Ahoy November 12th, 2009 Cruisers!!

[Alice_on_WONDERland]

Well now that DH and I are going to be flying in we have decided to stay at the Hyatt at MCO and take the ME to the Port. I am sorry I won't get to join in the pre-cruise fun @ the Radisson . I can't remember....are we doing a meet on the ship?

Lynn,

Why not take the ME over to the POP the night before and meet up with us?

 

[LynnF0513]

Scootch ~ Wow that's a good deal. I ended up with $160.00. Was the certificate a special that was offered for returning customers etc?

Harmony ~ I hadn't even considered! Plus I wouldn't have to pay for the ME to WDW...hmmmmm decisions decisions...What time is check in there? What day are you arriving?

 

[Alice_on_WONDERland]

Lynn,

I don't know what time check-in is for sure, but I remember reading somewhere that it's 3:00 - but don't quote me. I also remember reading that if your room is ready earlier you can check in whenever. If my memory serves me correctly, I read that on the DIS board devoted to the POP.

And you don't have to stay at the POP just because we are silly! You can stay anywhere on-site at WDW and we can meet up with you.

Think it over...

 

[LynnF0513]

Harmony ~ I will! The good thing is that if we go to WDW 1st I would only have to pay for a DCL transfer from the port to airport instead of both ways. Plus I could hit DT Disney to pick up some pins. I have really been wanting to stay at BLT I may see if I can get a one night ressie there and then we can meet up for dinner. Boy I love it when a plan comes together Do you guys already have dinner ressies planned?

 

[Alice_on_WONDERland]

Lynn,

We are definately going to Downtown Disney! I can't wait! One of my very favorite things to do is shop. I try to do it every day, even if it's just lurking online!

We are planning to go to T-REX for dinner. My 5 year old son is really excited about it.

Speaking of Bay Lake Tower, when DH & I were thinking of buying into DVC that would have been our home resort. I'd like to try to tour it if we get time. Maybe our flight back will be late enough that I can sneak in before our flight home!

 

[scootch]

Scootch ~ Wow that's a good deal. I ended up with $160.00. Was the certificate a special that was offered for returning customers etc?

On the Hyatt site, you can purchase Elite Certificates for $141. I called first and booked the room with the certificate(they allot a number of rooms for certificates so before I bought it, i made the reservation to be sure i could use it).... then I just purchased the certificate from their site. If you need to find it on their site, let me know, I will search for where i bought it and give you a link. Our flight gets in around 8pm and the kids will have been in school all day, so I just wanted to be able to get to bed ASAP as I am sure they will be tired. We are also taking the DCL bus in the morning, so this way we can sleep in a bit, and just grab the bus there. I know it is cheaper to rent a car, but my hubby really didn't want me dealing with that(since he won't be there) so I chose to pay for the convenience of the bus. Another plus of staying at the Hyatt as they will take care of my luggage to the port too.

I decided to just stick with my cat 9. One of my worries is sea sickness, and we are midship level 2 which is best for that.

Anyone get a good deal on rental car for after the cruise??? We are going to Sea World, Discovery Cove and WDW(staying at BLT).

 

[LynnF0513]

I just posted a reservation wanted ad on the DVC boards to see if I can get a room for 11/11 which is my anniversary I think DH and I will try and get ressies at Narcoossees. It's our fave resteraunt at Disney. If everything works out we can meet up at DTD for some shopping

So are you guys headed back to Disney after the cruise? If I remember right the BLT models are at Saratoga which is right across from DTD. Or if you guys want to see the resort you could come over and see our room (I asked for a 1br but will take a studio).

 

[LynnF0513]

Scootch ~ Thanks! I think Harmony has managed to talk me into spending the day at Disney (doesn't take much to convince me...just a few short sentences ) I had no idea you could purchase certificates. That's a deal! Goodness. I can't imagine being in school all day and then having to get on a plane ughhhh. Of course you guys will all be super excited but still.

DH and I are on 2 midship too! As you said it's supposed to be great for seasickness so I got right smack dab in the middle this time. I sailed 7 forward last time...DON'T EVER DO THIS. I woke up thinking I was on Splash Mountain!

 

[Alice_on_WONDERland]

Lynn,

Your plans sound so fun! What a wonderful way to spend your anniversary. How romantic!

I hope it all works out so that you are able to get that suite. And you can bet I'll want to come over and check it out!

 

[LynnF0513]

Thanks for putting the idea in my head! Our flight is either coming in at 9:55 or 11:51 (Haven't chosen yet). What time are you guys set to arrive?

I will count on you coming by to check it out

 

[Alice_on_WONDERland]

Our flight gets in around 11:00 - 11:30 a.m.! Woot! We should be to WDW by 1:00, no problem! If we can't get in our room we'll just hang by the pool.

I just checked my DCL reservation and we are still at GTY status. I'm hoping (and praying) for an upgrade!

 

[LynnF0513]

Awesome! If we come in at 11:51 we may even make it on the same ME to WDW!

