April 17, 2011 on the Dream

[pershing]

Is anyone else planning on doing the 5K on Castaway Cay? Or has anybody done it before? (sorry if somebody had already posted about this - I haven't made it through all the pages yet - lol)

I'm gonna do the power walk, but not the run.

I was hoping to be a good jogger by this time last year, but alas I fell off my exercise routine right around the holidays and am back to removing the stacked laundry off my treadmill.

OMG!!! I cant take this snow anymore

I'm not kidding - we got another 28 inches here in Trumbull (CT). Thank goodness all those Dream TR's and photos came out which I think saved me from really going 's!

PLUS - they declared tomorrow another snow day for the schools because the roads are not cleared yet.

Please dear , give me strength.....

We got rain most of the day! Until 2 pm and then womp! A foot of snow. I hope they don't cancel tomorrow too, the kids have Friday off for Staff Dev. Day and then Monday for MLK day. I will go crazy.

On a bright note, I got the Hyatt Place on Hotwire for Universal Orlando on 4/13/11 for:

Hotel
Rate per night: $56.00
Nights: 1
Rooms: 1
Tax recovery charges & fees: $12.97
Subtotal: $68.97


Trip total: $68.97

Woohoo! If anyone else wants to try for it, Hyatt Place is a 3 star in the Universal area and the amenities are: Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business Center with '100% recommended' on the second page.

You can walk to Universal, but have to cross a busy street. Parking is free. Free continental breakfast and they are close to Cracker Barrell and TGI Fridays for those of us who do Mypoints and have all those gift certificates!

One more thing done.

 

[Ness2289]

On a bright note, I got the Hyatt Place on Hotwire for Universal Orlando on 4/13/11 for:

Hotel
Rate per night: $56.00
Nights: 1
Rooms: 1
Tax recovery charges & fees: $12.97
Subtotal: $68.97


Trip total: $68.97

Woohoo! If anyone else wants to try for it, Hyatt Place is a 3 star in the Universal area and the amenities are: Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business Center with '100% recommended' on the second page.

You can walk to Universal, but have to cross a busy street. Parking is free. Free continental breakfast and they are close to Cracker Barrell and TGI Fridays for those of us who do Mypoints and have all those gift certificates!

One more thing done.

I could "see" it for your dates, but it doesn't come up for my date. I've never used Hotwire before, but I have been researching and learning about it since the summer. Do you think it's possible Hyatt Place could show up for my dates in the future? We will be at US the day we return from the cruise and we have a noon flight the following morning. I'm not sure if it's better to stay closer to the airport that night or just stay closer to US and get to bed quicker. Country Inn and Suites is showing up, but I've read the parking is awful. We wouldn't get there until 11PM at best that night and I know we'd have issues at that time. ...Not sure what to do...

 

[guarn3md]

I'm gonna do the power walk, but not the run.

I was hoping to be a good jogger by this time last year, but alas I fell off my exercise routine right around the holidays and am back to removing the stacked laundry off my treadmill.



We got rain most of the day! Until 2 pm and then womp! A foot of snow. I hope they don't cancel tomorrow too, the kids have Friday off for Staff Dev. Day and then Monday for MLK day. I will go crazy.

On a bright note, I got the Hyatt Place on Hotwire for Universal Orlando on 4/13/11 for:

Hotel
Rate per night: $56.00
Nights: 1
Rooms: 1
Tax recovery charges & fees: $12.97
Subtotal: $68.97


Trip total: $68.97

Woohoo! If anyone else wants to try for it, Hyatt Place is a 3 star in the Universal area and the amenities are: Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business Center with '100% recommended' on the second page.

You can walk to Universal, but have to cross a busy street. Parking is free. Free continental breakfast and they are close to Cracker Barrell and TGI Fridays for those of us who do Mypoints and have all those gift certificates!

One more thing done.

