Welcome to everyone joining us! We've been booked since the first day of booking and can't wait for next year. We just returned from a trip to WDW. It was very nice, but not nearly as relaxing as cruising.
Yay! Glad we are not the only non-facebook users! I would love the kids thread link for my DD; that is a great idea!!!! BTW, anyone check out the links to the new Fantasy details that Disney released last week? I'm so excited!!!!
Another non-FB person here! My wife is on it though.
Please do share how Sheraton Vistana Villages are after you return home. We are looking at spending 4-5 days after Cruise doing some Land and have been looking also at some off sites, right now I was thinking of Renting a 3 Bed at Bonnet Creek. We have 11 traveling in our party.
Brenda,
We returned from a 10-night vacation to the World. As you had requested, I wanted to report back about our stay in the Sheraton Vistana Resort. First, we were in the Resort and not the Villages. The Resort is a litle further north on International Drive (near the Outlet Mall where the Character Premier store). We were about 5 minutes from the entrance to WDW.
We stayed there two nights - one night each before and after our 8 night stay at our 2 BR Villa at BLT!!
The Vistana was very nice and I would recommend it to anyone wanting an inexpensive HUGE room offsite. We paid $119 per night for the room. It was about 1,100 sq ft. It had a nice sized kitchen with a small pantry/laundry room. There was a table that seated 6 to 8 in the dining nook. The living room had a queen size pull-out sofa with a 42 inch LCD TV and Bose Wave radio. The screened in porch had a large table and chairs for relaxing outside.
The second bedroom had two queen size beds. The master had a king size bed, a large whirlpool tub and a vanity. The Master bathroom had a second vanity, the toilet and shower.
Although it wasn't Disney, it was quite nice and we may stay there again next June the night before our cruise to save some of our DVC points. After the cruise, we plan to spend two nights at BCV. We want to spend the first day at their large pool area and the second day at Star Wars Weekends. The kids had a blast at SWW this past year.
Have you had any luck with Southwest airline fares for a group? I'm thinking of signing up for a Southwest rewards visa as they are currently offering two free flights after your first purchase. We are thinking of doing two Disney trips in 2012.
I can try. I have posted pictures but I still struggle when I do.
Bill
Was Alaska completely different than any other cruise? I'm outside right now in Colorado and it's chilly out here (upper 60's). Last week, I froze at an evening baseball game and tomorrow's high is suppossed to only reach 63. Believe it or not, I think I'd rather be back in 90 degrees and humid Orlando!!! Although I'm sure Alaska is gorgeous, I like my vacations to be a bit warmer. Maybe someday.
So is anyone else excited to hear even more about the Fantasy? The kid's love the new Animator's Palate concept where we can draw pictures that will march around the room. I like the European theme of the nightclub district. My DW is happy that Minnie is in the atrium. (the kids wanted Stitch?!?)
Now that we're under 1 year, I've actually considered looking into excursions. We really want to snorkel at either St. Maarten or St. Thomas.
Oh, and I almost forgot. There's been a lot of talk about birthday's on the cruise. My oldest will turn 17 on the 4th day of the cruise. Yikes. His last year of being able to cruise as a Disney "teen".
I guess as long as they want me to I will.
lol
Just booked our room at the Residence Inn for the night before the cruise. 
