2/3/13/ Dream

[Piglets Mommy]

Hi! Can I join you all? I just booked this morning!!! My Dream trip for my 40th Birthday!!! This will be our first Disney Cruise...DH & I went on a Holland America Cruise for his 40th, and we are WDW Vets, but this will be the first ever cruise for the kids, and a first for all of us on DCL! Booked in a Verandah cabin on Deck 7. I am over the moon excited!!!

 

[krissie84p]

Just booked this cruise. It is our first cruise ever so I don't know what to expect. The idea of fish extenders sound super fun, hope we have one for this trip.
My group includes
Me, DS (7), my cousin and her DD (6).

We're all extremely excited.

 

[carrielyns]

Alright, so we are not yet booked guests on this sailing but we will be within days. So excited!

This will be our 4th Disney cruise (never sailed with another line before).

Our first was a 3-night to the Bahamas on the Wonder, then a 7-night to the Eastern Caribbean on the Magic, and then this past January we did the 7-night Mexican Riviera on the Wonder. We were looking at the 7-night Western Caribbean on the Fantasy but since we're also doing WDW and Universal (Harry Potter!!!) we decided to go the slightly cheaper route.

Can't wait to see this boat!!!

This will be our 3rd trip to WDW... we're west coasters... done D-Land too many times to count. Staying at the Art of Animation resort. It looks so fun!!!

That'll be after the cruise. Any one else?

 

[carrielyns]

We are definitely on this cruise. Booked it today. Can't book any excursions or Paolo until November... or even do the online check-in stuff. Seems so late compared to previous cruises we've done.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

Just booked this cruise. It is our first cruise ever so I don't know what to expect. The idea of fish extenders sound super fun, hope we have one for this trip.
My group includes
Me, DS (7), my cousin and her DD (6).

We're all extremely excited.

I am so excited too! I have been one 1 other cruise, just DH & I. (not Disney though) and we LOVED it. I am so excited to sail again. I love the water, though!

Alright, so we are not yet booked guests on this sailing but we will be within days. So excited!

This will be our 4th Disney cruise (never sailed with another line before).

Our first was a 3-night to the Bahamas on the Wonder, then a 7-night to the Eastern Caribbean on the Magic, and then this past January we did the 7-night Mexican Riviera on the Wonder. We were looking at the 7-night Western Caribbean on the Fantasy but since we're also doing WDW and Universal (Harry Potter!!!) we decided to go the slightly cheaper route.

Can't wait to see this boat!!!

This will be our 3rd trip to WDW... we're west coasters... done D-Land too many times to count. Staying at the Art of Animation resort. It looks so fun!!!

That'll be after the cruise. Any one else?

Very cool! We are doing one night before the cruise, but no parks. I am waiting till 2013 room rates come out, but hoping for a Mermaid room at Art of Animation.

We are definitely on this cruise. Booked it today. Can't book any excursions or Paolo until November... or even do the online check-in stuff. Seems so late compared to previous cruises we've done.

I want to book a spa treatment. It does seem a long way away, I guess I am used to booking ADR's at WDW 180 days out. I thought you could book earlier as a Castaway Club member though?

Right now, I am sweating it out waiting for Airfare to be released. That can make or break it for us. Southwest and AirTran released more dates this week, but only thru Jan.

 

[carrielyns]

I am waiting till 2013 room rates come out, but hoping for a Mermaid room at Art of Animation.

I think you could book a room now and then cancel and rebook if the rates are different. The package pricing for 2013 isn't out yet but I wanted to guarantee our room so we've booked a room but will cancel it (without penalty) and then book the Magic Your Way Package.

I want to book a spa treatment. It does seem a long way away, I guess I am used to booking ADR's at WDW 180 days out. I thought you could book earlier as a Castaway Club member though?

