April 21, 2011 - Disney Dream

[Deb T.]

That's my plan for now anyway depending on what they have listed for cruises. I have the list of fall and winter Fantasy dates and am going to book a 7 day eastern, just have to decide whether to do the holiday or the regular.

We'll probably book something for next spring break, plus a dummy date or two for in the future.

 

[MPS516]

Spring Break is short for us next year, they are even planning classes on Labor Day.

DD is doing a month in Guatemala and Galapagos Islands this June so expect spring to be another short cruise.

 

[Deb T.]

Spring Break is short for us next year, they are even planning classes on Labor Day.

DD is doing a month in Guatemala and Galapagos Islands this June so expect spring to be another short cruise.

Yikes! I don't know how we'd survive with a short Spring Break! It's bad enough they sometimes take a couple of those days for weather make-ups. That's why we typically book our SB cruises at the end of the week. Although this time, we're doing a B2B with the cruise before this one.

We like to keep a dummy date handy for any last minute cruises or for any new and exciting itineraries. When our kids decided to join us on this cruise, we could have used one more dummy date. No OBC for DD this time.

 

[MPS516]

Yikes! I don't know how we'd survive with a short Spring Break! It's bad enough they sometimes take a couple of those days for weather make-ups. That's why we typically book our SB cruises at the end of the week. Although this time, we're doing a B2B with the cruise before this one.

We like to keep a dummy date handy for any last minute cruises or for any new and exciting itineraries. When our kids decided to join us on this cruise, we could have used one more dummy date. No OBC for DD this time.

Oh yes the bad weather days We are so crazy we are happy it got cold again to slow the flooding Always look forward to our Spring Break to get away for just a little while the winters are so long !

 

[Deb T.]

Hi Everyone!

Just wanted to send out a reminder that TODAY - April 1st - is the last day to sign up for the Fish Extender Exchange! If you'd like to join, you can either post your info here on this thread or send it to me in a private message. I'll need your cabin number, the names of everyone in your cabin, and the ages of the children.

Here are the participants so far:
Deb T. & DH, DS26
Mouseskis & DH, DS8, DS5
Private Message participant & DFiance
mummy lee, DS13, DD10
magic2go & DH, DD13, DS11
Nebraska Traveler & DH, DD13, DS11
mdurette & DH, DD5
Private Message participant & DH
Private Message 3 friends traveling together
Private Message participant & DH, DD4
Mom_3_mouseketeers & DH, DS11, DD9, DS7
TiffLB & DH, DD11, DS7

First thing tomorrow morning, I will send a private message to participants with all the details!

 

[TiffLB]

Getting very excited now! Have been shopping for things we'll need, starting to organize packing - in between all of the kids' activities which have been keeping me very busy!! Next weekend we will be busy all weekend with my daughter's dance competition, so this is the last full weekend I have to get organized before we leave for FL!! Ack!!

Packing is my least favorite thing about going on vacation - can't wait for it to be done so we can start having fun!!!

 

[Deb T.]

Getting very excited now! Have been shopping for things we'll need, starting to organize packing - in between all of the kids' activities which have been keeping me very busy!! Next weekend we will be busy all weekend with my daughter's dance competition, so this is the last full weekend I have to get organized before we leave for FL!! Ack!!

Packing is my least favorite thing about going on vacation - can't wait for it to be done so we can start having fun!!!

I don't mind packing for a vacation... but I sure do hate packing to come back home!

I took the day off and am actually hoping to get most of our packing done today. DD is getting married just 4 weeks after the cruise and so most of our weekends are spent out-of-town trying to get everything done (she lives almost 2 hours away). This weekend we're addressing invitations, next weekend is a bridal shower 2-1/2 hours away, and then off to FL! Can't wait!!!

 

[mummy lee]

Just been sorting the FE gifts, it is the first time we have taken part and are so excited x

 

[Deb T.]

Just been sorting the FE gifts, it is the first time we have taken part and are so excited x

FE Exchanges are so much fun!! I'm glad you decided to participate!

 

[TiffLB]

I don't mind packing for a vacation... but I sure do hate packing to come back home!

I took the day off and am actually hoping to get most of our packing done today. DD is getting married just 4 weeks after the cruise and so most of our weekends are spent out-of-town trying to get everything done (she lives almost 2 hours away). This weekend we're addressing invitations, next weekend is a bridal shower 2-1/2 hours away, and then off to FL! Can't wait!!!

I tend to wig-out a bit about packing - it seems I'm always hunting for something I've lost, but feel it's essential I take on the trip! Very silly!

Ooh...wedding preparations are so much fun! Congrats & good luck with everything!

The kids and I all had the day off today - a snow day out from school on April 1 - ridiculous!!! I'm soooo ready for 80 degrees! I've got the kids cleaning their rooms and trying on summer clothes to see what fits. It's fun to try on shorts and bathing suits when it's snowing out!

I loved reading your narratives of our trip! We had an amazing time!!! Can't wait to do it for real!

 

[MPS516]

The kids and I all had the day off today - a snow day out from school on April 1 - ridiculous!!! I'm soooo ready for 80 degrees! I've got the kids cleaning their rooms and trying on summer clothes to see what fits. It's fun to try on shorts and bathing suits when it's snowing out!

