April 17, 2011 on the Dream

[disneycruisegal]

Welcome!!! So happy you got a room, I was routing for you. If you can do it, I highly recommend the brunch at Palo on our sea day. We did it for the first time on our last cruise and it was amazing.

question for the folks going to US after our cruise...how are you getting there? We were going to go back to BC after the cruise for two days and take the Mears shuttle over to universal to see IOA/US, but now I've read from you guys about the FOTL pass if you stay at a Universal hotel. So how do you get to universal from the port and does universal take you back to the airport?

 

[bdink921]

Thanks for your congratulations!

I wish that Disney magic applied to cruises.com's cancellation policy. They slapped me with a non-refundable $100 cancellation fee.

Now I'm off to check out the comfort suites site to see about that Atlantis idea....!

I transferred my reservation to Dreams Unlimited Travel and got $100 OBC so that would help if you're interested. CS was $$$$$ for 4/18 but we booked it anyways--DS and DH are really looking forward to this. DH wants to go to the casino too.

 

[svcutler]

Bdink, thanks for the advice. I booked straight thru Disney's website though so I didn't get shut out by having to wait to talk to a TA.

PS - where in CT? We're in Trumbull.

PSS - latest pricing for CS with tax, etc. is over $500 for a family of four. Probably going to take a pass so I can have plenty of spending money when we got to WDW after cruise.

 

[bdink921]

Bdink, thanks for the advice. I booked straight thru Disney's website though so I didn't get shut out by having to wait to talk to a TA.

PS - where in CT? We're in Trumbull.

PSS - latest pricing for CS with tax, etc. is over $500 for a family of four. Probably going to take a pass so I can have plenty of spending money when we got to WDW after cruise.

I booked direct through DCL too for the same reason LOL and then transferred the reservation afterward. Every little bit counts .

We're from Waterbury!!

I agree, the prices at CS are ridiculous and I wish DS didn't have his heart set on the waterpark. I wouldn't mind going for the beach and to check out the resort but according to DH "This is the LAST time we're doing a cruise that stops in Nassau" He's so not impressed with it. Sooo, since this is our LAST time at Nassau we may as well do the Atlantis thing.

 

[Deb T.]

OMG - Actually I"M BACK!!!! Just like all you wonderful magical fairies told me - Just keep checking and we got a room!!

Well, I love Disney as much as all of you and definitely wanted my extra day on the cruise, so.... the other day I called DCL and they said, as I already knew, that the cruise was sold out for families for 11 and 15 year olds, but he said that the day's "3 day holds" always cleared from the website at 12:00 midnight and if I waited a few minues past, the new inventory would be in the system and I could try to book a room. So I did. I tried 3-4 times in a row and no such luck. I was about to close up the laptop when the magic number April 17, 4 night cruise popped up as a possibile April cruise.

So I yelled at my DH to get his credit card and we'd deal with cancelling from cruises.com later! I actually took a screen shot of my confirmation and can't stop looking at it (and triple-checking the dates!!)

Anyway, long story even longer - I can officially read this forum and be happy instead of jealous and do my happy dance all night long since I cannot go to sleep!!

Of course, DH is snoring soundly next to me with a cute little disney smile on his face.

Thanks again everyone for your advice. Disney Dreams - here we come!

Welcome aboard!

I've added you to our Fish Extender Exchange. I'll need the names of everyone in your family, as well as your cabin number. You can either post the info here on this thread or send me a private message with the details.

Updated FE List:
Ness2289 & DD12
Deb T. & DH
Tigger1313 & DGD17
Golfnsuch & DH, DS11, DS7
WPoohgirl & DH, DD14, DS12
Z’sDisneyMom & DH, DD12
ydrj & DH, DS16, DD14
princessdaisy & DH, DD18, DS8
goofy4tink & DH, DD17
jeni37 & DH, DS14, DS10, DD6
kim5678 & DH, DD13
lindafish & DH
disneycruisegal & DH
caronjn & DW, DS10, DD7
alenushka & DH, DD10, (and maybe DS in college)
pershing & DS16, DS14, DS13
bdink921& DH, DS12
svcutler & DH, DD15, DD11

 

[alenushka]

I did gifts for the adults(made music CD from some walt disney world music cd's) and then bought the kids each something for themselves. None of ours were wrapped... some had names, some did not. I just made sticky adress type labels and put our names on ours. We did get some cool scrapbook cutouts of the characters in a little tin as one of our gifts. Many people did things specific to where they lived, even got a lottery ticket from Minn. I attached Steeler Pencils to the boys gifts since the Steelers had won the super bowl earlier that year. Really it is all in whatever you want to give, we got some more elaborate things, and then some really simple things. The fun of it is coming back to your room and finding goodies and going around and stashing goodies for others to come back to.

