January 29, 2011 - 7 Day Eastern - WOOHOO!!

[Loriekins]

Just saw on the boards that there was a horrible accident on Beachline that could possibly effect all of us traveling to the cruise. Here's the link to the thread...



http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2639479

 

[sonny75]

BTW - I head that the buttefly farm at the pier in St. Thomas is open again. It closed down this past summer and I thought it was closed for good, but apparently it re-opened under new management. It is right where the boats dock so an easy walk for those with kids who are interested in the butterflies who don't want to book an excursion to see them!! I think the pass lasts for the entire day, so you can go in the morning and return in the afternoon since different butterflies come out at different times!!

Great news! I thought the kids might like to do this. I was hesitant to book the excursion on St. Maartin because I thought it was a little too long for the boys, but seeing how this is right at the pier it will be a nice option to consider.

 

[AverysMommy]

Calling all the experts for some help......

We will be driving a rental car and will need to return it.....so the questions are:

- would it be better to drop the car off first or drop the people at the cruise first?
- If I am dropped off first with the kids and my Better Half goes to drop off the car - can I go and get us all checked in and get our boarding number?
- do I have to take all my luggage into the terminal or does someway take it outside? Do I need to tip this person?
- how far is the drive from the terminal to Budget?

 

[AverysMommy]

More expertise needed

Getting back to shore on the 5th:
- do we disembark with our luggage? if not - how do we get it?
- what time do I have to be off the ship?
- if my Dad was picking us up - is there a place where we shoudl meet?

 

[AverysMommy]

OMG - we are now 4 days, 18 hours and 42 minutes - that is 114 hours and 42 minutes!!

 

[cblack]

OMG - we are now 4 days, 18 hours and 42 minutes - that is 114 hours and 42 minutes!!

Sorry, I don't have any answers to your questions

I did get all of the FEs done, tagged, bagged, and packed tonight though! Planning to finish 90% of the packing tomorrow and then the rest will have to wait until the night before we leave.

 

[NAB]

Calling all the experts for some help......

We will be driving a rental car and will need to return it.....so the questions are:

- would it be better to drop the car off first or drop the people at the cruise first?
- If I am dropped off first with the kids and my Better Half goes to drop off the car - can I go and get us all checked in and get our boarding number?
- do I have to take all my luggage into the terminal or does someway take it outside? Do I need to tip this person?
- how far is the drive from the terminal to Budget?

I think you all have to be at the check out counter but I could be wrong.

The luggage is actually dropped off outside at curbside , you usually tip the porter $2 a bag I believe. Then you go into the terminal , carry on luggage is x rayed at the bottom and you then go up the escalators. Then get in line for the check in counter.

Don't know anything about Budget.

 

[NAB]

More expertise needed

Getting back to shore on the 5th:
- do we disembark with our luggage? if not - how do we get it?
- what time do I have to be off the ship?
- if my Dad was picking us up - is there a place where we shoudl meet?

You put your luggage out the night before. I think by 10 or 11. Don't forget to leave clothes out to put on in the morning. The staff takes it all some where for the night and is taken off the boat. You will get tags the night before to put on your luggage. Each has a different character and colour. If you don't get your luggage out you will have to take it yourself and sometimes that doesn't make it easy with all the people getting off the boat.

The next day you go to breakfast that is assigned to you , early goes early and late goes later (8:00 I think for late). Same restaurant as the night before I think. Everyone has to be off the ship by 9:30 I believe but the ship has to be cleared by customs which never has been a problem.

Our TA from our the first time told us not to run off with everyone else if we don't have an early flight. Everyone will be gathered by the doors to leave. We usually walk the top decks, shoot some hoops etc. The go out.

Then you will go down the gangway...they well point you to different escalators down where you will pick up your luggage. They have divided into sections of the tags you put on your luggage. Ours was pluto last time. If you leave later it is easy to find your luggage because most will have already took theirs. There are porters again to help you find and take out your luggage. We usually just grab our own since it is one suitcase per person. Then you line up and go though customs. They are sitting at a podium thing .

