June 26, 2011 5 Nights on the Disney Dream!!!!

[minnieandgrumpy1]

Hey there! We are from Southwest La. Wow, four other families...that's GREAT!! We can't ever seem to get coordinated with our families enough to make a trip to Disney or a cruise together. Regardless, we are super excited for this one. We did a 4 night on the Wonder in 2009 and it rained 3 out of 4 days. Everything on Castaway Cay was shut down. We are hoping since this is a double dip, that we at least get ONE good day on the island this time!

I pray for great weather. DH is not thrilled about going in June but it was what we could work out. One main reason is leaving La. in hurricane season but we will manage. This will be my 5th Disney Cruise, we have gone in February, May, October, November so far and have been extremely lucky with the weather. For our cruise this past November, we were able to see the sister ship at sea and it was having problems docking at Castaway Cay because of waves but they were finally able to get in. We were extremely lucky the next day and made it. I hope we get at least one good day. You will really enjoy it.

 

[Goofy559]

Have returned from my 10-night med cruise (which was awesome) and am busy planning for my trip on the inaugural. We finally told my niece about this trip -- she is super excited!

We will be staying at the Hyatt the night before the cruise and doing Disney transfers -- a car would be cheaper, but, we want our niece to have the full "experience" Haven't decided what we'll do post cruise yet -- that will depend on other vacation plans....we have just been invited to DDs best friend's batmitzva in Israel later that summer Need to figure all that out before nailing down the rest of this trip.

Hope everyone has had a great summer!

Lisa

p.s. Who is organizing the FE for this cruise?

 

[magiroux]

We are making our down payment tomorrow - this will be our first cruise and I am super excited. DH, DD (8) and DS (6) are also excited.

Sign us up for the FE too, I just scrolled through 76 pages of ideas - whew - I am not that creative but am going to give it my best.

Hello All,

My friends and I are finishing up our reservation for this sail date now.

This is our first cruise ever on any cruise line and we are excited to me on a DCL especially the Dream.

There are 4 of us in the group, myself (25 at time of cruise), my boyfriend (23 at time of cruise), and our two friends who are also dating, male (24 at time of cruise) and female (23 at time of cruise).

I'm not sure if are going to participate in the FE as the other 3 in the group are still in college/will just be finishing up college and I'm in my second year of work at a public high school. We aren't sure if we'll have the resources to partake in the FE even though it sounds really fun.

We can't wait to set sail!

Welcome Aboard!

...and Welcome to the DIS boards, TubaBabe. You picked a great ship to cruise the first time!

We've had a change of plans! We decided to switch from this cruise to a 10-day Med cruise instead. Hope you all have fun~

Sorry you won't be joining us anymore but a 10 Day Med cruise sounds wonderful. Have a great time.



Love all the stories of everyone's summer vacations. We went to WDW for two weeks in August and visited Harry Potter. We loved it although it was very hot & crowded. The attention to detail was amazing. Now it's time to plan for this vacation.

I just confirmed my timeshare trade into Saratoga Springs for a week's stay after we get off this cruise. We were thinking we might like Bonnet Creek but SSR came up so we grabbed it. The check in is for 7/2 so we will have to find a cheap hotel for the night after we get off Dream. Not sure if I will stay at WDW or Cape Canaveral. Decision, decisions.... We are not doing the theme parks this trip so I think the DTD location is perfect. Probably just doing a water park and a Sea World day and if budget allows I would love to do Discovery Cove. Do 7 day passes to Sea World still come with that?

Does anyone plan on going to Atlantis while in Nassau? I was going to start keeping an eye on rates at the Comfort Inn to access the day passes to the resort.

 

[bombygriz]

We don't go out for Nassau (we did it on the first cruise, didn't like it at all)...

I guess we might be flying in a couple of days early and doing Kennedy Space Center (we have discounted tickets), staying at a hotel in Port Canaveral...woo-hoo! More time in hot weather! Mom was even looking into spending a couple of days after the cruise in WDW because we miss MK and Epcot so much, but that might get a little too expensive. HOLY CARP MOM! You're trying to take us on the longest vacation EVER!! DO EET!

