April 17, 2011 on the Dream

[WPoohgirl]

Fingers are crossed. Toes are crossed. A little prayer has gone up to the powers that be.
And here's some pixie dust: pixie dust that you receive an offer tomorrow!!!!!!!

Deb Thank you the pixiedust worked! Cash offer to close in one month. We broke even and a little extra but I am just so glad to be out from under that. I feel like I can breath again!

Deb T.'s Top 10 List of Things to Do to Help Your Family Prepare for Your Cruise:

Laughed and laughed as I read this to my DH, really great top ten list, the best. Look at me and my mulitquote self, uhuh

Finally got Connor to bed. The one good thing about boys getting sick - they always come back to their moms for a snuggle. It is like having my little boy again! I am looking forward to some more quality time with him tomorrow. Hoping he is better for school on Monday. DH has to testify in court on Monday - on Halloween night all of us and another family were out trick or treating when we almost got wiped out by a drunk driver. She swerved at us then smashed into a truck that was parked next to us. Then we found out she hit DH's car first as she was swerving up the street. The trial starts on Monday... Not really something we want to relive but hopefully some good will come of it!
Wendy - Thinking good thoughts that the offer comes through tomorrow.
Night all....
Debbie

Oh my Gosh that is such a scary story, how horrible for your family. My son has turned 12 and now has a deep voice, hair on his legs and no trace of my little boy left so I really appreciated your snuggle comment.

Thank you so much for the good wishes, they worked We just signed an offer for our house. What a HUGE relief

 

[goofy4tink]

Uggghhh! The strep bug has landed in our house - he is definitely worse than the stink bugs I keep finding! After a two hour Taekwondo practice last night, Connor says to us "I have a pounding headache and my throat hurts when I swallow!" After a restless night I took him to pediatrician who confirmed strep! He is on the couch with movies from Redbox. I love Redbox for kids movies!! I feel horrible about all the kids he may have infected last night!
Is anyone planning on going to Universal on Friday 4/15? We are planning to go that day but won't be there till probably noon! We are leaving MD on Thursday morning, early (5am) and I hope to drive about 12 hours. Then finish up early Friday morning so that we can be to Universal by noon on Friday. I am really concerned that it is going be really crowded and all Connor wants to do is Harry Potter. I really don't want to go on Saturday. We are stayng at the Hyatt Place across from Universal, friday night, and wanted to head to Port Canaveral Saturday morning. IOA closes at 5pm for Grad night on 4/15. What do you all think??
Debbie

We're staying at US/IoA on Thursday night..that way we get Thursday and Friday FoTL access!! We're at the HRH...can't wait to stay there. We got a decent AP rate there for the night. Maybe we'll run into you and anyone else that heads over there before the cruise.

Seems to be a fair number of us staying at the Doubletree before the cruise. Maybe a beach get-together might be nice. Just a thought.

With all this snow ice, it sure is nice thinking about being on the Dream!!

 

[alenushka]

Seems to be a fair number of us staying at the Doubletree before the cruise. Maybe a beach get-together might be nice. Just a thought.

What a great idea! Unfortunately, we will not be able to join your beach party as this is our second part b2b. And we reserved HRH for 4/12. Now I really wish we did 4/21 as b2b with this one....

 

[Deb T.]

Uggghhh! The strep bug has landed in our house - he is definitely worse than the stink bugs I keep finding! After a two hour Taekwondo practice last night, Connor says to us "I have a pounding headache and my throat hurts when I swallow!" After a restless night I took him to pediatrician who confirmed strep!

Debbie ~ how's Connor today? I sure hope he's feeling much better.

Ughh.... I should never look at Dream reviews. Its just stressing me out. Everytime I read a poor review I wonder what if I made a mistake booking our family's first cruise on a new ship (which any logic will know is going to need some time to tweak things out).

This trip is costing us more than any other trip we have ever taken (exception of honeymoon, which was partially gifted to us by my grandparents).

Just worried if its lines galore DH will never give it another shot again. OK.. NOT reading anymore reviews. But Im still trying to find a pic of an standard inside room (which has been no easy task!).

End of vent.... go about your business and happy superbowl!

I've stopped reading reviews. I am going to have a great time no matter what! Everything is not going to be perfect I'm sure but this is proabably one of the last vacations we will take as a whole family and I'm not going to let a few lines and a small pool ruin that!

The bad reviews make me nervous too!!

