April 17, 2011 on the Dream

[castlegazer]

Pershing its been one seriously long winter! Its OK to feel overwhelmed! I knew I could not bite off a FE too with everything else going on. But really, don't stress, even the littlest tokens of trinkets are just fine, just for the fun of participating.

For all MA people we went out to dinner tonight in Westwood to meet halfway between for friends of ours from the South shore and where we live. I mention this bevause the restaurant was excellent and had a three course wine pairing dinner that was so good. It was Chiara's bistro. Great place!

Bdink, we got a dolphin encouter at Atlantis and we got Remy reservations so I am satisfied. I would like to get Palo bruncb reservations but I am not that worried about it. So far we are good to gl for everything minus our dinner time. We are on the waitlist to get early seating.

 

[Ness2289]

Include me on the "beyond excited for this vacation to start" list!! I just can't wait to be on the ship and on vacation! I am so in need of this break!!!

My top FIVE:

1) Enchanted Garden, Animator's Palate, and Royal Palace (In a nutshell- eating!!)

2) My first "Day at Sea"

3) Checking out the Atlantis Resort and Aquarium

4) Hanging out with Deb T. again!

5) Meeting you guys!

 

[svcutler]

Hi everyone! I'm finally back from my business trip/side trip to Austin, gist in time for......more snow tonight!

Ive been reading along on my iPad but never really enough time to post too much

So, a little belated but..
1. Walking on ship and getting our name announced
2. Meeting all of you
3. Hearing and seeing how much fun my family is having
4. Castaway cay
5. All the restaurants and night shows

Hope everyone starts to feel better soon!!

Sandy.

 

[WPoohgirl]

Where in Maine are you trying to move, WPoohgirl? We summer at our house in York Beach and my brother and sister in law live there.

You will find an awesome trip report, entitled dreams do come true by Timon that has navigators.

Oh, and to my little enablers here, I did purchase the Day and Night Disney Dream LE Vinylmation on ebay and actually did alright, not as good as I would have done had I gotten off my waffling but about it when they first were put up for sale after the MV, but OK and my son is so excited to be one of only 1,000 people in the world to own them. Sooooo, our purchasing power on the ship just got a lot lower for anything else on there, but these are really great for us!


Oh, and sorry to the multiple mods. Sometimes I get a little feisty when the whining hits a fever pitch on the main cruise forum board. I normally don't pay any attention, but today was a feisty day. I will not push anyone any further, promise!

We have moved to Yarmouth a bit up the coast, love it, I am from Maine originally but it has been a long time since I lived here! Oh and I think it is awesome that you get feisty! Nothing wrong with a little verbal lashing now and again, ARRRRRR!!

I've been thinking about my list and haven't solidified it yet. I know it includes my night club tour at 11 pm each night and I will post a schedule if anyone wants to join.

I must confess, I have always wanted to go to the night clubs. My DH has trouble staying up past 10:00pm I don't even drink I just so wanted to see them and maybe dance by myself for Pete's sake. I have been on three cruises and never seen them. I would be thrilled if you post a schedule

thank you for the kind thoughts everyone. We all seem to be on the mend. At least we will still be able to see Mary Poppins, and we will do so when we are all healthy. And to the poster (Im sorry I forgot your screen name.. .need more caffeine this morning!), you are totally right. Id rather miss a Broadway show than be sick for our Dream sailing!

It was me and I am so glad you are all on the mend, thank Goodness!

My top five list

1) Putting my bells on, it signals my freedom.

(I have an anklet with bells that I only put on when I am on the boat, if you think you hear a dog approaching it is me!)

2) Palo dinner alone with my honey.
3) Seeing my children so happy
4) Spa treatments.
5) Exploring a new ship

I am in NY now begining to clean out the house to get ready to move, can anyone say BIG DRAG? Oh and its snowing, lovely.

