January 29, 2011 - 7 Day Eastern - WOOHOO!!

[AverysMommy]

Okay my Ontario peeps I have a question for you.

Has anyone been bathing suit shopping yet???? Not sure where to start looking.

Thanks!

Not yet - we are thinking of hitting some stores while in Orlando for extra suits and shorts - will get better selection downthere.

Any suggestions on places to shop in Orlando?

 

[5boyz]

I think we should have an Informal Meet and Greet in the Terminal for anyone who happens to come early -say at 1130 by some recognizable feature (I will let someone else suggest as i havent been there in 3.5 years). That way we can all say HI while we are waiting.

We will probably get there just after 10am

What is the reasoning for going so early? Sorry I am an early person but dh is not so I need to give him some reasoning to going to the terminal so early.... What time can we get on the ship?

 

[AverysMommy]

Ok so those of you that have been to these places before.....any suggestions on what to do on our own? I dont want to just do whatever, Dont want to be tied down to something.....I get bored easily........, Oh yeah just for St Thomas already know going shopping and beach on St Marteen's then whatever!!!! thanks

We are just hitting local beaches in St Marten - any suggestions on the best family oriented beach?

we are snorkelling in St Thomas and then hitting a beach - again - does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[AverysMommy]

What is the reasoning for going so early? Sorry I am an early person but dh is not so I need to give him some reasoning to going to the terminal so early.... What time can we get on the ship?

People board the ship in groups - so when you arrive you will get a boarding pass number.

Groups #1 and #2 are reserved for Concierge. So at Noon they will call Group 1 - after they are "processed through" then they call #2, etc.

as most of us are non-concierge, the reason we get to the terminal early is to try and get an early boarding number. If you get group 3 or 4 - you will probably be on the ship by 1230 and can go and have lunch, do any booking that you want to do, or just walk around and enjoy the ship. Pools will be open. Kids areas are open but nothing is organized for them.

For us - we like to get on and have a nice lunch and then just walk around and get acquainted with the ship. Rooms start becoming available I think around 230.

There are things to do in the Terminal (characters, scavenger hunts, etc) that keep you busy.

The other strategy is to arrive after 230 and you will probably be able to walk right onto the ship with minimal wait.

It just depends if you are anxious to start your vacation.

 

[AverysMommy]

So I did it - we changed our plans and it was relatively easy to do with online tools.

We are now flying down on Thusday on Southwest (anyone else flying that day)? Then renting a car and staying at the Holiday Inn near Universal for THursday and Friday nights. Visting Harry Potter on Friday and then going to the Port on Saturday morning.

We will go and visit my folks after the cruise for a few days and are coming home on the Tuesday via Southwest (anyone else?)

My son is very happy that he gets to participate in his Volleyball Tournament now.

I have to say that I was really impressed with how easy Budget, Southwest, and Holiday Inn made it for me. They all had sent me email confirmations of my Reservation - they all had links if i wanted to make any changes, they were all done in just minutes with NO fees. I am saving money as I rent the car for less time which offsets my additional hotel night. Very Cool

 

[boundfordisney]

we too are flying down on thursday with southwest, our flight leaves at 10am out of Buffalo, we will be at the poly for the 2 nights before cruise. Where are you flying out of?

 

[denas]

I already put who my gifts were from on all of them. I thought the secret part was the "surprise" look what you got not the who it is from part!!!

 

[AverysMommy]

we too are flying down on thursday with southwest, our flight leaves at 10am out of Buffalo, we will be at the poly for the 2 nights before cruise. Where are you flying out of?

Hey there - we are flying together - we are on the 10am out of Buffalo as well.

Means we will be on the road around 6am which isnt fun! I am playing with the idea of just staying at a hotel in Buffalo the night before - what are you doing?

 

[NAB]

What is the reasoning for going so early? Sorry I am an early person but dh is not so I need to give him some reasoning to going to the terminal so early.... What time can we get on the ship?

We have always go early. Just like to start vacation as soon as possible.

The is a line to get though to get into the terminal...x ray machine for carry ons then, the line up to get your Key to the World cards. So really after that it isn't that long a wait.

I have seen them let people at 11:45, but they do say people at let on at 12:00. Like someone else said they go in groups. If your on early you can eat lunch at leisure and explore the ship. The room are open at 1:30 not 2:30 , so remember that when you pack your carry on. They can get heavy to haul around.

