EBPC December 9, 2012!!! Who's in????

[mnewcomer]

Originally Posted by WVURunner

I finally nagged my sister enough that she caved in and gave me her information so that I could book the hotel while we are in Disneyland. We will be staying at the Sheraton near Disneyland. Has anyone stayed here before?

I also got permission to use her CC to book their return tickets home.

According to my "source" who called last night to rub some things in ( I will spare you the painful details I had to hear), there are plenty of verandah rooms available. I believe there will be lots of available upgrades at the port. Unless we get connecting inside rooms, I think we might actually get to the port early to try for an upgrade. It seems like a good use of my OT money and why not since we will have the room for 14 nights! Though DH really likes his dark inside cabin. Based on the info I got, I believe that the % is based on available cabins, not people. My "source" is still bitter we are going on a cruise without them, our first time cruising DCL without them! Not my fault you can't give birth on a Disney Ship!

Who else is looking to upgrade at the port?

We have stayed at the Sheraton that looks like the Tudor Labor Day weekend the past 2yrs. They are very friendly here but the rooms are hit & miss depending what you get. We stayed at the more contemporary Sheraton prior and it had just been remodeled but you have to ride public transportation here,drive or a bit of walk to get to the park. We liked both but for different reasons.

We are headed to Disneyland Friday can't wait to go & then we have the Halloween party Oct.15 so excited. Can't wait for this cruise to get here!

[skayrobe]

I don't think we will try for an upgrade. We sailed on the QM2 from New York to London with a balcony room and I could not look out at all, could not even walk on that side of the room. My husband said the seas were very calm (Marine Corps, so he has been on lots of ships). I think I am happy tp be in an inside room , more money for martinis.. But I am very excited to see some other staterooms and I am going to try those wristbands you all have been talking about. Sherry

[dthogue]

We received approval from DD's school yesterday for her to miss the 10 days of school for the cruise

My only concern is her Algebra homework she will be brining along. Sad to say I know nothing about Algebra - is there anyone out there that is good with math and might be available if she has trouble and wouldn't mind helpihg her

Count us in on the upgrade at the port - hoping for a verandah

Tammy

[WVURunner]

Originally Posted by holula

Is the Sheraton the one that looks like an old Tudor manor? If so, yes. In 2005. It has a neat koi ornamental pond in the lobby and I enjoyed my stay. You can walk to DLR from there, it's at the back of DLR so you walk through Downtown Disney.

Count me in on the port upgrade! Currently we have no room assigned but booked an 11C, I would love a verandah with so many sea days (I think I'd love it, I've never had a verandah before!)

That's the hotel. Glad to hear it is near DTD and it is walkable.

Originally Posted by BethC1952

We're very happy with the cabin we booked (a sideways Cat 11 on deck 6), but if there's a veranda available for a reasonable price at the port, we might consider it, or even a porthole. On my 9/12 Canada cruise, friends upgraded at the port from an IGT to the Roy O. Disney suite. I can only dream about such an upgrade LOL!!!

Beth

Wow, what an upgrade! I have only had inside cabins so I would be happy with anything.

Originally Posted by mnewcomer

We have stayed at the Sheraton that looks like the Tudor Labor Day weekend the past 2yrs. They are very friendly here but the rooms are hit & miss depending what you get. We stayed at the more contemporary Sheraton prior and it had just been remodeled but you have to ride public transportation here,drive or a bit of walk to get to the park. We liked both but for different reasons.

We are headed to Disneyland Friday can't wait to go & then we have the Halloween party Oct.15 so excited. Can't wait for this cruise to get here!

We weren't sure which Sheraton to book as both of the ones you mentioned used the same amount of points. Sheraton Park looked a lot nicer and newer but we were uncertain with using ART and if the kids could walk that far. I am hoping it will be a HIT for us as my sister is very picky(only stays deluxe) but I just think it will be easier walking with the kids (6&9). I will never hear the end of it from her if it is a miss!

Have fun a Disneyland!

