August 12, 2011 Disney Dream Meet Link Here

[NJDisFans]

Hello all!
After signing up for this blog, we forgot all about it until yesterday! After spending 2 days catching up on everything, we realized how behind we were!!!

We should reintroduce ourselves first. I'm Rich and my DW is Shirley. We have two boys, Ricky (15) and Ryan (13) and this is our first Disney Cruise. We did take a RCL Bahamas cruise in the 90's, but that was before kids and before we were disney fans!

We'll be in cabin 6670 and are set up for the later seating for dinner.

We are DVC members since 2005 and are staying at the BW after the cruise.

We have a couple of questions for the experts here.

How strict are the age limits on the kids clubs? Will our 13 year old be able to hang with his brother in the 14-17 year old club?

Is the Disney Dreamers facebook group just for those of you in the FE group? Or can we join?!

As first time Disney Cruisers, are there any other tips/hints we should know? (we read about the matts, FE, and magnets).

Looking at the pictures of the restaurants, it looks like most of the tables are for small parties. I thought that most of the seating was multi-family. Is this just creative photography on Disney's part? Are there mostly larger tables so we can meet some new disney friends? Do they tend to group people together by age, so the kids have kids of similar ages at the table? Or is it pretty random?

We're booked for the Discover Atlantis tour and then the extreme getaway package on CC.

We can't wait, we can't wait, we can't wait!

And whoever asked about Zebra domes... All we can say is "YUM".... We even brought some home to NJ last year so we could extend our vacation just a little bit longer.

 

[CareBear05]

cara is playing words with friends with me from the U2 concert. They must not be as entertaining as they used to be since she would rather play scrabble with me

Hey now!! They hadn't started yet and I had to catch up on my games!!!! I must say that it was a GREAT concert. A friend of mine (fellow cruiser) got free tickets so we all went for the heck of it. Bono is an amazing performer and I'd definitely dish out the cash for another one if they ever come back. Now I'm enjoying my Beta's pizza in the comfort of my bed at 1am.....

 

[mclmCruisers]

Hey Rich -

This is only my second DCL cruise and I just recently joined the group. But I will try and tell you what I have found out.

I have no idea about the age limits (not a good start to answering questions). But my DDs (10 and 12) are split between kids clubs similar to your DS's. And I too want my younger to be able to hang with the older.

I just joined the FB page. As long as they know you are cruising Aug 2011 on the Dream, I think they will let you in. Just ask.

Matts, pillow cases, tshirts, bags, etc. From what I have learned, you take a blank item and put it in a big ziplock with sharpies or fabric pens. You also add a note with your name and room number. Drop that off at the front desk on the first day. Then the staff will have the 'characters' sign it, and will return it to your cabin the last night.

The FE list is 'officially' closed. But if you ask nice, some might have extras and add you to their personal lists. But you will probably miss out on the big homemade items that have already been put together. (I missed the official list too.) Oh, BTW, FE's are hangers you put outside your door on the brass fish. FE = fish extenders. Then others on the list will drop off gifts for you and your family during the cruise. And in turn, you drop off gifts in their FE hangers during the cruise.

Magnets. Disney will not let you use tape or sticky stuff on your door for decorations. But you can use magnets. Either purchased or home made. We bought some magnet paper tonight. We are going to see how easy it is to make our own magnets. (possible spoiler alert for FE's)

The last time we were on a DCL cruise, the tables sat around 8. They group a few cabins together at each table. Then you dine with them for dinner at each restaurant in the rotation.

That is enough for now. I am sure the more seasoned cruisers can correct any misguidance I have given.

And yes, WE ARE EXCITED TOO!!! And a little freaked out how soon the cruise will be here.

- Michael

 

[pittsburghgirl]

Welcome Rich and Shirley. I have been on 5 Disney cruises and only once did they seat us with another family. If you want sat with other families then I would go to the head waiter as soon as you get on and request it. Yes, please join FB. Our group seems to be a hoot! After you've sailed on Disney, you won't want to sail on anything else. Oh, by the way, my name is Rae, my husband is Ray, and my son is Trevor (14) and our daughter is Melina (11). 13 days from now I will be getting on a plane I will be counting down everyday. Let us know ( rather quickly) if your boys want in on the FE. This is my first time doing it and my one suitcase is filled with FE stuff and our toiletries. Hope we don't need any clothes for the trip

 

[lexandme]

http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/m...011_07_26_pitmlb_atlmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=pit

Rae - READ THIS!!! 19 innings and we were robbed. Robbed I say............ ARRRRRRRGH I watched until 12:30 then I fell asleep. The game went until 2.

