Disney Dream! 8/15/2012

[Savannah Mom]

Thanks for the sympaty, haha.. I think we need to go in person because none of us ever had one. We have to go all together which makes it more difficult with my husbands schedule, but I got an appt. for next Tuesday. The lady on the phone said I have "plenty of time" to do it non-expidited. Makes me nervous haha. Their camera is down she said to go to Walgreens and bring our photos, so there's a fun activitiy with the kids haha.


We're leaving in just under 2 weeks for a almost 2 week trip up to the Philly area to visit family (just the kids and I, driving...)so that should make the time pass super fast!!

Hey do you guys think I can lose 40 pounds before this cruise

 

[Cruisin]

Hey do you guys think I can lose 40 pounds before this cruise

Good luck, but if you do figure out a way, please let us all know how you did it

 

[KTills]

Thanks for the sympaty, haha.. I think we need to go in person because none of us ever had one. We have to go all together which makes it more difficult with my husbands schedule, but I got an appt. for next Tuesday. The lady on the phone said I have "plenty of time" to do it non-expidited. Makes me nervous haha. Their camera is down she said to go to Walgreens and bring our photos, so there's a fun activitiy with the kids haha.

We're leaving in just under 2 weeks for a almost 2 week trip up to the Philly area to visit family (just the kids and I, driving...)so that should make the time pass super fast!!

Hey do you guys think I can lose 40 pounds before this cruise

Glad you got the passport thing moving along! Sounds like you're going to be busy...good way to keep occupied!

I'm hoping hoping hoping we don't have any tropical storms/hurricanes around our sail date. I'll just cry! I did a bad thing and stumbled on a thread on the disboards about people that were caught in bad weather during their cruise. Wishing I hadn't read that! Fingers are crossed!!

 

[Savannah Mom]

Good luck, but if you do figure out a way, please let us all know how you did it

And then I'll share the millions I make with y'all so we can Disney cruise whenever we want!

Seriously though, couldn't my husband have given me some more warning? At least it is totally motivating me (well that and going to visit family I haven't seen since 20 pounds ago ) to eat better and workout most days

 

[spdztr]

Hi everyone, here's another family who'll be on the ship with you guys!

My name is Tom, and I'll have my wife and 2 kids with me (4.5 and 2.5), and we're really looking forward to it!

We're flying in the day before from Toronto, renting a car for the day, and will drive to Port Canaveral - stopping at probably a few Targets on the way. Couldn't believe how much cheaper this was compared to shuttle!

Still haven't booked a hotel, but I see many reccomendations for Radisson, La Quinta, Hampton. Anything else I should look at?

For the way back to MCO, I decided to shuttle/limo instead of renting a car - anyone have a suggestion for a reasonably priced company?

We have a guarantee balcony, and I don't have a room # yet - did anyone else with a guarantee get their assisngment yet, or will it be closer to the date?

No excursions for us on this cruise, we've been to Nassau a few times, so hopefully people will get off the ship and maybe the lineup for the waterslide won't be so bad.

Less than 6 weeks to go!

 

[KimRaye]

For the way back to MCO, I decided to shuttle/limo instead of renting a car - anyone have a suggestion for a reasonably priced company?

Welcome aboard!

Won't DCL shuttle you?

 

[KTills]

Hi everyone, here's another family who'll be on the ship with you guys!

My name is Tom, and I'll have my wife and 2 kids with me (4.5 and 2.5), and we're really looking forward to it!

We're flying in the day before from Toronto, renting a car for the day, and will drive to Port Canaveral - stopping at probably a few Targets on the way. Couldn't believe how much cheaper this was compared to shuttle!

Still haven't booked a hotel, but I see many reccomendations for Radisson, La Quinta, Hampton. Anything else I should look at?

For the way back to MCO, I decided to shuttle/limo instead of renting a car - anyone have a suggestion for a reasonably priced company?



We have a guarantee balcony, and I don't have a room # yet - did anyone else with a guarantee get their assisngment yet, or will it be closer to the date?

No excursions for us on this cruise, we've been to Nassau a few times, so hopefully people will get off the ship and maybe the lineup for the waterslide won't be so bad.

Less than 6 weeks to go!

Welcome aboard!

I don't have any car service or hotel recommendations for you (we live just an hour away, so we just drive over), but we did the guranteed verandah this trip as well and from what I understand, we'll get our room numbers a couple of weeks out. Doesn't stop me from checking every day though!! I've read on the boards that most people are receiving them 13-16 days out.

No excursions for us either this trip. We don't really care for Nassau, and last time we went, it was a great time to take advantage of things on board. No shops open, but the pool was less crowded (in the morning) and the Aqua Duck wasn't too bad either.

Fun times! Is this your first time on the Dream? Are your kids excited?? You may know this, but we traveled with a just over 2.5 year old last time and although they are supposed to be 3 to go to the Oceaneer Club/Lab, she was able to go. Because she was potty trained and handled it fine without fussing, they let her stay. This was my niece, so her sister and my son kind of looked after her...and my brother never left her in there for TOO long...but it saved them having to pay at the Nursery and it was way more fun for her. Just something to consider, in case you hadn't already!

