Is it official about DCL sailing out of CA?

[Mickeyhugger]

I've read many threads here about everyone being bummed about the CA sailing, but where is all of the information posted?

I picked up my Disney passporter yesterday, and it mentions 'we have reason to believe they'll be sailing from California summer 2005', etc.

Maybe it's true that they'll sail, but is it going to be that much harder to secure bookings?

I'm trying not to get discouraged either. We can fly to CA just as easily as we can to FL, (we live in TX), but why is everyone so bummed? (Not being sarcastic, just really curious.)

Do any of you think that the demand is going to be so high out of CA, that it will be impossible to book?

Sorry for all of the questions, but I'm also hoping that maybe some of us (myself included) are getting overly paranoid.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

no official word yet. im hoping the big announcment on may 5th is the date they give the word if the magic is going or not

 

[geffric]

Maybe some people are " bummed" because the FL sailings are easier for them.. we are looking forward to the CA sailings... provided that the price is not significantly higher.. I think there is some concern about the pricing structure ..

Info is listed her at the DIS at Cruise section on for the travel agency.

 

[cats mom]

I think a lot of people that have posted that they are unhappy about the CA sailings are on the East coast - so FL is much more convienient for them.
I'd love to sail from the west coast - only problem is I'd like to go off season to save some money. If all the speculation is right - it will be one summer of sailings only, so they will probably all be peak season pricing.

 

[AOPI57]

We are unhappy with the Ca sailings because we had planned to sail on the Magic summer 2005 to celebrate my parents 50th wedding anniversary. This was planned 2 years ago. About 20 -25 family and friends were joining us and had saved the date. My parents are elderly and do not want to fly to Ca. Family members who had never sailed before wanted to do a Carribean cruise for their first time. Could do a 4 day but wanted the formal nights to get dressed up for the celebration. Could try another cruise line but we are DVC members and use points for some of the passengers. I feel if they were moving the Magic to Ca they should have the Wonder do some 7 day cruises so as to keep everyone happy sailors.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Oh, AOPI57, I'd be really bummed out too.

I know the frustration of preparing a big celebration for your parents, and then to have that change. (My siblings and I were planning a vacation to WDW for our parents 50th, my mother had a stroke, and the trip was cancelled.) BTW, my parents are the type who liked 'formal events' too, so I can see why the Wonder cruise wouldn't be as exciting, not to mention it's too short.

I agree 100% about having the Wonder do 7-day itineraries too, to keep other sailors happy.

 

[AOPI57]

Mickeyhugger- sorry to hear about your mom's stroke. I'm still clinging to some small hope that we'll hear some good news about 7 day cruises in summer 2005 but it doesn't look good. Have a great time on your cruise- I'm jealous ! We are going to WDW in August - OKW- and HHI for Thanksgiving so it is something to look forward . We'll just have to start planning another anniversary celebration- maybe at WDW. Are you anywhere near EL Paso? My cousin lives there.

 

[BethA]

For us It's more money and more time to go to CA. I would do it however, but we had a large group planning to go also and my parents don't want to fly to CA. I think they should not have waited so long to announce and should have had some week cruises available on the Wonder during that time. I know it's great for anyone out west. I would even do the cruise out to Ca, but can't let my son miss that much school. Oh well--I have to start looking at other lines.
beth

 

[Tony M]

Take a look at this
http://www.jimhillmedia.com/main/index.htm
Courtesy of Jim Hill Media.com
For weeks now, there have been whispers about when it was actually going to happen. Little whisps of stories would leak. Juicy little tidbits like: "AT&T has already booked 100 rooms for the trip out to Los Angeles" and "Disney's other corporate partners are being offered first shot at the rooms on that cruise."

But -- this time next week -- the cat will finally officially be out of the bag. For -- as part of the Disneyland Resort's big "Twilight Zone Tower of Terror" press event, the Disney Cruise Line will be revealed that it is bringing the Disney Magic out to the Port of Los Angeles for 11 weeks of cruising.

This special event -- which will be directly tied in to "Disney's Golden Celebration" (The Walt Disney Company's worldwide celebration of Disneyland's 50th anniversary) -- will kick off in early May 2005 with a special "repositioning" cruise. During which the Disney Magic will steam out of Port Canaveral, go through the Panama Canal, and then arrive -- with much fanfare 14 days later -- in L.A.

After that, look for the Disney Magic to begin a series of 7-night cruises to the Mexican Riveria during the Summer of 2005. With the proposed ports of call being Cabo San Lucas, Puerta Vallarta and Mazatlan. The cruises will only be offered in late May, June, July and early August. After that, the Disney Magic makes a return trip through the Panama Canal and -- by mid-August -- will once again resume its 7-night Caribbean schedule.

Sounds like a pretty fun time, doesn't it? So when exactly will you be able to book passage on these extra special Disney Cruise Line cruises? Well, as I mentioned earlier in this story, Disney's corporate partners were made aware of the Mouse' plans months ago. Which is why they were given first shot at rooms on the "repositioning" cruise.

