Sept. 23, 2012 Pacific Coast - Wonder Cruise

[gunka]

Erbie, great job explaining formal/semi formal, I could not agree more.

The mexican vanilla is awesome, I didnt understand all the hype so i got some last time in Cabo. Now I couldnt think of making pancakes without it.

For SF we will do the Alcatraz tour, bought the tickets on our own and then explore the city. For San Diego stay on board since we were born and raised there, and for Ensenada proably check out Hussongs and the market.

Six weeks - whoooo hoooo, now looking forward to the 30 day mark

 

[jetskigrl]

Good thing you asked here on the meet thread and not on the larger forum, as this can be a very hot topic with strong feelings on both sides of the issue. (Seriously! Do a search on formal night in the overall forum.)

On formal and semi-formal nights, DCL requests that men wear a tux or suit, and women wear a formal gown or semi formal/cocktail gown respectively. Same for kids. That said, they don't enforce it, and you will see people in everything from a full tux and floor length gown to jeans and a t-shirt. Some on the dress up side say it ruins the experience for them to see people in regular clothes on formal night, and the people who don't want to dress up should get room service or eat at the buffet on formal night. Some who don't dress up say they're on vacation and they don't want to have to dress up.

I've always done the full formal gown on formal night and a cocktail gown on semi-formal night and made my DH bring a tux AND suit, much to his dismay, just because I rarely get a chance to dress up like that and I always found it fun. Plus, that's when they have the ship backdrop out and its nice to get a formal portrait in front of it. But I've never cared what others were wearing, outside my own family. We're all on vacation, and we all deserve to have the experience that's best for us. This cruise, I'm toning it down. I've had some health issues for the last couple of years that make sitting very uncomfortable, particularly if I'm wearing anything restrictive, and I recently injured my Achilles tendon, so heels are completely out for me. So for formal night, I'm bringing a sleeveless pants outfit that I've worn to semi-formal night on a previous cruise. And for semi, I'm bringing a dress that I've worn to weddings. Bonus is that they're both that flowy material that doesn't wrinkle, so I can roll them up in my suitcase and skip the garment bag. DH is delighted that I'm only making him bring his suit and no tux for formal/semi/Palo, but he's wondering why, when we don't have to fly, I'm suddenly okay with not bringing two extra bags. lol!

My girls will wear what they usually wear, fancy dresses. I hit up consignment shops and thrift stores and I can usually find great, fancy dresses that look brand new. I used to go to a Jessica McClintock outlet store in So Cal, but it closed last year.

When they say no tank tops, they mean like actual tank tops, not sleeveless dresses. If you have dressy tops with sheer sleeves, you'll be fine. if you want to go full on formal, it would be a tux for the men and boys, a floor length gown for adult women and teen girls, and a similar type dress for little girls. For semi formal, a suit for men and boys, and a cocktail dress for women and teen girls, a less formal dress for little girls. I've always gotten flower girl dresses for my girls. A lot of little girls also wear their princess dresses for formal or semi.

The only time they really enforce it is for Palo. They will not allow shorts or jeans, and they will turn you away. For men, they must wear either a jacket or a tie. Women should wear a nice dress or pantsuit. Dress like you would to go to a fancy restaurant for date night.

And this is all US standards. It's also completely appropriate to wear formal attire from outside the US such as a kilt or sari.

But as I said, it's up to you how far you want to take it and whatever you decide about formal and semi-formal, you will see people dressed similarly to you. So have fun with it!

Very well said!! On the MR cruise last year, DH and DS wore a suit with jacket on formal night. I wore a full length gown and DD wore a black knee length gown. I was in the minority with the full length gown but it was still fun to dress up for our pictures. Semi-formal night was the same suits for the boys (minus jacket, plus vest). DD and I both wore knee-length cocktail dresses.

I don't think I will be doing the floor length gown this time, but DH will be in a suit on formal night and suit without jacket on semi-formal (most likely).

But you will also see a lot of people a lot less dressed up on those nights too. Just about anything goes.

