Disney Dream- 3-10-2011 (3 night)

[Never to old]

Hi everyone!
We have decided to go on this cruise too! My husband and I just took a mini 3 day cruise on the Wonder last week and I decided that we would go back during the March break with the kids this time! We would love to join the FE with you - there is myself (Cathy), my DH (Stephane), my DS (10) and my DD (6) - stateroom 10045. Shhh... They don't know it yet... it is their christmas gift too! Can't wait to meet you all!
Cathy

Welcome aboard! Was the Wonder your first Disney cruise? It is nice to hear that you enjoyed so much that you scheduled another a few months later. I am adding your information to the FE list.

Vicki

 

[Never to old]

Hi Everyone! We have a new family added to the FE. The list of families participating so far in the FE can be found on page 5 post number 74.

 

[CAJS04]

Welcome aboard! Was the Wonder your first Disney cruise? It is nice to hear that you enjoyed so much that you scheduled another a few months later. I am adding your information to the FE list.

Vicki

Hi Vicki,
Actually, this will be our 3rd, but the second for the kids. We first cruised almost 3 years ago, when my DD was only 3. I prefered the cruise vs the parks - I thought she was a bit too young for the parks. And, needless to say, we (I) fell in love with cruising Disney. If any of you have any questions, please post them and I will do my best to answer! Have a wonderful day!
Cathy

 

[FreddyBeach]

I posted a question earlier, but I probably should also mention that we are going to be on this cruise as well. Our family consists of myself, my wife, my daughter (will be 15) and son (almost 14).

This is our first cruise ever and my wife is threatening to wear her life jacket for the duration!

Mike in the Maritimes.

 

[Never to old]

I posted a question earlier, but I probably should also mention that we are going to be on this cruise as well. Our family consists of myself, my wife, my daughter (will be 15) and son (almost 14).

This is our first cruise ever and my wife is threatening to wear her life jacket for the duration!

Mike in the Maritimes.

Welcome! How exciting for this to be your first cruise. Hopefully your wife will not feel the need to keep the life jacket on. I am going to have the opposite problem with my hubby. While I find the muster drill fun, my husband doesn't like it. He will be the one looking grumpy and wishing he was anywhere else than there LOL.

Vicki

 

[CAJS04]

I posted a question earlier, but I probably should also mention that we are going to be on this cruise as well. Our family consists of myself, my wife, my daughter (will be 15) and son (almost 14).

This is our first cruise ever and my wife is threatening to wear her life jacket for the duration!

Mike in the Maritimes.

Welcome fellow maritimer! No worries - it won't be hurricane season, the waves should be relatively mild. It is pretty much like a big building - you may not even notice that you are sailing along!

Where are you flying out of? We are going through Montreal...

Cathy

 

[FreddyBeach]

Welcome fellow maritimer! No worries - it won't be hurricane season, the waves should be relatively mild. It is pretty much like a big building - you may not even notice that you are sailing along!

Where are you flying out of? We are going through Montreal...

Cathy

We are using Aeroplan points and flying out of Fredericton (Freddy Beach). It's difficult to use points and fly as a group so we are going down 2 and 2. We'll all go through Montreal, but at different times... I think Halifax, Washington Dulles, are also on the agenda... We'll meet up again when we get to Orlando.

The life jacket crack is a slight exaggeration... I'm sure she'll end up loving it.

Thanks for the welcome from everyone who responded...

 

[Never to old]

Hi! I have reviewed the FE thread and various pictures. My one question for anyone who already has a FE pocket holder, what size should the pockets be? Anyone have any pictures you would to share with us newbies, that would be great too.

Happy Holidays to everyone

 

[Otimon]

Hello

I was wondering if anyone has sailed to the Bahamas and Castaway Island before and if you can answer some questions.

Since we are all going in March do you think the water will be warm or on the cold side?

I was interested in trying the blue lagoon Sea Lion encounter. Do you think we will have to wear wet suits? Can you leave when you are done or are stuck waiting for the group.

I promised my hubby that we would get to Atlantis to see the hotel and play. We are not interested in doing the beach stuff. Someone told me you can just take a taxi from the ship to the hotel. Can anyone confirm this?

Has anyone done the Ardastra Garden and City Tour? If so was it nice?

When you are at castaway island, can you go back and forth to the ship when you want to? Is the stringray adventure worth the money?

Thank you

In answer to your question about Atlantis, yes, you can take a taxi from the dock area. Just before entering Festival Place at the end of the dock, you'll find several drivers waiting to take you. It may be in a limo, van, or regular car and you'll wait a few moments until their vehicle is filled. A short walk to the vehicle and you're on your way. The cost (at least in July when we were last there) was $4pp each way. They will leave you outside the casino/mall area and you'll find vehicles waiting to take you back from the same door whenever you're ready to return to the ship.

We've always found the drivers to be most pleasant and willing to answer any questions you may have about Nassau. Just be prepared that driving in Nassau is quite different from the US (they drive on the left) and can be a bit hairy at times at intersections, etc.

Tipping at the end of the ride is strictly a personal decision but is most (of course) appreciated by the driver. I always paid $15 for the 3 of us which included a $3 tip, each way. A water taxi is available as well.

 

[CAJS04]

Hi! I have reviewed the FE thread and various pictures. My one question for anyone who already has a FE pocket holder, what size should the pockets be? Anyone have any pictures you would to share with us newbies, that would be great too.

Happy Holidays to everyone

The pockets of mine are about 6 inches x 6 inches. I'm not sure how to post pictures - sorry!

