Disney Fantasy, August 18, 2012 - Western Caribbean

[Cruisebound]

We're planning on going to US/IOA for a few days pre-cruise and then just heading home after the cruise.

I'm still solidifying flights and hotel. The only airline offering direct flights to MCO from the airport behind my house (literally 3 minute drive ) is pulling out of our airport. Their last flight? 8/12/12.

I've taken an extended break on our FE and FE gifts. I really gotta get back into that - I'm making something by hand.

3 out of the 4 of us don't have passports and DS only has a passport card which is good for land & sea travel but not air travel to/from Mexico. I'm still not sure if we want to incur that expense or take a gamble and just use our birth certificates. I've heard horror stories of medical emergencies or missing the boat and, without a passport, not being able to fly back to the US but does that really happen that often or are the odds with us?

We will be going to US too before the Cruise. What would be the best days to hit that park. We are also going to do a day at Discovery Cove and Sea World. I exchanged a week of our time share for a nice Marriott one we stayed in several years ago.

Wow! Already started on the Fish Extenders! I put my 12 yo twin daughters in charge of that. They are more crafty than I and will probably enjoy it! About how many little gifts need to be made?

 

[PrincessBelle39]

Looks like there will be a few of us at US/IOA before the cruise. We will be there on the 13th and 14th of August. Although we are staying at Windsor Hills we will be booking a nights accommodation at the Royal Pacific to make things a bit easier. We are also going to Discovery Cove but that will be before this. At this stage we are looking for the 8th for Discovery Cove followed by Aquatica on the 10th. Its moving closer now. I can't believe I've just about finished booking my ADR's for WDW. Only one to go.

 

[It'sWDW4me]

We will be going to US too before the Cruise. What would be the best days to hit that park. We are also going to do a day at Discovery Cove and Sea World. I exchanged a week of our time share for a nice Marriott one we stayed in several years ago.

Wow! Already started on the Fish Extenders! I put my 12 yo twin daughters in charge of that. They are more crafty than I and will probably enjoy it! About how many little gifts need to be made?

I should think any weekday that week before the cruise should be fairly good. Schools start up in early to mid-August so the locals/daytrippers should be few. It looks like we'll be flying in on Wednesday afternoon (arrive MCO at 2:30) so we'll be hitting US/IOA Wednesday night (hopefully) and Thursday and Friday. It's been 4 years since we've been to US/IOA and we're all looking forward to seeing the WWoHP and I'm really hopefull that the new Dispicable Me ride is up and running while we're there. Spiderman is currently down for an upgrade so that'll be neat to see what they've done to it!

I'd love to meet up with anyone pre-cruise - let me know if anyone's interested.

Oh and for the FE exchange - check out the first post. Chris has the names of the people signed up for the FE in red. Not too many cabins so far but we have 6 months (ONLY 6 months?!?!?! ) left so that list may grow.

Our ship is on her way across the Atlantic now. From the DCL page, she's just north or, by now, just west of France and heading for open water. The pictures take my breath away. She's beautiful and I can't wait to see her up close and personal.

 

[olympia]

hello friends!

I will be in hard rock hotel day 15,16, and 17 ..
I reserve the blue man group show. Here in Spain nobody knows, but in this forum people say it's fun.
Also will reserve the restaurants ..... and the dates get closer .....
saludos! greetings!!

 

[Cruisebound]

hello friends!

I will be in hard rock hotel day 15,16, and 17 ..
I reserve the blue man group show. Here in Spain nobody knows, but in this forum people say it's fun.
Also will reserve the restaurants ..... and the dates get closer .....
saludos! greetings!!

I shall look into the Blue Man Group. My husband loves them and he would enjoy that!

 

[Cruisebound]

I should think any weekday that week before the cruise should be fairly good. Schools start up in early to mid-August so the locals/daytrippers should be few. It looks like we'll be flying in on Wednesday afternoon (arrive MCO at 2:30) so we'll be hitting US/IOA Wednesday night (hopefully) and Thursday and Friday. It's been 4 years since we've been to US/IOA and we're all looking forward to seeing the WWoHP and I'm really hopefull that the new Dispicable Me ride is up and running while we're there. Spiderman is currently down for an upgrade so that'll be neat to see what they've done to it!

I'd love to meet up with anyone pre-cruise - let me know if anyone's interested.

Oh and for the FE exchange - check out the first post. Chris has the names of the people signed up for the FE in red. Not too many cabins so far but we have 6 months (ONLY 6 months?!?!?! ) left so that list may grow.

Our ship is on her way across the Atlantic now. From the DCL page, she's just north or, by now, just west of France and heading for open water. The pictures take my breath away. She's beautiful and I can't wait to see her up close and personal.

I am not highlighted in red but we want to participate in the FE! All my daughters are in Girl Scouts and swapping is their favorite activity.

 

[Cruisebound]

We will be driving from Virginia to Orlando. It is the first time we have done this. Usually we fly but it never fails that our plane is always delayed and we end up spending hours at the airport.

We are going to leave Northern Virginia at around 5AM and it will put us in Orlando early eve. Then we will not have to rent a car.....

I am soooo excited about this trip. I booked the cruise during a major snow storm Jan. 2011!

 

[DVC_Chris]

I am not highlighted in red but we want to participate in the FE! All my daughters are in Girl Scouts and swapping is their favorite activity.

You are now

180 days to go!

