August 12, 2011 Disney Dream Meet Link Here

[3smithboys]

Ok Disney Dreamers! I went through the entire thread and tried to compile a list of who posted on here at one time or another, names, cabins, kids ages...I think I got everyone. I started from the FE list and then added to it... If anyone did not give names and want to now, I would be more than happy to add names now. I understand if you don't want to give names if you don't! At the bottom of the list are the names that I did not know cabin #'s... That can be updated as the info comes in.... I thought this might help with knowing who is who and also with who has kids that are around the same age! Hope I did not forget anyone!!!


Disney Dreamers List
Complete List of Everyone (not the FE List)

We are planning on meeting at 2:30 at Club 687 on August 12th


Deck 2
tdmathews: Tracy, George, Taylor (DD12), and Hanna (DD11)
Cabin #2000

tinkerbelle77: Tina, Tim, Krystina(DD15), Haylee(DD12), and Gabby(DD1)
Cabin #2019

pittsburghgirl: Rae, Ray, Eleanor, Trevor (DS14), Melina (DD11)
Cabin #2021 and #2023


Deck 5
Zuperdaave: Dave, Chylynn (Momtotwogirls), Rebecca (DD6), Emily (DD3)
Cabin #5152

Lexandme: Judy, Ian (DS 18), Chelsea (DS girlfriend 18)
Cabin #5156

Deck 6
Bkoehl: Becky, John, Jack (DS9) and Rebecca (DD6)
Cabin #6098

Dahly: Leslie and Raymond (DS13)
Cabin #6502

Jlwatkins: Lindsey, Jason, and Luke (DS10, almost 11)
Cabin #6514

Mom2CJ&Kitty: Lori, Chris, CJ (DS9), and Kitty (DD7)
Cabin #6538

Mominva: Andrea, Jean, Ethan (DS11), Natalia (DD9)
Cabin #6540


Deck 7
CareBear05: Cara
Cabin #7550


Deck 8
Gary Pinkos: Gary, Janet, Jenn (DD21), Stacey (DD17), Robin (DD16)
Cabins #8063 and #8065

3smithboys: Lani, Nick, Dianne (DGM), Matt (DS13), Jack (DS8), Ryan (DS8)
Cabins #8051 and #8053


Deck 9
Levisfam: Jamey, Steve, DS (11), DN (10) and DD (6)
Cabin #9114

Ydrj: Yvonne, Doug, Ryan (DS16), Amanda (DD14)
Cabin #9547

Castle4us: Michelle, DH, DS (15)
Cabin #9570




Don’t have any more info….

BalooHoo: BalooHoo, DW, DS (14), DS ( 9)

NJDisnfans: NJDisfans, DH, DS (16), DS (13)

Mike & Jan Huff: Jan, Mike, Sam (DD 15), Noah (DS 11)

Mickeymyfavorite: Mickeymyfavorite & DS (16)

Clairelly: clairelly, DH, DS (13)

AuroraGrace: Megan & Kayden (DS 4)

Jgperkin: Jen, DH, Reanna (DD7)

srose 41679: srose, DH (in one cabin) & SIL, Niece (19), Nephew (12), Niece’s friend (19) (in cabin next door)

 

[CareBear05]

Good morning everyone!
Tina - We had the same storm blow through our area too. Parts of Pittsburgh were hit quite hard. Fortunately we were spared. Hope you get your power back soon. How did you do Cara?

Is anyone planning on booking their next cruise while onboard?

We got hammered pretty good at work on the South Side. It was raining sideways and I had some great views of lightning looking across the river. I was waiting for the power to go out, but it held. I know some people further north (towards Beaver) lost power for hours. I guess we were just lucky. Watching the news last night was NUTS seeing all the houses destroyed by lightning hitting them or trees on top of them.

A few of us in our group are re-booking for Alaska (different dates) onboard.

I am going to look into the prices onboard. I am not sure what kind of discounts they might offer?

I have no idea how much the cruise costs, I have always used DVC points, but we are taking friends next year to OKW and we will be depleting our points for 2012 & 2013. So I would like to possibly book a 2013 cruise while on this cruise.

