>> April 1, 2012 - Disney Dream Spring Break Frenzy! <<

[RemoCat]

Glad you were able to score good deals, Debbie! I'm shocked...so far the good prices are still holding up for the non-stops from Columbus to Orlando. Everyone must be partying too hard on their day off to pay attention around here... Sorry you're not feeling well, though!

Looks like we have the exact same dates and will be following each other back to WDW until the 9th. Getting so excited, it feels more real now that we have plane tickets!!!

Erin

 

[MASrules]

we got our flights yesterday as well...270 round trip from Indy on aitran...nonstop were all 220 or 250 one way!...usually they are the same price as the atl 1 stop on release day... Oh well...Just happy to have flights done....now for transportation...

 

[TAKitty]

Yay! I just booked this trip for me (Tracie) and a friend of mine (Becky). I am a teacher and this is our spring break. She just loves Disney and lives in Florida. We have been friends since high school. Hi!

 

[mshoo1]

I was happy to find this thread. I'll be on the cruise along with my wife and my 6-year old daughter. While we have been to Disney World many times, this will be our very first cruise.

We'll be flying down to Orlando on Saturday and spending the night at the Renaissance near Sea World (cashing in Marriott points for a free stay). After the cruise, we'll be staying at the Ritz Carlton through Easter. We're still debating whether to visit the parks any of those days. My wife (not a huge Disney fan) would prefer to relax by the pool.

After perusing the boards for the last few days, I'm a little worried about booking excursions and dining reservations. As a first-timer, I won't be able to book until 75 days out. We want to book the Atlantis Aquaventure excursion, a Castaway Cay cabana, and Palo reservations, but I'm concerned there won't be anything left by the time we get to book them.

I'm also keeping my fingers crossed that we can get switched to the early dinner seating. We're currently on a waiting list. Our daughter normally falls asleep really early, typically around 8. I'm not sure how she'll do if they can't switch us. She has a tendency to turn into a bit of a grump if she stays up too late.

 

[VA_mouseman]

Welcome aboard, new cruisers! Looks like we're picking up some momentum. Spring break seems so far away, but now that school has started the days seem to be going by quickly.

mshoo1, good luck with getting the early dining. Let me advise that, as a veteran of three DCL cruises, the ship is full of excitement and it's possibly easier for your daugher to stay up late. On the flip side, let her sleep in, since you're not rushing off to WDW parks.

As for going to the parks after the cruise, let me offer this: it's Easter week and the touringplans.com website crowd calendar has that week at tens .. uber crowded! Either skip the parks, or if you go plan on hitting the park well before rope drop to maximize your time before the crowds swell. One option is to hit the parks early and head back to the hotel/pool in the early afternoon.

TAKitty and friend (Tracy and Becky), welcome aboard! We're excited that you'll be joining us.

We all should plan on meeting during the cruise, even if it's just an informal meet and greet in one of the lounges.

I've been looking at airfare, and the prices aren't budging down. I'm used to great fares when flying to Orlando (from DC) in January. I guess I'm seeing the 'spring break' affect. We're probably going to Florida for part of the holidays, so we need to secure those flights first.

 

[RemoCat]

So I've been planning to post some photos, and now that I sat down to do it, I couldn't decide which of the several hundred to choose! What are you guys wanting to see (who haven't been on the Dream yet)? Let me know, and I can almost guarantee I have a pic. We were on the first cast member preview cruise with our dear friends who work for the Mouse, and had a lot of time to take photos, etc. The ship was only half full, so some of the photos don't even have people in them. Let me know and I'll get some up here.

Anyone here interested in starting a fish extender group? We'd love to do it!

Erin

 

[VA_mouseman]

So I've been planning to post some photos, and now that I sat down to do it, I couldn't decide which of the several hundred to choose! What are you guys wanting to see (who haven't been on the Dream yet)? Let me know, and I can almost guarantee I have a pic.

The lounges? The restaurants? The 'common' spaces? Thanks!

 

[RemoCat]

Okay, so sorry to do this, but I'm still too "new" to be able to post the photos through a link. I have to submit 3 more posts, so here's one...

 

[RemoCat]

....and #2....

 

[RemoCat]

...and #3. Now let's see if I can get these photos posted!

 

[RemoCat]

The lights in Enchanted Garden

[/IMG]

The statue in EG

Tables - we loved the chairs, so cool!

More cool chairs. These are in Animator's Palate

Crush interacts with everyone during dinner. He swims from table to table!

The last 3 are from Royal Palace.

 

[RemoCat]

Palo...

[/IMG]

Adult-only pool:

Whirlpool for 2 (there are 2 of these in one room) in Senses. I claim one!!

Heated tiled chairs in Senses (right behind whirlpools):

Adult areas:

 

[RemoCat]

That's all for tonight...I'll do more later. If anyone has any idea how to make my photos smaller, I'd love to hear! I just used the Photobucket upload instructions provided on this thread - thanks!!

Erin

 

[VA_mouseman]

Wow, that's pics look great! Thanks for sharing.

 

[SSinWYO]

Hello all~ New to this forum (well, any forum) and just wanted to stop bye and meet some folks b4 our big trip! It will be me (single mom) with my then 12 yo daughter. Super excited - starting to book flights and pre/post trips!

HI!!

