DVC Firsts - BCV, MNSSHP, '09 Members Cruise, Kidani

[Tinks "SS"]

Thanks for the great report. Can't wait for more from you!! everyone's TR are really helping get over a rough weekend at work so THANK YOU!!! Love the finger hook pics and the food looks so yummy!!! I hope to try a cruise one day and this is really confirming to me that i really wanna go NOW! lol

 

[BigDogHU75]

Two days at CC....Sooooo awesome, I really need to figure out how to fit a 5 day Dream cruise into our life (it stops twice, too). It really looks like they had some great special DVC stuff planned, that's excellent!

And the palo brunch- we loved it, too. Yummmmmm!!!

I was on with the Palo brunch. I really enjoy my seafood.

Two days at CC was fantastic. I am trying to convince our friends to do a 5 day Disney Dream cruise with us. They want to do a 4 day one but they just don't understand how much fun CC is.

Thanks for the great report. Can't wait for more from you!! everyone's TR are really helping get over a rough weekend at work so THANK YOU!!! Love the finger hook pics and the food looks so yummy!!! I hope to try a cruise one day and this is really confirming to me that i really wanna go NOW! lol

Thank you. You really have to try a cruise and the Disney one is fantastic. I hope this weekend is better for you.

 

[tmk0730]

I just found your trip report and I'm loving it! I've always wanted to do the member cruise and after reading this I want to do one more then ever! Thanks for the great details and pictures! You have a beautiful family!

 

[BigDogHU75]

I just found your trip report and I'm loving it! I've always wanted to do the member cruise and after reading this I want to do one more then ever! Thanks for the great details and pictures! You have a beautiful family!

Thank you. I am glad you found the report and are enjoying it. The members cruise was so much fun. You have to do it at least once and in 2011 it will probably be on the new ship, Dream. Another update will be cooming soon.

 

[BigDogHU75]

It was another beautiful day. When we docked at Castaway Cay, the captain told us that the weather at CC was better than the first day. The view from our porthole:

The ocean was calm and there was no rain in the forecast. We already knew what the plan for our day would be. We would spend the majority of the day at Castaway Cay and then I would go to BINGO since the jackpot was $5000. You have to play to win. Here are the navigators for the day.

We were also given the dates of the next members cruise.

We are booked on the members cruise in 2010.

We had to be at Castaway Cay for the group picture by 10:30. This time some of our family will be going with us.

So we got dressed and headed to Beach Blanket Buffet to eat. This time I remembered to bring my camera.

The breakfast was very good and tasty.

 

[Chellymouse]

Hi Marsha! I just found your TR and I'm loving it!! Blessings to your DH...I just finished grad school so we know what you're all going through! There is light at the end of the tunnel and it will be worth it when it's over! If I may ask...where do you find the point costs for the member cruise? I've been looking for it and can't seem to find it. We're getting ready to do an add on and I think I almost have DH talked into it!! Keep up the awesome report!

 

[BigDogHU75]

We had such a good time at Castaway Cay. When we disembarked, we took a picture with Chip & Dale, a couple with our camera.

and one with the DCL photographer

Here are some more pictures we took before we headed over to the beach.

Then we headed over to the beach to take the group picture.

Can you see us? We are way in the back. If I had one of those photo editor programs, I would have an arrow pointing to us. I guess we should have arrived a little earlier if we wanted a spot in the front. It was so hot standing on the sand. We were anxious to find a place on the beach to stake our claim. We were hoping that it would not be too crowded. We found our spot and DH & DS headed to the water.

After spending hours in the water, DH & Ds were finally hungry so we went to grab some lunch.

The food was very good. I did not take any pictures because we were hungry. After lunch, we strolled back to the tram stop and did not have to wait too long.

It was kind of sad because we would not be back to Castaway Cay until next year (Lord willing). We already had planned to try to book the 2010 members cruise. In the meantime, I would have my pictures of which I took more.

A CM took this picture for us.

Sadly, we boarded the ship and headed back to our room.

