"Three Weeks Until Our Disney Cruise"--No, Not Us, Another Family

“It’s three weeks until our cruise, Jody.  Just three weeks!” was the greeting I got in the grocery store last evening by the spouse of a retired colleague.  I had previously helped him when he had phoned inquiring about how a stay at the Hyatt in Orlando International prior to sailing worked—click here to read more.

His wife then proceeded to tell me that he had already gotten out the suitcases and wanted to get packing.  He told me that they had all their cruise documents and were ready to go.  His wife said sailing during “off season” really paid off—so to speak.

Before we parted ways at the check-out lanes, he said to me, “Jody, did I tell you how long it is until our cruise?”

I played along and asked with a smile, “How long until your Disney cruise?”

“Three weeks!” he replied enthusiastically.

This just proves that you are never TOO OLD for a Disney vacation of any kind!  This couple has sailed with Disney before and frequented Walt Disney World.  They are looking forward to their next cruise, dare I say excitedly!  That feeling of anticipation of the fun, relaxation, memories, and magic is for people of any age.

I am so happy for them and wish upon a star that the husband and I will be able to do the same thing when we retire.  Bon Voyage! 

Disney Phone a Friend--Questions About Staying at the Hyatt Prior to Sailing

Retrieving luggage at baggage claim before checking in at the Hyatt

Saturday afternoon the phone rang.  A familiar voice was on the other end of the line; the husband of a former colleague and Disney fan.  Reason for the call?  Had a few questions about staying at the Hyatt at Orlando International Airport before sailing with Disney in February.  Fire away.

Do we pick up our luggage and take it to the hotel?  Yes.  Since they would be flying in the day prior to sailing, then yes, pick up luggage at baggage claim and take to the Hyatt—which is upstairs (or elevator or escalator if you prefer.)  This also means NOT tagging your luggage with the Disney Cruise Line luggage tags, at least not yet.  I also shared that baggage carts can only go as far as the lobby of the Hyatt and that Bell Services would take the bags from that point.

Where’s the entrance to the Hyatt?  The entrance is located between in the security gates on Level 3, or the main level of the airport.  The check-in desk for the Hyatt is actually one level higher and can be reached by escalator or elevator.  While I didn’t tell him this, as he will find out, the elevator will only access the public levels unless a room key is used upon entering the elevator.  This is a security measure for guests.

The blue tag was our admittance to the bus for port transfers and was stapled to our cruise documents.

So we just go downstairs the next morning and catch the bus?  Basically, yes.  I told him to be sure to tell the folks at the Hyatt upon check-in that they would be sailing with Disney the next day.  They would then be given a piece of paper to record number of pieces of luggage, room number, etc. that is then given to the Cast Members that check guests in for Port Transfers the next morning.  This way, they could tag their luggage with the DCL luggage tags and leave the bags in the room at the Hyatt as they would be retrieved and taken to the port.  (I must admit that this is one of the most convenient services I have found! )   Of course, they would have reserved the port transfers and paid for them along with their cruise reservations.  I have heard of guests showing up at the port transfer desk and paying for the transfers right at that moment or charging them to their ship board account.

Where is the check-in for the Port Transfers?  The check-in is right next to the check-in for Disney’s Magical Express Service, so lower level B side of the airport.

What time?  The first bus usually heads out to the port about 9:30 am.  I said we try to be there before 9:00 to check-in.  I also told him that the boarding group numbers are now assigned at the port.  Since they have sailed with Disney before, there was an understanding of boarding etc.

The call ended with me offering assistance with any other questions between now and their cruise and to have a great cruise.  I was thanked and we hung up; happy that I was able to help.

What was cool was that these folks were there to help us when we planned our first trip to Walt Disney World.  I remember peppering his wife with questions hoping to plan a great vacation for our family.  The boy has been the recipient of tokens and souvenirs from their previous trips, too.  We Disney fans stick together and know who to “go to” with questions.  Help is usually just a phone call away!

Happily Helping Others Plan Their Disney Vacation

Like other Disney fans, it is hard for me to disguise my passion for all things Disney which means friends, neighbors, family, and colleagues are aware of my status as a Disney fan.  This also means I get asked questions when folks are planning a Disney vacation.  The questions come via phone, email, or in person.  Yesterday was no exception.  Here’s the email that landed in my inbox:

Jody,

We want to eat supper at 1900 Park Fare, it is at a resort, but we are spending the day at the Magic Kingdom, can we do that?  Do we need a park hopper for that?  What if afterwards we want to go back to the MK to see the firework?  Can we do that?

We have our park tickets, plane tickets, and hotel taken care of.  I have made 3 dinner reservations.  Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Here was my reply:

To:  Recipient

How exciting!

Yes, you can go to 1900 Park Fare, located in the Grand Floridian, for dinner from the Magic Kingdom.  Just hop on the Resort Monorail--it will be the last stop.

No, you do not need park hopper to return to the same park later in the day that you left earlier that day.

Yes, you can return to watch Wishes, the fireworks show at the magic Kingdom, just hop back on the monorail.  Magic Kingdom will be your first stop!

Dinner. . . 'Ohana's at the Polynesian is our favorite.  Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary is another great dinner.  And, any restaurant at EPCOT is a good choice.

Let me know if you need anything else.  Happy to help you plan a magical vacation!

And, truly I am happy to help them plan and have a magical vacation.  It brings me great joy to know someone else will be experiencing the magic that only Disney can provide.

And, it is the detail questions like the ones above that cannot be answered by reading a brochure from Disney.  Reading a Disney guidebook will possibly answer the questions, but being able to ask someone who has “been there, done that” is the easiest way to get questions answered.

