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

[RemoCat]

Sooooo glad to know you're feeling better about all of this. It will certainly be a wonderful surprise trip! And it will be here sooooon!!!!

I know!! Can't believe we're only 6 weeks out!!! Another question (and don't worry, I'm not asking in order to change my plans all around). I usually use easyWDW for building my plan, but I just looked at touringplans as well. They are not in agreement (touringplans actually helps me if they're right on a couple of the days...making easy's non-recommended park a recommended park on touring). Since you're a fellow compulsive planner (and there's nothing wrong with us!) , which site(s) do you trust and use the most? Or is it a combination of several?

 

[tellyaddict]

Well I thought I was an obsessive till I read your posts Remocat I totally understand how you are getting stressed about fitting everything in as I do the same. Fortunately DH is less obsessive (but still pretty organised) and he balances out my OCD tendencies.
I had never even heard of planning websites for Disney, just the touring plans in the Bob Sehlinger books which are pretty good. Even the best website though can't account for the circumstances on the day; if a ride breaks down, an unexpectedly busy or quiet day, how you and the children are feeling? So I would stick to your main 'must-dos' and have a bit of flexibility about the rest? Makes me twitchy too, not being entirely planned, but extreme planning does leave you open to disappointment if not everything goes to plan. And remember what the Sehlinger book says (well an old edition did anyway) that children most often like the pool best of all their Disney holiday!! Not what we parents who have spent £££$$$ on the trip want to hear!

 

[mubriankoz]

Well i can relate to the planning struggles. The mrs and I are still debating over what other park to do beside MK. After the cruise we are only staying at Boardwalk another 3 nights. Thursday will just be a pool and DD night and Saturday is already set for MK. So that leaves either HS or E on Thursday. From an attraction perspective it is such a toss up between Soarin', Test Track and Star Tours and Toy Story. My daughter wants Epcot, son wants HS. Staying at Boardwalk gives us the ability to hop from one park to the other. But we are all day park people. Such tough choices!!

 

[Deb T.]

I know!! Can't believe we're only 6 weeks out!!! Another question (and don't worry, I'm not asking in order to change my plans all around). I usually use easyWDW for building my plan, but I just looked at touringplans as well. They are not in agreement (touringplans actually helps me if they're right on a couple of the days...making easy's non-recommended park a recommended park on touring). Since you're a fellow compulsive planner (and there's nothing wrong with us!) , which site(s) do you trust and use the most? Or is it a combination of several?

I always do my own planning. We are DVC members and take full advantage of Southwest's DING fares, so we usually make it down to WDW for 3-4 long weekends a year. We joke that I know WDW better than the town we live in! I'm very observant, so I pretty much know what the standby line wait times are going to be throughout the day.

The main things I take into consideration when planning are:
Magical Mornings/Evenings
Most popular rides first
FastPasses, FastPasses, FastPasses! As soon as we can get another set, I'm off and running!

We always go to MK, HS, and EPCOT. We rarely go to AK anymore - only if a new attraction opens or if we've taken friends down with us.

 

[RemoCat]

Okay, so I realize now looking back at that post that I look like a total crazy person! Here's a little something about me...I tend to "process" out loud, dive in and look at all possibilities and solutions to a problem, stress for a moment, then get my clarity. I definitely was processing "out loud" on the boards! In my original post, I even stated that after all of that, all we had to do was switch our AK for another HS day if we determin we need another day there (if not, we stick with AK). The easy thing there is our dining ressie that day is not in a park, so we're flexible. So I came to an easy solution, but my brain goes through all the "choices" and "situations" before it can make a decision. Not fun sometimes!! Believe it or not, we only try to "schedule" in a couple must-dos for each park (which is how the conversation started over dinner), then flow with the rest of the day based on what we decide to do while there, etc. However, we also have several dining ressies, so that adds another element, as does the fact that my parents will only be with us for 3 of our park days, and they have things they'd like to see the grandkids do. So, just trying to explore all possibilities and contingencies gets me in a temporary tizzy, then I'm all good! Thinking we might be changing park days 6 weeks out based on touring guide website recommendations and such just made me panic for moment (I'm one of the ones who's up at 6:00 a.m. 180 days out making ADRs), then I decided to just stick with what we had. Thanks for being my sounding board on this one - I figured I wasn't alone on the craziness here! Most people I know don't get it - they just know they appreciate my craziness when I help them plan their own Disney trips.

