July 15, 2011 Disney Dream

[DisneyAnytime]

:dance3: Just can't wait until our next DCL Adventure!!! Sailed on the Wonder June 2009 for a 3 day which was waaaaaayyy to short. This year I gave DD the choice of WDW or DCL for summer 2011 and we're ready for the DREAM!!

We will be traveling with another single mom and her DD and welcome any and all who will be sharing this trip!!

Keep Disney DREAMin'!!! :yay:

[IrishCowboy]

I have added your thread to the cruise meet list :thumbsup2

[DisneyAnytime]

Thanks Irish Cowboy! Although I'm beginning to wonder if anyone else is on this sailing! lol

[Staceynj]

Hello,

Our first disney cruise was 11/09 on Wonder and we loved it. I can not wait either for this one. :yay:

[btmommy]

:dance3: Just can't wait until our next DCL Adventure!!! Sailed on the Wonder June 2009 for a 3 day which was waaaaaayyy to short. This year I gave DD the choice of WDW or DCL for summer 2011 and we're ready for the DREAM!!

We will be traveling with another single mom and her DD and welcome any and all who will be sharing this trip!!

Keep Disney DREAMin'!!! :yay:

Is this for the 10-15th sailing of the Dream? I am having problems posting, but was wondering if anyone was doing the F.E.?

[btmommy]

Also, if this is the 10-15th of July Disney Dream cruise, we will be joining you! DH, DD, DS and two more families from Long Island, NY!:earsboy:

[DisneyAnytime]

Hi...sorry for the delayed response. Guess we've been having too much fun in the sun!! lol

This thread is for the July 15th - 19th sailing. So looks like you will be leaving when we are arriving. Make sure to save some Mickey Bars for us!!! :D

[btmommy]

Oh that stinks..you guys seem so fun.. I will be sure to save some Mickey for you! Have fun...sorry for the confusion. :sad1:

[mom+3girls]

My daughter and I will be joining you all on this cruise. She is turning 18 on July 12 and will have graduated from high school in June so we will be celebrating. This will be our 3rd Disney cruise, Magic in 2005 and Wonder in 2008.

[rileysmommy]

We are sailing on this cruise. It will be me, dh, dd (9) and ds (5). Also joining us are my sister, her dh, her 3 kids (18, 15, 12), my parents and my sister's in-laws. This will be our 3rd family Disney cruise and our 5th Disney World family vacation. We travel well together. And we are HUGE Disney fans. We are all so excited to be going on the new ship!! Just under a year to go!!

[DisneyAnytime]

:dance3: :yay: :cool1:

So glad to finally "meet" some other folks on our cruise! It will be my and DD (8)'s second Disney cruise and our friends very first cruise EVER! I don't remember exactly where I found it but there is an awesome Disney vacation countdown app called Disney Vacation Connection. I'm sure if you google it, you can find it. See you all in 339 days!!!

[Soccermom-Cheri]

Also, if this is the 10-15th of July Disney Dream cruise, we will be joining you! DH, DD, DS and two more families from Long Island, NY!:earsboy:
Come on over to our thread. It is kind of slow right now but this is a fun group.

[MrShiny]

We'll be there for our third cruise! Looks like we might get to see Winnie the Pooh on-board on its opening day...

[MrShiny]

So as posted earlier, is anyone thinking of doing a Fish Extender Exchange on the 7/15 - 19 Dream?

[5 Disney Fans]

Hi Everyone... so happy to be joining everyone on The Dream.

Mr. Shiny... we would love to do a FE Exchange!! We did one on our last Disney Cruise and believe it or not that was the kid's favorite part of the whole vacation!

Also, I saw in your signature that you stayed at Bay Lake Towers in 2010. We are staying there before the cruise. How did you like it?

[MrShiny]

Great! Hopefully we will get a few more in the FE!

Bay Lake is great. Cannot beat the location. We had a 2BR MK view on the 7th floor.

Did note what I've seen mentioned here - the air is hard to get cool enough. We were there during an excessively hot late July. Luckily the repair guy came and did the override code (documented elsewhere on the boards) to get the AC cranking. The lack of sheers on the windows doesn't help the matter either. For comparison, we never felt the need to adjust the AC more in our THV (which has the same sort of new thermostat). The shade, high ceilings and fan made the THV very comfortable.

The furniture does seem to show wear more than other DVC. I don't think that's because the BLT guests are any harder on it than other resort's guests are on theirs. On the good side though, the sleeper chair (even in chair mode) is amazingly comfortable. We want one!

I would stay there again, but perhaps not with a MK view. Nice to do once, but really the location is what you end up remembering more than the view from the room. The rest of the family enjoyed BLT, but liked the THV much better.

All agreed the Top of the World lounge was great!

[MrShiny]

OK, folks, we are under 6 months! Made all your WDW ADR's yet (if doing land too).

I think the ship is pretty full, so hopefully we'll have more dis-ers join on!