Characters do come out in the terminal. They have a cool model of the ship there too. Wonder if they will have one of the Dream now too. That would be cool to see. The Dream goes out Jan 26th .

But the ship doesn't sail out until 5:00 but you have to be on by 4:00 , which I think is the muster station drill too. So by the time you sail out you have enjoyed the boat for awhile.

 

[5boyz]

Hey there - we are flying together - we are on the 10am out of Buffalo as well.

Means we will be on the road around 6am which isnt fun! I am playing with the idea of just staying at a hotel in Buffalo the night before - what are you doing?

I am leaving Fri at 10am and we are staying over in Buffalo, we have to pay to park for 9 days so might as well stay over and get the best out of it....

 

[AverysMommy]

I am leaving Fri at 10am and we are staying over in Buffalo, we have to pay to park for 9 days so might as well stay over and get the best out of it....

which hotel are you using? are you leaving your car at the hotel for the 9 days?

 

[5boyz]

which hotel are you using? are you leaving your car at the hotel for the 9 days?

I am just staying at the Rodeway Inn 48 Freeman Williamsville, it is probably a dump but cant be any worse than the one we stayed at in Detriot in the summer before our flight..lol. Look at parksleepfly.com. It is $69.99/ni plus 21 days of parking. In Detroit they take your car to a parking facility then bring it back when you are due back.

 

[DisneySilver]

I am just staying at the Rodeway Inn 48 Freeman Williamsville, it is probably a dump but cant be any worse than the one we stayed at in Detriot in the summer before our flight..lol. Look at parksleepfly.com. It is $69.99/ni plus 21 days of parking. In Detroit they take your car to a parking facility then bring it back when you are due back.

Did you book your return flight yet? I know that you awhile back had only booked one way. Prices don't really seem to be fluctuating much. Still planning to have DS drop us for departure and then come back and get us the next week. (Hope he remembers)

 

[5boyz]

Did you book your return flight yet? I know that you awhile back had only booked one way. Prices don't really seem to be fluctuating much. Still planning to have DS drop us for departure and then come back and get us the next week. (Hope he remembers)

Yes I booked it a while back!!! Thank god cuz it is at $223.ea, I paid $99.ea. I paid total return for 2 of us $418.80US...

 

[5boyz]

Did you book your return flight yet? I know that you awhile back had only booked one way. Prices don't really seem to be fluctuating much. Still planning to have DS drop us for departure and then come back and get us the next week. (Hope he remembers)

I wanted to do that too but ds doesnt want to as he has to pay for parking at Guelph and his apartment...so that's that..... One lives in TO and actually works at the airport so he doesnt have a car as he walks and takes the subway everywhere or GO, the other one that is old enough doesnt drive....and the one that lives here will be at work when we need him so......

 

[lovedisney50]

My kids actually sent my DH & I on our honeymoon to St. Marteen Of course it was 5 years ago, but we still remember the banana daiquiris from Bamboo Bernies. Would definitely recommend you try to get over there...Yum

As for the Harry Potter park at Universal Studios, my daughter was just there in December. She said it was okay, but wouldn't recommend that you make a special trip to Universal to go there unless you absolutely love Harry Potter. It's pretty hyped up and not much is there. They've actually taken some existing rides, like the dualing rollercoaster, & simply renamed it to fit their Harry Potter theme. She said that the journey ride, which is the main one that everyone is talking about, is fun but that it was a bit too long of a ride. This is simply because it's a moving ride and you go through sections with big video screens where you feel like you're flying with Harry. This is cool & all, but by the end even someone with an iron stomach will be feeling queasy! Another problem is that the seats seem to have been designed for children. My daughter is pretty skinny & she felt squished in her seat. Her poor DH, who is 6' 2" & about 220 lbs said he felt like a sardine in a tin crammed into that seat

She also said that if you do go be sure to try the Butterbeer! She said that she wasn't sure that she liked it at first, but said it kind of grows on you & that if you're a Harry Potter fan that this is a must do!

