I have a million questions...apologizing in advance...Fantasy cruise for group and pretrip to park

[texasgingerbread]

I need help. I have so many questions and my head is spinning. Our cruise was booked this past weekend and there weren't many rooms left. My head is spinning. This will be our first Disney cruise. Very familiar with WDW and DL. I just booked the Fantasy for 31 people! 9 rooms! Via costco (because I couldn't resist the cash card back). I would have loved to use a TA for this many people but financially it didn't make sense.

So here I am asking the disboards experts. I love you! I learn so much from you. I thank you for any responses.

Here are my thoughts...all over the board but any feedback in any area is greatly appreciated.

I booked all verandah cabins on the Fantasy departing June 10 Western Carribean, 7 days. The first 6 are in 4A because they are the only ones left that had 299 squre feet. 2 of those needed to be connecting but I settled for side by side because there wasn't any and then I learned today the balcony wall cannot be removed either in this stateroom. So that was my saving grace for not having it be connected...they could just use the balcony. Of course now they can use the hallway but I think I need to rethink this. So my question is...should I just watch it - and hope something becomes available? What do you think the drop out rate is when full payment is due and will I see much movement then? This category is 4A. I'd also prefer midship for the rest of these rooms and will try and move the rest of us. Also we're on the 10th floor - worried about noise above us - specifically dragging chairs or cleaning. Again these were the only ones left. Should I just rebook the 246 square feet or do you feel this square footage is important?

For the other 4 rooms they are all in a row on the 9th floor category 5C though - smaller rooms. Their balcony walls can all be removed so that's good. I just wish they had a larger room. Two of those families HAVE to have connecting rooms due to 5 kids each.

Any recommended companies on mass transportation to get to cruise port or just use Disney for $35/head? or whatever that price is.

Would it help to change one of our reservations to Concierge in order to book anything important in advance? Another issue we have late dining right now (no early dining available) and we have diabetics in our group who do not like to eat that late at night. This is a huge concern.

What things should I focus on booking for groups besides cabanas on CC?

Do I even bother with the MM on the cruise (whatever they call it). It's super pricey and again 9 rooms. I'll definitely do MM in park. Thoughts?

We fly into Orlando the evening of Thursday, June 8. Arrive MCO at 6:40pm. It's the earliest we can get there because we have a family thing at 9am from where we are coming from. We will be in the parks all day June 9. Then board June 10. If money is a non-issue - would you book some type of dinner/parade viewing/Wishes/Fantasmic for June 8 - we'd only have time for the latest show or something? I figured it doesn't matter if we're tired because the first full day on the boat is a day at sea. Since we only have one day in the parks I assume we'll do MK. Or we could do Wishes the night we get in and then do Fantasmic Friday night. I do not want to miss Fantasmic...it's my boys favorite show. We will more than likely be staying in a value hotel (this is where I'll probably bring in a TA to do this portion) or if there is a moderate under $200/night (doubt it). In looking online it looks like Pop Century might be it. Thoughts on this with a large group? I've stayed at CB and Poly. AofA is crazy priced for our dates.

Would you invest in a VIP Tour Guide since you only have one day in the park? Post trip is not gonna happen. I would need 3 of them because it looks like it maxes out at 10 people. Hopefully our one child under 3 (yes only one) won't count since I have 31. Or would you not invest and just focus on MK. I have 3 families who have never done Disney! (gasp) I'm sad they will only see it for a day. Thus trying to get the night before.

Maybe do a character breakfast at a hotel on Saturday morning before we board the ship?

What am I forgetting?

Is there a good link or post out there that you know of that has group tips for cruising?

 

[texasgingerbread]

PS - I'm headed to read all the sticky's.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Not sure if you're willing to go lower on the ship, but there are connecting 4Es on deck 5 for that sailing right now. They have the bigger balconies, but come with other noise issues. I'd rather stick to higher, but those balconies might be nice for your group.

Also, you can use this thread to check where on the ship your rooms are from the outside:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/dr...see-the-pictures-index-now-in-post-7.2586763/

Definitely keep checking back, even a couple of times a day. People make changes all the time.

Can you not get a Costco rep to call DCL on your behalf? There might be something available that you're not seeing. You could at least have them check on it.

 

[texasgingerbread]

Thanks FigmentSpark! I can move some there that don't mind aft. I'll talk to them at Thanksgiving and give them more options. I just wanted to get booked before we were out of options.

 

[Bear3412]

Cat 4a -d are the same size. Verandas all connect except on deck 10. They connect in pairs with the 4a's on deck 10. They couldn't find a pair on ten that at least the verandas connect. Got cabin numbers for the deck 10 cat 4a's. I could check balcony connections.

