April 17, 2011 on the Dream

[Downrivermama]

OK, just finalized our travel stuff! Staying at the Hyatt on the 16th and got transportation to the port. After going to stay at AKL and fly home Sat morning. Never stayed at AK before, I'm waiting listed for a savannah view.

Only 199 more days!!!

You know I must of hit SWA at a good time. got $89 each way and a non stop flight. It's the best I've done with them in a long time. And now they are buying AirTran.

 

[svcutler]

OK, just finalized our travel stuff! Staying at the Hyatt on the 16th and got transportation to the port. .

Just wondering how much you are paying for the Hyatt? Too early for priceline or no?

 

[guarn3md]

Is anyone staying at the port before the cruise? We're only staying at Universal for one night. I'm looking at Country Inn & Suites or the Residence Inn. We stayed last year at the Radisson -- it was ok, nice pool.

We are staying at the County Inn & Suites the night before the cruise. We have booked the stay & cruise package...leaving the car at CI&S and they take us to the port.

After the cruise we are headed to over to WDW for two nights at WL.

Debbie

 

[guarn3md]

I hope someone can help with this question...
We are new to cruising!
I am trying to put together a Christmas present for my son (9) and sister (6); at the age of 42 I have a six year old sister...my parents adopted last year. Anyway...
we are going to tell them about the cruise with a Christmas present - it has been so hard keeping this a secret!
I bought mesh DCL bags and a DCL pins off ebay but I also want to make a DCL specific autograph book for them. How do I know which characters will be on board? Is it the mainstream characters only or will there be some rare ones? I want to make the book specific to the cruise. Is it easy for the kids to get autographs or will there be long lines and they won't see many characters? Like I said, we have never been on a cruise and have been to WDW many times...
I am thinking that the present will be the mesh bag with a beach towel, disney pin on a lanyard (may take one they already own), autograph book and other beachy items. Anyone have any other suggestions. I looked at the DISign board last night and got a few ideas.
Is there a good place to go to for more information about the cruise?
Thanks for all the help!
Debbie

 

[outahere]

I think the whole thing is screwy!

I think you're right!! I just compared the prices again and both codes are now showing the same price, without putting in my Fastbreak number!

Now I just need to get the airfare booked. Even though we're closer to Boston, I think we may go out of Hartford/Springfield. The price on Jetblue is over $200 per person cheaper than going out of Boston, and we have $460 worth of credits with Jetblue, so it will be worth the extra 30 - 45 minute drive. We sometimes fly SWA out of Manchester, NH, but when we did this past April we almost missed the flight because security was so slow (almost an hour and a half in line - and it's not a big airport!). MCO in Orlando can be slow, but NOT THAT SLOW!

Anyone ever fly out of Hartford/Springfield (BDL)? If so, what was your experience and is there anything I need to know about that airport?

Ed

 

[svcutler]

I've flown out of Hartford plenty of times. Not bad; easy parking. nice.

However, when I checked pricing for Jetblue, each way was over $350 EACH WAY!! Yuck!


On another note, if I want to spend less than $80/night for 1 night by Orlando airport, what's clean and less than 3 minutes away? It doesn't make sense to spend a lot of $$ since we get in to Orlando at 12:00 midnight on Saturday night, and then leaving via my $40/day rental car via BUDGET (thanks to you guys!) on Sunday morning early to head to CC.

I was thinking of the OTHER Hyatt place orlando northwest.

 

[outahere]

I hope someone can help with this question...
We are new to cruising!
I am trying to put together a Christmas present for my son (9) and sister (6); at the age of 42 I have a six year old sister...my parents adopted last year. Anyway...
we are going to tell them about the cruise with a Christmas present - it has been so hard keeping this a secret!
I bought mesh DCL bags and a DCL pins off ebay but I also want to make a DCL specific autograph book for them. How do I know which characters will be on board?

All of the main characters will be wandering around the ship at some point or another. They print a schedule of appearances in the daily Navigator, so you know when and where they will be. There is also at least one meet and greet with all of the princesses. Several times I have been tapped on the shoulder by Mickey, Minnie, Goofy or Pluto as they walked up behind me. I don't recall ever seeing any of the Toy Story characters out and about, but that doesn't mean it won't happen.


Is it the mainstream characters only or will there be some rare ones? I want to make the book specific to the cruise. Is it easy for the kids to get autographs or will there be long lines and they won't see many characters?

Because of the scheduled appearances, it is pretty easy to get autographs. There may be lines, but nowhere near as long as what I've seen at WDW. Plus, if they are walking around the ship they will stop and sign.


