Disney Dream - April 3, 2011 - 4 nights

[jetskigrl]

Hi Everyone,
I hope it is OK if I join the party I have had an account on DIS for a while but never used it. But I have been reading a lot lately as we are planning our first WDW vacation in August and then our first DCL trip next year.

Right now we (me, DH, DD and DS) are booked on the 2-night mini cruise on the Wonder out of Los Angeles on Jan 21 (to try out cruisin') and then me, my Mom and the kids are booked on the Dream on April 3 for the 4-night trip. I am working with the TA right now to also add the April 7 cruise to make it a back-to-back.

I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone here.

OK - now I guess I had better work on a signature and countdown

 

[Disney On A Dime!]

Welcome to the party jetskigrl!


You sound a lot like me! I joined the DIS a long time ago, was a reader, and now I am on here constantly. Well it appears that you all have a pretty full calendar this year...Welcome to the world of Disney vacationing! My family loves WDW. We even just like staying at one of the value resorts and doing Downtown Disney (and other non-Disney parks.) So get ready for a bunch of fun! Oh, and I won't even get into the cruising part...Cruising is the best vacation ever...for a mom. (IMHO)


So again, welcome aboard! Let us know if you have any questions...


Crystal

 

[jetskigrl]

Thanks so much for the welcome Crystal We are in So. Cal. and are DLR APers. My kids have been raised on Disney (my DD since her first visit to DL when she was 2 and my DS since he was born) but these will be our first adventures with both WDW and DCL so I am very excited. We have always stuck close to home for our disney fix, but decided that our kids are a great age to start experiencing the other wonderful worlds of Disney

The WDW trip was planned first and the cruises came after I heard about the 2-night cruise out of Los Angeles (very close to where we live). But after realizing that 2-nights would just be a tease, LOL, that lead the planning the Spring Break adventure.

I am sure looking forward to getting to know everyone and learning all I can about DCL. The kids and I have never cruised at all before so after feeling like a DLR expert for years now, I am experiencing what it is like to be a newbie again

 

[Disney On A Dime!]

jetskigrl - I like your signature...you put that together pretty quickly! So being an AP holder for DLR you know how addictive the mouse can be! Now you get to venture over to the east coast and try the mouse over here! You all are going to have a great year!


My best piece of advice for new cruisers is to be sure to bring sea-sickness meds or remedies. For our first cruise...we cruised with some friends who never get sea-sick...so they did not recommend Dramamine or Bonine to us. Well...my entire crew got sea-sick! And we didn't realize it until we were leaving Port Canaveral. Luckily I had brought one container of non-drowsy Dramamine...we each took one at dinner (my youngest only 1/2) and we were good to go within 45 minutes. Thank goodness! Also fortunate for us our first stop was Key West...so we went to the Walgreens and purchased more meds.


Well our board over here is kind of quiet at times. We have had a bunch of folks subscribe and I bet as the cruise gets closer...many more people will be stopping in, joining our DISmeets group and hopefully signing up for the FE exchange (more info. on that to come.)


To Everyone - I still have that order in for our "Let The Dream Begin" signs to be made. The gal who DISigns them is back on-line now (her computer was acting up.) So we should be getting something very soon. I will post it...when I see it!


Crystal

 

[jetskigrl]

I am really excited to learn about things like the FE and decorating the doors, LOL. We usually only do day trips to DL (with a few overnights at the resort for special occasions) so I am not used to planning full trips at all.

Oh, I did just hear from my TA and she was able to get us the same room on both cruises (4/3/11 and 4/7/11) so I just put down the deposit to make it a true back-to-back cruise.

I just have to figure out how to keep this a secret from my kids until Christmas (this is going to be their big present this year). I'm going to need to get them passports before then but I think we will make up a reason for needing them, LOL.

