October 22, 2005 Roll call

[pdarrah]

Hi Everyone!

Here I go harping on DINING again!

I just noticed a thread over on the Cruise Line Forum about dining with "strangers". It is at http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=878537. Although many people have had good experiences, some have had real horror stories. There are a few mentions of joining up with other DISers for dining and someone was part of a large group of DISers at multiple tables.

This is mostly an issue for the smaller groups (probably 4 people or less) since those of you in large groups will be all seated together and they won't be adding anyone else to your table. Occasionally the 4's seem to get their own table, but not always. 3 or less seems to nearly always be put with others.

We are a group of 5 so I am not really worried about being seated with incompatible strangers - we just prefer to meet new friends.

So, once again if anyone is interested in linking dining (late seating) let me know and I'll try to take care of organizing it with DCL. If you want to go back to my original post on this, it is at: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=9271828&postcount=455 (on page 31).

pdarrah

 

[scrapperjill]

The only lounge/bar that we went to in the evening was Rock-n-bar D...but it gets real loud and real crowded....so I don't think it makes for a great meeting place....at least not to chat...to hang out and enjoy the entertainment sure...but not for talking. We mostly hung out around the pool (mickey area) on deck 9 with our friends and enjoyed drinks...then we'd make our way either to dinner or Rock-n-bar D....so I can't help with any other meet places.

 

[ThreeSmiths]

Hi Everyone!!! Welcome to our new friends!!!

I've been away for a little while, been reading, just not posting. Life is busy around here. School starts in 3 weeks and today is Kaylee's (DD) 8th Birthday!!! We've got grandparents, aunts and uncles coming in today and tomorrow for the weekend, so it's going to be a bit crazy.

An idea for the meet....what about the Promenade Lounge? We did not go there on our last cruise, but whenever we passed by it, there always appeared to be a lot of seating and a low-key atmosphere. Has anyone ever been there?

This weekend is tax-free weekend in North Carolina, so if I can find time Sunday we might go clothes shopping for the trip...you know, formal wear, swimsuits, etc.

MelissaE1: Welcome back! If you haven't seen it since you've been back, Scrapperjill started a Kids of the October 22, 2005 Magic thread that some of the kids have been posting on. Maybe your kids would like to read the posts or post themselves. It is a great way for the kids to "meet" before the cruise.

TTFN!!

Stacy

 

[scrapperjill]

Threesmiths....Happy birthday to Kaylee You know what...Today is Chrissy's birthday also (The neice my parents are taking along ). But today she's 7 today...not 8 That's to funny...I'll have to tell Sydney...that her good friend from the ship...and her cousin have the same birthday...she'll get a kick out of that.

The Promadade lounge could be a good place....I don't think we ever went in there either.....the sports bar area...Diversions??? could be another place...we did go in there just long enough to hear about the rebooking specials.

 

[MelissaE1]

Scrapperjill, the thought of my kids traveling without me scares me, too. So far they haven't done it, but I know it's coming. How great that she gets to do that though. I really can't believe that school started already here, it took me a while to get used to that, but my kids get out in the middle of May so I guess it works out. It's so hot here in August and September that the air conditioned school building is a good a place as any. What grade is your oldest in? My ds started middle school/6th grade this year... seems like he just started kindergarten yesterday.

Pdarrah, my dd6 is in first grade also, although she went to this school last year. She attends a charter school in the next county because our cutoff is Sept. 1st here and she is Sept. 28th so one of the oldest kids in her class. They rotate into ability groups for math and reading and I liked that since she had three years of (great) preschool due to her age and was already reading, etc. Can't believe your school doesn't do an orientation, I think it helps ease the kids' anxiety about a new year (and us parents, although I'd never admit that, lol.) Your cabin sounds wonderful, that is what I'd like to have at some point. Right now my mom/stepdad rent us a cottage close to theirs on a small lake in Michigan and my kids can't wait to get there every year to swim, fish, boat, jetski, play croquet and just hang out.