Like I said, we have never been on a cruise and have been to WDW many times...
I am thinking that the present will be the mesh bag with a beach towel, disney pin on a lanyard (may take one they already own), autograph book and other beachy items. Anyone have any other suggestions. I looked at the DISign board last night and got a few ideas.
Is there a good place to go to for more information about the cruise?
Thanks for all the help!

If you haven't already, you might want to order the DCL planning DVD. I hope they update it early next year to include the Dream, but I would suggest ordering the current one. If they update it, you can always order another one.

Debbie

Hope that helps.

Ed

 

[outahere]

I've flown out of Hartford plenty of times. Not bad; easy parking. nice.

However, when I checked pricing for Jetblue, each way was over $350 EACH WAY!! Yuck!

Going on Jetblue out of Boston is almost $900 per person roundtrip!

On another note, if I want to spend less than $80/night for 1 night by Orlando airport, what's clean and less than 3 minutes away? It doesn't make sense to spend a lot of $$ since we get in to Orlando at 12:00 midnight on Saturday night, and then leaving via my $40/day rental car via BUDGET (thanks to you guys!) on Sunday morning early to head to CC.

I was thinking of the OTHER Hyatt place orlando northwest.

I think you may have a tough time finding something close to the airport for less than $80 a night. There is a Courtyard, a Fairfield and a Springhill Suites near the airport, which typically run about $100 or so, with a AAA rate (the Fairfield is less expensive and Fairfield and Springhill have a somewhat limited free breakfast).

 

[jel0511]

I've flown out of Hartford plenty of times. Not bad; easy parking. nice.

However, when I checked pricing for Jetblue, each way was over $350 EACH WAY!! Yuck!


On another note, if I want to spend less than $80/night for 1 night by Orlando airport, what's clean and less than 3 minutes away? It doesn't make sense to spend a lot of $$ since we get in to Orlando at 12:00 midnight on Saturday night, and then leaving via my $40/day rental car via BUDGET (thanks to you guys!) on Sunday morning early to head to CC.

I was thinking of the OTHER Hyatt place orlando northwest.

We're at the Comfort Suites, which is across the street from the airport and we're paying $80 for the night with a AAA rate. I've heard good things about it. My old TA recommended it to me when we needed to stay the night before another cruise. We ended up at the Hyatt because we got in rather late and had our kids with us who were much younger and didn't know about renting cars at the time. Right now we're debating between staying there or heading out to the port and staying at Country Inn and Suites. We'll have the car, so we won't need the shuttle, DH can just drop us off then head back with the car. I would like to try for an upgrade, doubtful with the way the ship looks right now, so would like to be there at 10. Our flight lands at 7:30, we we'd just grab dinner and head out towards the port if we stay there.

 

[jilljill]

I hope someone can help with this question...
We are new to cruising!
I am trying to put together a Christmas present for my son (9) and sister (6); at the age of 42 I have a six year old sister...my parents adopted last year. Anyway...
we are going to tell them about the cruise with a Christmas present - it has been so hard keeping this a secret!
I bought mesh DCL bags and a DCL pins off ebay but I also want to make a DCL specific autograph book for them. How do I know which characters will be on board? Is it the mainstream characters only or will there be some rare ones? I want to make the book specific to the cruise. Is it easy for the kids to get autographs or will there be long lines and they won't see many characters? Like I said, we have never been on a cruise and have been to WDW many times...
I am thinking that the present will be the mesh bag with a beach towel, disney pin on a lanyard (may take one they already own), autograph book and other beachy items. Anyone have any other suggestions. I looked at the DISign board last night and got a few ideas.
Is there a good place to go to for more information about the cruise?
Thanks for all the help!
Debbie

You don't need to take your own beach towel with you, so you can leave that out of their gift unless they really need a new beach towel. DCL provides towels at the pool and when you go ashore at Castaway Cay.

For an autograph book, on the ship they have DCL specific books. They are similiar to the ones at WDW, but have a DCL design/logo on the cover. I've heard of people taking pages to get autographs on and then when they go home they make the autograph book and incorporate the autographs and photos of the kids with the characters. That's something to think about so you won't have pages without signatures or signatures without your prior customization.

REading the FAQ sticky at the top of the main boards is a good place for info as well as reading over the pages and pages of threads here. For more information on the Dream, we'll have to wait until the maiden voyage the end of January.

Hope this helps a bit.

 

[Deb T.]

Hi, everyone - its been WEEKS since I've been out here (AND I actually posted to the wrong spot earlier- sheesh), so I'll apologize first off if this info has been posted and I just missed it ... Is there a current listing of number of people participating in the Meet? My wife is starting to put goodies together and we're not sure how much (can you tell we're new to this??)

Hi Caronjn ~ I'm so sorry... I had gotten so caught up in booking airfare and rental cars that I completely forgot to respond to your post. Please forgive me.

