August 16, 2011, Disney Dream - Part 2

[FJS961]

Hope everyone had a great weekend. It was indeed beautiful here in CT, wonderful spring blooms everywhere.

Laura, I had the prancing pony out for the first half of the day. Did my usual 50 mile roundtrip to the Sunday 'coffee and cars' venue. Lots of folks took out their shiny sporty hardware.

The rest of the day was full with softball and BBQ

 

[DisneyWhirled]

Hello All!!

Hope you all had a great weekend! I'm bummed it is over already!!

Yesterday afternoon, DH and I drove to Boston (about 1.5 hours) and had dinner in the North End (italian cuisine...yummo!), dessert at Mike's Pastry (cannoli) and then saw Grease at the Wang Center. It was a lovely evening!

Today, we picked the kiddos up bright and early from my brother's, had a nice breakfast with them and then did lots of yardwork! DH taught DS how to mow the lawn he actually did it without a lot of fuss!

During supper, the kids heard the ice cream truck come into the neighborhood. I reminded them that we had bought them a treat at Mike's last night. They said 'oh yeah' and continued with supper. Shortly thereafter as they finished their supper, the ice cream truck was leaving our development, the kids ran to the window. I asked them if they wanted one and they both screamed "YES!" Colby took off out the door waving and yelling for the truck to stop. He didn't have the $$! Kaylee grabbed the $$ from me and followed after him. I've NEVER seen two kids run so fast for an ice cream truck!!! I don't even think they get that excited when we plan surprise trips to Disney!

Anywhoo, after preparing lunches for tomorrow and doing a little grocery, I finally got to sit down at 9PM. Watching Army Wives and thinking how quickly the weekend went!

 

[lovesDCL]

Another VERY important question....where is everyone going to be the night before we sail? I have to take care of this and want to know where everyone is at. We may or may not have a car so I am trying to find someplace that will let us keep the car there.

If we don't have a car, I am looking to find some sort of shuttle or car service that is cheaper then renting a car.

We will be getting in so late on the 15th that I don't know if it is even worth trying to get to a hotel where everyone else is staying. I really would just like to stay at the airport but that seems a bit expensive.

Hi Jen,

We will be staying at the airport Hyatt hotel. It can be pricey, but is very reasonable if you can use a Stay Certificate. You will need to purchase a "Choice" level one to use at the airport Hyatt. Here is the link to purchase https://www.certificates.hyatt.com/products/CertsStay.aspx BUT, if you decide you want to do this, call before and see if they still have availability to book with a certificate for the 15th. If they do, they will ask you for the certificate #. Just say that you just ordered it and do not have it yet. They will note it on your reservation and ask for a credit card to hold the room. Then, when you check in you just show them the certificate and that's it. So for $145 +s&h you got a room at the airport. Staying here is soooo convenient, especially if you are getting in late.

Now, about transportation. We usually take the DCL bus because it's just two of us and so easy. It's $35 p/p. We just leave the luggage in the room, get some breakfast, and then take the first bus out in the morning and are one of the first groups at the terminal. We've always gotten boarding #2! Also, if you are using the Disney transfers, you can completely check in at the airport. They process all paperwork, take the ID photo, and get your Key to the World card before you get on the bus. That way when you get to the terminal in Port Canaveral all you have to is relax and wait for then to call #2! Also, the luggage you leave in your room at the Hyatt magically shows up on the ship.

Hope this info was helpful! Sorry its sooo lengthy! Let me know if you have any questions!

 

[Mjasp]

Hello All!!

Hope you all had a great weekend! I'm bummed it is over already!!

Yesterday afternoon, DH and I drove to Boston (about 1.5 hours) and had dinner in the North End (italian cuisine...yummo!), dessert at Mike's Pastry (cannoli) and then saw Grease at the Wang Center. It was a lovely evening!

Today, we picked the kiddos up bright and early from my brother's, had a nice breakfast with them and then did lots of yardwork! DH taught DS how to mow the lawn he actually did it without a lot of fuss!

During supper, the kids heard the ice cream truck come into the neighborhood. I reminded them that we had bought them a treat at Mike's last night. They said 'oh yeah' and continued with supper. Shortly thereafter as they finished their supper, the ice cream truck was leaving our development, the kids ran to the window. I asked them if they wanted one and they both screamed "YES!" Colby took off out the door waving and yelling for the truck to stop. He didn't have the $$! Kaylee grabbed the $$ from me and followed after him. I've NEVER seen two kids run so fast for an ice cream truck!!! I don't even think they get that excited when we plan surprise trips to Disney!

