Sept. 7, 2012 - Magic NYC - Canada

[EllaEnchanted]

The Lincoln Tunnel construction is only at night, 10:30pm to 5:00am. It has not been affecting morning traffic.

OH that's good to know. It's also very wise. Thanks for letting me know. It sounds like the Lincoln Tunnel is our best bet then. I'll pass the info on to my DH John.

 

[gometros]

OH that's good to know. It's also very wise. Thanks for letting me know. It sounds like the Lincoln Tunnel is our best bet then. I'll pass the info on to my DH John.

I would. I assume you're coming from west I-80. To go to the bridge brings you north of where you want to end up anyway. You can pick up the turnpike off of 80 to the tunnel.

 

[DL1957]

those links are not the updated version - try this

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AgIj_cWvlVITdHU1ZXFrcExYT3IxRk9TRGE3MmpqSEE#gid=0

Not sure if it will work - there have been additions to the list since those links were posted.

This whole thing has been very confusing

Thanks.... I just don't want to miss anyone and I am working with BFF who is doing this for the first time and leaves to head East from CA via car on Monday!

 

[dthogue]

Wow all this talk about traffic makes me so that we are taking Amtrak into the city and not driving. My DH would be if he had to drive in and park.

Thanks for the tips on walking - I can't imagine dragging my suitcases and walking to the port - taxi it will be

 

[EllaEnchanted]

I would. I assume you're coming from west I-80. To go to the bridge brings you north of where you want to end up anyway. You can pick up the turnpike off of 80 to the tunnel.

Yes, we are coming from west I-80 heading east. We always take the GW bridge to go to Long Island to see family. Both John and I were Long Island born and raised and we still have family there.

John said he can take I-80 to Route 3 to the Lincoln tunnel OR he can take I-78 to the Holland Tunnel and go uptown from there. We'll see how he feels on the day of and he will decide which way he feels like going. I just read everyone's posts to him and he knows to stay away from the GW bridge.

Thank you all so very much for helping us out with this.

How much extra time should we add since it's rush hour? It normally takes us an hour and a half to get to Manhattan. Should we add on an extra hour? I want to get there at 9:00am when the parking garage opens since it's first come first served. Should we leave at 6:30am?

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Wow all this talk about traffic makes me so that we are taking Amtrak into the city and not driving. My DH would be if he had to drive in and park.

Thanks for the tips on walking - I can't imagine dragging my suitcases and walking to the port - taxi it will be

Walking with luggage does not sound like fun at all. A taxi sounds like the way to go.

John and I love driving in the city and we like having the car available as soon as we get off the ship.

Although different, it works out for you and for us.

 

[HopeSparkles]

Wow, I hadn't been getting any emails so I didn't think anyone was posting like my 9/2 cruise. No one has posted since 8/4/12. In fact I was the last one who posted that day. Then I come here and there are 5 pages.

Christa, I see your point.....it's like is the glass half full or half empty. Bottom line.....for those that need, it' starts at 3:00pm. Come early if you can. Keep it simple.

Thanks, so basically some of us who can't stay past 3pm can come at 2:30pm and those who can't make it earlier will come at 3pm.

Thanks for all the welcomes!

Just an FYI for all the Marylanders. Sounds like most people are happy not to fly but in case you are interested, Southwest is only $50 each way between BWI and Newark. Is anyone else planning on flying from BWI on the morning of the cruise?

Where are you from in Maryland?

I'm from Baltimore... Northeast Baltimore County in White Marsh right off of 95 and 40 where 43 intersects. We have a neighbor 3 doors down who has a limo service who is only charging us $500 plus tip. When I added up the airfare from BWI, the fees, the luggage tips at both airports, the wheelchair tip for me and my mom at both airports, the ground transportation and tips it worked out to be about the same price. And even if it was a little cheaper and though the flight was an hour and 10 minutes vs a 3 hour and 10 minute drive, a Suburban would be so much more comfortable on my disabled mom and my 13 herniated discs in my spine. Plus, when you add in the 2 hours at the airport before hand plus flight time and ground transfer time it works out to be the same length of time. So long story short we are being driven up and back by our neighbor to avoid all the headaches of flight travel. But, thanks for the info!

