March 13, 2011 - DREAM

[kkruser]

According to son and DIL, we'll be exploring area: straw market, pirates, and rum factory.

 

[kkruser]

I checked on available excursions and dining just out of curiosity (a few seconds ago.) The Atlantis Adventure was available. Palo was available for groups of 5 or 6. (We have linked six adults and two children in our reservation and I was able to book for everyone in our party if I wanted.) The kids have not yet been signed up for the children's programs and that button was greyed out but it explained on the Palo reservation section that they had to be registered before the alternative for the kids would show up. Brunch was not available. Check again. Maybe, it will show up. I think I'll get passport numbers, etc., into the on-line check in before I forget.

If Palo is only available for larger groups, maybe it can be booked on board when you meet up with friends from this thread?

Have a great Tuesday.

 

[txsoccermom]

Kay - Thanks for the info! Maybe I was early online last nite (thinking I could do it all @ 11p ct)....but I was able to register the kids then. Hhhmmm. Anyways, I was able to book the Atlantis Aqua Adventure So now I can think about it and have the option to look @ COmfort Inn instead, to see if it ends up cheaper, and I can cancel up to 3 days before leaving - yeah

Now, to log off before the kids see me on here!

Have a great day and Happy New Year

 

[kkruser]

Kay - Thanks for the info! Maybe I was early online last nite (thinking I could do it all @ 11p ct)....but I was able to register the kids then. Hhhmmm. Anyways, I was able to book the Atlantis Aqua Adventure So now I can think about it and have the option to look @ COmfort Inn instead, to see if it ends up cheaper, and I can cancel up to 3 days before leaving - yeah

Now, to log off before the kids see me on here!

Have a great day and Happy New Year

I'm glad you were able to book your Atlantis excursion. Most of our family is at WDW this week, but I will ask them when they call if they want me to reserve anything. Otherwise, we'll just walk around the ship and port area. After looking at pictures and info about the ship, it may take the entire cruise to explore and enjoy all the features and technology!

 

[jen-n-greg]

Long time no talk! Man I have been soooo busy and stressed - for a little bit there I was worried we wouldn't get this cruise paid for and we would have to cancel - but my we pulled it off Hope I can start checking in more often and getting to know everybody now. As a reminder since its been so long - we have 3 rooms DH and I, the 3 kids, and then my mom and stepdad. We are doing a back to back - which is a surprise to the kids. LMK what we need to do to get signed up for the FE ( we were at 1 point - just want to make sure we still are). Hope everyone had a great Christmas

 

[txsoccermom]

Jenny - Glad to see you back on and to hear the cruise is a go! I created a spreadsheet that you can check on and give me updates for (check post #120 on page 8 & then post #240 on page 16, or addtl info).

I am so excited about the FE....been making things, getting items together since the fall

Can you believe it's almost 10 wks away??

 

[my3sonstx]

Hi again everyone,
I am back as well too. We also weren't sure we could get the cruise paid off by the 28th, but a Christmas miracle came our way and here we are!!!! I am so excited to start planning again.
Quick question.... Looks like we will be driving from Houston ( our Christmas miracle wasn't that great ). I want to plan the drive out and want to be as close as possible to board early. What is the best time to get to the ship? Thanks, Kim

CAN NOT WAIT TO MEET EVERYONE!!!

 

[txsoccermom]

Hi again everyone,
I am back as well too. We also weren't sure we could get the cruise paid off by the 28th, but a Christmas miracle came our way and here we are!!!! I am so excited to start planning again.
Quick question.... Looks like we will be driving from Houston ( our Christmas miracle wasn't that great ). I want to plan the drive out and want to be as close as possible to board early. What is the best time to get to the ship? Thanks, Kim

CAN NOT WAIT TO MEET EVERYONE!!!

Good for you for driving! I was actually thinking about that too, but then found a decent airfare back in late Aug - yes, Aug. I have heard the port terminal opens @ 10a, w/boarding starting at 12p. Maybe you could spend 3/12 driving and spend the nt at one of the hotels by the port (Country Inn & Suites or Radisson). Then you could get up early and be there no prob. Just an idea!

Very happy to see more Texans definitely coming! Pls let me know if anything needs to be updated on the FE/DISmeet spreadsheet.

