.5 years.

I loved being a teacher and am now enjoying the next phase of life...retirement! I am on the go quite a bit. I just returned from a So. Carib. cruise on Carnival, which I took primarily to see and scuba dive at islands I'd always wanted to visit. Later this month I'll be going out to DL (I'm an AP) at least once.

I'm doing this trip because I'd really like to see the PC again (I found it fascinating), because it's a long trip with lots of sea days, and because friends from the '08 WBPC are going. I'm looking forward to getting to know some new friends from this thread and being part of the festivities.

Who do I contact to get my name and photo on the website? Thanks!

Re: booking this cruise, I happened to be on the Magic last Sept. when the bookings opened up and didn't have to do a thing except give my information to the reservations gal on board the ship, a few days ahead of time. She took care of the whole thing for me. So I'd say that being on one of the DCL ships on the day reservations open is the easiest way to go!

As far as what to do on PC day, here's what I did last time: I went out about 5:30 a.m. because I wanted a spot near the front. I knew the very front would be impossible but I got a spot on the rail, just above the place where they can "drive" the ship from the outside. It was a good spot, I could see straight ahead and also could see folks like Capt. Mickey, our Capt., and others who were gathering below for photographs. I didn't have a verandah cabin so I wanted to be where I could get a good view and take photos. I stayed at my spot until we cleared the first set of locks, which I think was about 10:30 or 11. By then I was SO HOT and tired I went back to my cabin and slept for a couple of hours. It was *really* hot that day. By the time I woke up, we were through Gatun Lake.

This time I don't know if I'll feel compelled to be out at the crack of dawn. I think I might hang around the pool and watch it on the big screen and listen to the narration (which I couldn't hear last time).

I watched us go through the last locks from a table by a porthole in the Promenade lounge, which was interesting BUT....I missed all the excitement going on outside when we passed through the Panama City area. I'll definitely be out on deck for that on this trip!

It was really fun to wave at people as we went along, people on the banks and on the bridges. They would wave from their cars and cheer when the ship's horn blew. I want to do that again this time.

Looking forward to finding out what the group has planned and getting to know people!

About time!!!!!!! Welcome Cheri. Can't wait to be sharing the Panama Canal cruise with you again and spending more time with you. No breaking an arm to get out of eating High Tea with us this time!!!

 

[orlandothebeagle]

Hello everyone. We are booked on this cruise and looking forward to planning with you. I am Valerie and my other half is Bob. We live in San Francisco and are thrilled the Disney is bringing a boat to our side of the country. It looks like you have been very busy for sometime with the planning. Hope you don't mind us joining in at this later date. Is there a thread you suggested we refer to that would bring us up to speed? Val

WElcome val and Bob, I see your from san fran, one of my fav places Ive ever been.Were Lynne and Len from scotland.

Guess it's time to introduce myself (I don't think I've done it yet, or if I did it was so long ago I don't remember)

I'm Cheri, from Prescott, AZ and this will be my second trip through the PC. I was on the WBPC in 2008 along with several others on this trip. I'm single, traveling alone, late dining. I was an elementary school teacher (mostly first grade) and reading specialist for almost 35 years and have been retired 4.5 years.

I loved being a teacher and am now enjoying the next phase of life...retirement! I am on the go quite a bit. I just returned from a So. Carib. cruise on Carnival, which I took primarily to see and scuba dive at islands I'd always wanted to visit. Later this month I'll be going out to DL (I'm an AP) at least once.

I'm doing this trip because I'd really like to see the PC again (I found it fascinating), because it's a long trip with lots of sea days, and because friends from the '08 WBPC are going. I'm looking forward to getting to know some new friends from this thread and being part of the festivities.

Who do I contact to get my name and photo on the website? Thanks!

Re: booking this cruise, I happened to be on the Magic last Sept. when the bookings opened up and didn't have to do a thing except give my information to the reservations gal on board the ship, a few days ahead of time. She took care of the whole thing for me. So I'd say that being on one of the DCL ships on the day reservations open is the easiest way to go!

As far as what to do on PC day, here's what I did last time: I went out about 5:30 a.m. because I wanted a spot near the front. I knew the very front would be impossible but I got a spot on the rail, just above the place where they can "drive" the ship from the outside. It was a good spot, I could see straight ahead and also could see folks like Capt. Mickey, our Capt., and others who were gathering below for photographs. I didn't have a verandah cabin so I wanted to be where I could get a good view and take photos. I stayed at my spot until we cleared the first set of locks, which I think was about 10:30 or 11. By then I was SO HOT and tired I went back to my cabin and slept for a couple of hours. It was *really* hot that day. By the time I woke up, we were through Gatun Lake.