 

[mjvans]

I can't tell you how excited I am!! We have been trying to go on a second cruise since we got off our first cruise in 2004! I guess 2011 is going to be the year! So thrilled about the new ship~ Sounds awesome!
We are a family of five, well actually a family of six but our oldest will be away at college during this cruise. Ok, So, My name is Michelle, my husband is Jay and our three kiddos that will be joining us are Paige (14) Tyler (13) and Matthew (11) (kids at ages at time of sailing! ) I have to say it took me over a day to choose our cabin! My goodness how confusing are these categories!??!! We finally settled for a deluxe family oceanview with verandah on deck 9. I had this same cabin category booked on deck 7 but in the end there was some sort of computer error and I had to start over. Needless to say, that deck 7 cabin was lost in limbo. Hope I will like deck 9! Any opinions?
So, hoping we all get a chance to get to know each other. I see a couple of families from Washington state so that is awesome~~ I see a lot of boys but not many girls! Really hoping there are girls around Paige's age that she can meet and hook up with on the cruise~ Not sure about the kids club or teen clubs but we will just play that by ear.
Is anyone thinking excursions yet? We did the day at the beach last time in Nassau but it was just ok Maybe it would be fun to stay on the boat that day? I will have to venture off though for a bit to get some mango rum! That stuff was amazing!
Well looking forward to chatting with you all!! Less than a year away~~
Woo Hoo
Michelle

 

[mjvans]

this ship must be filling up! I tried for two connecting rooms like in a category 10 or 11 and they are completely booked! Our cabin is one of the fews in category 4 that does not connect to another, so I guess that is good? However, I think I would have much preferred to the 2 cat 11's for like seven hundred less. Next time I will book early!
The first seating is full too so we had to go with second seating for meals? Anyone else joining us for that one?
Have a good one!
Michelle

 

[Disney On A Dime!]

Hi Michelle and welcome to the April 3rd cruise!


I am so happy for you and your family to be going on this cruise! It sounds like it has been long awaited since the last cruise...so I know that you all are very excited! You are very right on the ship filling up...I know that there are no inside cabins available at this time...so it looks like we all picked a pretty popular time to cruise. That's okay, though, we have cruised several times during Spring Break and Christmas Break...and both times were very good crowd-wise. Somehow the people get dispersed in many different directions!


Real quick...if you really want first seating for dinner...you can be put onto the waiting list. We have done this twice, and both times we were switched. Just a thought...


My boys will be 13 and 10 when we cruise...no girls...sorry! My kids don't do the kids clubs. They prefer to stay with us or they take walkie-talkies and do things on their own. My kids aren't the out-going type...not at first anyhow...but getting to meet some kids their own ages would be fun.


Excursions...my kids want to go back to Atlantis. So I keep on looking at the Comfort Suites rates...they are sky high for our date! I am hoping for a price break sometime...but you never know!


We have never stayed higher than a deck 8 (That was on the Liberty of the Seas.) We liked the higher decks...they were closer to all of the action on the top decks. They do, however; get more motion. So if your crew gets sea-sick...bring the meds for this one!


Again...welcome to our crew! We are less than a year away and have much planning to do! Looking forward to our DISmeets and our FE exchange...I wonder how many cabins will be participating in the FE exchange??? I can't wait!!!


Crystal

 

[Disney On A Dime!]

I am really excited to learn about things like the FE and decorating the doors, LOL. We usually only do day trips to DL (with a few overnights at the resort for special occasions) so I am not used to planning full trips at all.

Oh, I did just hear from my TA and she was able to get us the same room on both cruises (4/3/11 and 4/7/11) so I just put down the deposit to make it a true back-to-back cruise.

I just have to figure out how to keep this a secret from my kids until Christmas (this is going to be their big present this year). I'm going to need to get them passports before then but I think we will make up a reason for needing them, LOL.

Sorry I haven't responded lately...my youngest son plays little league and travel baseball. Our schedule right now is crazy! Anyhow...I am so glad that you were able to get the same cabin for both cruises...that makes so much more sense to not have to move everything! Also...I have no idea how you are going to keep the cruise a secret until Christmas! I am terrible with keeping secrets...especially when they involve traveling! I guess that it will probably be easier for you all because you already have some great Disney time prior to Christmas both with WDW and the 2 day cruise.


As far as the passports...have them get them prior to the two day cruise. Let them use them for boarding that cruise and they will have no idea that they really needed them for April...just a thought...


Well...I hope that everyone is doing well!


