Dream - 6/20/12 - 4 nt - Great Start to the Summer of 2012!!! FE #217 DIS Meet #216

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

I heard about FE from a friend, we are cruising with kids & Grandkids. 5 rooms total. I'm making the FE for each cabin. How do I join for this trip? Who & How do I send our names to? Do You need ages of kids? Names? Room Numbers?

Welcome!! It's going to be a great cruise and congrats on the anniversary celebration!

We are going to be on the June 20th cruise also and I just wanted to introduce ourselves. It will be my husband and I and our dd (7) and ds (6). First cruise for all of us and we are VERY excited! Not quite sure what to expect, but I am sure we will have a great time. We have been to WDW the past 2 years and had a great time, but we are looking forward to a slightly more relaxing vacation. The 2 days before the cruise we are going to check out Universal and Harry Potter world.
I am considering doing the FE exchange if it isn't too late, but I need to read a little more about what is involved. I know that the kids would LOVE getting little surprises, but I just need to make sure I can do my part!

Jill

Welcome!! This is my DS (8) first cruise as well and my DH and I have never cruised with Disney and it's been almost 10 years since we last cruised with Carnival so we are so excited too!! I love the whole FE idea and we're excited. I wouldn't worry too much about it - just have fun with it!

Just booked this cruise today for myself, dh John, Aaron (17) and Grace (13)

It will be our 25th anniversary on the 21st.

We have gone back & forth about cruising and when I met dh for lunch today he told me to go home and book it - and so I did

We sailed back in 2005 on the Wonder and really enjoyed ourselves. We stayed on the ship and enjoyed hanging out and I am sure this cruise will be the same. Now I need to book the night before and night after at a WDW resort and get our airfare. Yay!

See you all in 103 days!!

Jill

Welcome to you too!! How awesome!! Congrats to you as well - that's awesome! We are getting closer and closer

Heather

 

[JESW]

Are we in double digits yet??

Jill...who is VERY excited about cruising once again!!!

 

[JanDave]

Jill, we're not in the double digits .... yet!!!

I see you are headed to a couple DVC resorts next month. Have fun! I love AK-Kidani. Was just there in January.

We firmed up some more plans for June - staying in Port St. Lucie for 4 days post-cruise. We will be at Caribbean Beach for 3 days pre-cruise. Making dining plans for WDW.

Enjoy the weekend! Just realized that with DST starting at 2am tomorrow, we are one hour closer to boarding the beautiful Dream!

Jan

 

[JanDave]

Forgot to mention that our WDW and Dream vacation is to celebrate Dave's retirement! His official last day at Ford Motor is March 29. Me - I'm still working full-time.

Jan

 

[SueTGGR]

My countdown app says 102 days! So close to the double digits

Jan, I see you have a dummy cruise set up for 2013, you should join us for the Med cruise with Greece and Turkey! It will be our first time for the family to be going to Europe and I'm the only one that has been and it was to the UK many years ago. I can't tell you how excited all 3 of us are to be going. I keep telling myself to focus on the Bahamas but I keep going back to the thread that is already hopping with DIS-ers going!

So what is the official cabin count for the FE's? I think I am going to jump in but making sure I have the time to throw something together.

We are almost there cruisers!!!
Later,
Sue

 

[JanDave]

My countdown app says 102 days! So close to the double digits

Jan, I see you have a dummy cruise set up for 2013, you should join us for the Med cruise with Greece and Turkey! It will be our first time for the family to be going to Europe and I'm the only one that has been and it was to the UK many years ago. I can't tell you how excited all 3 of us are to be going. I keep telling myself to focus on the Bahamas but I keep going back to the thread that is already hopping with DIS-ers going!

So what is the official cabin count for the FE's? I think I am going to jump in but making sure I have the time to throw something together.

We are almost there cruisers!!!
Later,
Sue

Sue, our dummy date Magic cruise is now a reality - or close to it. We are booked on the April 2013 Panama Canal but hope to move it to the fall 2013 Panama Canal when the itinerary is announced. One of our DD's m-i-l, Carla, will be cruising with us as well as DIS friends we met on the Magic in 2004. Carla and I have had 2 girls' cruises on the Magic.

