Halloween on Oct. 31, 2002 Wonder?

[taswira]

<B>jmalk</B> - It's hard to believe you're not getting any replies on this. I thought the Radisson was the most popular place to stay the night before a cruise. If we get any responses to where people are staying, I can post it on the list. As I mentioned before, there are no full names listed for anyone so it's safe to do so.

As for me, I'll be at the house in Daytona Beach the night before, driving down in the morning with my nephew.

 

[momto2dkids]

taswira,
My famliy and I will be staying at the Grand Floridian for the four nights prior to the cruise as part of our land/sea package and will be using Disney transportation to the ship.

 

[arkiepaula]

We will be at the Poly the 4 nights before the cruise.........anyone else?

 

[Simba Sarah]

Unofficially Matt and I will be at the Hyatt the night before...still need to make those reservations! Oh, and I will be celebrating birthday #22 on the cruise, as I have noticed that everyone has mentioned their birthday ages.

Everyone have an enjoyable Labor Day weekend...here in Jersey it will most likely be raining so I will have to make the best of it!

~Sarah and Matt

 

[taswira]

Okay - I <I>think</I> I am caught up. For those I have info on, I have added any birthdays, where you are staying and which dinner seating you have. I am lacking that info for many of you. Please check <B><a href="http://www.primateprojections.com/travel/DISlist.html">the list</A></B>, "refresh" it if you have visited it lately, and if you fill me in with where you are staying and your dinner seating, I will add it. I realize this is a holiday weekend and many of you might not be checking the board, but when you get back maybe? Thanks!

 

[greene2411]

We are not sure where we are staying!!! Currently we have a reservation at the Radisson but are thinking about cancelling and stay at the Holiday Inn or Express whatever is there.

We can use a free night and the park at the ship. The Hoilday and parking would be a cheaper with the free night.

We are wondering what the parking is like at the ship. How far away, where do you unload baggage, etc.




WDW November 1984
WDW October 1993
WDW October 1998
WDW February 2000
WDW April 2002

 

[taswira]

If you drive to the port, you can unload your luggage directly in front of the terminal. There are baggage handlers there who will take care of it all, as long as you have the proper DCL luggage tags affixed to each piece. If you want to park at the port, parking is across the street and is $8 per day for passenger cars. Since I tend to arrive before the baggage handlers are out, I park first, then wheel my own luggage over to the terminal. But then, I travel light, with just one medium-sized wheeled bag and a small carry-on. During increased security times (You never know), they discontinued the front-of-terminal drop-off and instead had a vehicle that picked up luggage in the parking lot. Someone else can advise you about the hotel/car situation, as I always drive down from my part-time home in Daytona Beach.

Let us know when you decide where you are staying.

 

[sperrier]

We are staying on property for the 4/3 day land/sea. Beach Club.

Add another Birthday, my wife's is 11/3!!

 

[taswira]

Thanks, sperrier! I just made the update! Which dinner seating do you have?

 

[rere]

Hola ...........Late seating for us........

 

[taswira]

Thanks, rere! I have added your seating!

 

[momto2dkids]

Bump

Is anyone else going with us? If so, we would love to hear from you!

 

[taswira]

From what I gather, there are still <I>plenty</I> of available staterooms on this cruise in nearly every category. Looks like we won't be too crowded. But we'd LOVE to have more DISers join us!

 

[momto2dkids]

taswira,
How do you find out how "booked" a particular cruise will be?

Did you ever find the catch-a-bubbles?

 

[taswira]

momto2dkids - I am a part-time TA. Yesterday my booking engine showed at least 8 in Cat. 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9, plus the two recently reclassified "obstructed" Cat 7 on Deck 7 (that are not <I>really</I> Navigator Verandah rooms), as well as GTY for Cat 10 and 11. Then I called DCL to inquire about booking a small group for next spring, and was told there is LOTS of availability of verandah staterooms on Oct. 31 (except just those two obstructed Cat. 7). I guess a lot of people are choosing to stay home for Halloween! Given those stats, I would not be at all surprised if there MIGHT be some upgrades at check-in from the lower categories. It's a <I>possibility</I>.

I spoke with my sister in Daytona Beach. She said she's pretty sure she saw those bubbles at WalMart there, so I'll check it out mid-October when I get back there, instead of toting them from Idaho. Thanks!

 

[momto2dkids]

Thanks for the info taswira. I've wondered about how booked the ship might be and have read other posts where other DIS'ers were trying to find the same info on the cruise the were going on.

There's another question since you always seem to know the answer(or at the very least know where to find it) and you seem to go WDW frequently. How busy do you thinks the parks will be around Halloween time to include regular park hours and the MNSSHP? What I really want to know is how long the lines seem to be for things,both adult and, if you know, children's. The vacation is going to wonderful regardless but it would be nice to not have to wait to long for rides, character meet and greets and such.

Thanks!!!

 

[taswira]

Weekends throughout October are likely to be crowded, with adults and kids, especially because Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is going on, and many families may hit the park in the daytime and then MNSSHP that evening. (No such thing as overdose, right?). Of course, even on weekends, the key to beating the crowd is getting there early! Weekdays (except Friday) should not be nearly as bad. Most kids will be in school. But Florida in October (as long as there isn't a hurricane) is much better than Florida in the summer. It is a good vacation time.

 

[momto2dkids]

Thanks again taswira, I knew I could count on you.

 

[greene2411]

I was thinking about bringing something other than candy for the kids on board the ship. What is everyone's thoughts on the number of children that will be on board? 50, 100, more?

Thanks

Roberta

 

[taswira]

There might be many, many more children than that! - unless nobody takes their kids out of school. FYI: I don't know what you are considering bringing, but just in case - DCL's FAQ states the following - -

"<I>Homemade items or pre-cooked items purchased on the way to the ship will not be allowed to be brought aboard. Also, open bags or containers of snack items should not be brought aboard ship</I>."

DCL apparently plans to have some sort of trick-or-treating for the kids onboard. There may be liability problems if guests are distributing food items or candy they brought themselves. I'm not sure, but that's my impression.