Gary, you can start pricing cruises now. They offer 10% off the cruise cost (not the taxes and fees) and instead of putting a 20% deposit down you'll only be required to put 10% down while onboard. Depending on your Castaway Club level you get a decent OBC. I know that as a silver booking a 7+ day cruise I'll get $250 for booking onboard. On top of that you can name a travel agent (if you want) and get their OBC in addition to the one you get for re-booking onboard. To throw you even more off.... you can actually get discounts with points too. I don't know much about it other than they give you a card of some sort and you have up to 3 days (I think) after the cruise ends to book through member services with the discount.

Now, if you're booking for 2013 you'll need to book a "dummy date" because those dates haven't been released yet. What the CM will usually do is find you the cheapest cruise available for the farthest out date (so, you'll end up booking a 3 night cruise for Dec 2012). You'll book that and then when the 2013 dates are released (in October most likely) you can switch the date of your cruise and keep the discount/OBC.

Can you tell I've gone a little nuts researching? I am pretty much budgeting every penny I'm spending for this vacation so I've got the pricing for my Alaska cruise down to a t. A bit of advice I've seen on here is to go to the re-booking desk as early as you can during the cruise, it gets insanely crowded on the last night.

 

[pittsburghgirl]

Wow Lani, how do you have that much time on your hands? Thank you for doing that! I need to print that out.

 

[3smithboys]

Wow Lani, how do you have that much time on your hands? Thank you for doing that! I need to print that out.

No prob! I had some time while the kids were at camp... One of the perks of not working in the summer. (of course I should have been cleaning or doing something else....)

 

[pittsburghgirl]

Cara, the OB credit from Disney AND a TA is HUGE. Thanks for all that info. And Lani, you are worth a new bag every now and then. That's what I will tell myself when I purchase mine

 

[3smithboys]

Cara, the OB credit from Disney AND a TA is HUGE. Thanks for all that info. And Lani, you are worth a new bag every now and then. That's what I will tell myself when I purchase mine

I agree about the bag!!!

Oh, don't forget if you do book onboard and you want the OBC from a TA, you have to tell DCL when you are booking that you are naming your TA then.... if you do it later you may not get as much OBC because it would be considered transferring the reservation to the TA.... (I asked about this when I was thinking about booking onboard in March.)

 

[bkoehl]

Yes will definitely be rebooking on-board again-the Alaskan cruise I already have booked for next June. Can you book more than one on board with the discount? If so will plan on doing a dummy date for 2013!

I am more of a lurker here but looking forward to running into some of you delivering our FE!! Which, BTW, I am spending WAY too much time on again! After last year I promised myself to go easy......not really sure what happens but I went a little crazy again! Oh well!

 

[pittsburghgirl]

Yes will definitely be rebooking on-board again-the Alaskan cruise I already have booked for next June. Can you book more than one on board with the discount? If so will plan on doing a dummy date for 2013!

I am more of a lurker here but looking forward to running into some of you delivering our FE!! Which, BTW, I am spending WAY too much time on again! After last year I promised myself to go easy......not really sure what happens but I went a little crazy again! Oh well!

I'm very excited about the FE things. I wish my FE's would come in the mail! How many of you are doing a mat to be signed at the hospitality desk? I think I would like 3 done...one for Trev, Melina and my mom and give to them for Christmas. My ? What kind of candy and how much do I leave for the people signing the mats....I mean Minnie, Mickie and crew?

 

[Gary Pinkos]

Gary, you can start pricing cruises now. They offer 10% off the cruise cost (not the taxes and fees) and instead of putting a 20% deposit down you'll only be required to put 10% down while onboard. Depending on your Castaway Club level you get a decent OBC. I know that as a silver booking a 7+ day cruise I'll get $250 for booking onboard. On top of that you can name a travel agent (if you want) and get their OBC in addition to the one you get for re-booking onboard. To throw you even more off.... you can actually get discounts with points too. I don't know much about it other than they give you a card of some sort and you have up to 3 days (I think) after the cruise ends to book through member services with the discount.

