11-23-2008 DCL per-Thanksgiving 3 night Wonder cruise!!

[pillow]

You should be able to get something for the end of September I would think. See, you come to the boards and now you have another trip planned.

I am travelling to southern florida to stay with my in laws after the cruise. We never get to see them at Thanksgiving so this was a good way to get both things in one trip.

The Epcot Food & Wine festival will be going on at the end of September. Has anyone been to that? Not sure how that will affect my ability to find a studio at Beach Club.

If you get the Beach Club pre-cruise, I hope the weather is nice enough for you to use the pool (never been at Thanksgiving, but I hear it can go either way). The pool is fabulous!

J

 

[Disney Fans]

My kids get off 2 hours early Wed and then are off Thurs and Fri. I'm just taking them out of school for the whole week.

Our Spring break always coincides with Easter, so this year, it was early - in March. Its always the week after Easter.

I wish we went year round because then we'd have breaks at odd times. We could vacation when others are in school and go cheaper. Oh well!

Jodie

We used to get out the 1st week of March for spring break. Which would be great because it is off season but then they changed starting this year and it will always be now around the week of March 17th which is more of a college spring brake. ( Not great when you have little kids) And we never have off around Easter? Kind of crazy but thats how it is at our school.
I know what you are talking about the year around school. I have a good friend in Denver and it is that way where she lives and she loved it!!

 

[Disney Fans]

Missed a lot today. We had a birthday party.

 

[pillow]

I know what you are talking about the year around school. I have a good friend in Denver and it is that way where she lives and she loved it!!

Really? Where in Denver?? Do you know which school district? My brother might be relocating out west - don't know where yet, but Denver is a possibility. Its in the back of my mind that if he lands in Denver, I wouldn't mind following him there. Heard its a great place to live.

Jodie

 

[Disney Fans]

Really? Where in Denver?? Do you know which school district? My brother might be relocating out west - don't know where yet, but Denver is a possibility. Its in the back of my mind that if he lands in Denver, I wouldn't mind following him there. Heard its a great place to live.

Jodie

I want to say it is Parker? I need to check to make sure. It is a sub- town right outside of Denver.
It is nice there.

 

[pillow]

So, what do you guys recommend doing in Nassau? Have you been to Atlantis?

How far from the town of Nassau does the ship dock?

Jodie

 

[Disney Fans]

So, what do you guys recommend doing in Nassau? Have you been to Atlantis?

How far from the town of Nassau does the ship dock?

Jodie

The boat docks right at the downtown area so you can walk around there if you want and take a carriage ride. That is fun.
We didn't take the offical tour of Atlantis but just took a short taxi ride over to Atlantis and walked around and eat, etc. It is a big area. Fun to walk around, eat, etc.
We didn't do it but our friends went on the day trip to the beach and said they had fun but the walk was really long and won't recommend it with small kids.
You might want to look up the Atlantis web site and Nassau to see what kind of things you might want to do. You will have a lot of fun!!

 

[pillow]

Found something very interesting. The prices for the Disney run shore excursions to Atlantis are astronomical. The adult price for the Aquadventure (which basically means using the pools and slides) is $155 for one adult. For a family of 4, it more than breaks our budget. If you book a room at the Comfort Suites, you are allowed to use the pool, slides and beach at Atlantis for free (its located just across the street). When I checked, the AAA price at Comfort Suites was only $215, and a room holds 4 people. That might be a good alternative for someone who wants to experience Atlantis but wants to save some money. Of course you have to add on cab fare, but the hotel told me its only a 10-15 minute cab ride. The cheapest price for booking a room at Atlantis is $290 - still cheaper than the shore excursion.

Jodie

 

[spaddy]

I think we have decided to pretty much stay on the ship. I am afraid Atlantis will be too exhausting. My in laws go there a lot and love it. They say they are always tired when they get back because there is so much to do.

How much and how long is the carriage ride? I figured we would probably do a little walking tour ourselves and then go back to the ship. I know Nassau can be a little scary, but I figure if it doesn't feel right we will just go back to the ship.

