April 28th Dream Bahamas Cruise

[hamm1207]

Hello,

I thought we were on the FE list because our name is on the first page of this thread but I could't find us on the excel list. We already purchased our gifts. So would it be possible to put us on the list and join the fun?
Our room number will be 7618. The ages of our kids are 14 (Cathelijn), 12 (Aspelin) and 9 (Quinten). We are both 47 years old.

Happy Eastern (we celebrate this 2 days long in the Netherlands....)
Meta

Go ahead and add yourselves to the FE list! I can totally see how the miscommunication happened! The link for the FE list is in my signature.

 

[hamm1207]

WDW Marcy--you can still sign up for the FE. Some people purchased/made extra gifts.

 

[AEIceDogsMOM]

Sara,

What a fun way to celebrate! If he likes characters, DEFINITELY take advantage of the meets. There are SO MANY! (And if you do, the plan to buy the photo package.) The lines are longest on the at sea day. We also took pictures with everyone. Our room attendant and a bride who got married on CC. Everyone signed the autograph book, too!

Does he enjoy fireworks? If you are worried about too much noise, ask at guest relations for the best place to view from a distance. (It is typically a bit breezy for fireworks, so the sounds aren't so bad.)

That being said, check with guest relations on the ship and ask them for ideas! They want to make your magic happen. There are so many activities. Maybe some of the cooking and craft opportunities for the whole family? (I don't have a navigator handy. We only just decided to do this cruise last night.)

The Midship Detective Agency can be played throughout the trip. I think it is a lot of fun! I love when the art comes to life, and I bet he will, too....even if you aren't doing the MDA, so many of the art pieces move!

Are you participating in the Fish Extender trade? Even if you aren't, it is fun to put one up, and one of you can sneak back and put treats you know he'd enjoy in it. Who doesn't love coming back to the room and finding a special something waiting?! If you are participating, take him to deliver treats if you think he'd like it. It is a fun way to see all of the door decorations. SO MUCH CREATIVITY! You can do it a deck at a time. Again, if you aren't participating, maybe go grab a bag or two of easter candy being cleared out (be sure it is clearly labeled for allergens,) or maybe some temporary tattoos? Something small and easy to carry. It's a nice bit of exercise.

If you think he'd like to dress up, dress up for pirate night! Lots of adults do.

Tell us a little bit about him. Favorite characters or snacks? I'd love to help make his trip a little more special, and I always have room in my bag to bring some extra pixie dust. Since we signed up too late for FE fun, I'm always up for some magic!

Thank you so much. I figured a lot of our trip would be taken up with Character meets. Meeting Mickey and the gang is a daily discussion. He loves anything Disney. He is visually impaired so loud noises and fireworks tend to startle him, thanks for the tip about that. We did sign up for the FE list, so excited. This is our first DC and probably our only one so I want to make it the best.

Hmm. "tell us about him" : Favorite Characters are Mickey and Goofy (if he had to pick) He also loves Pooh and Tigger. He is all about Music, his iPod is his best friend. We had to get him a classic so he could keep ALL of his music on it. Country music and Disney songs are his favorite. Fav food? Anything!!! He is a boy!! He is the kindest sweetest boy ever. Be careful when asking me to tell you about him, I am a MOM I will go on forever!!

His 10 year old sister and 7 year old brother are all about Pirates so they will all be decked out for Pirate night!

Ok, next question: Can you tell me more about the photo package?? The MDA sound interesting for the whole family! I have so much to learn!

Our bags are mostly packed, we are spending this snowy Easter Monday in Ontario putting together FE gifts! Thank you for your suggestions! Keep'em coming!!

Sara

 

[hamm1207]

Thank you so much. I figured a lot of our trip would be taken up with Character meets. Meeting Mickey and the gang is a daily discussion. He loves anything Disney. He is visually impaired so loud noises and fireworks tend to startle him, thanks for the tip about that. We did sign up for the FE list, so excited. This is our first DC and probably our only one so I want to make it the best.

