August 16, 2011, Disney Dream - Part 4

[disfaninca]

All of this talk about tipping makes me think of a new question....

How much do you tip the porter and/or the shuttle driver?

$1-$2 per bag for us. Of course it is only going to be the two bags......I think.

 

[gfolchick]

Country Inn and Suites-They also have a free hot breakfast (and I believe make your own waffles). Refrigerators in the room. If you book the Kid's Suite it's in it's own sectioned off area (curtain divider) but there is a bunk bed and twin bed (3 extra beds) so the kids don't have to share a bed. The shuttle driver was very nice there, even drove us to Kelseys and gave us his card to pick us up again. My rate is $90.75 (they had a 48 hour sale) but it's sometimes even less if you prepay (kids suite). No problem joining the gang next door at RI. One downside is CI&S pool is very small (and no pool bar) They are the closest hotel to the port.

 

[TiggerAllie]

I just was checking on the DVC website, and the online check-in button is now showing up! That means we are only 10 days from Vero!!

Which means we are only 9 days from leaving for Florida!!!

SINGLE DIGIT DANCE!!

(Can you tell I'm excited? )

Now, if only I didn't have so much to get done between now and then!

 

[acomasdiaz]

I just was checking on the DVC website, and the online check-in button is now showing up! That means we are only 10 days from Vero!!

Which means we are only 9 days from leaving for Florida!!!

SINGLE DIGIT DANCE!!

(Can you tell I'm excited? )

Now, if only I didn't have so much to get done between now and then!

Do you usually do the online check in? We've never done it before. Is there a benefit to doing it?

 

[TiggerAllie]

Do you usually do the online check in? We've never done it before. Is there a benefit to doing it?

I usually do it. I find it helpful if we are arriving early (before normal check-in) or really late. Sometimes I think if they know you plan to arrive early they'll keep that in mind when assigning your room so it is more likely to be available earlier. Sometimes it's a faster line at check-in, too.

 

[MrsJobba1]

I just was checking on the DVC website, and the online check-in button is now showing up! That means we are only 10 days from Vero!!

Which means we are only 9 days from leaving for Florida!!!

SINGLE DIGIT DANCE!!

(Can you tell I'm excited? )

Now, if only I didn't have so much to get done between now and then!

Hi
Can I just ask- is the online checkin in in the 'upcoming vactions' box?

 

[MrsJobba1]

Hi
Can I just ask- is the online checkin in in the 'upcoming vactions' box?

Its ok I found it oops

 

[TiggerAllie]

I thought it was listed as depending on either less than 7 or 7+ days and what your CC status was. Actually, now I'm not sure how much OBC we even have per stateroom for this cruise (which was booked onboard). Anyone remember what the onboard-booking OBC amounts are?

Answering my own question from the DIS FAQ:
Silver.................$100 for 3-6nt cruises.........$200 for 7nt or longer cruises
Gold...................$150 for 3-6nt cruises.........$275 for 7nt or longer cruises
Platinum.............$250 for 3-6nt cruises..........$350 for 7nt or longer cruises

Here it specifies length, but I remember the Cruise Specialist on the Magic saying "less than 7 OR 7&more". I would think you could get the $100 for the NYC 2 nt.

New question: we booked our 3 cabins onboard the Magic. However, only 1 cabin was previous guests (us). Does that mean the other cabins do NOT get the OBC? Or do they get $100 because we (Silver) booked them?
[This could definitely affect the budgeting.]

 

[jenanderson]

Jen, they are right next to each other. They are just walking distance. Their parking lots are literally right up against each other. In October we stayed at CI&S and Randy couldn't find parking in that parking lot so he parked at the RI parking lot and it was a very easy walk to the car the next morning.

Thanks for sharing Candy - this is good to know. I think we are going to go to CI&S. I wanted to be at the same hotel as all of you but there is no reason why we can't stay at the CI&S and still join up with you. It is a decent savings and seems like a better choice.

$1-$2 per bag for us. Of course it is only going to be the two bags......I think.

We have 8 bags! So it will be between $8 and $16 for us. I will have to figure out the exact amount so that I can have cash ready.

Country Inn and Suites-They also have a free hot breakfast (and I believe make your own waffles). Refrigerators in the room. If you book the Kid's Suite it's in it's own sectioned off area (curtain divider) but there is a bunk bed and twin bed (3 extra beds) so the kids don't have to share a bed. The shuttle driver was very nice there, even drove us to Kelseys and gave us his card to pick us up again. My rate is $90.75 (they had a 48 hour sale) but it's sometimes even less if you prepay (kids suite). No problem joining the gang next door at RI. One downside is CI&S pool is very small (and no pool bar) They are the closest hotel to the port.

You got an INCREDIBLE rate. The rate is no where near that good now but it is still cheaper then the Residence Inn. I am checking on rates still but think I will book just a basic room.