 

[goofy4tink]

We have moved to Yarmouth a bit up the coast, love it, I am from Maine originally but it has been a long time since I lived here! Oh and I think it is awesome that you get feisty! Nothing wrong with a little verbal lashing now and again, ARRRRRR!!


I must confess, I have always wanted to go to the night clubs. My DH has trouble staying up past 10:00pm I don't even drink I just so wanted to see them and maybe dance by myself for Pete's sake. I have been on three cruises and never seen them. I would be thrilled if you post a schedule



It was me and I am so glad you are all on the mend, thank Goodness!

My top five list

1) Putting my bells on, it signals my freedom.

(I have an anklet with bells that I only put on when I am on the boat, if you think you hear a dog approaching it is me!)

2) Palo dinner alone with my honey.
3) Seeing my children so happy
4) Spa treatments.
5) Exploring a new ship

I am in NY now begining to clean out the house to get ready to move, can anyone say BIG DRAG? Oh and its snowing, lovely.

And here I thought my dh was the only party pooper out there!!! We did no clubs on our first cruise. The only time I've been able to go to them was on a cruise with friends...no dh's involved!!! It was a hoot. I think it would be terrific if we could get together some time together in the clubs...especially those of us without 'dates'!!!

When we first cruised, my dd was 14. She was up later than us every single night!! In fact, she was out on our last night, and came running into the statemroom at about 11:30, yelling at me to get out of bed and get dressed. She needed me right now!! Yeah, what she needed was me to take photos of her with all the CMs in their show costumes!! But it was so much fun. And I would have missed it if she had been with her father and I, ready for bed in our room!!!

Nope, I'm hoping I can find some buddies to partay with at night when dh heads to sleep.

 

[golfnsuch]

I'm with all of you who are anxiously awaiting the arrival of April, spring, daylight savings... heck, anything that indicates I'm one step closer to being on that beautiful ship.

With my upcoming professional tests, new job, and the 10 lbs I want to lose before wearing any sort of colorful spandex on the beach/poolside, you all are the only thing keeping me sane.

My top 5:
5. The Dis meet and greet/cabin crawl (our Dis group was so small last cruise we never met).
4. Delivering the FE gifts via rolling suitcase (can't wait to explore the ship).
3. Aquaduck (I'm hopeful my youngest will actually go)
2. Having a Konk cooler with DH on CC beach (tush in a chair, feet in the water).
1. Playing in the pools, at Atlantis and Pelican Plunge with my boys (they tell me I look so happy when I "play with them")

E.

p.s. Anyone have any suggestions on not-to-miss vacation/Disney apps for ipod touch? Eldest just got (begged) for one last week for his birthday, but Mom controls the itunes purchases, so he can't argue if I add a few things here and there for me...

 

[castlegazer]

Ok DebT I would say we need another list for a girls night out at the clubs! I would be so all over that!

 

[golfnsuch]

Anyone know how many pieces of luggage you can bring onboard per person?

Don't worry, I'm by no means an over-packer, but I'll have my booze and cabin-decorating surprises in my rolling/regular carry-ons so I have access at 1:30 pm and my youngest insists upon dragging his Lightning McQueen rolling bag with him everywhere (which carrys nada). Heaven forbid we check that sucker... he doesn't trust anyone else to handle his luggage (smart boy!) But with FE gifts in one bag, etc., I'm just wondering if we can have 3 carry-ons, and potentially 3-4 checked bags for the 4 of us.

Too much?
E.

 

[goofy4tink]

Ok DebT I would say we need another list for a girls night out at the clubs! I would be so all over that!

 

[jeni37]

Ok DebT I would say we need another list for a girls night out at the clubs! I would be so all over that!

I vote for that list! My DH is not much of a club hopper, and I would love to see all the night spots on the ship!

