April 17, 2011 on the Dream

[pershing]

Bon Jovi huh? Nice! 'Shot thru the heart da duh da da....'

I'm up and about and cleaning up the carnage of the mice playing while the cat is flat on her back sick. Although my DS's don't pull the typical 'Are you too sick to make dinner?'- crap, their foraging leaves a trail.
If I had a DH I'd like to think the carnage would have been kept more minimal. For instance my DS's got into the snacks for Disney-that were hidden! What a bummer!

I'm with you guys on the GTY's! Trying not too worry as guarantee means it's well guaranteed! Right? Ugh, it better be this week! Sold out ship. I'm worried.

 

[Ness2289]

Just finished getting the system tool virus off my laptop!! Never be fooled by this fake security alert, you guys! It is something else!

 

[svcutler]

Bon Jovi huh? Nice! 'Shot thru the heart da duh da da....'

I'm up and about and cleaning up the carnage of the mice playing while the cat is flat on her back sick. Although my DS's don't pull the typical 'Are you too sick to make dinner?'- crap, their foraging leaves a trail.
If I had a DH I'd like to think the carnage would have been kept more minimal. For instance my DS's got into the snacks for Disney-that were hidden! What a bummer!

I'm with you guys on the GTY's! Trying not too worry as guarantee means it's well guaranteed! Right? Ugh, it better be this week! Sold out ship. I'm worried.

Glad to see you're feeling better Sue, but I think you might still be a little delirous if you think that having a DH would make the carnage any less! Not in my house!!

Take care!!

 

[Deb T.]

Another busy weekend here... so much to do, so little time to get it all done! Now, time to catch up on this thread!

Just wanted to say I'm about to burst waiting for this vacation!!! OMG!!!

It is really just around the corner and I have sooooo much to do! FE gifts- Haven't even started... No swimsuit... DD has no cover up... No beach shoes... Well, I have six more weekends left to get it all done! I think I'll start taking inventory tonight so I know exactly what to starting looking for.

I'm trying to decide if I am going to purchase the express passes for our one day at Universal Studios. We aren't doing IOA, just US. They are already $49.99 which means high crowds are expected. We're going the day we get off of the ship so my arrival time may very well be affected. We want to pretty much do it all excect Rip Ride Rocket. I almost feel like I should bite the bullet to ensure we're not stressed out that day. Any opinions? I haven't been to US since...1997! I may as well consider myself a newbie!!

I'm very excited for this vacation, too! I'm trying hard not to daydream too much while at work. I need to start a list of what needs to be purchased, too, like sunscreen, beach shoes, a bathing suit cover-up, etc.

Wow - those US express passes are outrageous! Could you wait until you're there and see how big the crowds are before you purchase them or do they have to be purchased with your tickets? I think that US offers AAA discounts, but I'm not sure on what.

Six weekends! Now that's a wake up call.

We got struck with both the flu and a 24 hour bug. I've almost missed 2 full weeks of work with the kids and myself getting sick.

Total bummer paywise. I gave up ressie's for Remy and Palo to absorb the cost. Still have my hot stone message app but that may have to go also.

I keep thinking it's better to get sick now than in April! But then I think of the schoolwork the kids have make up and cringe.

I feel your pain with the 24 hour bug, I had it Thursday, oldest DS had it Friday, DD had it today, I have been spraying lysol on everything, in addition to washing sheets and throwing away toothbrushes!

At least it didn't stop me from going to Mohegan Sun in Ct last night to see Bon Jovi, one of the best nights I've spent recently with 3 very dear friends!!!

Next up the CRUISE!!!! I can hardly contain myself I'm so excited!!

I'm up and about and cleaning up the carnage of the mice playing while the cat is flat on her back sick. Although my DS's don't pull the typical 'Are you too sick to make dinner?'- crap, their foraging leaves a trail.
If I had a DH I'd like to think the carnage would have been kept more minimal. For instance my DS's got into the snacks for Disney-that were hidden! What a bummer!

So sorry to hear about everyone getting sick. Hope everyone is better soon and that no one else gets it.

Anyone else get their GTY assigned? Nada for me still.

