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

[3DAN]

Cheer up Mary, just remember how much fun we're gonna have. The boards are a blast.
Bill

 

[WDWLVR]

Cheer up Mary, just remember how much fun we're gonna have. The boards are a blast.
Bill

I'm fine - that isn't a sad smile - it is a guilty one.

 

[cherylp3]

ooh I have a question.

Todd is interested in Dinner at Palo. Can someone tell me how you book PAlo?

Cheryl

 

[mrsdon]

My best frind andher boyfriend are getting married in Kye West during the cruise.
Do you think a REAS package would be a nice gift?

They are bringing her 2 daughters, and I would take them for the evening, but my cabin will be full as I am traveling with my whole family.
I'm sorry, I havent been able to really follow this thread, but I am as excited as all get out to be going on antother member cruise.

 

[WDWLVR]

Cheryl - to book Palo you just go to the assigned place (usually Wavebands I believe on the Wonder) right after boarding. They will have servers there with a reservation chart and you just tell them what night and time you want to go. If it is open they will pencil you in. If not they'll work with on what they do have open. There is a $10 charge per person (and most people add a tip to that). the exception to this is if you are REAS plan then dinner is covered (but we still tipped).


mrsdon - i think the REAS plan would be a wonderful gift for them.


One more thing to consider about Palo. Not sure if they will do it again, but on the last Member Cruise some of the raffle prizes were dinner in Palo in the private room. Nice!

 

[dbond]

I'm thinking about my cruise budget and I remember when we booked there was some rumor/talk about tipping being included on this cruise as a Member perk. Some people posted that their CM mentioned it. Has anyone seen this in writing somewhere? Is it for real, can I count on it or should I be on the safe side and budget accordingly? We usually tip over the recommended amount to our favorite CM's anyway, but if that recommended amount is included, that's significant.

I'm feeling pretty good about my lack of cash expenditures for this trip so far. It's booked on points, hotel the night before on points, flights with frequent flyer miles, we have a significant chunk in our Disney Visa Rewards account, the only cash outlay so far is rental car to the port & transfers and tips (?). Am I missing something? I'm trying to justify whether or not I should spend the extra for the REAS, or relish in the praise of my DH for my thriftyness.

 

[cgcw]

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

I've been meaning to post for a couple of days. Somehow it hasn't happened. Anyway.....

What time do most people get to the port? Are there advantages to getting there early?

 

[MaryJ]

And to follow up with the last question:

Can someone give me some information on the different ways to get to port? I know that the three basic choices are: rental car, town car, or Disney transport. My sister and I plan to come down a day early and stay for 3-4 days after the cruise in WDW. What would be our best option?

 

[Disney1fan2002]

If you are taking your kids out of school, how far into the school year will it be for them? My kids start the week beofre, so they will miss just the 2nd week of school. I am starting to have mixed feelings, but rather have them miss the 2nd week of schoool, than a week later in the year when they are more involved in the school work, ect.

 

[#1Mouse]

3 of our kids will be away at college and our 10 yo will stay with grandma & grandpa (YEAH, G&G) The main reason we are not taking her out of school for the Member cruise is because we are going to WDW in December for 2 weeks and she'll miss 1 week of school then. September 2003 we took her on a cruise in early September. It was her third week of school and she didn't have any problems. She was able to get some of the work before we left and the rest she did after we got back.

Gail

 

[cgcw]

If you are taking your kids out of school, how far into the school year will it be for them? My kids start the week beofre, so they will miss just the 2nd week of school. I am starting to have mixed feelings, but rather have them miss the 2nd week of schoool, than a week later in the year when they are more involved in the school work, ect.

Hi Marie,

Those "mixed feelings" must be going around because I've been feeling the same way.

I have no concerns what-so-ever with taking DS4 out. He will be just starting kindergarten. In fact, if I'm guessing his schedule right, he won't even start until that week. So, he'll miss his two first days. I have no concerns at all for him. I know he'll catch up and since he's continuing on with kindergarten at his preschool and with the same teacher, I'm certain it won't be a problem.

