If Not By Sea then By Run-June '14 Cruise/Oct '14 ToT 10 Miler/Feb '15 PHM PTR

[Tinker326]

So back to the cruise portion. The next thing I really need to get in gear is what happens on arrival day for us.

Here's the situation. Our cruise leaves Saturday 5/31. We arrive in Orlando at 11pm on Friday 5/30.

This little bit of time between departure of cruise & arrival of flight into MCO is giving me heart palpatations. So much could go wrong with no 'recovery' time. (I told you I was Type A!).

I have no choice though- my kids have school. They were SUPPOSED to have a last day of 5/30. Thanks to the horrific polar vortex of h#ll.... they had FOUR snow days (due to extreme temps- NOT snow) and so now get out 6/5. They are now missing 4 days of school because of this. Lovely. But whatever....it is what it is.....

So I need the following things:

1--An easy, cheaper hotel near the airport on 5/30.

2--A good private van/bus to transport over to the port on Saturday 5/31. I am being way picky and refuse to wait for the Disney bus to leave MCO because I want to BE at the port around 9:30. I like to be one of the first on the boat. It's tradition!!!

Anyone have any good recommendations for the above?

And because someone once said, you should never leave a post without a picture...........(Ann knows what I'm talking about...)... here is one!

Me and my SIL standing in front of the Dream in 2012! Getting ready to board!

 

[Victoriasmom98]

And because someone once said, you should never leave a post without a picture...........(Ann knows what I'm talking about...)... here is one!

Don't worry, Nicole, the "photocop" is currently in Disney, so she can't come on and yell at you in ALL CAPS!!! I mean really, I took the time and effort to insert clip art. I deserve SOME credit!!!

I vote for French Quarter, too. We liked it just fine. It is a very small resort with no restaurant, but the food court was cute and good. The boat to DTD is awesome, too. I just could not slide out of a clown's mouth at Boardwalk ---- and I swear it IS Pennywise!!! That's where he ended up!!

I really have no advice on an overnight hotel near the airport. What about the one that is right in MCO? Wouldn't that work?? I'm sure it's not cheap due to the location, but you wouldn't have to worry about shuttle costs, etc. And it is only for one night. Hey, something to think about, right??

 

[Tinker326]

Don't worry, Nicole, the "photocop" is currently in Disney, so she can't come on and yell at you in ALL CAPS!!! I mean really, I took the time and effort to insert clip art. I deserve SOME credit!!!

I vote for French Quarter, too. We liked it just fine. It is a very small resort with no restaurant, but the food court was cute and good. The boat to DTD is awesome, too. I just could not slide out of a clown's mouth at Boardwalk ---- and I swear it IS Pennywise!!! That's where he ended up!!

I really have no advice on an overnight hotel near the airport. What about the one that is right in MCO? Wouldn't that work?? I'm sure it's not cheap due to the location, but you wouldn't have to worry about shuttle costs, etc. And it is only for one night. Hey, something to think about, right??

Yhea, I figured I was safe this go around since Photopolice was sticking her feet in a hot tub at Beach Club as I wrote that! But I wanted to get in the 'habit'.

The hotel right at MCO is very expensive comparably speaking.. but at that hour - it might just be worth it for the convience. I mean, I overpaid to go on the Disney Cruise itself, mine as well overpay to stay at that hotel. Hahahaha!! Problem is we need 2 rooms (vs 1) as we have 6 people.

 

[JulieODC]

We're trying to decide about flight time and hotel now too...if we get in early enough, I was thinking a WDW hotel near Downtown Disney. If not, maybe just the MCO hotel --- I saw a gov't rate for $100 the other day.

What time does the first Disney bus leave for Port Canaveral?

 

[Tinker326]

We're trying to decide about flight time and hotel now too...if we get in early enough, I was thinking a WDW hotel near Downtown Disney. If not, maybe just the MCO hotel --- I saw a gov't rate for $100 the other day.

What time does the first Disney bus leave for Port Canaveral?

You found $100 for Hyatt MCO? Wow. I looked today and it was around $250. The only problem with WDW hotels is it's like 30 minutes in the opposite direction of the port. Which, I guess, in the long run isn't that big of a deal...

I found a Hilton hotel by MCO - 2 bedroom room- for about $130. Includes breakfast. (Hyatt MCO does not). Think I might book that...and then I have to find a shuttle to the port and they can pick up right from my hotel. I think that might work.

