Disney Dream - June 12, 2011

[Scouter]

Good Monday Morning Fellow Cruisers!!!

I am sorry to see Nicole and her family make the choice to not cruise with us, but I fully understand having to make decisions based on what your family needs are, not what everyone else is doing or may want you to do.

and Welcome to the new families!!!

We are getting ready to go to Williamsburg, VA and Washington DC at the beginning of June. If anyone has any advice for those 2 areas, please let me know! I told Steve I feel like we are heading into uncharted territory! If we were planning WDW, I could have us booked, ADRs made and ready to roll in a few hours. With this, I haven't a CLUE as to what there is or what to do! We have our hotels booked, so we are good there. We are looking for things to do and places to eat!

I hope this finds everyone happy and healthy!!!!
Michele

We're going in August so I'll have to hear about your trip and tips
What did you book for a hotel?
A friend (from the the boards) told me of a great rate he got somewhere last May and I check it now it's over double what he paid!
So I'm looking for something else.

 

[Crystal_27]

Awwwww, all of you guys who have upcoming trips make me so jealous! I have to wait until December for a real trip to the parks (we'll be going down in September for a cruise but will only be staying one night at the Beach Club Villas). It seems sooooooo far away. Anyway, I hope everyone has a great time on their upcoming trips, and can't wait to hear about all the details.

 

[itutorfortravel]

Hey everyone! I haven't been able to post for awhile either. Things are busy with school and work...what else is new?!

DD has enjoyed the nicer weather and being able to get started again on her golf lessons. She's tried so many different things over the years and become disinterested, but with golf she totally loves it. And she is not bad either! DH is thrilled since it will give him more of a justification for getting out on the golf course - LOL. We've also started some tennis lessons and so far she likes that too but golf is by far her favorite.

Well, this cruise ought to be our last blow-out for awhile. Went to the orthodontist this week and based on his recommendation, DD will start that process next year. As a matter of fact, she will have to start with an expander and we are thinking of doing it right after school gets out, or actually right after this cruise. So I'll let her eat whatever junk she wants the whole trip b/c I'm thinking there will be new restrictions on what she can have...maybe that will keep all of us from partaking of the junk food!

Actually, we are planning to head down to Orlando next month to visit my step-DD. DD doesn't know we are going and we may keep it a surprise. After researching for hours about parks and such, I am so burned out and actually considering a no-park vacation...dare I even say that here?! I have enough Disney Rewards points thru my Visa to get us into the park for a almost 2 days but I really want to save the points for the cruise so I don't know what I will do. We have only been to WDW in January and December so I don't know what it's like in May. Anyone here know? Is it just horribly hot and humid? That doesn't sound like fun to me at all!!!

Hope everyone is doing well. I can't believe that we will be counting months instead of years in less than 2 months from now. When I booked this cruise it seemed so far away. I've noticed that the cabin availability has really dwindled and the prices have really gone up since only verandah cabins and higher are now available. Glad I booked this when I did!

Kimberly

 

[abitagirl916]

Hey everyone! I haven't been able to post for awhile either. Things are busy with school and work...what else is new?!

DD has enjoyed the nicer weather and being able to get started again on her golf lessons. She's tried so many different things over the years and become disinterested, but with golf she totally loves it. And she is not bad either! DH is thrilled since it will give him more of a justification for getting out on the golf course - LOL. We've also started some tennis lessons and so far she likes that too but golf is by far her favorite.

Well, this cruise ought to be our last blow-out for awhile. Went to the orthodontist this week and based on his recommendation, DD will start that process next year. As a matter of fact, she will have to start with an expander and we are thinking of doing it right after school gets out, or actually right after this cruise. So I'll let her eat whatever junk she wants the whole trip b/c I'm thinking there will be new restrictions on what she can have...maybe that will keep all of us from partaking of the junk food!

Actually, we are planning to head down to Orlando next month to visit my step-DD. DD doesn't know we are going and we may keep it a surprise. After researching for hours about parks and such, I am so burned out and actually considering a no-park vacation...dare I even say that here?! I have enough Disney Rewards points thru my Visa to get us into the park for a almost 2 days but I really want to save the points for the cruise so I don't know what I will do. We have only been to WDW in January and December so I don't know what it's like in May. Anyone here know? Is it just horribly hot and humid? That doesn't sound like fun to me at all!!!

Hope everyone is doing well. I can't believe that we will be counting months instead of years in less than 2 months from now. When I booked this cruise it seemed so far away. I've noticed that the cabin availability has really dwindled and the prices have really gone up since only verandah cabins and higher are now available. Glad I booked this when I did!

