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

[Tracyvp]

Just wanted to weigh in on the tuxedo issue. Because we live in a large metropolitan area we found it was MUCH cheaper to actually buy tuxedos than to rent them. Granted they're probably not the highest quality, but both my dh and ds bought classic black styles and my ds has already worn his for at least 4 other occasions so it has served him VERY well. DH has worn his on one other occasion and of course they will be bringing them again this trip so aside from the hassle of lugging them along, it really was a better deal to buy. (Besides, it gives you a GREAT excuse to go on another cruise! Gotta make use of that investment! )

They bought theirs from Hollywood Suit Outlet and I think they got the whole thing including the shirt and the bow tie for a little more than $100. (If we had it to again we might have bought a little nicer one for ds since he is using it so much, but who knew? And it really doesn't look cheap.) Since then they have both invested in nicer shirts with French cuffs and DS in a real bow tie (instead of the "slip on and clip in the back" type) because he likes to dress up! He also bought a white dinner jacket from Ebay! (Yes he really is only 19 but he's just an old soul!)

 

[aan1701]

I was just looking at some of my 08 pics, and thought i would share one. Here we are coming up on the bridge of americas.

 

[aan1701]

Alright one more. Here you can see how close we will get to the wall of the locks.

 

[orlandothebeagle]

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.....

Cool, has it an ice machine, I would love one of those posh fridges.

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

Yes, but I cant get my head around anything yet till after ta.

Im late dining, who else.

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

Thats kind of you, I can print my own, I can also find you a disney lanyard if you would like one, where are you staying pre cruise again?

 

[granmaz]

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 have loved our lanyards on our past trips. We had the thinner comfortable ones printed with the cruise details on. You could spot all the other Dis cruisers easily, and the nametags were brilliant. I don't like wearing the wristbands at all though. I think we still have our last PC ones, so they will do just fine. Now, if I had a Platinum CC lanyard I wold be wearing that for sure.

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

Yes, it was Cheri, I just didn't name her!! She has been here a couple of times. She is such a wanderer she isn't on the boards much at all actually.

 

[LindaBabe]

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

On our last few cruises, they gave us a DCL Lanyard at checkin. I have added your information to the first page of this thread. Thank you for volunteering.

I believe Jeff and I are setting up in port to take room # changes, etc. If you had the tags in alphabetical order in a box, perhaps you could sit there to and hand them out?

Shushh, my info is in your pm box -

 

[JenKatt]

Renting from Men's warehouse is easy. You can get emasured anywhere and pick up somewhere else. My brother will get measured in West Virginia at a local tux place and he'll call the men's warehouse here in Tampa and order it. We pick it up for him and bring it on board. Doesn't get wrinkled. If you have a car in Florida, you can do this easily. Returning it in California I haven't worked out yet. We'll porbably shove it in a suitcase and bring it back with us. If you have a car in SoCal, again it's easy.
The prices for Men's Warehouse is cheaper than renting it on the Magic for a 7 day. Not sure about our cruise.

We found it very common in Australia and NZ that people hadn't been to the other. More likely had been to the states instead. Kinda like Americas not going to Canada or Mexico but getting on a cruise ship and seeing the Bahamas

Linda, I don't think we're setting up in the terminal for room changes, but we will find a spot (probably Diversions or something) for people to meet us, AFTER sailaway. It's too crazy prior to that. We'll then post any changes to our door (8516).


The sun has FINALLY come out here in Tampa. We've had biblical rain the last week. We've average around 4-6 inches of rain a day.

 

[hawkaye19]

Just sat back with my morning coffee and thought the Oct 8th all nighter through

Let me see if I have the facts right

- CC silver members can book excursions on Oct 8th
- Oct 8, 2010 is a Friday


So, at 12:00:01 early Friday morning we can book....as that is Oct 8th....or have I overthought this (would not surprise me)

 

[disneymum2201]

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.

We live in Australia on the East Coast in the Blue Mountains National Park. Australia and New Zealand are very different. We have toured New Zealand a few times. The North Island has a lot of geothermic activity. Beaches that bubble really hot water, Mud geysers, volcanoes. The South Island has glaciers, beautiful mountains and sounds (water ways) that you can explore. The scenery is breathtaking. We drove both Islands in 14 days with a ferry between the two Islands.

It really depends on the time you have. Australia is so vast and distances large you will just touch the surface. A good excuse for a return trip.

Regarding the PC cruise we changed our 1 verandah room to 2 porthole rooms. After the 14 nights on the EBTA in 1 room for the 4 of us we think this will be a good move although I will miss the balcony.

Do you think Disney will add any additional Port Adventures?? I emailed them some ideas for Manzanillo. I am not keen to sit on a beach I can do that at home.

 

[glindamood]

Good morning! You were a very busy group last night.

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

Love this idea but I strongly suggest that we not link our reservations until everyone has booked their excursions. Way slows down the process

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

LOVE the idea as I will probably wear the one DCL gives me.

Well, have a grand day all!

 

[poohs4me]

Do you think Disney will add any additional Port Adventures?? I emailed them some ideas for Manzanillo. I am not keen to sit on a beach I can do that at home.

I emailed them and they said they did not know of any additions or changes for the ports right now. We want to scuba dive in Manzanillo and told them that. They said try the snorkeling excursion.

 

[LindaBabe]

Linda, I don't think we're setting up in the terminal for room changes, but we will find a spot (probably Diversions or something) for people to meet us, AFTER sailaway. It's too crazy prior to that. We'll then post any changes to our door (8516).

