Sept 4-8 2005 Wonder S.S. Member Cruise! Part 3

[Jenny0725]

Hello everyone...

We are back home and back to reality. It was such an awesome trip and I enjoyed meeting everyone. I want to thank everyone who made the trip extra special! You are all such a great group of people! We look forward to 2006!

I hope everyone had a safe journey home!

Jen

 

[alikat99]

We're back too! Wow Amy, it was just 12 hours ago that we were watching Playhouse Disney! Bruce was so nice, we got home and he went right upstairs to plug everything back in so I can come here. Now that he's met all you guys, I think he approves of my DIS habit!

Night everyone! I have ALOT of catching up to do!

You're right, we were enjoying Bear (the other Bear) just a few short hours ago!!! Ahhhhh!!! Vacation over, back to reality!! However, I will be excited to sleep in my own bed tonight!!!

 

[Stitch#1]

Just wanted to do a quick post before heading to bed.
We are home safe & sound and got some stuff unpacked. Tomorro is going to be a busy day. Need to finish unpacking do some food shopping. download pics from the camera and go to a Cub Scout Commitee mtg.
Looks like my vacation is definately over!!! LOL

 

[WDWLVR]

We are now back home in IL! What a wonderful time we had.

 

[WDWLVR]

I want to take a few moments to publically thank all those that made the DVC Member Cruise so special.

First, to all the wonderful DISers we got to meet. It was so great to finally put faces with names that we had been corresponding with. I apologize if I didn't recognize you or if I got your name wrong. Now you see why we do buttons? A great big thanks again to my table mates - Mary, John, Gail, John, Steve, Coleen, Dale and Karen - thanks for all the laughs! To everyone who left us little gifts (you know who you are) thanks - it was great fun to walk back to the room to these little surprises). Especially the special door magnets! Again a great big thanks to everyone who contributed to your stateroom credit. That was not expected and very very generous.

To Captain Henry and the entire crew of the Disney Wonder. Thank you for giving us such excellent service. Even though this was our 7th cruise we are still in awe by the beauty of the ships and we know that beauty comes from the care and attention that the entire crew pays to it. Thank you too for the wonderful way that disembarkation was handled. Special thanks to Matt who helped orgainze this cruise from the DCL side. You did a great job!

Last, but by no means least, thanks to everyone at DVC who made this happen. To those we got to meet and talk to (David, Lisa, Leigh Ann, Scott, and Travis). We know the long hours that went into making this cruise happen and for that we thank you. Thanks as well to the many others we didn't get to meet but also worked long and hard to make it happen. To Jim Lewis - thank you for you candor and for adding such excitement to DVC. You have an excellent team in place and these events show how much the membership is appreciated.

Member Cruise 2005 may be over, but the memories will last a lifetime!

 

[WDWLVR]

Ok time to do what we do best and that is chat about DVC.

We spent months anticipating and talking about this cruise. Now I'd love to hear everyones opinions. I'm sure that DVC would love to hear it as well.

I'll start.

DVC gift baskets - WOW! We were blown away when we walked in the room to find the gift baskets. We would have been thrilled with one, but to find one for each person in the room - amazing! I do think however that we will see many of these items end up on eBay. If I were to make a suggestion for the future it would be that maybe there could be different gift baskets for the kids. Maybe with signed pillowcases (like the ones Lisa did for our group) or arcade cards or a coloring book and crayons.

Pins - Loved the way the main pin was handed out via a voucher in the welcome packet and limited to one per room in the beginning. Great job! We also loved the pins we got each night that fit the theme for that day. They will bring us great memories for years to come!

Group picture - the one thing we were a little surprised with on the first Member Cruise was the fact that we got so many great gifts but had to buy the group picture. It was nice that it was included this year. A great big thanks to Matt for organizing the picture taking. It was a lot less painless than the last photo shoot! Both prove that DVC and DCL do listen!

Entertainment - WOW! Susan Egan was amazing! What a great choice for this cruise. Art Linkletter was a very very special treat as well.