Hmm. "tell us about him" : Favorite Characters are Mickey and Goofy (if he had to pick) He also loves Pooh and Tigger. He is all about Music, his iPod is his best friend. We had to get him a classic so he could keep ALL of his music on it. Country music and Disney songs are his favorite. Fav food? Anything!!! He is a boy!! He is the kindest sweetest boy ever. Be careful when asking me to tell you about him, I am a MOM I will go on forever!!

His 10 year old sister and 7 year old brother are all about Pirates so they will all be decked out for Pirate night!

Ok, next question: Can you tell me more about the photo package?? The MDA sound interesting for the whole family! I have so much to learn!

Our bags are mostly packed, we are spending this snowy Easter Monday in Ontario putting together FE gifts! Thank you for your suggestions! Keep'em coming!!

Sara

There are lots of fun family activities aboard the ship-learning how to draw characters, napkin folding, arts & crafts, tours of the ship (art of the theme ship tour), cooking classes, disney trivia (we'll be at every one), music trivia, etc.

We have never done the photo package, so i can't comment on it. We have always just used our own camera (the character's attendant will take pictures with your camera).

The midship detective agency game is fun! It's a great way to get a look at the animated art.

It's also fun to just walk around the ship and look at everything.

Of course there is always swimming and riding the aquaduck, and shows every night.

All this talk of cruising makes me want ti get on board right now!! Less than four weeks until we cruise!

 

[WDWMarcy]

Check with guest relations about the best place that is quiet/isolated during the fireworks. Nearly every Disney movie is available on demand in your room, so that is an option. The fireworks are brief.

The photo package is pricey, however, if you use it, you can really benefit. It's about $300 or so. It includes a CD with all of the images, plus prints of a lot of the pictures that were taken, many with added Disney images around it. They do have professsional portraits you can do, just wait in line, for no extra cost. You can have the pics made and pick and choose, too. We did it on the Dream, and didn't really plan to USE IT, but bought them anyway. When we did 7 days on the Fantasy, we did portraits on formal night and on pirate night. Great pics, and we just planned to take lots and lots of pictures. We were really pleased with the purchase. As Sarah said, they will also use your camera, so that isn't a worry. Just putting it out there, as I imagine getting the family together, dressed and off to a scheduled portrait session at the mall or with a photographer stressed me out. It was so easy to do on the ship!

 

[WDWMarcy]

Does he or any of your family have any food allergies or sensitivities? Any snacks or candy to avoid?

 

[kitselaar]

Go ahead and add yourselves to the FE list! I can totally see how the miscommunication happened! The link for the FE list is in my signature.

Thanks I did and it works. Meta

 

[AEIceDogsMOM]

Does he or any of your family have any food allergies or sensitivities? Any snacks or candy to avoid?

Kelly can eat (and will) anything, his little brother has dairy allergies.

Too bad there is not "happy tears" icons to use, your thoughtfulness is heartwarming.

Sara

 

[WDWMarcy]

Are you familiar with the pillowcases for autographs? You can give Guest Services a pillowcase at the start of the cruise. They will have the characters sign them and you get them back later in the cruise. It's a fun autograph book alternative/addition. Our girls love to sleep on theirs. Maybe Kelly might like that? (Big payoff with little work for you.)

 

[tinkslite]

to meet Kelly! He sounds wonderful! our daughter, Jessi, is special needs and nearly 18 ( in June). she operates on a late elementary/ early middle school level ( on good days).
She has a hard time with the teen club because it is crowded and noisy, often. If she knows they are doing a cooking or craft activity she'll go in for a short time BUT she prefers the pools, the movie and live show theaters ( the live shows have TONS of fave disney tunes),she has also taken part in family games at the pools and clubs, and family karaoke ( she loves to sing). I think she will be happy to meet Kelly and his sibs, as she enjoys camp, here for kids and young adults with various developmental special needs.
on castaway cay she likes the family beach, the best. She likes snorkeling at her own speed, and dance parties that include the characters. She also enjoyed the bike ride and the water trikes. We got the extreme getaway package so the kids could just go have fun and do whatever. Dad also took her sailing in a hobie cat, rented on castaway cay. Those are some of the things she enjoys. None of them were in the kids clubs. She liked the live shows so much, she would ratchet them again and again on the stateroom tv, which was a nice way to process the shows without actually attending all three showings each night!

