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

[WDWExpress]

Virginiafam- I know my boys would be thrilled to play a little basketball on the ship and I'm sure hang out on the beach, oh and the Aquaduck.. Seems like every channel shows the DCL commercial with the Aquaduck on it.. just taunting us.
Counting the moments and already packing the bags.

 

[SSinWYO]

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...

Very nice!


So, what's the idea with this? Signs for doors? Magnets?

 

[SSinWYO]

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.

You know, if rooms are ready at 130p, we might be alright for time considering I know DD will be STARVING by the time we get to the port at 1130a. Get onboard, explore, lunch....

Thank you Deb!!

 

[WDWExpress]

Shelli...
Please feel free to use the design for whatever you want... we have our door sign but will have this on our door to show that we are part of this amazing Disboard group. We are first time cruisers and some of the other folks who have cruised before said the groups come up with a logo to show they are part of the group... so we came up with this one and have been sharing with those who want it...

 

[Brookie1972]

Another "Helpful Hint" from Deb T.:

As we all know, the Dream is a huge ship. Although many things will seem familiar to veteran Magic and/or Wonder cruisers, there is still a bit of a learning curve to getting around. And if you’re new to Disney cruising, you could literally end up spending all five days trying to figure out how to get from one place to another. One thing I’ve found to be very helpful is to orient myself with the layout of the ship prior to sailing. I locate my cabin on a map (http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-cruise-line/dream-fantasy-deck-plan.htm) and then visualize the best route to the places I will want to go to from that starting point, such as each main dining room, Cabanas, drink station, Walt Disney Theatre, pool deck, the atrium, shops, etc. Those with children will also need to know how to get to the kids’ clubs. If you are directionally challenged, you might even want to make a “cheat sheet” to hang on the back of your magnetic cabin door similar to this:

FROM PORT SIDE FORWARD CABIN 6010

LEFT is Forward (to the front of the ship)
RIGHT is Aft (to the rear of the ship)
*Hallway carpet has world map decorations where NORTH POINTS FORWARD and SOUTH POINTS AFT

Deck 13:
TWEEN EDGE CLUB: right to midship stairs/elevators, up 7 decks

Deck 12:
PALO and REMY: right to aft stairs/elevators, up 6 decks

Deck 11:
SENSES SPA: right to forward stairs/elevators, up 5 decks
ADULT POOL and COVE CAFÉ (adult’s only): right to forward stairs/elevators, up 5 decks
FLO’S CAFÉ: right to midship stairs/elevators, up 5 decks
DONALD and MICKEY POOLS: right to midship stairs/elevators, up 5 decks
DRINK STATION: right to aft stairs/elevators, up 5 decks, walk forward through Cabana’s
CABANAS: right to aft stairs/elevators, up 5 decks

[Decks 6-10 are cabins only]

Deck 5
OCEANEER CLUB & LAB and IT'S A SMALL WORLD NURSERY: right to midship stairs/elevators, down 1 deck

Deck 4:
VIBE ENTRANCE: right to forward stairs/elevators, down 2 decks, go outside port-side doors, turn right on walking track, look for secret stairs on the left marked “VIBE ENTRANCE”
BUENA VISTA THEATRE: right to midship stairs/elevators, down 2 decks
SHUTTERS: right to midship stairs/elevators, down 2 decks
D LOUNGE and the ADULT DISTRICT: right to midship stairs/elevators, down 2 decks
The middle of the DISTRICT BARS: Right to aft stairs/elevators, down 2decks

Deck 3:
WALT DISNEY THEATRE and SHOPS: right to forward stairs/elevators, down 3 decks
GUEST SERVICES: right to midship stairs/elevators, down 3 decks
ROYAL PALACE: right to midship stairs/elevators, down 3 decks
ANIMATOR’S PALATE: right to aft stairs/elevators, down 3 decks

Deck 2:
ENCHANTED GARDEN: right to midship stairs/elevators, down 4 decks

PERFECT! We are on the same deck, but on the opposite end in the family cabins. All your up and down X amt of decks don't even need to be changed for us Thanks!

 

[WDWExpress]

Brooke... nice to know that we have another member of this great group on our floor. I know I will get lost at some point, I am directionally challenged. We looked at the maps that DebT sent and I know the fun stuff is either up or down, we are in the middle. Can't wait to enjoy the sunshine and the beach.. I am so looking foward to this.
Let the countdown begin.

 

[Deb T.]

Brooke... nice to know that we have another member of this great group on our floor. I know I will get lost at some point, I am directionally challenged. We looked at the maps that DebT sent and I know the fun stuff is either up or down, we are in the middle. Can't wait to enjoy the sunshine and the beach.. I am so looking foward to this.
Let the countdown begin.

Actually, those directions are from your cabin! I chose your cabin number from our cruise roster because you are first-time Disney cruisers and I knew it would be helpful.

 

[WDWExpress]

Shelli...
Please feel free to use the design for whatever you want... we have our door sign but will have this on our door to show that we are part of this amazing Disboard group. We are first time cruisers and some of the other folks who have cruised before said the groups come up with a logo to show they are part of the group... so we came up with this one and have been sharing with those who want it...

