August 2, 2011 disney dream

[kathleena]

Nancy - I've finally had a chance to look back through the posts and it looks like we talked about DIS meet on page 18 & 19. We have not made any final decisions yet so I am going to post the options I came up with again and see what everyone thinks.

Thank you!

I will look for it, although if my pages are set to display more/less posts than you, it may be on another page. Once I find it, I'll post the post numbers and links.

 

[kathleena]

So for a DIS meet on embarkation day here are a few options.

1. Deck 11 by Donald's pool around 2 or 3.

2. One of the lounges around 2 or 3.

3. In addition - we will watch the sail away party on deck 12 (terminal side - which I believe should be starboard) if anyone wants to join us up there.

When I posted this before we got a few responses for the meet by Donald's pool and I think this might be the best option. We can either set the time for 2, 2:30, or 3pm.

Just let me know what you think and then we can make some final decisions.

My thought would be during sailaway - as we are not sure what time everyone would be aboard, 2-3pm meet may exclude those arriving late.

 

[kathleena]

I know I have posted these before but thought I would post them again to see what everyone thinks.

This is for a DIS meet for those at WDW before the cruise. We are planning on doing a meet on August 1st.

1. Meet at the Poly on the beach or around the pool to watch the fireworks and those that have reservations can hopefully meet us after they get done with dinner.

2. Meet at the lounge at BWV around 9:30 or 10pm and just see who shows up.

3. Have an afternoon meet either in a park or by the pool at the BWV.

I know some of you have already posted a reply about some of these and I am trying to keep a list but if you would like to reply again feel free.

I vote for the BWV pool in the afternoon! That's where we will be cooling off every afternoon. Monday night is late night at DHS, so we will be there for the evening.

 

[kathleena]

We have not really set up anything specific yet, there were just a few posts where we talked about options. One of them is the DIS meet on embarkation day they Deb mentioned. We are getting ready to go to dinner but I will see if I can firm some meets up this weekend and we can post them here. Then maybe you can put them on your #6 post so we have a specific place to send people for information.

Also, I saw that you posted on the teen thread. My daughter (Alyssa) is 15 and maybe we can hook her up with your granddaughter. Alyssa is trying to bring a friend but that's not looking good at the moment so I know she will want to "meet" some other teens before hand. We are also staying at BWV before the cruise so maybe we can get them together there. We will arrive on Sunday evening and I am not sure what we will be doing on Monday. Right now I am thinking I want to start at HS so we can check out the new Star Tours and then we will go from there. Maybe we can try to get them together. Is your granddaughter on Facebook? If so, we can exchange information by PM so hopefully they can chat some before the cruise.

Super duper!

My DGD is being shy and doesn't want to do the facebook/post on DIS thing before the trip. She said she is fine spending all of her time with me (everyone say AWWWWWWWW ). So I think planning a meet here and there on land with folks with teens is great.

Monday the 1st we are planning AK in the morning, then a pool break at the BWV and then go to DHS for the evening. Probably sneak a trip to Beaches N Cream for supper and ice cream. There are some rides that I can't go on due to neck issues (TOT, RNRC, EE - sniff makes me sad but eh I don't want to be paralyzed if something snaps!) so I'm sure if someone is there, she would love to have company. So if we can work something out in there, great!

 

[Deb in IA]

So for a DIS meet on embarkation day here are a few options.

1. Deck 11 by Donald's pool around 2 or 3.

2. One of the lounges around 2 or 3.

3. In addition - we will watch the sail away party on deck 12 (terminal side - which I believe should be starboard) if anyone wants to join us up there.

When I posted this before we got a few responses for the meet by Donald's pool and I think this might be the best option. We can either set the time for 2, 2:30, or 3pm.

Just let me know what you think and then we can make some final decisions.

I would definitely be interested in an Embarkation Day DIS meet, since we are not going to WDW beforehand.

How about 2:30 or 3? That way, if people want to book Remy or Palo or change dining, they will have time to do that. Donald's pool sounds good to me.

