Disney Wonder Sept 3-7, 2006

[Ker-Bear]

We are driving down the Friday night before. It's only a 5 1/2 hour drive so it should be good. My parents live in Daytona Beach so we are leaving Sunday morning from their house to get to the port as soon as they let us into parking. Going to the beach on Saturday to get in the mood. I just don't want to drive on Saturday since it's a holiday weekend. Plus I want to be relaxed and in a vacation state of mind Not that I am a lush but I like to party when I get the chance. Built in babysitter with the "grandparents"!

I would absolutely fly down the day before. You could get there later than expected and not have the time on the ship. I am taking DS to the Mickey pool as soon as we board and eat lunch. We will meet you there if you want!!!! Plus we will probably have a DIS meet before the lifeboat drill so you want to be there for that don't you?

Southwest and Independence Air have the best deals. Check them out and watch for promos as it gets closer. September is actually a slow tourism month for Florida believe it or not. Stay at the Radisson at the Port. They have the coolest pool I might even stay there now that I am thinking about it. they have free parking I believe. Hmmmm something else to plan!

TaeJa: hope your DD feels better soon. I hate it when DS is sick because I feel so bad for him. Good luck on the nap!

 

[purplern]

I keep leaning towards the day before too!

 

[taeja71]

I want to be that way too before boarding. We'll be driving down to FL. It will take us a couple days, but its not too bad of a drive. We stayed at the Wyndam on our last trip. That was very nice as well. There was a infant/toddler pool and then next to it was the larger pool. Both pools were by the cabana bar where they were playing live jazz music. It was so pleasant sitting and playing with the kids under the night sky listening to relaxing music. The fountains there are beautiful. You know, the Wyndam is right on the corner of Orlando Blvd. and you never heard the traffic or noticed the 'outside world'. I won't talk about the 80's early 90's decor in our room though.

Kerry, what's the Radisson's pool like? Were the rooms nice?

Vicki- have you thought about where you would like to stay the night before?

Hope every one's having a great day!

 

[Ker-Bear]

http://www.radisson.com/capecanaveralfl?s_cid=L27413461

see what I mean about the pool. You will also be able to see the Wonder from the hotel. They have all different rooms and it has a carribbean (sp?) theme to it's rooms. Pretty nice. Coming from the hotel industry I have high standards. Of course my only requirement is that it is clean. Usual only sleep in a hotel room (and other adult things when no kids are around )
so I don't care too much about what it looks like.

 

[purplern]

Vicki- have you thought about where you would like to stay the night before?

Hope every one's having a great day!

No anyone have any suggestions!!! What do you do about transportation to the hotel to the port?

 

[taeja71]

http://www.radisson.com/capecanaveralfl?s_cid=L27413461

see what I mean about the pool. You will also be able to see the Wonder from the hotel. They have all different rooms and it has a carribbean (sp?) theme to it's rooms. Pretty nice. Coming from the hotel industry I have high standards. Of course my only requirement is that it is clean. Usual only sleep in a hotel room (and other adult things when no kids are around )
so I don't care too much about what it looks like.

You can see the Radisson from one of the Port Canaveral webcams. I can't think of the exact one right now, but yes, I've seen the green slated roof before. That pool looks nice too. I agree about the hotel rooms; as long as they are clean and in good cond. I don't care what they look like while I ' m sleeping. .

Vicki- You'll probably want to get a shuttle or taxi to take you to the port. If I had room in my van I'd pick your family up in a heart beat. Unfortunately, one wouldhave to sit on the luggage, one would have to squish between two car seats, and another would have to sit on the floor.

I'm rushing to post so forgive me for any typos or spelling errors foe paus, etc. (the same goes for furture posts as well).

 

[purplern]

Thanks!!! How's your DD?

 

[taeja71]

Thanks!!! How's your DD?

Is that a thanks for offering to tie your DH to the luggage rack or thanks for suggesting the taxi or shuttle? We could see how well he can surf the van????

Vicki- I noticed your dog's picture. My lab lays down like that too! Weird.

Whoops, how's my DD? She's much better, but she still sleepy and clingy.

