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

[danfromca]

If you have a Sears appliance outlet in your area check it out......I saved $500 dollars due to 2 small scratches on the side. Didn't matter to me, can't see that side anyway.

Bought my first fridge that way - just moved out of the dorms and they were having a sale. We arrived first thing in the morning and got one of the two that were featured in the ad - I think it was about $350 or so. Of course, that was a long time ago.....

 

[danfromca]

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 for the heads up! You just saved me $90! (I had booked the flight at the previous $79 rate).

 

[LindaBabe]

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

Unless I missed it whilst traveling, I don't think we really made a decision not to have lanyards. I think just nobody stepped forward to say I want to do lanyards and I'll lead the project.

THat being said - one thing to consider is - In the last couple cruises, we've gotten a DCL lanyard in the color of our Castaway level - that is silver, gold, or platinum. I have a feeling that quite a few people will be opting to wear their Castaway Club lanyard - I know I will.

I agree. I am participating in the FE but if the wristbands are going to be a way to identify us then I think they should be available to everyone to purchase so those that can/do not want to do FE can still get them.
And I would prefer wristbands rather than lanyards.

I agree - it would seem that a lime green wristband is pretty much a dis identifier.

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'd love a name tag to put in the same holder as my key to the world (and my cove cafe card

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.

I've been reading guidebooks and seen quite a few fishing excursions. Isn't one of the DCL excursions a boat rental for 6 - 8 people? Couldn't that be fishing?

How about this one http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/cruises-destinations/shore-excursions/cabo-san-lucas-mexico/cabo-san-lucas-sport-fishing/ Actually, there are 3 or 4 fishing choices in Cabo.

 

[ACDSNY]

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...

Oh no, I just realized I have us booked in Monterey that night. Won't my family love it when I ditch them to make our excursion reservations.

 

[sak0526]

Unless I missed it whilst traveling, I don't think we really made a decision not to have lanyards. I think just nobody stepped forward to say I want to do lanyards and I'll lead the project.

THat being said - one thing to consider is - In the last couple cruises, we've gotten a DCL lanyard in the color of our Castaway level - that is silver, gold, or platinum. I have a feeling that quite a few people will be opting to wear their Castaway Club lanyard - I know I will.

I agree - it would seem that a lime green wristband is pretty much a dis identifier.

I'd love a name tag to put in the same holder as my key to the world (and my cove cafe card .

i actually quit wearing the lanyard a few days in. but what's a cove cafe card?

 

[shushh]

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.

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

If I had known that we'd be so popular, I would have have opened up invitations to dine with us much earlier!

Glad you enjoyed your trip. We are very lucky with our weather here.

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.

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...

It's my pleasure! Glad to be finally of some use on the boards!

Speaking of Oct 8, do the reservations open up at midnight on the east coast time?

 

[KayR]

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.

I just got a hertz for $220 for 3 days, pick up near San Pedro and drop off in San Jose. Thought that wasn't too bad - plus we have the car all weekend. I could have got a car for one day for $120. Prices are higher that I thought, but not too bad.

I'll still keep exploring other options, see if I can find anything cheaper.

-Kay

 

[KayR]

Is anyone interested in trying to get the same dining rotation and get tables together or near each other?

We have late seating and if our kids follow their normal pattern, they will rush through dinner and zoom to the clubs again. It would be nice to have other people to chat with. Dinner with (mad!) Dis-ers Who could resist.

-Kay

 

[WDW Princess 71]

If I had known that we'd be so popular, I would have have opened up invitations to dine with us much earlier!

Glad you enjoyed your trip. We are very lucky with our weather here.



It's my pleasure! Glad to be finally of some use on the boards!

Speaking of Oct 8, do the reservations open up at midnight on the east coast time?

May I ask you, and anyone else who lives/visited the Australia/New Zealand region, would you say missing New Zealand would be a major blow to my trip? I really want to do both, but it depends on my budget after this cruise. Australia is my main focus, but I'm thinking how can I fly all that way and not go to NZ too since they are so close? Is NZ really worth visiting? The other thing is Fiji- there is an option to add a few days in Fiji before or after your trip too.

Good question about the excursion thing. I'm pretty sure it is midnight East Coast time, but can someone please confirm if you know for sure? And also dont you need to clear your Internet cache and cookies before logging on that night? I vaguely remember people having problems before of being "locked out" if they logged in too early or something?

