Magical EBTA 2017

[bobbiwoz]

You can ask to change your table. You can ask DCL or your TA to request a 2 top table. Really, there is no need to dread going to dinner.

We have been to a circle. We are not repeating the experience, but I am glad we did it.

 

[ImprovGal]

Has anyone done the Dover to London treks?? What about Stonehenge? I have never been to London (to see the Queen) and Stonehenge would be
totally awesome, but are they worth it??. I am the last of the groups to choose so I will be on the Disney Cruise line website at 11:59 for sure
with my ipad mini fired up on Feb 27. I just hope I can get something. By the way, is the Planning Center on the website already or do I have to wait for
the 27th??? Any suggestions???.

I am also wondering about the table set-ups. One of my cruises (not Disney)my Mom and I had the worst tablemates ever!
So now that I am going solo I hope I luck out. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!

The option to add activities won't be clickable for you until 2/27.

As for the table seatings, I've had very good luck with the transatlantic crossings as a solo. There are a number of solo cruisers on the sailing and I've found myself assigned to a table with several other solos. It's been good mixes, but I'll admit that I'm a very easygoing person.

 

[Dismama2]

Will more ticketed character greetings be added? I am currently trying to book and all of the character breakfasts are "sold out", as well as most of the other events. When there is an event that appears to have availability, I go through each time slot and it comes up as no availability.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I remember signing up for Character breakfasts on board. I hope I did not miss the boat!

 

[Dismama2]

I remember signing up for Character breakfasts on board. I hope I did not miss the boat!

I would hope on a 15 day cruise they would be able to accomodate everyone. But I am confused as to why there is nothing available to book. Not a. single. character. appearance.

 

[minnie4ever]

The option to add activities won't be clickable for you until 2/27.

As for the table seatings, I've had very good luck with the transatlantic crossings as a solo. There are a number of solo cruisers on the sailing and I've found myself assigned to a table with several other solos. It's been good mixes, but I'll admit that I'm a very easygoing person.

Thanks. I am not a shy person at all either. I was worried on my first ABD but things worked out great. Now if I can just get to Stonehenge and London I will be a happy camper!
I will be bee-lining it to the sign up desk when I get on board so outa my way!!! LOL

 

[Robert and Kelley]

It looks like its a princess meet and greet not a character breakfast that you can pre book.

 

[bobbiwoz]

It looks like its a princess meet and greet not a character breakfast that you can pre book.

That is as I remember. I think the character breakfasts were somewhat organized by dining rotations.

 

[TACK]

That is as I remember. I think the character breakfasts were somewhat organized by dining rotations.

On the Westbound Transatlantic last year I was able to book the character breakfast online a few months before the cruise. But if I remember correctly, it wasn't there in the beginning during my check in. I just saw it one day when looking at my information and booked it. I know there were people that booked on board with no problem. They also booked the character meet and greets and port adventures on the ship with no problems.

I do want to book my port adventures early so I know I have them rather than wait. I only missed out on one last year because I didn't book right away however, my substitute was just as good so I'm not too worried.

 

[BoosGram]

It's getting smaller...we live in King George, VA! We're Scott and Glenda.

Cool! It's nice to have some neighbors going too.

 

[QueenEleanor]

D

There's an FB page for this cruise?

Thanks for sharing! I understand why there's no "Frozen" party on the last night; we'll be in port! Ha ha re "frozen" food!

 

[QueenEleanor]

Has anyone done the Dover to London treks?? What about Stonehenge? I have never been to London (to see the Queen) and Stonehenge would be
totally awesome, but are they worth it??. I am the last of the groups to choose so I will be on the Disney Cruise line website at 11:59 for sure
with my ipad mini fired up on Feb 27. I just hope I can get something. By the way, is the Planning Center on the website already or do I have to wait for
the 27th??? Any suggestions???.

I am also wondering about the table set-ups. One of my cruises (not Disney)my Mom and I had the worst tablemates ever!
So now that I am going solo I hope I luck out. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!

Hey Minnie!

So....let's set your mind at rest about a few things.

