What have I missed and what changes must I know about? Long!

[Familyof6]

Hi all,
I haven't been on these boards since the end of November. I'll briefly refresh memories and fill in those who don't know me. My family was scheduled to take a 7-day land/sea vacation beginning on Halloween (extra day). This trip was supposed to be my "maybe someday" trip. My dear sister passed away in Jan 2001 and this trip was in memory of all the things she left undone. (not that she would have chosen Disney) I wanted to do one of the things that I'd been saying "some day" about for years. I booked a magical vacation planned right down to our rests in the afternoon. It was perfect! (and we were in a Cat 2 suite)
Then came 9/11. My dh is an Officer in the US Air Force and had been denied all leave until further notice. We were instructed to do whatever we had to to cancel our trip. I was so sad. I really only got on the boards to look up any trip reports from our cruise that didn't happen. Then I couldn't come back even though we had rebooked for May. (Walt Disney Suite this time--less $$ than the Cat 2 that was available in Feb, I couldn't turn it down)
Now I've made our final payment again (due today) and I'm praying that this time we actually get to take the trip. I still haven't done much planning or researching because it's still difficult for me to get excited for fear of being disappointed again. My dh was an alternate for deployment as of 1 March. It looked like the trip wouldn't happen. Well, it's after 1 March and he's still here, but I don't know if they can just call and tell him the other person has to come home so you have to go. (being the alternate) It's all up in the air. (he's also an alternate for the 1 Sept deployment but that won't effect our trip!)
I guess this is where I need help. What kind of changes have happened and stuck since 9/11? Is anything more difficult? (customs? luggage? ordering from Perfect Gift? Limo drop-off?) What are some things that they are not allowing onboard anymore? Anything else you can think of?
I'm sorry if there is a thread already on this type of stuff, but it's hard enough to keep up with DIS day to day...3 1/2 mos. is impossible.
I did find the thread about the Royal Suites. It was very interesting reading. There is so little info on the suites in general.
Sorry this is so long, but I wanted to sort of re-introduce myself. I hope to be on the boards more often so I can get my enthusiasm back. You people are great when it comes to that.

Thanks so much for your help,

Lisa

 

[Michelle]

Hi Lisa! Welcome back! Thanks for catching us up on everything, you all DEFINITELY deserve to make the cruise this time and I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

As for changes, the main difference as you can imagine, is to security. The port terminal security, and security as you board the ship has heightened, and there are Coast Guard escorts in port. It really is a pretty transparent change, though, and not inconvenient. You can still bring the same items onboard, and of course knives or weapons of any kind are not permitted. And for your carry-on for the airline flight be sure to check with your airline for restrictions (even tweezers and nail clippers are not allowed, I speak from personal experience with that).

Limos are not allowed to drop you off curbside at the port, they will drop you off across the street (where all the terminal parking is now) and you can walk across the street and a porter will collect your bags.

We'll all do the best we can to help you get your enthusiasm back (gee, I'll even offer to go along to help!) and I know that once you get your documents and really start planning the excitement will hit you.

 

[Joe & Joanne]

Hi
You may want to call DCL and find out if you are entitled to the special rates for Active Duty folks through the end of May, you may be shocked at the rate, and yes they can call your husband back but probably would not.
Disney Discounts
Husband should have rec'd an email from MWR about the pricing! May not be available in all categories?

 

[Ginny]

Lisa -

Welcome back!! I hope you have a truly Magical Cruise and your CAT 1 certainly sounds like a great start. I remember when you had to cancel last fall - My heart went out to you as I could see how truly devestated you were. I can only imagine how tough it was on your husband, too.

We had a CAT 2 for our Halloween '01 cruise and what an incredible trip we had - I know your splurge on a CAT 1 will be well worth every minute you have spent waiting. Those who have had the experience have raved on these boards.

Shirley from the Perfect Gift did an incredible job with baskets for my DH and DD. No problem there. Talking to her really helped me get in the spirit -she bent over backwards to make our baskets special.