Guest talks - what a line-up! Ducky Williams is always a favorite. I really enjoyed learning about the ambassador program from Christopher. I also really enjoyed listening to Jim Lewis and his views on DVC and of course his accouncement of a new Member Cruise in 2006. My only regret is that I never got to see Chef Gordon or Dave Smith but I heard those were wonderful as well. I know it would be very hard, but it would be wonderful if dates and times for these could be known ahead of time so that people could make plans.

Other special member touches. Loved the idea of naming the drink of the day. Also the special editions of Who Wants To Be A Mousketeer and Mickey Mania added to the fun!

Edited to add - how could I forget this one. Pre-ordering of shirts. Love it! It was great to have these waiting for us in the room.

 

[Diana Lyn]

What Mary said says it all....blown away is an understatement of what this cruise was for us! Great friends, wonderful gifts, amazing entertainment.

Thanks to everyone for the little gifts I found in my fish extender! My stateroom host thought I was crazy for having a magnet with his vacuum on it on my door, and I'm afraid our story wasn't translated very well, so he thinks I'm a complete nut!

Even Bruce was completely amazed by how great this cruise was. In fact, he woke up this morning number crunching for the next cruise and said, maybe we really need to look into adding on before we book this next one! I have to thank you guys for that because I know the fun we had made this cruise great for him.

Now, what on earth am I going to do with 4 alarm clocks?

 

[WDWLVR]

Diana - don't feel bad - I don't think our room steward got it either.


Also Mark told me that before our next cruise we need to get a fish extender! Guess I'll go look up Mrs. Lips!

 

[alikat99]

Ok, I'll go next!!! All that I can say is - Three Cheers for DVC!!!

This was our 1st member event and I have to say that I don't want to miss another DVC member cruise. Not only did my DIS friends make our cruise SO special, but DVC outdid themselves with the great goodies & events on board.

I do agree that some of the goodies will end up on eBay, but the problem with doing different gift baskets for the kids is that what is cool for my 1 yr old, would not be cool for an 8 yr old. However, we still LOVED all of the gifts!! It made me feel SO special!!!

 

[WDWLVR]

Good point Amy!

 

[seaulater]

Ok, I'll go next!!! All that I can say is - Three Cheers for DVC!!!

This was our 1st member event and I have to say that I don't want to miss another DVC member cruise. Not only did my DIS friends make our cruise SO special, but DVC outdid themselves with the great goodies & events on board.

I do agree that some of the goodies will end up on eBay, but the problem with doing different gift baskets for the kids is that what is cool for my 1 yr old, would not be cool for an 8 yr old. However, we still LOVED all of the gifts!! It made me feel SO special!!!

Ditto on all of the above!

DVC and DCL have the names and ages of all the cruisers going on the cruise so it would be real easy to make up gift baskets for ages and girls and/or boys (i.e. princess for girls, pirate stuff for boys). However, they need our recommendation based on the 10 day Christmas Cruise. Our one granddaughter loved her Disney stuffed animal, but the other had just turned 4 and she was in the 4-8 range (I think) and they wanted to give her a visor. Can you say tantrum? I finally talked to a cast member after she had thrown herself down in the atrium, and they wouldn't do anything, but the manager from Guest Services took care of us. THANKS! (Sometimes, they don't think right with ages, but if they keep watching the boards, we could definitely get them headed in the right direction!)

David from DVC was totally awesome and we had the best time. Considering this was our first "official" member event we have attended our expectations were far exceeded! DVC, DCL and everyone involved really outdid themselves!

I agree with Mary on the schedule. It would be nice if DCL would use the Walt Disney Theater more and then they wouldn't have to keep repeating the classes. I know people like to watch movies, but they could delay movies till later in the day so they could get more use out of hte buena Vista Theater!

Linda

 

[grumpy-1]

Just a quick note from me..... This was our first cruise of any kind. Now we don't have to go on another one, because there is no way anyone could top the experience we had. The Whole thing, the ship, the crew, everything associated with it was awsome. On top of that the people we met and the friends we made are beyond compare. Thank you DVC, and thank you Dis boards friends.

 

[leeleelew]

Grumpy-1 said all the things in my heart. This was also our first cruise and our heads are still swirling. We never knew you could be that busy on a ship. I thought all one did was sit in a deck chair and read or play shuffleboard!! Boy, were we wrong.

