From WDW To DL With Love - January 06, 2011

[Tigfanjeff]

It occurred to me that SOME of the things we might be signing up for in the months ahead(i.e. Secret Mickeys, a scrapbook class (if someone decides to lead one) or who knows what all else might come up in the next YEAR!) will require some coordinating.

Perhaps it would be better for Jeff if each activity has its own "coordinator" who keeps track of who's signed up and of communicating any pertinent information to the participants. Then that person could be in charge of updating a spreadsheet or list or whatever and sending that to Jeff periodically so Jeff only has to replace the existing with the new.

Otherwise I'm thinking there could be a whole lot of updating going on that Jeff would be responsible for keeping track of. If we end up having a lot of activities, that could be a HUGE job for one person to be in charge of.

Also, I know there was some discussion about whether to "schedule" FE gifts or not, and at some point we will probably need to decide that among other things. But just to add my 2 cents, I'm thinking maybe it's too early to decide some things like that. Over the next few months there could be dozens of families who join our group and some here who end up deciding NOT to cruise and that might drastically affect the preferences expressed by the group as a whole.

I'm just as excited and eager as everyone else to get started planning activities, but I'd hate to have people who join the group, for example a whole year before we sail feel like they never had any say in anything.

Again, I'm just making a suggestion. Everyone is free to (gently, please) disagree, but I wanted to put it out there for discussion.

Yes, having a dedicated person for each activity who communicates stuff to me (Or who I set up with an administrator interface on the site) would help immensely. Of course it is still over 450 days till the cruise, so planning things in too much detail at this time is probably too much.

 

[Tami0220]

This may sound like a greedy or selfish question, but never having cruised before I dont know the answer. If one were to buy a wine pkg or even a single bottle of wine, is it "expected" that you share with your table mates or is it OK to just keep amongest yourselves? Not that we are lushes, it just we were looking at the premium wine list (love champagne) and it get pretty pricey. Also, can you combine wines from the premium list with the deluxe list or must you buy a specific pkg and only wines from that pkg? Hope this makes sense.

 

[Tigfanjeff]

This may sound like a greedy or selfish question, but never having cruised before I dont know the answer. If one were to buy a wine pkg or even a single bottle of wine, is it "expected" that you share with your table mates or is it OK to just keep amongest yourselves? Not that we are lushes, it just we were looking at the premium wine list (love champagne) and it get pretty pricey. Also, can you combine wines from the premium list with the deluxe list or must you buy a specific pkg and only wines from that pkg? Hope this makes sense.

Unless you make a deal with your tablemates (We'll buy tonight, you buy tomorrow) it's your wine and you don't need to share unless you feel like it. I wouldn't expect it if a tablemate of mine bought a bottle. Of course, if they offered and I accepted, I would absolutely insist on returning the favor.

 

[ColoBlu6]

This may sound like a greedy or selfish question, but never having cruised before I dont know the answer. If one were to buy a wine pkg or even a single bottle of wine, is it "expected" that you share with your table mates or is it OK to just keep amongest yourselves? Not that we are lushes, it just we were looking at the premium wine list (love champagne) and it get pretty pricey. Also, can you combine wines from the premium list with the deluxe list or must you buy a specific pkg and only wines from that pkg? Hope this makes sense.

My DH and I some times buy a wine package too. We have never shared unless traveling with family and friends.. the last time we cruised we were at a table of 10 and 3 of the couples had wine packages and the rest ordered their own drinks. The last night we shared because we had 1 1/2 bottles left.
I didn't want to pack the last bottle.. Hope this helps

 

[LindaBabe]

Yes, having a dedicated person for each activity who communicates stuff to me (Or who I set up with an administrator interface on the site) would help immensely. Of course it is still over 450 days till the cruise, so planning things in too much detail at this time is probably too much.

How would it be if we put "sign ups" on hold until the final payment date in September 2010? By then, either people would have made their final payment or dropped out. Then a sign up would have some committment - and the list wouldn't require a million changes, and yet people would still have 4 months to prepare for whatever they were going to participate in.

 

[tlungstrum]

How would it be if we put "sign ups" on hold until the final payment date in September 2010? By then, either people would have made their final payment or dropped out. Then a sign up would have some committment - and the list wouldn't require a million changes, and yet people would still have 4 months to prepare for whatever they were going to participate in.

Sounds good to me. That should give plenty of prep time and you're right about the committment. From what I hear, quite a lot of people usually drop out at this time when they decide they can't or don't want to pay because something came up.

 

[Tigfanjeff]

Sounds good to me. That should give plenty of prep time and you're right about the committment. From what I hear, quite a lot of people usually drop out at this time when they decide they can't or don't want to pay because something came up.

