April 17, 2011 on the Dream

[alenushka]

Happy holidays everyone! It's official.... Cruise is paid for and Mickey is calling the kids this morning to say hi!

Shoveling out today with my other east coast cruisers and going to watch all the new cries videos that are on the Disney cruise site! Did u guys check out Vibe!!

We got more than 2 feet of snow It's a good thing our DS is home during college break , otherwise my poor DH would have to shovel all this snow himself. Please post links to your fav videos; with all the holidays and now preps for 2 B-day parties, I don't have time to check them all out After B-day celebration, I think, I will be attached to my screen

 

[alenushka]

Hello All and Happy Holidays...
Well the secret is out...yeah!! Asia and Connor were so excited about the cruise. There were lots of tears (from Adults) during the reveal and then their enthusiasm after was priceless... My mom and I got great videos and pictures. The best part was my son thinking out loud during the reveal as he was putting the clues together. They had a cruise itinerary and the after cruise Polynesian details. So Connor looks at us and says "Wait a minute... we are taking a cruise to the Polynesian!" We finally got him and Asia on the right path. They had to put a puzzle partially together, then open a gift with more clues, then go back and finish the puzzle to get the whole reveal. It was awesome!
Now that my Mom and I can openly talk about this I am even more excited.
Come on April!
Escaped NJ yesterday morning before the snow hit hard. Got back to MD before the roads got too bad. However, crossing the Bay Bridge with all that wind and snow was not fun!
Keep warm!!
Debbie

What a great way to reveal the secret! Enjoy the rest of the planning with the whole family!

 

[bdink921]

For anyone who has Comfort Suites booked for Nassau day, there was just another price drop -- just booked for $200, down from $227. This option is looking much more appealing especially since our original price was $324

Happy and Blessed New Year to all!!!!

 

[momtoleasawav]

Good Morning,
I just stumble upon this post this morning. My family is also cruising on April 17th. My husband and I went on a disny cruise many years ago but this is the first time I have gone with my kids.
Does anyone have any idea what the temperature is likely to be in April? Also any tips anyone has I would be grateful for, I've already learned some things on this board but it is a little overhelming!!

 

[Deb T.]

Good Morning,
I just stumble upon this post this morning. My family is also cruising on April 17th. My husband and I went on a disny cruise many years ago but this is the first time I have gone with my kids.
Does anyone have any idea what the temperature is likely to be in April? Also any tips anyone has I would be grateful for, I've already learned some things on this board but it is a little overhelming!!

Welcome! So glad you found us!

We've cruised 4 times in April and have always had pretty good weather. 3 of the 4 times at Castaway Cay were absolutely perfect - sunny and warm with light breezes and gentle lapping waves. The other time, it was sunny and warm, but it was also very windy and the waves were fairly strong.

We've found that no matter what the weather, it can feel chilly when the ship is moving, particularly at night. The theaters and dining rooms get a bit chilly sometimes, too.

One of the best spots to read up on tips is the DIS DCL FAQ Thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2068966


We have quite a few seasoned Disney cruisers on this sailing, so feel free to post any and all of your questions on this thread and we'll all do our very best to answer them!

 

[alenushka]

For anyone who has Comfort Suites booked for Nassau day, there was just another price drop -- just booked for $200, down from $227. This option is looking much more appealing especially since our original price was $324

Happy and Blessed New Year to all!!!!

Thank you for the info, Bridget!
I booked a room today at that price. I just wonder, why do they keep dropping the price?
Happy, healthy, magical New Year!

 

[bdink921]

Thank you for the info, Bridget!
I booked a room today at that price. I just wonder, why do they keep dropping the price?
Happy, healthy, magical New Year!

Maybe travel that week isn't as booming as they expected or not enough cruisers booked night stays for Atlantis passes as they thought would . I *think* there is only one other ship in port with us that day. Anyways, I would love to see it go below that $200

 

[lmb]

Hi everyone,
Please add us! myself, DH, DD5 and DS4. This will be our 4th disney cruise (Eastern, Western and EBTA).

I just booked the comfort inn in Paradise Island so we can go to Atlantis. Is this the best option or do they have a day rate that might be better? Doesn't look like there's a toll free number to contact the hotel directly.

Thanks!

 

[jel0511]

Maybe travel that week isn't as booming as they expected or not enough cruisers booked night stays for Atlantis passes as they thought would . I *think* there is only one other ship in port with us that day. Anyways, I would love to see it go below that $200

I have $180 with AAA.

 

[bdink921]

I have $180 with AAA.

Nice . Unfortunately we don't have AAA . I always think about getting it but haven't yet.

