October 14, 2007 - 10/14/2007 Wonder

[lbcrosby]

I am still trying to nail down Walt Disney World. I know I want to get to Atlantis. My DH and I (on different cruises) both went to Nassau before and Atlantis wasn't there when we were there. I have heard that several people suggest going through the hotel next to Atlantis to get a room and then you get privileges to use their facilities for the day. Do you know if it is better to do this or go through the Disney package? That is the only thing I have on the list right now. I also read somewhere a post about a pirate shop somewhere but I don't have my notes in front of me yet. We are totally up for suggestions. Got any??

 

[iankh]

I am still trying to nail down Walt Disney World. I know I want to get to Atlantis. My DH and I (on different cruises) both went to Nassau before and Atlantis wasn't there when we were there. I have heard that several people suggest going through the hotel next to Atlantis to get a room and then you get privileges to use their facilities for the day. Do you know if it is better to do this or go through the Disney package? That is the only thing I have on the list right now. I also read somewhere a post about a pirate shop somewhere but I don't have my notes in front of me yet. We are totally up for suggestions. Got any??

It is a pirate museum and we did it the on our first cruise this past December. We liked it, touristy but fun.

We were just talking about Atlantis last night. Not sure what we are going to do, because neither of us particularly like Nassau.

I forget the name of the hotel next to Atlantis. Some people like having a room to go back to and change etc. Regarding cost, you should probably compare the cost of a room with and taxi vs the DCL excursion charge.

I'm still struggling with what hotel to book for the night before the cruise and we don't even have our flights down to MCO booked yet!

 

[Stephieann]

The last cruise (which was also my first cruise) there was a great deal of plans made in advance.

People exchanged door magnets and I met up with lots of the people.

We also met up in the terminal before the cruise.

It was nice to meet people that I had "chatted" with on line for months.

The last cruise we went on, that was also my first, we had several meets. Met at the one of the hotels the night before, met prior to the sail away, then the ladies met for a ladies brunch. We had lots of fun! I made some magnets so we all had matching ones! Cant wait to get to know everyone!

 

[lbcrosby]

We will most likely be pretty busy the night before the cruise as we have only three days at WDW and will be using every minute while we are there. We are staying at the Poly and as of right now we (or I am) debating between the fireworks in Epcot or the fireworks in MGM the night before the cruise. We have an ADR at the Ohana breakfast the day of the cruise.

We keep monitoring the flights and know when we want to go but until they have specials into October we don't see a need in purchasing them. We also have Frontier credits and frequent flyer points that we will work with so we want the cheapest flight possible. I figure we are also departing on a Wednesday morning and coming back most likely on Saturday in October so we shouldn't have a problem.

I wasn't really thrilled with Nassau either. I remember stepping off the ship and everyone asking if we wanted our hair braided. Note to self: braid hair before going off the ship and that way they won't ask. I will compare and contrast prices and see what I find out about Atlantis. It is the Comfort Suites that is next door. http://www.choicehotels.com/ires/en-US/html/HotelInfo?hotel=BS003 Here is the link. I know the boards had rumors about it closing and I cannot tell one way or the other from this link but here is the information.

The pirate museum might be fun. Yes, we do expect it to be quite touristy but it sounds cute.

 

[iankh]

We will most likely be pretty busy the night before the cruise as we have only three days at WDW and will be using every minute while we are there. We are staying at the Poly and as of right now we (or I am) debating between the fireworks in Epcot or the fireworks in MGM the night before the cruise. We have an ADR at the Ohana breakfast the day of the cruise.

We keep monitoring the flights and know when we want to go but until they have specials into October we don't see a need in purchasing them. We also have Frontier credits and frequent flyer points that we will work with so we want the cheapest flight possible. I figure we are also departing on a Wednesday morning and coming back most likely on Saturday in October so we shouldn't have a problem.

I wasn't really thrilled with Nassau either. I remember stepping off the ship and everyone asking if we wanted our hair braided. Note to self: braid hair before going off the ship and that way they won't ask. I will compare and contrast prices and see what I find out about Atlantis. It is the Comfort Suites that is next door. http://www.choicehotels.com/ires/en-US/html/HotelInfo?hotel=BS003 Here is the link. I know the boards had rumors about it closing and I cannot tell one way or the other from this link but here is the information.

The pirate museum might be fun. Yes, we do expect it to be quite touristy but it sounds cute.

We thought the pirate museum was fun and were glad we did it. Your son might really enjoy it.

Right now we're debating if we're going to get off the ship. One of the nice things was how quiet the ship was the day we were in Nassau.

I'm not sure yet what the rest of the family is going to do (DDIL, DSIL and grandson). Not sure if they are going to opt to do an excursion or some water activity.

We have not booked flights yet either. I'm in charge of organizing everything, and I'm waiting for SW to open up booking for October. Right now they're only booking through August.

