~~~ May 16, 2009 ~~~ Western Magic ~~~ Part 2 ~~~ Key Lime Pie-rates ~~~

[1littlespark]

Wow, congratulations! You must be feeling good.

 

[tigger2002]

My mom and I are driving from Chicago to Tampa where my grandmother lives, we are staying there until the morning of the cruise and then driving to the port (but if I know how we are together I am sure that we cannot be in Florida without making a quick stop at WDW).

Isn't there an Allegiant Air flight near Chicago (Rockford) to Tampa and Orlando? We are flying Allegiant Air from TN to Orlando and it was pretty cheap, plus you get there in about two hours.


.

 

[stichlover87]

*

 

[40-Something Kid]

Well, since we first booked our vacation, I have had this nagging feeling that our flights on May 16 are just cutting it too close. We did not book them through Disney. My Baltimore-Washington International flight on Southwest lands at 11 am, and my sister's and niece's flight from Providence lands at 11:20. We bought Disney transfers.

But, what if some of our bags don't make it? That actually happened to me once before an RCCL cruise out of Tampa, but fortunately we arrived the night before, and it was delivered in time.

What if the 16th is a thunderstorm day, or if there is some other delay? It's been a long time since I have been more than a few hours late on a flight, but it does happen.

So, we've decided to remove the risk and fly down Friday evening, as we should have planned all along. We are staying at the on-airport Hyatt to minimize the hassle factor. We will make all the changes tonight when my sister gets home from work. I know we have to call DCL to change our transfer information.

Does anyone have any tips or advice on picking up the Disney bus at the airport? I guess we get a porter to take our bags from the hotel? Where do we go with everything? I am a DCL newbie, so all advice and tips are greatly appreciated!!!

Barbara

 

[ral68]

Sorry must of missed this but what is the deal with the magnets?

 

[SpeedFigure]

ARGH!! I'm frustrated!
ATTENTION everyone staying outside of the Hyatt & Radisson for the night
We are staying at the Travelodge at the airport for the night of the 15th. We just wanted a cheap hotel because we'll only be there for less than 7 hours. I just called so they would know we wouldn't be getting into the hotel until around Midnight. They tell me that there "Free Airport Shuttle" only runs 8 AM-10PM!!! So now we have to get a Taxi to take us the 1 mile to the hotel. I'm very annoyed!! They had no specific times listed for the shuttle. I booked it thinking like the Utah airport; you arrive, call the hotel and they send out the shuttle anytime.
Also since we want to be at the airport by 7AM the next morning for check-in...

OK!! Just called DCL about the airport shuttles!! They said that from the MCO Airport to the port for shuttles:
Earliest check-in Time: 9 AM (runs until 12:30PM)
First Shuttle: 10AM (Last shuttle leaves at 1PM)

Now I'm very very very confused!! If I can sleep 2 extra hours, I'd MUCH rather do that!! It would be hard to sit around the airport for 2 hours, then go to the port and sit around for another few hours until we board (of course our friends would be there).

What should we do?!?!?!?!

Also, the magnets are just a fun way to decorate your room (and easy way to spot it). If you go onto the main boards you can see what magnets some people are printing and stuff.

 

[lucky1]

So, we've decided to remove the risk and fly down Friday evening, as we should have planned all along. We are staying at the on-airport Hyatt to minimize the hassle factor. We will make all the changes tonight when my sister gets home from work. I know we have to call DCL to change our transfer information.

Does anyone have any tips or advice on picking up the Disney bus at the airport? I guess we get a porter to take our bags from the hotel? Where do we go with everything? I am a DCL newbie, so all advice and tips are greatly appreciated!!!

Barbara

Barbara - We will be there too. Don't get into MCO until 11:50PM on the 15th., but we might see you in the morning. If you see a tired Mom, Dad and a very excited little girl, that might be us. A few posts ago, I posted some information on the transportation from the Hyatt in this meet thread. From what i understand is you need to get your luggage and take it to your room and then on Saturday morning, but on your DCL luggage on and leave it in the room. It is picked up and transferred to the ship. You should let the hyatt front desk know you are cruising with DCL and they will give you information on how to catch the bus and luggage when you check in.

 

[Bellamickey]

For: The Early EPCOT Diser's.....Possible Bad news for me.

