JANUARY 27, 2007 "PAL MICKEY" Western Magic ROLL CALL

[secretkeeper]

I'm bummed... I haven't seen mine but I'm working with a travel agent so I bet it will go to her first. If I don't see it soon I'll call up and whine.

 

[GSCM_DisneyScout]

My group has 4 rooms reserved for the upcoming trip. My brother's name is on one room, my mother-in-law's name is on another room, my parents are on the third room, and my family is on the last room. Mom and I live in Maryland, while my DB lives in Colorado and my MIL lives in Texas. We didn't change the addresses on their reservations, so their packets were sent here to Maryland. So, I have in hand, my MIL's packet and my mother has my DB's packet. I don't want to open my MIL's mail, but it's SO tempting. I want to see, too! I hope mine comes in today's mail. Maybe my mother will go ahead and bring my DB's packet and we can look through it. She might not have the same misgivings about opening his mail since she is the one paying for his room...

Here's pixie dust that more packets are received today!

Kim

---

Our party

Me - Kim
DH - Tom
DD11 - Miranda
DS7 - Joshua
DD3 - Ilea
DD (edd 10/22/2006) - Elijah
DM - Laura
DF - Don
DB - Keith
MIL - Carolyn
MIL's friend - Susan

We will probably end up giving up one of the rooms, since we don't really need all of them.

 

[taswira]

Well, ThePhantomsGirl and I are sharing a stateroom, but I am the Castaway Club member and the one who did the booking. Even though just after booking I phoned DCL to let them know that we are friends who live a couple of hours apart so they should send her materials separately, I don't know if she received the booklet. If they are only sending one per stateroom, then I guess not. It seems that if two unrelated people at different addresses are sharing a stateroom, they should send the pre-cruise booklet to each person.

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

So far I have not received the booklet so I'll probably have to call and see if I can obtain a copy. Hopefully, as Taswira indicated it might be - it won't be one per stateroom. If I haven't received it by Monday I'll call DCL and see what they say.

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

By the way I just went and looked at our cruise on the DCL website and apparently the prices have gone up, at least for the Catetory Taswira and I are on, Cat 7. They've remained the same up until now. Of course I did see a thing on the main Dis site in the announcements section that says the tax for cruises is going up....

 

[taswira]

So far I have not received the booklet so I'll probably have to call and see if I can obtain a copy. Hopefully, as Taswira indicated it might be - it won't be one per stateroom. If I haven't received it by Monday I'll call DCL and see what they say.

I think DCL figures one booklet per stateroom booking, issued to the person who made the reservation. BUT that does not mean they will not issue another booklet to the other adult party in the stateroom if they live at a different address. I think it just means it may be necessary to call and request one under those circumstances. You are an equally paying passenger and you are entitled to the information. I can't imagine them giving you any debate over that.

I can understand them not sending multiple booklets to adults within the same family and at the same address who are booked in the same stateroom, but there is no way they could deny you a booklet since we are unrelated and don't even live in the same town!

 

[taswira]

I posted this on the MDC, but since some of you do not have your location on your profile, I am not sure how many on this cruise live in Florida and I don't want to leave out anyone local, so . . . I am planning a little "Pal Mickey's Pre-Cruise Patio Party" for an afternoon between September 27 and Oct. 1. I was thinking of Saturday, September 30 . . IF anyone is interested in attending and can make it that day.

It will not be anything fancy. I have not yet decided whether to barbecue or have appetizers and maybe bake some chicken or simply buy pizzas or . . whatever. That will depend on who and how many can come. My Pal will offer radio-controlled car rides to his Pal friends. He will show everyone what he is packing for the cruise and is very interested in seeing what his friends will be wearing. Pal owners can discuss their ideas for onboard get-togethers, photo ops and general DCL cruise chat. So any Floridians on this cruise (or Pal Mickey cruisers who may be visiting FL at that time) post here (or e-mail or PM me) if you could come September 30, or let me know which of the above dates will work for you. When we finalize a date I will send electronic invitations.

 

[GSCM_DisneyScout]

Of course I did see a thing on the main Dis site in the announcements section that says the tax for cruises is going up....

Does anyone else know about this? This is what the message from the DIS main page says:
As of September 1, the govt. taxes increased on the Disney Wonder Cruises and the Magic's Western itinerary. It appears that the Eastern taxes decreased.

If you are sailing in 2006 and booked your cruise prior to 9/1/06, you will not be subject to this change.

If your cruise was booked after 9/1/06 or if you are sailing in 2007, the increase will be applied to your reservation.

That seems to indicate that even though we booked before 9/1/06, since we will be sailing in 2007, we will probably see a price increase on our current reservations. How do we find out for sure? I checked my reservation information online and it's still the same cost it was when I booked it.