 

[Never to old]

The pockets of mine are about 6 inches x 6 inches. I'm not sure how to post pictures - sorry!

Thank you that helps.

Vicki

 

[Never to old]

In answer to your question about Atlantis, yes, you can take a taxi from the dock area. Just before entering Festival Place at the end of the dock, you'll find several drivers waiting to take you. It may be in a limo, van, or regular car and you'll wait a few moments until their vehicle is filled. A short walk to the vehicle and you're on your way. The cost (at least in July when we were last there) was $4pp each way. They will leave you outside the casino/mall area and you'll find vehicles waiting to take you back from the same door whenever you're ready to return to the ship.

We've always found the drivers to be most pleasant and willing to answer any questions you may have about Nassau. Just be prepared that driving in Nassau is quite different from the US (they drive on the left) and can be a bit hairy at times at intersections, etc.

Tipping at the end of the ride is strictly a personal decision but is most (of course) appreciated by the driver. I always paid $15 for the 3 of us which included a $3 tip, each way. A water taxi is available as well.

I thought of another question regarding Atlantis. Do you know if you can pay to do the Dig and Predator Lagoon once you are there at the hotel? Or is it just better to do the excursion with Disney?

Vicki

 

[Otimon]

I thought of another question regarding Atlantis. Do you know if you can pay to do the Dig and Predator Lagoon once you are there at the hotel? Or is it just better to do the excursion with Disney?

Vicki

Don't know about the Predator Lagoon but yes, you can pay to do The Dig once you're at the hotel. Can't say for sure but I think the price was in the $39pp range when we were at Atlantis in July.

I would assume doing the The Dig on your own would save you some $ over the Disney excursion but then on the excursion everything would be taken care of for you. As I mentioned before, it is very easy to get over and back there yourselves but being first timers you might prefer having the Disney excursion convenience.

I remember when we first began going to Atlantis you were allowed to roam the beautiful grounds at will but since 9/11 that has changed. You can walk through the casino (gamble if you wish) and go into the hotel to walk around as well. Several high-end shops flank either side of the spectacular lobby. The Dig is off the lower level of the lobby. I believe unless you're on an excursion of some sort that includes the grounds you won't be able to walk around them free anymore and now must pay a fee to do so.

Whichever you decide, I know you'll enjoy the experience. Have fun.

 

[Never to old]

Otimon

Thanks for all the great info on Atlantis.

Vicki

 

[CAJS04]

Thank you that helps.

Vicki

Vicki - if you want - PM me your email address and I can send you a picture of mine.

Cathy

 

[Never to old]

We have reached a milestone. 100 days until we sail away on a "Dream"!

 

[dfsc]

Will you please add my "group" to the FE exchange:

dfsc
Room #6592
Felicia 40
DH 47
DD 10
DS 7

Room #8143
mom and ds 5

room #2013
Mom, dad, dd 14, dd 10

Room #2015
Mom, DS 9, DS 8, DS 6

I have participated in a couple of FE, and it looks like you are on the right track with a cut off date along with asking for room#, gender and ages of the children in the room.

We are from Texas and this will be our 4th Disney cruise. We regularly visit Disneyworld and hope to visit Disneyland soon. My enthusiasm along with the newest edition to DCL has caused my party to grow to include my sister and 2 friends (husband, kids, etc). We are excited about the new ship and the new Castaway Cay enhancements.

 

[Never to old]

Welcome aboard dfsc group. I will add you all to the FE. Feel to offer any advice to us newbies

Vicki

 

[Never to old]

Hi Everyone!

I just added 4 more families to the FE. Please see post 74 on page 5 for a list of those who have told me so far that they want to participate.

Vicki

 

[dfsc]

Hi Everyone!

I just added 4 more families to the FE. Please see post 74 on page 5 for a list of those who have told me so far that they want to participate.

Vicki

I have always had a hard time figuring out what to give, but after a few FE exchanges I now have a arsenal of ideas. I'll mention a few of the FE gifts that my family have received that "wowed" me with the givers creativity.

Journal - simply created on the givers computer with typing paper, but I kept it by my bed on the ship and wrote in it every night. I now treasure the journal since it reminds me of the places we visited, people we met, activities we enjoyed, food we loved, etc.

Photo frame Christmas ornament - it hangs on my tree with a picture from the cruise and reminds me every Christmas of the trip

Door magnets - several links on this site have graphics that can be printed on magnet paper. I keep the magnets on my kids "to do" board and I consider them a creative (free) souvenir.

Items from the givers state or country. We cruised on the Mediterranean sailing this summer and I loved all the candy, postcards, trinkets, etc. from around the world that we received.

Trading pins - these can be purchased for less than $1 on ebay and it allows the kids to have a pin to trade with a CM during the pin trading event and makes a cute souvenir. Lanyard to hang trading pins on.

Toys for beach fun like a beach ball, sand pail, goggles, sunglasses, etc.

Small bottle of hand sanitizer, chapstick, sunscreen, etc. you can never have enough of these items.

Deck of cards or another game, the kids would pull these out during the trip home and I appreciated the time killer.

These are two ideas that I have done in the past for my children. A photo mat or pillowcase can be given to guest services at the beginnig of the cruise and they will have the characters sign the mat or pillowcase. Just put the items in a ziploc bag with your room # and name and they will return it to your room by the end of the cruise. You can include the sharpie markers (if you want specific colors) or they will use theirs and you can leave instructions like Princesses or Fab 5 signatures.

I hope this helps everyone