 

[BigDogHU75]

Hi Marsha! I just found your TR and I'm loving it!! Blessings to your DH...I just finished grad school so we know what you're all going through! There is light at the end of the tunnel and it will be worth it when it's over! If I may ask...where do you find the point costs for the member cruise? I've been looking for it and can't seem to find it. We're getting ready to do an add on and I think I almost have DH talked into it!! Keep up the awesome report!

Congratulations on finishing grad school! DH cannot wait until it is over - Dec. 2010. I am so proud of him though. He is doing so well. It has been tough on all of us but it is well worth. We thank God that the opportunity presented itself where he can go and his job would pay for it as long as he maintains a "B" or better.

Info on the members cruise can be found on the DVC website under special events. They have taken the points chart down since the members cruise is sold out. The members cruise is a great place to add on.

I am glad you are enjoying the report.

 

[Donald is #1]

Marsha, great update!

 

[BigDogHU75]

Marsha, great update!

Thank you. I know you will be going to Kidani soon. I hope to start my report about our way too short stay there over the Thanksgiving holiday.

 

[BigDogHU75]

When we were boarding the ship, the CM was having a hard time checking me in. I was wondering why. I thought that maybe my card had been demagnetized. However, when she gave me the card back, I realized that I had given her my KTTW card for BCV. Neither she nor I realized it. She was able to check me back in without seeing the right card. I couldn’t even understand why I had my KTTW card.

Once back onboard, we found another gift waiting for us.

Inside the box was this:

I bathed DS and put him down for a nap. I got ready to go to BINGO. Now, I was feeling pretty good, pretty lucky. I stood in line and waited patiently so that I can enter the theater and purchase my machine which held 96 cards per round. And guess what …










I came close a couple of times but no luck. The lady sitting two seats down from me one the jackpot which was over $5000. This was the second time she has won the mega jackpot. Oh well, there is always next cruise since I only play bingo on cruises.

I headed back to the room to begin packing. I did not realize how much stuff I had to pack. I was hoping to be done by dinner but no such luck. So, we headed off to Parrot Cay for dinner. This would be our fist time dining in Parrot Cay for dinner. When we sailed on the Wonder back in 2002, we opted for dinner at Palo so I was looking forward to dining at Parrot Cay for dinner. Our tablemates would not be joining us this evening since they would be dining at Palo this evening.

 

[Chellymouse]

Congratulations on finishing grad school! DH cannot wait until it is over - Dec. 2010. I am so proud of him though. He is doing so well. It has been tough on all of us but it is well worth. We thank God that the opportunity presented itself where he can go and his job would pay for it as long as he maintains a "B" or better.

Info on the members cruise can be found on the DVC website under special events. They have taken the points chart down since the members cruise is sold out. The members cruise is a great place to add on.

I am glad you are enjoying the report.

I called MS and we did get on the wait list for now. You're very fortunate to have your DH's job paying for his schooling. We had to scrimp, save and make do. Thank goodness for DVC because we wouldn't have had a vacation without it. Best of wishes to him! Thanks for the info!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Ummm have I mentioned how much you are making me want to go on a cruise?! It looks AMAZING!!!!! Someday, someday...haha

 

[podsnel]

I just love reading about the member cruise- thank-you very, VERY much for posting all about it!! SOMEDAY we'll be going....but right now is just not the time. The member cruise happens right when our boys go back to school- and there is noooo missin that for any of us (so lucky you've become DVC members when your little guy is so...little!).

Thank-you!

Ellen

 

[BoosGram]

Well, Marsha, more great pictures (Palo, mmmmmmmmm) and great reports. Oh, do I wish we were all back on board! You have done such a thorough report I'm in awe . Since we're doing the WBTA we didn't try to book the members' cruise, but 2011 will probably be the next target, especially if it's on the Dream (which we booked for Feb. 27, 2010).

Now I'm looking forward to your report on Kidani. We'll probably be booking there for next December when we'll have DGD (who will be 2 1/2) w/us. So any pointers you may have from your experience w/Charles would be appreciated. He is such an adorable little man.

 

[BigDogHU75]

I called MS and we did get on the wait list for now. You're very fortunate to have your DH's job paying for his schooling. We had to scrimp, save and make do. Thank goodness for DVC because we wouldn't have had a vacation without it. Best of wishes to him! Thanks for the info!