Anywhoo, after preparing lunches for tomorrow and doing a little grocery, I finally got to sit down at 9PM. Watching Army Wives and thinking how quickly the weekend went!

Don't they know yet that when the ice cream truck plays his music they are out of ice cream
So glad you had a good time in Boston, I don't want this weekend to end either

 

[uncw89]

Good Morning Everyone! It is amazing how fast the days are going...we will all be on that ship in no time at all!

My job is still keeping so busy that it is hard to get on here very often. I am really looking forward to summer break. I will have to work some this summer but it will not be as crazy as it is right now.

This week I was able to adjust our airfare....the price had dropped $80! We have never booked with Southwest before because they are new to our region so I was excited to find out that I could adjust their fare without a penalty. To those of you who fly Southwest - do you usually pay the extra money for the early bird check in?

I would love to use the $80 credit to book my flight to Disneyland in January! It will be just me going (with 3 wonderful, old friends from high school). We are going to go and run in the Tinkerbell Half Marathon!

Too Funny!

You are so right. I skipped Sunnday. Yep, Sat arrive. SUNDAY is MK, Monday is my ???? where I need help, TUESDAY we go to the Dream.

Oh the Horrors if I messed that up for real.

I was hoping you just had your days mixed up!!

Jen, we will be at CI & S the night before the cruise.They have a shuttle and a continental breakfast. We stayed there last July when we went on the Freedom and it was nice. We were able to leave our car there.
We've only flown SW a few times, but we like them. I've never paid for early boarding. That's good your fights went down. We got an adjustment on one of our flights, the only problem with the credits is that you each person has to use their credit...i.e. one person can't use all the $ for one persons flight or you can't transfer it to someone else.
Sorry you and Erika are still having cold weather!!! Hopefully, it will warm up soon. It's been pretty nice here lately.

 

[kritter]

Good Evening,

I had wanted to be asleep by now but the news just came on Bin Laden has been confirmed dead!!

 

[jenanderson]

Hi Jen,

We will be staying at the airport Hyatt hotel. It can be pricey, but is very reasonable if you can use a Stay Certificate. You will need to purchase a "Choice" level one to use at the airport Hyatt. Here is the link to purchase https://www.certificates.hyatt.com/products/CertsStay.aspx BUT, if you decide you want to do this, call before and see if they still have availability to book with a certificate for the 15th. If they do, they will ask you for the certificate #. Just say that you just ordered it and do not have it yet. They will note it on your reservation and ask for a credit card to hold the room. Then, when you check in you just show them the certificate and that's it. So for $145 +s&h you got a room at the airport. Staying here is soooo convenient, especially if you are getting in late.

Now, about transportation. We usually take the DCL bus because it's just two of us and so easy. It's $35 p/p. We just leave the luggage in the room, get some breakfast, and then take the first bus out in the morning and are one of the first groups at the terminal. We've always gotten boarding #2! Also, if you are using the Disney transfers, you can completely check in at the airport. They process all paperwork, take the ID photo, and get your Key to the World card before you get on the bus. That way when you get to the terminal in Port Canaveral all you have to is relax and wait for then to call #2! Also, the luggage you leave in your room at the Hyatt magically shows up on the ship.

Hope this info was helpful! Sorry its sooo lengthy! Let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks for all this information - very helpful. I keep debating staying at the airport or just driving to port that night so we can be at the coast in the morning. I would love the convenience of the shuttle but $35 x 4 people adds up so quickly and it seems cheaper to rent a car (sometimes that is a hassle though). I guess I am going to keep thinking about this for a bit.

I was hoping you just had your days mixed up!!

Jen, we will be at CI & S the night before the cruise.They have a shuttle and a continental breakfast. We stayed there last July when we went on the Freedom and it was nice. We were able to leave our car there.
We've only flown SW a few times, but we like them. I've never paid for early boarding. That's good your fights went down. We got an adjustment on one of our flights, the only problem with the credits is that you each person has to use their credit...i.e. one person can't use all the $ for one persons flight or you can't transfer it to someone else.
Sorry you and Erika are still having cold weather!!! Hopefully, it will warm up soon. It's been pretty nice here lately.

