NYC to Canada July 8, 2012: Its Magic, Eh?

[DL_DCA_fans]

For those that have paid off your cruise, did you know you can book your port arrival travel time slot? The time slots start at 11:00am in half hour increments.

 

[taximom00]

For those that have paid off your cruise, did you know you can book your port arrival travel time slot? The time slots start at 11:00am in half hour increments.

We are first time Disney cruisers so cannot do online check in until 75 days out.

I would like to get as early a check in time as possible.

For those who have cruised Disney before, this makes sense, right?!

Thanks!

 

[DL_DCA_fans]

It has been four years since we cruised on Disney, so things may have changed.

By arriving early, you'll have time to eat lunch, explore the ship, change excursions (if necessary), make changes in dinner seating or rotation, change or add to spa reservations, change or add to palo reservations, sign up for kids club, etc.

Disney does not put all the onboard activities online. They set aside some of these onboard activities for walk-ups on embarkation day.

Since you are first timers, you will have limited choices in booking palo, excursions, spa, etc online, so you may want arrive early to see if more onboard activities are available.

Regarding lunch, the crew members typically send arriving guests to Topsiders for lunch. We prefer to go to Parrot Cay, same food, but a nicer dining room. If you want to eat outside, go to Topsiders, but we'd rather be in the air conditioned room and not have to fight off hungry birds.

You can't get into your room until 1:00pm or 2:00pm, the lifeboat drill at 3:00pm, sail away party at 5:00pm, dinner and shows start at 6:00pm. As you can see, there are many afternoon activities. We try to unpack before the afternoon activities start.

If you are lucky, your luggage will be there when the rooms are available. I have seen luggage still arriving to rooms as late as 6:00pm.

 

[taximom00]

It has been four years since we cruised on Disney, so things may have changed.

By arriving early, you'll have time to eat lunch, explore the ship, change excursions (if necessary), make changes in dinner seating or rotation, change or add to spa reservations, change or add to palo reservations, sign up for kids club, etc.

Disney does not put all the onboard activities online. They set aside some of these onboard activities for walk-ups on embarkation day.

Since you are first timers, you will have limited choices in booking palo, excursions, spa, etc online, so you may want arrive early to see if more onboard activities are available.

Regarding lunch, the crew members typically send arriving guests to Topsiders for lunch. We prefer to go to Parrot Cay, same food, but a nicer dining room. If you want to eat outside, go to Topsiders, but we'd rather be in the air conditioned room and not have to fight off hungry birds.

You can't get into your room until 1:00pm or 2:00pm, the lifeboat drill at 3:00pm, sail away party at 5:00pm, dinner and shows start at 6:00pm. As you can see, there are many afternoon activities. We try to unpack before the afternoon activities start.

If you are lucky, your luggage will be there when the rooms are available. I have seen luggage still arriving to rooms as late as 6:00pm.

As it's our first Disney cruise (we've cruised Carnival before) I'm definitley reading and trying to learn!

Good to know about party, dinner/shows and unpacking! I remember feeling a little 'rushed' that first day on my last cruise. That's why I'm hoping to get onboard as early as possible! Thanks for the ideas about where to eat.

I have to say, the idea of not cruising the Caribbean is a bit different for me. I'm not sure how I feel about it! But ready for something different.

 

[jmpm]

I'm so excited to be joining you all on our first Disney Cruise!! Sailing with my best friend and two nieces. The nieces have no idea, and I can't wait to tell them.

Jamie (37), Peggy (37), Ceyenna (11), and Jadynn (8) Cabin 7548

 

[Laurie12820]

