November 25th, 2016 - Black Friday on the Wonder

[Huskiesrule]

Well...there went $100+ on etsy.... Cruise shopping is bad for my bank account, but looks great on my child!

I am sooo with you on the cruise shopping! Went shopping today with no intention of buying more FE stuff and then I came home with more FE stuff. I'm pretty sure I have a problem but the people in my groups will hopefully enjoy my addiction. My issue is I just keep finding cute things I need therapy(or more storage) and not the retail kind!

 

[hamm1207]

I am sooo with you on the cruise shopping! Went shopping today with no intention of buying more FE stuff and then I came home with more FE stuff. I'm pretty sure I have a problem but the people in my groups will hopefully enjoy my addiction. My issue is I just keep finding cute things I need therapy(or more storage) and not the retail kind!

I probably need therapy for the FE stuff as well--my husband keeps voicing his opinion about it.... Today's shopping included: Birthday t-shirt for daughter, birthday dress for daughter, birthday door magnet, embarkation day t-shirt for daughter...

 

[512ATX]

For those you who have already booked your excursions and on board activities, was anything unavailable? Any know if the Blue Lagoon Dolphin Encounter is still available? Cabanas available? I am wondering what's left for us first time cruisers... Thanks for any info you can share...

 

[512ATX]

Does anyone know what night Pirate Night is???

 

[PlanoNana]

I just checked and Blue Lagoon Dolphin Encounter looks to be available. Cabanas at Castaway are sold out. Pirate Night is Day 4, the night of Castaway Cay. I did a quick scan and the only thing I saw as "sold out" were the cabanas at Castaway.

 

[512ATX]

I just checked and Blue Lagoon Dolphin Encounter looks to be available. Cabanas at Castaway are sold out. Pirate Night is Day 4, the night of Castaway Cay. I did a quick scan and the only thing I saw as "sold out" were the cabanas at Castaway.

Thank you soooo much for this info! I really appreciate it!

 

[PlanoNana]

I had someone give me LOTS of help for my first cruise. Just passing on the favor. One suggestions is to decide what's most important and plan to book that first. If an early Port Arrival Time is more important than specific excursions or reservations, then do that first. Have fun.

 

[512ATX]

I had someone give me LOTS of help for my first cruise. Just passing on the favor. One suggestions is to decide what's most important and plan to book that first. If an early Port Arrival Time is more important than specific excursions or reservations, then do that first. Have fun.

Thank you so much for the help. I was a bit overwhelmed with everything. I was able to book everything we wanted except the cabanas but that's OK. Looks like there is a lot to do on Castaway Cay. Thanks again!

 

[Huskiesrule]

The first group for the DISboards is closed and is:
Huskiesrule - 3 adults (2 female, 1 male)
SJ14 - DW, DH, DD 12, DD 6
bgetter - DH, DW, DD 8, DD 5
Sarah Beddingfield - DW, DH, DD 11, DD 10
bmccarthy422 - DW, DH, DS 8, DD 4
upinparis - 2 adults (female)
SilverLantern - DW, DH, DD 6, DD 3
Gohawks - DW, DH, DD 7, DD 2
Tzbwilsonfam - DH, DW, MIL, DS 2.5
hamm1207/N365PA - DW, DH, DD 1

Group 2 is closed also and is:
zimzim4 - DW, DH, DS 11, DS 6
Kaylinn - DW, DH, DS 12, DS 10
K.Romero - DW, DH, DD 7, Grandma
Elizabeth.C - DW, DH, DD 3
512ATX - DW, DH, DS 4
kucanhead - DH, DW, DD 4, DD 1
dytx - 3 adults (1 female, 2 male)
foursooners - 2 adults(Grandma + Grandpa)
" - DH, DW, DD 14, DS 12
" - DH, DW, DD 6, DS 4

I have merged the groups so we get to 10 quicker so now group 3 is:
ballle_98 - DW, DH, DS 14, DS 6
ballle_98 - Grandma, DD 17, DD 11
ChloeMouse - DW, DH, DS 6
Kdspratt - DW, DH, DS 15, DD 9
Stefileslie85 - Grandma, DW, DD 3, DD 1
+1 - 2 adults (female)
+1 - DH, DW, DS 3


If anyone would like to join the FE let me know, I try to check here daily If anyone would like a copy of their list let me know which version you would like - Excel or Google(or both). Once you have the Google link you can see any updates made, Excel you will get a new copy with every update.