I think all in all they liked the park, but she and her DH would never make a special trip to Universal just to go there again. But since his parents live in Orlando & they paid for their tickets, they weren't gonna turn it down

However, if you're a huge Harry Potter fan like me, don't let this deter you... My DH & I still plan to get down there to go at some point in our future

 

[NAB]

My kids actually sent my DH & I on our honeymoon to St. Marteen Of course it was 5 years ago, but we still remember the banana daiquiris from Bamboo Bernies. Would definitely recommend you try to get over there...Yum

As for the Harry Potter park at Universal Studios, my daughter was just there in December. She said it was okay, but wouldn't recommend that you make a special trip to Universal to go there unless you absolutely love Harry Potter. It's pretty hyped up and not much is there. They've actually taken some existing rides, like the dualing rollercoaster, & simply renamed it to fit their Harry Potter theme. She said that the journey ride, which is the main one that everyone is talking about, is fun but that it was a bit too long of a ride. This is simply because it's a moving ride and you go through sections with big video screens where you feel like you're flying with Harry. This is cool & all, but by the end even someone with an iron stomach will be feeling queasy! Another problem is that the seats seem to have been designed for children. My daughter is pretty skinny & she felt squished in her seat. Her poor DH, who is 6' 2" & about 220 lbs said he felt like a sardine in a tin crammed into that seat

She also said that if you do go be sure to try the Butterbeer! She said that she wasn't sure that she liked it at first, but said it kind of grows on you & that if you're a Harry Potter fan that this is a must do!

I think all in all they liked the park, but she and her DH would never make a special trip to Universal just to go there again. But since his parents live in Orlando & they paid for their tickets, they weren't gonna turn it down

However, if you're a huge Harry Potter fan like me, don't let this deter you... My DH & I still plan to get down there to go at some point in our future

Well put it in terms of a 13 year old and he will think it is great even if there isn't much there. He is truly a Harry Potter fan. Read all the books, some twice and saw the newest movie 3 times. And Coasters are his thing. Not mine mind you... I used to when I was younger but now avoid them it I can.

 

[AverysMommy]

My kids actually sent my DH & I on our honeymoon to St. Marteen Of course it was 5 years ago, but we still remember the banana daiquiris from Bamboo Bernies. Would definitely recommend you try to get over there...Yum

As for the Harry Potter park at Universal Studios, my daughter was just there in December. She said it was okay, but wouldn't recommend that you make a special trip to Universal to go there unless you absolutely love Harry Potter. It's pretty hyped up and not much is there. They've actually taken some existing rides, like the dualing rollercoaster, & simply renamed it to fit their Harry Potter theme. She said that the journey ride, which is the main one that everyone is talking about, is fun but that it was a bit too long of a ride. This is simply because it's a moving ride and you go through sections with big video screens where you feel like you're flying with Harry. This is cool & all, but by the end even someone with an iron stomach will be feeling queasy! Another problem is that the seats seem to have been designed for children. My daughter is pretty skinny & she felt squished in her seat. Her poor DH, who is 6' 2" & about 220 lbs said he felt like a sardine in a tin crammed into that seat

She also said that if you do go be sure to try the Butterbeer! She said that she wasn't sure that she liked it at first, but said it kind of grows on you & that if you're a Harry Potter fan that this is a must do!

I think all in all they liked the park, but she and her DH would never make a special trip to Universal just to go there again. But since his parents live in Orlando & they paid for their tickets, they weren't gonna turn it down

However, if you're a huge Harry Potter fan like me, don't let this deter you... My DH & I still plan to get down there to go at some point in our future

Its funny - all the people who go to the HP Theme Park all come back raving about the Butter Beer. I have to try this drink!!!!

We are all big HP fans - I have heard the Main RIde is amazing and that Olivanders is a lot of fun too.....but I agree - its pretty small compared to what they had originally planned on doing.

We have never been to Universal in Orlando so for us it will all be new - I cant wait to go on the Incredible Hulk!

 

[schimj]

I cant wait to go on the Incredible Hulk!

On our first (and to date, only) Universal trip, DW & I went on Hulk about midway through our full day of a 1 1/2 day trip. It pretty much did us in

We spent a couple hours back in the room and then wandered back to CityWalk for dinner, but Hulk was pretty much the end of our Theme Park experience that day...luckily it was pretty much the last thing on the to-do list. That's not to say I won't try it if/when we go back (we really want to see WWoHP too...just not enough time off ), but if we go on it again, it'll probably be the last thing we have planned for the day.

 

[DisneySilver]

Its funny - all the people who go to the HP Theme Park all come back raving about the Butter Beer. I have to try this drink!!!!

We are not going to Harry Potter so we will be missing out on the butterbeer but it sounds yummy. I googled it and there is a recipe and even the adult version with a little rum. Have to give it a try