This time I don't know if I'll feel compelled to be out at the crack of dawn. I think I might hang around the pool and watch it on the big screen and listen to the narration (which I couldn't hear last time).

I watched us go through the last locks from a table by a porthole in the Promenade lounge, which was interesting BUT....I missed all the excitement going on outside when we passed through the Panama City area. I'll definitely be out on deck for that on this trip!

It was really fun to wave at people as we went along, people on the banks and on the bridges. They would wave from their cars and cheer when the ship's horn blew. I want to do that again this time.

Looking forward to finding out what the group has planned and getting to know people!

Welcome

 

[LindaBabe]

Guess it's time to introduce myself (I don't think I've done it yet, or if I did it was so long ago I don't remember)

I'm Cheri, from Prescott, AZ and this will be my second trip through the PC. I was on the WBPC in 2008 along with several others on this trip. I'm single, traveling alone, late dining. I was an elementary school teacher (mostly first grade) and reading specialist for almost 35 years and have been retired 4.5 years.

. . .

Looking forward to finding out what the group has planned and getting to know people!

Welcome, Cheri! One of my 3 room mates is also a retired teacher, Eilean from CT. The others are Iola from California, a retired computer geek, and Phyllis from NY, a retired mathematician. (I'm retired too)

Hello everyone. We are booked on this cruise and looking forward to planning with you. I am Valerie and my other half is Bob. We live in San Francisco and are thrilled the Disney is bringing a boat to our side of the country. It looks like you have been very busy for sometime with the planning. Hope you don't mind us joining in at this later date. Is there a thread you suggested we refer to that would bring us up to speed? Val

Hi, Val & Bob. The first page of this thread might prove useful - I don't imagine you want to read through the 250 pages of the first thread and the previous 240 pages of this thread, do ya now?

Question for all of my SoCal friends here- I need some advice about the road to Vegas from Santa Monica. My sister and I are planning to leave sometime in the middle of the night to get to Vegas early in the morning- you see, we are taking a 3 week round trip cross country road trip, so we only have limited time in each place- only 1 day in Vegas, and we want to make the most of it. I am totally used to us leaving at like 3:00 AM from NJ when we do our drives to FL, and feel perfectly safe stopping at the rest stops along the way. However, I am not familiar with the drive on I-15 through the CA desert, and I've heard some areas are kind of sketchy. Can those of you who live there and are familiar with the drive please give me some advice about whether you think it is safe for us to drive in the dark, leaving around 3 or 4 AM to hit the road through this area? Are the rest stops safe or are the desolate in bad areas?

We used to live in Victorville. You should be fine - make sure your car is in good repair before you leave, fill up with gas, top off at Victorville, if you need to. I personally wouldn't stop on the interstate anywhere, at the rest areas until after daylight, but that's just me. The I-15 has a steady stream of traffic day and night, so you'll never be truly "alone". It's a long boring road through a lot of nothing, for the most part.

 

[glindamood]

Maybe we'll get to say hello at Cali Grill! Our reservations are for 9:00. We are going to see the fireworks first at MK then walking over- if you are still there, we might see you! Anyone else having dinner there the night before? To me, dinner with a view of the castle is the best way to get excited the night before the cruise!

I am sure we will still be there at that time so a mini-meet would be great.

to everyone that has joined us. We are going to have a grand time!

 

[WeLuvDCL]

Anyone going to the Passholder or DVC Hawaii events on Sunday, July 25th? They are both at the Contemporary. Passholder event is at 9:00am and we are going to the DVC event at 3:00pm. We will probably just hang out at the pool between and/or after.

 

[tinkryansmom]

Hey everyone - just checking in. Welcome to the new cruisers!!

WDWPrincess - the drive from Santa Monica to Vegas at 3am will be fairly easy. Leaving from LA I usually stop in Barstow for gas or snacks or In N Out Burger. Should not take you too long and you will be in Vegas before you know it.