We stayed at the Radisson the night before and signed up for the shuttle as soon as we arrived. On our return, we used Happy Limousine and everything was as Michelle outlined above and was really not an inconvenience. All around, our trip was really special!

Take care - I am sending lots of pixie dust!!

 

[Familyof6]

Thanks for being so supportive everyone. I really need to get back in the spirit of Disney!
Joanne, (it's a rather long story) my dh did get the info about Disney's salute to Military. We, unfortunately, won't benefit from it much. We have now made TWO final payments...one in September and one last week. When I had to cancel our trip it worked out easier to just rebook and forward the money to the new reservation. Of course that ressie costs more than our fall trip since fall is a less expensive time to sail. I would have booked everything seperately if I had been able to, but since it was going to be such a hassle I just had to book the package again. Therefore, I can't take advantage of discount park tix, and we miss the military free tix by 2 weeks. As for cruise discounts...I'm sure they wouldn't discount a Cat 1 suite. They just don't do that. (and final payment has been made)
I did however add a night to our land portion at the Grand Floridian through Shades of Green's overflow rate (since they will be closed and renovating during our stay). I think that's the only military discount we'll be able to get on this trip. (unfortunately)
We are by no means "rolling in dough". (As you can imagine, my dh is in the service and I'm a stay-at-home mom with 4 kids.) Hardly the lap of luxury--which is what I'm looking for in this trip--pampering. As my dh says, " we are John Q. Public. He doesn't even think we should be taking this trip. (at least not the way I'm planning it) This is my "dream trip" and my inheritance from my sister's estate is our form of payment. I just want everything to be perfect. I even told my dh he'd have to refer to me as "Princess Lisa" for the duration of the trip! If there ever is a next trip to WDW or DCL it will be strictly low budget. Of course by then there won't be the great military discounts that are available now. Our timing is just all wrong!
Ginger, thanks for the pixie dust! I could use all I can get right now. I had ressies with Happy Limo for our last trip. When I called to cancel them, Deb told me she wouldn't cancel them but hold them indefinitely at the same price for our future trip! I haven't rebooked with them to be sure she kept her word, but I'll be calling soon. It was very sweet of her to do that. (I had a great rate too!) The kids are so excited to be going in a limo...in addition to all the Disney stuff.
Michelle, you are a font of info! Thanks for catching me up on the new procedures...does it take longer to disembark? Customs? You mentioned going along to help...you, and my mil, and my sil, and my cousin's daughter! (the list goes on!)

Thanks so much for your help! I really appreciate it all. I'd love to hear from others who might have additional info too.

Lisa

 

[Ginny]

Princess Lisa (why not start practicing now??),

I have to tell you that I think spending your inheritance this way is a wonderful idea. That is how we paid for our first cruise in September, 99 and a CAT 3. A very special lady with whom I had worked in high school and remained close to had remembered me in her will over 20 years later. She was always full of life and zesty and I met her when she was 64!! I remember thinking how delighted she would be knowing that I was having such fun. So have a great time!!

Happy Limo was wonderful. Our plane was delayed arriving but our driver was waiting right there for us when we disembarked and those cold sodas were great on the drive down to the Radisson. Our DD, 7, was blown away when she saw the Limo. We had no delays in embarking or disembarking from the ship due to new security. Disney really had their policies and procedures well polished by Halloween so I can imagine they have only improved over time.

If you are still able to pre-book your Palo's ressies (brunch and dinner), dining rotations and excursions, I would do that from home right at the 60 day mark. I did that last September and while we had to recheck at our Concierge meeting when we boarded, that took a lot of pressure off because we had already faxed and confirmed our ressies. Based upon what I had read here on the DIS boards last June, I requested PLAPLAP (Parrot Cay, Lumieres, Animators, rotation for our dining (DH still teases me about PLAPLAP). That had us in Lumieres for Formal Night and Parrot Cay for Tropical Night. It worked out very nicely.

Keep reading the boards and I'll bet you will find your excitement building. Have a great week.