May 24, 2014 Alaskan 9 night Wonder

[pequele]

Shoot, forgot to add that last night I booked a Skagway adventure in the afternoon with Chilhook to do the White Pass Summit train and bus trip in Skagway. I'm excited because we should hopefully get to go to Liarsville in the morning and then do Chilhook's bus ride up to the summit and the White Pass train down. I think an hour and 45 min on the train is more than enough time for the 5 yo...heck I'm thinking the kid will even pass out maybe hahaha. But it means another stamp in our passports ahahaha.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

You can also get the Mickey Bars in the MDRs every night. I much prefer them to some of the frou frou desserts that are offered.

 

[pequele]

You can also get the Mickey Bars in the MDRs every night. I much prefer them to some of the frou frou desserts that are offered.

Oh yes I do remember that now.

 

[MousseauMob]

And yeh, we all know about Disney's logic haha. I wonder if I can find out our rotation a little bit before we sail rather than when we get our room key? Wonder how soon they get that sorted?

Haha yup Disney logic. I really don't mind the order I just hope it is 3/3/3. I would prefer to at least get equal time in each location. The order I don't really care personally. I know people have their preferences, I'm not sure how or why. I'm just happy to be on Mickey's boat

What are some reasons people like to pick their rotation? I'm just curious.

If you get your rotation before you get your room key, I tried when we were staying concierge and couldn't get it. We haven't requested a specific rotation so much, but have requested that we had a rotation that would put us in the more formal venue for formal night, like Triton's. But in truth, we really don't care that much.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I agree. Those that really get dressed for Formal night don't necessarily want to dine in a really casual dining room, like Parrot Cay.

 

[Arizona Rita]

Just spent the past couple of hours spending some quality time with DD, DS and DH choosing shore excursions. We cant book until Friday night but we had a good time and laughed alot.
Really looking forward to this cruise!

 

[MoonDaughter23]

So, cause my brain leaks

Are we saying that we are sailing with Dr Who and Cap Jack????

If that is the case, DH better bring his DD guarding supplies just in case she is tempted to join the Tardis or Black Pearl

I might be misinterpreting it, but looking at the number of stateroom categories left on our cruise it appears our ship is not very full.

That wouldn't be a bad thing.

It's early yet for a lot of schools to be out for summer vacation. Our DD's last day is 3 days before the cruise.

I agree. A half full ship is awesome for so many reasons. Less fighting for the perfect spot on deck to take photos. Less worry about getting a Palo Brunch (even though I won't be getting one this time). Less worry about excursions selling out. I'm totally fine with it.

That's true, not a bad thing at all. I'm just surprised, I thought this cruise would be popular with folks that like longer cruises.

I'm hoping they take this as a good sign and do more California Coast cruises, and not just re-positioning.

I would love it if they brought back the California Coast cruises. It would also be great if they had land and sea packages with DLR like they recently added with WDW.

OK people, here is the word I got from DCL about which pier in Vancouver:
Let me confirm that the Disney Wonder will sail from Ballantyne Cruise Terminal Saturday May 24, 2014. Upon its return on Monday June 2, 2014 the ship will dock at Canada Place. I have added directions to Ballantyne below.

I guess this means I can sleep in on Embarkation day because seeing the ship come in from the hotel is no longer possible.

What are some reasons people like to pick their rotation? I'm just curious.

I agree. Those that really get dressed for Formal night don't necessarily want to dine in a really casual dining room, like Parrot Cay.

This is my reasoning for picking my rotation. I prefer to not be in Parrot Cay or Animator's on Formal night. Since my first DCL cruise I have made my rotation request and have yet to not get what I ask for. I was told 2 cruises ago by a CM they don't actually assign the rotation or seating assignments to passengers until 1-2 days before embarkation (hence why we don't know until we get our KTTWs) but requests are highly considered.

It sure would be nice to know the rotation choices. I haven't had to wait this long before.

 

[chris31997]

It would be nice to know the rotation of dining cause I want to eat in all of them equally. I could careless about what place I'm dressed to the nines in and eating. Cause, I'm making my DH put on his pretty stuff for pics and to show off But like someone said, I'm just happy to be on Mickey's boat.

Even happier that it is half full (potentially)

Not a 3hr tour

 

[disneyfaninaz]

:
I guess this means I can sleep in on Embarkation day because seeing the ship come in from the hotel is no longer possible.

Actually, we can still see her sail into the harbor, she just won't stop until a little further up the way.

 

[MoonDaughter23]

Actually, we can still see her sail into the harbor, she just won't stop until a little further up the way.