 

[DVC_Chris]

I think we are going to skip US/IOA this trip. By the time August comes, it will be years ago since our last trip there, and while we did enjoy WWoHP, with the one year old baby, there would be less for us to do there than at WDW (plus we already have the annuals).

 

[Cherokee2504]

This will be our First Disney Cruise. My husband and myself have been one other cruise.

We are very excited. Our two kids, 4 and 8 will be with us.

I hear alot about this fish extenders and we want to join in. I will have to back to you regarding our room no.

What kind of stuff do people put in them?

I have to admit there is a lot of abbreviations that I just don't get

Thanks so much!!!

 

[Corkie]

Hi,
This is our first Disney Cruise, my husband and myself have been on 8 cruises. We will be traveling with our children, their spouses, & their children to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. What better place to amazing memories than on Disney Fantasy.
We are looking forward to participate in the FE, please advise as to what information is needed such as stateroom #, how many items to bring and so forth.
We are thinking of going down to New York City to see the christening of the Fantasy.
Until we sail.

 

[DVC_Chris]

Welcome aboard Cherokee and Corkie, we are happy to see two new groups added, I have added you both to the first page of Dis'ers going on the cruise.

This is will be my 3rd FE group, and there have been a wide range of things that I have gotten, CDs, plastic cups, little toys, etc. Sometimes people give specific gifts for children, some give gifts for the entire stateroom, it really depends on what you want to do.

At some point, provide your stateroom number, and the gender and ages of your children (names too if you are comfortable with it), in case someone wants to do a personalized gift.

 

[Cherokee2504]

Still trying to get my room no. don't know what I did with it, it was book almost 2 years ago. Corkie is my inlaws, They are taking us on this awsome cruise For their 40th Wedding anniversary and my father in laws 70th Birthday!!


My son is Ray age 8
My daughter is Symantha age 4

we are so excited. I told them about the FE and they are coming up with new ideas to give all the time.

BTW Chris we are in Upper Westchester County in NY. we are not too far from you.

 

[boundfordisney]

welcome aboard cherokee and corkie! Great to have more joining us here! This is our 3rd disney cruise and I know it wont be the last!Already looking at dates for 2013!Ive already done a couple of dining reservations for our pre cruise stay, waiting for the after cruise dates to open up so I can book them so far I have only book a room only for 5 nights before the cruise but that may change later on if free dining comes up and the dates are for after the cruise in which case we will do a 5 night stay after,been checking out flight times and fares wow they sure arent as low as they were on the last trip. Plus southwest doesnt seem to have as many nonstop flights to choose from , not like they once did. Jet blue is even more in cost just waiting to see if a sale comes along.Checked the disney cruiseline website to see what the same cruise would be if we were booking it now and its gone up alot! glad we booked a ways back, thats why Im checking out dates for 2013 sooo much cheaper booking early!

 

[Corkie]

Hi Chris,

Our room # is 7086 looking forward to sailing w/everyone.

Best,
Grammy & Gramps

 

[Cherokee2504]

Since many of you have been on DCL what are the dinner like? How many formal night, causal night, etc?

Starting to make my list of what we all need.

I'm in New york where are the rest of you from?

 

[boundfordisney]

Since many of you have been on DCL what are the dinner like? How many formal night, causal night, etc?

Starting to make my list of what we all need.

I'm in New york where are the rest of you from?

Well as you can see Im from hamilton ontario canada , about 45 mins. from Niagra Falls. There is 1 formal night , 1 semi formal night, 1 pirate night where alot of people will dress up for it and the rest are pretty much casual so to speak. Are you staying anywhere before or after the cruise? Are you driving down? We always fly out of Buffalo its so much cheaper then to fly out of Toronto.Where abouts in New york are you?Wish this cruise was closer , my 2 daughters and some of my grandkids are going may 17 on the dream, just a 3 night, we opted out of a trip on the dream and went with the fantasy instead. Never done a 3 or 4 night just the 7 night cruises as I figured a short cruise just wouldnt do it for me and I know I made the right decision as I found even the 7 night isnt long enough !lol!

 

[olympia]

hello!!!
There is 1 formal night , 1 semi formal night. ok.
in semi formal dinner can go with a jeans and a shirt?
is required to wear a tie and / or jacket in formal dinner ?
I have to wear a long dress in formal dinner?
sorry for that questions but I do not know anything about this subject
greetings!!!!

 

[PrincessBelle39]

HI to everyone new that is joining us. Glad to have you join us
We are coming from Australia for this cruise which will be our second having cruised on the Magic in 2009. We also have 17 nights in Orlando and 4 nights in New York. We are getting really excited now as it gets closer. We were watching a show on TV the other night about Disney Cruiseline and just seeing Castaway Cay was awesome.

 

[boundfordisney]

hello!!!
There is 1 formal night , 1 semi formal night. ok.
in semi formal dinner can go with a jeans and a shirt?
is required to wear a tie and / or jacket in formal dinner ?
I have to wear a long dress in formal dinner?
sorry for that questions but I do not know anything about this subject
greetings!!!!

hI Lola, as far as dressing goes you dont have to wear a long dress some people do ,some dont its up to you., but on formal night most are dressed up and most of the men wear a shirt and tie , or a suit and some even wear a tux.Semi formal is more relaxed attire a nice shirt and jeans Im sure would be okay , really whatever you wear is gonna be okay, on formal night I have seen some wearing jeans and a t shirt although they did look a little out of place as most were dressed up so to speak. As far as women a little black dress would do the trick as you can dress it up or down with assessories!