Disney Dream - April 3, 2011 - 4 nights

[Michele325]

Hi all, we just switched to the Bay Lake Towers for 3 nights before the cruise (from the tree top villas). It should be a great trip! We are really excited to stay so close to Magic Kingdom, we have never done that before. Now we are trying to figure out how we will get to the port since we usually rent a car since we have flown into Stanford, but this time we plan on flying into MCO and hoping to take Disney transport while we are there. We want to get to the port before the Disney cruise buses, so we don't want to take those there. We don't know if we should try and rent a car or get a private transport. Any ideas? Off to research it

 

[jetskigrl]

Yes, please add "Mango Rum Run" onto mine as well please--Thanks Crystal! Can't wait to hear your cruise report! I did order the sparkle Minnie headband so I'll let everyone know how it is once it arrives!

Today was the first day of school for my boys--DS8 is now in 3rd grade & DS5 has all day Kindergarten so this will be an adjustment for me. I work the afternoon shift so my time with the boys is very limited--I hate this. Looks like It's time to switch to the night shift so I don't miss out on so much of my boys lives. In the meantime, I'm going to put my extra time into decluttering & organizing the house--and starting an exercise routine for me. Gotta make the most of things!

Hope everyone is doing great!
Kathryn

I hope they had a great first day!! Mine went back today. Luckily my DS has the same teacher for 2nd grade that my DD had (and we love her). He should have a good year in her class.

Hello Everyone! We are home! It's very sad to see the summer come to a close! We went out with a blast! The cruise was excellent! The worst part is that my kids and husband don't really want to ever cruise Disney again! They are so caught up in the activities that RCI offers...but I can still see that Magic of Mickey in their eyes! And we are cruising this April on the Dream...even if I have to go alone!


I'll post more later about the cruise, but overall it was smooth sailing, great ports, excellent service, and very relaxing!


I think that I updated everyone's info. on the first page...just let me know otherwise. Also...WDWCrazyfromGA...way to go with that last minute cruise! Which Carnival ship did you cruise on? I hope that you had a great time! And...ECBLovesMickey...when you get a chance...could you PM me the Deck 7 graphic...for some reason mine keeps coming out way too small. Lastly...Kathryn...let us know about those mickey ears once they come in...I definitely need to place an order for some!


Hey - CY - your itinerary looks awesome! First Bay Lake Towers then a cruise and then to Animal Kingdom Kidani...sounds like a plan that is going to be very exciting! I need to get working on our details surrounding our cruise...not exactly sure about the details yet...


I hope that everyone is off to a great start to the new school year!


Crystal

Yea Crystal!! I'm glad that the cruise was great! I can't wait to hear about it.

Since I'm not sure if I've posted on this one yet or not, I will do it anyways. I can't wait for our trip we're taking my DD BF this time around. He has never been on a Disney cruise before and I'd love to get the perspective from a 21-year-old on what he thinks. This will be our 4th (if not our 5th if we can get the 2-day to nowhere). Since my DD will be busy keeping her BF busy and entertained (she's only 19 so she can't go drinking with him) I will be by myself and would love to find people to hang out with while on the cruise. If anyone is also traveling with 18+ kids let me know since we can get them all together also.

Hey, we are booked on the 2-day cruise to nowhere. Let me know if you can get on it. It would be fun to meet up Where in CA are you? I'm in Torrance (or 30 minutes from DLR, LOL). I am very excited about the 2-day cruise since it will be our first. A perfect way to get introduced to cruising (and the port is just a few minutes from our house).

Hi all, we just switched to the Bay Lake Towers for 3 nights before the cruise (from the tree top villas). It should be a great trip! We are really excited to stay so close to Magic Kingdom, we have never done that before. Now we are trying to figure out how we will get to the port since we usually rent a car since we have flown into Stanford, but this time we plan on flying into MCO and hoping to take Disney transport while we are there. We want to get to the port before the Disney cruise buses, so we don't want to take those there. We don't know if we should try and rent a car or get a private transport. Any ideas? Off to research it

That sounds awesome! We just stayed at the Poly on our WDW trip and I loved the MK resorts.
We are coming in the day before the cruise and are staying near the port. Since we can't use the DCL transportation for that part, I am going to rent a towncar (or maybe even spring for a Limo) to get from MCO to the hotel. Then we will use DCL bus to get back to the airport after the cruise.

