Wonder getting REPO'ed to Vancouver!: May 20th, 2013 Official Thread!

[MickeyT]

One Month From Today!

 

[TLPL]

One Month From Today!

One month from today....hummmm..... we will be in SF????

 

[jilljill]

One Month From Today!

4 weeks sounds better and less time

 

[MickeyT]

One Month From Today!

Well let me try it this way. One Month/4 weeks/28 days/672 hrs.....We should be somewhere on our first cruise trip.....

 

[theboys]

Hi everyone! We just signed up for this cruise last week, so we're obviously a little spontaneous! LOL. On the cruise will be me and my partner. This will be our second Disney cruise (sailed on the Dream in 2011), and our 5th cruise overall. We are so spoiled that we'll never be able to go on any other cruise line other than Disney. We LOVE it!

We are so excited to just relax and do as little or as much as we want. Hope to meet some of you onboard and here online.

I'm a Florida native (living in TN now), born and raised in Orlando, so I pretty much grew up at WDW (and worked there one summer while in school).

Thanks for letting us join the party. Hope to see you all soon (less than 4 weeks now!!).

 

[TLPL]

Hi everyone! We just signed up for this cruise last week, so we're obviously a little spontaneous! LOL. On the cruise will be me and my partner. This will be our second Disney cruise (sailed on the Dream in 2011), and our 5th cruise overall. We are so spoiled that we'll never be able to go on any other cruise line other than Disney. We LOVE it!

We are so excited to just relax and do as little or as much as we want. Hope to meet some of you onboard and here online.

I'm a Florida native (living in TN now), born and raised in Orlando, so I pretty much grew up at WDW (and worked there one summer while in school).

Thanks for letting us join the party. Hope to see you all soon (less than 4 weeks now!!).

Welcome aboard!
Which dinner seating do you have? Care to join us and our friends for dinner? We are bring our kid with us (his first cruise) and our friends (their first time Disney cruise). We have 5:45 seating.

 

[theboys]

Welcome aboard!
Which dinner seating do you have? Care to join us and our friends for dinner? We are bring our kid with us (his first cruise) and our friends (their first time Disney cruise). We have 5:45 seating.

Sadly, we have the late dinner seating, but we are on the wait list for the first seating. We'd much rather eat early, so keep your fingers crossed. Either way, we'd love to meet ya'll!

 

[Double Trouble]

Hi everyone,

We just booked this cruise as well, along with another family traveling with us. Just couldn't resist! Total of 4 adults and 4 kids (3 DD's-all age 10, and 1 DS-age 6).

I guess we're a bit late for the FE this time sad, but are there other kids traveling similar in age to ours? Is there a list someone can PM to us? Sorry, but we're not on FB. Are there any meetups planned?

My DDs know the Wonder inside out and are always looking for others to run around with. They also like to email pre-cruise to get a head start on meeting new friends (if anyone is interested just PM us and we'll get them set up).

We've cruised on DCL out of LA several times if anyone has any questions. Looking forward to meeting everyone!

 

[TLPL]

Wow two new groups joining our cruise in one day!!?! Welcome aboard Double Trouble! Our son is 7 and it will be his first cruise. We have never sail out of LA before, so can you tell us the differences in compare to sailing out of PC?

 

[Double Trouble]

Wow two new groups joining our cruise in one day!!?! Welcome aboard Double Trouble! Our son is 7 and it will be his first cruise. We have never sail out of LA before, so can you tell us the differences in compare to sailing out of PC?

Here's how it works in San Pedro with Disney...

1. Check you bags on the curb with the porters. Don't check anything critical (passports, meds, etc).

Note: The Wonder will be at Berth 93 (to your left) but you must drive all the way around (counterclockwise) starting to your right to get to it. It appears we are the only ship there that day.

2. Walk up to the main entry to the terminal. The agents will check your paperwork there to let you in (the forms you printed on Disney's web site). They may also ask for your passports just to verify you have them. They will direct you upstairs (elevator/escalator). Note: Your group needs to enter together, or each have their own copy of the paperwork! The agents will also give you a sheet with the highlights of the remainder of that day (kind of like a mini-Navigator).

3. Before you go upstairs (escalator and elevator available), there is a table to your right where you must fill out a quick form verifying no one in your party is "sick" (Hint: You are "not", or you may be quarantined).

4. You take that form, plus your documents and passports, and get in line upstairs either to the left set of counters if you are a first time Disney cruiser, or to the right set of counters if you are a Castaway Club member (cruised previously with Disney). If you are Concierge level, you're check in is to the far right.

