02/16/2012 Disney Dream "TraLaLaLaLaLaLaLaLa...Happy Cruisin' Sweet Sixteen(th) !"

[sholey01]

What time is your dining? We have second seating.

 

[tjgabemom]

Hi, Im not sure about the SemiFormal night??? I had also read about it somewhere. Maybe someone on here can clear that up for us! We have first seating but were thinking of changing to second. Cant seem to make up my mind.

 

[gretchnh]

Hello all! THis will be our first Disney Cruise! It will be me, DH, DD(13), DS (10), DS(9).
This will be the first cruise ever for our kids and only our 2nd cruise. I'm so excited! My oldest son is afraid he'll fall off the boat. LOL!

I haven't made it through this entire thread yet but those "seasoned cruisers"
what about...
1. The pirates party? Can we wear pirate shirts and bandanas and still be okay?
2. Should I plan on sweatshirts for everyone or light jackets or both? We'll be in WDW from 2/10-2/16 so I don't want to drag too much along.
3. My daughter will be just 1 month short of turning 14. She's saying she doesn't want to go to the kids club for her age group because everyone will be much younger and she won't know anyone. Any advice? She also doesn't want to be in there alone. Our boys are close enough in age that they'll be together in the kids club. I'm going to make them go at least once I think.
4. Any tips for us first timers?

Thanks so much!
Gretchen in KS.

 

[DMMarla07860]

I am getting so excited! I am at a lost on what to pack too. We are driving from Michigan in a Ford Focus. We don't have much room. We are going to Disney World for 5 nights before the cruise and we are hoping for short weather.

I have read that there is semi-formal night on the cruise. Is this true? How do you dress for that?

It isn't really a big deal semi-formal night on the 3 or 4 night cruises, one 7 nights much more people dress up for it. Last time I cruised the Dream I am pretty sure it was called dress-up night on not semi-formal. I usually don't dress up on the 3 or 4 night cruises since usually says optional and it is usually the last night when all stuff needs to be packed.

 

[sherpasmom]

Hi everyone, I'm finally waking up from my post Christmas daze and realizing it's almost time to cruise! woohooooooooooooooooooo I better get busy!

This is DD's first cruise and my first Disney Cruise so we're super excited

It's just me (Donna)
and DD (Savannah turning 9 on 2-14)
And we're aft in Cabin 10658

Judy mentioned the FE exchange, we'd be most interested, especially since we'll be leaving Mardi Gras in full swing and loads of goodies we can share from that but I gotta get in gear and actually get an extender!

I'm so happy y'all are talking about the weather too because I've been a little unsure of what exactly to prepare but it looks like there is just like here, you never know if it's gonna feel like late spring or early fall....it doesn't matter I have a feeling it's all good on the Dream

See you real soon!

 

[DMMarla07860]

Hi everyone, I'm finally waking up from my post Christmas daze and realizing it's almost time to cruise! woohooooooooooooooooooo I better get busy!

This is DD's first cruise and my first Disney Cruise so we're super excited

It's just me (Donna)
and DD (Savannah turning 9 on 2-14)
And we're aft in Cabin 10658

Judy mentioned the FE exchange, we'd be most interested, especially since we'll be leaving Mardi Gras in full swing and loads of goodies we can share from that but I gotta get in gear and actually get an extender!

I'm so happy y'all are talking about the weather too because I've been a little unsure of what exactly to prepare but it looks like there is just like here, you never know if it's gonna feel like late spring or early fall....it doesn't matter I have a feeling it's all good on the Dream

See you real soon!

Welcome to the group

 

[sholey01]

Hello all! THis will be our first Disney Cruise! It will be me, DH, DD(13), DS (10), DS(9).
This will be the first cruise ever for our kids and only our 2nd cruise. I'm so excited! My oldest son is afraid he'll fall off the boat. LOL!

I haven't made it through this entire thread yet but those "seasoned cruisers"
what about...
1. The pirates party? Can we wear pirate shirts and bandanas and still be okay?
2. Should I plan on sweatshirts for everyone or light jackets or both? We'll be in WDW from 2/10-2/16 so I don't want to drag too much along.
3. My daughter will be just 1 month short of turning 14. She's saying she doesn't want to go to the kids club for her age group because everyone will be much younger and she won't know anyone. Any advice? She also doesn't want to be in there alone. Our boys are close enough in age that they'll be together in the kids club. I'm going to make them go at least once I think.
4. Any tips for us first timers?

Thanks so much!
Gretchen in KS.

Hi Gretchen,

We are also going to Disney before our cruise. We are staying at Pop Century. My DS is also 10, he is looking forward to spending time in the kids clubs.

