From WDW To DL With Love - January 06, 2011

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

How are you feeling Jeff? I hope better!

I won't get to see the announcement on Thursday but will catch up when I get home.

 

[Tigfanjeff]

How are you feeling Jeff? I hope better!

I won't get to see the announcement on Thursday but will catch up when I get home.

Yes, the eye is much better.

 

[Tinkerbel129]

Jeff & Jen, Congrats on the Cat 2!!


On the August '08 repo cruise I didn't think the front of the ship was as crowded as the '05 repo. Though there was a larger number of repeat repo cruisers onboard that might have just done what we did "chill by the pool early & all day".


I do hope Disney books some better entertainment. The special shows that were in the Walt Disney Theater were quite lackluster (not the regular stage shows).


BTW - DH & I will be in Disneyland Dec, 2 -5 and then on to WDW the 6 -13, 2009. Anyone be around?

 

[JenKatt]

Anyone else knit? Just curious since I learned how to knit on the last Panama cruise if anyone did. There's a fair amount of down time on board thought maybe we could a Stitch and B!t(h

 

[LindaBabe]

I don't knit, but I could certainly do a "scrap" and beach.

 

[Tigfanjeff]

Jeff & Jen, Congrats on the Cat 2!!


On the August '08 repo cruise I didn't think the front of the ship was as crowded as the '05 repo. Though there was a larger number of repeat repo cruisers onboard that might have just done what we did "chill by the pool early & all day".

Here's a shot of the Gatun locks from deck 10. They're somewhere behind the zoo.

 

[ibouncetoo]

Well, I think I can read between the lines. And even if I can't, it doesn't cost me anything to just make a reservation at the Radisson by the port. So, I just reserved a 2 bedroom suite for the night of 1/5. I was going to do that anyway but figured I better do it before the announcement, just in case.

Alan,
I highly doubt this, but do you "think" it would be a good idea to also book the night of 1/4?

They took a reservation over a year in advance? Crikey....I'm thinking we should all book SOMETHING in the next 24 hours!
.

 

[WeLuvDCL]

They took a reservation over a year in advance? Crikey....I'm thinking we should all book SOMETHING in the next 24 hours!
.

Yes, and it doesn't cost a thing. You do have to enter a CC but they do not charge it and you have until 1/2/2011 to cancel without any penalty. If you are even considering spending the night before the cruise at a hotel, I recommend reserving it now...before the big announcement. The Radisson is the only hotel I could find in the area that is allowing you to book this far in advance. There are 2 others that are fairly close but I've never stayed at those.

 

[RanCan]

How bout this, since it's pretty much obvious, though it will be 100% obvious on Thursday.

The tentative inaugural for the Dream is 1/7/2011, with a dedication ceremony on 1/6/2011 (After they shove us out of the parking spot - The wonder's ceremony was held in the evening as well, so that the laser tinkerbell would work better). That clears the port for the Magic on Saturday. With a 3 day cruise returning on Monday and another 3 day that Monday, the Dream can then take over the standard Thursday/Sunday departures of the Wonder.

How'd I do.

Think it will be too much to hope for if they take us out of the dock but leave us around so we can watch the inauguration? Or will they'll broadcast from the "Ariel" screen at the goofy pool?

Almost. Again, I made a prommise to my friend at DCL I would not say or post. Just like I promised them, I would not post what I now k ow about the Dream till Thursday. You are close Jeff.

Well, I think I can read between the lines. And even if I can't, it doesn't cost me anything to just make a reservation at the Radisson by the port. So, I just reserved a 2 bedroom suite for the night of 1/5. I was going to do that anyway but figured I better do it before the announcement, just in case.

Alan,
I highly doubt this, but do you "think" it would be a good idea to also book the night of 1/4?

Okay, my curiosty is peaked! So what's up with all the guessing, is something special going on around 1/6/11? I'm not the brightest guy around so could someone please give me an idea of what is happening. Especially if I need to make hotel arrangements near the port etc. Is it something that will fill up the hotels real quick? Should I book a hotel now? and for how many days? Thanks...

 

[WeLuvDCL]

Anyone else knit? Just curious since I learned how to knit on the last Panama cruise if anyone did. There's a fair amount of down time on board thought maybe we could a Stitch and B!t(h

I "kinda" knit, does that count? I don't remember how to start and I never learned how to finish the edge....but I can knit inbetween. I started knitting a pastel blanket for my niece when my SIL was pregnant...never finshed because I didn't know how to finshed it off...she's in college now! I was going to finish it for my DD but when I got it out of the closest, it had stains from being stored too long. I guess I should just stick to sewing.

Our DD will be just shy of 3 when we cruise so I'm not sure how much down time I will have. We are not travelling with family on this cruise.

