**Fantasy Becomes Reality** Group--5/19/2012 (INDEX/ROLE CALL, PAGE 1--ENTRY 1)

[bwcb4]

2) Any recommendations for Port Canaveral area hotels for one night prior to the cruise?

Thanks guys, looking forward to meeting you all.[/QUOTE]

Another night before option:
We stay at an airport hotel that has a free shuttle service. Then take the shuttle back to the airport on cruise day, getting dropped off where DCL has their busses that take you to port. This has worked out well for us. We stay at the hotel that has the best price for the night.
See you real soon!
Barb

 

[Donald Applecore]

More updates!!!
http://mediagallery.usatoday.com/A+...pyard+tour+of+the+Disney+Fantasy/G2274,A11204

 

[DizDaddy]

We would love to join your group. we are;-
Elaine 58/F
Bryan 59/M
Hannah 25/F
Celebration - Just going on the Fantasy, also seeing our eldest daughter, who lives in Orlando, the previous week.
Stateroom - 6180
Dining - Late
Show - 5pm
Participate in FE - Yes

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You have been added, with the following information:

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Elaine Dragonlady

Names/Age(s): Elaine (58/F), Bryan (59/M ), Hannah (25/F)
From:
Stateroom(s): 6180
Celebration(s): Just going on the Fantasy, also seeing our eldest daughter, who lives in Orlando, the previous week.
Dining (Main or Late): Late
Show Time: 5pm
Participate in FE: yes
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Welcome; great to have you join us!

 

[Elaine Dragonlady]

How casual is cruise casual? Hannah and I would prefer to dress up a bit for dinner.

 

[shoes99]

How casual is cruise casual? Hannah and I would prefer to dress up a bit for dinner.

We also like to dress up. DH wears a dress shirt and docker type or dress pants for cruise casual(no tie), and a suit or tux for formal/semi-formal on a 7 night cruise. We do bring pirate costumes for pirate night. Its fun to dress for dinner.

 

[texfinn]

We are so excited and the pictures certainly help!

My plan is to get both kids in clean and nice looking clothes for dinner but with early dinner time and being a solo parent on this trip, we shall see!

I did buy Sabrina her first outfit for dinner -- very very very cute. Makes her look a bit too grown up for my liking but was pleased. It was a clearance set from Macy's - capri's with a cute top. I think she already has a "formal" dress but need to try it on for size. Now me on the other hand.... I will probably wait until last minute to shop. Forever hopeful I will lose more weight before the cruise

We have started looking into hotel options for the night before as well and think I have ruled out the Hyatt. As much as I would love to stay there, the price was pretty scary. I am thinking perhaps a Starwood (Sheraton) or Marriott option. I am pretty sure we are going to use the transfers from the airport now as well. Can I add them at any time?

The other thing we have struggled with is whether or not we will spend a few days at WDW after the cruise. I think we will not unless I magically fall into a large chunk of money or win the lottery! Even staying at a value resort, it would cost us a lot $$ for park tickets, hotel and food. Not sure it is worth it considering the park will probably be packed for Memorial Day weekend.

That being said, we are close to booking flights now - they are still cheap so better book now before price goes up.

Getting more excited every day! Better get back to work, need to earn $$ to pay for the cruise!

have a good day all!
Mati

 

[spacecanada]

Wow, those extra photos are incredible. I can only guess where some of those areas are. It is very interesting to see how the ship is being built and decorated in all the varying stages of development. Then again, I work very closely with the construction industry and things like this interest me a bit more than most people.

We're starting to plan our pre-cruise stay at Universal and WDW. We booked two tours yesterday: Wild Africa Trek and Behind the Seeds - has anyone here done either of them and have reviews? (We've been to the DIS threads on the tours but there isn't anything too recent.) Our biggest struggle is the food planning - where to eat on which days and what options are safe. (This means lots of e-mails back and forth to WDW special diets department.) With severe food allergies, this is the most time-consuming part of our planning. (Which is one reason why we love cruises so much - the food is taken care of!!)

As for FE, I have all the supplies to make my FE - just have to find the time to sit down and actually do it. And the FE gifts too... I know there are still four months to go, but I also know that time is going to fly by! Eeeek... Can't wait!

 

[LivingtheWDWdream]

2) Any recommendations for Port Canaveral area hotels for one night prior to the cruise?

Thanks guys, looking forward to meeting you all.

There are three hotels close to the port that have shuttles to the port:

Residence Inn
Country Inn and Suites
Radisson at the Port

All three are pretty similar in price but we stayed at the Country Inn and Suites and found that the beds are pretty hard but the free breakfast was nice. If we stayed in the area we would probably go with the Radisson as they have sleep number beds and we have those at home.

