Disney Dream - April 3, 2011 - 4 nights

[Michele325]

I am so excited, I just booked our return flight home. I have been so worried about this, I actually had a dream that we got to FL and I had forgotten to book tickets back. We had our way there, but from DTW 2 hours away, but we are getting all they way home to our little airport for a great price. They must have just released more seats or something (directair) because I have been checking checking and it has always said sold out. So now I still have to rent a car to get us to DTW. Hotel the night we get in (really late), Limo to port from wdw, and car rental to Sanford airport. Yahoo, I am so excited!!

 

[EcbLovesMickey]

We won't be at the Radisson until late Saturday. DH wants to do the park that day and we have reservations for dinner at O'hana. We're on the 10:30 shuttle to the port the next morning

 

[EcbLovesMickey]

We won't be at the Radisson until late Saturday. DH wants to do the park that day and we have reservations for dinner at O'hana.

We're on the 10:30 shuttle to the port the next morning

 

[Woosh]

Jetski Girl~ We just booked with Happy Limo for our ride to the Port from WDW. I haven't done this before but liked what I heard from fellow DIs members so I thought I'd give it a whirl. I didn't want to use DCL bus as the last time we didn't get picked up from WDW until noonish and it was almost 2 before we got on the ship and we felt very rushed. The Limo will pick us up at 10 a.m. The kids will think this is cool.

 

[DontRushMe]

finally got our flight down from DTW to MCO. I have been playing the waiting game and I finally decided to take a chance and book now. $122 pp not bad, but I just know they will offer something crazy like $74 now that we have booked. But oh well! Now we have to look for a rental. I just can't decide if we should book for 2 days before and return car at port and then rent another for 2 days after or if we should book for the whole week and park at hotel for free. I guess we will be checking all the options.

 

[EcbLovesMickey]

Well I hope everyone is holding up ok during the weather. It snowed here in GA yesterday and my oldest was determined he would wake up this morning to a Winter Wonderland. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you look at it) the snow did not stick.

Can't wait for some warm weather and a dip in the Mickey pool on the Dream

 

[disneytraceyl]

Definately a winter wonderland in Upper Michigan. The kids had a snow day today. As for Saturday, we will be meeting everyone on this ship. We are doing a 3 night sailing on the Disney Dream right before that. We should know how to get around by the time everyone gets on. Are we going to do a dismeet anywhere?

 

[Disney On A Dime!]

Hi Everyone!

It is so cold here! We are expecting snow tomorrow...it very rarely snows here...so this will be interesting! The kids are hoping for snow days for tomorrow and Friday...we'll see!


As far as a DISmeets...yes...we are going to have one! I was hoping to get some more info. from folks that are cruising on the Dream before us as to the best place to meet. I would expect for the meet to be on the first day sometime before the mandatory drill. Also...a bunch of us are planning on meeting sometime on the next day for our Mango Rum Run into the Bahamas. So we do have some scheduling to do.


Well we leave for Disney this Monday! I am excited...but stressed. We still have to go through the Christmas stuff with my in-laws...that's on Friday at my house...my in-laws insist on big Christmases with a bunch of gifts...it drives me crazy! I suggested just giving the kids money or gift cards...they really don't want anything...really... We get the kids things throughout the year...classify them as early Christmas gifts...they get a nice postcard in their stocking reminding them of the gifts that they got early. This works well with video games (you know the ones that they have to have now because everyone else has them now.) And then my parents (who are going to Disney with us) insist on having presents too...so we are doing that on Saturday night...great...at least they only give the kids a few things. Then on Sunday was are having the baseball team over for a party and then going to play Dodgeball at our baseball academy with a bunch of other teams.


I can hardly breathe right now just thinking of all that has to be done...plus packing......I think that it is going to be a Mango Rum weekend!!!


Anyhoo...I shouldn't be complaining...I bring a bunch of this on myself...and I love the holidays! My husband and I got married on the 17th of December because I like the season so much...yeah...I have an anniversary too this week! Another thing to celebrate...16 years!


Okay...off to do something else...I hope that everyone else is having a great holiday season! I'll let you know how mine goes after this weekend!!!


Crystal

 

[kikids]

Just a quick update from Michigan's Lower Peninsula ~

School was closed Monday and Tuesday but finally the sun is out, and while it's bitter cold, at least the kids are back in class.

