DISNEY DREAM 5-nights May 29th, 2011

[Carolina Girl 68]

Very exciting that tomorrow is the 29th!!!

 

[philatiger]

Very exciting that tomorrow is the 29th!!!

I started my mental countdown yesterday since we arrive at Old Key West on the 27th.

 

[spacecoastimage]

My best friend told me about this DIS Forums! I am so excited about the cruise. I have a family of 5 going, plus my Mom and Dad. My husband will also be having a birthday on June 2! Any ideas on a surprise that I can do for him?

 

[Carolina Girl 68]

I started my mental countdown yesterday since we arrive at Old Key West on the 27th.

So Jealous!!

 

[Carolina Girl 68]

My best friend told me about this DIS Forums! I am so excited about the cruise. I have a family of 5 going, plus my Mom and Dad. My husband will also be having a birthday on June 2! Any ideas on a surprise that I can do for him?

Welcome spacecoastimage! The Dis Boards are FULL of great ideas. I was lucky enough to celebrate my 40th b'day a couple of years ago on the Wonder. The dining staff was really great--got my own little cake and they all sang!

 

[zimaaaaah]

Can't believe it is getting that close! We went for a little "Spring Break" with the kids last weekend and it SNOWED again! We want warm and we want it NOW!! I know some of you can relate from all the pictures you have posted. Looking so forward to our 2 days at CC!

 

[GreatWhiteNorth]

I started my mental countdown yesterday since we arrive at Old Key West on the 27th.

Me too! I fly in on the 27th and will be driving to the port on the 28th
Staying at the Radisson.

 

[BLeeS]

From what I hear, Disney has some sort of arrangement with Atlantis not to book independent. Not sure how much checking they do to ensure that you are not on the ship.

We are first time cruisers and have been so bummed that just about everything that we wished to do, was booked! So, I too, called Atlantis myself and I was completely up front about our situation and both guest services as well as the front desk offered this information: Room rate is a flat $440 plus 18% for what we wanted to do. I asked why not let me book a much cheaper room, say the $320 room, but they said, not possible. They will book you in advance or they said you can walk up (weary of this one). I also asked how early we could get our Aquaventure bands, since check in was technically not until 3:00, they said immediately! So, how much is true, not really sure...we just want to take our boys to the Atlantis water park!

 

[kimistry6]

I started my mental countdown yesterday since we arrive at Old Key West on the 27th.

We start on the 27th as well, but we are driving down so wanted to go half way on friday and finish the drive on saturday. We've never done a 11+ hour drive with the boys before so we're not sure how it will work out.

 

[kimistry6]

We are first time cruisers and have been so bummed that just about everything that we wished to do, was booked! So, I too, called Atlantis myself and I was completely up front about our situation and both guest services as well as the front desk offered this information: Room rate is a flat $440 plus 18% for what we wanted to do. I asked why not let me book a much cheaper room, say the $320 room, but they said, not possible. They will book you in advance or they said you can walk up (weary of this one). I also asked how early we could get our Aquaventure bands, since check in was technically not until 3:00, they said immediately! So, how much is true, not really sure...we just want to take our boys to the Atlantis water park!

There is a recent thread on the main board about Atlantis and day passes. From what I read, they seem to be out of the walk up (day passes) for awhile.

 

[Miz Diz]

We are first time cruisers and have been so bummed that just about everything that we wished to do, was booked! So, I too, called Atlantis myself and I was completely up front about our situation and both guest services as well as the front desk offered this information: Room rate is a flat $440 plus 18% for what we wanted to do. I asked why not let me book a much cheaper room, say the $320 room, but they said, not possible. They will book you in advance or they said you can walk up (weary of this one). I also asked how early we could get our Aquaventure bands, since check in was technically not until 3:00, they said immediately! So, how much is true, not really sure...we just want to take our boys to the Atlantis water park!

Look up comfort suites, paradise island and book a room there. When I checked a few weeks ago, it was much cheaper and you get the full benefit of Atlantis. We decided that we are going to stay on the ship this trip and do Atlantis next time.

 

[heatherlynn444]

hey everyone, havent been on in awhile and noticed we are up to 36 FE families, yikes! I dont know about anyone else...but that is getting really big, and starting to get really expensive....is there going to be a cut off, or any plans to split it if it gets any bigger? If it keeps growing I may have to back out due to insufficient funds...am I the only one concerned about this? Hate to be the debbie downer! I wanted to do a nice gift but I am going to have to rethink if it keeps growing. thoughts anyone else?

ps-i have a countdown on a dry erase board on my refrigerator!

