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

[alikat99]

Excellent trip report and I showed DH some of your pics. He's thinking that when our DDs are older (and Santa isn't such a big deal, as they are only 3yrs and 8 months) that we should do a trip over Christmas. Sure hope that they continue to add those 10-day holiday cruises. And, I feel like I know you guys a little bit better after reading your report.

BTW - what kind of camera do you have that takes those awesome pictures???

Amy

 

[iluvdisney]

Mary - I just read thru your trip report - sounds like you both had an awesome time and met some great DISers! Thanks for sharing your trip with us and your pictures - sure looks like a nice way to spend the holidays. And lucky you, I would luv to see Gary Sinese reading at the CP!!!

 

[WDWLVR]

Good morning Cruisers!
We sail in 35 weeks!

Hi everyone! I think I got the count off somewhere and missed last week as we were at sea.

After having spent time cruising with DIS friends I'm looking forward to this cruise even more. Those of us who sailed on the first member cruise know what fun we had. With more time to plan on DVC's part I just know this is going to top it!

 

[ohiominnie]

Good morning Cruisers!
We sail in 35 weeks!

Hi everyone! I think I got the count off somewhere and missed last week as we were at sea.

After having spent time cruising with DIS friends I'm looking forward to this cruise even more. Those of us who sailed on the first member cruise know what fun we had. With more time to plan on DVC's part I just know this is going to top it!

And it is. We had a nice long talk with a Disney higher up while in port in St. Lucia. He is in charge of the chartered cruises--planning entertainment, special gifts, food, etc etc. He said there are going to be GREAT things done for this cruise. Said if you cruised on the first DVC cruise you will be BLOWN AWAY at how much better this one is to plan. Stated more time and more money to work with as the reasons.

All this, and more, b/c we decided to stop and tell the Disney folk that we really liked St. Lucia and DCL should sail there more!

 

[Scott H]

Thanks for the ground work you guys did in getting info about this cruise. Sounds too good to be true, but we have never been diapointed by Disney. Just when one thinks they have topped themselves they go above and beyond. DIS folks and DVC folks should make this a really great time.

 

[OKWPA]

My wife and I were on the last members cruise and I cannot imagine the 2005 cruise being any better but I am excited that is the objective. We loved the 2 days at Castaway Cay. I am new to the boards and enjoy reading the chatter and speculation for the "happenings" planned for the Sept. 2005 cruise. My wife and I are long time DVC members and have traded for a lot of different places like Grand Californian Hotel, Disneyland Paris and Big Cedar in Branson, Mo., etc. We are planning to trade for the Alaskan cruise in 2006. Has anyone traded for the Alaskan cruise? Would like to hear your comments, concerning room, points and Holland America in general. Was it worth the points?
Thanks,

Looking forward to meeting some of you on the members cruise. I am sure I will hear the latest plans for the 2005 members cruise here first.

Dale

 

[WDWLVR]

And it is. We had a nice long talk with a Disney higher up while in port in St. Lucia. He is in charge of the chartered cruises--planning entertainment, special gifts, food, etc etc. He said there are going to be GREAT things done for this cruise. Said if you cruised on the first DVC cruise you will be BLOWN AWAY at how much better this one is to plan. Stated more time and more money to work with as the reasons.

All this, and more, b/c we decided to stop and tell the Disney folk that we really liked St. Lucia and DCL should sail there more!

Karen, we met his DVC counterpart at the Merry Member Mixer and he was excited as well.

I know it seems like it will be hard to top the first Member Cruise, but if anyone can do it then it will be Disney!

 

[MarkRG]

Hi all!

Well, the big 10 day cruise is done, so now my attention will shift to here!

Be expecting an email from me very shortly, as we need to get the ball rolling on some things. We only have 4 days on the ship and I for one want to really make the most of it!

Now, we've been to Key West twice now, and it is a very cool town, and Mary and I will be putting together a good guide on what to see/do there. Some of the Disney excursions are good, but there are some that you are much better off doing on your own and that will be covered in detail.

And a good effort is being put forth to have an evening before meet. The target for this meet is WDW, an am trying to make it as an accomodating location as possible. Part of why I'm emailing everyone, so when you do get one, please repsond to it in as good of a detail as possible.

 

[CarolA]

Thanks for all you are doing!

I made my New Year's Resoution. There will be less of me going on the cruise. (It's either that or buy new clothes LOL!)

The weekly count downs will help keep me on track!

By the way, was there a second email from DVC on the cruise? Did it have anything important. DVC has my work email and the spam blocker won't let them thru (and I can't change the spam blocker)

 

[WDWLVR]

[font=times, times new roman, serif]Carol - here is the second e-mail.[/font]
[font=times, times new roman, serif][/font]
[font=times, times new roman, serif][/font]
[font=times, times new roman, serif]Welcome aboard the second edition of S.S. Member Cruise 2005 Cruise News. If you're looking for more news and information about next fall's exclusive Disney Vacation Club Member event, your ship has come in! Here, you'll find plenty of fun facts about one of its "Key" ports of call. So read on about the magical experience that awaits you aboard the Disney Wonder®, and be on the lookout for more updates
coming soon! [/font]


[font=times, times new roman, serif]One for the record books
Beginning at 9 a.m. EDT on Saturday, October 23, 2004, nearly a thousand calls were taken from Members wishing to book the S.S. Member Cruise 2005. In just over five hours, every available stateroom was reserved—a record sell-out!

"We're absolutely thrilled with the enthusiastic response to this signature Member event," says Jim Lewis, Disney Vacation Club Senior Vice President and General Manager. "Exclusive events are a special part of the Member experience, and the record-time sellout of our next Member cruise illustrates just how cherished these events have become within this magical community. I can't wait for this voyage to set sail."