Kristin

 

[spdztr]

Welcome aboard!

Won't DCL shuttle you?

I'm sure they will! But for probably 2 to 3x the cost of other shuttles.

 

[tripster222]

Hi everyone, here's another family who'll be on the ship with you guys!

My name is Tom, and I'll have my wife and 2 kids with me (4.5 and 2.5), and we're really looking forward to it!

We're flying in the day before from Toronto, renting a car for the day, and will drive to Port Canaveral - stopping at probably a few Targets on the way. Couldn't believe how much cheaper this was compared to shuttle!

Still haven't booked a hotel, but I see many reccomendations for Radisson, La Quinta, Hampton. Anything else I should look at?

For the way back to MCO, I decided to shuttle/limo instead of renting a car - anyone have a suggestion for a reasonably priced company?

We have a guarantee balcony, and I don't have a room # yet - did anyone else with a guarantee get their assisngment yet, or will it be closer to the date?

No excursions for us on this cruise, we've been to Nassau a few times, so hopefully people will get off the ship and maybe the lineup for the waterslide won't be so bad.

Less than 6 weeks to go!

Hello! Welcome to the group! You might want to try Travelynx or A-1 Sunshine State Transportation LLC for a reasonably priced shuttle/limo company. They are both very close in price. We actually have A-1 booked because they replied first (and their price is just slightly lower); but, I would have been just as happy to go with Travelynx. We are using A-1 both from and to the airport. ~ Karen

 

[spdztr]

Fun times! Is this your first time on the Dream? Are your kids excited?? You may know this, but we traveled with a just over 2.5 year old last time and although they are supposed to be 3 to go to the Oceaneer Club/Lab, she was able to go. Because she was potty trained and handled it fine without fussing, they let her stay. This was my niece, so her sister and my son kind of looked after her...and my brother never left her in there for TOO long...but it saved them having to pay at the Nursery and it was way more fun for her. Just something to consider, in case you hadn't already!

Kristin

Thanks Kristin for the tip about taking the younger one to the Oceaneer Club. We've been talking about this because from other reviews I read the kids really love it, but we can't seperate our kids. The younger one only wants to do what the older is doing! The problem is that the younger one isn't potty trained, nor do I see that happening in the next 5.5 weeks! So we'll have to play it by ear when we're on board, but we're not getting any nursery hours prior to sailing.

Hello! Welcome to the group! You might want to try Travelynx or A-1 Sunshine State Transportation LLC for a reasonably priced shuttle/limo company. They are both very close in price. We actually have A-1 booked because they replied first (and their price is just slightly lower); but, I would have been just as happy to go with Travelynx. We are using A-1 both from and to the airport. ~ Karen

Thansk Karen, I'll look into those! I got a quote of $140 from VIP Limo - how do the quotes from A-1 and Travelynx compare?

Tom

 

[Cruisin]

Hi Tom and family and welcome aboard.

I just noticed that you are from Toronto. I am from about 2 1/2 hours down the road from you

If you have any questions just feel free to ask.

We are doing 2 one way car rentals for transportation. We find it to be the much cheaper option and gives us total flexibility to do what we want, when we want.

Are you planning on staying in the Orlando area the night before or are you travelling over to the coast?

 

[spdztr]

Hi Tom and family and welcome aboard.

I just noticed that you are from Toronto. I am from about 2 1/2 hours down the road from you

If you have any questions just feel free to ask.

We are doing 2 one way car rentals for transportation. We find it to be the much cheaper option and gives us total flexibility to do what we want, when we want.

Are you planning on staying in the Orlando area the night before or are you travelling over to the coast?

Where are you from?? We'll actually be flying out of Buffalo.

If I didn't have to worry about installing car seats for a 1 hour trip on the way back, I'd do the rental for the return trip too. But I just don't want the hassle when we get off the ship. I checked the price at A-1 and it's $90, so it's only a little more than the rental would have been.

I think we'll stay around the port for the night before so I don't have to worry about driving in on the morning of. This way we can wake up early, drop off the car, and head to the port!

Tom

 

[Cruisin]

Where are you from?? We'll actually be flying out of Buffalo.

If I didn't have to worry about installing car seats for a 1 hour trip on the way back, I'd do the rental for the return trip too. But I just don't want the hassle when we get off the ship. I checked the price at A-1 and it's $90, so it's only a little more than the rental would have been.

I think we'll stay around the port for the night before so I don't have to worry about driving in on the morning of. This way we can wake up early, drop off the car, and head to the port!

Tom

I am from the Chatham area. That is approximately half way between London and Windsor. Are you from the west or east side of the Toronto area?

I know that a lot of people fly out of Buffalo for the better prices. We fly out of Detroit since it is closest for us.

I can see that you wouldn't want to mess with that after your nice cruise. When you use a service do they install car seats for you?

We've never stayed at the port before. We don't get in until about 8:30 pm and I considered driving over to the port right away but decided to just stay near the airport for the night. It is only an hour drive to the port, so not really a big deal for us in the morning.

