Walt Disney World: It's Not Just for Kids » PTR DCL10

Disney Cruiseline Online check-in, pt. 1

Hedy — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 02:43:54 +0000

In my list of ways to pass the time until my cruise (OMG-one week from today I will be one month out!), I decided to try Disney Cruiseline’s online check-in. I tried online check in for my Disney resort stay last year, and found it to be pretty useful (Amanda has a much better description of it).

Disney Cruiseline’s online check in has a few steps. Accessing the forms are fairly easy-I’d heard horror stories about the main DCL site going down, but I was able to connect. I was getting my reservation number off of Dreams Unlimited’s site, I have no idea if that affected it or not. The first part was the in case of emergency basics-easy to fill out, but I’m glad I did it now as opposed to trying to do it at the terminal.

Next was entering the credit card/charging information. I found this to be a plus for last year’s check in at POFQ, so I hope it makes the cruise entrance similarly easy. Because I am twelve years old, I found it funny that it listed me as being an approved person to charge to my room. One can only hope. Finally, there was the customs info, and the signed contract of carriage. I’m worried I’ll lose that page (which needs to be brought with you).

I much preferred filling out these forms online than by hand (and it had information DCL already had about me filled in, including my passport number). I’ll have to see how the physical check-in goes, but so far I am a fan of DCL’s online check in.

However, this experience did raise a question for me. The last time I left the country was before my semester abroad, and we were told to name a power of attorney fr our things at home if need be. Has anyone done this prior to going on a cruise? I’m unmarried, unpartnered, and have neither children nor a home, if that matters.

How to: Have cute door magnets on your stateroom door

Hedy — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 01:30:16 +0000

One more “unique” part of the Disney fan community subculture is the phenomena of decorating your stateroom door. I knew I wanted to get in on the action, but I’m not terribly artistic. Here’s how I made mine, your mileage may vary.

Step 1: Get Designs. Both the Creative DISigns and Disney Cruise section of the DIS have wonderful people who have great designs that can be personalized. I sincerely hope my readers are not stupid enough to try to profit from other people’s designs.

Step 2: Personalize. I used Picasa for this-I added basic text such as either my username or real name. For extra Disney flair, use Waltograph.

Step 3: Print your pictures. I originally bought the magnetic paper from Staples, but decided I did not want to waste that much printer ink. I opted to print my pictures out using Snapfish, and pick them up at my local Walgreens.

Step 4: Assemble your materials. In addition to your pictures, you will need a few things: Something to laminate your photos with, this step is optional, but I like the extra sturdiness insurance. You can buy self-laminating sheets at Staples. However, I opted to pick up clear contact paper at that exclusive crafting boutique, Dollar Tree. One is a dollar, one is a lot more. For glue, I went with “craft glue” from aforementioned crafting boutique. Magnet wise, I used a couple of old advertising magnets and cut up my magnet sheets. I had bought little “locker” magnets at Dollar Tree as well. (Why is it called Dollar Tree if I never spend just a dollar there?)

Step 5: Assembly. Cut out a piece of clear contact paper twice the height of your picture. Remove backing. Place picture face down. Fold over contact paper.

Step 6: Place now-laminated picture face down. Cover back with craft glue. Place on magnet.

Step 7: Let dry. Voila, you have door magnets!

Yes, I know I am an utter hypocrite for decorating my door. C’est la vie.

Everyone is just waiting….

Hedy — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 23:56:27 +0000

So said Dr. Seuss. I have less than 45 days until my cruise. Yay! But-it’s close enough that I paid it off. Yet, it is far enough away that it is too soon to get MVMCP schedules or the like. I’m currently trying to survive (I use that term loosely) the hump until 1 month to my cruise. While I am still playing with my ADR’s for the land portion of my cruise, I do have a few ideas of how I will pass my time:

1. Complete my online cruise check-in (there will be a post forthcoming!)

2. Plan out my Fish Extender gifts

3. Print out pictures for door magnets

4. Find something mermaid-y to wear to the Jodi Benson show.

5. Plan outfits, and along with that, plan make-up, hair decorations, and other forms of travel jewelry.

How do you handle the pre-Disney vacation waiting game? Let me know in a comment, on Twitter, or Facebook. If you like what you are reading, subscribe via an RSS reader or e-mail.

More info on the DISUnplugged Podcast cruise!

Hedy — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 14:31:26 +0000

w00t! The plans for Podcast Cruise 2.0′s official DIS events are now up! (Two months from today I’ll be in WDW! woohoo!) I do have to admit that this kind of adds a new level to the to travel agent or not to travel agent discussion-I had to book my cruise through Dreams Unlimited (and I am satisfied with their service), but in exchange I get to go to these events for free.

Anyway, on Nassau day, there will be speakers in the morning, and then a concert with Jodi Benson. Yes, I will be going to a concert with the voice of Ariel. Awesome!

