From WDW to DL With Love - January 06, 2011 part 3

[cardidog]

I learned that the 5 airports closest to Disneyland are: SNA,LGB,ONT,LAX and BUR in order of close to far. That is good for us since we fly out of SNA to BWI on Southwest the Monday after the cruise.

Limos dot com seems to be a centralized place for finding transportation. For getting a hire at the port Mousesavers suggests putting in the location as Cruiseport Transfer, Port of Los Angeles and Disneyland would be Los Angeles, Orange County (North). I'm not sure where to find ratings on the service--but the companies have to meet a set of standards. The prices really vary.

I am waiting to book anything since I haven't booked our Disneyland area hotel yet---just waiting for a deal to appear---the Grand Californian is my dream stay. Sigh.

 

[WDW Princess 71]

Thanks Alan but whether I got the car at the Hertz near the port (6 miles away, they have free shuttle pickup from the port, so that is what I meant by "pickup at the port) and keep it all weekend, or whether I only get the car on Monday for the day from Disneyland area, I would still be returning to a different location. I couldnt return the car to the San Pedro area place because I wouldn't have transport to the airport then. I'm used to the oneway charges, I just did a one way from Vegas to Denver and Nashville to Memphis in the past 2 weeks, I dont think oneway in California is that bad in my experience. I got about $99 for the day for Hertz which is what I get for the day when I rent in Orlando and return to Cape Canaveral. So, I'm looking at $285 total including all the fees for renting the car for 4 days, or about $200 for just getting the towncar to DLR and then the one day rental car, so it looks like thats the way to go.

 

[shushh]

Good morning everyone!

I don't see why you should n't have a chance at the private room...I've been in there with less people (8). Good Luck

I thought they might give us a chance but despite several correspondence via fax and email, they told us that we don't qualify for the private room which is fine with us. What frustrates me is that they didn't really help us with any real way of booking a table for 11 either.

Did you make the reservation for the private while onboard or prior to the cruise? Our TA tried as well but didn't get anywhere.

If it's brunch, remember to count "Grandma Linda"

I wasn't kidding! We'd love for you to join us. Tinkerbel129 and DH will be joining us for brunch as well. I think I need your name, reservation number and cabin number if available, just PM the details to me if you're still interested.

The room assignments for our Sept 18th TA cruise were only done a couple of weeks ago, so you have a fair wait yet. Annoying isn't it?

It is annoying, that means that we probably won't know which rooms we'll be in before we leave. I wanted to make sure that our inside cabin is close to where the rest of us will be.

Doing the Paid in Full Dance Happy that its all taken care of AND that the last payment pushed me finally over the threshold to the 140,000 frequent flier miles I needed to book my first class ticket in a lie-flat bed "seat" for my trip to Australia next year, double bonus!

Ah, 1st class should be the only way to travel! Especially when you're travelling so far away.

What an exotic honeymoon! How long was it and what time of year did you go? I'm most likely doing both Australia and New Zealand, if budget allows, if not, just Australia. I want it to be warm enough for swimming and outdoor fun so I'm thinking March or April or October? Help from my Aussie friends on here would be appreciated too- I think I asked you awhile ago and I should have written your answer down somewhere but sadly didnt ; )

Jen summarised Australian weather quite nicely! It is generally warm enough to do outdoor activities for most part of the year. I think Spring and Autumn are the best times to come. Anywhere between Sep to April will be fine. Although having said that, we have a college student from Boston with us at the moment, and she thinks our winter is divine. She has been walking around in T-shirts and jeans. Just a heads up, our schools here break up 4 times a year. Around April is typically busy as the weather is nice and parents have a break for Easter as well. This happens again around October when a public holiday co-incides with the school holidays. Its not really a big deal, just means that prices will be at their peak and things book up quickly, so don't leave things to the last minute. For next year the school holidays in our state are from 8-27 April and 24 Sep -9 Oct. It will be similar in the other states, give or take 1 week.

