February 14-18, 2010 4 Night Wonder Cruise

[NitaO]

Well we got our passports yesterday! 3 weeks and 2 days from applying! We got our birth certificates back today!

Nita: J won't sleep in the same bed as A, either, so we let J have the sofa bed, and A sleeps on an inflatable mattress.

We have done that before too. but when I called Raddison and got a military rate of $97, I asked about the cruise pkg. it was about $149.00. it included the breakfast, parking and shuttle. But I asked if I could just use the shuttle and parking without the pkg. and they said yes. I guess we will either buy our own breakfast or eat somehere else. They said also the Quality Suites uses their parking and their shuttle, same owner.lol

 

[lauraDar]

Right, Quality uses their swimming pool, too!

 

[NitaO]

Right, Quality uses their swimming pool, too!

Thats good, they have a nice looking pool. How warm is it going to be in Feb?

 

[jandj524]

Thats good, they have a nice looking pool. How warm is it going to be in Feb?

I guess the answer depends on where do you live-- Feb in FL is pretty warm for us (but we live in Long Island - so mid-70's feels like a heat wave)

LauraDar--glad to hear you received your passports

I am very excited, we just booked a few nights at the Animal Kingdom Lodge before the cruise

 

[In Luv with Disney]

OK, so I officially booked the hotel the night before the cruise, with the shuttle to the port and parking.

I will be staying at Four Points by Sheraton in Cocoa Beach on SPG points...free room. To add the shuttle, it's $35 and all I have to do is drive that morning over to the Radisson and park my car there. That's where I catch the shuttle to the ship.

Anyone done this before?

I will also be staying at Bay Lake Tower for 3 nights after the cruise...SO EXCITED!!!!!!

Only 4 1/2 months away!!

 

[NitaO]

I live right outside of Atlanta, so its warm but not as warm as Fl. I think the pools are heated too. so that helps.

Won't be going to WDW in Feb. Just went for 8 days this year in June. I also have a day pass to use up in Nov. So next year its just the cruise. I have never stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, did get a sneak peek at it though this year. Beautiful!!!

 

[NitaO]

In Luv with Disney: Free room is always a good deal.... We are staying at the Raddison and using their shuttle. I called and got a 10:30am time.

 

[lauraDar]

Oh, can we reserve a space on the shuttle already? Our plan is to have the 2 husbands drop us at the port, then park the cars and ride the shuttle (we figured it would be easier getting 2 spots without luggage than 7 with!). I have heard horror stories about the Radisson shuttle, though, so I am alittle nervous about the transportation! I would LOVE to get a limo to pick us ALL up at the Radisson so we could start off our cruise in style and without shuttle hassle, but afraid of what THAT would cost!

 

[jandj524]

OK, so I officially booked the hotel the night before the cruise, with the shuttle to the port and parking.

I will be staying at Four Points by Sheraton in Cocoa Beach on SPG points...free room. To add the shuttle, it's $35 and all I have to do is drive that morning over to the Radisson and park my car there. That's where I catch the shuttle to the ship.

Anyone done this before?

I will also be staying at Bay Lake Tower for 3 nights after the cruise...SO EXCITED!!!!!!

Only 4 1/2 months away!!

Hi! Have you stayed at BLT yet? We are booked there in December--I can't wait. If you have, would love to hear what you thought!

 

[NitaO]

Oh, can we reserve a space on the shuttle already? Our plan is to have the 2 husbands drop us at the port, then park the cars and ride the shuttle (we figured it would be easier getting 2 spots without luggage than 7 with!). I have heard horror stories about the Radisson shuttle, though, so I am alittle nervous about the transportation! I would LOVE to get a limo to pick us ALL up at the Radisson so we could start off our cruise in style and without shuttle hassle, but afraid of what THAT would cost![/QU

When I made my ressie at the Raddison they asked if I wanted to go ahead and make a time for the shuttle, so she just redirected me back to the front desk. Just make sure you ask for DCL , she had times that start at 10:00am. I too have heard about the lines for the shuttle. I hope we don't run into any trouble....

 

[In Luv with Disney]

In Luv with Disney: Free room is always a good deal.... We are staying at the Raddison and using their shuttle. I called and got a 10:30am time.