[dmb1531]

Can't wait for July to get here. Married with 21 yr old and 13 yr old. This will be our 7th Disney Cruise.
We discovered the Country Inn to stay at the night before the cruise. It provides parking and provides a van to the port.

[Cindy5]

My family will be on this cruise. It's our first one. I have a 8 year-old daughter, and 5 year-old twin boys. We are very excited!

My MIL, FIL, SIL, BIL, and 5 year-old niece will be joining us.

Cindy

[MrShiny]

Anyone thinking of their excursions yet? Last time we did Nassau, we booked at Comfort Suites to be able to use the facilities of Atlantis, which worked out well. We've booked that again this time.

[daisydog2]

My family andIi are on this cruise too!!:rotfl: We are also DVC members and booked with all our points. My DH and DS are so excited to go, it has taken them years to convince me to give in and go. I get motion sick and am afraid of boats ( even though I can swim). I'm sure it will be fun:yay: I'll be easy to spot-the one freaking out in the terminal before we board!!!

[5 Disney Fans]

DaisyDog2... you will have a blast!!! Seasickness wasn't a problem for any of us when we went last year. You can feel some movement on the ship but not enough to make you queasy But if you are concerned I know people report great success w/ taking Bonine b/f even getting on the ship and staying on it for the length of the cruise.

[2 princess 3 princes]

Just booked our first ever cruise! Myself and twin DD's. It will be their 10th birthday present! Sooo excited. Finding out so much great info here on the DIS!:lovestruc

[2 princess 3 princes]

Hi Everyone... so happy to be joining everyone on The Dream.

Mr. Shiny... we would love to do a FE Exchange!! We did one on our last Disney Cruise and believe it or not that was the kid's favorite part of the whole vacation!

Also, I saw in your signature that you stayed at Bay Lake Towers in 2010. We are staying there before the cruise. How did you like it?



I have been wondering what an FE is, so have been looking it up here on the DIS. Looks fun, would love to join the fun!:) How many are participating?

[azmommie]

You can add my husband and I and our two kids 8 and 4!
Thinking about doing the fish extender for this cruise...let know who's in so
far....it really might be fun for the kids!

[MrShiny]

OK, it looks like we'll have some FE folks - my DD (16 & 12) are excited about that!

My booking window is coming up on April 16 - hoping for Remy!

Probably not doing to many other things - it looks like the Dream's spa services are not online yet. Might do the stingray thing for my 12 year-old. She did that along with Stingray City on Grand Cayman on the last cruise in '06. My 16 year-old did too, but the Stingray City ray's freaked her out! "Things bigger than me in the water" she kept chanting...

My wife will most likely drive us from Vero Beach to the port, as DD12 and I will probably be at the midnight screening of the final Harry Potter film! So we probably won't get to sleep until 3 or so!

Hope to see you there!

Jeff

[MrShiny]

My booking window just came up. Was going to book at midnight - ironically a stupid phishing call trying to get my credit card number woke me up at midnight, but then I fell asleep again!

Still plenty of slots available this morning though! We got Remy on the sea day at 8:10PM. On a whim, booked the Palo High Tea too.

[MrShiny]

OK, went through the thread and this is what I have. I made some assumptions, so PLEASE correct me if I got anything wrong! I'm listing the DIS name of the poster, the number of adults, and then each daughter (not necessarily the the poster's!), son or child (if unspecified) with their ages (this for the purposes of FE trinkets if folks are participating!)

Here goes - a nice little crew so far!

mom+3girls 1A D18
rileysmommy 2A D9 S5
DisneyAnytime 1A D8
5 Disney Fans 2A D12 S10 D6
dmb1531 3A C13
Cindy5 6A D8 D5 S5 S5
daisydog2 2A S
2 princess 3 princes 2A D10 D10 S14 S14 S14
azmommie 2A C8 C4
MrShiny 2A D12 D16

Please feel free to correct and add any details you wish (early/late dinner, shore excursions/adult dining booked, etc.). Looks like 40+ people - that's about 1% of the passengers!

We should probably get started on our "formal" FE list (see below).

[MrShiny]

Here are some FE guidelines from another thread:

Fish Extender (FE) Gifts

The other thread closed at 45 days before sailing (which for us would be 5/31/11 - easy cut off to remember!)

Guidelines for our fish extender:
1. Each cabin is to provide AT LEAST one gift to each cabin participating in the fish extender. You can provide a gift to each person within that cabin, just the kids, or one gift for the whole cabin...that is up to you. Of course, you are welcome to give more than one gift...but the minimum is one.

2. All gifts are to be delivered between the cruise leaving port on Friday July 15 until 4 PM on Monday July 18. This gives people time to still be able to pack their bags before we leave the ship.

3.Please include a tag with your DISboard’s user name on the gift. This way everyone knows who the gift is from.

