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

[LimoFam5]

Just an update on the PV canopy (zip line) tour I posted about. We already have 20 people interested for the zip line and 6 for transportation only (zoo area).
I doubt they count the transportation only as part of the 25 people needed for the 25% discount. But I'm also sure there are several people waiting on DCL to release excursions before they decide. I really don't think we will have a problem getting 5 more people to join. I'll probably wait until at least 2 weeks after DCL releases excursions to get this group started. But we are definitely doing this and organizing a group even if there are not enough people for the discount. BTW, anyone over 6 years old can do the zip line. Here is the website again - http://www.canopytours-vallarta.com/

Hello there my family and I would love to join in.
This was a adventure we were already looking at doing. Included would be Me, my hubby and our two girls ages 6.

 

[LimoFam5]

Just a FYI if anyone is interested in booking this tour on their own booking online will give you a 15% discount.
Just called canopy tours and got some really good information cruise ship passengers should do the 10:45am tour for canopy guest transportation from ship to canopy office will leave at 10:20am and is free. With the 10:45am tour we will back at 3:20pm and transportation will have us back to the ship at around 3:34pm.
Guest must be 6 years or older they must also be 3feet 7inches to fit properly in the harness.
Tour sounds amazing 14 zip lines the highest is 180meters(590 feet) and the
longest is 400meters (1312feet).
We are in for a real treat I cant wait.
www.canopytours-vallarta.com/

 

[LindaBabe]

I'm heading up the wristband FE group and it's open to anyone who wants to participate. I'm planning on one for each person participating. I'm just not sure about getting one for everybody listed on our website. Any opinions?

The bands will be lime green silicone, with "From WDW to DL" "PCCruise 2011" and Mickey heads separating the quotes.

I've been on a cruise where a group got together and funded wristbands in lieu of fe gifts. On another cruise, we ordered the sizes we needed for our family from the point person and paid her by paypal. In both cases, there was a wristband for each family member - an easy way to identify other dis-ers.

On a personal note, one month from today I will be 50! We're celebrating with a trip to WDW and have plans to be at MK for early opening followed by breakfast at Chef Mickey's. In the evening we're headed to Epcot with dinner at Coral Reef.

Happy 50th! Welcome to the age of outrageous "Red Hat Women" That would be me and my room mates

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

This is a random question, but is anyone from the Memphis, TN area or visited the area, particularly Graceland? I am leaving next weekend for my 3 week road trip and on the way back we'll be going through TN, and I was contemplating whether I should make a stop at Graceland or not. I have done some research, and I read a lot that says it is located in a very bad part of Memphis, a sketchy neighborhood. So I was wondering, if anyone is from there or has been there, if you have any advice? I'm not a die hard fan so I wouldnt be crushed if I decide to skip it, but if it is a really good experience I would hate to blow it off without good reason.

We went while we were on a road trip to WDW! We loved it! We actually stayed at the Heartbreak Hotel which is a hotel owned by Graceland. I am not a diehard fan but it was fun to see history.

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

Also..as a reminder...if you wish to do the Secret Mickey, please send me a PM. I will send you the link for you to put your info into.

The deadline will be our final payment in September. I know that some of you would like to start your shopping so my goal is to get you your SM right after final payment.

Thanks!

 

[WeLuvDCL]

Just a FYI if anyone is interested in booking this tour on their own booking online will give you a 15% discount.
Just called canopy tours and got some really good information cruise ship passengers should do the 10:45am tour for canopy guest transportation from ship to canopy office will leave at 10:20am and is free. With the 10:45am tour we will back at 3:20pm and transportation will have us back to the ship at around 3:34pm.
Guest must be 6 years or older they must also be 3feet 7inches to fit properly in the harness.
Tour sounds amazing 14 zip lines the highest is 180meters(590 feet) and the
longest is 400meters (1312feet).
We are in for a real treat I cant wait.
www.canopytours-vallarta.com/

We just made it over 25! With a group of at least 25, we get a 25% discount and our own group bus. Once the DCL excursion are posted, I will call the company to set up the group. I'll then send everyone the contact info to make payment. Your payments will go directly to the tour company, not me. But I have to set it up and you must call to make payment. If you make payment through the website, you will not get the 25% discount and will not be counted as part of this group.

 

[LimoFam5]

We just made it over 25. If we get at least 25 people to go as a group, we get a 25% discount and our own group bus.

I know the cruise is a ways off but I want to make 100% sure that we are able to do this adventure. When I spoke with Canopy customer service they advised me that each tour has a limited number of spots and that at time of reservation payment is due.
Can you please let me know how or when reservation will be made. If you are looking to hold off a bit on making the reservation I think we may book online on our own......my husband wants to make sure we are able to do this and would hate for our time 10:45am to sell out before our group reservation was made.

 

[WeLuvDCL]

my husband wants to make sure we are able to do this and would hate for our time 10:45am to sell out before our group reservation was made.