Ooh! Good to know. Bummer we won't see her "park", but I'll take seeing her arrive. Thank you!

 

[pequele]

If you get your rotation before you get your room key, I tried when we were staying concierge and couldn't get it. We haven't requested a specific rotation so much, but have requested that we had a rotation that would put us in the more formal venue for formal night, like Triton's. But in truth, we really don't care that much.

Yeh that is what I figure it will be. Wait and see. I'd just like to know if they are going to go with what seems "normal" and give us 3 times in each of the 3 places or go all weird on us like parking at Ballantyne bwahahaha.

Just spent the past couple of hours spending some quality time with DD, DS and DH choosing shore excursions. We cant book until Friday night but we had a good time and laughed alot. Really looking forward to this cruise!

What are you guys doing? We still have 20 days to go. Getting there slowly.

I agree. A half full ship is awesome for so many reasons. Less fighting for the perfect spot on deck to take photos. Less worry about getting a Palo Brunch (even though I won't be getting one this time). Less worry about excursions selling out. I'm totally fine with it.

Me, too! Yes I am sad for Disney mostly because I hate when companies big or small lose money on an idea they had thinking the public would like it. Not to mention it may mean Sitka doesn't become a regular port for Disney in 2015 and then they lose business there as well. Sure I like the emptiness but again makes me sad.

This is my reasoning for picking my rotation. I prefer to not be in Parrot Cay or Animator's on Formal night. Since my first DCL cruise I have made my rotation request and have yet to not get what I ask for. I was told 2 cruises ago by a CM they don't actually assign the rotation or seating assignments to passengers until 1-2 days before embarkation (hence why we don't know until we get our KTTWs) but requests are highly considered. It sure would be nice to know the rotation choices. I haven't had to wait this long before.

That makes perfect sense. That's why I wanted to know what it is that I may be missing. I'm ok with dressing up in Parrot Cay I guess cuz I'm on Mickey's boat I was just worried that I would be missing out foodwise if I ate "taste of Alaska" in Tritons vs Parrot Cay or French night (haha don't even know if they have such a thing) in Parrots Cay vs Animators. Ya know? Btw is the show in Animators the same thing every night you are there? I mean for the most part not necessarily content but so they do the same thing like draw a character and put it on the screen every night?

It would be nice to know the rotation of dining cause I want to eat in all of them equally. I could careless about what place I'm dressed to the nines in and eating. Cause, I'm making my DH put on his pretty stuff for pics and to show off But like someone said, I'm just happy to be on Mickey's boat. Even happier that it is half full (potentially) Not a 3hr tour

That's exactly what I mean. I hope 9 nights means they get equal share.


My son's passport renewal showed up in the mail today! Woot woot. Took about 2 weeks. Not bad! Now I'm ready to start packing...ok not really but it IS February!!! Getting closer. I'm so excited.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Don't know if any of you saw this recent change to DCL policy. It may or may not effect you. It matters to me because of my diabetic DD. I need to be able to carry juice boxes, peanut butter crackers, etc. with us when we leave the ship.

Effective immediate, passengers can take "non-perishable, government-approved snack food items in their sealed, original packaging" with them when they disembark the ship in ports of call, as well as at the end of their cruise

Don't ask me what "government-approved" means.

 

[pequele]

Don't ask me what "government-approved" means.

MRE's

Nah but seriously, I am sure any commercially available snack product available in a commercially sealed package is what they mean. You can't put chocolate chips in a baggie, but you can bring a Quaker Chewy Chocolate Chip bar. I'm guessing it also rules out things like yogurt drinks and the like because they have to be refrigerated.

 

[MousseauMob]

Ooh! Good to know. Bummer we won't see her "park", but I'll take seeing her arrive. Thank you!

Boy am I mentally turned around. I was thinking the port was before us, instead of after, so it would dock where we couldn't see rather than sail by then dock somewhere after us. Need to drag out that map again.

Btw is the show in Animators the same thing every night you are there? I mean for the most part not necessarily content but so they do the same thing like draw a character and put it on the screen every night?

The "show" is only the first time in AP, unless you are there on embarkation in which case it will be your second night in AP.

Don't know if any of you saw this recent change to DCL policy. It may or may not effect you. It matters to me because of my diabetic DD. I need to be able to carry juice boxes, peanut butter crackers, etc. with us when we leave the ship.

Don't ask me what "government-approved" means.

Good to know, thanks!

