April 17, 2011 on the Dream

[alenushka]

Good Day Everyone,

Just caught up with this thread, been in Maine for two weeks, I am originally from there. The school where we visited was soooo good and my kids so happy to visit their cousins that we are actually considering a move there. I totally don't know what will happen but we are going to give it a try I think. HUGE DECISION. Anyway I think they actually have the same vacation date so I wouldn't have to change my cruise date. My husband has to apply for a job there and may lose his 4 wks he has now...

I have to share with you all, I am concerned what it is going to be like on a sold out cruise. Will it feel crowded do you think? Or merely more festive? I was really putting some thought into waiting until June when the kids get out of school. I expect that no matter when we go that first year for the Dream it will be busy. We so enjoy when everyone gets off in the Bahamas and we have the ship to ourselves (errr sort of) I am really thrown off by this move thing I guess. Have any of you all been on a sold out cruise? I am so confused.

Really all I want to do is step on that ship!!!!!!!

I know for sure - it is great to live near your family, even if winters are a little colder . Where in Hudson Valley are you? Are you thinking of moving only because of schools? Good luck in this HUGE decision!

I think most of ships get sold out as it gets close to a sail date. We cruised on Carribean Princess last year (more than 3, 000 passengers) and we did not know where all these people were . I am only concerned about crowded pool and slide areas, but it's DCL - they usually organize everything so well. That is the reason why people are having a hard time booking this cruise - Disney limits amount of children on board even if they have a lot of cabins available.

Paid In Full!!! As of today our cruise is paid!!!!!!!!!!!Now it's time to save our change for all our fun stuff.

And sit back and wait ...

I am so jealous but very happy for you. We are trying to put together a little vacation to Lake Erie/Niagara falls and pay our DS next year college tuition bill. Payment for this cruise may have to be put on a credit card....

Hi all! My dd and I are sailing on this cruise too! Booked using my DVC points once the school district somewhat finalized the calendar for next year. We are very excited this will be our 5th cruise with DCL. DD (12) is looking forward to the Aquaduck!

We would be game for the Fish Extender exchange!

Hi
just finalized our flight from NY to MCO last week so we are definitely coming on the Disney Dream next April 17th.
I'l be traveling with my DM and DD14. We're staying precruise at Animal Kingdom Villas then post cruise at Beach club villas.
We're in cabin 8166. Cat 8C.
Can't wait

Welcome!!!!

 

[alenushka]

Well, the best way to describe it is to say that we're already planning to go back when DCL goes again in 2012!!!

No food coma for us, but we certainly did our fair share of eating! To counteract all the gorging, we always used the stairs and we also tried to walk at least 2 miles around Deck 4 each day.

DCL's Europe cruising is such a great idea.
We are originally from Russia, and we would love to take our children to St. Peterburg on board of a Disney ship!

Also, there is a rumor that Disney Fantasia will sail from NYC . I hope it is true! May be we can book something while on board of Dream to get a nice discount.

It is amazing that you found time to walk 2 miles each day! As you said before - there is so much to do! We take our "gym cloth" every cruise, but hardly ever make it there

 

[Z'sDisneyMom]

Hi everyone

Just read the last 5 pages to get caught up.

Welcome to all the newcomers. We're gonna have a great cruise!!

alenushka: I am looking forward to meeting you as we have so much in common. I too have an ipad and get very frustrated with the slow internet access it gets at our place in the Poconos. Another funny coincidence is that we are going to Niagara Falls this weekend to celebrate our anniversary. And of course its not to early to buy FE gifts, I've started too

I was thinking about going to the Atlantis while in Nassau, my daughter wants to swim with the stingrays (we did the dolphin encounter at Blue Lagoon during our Disney Cruise last year) but now just staying onboard enjoying the new ship is sounding more and more appealing. I guess I have a little bit of time to decide

 

[scootch]

I was thinking about going to the Atlantis while in Nassau, my daughter wants to swim with the stingrays (we did the dolphin encounter at Blue Lagoon during our Disney Cruise last year) but now just staying onboard enjoying the new ship is sounding more and more appealing. I guess I have a little bit of time to decide

How did you like Blue Lagoon? I was "thinking" of trying it for the sea lion encounter on the first leg of my B2B cruise as there are a ton of ships in port that day. I hear the catamaran ride is really neat seeing the fancy homes and such. I originally planned to go to Atlantis twice, but worried as our 4/14 cruise, there are a ton of ships in port that day with us. Also, for Atlantis, you need the whole day. If we did Blue Lagoon we could be back on the ship by say 3pm and enjoy a few hours exploring the ship before dinner.