As for the whole GTY thing -- it's very frustrating to see those 3 letters where our room number should be. Don't get why it's taking so long -- it's not like there are any empty cabins DCL needs to sell before we sail

Hey all! We are still here. LOL! Just checked AGAIN, to see if we were assigned a cabin and we are still GTY! Maybe they will assign us the deluxe lifeboat accommodation!!!

Now that my dd's choir's big fundraiser is over I going start on my FE gifts. Did start them but will assemble them.

Only 41 more days!

I'm with you guys on the GTY's! Trying not too worry as guarantee means it's well guaranteed! Right? Ugh, it better be this week! Sold out ship. I'm worried.

Downrivermama, your "deluxe lifeboat accommodation" comment cracked me up!!!

pershing, even though I would be worried, too, (I worry about everything!!!) I'm sure you'll have a cabin number soon.

I would almost bet that DCL is in the process of calling cruisers and offering their "not really a good deal" upgrades right now so that they can increase their profit line before starting giving out free upgrades. That could be a chain reaction event that might take a while to complete.

I do hope all of you get your cabin assignment soon. Has anyone tried calling DCL directly (or asking your travel agent to)? We were GTY for the Baltic cruise last July, and I found out that we had been assigned a cabin number during a random phone call to DCL even though it hadn't shown up on the website yet.

Here's pixie dust for everyone that those cabin assignments some out soon!!!

Just finished getting the system tool virus off my laptop!! Never be fooled by this fake security alert, you guys! It is something else!

Yikes!!! Sorry you had to go through all of that! Those dumb computer viruses make me so mad!! Last summer, my email account (that I'd had for over 15 years) started sending out nasty spam to everyone in my address book over and over and over again! It took me several days to get all my stuff transferred over to a new email account. I almost had it all done when my original email address was shut down by the provider for "illegal activity". Scary stuff sometimes, that internet!

 

[svcutler]

Hello again Ladies (and one man)

I have spent the entire day going through all my ressies, notes and everything else because whoever posted "6 more weekends" FREAKED me out. If you don't count this one, it's only 5 and that put me into a full-fledged panic attack!

So I've finished choosing which parks we're going to after the cruise (staying until Monday AM, the 25th), and some of our ADR's have been booked as well.

Cancelled 1 car rental since we're taking FL Tours (hope they are good....), extended 2nd car rental for extra day, confirmed hotel ressie(s), confirmed 7:00 show on cruise and no seatmates (because my DH is a cranky man ) at dinner, and checked with Bonnet Creek on proximity to Port Orleans.

So now that you've read way TMI about me, anyone have any hints on whether PO's, Riverside Mill food court is OK for a quick breakfast and Sassagoula for lunch?

Also - is Mama Melrose's as slow as they say?? I did the fantasmic/restaurant package but I've never eaten at Mamas before.....

OK, I think I'm sufficiently up to date now. Thanks for listening !!

Sandy

 

[Deb T.]

Hello again Ladies (and one man)

I have spent the entire day going through all my ressies, notes and everything else because whoever posted "6 more weekends" FREAKED me out. If you don't count this one, it's only 5 and that put me into a full-fledged panic attack!

So I've finished choosing which parks we're going to after the cruise (staying until Monday AM, the 25th), and some of our ADR's have been booked as well.

Cancelled 1 car rental since we're taking FL Tours (hope they are good....), extended 2nd car rental for extra day, confirmed hotel ressie(s), confirmed 7:00 show on cruise and no seatmates (because my DH is a cranky man ) at dinner, and checked with Bonnet Creek on proximity to Port Orleans.

So now that you've read way TMI about me, anyone have any hints on whether PO's, Riverside Mill food court is OK for a quick breakfast and Sassagoula for lunch?

Also - is Mama Melrose's as slow as they say?? I did the fantasmic/restaurant package but I've never eaten at Mamas before.....

OK, I think I'm sufficiently up to date now. Thanks for listening !!

Sandy

I feel like I'm behind on getting everything together for this cruise, too. Those last few weeks before a cruise always seems to fly by! I have my FE stuff, but still haven't organized any of it (for either B2B cruise). I have DH's and my magnets, but still need to print magnets for DD and her DFiance for the second cruise. And, I really need to get all our paperwork, notes, and general info together in some sort of orderly fashion. At least all our ressies are done and confirmed (for WDW and both cruises), thank goodness!

