January 11, 2009 4-day Wonder Cruise

[WDW Princess 71]

.......travel documents - have any of you received them yet???
I just found out my TA is out on "medical leave" & I don't / won't know the status of mine until Monday! .
I could use some cheering up.... or am I just stressing over a minor issue??

.... I think I could use a - though I just e-mailed one of her co-workers asking for h-e-l-p!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Man...I could sure use one of those refillable WDW mugs right about now - for I'd fill that bugger with Doctor Pepper asap!:

Can anyone "fax" one to me????

- Kris

Don't worry Kris, I haven't gotten my docs yet and we booked directly through Disney. I've heard a lot of people on these boards say they got their docs fairly late but they always got them! I feel your excitement though, once we get them it really means the cruise is practically upon us!

 

[Jusacuz]

For those that can't access the fe list, here is the link. Sorry, the link seems to have been cut off in some of the PMs.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=p3bSknFJ56TYIMSZJ2-jyNA&hl=en

If that doesn't work, PM me your email address and I can either send you an email directly from the google document or I can send you the excel file as an attachment.


Kris ~ In the past, I have gotten documents about 14 days from the cruise, so there isn't a reason to worry yet.

 

[Thorghall]

Hi Everyone,
We're from Canada and this is our first cruise with Disney, we're wondering if there are any kids around the age of our 3 princesses: 7 mths, 6 years old and 8 years old. Also want to know if we should "dress-up" for Pirate Night...

 

[Eeyore3838]

Anyone else book a GTY cabin and receive an upgrade? We booked GTY 11 and were given a Cat 9 - 2092. Looking forward to the porthole!

 

[WDW Princess 71]

Hi Everyone,
We're from Canada and this is our first cruise with Disney, we're wondering if there are any kids around the age of our 3 princesses: 7 mths, 6 years old and 8 years old. Also want to know if we should "dress-up" for Pirate Night...

Yes you should definitely dress up for Pirate Night. My sister and I are, and I know others in our Cruise Meet here will be too. I think it will be really fun!

 

[knewton64]

....on the brighter side, y-e-s! I did receive the FE exchange list ok - Thank u Jessica
------
To Nicole: Thank you for helping me cheer up for I am calling the TA agency on Monday & politely see what's the status on them as I was told by Sherry (my TA) that they "usually arrive" 3 - 4 weeks prior to departure. All well - like you indirectly suggested - patience here is the key.
------
TO ALL - re - Pirate Night : Nothing like gearing up for this cruise as last night I watched "Muppet Treasure Island" - LOVED IT !
- And yes, I agree - the more who dresses up for Pirate night, the better - after all - ITS A VACATION
------
....Or as Rizzo the Rat says: "We put the RAT in piRATe!"

P.S. Do need to ask a "Goofy" question - do you suggest riding Mission Space (orange) & Test Track "Back to back" or space them out a little - time wise via FP?? (Epcot is day#2 for me)

 

[Thorghall]

thanks! Got a pirate costume for the kids...gotta find some for the grownups to add to our suitcase...uh yeah, we're already packed!

 

[GoDeacs]

Hi Everyone,
We're from Canada and this is our first cruise with Disney, we're wondering if there are any kids around the age of our 3 princesses: 7 mths, 6 years old and 8 years old.

We have a 5 1/2 year old and 7 year old, both of whom are princesses!

 

[knewton64]

12-15-08
Kris,

We checked on your Disney documents this morning. They told us that their policy is to send the documents 2 weeks prior to departure and that they would send them to us by UPS. We asked them if they could be sent out earlier because of the holiday. She advised that they probably will send them out late this week. We will continue to monitor your documents while Sherry is out recuperating....

Thanks,

Bill Bassham (co-worker to Sherry - your TA)
---------------

ONLY 10 MORE DAYS TO GO UNTIL THE START OF THE SINGLE DIGIT DANCE!!
---- -M-A-J-O-R
-

 

[knewton64]

To ALL:

Does the Disney Wonder sell picture frames of ALL sizes (say an 11 1/2 by 14) as well as the appropriate photo mats (be it together or individually)??
I would like to purchase while onboard (frame & mat) & put in it one of those pictures from the photo package I will be purchasing (a 6 x 8) - then have it shipped home (along with some ears from Magic Kingdom, etc).

