October 7, 2012 - California Dreamin' Coastal Cruise

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

Dis name: Not sure what this is
Names of travelling (ages of kids too): Pat & Erica (Dad & Mom), Rob & Joan (Grandpa & Grandma) , Curtis (6) Casey (3)
Cabin Number:6136 & 6138
Early/Late dining: Early
FE? (Yes/No) Yes for the room with the kids (not sure which one that is right now
Secret Mickey Interest? YESSS! My boys are so excited about this!!!!
(We will starting collecting final SM RSVP closer to the cruise)
Celebrating: the boys birthday's

We are so excited!!!

Got you updated!

We just got off the MR 1/29 with my dh, 5 of our kids, my dad, mil,fil and sil- first cruise for all of us, and had a blast! We booked again for 2/1/2013, but that feels sooooo far away. DH said he would book us a weekend at the spa in Anchorage this spring, to which I replied " for a little more money, we could do the Wonder this fall." Being Alaskans we usually try to head for thesun when we leave, but we are actually very excited to have some time to explore the ship and do grown things, which we couldn't last time, having so much family with us. Sooo, I've been told to call in the morning and make it offical! 8 months is so much better than 12!

Welcome!!!

Hello Everyone!!

I just booked this cruise for our family!! The hubby & I are soo very excited!! This will be our second cruise, our first was Oct 2011 Mexican Riviera on the Wonder and we just loved it so much we had to book another voyage on her before they take her away from LA!

As of right now, this trip is a surprise for our 10 yr old son...altho, I read thru the previous posts and I REALLY like the idea of making it a birthday present for his upcoming birthday in June. That was the cutest idea I've ever heard of, making a puzzle out of it!! I may just have to borrow that idea if you wouldn't mind?

We had the time of our lives on the first cruise, so all of you first time cruisers are in for a HUGE TREAT!! It is absolutely incredible!! I have a feeling it's going to become a tradition for our family!! Well, if I have anything to say about it it will!!

As far as port adventures, we have a little one traveling with us...our baby girl will be 31 mos at cruise time, so we will be doing kid friendly excursions. If you go directly to The Aquarium of the Bay's website, they offer a GREAT DEAL on a three attraction pass that gets you into the aquarium, Ripley's, and the wax museum!! Here's the link if ya wanna check it out! http://www.aquariumofthebay.org/products/detail/420 That will be what we are doing as well as this http://sanfrancisco.ridetheducks.com/home.aspx which I hear is a load of fun!!

We live in So Cal, have annual passes to Disneyland, and go as often as is possible...MUCH too often in the eyes of some people! I say, you can never have too much Disney in your life!!

I can't wait to meet everyone onboard!!

Welcome! We sailed In October as well. The ducks is a blast! We went a couple of years ago. You might also want to check out City Pass San Francisco - they have some great deals too.

 

[ChipperMerlin]

Got you updated!



Welcome!!!



Welcome! We sailed In October as well. The ducks is a blast! We went a couple of years ago. You might also want to check out City Pass San Francisco - they have some great deals too.

Hi, Des,
Please update us - new stateroom number is 5510.

As to our time in San Francisco - I've threatened to hop on the train and go home to check the mail, plants, neighbors, etc. That's what happens when you live about 42 miles from where the ship will be. I'm actually hoping for a wine country tour.

Also, how do you change your signature? This inquiring mind can't figure it out on her own. I haven't been on the boards much since the Panama Canal cruise.

 

[HoppingMad]

Hello Everyone!

Thought I would introduce myself here - we're so looking forward to this cruise, which will be our second Disney cruise (our first was the MR in April 2011)

Travelling will be myself (Penny) my husband James our daughters Lily and Charlotte and my parents.

We are on deck 8.

Really looking forward to seeing some of the Pacific Coast (travelling from Melbourne Australia)

 

[HoppingMad]

Also, how do you change your signature? This inquiring mind can't figure it out on her own. I haven't been on the boards much since the Panama Canal cruise.

To change your signature, click on the "Quick Links" tab just under the "Welcome (username)" field. There will be some drop downs to select from, edit signature is under User Control panel



Penny

 

[ChipperMerlin]

To change your signature, click on the "Quick Links" tab just under the "Welcome (username)" field. There will be some drop downs to select from, edit signature is under User Control panel



Penny

Thanks, Penny, I was able to edit my signature and add our last Disney cruise.

 

[alaskanabbott]

OK, it's official, we booked today! You can add us to the list, Mike and Amber, sailing w/o kids We're going on the cheap (if there is such a thing with DCL?) since we are doing a big family cruise just 4 months after this one. We are 11c GTY- I would LOVE some pixie dust on the catagory, but I am so excited to do the trip alone with DH, I don't care if they stick us in steerage I'm going to do all the shows, Art of Entertaining, sit in those awesome lounge chairs at the adult pool, Quiet Cove Cafe, breakfast in a dining room (and maybe in bed)- all the things I couldn't do with 5 kids in tow.

