April 17, 2011 on the Dream

[pershing]

Just closed on a house in Davenport Fl...10 min from Disney....oh the obsession grows!!!

Congratulations!

Yes obsession, I dream of DVC ownership when I sleep.

 

[jilljill]

Just closed on a house in Davenport Fl...10 min from Disney....oh the obsession grows!!!

Welcome to the club. We are right behind the MK, but our address is Windermere.
I have a friend that lives in Davenport and really likes it there. She's there full time now.

Will it be a vacation house for now? That's what our's is for now.

 

[jilljill]

I e-mailed my TA yesterday asking if she got our dinner and show assignment. She said she just got some for Feb reservations so she didn't have ours yet. When we booked we got late dinner. That appears to be 8:30 from all the posts I have read. If we get the 7pm show that would work. If we got the 5 PM that would not be so good. She waitlisted us for early dinner but from all the posts I have read, the later dinner is the preferred time. I have a 6 year old and I was concerned about her being too tired to eat at 8:30 so I went with the waitlist for early seating at 6:30. I would hope we get the 5 PM show because my DD can't do a 9 PM show, much too late. It would mean we may have to leave an afternoon activity to get back to the room to get ready for the early show. I am thinking she may want to go to Oceaneer's Club after dinner for a while and her Dad and I could have a little adult time. Anyone with little ones have any advice?

Your TA doesn't have to wait and hear back from DCL, she can call DCL and give them your request. I emailed my TA when I found out about the showtimes and she had an answer their that day or the next when she called them.

We started cruising with DD when she was 5 and have had late dinner for 12 out of 13 cruises. The one cruise we had early dinner we didn't like it, she was 8 that cruise. Kids are amazing at how they can stay awake when they need/want to when on vacation. When she was little she would go to the kids club for a little bit after dinner. We only had 1 time that she fell asleep at dinner and that was our first cruise and after a day at Castaway Cay - she had eaten so it wasn't a problem.
Also, my DD is not a morning child so she wasn't up at the crack of dawn.

 

[goofy4tink]

The H2O stuff that DCL uses has a scent that I don't care for, so I always bring my own. It's a different scent than what WDW resorts uses. I don't even know how to describe it. Like Alenushka said, if you're picky, you might want to bring your own.

Looks like I'm one of the few that actually loves the Marine H2O stuff. I get home and buy it when it goes on sale. I think it has a eucapyptus smell to it..not really strong but enough that it could be off-putting to some.

 

[Donnaksmj]

Welcome to the club. We are right behind the MK, but our address is Windermere.
I have a friend that lives in Davenport and really likes it there. She's there full time now.

Will it be a vacation house for now? That's what our's is for now.

Yes and no. My son is down there at college and will live there while in school and I will visit A LOT!!!! Then we will always have a home to escape to.

 

[alenushka]

I bet my kids would love doing the Parasailing. Is it expensive, fun, too short, too scary, any sharks? All general comments welcome

Their price is about the same as everywhere else, $79 pp. It is definitely FUN. It is 5-6 min up in the air, but it does not feel too short. No sharks unless you fall down in the water . Scary? It depends on personality. Our DS refused to do it, but our DD (8 yrs at the time of experience) LOVED it. And she went twice bs they only did double rides and she went first with me, and then with my DH. I am picky when it comes to trusting the companies that do parasailing and I thought it is operated by Disney; however, they state that "Port Adventures are operated by independent contractors that are neither agents of, nor supervised or controlled by, Disney Cruise Line". Also, when we did it we were at the Bay, not in the open ocean and I am concerned if I can stay on a small boat for 45 min (that scares me more than parasailing )


http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/cruises-destinations/shore-excursions/castaway-cay/parasailing/

 

[alenushka]

Yes and no. My son is down there at college and will live there while in school and I will visit A LOT!!!! Then we will always have a home to escape to.

 

[alenushka]

Did anybody go on this tour? I wonder how many animals they actually have and if it's fun, especially for kids. Any info would be great! It looks like it is possible do it on our own (short taxi ride), bs it would be only 3rd of the price. Again, is it a good idea?

 

[Ness2289]

Donnaksmj and Karen from VA!!
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

 

[Ness2289]

Four more posts to go, Karen! I'll be waiting for your PM!

 

[Ness2289]

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!

I didn't realize it but when I wrotethat last post I think it actually made me into a mousketeer (wow, talk about a wierd coincidence)

I MADE IT!!!! I AM NOW OFFICIALLY A MOUSEKETEER and it must have changed at 75 posts!!!!!!!!!

Woohoo!! I am doing my happy dance!

Thank you all for helping me get there!


I know, I know.... I need a life.

If you need a life, I really need one. I celebrate every time I hit a milestone. 5000 posts is next!!

 

[jilljill]

If you need a life, I really need one. I celebrate every time I hit a milestone. 5000 posts is next!!

Looks like you and Karen better get posting. I have a feeling she'll get to her milestone MUCH faster than you will.

 

[jilljill]

Yes and no. My son is down there at college and will live there while in school and I will visit A LOT!!!! Then we will always have a home to escape to.

Now you can just pop in on him whenever you want to check on things.
DD has plans to go to college down there as well. Where does your son go? I was hoping to get a tour at UCF next month but they are full for couple days they are offering them T'giving week. Now we have to wait until next summer.