I believe the first bus leaves the airport around 9:30 (I think, don't quote me!). I am Type A and so that's too late for me. I want to be at the port right about 10am. If not a little earlier. There's some excitement for me of exploring the port/hall.... Plus they usually put Mickey or Minnie out in the front there so you can get pictures with them.

Also, a lot of people swear by staying over by the port. I believe the Residence Inn gets high marks. You could head over to the port a day early & enjoy Cocoa Beach? In 2012 we did that- we stayed at the Holiday Inn and spend the day at the beach & then it was a nice & easy drive over to the port in the morning....I think we paid under $100 for our room.

 

[JulieODC]

Thanks for the hotel input! I need to explore transportation options. I was leaning towards DCL transport to keep it simple and avoid having to bring a car seat...but I also like the idea of getting to the port as early as possible...

Decisions, decisions...

 

[Tinker326]

Today I reserved my pre-cruise hotel. I could not get a rate of under $200 for a room that only fit 4 at Hyatt MCO (at the airport- we would have needed two rooms)- so I took it a few miles away...

Found a $130 rate at Hilton Homewood Suites for a 2 bedroom suite that will fit all 6 of us. And it includes breakfast.

So checkmark that.

I also decided on a hotel for the ToT trip. I am going to call tomorrow morning and reserve...

ta dum....

French Quarter.

 

[momabaarjo]

Joining in! I ran ToT last year and dream of a Disney cruise!

 

[Victoriasmom98]

YAY!!! Both for the $130 hotel and for the French Quarter!!! It's so exciting to finally book the hotel as it seems more real that way!!!

Did you enjoy your last cruise? What do you do on a cruise? I just can't imagine being on the water without seeing land....ugh!!! I would be scared a giant whirlpool would come up and swallow the boat!! Silly crazy, I know!!!

 

[Tinker326]

Joining in! I ran ToT last year and dream of a Disney cruise!

Hi! Welcome!!!

Ok, I admit- I'm totally psyched a previous ToT runner joined. Are you running again this year?

I am VERY nervous about the heat/humidity. The Wine & Dine was hotter than expected and I ended up quite sick at the end of it.....

What were some of the good outfits? Any that stick out? I'm trying to think of ideas.... I want to do 'theme' outfits with the hubby (he's literally going to kill me for even writing that & my guess is I will not be successful with that mission... but I"ll try!).

YAY!!! Both for the $130 hotel and for the French Quarter!!! It's so exciting to finally book the hotel as it seems more real that way!!!

Did you enjoy your last cruise? What do you do on a cruise? I just can't imagine being on the water without seeing land....ugh!!! I would be scared a giant whirlpool would come up and swallow the boat!! Silly crazy, I know!!!

Oh we LOVE (like LOVE!) cruises! For me, it's probably the ONE vacation where I'm forced to just take it easy. I rarely do that & my body/mind needs it more than I realize. I can spend hours sitting on the balcony looking at the blue ocean reading my book.

For me, a big thing is.. it also allows us all to do what WE want on vacations . The kids can go in the clubs (and they love them!). Kurt and I can spend time where we want without the kids for a bit.. its like a good balance of coming together for vacation but also allowing for your own thing/time on vacation. A ship is easy to do that... meet up & split up.. meet up & split up.

DisneyWorld is by far my #1 favorite vacation place.. but for family.. it would be the cruise. Especially the hubby- he LOVES them.

So soothing..I just really love them. Sigh. Three more months! After this cr#p winter- I can not wait!

 

[momabaarjo]

Hi! Welcome!!!

Ok, I admit- I'm totally psyched a previous ToT runner joined. Are you
running again this year?

Thank you for the welcome! Sadly, I am not going to run ToT this year, instead I am running PHM in 2015. My signature has a link to my TR (A Few of My Favorite Things) and I have a recap of everything leading up to the run as well as things you can expect in the run. I have to say it was AWESOME and I loved it!

I am VERY nervous about the heat/humidity. The Wine & Dine was hotter than expected and I ended up quite sick at the end of it.....

My next run after PHM is going to be W&D! The humidity really did not bother me...probably because I was so focused on other things. I made sure that I hydrated all day long. But from what I understand the year prior of ToT was awful...I think this year it was cooler.