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

OK, it's official, we booked today! You can add us to the list, Mike and Amber, sailing w/o kids We're going on the cheap (if there is such a thing with DCL?) since we are doing a big family cruise just 4 months after this one. We are 11c GTY- I would LOVE some pixie dust on the catagory, but I am so excited to do the trip alone with DH, I don't care if they stick us in steerage I'm going to do all the shows, Art of Entertaining, sit in those awesome lounge chairs at the adult pool, Quiet Cove Cafe, breakfast in a dining room (and maybe in bed)- all the things I couldn't do with 5 kids in tow.

Welcome!

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

Thanks, Penny, I was able to edit my signature and add our last Disney cruise.

Sorry..I was just catching up on the thread but I see you got your answer

 

[gbhq99]

Where can I get the cute logo that people have for the cruise? I cannot wait to start with the door magnets.

Erica

 

[kalaheogirl]

I was wondering -looking at booking flights.... and I am not familiar with the disney dis-embarking method. Looking at booking a 10:30 flight out of LAX. Do they allow you to take off your own luggage? We have never had a problem getting off a boat in time, but thought I would ask? Thank you!

 

[anthonysmama]

I was wondering -looking at booking flights.... and I am not familiar with the disney dis-embarking method. Looking at booking a 10:30 flight out of LAX. Do they allow you to take off your own luggage? We have never had a problem getting off a boat in time, but thought I would ask? Thank you!

It is my understanding that you may carry your own baggage off the ship if you would like/need to. All the more reason to pack light huh?

 

[Goofy559]

I was wondering -looking at booking flights.... and I am not familiar with the disney dis-embarking method. Looking at booking a 10:30 flight out of LAX. Do they allow you to take off your own luggage? We have never had a problem getting off a boat in time, but thought I would ask? Thank you!

There have been many threads on this recently on the main board. General comment has been that this is too early. What is the earliest flight dcl recommend?

 

[alaskanabbott]

We got off the Wonder in February. I don't think we were cleared to disembark until 8:30am...and then you go through customs, etc. If flying out of LAX there is the drive time, plus TSA. I can't imagine you could do a 10:30am flight out.
On a brighter note, I just checked the DCL site and our cabin we booked Monday is going up in price. Looks like this may be a popular cruise

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

I was wondering -looking at booking flights.... and I am not familiar with the disney dis-embarking method. Looking at booking a 10:30 flight out of LAX. Do they allow you to take off your own luggage? We have never had a problem getting off a boat in time, but thought I would ask? Thank you!

You may carry off your own luggage but you should not book any flight that leaves before 12 noon. You will most likely not be able to make a 10:30 flight out of LAX. If we are lucky, you will be able to disembark the ship at 8 and by the time you clear customs and be on your way, it will most likely be 9ish.

DCL suggests noon at the earliest. LAX is a crazy busy airport.

 

[kalaheogirl]

ok, thanks for the input... i thought i remembered getting off our last cruise at like 7 -7:30 am - we walked off the Mariner w. our luggage and it hardly took any time at all.
The next flight doesn't leave until 6pm that day and the kids have school the next day so was hoping to pull it off. We have had pretty good luck with LAX the last few years and always have a long time to sit around when we get there a couple of hours early.

But I guess its good not to push it. thanks again!

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

ok, thanks for the input... i thought i remembered getting off our last cruise at like 7 -7:30 am - we walked off the Mariner w. our luggage and it hardly took any time at all.
The next flight doesn't leave until 6pm that day and the kids have school the next day so was hoping to pull it off. We have had pretty good luck with LAX the last few years and always have a long time to sit around when we get there a couple of hours early.

But I guess its good not to push it. thanks again!

I don't blame you - I have heard first call as early as 7 and I have been stuck due to customs as late as 10:30. Sorry the next flight is so much later!

 

[kalaheogirl]

Here is a question for the seasoned Disney cruisers... I have read that the standard dinning rotates places each night. So do you sign up for what nights and where or do they assign you randomly? Please let me know what I need to do and what are your plans for evening dinning for the week ( so I can copy them, LOL). Is Paolo the extra charge dinning area? How many of these do they have ( extra charge places). How much is it? It seems everyone thinks it is worth it?

I want to be prepared when my booking window opens up... 90 days out, right?

 

[Goofy559]

Your dining rotation is randomly assigned about 2 weeks out. Your rotation is printed on your kttw card. On the wonder Palo is the only extra charge restaurant. It is $20 per person.. It is definitely worth it. Unless you have cruised before your booking window opens at 75 days. You can confirm this online.

 

[alaskanabbott]

Looks like we're switching to the MR on Nov 4. We had a sudden realization that a very important football game our son will be playing is during this cruise So we had to either move up the date or push it back. Later was better for DH work schedule.
You all have a fantastic trip!

 

[jontybfc]

Hi Everyone,

Me and my wife are on this cruise, booked what seems like an age ago, but only just found this thread. It's our first Cruise (never mind Disney Cruise) and we are travelling over from the UK for it.

Any experienced cruisers, what's my chances of a Palo Brunch reservation when my window opens in July?