 

[disneycruisegal]

I'm sooooo excited about this cruise I love reading this thread and seeing how I'm not the only person who enjoys planning and researching as much as the vacation itself. I'm cruising with a group of 12, 4 kids and 8 adults, all family. We're thinking of doing Palo brunch on our day at sea, and maybe Remy for dinner one night. The deilema is what night to go? We want to see the three new resteraunts, but don't want to miss pirate night with the kids. So we thinking of maybe going to Remy on the night that we're in the resteraunt that we'll be in on pirate night. We'll still see all three resteraunts, and enjoy pirate night. The only glich is if we're in amamator's palete on pirate night, then we'de miss the "show" with Crush and Nemo friends. Oh well, lots of time to decide.

 

[Deb T.]

I'm sooooo excited about this cruise I love reading this thread and seeing how I'm not the only person who enjoys planning and researching as much as the vacation itself. I'm cruising with a group of 12, 4 kids and 8 adults, all family. We're thinking of doing Palo brunch on our day at sea, and maybe Remy for dinner one night. The deilema is what night to go? We want to see the three new resteraunts, but don't want to miss pirate night with the kids. So we thinking of maybe going to Remy on the night that we're in the resteraunt that we'll be in on pirate night. We'll still see all three resteraunts, and enjoy pirate night. The only glich is if we're in amamator's palete on pirate night, then we'de miss the "show" with Crush and Nemo friends. Oh well, lots of time to decide.

Just an idea here... if you have early dining, make your Remy reservation after 8pm, or vice versa for late dining. That way, you can join your family in that night's restaurant, enjoy an appetizer, and still see the "show".

 

[hbg4]

Welcome aboard!

Be sure to let me know if you'd like to participate in the Fish Extender Exchange.

Hi
air fares have been ridiculously high, but 2 weekends ago they suddenly dropped.
We have a direct flight out from JFK airport in NY to MCO roundtrip for $179 pp inclusive of taxes etc on American airlines. Within 3 days of me booking the airfares had shot back up.
Keep looking. Use a deal detector or something to alert you. Hopefully airfares will come down.
Last year I cancelled our Disney cruise/ trip because the airfares were close to $800 pp for Easter. By the following week in mid January they had fallen to $200, I could have kicked myself. Now I know to be patient. There's still alot of empty seats on those planes!
Good luck

 

[hbg4]

See the above sorry ended up duplicating.
Yes Sure MY DD will be in teen club, she loves to hang out with her age group especially on cruises.


Hi
air fares have been ridiculously high, but 2 weekends ago they suddenly dropped.
We have a direct flight out from JFK airport in NY to MCO roundtrip for $179 pp inclusive of taxes etc on American airlines. Within 3 days of me booking the airfares had shot back up.
Keep looking. Use a deal detector or something to alert you. Hopefully airfares will come down.
Last year I cancelled our Disney cruise/ trip because the airfares were close to $800 pp for Easter. By the following week in mid January they had fallen to $200, I could have kicked myself. Now I know to be patient. There's still alot of empty seats on those planes!
Good luck

Hi HBG4,

We're from CT (about 45 minutes outside the City) and flying out of NYC as well. Can you tell me what was the best fare you found, and which airport? I've been looking but can't seem to find one less than $400 these days....

Thanks and PS - my DD is 15. We'll be staying at Bonnet Creek after the cruise, so maybe they can arrange to hang out in the teen section on the boat and get to be friends.

