March 15-22, 2008 Eastern - Way-Way Early Check In

[Pammy jo]

Carol - glad you had fun in Gait./PF. My in-laws live about an hour away. We've rented a cabin before in PF and enjoyed the area. It's great to have the natural parks and the amusement parks all in one spot! I love Dollywood and Splash Country. I always tell people how wonderful those parks are - the closest to DW that I have found.

 

[limati]

A question for Kathy (or anyone who has been on more than one cruise) - Are there any advantages to having a late dining time? We are waitlisted for the early seating. I figure the cruise will be full so I probably won't be able to change it. We have older kids, so I'm thinking it will work out fine. I'm sure there will be something to snack on so we don't get too hungry!

Lisa

 

[pop5]

Hey Nancy, we have early dinner too. We had the early on this cruise last March and had late this past July on the wonder. They both have pros and cons. We have always been seated with just us. Last March we had my 5 boys and my parents , so we had a big table anyway. In july, we had only my dh and my youngest 2 boys and again we were seated alone. I was looking foward to having tablemates that time and we just had a table for 4. You never know. Paige

 

[happymommy]

Hi Lisa! I had the late dinner time, but just called today and got the early. The guy was so nice, he even asked which exact time we wanted, so I chose 5:45 for the PLA rotation (he said we'd probably get that, they can't guarantee it, but it was nice he asked). We just got back from WDW, and we ate early most every night. We're too tired to eat dinner at 8pm. We may not even make every show or party, who knows?

Now I'm debating switching from connecting cat 11's to 7's with the navigators veranda. It's still only about $100 more to share two rooms rather than all of us in one room. But... it's $3000 more to get the verandas. Got the REAS added today also - so we'll book Palo on December 1st I guess. I wish we could get a veranda for us but inside for the kids - they're too young to not be connecting, maybe when they're teens. They don't need the veranda, but DH likes the fresh air. For now I'm keeping inside cabins, so maybe the veranda ones will not be available later anyway.

 

[limati]

Happymommy,

Did you book on the DCL site or did you go through a travel agency?
I'm guessing I would have to go through the agency that I booked with. I'm not sure.

Lisa

 

[happymommy]

Lisa,

I booked directly through Disney by phone. Since I wanted connecting cabins it was too difficult to use the website.

I may switch the reservation to a travel agent as it gets closer. It seems that some get you onboard credits. Did you get one? Are you happy with whom you used? Yes, maybe you have to call them to try to change the dinner seating.

Amy

 

[limati]

HappyMommy,
I booked through Dreams Unlimited and received a 75.00 per stateroom credit. I booked a couple of months ago. So far everything has been fine. They only do business online, but our travel agent has returned the e-mail replies to questions and concerns promptly. I thought 75.00 was pretty good for cat. 11 reservations. We have 3 cabins next to each other. LESS THAN 200 DAYS NOW

Lisa

 

[carolmp]

I also booked through Dreams and have had very good service. This is actually the third cruise I've booked, but I haven't been on one yet. I was going to go last Spring but had to cancel, so booked a date for March 2008. After I got the school Spring Break schedule, I had to change the date again. I have gone from having Disney handle it all (including air, insurance, transfers and hotel) to having me take care of it all. DU has been very helpful. They got back to me promptly and gave me the same information that I had heard on this board. So I'm sure they are giving me the right information.

 

[happymommy]

I booked directly through disney. I called vacations to go, and they have a $50 per person cabin credit. Anyone got better? I'd rather get a cabin credit than the costco card. I figure that would pay for our wine or something!

Lisa, did you get the early dinner time?

Sorry but I can't scroll down now, but my kids will be 11 (DS) and turning 9 (DD) on the cruise. They may like to make friends before hand.

I think I requested a table for 4 for dinner. I think it seems odd to dine with another family for a week. Any other thoughts on that? We've never cruised before, but travel a lot ( esp disneyworld ).

Did anyone find the math weird for this cruise? Children are actually very expensive. It was $100 more to get two cabins than to share one. But the veranda ones were so pricey. We decided for the time being to keep the inside ones as long as they connect. I can't wait till the kids are older - if we do this again they could be across the hall or something!

Amy

 

[limati]

Amy,

I think I'm going to go with the later time. I've read pros/cons for early vs. late dining. I think we'll be fine either way. I went on a couple of cruises when I was single and had tablemates on those cruises. We were very lucky. We had great tablemates. We met a few great people. We have 9 in our group so I'm thinking we will be at our own table.

