May 30, 2009 - Western Cruise Magic

[CarolinaBlue]

WE got our docs..... FOR ONE ROOM! LOL DCL is so weird- why not send them all together and save moolah? I dunno. But at first I thought they would come together but then I looked at my luggage tags and they were all ONE room #. I was like wha??? Then I realized it was only the documents for one room- I guess they are wasting money to ship them seperately. Silly DCL
Well us girls are good to go with luggage tags- boys not so much. LOL

Speaking of DCL being "weird"....they have me, dh, and dd(18) on one doc and dd(15) on another doc. We're all in the same room....is it because she's under 18? I don't remember them being that way last year.

 

[brucechase]

DH said that I better be happy that our vacation was already paid in full or we wouldn't be going!
Unfortunately we had to put most of the bill on our credit card(the same one I had just paid off with our income tax return )

You should be using the Disney Visa card (or any other rewards card). That way you can save up for the next cruise.

 

[Suzepoo]

and the May 16 cruise was still booking in EVERY category!!!! Sure makes me wonder if our ship will be full or not....maybe we will STILL get some upgrades....OH GREAT FAIRY IN THE SKY....SPRINKLE THAT PIXIE DUST ON US ALL!!! HAHAHAHAHA.....2 more days until it's 3 weeks until we leave!!!!

 

[CarolinaBlue]

and the May 16 cruise was still booking in EVERY category!!!! Sure makes me wonder if our ship will be full or not....maybe we will STILL get some upgrades....OH GREAT FAIRY IN THE SKY....SPRINKLE THAT PIXIE DUST ON US ALL!!! HAHAHAHAHA.....2 more days until it's 3 weeks until we leave!!!!

It would be nice, but would they upgrade after they've sent out your docs?

 

[homespun]

and the May 16 cruise was still booking in EVERY category!!!! Sure makes me wonder if our ship will be full or not....maybe we will STILL get some upgrades....OH GREAT FAIRY IN THE SKY....SPRINKLE THAT PIXIE DUST ON US ALL!!! HAHAHAHAHA.....2 more days until it's 3 weeks until we leave!!!!

Hope the GREAT UPGRADE FAIRY SPRINKLES on us ALL

DOCS ARRIVED!!! Not much to them, but as long as I can board, that's all I care about.

 

[homespun]

I found the directions for shipping something to ship before the cruise. DH was looking at my dining room table full of FEs and was wondering how I was going to get all this there. I'm just hoping it doesn't weigh more than 20#--fat chance.

Here's the info for anyone else wanting to ship their FEs:

Boxes Sent the Ship Ahead of Cruise - PLEASE follow these instructions carefully!!!!!! UPDATED AS OF 2/25/2009

• ONE box per stateroom, no exceptions.

• The package must have the guest full name, ship, sailing date, stateroom number or GTY if you have not been assigned a stateroom number.

• The package also must have a packing slip attached to the outside of the box that details the contents of the package. For prescriptions, a copy of the prescription is sufficient. Your list may or may not be read but it must have one. Write packing slip on the outside of the envelope.

• NO FOODS/DRINKS OF ANY KIND, LIQUOR OF ANY KIND, FIREARMS, ETC.. Items that cannot be shipped to the Disney Cruise Line Warehouse and delivered to the ship include: food products (any and all food products including baby food/formula), beverages (liquor, water, etc.), chemicals, and luggage. These items will not be accepted at the warehouse and will be returned. This may cause the dogs to hit on your box and that would be a bad thing.

• The required size of the cartons you are shipping down have to be about the size of a record storage box 12 inches on a side and should not weigh more than 20 lbs. (This has been asked personally by Dave Adams who is the owner)

Address your package(s) to:

Disney Cruise Line Warehouse
Guest Name / Stateroom # (GTY, if you don't know what it is when you send the package)
8633 Transport Drive
Orlando, FL 32832
Phone: 407-566-8196

In the bottom left corner of the top of the package put the following information: ATTN: HOUSEKEEPING
*Name
*Sail Date
*Ship
*Stateroom Number
*Packing slip that details contents of the package (for prescriptions, a copy of the prescription is sufficient)

• Packages must arrive by Friday by 3:00pm for the 7-Night Cruise on the Disney Magic (Saturday).

