August 24th 2012 Cruise to the Bahamas!!!!

[stewartm]

i know its early but anybody else going? :thumbsup2

[IrishCowboy]

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

[stewartm]

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

Thanks...

[stewartm]

We're booked! It's a long way off... but ... we're totally pumped.

Us too. Were so excited. This will be our first Disney Cruise/WDW trip. So far away though. I guess plenty of time to save that $$$$.

[princess81499]

We are going too! We are celebrating our 40th birthdays. Hubby will turn 40 on the cruise and I turn 40 the following week. So far we are planning a Universal/Sea World vacation for the week before, and maybe some time after the cruise at the WDW.

Cruising is myself (Patty), DH (Mike), DD (Emily 11), and DD (Taryn 8). This is our 4th cruise. We are doing Alaska this summer on the Wonder.

[hainerfamily]

Hi, just wanted to say that we've booked too!

My DH and I as well as our DD and DS who will be 9 and almost 6 when we sail respectively.

We also have another family sailing with us who have 3 girls.

We're so looking forward to it!

We are near Toronto, Canada and do plan on at least a few days/week before at the parks too. Looking to rent DVC for BLT or BCV. We never plan this far out, so it'll be nice to pick a resort that is hard to get!

We've cruised before but not with the kids!

Lynn

[Plumeria73]

My name is April and I'm new to Disboards. We are booked on the Dream for Aug. 24, 2012 as well. We just went on our first Disney cruise Nov. 2010 on the Wonder and loved it so much we booked another while we were onboard. We weren't able to dock on Castaway Cay due to high winds. That's why we chose a cruise with two stops, so we could make up for lost play time! I have three boys who enjoyed the cruise as well. They will be 12, 10, and 7 at cruise time.

[Tikihula]

My name is April and I'm new to Disboards. We are booked on the Dream for Aug. 24, 2012 as well. We just went on our first Disney cruise Nov. 2010 on the Wonder and loved it so much we booked another while we were onboard. We weren't able to dock on Castaway Cay due to high winds. That's why we chose a cruise with two stops, so we could make up for lost play time! I have three boys who enjoyed the cruise as well. They will be 12, 10, and 7 at cruise time.

Hi April. Welcome aboard. :welcome:
Glad you found the DCL forum and hope you spend lots of time here getting to know other guests and asking lots of questions. Love, Mom
(I'm April's DMIL - she's married to my son.) :thumbsup2

[mcd2745]

I'm sorta celebrating my 40th on this cruise too.... (Nov 2011)...

(I got to choose the cruise... so... this is my 40th cruise).



We just booked this cruise. Gotta admit, I don't like booking anything this far in advance, but with DCL I guess you have no choice. If anything, it leaves plent of time to plan what to do before or after the cruise. Maybe Seaworld & Universal as we did WDW last year and going back in Aug this year.

DW and I will also be celebrating our 40ths in 2012 (albeit a few months before the cruise). It will be our 2nd Disney cruise - the first was in 2000, so it almost doesn't count. It will be the first Disney cruise for the kids who will be 10 (DS) & 7 (DD) at the time we set sail :scared1:. Their only other cruise was the Nickelodeon cruise on Royal Caribbean in Aug '09 which was a blast.

[pierresgirl]

I'm on it too! Looks like quite a few of us are hitting the big 4-0 in 2012, mine is in June BUT Aug 24th will be my 13th anniversary. Dh and I have a 12 y.o. dd and a 9 y.o. son (ages at cruisetime) 2 other familes are joining us and they each have 12 y.o. girls and 8 y.o. boys. All the kids go to school together and us parents have become good friends.

This will be our 3rd Disney Cruise and 1st time on the Dream :cloud9: can't wait!

[dwonderz]

We're looking into booking this cruise :D! Hopefully we will be able to!

[michelle9343]

Hello I have justed booked this cruise for my family.
It will be my DH, My sister , DS16 & DD 14. It will be my families 3rd cruise and my sisters 1st. I really wanted to go in 2011 but my DD uses a wheelchair and I could not get an accessible room in 2011 .Our last cruise was in 2006 and I am really looking foward to cruising again!!!!

[Coconuts]

I'm in!:thumbsup2 It's our first DCL cruise and I'm very excited.:banana: Our kids will be 11, almost 9, and 4.

[Plumeria73]

The cruise is still too far away! However I am determined to keep myself occupied with Disney stuff by making a Fish Extender for our door. I've seen lots of pictures and I think I can do it. However, I'm not sure how one gets involved in doing the Fish Extender gift exchange stuff. Is it too early to start planning it?? Do I go to a different thread for that stuff? Thanks for your help!

April
:yay::hourglass

[michelle9343]

The cruise is still too far away! However I am determined to keep myself occupied with Disney stuff by making a Fish Extender for our door. I've seen lots of pictures and I think I can do it. However, I'm not sure how one gets involved in doing the Fish Extender gift exchange stuff. Is it too early to start planning it?? Do I go to a different thread for that stuff? Thanks for your help!

April
:yay::hourglass

It is a little early to plan because so many people change their trips. In past cruises i have been on the FE planning took place within the cruise meet thread.
happy planning :)

[threekidsandadog]

I booked this cruise yesterday and we are soooo excited. Haven't told the kids yet though. Trying to decide if we want to save the surprise for Christmas, but I don't think that I'll be able to keep my mouth shut for that long.

First cruise for all of us :cool1: and my DS will be turning 9 during the sailing.

[randy2005]

Hi, I just booked our first ever cruise for August 24, 2012. It will be me, husband, son 7 and daughter 4 the day the cruise leaves.

We have never been on a cruise so any info would be great on what to expect and what to do.

Looking foward to two stops at Castaway Cay

I did not book airfare with the cruise, can definitely get it cheaper. We will plan on flying down the day before, staying at a hotel near the port and then flying back the day after. Who knows maybe we will add on a couple days at Disney World :)

[socababy]

We are booked on this cruise as well! It will be me and my 3 kids who at time of sailing will be ds9, ds7 and dd4. My IL's will probably be coming too as well as my gf and her Dh and 3 kids. We leave on the Wonder this Sunday and plan on booking everyone's room then and rebooking mine for the discount.

Right now our first thought is to go to the Atlantis for a week and then do the cruise. FIL's timeshare only allows him to go to the Atlantis every 4 years and 2012 is the next time we can go. He said since we are already paying to fly across country for the cruise, it might make sense to the the Atlantis the week before. Sounds good to me except I HATE boarding my dog for a week so I am not sure I can do it for 13 days or so. So we'll see!

[michelle9343]

Just checking in . It is so nice to see more people have book this cruise:cool1:

[Coconuts]

I'm so excited that there will be so many others that have kids the same ages!

[bambilin]

Hello all! We have been booked for ages now, but I forgot all about this board!! I started a thread on Cruise Critic. :cloud9: Have not been over hear since our last cruise on the Magic (sailed her twice)

At the moment there are 38 of us joining you, but we may just have a few more by sailing time.

We will have kids from ages 4 to 16 with us but in my immediate family it is me (Linda) DH (Derrick) and DS's (Dillon will be 8) and (Trevor will turn 5 two days before we board)

We have our Fish Extender from the last trip. It was fun and the kids loved it but not sure we want to drag so much extra stuff this time, maybe though!!!

Would LOVE to keep up on any meets planned.

Sorry for joining so late.

[mcd2745]

Hello all! We have been booked for ages now, but I forgot all about this board!! I started a thread on Cruise Critic. :cloud9: Have not been over hear since our last cruise on the Magic (sailed her twice)

At the moment there are 38 of us joining you, but we may just have a few more by sailing time.

We will have kids from ages 4 to 16 with us but in my immediate family it is me (Linda) DH (Derrick) and DS's (Dillon will be 8) and (Trevor will turn 5 two days before we board)

We have our Fish Extender from the last trip. It was fun and the kids loved it but not sure we want to drag so much extra stuff this time, maybe though!!!

Would LOVE to keep up on any meets planned.

Sorry for joining so late.



Joining so late? We're only closing in on the 500-day mark...which is in about 2 weeks - but who's counting? :goodvibes


Where in NY are you from?

[bambilin]

Joining so late? We're only closing in on the 500-day mark...which is in about 2 weeks - but who's counting? :goodvibes


Where in NY are you from?
LOL, just late to the Board, I started the thread on Cruise Critic when I booked, forgot about this one, silly me.

We are from Woodhaven, Queens, and the rest of the group we have Richmond Hill, Ozone Park, and Glendale, and then a few from Brooklyn, Staten Island and a couple from Pittsburgh. How about you guys???

[quartetlead]

Hello Dreamers, just found this site from a post on this cruise on the cruisecritic.com boards. My wife, Cheri and I are taking our daughter (Mandy), son-in-law (TJ) and our grandson (Henry) on this cruise for Henry's third birthday. Also going on the cruise will be Henry's paternal grandparents, Mary Ann and Richard from Seaside, NJ and Henry's great aunt Shirley, my sister, who lives in the Baltimore area as do I. First time on Disney although we have cruised on several lines but mostly celebrity.

Cannot believe the popularity of these cruises, the price of our cabin category has gone up about $500 since we booked in January. Looking forward to the experience!

Bud

[mcd2745]

LOL, just late to the Board, I started the thread on Cruise Critic when I booked, forgot about this one, silly me.

We are from Woodhaven, Queens, and the rest of the group we have Richmond Hill, Ozone Park, and Glendale, and then a few from Brooklyn, Staten Island and a couple from Pittsburgh. How about you guys???



No kidding? We're an Ozone Park family ourselves. I've been here all my life except for a few years in Howard Beach right after we were married. DW grew up in Richmond Hill.

[bambilin]

No kidding? We're an Ozone Park family ourselves. I've been here all my life except for a few years in Howard Beach right after we were married. DW grew up in Richmond Hill.

No way...............I actually forgot, a few Howard Beach folks too, LOL.
I have lived in Woodhaven since 1969.

My home email is : Bambisim@aol.com, we will have to "meet" a bit more before sailing!

Most of us in my group are going to fly down to Orlando on 08/22 and spend 2 nights at Disney pre-cruise. 8/22 will be my son Trevor's 5th birthday so....what a place to party, right?:woohoo:

[mcd2745]

No way...............I actually forgot, a few Howard Beach folks too, LOL.
I have lived in Woodhaven since 1969.

My home email is : Bambisim@aol.com, we will have to "meet" a bit more before sailing!

Most of us in my group are going to fly down to Orlando on 08/22 and spend 2 nights at Disney pre-cruise. 8/22 will be my son Trevor's 5th birthday so....what a place to party, right?:woohoo:



Truly is a small world...and that is some large group you have going. Who knows? We may have already crossed paths with someone in your group somewhere along the way. We've been trying to recruit some others to go also. They all act interested, but no one is ready to commit yet. I try to explain that with a Disney cruise you cannot wait forever.

Being fom NY the odds are always decent there are people you know where ever you go. Happened on our only other Disney cruise (back in 2000) - we ended up at the same table for dinner with a couple from Howard Beach who recognized me from where I used to work in the neighborhood.

We haven't figured out what we will do pre/post cruise yet - although I'm leaning towards Universal and Sea World as we did WDW last year and are going again this year (but we have plenty of time to sort that out).

[bambilin]

Truly is a small world...and that is some large group you have going. Who knows? We may have already crossed paths with someone in your group somewhere along the way. We've been trying to recruit some others to go also. They all act interested, but no one is ready to commit yet. I try to explain that with a Disney cruise you cannot wait forever.

Being fom NY the odds are always decent there are people you know where ever you go. Happened on our only other Disney cruise (back in 2000) - we ended up at the same table for dinner with a couple from Howard Beach who recognized me from where I used to work in the neighborhood.

We haven't figured out what we will do pre/post cruise yet - although I'm leaning towards Universal and Sea World as we did WDW last year and are going again this year (but we have plenty of time to sort that out).
Yes, very possible we may have already met, especially if you worked in the neighborhood!

We have a few more cabins looking to add, but the rates already went up quite a bit so....

[bambilin]

We are now at 16 cabins and 51 people, woo hoo!
I am thinking however, that since the last cabins my TA had saved at the old rate are now gone, we may grow no more. :0(

;)

[mcd2745]

There is a chance I may re-think this cruise. With Disney supposedly about to announce tomorrow that they will be doing some cruises out of New York starting in 2012...I'll have to check those out and see if that makes more sense (especially since there may be an 8-night Bahamas cruise departing 8/25/2012). Certainly would be nice not to have to fly down to Florida. The downside is, the cruises will be on the Magic, and we certainly want to try the new ships.

[bambilin]

I have been waiting to see what rumors may or may not be true as well. Would love to save on airfare and not have to fly, but really want to sail on the Dream.

Have sailed on the Magic twice and enjoyed both times, but vs. the Dream.....

Hoping a big chunk of my crowd does not "jump ship" to avoid flying.

Typically NY sailings tend to be so much pricier to start out with so maybe that will save us!

:confused:

[bambilin]

I did not realize the Magic is supposed to go to Galveston as her Home Port after these sailings.

Guess we will wait and see, my TA said the official announcment is supposed to be today at 1??

[bambilin]

I did not realize the Magic is supposed to go to Galveston as her Home Port after these sailings.

Guess we will wait and see, my TA said the official announcment is supposed to be today at 1??
OK, I read the email wrong, tomorrow is the announcement, wondering if it will be anything different than what was already leaked. :0)

[mcd2745]

After discussing it with the wife, it looks like we're sticking with this cruise. If it were the Dream or Fantasy sailing out of NYC, we probably would have switched.

[bambilin]

Glad you will still be sailing with us. Haven't lost anyone to the Magic...yet. I agree, Dream or Fantasy and we would probably switch too!

[quartetlead]

Has anyone done a Disney cruise before with a three year old or observed how children that young react to the Oceaneers Club? Hoping our grandson will not too young to enjoy the experience.

[bambilin]

We sailed on the Magic when my son Dillon was three. He loved it, but only if we were there with him, woudl not consider staying without us. But he had never been in daycare or preschool at that point. When my son Trevor was just three we sailed on the EPIC. The kids club was great but not as awesome as Disney's. Trevor ran right in and could not wait to go after dinner every night!

Now they are 3 1/2 and 6, and both of them cannot wait to get into the Oceaneer's Club and Lab.

[quartetlead]

Thanks for the reply Lin. Our daughter is considering some day care for Henry and maybe that will help. He recently high fived the Easter Bunny at the mall so he is getting to meet characters.

