Disney Dream - June 12, 2011

[Fab5Family]

We have a 11 yr old boy and will be there, too! Maybe meet by the pool at 8:30 PM? That should give everyone time to eat dinner and get swimming trunks on. This is so exciting!!!!

Sounds like fun. It's a "mini" DIS meet at the CI&S pool!

Any others staying there that night that want to join us? If I remember correctly from previous posts, there are at least six or seven families staying there on the night of the 11th. But I believe some may be driving in and arriving late or staying longer at the parks that evening.

Some of you out there still trying to decide where to stay ... come join the party!

 

[foohpah]

Really? We love that brunch! And I'm dying to take my son there this time since he was too young last time.
We're skipping the dinner though, it was ok but I don't want to miss the other new restaurants either, and perhaps we'll try Remy. (Maybe)

The brunch is nice and we have done it on 2 of 3 cruises but with only one brunch (since there is one sea day) and with us being a silver CC member I am sure the gold/platinum cruises will snag the brunch reservations. Don't want to plan on it and be disappointed when we don't get it. Just best to plan on dinner and have more time to do the 'new stuff'. How is that for spin?

Foohpah, we have done the stingrays on CC 3 times and loved it! They will have you feed them as they swim onto a platform and then you can snorkel and swim with them as you like. We will be doing the sea lion excursion, but agree that my DD would be bummed if she was too young and could only observe. IS there a different age for the dolphin encounters? We have done those at Discovery Cove and they are amazing animals!

The dolphin encounter does have the lower age and she would love to do that one. I have considered it but I would prefer to do the swim and I don't want to pay the money for the Blue Lagoon one. We really want to do Discovery Cove with the kids for our (probably once in a lifetime) dolphin swim. We looked at doing DC this trip but it is over $1100 for the 4 of us. Just too pricey when you consider 5 nights at WDW, KSC and the cruise. This is already one expensive vacation.

Sounds like fun. It's a "mini" DIS meet at the CI&S pool!

Any others staying there that night that want to join us? If I remember correctly from previous posts, there are at least six or seven families staying there on the night of the 11th. But I believe some may be driving in and arriving late or staying longer at the parks that evening.

Some of you out there still trying to decide where to stay ... come join the party!

We will be at CI&S on the 11th as well. Going to book for the 10th and 11th but we won't get in until later on the 10th since we will be at WDW that day. We are spending the 11th at KSC. Really looking forward to that. I am glad my kids are old enough to do it now.

We usually eat dinner at Grills the night before the cruise although my kids love the name of the Fish Lips restaurant so maybe we will break tradition and try that one. I figure Saturday night there will be some cruise ships leaving port so we might try to get there fairly early to see them leave while we do dinner. Or maybe watch from Jetty Park before dinner. So many decisions....

Well the kids are on the 2nd snow day. DH is staying home with them but I am going in to work. Boo! I guess someone has to work to pay for my Disney addiction.

 

[dlberney]

I just read on Facebook that the premiere of Cars 2 is set for June 24...we are going to just miss being able to see the it on the ship! Oh, well.

Also, has anyone ever stayed at Club Level at the Royal Pacific at Universal? I just changed our reservation because it was only $42 more and includes food and drinks. I hope it is worth it!

 

[PixieTl]

Only 5 more months!!!


Think, in 5 months we will no longer be shoveling snow, wearing coats, scarfs, gloves and will be drinking yummy fruity drinks on the Dream!!!

sigh, 5 months seems like forever!!

stay safe and warm everyone!!

 

[disgrits]

Only 5 more months!!!


Think, in 5 months we will no longer be shoveling snow, wearing coats, scarfs, gloves and will be drinking yummy fruity drinks on the Dream!!!

sigh, 5 months seems like forever!!

stay safe and warm everyone!!

