February 12, 2011 - 7 night Eastern

[adventure_woman]

Julie - my name is Stephanie.

 

[blessedmomofboys]

I've been driving myself crazy trying to decide how to make our FE! I thought about buying one off ebay but I think it will be more special if I make it but now I'm afraid it won't be cute. lol

I'm super excited that WDW has finally released their rates for 2011. Now I'm busy researching hotels and the best deals for a 4 night stay leading up to the cruise. Anyone else going to WDW beforehand?

The twins are boys and the 2 year old is a girl.

 

[ilovedevin]

Thak you for the updates Blessedmomofboys, we are planning on staying at the POP the night before, want to get in some shopping at DTD before we leave. We are not doing any of the parks this time around because DS's birthday is on Christmas and we are taking him to WDW for that. There is a couple threads on FE's to give you idea's...I bought mine from e-bay as I have no sewing skills at all. If you have skill I say go for it I'm sure it will be very cute!

 

[blessedmomofboys]

I'm going to attempt a no sew FE and if it fails then definitely going through ebay. I've seen some really cute ones.

We go to Disneyland every year when we visit family in San Diego but this will be our kids first time to WDW. DH and I haven't been since we were little. Not sure where we are going to stay yet. Can't decide between value or moderate. Which hotels would you recommend in those categories? I'm leaning towards all star music for value and not sure for moderate. We are planning on doing MK and Epcot and then a day to rest, do laundry etc beforw cruise. Want to do a downtown disney and chef mickeys. So much to do, so little time.

 

[adventure_woman]

My favorite value is ASMusic and favorite moderate is Port Orleans French Quarter. We usually always stay at value because I can't justify spending the extra money on the room, when I am just as happy to stay at Music. Music was also great, from about 2-9 everyday they have activities by the pool - movies at night, scavenger hunts, games at the pool, etc. My nephew had a blast (I was usually back at the room with a napping 2 yr old...).

 

[capitalmom]

Hey - this is very timely . Noel and I were just starting to think about where to stay the night before the cruise, and were considering either Port Orleans Riverside, or one of the value resorts, or the Hyatt at the airport... The prices for the moderates in February do seem to be quite reasonable realtive to other times of the year (and for us, it is only one night).... decisions, decisions... We also haven't booked flights yet, so in part, it will depend on how early or late we arrive, but all advice/opinions are welcome. We'd also like to do a bit a pre-cruise shopping, probably DTD... our littlest princess could use a new princess dress, since big sister wore hers so much the hand-me-downs are in pretty rough shape, and the Disney store here closed last year Also wondering how folks are planning to get to the ship? Are you using the Disney transfer or finding your own way? We usually rent a car in Florida as we like that flexibility, but dropping in off in Port Canaveral could be a pain... And thanks for the updated FE list! I really need to get going on that...

 

[ilovedevin]

We are renting a car. We arrive at 1130 am on the 11th and plan on going to Walmart for supplies we can't carry on an airplane and then shopping at DTD and having dinner at T-REX? Also want to leave early the 12th to get to port early LOL I am one of those people that hurry to get somewhere just to wait

 

[adventure_woman]

I'm thinking that we will be driving down Hopefully the little one (now 3 1/2 mths) will start doing better in the car. We are going to be staying in the Cape at the Radisson for probably 2 nights before the cruise. DH isn't as much of a Disney fanatic as I am so, so this is our compromise on a 'non-Disney' trip.

 

[noelk]

As Danielle mentioned, we're starting to think a bit more - call it the early-planning phase.

I know some folks have already booked their flights - I've started looking at airfare...and hoping a seat sale comes around this fall! With a two year old, it will be so much easier to fly from Ottawa (20 minutes in the car to the airport and we're on our way)...but right now, taking early morning flights and such, that would run us $2500 round trip including taxes for four (!) ... it's the extra taxes, charges and fees that really make it add up!

The alternative for us it to drive the night before to Syracuse, NY, which has non-stop flights on JetBlue to Orlando...it's a 3 1/2 hour drive (300km/186 miles)...but the cost of the flights is just $1400 round trip for four. That's a savings of over $1000! Of course, if those flights from Ottawa go on sale, the savings wouldn't be so dramatic...

Anybody else drive significantly out of their way to save a lot on airfares?

 

[ilovedevin]

Just thought of one more thing we need eachother's cabin numbers

Kavin, Julie and Devin (5) room 6632

 

[ilovedevin]

Whoo hooo only six more months

 

[ilovedevin]

I am so excited I just booked our room at the POP.

