Cruising the Dream on our 1st cruise ever!!! (5 Night Double Dip)

[Pinkocto]

Trip dates: 3/13-3/18/12 Disney Dream 5 Night Cruise followed by 3/18-3/21/12 at AKV Jambo House

Greetings Everybody. Not only was this our first cruise ever but this will be my first TR ever, so please be patient with me. I took tons of notes and about 1700 pictures, so hopefully I can skim over unnecessary parts and not bore anybody. Well the players of this trip were myself, Pam, and my mother, Jeanette. This was our annual mother/daughter trip for 2012 where we get to catch up with each other and just have quality time.



The history of this trip is as follows. I joined DVC in January 2011, and this was actually the first trip I booked using points. Well not being versed with the booking rules at the time, even though I thought I knew the ins and outs completely, I waited until exactly 12months to the day to book the cruise. Well we were totally content to stay in an inside stateroom, which is what I asked for, but unfortunately they were all sold out. Apparently they hold a certain amount of each stateroom category for DVC, and when they're all booked that's it even if there is some of the same category available for cash. The DVC CM then told me I could book with points as soon as the itineraries come out, which was months earlier so I asked what the next cheapest was which turned out to be a 5E, Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah. Since the Dream had just started to sail as of 1/31/11, and this was 3/13/11 when I called and booked they had not recategorized the rooms yet, and what we ended up with was an 'oversized verandah'. Totally by chance since I had done no investigation on what would be a good room to request, didn't even know that was something that should/could be done. The stars were alligned in our favor and we were given the best room, in our opinion, but more on that later. So for an entire year in advance I poured over TRs and read the DCL Passporter 2 times. I felt like I was so prepared and knew what to expect but I was totally blown away by the magnificence of the whole experience. I tried to get my mother involved in the excitement, but she just wanted to let me plan and she'd enjoy the spoils of my investigations. This is how it always is when we go on our trips, so I shouldn't have been surprised. Well halfway through the year of anticipation I had had enough of waiting and booked another short trip for last December since I was driving myself insane anticipating the cruise so much. I will never ever book something a year in advance without anything inbetween again. Hopefully, if anybody is interested, I can tack on the December trip at the end. That in itself was a fabulous getaway. More pictures in the next post.

[Pinkocto]

Beginning of the trip: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...42&postcount=4

Getting to Port Canaveral: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...66&postcount=7

Onboard the ship: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...15&postcount=9

Deck 11: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...4&postcount=49

Cabanas: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...8&postcount=58

The District: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...6&postcount=75

More Exploring of Decks 4 & 3: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...3&postcount=80

Ship Tour: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...1&postcount=86

Stateroom 5532: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...0&postcount=97

DVC & Lifeboat Drill: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=112

Sailing Away: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=125

Animator's Palate: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=136

Wrapping up Day 1: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=155

Breakfast at the Royal Palace: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=157

Locker Room: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=167

Rainforest Room Part 1: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=168

Rainforest Room Part 2: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=169

Day 2 Afternoon: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=198

Day 2 Afternoon continued: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=216

Enchanted Garden Dinner: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=219

Day 3 Morning: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=237

Room decor: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=239

Enchanted Garden breakfast part 1: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=240

Enchanted Garden breakfast part 2: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=241

CC Day 1 Part 1: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=246

CC Day 1 Part 2: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=247

CC Day 1 Part 3: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=264

CC Day 1 Part 4: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=265

CC Day 1 Part 5: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=266

CC Day Part 6, SB Part 1: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=277

CC Day Part 6, SB Part 2: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=278

Pirate Night dinner at RP: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=307

Day 3 wrap up: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=313

Day 4 morning: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=334

Vista Gallery: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=357

Day 4 afternoon: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=367

The Magic: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=368

Royal Palace Dinner: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=394

CC #2, Part 1: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=408

CC #2, Part 2 - Parasailing: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=410

CC #2, Part 3 - Parasailing: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=420

CC #2, Part 4: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=425

CC #2, Part 5: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=433

CC #2, Part 6: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=448

CC #2, Part 7: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=449

Till We Meet Again dinner at AP: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=461