It's been a very long time since we've eaten at PO, so I'm no help there. BUT, I can tell you that Mama Melrose's is one of our favorite places to eat at WDW! I wouldn't say the service is slow... but it is a sit-down restaurant and everything is made from scratch, so that does cause a little delay between when you order and when it arrives at the table. The wait is worth it, IMHO. My favorite is the "Wood-grilled Chicken" which is tossed in a four-cheese cream sauce with pipette pasta, artichokes, peas, and roasted red peppers (or you can substitute shrimp for the chicken for a couple of dollars more). DH's favorite is the four-cheese flatbread (similar to a white pizza). OMG - my mouth is watering right now!!! If time is of the essence, you might be able to go ahead and submit your order while waiting to be seated, and then let your server know that you are in a hurry to help speed things up a bit.

 

[Ness2289]

Wow - those US express passes are outrageous! Could you wait until you're there and see how big the crowds are before you purchase them or do they have to be purchased with your tickets? I think that US offers AAA discounts, but I'm not sure on what.

I probably will wait until we're there. I'm just worried that they'll be sold out with the crowds or worse yet- they'll go up to the highest price before we get there. If that happens,...oh well!! No express passes for us. I think we'll have to prioritize our list of must sees/must dos so we're sure to see the things at the top of our list.

 

[svcutler]

I feel like I'm behind on getting everything together for this cruise, too. Those last few weeks before a cruise always seems to fly by! I have my FE stuff, but still haven't organized any of it (for either B2B cruise). I have DH's and my magnets, but still need to print magnets for DD and her DFiance for the second cruise. And, I really need to get all our paperwork, notes, and general info together in some sort of orderly fashion. At least all our ressies are done and confirmed (for WDW and both cruises), thank goodness!

It's been a very long time since we've eaten at PO, so I'm no help there. BUT, I can tell you that Mama Melrose's is one of our favorite places to eat at WDW! I wouldn't say the service is slow... but it is a sit-down restaurant and everything is made from scratch, so that does cause a little delay between when you order and when it arrives at the table. The wait is worth it, IMHO. My favorite is the "Wood-grilled Chicken" which is tossed in a four-cheese cream sauce with pipette pasta, artichokes, peas, and roasted red peppers (or you can substitute shrimp for the chicken for a couple of dollars more). DH's favorite is the four-cheese flatbread (similar to a white pizza). OMG - my mouth is watering right now!!! If time is of the essence, you might be able to go ahead and submit your order while waiting to be seated, and then let your server know that you are in a hurry to help speed things up a bit.

Oh, that does sound good. OK, going to make dinner now! Thanks so much Deb!!

 

[pershing]

I have a question:

For those of us staying at the Radisson the night before and parking at the port, which way do you turn and go to get to the Disney terminal in the morning.

I always get turned around at this point, 'cause I only drive this once every other year or so.

I know from previous mistaken years that Disney's is number 8 North, North NORTH terminal! (I've taken the South Terminal exit twice.) But I can't get Disney's terminal to show up on my GPS. Is there a more exact address I could plug in?

And the McDonalds is listed as closed on the GPS. Is there another drive thru breakfast nearby. (Yes, I'm minutia diving at the moment to keep my mind off of the lack of stateroom number-Thanks for the well wishes Deb!)

Getting 3 teenage DS's out of bed, dressed and out the door by 9 on a Sunday will be miraculous enough without adding a sit down breakfast to slow them down.

They can chow down the rest of the day if they want. When I'm lounging by the pool.

 

[bdink921]

Glad to see you're feeling better Sue, but I think you might still be a little delirous if you think that having a DH would make the carnage any less! Not in my house!!

Take care!!

Or mine either LOL

 

[bdink921]

I have a question:

For those of us staying at the Radisson the night before and parking at the port, which way do you turn and go to get to the Disney terminal in the morning.

I always get turned around at this point, 'cause I only drive this once every other year or so.

