Disney Dream - June 12, 2011

[ashman]

I posted the last one in rush. I just found the thread but the kids were itching to go to the pool. Anyhoo more about our Clan. My wife and I celebrate our 16th anniversary tomorrow. We another family from Carolina. We live in Greensboro, NC. We have two precious daughters who are 10 and 8 and will be in the fifth and third grade respectively next year. I was an estate planning attorney for 8 years but gave that up. Two years ago I closed my practice and I now teach Latin at my girl's school to 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. I love having the summers off to hang out with my family, go to the pool in the neighborhood and backpacking. I have hiked about 160 miles on the Appalachian Trail. I have a 40 mile jaunt across the state of Maryland scheduled in about 4 weeks. Those are the highlights, glad to be aboard. Now I am going to try and read the rest of the thread!

 

[wdwluvrs]

We are getting a late start on the group is the a dis meet planned and or FE exchange

 

[ashman]

We are getting gorgeous fat flakes here in Dallas -- unusual for us! Normally we only get a few flakes and ice. Now, since we aren't use to it, it creates a lot of problems in driving, clearing roads, but right now, because it's not freezing yet it's beautiful to watch. (And yes, I know some of you have feet of it and are sick of it, so I hope you all have electricity and stay warm and safe!)

Any of you been on a celebrity cruise? We are going on one with my DH's college buddies this summer to celebrate most of them turning 50. (and no, I'm the "baby" of the bunch) We've done Royal four times and Disney five, but never Celebrity. The boards I can find for that cruise line aren't nearly as comprehensive as the DIS, so any help would be appreciated!

I know this is an old post but my wife and I did Celebrity for our 10 year anny no kids, great cruise. Adult only I got nothing but great things to say. If the kids are going, I can't speak to it as we weren't really looking at those programs. It is a solid line.

 

[WDWCrazzyCunninghams]

Hello fellow Cruisers!!

well, here we are, back from vacation! Williamsburg and DC were great! Hot and Humid, but great! I knew we'd do a lot of walking in DC, but not as much as we did!! I think we figured over 6 miles on Saturday alone....and this is a lot for a family that does NOTHING athletic. Our screen name for our truck club is WVBubba and MrsBubba....got the picture...we're fluffy, pooh sized people. By the end of Saturday, I thought we'd pass out! LOL BUT, we made it!! We have lived to tell about it!

On a sad note, before we left, we found out that our neighbor of 11 years, just 40 years young, had cancer. While we were away, Amy passed. Her funeral was yesterday. It was one of the hardest, most emotional days of my life. Nothing about this is right...it's not fair. Not to her, not to her young family. But as the Pastor said, Don't try to understand, just trust. He will guide the way. Just be there for the family. Which we will. Many tears flowed, but much love was felt. The paster also said, in all his 34 years of doing services, never has he seen so many people come to mourn. For 2 hours straight, there was a stream of people pouring through the church. Amy will be missed, by many. June 12 was the day she passed.....one year to the day we cruise.....ironic, I guess.....
Then we came home to find Steve's Mom was admitted to the ER with chest pains. She is home today and sees a cardiologist in a few days. Although, they initially say no heart attack and her stress test was good.

Welcome to the people who have just joined the group!! we are going to have so much fun!!!! (I am glad to see another Michele with one L! A rare find!)

I love hearing the new reports on the ship! I am glad to hear we'll have an "insider" who can give us the scoop directly!!

Fab5 and Crystal, thanks for the margarita machine tips! I haven't had a chance to really use it! Just been CRAZY since we got back. I am hoping tomorrow things will slow down some. I still have a suitcase full of clean clothes! LOL At least they are clean! We'll get there!

I hope this finds everyone happy and healthy!
Hug the ones you love, love the ones you hug......
Michele

 

[ashman]

I just read through the thread, glad to be with such an active group. I know several are planning on this being a surprise for kids (including us!). How are you planning to do the "big reveal"? When we took our kids on their first Disney Cruise, we did a scavenger hunt. If you want to see pics and descriptions, click on the link for my trip report in my sig line. The scavenger hunt starts in post number #21.