I could have gone on about 1900 Park Fare dinner—the dancing, Cinderella, Prince Charming, etc.  But I didn’t as those questions weren’t asked. . . yet.  And, they may already know about the royal dinner without a castle which helped them pick that restaurant.  Giving them more details may not have been what was needed at the moment and potentially overwhelming.   I could have, however, given them confirmation that they made a good choice—next time.

Disney "Phone A Friend"--Taking More Calls

Disney “phone a friend” and “email a friend” was alive and well this week--click here to read more about "phone a friend".  Seems our family’s reputation for knowledge of Disney continues to widen.

The phone rang and it was a co-worker of the boy’s soccer coach who was taking their family of 5 to Walt Disney World this week.  They wanted to know about the best way to use their 4 day park ticket as they were arriving on Sunday and leaving Thursday.  Before I could help, I needed some information, like if they were staying on property, etc.  Yes, they were staying on property at the new Art of Animation Resort in a Cars suite.  Sweet!

They had already been on the Williams Family Blog looking for information—thank you!  I looked up park hours for them to get the most of their arrival day and went from there.  At one point, both adults were on speaker phone so I could explain how to use Fastpass and the benefits of using Fastpass.  They knew they were going during a busy time of year and wanted to know if they still needed to use Fastpass.  YES!  Use Fastpass no matter when you go!

They have my cell phone number and I hope they have a great trip.  It’s their family’s first trip to Walt Disney World. . . how magical!

“Email a friend” came next with an email from a former colleague who I actually visited with at the grocery store.  Their trip was a multi-generational excursion to Walt Disney World for a week and the pre-teen grandchild was bringing a friend.  They had questions about seeing and doing things beyond the Disney bubble—SeaWorld, Universal, Busch Gardens and wanted to know how many days of park tickets to purchase.  My recommendation was to consider how many days they would be spending at the “other” parks and then purchase the number of days of park tickets they would use on property.  Water parks was another area of interest.  While Typhoon Lagoon is a personal favorite, I suggested Blizzard Beach as this family loves to ski and they might find Disney’s take of a ski resort gone water park amusing.  Knowing this family, I couldn’t help but highlight Walt Disney World Resort’s world class golf courses. 

They also wanted to know ways to “not spend an arm and a leg” on dining.  My suggestion was to eat a larger meal, table service, as a late breakfast or lunch, as typically dinner is more expensive.  I also suggested taking snacks and drinks into the park and how to get a free glass of ice water at any counter service location.

They, too, have my cell phone number and can call or text with any questions before or during their travel.

Each of these families will plan and have a Walt Disney World vacation that fits for them—meeting their interests.  Walt Disney World offers a vast array of activities, attractions, and choices—making it a fantastic destination—where no two vacations are the same.  There is more than one way to do Disney.  And, with our Disney background, hopefully I have steered them in directions that will help them have a magical vacation. 

Disney Phone a Friend--Who Is Yours?

The first text message read “Sunny and 77.”  There was another text message later “I’ve got you on speed dial!”,  followed by a phone call at 9:07 pm.  “Where are our tickets to the parks?” was the question on the other end of the line.  Good question from a first time Walt Disney World visitor.

You see, a friend and her family are traveling to Walt Disney World for the very first time.  They used a travel agent to book their travel, but needed more detailed information than a travel agent might provide.  I was happy to help and offered the Williams Family Blog as a resource along with my cell phone number.

“Your tickets were given to you when you checked in at your resort.  They look like a credit card and are the same as your room key.” was my answer on the phone.

A lightbulb sigh followed by an update about their flights, their resort, getting their refillable mugs, and their plans for tomorrow followed.

I just couldn’t leave it at that, so I sent a text message. . . “Be sure to set a wake-up call for the morning.  You never know who will call!  Push the speaker button on the phone when you answer so everyone in the room can hear.”

A reply text message—“Thank you!”  and something about having a call from Mickey waiting for them when they arrived in their room.  Only at Disney!

When the call came in, I was already snuggled in bed watching Glee recorded on the DVR.  My cell was in the kitchen, charging, and the husband answered and brought me the phone.  I pushed “pause” on the remote and took the call.  When I got off the phone, I told the husband about it and explained that this is a level of service travel agents don’t, can’t, or won’t offer. 

Don’t get me wrong, I love our travel agent and spoke to her earlier in the week and even mentioned that I knew she was helping this family with a trip and that I had offered my cell phone number if they needed anything.  I explained that I receive several text messages and phone calls from folks traveling to Disney with either updates or questions and that I am happy to help and I enjoy getting text messages from the most magical place on earth.  Sometimes, I am the one sending the messages!

This whole thing got me thinking. . . even the game show “Who wants to be a Millionaire?” had phone a friend as a lifeline.  I’m thinking that every Disney traveler needs a phone a friend; someone with Disney knowledge or experience, or someone who can be excited for you as you experience Disney magic.  A travel agent’s hours of work limit this type of service making access to an experienced Disney traveler even more important. 

Not sure how to find a Disney phone a friend?  Just listen to conversations at work, at the gym, even the grocery store.  People who love Disney find a way to weave it into almost any conversation and then take the opportunity to introduce yourself.  Us Disney fans love talking about Disney and we love hearing your travel plans, too.  Not an eavesdropper?  Ask around.  Ask your friends, neighbors, and co-workers who they might know of that has Disney experience.  Your travel agent might be able to recommend someone as well. 

Speaking of our travel agent, when I was talking to her on the phone earlier this week, I wondered out loud about teaching a class on how to plan your Disney vacation.  Hmmm. . . who knows where that little wish may end up?  In the meantime, I will continue to help prospective travelers with the Williams Family Blog and all of my phone a friends traveling to Disney.

Who is your Disney phone a friend?