June 15 - June 22 2013 Eastern Fantasy

[Texas Disney Fan]

Hi all! What are the chances they will premiere 'Monsters University' on the ship? It comes out June 21. Has this ever happened on a ship before during the dates of a Disney movie premiere? I'm hoping so!

It should. I believe they will do a late night showing of it on Thursday. Then it would probably show several times on Friday.

 

[LittleBooPeep]

Anyone ever purchased the Photo CD? is it worth it?

 

[TIGGER/POOH4]

Hi all! What are the chances they will premiere 'Monsters University' on the ship? It comes out June 21. Has this ever happened on a ship before during the dates of a Disney movie premiere? I'm hoping so!

DCL will show new movies with premEAR at 12:01am on the 21st. They will show the movie many times in the Buena Vista theatre and maybe even the Walt Disney theatre one night (usually Pirate night).

 

[TIGGER/POOH4]

Anyone ever purchased the Photo CD? is it worth it?

We have not. It is a personal choice. It would depend on how many shutters pictures you take. If you attend a lot of the pre-dinner events with the characters and on Castaway Cay you can get hundreds of pictures and the cost per picture could be very well be worth it. Unfortunately with kids we end up with a lot of closed eyes, looking the other way, goofy looks, etc so we usually end up with only approx. 20 pictures we really want therefore we just buy a picture package.

 

[bobbi565]

We have not. It is a personal choice. It would depend on how many shutters pictures you take. If you attend a lot of the pre-dinner events with the characters and on Castaway Cay you can get hundreds of pictures and the cost per picture could be very well be worth it. Unfortunately with kids we end up with a lot of closed eyes, looking the other way, goofy looks, etc so we usually end up with only approx. 20 pictures we really want therefore we just buy a picture package.

Does the $399 include all the prints or not? I've seen some Navigators that say $399 for photo cd and some that say $349 for cd + $50 for all the prints that they've made. Is the cd plus prints thing a sometime special, or do they always come with the cd?

I'm a little picture happy, and I like to have my images digitized, so I'll probably spring for the cd and then take advantage of every possible photo opportunity to make it worthwhile, but if it comes with the prints as well, that's really a fairly reasonable deal.

 

[bobbi565]

For those who didn't see it on facebook, check out my son on the cover of USA Weekend today!

Here is a link to the story which includes a reaction from each member of our family to the recent and upcoming changes at Disney World (and some general amusement park tips from me)!

http://www.usaweekend.com/

 

[TIGGER/POOH4]

Does the $399 include all the prints or not? I've seen some Navigators that say $399 for photo cd and some that say $349 for cd + $50 for all the prints that they've made. Is the cd plus prints thing a sometime special, or do they always come with the cd?

I'm a little picture happy, and I like to have my images digitized, so I'll probably spring for the cd and then take advantage of every possible photo opportunity to make it worthwhile, but if it comes with the prints as well, that's really a fairly reasonable deal.

The current standard price that I last saw was $399 for the CD and $50 extra for all the prints. They do run "specials" but we will not know if there will be one until we are onboard. If attend a lot of photo ops then the CD can be a good deal.

 

[luvavacation]

Regarding the picture CD, while I don't remember what the price was (step on ship, lose mind, believe that this time, money will grow on trees!), I don't regret buying it on the Dream two years ago.

I also take lots of pictures. I like forcing my daughters and husband to have their pictures taken. At the end of the cruise, I tell myself I shall only buy one or two pictures, and then the Disney drug hits me, and I want them all. Truly, how is it that the photographers can make them all look so good? Heck, I even see an occasional picture of myself void of eye bags and stomach rolls! I must buy that picture, and then the one, or four, of my youngest with her favorite princess since she was 2, Belle, the oldest being her silly adorable self, DH pretending trying to scowl in the formal picture, well, you get the idea.

Too many good ones to pass up, pictures that when added to the other vacation pics of the past, show my family's smiles through the years. You just can't put a price on those memories (ok, you can, but I have blocked the tragic number on my final bills from memory).

Bobbi565, that is really cool! Perhaps we shall ask for autographs from your son, the famous Disney model!

All you teachers out there, does anyone teach Kindergarten or First Grade? My youngest DD, heading to college this fall, is going for an Elementary Ed degree with hopes of teaching the younger children. If she learns there are teachers willing to share, she just might ask some questions, if you wouldn't mind!

Now wish me luck, today I take my eldest formal dress shopping. Here's to finding a dress in the first 100 stores we visit, with a minimum of frustration!

 

[ambersharley]

While I'm excited about getting away from a cell phone for 7 days, I know that we will want/need to check in with home. (Ive already told work I couldn't call in though!) Does anyone know the rates or how it works in USVI and out to sea? We have service with ATT.

 

[luvavacation]

Ambersharley, here is what I found on the DCL site -

Cell Phone Services
In addition to dedicated locations where you can take advantage of ship-to-shore calling, Disney Cruise Line features Cellular at Sea phone service—so you can use your own cell phone or wireless PDA just as you would on land. Available from most cell phone carriers including AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile, this service is currently accessible in staterooms.
Note: Usage rates and international roaming rates vary as you travel. Be sure to contact your cell phone provider to learn these rates before your cruise. Disney Cruise Line recommends that Guests seeking to avoid the unwanted costs associated with data downloads keep their wireless devices turned off during their cruise.


Regarding St. Thomas, I am not sure about ATT, for I have Sprint, but I did an online chat with my carrier and was told that in the U.S. Virgin Island of St. Thomas, I am not charged for roaming. I figure if I have it straight from my carrier, and I have it in writing, I will have no exhorbitant fees when I check in with things back home. Even if I only speak to the housesitter for a minute, knowing my pets are ok and my house is still standing will help me enjoy my vacation all the more!