The only excursion I have is my own to have lunch at Rockin Baja Lobster in downtown San Diego. If you have never been they have the most amazing lobster/ shrimp buckets.

Ohh, that sounds awesome. I might have to look that one up.

Just wanted to let everyone know (especially those who have not been), that we went to DCA and experienced Cars Land for the very first time yesterday. It is very cool. We got in line at opening (8:00) and got Fast Passes for Radiator Springs Racers. FYI, I'm told the Fast Passes are almost always sold out by 9:30-10:00. Then, we went on Luigi's Flying Tires (20 Min. wait). We went on Mater's Junkyard Jamboree around 2:00 and the wait was only 10 min.

All the rides are really fun - our favorite was RSR - but they were all great. It's fun to go on a new ride, especially for those of us locals who've been on everything a million times! If anyone has questions about Cars Land, let me know.

On another note, a friend of mine who is a major Disney freak (I mean that in the nicest possible way!) and follows these boards religiously, says that the rumor is John Lasseter (Chief Creative Officer of Pixar) is going to be on ONE of the Pixar cruises. Just a rumor, mind you, but pretty cool nonetheless.

Anyway, that's all I have for now. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Julie

I'm glad that you enjoyed Cars Land!!! It is amazing, isn't it. Our favorite is RSR's also, but Mater's is a very close second. We loved that silly little ride
WOW, how cool would that be to have John Lasseter on the cruise with us. I'll keep my finger's crossed for that one.

I hope everyone had a great weekend. We did an evening trip to DLR on Friday and boy was it humid. It reminded me of WDW. I'm not used to that at DLR But we got to see my second favorte fireworks show (the holiday fireworks are my favorite). The crowds seemed pretty light, which surprised me. I do think that since the opening of Cars Land, the overall feel of the two parks has gotten better (the crowds are spread out more).

 

[socababy]

I hope everyone had a great weekend. We did an evening trip to DLR on Friday and boy was it humid. It reminded me of WDW. I'm not used to that at DLR But we got to see my second favorte fireworks show (the holiday fireworks are my favorite). The crowds seemed pretty light, which surprised me. I do think that since the opening of Cars Land, the overall feel of the two parks has gotten better (the crowds are spread out more).

We are heading there today and hoping for those lighter than normal crowds! Fingers crossed!

 

[queentasha]

Oh gosh I have so many questions. Should I search through this thread? It's a little daunting. Maybe I'll just ask questions and if they've already been answered please let me know and I'll go back and read through all the pages!

1. Where can you find the itineraries? Like for formal night, how do you know when it is? Is there somewhere we can see if there are any special guest performances?

2. What about the excursions? I'm assuming there won't be one to Disneyland and we should just plan our flight a few days earlier if we want to go to DL too? Is there a listing of planned excursions and prices? Or do we just do our own thing?

3. Do we need to be there earlier than 4pm to board? I assume so, but how early? Do they send you any information prior to the cruise? I have NO clue what I'm doing!!

TIA!

N

 

[queentasha]

Oh gosh I'm kind of a dork - I see I have a few emails from DCL in my spam folder. It looks like some of my questions may be answered and I didn't even know it!

 

[erbie]

1. Where can you find the itineraries? Like for formal night, how do you know when it is? Is there somewhere we can see if there are any special guest performances?

2. What about the excursions? I'm assuming there won't be one to Disneyland and we should just plan our flight a few days earlier if we want to go to DL too? Is there a listing of planned excursions and prices? Or do we just do our own thing?

3. Do we need to be there earlier than 4pm to board? I assume so, but how early? Do they send you any information prior to the cruise? I have NO clue what I'm doing!!

It's okay! We've all been first-timers! And some still are, but have been talking on this thread for over a year, and researching. I do encourage you to read through the thread, as there's a lot of good info, and you'll get to know some of your cruise-mates a little before the cruise.

1. Several of us called to ask about the theme and formal nights. There will be one formal, one semi-formal, and one Pirate night. the special guests we won't know until we're on the ship. We may get some clues with the cruise before ours, but guests can change from cruise to cruise.