The gifts were just unbelievable. Our granddaughters are really gonna reap some good rewards this week! Just loved all the pins. How exciting.

i have been reading this board all along but had not posted much. I did run into some of you and was happy to put some faces to the names I see here all the time. Hope to become more active on the board.

I cannot thank DVC enough for the wonderful cruise they provided. We will be back!

 

[Stitch#1]

Just a quick note from me..... This was our first cruise of any kind. Now we don't have to go on another one, because there is no way anyone could top the experience we had. The Whole thing, the ship, the crew, everything associated with it was awsome. On top of that the people we met and the friends we made are beyond compare. Thank you DVC, and thank you Dis boards friends.

I agree with my Dad.
We did the Member Homecoming in May 2004 and thought that was pretty great but had talked to people who had done the 2003 Member Cruise that said the cruise was better. Well after experiencing this Member Cruise I can tell you my family will try to make ALL Member Cruises in the future if possible.

I also want to send thanks to some people:
To Mark & Mary - for setting up the DIS meet and the buttons, it was a hoot checking out peoples buttons and meeting people we already felt we knew because of the boards

To Kay - for the t-shirts, It helped to signify we were a DIS'er and start up some conversations that might not have otherwise have happened.

To Lisa, Cindy, & Amy (I hope I didn't miss anyone) - for the gift for the kids, Nick loved his! DH & I loved it too!

To Scott H - for the lovely morning conversation as we were coming up to Castaway Cay.

To Linda - For the scrapbook class. You have really helped me jump start my album!

To Diana - for living so close to me!!!

To all the Tinkerbells who sprinkled pixie dust on us with the little gifts (you know who)!

This whole experience was just beyond compare.!
Thank you DVC & DISboards !!!!!

 

[zoecaley]

We LOVED the cruise! I didn't get to put as many faces with names as I'd have liked, but I loved the scrapbook class and my tablemates!

Thank you Disboard people whoever and wherever you are for the goodies in our fish and for helping make my anticipation for the cruise grow! My real life had gotten so hectic that you helped keep me focused - thanks!

We loved all the entertainment, all the surpees - everything! I definitely want to try for next year!

Kristi

 

[cgcw]

Hi everyone!

We just got in about 45 minutes ago. Cameron's already sound asleep. Walker is wide awake from the several cat naps he took on the way home, in the rental car, on the plane, in the airport, in the limo.

I look forward to catching up in the next couple of days.

We had a great time. It was more amazing than we could have ever planned it to be.

I look forward to our next cruise!

 

[Sneaky3]

The shirts were great I overheard a lady behing trying to read my shirt. She didnt know that the disboards existed so after she read my shirt she said she was going to check into it.

Michele

 

[cgcw]

Good Morning!!

No one warned me that I would need Kleenex for the last couple of pages. You all are a great bunch of people and I feel really lucky to have met you all before we sailing and formalize that introduction when we met onboard. I knew it was going to be great, I just had no idea how great until it happened!!

Cameron had a great time with Sam & Nick. I look forward to the boys continuing their relationships.

I know there are people I will continue to keep in touch with and hopefully many of us will be sailing together next year.

Thanks to Mark & Mary to bringing my box of goodies to WDW and another box of DVC goodies home for us. I'm sure we would have managed to get everything down & back up but it would have been a little difficult. Thanks for your offers and help. And, thanks for returning my box in it's new form. I was very surprised.

Amy, Chris, Emily & Madison, Diana, Bruce, Emma & Julia made great dinner companions. I wish Lisa's table would have been with ours as I felt like we missed some great laughs with Lisa a table away.

I loved walking around the ship and seeing everyone. I ran into several of the same people and I enjoyed stopping and chatting.

On Pirate Night, Cameron (& Walker for a split second) ended up on stage. I was just as excited to see him up there as I was to see our DIS friends children also up there (Jenny's daughters, Sneaky3 Michele's daughter, Lisa's son, Sam). If it hadn't been for this thread, they would have been just kids standing up there.

We started our dining with Amy & Chris at Ohanas. Even though we had un-Disney like service, it was a great start to many dinners to come.

Sanddune Chris & Mike were nice enough to include us in the breakfast plans for the morning we sailed. Your boys were so polite and welcoming to my kids. We enjoyed the fun antics with Chip/Dale. Good to know that Chris is worth every penny!!