Based on my experience from the last canal cruise, about 15% of the list changed when final payment came due. We didn't loose that many parties, but some people dropped, and other waitlisted people took their spot.

While discussing the events and getting ideas and all that in place is a good idea, I agree on holding off signups for anything that requires a monetary investment.

Now, you want to schedule a "Drinking around the ship" night, that is something that even if you end up canceling on, others can take over leadership and frankly no one will worry too much if people are signed up and don't get there.

 

[tinksmom]

Hello All and welcome to all our new members! I agree with slowing down all the sign-ups. Next September sounds like a good date. It will still be fun to talk about things and do some dreaming, though. As far as volunteering for things, I've already said I would coordinate a FE gift for families coming from abroad. I'll still do that and anyone who wants to participate or has questions can PM me.

Thanks for posting the menues. I can't wait to enjoy all the yummy food while enjoying getting to know our new friends and tablemates Lisa and Lizzy!

Jeff -- my goal is to get you a picture this week. I had a duh moment when you emailed me. Thanks for the reminder!

 

[familyfun5]

clungstrum- We have some snow right now for you. We left FL on Sat it was very hot. Flew into Denver and was met with 25 degree weather and snow.

Good night you all.

 

[LindaBabe]

Good Morning, Everyone!

It's 43 F and raining here - I guess I should be glad it isn't S%@w! Can't TELL you how much I do not want to go out to go to the gym this am.

I still committ to maintaining the FE list in whatever manner Jeff suggests, but based on what i'm seeing on other cruises for next month, the changes are making me nuts and I'm not even responsible. GLAD to see there is some support for delaying signups.

Happy Day, All!

 

[RanCan]

Hello to all me fellow cruisers!!!!

Just a note for all the "Gents" (and ladies too) regarding college football bowl games....

The NCAA National Championship football game will be during our cruise on January 10, 2011, televised on ESPN from Glendale, Arizona.

I for one am hoping that Disney will televise this onboard maybe on the BIG outdoor screen. This is our Aruba day. If this game is in the early evening (5-6ish) in Arizona, what time will it be in Aruba? Does anyone have any thoughts on this possibility? ESPN is Disney owned...hmmm

 

[Tigfanjeff]

If the game is on at 8PM Eastern, it will be on at 9PM in Aruba. They've shown the baseball playoffs, so I'd be fairly certain this game will get aired.

 

[aan1701]

If the game is on at 8PM Eastern, it will be on at 9PM in Aruba. They've shown the baseball playoffs, so I'd be fairly certain this game will get aired.

Are you sure about the time in Aruba? On the PC last year we did not have any time changes till we were on the Pacific side and then I believe after Acapolco. One thing I forgot. On the last PC cruise, we got a NBA playoff game the day after the canal. Problem was we were so far south it was hard for them to pick up the satalite.

 

[aan1701]

Hello to all me fellow cruisers!!!!

Just a note for all the "Gents" (and ladies too) regarding college football bowl games....

The NCAA National Championship football game will be during our cruise on January 10, 2011, televised on ESPN from Glendale, Arizona.

I for one am hoping that Disney will televise this onboard maybe on the BIG outdoor screen. This is our Aruba day. If this game is in the early evening (5-6ish) in Arizona, what time will it be in Aruba? Does anyone have any thoughts on this possibility? ESPN is Disney owned...hmmm

Ah, if is not going to bectge Buckeyes, who cares. Just kidding. I hope Ohio St. is there but it would make for a fun gathering.

 

[RanCan]

Ah, if is not going to bectge Buckeyes, who cares. Just kidding. I hope Ohio St. is there but it would make for a fun gathering.

Fun times regardless of who's playing!!!!!

 

[RanCan]

If the game is on at 8PM Eastern, it will be on at 9PM in Aruba. They've shown the baseball playoffs, so I'd be fairly certain this game will get aired.

Jeff, I hope you're right!!!

 

[aan1701]

Fun times regardless of who's playing!!!!!

That is the truth. Hopefully some Lakers games will be n ABC as well. I would live to watch a few of those as well

 

[RanCan]

That is the truth. Hopefully some Lakers games will be n ABC as well. I would live to watch a few of those as well

Absolutely...maybe by then the Lakers will be back-to-back World Champions and looking for a third in a row!!! Hey, you never know...right?

 

[RanCan]

The riots and victory parades are good overtime for me. It helps pay for this cruise habit. LOL

 

[aan1701]

Absolutely...maybe by then the Lakers will be back-to-back World Champions and looking for a third in a row!!! Hey, you never know...right?

Um maybe back to back . Who is going to stop them. Name one team in the NBA that can match up to a healthy Lakers team. I will save everyone the trouble of searching for an answer. The answer is NO ONE.