DECEMBER 8, 2014 Dream Mouse Meet!

[ppony]

Let's start chattin'!!! it's never too early!

I'm Stephanie, my DH of 20 years (and counting) and Brian, our 2 kids are Nick and Daniel.

Our stateroom is :10054

This is our second cruise. Our last was in 2009 and we were just beginning to discover and understand my youngest's challenges as severely autistic, so the cruise didn't go well. Disney did it's best to make it as fun as possible for us and they were incredibly accommodating! Didn't hurt that we were in a 1BR concierge room, so my 90% of the time on the ship was spent in that room. Not a bad way to spend time holed up.

This time, we're hoping for a different and better experience. Worse comes to worse though, we'll leave Daniel home w/ Grandma if we just don't think he'll be able to do it. I HATE doing that, but it is what it is. We don't want our oldest to lose out because of his brother. We don't want resentment, especially since Nick may be caregiver to his younger brother when we're gone.

I'm an artist and SAHM. Our last cruise, we did the FE and I gave paintings I did. I'm not sure if I'll do it this time. I was left w/ a pretty bad taste in my mouth from that experience. But you guys can organize one if you like of course!

THERE! More than you need to know about me!

 

[IrishCowboy]

I have added your thread to the cruise meet list

Have a great cruise!

 

[ppony]

I have added your thread to the cruise meet list

Have a great cruise!

AWESOMENESS! THANKS!

 

[kymickeyfan717]

I'll be on this cruise as well - solo. Can't wait...

 

[ppony]

I'll be on this cruise as well - solo. Can't wait...

Welcome aboard!!!! It's going to be so painful to wait so long!

 

[disneydiva2004]

Hi, Agreed, Never too early to start chatting and planning.
I just returned home yesterday from a 7 day from Galveston on the Wonder - It was awesome, so We booked another cruise while we were on our cruise. Received a 20% discount, so they make it worth your while. I travelled with my BFF of nearly 20 years. She will also be cruising with me on this upcoming cruise on the Dream, along with my aunt.
Has anyone started a facebook page? If not, I don't mind starting one.

Stephanie, do you mind sharing your FE experience. I participated for the 1st time on my cruise last week and thought it was awesome. I enjoyed it as much as the kids.

Talk to everyone soon, Sueane

 

[disneydiva2004]

I started a face book page : Disney Dream from Port Canaveral 12/08/2014
Please feel free to join. Once we have enough people, we can start an FE group.

 

[ppony]

Hi, Agreed, Never too early to start chatting and planning.
I just returned home yesterday from a 7 day from Galveston on the Wonder - It was awesome, so We booked another cruise while we were on our cruise. Received a 20% discount, so they make it worth your while. I travelled with my BFF of nearly 20 years. She will also be cruising with me on this upcoming cruise on the Dream, along with my aunt.
Has anyone started a facebook page? If not, I don't mind starting one.

Stephanie, do you mind sharing your FE experience. I participated for the 1st time on my cruise last week and thought it was awesome. I enjoyed it as much as the kids.

Talk to everyone soon, Sueane

You are the second to reply to this thread so nothing had been started yet. I thought I was sailing alone until now. Though I see you started a page so that's great. I'll join in a bit.

With my FE exchange I was pretty disappointed. For several reasons. It seems like most famlies only signed up to get free stuff and didn't bother to put any effort into their gifts and make them pretty sad actually. I'll make a point that it's NOT about the $ spent, or even what it is, but effort IMO. It's clear when people just sign up for free stuff and make a point to give very little on their end so they come out "ahead".

There was one group that had 3 different cabins and they wanted FE gifts for the people in each cabin so had extenders on each cabin... the thing is, they only ended up giving one gift from all 3 cabins, and it was a small baggie of old Halloween candy! I felt totally ripped off by that group. That was slimey IMO.

Then, of the 15 groups, I heard thank you-s from 1. ONE! that's rude! I don't care if you like what you get or not, you at least say a thank you! I did paintings for everyone and only 1 person bothers to say thanks. It left a very bad taste in my mouth. Thank you requires no money and very little effort. But for some, it was too much. Sadly, in other gift exchanges, I seem to see the same patterns. GIMME GIMME GIMME and nothing else.