 

[AEIceDogsMOM]

Are you familiar with the pillowcases for autographs? You can give Guest Services a pillowcase at the start of the cruise. They will have the characters sign them and you get them back later in the cruise. It's a fun autograph book alternative/addition. Our girls love to sleep on theirs. Maybe Kelly might like that? (Big payoff with little work for you.)

Kelly has a special cowboy hat for autographs. He loves to attend our local music festivals in the summer and collect autographs from Country music singers. He wants to bring it and get the character autographs added with the Coutnry stars.

to meet Kelly! He sounds wonderful! our daughter, Jessi, is special needs and nearly 18 ( in June). she operates on a late elementary/ early middle school level ( on good days).
She has a hard time with the teen club because it is crowded and noisy, often. If she knows they are doing a cooking or craft activity she'll go in for a short time BUT she prefers the pools, the movie and live show theaters ( the live shows have TONS of fave disney tunes),she has also taken part in family games at the pools and clubs, and family karaoke ( she loves to sing). I think she will be happy to meet Kelly and his sibs, as she enjoys camp, here for kids and young adults with various developmental special needs.
on castaway cay she likes the family beach, the best. She likes snorkeling at her own speed, and dance parties that include the characters. She also enjoyed the bike ride and the water trikes. We got the extreme getaway package so the kids could just go have fun and do whatever. Dad also took her sailing in a hobie cat, rented on castaway cay. Those are some of the things she enjoys. None of them were in the kids clubs. She liked the live shows so much, she would ratchet them again and again on the stateroom tv, which was a nice way to process the shows without actually attending all three showings each night!

I got your pm but didn't have enough posts to reply That sounds fantastic! Kelly gets anxious in crowds, but if there's music he's fine, he'l' bounce and dance for hours. We booked the extreme as well. My kids are beach kids, we live a short distance from the beach here and are there at least once a week in the summer. We will definitely have to find each other on board! Happy World Autism Day!

 

[Bdd]

Charly is a girl.

 

[randomiam79]

He already purchased it. We're going to try to add on more points or buy another set on board. We've sat through the on board seminars quite a few times, and they do offer nice incentives.

Looks like you may be in luck, and they may be selling points for the GF villas on the cruise!

 

[N365PA]

Looks like you may be in luck, and they may be selling points for the GF villas on the cruise!

Yeah my rep was talking about they should be coming up "quite soon." If they don't want an arm and a leg!

 

[tinkslite]

I got your pm but didn't have enough posts to reply That sounds fantastic! Kelly gets anxious in crowds, but if there's music he's fine, he'l' bounce and dance for hours. We booked the extreme as well. My kids are beach kids, we live a short distance from the beach here and are there at least once a week in the summer. We will definitely have to find each other on board! Happy World Autism Day! And to you, too!
My kids all love water and the beach. We live near Lake Tahoe, that is the closest "beach." Jessica loves to swim (actually was a medalist at the Special Olympics Summer games 3x over, last year), BUT has had in irrational fear of sharks (so irrational that she wouldn't take baths for awhile, as a shark might "sneak up" from under the bubbles!), last cruise a year ago she spent the CC day getting over it by venturing further and further out into the snorkeling lagoon area. She really loved it, and was able to take it at her own pace. The bad news? She sunburnt her back!!!!! Hopefully we'll do a better job with the sunblock this go round.
I noticed that our staterooms are on the same deck as yours, so it shouldn't be too hard to find one another. But we will also be at the 3pm DisMeet on Day 1 at club 687, so that will be another potential place to meet. My boys (James 17) and (Nick 15) will be happy to help out, if you want someone to play Midship Detective Agency, or take Kelly to one of the fun Karaoke parties so that you two could have a bit of "grown up" time......If you like? He can "hang out with the guys," with some boys that "get it." I know respite time is a precious commodity. James volunteered to the Special Needs team for his cheerleading gym all last season, and both boys are well versed in the ways of delays....
We are planning on a special little "goodie bag" for each kid on the FE list (from Kelly on down to the babies), but now we are thinking of an "extra sprinkle of birthday pixie dust" for Kelly! My youngest is trying to come up with something "extra goofy." lol. Hope your family is as excited as mine!!!! 26 days !!!!!!

