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

[firstcruise]

Quick question using gift cards and credit cards when first getting on the ship. I will have over $400 in excursion expenses, so when I get to port will they charge my credit card for the expenses since it's over the $400 limit or can I give them my gift cards?

 

[ACDSNY]

I was planning to put our VISA reward cards on our on-board account during the check in process if possible, otherwise, I'll stop by guest services to put them on so they get used first before our credit card. I would think you could do the same with gift cards.

 

[granmaz]

So i heard from a reliable source that the cruise is sold out but there's like 300 kids on board! so some of the kids activities will be reingineered for adults to have fun with! and there will be more adult type activities and more older adult type activities. interesting. heard that there are 1800 people on board (not sure if sthat includes kids but i guess a lot of rooms going to 2 to a rroom). fun fun!!

That was about the number of kids on the WBTA, and it was great really. Yes, The Quiet Cove pool was busier and quite often there was nobody in the family pool at all. I think there were 3 child activities put on for adults. The total on that cruise was 1800 too and it was noticeable, particularly in the dining rooms. Busiest place was Cove Cafe area!!! They held the late night adult entertainer spot in the theatre rather than Diversions(? name on Wonder) to cope with the larger adult numbers.

 

[danfromca]

We can still Skype from a personal laptop using the wi fi, I hope??

No - I'm pretty sure they block the ports Skype uses. Most cruise ships do. Even if you could get through, the speed of the connection won't be fast enough to carry voice.

Remember, even though you have wi fi, most of the time it will be very slow (as in, modem speeds), and very expensive.

 

[aan1701]

Serenity Bay was wall to wall adults and the main beach was empty (however, that was the cruise that Serenity Bay emptied very quickly after an unfortunate incident - then the main beach filled up).

I remember that. I was on that cruise. It was my first with DCL. Not at all what one would expect on that cruise.

 

[granmaz]

Now you really HAVE to tell us!

 

[JenKatt]

I really shouldn't have said anything. I was tired when I wrote that last night. But Alan is right, it was unexpected. And from the sound of it, people are thinking it's something silly, it wasn't. A wonderful man had a heart attack in the water off the beach at Serenity Bay and died. (He was a DIS'ser). It was a nightmare. Not many people stayed on that beach afterwards. If you look up the thread from that cruise, you can find a lot on it. (Including what Jeff had to be coaxed back to DIS after that)

 

[granmaz]

Ah Jen, I do remember that now. How very sad. I can't remember though if he was ok.

 

[LindaBabe]

Good Morning, Happy Cruisers!


Its truly sad for the family and observers that the gentleman passed so publicly . . . on the other hand . . . on the other hand, as an old woman (who has already planned a Disney themed memorial service for herself), I can think of a lot worse places to transition to the next life. . .

I'm SO glad you are here on the DIS Jen, and that Jeff was able to be coaxed back here You both add so much to our little community - and I'm SURE i'm not the only one who view you both with great affection!

Two weeks from today, we'll be headed for the SHIP! WOO HOO!

 

[glindamood]

Hello from Pompano Beach! We flew yesterday, left that snow behind and in the 70's here. I have my family and we are having a great time. Drew is making breakfast (bacon and pancakes) the other guys are watching Sport
Center and I got caught up on the DIS. So nice not to be in the office.

Today we need to get to the store again (ran out last night for just breakfast and lunch items) for our big shopping excursion and a visit to the liquor store for our DOTD items.

Everyone have a great day and I will check in as I can.

 

[WeLuvDCL]

DIS group canopy (zipline) tour in Puerto Vallarta!
We are still doing the zipline in PV, the links on page #1 are just not working. Here is the info for anyone interested (I tried to combine all my posts so sorry if I duplicate info):

We already have over 36 people booked for this excursion so everyone gets a 25% discount and they are providing us private transportation from the docking area to the actual canopy site and back!
Anyone else interested will need to call Esmeralda at 1-800-396-9168 (1-619-955-6993 if outside US) and mention that they are a part of the "Dawn-Disney" group to be recognized as part of this group and get the 25% discount. Do NOT book through the website.

Please also PM or e-mail me when you book and let me know how many people you booked just so I can keep track and make sure everyone that books is updated with any new information I get.

We must all be on the dock by 8:45am, bus will start loading at 9:00am and we will return around 2:30pm (2 hours before we need to be back on board the Wonder).

Here are the prices with the 25% discount.

Adult (13+) Tour $59.25
Child (6-12) Tour $43.50
Adult (5+) non-Zip $15.00
Child (under 5) non-Zip Free

Los Veranos Canopy Tours website: http://www.canopytours-vallarta.com/
Trip Advisor reviews: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...os_Veranos-Puerto_Vallarta_Pacific_Coast.html (You really should read the reviews, it sounds like we are in for a lot of laughs as well as thrills!

Anyone 6 and older can zip-line on this excursion.
All non-Zippers of any age can enjoy the following: swim in the river, enjoy cocktails at the tequila bar, visit the animals in their zoo or have lunch at their riverside restaurant. They allow children 6 and up to zipline and one of the guides will zip with them if they are too scared to go on their own. Also, if one (or both) of them change their mind at the last minute, a guide will take them down to the water and animal area.

The company offers a full refund if we are unable to dock at PV for any reason.