But -- as for members of the general public -- you can book passage on these inaugural Disney Cruise Line Southern California cruises just as soon as the Mouse officially announces them. Which should be by the middle of next week. But -- given that there are only a limited number of rooms available on this extremely small number of Summer 2005 cruises -- now might be a good time to put the Disney Cruise Line on your speed dialer. For those reservations are sure to go pretty fast next week.

Speaking on which ... Remember, these are strictly 7-night cruises. Not 3 or 4-night cruises will be offered this time around. Though -- if you'd like to combine a trip to the Disneyland Resort with your voyage to the Mexican Riveria -- the Disney Cruise Line will reportedly have a few packages like that available.

"And what happens beyond this?," you ask. Well, should this inaugural round of Disney Cruise Line Southern California trips go well, don't be too surprised to see the Disney Magic return for a second set of sailings in the Summer of 2006. And -- after that ...

Well, Disney's reps have already been back and forth to the Italian shipyards where the Disney Magic & the Disney Wonder were initially built several times this year. So does this mean that a third Disney boat -- one that would be built specifically for trips around the Pacific -- be in the company's future?

To be honest, a lot of that depends on how well the Disney Magic's Summer 2005 sailings sell next week. How quickly that first 11 weeks of cruises sell out.

Anyway ... Remember: You heard it here first, JimHillMedia.com. The Disney Magic is coming to the Port of Los Angeles next summer.

 

[dreamflight99]

Our "DREAM" come true! We are already set to "reserve" our suite, and are on a "short" list for one of the Cruises! We are also considering the 14~day journey...either TO/FROM this coast. Having traveled to Orlando each summer for the past 14 years, and having taken TWO of the Disney Cruises...(7-eve Western/Eastern), we are THRILLED with the NOTION they will possibly be HERE next SPRING/SUMMER!! We live less than 2 hours from Long Beach. What a convenient way to CRUISE DISNEY! We can only HOPE & PRAY they add another ship to their fleet, and build a permanent structure out here...in the HOMELAND of DISNEY!

*Heading to DL tomorrow to ride the new TOT! PAP's on both coasts? PRICELESS!!

TTFN...DF99

 

[Mickeyhugger]

I'm sorry for all of you on the east coast who've had the ease of the same time zone, and less expensive airfare for the 'Magic' sailings. And all who posted who have elder parents who don't want to fly to CA, boy, do I hear that one! I can hear my father now, 'five-hour flight!'

At the same time, I can understand how ecstatic all of the west coasters feel.

I know it's much easier said than done, but I wish Disney would soon build another ship, so Disney fans on both coasts could enjoy 7-day itineraries year-round. Does DCL have doubts about filling them and making a profit? I don't think they'll have a problem!

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Oh, and AOPI57, I'm about six hours away from El Paso. I think it's beautiful there, especially with the mountains. I live right outside of Dallas, where there's concrete and trash (sometimes) blowing on the highways. (If any Texans out there are offended, I'm a native Dallasite, so I've earned the right to talk about how it needs to improve. LOL!)

 

[BWVPam]

Fellow Texan here in El Paso. We just have lots of blowing sand!!!

Pam

 

[carolsherman]

I am an east coaster here who is really excited about this cruise more so the transition cruise what an experience to be able to go thru the Panama Canal and a great learning experience for my boys. We are excited beyond belief. Also any new englanders doing the 14 day remember you can do jet blue one way each for probably less than alot of airlines would charge for the one way

 

[kellib36]

> My parents are elderly and do not want to fly to Ca./ wanted the formal nights to get dressed up for the celebration. Could try another cruise line but we are DVC members and use points for some of the passengers. I feel if they were moving the Magic to Ca they should have the Wonder do some 7 day cruises so as to keep everyone happy sailors.<

I know this is definitely NOT THE SAME, but if you do decide to go with the Wonder on a short cruise, you could book Palo for a dress up evening to celebrate.

And also, can you imagine them having to change some of the 3/4 day cruises now to add 7 day cruises on the Wonder?!? What a nightmare!! I can't imagine a situation that wouldn't be a mess unless they just built a new ship and added it in CA.

Kellib36

 

[BethA]

They could have held back some times for 7 days when dates were originally released. That way no one would have been forced to change. I'm sure now there will just be no longer cruises. BOO HOO

 

[MarkRG]

I'm a midwesterner. The travel in either direction is about the same to me. I will say what is the barrier for me. IF they go west coast, and they want to tie it into Disneyland's 50th, they need to have some 3/4 day cruises to give that option to people that want to spend some time at the park. A 7 day cruise plus more time at Disneyland is simply too expensive for me, both in unpaid time off and cost for the actual trip.

As it is now, we're planning a trip to DL alone for the 50th.

But I understand it entirely, this is something intended for the west coast people who may have avoided sailing from Florida.

 

[kellib36]

> They could have held back some times for 7 days when dates were originally released. That way no one would have been forced to change. I'm sure now there will just be no longer cruises. BOO HOO

But then, they would have had to explain why the Wonder is suddenly not a 3/4 day ship.....Oh, the rumors that would have been out there....

I'd love to see 3/4 day cruises in CA, too.....I'd want time at DL and the cruise, too!

Kellib36