So glad to hear we're getting a nice big FE group! I wonder if we should all meet on the at-sea day, it would be fun!

 

[Blueyed Girl]

I pray for great weather. DH is not thrilled about going in June but it was what we could work out. One main reason is leaving La. in hurricane season but we will manage. This will be my 5th Disney Cruise, we have gone in February, May, October, November so far and have been extremely lucky with the weather. For our cruise this past November, we were able to see the sister ship at sea and it was having problems docking at Castaway Cay because of waves but they were finally able to get in. We were extremely lucky the next day and made it. I hope we get at least one good day. You will really enjoy it.

Yeah, the same for us as far as picking a June trip. It's just what works for us, so we go with it. Last time there were no threats of hurricanes during that time so I wasn't too worried about that. But we tried to line up people to come board our windows on our house, should something arise. I also made plans for my mother to get our dog from boarding should they have to evacuate. June isn't usually bad....knock on wood....for us getting hurricanes. I'm hoping it's the same next summer!

We don't go out for Nassau (we did it on the first cruise, didn't like it at all)...

I guess we might be flying in a couple of days early and doing Kennedy Space Center (we have discounted tickets), staying at a hotel in Port Canaveral...woo-hoo! More time in hot weather! Mom was even looking into spending a couple of days after the cruise in WDW because we miss MK and Epcot so much, but that might get a little too expensive. HOLY CARP MOM! You're trying to take us on the longest vacation EVER!! DO EET!

So glad to hear we're getting a nice big FE group! I wonder if we should all meet on the at-sea day, it would be fun!

I think we are doing WDW for 3 nights before the cruise. We would do more but it's all we have time for. We are new DVC owners and are going to TRY to get into the Beach Club Villa's for that stay.

I like the idea of a "meet & greet" on the ship!!

 

[yargrnhoj]

Hey, all. Subscribing because we are going back and forth between this cruise and one on June 12. (Have both booked and need to make up our minds soon). She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed likes the idea of a later cruise because we can spend time at WDW and Universal ahead of the cruise and end with DCL. Since she is SWMBO, we'll likely end up on this one. There are five us, me and the wife, DS16, DS14 and DD9 and we are from the Chicago West Suburbs.

I see Magiroux is cruising on this one so not sure if that makes me want to be on this one or not. (Just Kidding, M.A.)

 

[Dishy24]

:I just confirmed my timeshare trade into Saratoga Springs for a week's stay after we get off this cruise. We were thinking we might like Bonnet Creek but SSR came up so we grabbed it. The check in is for 7/2 so we will have to find a cheap hotel for the night after we get off Dream. .

I just booked a week stay at SSR (through DVC) for after this cruise, too! We will be there from 7/1- 7/9! So nice to get off the ship & then go to the resort (makes it less depressing that your cruise is over!) Can't wait!

 

[magiroux]

We don't go out for Nassau (we did it on the first cruise, didn't like it at all)...

I was not crazy about that port either.

If we get off it will be to visit Atlantis on a day pass. Was looking to see if there was interest in sharing a cab. The rooms are priced for 4 people (I believe) and we are only 3. We have room for overflo if someone needs a spot.

Hey, all. Subscribing because we are going back and forth between this cruise and one on June 12. (Have both booked and need to make up our minds soon). She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed likes the idea of a later cruise because we can spend time at WDW and Universal ahead of the cruise and end with DCL. Since she is SWMBO, we'll likely end up on this one. There are five us, me and the wife, DS16, DS14 and DD9 and we are from the Chicago West Suburbs.

I see Magiroux is cruising on this one so not sure if that makes me want to be on this one or not. (Just Kidding, M.A.)

Now, now. I promise to be good.

Welcome aboard, J.R.

I just booked a week stay at SSR (through DVC) for after this cruise, too! We will be there from 7/1- 7/9! So nice to get off the ship & then go to the resort (makes it less depressing that your cruise is over!) Can't wait!

YAY! See you there. I would have preferred a Friday check in but beggers can't be choosers. We are not DVC but trade through RCI.

I agree! They say that to cruise after WDW is a better way to do it but I like your thinking! Besides, our school schedule won't allow a pre-cruise stay.