[bambilin]

Thanks for the reply Lin. Our daughter is considering some day care for Henry and maybe that will help. He recently high fived the Easter Bunny at the mall so he is getting to meet characters.
I bet Henry will do just fine!! Dillon had only been with my mother inlaw before she had her stroke, and one babysitter who was already very close to the family before she died suddenly. (childcare has been challenging) Since then, they have been exposed to plenty, and they both love any activities involving other kids/teachers/counselors, etc. We are now again blessed with not one but two wonderful babysitters on different days and times!!

[mcd2745]

:hourglass 500 more days! :hourglass









.

[I Run Long]

Hi all,

We're booked on this cruise too! Haven't told the kids yet either but I think I'm going to have to since I hate keeping this new to myself. Why oh why is it taking so long getting here. :goodvibes

[bambilin]

Welcome to the gang. How old are the kids? My kids keep asking me, "Mom, when are we going on the Disney Cruise?" I have to explain not until Dillon finishes 2nd grade and Trevor finishes Kindergarten. LOL:yay:

[I Run Long]

My DS will be 16 and my DD will be 14. Hard to believe and makes us feel quite old. :lmao: It will be the last trip our DS can take with us as he will be going into grade 12 and then off to university. He wants to go to medical school and if that's the case I'm sure he'll be far too busy to hang out with his elderly mom and dad. :rotfl:

Oh yeah and it's nice to see everyone hitting the big 4-0. But I'll be *cough* hitting the big 5-0 this fall while my DH will be hitting the big 6-0. Yikes!

[bambilin]

My DS will be 16 and my DD will be 14. Hard to believe and makes us feel quite old. :lmao: It will be the last trip our DS can take with us as he will be going into grade 12 and then off to university. He wants to go to medical school and if that's the case I'm sure he'll be far too busy to hang out with his elderly mom and dad. :rotfl:
Medical school, well good for him!!! We have a few teens in our group as well. I am sure they will have a ball!!

[princess81499]

Glad you will still be sailing with us. Haven't lost anyone to the Magic...yet. I agree, Dream or Fantasy and we would probably switch too!

Well you did not lose us to the Magic, but we did book a NYC Canada cruise for July as well. We are still doing this cruise since it is my husband's 40th birthday present. I just could not resist a cruise so close to home without having to deal with airfare.

Looking forward to next summer!

[bambilin]

Two cruises are better than one, that's what I always say!!!;)

[Coconuts]

Glad you will still be sailing with us. Haven't lost anyone to the Magic...yet. I agree, Dream or Fantasy and we would probably switch too!

Sorry but I guess I'm the first one from the thread to jump ship.:guilty: We weren't going to switch but I just found connecting rooms on the Magic, 3 more nights, and no flying with my little one.:worship: Just too tempting to pass up. I've also never been on any DCL ship so the Magic will be new to me, and I told DH that we'll try the Dream or Fantasy on our next trip.:thumbsup2

Enjoy the cruise and the aquaduck!:goodvibes

[bambilin]

Sorry but I guess I'm the first one from the thread to jump ship.:guilty: We weren't going to switch but I just found connecting rooms on the Magic, 3 more nights, and no flying with my little one.:worship: Just too tempting to pass up. I've also never been on any DCL ship so the Magic will be new to me, and I told DH that we'll try the Dream or Fantasy on our next trip.:thumbsup2

Enjoy the cruise and the aquaduck!:goodvibes
Sorry to see you go but I am sure you will have a great time on the Magic! We sailed her twice and enjoyed both trips!!

[mug318ca]

Well, we booked this a couple of months ago. As it stands now, it will be a total of 15 of us in 4 rooms. Trying to get 2 others in 1 room to join the group. Age ranges from 10 to 60. Looking forward to the new ship.

BTW, also booked on the 11/20/2011 MR Cruise and this thread is a bit more active than that thread. Don't know why.

[bambilin]

Glad you are joining us! Sorry your other role call is a bit less chatty!! :cool2:

[michelle9343]

Just wanted to say a quick Hello. I have been reading about FE gifts and such and I am soooooo excited about this cruise. It is so far away and the way I talk about it you would think we are going this Aug :rotfl:

[K8T]

Hi

We are looking at booking this on our Magic Med. cruise in July. It seems such a long way off, but the plan is to do a week at WDW and then pick up this cruise, before flying back home.

We are Myself, Other Half and our dd who will be nearly 8 at the time of cruising - wow that sounds weird, she is only 6 now! We live in the UK and did two Med. cruises last year and the Wonder back in 2008 from Florida.

Hoping things won't change, but if DCL go back to the Med in 2013, we may move the cruise and be jumping ship :eek:

I must admit, I am a bit worried about such a large ship, we love the intimacy of the Magic and the 'old world' feel.

Kate

[bambilin]

Hi

We are looking at booking this on our Magic Med. cruise in July. It seems such a long way off, but the plan is to do a week at WDW and then pick up this cruise, before flying back home.

We are Myself, Other Half and our dd who will be nearly 8 at the time of cruising - wow that sounds weird, she is only 6 now! We live in the UK and did two Med. cruises last year and the Wonder back in 2008 from Florida.

Hoping things won't change, but if DCL go back to the Med in 2013, we may move the cruise and be jumping ship :eek:

I must admit, I am a bit worried about such a large ship, we love the intimacy of the Magic and the 'old world' feel.

Kate
Hi Kate! Have an awesome trip on the Magic in August!! If it helps any, my friend Scott and his family sailed on the Dream in May and have already booked again for October.
Said it exceded all their expectations!!!

Hope you join the party!

[lovedvc]

LOL, just late to the Board, I started the thread on Cruise Critic when I booked, forgot about this one, silly me.

We are from Woodhaven, Queens, and the rest of the group we have Richmond Hill, Ozone Park, and Glendale, and then a few from Brooklyn, Staten Island and a couple from Pittsburgh. How about you guys???

We will be on the cruise too. So far we are at about 16 cabins with 41 people total. We are from Long Island and Staten Island.

[bambilin]

Welcome to the party!! Looks like New York will be well represented on this sailing!!!

[templed]

I've kind of lost count how many cabins I have going now.... But... something like 10 ?

We're all from NY as well. Staten Island, Long Island (various towns represented), and the Bronx.

As far as kids.... I'm not sure exactly the youngest ... I think my son will be the youngest at 6.... and my daughter will be the oldest in the group at 15 (Lord help me). Parents are from 40 - mid 50's... So... Watch out for us...

:rolleyes2
(I fear my bar bill)

(lovedvc... is that you Vik?)

[bambilin]

I've kind of lost count how many cabins I have going now.... But... something like 10 ?

We're all from NY as well. Staten Island, Long Island (various towns represented), and the Bronx.

As far as kids.... I'm not sure exactly the youngest ... I think my son will be the youngest at 6.... and my daughter will be the oldest in the group at 15 (Lord help me). Parents are from 40 - mid 50's... So... Watch out for us...

:rolleyes2
(I fear my bar bill)

(lovedvc... is that you Vik?)
Sounds like our gang, although we do have a couple of younger ones. My younger son will be 5 and he is the youngest of the boys, but there will be a 2 and a 4 year old girl in our crowd as well. Oldest in our gang for the kids will also be 15 I believe! With a very few exceptions, most of the Mom's and Dad's will also be in their 40's.


I think it is going to be a great crowd on board!! Still working on adding to the goup, but the price increases since we booked have been steep!

[lovedvc]

(lovedvc... is that you Vik?)

But of course it is me silly. See you Saturday. And aren't we at a lot more cabins than 10, I count more.

(if you see a post from Boo99 it's Sue)

[templed]

See.... I guess I have no clue who booked from your side...

I counted us (I have 2 cabins.... Sue 1), the Savino clan + Donna (3 cabins), You, D&E, and then my old work friend (she has 4 cabins I think). So... 12 cabins... Who else is coming?

What should we bring Saturday?

Bam... Regarding the prices... I KNOW!!!! When we booked, cat 8D was $905 pp for the first 2 passengers.... Now its like $1370 pp for the first 2. I guess in the end it's us that are going to laugh when others are booking for $500 + pp more than we did... HA!

:dance3:

Vik... I'm laughing at your sig... How in the heck can you remember all that? I've been going to Disney since I was a kid... but there's no way in hell I'd be able to remember the years and/or the places we stayed... lol

[lovedvc]

See.... I guess I have no clue who booked from your side...

I counted us (I have 2 cabins.... Sue 1), the Savino clan + Donna (3 cabins), You, D&E, and then my old work friend (she has 4 cabins I think). So... 12 cabins... Who else is coming?

What should we bring Saturday?

Bam... Regarding the prices... I KNOW!!!! When we booked, cat 8D was $905 pp for the first 2 passengers.... Now its like $1370 pp for the first 2. I guess in the end it's us that are going to laugh when others are booking for $500 + pp more than we did... HA!

:dance3:

Vik... I'm laughing at your sig... How in the heck can you remember all that? I've been going to Disney since I was a kid... but there's no way in hell I'd be able to remember the years and/or the places we stayed... lol

Dave, my girlfriend booked 2 cabins totaling 5 people. How could I possibly forget all the trips I've made to Disney every one was of course Magical.

[templed]

lol... you're funny.

My history going to Disney goes WAY back... but we very rarely stayed on site...

One great memory was staying at the Campgrounds in one of the trailers that they rent (they're not trailers anymore... they've built them out to full on cabins).

I wish I'd done this as a group... but c'est la vie. I'm not sure that we'd have gotten anything other than price guarantees.

[mcd2745]

:hourglass 400 DAYS!!! :hourglass

[templed]

So far away... :(

I'm on vacation in a couple weeks... (OC, MD)... but... it's not a cruise / disney vacation.

[bambilin]

So far away... :(

I'm on vacation in a couple weeks... (OC, MD)... but... it's not a cruise / disney vacation.
We go on vacation on 08/19 oursleves and it is also not a Disney vacation, but I am not making a sad face because we will be in Hawaii!! Got a GREAT price on Norwegian's Pride of America, booked it in January of 2009. I like to plan things in advance, saves us a bundle and we get to go on a real vacation every year!!

[stewartm]

Considering We made this reservation 2 1/2 years ago its almost here!!!!!!:banana::cool1:

[egesicki]

Has anyone done a Disney cruise before with a three year old or observed how children that young react to the Oceaneers Club? Hoping our grandson will not too young to enjoy the experience.

Hello everyone, my family will be joining you. We are from NE WI, it's me 40, DH 42, DS 6 and DS 1 at time of sailing. We were on the Dream in Feb and really enjoyed it, so much we booked this 5nt on board before the cruise ended. Anyone with experience or advice on sailing with a 13mo old?

[bambilin]

Hello everyone, my family will be joining you. We are from NE WI, it's me 40, DH 42, DS 6 and DS 1 at time of sailing. We were on the Dream in Feb and really enjoyed it, so much we booked this 5nt on board before the cruise ended. Anyone with experience or advice on sailing with a 13mo old?
Hi and welome to the party! Sailed on the Magic when my son Dillon was 3. He wanted to go but would not stay without us. He had never been in day care or anyhthing at that point. However when Trevor was 3 we could not get him out of there.

Have sailed with both our boys very young, Dillon at 11 months and Trevor at 16 months, but since Trevor is turning 4 next week, my memory is fading!!! Is there anything in particular you were wondering about? I remember we packed shelf stable milk to take on shore and also a small dishwashing liquid for cleaning the bottles. Let me know what you were thinking of and I will try to jog my memory!!! LOL

[egesicki]

Did you use the nursery or babysitting? Did you bring a stroller and if so how did that work out? Did you get a pack n play in the cabin? How about the restaurants at supper time? Thanks!

[bambilin]

Did you use the nursery or babysitting? Did you bring a stroller and if so how did that work out? Did you get a pack n play in the cabin? How about the restaurants at supper time? Thanks!
No, we did not use any babysitting, kept the kiddies with us when they were that little. But I can tell you my cousin used Flounders Reef Nursey when her little guy was about 13 months one or two nights while her other daughter was in the kids club and he loved it.

We did bring a very lightweight folding travel stroller and had no problem using it on the ship. We were fine in the restuarants, the staff is so very helpful, if they see a frown, they usually do all they can to turn it upside down so you do not have to. There will beplenty of other babies on board!!

We did get the portable crib in the room but gave it back the 2nd day, took up too much room and he would not stay in it, used it like a jail and kept escaping. He was already in a bed at home so he was not going for that at all!! :0)

[socababy]

Well, we booked this a couple of months ago. As it stands now, it will be a total of 15 of us in 4 rooms. Trying to get 2 others in 1 room to join the group. Age ranges from 10 to 60. Looking forward to the new ship.

BTW, also booked on the 11/20/2011 MR Cruise and this thread is a bit more active than that thread. Don't know why.



I am booked for this cruise and the MR Wonder Thanksgiving cruise as well. Yes, that thread is a little on the slow side especially considering it is a holiday cruise!

[templed]

Ok... doing the single digit dance... (ok... the 1 year dance)

:cool1:


Back from our summer vaca. Had a great time in Ocean City, Maryland. Now... it's down to 1 year until the cruise!

YAY!

[templed]

I hope everybody on the East Coast made it through the storm ok?

[mcd2745]

With our just-completed trip to WDW now behind us, we are now solely looking forward to this cruise. And I must say, I do miss having two tickers :sad1:. But now we can focus on planning what we want to do for the few days post-cruise...back to WDW, try Universal or the Nickelodeon hotel (have heard VERY mixed reviews on that one), go to Seaworld & Aquatica, etc. Oh, the choices.

[templed]

My brother stayed at the Worldquest resort.... which is right down the street from the nickelodeon resort... 3 bedroom villa's for just over $100 a night.

He said it was more than adequate.

We're tossing around the WDW part of the cruise now... I know we're going... just not where we're staying yet.

We've been actively "thinking" about the cruise now that our summer vacation is over with...

[dizneeat]

Hi! :wave2:

We will be joining your cruise as well!
Tom and I are from Austria and we love everything and anything Disney. We just got back from a triple cruise on the DREAM and 17 nights at WDW and can't wait to go back! :thumbsup2

It's a wonderful ship with lots of things to do. ;)

Anyone interested in doing a Fish Extender Exchange? We participated in the ones on all three last cruises and had a blast!

[templed]

Welcome to the cruise! :thumbsup2

I'm slightly aware of this fish extender concept...

Can you elaborate?

I had to laugh... my wife and I were talking about the cruise this weekend, and this will be the first cruise for one of her sisters... and the first cruise in DECADES for the other sister (we always ask her how her cruise the Lucitania was...)... They're all pumped up... they've already started shopping...