Then you are out of the terminal and finding your transportation. If it is Disney transportation they will show you where to go.

You will be out in front of the terminal. Private drivers are usually waiting there for you with signs.

I am guessing your dad will be waiting in the parking lot for you because they really want the cars to keep moving in front. The drivers of the private cars leave you when they find you and go get the car. They tell you were to stand and wait.

All this will be told to you on Friday after you come back from Castaway Cay. It is usually after the kids show. All the kids go on stage in different coloured t-shirts they get to keep. They show pictures on the screen of the kids playing in the clubs all week. It is fun to watch.

If you don't go to this talk that is ok because they show it on the TV all night long... And your room steward will remind you too.

Wow I was long winded sorry.....

 

[Paddle_Nut]

Well, I finally got my FE's done, minus 5 that need goodies, but we will pick those up tomorrow and deposit them in! Seeing as I leave on Sunday, I should probably pack eh??? Can't wait!!!!

 

[myolite]

More expertise needed

Getting back to shore on the 5th:
- do we disembark with our luggage? if not - how do we get it?
- what time do I have to be off the ship?
- if my Dad was picking us up - is there a place where we shoudl meet?

I've read that 9 AM is the latest we can leave the ship.

 

[schimj]

Our crazy week is just about over. I've been so busy I haven't even really had time to post here much (let alone keeping up with all the incoming posts). Today is my last day of work for the week (and I'm only in for 6 hours ) Next week is a regular work week for me, but as you might have read DW's week just got a bit shorter but more busy with a trip up north for a job interview. We'll probably start packing tomorrow or some time early next week so that's all out of the way before she needs to leave, and I'll just need to round up last minute stuff (booze, mixers, etc).

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!!

 

[jerelle]

Just saw on the boards that there was a horrible accident on Beachline that could possibly effect all of us traveling to the cruise. Here's the link to the thread...



http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2639479

Thanks Lori! I saw that this morning too. Poor souls.

Someone said we could take a detour onto the 520 instead, which takes you over the Merritt Island Causeway instead. Looks right to me. Maybe Matt/Tiffany can comment since they are in FLA and may know better than a Canuck just reading a comment and using a map?

Joelle

 

[jerelle]

You put your luggage out the night before. I think by 10 or 11. Don't forget to leave clothes out to put on in the morning. The staff takes it all some where for the night and is taken off the boat. You will get tags the night before to put on your luggage. Each has a different character and colour. If you don't get your luggage out you will have to take it yourself and sometimes that doesn't make it easy with all the people getting off the boat.

The next day you go to breakfast that is assigned to you , early goes early and late goes later (8:00 I think for late). Same restaurant as the night before I think. Everyone has to be off the ship by 9:30 I believe but the ship has to be cleared by customs which never has been a problem.

Our TA from our the first time told us not to run off with everyone else if we don't have an early flight. Everyone will be gathered by the doors to leave. We usually walk the top decks, shoot some hoops etc. The go out.

Then you will go down the gangway...they well point you to different escalators down where you will pick up your luggage. They have divided into sections of the tags you put on your luggage. Ours was pluto last time. If you leave later it is easy to find your luggage because most will have already took theirs. There are porters again to help you find and take out your luggage. We usually just grab our own since it is one suitcase per person. Then you line up and go though customs. They are sitting at a podium thing .

Then you are out of the terminal and finding your transportation. If it is Disney transportation they will show you where to go.

You will be out in front of the terminal. Private drivers are usually waiting there for you with signs.

I am guessing your dad will be waiting in the parking lot for you because they really want the cars to keep moving in front. The drivers of the private cars leave you when they find you and go get the car. They tell you were to stand and wait.

All this will be told to you on Friday after you come back from Castaway Cay. It is usually after the kids show. All the kids go on stage in different coloured t-shirts they get to keep. They show pictures on the screen of the kids playing in the clubs all week. It is fun to watch.

If you don't go to this talk that is ok because they show it on the TV all night long... And your room steward will remind you too.

Wow I was long winded sorry.....