Thank you and you're welcome. I hope you get off the waitlist and will be joining us. Here is the link to the 2010 cruise meet thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2325257
I know what you mean about wouldn't be able to take vacations without DVC. Before purchasing points, we did not have a real vacation since our honeymoon. We visited family but that was it.

Ummm have I mentioned how much you are making me want to go on a cruise?! It looks AMAZING!!!!! Someday, someday...haha

Hopefully, it will be someday soon. I love cruising. I hope one day I will be able to do a 7 night cruise.

I just love reading about the member cruise- thank-you very, VERY much for posting all about it!! SOMEDAY we'll be going....but right now is just not the time. The member cruise happens right when our boys go back to school- and there is noooo missin that for any of us (so lucky you've become DVC members when your little guy is so...little!).

Thank-you!

Ellen

You're welcome. We are taking advantage of sailing on the members cruise now while DS is not in school. Once he starts, I will not take him out if the members cruise continues to be early Sept.

Well, Marsha, more great pictures (Palo, mmmmmmmmm) and great reports. Oh, do I wish we were all back on board! You have done such a thorough report I'm in awe . Since we're doing the WBTA we didn't try to book the members' cruise, but 2011 will probably be the next target, especially if it's on the Dream (which we booked for Feb. 27, 2010).

Now I'm looking forward to your report on Kidani. We'll probably be booking there for next December when we'll have DGD (who will be 2 1/2) w/us. So any pointers you may have from your experience w/Charles would be appreciated. He is such an adorable little man.

I wish you were going on the membrs cruise in 2010. I will miss all of my friends. Two cruises planned! How wonderful! I think we will try to book on the Dream in July 2011. Our friends want to cruise on DCL but since their DS is in school we can only go in July or August. So, I do not know if we will be on the 2011 members cruise. But, if we can do it, we will be there. I have to see how the finances and points play out.
Traveling with a 2 /12 years old has its ups & downs but the ups outweigh the downs. My best advice is to realize that you are travelling with a child who is probably used to a schedule. I tried to adhere to his schedule as much as possible or you will experience a meltdown. DS had so much fun and it was great watching him have fun and seeing things through his eyes. I would not have traded my experience with DS for the world.

 

[BoosGram]

Thank you and you're welcome. I hope you get off the waitlist and will be joining us. Here is the link to the 2010 cruise meet thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2325257
I know what you mean about wouldn't be able to take vacations without DVC. Before purchasing points, we did not have a real vacation since our honeymoon. We visited family but that was it.


Hopefully, it will be someday soon. I love cruising. I hope one day I will be able to do a 7 night cruise.


You're welcome. We are taking advantage of sailing on the members cruise now while DS is not in school. Once he starts, I will not take him out if the members cruise continues to be early Sept.


I wish you were going on the membrs cruise in 2010. I will miss all of my friends. Two cruises planned! How wonderful! I think we will try to book on the Dream in July 2011. Our friends want to cruise on DCL but since their DS is in school we can only go in July or August. So, I do not know if we will be on the 2011 members cruise. But, if we can do it, we will be there. I have to see how the finances and points play out.
Traveling with a 2 /12 years old has its ups & downs but the ups outweigh the downs. My best advice is to realize that you are travelling with a child who is probably used to a schedule. I tried to adhere to his schedule as much as possible or you will experience a meltdown. DS had so much fun and it was great watching him have fun and seeing things through his eyes. I would not have traded my experience with DS for the world.

I hope you get to do a longer cruise. I know people worry about not having enough to do, but, as you know, there's always more to do than you can do.

DGD18mos will be just about 2 1/2 when we go w/her next year. I know naps are critical for them, so we're planning to do the "return to the room for a rest" thing in the middle of the day. She won't like it, but oh well. And like you said, I can't wait to see the World through her eyes.

 

[Tinks "SS"]

Just bumping this up and letting you know Marsha that i can't wait to read more!

 

[BigEeyore]

I'm all caught up now - you are doing a fantastic job documenting everything! You must be so organized to have kept all the menus and itineraries. Keep it coming!

 

[BoosGram]

Marsha, where are you? I hope everything is well and you've just been doing holiday things.