Regarding all the negative reviews so far, I stand by my previous post (it took me a while to find it because it was buried over ten pages back!):

I hear ya and I agree! Sometimes, I just don't understand some people. I guess there will always be unhappy people who can never be pleased and are focused on infecting everyone else with their unhappiness. Right after the first horn songs were posted several weeks ago, I was in complete disbelief that someone posted that they were upset with the tone (sound) of the horn! I just had to shake my head and roll my eyes at the complete and total lunacy of it!

Deb's Fact #1: The Dream is brand new and naturally still working out minor bugs. After all, who or what is absolutely perfect 24/7? Certainly not me, or any ship, or every crew member. But that, in no way, could ever make for an entirely bad cruise as those posters would have you believe.

Deb's Fact #2: Disney customer service is bar none. That's why we only do Disney. You will be completely amazed at the lengths the crew will go to in order to make your experience wonderful while on the ship!

Deb's Fact #3: The Dream is a beautiful and amazing ship! I, personally, cannot wait to experience the Aqua Duck, Goofy's Putt-Putt, the Enchanted (interactive) Art, the Midship Detective Agency, the revamped Golden Mickey's show, the brand new Believe show, the new Animator's Palette, the Enchanted Garden, and also explore every inch of the ship! There is no where else in the WORLD where we can do these magical things. That's why we booked TWO Dream cruises in a row!! For those of you with young children, you will also have special character encounters and the outstanding Kid's Clubs experiences to look forward to!

Deb's Fact #4: YOU WILL HAVE A VERY MAGICAL CRUISE EXPERIENCE!

I don't blame you from wanting to stay off the main boards. Feel free to ask questions here anytime and we will give you the true story!

And now to add...
Deb's Fact #5: Yes there will be lines. I expect lines. I can't avoid lines in my daily life, so I refuse to be bothered by lines on a ship. I wait in lines at the grocery, at Target, to buy lunch, at the pharmacy, to get on planes, at WDW, I could go on and on and on. There will be a big 'ole line to get on the ship, there will be a line for the buffet (or food stations), etc. I encountered lines on the Magic and Wonder, too. No big deal to me.

Which brings me to...
Deb T.'s Hint #1: One place where you absolutely do not need to wait in line is for dinner. And let me stress the word NEED. Everyone has a reserved seat for dinner each night in a preassigned restaurant. If your dining time is 6:00, just casually mosey on over to your appointed restaurant around 6:05 and I personally guarantee that you will walk right in and be led directly to your table! Honestly, please trust me, and I will save you from one line on the ship!

And what's up with everyone stealing stuff ??

Oh, hearing about this has me really, really upset! What's going to happen is that those MV people are going to ruin it for the rest of us! DCL will end up pulling all those cute Mickey Mouse items (towels, knobs, comforters, pillows, etc.) and replace them all with plain items.

Deb Thank you the pixiedust worked! Cash offer to close in one month. We broke even and a little extra but I am just so glad to be out from under that. I feel like I can breath again!

Laughed and laughed as I read this to my DH, really great top ten list, the best. Look at me and my mulitquote self, uhuh

Thank you! (And, I'm impressed with your multiquote skills! )

 

[alenushka]

I noticed that a few of you guys plan to spend some time at the WWHP either before or after the cruise. The 3 of us were able to sneak down to the world over MLK weekend and we also spent an afternoon at IOA. We enjoyed it and thought the theming was excellent. We rode 2 of the 3 rides, couldn't get DD or DH on the dragons ride. So if you have a question I may be able to help.
Robin

Hi Robin,
we watched a lot of youtube videos about WWHP tonight with DD and we have a few questions:
it seems like FJ is a not a roll-coaster and it never goes upside-down, right? We am not big fans of "scary" rides - do you think we will survive this one? I want to try to go on this ride with my family and I don't mind closing my eyes , do you suggest any particularly uncomfortable moments during this ride and the "clues" when to be ready for them? Will 3 of us be able to sit together or 2 people is a max?
If we manage to get to the park at 8am, should we do FJ or Olivander wand shop first (in terms of lines)?
Any other tips you could give based on your day there (if you go there again, what would you love to do again?)
Thank you for any info!