Since we don't have to bring our lifejackets anymore to the mandatory lifeboat drill, (whoo hoo )we should be able to meet and make the drill at 4.

 

[JMTStone]

I would definitely be interested in an Embarkation Day DIS meet, since we are not going to WDW beforehand.

How about 2:30 or 3? That way, if people want to book Remy or Palo or change dining, they will have time to do that. Donald's pool sounds good to me.

Since we don't have to bring our lifejackets anymore to the mandatory lifeboat drill, (whoo hoo )we should be able to meet and make the drill at 4.

I vote for meet at BCV before we cruise for the Boardwalk/Beach Club crew the evening before. We only get 2 days at the World before the cruise so it will be very hard to get my people away from the parks. I don't see us getting to the Poly. We are planning EPCOT the night before we set sail and it closes at 9 PM. So what about 9:30 at Beaches and Cream?

We are doing Disney transportation so maybe even a meet on the bus? (Doug - if Paige is on the bus, I can see 15 minutes of quiet conversation followed by an hour of boisterous Mackenzie)

I think a meet RIGHT after safety drill (around 4:30) sail day would be nice as everyone will be gathering there for Sailing Away party. I'm worried about 2:30 because will be limited by when Disney transports us.

How about this in addition to the meets? On our last cruise, we all attached "DIS Board" Mickey indicators to ourselves. I had mine on my camera bag. That way, we "found" eachother on the ship.

 

[JMTStone]

• jham Stateroom 7502 (Anniversary)
  DH Mike
  DW Jeanne
• swissgirl66 Stateroom 9560 (Anniversary)
  DW Andrea
  DH Urs
  DD Alena (7)
• tracylynn **Need Stateroom
  DM Tracy
  DD Alex (14)
• JMTStone Stateroom 9530
  DH Jon
  DW Melissa (Mel - yours truly)
  DD Taylor (18)
  DD Mackenzie (9)
• Deb in IA Stateroom 9156
  DW Deb (Birthday)
  DH Eric
  DD Jennifer (20)
  DS Mark (16)
• RobMissesFLA Stateroom 6636
  DH Robert
  DW Christy (Birthday)
  DD Emily (9)
  Brother Phillip (23) (First Cruise)
• kathleena Stateroom 8679
  Nancy (grammie)
  Nicole (16)
  
  Let me know if I am missing anyone. As it is right now we have a small group (7 staterooms) and as always, the more the merrier! I will be closing out the list after the weekend of July 4th to allow everyone a chance to get everything together.

 

[Dizzyworld]

I would definitely be interested in an Embarkation Day DIS meet, since we are not going to WDW beforehand.

How about 2:30 or 3? That way, if people want to book Remy or Palo or change dining, they will have time to do that. Donald's pool sounds good to me.

Since we don't have to bring our lifejackets anymore to the mandatory lifeboat drill, (whoo hoo )we should be able to meet and make the drill at 4.

Same here. We won't be at WDW before this cruise either because we are going to be on the ship doing the 4 night cruise before this one. [Sorry we are pretty excited about our first, and probably last B2B cruise.]

In the past, on our cruises and many others from what I've read, it seems 3 PM was when many of the other meets were held usually in a lounge. We didn't set the time, other did but it seemed to work out fine. They were usually about
30 min. long. I'll post on the main board to see if any placed has worked out well.

