09/05/09 LABORless MAGICal Meanderers

[LiseG]

Okay so we have definitely been biten by the cruising bug and are thinking of booking another cruise for Jan with some of our dvc points. can't decide on a 4 day or a 7 day eastern. we know it won't be then same without all our disfriends we made this trip but with Mike around it will always be fun. I have begun to lurk on the Jan boards but they are not comparing to the laborless magical meanderers.
rose

I wish we could join you in Jan. It's way too soon for us to look at another transcontinental flight. We loved cruising with your family and all the DIS'ers. Mike will make you next trip fun. I hope you find a good DIS group again.

I keep seeing threads where people book a "dummy" cruise. Apparently they book a random cruise to lock in onboard booking offers/credits. Then they switch to the cruise they want later. I don't know if it's relevant to cruising on points. If you want I can point you to the thread I was reading (it was one regarding the 9/11 announcements).

We did 7-day eastern in 2006 and loved it. Haven't done a Wonder trip yet (3-4 days is just too short). I'm trying to decide if we'll do the Wonder's 1st Alaska trip on 5/3/2011 or the Maiden voyage of the Dream (Jan or Feb 2011??). I'm sure it will be one or the other. If the Dream is a 3/4 maybe we can back-2-back. For us Alaska is just a 4+ hr drive and a ferry away. We'll be the ones with the oversize FE gifts. There's already a tread even though most of us can't book until 9/28. It would be easier if they'd announced everything for 2011 at once...and gave us the prices/points. It's hard to plan with few facts. I guess I can pull the points and book Alaska then switch as both cruises are in the same use year for us.

What terrible decisions we have to make...and we don't even have our bags unpacked from this trip

Lise

 

[ibela]

We need to find a new cruise soon. we lose out on the "onboard" point discount on Wed, and I need to find a DIS outlet soon. I am lost with nothing to check every 10 minutes.

Michael

If you want to sail using your points, you have 72 hrs to call Member Services and book to get an "onboard" discount. You're right around the mark so call ASAP. I called and said we wanted to sail in 2011 with our points and they noted it for us (because that's what the online DVC guys said to do) so I have some time to use my onboard discount.

 

[ibela]

I keep seeing threads where people book a "dummy" cruise. Apparently they book a random cruise to lock in onboard booking offers/credits. Then they switch to the cruise they want later. I don't know if it's relevant to cruising on points. If you want I can point you to the thread I was reading (it was one regarding the 9/11 announcements).

We did 7-day eastern in 2006 and loved it. Haven't done a Wonder trip yet (3-4 days is just too short). I'm trying to decide if we'll do the Wonder's 1st Alaska trip on 5/3/2011 or the Maiden voyage of the Dream (Jan or Feb 2011??). I'm sure it will be one or the other. If the Dream is a 3/4 maybe we can back-2-back. For us Alaska is just a 4+ hr drive and a ferry away. We'll be the ones with the oversize FE gifts. There's already a tread even though most of us can't book until 9/28. It would be easier if they'd announced everything for 2011 at once...and gave us the prices/points. It's hard to plan with few facts. I guess I can pull the points and book Alaska then switch as both cruises are in the same use year for us.

What terrible decisions we have to make...and we don't even have our bags unpacked from this trip

Lise

We booked a dummy date with cash AND put a placeholder with points. We figured once the $ and point amounts come out, we'll figure out which way costs less. The dummy date applies to cash (actually, I think you can do the same with points but would be charged the $95 to change dates), you can change dates with no penalty and keep your onboard discount so long as you do so at least 75 days before sailing, we "booked" Dec 4 2010 to have the most flexibility. Would you believe that boat is nearly full already and we did a GTY 6?

I would love to do an Alaskan cruise but when the kids are younger because I want them to really get something out of it, same with Med. I'm not surprised there's already a thread, I'll be curious and will check it out on 9/21 and 9/28 to see how many people end up booking.

 

[WDW Enabler]

If you want to sail using your points, you have 72 hrs to call Member Services and book to get an "onboard" discount. You're right around the mark so call ASAP. I called and said we wanted to sail in 2011 with our points and they noted it for us (because that's what the online DVC guys said to do) so I have some time to use my onboard discount.

I talked to member services yesterday and the said it is 3 buisness days. so I have until wed. so we will be deciding tonight.

If we sail on the Wonder for 4 days we might have Dave on our cruise staff... game on.

Michael

 

[idrivealumina]

What does everyone think about now posting one of your best pictures each day so we can keep the memories going?