DS10 is another story. 5th grade for him starts the 3rd week of August. I'm starting to have reservations because 4th grade was a tough adjustment year. The teachers no longer give breaks as they did in the younger years. There is no review - from day one, it's work, work, work. We have always taken him out of school and not had a problem. We are not going to WDW this school year. In my heart of heart, I know my DS will be able to catch up. I think I'm more concerned about the teacher feelings/attitude than my DS. We don't find out teacher/class lists until 1 week before school.

But, regardless of any reservations, the kids are still going. We do not have family they could stay with. Even though we have family close by, we've never left them with anyone (other than the night DS4 was born and then we had no choice). Our family is just not the type to take their nephews for a week. Both grandmothers are not physically able to care for them. So, leaving them home is not an option and not going is not an option either.

Cindy

 

[WDWLVR]

I've been meaning to post for a couple of days. Somehow it hasn't happened. Anyway.....

What time do most people get to the port? Are there advantages to getting there early?

Wow you would think I would know this since we just did this a month ago.

Port opens at 10:30

Advantages to getting their early. No lines yet. You get on the ship faster and the sooner you get on the ship the sooner you can do the ressie rush and get it out of the way. The sooner you get on the ship the sooner you can enjoy the ship.

Disadvantages to getting their early. You have to wait a good hour to hour and a half. For both the DVC Member Cruise and our 10 day this wasn't a problem at all as we had lots of fun in line.

 

[WDWLVR]

And to follow up with the last question:

Can someone give me some information on the different ways to get to port? I know that the three basic choices are: rental car, town car, or Disney transport. My sister and I plan to come down a day early and stay for 3-4 days after the cruise in WDW. What would be our best option?

We've done all three and my recommendation if you don't have your own car is to take a town car or limo. Disney transport is good especially for a first time visitor as they have tv's on the bus to show you what to expect. The downside is they get you to the terminal after everyone who drives is mostly already there.

A rental car is a good option especially if you want to stay by the port that night. We did a rental car on the first leg of our 10 day trip and used Avis. They were very efficient at getting us to the port.

With a limo or town car you have no worries -let someone else do the driving and you enjoy the ride!

 

[cgcw]

Port opens at 10:30

Disadvantages to getting their early. You have to wait a good hour to hour and a half. For both the DVC Member Cruise and our 10 day this wasn't a problem at all as we had lots of fun in line.

Hi Mary,

If the port opens at 10:30, does boarding start at noon? And if so, getting there at noon would still present a line which we would have to wait in -- right?

 

[WDWLVR]

Cindy - yes if you get to the port at noon there will most likely be a long line snaking its way on board. If you get to the port at say 12:30 or 1:00 you will find no line at all. The downside of this is that you might not get the Palo or Spa reversations you want.

Honest opinion is that Palo is great, but we didn't do it until our 5th cruise. So take that for what is worth.

 

[cgcw]

Thanks, Mary.

Decisions, decisions. We'll probably do the wait in line routine.

 

[CarolA]

Keep in mind that boarding is not guranteed at noon. On our cruise boarding was delayed because weather had delayed the ships arrival into the Port. (I think we boarded at 1) We were very early in line because my SIL wanted on the BOAT LOL!

I know the MS person told me tips were included, but I don't have it in writing.

 

[bonzie1]

We were also told that tips were included. Perhaps that's why the points were more expensive than they were on the first member cruise? I thought I saw it in writing somewhere... maybe in the pre announcement? I'll have to look when I get home tonight. I am hoping they are.

One and a half hours til the weekend! Yea!

 

[cherylp3]

hey we were on page 2!!!!

eeek..

Anyone know hoe much parking at the port is???

Cheryl

 

[WDWLVR]

Parking is $10 per day. That's the option we'll be using this time as well. We've never parked before so it should be a new adventure for us.