I also booked a night a Hyatt Place. I am so glad to see someone else is staying there!! We are staying April 15th to 16th. I am hoping we can get to Universal by noon on the 15th...that will give us 5 hours to tour WWoHP before the park closes at 5pm. I really don't want to do it on Saturday morning. Saturday we head to Country Inn and & Suites at Port Canaveral.
The additional information about Hyatt Place was helpful - you answered some of my questions about parking and location.
Debbie

 

[pershing]

I could "see" it for your dates, but it doesn't come up for my date. I've never used Hotwire before, but I have been researching and learning about it since the summer. Do you think it's possible Hyatt Place could show up for my dates in the future? We will be at US the day we return from the cruise and we have a noon flight the following morning. I'm not sure if it's better to stay closer to the airport that night or just stay closer to US and get to bed quicker. Country Inn and Suites is showing up, but I've read the parking is awful. We wouldn't get there until 11PM at best that night and I know we'd have issues at that time. ...Not sure what to do...

It's kinda early for Hotwire and Priceline, actually! I was surprised to see it there and was just doing the research. Gotta grab it while you can!

I didn't want to priceline it cause some of the other hotels have...you know, bed bug issues..supposedly.

Ummmm. I've done both...I'm doing both actually. The night before the cruise we are gonna spend in the parks and then drive to the port and stay there.

I'm worried about being tired after a day in the parks, but don't wanna pay for another night at Disney when we'd just get up and leave.

However, it IS Easter weekend. The airport will be crammed and being closer to it to begin with might be a better idea.

The additional information about Hyatt Place was helpful - you answered some of my questions about parking and location.
Debbie

I read alot of reviews on tripadvisor. The staff apparently try very hard to give a good impression. The rooms are a good size. They have a shuttle to US that is free for the first 2 trips in the morning. (I have 3 teenage sons with strong legs-we're gonna walk!

The only neg. comments were: the pool is small, the bathrooms are small and the sink is outside of it. The continental breakfast is crowded and in the hotel lobby. (personally I think-free is free! No matter where they stick it but whatever.) Continental breakfast was made up of bagels, cereal, yogurt, fruit and one person said bisquits and gravy??? That maybe a one-off.

All the neg.s I can live with.

 

[guarn3md]

I read the Trip Advisor reports too. Hyatt Place had a lot more positive reviews than the other hotels located near it! However, I really, really want to stay on Disney property! I know it doesn't make sense to, but I want to. I was able to get an AP rate of $350 at the Beach Club but my parents (who are travelling with me) didn't think it was practical. AND I guess I have to agree. We are staying two nights at WDW after the cruise at the Polynesian , so I need to be happy with that!

Debbie

 

[Deb T.]

For those of you planning to spend a day at US/IOA, if you stay at a Universal Studios hotel, your room key gives you automatic front-of-the-line access, so it might be worth checking the rates at their hotels, too.

 

[Deb T.]

Just got off the phone with Dis rep. Here are the possible choices of dining rooms rotations:
1. AP -- EG-- RP --RP
2. RP--AP--EG--EG
3. EG--RP--AP--AP
Pirate night - on the 3rd night.
Hope it helps in your planning!

Thanks!!

Funny, though... I assumed Pirate Night would be on Monday night because it has always been on the Nassau day on the Wonder sailings. Tuesday night has been billed as "Cruise Casual - Optional Dress-up Night". It will be an interesting evening of odd clothing combinations when some are dressed formally and some are dressed in pirate gear!

 

[Deb T.]

There are a lot of us and if you think about it, it feels like all of us who talk regularly are on the East Coast. I don't recall seeing a single Diser from CA or even West of Ohio for that matter.

Wow! I believe you are right! I looked through my notes of people who've posted where they're from, and the furthest west was Downrivermama from Wyandotte, Michigan. When you look at that on a map, it is smack dab north of the middle of Ohio! Definitely no one has admitted to being west of the Mississippi! How odd!

 

[Deb T.]

Thank you!

Is anybody cruising b2b with 4/14 sailing?

No one that I know of has posted doing the 4/14. But, we are doing the 4/21, and so is Mom_3_mouseketeers.

 

[svcutler]

I just have a good memory plus it coincides with spring break for the kids.


Ok and u r right - coincidence!

 

[pershing]

For those of you planning to spend a day at US/IOA, if you stay at a Universal Studios hotel, your room key gives you automatic front-of-the-line access, so it might be worth checking the rates at their hotels, too.