 

[lmb]

We booked the 180 with AAA also. It comes to 238 with taxes. It looks like the Does anyone know if the 12.95 energy surcharge pp is included in these taxes? Looks like it might be if they only charge it for adults.

 

[Deb T.]

Hi everyone,
Please add us! myself, DH, DD5 and DS4. This will be our 4th disney cruise (Eastern, Western and EBTA).

I just booked the comfort inn in Paradise Island so we can go to Atlantis. Is this the best option or do they have a day rate that might be better? Doesn't look like there's a toll free number to contact the hotel directly.

Thanks!

Welcome Aboard!

 

[Deb T.]

Hi Everyone!

It looks like everyone wanted to be in the large group for our Fish Extender Exchange after all, so that's what we'll go with.

The deadline to join in on the fun is 4-1-11.

Here are the FE Exchange participants so far:
Deb T. & DH
Ness2289 & DD12
alenushka & DH, DD10, (and maybe DS in college)
bdink921& DH, DS12
guarn3md, DS9
DW & DH, DD7
ydrj & DH, DS16, DD14
svcutler & DH, DD15, DD11
jeni37 & DH, DS14, DS10, DD6
disneycruisegal & DH
allaboutdisney1967 & DH, DD13
goofy4tink & DH, DD17
Donnaksmj & DH, DS9
WPoohgirl & DH, DD14, DS12
Karen from VA & DBF, DD6
Tigger1313 & DGD17
lindafish & DH
caronjn & DW, DS11, DD7
golfnsuch & DH, DS11, DS7
princessdaisy & DH, DD18, DS8
Downrivermama & DD12
Z’sDisneyMom & DH, DD12
kim5678 & DH, DD13
pershing & DS16, DS14, DS13
Rlbren & DH

Happy New Year!

 

[momtoleasawav]

Can someone explain how the Fish extender gift exchange works? We might be interested in joining Thanks

 

[Deb T.]

Can someone explain how the Fish extender gift exchange works? We might be interested in joining Thanks

I'd be happy to!

Beside every cabin door is a large silver fish with an indentation in the back for cruise personnel to leave information, invitations, etc. Teenagers receive invitations to Teen Club activities and we've also received "rebooking onboard" price quotes tucked in our fish.

DISboarders have taken the silver fish one step further... by creating hanging pockets (much like cloth letter holders) to hang from the fish - thus the name, "Fish Extender". The Fish Extenders (FEs) can be made of practically anything (cloth, plastic, paper gift bags, etc.), as long as they have at least one pocket that can hold surprises. My FE is just a plain old canvas bag on which I've added a tropical scene, the names of the Disney ships, and our names. I'd love to have a "real" FE like some of the creative DISers have sewn, but I've never taken the time to attempt to make one.

Then, each "Cruise Meets" thread (such as this 4-17-11 one) organizes a little gift exchange during the cruise. People sign up by giving their cabin number, names of everyone in their cabin, and ages of the kids so that everyone will know how many goodies to bring and where to deliver them. Some people give one gift per family, some people give a little gift to each person. It's totally up to the giver to decide what to give and when to give it during the cruise.

There are several threads on the main cruise boards that discuss ideas for FE gifts. Some gifts are from Dollar Stores, some are handmade, and some are bought in bulk from websites that sell trinkets like the Oriental Trading Company. Often, they are stickers, candy, glow sticks, lanyards, etc., with themes such as pirates, beach, cruise, tropical, hometown, holiday, etc. The main idea is just to have fun finding little goodies in your FE throughout the cruise. Kids LOVE running back to their cabin to see if anything's been left in their FE. As an adult, I have to admit that I love it, too!!!

If you'd like to join in on the fun on our cruise, please let me know. You can either post your information here in this thread or send me a private message by clicking on my name in the upper left hand corner of this post and then clicking "send a private message to Deb T.". I will only post your DIS name and gender/ages of children on the public forum. However, I will send private messages with names and cabin numbers to all participants to keep everyone up-to-date. Since some people travel earlier in the week prior to cruising, we will close the list on 4-1-11 in order to give everyone time to purchase/prepare gifts and pack them. You'll also need to print the final list of participants and pack it with your gifts so you'll know where to deliver them once you're onboard the ship.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Also, this thread has tons of info and ideas about FE Gift Exchanges:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1219607

I speak from personal experience that it really is a LOT of fun to participate!