 

[odhrty]

Hi all, we just switched to the Bay Lake Towers for 3 nights before the cruise (from the tree top villas). It should be a great trip! We are really excited to stay so close to Magic Kingdom, we have never done that before. Now we are trying to figure out how we will get to the port since we usually rent a car since we have flown into Stanford, but this time we plan on flying into MCO and hoping to take Disney transport while we are there. We want to get to the port before the Disney cruise buses, so we don't want to take those there. We don't know if we should try and rent a car or get a private transport. Any ideas? Off to research it

We are using FL tours from mco to universal to port to mco for $260 tip not included. Thats for a town car and 4 people. Hope that helps.
Amber

 

[Disney On A Dime!]

Here's my basic cruise review in pictures...we absolutely had a blast! We experienced the best wait-staff ever on a cruise...they were excellent! Only complaint...it was way too short!!!

Also...I am so happy that I figured out how to make the pictures smaller!!!


Our Ship - Liberty of the Seas - Picture taken from tender boat in Grand Cayman

Day 3 - Beautiful Evening!

In Ocho Rios, Jamaica - Margaritaville! They have a great pool with huge slide - ocean and ship view from restaurant - great place - great drinks!

Nachi Cocom in Cozumel, Mexico - Our favorite all-inclusive!

Hubby and I in front of the Promenade - which is four stories high - shopping and eateries on the bottom

Youngest son on the FlowRider - This is where we spent each morning before going into port - the lines were way shorter at this time!

Oldest son on the FlowRider -

If you have any questions please ask...

Crystal

 

[MASrules]

We just booked three days after this cruise at Vero Beach Resort. We have really wanted to try this resort for awhile, and just pulled the trigger at the 7 mo mark. Very happy.

Just think seven months from now I will have been on two cruises on the Disney Dream.

 

[Michele325]

We are using FL tours from mco to universal to port to mco for $260 tip not included. Thats for a town car and 4 people. Hope that helps.
Amber

Thanks, that does help, I will check them out.

 

[Kanga+2Roos]

Wow Crystal--those are some nice pics, thanks for sharing. You all look great! So, do your boys do the kids clubs on RCL? If so, what do they think of them versus DCL? I am planning to do a 7 day on RCL next once I know the boys love cruise life. I know there was some crazy weather going on when you went--how rocky was it on the boat? I'm glad you had a wonderful time!

I am in planning mode for the before cruise time in Orlando. I think we're flying in on Thursday & right now DH wants to do Universal but I'm leaning towards Disney since I feel like the boys will outgrow the Disney parks way too soon. The one advantage I see with Univeral is staying onsite & getting the front-of-line pass for the parks--I figure the parks will all be busy with spring breakers at that time & that would be a huge time saver. I have reservations at the Residence Inn, Port Canaveral for Saturday night. Prices for car rentals are crazy so that's the biggest thing I'm playing around with right now. After cruise we will be visiting my parents who are year round Florida residents & will fly back home the following Sunday. Should be one awesome trip!

Ty--your plans sound great. I'm jealous that you've gotten it all worked out already!

Can you believe that we have just started school here & I already had to keep both boys home yesterday for sickness? DS8 ended up with an ear infection & out of the blue DS5 had a 102.7 fever Tuesday night! Luckily it was a 24 hr fever with headache/sore throat & once the fever broke he was fine. I felt bad because he had just had his first day & could have exposed some of the other kids--I emailed his teacher right away so she could sanitize the main areas. Hopefully that helped! DS8 is on antibiotics so he should get back on track soon. They are both back in school today--what a start! We've taken our turn, now we should be good for awhile--it does work that way right?

Everyone have a great weekend! It's feeling a bit too much like fall for my comfort, temps already down in the 40's at night--I'm not ready to give up my summer yet!

Kathryn

 

[Disney On A Dime!]

