March 13, 2011 - DREAM

[tidefan]

OK, we won't be doing the Back to Back, so just the 4-night on the 13th for us. We combined Points and Cash through DVC to book and not knowing about the B2B, we did a GTY cabin. Well, we are not keen on switching staterooms between cruises and in order for us to get an assignment now, we'd have to cancel and rebook another category with DVC (incurring a $95 fee), so we've decided to go to WDW for 3-4 nights after the cruise.

We've done parks 3 years in a row if you count our 2008 trip to Disneyland in CA, so we wanted to switch it up this year. However, we've decided that those 3 days may be a great opportunity to enjoy Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach...

 

[jenerra11]

Tidefan, We too will cruise and then do a park or two. However, Do you think those water parks that you mentioned will be too cold during March? Will they even be open in March? We are kind of burnt out on the DW parks. We did universal last year. Just wanna try something new.

 

[MACfamily4]

So are FE just for kids?

Nope! They're for everyone. Let me know if you want me to add you all to the list.

BEVGRAY, sorry you won't be joining us. Have a great May cruise!

 

[taymaesmom]

I think we are going to do the cruise and then do Universal for 2 days, if not I'd like to try the Nickelodeon Hotel. We did Disney parks twice last year and never been to US so we are headed there to see Harry Potter and the Simpsons!

 

[jenerra11]

I think we are going to do the cruise and then do Universal for 2 days, if not I'd like to try the Nickelodeon Hotel. We did Disney parks twice last year and never been to US so we are headed there to see Harry Potter and the Simpsons!

The Simpsons ride is amazing. My opinion,It was the best ride at universal.

 

[sneakypigs]

We have to change the dates for our Dream cruise to Sept or later. Sorry guys!!

 

[Spiffie]

My family and I were on our first DCL vacation that sailed on March 14th. We were in the car on the way home and I was on the phone booking for the Dream for March 13, 2011. We are so very excited!

I am just now learning about FE. And I don't really know what to do, so I hope that some of you experienced cruisers will guide us newbies! I definitely want to participate!!!

Me, DH, DS 10 and DD 10 (obviously twins)

 

[tidefan]

Tidefan, We too will cruise and then do a park or two. However, Do you think those water parks that you mentioned will be too cold during March? Will they even be open in March? We are kind of burnt out on the DW parks. We did universal last year. Just wanna try something new.

Florida is usually in the 80's by mid-March, though this can vary (see this year). The water parks are open year round, however, fear not because the water is heated!

My family and I were on our first DCL vacation that sailed on March 14th. We were in the car on the way home and I was on the phone booking for the Dream for March 13, 2011. We are so very excited!

I am just now learning about FE. And I don't really know what to do, so I hope that some of you experienced cruisers will guide us newbies! I definitely want to participate!!!

Me, DH, DS 10 and DD 10 (obviously twins)

Welcome fellow DVC'ers!

 

[Spiffie]

Florida is usually in the 80's by mid-March, though this can vary (see this year). The water parks are open year round, however, fear not because the water is heated!



Welcome fellow DVC'ers!

I see you are in my neck of the woods. We live in Trussville!

 

[jenerra11]

Welcome Spiffie!!! To all on this board, Have A Happy Easter!!

 

[MACfamily4]

I am just now learning about FE. And I don't really know what to do, so I hope that some of you experienced cruisers will guide us newbies! I definitely want to participate!!!

Welcome! I'll add you to the fish extender list.

 

[tidefan]

I see you are in my neck of the woods. We live in Trussville!

We are close. We are on 280 between Inverness and Chelsea...

 

[Spiffie]

We are close. We are on 280 between Inverness and Chelsea...

AH! The 280 death trap. Was just out your way this week to shop at Hobby Lobby. Of all the things that we finally have over here, HL is not one of them. We met some people from Oak Mountain on this past cruise. It really can be a small world.

Is anyone else here a pin trader? My husband and I are going to the Pin Trading Celebration in August at Epcot. No kids! The kids are NOT happy!

Nice to meet you all!

 

[Louiepipbgeeco]

Hello all!!
I just booked this cruise yesterday!! We just did our first Disney cruise(first cruise period) March 14th. I fell head over heels. I did not rebook onboard although. Instead I added on to my DVC membership 100pts. So, I did not think I should cruise until 2012. But, ever since getting home I have been dying to return. So, I am going next year now!! I am so excited about the new ship.
Last time we went with friends. This time, it will just be my family. We have 2 children a girl who will be 13 at time of sailing and our son will be 6 next year on the cruise. I am hoping DD will meet some other children. Anyone else have a DD or DS that will be 13??
I am crossing my fingers that the weather will be better than this year.
We will be going on the cruise and then going to stay DVC at the World after for 2 nights before flying back to cold and snowy Ontario.
I am going to try and keep this a secret from the kids. I doubt I will last!
Any speculation as to whether or not there will be any new shows on the new ship??
I kinda doubt it.
I am psyched about the new kids clubs. They look amazing. The whole ship seems incredible.
I know now what to expect and the number one thing I learned on the first cruise--Don't pack so much!!
Happy Easter everyone--we are off to family functions and egg hunting!! I look forward to chatting with you all in the months to come.