5. At the counter, they will check your docs/ID, reconfirm your stateroom assignment(s), take your photo for your Key to the World (KTTW) card (it's your room key and what you use for charging things on the ship, as well as going ashore and reboarding...along with a photo ID for those 18 and over).

TIP: Your KTTW card has the following info printed on it: your name, "A" for adult or "M" for minor, your Castaway Club member number (if it's your first time...you're now a member!), your dining time, rotation and table assignment (e.g., 5:45 PM, PTAPTAP, Table 56), and in large bold print a letter that represents your lifeboat muster station (e.g., "R"...that's where you go for the lifeboat drill or in a real emergency...there is a map on the inside of your stateroom door). For those in your party who you did not allow "charging" privileges (e.g., young children), there will be "NC" in the lower corner as well. You stateroom number is NOT on the card, so no one can sneak into your cabin if lose it. You can get extra cards from Guest Services as needed.

6. If you want to pay for an upgrade at the port, you can check with the supervisor desk at the left end of the Castaway Club check in counter. If they have any cabins available, they use a little matrix to determine how much it will cost to upgrade say from a 9C to a 5B, or whatever. Then it's up to you if you want to pay for the upgrade. If you do, remember to let everyone know at the meetup (if you're on the FE list), and know that although they say your luggage will manage to get there on its own (and maybe it will in due time), I've usually had to go to our original cabin and either get our bags or let the room stewards know your new cabin number so they can deliver them. No worries though either way.

7. Once all that's done (don't worry...it's very simple), you walk to your right and go through security into the waiting area. At check in, they give you a card with a number on it that represents your boarding group. Concierge gets groups 1 & 2, so even if you get their early (as we usually do) you will get Group 3 at best. Boarding usually starts between 12-12:30, but it can vary based on how long it takes to get the ship cleared of arriving passengers and get the computers reset for our trip. They will call boarding groups in numerical order when the time comes. You can use one card for your whole party, so if you show up at the terminal at different times you can still board together.

TIP: Although there are snack/drink machines in the waiting area, you may want to bring your own bottles of water/soda/whatever and maybe a few snacks to enjoy prior to beginning your 7-day feeding frenzy aboard. And, yes, there are bathrooms as well.

8. At some point (11:30-12:00 or so), the counter will open for getting the bracelets for your kids going to the Oceaneer's Club/Lab. You can also do this onboard, so don't sweat it if the line is long and you don't want to wait. You should have checked your kids in already on-line (if not, you still have time!) but you need to get the bracelet at some point.

TIP: The bracelets are CLUNKY (like a big wristwatch) and some kids find them uncomfortable (they use them so they can electronically "scan" your kids into/out of the club/lab). Use discretion as they charge $50 if you lose them (and $200 if you lose the "wavephone"...there are 2 in each cabin...kind of like cell phones that only work on the ship); but here's what we do. Cut the band off and store the device in a safe place until the kids want to go to the lab/club. The CMs will print a new band and reattach the device when the kids go in. Another reason to take them off is they can ruin an otherwise perfect family photo (like on formal night). Ultimately it's up to you.

9. Very shortly thereafter, Mickey and Minnie will show up for preboarding photos just to the right of the kids counter.

10. Finally, after ceremoniously boarding the "family of the day", they begin boarding with concierge (1, 2) and then in numerical order after that. We've always been in Group 3 but others have told us it goes pretty fast. If you arrive later on, I imagine you could pretty much go straight through. Then, the magic begins as you pass through another family photo op on the dock, and then walk a few ramps before strolling into the main atrium where the CMs "announce" your family's arrival to the ship.

11. Lunch is available until 2:30 in several locations. The pools are open and you can swim if you pack your bathing suits in your carry-ons. Cabins open around 2 pm. Changes to dining, including Palo, may be made in Wavebands (Deck 3 forward). Any other issues may be addressed at Guest Services in the main lobby, Deck 3, port side (the excursions desk is on the starboard side). Luggage usually arrives somewhere between about 3-5 pm (pack essentials in your carry-on!). Time permitting, you might want to tour the spa/fitness center on Deck 9 forward, and maybe shoot a few hoops or play ping pon on the sports deck (Deck 10 forward). And finally, yes the bars are open for business too!

12. I'm not sure if we're having a meetup (?), but after that, the mandatory lifeboat drill (NO life jackets) is at 4:00, and the sailaway party is up on Deck 9 shortly after that.

13. Finally, lock your cell phone in your room safe and take a week off from the rest of the world!

LET THE MAGIC BEGIN!!

 

[Double Trouble]

Wow two new groups joining our cruise in one day!!?! Welcome aboard Double Trouble! Our son is 7 and it will be his first cruise. We have never sail out of LA before, so can you tell us the differences in compare to sailing out of PC?

