First timer - so many ????'s

[kksmom]

I just found out that my fabulous MIL has purchased 3 night cruises on the Wonder for us for my daughter's 6th birthday. They are going to drive over from St Petersburg and join us. My BIL is going to drive over from Atlanta and join us all as a total surprise to my husband and daughter. Actually, the entire cruise is going to be a surprise for my daughter.

Now that the intial shock has subsided, all of the questions have started flooding my head . . .

If there are any veteran's out there that would be willing to lend advice to a newbie, I would appreciate it greatly!!!!

1 - What airport should we fly in to?
2 - Should we go the day before and spend the night somewhere? If so, any suggestions on where to stay?
3 - Does Disney do anything special for children celebrating a birthday onboard? If yes, how do I set it up?
4 - Does the excitement ever ease up - or am I going to be like this for the next 7 months????

I am printing off the great tips threads - you guys are wonderful!!!

Thanks for any additional advice!

 

[DrCavin]

Orlando is the most popular airport to arrive in.

If at all possible, arrive the day before. You will be less stressed & more rested than arriving day of. Check out Daves website for where to stay: www.dcltribute.com

Cant help you on #3

Sorry, but the excitement actually intensifies as Cruise Day approaches.

Additional advice, read the dis for more tips & if your sailing after 12/31/05, passports will be required for EVERYONE.

 

[mommasita]

Hi...THat is fantastic..Lucky you..Your daughter will just LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will try to help..

1. Orlando Int'l is the closest, and most popular airport.

2. Please arrive the night before, there are some horror stories about some
people missing their flights, there are often unforseen circumstances.

3. IF you call Disney and let them know, they will have a cake in the dining
room the night you request, and everyone will sing...Just remind the wait-
staff.

4. NO, it never eases up...Have fun..

Now some tips..

dcltribute.com is a fabulous site with a wealth of info. about hotels and the cruise as well as renting a car, or transportation...
surf around this site, there is great info on staterooms, which deck you may prefer..etc...

We always order gorgeous baskets from and Shirley at theperfectgift.cc..They are in the room when you arrive,
and she will create any basket you want...I love these.as
most of us her do..

We stay in Cocoa Beach the night before, and taxi it to the
port early in the am..TIp...Arrive around 10:30 am to check in and
board as early as possible, as this is your first day and why miss it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[taeja71]

2 - Should we go the day before and spend the night somewhere? If so, any suggestions on where to stay?

We loved the Wyndam hotel. It was not only beautiful, but we listened to live music as we swam and played. My kids (4,3,2) were able to play in a little pool just their size. I love the WYNDAM! Its' on the main drag...on Orlando dr???

3 - Does Disney do anything special for children celebrating a birthday onboard? If yes, how do I set it up?

Search for Shirley on the DISboard- she sets up gift baskets and puts together things for your special occassion.

4 - Does the excitement ever ease up - or am I going to be like this for the next 7 months????

NO! You will be planning to the very last minute before leaving. Between checking for DIS mail, making sure you've got every one's room numbers,check for DIS mail, writing down extra cell number of DISmembers, checking again for DIS mail...just like any other vacation there will be at least one thing you forgot to pack.

BIG KUDOS to you MIL for this WONDERful or MAGICal gift! Be sure to get to know your other DISboard cruisers as well.
Dave's online tribue has not been updated in quite a while (there's a thread on the cruise foum regarding that). BUT, there are pieces of information on his site that are good to know.

 

[CM_Mom]

To answer questions # 3 about special activities for your birthday girl. If she's in the club on her birthday they have stickers and I think a pin on button that they will give her telling everyone that it's her birthday. DD was working in the Club last year on her birthday and her crewmates put stickers all over her.

 

[StuartMI]

1 - What airport should we fly in to?
2 - Should we go the day before and spend the night somewhere? If so, any suggestions on where to stay?
3 - Does Disney do anything special for children celebrating a birthday onboard? If yes, how do I set it up?
4 - Does the excitement ever ease up - or am I going to be like this for the next 7 months????

1: Actually, mamasita, Melbourne is the closest airport to fly into. Check Delta - they have some great fares to Melbourne especially from Atlanta.

2: Yes you should to be safe. Check Dave's hotel site http://www.dcltribute.com -- We're staying the night before our Oct/05 cruise at the Holiday Inn Express

3: Yes, but Im not sure how to cooridinate it.

4: Yes, you'll be like that for the next 7 months.