1. The planning center really isn't open for you yet, but you can check out the types of Port Adventures at each port. There is no guarantee that each PA will be offered on our cruise, and, as you've heard, so sadly some tours are already sold out. HOWEVER, you can make a list of your first and second and third choices, and get a sense of time and money, etc.

To do this go to "Things to do" on tab across the top of Disney Cruise website, towards bottom "Port Adventures," and you can select the ports and see what types are offered.

2. There is some "movement" with these things. People will drop, the cruise line and the subcontractor will add trips, you'll keep checking including aboard ship and you might get your first choice after all. Also, as a "single" you might get in where two or three might not. So....breathe.

3. Remember that my first choice is absolutely the last thing you would ever want to do, like, Disney would have to pay you to do it, and vice versa. So there aren't "good" ones and "bad" ones; there are just the things that tickle your fancy and things that tickle mine.

4. London and Stonehenge. They're not the same type of thing, so I will handle them separately. The Stonehenge trips, unless you combine Stonehenge with Salisbury, are only Stonehenge. Mostly the visitor center and a walk to the stones, but still, four hours or so round trip and then you spend 1.5-2 hours at Stonehenge. Worth it? Hard to say. I'm going to do Stonehenge because DD really wants to. (We did a lot of standing stones in Ireland and Scotland and Portugal, and I think she's going to be flabbergasted that we can't get up to the stones. In Scotland the sheep scratch their backs on the stones!).

London has a lot to do. And traffic. And moving between places. It's not clear which London trip you're interested in. The British Museum trip allows you three hours in the museum, but you don't see much more than the museum. The panoramic trip is mostly from the windows of the bus, and then from the windows of a boat. You'll see many places, but not for very long, and not a lot of time to explore each place. Luckily it's a long day -- longer than the Stonehenge day -- but London is 4.5 hours round trip from Dover.

So you ask... is it worth it. So much has to be factored in, not the least of which is if you think you will ever return to the UK. London is not hard to get to, and it's a place where people can easily spend a week or more. If you don't think you'll ever return to England, or if you like overviews, or if you want to spend three hours in the British Museum, of you just generally like organized touring, it might be a good choice. The prices range significantly -- I think from $80ish to 250+. Personally I wouldn't do the London trip, but I've been to London and could see returning. I'm not super excited about the Stonehenge trip, it seems like a lot of driving for little time in Stonehenge, but no matter where you arrive in England you're going to have to drive two hours to Stonehenge so I think it's pretty conventional.

A good thing to know is that the Spa runs specials on port days (and they are willing to "deal" if you want something which is not on special. So if you stay onboard during a port day, you can have a spa treatment at a better price! Just sayin'!

5. Re tablemates. I was alone on a DCL cruise but travelling with people in other cabins. We were a large enough group that we had our own table. But yes, DCL will try to match you with others. You can request to sit with someone you meet through the FB page or here; you're welcome to sit with us (we're in the early ie "main" dining option). If you don't like your table mates, speak up on the first night and they will switch you. Obviously there's the luck of the draw. By and large I've had nice tablemates -- sometimes even wonderful -- but once it was so bad I excused myself from the table (before dessert!) and asked to be switched.

6. I'm pretty certain that there are some "single" options, not necessarily for romance but to meet other people travelling alone. Look out for them in the navigator.

 

[QueenEleanor]

I would hope on a 15 day cruise they would be able to accomodate everyone. But I am confused as to why there is nothing available to book. Not a. single. character. appearance.

Explanation:

Character breakfast. When you get onboard you will find, in your stateroom, your dining rotation. It will also tell you which morning (and where) the Character breakfast will be. You don't need to sign up. Every dining rotation gets a Character breakfast.

There are also lots and lots and LOTS of character meet and greets. The navigator will tell you when and where; the screens in the mid-ship lobby will tell you when and where. One GREAT thing about the DCL is that the characters are more accessible than in the parks. There are lines, yes, mostly for photos and sometimes the lines can get long; Captain Jack on Pirate Night's been a popular one before! But you don't need to sign up and you will succeed in getting your photo taken with just about everyone you want.

