Disney Dream April 19, 2012 - 3 Nights

[tinafish]

The hubby and I are FL residents so we try to get annual passes every year. Here's our tip for anyone heading to the Magic Kingdom before the cruise. They opened a new interactive game in Feb called Sorcerer's of the Magic Kingdom. It's fun and addictive but may not be for you if you want to enjoy rides and such at the park since it takes quite a bit of time. Even if your not interested in playing, stop at the fire station or behind Ye Old Christmas Shoppe and pick up cards and a map. They make great souvenirs and they're free! You can get a pack of 5 cards everyday you're in the park.

 

[teach819]

Tina, can you just pick up the cards for souvenirs without playing the game?

 

[tinafish]

Tina, can you just pick up the cards for souvenirs without playing the game?

The first time you go and get your ticket(s) registered they give you a little 2 minute training session. Other than that your not obligated to continue playing. One person can go up and bring all their party's tickets. So if you have 4 people with park tickets you'll get 4 packs of 5 cards each, so twenty cards.

 

[teach819]

The first time you go and get your ticket(s) registered they give you a little 2 minute training session. Other than that your not obligated to continue playing. One person can go up and bring all their party's tickets. So if you have 4 people with park tickets you'll get 4 packs of 5 cards each, so twenty cards.

Awesome! I might just have to do that. Thanks!

And can you believe how close we are getting! I'm so excited I can barely stand it!!!

 

[mdurette]

Ok - so I assume FE is now closed. Was their anyone else that signed up or did anyone drop off?

Teach are all 3 of your cabins participating or just you, dh and ds?

 

[mdurette]

The hubby and I are FL residents so we try to get annual passes every year. Here's our tip for anyone heading to the Magic Kingdom before the cruise. They opened a new interactive game in Feb called Sorcerer's of the Magic Kingdom. It's fun and addictive but may not be for you if you want to enjoy rides and such at the park since it takes quite a bit of time. Even if your not interested in playing, stop at the fire station or behind Ye Old Christmas Shoppe and pick up cards and a map. They make great souvenirs and they're free! You can get a pack of 5 cards everyday you're in the park.

On a similar note - they have something kinda like this on the dream. You get a card, go these magic pictures and solve a mystery. Does anyone know what that is called. This is all my DD can talk about - remembers it from last time.

 

[teach819]

Ok - so I assume FE is now closed. Was their anyone else that signed up or did anyone drop off?

Teach are all 3 of your cabins participating or just you, dh and ds?

We're all participating. I'm making most of our FE gifts but I'm making them give me some money!! I thought I had their room assignments but I don't, had to email dad for them. I'll post them when I get their room numbers, which should be very close to my room.

On a similar note - they have something kinda like this on the dream. You get a card, go these magic pictures and solve a mystery. Does anyone know what that is called. This is all my DD can talk about - remembers it from last time.

It's called the Midship Detective Agency, I think. I am planning on doing this as well!

 

[teach819]

Okay, DParents are in room 8570 and DB and his fiance are in room 8576.

 

[1stdcl2012]

We'd probably do this as well. The boys like to be "spies" and they love mysteries. Just don't know which day to do it yet maybe the first day is a good day? We'd be exploring the ship anyway and maybe playing this game would be a good idea to do it, to have a fun "goal" for the kids to do.

And it seems there's more than one version of the game? So you can do it more than once?

 

[flygirlcourt]

Hey, just want to give you a quick welcome. Sue will do the "official" one, as she does it sooo much better!

You'd find there's a lot of "first-time" cruisers here, me and my family included. So your DH is actually celebrating his birthdate onboard? Nice. We have a couple celebrating their anniv, as well as a couple getting married!

We're celebrating our "unbirthdays" we're not doing any birthday parties this year, our big celebration is the cruise but the sail-dates *sadly* didn't match any of our birthdates. Ok, I'm done being sad it's a Disney cruise after all!

Again, welcome!

Thank you for the welcome 1stdcl2012!! Sorry it took me so long to reply. I hope everyone celebrating an "unbirthday" has a great time!

 

[flygirlcourt]

We'd probably do this as well. The boys like to be "spies" and they love mysteries. Just don't know which day to do it yet maybe the first day is a good day? We'd be exploring the ship anyway and maybe playing this game would be a good idea to do it, to have a fun "goal" for the kids to do.

And it seems there's more than one version of the game? So you can do it more than once?

I thought this would be a fun activity for DH and I on the first day. I agree, we'll be exploring the ship anyway.

 

[teach819]

Who's getting excited!!

15 days before we set sail!

Since we're visiting WDW before the cruise, we're actually starting our trip on the 15th. We decided to leave after church and drive down to Savannah, GA and spend the night before continuing the drive down to Orlando.

Someone earlier mentioned having a countdown link for their child. I made something similar for Ryan, he gets to put up an index card with a Disney character and the countdown day on it. I should post a link to the video, he's quite cute

How are the FEs coming along? I finally finished one set of the "girl" gifts but boy do I still have a lot to put together. My sewing machine is going to be pretty busy next week!

Two more days left of school......

 

[1stdcl2012]

Hello everyone.

Since some will be travelling ahead of the cruise and may not have access to email/Internet - I wanted to ask early on whether/or-not you are interested to have an in-person meet on the FIRST day of the cruise at the Sailaway Party (happens at about 4:15pm)? Shall we meet on Deck12 near the Aquaduck entrance? I was looking at the deck plan and it seems there's not much shade on Deck12 though. Deck11 may be too crowded.

Another alternative is to meet on Deck 5 (Atrium) at 3pm. We'll just take a group photo and introduce the kids to each other It shouldn't take more than 30mins if everybody's on time.