There will be a private lunch at Cookies 2 on Castaway Cay. I’m not 100% sure I’m going to it, as I was envisioning a peaceful day at Serenity Bay without children, and all ages are invited to the lunch. (I really can’t find anything definitely that really assures me that Cookies will have anything I can eat anything of substance, so I was planning on drinking Konk Koolers and eating cookie dough soft serve all day. Because I can, dang it. :))

On sea day, there will be a live podcast recording. Given how hard I have LOLed listening to their live shows before, I cannot wait.

Are you going on the podcast cruise? What are your plans? If you will be on the cruise or in WDW beforehand, subscribe to my plancast to find out what I’m up to.

I made my Palo reservation

Hedy — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 15:37:23 +0000

Tuesday was the first day I could make my reservations at Palo for my cruise in December. For those of you unfamiliar with the Disney Cruise Line (DCL), Palo is the restaurant on board for guests age 18 and up. Hearing about Palo (and the model of a DCL ship in Port Orleans Riverside’s lobby in 2002), cemented the fact that I had to try a Disney Cruise at some point. An 18+ restaurant on a Disney ship? Sign me up. Plus, they have my favorite wine ever, Rosa Regale.

As I am a first-time Disney cruiser who is not staying in a suite, 75 days out was the earliest I could make a Palo reservation (Castaway Club members can make them earlier). I’d hear horror stories of the website crashing and people getting up at 3am to make Palo reservations. I was not about to go that far, so I was unsurprised when I logged on at 9am and found only dinner at Palo left, and the only dinner left was the night of our departure. Despite the fact that I’d really rather get to know my tablemates the first night, I figure a Palo reservation in the hand is worth two in the bush (you can also make Palo reservations once you board the ship), and made it. I look forward to trying Palo for the first time.

Have you ever tried Palo? Always wanted to try Palo? Leave a comment, or let me know on Twitter or Facebook. If you like what you’re reading, feel free to subscribe via e-mail or in a reader or share using the social bookmarking buttons at the bottom of this post.

Trip planning update: September 14, 2010

Hedy — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 01:32:12 +0000

Three months from right now, I will be on the Wonder. w00t! At the moment, my planning is focused on my pre-cruise stay. The current plan is:

Thurs 12/9: Arrive late at MCO. Take cab or Mears to Swan. Sleep.

Friday 12/10: Have breakfast at Cape May Cafe (new!). Explore Epcot resorts. Head over to Wilderness Lodge (never been there!). Eat Linner at Roaring Forks, and by Linner I mean Magic Cookie Bars. Head over to MVMCP. Attend DIS Meet. From there, I plan on ensuring that I ride Space Mountain, Splash Mountain if it’s not too cold, and Big Thunder Mountain. I absolutely plan on picking up cookies and hot chocolate. I also like to try to see at least one dance party. I’m aiming for the later parade and fireworks.

Sat 12/11: Get up. Possibly eat at Garden Grove (the key problem is that they no longer accept Restaurant.com gift certificates for breakfast, and I don’t know if an exception will be made for me as I bought mine prior to the change.) Head over to explore the monorail resorts. Grab lunch at Captain Cook’s. I’m planning on checking out some resort I haven’t been to before next-possibly Caribbean Beach Resort or the All Stars. I’m planning on doing a Hess run shortly thereafter. I’m thinking dinner will probably be at Beaches and Cream, and then I have a Boardwalk DIS Meet followed by Jellyrolls.

Sun 12/12: I’m getting up early to have breakfast at Boma. Than I’ll board the DIS bus, and onto Port Canaveral.

Help me choose a Pirate Night Costume

Hedy — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 13:25:28 +0000

Halloween is coming up, and as such I am browsing for a costume to wear on Pirate Night on my cruise. While I know I could save money by checking out the post-Halloween sales, I am concerned no good costumes would be left.

This is the pirate costume that one of my favorite stores, Torrid, has this year. While I’m a little concerned that the bodice is pushing the appropriate for a Disney cruise envelope, there’s something that is so quintessentially pirate-y about the black and white striped skirt to me.

My other two costume options are pink, which a)I think is fun as heck, and b)I have Disney Pirate Princess stuff I can accessorize with. Also, these pink costumes bear a resemblance to Disney’s own Pirate Empress costume that you can get at the Pirate’s League, which will make me look like I’m dressing to theme, and hopefully take the edge off if my costume shows too much. On one hand, I love how packable this costume to the right looks. The skull on the skirt is too cute, and I like the skirt length (although skirt length can always be fixed with leggings). I’m not crazy about the sparkly-ness of the black stripes, though.
This costume is also pink. I think it’s really cute-I love the sleeves and the hat (although packing the hat could be a pain). However, the skirt is shorter than the other costume.