When we're in the parks, we're relaxed, and definitely take a "what happens, happens...we're at the "Happiest Place on Earth!" approach. I get all my worries/stresses out ahead of time, hit myself over the head and like my hubby and I joked last night, remember this is definitely a "first world problem."

Brian, we are definitely full day park people, too, which is why we just decided to bypass the hoppers and save the money this year. We are also staying at Boardwalk post-cruise, but just for 2 nights, then my parents leave (our DVC connection) and we transfer to POFQ for the last 2 nights. Our kids, even though our youngest is only 6, proved to us last time that they are "run all day" troopers. When they're there, they're so excited that they want to be in the parks all day. If we were staying a full week at the parks, we'd plan a no-park day, but they want to get in as much of the parks as they can this time. When we went when they were only 7 and 3 (nearly 4), they made it all day without crashing, napping, etc., and I am even an adamant no-stroller person. They were champs!!

So I think we're all good over here. Now if only they weren't changing the Fast Pass rules....

 

[Deb T.]

It is Sunday, and exactly 6 weeks from today we are ready to board The Disney DREAM!

We will wake up early, hardly believing that the day is finally here! A few final morning preparations, and then we all will make our way to the port. Some will arrive by personal car, some by rental car, some by hired car, some by hotel shuttle, and some on Disney buses. At some point, while crossing over the peak of a big bridge, someone will look to the left and gasp, "There she is! There's the ship! Do you see it?" And now we're REALLY excited! We'll wind around this way and that, and then approach the ship from her stern, hardly able to breathe at the wondrous sight of her! Look! There’s Sorcerer Mickey hanging off the ship! We'll drive through the security check point with a silly grin on our faces and verify we're cruising that day, hand our luggage over to the porters, tip them, and then walk inside the glass doors of DCL's port building. A quick security screening scan of person and carry-ons, and then up the escalator to the friendly cast member who will guide us to the correct check-in line! We verify that no one is or has been sick these last few days, get our pictures taken, and are handed our Key to the World cards and boarding number! What boarding number did you get??

Soon, we'll be exploring the port building, noticing all the little Disney details such as how the ceiling is designed to look like waves and the floors like sand. Be sure to also notice all the special graphics that are inlaid in the flooring. We'll marvel at the large Disney Magic scaled model that is cut in half on the back side, and then peer inside the model to see if we can figure out the differences between Disney’s first ship and the one we’re about to embark on. Those with children will meet Kid's Club counselors and hear about some of the fun activities planned. White wristbands will be attached to kids' wrists signifying they are now a part of the best children’s programming on the seven seas. Soon, characters will start appearing in front of the ship model for photos! Look, there's Captain Mickey!!! Some of us will step outside on the balcony and stare in awe at what looks like a tall building moored a few feet away! Can you spot your cabin – your comfy home-away-from-home (or its vicinity) - for the next four nights? Looking down, we watch the massive preparations that are underway for our arrival, such as crates and crates of food! Yum! Luggage is piled high inside huge rolling metal caged bins that are being carefully eased up gangway planks, disappearing into the hull of the ship, that will magically appear outside our cabin doors around 3pm!

Believe it or not, even if we were the first to arrive at port opening, time will pass quickly in the terminal. There is so much to observe (people-watching is very fascinating here!)! Before we know it, the Family of the Day is announced, signaling that boarding is imminent! Once again, our hearts start beating excitedly! The concierge guests slip in from their special waiting area, and then the boarding announcement is made for #1’s and the platinum guests start walking toward the big yellow ears! That's our cue! Boarding goes very quickly as everyone starts surging toward the line for their turn. Another boarding announcement, and off we go! Our turn to walk through the ears, hand over our Key to the World card for the first of many swipes, gather for a quick family embarkation photo, cross the gangway ramp, and tell our surname to the smiling officer. The amazingly gorgeous huge chandelier catches our eye before we notice twenty or so very impressive white uniformed officers smiling at us and finally hear... "The Disney Dream welcomes the __ Family!". (A very emotional moment!) We hear clapping and one of the officers approaches to personally greet us. Are we really onboard?!?! Oh my, yes we are! We really, really are! And then we are ushered in the direction of an amazing Welcome Aboard Luncheon! Which way would you like to go – the Enchanted Garden or Cabanas?

