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

[cdfl30]

Hi all, just joining in on the roll call This will be our 10th Disney cruise and as usual we can't wait!

Names - Candis 35/F, Todd 38/M
From: St. Augustine, FL
Stateroom(s): GTY
Celebration(s): None
Dining (Main or Late): Late
Show Time: Early
Partipate in FE: No

 

[nonni]

Hi Everyone! Quick update for those of you following, Sabrina is doing really well now. My DH flew her up to Philadelphia to visit the Shriner's there and she had a FABULOUS check up! She does NOT need additional surgery on her back but will wear a brace when she is at home (not school). I won't make her wear it on the cruise except at night.

anyways, I feel like a huge weight is off of my shoulders and I can focus on this cruise. 90 days is creeping up fast!!!!

Has anyone tried the Hyatt stay certificate? Looking into that today....

That's great news!

I was just reading about the Hyatt stay certificate yesterday. It seems like it's a good deal. I wouldn't have known about it if it wasn't for the DISboards.

I called today and booked the room and will order the certificate tomorrow. She asked me for the certificate number and I told her that I haven't received it yet. She said just bring it when I check in. I did notice on the email confirmation no price was listed under rate.

Welcome to all the newcomers. Looks like we are going to have a big group! More DIS'ers - more fun!

 

[texfinn]

Someone asked about Remy...When we did Remy on the Disney Dream recently, it was very nice and actually cost us quite a bit more than the $75 per person as we went "all the way", and did the chef's wine and dinner pairings. It was great food, very elegant, fabulous service, very quiet (hardly anyone was there). However, for our $$, we can do a comparable dinner at The Flying Fish or some of the other special dining offerings at WDW for less money. Remember that the $75 does not include alcohol. In the future, I would reserve it for a special occasion. We enjoyed Palo just as much for less!

that was me! My name is Mati - sorry, I forgot to put my name down! Thanks for the tip on Remy. I am on the fence on going. I am on this cruise solo and have a friend or two who may be interested but not sure yet.

Meanwhile, I just finished packing for our 3-night Disney Dream trip this weekend and packed a carry-on and a full suitcase with 6 pairs of shoes!! I wonder how many more I will need for this 7-night trip? (most likely, will pack almost the same with a couple of extra nice outfits for dinners). Generally bring 2 suitcases per person (since we live in FL & can drive to the cruise port, we luckily don't have to worry about airline fees).

Wow! Impressive! I would probably bring tons of shoes too if we weren't flying. We are on Jet Blue so a bag checked apiece but am thinking we will need all 3 bags!! Let us know how the trip goes!

Hi all, just joining in on the roll call This will be our 10th Disney cruise and as usual we can't wait!

Names - Candis 35/F, Todd 38/M
From: St. Augustine, FL
Stateroom(s): GTY
Celebration(s): None
Dining (Main or Late): Late
Show Time: Early
Partipate in FE: No

Welcome!!!

That's great news!

I was just reading about the Hyatt stay certificate yesterday. It seems like it's a good deal. I wouldn't have known about it if it wasn't for the DISboards.

I called today and booked the room and will order the certificate tomorrow. She asked me for the certificate number and I told her that I haven't received it yet. She said just bring it when I check in. I did notice on the email confirmation no price was listed under rate.

Welcome to all the newcomers. Looks like we are going to have a big group! More DIS'ers - more fun!

How much is the certificate? Still torn. Should call today and make a reservation too just in case we go that route.

Ok, off to this -->

On another note -anyone heard from Tony - aka DizDaddy? He has been absent for awhile and getting worried....

 

[biff423]

Hi all, just joining in on the roll call This will be our 10th Disney cruise and as usual we can't wait!

Welcome!!! I strolled through your Flickr page and WOW!

Glad to have you onboard!

 

[nonni]

that was me! My name is Mati - sorry, I forgot to put my name down! Thanks for the tip on Remy. I am on the fence on going. I am on this cruise solo and have a friend or two who may be interested but not sure yet.



Wow! Impressive! I would probably bring tons of shoes too if we weren't flying. We are on Jet Blue so a bag checked apiece but am thinking we will need all 3 bags!! Let us know how the trip goes!



Welcome!!!



How much is the certificate? Still torn. Should call today and make a reservation too just in case we go that route.