I know from previous mistaken years that Disney's is number 8 North, North NORTH terminal! (I've taken the South Terminal exit twice.) But I can't get Disney's terminal to show up on my GPS. Is there a more exact address I could plug in?

And the McDonalds is listed as closed on the GPS. Is there another drive thru breakfast nearby. (Yes, I'm minutia diving at the moment to keep my mind off of the lack of stateroom number-Thanks for the well wishes Deb!)

Getting 3 teenage DS's out of bed, dressed and out the door by 9 on a Sunday will be miraculous enough without adding a sit down breakfast to slow them down.

They can chow down the rest of the day if they want. When I'm lounging by the pool.

Disney's terminal is left out of the Radisson. There is a Dunkin Donuts maybe 1/2 mile or so from the Radisson --just turn right out of the parking lot and it's on the left. Not sure if it's a drive thru though. From D/D you would turn right to head toward the terminal. I was up early for our Glory cruise and went out to grab breakfast while DH and DS were still sleeping. They got up and breakfast was waiting for them. That's another option too.

I hear you about the continued GTY status -- it's really making me cuckoo . We may all be sharing the same lifeboat

 

[Z'sDisneyMom]

Hi Everyone...

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Count me among those cruising in the deluxe lifeboat. Was complaining to DH about our, ahem, lack of accommodations. He reminded me that we were guarantee on our cruise in Aug '09 and didn't get our assignment until 30 days out. Can't say for certain if that sailing was sold out though. Maybe I am more anxious for an assignment for this cruise since it's a new ship. I will probably be checking 10 times a day by the 30 day mark if we are still without a cabin

Got a bunch of FE stuff done this weekend. Including making a new FE, all pink and girly since it's just DD and I now.

Ness: I've also been trying to decide whether or not to do the express plus pass. At this point, I'm leaning more toward getting it. We want to do stuff in both parks in one day so I think it may be worth it.

Deb: I am still cracking up over your hotel story. That was just hilarious.

We'll be cruising soon
Robin

 

[Deb T.]

I have a question:

For those of us staying at the Radisson the night before and parking at the port, which way do you turn and go to get to the Disney terminal in the morning.

I always get turned around at this point, 'cause I only drive this once every other year or so.

I know from previous mistaken years that Disney's is number 8 North, North NORTH terminal! (I've taken the South Terminal exit twice.) But I can't get Disney's terminal to show up on my GPS. Is there a more exact address I could plug in?

And the McDonalds is listed as closed on the GPS. Is there another drive thru breakfast nearby. (Yes, I'm minutia diving at the moment to keep my mind off of the lack of stateroom number-Thanks for the well wishes Deb!)

Getting 3 teenage DS's out of bed, dressed and out the door by 9 on a Sunday will be miraculous enough without adding a sit down breakfast to slow them down.

They can chow down the rest of the day if they want. When I'm lounging by the pool.

Disney's official port address is:
Terminal A, 9155 Charles M. Rowland Dr., Port Canaveral, FL 32920

 

[alenushka]

Glad to see you're feeling better Sue, but I think you might still be a little delirous if you think that having a DH would make the carnage any less! Not in my house!!

Take care!!

Or mine either LOL

o-no, I have a feeling a new list is about to emerge.....
Sue - I am glad you are feeling better. We were also sick for a week and a half, and then it took us another week to get out of "extreme tiredness " feeling. So, take it easy, don't overdo!

This weekend went so fast - I did not achieve anything in terms of prep for the cruise: instead spent lots of time helping DD with her English HW and DS (in College) with his Russian HW, lol.

Panic button has been activated

I printed out all our reservations; however, I have a hard time with HRH. They said they emailed it (by now 5 times to our email address and to our DS's email address), but we still did not get it. I called them 4 times by now. Does anybody else have this problem with US's hotels? Do I just take my chances and go w/t printed out confirmation?

Second question:
It's time to make our FE. I have two tote bags measuring 13.5 x 14.5 . Should I just use one for all of us, or should I clue one to another and decorate one for DD and the other for myself and DH? Will it be too big if I use two bags?

Now - back to DS's Russian HW

 

[bdink921]

:

I printed out all our reservations; however, I have a hard time with HRH. They said they emailed it (by now 5 times to our email address and to our DS's email address), but we still did not get it. I called them 4 times by now. Does anybody else have this problem with US's hotels? Do I just take my chances and go w/t printed out confirmation?