Now, if you're booking for 2013 you'll need to book a "dummy date" because those dates haven't been released yet. What the CM will usually do is find you the cheapest cruise available for the farthest out date (so, you'll end up booking a 3 night cruise for Dec 2012). You'll book that and then when the 2013 dates are released (in October most likely) you can switch the date of your cruise and keep the discount/OBC.

Can you tell I've gone a little nuts researching? I am pretty much budgeting every penny I'm spending for this vacation so I've got the pricing for my Alaska cruise down to a t. A bit of advice I've seen on here is to go to the re-booking desk as early as you can during the cruise, it gets insanely crowded on the last night.

Wow....thanks for this valuable information!

I have never used a travel agent.....what advantage is there to using one?

Thanks Lani for all your hard work as well!

 

[pittsburghgirl]

Wow....thanks for this valuable information!

I have never used a travel agent.....what advantage is there to using one?

Thanks Lani for all your hard work as well!

Gary, a TA can save you LOADS OF $. My 3rd Disney cruise, I went to Cruisecompete.com and typed in what cruise I wanted...within 24 hours I have about 4 or 5 TA with different quotes and onboard credits. I go with the best deal. That cruise was 6600.00 quoted by Disney, and my TA got the same cruise, stateroom, 5 people for 4200.00! I couldn't believe she was 2400.00 less! I have never booked thru Disney since.

 

[3smithboys]

I'm very excited about the FE things. I wish my FE's would come in the mail! How many of you are doing a mat to be signed at the hospitality desk? I think I would like 3 done...one for Trev, Melina and my mom and give to them for Christmas. My ? What kind of candy and how much do I leave for the people signing the mats....I mean Minnie, Mickie and crew?

We have a mat to be signed... thanks for reminding me to get that out of the closet! I bought it at Michael's months ago and stuck it in the closet... Last time, when I got pillow cases signed, we put a couple of handfuls of the mini candy bars in the zip lock bag.

 

[Gary Pinkos]

Gary, a TA can save you LOADS OF $. My 3rd Disney cruise, I went to Cruisecompete.com and typed in what cruise I wanted...within 24 hours I have about 4 or 5 TA with different quotes and onboard credits. I go with the best deal. That cruise was 6600.00 quoted by Disney, and my TA got the same cruise, stateroom, 5 people for 4200.00! I couldn't believe she was 2400.00 less! I have never booked thru Disney since.

With us using points, I just never considered we wern't getting a good deal......Thanks for the insight !

 

[CareBear05]

Thanks for the reminder! I need to buy a mat!!! I think that'd be an awesome souvenir.

Is anyone bringing anything as far as seasickness meds? I met with my doctor this morning for just that reason. Last time I cruised on the Wonder and I wasn't feeling so hot on the first and last day of that one. I'm really concerned now about this trip because in the past few years I've been blessed with some lovely nausea issues. I spent over a year feeling nauseous every day, lots of fun! After a gazillion pregnancy tests/blood work (how many times can I tell them "I'm NOT pregnant"?), and other tests they never found the reason for it. It's not as severe now but I'm determined not to let it ruin the cruise. He gave me the patch to try and changed me to a stronger anti-nausea med. What are you guys using? I've read lots of different options.

And ladies -- in my book, EVERY GIRL deserves a new bag, no matter what the occasion.

Gary -- using a TA isn't bad. A lot of people worry about losing control of their reservation. I used AAA for this trip and it was really nice not having to worry about anything prior to my 90 day PIF date. She did everything for me and was very prompt in her responses via email. The only thing they actually control is your "room" reservation and which request you want for dining. You can still do your check in and book excursions without them being involved. AAA changed their OBC for 2012 to a picture package so I'm not sure yet who I'll name while I'm onboard. I may try dreams unlimited since they have a nice $$ OBC.

 

[Momtotwogirls]

This is our second time using Dreams Unlimited and we have liked them. The OBC is nice and they are pretty easy to work with. Some people perfer to speak with their agent, but we don't mind emails and that is why this agency works well for us.

DH and were discussing rebooking on the cruise. This is our third Disney cruise and we have yet to take advantage of this dicount. I wanted to last time, but DH did not want to. I think we might book a cheap dummy date and then move it to 2013 as we try to cruise every two years. We will see.

