Disney dream - 01-30-11

[mpetersen]

so we got up at midnight and were slightly dissapointed- no reservation for Palo, and no spa villas. Still we're going to try and get reservations onboard and if not our honeymoon will still be wonderful!

to ensure we have something special Im ordering a gift basket from shirley. After hearing about how wonderful they are from people on these boards I figured why not. Im surprising DH (and myself)- basically gave her a few minor requests, some information and asked her to make the rest a surprise.
Anyone ever order a basket from her?

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Hi everyone!

This is so great that I can meet people that Im crusing with. My DH and I are honeymooning on this Dream sailing and cannot wait- we got married in september but held off our honeymoon to be on the brand new ship.

we're first time cruisers too so we have no idea what to expect, Im hoping I can get any reservation for Palo and some spa time when our booking opens up tuesday

Congratulations on your wedding! My DH and I went on our honeymoon on DCL back in 2008. We got married in June '08 and had our honeymoon in September '08, best decision ever! We had the couples massage which was well worth the money and pretty romantic. My DH also surprised me with flowers in our room. I hope DCL can accomodate your request for a honeymoon celebration in Palo or Remy.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

mpetersen, we have used Shirley a couple of times. She does make pretty baskets. Hopefully, DCL can help you with your honeymoon requests for Palo or Remy! If not, you have a great attitude!

 

[cstief]

I just reserved my spot on the 1/30/11 cruise. I will be traveling with my two boys, and I am nervous about traveling as a single parent. I am worried I will either get no time away from the kids, or too much free time. My boys are 10 and 5. I went on a disney cruise in 2001, so it has been a long time. I just signed up at the disboards, although I have been visiting for years, and always found them so helpful in planning my WDW trips.

I am excited and nervous!

Caroline

 

[PIGLETSMOMMA]

I just reserved my spot on the 1/30/11 cruise. I will be traveling with my two boys, and I am nervous about traveling as a single parent. I am worried I will either get no time away from the kids, or too much free time. My boys are 10 and 5. I went on a disney cruise in 2001, so it has been a long time. I just signed up at the disboards, although I have been visiting for years, and always found them so helpful in planning my WDW trips.

I am excited and nervous!

Caroline

Welcome Caroline!

I would just say to be ready, in your mind, for whatever happens and you will be in a beautiful place regardless! It's kind of like living a "Dream"!

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Hi Caroline and welcome! Don't stress over being a single parent. It will all work out just fine. We took the 2005 Panama Canal cruise with a DISer that was alone with her two wonderful boys. It was 14 days and she did fine alone.

 

[first timers]

I just reserved my spot on the 1/30/11 cruise. I will be traveling with my two boys, and I am nervous about traveling as a single parent. I am worried I will either get no time away from the kids, or too much free time. My boys are 10 and 5. I went on a disney cruise in 2001, so it has been a long time. I just signed up at the disboards, although I have been visiting for years, and always found them so helpful in planning my WDW trips.

I am excited and nervous!

Caroline

Sign the kids up for the club and the lab. They get to meet new friends, Mom gets some time for herself and time for adult activities on the ship. Most times when we are at a table with kids, they come to dinner the first night, then we don't see them at dinner again because they eat with the other kids. Just relax and enjoy. Alex

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I just reserved my spot on the 1/30/11 cruise. I will be traveling with my two boys, and I am nervous about traveling as a single parent. I am worried I will either get no time away from the kids, or too much free time. My boys are 10 and 5. I went on a disney cruise in 2001, so it has been a long time. I just signed up at the disboards, although I have been visiting for years, and always found them so helpful in planning my WDW trips.

I am excited and nervous!

Caroline

Welcome!!!!! Don't be too nervous, I am sure things will be great. If you get too lonely because the kiddos are having a last with their new friends, you can always find me at the pool and we can chat.