Kim

 

[taswira]

From DCL's Terms and conditions - -

"Price changes will not affect bookings with paid deposit or timely final payment, except where the increase results from increases in Government Taxes and Fees."

The additional Government Taxes are imposed by such Government, not by DCL. Since DCL of course does not want to make less profit by paying the difference in taxes out of our original agreement amount, they DO normally notify those booked that there will be the additional charge. Just keep a watch on your regular postal mail and hope that it somehow doesn't happen!

 

[taswira]

One additional note about those higher Government Taxes - - Since of course we don't want to pay it, I would suggest NOT calling up DCL to ask about it. Once they are aware that you are aware, there probably isn't any chance of avoiding it.

 

[taswira]

What's the status with those of you who did not receive the "My Cruise Travel Kit" from DCL? Have any of you phoned them about it? What did they say?

 

[secretkeeper]

What's the status with those of you who did not receive the "My Cruise Travel Kit" from DCL? Have any of you phoned them about it? What did they say?

My Travel Agent had ours and it came a few days ago. Now we have to narrow our choices.

Dana

 

[brady961]

I haven't rec'd anything but I had spoken recently about them sending me the same info they send to the person showing as primary for reservation. I was told they would be sending me the same information. I don't check my mail but once or twice a week, so maybe it's in my box now. I know G rec'd information.

I did email tonight requesting them to send me the same information sent to G. Will see what response I get.

Oh I had emailed questions about excursions and accessibility. DCL Special Services called me today and reviewed what excursions may be possible, one's that won't be, etc.... Carol gave me some good information, again assuring me to I can ask all the questions I want or need, and can visit the excursions desk on-board with more questions. Carol also said she will be going on this same cruise soon so if she finds out anything different about tendering, or changes in ports, etc.... she will call me back letting me know.

So far DCL has been very helpful and reassuring me in my concerns and/or questions.

I keep asking them if they could sprinkle some of Disney's Magic to skip Oct, Nov and Dec and jump right to Jan 27. So far they just haven't been able to do this <G>

 

[taswira]

LOL - If they skipped those months then I would not be able to go because I have FAR too much to accomplish before the cruise ("work stuff" - Yes, I do work now and then!).

I probably won't be doing any excursions. I know some of them are very nice, but I have never enjoyed long bus rides with groups of people spending way too much money for far too little time at what they want to see or do. The adventure excursions, however, are usually worth it. The only way I would even consider it is maybe if our port switched to Costa Maya (where I've never been), but that does not appear likely at this point. I cruise to RELAX, de-stress, get away from my usual routine and enjoy the ship. So I guess I'll be saving a bit of money.

I am only revealing this so that those of you who really don't enjoy the excursion stuff or may not have the extra money for it will not feel pressured into booking excursions. In addition to roaming the islands on your own, it is HEAVEN to enjoy the ship when nearly everyone is on the islands. Just an option, folks!

 

[GSCM_DisneyScout]

LOTS of great prizes to be had, including several Disney Cruises. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that being on one of their cruise ships counts as eligibility for the prizes.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/Million-Dreams.htm

The "Disney Dreams Giveaway" promotion also includes:

Three Grand Marshal World Tours for winner and up to 3 guests to appear as Grand Marshal of the parades at Disneyland, Disney World, Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo Disney Sea and Hong Kong
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Adventure by Disney Vacations to be awarded individually for winners and up to 3 guests to the following destinations:
"Viva Italia" (1 prize)
"Cities of Knights and Lights" (2 prizes)
"Path to Pura Vida" (1 prize)
"Quest for the West" (2 prizes)
Three Disney Cruise Line 10 night Mediterranean cruises
Three Disney Cruise Line 3 night Bahamian cruises in the Disney Suite
Six Disney Cruise Line 14 night Transatlantic Cruises from Barcelona to Port Canaveral
Six Disney Cruise Line 14 night Transatlantic Cruises from Port Canaveral to Barcelona
Fifteen 4 day/3 night Vacations at Walt Disney World including admission and $75 per day per guest to be used for dining.
Fifteen 4 day/3 night Vacations at Disneyland including admission and $75 per day per guest to be used for dining.
367 One night stays at the Mickey Mouse Penthouse in the Disneyland Hotel
307 One night stays at the Cinderella Castle Suite in WDW's Magic Kingdom
39 Party for the Senses admissions for winner and up to 1 guest
130 $500 shopping sprees at the World of Disney
130 dinners at a Disney World Restaurant
5 dinners on the balcony of the Disney Gallery in Disneyland's New Orleans Square
30 VIP tours of the Walt Disney Main Street apartment in Disneyland
50 Holiday dinners at Walt Disney World
34 admissions to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
3 VIP seats at the premiere of Finding Nemo: The Musical
7 Access passes to a Disney Press Event
13 admissions to the Pirate & Princess Party
24 Star Wars Weekend Meet and Greets
3 Disneyland Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage press event entries
8 ABC Super Soap Weekend event opportunities to have your photo taken with the celebrities and Super Soap prize pack
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60 VIP tours of Epcot's Flower and Garden Festival with VIP seating at a Flower Power Concert and prize pack
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4200 After hour admission to Disney MGM Studios
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418,789 Pin and Lanyard sets
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For complete prize details: http://adestinations.disney.go.com/...tml/yomdrules.html?CMP=OTC-VanURLYOMDRulesEng