Crystal

 

[jetskigrl]

Sorry I haven't responded lately...my youngest son plays little league and travel baseball. Our schedule right now is crazy! Anyhow...I am so glad that you were able to get the same cabin for both cruises...that makes so much more sense to not have to move everything! Also...I have no idea how you are going to keep the cruise a secret until Christmas! I am terrible with keeping secrets...especially when they involve traveling! I guess that it will probably be easier for you all because you already have some great Disney time prior to Christmas both with WDW and the 2 day cruise.


As far as the passports...have them get them prior to the two day cruise. Let them use them for boarding that cruise and they will have no idea that they really needed them for April...just a thought...


Well...I hope that everyone is doing well!


Crystal

Dh and I are trying to think up a cover story for why we are getting them passports, LOL. Maybe something about our trip in August and flying across country (you know, we need them "just in case") LOL. DD may figure something is up but DS won't, LOL. And you are right, the WDW trip in August is taking the pressure off for now. But between Aug and Dec, I am going to have a very hard time keeping quiet.

Both cruises will be a surprise so they won't know about any of it until Christmas. We were at DLR yesterday for the day and stopped in the lobby of the Grand Californian for a minute. My DS spotted a model of the Magic and was looking at it when the DVC CM started telling him and my DH all about DCL and how the Wonder is coming to Los Angeles next year. LOL - I just bit my tongue and didn't say a word. My DS walked away with a brochure for the DCL and talking about how cool it was (yikes, LOL). But at least I know he will be over-the-moon excited when he finds out about it on Christmas morning

 

[jetskigrl]

I can't tell you how excited I am!! We have been trying to go on a second cruise since we got off our first cruise in 2004! I guess 2011 is going to be the year! So thrilled about the new ship~ Sounds awesome!
We are a family of five, well actually a family of six but our oldest will be away at college during this cruise. Ok, So, My name is Michelle, my husband is Jay and our three kiddos that will be joining us are Paige (14) Tyler (13) and Matthew (11) (kids at ages at time of sailing! ) I have to say it took me over a day to choose our cabin! My goodness how confusing are these categories!??!! We finally settled for a deluxe family oceanview with verandah on deck 9. I had this same cabin category booked on deck 7 but in the end there was some sort of computer error and I had to start over. Needless to say, that deck 7 cabin was lost in limbo. Hope I will like deck 9! Any opinions?
So, hoping we all get a chance to get to know each other. I see a couple of families from Washington state so that is awesome~~ I see a lot of boys but not many girls! Really hoping there are girls around Paige's age that she can meet and hook up with on the cruise~ Not sure about the kids club or teen clubs but we will just play that by ear.
Is anyone thinking excursions yet? We did the day at the beach last time in Nassau but it was just ok Maybe it would be fun to stay on the boat that day? I will have to venture off though for a bit to get some mango rum! That stuff was amazing!
Well looking forward to chatting with you all!! Less than a year away~~
Woo Hoo
Michelle

Hi Michelle and welcome!! My DD is pretty close to your DD's age (she will be turning 13 a couple weeks after the cruise so we will be celebrating that while we are there). We are doing back-to-back cruises so we will probably stay on the ship at Nassau to enjoy it a bit more (and then do an excursion on our second stop there). I guess it will depend on what is still open on the ship while at the port (ex. if that will make it easier to get a ride on the Aquaduck). I was thinking about either Atlantis or one of the Dolphin encounters. But we are traveling with my Mom and I doubt she would want to go on the Atlantis one.

We are also doing the Second Seating for dinner. I figured that might be easier anyway since the First Seating seems so early. But I have never cruised before, so I have no idea, LOL.

We are in a Deluxe Family w/verandah also (on deck 7).

 

[mjvans]

Hi Michelle and welcome!! My DD is pretty close to your DD's age (she will be turning 13 a couple weeks after the cruise so we will be celebrating that while we are there). We are doing back-to-back cruises so we will probably stay on the ship at Nassau to enjoy it a bit more (and then do an excursion on our second stop there). I guess it will depend on what is still open on the ship while at the port (ex. if that will make it easier to get a ride on the Aquaduck). I was thinking about either Atlantis or one of the Dolphin encounters. But we are traveling with my Mom and I doubt she would want to go on the Atlantis one.

We are also doing the Second Seating for dinner. I figured that might be easier anyway since the First Seating seems so early. But I have never cruised before, so I have no idea, LOL.

We are in a Deluxe Family w/verandah also (on deck 7).