 

[guarn3md]

Hey all
I am writing this post 30,000 feet up in the air. Totally cool to be on the internet while flying. We are on our way home from San Francisco and wouldn't you know it - we will be delayed in Milwaukee overnight due to
everyone....
SNOW!!!
I booked a hotel outside of the airport while waiting for our San Fran flight to leave... We will get there in time for dinner...Connor and Asia are happy because they will miss school tomorrow and there is a pool at the hotel. Connor just told me I am the best trip planner and should be a travel agent. Ahhh my dream job!!
I am feeling overwhelmed with the large FE group but - I have purchased enough for 40 staterooms. That being said if it goes over 40 I don't know what I will do since I can't order more supplies. I would break off into a sub group but not sure what I would do with the extra supplies I bought. I'd be curious how many people would want to be in a sub group. I guess if there was one with 20, but that may not be feasible.
I feel like I have missed so much while gone for these few days. I have read all the posts. Glad people are on the mend and sorry for missed shows, housing woes, etc... I would love a girls night to club, since I am leaving my DH at home! Add me to the list!!!
Check on you later when my feet are on terra firma again!
Debbie

 

[hbg4]

Diane, if you look back through this thread, I have offered several times to create a smaller sub-group of FE Participants. Each time, everyone else opts to be in the larger group. However, I want you to know that I am aware of your repeated concerns and have given this a lot of thought over the last few months. As I've offered before, it would be very easy for me to create a smaller group for you to participate in (by creating a sub-group within the whole group). I would be more than happy to do this if you would just give me the go-ahead to do so. You can even name the number of participants you'd like to have in your group. I really, really, really want this FE Exchange to be a fun and positive experience for everyone, and most definitely not something stressful.

Everyone, please be aware that based on my experience, I still anticipate a few more families will join our FE Exchange by the 4-1-11 deadline. If you share Diane's concerns and want to be in a smaller group, please let me know. I have formulated a plan where I can leave the large group intact and still create a smaller sub-group within the larger group. I just want everyone to be happy.

I agree that the FEs could be overflowing much of the time. There are several strategies we could employ to help with this:
1. We could hang an "overflow" bag behind or below our FEs.
2. We could give our stateroom hosts permission to bring some of our FE surprises inside our cabins whenever he/she notices an overflow situation brewing.
3. We could plan to check our FEs frequently throughout each day.

I truly hope that you all will get as much joy out of participating in the FE Exchange as I do.

Hi Deb
Here's my opinion incase anyone else wouldn't mind being in a smaller group once we have our final FE numbers.
We did this on the 2008 Panama canal and 2007 transatlantic Magic cruises. Somehow having a smaller group, we were able to give better quality small gifts rather than just trinkets.
Also the concerning is the baggage restraints the airlines have nowadays. It really restricts how much we can bring from home.
Brenda

 

[Z'sDisneyMom]

Here's my top five...

1) Riding the Aquaduck
2) Dining in all the new restaurants (especially Animator's Palate)
3) Handing out all the FE gifts
4) Spa
5) Castaway Cay

Add me to the girls night out in the club list!!!

Might need one more list too.
"Those who are whining becuz they are still waiting on their GTY cabin assignment" list "

We'll be cruising soon!
Robin

 

[sianrob]

Sian, DCL's official line is that a child has to be within 30 days of their birthday to move up groups. There is the out and about program that is available for 10 and up and most of the over 10's do those activities. They take place at various activities around the ship, most of those kids in the tween programing do those as there really isn't much planned activitivies in the actual tween club. My DD who is going to be almost 13, so she's been in the tween programing for a couple of years, mainly does the out and about activities, as there isn't much going on in the actual club most of the time. Also to let you know to partipate in out and about AND the tween programming, your child has to have sign out privileges, meaning they're free to roam the ship.

Thanks for the information on the out and about program, I will make sure my daughter can sign out to do those if she wants. She watched some video about the kids club and is actually excited to go there. We are going on another cruise next year so she can check out the Tween club then.

I'm getting so excited!!

Sian

 

[Deb T.]

Hi Everyone!

