Back in the swing again!!!!

[sigafoos]

I'v been sadly haunting this board since our 4/24/01 cruise saddly reading about everones upcoming cruise and wishing I too was planning and anticipating. But with no set cruise all I could do is think, soon I will be back!! Now I'v decided and will put a deposit down for the 3/22/03 Magic cruise and all of a sudden I'm sooo happy and I'm posting all over and I'M BACK and it feels so good. So here Iam once or twice a day checking for information and asking questions , it's like I'm home again My hubby and kids think I'm just a little crazy
Kim

 

[wovenwonder]

Kim,
Have a terrific time planning your trip -- as half of the fun is in the planning!!!!!!! I'm glad you were able to book again -- I imagine you are using your 1/2 off - right? Gee, I wish we could book again at that price -- we'd be going too!

 

[CSX2]

Know just how you feel. Our last cruise was May 01. We just booked for May 3, 2003 and I've spent a good deal of the last two days on this and other Disney sites not to mention airfare/hotel/rental car sites! I luuuuuuuuuv vacation.

 

[sigafoos]

Thanks Jody,
Yes we are using our discount . I was afraid to wait much longer to use it. Hopefully we will be bringing along 2 guests. The ship is filling fast, to get 2 cabins with one sleeping 4 puts us on deck 1. Not my first choice but I'll take it! We were able to get connecting rooms so I think it will be fine. We are using DU to book as they have experience with these discounts and are great anyway. Where did you stay the night before? Also when arriving at the port from a hotel do you just get in line with all the luggage or do they take it and send it to your cabin? We used Disney transfers from CBR last time so we didn't touch the luggage, they took it from us at the resort and it appeared in our stateroom.
Kim

 

[wovenwonder]

Kim,
We drove down this year. We stayed two nights before at the Hampton Inn in Cocoa Beach. It was very nice. A short walk to the beach -- close to Ron Jon Surf shop. PLUS the rather elaborate continental breakfast that was included was very convenient for the morning of our sail. Each person could just get up and shower and go down to eat at their convenience. No waiting for everyone to get ready so we could go 'out' for breakfast before heading to the port. In 2001 we flew and stayed the night before at the Hyatt right in the airport. If I was flying again that is where I would stay.

When we stayed at the Hyatt -- we used Disney transfers. We put our luggage outside of the room door in the Hyatt and Disney took care of them from there. We met the transfer buses to the terminal right in the lobby area of the Hyatt -- very convenient.

If you are planning to spend the night before in Cocoa Beach area -- you would need to rent a car. In this case -- you might be better off to go with Avis and the Radisson. We had an oversized room at the Hampton that slept 6 people -- so it was nice to only have to get one room for the 5 of us. I found a discounted rate on a site I have bookmarked -- let me know if you want the link. According to Dave's website --- the Hampton now provides a shuttle to the ship === same as the Radisson.

We drove to the port from the Hampton -- and because all passengers in the car were boarding the ship -- we were able to drive right up to the front door of the terminal and drop off our luggage. Don then went and parked the car and met us inside the terminal. If you have a shuttle dropping you off -- then they will drop you and your luggage off across the street from the terminal -- but there will be luggage handlers right there to take the luggage for you. You will then walk across the street with your carryons and register in the terminal.

I'm glad to hear that you will be going again! Ashley is now 'adult' - correct? Shelby and her friend had a ball hanging out at the nightclubs to the wee hours of the morning. DJ LA made it a real fun time for the young adults 18-21 or so. I don't think it would have been the same for her though if she handn't had a friend along.

 

[DuncanLL]

Hi Kim,

Glad to hear you're finally able to use that voucher! We used ours last November and are going again this year on the 11/9 Western. Is yours Eastern or Western? If Western, let us know if you have any questions and we'll try to get answers for you.

We've used Disney transportation and the Airport Hyatt before, but this year to save some $$, we are staying at the Airport Fairfield Inn ($47) and renting a car one way each way to/from the port.

The Hyatt was convenient and AAA rate was about $114. We hooked up with the people DCL had staying there and DCL picked up our luggage at our room and we got the bus right at the Hyatt.

Believe it or not, we missed Castaway again last November! We've got our fingers crossed this year.

Linda

 

[sigafoos]

Linda,
Good to here from you! I would like to try the Western but we are doing the Eastern again because we need to go during spring break. Ashley our oldest is a college freshman this year and her brother is a high school freshman and of course they don't have spring break at the same time! So we are going during Ashley's break, I think a week of high school is easier to make up than a week of college. It's also a incentive for Sean to do well in school, I told him if he doesn't do well when we are home I can't justify pulling him out for the cruise! He won't let anything make him miss it. I havent decided where to stay the night before or if to use any Disney transfers because we will book our own air , I'm hoping to use airmiles.
Kim

 

[wovenwonder]

Kim,
I tried to reply to your email but it was sent back to me as undeliverable? Oh well.....

I made copies of the originals -- then sent the original letters to Donna at Dreams. She knew I was worried about sending them in the mail -- but assured me that DCL also had original copies on hand. She called me as soon as she received them. I actually faxed her copies before I mailed them too -- so she had faxed copies before the originals. Be sure to put 2 of you in each room -- then any add ons to those 'discounted' rooms also received the percentage off --- great deal! [worth the breakdown and missing castaway cay in my eye's]!

 

[sigafoos]

Thanks Jody,
We did put 2 in each room and our guests(if they come) will also be traveling at half off! That is such a great thing, Im very surprised they price it that way. Sometimes my MSN e-mail is messed up who knows why!
Kim
soofagis2@msn.com