 

[taeja71]

Kerry- I found a pic of pool at the Wyndam (Orlando drive) hotel, but its hard to see every thing. The shot shows the big pool and the toddler pool is in front of the big pool and the bar/music area is the lighted cabana/building.
If you can't see the picture of the pool right away it is photo number 1 of 10. http://travel.ian.com/index.jsp?pageName=hotInfo&cid=47512&hotelID=106412

 

[taeja71]

Look at post #2 on the thread link I'm providing.http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=861448. The topic is, Hotels near the port...

Radisson offers free shuttle to boat and free parking Vicki! Whoohoo!

 

[purplern]

Is that a thanks for offering to tie your DH to the luggage rack or thanks for suggesting the taxi or shuttle? We could see how well he can surf the van????

Vicki- I noticed your dog's picture. My lab lays down like that too! Weird.

Whoops, how's my DD? She's much better, but she still sleepy and clingy.

Ginger (our lab) always lays like that and it is weird!
Glad to here DD is feeling a little better!

 

[purplern]

Look at post #2 on the thread link I'm providing.http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=861448. The topic is, Hotels near the port...

Radisson offers free shuttle to boat and free parking Vicki! Whoohoo!

I saw that thread. Copy and pasted it! We are still trying to decide. I read on Dave's dcl tribute web site about the hotels he recommends and in the Passporter. I guess it would be a lot cheaper to just rent a car for the day and return it at the port instead of paying 50 each for Disney's transportation! Or we could stay at the Hyatt at the airport and still use Disney's ground transportation. Decisions, Decisions!!

 

[Ker-Bear]

The Wyndham on I-Drive is awesome. The company I used to work for used to manage it. Have been there many times. I would stay at one of the hotels at the port. They almost all provide shuttle service to the port. In the passporter and I am sure on a thread somewhere it talks about shuttle service from the airport. I am not great at searching for threads. I usually just post my own and get the info. I know I am a pain! I remember seeing something about a vey good inexpensive shuttle service from the airport to the port area. It's not that far.

Now if you want to spend a day or two in Orlando, I recommend the Wyndham as well. Very conveniently located not too expensive and clean. The Embassy Suites is nice too (used to work there in college) it's on I-drive and includes comp cocktail hours and free fully cooked breakfast. Most of the limited service hotels by th airport are brand new. I think the Hilton Garden Inn is the best one but they are all pretty much the same. Since I lived in Orlando for 7 years I can pretty much tell you about all the cool places to stay. Just ask and I will do my best to inform. Keep in mind I can be a little baised. I hate Hyatt and think they are ridiculously overpriced. Plus they treat their employees like dog poop so they will never get any of my hard earned cash.

 

[purplern]

OK! They did seem a tad bit high! Now I just thought of something else! I'll have to run this by DH, but if we are going to rent a car anyway (can you all see it coming). Come in Friday night after DD gets out of school. Spend Friday and Saturday at a Disney resort, not necessicarly at the parks, hang at the hotel do DTD. Then head for the Port early Sunday. HMMMMMM

 

[taeja71]

Vicki- Your idea sounds like a good plan to me! ((Come in Friday night after DD gets out of school. Spend Friday and Saturday at a Disney resort, not necessicarly at the parks, hang at the hotel do DTD. ))

 

[Ker-Bear]

I like that idea the best. Some of the Disney hotels are a vacation all by themselves. Although how do you get an 8 year old that close to WDW and not take her?

I think I would have to bring DS into Magic Kingdom, even if it was only for half a day. It would kill him if we didn't

Sounds like a plan. Now all you have to do is put it in action. You could always start saving a little on the side and then magically appear with the money to fund your idea of course you can see why I'm not married anymore right!

I just know that I can't wait to be cruising....

 

[purplern]

Vicki- Your idea sounds like a good plan to me! ((Come in Friday night after DD gets out of school. Spend Friday and Saturday at a Disney resort, not necessicarly at the parks, hang at the hotel do DTD. ))

I think DH is going for that! DD wants to stay at POR in the Mansion. We could go fishing, rent boats, go to DTD! If you are going to spend $150 a night at a good hotel why not Disney!

 

[taeja71]

I think DH is going for that! DD wants to stay at POR in the Mansion. We could go fishing, rent boats, go to DTD! If you are going to spend $150 a night at a good hotel why not Disney!

Thumbs up to DD and DH!

 

[purplern]

It might be a go!!!

 

[purplern]

Bumping us up!!!!!!!!!!!

I think we are going to come in the Friday before the cruise and stay at POR DD wants to stay there. Chill and then head to the Port early Sunday