Screen Name , Location, Who's Sailing, Cabin #(s)
1. princess81499, Jersey Shore, SPH #5522
2. sabrecmc, Florida, 7037
3. grantclaire, Ontario, CA, grantclaire, DW, DD(15), DS (11), #6058
4. flyrandy, Family of 4, Deck 7
5. Marilyn11, NY, CT & MA, Family of 10! Parents, Children & Grandkids (5),(5),(7),(8), Deck 6
6. tchrrx, Oklahoma, tchrrx (33), DH (36), DD (10)
7. Laurie12820, Massachusetts, Laurie (28), Jerry (28), DD (2), Sideways #6015
8. tch121, Family of 4; DD (7), DS (4) and in-laws
9. WiscBill, New York, Bill, Maureen, and Kay (10), #7060
10. Bullseyebaby, Janie, Dave, DS Riley (19), DD Sierra (15), #7032
11. trudyt623, Me, DH, DD (15) DS (10)
12. alirob, New Zealand, Me, DH, DS
13. kreedham, Georgia, Reed, Angela, Allen (13), Christopher (11)
14. livnglavidamickey, Chicago Suburbs, #7619
15. CAL DIS2007, California, CAL DIS2007, DH, & DS (7), #5509
16. BeautyFan, GA & NY, BeautyFan, DD(5), DM, DBFF, DB, his DW and DD (3)
17. DL_DCA_Fans, Southern CA, DL_DCA_Fans, DH, DS (24), DS (22)
18. wickedwitch1, CT, 11 mothers and daughters
19. psm729, Massachusetts, psm729, DS (16) and DM, #2062
20. Tinkified, NY, Werner (49), Michelle (42), Eric (17) and Emily (11), Erin (11) Deck 2
21. Cathicool, Long Island, NY, Cathicool, DH, DD12, DS10, DD7.5, Grandparents, #5022, #5024
22. Taximom00, Long Island, NY & Boston, MA, Grandma, Mom (that's me!) and DD (13), Deck 7
23. Barbarac, NY, Barbarac and DD (15), #2060
24. jjharts, Colorado, Jerri, Pat (DH), Autumn (DD 13), #8556
25. jmpm, Jamie (37), Peggy (37), Ceyenna (11), and Jadynn (8), #7548

 

[taximom00]

I'm so excited to be joining you all on our first Disney Cruise!! Sailing with my best friend and two nieces. The nieces have no idea, and I can't wait to tell them.

Jamie (37), Peggy (37), Ceyenna (11), and Jadynn (8) Cabin 7548

Hi there....we're neighbors....I'm in Cabin 7546. Traveling with my mom and my daughter, who will turn 13 the week before we travel. We are traveling to celebrate her special birthday

She also doesn't know yet! Someone on this list told me that you can arrange to have Mickey call you to welcome you on the cruise. I am going to do that but just need to figure out when to tell her! We end school June 18 and I"m wondering if I can wait until then! I've almost slipped a few times!

Have you joined the FE group on this list? As I've never traveled Disney, it's our first time doing an FE but it sounds like it will be a lot of fun for my daughter. And actually my mother is excited for it too! The more the merrier!

 

[sabrecmc]

For first-timers, my best suggestion is to have your kids wear their swimsuits under their clothes. That way, they can get in the pool after lunch before it gets super-crowded. Just make sure you have a change of clothes, sunscreen, etc. in your day bag, since your luggage may not arrive until later that evening.

We also prefer to go to Parrot Cay. The CMs will greet you, announce your family name as they welcome you onboard, and sort of "direct" you to whichever restaurant they are trying to direct guests to at that point (usually Topsiders). You don't have to go where they direct you though. Parrot Cay is just a bit easier to maneuver and has a bit more space, so we like it better, though the food is largely the same.

If you want Palo reservations, go do that as soon as possible! But, if you don't get them, keep calling to check b/c things do open up.

 

[Laurie12820]

Hi there....we're neighbors....I'm in Cabin 7546. Traveling with my mom and my daughter, who will turn 13 the week before we travel. We are traveling to celebrate her special birthday

She also doesn't know yet! Someone on this list told me that you can arrange to have Mickey call you to welcome you on the cruise. I am going to do that but just need to figure out when to tell her! We end school June 18 and I"m wondering if I can wait until then! I've almost slipped a few times!

Have you joined the FE group on this list? As I've never traveled Disney, it's our first time doing an FE but it sounds like it will be a lot of fun for my daughter. And actually my mother is excited for it too! The more the merrier!