If anyone knows - I would appreciate it. I have called DCL and am not really getting a straight answer. Per se, one DCL rep even gave me 800-772-3470 to call for further assistance

- Kris

 

[covereddish]

Hey, Kris.

I can't really remember if they sell the mats, but here's a great tip for ya!

Purchase one in advance, just a cheap white one at WalMart or Target, then take it in a ziploc bag to Guest Services when you board the ship. They will put your stateroom number on it, and will return it to your room (or you can pick it up) the last night of the trip.

When you get it, it will be signed by all of the characters! Free of charge!

This is a must do!

I think they only accept two items per stateroom! But, it is a GREAT souvenir!

 

[covereddish]

Yes, we will have some princess AND some pirates with us!

Our entire family is sailing:
Myself and DH
Boys ages 13 and 9

Sis and DH
Girls ages 9 and 8
Son age 5

Bro and DW
Girls ages 9 and 1

Mom and Dad

We are gonna have fun!

 

[knewton64]

Hey, Kris.

I can't really remember if they sell the mats, but here's a great tip for ya!

Purchase one in advance, just a cheap white one at WalMart or Target, then take it in a ziploc bag to Guest Services when you board the ship. They will put your stateroom number on it, and will return it to your room (or you can pick it up) the last night of the trip.

When you get it, it will be signed by all of the characters! Free of charge!

This is a must do!

I think they only accept two items per stateroom! But, it is a GREAT souvenir!

-------

Okey Dokey - I finally got the correct answer from DCL per the issue of whether or not they continue to allow guests to bring pillow cases / photo mats onboard & politely ask Guest services for some/all of WDW characters to sign them. What DCL is saying is, in essence, ANYTHING that we (the Guest) brings on aboard DCL to have a Character sign off on - well ....its has to be inspected & viewed by Guest Services. And it is THEM who makes the final call on whether or not the Characters can/will sign off on it.....not the DCL Call Center rep (or anyone else for that matter).
The DCL rep went on to give me a example. She went on to explain to me that one Guest had asked DCL call center the very same question I am asking & the DCL call center rep said "Yes." Well, that guest went on the Disney Wonder bringing a HARLEY DAVIDSON PILLOWCASE w/an expectation level that it would be autographed by all the Disney characters!
Now, to all of us who really enjoy Disney, COMMON SENSE would come into play here but obviously not with this ardent fan of motorcycles. So, this is why some of you inquiring minds have been fielding conflicting answers to this question.
Anywho - so this brings me to what I am doing on this issue. Well - YES......I finally made it to my favorite----oops!! Meant to say 2nd favorite hang out place (my 1st one is the local Disney Store) & y-e-s... while at my local Walmart I did purchase an 11 1/2 by 14 black colored picture frame with a white-colored mat that holds a 8 by 10 photo. So, I figure that that means that approx 7-8 Disney characters can autograph the mat without it looking too crowded.
I am purchasing the Disney Wonder photo package that encompasses five 8x10's - so I figure to rotate the picture & put a new one in its place every so often - therefore keeping a fresh look to it.
But.....I am confused as to HOW to present this to Guest Services! Are you saying that it would be better for me to put it (the photo mat ONLY surrounded in cardboard so it won't be damaged) in a zip-lock baggy , enclose some sharpies, put you name & cabin # & afix that to the baggy & THEN give it to Guest Services (or let them do that)? Is it also fair to say that "feeding the characters" also helps?? Say a bag of candy (include it w/the ziplock baggy) or ?????? Need suggestions to that as well as HOW to present this to Guest Services please. I am having fun doing this, I just don't wanna come across a little bit on the "Goofy" side when I approach Guest Services!
That DCL rep did also provide me with another great tip; (BUT PLEASE CHECK YOUR SHIP'S NAVIGATOR TO RECONFIRM THIS PLEASE) which is the Captain's autograph session - which is normally held on the last day of the crusie. She suggeted to have my KTTW autographed by him,etc. I think that would make a great keepsake. Just an idea for those of you who get into scrapbooking.

P.S. hey....did ya know it's only e-i-g-h-t more days to go until the START of the single digit dance for me AND only 12 more days until me Birthday?????

 

[covereddish]

Yes, just a ziploc will do. It will be fine. I would not go to tooo much trouble packaging it, because then they have to undo it, etc.

And, sure, feeding the characters would be fun!

and, yes, the captain autograph session would be great, too!

