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

[RemoCat]

Welcome to the group. We're a small, quiet group but hopefully as time goes by more cruisers will join the thread.

As far as I know a fish extender group hasn't been formed yet. I'd love to join if we get one organized. I've never done one before (only been on one cruise), but it sounds fun. I've been looking on eBay and etsy to have fish extender made. They're so cute!

Nancy

Thanks! Yes, I have also checked out ebay and etsy. Pretty sure I have the ones I want picked out, as this lady also does the pillowcases. A little more info about our arrangements, since people are starting to discuss:

We're flying in the day before, staying at Kidani Village (parents are coming with us, and are DVC members), then we'll return to Kidani or another DVC property afterwards through Easter weekend. We decided to book a roundtrip limo, as it was cheaper than the Magical Express, and we could pick our own time. It also will add to the "wow!" factor with this being a surprise for the kids (DD 10 and DS 6 at the time). They will only think they've been surprised by a trip to Disney the day before, and will have no idea about the cruise until the limo comes. Yea! It's just driving my hubby and I crazy keeping the secret for this long - we booked in January, too, so it's been awhile already. But it will be sooo worth it!

 

[tinkerbellfriend]

Hey everyone, we have about 8 months till our cruise. Yeah!!

 

[VA_mouseman]

In case you're interested ..

The updated Passporter Guide to the Disney Cruise Line is available now. I pre-ordered my copy a few months ago and I learned that it arrived in the mail today. I know what I'm reading tonight!

 

[bmer1rick]

Hi everyone

 

[WhoDat]

Hi bmer1rick. Are you joining our cruise group?

Nancy

 

[DisneyNerds2012]

Hi everyone! My fiance, Will, and I will be traveling on the April 1st sail date for our honeymoon! We are getting married the night before and then flying down early Sunday morning. After the cruise, we are going to spend two days in the parks...resort to be determined. We are so excited about having Mickey Bars at sea! Can't wait to be married and to be crusing!

 

[WhoDat]

Wow! You certainly do have big plans. Good luck with all of your planning. I've been on one DCL cruise and can tell you it's a great way to kick back and relax.

 

[VA_mouseman]

Welcome aboard, DisneyNerds2012! Congrats on the upcoming nuptials.

We just booked our pre-cruise resort stay. Our goal is for the Wilderness Lodge, but we can't book there yet (DVC rules), so we booked two nights at Saratoga Springs, our home resort. We'll switch to VWL if we can get in there (can't call until later this month).

 

[Brookie1972]

We are booked at the Hampton, using our Hilton miles, was trying for Doubletree at first, but Hampton does 2 Queen and Doubletree does 2 Doubles, with family of 5, that makes the difference.

Yeah, the ship has been sold out for awhile for family rooms too. Someone told me (not sure if it is true) that Disney usually does sell out the ship eventually, so the crowds on the spring break cruise really aren't much different than they are the rest of the year.

We had Contemp book for post cruise, but I just cancelled last week. Our family from Florida was up and they have children the same age as our. In the past we haven't visited them when we are at Disney, but the kids are getting the age where they are missing their cousins and they actually said they would rather do 3 days with their cousins than go to Disney.

Anyway, I booked us a week in August for about the same price as what we were paying for 3 nights during spring break. Hope I don't regret this. I would much rather be at Disney, but I guess I will get a few bonus days at Disney the other way.

 

[clc053103]

Add us to the list... The women and children first tour! We leave the husbands at home!

Me, my mother, and DS6.
Sister, her DS9 and DS13
We are in adjoining family ocean view staterooms on deck 9. This our first Disney cruise. We are staying at the residence inn the night before, and universal after.
Would love to hear tips for cruising with kids, anything special we should bring for them?

 

[guarn3md]

A little over 7 months until we sail...
Here is a picture from my Disney Dream Spring Break trip 2011

Hampton Inn shuttle chaos! Watching this scene for about 10 mins. caused my Dad to call for a taxi!



Disney Dream from the Taxi as we were stopped for the drawbridge



If you all want more pictures...I can keep posting...Just let me know!

Debbie

 

[Deb T.]

A little over 7 months until we sail...
Here is a picture from my Disney Dream Spring Break trip 2011

Hampton Inn shuttle chaos! Watching this scene for about 10 mins. caused my Dad to call for a taxi!



Disney Dream from the Taxi as we were stopped for the drawbridge



If you all want more pictures...I can keep posting...Just let me know!

Debbie

Oh yes... please post more! Especially photos of all the wonderful DISer's from that cruise!

Hi Everyone! I've been following this thread for months but have been reluctant to post yet because we're still not 100% sure we will end up on this sailing. We booked this cruise while onboard the same spring break 2011 Dream cruise that Debbie was on. However, my employment status has changed from full-time down to just one day a week due to budget cuts that caused my position to be eliminated. If things don't improve, we will need to change this cruise to one that is off-season in order to save money.

For those who haven't sailed on the Dream yet, you're in for quite a treat! The ship is gorgeous and has a lot of really fun, innovative activities. We did back-to-back cruises last April, so we actually enjoyed seven glorious nights onboard! It was just DH and me on the 4-night and then our adult kids joined us on the 3-night. It will be just DH and me again on this cruise.

Happy planning!

 

[guarn3md]

Oh Deb I hope you can join us for this cruise!!!
I am really looking forward to bringing my DH with us this time. As you know...we left him home for the April 2011 cruise. My parents and Asia will be back too and we got adjoining staterooms this time!
Praying a better job comes through for you!!!!
Keep us posted...
Debbie

 

[clc053103]

Would enjoy more pics! Not much action on this thread, some pics would liven it up!