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

There are 2 ways to enter:


You will automatically be entered into the Giveaway (subject to meeting the eligibility requirements set forth above) and have a chance to be randomly selected to win a prize in the Giveaway by being present during the Giveaway Period in: Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, Epcot®, Magic Kingdom® Park, Disney-MGM Studios, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park, or the Downtown Disney® area near Orlando, Florida (collectively, the "Florida Disney Properties"); or Disney's California Adventure® Park, Disneyland® Park or the Downtown Disney® area in Anaheim, California (collectively, "California Disney Properties"). Each of the Florida Disney Properties and each of the California Disney Properties are individually referred to herein as a "Disney Property" and collectively referred to herein as the "Disney Properties." Sponsor anticipates that potential winners will be selected at the Disney Properties between opening and 5 pm local time; however, certain prizes (for example, Mickey Mouse Penthouse and Cinderella's Castle Suite) are likely to be awarded early in the day to help ensure that a winner will be able to claim the prize and Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to select winners at the Disney Properties during any operating hours.

Also, starting on September 18, 2006, eligible participants can enter without being present in a Disney Property by writing their full name, complete mailing address (including postal code), daytime telephone number (including area code), and date of birth on a 3"x5" postcard and sending it with proper postage affixed to: (i) if a legal resident of the United States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada or Mexico: P.O. Box 8629, Elmhurst, IL 60126; or (ii) if a legal resident of the United Kingdom: Disney Dream Giveaway, 483 Green Lanes, London N13 4BS. Participants may enter once per day during the Giveaway Period. All mail-in entries must be mailed separately, postmarked by December 31, 2007 and received by January 14, 2008 or they will be void.

Looks like I'll be stocking up on 3"x5" postcards and postage.

Has anyone heard about anything they might be doing on the cruises themselves?


Kim

 

[Cruising canuck]

Hi everyone, just catching up as I haven't been on the thread in awhile. Harvest just finished and now it's time to focus, once again, on our Disney trip in January. They say we are in for a tough winter here so our timing to vacation at the end of January will be prefect.

Hope everyone had a good summer and I see we have a meet and greet planned already, great work gals!!

Hello to all our new members, glad to have you on-board, I just viewed our updated list and it sure has grown since I last looked. It sure will be fun to finally meet everyone in person.

We haven't made our final payment on the cruise but I will have to get that done in the next month so we can start registering for the activities
on-board.

Talk to you soon!

 

[GSCM_DisneyScout]

I saw on a different board the cruise tax increase is minimal. Two different people wrote indicating their increase was less than $10. I guess I got worried for nothing.

Kim

 

[brady961]

Regarding ppl getting the pre-info when sharing a stateroom and only the primary initial person making ressie getting info......

I emailed to check if I would or could get the same information sent out to the primary person that made ressies. I rec'd a response today they will indeed send me the same pre-packet info, plus 10-14 days prior to cruise will send me directly luggage tags and other info.

 

[taswira]

I saw on a different board the cruise tax increase is minimal. Two different people wrote indicating their increase was less than $10. I guess I got worried for nothing.

Kim

I made another payment on our cruise today and after I made the payment is when the price hike showed up (I'll wait until a week before the 90 day mark to make final payment).

In our case, our stateroom total went up by $2.50. Gee - That wouldn't even buy a Drink of the Day Special onboard!

 

[WeCantWait]

Hello Everybody, This is my first time posting, I hope I do this right.

I have been lurking on this board and several others for a few months now learning all I possibly can about DCL.

This will be our first cruise. We have been visiting WDW at least once a year for the past 20 years and we are so excited to finally be booked on the 7 night Western Carribean on January 27th.

We are from NY and it will be myself, my husband, DS7 and DS4. I will also bring a Pal Mickey. I cannot promise a vast wardrobe since my husband is already a little upset about my compulsive shopping for my boys cruise wardrobe.

We have had this cruise booked for a few months now and last night after reading several cruise reports, we decided to change our date of arrival to a day earlier and stay at a hotel at the airport. I did not want to chance a flight problem or get off to a bad start with cranky children exhausted from traveling all day on Saturday. Our original flight was Saturday at 6:15, we would have had to get up at 3:45.

I look forward to posting with you all as we count down to 1/27!