Kimberly

Yes, I agree. It sure will be nice to count down in months instead of years. Hopefully we all will be so busy that the time just flies by!! I also have checked and noticed the ship is filling up. The price of my stateroom category has gone up alot since I booked. Am also glad I booked already! Alot of the categories are only GTY available.

My DD and I will be going to WDW in May. Only 32 days away! At least I have somethine closer to look forward to. Then it's another countdown!!

 

[WDWCrazzyCunninghams]

We're going in August so I'll have to hear about your trip and tips
What did you book for a hotel?
A friend (from the the boards) told me of a great rate he got somewhere last May and I check it now it's over double what he paid!
So I'm looking for something else.

As far as Williamsburg goes, we are staying at Williamsburg Plantation. It's a time share/condo place. We have 2 timeshares...one at Myrtle Beach and one in Orlando, so we just traded in. As for DC, we are staying at the Hyatt Regency, Capitol Hill. We choice to stay Club Level as this will give us a breakfast (Continential, but we are light breakfast eaters), bottled water through the day, light appetizers at dinner and desserts before bed! With 2 teenage boys, this will come in handy, I am sure! It's 2 blocks from Union Station. The address is 400 New Jersey Ave NW. We got a rate of $227.15. Oh, and I stopped in at my AAA office and they gave me a brochure on Williamsburg, but they were out of DC stuff. I'll check back in a few weeks to see if they got anything new in. I've also thought about stopping in Borders to see what they might have. Steve has been looking online and there is a Flex Ticket and a Bounce Back Ticket. They cover Williamsburg, Yorktown, Jamestown, Busch Gardens Theme and Water Park, and Parking.....we just need to figure out if it's worth it for us. We'll only have 5 full days to see everything, then we head to DC. I'd like a day or 2 to just relax and sit by the pool too!
Hope this Helps!
Michele

 

[Scouter]

Yes, I agree. It sure will be nice to count down in months instead of years. Hopefully we all will be so busy that the time just flies by!! I also have checked and noticed the ship is filling up. The price of my stateroom category has gone up alot since I booked. Am also glad I booked already! Alot of the categories are only GTY available.

My DD and I will be going to WDW in May. Only 32 days away! At least I have somethine closer to look forward to. Then it's another countdown!!

Hi Tammy

It's Rose, DISScouter from CC boards

 

[WDWCrazzyCunninghams]

Scouter,
Today I picked up a book at Borders. It's called Top 10 Washington, DC by DK Eyewitness Travel. It lists the top 10 of everything. The Hyatt that we choose is #9 of the top 10 luxery hotels! Yay us! LOL The number one Historic hotel is the Willard Intercontinental, the luxery is Grand Hyatt Washington, the Moderatly priced is the Latham and the number one budget is The District hotel. Oh and the number one child friendly is Holiday Inn Capitol. Anything else I can answer, let me know!
Michele

 

[marcij]

For those going to DC -- have you checked your Congressman's website to see what free tours they can set up for you? Often times, they are the same tours that are open to the public, except with subtle changes like guided tours instead of walk through on your own, etc. We took our boys, then 12 and 9 a couple of years ago, and they had a terrific time. I'm also there a couple of times a year on business so if you have questions, I might be able to give some advice on what worked well for us.

 

[abitagirl916]

Hi Tammy

It's Rose, DISScouter from CC boards

Hi Rose. Not too many fellow cruisers on the CC boards. This one is much more active. I'm really excited today because I just received my Mickey Mail for the trip to WDW that my daughter and I are taking next month. Only 31 more days to go. Wish the cruise was that close!

 

[Fab5Family]

We are getting ready to go to Williamsburg, VA and Washington DC at the beginning of June. If anyone has any advice for those 2 areas, please let me know! I told Steve I feel like we are heading into uncharted territory! If we were planning WDW, I could have us booked, ADRs made and ready to roll in a few hours. With this, I haven't a CLUE as to what there is or what to do! We have our hotels booked, so we are good there. We are looking for things to do and places to eat!

I hope this finds everyone happy and healthy!!!!
Michele

We're going in August so I'll have to hear about your trip and tips
What did you book for a hotel?
A friend (from the the boards) told me of a great rate he got somewhere last May and I check it now it's over double what he paid!
So I'm looking for something else.

