DISNEY DREAM 5-nights May 29th, 2011

[philatiger]

How did you get that rate? I got it in Jan with that friends and family code but wasn't able to get it for may, paying $114 for just a regular room

We used the friends and family code too. We booked Dec 10th, not sure if booking early made a difference. We were worried the rooms would fill up fast with the increase in passengers on the dream and it being Memorial day weekend.

 

[ljm23]

We used the friends and family code too. We booked Dec 10th, not sure if booking early made a difference. We were worried the rooms would fill up fast with the increase in passengers on the dream and it being Memorial day weekend.

Good thinking! I could kick myself!

 

[disneyfool_1202]

Good thinking! I could kick myself!

I'd keep watching the rate and any specials they have and if they dip lower than the price of your ressie, call them and ask them to cancel / rebook at the lower rate. You could also call them and say "my friend is paying x for this and I'm paying x for this - can you match it???
What can they do? Say no??

 

[Disneyelf10]

Well the pixie dust didn't get here soon enough! School called off at 5:45 this morning and that means I have to stay home from work because I can't find a sitter. While many folks like to stay home from work (and usually I am one of them) I work per dium so if I don't work, I don't get paid. I missed the first 2 wks of January due to an unexpected illness that required a week in the hospital (I'm fine now) but I just can't seem to catch a break!

Oh well - in a few months this weather will be behind us and we'll be all warm and toasty sitting on the Dream with our umbrella drinks!!!

Sorry the pixie dust was late but at least it turned to rain- right?
Boy I didn't watch the news and thought everyone went to school....that sticks about not working/paid thing....
This has been a tough winter so far and I don't like it! LOL!

 

[TiffJ]

I am so excited for this cruise! We have been working extra hard lately and can all use a break!

I have questions about my kids. First, I'd love for them to meet some other kids before the cruise, so please email if you have kids of similar ages. They will be 11 and 13 at the time of sailing and they are into video games, Disney, Star Wars, Soccer, Legos, and hanging out with friends and running around playing games like Zombie Tag!

Second, how much freedom to I give them on the cruise? When they were little we checked them into and out of programs but I don't think we will be doing that any more? Have you used 2 way radios? How do you keep contact but still give them freedom? Our cell phones didn't work on our other cruises and I'm not sure how to manage this. I know they are excited to meet others and do their own thing but I want family time too and I do get worried if I don't know approximately where they are. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

HI Guys!!

Throwing my name in to the list. I've just now gotten around to looking for this thread.

Lawflyfish- I have 2 boys as well. 10 & 13. My 13 yo will have more freedom than the 10yo. 10 yo is not really interested in going to the kids club but would probably love it if he had some kids he "knew" in there. I know he would like the activities if he gave them a chance.

It is me, DH & 2 DS10 & DS13. It is my 5th cruise. All others were on the Magic. I am thrilled to get CC twice I love that place!!

I will try to read through the thread. But does anyone have any plans on Nassau so far? I would love to take the boys snorkeling but I've seen mixed reviews. Any input??

I look forward to getting to know you guys and 19 more Fridays is awesome!!!

 

[TiffJ]

Forgot to add our names:

Me- Tiffany
DH- Joe
DS10- Seth
DS13- Parker

Please also add me to the FE list. This will be my first time with the FE & it should be a blast. Time to start making a list......

 

[disneyfool_1202]

Welcome Tiffany and family! The closer we get to our cruise, this thread is getting more and more active- got to love that!!!!

As I sit here looking out of my kitchen window all I can see is MORE FLIPPIN SNOW! Yup- WAS raining today - now it's snowing..again, with another full blown Nor'easter on the way Thurs into Friday.
I am ready to pack it in and move south!! I'm trying to watch the weather while I eat dinner and cruise the DISboards, but multi-tasking to that extent is impossible with the kids at the same table. Maybe some day they'll like eachother, like their dinner, not fight over what's on TV, etc....

No plans for Nassau for us yet. Not sure if we are even getting off the boat and if we do, it won't be with the kids (my mom AND MIL will be on teh cruise with us so we'll just leave them with them.

We usually do our "fun in the sun" excursions on CC and not in Nassau. All we've ever done in Nassau is shop! My favorite past time!!!!

 

[philatiger]

Welcome Tiffany and family! The closer we get to our cruise, this thread is getting more and more active- got to love that!!!!

As I sit here looking out of my kitchen window all I can see is MORE FLIPPIN SNOW! Yup- WAS raining today - now it's snowing..again, with another full blown Nor'easter on the way Thurs into Friday.
I am ready to pack it in and move south!! I'm trying to watch the weather while I eat dinner and cruise the DISboards, but multi-tasking to that extent is impossible with the kids at the same table. Maybe some day they'll like eachother, like their dinner, not fight over what's on TV, etc....

No plans for Nassau for us yet. Not sure if we are even getting off the boat and if we do, it won't be with the kids (my mom AND MIL will be on teh cruise with us so we'll just leave them with them.

We usually do our "fun in the sun" excursions on CC and not in Nassau. All we've ever done in Nassau is shop! My favorite past time!!!!

I'm with you on this snow. Enough already. Every year we get a little snow but this is 2 years in a row of excessive. Last year broke all records for us.

5 more years and I will be in Florida....

 

[philatiger]

Forgot to add our names:

Me- Tiffany
DH- Joe
DS10- Seth
DS13- Parker

Please also add me to the FE list. This will be my first time with the FE & it should be a blast. Time to start making a list......