I just got a hertz for $220 for 3 days, pick up near San Pedro and drop off in San Jose. Thought that wasn't too bad - plus we have the car all weekend. I could have got a car for one day for $120. Prices are higher that I thought, but not too bad.

I'll still keep exploring other options, see if I can find anything cheaper.

-Kay

Thats not bad at all, thats about what mine was returning to San Diego, came up to $285 with 4 days of the nav system which I consider essential in So Cal. I just know I do not need the car at all that weekend- we do not leave Disney property, I hate the area around Disneyland which is why we pay extra to stay onsite, so we wont be leaving until its time to leave. If the price drops closer to $200, I would do it just for the convenience of not having to do a towncar and getting a cab later to the rental office near DLR, but not as of now at $100 cheaper, the towncar to DLR and the one-day car from DLR to SD is what I'm planning on.


For those of you who have done tuxedos for formal night, did you bring your own or rent yours? Isn't there a specific company for renting tuxes that has it delivered to your stateroom? My brother wants to do it for this cruise and I have to admit I'm excited because I'd like to get a nice gown too.

 

[cardidog]

OK---I am willing to print---on cardstock---our logo and your Disboards name and real name to wear on your DCL-provided lanyard. Does this sound like a good idea? If so, please PM me your details and I'll figure out how to get them to you---perhaps at our on-board Dis-meet?

Since I don't have a DCL lanyard---yet--can someone please let me know if the plastic sleeve part is portrait---up and down or landscape---sideways? I'd hate to have people turn their heads to read our names

 

[JenKatt]

Yes New Zealand is worth it. It's VERY different from Australia. We only saw the North Island. The landscape of New Zealand is awesome. We loved Rotorua and Auckland.

Unless Disney changes it, you can't rent a tux on the Wonder, just the Magic. So my brother is renting a tux from Men's warehouse.

 

[cardidog]

October 8th---midnight East Coast (USA) time it is for making reservations online for us poor silver folks. Sigh. Hopefully this cruise is not very crowded---yes, we do take up 10 per cent of the ship---but I'm hoping for a reservation for Palo for my birthday dinner--at least!

I'm also willing to sacrifice myself as the odd-woman-in if anyone needs to make up numbers for private functions at Palo! My friends at work tell me that strangers are just people who I haven't met to make friends yet

 

[WDW Princess 71]

OK---I am willing to print---on cardstock---our logo and your Disboards name and real name to wear on your DCL-provided lanyard. Does this sound like a good idea? If so, please PM me your details and I'll figure out how to get them to you---perhaps at our on-board Dis-meet?

Since I don't have a DCL lanyard---yet--can someone please let me know if the plastic sleeve part is portrait---up and down or landscape---sideways? I'd hate to have people turn their heads to read our names

The plastic sleve part is landscape/sideways. I think its a cool idea, I always wear my lanyard along with my lime-green colored laminated Mickey head on it. I'll PM you my details.

Yes New Zealand is worth it. It's VERY different from Australia. We only saw the North Island. The landscape of New Zealand is awesome. We loved Rotorua and Auckland.

Unless Disney changes it, you can't rent a tux on the Wonder, just the Magic. So my brother is renting a tux from Men's warehouse.

Ugh, I just saw that too! I went to the cruiseline formal wear website that DCL points you too, and saw it only let me select the Magic. I'm going to call the customer service number tomorrow and ask if they know if the Wonder will be offering it in 2011. As a backup though, can I ask you about the logistics of how your brother is renting one from Men's warehouse? Is it going to cost a fortune to keep it for 3 weeks? And I assume it will be all wrinkly and such getting it onboard, does DCL have ironing services on board? Gosh it seems like such a hassle, I was so looking forward to the onboard rental convenience, but I'll do what I have to do.

 

[shushh]

May I ask you, and anyone else who lives/visited the Australia/New Zealand region, would you say missing New Zealand would be a major blow to my trip? I really want to do both, but it depends on my budget after this cruise. Australia is my main focus, but I'm thinking how can I fly all that way and not go to NZ too since they are so close? Is NZ really worth visiting? The other thing is Fiji- there is an option to add a few days in Fiji before or after your trip too.

This is a tough one to answer. I guess it depends on how much time you have and how much of Australia you want to see. Its a big country and everything is so spread out. Also, I've NEVER been to New Zealand!!! But I so dearly want to go. I know, we are so close its criminal. Everything there looks so pristine and beautiful, and the scenery spectacular. The landscape is completely different to Australia. As much as I love Fiji, I think if you had to choose one to skip, Fiji would be it.

