October 22, 2005 Roll call

[SCDizneyDawn]

Kim, I also am flying out of Philly on Friday morning. Are you flying USAir? Is anyone going to be in Epcot on friday afternoon/evening? We are planning to visit the Food and Wine Fest after we arrive.

I also saw the NHC interview on CNN and am very hopeful for the slowing down (both in forward speed and wind speed!) I am thinking that there is almost no chance we will go western, just does not seem likely.

Well, gotta go get things accomplished,

see you guys real soon!

 

[JeffKiel]

5pm passed, no update from Disney

NOAA put out their update and we are back to still off shore in the Gulf at 2pm Sat, just off shore on the east coast at 2pm Sunday, putting landfall in the midnight Saturday night timeframe...plenty of time to get loaded and get outta dodge...

 

[MelissaE1]

Hey pdarrah,
It seems impossible to believe that even 100 miles out could get all that bad, but the fact is hurricane and tropical storm force winds can and do spread for hundreds of miles out from the eye on a storm of this size. We are about 200 miles from New Orleans and we got tropical storm force winds so bad here during Katrina that we could barely walk upright when outside. We walked down to the beach and the water was roiling. We usually have calm, lakelike water in the Sound here, and it was taking out docks and crashing over seawalls. We will have land between us and Wilma though, which will make a big difference and help the surge a lot. Plus it doesn't look like it will be that close anyway.

Ummm... when I went back and read this it sounded a little condescending, I didn't mean it that way. Just meant it is amazing to me how big these things can get. This one I hope stays relatively small with the winds!

 

[Kim&Chris]

Kim

what time is you your flight on Friday?

We're flying 6:45 am on Southwest.

 

[nbrannan]

oh my goodness! we are on the same flight! thought for sure you would be US Air. we are staying at the Wilderness lodge for the night. Looking better all the time for us to get out of there before the storm hits.

 

[soapydonutzs]

Hi everyone:

Ok this is what two people just told me. I called twice just to make sure one wasn't giving out bad information:

The top Executive's met today and were going over plans for the cruise leaving Saturday.

She told me they were not informed as of yet but everyone should be expecting phone calls within the next 24 hours.

The poor agent said they won't even tell us if we have to come into work on Saturday or not, she needed to prepare her family but they have not given them any direction either.

If anyone gets a call could you please post what they are saying.

Thank you
Sherry

 

[ReneeQ]

Is anyone concerned about leaving their car parked at the port? I mean I know we don't have much choice, just wondering your thoughts. We plan to drive to Port Canaveral on Fri, arriving midday, and are staying that night at the Hampton Inn. I'm hoping we can all get onboard and get out to sea in plenty of time on Sat.

But was thinking if this thing cross Florida about midway, what will be left of our cars while we're out to sea? Would hate to get back from a wonderful cruise to find a damaged car and no way to drive home. Not to mention worrying about the car for the whole cruise.

Any thoughts?

Also, how will Disney Cruise Lines reach the people who have already left? Once we leave Fri. morning they won't be able to reach us, either. Do we need to call and give them cell numbers?

 

[Kim&Chris]

oh my goodness! we are on the same flight! thought for sure you would be US Air. we are staying at the Wilderness lodge for the night. Looking better all the time for us to get out of there before the storm hits.

We're nearly neighbors, too! I work in Bensalem

 

[ThreeSmiths]

Hi everyone:

Ok this is what two people just told me. I called twice just to make sure one wasn't giving out bad information:

The top Executive's met today and were going over plans for the cruise leaving Saturday.

She told me they were not informed as of yet but everyone should be expecting phone calls within the next 24 hours.

Again, I wouldn't put too much stock into anything you hear from DCL reps at this point....last year we never received a phone call from DCL...it was up to us to call them to find out if we were cruising and which port we would be leaving from (since PC did not open until the morning we were scheduled to leave.) I didn't even get a call from our TA...I called her and she said that she had not been contacted by DCL either. We did not have a definite answer until the morning of our departure.

My advice, definitely call DCL and/or your TA and give them a cell phone number (or two) and the name of the hotel you're staying at the night before so that they can contact you if that's what they choose to do. Also, bring the DCL phone number with you so that you can check in with them if you are not contacted.

This is not at all to knock the DCL reps....I don't think they are trying to give out incaccurate info, but from my experience, they are given bits and pieces of info that is constantly changing. And from what we experienced last year, not everyone there is always on the same page. I didn't want to make it seem like I was flaming the DCL reps!

 

[hyandui]

Again, I wouldn't put too much stock into anything you hear from DCL reps at this point....last year we never received a phone call from DCL...it was up to us to call them to find out if we were cruising and which port we would be leaving from (since PC did not open until the morning we were scheduled to leave.) I didn't even get a call from our TA...I called her and she said that she had not been contacted by DCL either. We did not have a definite answer until the morning of our departure.

My advice, definitely call DCL and/or your TA and give them a cell phone number (or two) and the name of the hotel you're staying at the night before so that they can contact you if that's what they choose to do. Also, bring the DCL phone number with you so that you can check in with them if you are not contacted.

