May 12, 2007 -- Taking the Magic to the Mediterranean -- 14 day Repo Cruise!

[gydell]

There are ALOT of cabins available still. The free tips started on July2 if you booked onboard. So that doesn't help us!

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

There are ALOT of cabins available still. The free tips started on July2 if you booked onboard. So that doesn't help us!

With less people aboard the better it can be! More DIS"rs can join in!

Maybe hope for an upgrade!!

Debbie

 

[ssnyder]

Curt and I had a nice trip to Disneyland yesterday with our 3yo grandson. His one request was the roller coaster ride (meaning the one in toontown). We got there just after opening and did a couple of things in Fantasyland waiting for toontown to open. We did the Alice in Wonderland ride which usually has a too-long line. This was a first time for DGS and he really liked it (before you ask, this is not a ride that is at the Magic Kingdom). Then we did Mr Toad (he likes this one because it has steering wheel for him to pretend he is driving) and the Carousel (another favorite).

About this time we decided we wanted to try out the new Cafe Orleans for lunch. We've been wanting to try this but it is always too long of a wait, so I got on the phone to Disneyland Dining and was placed on hold. It was time for toontown to open, so we headed that way and then on to the roller coaster ride. I was still on hold, so Curt took DGS by himself. Once he got off, I was still on hold, so Curt took the phone and I went on the roller coaster ride with DGS (can you tell there was no line). We got in the front row and Curt got an excellent picture. I'll see if he can post it. Then we went to see Mickey. I was STILL on hold waiting for dining reservations when we got to the movie screenings, so I held back. They finally answered and I got a lunch reservation for 11:40am and caught up with Curt just as they let us in to see Mickey.

We still had a little while before lunch so we went on the Jungle Cruise and the Pirates of the Caribbean. The latter was a first for DGS and he held on tight wrapped around my arm for most of the ride. He relaxed towards the end. After pirates, it was time for lunch, which was pretty so-so for the price. The Pomme Frites were sure good though and they did an excellent job of keeping our drinks refilled.

After lunch we went on Haunted Mansion (Night before Christmas overlay) and then on the Winnie the Pooh ride. It was now after two and DGS was obviously getting very tired, so we decided to call it quits. It was a good day though.

 

[mom_rules]

We didn't get free gratuities (looks like they'd be around $300 for 2 people) but we did get shipboard credit for $300 through our TA.

 

[CACruisin']

We booked a cruise onboard last year and then moved it to this cruise when the dates opened up. We got 10% off and a stateroom credit, but not gratuities.

Milestogo: Have a great time in Santa Cruz! Spend some time playing on the beach with DD to keep the BP down.

Snyders: what a fun trip you had with your grandson. He sounds like quite the adventurer! DD3 loves the carousel. She did not like the "ghost place" (Haunted Mansion) or "a pirates life for me" (Pirates of the Carib) however. I didn't even try the roller coaster in toontown. She does like Buzz Lightyear though.

Debbie: thanks for maintaining/updating the website. Looks like we will have a great group.

 

[tig82174]

So any word from anyone on this letter that some of the Westbounders say they're getting? Gydell---did you ask any of them what the letter was?

Yeah i wish we'd benefitted from the tips deal, too....that would be a big savings for us....$300 is easily an excursion or two!! Of course we won't really know anything about that until, as Debbie mentioned, the tell us what the darn excursions are!!

I can't wait....we can't wait....for the excursions and activities list (although....I could live without anything involving Bob Sagget!). I was hypothesizing they might do something on at least one of the Mediterranean or repositioning cruises involving the Cheetah Girls since they're on tour now....and on the heels of a movie most of which was set IN Barcelona (ironically also the port which these cruises will be calling home)....The Cheetah Girls official tour seems to end early spring...so who knows, maybe Disney will take advantage.

 

[gydell]

No I didn't ask but I will. I forgot about the letter until you mentioned it now. I did find out that Hawaii is sumer of 2008 unless the CM I talked to was pulling my leg. Don't know if it is going to be Cal. or Hawaii based. It will be the Magic.

 

[tig82174]

No I didn't ask but I will. I forgot about the letter until you mentioned it now. I did find out that Hawaii is sumer of 2008 unless the CM I talked to was pulling my leg. Don't know if it is going to be Cal. or Hawaii based. It will be the Magic.

I just knew they would do that!! Although I didn't know it would be next year. Probably that means we'll do that cruise too since I'm an addict, but we'll see. Also I already informed Jason that we're booking the second they announce an Alaskan cruise....which they'd be STUPID not to do sometime in the next couple years since Alaskan cruises have really taken off in past few years!!

 

[gydell]

I will also be booking the Alaska cruise if they ever do one. If not I guess it will be RCCL. I have no interest in Hawaii (been there done that) but would love the Panama Canal one since I figure that the Magic has to get there somehow. Maybe my DH will go on that one!

 

[ssnyder]

Curt posted a few pictures from our Disneyland trip last sunday:

http://home.earthlink.net/~cpsnyder/Disney.htm

 

[mom_rules]

Curt posted a few pictures from our Disneyland trip last sunday:

http://home.earthlink.net/~cpsnyder/Disney.htm

Are they ever good pics. What a sweetie!