Debating dropping Epcot from my December agenda….

Hedy — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:15:30 +0000

Yesterday, I was thinking about how I should probably order my ticket for my day at Epcot in December soon, as ticket prices will most likely go up soon. And suddenly, the idea of skipping Epcot the Saturday before my cruise occurred to me. I could see the later parade at MVMCP and party on. After sleeping in, I could head for a casual character breakfast at the Garden Grove. Touring the resorts would be next-maybe checking out Pop or the All Stars. I’d grab lunch at a resort’s counter service. I’d finish my day with dinner, and the Boardwalk meet.

Any thoughts? A full day at Epcot just seems so go go go after MVMCP.

Pop Century Christmas Tree from Jackskeleton101 on Flickr

Disney World Basics: Tickets

Hedy — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 00:07:49 +0000

In this section I’m going to be discussing tickets for Disney World, by which I mean Magic Your Way tickets (MYW), not an Annual Pass. If you get a package through Disney, you HAVE to buy at least a one-day ticket with your package. If you have a room-only reservation, or are staying-off property, you can just buy your ticket.

Growing up, we always got length of stay tickets with our packages, so the concept of non-expiring tickets were a moot idea. Once I started going as an adult, I debated the merits of getting my MYW tickets to be non-refundable. I opted to add the option as check out on my December 2007 trip. My logic for this was based in two things: firstly, I had an unused park day as I’d opted to to take a tour one day, and secondly, I figured that paying the upgrade fee then beat continuously buying the Waterparks, fun and more option every time I bought a ticket. This would have been sensible had Disney not closed Pleasure Island in September 2008. On my next trip, I once again used a park hopper and had a day left over, so I once again opted for a no-expiration option.

I must admit, this made for a difficult ticket-buying time for my October 2009 trip. Did I use the days I had floating around? I ended up buying a park hopper which enabled me to use my old MYW tickets up. (well, I have a few fun options remaining).

This brings me to my current predicament. The day before my cruise, I plan on going to Epcot for the day. Ergo, I need to buy a one-day pass. Finding a value on this pass seems to be very difficult. Undercover Tourist doesn’t carry one day passes, nor does Mouse Unlimited. DWTickets.com has one for $98.37 (after tax and shipping, but I’d get $.83 back from Sunshine Rewards). Out of curiosity, I popped my search into the TouringPlans.com’s Disney Ticket Calculator. It came up with DisneyWorld.com having a price of $84.14, or $89.14 with delivery (I could always do a will call and pick it up either that day or in August). Mapleleaftickets.com has the one day base ticket for $94.90 with tax and shipping. In short, it looks like either buying the ticket at my local Disney Store, or doing will call on DisneyWorld.com.

Any thoughts?

Shore excursion indecision….

Hedy — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 16:20:40 +0000

So, my Disney Cruise in December stops at two ports, Nassau, and Castaway Cay (Disney’s private island). The only other time I’ve been to the Bahamas was on a Royal Caribbean Cruise when I was 10. I didn’t remember much of Nassau-we know we did the straw market, walked around and saw some buildings, and my grandmother bought jewelry. I haven’t decided if I want to do a shore excursion yet, and if so which one. My four main choices are none, Atlantis, Segway, or Dolphins.

Not doing a scheduled tour through DCL would enable me to save some money (always a relative statement on vacation). I don’t do too well in large groups of strangers, so getting some solo Hedy time with all the goings on on a cruise may not be a bad idea. Now, I’m going to try not to be a dummy, safety-wise, but I’m not too nervous about safety in Nassau. After all, I’ve lived in Mexico, done parts of Mexico City solo, and routinely do days in NYC solo. If I go on my own, I plan on hitting the new Straw Market, Pirate Museum, and doing the Frommers’ Walking Tour . I also plan on hitting up some tourist traps so I can say I’ve been there, and visiting the jewelry stores. Rum cakes are also on my agenda.

If I do do an excursion, I have to admit that Atlantis is very tempting. I’m not a huge beach/pool girl, but Atlantis just looks so darn pretty. If I do opt to do Atlantis, I have a few options. I’m mainly veering away from packages that include food, as I would bet they may not have vegetarian options. As such, I am leaning towards either the “Discover Atlantis” option.

The back to Nature Segway adventure sounds like it could be fun. Although, I’m not a huge nature fan, and I’m not sure I want to try a new vehicle in a foreign country. I also do not do birds.

Finally, we have the uber-expensive Dolphin options. Their biggest con is that they cost a fraction of what my cruise did. Also, I’m not a terribly strong swimmer. However, it would kick it off the bucket list, especially given as I have little interest in Discovery Cove, owing to the fact that there is an aviary there. I do not like birds at all.

Any thoughts? Given that “none” seems so fleshed out, maybe I could consider it a sign.