January 13, 2007 - 7 Night Magic Western

[thomprod]

Just wanted to let everyone know that AirTran Airlines allowed us to reprice our tickets for this cruise: Their original fare was $104 per person each way from Flint, Michigan to Orlando, which I thought was good at the time I bought them. Then, I was advised by e-mail that they were having a sale. I rechecked their website and found that our flight down had dropped to $49 and the flight back had dropped to $79. I called up, expecting them to say that the only way we could get the new fare was to pay their change fee, which would have eaten up any price savings. Suprisingly, they offered to give us the lower rates with no change fee, and credit our account for the difference. Not as good as an actual refund, but we can use the credit on our next booking. Another happy customer here.

 

[skylynx]

That's good news, thomprod. I believe that qualifies you for charter membership in the Farestalkers Club. ("Fare" being an all-inclusive term for car rental rates, hotel rates, and travel discounts or perks of any sort, etc.) Or perhaps we can call it reverse piracy.

I just finished work on an Excel spreadsheet the size of my garage, so I'm ready for the mental relief of some Disboarding!

 

[blacksmithcrm]

Looks like I'll bring a bottle or two then.- thanks for the info!

We've never been big wine drinkers, but a good red and a glass or two of ice wine somewhere in those precious 7 days would be wonderful. I'll pack it in, along with a bottle of Van Winkle bourbon (that stuff I DO care about!), and perhap a Godiva for the Mrs. Now, if I can find room in the suitcase for, oh say, clothes, I'll be good to go!

Just re-tried trying to save a bit on the flight down and back - no joy.
In fact, Disney's rate was cheaper than taking even the train. And we're coming from IAD (Dulles), a major hub! Oh well,,,

Hey, thanks again!

 

[Ginny]

Blacksmithcrm -

We're taking United out of Dulles but used our AMEX points for the fares. That is our new method of Air Fare Management. I'll keep my fingers crossed that a little pixie dust finds you a discount on fares.

I think I like the way you pack!!

 

[DiaLady]

Hi All --

I'm so excited!! DH has decided that we are definately going on this cruise. Little bit of juggling and confirmation of DH's vacation time and we'll be purchasing our tickets. I'm hoping by the end of the week. Yeah!!!!!!!

More as soon as the deal is done!

 

[pdarrah]

Cool DiaLady!! Looking forward to meeting you on board.

Wine: For our last cruise, DH sent a few bottles of wine to the ship. We sent them UPS (they didn't ask what was in the box and we didn't tell!) to the warehouse DCL uses and the box was waiting in our room when we arrived. I've been seeing some posts on the cruise board that they are saying you cannot ship food or beverages to the warehouse - however, people have also said that they didn't label what was in the box and it was still delivered... I'm not sure yet if we going to try it again this year or not - another option is to ship it to our hotel before the cruise. We're staying at Caribbean Beach for Thursday & Friday nights, so maybe I'll ship a box there and then we can just check it at the port with our luggage. Actually, we could probably do the same thing in reverse to get our rum home after the cruise - pack it up in the box and arrange to get it shipped at our hotel - we are staying 1 night (Saturday) after the cruise at Port Orleans French Quarter.

DH really enjoyed sipping his wine on the verandah! (Unfortunately, I have a bad reaction to alcohol, so I can't have any )

pdarrah

 

[blacksmithcrm]

Thanks for the helpful hints! I think I'll take it one step further, and mail my children to me onboard the ship. What a savings! In fact, If I mail myself and my wife too, then we'll save....

Nah, too much bubblewrap!

Seriously, thanks for the info!

Hey guys, less than two months to go!!! ("honey, can we watch the disney dvd again? please?)

 

[CT_Dad]

Hi everyone

My DW has already posted on this thread (she's CTPinkPrincess) and now I'm a DISer too. We'll be on with our DD who's 5. We can't wait until January.

 

[crickee]

Hello all,

We've decided on the Pirate Cruise for our Grand Cayman excursion; is anyone else doing this? We are doing Key West on our own - Probably will go to the Pirate Museum. I also want to check out the Hemingway House - we are big into cats!

We are doing the Cozumel Ruins and Beach tour. Disney states the time return time is 6:00pm. We really don't want to miss dinner that night, as it's Pirate Night, but we are scheduled for early seating. Do you think there is a chance we could change our dinner time for that one night?