[dizneeat]

Welcome to the cruise! :thumbsup2

I'm slightly aware of this fish extender concept...

Can you elaborate?

I had to laugh... my wife and I were talking about the cruise this weekend, and this will be the first cruise for one of her sisters... and the first cruise in DECADES for the other sister (we always ask her how her cruise the Lucitania was...)... They're all pumped up... they've already started shopping...

Thank you for the welcome!

We just got off the ship about weeks ago and I cannot wait to go back in February! :rotfl2: Truely bitten by the cruise bug! ;)

FE - it's like a secret Santa thing. People sign up for it and hang a FE outside their stateroom. During the cruise everyone who has signed up for it leaves a little gift for every stateroom.
We did it for all our summer cruises (went on the DREAM three times in a row, back to back) and had a blast. Every time we got back to the stateroom we would find something new in it.
And it's all about the thought that counts. We got the funniest homemade things, magnets, a necklace, lots of candy and stuff people brought from their home countries/states.
We don't have kids and LOVE participating in it. We got to see some parts of the ship we would never have wondered into while handing out the gifts - so much fun.
I really would love to do it again. I organized two of the three FE lists for our last cruises, so if I can help you out with lists, just let me know! :goodvibes

[michelle9343]

I really enjoy the FE exchange. I think it adds so much fun to the cruise!!

[dizneeat]

I really enjoy the FE exchange. I think it adds so much fun to the cruise!!

So, can I count you in for this one? ;) :goodvibes

[mcd2745]

I'm still trying to get my head around the whole FE exchange thing. So, basically, you leave a little something for EVERY person/stateroom who agrees to do this? That's potentially a very large number though, isn't it? Or does the "keeper of the list" assign you a certain number of people to leave gifts for?

[dizneeat]

I'm still trying to get my head around the whole FE exchange thing. So, basically, you leave a little something for EVERY person/stateroom who agrees to do this? That's potentially a very large number though, isn't it? Or does the "keeper of the list" assign you a certain number of people to leave gifts for?

It depends on the number of people who sign up for the FE. On our last cruises we had about 15 - 20 cabins for each FE exchange. It depends on you if you want to give a "cabin" gift, or a gift for every person in the stateroom. Your gifts do not have to be big or expensive. There are loads of wonderful homemade gifts, which are inexpensive and fun.

Here are some examples of what we gave last summer

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k429/tinkerbellat/Summer2011/Day14/IMG_1630.jpg

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k429/tinkerbellat/Summer2011/Day14/IMG_1641.jpg

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k429/tinkerbellat/Summer2011/Day14/IMG_1647.jpg

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k429/tinkerbellat/Summer2011/Day14/IMG_1639.jpg

Last year I went to the tourist office and picked up english brochures about my home town and handed those out together with some Austrian candy.

But apart from what you give and receive, it is so much fun to sneak around the ship and hand out the gifts, trying not to be caught! :goodvibes

[mcd2745]

I'm not really as concerned with it getting too expensive as I am with not being the idiot who doesn't do it right and ruins the whole thing for some other family. Anyway, is it something you do one night of the cruise, or is it an every night thing?

I've read about how a lot of people try to give out little things from their home town. Problem I (and many others) would have, is that I think half the ship is going to be from NY!

[dizneeat]

I'm not really as concerned with it getting too expensive as I am with not being the idiot who doesn't do it right and ruins the whole thing for some other family. Anyway, is it something you do one night of the cruise, or is it an every night thing?

Remember, this is a FUN thing you do, and you should not worry about spoiling it. There are no rules apart from the one that you sign up and sneak around handing out your gift. :lmao:
It completely depends on you if you hand out several small gifts (like we do) every night of the cruise, or if you give one gift one time during your cruise. To be honest on our last cruise this summer we ended up handing out three days's worth of presents in one go, as we just didn't find enough time to do it every day.
If you ask me - IF you want to participate, do it once in your cruise. Not only will you receive an array of very thoughtful gifts, but you will be the envy of many other cruisers. More than once we were asked why we had all those presents and where you got a FE and how to participate. :goodvibes

[mcd2745]

It completely depends on you if you hand out several small gifts (like we do) every night of the cruise, or if you give one gift one time during your cruise. To be honest on our last cruise this summer we ended up handing out three days's worth of presents in one go, as we just didn't find enough time to do it every day.


That was my other concern. It's only a 5-night cruise, so time is precious. I didn't want to spend 2 hours a night running around the ship. One or two nights I'm sure would be fine, but more than that I fear it would become somewhat of a "chore".

[michelle9343]

so, can i count you in for this one? ;) :goodvibes

absolutely!!!!!

[dizneeat]

absolutely!!!!!

:woohoo: :dance3: :woohoo:

I am so glad, this is happening! :thumbsup2

So here is the first attempt at a ..............FE participants list!

michelle9343
dizneeat

[princess81499]

Yeah. Booked our DVC stay for the week before this cruise! Getting excited planning out our days at Universal Studios/Sea World. No Disney parks this trip.

[templed]

We just booked our FIRST!!! DVC stay for the week before the cruise. Just became a DVC owner last week. We're planning about 3 days of parks.

Re: FE exchange... Hmmmmm I'll have to think about that one. I can't really imagine handing out tourism information about Staten Island???? lol Maybe images from space showing the size of the massive landfill... or... "The History of the Staten Island Mafia...."

Gotta think that one over and I'll let you know if we'll participate.

[bambilin]

Hello all. Last Disney Cruise our group we all agreed to buy for the children in each cabin and only one night each. The person who coordinated assigned us each a date for delivery. I snuck around that night with my little guys, one in a stroller. They thought it was so much fun and both boys loved seeing their little surprises each morning.

Some surprises were "very little" and others over the top. The kids did not care.

We already have such a large group I was considering doing it just with the kids in my own group. I am a little concerned it might be too time consuming to do it for everyone in the gang.

Still want to meet up with everybodyand hope you all have fun with your FE project!!!

[michelle9343]

Just dropping by to say HELLO..............
I have been reading the cruise boards so much my family thinks I'm nuts!!!!

[templed]

Reading the boards is the only thing that keeps me sane throughout the wait.

[Boo99]

Hi. Testing to see if I can post. having trouble seeing posts

[templed]

I see it... that's really bizarre that you can't see all the others.

[mcd2745]

Reading the boards is the only thing that keeps me sane throughout the wait.

Still seems so far away doesn't it? I've been browsing the boards too, trying to gain as much info as possible. What I'd really like to find out is the dinner/nighttime schedule - such as, will there be a formal night (I hope not)? Which night would the pirate night be? Stuff like that.

I bought the Birnbaum "Official" DCL Guide Book, but it was generally a waste as the info was basic and didn't provide any real tips. Anyone ever buy the Passporter DCL book? If so, what did you think? It's really the only other guidebook out there.

[dizneeat]

Still seems so far away doesn't it? I've been browsing the boards too, trying to gain as much info as possible. What I'd really like to find out is the dinner/nighttime schedule - such as, will there be a formal night (I hope not)? Which night would the pirate night be? Stuff like that.

I bought the Birnbaum "Official" DCL Guide Book, but it was generally a waste as the info was basic and didn't provide any real tips. Anyone ever buy the Passporter DCL book? If so, what did you think? It's really the only other guidebook out there.

I bought the Birnbaum guide before we first cruised, but didn't find it very helpful. Borrowed a Passporter and it was the same thing. Guess I am not much help here! :lmao:

You will only get to know your dinner rotation once you are onboard. The shows are usually "Golden Mickeys" on the first night, Villains on the second, third night is pirate night and last night is Believe.
this is the schedule for the 4 night cruises - don't know about the five night ones, but as soon as they start doing them, watch out for the personal navigators being posted here - they are VERY helpful.
I find MOST of the info I need here on this board. And believe me, we spent 11 nights on the DREAM this summer (3 back to back cruises) and we were not able to fit everything in we wanted to do ...... take it easy, you're on vacation! ;)

[michelle9343]

Still seems so far away doesn't it? I've been browsing the boards too, trying to gain as much info as possible. What I'd really like to find out is the dinner/nighttime schedule - such as, will there be a formal night (I hope not)? Which night would the pirate night be? Stuff like that.

I bought the Birnbaum "Official" DCL Guide Book, but it was generally a waste as the info was basic and didn't provide any real tips. Anyone ever buy the Passporter DCL book? If so, what did you think? It's really the only other guidebook out there.

There is not a formal night on the shorter cruises, I think they call it "dress-up" or something like that .
The guide books to me are just fun to have you will always find more info here!!

[michelle9343]

I bought the Birnbaum guide before we first cruised, but didn't find it very helpful. Borrowed a Passporter and it was the same thing. Guess I am not much help here! :lmao:

You will only get to know your dinner rotation once you are onboard. The shows are usually "Golden Mickeys" on the first night, Villains on the second, third night is pirate night and last night is Believe.
this is the schedule for the 4 night cruises - don't know about the five night ones, but as soon as they start doing them, watch out for the personal navigators being posted here - they are VERY helpful.
I find MOST of the info I need here on this board. And believe me, we spent 11 nights on the DREAM this summer (3 back to back cruises) and we were not able to fit everything in we wanted to do ...... take it easy, you're on vacation! ;)

There was a 5 night navigator posted back in May, I have it saved in my favorites but have no idea how to post a link to it. I know things can change a lot by the time we set sail but at least they give us a good idea of what to expect.

[templed]

I've got a 5 night navigator that a friend of ours scanned in for us.... let me see if I can host it somewhere that I can link it here...

Print media is really going to be generally useless when it comes to really useful practical information. By the time the ink dries, I'd say that it's outdated.

It's been so crazy at work for the past month or so... so I'm really jones'in for a dose of cruise relaxation.

[livewgrumpy]

Dave,
I did what you said and now I can see everything. Don't know why boo99 is not working. Like my new name?? :banana:

[templed]

Snicker...... I fixed boo99's display settings last night. Even though she went through the trouble of setting up a new id.

[templed]

Trying to motivate the rest of the group to make their reservations.... But... why do I care? lol (I guess I'm just concerned that everyone has a good time).

The experienced people (read: overactive vacation planners) in our group are completely booked all the way through (Pre-cruise Disney Stays, etc). The only thing we have left to do is airfare and transfers. I could do Magical Express to the port, but I think it's going to be way too expensive vs. getting a 3rd party transportation service.

We're staying at the Villas at Wilderness Lodge for the 5 days prior. Very excited! It will be our first trip as DVC owners.

[socababy]

We will definitely be participating in the FE! As we get closer, I'll speak with my SIL and my friend to see if they'd like to participate as well.

I just booked our rooms at the Sheraton Vistana VIllages for the 18th-24th. We'll probably take the red eye on the 17th so that we have 6 full days to enjoy at the parks before the cruise!

[dizneeat]

We will definitely be participating in the FE! As we get closer, I'll speak with my SIL and my friend to see if they'd like to participate as well.

I just booked our rooms at the Sheraton Vistana VIllages for the 18th-24th. We'll probably take the red eye on the 17th so that we have 6 full days to enjoy at the parks before the cruise!

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:
Another FE participant!!!!!!!!!! :goodvibes :love:

I updated the list ........


FE participants list!

socababy
michelle9343
dizneeat

We are all set to go as well! I cannot wait for this vacation to start!!!!!!!

[mcd2745]

Was just looking at some the just-released prices for 2013 cruises on the Dream & Fantasy. The prices are extremely high for opening day...imagine what they will be in a few months! For around the same time in 2013 as our cruise next August, a 4-night (there are no more 5-night double-dips, BTW) on the Dream is the same price as a 7-night on Royal Caribbean's Oasis Of The Seas. Disney may be pricing themselves out of a lot of people's budgets.

[michelle9343]

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:
another fe participant!!!!!!!!!! :goodvibes :love:

i updated the list ........


fe participants list!

Socababy
michelle9343
dizneeat

we are all set to go as well! I cannot wait for this vacation to start!!!!!!!

yeah!!!!!!!

[templed]

We've broken into the single digits now! (month wise...)

[socababy]

We've broken into the single digits now! (month wise...)

We booked this cruise last Feb while on the Wonder and at the time it seemed so far away! Who knew at that time that I'd end up booking 3 more cruises on the Wonder that I'll take before this one! I guess that is my way of passing the time! :lmao:

[stewartm]

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:
Another FE participant!!!!!!!!!! :goodvibes :love:

I updated the list ........


FE participants list!

socababy
michelle9343
dizneeat

We are all set to go as well! I cannot wait for this vacation to start!!!!!!!




Count me in!!!

[michelle9343]

We booked this cruise last Feb while on the Wonder and at the time it seemed so far away! Who knew at that time that I'd end up booking 3 more cruises on the Wonder that I'll take before this one! I guess that is my way of passing the time! :lmao:
WOW that sounds like the best way to pass the time!!!!!

[dizneeat]

Count me in!!!


Glad to have you joining in! :goodvibes

I updated the list ........

FE participants list!

stewartm
socababy
michelle9343
dizneeat

[templed]

We may have occasion to do a little vacation between then and now... but... for now I just have to obsess about this one.

We're very excited as this will be our first foray into our DVC ownership...

I've got a bunch of points for next year that I'll probably bank for the following year (2013)... ... Maybe I'll use those for another cruise... :banana:

[mcd2745]

:hourglass 300 DAYS! :hourglass

[dizneeat]

We may have occasion to do a little vacation between then and now... but... for now I just have to obsess about this one.

We're very excited as this will be our first foray into our DVC ownership...

I've got a bunch of points for next year that I'll probably bank for the following year (2013)... ... Maybe I'll use those for another cruise... :banana:

So I take it you are new DVC owners as well ...... we only joined this September and will enjoy a stay on points in February! :woohoo:

And more cruises, what a wonderful thought! :thumbsup2

:hourglass 300 DAYS! :hourglass

Reason for :dance3: :dance3: :dance3:

FE participants list!
stewartm
socababy
michelle9343
dizneeat

[templed]

So I take it you are new DVC owners as well ...... we only joined this September and will enjoy a stay on points in February! :woohoo:

And more cruises, what a wonderful thought! :thumbsup2



Reason for :dance3: :dance3: :dance3:

FE participants list!
stewartm
socababy
michelle9343
dizneeat


Yup... we bought in in October at VWL. Where did you buy? I decided to choose VWL... one for the price... two... cause it's one of my favorite resorts at Disney...

[dizneeat]

Yup... we bought in in October at VWL. Where did you buy? I decided to choose VWL... one for the price... two... cause it's one of my favorite resorts at Disney...