Hi Rich - I put you on our FE list as well!

I can't concentrate at work. I walk around the house in a daze only thinking about what I should and should not pack. I try not to act too excited because DH can't come with us this year but I am busting! I am sooooo glad I have you guys to talk to. THANK YOU!

 

[3smithboys]

Hi Rich and Shirley! Welcome!!! I think most of your questions have been answered so far... I am not doing the FE, so I can't include you in mine... I had a magnet created for our cruise... we are the "Disney Dreamers!" If you would like one for your cabin door, just let me know and I would be more than happy to make one for you! Here is what it looks like:



I'm not sure about the kids club and ages... I have a 13 yr old son too...He was also kind of interested in checking out the teen club. I have read that sometimes they are good about letting the 13 yr olds move up and sometimes not so much - I think it depends on numbers.... I guess we will have to wait and see!!!


Judy, I don't know how you don't just burst trying to hold it in at home??? Poor DH... You will have to make it up to him by booking another cruise on board and taking him on that one!!! I'm sure he won't mind!!!

 

[CareBear05]

Rich, welcome! Just do a search for "Disney Dreamers August 2011" on FB and you'll find us. When you request to join, just put a note that you're from the DIS on there. More people keep requesting and I can't remember who's who anymore. Non DIS people are requesting so I'm trying to keep it all straight.

Judy, how funny would it have been if we'd been on the same flight!!!!!

And I just saw that replay from last night about 2 mins ago! Worst call EVER!!!! I had no idea the game was still going on or I would've turned it on while enjoying my pizza. Regis and Kelly are talking about it now, 19 innings and totally robbed!!

Lani - can I have one of the magnets too?

 

[3smithboys]

Cara, you've got it! I will put you on the list for a magnet.... I am watching Regis and Kelly too... I want to see a replay of the final play of the game! It sounds terrible - what a shame. I am sure when my guys get home from camp (and SportsCenter gets put on tv) I will see it many times!!!

 

[castle4us]

HAHAHA Michelle, your smiley face looks like Rae rolling around on the floor when she fell out of her chair

Where is that spunky woman anyway? Oh yeah, I read on FB that she had a long night last night. Poor Rae, I won't mess with you anymore

Has anyone ever flown Direct Air? One of Steve's co-workers said she just bought tickets from them and they have a buy one get one free sale going right now. We can get our April vacation tickets for $129 round trip OMG!!! But I've never heard of them.. I don't need anything fancy, but I also don't want to be on a cargo plane either.. Anyone??

I laughed so hard about your thoughts on my smiley face looking like Rae I almost fell out of my chair! (and it's only 9:30 a.m. here, so no drinks involved) I've never even heard of Direct Air, sorry no help here.

Oh, aren't you guys all funny make fun of the girl who has no balance.

You are such a good sport with all this teasing!

How strict are the age limits on the kids clubs? Will our 13 year old be able to hang with his brother in the 14-17 year old club?

Looking at the pictures of the restaurants, it looks like most of the tables are for small parties. I thought that most of the seating was multi-family. Is this just creative photography on Disney's part? Are there mostly larger tables so we can meet some new disney friends? Do they tend to group people together by age, so the kids have kids of similar ages at the table? Or is it pretty random?