 

[ashman]

it is good to see other NC'ers coming on this cruise, this to will be our third. Where in NC are you coming from? We are living in High Point. Welcome to group.

Hello neighbor! Greensboro here!

 

[Crystal_27]

I posted the last one in rush. I just found the thread but the kids were itching to go to the pool. Anyhoo more about our Clan. My wife and I celebrate our 16th anniversary tomorrow. We another family from Carolina. We live in Greensboro, NC. We have two precious daughters who are 10 and 8 and will be in the fifth and third grade respectively next year. I was an estate planning attorney for 8 years but gave that up. Two years ago I closed my practice and I now teach Latin at my girl's school to 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. I love having the summers off to hang out with my family, go to the pool in the neighborhood and backpacking. I have hiked about 160 miles on the Appalachian Trail. I have a 40 mile jaunt across the state of Maryland scheduled in about 4 weeks. Those are the highlights, glad to be aboard. Now I am going to try and read the rest of the thread!

Welcome, welcome, welcome! How amazing that you quit your law practice to teach (I know several lawyers that I work for that would love to be able to do that...but those student loans...LOL).

Hello fellow Cruisers!!

well, here we are, back from vacation! Williamsburg and DC were great! Hot and Humid, but great! I knew we'd do a lot of walking in DC, but not as much as we did!! I think we figured over 6 miles on Saturday alone....and this is a lot for a family that does NOTHING athletic. Our screen name for our truck club is WVBubba and MrsBubba....got the picture...we're fluffy, pooh sized people. By the end of Saturday, I thought we'd pass out! LOL BUT, we made it!! We have lived to tell about it!

Sounds like a great trip (though exhausting). I'm so sorry about your neighbor -- I just can't imagine cancer at such a young age!

 

[ashman]

Thanks Crystal, it was/is a great journey that I don't regret in the least. I truly feel I cam doing what I was created to do!

 

[starchef]

Been away for a couple of days, camping in the great outdoors with the Scouts. We just got back from doing a canopy zip line tour just outside the zoo in Ashboro NC. What a thrill, even in the 95 degree heat, it was a blast.

Welcome, From us in High Point NC.

This will be our third cruise, in less than a year now. Can't wait. Now that the bow is in place, the Dream is getting closer to being afloat.

http://www.meyerwerft.com/page.asp?lang=e&main=2&subs=0&did=826

http://www.disneycruisenews.com/Con...playItem=c4f6433d-5e5c-4f7e-b16f-97a31da36bc1

 

[DMMom]

We are getting a late start on the group is the a dis meet planned and or FE exchange

So far, there is nothing planned for either. I know there is interest, just need the coordinator.

Those are the highlights, glad to be aboard. Now I am going to try and read the rest of the thread!

Welcome aboard!

Hello fellow Cruisers!!

well, here we are, back from vacation! I hope this finds everyone happy and healthy!
Hug the ones you love, love the ones you hug......
Michele

Sorry that you returned from your trip to sad news. After our last cruise, we found out the same news about one of our neighbors.

Enjoy your magarita machine. I don't drink many frozen drinks (except on vacation), but that might make it more fun.

Have a great weekend.

 

[Scouter]

Thank you so much, Crystal. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone on the cruise. Less than one year to go until we are cruising on the Disney Dream. I can't wait to try out the AquaDuck and the new restaurants.

Michele

How long do you think we'll be waiting to get on that Aquaduck?
You think they'll have fastpasses on the ship
Perhaps I shouldn't laugh at that, maybe they will


I'd love to try out that new adults only restaurant, but I'm worried about the price on that one.

 

[ashman]

How long do you think we'll be waiting to get on that Aquaduck?
You think they'll have fastpasses on the ship.

The first two Disney cruises I went on didn't have a large Dis population. We did the "get to the ship ASAP, wear your suits onboard, and hit the pools as soon as you get on" thing both times and it worked liked a charm. Judging from the size and participation level of this thread, THIS far out, I fear my "DIS" advantage will not be as helpful!

 

[ashman]

So many folks from the South, are most of you driving? It is about a 10 hour haul for us. Our last cruise we drove, got past Jacksonville and got a hotel room. We had about a 2 hour drive the next morning. Our crew was so excited we got up so early that we were are the port by 9:30 and had to wait for them to open the parking lot! We flew on our first Disney cruise in 2007, we had two FF tickets and paid for the other two. So much has changed in the airline industry I don't think I would ever fly to Orlando again.

 

[WDWCrazzyCunninghams]

So many folks from the South, are most of you driving? It is about a 10 hour haul for us. Our last cruise we drove, got past Jacksonville and got a hotel room. We had about a 2 hour drive the next morning. Our crew was so excited we got up so early that we were are the port by 9:30 and had to wait for them to open the parking lot! We flew on our first Disney cruise in 2007, we had two FF tickets and paid for the other two. So much has changed in the airline industry I don't think I would ever fly to Orlando again.

We feel the same way. with so many new rules and regulations and FEES! Yikes! we'll be driving, I am sure. It's 12 hours for us. we've drove as far as Orangeburg, SC for the night and we've drove it all in one day. It's been easier now that the boys are older. Chances are, we'll drive it straight through. Steve mentioned the other day that he'd like to go to USO/IOA for a few days before the cruise, then do WDW after the cruise. It will be a good 2 week vacation!

Michele

 

[Luv2Travel]

Welcome!
I'm Rose, traveling with my BF Bob and son Sean who will be 20 by cruisetime.
This will be my 5 Disney cruise

Hi Rose, Just wanted to mention my little group (we're up to 9 cabins now) will have some 19 and 20 year olds in it too, so don't let Sean think he'll be by himself.

Here is our little group (or should I say sub-group? ):
My 2 cabins = DD17, DS17, DS15, DH, me
Cabin #3 = 2 adults, DS15, DS12
Cabin #4 = 2 adults, DD16, DS15
Cabin #5 = 2 adults, DD19, DS15, DD13
Cabin #6 & #7 = 2 adults, DD18, DD17, DD13
Cabin #8 = 2 adults, DS20, DS17
Cabin #9 = 2 adults, DS20, DS17

I need to check with these families to see if they mind me posting their names, or better yet, to see if I can get them to join in this cruise meet thread.

 

[Luv2Travel]

Our family has done two Disney cruises, both three nights. We are scheduled for this one although our kids (girls who will be 9 and 11 at the time) do not know it yet! My father just took us on an RCCL, the kids liked it but really missed Disney! My wife and I are sooooo excited to get back to Castaway Cay after Labadee!

ASHMAN!!! I feel I know you already -- I LOVED your trip report from your first DCL cruise. In fact, I think I'll go ready it again.

 

[ashman]

ASHMAN!!! I feel I know you already -- I LOVED your trip report from your first DCL cruise. In fact, I think I'll go ready it again.

WHOO HOO! A friend, a fan! How cool! How exciting, how intimidating! I gotta top the shub shot now!

I haven't been on the Dis in a while (just too darn depressing for me if you don't have a cruise booked). I realized when I got back on a few days ago that I never finished my Trip Report from my second trip (Yes, sadly, I have become one of THOSE TR authors ) Part of me says that was almost 18 months ago, let it ride man. Another part of me says, I need to go finish that report!

 

[nanceliz]

Ok guys, I was just looking at posts on another section of Dis. We are planning on going to universal for a couple of days pre-cruise and I'm glad we aren't going now!! Have you seen the pictures for the Harry potter grand opening OMG!! We went to Disney thanksgiving last year and one day at universal. They were building it then. Hopefully, the crowds will be more tame by next year. We would like to go buy not with those crowds!!!

 

[Crystal_27]

So many folks from the South, are most of you driving?

We live in the 'burbs of Atlanta and always drive. We always debate flying but, after calculating the cost of plane tickets, airport parking, shuttle to the Port, and the fact that our wait time after driving to the airport, waiting around, the flight itself, and then the shuttle takes essentially about half as long as our drive does, we always end of driving. It's not really a bad drive (about 8 hours) and having the car is nice.

 

[DMMom]

Happy Father's Day to all the DIS fathers!!
Have a great day.

Next year my prediction for Father's Day will be a day of laundry after a fabulous vacation of sun and fun. (Actually not much different than today)