August 17, 2010 - From Keys to shining Cay.

[DesertGal]

DH (Chad) DS (Scott) 3 and DS (Sam) 7. It is our family's 2nd Disney cruise. We went last year and loved it so much we booked for the Dream next year. But when the prices came out for the Cat 12 GTY, I couldn't pass it up. Last year and next year we booked the cat 9, so I am more than thrilled to get it again! Even better that I didn't pay for it!!

As much as I can't wait, I don't want to rush the summer away!!

This is our 2nd cruise too! We are planning on booking on board and hope to cruise every year. If you do keep your room, I would love to introduce our two little ones (3 years). Our son Alec is a bit on the shy side at first, and I would love him to have someone nearby that he can recognize in the Oceaneers club. His cousin Bobbie (4) is also on this trip, so they will all have fun. Hopefully, we'll meet.

Hubby and I talked about trying to upgrade at port initially, but since we got the Cat 9, we will just keep it and use our money elsewhere. When I talked to DCL yesterday, they indicated the ship is almost full.

 

[kpros]

Here is the current FE list. These are the people that specifically told me that they wanted to take part in the Fish Extenders. If you want to play, please let me know as soon as you can. The cut off will be July 31. If you have a GTY room, please let me know what your room number is as soon as you get it - otherwise, no one can find you. First names are nice (but not required) as well.

2141 - Pam (pamcarey), Dan, Brian (DS 15), Amy (DD 10)
2150 - Jill (jsolar), Chad, Sam (DS 7), Scott (DS 3)
2518 - Kim (Kimber143), Tom, Tommy (DS 12), Marissa (DD 6)
5004 - Kelly (dkmjgal), Don, Megan (DD 14), John (DS 11)
5127 - Laura, Katie (DD 10), Kayla (DD 5)
5128 - Emily (emilyann415), John, Lily (DD 4)
6089 - Karen (Rominet's Grandma)
6094 - Debbie (DumboFan), Kenny, Kate (DD 12)
6576 - Ken (kpros), Shari (spros), Staci (DD 18)
7020 - Angela (GrumpyBelle), Al, Jason (DS 15), Leah (DD 9)
8032 - Valerie (Rominet), Christophe, (DS 6), (DS 5), (DD 5)
8530 - Cyndi (cyndisun), Scott, Ben (DS 13) (two families in the Roy suite!)
8530 - Dana, Paul, Margo (DD9), William (DS6)

You should get your room numbers several weeks before the cruise. If you don't, stop by my room and leave a note with your room number. I will make sure everyone participating gets an update.

As far as the rules go, it's totally up to each individual. In the past, I've seen people give something small each day. I've seen people give one item only. I've seen people give items geared to the age of the cruiser. So, I guess I'm saying that there are really no rules - as far as I'm concerned. We don't have a big group, so if everyone gives one item on the first day, then the rest of the trip will be dull. So, if you are only planning one item, you may want to wait a few days.

We are planning a couple of small things to space out over the cruise.

Anyway, that's my two cents.

Ken

 

[jsolar]

Ken, thanks for the updated list!
This should be great!!

I am actually in the process of making my own FE. I spent all afternoon at Jo Ann fabrics today and found someone to help me with the sewing. I'll post pictures when I'm finished!

 

[Kimber143]

Our Ever-Expanding Disney Vacation
or
A Tale of Two Addicts Unable to Resist the Mighty Mouse

So I thought I'd share how our plan for a weekend cruise ended up being an 8day Disney extravaganza. I think we're done with our add ons, but who knows?

About a month ago, my DH suggested that we take the kids on a 3-night Bahamas cruise before school starts. Now we had been on a Disney cruise in January (and we're DVC owners ... and annual passholders) and LOVED it, but we really didn't budget for a second one. We were looking for a cheap quick getaway.