 

[mousetravel]

To everyone that has kids that have missed school due to the Snow Storm, especially my fellow southerners:

Making up days at the end of the year due to snow has never really been a problem here. But now, that my DD has missed 4 days because of the snow, they will have to add those days on at the end of the year. Her last day was supposed to be June 7th, but now by the time they add on the make up days, the last day will actually be June 13th. we were planning to leave for Fl. on the last day of school and spend a couple days at Disney before the cruise. (guess we'll re-think a different schedule now)

Just was wondering if anyone is concerned about the schools extending the calendar and having to keep the kids out of school the last few days. I am definately not wanting to re-book for another date, because this cruise is falling on my DD's 16th birthday!!! But I have never really kept her out of school. We always went to Disney during Spring Break.


Curious to everyone's thought on this.
Thanks

 

[Scouter]

This is our first Disney Cruise and my first post!! Wow, wow, wow, I am so excited 5 months to hit the waters!! There will be 19 of us! We will be celebrating my in-laws 40th Anniversary along with celebrating both of them turning 60 this year! The guest list is myself (Tricia) 36, Hubby Peter 37, sons 17 and 12 and daughter 10. My 3 bother in-laws, 3 sister in-laws, 3 nephews and 3 nieces! It's a cause to celebrate!!

Welcome Tricia!
I'm Rose(46) and this will be my 5th Disney Cruise! I love it!
I hope you all will as well.
We're from NY. I'm traveling with my BF Bob(44) and my son Sean (20)
Not traveling with any family but with a bunch of friends I sailed with on two previous cruises

 

[WDWCrazzyCunninghams]

To everyone that has kids that have missed school due to the Snow Storm, especially my fellow southerners:

Making up days at the end of the year due to snow has never really been a problem here. But now, that my DD has missed 4 days because of the snow, they will have to add those days on at the end of the year. Her last day was supposed to be June 7th, but now by the time they add on the make up days, the last day will actually be June 13th. we were planning to leave for Fl. on the last day of school and spend a couple days at Disney before the cruise. (guess we'll re-think a different schedule now)

Just was wondering if anyone is concerned about the schools extending the calendar and having to keep the kids out of school the last few days. I am definately not wanting to re-book for another date, because this cruise is falling on my DD's 16th birthday!!! But I have never really kept her out of school. We always went to Disney during Spring Break.

Curious to everyone's thought on this.
Thanks

Our school was suppose to end the Friday before Memorial Day. We have now had 4 snow days this year, so that takes up the rest of the week of Memorial Day. We are planning on leaving that Saturday, the 6th. Our school system is set up to officially end, with any and all snow days, on the 9th of June. We'll be in Orlando. I have found, for the most part, the teachers are done and the kids are just watching movies and playing games...even in High School. I will be sure to send notes to Colton's teachers so that if they had planned on giving finals, he can take them early. Personally, I wouldn't sweat it. Talk to the teachers, I am sure they will understand!

The boys didn't have school today and are already on a 2 hour delay for tomorrow. I LOVE 2 hour delays! I think we should have them everyday! LOL

Made our ressie for our stay at Liki Tiki the week before the cruise. Also made ressies at Kouzzina, Boma, Hollywood and Vine and Tusker House. Other meals, we'll eat at the condo or counter service. We like Cosmic Rays and Columbia Harbour, so we are covered at the MK.

Going to go climb into bed! Have a great night!
Disney Dreaming....
Michele

 

[Fab5Family]

Made our ressie for our stay at Liki Tiki the week before the cruise.
Disney Dreaming....
Michele

Have you stayed at the Liki Tiki before? It has come up for us as a possible exchange property through Interval ... but I don't really know much about the resort. It looks interesting with the water park. Just wondering if you had any personal experience.

 

[bairdbeth]

Tomorrow will be day 4 of no school here. Georgia does allow for up to 4 snow days for students, but as a teacher I will probably have to make up the hours or take sick days or pay cut. My last day of post planning is currently scheduled for June 1st, but I guess we will see! We still have the 6 inches of snow now with about 1/2 inch of ice on top. The kids are enjoying sledding and DD has used my laundry basket, a top from a plastic storage container, made a snowboard out of a broken skateboard and for the best ride...the snow shovel! I on the other hand have been relooking at all the pictures that are being posted from the preview cruise and Dreaming of Castaway Cay! The disney cruiseline lets me know 150 days until our cruise and that I can start making port and activity reservations on March 14 (providing I am paid up!) I love that the numbers are getting smaller!
Going to look at ebay tomorrow and order a fish extender and then see if I can download paperwork for DD's passport renewal. Hope evryone stays safe and warm!