I checked US hotels last year around this time and they were outrageous. We've already stayed at Hard Rock Hotel in 2005 and loved it, I admit.

But we're (read I'm) not Universal Studios people. One of my DS's doesn't like anything roller coaster like and the middle one will only be so adventurous. So it's only my oldest who's interested and he doesn't like the 'feel' of US. Says something's missing.

So we are, literally, only going for WWofHP and that doesn't have fast pass. Last time I checked, and this was a while ago, FOTL could only be used once for WWofHP. And now they are crowd controlling the area with tickets that let you in at certain times or something. You have to pick them up at another part of IOA? (Still reading up on the new developments.)

For us, it's such a waste, cause we bought those 7 day tickets for $80 bucks a couple of years ago and we won't even be using 2 full days. They expire 6 days after first use too. So its not like we can use them again after the cruise.

For me, Universal is barely a 2 day visit. Not like Disney, where I could live there.l

Am I the only one who wishes Disney had gotten Harry Potter instead of Universal? I understand Disney wouldn't go for only five years contracted for use with JK Rowling. (One Smart Woman, I tell you!)

 

[alenushka]

Thanks!!

Funny, though... I assumed Pirate Night would be on Monday night because it has always been on the Nassau day on the Wonder sailings. Tuesday night has been billed as "Cruise Casual - Optional Dress-up Night". It will be an interesting evening of odd clothing combinations when some are dressed formally and some are dressed in pirate gear!

Deb - I hope I was informed correctly....Do you think Monday night will be "dress up"?

 

[Mom 3 mouseketeers]

No one that I know of has posted doing the 4/14. But, we are doing the 4/21, and so is Mom_3_mouseketeers.

You said it cruise buddy!!!! I'm so excited, I'm thinking of using the time we have after we boards to really explore and take pictures. It can't come quick enough!

I thought I had seen someone else was doing the 4/14 cruise with the 4/17 but it was so long ago.

 

[Deb T.]

You said it cruise buddy!!!! I'm so excited, I'm thinking of using the time we have after we boards to really explore and take pictures. It can't come quick enough!

I thought I had seen someone else was doing the 4/14 cruise with the 4/17 but it was so long ago.

We have the same plan for those couple of hours when we're practically the only ones on the ship! DH says it's the one thing he is most looking forward to out of the whole trip!

 

[alenushka]

You said it cruise buddy!!!! I'm so excited, I'm thinking of using the time we have after we boards to really explore and take pictures. It can't come quick enough!

I thought I had seen someone else was doing the 4/14 cruise with the 4/17 but it was so long ago.

I thought so too....but I don't remember who else is doing it b2b this way...

 

[Deb T.]

Deb - I hope I was informed correctly....Do you think Monday night will be "dress up"?

I'm sure you were informed correctly. I personally think that DCL is starting to ease away from having a "formal night" because it seems that most people prefer to be casual. And I'm not just referring to just on cruises... at DS's graduation from law school last May, DH was definitely in the minority wearing a suit. We were shocked that the majority of the audience was wearing jeans, khakis, and shorts! In our suburb, we have plenty of upscale restaurants, but not one of them requires a suit and tie. I think it's just our culture nowadays.

By DCL offering an "optional formal night", they still give those who want to dress up the opportunity to do so and have their formal portraits made.

 

[Deb T.]

I thought so too....but I don't remember who else is doing it b2b this way...

Maybe it was scootch?? They canceled this cruise a long time ago.

 

[alenushka]

Maybe it was scootch?? They canceled this cruise a long time ago.

Yes, Deb, you are right , but I thought there were a few families b2 b 4/14 with this sailing. I guess, we will be the only family wondering around the ship, , exploring it and taking pictures, and waiting for you all to get on board

 

[Deb T.]

Yes, Deb, you are right , but I thought there were a few families b2 b 4/14 with this sailing. I guess, we will be the only family wondering around the ship, , exploring it and taking pictures, and waiting for you all to get on board

We'll wave to you from the terminal balcony!

 

[lildeb724]

How do I get a day rate for the comfort suites....I don't see anything on the website.