By the way, I still need the names of everyone in your cabin and your stateroom number so we'll know where to deliver your goodies. You can either post the information here or send me a private message with your information. As soon as I get that, I'll send you the same information for all the other participants.

Princessdaisy ~ I know your cabin is still in GTY status, but I also need your DH and children's names, too.

Here is the latest list of Fish Extender participants (Deadline to join is 4-1-11):
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 (*still need DH and children’s names)
goofy4tink & DH, DD17
jeni37 & DH, DS14, DS10, DD6
kim5678 & DH, DD13
lindafish & DH
disneycruisegal & DH
caronjn & DW, DS10, DD7 (*still need cabin number and names)
alenushka & DH, DD10, (and maybe DS in college)
pershing & DS16, DS14, DS13
bdink921& DH, DS12
svcutler & DH, DD15, DD11
Downrivermama & DD12
Rlbren & DH
allaboutdisney1967 & DH, DD13

 

[Mom2BCCC]

I've been checking car rental rates for awhile and now that air is booked I looked again today. No surprise they were $$$$. I checked mousesavers and got a code for Budget Y937800 and it worked great for us. We're renting a car (intermediate) 4/15-4/17 for Universal and then to the port for $111 and then a 1 day rental on 4/21 to the airport for $39.54. This was by far the best prices I have seen for car rentals so far and is cheaper than using transfers. We don't mind the drive to/from the port and our return flight isn't until 2p so it's not like we have to rush to the airport.

Is anyone staying at the port before the cruise? We're only staying at Universal for one night. I'm looking at Country Inn & Suites or the Residence Inn. We stayed last year at the Radisson -- it was ok, nice pool.

Thanks for the code. I got a minivan for $60 ($80 with booster seat and taxes). Now my question - how do you get to the car rental place from the port? Is there a shuttle?

Thanks!

 

[outahere]

Thanks for the code. I got a minivan for $60 ($80 with booster seat and taxes). Now my question - how do you get to the car rental place from the port? Is there a shuttle?

Thanks!

Yes - all of the car rental companies have shuttles that run from the port to their offices. The days that ships are in port they run pretty much continously all day.

 

[jilljill]

Thanks for the code. I got a minivan for $60 ($80 with booster seat and taxes). Now my question - how do you get to the car rental place from the port? Is there a shuttle?

Thanks!

Rather than rent a booster seat why don't you just bring your own? There shouldn't be a charge to check it, but check with your airline to be sure. I'd rather have one that I know my child is comfortable in and we know how to secure it than to use one that we are unsure of. Not to mention, do they really clean them between rentals ?

 

[bdink921]

Anyone ever fly out of Hartford/Springfield (BDL)? If so, what was your experience and is there anything I need to know about that airport?

Ed

I love flying out of BDL --easy check in, SW terminal is nice, plenty of seating. There are a couple of fast food places in the terminal and the usual small 'store' with drinks, snacks, books, etc. There are lots of places to park --we like Executive.

 

[scootch]

For the Hyatt, you can get a choice certificate for $141. If you have small kids and are coming in late, it is very convenient and they think it is "cool". They still talk about it. Since I saved on the transfers with using the rental car, we are going to go that route with the Hyatt again.

 

[Downrivermama]

Just wondering how much you are paying for the Hyatt? Too early for priceline or no?

I went on the Hyatt website and got a AAA price of $159. It's not cheap but this is only the second time we have stayed there. We went on the Magic last Christmas and our flight got in at about 9 or 10 so staying at the Hyatt was very stress free!

 

[outahere]

I love flying out of BDL --easy check in, SW terminal is nice, plenty of seating. There are a couple of fast food places in the terminal and the usual small 'store' with drinks, snacks, books, etc. There are lots of places to park --we like Executive.

Thanks for the info. A couple of questions......

We will be flying Jetblue, are they in the same terminal as SW? As for parking, is Executive an off airport parking facility? From the pictures/maps it looks like the onsite parking garage is close to the terminal and has a covered walkway - true?

Thanks.

 

[Mom2BCCC]

Rather than rent a booster seat why don't you just bring your own? There shouldn't be a charge to check it, but check with your airline to be sure. I'd rather have one that I know my child is comfortable in and we know how to secure it than to use one that we are unsure of. Not to mention, do they really clean them between rentals ?

Good point.

 

[svcutler]

For the Hyatt, you can get a choice certificate for $141. If you have small kids and are coming in late, it is very convenient and they think it is "cool". They still talk about it. Since I saved on the transfers with using the rental car, we are going to go that route with the Hyatt again.

Scootch, what's a choice certificate. How do I get one?