May 13.2006 Eastern

[Verandah Man]

Verandah man/Nuts4dzny- What are the stipulations you must meet when getting a Fl discount? My parents own a home in Clearwater but reside in Maryland most of the year. I know my mom has a Fl drivers lincense. Not sure about my dad.
They will be flying into Tampa and staying at their house a couple days before the cruise and could get paperwork sent there. Is it too late for them to get a rebate of some sort and book as FL residents?

I'm registering my "baby" up for 2006- 2007 kindergarten today!

Have a great day!

This is the first time I have used the Florida Resident Rate and this is because my mom is a Florida resident. I was told that my mom will have to be on our ressie and staying in our cabin in order to get the Florida Resident Rate, she will also have to show some sort of Florida ID once we get to the terminal. I'm assuming her Florida driver's license is all she needs. Hope this helps!!! Gotta get back to work, it's payday!!!

 

[Hanover]

Thanks for the information. I'll have my dad call his AAA TA and see if they can get it for their room. You never know, and the difference in cost is worth asking.

 

[littlebunny]

We plan on making a door sign too, I think the girls will have fun with it. We'll try to do Grills the night before too.

Here's a question for you previous cruisers, my dd's are 8,6,4, so we couldn't do the trunk bay excursion. I'm debating whether to do Megan's Bay, or do Trunk Bay on our own. Is that hard to do since it's on St. John's?

 

[Verandah Man]

I wish I was in the Caribbean right now, walking around all morning reading water meters with the wind chill factor in the teens and snow showers has been no fun today, especially after it being 79 degrees here on Monday, and I had shorts and a tee shirt on Monday afternoon. Today it's back to three layers of clothes, just love these NJ winters!!! NOT!!!

I kept telling myself all morning, 9 weeks from today, you will be in St. Thomas and you won't have to worry about the cold!!! LOL!!!

 

[nutz4dzny]

That is correct about the FL resident rate. You have to show proof of ID, Driver's Liscense or FL ID card and that person's name has to be on the reservation. They also have a limited number of FL resident rates available so I would do this as quickly as possible. I credit the DIS Boards for the heads up. I always check and sure enough someone posted that the FL resident rates were out for May so I called my TA that night and she called Disney that night and got the discount. My sister can't get it because she is a permanent resident of NJ. But she did book a lesser Cat. to save money so she feels that she got a good deal anyway. She is in a Cat. 8 outside cabin with window and paid just over $3000.00 and we did not book until Dec. 27, 2005.

Good-Luck with booking the FL resident rate!

 

[Hanover]

Thanks for the response about the Fl rates. My dad was going to call his TA to see if they could get it. If not, they can try next time around. They have asked their AAA agent to book the Med. repositioning cruise for them if/as soon as it becomes available.

Verandah Man, it's freezing cold and super windy here today as well. I was afraid we'd wake up to all the siding stripped off the side of the house the way it sounded last night!

We watched the travel channel's Disney Cruise episode last night. We've seen it many times before, but it was fun to watch regardless. Makes us want to be on the Magic now!

After seeing someone's video clip on another thread about the banana boats at CC I booked my dad, husband and ds8 (before lunch....looks a bit bumpy to go with a full belly). They'll love it.

DS8 and I will do parasailing at CC too. I'm really looking forward to it since I've always wanted to do it but been too chicken.

 

[bxirishrn]

My 7 yo DD won't go for the banana boat ride I don't think, maybe when she sees it, I don't know. She is up for learning to snorkel tho on CC . We're going to take the tram to the far end of the Family Beach so the water will be clearer, and hopefully the beach less crowded

We are going on the Atlantis submarine in St Thomas. Christina wanted to know if the submarine could take a hit from a shark I told her we'd be safe.

I taped the travel channel last night for DD ands DH. It's real now!!!

How does everyone feel about the Grill at 5:30 instead of 5??

Kathleen

 

[Verandah Man]

My 7 yo DD won't go for the banana boat ride I don't think, maybe when she sees it, I don't know. She is up for learning to snorkel tho on CC . We're going to take the tram to the far end of the Family Beach so the water will be clearer, and hopefully the beach less crowded

We are going on the Atlantis submarine in St Thomas. Christina wanted to know if the submarine could take a hit from a shark I told her we'd be safe.

