Disney Dream Christening Cruise!! 1-19-11

[Dicecatt]

Lol, I understand. I asked my DH what park he wants to go to on the 18th between AK and HS (Epcot will be too busy that day) and he said he didn't care. What?? He doesn't care, lol?

I imagine that they will give us the park ticket when we check in. We will be arriving on the 17th as well, but staying at WL. Squeezed in, I figure if they can squeeze us on the 18th, they can squeeze us on the 17th! We'll probably change rooms though, no big deal. We'll head to a park early in the AM, take a break in the afternoon and party at night

I'm leaning towards AK...scored a 10 AM Tusker House breakfast so that is encouraging me. Plus, it seems as soon as we ride Toy Story Mania and Tower of Terror, I'm ready to leave HS.

I'm very interested to find out what time the park is closing that night, and what rides are open (I'm guessing not everything will be open). I guess we'll find out soon

Also, this: "The evening Event at the Magic Kingdom you will come over to the park via buses from your Resort and you will only need your lanyard to get in for that."

I thought that was kind of strange, as WL has a boat launch to MK? Maybe they'll stop running the boats later.

 

[Dicecatt]

Love Darren, he is so fast. He said there is no set time for closure of the party yet, but he is guessing 11 or 12. Told me just to remember that we are heading to the port early so keep that in mind when we are staying out late, lol.

 

[lornak]

Love Darren, he is so fast. He said there is no set time for closure of the party yet, but he is guessing 11 or 12. Told me just to remember that we are heading to the port early so keep that in mind when we are staying out late, lol.

Ok, not to analyze every single detail, but...!

I wonder just how early we are going to the port?? Normally the WDW shuttles don't take guests until around noon. That doesn't seem "early" to me!! Wouldn't it be great if we were able to board a little earlier than normal??

 

[yogibigdog]

I am on the Christening as well.

We need to be over early since they will probably have the christening ceremony. Have you seen the footage of the Magic and Wondering being christened? They use to show the clips at the Castaway Club parties.
It was truly amazing and I can’t wait. I can only imagine what they might do for the Dream. For the Wonder they had a laser Tinkerbell (The fairy godmother of the Wonder) fly along side of the ship and christening. Then they had fireworks.

 

[Dicecatt]

Ok, not to analyze every single detail, but...!

I wonder just how early we are going to the port?? Normally the WDW shuttles don't take guests until around noon. That doesn't seem "early" to me!! Wouldn't it be great if we were able to board a little earlier than normal??

It would be great! I believe there are no guests on the night before, so it is totally possible that they will board us early.

 

[murphy4]

I was told by my contact at disney that we would be leaving for the port around 7:30 to arrive early due to all the security for the VIP's and dignitaries??

 

[Luv2Travel]

WOW, I go out shopping for a day and look at all of the info I come back to! Everything is sounding wonderful so far. I wish they'd just send us ALL of the details already.

Leaving at 7:30 to go to the port? Sweet! I hope we do get to board early and have more time on the ship. I'm already having nightmares about having to get off the ship after only 2 short days.

Can't wait to see what "VIPs" and "dignitaries" are there!!

 

[lornak]

I am on the Christening as well.

We need to be over early since they will probably have the christening ceremony. Have you seen the footage of the Magic and Wondering being christened? They use to show the clips at the Castaway Club parties.
It was truly amazing and I can’t wait. I can only imagine what they might do for the Dream. For the Wonder they had a laser Tinkerbell (The fairy godmother of the Wonder) fly along side of the ship and christening. Then they had fireworks.

OH!! I didn't even think about the actual Christening ceremony! I have seen that Castaway Club video a bunch of times and it is amazing!! I can't wait to see what they have in store for the DREAM! This just gets better all the time!!!

 

[HipToBeKyle]

Long time lurker, first time poster!

The Mrs. and I will be on the Christening cruise as well!

SUPER EXCITED!!