I've been AWOL these last couple of days while out-of-town working on DD's wedding plans. She's getting married a month after our cruise!! So much to do, so little time left to get it all done!!!!!! And yes, I do have a kazillion lists going for this event!

I've very quickly skimmed through the posts and will take time tomorrow to properly catch up on everything, especially all the new lists and FE participation saturation limits .

Until then..........

 

[goofy4tink]

Hi Everyone!

I've been AWOL these last couple of days while out-of-town working on DD's wedding plans. She's getting married a month after our cruise!! So much to do, so little time left to get it all done!!!!!! And yes, I do have a kazillion lists going for this event!

I've very quickly skimmed through the posts and will take time tomorrow to properly catch up on everything, especially all the new lists and FE participation saturation limits .

Until then..........

Dear God...I had forgotten about the wedding!!!! You must be going crazy!!!

 

[Deb T.]

Dear God...I had forgotten about the wedding!!!! You must be going crazy!!!

Crazy doesn't even come close to it!

-I'm organizing this FE.
-I'm organizing the FE for our B2B 4/21 cruise, too.
-We aren't using a Wedding Coordinator, so DD and I are handling everything by ourselves. We've narrowed the guest list down to 250, of whom 242 will be out-of-town guests (including DH and me)! As of this past weekend, we have the church, cake, flowers, photographer, DJ, bridal gown, bridesmaids dresses, flower girl dresses (3), tuxes, 45 hotel rooms blocked, our hotel reservations, Sunday Brunch, and favors. We still need to nail down the reception venue, caterer, dance floor, limo, hair appts, nail appts, Bridesmaids' Luncheon, flights for DS and his girlfriend, flights for my FIL, Friday night Bridal Shower, the hundreds of little odds and ends that still need to be purchased (Lists! Boy do I have LISTS!), and assemble the favors. All of this while still grieving the loss of the groom's father just two months ago.

Things would be a tad bit simplier if the wedding wasn't going to be held 2 hours away from where DH and I live!

Our goal is to have everything for the wedding set before this cruise so we can totally relax for the week. DD and her DFiance are joining us on the second of our B2B cruises for a little pre-wedding R&R, too.

For the two cruises, I already have all the FE gifts but still need to assemble them. Magnets are done. Bathing suit purchased. I have my packing lists, of course. Already completed online check-in for both cruises. Three rental cars are reserved for: DH and me, DD and her DFiance, and our combined return to the airport. Two pre-cruise hotel rooms are reserved. Flights are done. Passports and important papers are already gathered in a folder. And, a daily schedule (based on the first Navigators) is compiled so that I don't miss anything once we're onboard.

If I'm missing anything, please let me know! Insomnia has kicked in so I'm usually compiling new lists throughout the middle of the night. I'm so afraid I'm going to forget something!!!

Oh yeah, and I work full-time, too!

 

[WPoohgirl]

Thanks for the information on the out and about program, I will make sure my daughter can sign out to do those if she wants. She watched some video about the kids club and is actually excited to go there. We are going on another cruise next year so she can check out the Tween club then.

I'm getting so excited!!

Sian

Sian, my DS last year was just under the tween club and worried about being in with the "little" kids. He went into the out and about program and had an absolute blast. He used to kind of cling to us a bit, he would go to the clubs but not last very long. With out and about we hardly saw him. He could sign himself in and out and have some independence. They did scavenger hunts around the whole ship, visited the bridge and lots of cool stuff that I did not know about until we returned home! She will have a blast!

Hi Everyone!

I've been AWOL these last couple of days while out-of-town working on DD's wedding plans. She's getting married a month after our cruise!! So much to do, so little time left to get it all done!!!!!! And yes, I do have a kazillion lists going for this event!

I've very quickly skimmed through the posts and will take time tomorrow to properly catch up on everything, especially all the new lists and FE participation saturation limits .

Until then..........

Gee Deb T, is there anything I could do to help you out? Your DD is getting married and that is sooooooo much planing and work. Not to interfere but if there is something I can do to help you please let me know. You are super to do as much as you have.