 

[VA_mouseman]

Hello all~ New to this forum (well, any forum) and just wanted to stop bye and meet some folks b4 our big trip! It will be me (single mom) with my then 12 yo daughter. Super excited - starting to book flights and pre/post trips!

Welcome aboard! We're excited you'll be joining us. That's going to be a long flight from Wyoming! I'd suggest you plan to arrive in Orlando at least by Saturday, the day before the cruise. That's a common bit of advice, factoring in any potential airline/weather delays. The boat sails at 4PM on Sunday, and they don't wait for late passengers!

 

[VA_mouseman]

OK, I'm here laughing at my profile pic! It's a family photo from a defunct "pirate and princess" party we attended, back in January 2007. My older son (far right on the photo) is nearly as tall as I am now. My younger son is much taller as well. Looks like it's time to find a new family Disney photo.

 

[guarn3md]

Welcome aboard to all the new members. I think we should start a role call that can be updated as new people join us. I can start it if no one else wants to... I am glad to see this thread is starting to gain momentum!

I was happy to find this thread. I'll be on the cruise along with my wife and my 6-year old daughter. While we have been to Disney World many times, this will be our very first cruise.

We'll be flying down to Orlando on Saturday and spending the night at the Renaissance near Sea World (cashing in Marriott points for a free stay).
We just booked the Renaissance too. Wonder if it is the same one...We booked the one closest to Orlando airport. We are also using a free night from DH business travels. We did the Cocoa beach hotel for our first dream cruise this past spring break and wanted to do something different this year. We are flying in on Saturday and taking the free shuttle from the airport. Then on Sunday a limo is taking us to port.
After perusing the boards for the last few days, I'm a little worried about booking excursions and dining reservations. As a first-timer, I won't be able to book until 75 days out. We want to book the Atlantis Aquaventure excursion, a Castaway Cay cabana, and Palo reservations, but I'm concerned there won't be anything left by the time we get to book them.
For our first Dream cruise we too couldn't book anything until 75 days out - we ended up getting what we wanted, excpet for Palo dinner. I really wanted a Palo brunch though. We never tried for a Cabana. But we were able to book the Stingray adventure at Castaway Cay (so much fun) and the Dolphin Adventure at Blue Lagoon Islad (very worth the money)!!
I'm also keeping my fingers crossed that we can get switched to the early dinner seating. We're currently on a waiting list. Our daughter normally falls asleep really early, typically around 8. I'm not sure how she'll do if they can't switch us. She has a tendency to turn into a bit of a grump if she stays up too late.

We were also waitlisted for the early dining. Didn't change until we were checking in and I had completely forgotten about and gotten use to the 8pm dining time (in my mind). Then when they gave us our ID cards the CM was going over everything and mentioned the 5pm dining time...and that is when we found out we were moved. I have to admit we ended up liking the early time. We rebooked for this cruise while onboard in April, we had to be waitlisted for early dining again! Hoping for the same move again. We are also requesting our server from the last cruise and a table by ourselves (there will be 6 of us). Having tablemates last time did not work out for us.

As for going to the parks after the cruise, let me offer this: it's Easter week and the touringplans.com website crowd calendar has that week at tens .. uber crowded! Either skip the parks, or if you go plan on hitting the park well before rope drop to maximize your time before the crowds swell. One option is to hit the parks early and head back to the hotel/pool in the early afternoon.
We went to WDW after last years Spring Break cruise and yes the parks were rated a 10 but I felt they were more doable then when I have been during 4th of July week. For one thing the weather was so much better!!!
We all should plan on meeting during the cruise, even if it's just an informal meet and greet in one of the lounges.
[/COLOR="red"]This past years cruise we all met around 2:30pm on boarding day on a top deck (can't remember the number) in a really cool meeting area. Deb T - do you remember the location? It was great to see everyone before the cruise began because then you would be able to recognize people throughout the cruise![/COLOR]
I've been looking at airfare, and the prices aren't budging down. I'm used to great fares when flying to Orlando (from DC) in January. I guess I'm seeing the 'spring break' affect. We're probably going to Florida for part of the holidays, so we need to secure those flights first.

Ugh - airline flights are horrible lately. Southwest used to be so great from BWI. We are going Thanksgiving week and we are flying Southwest. Got some pretty good rates back in May and both flights are nonstop. But just bought our Spring Break tickets and we are flying Jet Blue this time from National. It was so much better than Southwest!

Thinking of the FE...did it last cruise but not sure if I want to/can pack all that stuff when I am flying! If I can come up with an idea of something small I might be up for it. Interested to know who else might be interested...
Debbie

 

[guarn3md]

So I just noticed the Monie started a Role Call on the 1st page, but it hasn't been updated since Feb 2011. I can upgrade it since we have so many new people since then... Just don't want to step on any toes...

 

[VA_mouseman]

So I just noticed the Monie started a Role Call on the 1st page, but it hasn't been updated since Feb 2011. I can upgrade it since we have so many new people since then... Just don't want to step on any toes...

Thanks ...

Monie, or whoever will be updating the list: we are:

VA_Mouseman - Jamie, wife Suzanne and DS 14, DS10

(we'll also be cruising with my in-laws, my SiL and her family, including my 5 yr old twin nephews, but they're not on the boards here).