09/18/11 - DVCers Take Over the Dream (S.S. Member Cruise 2011) - Thread #13

[dvc deernut]

I hope you feel better soon!!

Hey, I noticed you've been on every Member Cruise since '07 ... I was just wondering how this one compared to prior years??

I must admit, we were rather disappointed (after all the hype, 20th Anniversary, new ship, etc.) in "the loot" given out by DVC ... not to mention, there didn't seem like much offered as far as 'guest speakers', special events -- or heck, ANY events!

Anybody else feel like it didn't quite live up to their expectations? We had a great time ... just guess we expected a little more. Probably won't do another Member Cruise. We spent a week at WDW prior to the cruise and prefer the cooler temps of November (our usual travel time).

We usually go on 7-day cruises on the Magic ... the sea days are filled with lots of activities to choose from on the Navigator ... this just seemed lacking to us. Wasn't sure if it was because of the shorter cruise, different ship, or what?

The Dream was definitely GORGEOUS and my kids loved the AquaDuck.

OK ID SUM IT UP LIKE THIS.

2007 LEGENDS CRUISE. GREAT CRUISE, GREAT GUESTS AND ENTERTAINMENT. THEY HAD RICHARD SHERMAN, MARTY SLKAR, THE ORIGINAL ANNIE, THE ORIGINAL ALICE FROM WALTS FIRST ANIMATED LIVE CARTOONS. WE MADE GREAT FRIENDS AT OUR TABLE AND HAVE SAT WITH THEM EVER SINCE. GREAT GIFTS INCLUDING A LARGE THROW WITH WALT AND MICKEY IN THE DESIGN.
2008 CRUISE WE GOT FREE BECAUSE WE ADDED 250 POINTS THAT WE NEEDED ON THE 2007 CRUISE. IT WAS FIRST OF 4 INSPIRATION CRUISES. FANTASTIC GUESTS. VINCE PAPALI, WHICH WE HAD LUNCH WITH AT SERENITY BAY,LINDA COHN FIRST FEMALE SPORTSCASTER I THINK AT ESPN, I CANT REMEMBER THE YOUNG MANS NAME WHO WAS BLIND AND IN A WHEELCHAIR TOTALLY DEPENDANT ON HIS PARENTS. HE WAS A PIANIST ALONG WITH PLAYING I THINK TRUMPET IN I THINK LOUISVILLE MARCHING BAND. I THINK THIS WAS THE CRUISE THAT HAD THE 3 LEADING LADIES FROM THE 3 DISDNEY BROADWAY MUSICALS ENTERTAIN US.
2009 WE HAD THE FIRST SCREENING OF THE REDONE SNOW WHITE, CANT REMEMBER THE ENTERTAINMENT BUT THERE WERE A COUPLE DISNEY LEAD SINGERS.
2010, DUCKY WILLIAMS AND BILL FARMER AND BECKY CLINE, ACTUALLY 3 OF MY FAVOURITES. BECAUSE I ORIGINALLY WANTED TO BE AN ANIMATOR LIKE DUCKY I COULD WATCH AND LISTEN TO HIM FOR HOURS. GOOFY ONE OF MY FAVOURITE CHARCTERS I REALLY ENJOY BILL FARMER. BECKY CLINE HEAD MY FAVOURITE DEPARTMENT NOW SO I LOVE TO PICK HER BRAIN. BILL AND BECKY REMEMBERED ME THIS YEAR FROM THE 2010 CRUISE. THEY ALSO HAD THE SHOWING OF SECRATARIAT BEFORE IT WAS IN THEATRES.
NOW 2011, I ENJOYED THE GUESTS THEY HAD, BILL FARMER DUCKY WILLIAMS AND BECKY CLINE, AND KERMIT. BILL FARMER AND HIS WIFE WERE SO KIND TO ME SIGNING SOMETHING FOR 2 ILL KIDS. MAKING FRIENDS WITH STEVES(KERMIT) SISTER IN LAW AND BROTHER IN LAW AT SERENITY BAY(chatted for 3 hours in the water)WAS AN ADDED PLEASURE.

I HAVE LEFT DETAILS OUT BUT IM GETTING OLD AND CANT REMEMBER EVERYTHINGBUT WITH WHAT IVE SAID I CAN ANSWER YOUR QUESTION.
THE CRUISE WAS FANTASTIC, DCL AND DISBOARD PEEPS GET ALL THE KUDOS FOR A FUN CRUISE.BUT EVEN THOU THEY BROUGHT THOSE 3 SPECIAL GUESTS ON BOARD THAT WERE SPECIAL FOR ME DVCs PART WAS VERY DISAPPOINTING.
WILL WE DO IT AGAIN.. IF WE CAN GET ON NEXT YEARS CRUISE WE WILL BE VERY PLEASED. EVEN THOU IVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE DVC PART OF IT, EVERYONE WHO SAILED ON THE CRUISE GAVE US MANY FOND MEMORIES THANKS!!!

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

I HAVE LEFT DETAILS OUT BUT IM GETTING OLD AND CANT REMEMBER EVERYTHING

My goodness ... I'd say you did a pretty darn good job of remembering!! I don't know how you did it!

