Live From 9/7 Magic

[invaderzim]

Port Orleans - Riverside

Believe it or not -- they were our BIGGEST headache out of this whole thing! While we thought at first it was great that DCL was putting us up there instead of an All Star Resort, we were very disappointed in how shabby our treatment was compared to four years ago when we stayed there (and it was known as Dixie Landings). We arrived at 3:30 -- no baggage handlers available for two hours! I registered, asked for a first floor and close to the building. Dragged all of our luggage (6 pieces and 3 carryons) between my husband and I and left our daughter in the front with the luggage we couldn't take each time. Got to the room -- it was on the second floor. With my husband's back there was no way we could lug that luggage up stairs. Went back to the lobby, got a first floor room -- got back to the room, the keys didn't work! Still no porters!

Went back to lobby -- now it is 5:00 pm. We have been there 1-1/2 hours and still have not been able to check into our room. Finally got to eat dinner at 6 p.m. and thought, well, let's make the most of the pool. From what I remembered, it was a great pool. YUCK! Got there and it was FULL of debris -- leaves, twigs, etc. We were actually stepping on branches at the bottom of the pool. The water was freezing, so we cut the night short.

Called the porter line at 9 p.m. to request a 5:45 a.m. baggage pick up because our shuttle was at 6:15 a.m. Were told no porters would be available -- they were short-handed. HOWEVER, after we dragged our luggage over to the lobby at 6 a.m. (two trips), there were several luggage carts sitting in the front of the building, empty, drivers standing around! Very disappointing.

Our four star memory of Dixie Landings from before definitely became a two star memory for Riverside!

 

[jlawall]

Are the current cruisers having a nice trip???

 

[RJake1]

How could anyone even consider bringing the Russian hostage crisis into this discussion? That's the most absurd post I've ever read.

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by RJake1

How could anyone even consider bringing the Russian hostage crisis into this discussion? That's the most absurd post I've ever read.

It was hyperbole. It was in response to "how dare you whine about your cruise when people in Florida are homeless due to the hurricanes." The Russian hostage situation was used to illustrate that you can <b><i>always</i></b> find someone who's worse off than you are.

 

[Reenieny18]

I think Disney did a fantastic job!. This was my first DCL cruise and hopefully, not my last. I was on the bus with INVADERZIM, and it was truly aweful to see the devastation along Palm Beach and Port Lucie. I was lucky enough to have internet access on board the MAGIC for their first 10 day cruise. It was posted on the DISNEY CRUISE LINE.com site of the upcoming changes. You have to remember while we are at home(now) in our comfortable air conditoned home. Disney was without power and phone service. I read on line as early as Wednesday of the changes that were occuring. I think it was a matter of knowing where to call and having some insights.
Disney did a wonderful job getting 3000 plus people off that ship during a MAJOR HURRICANE. Fort Lauderdale is not their home base. They had to spend a lot of $$$ to accomodate us and the new cruisers. As I do recall, the cruise after ours was givin the chance to CANCEL and get 100% money back plus the $200 credit and 25 % off another cruise. We got 4 days as sea.
The food was still never ending with a SEAFOOD BUFFET on Sunday ( I think). It was amazing. Also, dont forget... The DISNEY WONDER was also in port. thats close to 6000 cruisers,, plus the CM that had expired contracts.
I do hope you can find a way to enjoy your (SHORTED) cruise..take it for whats its worth. You had the chace to cruise on one the best cruise ships around. After, being on 3 other lines... DISNEY is the best hands down especially during a major hurrincane.
And if you get to see HERMANT ( one of the servers at dinner) tell him the WHITE MOUSE was not FUNNY,,lol...

Enjoy your cruise.. and God Bless Florida and keep them safe

Doreen

 

[ppiew]

Enuf is Enuf already! Can't we stop beating this dead horse! What is over is over! Those that were pleased with DCL treatment will always be and those that weren't will NEVER be. Let us move along - please!!!!!

 

[Laura24]

Originally posted by Mickey02
I sorry to post this again. I may have missed something but has Disney said anything about Castaway Cay?

I read on another post that CC had some damage, but nothing too drastic. However.......... Don't know if this is good or bad, it also mentioned that the *Adults* beach now has a lot more sand than it ever had. I guess we will have to walk a mile out to get to above the knees water!

 

[ncmvp]

We weathered Frances at the Wilderness lodge. The whole time we were stuck in our villa we kept wondering what was happening with the cruises. We spoke to many cast members during the very slow annoyng storm. One cast member who came to service our tv told us he was going to be working at the lodge for 36 hours. We asked him about his family and home, he told us that all employees that were on duty at the lodge were told to bring their families and pets to the lodge. He was glad his family was with him and the dog safely at the Magic kingdom kennel, and he would see how his home had faired on Mon. There was so much going on during Frances. Everyone story is important.

 

[allears]

I think I already posted most of my opinion on these situations earlier on this post, but reading subseuquent entries, I feel like I want to add a couple of pennies to my two cents.

I think what is really stoking many of the Disney defenders is the perception that many, not all, but many posters in their complaints, while saying they know the hurricane caused trouble, still seem to have the idea tht all routines and decision making should have continued business as usual. As the last poster pointed out, cast members were displaced, sheltering and working in various resorts. The states infra structure took an unbelievable hit. The ships weren't in their home port with their usual resources. Computers were down, many people who work in the various industries that serve the cruise business probably left the state to evacuate.

There have been some very valid compliants and understandable frustrations. I however vote for giving Disney and the other companies a break and stepping back to look at the bigger picture of how this second hurricane affected everything in the state and region. No matter how good your managment is, they are still human and at some point you can only handle so many variables. You do the best you can and keep going.

It is very easy for most of us to sit back and say this should have been done or that should have been handled differently. And in some cases we'd be right and we hope the companies add this to their knowledge for contingency planning. But until some things actually happen, it doesn't even occurr to you that they could.

So let's all try to keep a little perspective and objectivity, especially those who are just coming through this and those of us who are yet to sail during this historic hurricane season.

 

[Cruise04]

Well then if they didn't want the frustration and aggravation being felt and had the safety of ALL of their cruisers in mind then they should have just cancelled the damn cruise. We were told to try our best to make the cruise, so we did. Only to be deeply miscommunicated with and treated badly.

 

[allears]

They probably didn't cancel the cruise becasue the same number of you who think they should have would have been equally ticked if they had and the hurricane moved a different way and the skys cleared up.

I'm sure there was tremendous communication problems, espcecially with such a volitile and ever changing situation. That is for sure something should work on for a future crisis.

But as I see in my line of work much of the time, it doesn't matter what the situation is, the company will never have done what some individuals expect that they should have. Ah maybe one day we'll live in a perfect world where hurricanes don't wreak havoc with peoples lives, companies and vacations.

 

[ganurse]

we are home..very detailed trip report to follow. I have sailed disney report and had a perfect trip 2 years ago. I had a blast on this one as well, just not what i expected. Im glad i got a free room at a disney hotel...we did meet pogopossom at the Hercules show.....email if you have any questions!