Disney Dream August 7, 2011

[kk92476]

Congrats!!! I'm planning to make our final payment on Monday!

Just doing happy dance to say that as of today our cruise is paid in full! WHOOO!

 

[kk92476]

Thanks everyone! DH is going to call at the end of the week to try to work it out. His students have final presentations on Wed, so after that his schedule will open up and he'll have more time for begging cast members to help us, lol! My fingers are crossed that we'll get our preferred hotel, we'll get our early dinner seating, and we'll get our shore excursion situation resolved. Feeling a bit grumpy that we are trying to plan this dream trip, paying a fortune, and I can't seem to get my first choice on ANYTHING! But am hopeful that some Disney magic will happen and it will all come together!

I will wish for a sprinkling of pixie dust!

 

[BelleBway]

Thanks everyone! DH is going to call at the end of the week to try to work it out. His students have final presentations on Wed, so after that his schedule will open up and he'll have more time for begging cast members to help us, lol! My fingers are crossed that we'll get our preferred hotel, we'll get our early dinner seating, and we'll get our shore excursion situation resolved. Feeling a bit grumpy that we are trying to plan this dream trip, paying a fortune, and I can't seem to get my first choice on ANYTHING! But am hopeful that some Disney magic will happen and it will all come together!

Just curious- which hotel are you trying to get? *fingers crossed for ya*

for all those joining me in the paid in full dance! Isn't it a great feeling?!

 

[kk92476]

Trying to get Contemporary. It seems to be the one and only hotel that isn't available! And we booked this in December! Once that one wasn't available, we originally booked the AKL, but after more thought decided that with less than 2 full days, we really didn't want to be in SUCH a far flung location (not planning to go to Animal Kingdom....will do one day at MK and one day at EPCOT) so we recently switched to Polynesian and are on the wait list for Contemporary. I'm actually OK with the Polynesian if we don't get moved. I have never stayed there and it seems very cool and a good location!

Just curious- which hotel are you trying to get? *fingers crossed for ya*

for all those joining me in the paid in full dance! Isn't it a great feeling?!

 

[teach22180]

Hey folks, joining you all in that paid in full dance! It is a great feeling, plus I love to count all those disney points I'll be getting on my visa card before I pay it off in full like I do every month. That will be for some good eating at Disney World before the cruise!

Karen

 

[BelleBway]

Trying to get Contemporary. It seems to be the one and only hotel that isn't available! And we booked this in December! Once that one wasn't available, we originally booked the AKL, but after more thought decided that with less than 2 full days, we really didn't want to be in SUCH a far flung location (not planning to go to Animal Kingdom....will do one day at MK and one day at EPCOT) so we recently switched to Polynesian and are on the wait list for Contemporary. I'm actually OK with the Polynesian if we don't get moved. I have never stayed there and it seems very cool and a good location!

Personally, if I was just planning 1 day at Epcot and 1 day at MK, the Poly would probably be my first choice! I've stayed at both- and while I slightly prefer the Contemporary in general (or, umm, I did before they decided to change the brightly color room decor to something more understated... that I'm sure 99% of people prefer... but I digress), it was great being able to walk to the TTC from the Poly to take a direct monorail to Epcot. Did you take advantage of the current room only discount offer that they have?

We loved AKL 2 summers ago... but since AK is not high on our list this time and we only have a half a week, I also decided to stay at a monorail hotel because of the distance. It seems like we spent most of our time in MK last trip, especially at night... and those late bus rides home seemed a bit long. (though one of them did lead to a great memory of being silly making up a story together with the girls )

And yes, it seems odd that the Contemporary wouldn't be available- maybe it's a sign that you're meant to stay at the Poly?

Hey folks, joining you all in that paid in full dance! It is a great feeling, plus I love to count all those disney points I'll be getting on my visa card before I pay it off in full like I do every month. That will be for some good eating at Disney World before the cruise!

I paid in full in Feb when I had an offer for triple points on my Disney VISA for spending over $1000 in a month. That was nice! (I pay mine off in full each month too) Very well timed, too- since I'd normally never charge that much in a month.