If you want to do the 10:45 then you will need to book on your own. We arrive at 7:30am and leave at 4:30pm. When I do non-ship excursions, I always make sure I'm back well before then. The 3:34pm time is cutting it too close for me...but maybe I'm just a worry wart when it comes to that. We were on an excursion one time where the steering went out in the bus. It took at least 30 minutes to get another bus to use and then finish the tour. Thank goodness that was a cruise line excursion so I was not worried.

When I asked them if they pick up at the ship, they told me the closest they can get is the Collage?? I was also told that from Collage to Los Veranos site is about a 45min ride. I guess I'll have to call them again to confirm. The time I was looking at is the 9:15am with pick-up at Collage, which is the closest to the ship. I read on another board that you can walk there from the ship or take a very short taxi ride. The other option would be the 9:45am pick up from the canopy office. Are either of those good with everyone else that is interested?

BTW, I was told they can take up to 70 people on each tour. And so far, August 2010 is the only month that is completely booked. Even September 2010 has openings.

 

[LimoFam5]

If you want to do the 10:45 then you will need to book on your own. We arrive at 7:30am and leave at 4:30pm. When I do non-ship excursions, I always make sure I'm back well before then. The 3:34pm time is cutting it too close for me...but maybe I'm just a worry wart when it comes to that. We were on an excursion one time where the steering went out in the bus. It took at least 30 minutes to get another bus to use and then finish the tour. Thank goodness that was a cruise line excursion so I was not worried.

The time I was looking at is the 9:15am with pick-up at Collage, which is the closest to the ship. I read on another board that you can walk there from the ship or take a very short taxi ride. The other option would be the 9:45am pick up from the canopy office. Are either of those good with everyone else that is interested?

BTW, I was told they can take up to 70 people on each tour. And so far, August 2010 is the only month that is completely booked. Even September 2010 has openings.

I am actually OK with those times as well I was just told by a canopy worker that pickup would not be available for those time but I think there was a language barrier so maybe information was not relayed so well.
I guess my main concern is when will reservations be made.

Thanks!!!!!

 

[carmie3377]

We would love to zipline and do the group tour but DS is too young . He should be tall enough as he is 3 feet 6 inches now but he will only be 4 yrs, 9 months. Plus, we also hope to get DD her dolphin swim in while in PV. That is the one thing she is most looking forward to on this cruise.

As far as Costa Rica, we are doing a day tour with Okie Dokie Tours. He said that small groups of 8-12 are very comfortable. We are 4 in this group. Let me know if you are interested and I will send you the information of what we are doing. Most of the recent reviews on Cruise Critic are very good. There have been some negative reviews, but since most of the recent reviews are excellent, I went ahead and booked with him.

 

[JenKatt]

We would love to zipline and do the group tour but DS is too young . He should be tall enough as he is 3 feet 6 inches now but he will only be 4 yrs, 9 months. Plus, we also hope to get DD her dolphin swim in while in PV. That is the one thing she is most looking forward to on this cruise.

As far as Costa Rica, we are doing a day tour with Okie Dokie Tours. He said that small groups of 8-12 are very comfortable. We are 4 in this group. Let me know if you are interested and I will send you the information of what we are doing. Most of the recent reviews on Cruise Critic are very good. There have been some negative reviews, but since most of the recent reviews are excellent, I went ahead and booked with him.

Carmen,
Jack is to young to do the zipline, but this palce has a zoo and a tequila bar if you aren't ziplining. Right now my Mom is going to watch Jack while the rest of us zipline. And I'm pretty sure Dawn is going to be watching her DD while DH is zipling. So if the dolphin swim doesn't work out, there is a way to do the zipline.
Jen

 

[carmie3377]

Carmen,
Jack is to young to do the zipline, but this palce has a zoo and a tequila bar if you aren't ziplining. Right now my Mom is going to watch Jack while the rest of us zipline. And I'm pretty sure Dawn is going to be watching her DD while DH is zipling. So if the dolphin swim doesn't work out, there is a way to do the zipline.
Jen

Thanks Jen! I will definitely keep this is mind

 

[LimoFam5]

We would love to zipline and do the group tour but DS is too young . He should be tall enough as he is 3 feet 6 inches now but he will only be 4 yrs, 9 months. Plus, we also hope to get DD her dolphin swim in while in PV. That is the one thing she is most looking forward to on this cruise.

As far as Costa Rica, we are doing a day tour with Okie Dokie Tours. He said that small groups of 8-12 are very comfortable. We are 4 in this group. Let me know if you are interested and I will send you the information of what we are doing. Most of the recent reviews on Cruise Critic are very good. There have been some negative reviews, but since most of the recent reviews are excellent, I went ahead and booked with him.

Please share what does this tour include? Also where are you doing the dolphin swim at, how much? We will be doing a day at Discovery Cove prior to the cruise but if my girls love love love it we may want them to have the chance to do it again.

 

[aan1701]

Even though I generally do not do any type of excursion, I wanted to chime in on this topic being talked about right now. Now this just maybe an amazing thing, or just dumb luck, but on all six of my cruises I have overheard some people who did not book with DCL talk about how they almost missed the ship due to one problem or another. This is the reason DW always books her excisions thru DCL. This is the same reason we use them for our transfers from WDW to the port and vice versa. I know it costs more money, but I agree with her, it is better for peice of mind. If I wanted to go Ziping, no offense to anyone, there is no way I would go on my own and plan to be back less than an hour before sail time. When I do get off, last time I really did something in a port was the skyride to paradise point in St Thomas last year, I made sure I was back by 2:30. I guess I am a worry wart. To those going on the zip in PV on your own, I hope you have fun and are not late.

