Having a GRAND time - The Official GF Chat Thread PART 2

[Alicnwondrln]

Good Morning everyone!!

I hope everyone has a great day!

 

[lovemy2boys]

Can I borrow your dh for awhile?? 2 suites in one year...you got yourself a catch!

By the way...I tell dh about a year in advance when our trips are. He grumbles but never says a word once it comes time to going and always has a blast. He knows I have a Disney obsession! He loves it also but just would never admit it!

We usually get a trip in about ever 8-10 months.

DH knew when he married me that I need to be pampered, so that's his problem now!!

The problem with us is that we are dedicated cruise people and go every January. We can't go this upcoming January b/c the stupid cruise lines changed the rules and do not allow infants under 6 months of age. We were going to do Atlantis in the Bahamas but ultimately decided to return to Disney. Yeah! We also do an extended trip to Portugal every year (or every other year) to visit the in-laws. We usually go for 3 weeks so that is our vacation time between the cruise and Portugal. Next year we are doing Disney in Jan (flying the in-laws over here instead of going over there) and an Alaska cruise in September.

 

[lovemy2boys]

With that.... SIX MONTHS TIL DISNEY! WHOOOOOOO!!!!!

 

[lovemy2boys]

Would it be safe to assume that the Extra Magical Hours will stay the same days of the week for 2009?

 

[tinklvr64]

Morning Gals....

Catching up as usual

Chan..ya like V said get home safe and rest up for our meet next week! 2 more magical days! Enjoy!

Kel~i totally agree! KWIM???


Have a good day all!
Dawn

 

[goofygal531]

Nope. The hours are different off season. Everything closes earlier, which can work to your favor with little kids.

This June my boys missed the fireworks everynight, they were asleep by 9pm every night. In Jan/Feb, the fireworks at MK can be as early as 6pm.

Epcot's hours never change, but MK can vary. I might be wrong, but I remember some days in Jan MK closing as early as 7pm.

We're going to the Atlantis in June. We've been there many years ago, but first time with the kids! We cruise a lot too, but now that DS4 is older he actually has REQUESTS!! We're looking forward to a vacation to do nothing but lay on the beach! Plus the Atlantis has so much to offer a little something for everybody.

We're trying to plan when to go on the Liberty of the Seas, DS4 would LOVE the water park on board!! Plus DH favors RCCL lately. He loves the mega ships.

 

[lovemy2boys]

Nope. The hours are different off season. Everything closes earlier, which can work to your favor with little kids.

This June my boys missed the fireworks everynight, they were asleep by 9pm every night. In Jan/Feb, the fireworks at MK can be as early as 6pm.

Epcot's hours never change, but MK can vary. I might be wrong, but I remember some days in Jan MK closing as early as 7pm.

We're going to the Atlantis in June. We've been there many years ago, but first time with the kids! We cruise a lot too, but now that DS4 is older he actually has REQUESTS!! We're looking forward to a vacation to do nothing but lay on the beach! Plus the Atlantis has so much to offer a little something for everybody.

We're trying to plan when to go on the Liberty of the Seas, DS4 would LOVE the water park on board!! Plus DH favors RCCL lately. He loves the mega ships.

We are dedicated RCCL cruisers! We have one more cruise to hit Diamond Crown and Anchor status (I want those perks!) We were booked on Independence of the Seas for a Back 2 Back and I was really disappointed when we had to cancel because of the new rules. I was really REALLY looking forward to cruising on Independence! It just opened 4 months ago! Oh well Disney is a GREAT "consolation" trip!!!

 

[goofygal531]

How do you guys convince your husbands to take multiple trips to Disney each year? I'm just curious. I can't believe that DH agreed to go back in January (7 months after our first visit) but I'm wondering if we can make it a yearly thing??

Usually, my DH has decided on our final day of vacation, which resort we'll be staying at on the NEXT vacation. So as soon as we return, we book our next WDW trip. Usually, six - nine months apart.

This time, we both decided to hold off on WDW for a little while. I don't know if we'll stick to this, but for now we need a break.