Inspiration is "Key"

Perhaps you've already experienced the turn-of-the-century charm of Disney's Old Key West Resort, the very first Disney Vacation Club Resort. With its colorful Victorian architecture and brilliant green landscapes, the resort offers a taste of what awaits you during the S.S. Member Cruise 2005, when we'll pay a visit to Key West, Florida—the inspiration for this
magical neighborhood.

Discover the magic of the Conch Republic. Just imagine—once you step ashore, you'll follow in the footsteps of Spanish explorers, buccaneers, bootleggers, and Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders. Explore the Shipwreck Historeum. Tour the former homes of Ernest Hemingway (shown at right), President Truman, and James Audubon. Everywhere you look, you'll discover another exciting chapter in the unique history of Key West.

Shop and stroll through gingerbread Victorian-era cottages nestled beside swaying palm trees and see how closely Disney's Old Key West Resort has captured the area's essence. And talk about local color—the sunsets in Key West are beyond belief! Sunset Celebration takes place every evening (weather permitting) at Mallory Square. Tourists and residents flock to the water's edge, taking in the art exhibits and street performers while the sun gently sinks into the Gulf of Mexico. Since the Disney Wonder will be docked in Key West until well after sunset, you'll have plenty of time to participate in the festivities.

Explore Key West with a shore excursion
You can choose from a variety of shore excursions* in Key West to add to your Disney Cruise Line® vacation fun: go sailing on a schooner, tour on a train, or kick around on a kayak! As you can see from the list below, there's something for everyone:

• Sail, Kayak & Snorkel Excursion
• Catamaran Racing
• Back to Nature Kayak Tour
• Sunset Sail: Western Union Schooner
• Key West Catamaran Sail & Snorkel Tour
• Conch Republic Tour & Museum Package
• Day Sail: Western Union Schooner
• Old Town Trolley or Conch Train Tour
• Glassbottom Boat Tour on The Pride of Key West
• Key West Walking Tour
• Key West Stargazing Cruise

Please remember—since all shore excursions are operated by independent companies, an additional fee may be required. For information on reserving a shore excursion in advance of your cruise, [font=times, times new roman, serif]click here[/font]. [/font]

[font=times, times new roman, serif]EVER WONDER? [/font]

[font=times, times new roman, serif]Be on the lookout for our next edition of S.S. Member Cruise 2005 Cruise News in the coming months. If you'd like to discover more about the magical fun that awaits you aboard the Disney Wonder, just [font=times, times new roman, serif]click here[/font]. [/font]


[font=times, times new roman, serif]Wishing you and yours a holiday season full of wonder, [/font]

[font=times, times new roman, serif]*[/font][font=times, times new roman, serif]All offered shore excursions are operated by independent companies who are not affiliates or subsidiaries of Disney Vacation Development, Inc. or The Walt Disney Company. Disney Cruise Line acts only as the sales/reservation agent of the excursion operators. All excursions are subject to availability and/or cancellation based on weather, itinerary changes, and attendance. All excursion prices are subject to change without notice. Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult on excursions. ©Disney


[/font]

 

[goofy4dvc]

WDWLVR beat me to it!

 

[MaryJ]

Thanks Mary for posting the email from MS. I haven't received any of the Member Cruise emails. I sent an email to MS today to inform them, so maybe that will change soon! Looking forward to meeting you on the cruise, one Mary to another!

 

[CarolA]

Thanks so much Mary!

 

[krdisneybound]

I received the same e-mail from MS - Nice that they are keeping us up-to-date on everything.
Anticipation is going to get the best of us - in waiting for September, 2005. :jumping4:
Still working on the STILL WORKING ON THE SHIRT PROBLEM - HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN
Will keep everyone updated in time.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Mary, thank you for the report, and I especially enjoyed the pictures. I had to show Dh, Tom, the VB pictures and the wonderful group picture in the lobby.

Bobbi

 

[WDWLVR]

Giving us a much needed bump from page 2. Come on people - we cruise this year! Let's get this party started!

 

[iluvdisney]

I don't receive any emails about the Member Cruise either but they do send me the Newsletter - think they would follow up with us!

 

[WDWLVR]

Mary - did they ask for your e-mail when you booked the cruise? I think there are two different e-mail distribution lists. They asked for mine when I booked and we've gotten both e-mails.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Happy New Year!
We had a great trip to WDW the first week of December. Our JellyRolls meet up was sure fun!
I leave this Friday to participate in my first ever 1/2 marathon at WDW being held this Sunday.

After that, I expect a great effort can be placed toward our cruise.

I did not receive the email either, so thanks for posting it.

Mark and Mary, Glad your cruise was as great as expected.
Thanks for posting the report/pics

Scott, you have quite a vaca year lined up. That is good news for you for sure!

Kay I appreciate the effort you are doing with the shirts. I am sure whatever the design, it will be great because we will ALL be wearing them!

 

[cgcw]

Hi all!
Now, we've been to Key West twice now, and it is a very cool town, and Mary and I will be putting together a good guide on what to see/do there. Some of the Disney excursions are good, but there are some that you are much better off doing on your own and that will be covered in detail.

Key West is one of the place my DH has always wanted to go so he's excited to now have the opprotunity. As the planner, though, I'm excited to have first hand information rather than what I can dig up myself. Always a good thing to me. I'm definately looking forward to what your going to share/suggest.

I enjoyed reading your trip report, Mark & Mary. Maybe we'll try the 10 day cruise one of these days. We need to get through our 1st 4 day first.

Now that it's 2005, I'm hoping the weeks will fly by. We have 2 trips planned in between (Gettysburg & Hilton Head) so that will help ease the anticipation.