21st August 2011, Disney Dream

[joius24]

Hi Sarah!

We are one of the families who have booked a Comfort Suites room at Nassau. Last time we went to Nassau (4 years ago on the Wonder) we just went to a beach near where the ship docks, and had a very lukewarm experience. So we decided to go for it this year, and are very excited! I don't think there is anything wrong with this approach, and since Comfort Suites makes plenty of $$ off of our caper, I'm sure they are thrilled to have us do it (they don't even have to make up the room). Someday they'll catch on and put all the cruise guests in the same room...

We are also having a lot of fun making and assembling our FE gifts. I'm having a bit of a hard time knowing when to stop...

We are doing Comfort Inn too... we have been to Nassau several times and Atlantis/water park is one of those things we haven't done yet..so I HAD to do it... I read up on the "deal" of doing it that way and when you add the water park it is way cheaper than anything...but if you just want to see atlantic and the beach only...the Dis excursion seemed to be a fine price.

Sarah and Glassslipper.. I am soooo addicted to FE planning/making now LOL...I keep finding something else I want to make/do...I just figured out how to add the disney FONT to Microsoft WORD..I am sooo in trouble

It will be great to meet everyone....

and I just made a cruise tshirt for embarking day on Cafepress....oh AND I got my cruise docs Oh what a good day!

 

[glassslipper2004]

Joius24 - I just read your post and was cracking up - I just managed to get the Disney font onto my computer about a week ago, and spent way too many hours playing with it, designing some labels for the FE packages, thinking about what else I could do with it...

I made my family tye-dye Mickey head shirts for our last cruise, but they definitely don't fit my girls anymore. And I'm not sure they'd be willing to wear them. DH and I, however, may have them on!

 

[Lynda Silk]

glassslipper, no problem re the HP tips! I'm a huge HP fan so I am really looking forward to seeing the park. We're staying at the Royal Pacific hotel at Universal so we can go in the fast lines. And thanks for the tip re posting on the main board about arranging the beach trip ourselves vs buying the DCL excursion!

joius24, thanks for the reassurance about the DCL excursion being a good price if we only want to go to the beach! And it sounds like you're having a good time with the FE preparations!

Coach Rick, Sandals sounds wonderful!!! I'm sure you will all enjoy it! And all the talk about t shirts in the last few posts reminds me of the t shirts you made for us for the DCL cruise a few years ago (2006??). My DD and I still have them!

 

[joius24]

Glass slipper LOL... I also found micky wingdings, a "mickey" font, a mickey ears letter font and an awesome Pirate font too.... one would think I didnt have a term paper to write for school or a full time job too but nooooo ....I'm seaching the internet for fonts..and trolling FE threads....

Lynda- and Glass ...and I have never done an official cruise T before but IO had a groupon for Cafe Press that was expiring soon...Mine is very subtle....no neon colors (rarely if ever) but I have deep respect for Tye Dye Mickey though...takes talent!

Rick have fun at Sandals

Happy day to all....

 

[PrinceandPrincess]

I mailed a box to myself at the resort today! Yeah, now it really feels like its getting close!


I sent off all the FE stuff in it as well. I took full advantage of my one price box! We are planning to go to Sr. Frogs in Nassau, Ryan saw a picture of himself there when he was two so now he wants to go back and see if they remember him.

Love it there is no ego issue at our house!


Kim

 

[Coach Rick]

Coach Rick, Sandals sounds wonderful!!! I'm sure you will all enjoy it! And all the talk about t shirts in the last few posts reminds me of the t shirts you made for us for the DCL cruise a few years ago (2006??). My DD and I still have them!

Yeah, that Sandals recently went all butler service. Looking forward to seeing it.

It was 2008. Yes, I only use the best clothing for my embroidery/screen print business. I like to see them still in use years later.

I might wear mine, even though it's dated, it's a shirt that I never got to wear on the ship due to the sad circumstances that I had to cancel that cruise.

On a brighter note, I am so glad my mom is coming with us. She has one of those great rooms at the back of the ship with the HUGE verandah on deck 10! I managed to get one of them for my sister too!

 

[Coach Rick]

I mailed a box to myself at the resort today! Yeah, now it really feels like its getting close!
Kim

Eeeks, already? When are you mailing yourself down Kim?

