Disney Fantasy Cruise November 8th - 15th 2014 ... here we come!

[Lorelei528]

I was a bit worried that the ship would be too big for us too Glinda, too many people etc. but seriously, we LOVED it!
We had only sailed the Wonder on a 3 night before. I'd definitely go back to a classic ship if only to make sure we like them as the 3 night was just too short for us. We were running around like chickens without heads the whole time!
Even on the 7 night...would you believe we only once hung out in the Adults only deck for like an hour or so? We never even relaxed on Deck 4 with a good book!
We have lots of relaxing to do for this cruise! LOL Still felt like we tried to do too much. I guess the nice thing about doing the same itinerary (except Jamaica) is we might not feel the need to do an excursion or even get off the ship!
Everyone who is DVC, where do you own and where do you prefer to stay etc.?
In general, what is everyone's fave resort?

 

[glindamood]

That is one of the nice things about cruising as many times as we have - I don't have that feeling that I need to do it all as I am pretty sure that I will be back.

DVC - we own at OKW (the only option when we purchased, wasn't even called OKW when we got our first contract) and SSR. We have obviously stayed at OKW (from a studio to a Grand Villa) as well as SSR, BWV, AKL, WL and we are at BLT with a lake view in May for the Flower & Garden Festival. We have also stayed at Vero Beach. Wow, I do get around !

My favorite I think is Wilderness Lodge - I loved the location, the proximity to transportation, the atmosphere, everything. I am anxious to stay at BLT but that will probably be a one and done thing as it takes more points to stay there than other places. OKW has by far the largest accomodations but . BWV was not real high on my list - much more hotel like and the walk to our room felt like it took forever. AKL is so 'out of the way'. We went to MVMCP from there and I felt like the bus ride took forever. All that being said, I am hoping that I can get a studio at BWV for F&W for this fall. I would also like to stay at BCV but that is such a small resort, I am not sure we could manage to get in at the 7 month window.

Ask me any questions you have - I love DVC!

 

[lianne_0325]

That is one of the nice things about cruising as many times as we have - I don't have that feeling that I need to do it all as I am pretty sure that I will be back.

DVC - we own at OKW (the only option when we purchased, wasn't even called OKW when we got our first contract) and SSR. We have obviously stayed at OKW (from a studio to a Grand Villa) as well as SSR, BWV, AKL, WL and we are at BLT with a lake view in May for the Flower & Garden Festival. We have also stayed at Vero Beach. Wow, I do get around !

My favorite I think is Wilderness Lodge - I loved the location, the proximity to transportation, the atmosphere, everything. I am anxious to stay at BLT but that will probably be a one and done thing as it takes more points to stay there than other places. OKW has by far the largest accomodations but . BWV was not real high on my list - much more hotel like and the walk to our room felt like it took forever. AKL is so 'out of the way'. We went to MVMCP from there and I felt like the bus ride took forever. All that being said, I am hoping that I can get a studio at BWV for F&W for this fall. I would also like to stay at BCV but that is such a small resort, I am not sure we could manage to get in at the 7 month window.

Ask me any questions you have - I love DVC!

The wilderness lodge is my favorite one to price. I just love the design of it. Probably because it is just so different from my native Florida. Plus how fun is it to take the little boats to the park? Lol.

 

[sparklechicks]

Everyone who is DVC, where do you own and where do you prefer to stay etc.?
In general, what is everyone's fave resort?

We are Boardwalk as home but my favorite is Beach Club but it is so hard to get into! I haven't stayed at Wilderness yet - but have always heard good things!

 

[glindamood]

We are Boardwalk as home but my favorite is Beach Club but it is so hard to get into! I haven't stayed at Wilderness yet - but have always heard good things!

Wilderness Lodge had never been high on my list at all but I can tell you that at this point, I might give up our BLT rooms to stay there again. ....or not as I need to stay each place at leas once. Boardwalk just seems to have such long hallways and is much more 'hotel' like. Since that is your home - is the only way in our out through the lobby? Are there exits that do directly onto the boardwalk side that are closer to Epcot? I would like to grab a studio for F&W this fall but not exactly sure what to ask for.

Well, I hope everyone's weather has been OK. We didn't get hit with as much snow as they said but enough none the less, another 5 or 6 inches on top of what we have plus the cold and wind. Isn't it spring yet????????

 

[Lorelei528]

We own at BLT and AKV.
Bought into BLT on our Disneymoon. And after a short stay and me going out to our balcony and saying to DH "I miss the animals!" (well, whining actually), I called our rep as soon as we got home and bought into AKV.

AKL is our absolute favorite resort. We have stayed at BLT and have never been disappointed, though I've heard of some awful stories. We've stayed in studios and 2brs there and this coming Dec, we got a 1br.
We've stayed at AKL almost every trip. We do not like Kidani (tried it once) and prefer Jambo House.
We don't mind having to take a bus. We're from NYC, so we're used to it. Despite what you may think, NYers have to have a lot of patience!