DS1 was really a little devil this trip. He's so different from his brother. He just didn't like any ride except for Small World. He just drove us crazy. He needs to mature a little before we can bring him back. DS4 was never like that. He's been there every year since his 1st bday and always enjoyed himself. With DS1, we had to really plan things out, alternate you go there, I'll go here, etc... A beach vacation would work better right now. Plus I can put DS4 in the resort's kid's club during the day.

All this said, DH and DS4 watched Samantha Brown's Disney favorites (again!) last night on the Travel Channel and DH asked DS4 "Do you want to go back to WDW?" Of course he said "When Daddy?"

So we'll see......

 

[goofygal531]

We are dedicated RCCL cruisers! We have one more cruise to hit Diamond Crown and Anchor status (I want those perks!) We were booked on Independence of the Seas for a Back 2 Back and I was really disappointed when we had to cancel because of the new rules. I was really REALLY looking forward to cruising on Independence! It just opened 4 months ago! Oh well Disney is a GREAT "consolation" trip!!!

Do you book the Family Suite?

We haven't been on a cruise since my youngest son was born. On our last cruise, I was pregnant. We always book a Deluxe Balcony but now think we'll need more room.

Have you done the Explorer out of NJ? We did the cruise to Bermuda! We loved it! That sold us on RCCL!

Have you sailed Disney Cruise line? That's our all time favorite. Some things about Disney, RCCL just can't compare. We're waiting until DS1 is old enough for the Kid's programs at 3 years old. I hate that Disney charges any third and forth passenger regardless of age! RCCL only charged my son (who was under 3 at the time) port charges and taxes. Children under 3 should not have to pay full third passenger fares!!! Only Disney does that!!!!

 

[SleepingUgly]

DH knew when he married me that I need to be pampered, so that's his problem now!!

The problem with us is that we are dedicated cruise people and go every January. We can't go this upcoming January b/c the stupid cruise lines changed the rules and do not allow infants under 6 months of age. We were going to do Atlantis in the Bahamas but ultimately decided to return to Disney. Yeah! We also do an extended trip to Portugal every year (or every other year) to visit the in-laws. We usually go for 3 weeks so that is our vacation time between the cruise and Portugal. Next year we are doing Disney in Jan (flying the in-laws over here instead of going over there) and an Alaska cruise in September.

Hey, my in-laws are from Portugal too! Where do yours live? Do your kids speak Portuguese then?

Linda

 

[princessesrule4]

Nope. The hours are different off season. Everything closes earlier, which can work to your favor with little kids.

This June my boys missed the fireworks everynight, they were asleep by 9pm every night. In Jan/Feb, the fireworks at MK can be as early as 6pm.

Epcot's hours never change, but MK can vary. I might be wrong, but I remember some days in Jan MK closing as early as 7pm.

We're going to the Atlantis in June. We've been there many years ago, but first time with the kids! We cruise a lot too, but now that DS4 is older he actually has REQUESTS!! We're looking forward to a vacation to do nothing but lay on the beach! Plus the Atlantis has so much to offer a little something for everybody.

We're trying to plan when to go on the Liberty of the Seas, DS4 would LOVE the water park on board!! Plus DH favors RCCL lately. He loves the mega ships.

We are trying to decide between a Disney cruise, Disneyland or just going to Atlantis next June! I'm a little worried about seasickness for me so I've always held off on cruises! I'm afraid when we see at Atlantis when we're on the Disney cruise,that we wished we would've just stayed there! Decisions,decisions! (My kids are leaning toward Atlantis after seeing the resort on the website!)

 

[vbarry]

Wendy~ I would stick with the Atlantis!

DCL is fine but not luxury by any means in my opinion. The character interaction was great and there was a lot of activities but other than that I was not impressed. The pools were very tiny and they were sooo crowded. You could rarely find a chair to sit in and I had a terrible time keeping track of the girls. The kids were in the Mickey pool packed in like sardines! The carpet on the ground by the pool always had a terrible bleach/puke kinda smell. YUCK!

The staff did treat you very well and the food was fine. We did the Eastern Cruise which was two days on water before you hit land and I thought that was long. My girls were not fans of the kids club even though I think they would have been if we would have gone in the summer. We did a Feb trip so my girls were tired of being inside and wanted to be in the pool or out on the deck in the sun and I could not blame them.