Ugh, I can't believe it's 8 more months.

 

[pillow]

I think we have decided to pretty much stay on the ship. I am afraid Atlantis will be too exhausting. My in laws go there a lot and love it. They say they are always tired when they get back because there is so much to do.

How much and how long is the carriage ride? I figured we would probably do a little walking tour ourselves and then go back to the ship. I know Nassau can be a little scary, but I figure if it doesn't feel right we will just go back to the ship.

Ugh, I can't believe it's 8 more months.

I'm thinking the same thing too. I'd love to see Atlantis, but since the cruise is only 3 nights, I think we'd rather walk around Nassau and then hang out on board. I would like to go to Atlantis another time though. I know my kids would love those pools!!

Jodie

 

[Disney Fans]

Found something very interesting. The prices for the Disney run shore excursions to Atlantis are astronomical. The adult price for the Aquadventure (which basically means using the pools and slides) is $155 for one adult. For a family of 4, it more than breaks our budget. If you book a room at the Comfort Suites, you are allowed to use the pool, slides and beach at Atlantis for free (its located just across the street). When I checked, the AAA price at Comfort Suites was only $215, and a room holds 4 people. That might be a good alternative for someone who wants to experience Atlantis but wants to save some money. Of course you have to add on cab fare, but the hotel told me its only a 10-15 minute cab ride. The cheapest price for booking a room at Atlantis is $290 - still cheaper than the shore excursion.

Jodie

You can get a day rate at Atlantis which they will not do until 24 hours before the date depending on how full the hotel is. Last time we were there the day rate wat $125.00
But sounds like you guys are thinking of just staying around the ship and downtown and that can be fun also.
Since we have seen Atlantis we may just hang out around the downtown and ship area also.

 

[Disney Fans]

I think we have decided to pretty much stay on the ship. I am afraid Atlantis will be too exhausting. My in laws go there a lot and love it. They say they are always tired when they get back because there is so much to do.

How much and how long is the carriage ride? I figured we would probably do a little walking tour ourselves and then go back to the ship. I know Nassau can be a little scary, but I figure if it doesn't feel right we will just go back to the ship.

Ugh, I can't believe it's 8 more months.

Carriage ride is around $5-8 per person but they will always try and work with you on it. So if one is asking more then that then just go up and ask another one. Same with the cab rides.

 

[pillow]

You can get a day rate at Atlantis which they will not do until 24 hours before the date depending on how full the hotel is. Last time we were there the day rate wat $125.00
But sounds like you guys are thinking of just staying around the ship and downtown and that can be fun also.
Since we have seen Atlantis we may just hang out around the downtown and ship area also.

Thats a per person rate right? I was reading a thread on another board, and they quoted $88 per person (but the info was old) - same deal - you had to wait until the last minute.

Yeah, I think we'll hang around the ship - especially since the cruise is short. I care more about having fun on the ship than I do Nassau.

Thanks so much for the Everest info. I have everything booked. I wanted Beach Club, but the studios were sold out (Boardwalk too). We ended up booking Saratoga and are on the waiting list for Beach Club.

J

 

[IheartDL]

We're totally staying on board the ship that day. This is our first DCL trip, and I want as much time on that ship as possible!

 

[Disney Fans]

Thats a per person rate right? I was reading a thread on another board, and they quoted $88 per person (but the info was old) - same deal - you had to wait until the last minute.

Yeah, I think we'll hang around the ship - especially since the cruise is short. I care more about having fun on the ship than I do Nassau.

Thanks so much for the Everest info. I have everything booked. I wanted Beach Club, but the studios were sold out (Boardwalk too). We ended up booking Saratoga and are on the waiting list for Beach Club.