 

[guarn3md]

Hello All
Enjoying the Super Bowl with DH. Taking a break to put Connor to bed. He is doing much better today - thank you for asking. He is complaining about having to take the antibiotics since his throat doesn't hurt anymore. He could not believe he had to take it for 10 days!! He is going to school tomorrow and Taekwondo practice - Connor told us very clearly he was NOT missing practice; school he didn't mind missing. DH and I built our movie screen for our home theater today. We were trying to get it done and hung by the Super Bowl - but it didn't work out. The screen is done - now DH is trying to get the brackets level. I am so impressed by our screen - I will have to post a picture when we get it hung.
For those of you staying at Doubletree - are you planning to drive and park at the port? We have reservations at CI&S but I love the location of the Doubletree.
Wendy - Congratulations!! So glad that worked out for you....
Partner hotels for US/IOA - I can not find one that offers FoTL passes. Does anyone know if you only get them from the three onsite hotels?
OK - back to the game!!
Debbie

 

[Z'sDisneyMom]

Hi Robin,
we watched a lot of youtube videos about WWHP tonight with DD and we have a few questions:
it seems like FJ is a not a roll-coaster and it never goes upside-down, right? We am not big fans of "scary" rides - do you think we will survive this one? I want to try to go on this ride with my family and I don't mind closing my eyes , do you suggest any particularly uncomfortable moments during this ride and the "clues" when to be ready for them? Will 3 of us be able to sit together or 2 people is a max?
If we manage to get to the park at 8am, should we do FJ or Olivander wand shop first (in terms of lines)?
Any other tips you could give based on your day there (if you go there again, what would you love to do again?)
Thank you for any info!

FJ is not a roller coaster, its a simulator, sorta like a cross between spiderman and soarin'. The ride seats 4 across so yes, you will be able to sit next to each other when boarding, but you don't really see each other during the ride. If you know the books/movies, you can guess what you will see, think spiders, dementors etc. Don't close your eyes. I loved it. I think you will too. So much so that I think we will spend another day at IOA pre-cruise.
I would recommend doing Olivander's first. The line was always long and they only took so many people in at a time. We waited about 45 min for FJ, although the posted time was 60. But of course once you get to the greenhouse, the FJ line starts getting interesting.

The shops were all nice but crowded. If you don't want to fight the crowds, you can purchase most of the same merchandise at the big shop near the exit. The name of it escapes me now... It was pretty chilly when we were there so you saw many people wearing the Gryffindor scarves in Disney and Universal and of course DD wanted one. I was surprised at the $30 price tag though She bought it herself and has been wearing it everyday since so I guess it was ok

Let me know if you have any other questions.

And Deb, I agree with all of your points!!!!

 

[alenushka]

FJ is not a roller coaster, its a simulator, sorta like a cross between spiderman and soarin'. The ride seats 4 across so yes, you will be able to sit next to each other when boarding, but you don't really see each other during the ride. If you know the books/movies, you can guess what you will see, think spiders, dementors etc. Don't close your eyes. I loved it. I think you will too. So much so that I think we will spend another day at IOA pre-cruise.
I would recommend doing Olivander's first. The line was always long and they only took so many people in at a time. We waited about 45 min for FJ, although the posted time was 60. But of course once you get to the greenhouse, the FJ line starts getting interesting.

The shops were all nice but crowded. If you don't want to fight the crowds, you can purchase most of the same merchandise at the big shop near the exit. The name of it escapes me now... It was pretty chilly when we were there so you saw many people wearing the Gryffindor scarves in Disney and Universal and of course DD wanted one. I was surprised at the $30 price tag though She bought it herself and has been wearing it everyday since so I guess it was ok

Let me know if you have any other questions.

And Deb, I agree with all of your points!!!!

Thank you very much! It is very helpful!

 

[alenushka]

Hello All

For those of you staying at Doubletree - are you planning to drive and park at the port? We have reservations at CI&S but I love the location of the Doubletree.

Partner hotels for US/IOA - I can not find one that offers FoTL passes. Does anyone know if you only get them from the three onsite hotels?

Debbie

We booked "room and cruise package" - we will park our car on their lot and take a shuttle to the port. I am not sure about partner hotels for US/IOA, but I think, only any of their 3 onsite hotels will give you a "speedpass". They also offer "vacation packages" which incl. partner hotels and speed pass, but most of them require to book at least 3-4 nights.
I am glad Connor is feeling better! Hate when kids are sick, but at least you got your snuggles

 

[rdevine10]

There are always gonna be people who complain! The podcast crew said the Dream had a MORE intimate feel to it than the Magic and Wonder, and that crowds were not a factor.

I know the stress of hoping someone else's vacation feelings come out good. I took my friend and her son with us to WDW. She didn't want to go but felt she would be a terrible mother if she didn't take her son. She's a teacher and wanted a more relaxing vacation. Who could blame her!

She loved it. Absolutely loved it. She said she had a totally outdated idea of what WDW was from her childhood trip to Disneyland.