Are you going to hit DTD before or after dinner? I think I will call tomorrow and make ressies for Narcoossees (I can always cnx if something falls through)

What CT are you in now? DH and I chose our cabin number so it's pretty unlikely we will be getting an upgrade but I am happy w/it I am happy w/the location so I won't complain.

 

[Alice_on_WONDERland]

We're probably going to do DTD before dinner. Here's the game plan I've worked out in my head:

~1:00 get to the POP & either check right in to the room or spend a little time lounging around the pool

~3:00 take the little guy up to the room for a rest

~5:00 get ready and head out to DTD

~7:00 dinner reservations at T-REX

after dinner spend time walking around DTD &/or the Boardwalk

then head back to the room and sleep like a baby knowing the very next day I'll be back on the beautiful ship!


We're in a cat 11 right now. I'd really like that to change to at least a 9, but I'm fine either way.

 

[LynnF0513]

Harmony ~ Sounds good! I will make our dinner ressies for around the same time and follow your itinerary. If we end up at BLT you guys can come by after dinner and see the resort!

Now where does the ME leave from? Is it all resorts or only certain ones?

Also, how did you go about getting on the list for transportation from the airport to WDW? Do you just let them know you need transportation when you make the reservation?

 

[Alice_on_WONDERland]

If things don't work out "according to my plan" we'll just wing-it. If it doens't work out for us to meet at some time around WDW, we'll meet up at the ship. We'll have to exchange cell numbers before we leave. You see, this is why you need to get on facebook! We can have conversations like this all the time!

Actually, I did not make arrangements for ME. I plan to rent a car. I know it sounds silly, but we're going to wait to pick up our liquor the morning of the cruise before we head to the terminal. Plus, you are right about ME only picking up at certain resorts. And I know for certain POP isn't one of them. I think having our own car will make it easier for us to get around WDW. Plus we won't have to wait for an ME shuttle to take us to the port. So I guess I'm not much help about ME!

 

[LynnF0513]

OK OK....I got a facebook. You have a friends request from me

I figure we will take the ME from the Airport to WDW then from WDW to the port then from the port to the Airport. I looked it up on the Disney website I just need to call them to make the arrangements. Easy enough!

 

[scootch]

Scootch ~ Thanks! I think Harmony has managed to talk me into spending the day at Disney (doesn't take much to convince me...just a few short sentences ) I had no idea you could purchase certificates. That's a deal! Goodness. I can't imagine being in school all day and then having to get on a plane ughhhh. Of course you guys will all be super excited but still.

DH and I are on 2 midship too! As you said it's supposed to be great for seasickness so I got right smack dab in the middle this time. I sailed 7 forward last time...DON'T EVER DO THIS. I woke up thinking I was on Splash Mountain!

I learned the hyatt thing on another message board. School shouldn't be too bad, they are only in 1 and 4th grade. I have them missing 6 days though and couldn't afford another one as I have to take them out a day in Dec to go to my nephews wedding in Atlanta. They are done at 230pm, that gives them time to see daddy for an hour then head to the airport. We are only about 30 min away. The Hyatt will be super convenient when we land at 8ish.

7 aft was where I really had wanted to be... so thanks for the warning. Going to quit obsessing about that detail and stay put. The obsessions, they are always there, haha...

We are staying at BLT for 4 nights after the cruise. Can't wait! We love the Contemporary.

Can you believe we have been to WDW 5 times and we have never gone to DTD?!?! I am thinking of heading there after our day at Discovery Cove as we might be dropping the rental car off near there anyhow.

 

[LynnF0513]

Scootch ~ I heard 7 aft isn't bad (our cruise buddy's stayed there last time) but forward was horrible. I have never been seasick in my life until staying forward. I ended up in the Promenade lounge at 2 am due to the movement.

Wow 4 days at BLT I am jealous. I am trying to get 1 day now (11/11, which is DH and I's anniversary) I love DTD. You will love it, make sure you hit the Christmas store, it's awesome!

 

[scootch]

Scootch ~ I heard 7 aft isn't bad (our cruise buddy's stayed there last time) but forward was horrible. I have never been seasick in my life until staying forward. I ended up in the Promenade lounge at 2 am due to the movement.

Wow 4 days at BLT I am jealous. I am trying to get 1 day now (11/11, which is DH and I's anniversary) I love DTD. You will love it, make sure you hit the Christmas store, it's awesome!

I rented points from a DVC member. We are staying in a studio, just the three of us with a lake view. I had wanted the MK view, but there was no availability. I will have a rental car for Discovery Cove and Sea World and we will have 2 1/2 days for WDW too. Then I will go home in shear exhaustion. This is the longest trip without daddy that I have ever taken

 

[Alice_on_WONDERland]

We are staying at BLT for 4 nights after the cruise. Can't wait! We love the Contemporary.

Oh! Oh! I am SOOOOO jealous! You lucky ducks!

...make sure you hit the Christmas store, it's awesome!

Oh no - there's a Christmas store there?! I am going to be in some serious trouble! Will someone please distract my husband while I shop?! At least I'll be earning more rewards dollars on my Disney Visa for our next cruise!