May 24, 2014 Alaskan 9 night Wonder

[pequele]

I use disney GC's a lot. We go to Disneyland all the time. To budget for the trips I buy GC'S when ever I can. I just wanted to share that if you do use the cards there is an app that will track your cards. When we went to WDW this past December I think I had about 20 cards. I could track the balance on the cards as I used them with the app it, and didn't have to keep the receipts to know my balance.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

I use that app, too! Loved it, used it the 1st time at Christmas. Not that it helped because I gave the desk my cards at about day 10 and poof, all gone at once HAHAHA.

For those getting discounts on the GCs, remember that you can also pay for your trip (if making payments) with GCs, so you could basically get a bit of a discount on paying for your trip that way, too. It isn't just for spending money!!!

I had to shift focus for a couple of days to work on my Med cruise planning and silly real life stuff.



That's cool! I wish we had that at my daughter's school. We ask for GCs for Birthdays and Christmas. Yes even me. It's gotten to the point our family and friends don't even ask what I want anymore because they know it's GCs for Disney and Starbucks.



Just know I do not plan for our FE to be stressful. (Not meaning to sound all in charge or anything, I just know how I'm organizing it). I will do my best to make it fair to everyone and once the final list is out, it's closed. If anything I may take pity on a few last minute stragglers who just found the thread late, but I would add them to a small group of their own or choose to do a small exchange with them myself. If people drop out after the final list, then a group or 2 will just end up with a few less people. I will not add anyone to an already closed group. (Sorry to the people who may not find this thread until April of 2014, but sometimes it can be a bit too much to switch gears after months - or in some of our cases a year - of planning). Now if someone personally emails or PMs me to say "I have extra gifts to give to newcomers" I'll be happy to help work that out for you.

One thing I did notice people suggesting on FB pages was if people wanted to join after the close, that they could with the realization that it is possible they would not receive gifts from all cabins because of late entry. I dunno, it is a thought. I don't want to exclude and I could potentially find SOMETHING for people, I will just feel badly if I don't give everyone the same thing ya know.

We're hopping on board for this cruise....looking forward to it and we're also doing b2b so staying on for the June 2 nd. We did the inaugural Alaskan with dcl and it was fantastic. Beautiful scenery and I think disney does it well!
If anyone is thinking about a whale watching excursion in Juneau I would recommend Harv and marvs, they are amazing! I couldn't say enough good things about them! I'm organizing group trip for June 2 nd cruise but if someone did it for this cruise you can get discount. We're always leery of non dcl excursions but they were great on our Alaskan cruise! Looking forward to meeting new friends and seeing some from other cruises

again! I will update the list in the 1st post possibly this weekend. It has been crazy.

As for me, I'm fine with this but the Kids LOVE Pirate night - especially the teenage boy that does a good Captain Jack imitation. On the last cruise, we were in line waiting for him so we could get a picture with Captain Jack and all of a sudden I heard this commotion in the hall, I looked over and people were stopping my son to get pictures with their kids! I yelped "What are you doing?" to which he shrugged and replied, "They asked".



I know a couple of teenagers that are very happy!

haha that is awesome!

Last cruise, I was on schedule and then I got a herniated disk in my back and caught the Norovirus about three weeks before sailing, that really thru a cog in the works of my schedule, not going to let that happen this time. Going to be all done so I can spend the last couple of weeks making magnets, etc., stuff that is extra and not necessary.

oh lordy! That sounds like our Christmas trip to WDW! 2 days prior to flying out, my mom and I got food poisoning! Thankfully my son did not, but we were in BAD BAD shape. We survived the trip down, but my mom took a little longer to recover to feeling normal.The first few days of the trip were very fragile haha.

Do you think that since we have 9 nights of dining that the rotation will be as simple as something like TAPTAPTAP?

geez, I know, worried about eating already.

tippity tap tippity tap! When can we find out our rotation? Can I find out our May 2013 rotation now?

