May 13.2006 Eastern

[bpd196]

Is tonight the begining of the online reservations for the first time cruisers? And if so what time for the east coast. I just called Disney and they stated 12:00am eastern time on the 27th not tonight, but Monday. Iasked if she was sure and she stated yes. I told her that what she was telling me was that we could start until the 28th and she stated that was correct. Can someone please confirm for me. I've also read on these boards that the time is 12:00am pacifac, which would be 3:00am eastern.

 

[DrCavin]

Is tonight the begining of the online reservations for the first time cruisers? And if so what time for the east coast. I just called Disney and they stated 12:00am eastern time on the 27th not tonight, but Monday. Iasked if she was sure and she stated yes. I told her that what she was telling me was that we could start until the 28th and she stated that was correct. Can someone please confirm for me. I've also read on these boards that the time is 12:00am pacifac, which would be 3:00am eastern.

I sent you a PM, but for anyone else who is a first timer on the May 13 you should be able to book your reservations tomorrow morning at 3:00am.. I used the same calculation when figuring out ours, so it should work the same. It is definitly not 12:00 am, so that should give you a hint on how accurate the cm was.

Hope you get what your looking for..

 

[bpd196]

My kids are too too excited. My DD 7 just had her 100th day of school and we made a paper chain of 100 different color links. SHe just brought it home and now it is their countdown to the cruise. Every day they cut a link off. It's fun... Started making a list of things not to forget, binoculars, clothes pins to make sure the drapes stayed closed and I picked up some large paper size magnets to work on my door magnet. AC Moore the craft store has some very nice DIsney stickers. Can't wait.....
Kerri in NJ

 

[hooksenemy]

Just checking on any of you who had booking online yesterday - did you get what you wanted

Keep this thread moving, we are fading in our posts

75 days left folks, and I still don't have a Pirate Costume

 

[DrCavin]

There used to be a packing-list of things posted on the boards somewhere. I will see if I can track it down & post it on the Yahoo site. I did update the dining rotation spreadsheet with some more info for shows, etc. It is on the Yahoo site as well.

 

[littlebunny]

Forgot to get up early, or stay up late, whichever, but just went to the reservations and there was no brunch openings. Did anyone get a brunch reservation who was on the 75 days out? Also, I was filling out the online check-in forms, and it said after you filled them out you could print off the cruise contract, but it wouldn't let me. Anyone else have this problem or know what I need to do?

 

[Hanover]

Did anyone booking 75 days out get dinner at Palo? I'm trying to get my parents a table the same night we are going (Wednesday) but they don't even have their reservation number or room number. Their AAA agent paid off their trip automatically when the balance was due and said the #'s would be in the mail (They are currently on vacation in Florida). They aren't really interested in any excursions...they want to do some sight seeing and shop...or even that interested in trying Palo. They love the other dining rooms. I thought it would be nice to all go to Palo one night since we missed it last cruise and it gets such great reviews. Come to think of it, I can't even think of a time the 4 of us went to dinner without the kids in almost 9 years, so it would be a nice experience to not have to play tick -tack- toe, color, etc. during one meal. We'd take the boys to the regular dinner and then the kid's clubs. Then again, we could take them to Topsiders or have them eat at Pluto's Dog House or Pinocchio's Pizzeria. They'd probably be happy just to get some extra swimming in and do room service!

As for a pirate costume, the boys have their Captain Hook and Pirate/Skeleton costumes. I think my DH and I may do black pants and a striped shirt and just use the bandana they give you at dinner for our headwear. I did order a couple trinkets off of Oriental Trading to surprise the kids with on Pirate's night (eyepatches, tattoos, pirate duckies, bubbles and big clip on hoop earrings). I'll have 44 extra eye patches and tons of tattoos if anyone's interested! Someone had a code on the budget board for free shipping so it was rather inticing!

 

[hooksenemy]

Hanover, sounds like we ordered similiar things - I also ordered some glow necklaces (deck parties) and bubbles (sailaway party) from oriental trading -

LITTLE BUNNY - our friends got up at 2:45 or so and logged in and they could not book any Palo Brunch resi's - we booked the 4 of us for brunch on mothers day and we also got a dinner booked during the week

I would check once onboard and I would check daily by calling the restaurant to see if they had a cancellation - does anyone know if Palo does waiting lists? That would be a great idea for those who change their minds last minute and don't show up for their resi

I plan to go all out for Pirate Night - they didn't offer it on our last cruise it was tropical night which we dressed for.

 

[littlebunny]

Thanks hooksenemy. Yeah I figured I would have to just check when we board to get brunch. Not to interested in the dinner, but have heard raves about the brunch. I'm sure mothers day will fill up fast. It would be nice if they had a waiting list.

 

[DrCavin]

Palo does have a waiting list available.

 

[bpd196]

I would like to be the first to confirm, first time cruisers do get screwed with booking online. I got up at 3:00am this morning, and the only good thing about gettting up at 3:00am was that I didn't have to listen to my wifes snoring anymore. We just wanted to go to Palo for dinner and a brunch. The first thing I did when I logged on was register the kids in the kids program. Them I went to Palos for reservations. I clicked all that was available. There was a choice of about 8 Dinners, almost all were on the formal night, which we do not want to miss and 1 or 2 were at 9:00pm. There were no choices for Brunch at all. So we booked Monday at 9:00pm. We also wanted to do a week pass for the spa which I read about on this board and they either don't offer it anymore or it wasn't available. When I booked this cruise 11 months ago I wanted the early seating since I have 2 dd 4 and 6 and the late seating is to late for them. My TA told me early seating is all booked, I am on the wait list for early seating. I really wanted this to be a vacation for my family, but now I'm going to have spend my first day trying to get on the ship very early and running to beat the rush to try and change my dinner reservation and then running to try and get a decent time for Dinner at Palo and maybe if they have a brunch available, and then to the spa. I thought that having the online reservations was supposed to stop this type of thing. Atleast I have the kids registered. If anyone has any pixie dust throw some this way.

