Getting Ready for our 04/18 Disney Wonder Cruise

[Rachael Q]

We are less than 10 days from our trip, and there is so much left to do. Hopefully putting it all in writing and on the DIS, will actually motivate me to get it done.

Who's going:
Me - 39 year old. Finished my job at the end of February, and still looking for the next opportunity. It was an awesome job, and it's hard to wrap my head around the fact that no other job will even come close. Turning 40 on May 3, so this is my birthday trip. .

DH - 36. Puts up with me, and my idiosyncrasies. Works for himself. L0oves to fly. Is a private pilot. Married (to me) for 10 years.

DMIL - in her 60's has been dragged to WDW by us 3 times before.

DFIL - in his 60's, has been dragged to WDW by us 3 times before. Thinks he's getting old and doesn't like to try new things.

DSIL - 33. Single mum. Has been to WDW once before, when we all went for Christmas.

DN - our 6 year old niece. Has been to WDW once before, when we all went for Christmas. She was 3 at the time. Loves all things princess. Will line up for hours to see them, but then refuse to stand next to them or talk to them. Cries a lot, at the slightest hint of the word no.

Everybody has been to WDW before, and all the adults have cruised before. It will be the first Disney Cruise for all of us, and it's DN's first ever cruise.

What are we doing? Plans have changed multiple times, but as of today this is how they stand:

April 16th - flying from west coast to Orlando - staying at Hyatt at MCO
April 17th - pick up rental car, shopping, relaxing - staying at Marriott at Port Canaveral
April 18th - Cruising on the Wonder
April 19th - Nassau
April 20th - Castaway Cay
April 21st - At sea
April 22nd - back to Port Canaveral and onto Disney World - staying at POP Century.
April 23rd - WDW
April 24th - WDW
April 25th - WDW
April 26th - home.

Already booked:
flights
Hyatt
Marriott
Disney Cruise
POP Century
Princess Storybook Breakfast

Need to do:
book rental car
pillowslip for autographs for niece
autograph book for niece
magnets for doors
change travel insurance for DH

 

[Rachael Q]

So I'm turning 40 in May, and I love birthdays. I am one of few of my female friends who continues to celebrate her birthdays. I don't care if people know how old I am. And don't you dare forget my birthday. Turning 40 is big, you better believe I am going to celebrate. In fact I have a birth month, not a birth day.

Hubby and I talked it over, we discussed Vegas, Mexico, and a variety of other options, but we kept coming back to Disney. We've been to Disney World in Jan 04, Jan 05, April 06, April 07, Xmas 07, and April 09. We've stayed at POP Century, Caribbean Beach Resort, Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club, Boardwalk Inn, Port Orleans Riverside, and All Stars. We wanted something a little different.

After much back and forth we decided to do a shorter stay at WDW and book a 4 day cruise. Originally we booked 5 days at WDW from 6th to 10th of April and the April 11th -15th cruise, then 2 days at Sun 'n Fun (an aviation thingy for DH) in Lakeland. But that put us really close to Easter and a high volume travel period.

Then we switched to a May cruise on my actual birthday, but the cruise was more expensive, and it meant hubby would miss Sun 'n Fun.

We finally settled on cruising April 18th to 22nd. Then 4 days at Disney World.

We booked the cruise through a travel agent because they gave us an additional on board credit.

We invited a bunch of friends and family to come with us, and my MIL, FIL, SIL and niece decided to join us.

Back to the travel agent to book 2 more cabins. We all decided that because it was only a 4 night cruise and there was only one at sea day that we would all book standard inside cabins. I ummed and ahhed about the Cat 10 so we'd have the split bathrooms. But again for 4 days, we'd rather save the money. So Cat 11 it is.

 

[Rachael Q]

So the cruise is booked and paid in full, but how are we getting to Orlando. We live in BC, Canada. Normally it's way cheaper to fly out of Seattle than Vancouver. Usually we fly Southwest from Seattle to Orlando. But it adds an extra day of travel because we have to drive down the night before, and stay at an airport hotel. Actually going there is not so bad, it's the 4 hour drive and the border crossing at the end of the trip that's annoying.

Last year Alaska Air started flying out of Bellingham, which is much closer. We'd still have to transfer through Seattle, but we wouldn't have to drive to Seattle. Bellingham is only 45 mins.