 

[Ness2289]

momtoleasawav and lmb!!
Disney Dream- April 17, 2011

1. Outahere, DW, DS(16)
2. Lildeb724 (Debbie), DH, DD(10) DS(7)
3. Mom 3 mouseketeers, DH, DS(10/11), DD(9), DS(7)
4. Castlegazer, DH, DS(9), DD(6)
5. Muhhhrrisssa (19), Mom, Dad
6. CSX2, DW, DD(15)
7. Curlybop (Amanda), DH (Mark), DD(8), DD(2)0. Irishone21 (Chris), DH (Mike), DS(7), DD(3)
9. Rdevine10 (Robin), DH, DD(5), DD(8)
10. Scootch(Amy), DD-Mattisyn(11), DD-Kenzey(9)
11. Akjtmax, DH, DS, DD
12. Freddyfishsticks, DW, DD(12), DS(9)
13. MissMousey, DH, DD(14), DS(11)
14. Mom2Elliot, DH, Kids(13,9,3)
15. Deb T., DH(Jeff)
16. Ness2289, DD(12)
17. Jilljill, DH, DD(16)
18. Pershing (Sue), DS(16), DS(14), DS(13)
19. Tiger1313 (Cathy), DGD (17)
20. Cleopahd, DH
21. jel0511, Dh, DD(13), DS(10)
22. Disney1fan2002 (Marie), DH, DS(14), DD(12), and DS(11)
23. Mom2BCCC (Barbara) DH, DS(14), DS(12), DS(10), DD(5)
24. KerryDVC, DH, DD(7), DD(5), DS(3), DM, DF
25. Golfnsuch, DH, DS(11), DS(7)
26. WPoohgirl (Wendy), DH, DD(14), DS(12)
27. NYDisneyfamily, DH, DS(13), DS(8)
28. Z'sDisneyMom (Robin), DH, DD(12)
29. ydrj (Yvonne), DH, DS(16), DD(14)
30. Quagmire, DW, DD(14)
31. JasonDVC, DW, DD(2) and DS(6mo)
32. princessdaisy (Steph), DH, DS(8) and DD(18)
33. guarn3md (Debbie), DM (Judy), DF, DS (9), DSis(7)
34. allaboutdisney1967 (Donna), DH (Angelo), DD(13) (Gabby)
35. goofy4tink (Diane), DH, DD(17) (Kate)
36. dmdietz, DH, DD(11), DS(11), DS(11)
37. jeni37, DH, DS(14), DS(10), DD(6)
38. disneycruisegal (Lissa), DH (Brian)
39. lindafish (Linda), DH (Gale)
40. gabby, DH, DS(15), DD(13)
41. caronjn, DW, DS(10), DD(7)
42. alenushka (Yelena), DH (Vadim), DD10 (Katya)
43. bdink921 (Bridget), DH (Mark), DS12 (Jacob)
44. teachnj (Let me know what info. to add.)
45. svcutler, DH, DD(15), DD(11)
46. Downrivermama (Tina), DD(12)
47. hbg4, DM, DD(14)
48. Cliffside, DH, DD(11)
49. Donnaksmj, DH, DS (8)
50. Karen from VA, DH, DD
51. momtoleasawav, DH, DD15, DS13, DD8
52. lmb, DH, DD5, DS4

 

[alenushka]

I have $180 with AAA.

I did not know this rate works with AAA - I will give them a call to adjust our rate. Thank you for posting!
Bridget - we got AAA to be able to get hotels/attractions discounts. It's membership usually pays for itself X2/x3 a year

 

[svcutler]

I did not know this rate works with AAA - I will give them a call to adjust our rate. Thank you for posting!
Bridget - we got AAA to be able to get hotels/attractions discounts. It's membership usually pays for itself X2/x3 a year

Hi Ladies,

Few questions before I hit the send key on the comfot suites room. Did you book for the night of April 17 - 18th, 1 night? If so, it states that if you do not check in by 7:00AM the following morning they cancel the room and you will still be charged.

Did you do the 18th - 19th instead? If so, they'll let you go use Atlantis whatever time you get there, even if your room isn't ready? Please confirm and thanks!

Sandy

 

[svcutler]

One more thing. The price for the day at Comfort Suites to check in on the 18th - 19th goes up to $291 for AAA members instead of the $180 if we book the day before (again for AAA members) which I am.

I'm sooooo confused. Help!

OK, I called the hotel direct and they said you'd have to book for April 18-19th which is $291. If you book on the 17th-18th, they will cancel your reservacation if you are not checked in by 7:00AM on the 18th. Double check everyone!

 

[momtoleasawav]

Thanks for adding us NESS2289! I am getting more excited every day! Included in my family are DH, DD15, DS13 and DD8! We just told the kids about the cruise on Christmas. It is much more exciting to plan when you can actually talk about it.