I have to admit to have had feelings of anxiety about the size of the FE group. My DH said how the heck are we getting so many FE gifts in our luggage? However, I so wanted to participate with everyone, so we made one nice gift per family. That way we only go around to every cabin once. I know you offered several times to make smaller groups, but I have been speaking with all of you since we returned from our cruise last year and wanted to be in the FE exchange with all the people I have been chatting with. So that was my solution and I hope it is OK with everyone else.

The last exchange we did, several people made up a little baggie for each family and that is where I got the idea. We LOVED every little silly gift we got. Someone cut out Mickey hands, they were so cute, just paper but we still have them. Someone gave regular pencils and we actually used them during the cruise. Another person did pirate stickers, we wore them for pirate night. It was not the largeness that mattered at all, it was the fact that a big group of people who we didn't really know, were willing to take the time to give us gifts and treats. It was SO SPECIAL. So don't get stressed about the gifts everyone, we are going to have an absolute blast!!!!!!!

I am SO EXCITED I MIGHT ACTUALLY GET TO SEE A CLUB THIS CRUISE! OMG so happy so many other people want to go!!! I am not ready for the early bird specials yet.

 

[goofy4tink]

Gee Deb T, is there anything I could do to help you out? Your DD is getting married and that is sooooooo much planing and work. Not to interfere but if there is something I can do to help you please let me know. You are super to do as much as you have.

I have to admit to have had feelings of anxiety about the size of the FE group. My DH said how the heck are we getting so many FE gifts in our luggage? However, I so wanted to participate with everyone, so we made one nice gift per family. That way we only go around to every cabin once. I know you offered several times to make smaller groups, but I have been speaking with all of you since we returned from our cruise last year and wanted to be in the FE exchange with all the people I have been chatting with. So that was my solution and I hope it is OK with everyone else.

The last exchange we did, several people made up a little baggie for each family and that is where I got the idea. We LOVED every little silly gift we got. Someone cut out Mickey hands, they were so cute, just paper but we still have them. Someone gave regular pencils and we actually used them during the cruise. Another person did pirate stickers, we wore them for pirate night. It was not the largeness that mattered at all, it was the fact that a big group of people who we didn't really know, were willing to take the time to give us gifts and treats. It was SO SPECIAL. So don't get stressed about the gifts everyone, we are going to have an absolute blast!!!!!!!

I am SO EXCITED I MIGHT ACTUALLY GET TO SEE A CLUB THIS CRUISE! OMG so happy so many other people want to go!!! I am not ready for the early bird specials yet. [/QUOTE]

Have to agree. It's no one else's fault that I've been buying stuff for FEs for the past 10 months!!! I almost wish that I was doing just one bag per family. But, I thought it might be nice to do age appropriate stuff for the kids....what the heck was I thinking??? Well, what's done is done. I've ordered some addtl stuff so as to not have to leave anyone out. There is no way I am admitting to my dh how much I have spent for this stuff. It's not that it's so 'wonderful' but I see something and say...'ooooh, wouldn't that be nice as a FE gift.' and pretty soon I have 4 bags of 'stuff'!! I need discipline I tell ya, discipline!!! Now, to bag the stuff up in the next few weeks. Then group by stateroom number and then by deck.

 

[jilljill]

Anyone know how many pieces of luggage you can bring onboard per person?

Don't worry, I'm by no means an over-packer, but I'll have my booze and cabin-decorating surprises in my rolling/regular carry-ons so I have access at 1:30 pm and my youngest insists upon dragging his Lightning McQueen rolling bag with him everywhere (which carrys nada). Heaven forbid we check that sucker... he doesn't trust anyone else to handle his luggage (smart boy!) But with FE gifts in one bag, etc., I'm just wondering if we can have 3 carry-ons, and potentially 3-4 checked bags for the 4 of us.

Too much?
E.

There are no restictions on how many bags you can carry on or check. Pack away....