Disney Dream 8th January 2012

[vetswithpets]

We are off to the Disney Family Museum for the day to get our Disney fix and enjoy some cooler weather. Hope everyone is having a good weekend

 

[orlandothebeagle]

We are off to the Disney Family Museum for the day to get our Disney fix and enjoy some cooler weather. Hope everyone is having a good weekend

Sounds like fun, hope you had a nice day.

Im at work this weekend,saving lives unblocking bladders!

 

[jnsma]

We just booked this cruise today. We are a family of 4, me, DW and 7 year old twins (Jeff, Helen, Will, Abby). The sailing date is Helen’s birthday… a definite selling point to justify the trip.
This will be our 4th DCL cruise, 2 Wonders and 1 Dream. The last 2 trips were both at the end of Jan and we’ve had great luck with the weather. I think the weather can be iffy even in Bahamas but both times we were swimming. Fingers crossed that we luck out again.
I’m always looking for an excuse to escape New England in the middle of the winter. While we’ve had great weather on the cruises, we’ve gotten away from some really horrendous snow and cold the last 2 trips.
Hurricane Irene paid us a visit today, lots of rain and wind, many without power, not too bad for us though. Besides, it gave me time to book some things and read through this entire thread. Based on other disboards threads, it looks like CC was hit quite hard by the hurricane. I have to assume DCL will have it cleaned up by our trip.

We’ll be flying in a day early, just to be safe and staying until Monday afterwards. A trip to the new LegoLand will be required (my kids love LegoLand CA). No idea where we’ll be staying, yet.

Catching up on some of the other more recent threads.
Nassau: the only reason to get off the ship is to go to the Atlantis waterpark (my opinion). We did the atlantis on our first 2 trips, it is an amazing place. This last trip we stayed on the boat to get more Dream time.
CC Cabanas: We did this on the last trip as my in-laws were traveling with us and needed a place to rest and plug in some medical equipment. It was really nice. You get an almost private beach, beach toys, rafts, bike rentals and free drinks/snacks.
Now the family is split 2-2 between going to the Atlantis or getting a cabana. I’m not sure I can justify doing both (I know, such problems are tough to have). Hmmm, maybe I can justify it as my wife’s birthday present.

Sorry for the long-windedness, I’m a little excited and have cabin fever from being inside all day.
Just wanted to say, Hi.

 

[vetswithpets]

Sounds like fun, hope you had a nice day.

Im at work this weekend,saving lives unblocking bladders!

Thats my next weekend. Get Labor Day Saturday

 

[Lynn G]

We just booked this cruise today. We are a family of 4, me, DW and 7 year old twins (Jeff, Helen, Will, Abby). The sailing date is Helen’s birthday… a definite selling point to justify the trip.
This will be our 4th DCL cruise, 2 Wonders and 1 Dream. The last 2 trips were both at the end of Jan and we’ve had great luck with the weather. I think the weather can be iffy even in Bahamas but both times we were swimming. Fingers crossed that we luck out again.
I’m always looking for an excuse to escape New England in the middle of the winter. While we’ve had great weather on the cruises, we’ve gotten away from some really horrendous snow and cold the last 2 trips.
Hurricane Irene paid us a visit today, lots of rain and wind, many without power, not too bad for us though. Besides, it gave me time to book some things and read through this entire thread. Based on other disboards threads, it looks like CC was hit quite hard by the hurricane. I have to assume DCL will have it cleaned up by our trip.

We’ll be flying in a day early, just to be safe and staying until Monday afterwards. A trip to the new LegoLand will be required (my kids love LegoLand CA). No idea where we’ll be staying, yet.

Catching up on some of the other more recent threads.
Nassau: the only reason to get off the ship is to go to the Atlantis waterpark (my opinion). We did the atlantis on our first 2 trips, it is an amazing place. This last trip we stayed on the boat to get more Dream time.
CC Cabanas: We did this on the last trip as my in-laws were traveling with us and needed a place to rest and plug in some medical equipment. It was really nice. You get an almost private beach, beach toys, rafts, bike rentals and free drinks/snacks.
Now the family is split 2-2 between going to the Atlantis or getting a cabana. I’m not sure I can justify doing both (I know, such problems are tough to have). Hmmm, maybe I can justify it as my wife’s birthday present.

Sorry for the long-windedness, I’m a little excited and have cabin fever from being inside all day.
Just wanted to say, Hi.

Welcome!

 

[orlandothebeagle]

We just booked this cruise today. We are a family of 4, me, DW and 7 year old twins (Jeff, Helen, Will, Abby). The sailing date is Helen’s birthday… a definite selling point to justify the trip.
This will be our 4th DCL cruise, 2 Wonders and 1 Dream. The last 2 trips were both at the end of Jan and we’ve had great luck with the weather. I think the weather can be iffy even in Bahamas but both times we were swimming. Fingers crossed that we luck out again.
I’m always looking for an excuse to escape New England in the middle of the winter. While we’ve had great weather on the cruises, we’ve gotten away from some really horrendous snow and cold the last 2 trips.
Hurricane Irene paid us a visit today, lots of rain and wind, many without power, not too bad for us though. Besides, it gave me time to book some things and read through this entire thread. Based on other disboards threads, it looks like CC was hit quite hard by the hurricane. I have to assume DCL will have it cleaned up by our trip.

