Disney Dream - June 12, 2011

[Scouter]

Rose, we had snow Sunday and a little overnight I am so ready for spring to actually BE here.

Regarding Palo reservations, last time we cruised we didn't book until 2 months before, so went to book upon boarding and had no problem getting a brunch reservation - in fact there were several - but that WAS a 7 day, so I'm thinking chances will be slimmer but I'm still hoping!

I have nothing planned for Nassau, not sure we will get off the ship.

Yeah, I figure we'll try once we get onboard.
Then head straight for a ride on the Aquaduck!

We're not planning to get off at Nassau either.

 

[Scouter]

I was not able to get the Nassau excursion I wanted - Atlantis Aquaventure. I eneded up booking a room at the Comfort Suites to have access to Atlantis. I can add 2 more people to the room if anyone is interested in spliting the cost

The spa was also pretty booked Hopefully more time slots will be available once onboard

I'll bet the spa keeps some times open for people who want to book onboard.

 

[Scouter]

How fun for your DH! UTA has a great baseball program. I was so cold last night waiting on DS12 to finish his baseball practice. Thankfully I had a blanket to sit on those cold bleachers and I sat in the car most of the time. Crazy weather!

And I thought that it was always sunny and warm in Texas.

 

[Scouter]

Hi Everyone! Obviously I'm a bit behind on dropping by and saying hello, but better late than never, right?! I'm the sister she talked about, Melissa, also from Pittsburgh, PA. GO Penguins! My son Keegan (8) and I are joining their crew, and anxiously counting down the days! This will be our 3rd Disney Cruise, I can't wait for that Castaway Cay sunshine!
Lots of reading to catch up on, if any of you have boys around my son's age, let me know!

Welcome!
It's funny that my boyfriend has a sister who lives in Pittsburgh whose name is Melissa. Her husband is all about the Penguins

I'm traveling with my BF Bob and my son Sean, who will be almost 21.
This is my 5th Disney cruise

 

[DMMom]

Hey guys! Only 76 more days.......woo-hoo! My daughter has just gotten engaged and her fiance will be with us on the cruise. They would like to have some engagement pictures made one day when we are on Castaway Cay. If there are any photographers out there who are going with us and would like to earn a little money, they would love to hire you for an hour! Let me know and we can discuss details. BTW, did I mention that we only have 76 more days???

Congratulations!! If you can't find anyone else, I will talk to my DH about it. He mainly does digital studio photography of models and babies, but he just started trying to do outdoor photography. He just did a wedding and reception, but he was overly nervous.

 

[bairdbeth]

Wow! I had a lot to catch up on! It is crazy at school right now. Since we have to serve kids as soon as they turn 3 if already identified with a disability, they keep coming! I just staffed in 2 new students and will staff 2 more right after Spring Break (which is next week!) This above the other 15 annual reviews I have to do
Just a reminder that our FE cutoff is coming up next week! Please send me your info if you want to join the fun! I added 2 more to our list today!
I am so glad to have next week off even though it is filled with appointments. This will be the first time in my DD's life that we will not be going to the Quad Cities for Spring break. With my Grandpa now gone, my aunt having taken a fall and recovering from a traumatic brain injury and my mom's alzheimers progresing we are unable to go
Sure wish it was June!!!

 

[KSFrogge]

Hi Everyone! Obviously I'm a bit behind on dropping by and saying hello, but better late than never, right?! I'm the sister she talked about, Melissa, also from Pittsburgh, PA. GO Penguins! My son Keegan (8) and I are joining their crew, and anxiously counting down the days! This will be our 3rd Disney Cruise, I can't wait for that Castaway Cay sunshine!
Lots of reading to catch up on, if any of you have boys around my son's age, let me know!

Welcome!!!

My son Nathan turns 9 just about a month before the cruise and I know there are a couple of other boys in that 8-10 range.

Welcome!

We also have boys in that age range. Technically my boys will be 11, 9, and 9 on our cruise -- but they all have birthdays the week after we return so they are closer to 12, 10, and 10. My twins would be in the Lab with Keegan.

Looking forward to meeting you all.

Welcome Melissa! I also have a son, Hagan that will be 9 on the cruise and he LOVES to meet new friends. These 8-10 year old guys should all meet up at the DIS meet and get acquainted. Did Keegan enjoy the clubs on your past cruises? Hagan spent a lot of time in the Lab on the Magic and had a great time.

Wow! I had a lot to catch up on! It is crazy at school right now. Since we have to serve kids as soon as they turn 3 if already identified with a disability, they keep coming! I just staffed in 2 new students and will staff 2 more right after Spring Break (which is next week!) This above the other 15 annual reviews I have to do
Just a reminder that our FE cutoff is coming up next week! Please send me your info if you want to join the fun! I added 2 more to our list today!
I am so glad to have next week off even though it is filled with appointments. This will be the first time in my DD's life that we will not be going to the Quad Cities for Spring break. With my Grandpa now gone, my aunt having taken a fall and recovering from a traumatic brain injury and my mom's alzheimers progresing we are unable to go
Sure wish it was June!!!

Beth, it sounds like wonderful work you do and with everything going on in your family, I'm sure you ARE ready for vacation! Can't wait to meet you all!

 

[KSFrogge]

Yeah, I figure we'll try once we get onboard.
Then head straight for a ride on the Aquaduck!

We're not planning to get off at Nassau either.

I am so excited about the Aquaduck.

 

[Principessa]

Hi Everyone! Obviously I'm a bit behind on dropping by and saying hello, but better late than never, right?! I'm the sister she talked about, Melissa, also from Pittsburgh, PA. GO Penguins! My son Keegan (8) and I are joining their crew, and anxiously counting down the days! This will be our 3rd Disney Cruise, I can't wait for that Castaway Cay sunshine!
Lots of reading to catch up on, if any of you have boys around my son's age, let me know!

Hi Melissa and Hi to your sister Joyce!
I'm your neighbor over here in Indiana, PA!
Which side of town are you from? I'm often (well, 1-2 times a month!) in
Monroeville, Shadyside or Ross Park Mall....we could consider a mini Dis meet at a Starbucks...or EatnPark


Are you going to do the FE exchange?

Welcome!

 

[Principessa]

Yeah, I figure we'll try once we get onboard.
Then head straight for a ride on the Aquaduck!

We're not planning to get off at Nassau either.

Hi Rose!

If I can figure out how, I will try for a brunch at Palo....but I bet
they didn't hold back many of those spots!

We are not getting off at Nassau either. I hope to watch movies by the pool. I find that very relaxing! New Pirates movie, woo hoo!

 

[tracy51]

Hi Everyone! Obviously I'm a bit behind on dropping by and saying hello, but better late than never, right?! I'm the sister she talked about, Melissa, also from Pittsburgh, PA. GO Penguins! My son Keegan (8) and I are joining their crew, and anxiously counting down the days! This will be our 3rd Disney Cruise, I can't wait for that Castaway Cay sunshine!
Lots of reading to catch up on, if any of you have boys around my son's age, let me know!

Welcome Melissa!

My husband is orginally from around Pittsburgh (his mom lives in Monaca). As a matter of fact we'll be up there in August for his sisters wedding.

I'm torn on trying to Brunch at Palo once on board. I enjoyed it on the Wonder and I think DH would like it but I almost don't want to feel rushed to try to get some place to try to get a reservation. I'd like our boarding day to be nice and relaxed.

I do however need to mention bringing out swimsuits in our carryons so we can try to ride the Aquaduck that day.

 

[o0lissa0o]

Hi Melissa and Hi to your sister Joyce!
I'm your neighbor over here in Indiana, PA!
Which side of town are you from? I'm often (well, 1-2 times a month!) in
Monroeville, Shadyside or Ross Park Mall....we could consider a mini Dis meet at a Starbucks...or EatnPark


Are you going to do the FE exchange?

Welcome!

Hi Neighbor! We're both from the South Hills, though we never turn down an excuse to go out to Ross Park! Maybe we can arrange a mini meet! We are doing the FE Exchange, this will be the first time we've done it, so I'm looking forward to it!

Looks like theres a lot of boys in that age group, Keegan will be excited! He'll be 9 in October, and he totally loved the Lab on the last 2 cruises. Usually I was dragging him out late at night, and back again first thing in the morning! There's so many great activities, and he made great friends. He also loved the club on Castaway Cay, but now that he's a better swimmer than last time, I doubt he'll spend much time there then.

Scouter, sounds like your boyfriends sister and her husband are smart people! My son is a hockey addict, so the Pens are huge in our house!

Thanks for all the warm welcomes!

Tracy (another person with Pittsburgh roots, we're everywhere!)-I see you mentioned Palo, has anyone on the board looked into getting the group dining room at Palo? We did that on our last cruise with a group of Dis'ers and it was fun. We were able to book the big room directly through the ship ahead of time, and everyone did one big dinner together. I believe they'd do it for brunch as well. They still treated it the same way with the cost being split to everyones room. I have no clue how it was arranged, we just tagged along, but it might be something worth checking into if you have your heart set on going to Palo. (And who can turn down those mimosa's at brunch!?)

 

[3DAN]

Room Tours, "A Progressive Disser"

Tour Rooms, "A Progressive Disser"
3dan cat V 12022
Marcij cat R 12002
Fab5Family cat8C 7670 and 7672
Tracy51 cat5D 6070
Scouter cat 5D 6054
KSFrogge cat8B 9656
abitagirl916 cat 5E 5158
McPackers cat 5 GTY
whithouston cat11B GTY
WDWCrazzyCunninghams cat6B 8182
Got it,,,, Keep um coming , folks,,, we can have a big room tour so that we can all see what the rooms look like!!!!!
Did I get it right?
Bill



Go Butler!!!

Just making sure that everyone knows about the room tour plan. We hope to get a look at most of the rooms on the ship, if possible. Speak up if you are interested in joining.
Bill

 

[Lovin'themouse]

Wish the weather we warmer to start warming up for the Castaway 5K! I keep checking out the menus on the ship and I will need to run after eating all that food!

 

[Scouter]

(And who can turn down those mimosa's at brunch!?)

I always say..... why water down good champagne with orange juice?
Give it to me straight!

 

[Scouter]

Hi Rose!

If I can figure out how, I will try for a brunch at Palo....but I bet
they didn't hold back many of those spots!

We are not getting off at Nassau either. I hope to watch movies by the pool. I find that very relaxing! New Pirates movie, woo hoo!

I'm confused where to check for openings at Palo once onboard, some people said go directly to Palo, but somewhere else I read to go to one of the adult clubs once onboard.

One of the Navigators I saw said:
To change Dining Assignment/Remy & Palo Bookings
Requests for a different seating will be taken today: (first day navigator)
1pm to 3pm D Lounge
3:30 to 4:30 call 7-1831/7-1832

So does this mean you only go to D lounge if changing or will they take new requests there?

 

[Fab5Family]

I see you mentioned Palo, has anyone on the board looked into getting the group dining room at Palo? We did that on our last cruise with a group of Dis'ers and it was fun. We were able to book the big room directly through the ship ahead of time, and everyone did one big dinner together. I believe they'd do it for brunch as well. They still treated it the same way with the cost being split to everyones room. I have no clue how it was arranged, we just tagged along, but it might be something worth checking into if you have your heart set on going to Palo. (And who can turn down those mimosa's at brunch!?)

That thought had crossed my mind, too, since it seemed so many of us wanted brunch but were unable to get it. I read on another thread, however, that the "private" room on the Dream is not really a separate room but more of an alcove. It was reported as being used for large groups at dinner -- but apparently at brunch this is where the food tables are set up and therefore there is no option of the private room for brunch.

 

[Fab5Family]

Just making sure that everyone knows about the room tour plan. We hope to get a look at most of the rooms on the ship, if possible. Speak up if you are interested in joining.
Bill

I am looking forward to this -- such a fun idea.

I just re-read your list and it looks like we have a good variety. An inside room to check out the virtual porthole, some family oceanviews to see the big window seat portholes, some verandah rooms and some concierge.

Anyone want to participate that has a cat 9 or 10? I would love to see the differences in the 11 vs. 10 with the split bath and the 9 vs. 8 with the different sized portholes.

 

[tracy51]

Morning everyone

I was checking yesterday for possible upgrades. There were some Cat4's open which would give us a bit more room and a round tub. In the end I decided not to spend more money on the room but is it sad that one of the pro's I had listed to moving to a Cat 4 was that we didn't have one on our Progressive Dis Room Tour?

Rowan is home sick today. She's been complaining of a sore throat for the last couple of days. Today she was hard to wake up and ask if she could stay home - something she never does. Hoping its just a bad case of allergies and not something worse. Weather here has been playing havoc with our allergies. On an up note *warning Mommy brag coming* we were able to see the scores for her 1st attempt at the SAT. She just needs to bring her combined Math & Reading scores up 30 more points to be automatically accepted to her 1st choice college on an academic admit basis. So we're thinking she should be able to be accepted under the review process (normal admission) with little to no problem. Not her dream school but its her #1 realistic choice and its where I went so I'm happy that things are looking good for her to go there

 

[KSFrogge]

I'm confused where to check for openings at Palo once onboard, some people said go directly to Palo, but somewhere else I read to go to one of the adult clubs once onboard.

One of the Navigators I saw said:
To change Dining Assignment/Remy & Palo Bookings
Requests for a different seating will be taken today: (first day navigator)
1pm to 3pm D Lounge
3:30 to 4:30 call 7-1831/7-1832

So does this mean you only go to D lounge if changing or will they take new requests there?

I took this to mean dining changes AND Palo/Remy bookings, also. That's what we did on the last cruise, so I was going to try D Lounge again.