We live in Fort Lauderdale near the port so DH started researching Carnival and Royal Carribean. (I, of course, kept checking the Disney website -- without his knowledge -- just in case a miraculous fare popped up.) We decided on our cruise and were just about to book when ...

I said we should check the Disney Cruise Line site. We pulled it up and couldn't believe the fares! They had decreased SIGNIFICANTLY and were actually in line with the other cruises.

We went to book a 3-day when my husband said, "You know the 4-night is also really reasonable" to which I replied, "But the 5-night is even MORE reasonable!" So we booked! The plan was to drive to Port C Tuesday morning on departure day.

Fast forward a week and I suggest that instead of driving the day of the cruise, why not stay the night before in a port hotel, get a good night's sleep and get to the port early? (A recommendation I got from the boards.)

Makes perfect sense, right? And that's when my DH said, "You know honey, the kids have never been to Typhoon Lagoon ..." Uh oh.

So new plan. Leave early Monday, spend the day at TL and get to the port hotel that night.

A few days later, my DH says, "I've been thinking ..." Uh oh again. "We might want to go up Sunday since it's the weekend and we're off work anyway." I, being the Disney addict that I am, agree and we decide to book a Disney value resort for Sunday. We'll leave on Sunday a.m., spend the day at TL, spend the night at one of the Pops and leave at our leisure for the port hotel on Monday. Whew!

Then I spend a little time on the boards and realize that at this time of year, we really should get to TL as soon as they open. So why not stay Saturday night too, so we can get to the park early?

Okay, that's the final plan, right?!!!? Wrong. A few nights ago, after a couple glasses of wine, we think, "Wow, we're going to be at Disney World for the entire weekend before the cruise. How 'bout we use our points and stay at one of the DVC resorts?" Of course, why not??? (I think the wine had a little to do with it.) I put in the request and we get our reservation.

So let this be a word of caution to the rest of you. Our quick weekend cruise has morphed into an 8-day major holiday! And I couldn't be more excited!

But I am a little worried. At this rate, we'll be spending the month before our cruise (probably B2B by then) in the presidential suite at the Grand Floridian. Somebody stop us!

 

[cyndisun]

Our Ever-Expanding Disney Vacation
or
A Tale of Two Addicts Unable to Resist the Mighty Mouse

So I thought I'd share how our plan for a weekend cruise ended up being an 8day Disney extravaganza. I think we're done with our add ons, but who knows?....

Kim,

What a fabulous story! You need to save it for your scrapbook or for your kids to read years from now. And what a terrific trip you have planned!

Thanks for sharing.

Cyndi

 

[emilyann415]

Emily,
How are you getting to the port the next morning?

We are using Happy Limo. I hope we have good service. We have always rented a car and done the one way thing but this time Happy Limo was the same price and it will be nice for my DH to not have to worry about driving at all! A real vacation for him.

 

[DesertGal]

Your story sounds a bit like ours. What started as a cruise turned into a cruise plus 6 days at WDW. I've called WDW so many times to change and alter our reservations, I almost have their number memorized.

Can't wait to meet you on the cruise (hopefully).

I'm traveling with my husband (Carl), son Alec (3) and daughter Olivia (18 months). Also with us in another cabin is my sister (Susan--SuzD), her friend Julie, and my nieces Katie (14) and Bobbie (4). My sister and her family are frequent cruisers, and unfortunately her hubby couldn't come so her friend stepped in.

She is in room 2510 and we are in room 2152.

 

[kpros]

Hi Everyone

If you are interested in participating in the Fish Extender activity, please let me know before July 31. Many people are making their FE gifts, so they need a good count of participants.

Ken

 

[DesertGal]

We are using Happy Limo. I hope we have good service. We have always rented a car and done the one way thing but this time Happy Limo was the same price and it will be nice for my DH to not have to worry about driving at all! A real vacation for him.

We are using Happy Limo as well. My sister has always used them and said they are very reliable, always very friendly and they will match other companies prices (as long as they can verify the price). We are being picked up at the Renaissance.