 

[mrbudyhed]

Well, we are lucky--my mother-in-law lives in Cocoa Beach, so I have accomodations and chauffer service all set! We go to Florida every year and I watch airfare prices all the time. I am convinced that the prices will go down much more from the $336 (Cleveland to Orlando) that they are now. But, boy I can't wait to buy the tickets--then everything seems "set", know what I mean? I'm not sure I want to be an on the FE thing--it sounds fun, but also kinda stressful too--just one more thing I have to think of. But if everyone is gonna have a "DIS-meet," I would be interested in that!

Michelle

 

[ilovedevin]

Sorry to hear that you don't want to participate in the FE, I am sure when it get's closer to the crusie that we will set up a DIS-Meet. Good luck with the airfare.

 

[ilovedevin]

Just got our room at the POP for $77.63 total for the night before the cruise

Disney Value Resort Hotels 25%
Disney Moderate Resort Hotels 30%
Disney Deluxe Resorts* 25% - 40%
Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts 40%

*Save 30% at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
*Save 25% at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge.

1/1/11-2/16/11

 

[mrbudyhed]

What a good price! Am most jealous that you get to be immersed in Disney starting on Friday. Oh well, "Chez Mother-in-law" is cool too.

 

[ilovedevin]

*****FE UPDATE*******

Could everyone who is participating in the FE exchange send me a PM of your room number I will make a list and PM everyone with the information. Also a few families have shown interest in a DIS-Meet looking for idea's as to when and where?



Thanks,
Julie

 

[TiredOfCold]

And I was wondering why the other forum roll call was so quiet! Everyone is on here!! Looking forward to meeting everyone.

I think it would be nice for my daughter to meet a few girls her own age before heading into the kids club - and it looks like there are a few on here already!

Interested in the FE thing for my daughters sake - but it might be more than I can handle! How many gifts are we talking about? Do you just deliver 1 gift to each cabin on the list or is it one gift per/person? I'm assuming they would then have to be customized based on the individuals gender and age?
Do you just do this once or is it a daily thing?

I am definitely interested in a meet though - that sounds much less complex. hahahaha

We will likely stay 1 night pre-cruise close to the port and are looking at booking 3 nights post-cruise at WDW. We haven't booked our flights yet - I will be booking two on points just have to wait for next month when I will have enough points!
I agree that the taxes and fees from Canada are crazy! If we were closer to the US we would most likely do the drive...

 

[ilovedevin]

for those of you who may not know, just came out today. I just called and now Devin is FREE I am so excited!!!!!


Kids Sail Free on Select 7-Night Caribbean CruisesChildren ages 17 and under traveling with 2 full-fare Guests in the same stateroom sail free on most 7-Night Caribbean cruises from January 8, 2011 through March 5, 2011, excluding the February 19, 2011 sailing. Government Taxes and Fees and Port Adventures not included.

Beginning in January 2011, set sail aboard the Disney Magic on an unforgettable Disney Cruise Line 7-Night Eastern Caribbean cruise or a 7-Night Western Caribbean cruise—and save! On the eastern cruise, drop anchor in sunny St. Maarten—with its many boutiques, café and white-sand beaches—before making your way to historic St. Thomas/St. John, once a destination of choice for real-life pirates. The western cruise finds you experiencing the sun, sand and surf of Grand Cayman, Key West and stunning Cozumel, home to the ancient ruins of Xcaret Eco Archeological Park and the sprawling shoreline of Playa San Francisco Beach. Both itineraries boast a stop at Disney's private island hideaway, Castaway Cay, exclusively available to Disney cruisers.

How To Book
To take advantage of this offer, book online at disneycruise.com, call (800) 951-3532 or contact your Travel Agent. Be sure to indicate booking code "KFO" at time of booking. Guests under 18 years of age must have their parent or guardian call this number.

Important Details
This offer is only available to residents of the U.S. and Canada. Offer applies to verandah stateroom categories (excluding suites and concierge). This offer cannot be combined with any other offers, discounts or onboard credits. Number of staterooms allocated for this offer are limited. Must mention booking code KFO. See Disney Cruise Line website for details and applicable Terms and Conditions.

 

[ilovedevin]

tiredofcold . As for the FE it is whatever you decide. You can deliver one gift per stateroom or per person or just the kids. Target, Michael's and the dollar stores all carry $1.00 Disney items sometime's even less than that. You can buy your gifts or if you creative you can make your gifts, once again it's whatever you decide.