 

[lyannuzzi]

Hi!
We are booked for this trip and it will be our first DCL and our first family cruise. It'll be me and DH with 3 kids, DS 13, DD 12 and DS 4. We are bringing grandma and grandpa with us and want to participate in a FE group to add to the magic!

We are staying in 2 rooms on deck 9 and welcome any tips from the veterans ;-)

Happy holidays!

 

[lyannuzzi]

I started a face book page : Disney Dream from Port Canaveral 12/08/2014
Please feel free to join. Once we have enough people, we can start an FE group.

I couldn't find the group page... could you post a link?

Thanks!
Laura

 

[disneydiva2004]

You are the second to reply to this thread so nothing had been started yet. I thought I was sailing alone until now. Though I see you started a page so that's great. I'll join in a bit.

With my FE exchange I was pretty disappointed. For several reasons. It seems like most famlies only signed up to get free stuff and didn't bother to put any effort into their gifts and make them pretty sad actually. I'll make a point that it's NOT about the $ spent, or even what it is, but effort IMO. It's clear when people just sign up for free stuff and make a point to give very little on their end so they come out "ahead".

There was one group that had 3 different cabins and they wanted FE gifts for the people in each cabin so had extenders on each cabin... the thing is, they only ended up giving one gift from all 3 cabins, and it was a small baggie of old Halloween candy! I felt totally ripped off by that group. That was slimey IMO.

Then, of the 15 groups, I heard thank you-s from 1. ONE! that's rude! I don't care if you like what you get or not, you at least say a thank you! I did paintings for everyone and only 1 person bothers to say thanks. It left a very bad taste in my mouth. Thank you requires no money and very little effort. But for some, it was too much. Sadly, in other gift exchanges, I seem to see the same patterns. GIMME GIMME GIMME and nothing else.

That's awful about the FE group you were in. I'm sorry, I wish it were a better experience for you. I found it to be a lot of fun and everyone in my group was appreciative. There were a couple of families that only did one gift per cabin, but I found those to be the more costly/ time involved gifts. Hopefully you'll give it another chance one day and it will turn out better.

 

[ppony]

I couldn't find the group page... could you post a link?

Thanks!
Laura

x2 Can you pos a link. A search didn't turn up any groups on FB.

 

[disneydiva2004]

x2 Can you pos a link. A search didn't turn up any groups on FB.

Link listed below:

 

[disneydiva2004]

Link listed below:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/455532034552574/

 

[DisFreakInGA]

:hiya: My family will be joining you guys. It'll be me (28), DH (33), DS (2) and DD (5), and my in laws.

We went on the Fantasy on Dec 7 and LOVED it so much that we booked another on board. It was seriously the best vacation we've ever been on.

 

[shesparkles]

Hello everyone!

My hubby, Mark, and I will be joining you on December 8th! This is our first cruise, Disney or otherwise, and to say we are excited would definitely be an understatement!

I just submitted a request to join the FB group.

Nice to meet you all!

 

[DisFanJen]

Hi all!

We've not actually booked it yet but unless plans change or the ship books out before we get the chance to we'll be joining you guys on the 12/8/14 cruise.

 

[stepheevega]

Hello! We should be joining you all on this cruise. We are currently booked on the 3-day prior to this one, but changing it to the 4-day instead. We hope to join the FE group as well. We participated in the one on the February 23-27 Dream last week and had a great time. It will be my DH and DD (7), myself and hopefully my Mom & her boyfriend as well (if we can talk them into booking). Looking forward to another wonderful DCL vacation and meeting new families as well! Thanks! I also asked to join the FB group page.

 

[DreaminLarge]

I can't wait. Officially booked last night. We'll be on the 6th deck! This is our second Disney Cruise and we'll be celebrating my daughter's 5th birthday on the ship. Do you know if they do anything for birthdays?

 

[mayersunited]

Hi, we joined the Facebook group and the FE list. This will be our very first cruise and we are so excited to have family time and kid free time on a vacation. I am new to discussion boards too and don't know all the jargon. But it will be my husband and I and our two boys who will be 7 and 5. We have year round school so it's great to be able to travel at this time. I am excited for the Christmas decorations, the shows and castaway cay.

What are the must-dos? Would love tips from previous cruisers. Especially your top 3 faves.

Also with the FE gifts, what were some of the best ones that you have received?

We are going to stay overnight near the port - any recommendations?

Thanks, see you on board. We will be on the 7th floor.