Calling all July 20th Western Cruisers!!!

[PartiesNBalloons]

Welcome Laura! We're so happy you will be joining us! My DD is 14 and would like to have communication with other teens before sailing so let me know how you want to do that. Maybe we could get a loop going for all the DIS teens that are sailing with us.

I'm sure I'll have lots of questions for you as the trip gets closer.

27 days and counting down!!

 

[floridaminnie]

My dd (3) kept thinking that we were going on Mickey's ship today, so we made a count down chain. Now we take a chain off each morning. We are getting closer! Can't wait!

 

[PartiesNBalloons]

A countdown chain is a GREAT idea!! I think I'll make one for myself! I'm so excited I keep going to the calendar and counting the days.

 

[PartiesNBalloons]

Hi all, I just can't seem to stay off these boards. Disney vacation planning is soooo addicting!!

Anyway, I'm just cusious what deck everyone is staying on. We're on deck 2, Cat. 9. We really wanted a veranda but they were already booked when we called. I've called like 30 times to see if one has come available but nothing yet I guess it's ok though because now we have enough DVC points left for next year to get a 2 bdrm. in Hilton Head for a week See how addicting Disney is!! This vacation is not even here yet and I'm already planning next year's!!

 

[floridaminnie]

I'm just as addicted if not more than you PartiesNBalloons. I am always on these boards looking for more info and giving advice where I can. We are also staying on Deck 2, but a catg. 12. Our rooms are 2021 and 2019. We are also very addicted to Disney. We have AP plus the water park AP. They are very useful, b/c we only live an hour away from Disney. It's nice to come home and say let's go to Disney tonight. We are already planning a weekend for Halloween. We are going to Mickey's Halloween Party which is so much fun. We started alternating each year between that and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. See you on the ship!

 

[PartiesNBalloons]

Sdoane, you are sooo lucky to live so close. I really wish we lived closer. We live in Mississippi and it takes 9 hours to get to Disney. It is really not a bad drive but is too far to go for the weekend. We did that one time and will never do it again. By the time we were settled in, it was time to go home again. BUT, when we do finally get there for a vacation, we usually spend about 10 days or so.

 

[PartiesNBalloons]

Hi all,

Does anyone know of any 11-12yr. old boys going on the July 20th cruise? My DD has several teens that she is communicating with but so far, my DS has no one and he's getting a bit concerned. I'm sure he'll do fine but would feel better if he has a 'buddy' when he gets on the ship.

22 days and counting down!!

Melissa

 

[floridaminnie]

Is there anybody out there with young kids (3-4 yr old range)? There seems to be a lot of teenagers onboard.

 

[DOOGIERUNNER]

OK PartiesandBalloons, don't complain about being 9 hours away, we're 24 hours away... there are no weekend trips. We have to fly and try to stay as long as we can!!! We are also DVC members and can't get enough. My wife is a teacher, we've got plenty of points... I wish I could buy more vacation time!! See you at the DVC reception on Sunday?

Anyone got kids in the 6-7 year age group? We've got a DS - 9 who loves to spend all his time in the lab... unfortunately not as much as he would like; it IS a family vacation... and a DD -7 who claims she was bored in the club. We're going to try to see if she can be in the lab, but my understanding is our cruise is full?

 

[PartiesNBalloons]

Yes, DoggieRunner, we will be at the DVC reception on Sunday. Do you have any idea when it will be?

I'm so sorry you live so far away. I feel for you having to fly everytime. At least we can get in our car and drive.

We love our DVC. People thought we were crazy when we bought into it but we feel it is the BEST investment we have ever made for our family!! It guarantees us a good vacation every year and if we are careful with our points we can sometimes squeeze 2 vacations in. Our home resort is Hilton Head. We were going to buy in 'Disney' but decided that once our kids are grown, Hilton Head is were we want to vacation. Not saying that we won't still treat our kids to a Disney trip every now and then

21 days and counting down!!

 

[PartiesNBalloons]

I noticed you live in Tampa. We're going to Busch Gardens before the cruise and I was wondering if you had any recommendations for a hotel near the park? We're looking for a clean, inexpensive place with a pool.

Thanks,

 

[floridaminnie]

La Quinta Inn 3701 E Fowler Ave
Tampa, FL ZipCode
Phone: (813)910-7500
2.76 mi.



Wingate Inn 3751 E Fowler Ave
Tampa, FL ZipCode
Phone: (813)979-2828
2.79 mi.

These are two hotels that I found off the website TBO.com (a local website for the area) that I would feel comfortable staying at. THey are close to bush, but in a safer area of town. I would NOT recommend staying at any of the hotels right next bush, because it is not in the best part of town. I would recommend staying on Fletcher or Fowler east of Bruce B Downs. Anything west of Bruce B Downs and you might be giving your kids some lessons that you don't want to be giving them. I'm heading that way this week, so I'll stop by one of the tourist areas to see if there are any good discount coupons that you can use and what hotels I would stay at. I couldn't find a couple that I know are there.

 

[PartiesNBalloons]

Thank you for the advice about the hotels. I would have booked right by Bush if you had not told me better. I'll be waiting to hear from you about other places or coupons. Thanks again for your help!!

 

[DisneyCruiseluvr]

Hey July 20th cruisers!

Please read the thread called "To DIS or not to DIS?!" and let's see how many DISrs want to meet! Sounds like a great idea to wear a certain colored "lei" and meet at the 5:00PM "sail away" party on the top deck. How many of us are there anyways? It'd be great to have a big turn out!

Although, it may be a little difficult to meet at that time with the earlier dining time (5:30PM). If most people have that schedule, maybe we can set up another meeting place or time.

Who's game?

 

[PartiesNBalloons]

DisneyCruiseLuvr, I'm game to meet. Right now we have about 13 Dis families that I know of. I think the sail away party is a good idea but we would have to be specific about WHERE to meet. I think past cruisers could help us with this. I"m sure it is very crowded and crazy, but I'd like to try to meet on deck 9 where all the action will be

20 days and counting down!!

 

[DisneyCruiseluvr]

Deck 9 is a great idea! How about if we meet near the Mickey pool area on the side that faces the DCL building. What's a good time for everyone? Will the 5:00PM Sail Away Party work? Works for us, we have late dinner seating.

 

[floridaminnie]

We have the 5:30 early seating. I would still be willing to meet at 5, but I will have to run.

 

[PartiesNBalloons]

I'm looking at the navigator from the inaugural cruise and it has the sail away party at 4:30pm. It that is so, then we could meet at that time and give those with early seating a chance to meet also without being so rushed. What do you think DisneyCruiseLuvr?

 

[DisneyCruiseluvr]

PartiesNBalloons,

We can definitely be there at 4:30PM, as long as they don't drag out the fire drill. Another great idea ... thanks!

What are we going to use so we can spot eachother out easily? To be honest with you, I'm going to feel like a real DORK walking around with a lei around my neck. But, if that's the best we can come up with, then I can be a DORK for an hour or so?!

If we can fine-tune our meeting place, maybe we won't have to wear anything to identify ourselves with. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[PartiesNBalloons]

I'm kinda the same about the lei's. I think I would feel alittle weird also. I do think we need to come up with something though. I'll think on it a bit and let you know if I come up with anything.

Ok, fellow cruisers, we have 3 committed to coming to a brief DIS meet.... who else wants to join us???