 

[Ness2289]

Downrivermama and hbg4!!
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)

 

[alenushka]

alenushka: I am looking forward to meeting you as we have so much in common. I too have an ipad and get very frustrated with the slow internet access it gets at our place in the Poconos. Another funny coincidence is that we are going to Niagara Falls this weekend to celebrate our anniversary. And of course its not to early to buy FE gifts, I've started too thumbsup2

I am so looking forward to meeting you and everyone else from this wonderful board !!!!!!!
It so happened this year that 3 of our friends bought summer houses this year ( I guess, a good sign for economy ). We had more 3 days get aways this summer than ever, iPad comes very handy for Disboards addicts
I wonder how it would work during the cruise

Guess what, Robin: next week is our 20 th anniversary
We booked side by side massage in Affinia hotel, then dinner, then broadway's West Side Story. My friend just emailed me info about the Museum of Sex in NYC (I did not know it existed ), we might try to check it out.

FYI: for Niagara falls, a lot of people recommended Embassy Suites, on Canadian side.

I have a question for everyone:
I saw on a different thread that they had a link to a place where they all downloaded their pictures. I think it is great to put faces and names together; however, I have no idea how to do it ( my DH calls me technologically challenged). Any ideas/ volunteers?

Only 8 months and 14 days left before our cruise who is excited?

 

[Z'sDisneyMom]

How did you like Blue Lagoon? I was "thinking" of trying it for the sea lion encounter on the first leg of my B2B cruise as there are a ton of ships in port that day. I hear the catamaran ride is really neat seeing the fancy homes and such. I originally planned to go to Atlantis twice, but worried as our 4/14 cruise, there are a ton of ships in port that day with us. Also, for Atlantis, you need the whole day. If we did Blue Lagoon we could be back on the ship by say 3pm and enjoy a few hours exploring the ship before dinner.

We really enjoyed Blue Lagoon. The dolphin encounter was great. The staff were very friendly and we had a great time. Make friends with someone doing the encounter with you. We did and they took pics with our camera while we were in the water and we did the same for them. We bought the video of our encounter and still laugh at the dolphin splashing my husband The experience was one of those check off the life list type things. So glad we decided to do it. We enjoyed an hour or so at the beach on the island before heading back to the ship. And yes the ride to and from the island is very nice with the beautiful homes and great shots of the Atlantis. I say go for it, it was tons of fun!

 

[Z'sDisneyMom]

I am so looking forward to meeting you and everyone else from this wonderful board !!!!!!!
It so happened this year that 3 of our friends bought summer houses this year ( I guess, a good sign for economy ). We had more 3 days get aways this summer than ever, iPad comes very handy for Disboards addicts
I wonder how it would work during the cruise

Guess what, Robin: next week is our 20 th anniversary
We booked side by side massage in Affinia hotel, then dinner, then broadway's West Side Story. My friend just emailed me info about the Museum of Sex in NYC (I did not know it existed ), we might try to check it out.

FYI: for Niagara falls, a lot of people recommended Embassy Suites, on Canadian side.

I have a question for everyone:
I saw on a different thread that they had a link to a place where they all downloaded their pictures. I think it is great to put faces and names together; however, I have no idea how to do it ( my DH calls me technologically challenged). Any ideas/ volunteers?

Only 8 months and 14 days left before our cruise who is excited?

Congrats!!! 20 years is definitely something to celebrate!!
Enjoy your plans in the city. They all sound like fun.
We are celebrating our 16th next week. Gotta keep a man who allows my indulgence of all things Disney!

That reminds me, have to remember to schedule some spa time into this cruise!

I actually looked at Embassy Suites in Niagara, but was able to grab a great deal on the Hilton so I went with that.

8 months and 2 weeks? Not bad! We'll be on board before you know it

 

[alenushka]

We are celebrating our 16th next week. Gotta keep a man who allows my indulgence of all things Disney!

Robin, congratulations to you and your DH as well!!!
Since we have a lot in common , I am just curious, when is your actual anniversary date? Ours is on 11th.

