Dream a Little Dream Feb 2/6/11 Finished 3/4/11

[jenseib]

I'm joining in too. I loved your last report.
Let me know how that waterproof bag works. I am considering getting one too.

 

[Princess Bette]

Hi!
I loved your first trip report and I am subbing this one. Can't wait to hear your view of the Dream. You kept me in stitches with your last report! Great move with your hubby and booking the MV on the Fantasy! That's a talent you don't ever want to lose! Hope you have nothing but blue skies and smooth sailing on the Dream!

 

[missj1975]

Five more days till we leave for Disney!!!

We went shopping today so DH could get some nice dress shirts. I resisted the urge to buy more clothes but I did buy two new pairs of shoes. I only have so much willpower at the mall .

So when browsing the disboards this week, I saw a cool thread about "showing off your door." I knew people decorated their cruise ship door with magnets but I just never had the urge to do that myself until I read thru that thread.

I mentioned the door decorating to hubby and he thought it was a cool idea. DH is so much more creative with computer art then me so I showed him the thread and the links to templates. He made me two 8 X10 photos and 2 name tags that I just laminated and now I am getting ready to apply magnets to the photos. I am so excited, they turned out really great.

My ebay FE came in yesterday. It is cute but after looking at my homemade Valentine FE I decided to stick with my homemade FE. I will save the ebay FE for a future cruise. I did alter my homemade one to make it more compact and sturdy and it just looks even better. I am so happy with it. Plus I have the FE hanging next to our front door so it is a constant reminder of our upcoming vacation every time we leave the house.

 

[jenseib]

Where did you find the name tag templates. I want to make some of those too.

 

[missj1975]

Where did you find the name tag templates. I want to make some of those too.

All the templates my DH used were from this wonderful disboarder.

http://www.4shared.com/dir/19077581/4fa6c900/sharing.html

 

[Futurist]

Hey there, hi there, ho there!

My DW, the Lady Jay, and I will be on the same cruise. You'll be able to tell it's me because I have long hair pulled back in a pony tail, and look a bit like Doc Brown when it's loose!

Hope to see you on board - although with 4000+ other people, it may be hard!

Love the TR!

Richard

 

[jenseib]

All the templates my DH used were from this wonderful disboarder.

http://www.4shared.com/dir/19077581/4fa6c900/sharing.html

Thanks. Do you remember which folder it's in. I have been looking through the cruise folders but can't find it yet

NEVERMIND. I found it...thanks again

 

[missj1975]

I left work early, headed home to pick up DH and luggage. With the airport shut down the previous two days due to snow, we were worried the airport was going to be crazy...It wasn't.

We were thru security quicker then we have ever been. So we get to our gate and my cell phone rings...the airline is kind enough to let us know that our flight has been delayed for an hour. *sigh* But wait...it gets worse...twinkies start appearing out of no where...and not the golden fluffy kind I adore...nope twinkies as in high school cheerleaders wearing matching clothes carrying matching duffle bags. Yep...cheerleaders...or pom girls...or whatever heck they call themselves. I started counting the sheep...at least thirty of them. I give DH a panicked look...he pulled out his pharmacy...handed me a happy pill and then all was good in the world.

We finally board...ahead of the cheerleaders...thank goodness for SW early check-in...love it!!! We are always in like the third or fourth row. I never understand the people who board before us and then head to the back of the airplane. I am an accountant...I prefer the first in first out boarding method. (forgive me, just a little accounting humor). Anyway, the cheerleaders were actually quiet. At least I think they were...the happy pill knocked me out as soon as I buckled my seat belt.

I thought the cheerleaders were going to be the bane of my existance but they weren't. Guess what is worse then a cheerleader on caffeine? A single middle aged man who thinks he has a chance with the hot girl who was stupid enough to sit next to him. *sigh* I was woken up from my peaceful slumber by Mr. Rico Suave and Miss Get-Me-Out-Of-Here sitting behind us. After listening to Rico unsuccessful hit on his seatmate for 10 minutes I begged DH for another happy pill. He just shook his head (he likes to follow the Dr.'s rules of only 1 every 12 hours...spoilsport).