I have a suggestion for those looking for cold weather clothes and jackets. For our Alaska cruise in 2011 I did find some great deals at Land's End. If you look under sales, there is one called "On the Counter".
From their site
"Each Saturday, we put a new group of products "On the Counter," in very limited quantities, substantially reduced from the original catalog price.

On Monday, that discount price is reduced another 25%. On Wednesday, 50%. And on Friday, 75%.

The price at which you purchase is the only one we can honor."
The last meaning if you buy on Wed, and it is still available on friday you cant get an adjustment in what you paid. Stuff does sell out quick, so if it is a price your good with, grab it.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Lands End stuff. It is all guaranteed, too. If it rips, wears out, etc, they replace it free. I buy tons of snow and winter gear (plus rain gear) for us from them. LOVE em!

I am trying to find out if I can link the FB page another traveler put up for our trip....just one more place to get stuff from ahaha

 

[RweTHEREyet]

For those getting discounts on the GCs, remember that you can also pay for your trip (if making payments) with GCs, so you could basically get a bit of a discount on paying for your trip that way, too. It isn't just for spending money!!!

That is exactly what I am doing, applying the GCs to the balance I owe. I will worry about the spending and excursion money after the cruise is paid for.

You also asked about dining rotation. You do not actually find out what your rotation is until you get your KTTW card at the port.

My question about the rotation was based on 9 nights and 3 restaurants. It makes sense to me that the rotation would be PATPATPAT. Whereas on a 7-night or 5-night, it isn't as straight forward and you may dine at the same restaurant two nights in a row. But I could be totally off base and it won't work that simply.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Hi everbody. Just checking in. Have't lost our excitement, but life happens!

We are preparing to host some out of town family coming into town for a family wedding, so doing major spring cleaning of the house. We are also heading to Disneyland in a week, so we are preparing for that as well.

 

[MousseauMob]

I agree on the outsmarting part...she was unhappy that we didn't book the April one your on and were doing 3 day in may instead but our work schedules dictate what we can do.I think the plan is to come up and meet you at disney though, I'll let her miss that day of school if she wants.

I am trying to find out if I can link the FB page another traveler put up for our trip....just one more place to get stuff from ahaha

 

[pequele]

You also asked about dining rotation. You do not actually find out what your rotation is until you get your KTTW card at the port.

My question about the rotation was based on 9 nights and 3 restaurants. It makes sense to me that the rotation would be PATPATPAT. Whereas on a 7-night or 5-night, it isn't as straight forward and you may dine at the same restaurant two nights in a row. But I could be totally off base and it won't work that simply.

I see what you mean by 3 restaurant rotation rotating every 3...but are they really that smart I was on another thread of FB thread, can't remember and someone said they knew their dining rotation for a cruise they were on and called to ask for it to be changed....how'd she find out? I didn't think you find out til you get your card like you said, but what do I know, it is my 1st trip haha.

Hi everbody. Just checking in. Have't lost our excitement, but life happens!

We are preparing to host some out of town family coming into town for a family wedding, so doing major spring cleaning of the house. We are also heading to Disneyland in a week, so we are preparing for that as well.

suuuure you are just ignorin us

Ok hoping I can get the 1st thread updated tomorrow. In the meantime, I got permission to post the FB thread! Come on over there, too if you are on FB. I know, hard to watch 2 places but hopefully we can keep things back and forth so everyone can know stuffs.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/2014.Wonderful.Alaska/

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I see what you mean by 3 restaurant rotation rotating every 3...but are they really that smart I was on another thread of FB thread, can't remember and someone said they knew their dining rotation for a cruise they were on and called to ask for it to be changed....how'd she find out? I didn't think you find out til you get your card like you said, but what do I know, it is my 1st trip haha.


http://www.facebook.com/groups/2014.Wonderful.Alaska/

I don't know how she found out unless she was concierge and they are told. I don't think you can call and find out. I know on my last cruise, our tablemates had their TA call and make a specific rotation request for us, and that worked, but we did not know that until we got to the port and got our KTTW card.