One day we will go to the med. I'd also like to do a TA cruise. With me still working full-time, I would want to take a month or so to travel and it wouldn't work at the law firm I'm at. My co-worker is going on DCL's first cruise to Hawaii next month. I'm cruising vicariously through her!

We have 9 staterooms participating in the FE exchange. If we get 10+ cabins, we'll split the group in half. May 1st is the cutoff to give everyone a change to make/buy gifts.

Jan

 

[SueTGGR]

Panama Canal is our next thing on our Disney "bucket list". We almost set sail on the last Western TA but looking at airfare and the time away and job situations it became clear it was not to be. We went on a MR cruise and a few trips down south to DLR instead. Not the same but it was Disney and we met an amazing group of people on that cruise, too!

With Hawaii, we debated it then they sold out that 1st one so fast and it was so pricey! We have been to Maui and the Big Island and are planning our 1st trip to Aulani in August for my best Birthday EVER! But we still debate if we should do the DCL or not. When we were in Maui last month we could see a cruise ship docked in the harbor from our room. It would be tempting. You will have to let us know how their Hawaii cruise went.
Trying to read up on Universal/Islands of Adventure and it sounds pretty cool.
Is it June yet???
Later,
Sue

 

[Mamaw8]

Sue, our dummy date Magic cruise is now a reality - or close to it. We are booked on the April 2013 Panama Canal but hope to move it to the fall 2013 Panama Canal when the itinerary is announced. One of our DD's m-i-l, Carla, will be cruising with us as well as DIS friends we met on the Magic in 2004. Carla and I have had 2 girls' cruises on the Magic.

One day we will go to the med. I'd also like to do a TA cruise. With me still working full-time, I would want to take a month or so to travel and it wouldn't work at the law firm I'm at. My co-worker is going on DCL's first cruise to Hawaii next month. I'm cruising vicariously through her!

We have 9 staterooms participating in the FE exchange. If we get 10+ cabins, we'll split the group in half. May 1st is the cutoff to give everyone a change to make/buy gifts.

Jan

We have cabins # 9076,9070,9072,9080,&9068 can we be in the same FE group please?

 

[SueTGGR]

So anyone have trouble booking anything, yet? We have to wait until the 22nd but I'm sure some of you are at the higher levels of the Castaway Club?

We are busy planning our pre-cruise stay. We already have all our ADR's in place. Has anyone done the Tommorowland Fireworks Dessert Party? Now if I can find one night at one of the Universal Orlando Hotels that isn't going to completely break us, I will be set!

Later,
Sue

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

So anyone have trouble booking anything, yet? We have to wait until the 22nd but I'm sure some of you are at the higher levels of the Castaway Club?

We are busy planning our pre-cruise stay. We already have all our ADR's in place. Has anyone done the Tommorowland Fireworks Dessert Party? Now if I can find one night at one of the Universal Orlando Hotels that isn't going to completely break us, I will be set!

Later,
Sue

Hey Sue! Yes we have done the dessert party and I'm pretty sure it was last June. Let me know if you have any specific questions. We enjoyed it I also have some yummy pictures if you would like to see

Heather

 

[SueTGGR]

Hey Sue! Yes we have done the dessert party and I'm pretty sure it was last June. Let me know if you have any specific questions. We enjoyed it I also have some yummy pictures if you would like to see

Heather

They are telling me that they may or may not have the party. It depends on if they need to entice people to come to the park Did not make sense to me but I will keep checking to see if they open up reservations online.
Yes, any good pictures will be fine for me! Is it as wonderful as it sounds? We have done the Fantasmic Desserts at Disneyland but not @ WDW. Hopefully it is better. That one is too crowded and you get a little box with random little desserts. I am a picky eater even with desserts Anything that stood out for you?
Thanks,
Sue

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

They are telling me that they may or may not have the party. It depends on if they need to entice people to come to the park Did not make sense to me but I will keep checking to see if they open up reservations online.
Yes, any good pictures will be fine for me! Is it as wonderful as it sounds? We have done the Fantasmic Desserts at Disneyland but not @ WDW. Hopefully it is better. That one is too crowded and you get a little box with random little desserts. I am a picky eater even with desserts Anything that stood out for you?
Thanks,
Sue

Gotcha! I remember this being "seasonal" and you're right, people had to wait until fairly close before the trip to plan this - if they opened it up. I will work on those pictures for you!