Gosh, maybe I should try and get a cabin on deck 7 too. notice both you and crystal are already there!! I originally booked #7600 but there was some error in the system so had to start over and of course that cabin was gone! So, we are now booked in #9588 but after booking, guess what? Yep, 7600 is avaialable again!! UGH!! I don't mind being on deck 9 just worry it is too high? What do you think and why did you both book on deck 7? Is there something I should no about!!??
Anyway, super excited about this cruise!! I am glad Paige will have someone around her age to hang out with too!

 

[Kanga+2Roos]

Yay, our group is getting bigger! Glad to meet all of you!

Michelle, you & I may have to make a date for Nassau--we really didn't have any desire to venture off the ship that day either...but I was interested in checking out the rum store! And Mango rum...omg does that sound yummy!

We are on deck 7 as well--I didn't want to go any higher since we'll be going to deck 5 a lot for the Kids Club & I can handle two flights of stairs easy enough! It just seemed more central for the decks we'll be going to the most & our room is right next to the elevators that come out by the pools so that will be great.

Now all of you are really making me think about the b2b--I keep going in & checking out the rates but I'm worried about what my boys are going to think about cruising. I guess my biggest worry is if they get sea sick easy!

Crystal, can't wait to see the new logo--thanks for all your hard work! Make sure you take a little time for yourself with the hectic baseball season if full force!

Have a great day everyone--more later!

 

[Disney On A Dime!]

Michelle - I just looked up your cabin location for 9588 and 7600. They are both great locations! Being mid-ship allows easy access to both the forward and aft of the ship. It just all depends on what deck you want. Deck seven is closer to deck 5 (where the shops and shows are) and deck 9 is closer to deck 11 (where the pools and slides are)... We chose deck 7 because it was as high as we could go with the category 11B...no other specific reason...other than it is close to the elevators... We are inside stateroom cruisers. We have cruised on deck 2 twice...and loved the location (image that!) And have also cruised on deck 5 (DCL) and deck 8 (RCI). Every location had its advantages and disadvantages...but hey...you're on a cruise...no worries!


Also...the second dinner seating may be better for you all coming from the west coast. With the time difference and all...I have read that many people prefer the later time...just a thought... Since we live on the east coast...and eat dinner around 5 every night...the early dinner seating fits our family best. Do keep in mind that the evening show will be early for those of you who have late dinner seating...so if you want to see the show...you will have to get dressed around the same time as we early dinner seaters get dressed in order to see the show. Just another thought...


Hey Kang+2Roos! - Can you believe how many DISers we now have cruising with us! Oh and I am glad to see that some of you like rum...It makes for a great adult FE gift! Not that I am telling what I am doing, but I have done it in the past! "Plenty O' Rum N' Parlay 4 None!"


Crystal

 

[mjvans]

Michelle - I just looked up your cabin location for 9588 and 7600. They are both great locations! Being mid-ship allows easy access to both the forward and aft of the ship. It just all depends on what deck you want. Deck seven is closer to deck 5 (where the shops and shows are) and deck 9 is closer to deck 11 (where the pools and slides are)... We chose deck 7 because it was as high as we could go with the category 11B...no other specific reason...other than it is close to the elevators... We are inside stateroom cruisers. We have cruised on deck 2 twice...and loved the location (image that!) And have also cruised on deck 5 (DCL) and deck 8 (RCI). Every location had its advantages and disadvantages...but hey...you're on a cruise...no worries!


Also...the second dinner seating may be better for you all coming from the west coast. With the time difference and all...I have read that many people prefer the later time...just a thought... Since we live on the east coast...and eat dinner around 5 every night...the early dinner seating fits our family best. Do keep in mind that the evening show will be early for those of you who have late dinner seating...so if you want to see the show...you will have to get dressed around the same time as we early dinner seaters get dressed in order to see the show. Just another thought...


Hey Kang+2Roos! - Can you believe how many DISers we now have cruising with us! Oh and I am glad to see that some of you like rum...It makes for a great adult FE gift! Not that I am telling what I am doing, but I have done it in the past! "Plenty O' Rum N' Parlay 4 None!"