 

[shushh]

Unless Disney changes it, you can't rent a tux on the Wonder, just the Magic. So my brother is renting a tux from Men's warehouse.

Oh no! There goes our plan of renting suits onboard. Its not easy lugging formal wear around for 6 weeks.

Ugh, I just saw that too! I went to the cruiseline formal wear website that DCL points you too, and saw it only let me select the Magic. I'm going to call the customer service number tomorrow and ask if they know if the Wonder will be offering it in 2011.

Nicole do you mind keeping us to date with the outcome of your phonecall? We're keen to know if we have to make alternative arrangements.

 

[danfromca]

Ugh, I just saw that too! I went to the cruiseline formal wear website that DCL points you too, and saw it only let me select the Magic. I'm going to call the customer service number tomorrow and ask if they know if the Wonder will be offering it in 2011. As a backup though, can I ask you about the logistics of how your brother is renting one from Men's warehouse? Is it going to cost a fortune to keep it for 3 weeks? And I assume it will be all wrinkly and such getting it onboard, does DCL have ironing services on board? Gosh it seems like such a hassle, I was so looking forward to the onboard rental convenience, but I'll do what I have to do.

Please post what you find out. I know they don't do tuxes on the Wonder because it has no formal nights now, but that will change now that they are doing the longer cruises. The question is: will they have their act together in terms of being able to do tux rentals for our cruise?

 

[sak0526]

OK---I am willing to print---on cardstock---our logo and your Disboards name and real name to wear on your DCL-provided lanyard. Does this sound like a good idea? If so, please PM me your details and I'll figure out how to get them to you---perhaps at our on-board Dis-meet?

Since I don't have a DCL lanyard---yet--can someone please let me know if the plastic sleeve part is portrait---up and down or landscape---sideways? I'd hate to have people turn their heads to read our names

I'll pm you my info but wanted to give u dimensions in case someone found something different from another year. Mine from last year is
< 4 inches >
and
/\
almost 3 inches
\/
meaning 4 inches wide by 3 inches high.

believe you live not far from me - we could meet to exchange ours! LoL! (like i mentijoned, we like the places in annapolis town cneter!!)

Sherri

 

[WDW Princess 71]

Oh no! There goes our plan of renting suits onboard. Its not easy lugging formal wear around for 6 weeks.


Nicole do you mind keeping us to date with the outcome of your phonecall? We're keen to know if we have to make alternative arrangements.

Please post what you find out. I know they don't do tuxes on the Wonder because it has no formal nights now, but that will change now that they are doing the longer cruises. The question is: will they have their act together in terms of being able to do tux rentals for our cruise?

I will definitely keep you both posted. I also emailed DCL customer service and pointed out that I understand why the Wonder doesnt offer rentals now since it only does short cruises, but that I want to know if starting with our very long cruise and the Wonder's subsequent longer trips, will rentals be available. Like Dan said, I'm sure they will eventually be available, its just a question of whether or not they'll be available in time for our cruise since it is so early in 2011 and the Wonder's first longer voyage. Hoping for pixie dust! If they dont I wont let it stop us but I agree it will be a pain to carry around and keep neat all that time.

 

[Tinkerbel129]

I'll pm you my info but wanted to give u dimensions in case someone found something different from another year. Mine from last year is
< 4 inches >
and
/\
almost 3 inches
\/
meaning 4 inches wide by 3 inches high.

believe you live not far from me - we could meet to exchange ours! LoL! (like i mentijoned, we like the places in annapolis town cneter!!)

Sherri

may I suggest using a old key to the world card for measurement

 

[danfromca]

I will definitely keep you both posted. I also emailed DCL customer service and pointed out that I understand why the Wonder doesnt offer rentals now since it only does short cruises, but that I want to know if starting with our very long cruise and the Wonder's subsequent longer trips, will rentals be available. Like Dan said, I'm sure they will eventually be available, its just a question of whether or not they'll be available in time for our cruise since it is so early in 2011 and the Wonder's first longer voyage. Hoping for pixie dust! If they dont I wont let it stop us but I agree it will be a pain to carry around and keep neat all that time.

I suppose if they don't have them it would be a good excuse for us to all go out and buy lime green tuxedos