WDW Commando Club

[DisGal520]

speedo - these are good tips. Just what a cruise commando should look for.

One question: when would you go to check out the Shutters photos without a lot of other cruisers there same time?

 

[juliebug1997]

speedo - these are good tips. Just what a cruise commando should look for.

One question: when would you go to check out the Shutters photos without a lot of other cruisers there same time?

I don't exactly remember when we did ours but there were still a lot of people and it was hard to check out because there were only a few CMs. We did buy the CD and it sure was expensive!!!! Thankfully, we did end up getting a package for the CD and some photo credits. We either did it on the morning we left the ship or on the day at sea.

EDIT:
I was just talking with my DH and he said we bought the CD the morning we were at sea (3rd day) and picked it up when we were getting off the boat. We bought our pictures at the same time and we took those with us.

 

[speedo]

speedo - these are good tips. Just what a cruise commando should look for.

One question: when would you go to check out the Shutters photos without a lot of other cruisers there same time?

I agree with Julie it is usually pretty crowded especially toward the end of the cruise. But I did go once when it was not very crowded but that was during one of the shows so people were still in the theater as I recall. So if you are skipping one of the shows that would probably be a good time to go.

 

[speedo]

These are excellent resources and will tell you most of what you need to know.


Here’s a few general things I’ve learned about Disney cruising (I’ll use references for the Dream in my examples, but they apply to all ships)...

Great tips - thanks!

 

[Disney Commando]

Working on our QS meals (all are lunch except 1), now with setting the afternoon's as rest time (4hrs) that my wife requested There is only 1 choice that makes sense,

In order to maximize morning touring, all the QS meals will be at the food court at the resort, after looking at the menu, they have just about anything you can get at the parks, plus no time is wasted

1 exception is The Flame Tree, we will be eating there on our morning at AK

 

[LAS321]

We only have 13 days to go and still haven't figured out our CS meals. We usually don't care for the food court so we try to find some CS locations that work with the park we're at that day....I need to sit and really work on this!
Did you say 4 hrs a day resting????

 

[Disney Commando]

We only have 13 days to go and still haven't figured out our CS meals. We usually don't care for the food court so we try to find some CS locations that work with the park we're at that day....I need to sit and really work on this!
Did you say 4 hrs a day resting????

It's my wifes idea (still say it might last a day) but since no spiecial events are going on, EMH's are late into the night, and the heat. I didn't give any problem with it

With spiecial events (Christmas, Holloween etc) plus shorter hours, we still were able to get everything done in 4 - 4.5 days, with the last 2 days repeating things I'll cut my wife and son a break this time (since alot more hrs are added)

 

[Disney Commando]

How far out do you have to book a cruise, If we want to go in June is most of the ship already booked

 

[3smithboys]

How far out do you have to book a cruise, If we want to go in June is most of the ship already booked

Hey Disney Commando! I'm Commando#19... I haven't been here for awhile, but I do lurk from time to time... I am going on a Disney Cruise in a couple of weeks so I may be able to answer your cruise question. If your are looking for best pricing on a Disney cruise, you really do have to book early. We booked this cruise when the cruise first opened (like 16 months ago....crazy, I know!) Disney raises their prices as the demand for the cabins goes up... as they sell out, the prices rise!!! That doesn't mean you have to book it the day it opens (well, for some cruises you do), but it does help to book early....

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

How far out do you have to book a cruise, If we want to go in June is most of the ship already booked

As far out as you can possibly stand it. Six months is good, longer is better. Disney only releases itineraries for one year at a crack and usually around October (so we’ll see the 2013 choices this fall). The earlier you book the better the deal. That is because DCL (unlike most other lines), almost never has a problem filling up their ships, so there is no reason for them to drop their prices as sailing times approach (actually they’ll go up instead). Also if you book early you can always move the reservation from its current spot to a later cruise.

The single best deal (right now) is to book your next cruise while you’re onboard for you current one. You get 10% off for doing it, and the price will be based on the current fairs rather then the ones adjusted for the next year. Just pick any available date as far out as possible (unless you actually know the one you want), and then move it if necessary once new itineraries are released.

 

[Disney Commando]

Hey Disney Commando! I'm Commando#19... I haven't been here for awhile, but I do lurk from time to time... I am going on a Disney Cruise in a couple of weeks so I may be able to answer your cruise question. If your are looking for best pricing on a Disney cruise, you really do have to book early. We booked this cruise when the cruise first opened (like 16 months ago....crazy, I know!) Disney raises their prices as the demand for the cabins goes up... as they sell out, the prices rise!!! That doesn't mean you have to book it the day it opens (well, for some cruises you do), but it does help to book early....

As far out as you can possibly stand it. Six months is good, longer is better. Disney only releases itineraries for one year at a crack and usually around October (so we’ll see the 2013 choices this fall). The earlier you book the better the deal. That is because DCL (unlike most other lines), almost never has a problem filling up their ships, so there is no reason for them to drop their prices as sailing times approach (actually they’ll go up instead). Also if you book early you can always move the reservation from its current spot to a later cruise.