 

[staley98]

We're thinking about flying now, staying at the Hyatt in MCO, and using the DCL transportation from the airport. There are 5 of us, so I know that it would be cheaper to use a car service, but I'm looking to simplify and have one less thing to worry about. As a newbie, how do I arrange DCL transport? Thx for your tips

 

[TIGGER/POOH4]

We're thinking about flying now, staying at the Hyatt in MCO, and using the DCL transportation from the airport. There are 5 of us, so I know that it would be cheaper to use a car service, but I'm looking to simplify and have one less thing to worry about. As a newbie, how do I arrange DCL transport? Thx for your tips

We also love staying at the Hyatt the night before. Yes we pay a bit more but nothing beats the convenience. You just wake up and go downstairs to the bus to take you to the port. Please see below for the instructions we received from the Hyatt. Also note that you will have to check in for the bus but DCL no longer checks you in for the cruise at the airport. You will do that at the port. If you take the first bus then you will be in the terminal before everyone else and there is no line. To add DCL transfers all you have to do is call DCL and they will add it to your ressie.

 

[staley98]

We also love staying at the Hyatt the night before. Yes we pay a bit more but nothing beats the convenience. You just wake up and go downstairs to the bus to take you to the port. Please see below for the instructions we received from the Hyatt. Also note that you will have to check in for the bus but DCL no longer checks you in for the cruise at the airport. You will do that at the port. If you take the first bus then you will be in the terminal before everyone else and there is no line. To add DCL transfers all you have to do is call DCL and they will add it to your ressie.

Thank you so much!

 

[thepops]

All you teachers out there, does anyone teach Kindergarten or First Grade? My youngest DD, heading to college this fall, is going for an Elementary Ed degree with hopes of teaching the younger children. If she learns there are teachers willing to share, she just might ask some questions, if you wouldn't mind!

Now wish me luck, today I take my eldest formal dress shopping. Here's to finding a dress in the first 100 stores we visit, with a minimum of frustration!

My DW and middle DD both work in the Elementary School as Teacher's Assistants, so they might have some insights for your DD.

 

[staley98]

We also love staying at the Hyatt the night before. Yes we pay a bit more but nothing beats the convenience. You just wake up and go downstairs to the bus to take you to the port. Please see below for the instructions we received from the Hyatt. Also note that you will have to check in for the bus but DCL no longer checks you in for the cruise at the airport. You will do that at the port. If you take the first bus then you will be in the terminal before everyone else and there is no line. To add DCL transfers all you have to do is call DCL and they will add it to your ressie.

Does it matter if you book your air and hotel through DCL or on your own?

 

[npuhala]

No, you can add transfers with DCL even if you booked air/hotel on your own.

 

[docjavadude]

We're Disneyland vets, but newbies to Disney Cruises. We're looking forward to a great week -- mom, dad, 12 year old daughter. Already learning a lot here, and will be gleaning tips in the weeks to come.

Ground Transportation (airport-hotel-port) - some seem to prefer one-way car rental, others like to rely on the DCL bus system. Thoughts for newbies?

Hotels - Hyatt seems to be high on the list due to convenience of DCL bus. Any other tips?

Are there any advantages/disadvantages for booking air travel, ground transportation, hotels through Disney?

Will be lurking through the posts for a while, and looking forward to some great fun in the Caribbean sunshine in June!

 

[staley98]

No, you can add transfers with DCL even if you booked air/hotel on your own.

Thanks! Flight and hotel now booked

 

[KSDisneyDad]

We're Disneyland vets, but newbies to Disney Cruises. We're looking forward to a great week -- mom, dad, 12 year old daughter. Already learning a lot here, and will be gleaning tips in the weeks to come.

Ground Transportation (airport-hotel-port) - some seem to prefer one-way car rental, others like to rely on the DCL bus system. Thoughts for newbies?

Hotels - Hyatt seems to be high on the list due to convenience of DCL bus. Any other tips?

Are there any advantages/disadvantages for booking air travel, ground transportation, hotels through Disney?

Will be lurking through the posts for a while, and looking forward to some great fun in the Caribbean sunshine in June!

We prefer one-way rentals to save $$ and like the added flexibility, but we are very comfortable driving around WDW and to the port. We've done private transfers which were less than Disney, but went back to renting a car after that. DCL bus system is probably the easiest, but also the most expensive if you have several people in your party. With DCL transportation, they will take your bags from the ship and you won't see them again until you arrive home if you go directly to the airport after the cruise and don't fly Southwest.

I find absolutely no advantage to booking through Disney. We save a lot booking it on our own.

We prefer to stay at Disney the night before the cruise. It gets us in the Disney mood. We've also stayed at the port, but again, prefer Disney. We'll be at Animal Kingdom Lodge the night before this cruise. In the past, we've stayed at Value resorts, moderate resorts and deluxe. It's fun trying out different places.

 

[4newtocruise]

We're Disneyland vets, but newbies to Disney Cruises. We're looking forward to a great week -- mom, dad, 12 year old daughter. Already learning a lot here, and will be gleaning tips in the weeks to come.

Ground Transportation (airport-hotel-port) - some seem to prefer one-way car rental, others like to rely on the DCL bus system. Thoughts for newbies?

Hotels - Hyatt seems to be high on the list due to convenience of DCL bus. Any other tips?

Are there any advantages/disadvantages for booking air travel, ground transportation, hotels through Disney?

Will be lurking through the posts for a while, and looking forward to some great fun in the Caribbean sunshine in June!

Welcome! We have a DD 12 also! We too book a rental car. Our reservations are at AKL Tuesday - Thursday, then staying at the Residence Inn Friday night. We like to use Hertz because it's in the parking lot of the Residence Inn. That way my husband can drop us off at the port, drop off the car at Hertz then take the shuttle to the port.