I think it was fun and I'm not really into desserts or eating a lot at one time - surely they made money off of me. I knew my DH and DS would enjoy the experience and I'm always looking for something new to do. I liked the idea of being in a smaller area to watch the fireworks, however - this is probably the negative about the experience - don't count on it. We had a table towards the front to the right. Obviously once one person stands up in front, everyone else does or you can't see - especially for the kids or anyone trying to take pictures. It was a little frustrating because others "invaded" our area and really took over. They had plenty of room where their tables were and a great view so why they chose to come to ours, I don't know. I had read about this "issue" ahead of time so I rolled with the punches. I just wanted a few good shots and for my son to see. A very nice guy saw that my DS couldn't see and he let us squeeze in. He was in "our area" and was a little miffed about it too. It was funny to see the people swarm the desserts. There was PLENTY but I guess once people know it's a take all you want, they go a little nuts! One plate was plenty for me and I grabbed small items. I remember I enjoyed the Tiramisu, the cheesecakes, cookies, and I'll have to look at the pictures to remember the rest!

We enjoyed it and I'm glad I did it. I don't think it's something I'd do every trip, however due to the cost.

Heather

 

[JanDave]

Wow - it's a beautiful 85 degree sunny day in mid-Michigan - but.....

I am envisioning myself 13 weeks from now -- just about done having dinner on the Dream and heading to the evening's entertainment/show.

Jan

 

[SueTGGR]

So we checked ourselves in online and got everything we wanted to sign up for including Palo!
I have a question for anyone in the Florida area or someone who has experience, we are flying in and out of Ft. Lauderdale. We are also staying a few extra days there after the cruise. Any suggestions for "can't miss" activities? The ocean is always good for us but if there is something that would be cool for an 12 year old boy, please let me know! Off to research the area. Because that is what I do.
Later,
Sue

 

[NickyDa]

So we checked ourselves in online and got everything we wanted to sign up for including Palo!
I have a question for anyone in the Florida area or someone who has experience, we are flying in and out of Ft. Lauderdale. We are also staying a few extra days there after the cruise. Any suggestions for "can't miss" activities? The ocean is always good for us but if there is something that would be cool for an 12 year old boy, please let me know! Off to research the area. Because that is what I do.
Later,
Sue

Hey Sue!

We got Palo, too (we're doing brunch instead of dinner)!!! I was so excited, and we signed up for the Stingray encounter at Castaway Cay. I welcome all opinions on this experience vs. the one at Nassau if anyone has been.

Sorry, I don't have any suggestions for 12-year old boy activities in the Central Brevard to Ft Lauderdale area except Kennedy Space Center (he would really need to have an interest in space travel to enjoy). I have some suggestions for Orlando: Orlando Science Center, Wonderworks, or Gatorland. All of those would require about an hour drive from the port and then you would have to drive to FtL afterwards. If you could stay in Brevard, Orange, or Osceloa county for the night, then it would be worth the trip.

 

[JanDave]

So we checked ourselves in online and got everything we wanted to sign up for including Palo!
I have a question for anyone in the Florida area or someone who has experience, we are flying in and out of Ft. Lauderdale. We are also staying a few extra days there after the cruise. Any suggestions for "can't miss" activities? The ocean is always good for us but if there is something that would be cool for an 12 year old boy, please let me know! Off to research the area. Because that is what I do.
Later,
Sue

Sue, where are you staying post-cruise? Dave and I just booked a room at the Homewood Suites in Port St. Lucie. When I was at Disney's Vero Beach resort in January 2012 with my DD and 2 grandchildren (ages 7 and 5), we rented a metal detector to use on the beach. There was a shop in Vero that rented them out. The kids had so much fun with it. Also, there is a bike rental place in the Vero area that will deliver bikes to your location and pick them up when your rental time is done. I think it's Orchid rentals, or some similarl business name.

Ok, 13 weeks from today, we'll be floating around on that beautiful ship!

Jan

 

[JanDave]

Nicky's suggestion of a trip to Kennedy Space Center is a great one. I read on the DIS a while ago that if you contact one of your state senators, he/she can arrange for free passes.