I taped the travel channel last night for DD ands DH. It's real now!!!

How does everyone feel about the Grill at 5:30 instead of 5??

Kathleen

The minimum age for the BBR on CC is 8 years of age.

My DD and I did the parasailing on CC in August 2003, it was quite an experience floating above the water. We also did the BBR on CC and my eyeglasses (forgot to take them off) are still laying at the bottom of the ocean, LOL!!!

Grills at 5:30 sounds good to me as long as I can get the rest of my party to agree.

 

[DrCavin]

I am going to be soooo ready for a vacation by the time May rolls around.. One of our Divisions is moving into a new warehouse about 8 miles from our current location. Moving by itself was going to be a difficult task, but now they have decided to completely change how they ship orders. Guess who has the errrrrr, "opportunity*, to rewrite all the picking/packing/shipping computer programs... Of course the group that uses these thinks that change should only be in your pocket..

5:30 at grills sounds good to us... please dont rain!!!

 

[Hanover]

My parents did get their Florida resident rate discount tdoay! They called the Florida Highway Patrol to see if they could get licenses since they own a home in Clearwater and they were told yes, they could get what is called a "Florida-only" license to use while they are living there part of each year. My mom found her Florida license at their house which had been automatically renewed when my dad was in the military and Florida was their home state ... but it had expired last year. They are flying down next month to get their licenses and spend a week at their house. Their AAA agent already got them a refund! Now they are kicking themselves over all the discounts they could have gotten on their last several cruises!!

 

[Verandah Man]

My parents did get their Florida resident rate discount tdoay! They called the Florida Highway Patrol to see if they could get licenses since they own a home in Clearwater and they were told yes, they could get what is called a "Florida-only" license to use while they are living there part of each year. My mom found her Florida license at their house which had been automatically renewed when my dad was in the military and Florida was their home state ... but it had expired last year. They are flying down next month to get their licenses and spend a week at their house. Their AAA agent already got them a refund! Now they are kicking themselves over all the discounts they could have gotten on their last several cruises!!

Great news your parents were able to get the discount, but a shame they didn't know about looking into it sooner.

 

[nutz4dzny]

Hanover - Tell your parents Congratulations! I know how excited I was when I got the news. When I went to the FL Department of transportation or whatever they call it to get your Driver's liscense, I was told that you can't hold 2 driver's license's, so we made the decision to keep our NJ one since we are in NJ most of the year and only go to FL during the winter months. So they gave us a FL resident ID that looks exactly like a driver's license only at the very bottom it says ID only!

My niece is working on our door signs. Another tip we got from the boards. We also bought a magnetic door sign that you write on with a magic marker so we can leave each other messages if needed.

We got a pillow case with magic markers ready to give to guest services for the characters to sign.

We did order a case of the bottled water. My son is very sensitive to the taste of water and if there are any chemicals in it he won't drink it!

We bought at Walmart the over-the-door shoe pocket hangers for our bathroom stuff!

What great tips I am getting!

Here is one from me. I just went on eBAY and got 2 brand new COMPLETE Tuxes for my son and husband for $109.00 each. They are beautiful and I could not believe the deal I got. This person has a store in New York and sells in bulk so he offers suits and tuxes at unbelievable low prices!

Anybody have any other good tips out there?

My son is on spring break and we went to lunch today and we talked all about how we are looking forward to this cruise.

I do have a question for you guys. I am unable to book the Spa online. Do you think when I get onboard we will be able to book? Should I have my TA call?

Thanks!

 

[DrCavin]

Nutz4dzny:

They do hold some reservations back for people to book on-board. Which spa treatment were you looking for? My DW booked one last weekend & there seemed to be many open, some had limited dates/times...

Another tip, if you plan on bringing things that need to recharge, consider bringing a power strip. You only have about 2 outlets that are easily accessible to plug chargers into.

 

[Hanover]

Nuts4dzny: I have no idea what the highway patrol official was talking about myself. I thought maybe they meant the Florida Identification card when the official said a "Florida-only" card. I know in Maryland, which is their primary residence, you cannot hold 2 licenses from different states (my husband is a police officer in Maryland so he made them well aware of that fact). They are really happy and said to say thanks to everyone for letting them know the Florida rates were available for this cruise.