I feel like several things have changed. The last couple of times we booked the cruise through AAA and they asked us which state room we wanted. This time around we've booked through Small World Vacations (who we booked the first cruise with) and she told me we won't know our stateroom until we receive our travel docs from Disney (which is 3 or so weeks before we sail). We can't do our online check-in stuff until November and I feel like in the past I was able to do this much earlier. I think as a Castaway member we may get to do things a bit early but I was told November 8th, which doesn't seem all that early to me.

Right now, I am sweating it out waiting for Airfare to be released. That can make or break it for us. Southwest and AirTran released more dates this week, but only thru Jan.

That's the worst part. We booked with air miles but when we first looked at the available flights there were quite a few we had enough miles for but when we went to book a week later our options were severely limited. We were initially going to do the 7-night Western Caribbean on the Fantasy but the flights didn't work out.

This will be fun though and we're getting more time at the parks. I can't wait to see the new Fantasyland areas that will be open by then.

 

[krissie84p]

Hey guys,

since its my first cruise, i was just curious to know what everyone's plan was when we get to nassau??

Have you booked excursions? staying on the boat? or doing your own thing in town?

THANKS!

 

[carrielyns]

This will be our second visit to Nassau and we did a town tour last time so I think the plan this time is to save our money and just wander around the port area and maybe get some quality pool time in on the boat.

I wouldn't mind an up close look at the Atlantis though. So, who knows just yet!

 

[Amunet]

Hello everyone!

My husband and I have finally decided upon this date (2/3/13) on the dream! We had booked a dummy date on our FIRST Disney cruise back in April. We'll be celebrating my husband's 27th Birthday ^_^

While this is our Second Disney Cruise, this will be our first trip to Castaway Cay! ^_^ We're VERY excited

Do you think our group will start a Fish Extender?

 

[Piglets Mommy]

I think you could book a room now and then cancel and rebook if the rates are different. The package pricing for 2013 isn't out yet but I wanted to guarantee our room so we've booked a room but will cancel it (without penalty) and then book the Magic Your Way Package.

Maybe it is because I was looking at a Mermaid room and they aren't available yet. All they said they had at AofA were family suites and they wanted a $500 deposit for 1 night room only. Since I haven't booked air yet, I don't want to tie up the money in that. I will just wait till other Value rates come out.

I feel like several things have changed. The last couple of times we booked the cruise through AAA and they asked us which state room we wanted. This time around we've booked through Small World Vacations (who we booked the first cruise with) and she told me we won't know our stateroom until we receive our travel docs from Disney (which is 3 or so weeks before we sail). We can't do our online check-in stuff until November and I feel like in the past I was able to do this much earlier. I think as a Castaway member we may get to do things a bit early but I was told November 8th, which doesn't seem all that early to me.

That is weird. I booked my exact stateroom, and didn't see any GTY categories available. Maybe AAA gave you a special rate? I looked on my confirmation paperwork and we can do onboard bookings, etc on Nov. 20, so you do have a couple extra weeks. It stinks that you can't do it earlier though.

That's the worst part. We booked with air miles but when we first looked at the available flights there were quite a few we had enough miles for but when we went to book a week later our options were severely limited. We were initially going to do the 7-night Western Caribbean on the Fantasy but the flights didn't work out.

This will be fun though and we're getting more time at the parks. I can't wait to see the new Fantasyland areas that will be open by then.

Yeah...I am toying with booking on US Air. The fares aren't great but they aren't horrible. I just hate paying bag fees, and I think Southwest and Air Tran will be less anyway. But I am not very patient.

Hey guys,

since its my first cruise, i was just curious to know what everyone's plan was when we get to nassau??

Have you booked excursions? staying on the boat? or doing your own thing in town?

THANKS!

I'm not sure what we will do. DH & I were there before the kids were born. We stayed at an all inclusive, bit did quite a few excursions on the island. Honestly, we wouldn't feel like we were missing anything if we did nothing. I do think the kids would like Atlantis, but those excursions aren't cheap. You used to be able to book a room at Comfort Suites and use the facilities at Atlantis; we might look into that.

Hello everyone!