We're making a whole vacation out of it. Going to WDW Saturday to Tuesday, Get on the Dream Tuesday night and then fly home on Friday after we debark!

 

[Luv2Travel]

Good Morning Cruisers, only 27 more days!!!!
Welcome to the boards HipToBeKyle!

I emailed Darren yesterday to ask a couple of questions. The first question was about dinner attire. I asked if there would be any special events that I'd want to dress a little more formally for and here is his reply:

"This will be just like any other Bahama Cruise, resort casual. Not to the formal style but I am sure there will be some folks dressed up nicely."

I also told him about my debate with renting a car and driving to the port. Here's what he said about that:

"Transportation from the Resort on the morning of the 18th will be early, between 7am and 8am. We want to make sure we get everyone over to the Port on time for the Christening Ceremony. If you want to rent a car that will be fine, there will be parking at the Port for drive ins and personally it may be a bit quicker for departing after the cruise."

I think we are going to go ahead and rent a car. We're going to go to the parks after disembarking on Friday so I'd like to get back to Orlando quickly after they kick us off the ship (and they will have to KICK me off the ship! ).

That's all the news I have for now. Can't wait to get documents and some type of itinerary with DETAILS!!!

Happy Holidays Everyone!!!

 

[Dicecatt]

Long time lurker, first time poster!

The Mrs. and I will be on the Christening cruise as well!

SUPER EXCITED!!

We're making a whole vacation out of it. Going to WDW Saturday to Tuesday, Get on the Dream Tuesday night and then fly home on Friday after we debark!

Welcome, glad to see you here!

 

[HipToBeKyle]

Thanks for the welcome!

We've never been to Disney World or on a Disney Cruise so this will be quite the trip for us!

Found out we're at the Polynesian as well!

-Kyle

 

[Dicecatt]

Thanks for the welcome!

We've never been to Disney World or on a Disney Cruise so this will be quite the trip for us!

Found out we're at the Polynesian as well!

-Kyle

Kyle, did you win this trip? Tell us the details of your trip, there are a couple of different scenarios!

Darren just emailed me, told me we are in two rooms at WL on the 18th, so that clears that up. I upgraded to Club level on the 17th since we can use it until midnight on the 18th, and I think a friend of ours is going to keep DD5 for the evening of the 17th so we aren't cramming 5 in one room (she'll like that anyway!).

Now I just have to figure out what park to do on the 18th!

 

[HipToBeKyle]

I'm part of the media invites. Disney is bringing various radio stations from around the country onboard to broadcast live from Christening cruise, awesome right? I work in marketing for a radio station so i'm taking one of our DJ's to broadcast live from the boat Wed, Thurs, and Fri.

We also gave away a trip as a grand prize to one of our listeners aboard the cruise as well. Those packages are identical it seems to the ones GMA gave away. Trip for 4, day at the parks, cruise.

My trip was for the cruise only, but since we're flying across the country already and i've never been to WDW we arranged it to go to the parks Saturday - Tuesday, which I know isnt a whole lot of time for a first timer there, but we plan to cram in as much as we can.

As far as I can tell, media will be on the boat starting Tuesday night which is probably because we all have to be up and ready to go first thing in the morning for broadcasts, etc. I think all winners and TA's board early Wednesday morning?

As for itinerary details and such, they haven't told us any more than they've told you. I know the Disney event guys are all slammed right now, down there because of the holidays so i'm expecting a slew of finalized details to come down right after New Years.

-Kyle

 

[Dicecatt]

I'm part of the media invites. Disney is bringing various radio stations from around the country onboard to broadcast live from Christening cruise, awesome right? I work in marketing for a radio station so i'm taking one of our DJ's to broadcast live from the boat Wed, Thurs, and Fri.

We also gave away a trip as a grand prize to one of our listeners aboard the cruise as well. Those packages are identical it seems to the ones GMA gave away. Trip for 4, day at the parks, cruise.