All in all the trip was fine...not over the top and nothing I am ready to rush into again! This is just my opinion and I know others love it but it was just not for me!

 

[goofygal531]

We are trying to decide between a Disney cruise, Disneyland or just going to Atlantis next June! I'm a little worried about seasickness for me so I've always held off on cruises! I'm afraid when we see at Atlantis when we're on the Disney cruise,that we wished we would've just stayed there! Decisions,decisions! (My kids are leaning toward Atlantis after seeing the resort on the website!)

Our first choice was to go to Disney Land, but after our return flight home from WDW was delayed and DS1 was restless, we vowed to only take short 2 hour flights until he matures a little more. Atlantis is less than 2 hours from NYC.

We went to the Atlantis for the day while on the Disney Cruise. We enjoyed the day and were happy to go back aboard the ship. We actually were upset a few years later when docked in Nassau aboard the NCL Dawn to see the DCL. I swear I had tears in my eyes! I really wished I was boarding the Wonder rather than the Dawn!

We're just over due for a do nothing beach vacation. It's honestly been 10 years since we had that type of vacation. We went to Aruba on our Honeymoon and that was our last "do nothing, stay on an island" vacation.

I love to cruise, but it's still structured.

Oh, DH gets seasick only when departing out of NYC. The water is much rougher than the Caribbean. We though being on a large mega ship would make a difference, it didn't. I even felt the ship rocking and I don't get sick.

The DCL we both felt nothing when it debarked. Actually, we were sleeping! We had the DCL bus pick us up at AK. We were at AK at 7am!! The bus picked us up at Noon, we boarded the ship had lunch then fell asleep in our room. When we woke up, we were at sea!

When we go on the DCL again, we're going to try the seven day itinerary. I'm just not fond of the weekend ones. I really hate docking in Nassau, it's just not pretty and really not worth getting off the ship IMO unless your taking a cab to the Atlantis (where you can hit the casino, since the DCL is the only cruise line without casinos on board).

 

[praline3001]

I am a huge Royal Caribean fan myself.... I have heard from friends bad things about the disney cruiseline.... it just didnt sound something we would like....

We usually book a suite for RC and have never had trouble...


We are planning a big family trip to St croix sometime we were planning on it next summer or during mardi gras but DH got a promotion but can't take leave very much next year...soooooooo its me and my 2 youngest going back to disney.... the oldest says he is too old for Disney and will be staying home with dad....

Hopefully next next summer we can do the st croix thing as a family. They have some great resorts I have been looking into. We love the beaches ...my dh scuba dives and the kids love to snorkle. The most expensive part of staying at a resort on the islands is the airfare... OUCH!!!! The rest is by far cheaper than a disney trip.

I just wanted to throw that option out there for those looking for a beach island getaway..

 

[vbarry]

B- Is their a certain resort you like??

 

[princessesrule4]

Wendy~ I would stick with the Atlantis!

DCL is fine but not luxury by any means in my opinion. The character interaction was great and there was a lot of activities but other than that I was not impressed. The pools were very tiny and they were sooo crowded. You could rarely find a chair to sit in and I had a terrible time keeping track of the girls. The kids were in the Mickey pool packed in like sardines! The carpet on the ground by the pool always had a terrible bleach/puke kinda smell. YUCK!

The staff did treat you very well and the food was fine. We did the Eastern Cruise which was two days on water before you hit land and I thought that was long. My girls were not fans of the kids club even though I think they would have been if we would have gone in the summer. We did a Feb trip so my girls were tired of being inside and wanted to be in the pool or out on the deck in the sun and I could not blame them.

All in all the trip was fine...not over the top and nothing I am ready to rush into again! This is just my opinion and I know others love it but it was just not for me!

Ugh! Vanessa, your reasons are exactly why I've been wishy washy about going! The pool sounds gross! Since my kids are 10 and 13 I feel like it wouldn't be quite as fun for them.
We are leaning toward Atlantis , especially since the kids are older and can do all the great waterslides. Also since they are done with construction there now.

 

[princessesrule4]

Our first choice was to go to Disney Land, but after our return flight home from WDW was delayed and DS1 was restless, we vowed to only take short 2 hour flights until he matures a little more. Atlantis is less than 2 hours from NYC.

