September 22, 2012 Fantasy Eastern "From Fantasyland to the Fantasy"

[Nikki'sMommy]

So, it looks like they have started assigning the GTY rooms. We booked a 6B and were assigned to room 5536 which appears to be a 4E. It looks like a pretty amazing amount of pixie dust

Great! Our friends on the same trip booked 6a and will be right across the hall from you- they got 5032... Love hearing good upgrades.

 

[fluffsmom]

We got our room assignment the girls room is #7534 and the boys are attached. We'll be using 7534 for our FE exchange.

 

[camtheriot]

We got our assignments as well!! Soooo happy to have connecting rooms as requested. We will be in 2524 and 2526. We will be using 2526 for the FE exchange...

 

[livingis2me]

So, it looks like they have started assigning the GTY rooms. We booked a 6B and were assigned to room 5536 which appears to be a 4E. It looks like a pretty amazing amount of pixie dust

We got our room assignment the girls room is #7534 and the boys are attached. We'll be using 7534 for our FE exchange.

We got our assignments as well!! Soooo happy to have connecting rooms as requested. We will be in 2524 and 2526. We will be using 2526 for the FE exchange...

I've added all your stateroom #s to the roll call.

Ron

 

[alohabob]

Its August! Now we can officially say: "we go on vacation next month!!"




(I've pulled out the suitcases too...I hate finding things that we will be bringing on the cruise and putting in a pile and it gets moved because I forgot what the pile was. So now it goes into the suitcase!)

And now we can say we are under 50 days

 

[alohabob]

For those who are doing a post stay and are planning on going to the International Food and Wine Feastival, the menus for the Marketplace Kiosks have been released. Looks like some good eats and drinks and a few new Kiosks to try

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/epcot/events/index.htm#market

 

[mouseears1]

For those who are doing a post stay and are planning on going to the International Food and Wine Feastival, the menus for the Marketplace Kiosks have been released. Looks like some good eats and drinks and a few new Kiosks to try

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/epcot/events/index.htm#market

Thank you! This looks really good. Alan and I can't wait!

Alisia

 

[alohabob]

Travel AdvisoriesTropical Weather Update

As you may be aware, Tropical Storm Ernesto is predicted to strengthen into a hurricane over the weekend and move through the Western Caribbean early next week. Due to the possible impact of this storm over the next few days in the Western Caribbean, we have modified the itinerary of the August 4, 2012, sailing of the Disney Fantasy to include ports of call a safe distance away from the storm.

The revised itinerary will be as follows:

Saturday – Port Canaveral
Sunday – Day at Sea
Monday – Day at Sea
Tuesday – St. Maarten
Wednesday – St. Thomas
Thursday – Day at Sea
Friday – Disney's Castaway Cay
Saturday – Port Canaveral

The safety and well-being of our guests and crew members is our highest priority, and we always monitor approaching weather systems closely and are prepared to alter our ship's courses and itineraries to navigate away from severe weather.

What a bummer! well the bad news is they lost out on their excursions but now they can spend more on drinks and bingo or shopping in the new ports of call.

 

[RaisedOnDisney7106]

Forgot to update that our room number is 8580. So excited to sail on our first Disney cruise!!

Also, a first timer question. How will we know the new room numbers to deliver the FEs to if people upgrade at the port?

My thoughts are consumed with all things Disney cruising. Can't wait!

 

[HollandmillerFamily]

Getting my ducks in a row...
First, livingis2me/nenner1 and mickip, we've reserved our spot on the Random Winds and are excited to be sailing with you! It's my husband and me and our 3.75 year old (at time of sailing) so it sounds like we'll have three kids in the same age range, which I'm hoping will make it more fun for them... and easier on all of us!
Second, I've been following along on many of the posts for our meet and have gotten such great tips. Thank you, all! This is our third Disney cruise but, being from the Bay Area in California, our first two cruises were out of LA and didn't require much coordination. This time we're flying into FL late on Friday night (confirmed flights this week) and are planning hotel/transportation to port. It appears that the Hyatt MCO in the airport is by far the most popular option for those of us flying in and I'm wondering how many others are planning to stay there. Is transportation to port included? Do I book transportation at the same time as making reservations? Is there a better option?
I know many people are shipping FE boxes, etc. to the ship beforehand, which sounds like a great idea. How do you do that?
Here's another random question... Last time we brought my husband's suit in a garment bag and carried it on the plane. It was such a pain! Does anyone else pack suit/tux jackets in a suitcase and does it work out? Silly question, I know.
Finally, I'm wondering what one thing you've learned from past cruises that you wish you had known beforehand. For me, it was probably that the Navigator was priceless and we should check that thing first every morning so we don't miss anything. I know that's a pretty obvious one but even on the second cruise, we found out too late that we'd missed things, like kids' events. Bummer!
Okay, that's it. Thank you again to all of you who have been posting helpful tips and tricks as well as cranking up the anticipation for our cruise. In reality, it's only seven short days so all the months and weeks of anticipation really contribute to the memory! Thanks.