My husband and I have finally decided upon this date (2/3/13) on the dream! We had booked a dummy date on our FIRST Disney cruise back in April. We'll be celebrating my husband's 27th Birthday ^_^

While this is our Second Disney Cruise, this will be our first trip to Castaway Cay! ^_^ We're VERY excited

Do you think our group will start a Fish Extender?

Hi! I'd be open to do a fish extender, but don't know a ton about them. It sounds fun though.

 

[Amunet]

Hi! I'd be open to do a fish extender, but don't know a ton about them. It sounds fun though.

Hi! I'm Kris ^_^

Are there Fish Extenders on the Dream too? FE's are a TON of fun

 

[momtylerashley]

Hey there!

We are coming along on this cruise! We originally booked this coming September, but the new section in Fantasy Land would not be finished...so we are coming in February. I hope it isn't too cold. Anyone cruise in February before???

Anyway...it is just the girls. Me and my DD (9) second Disney cruise (Oct 2011) and my Mom's (DGM???) 1st Disney cruise. It will be her 70th Birthday!

We are so excited. My daughter doesn't know yet...not sure when we will tell her.

Anyway...we are up for the Fish Extenders too...

Everyone have a great day and have fun planning your cruise...it is fun, but lots of work.

Renee (DM), Ashley (DD) and Pat (DGM)...not sure if I have all this right. Still feel like a rookie.

 

[Amunet]

Hey there!

We are coming along on this cruise! We originally booked this coming September, but the new section in Fantasy Land would not be finished...so we are coming in February. I hope it isn't too cold. Anyone cruise in February before???

Anyway...it is just the girls. Me and my DD (9) second Disney cruise (Oct 2011) and my Mom's (DGM???) 1st Disney cruise. It will be her 70th Birthday!

We are so excited. My daughter doesn't know yet...not sure when we will tell her.

Anyway...we are up for the Fish Extenders too...

Everyone have a great day and have fun planning your cruise...it is fun, but lots of work.

Renee (DM), Ashley (DD) and Pat (DGM)...not sure if I have all this right. Still feel like a rookie.

Hello! We are also celebrating a birthday on our cruise ^_^ This will be our second Disney cruise also.

Oooh are you going to do a big reveal to your daughter? That would be fun

Maybe we should start a FE list in August or September?

 

[Piglets Mommy]

Hey there!

We are coming along on this cruise! We originally booked this coming September, but the new section in Fantasy Land would not be finished...so we are coming in February. I hope it isn't too cold. Anyone cruise in February before???

Anyway...it is just the girls. Me and my DD (9) second Disney cruise (Oct 2011) and my Mom's (DGM???) 1st Disney cruise. It will be her 70th Birthday!

We are so excited. My daughter doesn't know yet...not sure when we will tell her.

Anyway...we are up for the Fish Extenders too...

Everyone have a great day and have fun planning your cruise...it is fun, but lots of work.

Renee (DM), Ashley (DD) and Pat (DGM)...not sure if I have all this right. Still feel like a rookie.

Hi! It is exciting to see more people booking!
That is so cool! Lots of Birthday celebrations on this cruise! I am soooo excited!
I'm not sure on the weather, either. We have done WDW in early December several times, and there have been trips where we were able to wear shorts and T-shirts, and then there was a trip where it was colder when we got off the plane in Orlando than it was when we got on in Philadelphia. Brrrr. I am hoping that the cruise will be ok, as it will be warmer as we sail farther south. I'll take chilly weather over sailing through a hurricaine any day though!

ETA: I just noticed that your daughter and mine are close in age. Glad to know she will have someone to play with! She is 8 now, but will be 9 by the time we sail.

 

[momtylerashley]

Hi! It is exciting to see more people booking!
That is so cool! Lots of Birthday celebrations on this cruise! I am soooo excited!
I'm not sure on the weather, either. We have done WDW in early December several times, and there have been trips where we were able to wear shorts and T-shirts, and then there was a trip where it was colder when we got off the plane in Orlando than it was when we got on in Philadelphia. Brrrr. I am hoping that the cruise will be ok, as it will be warmer as we sail farther south. I'll take chilly weather over sailing through a hurricaine any day though!