But do I care? No! Because, we're headed to 75 and sunny tomorrow! I booked a last minute 'girls only' weekend trip with my two daughters to Orlando. We are not doing the Disney thing but are doing SeaWorld instead - something they have wanted to do for years. I haven't been to SeaWorld since Jaws 3 was in theatres! So I assume it's quite different now! (It's going to be strange to fly to Orlando and not go to Disney though!)

Still haven't booked our flights for the cruise, I just looked - it's $400/ticket from DTW. Considering the Radisson if I can make the flights work.

Just for fun I wanted to post the pic of just a few things we got from our last cruise in the FE. I may have posted this already, but here it is again anyway, from post-its and jewelry and scrapbooks and candy and stickers and magnets, to bookmarks and keychains and postcards and recipe books and much more. Yay!!!

Happy Holidays,
Cindy

 

[Disney On A Dime!]

Hi Cindy!


Have fun at Sea World! The weather looks great for this weekend in Orlando! The temps. dip again next week...just in time for us to get there! Oh well...still will be tons of fun! You all will love Sea World...and yes...it has changed quite a bit since you were last there!


Thanks for the FE photos...I still haven't decided on exactly what I want to do...your group looks like they were very creative! Oh, and on the Radisson...come on and join us! Hopefully there will be plenty of sun and a great time before getting on the ship!


We had a snow day today! The kids are looking for another tomorrow...don't know if that is going to happen...they are doing homework right now...


Crystal

 

[Woosh]

Hi all! Here in Illinois we just had another snow storm blow through. Left another 4 inches on the ground. It started last night just before I had to make the 1 hour return home trip from my daughters volleyball practice. the hour took a lot longer, but we made it safely. My kids have not had any snow days yet despite 2 storms. This week is their last week of the semester, so my daughter who is in High school is in the midst of finals so I think the school is hard pressed to call a snow day. Tomorrow is their last day before a 2 1/2 week break. The cold is what I hate, the snow doesn't bother me so much. I always remember that each day is one day closer to the Dream, the sun, the warmth! Can't wait.

A question on FE, do we give one "gift" for each person in the room? or one for the family. Never done this before so just wondering. I still need to get a FE ordered. Any suggestions on the best route to go on getting one.
I hope the families headed to Florida get some warm weather!

 

[Disney On A Dime!]

Hi Woosh!


Glad to hear that everything is going well in Illinois! You all are much more prepared for snow than we are...my kids are out again today...only two inches of snow on the ground...so we are wimps! Even my husband's work is delayed today. Anyhoo...


FE information: I just went on ebay and searched "Fish Extender" and a bunch of personalized ones came up. You can go that route to get one...or you can use a cool tote or bag...people use all kinds of things. It just has to be thin in width. As far as the "gifts"...this is really subjective...some give something to each person...some give one gift to the entire cabin...it is just personal preference. And...I think that it will depend upon how many folks we have sign-up for the exchange. Some people also give items on more than one day...we have done this before when our exchange group was small. So I guess I really don't have an answer...I do know that I am waiting a little longer to see the numbers...and then I will decide what to do...Any other thoughts???


Happy Friday to All!
Crystal

 

[EcbLovesMickey]

There are some cute ones for about $25.. I woudl love to make one on my own, but I bet in the end it will end up costing me way more than $25 to make, so I may just order one from one of those sellers

 

[Disney On A Dime!]

Two parties down and one to go! All presents are open that are to be opened prior to Christmas morning... I can half-way breathe...only the baseball team left...actually...they are the easiest group...tomorrow should be fun! And then we leave on Monday for Savannah, GA...and on to Disney on Tuesday...


I hope that everyone is having a great weekend!


Crystal

 

[jetskigrl]

Hey All...
I just wanted to stop by and say hello from a wet and soggy So. Cal, LOL. I did my final Christmas shopping on Friday night and then spent all day Saturday locked in my back house wrapping everything.