 

[Scouter]

Only 5 more months!!!


Think, in 5 months we will no longer be shoveling snow, wearing coats, scarfs, gloves and will be drinking yummy fruity drinks on the Dream!!!

sigh, 5 months seems like forever!!

stay safe and warm everyone!!

Yay! What a great thought!

 

[Lovin'themouse]

Welcome Tricia!
I'm Rose(46) and this will be my 5th Disney Cruise! I love it!
I hope you all will as well.
We're from NY. I'm traveling with my BF Bob(44) and my son Sean (20)
Not traveling with any family but with a bunch of friends I sailed with on two previous cruises

Thanks Rose!
I am actually working up in North Jersey right now, how about this snow? Has your son gone on the Disney Cruise before? I have a son Kyle who will be 17 during the cruise, he loves family vacations, I just hope he has fun!

 

[foohpah]

We just had two snow days but they build in 4-6 snow days a year here (I think it is 6). They were scheduled to release on June 1st if they use all of their snow days so we have a bit of a buffer. We were not planning on leaving until the evening of June 3rd so I think we would have to have more than 6 additional snow days to have any impact.

 

[tracy51]

Thanks Rose!
I am actually working up in North Jersey right now, how about this snow? Has your son gone on the Disney Cruise before? I have a son Kyle who will be 17 during the cruise, he loves family vacations, I just hope he has fun!

My daughter will be 17 during the cruise and I asked her repeatedly if she was sure she didn't mind doing a Disney Cruise. This will be her first cruise. And she assured me that she's looking forward to it and between the teen deck and the activities that she wasn't planning on seeing much of us on the cruise She's planning to hit and mixers/meet-n-greets they do the first day to get to know some of the other teens and find some people to hang out with for the cruise.

To everyone with snow. We're lucky and have just had below freezing temps after Sunday. No snows for us yet. Keeping my fingers crossed that all the snow days don't create problems for you're pre-cruise plans. We finish up on June 2nd (I believe) and so far no bad weather days. They do have 2 holidays they'll cut out if they do cancel school for some reason before they extend the school year. So we should be good barring an ice storm or freak blizzard.

 

[WDWCrazzyCunninghams]

Have you stayed at the Liki Tiki before? It has come up for us as a possible exchange property through Interval ... but I don't really know much about the resort. It looks interesting with the water park. Just wondering if you had any personal experience.

No, we have not stayed there before. Did a bit of reading...seems it went through a recent renovation, so hoping it's nice! The water park look awesome. I think the boys will get a lot of use out of it..on the day we are not in the parks. It's been a long time since we have used our timeshare...we own at Westgate Town Center. We were going to stay there as it came up as an option, but decided to try something different. We are getting a 2 bedroom. there are pluses to having the condo...the boys have their own bed, a full kitchen so not allll meals are out, and laundry! That said, I think we need to sell the FL timeshare and buy DVC! Maybe this year! Have to figure it all out.

Another snow day for us today. About 5" on the ground and it's still coming down. Even though it's been snowing for what seems like days, there isn't all that much on the ground. Oh well....the boys were off yesterday and today for snow, and have Fri and Mon off for teacher prep day and the holiday...so, we are looking at a 6 day weekend! Nice!

Time to fix some breakfast! I am thinking blueberry pancakes and sausage! have a great day!

Disney Dreaming...
Michele

 

[WDWCrazzyCunninghams]

someone mentioned we don't have a name or theme for this cruise....

Double Dippin' Dreamers

Double Dippers Dominate the Dream

Double Dippin' on the Dream

Double Dippin' is a Dream

Double the pleasure, Double the fun
Two stops at Castaway Cay are better than one!

Castaway Cay is oh, no nice!
Admiral Donald will take us there twice!