Tiffany and family. I have added you to the roll call. Virginia will add you to the FE list next time she signs in.

 

[kimistry6]

Our plans for Nassau. We are hoping to do Discover Atlantis in Nassau. This being our first cruise we are at the mercy of most everyone else booking before us. Other than this excursion, nothing really interests us in Nassau. I looked at Blue Island Beach and it looks really good too.

Philatiger, I agree with everyone else, I always come on here to see the Friday countdown . I haven't been on here since last week and that was the first thing I looked for in this thread.

We booked our room for C I&S way back in September for $114 a night as well. We have the cruise and park package but we have decided to park at the port instead now.

 

[philatiger]

Our plans for Nassau. We are hoping to do Discover Atlantis in Nassau. This being our first cruise we are at the mercy of most everyone else booking before us. Other than this excursion, nothing really interests us in Nassau. I looked at Blue Island Beach and it looks really good too.

Philatiger, I agree with everyone else, I always come on here to see the Friday countdown . I haven't been on here since last week and that was the first thing I looked for in this thread.

We booked our room for C I&S way back in September for $114 a night as well. We have the cruise and park package but we have decided to park at the port instead now.

I promise not to forget this week....

 

[disneyfool_1202]

I promise not to forget this week....

Do you realize (and I"m sure you do but I'm posting this for my visual benefit) that in 8 short weeks we'll be in SINGLE DIGITS!!!!!!!!!!

 

[philatiger]

Jennifer Hudson had the honor of christening Disney’s newbuild from Meyer Werft. The singer/actress performed and interacted with Disney characters. Company executives and Hudson were quick to point out that she got her Oscar-winning career started on the Disney Wonder as a singer.

I don't know how I didn't know she started on the Wonder. Here is a link to some of the christening pictures: http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/5004-disney-dream-christening-photo-gallery.html

 

[Disneyholic]

Our plans for Nassau. We are hoping to do Discover Atlantis in Nassau. This being our first cruise we are at the mercy of most everyone else booking before us. Other than this excursion, nothing really interests us in Nassau. I looked at Blue Island Beach and it looks really good too.

Philatiger, I agree with everyone else, I always come on here to see the Friday countdown . I haven't been on here since last week and that was the first thing I looked for in this thread.

We booked our room for C I&S way back in September for $114 a night as well. We have the cruise and park package but we have decided to park at the port instead now.

This is our 3rd cruise but I will be waiting right along with you to book excursions & such. I just can't justify giving my money 15 days earlier just so I have the Privelege to book. I will be waiting to pay till around 75 days out. Just because we CAN pay at 90 days doesn't mean we HAVE to. Final payment is due on 75 days out & that is what I did last cruise too. I still ended up getting Palo, because I made it for an early time on the first night. Everyone worries about booking it on the first night, but for us it worked out. It was also my birthday, so that made it special, too. We had 6:00 ressies at Palo, so we ate and then went to the dining room after to meet our tablemates & servers and talk till dinner was served. We didn't order anything so we left when the food came. This worked out well for us. If there is anything available again for this cruise we may try that again for Palo or possibly Remy.

 

[disneyfool_1202]

I just can't justify giving my money 15 days earlier just so I have the Privelege to book. I will be waiting to pay till around 75 days out. Just because we CAN pay at 90 days doesn't mean we HAVE to. Final payment is due on 75 days out & that is what I did last cruise too.

I'm ... I thought the booking window is based on your castaway cay level?

 

[TiffJ]

It is but you have to be paid in full to book.


I told my kids yesterday about DIS meet & FE exchange. DS13 told me "but you taught us not to meet strangers off the internet" Now, I've met many people off the DIS before. I did the 1/2 marathons & we had WISH meets at each one. But that was several years ago before he was old enough to realize it was technically meeting people off the internet. Anyone have a come back??

 

[CrazyBoutDisney]

......I told my kids yesterday about DIS meet & FE exchange. DS13 told me "but you taught us not to meet strangers off the internet" Now, I've met many people off the DIS before. I did the 1/2 marathons & we had WISH meets at each one. But that was several years ago before he was old enough to realize it was technically meeting people off the internet. Anyone have a come back??

Good job, mom, for teaching your kids that!!

1. It's not meeting just anyone off the internet. In this case, you will be meeting many of these people anyway on the cruise in the elevators, at the pools, as your tablemates in the restaurants, etc, etc. Lucky for us, the internet/DIS has enabled us to "meet" beforehand so we aren't vacationing with TOTAL strangers!
2. It's not meeting one-on-one. It's more families meeting families. Think of it like moving and meeting your new neighbors!

 

[philatiger]

Virtual Tour of the Dream: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/the-...dream-panoramic-photo-tour,0,3356692.htmlpage

 

[Disneyholic]

I'm ... I thought the booking window is based on your castaway cay level?

It is, but you also have to be paid in full before you book excursions & dinners. If I pay at 90 days I can book, but I have until 75 days to pay in full, just won't be able to book anything till I do.

 

[kimistry6]

It is, but you also have to be paid in full before you book excursions & dinners. If I pay at 90 days I can book, but I have until 75 days to pay in full, just won't be able to book anything till I do.

This is good to know. For some reason I had it in my head that you had to be paid in full for each level when the booking date opened. 120 days prior, etc.