Going to go and check out the FB page now. It is easier for me to keep up with posts on a thread like this than on FB, so I am not sure where I will spend most of my time.

 

[MoonDaughter23]

One thing I did notice people suggesting on FB pages was if people wanted to join after the close, that they could with the realization that it is possible they would not receive gifts from all cabins because of late entry. I dunno, it is a thought. I don't want to exclude and I could potentially find SOMETHING for people, I will just feel badly if I don't give everyone the same thing ya know.

Sorry, yes that's what I meant by "I may take pity." But my "may" actually means "I will exchange with them". Like if they still wanted to be a part of it after the groups are closed I would add them to my list. But giving an option for late entries to give to other staterooms even though they would not receive from all is a good idea. Thanks. I didn't even think of it. I don't like to exclude either. But I also don't want to stress anyone else out by trying to recruit new people or fit someone into another group after the list is closed.

If there are any participants willing to take on late entry FE's let me know by email or PM. No peer pressure that way.

tippity tap tippity tap! When can we find out our rotation? Can I find out our May 2013 rotation now?

I call in to my TA or DVC (depending on how I booked the cruise) to request my rotation. They actually do not assign the seating until 2 or so days before the sail date, so RweTHEREyet is correct that you don't actually find out until you get your KTTW card. But they try to accommodate as many requests as they can. My requests have been met each time so far. But you can't make requests until they release the rotation and theme night info about 5 - 6 months before the sail date. (Again if someone knows something different about requests please share. I got this info directly from DVC, but not all CMs know the secrets)

The rotations are easy to figure out with only 3 restaurants on each ship, but if you want to coordinate the nights you want to dine in Palo so you don't miss the show at AP or Pirate night with Parrot Cay or Formal night with Triton's it's kinda hard to do without knowing when the theme nights are on "special sailings" like this one and others that don't have the typical itinerary.

For your May 2013 sailing you can definitely make your request now, but you won't know the final outcome until you check-in on embarkation day.

My question about the rotation was based on 9 nights and 3 restaurants. It makes sense to me that the rotation would be PATPATPAT. Whereas on a 7-night or 5-night, it isn't as straight forward and you may dine at the same restaurant two nights in a row. But I could be totally off base and it won't work that simply.

I agree. My guess is we'll have TAP, APT, PTA doing each restaurant 3 times. Hopefully it winds up to be that easy.

Hi everbody. Just checking in. Have't lost our excitement, but life happens!

We are preparing to host some out of town family coming into town for a family wedding, so doing major spring cleaning of the house. We are also heading to Disneyland in a week, so we are preparing for that as well.

Yep that darn life stuff. Always gets in the way of fun.

We are 31 days away from our Disneyland trip with school. I am packing for it tomorrow.

I was on another thread of FB thread, can't remember and someone said they knew their dining rotation for a cruise they were on and called to ask for it to be changed....how'd she find out?

I want her inside scoop. If she was Concierge level like RweTHEREyet guessed it makes sense. Or maybe she has communication with a Dining Manager or Head Server. I don't know, just random guesses. Some cruisers develop life long friendships with CMs. You never know.

Ok hoping I can get the 1st thread updated tomorrow. In the meantime, I got permission to post the FB thread! Come on over there, too if you are on FB. I know, hard to watch 2 places but hopefully we can keep things back and forth so everyone can know stuffs.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/2014.Wonderful.Alaska/

Just sent in my request.

 

[MousseauMob]

I have concierge in my upcoming cruise, and I was able to make a request but they said I wouldn't find out my rotation until we checked in at the port, so I have no idea how someone can find out beforehand. Unless they are just assuming they will receive the requested rotation.

It is easier for me to keep up with posts on a thread like this than on FB, so I am not sure where I will spend most of my time.