We bought Saratoga Springs ....... the price was okay and they Treehouses really made the decision easy. ;)
In February we are trying BLT, first time on points, can't believe we are staying right next door to the MK and will have access to the Top of the World Lounge! :thumbsup2

[templed]

We bought Saratoga Springs ....... the price was okay and they Treehouses really made the decision easy. ;)
In February we are trying BLT, first time on points, can't believe we are staying right next door to the MK and will have access to the Top of the World Lounge! :thumbsup2

I'm looking forward to trying out the treehouse villas... They look awesome! (My only reservation would be that they are so far removed from everything... you almost have to have a car...)

I'm currently booked at VWL for the week before the cruise... but we're mulling over the idea of switching our reservation to BLT.

[dizneeat]

I'm looking forward to trying out the treehouse villas... They look awesome! (My only reservation would be that they are so far removed from everything... you almost have to have a car...)

I'm currently booked at VWL for the week before the cruise... but we're mulling over the idea of switching our reservation to BLT.

We always have a car, so something that is a bit more remote is okay - we LOVE OKW too, but that was not an option when buying.

Before our cruises this summer (we're doing a back to back again) we will tour the Florida keys, then stay at OKW (paid OOP via disney.co.uk, which has free dining and a free gift card on top) and am now waiting for the 7 month window to open for the second part after the cruise. Thinking about BCV or BWV for our second part. :goodvibes

In February we have a one night stay at the Royal Rooms at POR before our 4 night cruise and then trying BLT after the cruise.
Cannot wait to spend my first points! :rotfl2:

[templed]

We always have a car, so something that is a bit more remote is okay - we LOVE OKW too, but that was not an option when buying.

Before our cruises this summer (we're doing a back to back again) we will tour the Florida keys, then stay at OKW (paid OOP via disney.co.uk, which has free dining and a free gift card on top) and am now waiting for the 7 month window to open for the second part after the cruise. Thinking about BCV or BWV for our second part. :goodvibes

In February we have a one night stay at the Royal Rooms at POR before our 4 night cruise and then trying BLT after the cruise.
Cannot wait to spend my first points! :rotfl2:


I've been researching the various timeshares... My parents and brother own through Marriott Vacation Club. They have absolutely gorgeous resorts... but it just didn't appeal to me the way DVC does. I'm a Disney nut, so... it just made sense to me. Besides... Marriott has switched over to a system more similar to the way DVC is (Points, rather than property)... So, in the end, that sort of made up my mind.

What does you mean that OKW wasn't available? As long as there are points available, they'll sell them to you.... They won't actively advertise the "sold out" resorts... but they absolutely will sell you the points if they are available. You just have to ask. The only downside is the length of the lease. I didn't buy for as long as the "new" resorts (50 years I think)... but what's the difference in 10 years when you're looking at that span. I bought in the Villas at Wilderness lodge and that's been "sold out" for a few years now. They had points in inventory, so I jumped in. Besides, they'll offer to extend the lease down the road anyway.


I'm waiting for the 7 month window to switch over to BLT... if we can.

[dizneeat]

I've been researching the various timeshares... My parents and brother own through Marriott Vacation Club. They have absolutely gorgeous resorts... but it just didn't appeal to me the way DVC does. I'm a Disney nut, so... it just made sense to me. Besides... Marriott has switched over to a system more similar to the way DVC is (Points, rather than property)... So, in the end, that sort of made up my mind.

What does you mean that OKW wasn't available? As long as there are points available, they'll sell them to you.... They won't actively advertise the "sold out" resorts... but they absolutely will sell you the points if they are available. You just have to ask. The only downside is the length of the lease. I didn't buy for as long as the "new" resorts (50 years I think)... but what's the difference in 10 years when you're looking at that span. I bought in the Villas at Wilderness lodge and that's been "sold out" for a few years now. They had points in inventory, so I jumped in. Besides, they'll offer to extend the lease down the road anyway.


I'm waiting for the 7 month window to switch over to BLT... if we can.

Actually we never ever thought about buying into DVC, but we went to a presentation this summer and it really made sense.
I did mention that I'd rather buy OKW than SSR, but our rep told us they didn't have anything available there at the moment, so we settled for SSR. Well, the Treehouses are nice too! :rotfl2:
I booked BLT at around 5 months too and didn't have a problem, so I guess we will find something to our liking as well. ;) :goodvibes

[templed]

Actually we never ever thought about buying into DVC, but we went to a presentation this summer and it really made sense.
I did mention that I'd rather buy OKW than SSR, but our rep told us they didn't have anything available there at the moment, so we settled for SSR. Well, the Treehouses are nice too! :rotfl2:
I booked BLT at around 5 months too and didn't have a problem, so I guess we will find something to our liking as well. ;) :goodvibes

Our stay at OKW the last time we went is what really made up my mind about DVC. That was before the renovations though... I'm sure that its even nicer now.

Like I said... we're booked at VWL for now. I'm happy with it, but we're still kicking around the idea of BLT.

[templed]

It seems that everyone disappeared?

:eek:

[dizneeat]

It seems that everyone disappeared?

:eek:

Not really disappeared, but busy planning my February cruise! ;)

[mcd2745]

It seems that everyone disappeared?

:eek:


I think once we turn the calendar to 2012, activity will pick up.

Currently, we're trying to finalize our post-cruise plans as Southwest Airlines will open up fares for that week on/around January 16. We're currently leaning towards a couple of days doing Sea World & Aquatica. If anyone has ever stayed at one of their "official" hotels - such as the Renaissance Orlando at Sea World or the Hilton Grand Vacations at Sea World - any insight would be appreciated.

[templed]

I booked my downward flights already. I had a bunch of Jetblue points... so I used them for the flight down.

Still waiting on booking the return flight... I'd like to see if there is any price changes.

[dizneeat]

I booked my downward flights already. I had a bunch of Jetblue points... so I used them for the flight down.

Still waiting on booking the return flight... I'd like to see if there is any price changes.

I bought our flights this week too! :thumbsup2 And I am so happy I did, as the price went up about 1100 Euros (1500 $) for the two of us a day later! :scared1:

We are still changing around plans a bit, but it is still a week at the Florida keys - 7 nights at OKW, 9 nights on the DREAM and another 6 nights at WDW (resort to be determined ;)) :woohoo: :woohoo:

[templed]

I'm all for that kind of vacation...

I remember speaking to a German Couple down in Key West one year and they told me about how many weeks of vacation they got... I was floored! 6 weeks or more... something like that.

I have a lot of vacation... 4 weeks... Wife has more... 5 weeks or so... but we're the exception, not the rule...

I wish we got as much vacation as Europeans...

[dizneeat]

I'm all for that kind of vacation...

I remember speaking to a German Couple down in Key West one year and they told me about how many weeks of vacation they got... I was floored! 6 weeks or more... something like that.

I have a lot of vacation... 4 weeks... Wife has more... 5 weeks or so... but we're the exception, not the rule...

I wish we got as much vacation as Europeans...

We love our long summer vacations. Tom gets 6 weeks a year (and what's left over at the end of the year carries over) and being a teacher I get lots more (9 weeks in the summer alone).
That long summer vacation gives us time to really enjoy being away, time to ajust to the time change and different climate. But nevertheless, even 4 weeks are over far too quickly.

[templed]

We love our long summer vacations. Tom gets 6 weeks a year (and what's left over at the end of the year carries over) and being a teacher I get lots more (9 weeks in the summer alone).
That long summer vacation gives us time to really enjoy being away, time to ajust to the time change and different climate. But nevertheless, even 4 weeks are over far too quickly.

that is great. :thumbsup2

They (management) gets really squirley if we want to take off more than 10 days or so... Forget it if you ask for more than 2 weeks. I banked a whole mess of vacation days (nearly 35 days) in order to finish our son's adoption back in 2009. We were in Russia (Moscow and Novosibirsk) for 27 days total... I think I used about 3 weeks in the end. That was pushing it for most US firms.

[dizneeat]

that is great. :thumbsup2

They (management) gets really squirley if we want to take off more than 10 days or so... Forget it if you ask for more than 2 weeks. I banked a whole mess of vacation days (nearly 35 days) in order to finish our son's adoption back in 2009. We were in Russia (Moscow and Novosibirsk) for 27 days total... I think I used about 3 weeks in the end. That was pushing it for most US firms.

It never stops to amaze me how little vacation time you are allowed to take. We have friends in Buffalo and their kids only get 10 vacation days! :scared1: No wonder they are the commando type in the parks.
Tom's boss is actually happy he takes the 4 weeks off. They have students taking the positions and they are there for 4 - 6 weeks, so in order for them to not have to change their work area, they really like the original person to take a longer period of time of.

You did adopt your son in Russia? Wow! That takes a very special person to go through all the ups and downs (another friend of ours is in the process of adopting from Russia too and they have lots of problems).
Will you bring your son on the cruise? That must be so exciting for all of you! :thumbsup2

[templed]

RE: Russia... Absolutely. The process itself was extremely stressful. We got stuck in the middle of a paperwork / political nightmare... and what should have taken a year... too two. When we accepted our son for adoption, they process usually is about a month's time from then, you return and go through court. We ended up having to wait about 6 months. The only advise... Patience and persistence... That's it.

Yes... Our son will be with us as well as my daughter. This will be DS's 2nd cruise. We've been all over the place with him... His first summer home, we took him to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The next summer... 7 Day Cruise and Disney... Last summer, Ocean City, MD... This summer... Disney and Cruise!!!!

LOL... Kid came from one of the coldest areas in the world (Siberia)... and is now a Caribbean Junky... just like his parents.

[templed]

For all you iPhone (or Adroid) Junkies like me..... Cruise Mates released an app for DCL now.

Super cool app... packing lists... ship layout... etc. VERY essential to the OCD Cruise planner.

[templed]

Final Payment = Made.



:thumbsup2

:woohoo:

[stewartm]

Anyone cruise in Aug. before? Weather ok??

[templed]

Its kind of a crap shoot. While there is a potential for bad weather.... you just kind of grit your teeth and go with it.

Last year, Dream sailed right around a hurricane at around the same time we'll be sailing... so yes, it's possible... but think of it like lightning. Can it strike in the same place twice?

I've sailed March, April, July... but not this late in the summer.

[dizneeat]

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k429/tinkerbellat/Disboards/untitled.jpg



It is time to celebrate Christmas!
Merry Christmas to ALL my DISfriends!



http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k429/tinkerbellat/Disboards/mickey2.jpg

[templed]

Merry Christmas to you! Have a rare day off here after the holiday. (Although I'm off for the majority of the week).

Back to work for one day (Friday) for the close of the year...

Already spent an hour working this morning as our collections folks are in the office today and were having issues.

My son gave us a rare treat this morning... slept till 9:30 am! I guess that's what happens when you have him up late 2 nights in a row!

[michelle9343]

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and wishing you all a very Happy and Healthy New Year. I hope in the new year we start to become a chatty group because before we now it our cruise will be here!!!

[dizneeat]

Hope everyone had a nice Christmas!
Tom and I have both been sick before Christmas. Tom was on sickleave for 3 weeks and I was off for a week myself, but all is much better now.
I am on my Christmas break until January 9 and try to catch up on threads and busy getting ready for our February Disney trip and cruise.
I promise to post lots more pics once we get back.:goodvibes

FE participants list!

stewartm
socababy
michelle9343
dizneeat

[dizneeat]

Happy New Year!

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k429/tinkerbellat/pixie/hny2012a.jpg

[mcd2745]

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!

Hopefully, the new year will bring more "chatter" to this thread. I'm looking forward to booking our flights later this month (Southwest currently says they will open up booking on Jan 22).

[templed]

I booked my return flights on New Years day. Ended up using Mileage on Jetblue for 5 of the 8 tickets (bought them all as one way tickets).

I figured they haven't changed... so... they're not gunna get any better.

We're planning on getting together to plan out our pre-cruise eats at Disney in the coming weeks...

I've a feeling that now that the holiday's are over, peoples thoughts will once again turn to Cruisin'..... :hippie:

[socababy]

I booked my return flights on New Years day. Ended up using Mileage on Jetblue for 5 of the 8 tickets (bought them all as one way tickets).

I figured they haven't changed... so... they're not gunna get any better.

We're planning on getting together to plan out our pre-cruise eats at Disney in the coming weeks...

I've a feeling that now that the holiday's are over, peoples thoughts will once again turn to Cruisin'..... :hippie:

My focus has been nothing but cruises over the last couple of months that I need to sit down and think about where we want to eat pre cruise as well and which parks we will visit and on what days. Yes I am that type of planner! LOL At least we have the timeshare booked. I also need to look into flights.

[templed]

My focus has been nothing but cruises over the last couple of months that I need to sit down and think about where we want to eat pre cruise as well and which parks we will visit and on what days. Yes I am that type of planner! LOL At least we have the timeshare booked. I also need to look into flights.

You're in good company!!! We're what I would call "OCD vacation planners". We've had this cruise booked for over a year now...

Currently we're staying at the Villas at Wilderness Lodge, but I think I'm going to transfer my reservation to Bay Lake (If I can).

The 180 day window for dining reservations is approaching... so we want to have a plan of attack for that... it's harder to plan when you have a large group of people.... but we've done it before (and we'll do it again!!! Lol)

Not everyone is going down as early as we are, so our group isn't as big for pre-cruise reservations (11 people).

Coming home... now that's going to be a massive undertaking (have to see if I can coordinate a bus to the airport).

[dizneeat]

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!

Hopefully, the new year will bring more "chatter" to this thread. I'm looking forward to booking our flights later this month (Southwest currently says they will open up booking on Jan 22).

I really hope this thread gets more lively, there is nothing better building up the anticipation than talking and dreaming about the DREAM! :thumbsup2

I booked my return flights on New Years day. Ended up using Mileage on Jetblue for 5 of the 8 tickets (bought them all as one way tickets).

I figured they haven't changed... so... they're not gunna get any better.

We're planning on getting together to plan out our pre-cruise eats at Disney in the coming weeks...

I've a feeling that now that the holiday's are over, peoples thoughts will once again turn to Cruisin'..... :hippie:

:woohoo: It feels so good to have your flights booked - we booked ours in November.

Like you I need to get on with planning my pre and post cruise eats as that 180 day window is coming up quickly! :goodvibes

My focus has been nothing but cruises over the last couple of months that I need to sit down and think about where we want to eat pre cruise as well and which parks we will visit and on what days. Yes I am that type of planner! LOL At least we have the timeshare booked. I also need to look into flights.