She said it was the most relaxing vacation she's ever had. (Ok, we were sipping Pina Colada's in the AKL jacuzzi at the time, but I'd like to think it was my brilliant vacation planning.)

Anyway, were you looking for a cruiser's picture of a Standard Inside or will the one off Disneycruise do?

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ships-activities/ships/staterooms/dream-fantasy/standard-inside-stateroom/

I just wanted to say THANK YOU for posting this link for me!!!!! Not only did I finally get to see some pictures, but really enjoyed this review! Really upbeat!

And also thank you to Deb! You are right about your list there! People DO complain. I keep reading about well X is different (meaning not as good) as the Magic or Wonder. Well, I said to myself, you know what, you havent been on the Magic or Wonder, so I cant be disappointed in any way whats so ever! It will ALL be good to me

Also read a review about how small my 11A cabin is. Saw the pics, I dont think they look so bad. Of course, I have tent camped with my kids in an 8 person tent (and yes it rained) for a few days. Small is OK (as long as its nice). Besides, we really only plan on sleeping in the room anyway!!!!

Yes, back on a positive note about the cruise. Its going to be great!

(and PS: they canceled school for my kids Monday). Roof issues at the school. Hoping its SHORT LIVED! And Tuesday isnt looking promising for the weather in CT. Oh well.... it IS what it IS

 

[goofy4tink]

Hello All
Enjoying the Super Bowl with DH. Taking a break to put Connor to bed. He is doing much better today - thank you for asking. He is complaining about having to take the antibiotics since his throat doesn't hurt anymore. He could not believe he had to take it for 10 days!! He is going to school tomorrow and Taekwondo practice - Connor told us very clearly he was NOT missing practice; school he didn't mind missing. DH and I built our movie screen for our home theater today. We were trying to get it done and hung by the Super Bowl - but it didn't work out. The screen is done - now DH is trying to get the brackets level. I am so impressed by our screen - I will have to post a picture when we get it hung.
For those of you staying at Doubletree - are you planning to drive and park at the port? We have reservations at CI&S but I love the location of the Doubletree.
Wendy - Congratulations!! So glad that worked out for you....
Partner hotels for US/IOA - I can not find one that offers FoTL passes. Does anyone know if you only get them from the three onsite hotels?
OK - back to the game!!
Debbie

I was at the Hampton Inn, on the beach, but when I saw that Doubletree was a bit cheaper, and had cruise parking, I figured that was a better option. I think that we'll use the shuttle. It says $4 pp, but I'm not sure if that's each way. If it's $4 pp, each way, then we'll be paying about $25...we may just change our mind and head to port parking...can't decide.

 

[WPoohgirl]

Hello All
Enjoying the Super Bowl with DH. Taking a break to put Connor to bed. He is doing much better today - thank you for asking. He is complaining about having to take the antibiotics since his throat doesn't hurt anymore. He could not believe he had to take it for 10 days!! He is going to school tomorrow and Taekwondo practice - Connor told us very clearly he was NOT missing practice; school he didn't mind missing.

For those of you staying at Doubletree - are you planning to drive and park at the port? We have reservations at CI&S but I love the location of the Doubletree.
Wendy - Congratulations!! So glad that worked out for you....
Partner hotels for US/IOA - I can not find one that offers FoTL passes. Does anyone know if you only get them from the three onsite hotels?
OK - back to the game!!
Debbie

Soooooo glad Connor is feeling better, we are so lucky that we live in an age of antibiotics. We rent a car and then turn it in and they shuttle us to the port usually. I don't know about you but I am thrilled to be going to warm weather!!

 

[castlegazer]

And now to add...
Deb's Fact #5: Yes there will be lines. I expect lines. I can't avoid lines in my daily life, so I refuse to be bothered by lines on a ship. I wait in lines at the grocery, at Target, to buy lunch, at the pharmacy, to get on planes, at WDW, I could go on and on and on. There will be a big 'ole line to get on the ship, there will be a line for the buffet (or food stations), etc. I encountered lines on the Magic and Wonder, too. No big deal to me.

Which brings me to...
Deb T.'s Hint #1: One place where you absolutely do not need to wait in line is for dinner. And let me stress the word NEED. Everyone has a reserved seat for dinner each night in a preassigned restaurant. If your dining time is 6:00, just casually mosey on over to your appointed restaurant around 6:05 and I personally guarantee[/U that you will walk right in and be led directly to your table! Honestly, please trust me, and I will save you from one line on the ship!