TLPL, It will be the first cruise for the DS6 in our group as well. Maybe he and your DS can hang out. He's usualy the "extra wheel" with the 3 DDs, so will be happy to have someone else to run around with.

 

[Double Trouble]

Called DCL today to check on dining, movies, etc., for our cruise. Here are some highlights...

Mon/20, Wed/22, Thu/23, and Sun/26 are "cruise casual" dining. Tue/21 is formal night and the Golden Mickeys show. Fri/24 is Pirate Night. Sat/25 is semi-formal night.

For those not familiar, you rotate among the 3 main dining rooms (Parrot Cay, Tritons, and Animators Palate) for dinner during the cruise. Or, you can always eat at the buffet (Beach Blanket), or one of the several walk up options on Deck 9, or there's always room service. You will also get a free character breakfast (great photo op) on one of the 3 sea days (Tue/Fri/Sat), assigned based on your rotation.

Movies include:
The Avengers
Brave
Finding Nemo 3D
Oz the Great and Powerful
Wreck It Ralph
Lincoln
Iron Man 3 (it premiers in early May)

There are several alcoholic beverage "tastings" throughout the cruise, normally on sea days, that are quite fun as well. Usually 15-20 USD, and you get about 4-5 drinks.

Please let me know if you have any other questions. I'm pretty busy right now, but will answer when I can.

 

[jilljill]

Called DCL today to check on dining, movies, etc., for our cruise. Here are some highlights...

Mon/20, Wed/22, Thu/23, and Sun/26 are "cruise casual" dining. Tue/21 is formal night and the Golden Mickeys show. Fri/24 is Pirate Night. Sat/25 is semi-formal night.

For those not familiar, you rotate among the 3 main dining rooms (Parrot Cay, Tritons, and Animators Palate) for dinner during the cruise. Or, you can always eat at the buffet (Beach Blanket), or one of the several walk up options on Deck 9, or there's always room service. You will also get a free character breakfast (great photo op) on one of the 3 sea days (Tue/Fri/Sat), assigned based on your rotation.

Movies include:
The Avengers
Brave
Finding Nemo 3D
Oz the Great and Powerful
Wreck It Ralph
Lincoln
Iron Man 3 (it premiers in early May)

There are several alcoholic beverage "tastings" throughout the cruise, normally on sea days, that are quite fun as well. Usually 15-20 USD, and you get about 4-5 drinks.

Please let me know if you have any other questions. I'm pretty busy right now, but will answer when I can.

To clarify something you mentioned about dinner - Beach Blanket is not set up as a buffet for dinner, it's a sit down served meal. Also, it's not open the first or last night of the cruise.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Hi everyone! We just signed up for this cruise last week, so we're obviously a little spontaneous! LOL. On the cruise will be me and my partner. This will be our second Disney cruise (sailed on the Dream in 2011), and our 5th cruise overall. We are so spoiled that we'll never be able to go on any other cruise line other than Disney. We LOVE it!

We are so excited to just relax and do as little or as much as we want. Hope to meet some of you onboard and here online.

I'm a Florida native (living in TN now), born and raised in Orlando, so I pretty much grew up at WDW (and worked there one summer while in school).

Thanks for letting us join the party. Hope to see you all soon (less than 4 weeks now!!).

Hi everyone,

We just booked this cruise as well, along with another family traveling with us. Just couldn't resist! Total of 4 adults and 4 kids (3 DD's-all age 10, and 1 DS-age 6).

I guess we're a bit late for the FE this time sad, but are there other kids traveling similar in age to ours? Is there a list someone can PM to us? Sorry, but we're not on FB. Are there any meetups planned?

My DDs know the Wonder inside out and are always looking for others to run around with. They also like to email pre-cruise to get a head start on meeting new friends (if anyone is interested just PM us and we'll get them set up).

We've cruised on DCL out of LA several times if anyone has any questions. Looking forward to meeting everyone!

Welcome on board.

Corinna

 

[valee]

Thanks for the port info and the movie lists. As the departure date gets close, it's helpful to get these specific tips.

We've just ordered our Clipper cards for San Francisco. We want to be ready to roll as soon as we get there, so added a three day pass and $10 to cover a round trip to Sausalito. The $3 charge for the card is well worth it for the reduced ferry ride fare.

 

[Susiesark]

To clarify something you mentioned about dinner - Beach Blanket is not set up as a buffet for dinner, it's a sit down served meal.

Is this something that has recently changed? I had Thanksgiving dinner, 2011 on the fantail of the Wonder, overlooking the bay in Cabo San Lucas, having just gone through the buffet line. It was awesome, as at least 99% of the guests were in the dining rooms.