 

[RaisedOnDisney7106]

Last time we brought my husband's suit in a garment bag and carried it on the plane. It was such a pain! Does anyone else pack suit/tux jackets in a suitcase and does it work out?

We packed my husbands suit in a fold up garment bag and put it in the checked suitcase right on top. Nothing was wrinkled and it made traveling much easier.

 

[miry]

We packed my husbands suit in a fold up garment bag and put it in the checked suitcase right on top. Nothing was wrinkled and it made traveling much easier.

We pack my son's tux in the suitcase along with all our regular clothes and have never had a problem.

 

[Nikki'sMommy]

Also, a first timer question. How will we know the new room numbers to deliver the FEs to if people upgrade at the port?
!

I asked Jen (nenner1) about this also as we are hoping to upgrade to conceirge at the port(fingers crossed). She said that she will have a magnetic board on her room and will post changes there. I would think that anyone going to the meet can try and get the word around too... We can't wait either!

 

[alohabob]

Getting my ducks in a row...
First, livingis2me/nenner1 and mickip, we've reserved our spot on the Random Winds and are excited to be sailing with you! It's my husband and me and our 3.75 year old (at time of sailing) so it sounds like we'll have three kids in the same age range, which I'm hoping will make it more fun for them... and easier on all of us!
Second, I've been following along on many of the posts for our meet and have gotten such great tips. Thank you, all! This is our third Disney cruise but, being from the Bay Area in California, our first two cruises were out of LA and didn't require much coordination. This time we're flying into FL late on Friday night (confirmed flights this week) and are planning hotel/transportation to port. It appears that the Hyatt MCO in the airport is by far the most popular option for those of us flying in and I'm wondering how many others are planning to stay there. Is transportation to port included? Do I book transportation at the same time as making reservations? Is there a better option?
I know many people are shipping FE boxes, etc. to the ship beforehand, which sounds like a great idea. How do you do that?
Here's another random question... Last time we brought my husband's suit in a garment bag and carried it on the plane. It was such a pain! Does anyone else pack suit/tux jackets in a suitcase and does it work out? Silly question, I know.
Finally, I'm wondering what one thing you've learned from past cruises that you wish you had known beforehand. For me, it was probably that the Navigator was priceless and we should check that thing first every morning so we don't miss anything. I know that's a pretty obvious one but even on the second cruise, we found out too late that we'd missed things, like kids' events. Bummer!
Okay, that's it. Thank you again to all of you who have been posting helpful tips and tricks as well as cranking up the anticipation for our cruise. In reality, it's only seven short days so all the months and weeks of anticipation really contribute to the memory! Thanks.

I think I can help you on two of the questions: I use to bring a garment bag but found my suit was just fine in our suitcase, it is the last thing I put in and the first thing I pull out and hang up.
The Navigator is put in your cabin the night before and we look it over that night so we can plan our next day....seems to work for us.

 

[nenner1]

Forgot to update that our room number is 8580. So excited to sail on our first Disney cruise!!

Also, a first timer question. How will we know the new room numbers to deliver the FEs to if people upgrade at the port?

My thoughts are consumed with all things Disney cruising. Can't wait!

I asked Jen (nenner1) about this also as we are hoping to upgrade to conceirge at the port(fingers crossed). She said that she will have a magnetic board on her room and will post changes there. I would think that anyone going to the meet can try and get the word around too... We can't wait either!

Yep, Lisa is absolutely right.

We will have a white dry erase board on the top of our door (room 7192. all the way aft on Deck 7). If anyone on the FE list upgrades at the port, or has their rooms changed last minute for any reason, give me a call in 7192 and I will write any changes on the board.

Then as everyone prepares to begin your delivieries, please take a moment to stop by our room to see if anyone has moved. All info I receive on changes will remain on the board all week!

We have had our room changed by DCL before last minute. Luckily we were only two rooms down from the room we were supposed to be in (and that cruise had a white board info system as well) but people still delivered gifts to the original room and left them on the floor even though there was no FE there or anything.

So please do come by and check to see if anything has changed before heading out to drop off FE gifts! Thanks!!!

Speaking of FE's with all of the GTY assignments going on, we now only have 2 (two) FE participants left that do not have a room assignment! that is pretty awesome!

Docma123 and AussieBeth, if you have received your room assignments let me know via PM and I will update the list!

The list is completely current at this point, so anyone that wants to check it to update any info/docs/maps or anything you are working on, feel free!

As soon as I have all GTY assignments in for Group A, I will make the PDF!

Thanks gang!!!

 

[Drew770]

Hi folks!