Actually, those directions are from your cabin! I chose your cabin number from our cruise roster because you are first-time Disney cruisers and I knew it would be helpful.

DebT- your information and directions are amazing and not sure what we would do without them... I will need to know which way to turn or I will be wondering the halls looking for stairs or an elevator. So appreciate the guides for the carpets as well, the worst will be when it's late, then I may wander a bit more. can't believe we are 6 weeks away.. can't get here soon enough.

 

[tellyaddict]

Now if only they weren't changing the Fast Pass rules....

What changes? Please tell me more! Bit sad that my favourite ride is out of action anyway - Big Thunder Railroad. Hopefully they are making it as good as the one in Disneyland Paris which is much longer and better than the one in MK.

 

[tellyaddict]

This competitive spirit for good hammocks on CC reminds me .... there's usually a 'fun' 5K on CC for each cruise. Pretty sure it uses the airport landing strip on the island, which I believe is part of Gorda Cay's former "drug running" island history.

DH was interested to hear about the 5K although he said it wasn't far enough... Can someone let me know about the run please? I did explain that running 10 miles in 3C is a bit different to running any distance in the 30C (80s F) temperature range. Anyone have experience of how hot it will be on the cruise?

Also - any other Civil War buffs on the cruise? DH became interested in the Civil War when we were stuck in the US due to the volcanic ash in 2010 and we started visiting National Parks in VA (Manassas, Fredericksburg etc). Were in TN last year and visited Lookout Mountain, Vicksburg MS, Kennesaw Mountain GA. I wanted to visit Franklin (WDW Express!) but missed a day in Nashville as our hire car broke down after visiting Shiloh!

 

[D73]

What changes? Please tell me more! Bit sad that my favourite ride is out of action anyway - Big Thunder Railroad. Hopefully they are making it as good as the one in Disneyland Paris which is much longer and better than the one in MK.

Basically, there is not any change to the Fast Pass rules. They will remain the same. However, it was announced that the window of time will be more strictly enforced. Guests that arrive more than about 10 to 15 minutes after the lateset time on their Fast Pass will be denied the use of the Fast Pass. The reception of this announcement has been received with mixed reaction with some understanding and others not happy with it.

I agree about the BTL at DLP. I love the long tunnels under the riverway to get to the island in the middle. For those of you who have not been there, imagine if Tom Sawyer Island at MK was actually Big Thunder. You would board the trains in the main area of Fronteirland and then rush under the Rivers of America to get to the ride. Really exciting tunnel at the end to get back again.

DH was interested to hear about the 5K although he said it wasn't far enough... Can someone let me know about the run please? I did explain that running 10 miles in 3C is a bit different to running any distance in the 30C (80s F) temperature range. Anyone have experience of how hot it will be on the cruise?

Also - any other Civil War buffs on the cruise? DH became interested in the Civil War when we were stuck in the US due to the volcanic ash in 2010 and we started visiting National Parks in VA (Manassas, Fredericksburg etc). Were in TN last year and visited Lookout Mountain, Vicksburg MS, Kennesaw Mountain GA. I wanted to visit Franklin (WDW Express!) but missed a day in Nashville as our hire car broke down after visiting Shiloh!

There is usually a Castaway Cay 5K that is an activity planned by the DCL activity staff. Usually happens very soon after arriving at CC because as you pointed out, it starts to get really warm rather quickly. I have done it in the past and it is a really nice bit ofa run/walk to get the day started. At that time it went out to the adult only beach (Serenity Bay) and back.

Would not call myself a Civil War buff but definitely interested. I have a number of family connections to some of the major battles and events, including my great great grandfather fighting in Gettysburg as well as being stationed outside Ford Theater the night Lincoln was shot inside. My grnadparents own a farmhouse in Pennsylvania which was a stop on the Underground Railroad for slaves escaping to Canada. And being a West Virginian by birth, the Civil War marks the birth of my state.

Christopher

 

[tellyaddict]

You are correct. They used to be designated for two different age groups, but now all kids ages 3-12 can chose from a wide variety of activities offered in both the Lab and the Club.

This is good to know - my eldest DD(11) wasn't too impressed with the Edge and I thought she might like to do some of the activities with her younger sister (9) instead. So it looks like that's possible? DD(11) would be quite happy in a quiet corner with all the Harry Potter books.... Main reason for this holiday was to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, fortunately we have days left over on our Disney tickets from 2007 and I just added in the Disney cruise to make it a bit different from previous Florida visits.

 

[tellyaddict]

Here is a link to the most recent set of Navigators that have been posted on the DIS Boards. They're from the 11-6-11 4-night cruise and will give you a general idea of the kinds of activities that are offered onboard for all ages.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/DCL-Navigators/11-06-11/Navigator_Dream_20111106.pdf

This link has been really helpful - as a self-confessed planner this makes me panic! I will let DH sort these out as it could all be a bit overwhelming

Pleased there is so much to do, but worried there won't be enough time to do it all!