Here is a list of IDEAS of what you might want to bring for the FE on the cruise:

1. The FE gifts that you are making/preparing -- total number will be announced after our sign up deadline.

2. An FE pocket/hanger to hang outside your cabin. You can find them on eBay by searching "Fish Extenders" or you can make one or search on line other places.

3. A zip tie to help attach your FE HANGER. Some people have commented theirs have sadly walked away but if you attach it with a zip tie then it is not as likely to walk away.

4. Scissors to cut the zip tie when you're packing. Don't leave it for someone else! :)

5. Some people recommend bringing thank you notes so you can write a quick note to the person who gave you a gift.

[5 Disney Fans]

yay, FE!!! My kids loved doing this last time. And I think I have an idea for what I want to give for this trip :goodvibes Once I see the final list of who is participating I will get to work.

In our family we have two adults and 3 kids. DD-12, DS-10, and DD-6.

We made our ressies for Palo on Saturday at 12:01 we are doing Brunch at 10am for our at sea day and dinner on Day 2 at 6pm.

We had dinner at Palo on our first cruise and almost wept b/c the food was so good. It was a must do for this trip. We did think about Remy but I'm not a real "foodie" - (DH will try anything and like it!), so I didn't think it was for me.

[MrShiny]

Sounds great!

OK, so if folks want to start posting their cabin numbers, we can get this rolling!

[EdieMike]

First time Disney cruisers. The wife and kids (me, too!) are very excited about the trip, and especially the FEs and gift giving! We'll be in a group of cabins with my sister/family, brother/family, and parents. Not sure if they're participating in the FE exchange, but we will definitely clue them in. They are all huge Disney fans like we are.

We are: 2A, D7, S5
Cabin #9506

We also booked the night before at the Country Inn and Suites. Looking forward to the pool there to get our relaxing on.

Add us to the list, please! And thanks for keeping this running.

[Ephany]

Well, we're paid in full so I guess it's official. :cheer2: It'll be me, DH and DD(8). It's our first cruise, I'm looking forward to next week when I can book Palo (hopefully) and it starts to feel real. DH and I were both Navy, so it'll be really nice to be out to sea again but not be in the engine room.

[MrShiny]

Welcome aboard!

As it is almost May, if we are doing a FE exchange, we better get organized.

If you are interested in the FE, please post (or PM me):

Number in your party with ages and genders of children
Stateroom number

I did post up above with FE guidelines. I'll compile the list and post it here (if this thread gets too long I'll create another).

Here is my info:
2 adults, DD 16, DD 12
#9049

[azmommie]

Counting the days until our DW and DREAM Trip.
Our cabin # is 6150
2 adults and 8S and 4D

Thanks MrShiny for getting this put together....
My kids are so excited to give gifts and get their surprises
thoughout the trip.

[MrShiny]

If you want to do the FE, just let me know your cabin number and confirm the folks in your party.

Moved the list to here:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=41144273&postcount=48

[2 princess 3 princes]

:cloud9: Don't know what our cabin # is yet (where do I find it in the confirmation?) but it is only myself and 2 dd's (both 10) that will be on the cruise. Looking sooo forward to it!

[MrShiny]

:cloud9: Don't know what our cabin # is yet (where do I find it in the confirmation?) but it is only myself and 2 dd's (both 10) that will be on the cruise. Looking sooo forward to it!

If you look up your res online, the cabin number should be there:

Your 4-Night Bahamian Cruise

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

My Reservation
Only 64 days until your cruise sets sail!
View Details
Cruise:4-Night Bahamian Cruise on Disney Dream - Itinerary A
Ship:Disney Dream
Sail Date:July 15, 2011
Stateroom: Deluxe Inside Stateroom Category 10A, #9049

[2 princess 3 princes]

This is what it says "Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom Category 08C, #GTY " Does it make sense to you?

[MrShiny]

This is what it says "Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom Category 08C, #GTY " Does it make sense to you?


A ha! Found the answer on another thread! it means you are guaranteed at least Cat 08C, but if that category should be filled, you'll get an upgrade!

If you do not find what your room is before we leave, when you drop off your gifts in other FE make sure they have your name and room#. That way we can find you! That should work. Here's hoping you get an even nicer room!

[2 princess 3 princes]

Thanks for the info! Wherever we end up I'm sure it will be amazing! The FE should be lots of fun!!:thumbsup2

[5 Disney Fans]

Our cabin # is 9019.

Two months and 2 days to go pirate:

[Moonbeam00]

Yay, my first post!! My family will also be on this cruise!! This will be our first cruise, and we are all very excited. We are also interested in the FE exchange so if you would, please add us to the list! :thumbsup2

We are: 2A, S14, D9
Cabin #9096

Thanks,

Cindy

[MrShiny]

Added - deck 9 is obviously rocking..

[2 princess 3 princes]

Hello All!
Hope that everyone is as excited as I am for our upcoming cruise! I am starting to put my FE lists together, and am wondering if everyone participating would please PM me their families favourite characters so that I can individualize for everyone!

