October 22, 2005 Roll call

[pdarrah]

Cool Skaught! Looks like an upgrade to me

I don't think we have much chance at one - we have connecting Cat 6 (we didn't really care if they were connecting, but that was what was available) so I assume they would only upgrade us if they had connecting rooms and that isn't very likely!

I've started scanning the Navigators. They are at the website on the "Useful Stuff" page. The link is right above the heading for "Our Meets". I just uploaded the first 2 days. I'll get more up there as I get them finished. The quality isn't fantastic, but they are readable. I do not have the Kid navigators or menus.

pdarrah

 

[JeffKiel]

I guess they assigned rooms last night, because we have one as well: 5642. Looks like aft with a solid wall on the verandah...no upgrade, but works for me.

pdarrah, could you update your site? Thanks!

 

[Timon]

Wow, they must have assigned all cabins yesterday because there's nothing left!

Here's what was left for 2 adults:
CAT 4 -3 cabins
CAT 5 -1 cabin
CAT 6 GTY
CAT 10 -1 cabin

So much for any upgrades at port!


pdarrah,
Thanks for scanning the Navigators, that's a LOT of work! It will be so nice to finally look at OUR navigators after we check in at the port!!!

We leave in 18 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[scrapperjill]

With all the talk about upgrades and room assignments..I had to check our Didn't look like any upgrades for us...but that's okay...we booked what we really wanted. But it did look like my parents have a diffrent room number Not an upgrade...just one room over...which is kind of disapointing..because we booked connecting rooms....so NOW were not connecting any more. I can't figure out why they'd do something like that. We have 7004...my parents HAD 7006 but now have 7008!!! So it looks like we now have a connecting room with someone else... .

The strange thing about it is.....I looked back over our paperwork and everything up until we added our neice on said my parents had 7006...but AFTER we added her it said they have 7008...so it's not something that JUST happened...It just happens that we JUST noticed. So I'm wondering if it's something our TA did when she added our neice to the room. As you can tell I DON'T have alot of faith in our TA and her ablitys...but I think I've mentioned that before . Myself I think it's something she (TA) should have noticed and mentioned to us when she added her.

I wonder if there is ANYTHING that can be done about it at this point.?

Well...congragts to those upgrades That's some good news.

 

[pdarrah]

DIS Meet Ideas

It is hard to discuss & reach an agreement on something on a board like this, but I thought I'd take a stab at trying to organized the discussion a bit. I have listed below some of the ideas that have been proposed for DIS meets. When possible, I have tried to add some detail on time/place to give us a starting point. The idea is to reply to this message and comment on the different options. Saying you like an idea does not commit you to attend! It's just to get an idea what we want to plan. I've given each idea a letter so if you want to just post somethiing like "I like A, B & D, but I don't think C would work" that is fine.

A. Pirate Party Meet - 9:45pm on Wednesday - any thoughts on a good location if we do this one? You can see a lot from Deck 10, but if you want to be involved with the dancing and stuff you need to be on Deck 9.

B. Another Afternoon Swim at the Mickey Pool - This would be a repeat of our already scheduled meet. I would suggest around 4:00pm on either Sunday (Key West) or Monday or Thursday (Days at Sea) since the pool area gets a little less crazy in the late afternoon. If the Kid's farewell show has been moved to Thursday, then this wouldn't work since the "rehearsal" is probably around 3:30 or 4:00 (we don't have any kid navigators to check this.)

C. A "grownups" meet at one of the lounges. Reading about the lounges, I would suggest Promenade or Sessions since both seem to have quiet entertainment. I'm not sure if there is anything other than sports on TV's at Diversions. (I didn't make it to a single lounge last year, so input with from others would be good here!) Since most of us have late seating, we probably wouldn't be able to make this any earler that 10:00pm. Promenade seems to be non-smoking which might be a plus. Nearly any day except Wednesday should work for this.

D. Evening on Deck 9. Whether or not there is a band up there seems to be hit or miss. Since most of us have late seating, we probably wouldn't be able to make this any earler that 10:00pm. It looks like the Mickey pool is usually closed by this time, but Goofy's pool is often still open. If the pool isn't available, kids can still run around and eat ice cream from scoops (assuming they aren't in the clubs!). Nearly any day except Wednesday should work for this.

E. Beach Meet at Castaway Cay. If the Kid's farewell show has been moved to a different day (Thursday?), then maybe we could meet at the family beach around 2:30 or 3:00 in the afternoon for the last hour or two of the day there.

Of course, if anyone else has a different idea or would like to suggest changes to any of these, please post. None of this is set in stone. Also, I don't think we should try to do ALL of these - it would just be too much scheduling in a very busy week. OK - let the ideas pour on in!

pdarrah

 

[scrapperjill]

Ohhh...I'm so MAD...Just got off the phone with our TA...to work on this ordeal with the room numbers and so far she has found out...