 

[Bytor01]

So we were on our way back from the Beach Club Villas from our DVC trek today and were walking through MCO. I was checking the prices for the Hyatt online and they were quoting me $259 plus tax. for the 12th. I told my wife I was going to go upstairs before we go through security. Went to the front desk and asked about a good price for the date. I asked for the Government rate, as I am a gov't employee, and she came back with $143 plus tax.Swweeeeettt. reserved a room on the spot. Definately take that, thank you very much. The trip this week really got me in the mood and I can't wait, less then 2 mos away. I only wish Jet Blue would come down in prices.showing $179-$224 for the flights on the 12th and even on the 20th.

 

[DiaLady]

Folks, it is official!!! We have purchased our cruise with you. Wahooo!!



We also just bought our tickets Round Trip for only $462 (and that is for FOUR of us!!)

Ms. Parrah, would you please add us to the list . . .
DW - Dialady (40)
DH (39)
DS (12)
DS (10)

If there are any other boys close in age who would like to email, let me know. That was a big hit the last time we cruised.

We've got a lot to get ready . . .can't wait . . .

Theresa

 

[ldeninge]

We're looking for tips about excursions as well, particularly Key West. Glass-bottomed boats are often disappointing but we'd love to do something special with our DD6. Does anyone else have something exciting planned for that destination?

Hi Sopandbass, looking forward to cruising with you! In Key West, we and our DD5 (& DS 20mo.) are planning on the Aquarium and Butterfly Conservatory. We're newbies, so can't *recommend* them, but all reports sounded like something she would like. We're not doing them as a booked 'excursion', just on our own. It sounds like the Aquarium is right on Mallory Square, and there is a trolley (DS will LOVE this!) to the far end of the island to the Butterflies. Let us know what you decide to do! Loved your family picture on pdarrah's page! Your daughter is LOVELY!

 

[ldeninge]

What do you think? Would Monday morning work (Key West day) or maybe Tuesday (Day at Sea)? Or are none of us morning people and we can't stand the tought of being sociable first thing in the morning?

pdarrah

A Dis-meet in the Morning (especially one of the days at sea) would be great for us - our big family group is eating dinner every night together, and afternoons will be somewhat downtime for the kiddos. However, thanks for organizing and we'll make an effort to come to a DISMeet where-ever and when-ever it gets decided!

 

[ldeninge]

We, too, are just buying tickets on-line to the museums and the trolley in Key West. QUOTE]

Ginny, how do you buy online tickets to the Key West museums (and is that necessary?) We were just planning to buy them on site for the Aquarium and the Butterfly conservatory and the trolley. Are they lots cheaper if you buy them ahead? The Aquarium website has a link to e-tickets, but it isn't working.

 

[Vulcandream]

Continuing on the matter of wine: Can I buy a few bottles in Key West and bring them on board with me? Since it is still the USA there wouldn't be customs issues. I realize I would still have to pay the corking fee. But this would save us trying to pack bottles and bring them with us from PA. I'm not comfortable with trying to send them in a package to our stateroom.

-----------------
And on a totally different note, I had read some people complain that there weren't enough hangers in the closet. Should we bring extras or purchase some in Ke3y West the next day?

 

[pdarrah]

Hi Everyone - Wow - lots of posts since I was last on! I guess we're all getting excited now that it is getting closer to cruise time

DiaLady - Welcome! I just added your info to the Who's Going list - if you want to edit/add info just let me know.

CT Dad - Welcome to the DIS!

Blacksmithcrm - Would you believe DH is currently planning on packing bubblewrap? He plans on packing any rum he buys on the islands in our luggage - so he needs bubblewrap I haven't told him my idea about shipping from the hotel yet - Then he could reuse any packing material from the wine he ships down to ship his rum back - and not take up valuable luggage space with bubblewrap! He sells a lot of glass/dishes on Ebay (a weird hobby of his) so he packs things REALLY well.

Crickee - We are also planning to do the pirate museum (Pirate Soul) at Key West. Last time (2004), DS7 didn't even get off the ship at Key West - but I am enticing him off this time with pirates It looks like it should be an easy walk from the ship. We're skipping Hemmingway's house since I have never been very fond of his writings. Last time, DH & I visited an amazing garden - we are keeping things kind of open, if DS wants to go back to the ship (& the club) after the Pirate Museum, DH & I might walk back to the garden again... By the way, I added a link to the Pirate Soul Museum to the Links page on the website www.bwdarrah.com/dcl/links

Vulcandream - There wouldn't be any trouble bringing on wine at Key West (or anywhere else) and if you drink it before we return to Cape Canaveral, then it isn't an issue at all with US Customs. If you haven't drunk it, you can only bring unopened bottles back through customs - if you have receipts from Key West, then you wouldn't be charged duty (but I would definitely take your receipts to the early morning customs thing and declare that you are bringing it back into the USA.) BUT.... I don't know if there is anywhere near the ship to buy wine. From our trip in 2004, I mostly remember seeing touristy type shops - mostly t-shirts and souvenier type things - maybe I just overlooked a liquor store or wine shop, but I sure don't remember seeing anything like that near the port....