I'll start...

 

[WDW Enabler]

What does everyone think about now posting one of your best pictures each day so we can keep the memories going?

You know I am in.

My favorite of taylor and rose.

I will post my fororite group photo later as well as my favorite of idrivealumina. Yes Chris you know which one that is.

Michael

 

[idrivealumina]

You know I am in.

I will post my favorite group photo later as well as my favorite of idrivealumina. Yes Chris you know which one that is.

Michael

LOL, can't wait!

 

[WDW Enabler]

LOL, can't wait!

My favorite group shot...

Everyone show your mickey ears

Michael

 

[WDW Enabler]

LOL, can't wait!

Oh you are so asking for it.

Michael

 

[Nysie]

OH that is soooo cute!!

 

[WDW Enabler]

OH that is soooo cute!!

No matter how big the man is, he looks like a kitty cat when holding tinker bell.

Michael

p.s. It is good to see someone else is checking in on the boards too.

 

[UGAFan0829]

Awwww, that group shot with the Mickey ears is too cute...wish we could have been included with that.

Here's one of my favorite shots from the week:

That Key West sunset sure was beautiful!

And one more just for fun--One of my favorite's of Mike and I. We couldn't get over how gorgeous the water was in Cozumel!

 

[idrivealumina]

Oh you are so asking for it.

Michael

LMAO! I have to say, I do like the picture though.

 

[idrivealumina]

Awwww, that group shot with the Mickey ears is too cute...wish we could have been included with that.

Here's one of my favorite shots from the week:

That Key West sunset sure was beautiful!

Love this picture!

 

[queenof2princesses]

This trip was so unbelievable!!! I had the absolute time of my life We have been driving DH crazy with all of our tales And I am sure he is tired of hearing my googoogaagaa about Mladen He is a dreamboat that really made every night special! I think one of my favorite parts of the entire experience is the DCL dining team. I will be writing letters to DCL about him.I mean them, lol...OK back to reality...I am completely overwhelmed with the difference in the experience of a 7 nt as opposed to a 3 nt! I had an absolute blast

Disney Minnie- Brooke had to print a pic of her and Preston to take to school to show her friends her dreamboat and her daddy is giving her a hard time, lol, she is such a cutie about it...

Marlene-I am soooooo glad Brooke and Shannah hit it off so well, I have some really good pics to share...but I am totally bombarded with the new job, I will get them up soon..

I really enjoyed meeting everyone! Michael, that pic of your family with Alice is priceless, I would say it is framer The look on DD's face is one of a kind...


Brooke and I hit all 4 parks on Sunday, after an exhausting Saturday at MK...3 of us fell asleep on small world
Mom broke her toe Sunday night at HS, and I had to drive the entire 8 hrs home on Monday, after Payton whined until I gave in for Rainforest Cafe before we left for home...
DH was so completely overjoyed with our return...and I am glad to be back at home

Now time to plan a girls trip to F&W...We have 8 so far and are waitlisted for treehouses...DH is gonna kill me

 

[LiseG]

If you want to sail using your points, you have 72 hrs to call Member Services and book to get an "onboard" discount. You're right around the mark so call ASAP. I called and said we wanted to sail in 2011 with our points and they noted it for us (because that's what the online DVC guys said to do) so I have some time to use my onboard discount.

Thanks...great info. I'll call Wed am and say we want the onboard discount in 2011.

 

[LiseG]

Michael - Which families ended up on your CD? Did you set up a photo bucket for your photos and/or the CD? Where do we add ours?

Chris - Let's keep it going. We're in. I'm just starting to go through our photos.

 

[ibela]

I think that's a great idea to post our favorite pics. Of course mine are all home and I'm at work but I just may bring my CD in tomorrow.

So far the pictures posted are awesome (and hilarious).

 

[WDW Enabler]

Michael - Which families ended up on your CD? Did you set up a photo bucket for your photos and/or the CD? Where do we add ours?

Chris - Let's keep it going. We're in. I'm just starting to go through our photos.

I am still uploading to photobucket and a 4shared. as soon as I am done I will update everyone with the location. Or you can set up your own...

http://photobucket.com/DCLphotos

This is what I have uploaded so far. Most of the Photo CD is up.

 

[prdaniel]

Michael - here are pictures of you & Rose in Cozumel: http://s584.photobucket.com/albums/ss286/prdpville/.

Did the pictures of us playing with the band for a toy turn out?

(still working on trying to attach my favorite picture.....) Patricia