 

[spdztr]

I'm familiar with Chatham... I was in Windsor last week... and a few weeks before that (our corporate head office is there).

This is our first cruise out of Port Canaveral so I don't know what to expect. Our prior cruises have been out of Miami and Tampa. Luckily we arrive in Orlando around 6, so it should give us plenty of time.

I'm hoping that the shuttles, if they're vans or cars will have car seats.. but if not, we'll just hold the kids, not a big deal.

 

[Cruisin]

I'm familiar with Chatham... I was in Windsor last week... and a few weeks before that (our corporate head office is there).

This is our first cruise out of Port Canaveral so I don't know what to expect. Our prior cruises have been out of Miami and Tampa. Luckily we arrive in Orlando around 6, so it should give us plenty of time.

I'm hoping that the shuttles, if they're vans or cars will have car seats.. but if not, we'll just hold the kids, not a big deal.

You will find the Disney terminal is worlds above the other terminals Disney's is so nice and well decorated compared to the others which are just basically lines of office waiting room chairs all lined up in a row.

Port Canaveral is very easy to get to and easy to navigate because it is smaller, at least a lot smaller than Miami. I have not sailed out of Tampa before.

How many times have you cruised before and what cruiselines have you been on?

 

[spdztr]

You will find the Disney terminal is worlds above the other terminals Disney's is so nice and well decorated compared to the others which are just basically lines of office waiting room chairs all lined up in a row.

Port Canaveral is very easy to get to and easy to navigate because it is smaller, at least a lot smaller than Miami. I have not sailed out of Tampa before.

How many times have you cruised before and what cruiselines have you been on?

Wow that's great! Looking forward to it!

This is #6 for us.. 1st on Princess for honeymoon, then the next 4 on Carnival. We're already worried that after this we won't be able to go on anything but Disney. With my wife being a teacher however, DCL prices are just not reasonable during the prime seasons. We lucked out on this one because of a great special they had on a GTY balcony room, and it was actually cheaper than other Carnival cruises we were looking at.

How old are your kids?

 

[Cruisin]

This is cruise #22 for us. Our very first was on Carnival in 1994 and then in 2000 we started making cruising our favourite pastime LOL.

We have done 1 Carnival, 2 Norwegian, 5 Royal Caribbean ( although they think we have done 6 for some reason ) and this will be number 14 for Disney.

Disney is by far our favourite, as you can probably see by the numbers quoted above

Our children are 28 and 25 and we have no grandchildren yet. So no children cruising with us this time, just my husband, myself and my mother.

We did a Royal Caribbean cruise in February with the kids (3 including our daughter in law) and my mom. That was great fun.

 

[Dalpal]

Hello,
Welcome aboard!...We have no kids going with us either...Just My husband Mike and myself... We ARE grandparents, but this is a "just us" trip. Really looking forward to visiting with old friends and making new ones.

We will be at WDW for the five days before the cruise, so are renting a car, and will drop it at the port before the cruise and doing a one way rental from the port to the airport. Its only something like $30. for the one way from the port to the airport....Not too shabby!
Its hot, Hot, HOT here!...

Enjoy your days fellow cruisers!

TTFN

 

[Savannah Mom]

Hi everyone, here's another family who'll be on the ship with you guys!

My name is Tom, and I'll have my wife and 2 kids with me (4.5 and 2.5), and we're really looking forward to it!

We're flying in the day before from Toronto, renting a car for the day, and will drive to Port Canaveral - stopping at probably a few Targets on the way. Couldn't believe how much cheaper this was compared to shuttle!

Still haven't booked a hotel, but I see many reccomendations for Radisson, La Quinta, Hampton. Anything else I should look at?

For the way back to MCO, I decided to shuttle/limo instead of renting a car - anyone have a suggestion for a reasonably priced company?

We have a guarantee balcony, and I don't have a room # yet - did anyone else with a guarantee get their assisngment yet, or will it be closer to the date?

No excursions for us on this cruise, we've been to Nassau a few times, so hopefully people will get off the ship and maybe the lineup for the waterslide won't be so bad.

Less than 6 weeks to go!

Hi Tom (my middle son is Thomas )

My daughter is also 4.5 We are staying in the Radisson the night before- we are driving and they have a park and shuttle service for $30 Never stayed there before though so can't say if it's actually good or not haha!

 

[KTills]

I'm familiar with Chatham... I was in Windsor last week... and a few weeks before that (our corporate head office is there).

This is our first cruise out of Port Canaveral so I don't know what to expect. Our prior cruises have been out of Miami and Tampa. Luckily we arrive in Orlando around 6, so it should give us plenty of time.

I'm hoping that the shuttles, if they're vans or cars will have car seats.. but if not, we'll just hold the kids, not a big deal.

I live in Tampa! You will definitely find the Disney Terminal much more appealing!! This is our 3rd cruise...Norwegian out of Miami and the Disney Dream last Thanksgiving. It'll be myself, my husband, and our 5 year old son (who will turn 6 the day we sail).

We've talked about meeting up quickly, at 3pm, before the sail away party... at the Bon Voyage lounge/bar. Hope you and the family can swing by!