I came home today to find a lovely email from AirTran Airways with a lovely title that said, "schedule change for Belinda and Shawn Harvey. Wonderful!! We will now not arrive in Orlando until almost 3pm. Which means I wouldn't get to Epcot until almost 6 or so....We may decide not to go and just go to Downtown Disney instead. Shawn and I just don't see spending $160.00 for a park ticket for only one day and not even being their a half day....

I know it sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will let you guys know what we decide to do. Just wanted to give you a heads up.

 

[lillygator]

got my FE gifts ordered last night - hope everyone likes them!

 

[40-Something Kid]

Barbara - We will be there too. Don't get into MCO until 11:50PM on the 15th., but we might see you in the morning. If you see a tired Mom, Dad and a very excited little girl, that might be us. A few posts ago, I posted some information on the transportation from the Hyatt in this meet thread. From what i understand is you need to get your luggage and take it to your room and then on Saturday morning, but on your DCL luggage on and leave it in the room. It is picked up and transferred to the ship. You should let the hyatt front desk know you are cruising with DCL and they will give you information on how to catch the bus and luggage when you check in.

Awesome!!! That is so great, and takes a lot of pressure off. Thank you for the information. My sister and I will be with her 2 daughters, one of whom will turn 6 on the cruise. (Our DHs and my sons could not be talked into this trip--their loss!) My little niece is also VERY excited. She is the outgoing brunette--good chance she will notice your little girl and want to talk right away!

 

[austin77]

WOW!! my internet was down for the past two days!! Holy!! So much stuff going on!

ANDY AND ASH- Hey guys!! What day again are you arriving in Florida again ?
I'm sorry I couldn't remember, ( all this last minute stuff is crazy, so much info to remember) I was thinking you guys we're staying at the same hotel as me and Shawn?!!!
Will go two be going to DTD at all?

Were staying at the Oceanfront Super 8 at Daytona Beach FL. Im not sure if it is or not...I would Imagine not though..lol But if so we would love to meet up! How close is Downtown Disney to Daytona?...If not far we could!

 

[Bellamickey]

WOW!! my internet was down for the past two days!! Holy!! So much stuff going on!



Were staying at the Oceanfront Super 8 at Daytona Beach FL. Im not sure if it is or not...I would Imagine not though..lol But if so we would love to meet up! How close is Downtown Disney to Daytona?...If not far we could!

Hmm...where did I get that from? Oh wait, on page one it says your Friday night stay is at the Riverside. That's at the same hotel were staying except we're at the French Quarter.

Hmm. Maybe I read it wrong. darn it!!!! I'm sure Shawn and I will see you and Ash before dinner on Port night, after all we are stateroom neighbors!! YEA!!!!!

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

Sorry must of missed this but what is the deal with the magnets?

Rich--It's just a fun way to easily spot your door in a LOOOOOOONG hallway where they all look the same. See below for a pic of mine from 2 yrs ago (I'm reusing some of them). I didn't go too overboard...I've seen others that are completely covered! I made the black Mickey ears around the plaque for my parents, so that's all they'll have. (Another surprise for them!)

BTW, I do have quite a few of the MagTabs (reusable adhesive magnet squares) that I'll be bringing with me in case anyone wants/needs some.

I came home today to find a lovely email from AirTran Airways with a lovely title that said, "schedule change for Belinda and Shawn Harvey. Wonderful!! We will now not arrive in Orlando until almost 3pm.

I'd be mad, too!! Especially since you made plans around your previous arrival time.

Oops! Sorry, Andy! I'll change your Fri night info!

 

[Bellamickey]

I'd be mad, too!! Especially since you made plans around your previous arrival time.

Oh believe me, Shawn is crawling the walls!!! Only because this is the 4th TIME they've changed it since we bought the tickets back in December!!!

I don't think I will use them anymore

We may just go to DTD and try that new TREX restaurant and grab a couple beers or something down their instead......

 

[texfinn]

OH NO! Belinda -- how could they? I was so looking forward to our first official drink of the trip together!!!

Ok, so if you don't do DTD, consider the Boardwalk. We are dining at Il Mulino at 7 (at the Swan) and could meet you for a drink after? Unless of course you want to join us for dinner????

Lots going on on this board. Everyone is so so so excited. V, I am sure we will love your gifts. I am sort of enjoying the conference. It is good so far but hate being away from home. The food is ALL junk -- will hate to get on the scale when I get home!

I have so so much to do! Magnets, finish FE gifts, snorkel lessons....etc. I am starting to panic!