 

[kucanhead]

When signing up for things like the Frozen or Princess meet and greets, do we just sign up the kids, or do we sign up everyone that is attending? While I'm sure I'd enjoy some quality time with Anna and Elsa, I'll be there to just take pictures of the kids.

 

[Huskiesrule]

When signing up for things like the Frozen or Princess meet and greets, do we just sign up the kids, or do we sign up everyone that is attending? While I'm sure I'd enjoy some quality time with Anna and Elsa, I'll be there to just take pictures of the kids.

I haven't done them but I assume you would just sign up the kids, unlike with the character breakfast where it would be everyone.

 

[hamm1207]

Only 10 more Monday's until we set sail!! What are your plans for embarkation day?

We'll probably eat lunch at Tiana's (formerly Parrot Cay), explore the ship, check out the nursery and let our tiny human get accustomed to it, attend the DVC meet (if it's that day) and meet y'all at the meet and greet. I'm planning on just carrying on the diaper bag--now for the trick of making everything fit in that bag

 

[Huskiesrule]

Yep, definitely lunch at Tiana's since it is always less crowded than the pool deck. I plan on everybody having a rolling carryon with essentials(medication etc.) and the FE's. After the last cruise where they dumped luggage in the water I am taking no chances! Granted it was at the end of the cruise but still. I am also going to pack everything in my suitcase in huge Ziploc(space saver) bags since that will help with water as a back up plan. Hopefully the room will be available early since for some reason concierge gets quicker access. Then it is chill and maybe do the M&G. I always say I will and then lose track of time so we'll see this year.

 

[512ATX]

Great tips about ziplocking the contents of luggage. How did they get luggage in the water?

 

[512ATX]

I was wondering when they let us on the ship. We have a port arrival time of 12-12:30. Does this mean we will be on the ship in that time frame also?

 

[Huskiesrule]

Great tips about ziplocking the contents of luggage. How did they get luggage in the water?

The dock workers snagged the luggage cart or were going to fast and tipped the whole thing in the water. Some people never did get their luggage recovered. I used to think it was rare but they did it in Miami 2 months after our cruise so now I take precaution. I really need a waterproof suitcase!

I was wondering when they let us on the ship. We have a port arrival time of 12-12:30. Does this mean we will be on the ship in that time frame also?

Probably, but then again ... We were on the first cruise after the PC and got onboard late, like well after 12 and we were in boarding group 3. Once they start boarding it goes quick so if you show up at the terminal and they are boarding you should be ok.

 

[Gohawks]

Incredibly disappointed because I was not able to get tickets for the Frozen or Princess Gathering times! Being a newbie is rough I guess. I need reassurance that my girls will still have times to get pictures with characters and get their autographs please!

 

[Huskiesrule]

Incredibly disappointed because I was not able to get tickets for the Frozen or Princess Gathering times! Being a newbie is rough I guess. I need reassurance that my girls will still have times to get pictures with characters and get their autographs please!

You will be fineJust go to the guest relations desk when you board and get tickets or if you keep watching the website something may pop up. They are always listing character M&G's in the Navigator so read that daily once onboard. If you don't get tickets ahead of time read the Navigator they give you at check in cause I would hate to send you to the wrong place to get tickets!

 

[hamm1207]

Incredibly disappointed because I was not able to get tickets for the Frozen or Princess Gathering times! Being a newbie is rough I guess. I need reassurance that my girls will still have times to get pictures with characters and get their autographs please!

As Huskiesrule said--check out guest services/relations upon boarding and inquire, also check the navigator and keep checking the website (something may pop up). They usually keep some time slots available for those who don't book before hand for things like meet and greets and Palo. There will be opportunities to meet with various characters everyday and at different times throughout the day. Just check the navigator the night before and plan out your day. I usually take a highlighter so that I can highlight what I want to do (don't always end up doing everything).

 

[hamm1207]

Did y'all see the new Palo Brunch menu and photos in another thread---it looks delicious!