Crystal

Crystal, you are right! We are cruising!! No worries! Except, I have to say I am a bit weirded out by that aquaduck slide! I had no idea it actually went over the water! Kind of nervous about that for my kiddos I have to say! I think I will need plenty of rum to give the thumbs up on that one
Ya, I even asked my husband if he thought it was safe and sturdy enough not to collapse. Sometimes I forget that my husband is a firefighter and not a designer of a waterslide Ha, he assures me it is a definite go so just need the rum to relax I guess!!
Hope I am not all by myself way up on deck nine!
Have a wonderful day all!

 

[mjvans]

Yay, our group is getting bigger! Glad to meet all of you!

Michelle, you & I may have to make a date for Nassau--we really didn't have any desire to venture off the ship that day either...but I was interested in checking out the rum store! And Mango rum...omg does that sound yummy!

We are on deck 7 as well--I didn't want to go any higher since we'll be going to deck 5 a lot for the Kids Club & I can handle two flights of stairs easy enough! It just seemed more central for the decks we'll be going to the most & our room is right next to the elevators that come out by the pools so that will be great.

Now all of you are really making me think about the b2b--I keep going in & checking out the rates but I'm worried about what my boys are going to think about cruising. I guess my biggest worry is if they get sea sick easy!

Crystal, can't wait to see the new logo--thanks for all your hard work! Make sure you take a little time for yourself with the hectic baseball season if full force!

Have a great day everyone--more later!

The mango rum is yummy! A couple of friends we met on the cruise came back from Nasasu and brought us some! It was sooooooooo good! My kids are all about the pools so I guess deck 9 will work the best for us! I am not sure they will go to the kids club much. I think last time we had them go to the clubs when we went to Palos and had a couples massage. Although my son Ty is a big video game buff so he is one that I can see spending way too much time there! And ya, that aint going to happen! LOL We are on vacation!!

 

[jetskigrl]

Gosh, maybe I should try and get a cabin on deck 7 too. notice both you and crystal are already there!! I originally booked #7600 but there was some error in the system so had to start over and of course that cabin was gone! So, we are now booked in #9588 but after booking, guess what? Yep, 7600 is avaialable again!! UGH!! I don't mind being on deck 9 just worry it is too high? What do you think and why did you both book on deck 7? Is there something I should no about!!??
Anyway, super excited about this cruise!! I am glad Paige will have someone around her age to hang out with too!

We were originally on deck 10 for the 4/3/2011 but we ended up on Deck 7 after we changed it to back-to-back because we wanted to make sure we had the same room for both cruises. We were also able to get a non-adjoining room there also. I don't think deck 9 is too high. It sounds perfect for me. I have read some reviews that the top deck of rooms (deck 10 in this case) can be noisy due to the activities on the deck above. But on deck 9, you are still close to everything but you only have staterooms above you so it should be quieter.

Anyway, that is just theory since I have don't it myself. I will find out in January because we are booked on Deck 8 for that one (on the Wonder) so we will find out if it really is noisy then

 

[mjvans]

Its official! Heck who am I kidding ; it was official yesterday! However, I had the ressie onhold while I talked to my hubby. I knew he would be all over it but still wanted to discuss it with him! Didn't have to twist his arm! I think he is more excited than me! Kids still don't know yet! Trying to pick the perfect time to let them in on it! No way can I keep this a secret for very long

 

[EcbLovesMickey]

We are officially booked on the 4/3 Dream cruise. Traveling with DH, Ds 7 & DS2. Only glitch is we currently have second seating for dining (hopefully we'll be able to nab early seating, I do not think a 2 year old can wait until 8pm to eat).

We're on deck 7 family room with verandah. So super excited! We have not taken DS 2 on a cruise yet, and we have never done a Disney cruise before, so I am currently trying to stop myself from jumping up and down with excitement!

 

[jetskigrl]

We are officially booked on the 4/3 Dream cruise. Traveling with DH, Ds 7 & DS2. Only glitch is we currently have second seating for dining (hopefully we'll be able to nab early seating, I do not think a 2 year old can wait until 8pm to eat).

We're on deck 7 family room with verandah. So super excited! We have not taken DS 2 on a cruise yet, and we have never done a Disney cruise before, so I am currently trying to stop myself from jumping up and down with excitement!

Ohhh, go ahead and jump up and down. LOL - I did We are on deck 7 also (and I have a DS that will be 7 too)