February 16, 2014 DREAMing!

[robhawk]

Just booked our Southwest flights yesterday too!
Added 3 days at Vero Beach post cruise. So excited our daughter is going to join us for the Vero part of the vacation.
Hope everyone is enjoying their summer!

 

[lolainkent]

Booked my airfare yesterday so we are for sure going to be on this cruise. I was worried with it being a vacation week that airfare would be insane but for Southwest yesterday I got $230/ pp r/t direct from Hartford, CT. Southwest opened up the rest of February yesterday. I am also booked at the Best Western for the night beofre. We are renting a car when we get in and parking it at the port. I liek that The Best Western Ocean Front Cocoa Beach offers a 40% off parking coupon to use at the port. Plus a 2 queen room was only $90 plus taxes for the night. We don't get in until 8pm Saturday on our flight so we won't really be able to enjoy Cocoa Beach but it will be nice to already be right there. Where is everyone else staying the night before or are you flying in that morning?

We fly into Orlando on the Friday before the cruise. The 17th-21st is a week off from school in the UK so flight prices fly through the roof starting on the 15th, leaving on the 14th saved us a TON! Plus we didn't want to arrive late Saturday and be completely jetlagged for the first day or two on the cruise. We're staying at the Hilton Oceanfront at Cocoa Beach (got it for $109/night).

I posted this question in the DCL forum, but didn't get any replies: anyone have suggestions for what we should do on the Saturday? We're going to the Space Centre the day we get back to Port Canaveral. We'll have a car so we can do whatever, within reason. Never been to Orlando so suggestions would be great!

 

[CherylA]

We fly into Orlando on the Friday before the cruise. The 17th-21st is a week off from school in the UK so flight prices fly through the roof starting on the 15th, leaving on the 14th saved us a TON! Plus we didn't want to arrive late Saturday and be completely jetlagged for the first day or two on the cruise. We're staying at the Hilton Oceanfront at Cocoa Beach (got it for $109/night).

I posted this question in the DCL forum, but didn't get any replies: anyone have suggestions for what we should do on the Saturday? We're going to the Space Centre the day we get back to Port Canaveral. We'll have a car so we can do whatever, within reason. Never been to Orlando so suggestions would be great!

Nice! That is a vacation week for schools here too but leaving Friday was actually more than leaving Sat for us. We don't get in until 8pm on Sat, so we'll go right to the hotel and pretty much go to bed. I don't think we'll get to the port until about noon on Sunday, I hate waiting around the port. Just not worth it to me in order to get an extra 1.5 hours on the ship. I can't relax until I am in my stateroom anyway, I hate wandering around the ship with my carryons!

The DIS podcast people recommend a restaraunt in Cocoa Beach that you might want to try for breakfast or lunch.

Simply Delicious Cafe & Bakery
125 N Orlando Ave Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

(321) 783-2012

Hours are: Tue-Sat 8 am - 3 pm
Sun 8 am - 2 pm
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes

I think I would just hang out in Cocoa Beach and take a walk along the pier, do some shopping and catch up on my sleep. Are you going to Disney when you get back? Also you may find people from this thread may meet up for a precruise DISmeet on Sat evening.

 

[lolainkent]

Nice! That is a vacation week for schools here too but leaving Friday was actually more than leaving Sat for us. We don't get in until 8pm on Sat, so we'll go right to the hotel and pretty much go to bed. I don't think we'll get to the port until about noon on Sunday, I hate waiting around the port. Just not worth it to me in order to get an extra 1.5 hours on the ship. I can't relax until I am in my stateroom anyway, I hate wandering around the ship with my carryons!

The DIS podcast people recommend a restaraunt in Cocoa Beach that you might want to try for breakfast or lunch.

Simply Delicious Cafe & Bakery
125 N Orlando Ave Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

(321) 783-2012

Hours are: Tue-Sat 8 am - 3 pm
Sun 8 am - 2 pm
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes

I think I would just hang out in Cocoa Beach and take a walk along the pier, do some shopping and catch up on my sleep. Are you going to Disney when you get back? Also you may find people from this thread may meet up for a precruise DISmeet on Sat evening.

Thanks for the restaurant info! We LOVE a proper North American breakfast, which we lack here in the UK We are going to Disney after the cruise so no need to head that way beforehand. If there's an Orlando Magic game on that Saturday night, I might drag my husband into Orlando but I'm not sure we'd go into the city for any other reason.

 

[robhawk]

We fly into Orlando on the Friday before the cruise. The 17th-21st is a week off from school in the UK so flight prices fly through the roof starting on the 15th, leaving on the 14th saved us a TON! Plus we didn't want to arrive late Saturday and be completely jetlagged for the first day or two on the cruise. We're staying at the Hilton Oceanfront at Cocoa Beach (got it for $109/night).

I posted this question in the DCL forum, but didn't get any replies: anyone have suggestions for what we should do on the Saturday? We're going to the Space Centre the day we get back to Port Canaveral. We'll have a car so we can do whatever, within reason. Never been to Orlando so suggestions would be great!

When we stayed at Disney's Vero Beach resort in 2012, we took a day trip to South Beach in Miami. Very interesting people watching. Had a delicious Cuban lunch. May be a bit farther than you want to go. We just wanted to go somewhere we had never been!

Rob & Sue

 

[dizneeat]

Sorry for being MIA but once my school holiday started three weeks ago I needed to get our summer vacation paperwork all organized and had to update my homepage.
FINALLY I am (mostly) all done and I have 10 days until we leave for our US vacation this summer.