 

[scooter7487]

If my DS14 Matt knew I was posting this he would be upset with me but am very worried about him and this cruise. This will be our kids first cruise and he is a great kid but shy. Once he gets to know you he is fine but that initial interaction is tough for him. One of the reasons my DW and I love disney is the kid that is in all of us comes out when in the parks and with the planning and Matt is a big part of that. He is the type of kid that is very cautious and is a lot like me (poor kid) when it comes to making sure everyone else is having fun and he is a protector type person. He is always on top of things and even though he and his brother fight often Matt is always there to make sure my DS11 Tim and his friends are ok. My concern is while I think he will relax at some point I want him to enjoy the opportunities for kids his age and not hang with us the whole time. I am fine with him hanging out with the adults and being with the younger kids in our travel party I just don't want him to feel like he has to be "in charge" of everyone's fun and security. He will enjoy being with his brother as well as Coachycp kids as they are great together here at home but I can see him now don't get to close to the railing, did you know that that coral can sting you...... Matt is a super inquisitive kid and I am sure he will have the entire ship mapped out before we go as well as all the interesting facts about the ship and castaway cay. I am actually really looking forward to taking an hour and exploring the ship with him. Coachycp and we are going to palo one night and of course we are putting matt in charge.

Sorry to be so wordy but want you to get a picture of Matt as he is a great kid and to much of an adult already at 14. My question is does anyone have any suggestions on what to get him involved with. I don't want to embarras him but want to push him a bit to do some fun TEEN stuff. I was also wondering if there was a ship tour with all the ins and outs as he would enjoy that. Any suggestions are great and appreciated. I know that if he just tried the teen club he would meet some cool kids and he would be fine. It is just getting him there. Thanks again for listening.

 

[Deb in IA]

If my DS14 Matt knew I was posting this he would be upset with me but am very worried about him and this cruise. This will be our kids first cruise and he is a great kid but shy. Once he gets to know you he is fine but that initial interaction is tough for him. One of the reasons my DW and I love disney is the kid that is in all of us comes out when in the parks and with the planning and Matt is a big part of that. He is the type of kid that is very cautious and is a lot like me (poor kid) when it comes to making sure everyone else is having fun and he is a protector type person. He is always on top of things and even though he and his brother fight often Matt is always there to make sure my DS11 Tim and his friends are ok. My concern is while I think he will relax at some point I want him to enjoy the opportunities for kids his age and not hang with us the whole time. I am fine with him hanging out with the adults and being with the younger kids in our travel party I just don't want him to feel like he has to be "in charge" of everyone's fun and security. He will enjoy being with his brother as well as Coachycp kids as they are great together here at home but I can see him now don't get to close to the railing, did you know that that coral can sting you...... Matt is a super inquisitive kid and I am sure he will have the entire ship mapped out before we go as well as all the interesting facts about the ship and castaway cay. I am actually really looking forward to taking an hour and exploring the ship with him. Coachycp and we are going to palo one night and of course we are putting matt in charge.

Sorry to be so wordy but want you to get a picture of Matt as he is a great kid and to much of an adult already at 14. My question is does anyone have any suggestions on what to get him involved with. I don't want to embarras him but want to push him a bit to do some fun TEEN stuff. I was also wondering if there was a ship tour with all the ins and outs as he would enjoy that. Any suggestions are great and appreciated. I know that if he just tried the teen club he would meet some cool kids and he would be fine. It is just getting him there. Thanks again for listening.

Scooter, our DS Mark 16, sounds exactly like that.
He tends to hang out with kids that are a few years younger than him (and he just turned 16 in May).
He's not as responsible as it sounds like Matt is, so they may be good for each other!
What kinds of things does Matt like to do? Mark loves video games, music, and runs cross country. (Don't tell him I said this, but Mark also has a great singing voice.)
Are you all going to the onboard meet? Maybe they can get together. I was especially hoping to get Mark hooked up with some teens early on, as I, DH, and DD (20) will have an adult cabana on the first day at Castaway, and I didn't want Mark to feel abandoned.

 

[JMTStone]

Any suggestions are great and appreciated. I know that if he just tried the teen club he would meet some cool kids and he would be fine. It is just getting him there. Thanks again for listening.

Taylor DD (now 18) was 16 on our first Disney cruise and 14 on our first cruise (Princess) and your son sounds a lot like her.