Thanks for this information. I am bummed that the credit can't be lumped into one flight - that is not helpful at all as we have no plans to take a flight as a family for a bit. I might just go ahead and spring for the early check-in with the credit.

 

[kritter]

Thanks for all this information - very helpful. I keep debating staying at the airport or just driving to port that night so we can be at the coast in the morning. I would love the convenience of the shuttle but $35 x 4 people adds up so quickly and it seems cheaper to rent a car (sometimes that is a hassle though). I guess I am going to keep thinking about this for a bit.



Thanks for this information. I am bummed that the credit can't be lumped into one flight - that is not helpful at all as we have no plans to take a flight as a family for a bit. I might just go ahead and spring for the early check-in with the credit.

Jen, I am pretty sure that one person can use the credit. Check with SW!!

 

[Amanda132]

Jen, I am pretty sure that one person can use the credit. Check with SW!!

Yes, the person who the credit was received from doesn't need to be the one who uses it. Once my boyfriend and I used multiple credits from both my mom and his brother on our flights.

ETA: Or at least that was how it was in the past. It may have changed.

 

[jenanderson]

Jen, I am pretty sure that one person can use the credit. Check with SW!!

Yes, the person who the credit was received from doesn't need to be the one who uses it. Once my boyfriend and I used multiple credits from both my mom and his brother on our flights.

ETA: Or at least that was how it was in the past. It may have changed.

Thanks guys! I will have to check with them. If I can lump it all together, it will go towards my trip to Disneyland in January. If I can't lump it all together, I will save it for in case we need to change our flight or apply it to early check in.

 

[kritter]

Thanks guys! I will have to check with them. If I can lump it all together, it will go towards my trip to Disneyland in January. If I can't lump it all together, I will save it for in case we need to change our flight or apply it to early check in.

Are you watching the news??

 

[uncw89]

Jen, I am pretty sure that one person can use the credit. Check with SW!!

Yes, the person who the credit was received from doesn't need to be the one who uses it. Once my boyfriend and I used multiple credits from both my mom and his brother on our flights.

ETA: Or at least that was how it was in the past. It may have changed.

Definitely check on it! I called the other day and asked, but maybe the girl I talked to was wrong. I was hoping to be able to lump it or even possibly transfer it to someone else, cause I have to use mine by Nov and it doesn't look like we are going to fly by then.

 

[lovesDCL]

Thanks for all this information - very helpful. I keep debating staying at the airport or just driving to port that night so we can be at the coast in the morning. I would love the convenience of the shuttle but $35 x 4 people adds up so quickly and it seems cheaper to rent a car (sometimes that is a hassle though). I guess I am going to keep thinking about this for a bit.

Anytime! I agree that renting a car maybe less expensive. And no matter how you get to the DCL terminal, the important thing is that you get there! Let me know what you decide to do.

When we vacation, we want to do as little work as possible and have everything go smoothly. So my hubby always puts it to me this way when I propose a new way to cut costs: "Does saving x amount of $ outweigh the stress of ____________? (insert cost cutting proposal)" And then I have to make a pro/con list of it all. 9 out of 10 times the savings don't win, so we spend a little more to make our vacation as relaxing as possible.

I'm especially glad we booked the DCL transfers this time around with all the stories about getting something like boarding #26 and not being on the ship until after 2pm. Those 2 extra hours on the ship are worth the extra bucks!

 

[Mjasp]

Yes, the person who the credit was received from doesn't need to be the one who uses it. Once my boyfriend and I used multiple credits from both my mom and his brother on our flights.

ETA: Or at least that was how it was in the past. It may have changed.

It didn't change, it's still like that. Jen, you can use your credit on anyone and you can use anyone's credit.

 

[eyes4mickey]

Anytime! I agree that renting a car maybe less expensive. And no matter how you get to the DCL terminal, the important thing is that you get there! Let me know what you decide to do.

When we vacation, we want to do as little work as possible and have everything go smoothly. So my hubby always puts it to me this way when I propose a new way to cut costs: "Does saving x amount of $ outweigh the stress of ____________? (insert cost cutting proposal)" And then I have to make a pro/con list of it all. 9 out of 10 times the savings don't win, so we spend a little more to make our vacation as relaxing as possible.

I'm especially glad we booked the DCL transfers this time around with all the stories about getting something like boarding #26 and not being on the ship until after 2pm. Those 2 extra hours on the ship are worth the extra bucks!