(There are two general photo slots each evening. They coincide with the dinner rotations and they are identical. So if you have the early seating, you don't have to get your photo taken with Chip and Dale at 6:30, you'll have a chance at 8:30 as well.)

There are also some special kids' programming. Sometimes they get invited. If there's a princess meet and greet then the young 'uns in your stateroom between certain ages will get an invitation. You might also be able to sign up. These include with the Princesses, and also an Alice Tea Party... the best thing is to go to Guest Services when you get aboard and ask them what is scheduled. Also true for "tastings" ie wine, cocktail, chocolate; all for additional charge btw. The kids in programming are visited by characters all. the. time.

 

[Rudisdey]

Yesterday we were able to book the Character Breakfast and also a Princess gathering. So log in and you can book it!!!!

 

[ImprovGal]

[QUOTE="QueenEleanor, post: 57104782]
6. I'm pretty certain that there are some "single" options, not necessarily for romance but to meet other people travelling alone. Look out for them in the navigator.[/QUOTE]

Most sea days, there has been a cruise staff hosted solo cruisers lunch in Lumiere. Some days there had been a solo cruisers meet up in the late afternoon in Cove Cafe as well. These will be listed in the navigator.

 

[minnie4ever]

Hey Minnie!

So....let's set your mind at rest about a few things.

1. The planning center really isn't open for you yet, but you can check out the types of Port Adventures at each port. There is no guarantee that each PA will be offered on our cruise, and, as you've heard, so sadly some tours are already sold out. HOWEVER, you can make a list of your first and second and third choices, and get a sense of time and money, etc.

To do this go to "Things to do" on tab across the top of Disney Cruise website, towards bottom "Port Adventures," and you can select the ports and see what types are offered.

2. There is some "movement" with these things. People will drop, the cruise line and the subcontractor will add trips, you'll keep checking including aboard ship and you might get your first choice after all. Also, as a "single" you might get in where two or three might not. So....breathe.

3. Remember that my first choice is absolutely the last thing you would ever want to do, like, Disney would have to pay you to do it, and vice versa. So there aren't "good" ones and "bad" ones; there are just the things that tickle your fancy and things that tickle mine.

4. London and Stonehenge. They're not the same type of thing, so I will handle them separately. The Stonehenge trips, unless you combine Stonehenge with Salisbury, are only Stonehenge. Mostly the visitor center and a walk to the stones, but still, four hours or so round trip and then you spend 1.5-2 hours at Stonehenge. Worth it? Hard to say. I'm going to do Stonehenge because DD really wants to. (We did a lot of standing stones in Ireland and Scotland and Portugal, and I think she's going to be flabbergasted that we can't get up to the stones. In Scotland the sheep scratch their backs on the stones!).

London has a lot to do. And traffic. And moving between places. It's not clear which London trip you're interested in. The British Museum trip allows you three hours in the museum, but you don't see much more than the museum. The panoramic trip is mostly from the windows of the bus, and then from the windows of a boat. You'll see many places, but not for very long, and not a lot of time to explore each place. Luckily it's a long day -- longer than the Stonehenge day -- but London is 4.5 hours round trip from Dover.

So you ask... is it worth it. So much has to be factored in, not the least of which is if you think you will ever return to the UK. London is not hard to get to, and it's a place where people can easily spend a week or more. If you don't think you'll ever return to England, or if you like overviews, or if you want to spend three hours in the British Museum, of you just generally like organized touring, it might be a good choice. The prices range significantly -- I think from $80ish to 250+. Personally I wouldn't do the London trip, but I've been to London and could see returning. I'm not super excited about the Stonehenge trip, it seems like a lot of driving for little time in Stonehenge, but no matter where you arrive in England you're going to have to drive two hours to Stonehenge so I think it's pretty conventional.

A good thing to know is that the Spa runs specials on port days (and they are willing to "deal" if you want something which is not on special. So if you stay onboard during a port day, you can have a spa treatment at a better price! Just sayin'!