Ok, off to this -->

On another note -anyone heard from Tony - aka DizDaddy? He has been absent for awhile and getting worried....

Hi Mati - There is a fairly recent thread on here about the stay certificates with a link to order them. I don't know how to post a link or I would. They have different ones depending on which hotel you want to stay at. The cheapest one that Hyatt MCO takes it $145, that does include all taxes. It is called the Choice certificate. The cheapest rate I could find before taxes is $161. I was going to stay at a nearby hotel with a free airport shuttle but after I found out about the stay certificate decided to pay a little more for the convience. Our flight won't arrive until 10:30 p.m. and since we are taking the Disney bus they will pick up our luggage at our room. An extra couple hours of sleep and not having to carry luggage to check in is worth the little bit extra it will cost.

 

[texfinn]

I BOOKED IT! Well, like you Debbie, I reserved it. Still need to buy the certificate but figured that even after shipping, was only a bit more than booking offsite at the other options I was looking at AND, since I am traveling solo with 2 kids, need to make this as easy as possible!

 

[Elaine Dragonlady]

Is anyone else using the transfer buses from WDW. We will be going from Saratoga Springs and returning to AKL?

 

[shoes99]

Is anyone else using the transfer buses from WDW. We will be going from Saratoga Springs and returning to AKL?

Our last cruise we stayed at the AKL and took the DCL bus to the port. They grab your checked luggage around 8AM and it goes directly to the port, don't forget to put on your DCL luggage tags and take off your DME luggage tags. We had to check-in around 11:30AM but the bus didn't leave until 12noon and we stopped at one other hotel. We eventually got to the port between 1:15PM and 1:30PM, we got boarding number 37 when we went up the escalator, but when we checked in at the counter they switched it to #3 and we went right on the ship, bypassing a lot of folks that were lined up at the ropes. We are two seniors 65+ and we pay for the disney transfers for convenience of luggage transfers. We don't mind getting on the ship until 1:30PM.
Our next cruise is May 2012 and we are going to do a post WDW stay instead. We are flying in the night before and staying at the Hyatt at the airport. The senior rate for 1 night was $143 or $161 with tax. We did not buy the Hyatt online certificate.

 

[nonni]

Yeah Mati! I think that will be so much easier for you.

So yea, we are flying in the night before, staying at the Hyatt MCO, and taking the Disney bus. We will be going to AKL after the cruise. We're still trying to decide on Disney bus or some other transportation.

We are also booked with the All Ears Group. I was thinking I saw some others that were booked with that as well, I think it was in the old thread.

 

[spacecanada]

Is anyone else using the transfer buses from WDW. We will be going from Saratoga Springs and returning to AKL?

We are going from POP Century to the cruise via DCL transfer.

 

[texfinn]

Our next cruise is May 2012 and we are going to do a post WDW stay instead. We are flying in the night before and staying at the Hyatt at the airport. The senior rate for 1 night was $143 or $161 with tax. We did not buy the Hyatt online certificate.

That is a great rate! I think with the certificate it comes to about the same after shipping. So, that is three of us staying at the Hyatt. Exciting!!!

Yeah Mati! I think that will be so much easier for you.

So yea, we are flying in the night before, staying at the Hyatt MCO, and taking the Disney bus. We will be going to AKL after the cruise. We're still trying to decide on Disney bus or some other transportation.

We are also booked with the All Ears Group. I was thinking I saw some others that were booked with that as well, I think it was in the old thread.

Lucky you! We are going to WDW after too but staying at the Swan. Got a great Starfriend rate and couldn't justify the cost of a Deluxe Disney resort - although I tried . Not sure about transport after either. Am toying with idea of getting a car and driving from port to Swan and keeping for the three nights. There is no ME from the Swan to MCO so would need to pay for transportation then otherwise, just not sure if I want to drive around Florida with 2 kids. Can already hear Sabrina -- Mom, are you lost????

What is the All Ears Group?

 

[nonni]

That is a great rate! I think with the certificate it comes to about the same after shipping. So, that is three of us staying at the Hyatt. Exciting!!!



Lucky you! We are going to WDW after too but staying at the Swan. Got a great Starfriend rate and couldn't justify the cost of a Deluxe Disney resort - although I tried . Not sure about transport after either. Am toying with idea of getting a car and driving from port to Swan and keeping for the three nights. There is no ME from the Swan to MCO so would need to pay for transportation then otherwise, just not sure if I want to drive around Florida with 2 kids. Can already hear Sabrina -- Mom, are you lost????

