November 11, 2006 - MAGIC - Special Western "Double Dip" Cruise 11/11/06

[faireygod mother]

Okay, I am Dee and let me answer your questions.

I am still willing to follow through on the group rate. Most of my family can sneak in on the gov rate.

As for the bus, I am unsure how to break that down as we are doing a round trip, but it is not impossible. One of our group families is going to WDW so they are riding the Disney Magic express to the hotel in the morning and then riding with us. It was a lot cheaper than taking a limo to the port.

As Pat wrote. I already have 23 people in my group. I was willing to get a larger bus and share with anyone who was interested as it was a lot cheaper than the transfer. The offer still stands. There is no pressure or obligation to join us, only if you make a commitment and I book the larger bus.

I hope that this helps and does not confuse anyone.

 

[faireygod mother]

OKay I have updated the list of future e-mail pals.

Here is a list that want to so far:

Raeryan DD 9 1/4
Disnurse DD 91/4
Kaykels DD 10 & 12
Faireygod Mother DGD 10


I think we should exchange the email addresses through PM's.

 

[house_of_princesses]

I'm reading all this and just so I know... where is this Hyatt? I thought it was at the port and so I'm now wondering why you all need a bus.

Wasn't it the Raddisson some DISer's stayed at in 2004? Just trying to keep all this straight in my crooked little head!

 

[faireygod mother]

The Hyatt is at the airport. In fact it is in the airport.

 

[GrayFal]

The Hyatt is at the airport. In fact it is in the airport.

YUP,,,In the airport......and for the people flying in late (ME!) after work and school...it is easier to stay there....

People did stay at the Radisson - and some still will! - near the port but mostly that is people who arrived early and rented a car...you would need a car to get to the Radisson.

 

[Vanvmom]

Hi all- Back from Anaheim (DL was fun... as expected) and the conference was GREAT too!

Miatamel... Dh and I use MACs for the chat (on iChat) and it works great (as long as you set it up to show the names of the others in the chat). I was pretty lost this last time, but think the next time will hopefully be eaiser.

As for hotel stay etc... like DISNURSE, we too will likely stay for a couple of days post cruise (going to MGM and maybe one other park). We have to be back at school for one day before Thanksgiving holiday. Not sure where we will stay post cruise - any suggestions for a moderately priced disney property that can fit 5 to a room?

Pre-cruise we will try to visit NASA, so we will be renting a car. How far is it (travel time) from the airport to the port? We have Hyatt points that will give us a free room there, but not sure how wise it would be to stay there if we will be driving back and forth from the airport to the coast for NASA and then back the next day for the cruise. Opinions?

On yet another note... with all of the tons of kids going on the cruise, it doesn't seem like anyone will have any 13 year old boys (our oldest will weeks away from 13 at travel time). He's into TaeKwonDo (working on his 2nd degree black belt), PS-2, and music (mostly Christian rock stuff). Last cruise he didn't really connect with anyone outside of our family and the other family in our traveling group, and we're hoping this cruise will be better.

Well, time to go book the air travel before we are too late to use our frequent flyer miles. Hope everyone had a great weekend!

 

[DIS NURSE]

Okay......so knowing that I just paid $179 plus tax a night at the Hyatt and now I have looked via every source I know on this Internet for a rate, I can only get $199/night! That in of itself makes me rethink the "do I pay to get us to the Port and stay at the Radisson where there is a shuttle to the terminal the next AM?

Here are my thoughts....and it's just that. Food for thought!

I have also been checking into the ever increasing Radisson rates (at the Port) and low and behold I can (you can too) pay only $118/night plus tax if you pay for it in full NOW. That's a HUGE difference from what people have been paying to stay there.
Let me just add my two cents about the "cruise package" they offer (and BTW, they want like $159 for that)......the great thing about the Rad is that they have always offered "free" parking while you are on your cruise. So don't be fooled when they offer this "cruise/park package" and charge you more. They do say that they throw in the shuttle charge too, but that's not enough to make up the difference!

There is even a (gulp! ) "senior citizen" discount that is around $125 if one or more of your party is over 50 yo......again, better than their "cruise package".

I am seriously rethinking our options if I can get the Rad for $118!
And you are asking, "well how do you get there from MCO for cheap?" We hired Florida Tours (a town car) for the 4 of us in Nov (one way) and was only $90. That rate still stands....I checked. I completely understand that for larger groups that is not a doable option. Or maybe it is? I have never looked to see what their larger "shuttles" are.
No renting a car. No fuss, no muss.

Just food for thought.
The Radisson has the added bonus option of getting you to the terminal EARLY! We did this from Ron Jon's in Nov and were some of the first to board.

 

[cjsmom97]

The Radisson has the added bonus option of getting you to the terminal EARLY! We did this from Ron Jon's in Nov and were some of the first to board.

Just a reminder that now they do the new method of boarding, we are no longer guaranteed to board before the later arrivals with this new number system they have going. It is all random now. Big bummer for me... I liked arriving early to be first in line to board (well, after C class of course)!! Now they give you a darn number.

 

[jcemom]

DIS NURSE, Thanks for the Radisson comparison. That does sound like something to consider.

Vanvmom, I have 2 DS, one will be 12 next month, the other turns 13 in April. My older DS is rather shy, so I don't know that he would make the best buddy, but he is into video games. My younger DS is very outgoing (they are total opposites) but not much into video games. He likes skateboarding, dirtbikes (anything with wheels, actually, lol), and is actually looking forward to dressing up on the cruise, unlike the older DS who has already asked if he can order room service instead of dressing for dinner.

 

[DIS NURSE]

Hi Vanvmom! Glad you reconnected with Mickey and that you had a good time!