 

[Spiffie]

I hope everyone had a great Easter. We had some of the best weather! I can't remember the last Easter that it was so pretty!

Since I am trying to speed up the passing of the next 11.5 months, I was wondering if anyone here would post a picture of their fish extender or if anyone here makes and sells them? Any suggestions would be great. I have already begun to bounce ideas around about what my gift will be!!!

 

[Louiepipbgeeco]

Anyone else get a GTY for their stateroom??
I booked cat 9A and was told that I was gty a deck 5 or higher del. oceanview room. I may get an upgrade but cannot be lower than deck 5. We shall see. I don't care if I stay 9A.
I actually liked the inside stateroom for the darkness but they were sold out already so if I wanted to do these dates I had to go with an oceanview or higher.
I was only able to get second seating for dinner but waitlisted for first. Cross your fingers for me.
I do not know how I am going to manage to wait 11 and a half months!! Thank god I am going at the end of June to WDW for a fix.
I am going to try and keep it a secret from DD and DS but it has only been 2 days and I have been majorly fighting the urge to blab it out.:laughing
Last cruise I made magnets. That was fun. I learned however that they were not as common as I thought they would be. Oh well- I am going to do them again. It was kinda cool. Anyone else doing magnets?
Where should I stay the night before--Country inn and suites --Radisson--or Four Points sheraton??(this last time I was fortunate that my parents had been renting a condo only 5 min. from the port and we stayed with them)
I have to stop rambling and obsessing already!! It is going to be a LOOOOOONG 342 days!!

 

[jenerra11]

LOUIE, WAS YOUR CRUISE IN MARCH A 3,4, OR 7 DAY? IF IT WAS A 4 DAY? I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR HOW FAST A 4 DAY GOES BY ON A CRUISE SHIP. THIS WILL BE OUR FIRST CRUISE EVER AND WHEN I READ OTHER THREADS, PEOPLE ARE SAYING THAT 3 AND 4 DAYS GO BY SO FAST AND THEY WILL NEVER DO IT AGAIN. WE ARE SPENDING PLENTY OF MONEY ON THIS CRUISE AND I DONT WANT TO FEEL LIKE IT WASN'T WORTH IT WHEN WE GET OFF THE SHIP. IT WILL BE SIX OF US, SO WE CAN'T AFFORD TO DO A B2B.

 

[Louiepipbgeeco]

jenerra I did the 4 day. I loved every minute of it(it was my first). I stayed on the ship the Nassau day to enjoy it (so they may factor in) But, I think any cruise on DCL is going to feel too short. NO ONE wants to leave and of course good times fly by. But, honestly 4 night is really 5 days if you get on the ship early on embarkment day--I was on by 12-12:30. This way you enjoy the whole afternoon aboard and you can get your lunch, enjoy the pools, walk the ship and explore. You will get your stateroom by 1-1:30. I enjoyed the 4 day. Did not feel short-changed and am doing it again.
(although I did worry a 3 day may be cutting it) 4 to me seems good. Especially if it is your first cruise --to test the waters.
You will LOVE LOVE LOVE this trip!! In all the years and all the Disney trips --this was BY FAR my best and my FAVOURITE. NOBODY DOES IT LIKE DISNEY!The service, the entertainment Absolutely amazing.
The new ship looks wonderful too.
I did learn that you will not need to pack as much as you think.
Be sure to see the shows. They are excellent.
My kids really enjoyed the clubs and the family club for karaoke etc.
4 night has a day at sea before the end so that made it seem a bit longer which is nice.
Secretly--I hyped the trip up soooo much before going that I worried that once I got on it would not live up to all I had anticipated. NO WORRIES THERE> Disney delivered and then some

 

[jenerra11]

Thanks louie, that makes me feel better. We will stay on the ship on nassau day too. You mentioned that you overpacked. Do you mind sharing what you packed, that wasn't necessary?

 

[tidefan]

Anyone else get a GTY for their stateroom??

We did. We are in an 11B GTY. Here's hoping for an upgrade...

Anyone else doing magnets?

We'll be doing magnets and fish extenders. Here is what we had from our Magic Cruise back in 2008...

LOUIE, WAS YOUR CRUISE IN MARCH A 3,4, OR 7 DAY? IF IT WAS A 4 DAY? I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR HOW FAST A 4 DAY GOES BY ON A CRUISE SHIP. THIS WILL BE OUR FIRST CRUISE EVER AND WHEN I READ OTHER THREADS, PEOPLE ARE SAYING THAT 3 AND 4 DAYS GO BY SO FAST AND THEY WILL NEVER DO IT AGAIN. WE ARE SPENDING PLENTY OF MONEY ON THIS CRUISE AND I DONT WANT TO FEEL LIKE IT WASN'T WORTH IT WHEN WE GET OFF THE SHIP. IT WILL BE SIX OF US, SO WE CAN'T AFFORD TO DO A B2B.

It will be extremely hard for us to only do a 4-day. We have been on 5 cruises (4 with Princess - Love Princess too! - and 1 on DCL) and all have been for at least 7 days. One was a 10 day cruise which was awesome! Well, we'll have 3 days after the cruise at WDW (Typhoon Lagoon here we come!) to continue out the trip.

Counting down the days...