What is the All Ears Group?

It's a group cruise that allears.net put together. They have some special group activites for their group. We thought we'd give it a try since this was our first cruise with Disney.

We are DVC members and own at AKL that's why we stay there. The Swan looks like a really nice hotel. I didn't know they didn't have ME, that stinks.

BTW, I ordered my stay certificate yesterday morning and FedEx delivered it this morning. I couldn't believe it came that fast! Now we just have to wait for May 18th!

 

[sues14]

100 days! 100 days! 100 days! Hey everyone only 100 days.

 

[DizDaddy]

On another note -anyone heard from Tony - aka DizDaddy? He has been absent for awhile and getting worried....

Mati---thanks for the concern.....I'm fine, just handling a lot both at work and at home. Things have been very crazy and hectic. In addition to dealing with our trip, we are organizing everything for our large group! We don't have as many traveling with us, but I think we are at 14 adults and 4 kids under 8. An undertaking regardless.

We are renting a 6 bedroom vacation home for Wed thru Sat morning before the cruise. Private pool. And for less than $150/day. One day at MK, and one day at Typhoon Lagoon.

Happy to hear Sabrina's awesome news!

Soooooo....I'm negligent on getting page 1 updated. It's much easier to do at work....so I will be making updates for the following travelers; please let me know if I've missed anyone or if any other further updates are necessary:

carouselkr
cncDisney4
cdfl30



100....100....100....100....100
100 days!!!!

 

[DizDaddy]

Also, Susan and I heading to bed earlier these days....so no more late or middle of the night posts!!! Have ya noticed?????

 

[cncDisney4]

We are part of the AllEars.com group too and are so excited to meet everyone!

We are also DVC members and will be coming in a few days early staying at the Beach Club Villas so we can walk over to Epcot to see the Flower & Garden Show. After the cruise we are at Bay Lake Towers for a few days. Going to meet up with some friends of ours who work at Disney World ... they just went on the Dream so we will have a lot to talk about.

Since this is our first Disney cruise I'm not able to do our online check-in until March, but I've got my notes all ready.

 

[DizDaddy]

I didn't know about the allears.net event cruise until after we had booked ours. What events do they have planned for the group?

 

[cncDisney4]

Hi Tony! I haven't heard about anything yet.

I guess I should have stated that I'm excited about meeting everyone ... meaning AllEars group AND DisBoard cruisers! I'm always lurking on these boards.

 

[shoes99]

It's a group cruise that allears.net put together. They have some special group activites for their group. We thought we'd give it a try since this was our first cruise with Disney.

We are DVC members and own at AKL that's why we stay there. The Swan looks like a really nice hotel. I didn't know they didn't have ME, that stinks.

BTW, I ordered my stay certificate yesterday morning and FedEx delivered it this morning. I couldn't believe it came that fast! Now we just have to wait for May 18th!

We are also with the AllEars group, and are also staying at the Hyatt pre-cruise and VWL post cruise. We just booked the senior rate of $141 plus tax for our 1 night stay at the Hyatt. We have sailed with AllEars before, they are a fun group. Can't wait until May. We also did the "December To Remember" with All Ears in 2011. They sure know how to plan a party.
Michele & Milton

 

[JRandAJsMom]

Hey all! I can't believe I missed the 100 day mark, but it's been crazy as usual around here! We had to put our Princess Puppy to sleep that day, so it was not so fun around here... Slowly getting better though as we realize that she is in a much happier place.

I looked into the allears.net group but didn't think we could do it because we used DVC to do our cruise. Did you have to book through All Ears to be in the group? I'm going to be really bummed if I misunderstood that! It sounds really fun!

Port Adventure question: Does anyone know of a for-sure modest beach trip that would be appropriate for the kids? I'm not sure I'm ready for my 7 and 9 year olds to experience the French side of life We really wanted to do the Sea World Explorer glass bottom boat, but even the beach that visited sounded a little questionable. Maybe we'll just shop, do lunch and go back to play on the empty boat I'm of the "as long as I'm in the sun, I don't care where I am" frame of mind

Hope everyone is surviving the winter snow if you're up here. We only got a couple of inches, but they're getting hammered just north and south of us. Stay warm everyone!!!!