 

[Tinkerbel129]

Okay, my curiosty is peaked! So what's up with all the guessing, is something special going on around 1/6/11? I'm not the brightest guy around so could someone please give me an idea of what is happening. Especially if I need to make hotel arrangements near the port etc. Is it something that will fill up the hotels real quick? Should I book a hotel now? and for how many days? Thanks...

Probably be a good idea if you normally spend the night before the cruise by the port. The place will be a zoo with the new ship ceremonies and media that will go with it. Disney fanatics will flock just to see the size of the ship in port, not to mention those that will come to say farewell to the Wonder. Those that sailed any of the repo cruises can testify how many people show up just to wave goodbye.

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

I went ahead and booked a room but we really think we will be at WDW until the morning of the cruise.

Still trying to decide what we want to do.

 

[aan1701]

First off thank you everyone for reading between the lines and not posting what we might be seeing. Personaly there might be something on the 4th, but it looks like the 6th is the big day. Now in the long run it is still more than a year in advance so you never what might happen in the long run.

 

[wideeyedwonder]

Anyone have any last minutes tips of things to bring or do like the over the bathroom door shoe holder for all the bathroom items. peace and relaxation.

A highlighter/yellow florescent marker. For some reason, that was the one thing I didn't pack, and I really wanted one while on the cruise.

That and a small dry erase board to leave messages to each other on.

I'll be picking an evening for First Contact showing (Heck, if we really wanted to, we could show all the good movies (2,4,6,First Contact, and the last one) on various Sea Nights, though I think we'd do much better off going through some of the other Sci-Fi that's out there (Maybe the BSG pilot one night).

is all I have to say...this could be one cool cruise!

Speaking of, if the Dream's inaugural is incompatible with this cruise, how many people plan on switching?

Not us...I've been waiting for this one, and we even switched our WB TA ressi to this cruise...it will be so nice not to have to fly from California to Spain, then back from Florida (we'll do Europe someday , but when the twins are older)...not to mention the flight costs.

On the return we will do 2 nights maybe 3 at GC. Lexi

If I can get DW to take the extra time off, we may do the same...love The Grand, and the DVC villas are awesome!

 

[familyfun5]

WOW. I am behind on posting.
I think my in-law’s are close to joining us. I also keep going back and forth on DS (13 yrs at time of cruise) on going with us. If the in-law’s come it will be much more economically feasible for DS to go as we can add him on to their cabin. However, he is reluctant to skip school for so long. In all he would miss 3 weeks of school. We went on DCL Western Oct 3 where he missed 7 days and he got fairly far behind. I am thinking of just a week cruise for Me, DH and DS 11yr Oct 2010 (without the babies just some good us and DS 11yr time) as an alternative to his going on the Panama. What do you all think? Does anyone have suggestions on other cruise lines? We have only cruised DCL.

We are also flying out of Denver for an Eastern Jan 16. I am debating when to fly out not only for this Jan but next. We have to fly out the day before to make the ship. However, I am concerned with being snowed in and now think two days before may be best?

All is great here. DD started rolling over about two weeks ago and is now a pro. She had her first fall (I know bad mom). She was sleeping on her belly on the couch while I was making dinner. DH came home and must have startled her. Next thing we know she is laying on the floor crying. Poor thing. It was at that time I knew she was rolling over from belly to back, or even back to belly for that matter.
DS 1 ½ is doing great. He thinks DD should play more with him. Poor girl; she sometimes winces when he gets in her face getting ready for his very wet kisses. He is starting to talk much more. I have been terrified about the swine flu leaving us cooped up inside trying to avoid it. When we took the cruise in October it seemed everyone we knew contracted the swine flu while we were gone. With a new baby and DS 11yr having asthma, we just cannot get the flu.
Last year DH and DS (then 7months) both got the flu. Within two days DS had bronchitis. Having said that; DH got sick last night and called in today. He is a UPS driver, so he has lots of contact with people. The weather has also been fairly cold here and that has helped keeping us in. infact, I think we are due for 5 -15 inches of snow tonight.

As for planning; I have a budget that I hope continues as intended. I love excursions and have looked at other cruise line sites to get an idea of excursions and price. One of my biggest goals is having DS 1 ½ (2 ½ at cruise) potty trained by cruise time. We bought a potty and are talking lots about it. I have a DD 18yr now who was potty trained at 16mo (but being a girl she just did better). (I seem to have a lot of kids 5 in total 20,18,11,1 1/2 & 4mo)
Wish you all a great rest of the week. I love reading everyone’s posts. I hope to hear about the house party reports. And I hope you all stay healthy.

