October 17, 2009 Western

[Pennyb123]

Last night I finished up the online check-in. I had my traveling companion finish her part. All documents are signed and ready to go!! Now I just have to sit and wait! I am soooo ready to go!!

 

[marinecruiser]

I am also finished with my on-line check in as well as registration for kids clubs. I tried to book Palo brunch or high teas, but that's not a success. Guess I have to wait to do it on board.

 

[momsully]

Is anyone staying at the Radisson at the port the night before the ship leaves? Or has anyone stayed there before?

We stayed there before our cruise in 2006 and I would not stay again. The rooms we had were really run down and the beds were not very comfortable. It was a long night!

We are coming in three days before the cruise (DS bday is the 15th) and staying at AKV. We are headed to MNSSHP on the 15th for DS bday and then my birthday is the 17th. We are going to go over to a park to pick up my bday gift card then Florida Tours is taking us to the Port. We booked a 10:30 departure. For those of you with Florida Tours what time did you ask them to pick you up on the return?

 

[missusem]

Where was I?

You guys have been BUSY..

I've had some rough days settling in here in Aberdeen but it's all hopefully settled down now..

I'm back.. so we have a Question about princesses.. I think mine is Belle or Ariel.. Ariel's got my rebellious character .. he he..



I don't believe we're on the HOME STRETCH.. we've got some little things to do and we should be all sorted soon.. Can't wait to get on the boat. My birthday at the end of this month will be pretty lonely since we're moving to a new country and all.....so I'm hoping for a BIG celebration when I get on the ship (which is why we're going for this cruise..).. anyone with Early Dining wanna come sing me a birthday song..? ..

Anywho.. I have to run but I will check back in more often ..

Are we thinking of meeting at port? or somewhere else on the ship??

 

[aan1701]

I did a little checking and to those who haveva birthday on 10/17 first off happy birthday. Remember to get the Burthday gift card you have to be a AP holder. Also unlike here in CA were the law does not permit gift cards to expire if they were handed out in the state, in FL that birthday gift card has to be used same day. So make sure you leave enough time from park opening to when you get picked up to spend it. It can not be used on food, and I think that stinks but it is a free 79 buck gift card so there really is nothing to complain about, or on the ship.

 

[ajtour]

I am thinking of staying at the Hilton near the Port the night before the cruise. I am a little scared of the Radisson because of comments on the board. Anyone had any experience with the Hilton?

 

[shancan911]

WOO HOO!!!!!

DFIL (dcannon) was checking on his castmember website, and our rates have gone down. We're getting a sizeable refund. I'm thinking spa la la for me! I suppose it would be daughterly of me to buy a couple rounds on Castaway Cay, too. YEEEEEEEHAW!!!!!!!!!

 

[marinecruiser]

We will be staying at Marriott Orlando Airport for pre cruise stay. Our flight will be landed at 6pm, so I figured it will be better to spend a night at the airport area and refresh next morning to drive to the port.

I was hoping for Hyatt MCO, but won Marriott using priceline for $49 plus fees/taxes total $63. Can't complain here

I also reserved a mini van from AVIS for $67 include taxes using a code I found on the web

 

[MommyTo5]

WOO HOO!!!!!

DFIL (dcannon) was checking on his castmember website, and our rates have gone down. We're getting a sizeable refund. I'm thinking spa la la for me! I suppose it would be daughterly of me to buy a couple rounds on Castaway Cay, too. YEEEEEEEHAW!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations, Shannon!!!

 

[momsully]

I did a little checking and to those who haveva birthday on 10/17 first off happy birthday. Remember to get the Burthday gift card you have to be a AP holder. Also unlike here in CA were the law does not permit gift cards to expire if they were handed out in the state, in FL that birthday gift card has to be used same day. So make sure you leave enough time from park opening to when you get picked up to spend it. It can not be used on food, and I think that stinks but it is a free 79 buck gift card so there really is nothing to complain about, or on the ship.

The birthday gift card has to be used within 12 months. We got one for oldest DS earlier this year and it has a balance on it that we will use this next trip.

 

[aan1701]

The birthday gift card has to be used within 12 months. We got one for oldest DS earlier this year and it has a balance on it that we will use this next trip.

Interesting. My friend in Orlando got one this Sunday, and she told me they were very clear that it was only good that day.

 

[yazee1]

Is anyone staying at the Radisson at the port the night before the ship leaves? Or has anyone stayed there before? We are booked to stay there the night before but I keep reading such mixed reviews that I am starting to second guess myself. I want something clean, safe, comfortable, not too expensive, etc. Keep finding reviews that are making me question if this is the place for us that night. Not concerned about shuttle issues since we are not planning to use it (DH is planning to drop kids and me at the terminal while he returns the rental car and takes their shuttle).
Thanks...
Jennifer

We have stayed there twice, most recently was last September. While I like the Radisson and would stay there again, it's not perfect.
What we liked

• The gorgeous landscaping and pool
• The free parking (which doesn't apply to your situation)
• the festive resort atmosphere
• the friendly staff
• the comfortable beds (they have sleep number beds now)
• the clean rooms

What we didn't like or found wanting

• Breakfast - close to horrible. School food. Both times, the eggs were bland, the bacon was rock hard, the coffee wasn't good, and the fruit was blah. We only ate there the second time because it was convenient and we wanted to meet up with Dis-friends.
• room furnishings -showing a little wear.
• noisy-depending on where your room is. We didn't suffer but others we knew did.

