June 22, 2010 - 5-night to Key West

[JeanC]

The wrist bands sound like a great idea! I would be glad to pay for ours (6 of us). I've done two DCL cruises with a much bigger group, and we had pesonalized T-shirts made up, but that was a really big project. It was fun to see people with "our" T-shirts around the ship. The wrist bands would accomplish the same things with much less trouble. We also had a group picture done.

We're from Charlotte, NC (my daughter and her family) and Indian Land, SC (only about 45 minutes away from each other). We're spending the two nights before the cruise at the DVC Vero Beach Resort. We're DVC members, and my daughter and her family haven't been to VB yet. Also, my husband's brother and his wife live 2 miles from the resort so it will be a family reunion for a couple of days.

Sounds like there are a couple of young men about the age of my grandson who will have his 11th birthday the day we board. It would be fun to get the young people together if we have a group meet on the day we sail.

Jean

 

[mem22]

Hi Jean! Sounds like you have a great vacation planned! I'll certainly start looking into the wrist bands The one's we have from our Nov cruise were imprinted with our cruise date but I think they're more universal if we either leave them blank or get them imprinted with Disney Cruise Line or DISboards or something. That way we can use them on subsequent cruises. Everyone let me know who is interested.
We always bring our son to the meet and greet. He gets to know other kids and we do the same with the parents. 3pm works great because we have an hour until the safety drill. We have made lasting friends with a lot of other DISboard members! Anyway...I can't wait!!!
Mike

 

[elmo2200]

Just stopped by to say "Hi" and dream.... We were privileged to cruise with Mike & Laura twice, so I guess I can't complain about not going this time. Enjoy your planning, the obsessing is so much fun!!

 

[ljm23]

Thanks Tracey, we met great people on our past cruises, hence the reason we always join the threads. It makes the cruise more fun when you run into your "DIS" buddies here and there on the ship!

 

[VegasPixie]

I agree, the wrist bands sound great! Our last cruise we boarded as early as possible and hung out at the Mickey pool as soon as we were on board, so a meet there would be great!

We're planning on staying at the Country Inn and Suites the day (or two) before the cruise. I've been trying to get NASA tickets through my congresswoman; got a "wait and see" response but we'll probably go Monday even if we end up purchasing the tix. We love NASA!

 

[mem22]

Hi VegasPixie!
NASA sounds awesome...we've been there once . We usually stay at the Radisson but my wife mentioned the Country Inn & Suites so we may stay there as well. We'll be arriving around 6pm and won't get over to the Port until 7:30 or 8 for sure. We may go to Fishlips for a late dinner or just crash at the hotel. If you haven't been to Fishlips it's certainly worth it.
We are early risers and we'll be at the Terminal first thing in the morning...we don't mind waiting and chatting with everyone. My wife Laura (ljm23) is the best of the best when it comes to planning and she is usually first in the terminal and first one checked in
We have always met at the Goofy pool (where the Sailaway party is) on the Starboard side. It works well because there is a pool for the kids to swim and of course the bar is right there . The bracelets really do work well because they are simple and you can wear them all the time.
I hope everyone becomes more active on the board...it's a great ramp up to the cruise!! Also....my DW Laura usually starts a picture of the day at some point!
Mike

 

[VegasPixie]

Hi Mike! Thanks for the tip on Fishlips...we haven't heard of it but I'll definitely add it to my "master planning spreadsheet!" (I am the mad-planner of my family)

To everyone, if you haven't already seen this, take a peek at this cool tilt-shift video of a 3-day trip on the Wonder! Tilt-shift makes everything look "minature"--I thought it was cool to watch the Wonder pull in, out, and around in port! Anyways, it totally got me in happy-travel mood!