Last evening: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=474

Disembarktion & Sanaa: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=492

Sanaa cont. : http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=495

Epcot: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=503

LWTL: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=504

LWTL 2 & butterfly garden: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=505

Epcot cont. http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=524

more Epcot: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=525

breakfast at Boma: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=539

even more Epcot: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=548

Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=550

last bit of Epcot: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=564

MK: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=565

California Grill: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=579

AK: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=587

AK Part 2: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=588

AK Part 3: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=589

AK Part 4: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=602

AK Part 5: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=605

Jiko: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=618

Last morning and HS: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=639

HS continued: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=640

Last evening: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=650

Last evening continued: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=675

Last thoughts & tips: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=689

[Angel16]

I'm here Pam and so looking forward to your report!

Ann

[Pinkocto]

The evening before the cruise we went to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, Houlihans, and I got through the appetizers wonderfully and then my jaw locked up. Well this was around 9pm, and our flight was at 6:20 the next morning. So there was no time to go to the doctor. This type of thing had never happened to me before so I didn't know how long it could last. I was in agony. Couldn't eat more than two bites of my entree before asking for a box and heading home. Well I figured since it came on suddenly, it must be able to go away suddenly, and hoping it was just a cramp in a jaw muscle I let it be. Thankfully around 1am it resolved itself, but I kept thinking, 'this can't stay like this, there's tons of delicious food on the Dream I must try!'.

Well I was so excited I really didn't think I would get a wink of sleep, but I did doze off for about 3 hours which was better than nothing. Woke up at 4, got to the airport by 5, and after security I stopped for 2 bottles of Diet Mountain Dew, my achilles heel. It is one of my favorite things in life, and my 'coffee' so had to have some. We flew Southwest which we tend to do since we love the no baggage fees and nonstop flights. Smooth flying and a very smooth landing we were at Orlando at 8:30. The plane ride from BWI is so convenient it really can't be beat. On our way to the tram I got distracted by these beautiful flowers.



It is a relatively new camera, and the whole trip I was trying to figure out the settings.

On our way to the check-in area we stop to enjoy some palms.



Thank goodness we headed directly there because they start checking people in, and we were able to get the first bus to Port Canaveral. What was wonderful is that they do everything that is done at the port so we didn't need to do anything else except board the ship when we got there. Well, after we received our boarding card I went on a mission to find myself a cache of Diet Mountain Dew for the duration of the cruise since they only have Coke products, and it is a Pepsi product. I left mom with the bags and tried to hunt down the little stand I've been able to find it at on previous trips. Well the stand was nowhere to be found on either of the above levels and I headed back to level 1 quickly. Thank goodness I did because less than 5 minutes later they had us line up for the bus. Now you might think I was being silly for trying to hunt it down, and I will admit it is a personal problem of caffeine addiction and that is my favorite form of caffeine. They packed the bus full, so I was even more glad we went straight to check-in on arrival because I would not have been happy if, after getting up so early, I had to wait for the next bus. It might have left immediately after ours, but I have no idea how that works.

My first view of the Dream



Closer



Closer



Even closer



She was so magnificent! I couldn't believe I was finally seeing her in real life. The excitement was overwhelming!!!

[Pinkocto]

Originally Posted by Angel16

I'm here Pam and so looking forward to your report!

Ann

Welcome Ann! Thanks for joining I didn't realize how time consuming TRs are. I'm wondering how long this is going to take

[Angel16]

Wow...can't believe I was the first one here, I saw your post in my e-mail notice and just flew right here. That is a record for me I usually find/join TR when they are almost finished or done.

You both look so happy in your first picture with the Captain Mickey himself. What a great way to start your cruise with getting a super great cabin upgrade assignment.

Ann

[Pinkocto]

We finally parked and they let us off between 10:30-10:45. The building was beautiful.



This was such a beautiful sight!



In through security, and up the escalators we are greeted by this



Now, I'm as excited as everybody that the Fantasy is making her maiden voyages soon, but we're going on the Dream today people! Oh well. So we proceeded to investigate the terminal which really is very nice.







more Fantasy homage on the floor



I thought the ceiling was so cool.



We then went outside on the viewing area where I took more pictures.