Probably the only reason we won't stay there this time is because it doesn't have 2-bedroom suites and we will have more people traveling with us than before. We could get separate rooms, that's true, but the Residence Inn does have 2-bedroom suites and with breakfast included there, it's a good value for us.

 

[yazee1]

Hey All,

Been fighting computer problems before it finally gave up and went kaput. Just got a new hard-drive, and thankfully lost only about one month of emails.

On a brighter note, we will be staying at the GF prior to the cruise. Its my wife's bday, so am surprising her by staying there. Should be a blast.

Regards,
Pete

Welcome back, Pete. Sorry to hear about the computer problems. Interestingly enough, when I turned my computer on this morning, I had problems. I did get Windows to start up after a couple tries, but I think it's a wake up call to back up my hard drive.

 

[yazee1]

We will be staying at Marriott Orlando Airport for pre cruise stay. Our flight will be landed at 6pm, so I figured it will be better to spend a night at the airport area and refresh next morning to drive to the port.

I was hoping for Hyatt MCO, but won Marriott using priceline for $49 plus fees/taxes total $63. Can't complain here

I also reserved a mini van from AVIS for $67 include taxes using a code I found on the web

Great job! I thought about using priceline, too, but we're driving down, and I didn't want to risk "winning" a hotel that didn't have cruise parking.

 

[missusem]

We're staying over at the Courtyard this time. Was not impressed with Radisson but I know we're getting points to pay for our Courtyard stay so we're staying for FREE .. why not, right?


Here's a quick QOTD:

Which Disney Hero is your favourite (like the princes to the princesses.. you know?)...? and Why?

I think I like Prince Eric from Ariel the best.. he's so dreamy.. .. I kinda like Peter Pan too..

 

[NCjenn]

Yazee1, Thanks for taking the time to type out the good and bad points of the hotel. Not sure what to do...DH thinks the reservation is non-refundable. I'm going to call today and see about that. We'll make do if we have to. Just don't want to start the vacation out on a bad note, ya know?

Jennifer

 

[engo]

Hey DISers what a few weeks I have had here, two jobs with two wildy popular promos. Build A Bear $29.99 for any bear any outfit and any shoes and quiznos buy 1 sub get the 2nd for $1, I'm hovering around 70 hours a week and almost want to give up but know that cruise is so close, I'm looking forward to meeting so many of you!

CastMember 02

Hi CashMember 02,

For the Build a Bear promo, just wonder if they have any special bear or special outfit that are Disney specific. For example, do they have Mickey or Donald instead of "bear"? Thanks!

 

[Pennyb123]

Saw the doctor again today. He took stitches out of my belly button (not painful, but one of those "weird" feelings that you don't like... it made me sick later in the day) and got clearance for the pool!! I just have to put sunscreen on my scar so it doesn't darken. Funny... they say it can get sun even through a bathing suit! strange! WOW... 71 days! I am sooooo ready. Wait, I said that last time I posted! Well, It must be true!

 

[yazee1]

Yazee1, Thanks for taking the time to type out the good and bad points of the hotel. Not sure what to do...DH thinks the reservation is non-refundable. I'm going to call today and see about that. We'll make do if we have to. Just don't want to start the vacation out on a bad note, ya know?

Jennifer

If you can't get a refund, I wouldn't worry about starting out on a bad note. At this point, you are informed enough that, with your expectations lowered (due to the mixed reviews), you can only be pleasantly surprised. I am optimistic that if you have a positive attitude, you're probably going to have a positive experience. After all, this is a Radisson. They do have standards of service, cleanliness and comfort. Have you seen pictures of place?

I've read the mixed reviews too. As I posted, some of the complaints people have, I share, but even considering the fact that we had to wait longer than expected for the shuttle (on our second stay) and we ate probably the worst breakfast I ever paid for, I wouldn't say it ruined our stay.

 

[calmpets]

Is there a spot somewhere that lists all the Meet group activities planned for our sailing? I know there is an FE exchange, and I remember talk about Carlos and Charlies in Cancun, but is there anything else planned? I'd love to see a quick meet on embarkation day, even for just a little while in the Promenade Lounge. I think it would be great to meet everyone at the beginning of the cruise so we can recognize each other when we cross paths. Also, I've heard something about lime green tags for the Disboard people on my EBTA meet thread - is that something that's done often, or just for the unusual sailings?