 

[DVCinderella]

I've been on a cruise where a group got together and funded wristbands in lieu of fe gifts. On another cruise, we ordered the sizes we needed for our family from the point person and paid her by paypal. In both cases, there was a wristband for each family member - an easy way to identify other dis-ers.

I like the idea of the wristbands to identify other dis-ers. Just wanted to give my vote for that

 

[carmie3377]

Please share what does this tour include? Also where are you doing the dolphin swim at, how much? We will be doing a day at Discovery Cove prior to the cruise but if my girls love love love it we may want them to have the chance to do it again.

Sent you a PM on Costa Rica

Not for sure yet who we are using for the dolphin swim. Here are a couple of places that we've looked into:
http://www.puertovallartatours.net/swim-with-dolphins.htm
http://www.myvallartaexperience.com/activities/dolphin-swim/dolphin-swim-experience/

Anyone have any experience with either of these companies?

 

[DVCinderella]

Just a heads up for anyone looking at taking the Disney cruise transfer from Disney resort to the port, they charge $35 per person so for us a family of 4 that would be $140.....plus you have to make stops at other resorts along the way.......
We have always taken a private limo service to and from the port. Just a example we are a family of four and book with Happy Limo for us in a stretch limo one way to the port cost would be $136......this works better for us. Your time, your own private limo and you save $4.00. Just though I would throw that out there.......

We always rent a car, SUV or van, depending on who (and how much luggage) we have. Plus, that gives us the opportunity to stop at ABC or a grocery without having to hurry to get what we need. I have done the towncar but no so sure that I would do it again.

I am not sure what to do with this either...so much is still up in the air for us. We are a party of 5 (3A, 2C). Although we haven't booked our airfare yet (waiting for prices to come down), we're planning to fly in late the night before the cruise (hopefully land around 9pm). We're currently booked on points at BWV, but if I can get a good rate at MCO Hyatt, I may switch to that.

I like the idea of renting a minivan, and driving to the port early...especially if renting saves me $ over DCL transfers. I was thinking it would be great to use ME from MCO-BWV, and then pick up rental car the next morning. It would be great to walk over to Dolphin, but National & Alamo don't have a place to drop off at the port. So that means taking a shuttle to DD or the Car Care Center to pick up from Avis or Budget. Is it worth the aggravation? Or should I just rent at MCO, drive to BWV, and use that same car to port the next day?

With two 5-yr-olds, renting a car will require boosters. How does that work if we take a limo? Will they provide boosters? Or do limos not have to use them? Not sure how that works with little ones, as I haven't taken a limo or car service since having kids.

 

[LimoFam5]

I am not sure what to do with this either...so much is still up in the air for us. We are a party of 5 (3A, 2C). Although we haven't booked our airfare yet (waiting for prices to come down), we're planning to fly in late the night before the cruise (hopefully land around 9pm). We're currently booked on points at BWV, but if I can get a good rate at MCO Hyatt, I may switch to that.

I like the idea of renting a minivan, and driving to the port early...especially if renting saves me $ over DCL transfers. I was thinking it would be great to use ME from MCO-BWV, and then pick up rental car the next morning. It would be great to walk over to Dolphin, but National & Alamo don't have a place to drop off at the port. So that means taking a shuttle to DD or the Car Care Center to pick up from Avis or Budget. Is it worth the aggravation? Or should I just rent at MCO, drive to BWV, and use that same car to port the next day?

With two 5-yr-olds, renting a car will require boosters. How does that work if we take a limo? Will they provide boosters? Or do limos not have to use them? Not sure how that works with little ones, as I haven't taken a limo or car service since having kids.

In the past we have used booster and not used boosters, either way they are provided in the cost of the limo or town car. I really love Happy Limo and have used them for many years now.

 

[aan1701]

When did Avis and Budget start at the Car Care Center? When I was at WDW in March the only company I saw was Alamo/National. Of course I will admit, I can be very unobservant.

 

[sak0526]

on the two previous cruises we used, we liked the shuttle. admitedly only 2 of us....but we figure there's enough food on the boat and DH doesn't drink and i dont drink much, so it pays to buy the few we drinnk rather than go to a liquor store. bottled water might be nice, but i think i'll be ok without it again - never had it before. but as someone - was it Alan? -said - they are responsible for holding the ship if anything happens and even though we stop at more than one resort, it's door to door and we've met lots of fun people and had a good time on the rides to and from. though now that i think on it, freinds took us to/from the 4 day we did and we did the bus on the 7 day, and enjoyed it. got us there early and safely and like a party on the bus! No hassle- luggage there at the front of the resort, or whereever it was - it was so easy i forget! and dropped where you walk into - no going to get a car or dropping one, we enjoyed it! our bus drivers were hoots coming and going.