Many Thanks!
Jodi :hug:

[Yensidfan]

Welcome aboard!

As it is almost May, if we are doing a FE exchange, we better get organized.

If you are interested in the FE, please post (or PM me):

Number in your party with ages and genders of children
Stateroom number

I did post up above with FE guidelines. I'll compile the list and post it here (if this thread gets too long I'll create another).

Here is my info:
2 adults, DD 16, DD 12
#9049



Hi everyone. My family and I will also be on this cruise. This is our 35th cruise with Disney and 4th on the Dream. We are very excited to join you all on this sailing and would like to join the FE group.

We have two staterooms and each stateroom will be making their own gift to give out.

Stateroom #1
2 adults (Faith & Pete)
Cabin 7504

Stateroom #2
Our adult children Courtney (23) & Peter (20)
and their friend Derek (23)
Cabin 7501

We are looking forward to meeting all of you and sailing once again on the Disney Dream.

Faith

[MrShiny]

This is our 35th cruise with Disney and 4th on the Dream.

Wow! Most people need to get their "sea legs" - sounds like you probably need to get your "land legs" with that much time at sea! :) Great to have you aboard. You can tell us who the best servers are!

Updated list below.

[MrShiny]

2 princess 3 princes *GTY 1A D10 D10
5 Disney Fans 9019 2A D12 S10 D6
azmommie 6150 2A S8 D4
Cindy5 ???? 6A D8 D5 S5 S5
daisydog2 ???? 2A S?
dmb1531 ???? 3A ?13
EdieMike 9506 2A D7 S5
Moonbeam00 9096 2A S14 D9
mrshiny 9049 2A D16 D12
rileysmommy ???? 2A D9 S5
thefamilyford 9603 2A S7
Yensidfan 1 7504 2A
Yensidfan 2 7501 3A



*GTY - assigned on boarding - look for a note with this room in your FE.

[thefamilyford]

Hello All,
We are new to Disney Cruising and I have just registered in this forum. Just wondering what all the acronyms stands for? In particular, what does FE stand for? Looking forward to our first cruise in many years and our first cruise as a family!

[MrShiny]

FE is Fish Extender. It's a holder you make or buy and hang on the fish message holder outside your stateroom. Look up a few posts and I posted the guidelines - basically we all leave little gifts in each other's FE's.

Let us know if you are in!

[thefamilyford]

Sounds like fun.
thefamilyford 9603 2A S7
Thanks for organizing this.

[MrShiny]

Great! Another on Deck 9!

[Yensidfan]

Sounds like fun.
thefamilyford 9603 2A S7
Thanks for organizing this.


Welcome to the cruise. You will have a great time on the Disney Dream.

[azmommie]

Which night is pirate night...I hope I didn't make a reservation on that
night for Palo or Remys....that is our favorite night with the kids at dinner.
Thanks for your help!

[MrShiny]

Pirate Night should be the night we are leaving Castaway Cay - which is Sunday 7/17. Pirates in the Caribbean party should be 8-8:30 and then fireworks at 10:30.

[MrShiny]

Here is everyone that has confirmed so far. I've PM'ed the others to see if they are interested. I'll update on 5/31 with the final list.


2 princess 3 princes 8672 1A D10 D10
5 Disney Fans 9019 2A D12 S10 D6
azmommie 6150 2A S8 D4

EdieMike 9506 2A D7 S5
Moonbeam00 9096 2A S14 D9
mrshiny 9049 2A D16 D12
thefamilyford 9603 2A S7
Yensidfan 1 7504 2A
Yensidfan 2 7501 3A

[thefamilyford]

Hi Jodi, (of 3 princes and 2 princesses)

At this time, we are unable to reply to private messages as we have not been part of the forum long enough. Hopefully, you will get this.

Our Favourite Characters:

Sarah (myself):Winnie the Pooh and Minnie Mouse and Tinkerbell
Shawn (my husband):Eeyore and Mickey Mouse
Julian (our son-age 7): Mickey Mouse and Jack Sparrow
(He also still loves Toy Story)

Looking forward to taking part in our first Disney Cruise and our first FE.

[2 princess 3 princes]

Thanks! I got it!
I am looking forward to it too! My travel mates don't know yet, it's their birthday present!! 10 days to go!! ;)

[MrShiny]

10 days?

[2 princess 3 princes]

Until my daughters find out that they are going! ;)

[thefamilyford]

Thanks for letting me know.

[2 princess 3 princes]

Just found out our stateroom will be 8672. Glad to have final confirmation!:cloud9:

[MrShiny]

The almost final update!


Here is everyone that has confirmed so far. I've PM'ed the others to see if they are interested. I'll update on 5/31 with the final list.