Have you stayed there before? What location do you request? We were there in April and stayed in Congress. It was perfect for walking to DTD and the busses to other resorts.

 

[magiroux]

Just looked at the Comfort Suites website for price info. For our port date room is $250 but add in the fine print for extra charges: 18% tax; 12.95 pp occupancy tax; 5.00 pp housekeeping fee; 3rd & 4th person 40.00 each. And then an additional $24 round trip taxi (for 3 ppl) and it comes out to a pretty expensive day trip. ETA: AAA rate $225

Does anyone know what the DCL sponsored excursion costs?

 

[bombygriz]

I agree! They say that to cruise after WDW is a better way to do it but I like your thinking! Besides, our school schedule won't allow a pre-cruise stay.

Agreed, we did a land/sea trip a while ago and it fit perfectly, the fast pace of Disney followed by the slower, more relaxed cruise. Best vacation ever!

I am getting impatient!!

 

[yargrnhoj]

Agreed, we did a land/sea trip a while ago and it fit perfectly, the fast pace of Disney followed by the slower, more relaxed cruise. Best vacation ever!

I am getting impatient!!

That is the wife's thinking also. The June 12 date means we have to go to WDW afterward because school lets out June 4, barring any snow days, and then DS16 always has three days of marching band 'fundies' where they decide who is in which corp. As a senior, he will likely be SLT so he can't miss that.

SWMBO likes the idea of getting out of the Florida heat and the hectic pace of WDW and settling down for five relaxing nights on the ship, so it looks like that is what we will be doing.

We are looking to stay off-site for a week before the cruise. We're thinking some place with a washer/dryer so we can keep the packing to a minimum. Need to save room for all those shoes....

 

[magiroux]

That is the wife's thinking also. The June 12 date means we have to go to WDW afterward because school lets out June 4, barring any snow days, and then DS16 always has three days of marching band 'fundies' where they decide who is in which corp. As a senior, he will likely be SLT so he can't miss that.

SWMBO likes the idea of getting out of the Florida heat and the hectic pace of WDW and settling down for five relaxing nights on the ship, so it looks like that is what we will be doing.

We are looking to stay off-site for a week before the cruise. We're thinking some place with a washer/dryer so we can keep the packing to a minimum. Need to save room for all those shoes....

Coordinating hotel stay based on shoe requirements; You are very wise man

 

[Tammyepolytinkfan]

We don't go out for Nassau (we did it on the first cruise, didn't like it at all)...

I guess we might be flying in a couple of days early and doing Kennedy Space Center (we have discounted tickets), staying at a hotel in Port Canaveral...woo-hoo! More time in hot weather! Mom was even looking into spending a couple of days after the cruise in WDW because we miss MK and Epcot so much, but that might get a little too expensive. HOLY CARP MOM! You're trying to take us on the longest vacation EVER!! DO EET!

So glad to hear we're getting a nice big FE group! I wonder if we should all meet on the at-sea day, it would be fun!

well if I could use some pixie dust or wave my magic wand and make some green stuff appear then the skies the limit, but reality is we will only be able to fly in 2 days before the cruise to see Kennedy space center then take the cruise. I want to go back to WDW but that will be the next trip.

I am so excited about this cruise. I can't wait!
I found some really cute items fro the FE for all the kids.

 

[bombygriz]

Nine months today! Sounds a lot better than one year because we're 1/4 through the year of wait already!!

 

[Va-NanaTink]

Nine months today! Sounds a lot better than one year because we're 1/4 through the year of wait already!!

 

[DisneyGirl421]

Hello All,

My friends and I are finishing up our reservation for this sail date now.

This is our first cruise ever on any cruise line and we are excited to me on a DCL especially the Dream.

There are 4 of us in the group, myself (25 at time of cruise), my boyfriend (23 at time of cruise), and our two friends who are also dating, male (24 at time of cruise) and female (23 at time of cruise).

I'm not sure if are going to participate in the FE as the other 3 in the group are still in college/will just be finishing up college and I'm in my second year of work at a public high school. We aren't sure if we'll have the resources to partake in the FE even though it sounds really fun.

We can't wait to set sail!

Hey! Yay for more younger people! I'll be 23 on the cruise, and my sister will be 26, so we should definitely meet up.