 

[D73]

This is good to know - my eldest DD(11) wasn't too impressed with the Edge and I thought she might like to do some of the activities with her younger sister (9) instead. So it looks like that's possible? DD(11) would be quite happy in a quiet corner with all the Harry Potter books.... Main reason for this holiday was to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, fortunately we have days left over on our Disney tickets from 2007 and I just added in the Disney cruise to make it a bit different from previous Florida visits.

I thought I would share an article that appeared in the Travel Section of USA Today in December of 2011 regarding the policies of the youth activities. It appears that Fast Pass is not the only thinkg that policies are being tightened.

Christopher

Disney Cruise Line cracks down on youth activity policies

The youth activities on the Disney Cruise Line are arguably the best offered anywhere, with separate areas tailored to specific age groups from 3 to 17 years old. In the past, DCL has generally been willing to accommodate passengers who ask that their child be allowed to participate in out-of-age-group activities, most commonly when a mature 10-year-old wants to join an older sibling in the pre-teen Edge club, or parents ask that an 18-year-old who is still in high school be allowed to hang out in the Vibe club designed for ages 14 to 17.

In an internal memo sent to DCL cast members, the cruise line has instructed that age divisions be strictly enforced, and specifically instructed that 18-year-olds not be allowed to participate in youth activities. This poses a challenge for high school seniors who may have already turned 18, but may not be ready to participate in the less-structured 18*21 Club activities with college-aged passengers . Where Vibe is an actual lounge, staffed by youth counselors and offering a variety of activities and diversions from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. daily, the 18*21 Club is usually just a line item on the daily schedule, with only one or two organized meets a day.

Passengers who have called to ask about this very recent change are told little more than "there is now a need to maintain consistency across the fleet." One parent who has a child while will turn 18 during their upcoming cruise was received conflicting information from Disney Cruise Line representatives about what will happen on her son's birthday, and is still unsure if he will be allowed to remain in the Vibe club with his younger brother, or will spend the last three days of their cruise in the areas allowed to adults.

The cruise line has also implemented a new policy restricting parents from being in the youth clubs to do more than drop off and pick up their children, and requires adults to wear a lanyard or sticker whenever they are in the secured area. This change means parents can no longer participate in the youth activities with their children. While not a very common occurrence, some parents would stay with their children for a while to ease their fears about being left alone in a new environment.

To accommodate parents who can no longer participate in youth activities with their children, especially the popular "Flubber" or "Anyone Can Cook" sessions, a series of Open Houses will be offered in the Oceaneer's Club and Oceaneer's Lab during the cruise. Any passenger can attend these open house sessions, which are considered "non-secured" programming, and can come and go freely. Whenever an open house is offered in one venue, either the Oceaneer's Club or the Oceaneer's Lab, secured programming will be offered in the other venue to ensure young passengers always have a secured venue.

 

[tellyaddict]

Thanks Christopher for all your helpful replies. I realised that there is someone on this thread who is nearly in the same time zone as me!

Do you speak German at all? Swiss German is very, shall I put it politely, distinctive! My German is pretty good, not fluent, but listening to Swiss German is an art in itself!

 

[ccbride412]

What changes? Please tell me more! Bit sad that my favourite ride is out of action anyway - Big Thunder Railroad. Hopefully they are making it as good as the one in Disneyland Paris which is much longer and better than the one in MK.

DF and I were so upset about BTR being closed too. We were hoping to try it out again since going to DLParis and riding the one there. We're convinced that the one in Paris is better, but we agreed that maybe it was the fact that we rode at night, so we were going to try the one here at night. Glad to see that we were right! The in Paris is in fact, better! I loved how you can see the castle at night from the top of the ride and from the front porch of Mansion Phantome.

 

[ccbride412]

Thanks Christopher for all your helpful replies. I realised that there is someone on this thread who is nearly in the same time zone as me!

Do you speak German at all? Swiss German is very, shall I put it politely, distinctive! My German is pretty good, not fluent, but listening to Swiss German is an art in itself!

Add more people to list coming from Europe! My fiance is coming from Spain for the cruise. We'll be in Barcelona for the next few years. I saw the comment about German and thought about him-he spent the last 3 years living in Germany and knows some German too. As a matter of fact, one of his co-workers from Germany is coming on the cruise. Wouldn't the Swiss German be similar to Bavarian German? I could hardly understand their English and I've heard that even native German speakers have a hard time with Bavarian German.

 

[ccbride412]

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...

I like it! I'll send you a PM to get a copy.

 

[D73]

Thanks Christopher for all your helpful replies. I realised that there is someone on this thread who is nearly in the same time zone as me!

Do you speak German at all? Swiss German is very, shall I put it politely, distinctive! My German is pretty good, not fluent, but listening to Swiss German is an art in itself!

Its a pleasure. Happy to help especially since I have answers that I can give so you don't have ot wait hours until the USA residents start to wake up and get there say going.

I live in the French speaking area. So very little German experience for me. Though I can get by in restaurants etc if I go to that side of the country.

I agree it is a rather harsh language to listen to. I thought Dutch was harsh but compared to Swiss German, I find Dutch rather melodious.

 

[WDWExpress]

Meaghan,
just send over the PM and let me know if you want us to customize is for you.. put wedding bells on it:} just ask and I know my DH would we happy to add something special for you. Happy Monday