My biggest regret on the Disney cruise in 2009 was not finding a way to get her to try to participate. She hung out with my husband and me most of the time. I KNOW if she had brought a friend she would have participated in the teen stuff but since she didn't know anyone, she didn't even try. So I tell you this.... find a way to get him to the teen place. I hear once they get there, they won't want to leave. Its just getting them there. Getting shy kids to open up is something they are used to dealing with. In fact, I hear they are experts at it.

Since he is who he is... I suggest getting him to go there and "investigate" what they have to offer in "the interest of reporting back to the kids who can't go there yet or are too old to go now (my DD18)". Because this is most people's first time on the Dream and we aren't allowed in there to find out how it is. Perhaps you can give him an assignment to take photos or video for family? Maybe that will get him in there. Once he's there, he may open up to it.

Also, try to find out in the Navigators posted the activities for that group and find something he is in to. Try to get him to agree to do one thing (on the first day). I know how sensitive teens are about being "forced" into stuff. I'm not above tricking mine into doing something good for her.

 

[DVC4US]

My question is does anyone have any suggestions on what to get him involved with. I don't want to embarras him but want to push him a bit to do some fun TEEN stuff.

DD Alyssa 15 sounds a lot like Matt. She is kind of shy in the beginning and she always worries about everyone else. For our last cruise I tried to make sure she "met" some teens online before the cruise and then we had a teen meet on embarkation day. The teens then determined a time and place for them to meet before going to the teen club for the evening. One of the things I try to make sure Alyssa goes to is the 'get to know' you meeting in the Vibe on the first night. It usually happens around 9:45 -10pm. It used to be called "the 411" but now I think they call it "Ice Breakers and the Download". They use this time for the teens to get to know each other and also plan their activities for the cruise.

When we set up a DIS meet for embarkation day we will also include the teens so that they can have their own meet and hopefully get to know each other. Alyssa's friend may not be able to join us so I want to hook her up with some teens early on too. We have dinner in Remy on the sea day and I am hoping she will have some friends to hang out with.

 

[scooter7487]

You guys are awesome. Thanks for some tips. This is why I am addicted to disboards. I really like the photo/video idea. That might be the carrot that gets him interested.

Matt is into history, animals (I would challenge anyone to test his elephant knowledge) , plays drums/percussion in the school band and he is an avid lego builder. He is not much of a gamer other than his ipod. Likes music and he sings in the choir. He is not into sports anymore but loves putt putt and the ocean. Castaway Cay is going to be a special place for him and SHHHH we are doing the dolphin adventure in Blue lagoon. He is now into the high level pieces such as the white house, sears tower.... I could have a yard sale on just lego groups and make a killing. lol My plan is to box them up and give them to him when he has kids.

Thanks again I am going to plot my plan

 

[Dizzyworld]

I agree to have them participate if we do a DIS meet the first day and go to the teen club the first night.

Over the years we have had mixed results. Sometimes they liked the mix of teens [depending on ages] on a particular cruise which will make it more fun. Or on the last cruise on the Magic, they found that all they were doing at the teen clubs were hanging out or the clubs limited the number of kids to participate in an activity, and they were sometimes bumped out. So they weren't too interested in doing much through the clubs.

Luckily your son is traveling with other kids he knows. He probably won't be interested in meeting new people for a few days. It does give him built in buddies to do things with on the ship.

 

[Deb in IA]

Maybe we can get the DIS teens to agree to go to the "get to know you" activity together at the Vibe the first night and go from there. It might be a good way for them to get to know each other and have some people to hang out with.

Funny about the Legos. Mark used to be a big Lego fan too. In fact, we have an unfinished Death Star, the one with the 7000 + pieces, in the basement, under the ping pong table.

Mark started it when he was about 12, but messed up or lost a crucial piece somewhere, and now it sits . . .

 

[DVC4US]

We will definitely have to have a teen meet on embarkation day.

Scott - I know you said your ADR at 'Ohana is for 6:30pm. Are you planning on staying at the Poly to watch fireworks or do you plan to head out after dinner? Still trying to figure out a DIS meet at WDW.