Ok, back to work but had to pop in and moan and groan about AirTran...

Kathy, Jane, we are still on for 3pm at Epcot right???

 

[miksilver]

Is anyone not laminating their magnets? I had decided to give decorating my door a little a try, but I really don't feel like I can be getting things laminated.

I'm not laminating mine. I bought the magnetic paper. I haven't tried it yet, so I hope they work.

Oh believe me, Shawn is crawling the walls!!! Only because this is the 4th TIME they've changed it since we bought the tickets back in December!!!

I don't think I will use them anymore

We may just go to DTD and try that new TREX restaurant and grab a couple beers or something down their instead......

4 times since December seems excessive. I would be going crazy, especially since you had plans for that day. I do have to say that we went to T-Rex last Oct. when it first opened and the bar area looked really cool. The dino.'s were super loud though and I had a great view of dino-butt all lunch long. I don't think there are any dino-butt views in the bar.

Went to DC today. It took 15 minutes to pass in my forms, pay a bunch of $ and NOT walk out with a book. I could drive back tomorrow and pick it up or the other option was they overnight mail it to me. I chose to have it mailed. It should be here by Thurs. or Fri. at the latest. I am so glad that I won't have to mess with this stuff for another 10 years. And you better believe that I will not be letting my passport expire next time!

The good thing was that I managed to stop at Target on the way back and pick up the rest of my trip stuff. I should be finished now.

Kim

 

[SpeedFigure]

I got an official answer from Disney in my email about transfers:

Transportation to Port Canaveral begins at approximately 10:00am. If you are arranging your own air, please plan to arrive no later than 1:45pm. Your luggage is transported separately and will magically appear in your stateroom prior to 6:30pm.

Upon arrival at the airport, please take a tram to the Main Terminal and then proceed directly to the Disney’s Magical Express Welcome Center, which is located on Level 1/Side B.

Disney Cruise Line representatives and stevedores are at the Disney Cruise Line Terminal to meet and greet Guests, assist with their baggage, and check-in Guests starting at 10:30am.

Guests can embark beginning approximately 1:00pm. All Guests must be onboard for the mandatory lifeboat drill at 4:00pm followed by the lively sailaway party at 5:00pm. Be sure to listen for the ship's unique horn announcing the beginning of your cruise!

I hope this information has been helpful. If you require further assistance in planning your visit, please feel free to contact us.
We look forward to sailing with you!

Have a Magical Day!
JD

 

[Bellamickey]

OH NO! Belinda -- how could they? I was so looking forward to our first official drink of the trip together!!!

Ok, so if you don't do DTD, consider the Boardwalk. We are dining at Il Mulino at 7 (at the Swan) and could meet you for a drink after? Unless of course you want to join us for dinner????

Hey Mati.....I know, I'm so irritated I can't believe this!! Anways, Shawn and I are going to discuss this when he gets home from work today. Maybe we will still go? I'm going to sweet talk the hubby all I can So keep the plans on meeting us until I let you know otherwise.
We we're really looking foward to our meet It just sucks that Epcot doesn't sell half day park tickets It's just a matter of if we want to spend that for such a little time..I'm thinkin' positive on this, by gosh, I'm going to get my first drink in somehow!!!

 

[dznyacct]

For: The Early EPCOT Diser's.....Possible Bad news for me.

I came home today to find a lovely email from AirTran Airways with a lovely title that said, "schedule change for Belinda and Shawn Harvey. Wonderful!! We will now not arrive in Orlando until almost 3pm. Which means I wouldn't get to Epcot until almost 6 or so....We may decide not to go and just go to Downtown Disney instead. Shawn and I just don't see spending $160.00 for a park ticket for only one day and not even being their a half day....

I know it sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will let you guys know what we decide to do. Just wanted to give you a heads up.

Noooooo..........!!! Does AirTran have an earlier flight that would work for you???? I have flown them (and won't any more because of the constant schedule changes) and if there is a change to my flight that will not work, I have called them and asked to be put on a different flight. They have done this every time for no fee (even going from a connecting flight to a non-stop). Please see if you can do this . I soooo want to see you and Shawn at our Epcot pre-cruise DIS meet . ~ Kathy

 

[dznyacct]

Kathy, Jane, we are still on for 3pm at Epcot right???

Mati ~ You betcha , I wouldn't miss it for the world !!! I am so excited to get to meet my DIS friends!!! ~ Kathy