We’ll be flying in a day early, just to be safe and staying until Monday afterwards. A trip to the new LegoLand will be required (my kids love LegoLand CA). No idea where we’ll be staying, yet.

Catching up on some of the other more recent threads.
Nassau: the only reason to get off the ship is to go to the Atlantis waterpark (my opinion). We did the atlantis on our first 2 trips, it is an amazing place. This last trip we stayed on the boat to get more Dream time.
CC Cabanas: We did this on the last trip as my in-laws were traveling with us and needed a place to rest and plug in some medical equipment. It was really nice. You get an almost private beach, beach toys, rafts, bike rentals and free drinks/snacks.
Now the family is split 2-2 between going to the Atlantis or getting a cabana. I’m not sure I can justify doing both (I know, such problems are tough to have). Hmmm, maybe I can justify it as my wife’s birthday present.

Sorry for the long-windedness, I’m a little excited and have cabin fever from being inside all day.
Just wanted to say, Hi.

Hi and welcome from not so sunny scotland, you will have to share your dream tips with us, weve never been before.

Thats my next weekend. Get Labor Day Saturday

Ah, nae luck as we say in Scotland.

 

[DerBlaine]

There is a Disney Meetup in Indianapolis this weekend so Think I will take the family down to get a Disney fix to hold us off till January.

 

[DerBlaine]

Lynn, since you are a DVC member, I would like to ask you a few questions about it if you don't mind? My husband and I are considering it very much, but we are not 100% convinced yet...

how was your experience with it? Do you find it's worth it? and what hotel are you "attached" to?

If anyone else is a DVC member and would like to share on the subject, please do! We will possibly join while on the cruise...

thanks!

We have been members for the last 4 years or so and love it. We are attached to Animal Kingdom but have stayed at wilderness lodge suites and Old Key West as well. I prefer being closer to the parks so the wilderness lodge was my favorite experience but we also love the Animal kingdom pools and amenities. I am not a fan of the bus rides so OKW was my least favorite since it seems to have the longest bus times. We are looking at adding Bay lake tower points or looking for WL points on the aftermarket. We will be staying at either Baylake or boardwalk before the cruise so will let you know on board what we think if you care to ask.

Derblaine

 

[jnsma]

Lynn, since you are a DVC member, I would like to ask you a few questions about it if you don't mind? My husband and I are considering it very much, but we are not 100% convinced yet...

how was your experience with it? Do you find it's worth it? and what hotel are you "attached" to?

If anyone else is a DVC member and would like to share on the subject, please do! We will possibly join while on the cruise...

thanks!

I am not a member of DVC but have pretended to be one a few times. Just wanted to give you a suggestion if you wanted to try it out.

There is a DVC Rent and Trade board on the disboards where DVC members are looking to sell their unused points. You can “buy” their points, what that means is they will make a reservation for you (in your name) and you pay them for it. It works out much cheaper than going thru Disney but not as cheap as being an owner. It is a little more effort and there is more risk than booking direct with Disney as you don’t know who you are dealing with.
Once you get the reservation, you are essentially an owner for that time period. I don’t know all the ins and outs of DVC, so there maybe things that we can’t do but I haven’t encountered anything significant.

We decided to stay an extra 4 nights after the cruise and I just rented into the Animal Kingdom Villas. After being in a cabin with the kids on the cruise, it is nice to have the extra room of a 1 bedroom. I looked up the same dates on the Disney web site to see what their rate would be and it was more than twice what I am paying going thru the owner.
I’ve bought points before from the this owner and it worked out without any issues, so I have no hesitation doing it again.

I have looked into buying but I have to say one of the main reasons that I haven’t bought into DVC is that buying the points has worked out so well. The cost of renting points is definitely higher than what the owner pays on a yearly basis for their maintenance fee. But I don’t have the up-front cost of initial buying of points or the concern of having to use them every year. GASP, some years we may not go to Disney.

Just thought it might be a way to try out DVC to see what the resorts are like before buying. Trust me, I am not trying to discourage you from buying, like I said, I've considered it a number of different times.

 

[AnkaG]

I am not a member of DVC but have pretended to be one a few times. Just wanted to give you a suggestion if you wanted to try it out.

There is a DVC Rent and Trade board on the disboards where DVC members are looking to sell their unused points. You can “buy” their points, what that means is they will make a reservation for you (in your name) and you pay them for it. It works out much cheaper than going thru Disney but not as cheap as being an owner. It is a little more effort and there is more risk than booking direct with Disney as you don’t know who you are dealing with.
Once you get the reservation, you are essentially an owner for that time period. I don’t know all the ins and outs of DVC, so there maybe things that we can’t do but I haven’t encountered anything significant.