Anywho, I'm getting super excited for this. Every time I see something on the disneyparks blog about the dream I always send it to my family.
I'm also planning on staying down in Orlando after my college program ends, so I will be down here until at least the cruise, haha. 8.5 months!

 

[Blueyed Girl]

Just looked at the Comfort Suites website for price info. For our port date room is $250 but add in the fine print for extra charges: 18% tax; 12.95 pp occupancy tax; 5.00 pp housekeeping fee; 3rd & 4th person 40.00 each. And then an additional $24 round trip taxi (for 3 ppl) and it comes out to a pretty expensive day trip. ETA: AAA rate $225

Does anyone know what the DCL sponsored excursion costs?

The Atlantis Aquaventure day is $160 per person for ages 10 and up. And $110 per person for ages 3-9.

It includes the ride to Atlantis, a tour of Atlantis resort, a walk through "The Dig" underground aquarium at Atlantis, a day enjoying the pools and Aquaventure water park, The beach at Atlantis, and it also includes lunch.

We did this last cruise (in 2009) and plan on doing it again since we only got to enjoy 1/2 of the day due to rain storms. Personally, we went for the convenience of booking it all straight through DCL, rather than having to catch a cab, etc.

As a family of 3 (2 adults - 1 child) doing it through Comfort Suites would cost about $374, if that cab cost is correct. If we book directly through DCL there is a $56 difference. However, lunch is not included in the Comfort Suites deal so basically I look at it as us breaking even. So if they both cost about the same, we choose convenience.

 

[bombygriz]

Hey DisneyGirl, I like your avatar! :3

Mom and I just saw Wicked in Boston sooo...lol.

I CAN HAS CRUISE NAO?!?

 

[magiroux]

The Atlantis Aquaventure day is $160 per person for ages 10 and up. And $110 per person for ages 3-9.

It includes the ride to Atlantis, a tour of Atlantis resort, a walk through "The Dig" underground aquarium at Atlantis, a day enjoying the pools and Aquaventure water park, The beach at Atlantis, and it also includes lunch.

We did this last cruise (in 2009) and plan on doing it again since we only got to enjoy 1/2 of the day due to rain storms. Personally, we went for the convenience of booking it all straight through DCL, rather than having to catch a cab, etc.

As a family of 3 (2 adults - 1 child) doing it through Comfort Suites would cost about $374, if that cab cost is correct. If we book directly through DCL there is a $56 difference. However, lunch is not included in the Comfort Suites deal so basically I look at it as us breaking even. So if they both cost about the same, we choose convenience.

Thanks for the info - DCL seems to offer the same thing. For some reason I thought their excursion did not include the aquarium. Well, we have until March to decide. Blue Lagoon Island looked pretty nice too.

After reading all the talk about the staggered show times on the Dream I checked out our reservation and we have 7PM show, 8:30 dinner - perfect!

Hope all is well with everyone. Been very busy September here but starting to slow down finally - just in time for the holiday rush .

 

[TubaBabe86]

Hey! Yay for more younger people! I'll be 23 on the cruise, and my sister will be 26, so we should definitely meet up.

Anywho, I'm getting super excited for this. Every time I see something on the disneyparks blog about the dream I always send it to my family.
I'm also planning on staying down in Orlando after my college program ends, so I will be down here until at least the cruise, haha. 8.5 months!

We are excited that there will also be some people our age on board as well. With it being the end of June and schools out of session we knew the ship would have a lot of kids (which I personally have no problem with as I work with kids all day long) and their families, weren't sure how many other people our age would be interested in the sailing date. We will definitely make a point to meet up. We are scheduled for the 8:30pm dinner seating. Maybe we'll get lucky enough and be paired at the same table.

I see that you're from Toms River. I actually was born in New Brunswick, NJ, lived there for a bit before my family moved to Northern Virginia. My boyfriend and I also went to Rutgers University which I graduated from in 2009. I don't know if you know Emily Shapiro who is also currently doing the Disney College Program, but she was in the Rutgers Marching Band with me, she did color guard and I played tuba.

We are all excited for the cruise, can't contain ourselves. We are all Disney Kids at heart.