 

[gydell]

Loved the pictures!

183 days until we leave!

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

Well, a Friend forwarded me an e-mail that he recieved with a copy of "the letter" and here is what it says:

Dear Valued Guest,
We wanted to float you this letter because we know how excited you must be about your upcoming Mediterranean & Transatlantic cruise. So are we! This is truly going to be one of our most magical voyages ever! After all, it’s the first time the magic of Disney Cruise Line® meets the timeless beauty of the Mediterranean.
As we get closer to your sail date, be sure to watch your mail and visit us at disneycruise.com—because the fun is coming in waves:
• Right now, we’ve added more details to our Barcelona port information online. And be sure to check back often for even more updated port and travel info.
• In December, more detailed shore excursion information will be available at disneycruise.com.
• 5 months before you sail, you’ll receive a complete set of brochures that will help you plan, pack and prepare for the vacation of a lifetime. You’ll also discover a calendar of when you can begin booking shore excursions, Palo reservations, children’s registration and more.
• 3 months before your cruise, watch for more Mediterranean magic to sail your way.
• 1 month before your cruise, you’ll receive all of your travel documents and travel day logistical information, as well as a handy travel checklist.
Just think, soon you’ll be enjoying all the enchantment of a Disney cruise combined with some of Europe’s most breathtaking destinations. Let’s just say the Mediterranean will never get more magical than this!
See ya real soon!
Sincerely,
Lee Kitchen
Manager, Disney Cruise Vacations

Time is counting down!!!

Debbie

 

[gydell]

Thanks! I am still waiting for a response so I am glad to know what the letter said. I wonder how they decide who gets a letter and who doesn't. It sounds exciting!

 

[tig82174]

Well, a Friend forwarded me an e-mail that he recieved with a copy of "the letter" and here is what it says:



Time is counting down!!!

Debbie

WOO HOO!! Thanks for posting the letter....that's some good information....I'm going to email our travel agent at mousearsvacations.com and see what they have heard, too.....maybe they'll get a peek at info befor eit goes online even!

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

I talked to my TA earlier and she is sending me the copy of the letter! I am thinking that they were sent direct to people that have their ressie with DCL and those with a TA goes to the TA first.

And the reason I was talking to her was to confirm my final payment!!! And the taxes went down so we saved almost $200!!

Debbie

 

[gydell]

When is our final payment due? When can we make our ressies? Can you tell I am ready!

 

[mom_rules]

Isn't sometime in February?

 

[milestogo]

Hi all, Just back from Santa Cruz business trip where I had several days of outstanding lecturing experiences (perfect classes) really warm weather, but terrible sinus headaches for many people out here. I guess it was 90 degrees at my house while we were gone. DH finally got a break and played with DD at the beach and had fun going out to breakfast while I worked. Good trip all in all.

OK very funny about Bob Saget, when we got on the West coast trip they told us he had been there and I couldn't imagine that he could do a family oriented show (he's shows are R-rated.) Bob is an old friend of mine as I worked on the show Full House for two years. The desk I'm sitting at right now is his desk. While I was on the show I lost everything I owned in a fire (including all my pets), Bob gave me his desk and said to me, "I'm handing this desk down to you, its been mine for 11 years and I wrote several movies and many many jokes on it, I hope it brings you as much good luck as it did for me." And it has! I built a small empire on this desk. You'd be shocked that Bob is not even close to the same person as his TV personality. He's a really honest, very funny, very smart, great guy. All the people from Full House treated me like a family member after my fire, it was amazing. I'd bet Bob would be the first to say that he isn't the best match for the mupppets. What was the show like? I wonder who will be on the boat this year?

I have been asking everyone I can possible ask if the boat is going to Hawaii and Alaska and when it will go on sale. They said the announcement will be about the same as this year and will go on sale the same time, but they do not know where. The caribbean cruises are scheduled on the Magic up until the first week of May. We were wondering if it will be while we are on the cruise and can we book that day. We thought it would be for 2009 instead of 2008, but the latter is better for us. We will go to the PC and then where ever the crossing is to Alaska and Hawaii too.

We got several copies of the letter from DCL too, so we know the excursions are coming.

Has anyone heard from Padalyn lately?

Susie, sounds like a nice trip to DL, would have rather been visiting with you guys then driving to SC! Did you try the Monte Christo?

Oh yea, The Grandballroom is at the Disneyland Hotel. Every Thanksgiving, Easter and Mother's Day they do a very elaborate meal with characaters, music etc. We've never been before, but I hear it is fantastic. Since this year we have a small group (4) we thought it would be fun. Can't wait, my DS is counting the days until the food (we're a big food family if anyone missed that!)

 

[CACruisin']

Glad you had a wonderful time in Santa Cruz. Yes, the weather here was HOT this week - but I love it! What a wonderful story about Bob Saget.

It would be awesome to have the ship back on the west coast! I definitely would want to do the PC crossing - even willing to pull the kids out of school, if necessary.

ALL the kids have tomorrow off AND DH can take the day off, so we are headed to the Grand Canyon for the long weekend . I've haven't been since I was a kid and the rest of them have never been.