Alyssa is into history too and loves anything to do with oceans - especially killer whales. She wants to be a trainer at Sea World. She will be attending the Adventure Camp at Sea World (for the second year in a row) 2 weeks before we go on the cruise. She really enjoyed her experience last year and can't wait to go again this year. She is not really into sports but does take dance classes. She is a typical teenage girl and I hate to say this, is always on the look out for cute boys.

 

[Deb in IA]

You guys are awesome. Thanks for some tips. This is why I am addicted to disboards. I really like the photo/video idea. That might be the carrot that gets him interested.

Matt is into history, animals (I would challenge anyone to test his elephant knowledge) , plays drums/percussion in the school band and he is an avid lego builder. He is not much of a gamer other than his ipod. Likes music and he sings in the choir. He is not into sports anymore but loves putt putt and the ocean. Castaway Cay is going to be a special place for him and SHHHH we are doing the dolphin adventure in Blue lagoon. He is now into the high level pieces such as the white house, sears tower.... I could have a yard sale on just lego groups and make a killing. lol My plan is to box them up and give them to him when he has kids.

Thanks again I am going to plot my plan

Mark sings in choir, both at home and at school too.

OK, you guys are going to have to SWEAR not to tell Mark that I posted this, but here he is singing with a boys' ensemble at a vocal contest last year - they got top scores!

Mark is third from the right, the smaller one in the white shirt. He sings bass. He's grown about a foot since last year!

http://www.youtube.com/user/icpixx?blend=2&ob=5#p/u/0/5rlk0GbO8SE

Leilani, how are you liking our FLORIDA weather here in Iowa??

 

[DVC4US]

Mark sings in choir, both at home and at school too.

OK, you guys are going to have to SWEAR not to tell Mark that I posted this, but here he is singing with a boys' ensemble at a vocal contest last year - they got top scores!

Mark is third from the right, the smaller one in the white shirt. He sings bass. He's grown about a foot since last year!

http://www.youtube.com/user/icpixx?blend=2&ob=5#p/u/0/5rlk0GbO8SE

Leilani, how are you liking our FLORIDA weather here in Iowa??

Very nice! I won't tell Mark you posted that.

I'm not complaining but it is HOT! HOT! HOT! Alyssa actually got out of school an hour early yesterday and today because the heat index went above 100. For those of you who don't know, here in the mid-west most of the schools don't have air conditioning so if the heat index goes above 100 the schools get out early. This was shocking the first time I heard this. Today was the last day though so we don't have to worry about that for a while.

Brittany, David, and I head to Miami tomorrow and it is actually cooler down there than it is up here. Crazy!

 

[swissgirl66]

Thanks so much for your great effort to make this meet happening. We will be celebrating our 8th anniversary that day and have dinner reservations for 7:30pm at the Yachtman Steakhouse. Therefore we prefer Option 2, but might be able to drive over to Poly to see the fireworks, so Option 1 would be possible too.

I know I have posted these before but thought I would post them again to see what everyone thinks.

This is for a DIS meet for those at WDW before the cruise. We are planning on doing a meet on August 1st.

1. Meet at the Poly on the beach or around the pool to watch the fireworks and those that have reservations can hopefully meet us after they get done with dinner.

2. Meet at the lounge at BWV around 9:30 or 10pm and just see who shows up.

3. Have an afternoon meet either in a park or by the pool at the BWV.

I know some of you have already posted a reply about some of these and I am trying to keep a list but if you would like to reply again feel free.

 

[Deb in IA]

I am so slow at these Internet things.

I JUST NOW learned how to use Photobucket and uploaded a picture of us.


So, if anyone wants to see our family, here we are:

Now, this was a couple of years ago, at our DD's high school graduation party. DS is now a foot taller and wears contacts, but mostly, we look about like this.

Oh, and this is, from the left, Mark now 16, me (Deb), Jennifer now 20, and DH Eric.