ThreeSmiths, happy birthday to your dd! And thanks for the tip on the kids board, it looks like there are several kids dd's age and one or two ds' age too. As far as the Promenade Lounge, if memory serves me (and it rarely does, lol) I think that's where we had our Dismeet and it worked out just fine. There weren't really any people hanging around in there. Some other groups have had success meeting on the "secret" deck 7 aft "verandah" -- you can find this info and pictures under "Secrets of DCL" on a certain person's site who is heading for something like their 45th Disney Cruise. (I think that site is taboo here for some reason although I see other similar sites mentioned frequently.) It's a pretty neat little area, and rarely has people hanging around, really kind of like a huge private verandah with a bunch of chairs and everything. If people want to meet outside I think that would be a nice spot also.

Well, I am off to bed as dd had me up most of the night last night -- she has some sort of virus or something with all the fun stuff... vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, chills, headache, etc. Poor kid... at least she's finally sleeping now. DH is on travel and ds is spending the night at a friend's house so it's just us. I hope she sleeps in!

 

[scrapperjill]

MelissaE1 ...hope your dd feels better soon. It's no fun feeling under the weather.

The "secret" deck 7 area would make for a nice meet. Anyone know how late you can be out there?

Anyone think of a dinner meet at Palo? I've hear of them happening but I wouldn't know how to set it up. Also don't know how many people it would accomadate.

 

[pdarrah]

I have never been to "Secret" deck 7 but from what I have read on the DIS here, they occasionally close it for no known reason. If we setup a meet there, we should probably have a backup location just in case....

I think deck 7, Promanade lounge or Diversions sounds great. I'm not sure about a Palo meet. I think it would be difficult to arrange and we would have to get people to commit upfront since I am sure that the $10 charge per person would still apply. Just sounds complicated to me! For all the other locations, folks can decide at the last moment if they want to come.

MelissaE1 - Unfortunately, we don't have charter schools around us (they do in the city of Chicago, but we are in the far western suburbs). I am crossing my fingers that things go well with the public school. If not, I can always look into private school - there are a LOT of those around here, but I just hate the idea that I've paid for the school in my property tax all these years and then not to use it!

Our cabin is in Northwest Wisconsin and was original built by my great-great-uncle about 100 years ago. It is a very deep-seated family tradition for us! It takes 7 to 8 hours driving to get there, but it is tons of fun. We are right on a lake (we would never be able to afford that if buying a cabin today!) and spend a lot of time swimming, boating, skiing, hiking, etc. when we are there.

ThreeSmiths - Cool! Tax Free Weekend?!?! Wow, I want one of those!

pdarrah

If you want to join us for dinner, just let me know pdarrah@sprynet.com. Post about this is here.

 

[American Scrapper]

Happy Birthday Kaylee!

We went to Diversions a couple of times. It could get pretty crowded in there on Sunday or Monday evenings with Football, but otherwise is pretty quiet from what I remember. The promanade deck would be fine too. I do know that they do some stuff with the kids club on the Secret Deck 7. Last year they had reading time a few night for my DDs group.

I am sure we will be able to decide somewhere before October.

I can't wait!!

Kathy

 

[Skaught]

Wow...I just tried to register for Palo. I reserved the dinner I wanted, but there was no brunch listed. Did it fill up already? Today was the first day for us newbies to register.

Scott

 

[scrapperjill]

I know...I tryed to book my parents and our friends at Palo close to the same time we have or reservations...but was only able to book our friends for lunch (BUT this time I did put them down for "4" people instead of just 2 ) then I was able to book both my parents and our two friends on the same night at the same time...but not on the same night were booked. ...Booked them for the VERY LAST night....Friday around 7pm...I hope at this point theres nothing else scheduled at that time.

 

[MelissaE1]

Wow...I just tried to register for Palo. I reserved the dinner I wanted, but there was no brunch listed. Did it fill up already? Today was the first day for us newbies to register.

Scott

Don't worry... Disney reserves spots for people who don't (or can't) book online, and from what I've read so far no one on the 7 nighters seems to have had much trouble booking something that would work for them when they got on the ship. Just try booking right after boarding and chances are you'll be able to get something. Also, they often have cancellations because people book around an "unknown" schedule quite often and then want or need to do something else.