 

[DrCavin]

Bpd, dont get to discourage.... Are you able to be at the terminal at 10:00am? I would be VERY surprised that if your on the ship before 1:00 you should be able to get some better choices on Palo. Brunch on Sunday was full when we logged in at 90 days, so I am guessing they do not put that many reservations up to be available.

I have never heard of a week pass for the spa, not that it doesnt exist I have just never heard it mentioned.

Have you called DCL to see if early is still booked, thinking that many may have cancelled once final payment was due.

I think the online system is better than doing the reservation rush once onboard, it certainly could be improved. Maybe they should make everything available & not hold any back for booking on-board.

 

[Hanover]

The only week long spa pass I've read about is the Rainforest room. I looked for that when trying to do reservations at 90 days and couldn't find it either.

Hooksenemy- we did the bubbles at the Sail Away party last year and my only advice is to make sure you get the adaptor thingie that looks like a bubble gun to go with the bubbles. Our boys both had regular bottles of bubbles and we gave several bottles out to nearby kids....well I think they must have dripped half the bubbles out just trying to blow the bubbles. They had a blast and they were all trying to pop them, etc. Meanwhile I'm stressed out, running to go get napkins because I was terrified someone would slip on the bubble mess and break their neck. It got everywhere in a 10 ft radius and I can't even appropriately describe just how super slippery it was. If we do bubbles again at the Sail Away, I'm definitely doing the battery operated bubble blowers so I can relax and get a picture or two instead of having to clean up a slippery mess.
How did you get to book Palo for your friends too? When I tried to book for 3-4, it would only let me book the 2 of us. Do you need to put in their reservation number as well?

Dr. Cavin- How do you get on the waiting list for Palo? When I called DCL when I was having problems trying to book Palo, they told me I could only do reservations online, that they had no phone number to call for reservations. I'd love to get on a waiting list for brunch.

 

[DrCavin]

You get on the list once you board.

 

[bpd196]

We are flying down on the 12th and staying at the Holiday inn select at the airport. We have the DCL transfers. Dr. Cavin what would you suggest for getting there early. Go to the airport and get a bus there? Or should I go to the Hyatt in the airport, it sounds like they are the earliest buses to leave. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. One way or another I will be up early on the 13th.

 

[DrCavin]

I am not a bus expert, you could search the boards & see what others have said as to when/where they pickup. I dont think they begin arriving at the port until at least 11:00. Have you considered renting a vehicle? I don't know how many are in your party, but renting will run you ~$35 each way. It is very easy to do and the directions are very easy too.

 

[Hanover]

Just wanted to give anyone waiting on main dining seating a heads up that I just got my parents and father- in- law transferred to 6PM and linked with us (with the help of their AAA and DUT agents) the last half hour. I was told minimal seating was available and to act fast. Sure is a big relief to know we'll be able to eat together at the same table and at the same time! Now we can concentrate on getting those Palo brunch reservations once we board!

 

[bxirishrn]

We are 3 of us going on the cruise- myself, DH and DD (7)
Will we be seated with other families, or on our own? Do they take into account the ages of the children in the party? I'd rather sit with other families, another chance for DD to make friends.

Dr. Cavin I know you have info in Yahoo, but I haven't been able to access it.
Also, though I've seen it, I can't remember when pirate night is

Thanks everyone !

 

[DrCavin]

Dr. Cavin I know you have info in Yahoo, but I haven't been able to access it.
Also, though I've seen it, I can't remember when pirate night is

Thanks everyone !

Chances are you will be seated with other guests since you have 3, not a definite but probably will. We were seated by ourselves last time, it has its pros/cons.

Do you have a Yahoo-id? If not it is free to sign-up, once signed up you *should* be able to get to the stuff, If not let me know & we can look into it.

 

[hooksenemy]

BPD196
I agree with Dr. Cravin, I would rent a car - if you want to get to the port when you want to get there that is We did this 2 years ago, it was very convenient at embarkation and debarkation We used Budget at the airport - got a discount using the coupons from the BJ's flyer (you can pick this up in the lobby of BJ's) - it was very very inexpensive

SPA FOR THE WEEK that is the Rainforest room - it was great we did it 2 years ago for $50pp for the week - the price is now $75pp for the week - you don't need to book it in advance, I don't think it it something that "sells out" as it is open to all and a come and go type of thing! Many times we were the only ones in there - we would work out in the gym and go in before we showered it was awesome

Also, don't get discouraged about the ressies - there will be something maybe not the ideal but better than what we are viewing online "right now" I am sure

Hanover
honestly, I didn't even think of the slippery floors The bubbles for our last cruise were what the kids liked they would blow a few then dance then blow a few then dance I dont' remember spilling in the past thanks for the heads up I will make sure I have water to thin out any spillage
As for Palo - when I booked at 90 days, I changed the 1-2 option to 3-4 they are coming with us, they are not booked alone they are with us We are truly looking forward to this it will be our first time without our kids when we go to brunch so we will be able to get their take on the ship etc... Since it is their first time on a cruise

They had no problems booking at 75 days the shore excursions that we booked at 90 days which is exciting we can't wait - they also were able to book their cabana massage at CC and got a pretty good time for that also we are booked for 1:00 they are booked for 10:00

We still haven't quite decided when we are going to tell the kids or how we are going to tell the kids - maybe an easter basket surprise