January 31, 2010 - Wonder 4 Day! Join the Fun!

[jnsma]

We are staying at the Boardwalk

I haven't figured out the transportation yet either. I am leaning towards FL Tours. We used them last time and they were great for us. They were waiting for us when we got off the plane and also when walking out the door at PC. On the way to Disney, we actually asked the driver if he had time for us to drop off our luggage at the hotel (this trip we stayed a Wilderness) and if he would take us to Hollywood Studios. He did it at no cost, just a very good tip.

They have a package for 3 transfers(MCO->PC->DW->MCO) for ~$300 in a van. I was thinking of having them do it for MCO->Nick->PC->DW and then take ME back to the airport. I'm not sure of the extra cost for the different locations. I'll probably ask them to quote doing the trip to the airport as well.

FYI. I see you are staying that the Marriott RI at PC the night before, we stayed at the Raddisson. FL Tours took us from MCO to the hotel then we used their shuttle in the morning to get to the cruise.
I should note that some people on the boards have had issues with FL Tours, but that has not been my experience.

Car rentals are pretty expensive this year, plus that adds the hassle or cost of car seats. But I'll probably keep and eye on those as well.

Where are you staying afterwards?

 

[lbuher]

Just wondering if anybody is gonna book the Dream on Monday? I am almost certain that we are going to want to cruise on her at some point. Was planning to book a dummy date on board but am kinda sorta considering booking something Monday for late 2011 and then "re-shopping" while on board. I am gonna be PICKY about which cabin we get, I think, so I'm thinking I may want to snag one of the ones we want on Monday. Just curious if anybody else is booking her Monday!

We are getting awfully close to our final pymt date and booking window! Whoo-hoo!!

 

[pjtm]

So much to catch up on - I have been shopping like crazy this week looking for Pirate outfits for the cruise. We will all five be in pirates. My dh is such a good sport! Anyone else dressing up?

I need to get a lot of things worked out this week since we are getting close to the booking dates. And I can book ADRs for the world now. But don't know what I want to do!

And clean the house. Yeah - where are the priorities!

 

[Lexi221]

So much to catch up on - I have been shopping like crazy this week looking for Pirate outfits for the cruise. We will all five be in pirates. My dh is such a good sport! Anyone else dressing up?

I need to get a lot of things worked out this week since we are getting close to the booking dates. And I can book ADRs for the world now. But don't know what I want to do!

And clean the house. Yeah - where are the priorities!

I was thinking of dressing up in pirate costumes as well... I have one, but have yet to find a costume for my DS3 and DS10. My mom is cruising with us, and I am not so sure I will be able to convince her to play along...

 

[pjtm]

Lexi - I found some just yesterday at one of those seasonal Halloween stores - you know, Halloween Express/City/USA/Spirit. The ones that are only open for the season. Glad it was only 50%!

 

[Lexi221]

Lexi - I found some just yesterday at one of those seasonal Halloween stores - you know, Halloween Express/City/USA/Spirit. The ones that are only open for the season. Glad it was only 50%!

I am going to check Spirit this morning...there is one not far from my house. I had only gone to Target, and although all their costumes were 50% off, of course everything was picked over and there were no pirates left!!

 

[disney1990]

I am going to check Spirit this morning...there is one not far from my house. I had only gone to Target, and although all their costumes were 50% off, of course everything was picked over and there were no pirates left!!

Did you check Walmart? They have pirate t-shirts and bandanas left over from Halloween for $4.

 

[Lexi221]

Did you check Walmart? They have pirate t-shirts and bandanas left over from Halloween for $4.

I figured I will give that a try also, since I need to run by WalMart for some groceries anyway!

 

[lbuher]

I got one of the Walmart t-shirts and bandana's for my DD5, and I'm borrowing some stuff from a friend for my DS9. I've got eye patches and bandanas for my DH and I, and that may be the extent of our costumes! Doubt my in-laws will do anything. So I guess we'll kinda be half-dressed up!

I'm just glad for these DISboards so I'll be somewhat prepared and know what to expect!!

 

[CWO4DVC]

Just booked the Residence Inn for Fri/Sat before we sail!

Does anyone have any reviews on it? I needed to book a Marriott property so I could use points!

Stayed there last January. It was great. Breakfast was terrific and it was $6.00 for a ride to the ship. I dropped of the family and parked at the Residence Inn for the entire stay (They allow).

We will be joining the 31 January Wonder cruise. This will be our 4th year in a row going the end of January and enjoying the Super Bowl on the big screen.

Mark

 

[Lexi221]

I got one of the Walmart t-shirts and bandana's for my DD5, and I'm borrowing some stuff from a friend for my DS9. I've got eye patches and bandanas for my DH and I, and that may be the extent of our costumes! Doubt my in-laws will do anything. So I guess we'll kinda be half-dressed up!

I'm just glad for these DISboards so I'll be somewhat prepared and know what to expect!!

So, I think I have pieced together some form of pirate costumes for my two DS's (4 &11) between all my Target/Walmart/ToysRUs stops!! I found a few things for myself as well, but just don't think I can convince my mom to join in...

I also agree with you Ibuher, I am so happy to find these DISboards, and this thread... this is our first cruise as well, and I have no idea what to expect, other than a guaranteed fun time!!! And at least I know that we won't be the only pirates on board!! LOL!