A few thoughts.....if you are doing NASA and renting a car, it would make no sense to stay at the Hyatt at MCO, since the back and forth driving will be 45-50 minutes each way and many toll roads later.....

Your best bet in my opinion would be to stay somewhere near the Port (see my above findings about the Radisson).

Also, I have seen and read that Port Orleans on Disney property is a good deal many times. Also, are you a government affiliate at all? I know Shades of Green gives great deals! Right on the Monorail path too!

Are you insistant on Disney property?
I have come to my senses after these past two trips to WDW that a fridge, microwave, and a coffee maker.....plus added space for (in your case) 5 people, staying off property is where it's at! We just booked that silly Buena Vista Suites that includes full breakfast for $88/night.....2 queens and a pull out bed. 1.5 miles from WDW and access to the GREAT pool and waterslide of the Caribe Royale right next door! We are hardly ever in our room so this seemed like the one to try this year.

Just something to think about and research.
Although the Nickelodeon Hotel last Nov was gastly, I loved having a mini kitchen! Saved tons of trouble and $$$!
You won't find those things anywhere on Disney property except for Boardwalk Suites or the like for MAJOR MOOO-LAAA!

I don't quite understand why some rates are posted some places for lodging and the same facility can be posted at rates WAY higher just a click away! I did a little research today on the Buena Vista Suites away from the DIS rate and they want like $125-150 for the same thing I am paying $88.

Crazy.

 

[DIS NURSE]

Let me clarify the "new" boarding procedure; we were just there and I did lots of research just prior to us going. They had just switched to the "new" system.

.......essentially, nothing has changed for those who arrive early. We did (arrive early, say 10:20 or so) and were handed a "number" at the top of the elevators. Our card was #3......the first ones to board after cat 1,2,3 and physically challenged patrons. The card just allowed you to be assured early boarding without having to stand in a line.

We could walk around, enjoy the holiday decorations (THEY WERE AWESOME!) and not worry about when we would board. They called our #3 just after 12PM and we walked right on.

I was very confused with all the talk about the change a few weeks before we sailed. There was an extensive thread about this that DCL was obviously watching and reading. They repsonded to a few select people via email to clairfy the process 'cause the DIS'ers were getting all their anxieties up!

They watch and read more than you think. We met "Brent" the cruise director and we flat our asked him about the DIS boards and he sealed my suspicions.

In fact, DCL stops handing out "cards" after about 1 PM because there is no need to do so. At that point, it's pretty much walk on as you please anyway. My guess is their main goal was to help thin out the line standing and have some rhyme or reason for the early birds.

Bottom line, it is not random...they still board in the order in which you got there IF YOU WERE A PARTY arriving, say, in the first two hours (10 AM - NOON).

When there was word out on the boards that it was random, DIS'ers blood pressures seriously hit the stroke threshold! People were freaking!


......and DCL heard about it loud and clear.

 

[faireygod mother]

This is why I like to plan early. I like to explore all my options and have time to look at prices. I hate having to make a rushed decision. I realize that sometimes making an informed decision can also be nerve raking and a bit stressful.

I did look at staying on WDW or Shades of green, but I just want to relax this time and savor the whole cruise experience. I do not believe we will wavier on the Hyatt. The price and type of ressie is what is up for debate.

Keep us posted on all the options. You never know what might happen with this group.

 

[GrayFal]

This is why I like to plan early. I like to explore all my options and have time to look at prices. I hate having to make a rushed decision. I realize that sometimes making an informed decision can also be nerve raking and a bit stressful.

I did look at staying on WDW or Shades of green, but I just want to relax this time and savor the whole cruise experience. I do not believe we will wavier on the Hyatt. The price and type of ressie is what is up for debate.

Keep us posted on all the options. You never know what might happen with this group.

Just to clarify - as 'most of your group' qualifies for the $101 Gov Employee Rate - you will NOT being going forward with the group rate at the Hyatt?

 

[DIS NURSE]

One thing is for sure is that we will all have a ROCKIN' , SUNNY , FUN! , SAFE , and memorable time double dippin' on the MAGIC!

 

[faireygod mother]

My whole group does not qualify and yes I am still willing to do the group rate.

 

[GrayFal]

My whole group does not qualify and yes I am still willing to do the group rate.

Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.....lets see how it plays out.....

Okay, One room for me...King Please!
Do we have 14 more?????

Edited to add...PLEASE don't feel you have to give up the GOOD rate for people in your group who qualify...let's see how many we get...Okay

 

[miatamel]

I am having loads of trouble hooking up for this chat thing. Every screen name I try to type in on AIM is taken--and I've tried some strange ones!! I really want to get to know you guys, but I don't seem to be computer literate enough to do it!

 

[DIS NURSE]

That $101 rate it too good to be true! Grab it and run!....the rest of us will be just fine. I am still game if it's not $199 (like I am seeing) and transportation does not make any hastles for the group.

.....remember? I am just a straggler, anyway.
No fuss about me.

The Rad at $118, I have never heard of, though. So it makes me wonder.

Isn't that the glory of planning anyway? All the wonder.

 

[DIS NURSE]

miatamel.....I am just as computer illeterate as you describe yourself and I think it'll be weeks before I can even attempt what you are!

Congrats on the try! I am computer dumbie!

That is why I have the plainest signature around. I have so many FABULOUS pictures of our cruise in Nov that I can't even attempt to post.

Any my DH does what for a living? He won't help me. He's burnt out on computers on his days off.

 

[ibouncetoo]

I am having loads of trouble hooking up for this chat thing. Every screen name I try to type in on AIM is taken--and I've tried some strange ones!! I really want to get to know you guys, but I don't seem to be computer literate enough to do it!

keep trying, I had to come up with bizarre (bizzare?....unusual) spelling to finally get one.....try one you like BACKWARDS...that may do it.