Last year when we booked the rooms (onboard our first cruise) Donna the coordinatior took our credit card info for the deposit...but for some reason only used it for our deposit..and NOT for my parents deposit. Which she knew we were booking the cruise for them as a anniversary gift. So why she didn't use our cc for the deposit is beyond me. Anyway since she didn't use the cc for the deposit...and we had NO idea this even happened until our local TA got a notice that my parents booking was going to be cancled due to no deposit. Well...once we got word of this we got right on it and gave them the cc # again and put the deposit down. Thought that was the end of it...BUT come to find out that because the deposit was not made at time of booking their room was not held...so when their deposit was made (after we found out what was happening) they booked them in a room close by . Now it's been well over a year since we booked this cruise and the WHOLE time we all have thought we had connecting rooms ..but come to find out this WHOLE time we haven't!!! Now disney say's they can't do ANYTHING about it...UNLESS WE want to pay for an upgrade

And of course our TA said she's doing what she can...but so far all i've got from her is "Disney said they can't do anything about it." Myself I can't see why someone would WANT and request a room that is connecting if they don't know the people on the other side. And when the room RIGHT next door is open...and NOT connecting.

It's not that having the ONE room between us is really any big deal...it's just that the WHOLE year we've all thought we were connecting (one of the BIG reasons we were able to invite our 12yo neice)...I think what makes me the most upset about this whole thing is that our TA knew my parents didn't get booked in the same room we had initally booked them in...and she didn't bother to let us know.

I just got off the phone with her again...(the TA) she kept saying over and over "I didn't know what room you had/have"...and "Your parents were rebooked after the CC was used in 7012...but then I had them change it to be closer to you....and they changed them to 7008...which is only one room away from yours"...then when on to say "I didn't ever know what rooms you had booked"...Well I finally called BULL on her and said she should have at least told us...and that she her self just told me a few times that she did know what room we had booked because she had my parents moved from 7012 to 7008 to be closer to us. Oh....she didn't like that...and quickly said "Well your parents are in 7008, Disney isn't going to do any thing about it and that's that"...then HUNG up on me

So I think I'm more mad at our TA for simply not telling us a year ago our rooms were changed.

After I calm myself down..I'll come back and voice my opions on the dis meets.

 

[MelissaE1]

pdarrah: Wow, it's so cool to have the navigators! Thanks!

As far as DIS meets go, I don't feel too qualified to offer valuable input as it's been a while and I only attended one last time, which was on boarding day. Also we are not great "planners" while on vacation, we tend to shift on the fly. (Pretty funny since I am such a "pre-planner" huh?)

My favorite idea is "B" because my kid are always up for a swim and it's nice to hang out on deck. Any of the days suggested would work fine as far as I'm concerned.

"A" would work out as well, but I'm not sure where would be a good place to meet.

"C" might be hard since my kids are not predictable about going in the clubs and last time my ds wanted to hang out with us all the time. (Although I do love "grownup time!)

"D" is OK but as far as deck/pool meets go I like "B" better. And Castaway Cay would work fine if the farewell show is indeed on another night.

Thanks again for all the effort!

Scrapperjill: Wow, I would be steamed at my TA if that happened!! I wish there was something I could suggest to make it right, but if you already talked to your TA and DCL I don't know what it would be, unless you try to go up the ladder (especially at the TA's office). I am just sorry that happened to you.

 

[hyandui]

Scrapperjill, What room number do you have? We have 7009 but i don't know if that's a connecting room.

 

[scrapperjill]

Hyandui....we have room 7004...my parents HAD 7006 but now they have 7008...So it looks to be REAL close to you

I am thinking this whole thing dose call for a chat or phone call to someone higher up at the TA office....only thing is it's a SMALL travel agency...and she has been there forever so I'm not sure who of if there is anyone higher up than her.

OH!!! And get this. After I called my mom to tell her the news and what little I found out..she decided to run on over to the TA's office (my mom's bussiness is just down the street from the TA's)...So anyway she stopped by the TA's just in time to here the TA totally going off about me and our phone call Then...get this...My mom spoke up and said..."oh yea...I'm the MOM!!"..all the TA could say was "Ahh did you hear all that?" My mom responded..."Yep "

Anyways...while my mom was at the TA's office she had her call Disney again...and this time talked with Disney herself. They said they're real sorry for the mix up...but it isn't their fault...it's the TA's for the lack of communication to us....but they would see what if anything they could do. So she's (DCL) is suppose to looking into it and getting back in touch with our TA next Tuesday or Wednesday. I guess we'll have to wait until then to hear anything.

But like I said...It's not really that we are not in connecting rooms..it's that we were NEVER told.