What were some of the good outfits? Any that stick out? I'm trying to think of ideas.... I want to do 'theme' outfits with the hubby (he's literally going to kill me for even writing that & my guess is I will not be successful with that mission... but I"ll try!).

There were lots of great outfits. Lots of Villains. This is the one that sticks out the most to me... and his girlfriend was running in a tiny white bikini!

 

[Tinker326]

There were lots of great outfits. Lots of Villains. This is the one that sticks out the most to me... and his girlfriend was running in a tiny white bikini!

Oh yhea. A running PTR- I will totally go check that out! I have someone who will run the PHM with me in 2015 if I commit to it. I'm not sure I'm up to that... it's my busy season at work leading up to that making trianing and even going VERY hard.

That picture is HILARIOUS. OMG- I would have died if I saw that. Sadly, it truely would be VERY scary if either my DH or myself attempted that group outfit. People would def. run from us. Hahahahahahaha!

 

[momabaarjo]

Did you find the TOT TR? It is at the bottom of my signature! Know you found the PTR! You can always join in on the phm!

I about died when I saw this guy in person...ugh not what you want to see! Lol

 

[Tinker326]

Did you find the TOT TR? It is at the bottom of my signature! Know you found the PTR! You can always join in on the phm!

I about died when I saw this guy in person...ugh not what you want to see! Lol

I didn't see it... I was thinking the details were in your PTR and then didn't see them so was thinking maybe you were going to eventaully add those detalis. Ha. off to read it now!! Yhea!!

Not at all what you want to see- especially running! Hahahaha!

 

[Tinker326]

And just like that.. shazamm.... I have a hotel booked for ToT weekend!

I will admit, I called and got price quotes for both FQ and Boardwalk. And Boardwalk was 900 more...so I said.. um.. let's roll with French Quarter.

So officially booked from October 3-October 7th for French Quarter. I added the runDisney tickets for 4 days.

You can't beat it. That runDisney discount is a GOOD discount!

So here we will stay...



And eat lots and lots of these......



I am excited!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

Yay french quarter! Yay beignets!! Seriously, yay beignets! Those things are like powdered sugar coated heaven!

 

[annmarieda]

Hopping over from the ToT thread! Can't wait to follow along

 

[momabaarjo]

I didn't see it... I was thinking the details were in your PTR and then didn't see them so was thinking maybe you were going to eventaully add those detalis. Ha. off to read it now!! Yhea!!

Not at all what you want to see- especially running! Hahahaha!

You are totally right...he was pretty scary looking! LOL, but hey he was having fun I guess... I literally ran into him as I emerged from the exit chute after the race.

I am so excited for your stay at POFQ! I wanted to stay there on my last trip, but it did not work out that way. It is top on my list for PHM though! The beignets look oh sooo good...almost as good as a cupcake.

BTW you can be a cupcake too...just enjoy the experience and celebrate with a cupcake! We welcome anyone!!!

 

[Tinker326]

Yay french quarter! Yay beignets!! Seriously, yay beignets! Those things are like powdered sugar coated heaven!

Oh, and I will eat them. Many, many of them. While sitting in a hot tub. Hahahaha!

Hopping over from the ToT thread! Can't wait to follow along

Hi, Hi! Welcome!!! And thanks for joining along. I'm really excited about this race- more than I was about Wine & Dine. But then Wine & Dine was my first..so there were major nerves there...

You are totally right...he was pretty scary looking! LOL, but hey he was having fun I guess... I literally ran into him as I emerged from the exit chute after the race.

I am so excited for your stay at POFQ! I wanted to stay there on my last trip, but it did not work out that way. It is top on my list for PHM though! The beignets look oh sooo good...almost as good as a cupcake.

BTW you can be a cupcake too...just enjoy the experience and celebrate with a cupcake! We welcome anyone!!!

I really, really am considering PHM now. I have a friend from my cruise FB group that wants to do it...so I'd have a partner... and it would be another medal..

If only I didn't have my darn work schedule to contend with. Tax season. Boo. Still really thinking if I can pull it off......

As soon as photobucket gets back working I'm going to post some of my scrappages too! You inspired me to share!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Congrats on deciding on a hotel! That $900 can go a long way to pay for all the other things at Disney.

I like the Run Hard, Eat Cupcakes. I totally get that. I'm not going for a super fast time - I just want to finish faster than pace.