For those going to DC -- have you checked your Congressman's website to see what free tours they can set up for you? Often times, they are the same tours that are open to the public, except with subtle changes like guided tours instead of walk through on your own, etc. We took our boys, then 12 and 9 a couple of years ago, and they had a terrific time. I'm also there a couple of times a year on business so if you have questions, I might be able to give some advice on what worked well for us.

It looks like our cruise meet is doing double-duty as a touring DC advice thread. Our family is also making the trip this summer.

Marci, our boys will be 11 and 9, so I am especially interested to hear what were the favorite spots for your boys. We have already been in touch with our congressman's office to arrange White House and Capitol tours. Of course, the monuments and memorials will be part of our plan -- we're thinking about one of the moonlight bus or trolley tours. I imagine the only Smithsonian museums we will hit will be Air & Space, American History, and probably Natural History. Other thoughts ?

Holly

 

[marcij]

It looks like our cruise meet is doing double-duty as a touring DC advice thread. Our family is also making the trip this summer.

Marci, our boys will be 11 and 9, so I am especially interested to hear what were the favorite spots for your boys. We have already been in touch with our congressman's office to arrange White House and Capitol tours. Of course, the monuments and memorials will be part of our plan -- we're thinking about one of the moonlight bus or trolley tours. I imagine the only Smithsonian museums we will hit will be Air & Space, American History, and probably Natural History. Other thoughts ?

Holly

Hi Holly. It's funny -- we were able to get a west wing tour as a former co-worker of mine was working there, and that wasn't as big a deal to them as it was to me. (Though they loved sitting in the chairs in the press briefing room, which is much smaller in reality than it looks on tv.) They didn't really care about the Capitol or the National Cathederal, but loved the National Zoo. We only spent enough time there to see the Panda's as we have a decent zoo in Dallas. They really liked Mount Vernon (get the special tour from the Congressman), loved the Natural History, Air and Space, (American History was still closed then), Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Washington Monument and the Spy Museum was also a favorite. (They also enjoyed seeing a Nationals game, but they were playing the Texas Rangers so that might it more exciting.) Enjoy your trip and feel free to ask more questions.

 

[DMMom]

I went with my husband several years ago without kids. Did alot of walking. We saw all the major monuments, Air & Space, Williamsburg, and Mt Vernon. It was a great experience. I saw one family doing a type of scavenger hunt, which kept the kids interested. I just did a search on scavenger hunt Washington DC and found quite a bit. Enjoy!

Any tips on getting good deals with Disney resorts: book early, book late, book through DCL?? I started looking into a couple days before the cruise and short stays are quite expensive (per day). I wish I had more time off work for cruise and parks.

 

[Fab5Family]

Thanks, Marci. Lots of great tidbits. I may ask more as our trip gets closer.

Hi Holly. It's funny -- we were able to get a west wing tour as a former co-worker of mine was working there, and that wasn't as big a deal to them as it was to me. (Though they loved sitting in the chairs in the press briefing room, which is much smaller in reality than it looks on tv.) They didn't really care about the Capitol or the National Cathederal, but loved the National Zoo. We only spent enough time there to see the Panda's as we have a decent zoo in Dallas.

Good to hear about the zoo! We have a family membership at the Fort Worth Zoo and go there often -- but I was thinking the pandas would be worth a quick visit.

They really liked Mount Vernon (get the special tour from the Congressman),

Didn't know there was a special tour offered there. I will have to check into that. Two of the boys are cub scouts, and I read on the Mount Vernon website that there is a special guide book you can fill in as you tour and earn a patch only available at the Mount Vernon gift shop.

loved the Natural History, Air and Space, (American History was still closed then), Bureau of Engraving and Printing,

We thought about the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, but the boys have toured the one in Fort Worth, so I think we are going to skip that and tour the Philadelphia Mint instead. (We will have about a day and a half in Philadelphia, too.)

Washington Monument and the Spy Museum was also a favorite.

Glad to hear your boys liked the spy museum. My oldest son in particular is intrigued by this. Do you remember about how long you spent there?

(They also enjoyed seeing a Nationals game, but they were playing the Texas Rangers so that might it more exciting.)

How fun that you got to see the "home team" away from home. My DH's aunt and uncle live in Baltimore, so we might try to take in an Orioles game while we are spending a few days with them.

Enjoy your trip and feel free to ask more questions.

 

[Fab5Family]

I saw one family doing a type of scavenger hunt, which kept the kids interested. I just did a search on scavenger hunt Washington DC and found quite a bit. Enjoy!

Great idea. I will see what I can find for that.

Thanks!