Now you can get an AP for WDW, possibly with a FL resident rate. Look on their website to see what you need to show to get FL res. rates. They have a list of 5-7 items that can be used to verify residency.
I haven't figured out what DCL needs to verify residency since I had a FL ID the last couple times we cruised with a FL res. rate.

 

[svcutler]

Well-

I switched from Providence to Hartford to fly out of!

They had early morning down and back airfares with 1 stop for $79 base on the way down (13th) and $89 for the way back (26th- and the 27th, which we def. can't do has $79 base).

I've never flown out of Harford. I hope parking is decent. I work with some former Connecticut people and they all use parking companies and take the shuttle in. I would like to park at the airport but maybe that's not so reasonable....Ah! a new adventure to stress about.
.

Sue,

Hartford is easy and quick. Very easy parking. You should like it.

You are having yourself one nice long vacation there. I wish I could leave as early as the 13th and come back on the 26th - so much less expensive PLUS more disney magic!

Lucky You!

 

[bdink921]

Glad to hear the dolphin experience is much improved. We went over 10 years ago and we sat on a hot dock most of the time and were in the water with the dolphins all of 2 mins in waist deep water with one hand behind our back and the other petting the dolphin. What a dissappointment! My hubby loves the Miami Dolphins and my daughter loves dolphins. I wanted to do one on the cruise but it looks like the only time would be in Nassau. That is also the only chance my hubby would get to gamble at the casino and I know he is not giving that up. I was thinking of looking into Discovery Cove on the 18th. It is pricey but Amex was running a special that ended this year, I am hoping they run it again in 2011 (I think it was for $75 off). Does anyone have a Casino they would recommend? Atlantis?

You will find my DH at the blackjack tables at Atlantis -- and we'll be enjoying the rest of the resort

 

[pershing]

Sue,

Hartford is easy and quick. Very easy parking. You should like it.

You are having yourself one nice long vacation there. I wish I could leave as early as the 13th and come back on the 26th - so much less expensive PLUS more disney magic!

Lucky You!

Thanks so much! I GPS'd it and from my house Bradley International Airport is 3 hours and 15 minutes. It takes me 45 minutes just to reach the Sagamore Bridge and get off Cape Cod, and then my friend said take 495 to Mass Pike. I would have done 195 since my family was originally from Jersey and would do alot of weekend trips to the Cape via 195 passing thru Hartford, but I guess the airport is on the outskirts and the Pike is the best way to go. I can't believe it's so close to Springfield, MA! She recommended Piccolo for parking as they are reliable and $5.50 a day.

I wish Port Canaveral was $5.50 a day!

As for the length of our vacation, I always do this! Start out planning for a week and then somehow....with many rationalizations ie. best days to fly etc. it s t r e c h e s to four or five more days more.

My boys have their Dad's brain and are auditory learners who permanently lock in whatever they hear and can't see the point of homework. Yeah, it's a real blessing and a curse!

Missing school doesn't seem to set them back much. It's still the same report cards, "Aces all the tests but missing homework."

Besides it's been 2 years, we need a serious Disney fix!

 

[svcutler]

As for the length of our vacation, I always do this! Start out planning for a week and then somehow....with many rationalizations ie. best days to fly etc. it s t r e c h e s to four or five more days more.

My boys have their Dad's brain and are auditory learners who permanently lock in whatever they hear and can't see the point of homework. Yeah, it's a real blessing and a curse!

Missing school doesn't seem to set them back much. It's still the same report cards, "Aces all the tests but missing homework."

Besides it's been 2 years, we need a serious Disney fix!

The only thing that stretches out in my life is my butt!

How do I get one of those kids? Not to mention 2??

 

[Donnaksmj]

Now you can just pop in on him whenever you want to check on things.
DD has plans to go to college down there as well. Where does your son go? I was hoping to get a tour at UCF next month but they are full for couple days they are offering them T'giving week. Now we have to wait until next summer.

Now you can get an AP for WDW, possibly with a FL resident rate. Look on their website to see what you need to show to get FL res. rates. They have a list of 5-7 items that can be used to verify residency.
I haven't figured out what DCL needs to verify residency since I had a FL ID the last couple times we cruised with a FL res. rate.

My son goes to The Professional Golfers Career College...he love sit! It's right in Winter Garden. He works for Disney PT so has all Cast perks..he is loving life!
I didn't even think of all the FL Resident Rates I can take advantage of...thanks for that thought!!!

 

[jilljill]

His college won't help my DD then. Sounds like he is living the good life down there.
FL resident rates are the biggest perk with having a place down there.

 

[rdevine10]

I just wanted to thank you Sue!!!!!!!! We were driving until I looked back at Southwest due to this post. We are flying the 14th to the 27th from bdl now for $840 total.

1st year after many we arent driving it for spring break! My family is SO appreciative!

Well-

I switched from Providence to Hartford to fly out of!

They had early morning down and back airfares with 1 stop for $79 base on the way down (13th) and $89 for the way back (26th- and the 27th, which we def. can't do has $79 base).

I've never flown out of Harford. I hope parking is decent. I work with some former Connecticut people and they all use parking companies and take the shuttle in. I would like to park at the airport but maybe that's not so reasonable....Ah! a new adventure to stress about.

I love the H20 products on board. They tend to have 'sea' smells, or has that changed since 2008?

I traded in the idea of the dolphin adventure with horseback riding at Fort Wilderness.