Mmmmm -- we got our confirmation for RPR about 2 seconds after I booked it. That's weird. Can you pull up your reservation on the HRH website and print it from there?? As long as you have the confirmation # you should be able to.

 

[pershing]

Glad to see you're feeling better Sue, but I think you might still be a little delirous if you think that having a DH would make the carnage any less! Not in my house!!

Take care!!

Or mine either LOL

You sound like my other friends. I'm still waiting for my prince to come......and take the garbage to the dump for me!

Disney's terminal is left out of the Radisson. There is a Dunkin Donuts maybe 1/2 mile or so from the Radisson --just turn right out of the parking lot and it's on the left. Not sure if it's a drive thru though. From D/D you would turn right to head toward the terminal. I was up early for our Glory cruise and went out to grab breakfast while DH and DS were still sleeping. They got up and breakfast was waiting for them. That's another option too.

I hear you about the continued GTY status -- it's really making me cuckoo . We may all be sharing the same lifeboat

That's a great idea about getting breakfast as a take out and bringing it back to the room! Thx

Hi Everyone...

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Count me among those cruising in the deluxe lifeboat. Was complaining to DH about our, ahem, lack of accommodations. He reminded me that we were guarantee on our cruise in Aug '09 and didn't get our assignment until 30 days out. Can't say for certain if that sailing was sold out though. Maybe I am more anxious for an assignment for this cruise since it's a new ship. I will probably be checking 10 times a day by the 30 day mark if we are still without a cabin

Got a bunch of FE stuff done this weekend. Including making a new FE, all pink and girly since it's just DD and I now.

Ness: I've also been trying to decide whether or not to do the express plus pass. At this point, I'm leaning more toward getting it. We want to do stuff in both parks in one day so I think it may be worth it.

Deb: I am still cracking up over your hotel story. That was just hilarious.

We'll be cruising soon
Robin

30 days out, that makes me feel so much better and Deb is probably right about offering upgrades before upgrading us. I've noticed the Dream's GTY assignments have been pretty close to the GTY cat. where the Magic and Wonder seem to be getting better cat. jumps.

o-no, I have a feeling a new list is about to emerge.....
Sue - I am glad you are feeling better. We were also sick for a week and a half, and then it took us another week to get out of "extreme tiredness " feeling. So, take it easy, don't overdo!

This weekend went so fast - I did not achieve anything in terms of prep for the cruise: instead spent lots of time helping DD with her English HW and DS (in College) with his Russian HW, lol.

Panic button has been activated

I printed out all our reservations; however, I have a hard time with HRH. They said they emailed it (by now 5 times to our email address and to our DS's email address), but we still did not get it. I called them 4 times by now. Does anybody else have this problem with US's hotels? Do I just take my chances and go w/t printed out confirmation?

Second question:
It's time to make our FE. I have two tote bags measuring 13.5 x 14.5 . Should I just use one for all of us, or should I clue one to another and decorate one for DD and the other for myself and DH? Will it be too big if I use two bags?

Now - back to DS's Russian HW

Thanks. My youngest still has his head in a bucket as we speak, so looks like I can kiss my massage good-bye.

Alenushka, can't they even give you a reservation number where you can pull it up yourself on the Loew's website and print it? Geesh!

The email maybe getting lost in your spam? You could try adding them to your address book. But that sounds a little crazy for a hotel. And I get LoewsFirst emails all the time. Spam or no spam.

I still couldn't get my GPS to accept the Terminal address so I dropped a pin on the street and will close the book on this minutia item so I can obsess about another.

Like WDW tickets. Someone said you can no longer call and ask info about old tickets you have. I have one set of tickets from 5 years ago that have plus visits still on them. Another set of tickets that have 2 or 3 day park hoppers left on them....I think. And then a third set of tickets...that I don't remember why I kept them. Either way, I'm short days....and have to order more tickets from Undertourist soon or just take them all with me and straighten it all out at Guest Services.