We went to the Atlantis for the day while on the Disney Cruise. We enjoyed the day and were happy to go back aboard the ship. We actually were upset a few years later when docked in Nassau aboard the NCL Dawn to see the DCL. I swear I had tears in my eyes! I really wished I was boarding the Wonder rather than the Dawn!

We're just over due for a do nothing beach vacation. It's honestly been 10 years since we had that type of vacation. We went to Aruba on our Honeymoon and that was our last "do nothing, stay on an island" vacation.

I love to cruise, but it's still structured.

Oh, DH gets seasick only when departing out of NYC. The water is much rougher than the Caribbean. We though being on a large mega ship would make a difference, it didn't. I even felt the ship rocking and I don't get sick.

The DCL we both felt nothing when it debarked. Actually, we were sleeping! We had the DCL bus pick us up at AK. We were at AK at 7am!! The bus picked us up at Noon, we boarded the ship had lunch then fell asleep in our room. When we woke up, we were at sea!

When we go on the DCL again, we're going to try the seven day itinerary. I'm just not fond of the weekend ones. I really hate docking in Nassau, it's just not pretty and really not worth getting off the ship IMO unless your taking a cab to the Atlantis (where you can hit the casino, since the DCL is the only cruise line without casinos on board).

I heard Nassua was kind of gross. We are really leaning toward Atlantis. I've been pricing it on their website. How long are yall staying for? We are looking at the Royal Towers/ Imperial Club but I hope its not too crazy with the casino in that building. Gotta do some more research! I need to check on airfare next!

 

[lovemy2boys]

Do you book the Family Suite?

We haven't been on a cruise since my youngest son was born. On our last cruise, I was pregnant. We always book a Deluxe Balcony but now think we'll need more room.

Have you done the Explorer out of NJ? We did the cruise to Bermuda! We loved it! That sold us on RCCL!

Have you sailed Disney Cruise line? That's our all time favorite. Some things about Disney, RCCL just can't compare. We're waiting until DS1 is old enough for the Kid's programs at 3 years old. I hate that Disney charges any third and forth passenger regardless of age! RCCL only charged my son (who was under 3 at the time) port charges and taxes. Children under 3 should not have to pay full third passenger fares!!! Only Disney does that!!!!

We got the Royal Family Suite for a few cruises, but it was a pain to walk all the way to the back of the ship for naps and stuff. Then we started getting two connecting Owners Suites. MUCH BETTER!

We are always charged between $499-$699 for the 3rd and 4th person no matter what the age. Is that what you mean? RCCL doesn't charge for a full 3rd and 4th person but the rate is the same no matter the age.

We are still doing a 14 night Alaska next September and I am psyched for that. I specifically called and said my child would be 10 months and they verified that it would be fine. I can't take another cruise disappointment!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Do Atlantis if you can its awesome!!

 

[goofygal531]

I heard Nassua was kind of gross. We are really leaning toward Atlantis. I've been pricing it on their website. How long are yall staying for? We are looking at the Royal Towers/ Imperial Club but I hope its not too crazy with the casino in that building. Gotta do some more research! I need to check on airfare next!

We're going to book the Royal Towers Imperial Club Waterview room. The location is awesome! Yes, the casino is in the building, but the building is HUGE. The resort is so large I just couldn't imagine staying at the Beach Towers, way too far imo.

With your kids ages, check where the location of the new water park is. I would imagine that's where they'll be most. I'm planning of putting my son in the kids club and just have the little one with me on the beach or by the pool. DH will be in the casino the majority of the time.

Just haven't booked yet as now we're debating if we should go to Punta Cana in February. If we do two trips, so close, I might have to downgrade from the Imperial Club. - I'll have two kids in camp next summer and two private school tuitions to pay for, we might have to limit our fancy vacations to one a year and the others downgrade a little

Oh, we're planning on going 7 days. Only WDW do we stay 10 days.

We are always charged between $499-$699 for the 3rd and 4th person no matter what the age. Is that what you mean? RCCL doesn't charge for a full 3rd and 4th person but the rate is the same no matter the age.

NCL and Princess only charged me port charges and taxes, not full 3rd and 4th passenger fares. My son only cost $64. I refuse to pay more than that for a child under 3.