2. No, there are no excursions from the port of departure/arrival. If you want to do DL, plan a couple of days before or after. The planned excursions and prices are available when you log in to your account on disneycruise.com. Once you have paid in full, you can do the online check-in, which will allow you to reserve Palo, shore excursions, Flounder's Reef.

3. You definitely want to be there earlier than 4:00! Wouldn't want to miss the departure! When you check in online, you will pick a port arrival time. The earlier your arrival time, the earlier you will be able to get on the ship. We like to get on as early as possible, because even though we're not moving, we're still on the ship! Makes the vacation seem longer.

 

[AussieMumma]

Less then six weeks eek!!! Why is it the closer we get the less organized I feel

I've got a day at home today so I think I'll start writing a few lists, lists make me feel better

Question about San Francisco, is it easy to purchase the tickets for the trolleys (cable cars?) from where we will be hopping on them, or can we/should we book them online before we go?
Clearly I need to get my San Francisco book out today also!

 

[4boons]

Welcome to everyone that is just joining us.
As always, this is shaping up to be a great cruise.
Welcome aboard and let's have fun.

Bill

 

[atmail35]

Wow...41 days, that is crazy! Welcome aboard to all that have just joined!

Question, if someone can help me. I thought I told DCL about DD's food allergies when I booked and folks on the Disabilities board keep saying to make sure it is noted. Where do I see this? I looked on-line and at my confirmation from my TA and am not seeing it. Do I need to submit the medical form to have it noted? So confused, sorry!

Thanks!

I cannot believe it is almost the middle of August! School starts back up soon, then the cruise!

 

[erbie]

Question, if someone can help me. I thought I told DCL about DD's food allergies when I booked and folks on the Disabilities board keep saying to make sure it is noted. Where do I see this? I looked on-line and at my confirmation from my TA and am not seeing it. Do I need to submit the medical form to have it noted? So confused, sorry!

I would call and talk to a CM to verify it just in case.

 

[kangamommy]

Hi there!

I'm Julie - another local (seems like the trend for this cruise!)

Let's see... for the "get to know ya" portion of the post... I'm a writer (for Disney Channel and other tween-centric networks) and (along with my DH and DS) an avid Disneyphile. Kind of a family tradition - my MIL was a dancer at Golden Horseshoe Saloon in the 60's and my DH was a Jungle Cruise Guide in the late 80's -- then he and I were engaged at Club 33 in 2000 (not members, I wish!) and we have had APs ever since. Our friends think we take our son there way too much - which I think just means we're awesome parents

We've had kind of a rough year and decided we needed a vacation asap -- so we booked our Wonder cruise today for 9/23 -- so excited!

I look forward to getting to know you all (and if you'll have us and it's not too late, thinking about All Things Fish Extender!) Pinterest, here I come! Or Etsy. Addicted to both.

oh we're in cabin 6540 in case we have any neighbors!

Julie

 

[jetskigrl]

Hi there!

I'm Julie - another local (seems like the trend for this cruise!)

Let's see... for the "get to know ya" portion of the post... I'm a writer (for Disney Channel and other tween-centric networks) and (along with my DH and DS) an avid Disneyphile. Kind of a family tradition - my MIL was a dancer at Golden Horseshoe Saloon in the 60's and my DH was a Jungle Cruise Guide in the late 80's -- then and I were engaged at Club 33 in 2000 (not members, I wish!) and we have had APs ever since. Our friends think we take our son there way too much - which I think just means we're awesome parents

We've had kind of a rough year and decided we needed a vacation asap -- so we booked our Wonder cruise today for 9/23 -- so excited!

I look forward to getting to know you all (and if you'll have us and it's not too late, thinking about All Things Fish Extender!) Pinterest, here I come! Or Etsy. Addicted to both.

oh we're in cabin 6540 in case we have any neighbors!

Julie

Welcome to the group Julie!!! Yeah...more locals (we are in the South Bay).