To answer Yelena's questions:
1. I always do a couple of special gifts for each couple and then individualized goody bags for each of the kids. But, many people also do one gift or goody bag per cabin.
2. You don't have to wrap anything, just drop it in the FE as is.
3. I always attach something that says the gift is from me. I really enjoy knowing who gave me each item.
4. I never got into the scrapbook thing, but don't mind receiving scrapbook-type items. Who knows, one day I just might get bit by the scrapbooking bug!

So, basically, as scootch indicates above, anything goes!

I'm excited to say that I already have all my FE stuff, I just haven't bagged any of it yet.

To save space when packing for our Northern European Capitals Baltic cruise (since we only travel with carry-ons and refuse to check luggage!), I didn't assemble our gifts until we boarded the ship. Another option I've read that other cruisers have done is to mail a package with their FE gifts directly to the ship. Here is the full list of instructions, taken from the "DIS DCL FAQ - New Alphabetical Listing of DCL Information" sticky at the top of the main cruise forum:

Hope this helps!

We have just came back from a beautiful weekend spent in PA (lake Ariel). I had my iPad with me, but service was really bad: I could log in and read your posts but I could not respond . Now - catching up with and, of course

Thank you ladies so much for the info. I think, I understand FE gift exchange much better now. . It is just for fun, stress free, no minimum and no maximum . I also see how well Deb is keeping the list of participants (in the order of cabins based on a deck) - it should be so much fun delivering gifts!

"I'm excited to say that I already have all my FE stuff, I just haven't bagged any of it yet" - i told that to my DH, and he could not believe that somebody is ahead of me in cruise prep . When he saw my purchases on Friday he said "now, you are really obsessed, isn't it too early???"

 

[alenushka]

Just booked family of 5! Phew.... was getting worried!

Welcome!
Based on recent posts, it was not that easy!

 

[alenushka]

OMG - Actually I"M BACK!!!! Just like all you wonderful magical fairies told me - Just keep checking and we got a room!!
...

Anyway, long story even longer - I can officially read this forum and be happy instead of jealous and do my happy dance all night long since I cannot go to sleep!!

Of course, DH is snoring soundly next to me with a cute little disney smile on his face.

OMG! OMG! OMG! I will do a happy dance with you because I am so happy for you!
Welcome back (officially) to this forum!

"Of course, DH is snoring soundly next to me with a cute little disney smile on his face" - they just don't get our excitement! but i think, my DH is used to my "addictions" and he is also smiling in his dreams while I am responding to these posts

 

[svcutler]

Thanks EVERYONE for all your well-wishes.

What's with us women - it sounds like a lot of us are obsessed with all things Disney!!

For me, I know a lot of it is just the idea of Disney, but the other part is the planning. Everytime I go to Disney, I start planning, reading the forums, printing out tips that I already know about, making lists, buying the kids disney stuff for the trip, etc and I usually begin at least 9 months before. AND - I LOVE DOING IT!

Now all of you sound a lot like me - we are all Disney experts. I know which parks on which days, I know which rides to get to first, I know the best way to get the most out of the fast passes, I know which restaurants to skip, which shows to see, which hotels, etc. BUT...... we still feel the need to read the forums, the trip reports, anything and everything about DISNEY. WHY do we spend as much time planning a trip as we could to make a baby start to finish? Our trip isn't for another 9 months!!!

My husband and my friends think I'm obsessed (and it sounds like a lot of you are in the same boat) but to me, I think it's a hobby and a way to get some excitement into our everyday humdrum jobs, lives, etc.

I always say that if I could duplicate my current income by planning other people's Disney trips, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

OK, enough with that - I have to go back to work so I can pay for this trip, but thought I'd share my thoughts with all of you. Afterall, this forum is the only place that I know there are other obsessed Disney fanatics aside from myself!

PS - am I the only one who loves these smiley guys??

 

[alenushka]

My husband and my friends think I'm obsessed (and it sounds like a lot of you are in the same boat) but to me, I think it's a hobby and a way to get some excitement into our everyday humdrum jobs, lives, etc.

PS - am I the only one who loves these smiley guys??

My friends don't share my obsession, but they get it and describe it as "my drug".

 

[alenushka]

http://www.comfortsuitespi.com/property-overview/guest-services-amenities-and-facilities/

I was trying to post a beautiful picture of Atlantis - instead, just a link.....
If you click on this link, you will see a picture of a place for us to visit just in short 9 months

 

[pershing]

http://www.comfortsuitespi.com/property-overview/guest-services-amenities-and-facilities/

I was trying to post a beautiful picture of Atlantis - instead, just a link.....
If you click on this link, you will see a picture of a place for us to visit just in short 9 months

When I was researching Atlantis Aqua Adventure, one thread said to make sure you print your own map 'cause the ones they handed out were gone early http://www.atlantis.com/content/pdf/Aquaventure.pdf and to make sure you have water shoes cause the pavement is boiling.