 

[KayR]

Kay, I am not sure how many are in your party, but you can book two people on us for 119 to San Jose on the 21st. All frights to San Jose the day we get off the ship are 49.00 plus tax per person. Not sure if that would be cheeper but I thought I would tell you. Edited to add, I just looked at our web site. If you rented from Thrifty I believe it was, the rental charge was like 26 buck plus tax for the car. The drop charge was 145 bucks. So be careful.

Thanks Alan, There are 4 of us, 2A 2C so it soon adds up. Car rental should be the cheapest option.

I was planning on staying in the area for a couple of days. I really didn't want to fly, but cars seem to be sold out around DL for the 23rd Jan or the company won't do a one way. The other option is Amtrack - but that is a long journey... (10 hours on a train) DH & I will have to do some thinking and I'll keep looking - see what options I can find.

-Kay

 

[aan1701]

Thanks Alan, There are 4 of us, 2A 2C so it soon adds up. Car rental should be the cheapest option.

I was planning on staying in the area for a couple of days. I really didn't want to fly, but cars seem to be sold out around DL for the 23rd Jan or the company won't do a one way. The other option is Amtrack - but that is a long journey... (10 hours on a train) DH & I will have to do some thinking and I'll keep looking - see what options I can find.

-Kay

Your welcome. Looked like flights were same price on the 23rd in case you change your mind. This is the total price for flying on the 23rd if you cant do much better for all of you right now. 238.80

 

[Tracyvp]

I'm bummed that we won't have lanyards this cruise---how will we identify each other? I am happy that we are having a meet on the boat! We'll be there with a bottle or 2 of white zin from a winery here in Maryland

I somehow missed that we weren't doing lanyards. I was going to offer to do nametags! (They wouldn't be fancy, but at least it would help to put a face to the names we're come to know here on the DISboards) But I don't know how we'd do them without lanyards. I guess people could bring their own...

Or maybe people don't want nametags. I personally LOVED having them last time and seeing who all the folks were. Don't get me wrong, I loved the wristbands also, just for generally seeing how many of us there were, but being kind of shy, I wouldn't necessarily go up and ask someone who they were. If they had a nametag it just sort of made it easier. Thoughts?

 

[aan1701]

Thanks Alan but whether I got the car at the Hertz near the port (6 miles away, they have free shuttle pickup from the port, so that is what I meant by "pickup at the port) and keep it all weekend, or whether I only get the car on Monday for the day from Disneyland area, I would still be returning to a different location. I couldnt return the car to the San Pedro area place because I wouldn't have transport to the airport then. I'm used to the oneway charges, I just did a one way from Vegas to Denver and Nashville to Memphis in the past 2 weeks, I dont think oneway in California is that bad in my experience. I got about $99 for the day for Hertz which is what I get for the day when I rent in Orlando and return to Cape Canaveral. So, I'm looking at $285 total including all the fees for renting the car for 4 days, or about $200 for just getting the towncar to DLR and then the one day rental car, so it looks like thats the way to go.

No problem. I just wanted you to know. I saw that someone has a 400 drop charge. Glad you know. I look forward to drinking with you

 

[Tracyvp]

We had a retired teacher on our PC cruise who did homework clubs a few times. I think she did charge a nominal amount but I could be wrong. I know some parents were thinking of doing work with groups of children but I don't think that actually happened in the end.

I thinkit was Cheri who was the teacher last time and she's going on this cruise as well. I don't think she comes over here to these boards, though. (That gang still hangs out on the board for that cruise!)

But we're Facebook friends so I could ask her if she wants to do it again this cruise. She did charge a small fee but I think the parents who did it felt it was quite worth it. Let me know if anyone wants me to ask

 

[aan1701]

I somehow missed that we weren't doing lanyards. I was going to offer to do nametags! (They wouldn't be fancy, but at least it would help to put a face to the names we're come to know here on the DISboards) But I don't know how we'd do them without lanyards. I guess people could bring their own...