LOL - yep, never too much Disney. We bought our APs when my DD was 3 (or about to turn 3) and said we would keep buying them until the kids said they didn't want to go anymore. Well DD is 14 and DS (who has been going since birth) is 9 and neither one is close to being done with it

Very cool about your engagement in Club 33. We had the pleasure of dining there for my DS's 7th birthday (we aren't members either). It was a very special experience.

Our kids, unfortunately, won't be joining us this time. That decision has been made even harder once they announced all the Pixar additions, etc. It is my DD's dream to work for Disney Animation or Pixar some day. I know she would have loved to meet some of the special guests that will be on the cruise with us.

I'm sorry to hear that it has been a tough year. I'm sure the cruise will be a nice distraction

 

[kangamommy]

Jetski,
Thanks for the welcome. I totally get feeling torn about leaving the kids -- but I'm a tiny bit jealous -- we see all the fun "adult" stuff on the cruise that we probably won't get to do unless our friends join us on the cruise and we take turns babysitting! She's talking her DH into it as we speak!

 

[jetskigrl]

Jetski,
Thanks for the welcome. I totally get feeling torn about leaving the kids -- but I'm a tiny bit jealous -- we see all the fun "adult" stuff on the cruise that we probably won't get to do unless our friends join us on the cruise and we take turns babysitting! She's talking her DH into it as we speak!

Oh, never say never, LOL. The Kids Clubs on the ship are wonderful (pun intended, LOL). We had to drag my DS out of there at times. If your DS is 3 and potty trained, he will be able to go to the Oceaneers Club.

But even with the kids going to the clubs, we have not spent as much time in the adult areas as we would have liked (never been in the adult pool, etc). So I am looking forward to doing that without having to constantly check the wave phone to see if DS wants to be picked up

 

[MadHatterMom2]

Here's what I have so far. Cutoff for the list is 8/23.

MadHatterMom2 - me (Julie!), DH James, DD Anneliese (13), DS Alex (9) - Room 5520
4boons - Laura & Bill - Room 6134
AZ Pirates - not sure about the family members since I don't have the first list, so let me know your details - Room GTY/TBD
glindamood - Gail & David - Room 6511
ImDMouse - Brad & Diane - Room GTY
Crittsmom - Wendy & Schyler - Room 6089
wendyinoc - Wendy, DH, DD (2) - Room 5124
shopmom - Sheri, Robb, DS Hudson - Room TBD
5crazyfordisney - Shea, DH Dave, DS Bryan (11), DS Liam (9), DD Anna (8) - Rooms TBD
mdube - Mona, Yanira, Janissa (4), Yessica (4) - Room TBD
ADandBsmommy - Clyde & Sharon (Room TBD), Katie & Greg (Room TBD), Jennie, DS Aidan (8), DS Dylan (6), DS Ben (3) (Room TBD)
kangamommy - Julie, DH, DS - Room 6540

Let me know if I need to make any corrections. I will fill in room numbers as they become available.

Thanks!

Julie

 

[GromMom]

Hi there!

I'm Julie - another local (seems like the trend for this cruise!)

Let's see... for the "get to know ya" portion of the post... I'm a writer (for Disney Channel and other tween-centric networks) and (along with my DH and DS) an avid Disneyphile. Kind of a family tradition - my MIL was a dancer at Golden Horseshoe Saloon in the 60's and my DH was a Jungle Cruise Guide in the late 80's -- then he and I were engaged at Club 33 in 2000 (not members, I wish!) and we have had APs ever since. Our friends think we take our son there way too much - which I think just means we're awesome parents

We've had kind of a rough year and decided we needed a vacation asap -- so we booked our Wonder cruise today for 9/23 -- so excited!

I look forward to getting to know you all (and if you'll have us and it's not too late, thinking about All Things Fish Extender!) Pinterest, here I come! Or Etsy. Addicted to both.

oh we're in cabin 6540 in case we have any neighbors!