Ok That works _ I probably forgot what he said - the old lady's mind is a sieve

My take on Tuxes - unless you can get a rental for less than $100, I would have the gentlemen get measured at a local tux rental place, and then, closer to the time we sail, get a tux on ebay (from a seller with lots of positive feedback) to those measurements. Have it shipped to your attention at the hotel where you will be prior to sailing.

For Shushh - You're going to be in NYC before sailing - why not call Baldwin (212) 245-8190 or one of the other rental places and see if they sell their rentals for cheap at the end of the season. After New Years, you might be able to pick up something reasonable.

 

[Tinkerbel129]

Im late dining, who else.

DH & I are pretty sure we are switching to late dining.

I have loved our lanyards on our past trips. We had the thinner comfortable ones printed with the cruise details on. You could spot all the other Dis cruisers easily, and the nametags were brilliant. I don't like wearing the wristbands at all though. I think we still have our last PC ones, so they will do just fine. Now, if I had a Platinum CC lanyard I wold be wearing that for sure.

I always liked the lanyard and would loop it around the lounge chair, nametag side up and within easy reach of the key to the world card.

 

[orlandothebeagle]

Just sat back with my morning coffee and thought the Oct 8th all nighter through

Let me see if I have the facts right

- CC silver members can book excursions on Oct 8th
- Oct 8, 2010 is a Friday


So, at 12:00:01 early Friday morning we can book....as that is Oct 8th....or have I overthought this (would not surprise me)

I thought it was before that, that means we will be home from ta,? I thought it was before that, Im too tired to work it out right now, hope you are correct though.

DH & I are pretty sure we are switching to late dining.



I always liked the lanyard and would loop it around the lounge chair, nametag side up and within easy reach of the key to the world card.

Cool, we should make a list or something, "we"

 

[Tinkerbel129]

Love this idea but I strongly suggest that we not link our reservations until everyone has booked their excursions. Way slows down the process

IMPORTANT
I do believe Glinda is right about this. Example: If there are 4 reservations linked together, only one reservation holder can be logged in making plans at a time. I seem to remember also being able to see what others have booked. I'm not real sure about this info, but it could slow everyone down when booking excursions.

Anyone have more info about this?

 

[granmaz]

Cool, we should make a list or something, "we"

Er, you??

Yes, don't link dining till after booking days. On our 2008 PC we all crashed the computers and it took me 5 and half hours to get 2 reservations. Some folk in the US gave up very annoyed. Once they had all gone to bed, and the site much quieter, we Brits could get everything we wanted!!! However I do think that everyone got their Palo reservations at some point, even when wait listed from embarkation day. They were all fit in through the cruise.

 

[JenKatt]

Wow, we've never had a problem booking with linked reservations. Thankfully for us, only us and one other linked stateroom are gold. Everyone else is silver or a newbie.

If you can buy a tux, great. Jeff bought his way back when. I'll use ebay for Jack for a cheap tux/ suit. We did that last year and he was so stinking cute in it.

About Australia and NZ. Even with 5 weeks we didn't see everything we wanted. We missed large bits of Australia and didn't even get to the south island of New Zealand. We so want to go back and take the train from Adelaide to Darwin (missed Darwin) and then head to Perth. I could easily spend 3 weeks between Sydney and Melbourne and the surrounding areas. We missed the Blue Mountains and Hunter's Valley. We weren't into wine yet (Australia made me a wine lover). I still say if you can spend a little time in NZ, go for it. The geothermic areas (Rotorua etc) of the north Island are amazing. Auckland is a beautiful city and the drive to the country is awe inspiring. We had a traffic jam caused by sheep. If I can, I'll post a link to the photos from that trip. I can't frm work.

Word of advice to lurkers or casual readers of the thread. I would read more often. As we get closer and closer this thread will explode with posts!

 

[tinkryansmom]

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?

Quite annoying!!

I may need to take you up on that Math. Both my Girls are in gifted Math .... I am not the best help .....

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 killing me!! I want to make doorsigns and whatnot.....I keep checking....


OK - Lynne - we have late seating as well.

I was thinking of doing lanyards as an FE gift....sounds like some would like them and some not. If DCL gives us all one I am not sure there is a need for another lanyard - just the cute little pocket thing - I always rip mine down the seam!

Heat wave here - hottest 2 days of the year. 110 yesterday. 106 today. And, yep, you guessed it. A/C not working. Don't worry though - the A/C guy will be here. Tomorrow.

 

[TDC Nala]

I loved visiting Auckland. Was just in the city for two days, saw none of the countryside.

I don't wear the lanyards. I have to wear a lanyard at work, I don't wear them on vacation. DCL always gives out lanyards and DVC gives me a bunch of them. I have tons at home and never use them. I will give mine away if anyone wants to impersonate a Gold cruiser.

Keeping an eye on TS Earl for my Labor Day trip, he could be a problem.

 

[LovesToRun]

Just sat back with my morning coffee and thought the Oct 8th all nighter through

Let me see if I have the facts right

- CC silver members can book excursions on Oct 8th
- Oct 8, 2010 is a Friday


So, at 12:00:01 early Friday morning we can book....as that is Oct 8th....or have I overthought this (would not surprise me)

Yes, for CC Silver, Oct 8 at 12:00:01 is when you can start booking shore excursions, Palo, and the spa!

This will be when I'm booking, too. I have it on my calendar!

But, I have a question... I think I read on this board somewhere that they go by Eastern Standard Time, so does that mean that here on the West Coast, we can start booking at 9:00:01 PM on October 7 (which is 12:00:01 AM Oct 8 on the East Coast)???

Or does it not work that way, and the people on the East Coast get to book 3 hours before I do and I have to wait until 12:00:01 AM Oct 8 PST?

Thanks!!
Kathy