Countdown is almost at 100 days...!

 

[T&G92694]

Ok, I have to admit I am feeling kinda lost... I have read most of the 17 pages of posts so I feel like I have a decent understanding of how this all works.

This will be our 1st Disney Cruise and actually first cruise ever.

We have a very persuasive 10 year old that lobbied for a Disney Cruise back in late 2009 or so. He wanted to go on a disney cruise pretty bad and after much research decided he wanted to wait until the Dream was available... Fast forward 1 year... I had completely forgotten about the cruise and he lets us know we need to book the Dream for summer of 2011. He had all the information researched and almost the itinerary all planned out. I am convinced he know as much as a disney travel agent does about the Dream.

Ok, so here is where I am at.. Please someone correct where I am wrong with some of the acronyms...

DH = Disney Husband
DW= Disney Wife
DD = Disney Daughter
DS = Disney Son
GMIL = ?
DFIL = ?
AKL = ?
FE = ? some gift thing

Since we are first timers is there any advice / feeback for the following we are planning to do?

1. Wanting to get a cabana at castaway cay (since I can only book 75 days in advance do you think it will still be available) and is it worth it?
2. Going to Atlantis (we were told to book a room at the Comfort Inn next door to gain access so we did) Is this experience worth the expense?
3. Will it be hard to get reservations to Remy with our late booking date.
4. What is the general weather like during that time of year in Bahamas area (we are from southern California)
5. My son is a mature 10 and will be 10 1/2 by the cruise.. do you know if they will allow him in the Edge club (11-13) He is afraid he will be stuck with a bunch of screaming kids..
6. What is the cutoff time to check in onto the cruise the day of sailing (also if you show early are you allowed on the ship and to the room?)


Thanks in advance for any tips!

 

[Mackie Mouse]

Hi and welcome, T&G! My husband and I took our very first cruise/Disney Cruise ever for our honeymoon two years ago and loved it so much we had to go back this year Your son gets a big high-five for getting you guys on board! You're going to have an absolute blast.

You are on the right track with the Disney lingo. As far as I've always understood it, the "D" in DH, DD, DS, DW, etc. generally stands for "Dear" or "Darling"...but it could probably also stand for Disney on these boards. I have seen it used in other places, as well, though...but it doesn't really matter MIL and FIL are mother- and father-in-law, respectively.

AKL is the Animal Kingdom Lodge hotel in Disney World.

an FE, or Fish Extender, gift exchange is something that many cruise groups choose to undertake for fun. There is a metal fish hanging outside each stateroom door on the Disney ships, and to facilitate the exchange people make or purchase a small pocket organizer ("Fish Extender") to hang off the fish. Everyone agrees to contribute a small gift to the exchange - cost, type of gift, amount, whether you give to each individual or each cabin, etc. are all up to you. During the cruise, you go around to participating rooms to drop off gifts as a surprise. It's a ton of fun and helps you get to know others on the cruise. We participated two summers ago and loved the experience. There are a number of threads on the DIS Boards that will give you suggestions about what FEs look like and the types of gifts people have given and received before. If you want in, just let me know all the relevant info and I can add you to our list. I'll also happily Private Message you the login info for the website we have up if you'd like, too!

Welcome aboard!

 

[T&G92694]

Thanks for the quick response... That sounds like a great idea on the FE...

Yeah PM me to get me signed up...

its myself, DH, DS (10), DD (5)

 

[simbasmom2]

Thanks for the quick response... That sounds like a great idea on the FE...

Yeah PM me to get me signed up...

its myself, DH, DS (10), DD (5)

You will love your cruise!!
You have one smart boy there for choosing a Disney cruise for vacay!
The FE exchange is a lot of fun.
Atlantis is awesome...so beautiful!

 

[simbasmom2]

101 days

 

[T&G92694]

Thanks!... Please send me the info for the FE and the login for the other site...

 

[Mackie Mouse]

T&G - I just sent you all the info.

Are we really, finally, in single digits at the end of this week? WHOO!

 

[BelleBway]

Are we really, finally, in single digits at the end of this week? WHOO!

I think you meant double digits.