I just was checking on the DVC website, and the online check-in button is now showing up! That means we are only 10 days from Vero!!

Which means we are only 9 days from leaving for Florida!!!

SINGLE DIGIT DANCE!!

(Can you tell I'm excited? )

Now, if only I didn't have so much to get done between now and then!

How exciting to be so close to your departure date! Soon we will all be down to single digits!!!

 

[lauriegs]

love all the excitement I'm reading here! a week from tomorrow night we start our long drive from IL to AKL! this time we're going to try and drive straight through, so a bit nervous if we can do it or not. usually we'd drive to Chattanooga, stay overnight, then finish the next day. We think we can do it, but dh has said if he gets too tired we'll find somewhere to check in and sleep for a bit. we'll see....should be an adventure!

still no email from DCL here, but I did finally print my online signature forms to bring with - thinking I'd like to start picking clothes out now..usually I wait til the last minute and drive my dh nuts! LOL

got all our school supplies bought, so that's one less thing to worry about when we return home. yea!

hoping I'll get to meet you all - doesn't seem like there is a definite meet time other than the cabin tour on the first day - is that right?

 

[kritter]

Thanks for sharing Candy - this is good to know. I think we are going to go to CI&S. I wanted to be at the same hotel as all of you but there is no reason why we can't stay at the CI&S and still join up with you. It is a decent savings and seems like a better choice.



We have 8 bags! So it will be between $8 and $16 for us. I will have to figure out the exact amount so that I can have cash ready.



You got an INCREDIBLE rate. The rate is no where near that good now but it is still cheaper then the Residence Inn. I am checking on rates still but think I will book just a basic room.



How exciting to be so close to your departure date! Soon we will all be down to single digits!!!

That stinks that your going to switch hotels...I was looking forward to seeing you at breakfast!!

 

[jenanderson]

That stinks that your going to switch hotels...I was looking forward to seeing you at breakfast!!

I know but we can still hang out on Monday afternoon and evening. I have avoided it for now but with the price difference...I think I have to switch. I would save enough to pay for all my stupid luggage tips!

 

[kritter]

I know but we can still hang out on Monday afternoon and evening. I have avoided it for now but with the price difference...I think I have to switch. I would save enough to pay for all my stupid luggage tips!

Really, the girls will be sad!! Stay with us!!

 

[disfaninca]

Thanks for sharing Candy - this is good to know. I think we are going to go to CI&S. I wanted to be at the same hotel as all of you but there is no reason why we can't stay at the CI&S and still join up with you. It is a decent savings and seems like a better choice.

I totally understand, but we will miss you at breakfast!
We have stayed at CI&S twice and really enjoyed it (we didn't use the pool, it is not that great), but I'm excited to try RI this time!

 

[disfaninca]

love all the excitement I'm reading here! a week from tomorrow night we start our long drive from IL to AKL! this time we're going to try and drive straight through, so a bit nervous if we can do it or not. usually we'd drive to Chattanooga, stay overnight, then finish the next day. We think we can do it, but dh has said if he gets too tired we'll find somewhere to check in and sleep for a bit. we'll see....should be an adventure!

still no email from DCL here, but I did finally print my online signature forms to bring with - thinking I'd like to start picking clothes out now..usually I wait til the last minute and drive my dh nuts! LOL

got all our school supplies bought, so that's one less thing to worry about when we return home. yea!

hoping I'll get to meet you all - doesn't seem like there is a definite meet time other than the cabin tour on the first day - is that right?

Be careful driving!!
Looks like you are getting closer to being ready!!

 

[elgerber]

That stinks that your going to switch hotels...I was looking forward to seeing you at breakfast!!

Now she will have to eat breakfast with me LOL!!!

 

[Minniemouse07]

Now she will have to eat breakfast with me LOL!!!

and me!

 

[jenanderson]

Really, the girls will be sad!! Stay with us!!

Is this the guilt factor? I also liked how you had Hope answer the phone when I called...nothing like making me feel bad having to tell the girls that I have to change hotels!

I laughed when I saw this because I knew you were working all the angles. We will miss you guys at breakfast but we have SO MANY other times to get together!

I totally understand, but we will miss you at breakfast!
We have stayed at CI&S twice and really enjoyed it (we didn't use the pool, it is not that great), but I'm excited to try RI this time!

Thanks Candy! I think they both are probably very nice. We are just thinking that we could save a bit of money when it is only someplace where we are going to sleep for one night. If it were for several nights - and I couldn't see you guys without it - I would rethink it!

Now she will have to eat breakfast with me LOL!!!

and me!

YEAH! Nice to know I have friends all over!

 

[elgerber]

and me!

Breakfast party at CIS!!

 

[Minniemouse07]

There is a thread asking any 8/2 cruisers that used the CI&S shuttle to post an update regarding their experience.

There aren't any replies yet, but that isn't surprising seeing as they are all out at sea at the moment!