May 3rd-10th****Dis Maytees-May Magic send off

[bobbi565]

Hi Heather! I guess you found your driver's lisence! I was concerned.

It was great to meet everyone!! We are in Roanoke Rapids, only 3 1/2 hours from home after driving over nine hours yesterday, and when we get home, I will sort through the 465 (!) photos on my compact flash card and start posting. Check for my trippie which I'd already started with three pre-cruise installments. I should be posting the first post cruise entry before the end of the week!

Time to start the next countdown!

 

[LJC1861]

Lisa and I are re-booked for May 9-16-Eastern next year...which was my surprise for her. Her surprise for me......drum roll here........

DVC Membership!!!!! Needless to say I was floored and thrilled at the same time. I can't wait to begin finding out all I can about the program.

Linda

 

[imheather]

We rebooked also but plan on coming May 2010. I booked 4 rooms so some family members can take advantage of the discount.

Linda...How much of a break do you get using your Disney vacation club for cruises??? I was thinking about looking into it but never had the free hour...

I have Mothers Day brunch and when I come home I am going to download my 456 pictures...yikes I hope my computer does not explode

Heather

 

[Timster]

Had a blast with our group as did you all as well I hope. Key West in A Lady Bug Electric car, and Sting Ray City High points.
Booked another also. Glad everyone seemed to get home safe...

 

[LJC1861]

Heather,

I am not sure about how the Cruise works using DVC points. There is SO much to learn about DVC. As I find things out, particularly with the points I will let you know.

Linda

 

[misslissa]

Hey guys,

We are back home. Spent the day on Saturday at Universal... had lots of fun.

Our favourites were Mexico and Stingray City. I have several pictures as well. We purchased many from our Dolphin thing, but also have a bunch on a disposable camera that I'll have to get developed.

We booked a land and sea vacation for us, and a stateroom for my mom and sister starting on February 8/09.

At our dinner table, there was a couple who sailed using only points, I think they had to "save" them up but it is doable. Also, the other couple purchased before the week is out.

DH and I are going to eventually do it... but there are a few other things we want to get done first. So, we'll have to join you eventually in the talks!!!!!

Glad everyone got back safely.

 

[Dawn414]

Lisa and I are re-booked for May 9-16-Eastern next year...which was my surprise for her. Her surprise for me......drum roll here........

DVC Membership!!!!! Needless to say I was floored and thrilled at the same time. I can't wait to begin finding out all I can about the program.

Linda

1) Yes, we rebooked...currently have 10/31-11/7 AND 11/7-11/14 (SORRY BRANDIE). One of these weeks will get cancelled/moved, but I had to book both since I don't know which week the kids will be off in 2009 (sheesh!)

2) Yes we bought into DVC. My husband said I am no longer allowed to attend any presentation anywhere. Seriously though, he is pretty psyched about it. He keeps joking about the cost of each hat (and the bag) that we got. At least he's maintaining his sense of humor about it. Also, I have already made reservations using our points (LOL). The October trip (we had booked already in POPCENTURY, but moved it to Saratoga Springs) was easy (non-peak time). Thanksgiving was tougher...only got 2 of the four nights I wanted. We're waitlisted for the other 2 nights. So, right now, we have 2 nights in PopCentury and 2 nights at Old Key West...and I STILL have 52 points I have to use by 5/31/09. I'm sure Lisa has all the answers, but feel free to PM me if you want to chat 'live' about the whole thing. I've learned a lot in the past couple days.


Also, IMHEATHER...There is a 'rebooking' price and also a 'DVC Member" price. The answer to your question is...IT DEPENDS. The rebooking price we got from DVC would have actually been about $700 more plus you lose the $200 (plus $200 from Dreams Unlimited) stateroom credit. So, not worth it in this case. If you are booking later out when the price on DCL goes up, it may be worth it then. But in this case it wasn't. The 'savings' depends on what time of the year you book, stateroom category, etc.

Brandie--we really enjoyed spending time with you guys...hopefully, our paths will cross again. If not, you know how to find me.

Bobbi, Faith/Hope, and others...was nice meeting you at the greet and seeing/talking to you during the cruise.