 

[Susiesark]

Hi everyone,

We just booked this cruise as well, along with another family traveling with us. Just couldn't resist! Total of 4 adults and 4 kids (3 DD's-all age 10, and 1 DS-age 6).

We had to 'jump ship' for this REPO cruise , but rebooked for September. Sorry we're missing you, but let me know when we can 'play in the parks' together.

 

[jilljill]

Is this something that has recently changed? I had Thanksgiving dinner, 2011 on the fantail of the Wonder, overlooking the bay in Cabo San Lucas, having just gone through the buffet line. It was awesome, as at least 99% of the guests were in the dining rooms.

Not a new change at all, it's been in place for at least a couple of years now.

From DCL's website:

Dinner
Dinner is served from approximately 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. except on the first and last days of the cruise. Check the Personal Navigator—the Disney Cruise Line daily newsletter detailing all there is to see and do—for specific dates and times of activities while onboard.

If you're looking to dine amid the warm ocean breezes during dinner in a more casual setting, you're invited to enjoy Beach Blanket Buffet in place of a Main Dining restaurant any night of your cruise. Bedecked in linen tablecloths and napkins, Beach Blanket Buffet at dinner is a more elegant affair than its breakfast and lunch counterparts.

As you make your way into the restaurant, select from a series of appetizers from the buffet table. Then, sit back as your server brings your mouthwatering main course to the table.

Boasting a selection of tantalizing American fare during a delightful 4-course meal, Beach Blanket Buffet offers a selection of fine food for everyone in your family. Although subject to change, dinnertime menu items include signature dishes from the Main Dining restaurants and casual dining specials.

Vegetarian offerings include salads, fruit, baked goods, vegetarian wraps and Panini.

Beverages
The following beverages are available during dinner at an additional charge plus gratuity:

Bar drinks
Wine
Bottled Water
The following beverages are complimentary at dinner and require no additional charge:

Coffee
Soda
Fruit Juice
Milk
Tea (Iced/Hot)
In addition to a full wine list, Beach Blanket Buffet offers such after-dinner liqueurs as Bailey's Irish Cream, Tia Maria and Amaretto di Saronno for an additional cost. Specialty coffees including espresso, cappuccino and dessert wines such as Apple Icewine are also available.

Dress Code
The dress code is cruise casual. However, you are requested to not wear tank tops, swim wear or shorts for dinner.

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ships-activities/ships/wonder/dining/beach-blanket-buffet/

 

[MickeyT]

Great information cruisemates! I will be printing these post for my notebook.

Being a fist time cruiser, flying cross country and having to pack for the back to back has added its share of (good) stress. These post sure help me feel much more comfortable.

 

[TLPL]

Not a new change at all, it's been in place for at least a couple of years now.

From DCL's website:

Dinner
Dinner is served from approximately 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. except on the first and last days of the cruise. Check the Personal Navigator—the Disney Cruise Line daily newsletter detailing all there is to see and do—for specific dates and times of activities while onboard.

If you're looking to dine amid the warm ocean breezes during dinner in a more casual setting, you're invited to enjoy Beach Blanket Buffet in place of a Main Dining restaurant any night of your cruise. Bedecked in linen tablecloths and napkins, Beach Blanket Buffet at dinner is a more elegant affair than its breakfast and lunch counterparts.

As you make your way into the restaurant, select from a series of appetizers from the buffet table. Then, sit back as your server brings your mouthwatering main course to the table.

Boasting a selection of tantalizing American fare during a delightful 4-course meal, Beach Blanket Buffet offers a selection of fine food for everyone in your family. Although subject to change, dinnertime menu items include signature dishes from the Main Dining restaurants and casual dining specials.

Vegetarian offerings include salads, fruit, baked goods, vegetarian wraps and Panini.

Beverages
The following beverages are available during dinner at an additional charge plus gratuity:

Bar drinks
Wine
Bottled Water
The following beverages are complimentary at dinner and require no additional charge:

Coffee
Soda
Fruit Juice
Milk
Tea (Iced/Hot)
In addition to a full wine list, Beach Blanket Buffet offers such after-dinner liqueurs as Bailey's Irish Cream, Tia Maria and Amaretto di Saronno for an additional cost. Specialty coffees including espresso, cappuccino and dessert wines such as Apple Icewine are also available.

Dress Code
The dress code is cruise casual. However, you are requested to not wear tank tops, swim wear or shorts for dinner.

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ships-activities/ships/wonder/dining/beach-blanket-buffet/

Wow I did not know that they offer full service during dinner. Has anyone try it? What is the advantage of eating there vs the main dinning room?