Turkey Day Gang 2009

[Tinkerbell 99 Mom]

Great News Karen !

We have just been checking out the Disney Website too !!! We have been looking at Bay Lake Tower/Contemporary and Grand Floridian.

We will take a couple of days to mill things over then book !

Everyone have a great Saturday. We in West Virginia are in the countdown until school starts late in August.

wendy

 

[db4huskers]

After reading the post yesterday I talked to my DH and now I am thinking we may stay at the AK lodge on Friday before the cruise and go to the MVMCP at Magic Kingdom. Our plane lands at 2:30 so after check in I just read you can go to MK at 4:30 with party tickets. This is a cheaper way for our family to visit the park for a short period of time. We went to the party 2 years ago and had a blast. The best way to get into the holiday spirit. Also thinking about staying concierge and doing the breakfast safari in the morning before heading to port. Anyone do this in the past? This is our first cruise and we will be taking a town car down to port. Will this make our morning to busy?

 

[MarcyIn Florida]

Hi guys! I hope I'm not barging in with with a question, but after perusing the first few pages, this seemed like the perfect group to ask my question.

We just got off of the Magic last week and are suffering PTCD (post traumatic cruise disorder). We realized we could do a Thanksgiving cruise on the Magic this year because our kids are off all week, and now we're pretty gung ho.

That being said, we're hoping for some input from former Turkey Day cruisers! We sailed on the New Year's Eve Magic in '07-'08 and were sorely disappointed in the service -- it seemed like all of the DCL A Team was on holiday. How has the service been for Thanksgiving?

Thanks in advance for any input you can give us. If we do book, we'll be adding ourselves to the FE list -- we just had a 42 person FE list on the July 18 cruise, and it was fantastic!

TIA,
Marcy

 

[ICEMANPAD]

Hi guys! I hope I'm not barging in with with a question, but after perusing the first few pages, this seemed like the perfect group to ask my question.

We just got off of the Magic last week and are suffering PTCD (post traumatic cruise disorder). We realized we could do a Thanksgiving cruise on the Magic this year because our kids are off all week, and now we're pretty gung ho.

That being said, we're hoping for some input from former Turkey Day cruisers! We sailed on the New Year's Eve Magic in '07-'08 and were sorely disappointed in the service -- it seemed like all of the DCL A Team was on holiday. How has the service been for Thanksgiving?

Thanks in advance for any input you can give us. If we do book, we'll be adding ourselves to the FE list -- we just had a 42 person FE list on the July 18 cruise, and it was fantastic!

TIA,
Marcy

Hi Marcy-

This will be our 6th year in a row spending Thanksgiving on the Magic. Service has always been top notch!! We have also been on the Magic and Wonder during non-holiday times and have not experienced a difference in the level of service!! We have no complaints!! We hope ya'all decide to join this great gang!!

Lisa

 

[MarcyIn Florida]

Thanks for your quick response, Lisa! We've never booked a TDay cruise because we always seem to lose a "teacher workday" to a hurricane day, but I've decided that I don't care this year!

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

Hi Marcy,

Welcome! We hope you do join us. This is a great group...some who have been sailing on Turkey Day for a while (Icemanpad), some who first joined in 2007 (that would be my family and a few others) and some who are joining in the fun this year!

Hope you book and join us. I don't think you'll be sorry!

Karen

 

[Tinkerbell 99 Mom]

Marcy

We have sailed during Thanksgiving and our service was great. For that matter it has been great every time.

This group is the best ! Everyone has a lot of fun.

Hope you can join us.

wendy

 

[BomaGreg]

Before I start posting, I should probably introduce myself as Marcy's husband. I'm basically here to make sure that she keeps posting to the point that she really has no choice but to the book the cruise because she's already dedicated so much time to the board. I should also clarify that my wanting to go on this cruise has nothing to do with having to spend Thanksgiving with her family. Nothing at all.

We're going to stay at one of the Monorail resorts (or Wilderness Lodge) to facilitate an easier trip to the Magic Kingdom and I'm thinking about doing Disney Quest that day (we all love the Pirates Virtual Game). We may do EPCOT instead though.

Hey, Karen!

Being a huge fan of Disney Quest, I figured that I'd throw in some quick info that you might be interested in if you haven't been in a while. Disney Quest went through a few changes in the past year or so. Some of them really recent, such as adding several air hockey tables, a bunch of virtual pinball machines filled with a ton of classic tables (for the old people like me), a couple of Guitar Hero Arcade machines, a large trivia game, some dance cabinets so you can look like an uncoordinated dork in front of large crowds, and a bunch of sit down shooting games that have replaced the under-the-floor RC truck maze. So, if you haven't been in a long time, there's a lot of new stuff that's been added. Pirates is more popular than ever, though, so make sure you hit it early and quickly before the line gets really long!