If you have any other questions about this tour you can contact Esmeralda directly at the number above. If you have any questions or special requests for the group please PM me and I'll see what I can do.

There is no deadline to sign up and pay, although you probably will want to do this before you board the ship.

If you have booked and are not on the list please send me PM. There is no deadline for signing up, just trying to keep track of everyone so I make sure no one is missed as being part fo this group.

Here is the list of who is going (Blue/Green is transportation/zoo only):
Confirmed:
WeLuvDCL 1A - 1A - 1Toddler
Phil & Deborah 1A - 1A
Tami0220 1A - 1A
JenKatt 3A - 1A - 1C
3mmm 2A - 4C
Pixie Dust II 1A - 1A
healeylvr 2A
tinkryansmom 4A - 3C - 1A- 1Toddler
TDC NALA 1A
DCL_FAN_TAC 2A - 1A
KayR 2A - 2C

 

[Luvin all Disney]

No - I'm pretty sure they block the ports Skype uses. Most cruise ships do. Even if you could get through, the speed of the connection won't be fast enough to carry voice.

Remember, even though you have wi fi, most of the time it will be very slow (as in, modem speeds), and very expensive.

I'm sorry about that, but very happy to have the info. I was planning to keep up with my Dad (and our dog) with the video, but we'll have to make it work with e-mail.

I actually see some blue sky in Southern California today, so it should be a nice day! DS went to Disneyland last night at 8:30, hoping the park would be somewhat empty because of the rain. Lots of folks were brave like him, though!

 

[carmie3377]

We are booked with Lotus. DH researched and we are getting picked up approximately an hour after docking. We are to call. We have six people going to Anaheim area; different hotels for $90. Hope this helps.

Thanks! I'll probably go ahead and book with them today.

Safe travels everyone whether your heading out for the holidays or for vacation. 2 weeks from right now, I hope to be in the DCL terminal

 

[KayR]

I really shouldn't have said anything. I was tired when I wrote that last night. But Alan is right, it was unexpected. And from the sound of it, people are thinking it's something silly, it wasn't. A wonderful man had a heart attack in the water off the beach at Serenity Bay and died. (He was a DIS'ser). It was a nightmare. Not many people stayed on that beach afterwards. If you look up the thread from that cruise, you can find a lot on it. (Including what Jeff had to be coaxed back to DIS after that)

How sad for the family and the people who witnessed it.

 

[Happy Goofy]

Like everyone has said the internet on the ship is very very poor. I had planned to send emails to my family telling them what we were doing and where we were but I could not get on the internet. So what I did on the 25 day cruise, I used Microsoft Word to keep a journal of the trip so when I got home I had a nice record of all the things we did and places we went. Then I sent a copy to my famliy. If anyone is thinking of doing the TA and Med. next year I will have the Journal with me and you can read about what is in store for you. It was a great trip.

 

[granmaz]

Just wondering if anyone can help. We are planning our September/October trip right now, and thinking of flying home from New York, and having a few days there prior. As we will have 4 bags after being on a cruise, which would be the best airline to book the trip up from Orlando? Do you have favourites?

 

[ACDSNY]

I really shouldn't have said anything. I was tired when I wrote that last night. But Alan is right, it was unexpected. And from the sound of it, people are thinking it's something silly, it wasn't. A wonderful man had a heart attack in the water off the beach at Serenity Bay and died. (He was a DIS'ser). It was a nightmare. Not many people stayed on that beach afterwards. If you look up the thread from that cruise, you can find a lot on it. (Including what Jeff had to be coaxed back to DIS after that)

Your right Jen I figured someone did something stupid and silly. How sad for his family and friends to have to see that.

 

[WeLuvDCL]

Anyone want to play a little packing game? (ok, not really a game)

What item(s) are you packing that you find really useful but probably many others haven't thought about packing?

and/or

What item(s) have you forgotten to pack on previous cruises? (and the story that goes with it)

I'll start:
1. I'm packing 2 large insulated mugs for filling up at the drink station (those tiny cups don't cut it!). I'm filling them with clean socks while in the suitcase to save on space.
2. Binoculars (DH doens't go anywhere without them) and he usually does use them.
3. Folding/collapsing hamper for dirty clothes. I picked one up at the $1 store so I'll just leave it on the ship if suitcase is filled on journey home. (I tried a garbage once and it was a pain!).

I'll probably post some more on Monday as I'm packing and checking my list.

The one item I've forgotten is pajamas (and I've done it twice!). I wound up sleeping in DH t-shirts. Won't be forgetting this time as I already packe my fav Disney PJs for the PJ breakfast.

And, a what NOT to pack story: On the last night of our cruise with family, my DC packed ALL of her shoes and put the bags out. The next morning she realized what she'd done, but too late. Yes, she walked off the ship barefoot! We are cruising with them again in Nov and I'm sure this story will come up at least once on the cruise.

 

[CruznLexi]

We were on the Explorer of the seas and had done a few days in the Keys before we left Miami and I asked hubby did he have everything..he said yes. The first night he says oops. I am like what does that mean. He said I forgot my pants! I am like what! So now he had to wear my pants for 3 nights!

 

[granmaz]

We were on the Explorer of the seas and had done a few days in the Keys before we left Miami and I asked hubby did he have everything..he said yes. The first night he says oops. I am like what does that mean. He said I forgot my pants! I am like what! So now he had to wear my pants for 3 nights!