• Packages must arrive by Friday by 3:00pm for the 4-Night Cruise on the Disney Wonder (Sunday).

• Packages must arrive by Wednesday by 3:00pm for the 3-Night Cruise on the Disney Wonder (Thursday).

If your box is hit on by the screening dog or chosen for additional screening they will open the list and the box and look through it. They will close it back up and provided nothing bad is in it then it will be in your room as usual later after boarding.

These boxes will be coming on the ship with the crew mail among other things so they may be in the staterooms later then they were before as they are low priority in the scheme of things for Disney.

 

[homespun]

I see that as of March there are only 2 dining times offered on the FAQs link, not staggered, wonder if that will apply to summer time too.

Dining Rotations - You will not know your dining rotation until you check in at the Port. It will be noted on your KTTW card. These are examples of rotations that were used on recent cruises to give you some idea of the possibilities.

As of 4/4/09 Magic cruise there were only two times for dinner, 5:45 and 8:15. Navigators have not been seen to confirm any change in the available rotations.

7 day Western Cruises [per 3/21/09]
PLAAPLA 5:45 and 8:15
LAPPLAP 5:45 and 8:15
APLLAPL 5:45 and 8:15

Wondering if the new menus are starting on our cruise. I know people have said they are starting in June, and we are traveling in June. Or did they mean the first cruise to leave in June? Hmmm.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Speaking of DCL being "weird"....they have me, dh, and dd(18) on one doc and dd(15) on another doc. We're all in the same room....is it because she's under 18? I don't remember them being that way last year.

That's so weird!
We only got the docs for us girls in one room- still no docs for the other room. I shouldn't be concerned about that though, right?
Our docs didn't have anything but a booklet (info, no contract/etc.), luggage tags, and a checklist thing. THAT'S IT. Maybe they've stopped wasting paper if you've filled out the info online?

and the May 16 cruise was still booking in EVERY category!!!! Sure makes me wonder if our ship will be full or not....maybe we will STILL get some upgrades....OH GREAT FAIRY IN THE SKY....SPRINKLE THAT PIXIE DUST ON US ALL!!! HAHAHAHAHA.....2 more days until it's 3 weeks until we leave!!!!

Cool. Maybe more upgrades for people who didn't get them already and who knows- maybe it won't be a full ship. I hope it doesn't mean they'll have less activities/entertainment.

Wondering if the new menus are starting on our cruise. I know people have said they are starting in June, and we are traveling in June. Or did they mean the first cruise to leave in June? Hmmm.

I've heard on other threads that most people think that means starts with cruises that START in June- meaning after our cruise? I hope so atleast. LOL

 

[kcashner]

I believe that our 3/28 sailing was the last with staggered dining. As of April, there are only 2 dining times--5:45 and 8:15.

Yes, you can be upgraded after you get your docs. Yes, you can be "re-upgraded." We once found out about an upgrade when we got to the port--our assigned cabin was different than we had on our docs!

5/16 is still offering FL res rates as well as much availability. 5/30 is showing NO Fl res rates, availability in 4-9 with 4 and 5 able to choose cabins (at least 7 available in each cat) and 6-9 showing gty. Hard to say what might happen with cancellations, etc. if the flu thing continues. Some people may have the kind of insurance that allows them to cancel for any/no reason and take advantage of that. Some may get sick..... In any event, we can all plan on the rooms we've been assigned.....and if the pixie lands, we'll enjoy it!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Oh I spoke too soon (and forgot that docs don't come in the regular mail!) got the other "pkg" for the other room just now--but I wouldn't really call it documents. Got the same stuff I mentioned in my last post- which doesn't include documents. pretty much just luggage tags and a booklet telling us about things like DCL transfers/etc. (which we don't have)

 

[cruisefanz]

Hi guys! Checking back in. We had horrible storms/flooding last Friday which terminated our internet and phone both at home and at work. Talk about withdrawal!

Thanks Bruce! The lists are great!

Doing the happy dance! Docs arrived today.

Life is good again! Internet works, phones work, the countdown is getting lower.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Hi guys! Checking back in. We had horrible storms/flooding last Friday which terminated our internet and phone both at home and at work. Talk about withdrawal!