Jan

 

[SueTGGR]

OK, let's see if I can remember what I wanted to answer...
Palo-this will be our 4th time. Once for brunch with a group of amazing people I met on the DIS boards. I really liked it, especially since they gave us a separate room for us to sit in. The food was amazing as well. As it always is!
It is funny how we think of things in the moment and then forget? We always seem to make dinner at Palo around our usual "dinner hour" but I then remember the view when we walk in and do a head slap that we should do it at sunset. Guess what! I remembered! I looked up when sunset was going to be and the time was available! Now I am hoping for sunset views like they looked to have on the Magic and the Wonder from Palo.
Post-cruise- we have not figured it out. We have looked at so many scenarios that it makes my head spin. We have been looking at airfare (waiting impatiently for a bonus to appear @ DH's work) and last time we looked, Ft. Lauderdale was so much less and flying on a Tuesday made it even cheaper. So DH threw the idea of heading down after the cruise and doing "something in that direction". I'm the planner so I was gathering information. Now he is talking about flying to NYC and doing the New England cruise on the 10th! He must know how much his bonus is But we always talk about seeing New York and maybe we can swing it. Maybe?? So I sent Dreams Unlimited an e-mail and we shall see.
Our original idea was the 7 night Western then a few days in WDW and then this one, but things changed as they sometimes do. So we switched that cruise over to 2013 and planned on seeing Harry Potter World.

NickyDa-We did the Stingray Ray's on CC. It was OK. We took turns holding the paddle with food between our fingers and the ray's came up the ramp and sucked the food up as they swam over our hand. Our son was about 8 at the time and he hesitated to do it but then did it anyway. Then, they let you go out into the lagoon area and shuffle along trying to see more. Very shallow water but churned up by all of us doing the Ray Shuffle. This time we are going to try the catamaran snorkel to see if we see anything different than we have seen right off the beach.
I am so excited that this is getting so close! But DH keeps switching my research gears, I'm going crazy!
Later,
Sue

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Good morning! 88 days but hey, who is counting?

Sue - I have a picture of the Wishes Dessert party uploaded to Photobucket but for the life of me, I can't get it to upload correctly here? Do you guys know any tricks? I usually don't have issues with things like this so I'm not sure what the issue is.... Have you heard anything more about them offering this in June?

Do you seasoned cruisers have a preference over where to eat breakfast? I've read some people prefer eating in the dining rooms as it's "calmer" and nice being "served" compared to Cabanas? Perhaps we can try both!

Another thing I noticed is the new Disney Pixar movie "Brave" comes out June 22nd (while we are on the cruise) - is it possible we would have a Premier (or premear?) at Sea on that day?

Also curious about the Aquaduck and the "no shoes" I've read in the past. So, are you expected to walk up or stand around barefoot? I've also heard it gets very hot and traveling in the summer I'm sure it will be hot for us. Is there a place to store water type shoes before getting on?

Have a great weekend,
Heather

 

[NickyDa]

Good morning! 88 days but hey, who is counting?

Sue - I have a picture of the Wishes Dessert party uploaded to Photobucket but for the life of me, I can't get it to upload correctly here? Do you guys know any tricks? I usually don't have issues with things like this so I'm not sure what the issue is.... Have you heard anything more about them offering this in June?

Do you seasoned cruisers have a preference over where to eat breakfast? I've read some people prefer eating in the dining rooms as it's "calmer" and nice being "served" compared to Cabanas? Perhaps we can try both!

Another thing I noticed is the new Disney Pixar movie "Brave" comes out June 22nd (while we are on the cruise) - is it possible we would have a Premier (or premear?) at Sea on that day?

Also curious about the Aquaduck and the "no shoes" I've read in the past. So, are you expected to walk up or stand around barefoot? I've also heard it gets very hot and traveling in the summer I'm sure it will be hot for us. Is there a place to store water type shoes before getting on?

Have a great weekend,
Heather

The deck does get s VERY hot while waiting to ride Aquaduck. We were on the Dream in March 2011 so I can only imagine it will get even hotter in June. We wore flips flops and the cast members just have you sit on your shoes while you're riding, no need to store them anywhere.

As for breakfast, we ate at Cabanas or just skipped it. We enjoyed the selection of items at Cabanas which was a huge benefit having 2 picky, young eaters. We could always find something for the kids to eat. Ummmm, Krispy Kreme donuts!!