September 29, 2012 - Ropin' Some Magic in the Western Caribbean

[TxMermaid1]

Where are we meeting at 3pm? I just want to make sure I have the right place in my notebook! Can't wait - I really need a vacation and disney 'fix'

also, did we get enough people for the tasting event? Date/time/place secured yet?

Yes, the Meet and Greet is at Promenade Lounge... this is located on deck 3 down the hall behind Luminier's and before Parrot's Cay... between Midship and Aft.

We do have enough for our Beauties and the Beasts. I am waiting on Disney to give me a confirmed time and venue. I hope that will come today.

 

[Belle6000]

We finally got room numbers!!! Tristan 5 will be in room 1068 and Ben 8 and Noah 4 in room 1070

What room number are you and the age of your kido's

I just cant wait to get on the ship

Yay!

I'm sure those boys will have a blast! I'll be sure to sprinkle a little fairy dust their way.

We are in Rm. 2608. I can't wait! I'm pretty sure I'm even more excited than my kids!!

 

[dylan'smom]

Am I missing something? Where do you see your boarding time? On our online check in signature form, it says Port Arrival Time 11:00-11:30. Is that our boarding time?

Just to clarify, no one actually gets their boarding time before they check in at the port!!

The confusion for some is that DCL will issue a time for you to arrive at the port and check in - (it's for crowd control purposes, but they don't always enforce it if you want to arrive earlier)!!

AFTER you check in, you receive a number, and this is what you wait for to be called for boarding. The boarding order numbers are first come, first served, and boarding will typically begin between 11:45 am & noon. (There is occasionally a hold-up due to immigration or any health emergencies, but that's more rare, of course!!)

Hope that is more clear - I know it gets confusing until you've done it once or twice...

.

 

[Staceykins]

Should we wear name tags to the meet and greet?

 

[Belle6000]

Should we wear name tags to the meet and greet?

I was wondering that too. I think it might be a good idea. I really just know people by their disboards names!

 

[Staceykins]

Yea I was thinking we should wear name tags w/ our screennames and room numbers or group numbers.

Ex:

Hi, my name is...
Stacey (Staceykins)
Group 2 - Room 6503

And maybe that way if we have a room change we can put an * next to our room number so we know to make sure to change it on our FE list??

Just an idea.

 

[soccermom1422]

Should we wear name tags to the meet and greet?

I decided to iron on name tags to our red shirts, so we will already have them.

 

[jpglisson]

I decided to iron on name tags to our red shirts, so we will already have them.

I was thinking about putting our names on our shirts too.

 

[WoodlandsMom]

12 days, Im so excited!!!!!!!

How many of you use lanyards? I dont have one, dont have time to make one and not sure if I have time to buy one (from ebay, etsy, etc).

Do they sell these on the ship?

 

[Amandalovesminnie]

We finally got room numbers!!! Tristan 5 will be in room 1068 and Ben 8 and Noah 4 in room 1070

What room number are you and the age of your kido's

I just cant wait to get on the ship

Good to know that we're not the only ones on the first floor. I have to admit I was a bit disappointed but know next time not to choose a category that's on that floor. This is our first cruise so it will be a learning experience. lol!
We're in room 1036 with Gavin 4 and Grant 2.

 

[jpglisson]

Wow!!! Only 12 days!!!!

I stayed up really, really late (ok I didn't even go to bed) Friday night looking through all the stuff that "Disney doesn't tell you" thread. Soooo much information. The most repetitive info was...

Bring a lot of one dollar bills for tipping, cab rides, etc.

Leave a pillowcase, picture frame mat, or autograph book at guest services with sharpies or fabric markers for character signatures-be sure to leave a bag of candy for them as a thank you.

If you are in an inside room, turn the TV to either the basketball court or bridge with the sound off before bed and you will wake to sunshine.

Room Service: order cookies and milk to take to the movies or to have before bed, order coffee for the next morning (it stays warm enough), order the fruit & cheese platter to have as an appetizer before dinner.

On disembarkation day if you have the early breakfast, go to the Topsider buffet instead so you don't have to go super early.

Request a wake-up call and when it comes through, put it on speaker and everyone will wake up to Mickey.

Things to bring: an alarm clock with illuminated hands, a collapsible cooler, baggies (use for lots of things including ice in the cooler for easy clean up.), candy/snacks (for tipping non-cash crew and to take into the movies - apparently snacks of this sort are expensive), over-the-door shoe hanger for all sorts of stuff, flashlight-the rooms can be dark, small fan, an old hotel card key to leave in the slider that turns lights on & off so you don't forget your Key To The World in the room, zipties to secure your FE and other things, scissors, and much more, but these were the ones continuely repeated.

You can order Mickey Bars at any of the restaurants for dessert or through room service even though they aren't on the menu.

Free pastries at Cove Cafe and someone mentioned they have the best coffee.

Order your drink from the bar instead of taking one from the server walking the pool with a drink tray...the bar drink won't have melting ice.

Fill out the surveys and write in the cast/crew's name. They receive lots of kudos that way.

Personal business cards (calling cards) to give to people you want to keep in touch with after the cruise.

Buy cheap Disney pins for trading on board (make sure they are Disney and not a knock-off.)

Bring OTC meds and small 1st aid kit.

Well, that's the list of "most repeated" tips that I found. I'm sure there are others. Please list them if you know of any more.


Oh...one more item... if you are traveling with children and you are the only parent/guardian, you will need a notorized statement that allows you to take them out of the country. I think that one is actually on the Disney website.