Fellow Fish Extenders---Had lots of fun doing that...the kids loved finding things in their slot!

Be well all!

Dawn McG

 

[Fizzgig]

Dawn.... you're a stinker. DH joked that we moved for YOU GUYS... *long dramatic sigh*

Ok, so All-Star Movies stunk. Literally. Walked in to a heavy smell of smoke. Couldn't check out fast enough in the morning. So we've tried the Values now.

The night at Beach Club was quite addictive. DH had me check into DVC for there (THANKS guys! ) I found $89/point. However, it looks like you need 60 points per night for the 2 bedroom I'd need for the next 2 cruises for Friday and Saturday, so that sucks out a lot of points. But the water park was the bomb. DH and Fiona actually stayed IN the water happily (which is why they're all tanned and I'm scorched today). Dawn, I know you know what an accomplishment it was to see the cat stay in the pool! I'll see what I come up with.

Figure $10/point to rent out, so that 2 Bedroom villa at Beach Club Villas would be $600 a night. *ouch* Yeah, don't think so. Those would be some kinda rooms at Cape Canaveral.

Talk to ya'll later!

 

[Dawn414]

Dawn.... you're a stinker. DH joked that we moved for YOU GUYS... *long dramatic sigh*

Ok, so All-Star Movies stunk. Literally. Walked in to a heavy smell of smoke. Couldn't check out fast enough in the morning. So we've tried the Values now.

The night at Beach Club was quite addictive. DH had me check into DVC for there (THANKS guys! ) I found $89/point. However, it looks like you need 60 points per night for the 2 bedroom I'd need for the next 2 cruises for Friday and Saturday, so that sucks out a lot of points. But the water park was the bomb. DH and Fiona actually stayed IN the water happily (which is why they're all tanned and I'm scorched today). Dawn, I know you know what an accomplishment it was to see the cat stay in the pool! I'll see what I come up with.

Figure $10/point to rent out, so that 2 Bedroom villa at Beach Club Villas would be $600 a night. *ouch* Yeah, don't think so. Those would be some kinda rooms at Cape Canaveral.

Talk to ya'll later!

Brandie-SO not nice...my kids are in school so you guys should move for us again. (ha ha). And I think based on my conversation with the daycare director that it'll probably end up being 10/31 voyage (western again) versus the 11/7 (eastern) because the 'week' off in the beginning of November coincides with Election day which is the first Tuesday after the First Monday in November...so, for '09 that would equate to the Halloween cruise.

Sorry you had problems at Movies...we never had an issue (have stayed there twice). We've also stayed at PopC a few times and have liked it there too. Oh, and I've chosen to view the 'cost' thing in relative terms. Like, if I have to use 53 points for a stay (for 2 days, 1 day whatever) versus if I were paying for it in one felt swoop (i.e. the $315 p/n type thing). Makes me feel good. But I'm also figuring it like this. The season pass credit we're getting for being members of DVC is ~$400. Cancelling PopC and moving the reservation to Saratoga for October is another ~$400, another ~$200 for the November move. OK, so I'm still paying out the moneys and whatnot, but at least with the DVC there are other 'perks' (like the discount on season tix and the like). I'd love to use some points for a 3 or 4-night cruise, but don't know that it will work given the school schedules.

Gotta run...I can hear Kyle giving the kids a bath and I should be up there (not that he can't handle it, but I DID manage to get him to do all the laundry today) and turn in our water cameras and submit the digital pics.

See ya'
Dawn

 

[Fizzgig]

imheather... there's no reasoning with beachblanket... DCL is just WRONG in EVERY WAY. <-using her communication method.

to you.

 

[bobbi565]

I can't believe this thread was inactive for over 24 hours! I know most of us have rebooked for different cruises, but since this was my first DIS cruise (I only found the board about a month after returning from our first cruise), I will always think of you guys as my original DIS family!

I so enjoyed meeting you all and sharing our magical adventure! Heather, Dawn, and Kym, it was fun hanging with you and your lovely families! Heather, I'm going to pm you soon with the photo I took of your gang on the tender boat. misslissa, it was great to meet you at last; sorry we didn't get to spend more time, but I will post many photos on your facebook group soon!