Yeah, I agree...free = good. And for $35 shuttle and parking, I think that's a pretty good deal considering it's $15 to park each day at the port.

I was told by Four Points that I can reserve my shuttle a month in advance. Hmmm...wondering if I should try now? I'd like to get to the Port sooner rather than later. I want to get on that ship and explore...and eat!

 

[In Luv with Disney]

Hi! Have you stayed at BLT yet? We are booked there in December--I can't wait. If you have, would love to hear what you thought!

I actually have stayed at BLT! I stayed there for one night in July, before opening (I'm actually a Cast Member). I had a Lake View Studio on the 15th floor. The resort is ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!! It is PRICELESS being able to walk back from the MK at night. The Views are spectacular...even my Lake View was gorgeous. I am staying in a Lake View Studio again after the Cruise. I really can't wait! You are going to LOVE it! When are you going in December?

 

[jandj524]

I actually have stayed at BLT! I stayed there for one night in July, before opening (I'm actually a Cast Member). I had a Lake View Studio on the 15th floor. The resort is ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!! It is PRICELESS being able to walk back from the MK at night. The Views are spectacular...even my Lake View was gorgeous. I am staying in a Lake View Studio again after the Cruise. I really can't wait! You are going to LOVE it! When are you going in December?

How cool that you got to stay there before the official grand opening -- we are checking on 12/5 . I am glad to hear that you liked your Lake View, that's what we booked as well. I can't wait to visit the lounge upstairs to watch the fireworks--must be a great view. We are DVC Members as well, BWV and BLT, I tried to book BLT for our pre-cruise stay--but it was booked. I have heard really good things about AKV so I figured, why not, I think my kids will really enjoy seeing animals outside the balcony.

Does anyone know if there are any special activities on board the ship for Valentine's Day?

 

[NitaO]

I do hope they do something special for Valentine's Day too. That would be a nice touch to our cruise.

 

[bronwyn]

Well... we've decided not to visit WDW this time. I'm soo jealous of your plans to visit Animal Kingdom and Bay Lake. We've stayed at AKL and it was just so much fun! I think we're just going to stick with the cruise and then go visit family on the gulf coast this time. Don't get me wrong... I'm still super excited but it's hard to imagine going to Florida without visiting the parks. We still have to book our night before the cruise. I think we are planning on driving down so I'd like to take advantage of a the park and shuttle packages at one of the hotels. Guess I'd better get busy!

 

[jandj524]

Well... we've decided not to visit WDW this time. I'm soo jealous of your plans to visit Animal Kingdom and Bay Lake. We've stayed at AKL and it was just so much fun! I think we're just going to stick with the cruise and then go visit family on the gulf coast this time. Don't get me wrong... I'm still super excited but it's hard to imagine going to Florida without visiting the parks. We still have to book our night before the cruise. I think we are planning on driving down so I'd like to take advantage of a the park and shuttle packages at one of the hotels. Guess I'd better get busy!

I am just addicted to WDW, can't seem to visit Fl without stopping by WDW (crazy, I know).

We will be driving down from NY not looking forward to that part.

I am getting pretty excited for this cruise...we can start booking activities soon Happy planning everyone!

 

[lauraDar]

I started packing on Sunday! I was weeding out some summer clothes and, following a tip I learned on the boards, instead of putting them in the storage box I put them in a suitcase! I also have a storage box for misc cruise items.

 

[NitaO]

Sorry I have not been on Disboards in awhile. My 13 DD has been in the hospital and its been kinda of crazy here.
We can not wait till our cruise. I hope all goes well till the end of this year and we still get to go. I had to cancel our plans to visit WDW the end of this year ,DD will have to go back into the hospital about that same time. My son was great about it, he said "thats ok mom we still have the cruise" We are going to everything we can to get him on that ship when it blows" When you wish upon a star"

 

[jandj524]

Sorry I have not been on Disboards in awhile. My 13 DD has been in the hospital and its been kinda of crazy here.
We can not wait till our cruise. I hope all goes well till the end of this year and we still get to go. I had to cancel our plans to visit WDW the end of this year ,DD will have to go back into the hospital about that same time. My son was great about it, he said "thats ok mom we still have the cruise" We are going to everything we can to get him on that ship when it blows" When you wish upon a star"

All the best to you and your family

 

[NitaO]

Thanks, Its getting better.