Or maybe people don't want nametags. I personally LOVED having them last time and seeing who all the folks were. Don't get me wrong, I loved the wristbands also, just for generally seeing how many of us there were, but being kind of shy, I wouldn't necessarily go up and ask someone who they were. If they had a nametag it just sort of made it easier. Thoughts?

I really don't want to do either. I will be the guy in my Dodgers hat most of the time. I will also wear a DVC hat. Or at night at the bar in Wavebands.

 

[hawkaye19]

Doing the PIF dance

Now just the wait until Oct 8 all nighter....it was a joke for the 2008 PC Repo.....learned to hate the swimming fish!!!!!

Just an FYI for our tweens/teens.....guess they have forgotten their thread...only 4 pages...lol...expected them to surpass the adults

 

[izma]

Oh cool! A guessing game! Let's see:

1. Will there be equatorial night where they set the temperature in all the restaurants to 98 degrees so we can experience a true tropical dinner experience?

2. Will there be a politically incorrect character dinner in which we'll be visited by characters from the movie "Song of the South"?

3. Will dinner on Aruba include scattering tons of sand on the restauraut floors so we can simulate dinner at the beach?

4. Will there be a California theme night where they and fire half the serving staff, delay meals by at least 2 hours and add a $20 cover charge?

5. Will there be Mexican theme night, where instead of normal service, when you walk into the restaurant the serving staff will clamer to sell you food - unless you spend $45 for a reserved DCL dining excursion?

Come on... you can tell... you're friend won't mind

Dan you are so funny!

 

[DisneyCruiser83]

If we are voting, I would want to do a group bracelet, over a lanyard, but that is just me. DH wears the one provided by DCL, and I put both of our KTTW cards and ID's in it. But, if someone were to volunteer to do name tags, I would welcome it.
I don't know if it is needed, but DH can tutor in civics and history. He is an attorney, and reads history books for fun.
Well, it looks like in Mexico at least, DH is bent on doing DCL excursions only. We were watching the news the other night and it advised not taking taxi cabs in touristy areas. Since we would have to if doing our own excursion, anything outside of DCL is out. We are both a little disappointed as he was looking forward to deep sea fishing. But, he won't budge, so I have no idea what we will be doing in Manzanillo, maybe staying onboard. Who knows.

 

[aan1701]

To those who have PM me I hope I was able to give you the info you wanted. To all others, feel free to send them. If I get overwelmed I will get back as soon as I can, but I would like to thank you al lfor your advice and not going PM crazy.

 

[izma]

Thanks for gazing into your crystal ball for us Alan! I am fine with waiting until it's safe to let the cat out of the bag. It is nice to know what the theme nights are so you can plan to attend...or not!!! One thing I would like to not miss is the fireworks. I have been too tired the night they have them on both cruises . think I need to do more lounging!

 

[aan1701]

Thanks for gazing into your crystal ball for us Alan! I am fine with waiting until it's safe to let the cat out of the bag. It is nice to know what the theme nights are so you can plan to attend...or not!!! One thing I would like to not miss is the fireworks. I have been too tired the night they have them on both cruises . think I need to do more lounging!

Well we all know there will be Fireworks, and they will be at the normal time. So just rest up you will know soon.

 

[sak0526]

Lynne and Leonard, i'm with you - good food, decent weather, good shows, fun and relaxation - whatever the party is or the food is, i'm good! dont need to know. once on vaca i'm a go with the flow kinda gal. (not so much DH,but he'll live. he doesnt care about rotation either, just some other stuff).

thanks for the wishes all.

why do so many of us have room assignments and some don't? what's the diff?

i'd do the welcome party -just have to figure how to get the local wine down there. we do have some good stuff - and yes in Maryland! DH will go and taste some wine he said! wow!