 

[Mddog]

Charly is a girl

 

[AEIceDogsMOM]

I got your pm but didn't have enough posts to reply That sounds fantastic! Kelly gets anxious in crowds, but if there's music he's fine, he'l' bounce and dance for hours. We booked the extreme as well. My kids are beach kids, we live a short distance from the beach here and are there at least once a week in the summer. We will definitely have to find each other on board! Happy World Autism Day! And to you, too!
My kids all love water and the beach. We live near Lake Tahoe, that is the closest "beach." Jessica loves to swim (actually was a medalist at the Special Olympics Summer games 3x over, last year), BUT has had in irrational fear of sharks (so irrational that she wouldn't take baths for awhile, as a shark might "sneak up" from under the bubbles!), last cruise a year ago she spent the CC day getting over it by venturing further and further out into the snorkeling lagoon area. She really loved it, and was able to take it at her own pace. The bad news? She sunburnt her back!!!!! Hopefully we'll do a better job with the sunblock this go round.
I noticed that our staterooms are on the same deck as yours, so it shouldn't be too hard to find one another. But we will also be at the 3pm DisMeet on Day 1 at club 687, so that will be another potential place to meet. My boys (James 17) and (Nick 15) will be happy to help out, if you want someone to play Midship Detective Agency, or take Kelly to one of the fun Karaoke parties so that you two could have a bit of "grown up" time......If you like? He can "hang out with the guys," with some boys that "get it." I know respite time is a precious commodity. James volunteered to the Special Needs team for his cheerleading gym all last season, and both boys are well versed in the ways of delays....
We are planning on a special little "goodie bag" for each kid on the FE list (from Kelly on down to the babies), but now we are thinking of an "extra sprinkle of birthday pixie dust" for Kelly! My youngest is trying to come up with something "extra goofy." lol. Hope your family is as excited as mine!!!! 26 days !!!!!!

So my daily bought of tears is over for another day I am so very moved. We had not planned on a lot of grown up time, our focus being on the kids. We each planned a "treat" for ourselves while we are onboard that we could do while the other was "parenting". Thank you to your family for your kind offer, we will see what works out while we are on board. I don't want to invade too much on your family's vacation.

My kids have been having fun putting together goodie bags for everyone on the FE list. Kelly has "packed" nearly everything in his room to take with him. I unpack it all then a few days later he is repacking again

25 days --- only 22 until we start the long drive!

 

[tinkslite]

Have you checked out the disigns forum? Lots of fun activity book ideas for long drives!
Also helpful in my daily "autism mom" life is the disabilities forum (like my own online support group right here in the dis)
I hope this won't be your first and last disney cruise!
Check out Autism on the Seas (they don't ONLY serve families touched by autism) they specialize in cruise and resort vacays for families dealing with special needs. We haven't actually used them, but we hear good things. I would have booked one of the group cruises, this year; but I needed to fit my cruise dates with my boys WDW cheerleading competition the following weekend.....Maybe next time.
Just some ideas

 

[hamm1207]

Anyone else ready to set sail and leave the world behind for a few days?! The FE gifts are sorted and ready to pack, and I've got a few stacks of other cruise items ready to pack. Spring is here in Anchorage, and the sniffles and colds are coming in. I sure hope to kick it before we set sail!

 

[AEIceDogsMOM]

I am more than ready, we still have winter here in Bruce County, Ontario. There is snow in the forecast for today and had a snow storm at the start of the week. Since warm weather wear isn't an option the suitcases are full!

FE gifts are almost ready, gonna check that off my list before the end of the day!