 

[pequele]

[QUOTE="MousseauMob;50635805" The "show" is only the first time in AP, unless you are there on embarkation in which case it will be your second night in AP. [/QUOTE]



I have no idea what you mean (blank stare haha). Like if Animators is our restaurant the first night, or embarkation night, then it would happen the 2nd time we are in Animators? Or is there something happening there during sail away? Sorry for not getting it haha.

 

[pequele]

What the heck that post looks wrong in my phone! I quoted your reply to me Mouse... Dumb phone.

 

[MousseauMob]

I have no idea what you mean (blank stare haha). Like if Animators is our restaurant the first night, or embarkation night, then it would happen the 2nd time we are in Animators? Or is there something happening there during sail away? Sorry for not getting it haha.

Yep you got it, the show would be the second time you are in AP for your rotation. They do this because the crew is so busy on embarkation night, that it is just easier to have the show on your second rotation in to AP. At least that is how they explained it to us, when we had this.

 

[MousseauMob]

What the heck that post looks wrong in my phone! I quoted your reply to me Mouse... Dumb phone.

No worries, it looks like you lost your closing bracket when you edited it. It was still readable, which is all that matters!

 

[ImprovGal]

That makes perfect sense. That's why I wanted to know what it is that I may be missing. I'm ok with dressing up in Parrot Cay I guess cuz I'm on Mickey's boat I was just worried that I would be missing out foodwise if I ate "taste of Alaska" in Tritons vs Parrot Cay or French night (haha don't even know if they have such a thing) in Parrots Cay vs Animators. Ya know? Btw is the show in Animators the same thing every night you are there? I mean for the most part not necessarily content but so they do the same thing like draw a character and put it on the screen every night?

I'll try to clarify the rotation dining. For simplicity's sake, let's assume it's a straightforward rotation.

Group 1: TAPTAPTAP
Group 2: APTAPTAPT
Group 3: PTAPTAPTA

3 of the 9 nights will have the dining room's signature themed menu. On the Navigator, it will list as follows:
Triton's: French Dinner
Parrot Cay: Island Dinner
Animators' Palate: Show Dinner

It may be that way for nights 2,3,4 or it may be scattered. Either way, it will work so each group gets to each of the different dining rooms for their signature menus.

The other 6 nights will have a special themed menu that will be the same across the dining rooms. For example, night 1 may look like this in the Navigator:
Triton's: Let the Magic Begin
Parrot Cay: Let the Magic Begin
Animators' Palate: Let the Magic Begin

The Animators' show will only be when it is "Show Dinner". For the other nights, if I'm remembering correctly, they just leave it in regular lighting and the video screens may be showing cartoons or the night's menu logo or something like that. So, the items on the "Taste of Alaska" menu will be identical for all three dining rooms on that night.

 

[pequele]

Yep you got it, the show would be the second time you are in AP for your rotation. They do this because the crew is so busy on embarkation night, that it is just easier to have the show on your second rotation in to AP. At least that is how they explained it to us, when we had this.

I'll try to clarify the rotation dining. For simplicity's sake, let's assume it's a straightforward rotation.

Group 1: TAPTAPTAP
Group 2: APTAPTAPT
Group 3: PTAPTAPTA

3 of the 9 nights will have the dining room's signature themed menu. On the Navigator, it will list as follows:
Triton's: French Dinner
Parrot Cay: Island Dinner
Animators' Palate: Show Dinner

It may be that way for nights 2,3,4 or it may be scattered. Either way, it will work so each group gets to each of the different dining rooms for their signature menus.

The other 6 nights will have a special themed menu that will be the same across the dining rooms. For example, night 1 may look like this in the Navigator:
Triton's: Let the Magic Begin
Parrot Cay: Let the Magic Begin
Animators' Palate: Let the Magic Begin

The Animators' show will only be when it is "Show Dinner". For the other nights, if I'm remembering correctly, they just leave it in regular lighting and the video screens may be showing cartoons or the night's menu logo or something like that. So, the items on the "Taste of Alaska" menu will be identical for all three dining rooms on that night.

AHHH ok, now I'm getting it! So like on Toy Story night no matter what dining room you are in you will have the Toy Story meal! I just get confused when people say "I asked the waiter for the blah blah from dining room whatsoever". Maybe they are talking about on the special nights?

I just looked online at DCL tonight to see if there was a place to update my son's passport number (wound up having to call them) and I looked at the trip info and it still says Canada Place. It would be nice if they could actually confirm all of this Ballantyne with a written letter or whatnot. Driving me nuts, I know we have 110 days to go but come on guys!