Booked my airfare yesterday so we are for sure going to be on this cruise. I was worried with it being a vacation week that airfare would be insane but for Southwest yesterday I got $230/ pp r/t direct from Hartford, CT. Southwest opened up the rest of February yesterday. I am also booked at the Best Western for the night beofre. We are renting a car when we get in and parking it at the port. I liek that The Best Western Ocean Front Cocoa Beach offers a 40% off parking coupon to use at the port. Plus a 2 queen room was only $90 plus taxes for the night. We don't get in until 8pm Saturday on our flight so we won't really be able to enjoy Cocoa Beach but it will be nice to already be right there. Where is everyone else staying the night before or are you flying in that morning?

Yeah for getting your airfare booked! Makes it feel so much more real, doesn't it?

We can only leave here on Feb 15 and it is a 10 hour flight, so we arrive at MCO at 6pm. We'll just pick up a rental and stay at Villas at the Grand Floridian for the night.
We'll stay for 3 more days at OKW after the cruise before we have to head back home to the wintery cold.

Just booked our Southwest flights yesterday too!
Added 3 days at Vero Beach post cruise. So excited our daughter is going to join us for the Vero part of the vacation.
Hope everyone is enjoying their summer!

for your daughter being able to join you!

I am starting to enjoy my summer. Can't wait for our trip to the US - 2 weeks on the Fantasy and 2 1/2 weeks of enjoying WDW and Key West.

 

[lolainkent]

When we stayed at Disney's Vero Beach resort in 2012, we took a day trip to South Beach in Miami. Very interesting people watching. Had a delicious Cuban lunch. May be a bit farther than you want to go. We just wanted to go somewhere we had never been!

Rob & Sue

I just put in the directions on google to see how long it would take, 3hrs-ish each way. DH and I notorious for our long day-trips and getting to places we haven't been but we'll likely be really jet-lagged Maybe we'll plan time for Miami next time!

 

[dizneeat]

I just put in the directions on google to see how long it would take, 3hrs-ish each way. DH and I notorious for our long day-trips and getting to places we haven't been but we'll likely be really jet-lagged Maybe we'll plan time for Miami next time!

We drive Orlando - Miami almost every year on our trip to the keys and it takes more like 4 - 4 1/2 hours on a VERY boring motorway.
Given it is President's Weekend and traffic could be heavier I would not do it, it's really a long way to go.
What about Sea World? Universal for a day? Don't know if Gatorland is still open, but that is something we did on our first visit.

 

[melissaina2]

Hi all! We're going on our first cruise on the Dream on Feb 16th. Can. not. wait! So, it's my family, my 3 cousins and their families and a friends family. I know we definitely want to participate in the fish extender (melissa, keith, Lauren (12) Kyle (10) Hailey (8). )
What else do we need to do? What are some examples of fish extender gifts that you've received?
I'd also like to be in the fb group but not sure if i can 'pm' linda b/c this is my very first post on disboards. hmmm.
Thanks for any help!
-Melissa

 

[robhawk]

Welcome aboard Melissa,

You are going to love the cruise! It is so much fun! This will be our 4th Disney cruise & 5th overall.
You will love the disboards. So much info!
Sorry I can't help with the FE. Haven't done it but heard it is a lot of fun!

 

[CherylA]

Karin,

My family tells me they would like to do the FE. Can you sign me up? Cheryl and Tony plus 2 girls Isabelle (11) and Lily (9).

Who do I have to PM to get on the Facebook group?

 

[dizneeat]

Karin,

My family tells me they would like to do the FE. Can you sign me up? Cheryl and Tony plus 2 girls Isabelle (11) and Lily (9).

Who do I have to PM to get on the Facebook group?

We're currently on vacation ....... I am writing this while sitting in the terminal at Port Canaveral waiting to get back on the Fantasy. I will get back to you and add you to the FE list once we are back from our cruise.

 

[taswira]

Have fun, Karin! Shoot lots of photos. I'll be on the Fantasy again in 3 weeks.

 

[robhawk]

We're currently on vacation ....... I am writing this while sitting in the terminal at Port Canaveral waiting to get back on the Fantasy. I will get back to you and add you to the FE list once we are back from our cruise.

Have a great time!!!
Just ruptured my Achilles' tendon. Having surgery Tuesday. 8 week recovery.
Looks like I will be on the boards quite a bit. Haha!

 

[englishrose47]

Have Fun Karin & Tom!!!

 

[Charlesfamily]

We're currently on vacation ....... I am writing this while sitting in the terminal at Port Canaveral waiting to get back on the Fantasy. I will get back to you and add you to the FE list once we are back from our cruise.

Or family would like to be added to the FE list too. Charles family Jim & Lauren - 3 kids Noah (11) Bella (6) and Addi (4). This is our first time on the boards and our first cruise, can't wait.

 

[robhawk]

Welcome Charles family! So exciting! You will have a great time!
Any questions fire away!

 

[Charlesfamily]

Being our first Cruise? What is best; Day at Nassau or Stay Aboard the Dream? Any Why??

 

[robhawk]

Sorry I have only done 7 day western cruises on the magic & fantasy. We are planning to spend the day at Blue Lagoon. We love the beach and have never been to Nassau. They say the boat ride out there is very pretty. You can swim with the dolphins out there also.
I do love our days at sea though. No bad answer! Haha!

 

[taswira]

Sorry to say that I have switched from this sailing to another Fantasy cruise in January.

Happy sailing everyone! I'm sure you'll have a Dream-y cruise!