 

[jpglisson]

12 days, Im so excited!!!!!!!

How many of you use lanyards? I dont have one, dont have time to make one and not sure if I have time to buy one (from ebay, etsy, etc).

Do they sell these on the ship?

I don't know if they sell them on the ship (I would bet they do). DD and I got ours at DisneyLand last year. DH is using one from work. I saw that Walmart carries them.

 

[Amandalovesminnie]

Wow!!! Only 12 days!!!!

I stayed up really, really late (ok I didn't even go to bed) Friday night looking through all the stuff that "Disney doesn't tell you" thread. Soooo much information. The most repetitive info was...

Bring a lot of one dollar bills for tipping, cab rides, etc.

Leave a pillowcase, picture frame mat, or autograph book at guest services with sharpies or fabric markers for character signatures-be sure to leave a bag of candy for them as a thank you.

If you are in an inside room, turn the TV to either the basketball court or bridge with the sound off before bed and you will wake to sunshine.

Room Service: order cookies and milk to take to the movies or to have before bed, order coffee for the next morning (it stays warm enough), order the fruit & cheese platter to have as an appetizer before dinner.

On disembarkation day if you have the early breakfast, go to the Topsider buffet instead so you don't have to go super early.

Request a wake-up call and when it comes through, put it on speaker and everyone will wake up to Mickey.

Things to bring: an alarm clock with illuminated hands, a collapsible cooler, baggies (use for lots of things including ice in the cooler for easy clean up.), candy/snacks (for tipping non-cash crew and to take into the movies - apparently snacks of this sort are expensive), over-the-door shoe hanger for all sorts of stuff, flashlight-the rooms can be dark, small fan, an old hotel card key to leave in the slider that turns lights on & off so you don't forget your Key To The World in the room, zipties to secure your FE and other things, scissors, and much more, but these were the ones continuely repeated.

You can order Mickey Bars at any of the restaurants for dessert or through room service even though they aren't on the menu.

Free pastries at Cove Cafe and someone mentioned they have the best coffee.

Order your drink from the bar instead of taking one from the server walking the pool with a drink tray...the bar drink won't have melting ice.

Fill out the surveys and write in the cast/crew's name. They receive lots of kudos that way.

Personal business cards (calling cards) to give to people you want to keep in touch with after the cruise.

Buy cheap Disney pins for trading on board (make sure they are Disney and not a knock-off.)

Bring OTC meds and small 1st aid kit.

Well, that's the list of "most repeated" tips that I found. I'm sure there are others. Please list them if you know of any more.


Oh...one more item... if you are traveling with children and you are the only parent/guardian, you will need a notorized statement that allows you to take them out of the country. I think that one is actually on the Disney website.

Thanks for sharing! We booked last minute and I am so overwhelmed with trying to figure all this stuff out.

 

[jpglisson]

Thanks for sharing! We booked last minute and I am so overwhelmed with trying to figure all this stuff out.

It's our first time cruising and I feel the same way. I was hoping the list would be helpful for those of us going the first time.

 

[Belle6000]

12 days, Im so excited!!!!!!!

How many of you use lanyards? I dont have one, dont have time to make one and not sure if I have time to buy one (from ebay, etsy, etc).

Do they sell these on the ship?

My 14 yr old DS uses them and sometimes my DH too. I usually don't because I almost always have a bag with me. We have some AAA ones that we got when we went to Disneyland last year, but I've heard that castaway club members get them upon check in so I'm expecting to get our Castaway club ones this time.

I'm sure they sell them on the ship though...it wouldn't be like Disney to miss out on an opportunity like that! Of course, they might be cheaper if you buy them ahead of time.

 

[Belle6000]

I know we have a few veteran DCL cruisers on here so maybe someone can help me out...

Would you recommend the daily rainforest spa pass? And if you buy it ahead of time do you pick the day you want to use it or is it just good any day that you choose to use it?

 

[Belle6000]

I decided to iron on name tags to our red shirts, so we will already have them.

Yea, I know some people will have names on their shirts, but we won't, so I think I might print up some creative Disney name tags that we can use for the meet. We won't have a lot of time to get to know everyone right then and I know that my poor old memory can use all the help it can get!
Nametags will probably help us put faces to names a lot easier!

 

[Belle6000]

Found this nifty thread that shows reviews of the actual staterooms on each of the ships. You just type in your room # and you can see reviews that others have left.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-cruise-line/disney-magic-room-reports.cfm

 

[jpglisson]

I know we have a few veteran DCL cruisers on here so maybe someone can help me out...

Would you recommend the daily rainforest spa pass? And if you buy it ahead of time do you pick the day you want to use it or is it just good any day that you choose to use it?

I was wondering about this too.

 

[TxMermaid1]

***VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION***​

*****PLEASE READ*****

I have confirmation on time and place for the Champagne Girl's Beauties and the Beasts.... We will meet in Sessions at 3pm on Sept 30. (first sea day). Here is the IMPORTANT part......
Disney informed me that each person must pay for their ticket in advance. She needs each of you that are on the list to call her by Thur. if possible to pay for your tickets. You need to contact Alma Dabu @ 407-566-3683 or you can email her with your name, reservation #, cabin # and credit card # at Alma.a.dabu@disneycruise.com
She also said if her line is busy and you feel comfortable about it that you can leave the info in a message or tell her in the message when it would be a good time to call you back.