Thanks Bruce! The lists are great!

Doing the happy dance! Docs arrived today.

Life is good again! Internet works, phones work, the countdown is getting lower.

Glad you're back online!
I know!! For us we have 2 more days and then it will be only TWO WEEKS until we head out for FW and WDW. Can't wait but i'm not ready to go right now. I'm really procrastinating longer than usual on finishing everything up and packing. But atleast we have everything checked/etc. with the trailer and the trailer itself is good to go!

 

[kcashner]

Oh I spoke too soon (and forgot that docs don't come in the regular mail!) got the other "pkg" for the other room just now--but I wouldn't really call it documents. Got the same stuff I mentioned in my last post- which doesn't include documents. pretty much just luggage tags and a booklet telling us about things like DCL transfers/etc. (which we don't have)

That's what now constitutes "documents." Basically, it is a printed out cruise contract and a minor authorization form...and as you said, transfers, etc. The only thing you need in the bunch is the luggage tags.

 

[homespun]

Oh I spoke too soon (and forgot that docs don't come in the regular mail!) got the other "pkg" for the other room just now--but I wouldn't really call it documents. Got the same stuff I mentioned in my last post- which doesn't include documents. pretty much just luggage tags and a booklet telling us about things like DCL transfers/etc. (which we don't have)

I did online check in, did you? Your DOCs sound like mine. Wondering if it's because we did online check-in already.

There's not much too them just a little booklet with a page for each of us with our name on it on the bottom and then our luggage tags.

Karen

 

[homespun]

I believe that our 3/28 sailing was the last with staggered dining. As of April, there are only 2 dining times--5:45 and 8:15.

Yes, you can be upgraded after you get your docs. Yes, you can be "re-upgraded." We once found out about an upgrade when we got to the port--our assigned cabin was different than we had on our docs!

5/16 is still offering FL res rates as well as much availability. 5/30 is showing NO Fl res rates, availability in 4-9 with 4 and 5 able to choose cabins (at least 7 available in each cat) and 6-9 showing gty. Hard to say what might happen with cancellations, etc. if the flu thing continues. Some people may have the kind of insurance that allows them to cancel for any/no reason and take advantage of that. Some may get sick..... In any event, we can all plan on the rooms we've been assigned.....and if the pixie lands, we'll enjoy it!

CAT 12 was showing up this morning too as a GTY for 3 people.

Wondering if the single time instead of staggered will cause lines when arriving at the restaurants

Keeping my fingers and toes crossed for that upgrade for those of us who haven't been pixie dusted yet

 

[2BoysMom]

Hi
Can't wait to meet some of you on the cruise. Just as a reminder, my DH and I have twin boys who will have just turned 5 (tomorrow) for the cruise.

Anyway, is it ever possible to get early dining rotation after Disney has assigned you with a late dining rotation? Especially since there appears to be no staggering of dinner times, eating at 8:15, I think would be very challenging for us. That's even past my sons bed time.

It's my only (slight) worry. Thanks for any info.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

That's what now constitutes "documents." Basically, it is a printed out cruise contract and a minor authorization form...and as you said, transfers, etc. The only thing you need in the bunch is the luggage tags.

No, mine doesn't have cruise contract, authorization form- none of that.

CAT 12 was showing up this morning too as a GTY for 3 people.

Wondering if the single time instead of staggered will cause lines when arriving at the restaurants

Keeping my fingers and toes crossed for that upgrade for those of us who haven't been pixie dusted yet

Here's all I know about the lines:
our first cruise: no staggered dining and stood in long lines
2nd cruise: no staggered dining and not ONE BIT of a line every night on a 15nt cruise.
See here's the thing- even with staggered dining for your dining time you were still all arriving at the same time at your restaurant for the night- so I wondered why with staggered dining there was no lines. Best i can figure is that it has to do with lines for the characters and/or photos before dinner. With staggered times those lines were short and you got thru faster and it made it semi-staggered when arriving (some early, some on time- we were always on time- some a little late to their time) and never any lines. With one set time for each early/late- longer lines for photos, everyone arriving around the exact same time, hallways to the restaurants full of people going to their restaurants (all at the same time instead of different times for each restaurant), etc. I dunno. All I know is with staggered times we had no lines at all- with no staggered times..... long lines. It was our first cruise and we didn't know it could be any different until the 2nd cruise when we had the staggered dining.