We ordered our boys tuxes off of Ebay last week. We have not received them yet, but they looked good in the pictures. We got them both for just under $45...less than just the navy blue blazer I was looking to buy my DS8! Luckily the several pair of dress pants I bought him for last year's cruise that were too large fit him perfect this year. Good thing I never returned them! I found a few pair of khaki's and navy blue dress pants to fit ds5 at our Old Navy for $4 and $5 on sale last week. They already have a bunch of polo style shirts so they're pretty well set clothing wise. The only thing left to buy them are new undershirts and dress shoes. My ds8's size 10-12 undershirts can now fit his super small for his age 5- year- old brother from all the shrinking. I vow not to pack them pjs for every day of the trip and instead stick to their undershirts and boxer briefs except for during goofy's pajama party. I am such an overpacker that I am really trying hard not to over do it this trip.

I think someone back a few pages asked if anyone else scrapbooked. Maybe that was on the Yahoo site? Anyways, I do also and just ordered some new stuff off of Mousememories.com. I find them to have the best WDW related stock available. They have some paper that would make great backgrounds for door signs.

Our DS8's elementary school had their spring concert, "Under the Sea" this evening. All the children wore their beach clothes and the songs were beach related, with quite a few Disney songs added in the mix. It really put us in the mood for the cruise! If only it weren't supposed to ice/snow tonight!

One of my favorite tips is to bring a highlighter for the navigator to high light things you are interested in attending. Guest services has extra navigators to use if you want them for scrapbooks. I took 2 extras each day...one to cut and one to save for the scrapbook. Make sure if you want the "Golden Mickey's " paper sign the stateroom host puts up the day of the show that you take it and put it some place safe. I left mine up and it was gone that night after we had the beds turned down. I totally forgot to ask for another one and have a blank part in my 2005 cruise scrapbook to add after I get one on this year's trip. Also, the night before debarkation, they set out extras of all the different character tags for luggage near guest services. I asked if I could take an extra set for my scrapbook and they said I could have whatever I wanted.


Another big tip is to always have a camera and autograph album and pen(if you/your kids do autographs) because you never know who you may run into in the halls and other areas. Quite a few of our character pictures were not from "official" character spots. I gave each of our boys a disposable camera and a waterproof camera to take pictures during the cruise. It was intersting to see what they wanted to capture and remember. They weren't the greatest, most clear shots, but it was really nice to see things from their perspective and they made great scrapbook pages (they did most of the work on the pages with their pictures).

 

[nutz4dzny]

DrCavin - Good news! I called my TA and she went on the Cruise site and was able to book all the Spa Treatments I wanted! I got the Couples Massage, it is called the Well Being Massage for couples, it sounds romantic and it is 50 minutes. I think it is $245.00! But hey, since I saved so much for my FL resident rate I feel I can splurge! I also booked the Alone time Spa Swedish Massage for myself and my DS and DH, it is 105 minutes and decribed as follows:

Enjoy a 50-minute spa treatment of your choice. Select from: La Thérapie HydraLift Facial, an Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Facial, an Elemis Deep Tissue Muscle Massage, a Swedish Massage, an Elemis Exotic Lime & Ginger Salt Glow with half-body massage.
Duration 105 min

Price $199


I did read about the power strip and it is on my list, thanks for reminding me!



Hanover - Good deal on the Tuxes for your sons! I am sure they are going to look fantastic. Sounds like you are pretty ready with the clothes. We went to LA and San Diego and DisneyLand for their 50th Anniversary last July and I outfitted my DH and DS with Polo shirts and nice shorts and white pants etc. We stayed at the Beverly Hilton, and then the Paradise Pier at DL, and then we stayed at the Hotel Del in San Diego, which the Grand Floridian is modeled after. So I had to buy nice clothes for them so we are set in that department.

Now for me, I am a clothes horse so I am set. I have 3 formal gowns that I must say are to die for! I love getting dressed up so I can't wait for formal night and then dinner at Palo's!

I also over pack but I am glad that I do. I think I might have to pay extra this trip for luggage, due to the gowns ans Tuxes and my DH and DS want to bring their snorkel equipment, mask, fins, and snorkel.