More of Sunday to follow…

 

[RemoCat]

I LOVE your post, Deb T.!!! I can totally picture the whole thing, having cruised once before (though without the kids) on the Dream! I CANNOT wait to see our kids expressions when they realize they really aren't going to the Space Center that day....I don't think they'll be too upset with us!!!

 

[ccbride412]

DF has all of our Disney days after the cruise planned out too. It's strange to me that he's done this since he usually lets me be the crazy planner, but he's got lots of surprises in store. I threw a monkey wrench in his plans by telling him I've booked the Exotic Car Experience at the Richard Petty track for him to drive an R8 (he's over the moon excited about this) and then Disney called to inform him that one of his surprises fell through. He was planning to take me on a backstage tour of MK, but the computer accidentally let them book it on Easter weekend when no one will be working! DF was upset that they ruined his surprise, but on the other hand, now we can relax a little and take our time since the cancelled tour was 5 hours!

Our honeymoon spot is a surprise for me too. So, I haven't been able to do any of my normal research for stuff to do or tours to go on. I'm trying to let it go, but you know how it is for us planner types!

 

[SSinWYO]

Not sure if these have been asked before, but if so I missed it.

1 - are there secured lockers at Atlantis or do you recommend taking a lock along?

2 - if you get onboard early on April 1st and you want to do the pool/Aquaduck first thing, where do you change and store your stuff?


Thanks!

 

[Deb T.]

We left off having just boarded the Dream and were heading to the scrumptious Welcome Aboard Luncheon! Some will head straight down the Grand Staircase to Deck 2’s Enchanted Garden, which is where the crew will guide you, but some of us will say we’d rather go to up to Deck 11 to dine in Cabana’s. Both restaurants will have nearly identical mouth-watering spreads, however there are a few logistical differences to each restaurant. Enchanted Garden has an organized buffet line whereas Cabana’s is set up in “food stations”, which honestly can be quite confusing at first. Enchanted Garden has wait staff that will bring your drinks and refills to you, while at Cabana’s you will have to get your own drinks and refills. Enchanted Garden has all inside seating, but at Cabana’s you can opt for either inside or outside seating. And, if your little ones are eager to start swimming, you can easily take your trays full of food out of Cabana’s and around to the pool area to eat while the kids enjoy a nearly empty pool! Of course, we can also grab a bit to eat from the pool deck dining options at Flo’s Café: Luigi’s Pizza, Tow-Mater’s Grill, and Fillmore’s Favorites. Oh yeah, and don’t forget about 24-hour room service! Ahhh yes, there’s certainly not a shortage of food on this cruise! Especially with an unlimited amount of self-serve soft-serve ice cream!!!

While gathering our lunch, we'll take time to look at all of the ice sculptures and food sculptures! It’s amazing what they can do to a watermelon and other types of fruits and vegetables! Very creative! The sculptures are easy to miss, though, because all of the food choices laid out before you has captured your undivided attention! My favorite… unlimited shrimp cocktail! Yummmmmmmmmmm!

After lunch, it’s time to wander around and become familiar with the layout of the ship. This is the only opportunity for unlimited access to tour Oceaneer Club, Oceaneer Lab, Edge Tween Club, Vibe, It’s a Small World Nursery, and Senses Spa before they are reserved exclusively for age-appropriate guests. We’ve found that it’s easier to tour the ship starting at Deck 13 and work our way down. As we walk through Shutters, we know we want to return when they officially open (around 5pm) so we can look at our embarkation photos! The gift shops won’t open until around 6pm (they are only allowed by law to be open while at sea) but in the meantime, it’s fun to look at all of the gorgeous window displays and peek through the glass doors of the stores! At 1pm, some of us will get in line at D Lounge to try to change our dining time. To try to snag a Palo brunch/dinner or a Remy experience, there is no need to stand in line because you can call them directly starting at 1pm (their numbers are listed in the Navigator!). Here’s Pixie Dust that all of your dining desires are granted!