I've been trying to decide if I want my 10 yr old niece to be able to sign herself in and out of the kids' clubs. I'm leaning towards not letting her at first since it'll be a totally new place and experience for her. But then maybe playing it by ear if I feel comfortable with it.

I'm just sorta hoping that they don't end up loving the kids clubs so much that I'm alone all the time. One reason I enjoy taking them on vacation is that it gives me a chance to really spend time with them. Hopefully it will work out to a good balance where they get to do some really cool things at the clubs, but we also get to spend plenty of time being silly together, too.

Apparently they are really excited and talk about it a lot.

 

[simbasmom2]

I think you meant double digits.

I've been trying to decide if I want my 10 yr old niece to be able to sign herself in and out of the kids' clubs. I'm leaning towards not letting her at first since it'll be a totally new place and experience for her. But then maybe playing it by ear if I feel comfortable with it.

I'm just sorta hoping that they don't end up loving the kids clubs so much that I'm alone all the time. One reason I enjoy taking them on vacation is that it gives me a chance to really spend time with them. Hopefully it will work out to a good balance where they get to do some really cool things at the clubs, but we also get to spend plenty of time being silly together, too.

Apparently they are really excited and talk about it a lot.

My youngest daughter is turning 11 next week. I have to let her sign herself in and out because she will be in the Edge (tween group). I let her on the Wonder and didn't worry, but the Dream is soooo big. So I understand how you feel. My DD is so excited about the Edge. Too bad the girls won't be in the same group...they could talk ahead of time.

Double Digits coming soon!

 

[BelleBway]

My youngest daughter is turning 11 next week. I have to let her sign herself in and out because she will be in the Edge (tween group). I let her on the Wonder and didn't worry, but the Dream is soooo big. So I understand how you feel. My DD is so excited about the Edge. Too bad the girls won't be in the same group...they could talk ahead of time.

Neither of my nieces have ever been on a cruise before. And since I'm not their parent, I feel a little extra-protective. (their parents left it up to me; I wouldn't think of letting her check herself in and out if mom and dad were not ok with it)

My elder niece is 13 and will be in the Edge too. I'm comfortable with the fact that she will be able to sign herself in and out. Plus, I can give her one of the Wave phones so that way I can always call her if I am wondering where she is. That's my biggest problem with letting the younger one check herself in and out- unless I pay extra to rent another wave phone (and risk her losing it), I won't have any way to find her if I don't know where she is.

When I was originally telling them about the cruise, my older niece kinda wanted to go to the kids' club instead of the tween club. She is a bit young for her age socially- although very mature otherwise.

Double Digits coming soon!

I've been having lots of hard stuff going on at home so I keep thinking about Disney in order to keep myself (semi) sane.

 

[simbasmom2]

Neither of my nieces have ever been on a cruise before. And since I'm not their parent, I feel a little extra-protective. (their parents left it up to me; I wouldn't think of letting her check herself in and out if mom and dad were not ok with it)

My elder niece is 13 and will be in the Edge too. I'm comfortable with the fact that she will be able to sign herself in and out. Plus, I can give her one of the Wave phones so that way I can always call her if I am wondering where she is. That's my biggest problem with letting the younger one check herself in and out- unless I pay extra to rent another wave phone (and risk her losing it), I won't have any way to find her if I don't know where she is.

When I was originally telling them about the cruise, my older niece kinda wanted to go to the kids' club instead of the tween club. She is a bit young for her age socially- although very mature otherwise.





I've been having lots of hard stuff going on at home so I keep thinking about Disney in order to keep myself (semi) sane.

Sorry you are having a hard time right now! I am dealing with some difficult business, too. Disboards is great therapy.

 

[Mackie Mouse]

I think you meant double digits.

Um, clearly someone is impatient. *whistles*

 

[BelleBway]

Um, clearly someone is impatient. *whistles*

Well it is almost single digits til I can book excursions, which is pretty exciting.

 

[jlawall]

We're alittle negligent in paying in full....but tomorrow this should be taken care of..........woohoo

This will be our first trip with all adults.....so we are looking forward to it!