J

No if you book with the hotel and not through Disney it is for up to five people for the day rate. ( The day rate is really a hafe day use of hotel and swim, etc.) But the hotel will not give those out unil the day before and it depends on how full the hotel is. This was the rate just few years ago when we went last. Call the hotel and ask to make sure but I can't believe the day/hafe rate would be $88 per person??? That is crazy because that it could end up cheaper to book ahead for a whole day normal rate.

 

[Disney Fans]

So some of you might be going then to WDW before the cruise. Another trip besides Nov. cruise?
Thats me, I booked the Free Dine for late Aug/Sept. But I don't know if we can swing the money for that and cruise so if we have to choose I would do the Cruise for sure!!!
But either way I would be just happy to go!!! Anytime also.

 

[spaddy]

So some of you might be going then to WDW before the cruise. Another trip besides Nov. cruise?
Thats me, I booked the Free Dine for late Aug/Sept. But I don't know if we can swing the money for that and cruise so if we have to choose I would do the Cruise for sure!!!
But either way I would be just happy to go!!! Anytime also.

It looks like we have some runners in the group. I guess I better get to the gym.

I went to WDW last Memorial Day weekend and never again. I just cannot handle the heat and humidity. I don't know what we are going to do when my son is in school. Our school district doesn't even have Spring Break. And I don't think I can handle the crowds and Christmas time. When we lived in New Mexico they had year round school. I remember the kids having a couple weeks off in October. What an awesome time to have a week off. I remember when I was a kid I thought summer break was too long. I think a month in the summer is more than enough.

I know summer will go fast for me. I never really get the WDW urge during summer. I know I can't handle it. So if I can just make it 3 more weeks until my DL trip hopefully the rest will be easy.

 

[pillow]

It looks like we have some runners in the group. I guess I better get to the gym.

I went to WDW last Memorial Day weekend and never again. I just cannot handle the heat and humidity. I don't know what we are going to do when my son is in school. Our school district doesn't even have Spring Break. And I don't think I can handle the crowds and Christmas time. When we lived in New Mexico they had year round school. I remember the kids having a couple weeks off in October. What an awesome time to have a week off. I remember when I was a kid I thought summer break was too long. I think a month in the summer is more than enough.

I know summer will go fast for me. I never really get the WDW urge during summer. I know I can't handle it. So if I can just make it 3 more weeks until my DL trip hopefully the rest will be easy.

I totally agree. I hate WDW during the summer!! We went in July one year, and I said NEVER AGAIN! We've made a habit out of going over spring break. Its very crowded, but if you play your cards right, you can avoid most of the crowds. It means getting up early to get to the parks right when they open. When we were there this year, we were able to ride everything at Animal Kingdom with no more than a 10 minute wait - and during the second busiest week of the year!! You might want to pick up the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World by Schlesinger (sp?). They have done tons of research and have developed "touring plans" that tell you an order in which to ride things to avoid crowds and lines. They say that you can save up to 4 hours of line time during busy periods by following their plan. We've tested it, and it really works!! They also have a website that tells you which parks to visit on which days to avoid crowds. Its very interesting! It may allow you to go over Christmas - you just have to have a plan. What about Thanksgiving week? I hate to pull my kids out of school for an entire week, but I can justify the 2 - 3 days before Thanksgiving - which is why we're doing the cruise this November. It really does get hard when the kids go to school!

I would LOVE year round school!!!!!!!!!

Jodie

 

[Disney Fans]

WOW!! What a night and day we have had here in the Big D. We had alot of damage and just now got our electric back on!!! We were really lucky that we only had minor damage to our fence but friends not so lucky parts of their home are now gone. etc. At least we don't know of anyone that got hurt.
Hope you all have had a much better day then us!!1
It is like a soap opra lately here with the storms and all.

 

[pillow]

WOW!! What a night and day we have had here in the Big D. We had alot of damage and just now got our electric back on!!! We were really lucky that we only had minor damage to our fence but friends not so lucky parts of their home are now gone. etc. At least we don't know of anyone that got hurt.
Hope you all have had a much better day then us!!1
It is like a soap opra lately here with the storms and all.

Where do you live?