Finally we deplaned, got our luggage, and headed to Magical Express. We usually get a rental car but since we would only be at the parks for two days we decided to give Magical Express a try. Never Again. If we would have rented a car, we would have been to our hotel in less then an hour. 2 hours later we finally arrived at our hotel. Neither of us are patient people so sitting on a bus with a different group of cheerleaders was absolutely no fun. Especially when the driver dropped them off at their hotel, they all got off, and then back on because apparently the cheerleaders had their own check in place around the building and God forbid they walk.

Yep, next time we get a rental car...sometimes spending a little more money is necessary for keeping our sanity.

So we finally check in to the Beach Club. I'm tired, crabby, and even more crabby when there are no Bellmen to help us with our luggage at 1am. Yes between the two of us we have four suitcases. Usually we just have one each but cruising requires more clothing for dinners, excursions, etc.

I do perk up when I see our room. I love it.

That is until my $400 less-then-four-months-old camera quits working. At this point I think our vacation is doomed. I have never had a worse travel day then today. I resist the urge to cry and go to bed while husband researches possible camera issues on the internet.

 

[missj1975]

So I wake up happy because the bed is just so darn comfortable. My happiness remains until DH wakes up and informs me he thinks the camera has a bad battery. Of course the camera doesn't take double A's. No it is a rechargeable battery that comes with the camera. I have the charger but the battery isn't retaining it's charge. And of course a replacement battery isn't found at most normal stores. *sigh*

DH is not worried, he says he will take care of the camera when we get back home and for now he will just buy me another camera. Very sweet but I'm still not happy because I love my current broken camera.

We walk to Epcot's camera store, buy a Kodak camera which is nice but not as nice as my Canon, and meet up with my sister and her family.

Seeing my nieces instantly cheers me up and we have a wonderful day at Epcot.

Of course we have to stop by Mexico because a trip isn't complete without nachos.

Plus it was fun watching birds swoop down on people and steal chips. OMG the birds were bad this trip, very very bad. My BIL had a churro stolen right out of his hand earlier in the week.

We rode Malestorm against my five-year-old niece's wishes. She said she didn't want to go on a ride that goes backwards. I was like what, you've never been on the ride and it doesn't go backwards...Yeah Yeah I was wrong. Apparently my niece is psychic and the ride does go backwards. She got over her fear and enjoyed the ride. Yep my sis is a terrible mother. She makes her daughters go on all the rides even if they don't want to. Which is actually a good thing because Haley doesn't want to ride anything at first but usually loves it afterwards...well except for Tower of Terror. I am pretty sure she still isn't talking to her mom after riding that one.

Haley showing off her coloring skills to Uncle Bob.

So do you think my sis and I look alike?

I just love walking around Epcot looking at all the nice touches.

As we stroll through America, we watched the Flag presentation. The girls even got to join in on the fun and march with the honor guard.

After Epcot, we took a friendship boat to Hollywood Studios for a couple of hours. We then parted ways for awhile. They had dinner reservations at Ohanas and we had reservations for Chefs De France.

 

[Princess Bette]

Hi! I just love your trip reports! Your room at the Beach Club is awesome! Jealous!!! Sorry about your camera - what a bummer! But what a sweetie your hubby is! I don't think you and your sis look like twins, but def. sisters. How fun to have her fam with you - very special! Okay, now we want more from you on your trip!!! Please!

 

[missj1975]

We walked from Hollywood Studios back to Epcot instead of taking the friendship boat. It was a nice enjoyable walk. We made it just in time for our reservation at Chefs De France.

We weren't hungry at that point. When DH and I are very active, we don't eat that much cause we just aren't hungry. When we sit around on computers all day, we eat way too much cause we are starving. I would think it would be the opposite. Anyway, we decide to just get soup and appetizers.

The French onion soup was awesome but I totally made the wrong choice on the appetizer.