 

[WDWCrazzyCunninghams]

Thanks for the info on contacting your congressman. I will look into that today! We won't have much time there....arriving on Friday and leaving on Monday.....We need to come up with a plan of action, but since we don't really know how much time to allow for anything, it's going to be tricky! I figured on Friday when we arrive, we would do a night tour of the monuments. We want to do the Air and Space and Spy and Natural History and, and, and, and.....We WANT to do it all, but know we just can't. My great Grandfather is buried at Arlington, would love to take the time to go to his gravesite, but I know we just won't be able to. I guess I better get out a blank calendar and start planning! It'll be here before I know it!

Thanks to all for the advice!!

 

[itutorfortravel]

All this talk about DC is making me want to plan a summer trip up that way! DH and I have talked about a road trip that would include Williamsburg, DC, and NYC sometime. I think we'd need a solid 2 weeks to pull that off...

For now we are looking forward to our trip to Orlando next month. I have done zero planning for it. I think we are going to wing it this time. We're going to visit my step-DD so it's not a Destination Disney trip...I'm not ruling it out as an option, but I'm just not sure yet if we'll go. abitagirl, what is the Mickey Mail you are talking about?

Anyone have kids they have taken to WDW at age 8? Last time we went to WDW DD was a few months shy of her 6th bday and our trip to Orlando this year she will be a couple months beyond her 8th. Just wondering what she might like this time that she didn't last? She is not a big roller coaster rider.

 

[foohpah]

I went with my husband several years ago without kids. Did alot of walking. We saw all the major monuments, Air & Space, Williamsburg, and Mt Vernon. It was a great experience. I saw one family doing a type of scavenger hunt, which kept the kids interested. I just did a search on scavenger hunt Washington DC and found quite a bit. Enjoy!

Any tips on getting good deals with Disney resorts: book early, book late, book through DCL?? I started looking into a couple days before the cruise and short stays are quite expensive (per day). I wish I had more time off work for cruise and parks.

I think DCL is always full rack rate and most often you can find some kind of discount that will be better. Check mousesavers.com early and often and book when you see a good deal. The deals for next June will probably not show up any earlier than Jan/Feb and go into the spring. I will probably book our room late this summer and then just apply discounts as they come out. If a better one comes out you can always switch.

 

[abitagirl916]

All this talk about DC is making me want to plan a summer trip up that way! DH and I have talked about a road trip that would include Williamsburg, DC, and NYC sometime. I think we'd need a solid 2 weeks to pull that off...

For now we are looking forward to our trip to Orlando next month. I have done zero planning for it. I think we are going to wing it this time. We're going to visit my step-DD so it's not a Destination Disney trip...I'm not ruling it out as an option, but I'm just not sure yet if we'll go. abitagirl, what is the Mickey Mail you are talking about?
Anyone have kids they have taken to WDW at age 8? Last time we went to WDW DD was a few months shy of her 6th bday and our trip to Orlando this year she will be a couple months beyond her 8th. Just wondering what she might like this time that she didn't last? She is not a big roller coaster rider.

The Mickey Mail are my Documents for the trip from my Travel Agent. It consists of my Resort and Park ticket vouchers, along with some extras like discount vouchers for mini-golf, Planet Hollywood and some other things. Once you receive your documents, the trip is not far away!!!

I really can't wait until I get my Mickey Mail for the cruise. Too bad that's a year away. Glad I have my WDW trip next month to look forward to.

 

[itutorfortravel]

Thanks abitagirl for clarifying that! Now I get it! We're staying in a condo in Orlando, so no Mickey mail for us

 

[marcij]

Thanks, Marci. Lots of great tidbits. I may ask more as our trip gets closer.

I think we spent almost two hours at the spy museum, and could have spent longer but we packed too much in to this trip!

Thanks for the info on contacting your congressman. I will look into that today! We won't have much time there....arriving on Friday and leaving on Monday.....We need to come up with a plan of action, but since we don't really know how much time to allow for anything, it's going to be tricky! I figured on Friday when we arrive, we would do a night tour of the monuments. We want to do the Air and Space and Spy and Natural History and, and, and, and.....We WANT to do it all, but know we just can't. My great Grandfather is buried at Arlington, would love to take the time to go to his gravesite, but I know we just won't be able to. I guess I better get out a blank calendar and start planning! It'll be here before I know it!

Thanks to all for the advice!!

The boys did like Arlington and the changing of the guard. We also got to see some kind of military parade band thing that is done once a week that was nearby.

Have fun!