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

2010 CRUISE. THEY ALSO HAD THE SHOWING OF SECRATARIAT BEFORE IT WAS IN THEATRES.

Oooo! That's cool! I loved that movie!

I was HOPING they would show Dolphin Tale (at least, I think it's a Disney movie??) onboard the ship a wee, tad early ... but we missed it by a day!

EDITED: Oops. I just checked - it's not a Disney movie. Well, then, I guess I should forgive them for that.

 

[PammyK]

JUST WANTED TO GET TERRIE ALL EXCITED. I KNOW YOU THINK YOUR SEEING DOUBLE!!!

Oh, you're the guy with the brain!!! And the furry hats. Eh?

 

[calypso726]

I THINK TERRIE AND WALLY ROLE PLAY WALLY IS JACK SPARROW AND TERRIE IS ELIZABETH

Great idea ... except then I'd never leave the house

 

[SandyPA]

PHOTO PASS SHARE INFO​

Go to Disneyphotopass.com
Log in as user: reagansway@gmail.com
Password: PM Junior for the password (Steamboat Willy Nilly)
Type in your photo pass number and edit your photos.

If at all possible, can everyone get theirs done by Saturday night? (there's a coupon for $15 off the CD)

We will order the cd and then when it comes in we will make copies and send them out. So if you are participating PM me your address.

Please PM me with any questions!

On my return home I have a coupon code in my email for $30.00 off. making it $119.00. If you want it and I am sure you do email me and I will send it to you. I prepaid in advance for my cd at $99.00 so I do not need the code. Sandy

 

[DizDragonfly]

But of course WOW!!! Sounds like some major drama Feel free to dish ... er, uhm, I mean vent I will commiserate with you tomorow at right about wine o'clock While I have no major drama to deal with, I am rather frustrated that Kate & Curran still haven't hooked up yet and I'm on book 4already (Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews). I've decided that is a good enough reason to get my drunk on too

Italian Margarita: one serving
1 shot tequila (I use Patron or 1800 Reposado. Sssshhh don't tell Fernando)
1/2 shot Amaretto di Saronno
1/2 shot Triple Sec
3 oz or so Margarita mix or sweet n sour mix
shake n serve over ice in a salted margarita glass.

Red Velvet Cake martini
1 shot Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka
2 shots Pinnacle Cake Vodka
1 1/2 shots Godiva chocolate liqueur
1/2 shot Chambord
dash of grenadine
3 oz chocolate milk
2 oz heavy whipping cream
(optional) 1 shot creme de fraise (or any strawberry flavored liqueur)

Pour into a shaker over ice and shake well to chill the contents. Then strain it all into a blender or magic bullet (no ice in the blender). Then and add 1 tsp of red velvet cake mix into the blender. Can't have clumps of red velevet cake mix in the drink Once it is well blended pour into a chilled martini glass that has been frosted with cream cheese cake frosting.

What it boils down to is that three parents, who have minimal involvement/effort in the troop complained about our Scoutmaster (nothing serious, they just weren't happy) and without talking to any other parents or committee members, our chartered organization fired him, removed him from the troop and banned him from the premises. These actions are so far over the top that it's just blown the minds of everyone, including the complainers. The rest of us are furious. I'd happily go to another troop, but I won't force my boys away from their friends. However, I'm no longer lifting a finger to help the troop and if we can get enough parents to go and start another troop, I'm outta here. They make me sick. Literally.

Thanks so much for the recipes! I'm gonna have fun shopping at the liquor store today!

Nope. Jack is mine and I am not sharing him with the bears

Love it!

 

[disrailfan]

2008 CRUISE WE GOT FREE BECAUSE WE ADDED 250 POINTS THAT WE NEEDED ON THE 2007 CRUISE. IT WAS FIRST OF 4 INSPIRATION CRUISES. FANTASTIC GUESTS. VINCE PAPALI, WHICH WE HAD LUNCH WITH AT SERENITY BAY,LINDA COHN FIRST FEMALE SPORTSCASTER I THINK AT ESPN, I CANT REMEMBER THE YOUNG MANS NAME WHO WAS BLIND AND IN A WHEELCHAIR TOTALLY DEPENDANT ON HIS PARENTS. HE WAS A PIANIST ALONG WITH PLAYING I THINK TRUMPET IN I THINK LOUISVILLE MARCHING BAND. I THINK THIS WAS THE CRUISE THAT HAD THE 3 LEADING LADIES FROM THE 3 DISDNEY BROADWAY MUSICALS ENTERTAIN US.

You forgot some of the highlights of the 2008 SS Member Cruise.

The young gentlemans name was Patrick Henry Hughes..

Other highlights:

Vince Papale first and only walk on player for the AFL (Philidelphia Eagles).

Shawn and Milfords first Member Cruise.

 

[W@LL-E]

sigh...i miss being on vacation

 

[W@LL-E]

sigh...i miss being on vacation

reality blows...good thing we have our annual WDW Halloween Trip to look forward to in a month.

 

[Luckymomoftwo]

Does anyone know what type of pillows are on the beds in the staterooms?

 

[Luckymomoftwo]

sigh...i miss being on vacation

reality blows...good thing we have our annual WDW Halloween Trip to look forward to in a month.

I think it's safe to say that we ALL agree with your statements. Except for the part about having an upcoming Halloween trip planned. Hang in there....you'll be at the World again before you know it.

 

[W@LL-E]

Does anyone know what type of pillows are on the beds in the staterooms?

this one?

 

[Luckymomoftwo]

No...the white ones.

 

[W@LL-E]

No...the white ones.

Debbie, according to some folks on some other discussion group:

"The pillows are the New Generation Pillow from Harbor Linen Company. The phone number is 1-800-257-7858 or you can order from their website www.harborcareathome.com"

<CLICKY HERE>

 

[peloha86]

Hiya everyone!

sigh...i miss being on vacation

reality blows...good thing we have our annual WDW Halloween Trip to look forward to in a month.

It's not too far until Halloween!



Just a quick hello, catching up on things here in Cali...

Abbie's car got stolen...but found.

Dug (our Golden Retriever ) had a foxtail stuck in his paw while we were away. It swelled up so we took him to the vet to get it taken out. He was such a good puppy.

The kiosk at American Airlines had a techie issue with the self-check in computer, charged us $60 on 3 different cards that we did not authorize. So I'm dealing with that.

Oh well...when ya fall down, the only way to go is up.

I too miss vacation very much, esp. all the Dispeeps we met.
So I'm searching for another vacay to look forward too.

Waiting for my pics from the Aquaduck.
I will get back soon.

Here's a BIG to all:
The wonderful blessings from everyone.
Some rest, tea, honey, cough drops for all those who have a cold also.
And some thoughts of another vacay when you unpack, just remember, you'll be packing soon enough for another vacay!

Jennifer

 

[DizDragonfly]

sigh...i miss being on vacation

reality blows...

Agreed!!

Terrie, I got everything for the Italian Margaritas, but I may have to build my stash over a few weeks for the Red Velvet Cake Martinis. I was surprised that our small town liquor store had everything I needed! But, I priced it out and it was going to be over $150 there. There's no competition in this town. Probably cheaper at the stores in the city that is just 20 minutes from here. So, I'll price it out there in a few days. If not, I'll just spread it out over a couple of pay periods to make the sticker shock less painful.

 

[Mortimer The Great]

Here are some random thoughts about the cruise:

1. Disney does it right by having separate areas for kids and adults (yeah Vibe!).

2. I am a big proponent of size appropriate clothing such as no Speedo's for old overweight men or two piece bikinis for morbidly obese woman and just for clarity’s sake, I am no Adonis myself hence baggy shorts. Oh and two piece bikinis on prepubescent girls is double creepy.

3. Cabana's food rocks, the other included restaurants not so much and Remys? Awesome. Fun fact, in my world the use of the word “awesome” in this context also means expensive!

4. There is plenty to do on a cruise, so much that I went to bed every night tired and while what you put into it is important, meeting new friends is even better. Disney cruise + friends + alcohol – grumpy kids = fun.

5. Lion King in 3D was cool but with the Kermit the Frog stuff why not the new Muppet movie too?

6. Fish nibbling my toes at Castaway Cay was nice, seeing the Steve Irwin murdering manta rays not so much.

7. Besides an ice sculpture I don't remember seeing any decorations that indicated it was a DVC cruise. It was a nice ice sculpture though...

And a couple of not so cruise related:

1. TSA searching bags while in line to board the plane is stupid and wasteful. Really? If I have bad stuff in my bag at that point then the security screening area completely failed to do its job. Bonus search points to the nice TSA lady who unzipped my backpack, glanced inside and moved on.

2. I am stunned by the number of adults who dress up for the Not So Scary Halloween party, at least equal to children. I liked the middle age moms with kids dressed up as princesses and I especially enjoyed the mom with the rubber/latex little Bo Peep costume with frilly underwear, but the Steam Punk quintet was my favorite. (Extra thanks to my wife who pointed out the cute Asian young ladies dressed up as Snow White and Alice!)

 

[Luckymomoftwo]

Hi Mortimer The Great! My favorite costume I saw at the MNSSHP was the Milkman and the pregnant girl!!! They were right behind us in line for Haunted Mansion. We laughed so hard at their costumes!!! They were awesome! But I was afraid to ask if she was really pregnant.

 

[Friendofpluto]

Hi everyone! Miss the wonderful Dream and the wonderful time we had! Like everyone else came home with a URI- still fighting it. Work was not too bad this week although I still want to be on vacation. I really enjoyed cruising!! We go back to WDW in March with grandkids. Although it will be fun it will not be relaxing. We have decided we need to save up a little while for our next cruise. I think we may do a trip to Disney in Sept just to relax. Now to plan our next big trip- maybe Hawaii, maybe cruise- probably 2013. Need to keep planning to avoid complete Disney withdrawal. It's been good reading everyone's updates since they have returned. The fishextenders were wonderful- thank you!!! Should we plan a meet up after the holidays? Any ideas for location?