My travel agency doesn't even post final payments until about 65 days out, so I can't register for Palo at all yet, but they'll have to try to keep me out, even if I have to sneak in a la "I Love Lucy" dressed as a cast member or something. Lol.

 

[scrapperjill]

Ohhh...I wouldn't be happy with my TA if they didn't post my payments as I made them...What's the point in holding them?

When I went to book my parents Palo reservations.... I got a notice that said they(my parents) were either not paid off or DCL didn't have all the birthday information that they needed...All of which had been given to the TA and taken care of 100% for a couple weeks....So when I came across this at 12:15am on their 75th day...I was NOT a happy camper...or should I say not a happy cruiser...and I promptly e-mailed and phoned (Yes at 12:30am) our TA and let her know. Needless to say by the next morning I was able to finish their Palo reservaions (Not when I was wanting...time or dates...but it's done none the less)...but anyway I still haven't heard from the TA...and in the voice mail and Email I sent her I did ask her to notify either myself or my mom on the matter....and yes I've talked to my mom...and no the TA didn't call her either. But anyway...I wouln't be happy if the TA held the payment....I don't see any reason for it....but that's JMO

 

[MelissaE1]

Ohhh...I wouldn't be happy with my TA if they didn't post my payments as I made them...What's the point in holding them?

Actually, I booked through AllSeasTravel and I guess it's just SOP for them, however, the TA did call me back after I made final payment and ask if that was OK as he could go ahead and post them if I needed him to. I would have been doing the same thing as you did except I had already decided to just book onboard... I just have a feeling that this far along that's going to work better for me. Hope I'm not wrong!

 

[scrapperjill]

Oh...I guess if you knew ahead of time that does make a diffrence.

 

[Skaught]

They earn interest on the money they hold, so I can see why they'd do it if they can get away with it.

Scott

 

[MelissaE1]

It's actually kind of funny that I'm not freaking out about the Palo thing and the other stuff you can register online for. Usually I'm all over that kind of stuff. I guess I just have a gut feeling that trying on the ship will work for me. As far as excursions, I'll probably go outside Disney for those anyway. And I don't want to pre-register my kids for the clubs because I'm going to do my best to get DD moved up to the lab even though she'll just be a month past seven. She's used to hanging out with older kids because DS's friends are usually over, she's just kind of "old" for her age and I think she'll enjoy the activities in the lab more. Another big plus is she'll be in there with her brother some of the time, which will help him more than her... she's happy with whatever crowd she's in but he's much slower to warm up. Last time she hung out in the club all the time and he would only go to the lab during the free time when he could play the large PS2. Moving her up is my big worry for this cruise, although if they say no I guess I'll just have to deal with it. Things have a way of working themselves out.

 

[MelissaE1]

OK everyone, just thought I'd ask a fun question to get this thread moving a little.

I noticed many people here have cruised Disney before, so here's goes:

Besides Palo (and I'll never think of lasagna in the same way again, believe me), what was your most memorable dining experience on board? (could be a favorite dish, a great server, wonderful company, a fond moment...)


For me one of the things that stands out the most was when my son mentioned that he liked adobo, a dish that my Phillipina neighbor used to fix for him. Lo and behold, the next night a special dish was placed in front of him. It contained some of the best adobo we've ever eaten. Apparently many of the crew are from the Phillipines and they brought it up from the crew mess for him. That was a magical moment for us... I mean where else but Disney?

 

[scrapperjill]

MelissaE1...I have a dd that is 7 Actually she just turned 7 in May. Were also cruising with her cousin that just turned 7 last week...and a neighbor/friend that is 6. Then were meeting up with fellow cruisers from our last cruise that have another daughter that will be in the club..and one that is old enough to be in the lab. I had thought of trying to bump our dd up to the lab to be with her cruise buddy....but she had so much fun in the club last year...I don' think i'm going to even try. Plus after seeing what our other dd did last year (She was in the Lab)...She just didn't care for the activites they had planned...I don't know why...so she ended up roaming the ship with other girls she met onboard. Anyway...just wanted to let you know we have a big group of club age girls going on the cruise...so if you don't get her in the lab there will be plenty of girls her age to play with.