 

[dkmjgal]

DUMBOFAN I just remembered yesterday that someone had said they were from Jersey...I went searching thru the posts and found you. We are in Ocean County...not far from Great Adventure

Kimber143 My son will be turning 12 in December. He is going into Middle school this fall. He would love to meet someone before the cruise so he knows someone. He's very jealous because my DD(14) has already been "talking" to a couple of the girls who are cruising with us. It looks like my DS and yours are the only 2 in our group around the same age. Let me know if you want me to have my son PM your son thru your acct.

Have a great day everyone!

 

[cyndisun]

Kimber143 My son will be turning 12 in December. He is going into Middle school this fall. He would love to meet someone before the cruise so he knows someone. He's very jealous because my DD(14) has already been "talking" to a couple of the girls who are cruising with us. It looks like my DS and yours are the only 2 in our group around the same age. Let me know if you want me to have my son PM your son thru your acct.

Have a great day everyone!

dkmjgal--my son just turned 13 in May. But he will be in the teen club (as I think Kimber143's son will be as well). They are all close enough in age to enjoy hanging out though. My son Ben will be very happy to have friends onboard.

 

[Kimber143]

Looking forward to meeting you, too!!! Our stories are similar ... we have a hard time limiting ourselves when it comes to Disney. We didn't even have any of our DVC points left. Had to borrow from next year's. Oh well, it's worth it!

 

[Suz D]

Kimber143 He's very jealous because my DD(14) has already been "talking" to a couple of the girls who are cruising with us.

Katie has been having SO much fun getting to know Megan and Jackie! It's all she talks about. I don't think she's ever been as excited for a Disney cruise as she is about this one. Thanks so much for connecting the girls! It appears as if they are planning on wearing matching t-shirts on departure day. White with their favorite Disney character. Are you and Big Mama okay with that? If so, I'll start working on getting one for Katie.

Well, I'm at a convention in DC for the week and it was a busy day so I'm signing off. Stay cool everyone! (and I don't mean that in the 70's "cool" way LOL!)

 

[Rominet]

Hi Everyone

If you are interested in participating in the Fish Extender activity, please let me know before July 31. Many people are making their FE gifts, so they need a good count of participants.

Ken

Dh (Christophe), me (Valerie), Ds (6yo), Ds (5yo), and Dd (5yo). Stateroom 8032.

Grandma (Karen) in Stateroom 6089.

We can't wait! The kids are going to be so excited when we finally tell them!

Valerie

 

[kpros]

Dh (Christophe), me (Valerie), Ds (6yo), Ds (5yo), and Dd (5yo). Stateroom 8032.

Grandma (Karen) in Stateroom 6089.

We can't wait! The kids are going to be so excited when we finally tell them!

Valerie

I've added you to the list at the top of the page!

Ken

 

[jsolar]

Hi.
For everyone doing the FE, can you please send me your last name.
I'm really having fun with this!!
Thanks!
Jill

 

[Kimber143]

dkmjgal ... sent you a message with Tommy's info. Looking forward to our boys getting to know each other.

 

[dkmjgal]

Kimber143 John is going to be so excited. Cyndisun mentioned that your son might be going to the teen club? If that's the case John definitely won't be there..he'll be in whatever Kids Club they have. His sister is in the Teen Club and she would kill us if we let him go - lol...besides he's only 11 1/2.
He's going to be thrilled to know someone also before he gets on the cruise. I will have him send a message soon. He's sleeping over at a friends house and won't be home until later on Sunday so he'll probably write back on Monday.

SuzD I know what you mean...nonstop chatter here about meeting the girls. I think the t-shirt idea is a good one...although the way they all seem to have so much in common already I think they will be drawn to each other automatically

 

[emilyann415]

I sent you a PM

 

[emilyann415]

Anyone know when we should start getting luggage tags? I am getting so excited....just a shade more than a month to go!!!!!!!