I printed out and framed the "cruise announcements" for the kid's surprise! I also charged up and tested DS's new video camera so that I will be able to capture the moment. I'm still fearing DS's reaction to the surprise, LOL. Not only does he fear the horn, but he spent 4 hours watching Titanic on Saturday and got really upset about all the people dying. Funny, he has watched it many times before but I think he was probably playing or something at the same time and didn't really pay attention to the actual sinking part. Oh, I hope he has short term memory issues, LOL (as I make a mental note to hide anything Titanic related until after the holidays, LOL).

Hopefully I won't turn into one of those youtube video posters with one kid crying and screaming "I DON"T WANT TO GO"

 

[jetskigrl]

Two parties down and one to go! All presents are open that are to be opened prior to Christmas morning... I can half-way breathe...only the baseball team left...actually...they are the easiest group...tomorrow should be fun! And then we leave on Monday for Savannah, GA...and on to Disney on Tuesday...


I hope that everyone is having a great weekend!


Crystal

Ohhh, I don't know if you will see this but I hope you have a wonderful trip!!!!

 

[Woosh]

Jetski girl~

My DD had the same reaction to watching Titanic last year before our 1st cruise. She was 13 at the time and was very concerned about the ship sinking. She ended up being fine, but it didn't help the first night was very rough at sea. We also avoided watching it anymore. About 2 weeks before we left a greek cruise liner encountered a rogue wave that went up over the edge and took out windows and dmgd the dining room.... it was on the news and we did everything we could to avoid it at home. She still doesn't know it happened (until now as she saw what I wrote) We also didn't tell her about the nurse shark they found in castaway cay since she has a fear of fish and getting in the open water. Now she's looking forward to this cruise with no sinking concerns, but still nothing to do with fish, including snorkeling.
Have a great holiday!

 

[WDWCrazyfromGA]

Hi All

I'm still here! I've been so swamped with work and stuff that I have become more of a lurker than a participant I get an email delivered weekly to my work email from this board to keep up with ya'll -- it keeps me going knowing I will be cruising with my family soon!

Thanks to you guys - I booked our room at the Radisson last week. We are on the 10:30 shuttle - a first for us, we have been on the 10:00 shuttle for the past 2 cruises. They must be really booked!

I hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas - and those of you in the snow parts don't freeze - and that Crystal has an awesome time at WDW (how could she not )

I'm still waiting until the last minute to check my work schedule for the FE - just need to see if things will settle down by then. I hate not to do it - my family and I have a blast delivering and getting our 'presents'

 

[jetskigrl]

Jetski girl~

My DD had the same reaction to watching Titanic last year before our 1st cruise. She was 13 at the time and was very concerned about the ship sinking. She ended up being fine, but it didn't help the first night was very rough at sea. We also avoided watching it anymore. About 2 weeks before we left a greek cruise liner encountered a rogue wave that went up over the edge and took out windows and dmgd the dining room.... it was on the news and we did everything we could to avoid it at home. She still doesn't know it happened (until now as she saw what I wrote) We also didn't tell her about the nurse shark they found in castaway cay since she has a fear of fish and getting in the open water. Now she's looking forward to this cruise with no sinking concerns, but still nothing to do with fish, including snorkeling.
Have a great holiday!

Thanks so much! I am hoping that the excitement of Christmas will put Titanic out of his mind, LOL. Also, I think our 2-night cruise on the Wonder next month will be a great introduction to it so that by the time we go on the Dream in April, he will have some experience on a cruise ship already and won't be scared Ohhhh, our Wonder cruise is exactly one month from today. Now I am excited (it is my first cruise too)!!!

 

[ratfam]

Hi everyone, we will be sailing with you in April! It will be me, dh, dd15 and ds12. We actually booked in January 2009 using our DVC points and haven't done anything since. Our booking window for Palo, etc. just opened Sunday morning and now I have realized that we need to start doing more things, like checking in here and, most important, booking airfare. We live in Michigan so it is the kids' spring break, it looks like there are several other families from Michigan cruising. We are lucky enough to have cruised as a family a few times on the Magic, and dh and I took a four-night on the Wonder in January 2009 (the rebooking point bonus was helpful for this cruise) but it will be the kids' first four night. We have been checking out information about the new ship and are really getting excited, wish that it were doing 7 nights!. Would love to know if anyone has teenagers, particularly teenage girls, cruising with them, I think I saw a few pre-teen boys listed. We look forward to meeing you all!

Michelle