First time cruisers here! We just found this site after being referred by a friend! I am a bit overwhelmed to say the least!

My wife, daughter and I will be joining you all. I have spent the last hour or so going through this thread and all I can say is I need to spend a lot more time on it!

This is a surprise for our daughter (aged 11). We are not planning on telling her anything until the last possible second. Something like "here is a list of things to pack in a bag. We leave in an hour." We have already scheduled the character call to ring us the afternoon we are driving down and that is when she will find out it is a Disney Cruise!

My wife and I are huge and big Disney fans, respectively. I have to get back to reading this thread some more! Y'all look like a bunch of fun folks that we need to get to know!

 

[nenner1]

Getting my ducks in a row...
First, livingis2me/nenner1 and mickip, we've reserved our spot on the Random Winds and are excited to be sailing with you! It's my husband and me and our 3.75 year old (at time of sailing) so it sounds like we'll have three kids in the same age range, which I'm hoping will make it more fun for them... and easier on all of us!

Fantastic! We are really excited for this excursion, I think it is going to be amazing! I know the kids will have a blast, especially the little ones. Looking forward to enjoying it with you!

Second, I've been following along on many of the posts for our meet and have gotten such great tips. Thank you, all! This is our third Disney cruise but, being from the Bay Area in California, our first two cruises were out of LA and didn't require much coordination. This time we're flying into FL late on Friday night (confirmed flights this week) and are planning hotel/transportation to port. It appears that the Hyatt MCO in the airport is by far the most popular option for those of us flying in and I'm wondering how many others are planning to stay there. Is transportation to port included? Do I book transportation at the same time as making reservations? Is there a better option?

I'm not the most knowledgeable about transfers, since we live in FL we don't need them..but I'm pretty sure DCL transfers cost an additional fee regardless of where you stay. Hopefully someone staying at the Airport Hyatt can clarify.

I know many people are shipping FE boxes, etc. to the ship beforehand, which sounds like a great idea. How do you do that?

Here is the info I found on that: (This is from the FAQ sticky at the top of the forum hasn't been updated in a while, so hopefully this is still the procedure to follow:


Boxes Sent the Ship Ahead of Cruise - PLEASE follow these instructions carefully!!!!!! UPDATED AS OF 2/25/2009
• ONE box per stateroom, no exceptions.
• The package must have the guest full name, ship, sailing date, stateroom number or GTY if you have not been assigned a stateroom number.
• The package also must have a packing slip attached to the outside of the box that details the contents of the package. For prescriptions, a copy of the prescription is sufficient. Your list may or may not be read but it must have one. Write packing slip on the outside of the envelope.
• NO FOODS/DRINKS OF ANY KIND, LIQUOR OF ANY KIND, FIREARMS, ETC.. Items that cannot be shipped to the Disney Cruise Line Warehouse and delivered to the ship include: food products (any and all food products including baby food/formula), beverages (liquor, water, etc.), chemicals, and luggage. These items will not be accepted at the warehouse and will be returned. This may cause the dogs to hit on your box and that would be a bad thing.
• The required size of the cartons you are shipping down have to be about the size of a record storage box 12 inches on a side and should not weigh more than 20 lbs. (This has been asked personally by Dave Adams who is the owner)

Address your package(s) to:
Disney Cruise Line Warehouse
Guest Name / Stateroom # (GTY, if you don't know what it is when you send the package)
8633 Transport Drive
Orlando, FL 32832
Phone: 407-566-8196

In the bottom left corner of the top of the package put the following information: ATTN: HOUSEKEEPING
*Name
*Sail Date
*Ship
*Stateroom Number
*Packing slip that details contents of the package (for prescriptions, a copy of the prescription is sufficient)
• Packages must arrive by Friday by 3:00pm for the 7-Night Cruise on the Disney Magic (Saturday).
• Packages must arrive by Friday by 3:00pm for the 4-Night Cruise on the Disney Wonder (Sunday).
• Packages must arrive by Wednesday by 3:00pm for the 3-Night Cruise on the Disney Wonder (Thursday).

If your box is hit on by the screening dog or chosen for additional screening they will open the list and the box and look through it. They will close it back up and provided nothing bad is in it then it will be in your room as usual later after boarding. These boxes will be coming on the ship with the crew mail among other things so they may be in the staterooms later then they were before as they are low priority in the scheme of things for Disney.

Here's another random question... Last time we brought my husband's suit in a garment bag and carried it on the plane. It was such a pain! Does anyone else pack suit/tux jackets in a suitcase and does it work out? Silly question, I know.

We use a travel garment bag, the big folding kind that can hold multiple suits/dresses. The clothing still does not arrive wrinkle-free but I found it a little bit better to separate each garment by using thin dry-cleaning type bags over each hanger.

 

[Nikki'sMommy]

Hi folks!