The single best deal (right now) is to book your next cruise while you’re onboard for you current one. You get 10% off for doing it, and the price will be based on the current fairs rather then the ones adjusted for the next year. Just pick any available date as far out as possible (unless you actually know the one you want), and then move it if necessary once new itineraries are released.

Glad to see both of you back I was kinda afraid this would be the case, since space is limited, when we get back from our WDW trip we will be hitting AAA to see what is availible for June, otherwise we will just pick a later cruise that is not picked clean yet (we would book something now, but with this years trip so close, I'd loose my mind)

 

[Disney Commando]

I used this site: http://pages.prodigy.net/stevesoares/index.htm

I think it only goes 1 week out, but generally show times don't change that much (I think)...

This is something IMO alot of people overlook while planning the days of park touring, all the shows & sideshows and what time they are

Thanks to jmm476 Commando #75 for posting the link

It lists All the shows, parades, fireworks, sideshows, character times etc. Published & Not Published (might be some shows you don't know about going on)

The lists will be for the current week only, but most shows are pretty much stay at the same times week to week (just check it again before you leave or when you get there)

I have found this guide very helpful while planning out the days and tweeking them up a notche

 

[Disney Commando]

For those who enjoy collecting press pennies, I was just checking presscoins.com and it seems in the last month alot of new designs have been added just click on the news blog on that site

 

[zianha]

For those who enjoy collecting press pennies, I was just checking presscoins.com and it seems in the last month alot of new designs have been added just click on the news blog on that site

Awesome! Thanks for the info! I finally bought one of those press penny holder things last trip and have several slots to fill!

 

[Disney Commando]

Awesome! Thanks for the info! I finally bought one of those press penny holder things last trip and have several slots to fill!

A little tip If you want to keep your press pennies uniform, pick up a roll of pre 1982 pennies (95% copper, won't have silver streaks) of either uncirculated or BU Bank roll, you can get them at a coin store or on ebay (can get them for around $5). It make a awesome uniform collection

 

[GoHerd1028]

Ok..I am late to the party but here to read up, learn, and offer tips

 

[Disney Commando]

Ok..I am late to the party but here to read up, learn, and offer tips

Steve, Glad you made it you are member #164 Look forward to your input

 

[Disney Commando]

We Have Our 1st Official Commando Club Mission

A quick breifing to get a idea of anyone who would like to partake in this mission, before I give all the details

I was talking to Debbie, author of WDW Document Of Secrets, I'm sure alot of you know what I'm talking about, those who don't you will soon learn, I think it will be fun and if nothing else you might learn something

Over the past couple years the list has grown so much, it is almost impossible for 1 person to keep track of what is current, with WDW changing things all the time

This is where we come in, Debbie has alot of resorces of new info, but no one really talks about things that are not current anymore, so our job would be to let her know anything that is outdated, so it can be striked from the document, making it as current as possible

IMO this Document is better then any book, and with our way of planning, for myself I can say it has made a big differance

So any WDW Commando or Dis Dad Member who would like to help Debbie clean up the list please post, and I'll get Debbie to come to the thread to give futher info (what we are looking for, info how to get post, contact etc)

I myself will be helping Debbie anyway I can, Anything worth doing is worth doing right

I hope between the WDW Commandos and the Dis Dads we can form a hell of a Team

T-Together
E- Everybody
A- Achives
M-More

 

[ilovejsparrow]

I'd love to be a WDW Commando if I'm not too late..

and count me in to help Debbie in any way I can!

 

[csmommy]

We Have Our 1st Official Commando Club Mission

A quick breifing to get a idea of anyone who would like to partake in this mission, before I give all the details

I was talking to Debbie, author of WDW Document Of Secrets, I'm sure alot of you know what I'm talking about, those who don't you will soon learn, I think it will be fun and if nothing else you might learn something

Over the past couple years the list has grown so much, it is almost impossible for 1 person to keep track of what is current, with WDW changing things all the time

This is where we come in, Debbie has alot of resorces of new info, but no one really talks about things that are not current anymore, so our job would be to let her know anything that is outdated, so it can be striked from the document, making it as current as possible

IMO this Document is better then any book, and with our way of planning, for myself I can say it has made a big differance

So any WDW Commando or Dis Dad Member who would like to help Debbie clean up the list please post, and I'll get Debbie to come to the thread to give futher info (what we are looking for, info how to get post, contact etc)

I myself will be helping Debbie anyway I can, Anything worth doing is worth doing right

I hope between the WDW Commandos and the Dis Dads we can form a hell of a Team

T-Together
E- Everybody
A- Achives
M-More

I would love to help, but my trip starts Tuesday, is that OK? I would love to see the "WDW Document of Secrets" before we go! What is it?