ETA: I just noticed that your daughter and mine are close in age. Glad to know she will have someone to play with! She is 8 now, but will be 9 by the time we sail.

Oh that is wonderful! My Ashley will be so excited! She makes friends pretty easy. I can't wait...I'm so excited too.
My son really wants to go too, but I think it is just a girl thing this time. I'm starting to feel a little guilty. But not too guilty.

Hurricanes...NO! Cooler weather...yes, I agree. I just hope it isn't so cold that the kids can't enjoy the pools. I know they are heated, but getting in and out of the cool air...I sure hope no one gets sick. Think good thoughts!

 

[momtylerashley]

Alright, so we are not yet booked guests on this sailing but we will be within days. So excited!

This will be our 4th Disney cruise (never sailed with another line before).

Our first was a 3-night to the Bahamas on the Wonder, then a 7-night to the Eastern Caribbean on the Magic, and then this past January we did the 7-night Mexican Riviera on the Wonder. We were looking at the 7-night Western Caribbean on the Fantasy but since we're also doing WDW and Universal (Harry Potter!!!) we decided to go the slightly cheaper route.

Can't wait to see this boat!!!

This will be our 3rd trip to WDW... we're west coasters... done D-Land too many times to count. Staying at the Art of Animation resort. It looks so fun!!!

That'll be after the cruise. Any one else?

Yes, we are going to Disney after the cruise. I want to see the new addition to Fantasy Land. Universal with Harry Potter is so GREAT! We have one more day left on our pass...so not sure if we are going back in July or Feb 13or in Sept 13. You will have a blast. We are looking into the Art of Animation..we haven't decided yet where we are staying.

 

[nokidz]

Greetings,
My wife, Lori and I, Chris, will be joining you on this adventure. We may have our first grandson, Owen, joining us on this cruise. It all depends if his Mommy will let us steal him. I doubt it, but he is booked!!!!
We are from Ontario Canada, about two hours north of Toronto.

ONLY 227 MORE DAYS UNTIL WE STEP ON TO THE SHIP

 

[Piglets Mommy]

Oh that is wonderful! My Ashley will be so excited! She makes friends pretty easy. I can't wait...I'm so excited too.
My son really wants to go too, but I think it is just a girl thing this time. I'm starting to feel a little guilty. But not too guilty.

Hurricanes...NO! Cooler weather...yes, I agree. I just hope it isn't so cold that the kids can't enjoy the pools. I know they are heated, but getting in and out of the cool air...I sure hope no one gets sick. Think good thoughts!

I'm with you...as long as they can enjoy the pools and Castaway Cay, I will be happy. Heck, I plan to try out the AquaDuck myself! I will be happy as long as it is over 70. Fingers crossed!

Greetings,
My wife, Lori and I, Chris, will be joining you on this adventure. We may have our first grandson, Owen, joining us on this cruise. It all depends if his Mommy will let us steal him. I doubt it, but he is booked!!!!
We are from Ontario Canada, about two hours north of Toronto.

ONLY 227 MORE DAYS UNTIL WE STEP ON TO THE SHIP

Hi! 227 days makes it seem so far away. I hate to wish my summer away, but Feb. can't get here soon enough! Hoping you get to bring your Grandson. It would be so great for him to have this time with you. I know my kids have many fond memories of travelling with their Grandparents. I wouldn't trade that for anything.

 

[carrielyns]

We always cruise in the winter so I've done 2 in the Caribbean during this time of year. Each cruise had both hot (hot, for this Pacific Northwesterner) and cool temps. Never been so cold that kids weren't still crazy about getting in the pool.

I've got an 8-year-old girl too!! She might like a posse to hang out with.

It'd be fun if there are others staying at the Art of Animation after the cruise. Let the party continue!!!

 

[Amunet]

I'm rather excited Hope you guys don't mind 2 adults with no kids cruising. We're still fairly young though and always young at heart!

We'll be joining some of you with going to the parks after the cruise