My DS was 13 last time we cruised on the Magic, so he should have been in the tween club. He went to open house in teen club with older DS and to his own open house. (Note: this was our 3rd cruise and he loves going to the clubs. He's a pretty laid back kid, so I had worried about that on the first cruise.) He spent the first night in his tween club and wasn't happy the next a.m. He said the kids were very young acting. Maybe they were more on the lower end of the age range. DS is mature though. The next day his older brother talked him into going to the teen club. No counselor ever questioned him, maybe because they had seen him in there at open house? When he told me he spent the whole day in the teen club, I wasn't happy with him. Number one because he broke the rules without asking and number two because he didn't tell me until after the fact. Number three because I was worried about him being with the older kids, although his brother was in there too. I did end up letting him stay in the older club. He's a good kid and really responsible so I wasn't worried. He ende up getting sick last 3 days of cruise (he has bad asthma) and wasn't in clubs anyway. I sure wanted to tell him it was Karma for breaking the rules., but it wasn't funny to any of us having to stay in the room with him because he felt so miserable. Prior to this cruis, when he was on the Wonder, he was one month away from going into the next level of club and I did talk with the counselors about him moving up. They said they would watch him and let us know. They could tell he was a good kid and gave him the green light right away. This was another reason why I didn't mind he was in the teen club at 13. It wouldn't be very fun to hang out in a club where you don't have friends. He made a lot of 14 year old friends in the teen club and loved it.

We were seated with other families 2 of 3 cruises. None of whom have been the same ages as my kids, they were all younger. First experience wasn't great. 2nd time we had great conversations at dinner, so it's all just luck of the draw.

And yes, WE ARE EXCITED TOO!!! And a little freaked out how soon the cruise will be here.

- Michael

Me too!! I'm glad I'm not the only one feeling this way.

I try not to act too excited because DH can't come with us this year but I am busting! I am sooooo glad I have you guys to talk to. THANK YOU!

I'm this way too. My oldest DS isn't going along and we do not talk about the trip in front of him. This is my escape. I'm going to go join FB group now. I joined FB only about a week ago and haven't had the nerve to join the disney dreamers group yet. I really don't know what I'm doing on FB and am calling DS in all the time to help me. He's not reall happy! So, be patient with me when I join.

 

[NJDisFans]

Okay, my wife is on a mission to create the FE and stock up on FE gifts! Good thing my Mother-in-law can sew! Thanks for including us! If anyone can still include us, that would be great! We have the latest list posted here, so we should be set.

Lani, thank you so much for the magnet! That would be great! I can see a few late night magnet making sessions in our immediate future. Looking at the pictures I see on the web, people really go all out decorating!

Cara, We'll join the facebook group today. You'll see a request from both me and my wife. Thanks!

Thanks to this board, my kids are finally starting to show some enthusiasm for the cruise. My younger son Ryan(13) was excited to hear that someone here was from the UK (Lindsey's son Luke). He already has plans to make friends with him and stay in contact after the cruise! The thought of an "international" friend sounded very cool to him.

Has anyone been on the dream and done the "interactive artwork" thing? It sounds like something similar to the Kim Possible phones at Epcot. Is it worth doing?

- Rich

 

[castle4us]

I finally figured out how to request to join the disney dreamers on FB but must have missed where to put I was from DIS.. Like I said, I'm a novice.

Hey, I just found this . DH has a day job but loves his other job as a firefighter! Sorry, just thought it was so funny they had that in their smilies. Can you tell today is house cleaning day and I'm avoiding it?

 

[3smithboys]

Rich- Nick and I went on the Dream in March, and even though we did not try the interactive artwork (we just went the 2 of us for my 40th birthday) we watched as some of the kids did it. It looks as if it is like the Kim Possible in EPCOT. My boys are excited to try it when I told them about it...

I also put you down for a magnet!

Michelle, glad you found us on FB! (I'm also putting off cleaning too)

 

[pittsburghgirl]

http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/m...011_07_26_pitmlb_atlmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=pit

Rae - READ THIS!!! 19 innings and we were robbed. Robbed I say............ ARRRRRRRGH I watched until 12:30 then I fell asleep. The game went until 2.

Hi Rich - I put you on our FE list as well!

I can't concentrate at work. I walk around the house in a daze only thinking about what I should and should not pack. I try not to act too excited because DH can't come with us this year but I am busting! I am sooooo glad I have you guys to talk to. THANK YOU!

Omg Judy! I saw it on all the news channels this am. I am so ticked. We went from 1st to 3rd place because that ump is an idiot!

 

[lexandme]

I was just going through my "stuff" and I found the dry erase board I bought for the trip. Does anyone else bring one? I put magnets on the back of a cheap one I bought at Target and hang it on the door. It's a good way to let others know where you are, what your plans are and to just say "Hi".

 

[3smithboys]

I was just going through my "stuff" and I found the dry erase board I bought for the trip. Does anyone else bring one? I put magnets on the back of a cheap one I bought at Target and hang it on the door. It's a good way to let others know where you are, what your plans are and to just say "Hi".