As for dinnin memories..besides Palo. I have a couple....first the meal I had our first night at AP was WONDERFUL...I don't remember exactly what it was besides some sort of steak...but it was cooked perfectly. I wasn't to happy about our table seating that night though...we were stuffed (really stuffed) in the emergency exit....really MY chair was back in the door way. I could hardly see a thing durring the whole color change thing. The second would be at PC on formal night. To make a long story as short as I can....our dd 11 had been eye-balling a minnie mouse watch at Treasure Catch all week long....and at dinner this night...dh orders escargo (SP??) (we went on the cruise and decided it would be prime time to try new things...to jump out of our comfort zone and experence some new dishes....and we encouraged the girls to do the same). So when dh appitizer arrives he asks Alexis (dd11) if she would like to try one. We'll they looked wonderful and smelled just as good...she wasn't sure if she would or not...so dh offers to buy her the minnie mouse watch if she'll try just one. So she goes for it. All was going just fine...dd had it in her mouth...starting to chew and swallow...when out of now where one of the photographers walks up and says "Can I take a photo?"...then looks at dd and says..."Oh....your eating a snail". Woops...WRONG thing to say as she's trying to get it down...I don't know how she did it...but down it went. But it was CLOSE...once the photographer said "snail" it was SO close to being out all over dd's formal gown...not to mention me also.

 

[ThreeSmiths]

Okay, I'll give my two cents on the dining experience:

Our last cruise we were seated at an 8-seat table with one other couple, so there were only five of us at the table. Our tablemates were from England and we always had great dinner conversation with them. Such great folks! My favorite memory though was the night that Kaylee (DD), exhausted from playing so hard all day long, fell asleep at dinner. We pushed the three empty chairs together to make her a "bed". Our server brought over a clean tablecloth and covered Kaylee up, tucked her in, and placed another folded tablecloth under her head as a pillow. Of course I did not have my camera with me (lesson learned!) but I can picture it like it was yesterday!

My friend just got back from her Carnival cruise and I was so envious looking at her photos! She was on the Carnival Celebration, and let me tell you, the Magic makes the Celebration look like a shack!!! I've never been on another cruise line, so I really don't have anything to compare it to other than her photos. Then again she only paid $400.00 for a 4 night cruise...definitely a case of "you get what you pay for".

Stacy

 

[MelissaE1]

just wanted to let you know we have a big group of club age girls going on the cruise...so if you don't get her in the lab there will be plenty of girls her age to play with.

That does make me feel better... last time she made friends with a little girl her age from the board here precruise and they would send little pictures they drew and notes back and forth via snail mail, so she felt like she knew someone. Really I'm worried for my 11 yo though... he's the one who needs to know someone in advance. Maybe I can get him in touch with someone his age beforehand too. My dd loves everyone and never met a stranger... ds is just more of a "sit back and observe first" type personality.

dd had it in her mouth...starting to chew and swallow...when out of now where one of the photographers walks up and says "Can I take a photo?"...then looks at dd and says..."Oh....your eating a snail". Woops...WRONG thing to say

OMG, this is so funny (in retrospect at least ) -- my kids are not too keen on trying anything new and I can only imagine what would happen if they found out they were eating snail! Once my dh, in disgust, told my ds (he was about 6 or 7) that he needed to try a bite of some vegetable or go to bed right then, and ds just got his jammies on and got in bed. He's getting a tiny bit better as he gets older, but it's a slow process. Of course his sister, who would eat anything as a baby and toddler, has learned suspicion from him. Oy!

We pushed the three empty chairs together to make her a "bed". Our server brought over a clean tablecloth and covered Kaylee up, tucked her in, and placed another folded tablecloth under her head as a pillow.

Oh, that is so sweet! Those are the magical things that you remember. DS fell asleep in AP on our last cruise right at the table, but he had to be content to rest on Dad's shoulder.