Sept 16 2012 - WONDERing who's on the Calif Coastal with me?!

[Disneyland Mommy]

Just bought my fish extender on Etsy!

 

[SamandWill1921]

Just bought my fish extender on Etsy!

Did you get it from Grady's Mommy?

 

[SamandWill1921]

Will Disney photographers on the boat take a photo with your camera also, or do you have to buy those pics from shutters?

 

[katds10]

Will Disney photographers on the boat take a photo with your camera also, or do you have to buy those pics from shutters?

This was our experience on our last cruise on the Wonder (12/2011):
For the character appearances inside the ship, there were usually more staff members around and one (not the actual photographer) wouldn't mind taking a picture with your camera. I think we did 4-5 of these and only one, taken with my camera phone, turned out well. Maybe it was a matter of not knowing how to use the digital camera? There were no extra staff members offering to do this for the less popular character appearances by the pool area outside. They also don't mind if you take a picture with your own camera but kind of rush you along to keep the line moving (like we took a few of one of us with our daughter and a character while the other took the pic since she didn't want to be by herself with most of the characters). I think we bought 3 pics from Shutters for $50. BIG money maker to them! And they throw away all of the pictures they print and you don't buy after you get off the ship. They also print or offer bigger sizes of the popular pictures so you're stuck getting the more expensive 8x10 instead of the 5x7.

 

[ludari]

This was our experience on our last cruise on the Wonder (12/2011):
For the character appearances inside the ship, there were usually more staff members around and one (not the actual photographer) wouldn't mind taking a picture with your camera. I think we did 4-5 of these and only one, taken with my camera phone, turned out well. Maybe it was a matter of not knowing how to use the digital camera? There were no extra staff members offering to do this for the less popular character appearances by the pool area outside. They also don't mind if you take a picture with your own camera but kind of rush you along to keep the line moving (like we took a few of one of us with our daughter and a character while the other took the pic since she didn't want to be by herself with most of the characters). I think we bought 3 pics from Shutters for $50. BIG money maker to them! And they throw away all of the pictures they print and you don't buy after you get off the ship. They also print or offer bigger sizes of the popular pictures so you're stuck getting the more expensive 8x10 instead of the 5x7.

Will Disney photographers on the boat take a photo with your camera also, or do you have to buy those pics from shutters?

I concur with katds10. The shutters photographers are not allowed to take pictures with your camera, however if there is a cast member available which in most cases they are they will take a picture using your camera. If not sometimes I asks someone behind me in line to take my picture.

 

[ludari]

I PM'd her, thanks!

I have another question...Is there any way we can request being seated at a 4 top? My son has sensory issues when it comes to food, and may get sick to his stomach during dinner. I would hate for this to ruin someone's dinner experience, so we'd prefer to not be seated with others. Can this be done?

Absolutely. You can contact your travel agent or when you board the ship the dining managers will set-up a table in one of the lounges to accept any changes to your dining plan. This will include asking to have your own table for your family.

 

[Disneyland Mommy]

Did you get it from Grady's Mommy?

Yes I did! I liked hers the best

 

[SamandWill1921]

Yes I did! I liked hers the best

I really liked hers too! I'm pretty sure I'm going to order one from her. I've looked into making one and all the materials cost just as much as ordering hers. There's really cute Disney fabric out there but for $15 a yard?!?!?! I'll pass, thanks.

 

[CruiseTink]

Hi everyone,

Here is the FE List as of July 8! We have 10 rooms participating so we will be fine if each of us do 1 gift/day (you decide if that means a gift per person or per stateroom), but if anyone wants to do more than one that is perfectly fine too!

We will close the list a month ahead (around August 15th) so everyone has time to get everything together. After we close the list we'll ask participants to pick which day they would like to deliver their gifts so we can make sure the fun is spread throughout the cruise.

Gifts can be anything you choose -- handmade or not, Disney related or not, one per person or stateroom, etc. The fun is in the sharing!


Only 69 more days!!!
Susan

 

[stefnted]

Hi everyone,

2. “stefnted” - Ted (AM), Stephanie (AF), Colin (m – 10yo), Mackenzie "Kenzie" – (f – 7yo)
Cabin: 5022, forward port

3. “Sunshine1259” - Brenda (AF) and Eric (AM) will be celebrating 5th wedding anniversary
Cabin: 5524, a SPR, forward

Hey Brenda! Looks like we're almost neighbors

 

[dennes]

My Dh's name is Mike if anyone needs his name

 

[Disneyland Mommy]

Silly question, but are there uncrustables on-board? I thought I remember reading a long time ago, you could get them from room service? I not sure if I imagined this or not,lol.

 

[Disneyland Mommy]

Also, what excursions is everyone thinking about taking? I currently looking at independent companies after reading the other thread on the topic! Much less expensive than Disney!

 

[SamandWill1921]

Also, what excursions is everyone thinking about taking? I currently looking at independent companies after reading the other thread on the topic! Much less expensive than Disney!