Originally Posted by skayrobe

I don't think we will try for an upgrade. We sailed on the QM2 from New York to London with a balcony room and I could not look out at all, could not even walk on that side of the room. My husband said the seas were very calm (Marine Corps, so he has been on lots of ships). I think I am happy tp be in an inside room , more money for martinis.. But I am very excited to see some other staterooms and I am going to try those wristbands you all have been talking about. Sherry

Well in that case, enjoy the booze money! We are a mixed group with upgrading ( I want to, DH doesn't), we have only done inside cabins and have been very happy as we are never in the room and really aren't the type (a least I don't think we are) to sit on our balcony. I would like to give it a shot but DH loves his dark room and enjoys the room layout more. On the Fantasy, our friends had a balcony and DH hated how you had to walk around the bed. There is only 2 of us so we don't really need the extra space. Hmm, maybe I am starting to learn towards saving the money for the drinks! It will depend on what room we get assigned and my sister's room. We are really hoping for connecting rooms or at least close rooms!

[holula]

Originally Posted by dthogue

We received approval from DD's school yesterday for her to miss the 10 days of school for the cruise

My only concern is her Algebra homework she will be brining along. Sad to say I know nothing about Algebra - is there anyone out there that is good with math and might be available if she has trouble and wouldn't mind helpihg her

Count us in on the upgrade at the port - hoping for a verandah

Tammy

How old is your daughter? I tutored my friend at school in the UK for the math exam we sit at 16. She got an A. It has been a while since I have done algebra though!

[WVURunner]

Originally Posted by dthogue

We received approval from DD's school yesterday for her to miss the 10 days of school for the cruise

My only concern is her Algebra homework she will be brining along. Sad to say I know nothing about Algebra - is there anyone out there that is good with math and might be available if she has trouble and wouldn't mind helpihg her

Count us in on the upgrade at the port - hoping for a verandah

Tammy

I'm sure I could help her out if she needs it. I peer tutored in HS and did it on the side in college. It has been awhile but I am sure I could figure it out. DH is great at math and is also good at explaining. Plus it will keep him "not bored" on sea days

Just don't ask me for help in English! or spelling for that matter.

Glad you have the official okay for the trip.

[DisneyManFamily4]

Originally Posted by Gdes1

Second, this is a long way out, but we want to take DS to DLR for his 5th birthday, which is April 27 of 2014 (so not next Spring but the one after that). I checked and Easter Sunday is April 20th that year. From what I can tell CA schools take Spring Break either the week before or the week after Easter. Can any SoCal residents with kids in public school give me advice on when we should visit? If we flew in on the 26th and made the 27th our first day in the park, would it be majorly crowded? While it would be fun to be there on his actual birthday, we are NOT crowd people and I don't mind
waiting, even a whole week, and going later.

Thanks!

It's been awhile since I've gone mid week before or after Easter but the farther you can go either before or after Easter will always be best. I would wait and go the week after the week following Easter Sunday.

[mug318ca]

Originally Posted by dthogue

Does anyone know what time the port opens - we want to try to upgrade and would like to be there at opening - we are relying on a shuttle to get us there and I'm not sure what time to schedule our pick up.

Tammy

According to DCL, the port opens at 11AM. Through some mixup, DCL believes that I am "pre-cruise" so I don't have an assigned arrival time. I plan to be there at 10:30 and plan to ask about port upgrades. I currently have a nice porthole but would appreciate a veranda.

I would also appreciate the Roy O. Disney suite, but that ain't happening.

[dthogue]

Originally Posted by holula

How old is your daughter? I tutored my friend at school in the UK for the math exam we sit at 16. She got an A. It has been a while since I have done algebra though!

She 14, 9th grade Algebra - thank you for your offer.

Originally Posted by WVURunner

I'm sure I could help her out if she needs it. I peer tutored in HS and did it on the side in college. It has been awhile but I am sure I could figure it out. DH is great at math and is also good at explaining. Plus it will keep him "not bored" on sea days

Just don't ask me for help in English! or spelling for that matter.

Glad you have the official okay for the trip.

That would be terrific - hopefully she'll be ok, math is not her strong point.

Originally Posted by mug318ca

According to DCL, the port opens at 11AM. Through some mixup, DCL believes that I am "pre-cruise" so I don't have an assigned arrival time. I plan to be there at 10:30 and plan to ask about port upgrades. I currently have a nice porthole but would appreciate a veranda.

I would also appreciate the Roy O. Disney suite, but that ain't happening.

Oh I would be happy with your porthole if you get an upgrade We are in a 11b now - I would like just a little more space for us - I can see the 3 of us tripping over each other for 15 days

tammy

[DVCinderella]

Originally Posted by LindaBabe

I wonder if 54% availability means 54% of cabins are empty, or 54% of the max number of people who *could* go? My cabin is only 1/3 full, but those other two spaces aren't really available.