We have also stayed at BWV but didn't like it. We did however like the Inn side. Actually, we LOVED staying at BWI and would stay there again, not sure about the villas....would like to try BCV at least once. Might try to stay there before the cruise.
We don't love the look of WL, so I don't know if we'd stay there, although have heard some great things. We do however LOVE Artist Point and pretty much eat there every trip. LOL...
Would like to add some more points on at AKL but can't really afford it right now, plus the points keep going up and up!
Have not stayed at OKW or SSR yet either....

As far as non DVC goes, would love to stay at the Poly just once. Even for a night or two! Have wanted to stay there ever since my first trip in 77, but my dad booked us into CL as our family always loved the "modern" aesthetic. Especially back then. One of the reasons we bought into BLT and not AKV in the first place, kind of in tribute to my dad who brought me to my happy place and I was only lucky enough to go that once with him...

Ok...anyway....I know if my dad was around now, he'd LOVE AKL!

Weather here has been ok. Not too much snow which I'm sad about. I actually LOVE the winter time. I went to Syracuse University and lived up there a total of seven years. So, I am happy when it's cold and snowy.

Glinda-Michigan is getting quite a bit of weather now, right?

Does anyone have anything exciting or special planned for the weekend?

 

[glindamood]

Happy Saturday! I got to sleep in to all of 6:45 and then the dogs thought it was time I got my lazy butt out of bed, let them out and fed them. I was ready for my coffee so not too much of a bother. We have our 'grandpuppy' this weekend so there are three tails everywhere I go. My yellow lab has a vet appointment this morning so we are heading to town in a bit to go and do that. Other than laundry and the normal house stuff, I have nothing on my plate today or tomorrow.

Horror stories for BLT - I don't pay attention to much of the other boards so hopefully whatever it was is fixed or we don't experience it (or at least notice as at times I can be pretty oblivious to things). Looking forward to our trip if for no other reason than it will mean it isn't winter anymore. This is not really my favorite time of the year - don't mind when the snow starts but it sure seems to go on, and on, an on - AND ON! We have not seen the grass since early November (and had snow in October but it came and went a few times).

We do need to figure out when we are planning on going for F&W this year. I had originally thought October but am now leaning to early November, I just need to sit down with a calendar and figure something out.

Enjoy your weekend - anyone looking forward to the Red Carpet tomorrow? I don't necessarily watch the award shows themselves but I do watch that part and always find it ummm - interesting might be the right word.

Take care!

 

[noahsketomom]

Hi there,
We just booked this one! We are doing the same Eastern cruise as LiAnne and Stacey this December, but didn't want to miss out on this one by waiting to book on board.
I haven't mentioned it to my mom and sis, who usually travel with us, because they think I'm a wacko for planning these sorts of things so far out.

But regardless of whether they decide to join us, it will definitely be me, my DH, and our four kiddos who by then will be 13, 12, 9, and 8 (turning 8 the day we embark!).

I know it's a long way off, but better that than never!!!

 

[glindamood]

Hi there,
We just booked this one! We are doing the same Eastern cruise as LiAnne this December, but didn't want to miss out on this one by waiting to book on board.
I haven't mentioned it to my mom and sis, who usually travel with us, because they think I'm a wacko for planning these sorts of things so far out.

But regardless of whether they decide to join us, it will definitely be me, my DH, and our four kiddos who by then will be 13, 12, 9, and 8 (turning 8 the day we embark!).

I know it's a long way off, but better that than never!!!

While it is never easy to get off the ship - it is always makes it a bit easier to have the next 'thing' in the hopper, whatever that may be. We are up to 3 WDW trips (I really did need those annual passes now, didn't I??) before this trip.

 

[lianne_0325]

While it is never easy to get off the ship - it is always makes it a bit easier to have the next 'thing' in the hopper, whatever that may be. We are up to 3 WDW trips (I really did need those annual passes now, didn't I??) before this trip.

Lol I feel the same way about my annual passes. Every time I have multiple days off in a row I am all trying to get a disney trip scheduled in there. Haha.

It hasn't happened yet though. Although I am currently working on bringing up my leave balance so I can take the cruise in December. So might not happen as much as I would like this year.

 

[sparklechicks]

While it is never easy to get off the ship - it is always makes it a bit easier to have the next 'thing' in the hopper, whatever that may be. We are up to 3 WDW trips (I really did need those annual passes now, didn't I??) before this trip.

Life is too short not to spend money on our Disney vacations!

I think I would cry like one of my kids if I didnt have another trip planned the day we have to disembark - hoping for lots of pixie dust for all of us that we can make this cruise!

 

[glindamood]

Life is too short not to spend money on our Disney vacations!

I think I would cry like one of my kids if I didnt have another trip planned the day we have to disembark - hoping for lots of pixie dust for all of us that we can make this cruise!