We have a Disney Christmas Tree and I have punched a hole in our KTTW card, and we have them as ornaments! Very cute for that tree!

Anyways, all is well for now! Too excititing!

 

[Thorghall]

We have a 5 1/2 year old and 7 year old, both of whom are princesses!

That's GREAT! I was afraid that no one else would pull their kids out of school for some "Disney Magic" time.

 

[Thorghall]

We're planning to book 2 rooms at the Comfort Inn when the ship gets to Nassau so that we can access the Atlantis Island facilities, just wondering if anyone on this trip has done it before or will do it on this trip? I'm a little apprehensive since it's our first time. The price is not as cheap as I expected from the message on the forum. The lowest rate I found was $256.

 

[WDW Princess 71]

We're planning to book 2 rooms at the Comfort Inn when the ship gets to Nassau so that we can access the Atlantis Island facilities, just wondering if anyone on this trip has done it before or will do it on this trip? I'm a little apprehensive since it's our first time. The price is not as cheap as I expected from the message on the forum. The lowest rate I found was $256.

It is actually Comfort Suites, not Comfort Inn that you want to book. We did that in 2004 and are doing so again on this cruise. Why do you need to book 2 rooms? Children under 15 are free if staying with their parents.

I have a rate of $180 ($201 w/taxes and fees) for the hotel. Its the AAA rate. See if you can get that on the CS website, I just got that rate 2 days ago.

Try not to be apprehensive about doing this since its your first time. It really is so easy, just get in the cab for the 10 min ride, checkin the hotel, then walk over to Atlantis. Very smooth and a heck of a lot cheaper than the DCL Atlantis excursion that charges outrageous rates per person. Any more questions just let me know.

 

[WDW Princess 71]

There are rumors of the fuel surcharges being dropped in time for our cruise, lets keep our fingers crossed because I've heard if they do we may get On-Board credits since we've already paid for the surcharge!

Update: I actually called DCL and discovered that since I booked so long ago (April 2008) they didn't have a fuel surcharge at the time, so no OBC for me : (. But for those of you who did have to pay a fuel surcharge when you booked, DCL did confirm with me that you will be credited with the OBC for the amount of the surcharge to use on the cruise.

 

[knewton64]

Yes, just a ziploc will do. It will be fine. I would not go to tooo much trouble packaging it, because then they have to undo it, etc.

And, sure, feeding the characters would be fun!

and, yes, the captain autograph session would be great, too!

We have a Disney Christmas Tree and I have punched a hole in our KTTW card, and we have them as ornaments! Very cute for that tree!

Anyways, all is well for now! Too excititing!

----

ok - now THAT'S a wonderful idea!!!!! I hadn't thought of that.......until now!!! A HUGE THANK YOU - YOU MADE MY DAY + = way too !! Thanks for the tip! And also a thank you for steering me in the right direction about the photo mat idea.
--------
To all who are using the Atlantis island facilities: Now.....if ya cud just take a few pics of the "Michael Jackson Suite" for me! ........ That suite dwarfs (ok... bad pun) ANY Cat 1 on any Disney Cruise ship much less even the John & Yoko Ono suite ---- enjoy Atlantis though -
-----------
Just curious.....is anyone planning on doing a Trip Report?????? Inquiring Minds would like to know........hhmm..........Anyone? Anyone??

Bueller?

Bueller??

 

[lewiskids004]

We decided to rent a car for half a day!! Did this last time and it was great! We got off the ship and cruised around orlando!! You can pick up the car near the ship, take the shuttle from the boat that the car company provides, and drop it off at the airport. Then you can go exploring, and your trip doesnt end with a bummer of a wait!

what are you planning on doing???? Reason for the question is we obviously have to get off the ship around 9am (BOO - HISS!! ) & I have to prep my luggage (9-11pm) & have it ready for ME for pickup (Double Boo & Double Hiss ) the night before.
So, I am tempted to just skip 2nd seating dining that evening but go to Dreams (6pm) followed by Room Service (YUM!) & call it a night.
But.....anyone have any other suggestions???? Per se, have Disney fun late into the night or call it an early night or compromise??? Need suggestions please.

P.S. I have a 4pm eek: ) flight out at the Orlando airport. So, like what the hey is there to do at that airport for appox 3 hours????

- 27 days & counting!