I won't be lonely!
No offense to FB or anyone that uses it, but I have found it to be a meet thread killer. The meet thread ends up being informational only, and all conversation and discussion occurs on FB. Which makes is difficult for those of us that choose not to use FB to connect and get to know our fellow cruisers. My upcoming cruise is only a few weeks out and there's only a post a week or so. I feel more connected with the people on this cruise as far out as it is, because of how busy this thread has been over my upcoming cruise in few weeks.

If there are any participants willing to take on late entry FE's let me know by email or PM. No peer pressure that way.

Depending upon how large things shake out to be, I may have extra - I'll let you know when we get there!

 

[MoonDaughter23]

I won't be lonely!
No offense to FB or anyone that uses it, but I have found it to be a meet thread killer. The meet thread ends up being informational only, and all conversation and discussion occurs on FB. Which makes is difficult for those of us that choose not to use FB to connect and get to know our fellow cruisers. My upcoming cruise is only a few weeks out and there's only a post a week or so. I feel more connected with the people on this cruise as far out as it is, because of how busy this thread has been over my upcoming cruise in few weeks.

I follow both so I will be here too! I agree with feeling connected on this thread. You all are a great group of people.

Depending upon how large things shake out to be, I may have extra - I'll let you know when we get there!

No worries. We have PLENTY of time to think about it.

Oh so far away! (I say that now and this year will go by in a snap. LOL)

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I have concierge in my upcoming cruise, and I was able to make a request but they said I wouldn't find out my rotation until we checked in at the port, so I have no idea how someone can find out beforehand. Unless they are just assuming they will receive the requested rotation.

I won't be lonely!
No offense to FB or anyone that uses it, but I have found it to be a meet thread killer. The meet thread ends up being informational only, and all conversation and discussion occurs on FB. Which makes is difficult for those of us that choose not to use FB to connect and get to know our fellow cruisers. My upcoming cruise is only a few weeks out and there's only a post a week or so. I feel more connected with the people on this cruise as far out as it is, because of how busy this thread has been over my upcoming cruise in few weeks.

Depending upon how large things shake out to be, I may have extra - I'll let you know when we get there!

No you won't be lonely, I find that the Meets thread is easier to follow as far as when things happen. I agree with you that FB threads do tend to be Meet Thread killers. It took me a minute to figure out what you meant, but when I thought back to my last sailing I remembered that the Meets Thread had little activity once the FB one started up. And you are right, I didn't feel as connected to those on FB as I did the Meets Thread. I hope that there will be others that will still hang out here with us.

That being said, you will find me on FB as well as here.

 

[chris31997]

MousseauMob, your son looks awesome and did a great job with his outfit

It is nice to know that I am in good company. Maybe we should change our name to OverPlanners

As for the FB page, I will be hanging out here at least until Christmas. Can't risk revealing anything too soon

I guess we are going in spurts, no posts for alittle bit and than BAM!! Several pages behind and gotta catch up

I found some neat places to buy some cool things for the trip And the best part, it is a resale shop, so everything is discounted. Thank you for the info about buying the GC online. I can apply that to the trip somewhere.

 

[pilk]

The DIS board is the place for me. I just find it easier to follow than multiple "threads" on facebook. I just find that on FB one post can start off one way but end up as a different conversation a few comments into it.

Jon

 

[VowRenewal13]

Hello. My DH and I will be on this cruise. It will be our second Disney cruise to Alaska, last was in June 2012 out of Seattle. Looking forward to more time in ports. Last time we did the "Best of Tours" in Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway. They were nice, but just touched on things. Next cruise will be more selective on tours. Signed up for the FE on the 1st page of this thread. We are totally excited about going back to Alaska, but are renewing our wedding vows on the July 14th Dream this year, so don't have lots of time to research and plan a lot yet. We booked using DVC points and it was 716 points for 7A for the two of us.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Hello and Welcome to another East Coaster.