So we started checking flights. Them my MIL mentioned that she had lots of points on her Avion card (visa card). Enough points in fact to "purchase" all 6 tickets. And the bonus is we get to fly out of Vancouver. It's the same amount of points to fly from Seattle or Vancouver. So we are now booked on American Airlines from Vancouver to Dallas to Orlando and back. We are flying down on Friday April 16th and back on Monday April 26th.

 

[Rachael Q]

This caused our biggest dilemma. We are only at Disney World for 4 nights. Normally we are then for 10 nights and stay at a value resort. Because it's a shorter trip do we splurge and stay at a delux near Epcot? Hubby loves being walking distance to Epcot.

Keeping in mind that we knew my job was going to be done at the end of February, we decided that it was better to save the cash. We've stayed at POP Century before and we've enjoyed it. We like the daisy pool, and the food court, so POP Century it is.

Normally we book room only, and I get hoppers from undercover tourist. We had some days left on some unexpired park hoppers and didn't need tickets so the plan was to just book room only. My in-laws decided that to save $$ that the 4 of them will share a room, so I booked 2 rooms in the preferred section at POP.

Of course as soon as I had booked hubby asked if we were doing the dining plan thing again. April 09 we did the quick service dining plan, because we had received a pin for it. He liked having the room key, park tkts and food all on one card. I don't think he carried his wallet at all. Just the KTTW and his drivers license. It took me a few days to crunch the numbers. Booking the quick service dining package wouldn't really save us any $$, in fact because we had to book a 1 day tkt for each of us, it's probably costing us a little more. But the difference was negligible. So I phoned Disney back and changed us to the quick service dining with 1 day hoppers. We'll use that day first before we use our previous unexpired passes.

So now the cruise is booked and paid for.
The airfare is booked on points
Our Disney hotel, tickets and most meals are paid for.

We still need parking at the airport here, rental car or transportation in Florida, 2 nights hotel in Orlando/Cape Canaveral before the cruise, sun 'n fun tickets, cruise excursions, and probably a few other things I've momentarily forgotten about.

All the planning up until this point was done during the busiest period of work I have ever had in my life. Hubby would ask have you booked this yet? Um no, but I did start work at 6am and finish at 1030pm and I remembered to phone you to say goodnight. Our trip is not until April, and I will be unemployed as of March 1st, plenty of time!

 

[Rachael Q]

Hubby loves to fly. He likes hanging out at the airport, watching the planes and the people. Each time we have arrived at Orlando airport, we get our bags, pick up our rental car, and head to Disney World. Each time hubby says< "maybe next time we can stay here."

Our flight arrives into MCO at 830pm on Friday night. Our original plan was that we would be spending Saturday at Sun 'n Fun in Lakeland before heading up to Port Canaveral.

I was having no end of problems trying to get a suite or two hotel rooms in Lakeland for the Friday night. So we decided that rather than arrive at 830pm, and then drive to Lakeland (about an hour) we would just stay at the Hyatt. Hubby was very happy.

And now our flight time has been changed and we don't arrive until 9pm. Staying at the Hyatt was a good choice. Then I just had to find a decent rate.

I've heard people have been able to get the Hyatt on Hotwire for anywhere from $54.00 to $99.00. Right now for our date, it's $219.00! Which is actually more than if I book it direct. I made a reservation through the Hyatt website for two rooms using the Costco code for $145.00 a night. It's a little more than we would like to pay, but it's for one night and a treat for hubby.

I looked into the Hyatt Stay Certificates, but when I called they didn't have rooms available for the Friday night.

I'll be in Seattle next weekend to visit a friend, and I am hoping the nearby Costco still has Hyatt gift cards. When we were there before Christmas Costco had $100.00 gift cards for $80.00. So if I get 3 cards that will save us $60.00 between the 2 rooms.

I also went ahead and booked a two bedroom suite at the Marriott Residence Inn Cape Canaveral Cocoa Beach. The suite will sleep all six of us, and I was able to get a discount by booking it under my MIL's name and using the seniors discount.

My SIL was able to redeem Save-on-more points for Marriott gift cards. She had enough points to get enough gift cards, that we will able to pay for the room and taxes with the cards. Woohoo.