 

[orlandothebeagle]

Anyone else knit? Just curious since I learned how to knit on the last Panama cruise if anyone did. There's a fair amount of down time on board thought maybe we could a Stitch and B!t(h

I used to when I was weee(about a zillion years ag)

They took a reservation over a year in advance? Crikey....I'm thinking we should all book SOMETHING in the next 24 hours!
.

I never thought of that! everything will be booked.

WOW. I am behind on posting.
I think my in-law’s are close to joining us. I also keep going back and forth on DS (13 yrs at time of cruise) on going with us. If the in-law’s come it will be much more economically feasible for DS to go as we can add him on to their cabin. However, he is reluctant to skip school for so long. In all he would miss 3 weeks of school. We went on DCL Western Oct 3 where he missed 7 days and he got fairly far behind. I am thinking of just a week cruise for Me, DH and DS 11yr Oct 2010 (without the babies just some good us and DS 11yr time) as an alternative to his going on the Panama. What do you all think? Does anyone have suggestions on other cruise lines? We have only cruised DCL.

We are also flying out of Denver for an Eastern Jan 16. I am debating when to fly out not only for this Jan but next. We have to fly out the day before to make the ship. However, I am concerned with being snowed in and now think two days before may be best?

All is great here. DD started rolling over about two weeks ago and is now a pro. She had her first fall (I know bad mom). She was sleeping on her belly on the couch while I was making dinner. DH came home and must have startled her. Next thing we know she is laying on the floor crying. Poor thing. It was at that time I knew she was rolling over from belly to back, or even back to belly for that matter.
DS 1 ½ is doing great. He thinks DD should play more with him. Poor girl; she sometimes winces when he gets in her face getting ready for his very wet kisses. He is starting to talk much more. I have been terrified about the swine flu leaving us cooped up inside trying to avoid it. When we took the cruise in October it seemed everyone we knew contracted the swine flu while we were gone. With a new baby and DS 11yr having asthma, we just cannot get the flu.
Last year DH and DS (then 7months) both got the flu. Within two days DS had bronchitis. Having said that; DH got sick last night and called in today. He is a UPS driver, so he has lots of contact with people. The weather has also been fairly cold here and that has helped keeping us in. infact, I think we are due for 5 -15 inches of snow tonight.

As for planning; I have a budget that I hope continues as intended. I love excursions and have looked at other cruise line sites to get an idea of excursions and price. One of my biggest goals is having DS 1 ½ (2 ½ at cruise) potty trained by cruise time. We bought a potty and are talking lots about it. I have a DD 18yr now who was potty trained at 16mo (but being a girl she just did better). (I seem to have a lot of kids 5 in total 20,18,11,1 1/2 & 4mo)
Wish you all a great rest of the week. I love reading everyone’s posts. I hope to hear about the house party reports. And I hope you all stay healthy.

Glas you are all doing well, I dont have kids, weusually take our dn with us, but this one was just too long to skip school imho. Depends on how serious you would be at catching up, Im sure it is possible but since she does not live with me know I fear she would struggle.

 

[Tigfanjeff]

And we've grown by a few more parties. We now are 6.5 % of the available staterooms. Woohoo!

 

[LindaBabe]

We are also flying out of Denver for an Eastern Jan 16. I am debating when to fly out not only for this Jan but next. We have to fly out the day before to make the ship. However, I am concerned with being snowed in and now think two days before may be best?

TWO FOR SURE, and more if the weather report looks dicey and you can get a flight.

With a new baby and DS 11yr having asthma, we just cannot get the flu.
Last year DH and DS (then 7months) both got the flu. Within two days DS had bronchitis. Having said that; DH got sick last night and called in today.

Tell me about it! I have pneumonia now after an initial diagnosis of bronchitis. We leave for Florida on Saturday, for a back-to-back cruise. (PLEASE send DUST!)

(I seem to have a lot of kids 5 in total 20,18,11,1 1/2 & 4mo)

No lie! You parents are SERIOUSLY outnumbered!

There's a school room thread for this cruise somewhere. We're planning some schoolwork days for the kids. But 3 weeks is a lot of school to miss. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2304047

 

[3mmm]

Radisson at the Port's website is down. Just as I was finishing my reservation last night it went into maintenance mode and it is still there. You can however go through the general radisson website and select cape canaveral as a location. We got two one bedroom suites for our family and traveling companions. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Tigfanjeff]

Radisson at the Port's website is down. Just as I was finishing my reservation last night it went into maintenance mode and it is still there. You can however go through the general radisson website and select cape canaveral as a location. We got two one bedroom suites for our family and traveling companions. Thanks for the heads up.

I think our current plan is to try for a 3 bedroom DVC villa the night before and just use the Cruise Line busses from Disney. That way we can have my Dad pick our car up from Disney at some point during the week and drive it down to Tampa airport.