From WDW to DL With Love - January 06, 2011 part 5

[TJFrack]

I dont know if this is a sillyquestion or not, but for those of you who have garages, when you are gone a long time in winter do you worry about how much gas there is or isnt in the cars in the garage? tks

Make sure there is at least a 1/4 - 1/2 a tank. I used to live in PA.

 

[tlungstrum]

Safe travels to all of you who are leaving soon. Unfortunately, I will be quite busy until the 5th. I have to work extra shifts on days where my office is closed for holidays and such in order to try to get everything done in time. I have recently been given increased responsibilities at work and wouldn't you know it, quarter end is on Jan 1st so I've got to try to reconcile everything and submit quarter end reports, reconciliations, etc to "close the books" before we leave. So I'm a bit stressed. Add to that the fact that I had a whole plastic bin full of cruise things that has disappeared... so I really can't wait to get on this ship and be "unreachable".

I forgot the part about me having to go to the dentist today too what fun on my day off anyway, all set there and moving on...

That is so cute!

We were excited it worked out so well. DD is a little young to "get it" but DS knows what's going on!

How did you get that recording?

We signed up somewhere about 6-9 months ago to get a call from Mickey welcoming us to the cruise. We scheduled it for Christmas day and answered the call on speakerphone, then video taped it!

I am in the same position. I have to hand my end of quarter stuff in on January 4th and I am nowhere near done. I got most of my stats entered in a database. I need to sort out the error log and finish my call monitoring. I am off from December 31st to January 3rd, but probably will do my evaluations at home during this time.

Corinna

Corinna- good luck to you! Just think, it'll be out of your hands soon enough, replaced with sun and fun.

I am in a quandary about how to handle the cruise certificates.

There are 3 'issues' that I am contemplating and I am not sure about the best way to do this

Signing of the certificates

-do I ask at guest services if they can get the captain to sign all the certificates in one go and distribute them later on in the cruise? (This would have to be done early on in the cruise and I am not sure if we can give a dealdline for the certificates to be signed by)
-do I hand out the certificates and leave it up to each individual family if they want to get the captain to sign the certificate (at the signing sessions) or just write in the captain's name themselves?

Seal

Several people have offered to bring embossers or suggestions on how to emboss the seals. (They stick over the navy seal on the certificate)

-do we have a seal embossing session early on in the cruise and try and emboss all the seals for everyone?
-do we have people drop by and emboss seals for their own family?
-do we just hand out the unembossed seals and let families do their own thing?

Distribution

There are several items to put together for the certificates
-the certificate itself
-the seal
-the ribbon for the seal
-a wallet 'certificate'
I do have ziploc bags to put all the smaller bits together.

Two thoughts on distribution:
-deliver all the certificates to the rooms (but I am not sure if everything would fit under the door, especially for families that have ordered several certificates.
-have a distribution time/place where everyone can collect their certificates.

Obviously the timing on the distribution depends on how the other items get handled.

My thoughts at the moment are to have a certificate session where people can meet, help emboss the seals and collect their certificates. Everyone would then be responsible for getting the captain's signature on their own certificate(s). This would have to be done early on in the cruise, either on embarkation day or the next couple of days. It could be done in the Promenade Lounge - maybe tie in with an embarkation day 3pm meet and greet? And perhaps another session the next day.

What do you all think? How has it been handled before? Suggestions? I want to ensure that everyone who bought certificates gets them as quickly and painlessly as possible.

-Kay

It's been said before, but if we do a meet and greet on day 1 that would be a great distribution point. I have 2 embossers now (picked one up with a DCL logo) and could bring them for everyone to do their own. Then we could get the captain to sign ourselves. I think this may be the easiest this late in the game for what it's worth.

 

[ACDSNY]

I fell down on Christmas Eve and got the gift of a broken arm. I went to the ER and they gave me a sling, but I can't get into see an orthopedist for a cast until Monday.

Oh no, a broken arm is no fun! I hope the Dr was able to make you feel more comfortable today. On the bright side you have several days of rest and relaxation coming up.

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

Hello,

I have a favor to ask. I was packaging the remaining lanyards and noticed that I am now short 1 holder. To those who I mailed thier lanyards, could you please count your holders and see if I included an extra one? I would appreciate it.