Originally Posted by Land Park Tudor

Thanks DV. I'm no expert, but whatever the interpretation isn't that number pretty low for any Disney cruise when they're just a couple of months out? Low numbers would be fine with me. That said, if 54% is on the lower end, I wonder why DCL hasn't pushed this cruise harder on their specials page. Hmmm...

Linda you are right...54% means 54% of the cabins are empty. And I agree with you that the total available capacity of the ship is probably even a higher percentage. I think there are going to be a lot of solo and couple travelers...not a lot of families due to the time of year. Therefore, a lot of cabins that can hold 3 or 4 people are booked for 1 or 2.

I agree LPT...I'm surprised that this close to the cruise, DCL hasn't started pushing this one with specials. The NY-Canada September cruises were deeply discounted one month before, but that was a 5-nighter...this is 14-nights, and you would think last minute bookings would be tough for folks with work, school, etc. I'm sure there will be a last-minute price drop, but how many people they'll get is hard to say.

[WVURunner]

Originally Posted by holula

How old is your daughter? I tutored my friend at school in the UK for the math exam we sit at 16. She got an A. It has been a while since I have done algebra though!

Is that what you all the A-Levels?

Originally Posted by dthogue

Oh I would be happy with your porthole if you get an upgrade We are in a 11b now - I would like just a little more space for us - I can see the 3 of us tripping over each other for 15 days

tammy

We had 4 adults in an inside cabin for our 11 night Med cruise, talk about tripping over each other! Actually it wasn't to horrible and we all survived. We had a connecting room to my sister's room that had 2 adults and 2 kids. We kept the door open the whole cruise and it made the area seem larger and everyone used whatever bathroom was free.

The married couple in the room got the queen bed and since DH(who was DBF at the time) didn't come, as the single lady, I got the top bunk and our single male friend got the lower bunk.

I am 6' and my friend is 6'3" and the couple both are pretty short. Love how the tall people got the short beds!

[holula]

Originally Posted by WVURunner

Is that what you all the A-Levels?

The exams at 16 are GCSE, the ones at 18 are A-levels. My friend had given up math as soon as she could! (So after GCSE)

[DindelsPA]

Originally Posted by dthogue

We received approval from DD's school yesterday for her to miss the 10 days of school for the cruise

My only concern is her Algebra homework she will be brining along. Sad to say I know nothing about Algebra - is there anyone out there that is good with math and might be available if she has trouble and wouldn't mind helpihg her

Count us in on the upgrade at the port - hoping for a verandah

Tammy

Got Patricia's okay from the board as well last week. Only 5 are 'excused' as per guidelines, but she won't be penalized for missing the other 5.

In regards to Algebra, I"d be more than willing to help. I've had to dust off the cobwebs from many years ago on that too. Patricia is taking Algebra II this year, so hopefully if I can't help, she might be able to.

In regards to upgrading, I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed for all to get what they want. It's my fear that DCL will start their incentives again, thus taking up the verandahs that are available right now. I hope they PD the IGTs first, then offer those rooms to newbies.

[WVURunner]

So while on the Fantasy during a cooking class, DH asked a question about the food and the chef informed him that all the food for the week is loaded in PC and they do not restock along the way. (this explains why the krispy cream donuts are so gross on the last day)

DH was wondering if during the longer cruises if they stop at any place to restock or if all food is loaded on the first day. I did not pay attention to this during the Med cruise. Does anyone know?

DH has a theory that Disney wants this cruise to remain some what empty because carrying and storing enough food for 14 days for a half full ship is easier than doing so for a full one. He also has a theory that Disney wants some rooms empty so that they can repair rooms that need it.

His thought is that Disney has to move the ship anyway so any passengers on board while they do it is an added bonus.

These reasons could explain why they aren't pushing to hard to sell it to the general public.

His lastest theory is that Disney won't place anyone on floors 1 &2 and repair those rooms and everyone will have a higher deck room and maybe a view.

Who knows..I guess we will have to wait and see what happens when the room assignments come out! Does anyone know when that maybe?

[paulcrsb]

Originally Posted by WVURunner

DH was wondering if during the longer cruises if they stop at any place to restock or if all food is loaded on the first day. I did not pay attention to this during the Med cruise. Does anyone know?

Disney does restock during the cruise, at least on a couple of longer cruises that I have been on.
I remember the ship being restocked in Acapulco once and in Curacao on another cruise. Both times these were on EBPC cruises.