Some of the hardware is getting a little old, so on occasion you'll get a wonky 3D helmet that doesn't work in Aladdin, a pen that doesn't write correctly in the drawing class, or an old arcade cabinet that has a broken joystick, but Disney does a surprisingly good job of keeping things going for the most part.

I should also add that they shut down the Cheesecake Factory, so you should plan your trip and/or expectations accordingly...

Not sure if that helps any decision making, but I figured that it wouldn't hurt! Though, I'd be hard pressed to pass up on a day to Epcot for pretty much anything.

 

[sherreis]

We're so excited! Just booked our hotel for the 2 nights before the cruise. Originally, we were going to stay at Port Canaveral. Just booked Pop Century with the new room only code. Didn't want to spend a lot of money since we get in late on Thursday and we're spending Friday morning/afternoon with my aunt and uncle who live in Orlando. We just told the boys and they were so excited.

Does anyone know anything about rental cars onsite? We'll need to rent a car on Friday morning that we'll be returning at the port.

Now, to talk about MVMCP What a great way to get into the Disney spirit for the cruise.

 

[Morgey24]

Hi guys! I hope I'm not barging in with with a question, but after perusing the first few pages, this seemed like the perfect group to ask my question.

We just got off of the Magic last week and are suffering PTCD (post traumatic cruise disorder). We realized we could do a Thanksgiving cruise on the Magic this year because our kids are off all week, and now we're pretty gung ho.

TIA,
Marcy

Ok, so I, too, have post traumatic cruise disorder and really want to do the T-day cruise HOWEVER the rates for this cruise are actually higher than the Christmas (Dec 19th) Magic at this time with the exception of the Military rates and my dear old dad won't come with us.

So, here's the question for you seasoned turkey day travelers ---does DCL put out (historically) FL Res rates for Thanksgiving travels? I can't possibly see paying MORE for a Thanksgiving cruise than the Dec 19th ( a BARGAIN right now).

Or, are there any military families out there who don't need the extra 2 cabins you can book on a military rate?

Just wondering why this sailing is so expensive when there aren't that many schools that have the whole week off like we do...

 

[alwayslisad]

woohoo more people - newbies!!!



I have sent an email to DU asking about a downgrade to an inside room - we only sleep there right!! Our organization is hving tough times and our insurance has always been free to our family *due to my husbands lenght of time and my position) but we are now having to pay for it - OUCHIE --

SO I am looking to go to an inside room for a small cost savings...no biggie right???

 

[Tinkerbell 99 Mom]

No biggie on the inside room. You are in your room so little you will be fine. We booked a verdanah on our last cruise and we were only out on it once. What a waste. Our days and yours will be filled with lots of Disney fun. Not in your room.

Hope it all works out.

wendy

 

[sherreis]

Lisa-- we're in an inside room and I'm not worried. I figure we're not going to be spending a lot of time there anyway. And, I think I'll like it for our sea days - that the boys will be able to sleep in since they won't see daylight.

About the price of the cruise. I am surprised that Thanksgiving costs more. In my county and several others up here, school is closed the whole week. Monday and Tuesday is parent-teacher conferences. How far in advance do they usually release FL rates when they see that the ship isn't filling up?

 

[Morgey24]

FL resident rates come out 45 to 60 days before (but that can vary) and they can stay out for a day or several weeks (until the "quota" is filled!) For Thanksgiving we'd be well into penatly phase, I would guess, if I go ahead and book Christmas and then try to move it ... Wish I were military!

 

[lexandme]

After reading the post yesterday I talked to my DH and now I am thinking we may stay at the AK lodge on Friday before the cruise and go to the MVMCP at Magic Kingdom. Our plane lands at 2:30 so after check in I just read you can go to MK at 4:30 with party tickets. This is a cheaper way for our family to visit the park for a short period of time. We went to the party 2 years ago and had a blast. The best way to get into the holiday spirit. Also thinking about staying concierge and doing the breakfast safari in the morning before heading to port. Anyone do this in the past? This is our first cruise and we will be taking a town car down to port. Will this make our morning to busy?

Although we're not doing the T-Day cruise this year I am still reading these posts and pretending we are! We cruised last T-Day (Hi to Chuck and Lisa!!) and we did exactly what you are planning on doing. We stayed at AKL in a savannah room. We also went to MVMCP and had a blast. Came back to the hotel and sat around the fire pit in the back for a while then borrowed night vision goggles from the front desk, sat on our balcony and watched the animals in the savannah. It was amazing! Got up the next morning and poked around the hotel, had breakfast. We took the DCL bus to the port. It picked us up around 12:30 and delivered us to the port around 1:30. I thought that might be a little late however it ended up being perfect. There were no lines or crowds. We checked in quickly and walked right on the ship.
I am jealous of all of you but I hope you all have a great time!!