2 princess 3 princes 8672 1A D10 D10
5 Disney Fans 9019 2A D12 S10 D6
azmommie 6150 2A S8 D4

EdieMike 9506 2A D7 S5
Moonbeam00 9096 2A S14 D9
mrshiny 9049 2A D16 D12
thefamilyford 9603 2A S7
Yensidfan 1 7504 2A
Yensidfan 2 7501 3A

[Yensidfan]

Hello All!
Hope that everyone is as excited as I am for our upcoming cruise! I am starting to put my FE lists together, and am wondering if everyone participating would please PM me their families favourite characters so that I can individualize for everyone!

Many Thanks!
Jodi :hug:


Hi Jodi,

Just writing to make sure you got our information about our favorite characters that you requested in a PM. Let me know if you received the PM that I sent you.

Thanks,
Faith

[2 princess 3 princes]

Yes I did get it. Thanks so much. I haven't heard from a few, but I am realizing that they are new to the boards and can't PM yet. Getting so excited! Have finished one of my projects!:cheer2:

[azmommie]

I tried to PM you but I have not posted enough to be allowed to do so...
So here it goes...
DH- Mr. Incredible
Me- Nemo or Scully
DS- Jack, Mickey or Dash
DD- Minnie or Daisy or any princess

A have a ? about the girls...in my FE gifts list I have them under the girls listing but I thought they might like a gift Im making for the teenagers...they are right on brink...what's your opinion?
Kerri

[2 princess 3 princes]

Hi Kerri,

Sorry, I just realized that some people can't PM. Thanks for posting here! My girls can go either way, whatever you prefer. They just both LOVE Disney!

Jodi

[azmommie]

If you have kids under the age of 10 please PM with their names for the the gifts I'm making the kids. I would like to personalize them....Only a little over a month I can't wait!!! :rotfl:
Thanks,
Kerri

[Moonbeam00]

If you have kids under the age of 10 please PM with their names for the the gifts I'm making the kids. I would like to personalize them....Only a little over a month I can't wait!!! :rotfl:
Thanks,
Kerri
Hi Kerri,

Sorry I can't PM either. My daughter is 9 and her name is Katie. We're so excited!!

Thanks,
Cindy

[thefamilyford]

Hi Kerri,
Our son's name is Julian and he is seven. Can hardly wait...Six weeks from Friday!!!
Many Thanks,
Sarah & Shawn

[EdieMike]

If you have kids under the age of 10 please PM with their names for the the gifts I'm making the kids. I would like to personalize them....Only a little over a month I can't wait!!! :rotfl:
Thanks,
Kerri

Sorry! We are on the "unable to PM list." Our kids are Luke (5) and Gracie (7).

I think someone was also looking for information about thier favorite characters. Luke's is Donald Duck and Gracie's is Alice (in Wonderland).

Thanks, everyone, for getting so involved! Our kids still have no idea, but we can't wait until we spring this on them!

pirate:

[MrShiny]

Here is the FINAL FE LIST for the July 15, 2011 Disney Dream:


2 princess 3 princes 8672 1A D10 D10
5 Disney Fans 9019 2A D12 S10 D6
azmommie 6150 2A S8 D4

EdieMike 9506 2A D7 S5
Moonbeam00 9096 2A S14 D9
mrshiny 9049 2A D16 D12
thefamilyford 9603 2A S7
Yensidfan 1 7504 2A
Yensidfan 2 7501 3A

[MrShiny]

Here are some FE guidelines from another thread that I posted a few pages ago:

Fish Extender (FE) Gifts

Guidelines for our fish extender:
1. Each cabin is to provide AT LEAST one gift to each cabin participating in the fish extender. You can provide a gift to each person within that cabin, just the kids, or one gift for the whole cabin...that is up to you. Of course, you are welcome to give more than one gift...but the minimum is one.

2. All gifts are to be delivered between the cruise leaving port on Friday July 15 until 4 PM on Monday July 18. This gives people time to still be able to pack their bags before we leave the ship.

3.Please include a tag with your DISboard’s user name on the gift. This way everyone knows who the gift is from.

Here is a list of IDEAS of what you might want to bring for the FE on the cruise:

1. The FE gifts that you are making/preparing

2. An FE pocket/hanger to hang outside your cabin. You can find them on eBay by searching "Fish Extenders" or you can make one or search on line other places.

3. A zip tie to help attach your FE HANGER. Some people have commented theirs have sadly walked away but if you attach it with a zip tie then it is not as likely to walk away.

4. Scissors to cut the zip tie when you're packing. Don't leave it for someone else!

5. Some people recommend bringing thank you notes so you can write a quick note to the person who gave you a gift.

[MrShiny]

Here are our family's favorite Disney Characters - I think I owe someone this:

Jeff (me) - Chernabog, Jessica Rabbit
Jackie (spouse) - Belle
Jessica (16) - Stitch
Josie (12) - Alice

The kids are also into anime - Hetalia, Black Butler, Ouran High School Host Club - trust me, I had no idea what any of that was either!

[5 Disney Fans]

Mr. Shiny...