 

[DMMarla07860]

so does anyone want to plan a dismeet if one isn't being planned already. I hope to meet some of you even if I don't know I did

 

[tup1830]

Hello all,

We just booked for the Feb 16th cruise...any excuse to get on another cruise )

Its just DW and myself....
We'd enjoy participating in any FE or dismeet...just add us to the group.

We're only in guarantee right now, so as soon as i can find a room (and maybe upgrade) then maybe we can have a meet on the ship the first day to get the updated rooms from everyone.

This is gonna be awesome!!!!

 

[jdybnsn]

Hi and welcome to all recent cruise bookers !

There doesn't seem too many of us for the FE exchange but I am happy to organise this no matter what size of group.

So far we have (I think!)

JdyBnsn
Judy (me)
Brian (DH)
Joe (DS) -14
Vyrnwy (DD) - 10
cabins 9174 & 9176 (on the very aft of the ship !)

Sherpasmom
Donna
(DD) -9
cabin 10658

Tup1830
(DH)
(DW)
details to be confirmed


anyone else want to join ?

I am also happy to organise an informal Dis meeting - I need some suggestions as to venue, as we have only ever sailed on the Wonder & Magic

Yay - not long now !!!!

 

[jdybnsn]

Hi, Im not sure about the SemiFormal night??? I had also read about it somewhere. Maybe someone on here can clear that up for us! We have first seating but were thinking of changing to second. Cant seem to make up my mind.

I wouldn't stress too much about dress codes - DCL is very relaxed - I've seen everything from formal suit and ballgowns, to denim hot pants and jeans ..and every level of dressing up inbetween !!! Beach wear is really only the big 'no no' I think ! Personally, if you don't particularly enjoy 'dressing up' (perfect excuse if you do) then wear what you would be comfortable in arriving at any restaurant that markets itself above McDonalds and alike !

As for second dinning we much prefer it as ;

-we don't have young kids who might get tired on second seating.
- we found early dining gave us too little time between meals, and not enough time enjoying other cruise activities....especially in Winter when daylight is more limited.
-we are late eaters at home.

I don't know if this helps you any with your decision ?

 

[jdybnsn]

Hello all! THis will be our first Disney Cruise! It will be me, DH, DD(13), DS (10), DS(9).
This will be the first cruise ever for our kids and only our 2nd cruise. I'm so excited! My oldest son is afraid he'll fall off the boat. LOL!

I haven't made it through this entire thread yet but those "seasoned cruisers"
what about...
1. The pirates party? Can we wear pirate shirts and bandanas and still be okay?
2. Should I plan on sweatshirts for everyone or light jackets or both? We'll be in WDW from 2/10-2/16 so I don't want to drag too much along.
3. My daughter will be just 1 month short of turning 14. She's saying she doesn't want to go to the kids club for her age group because everyone will be much younger and she won't know anyone. Any advice? She also doesn't want to be in there alone. Our boys are close enough in age that they'll be together in the kids club. I'm going to make them go at least once I think.
4. Any tips for us first timers?

Thanks so much!
Gretchen in KS.

Pirate shirts are fine - Disney supply bandanas for everyone at the evening meal that night so its not completely necessary to bring your own. You can also buy pirate gear onboard but better still, is the shop attached to the Pirate Museum (well worth a visit if you got younger kids) on Nassau.......or what we have done in the past, is get stuff shipped directly to our room from Deadmentellnotales.com as a surprise gift for our kids (done this twice with no problems) - but you do need to order from them roughly 2 weeks before sail date - not too early / not too late to ensure it get safely onboard with you.


With regard to your daughter and the clubs I would speak to the kids counsellors on the first day - they are much more flexible with the age thing these days....we hardly ever see our DS14 all cruise, apart from meal times,...and he never knows anyone in kids club beforehand either !! - I think that's the same for the majority of kids actually. In fact, my DS says that he would cruise every holiday if he had the chance !!!

 

[sherpasmom]

DMMarla ~ Thank you

and Judy, thanks so much for organizing us

Now onto finding some FE goodies since it looks like we'll be able to do this. I'll admit I'm a bit intimidated by some of the HUGE exchanges I've seen so I don't mind at ALL dippin a toe in this time. That's sortof what this cruise is all about for us, seeing if a longer cruise will be in our future!

That being said I need advice:

We're currently on early seating. DD and I are both night owls so I'm wondering if we should switch?

Also, for those of you who've Dreamed before, any advice? I know we have to make choices since a 3-day cruise is very short. Our first choice was Atlantis and the Shallow Dolphin / Aquaadventure since DD has been dying to do ALL of the above and this trip is part of her birthday.

Since day 2 is going to be pretty full I've kindof wondered if we should hang back a little on CC day and maybe get a later start? Is that heresy?

Now, surfing for FE goodie ideas.......

 

[DMMarla07860]

I am also happy to organise an informal Dis meeting - I need some suggestions as to venue, as we have only ever sailed on the Wonder & Magic

Yay - not long now !!!!