Sherri

 

[sak0526]

Susan and Tom - lets make sure we dont bring the same wines! LOL!! what are the odds! We come to Annapolis a fair amount - we like the new town center with Brio's and all. But will probably find a winery here near HoCo or someone that sells Bordy or something!

I can tell we're all getting so excited and just typing away!! can't believe it's still almost 4 months!!

Sherri

 

[ACDSNY]

I am currently frustrated. Don't know how I can go about getting a PALO reservation for the 11 of us. 1 short for the dining room and not able to get a big enough table doing the online thing. Problem also is that we're silver but the rest of the gang are DCL newbies. The inventory control Palo specialist wasn't that much help. They suggested that I try to book a 6 top table under my name and a 4 top table under DH's name and then make a request for PALO to put the tables together, but they can't guarantee that they'll do is for us. Also I distinctly remember on the med cruise that we could only a table that's as big as the dining party from our rooms. Sigh...any suggestions anyone?

Does anyone feel like joining a bunch of Australians for brunch or dinner? We have room for 3 if we get a private room!

Darn there's four of us, otherwise I would enjoy a dinner or brunch with your group. Good luck I hope you find a way to get your Palo reservation.

What an exotic honeymoon! How long was it and what time of year did you go? I'm most likely doing both Australia and New Zealand, if budget allows, if not, just Australia. I want it to be warm enough for swimming and outdoor fun so I'm thinking March or April or October? Help from my Aussie friends on here would be appreciated too- I think I asked you awhile ago and I should have written your answer down somewhere but sadly didnt ; )

I had a wonderful Australia/New Zealand trip in March 1999. Weather was beautiful and I'd love to go back.

Well, it looks like in Mexico at least, DH is bent on doing DCL excursions only. We were watching the news the other night and it advised not taking taxi cabs in touristy areas. Since we would have to if doing our own excursion, anything outside of DCL is out. We are both a little disappointed as he was looking forward to deep sea fishing. But, he won't budge, so I have no idea what we will be doing in Manzanillo, maybe staying onboard. Who knows.

We're thinking the same thing. Our two guys were hoping for a good fishing excursion in Manzanillo too.

 

[WDW Princess 71]

Jen summarised Australian weather quite nicely! It is generally warm enough to do outdoor activities for most part of the year. I think Spring and Autumn are the best times to come. Anywhere between Sep to April will be fine. Although having said that, we have a college student from Boston with us at the moment, and she thinks our winter is divine. She has been walking around in T-shirts and jeans. Just a heads up, our schools here break up 4 times a year. Around April is typically busy as the weather is nice and parents have a break for Easter as well. This happens again around October when a public holiday co-incides with the school holidays. Its not really a big deal, just means that prices will be at their peak and things book up quickly, so don't leave things to the last minute. For next year the school holidays in our state are from 8-27 April and 24 Sep -9 Oct. It will be similar in the other states, give or take 1 week.

Thanks for the advice! Glad to hear I have some flexibility in when I can go. Thanks for those school dates too- I'll keep that in mind when it comes down to the prices for dates I'm considering.

No problem. I just wanted you to know. I saw that someone has a 400 drop charge. Glad you know. I look forward to drinking with you

I look forward to drinking with you too! Cant wait to "roll" onboard with my rolling cooler and favorite beverages ; )

Doing the PIF dance

Now just the wait until Oct 8 all nighter....it was a joke for the 2008 PC Repo.....learned to hate the swimming fish!!!!!

Haha sooooo funny- the swimming fish! I'm so ready for an all nighter especially since its a Friday night. I just hope good excursions are left by October 8 for us lowly Silver members...

 

[danfromca]

I also keep checking periodically if we have been given our room assignment. It feels like we've been waiting forever to find out!! so I'm right with you! But, from the sounds of it, it's still going to be a while... I just can't wait to find out!!

-Kathy

It's painful I know. But past couple of times I sailed GTY we got room assignments about a month before the cruise.