May 26, 2007 (5/26/07) "First Magical Med Cruise!!" (The M&M's!)

[konslerg]

Remember back when a number of us were up at 3 AM booking shore excursions? The ONE excursion I really wanted was the mucho expensive "Behind the Scenes" Vatican tour, but it never even showed up on my list of shore excursions, so I booked the VIP Vatican and Rome Highlights tour instead. I was disappointed, but, oh well, it must have already been "sold out" to the concierge guests who could book at 105 days.

...but I e-mailed Disney anyway and asked if there was a waiting list for the
"Behind the Scenes" tour. The answer was the standard, "No waiting list, but check when you get onboard to see if there have been any cancellations."

So today I was a bit bored at work and decided to pull up my shore excursion information. Imagine how surprised I was to find that I no longer had the VIP Vatican and Highlights tour booked ...but I DID have the VIP "Behind the Scenes" tour booked.

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy as a clam with the change ...but wouldn't you have thought Disney would have e-mailed me when they unilaterally made the change to my shore excursions? What if I had decided I really wanted to save the $$$ and wanted to KEEP the "Highlights" tour? What if I hadn't checked, had gotten on the ship none the wiser and realized then that my tour had been changed and I didn't want it changed? Like I said, I'm happy with the change, but it sure seems this is another example of very poor communications on Disney's part for these Med cruises.

Replying to my own post...

I just called Disney to see who/why the shore excursion was changed. Here's the story:

The "Behind the Scenes" tour was not available when I booked the alternate "VIP/Highlights" tour, but I left the "Behind the Scenes" tour on my Wish List.

The "Highlights" tour is VERY popular and there was a cancellation in the "Behind the Scenes" tour. Since it was still on my Wish List, I was automatically bumped from the "Highlights" tour (most popular one) to the "Behind the Scenes" tour (less popular/fewer spots/more expensive).

Like I said, I'm really happy with the bump, but wanted to know how it happened.

Word to the wise though, if you have anything on your Wish List that you really DON'T want anymore, remove it from your list or you might get switched too.

 

[Kissimmee]

Is there a list keeper for this thread?

 

[figment52]

Is there a list keeper for this thread?

If I am understanding your question correctly, I think what you are looking for is on page 55 in the post by kpros.

HTH

 

[Kissimmee]

If I am understanding your question correctly, I think what you are looking for is on page 55 in the post by kpros.

HTH

You understood exactly right. Thanks.

 

[padalyn]

just jumping up a few pages...seems I have lost track of where i was last (this is typical for me...)

 

[sweetsue]

Any good links for Rome would be appreciated. We're hung up on trying to get a hotel/apartment in Barcelona.

Do you need help on the hotel/apartment search in Barcelona? I've done some pretty extensive research and also know a friend's daughter that lived in Barcelona for years.

What information are you trying to get for Rome?

Sue

 

[sweetsue]

If you're not on the list - and want to be, just let me know!

List of people for TOGA PARTY/DCL gathering/wine tasting in ROY SUITE (tour included and children welcome)! 1PM on first sea day (or Sunday, May 27th to those who need to plan).

Ron (LegalBriefs)/Monica (host/hostess)
Jeanne (jeanneg)/John
Tracy (winotracy)/Bill (AskAGeek)
Ken (kpros)/Shari (spros)
Sue (sweetsue)/Barbara
Peter (Hygiene99)/Jenn
Celeste (icunurse_celeste)/Jennie
Kelly (milestogo)/Jonathan
Kim (sunshine state kim)/Todd + kids
Kathy (littleowensmommy)/Ted
Andy (charwac1)/Charlene
Ron (ronunc)/Becky
Bob (wrabitdad)/Dale
Marie (meb51)/Steve/MIL ?
Karen (coalchick)/Doug
Ellen (poconoboatniks)/Bob/Kate-12/Brett-9/Bob/Helen/Linda/Colleen
Cayla (padalyn)/Stacey/Barbara/Bev
Deb/Linda (debwills)
Alex/Carolyn (first timers)
Melanie (LtL Mermaid) /Allison
Sandy (figment52)/Sharon
Jennifer (Misseulalie) / Rachid
Connie (CONNIEOSCI) / Frank
Deb (cubcatsk&d) and Kim
Faith (yensidfan)/Pete/Peter-16/Courtney -19
Johanna (renegade7) / Gary
Larry (lkr) / Mary
Gloria (konslerg) / Gary
Laurie (jeisur), David (DH), Breighton (DS, toddler), Howard (FIL), JoAnne (MIL)
Gary (garylypn), Karen
Cathy (disneyfamilyforever)/Mike/Allison -16/Megan – 16/Kelly - 11

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Do you need help on the hotel/apartment search in Barcelona? I've done some pretty extensive research and also know a friend's daughter that lived in Barcelona for years.