My trip was for the cruise only, but since we're flying across the country already and i've never been to WDW we arranged it to go to the parks Saturday - Tuesday, which I know isnt a whole lot of time for a first timer there, but we plan to cram in as much as we can.

As far as I can tell, media will be on the boat starting Tuesday night which is probably because we all have to be up and ready to go first thing in the morning for broadcasts, etc. I think all winners and TA's board early Wednesday morning?

As for itinerary details and such, they haven't told us any more than they've told you. I know the Disney event guys are all slammed right now, down there because of the holidays so i'm expecting a slew of finalized details to come down right after New Years.

-Kyle

That is really awesome! So interesting. So we have a GMA winner, travel agents, and media in our little group!

Yes, we don't board until Wednesday morning, interesting that you are on Tuesday night! Did they invite you to the party at Magic Kingdom? I guess not if you are onboard.

Looks like they are putting TAs at Wilderness Lodge and everyone else at the Poly. The whole trip is going to be so much fun!

 

[yogibigdog]

Just found out a bit more info today:

19th - 7:00am – Cruise Line buses begin to arrive at the Resort to take Guests to the Port.
9:00am – arrive at the Port Terminal, finish check in process and luggage check in.
10:45am – Christening Celebration.
11:15am – Ship repositions.
1:00pm – Guests begin to board the Disney Dream for the Christening Sailing.
4:00pm – Mandatory Life Boat Drill.
5:00pm – Disney Dream Sets Sail!

 

[Dicecatt]

Just found out a bit more info today:

19th - 7:00am – Cruise Line buses begin to arrive at the Resort to take Guests to the Port.
9:00am – arrive at the Port Terminal, finish check in process and luggage check in.
10:45am – Christening Celebration.
11:15am – Ship repositions.
1:00pm – Guests begin to board the Disney Dream for the Christening Sailing.
4:00pm – Mandatory Life Boat Drill.
5:00pm – Disney Dream Sets Sail!

Makes me wonder where everyone is going to be...seems like a lot of people in the terminal for a long time...

 

[lornak]

If it is like a normal boarding, they will start at noon even though the stated time is 1:00. But with the repositioning, who knows?! I wonder if we will get boarding cards? Or if we will have preassigned boarding groups? VIPs probably get on first??

I received my Magical Express tags today---soooo excited!!!

 

[Luv2Travel]

Thanks yogibigdog for sharing that bit of info!
Was that an answer to a question? Or did you just get an email with more info? I would LOVE to get more info.

Makes me wonder where everyone is going to be...seems like a lot of people in the terminal for a long time...

This is what I wonder too . . . I don't really remember the port being big enough for that many people to be outside the terminal for a ceremony. (not that I really ever paid too much attention to the outside of the terminal.) But then, I wonder how full this ship will be too.

I also wonder if by "begin boarding at 1:00," they really mean we'll begin boarding as soon as the ship is repositioned. Think about it . . . everyone going on this cruise will already be there and be ready to board. That could take a while.

I received my Magical Express tags a couple of days ago too, but I still don't have a cabin number. Just wonder when we'll get the rest of the documentation and info.

 

[momto3disneyfans]

I just thoroughly enjoyed reading this entire thread! I'm a travel agency owner and I knew I was being invited, but I foolishly booked my family's airfare for the day after we're supposed to arrive for the Christening. They're coming in for the TA Earmarked Cruise and have opted to camp out at the Contemporary instead while I enjoy the Christening. So, I get to bring 3 of my girlfriends and we are going to have the best time! None of the 3 have ever been aboard a Disney cruise ship and many of you know how magical it is to bring someone to anything Disney for the first time - you see brand new through their eyes. It will be an amazing trip!

I really appreciate all the information being posted. Last night I tried to pull up my cruise information online and neither the christening or the earmarked cruise would pull up and I got hopeful they'd assign stateroom numbers overnight. Alas, they did not!

So, is anyone going to join me and bring their fish extenders? I'm guessing they'll be popping up all over the ship! Thanks for the thread! I'll control myself and stop talking now. ;-)