We are going to do the city on our own. My DH views the Wonder as our destination and dosen't really want to get off but I've wanted to go to SF for as long as I can remember. I've convinced him to explore the city for one day, and one day only.
I think getting a Muni pass which is unlimited cable car and buss rides then just wandering around where I want to is better than paying disney's price for their tour. We don't have to worry about the boat leaving without us becuase we are there for 2 FULL days. I just looked this morining and the Walt Disney Family Museum is $20 for adults and I think $15 for kids.
From what i've heard/read the city isn't that hard to navigate. As long as you are good with following a map, and a smart phone will come in very handy with google maps giving you turn by turn directions for everywhere you want to go

 

[Disneyland Mommy]

We are going to do the city on our own. My DH views the Wonder as our destination and dosen't really want to get off but I've wanted to go to SF for as long as I can remember. I've convinced him to explore the city for one day, and one day only.
I think getting a Muni pass which is unlimited cable car and buss rides then just wandering around where I want to is better than paying disney's price for their tour. We don't have to worry about the boat leaving without us becuase we are there for 2 FULL days. I just looked this morining and the Walt Disney Family Museum is $20 for adults and I think $15 for kids.
From what i've heard/read the city isn't that hard to navigate. As long as you are good with following a map, and a smart phone will come in very handy with google maps giving you turn by turn directions for everywhere you want to go

Hi Samantha Yes, you were the OP of the "other" thread. Thanks for posting the question regarding excursions. I had only really been looking at the Disney operated ones up until others posted those helpful links! I wish I could do what you and your DH are doing, as I love to explore. However, with a 4 and 6 year old in tow, they'll be whining in two seconds flat about all walking around. I will not be bringing a stroller on this trip

Right now, I'm thinking about booking the "duck" tour for DH, the kids and I for day one. it's only 90 min, and 4 year olds are free . On day two, I'm thinking about leaving the kids in the club, and booking a segway tour for DH and I, that's 2.5 hours. I know you don't have any kiddos going on your trip, but for anyone else reading this, is this realistic? We will obviously leave our cell numbers in the event of an emergency. Both my kids are very outgoing, and I don't really see them "needing me," before DH and I come back.

 

[dennes]

We are planning on leaving the kids on board on the first morning to see Alcatraz. We will be back in time for a late lunch and then take the kids off the ship. We would like to do California academy of science - that looks amazing! My 9year old wants lunch on day two in china town and we though a trip over the golden gate bridge will about do it for us

Oh and a ride on the trolleys

 

[SamandWill1921]

Hi Samantha Yes, you were the OP of the "other" thread. Thanks for posting the question regarding excursions. I had only really been looking at the Disney operated ones up until others posted those helpful links! I wish I could do what you and your DH are doing, as I love to explore. However, with a 4 and 6 year old in tow, they'll be whining in two seconds flat about all walking around. I will not be bringing a stroller on this trip

Right now, I'm thinking about booking the "duck" tour for DH, the kids and I for day one. it's only 90 min, and 4 year olds are free . On day two, I'm thinking about leaving the kids in the club, and booking a segway tour for DH and I, that's 2.5 hours. I know you don't have any kiddos going on your trip, but for anyone else reading this, is this realistic? We will obviously leave our cell numbers in the event of an emergency. Both my kids are very outgoing, and I don't really see them "needing me," before DH and I come back.

Yeah it's amazing what you learn on these boards! After 2+ hours of research I was getting rather frustrated and was just going to book Disney's excursion. then I thought I would try posting to see what I got. Lo and behold, what would have taken several more hours of looking through travel sites and reading articles I got in moments. And I trust the people on DIS much more than the ones on Trip Adviser

 

[SamandWill1921]

Since for the most part we are staying in the US will our cell phones work at sea without roaming charges? I haven't been out of the US since I've had my own cell phone so I have no idea how the roaming thing works. I think it would be wonderful to call my Dad while chilling on Deck 9 drinking a chai

 

[Disneyland Mommy]

Since for the most part we are staying in the US will our cell phones work at sea without roaming charges? I haven't been out of the US since I've had my own cell phone so I have no idea how the roaming thing works. I think it would be wonderful to call my Dad while chilling on Deck 9 drinking a chai

I don't think they'll work at sea (like they do on land) without receiving an enormous cell bill when you return home. However, I'm pretty sure my DH will use his phone in San Francisco and San Diego to check in at work I know, I know...he actually does a lot of his work via phone on a daily basis, and since he owns his own business, I double he'll be able to stay away.

 

[stefnted]

I don't think they'll work at sea (like they do on land) without receiving an enormous cell bill when you return home. However, I'm pretty sure my DH will use his phone in San Francisco and San Diego to check in at work I know, I know...he actually does a lot of his work via phone on a daily basis, and since he owns his own business, I double he'll be able to stay away.

I believe this is correct...the ship swings pretty far away from the coast during travel so no service without paying through the nose. I even remember hearing that even in port you might get dinged if you're still on the ship. Not 100% sure about this but I would wait until I was off the ship before turning my phone on or taking it out of 'airplane' mode.