IMHO I would never fly from BWI to NY. You'd spend more time counting travel to and from the airport than driving which is no more than four hours from BWI.

Yes, from my house to the terminal it is 3 hours and 10 minutes. If you factor any stops it is still the same length of time it would take from start to finish of flying. So, we are using my neighbors limo service where we will be in a comfy Suburban for about the same price to if you factor all things I said above to TBPChick.

FYI
For those that have GTY for a Verandah, DCL has closed that category in their online booking for this cruise. I checked Expedia, and they are showing Verandah as sold out. Travelocity is saying call to book verandah category...DCL is still booking all other stateroom categories. Hopeful that it means we will get our stateroom assignment soon!

All the Verandahs sold out by July 15th according to a Supervisor I spoke to on the 16th.

those links are not the updated version - try this

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AgIj_cWvlVITdHU1ZXFrcExYT3IxRk9TRGE3MmpqSEE#gid=0

Not sure if it will work - there have been additions to the list since those links were posted.

This whole thing has been very confusing

Tammy you have me spoiled by your being the Queen of the November cruise!

 

[EOppegaard]

This whole thing has been very confusing

I apologize those have found it confusing. If there is one thing I have learned, it is not to be the keeper of the FE list. I am clearly outranked in my ability to manage the list.

The links actually posted previously are still correct, and reflect new additions. The google doc posted online is automatically updated when someone fills out a webform.

Due to requests, I have also updated the PDF and excel versions of the lists also previously posted. In anticipation of this, the links actually go to my dropbox account, where the files are updated. In otherwords, preventing "old" links of the documents not linking to "newer" links.

As requested, here is the FE list based off of the entries via the previously posted webform:

Excel Version
PDF Version

It looks like a total of 43 Adults and 12 Children across 22 staterooms!

The webform will remain live to grab any folks that want to add their name, however the consensus on the thread was to have a "cutoff" by the 1st (today). We always have a few extra FE gifts, or create something in case a last minute participant wants to join in.

Webform Link

 

[NC State Tigger]

DH and I have booked this cruise at the last minute. Had plans to be in PA beginning Sept 12th and I talked him into this cruise "since we would already be going north" We will just leave home a few days early.

Plans are to drive as far as Baltimore then fly to NY for the cruise and then back to Baltimore and continue to our PA destination after the cruise.

This will be our 3rd Disney cruise and we have another planned in December on the Fantasy with DD, DSiL, DGD, DS and DF. By the end of 2012, I will have sailed on all 4 Disney ships and can mark one thing off my "bucket list".

Looking forward to this last minute get-a-way. This week was our anniversary and DH's birthday and I decided this would be a great way to celebrate. The cruise is our "gift" to each other.

I've started to read thru the cruise meet thread. Lots to do in the next couple of weeks.

Donna

 

[TPBChick]

Where are you from in Maryland?

I'm from Baltimore... Northeast Baltimore County in White Marsh right off of 95 and 40 where 43 intersects. We have a neighbor 3 doors down who has a limo service who is only charging us $500 plus tip. When I added up the airfare from BWI, the fees, the luggage tips at both airports, the wheelchair tip for me and my mom at both airports, the ground transportation and tips it worked out to be about the same price. And even if it was a little cheaper and though the flight was an hour and 10 minutes vs a 3 hour and 10 minute drive, a Suburban would be so much more comfortable on my disabled mom and my 13 herniated discs in my spine. Plus, when you add in the 2 hours at the airport before hand plus flight time and ground transfer time it works out to be the same length of time. So long story short we are being driven up and back by our neighbor to avoid all the headaches of flight travel. But, thanks for the info!


I live in Northern Baltimore County "The Hereford Zone" but my sister lives near the airport. She is going to take me to/from the airport so no parking fees. I went ahead and booked a flight on SW Airlines. It will cost me more for the ground transfers than if I took the train but there are only two of us. I have flown SW so many times I guess I just feel the most comfortable with the flight option. As gometros said, driving from where I live makes sense but driving myself to Manhattan makes me nervous.

 

[Michellynn]

Soooooo.....I'm a little late to the group here.

DH and I (we have no children) just booked the cruise about a month ago and I have been sort of scrambling to get organized ever since. I'm a chronic planner...so when the details do not have a fine point on them...it is a little "uncomfortable" for me..hahaha.