This one hint is what saved my second cruise on DCL and made it 3 million times better than my first!

The lines for dinner are so astronomically ridiculously long!! I waited in line after line after line on my first cruise on the Magic and I was PISSED by the time I got off the ship! I had so many bad things to say about the cruise, all because of the lines and lack of 24 hour buffet and trying to feed my very young children on nights we had adult stuff planned without a 24 hour buffet and not planning well with room service.

DCL is a cruise line that becomes better the more cruises you take and understand the routines and the fact that you really can not approach it like the parks - all things will come to you even if you don't queue for it! It will be OK - RELAX! RELAX, RELAX.... AND JUST HAVE FUN!

Good point, Deb!

 

[guarn3md]

I just booked a room at the Royal Pacific Resort Universal for 4/15 to 4/16. I think we are going to do IOA/WWoHP bright and early Saturday morning and then head to the port in the afternoon. After thinking about it and mapping it out I think it was too much to try to fit travel and WWoHP in one day - with the park closing at 5pm! The benefits of staying on property won me over!
I love all the advice I have been reading here. It has been very valuable in planning this trip!
Debbie

 

[bdink921]

I just booked a room at the Royal Pacific Resort Universal for 4/15 to 4/16. I think we are going to do IOA/WWoHP bright and early Saturday morning and then head to the port in the afternoon. After thinking about it and mapping it out I think it was too much to try to fit travel and WWoHP in one day - with the park closing at 5pm! The benefits of staying on property won me over!
I love all the advice I have been reading here. It has been very valuable in planning this trip!
Debbie

We'll be there with you!!! Jacob would love to meet Connor, they've been chatting on the tween board. After we get done at the studios since they close early, we plan on a nice evening by the pool (crossing fingers for some nice WARM weather) -- there is poolside food service . Then we'll be up and out early Saturday morning to get to WWoHP.

 

[jilljill]

I just booked a room at the Royal Pacific Resort Universal for 4/15 to 4/16. I think we are going to do IOA/WWoHP bright and early Saturday morning and then head to the port in the afternoon. After thinking about it and mapping it out I think it was too much to try to fit travel and WWoHP in one day - with the park closing at 5pm! The benefits of staying on property won me over!
I love all the advice I have been reading here. It has been very valuable in planning this trip!
Debbie

You will probably enjoy your HP visit better this way.

 

[mommybean]

Just found this on an agent's FB page - pics of the Vibe teen club - wow!!! I was going to post it on the Teen thread too, but didn't want them to think I was invading their space and actually reading their posts

http://www.facebook.com/mouseworldt...=10150398619180187&id=315995100186&aid=618431

 

[jilljill]

Just found this on an agent's FB page - pics of the Vibe teen club - wow!!! I was going to post it on the Teen thread too, but didn't want them to think I was invading their space and actually reading their posts

http://www.facebook.com/mouseworldt...=10150398619180187&id=315995100186&aid=618431

Since a bunch of them like to lurk around this thread I vote for leaving it on here and see if one of them 'steals' the link and posts it on their thread.


See teens....we do talk about other things besides the weather.

 

[guarn3md]

We'll be there with you!!! Jacob would love to meet Connor, they've been chatting on the tween board. After we get done at the studios since they close early, we plan on a nice evening by the pool (crossing fingers for some nice WARM weather) -- there is poolside food service . Then we'll be up and out early Saturday morning to get to WWoHP.

That's so cool. I told Connor after school today that I had booked this hotel - he was so excited. I then called my mom and told her - she thinks I have lost it... Relaxing by the pool sounds so nice. My plan is to be up and out to take advantage of the 8am WWoHP. Connor will be thrilled to hear that Jacob will be there the same time. He has enjoyed chatting on the tween thread.

Debbie

 

[Deb T.]

There is the most amazing TR in process right now! I double-dog-dare anyone to think their Dream cruise will be anything less than spectacular after reading it! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2650672 I will caution that there is a lot of mindless chatter in between Timon's posts - so I would suggest just scrolling through each page to her posts only.


So now that we know (because I've told ya so!) that our Dream cruise is going to be awesome, I think we ought to start posting the best of the most ridiculous complaint posts that we see! (I'd do it on the main thread, but me thinks it might be a tad bit politically incorrect. )

I already pointed out the thread where they complained about the sound/tone of the Dream's horn.

Here's another one! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=39871942&postcount=220 All snooty because the watermelon on the Dream has *gasp* seeds!!! Oh the humanity of it all! Seriously????