 

[kaykels]

Stay in a Disney Hotel the night before just to get in the "spirit of things". It's so nice just to be on property. You can go to downtown disney or just swim in the pool, or heck, do a park if you have time. If not, just take it all in. We LOVE LOVE LOVE staying at one of the resorts the night before. Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge are our favorites. Get your Mother in Law to get the rooms with her Florida Resident Discount! She can book one and your F.I.L can book the other.

 

[StuartMI]

This, too, is a very good idea. We are in fact staying at the Swan the evening before our 7/06 cruise. Keep in mind that staying at a Disney hotel will be much more expensive than hitting a hotel at the port. This October, we're staying at the Holiday Inn Express at the Port and will probably have dinner @ Grills (try doing a search on Grills) to watch the Disney Magic sail out the day before. That's plenty enough to get us in the spirit. I'm one of those people that likes to "get there" so I don't have to worry about things like backups on the bee-line, etc -- less variables to worry about. Of course, the rest of our gang in 2006 is staying at the Boardwalk so that's why we're at the Swan the night before since they will have been at the park for 3 days already.

Personally I would only stay at a WDW hotel if there was a specific need.

 

[logan1_2000]

I usually recoil at the idea of the value resorts, like the pop century, sports, etc., just because I have seen so many reviews that they are really in your face with the THEME of the particular hotel, and the gaudiness, and the # of children, and, as the Grinch would complain of, "all the noice, Noise, NOISE!" that some have reported. One of the things I love about the DCL ships is that the ships are elegant, and do not look like an amusement park, except where intentionally done so in spots (like the O.C., which is an appropriate location). But kids just eat that stuff up, and you mentioned it is a 6th birthday, so if you do go for a WDW resort, I guess your child might enjoy the All Star experience.

For #3, Shirley has many satisfied clients, and a second option if DCL's own in-room celebrations that you can find on the website, in case your own extended family logistics make it easier to deal with one fewer provider, but either way you should be fine. A popular question on these boards is "What does the head server do?"--In your case, the answer is "this person will make sure your birthday celebration in the dining room is memorable". There is more than one type of cake available, ask about that, and decide what night would be best for you after you find out your dining rotation, which takes place at check-in. And I would not want to interfere w/ Pirate night--that is celebration enough for most people.

Definitely night before--then get on board early to make the most of that day on the ship and enjoy the pool, slide, ...characters, everything!!

No, the excitement builds. Witness the pathological junkies here--including me.

 

[Hunnybee]

Passports? Did I see on a post that passports were going to be required? We're sailing in May of 2006 on the Wonder. Will we all need passports? Please give me more information on that.

Thanks!

 

[DrCavin]

Passports? Did I see on a post that passports were going to be required? We're sailing in May of 2006 on the Wonder. Will we all need passports? Please give me more information on that.

Thanks!

Yep you all will need passports. Here is a link: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2224.html

here is another thread on dis that pretty much covers everything:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=821358

 

[ksjayhawks]

Do you have an entertainment book? We used our card and saved a bunch on the Holiday Inn Select that was just a few minutes from the airport. They have a free shuttle. There are restaurants within walking distance--or sone onsight that is highter. They have a pool.

We took the shuttle back in the morning and caught the bus to the port. Or you can have a limo service pick you up at the hotel if that is the way you are going.

 

[kksmom]

Thanks for all the suggestions!!! You guys are awesome!!!

I think we'll definitely plan to head down the day before. Now to decide where to stay and how to get there.

Thanks for the tip to visit dcltribute - it is full of great info. I LOVE this board!!!

 

[ericamanda01]

2 - Should we go the day before and spend the night somewhere? If so, any suggestions on where to stay?

4 - Does the excitement ever ease up - or am I going to be like this for the next 7 months????

#2-We were on the Wonder for our Honeymoon and they gave us special buttons and a cake the first night. We told our server about it and they did the rest. So I am sure they will something for your DD.

#4- no, you will be like this for the next 8-9 months. It lasts well after the cruise is over! If I were you I would bring some extra money and book your next cruise while onboard. Well worth it!

 

[Hunnybee]

Thanks for the passport information. We will all be getting them, I guess, for our May 2006 cruise! Oh well, it's just money, right? Easy come, easy go!

 

[LAMPSKIES]

We have sailed 4 times with DCL already and have 2 more booked and we ALWAYS fly into Orlando and ALWAYS stay at a WDW resort for at least 1 night. Last year we stayed at Beach Club and it was very nice. DDs went to the beach, shopped on the square and got to eat at one of our favorite place...ESPN Zone.........good luck!

 

[Laurajean1014]

DCL is being featured on the Travel Channel tonight at 7:00pm. Stay tuned!