My DH is not Disney fan but he allows our indulgence into Disney as well, as long as he does not have to pick up a phone early in the morning when we are getting a wake up call from Mickey

 

[Deb T.]

next week is our 20 th anniversary

Congrats!!! 20 years is definitely something to celebrate!!

We are celebrating our 16th next week.

Robin, congratulations to you and your DH as well!!!
Since we have a lot in common , I am just curious, when is your actual anniversary date? Ours is on 11th.

Another August anniversary month here, too! We'll be celebrating 31 years on the 25th! And, I have to say that my DH does an outstanding job of humoring me on my love for all things Disney.

 

[alenushka]

Another August anniversary month here, too! We'll be celebrating 31 years on the 25th! And, I have to say that my DH does an outstanding job of humoring me on my love for all things Disney.

Congratulations Deb!
We should make one big party and secretly invite Mickey and a couple of Princesses (what a surprise for our DHs ).

 

[Deb T.]

Congratulations Deb!
We should make one big party and secretly invite Mickey and a couple of Princesses (what a surprise for our DHs ).

Thanks, and congrats to you and Z'sDisneyMom, too!

 

[Z'sDisneyMom]

Congrats to you too Deb T!!

Our anniversary is on the 9th.

My DH does enjoy Disney, but not nearly as much as my DD and I. Last year was our first Disney cruise as DVC members and his first time spending so much time with other Disney addicts. Between the meet, the DVC get together and the FE, he was asking me if I had made him join a cult by the end of the cruise

 

[alenushka]

My DH does enjoy Disney, but not nearly as much as my DD and I. Last year was our first Disney cruise as DVC members and his first time spending so much time with other Disney addicts. Between the meet, the DVC get together and the FE, he was asking me if I had made him join a cult by the end of the cruise

Your poor DH...

 

[WPoohgirl]

Well, the best way to describe it is to say that we're already planning to go back when DCL goes again in 2012!!!

We also did the 11-night Mediterranean in '07! The longer cruises are heaven! The best part is you don't have to turn around and re-pack after just a few days!



No food coma for us, but we certainly did our fair share of eating! Breakfast buffet, then lunch buffet, then what we jokingly referred to as "appetizers" in the afternoon (usually piping hot french fries or tacos from Pluto's), then late dining, then grazing the late-night snack stations, all with frequent trips to the ice cream station plus the occasional "All Hands on Deck" platter from room service. Yummmmmmm! To counteract all the gorging, we always used the stairs and we also tried to walk at least 2 miles around Deck 4 each day.

Wow, Wow, Wow. That. Sounds. Heavenly.

What's pathetic is I can picture it quite clearly. I think I will teleport there this afternoon when I am packing some things away and cleaning!

 

[WPoohgirl]

I know for sure - it is great to live near your family, even if winters are a little colder . Where in Hudson Valley are you? Are you thinking of moving only because of schools? Good luck in this HUGE decision!

I think most of ships get sold out as it gets close to a sail date. We cruised on Carribean Princess last year (more than 3, 000 passengers) and we did not know where all these people were . I am only concerned about crowded pool and slide areas, but it's DCL - they usually organize everything so well. That is the reason why people are having a hard time booking this cruise - Disney limits amount of children on board even if they have a lot of cabins available.

We are in Ulster county, quite near New Paltz across the river from Poughkeepsie. The schools here are fine but the one in Maine is really really good. Just the thought of moving is quite stressful. I guess what will be, will be. Thank you very much for your good thoughts, I appreciate it.

On the crowded thing, we were/are in the hospitality business and were both trained at Hyatt. So our vacations tend to gravitate towards places with excellent service (since we notice EVERYTHING, that's our job) and avoid huge crowds. Luckily the majority of people on Disney ships seem to not be so obnoxious and I say that in a very non-judgmental way. I think part of that is Disney takes care of everything so well that the stress level is really reduced, so people don't get so freaked out!

Truly good service is priceless and can really make your vacation, regardless of your surroundings and how much you paid. A warm smile goes a long way!!!

Ok, getting off my soapbox!