All My Single Ladies Throw Your Hands Up....Single Parent family on the Disney Dream

[MinnieMommy2381]

Hello Everyone,

Ms. Independent here (I just love Beyonce) welcoming everyone to my PTR. I wanted to write this report to share all of the fun we are having planning our cruise and encourage more single moms (and dads) to travel!!!

So excited about taking my two (DD) ages 12 and 4 on our First Disney Cruise on May 30, 2013....This will be such a wonderful end to such a stressful school year for me and I think I'm more excited than the girls..LOL ok, not the 4 year old. She asks everyday, "How many more days until we go on the Cruise?"

A little about Us:

Me (MinnieMommy2381)
I'm a full time Mommy and get paid to teach But don't get me wrong I LOVE my job (both of them).


DD 12 TinkerbellSweetie
Tries to act like she's older than she is, but when it comes to Disney she melts. She's trying to act like she's not excited about going.


DD 4 DocMcStuffinLover
The last time we were at Disney she was 6 months so she's really excited about seeing the Mouse and Doc McStuffins

I'm trying to be thorough for my trip report so it will tell the following
1. Booking
2. Itinerary Plans
3. Packing (What to packe)
4. 30 Day Countdown
5. 10 Day Countdown
6. Departure Day

Hoping you join me for the Ride....Oh, Oh, Oh (Yes I do have tickets to her World Tour...Can't wait to see Queen B)

 

[MinnieMommy2381]

I'm definitely not new to traveling, we have traveled all over the world, but this would be our FIRST Disney Cruise.....Super Excited. I had booked a cruise on the Magic about 7 years ago but my parents were on a Princess Cruise that caught fire and we cancelled our Disney reservation and I have been scared to go on a cruise again since.....

Well fast forward 7 years and 3 Disney Vacations later I decided after seeing my co-workers wonderful pictures that maybe it was time to venture into a new territory....Cruising with my daughters on the Disney Dream

During December, I received two presents from Santa.....A nice bonus from work and an email from Disney stating now was the time to book with half off deposit... so I thought Why Not? So I booked with the deposit and once I received my bonus I paid it off. What a very nice gift from Santa via the payroll department

And here I am anxiously awaiting our May 30th cruise date.

 

[MinnieMommy2381]

Yayyyy!!! I have finally reached my 10 post quota!!!

I can finally post pics of us

Myself

My DDs

You can tell by their smiles they are ready to getaway...

 

[MinnieMommy2381]

So we are on a 3-Night Dream Cruise that sails out on May 30, 2013. At first I booked a Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom #6508, then I decided to downgrade to an Inside Stateroom and now I have a GTY booking for an 11B.

Why the downgrade????? Good question. My daughters really wanted the Inside Porthole Cabin and I decided that why not go ahead and extend the vacation 4 more days at WDW, the girls would sure enjoy it...

So here are the new plans.......................................

Drive down to Orlando from Atlanta on May 29th and stay at the Orange Lake Resorts.

Use some family timeshare points for this stay, and let the girls utilize a relaxing day at the water park.

Then later off to DTD for dinner at T-Rex and some last minute browsing and shopping before our cruise.

And some much needed rest before the cruise.....

I'm so open for any suggestions for what we can do this day or when we get back....

 

[maryr1oz]

How exciting!

Can't wait to hear more about your plans....

 

[MinnieMommy2381]

How exciting!

Can't wait to hear more about your plans....

I can't wait to post been busy trying to finalize our itinerary

 

[MinnieMommy2381]

I am absolutely stoked about cruising on the Dream...If anyone has any suggestions on what I need to do while on the ship please let me know....

May 30 - June 2 Dreaming with Mickey and Minnie
We plan to take full advantage of the ship and what it has to offer. Since we've been to Nassau before we probably will just go to the Beach early in the day, walk around Atlantis and try to be back on the ship in time for lunch and off to the spa for me....On Castaway Cay we plan to snorkel and check out the paddle boats...Any other suggestions??????

June 2--Kennedy Space and Rocket Center
I've always wanted to go here and I'm thinking that we will go here and tour...I've already contacted my Senator and I'm still waiting for his staff to call back to finalize the plans (fingers crossed and praying for pixie dust)...Back up plan would to use my Teacher ID to get two free tickets and just pay for the child's ticket. Then off to Orlando...Thinking about Chip and Dales Campfire Sing Along for night activity...Has anyone been and can offer suggestions?