That is good that you scrapbook. I used to do it and I have a couple of books that are great to look back on and remember. The highlighter tip is great. I usually bring a couple of them also. I am an organizer freak!

I will put my "Golden Mickey" paper away as soon as I get it! Good tip!

Another great tip is the camera for my niece. She will love taking her own pictures. I will make sure she takes her autogragh book with her at all times so she won't miss out on the characters.

I am still reading this thread from the beginning but I was wondering is anyone meeting up at Port Canaveral? Since we will be there just waiting to board it would be a good idea to say hello to anyone. I will be easy to find since my picture is posted on my signature and I am also handicapped, I had 4 back sugeries so I will have a wheelchair. I can't stand too long so I have the wheel chair for backup and I use a cane also.

I am currently in therapy. My last surgery was Oct. 2005. They did a fusion and placed a cage. But I am determined to still do things so I am working hard in therapy!

So if anyone sees me and my group, come by and say hello!


Hanover - I was reading this thread and I read what you said about the dolphin encounter and the time frame. If we left at 11:00 am we would not get back until 6:30 PM and we have the early dinner seating so we would miss our dinner! So I went back and canceled our excursion and then rebooked it quickly for the 11:00 am to 3:00 PM time slot! I had to do it for my sister's reservation also. Whew! It did take some time! But we will be on the same excursion now as you! Looking forward to meeting you and your family!

 

[DrCavin]

Congrats on the ressies Nutz4dzny, are those in the Villas? If you go to cast a way club you can see some pictures www.dcltribute.com has a link on the bottom

Maybe we should make big signs that say DIS on them, so we can recoginize each other.. HA

 

[Verandah Man]

Happy St. Patty's Day everyone!!!

This time 8 weeks from now, my family will already be in Florida waiting to meet you folks!!!

 

[Verandah Man]

Your mom's Florida driver's license is all she needs to bring.

We accept any of the following as proof of residency:

Florida Driver's License
Florida State Identification
Florida Utility Bill (in passenger's name)
Florida Voter's Registration Card
Florida Renter's/Lease Agreement

 

[nutz4dzny]

DrCavin - Yes, some of the Spa treatments are in the Villas. I did see the pics, it looks heavenly! I am looking forward to these.


Hygine99 - I was reading through this thread and I saw you posted. Are you a Hygienist? I was too before my accident. I do not practice anymore. I am on permanent disability. I miss my job as I was used to working 6 days a week here in South Jersey and we are in high demand here! My license is now on inactive status. I loved my patients and like I said I do miss it.


I also saw that people were talking about the sleep number bed. My surgeon who did my back surgery recomended it. We got the most expensive model and we LOVE it. My back doesn't hurt when I sleep. We also got one for our son. We ordered the lesser model for him I think it is the 3000 model and he likes it. So we are a sleep number family!

I also asked my TA when Pirate Night is and she checked tonight with Disney and they said it is Castaway Cay night which is Friday. I thought people on these boards said it is on Tuesday. What is the deal?

 

[Verandah Man]

DrCavin - Yes, some of the Spa treatments are in the Villas. I did see the pics, it looks heavenly! I am looking forward to these.


Hygine99 - I was reading through this thread and I saw you posted. Are you a Hygienist? I was too before my accident. I do not practice anymore. I am on permanent disability. I miss my job as I was used to working 6 days a week here in South Jersey and we are in high demand here! My license is now on inactive status. I loved my patients and like I said I do miss it.


I also saw that people were talking about the sleep number bed. My surgeon who did my back surgery recomended it. We got the most expensive model and we LOVE it. My back doesn't hurt when I sleep. We also got one for our son. We ordered the lesser model for him I think it is the 3000 model and he likes it. So we are a sleep number family!

I also asked my TA when Pirate Night is and she checked tonight with Disney and they said it is Castaway Cay night which is Friday. I thought people on these boards said it is on Tuesday. What is the deal?

Pirate Night on the Eastern Caribbean sailings have always been on Tuesday night as far as I remember. It's highly unlikely they would have it on Friday night as all luggage needs to be in the hallway by 11pm, I think that would keep a lot of people away from the party because they would all be back in their cabins packing suitcases. Besides, Friday night is the "Until We Meet Again" celebration.