What time do youl leave for the port?

 

[eyes4mickey]

Hyatt MCO

I was able to get it for $128.76 thanks to this thread.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2655175&highlight=hyatt+mco

Hope that someone else can use it.

 

[jenanderson]

Happy Monday everyone! I am so not ready for another busy week at work but I guess I had better get ready because it is time!

Are you watching the news??

I was...but honestly, I fell asleep.

Definitely check on it! I called the other day and asked, but maybe the girl I talked to was wrong. I was hoping to be able to lump it or even possibly transfer it to someone else, cause I have to use mine by Nov and it doesn't look like we are going to fly by then.

It didn't change, it's still like that. Jen, you can use your credit on anyone and you can use anyone's credit.

I will try to call today and let everyone know the answer I get.

Anytime! I agree that renting a car maybe less expensive. And no matter how you get to the DCL terminal, the important thing is that you get there! Let me know what you decide to do.

When we vacation, we want to do as little work as possible and have everything go smoothly. So my hubby always puts it to me this way when I propose a new way to cut costs: "Does saving x amount of $ outweigh the stress of ____________? (insert cost cutting proposal)" And then I have to make a pro/con list of it all. 9 out of 10 times the savings don't win, so we spend a little more to make our vacation as relaxing as possible.

I'm especially glad we booked the DCL transfers this time around with all the stories about getting something like boarding #26 and not being on the ship until after 2pm. Those 2 extra hours on the ship are worth the extra bucks!

I agree about saving the money has to be worth it. I am all about paying a bit more to have a stress-free vacation as long as the cost is not too much more. For example, paying $80 to check in early for flights doesn't really seem worth it to me because my kids are older and if we don't all sit together it doesn't really matter. However, this hotel/shuttle thing might be worth it to me.

How early did you have to get up to be sure that you get an early boarding time? I will be doing everything in my power to get the lowest boarding number possible because I want a Palo brunch if at all possible and figure getting on board early is going to be my only hope.

Hyatt MCO

I was able to get it for $128.76 thanks to this thread.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2655175&highlight=hyatt+mco

Hope that someone else can use it.

Thanks! I will be checking into this as well.

 

[acomasdiaz]

Thanks for the Good Advice. I went and researched the Disney Hollywood Studios Park some more and that is what I'm leaning towards. you are right. UNLESS we just stay at the resort that day and swim and do Downtown Disney. Worth mentioning that this option would save us a little over 300 bucks.

Welcome feedback though.

Also, anyone else staying at POFQ? We've stayed there before and LOVED it.

I would also second Disney Studios. My kids have always loved it. Animal Kingdom is so large that we can never seem to do it in a day.

 

[acomasdiaz]

Hello All!!

Hope you all had a great weekend! I'm bummed it is over already!!

Yesterday afternoon, DH and I drove to Boston (about 1.5 hours) and had dinner in the North End (italian cuisine...yummo!), dessert at Mike's Pastry (cannoli) and then saw Grease at the Wang Center. It was a lovely evening!

Today, we picked the kiddos up bright and early from my brother's, had a nice breakfast with them and then did lots of yardwork! DH taught DS how to mow the lawn he actually did it without a lot of fuss!

During supper, the kids heard the ice cream truck come into the neighborhood. I reminded them that we had bought them a treat at Mike's last night. They said 'oh yeah' and continued with supper. Shortly thereafter as they finished their supper, the ice cream truck was leaving our development, the kids ran to the window. I asked them if they wanted one and they both screamed "YES!" Colby took off out the door waving and yelling for the truck to stop. He didn't have the $$! Kaylee grabbed the $$ from me and followed after him. I've NEVER seen two kids run so fast for an ice cream truck!!! I don't even think they get that excited when we plan surprise trips to Disney!

Anywhoo, after preparing lunches for tomorrow and doing a little grocery, I finally got to sit down at 9PM. Watching Army Wives and thinking how quickly the weekend went!

My kids always seem to race to the ice cream truck. You would think we don't always have a ton of ice cream at the house.

Don't they know yet that when the ice cream truck plays his music they are out of ice cream

Good Evening,

I had wanted to be asleep by now but the news just came on Bin Laden has been confirmed dead!!

Missed it last night but definitely couldn't miss it this morning.

 

[hbg4]

Does anyone know what is the earliest time you can get DCL transportation from MCO airport or the Disney resorts. And do you have a choice of your departure time ?