 

[American Scrapper]

Sandi (Scrapperjill) - I would be soo mad at the TA too. I am glad that your mom walked in while she was complaining. I am sure it really put her down a few levels! I hope that Disney will be able to do something for you.

Pdarrah, I cannot decide which would work best. Maybe one of the day at sea days might be good. We seemed to often be running to the lounge at night to go see the 70's 0r 80's nights or the comedian, so it is hard to say. Those were pretty fun, but you really cannot talk much while there. I know one day we all decided to meet at the adult pool for awhile when the kids were in the clubs, but that didn't work too well. Although it was a last minute decision and people were running doing other things.

I'll think about it some more.

Kathy

 

[hyandui]

Scrapperjill, Hope things work out, if our room would have been in between you and your in laws, we would switch to get them next to you. Good Luck

 

[SuzPasq]

SuzPasq - Sorry you won't be joining us! I am sure you will have fun either way! Hey, and maybe you can jump on the boards while on board and give us a sneak peak at the changes that they made ! Yes, we are all over obsessed and need to know what everything looks like before we get there! Especially the Movie Screen on deck 9.

Pdarrah, everything sounds good so far! It sure would be nice not to have to run around after Castaway Cay to get to the kids show

Kathy

Will do Kathy!

 

[lilmamadee]

We were assigned our room yesterday too. We booked a category 6 GTY and ended up with cabin #8000. We're thrilled because it's a category 4. I don't know if this counts as an upgrade, since it was a guarantee, but I'm just pleased as can be!
I think I might start packing this weekend. It's starting to feel like it's getting close.

 

[ReneeQ]

Hi All!

Haven't been on here in over a week. Welcome to everyone new! We also booked with DVC points and still no documents.

Scrapperjill - I'm so sorry for all the problems you're having! Don't let it ruin your trip. I hope it all works out.

Pdarrah - As far as meets, you're right, it's going to be tough to organize and get agreement in this type of forum. Why don't those of you that cruised together before just get together and decide a few meets that work for you all. Then post them here and on your website and just invite everyone to attend as many as they can. It will be less stressful for you.

We're not dressing up for Pirate Night, as my husband isn't the cosume type. We have Palo's reservations for that night.

Must run, have a wedding to get ready for! See you all soon!

-Renee

 

[ThreeSmiths]

Hi all!

Scrapperjill - I, too, would be FUMED if I were you. And the fact that she was complaining about you in front of a client (whether it was your mom or not) is SO unprofessional! I would be finding out who the owner of the travel agency is and speaking with them directly. Not only did she not communicate (or approve) the changes with you, but she was badmouthing you in front of another customer. I think that definitely deserves some compensation, especially since you are a RETURN customer!!!! Ooooh, now I'm all fired up! I'm sorry for your frustration and hope that you get justice.

I checked our room assignment on DCL and we are still assigned to the same room, which I'm happy about, because I really wanted that location. Congratulations to everyone who got an upgrade!

My thoughts on another meet:

I definitely like the idea of the pirate night party. We will not be dressing up, but will definitely be partying! The main issue with this would be finding a good place to meet, as I'm sure it will be pretty crowded.

I also like the idea of one of the lounges (Prommenade or Sessions) and then move on after that to one of the clubs after.

I am also in favor of meeting on deck 9 one night....not crowded, kids are okay to be there, casual.

Well, gotta clean the house

 

[Timon]

scrapperjill,
I also would be very upset! I hope everything works out for you!!

As for the meets, The Pirate meet sounds great but this will be our first Pirate Night so I don't know where and I don't know how feasible it would be as many people say that it gets crowded.

As for the other meets, I think it's hard for people to commit to a meet when they themselves aren't even sure what they will be doing. They all sound like good plans and I could say yes to all of them but then when we get the Navigators and there is something scheduled for that time that we really want to attend, then we won't make it. It's hard to say.

I think what you should do (like another poster mentioned) is get together with the other 3 families (it's 3 right?) that you sailed with before since you already know that you all get along and decide your meets and then post them here and if people can make it, then they all know where you will be, and if not, you guys will all have a great time regardless!

Another great thing about the cruise is that we WILL run into each other. Especially those with the same dining times.

So I guess the important meet is the first one, which is a time that everyone can make it since most services on the ship are shut down anyway, so once we meet, then we will be able to recognize everyone for the rest of the cruise.

This is what we did for our last cruise, we had one big meeting at the Sailaway (bad timing but it was still fun) and then we'd run into each other all over the ship and either sit together for the show everynight or just chat for a bit before going our own ways. It was great!

I do think it would be great to get together at Pirate Night maybe and get a DIS group photo! Now that would be cool! I can't wait to see all the kids dressed up as pirates!!!

 

[Skaught]

If anyone sees a guy in a black kilt on pirate night, that'll most likely be me!