Thank you so much for organizing our FE exchange!!:thumbsup2

[Yensidfan]

Here is the FINAL FE LIST for the July 15, 2011 Disney Dream:


2 princess 3 princes 8672 1A D10 D10
5 Disney Fans 9019 2A D12 S10 D6
azmommie 6150 2A S8 D4

EdieMike 9506 2A D7 S5
Moonbeam00 9096 2A S14 D9
mrshiny 9049 2A D16 D12
thefamilyford 9603 2A S7
Yensidfan 1 7504 2A
Yensidfan 2 7501 3A






Thank you Mr. Shiny for taking the lead in the Fish Extenders. This is a small group but sounds like a fun and creative group as well. We are looking forward to this cruise.

Faith & Pete
Courtney, Peter, & Derek

[2 princess 3 princes]

If you have kids under the age of 10 please PM with their names for the the gifts I'm making the kids. I would like to personalize them....Only a little over a month I can't wait!!! :rotfl:
Thanks,
Kerri

Hi Kerri,
My daughters names are Paige and Madison

I can't wait either!!

[MrShiny]

Our FE is under construction! My DW is making a series of boxes (each about 2" deep, so no really thick things! They stretch a little, though) of plastic canvas with Disney characters on the large sides. The first box (Lightning McQueen and Tink) looks pretty good!

When it is complete (assuming it is complete before we go to WDW 7/9) I'll post a pic.

Now to work on getting our gifts together!

[MrShiny]

OK, now getting gift ideas. If you did NOT post your family's names and characters, can you PM them to me too?

For others I might have missed, we are

Jeff (me) - Chernabog, Jessica Rabbit
Jackie (DW) - Belle
Jessica (16) - Stitch
Josie (12) - Alice
Kids also love anime (Kingdom Hearts, Hetalia, Black Butler, Ouran HSHC...)

5 Disney Fans - Josie likes that there is another 12 year old!

42 days...

[Yensidfan]

OK, now getting gift ideas. If you did NOT post your family's names and characters, can you PM them to me too?

For others I might have missed, we are

Jeff (me) - Chernabog, Jessica Rabbit
Jackie (DW) - Belle
Jessica (16) - Stitch
Josie (12) - Alice
Kids also love anime (Kingdom Hearts, Hetalia, Black Butler, Ouran HSHC...)

5 Disney Fans - Josie likes that there is another 12 year old!

42 days...


I sent you a PM for our two rooms with the characters that we each like.
Thanks
Faith

[Yensidfan]

Hi everyone,

We received our cruise documents yesterday. So they should be arriving soon in a mailbox near you.

Cruise is getting closer everyday. :woohoo:

Faith

[5 Disney Fans]

Hi Jeff,

As requested here are our family's favorite characters:

My dh likes Stitch
I like Lilo
My 12 year old DD likes Tink
My 10 year old son likes Jack Sparrow or Jedi Mickey
My 6 year old loves Rapunzel, but if she is too current her second favorite princess is Ariel. She also loves Minnie

We should try to plan a time for our 12 year olds to meet up in the tween space!

Faith, I'm so excited you got your cruise documents. I'll be on the look out!

[MrShiny]

Great! We just got our Magical Express docs for our pre-cruise stay. No cruise documents yet.

Yes, the 12 year olds will have to meet up in their club. Drop a note in our FE!

Anyone doing any excursions or Palo/Remy?

[azmommie]

:confused3Haven't recieved anything in the mail about our cruise or the magic express...
Had the kids called by the characters this week about our cruise..they loved it!
We are scheduled for Remy's on the frist night....
Going to dinner with the kids to meet our table mates then to Remys for a birthday celebration dinner for my DH.

No excursions....planned.
What's everyone else plans?

***Ford Family...we will have to introduce our son's so they can play together! Mines 8...he could use a friend on the cruise.
-Kerri

[MrShiny]

We are doing the High Tea at Palo and dinner at Remy on our sea day. For Nassau, I reserved a room at Comfort Suites Paradise Island so we can use the facilities at Atlantis. Our youngest is doing the Stingray Adventure at Castaway Cay and I think I might try a waverunner...

[MrShiny]

Cruise documents came yesterday! So much less bulky than on our previous cruises in '01 and '06!

Believe we are all set, not just need to countdown the days for the next month!

My youngest daughter and I will be the bleary eyed ones as we leave port as she has to see Harry Potter at midnight...

[MrShiny]

OK, so I'm looking for Harry Potter tickets around Vero Beach the night before the cruise (we are staying there that night). They aren't on sale yet, but this is:

http://www.cinemaworldonline.com/vero/showtimes.asp

Do you LOVE Harry Potter?

REALLY LOVE Harry Potter?

For all of you super-devoted Potter-heads, see ALL SEVEN of the Harry Potter movies in one 24-HOUR MEGA-MARATHON, starting at 3am on Thursday, July 14th, with intermissions between films and an hour long lunch break after Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire. All, of course, leading into the Midnight Premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 - not included.