If your daughter or son would like to e-mail my daughter, send me a private message. My daughter has sent e-mails to a couple of other girls around her age and thinks it's fun to "know" kids before the cruise.

It is nice to receive on board credit isn't it? With the price of this particular cruise everything helps!

Lisa

 

[swilphil]

Lisa,

I booked directly through Disney by phone. Since I wanted connecting cabins it was too difficult to use the website.

I may switch the reservation to a travel agent as it gets closer. It seems that some get you onboard credits. Did you get one? Are you happy with whom you used? Yes, maybe you have to call them to try to change the dinner seating.

Amy

I have a great TA. We got a $100 onboard credit for 1 Cat. 10 stateroom. She's also been helpful in many other ways. If you want the name or website, send me a pm with your e-mail address. I can't post it on the DIS.

 

[happymommy]

Hi Lisa! I agree with you - either dining time will probably be good. I was originally leaning toward the later, but decided we'd do better early. DH and I can choose Palo late one evening. I will let you know if my daughter seems eager to email yours - but I think mine will be with the 8-9 year olds and yours with the 10-11? I am glad at least both my kids will be in the lab together - my daughter likes her brother around to show her the ropes!

I'm gonna hold off on transferring my ressie for a month or so - maybe someone will come up with a better credit, otherwise I'll go with one of the ones I've heard mentioned here.

Amy

 

[Pammy jo]

I used Costco and got (don't quote me on this) I believe almost $400 card. Definately worth a call to them.To me it doesn't matter if it's a onboard credit - it's all money just the same and my Costco bills could REALLY use some help!!!


We're doing early seating this time. Last time we had late and the boys never ate with us. They just had dinner in the kid's club except at AP. This time I was sure to book early so we could all eat together. They are older now too though so it probably wouldn't make as much as a difference, except that we always eat early at home so I guess it's better for us.

 

[limati]

Amy,
I think they will be in different groups. She can e-mail her if she still wants to. It's kind of neat to make some cruise friends, plus my dd loves to talk Webkinz with other Webkinz "fanatics" if your daughter is into that.

I figure that we won't necessarily go to the main dining rooms every night, so we'll see how it goes with dining with the whole family. We hope to get Palo reservations and hopefully luck will be with us.

That Costco deal sounds good. We don't have one of those close to us.

Have a great Labor Day weekend. My dh's birthday is today so we're having the family over and tomorrow is a family picnic. No plans for Monday and that's okay with me!

Take care,

Lisa

 

[happymommy]

That Costco deal does sound good - I'll check into it.

My daughter loves webkinz! She's got a bear. I may set up email for her - she's only allowed on the weekend.

No plans here either - school starts tomorrow - yeah!!!!!

Happy belated birthday to DH, Lisa.

Amy

 

[limati]

Thanks for the b'day wishes Amy. Our kids started school in the middle of August. Since then it has been in the mid 90's temp. wise and even a couple of 100 degree days! They don't have a.c. in the school.

If your daughter would like to contact mine she would love talking webkinz. She has been into webkinz charms lately.

Have a great day and good luck with the new school year.

Lisa

 

[happymommy]

Thanks Lisa. I'll get back with you over the weekend I hope. Hope cool weather gets there soon!

 

[tecdavidt]

We book through our friend who works for Cruise Holidays. When we compared Dreams the prices were the same. If she decides to retire we will convert to Dreams.

We also always have early dining. I have had late on other lines but on Disney always early. We just prefer eating around 6:00 pm and enjoying the ship after dinner. We are not late night people. One thing nice with Disney, if you have late dining you have the early show. Other lines have late dining then late shows. We just have dinner then off to the show.

Kathy

 

[nlm]

Hi everyone!

I've got good news - we got our passports! WOOHOO! About 1 month from application to receipt! I'll keep my fingers crossed that those who are waiting for them get them soon.

Also, I'm looking to transfer our reservations from Disney to someone else as well. swilphil - I'm going to PM you about your agent. It sounds like it might be the best onboard credit offer out there!

Nancy

 

[limati]

Great news Nancy! That was pretty fast. I'm still waiting for mine, but my kids have received theirs.

Hope everyone is well. Talk to you later.

Lisa