Another planner here! So far I only have two more hotels to book (waiting on a deal coming out - we are going to the Keys for a week and then a week WDW before the cruise) and am hoping that Disney is releasing their park schedule SOON!!! I love to plan my days around the EMHs! I have last years hours saved, so I can go with them, but you never know with Disney, they might change things around. ;) :goodvibes

You're in good company!!! We're what I would call "OCD vacation planners". We've had this cruise booked for over a year now...

Currently we're staying at the Villas at Wilderness Lodge, but I think I'm going to transfer my reservation to Bay Lake (If I can).

The 180 day window for dining reservations is approaching... so we want to have a plan of attack for that... it's harder to plan when you have a large group of people.... but we've done it before (and we'll do it again!!! Lol)

Not everyone is going down as early as we are, so our group isn't as big for pre-cruise reservations (11 people).

Coming home... now that's going to be a massive undertaking (have to see if I can coordinate a bus to the airport).

11 people in your group - wow, now that is something to coordinate! :worship: and then even more people coming back? Good luck getting whatever you have your heart set on! :goodvibes

FE participants list!

stewartm
socababy
michelle9343
dizneeat

[templed]

I really hope this thread gets more lively, there is nothing better building up the anticipation than talking and dreaming about the DREAM! :thumbsup2



:woohoo: It feels so good to have your flights booked - we booked ours in November.

Like you I need to get on with planning my pre and post cruise eats as that 180 day window is coming up quickly! :goodvibes



Another planner here! So far I only have two more hotels to book (waiting on a deal coming out - we are going to the Keys for a week and then a week WDW before the cruise) and am hoping that Disney is releasing their park schedule SOON!!! I love to plan my days around the EMHs! I have last years hours saved, so I can go with them, but you never know with Disney, they might change things around. ;) :goodvibes



11 people in your group - wow, now that is something to coordinate! :worship: and then even more people coming back? Good luck getting whatever you have your heart set on! :goodvibes

FE participants list!

stewartm
socababy
michelle9343
dizneeat


11 people just for the Disney Parks portion of the trip.... That's actually pretty normal / easy to deal with for us... it's usually the same core group of people that come with us, so we're all pretty easy to accommodate.


All in All.... we have like 14 cabins booked through various means... Most are through my group... but a few folks are booked through DVC (I didn't own DVC at the time I booked it).

A portion of the group are family (wife's family)... so I have to be extra careful that they are handled with kid gloves (interesting personalities). I've gone out of my way to make sure that they are informed and included in whatever way I can... (I should be getting a Travel Agent's commission for some of the junk I've done for them...) I'm trying mightily to make sure that they don't fall into some "first time cruiser" traps and end up having a bad time... cause then I know... it would be my fault because I organized it. lol

[michelle9343]

I was in major cruise dreaming mode and just wanted to drop by and say hello.
I would like to start getting to know everyone better so I thought I would tell you all a little about us. We live in Clermont Florida and are only 35 mins from Walt Disney World. I am actually a seasonal cast member and work at the World Of Disney DTD. My husband is a custom cabinet maker and we own our own business.
My son Vito will be 17 at the time of the cruise and is a HUGE video "gamer".He has been home school since 6 grade and will be finishing high school this year.
My daughter Angelina will be 14 at the time of the cruise. She is our "special"angel and has a very rare genetic disorder. She is the main reason we left New York nine years ago to live by Mickey!!! She is without a doubt Mickey's biggest fan. She is non-verbal and has a very difficult life but when she goes to WDW none of that matters. She looks at Mickey like most teenage girls look at Justin Beiber. When she see him she SCREAMS and pulls her hair and sometime I am worried she might faint!!!
We have been on the Magic and the Wonder but our last cruise was 5+ years ago.
My sister AKA Aunt Tracy will be cruises with us and this is her first EVER cruise.
I am the planner of the family and really think planning the cruise is a big part of the trip. I will plan and plan and make all kinds of list of things to do but when it comes down to it once we are on the ship I do not even care if we don't get to do anything I planned, I am just so happy to have the time to make magical memories!!!

[socababy]

We had 11 people in our party when we went to WDW last March. The part of the planning that isn't so fun is since we are staying offsite, I have to get up super early here on the west coast for 6 days in a row to book our ADRs. Since we are offsite, I cannot book the whole weeks worth at one time. I have to get up each day as it becomes 6 months out. Plus, I couldn't do it online because of the size of our party. This August there will probably be the same number of people. We plan on arriving on the 18th, anyone have the 180 day out date for that date?

[mcd2745]

We had 11 people in our party when we went to WDW last March. The part of the planning that isn't so fun is since we are staying offsite, I have to get up super early here on the west coast for 6 days in a row to book our ADRs. Since we are offsite, I cannot book the whole weeks worth at one time. I have to get up each day as it becomes 6 months out. Plus, I couldn't do it online because of the size of our party. This August there will probably be the same number of people. We plan on arriving on the 18th, anyone have the 180 day out date for that date?


http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/pscalc/dispscalc.html

[socababy]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/pscalc/dispscalc.html

Thanks! That's just the link I was looking for! I should probably bookmark it this time!

[templed]

I was in major cruise dreaming mode and just wanted to drop by and say hello.
I would like to start getting to know everyone better so I thought I would tell you all a little about us. We live in Clermont Florida and are only 35 mins from Walt Disney World. I am actually a seasonal cast member and work at the World Of Disney DTD. My husband is a custom cabinet maker and we own our own business.
My son Vito will be 17 at the time of the cruise and is a HUGE video "gamer".He has been home school since 6 grade and will be finishing high school this year.
My daughter Angelina will be 14 at the time of the cruise. She is our "special"angel and has a very rare genetic disorder. She is the main reason we left New York nine years ago to live by Mickey!!! She is without a doubt Mickey's biggest fan. She is non-verbal and has a very difficult life but when she goes to WDW none of that matters. She looks at Mickey like most teenage girls look at Justin Beiber. When she see him she SCREAMS and pulls her hair and sometime I am worried she might faint!!!
We have been on the Magic and the Wonder but our last cruise was 5+ years ago.
My sister AKA Aunt Tracy will be cruises with us and this is her first EVER cruise.
I am the planner of the family and really think planning the cruise is a big part of the trip. I will plan and plan and make all kinds of list of things to do but when it comes down to it once we are on the ship I do not even care if we don't get to do anything I planned, I am just so happy to have the time to make magical memories!!!


Good idea! I'm sure if you scan around my conversations you could figure out who I am ... kids, etc. But I'll lay it out in summary fashion here.

Wife and I are early 40's (in fact... I'm just 40 in November). We're from NYC (Staten Island). I grew up mostly in CT and NJ... Wife grew up in Brooklyn. We both work in the Legal industry in Manhattan.... I'm in Midtown, she's Downtown. I'm in Finance... but I am more or less an IT geek (I manage our firm's Financial systems). Wife is a Legal Secretary. We actually met at the firm she works at now.

Together we've been on 5 cruises (Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Celebrity and Carnival).

2 kids. DD is 14 (will be 15 at the time of the cruise) and a Freshman in HS. She's a teenager... what can I say??? She's a good kid though, great grades... well behaved... This will be her 3rd cruise...

DS is 5 (will be 6 for the cruise)... He's currently in Kindergarten. We adopted him from Novosibirsk, Russia about 3 years ago. Feb 13th is the 3 year anniversary of the Russian courts granting us custody. It was a trip / experience of a lifetime...... no joke. How many people can actually say that they spent a month in Siberia in the dead of winter.... I can!!!! lol We're still dealing with some developmental delays, mostly speech related... but he's incredibly intelligent and charismatic. You could not find a more empathetic child. He almost seems drawn to people that could need a little cheering up....

This will be his 2nd cruise.

[socababy]

Our crew inclues the following...

My name is Christina, 34 years old and I have 3 kids, ds9 (at cruise time,) ds7(at cruise time) and dd4. Our world was turned upside down when my Dh passed away suddenly at the way too young age of 32 just over 3 years ago. Dh and I went on our first Disney cruise on the Wonder over 10 years ago and we couldn't wait until we had kids and got to take them on one. Sadly, he never got to experience that with his kids (we did sail on HAL when the boys were young) but I am trying my best to keep our dreams that we made for our kids alive. The kids and I did the MR cruise in Feb 2011, Nov 2011 and will again Apr 2012. So this will be their 4th DCL cruise.

My wonderful ILs will also be joining us on this cruise. They sailed with us last Feb and will again in April. They are a huge help with the kids.

[templed]

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. But I'm happy to hear that you are keeping his memory alive.


This is us...

http://images116.fotki.com/v700/photos/4/676754/9064607/179-vi.jpg

[mcd2745]

Sorry for your loss socababy. That is just terrible.


As for us...it is myself, DW (both of us will be hitting the big 4-OH! between now and the cruise), DS 10, and DD 7 (their ages at the time of the cruise). We have been Queens residents all our lives. It will be the kids first Disney Cruise and second officailly for DW & I, with the first one being just a 3-nighter on the Wonder as part of the old land/sea packages back in November 200 - our first anniversary. But that was so long ago and only 3 nights, I feel like it's our first as well. The kids' only other cruise was back in Aug 2009 when we did the Nickelodeon Family Cruise on Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas, which was a lot of fun. We have done WDW the last two years (basically the same week as our cruise - late August right before they go back to school), but the kids (and DW) wanted to do another cruise, so here we are.

[templed]

I fear for the non-ny'ers on this cruise.... lol


(I'm kidding obviously... but... there's a LOT of us).

[mcd2745]

I fear for the non-ny'ers on this cruise.... lol


(I'm kidding obviously... but... there's a LOT of us).



Yes there is.


It was the same thing at WDW the last two years. With so many other areas of the country already having gone back to school already, everyone at WDW was pretty much from NY & NJ plus a lot of Brits.

[templed]

Been home recovering since Friday. Had a hernia in my stomach repaired... knocked me for loop.

Feeling a little better now...

I need ... a Cruise.

[mcd2745]

Been home recovering since Friday. Had a hernia in my stomach repaired... knocked me for loop.

Feeling a little better now...

I need ... a Cruise.


Ouch.

Well...better now in the middle of January instead of the middle of August :scared1: .


We'll be at the 200-day mark soon - but who's counting?

[templed]

2 days till I can change my reservation with dvc.

[dizneeat]

2 days till I can change my reservation with dvc.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, so you'll get what you want. :thumbsup2 We still have until February 2nd until we can make our reservation, but I have booked all the hotels for our first week touring the Florida Keys and the 8 night WDW part before the cruise. :thumbsup2

FE participants list!

stewartm
socababy
michelle9343
dizneeat

[templed]

No problems!... switched over to Bay Lake Towers. Dedicated 2 bedroom Lakeview Villa!

whoop!

[dizneeat]

No problems!... switched over to Bay Lake Towers. Dedicated 2 bedroom Lakeview Villa!

whoop!

:woohoo: :woohoo: congratulations, it feels so good when you have another booking done! :thumbsup2

And BLT is a wonderful choice!!! :yay:

Did you book online? Or did you call. We still haven't got the link, but it should work within three days - so I might even be able to book our stay online! :goodvibes

[dismiss]

Hi All

Thought I would jump in on the thread. When I booked the cruise in Feb of 2011 I thought it would be a long time to go, now it is just around the corner.
I also thought I would be paying off the balance -but haven't started that either:confused3

Well it will be 4 of us
Me mary Ellen
DH Jay
DD Kayleigh 15
DS Kevin 12

I see there will be a few teens and tweens aboard, hopefully they will get to know each other.

We are from Warwick, NY (about 1hr north of the city) and originally from Queens I've lived in Richmond Hill, Jamaica, Queens Village, Bellrose, Ozone Park, and Woodhaven!

We would love to join the FE. Let me know who is the contact.

See you all in August!!

Dismiss

[dizneeat]

Hi All

Thought I would jump in on the thread. When I booked the cruise in Feb of 2011 I thought it would be a long time to go, now it is just around the corner.
I also thought I would be paying off the balance -but haven't started that either:confused3

Well it will be 4 of us
Me mary Ellen
DH Jay
DD Kayleigh 15
DS Kevin 12

I see there will be a few teens and tweens aboard, hopefully they will get to know each other.

We are from Warwick, NY (about 1hr north of the city) and originally from Queens I've lived in Richmond Hill, Jamaica, Queens Village, Bellrose, Ozone Park, and Woodhaven!

We would love to join the FE. Let me know who is the contact.

See you all in August!!

Dismiss

Welcome to this cruise!

I have started a FE list and have added your name to the current list. I am in the process of starting a more detailed list with names and stateroom numbers and will post the link to it as soon as I have uploaded it! :thumbsup2

FE participants list!

dismiss
stewartm
socababy
michelle9343
dizneeat

[mcd2745]

Hi All

Thought I would jump in on the thread. When I booked the cruise in Feb of 2011 I thought it would be a long time to go, now it is just around the corner.
I also thought I would be paying off the balance -but haven't started that either:confused3

Well it will be 4 of us
Me mary Ellen
DH Jay
DD Kayleigh 15
DS Kevin 12

I see there will be a few teens and tweens aboard, hopefully they will get to know each other.

We are from Warwick, NY (about 1hr north of the city) and originally from Queens I've lived in Richmond Hill, Jamaica, Queens Village, Bellrose, Ozone Park, and Woodhaven!

We would love to join the FE. Let me know who is the contact.

See you all in August!!

Dismiss


Welcome! We're from Ozone Park (I'm a lifelong resident, DW grew up in Richmond Hill) and it's amazing how many NYers there will be. The ship is going to be like an annex of NY!


I'm sure we'll officially be joining the FE list at some point, but I still need to explain the whole thing to the wife first.

[templed]

:woohoo: :woohoo: congratulations, it feels so good when you have another booking done! :thumbsup2

And BLT is a wonderful choice!!! :yay:

Did you book online? Or did you call. We still haven't got the link, but it should work within three days - so I might even be able to book our stay online! :goodvibes

The online booking is supposed to be launched like... now....

But I have yet to see anything from Member services on it.

I re-booked over the phone. The other family that we are meeting down there was already booked in BLT (They own points there....) and we originally booked in VWL (where I own)... They didn't want to stay at VWL (They've been with DVC since LONG ago... so I can't blame them... they've stayed at VWL a few times before).

Overall the layout at BLT fits our group better. The three kids can sleep in the living room... adults get the rooms. VWL doesn't have that single chair pull out that BLT does.

So... Flights... check. Lodging.... Check. Cruise fare ... Paid in full.

what's left...