Our staterooms will be ready at 1:30pm and we can hardly wait to see them! At the 1:30 rope drop, we anxiously start scanning the numbers beside each door until we find our cabin. Oh - there's the silver fish (starfish, or seahorse) beside the door for our FEs - it's really cute! Anticipation builds as we try out our Key to the World card on the new door locks for the very first time – just tap the key card on the front of the silver panel and we’re in! Hooray! We'll oooh and aaaah as we explore every nook and cranny of our little home-away-from-home. And if we remember, we’ll hurry and snap photos before our cabins look “lived-in”. Ahhhh, sniff the aroma of the H2O shampoo! Cute towels! Look at all the hidden Mickeys in the cabin! So there are the new Wave phones! Let’s see how they work! Castaway Club Members (returning cruisers) will find their “welcome back” gifts lying on the bed. Here, we’ll also find vouchers indicating any OBC’s we may have accrued (from travel agents, booking onboard, or booking online with Disney VISA). Those with a Virtual Porthole will keep a keen eye on it, eager to spot the first of a dozen or so Disney characters and their antics that will magically appear! Within a few minutes, some will experience a cruise ship exclusive: the almighty “power flush”! (I know you repeat cruisers are snickering right now… hehe… “Stand back kids!!!”) Our suitcases will soon start arriving outside of our cabin doors and we're eager to unpack and make this cabin “ours!” But first, let's finish exploring our ship!

Around 3:45pm, we’ll head back to our cabins to prepare for the 4pm Mandatory Life Boat Drill. (All ship services will be suspended between 3:45-4:30pm so that everyone will participate, including the crew.) A few of us will want to snap a couple of photos wearing the bright orange life jackets that are in our cabins. Very soon, we hear the warning alarms and instructions and make our way to the Life Boat Station that is indicated on the back of our cabin door. As soon as it’s over, we’ll head up to deck 11 to the Donald/Mickey Pool area for the always lively and fun “Adventure’s Away” deck party at 4:30pm! Woohoo! It’s time to party – really party! – Disney Cruise style! The Donald Pool has disappeared and a large dance deck is now spread out in front of the stage! The music starts and the energetic entertainment staff appear out of nowhere to get the party started! You can’t help but to start moving to the upbeat music! So much fun!!! About 30-minutes into the party, and with great fanfare, the countdown begins! It’s the moment we’ve been waiting for! The moment we’ve been planning months for! The moment we’ve been dreaming of! It is finally the moment we get to hear that oh-so-magical seven-note horn blast… “When You Wish Upon a Starrrrrrrrrrr”! And with that, the ship starts gently easing away from the dock and toward the open sea! And some of us cry…

More of Sunday to follow this evening…

 

[Deb T.]

Not sure if these have been asked before, but if so I missed it.

1 - are there secured lockers at Atlantis or do you recommend taking a lock along?

2 - if you get onboard early on April 1st and you want to do the pool/Aquaduck first thing, where do you change and store your stuff?


Thanks!

We've never been to Atlantis, so I can't help ya there. But, I can help with the pool/Aqua Duck question! You can change in any of the public restrooms, but you'll need to keep your stuff with you. I would recommend wearing swimsuits under your clothes that morning and packing an extra set of clean underwear in a Ziploc baggie in your day bag to change into if you are done swimming before you can get into your cabin at 1:30pm.

 

[WDWExpress]

To all my new friends out there who are the OCD type, plan for it all, let me add another member to the list... ME... I find the planning for the parks, the meals, the parades, shows, etc... help me keep up my excitement and anticipation for our favorite vacation place.
We are also DVC members and do our best to go to the Happiest Place on Earth at least once a year.. We leave near Nashville and can drive it in 10 hours and for the shorter trips we do the SouthWest Ding as well... nothing better.
So with all my planning OCD the cruise has been a little more exciting because it's new, fresh and I love, love reading about everyone else's experiences or learning from their expertise. So I look foward to sitting with all the Planners in the group, sharing our methods and our madness for making sure that our family vacations are the best they could ever be.

Happy Sunday and here's to the planning

 

[WDWExpress]

Debbie mentioned a cruise meet "disign". Has anyone created one? I would love to have one!

Not sure how to post them out there but my DH (who is so getting into all this now) has come up with 3 disign's if anyone wants to see them.. He is really great with that kinda stuff and we would love to share.