I finished DD 2 tutu and I am going to try to order our pirate hats and we should be done with pirate night. My last FE gift is arriving today from the UPS and I will be done with our FE gifts and I will get that packed away. Magnets are complete and packing cubes are ready to be stuffed with our clothes. Wish the cruise was here sooner!!

Not sure what happend with the Disney Dreamer request on facebook. I did request, but have not received an invitation. I am Chylynn Bastian over there if you want to friend me prior to the cruise.

 

[jlwatkins]

We took advantage of the discount offered and rebooked on board The Wonder last summer for this cruise. We'd used some of our DVC points on that cruise.

I'm hoping to try and persuade Jason to rebook again this year but maybe for 2013. I'd also love to do Alaska.

We break up for our school holidays next week - it can't come quick enough. Lots going on in school and just not enough hours in the day. In fact I'm on here at now because I can't sleep - so I thought I might as well get my Disney fix to unwind! Lol!
We fly out on July 27th and we are Bay Lake Towers until the cruise. This will be our longest ever stay in the US as we don't fly back until the end of August!

 

[levisfam]

Jlwatkins - What a nice LOOOONG trip you have planned! You all are going to have such fun! Bay Lake Tower is beautiful too

Gary - I was reading an article the other day about whether or not you should use your points for a cruise. I will try to find the article for you, but to summarize it talks about the fact that it is very very "expensive" to use your points for a cruise. The guy references that a standard inside state room for 2 runs approx. $2,000 for the cruise, yet it would cost you approx. 350 points for the same stateroom.

He compares this to the fact that you can use your points to get a week in a studio for approx. 130 points. The going rate for renting points is approx. $15 per point.

Therefore, he suggests renting out the 130 points to someone for $15 per point, which would give you $1950. He suggests using that $1950 to pay for your cruise (assuming the cruise was $2,000). In the end you would have paid for your cruise and still have 220 points left over to use for another vacation...

Not a bad idea.. Plus it really puts into perspective how much the cruise "costs" to use your points..

 

[Gary Pinkos]

Gary - I was reading an article the other day about whether or not you should use your points for a cruise. I will try to find the article for you, but to summarize it talks about the fact that it is very very "expensive" to use your points for a cruise. The guy references that a standard inside state room for 2 runs approx. $2,000 for the cruise, yet it would cost you approx. 350 points for the same stateroom.

He compares this to the fact that you can use your points to get a week in a studio for approx. 130 points. The going rate for renting points is approx. $15 per point.

Therefore, he suggests renting out the 130 points to someone for $15 per point, which would give you $1950. He suggests using that $1950 to pay for your cruise (assuming the cruise was $2,000). In the end you would have paid for your cruise and still have 220 points left over to use for another vacation...

Not a bad idea.. Plus it really puts into perspective how much the cruise "costs" to use your points..

Thank You for this wonderful insight. I have been lazy in the past, not calculating the cost value per point.....but I did have suspicions. This is another great reason for having friends on the DIS.

I will just use my points in the parks, and pay cash for the cruises.....and stay longer

 

[pittsburghgirl]

Went to cruisecompete.com yesterday and got a quote for a 5 night on the dream for next aug. Balcony and the best quote was giving 425.00 OBC. So if I rebook on the ship, cara, are you saying I can have that OBC AND the OBC offered by Disney? If so, that's huge!

 

[pittsburghgirl]

Hey Chylynn, just finished putting together all the FE gifts and packing them. I believe there are 7 girls and 5 boys in the age group 7-12 year olds. You had down 6 and 6. If I am wrong, please someone tell me. Just wanted to give a heads up incase it messes up some of the gifts. Sssooooooooo glad that job is done. Rae

 

[Momtotwogirls]

Hey Chylynn, just finished putting together all the FE gifts and packing them. I believe there are 7 girls and 5 boys in the age group 7-12 year olds. You had down 6 and 6. If I am wrong, please someone tell me. Just wanted to give a heads up incase it messes up some of the gifts. Sssooooooooo glad that job is done. Rae

Oooh, good catch! Thanks, Rae!! You are right.