So now all our accommodation is in place:
Cruise, 4 nights - booked and paid balance in full
WDW Package, 4 nights - booked and paid balance in full
Hyatt at MCO, 1 night - booked, pay on check out using Hyatt gift cards (purchased at Costco)
Marriott at Cape Canaveral, 1 night - booked, pay on checkout using Marriott gift cards (purchased using grocery points)

 

[sherild71]

Sounds like its all coming together for you! I'm, well me and my DS, are setting sail only a week after you. Well, quite a week. We'll be boarding as you guys disembark. Good for us but bad for you. We will also be staying at the Pop. I've never been there but it looks like it would be a lot of fun for an eleven year old. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[Rachael Q]

The biggest decision of our cruise was which excursions to book, and whether to book Palo for brunch or dinner.

Nassau - hubby and I have been here before on a Celebrity Cruise back in 2004. We didn't really like it then. The in-laws have not been there before, and after reading online about the recent spate of robberies and hold ups they weren't very keen on going there their in the first place. I kind of left each group to make their own decision regarding tours in Nassau, but we all came to the same decision.

Hubby and I are not really sit on the beach type of people, Atlantis might have been fun but too expensive, even doing the Comfort Inn option. The Graycliff wine and cheese pairing sounded up our alley, but again not in our budget this time round. I wouldn't mind visiting the Pirate museum, one of the Forts, and the Queens Steps, but don't really want to spend 3 or 4 hours on a tour.

We decided not to book anything for Nassau. As the cruise is only 4 days and we've not been on the Wonder before we decided to stay on board and enjoy the ship. Maybe enjoy a spa treatment, watch a movie, but mainly just relax and enjoy each's other company. For most of January & February I was away from home for work, and of course the moment I finished Hubby's job got busy. Murphy's law. We've barely spent a day together in the last 3 months, so we are looking forward to the cruise.

We may decide to walk to the Pirate Museum, or get a taxi to Fort Charlotte, or go to buy some Rum and Rum Cakes. We'll decide on the day.

 

[Rachael Q]

I know this is probably an unpopular choice with a lot of cruisers, but we have also decided not to pre book anything at Castaway Cay.

We may well end up renting bikes, and going to explore the island. And we may well end up renting snorkeling equipment and/or signing up for the stingray experience. But after months of having everything scheduled down to the last minute, I think we are rebelling. We want to just let the trip unfold on its own.

In this same vein we did not book Palo or spa treatments. If during the cruise the spa offers a special then I might book a facial or a massage, but we'll see.

We do have another cruise booked on the Wonder in 2011. That'll be our chance to experience Palo.

 

[Rachael Q]

Sounds like its all coming together for you! I'm, well me and my DS, are setting sail only a week after you. Well, quite a week. We'll be boarding as you guys disembark. Good for us but bad for you. We will also be staying at the Pop. I've never been there but it looks like it would be a lot of fun for an eleven year old. Hope you have a great trip!

We really enjoy the POP. it's the resort we've stayed at most. The huge icons are fun, and playing twister, and the pools and, and, and. I hope you have a wonderful trip.

 

[sherild71]

We really enjoy the POP. it's the resort we've stayed at most. The huge icons are fun, and playing twister, and the pools and, and, and. I hope you have a wonderful trip.

LOL! Thank You! I'm positive we will!

 

[smeecanada]

I wouldn't mind visiting the Pirate museum, one of the Forts, and the Queens Steps, but don't really want to spend 3 or 4 hours on a tour.

We may decide to walk to the Pirate Museum, or get a taxi to Fort Charlotte, or go to buy some Rum and Rum Cakes. We'll decide on the day.

I know this is probably an unpopular choice with a lot of cruisers, but we have also decided not to pre book anything at Castaway Cay.
We do have another cruise booked on the Wonder in 2011. That'll be our chance to experience Palo.

On our first cruise we didn't book anything either - mainly because we didn't know what to expect. In Nassau - we just used a map from the Passporter site and walked to the Straw Market - passed by the Pirate Museum didn't go in though, upto the Fort and down the steps. Took us a couple of hours - sightseeing along the way - very fun and free.