I couldn't get over how tall she was. No amount of pictures had me ready for her size. We didn't stay out there long because they only had two benches and they were taken, so back into the AC we went. We found a little table next to the Ears and waited a very short while until they started boarding at 11:15 and we had very luckily received a #3 when we checked in at the airport so we were through the ears less than ten minutes later. I do want to note that every time I had a few minutes to sit I wrote in my journal. I desperately did not want to get behind because I knew how difficult it would be to catch up, so at the little table I continued to document, but then they started boarding so I had to grab all my gear. I had read that people just stand as close to the Ears as possible even if they have a later number, so I didn't want to crowd anybody, but mom was very excited for her turn so stood up there with the crowds. You can't even control your family sometimes. So through the ears we went



and up the gangway



I was so excited! We were greeted by a CM who asked how we'd like to be presented, and with applause by CMs and guests alike we stepped aboard the Dream!!!!!!



I thought the greeting party was such a cute touch. We were then taken to the side by a CM who told us Cabanas was open for lunch, how to get there and when our stateroom would be open. I knew all these things from my research but held my tongue and didn't interrupt. I wanted to get going so badly!

[Pinkocto]

Originally Posted by Angel16

Wow...can't believe I was the first one here, I saw your post in my e-mail notice and just flew right here. That is a record for me I usually find/join TR when they are almost finished or done.

You both look so happy in your first picture with the Captain Mickey himself. What a great way to start your cruise with getting a super great cabin upgrade assignment.

Ann

The Captain was being such a flirt! He spied my sweat shirt and I told him how much I love him. They ham it up with those pictures, it's fabulous. We were so excited to finally be there.

It really was a fabulous room, I'm realy glad they were out of inside staterooms so we 'had' to get the next one available. It was a bunch more points, but we had cemented the dates in so I had to get us on no matter what. We are now spoiled for life. Can't wait to share the room pictures.

[Pinkocto]

So we headed to Cabanas via the forward elevators since I figured there would be the fewest people in that direction. And we also saw a lot of wonderful scenery with little or no people around.







I love this picture of Walt.



The opulence of the whole place overwhelmed us both. Everything was just so beautiful. The doors at the end are the left entrance to the Walt Disney Theater where the nightly shows are performed.



A closer look



Elevator decor. Loved the little Mickey hand!





We walked through the Quiet Cove area, which is the adult only pool. I read a lot of complaints of the layout of this place, but it was very nice to me. The sun didn't hit the pool directly most of the day, but there were tons of lounge chairs one deck above where you could enjoy the rays.







I thought this was a fun shot. And you can see the entrance to the Cove Cafe in the background on the right. You can buy speciality coffees in there, and they also have speciality treats available to anyone. They were behind a glass case so the first time we stopped in I asked mom if she'd like a treat and she declined saying there was so many other goodies why would she pay for them, which I'm sure other people thought as well. We stopped in many times after that.



Never once did we feel out of place not having children with us. There were so many 'adult only' places we could go and the ship is so large we never felt overwhelmed by all the kids either. But we also thoroughly enjoyed watching the delight and happiness all the kids were experiencing.

Well we have not even reach noon on the first day, but I'm heading to bed for now, more to follow in the next few days.

[ClaraBug]

Pam, I am totally absorbing your TR! Dh and I are cruising on the Dream in Oct! Love, love, love the info and great pix so far!

[franandaj]

Originally Posted by Pinkocto

Welcome Ann! Thanks for joining I didn't realize how time consuming TRs are. I'm wondering how long this is going to take

Joining in! Yes TRs do take a lot of work, but they are also very rewarding! Congrats on starting your first one, and you are doing a great job! I'm really looking forward to the rest. We are || this far from booking that MR Cruise on the Wonder out of LA so hearing about your Dream Cruise will definitely keep me occupied while I wait and see if we can book it!

I made page one!

[RDP]

More please! Can't wait, we cruise the Dream this year for the first time, we are going on a 3 night trip on the 1st of November.

[RDP]

More please! Can't wait, we cruise the Dream this year for the first time, we are going on a 3 night trip on the 1st of November.

[tiggrbaby]

I'm in! Glad you had such a magical time! Saw my favorite hot tub in the background of one of your pics!

[John's Mom]

Pam, great start to your TR! Love your pictures!

Kathy