OK - that's a bit too much!

[EdieMike]

Mr. Shiny, you guys are a trip! We love Harry Potter, but the marathon takes a bit more time than we could invest. Hope you enjoy it, though.

-mike

[thefamilyford]

If you have kids under the age of 10 please PM with their names for the the gifts I'm making the kids. I would like to personalize them....Only a little over a month I can't wait!!! :rotfl:
Thanks,
Kerri

Our son Julian is 7. In three short weeks we will be cruising on the Disney Dream. Can't wait!

[thefamilyford]

:confused3Haven't recieved anything in the mail about our cruise or the magic express...
Had the kids called by the characters this week about our cruise..they loved it!
We are scheduled for Remy's on the frist night....
Going to dinner with the kids to meet our table mates then to Remys for a birthday celebration dinner for my DH.

No excursions....planned.
What's everyone else plans?

***Ford Family...we will have to introduce our son's so they can play together! Mines 8...he could use a friend on the cruise.
-Kerri

Sounds like a plan! In just three short weeks, we will be cruising on the Disney Dream! Can hardly wait!

[2 princess 3 princes]

Hi Kerri,

Sorry I can't PM either. My daughter is 9 and her name is Katie. We're so excited!!

Thanks,
Cindy

Hi Cindy,
Can you please post the fav. characters for your family? Thanks so much!

Jodi
P.S. My daughters just turned 10, we'll have to introduce the girls!

[Moonbeam00]

Hi Cindy,
Can you please post the fav. characters for your family? Thanks so much!

Jodi
P.S. My daughters just turned 10, we'll have to introduce the girls!


Hi Jodi,

My husband, Matt, and I are classic Mickey and Minnie fans. My son Kyle says his favorite is Lightning McQueen and my daughter Katie's is Tinkerbell. We'll definitely have to get the girls together. Can't believe we are less than 3 weeks away now! :cheer2:

Cindy

[MrShiny]

Mr. Shiny, you guys are a trip! We love Harry Potter, but the marathon takes a bit more time than we could invest. Hope you enjoy it, though.

-mike

Oh, it's a bit much for me too! Oh course my youngest would do it - but 24 hours straight would wipe me out! (and probably her too!)

But I do have 2 seats at the Vero Beach theatre for the midnight show on Thursday - so my youngest and I will be the really tired looking ones boarding he Dream!

[MrShiny]

Well, I hope everyone is well into their FE planning! We are staying at AKV and VB before the cruise, so we leave a week from Saturday! Now this time I hope they delay the shuttle launch so maybe we'll see it!

We were actually on our last Disney Cruise the day of a scheduled lauch in 2006 - which was scrubbed about 30 seconds before liftoff. Maybe they will dely this one a week and we'll get to see it - the cruise ship makes a perfect viewing platform!

[Yensidfan]

Only two weeks til we are sailing on the Disney Dream. Hope everyone is getting prepared and we are looking forward to the FE and possibility of meeting others.

[azmommie]

Im almost done...YEA...so whats next? Packing for Disneyworld...YES!!! It's our 1st Trip and I expect it to be very busy and very hot.
Any tips for us that might make our trip to DW a bit easier??
I know after four days of walking around the parks I will be ready to head to the DREAM for some R&R.
Can't wait to meet some of you on the boat! :banana:

[MrShiny]

Well, tour the parks early and late! Go at opening for an hour or two, then go back after dinner until closing. Rest and swim in between!

It will rain too, but try not to let that stop you unless it's really bad!

Are you staying onsite?

[azmommie]

Yes we are staying at the Boardwalk....
As of right now we don't have park hoppers if we were to take advantage of the early hours and extended park hours at night it would help to change the tickets...
I'm calling in the morning to see if I can still do that..
What waterpark would be best for a 4 and 8 year old??
We go have season passes to Wet and Wild here at home...my 4 year old does almost all of the slides...
Thanks Mr Shiny for the hints...any others??

[thefamilyford]

Our actual Fish Extender and a portion of our gifts were sent nearly a month ago, but with the Canadian Postal strike have been backlogged and beginning to think they may not arrive in time. Will have to make do, but fingers crossed that the stuff we ordered arrives in time.
So looking forward to next Friday!!!!!!

[thefamilyford]

Our actual Fish Extender and a portion of our gifts were sent nearly a month ago, but with the Canadian Postal strike have been backlogged and beginning to think they may not arrive in time. Will have to make do, but fingers crossed that the stuff we ordered arrives in time.
So looking forward to next Friday!!!!!!

Must have been sent some Pixie Dust because as soon as I posted my previous post, the Fish Extender arrived!!!! YAY!!!!!!!