Yes, but it was great info, thank you.

It sounds a bit more calm than the Carnival and RCL debarking format. I'm usually not in a rush to leave the ship so it sounds like we can take our time if we like. 9 am is a much more Godly hour of the day!

A robotics contest for DD, her birthday party(8 teen girls-heaven help me!!!), laundry and packing ahead today!! 6 more sleeps!!!!

 

[AverysMommy]

looking at moving our hotel from Best Western in Buffalo to the Days Inn - any experience with that hotel out there?

 

[AverysMommy]

going to Barrie all day for a Volleyball tournament so wont be in the Dis until tonight.

the plan will be to get all my "Organizing" done on the computer between matches - and then tonight I want to at least get my "Cruise" suitcases packed. we have 3 sets of suitcases - Cruise and PreCruise and Carry with Us.

I assume Southwest will still allow us to carry on one small bag with stuff - anyone know different. Also - we can carry on electronics right?

Thanks
Jessalynn

 

[schimj]

Maybe Matt/Tiffany can comment since they are in FLA and may know better than a Canuck just reading a comment and using a map?

Joelle

I wouldn't bet on that! Although we've driven there in the past, we pretty much only know the one way in, one way out, and from what I can assume from the articles, it would be the same route effected by the incident. I hope any detours are well-marked since we have a hard enough time remembering which of the Port Exits to take (Tiffany could chime in if I'm wrong, but I think DCL is the first Port Canaveral exit).

 

[sonny75]

going to Barrie all day for a Volleyball tournament so wont be in the Dis until tonight.

the plan will be to get all my "Organizing" done on the computer between matches - and then tonight I want to at least get my "Cruise" suitcases packed. we have 3 sets of suitcases - Cruise and PreCruise and Carry with Us.

I assume Southwest will still allow us to carry on one small bag with stuff - anyone know different. Also - we can carry on electronics right?

Thanks
Jessalynn

We are also flying Southwest and I believe you can take one carry on (small bag) and one personal item (purse). Here is what the Southwest website states:

Carryon Baggage
Per TSA regulations, carryon items are limited to one bag plus one small, personal item.
Personal-type items include purses, briefcases, cameras, food containers, or laptops (case included).
Southwest Airlines limits carryon bag dimensions to 10 x 16 x 24 inches.
All Customers and Employees and their items are subject to a thorough, physical search.
The following items are not considered carryon bags or personal-type items and are not counted against the "one-bag plus one personal-type item" limit:
A child restraint device for a ticketed child with a reserved seat or when complimentary, available space exists.
Assistive/mobility devices for individuals with a disability. There is no limit to the number of assistive/mobility devices a Customer can bring onboard the aircraft.
Outer garments or other wearable articles of clothing.
Food for consumption during flight contained in disposable packaging.
Walking canes or umbrellas.

 

[sonny75]

Calling all the experts for some help......

We will be driving a rental car and will need to return it.....so the questions are:

- would it be better to drop the car off first or drop the people at the cruise first?
- If I am dropped off first with the kids and my Better Half goes to drop off the car - can I go and get us all checked in and get our boarding number?
- do I have to take all my luggage into the terminal or does someway take it outside? Do I need to tip this person?
- how far is the drive from the terminal to Budget?

I don't think you can check in without your husband. I think he must be there to present his own identification.

 

[boundfordisney]

looking at moving our hotel from Best Western in Buffalo to the Days Inn - any experience with that hotel out there?

days inn had the same problem so far I think the millenium is clear go to bedbugregistry and you can find all the hotels within the area with a problem

 

[TifffanyD]

I wouldn't bet on that! Although we've driven there in the past, we pretty much only know the one way in, one way out, and from what I can assume from the articles, it would be the same route effected by the incident. I hope any detours are well-marked since we have a hard enough time remembering which of the Port Exits to take (Tiffany could chime in if I'm wrong, but I think DCL is the first Port Canaveral exit).

Yeah I don't really know which way we are going to be going. I might do some research tomorrow - kinda hoping DCL might send an email about it