In any event...mostly everything is planned at this point, and I am no longer just reading threads with specific topics related to what I am trying to plan at that moment. Now, getting in to coasting mode (or "cruise" mode..haha) in anticipation for our trip, and finally branching out to other topics/threads more casually.

DH and I are big WDW fans..but this is our first cruise. We booked a verandah room, mid-ship on deck 7....so I think we have a pretty good spot for our first experience of DCL. Also, we are sort of "scoping it out" to see if my parents might want to give a DCL cruise a try next year (they are also HUGE WDW fans, going about once every 1-2 years...yet they have never done a cruise..DCL or otherwise).

Sooooo...as I said... a little late in getting on board for the trip..but really looking forward to experiencing our first cruise.

 

[mariaelenak]

I apologize those have found it confusing. If there is one thing I have learned, it is not to be the keeper of the FE list. I am clearly outranked in my ability to manage the list.

The links actually posted previously are still correct, and reflect new additions. The google doc posted online is automatically updated when someone fills out a webform.

Due to requests, I have also updated the PDF and excel versions of the lists also previously posted. In anticipation of this, the links actually go to my dropbox account, where the files are updated. In otherwords, preventing "old" links of the documents not linking to "newer" links.

Your list is FANTASTIC Eric! I'm the keeper of the FE list for my Nov. 2013 cruise and I created the same type of form using the Google form/spreadsheet. I didn't even know I could do that so thanks!! I'll create the Room Change Document and bring it to the Meet and Greet and then you can put it in one of your FE pockets in case of last minute room upgrades, etc.

 

[Michellynn]

How much extra time should we add since it's rush hour? It normally takes us an hour and a half to get to Manhattan. Should we add on an extra hour? I want to get there at 9:00am when the parking garage opens since it's first come first served. Should we leave at 6:30am?

Good question. DH and I will be coming from just west of Philadelphia and it takes us about 2.5 hrs to get to Manhattan. I had originally planned on leaving at about 7:30 so that we could get there by 10:00am. I hadn't realized the garage opened at 9am.

Our boarding time isn't until 11:30....so I was trying to not get there too early (extra sleep and all that...haha). BUT, I don't want to miss out on easy parking right at the terminal either.

 

[valbob89]

Soooooo.....I'm a little late to the group here.

DH and I (we have no children) just booked the cruise about a month ago and I have been sort of scrambling to get organized ever since. I'm a chronic planner...so when the details do not have a fine point on them...it is a little "uncomfortable" for me..hahaha.

In any event...mostly everything is planned at this point, and I am no longer just reading threads with specific topics related to what I am trying to plan at that moment. Now, getting in to coasting mode (or "cruise" mode..haha) in anticipation for our trip, and finally branching out to other topics/threads more casually.

DH and I are big WDW fans..but this is our first cruise. We booked a verandah room, mid-ship on deck 7....so I think we have a pretty good spot for our first experience of DCL. Also, we are sort of "scoping it out" to see if my parents might want to give a DCL cruise a try next year (they are also HUGE WDW fans, going about once every 1-2 years...yet they have never done a cruise..DCL or otherwise).

Sooooo...as I said... a little late in getting on board for the trip..but really looking forward to experiencing our first cruise.

Welcome! If you have any questions regarding the ship, ask away. Will appreciate your sharing what you have "scoped out" about Halifax and Saint John.

Val

 

[gometros]

DH and I have booked this cruise at the last minute. Had plans to be in PA beginning Sept 12th and I talked him into this cruise "since we would already be going north" We will just leave home a few days early.

Plans are to drive as far as Baltimore then fly to NY for the cruise and then back to Baltimore and continue to our PA destination after the cruise.

This will be our 3rd Disney cruise and we have another planned in December on the Fantasy with DD, DSiL, DGD, DS and DF. By the end of 2012, I will have sailed on all 4 Disney ships and can mark one thing off my "bucket list".

Looking forward to this last minute get-a-way. This week was our anniversary and DH's birthday and I decided this would be a great way to celebrate. The cruise is our "gift" to each other.

I've started to read thru the cruise meet thread. Lots to do in the next couple of weeks.