[MrShiny]

Yes we are staying at the Boardwalk....
As of right now we don't have park hoppers if we were to take advantage of the early hours and extended park hours at night it would help to change the tickets...
I'm calling in the morning to see if I can still do that..
What waterpark would be best for a 4 and 8 year old??
We go have season passes to Wet and Wild here at home...my 4 year old does almost all of the slides...
Thanks Mr Shiny for the hints...any others??


I think you can upgrade to park hoppers when you get there- ask the concierge at the Boardwalk.

I think Blizzard Beach would be best for kids. They have two kids areas - the one for the older kids might be best for your kids. There is also a family raft ride there.

[5 Disney Fans]

Bags are packed and FE gifts are completed :). Now to get through one more busy workday and a hectic weekend! We are also doing the parks prior to the cruise (we get to Orlando on Monday). We try to do mornings and evenings as well and take swim breaks in the afternoons.

[MrShiny]

http://s3.amazonaws.com/data.tumblr.com/tumblr_lnzvmjkxvp1qge46bo1_1280.png?AWSAccessKeyId =AKIAJ6IHWSU3BX3X7X3Q&Expires=1310233652&Signature=Lueyg1X7RzPUCYrd11P%2BxRDMVXo%3D
http://s3.amazonaws.com/data.tumblr.com/tumblr_lnzvlr67NW1qge46bo1_1280.png?AWSAccessKeyId =AKIAJ6IHWSU3BX3X7X3Q&Expires=1310234117&Signature=Ec%2FU5XAhsG%2FNldVfexZYONKqf6s%3D

[Yensidfan]

http://s3.amazonaws.com/data.tumblr.com/tumblr_lnzvmjkxvp1qge46bo1_1280.png?AWSAccessKeyId =AKIAJ6IHWSU3BX3X7X3Q&Expires=1310233652&Signature=Lueyg1X7RzPUCYrd11P%2BxRDMVXo%3D
http://s3.amazonaws.com/data.tumblr.com/tumblr_lnzvlr67NW1qge46bo1_1280.png?AWSAccessKeyId =AKIAJ6IHWSU3BX3X7X3Q&Expires=1310234117&Signature=Ec%2FU5XAhsG%2FNldVfexZYONKqf6s%3D


Your Fish Extenders look great. Can't wait to see it in person.

Only one week to go.

[azmommie]

After several attempts to keep luggage under the 40 pounds weight limit...I have finally taken out all my "over" packing and we are ready to go!
Heading tro Epcot on Monday...AK on Tuesday and from there we will just let the kids decide....we go to disneyland 2x a year so I figure MK and HS are very similar.
Then on Friday to our CRUISE.... OH YEA! :cool1:
Hope to see all you one time or another on our trip!

[MrShiny]

Here are our photos of the trip so far. See you all soon!

updated link:

https://picasaweb.google.com/jmcquad/2011DisneyJuly?authuser=0&feat=directlink


AZMOMMIE - don't miss Haunted Mansion here if you can! You'll also wonder why Pirates is so short (and the drop so wimpy). The new Mickey meet & greet is pretty neat actually too.

[MrShiny]

And if you want the latest info on our progress, friend me on gowalla:
http://gowalla.com/users/mrshiny

[MrShiny]

Had such a great time! And your gifts were wonderful! Thank you all!

[MrShiny]

Everyone back to real life yet? Everyone have a great cruise? That tropical storm really had us rocking the last night! We were in Remy all the way at the back of the ship (which I can assure you is worth the extra charge!) so we really felt it.

Loved the rain coming right on que after the last firework too!

[azmommie]

We all enjoyed the FE exchange so much..thanks for all the wonderful gifts! Sorry I did not get to meet each of you personally. But I did get to meet two of u by chance..it was so nice to put a face with a name.
Blessings to all of you,
Kerri

[Yensidfan]

Hi everyone. We had another great cruise on the Dream and look forward to many more DCL cruises. Thank you all for the fun and personalized FE gifts. We enjoyed coming back to the rooms and seeing what was there.

Thanks

[Moonbeam00]

Thanks everyone for the great gifts! :lovestruc The exchange was so much fun. This was our first cruise but definitely not our last. Didn't know anything about a tropical storm until we got back home and was like, "that explained all that rocking." Did everyone see the waterspouts? Pretty cool I thought.

Thanks again!! You all added to the magic. :wizard:

The Elzers

[2 princess 3 princes]

We loved our first cruise experience so much! Thanks to everyone for adding your own magic with the FE gifts. It was truly an awesome experience!

Cheers!
Jodi

[5 Disney Fans]

Huge thanks from us as well. The kids loved finding surprises each day!! I loved the special treats from Chi-town and Canada!!!

One day we saw a girl w the hand sanitizer holder on her purse ( camouflage purse?). And I was going to ask if she got it in her fish extender but my 12 year old dd said that was embarrassing :rolleyes:

[thefamilyford]

So glad to be part of the FE...great fun! Many Thanks for adding some extra magic to our first Disney Cruise! Returned from WDW's Polynesian last night and we all are missing Mickey and all the Magic : (