 

[DizDaddy]

The other thing we have struggled with is whether or not we will spend a few days at WDW after the cruise.

I'm excerpting from Madi's post, but posing this question to all....

Is there anyone that has done extra parks in the days before a cruise, days after a cruise, and have a feel for which they would recommend? My sister in law swears that she will never do parks after a cruise because the experience is ruined by how enjoyable the cruise is.

So she would rather do days before the cruise.

Anyone have an opinion on this?

 

[kimistry6]

We stay at Country Inn & Suites. Last year we had a good experience using their shuttle and parking at the hotel. I do agree that the beds and pillows are too hard for me.

 

[reimero]

I'm excerpting from Madi's post, but posing this question to all....

Is there anyone that has done extra parks in the days before a cruise, days after a cruise, and have a feel for which they would recommend? My sister in law swears that she will never do parks after a cruise because the experience is ruined by how enjoyable the cruise is.

So she would rather do days before the cruise.

Anyone have an opinion on this?

I haven't actually cruised before, so I have no practical experience with that side of things. That said, the parks themselves are a high-energy sort of activity: when you leave, you tend to leave tired (and if you're not tired, you weren't trying hard enough! ) But when I do multiple park days for vacation, I come back feeling like I need a vacation from my vacation (if that makes any sense.) Cruises, on the other hand, appear to be more of the "as much energy as you care to expend" variety. If you want to be active and do lots of stuff, it appears there's plenty of opportunity for that. And if you want to spend the cruise doing a whole lot of sunbathing, relaxing, lounging, reading and otherwise just chilling out, there's plenty of opportunity for that, as well.
So at the end of the day, it boils down to this: if you want to go home tired but happy, do the parks last. If you want to go home refreshed and happy, do the parks first. If you don't want to go home happy, put on some Mickey Mouse ears, and you won't have much choice in the matter

That's just my $0.02.

 

[texfinn]

I'm excerpting from Madi's post, but posing this question to all....

Is there anyone that has done extra parks in the days before a cruise, days after a cruise, and have a feel for which they would recommend? My sister in law swears that she will never do parks after a cruise because the experience is ruined by how enjoyable the cruise is.

So she would rather do days before the cruise.

Anyone have an opinion on this?

We have done this before on the last cruise we were on. We spent a day at Expcot (2 nights at the Swan) before the cruise and then spent a couple of days after (another 2 nights at the Swan). I would say it was great to go to the parks before the cruise but I did feel a bit rushed so longer than the single day I spent would be nice. After the cruise was nice in that it wasn't such a letdown when the cruise ended.

All that being said, this time around I am already pulling both kids out of school for the final week. It should be quiet so not a big deal at their ages (10 and 7) BUT Sabrina has missed a lot of school already for her surgery in November and may miss more if she has more surgery so sensitive to that. For that reason, not pulling them early to go to the parks ahead of time.

As for after, think my DH has made my decision for me. He wants me to rest and thinks that a couple of days at the parks, over Memorial Day weekend, will completly ruin any rest and relaxation I get on the cruise - especially since I will be alone. So, I should just bite the bullet and book the flights. I think I just have that slight hope -- haven't been to WDW in a couple of years now.


I think reimero nailed it - it all depends on whether or not you want to go home refreshed from the cruise but perhaps a bit sad it is over OR if you want to end tired but completely ready to go home.

 

[wdwgoose]

We stayed at Raddison the other one was not built yet. It was the better way to go, By the time you paid for parking at the port the room was almost FREE.

Also renting a car from MCO was alot cheaper than the shuttles

We used rentals dropped off everyone and thing at the port, returned car ,used shuttle to get back to port and just met up inside. made it alot easier for us.
Just some thoughts also for first time cruiser get a over the door shoe rack holder CLEAR ONE so you can see whats in it, and use it for small things like tooth brushs q tips personal things hair brushs lots of things like that, really made it easy to find them.

hope this helps at least one person????



garRy

 

[wdwgoose]

WDW before the cruise if your going, MISS the long weekend and donot try to be at the port early try to get there about 1 or so. its going to be along day.

just my thoughts again


garRy

 

[Elaine Dragonlady]

We will be spending a few days in Orlando before our cruise, and we don't fly home until Sunday. However, our main reason for arriving before the cruise is to have some time with our daughter and son in law, who live in Orlando and are WDW Cast Members.
For anybody who does want to go into the parks, The Flower Festival will be on at EPCOT before our cruise - it's a lovely event, the displays are suberb, and the weekend we get back is one of the Star Wars weekends - good fun but very busy.