Kim

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/04/a-model-vacation-on-disney-cruise-line-exclusive-tilt-shift-video/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DisneyParks+%28Disney+Parks+Blog%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

 

[mem22]

Hi Kim...yeah we've tried Grills and Fishlips and we like Fishlips better. Great to sit upstairs on the deck and eat dinner and have a couple drinks and watch the ships go by. http://www.fishlipswaterfront.com/
I watched that video clip that you posted and thought it was amazing! It looks like a cartoon/model setup with real people. Weird but really cool!
I'm in a travel mood right now! I spoke to DW and she said it's too early to do pic of the day for this cruise. lol. I'm sure she'll put something up.
Mike

 

[ljm23]

Hi Mike! Thanks for the tip on Fishlips...we haven't heard of it but I'll definitely add it to my "master planning spreadsheet!" (I am the mad-planner of my family)

To everyone, if you haven't already seen this, take a peek at this cool tilt-shift video of a 3-day trip on the Wonder! Tilt-shift makes everything look "minature"--I thought it was cool to watch the Wonder pull in, out, and around in port! Anyways, it totally got me in happy-travel mood!

Kim

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/04/a-model-vacation-on-disney-cruise-line-exclusive-tilt-shift-video/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DisneyParks+%28Disney+Parks+Blog%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

Hey Kim, glad to see I'm not the only fanatical planner on board! Right now I'm trying to work a deal for our post-cruise days. We're booked at the Dolphin because we love the boardwalk area but I'm trying to get an even better deal . How about a picture of the week for now to keep my husband happy Here are the women from our last DIS boards group posing on the first day of the cruise at our meet and greet! They were so much fun!

 

[molette]

Less than 60 days to go! We are so very excited!

Anyone have any tips for a first timer?

 

[ljm23]

Hi Molette! The best tip for a first timer is to read these boards so you're already on the right track. You can find answers to just about any question you might have here. One really nice way to famliarize yourself with things is to read some of the trip reports, they give you insights you might not see elsewhere. So excited for you going on your first DCL cruise!

 

[JeanC]

Well, now we can say that we sail on the Wonder NEXT MONTH!!! (even if it is almost 2 months).

Jean

 

[lisa702]

Hi I just booked this. DD10 soon to be 11 and I. Shhhhh! Its her birthday present. Any info on the shows for a 5 day?

 

[ljm23]

Welcome Lisa702. How exciting for your daughter! I imagine the shows will be the same as the 4 day, Golden Mickeys, Toy Story, a movie, Disney Dreams. But what's unclear is what they'll do with the extra night.
Hope it's something fun! There are a few 5 nite's before ours starting with the May 30 double dip so I'm hoping folks from those cruises fill us in before ours but if not I'm sure it'll be a pleasant surprise!

 

[lisa702]

I thought The Golden Mickeys had gone away for The Disney Villains? We love the Golden Mickeys so that would be good news if its still there. And thank you for the welcome!

 

[ljm23]

No, Villains is only on the Magic right now so I'm pretty sure it'll be Golden Mickeys.

Is anyone doing Aquaventure at Atlantis? We booked a room at Comfort I&S and are going to try it. Looks like a blast!

 

[VegasPixie]

No, Villains is only on the Magic right now so I'm pretty sure it'll be Golden Mickeys.

Is anyone doing Aquaventure at Atlantis? We booked a room at Comfort I&S and are going to try it. Looks like a blast!

I've always wanted to do that, but since there are 5 in our family we'd have to get two rooms which pretty much defeats the purpose (of saving money over the DCL rate). I agree, looks like FUN!! I hope you guys have a great time (we'll be on the snorkeling exursion that day).

 

[VegasPixie]

We're getting close!

 

[szek4]

We will also be on this cruise. Myself, DH, DD(14), and DS(10/11) - he will be turning 11 while we're on the boat. We also plan to spend one night at WDW after the cruise.

 

[ljm23]

Szek4! We have a boy who just turned 12. Looks like we have a few in that age group. We'll be planning a meet at the goofy pool at 3 for all the folks from the DIS boards so they can all meet!
We are getting so stoked about this trip Only 40 days til we leave! Here's a pic to get us all in the mood: