Disney Dream - June 9, 2013 - 4 night

[disneyli22ie]

OK - you guys have me talked into it! I'll do the FE!!! (I spent most of my afternoon yesterday thinking of different things we could do!)

Cabin: 2502, 2 adults (F/F), 1 DD (1 mo shy of 8 yrs)

YAY!!

 

[RunnerMomO]

Updated on 3/7/2013

Dis ID. Cabin. Adults. Children
RunnerMomO. 7630. 2 (M, F). DS (11), DS(7)
Yearbooksharon 9049. 2 (M, F). DD(8 yrs old)
BetsyRNBSN. 8088. 2(M,F). DD(16), DD(10)
MickeySTL. TBD. 2(M,F). DD(7), DS(5)
Disneyli22ie. TBD. 2(M,F). DD(8 yrs old)
HappyMama3. 7632. 2(M, F). DD(13), DS(10), DS (7)
DVClurkerRob. 9606. 2(M,F). DS(14), DD(6)
HamNcheese. 2502. 2(F,F). DD(8 yr)

 

[HamNcheese]

I have some questions for all of you veterans!!!

I've seen conflicting information, so I am coming to you guys, my new trusted cruising BFF's.

1. do you suggest bringing bottled water on board, or is the water in the rooms/on the ship OK to drink???

2. Our return flight home from the Orlando Intnl airport does not leave until 6PM. Any suggestions on what to do that day? We currently have disney transportation arranged to take us from the ship to the airport. I don't really care for driving in areas I am not familiar with, but would consider renting a car from the airport (I've heard the airport, MCO, is 1hr + drive from Port Canaveral).

 

[RunnerMomO]

I have some questions for all of you veterans!!!

I've seen conflicting information, so I am coming to you guys, my new trusted cruising BFF's.

1. do you suggest bringing bottled water on board, or is the water in the rooms/on the ship OK to drink???

2. Our return flight home from the Orlando Intnl airport does not leave until 6PM. Any suggestions on what to do that day? We currently have disney transportation arranged to take us from the ship to the airport. I don't really care for driving in areas I am not familiar with, but would consider renting a car from the airport (I've heard the airport, MCO, is 1hr + drive from Port Canaveral).

1. As far as water, it may be a preference if you normally always drink bottled water or not. We are fine with the water from the taps or up in the deck where you can access the sodas, coffee, tea all day. I seem to remember a spigot for water the as well as being able to get ice.

2. Can you get a rental car at the port by chance and skip transportation back to airport? There is actually some neat things to see in Brevard County by the port including Kennedy Space Center and the Brevard Zoo. The zoo has onsite kayaking, you can feed giraffes and a cool zip line course. If not, getting a car in Orlando airport isn't bad. You just hop on either 417 or 528 (beach line) and head west to Orlando. You could alway go to Downtown Disney if you want a little more Disney. I want to say you are probably about a 20 minute drive from airport to Disney. There are plenty of other things in Orlando area, shopping, indoor sky diving, small museums, you name it. You probably don't want to try a theme park, although they do dump us off the ship really early in the morning! You will want to be at MCO about 1 1/2 - 2 hours ahead of time for your flight.

Have a great weekend!

 

[mamamac]

I also have some questions...

At our 75 day mark, what the heck am I suppose to be doing??

- Excursions
- Palo reservations (if we want)

When do we "check in" online? And why would we do that online rather than at port? What's the difference?

Do we check in our kids to the Kids Club online somewhere? Or do we do it at the port?

I've read so much that I am now confused.

 

[HamNcheese]

I also have some questions...

I've read so much that I am now confused.

LOL - I've done the same thing!!!

 

[RunnerMomO]

I also have some questions...

At our 75 day mark, what the heck am I suppose to be doing??

- Excursions
- Palo reservations (if we want)

When do we "check in" online? And why would we do that online rather than at port? What's the difference?

Do we check in our kids to the Kids Club online somewhere? Or do we do it at the port?

I've read so much that I am now confused.

Checking in online takes care of putting in credit cards, passport info and even all the info for kids. It speeds up your time in the port canaveral terminal considerably. It includes designating who gets charging privileges and what transportation are you taking after cruise? Because you want to get on the ship as soon as you can and you get a boarding # when you get there it's wise to have that all done so you basically go to the counter to get your lanyard and key to the world card.

For kids, you go to a separate line to get the wristbands and having paperwork done ahead of time saves a lot longer in line with anxious kids!

Reservations for palo or Remy's may likely fill up so if you possibly want to eat there, it's better to book ahead. Otherwise, when you get on board you race off to one of the lounges to ask for a reservation.

Excursions in theory can fill up on the more popular ones too. But I haven't had that issue before.

 

[disneyli22ie]

I also have some questions...

At our 75 day mark, what the heck am I suppose to be doing??

- Excursions
- Palo reservations (if we want)

When do we "check in" online? And why would we do that online rather than at port? What's the difference?

Do we check in our kids to the Kids Club online somewhere? Or do we do it at the port?

I've read so much that I am now confused.

Has anyone told you to pack your sunscreen and swimsuits in a carry on? You can check in early, sit by the pool , watch the kids swim, and have the drink of your choice while everyone is boarding the ship. If you like brunch, Palo is fabulous. It was one of the best brunches I've ever had, even better than the Ritz! You will probably want to do this when we are at sea and not miss an excursion. I was told that Pirate night is on the last night. It's a lot of fun! I bought the Passporter's Disney Cruise Line and It's Port of Calls book and it was extremely helpful.

 

[MickeySTL]

2. Our return flight home from the Orlando Intnl airport does not leave until 6PM. Any suggestions on what to do that day? We currently have disney transportation arranged to take us from the ship to the airport. I don't really care for driving in areas I am not familiar with, but would consider renting a car from the airport (I've heard the airport, MCO, is 1hr + drive from Port Canaveral).

Another option is to get a day room from the Hyatt Regency MCO for ~$90. With that you get a hotel room for naps, reading, chilling, tv, showers, etc. and access to their pool and other amenities. You have to call to book it, you can't book it online. You have access to the room from like 9 AM until 6 PM.

 

[mamamac]

Checking in online takes care of putting in credit cards, passport info and even all the info for kids. It speeds up your time in the port canaveral terminal considerably. It includes designating who gets charging privileges and what transportation are you taking after cruise? Because you want to get on the ship as soon as you can and you get a boarding # when you get there it's wise to have that all done so you basically go to the counter to get your lanyard and key to the world card.

For kids, you go to a separate line to get the wristbands and having paperwork done ahead of time saves a lot longer in line with anxious kids!

Reservations for palo or Remy's may likely fill up so if you possibly want to eat there, it's better to book ahead. Otherwise, when you get on board you race off to one of the lounges to ask for a reservation.

Excursions in theory can fill up on the more popular ones too. But I haven't had that issue before.

So I do all this at the 75 day mark??

We are driving our own car and staying at the Garden Inn??? the night before. Will "online check in" help us get an earlier boarding time? I think that's what I am so darn confused on - How do you know when your boarding time is?

 

[RunnerMomO]

So I do all this at the 75 day mark??

We are driving our own car and staying at the Garden Inn??? the night before. Will "online check in" help us get an earlier boarding time? I think that's what I am so darn confused on - How do you know when your boarding time is?

Your boarding time you put in a requested arrival time online - I chose 11:00-11:30, but the order you get on also has to do with when you get to port and get your keys to the world card. Online checkin is really quite simple and took me all of 5 minutes to do. Nothing to fret over - but don't wait until the port!

 

[mamamac]

Your boarding time you put in a requested arrival time online - I chose 11:00-11:30, but the order you get on also has to do with when you get to port and get your keys to the world card. Online checkin is really quite simple and took me all of 5 minutes to do. Nothing to fret over - but don't wait until the port!

Thanks!

I know all you need to know for the parks, but this is stressing me out.

 

[RunnerMomO]

Went to JoAnn's fabric store the other day...have several items to try out in smaller quantify to determine what I like best!

 

[disneyli22ie]

Runnermom, can't wait to see the fabric and what you are going to do w/ it.

Just made Palo brunch and dinner reservations and Castaway Cay excursions as well.

Gotta go to sleep!

 

[RunnerMomO]

Runnermom, can't wait to see the fabric and what you are going to do w/ it.

Just made Palo brunch and dinner reservations and Castaway Cay excursions as well.

Gotta go to sleep!

No fabric in this purchase...potential FE gift items to attempt to make here! . When did you get your dining reservations?

 

[disneyli22ie]

No fabric in this purchase...potential FE gift items to attempt to make here! . When did you get your dining reservations?

Palo brunch 11:00 day 4
Palo dinner 8:30 day 2

Can't wait! the food is s good.

I booked Castaway Cay catamaran snorkel and the boat rental. I really wanted a cabana just for the shade! Hopefully I'll be able to find some. A hammock in the shade sounds really good!

I couldn't book the dolphin adventures at Atlantis due to the fact that they have wild dolphins. Captured from the wild and separated from their families forever.
This is from the Humane Society of the US and why we are not swimming w/ the dolphins...

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/captive_marine/facts/swim_dolphins.html

 

[mamamac]

Fine. I'm in for the FE. Just don't make fun of my lack of artistic talent but I think I got something in mind that shouldn't make me too crazy, especially if I start now. I may be adding my sisters cabin as well, but she needs to "think about it".

Mamamac. 9084. 2 adults (M, F) 2 girls (6 1/2, 8)

 

[disneyli22ie]

Fine. I'm in for the FE. Just don't make fun of my lack of artistic talent but I think I got something in mind that shouldn't make me too crazy, especially if I start now. I may be adding my sisters cabin as well, but she needs to "think about it".

Mamamac. 9084. 2 adults (M, F) 2 girls (6 1/2, 8)

YAY! glad you joined. Our list is growing!

 

[HamNcheese]

Palo brunch 11:00 day 4

I couldn't book the dolphin adventures at Atlantis due to the fact that they have wild dolphins. Captured from the wild and separated from their families forever.
This is from the Humane Society of the US and why we are not swimming w/ the dolphins...

I haven't checked the link yet, but is that the same with the dolphins at Blue Lagoon??? I was hoping DD will get to do this (hoping they aren't full by the time we are able to book our excursions) and had chosen Blue Lagoon based on other reviews . Anyone done the Blue Lagoon dolphin swim before? Do you know if there is a photographer there to take pictures for you? I am guessing I will have to get in the water with DD (she has an irrational fear of strangers and likely won't enjoy it if she feels there are too many strangers around her and I am not standing next to her), so I won't be able to take a ton with a good camera, and my mom has beginning stages of parkinson's and is too shaky for a camera. :/

 

[disneyli22ie]

I haven't checked the link yet, but is that the same with the dolphins at Blue Lagoon??? I was hoping DD will get to do this (hoping they aren't full by the time we are able to book our excursions) and had chosen Blue Lagoon based on other reviews . Anyone done the Blue Lagoon dolphin swim before? Do you know if there is a photographer there to take pictures for you? I am guessing I will have to get in the water with DD (she has an irrational fear of strangers and likely won't enjoy it if she feels there are too many strangers around her and I am not standing next to her), so I won't be able to take a ton with a good camera, and my mom has beginning stages of parkinson's and is too shaky for a camera. :/

Yes, it's basically for all swim with dolphin exhibits. It's not from a radical animal rights group, but from the Humane Society of the US. I cringed when i read it.