If someone could let me know how to post them on the page I would be more than happy to or if you want them sent to your email let me know via PM and I will email them over...

Just a little over a month away...

 

[ccbride412]

Not sure how to post them out there but my DH (who is so getting into all this now) has come up with 3 disign's if anyone wants to see them.. He is really great with that kinda stuff and we would love to share.

If someone could let me know how to post them on the page I would be more than happy to or if you want them sent to your email let me know via PM and I will email them over...

Just a little over a month away...

If you can get them onto Photobucket then you can just hit copy IMG under the picture then in the reply screen on here hit the button that looks like a mountain and paste your IMG code into it.


DF and I heard the "When you wish upon a star" horn in Rome two years ago. We were on Holland America and looked at the Magic in port and he said "That's the next cruise line we're going on." We're first time Disney cruisers and we can't wait!!!

 

[ddeal1957]

Deb.... I love reading your notes as to what to expect as we arrive at the Port - set foot on the "Dream" - etc. It brings back so many memories from our trip last year! You also mentioned a few things that I totally overlooked but will diffently be looking for this time.

 

[Deb T.]

Deb.... I love reading your notes as to what to expect as we arrive at the Port - set foot on the "Dream" - etc. It brings back so many memories from our trip last year! You also mentioned a few things that I totally overlooked but will diffently be looking for this time.

I LOVE your post, Deb T.!!! I can totally picture the whole thing, having cruised once before (though without the kids) on the Dream! I CANNOT wait to see our kids expressions when they realize they really aren't going to the Space Center that day....I don't think they'll be too upset with us!!!

Thanks! I'm so eager to be back on that ship that I find myself daydreaming about it all the time!

 

[Deb T.]

We left off having just begun sailing away from Port Canaveral. Family members are looking at each other and saying, “What’s next???” Let the cruisin’ fun begin!!!!!!!!!!

Some will do more exploring of the ship. Some will do more swimming. Some will get in line to try the Aqua Duck! Some will do some more eating! Gotta love Eye Scream Treats on Deck 11! Those with Main Dining are getting ready to head to your first dinner rotation restaurant! Which will it be? Animator’s Palette? Enchanted Garden? Royal Palace? Our table number, dining time, and dining rotation are coded on our Key to the World Cards and we also have a “ticket” with the same information lying on the desk in our cabin. One really nice thing about dinners onboard a Disney Cruise is that there is absolutely no need to arrive at your assigned dinner restaurant early. Seating will not begin before the published time (usually 5:45pm for Main Dining and 8:15pm for late dining) and we each have our very own reserved table! Seating occurs amazingly fast because all the servers and head servers are lined up and ready to escort us all to our assigned tables in an extremely quick and orderly fashion! There’s no “checking in at the podium” or beepers to contend with, just hold out your KTTW card (or the ticket that was in your room) with your table number and off you go! We will soon meet our server and assistant server who will travel from restaurant to restaurant with us each night. If you are new to DCL, you can't yet even imagine how much you will come to love your servers in these four short nights... and how much you will miss their attentive pampering once you return home. We’ll also get to know our tablemates while looking over the dinner menu. Remember, if you can't decide between two entrees (or appetizers, or salad/soups, or desserts…), it's perfectly all right to order them all!!!

Those of us with Late Dining will be sitting comfortably in the Walt Disney Theatre, getting ready to watch the new and improved Golden Mickeys stage show. We’ll plan to arrive at the Walt Disney Theatre early so we can see the “Red Carpet” interviews that begin 15 minutes before show time! A live camera will be set up outside the theater doors and an emcee will be on hand to “interview” children as they enter the theater. The entire unscripted pre-show is shown on the huge screen inside the theater and often the children’s responses are hilarious! Where do you like to sit? If you enjoy being in the midst of all of the special effects, then the lower level seats closer to the stage is where you’ll want to be. Don’t forget that the Dream also has balcony seating with a wide view of the entire stage!

The whole dinner/show process is repeated in reverse a little later when the recently-stuffed-to-the-gills main diners waddle their way to the Walt Disney Theatre in time for the Red Carpet interviews while those of us with late dining head to our designated dinner rotation restaurant for our 8:15pm seating.