If you are interested, please PM me with your suggested alternate time/place.

 

[1stdcl2012]

Who's getting excited!!

15 days before we set sail!

Since we're visiting WDW before the cruise, we're actually starting our trip on the 15th. We decided to leave after church and drive down to Savannah, GA and spend the night before continuing the drive down to Orlando.

Someone earlier mentioned having a countdown link for their child. I made something similar for Ryan, he gets to put up an index card with a Disney character and the countdown day on it. I should post a link to the video, he's quite cute

How are the FEs coming along? I finally finished one set of the "girl" gifts but boy do I still have a lot to put together. My sewing machine is going to be pretty busy next week!

Two more days left of school......

DH is driving me nuts. He's been texting me daily with a countdown. He's not home mid-week as his workplace is far from home. He'll be back tomorrow. I should make him a countdown link to take to work The kids are not as excited as the adults are, I guess they don't have an idea of how much of a BIG vacation it is for our family. DS7 just commented, they'll be like Zack and Cody and could they study/work from the ship and not come back to their old school?

 

[mdurette]

We'd probably do this as well. The boys like to be "spies" and they love mysteries. Just don't know which day to do it yet maybe the first day is a good day? We'd be exploring the ship anyway and maybe playing this game would be a good idea to do it, to have a fun "goal" for the kids to do.

And it seems there's more than one version of the game? So you can do it more than once?

Yes, there are a few versions and you will certainly explore the ship. The way the game is set up is you start out way in the front on one floor, then go way to the back on the next, then back to the front and so on. You will also get a bit of exercise with the stairs!

Last trip I thing my DD did it about a dozen times and I'm sure her and my DH will do it a dozen more this time!

 

[mdurette]

hey everyone.....getting closer!

I'm going to put the finishing touches on my FE tonight. It has been a good learning experience for my DD6. How it is fun to give as well as receive.

We leave 1 week from today to spend a couple days roaming around Orlando prior to the cruise. Not sure what we will be up to....possibly Seaworld or Aquatica.

I plan on booking my next cruise on board! Terrible when you haven't even started one cruise and your mind is already on the next!!!

 

[teach819]

We'll be in Orlando this time next week!

We also plan on booking our next cruise while on board! I'm so excited I can barely stand it! Gotta get to packing!

 

[tinafish]

We're down to single digits in our countdown!!

I think we're going to book out next cruise on board too. We've never done that in the past but I've read it's the best way to get a good deal.

Still need to finish up my FE gifts. I guess I'll be working on them this weekend.

 

[mdurette]

We're down to single digits in our countdown!!

I think we're going to book out next cruise on board too. We've never done that in the past but I've read it's the best way to get a good deal.

Still need to finish up my FE gifts. I guess I'll be working on them this weekend.

this is what mousesavers reports regarding onboard booking.
Onboard Booking Discount
If you are going on a Disney cruise and think there is ANY chance you may want to go on another Disney cruise in the future, be sure to book your future cruise while you are still onboard the ship. You will receive a 10% discount and an onboard credit* for the future cruise! Plus, when you book onboard, you pay only a 10% deposit (normally a 20% deposit is required when booking a Disney cruise).

The amount of the onboard credit depends on the length of your cruise and your Castaway Club member level. (Once you have been on one Disney cruise, you are a Castaway Club member.) Here is a list of the onboard credits that Castaway Club members get when rebooking onboard:

Silver Castaway Club (1-5 cruises) $100 for 3-6 night cruises $200 for 7 night or longer cruises
Gold Castaway Club (6-10 cruises) $150 for 3-6 night cruises $275 for 7 night or longer cruises
Platinum Castaway Club (11+ cruises) $200 for 3-6 night cruises $350 for 7 night or longer cruises

*There is no discount for suites or concierge staterooms, but you will receive the onboard credit as indicated in the chart above. There are no onboard credits for 2 night sailings.


Our next trip is a week on the Fantasy. That 10% discount will be very nice! Plus the additional shipboard credit. Combine that with what I will get from DU (yes, you can reference your travel agent at the time) and that will be about an additional $700 in my pocket. I'll take it!

 

[tinafish]

this is what mousesavers reports regarding onboard booking.
Onboard Booking Discount
If you are going on a Disney cruise and think there is ANY chance you may want to go on another Disney cruise in the future, be sure to book your future cruise while you are still onboard the ship. You will receive a 10% discount and an onboard credit* for the future cruise! Plus, when you book onboard, you pay only a 10% deposit (normally a 20% deposit is required when booking a Disney cruise).

The amount of the onboard credit depends on the length of your cruise and your Castaway Club member level. (Once you have been on one Disney cruise, you are a Castaway Club member.) Here is a list of the onboard credits that Castaway Club members get when rebooking onboard:

Silver Castaway Club (1-5 cruises) $100 for 3-6 night cruises $200 for 7 night or longer cruises
Gold Castaway Club (6-10 cruises) $150 for 3-6 night cruises $275 for 7 night or longer cruises
Platinum Castaway Club (11+ cruises) $200 for 3-6 night cruises $350 for 7 night or longer cruises

*There is no discount for suites or concierge staterooms, but you will receive the onboard credit as indicated in the chart above. There are no onboard credits for 2 night sailings.


Our next trip is a week on the Fantasy. That 10% discount will be very nice! Plus the additional shipboard credit. Combine that with what I will get from DU (yes, you can reference your travel agent at the time) and that will be about an additional $700 in my pocket. I'll take it!

I've never booked through DU. Can you explain to me what kind of discount you get for mentioning them as your travel agent?

When we book on the cruise it will be our 5th cruise. Can't wait till were Gold Castaway members! My DH is aiming for Platinum. He really knows the way to a girls heart!