Jenny had the awesome idea of splitting up when we disembarked from the ship. Because of her suggestion, Gary took the bus to the Port (with Jim Lewis no less!) and I took the kids and we rode with Diana & Bruce back to WDW. By the time Gary arrived, the kids had already been swimming for a while and it was a much more pleasant afternoon because of it.

We met up with Mark & Mary for dinner Friday night after the cruise an impromptu dinner when I met them to drop off the box. We dined together at Cape May. We ran into Stacy & Fred & company at Cape May and it was like a mini-DIS meet in the lobby while waiting for a table. Cape May has the best crab legs ($11.99 for a very generous pound). Since no one was willing to help me eat them all, I was forced to do most of the job by myself.

After Mark & Mary left to catch a boat over to BWV, we spent another hour or so talking to Julie & Matt. I can't wait for Julie to post the highlights of their trip. If Walker would have had his way, we would have stayed there all night chatting as he enjoyed the little chairs and tv. We enjoyed the company and were sad to finally have to say goodnight.

We ran into a non-DIS family from Cameron's school at MGM yesterday. At least I don't know them as DIS'ers. I'll have to talk to them at the next school event to see what I can do to convert them to be one of us if they are not.

We had a nice chat with Gail & John in the airport as we were all waiting for our planes. There is nothing like looking up and seeing a friend walking through the airport. Just wait until they share their experience of what happened to them at DTD!

I so much enjoyed getting to know Noreen, Michele, Julie & Matt, John & Gail, Karen, Fred, Stacy, Amy, Diana, Lisa, Mike & Lisa, Jenny, Georgie, Mark & Mary, Stephanie (thanks) & Robin. Gosh, if I missed anyone, I'm sorry.

I can't wait until next time!

 

[Disney1fan2002]

We're back also. We got in late last night, kids are abck in school, and i am busy with laundry and unpacking.

The cruise was GREAT! I discovered I am much more shy in real ife than on this board. I never really got a chance to meet any of you, because i could not bring myself to introduce myself when I would see the pins. Thanks for the pins Mark and Mary! It really did seem like the DIS board took over the ship. I saw so many pins and t-shirts.

Lisa! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for the kids surprise. They loved them, and we dropped them off to get signed by the characters. I will post a picture! the cool thing? My son Danny has a teddy bear he named Banny. (not much of an imagination for a 5yo, LOL) well, the hat on top of the D in his name made it look like a lower case b. So I covered the hat with my thumb to show him his name, Danny, and then, showed him the name banny. He had a smile on his face for the rest of the day!

Ok, who was ready to press kidnapping charges against Disney? My 5yo spent 95% of the trip in the kids club. At Scuttle Cove, he wanted to get checked in, so I brought him over, and went to tell the girl I was checking in Danny, and she said "I know Danny". I told her she SHOULD know Danny, since she has spent more time with him than I have. LOL

At the 4pm member meeting Tuesday, I was the one who won the cocktail reception in the Walt Disney suite. I was nervous, because I felt we needed to be dressy, and I had nothing to wear. But, I did what I could, and had a good time. What a stateroom! The DVC reps that were there said it is not available for points, because they would have no idea how to price out the points! LOL

I think we were in the same dining rotation as Mark and Mary, and if it was (main seating APPT) then your table ROCKED! You guys had so much fun every night. I loved our server and assistant server. Vijay and Ramon. They really spoiled my kids.

I was wowed by the free gifts, but we got everything x's 5...so we ended up having to mail 2 packages home. The kids were very surprised, and will be talking about this for the next 10 years!

 

[nezy]

Hi all!!
we are back into the swing of things here-school -soccer-fall baseball. I have hardly had time to reflect ton the great time we had-until last night night when I sat down for dinner and said-"Where we would have been a week ago tonight?" As I con'd finishing somw cold cuts w/gravy I realized that we would have just been finishing dinner on board getting ready for my creme brulee! Oh well, back to reality!
Unfortunately for me We only had creme brulee once. I understand some had it breakfast lunch and dinner!! Good for you guys!!

The weather is beautiful although it si going into the 90's later today. Casatway Cay take me away.