BTW.... when is everyone dining??? We have the second seating. I picked the late time based on advice from a friend of mine who has been on 4 Disney cruises, but now I am worried that with the late dining we might miss out on things like the "Pirates in the Caribbean" party, fireworks, etc...

 

[jnsma]

BTW.... when is everyone dining??? We have the second seating. I picked the late time based on advice from a friend of mine who has been on 4 Disney cruises, but now I am worried that with the late dining we might miss out on things like the "Pirates in the Caribbean" party, fireworks, etc...

We'll be dinning early. My kids would not make it to the second seating or more accurately they would not make it to bed at a decent hour after the second seating.

I wouldn't worry about missing anything. They run the shows twice a night, so while 1 group is eating the other can be at the show. The party and fireworks are later (~10:00).
You may want to take a look at some of the recent navigators to get an idea of when things are. Keep in mind that some things change cruise to cruise, especially the specific child programs. The shows should be pretty close to the same schedule. Here's the link if you don't have it:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/cruise-new/cr-stateroom-navigator.htm

We will be joining the 31 January Wonder cruise. This will be our 4th year in a row going the end of January and enjoying the Super Bowl on the big screen.

Mark, isn't the Super Bowl on Feb 7th this year? I'm all for a munity to turn this into a 8 night cruise so we can watch.

Jeff.

 

[TravisSch]

I'm just curious. I haven't cruised on DCL in a while and I'm seeing these pin voucher things in some of the 4-day navigators.

Disney Cruise Line Exclusive Pin
Bring your Disney Dreams pin voucher to receive a FREE pin with any purchase.

Disney Cruise Line Exclusive Pin
Bring your Nassau day coupon and receive a FREE pin with any purchase.

My question is: where do you get these pin vouchers from? I wouldn't mind getting some free pins when I'm on the cruise.
NOTE: I found these in the 03-08-09 4-day navigators so these may be outdated.

~TravisSch

 

[pjtm]

yeah!! Paid my cruise in full yesterday!! I want to be sure everything went thru so I can get my Palo reservations done.

Our anniversary is the last night of the cruise. I think I might do that night. But I am struggling w/ the shows and times. I don't want to miss any! LOL!!

I don't think I "need" to book anything else. We aren't doing any excursions. And my kids don't need special babysitting.

Hope I didn't forget anything!

 

[pjtm]

so tomorrow is the big booking day. And I still don't know what to do! Anyone else going to try and book things tomorrow?

 

[jnsma]

We have sailled before so we can book at 90days. We booked Palo brunch. We did this on the last trip and it was very good. They have lots of smaller buffet items to try plus a few main dishes as well as pizza.

I can tell you that reservations for Palo are pretty open for parties of 1 or 2 at this point. There is nothing for larger parties.

 

[jnsma]

Someone on the cruise board posted a question about seeing Kennedy launches while on board the ship. It got me thinking, when are the launches and what if???

According to the current schedule there is a launch both Feb 3 and Feb 4. That would be cool!!!

Feb 3 is the sea day. I have no idea where the ship goes that day, but I have no doubt they would have no trouble cruising a reasonable distance off shore to see it. This is an Atlas V scheduled to take off ~11am.

Feb 4 is the day we get off. (I know I don't want to think about it ) but the Shuttle Endeavour is scheduled to take off at 5:52am. That's early, but you have to be up early to get off the boat!

Here's a link to the schedule: http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/events.aspx/ea22fa6a-c5ea-486e-98ea-c80a8cce4773#2010/2/0/

Thought I'd pass it along.

 

[Lexi221]

Someone on the cruise board posted a question about seeing Kennedy launches while on board the ship. It got me thinking, when are the launches and what if???

According to the current schedule there is a launch both Feb 3 and Feb 4. That would be cool!!!

Feb 3 is the sea day. I have no idea where the ship goes that day, but I have no doubt they would have no trouble cruising a reasonable distance off shore to see it. This is an Atlas V scheduled to take off ~11am.

Feb 4 is the day we get off. (I know I don't want to think about it ) but the Shuttle Endeavour is scheduled to take off at 5:52am. That's early, but you have to be up early to get off the boat!

Here's a link to the schedule: http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/events.aspx/ea22fa6a-c5ea-486e-98ea-c80a8cce4773#2010/2/0/

Thought I'd pass it along.

This would be so amazing to see while on board!!!!! We were just at Kennedy Space Center yesterday, and went out to the causeway viewing area to watch the Atlantis launch and it was amazing. You can clearly see the port, and the ships from the causway, so I am sure we will definitely see the Endeavor if the launch is a go for that morning! How awesome that would be!

 

[Lexi221]

so tomorrow is the big booking day. And I still don't know what to do! Anyone else going to try and book things tomorrow?

I have no idea what to do either.... I just booked Palo brunch and that is it. I just don't know!! I want to enjoy the ports, but not sure what is the best way to do so. I also don't want to feel like I am rushing around all over the place. I eliminated many of the excursions because I am from Florida, and for me the water will be too cold to get into in late January, I just can't do it! Lol... brrrrrr!!!! So the water excursions have been crossed off my list for the most part. Though I know I still want to enjoy the sights, etc of the beach, and Atlantis, CC, etc...
(Sigh.... you would have thought I would have had this all figured out BEFORE booking day arrived!!!)

 

[pjtm]

Lexi - can you tell me more about KSC? We are going the Sat before we cruise. Me, dh, ds7,ds4,dd3. Any do/don'ts to rec?