I know that we have one from the last trip, and we were planning on bringing it again. I was talking to Matt about the wave phones because they are new for this trip, and when he found out they cost $250 to replace if they get lost or broken - he said that he would rather come back to the cabin and write us a note on a post it or on the white board!!! (I kinda don't blame him!)

 

[mclmCruisers]

I found the original final FE list somewhere around page 23 . I know Rich's family and my family have been added to some personal FE lists . Are there any other families that need to be added?

- Michael

 

[levisfam]

Woah baby!! I come back from work to see major activity again!!! YAY!

Welcome back Rich and family! And welcome to the FE! We're happy to include you in our gifts.

Cara, I am sooo jealous that you went to see U2 last night. Seeing them is on my bucket list LOL.

Michelle, thanks for replying to Rich's question about the youth clubs. We're new to DCL too and I was wondering the same thing. My son (11) is old enough for the tween club, but my nephew is only 10 and is technically too young for the tween club. I want for them to be together, and I heard that they will let the older ones into the younger clubs, but I was wondering if Dominick would be allowed in the older club. They are both mature, so I figured they would rather be in the older one. So hopefully that works out for them. Worst case, I know that Owen would not want to be without Dominick so they will hang in the younger club if they have to. But it's good to know that someone else has experience with a younger child in the older club.

I got an email today that the FE that I had made by a woman on ebay was mailed out today! I'm excited to see it! Only 15 more days for us and I can hardly contain myself. Owen and Dom have soccer camp all week next week, so hopefully the week will ZOOOOM by!!

Well, we picked up the car tonight. Thankfully it's fixed - but it was $804 Normally I would freak out, but for some reason I didn't. I think the excitement of the trip has sent me into delirium

 

[pittsburghgirl]

Jamey, I got a notice from eBay today also saying our FE was mailed . We must have ordered the same time. I'm sure we used the same girl. Anyone notice the bucco game is tied 1-1 in the 8th inning? Wonder how many innings they'll have to play tonight ( before another bad call is made)? 12 more days!

 

[CareBear05]

Hey guys! Just got home from visiting a friend in the hospital. She had identical twins on Monday!!! They are too cute!! I didn't want to leave, lol. I'm going to have to find her some princess stuff at the World of Disney.

I accepted Rich into the FB group... haven't seen any other requests come over yet. I have 2 sitting there that I'm pretty sure aren't here on the DIS. I sent them both messages asking if they were in fact from here and haven't heard back. Sooo....if any of you are Jennifer V. or Kelly S. please let me know!! Michelle, I'll push yours through as soon as it shows up. If it disappears like poor Judy's did I'll friend you and add you "manually."

Is a new FE list going to be posted? I'm pretty confused on what's what. I want to make sure everyone's covered.

Almost down to 12 days..... OH!!! And the Bucco's are into extra innings again.....

 

[Momtotwogirls]

Updated Fish Extender List -7/1/11 CLOSED July 1st!

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

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

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

Deck 5
Dave (zuperdaave), Chylynn (Momtotwogirls), Rebecca (DD6) and Emily (DD3)
Cabin #5152

Judy (Lexandme) Ian (DS) 18 Chelsea (DS girlfriend) 17
Cabin #5156

Deck 6
Becky (bkoehl), DH John, Jack (DS9) and Rebecca (DD6)
Cabin #6098

Leslie (Dahly), Raymond (DS13)
Cabin #6502

Lindsey (jlwatkins), DH Jason, and Luke (DS10, almost 11)
Cabin #6514

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

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

Deck 7
Cara (CareBear05)
Cabin #7550

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

Deck 9
Jamey (levisfam), DH, DS (11), DN (10) and DD (6)
Cabin #9114

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

Friday, August 12th Disney Dreamers Meet and Greet: 2:30 and Club 687

I need to add our new families to this list. If you could please post your information in so I see it the next time I come in, I will update your information. We have been so chatty recently, that your families information is on previous pages and I am unable to view them when I am posting. LOL! Thank you Michael and Rich!

15 days to go until we are all on our ship, people!!! I think I am going to start packing misc. stuff up this weekend (FE, FE gifts, suncreen, ect.) Woo, hoo!