Congrats on the vow renewal on the Dream, she is a beautiful ship. Looking forward to seeing you here on the thread once you get back from the Dream.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

We're booked, but we're also booked for the May 24 Fantasy cruise. I know we can only keep one, but we're going to take a little more time to decide. Our family consists of me, my DH, 14-year-old DD and 11-year-old DS.

I was going back thru this whole thread and was just wondering how in the world you are going to decide which one of these cruises you are going to do.

Just an FYI, I saw your tag that says former CM, and I am a former Disney Store CM. Wish I was still able to get my CM discount on this Alaskan cruise.

 

[chris31997]

Hello. My DH and I will be on this cruise. It will be our second Disney cruise to Alaska, last was in June 2012 out of Seattle. Looking forward to more time in ports. Last time we did the "Best of Tours" in Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway. They were nice, but just touched on things. Next cruise will be more selective on tours. Signed up for the FE on the 1st page of this thread. We are totally excited about going back to Alaska, but are renewing our wedding vows on the July 14th Dream this year, so don't have lots of time to research and plan a lot yet. We booked using DVC points and it was 716 points for 7A for the two of us.

Congrats on the Vow Renewal.

I was going back thru this whole thread and was just wondering how in the world you are going to decide which one of these cruises you are going to do.

Just an FYI, I saw your tag that says former CM, and I am a former Disney Store CM. Wish I was still able to get my CM discount on this Alaskan cruise.

As a former CM, is there a way to arrange a behind the courtain tour of the stage productions? Or maybe arrange to have a CM who is a dancer meet someone? I have been researching but coming up with all sorts of other tours

In DD's perfect little world , she will go to college and work for Disney as a preformer. It would make her day/year if she could talk/meet someone.

 

[VowRenewal13]

Just booked San Diego to Vancouver this afternoon. This will be our first B2B cruise, and hopefully not our last! Will follow on the Disboards and Facebook. Get lots of information from both.

 

[MoonDaughter23]

Hello. My DH and I will be on this cruise. It will be our second Disney cruise to Alaska, last was in June 2012 out of Seattle. Looking forward to more time in ports. Last time we did the "Best of Tours" in Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway. They were nice, but just touched on things. Next cruise will be more selective on tours. Signed up for the FE on the 1st page of this thread. We are totally excited about going back to Alaska, but are renewing our wedding vows on the July 14th Dream this year, so don't have lots of time to research and plan a lot yet. We booked using DVC points and it was 716 points for 7A for the two of us.

Yes, congrats on your vow renewal. Will the ceremony actually be onboard or on CC? Either way I hope it's beautiful for you.

I love 7A. I've abandoned that category on my last booking and this one for a lower price range (or in this case less DVC points used), since I'm never in my stateroom, but in a few years I may go back to it again. For me it is a "just right" stateroom.

Just booked San Diego to Vancouver this afternoon. This will be our first B2B cruise, and hopefully not our last! Will follow on the Disboards and Facebook. Get lots of information from both.

Nice! The B2Bs are taking over. I shall live vicariously through all of you.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

As a former CM, is there a way to arrange a behind the courtain tour of the stage productions? Or maybe arrange to have a CM who is a dancer meet someone? I have been researching but coming up with all sorts of other tours

In DD's perfect little world , she will go to college and work for Disney as a preformer. It would make her day/year if she could talk/meet someone.

Chrissy, that isn't something I would have any knowledge of. I worked for the Disney Store and not DCL. If I were you, I would talk to some of the CMs when you get on board, even the Cruise Director, if you get the chance. I don't know that it would do any good, but it sure couldn't hurt and you never know what magic may happen.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I wish I could go for a lower price point cabin, but DH insists on a verandah, and wouldn't even consider not having one for this Alaska sailing, and I require mid-ship for motion issues, so 5A it is for us right now. I would be happy with one of the ocean views with the huge window seat porthole.