Hi Kathryn! I really don't have much info. about the kids clubs on either cruise-line. For some reason my kids don't do the kids clubs...they stay with us most of the time...or they go off together letting us know where they will be. From what I saw, though; both lines offer really great programs. I think that DCL has longer hours of operation during the day. As far as the weather last week...it was great! We only got a 20 minute band of weather off of hurricane Earl...and that was when we were in Labadee, Haiti. The seas were very calm...the ship didn't rock at all! For our December Liberty of the Seas cruise...the ship was rocking! And the weather was dismal, at best. I have vowed not to cruise in December again! Your boys would love an RCI cruise...especially on one of the bigger ships! Check out the height requirements for the special activities prior to booking...make sure that they are tall enough for the fun stuff! So sorry to hear about your kids getting sick! Don't they usually wait at least a month before the illnesses start? My oldest came home yesterday with a stuffy nose...we attributed it to allergies...we will see what today holds!


To everyone...I am so envious that you all are figuring out your plans for pre and post cruise! As of right now...I am only assured that we will have time for the cruise...because of our baseball spring schedule! Hubby doesn't want to miss two weekends in a row...so it looks like a drive down to Cocoa Beach...one night at the Radisson...cruise...and then a drive home! I am going to keep working on him...we shall see what happens!


Happy Friday to All!


Crystal

 

[DontRushMe]

I did something this morning that I have never done before, I booked a one way ticket. I always book round trip. I have been watching Air Tran everyday since July and they have not had rates posted for April yet. Yesterday they posted rates for April but they were over $400 each way. So I had to keep waiting hoping they would go down. I know eveyone sits and waits patiently but I have never been a patient waiter.
This morning I checked again and I found MCO back home for $89. I jumped on it. So now we have a flight home but no flight there. I guess if I don't find a flight there, we will have to rent a car and drive one way? So here's hoping I find a good flight to FL!

 

[Disney On A Dime!]

Dawn - that's a great deal on a one-way from Orlando to Michigan! Now-a-days I see no real problem with booking your flights separately...you could even take a different airline into Orlando...if you wanted too...whatever works...and whatever is the best deal!


Happy Sunday to everyone! We are off to our first 10U baseball games today...it is raining...and the temperature is down (feels great)...but I know that one of us is going to end up with a cold...My husband is a nervous wreck...he is the head coach for the team...and for some reason the first games of the season stress him out. I just take anxiety meds......sit on the sidelines and pray that my son does the best that he can! Hey - in baseball you win some and you lose some...well we hope to win the first game today...it is our major new rival in our age division...


Oh...I started checking into our hotel stay the night prior to cruising...we usually stay at the Radisson at the Port. They have a great pool with a great bar! I wanted to let everyone know that you do not have to book the "Cruise Package" in order to take advantage of free cruise parking and free cruise shuttle to the port. They just offer that "Cruise Package" for those that would like to include 2 free breakfasts in their stay...that's it.


Crystal

 

[jk8]

I did something this morning that I have never done before, I booked a one way ticket. I always book round trip. I have been watching Air Tran everyday since July and they have not had rates posted for April yet. Yesterday they posted rates for April but they were over $400 each way. So I had to keep waiting hoping they would go down. I know eveyone sits and waits patiently but I have never been a patient waiter.
This morning I checked again and I found MCO back home for $89. I jumped on it. So now we have a flight home but no flight there. I guess if I don't find a flight there, we will have to rent a car and drive one way? So here's hoping I find a good flight to FL!

I'm looking to jump on the same price. We are coming from Indy. Today I almost purchased the flight down for $110. but I'm still holding out for $89. The flight back is still a crazy price today. I hate waiting, too!

 

[DontRushMe]

Dawn - that's a great deal on a one-way from Orlando to Michigan! Now-a-days I see no real problem with booking your flights separately...you could even take a different airline into Orlando...if you wanted too...whatever works...and whatever is the best deal!

Crystal

Honestly I never thought of that! I will keep looking for a great deal!

 

[kikids]

Dawn, where is that $89 flight flying out of??? DTW?

Cindy

 

[DontRushMe]

Dawn, where is that $89 flight flying out of??? DTW?