Assiette Campagnarde (french pates). OMG, they were awful. DH is trying not to laugh at me while I force down most of the pate. He finally has mercy on me and says "I know you don't like it so quit eating it." My DH knows me too well. I really should just let him start ordering for me. The waiter notices I don't like the pate and offers to take it off the check. I refuse because technically there was nothing wrong with the pate and I don't think it is right not to pay for an item just because I made a wrong choice in ordering.

After dinner, we walked back to our hotel to grab our swimsuits. My sis and her family drove to Florida so they picked us up after their dinner to take us back to their room at the Caribbean Beach so we can see their awesome Pirate Themed room and go swimming with the girls....Hmmm...did you catch that? Yes we pool hopped. We were trying to see how many Disboard "sins" we can commit this trip.

We lasted in the pool for about twenty minutes. It was way too cold for me and DH. The girls could have swam all night but darn it was cold. Disney says the pools are heated but I don't believe it. Actually the water isn't bad. It is the walk from the pool to the lounge chair that is killer.

 

[missj1975]

Hi! I just love your trip reports! Your room at the Beach Club is awesome! Jealous!!! Sorry about your camera - what a bummer! But what a sweetie your hubby is! I don't think you and your sis look like twins, but def. sisters. How fun to have her fam with you - very special! Okay, now we want more from you on your trip!!! Please!

Thank you for the compliments.

We are identical twins. We looked exactly alike until about age seven and then we just started looking different. I think our looks have to do with our personalities too because we have completely different personalities. My DH comments a lot that he didn't know twins could be so different.

My nieces are two years apart but the oldest likes to tell people they are twins. It is quite funny because most people just nod and agree when it is obvious there is an age difference.

 

[Princess Bette]

We walked from Hollywood Studios back to Epcot instead of taking the friendship boat. It was a nice enjoyable walk. We made it just in time for our reservation at Chefs De France.

We weren't hungry at that point. When DH and I are very active, we don't eat that much cause we just aren't hungry. When we sit around on computers all day, we eat way too much cause we are starving. I would think it would be the opposite. Anyway, we decide to just get soup and appetizers.

The French onion soup was awesome but I totally made the wrong choice on the appetizer.

Assiette Campagnarde (french pates). OMG, they were awful. DH is trying not to laugh at me while I force down most of the pate. He finally has mercy on me and says "I know you don't like it so quit eating it." My DH knows me too well. I really should just let him start ordering for me.

Hungary or not, there is NO way I could eat that plate of "food"!!! Sounds like something I would do!

 

[missj1975]

My sis and her family have breakfast at the Beach club. We meet up afterwards and walk to Epcot together. They are driving home today after the pin event. DH and I have been to a pin event before but not Sis or her family. The girls love pin trading so we thought they might enjoy it.

The pin event was nice but the majority of time was spent waiting in line for the pin trading boards. No big deal for me because I have games on my Ipod to keep me entertained. We tried to keep the girls entertained but after a couple of hours they were going bonkers. There were about 450 people at the event and the majority of them were adults. I thought there would be more kids but nope it was mostly adults. The one event DH and I went to had lots of activities for the kids. This event had absolutely none.

Disney did decorate the pavilion very nice.

Pin trading game.

Pin trading game.

The event had special pin merchandise to purchase, pin trading games, a pin trading area, and a dessert buffet in the afternoon.

There was also a silent auction. I really loved the Duffy items so DH gave me a budget and I bid like crazy...well not too crazy cause a silent auction you just write your bid on a sheet of paper but one bidder and I went back and forth until the very end. I won the auction way below the budget so I was so excited. We got the items to the left of the picture: the bear, the six bear pins, and an awesome framed sketch of the original artwork for the bear.

We also met a very nice lady and college aged daughter. They wanted another lot but kept getting outbid. DH was interested in that lot too because (I didn't realize at the time) he wanted one of the items as a Valentine's present for me. He worked out a deal with the lady to buy the item he wanted if she won the lot. She won, DH got the item at a very fair price, and we made two new friends. We exchanged facebook info and look forwarding to seeing them at future events.

Since it is now past Valentine's day, I can share what DH bought (I forgot to take a picture). It is a Beauty and the Beast Crown with six Beauty and the Beast limited edition pins inside. It is hard to describe but think of it like a beautiful jewelry box shaped like a crown. It is awesome and kind of big. I love love love it.