I'm not looking forward to the no-staggered times- especially with our first time on main dining so the lines will probably be really long. I"m not fond of the long lines- I think we'll show up fashionably late (like go on time- if there is a line walk around a few minutes and come back). I'm not fond of standing in line- I don't dress up as others and it did NOT bother me as much going straight in and sitting (2nd cruise) as it did on the first cruise standing in line giving all the people time to look at me and wondering if any of them were the fashion police (as we've seen on this board -some are a bit picky about how OTHERS dress on the cruise LOL) I'd rather not do that again.

Hi
Can't wait to meet some of you on the cruise. Just as a reminder, my DH and I have twin boys who will have just turned 5 (tomorrow) for the cruise.

Anyway, is it ever possible to get early dining rotation after Disney has assigned you with a late dining rotation? Especially since there appears to be no staggering of dinner times, eating at 8:15, I think would be very challenging for us. That's even past my sons bed time.

It's my only (slight) worry. Thanks for any info.

I have heard it's possible. Just ask at check in- if they can't change it there then go straight to Rocking bar D and ask if they can change it there. I've also heard that some people who can't get changed to main dining right then sometimes can later- they get waitlisted even once on the ship. If you want main dining- I'd call NOW and ask to be waitlisted for main dining. That might help even more than asking once on the ship!

 

[kcashner]

Yes, it is possible to change dining times and/or rotations after boarding. You'll go to "Dining Changes" as indicated on the Welcome Aboard Navigator. It is usually in Rockin Bar D, but we've see it in other locations. Obviously, it's easiest to change if you are asking for late dining, if the ship isn't full, and if you're a small group (easier to move 4 people than 8) What you can do--right now, be waitlisted for main. Then, after boarding, go to "dining changes." They make the dining assignments 2 weeks before sailing, so we're not there yet.

Lines for dining--on a full cruise, there are 420 people assigned to each dining room each seating. The doors to the dining room open right on time...maybe 1 minute early. What we've found is that if we show up exactly on time or 5 minutes early, there is always a line, but it moves very quickly. If you show up 5 minutes late, there is no line. Our favorite server always asked us to be right on time so that he could get the food out quickly--he'd jump right on it and have orders in really fast. We'd be finished when some other tables were still getting entrees! Alas, he's home now.

The issue is that 420 people...including wheelchairs, strollers, princesses, etc...can't get thru a door in an instant, but they can do it in 5 minutes. If you don't want to wait in a line to enter the dining room, show up a very few minutes after opening.

People have tried to relate dining room lines to character lines--I don't think that affects it at all. There will always be people waiting in the character lines, but not enough to influence the 400+ needing to enter the dining room. There are always people who show up early and people who show up late...if you're delayed in a character line, you might be right on time to a little late. With the single dining times, they end the character appearance when people should be entering the dining room....and they usually put a "stop" on the line well before that (no more in line, Mickey will be back at X time). Thus, the character appearance will end--that's not a reason to be late to dinner. With staggered dining times, the characters would still be out as someone didn't have to be at dinner...and people who should have been at dinner would be in character lines.

Anyhow...staggered vs. one time hasn't seemed to influence lines to enter the dining room on my cruises. It was really that if you're early, you'll hit a line. If you're right on time, the line will be moving quickly. If you're 3-5 minutes late, the line will be essentially gone.

I'm tired of cold, rain, yuk. 2 more days of school, but who's counting?

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Hi
Anyway, is it ever possible to get early dining rotation after Disney has assigned you with a late dining rotation?

I have successfully changed from late to early dining, I just made sure that as soon as I got on the ship I went to Rockin Bar D. Happy Birthday to your twins.

 

[CarolinaBlue]

I did online check in, did you? Your DOCs sound like mine. Wondering if it's because we did online check-in already.

There's not much too them just a little booklet with a page for each of us with our name on it on the bottom and then our luggage tags.

Karen

I'm sure that's the reason. We did online check-in and that's all we got.

Three more weeks and I'll be at WDW!