Check out my trippie, gang, you might find yourself mentioned or see a photo of yourself! Happy sailing...

 

[imheather]

imheather... there's no reasoning with beachblanket... DCL is just WRONG in EVERY WAY. <-using her communication method.

to you.

LOL I think that she feels special because she was booked in the Roy suite. You are right and I am just gonna bow out of that conversation

I miss our vacation!

Heather

 

[Dawn414]

Kendall jumping in pool

Gavin jumping in pool

Key West sunset

Grand Cayman

Cozumel (near Tulum Ruins)

Castaway Cay

Pirates among us

Monkey in a bathing suit (Kendall's to be exact)

Hope you like.
Dawn McG

 

[Fizzgig]

Dawn: Love them! Oh, and I noticed you're running out of space in your signature, you addict!

 

[imheather]

I Love love the pictures! Makes me sad that I am home Wish I was there right now!

We are going in May 2010, anybody want to join us????

Heather

 

[bobbi565]

Great pictures, Dawn! I've got a bunch on my trippie and some on misslissa's facebook group for our cruise if anyone wants to peek. We're rebooked on a Land/Sea in June 2009; it can't come soon enough!

 

[Dawn414]

Dawn: Love them! Oh, and I noticed you're running out of space in your signature, you addict!

I don't know WHAT you're talking about!

I just told Kyle I hadn't booked a vacation in 48 hours. He said, "HALLELUJAH"! What do you think he meant by that?

Oh and one more 'collage' of pics...from Castaway (does it get any better than this)? and me touching a stingray...

 

[Fizzgig]

Dawn: *chortle* No idea what Kyle meant.

 

[CruisinEars]

HI Everyone!

We just got back late last night. We loved the cruise and also rebooked for a future date. We did a dummy date with plans to move it to a 2010 sailing once the itineraries are released. I would love to do May again, but it is just too tough pulling the kids out of school and my ds will be in 6th grade by then.

It was fun meeting everyone and seeing friendly faces around the ship.

Our favorite was also Stingray City. It was so cool having the stingrays swim around us.

After the cruise, we did a week at the parks. I am totally exhausted but we had fun. My son was sick at Epcot and the paramedics ended up coming to check him out. We think it was something he ate. We were able to have lunch at both the Rose and Crown and 50's Prime Time Cafe without ADR's. And, we went to Disney Quest one evening and ended up getting a Magical Moment. We got to do a treasure hunt and did 3 of the best rides without a wait, found the treasure and came home with lots of pirate booty (necklaces, eye patches, temp. tattoos) and we each got to choose a pin from the cm's lanyard.

We also attended a DVC presentation at the parks because we wanted to see the Saratoga rooms. We are considering purchasing resale points for OKW. Will have to be after we get some debts taken care of.

 

[Dawn414]

My name is Dawn McG** and I am addicted to Disney. OK...so most of you probably knew that already. Well, in addition to the multitude of trips we have coming up, we now have...another one. I was reading my personal email and Spirit (who can be great and also totally irk the ever living *#$#&* out of me), had an $8 rate. Now, usually I see this and look at the dates and just shake my head. It's normally, leave on Monday come back on Tuesday sort of thing. WELL...times must be slow on the trips to Orlando because I just got a $16 R/T rate (before all the ridiculous taxes) for me and the kids to go back to Disney for a long weekend. WHOO HOO!!! Of course, Kyle is thinking I'm NUTS (since we're also going in July), but I just can't help myself... I mean really. $111 for 3 of us to fly (that's after all the *#$&#$* taxes) which is $37 R/T. HOLY SMOKES! Now, due to the closeness of the trip, we're not using the DVC points, but even still, we got a passholder rate at PopCentury so we saved money there too. Did I mention how good I am at saving money while I spend it?

So, ironically at dinner tonight, Kendall said, "Mommy, Anna (one of the girls from her daycare) is going to Disney". Can we go? Now, I don't think she GETS just how much she's actually been there, but I said, "oh, honey...you'll be there more than you know."

Dawn McG