 

[PrinceandPrincess]

Eeeks, already? When are you mailing yourself down Kim?

All I need to know about life I learned on the Dis Boards..... I used the flat rate box from the USPS, so I read that the boxes go to a central mail location so they take longer to get there than UPS, etc. They recomended getting it out 2-3 weeks before check in.

I had to laugh, I did try to price out what it would cost to send myself and kids parcel post since you put the idea in my head. Unfortunately there is a 70lb weight limit on post office packages. So I guess we will keep our Delta Seats

 

[shelbecat]

Getting excited now! Just printed out a mickey ears magnet for above our porthole. His ears came our brown though...guess it's my printer! I will see what I can fix with a sharpie - lol!

I also downloaded a Disney Font and spend hours playing with it. What on earth am I going to be able to create that's better than the DISigns I had made for us...but oh no, I still have to waste hours trying!

Three weeks and counting until departure - time to dig out the suitcase!

 

[glassslipper2004]

Are you guys going to dress up for pirate night? A little bit, or a lot? We dressed up completely 4 years ago and it was a ton of fun, but my DD12 and DD13 are not as interested this time. I'm leaning towards bringing it all anyway for me and DH, but then again, the FE's are going to take up a lot of luggage space.. argh, I can't decide.

I'm also kicking myself because although I know I saved my door decorations from our last cruise (4 years ago, and one house move inbetween) I can't find them anywhere. Guess a trip to Michael's for magnet paper is in my future!

 

[Lynda Silk]

My DD isn't interested in dressing up for Pirates' Night either. I am planning on bringing a black and red dress, and I have a Mickey's pirate pin to dress it up. So at least I can be in 'pirate-y' colours!

I finally decided to go to the beach at the Wyndham instead of going to the beach at Atlantis with DCL. The DCL excursion was $95 each including a lunch voucher. The Wyndham day pass is $40 each including the lunch buffet. If you add in $25 for the return taxi ride, then it's still a lot less expensive. I just thought I would mention it in case anyone else was in the same situation.

glassslipper, glad you reminded me about the door magnets; I'll have to dig out my stuff too!

Coach Rick, I'm going to bring my t shirt too! How nice that your Mom is coming too. Those big verandahs sound awesome!

 

[joius24]

Shellbecat .....welcome to the disney font obsessed club !

Glass...My DS will definitely not be dressing up for pirate night ....he will do fireworks with me but I am not sure he will even do the whole party this year... I have one pirate girl shirt... I may or may not. I love the party and fireworks but it is a bit - "been there done that"- now. I like not worrying about it because there is no "I gotta get there now" pressure... plus doing the b2b lets us miss one and see it on the other ... I think just being on the new ship will just be cool no matter what.

Lynda...glad you found a cheaper -good beach in nassau

I DO have my magnets for last year but some of them are specific to that cruise... so I have downloaded TONS more grapics to play round with... do I NEED more...probably not... but I WANT more just because!

Rick glad you can make this cruise and you can wear your shirt now

Wishing they had ZUMBA on the ship... I'd love to ZUMBA on deck

 

[PrinceandPrincess]

I always use my old magnets as well, I think its kind of like a tag line. I have made way more new ones than I needed though! I have started filing my suitcase, I throw all the stuff in there as I buy and the extra stuff like my FE our pirate bandanas etc. I am working up until we leave so I am hoping to have a very quick pack!

 

[sarahste]

My family is definitely dressing up for Pirate Night! Or at least, I have costumes, and I'm going to bring them, and I'm wearing mine ... but if my kids object, I don't plan on tying them up and forcing them to put on pirate attire (well, maybe. ).

I have new costumes for me, DS, and DD. My husband wants to wear the costume he wore four years ago. My daughter and I decided to go for a more "sophisticated" pirate look this time (less raggedy, more like "Royal Navy").

I hope folks dress up! I love dressing up.

-- Sarah

 

[Hygiene99]

No problem, added you to our list

Hopefully others will add you to their FE list also.
14 days from now we will be arriving in Florida

We are in Cabin 5688 .... Wayne..

If anyone would like to see that cat, just let us know it is a 6b I think.

we also have 5660 5d and 5684 6b .

Also traveling is My Bil Andrew, his son My Nephew Andrew Jr.
Niece Brittany, Niece Kaylee and Nephew Tyler. And hoping not but booked and we have a 50 50 chance Mother in law Anita!