 

[CruznLexi]

So excited about this cruise. My Dad worked for the Corps of Enginers and traveled to Panama frequently. Told me all sorts of storeis of the Panama Canal. Then the love boat came out and sailed through it. Still one of my favorite shows. Don't laugh. We moved to Seattle when I was 8 and had our own locks in front of the house. I would sit on the hill and watch the boats sail in and out of the locks. I think I was 10 or 11 and told my dad I wnated to see the Big canal. He told me 1 day we would go. Well my dad died almost 22 years ago so I am fullfilling our dream. I am going to be everywhere that day. I want to soak everything in. I don't have a balcony but I do have a large port hole on deck 2.
Lexi

 

[Poohbug]

Lexi-that is a great story. Now I am going to have to try and find that Love Boat episode and watch it.

I have wanted to see the canal ever since I did a report on it in 5th grade. I never thought I would actually get to see it. I still cringe at the cost of this trip but it is a once in a lifetime thing and it's not like I'm getting any younger.


Welcome to all the new sailors. I really hope the excursions come out soon. I would love to do the zipline, especially if the kids can do it too.

Deanna

 

[LindaBabe]

So excited about this cruise. My Dad worked for the Corps of Enginers and traveled to Panama frequently. Told me all sorts of storeis of the Panama Canal. Then the love boat came out and sailed through it. Still one of my favorite shows. Don't laugh. We moved to Seattle when I was 8 and had our own locks in front of the house. I would sit on the hill and watch the boats sail in and out of the locks. I think I was 10 or 11 and told my dad I wnated to see the Big canal. He told me 1 day we would go. Well my dad died almost 22 years ago so I am fullfilling our dream. I am going to be everywhere that day. I want to soak everything in. I don't have a balcony but I do have a large port hole on deck 2.
Lexi

Lexi, that IS a great story!

The canal crossing is one of the items on my bucket list. Yeah, it's expensive, but it's the chance of a lifetime. I too, will be everywhere that day - too excited to stand still - and can't anyway. Hope those who manage to get to the front of the ship will share their photos with the rest of us.

Jen, I feel a kinship with your little one - I LOVE trains, too
Does he have a train?

 

[JenKatt]

Lexi, that IS a great story!

The canal crossing is one of the items on my bucket list. Yeah, it's expensive, but it's the chance of a lifetime. I too, will be everywhere that day - too excited to stand still - and can't anyway. Hope those who manage to get to the front of the ship will share their photos with the rest of us.

Jen, I feel a kinship with your little one - I LOVE trains, too
Does he have a train?

Does he have a train? Hmmm.. we joke thathe's going to have to register with the federal railroad authority soon since he has more engines than CSX. My dad is a train nut so he's made sure Jack has a bunch of train things. However, he's my Mom's only grandchild and thus is spoiled rotten - we're having a hard time finding Thomas trains he doesn't have!
Lexi, that is an amazing story!

 

[orlandothebeagle]

So excited about this cruise. My Dad worked for the Corps of Enginers and traveled to Panama frequently. Told me all sorts of storeis of the Panama Canal. Then the love boat came out and sailed through it. Still one of my favorite shows. Don't laugh. We moved to Seattle when I was 8 and had our own locks in front of the house. I would sit on the hill and watch the boats sail in and out of the locks. I think I was 10 or 11 and told my dad I wnated to see the Big canal. He told me 1 day we would go. Well my dad died almost 22 years ago so I am fullfilling our dream. I am going to be everywhere that day. I want to soak everything in. I don't have a balcony but I do have a large port hole on deck 2.
Lexi

great story.

 

[DVCinderella]

Actually, you should hope the 2012 dates open while your on the ship. Sorry if you already know this but even if the dates don't open while on the ship you can book a "placeholder" while onboard and then move the reservation to the one you actually want once the cruise opens up. You keep any deals they gave you for booking onboard, like onboard credits and low downpays and % off. Then if the rate drops even more before your final payment, if you (or your TA) call, you can ask them to recalculate at the better rate. We're booked on the transatlantic crossing, Barcelona to Port C, the day before final payment was due the cost dropped 61%. So it is worth it to wait to make final payment to the last minute and to watch the price. Again, sorry if I am telling you something you already know.

val

I didn't know this, and I appreciate the info! Thanks for sharing!

Forgive my naivete with this...but why did the price drop 61% the day before the final payment was due? Was there a lack of interest in the WBTA cruise?

Also, how did you know it dropped? Were you checking (if so, how often)? Or did you have a TA check for you?

Once you realized the price dropped, what was your next step? Did you have to cancel and rebook? Or was the savings automatically passed on to you? If you had to cancel and rebook, did you risk losing your stateroom or cat?