After the event, we headed back to the Beach Club in the rain. Apparently it rained most of the day but since we were inside for the event we never noticed. Sis and her family had left a couple of hours before the event ended to get started on their long drive back to Missouri.

Our silent auction wins were unexpected and big...no room in the luggage. We stopped by the Convention Center shipping center and had the items shipped home. The items were actually waiting for us a week later when we arrived home after vacation with no breakage. yeah.

We then just relaxed in our awesome room for the rest of the night... Ok I didn't relax, I played on the internet. I had to get my fix in cause I knew I would have no internet access for the next four days.

 

[missj1975]

Hungary or not, there is NO way I could eat that plate of "food"!!! Sounds like something I would do!

LOL, yeah it was pretty awful. I am so bad about ordering something I think I will like but end up hating. I always like what my husband orders so I am just going to start asking him when in doubt.

 

[missj1975]

I am going to post a much detailed report about the Disney Dream later but I just wanted to say a quick summary....The Dream exceeded all of our expectations.

Sometimes reading the disboards can be a bad thing. After reading about the crazyiness of the Maiden voyage, the long lines, poor service, blah blah blah, I was frankly freaking.

None of that happened. Our service for breakfast, lunch, and dinner were awesome. We visited the gifts shops a lot and never waited in line. The Dooney and Burkes did not sell out. I bought a wristlet the last night with no issues. We even managed to buy some of leftover RSP merchandise from the Maiden Voyage.

In all fairness, our cruise was not sold out. I heard that our cruise only had 2700 guests compared to the 4000 on a sold out cruise. Maybe that had something to do with the awesome service.

The only line we ever had to wait in was for character signing. We rode the aquaduck twice, swam in the adult pool alone, and even enjoyed a hot tub alone.

Overall, we had an absolute wonderful cruise. I will share all my pictures and adventures but you might finding it boring because I have nothing bad to report on cast members. I've got a couple of good stories on bad guests but overall our experiences were awesome!!!

 

[pperfectmom]

Can't wait to hear details from the cruise.

 

[missj1975]

We had Happy Limo pick us up at the Beach Club at 8:30 am. We decided against the Magical Express transfer because we wanted to board early and heard Magical Express doesn't get to the ship until after 1pm.

Our driver was Carlos and he was very nice...very chatty...but very nice. DH and him talked the whole drive there while I just zoned out.

We arrived early but there were still people who arrived there earlier then us. I can't remember the exact timing but I think we arrived at 9:50 and they started letting guests into the waiting area at 10:00 am.

We were checked in pretty quickly and was given boarding group 4. I just looked at the lady and said "What?" I was like are these assigned randomly or what because we arrived at 11:30 last time and had group 3. She was nice but said they were assigned randomly by the computer. Hmmmm....I don't buy that...I also don't see a reason to arrive before 1pm anymore. We arrived early because we were trying try get Remy and Palo reservations so our travel agent suggested get there as soon as possible. *Sigh* We found out the cruise doesn't make or change reservations until 1pm. We had plenty of time to kill.

Thank goodness for Trivia Pursuit on my Ipod. It seemed like in no time at all we were getting ready to board. I was even recognized by a disboarder while waiting to board. **Waving at Denise**. It was so cool to meet our first disboarder.

We started boarding the ship and handed our cards to the first checkpoint when their computers crashed. We had to stand in line for 10 minutes while they rebooted the system. No biggie but I am sure there were some impatient people waiting to board.

Wow, the ship just seemed so big compared to the Wonder. We loved it!!!

We headed to Cabanas and had a nice lunch. Lots of guests didn't get the whole freestanding-buffet-no-waiting-in-line concept so we did have to stand in line the first day. By the end of the cruise everyone was old pros and the buffet moved a lot smoother.

Shots from Cabanas...

 

[MomsOf2boys]

Just found your report... signed up to hear the rest of it!!

 

[LuvEeyore]

Signing on...loving your trip report so far. Needing a Disney fix...will be needing a cruise by 2012...Dreaming!!