 

[Hygiene99]

Does it make sense to book the Comfort Suites if we just want to go to the beach at Atlantis? We don't want to go to the water park, just the beach.

glassslipper, we're going to the Harry Potter World too! We're starting out there and then we're spending 2 days at WDW after the cruise. My DD17 and I are really excited!

No !

Look up public access to the beach next door to Atlantis!
can walk or take cab.! There are vendors that may try to sell you things!
But are not to pushy! but make a nice coconut drink!

Cabbage Beach is the name google! I see you already have something but here is the info.

The beach that is within walking distance from the ship is the British Colonial Hilton, after you walk off the cruise ship you will pass through a building with vendors, tour guides and a post office. (this is not the straw market) exit the building, go to the street, turn right, politely say no to "braid your hair lady", you will walk past the straw market and senior frogs, the hotel is just a little bit farther. Go in to the hotel lobby, request a day pass, I think they are $15 per person, you will have use of the pool, bathrooms, beach, and there is food and beverage for a nominal fee of course. Now, that being said, in my honest opinion there are far better beaches to visit to get the true beach experience, the hotel area is nice, but it is in the harbor where the boats come in from the ocean. There won't be any waves to play in, and probably very few sea shells, but , it is close to the cruise ship.

As posted by others, you can take the jitney (bus) to Cable beach area, and there are hotels that will allow use of there facilities as well.


You can also take a cab across the bridge to Paradise Island near the Atlantis
that is Cabbage Beach.

 

[Dreamscome2ru]

If anybody has an old magnet they do not want and want to put one on our door (5520), we'll take it.

I know my daughter will ask why I didn't get any, but I have been too busy with getting ready for the cruise (and work, and family and everything else) to put my mind to that task. I'm hoping to be able to buy a few on board.

 

[glassslipper2004]

We went to the beach at the Colonial Hilton, and it wasn't the best experience. It was walking distance from the ship, and it was easy (except that it took the receptionist about 45 minutes to deal with our day pass - I think they were having computer problems). But the beach wasn't particularly lovely, as the above poster mentioned, and the pool was fine, but not interesting in any way. It was very empty. We only stayed for a few hours, if that, and then bailed and went back through the town and to the ship.

So - that's why we're going to Atlantis this year - for a more fun atmosphere and generally magical time (that's the hope, at least).

 

[wayneg]

We are in Cabin 5688 .... Wayne..

Added your cabin number http://homepage.ntlworld.com/asters/Dismeet Aug 11.htm

Mart(burt) and Nigel (DISwolves) arrived in Orlando yesterday, I guess they are there 1st. They are eating at Manny's Chophouse tonight.

I have been ill last 2 days, believe its viral gastroenteritis, we had a relative go to the docs on Wednesday with exactly the same symptoms and that was the diagnosis, I assume mine is the same. Hope I am over the worst now.

Been packing and planning all weekend ready for our flight on Friday. Nassau day I have found 2 Geocaches I want to do then probably Senor Frogs for a drink or 2 before back on the ship, possibly a quick look around the straw market on the way.

 

[shelbecat]

We finished our fish extenders last night - what a battle trying to get our names on there. Some of us need nicknames

We are trying to do to much on our first cruise I think, but I'm going to plan things with the idea that if something doesn't work out, or I miss something, so what...but I still have to have those plans!

The Pirate party is something the kids are really looking forward to. My Mom made our daughter a pirate costume to wear. Fairly basic, but she wants to look like Izzy from Jake and the Neverland Pirates We have a couple of black scarfs with skulls on them that we will use to dress up whatever we wear that night.

ADVICE PLEASE
I need some advice on how to bring alcohol on board the ship. We have never cruised before, so this is all new. I understand we are allowed to bring a soft-sided cooler, but it will be easier to just put it in a backpack (since we are traveling from Canada, and the cooler is an extra piece of luggage that won't be reused for something else later). Our boarding time is 12:30, so it is a good bet that we won't have to carry our luggage around with us for too long once we get on board? I read that rooms are available at 1:30, but wasn't sure if that was a rule or just an average time.

I have so many questions! I will try to keep them to one per post, and keep searching out answers on here. Seems like the closer we get the more questions that pop up!