 

[Brookie1972]

Yikes! I've been to shuttle lines like that....people throwing elbows, etc to make it on the next shuttle. We are staying at the Hampton, was the hotel okay? We are using our miles for it. We aren't planning on using the shuttle though, renting a car at Orlando airport the day before and driving over and dropping off the car the morning of the cruise. Hoping the rental car company shuttle doesn't look like that, suppose I better have a taxi # for backup.

I actually looked into rebooking the cruise off season (in Nov) and it was actually more money....I was surprised.

 

[Deb T.]

Yikes! I've been to shuttle lines like that....people throwing elbows, etc to make it on the next shuttle. We are staying at the Hampton, was the hotel okay? We are using our miles for it. We aren't planning on using the shuttle though, renting a car at Orlando airport the day before and driving over and dropping off the car the morning of the cruise. Hoping the rental car company shuttle doesn't look like that, suppose I better have a taxi # for backup.

I actually looked into rebooking the cruise off season (in Nov) and it was actually more money....I was surprised.

Unfortunately (for last April's 4-night cruise), we encountered an even bigger crowd at Cape Canaveral's Budget location around 9am, all very eager to get on the shuttle to port. It was frustrating because it was obvious there were people who just arrived but were trying to board the shuttle ahead of those of us who'd clearly been waiting longer. Some were trying to throw their luggage on so that they would be able to board instead of patiently waiting for the shuttle driver to load it. The customer service line inside was long, too, if you wanted a receipt. Some people were opting to not receive a receipt, but we felt that having a receipt would cover us in case there were any "extra" charges on our credit card.


However, our adult children experienced no lines and no shuttle issues when they arrived at the same Budget location that Thursday around 9am for the 3-night cruise! So, I guess it's just a matter of luck!

 

[Deb T.]

I actually looked into rebooking the cruise off season (in Nov) and it was actually more money....I was surprised.

If we end up having to rebook, we'll probably shoot for a late January or early February cruise. Hopefully, those rates will be lower, anyway. But, with the popularity of the Dream, and the fact that's she's been sailing at capacity since the inaugural, I really wouldn't be surprised if we don't find a cheaper sailing and end up keeping this cruise after all. (That would be my secret hope! )

 

[Brookie1972]

We are booked on Hertz before the cruise and Avis afterwards, maybe I am better off just keeping the car for the week and paying for the parking at the pier.

Still waiting on flights, rates should come out in the next month. Trying to come in a day early, but still a bit nervous that we could get a big blizzard like last year. Can insurance be added after deposit as long as it is before final payment? Would blizzard that prevented you from getting there before the cruise count?

Another question....doe the kids need passports? We have ours, but I hate getting theirs when they are so $$$ and aren't good very long. I bought my oldest son one when they said we needed it to go to Canada and never did need it and it is expired.

 

[Deb T.]

We are booked on Hertz before the cruise and Avis afterwards, maybe I am better off just keeping the car for the week and paying for the parking at the pier.

Still waiting on flights, rates should come out in the next month. Trying to come in a day early, but still a bit nervous that we could get a big blizzard like last year. Can insurance be added after deposit as long as it is before final payment? Would blizzard that prevented you from getting there before the cruise count?

Another question....doe the kids need passports? We have ours, but I hate getting theirs when they are so $$$ and aren't good very long. I bought my oldest son one when they said we needed it to go to Canada and never did need it and it is expired.

Parking at the port is super expensive so we find it's almost worth the hassle to put up with car rental long lines and crowded shuttles. It would make a huge difference if everyone would just drop off their luggage and family at the port first. That way, you only have to worry about one person getting on the shuttle. While the rental car driver returns the car, the rest of the family can go ahead and get checked in at the port.

It is my understanding that you can purchase cruise insurance up until the final payment is made, but you should check with the insurance agency to be sure. There are lots of types of coverage and I, personally, find it very confusing! I would recommend asking about weather delays/cancellations when you research the different plans.

Planning to arrive at least a day early is well worth it. This cruise, are planning to fly in either Friday night or Saturday morning, rent a car, stay at WDW, and then drive to the port Sunday morning. Can't wait!

Here is what the DCL site says about required travel documentation:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/p...trieveReservationLink=RetrieveReservationLink

U.S. Citizens

All Guests claiming U.S. citizenship, including children, who board a cruise ship within the United States, travel only within the Western Hemisphere, and return to the same U.S. port on the same ship may present one of the following documents as proof of U.S. citizenship for each member of their party :

A valid, unexpired U.S. Passport
A valid, unexpired U.S. Passport Card
State Issued Enhanced Driver's License - this is a special type of license that provides proof of identity and US citizenship; not all states offer Enhanced Driver's Licenses please visit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

I looked all over DCL's website and couldn't find anything about using birth certificates anymore as proof of citizenship. I do remember that when birth certificates were acceptable, they had to be a particular kind with a raised seal.

 

[Brookie1972]

Thanks! I need to do some more homework it looks like. I am hoping to fly out on a nonstop Sat morning. Would love to leave on Friday, but I am required to work the last day before spring break and the only flights going out that night have changes and with 3 kids, I really don't feel like doing that.

Was thinking the same thing about the rental car shuttle....dropping off everyone but 1 at the pier, but wondering if that would leave one of us going out of our mind with 3 kids and all the luggage....I would be the crazy stressed out lady at the terminal. And the one running straight for a drink when I got on the ship!!! Now if dh took one of the twins, I would be fine with 2 kids and luggage.