This is not at all to knock the DCL reps....I don't think they are trying to give out incaccurate info, but from my experience, they are given bits and pieces of info that is constantly changing. And from what we experienced last year, not everyone there is always on the same page. I didn't want to make it seem like I was flaming the DCL reps!

I just e-mailed DCL asking them to let all of us who will start traveling in the next 24 hours, its much better business to talk to your customer base even if it is just a little info then to not say anything. I listed my cell phone in the e-mail and will post any answer I receive.

 

[hyandui]

I just e-mailed DCL asking them to let all of us who will start traveling in the next 24 hours, its much better business to talk to your customer base even if it is just a little info then to not say anything. I listed my cell phone in the e-mail and will post any answer I receive.

Just received an answer to my question, its good to know their computer isn't asleep. Here it is.

Thank you for your inquiry and/or comments regarding Disney Cruise Line! Your email is very
important to us so we will be sure to reply as quickly as possible.

Have a Magical Day!
Disney Cruise Vacations

 

[American Scrapper]

We too went through all of this last year, as we sailed with Threesmiths family. DCL did not know or tell anything until late the day before. At that point we only knew that we would be doing a modified Eastern, still not sure of the islands we were going to or if we would spend all of our time on the ship. We received a letter at the time of check in with our tentative stops. The other thing we found out was that Disney would be sailing out of Port Canaveral (the previous cruise went out of Port Everglades) and I found that out from a Port Canaveral site before the Disney site was updated. The only one that will know for sure is the Captain and right now he is working on getting the other boat back safely. Last year the ship that was scheduled before us was cancelled and the one before that was docked in Texas until the Hurricane in Florida was gone and it was safe to return. Their cruise was extended to a 10 night.

Right now I am just keeping my fingers crossed (and everything else) that we sail out on Saturday.

Hope to see you all on Saturday!!! Go away Wilma!!

Kathy

 

[soapydonutzs]

Kathy:

Thanks for the update. We are from Burbank Illinois that is the South side of Chicago. I guess we will all wait and see what happens we are all in the same boat hahahaha....

Sherry

 

[American Scrapper]

Soapydonuts (Sherry), We are from Oak Forest...practically neighbors! When are you heading out? We are flying Airtran on Friday Morning (7:00am) through Midway.

Well, if we do get on the boat, I mean when (we will) I think I will have to have a Hurricane drink. It was gonna be a Bahama Mama, but I am hoping to be toasting to Wilma for dying down enough for us to get out of Port!!

People at work told me I was crazy for flying into Florida, straight for a Category 5 hurricane, but the way I look at it, I live it each and every day because my desk looks like a hurricane went through it! My theme song at work is Alan Jackson/Jimmy Buffett.....It's 5 O'clock somewhere!

kathy

 

[MNmousecouple]

Hello to everyone!
We have just finished packing and leave in...5 hours, should be in FL mid morning Friday. Wilma is going to change our cruise a bit but I don't see any reason to worry, We Shall Cruise is the way we are looking at it now. Looking foreward to seeing all of you soon.
Hope to check in one more time in the am. See you all soon

 

[American Scrapper]

Well it is looking more positive that we will be able to head out of port Saturday. Wilma has really slowed down and isn't expected to hit Florida now alittle bit later then scheduled. Sould give us plenty of time to high tail it out of there.

Still working on packing here! I swear I always say I am going to start early, but never do. I will probably be up all night tonight!

To all leaving out soon, have a safe trip and we will see you soon!

Kathy

 

[Skaught]

Eastern Carribean here we come!


Scott

 

[JeffKiel]

I agree with you, Scott. Cozumel is going to get whacked (hopefully Castaway Cay won't get too much rain), so I figure we are Eastern now. Landfall looks to be about noon on Sunday so boarding and leaving seems pretty safe.

 

[MelissaE1]

Still working on packing here! I swear I always say I am going to start early, but never do. I will probably be up all night tonight!

LOL Kathy,

I could have written that, you just beat me to it. Hey, we can sleep on the way down, right?

I spoke to Veronica at Cozumel Homes this morning, she sure is nice. I believe you said you didn't have any problem getting a refund last time? She said she would refund the money if we didn't show up, no problem. That made me feel better, although I'd hate to miss it. I'm sure it's even worse missing it the second time!

Well everyone, I am guessing we'll be able to leave with no problem. It's anyone's guess from there! I talked to DCL to give them my cell phone number and they do seem a little less friendly than usual. Apparently they are getting so many calls, and a lot of people want refunds, etc. I feel bad for them, although I do think that when you spend this much on a vacation with Disney they should at least be polite. The first lady I spoke with was quite snippy.

Well, back to packing!

 

[Mrs.Abuboo]

I was wondering about the refunds as well. When we pay for the events at Grand Caymen and Cozumel, are we charged even if we don't make it there? I guess I need to be looking at the Eastern side to see what there is to do there.

Having worked for Disney I can guarantee they are getting a lot of phone calls. People around my school have been asking if we get a refund since we're not doing what we want. I told them I didn't think so.

I guess it's going to be rainier than expected. Bring your raincoats everyone.