First time cruisers here! We just found this site after being referred by a friend! I am a bit overwhelmed to say the least!

My wife, daughter and I will be joining you all. I have spent the last hour or so going through this thread and all I can say is I need to spend a lot more time on it!

This is a surprise for our daughter (aged 11). We are not planning on telling her anything until the last possible second. Something like "here is a list of things to pack in a bag. We leave in an hour." We have already scheduled the character call to ring us the afternoon we are driving down and that is when she will find out it is a Disney Cruise!

My wife and I are huge and big Disney fans, respectively. I have to get back to reading this thread some more! Y'all look like a bunch of fun folks that we need to get to know!

Hey Drew - welcome!!! So glad you found us- I haven't been on this thread as long as some of the others but have found myself obsessed with checking it often.. There is so much useful information and the group is so friendly and helpful..so nice to surprise your daughter. You will all have a blast!

 

[HollandmillerFamily]

Thanks for the help and replies, guys... You're awesome! Looking forward to meeting you all!

And welcome, Drew!

 

[kpadalik]

We got our assignments as well!! Soooo happy to have connecting rooms as requested. We will be in 2524 and 2526. We will be using 2526 for the FE exchange...

Camella, We are right next door to you! We have family in cabins 2520, we are in 2522, and more family across the hall in 2523! So hello neighbor!

I asked Jen (nenner1) about this also as we are hoping to upgrade to conceirge at the port(fingers crossed). She said that she will have a magnetic board on her room and will post changes there. I would think that anyone going to the meet can try and get the word around too... We can't wait either!

We did this on our last cruise and it worked out great. It was so easy and our FE's found their way to the correct cabins

Getting my ducks in a row...
First, livingis2me/nenner1 and mickip, we've reserved our spot on the Random Winds and are excited to be sailing with you! It's my husband and me and our 3.75 year old (at time of sailing) so it sounds like we'll have three kids in the same age range, which I'm hoping will make it more fun for them... and easier on all of us!
Second, I've been following along on many of the posts for our meet and have gotten such great tips. Thank you, all! This is our third Disney cruise but, being from the Bay Area in California, our first two cruises were out of LA and didn't require much coordination. This time we're flying into FL late on Friday night (confirmed flights this week) and are planning hotel/transportation to port. It appears that the Hyatt MCO in the airport is by far the most popular option for those of us flying in and I'm wondering how many others are planning to stay there. Is transportation to port included? Do I book transportation at the same time as making reservations? Is there a better option?
I know many people are shipping FE boxes, etc. to the ship beforehand, which sounds like a great idea. How do you do that?
Here's another random question... Last time we brought my husband's suit in a garment bag and carried it on the plane. It was such a pain! Does anyone else pack suit/tux jackets in a suitcase and does it work out? Silly question, I know.
Finally, I'm wondering what one thing you've learned from past cruises that you wish you had known beforehand. For me, it was probably that the Navigator was priceless and we should check that thing first every morning so we don't miss anything. I know that's a pretty obvious one but even on the second cruise, we found out too late that we'd missed things, like kids' events. Bummer!
Okay, that's it. Thank you again to all of you who have been posting helpful tips and tricks as well as cranking up the anticipation for our cruise. In reality, it's only seven short days so all the months and weeks of anticipation really contribute to the memory! Thanks.

Not sure about the transfers, as we only live a couple hours away and drive. As far as not missing anything on the cruise, I always go with the understanding that there is no way that we are able to do absolutely everything. If so, I would be running myself ragged and then wouldn't be able to have any relaxation time at all. I tend to go through the navigator the night they give it to us and make sure I highlight what I/DH/kids REALLY want to do. Then we fill in the rest of the time with other activities, swimming, eating, more swimming, more eating...you get the picture. Plus, when I don't get to do everything, it gives me another reason to come back and sail on the Fantasy again! LOL!

Hi folks!

First time cruisers here! We just found this site after being referred by a friend! I am a bit overwhelmed to say the least!

My wife, daughter and I will be joining you all. I have spent the last hour or so going through this thread and all I can say is I need to spend a lot more time on it!

This is a surprise for our daughter (aged 11). We are not planning on telling her anything until the last possible second. Something like "here is a list of things to pack in a bag. We leave in an hour." We have already scheduled the character call to ring us the afternoon we are driving down and that is when she will find out it is a Disney Cruise!

My wife and I are huge and big Disney fans, respectively. I have to get back to reading this thread some more! Y'all look like a bunch of fun folks that we need to get to know!

Welcome Drew! We are a great group...welcome to it! How excited is your daughter going to be?!!!! That's great that you're surprising her. We did that with our oldest DD when she turned 5 and surprised her with a weekend trip to WDW. She thought we were going to school and had to make a couple side trips first...she figured it out when we were right outside Orlando