Julie

Welcome! I vote awesome....can you adopt me
I wish we lived closer to Dland...we live close enough to go and come home in one day, but not really close enough to go all the time.

 

[BigDisneyOE]

Hi everyone, we are back from the wedding in Sydney! Welcome to all the new people joining, the boat is filling up with DisBoarders (is that a word?).

The wedding ceremony was lovely. It was in English and Mandarin as my brothers new parent in-laws don't speak any English. My two boys did a good job as Ring Bearers and generally behaved like gentleman and looked fine in their new suits. It rained a bit but we had a a lovely cruise up and down Sydney Harbour and they got married in front of the Sydney Opera House!

We ran the kids off their feet in the days we were there but we've learned for the USA trip we can only really do something until about 1PM and then retire for a break and maybe a short trip out in the early evening. The kids get way too tired after about 3PM.

We stayed in a beautiful two bed apartment walking distance to everything (didn't stop the kids wanting to ride the monorail and trains endlessly). It was in Chinatown so we ate loads of amazing food: Xi'an, Malaysian, Indonesian, Turkish and Indian. Of course all one of my kids wanted was burgers and the other twin became obsessed with Aussie King Prawns.

Well it's 24 days now before we head to America. I'm a bit excited as it's been nearly 25 years since I was last in the USA. Any good food tips for Mexican food would be appreciated in San Diego or Anaheim as DH loves his Mexican!

Oh and guess what???? DH managed to lose his very expensive wedding ring while on the flight home. He was drying his hands on a paper towel when it slipped off and shot down the loo! The ring was loose as he's done so much running in the past few years. The pilot called ahead to the ground crew but it's gone for good. He's devastated.

 

[jetskigrl]

Hi everyone, we are back from the wedding in Sydney! Welcome to all the new people joining, the boat is filling up with DisBoarders (is that a word?).

The wedding ceremony was lovely. It was in English and Mandarin as my brothers new parent in-laws don't speak any English. My two boys did a good job as Ring Bearers and generally behaved like gentleman and looked fine in their new suits. It rained a bit but we had a a lovely cruise up and down Sydney Harbour and they got married in front of the Sydney Opera House!

We ran the kids off their feet in the days we were there but we've learned for the USA trip we can only really do something until about 1PM and then retire for a break and maybe a short trip out in the early evening. The kids get way too tired after about 3PM.

We stayed in a beautiful two bed apartment walking distance to everything (didn't stop the kids wanting to ride the monorail and trains endlessly). It was in Chinatown so we ate loads of amazing food: Xi'an, Malaysian, Indonesian, Turkish and Indian. Of course all one of my kids wanted was burgers and the other twin became obsessed with Aussie King Prawns.

Well it's 24 days now before we head to America. I'm a bit excited as it's been nearly 25 years since I was last in the USA. Any good food tips for Mexican food would be appreciated in San Diego or Anaheim as DH loves his Mexican!

Oh and guess what???? DH managed to lose his very expensive wedding ring while on the flight home. He was drying his hands on a paper towel when it slipped off and shot down the loo! The ring was loose as he's done so much running in the past few years. The pilot called ahead to the ground crew but it's gone for good. He's devastated.

Welcome back!!! The trip sounds wonderful (well, except for you DH's ring...I'm so sorry to hear that)!!

Hum, maybe you need to make a side trip to our area one night. We have lots of Mexican food restaurants near us (and the boys can play trains, LOL).

 

[wendyinoc]

I saw this on Living Social. San Diego Zoo Safari Park only $21. I don't want to go but I thought maybe some of you might.

Adult Park Entrance and Africa Tram Safari http://www.livingsocial.com/deals/3...-africa-tram-safari?rui=51055651&ref=tw_share via @LivingSocial

 

[kangamommy]

Here's what I have so far. Cutoff for the list is 8/23.


kangamommy - Julie, DH, DS - Room 6540

Let me know if I need to make any corrections. I will fill in room numbers as they become available.


Julie

I didn't realize I didn't "name names" -- DH is Greg and DS is Connor (3)

Thanks for adding us to the list!