 

[philatiger]

hey everyone, havent been on in awhile and noticed we are up to 36 FE families, yikes! I dont know about anyone else...but that is getting really big, and starting to get really expensive....is there going to be a cut off, or any plans to split it if it gets any bigger? If it keeps growing I may have to back out due to insufficient funds...am I the only one concerned about this? Hate to be the debbie downer! I wanted to do a nice gift but I am going to have to rethink if it keeps growing. thoughts anyone else?

ps-i have a countdown on a dry erase board on my refrigerator!

Some others have expressed an interest in splitting up the group. If I remember correctly Virigina set the cut off for the 15th of April. I would guess at the cut off date the group can decide on the split.

 

[lar32]

BLee,
I saw your post and yes, check out comfort suites. We are booked checking in on the 31st and out on the 1st. We've done this before and it's simple and cheaper. We prefer to check in and check out at the same time. You are directed over to a towel booth at Atlantis where you show them a receipt and get your wristbands. This time of year is definitely not cheap even at the Comfort Suites but it still works out cheaper for us than using DCL. Our room is close to $400. With DCL it was going to be around $700. Now our one issue is we have a fifth person (our 4 year old). We may leave her on the ship or try to get a day pass for her at the time if they hassle us over her. She'll have no desire to do any of the slides so we'll play that be ear. I also posted a note seeing if anyone had a party of 3 that would have an extra bracelet. Good luck. It's well worth it. Also have room service pack you up some sandwiches beforehand if you'd like to save a few bucks...or a lot of bucks!!!

 

[TamieH]

We are spending a week in Orlando before the cruise, so we leave on our 2 WEEK VACATION on May 21st which is the day after school gets out. I am SO EXCITED I can hardly stand it. I've been on a monster software implementation at work for the last 2 1/2 years and I SO need a 2 week vacation. I've never actually taken 2 weeks off from work before, so we'll see how hard it is to go back. Luckily, I only have to work about 3 1/2 weeks after we return before taking off another 1 1/2 weeks to go camping. Haven't been able to take much time off the last few years, so I'm making good use of that saved vacation this year.

Looking forward to the week in the timeshare doing the parks, but REALLY looking forward to the cruise. We quickly discovered that cruising is a true vacation and we all love it. This is cruise #4 and I'm already ready to plan #5.

 

[diane648]

We start on the 27th as well, but we are driving down so wanted to go half way on friday and finish the drive on saturday. We've never done a 11+ hour drive with the boys before so we're not sure how it will work out.

We're doing the same as you - we're leaving from Franklin, TN (just South of Nashville) & driving to the North side of Atlanta after work on Friday night. We'll drive to Cape Canaveral on Saturday.

 

[abcangie87]

Okay gang. I'm new to Disboards but not new to Disney/DCL!! We're in a balcony category on deck 9 (I'm a travel agent and should know the category but my brain is fried right now)!

Flying in on the 28th, staying the night at OKW on DVC points, then staying one night after the cruise at Saratoga too.

Travelling with hubby, DD7, DD3, and my inlaws in the adjoining room. (So we don't have to go to bed at 830 with the three year old lol.

So there's a gazillion posts on this thread. Someone catch me up in a nutshell...do we know how many families we've got on here? Is there a DisMeet and if so when/where? Am I invited?

We've been booked since November 2009, so, to say we're READY for this trip to get here, is an understatement!!!

 

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Okay gang. I'm new to Disboards but not new to Disney/DCL!! We're in a balcony category on deck 9 (I'm a travel agent and should know the category but my brain is fried right now)!

Flying in on the 28th, staying the night at OKW on DVC points, then staying one night after the cruise at Saratoga too.

Travelling with hubby, DD7, DD3, and my inlaws in the adjoining room. (So we don't have to go to bed at 830 with the three year old lol.

So there's a gazillion posts on this thread. Someone catch me up in a nutshell...do we know how many families we've got on here? Is there a DisMeet and if so when/where? Am I invited?

We've been booked since November 2009, so, to say we're READY for this trip to get here, is an understatement!!!

Let me be the first to say
This is my first cruise so I have no answers but lots of questions
There are alot of family's doing the FE but I know someone on here will fill you in on that. Still hoping someone will organize a meet and greet

 

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Both the Vista Cafe and Deck 13 are great spots for meet and greet.....Vista Cafe is a smaller area. Deck 13 is huge with plenty of seating.
Sailed with a large group a few weeks back and several of us met up after muster before sailaway at the aft end of the family pool. Someone was able to go up on the balcony above us and take a great picture of our group and then we were all there together as Sailaway started.
If people head straight up from muster (which you can do now that you don't need to wear your life jackets to muster) you'll find each other easily and the space should be uncrowded.
We’re doing our first meet at 3:00 (about an hour before the lifeboat drill) in the Vista Café - Deck-4 starboard. It’s just up the grand staircase, and across form shutters. Comfy spot, and fairly quiet on boarding day.
Got these from another thread

 

[abcangie87]

Alright still learning my disboard lingo... What is an FE?