Snow Days, aren't they great ? We had 24 snow events this year (over 2") , not counting the mostly ice events or dustings (under 2") we received. The good news, if you can call it good news, was that just as we were getting into warm weather the cold came back slowing the thaw and thus lessening the floods.

 

[Deb T.]

Hi Everyone!

I've sent the final FE list out to all participants. But I need to add some other thoughts to the exchange process:

I think the width of the note holder part of the fish/starfish/seahorse is around 4 inches, but it's also fairly thick. So, you will need to bring a zip tie that's around 12" long in order to secure your FE to the fish/starfish/seahorse so it won't go "wandering" during the night and also to have that little bit of extra room to be able to cut it off at the end of the cruise. An 8" zip is too small. However, one great feature of zip ties is that they can be connected, end-to-end, in order to make them longer! So really, you can bring any size as long as you bring extras! Be sure to double check that your FE is secure after attaching the zip tie because you definitely don't want it to be loose enough to be worked over the fish/starfish/seahorse.

When delivering your FE surprises, if you come across a cabin without a FE please check with me. You can check my cabin door or feel free to call or text on the new fancy dancy Wave phone. That family may have been upgraded at the port or had an issue in their cabin that caused a change. Conversely, anyone who has a change should contact me ASAP so I can spread the word.

Please also be aware that not everyone who hangs a FE outside their door is part of our group!!! I've seen this on 3 cruises... where there are real FE's hanging outside cabins who just aren't on our list of participants! *gasp!* There are other cruise boards who arrange similar "Secret Santa" exchanges and there are large families/groups who will also often set up an exchange of their own. So PLEASE be sure to print the list of participants and tuck it in with your FE gifts so it's handy when you deliver your surprises. If you see anything fishy (pun intended!) please be sure to check with me!

 

[Mouseskis]

Hello everyone! My family is getting so excited for this cruise! I realized I really need to get going on my FE exchange gifts this week! Sorry I haven't been on these boards much lately - I have been swamped with volunteering at my son's school and setting up my own business. Very exciting, but I am so ready for this trip!

DebT - thanks for keep us organized for the FE exchange and for all of your fun posts about what we will be doing on the cruise. I realized this morning that last year we were disembarking from our Easter cruise on this day. So happy we still have this one to look forward to.

I hope everyone has a happy Monday. Good luck to all those getting ready for their back to back cruises. I wish I could join you.

 

[Deb T.]

Hello everyone! My family is getting so excited for this cruise! I realized I really need to get going on my FE exchange gifts this week! Sorry I haven't been on these boards much lately - I have been swamped with volunteering at my son's school and setting up my own business. Very exciting, but I am so ready for this trip!

DebT - thanks for keep us organized for the FE exchange and for all of your fun posts about what we will be doing on the cruise. I realized this morning that last year we were disembarking from our Easter cruise on this day. So happy we still have this one to look forward to.

I hope everyone has a happy Monday. Good luck to all those getting ready for their back to back cruises. I wish I could join you.

I'm so glad that we get to cruise together again! Just a little over two weeks to go!

 

[MPS516]

Tomorrow at 1pm they are announcing the new departure ports for 2012 including New York, Galveston and Seattle. April 29th will be a special 15 night Hawaii cruise from LA. From NY it will be an 8 night Bahama, a 5 night Canada and a 2 night cruise to no where. On the Bahama 8 night there is a stop in Port Canaveral with a 1 day park hopper and transportation.

We will have lots of new choices for on board re-booking

 

[Nebraska Traveler]

Hi Everyone!
We are looking forward to a great cruise and meeting everyone! See you soon.

 

[Mouseskis]

Hello DIS Friends - I am working on my FE exchange gifts. If you are participating the FE Exchange and feel comfortable doing so, I would love to know your family's last name. I would like to personalize my FE gift to all of you with your family's name. If you feel comfortable sharing it you can PM me or if you would rather not I will leave that section blank for your gift. Thanks!

-Kristi

 

[Mouseskis]

Has everyone seen the announcement of all the new itineraries DCL is offering in 2012!?! Sailings out of Galveston, New York, LA, and Seattle in addition to Port Canaveral! Definitely something to check out if you think you might rebook onboard! There goes my free time this evening.

 

[MPS516]

Has everyone seen the announcement of all the new itineraries DCL is offering in 2012!?! Sailings out of Galveston, New York, LA, and Seattle in addition to Port Canaveral! Definitely something to check out if you think you might rebook onboard! There goes my free time this evening.

Hello Wisconsin ! (that 70's)

I feel sorry for you, you are going to experience the re-count wars we over here in MN have expereinced over the last 2 cycles.

 

[Mouseskis]

Your sympathies are much appreciated over the current elections here. One good thing about it all is that it has increased interest in how our government works!

I see I missed your earlier post about the new DCL itineraries. I'm not sure how I missed it...I guess I was too excited about the announcement!

I would love to go on a European cruise, but with so many domestic choices now it seems so much more cost effective to rebook a cruise leaving from the US. Europe might have to wait. I told my 8 year old about the new itineraries and he right away said "Hawaii!". I haven't looked at the $$$ for that one, but by length alone it can't be cheap. Sounds great though!