 

[kaseyC]

I just reserved my spot on the 1/30/11 cruise. I will be traveling with my two boys, and I am nervous about traveling as a single parent. I am worried I will either get no time away from the kids, or too much free time. My boys are 10 and 5. I went on a disney cruise in 2001, so it has been a long time. I just signed up at the disboards, although I have been visiting for years, and always found them so helpful in planning my WDW trips.

I am excited and nervous!

Caroline

Welcome!! Don't be nervous. I've done it 3 times and will be doing it again on this cruise. I'm taking just my two youngest DDs (ages 9 and 7) this time, DH and DD 15 are staying at home. Things just seem to balance themselves out. We always have dinner together, even though the girls will leave early at times for something in the club. I will then enjoy a nice leisurely dessert and coffee. We also always make a point of seeing the shows together. Rest of the time, we just go with the flow. I always carry my Kindle with me, so I'm never truly alone.

 

[mpetersen]

re: cruise discounts

thanks to everyone here I checked with our TA and got a refund of $560!! guess rates went down since we booked last november

got the money back and booked us some massages-- money well spent

 

[PIGLETSMOMMA]

re: cruise discounts

thanks to everyone here I checked with our TA and got a refund of $560!! guess rates went down since we booked last november

got the money back and booked us some massages-- money well spent

How do I know if I would have a refund?

 

[ljm23]

Hi everyone! We're in. It will be myself DW, my husband DH, and our 12yo DS. SOOOO excited. We are scheduled to do the Dream at the end of May but just couldn't wait that long!
I notice many of you are doing back to back's with the inaugural, wow, can't wait to hear about it onboard.
Laura

 

[mem22]

Hey everyone, I'm Mike, ljm23's (Laura) DH. So excited to join this group!! Hope everyone that is on the MV has tips for us when we meet!! Speaking of meeting I've always loved meeting our fellow cruisers and would love a get together after we board . What we've done on our other cruises is met at the Goofy pool at 3pm. This gave us an hour to meet, have a couple drinks and then scoot back for the drill. Anyone up for that??
Also...don't know if anyone is interested but on our last cruise we bought green silicone bracelets for the DISers on our trip. This way we could identify who was a DISer right away . We met people in the port, hotel, on board etc...it was a great way to start a conversation! I attached a pic, let me know what you think.

 

[cstief]

I love the bracelet idea. I will travelling alone with my kids, so I would love to meet some other adults to talk to.

Caroline

 

[kaseyC]

I really like the idea of the bracelets.

 

[mpetersen]

meeting would be nice, i like the idea of the wrist bands

speaking of times, does anyone know what time WDW transport will get us to the port? we're staying at Port Orleans riverside for 3 nights before the cruise. Once i get on board id like to run to ??? to try and get a Palo reservation... where do i go? will i have enough time?

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I love the bracelet idea too!

 

[ljm23]

meeting would be nice, i like the idea of the wrist bands

speaking of times, does anyone know what time WDW transport will get us to the port? we're staying at Port Orleans riverside for 3 nights before the cruise. Once i get on board id like to run to ??? to try and get a Palo reservation... where do i go? will i have enough time?

You should call Disney about the time for the bus, I think it varies by hotel. Hopefully you get to port before they start boarding (typically around 11:50). As for the Palo ressies, not sure, it used to be you went to diversions, then another time we were on they moved it to wavebands. Don't think anyone knows on Dream, they'll tell you when you enter the ship if you ask your escort, no worries. Then the trouble is knowing your way around a new ship! Most of the lounges are 1 deck up from the deck that you enter on. Maps of the deck plans are here:
Dream Deck Plans http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-cruise-line/dream-fantasy-deck-plan.htm
Good luck!

 

[mem22]

Laura (ljm23) checked last night and we have 20 bracelets left. Two dollars each if you're interested Laura handled this the last time so I"m sure she'd be willing to do it again???.. lol
Mike

 

[ljm23]

Hey everyone, you're going to love this. I just happened to be looking at the news section of these boards and saw that Disney is offering an extra $100 OBC for this cruise for categories 4A-6B. The offer code is DDO. The article is here
I called and they applied it to my cruise on top of the $25 we already got for booking online! WAHOO