Scott

 

[UKANGEL]

wow its getting sooo close!
can't wait...just 4 weeks from now we'll be on that ship!

Hope you all get your rooms sorted, those that have problems.


Might have to do a bit of packing soon so it'll seem even closer

 

[scrapperjill]

I'm just not having any luck with the boards lately. I tryed and tryed to get back last nigth with my meet thoughts...but the boards were down ...then just now I was just about done with a super long post on each of the meet ideas..when my thumb hit the back button...and I lost the whole thing.

Anyway...I'll give a shorter versions of what I was saying..

A. Pirate night: Super idea. It would be fun to see eveyone dressed up...and I LOVE the idea of the photo op. Biggest problem..would be where. I'm not sure where they do the pirate party...ours was held in the atrium due to rain...But I think outside on deck 10 above where ever they do it (i'm guessing near the goofy pool)...but anyway deck 10 would probably be less crowded...maybe a little less crazy and loud...and could be a great place to view the fireworks if they do them. But then again...deck 9 is somewhat inclosed and could be nice if it's to windy.
Either way...I think pirate night would be fun.

B. Mickey Pool...great idea...and great place. After all we all know those of us with little ones will be spending time here anyways. But I think maybe saying a 3pm time would be better...just because it would be less times to remember. Were meeting at 3pm on day one at the same place...so remembering 3pm at the Mickey pool may be easer to remember than a diffrent time. I also think maybe it if we just had a daily meet at 3pm could be good. That way if your not able to make it one day (or if you forget)..then you can try again the next day.

C. Grown-up night: Love this idea. And I think if we picked a place and time...then move the group to one of the clubs it could be fun. I also want to say that not to long ago I was reading on the boards that most of the clubs are now non-smoking. I'm hoping that that's still the case.

D. Deck 9....I think putting meet idea C & D together...would/could work out best. That way we could start some place like...Promenade or Sessions then move out to the decks or to a club.

E. Castaway...could be a fun afternoon...and could be the last time we bump into one another. But I do think people may loose track of time on Castaway...and forget to show up...or just make the last few min of the day.

I also wanted to say....that even if we have a whole list of dis meets...it doesn't mean you have to show-up to any or all of them. I know all to well how many things there are to do onboard..and how easy it is to forget about a meeting. In other words...I think having quite a few planned meets could be good...that way it'll give most eveyone a chance to make it to one or two of them.

I think last year the ONLY dis meet that we remember to go to (on time) was the first one we had on day one. The others I'd remember later that night...or even the next day.

 

[pdarrah]

Hi Everyone - thanks for taking the time to comment on the meet ideas!

Just a note - I didn't sail with the group from last year. I believe they were on a sailing in September and I was on the Oct 22nd cruise last year.

It looks like a Pirate Night meet would be popular. I would suggest that we meet on Deck 10. Last year, we were still docked at Cozumel for the deck party and I suspect we will be this year as well - so it shouldn't be too windy up there. The advantage of deck 10 is that it is a little less crowded and crazy, since the dancing and band are on deck 9. If we meet toward the end of the stage (overlooking the whirlpools), there is a stairway down near there so those that want to head down and dance can get back and forth. Those who prefer to watch, should have a good view. They didnt have the fireworks yet last year, so I don't know for sure where the best view is - but I would think that deck 10 would be better since there is less to obstruct your view from up there.

The party starts at 9:45pm. Although that is a bit of a rush with late seating dinner, it would probably be best to rush a little and try and meet around then. The band had started by then last year and the "show" with the characters started closer to 10pm. If we can get most of us there right away, that would probably be the best chance at getting a group photo.

I added a star to a deck plan (I used deck 9 so you can see the goofy pool and such - the deck 10 plan is pretty bare and harder to figure out where you are. Just remember the star is on DECK 10!

Does this sound workable? If it looks OK, then I'll add the info to the website along with our other meet.

Mickey Pool Meet(s)
I kind of like the idea of the dialy 3:00pm Mickey Pool Meet - although I definitely wouldn't be able to make it every time. (I know I have Tea on Thursday at 3:00pm and I probably won't be back to the ship yet on Wednesday.) It probably doesn't make sense to have it on Friday since we'll all either be at Castaway Cay still or tired of being in the sun! One option would be to have a 3:00 "meet" at Cataway Cay in place of the Mickey Pool meet on Friday. Anybody else like the idea of a "daily" meet at the Mickey Pool or should we pick a single day? If you vote for a single day, please suggest a day (Sunday or Monday or Thursday are probably good choices)

Grown-up Lounge Meet
The suggestion of meeting at Promenade or Session and then moving on to a club or Deck 9 sounds good (although it would make it difficult for late comers to find us) What night should this be? Clearly not Wednesday since that is Pirate Night. Any suggestions?

pdarrah