- Transportation to the port (splitting between 3 families...)

- Disney Dining Plan.

- Park tickets.

[michelle9343]

I think it is funny to hear how many New Yorker's are cruising with us. I was raised on Long Island but moved to Florida 9 years ago. My sister who is cruising with us live in NY and is a school teacher in Hollis Queens. I am thinking the parties will be extra loud/fun with all of the NEW YORKERS on board!!!!

[templed]

I think it is funny to hear how many New Yorker's are cruising with us. I was raised on Long Island but moved to Florida 9 years ago. My sister who is cruising with us live in NY and is a school teacher in Hollis Queens. I am thinking the parties will be extra loud/fun with all of the NEW YORKERS on board!!!!

LOL... I'm glad you think so!

HA! on our last cruise we had a group of 16 or so in the Steakhouse on Carnival Dream. We absolutely just had a blast.... although I think we were a bit raucous for the other folks in the room. They had this magician that came through and he brought out some balls... (let's just say it went downhill from there). :rotfl2:

I'm not saying we're rude or anything like that, but I guess we're just used to the noise. I'd say that if you go to most restaurants in NYC... it's not a "quiet" experience most of the time.

[Boo99]

Hi Everyone!! I have been reading but haven't posted. I am part of templed (Dave's) loud New York group.
I am from Long Island and my family is myself, my hubby and daughter who will be 13 when we cruise.
We have been waiting anxiously for this trip. Can't wait to go on my first disney cruise. I have been on a bunch of cruises but never disney.

Sue

(Happy Dave, I finally posted) :rotfl:

[templed]

Change your signature. Unless you have something to tell me.... :rotfl:

[Boo99]

I don't know how. You set this signature up for me. :rotfl:

[templed]

:rolleyes1

[princess81499]

Just stopped by to read what is going on. We have the pre-cruise stay booked at the Beach Club Villas, bought our airfare yesterday, and now just need to switch our DVC resort for the few days after the cruise. I think the last major thing will be park tickets for Universal/Seaworld and the cruise excursions. I am so looking forward to this trip!

[mcd2745]

Got the flights booked on Southwest yesterday - $89 pp going down - very happy about that :banana:. I'm also satisfied with $135 pp we got coming back since it's the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. We flew back home from WDW the same day last year and the price never went below $168 pp. So with that now out of the way, it's time to book the post-cruise Seaworld package and then concentrate on cruise excursions/activites/dining (Palo).

[dizneeat]

Got the flights booked on Southwest yesterday - $89 pp going down - very happy about that :banana:. I'm also satisfied with $135 pp we got coming back since it's the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. We flew back home from WDW the same day last year and the price never went below $168 pp. So with that now out of the way, it's time to book the post-cruise Seaworld package and then concentrate on cruise excursions/activites/dining (Palo).

:woohoo: It always feels good to have another piece of the puzzle in place! Congrats on getting a good deal on the flights! :thumbsup2

[mcd2745]

:woohoo: It always feels good to have another piece of the puzzle in place! Congrats on getting a good deal on the flights! :thumbsup2


Thanks. I bought the tix within an hour of them opening up the fares. Glad we struck quick - the flight home is already up to $157 pp.

[templed]

Thanks. I bought the tix within an hour of them opening up the fares. Glad we struck quick - the flight home is already up to $157 pp.

Oh My God... Sunday was nuts! Our group jumped on the SW deals like rabid greyhounds on a slow rabbit.

By the time our friends got back from the city (watching family's kid's b-ball game) at 3PM, the price had already hopped up from $89 to $139 on the return flight to Islip...

Crazy! I'm flying Jetblue out of JFK (not my preferred airport, but... c'est la vie... prices are too expensive out of Newark).

[mcd2745]

Oh My God... Sunday was nuts! Our group jumped on the SW deals like rabid greyhounds on a slow rabbit.

By the time our friends got back from the city (watching family's kid's b-ball game) at 3PM, the price had already hopped up from $89 to $139 on the return flight to Islip...

Crazy! I'm flying Jetblue out of JFK (not my preferred airport, but... c'est la vie... prices are too expensive out of Newark).


JFK would be my preferred airport as we live about a 7-iron away. However, even the fares on JetBlue are usually much higher than Southwest's. For similar flights to what we booked on SW, JetBlue would have been close to $100 more per person round trip. Plus, now that we have been using SW so much (plus we have a SW Visa card) we usually have points for a free flight or two. Flying out of McArthur Airport in Islip is great as well. Luckily, I have relatives 5 minutes away form McArthur, so I go to their house, pick one of them up and go to the airport. They drop us at the curb and take my car back to their house and pick us up when we get back. And I love how you can check in for your flight/check your bags, and be through security all in about 15 minutes.

[templed]

JFK would be my preferred airport as we live about a 7-iron away. However, even the fares on JetBlue are usually much higher than Southwest's. For similar flights to what we booked on SW, JetBlue would have been close to $100 more per person round trip. Plus, now that we have been using SW so much (plus we have a SW Visa card) we usually have points for a free flight or two. Flying out of McArthur Airport in Islip is great as well. Luckily, I have relatives 5 minutes away form McArthur, so I go to their house, pick one of them up and go to the airport. They drop us at the curb and take my car back to their house and pick us up when we get back. And I love how you can check in for your flight/check your bags, and be through security all in about 15 minutes.

Ya... Newark is only 15 minutes from my house... while JFK is an hour... but the prices were prohibitive. Even with points, I wouldn't have been able to save nearly as much as I did flying out of JFK. I effectively only paid about $400 for all 4 of us to fly round trip. yeah me!

[templed]

ok... Convince me that I have to eat at _______ when we go to Disney.


(trying to figure out where we're going to make our ADR's).


We've eaten at:

* Whispering Canyon a couple times (Loved it)
* 50's Prime Time (I nearly pee'd my pants watching our friend have to sing "I'm a little teapot" when she left the table unexcused)
* Le Cellier
* Crystal Palace
* Liberty Tree (ugh)
* O'Hana
* Hoopty Doo Review

I'm sure that I'm missing things... but... tell me where to eat... I'm at a loss.

[dizneeat]

ok... Convince me that I have to eat at _______ when we go to Disney.


(trying to figure out where we're going to make our ADR's).


We've eaten at:

* Whispering Canyon a couple times (Loved it)
* 50's Prime Time (I nearly pee'd my pants watching our friend have to sing "I'm a little teapot" when she left the table unexcused)
* Le Cellier
* Crystal Palace
* Liberty Tree (ugh)
* O'Hana
* Hoopty Doo Review

I'm sure that I'm missing things... but... tell me where to eat... I'm at a loss.

1 TS credit restaurants ........

Grand Floridian Cafe
Kouzzina
The Wave

Signature restaurants ........

California Grill!!!!!!!!!!!
Yachtsman Steakhouse
Jiko

Have been to all and loved it!

[michelle9343]

ok... Convince me that I have to eat at _______ when we go to Disney.


(trying to figure out where we're going to make our ADR's).


We've eaten at:

* Whispering Canyon a couple times (Loved it)
* 50's Prime Time (I nearly pee'd my pants watching our friend have to sing "I'm a little teapot" when she left the table unexcused)
* Le Cellier
* Crystal Palace
* Liberty Tree (ugh)
* O'Hana
* Hoopty Doo Review

I'm sure that I'm missing things... but... tell me where to eat... I'm at a loss.

I LOVE the Hoop De Do and O'hana's . Crystal Place has dissappointed me the last two times. I Just ate at Cat Cora Kouzza and had the best meal I have had on property in a LONG time and the service was EXCELLENT.I also ate at Marrakesh in Morocco and had a great meal and the guys enjoyed the belly dancer!

[mcd2745]

ok... Convince me that I have to eat at _______ when we go to Disney.


(trying to figure out where we're going to make our ADR's).


We've eaten at:

* Whispering Canyon a couple times (Loved it)
* 50's Prime Time (I nearly pee'd my pants watching our friend have to sing "I'm a little teapot" when she left the table unexcused)
* Le Cellier
* Crystal Palace
* Liberty Tree (ugh)
* O'Hana
* Hoopty Doo Review

I'm sure that I'm missing things... but... tell me where to eat... I'm at a loss.


As a pure carnivore, 'Ohana is always at or near the top of my list as well as Le Cellier. We tried Via Napoli back in August and that is now also at the top of our list. Some of the places we weren't crazy about include Coral Reef, San Angel Inn and Tony's.

IMO, alot depends on your touring style (plus other factors such as dining plan or not, etc) . To me, location is usually the most important factor in making ADRs. We have places we like to eat at, but even if we have hoppers, I'm rarely going to go eat at a restaurant in a park different than the one I'm touring for the day. Generally, if we're at MK for the day, dinner is going to be at a restaurant in MK or at a monrail resort. Same goes for Epcot. At DHS & AK, it's a little different since the choices aren't so great. So maybe those days, we'll opt to eat back at our resort. As a bit of a park commando, I don't like spending a lot of time travelling between parks and/or resorts during park operationg hours. I've also been meaning to try some of the DTD restaurants like WPE or Raglan Road, but never seem to make it over there. Also, to me, my breakfast ADRs are just as important as the dinner ones. I've heard great things about the breakfast ath The Wave in the Contemporary, and since it looks like you'll be at BLT...that might be worth a try. Of course, you can never go wrong with Chef Mickey's either!

[socababy]

We really enjoyed Crustal Palace last time and hope to do that again. WE also loved The Flying Fish Cafe. It was a little on the pricey side but the food was fantastic!

I also plan my meals based on what park I am at that day. I think we ate at the parks each day with the exception of Flying Fish because it is within walking distance from Epcot. Of course it didn't seem that lose when we had to walk there in the pouring rain! LOL

I need to figure out where we are going to eat too but I need to figure out what parks we are going to and on what days first!

[templed]

Since my son hasn't been to Animal Kingdom yet... I think we're planning on visiting AK, Blizzard Beach and MK for this trip.

We generally don't buy hoppers.... so we're kinda stuck to the park we're in.

We're definately going to try Wave... that was already on our list. We were thinking of trying Tony's the day we go to MK...

In AK we thought about Yak and Yeti?

We're arriving Sunday... so we thought about DTD that night (Raglan Road... is the Irish pub, right?)

Monday will more than likely be AK ... Tues: BB.... Wed: MK. Thursday: Pool (laundry)....

Love the suggestions though... we come down often enough that we'll surely get to try all of them... ;)

[mcd2745]

Since my son hasn't been to Animal Kingdom yet... I think we're planning on visiting AK, Blizzard Beach and MK for this trip.

We generally don't buy hoppers.... so we're kinda stuck to the park we're in.

We're definately going to try Wave... that was already on our list. We were thinking of trying Tony's the day we go to MK...

In AK we thought about Yak and Yeti?

We're arriving Sunday... so we thought about DTD that night (Raglan Road... is the Irish pub, right?)

Monday will more than likely be AK ... Tues: BB.... Wed: MK. Thursday: Pool (laundry)....

Love the suggestions though... we come down often enough that we'll surely get to try all of them... ;)



For AK, we always start with an early breakfast at Tusker House - probably our favorite breakfast in all of WDW (love that Jungle Juice!) . Not many dinner options, obviously, and we've never tried Yak & Yeti. Flame Tree BBQ is pretty good counter-service. Since AK probably will be closing at 5pm, it may be a good night to go to DTD. Raglan Road is indeed the Irish pub. Same goes for BB. It will probably close by 6pm (but we've never stayed at a water park until closing), so it could afford you the time to venture elsewhere.

For MK, as a NYer and likely used to good Italian food, you'll probably be disappointed with Tony's. It didn't find it to be awful, but just not up to a NYer's standard for Itailan food. In the park, I'd go with Crystal Palace or Liberty Tree over Tony's any day. However, our first choice when we are at MK is always 'Ohana.

[templed]

For AK, we always start with an early breakfast at Tusker House - probably our favorite breakfast in all of WDW (love that Jungle Juice!) . Not many dinner options, obviously, and we've never tried Yak & Yeti. Flame Tree BBQ is pretty good counter-service. Since AK probably will be closing at 5pm, it may be a good night to go to DTD. Raglan Road is indeed the Irish pub. Same goes for BB. It will probably close by 6pm (but we've never stayed at a water park until closing), so it could afford you the time to venture elsewhere.

For MK, as a NYer and likely used to good Italian food, you'll probably be disappointed with Tony's. It didn't find it to be awful, but just not up to a NYer's standard for Itailan food. In the park, I'd go with Crystal Palace or Liberty Tree over Tony's any day. However, our first choice when we are at MK is always 'Ohana.

You know... I was thinking the same thing about Tony's. We have some of the best Italian Food going on Staten Island... so I'm not sure that I would really like it. Not to mention my wife is 100% Italian... so she might turn up her nose at it.

I'm sorta confused about MK then... Maybe we should just walk out the gate and hit one of the hotels... we're staying at BLT ... so... that's not a big deal.

[michelle9343]

You know... I was thinking the same thing about Tony's. We have some of the best Italian Food going on Staten Island... so I'm not sure that I would really like it. Not to mention my wife is 100% Italian... so she might turn up her nose at it.

I'm sorta confused about MK then... Maybe we should just walk out the gate and hit one of the hotels... we're staying at BLT ... so... that's not a big deal.

I agree with you 100% when you are use to eating GREAT NY Italian food Tony's will leave you less then happy . I have to say over the past few years there is really no place sit down I really want to eat at MK any more. Going to the hotels would be a much better choice

[templed]

I agree with you 100% when you are use to eating GREAT NY Italian food Tony's will leave you less then happy . I have to say over the past few years there is really no place sit down I really want to eat at MK any more. Going to the hotels would be a much better choice

I always feel like I'm settling for something when we go to MK. We've ended up eating at Crystal palace like every time we've gone. It's not bad... but... it's not as good as some of the other options in other parks ... and doesn't hold a candle to the resorts...

We're not doing Epcot of HS this trip... and they have some really great options. I'm dieing to go to the Biergarten...

[mcd2745]

I always feel like I'm settling for something when we go to MK. We've ended up eating at Crystal palace like every time we've gone. It's not bad... but... it's not as good as some of the other options in other parks ... and doesn't hold a candle to the resorts...

We're not doing Epcot of HS this trip... and they have some really great options. I'm dieing to go to the Biergarten...


I've only been to Biergarten once (and that was almost 15 years ago - pink, birthday cake caslte anyone?), but it was a good time and the food was very good too. Like cruising, you end up eating with strangers. Wasn't a big deal for us especially since that was pre-kids (pre-wedding too). Picking a good restaurant in Epcot is not a problem...just getting an ADR is.