No connecting cat 4a-d cabins on other decks?

How many adults and kids are in each of these cat 4a's. If you have connecting cat 4e, 5, 6 and 7; still may work.

Good luck.

I no longer play travel agent for friends and relatives.

Too stressful.

 

[texasgingerbread]

Got cabin numbers for the deck 10 cat 4a's. I could check balcony connections.

No connecting cat 4a-d cabins on other decks?

Room #: 10594
Room #: 10114
Room #: 10116
Room #: 10614
Room #: 10624
Room #: 9536
Room #: 9538
Room #: 9532
Room #: 9534

I am open to any and all suggestions from anyone who is familiar with ship. Most importantly, my mom is in Room #: 10594 and I want her to have the best room avail. She prefers midship and high up so she is most important. Then of course myself (hee hee) which is 10624.

Most rooms have 4. Some 3. None have 5. Mom only 2.

No other 4's on any decks.

 

[texasgingerbread]

Also, you can use this thread to check where on the ship your rooms are from the outside:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/dr...see-the-pictures-index-now-in-post-7.2586763/

This link is AMAZING! Thank you for sending me pixie dust!

 

[FigmentSpark]

Oh, sorry, so your smaller rooms on 9 are connecting. I didn't realize that. Other than space, they are probably a good location.

As for your rooms on deck 10, watch out for noise issues from the floor above.

You might also find this site helpful, as they have some videos of the types of rooms.:

https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/deckplans/Disney-Fantasy

Also, check out this page for deck reviews.

http://cruiseadvice.org/CruiseShips/BestCabins.aspx?ShipName=disney+fantasy

 

[Bear3412]

Room #: 10594
Room #: 10114
Room #: 10116
My research shows these balconies connect.
Room #: 10614
Room #: 10624
Your cabin being under carpeted Cabanas will likely be the quietest, imo.
Room #: 9536
Room #: 9538
Connecting cabins and balconies. Has the outer skin between balconies, no biggie.
Room #: 9532
Room #: 9534
Connecting cabins and balconies.
In fact all 4 of these deck 9 cabins balconies can connect into a large 4 cabin wide veranda.

I am open to any and all suggestions from anyone who is familiar with ship. Most importantly, my mom is in Room #: 10594 and I want her to have the best room avail. She prefers midship and high up so she is most important.
She has outer skin on aft side. But can see down between lifeboats.
Then of course myself (hee hee) which is 10624.
Your cabin being under carpeted Cabanas will likely be the quietest, imo.

These other cabins on deck 10 could be noisy. Bring earplugs or something.

Most rooms have 4. Some 3. None have 5. Mom only 2.

No other 4's on any decks.

Comments in red.

reference thread regarding deck 10 balcony connections, outer skin, huge overhang above deck 10 balconies http://disboards.com/threads/veranda-dividers.3556790/#post-56670930

HTH

 

[texasgingerbread]

Comments in red.

reference thread regarding deck 10 balcony connections, outer skin, huge overhang above deck 10 balconies http://disboards.com/threads/veranda-dividers.3556790/#post-56670930

HTH

You are amazing. Thanks for all the links to the threads. HUGE help.

 

[jdb in AZ]

When we had a lot of family going from WDW to the cruise terminal (then back to the airport) we used Happy Limo, with an online coupon from Mouse Savers. They sent two huge vans, and one of them was pulling a luggage trailer. About ten of us returned to WDW after the cruise and Happy Limo sent a stretch Humvee (again, pulling a luggage trailer) to take us from the hotel to the airport. Fun times. DCL charging $35 per person each way X 31 people is ridiculous. You can check out Happy Limo's rates online. Also do a Google search for Orlando transportation; you might find a better deal.

FWIW, we used a travel agent for our cruise, but I did the hotel reservations (after consulting with a sis-in-law and her fussiest daughter. They picked the hotel, so they couldn't blame me for choosing something they didn't like.) The WDW hotel reservation people are really easy to work with. We had relatives coming from several states, and some were quite persnickety about their flights (times, number of layovers vs direct or non-stop, etc), so we just told each family to make their own flight reservations.

The night before our cruise we met at the Ohana Restaurant at the Polynesian for dinner. The food was great, and they were able to accommodate our crowd.

 

[bumbershoot]

Via costco (because I couldn't resist the cash card back). I would have loved to use a TA for this many people but financially it didn't make sense.

Costco IS a TA. Call and talk to them. They can be very helpful.

As for using a TA for the room-only bookings...why?