Take care - Cathy

 

[jenerra11]

We will be driving from Houston as well. However, I am getting a little nervous, because the gas prices keep rising.

 

[txsoccermom]

We will be driving from Houston as well. However, I am getting a little nervous, because the gas prices keep rising.

Jenerra11 - I hear ya about the rising gas prices. We're not ones to drive thru the nite, so we would have to spend a nite at a hotel both ways. When I figured that in, along with food during the travel and gas, it was not much more for me to get the flights for us ($235/pp non-stop roundtrip out of DFW), and get some time to do extra things like visit Kennedy Space Center and Universal Studios! However, going on a vacation in the family roadster can be fun

I'll send some good vibes your way and everyone else's that is driving, that the prices don't go much higher than where they are now....

 

[my3sonstx]

TXSOCCORMOM - That is a good airfare. I have been looking for a long time as well. From Houston they are staying steading at 350/pp.
Our family is going with two other families (non disney obsessed families). I mentioned my plan to get there early and spend the night near port on the 12th. They simply do not understand getting there that early. There respond was a laugh and "the ship leaves at 4:00". They want to all caravan, but this is my vacation too, right?

 

[txsoccermom]

MY3SONSTX - Hhhhmmm. Here is what I would say/do, b/c I am Disney obsessed! First, I would book a room for my family now....Radisson has a 2bdrm/whirlpool suite for $109/nt, using the CARLSONF promo code. Then, I would check airfare from Dallas - might find a good deal!

Next, think how difficult (& how much longer) it will take to caravan with 2 other families. You could tell them you want to stay at a port hotel the nite before so you're well rested for the cruise . Also, that you know the ship is quite crowded and you don't want to wait too long to check-in in case their are probs with the paperwork, etc. Also, the later you check-in it's possible the line to get the kids' bands could be horrendous.

If it was me, I would do what makes me happy for my trip and tell them they can join me or we'll meet up on the ship!

Good luck

 

[Louiepipbgeeco]

I have not been on the boards for awhile...just an update>> We booked our flights and on Christmas Day I finally told our kids
So now I am officially getting excited!!!
My Daughter and I just went to WDW at the beginning of the month --We have been many times to Disney but that was probably the best> because it was just her and I and some friends! That was a much different pace and way of doing things!! Will definitely do a trip like that again. DH is not as "into it" as we are LOL

 

[jenerra11]

My daughter and I had a ball shopping for FE gifts yesterday. I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year!!!

 

[mkmommy]

I had a dream last night that Mickey and Minnie went to the girls school to tell them about this cruise, I guess I must really want to tell them .

As I am expecting 4 days on the Dream to be way too short I have booked a 4 and 5 day (2 stops at CC ) back to back for March 2012, and was even able to get the same room.

 

[kkruser]

HAPPY NEW YEAR! WON'T BE LONG NOW!

 

[kkruser]

@MY3SONSTX: I think you are smart to go in a day early and spend the night. We all know that anything could happen to delay your drive or flight for that matter. There could be car problems, and it is spring break. That alone could cause traffic problems in Florida. Giving yourself an extra day allows for delays and takes the stress off of you. Because of security, the crew is not allowed to let you board at the last minute. We have never sailed Disney before, but on other cruiselines we have always tried to get on early, have lunch in the buffet and explore the public areas of the ship while we wait for the "rooms are ready" announcement. We have a conflict with another family with whom we are traveling as well. We want to be at the docks around noon, but they prefer to lunch in Orlando and take their time. We have compromised and plan to arrive at the docks around 1 or 1:30.

Everyone, be sure to log in and and do your on-line check in to make sure all is in order. Our ship appears to be FULL!. I noticed yesterday that our cruise did not even appear at all on the Disney web site. Today there is one verandah cabin for two people. A full ship could make for longer lines at check in.

 

[Muhhhrrisssa]

Hello Everyone! We will also be cruising this week. It will be me(19) and my parents. This will be our 6th cruise and we are very excited!

 

[DBarber600]

We're 1st time cruisers ... YAY!

After we add our info to the FE list, how do we proceed and how does it work?

Thanks!

 

[txsoccermom]

Happy New Year & welcome to the new folks on our meet list!

Mkmommy - when are you telling the kids about the cruise? I figure I will drop it on them somewhere between mid Jan/Feb

Off to grab a drink & watch the ball drop...