I am making sure everyone gets what they ordered...we can always bring another one for one of ours but thought it was waorth a try.

Thanks!

 

[3CStuart]

Oh I love the way Delta treats non-revs. I like the fact they put us in first class if there is room first. I just think the fact that there is no interline rate but every other type of discount is BS.

This may not be the case for long since they're looking at monetizing FC. Heck, as a Diamond Medallion who knows if *I* will even get the UG anymore.

I know that DCL usually just grabs the bags from the airline, but since we are flying in a day early we'll have the bags this time, I'm confused.

And did anyone else get a DCL tranfer to the Long Beach airport? We have an LAX transfer but need to go to LGB for our rental car. We asked for LGB and got LAX, so I'm just not sure if it's a mistake or if they don't do the LGB transfer.

I'm guessing if you come in a day early they don't touch the bags. We're renting a car from Hertz and are doing a one way to SNA and dropping it off there.

 

[tinkryansmom]

Alan - let us know if you get the CA resident rate put into place!

Boo for broken arms. Yay for scavenger hunts.

OK I think we have survived Christmas and moving (mostly) into our new home. Now I can concentrate on the cruise.

If any of you amazing organizers are needing any information from me or payment or confirmation PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE send me a PM. I am feeling like I am forgetting something but not sure what it is.

This trip is going to be amazing. thank you all for your creative ideas and talents!

 

[granmaz]

I just want to vent really fast. I just looked at the DCL site. For our cruise they still are showing 11C,11A, 9C, 7A,6A available. I still can't get a interline rate. I must say this does not sit well with me. If travel agents are getting a rate and FL residents can get a rate then interline should get a rate. I am really thinking about writing a nasty letter to DCL about this. I just fo not think it is fair. I am not at all upset about cast or mil. discounts. I think Disney should take care of there own and our troops and families. But to offer FL rate on a cruise on a ship that is going to home ported in CA. Come on!!!! Vent over.

I don't know what interline rates are, but it doesn't sound fair at all that FL residents get a good deal and Cali ones don't. Disney just don't seem to think things through at all.

New Development!​

I've been in contact with those folks who run the very popular "scavenger hunt" type events at Disneyland twice a year and more recently at WDW. (Not allowed to mention the name because in the parks they're sponsored by a competing Disney-related website, but I'll PM the full event details to Jeff to be included on the Cruise Website, and PM you any details if you ask). Anyway it turns out that several of their staffers are going to be on our cruse and I'm so excited to announce that they have offered to run an event just for us!

Here are the preliminary details in the email I JUST received confirming their willingness to do this.

We'll send the game materials with our staffers and they'll handle distribution and grading. If you want there to be prizes, your group is responsible for that - you tell us how many winners you want there to be, and we'll give you the results. We're still trying to decide what day to have the game, but it will definitely be a sea day. (Just trying to work around Palo ressies and spa appointments). The packets will be distributed at a time/place to be determined, and will need to be returned at a designated time/place for grading.

We need to know how many teams you expect to have participating so we can print enough packets. As you know space and weight are tight, so we're not bringing a printer (as we have during past events), so we need to know how many packets to have ready. If you need more packets once you get on the ship, you'll be responsible for getting copies made onboard, which is NOT cheap.

Our rules have always stated that each stateroom is one team, just for simplicity sake. We don't allow cabin mates to split into two teams. We are tentatively planning one quest using the WAVE phones, so any cabin wanting to participate in the game should make sure that they don't turn in all of their phones if they want to participate in that quest.

These folks are on vacation just like the rest of us, so I'm really pleased that they're willing to work this out to make it happen. For the sake of simplicity, I'm thinking we won't do prizes, just bragging rights, with a 1st, 2nd and possibly 3rd place winner, depending on the number of participants. (Unless someone has some great prizes they want to donate to the cause!)

So, here are the details so far
1. There is no cost to participate, (however a DOD or at least a thanks to those folks surely wouldn't go amiss!)
2. The date and time of this event is still TBA, but at sea it's normally done rather casually and you get pretty much all day to complete the various quests and turn in your score sheet for grading, so it allows you to still do other things during that day.
3. Please PM me if you want to participate or want more details.
4. The rules are no more than 4 people to a team and/or no more than one team to a stateroom
5. Because of the late notice and their need to print the packets before they leave, I've requested that they give me a final deadline. I'll post that as soon as I hear back from her, but I expect it will be fairly close.