Don't worry about not booking bikes, snorkel gear, tubes before getting to Castaway Cay. No problem getting them on the day of. Just walk up to the rental place on the island and hand them your KTTW card.

You are might want to think about "reshopping" your next cruise while on board. That way you get the 10% booking discount and the current on board credit.

We've been on three cruises now - haven't made it to Palo yet for brunch or dinner. Maybe on the next cruise.

Have fun!

 

[Rachael Q]

Hubby is going to Florida a week earlier.

And flying into Tampa, not Orlando.

The airline is going to love me. Think of all the money they can make on the change fees. arrg

I called the airline. Yes, we could change the ticket. $125.00 for each change plus the difference in airfare. This could add up quick.

Anyway once hubby is home we phone back to change the tkt. We get the flight he wants - the date, and the time. The agent then tells us that the fee will be $89.00. $89.00? Yep. $125.00 to change the date and destination. And the fare to Tampa is cheaper than the fare to Orlando, so there's actually a refund on the fare difference.

Quick, book it before the agent changes her mind.

So now hubby is flying into Tampa on the 11th of April, working at Sun 'n Fun for the week, the rest of us will fly into Orlando on the 16th and he will met us there for the rest of the trip.

And as a bonus, we now have an extra day. April 17th was originally our Sun 'n Fun day. But hubby will have been there all week, so wont need to go. And the rest of us have been before and have no urgent need to go. So we get to spend that day in the Orlando area. Yeah.

I still have to get hubby from Sun 'n Fun in Lakeland to Orlando. I wonder if there is a bus.

 

[Rachael Q]

I think my brain has turned to mush. I thought I had booked our rental car just the day after Easter, but at 5:00am this morning I realised that I had not actually booked a car.

There are 6 of us in total. The plan was to rent a 7 passenger mini van. In the past we've managed to get a 10 day rental of a van for $200.00 from National using a combination of codes and coupons. Not this time. We couldn't find anything under $500.00.

I spent ages crunching numbers, trying to work out the best option for us.

Option 1 - bus from airport to Port, bus from Port to Disney World, and ME from Disney World to the airport. $69.00 return x 6 = $414.00

Option 2 - Town Car Service from MCO to Port, and from Port to WDW. Then ME from WDW to MCO. Happy Limo quoted us $312.00

Hubby ruled out options 1 and 2 almost immediately - he likes having a car, so we can go to Target, Margaritaville, Bass Outdoor World, Bahama Breeze...So back to rental cars.

Option 3 - 24 hour rental (10am on 04/17 to 10am on 04/18) car and drop off at port. Then a second rental from 04/22 to 04/26. The cheapest I could get this was Budget for $729.00!

Option 4 - stick with National Emerald Aisle and rent for the full 10 days, leave car at hotel at Port. For the van it was going to be $609.66

Option 5 - rent two cars with National. I can get an intermediate car for $190.00, so we booked two cars for $380.00. Done. Booked. It's not the cheapest, but we like the Emerald Aisle, we like that we don't have to pay for a second driver. So National it is.

I'm working my way through my to do list:
Already booked:
flights
Hyatt
Marriott
Disney Cruise
POP Century
Princess Storybook Breakfast
book rental car
change travel insurance for DH

Need to do:
pillowslip for autographs for niece
autograph book for niece
magnets for doors
renew house insurance which will expire while we are away
pack

 

[Rachael Q]

I renewed the house insurance today.
then I paid our MSP (which is our provincial health plan)
Nothing like spending close to $1000.00 in 10 minutes without getting off my sofa. And there isn't even an exciting parcel to come in the mail.

Magnets are made - a cruise map, a magnet for each day (Nassau, Castaway Cay, and at Sea), one for pirate night, one for Taylors first cruise, Barbs 63rd birthday, my 40th, a name tag for each of us, a welcome aboard, and for the last night "I'm not going home, you can't make me!"

I sent file for the autograph book to the MIL, so it's her responsibility. If it's not done, we'll just buy one. But I'm pretty sure it's done.

I'm all packed. Legs are waxed, toenails are painted, done web check in for flight, alarm clock set.

I'm ready to cruise.

 

[2littlegirls]

Have a great time Rachael!

-Rachael in Seattle

 

[hoosierdaddy10]

OK who deleted the trip report?