 

[Jaymepops]

Hello All!! I am a new add-on to this cruise, this board, and actually DISboards.....I have gone with Cruise Critic before and found out about these boards on there. I have read a few pages into this thread, but with 64 to read, I haven't caught up yet...be patient with me, I am trying to get there! This will be our FIRST Disney Cruise and we couldn't be more excited!!! I have wanted to go on a Disney Cruise ever since I read the Babysitters Club (SuperSpecial # 1 ) in 8th Grade! That was 21 years ago ((sigh)) and now we are FINALLY booked and planning!!! Cruising is myself - Jaimie (33) my husband Chris (37) ((who is a Chef)) My son Nicko (10) and my other son Gabriel - Gaby (7). We (DH and I) were born and raised in Southern California and now live in Biloxi, Mississippi. We go to WDW as often as we can. I actually ran my first marathon there 3 years ago, and go back for all the 1/2's that I can. I also ran last October's (2010) First Wine and Dine 1/2 Marathon. I am all about ANYTHING Disney and drag my family along for the fun!! I love to research and check out and plan everything before we go, and so does my oldest son....my DH and Gaby would rather fly by the seat of their pants! I can't wait to read through the thread and get to know all about all of you!! I am so excited and looking forward to this awesome cruise!!!

 

[barbreis]

For this cruise I am following what I did in December at Disneyland - parks first then the cruise to recuperate (even if it wasn't a Disney cruise). The week of being waited on and being able to book an hour pedicure helped me get over non-stop theme parks. Then when you factor in the beginning of the summer season at WDW and Memorial Day weekend, before is definitely the way to go for this cruise IMO.

Happy Wednesday to everyone - tomorrow puts us 4 months out! We're getting closer and Fantasy looks gorgeous.

Barb

 

[texfinn]

Hello All!! I am a new add-on to this cruise, this board, and actually DISboards.....

Welcome Jaimie!

The DIS boards are fabulous. We went on a Disney Cruise three years ago and reading the DIS boards helped a lot. I am spending a lot of time right now reading trip reports (even though I should be working....shhhhhh). The Trip Reports have helped me get excited about the vacation even if it is 4 months away (from today!).

My DH did not enjoy himself on the last cruise. I think the kids were too young and it stressed him out. I would have enjoyed the cruise more if I didn't worry so much about trying to keep everyone happy SO.....am cruising without him this time. My kids are the same ages as your kids - Sabrina is 10 and Kai (a boy in case you were wondering) is 7. The trip started as a mother/daughter trip but I felt guilty going on a Disney cruise without Kai so he is tagging along.

The best part about the DIS is the amazing friends you will make here. I am traveling without DH on this cruise BUT I am traveling with a bunch of amazing friends that I met on the last cruise! I am hoping to make new ones on this cruise.

This board was active then got quiet but is starting to pick up again (myself included).

Ok, I have meetings this morning so back to this --->

Have a good Thursday everyone!
Mati

 

[texfinn]

For this cruise I am following what I did in December at Disneyland - parks first then the cruise to recuperate (even if it wasn't a Disney cruise). The week of being waited on and being able to book an hour pedicure helped me get over non-stop theme parks. Then when you factor in the beginning of the summer season at WDW and Memorial Day weekend, before is definitely the way to go for this cruise IMO.

Happy Wednesday to everyone - tomorrow puts us 4 months out! We're getting closer and Fantasy looks gorgeous.

Barb

Barb - I am so jealous! I would LOVE to go to the parks first but can't imagine pulling Sabrina out any more days. She has missed so many already. It actually crossed my mind to go solo with Kai first and have Sabrina join us but that would just be wrong.

I think you guys are right - WDW on Memorial Day AFTER the cruise is a mistake -- somehow, just can't let go of it yet. I should just book the flights and be done with the idea. I suppose I can always go back right?

 

[Pirategirrrl]

We will be spending a few days in Orlando before our cruise, and we don't fly home until Sunday. However, our main reason for arriving before the cruise is to have some time with our daughter and son in law, who live in Orlando and are WDW Cast Members.
For anybody who does want to go into the parks, The Flower Festival will be on at EPCOT before our cruise - it's a lovely event, the displays are suberb, and the weekend we get back is one of the Star Wars weekends - good fun but very busy.

Oh I want to do both!!! I've always wanted to hit the Star Wars weekend.
I'm a Disney and Star Wars geek
So my vote is to go to the Disney before and after the cruise, why be tired when you can be exhausted!