5. Re tablemates. I was alone on a DCL cruise but travelling with people in other cabins. We were a large enough group that we had our own table. But yes, DCL will try to match you with others. You can request to sit with someone you meet through the FB page or here; you're welcome to sit with us (we're in the early ie "main" dining option). If you don't like your table mates, speak up on the first night and they will switch you. Obviously there's the luck of the draw. By and large I've had nice tablemates -- sometimes even wonderful -- but once it was so bad I excused myself from the table (before dessert!) and asked to be switched.

6. I'm pretty certain that there are some "single" options, not necessarily for romance but to meet other people travelling alone. Look out for them in the navigator.

Thank you so much Queen E,

You have been a great help clearing things up!!!
I do know some people from an ABD that we did so I will have "Buds" on board. Also I have been on 4 other cruises (not Disney) and I am by no means a shy wallflower
so I think I will do OK!
I have never been to London and not sure when/if I will ever go (as I am not getting any younger) so I am anxious to just get an overview. 3 hrs at the British Museum or a tour of the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London would be OK with me.(though Tea with the Queen would be so very lovely!) So I guess I will just see what Fate decides for me.
But I do thank you again for taking the time to hold hands with all of us newbies!!

 

[Dismama2]

Explanation:

Character breakfast. When you get onboard you will find, in your stateroom, your dining rotation. It will also tell you which morning (and where) the Character breakfast will be. You don't need to sign up. Every dining rotation gets a Character breakfast.

There are also lots and lots and LOTS of character meet and greets. The navigator will tell you when and where; the screens in the mid-ship lobby will tell you when and where. One GREAT thing about the DCL is that the characters are more accessible than in the parks. There are lines, yes, mostly for photos and sometimes the lines can get long; Captain Jack on Pirate Night's been a popular one before! But you don't need to sign up and you will succeed in getting your photo taken with just about everyone you want.

(There are two general photo slots each evening. They coincide with the dinner rotations and they are identical. So if you have the early seating, you don't have to get your photo taken with Chip and Dale at 6:30, you'll have a chance at 8:30 as well.)

There are also some special kids' programming. Sometimes they get invited. If there's a princess meet and greet then the young 'uns in your stateroom between certain ages will get an invitation. You might also be able to sign up. These include with the Princesses, and also an Alice Tea Party... the best thing is to go to Guest Services when you get aboard and ask them what is scheduled. Also true for "tastings" ie wine, cocktail, chocolate; all for additional charge btw. The kids in programming are visited by characters all. the. time.

I think the system must have not been updated when I had initially tried - but last night there was lots of availability for everything (except a few sold out shore excursions).


The character breakfast is something you sign up for now.

I have never been on longer than a 7 day, so perhaps the TA may be different, and the characters may be out additional times. In my experience there are characters available ONLY through the meet and greets that you need to sign up for/have a ticket to attend. For example we were on the Wonder this week, and Anna/Elsa and the Princesses were not on the schedule for character appearances. Soon after we boarded we went to Port Adventures to try to get an additional ticket (was only able to book 2 online, but needed 3) and they indicated everything was booked. He needed to clear it through a manager to get me an extra ticket (I had 2 kids, I wasn't participating in the meet and greet, but needed a ticket to attend).

 

[Dismama2]

Yesterday we were able to book the Character Breakfast and also a Princess gathering. So log in and you can book it!!!!

Yes! The system must have updated or something - I was able to book!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Yes! The system must have updated or something - I was able to book!

Yes, thank you! I booked a meet and a breakfast!

 

[QueenEleanor]

Wow. That's a difference since my last cruise. (The last three have been chartered, the only charter cruise DCL has done, btw, and the entire cruise experience was different.)

PLEASE IGNORE MY INCORRECT COMMENTS ABOVE.

Character meets appear to alternate between Frozen and Princess, with a few Royal Court and breakfast days thrown in. You should sign up in advance. If you're not able to there might be opportunities once aboard, but you'll have less flexibility with timing and number.

Sorry about the wrong advice!