You are allowed 2 calls per cruise. We had Mickey call DD at 100 days out, which is when we started out countdown. We will have him call again the day before.

 

[jmpm]

Hi there....we're neighbors....I'm in Cabin 7546. Traveling with my mom and my daughter, who will turn 13 the week before we travel. We are traveling to celebrate her special birthday

She also doesn't know yet! Someone on this list told me that you can arrange to have Mickey call you to welcome you on the cruise. I am going to do that but just need to figure out when to tell her! We end school June 18 and I"m wondering if I can wait until then! I've almost slipped a few times!

Have you joined the FE group on this list? As I've never traveled Disney, it's our first time doing an FE but it sounds like it will be a lot of fun for my daughter. And actually my mother is excited for it too! The more the merrier!

Hi Neighbor! That is a great birthday gift! I didn't know you could arrange calls. How do you do that? My nieces would be ecstatic! I also want to wait until school ends... but I am sure I won't make it.

I'm thinking of joining the FE group. It does look fun, and my only concern is that I'll get carried away! Plus, I guess I have some questions. If anyone can answer. . . Is there a deadline to join? I know the FE should be about 8" wide, but how long? Will we be assigned days to give our gifts? If my homemade FE is a complete failure, will anyone laugh at a ziplock bag on a string??

I love this forum! I'm learning a lot. Although this isn't my first cruise, it is my first Disney and there is so much information to take in!

 

[Tinkified]

For those that have paid off your cruise, did you know you can book your port arrival travel time slot? The time slots start at 11:00am in half hour increments.

Where do I find this boarding info? I am paid off and booked palo, spa, and excursions! Is it when you do your online check in info? I didn't start that yet!

Thanks for the heads up!

Michelle

 

[Tinkified]

Omg...I just typed you a lengthy response to your thoughts/worries about joining and poof! I hit submit and it is gone!

No one will laugh. I made mine...materials, felt and fabric glue. Hung on ribbon and attached to a dowel rod. It is aa bit smaller than a yard long I would say...top to bottom. People post theirs on a thread here....don't know the link...will share if i come across it. People also make and sell them. Check etsy.com and eBay. I have seen everything from a simple bag to elaborate embroidered works of art! It is all about fun...it isn't a contest.

As far as dealines go for joining..nothing official...but it has to be within reason since people need to shop, plan, budget, create etc....it is a courtesy. I have done my shopping but I bought a few extra just in case.

I prefer a gift exchange where it is left to the individual's preferences...of the how and where and what of the exchange....give what you want...meaning group/cabin/family gifts vs individual gifts for each person in the cabin...I have gotten both...and have love and appreciated both just the same! Day of delivery should be left to the deliver....it takes the fun out of it to be scheduled...I do it early on and all at once...but that is what works for me!

Join! Join! Join! How is that for cruise peer pressure!
Michelle

 

[jjharts]

Where do I find this boarding info? I am paid off and booked palo, spa, and excursions! Is it when you do your online check in info? I didn't start that yet!

Thanks for the heads up!

Michelle

Yup, it's when you do your online check in

 

[Tinkified]

Did you end up booking any excursions today? We booked the Family Hop on Hop off in Halifax, and the Hop on Hop off in Saint John with railway over the Bay of Fundy. Hey - we both have 11 year old Emily's!

Yes....we both have 11 year old Emily's! Is that a or a or a ? I don't know about your Emily, but mine has hit pre-teen drama and hormones with a vengeance!

I booked Palo for a brunch, a couple's spa treatment and one excursion in Halifax...I forget which one...think it was a boat ride. We are going to do something on our own in st john's. We are having problems with interests and attention spans and weight/age limits...my 17 year old step son is over the weight limit for most things we want to do...and my 11 year old is too young for many of the things we want to do!

 

[taximom00]

Hi Neighbor! That is a great birthday gift! I didn't know you could arrange calls. How do you do that? My nieces would be ecstatic! I also want to wait until school ends... but I am sure I won't make it.