[michelle9343]

I always feel like I'm settling for something when we go to MK. We've ended up eating at Crystal palace like every time we've gone. It's not bad... but... it's not as good as some of the other options in other parks ... and doesn't hold a candle to the resorts...

We're not doing Epcot of HS this trip... and they have some really great options. I'm dieing to go to the Biergarten...

Biergarten is one of our FAVORITES!!!!

[templed]

One of my favorite restaurants here in the city is called Hofbrau Bierhaus. Same deal... Big long tables... You sit with strangers. Its not an issue for me.

Same deal with chinatown. Theres a place called Joe's Shanghai that we go to all the time. Big old round tables.

[templed]

Ok... now that the Giants won the superbowl... The only thing I need now is the Rangers to win the Stanley Cup... and we'll have a great sports year!

Let's Go Rangers!


:yay::yay::yay::yay:

[mcd2745]

Ok... now that the Giants won the superbowl... The only thing I need now is the Rangers to win the Stanley Cup... and we'll have a great sports year!

Let's Go Rangers!


:yay::yay::yay::yay:



What a game! These Giants sure know how to keep NY area cariologists busy. I actually ran out to Modells about 11:15pm last night since it's only a few blocks away. They were already out of hats and most sizes of T-shirts. The line was more than 20 people deep, so I just walked right back out and stopped in this morning.


A Stanley Cup would really be awesome. I went to the parade back in '94 and that was a blast. I'm worried about them in the playoffs though unless they can pick up a good QB for the power play.

[Boo99]

200 DAYS!!!!!! :cheer2::banana:

[mcd2745]

200 DAYS!!!!!! :cheer2::banana:


:thumbsup2


Ooops....I slacked on this one.

[templed]

200 DAYS!!!!!! :cheer2::banana:

lol... Sue... I was so busy yesterday that I barely could breath!

:dance3: :woohoo: :dance3:


Now... get back to work on our ADR's..

:)

[Plumeria73]

Hi! April from Washington state here. The last time I posted this thread was only about two pages long, so here I am again! I just purchased our plane tickets and we paid off the cruise in December, so I am really excited! We are staying in the Jambo House for four days before the cruise. We will be visiting AK and another park that we haven't decided on yet. It's a toss up between MK and Hollywoodwood Studios. We also plan on visiting the Harry Potter park as well.

I would love to sign up for the FE gift exchange please! My kids are excited about it because they've heard of it from their grandmother, an active Disney cruiser. I have three boys ages 12, 10, and 7 (at time of cruise). We have already started getting little gifts ready!

Looking forward to getting to know you all!

[dizneeat]

Hi! April from Washington state here. The last time I posted this thread was only about two pages long, so here I am again! I just purchased our plane tickets and we paid off the cruise in December, so I am really excited! We are staying in the Jambo House for four days before the cruise. We will be visiting AK and another park that we haven't decided on yet. It's a toss up between MK and Hollywoodwood Studios. We also plan on visiting the Harry Potter park as well.

I would love to sign up for the FE gift exchange please! My kids are excited about it because they've heard of it from their grandmother, an active Disney cruiser. I have three boys ages 12, 10, and 7 (at time of cruise). We have already started getting little gifts ready!

Looking forward to getting to know you all!

Hi April!

Nice to get to know you! :goodvibes
Doesn't it feel good to have all your ducks in a row? We have everything booked too - travelling for 4 weeks (Key West for a week, then about a week at WDW, back to back cruises and another 6 nights at WDW. We'll stay at OKW and CR while at WDW)

I have started a FE list and have added your name to the current list. I am in the process of starting a more detailed list with names and stateroom numbers and will post the link to it as soon as we have returned from our next cruise during President's week! :thumbsup2

FE participants list!

Plumeria73
dismiss
stewartm
socababy
michelle9343
dizneeat

[bambilin]

Welcome! We're from Ozone Park (I'm a lifelong resident, DW grew up in Richmond Hill) and it's amazing how many NYers there will be. The ship is going to be like an annex of NY!


I'm sure we'll officially be joining the FE list at some point, but I still need to explain the whole thing to the wife first.
I have not been on here in ages!! How awful of me!! We are in Woodhaven and most of our group is from either Woodhaven, Richmond Hill or Ozone Park. Small world, huh?
We had a few drop outs so our group is down to 41 now!!!

We just changed out dining form early to late because I found out about the Dine & Play option for the kids. Sounds great!!!! Can't wait!!!

[mcd2745]

I have not been on here in ages!! How awful of me!! We are in Woodhaven and most of our group is from either Woodhaven, Richmond Hill or Ozone Park. Small world, huh?
We had a few drop outs so our group is down to 41 now!!!

We just changed out dining form early to late because I found out about the Dine & Play option for the kids. Sounds great!!!! Can't wait!!!



What's the Dine & Play? The thing I don't like about the late dinner is that then you're "scheduled" to see the shows at a very early time (about 5pm, I think). And if we're enjoying ourselves doing whatever during the day, I'd hate to have to stop and go back to the ship/stateroom to get changed and all in order to be ready before 5pm to go to the show (if we want to see it) - and then dinner. It seems like it cuts too much into the "play" time.

[bambilin]

What's the Dine & Play? The thing I don't like about the late dinner is that then you're "scheduled" to see the shows at a very early time (about 5pm, I think). And if we're enjoying ourselves doing whatever during the day, I'd hate to have to stop and go back to the ship/stateroom to get changed and all in order to be ready before 5pm to go to the show (if we want to see it) - and then dinner. It seems like it cuts too much into the "play" time.
Dine and Play is basically this: You let the servers know the kids would like to participate in Dine & Play...(only available with late seating) they take the kids dinner orders and serve them first, like when they bring our appetizers. About 45 minutes into dinner, counselors from the Youth Clubs come and sign the kids into the club right in the dining room, they pick them up and take them. So, the parents get to enjoy the rest of their dinner in leisure. For us it works out great, we NEVER eat early at home because of our work schedules (same for most of our gang) the kids can see the two shows if they want to, they are still having dinner with us, and they will be in the club before 9. Clubs are open until midnight, so that gives them plenty of time to play. When we sailed on the POA last August, my kids were never ready to leave kids club when we came to get them at 10:30 when it was over! LOL They never go during the day, they are with us at the pool, beach, whatever, but they cannot wait to get there at night. Wondering if when the see the clubs on the Dream they may even want to escape to there in the daytime! LOL I believe the Play and Dine is fairly knew, somebody tol dme they started it because they were having trouble getting people to choose the second seating. Do not know if that is true, but I will say that's the only reason we switched to late seating. Even though we prefer it, if the kids were at dinner for the usual amount of time, they would be getting to the clubs soooo late. Whyever they started it, I sure am glad because it works out for my crowd! :0)

[mcd2745]

Dine and Play is basically this: You let the servers know the kids would like to participate in Dine & Play...(only available with late seating) they take the kids dinner orders and serve them first, like when they bring our appetizers. About 45 minutes into dinner, counselors from the Youth Clubs come and sign the kids into the club right in the dining room, they pick them up and take them. So, the parents get to enjoy the rest of their dinner in leisure. For us it works out great, we NEVER eat early at home because of our work schedules (same for most of our gang) the kids can see the two shows if they want to, they are still having dinner with us, and they will be in the club before 9. Clubs are open until midnight, so that gives them plenty of time to play. When we sailed on the POA last August, my kids were never ready to leave kids club when we came to get them at 10:30 when it was over! LOL They never go during the day, they are with us at the pool, beach, whatever, but they cannot wait to get there at night. Wondering if when the see the clubs on the Dream they may even want to escape to there in the daytime! LOL I believe the Play and Dine is fairly knew, somebody tol dme they started it because they were having trouble getting people to choose the second seating. Do not know if that is true, but I will say that's the only reason we switched to late seating. Even though we prefer it, if the kids were at dinner for the usual amount of time, they would be getting to the clubs soooo late. Whyever they started it, I sure am glad because it works out for my crowd! :0)


That's a good idea. We never eat dinner early at home either (almost always after 7pm), so just based on timing, I would prefer the later dinner. And if they did the shows after the late dinner, we'd definitely choose that. However, I know we'd end up missing the shows every day if we had late seating. Besides, it just seems backward anyway to do a show and then dinner.

[bambilin]

That's a good idea. We never eat dinner early at home either (almost always after 7pm), so just based on timing, I would prefer the later dinner. And if they did the shows after the late dinner, we'd definitely choose that. However, I know we'd end up missing the shows every day if we had late seating. Besides, it just seems backward anyway to do a show and then dinner.

LOL I agree, it does seem backwards to me too, but in this case it works for us so...we will give it a shot!
:goodvibes

[templed]

We're still sticking to the Main seating / evening show ...

It's always worked for us... so... its all good.

Keeping an eye on those countdowns..... it's not going fast enough.

Spent the last couple weeks in planning meeting for a project that I'm doing, and it will be EXTREMELY nice to be on vacation during the time we are going. Right before the final conversion... after all the testing...

So... all that stress that we'll be washing away on the cruise... I'll get it all back the second I step back into the door...

:surfweb:

[socababy]

Who else is making ADRs this week? I woke up at 3am this morning to make our first ADR. One downfall to staying off property is that I need to call in daily to make my ADRs instead of making them all at one time! So just 5 more days of waking up early. I will be tired all week since it takes me forever to fall back asleep!

We are taking the red eye on the 17th and will get into MCO before 7am. The plan is to get the rental car and drive to MK and sopend some time their. I made a lunch ADR at Liberty Tavern. Will probably leave soon after lunch and go get checked into the hotel! I know these 6 months are going to fly by!

[templed]

Started doing ADR's yesterday (Not me... but one of our party...). So far we've got reservations for Wave, Kona and Bongo's. Still have 2 more to make.

The folks we're going with are actually down in FLA right now on Spring/Winter vacation. Our buddy Vicky is like the ADR Queen... so... she's been handling the calls.

It helps to have great friends!!!! :hippie::hippie::hippie::hippie:

[mcd2745]

Started doing ADR's yesterday (Not me... but one of our party...). So far we've got reservations for Wave, Kona and Bongo's. Still have 2 more to make.

The folks we're going with are actually down in FLA right now on Spring/Winter vacation. Our buddy Vicky is like the ADR Queen... so... she's been handling the calls.

It helps to have great friends!!!! :hippie::hippie::hippie::hippie:



We just got back from a little getaway to Florida (Gulf coast) ourselves while the kids are out of school! :beach:



As for the cruise...anyone else getting worried about the horror stories :scared1: here on the boards regarding the insane crowds and madness at the pool area on the Dream? Luckily, we only have one sea day...but from what I've been reading, the pool area can be a real disaster.

[templed]

After our last cruise I've come to expect less from the pool's on a ship. We were on Carnival Dream (similar size)... and the pools were miniscule.

I already told the people in my group to not expect much from the pools. Heck... we all have pools at home... so, I don't get all that excited about yet another pool.

My feelings are... Swim at the beach, it's more fun :)

Been scoping out snorkeling gear... My best mask had an unfortunate accident with the basement floor (shattered). I still have a really nice TUSA mask that my parents gave me years ago... but it doesn't fit my face right anymore. Besides, I don't want to be carrying around full size diving flippers. US divers seems to have some nice packages with travel fins...

[michelle9343]

We just got back from a little getaway to Florida (Gulf coast) ourselves while the kids are out of school! :beach:



As for the cruise...anyone else getting worried about the horror stories :scared1: here on the boards regarding the insane crowds and madness at the pool area on the Dream? Luckily, we only have one sea day...but from what I've been reading, the pool area can be a real disaster.

I am a little worried about the amount of people on board in general. We never use the pool on the ship so I am not to worried about that but the crowds at the deck parties seem like it can be crazy. My daughter uses a wheelchair and on the Magic and Wonder the elevator were a nightmare for us. But I am planning on just trying to go with the flow and have a EXCELLENT time!!!

Knowing we have past the 6 months to go point I am thinking about our cruise A LOT!!

[templed]

I am a little worried about the amount of people on board in general. We never use the pool on the ship so I am not to worried about that but the crowds at the deck parties seem like it can be crazy. My daughter uses a wheelchair and on the Magic and Wonder the elevator were a nightmare for us. But I am planning on just trying to go with the flow and have a EXCELLENT time!!!

Knowing we have past the 6 months to go point I am thinking about our cruise A LOT!!

Our friend Vicky who will be with us, was on Dream last year (during the summer as well) and never complained about overcrowding. With the exception of the pools maybe. Elevators, maybe..... But thats pretty much the same on every ship.

[michelle9343]

Our friend Vicky who will be with us, was on Dream last year (during the summer as well) and never complained about overcrowding. With the exception of the pools maybe. Elevators, maybe..... But thats pretty much the same on every ship.

Thats GREAT to hear. I had a group of friends that went last summer and they said they would never go on the DREAM again only the smaller ships. I spent the last week with them and they really made me a little more worried about it again. My DD LOVES the characters and shows so making sure she can get to enjoy them is HUGE for me. She is not able to go to the clubs or any of the other childrens activies so I guess I worry about planning around the crowds a little more.

[templed]

Thats GREAT to hear. I had a group of friends that went last summer and they said they would never go on the DREAM again only the smaller ships. I spent the last week with them and they really made me a little more worried about it again. My DD LOVES the characters and shows so making sure she can get to enjoy them is HUGE for me. She is not able to go to the clubs or any of the other childrens activies so I guess I worry about planning around the crowds a little more.

We took a cruise last summer on Carnival Dream.... and the Crowds were ridiculous... The general lay out of the ship just lead to massive choke points in the wrong areas.

Vicky's back from FL... so hopefully she'll chime in here... She's been on both the smaller ships and Dream...

Oh.... Vicky? VICKY? where are you Vicky?

[dizneeat]

We took a cruise last summer on Carnival Dream.... and the Crowds were ridiculous... The general lay out of the ship just lead to massive choke points in the wrong areas.

Vicky's back from FL... so hopefully she'll chime in here... She's been on both the smaller ships and Dream...

Oh.... Vicky? VICKY? where are you Vicky?

Okay, I am not Vicky, but we got back from the DREAM last Thursday - this was our 4th cruise on the DREAM and we never found it too crowded. Yes, the pools are full of people during the summer and Cabanas could be "full", but I never felt like the ship was too crowded.
And yes, we cruised on the smaller ships three times too and I did not find there was a huge difference in crowds - the ships are half the size with half the passengers! :confused3

We loved our cruise last week and were able to swim at CC, had a nice brunch at Palo and dined at Remy and Palo too! We made a lot of new friends and met some old (cast member) ones.