Ideninge - I believe that you save a dollar or two on each ticket buying online - that might add up to be worthwhile. We're just planning to go to the Pirate Soul Museum, so I decided to stay more flexible and just buy the tickets when we get there in case we change our minds...

pdarrah

 

[pdarrah]

Hey Vulcandream - I just saw your post on the main cruise board about Key Lime Pie - Great question! After reading through the thread, I added a "Key Lime Pie" area under the Key West section on the "Links" page on our website. I put links to the websites for Kermit's, Blond Giraffe & Rooftop. If any others get mentioned, I'll try and link to them also....

Anyone else have ideas for things to add to the website?

pdarrah

 

[pdarrah]

DIS MEETS
We've chatted a bit about possible meets - now that we are less than 2 months from our cruise, should we start firming up those plans?

Please jump in and comment/correct me or just have your say! I think we have sort of agreed to try for 3 different meet times. All are welcome to attend any and all meets.

Meet #1: At the DCL Terminal before boarding. The terminal opens at 10am and they usually start boarding between 11:30-Noon. Should we just pick a spot in the terminal that we will "hang out" as we wait to board? Then any of us who arrive before boarding starts can meet in that area... Any suggestions on where that should be? I haven't been there since they started the "new" boarding procedure with the numbers, so I'm not sure where a good spot would be ....

Meet #2: At the Sail Away Party. This tends to be noisy, so it isn't great for getting to talk to each other - but it can be fun to celebrate the sail-away with new friends. If you manage to get there early (meaning you RUN from the lifeboat drill to your room to drop off your vests and RUN up to the party) it is possible to chat before it starts. Those with late dining can linger after the party to chat some more. Skylynx suggested that we meet on Deck 10 overlooking the Goofy Pool/Stage on the side of the ship that faces the DCL terminal. This gives a great view of the stage, there are stairs down for those who want to go down and join the dancing and you can wave at the DCL castmembers at the terminla with the giant Mickey Hands as we sail away.

Meet #3: "Breakfast" Meet. What would everyone think of Monday morning at 9AM at Lumier's? They are only open from 8-9:30, but those with LAP will have Character Breakfasts that morning at either 8:15 (early) or 9:45 (late). By putting this in the middle, the Early folks should be able to come in afterwards and the Late folks can come early and then head to their meal. If they actually kick us out at 9:30 we could just move out to the atrium - but I suspect that is just when they stop serving food and we can still hang out there for a while. For those with Character Breakfasts or Palo Bruch (10AM?) there isn't any requirement that you actually EAT at this meet - it's just a convenient location to meet other DISers. If the first few to arrive explain to the staff what we are doing, I am sure they would be happy to seat us all together.

So, any thoughts? Comment? Suggestions? Once we come to an agreement, I'll put this on the website on the "Useful Stuff" page.

pdarrah

 

[pdarrah]

And on a totally different note, I had read some people complain that there weren't enough hangers in the closet. Should we bring extras or purchase some in Ke3y West the next day?

There were quite a few hangers in our closet for both our cruises - it may depend on wether you are a person who hangs most of your clothes or not. We actually didn't use them all since we brought a lot of our clothes in a garment bag and used the thin wire hangers you get from the dry-cleaners in that (fit in a lot more than using the hangers that came with the bag). Then when we got there, we were able to just take them straight from the bag and hang them up in the closet.

Also, I bet your stateroom host would be happy to bring you more hangers if you need them...

pdarrah

 

[Vulcandream]

Thanks Pdarrah for all of your answers, work, input & ideas.
I am very open to whatever is scheduled as far as a meet goes, understanding of course that after all is said and done, my family may decided to just go do their own thing anfterall. But I will make note of what is finally decided and try to make it to at least one meet.

I have seena few feable attempts at discussing the food on the cruise in various threads, but nothing really took off. I was wondering about starting one that give opportunities for comments, pictures, favorites, etc. In fact... I think I'll go do that right now!