The kids’ clubs are finally open for children to be checked-in now that tours and family time are over. This is good news to the kids who have been (im)patiently waiting for their own fun to begin and particularly good news for the parents who are ready to jettison their children off so they can have a little fun of their own! Adults - if you’ve never watched “Match Your Mate”, I highly recommend it (usually at 10:30pm in Evolution)! It’s basically an uncensored version of The Newlywed Game with three couples chosen from the audience: the most recently married couple, the couple married the longest, and then a randomly chosen very outgoing couple. Most of the time, the older couple is not only the funniest, but also the winner! Late evenings are the perfect time to stroll the upper decks and look at the stars. You can also catch a movie on either the huge outdoor Funnel Vision screen or in the Buena Vista Theatre. As always, there are several activities listed in the Navigator to choose from.

All too soon, it’s time to pick the children up from the Kids’ Clubs and make our way back to our cabins for the night. As we near our cabin door we notice little bulges in our Fish Extender pockets! Can it be??? Have goodies already been delivered in our FE’s?!? Woohoo, they have! Exciting! As we enter the cabin, we are greeted by our first towel animal on the bed! Awwwww, cute! The little wrapped chocolate bars scattered nearby from the turn-down service are quickly gobbled up. We’re tempted to read through tomorrow’s Navigator, but we’re so tired that we know if we do, we’ll just fall asleep sitting up! While the kids are in the tub, we call room service and order milk and cookies as one last surprise of the day – after all, the kids are on vacation, too! And while we’re at it, we go ahead and put in a "standing order" for milk and cookies to be delivered Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights, too! (We are awesome parents!)

After a short discussion over who gets the top bunk with the painted stars on the ceiling , the kids are lovingly tucked into their beds. We turn the TV on to one of the Disney music channels and set the volume down low to lull the kids to sleep. Within minutes, they’re out for the night. Now for some quiet adult time! Those with a verandah quietly slip outside on the deck , some with a glass of wine brought onboard just for this special time. Everything is so peaceful – you can barely hear the sound of the ship cutting through the water and it practically lulls you to sleep. Looking up, there appears to be a million stars in the sky. Looking down, you see the neon glow of the ship’s running lights reflecting off the water. Looking aft, you can see the phenomenon of phosphorescent algae that leaves a glowing green trail when churned up from the wake of a large ship at night. Soon, inside our cabins, we are ready to pull the curtain that closes off the kids’ side of the cabin and snuggle into our own comfy bed as the gentle motion of the ship rocks us to sleep. Before long, we’re dreaming about the rest of the fun to come! zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

More tomorrow...

 

[ccbride412]

Deb T.- I'm trying to convince DF to do "Match your mate" but he's being stubborn. My sister and he hubby did it as the newlyweds on the cruise they got married on and they won! I love your breakdown of what to expect. I'm getting so excited reading everything!!

 

[WDWExpress]

6 weeks and away we go....
It was suggested the we come up with a logo for our amazing Disgroup and my DH took a go at it. The image is at
http://s1246.photobucket.com/albums/gg601/WDWExpress and shows our completed version (Name and Disboards member) and one not completed for those who want to fill in the blanks.

If anyone needs the editable version, send me a Private Message with your email and I will send it over to you (I promise I don't spam). In addition, if you are like me and aren't that paint savy send me the name or occasion you would like in the far left hand corner and I will have my DH create it and email that version over to you.

Suggestions, comments and ideas are welcome as we just wanted to give this a go...

 

[virginiafam]

Welcome virginiafam- My two DS's 11 & 12 can't wait to play basketball, mini golf, hit the kids club and of course the Aquaduck. We bought our 11 year old those funky Fila toe shoes that have hard rubber soles, and he has worn them to school, played basketball and ran around.. plus he can wear them in the water... The 12 year old DS refuses to wear them, apparently not cool enough...
We are also late seating and the kids are hoping the Aquaduck will be open after dinner so they can slide at night.

Looking foward to meeting you and all the other cruisers.

WDWExpress--my boys want to set up time to play your boys on the ship. I think packing the Fila will be easier than the basketball shoes!

My extended family went on another cruise (another cruise line) and my boys loved going to the pool after dinner. Aquaduck--here we come!