I will say that by the time this trip is over, I will probably be ready to get off as this is the second of the back to back. While I really love being onboard for the 14 days, the second trip is a repeat of the first one (same shows, menus etc.) and that can get old. I am also generally ready for my own bed when I get home. But I stand firm on having multiple trips in your future - I think if I had another place holder cruise out there we might be cruising this fall instead of waiting for next year. I think that DH will drive me nuts before this trip - and that is something that is generally the other way around!

 

[Disneyelf10]

Hi,
I wanted to pop in and say that we are also booked on this cruise!!
It will me be Donna and DH-Sean!!
Can't wait to meet up withe some friends who will be also cruising this week and it's my birthday to!!

 

[lianne_0325]

Hi,
I wanted to pop in and say that we are also booked on this cruise!!
It will me be Donna and DH-Sean!!
Can't wait to meet up withe some friends who will be also cruising this week and it's my birthday to!!

Welcome and what a wonderful way to celebrate your birthday!

 

[glindamood]

Hi,
I wanted to pop in and say that we are also booked on this cruise!!
It will me be Donna and DH-Sean!!
Can't wait to meet up withe some friends who will be also cruising this week and it's my birthday to!!

Donna and Sean!! We have such a long wait. I need to get more excited about the 2 or 3 WDW trips we will take before we do this. But, while I love my WDW time, there is just something more special about a cruise. Not sure what it is - could be all that pampering without all that walking and standing in line.

 

[sparklechicks]

Hi,
I wanted to pop in and say that we are also booked on this cruise!!
It will me be Donna and DH-Sean!!
Can't wait to meet up withe some friends who will be also cruising this week and it's my birthday to!!

Welcome Donna! Perfect way to celebrate your b-day!

 

[Disneyelf10]

Welcome and what a wonderful way to celebrate your birthday!

Donna and Sean!! We have such a long wait. I need to get more excited about the 2 or 3 WDW trips we will take before we do this. But, while I love my WDW time, there is just something more special about a cruise. Not sure what it is - could be all that pampering without all that walking and standing in line.

Welcome Donna! Perfect way to celebrate your b-day!

Hi everyone...thanks for the welcome!
Glindamood...2 or 3 tripsvtovWDW...lovely way to pass the 8months enjoy!
love our time n the ship so much to do or so little. The service, pampering, fun..... Can't wait!!

 

[glindamood]

Oh happy Monday! Weekends are not quite long enough without loosing an hour right out of the gate. It was so foggy last night that I didn't even notice that it may have been lighter longer and it sure was no fun driving to work in both the dark and the fog this morning.

Well, I did have a productive planning weekend - we are going to the Food and Wine Festival October 8th - 15th. We are staying at OKW and flying Southwest. The SW thing is new for us, I have never flown SW before so it will be an interesting adventure but I gotta love those free bags, being that I am a charter member of overpackers anonymous. I just hope I can get an early enough boarding time to be able to get an aisle seat. But at $90.00 and a non-stop flight, it was pretty much a no brainer.

Nothing else to report, well, other than 7 weeks from today we will be in WDW! Having seen the pictures from the Flower and Garden Festival, I am really looking forward to our Epcot time as it all looks beautiful.

Take care all and have a good week!!

 

[lianne_0325]

Oh happy Monday! Weekends are not quite long enough without loosing an hour right out of the gate. It was so foggy last night that I didn't even notice that it may have been lighter longer and it sure was no fun driving to work in both the dark and the fog this morning.

Well, I did have a productive planning weekend - we are going to the Food and Wine Festival October 8th - 15th. We are staying at OKW and flying Southwest. The SW thing is new for us, I have never flown SW before so it will be an interesting adventure but I gotta love those free bags, being that I am a charter member of overpackers anonymous. I just hope I can get an early enough boarding time to be able to get an aisle seat. But at $90.00 and a non-stop flight, it was pretty much a no brainer.

Nothing else to report, well, other than 7 weeks from today we will be in WDW! Having seen the pictures from the Flower and Garden Festival, I am really looking forward to our Epcot time as it all looks beautiful.

Take care all and have a good week!!

It does look lovely. The kids and I had a great time at the festival the other day. It was our first time during the Flower and Garden festival.

Your flight sounds like an amazing deal!

 

[glindamood]

It does look lovely. The kids and I had a great time at the festival the other day. It was our first time during the Flower and Garden festival.

Your flight sounds like an amazing deal!

I will say, I am most excited to go - 6 weeks from Sunday we fly down. I have had enough snow and ice to last me a good long time. I sort of forget what my yard looks like.

Nothing else new particularly to report though. DH is still whining about how long it is before the cruises but, it is what it is and we did go twice last year so he will just have to wait it out. He did bring up some new ideas about fish extender gifts though so that tells me that he is really thinking about it.

Well, everyone have a great day!