Cindy

Yes DTW. I check the AirTran web site about 3 times a day it was a special for just a couple of hours. So check often. It was a 4:15 flight from MCO to DTW on the 9th. When I checked back later that evening it was already back to $430. So I guess I just checked at the right moment. Keep looking! Hopefully we will get a good flight down. Wouldn't that be funny if we were on the same flight. We are looking to leave on the second but don't know where we are staying (WDW or Port) or how to get there yet (DCL trans or private company) Everytime I seem to make up my mind, I read something else and think of changing.

If I find something else, I'll post here too.

 

[jk8]

Well, I have now joined you with a flight home, but still waiting to book on the way down. I got $83 from Indy and I'm very happy. I check multiple times a day as well.

 

[EcbLovesMickey]

We are driving down from Georgia, but the parking cost is outrageous! Since we're doing a B2B it will end up costing us a fortune just to park the darn car for a week

 

[Disney On A Dime!]

We are driving down from Georgia, but the parking cost is outrageous! Since we're doing a B2B it will end up costing us a fortune just to park the darn car for a week

Stay the night before at the Radisson and your parking will be free plus you get a hotel for one night. Not sure if this fits into your plans...but I feel that paying for a hotel is better than paying for parking...and the swimming pool and bar are great! Just a suggestion...


Happy Tuesday Everyone!
Crystal

 

[EcbLovesMickey]

Stay the night before at the Radisson and your parking will be free plus you get a hotel for one night. Not sure if this fits into your plans...but I feel that paying for a hotel is better than paying for parking...and the swimming pool and bar are great! Just a suggestion...


Happy Tuesday Everyone!
Crystal

You mean they let you park there the entire time your on the cruise?

 

[jetskigrl]

My flights are booked as two one-way flights I was searching and searching and only found two flights that would work for the flight home (we have to fly back on Sunday the 10th so not a lot to work with). So I just sucked it up and booked the flight home. But I had more time to work on the flight out and finally found a 1/2 way decent price for that one.

So even though it is on the same airline (I didn't need it to be, it just worked out that way), it is two one-way flights.

I have the hotel booked for the night of the 2nd also. Hum, I'm running out of things to research. I swore to myself that I wouldn't look at another airline flight because I am sure something better is out there now (and I don't want to know about it... LALALALALALALA, inserting fingers in ears)

Hey - how did the Minnie ears turn out? I didn't order yet because I am still thinking about the Pirate Princess ears that I saw, LOL. But if everyone is matching...I want to match too

 

[Disney On A Dime!]

You mean they let you park there the entire time your on the cruise?

Yes! We have done it for all of our cruises 7, 4 & 3 nights.


Research Radisson, Cocoa Beach...it comes up as Radisson at the Port. If you are a AAA member...they might have a discount. Once looking at the different packages they offer (They have regular beds or the sleep-number beds and fancier rooms, ect...) note that you do not have to book a "Cruise Package" in order to get free parking for the duration of the cruise. The "Cruise Package" just gives you two free breakfasts in the morning (There is a Dunkin' Donuts right down the street.) Upon checking-in...just ask for the car sign and where to park during the cruise...they are very friendly!


Also...they have a free shuttle that can take you to the port. Be sure to call the hotel directly and book your time slot. If you research the Radisson on the main cruise thread...you will find varying opinions of the shuttle and the timeliness. All of our experiences have been positive, however; things do happen...sometimes there are a bunch of ships in port...but we have never experienced that. We just go into it thinking...that if the shuttle does not meet our needs...then we will get a cab!


BTW...the Radisson is minutes from the port. It is an older hotel that has been refurbished. The doors are on the outside of the buildings. The swimming pool is the best! They also have great nachos and beer! We like to arrive there early enough to relax by the pool and have some drinks. It's a lot of fun...and most folks there are boarding ships in the morning too!

Oh and a fun thing to do on Saturday night is to go and see the Disney Magic set sail! You can get directions at the front desk...very easy to get to. There are two restaurants down at the port (I will have to research the names) however; we usually watch the Magic go by...and then head to the restaurant Florida Seafood. It is highly recommended by lots of folks. You can also get directions at the desk. Keep in mind that this restaurant gets busy, fast...so make plans accordingly.

Let me know if you need further information...

Crystal