I can help you out I was thinking maybe a dis meet by Vista Cafe. From the Picture below I am standing on deck 5, deck 3 is where we all board, and Vista Cafe is on Deck 4, on one side is shutters and the other side vista cafe, it's family place so no need to worry. In the picture you can see Vista Cafe above where we board.

if anyone else has cruised and has a different place in mind it's good as well.

 

[tup1830]

Hi guys,

That place is perfect. DW and i were on the maiden voyage of the dream...you're gonna have a blast. Just remember...a lot more people, but it won't feel it because the ship is just that big and so many things to do.

We're doing early dining, so maybe we can meet up that night like right after the sail away party or maybe even an hour before the safety demonstration.

Can't wait to meet you all.

 

[DMMarla07860]

Hi guys,

That place is perfect. DW and i were on the maiden voyage of the dream...you're gonna have a blast. Just remember...a lot more people, but it won't feel it because the ship is just that big and so many things to do.

We're doing early dining, so maybe we can meet up that night like right after the sail away party or maybe even an hour before the safety demonstration.

Can't wait to meet you all.

Meets I went too usually were around 3:00pm for a quick put faces with names, but later is good as well. Whatever is good with others. I'll try to be on the ship as early as I can so anytime will be good for me except dinner and show time lol

 

[gretchnh]

Okay so I just now learned what an FE was. I don't even have one. I'm not a person that can sew. I saw some duck tape ones on the other boards and thought about attempting it.
But, is it too close to cruise time for me to get this started? We're a family of 5 so we're a little larger than most families it seems.
I know that my kids would probably really enjoy this, but I'm afraid I'm not crafty or creative enough. Some of the gifts I've seen look extravagant.

I think this would be great fun to do, but...

Sorry. We're first time DCL cruisers and this is only the 2nd cruise for DH and I.
I just want to make sure I do everything right if I participate!
Thoughts?

And thanks for those that addressed my previous post.
Are there any cruisers with a daughter that is 13? She's a little quiet and is worried she won't have fun because she doesn't know anyone.

Thanks peeps!
We're getting so excited!
--Gretchen in Ks.

 

[jdybnsn]

Thanks for the suggestion

Vista Cafe deck 4 at 3pm for the Dis meet it is then !

 

[jdybnsn]

Okay so I just now learned what an FE was. I don't even have one. I'm not a person that can sew. I saw some duck tape ones on the other boards and thought about attempting it.
But, is it too close to cruise time for me to get this started? We're a family of 5 so we're a little larger than most families it seems.
I know that my kids would probably really enjoy this, but I'm afraid I'm not crafty or creative enough. Some of the gifts I've seen look extravagant.

I think this would be great fun to do, but...

Sorry. We're first time DCL cruisers and this is only the 2nd cruise for DH and I.
I just want to make sure I do everything right if I participate!
Thoughts?

--Gretchen in Ks.

Hi Gretchen

You don't need to make an FE to participate - the first two cruises we did we bought one of those cheap, draw string, gym shoe bags, for about $2 from Walmart. It had a Mickey & Minnie Mouse on it - it did just fine - people could leave their gifts in it just the same. I wouldn't stress it if you don't have time or sewing ability to make one.

Eventually, before our third cruise, I cheated and got one made by someone off Ebay

For the record I don't make any FE gifts either... I just rely on bits and pieces that I find in bargain stores ...I generally keep to a "useful" theme, rather than decorative - but the great thing is that everyone has their own ideas on gifts, so there is usually a wide spectrum of stuff : some people like to bring regional stuff from their home town or home land, others like a Disney theme, or a cruise theme - or a mixture of all these things (sometimes bought, sometimes homemade ) - there's no right or wrong gift ....which makes it all the more interesting.

 

[jdybnsn]

DMMarla ~ Thank you

and Judy, thanks so much for organizing us

Now onto finding some FE goodies since it looks like we'll be able to do this. I'll admit I'm a bit intimidated by some of the HUGE exchanges I've seen so I don't mind at ALL dippin a toe in this time. That's sortof what this cruise is all about for us, seeing if a longer cruise will be in our future!

That being said I need advice:

We're currently on early seating. DD and I are both night owls so I'm wondering if we should switch?

Also, for those of you who've Dreamed before, any advice? I know we have to make choices since a 3-day cruise is very short. Our first choice was Atlantis and the Shallow Dolphin / Aquaadventure since DD has been dying to do ALL of the above and this trip is part of her birthday.

Since day 2 is going to be pretty full I've kindof wondered if we should hang back a little on CC day and maybe get a later start? Is that heresy?

Now, surfing for FE goodie ideas.......

If you are doing excursions in the day, I think that would swing it for me to switch .......otherwise you coud be rushing it to change for dinner once back on board.