We decided to stay an extra 4 nights after the cruise and I just rented into the Animal Kingdom Villas. After being in a cabin with the kids on the cruise, it is nice to have the extra room of a 1 bedroom. I looked up the same dates on the Disney web site to see what their rate would be and it was more than twice what I am paying going thru the owner.
I’ve bought points before from the this owner and it worked out without any issues, so I have no hesitation doing it again.

I have looked into buying but I have to say one of the main reasons that I haven’t bought into DVC is that buying the points has worked out so well. The cost of renting points is definitely higher than what the owner pays on a yearly basis for their maintenance fee. But I don’t have the up-front cost of initial buying of points or the concern of having to use them every year. GASP, some years we may not go to Disney.

Just thought it might be a way to try out DVC to see what the resorts are like before buying. Trust me, I am not trying to discourage you from buying, like I said, I've considered it a number of different times.

thank you for this great info. I will consider it for sure for our stay after the cruise. We have been calculating and it would be a big chunk of money to pay this year (about 20 000$...) so we'd rather put it somewhere else for now. Perhaps in a couple of years... But renting points sounds like a great compromise!

thanks!!!!
hope everyone is having a great weekend!

 

[AnkaG]

We have been members for the last 4 years or so and love it. We are attached to Animal Kingdom but have stayed at wilderness lodge suites and Old Key West as well. I prefer being closer to the parks so the wilderness lodge was my favorite experience but we also love the Animal kingdom pools and amenities. I am not a fan of the bus rides so OKW was my least favorite since it seems to have the longest bus times. We are looking at adding Bay lake tower points or looking for WL points on the aftermarket. We will be staying at either Baylake or boardwalk before the cruise so will let you know on board what we think if you care to ask.

Derblaine

I DO have a question for you... how hard is it to book outside of your attached resort (so for you, outside AKV?). I want AKV, but my DH wants to buy the cheapest possible (more points for less money). It sounds like a good idea, but I would be scared to be "stuck" where I don't really want to go if my preferred place is sold out... any info on that?

 

[Scott H]

I DO have a question for you... how hard is it to book outside of your attached resort (so for you, outside AKV?). I want AKV, but my DH wants to buy the cheapest possible (more points for less money). It sounds like a good idea, but I would be scared to be "stuck" where I don't really want to go if my preferred place is sold out... any info on that?

I think the big variable is the time of year, i.e. Christmas/New Year vs. an off season date.

 

[orlandothebeagle]

Hope you all had a great weekend, We went up North and I run a half and Len done a full marathon, it was lovely weather and a lovely run, then very nice meal and wine afterwards

ANyyou guys that are looking to meet on face book?
It was nice getting to know our cruise buddies this way last time, got to know what they looked like and got to know them a bit.

Anyway, if you are interested, my 2nd name in Zabek.


HAve a great week everybody.........................Lynne

 

[Scott H]

Hope you all had a great weekend, We went up North and I run a half and Len done a full marathon, it was lovely weather and a lovely run, then very nice meal and wine afterwards

ANyyou guys that are looking to meet on face book?
It was nice getting to know our cruise buddies this way last time, got to know what they looked like and got to know them a bit.

Anyway, if you are interested, my 2nd name in Zabek.


HAve a great week everybody.........................Lynne

Good idea, friend request was sent

 

[AnkaG]

I would also like to do a facebook meeting!

my name is Anne-Karine

scott, can I also add you?

 

[orlandothebeagle]

Good idea, friend request was sent

I would also like to do a facebook meeting!

my name is Anne-Karine Gauthier

scott, can I also add you?

 

[Scott H]

No prob already added, you can get Lynn's last name (she kept her name) from my FB page.

Now if I can get my butt in gear and drop a few pounds I could wear my kilt.

 

[orlandothebeagle]

No prob already added, you can get Lynn's last name (she kept her name) from my FB page.

Now if I can get my butt in gear and drop a few pounds I could wear my kilt.

 

[sugashaene]

Hi, My name is Shaene (32) and my wife's name is Shante (29) (our last name is Carson). We are in for the FE exchange. We are in Stateroom 10045. We were on the Dream earlier this year and she is a great ship and liked it so much we rebooked for this cruise! If you haven't been on a cruise before, boy did you pick a great ship to be your first! If anyone wants to add me on Facebook you can as well! Shaene Carson. We just got off the Disney Wonder Alaskan cruise as well and I have pictures up on Facebook of that cruise as well!

 

[Scott H]

I would also like to do a facebook meeting!

my name is Anne-Karine

scott, can I also add you?

yes Please, then you can also link to Lynn

My kilt is rather plain Kaki as the Black watch wore into combat but my Scottish , Welsh (a great portion there runs deep) and irish heritage runs deep, well we did a re-spelling of Ramsay to Ramsey due to a horse theft allegation many years ago.