I'm thinking of joining the FE group. It does look fun, and my only concern is that I'll get carried away! Plus, I guess I have some questions. If anyone can answer. . . Is there a deadline to join? I know the FE should be about 8" wide, but how long? Will we be assigned days to give our gifts? If my homemade FE is a complete failure, will anyone laugh at a ziplock bag on a string??

I love this forum! I'm learning a lot. Although this isn't my first cruise, it is my first Disney and there is so much information to take in!

Well, dont' think we're nuts...giving cruises as birthday gifts! Though I guess some people do! actually not really saying to my daughter "Happy Birthday, we're going on a cruise!" But my mom (who is 78) really wants to do this with her while she can still travel and enjoy! It's part of the reason we picked Canada instead of the Caribbean....no rush for the beach etc plus activities my mom can enjoy. Plus, no flying so less expense!

Re: phone calls from Mickey...go to the DCL website....I think once you pull up your reservation you will see it there somewhere...I forget exactly where but you'll find it, I"m sure! If not, call them while the website is in front of you and I'm sure they can help you find it.

Re: FE...If it's any consolation, I haven't made ours yet! I also know you can purchase them on Etsy and ebay. I also haven't shopped/made gifts yet. But have read some great ideas on the main list.

I haven't read that there is a deadline but guessing there will be at some point just so people have an idea of how many gifts are needed and for whom! I'm kind of waiting on that....figure a cabin gift is easy but then figure 2 year old girls are princessey but teen age boys not so much! So, I"m waiting for the final list!

I think it will be fun

 

[Tinkified]

Should we set a deadline date for joining?
May 8th?
Is that reasonable? It gives everyone two months to plan accordingly without fear of someone joining late and affecting everyone's plans/budget etc.

Please let me know what you all think!

Michelle

 

[jmpm]

Omg...I just typed you a lengthy response to your thoughts/worries about joining and poof! I hit submit and it is gone!

Join! Join! Join! How is that for cruise peer pressure!
Michelle

Thanks for your response. . . twice!

We are in! Add us to the FE list, please! Sounds like so much fun! The deadline doesn't matter to me. I won't shop until school is out. (I'm a teacher and just don't have the time! ), but I might have to start on the actual FE before that, because I'm so excited! LOL

Jamie (37), Peggy (37), Ceyenna (11), and Jadynn (8) Cabin 7548

 

[jmpm]

Well, dont' think we're nuts...giving cruises as birthday gifts!

Re: phone calls from Mickey...go to the DCL website....I think once you pull up your reservation you will see it there somewhere...

I"m waiting for the final list!

I think it will be fun

I don't think you're nuts! We plan trips around birthdays, too!

I watched a Youtube video for how to arrange your call from Mickey. Just in case anyone else needs it, the video is called, "Disney Dream: Mickey Calls About Our Cruise!" I'm not allowed to post links yet. . . .

We really just made reservations within the past week. It was a last minute decision, so I'm sure I'll figure some things out AND I'm really appreciating input from our shipmates!!

Jamie

 

[taximom00]

Should we set a deadline date for joining?
May 8th?
Is that reasonable? It gives everyone two months to plan accordingly without fear of someone joining late and affecting everyone's plans/budget etc.

Please let me know what you all think!

Michelle

As I've never sailed Disney, I have no idea about time needed etc. I haven't even made the FE itself yet!

So I will defer to those who have BTDT. Last I looked at the list, it seems fairly small. From reading on the main list, it seems some FEs have ~50 families! Yikes! This seems manageable to me.

Whatever you all think is fine with me.

 

[taximom00]

Thanks for your response. . . twice!

We are in! Add us to the FE list, please! Sounds like so much fun! The deadline doesn't matter to me. I won't shop until school is out. (I'm a teacher and just don't have the time! ), but I might have to start on the actual FE before that, because I'm so excited! LOL

Jamie (37), Peggy (37), Ceyenna (11), and Jadynn (8) Cabin 7548

I'm a teacher, too. What grade do you teach? I teach Kindergarten. And my mom who is traveling with us taught Early Intervention and then special needs preschool for many years before retiring.

Love having summers off but sometimes it would be nice to take a trip in the random month of, say, October!