Honestly I would have everyone pick what they want and tell you or book it themselves. You'll have togetherness at the event you're coming from pre cruise and on the cruise. Get some space in between.

Happylimo and fltours are good places to contact about transportation. I believe HL has a discount link on mousesavers and fltours has one on wdwinfo (aka The Dis).

Have Costco contact DCL about the diabetics getting into early dining. Of course there is plenty of abailAble food through the day, if they are more worried about no access to food early. And don't be afraid to let the group split a bit for dining. Gives you more to talk about later if you're have slightly different experiences at dinner. IMO.

 

[kiford]

So my question is...should I just watch it - and hope something becomes available? What do you think the drop out rate is when full payment is due and will I see much movement then? This category is 4A. I'd also prefer midship for the rest of these rooms and will try and move the rest of us.

Is there a reason that they need connecting (i.e., young children) or is it just a preference? If it's not due to young children, having them side-by-side is not a terrible thing. It also depends on how much time they intend to spend in the room. Granted, we do spend a fair bit ourselves in our room and on our verandah but not everyone does and on a first cruise it's highly possible that everyone will want to experience what the ship has to offer rather than spending it in the room.

Any recommended companies on mass transportation to get to cruise port or just use Disney for $35/head? or whatever that price is.

Others can give (and have given) information on places that can accommodate larger parties and a lot of luggage although I'd check to make sure that they can accommodate what I infer to be 1-2 families of 7 people (will anyone need car seats too?). It's not exactly the most inexpensive option, but the DCL transportation would keep everyone together if that's a concern to you, you wouldn't have to worry about luggage handling, it's easier for you to arrange for 31 people and ensure that everyone is picked up at the right time and that the transportation company gets it all correct, and the videos on the bus would keep all of the kids (I'm assuming at least some young-ish kids) amused and occupied during the trip.

Would it help to change one of our reservations to Concierge in order to book anything important in advance?

Not really. Other than a cabana at CC (which would only accommodate a small portion of your group anyway unless you would be so lucky as to score 3 of them), the bookings would only be for the concierge occupants and not for the entire group; at least I can't think of any such bookings other than a cabana.

Another issue we have late dining right now (no early dining available) and we have diabetics in our group who do not like to eat that late at night

You can make a request to be put on the waiting list for early dining and check when you get on the ship to see if it can be accommodated. If it's just a case of those individuals needing to ensure that they have something to eat earlier in the evening, they can get food earlier in the evening from room service or counter service on deck and then have dinner. If it's a case of them not wanting to eat later at all, then the waiting list is your best bet. The only other alternative is to split the group into early and later dining groups if you're willing to split the group up. You'd still have to ask for some of the group to be put on the waiting list but the likelihood of a smaller group of people getting it is better than all 31 people

 

[texasgingerbread]

Is there a reason that they need connecting (i.e., young children)

Yes, small children. We've got lots of kids! Two families have 5 children, another 4.

If it's a case of them not wanting to eat later at all,

Yes, it's a case of them not wanting to eat later at all. And they are footing the bill. Darn!!!

 

[texasgingerbread]

As for using a TA for the room-only bookings...why?

I meant for the pre-trip part at WDW. I'm looking for a package but it looks like packages start at 3 days. I'll work with a Disney TA for this I think.

Flights - what happens if someone misses a flight?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I meant for the pre-trip part at WDW. I'm looking for a package but it looks like packages start at 3 days. I'll work with a Disney TA for this I think.

Flights - what happens if someone misses a flight?

If they don't make it to the ship in time, they'll miss the cruise. It'll be on them to figure out how to get there, if they miss their flight.

 

[texasgingerbread]

Sorry new questions.......

Can the kids stay on the boat in the kids club when we get off in a port? Even the under 3 year old if we pay the X per hour?

Is it hard to find beach chairs on CC? I've heard mixed reviews.

Would you personally prefer to loose the square footage in a cabin to be midship?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Sorry new questions.......

Can the kids stay on the boat in the kids club when we get off in a port? Even the under 3 year old if we pay the X per hour?

Is it hard to find beach chairs on CC? I've heard mixed reviews.

Would you personally prefer to loose the square footage in a cabin to be midship?

Yes, kids can be in the clubs when you are off the ship, even in the nursery.

We've never had difficulty finding available chairs on Castaway Cay.

Hard to say about the midship vs square footage generally. It would depend on what category/location/cost is being compared.

 

[texasgingerbread]

I'm looking at at 299 square feet with balcony 4A to go to 246 square feet with balcony 5 something.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I'm looking at at 299 square feet with balcony 4A to go to 246 square feet with balcony 5 something.

How many people in the room? What's the cost difference? Location of 4A vs 5?