Anyone else got anything???
Disney Dreaming....
Michele

 

[Scouter]

To everyone that has kids that have missed school due to the Snow Storm, especially my fellow southerners:

Making up days at the end of the year due to snow has never really been a problem here. But now, that my DD has missed 4 days because of the snow, they will have to add those days on at the end of the year. Her last day was supposed to be June 7th, but now by the time they add on the make up days, the last day will actually be June 13th. we were planning to leave for Fl. on the last day of school and spend a couple days at Disney before the cruise. (guess we'll re-think a different schedule now)

Just was wondering if anyone is concerned about the schools extending the calendar and having to keep the kids out of school the last few days. I am definately not wanting to re-book for another date, because this cruise is falling on my DD's 16th birthday!!! But I have never really kept her out of school. We always went to Disney during Spring Break.


Curious to everyone's thought on this.
Thanks

I've pulled my son out of school for a few vacations. It was never at the end of the school year, but then those last few days they don't really do much do they? Most finals will be done and they just do fun things those last few days.
I even pulled my son out of school for our last cruise together in his senior year. Of course I asked him first if he thought he could handle it and he was pretty confident. Also, in that year he was at a very modern thinking private school (not catholic) and they didn't mind at all.
But I've done it in his younger grades and most teachers were telling him to have a great time, that they thought family time was important whenever you could get it. Only once did a teacher give him a hard time, and then it was only for one class and we just kind of ignored her and he did fine.

 

[Scouter]

Our school was suppose to end the Friday before Memorial Day. We have now had 4 snow days this year, so that takes up the rest of the week of Memorial Day. We are planning on leaving that Saturday, the 6th. Our school system is set up to officially end, with any and all snow days, on the 9th of June. We'll be in Orlando. I have found, for the most part, the teachers are done and the kids are just watching movies and playing games...even in High School. I will be sure to send notes to Colton's teachers so that if they had planned on giving finals, he can take them early. Personally, I wouldn't sweat it. Talk to the teachers, I am sure they will understand!

The boys didn't have school today and are already on a 2 hour delay for tomorrow. I LOVE 2 hour delays! I think we should have them everyday! LOL

Made our ressie for our stay at Liki Tiki the week before the cruise. Also made ressies at Kouzzina, Boma, Hollywood and Vine and Tusker House. Other meals, we'll eat at the condo or counter service. We like Cosmic Rays and Columbia Harbour, so we are covered at the MK.

Going to go climb into bed! Have a great night!
Disney Dreaming....
Michele

Wow! Awesome dining ressies!
We're only do one big ressie, because of budgeting. I haven't done too many expensive restaurants, but I've heard reviews on the DIS UNPLUGGED, my favorite podcast!

We're doing California Grill, the day after our cruise.

 

[Scouter]

Thanks Rose!
I am actually working up in North Jersey right now, how about this snow? Has your son gone on the Disney Cruise before? I have a son Kyle who will be 17 during the cruise, he loves family vacations, I just hope he has fun!

UGG, snow

Yes, my son went on a Disney cruise at age 13 in 2003, then again in 2005, and then his last was in 2007, his senior year.
So this will be his fourth, he's in his 3rd year of college now, and he's excited that he can do some adult things now (except drink, he'll be 2 months short of that)

Your son will have a great time!

 

[Scouter]

My daughter will be 17 during the cruise and I asked her repeatedly if she was sure she didn't mind doing a Disney Cruise. This will be her first cruise. And she assured me that she's looking forward to it and between the teen deck and the activities that she wasn't planning on seeing much of us on the cruise She's planning to hit and mixers/meet-n-greets they do the first day to get to know some of the other teens and find some people to hang out with for the cruise.

To everyone with snow. We're lucky and have just had below freezing temps after Sunday. No snows for us yet. Keeping my fingers crossed that all the snow days don't create problems for you're pre-cruise plans. We finish up on June 2nd (I believe) and so far no bad weather days. They do have 2 holidays they'll cut out if they do cancel school for some reason before they extend the school year. So we should be good barring an ice storm or freak blizzard.

My son never once did the teen clubs, he wanted to on our first cruise but his buddy would have none of it and it was a short 3 dayer anyway, but on his last 2, he met up with girls at our meet and greets that he hung out with all week. They never did the teen stuff, they were always just out wandering the ship. But they didn't cause any trouble and they had a great time