Donna

I'll repeat a recommendation I made earlier, before you joined. The drive from Baltimore to NY is about 3.5 hours. You'll spend more time in the airport and flying than just driving straight through. I know you're already driving in from Rocky Mount (one of our favorite stopping points when we used to drive to Orlando, btw), but consider just continuing on for the duration.

Soooooo.....I'm a little late to the group here.

DH and I (we have no children) just booked the cruise about a month ago and I have been sort of scrambling to get organized ever since. I'm a chronic planner...so when the details do not have a fine point on them...it is a little "uncomfortable" for me..hahaha.

In any event...mostly everything is planned at this point, and I am no longer just reading threads with specific topics related to what I am trying to plan at that moment. Now, getting in to coasting mode (or "cruise" mode..haha) in anticipation for our trip, and finally branching out to other topics/threads more casually.

DH and I are big WDW fans..but this is our first cruise. We booked a verandah room, mid-ship on deck 7....so I think we have a pretty good spot for our first experience of DCL. Also, we are sort of "scoping it out" to see if my parents might want to give a DCL cruise a try next year (they are also HUGE WDW fans, going about once every 1-2 years...yet they have never done a cruise..DCL or otherwise).

Sooooo...as I said... a little late in getting on board for the trip..but really looking forward to experiencing our first cruise.

Better late than never. And there's only four more weeks to go.

Yes, we are coming from west I-80 heading east. We always take the GW bridge to go to Long Island to see family. Both John and I were Long Island born and raised and we still have family there.

John said he can take I-80 to Route 3 to the Lincoln tunnel OR he can take I-78 to the Holland Tunnel and go uptown from there. We'll see how he feels on the day of and he will decide which way he feels like going. I just read everyone's posts to him and he knows to stay away from the GW bridge.

Thank you all so very much for helping us out with this.

How much extra time should we add since it's rush hour? It normally takes us an hour and a half to get to Manhattan. Should we add on an extra hour? I want to get there at 9:00am when the parking garage opens since it's first come first served. Should we leave at 6:30am?

You're only going to hit any kind of traffic as you get close to the tunnel, so no more than 30 minutes additional, just to play it safe.

 

[genequeen19]

I think I saw on this thread that someone mentioned that they were going to be renting a car in halifax. My dm and I are renting a car as there is too much in Halifax that we want to do- citadel, Peggy's cove, titanic cemetery with jack Dawson, the shops and drive light house row! We could not find an excursion that offered all that in one with enough time to explore!

 

[DisneyDream2B]

Has anyone been able to determine which time(s) would be best to visit the reversing falls in Saint John, in order to see the falls 'reversing'? I located a tide table, but still cannot discern the optimal times to view this. Anyone?

Thanks

 

[dthogue]

I think I saw on this thread that someone mentioned that they were going to be renting a car in halifax. My dm and I are renting a car as there is too much in Halifax that we want to do- citadel, Peggy's cove, titanic cemetery with jack Dawson, the shops and drive light house row! We could not find an excursion that offered all that in one with enough time to explore!

I was thinking of doing the same thing. What (and where) is light house row - that sounds interesting.

 

[DL1957]

Soooooo.....I'm a little late to the group here.

DH and I (we have no children) just booked the cruise about a month ago and I have been sort of scrambling to get organized ever since. I'm a chronic planner...so when the details do not have a fine point on them...it is a little "uncomfortable" for me..hahaha.

In any event...mostly everything is planned at this point, and I am no longer just reading threads with specific topics related to what I am trying to plan at that moment. Now, getting in to coasting mode (or "cruise" mode..haha) in anticipation for our trip, and finally branching out to other topics/threads more casually.

DH and I are big WDW fans..but this is our first cruise. We booked a verandah room, mid-ship on deck 7....so I think we have a pretty good spot for our first experience of DCL. Also, we are sort of "scoping it out" to see if my parents might want to give a DCL cruise a try next year (they are also HUGE WDW fans, going about once every 1-2 years...yet they have never done a cruise..DCL or otherwise).

Sooooo...as I said... a little late in getting on board for the trip..but really looking forward to experiencing our first cruise.

WSELCOME

 

[genequeen19]

It is near Peggy's cove and has lots of lighthouses on it. My DM loves lighthouses. I will check the guide book about the reversing water falls. I did not find the triple a books particularly helpful.