 

[Kborn]

So ... what excursions and activities are on people's lists?

We will do a beach excursion in Nassua, might run over to Atlantis and drop a dollar or two. Castaway Cay is still up in the air, we have to see how much time we will have after the vow renewal....Day at sea will be spent at the spa and at the kids pool with Josh and Ryan.

 

[wendym]

Hi all
Things hectic with the start of the new term so sorry not been on much. I think we will go to Atlantis on our own for a walk round the casino and laze around Serenity Bay at Castaway Cay! Love meeting up with new friends at the Sailaway party.
Wendy

 

[iankh]

For us, the ship is probably the biggest attraction. We start to channel our dogs and move from place to place on the ship, having serious snoozes.

 

[Stephieann]

MY Dh and i are planning on spending most of the time on the ship! We will go to Serinity bay at CC and do some snorkling. I cant wait to get to know everyone on the thread and then meet up in person. Hope everyone has a GREAT week!!

 

[iankh]

Happy May everyone.

We're coming up for the 6 month mark soon.

I realized that I had better get busy and start thinking about restaurants for our WDW portion of the trip. ADRs will be opening up soon.

 

[Kborn]

Happy May everyone.

We're coming up for the 6 month mark soon.

I realized that I had better get busy and start thinking about restaurants for our WDW portion of the trip. ADRs will be opening up soon.

6 months will go by quickly.... We have several trips planned for this summer, including one to WDW at the end of July...(CAN ANYONE EXPLAIN WHY MY WIFE WANTS TO GO TO THE HOTTEST PLACE ON EARTH IN JULY) a cruise I can understand, but walking around Disney World chasing a six year old will kill an old man like me. The only place we make ressie's is for Chef Mickey's the day we sail, we have made it a family tradition. Get up early, have breakfast with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Pluto, then head down to the port. We used to get to the port around 8, but since they will not even let you into the parking lot until 10, there is no reason to hurry.

 

[Stephieann]

6 months will go by quickly....

aren't we past this 6 month mark?

 

[iankh]

aren't we past this 6 month mark?

The cruise is October 14th, so isn't 6 months out May 14th?

 

[Stephieann]

The cruise is October 14th, so isn't 6 months out May 14th?

nope 5 months!!!!!
look at my ticker!!!!!

 

[lbcrosby]

When can you start making reservations on the cruise? I have all of our ADRs (including some we will most likely cancel) for WDW.

 

[Kborn]

nope 5 months!!!!!
look at my ticker!!!!!

See....1 month is gone and it only seems like yesterday

 

[Kborn]

When can you start making reservations on the cruise? I have all of our ADRs (including some we will most likely cancel) for WDW.

It could be anywhere from 90, 60 or 45 days before the cruise...they base it on Conceirge (sp?), Castaway Club members and then first time guest. Just check your ressie on line and it will tell you when you can book.

 

[lbcrosby]

It could be anywhere from 90, 60 or 45 days before the cruise...they base it on Conceirge (sp?), Castaway Club members and then first time guest. Just check your ressie on line and it will tell you when you can book.

Ok, I checked on line and I still can't tell. Is it Concierge on the ship? We are staying concierge at WDW but just a middle of the road cabin on the ship. Here is what it says on line: "Sorry, access to My Cruise Plans is not currently open for this reservation. Access opens 75 days prior to embarkation, 90 days prior for Castaway Club members, and 105 days prior for Concierge Guests. Also, note that access to My Cruise Plans closes 3 days before your cruise departure date."

I guess I will keep checking back and when I can make them I will.

 

[Kborn]

Ok, I checked on line and I still can't tell. Is it Concierge on the ship? We are staying concierge at WDW but just a middle of the road cabin on the ship. Here is what it says on line: "Sorry, access to My Cruise Plans is not currently open for this reservation. Access opens 75 days prior to embarkation, 90 days prior for Castaway Club members, and 105 days prior for Concierge Guests. Also, note that access to My Cruise Plans closes 3 days before your cruise departure date."

I guess I will keep checking back and when I can make them I will.

If this is your first sailing with Disney, it looks like you will have to wait until 75 days before we sail...Concierge service is for people who booked a Cat. 1 or 2. I don't think you will have much trouble booking anything, it does not look like we have a full ship. Plus, they hold a few spots open for everyone. DCL bends over backwards to try and please everyone, just plan on booking at the 75 day mark.

 

[lbcrosby]

Thanks. We will calendar 75 days out . . . which is, July 31 I am not too concerned about booking something. The only thing I would like is to eat at Palo's on the one night that is the same rotation but that is like a crap shoot anyway when you make the reservations as you don't know until you get on board, correct? Since we haven't been on the ship before I want to try all the rooms even if it means missing Palo but that would be fun as well. Is it hard to get into Palo?