What information are you trying to get for Rome?

Sue

Sue,

Yes, I'd love some assistance for Barcelona. We have two different times we're looking at for 6 adults and 5 children. Arriving 5/24 checking out 5/26.

Also, we'll stay in Barcelona for 2 more days, but one family will only be there one day. So: 4 adults 4 children for two days 6/6 leaving 6/8 second family 2 adults and one child for one night 6/6.

As far as Rome, I was just wondering what everyone else has booked. Did you book your tour through Disney or someone else. I'd love any suggestions.

Thank you for your help!

 

[Jeisur]

Okay, dumb question and since most of you don't have toddlers it is probably silly to ask. We were on the Wonder last year and they had a splash area (right near the backside of the slide and drink fountains)for un-pottytrained kiddos. I heard that the Magic does not yet offer this? UGH! Is this true?

We HOPE to be potty trained by cruise time... almost done... fingers crossed!

-Laurie

 

[sweetsue]

Sue,

Yes, I'd love some assistance for Barcelona. We have two different times we're looking at for 6 adults and 5 children. Arriving 5/24 checking out 5/26.

Also, we'll stay in Barcelona for 2 more days, but one family will only be there one day. So: 4 adults 4 children for two days 6/6 leaving 6/8 second family 2 adults and one child for one night 6/6.

As far as Rome, I was just wondering what everyone else has booked. Did you book your tour through Disney or someone else. I'd love any suggestions.

Thank you for your help!

No wonder you're having problems with that size group! I'll give you some options this weekend. Why don't you PM me your email and I'll send it there. Also email me your budget - and we can chat about what might work for you. There ARE options. I'm thinking apartment just due to the sheer number. There is a great one that sleeps at least 10 in the Gothic Quarter. It's designed for more than one renter with a common area - but with your larger group you'd have the whole place (if it's available still).

In Rome we booked a private tour. With 11 people you're better off booking private. It'll be cheaper than Disney and more geared towards what your group likes to do. For a quick (although higher priced) overview, checkout Shoretrips. I've used them for the Caribbean.

Sue

 

[sweetsue]

Okay, dumb question and since most of you don't have toddlers it is probably silly to ask. We were on the Wonder last year and they had a splash area (right near the backside of the slide and drink fountains)for un-pottytrained kiddos. I heard that the Magic does not yet offer this? UGH! Is this true?

We HOPE to be potty trained by cruise time... almost done... fingers crossed!

-Laurie

When we were on the wonder they didn't have a splash area, so I'm guessing this was after their reconditioning. Before the splash area, toddlers could use Mickey's left ear. It had water splashing around and draining into a drain. My DD still likes to play in that area. The hardest part is keeping your toddler into the one ear and not letting them go into the other or the main "face" part of the pool.

Interestingly enough, Disney's rule is NOT that children have to be potty-trained, only that they can't wear swim diapers. Don't spend too long thinking about that.

Sue

 

[winotracy]

I checked this out today. Apparently they did minor changes to the splash area in one of Mickey's ears on the Magic to make it more of a splash zone just no where near as big as on the Wonder. Yes, Sue, the changes to the splash zone were done in the last drydock and presumably will be done to the Magic next drydock.

 

[Hygiene99]

I checked this out today. Apparently they did minor changes to the splash area in one of Mickey's ears on the Magic to make it more of a splash zone just no where near as big as on the Wonder. Yes, Sue, the changes to the splash zone were done in the last drydock and presumably will be done to the Magic next drydock.

Sue just checking to See????

What is up with the Fountains and Dancers thing?
is this the night before we board the ship?

This sounds like low cost fun?????

 

[winotracy]

Sue just checking to See????

What is up with the Fountains and Dancers thing?
is this the night before we board the ship?

This sounds like low cost fun?????

Can me and Jeanneg come

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Can me and Jeanneg come

Us too! Can we come?? We're unbelievable fun

 

[Hygiene99]

Us too! Can we come?? We're unbelievable fun

Sue posted it once before, we can all go!!
Anyone with a Cocker Spaniel cant be all that bad!!!!!

Just want to Get more info on it!
So we can see if we would like to do it?

 

[icunurse_celeste]

This sounds like low cost fun?????

Low cost fun on this trip???? I must be on the wrong thread!!!

 

[kpros]

Low cost fun on this trip???? I must be on the wrong thread!!!

It's time to wake up Celeste - come on now, wake up - you're dreaming again.


Ken

 

[misseulalie]

Has anyone found a good "Rome in one day" itineary? Fodor's has a two day itineary, but I would like to use one as a reference. We have DCL's Rome on your own excursion booked, so we have 7 hours to tour...

 

[Hygiene99]

It's time to wake up Celeste - come on now, wake up - you're dreaming again.


Ken

And No Celeste you cant stay in it!!!
http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/article_001117.htm