Can't wait to get back ..... don't worry too much - this is Disney after all! :thumbsup2

[michelle9343]

Okay, I am not Vicky, but we got back from the DREAM last Thursday - this was our 4th cruise on the DREAM and we never found it too crowded. Yes, the pools are full of people during the summer and Cabanas could be "full", but I never felt like the ship was too crowded.
And yes, we cruised on the smaller ships three times too and I did not find there was a huge difference in crowds - the ships are half the size with half the passengers! :confused3

We loved our cruise last week and were able to swim at CC, had a nice brunch at Palo and dined at Remy and Palo too! We made a lot of new friends and met some old (cast member) ones.

Can't wait to get back ..... don't worry too much - this is Disney after all! :thumbsup2

Thanks for putting my mind at ease. I know we will have a GREAT time no matter what. Are you writting a trip report for your last cruise??

[dizneeat]

Thanks for putting my mind at ease. I know we will have a GREAT time no matter what. Are you writting a trip report for your last cruise??

You are really going to love cruising on the DREAM, just relax and enjoy it. :hug:
And yes, I am starting a trip report for this cruise pretty soon. I will post the link here too! ;) :thumbsup2

[templed]

Okay, I am not Vicky, but we got back from the DREAM last Thursday - this was our 4th cruise on the DREAM and we never found it too crowded. Yes, the pools are full of people during the summer and Cabanas could be "full", but I never felt like the ship was too crowded.
And yes, we cruised on the smaller ships three times too and I did not find there was a huge difference in crowds - the ships are half the size with half the passengers! :confused3

We loved our cruise last week and were able to swim at CC, had a nice brunch at Palo and dined at Remy and Palo too! We made a lot of new friends and met some old (cast member) ones.

Can't wait to get back ..... don't worry too much - this is Disney after all! :thumbsup2

I could call you Vicky.... If you like? Lol. :banana:

[templed]

I know it's not the Dream... but... Lookey what I saw coming in to work this morning...

http://images61.fotki.com/v777/photos/6/676754/4183611/photo-vi.jpg

[michelle9343]

i know it's not the dream... But... Lookey what i saw coming in to work this morning...

http://images61.fotki.com/v777/photos/6/676754/4183611/photo-vi.jpg

that is so cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

[templed]

Popped over to see Fantasy in port yesterday...

http://images60.fotki.com/v224/photos/4/676754/10440890/081-vi.jpg

http://public.fotki.com/templed/disney-fantasy-in-nyc/

[dizneeat]

Popped over to see Fantasy in port yesterday...

http://images60.fotki.com/v224/photos/4/676754/10440890/081-vi.jpg

http://public.fotki.com/templed/disney-fantasy-in-nyc/

Awesome photo!
I am so jealous you all get to see her now already! ;)

[michelle9343]

Popped over to see Fantasy in port yesterday...

http://images60.fotki.com/v224/photos/4/676754/10440890/081-vi.jpg

http://public.fotki.com/templed/disney-fantasy-in-nyc/

WOW What a sight!!!!

[dizneeat]

WOW What a sight!!!!

Michelle, I started my trip report for our DREAM cruise last week. The link is in my signature, it's the "Pixie Dust" one! :goodvibes

[mcd2745]

Got this as the Fantasy was passing by the Freedom Tower:


https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6fAPHxqjefI/T1FIrG3vQ2I/AAAAAAAAABs/uyp-Piypoxc/s720/20120302170546.jpg

[templed]

Got this as the Fantasy was passing by the Freedom Tower:


https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6fAPHxqjefI/T1FIrG3vQ2I/AAAAAAAAABs/uyp-Piypoxc/s720/20120302170546.jpg

Great photo.

My wife works in the building right at the bow (WFC 1). She was up on the 34th floor. Loved the sight.

[socababy]

Got this as the Fantasy was passing by the Freedom Tower:


https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6fAPHxqjefI/T1FIrG3vQ2I/AAAAAAAAABs/uyp-Piypoxc/s720/20120302170546.jpg

Wow, that photo is awesome! The color of the ship just pops!

[templed]

... Wow... we got visited by the mythical Upgrade Fairy!!!!

Not a huge upgrade... but an upgrade none-the-less! From Cat 8D to Cat 8C...

(hey... it's something... right? lol)

[dizneeat]

... Wow... we got visited by the mythical Upgrade Fairy!!!!

Not a huge upgrade... but an upgrade none-the-less! From Cat 8D to Cat 8C...

(hey... it's something... right? lol)

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

(Now, if I knew what 8d and 8c are ........ :rotfl2:)

[mcd2745]

... Wow... we got visited by the mythical Upgrade Fairy!!!!

Not a huge upgrade... but an upgrade none-the-less! From Cat 8D to Cat 8C...

(hey... it's something... right? lol)



Congrats on the mini-upgrade.

We're in 8D also. I'll have to check our ressie.

[mcd2745]

Wow, that photo is awesome! The color of the ship just pops!



Thanks. I think the color of the ship was helped by the grey skies (it was a nasty, miserable day here Friday) and the grey-ish color of the Hudson River.

[michelle9343]

... Wow... we got visited by the mythical Upgrade Fairy!!!!

Not a huge upgrade... but an upgrade none-the-less! From Cat 8D to Cat 8C...

(hey... it's something... right? lol)

That's cool!!! Something is better then nothing right??

[templed]

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

(Now, if I knew what 8d and 8c are ........ :rotfl2:)

Category 8D are Deluxe Family Oceanview rooms on decks 5 and 6. 8C are decks 7 and 8 I believe. As you go higher in the alphabet... the higher the deck.

Problem with the 8D's on deck 5 aft is that they are over the clubs... lots of complaints about noise in certain rooms (specifically over Evolutions).

[templed]

Thanks. I think the color of the ship was helped by the grey skies (it was a nasty, miserable day here Friday) and the grey-ish color of the Hudson River.

It really was a nasty day, wasn't it....

I was planning on going over to the pier on the 28th... but it was raining cats and dogs... At least it wasn't raining.

[dizneeat]

Category 8D are Deluxe Family Oceanview rooms on decks 5 and 6. 8C are decks 7 and 8 I believe. As you go higher in the alphabet... the higher the deck.

Problem with the 8D's on deck 5 aft is that they are over the clubs... lots of complaints about noise in certain rooms (specifically over Evolutions).

Thanks for clearing it up for me! :goodvibes
I'll keep my fingers crossed for NO noise at all! :thumbsup2

I am never sure what category we are - I booked by "high up" and midship with a veranda please! :rotfl2:
They offered a few staterooms to choose from and 10626 was just too good to be true. Nothing better than staying in the stateroom of everyone's favourite experiment. ;)

[mcd2745]

Category 8D are Deluxe Family Oceanview rooms on decks 5 and 6. 8C are decks 7 and 8 I believe. As you go higher in the alphabet... the higher the deck.

Problem with the 8D's on deck 5 aft is that they are over the clubs... lots of complaints about noise in certain rooms (specifically over Evolutions).



Thank goodness we're on deck 6 (and forward).




It really was a nasty day, wasn't it....
I was planning on going over to the pier on the 28th... but it was raining cats and dogs... At least it wasn't raining.



I was freezing waiting for her to go by. The wind was relentless.

[templed]

We were originally in 5166 - 5176. My rooms (5166 and 5168) would have been pretty much safe... but our friends in 5174 and 5176 might have had some sleepless nights.

Reports are that anything over Evolutions is really noisy until it closes at 2AM.

A few people in our group relocated to deck 6 early on... so they're deck 6, but closer to the aft of the ship.

I usually would go for a balcony over oceanview... but the pricing was just too good to pass up so we booked connecting oceanview rooms... so in total we'll have like 500 sq ft.

Our ADR's are complete for the pre-cruise... trying all new restaurants this time around. Wave, Yak and Yeti, Grand Floridian Cafe, Kona and Bongos.

[socababy]

Our ADR's are complete for the pre-cruise... trying all new restaurants this time around. Wave, Yak and Yeti, Grand Floridian Cafe, Kona and Bongos.

We have all our ADR's booked as well...Liberty Tree Tavern, Yak and Yeti, Via Napoli, Crystal Palace and 50's Prime Time. When are you doing Yak and Yeti? We'll be there Sunday the 19th for lunch.

[dizneeat]

We finally got all our ADRs in place too - we have a long line :rotfl2:

California Grill, Grand Floridian Tea Room, The Wave, Boatwrights, Kouzzina, Rose And Crown, Yak & Yeti (lunch), Yachtsman Steakhouse, The Wave (again), Sci-Fi, Olivia's (breakfast), Via Napoli, Wolfgang Puck's Dining Room (upstairs), Olivia's, Il Mulino, The Wave (breakfast)

Now let's all count down to wonderful vacations!

[michelle9343]

We were originally in 5166 - 5176. My rooms (5166 and 5168) would have been pretty much safe... but our friends in 5174 and 5176 might have had some sleepless nights.

Reports are that anything over Evolutions is really noisy until it closes at 2AM.

A few people in our group relocated to deck 6 early on... so they're deck 6, but closer to the aft of the ship.

I usually would go for a balcony over oceanview... but the pricing was just too good to pass up so we booked connecting oceanview rooms... so in total we'll have like 500 sq ft.

Our ADR's are complete for the pre-cruise... trying all new restaurants this time around. Wave, Yak and Yeti, Grand Floridian Cafe, Kona and Bongos.
I LOVE Kona Cafe and Bongos!! Yak and Yeti was just OK but it was when it first opened I keep wanting to give it another try!!

[michelle9343]

We have all our ADR's booked as well...Liberty Tree Tavern, Yak and Yeti, Via Napoli, Crystal Palace and 50's Prime Time. When are you doing Yak and Yeti? We'll be there Sunday the 19th for lunch.

Liberty Tree is another favorite of my family!
We finally got all our ADRs in place too - we have a long line :rotfl2:

California Grill, Grand Floridian Tea Room, The Wave, Boatwrights, Kouzzina, Rose And Crown, Yak & Yeti (lunch), Yachtsman Steakhouse, The Wave (again), Sci-Fi, Olivia's (breakfast), Via Napoli, Wolfgang Puck's Dining Room (upstairs), Olivia's, Il Mulino, The Wave (breakfast)

Now let's all count down to wonderful vacations!
WOW that alot of ADR'S LOL!!!
I ate at Kouzzina this past Jan and it is now my favorite restaurant on property. The food was excellent !!!

[dizneeat]

WOW that alot of ADR'S LOL!!!
I ate at Kouzzina this past Jan and it is now my favorite restaurant on property. The food was excellent !!!

That's what you get for being on vacation for 4 weeks - ADR HEADACHE!!!! :rotfl2:

Most of the ADRs are at restaurants we've been at several times, WP dining room, Grand Floridian Tearoom and Il Mulino are new!

[templed]

Bongo's on Sunday evening (the day we arrive).
Monday - Kona Cafe (lunch - MK day!!!)
Tues evening - Wave
Wed eve - Yak and Yeti
Thurs eve - GF Cafe....

I was not a fan of Liberty Tree when we went (about 5 years ago... during Mickey's Not so Scary Halloween party)... we had a lot of fun though (Characters in costume, etc.)

I absolutely LOVE 50's Primetime. So much fun (good food too).

If you get a chance... try Whispering Canyon. It's a hoot... plus the Sampler entre they have is like down home barbeque heaven.

I'm seriously counting down now... plus starting my "gathering" mode... Gotta know where everything is, get new stuff for the stuff that we used last time... etc. etc.

[socababy]

Bongo's on Sunday evening (the day we arrive).
Monday - Kona Cafe (lunch - MK day!!!)
Tues evening - Wave
Wed eve - Yak and Yeti
Thurs eve - GF Cafe....

I was not a fan of Liberty Tree when we went (about 5 years ago... during Mickey's Not so Scary Halloween party)... we had a lot of fun though (Characters in costume, etc.)

I absolutely LOVE 50's Primetime. So much fun (good food too).

If you get a chance... try Whispering Canyon. It's a hoot... plus the Sampler entre they have is like down home barbeque heaven.

I'm seriously counting down now... plus starting my "gathering" mode... Gotta know where everything is, get new stuff for the stuff that we used last time... etc. etc.

Whispering Canyon is definitely on my to do list for a future trip. We are going to LTT on the day we arrive. Our neighbors will be in WDW for 2 weeks so we are meeting at LTT for lunch. Our flight will land just before 7am and the plan is to get the rental car and head to MK, spend a few hours on the rides, eat at LTT to escape the heat and then head to the hotel to check in. We ate at 50's PT on our last trip and it was fun and the food was good. I wanted to go to Brown Derby but since we are traveling with another family, I tried to choose a less expensive place.

My focus has been on the 2 cruises that are approaching fast but I have started to give some thought on what dd will wear while at WDW. My friend and I matched our girls last time so we need to start deciding soon. I also need to think about what I am going to do for the FE. This will be the first FE I participate in that I'll be flying so I need to take luggage into consideration. I am very grateful to not be flying for the Hawaii cruise because I will have one whole suitcase just for the FE gifts!

[templed]

We've all been trying to agree on something silly to wear when we board the ship.... Haven't come up with anything that really screams out yet.

Going to have to talk to my sister... she'll think of something.

[mcd2745]

We've all been trying to agree on something silly to wear when we board the ship.... Haven't come up with anything that really screams out yet.

Going to have to talk to my sister... she'll think of something.



How about this:


https://s3.amazonaws.com/fantasyhockeystandard/articles/Green-Men-Vancouver-Fantasy-Hockey-Standard.jpg

[templed]

something tells me that might earn us some extra attention in the security line...

[mcd2745]

something tells me that might earn us some extra attention in the security line...


i'm not so sure. I mean....where would you conceal anything?

[templed]

i'm not so sure. I mean....where would you conceal anything?

Good point... maybe the next time I have to fly on business I'll pick me up one of those....

When they tell me to take off my shoes... I'll just shrug...

[michelle9343]

5 months from today we will be be sailing away I can't wait:yay:!!!

[mcd2745]

5 months from today we will be be sailing away I can't wait:yay:!!!


:hourglass 150 Days! :hourglass



Sure has gotten awfully quiet in here lately.

[dizneeat]

:hourglass 150 Days! :hourglass



Sure has gotten awfully quiet in here lately.

.............. because we are all busy earning money to hand over to Mickey! ;) :laughing: