09/18/11 - DVCers Take Over the Dream (S.S. Member Cruise 2011) - Thread #4

[Truffle]

I'm tired after reading your post! I remember very well the sleep deprivation I suffered from when I was a new mom. And that was with just one kids. I can't imagine having TWO! But then again, I hear they are easier when they are in the toddler stage because they keep each other company. Enjoy the late shift tonight! I miss those days....middle of the night feedings...all alone just me and the baby...even with the sleep deprivation, those were precious times!!!

As the parent it was precious--as the grandparents, not so...
Before this, I never felt as if I was too old for something. All nighters whilst (for John) attempting to snooze on a leaky air mattress is a thing of the past for us after this trip.

 

[Truffle]

As the parent it was precious--as the grandparents, not so...
Before this, I never felt as if I was too old for something. All nighters whilst (for John) attempting to snooze on a leaky air mattress is a thing of the past for us after this trip.

OOPS!!! That was me (Sue) posting from dans iPad and forgetting to login. Sorry.

 

[Truffle]

A few pics from London:

Another:

And another:

There will be more later.

 

[friends with mickey]

Looking forward to more pics

 

[Luckymomoftwo]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONIKA! (Time4DisneyNow)​

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

​

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONIKA! (Time4DisneyNow)​

Hope you have a great day!

 

[FaithTrustnPixieDust]

I almost forgot to brag to you guys!!! My DD-7 brought home all A's & B's on her report card!!!!!! (I cried!!!!!)

I don't remember if I posted on here but she's was in a self contained special needs class for Kindergarten & First grade. She was also in a special needs pre-school. She was diagnosed with ADHD but *I* think she has Asperger's Syndrome (it's on the Autism spectrum). Anyway, I begged with NISEC (the special ed program through our county) to put her in a regular classroom for the last two school years. This year I demanded it and wouldn't you know, she's on the honor roll!!! Goes to show how much those NISEC people know!!!!

Debbie, This is GREAT news!!! Congrats your daughter! Tell her to keep up the good work.

 

[Hoosier John]

Happy Birthday Monika!!!

 

[FaithTrustnPixieDust]

I can't believe I beat Dan and Sue (Truffle and clayfolks) to the DISboard. We all ate together at Bistro1 in Covent Garden area of London. It was recommended by their DD Terra and it was great! The prices were remarkably reasonable compared to the Midwest, not to mention the middle of London. We had a 3 course lunch including starters, main, and desserts.

Backing up a little ... Lara and I were in London overnight to drive her mom (mum) and sister to Heathrow first thing this morning. We left the car at the Hotel, took the city bus to the Tube (subway) station for the 50 minute ride into town. At Terra's recommendation, Dan & Sue would meet us at the subway exit around 12:30. While talking to them the previous night, I ran out of minutes on my pay-as-you-go cell phone, so when we just missed the city bus to the Tube and had to wait in line for Oyster (metro) tickets I couldn't call them (Lara left her phone in the car). But they were still there awaiting our arrival (sorry Dan & Sue!).

I recognized them immediately from DISboard photos. We had great conversation, just like old friends who hadn't seen each other in a while. Keep in mind this is the first time I have spent so much time getting to know people before I met them. For others who are new to the DISboard this cruise, I can definitely say, it is very worthwhile. Dan showed us photos of their 19 month old grandson and the new twins. The looked like two peas in a pod, each swaddled up and laying face to face. So cute!

In this area, the streets are closed and completely open to pedestrians. We walked through the human statues and other performers on our way to lunch. Following lunch we went to the Disney store and did some shopping at the marketplace. Sue managed to find a scarf which matched her bright green shoes and purple purse. She nixed the near perfect match, figuring it would only work on the rare occasion she wore that combination of clothes again. Her and Lara went together on a 2 scarfs for one combo price, and Sue found another one she liked too.

We took a few photos, which Dan and I will exchange. I'll ask Dan to post whatever ones he likes for me since I don't have a site to host them (I know I could use photobucket, but I don't really like using those sites). Laran was a little shy at first, but quickly returned to normal ... I think sitting down for a meal together helps with that.

I really enjoyed talking with their daughter Terra on the phone ... very energetic and bubbly. I know you are both very proud of her and her accomplishments. In talking about her participation in a prestegious sailboat race, we learned of a mutual friend in Michigan. A boater named Jack who is related to Sue has a nice boat in the same marina where we have our boat. Over last summer we got to know Jack pretty well. It's - A - Small -World - After - All... Don't sing it, or it'll be stuck in your head all day.

Best wishes to Dan, Sue, and the rest of their clan who will be joining them for a tour of Ireland!

John, Thanks for sharing. Sounds like you all had a great time. Isn't it fun when you get to meet people from the DIS in person.

 

[Hoosier John]

I've got more good news. We just booked the Queen Mary 2 back to the states! Slightly more expensive than when I first looked, but nearly half the price of what Cunard Lines just quoted me. We will probably never sail Cunard again, but they have such a rich history to miss the chance to sail with them once. Now I just hope that we measure up to the more formal standards they maintain. We are lodged in 'steerage class', thus we will be dining with the rest of the peasants, so we'll probably be fine.

This however does put us in a money crunch for Disneyland Paris. I've been on their forum here on DISboard and have gathered a lot of tips, but no matter how we slice it, it comes up over $2,000 for a weekend visit. I even started a thread there to ask about taking an overnight bus there. It won't really save money over flying or high speed rail, but I thought Lara might be able to do it without taking much time off work. I figured traveling at night both ways would allow for sleep and two full days at the parks. It would be a 15 hour journey including delays at the bus terminal and the ferry ride.

We will look into driving, but this would require a 'GB' magnet on the car to let everyone know we are driving from the right side of the car, headlight deflectors to angle the beams out of oncoming driver's eyes, a red triangle and a reflective vest, I think. And since we don't speak French, the road signs might be a problem. Our GPS is loaded for Europe, so that would really help. In the end we may just have to nix DLP for now, and hope we make it to Paris sometime when we can tour the city too. Or maybe win one of those Disney Parks world tours they gave away a few years ago!

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

Well John I sure hope you can get to DLP. It seems like you're so close it would be a shame to have to skip it. Congrats on the QM2 though. I remember when my folks took the QE2 transatlantic. I was so jealous. They loved it. Here's some for your plans for France.

 

[friends with mickey]

I've got more good news. We just booked the Queen Mary 2 back to the states! Slightly more expensive than when I first looked, but nearly half the price of what Cunard Lines just quoted me. We will probably never sail Cunard again, but they have such a rich history to miss the chance to sail with them once. Now I just hope that we measure up to the more formal standards they maintain. We are lodged in 'steerage class', thus we will be dining with the rest of the peasants, so we'll probably be fine.

This however does put us in a money crunch for Disneyland Paris. I've been on their forum here on DISboard and have gathered a lot of tips, but no matter how we slice it, it comes up over $2,000 for a weekend visit. I even started a thread there to ask about taking an overnight bus there. It won't really save money over flying or high speed rail, but I thought Lara might be able to do it without taking much time off work. I figured traveling at night both ways would allow for sleep and two full days at the parks. It would be a 15 hour journey including delays at the bus terminal and the ferry ride.

We will look into driving, but this would require a 'GB' magnet on the car to let everyone know we are driving from the right side of the car, headlight deflectors to angle the beams out of oncoming driver's eyes, a red triangle and a reflective vest, I think. And since we don't speak French, the road signs might be a problem. Our GPS is loaded for Europe, so that would really help. In the end we may just have to nix DLP for now, and hope we make it to Paris sometime when we can tour the city too. Or maybe win one of those Disney Parks world tours they gave away a few years ago!

Hi John,
How long will it take to sail back on the QM2 and what US port does it bring you to? I hope you find a way to get to DLP, but if not, Que serah serah, what ever will be will be. My French is bad also.

 

[Time4disneynow]

Happy Birthday Monika!!!

Hope you have a great day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONIKA! (Time4DisneyNow)​

Thank you so much...John,Terri and Debbie.

 

[DizDragonfly]

FYI:

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]-- [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Starting this week, dining times onboard the Disney Dream are being changed. Both dining periods will begin 15 minutes earlier than originally scheduled -- First dining will begin at 5:45 p.m. and second dining at 8:15 p.m.[/FONT]

 

[Hoosier John]

Well John I sure hope you can get to DLP. It seems like you're so close it would be a shame to have to skip it. Congrats on the QM2 though. I remember when my folks took the QE2 transatlantic. I was so jealous. They loved it. Here's some for your plans for France.

Thanks Terri, I think it will be fun and more relaxing than flying. Of course we still have to get 3 months of luggage onto a plane from NY to IN (hmm, unless we rent a car?).

Glad to hear your parents really enjoyed it! Any tips for cruising with Cunard? I understand they are more regimented, or set in the old ways of ocean travel ... more formal, if you will. Hope that works for Laran and us too. I definitely know I need to get something for sea-sickness. Usually I can get by without anything in the Caribbean, but no way across the Atlantic.

Hi John,
How long will it take to sail back on the QM2 and what US port does it bring you to? I hope you find a way to get to DLP, but if not, Que serah serah, what ever will be will be. My French is bad also.

Hi Mike, the cruise sails from Southampton (London) to New York city. The journey takes 7 days. Right now I don't have the confirmation documents, so I'm not exactly sure where either port is. Maybe Andy, Mickey, or one of the other NY'ers can help?

I haven't given up on DLP just yet. If we drive, google maps estimate it would take about 8 hours and $130 of fuel each way. Plus it would give Lara a chance to recall some of the 4 years of French she had in HS. But having not used it for over 20 years, I doubt she will be of much help.

 

[Carmouse10]

Right now I don't have the confirmation documents, so I'm not exactly sure where either port is. Maybe Andy, Mickey, or one of the other NY'ers can help?

As best as I recall, I believe she sails into port in Brooklyn. The port is right near the entrance to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel which goes into NYC. I am pretty sure you will sail right near the Statue of Liberty on approach to Port.

 

[Hoosier John]

As best as I recall, I believe she sails into port in Brooklyn. The port is right near the entrance to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel which goes into NYC. I am pretty sure you will sail right near the Statue of Liberty on approach to Port.

That could very well be right, Andy. I remember seeing the QM2 sailing past the Statue of Liberty in a video on their website. It also looked like they just barely cleared a bridge in New York.

Thanks

Edit: I just got confirmation from the Travel Agnet that Andy is correct: 70 IMLAY STREET, BROOKLYN NEW YORK 11231

 

[friends with mickey]

That could very well be right, Andy. I remember seeing the QM2 sailing past the Statue of Liberty in a video on their website. It also looked like they just barely cleared a bridge in New York.

Thanks

Give Lady Liberty a salute for us as you sail by and be sure and duck as you go under the bridge.

 

[Carmouse10]

It also looked like they just barely cleared a bridge in New York.

That bridge that they just barely clear is right next to where I work. Perhaps I will sit on the balcony or lawn with a rum drink and watch you duck as you go under lol.

 

[Hoosier John]

That bridge that they just barely clear is right next to where I work. Perhaps I will sit on the balcony or lawn with a rum drink and watch you duck as you go under lol.

I know we talk a lot about adult beverages on this thread ... but it docks a 7 AM! That's even too early for me to start drinking.

I'll be sure to wave. Would I be able to pick out your station from the water?