As of right now, we're sticking to the ship unless Comfort Suites comes down again. Which I doubt.

Alot of posters said it's really equal to Disney's Water Parks and I still have leftover passes for those.

So...if anyone's looking to share Palo Brunch that Monday, let me know I'm game!

 

[svcutler]

we may be joining you at Palo as well. I don't think we'll be getting off the boat in Nassau since it's our first cruise. I want to enjoy as much of the boat as possible.

 

[alenushka]

When I was researching Atlantis Aqua Adventure, one thread said to make sure you print your own map 'cause the ones they handed out were gone early http://www.atlantis.com/content/pdf/Aquaventure.pdf and to make sure you have water shoes cause the pavement is boiling.

As of right now, we're sticking to the ship unless Comfort Suites comes down again. Which I doubt.

Alot of posters said it's really equal to Disney's Water Parks and I still have leftover passes for those.

So...if anyone's looking to share Palo Brunch that Monday, let me know I'm game!

Thank you! I will print it

 

[scootch]

Alot of posters said it's really equal to Disney's Water Parks and I still have leftover passes for those.

Since my girls were not into big water slides very much, I didn't get any feel like it was even a water park. Our love of Atlantis is it is such a unbelievable resort, with magnificent pools, scenery and beaches. We loved the dig, the inside architech, sipping nonalcholic smoothies under a palm tree.... that sort of thing. It was just an incredible day at an incredible resort.

 

[alenushka]

Since my girls were not into big water slides very much, I didn't get any feel like it was even a water park. Our love of Atlantis is it is such a unbelievable resort, with magnificent pools, scenery and beaches. We loved the dig, the inside architech, sipping nonalcholic smoothies under a palm tree.... that sort of thing. It was just an incredible day at an incredible resort.

I completely agree!
We went to Atlantis 4 times (without water park), it is such a beautiful place This is the first yr we want to try their water park.

 

[allaboutdisney1967]

Dear Pershing and svcutler,

Ditto. This is our second cruise to Bahamas. We are probably staying on board that day as well.

As much as we would love to, excursions are a little pricey when everyone is at adult rate. Last cruise on Wonder we got off and the three of us were just going to take a stroll and see what could be seen. Unfortunately with the economy the way it is in the Bahamas, we were kind of overwhelmed by curbside sales which put us off a little.

I am sure the extra day on board can be well spent exploring the wonderful new Dream.

Donna

 

[svcutler]

Since this is my first cruise with DCL, not sure about Palo's reservation availability.

If I pay the rest of my balance off in January, I can then make my reservations, correct?

And if I try to make them as late as January, will they have any availability left?

Also, what are your suggestions about excursions while in Castaway Cay? I have a DD, 11 and a DD, 15.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[alenushka]

Since this is my first cruise with DCL, not sure about Palo's reservation availability.

If I pay the rest of my balance off in January, I can then make my reservations, correct?

And if I try to make them as late as January, will they have any availability left?

Also, what are your suggestions about excursions while in Castaway Cay? I have a DD, 11 and a DD, 15.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Castaway Cay is lots of fun! Last year we took snorkeling excursion and we all loved it. Your older daughter would probably take the one via teen club: it includes canoeing, tour of the island, I believe by bicycles and snorkeling equipment. They leave the ship together very early and usually have a fun filled day. Our son left at 8:30 am and returned really late (I kept calling reception desk checking if he was back on board a few times ) This yr we are thinking of parasailing. We tried it once in Hilton Head and our DD has been begging to do it again.
You can not do any reservations if your balance is not paid in full . It is hard to predict how fast it would be filled, but if you do not get your reservations on line, do it first think on day of embarkation (usually not a problem

 

[alenushka]

Dear Pershing and svcutler,

Ditto. This is our second cruise to Bahamas. We are probably staying on board that day as well.

As much as we would love to, excursions are a little pricey when everyone is at adult rate. Last cruise on Wonder we got off and the three of us were just going to take a stroll and see what could be seen. Unfortunately with the economy the way it is in the Bahamas, we were kind of overwhelmed by curbside sales which put us off a little.

I am sure the extra day on board can be well spent exploring the wonderful new Dream.

Donna

I agree excursions are very pricy
But if you like spending time on the beach, it will only cost you a taxi ride to Paradise Island. We walked around resort, admired their casino, observed shark feedings,etc...We think its architecture surrounded by clear waters and white sand are so beautiful!!!!!!!
!This is our favorite beach and I hope you would consider visiting it prior to or after Palo's brunch, which is also A
MUST