Judy

 

[lynnivey]

I booked the Turkey Day cruise and I'm so excited. Some may have read my note on the main board when I was trying to decide what to do to help my Post Cruise Depression. I went from a verandah cabin (7538) on my last one to an inside across the hall (7543) to save money. My goal is to see how little money I can spend on this sucker since I just went in June. My DH will join me and the kids (DS 7 and DS 5) this time and so far, it's just the 4 of us.

One thing I was curious about; out of all the new movies that open the week of Thanksgiving, which ones would you expect to be shown on board? I didn't know if it was just Disney movies. I know The Proposal was shown on board on the Thursday night of our cruise and I didn't know which ones to expect that week. I believe I read that the new Christmas Story with Jim Carey is a Disney movie and comes out that week but didn't know if the Twilight Sequal would be on. Just curious!

I also want to try the FE thingy this time, so please let me know what I need to do to have my two boys participate.

Thanks!
Lynn

 

[Ima Princess]

Welcome Lynn! Congrats on combating your PTCD! We're behind you in 7041. We booked an inside primarily because I want my kids, who wake with the sun, to sleep in! We have cruised DCL before but not Thanksgiving week. Here's the link to sign up for FE. We have 28 rooms so far....

I'm surprised to read that T'giving is higher than Christmas!

We are PIF and booking Palo this weekend thanks to the REAS package. I will also try to book parasailing for DH & DD10 at CC, but no other excursions. I hope to do Palo dinner on Golden Mickeys night (my least fav show & menu) and brunch on Thanksgiving (the day before our anniv).

We are not going to do MVMCP the night before. I would love to!! BUT I don't want to start the week with a cranky DD4 who didn't get enough sleep. We'll be back in Orlando in Jan or April, so I'll have to hold my need for a parks "fix" until then. DH & I have been to MVMCP and know that all who go will have a blast! Can I live vicariously?

Welcome to any other newbies I missed!

 

[Tinkerbell 99 Mom]

Welcome Lynn:

Glad you will be joining us ! This group is a lot of fun.

The FE is pretty low key. You can get whatever items you would like and deliver them throughout the week. We will be posting all of the cabins #s
in a mini navigator and also on this thread.

Wendy

 

[pillow]

Hi all! Looks like I've missed a lot over the past few days . . .

Karen, congrats on your new job!! And yes, we are going to MVMCP too!! I'm so excited since we've never done it before. We were able to get a MK view in a studio at Bay Lake Towers. I'm so looking forward to it. We will leave Richmond (via car unfortunately) Thurs night after work, and probably won't arrive at the hotel till around 3:00 Friday. I think we can get into MK at 4:00. We'll have to trade cell #s again so that we can meet.

If rates come down, we might fly. I had just enough points left to book an AK value room Thurs night just in case we fly in Thurs night. If not, I suppose I can always rent it out - only 8 points.

Are there any dinner links for the early seating? Sounds like most people are eating late, but we prefer the early time.

Its getting close!!!

Jodie

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

Hi everyone!

Marcy, I understand your dilemna about price...we like to be home at Christmas but I will do just about anything to avoid cooking a turkey (YUCK) at Thanksgiving for the inlaws and outlaws (and I do mean anything...last year I scheduled my hysterectomy for November -- just kidding...sorta. OK...maybe not !)

Anyway, if you do join us, don't despair about an inside room. We actually prefer it and here's why....

DS, "hey mom, what time is it?" Me, "3 am honey, get some more sleep."

Now it really is about 6 am, but the dear child (who I may want to throttle for waking me up so early on MY vacation...yeah, it's his too...I guess...but WHY do I have to drag him out of bed for school...but he wakes up EARLY when we're on vacation?) doesn't need to know what time it is and just needs to sleep a bit more until I can roll out of bed without scaring the entire ship! (One other question...why is it that it's always "hey mom" and not "hey dad"? If anyone can give me a plausible non-sexist, non-traditional roles theory, I'll stuff an extra FE gift in your FE!)

Anyway, I digress (can you all tell that I had yesterday off and that I slept alot and that I've had a lot of caffeine this morning?) I hope you all can join us. A few of us are going to go to Disney World the night before and see the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (woo hoo!) in case you are interested.

Oh and Greg, thanks for the updates on Disney Quest. We were there for our first time ever last summer and really enjoyed it. My DS and his friend (and my DH) loved the Pirates thing...so much so that we did it over and over and over! We may just wait until we get there and then decide what we want to do as DS wants to do a 1 day park hopper (he's nuts) and DH wants to do EPCOT and I frankly don't care...I'm just happy to be there!

Karen