I guess this is what took place on our last WBPC cruise Tracy. We didn't take part as we are useless at such things, but i do know it was a lot of fun.

Hello everyone! I hope that everyone who celebrated had a Merry Christmas!
I fell down on Christmas Eve and got the gift of a broken arm. I went to the ER and they gave me a sling, but I can't get into see an orthopedist for a cast until Monday. It is a bad time to need a doctor. DH and I are trying to go over our excursions to see what we can do, but t's hard to really know until I talk to the doctor. I know one thing, I will be very happy to have someone cooking and making my bed for me for two weeks!

Oh poor you with a broken arm. It must be so painful not being in a cast. I can't understand why there was nobody to put one on for you. I guess the system is different over there.

One of our granddaughters went to hospital on Christmas Day morning. She had been sick a lot the day before, then collapsed in the morning. Our daughter called National Health Service Direct(telephone help service), and they just organised an ambulance. She had to wait a couple of hours to be seen once at hospital, lots of drunks around left over from Christmas Eve, but she was absolutely fine, and bored by then. We were just cross with how long it took for a child to be seen. Seems she was weak from being sick, then with all the excitement of Christmas morning her heart beating faster etc, it just took it's toll. Phew. She was back to her normal noisy self playing with her twin the day after when we were there.

 

[sak0526]

Wow Marilyn (on emergency for child). that's sad. in our local hospital (which is part of the Johns Hopkins Hospital system) the only time it pays to go to the ER is if you are a kid! once DS turned 18 we watched from the adult waiting room as kids came in, got seen and treated and left, all while we waited and waited....

 

[granmaz]

Wow Marilyn (on emergency for child). that's sad. in our local hospital (which is part of the Johns Hopkins Hospital system) the only time it pays to go to the ER is if you are a kid! once DS turned 18 we watched from the adult waiting room as kids came in, got seen and treated and left, all while we waited and waited....

Once she was seen it was very quick and she was soon home, but they could have done that straight off really. I guess there must have been some really poorly patients in, so quite right they were dealt with really. At least Charlotte was ok!!

 

[sak0526]

Once she was seen it was very quick and she was soon home, but they could have done that straight off really. I guess there must have been some really poorly patients in, so quite right they were dealt with really. At least Charlotte was ok!!

and youre right = at least she was ok! but what i meant was they have a separate area where they triage and treat kids. kids can go downhill so much faster than adults so they are seen different place and just by peds docs. but all is well now!

 

[LindaBabe]

Good Morning Happy Cruisers!

One week from today, we fly to Florida! WOO HOO! Even as chilly as it is down there, it's warmer than the 18F it is here!

Tough about the broken arm - too darn bad, if you were planning to go snorkling! But on the other hand - you'll be in a perfect position to be pampered! Poor dear.

HarolAnne, sure glad you didn't bite the dust too!

Please gang STAY SAFE! We're in the home stretch now - NO MORE ACCIDENTS!

 

[granmaz]

and youre right = at least she was ok! but what i meant was they have a separate area where they triage and treat kids. kids can go downhill so much faster than adults so they are seen different place and just by peds docs. but all is well now!

Oh I so agree. Perhaps any other day but a public holiday there might be better attention. Also, it wouldn't have been the hospital of choice, but the emergency ambulances go to the nearest and it is an inner city one.

They were sitting waiting and a drunk lady came to sit next to them and talked and talked, so they moved away. Eventually they went to ask if there was anywhere else they could wait and were told there was a children's room. Off they went, and it was locked!!! They managed to find someone to get it unlocked, and it was a lovely themed big room, completely empty of any toys/books whatsoever!!!

 

[JenKatt]

Good Morning Happy Cruisers!

One week from today, we fly to Florida! WOO HOO! Even as chilly as it is down there, it's warmer than the 18F it is here!

Tough about the broken arm - too darn bad, if you were planning to go snorkling! But on the other hand - you'll be in a perfect position to be pampered! Poor dear.

HarolAnne, sure glad you didn't bite the dust too!

Please gang STAY SAFE! We're in the home stretch now - NO MORE ACCIDENTS!

