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

[MaryJ]

3Dan,
Are you taking the limo service back to WDW after the cruise? I have been looking into that and wondered what the charge would be. No one has that on their website...only Port Canaveral to airport is listed. My sister and I are flying down from Indy on Saturday and plan to stay in WDW after the cruise (probably VWL) until the following Saturday or Sunday.

 

[3DAN]

MaryJ,
Yes, we will be taking a limo back. Disney transportation is great but with eight people I felt that for that price, we could go limo. We have never done limo before. I researched the boards and arbitrarily chose Southern Elegance for our trip. I felt Susan there has been exceedingly helpful. I couldn't find any negative comments about them. Others have had their share of problems. SE is small and private and appears to likely be able to live up to a schedule. I suspect that the larger services tend to get over booked or have enough schedule modifications that it has generated some bad comments. I don't want to be with a large company if it potentially gets me something I didn't want and generates tension. This trip is that important. No tension.
Plus, I think the other family will be amazed with a limo. If getting to the port at an average time is okay with you , then I recommend the DCL bus at least once. In March, we got there and on board at two pm. Too late for us. Once again, tension. There are other limo services that also seem small and likely reliable. Yes, I know that there are you guys out there that had great results with the large limo companies.
I'll know more after the reposition cruise about SE. Look under transportation boards and you will see the names of many limo services.
Bill

 

[cgcw]

We had planned on renting a car and driving out to the port. I'm wondering if this is the best idea. We've never cruised before so I need some help from the cruise veterans.

How are most of you getting to the port?

 

[alikat99]

We haven't solidified a plan yet, but ours is a little easier, because we're already here in central FL. DH's 20yr high school reunion is Labor Day weekend, and it's in Lakeland (which is between Tampa & Orlando). I think that we are going to stay in Lakeland Friday night and head to WDW for Saturday night. I'm not sure where we're going to stay yet. I'll be on the lookout for FL resident rates at the WDW hotels. Then, we'll just drive over to the port on Sunday morning.

 

[WDWLVR]

Bill - we used Southern Elegance from the Port to Beach Club and then from Beach Club to the airport the next day. They were wonderful! I can't recommend them enough. Their drivers are friendly and professional and went above and beyond for us.

 

[dbond]

We will be renting a car upon arrival on Saturday, staying overnight at WDW, hopefully SSR, then returning the car at the port, (Avis or Budget, we don't like the National location at the port). On the return, we will take the DCL buses to the airport.

 

[3DAN]

Thanks for the info Mary. It seems like you and Mark get up pretty early. Is that true? I most likely will be the only one up real early and will want to eat. I think I'll be looking for company for breakfast. Problem is that I don't know which restaurant to go to. I' ll learn more on the reposition cruise. Suspect topsiders is the easiest and it also has krispy kremes which I don't think are in Parrot Cay. Is it buffet or did they change it to service in the AM?
Bill

 

[WDWLVR]

Bill - yes we are up pretty early. I'm more an early bird than Mark, but he'll get up depending on what is going on.


What is Topsiders on the Magic is Beach Blanket Buffet on the Wonder and where we usually have breakfast. We like to eat outside so we usually do that but also have been known to grab breakfast and head back to our room and eat out on the verandah.

Triton's (Lumiere's on the Magic) has sit down breakfast. Not sure about Parrot Cay - we've only done that for the Character Breakfast.

 

[CarolA]

For my one and only cruise I rented a car and just parked it at the port. The weekly rate I got was better then two one way rates and it was pretty easy.

Right now I don't plan to arrive in Orlando until early the departure morning. I have season tickets for UT football and we have a game Saturday.

 

[WDWLVR]

Found us on page 2!

To generate some more discussion. I know we have a few first time cruisers with us. Do you guys have any questions the rest of us can answer?

 

[MarkRG]

Ok to generate some more discussion...

I WILL have something out in email by the end of this coming weekend. FOR CERTAIN.

Right now, I'm looking to an early evening meeting. That'll cover most everyone having a shot at showing up and not break up what may be a day at WDW, or for people who are flying in or driving in(us) that day.

I'm looking also towards a publicly accessible area. This meet will not be inside any of the parks, so peopel without park passes will be able to attend.

The reason for WDW as the location this time is twofold. One, the Radisson put restrictions on the rooms because of the holiday weekend. Two, the early feedback I've been getting is a lot are combining time at WDW with the cruise.

The precruise meet is NOT mandatory. There will be one on Deck 10, Midship Starboard (above the Goofy Pool, side the ship docks on) at 3pm. The precruise meet is for everyone who will be down there early (or lives there) to get together.

 

[dbond]

To generate some more discussion. I know we have a few first time cruisers with us. Do you guys have any questions the rest of us can answer?

I'm not a first time cruiser, but I do have a question and you really experienced cruisers may know (I've only cruised DCL 3 times so I'm not sure if I fall into the really experienced category). Anyway, here goes....Are they going to make the REAS available to this cruise and if so, when can I call to book it?

 

[WDWLVR]

Bill - that's a good question. I would think they would make it available. We did it on the 10 day and enjoyed it. Not sure if we would book it for this one (I'm thinking no). My reasoning is that on the last Member Cruise they had talks etc. planned all the time (well more so than on a regular cruise it seemed). So with my luck I'd book our massages and then miss something fun.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I just wanted to check in with you all! I can't wait, and am thrilled to think that I'll be meeting you and taking a vacation with so many friends I've never met face-to-face.

Bobbi

 

[dbond]

Bill

HeHe, didn't know I looked like a Bill?

Mary, that's a good point about leaving time for all the extra activities. We've never done the REAS and I sure don't want to pass up any valuable spa time, but I don't want to miss anything else either. Not sure if it's really worth the expense on a 4-day, but it would save me the aggravation of trying to book the spa & Palo when boarding. I'm just so excited to be cruising with hubby with no kids, I wanna make it special.

Dorothy

 

[WDWLVR]

HeHe, didn't know I looked like a Bill?


Dorothy

Dorothy - sorry about that. Got your screen name mixed in my head with someone else's. oppps

 

[MaryJ]

What is REAS?

 

[WDWLVR]

REAS is Romantic Escape At Sea. It was just under $300 when we did it, I think it went up for '05. It includes:

• Dinner at Palo
• A couples massage
• Gift basket including a photo album, chocolates and champagne
• Champagne breakfast in bed (your room) with a much larger selection than you can get with normal room service breakfast
• Romantic turn-down service on your Palo night including rose petals from the door to the bed

Not part of the package but something they have been allowing is that you can also book Palo High Tea and Brunch on cruises those are available and also you can request your dinner rotation.

In a nutshell most people do it so they don't have to do the ressie rush for Palo and the spa.

 

[3DAN]

Don't you guys be Dis-in me, GET IT, "DIS" in me. Ha Ha.
Bill

 

[WDWLVR]

Don't you guys be Dis-in me, GET IT, "DIS" in me. Ha Ha.
Bill