In the past when I buy tickets, I always bought 10 day No Expiration tickets. Thinking it was the best deal. But I realize now that it leaves me with not enough of something for the next WDW visit...and it gets wicked confusing.

......I can't wait for this cruise.....

 

[alenushka]

Mmmmm -- we got our confirmation for RPR about 2 seconds after I booked it. That's weird. Can you pull up your reservation on the HRH website and print it from there?? As long as you have the confirmation # you should be able to.

Alenushka, can't they even give you a reservation number where you can pull it up yourself on the Loew's website and print it? Geesh!

The email maybe getting lost in your spam? You could try adding them to your address book. But that sounds a little crazy for a hotel. And I get LoewsFirst emails all the time. Spam or no spam.

:

PERFECT IDEA!!!! I just did it!!! It is printed!!!
Thank you ladies so much! I did not even think it was possible to pull up my reservation on their site until you suggested it!

P.S. Sue - we have been checking spam: no - it did not go there either. Also, they send a request to their "supervisory" box saying that "sometimes system "blocks" emails" and only supervisors can "unlock" it They never suggested for me to retrieve my reservation on line and print it

 

[goofy4tink]

Hello again Ladies (and one man)

I have spent the entire day going through all my ressies, notes and everything else because whoever posted "6 more weekends" FREAKED me out. If you don't count this one, it's only 5 and that put me into a full-fledged panic attack!

So I've finished choosing which parks we're going to after the cruise (staying until Monday AM, the 25th), and some of our ADR's have been booked as well.

Cancelled 1 car rental since we're taking FL Tours (hope they are good....), extended 2nd car rental for extra day, confirmed hotel ressie(s), confirmed 7:00 show on cruise and no seatmates (because my DH is a cranky man ) at dinner, and checked with Bonnet Creek on proximity to Port Orleans.

So now that you've read way TMI about me, anyone have any hints on whether PO's, Riverside Mill food court is OK for a quick breakfast and Sassagoula for lunch?

Also - is Mama Melrose's as slow as they say?? I did the fantasmic/restaurant package but I've never eaten at Mamas before.....

OK, I think I'm sufficiently up to date now. Thanks for listening !!

Sandy

A little late to the subject (crazed weekend), but we have always found the POR food court to be just fine, for all meals. So, you should be good to go there.
Now, it's time to get serious about FE sorting!!

I probably will wait until we're there. I'm just worried that they'll be sold out with the crowds or worse yet- they'll go up to the highest price before we get there. If that happens,...oh well!! No express passes for us. I think we'll have to prioritize our list of must sees/must dos so we're sure to see the things at the top of our list.

This is the reason we decided to do US/IoA before the cruise and to stay at HRH. I figured it would cost us about $100 pp to do the Express Pass for each person for two days....so that was $300 right there, not including our hotel. So, I bit the bullet and booked onsite and with my AP discount got HRH for $250 for a night.

Can someone tell me how much it will cost to park at the garage at port for the cruise??? I was going to do the shuttle from the Doubletree, and leave the car there, but I did the advance payment and it saved me almost $30, so figured that would pay part of my parking cost and I wouldn't have to backtrack to the Doubletree from the ship to get the car.

 

[outahere]

Can someone tell me how much it will cost to park at the garage at port for the cruise??? I was going to do the shuttle from the Doubletree, and leave the car there, but I did the advance payment and it saved me almost $30, so figured that would pay part of my parking cost and I wouldn't have to backtrack to the Doubletree from the ship to get the car.

Their web site still says $15 a night, but I remember reading that it had gone up (or is going to) to $20 per night, payable in advance. They only take Visa, Mastercard, traveler's checks or cash (no other credit cards). We've parked in the lot a few times, and it is great to just walk over to the car and be on our way!

 

[goofy4tink]

Their web site still says $15 a night, but I remember reading that it had gone up (or is going to) to $20 per night, payable in advance. They only take Visa, Mastercard, traveler's checks or cash (no other credit cards). We've parked in the lot a few times, and it is great to just walk over to the car and be on our way!

Thanks...I wasn't sure if it had gone up to $20 or not. So, worst case scenario would be $80, with part of that paid for by my lesser hotel rate. Yep, think the garage thre is a better idea than a shuttle.
Thanks.