We're not warmer by much! It was 26 when I got up this morning. I had a thick layer of ice on my windshield. I don't own a scraper anymore!

Sorry about the broken arm! That seriously sucks so close to the cruise!

 

[granmaz]

We're not warmer by much! It was 26 when I got up this morning. I had a thick layer of ice on my windshield. I don't own a scraper anymore!

That is just not right at all!!! Aren't we blessed to be sailing away from it all though!!

 

[Tigfanjeff]

Website is once again updated. I've had a few more people jump on and a few room changes. I have 2 more rooms that I'm waiting on additional info to add so expect at least 1 more update there.

I'm also now updating the events calendar with stuff I have. I'm putting up the 7 sci fi movie times, but be aware that if any conflict with the first showing of Tron, we'll be going to see Tron instead.

I'm *still* waiting to hear on the wine M&G though I think the ship is actually responding now. It's still ridiculous....

 

[Tigfanjeff]

Sci Fi Movie Dates/Times - All are occurring in room 8516.

1/6 - 10PM
1/9 - 2PM
1/11 - 2PM
1/15 - 2PM
1/16 - 2PM
1/18 - 10PM
1/19 - 10PM

 

[glindamood]

Hello everyone! I hope that everyone who celebrated had a Merry Christmas!
I fell down on Christmas Eve and got the gift of a broken arm. I went to the ER and they gave me a sling, but I can't get into see an orthopedist for a cast until Monday. It is a bad time to need a doctor. DH and I are trying to go over our excursions to see what we can do, but t's hard to really know until I talk to the doctor. I know one thing, I will be very happy to have someone cooking and making my bed for me for two weeks!
Nicole, congratulations on getting into Club 33, that is so exciting! I am jealous!
Kay, I like the idea of picking up the certificates and embossing our own, then getting them signed later. Just my $0.02.
Have a great day everyone, and watch your step!

So sorry but glad you have some major pampering in your very near future.

We are under ten days - cruising next week!!!

 

[WDW Princess 71]

Website is once again updated. I've had a few more people jump on and a few room changes. I have 2 more rooms that I'm waiting on additional info to add so expect at least 1 more update there.

I'm also now updating the events calendar with stuff I have. I'm putting up the 7 sci fi movie times, but be aware that if any conflict with the first showing of Tron, we'll be going to see Tron instead.

I'm *still* waiting to hear on the wine M&G though I think the ship is actually responding now. It's still ridiculous....

Jeff, will you be creating a list of Fish Extender participants only, so that we can print and take for the FE deliveries? Or are you just leaving it as-is with the FE symbol next to participating names on the "who is going" roster? I'm asking because I did an Excel spreadsheet as of November 7 with a listing of all the names, room numbers and info for those participating in the FE to make it easier to follow than the big master list, and I shared the spreadsheet with several other people who wanted it. I promised I would update it when the GTYs were done and if any late FE people joined- but if you are already doing it, then I wont have to. Just let me know what you were planning so I can do it if necessary, thanks!

 

[Tigfanjeff]

Jeff, will you be creating a list of Fish Extender participants only, so that we can print and take for the FE deliveries? Or are you just leaving it as-is with the FE symbol next to participating names on the "who is going" roster? I'm asking because I did an Excel spreadsheet as of November 7 with a listing of all the names, room numbers and info for those participating in the FE to make it easier to follow than the big master list, and I shared the spreadsheet with several other people who wanted it. I promised I would update it when the GTYs were done and if any late FE people joined- but if you are already doing it, then I wont have to. Just let me know what you were planning so I can do it if necessary, thanks!

Take a look at the version here

http://wonderpanama2011.com/fish.php

 

[WeLuvDCL]

Puerto Vallarta Los Veranos Canopy Tour UPDATE

For those of you doing the tour, there has been discussion about the new rules in Mexico regarding accepting US dollars. I e-mailed Los Veranos to double check about buying food, video, photos and souvenirs. Here is their response:

"I am glad to hear from you and yes time is getting closer! Our company does
accept Credit card purchases, our restaurant and bar and souvenirs, we do
recommend how ever cash for the video department. The cash can either be dollars or pesos."

I believe the video is about $40 and the photo about $8-10. I'd have to go look through the reviews again. If anyone needs to know the exact amount I can email her again.