June 3--Magic Kingdom Fantasy Land or Tampa Beach
I'm torn with this one, my DD (4) is obsessed with the Princesses but I really would rather do MK when it is not crowded and cooler...I love the Beach and really like the Gulf Beaches so I would prefer to make this a lovely beach day with the girls.

June 4--Hollywood Studios
I know I know...Why choose Hollywood Studios as the only park you are guaranteed to go to...Well easy "Doc McStuffins" My DD (4) has a unhealthy obsession with the dear Doc and she keeps asking me if she is gonna see Doc McStuffins when we go on the cruise. So to guarantee we see her we are planning to go to see the New Playhouse Disney show with the Dear Doc and Sophia the First and I've made lunch reservations at Hollywood and Vine (She loves everything that is Disney Jr. Related) This is a total surprise for her and she's gonna be sooo excited

June 5--Departure back home
I don't even want to think about my vacation being over so I'm just gonna think happy thoughts. I would definitely be ready to head home though.

 

[MinnieMommy2381]

Just added on a Dolphin Encounter for us at the Blue Lagoon. Has anyone ever gone? I booked this encounter through their website and saved about $164 over booking online through Disney. I also want to add on a Wave Riding experience but wanted to know should we wait for Castaway Cay to do this? Any suggestions or ideas would be appreciated.

 

[princessyinky]

I have never done any excursions in Nassau me and my DD12 are thinking about the Blue Lagoon for our December Christmas Cruise.

 

[Cheryl726]

Sounds great! You'll love the cruise!

 

[MinnieMommy2381]

I have never done any excursions in Nassau me and my DD12 are thinking about the Blue Lagoon for our December Christmas Cruise.

Definitely will let you guys know how it went. I've only done the Queen's Staircase and Tour of Nassau when we went. I met up with a wonderful driver named Cliff who took us every where and was just a wonderful guy, hoping to see him again when we return to Nassau.

 

[MinnieMommy2381]

Sounds great! You'll love the cruise!

Thanks, we really can't wait. Every weekend we watch the Disney Dream videos on YouTube.

 

[MinnieMommy2381]

So I set down and made a list....LOL I'm sooooo unorganized, so I make my lists to keep me from forgetting anything that I'm supposed to pack...

I also invested in ziplock bags for the girls daily outfits. I'm trying not to overpack so I picked out two daily outfits plus two dresses and a pirate outfit for both of my girls. Since we are staying in Orlando after the cruise I'm also packing an Orlando bag. Thank Goodness we are driving. I have the 25" bag for everyone's Cruise clothes, the 21" bag for our FE and shoes, the 23" rolling duffle for Orlando clothes, and the 15" carry-on for our toiletries and makeup.

Looking into making Mickey Luggage tags for our bags since they are black.

Of course we don't have Mickey Luggage, but I'm sure my DD won't leave her Hello Kitty luggage at home, so we will stock that with our swimsuits, sparkling cider, and a nice few extras for myself (Gotta take advantage of the great carry-on rules).

 

[MinnieMommy2381]

Sorry I've been teaching, teaching, and teaching. Trying to get my students ready for standardized testing so I feel like I have fallen off the map!!!

So much has taken place since my last update. I'm excited to say that our after trip plans to WDW will be changed to include my entire family (parents, brothers, sister-in-law, neices, and nephews) who will join us at the Magic Kingdom when we disembark from our cruise. The girls are super excited to be spending time with their cousins.

I've also changed what parks we will see. I booked a character dinner at Aekershus Royal Story Book Dinner for DD to experience the Princesses before our cruise. I booked this because they have a photo opportunity with Belle and we're keeping our fingers crossed for Tiana to join us for Dinner.

Just 40 more Days

 

[postalcop]

joining thread.. I am a single mom as well.. DS 10 , DD 9 & I will be sailing the Dream Aug. 22 .
can't wait to hear how your trip goes....
you must be getting excited! your vacation is soon!!

 

[MinnieMommy2381]

joining thread.. I am a single mom as well.. DS 10 , DD 9 & I will be sailing the Dream Aug. 22 .
can't wait to hear how your trip goes....
you must be getting excited! your vacation is soon!!

Yes we had an absolute FABULOUS TIME!!! I will be starting a TR soon. You guys are definitely gonna enjoy the DREAM