So glad to see some replies !
Judy Stoks - I quick looked up where Porter, MN is. My name is also Judy and I am also from Minnesota!
DizPrincess27 - Did you tell your daughter about the cruise as a Xmas present? How did it go? I will email you directly with my daughter's email address and I'll send our Xmas letter so you can see a photo of her too. She has been to WDW about 9 times. She has her own email address and checks it about once a week or so. Her name is Clarissa and she just turned age 11 on Christmas Day. She is in 5th grade. She likes to read & to play computer games. She is a bit horse-crazy and has had a few horse-back riding lessons. She just started marching in a winter color guard. She is excited to go to the Oceaner Lab area on the ship and is hoping to make a friend to hang out with.
I'm been to WDW 20+ times but have never been on a
Disney Cruise!!
However, in August 2004, my sister got married on the
Royal Caribbean Mariner and it was awesome!! My husband, Kelton and I went on that 7 day western Caribbean cruise without our children. So we do have recent experience with renting a car and driving to Port Canaveral and the process of boarding a ship. We were right next to the Disney Wonder in port and took a great photo of the ship. My kindergarner, Blake, has had taped up on his bedroom wall beside his bunk bed. I point out to him where our stateroom is on the photo! I booked the cruise 18 months ahead of time and got one of the 6 "secret porthole rooms". So we are paying inside Cat 11 price but have a window with an obstructed view. Ohmygosh -- it is only 5 months away now- I have got to start dieting!
I love travel and the planning of the trip and anticipation of it is a lot of fun to me. My co-workers come to ask me questions if they are planning a trip to Disney and I'll tell them it is my favorite subject and give them tips! I've got a bunch of emails saved in a folder that I'll send out and they tell me I'm nuts but it is just what I'm into! We've stayed both on the property & off-the property. On our most recent trips we've been renting vacation homes and are convinced that is an excellent way to go! I have never found a Disney package that I can't price out the pieces of myself for less $$.
I'm headed to Las Vegas in 3 weeks so I've been researching that lately - just bought tickets to Mamma Mia! last night.
My husband and I met when we both marched in MN Brass Drum & Bugle Corps....I always dated horn players but I married a drummer! I marched in color guard/drum corps for many years beginning at age 13 and ending at age 36. I am now 40 of have finally retired from it after many claims of "It's my last year".
and a 5 year old boy 
problem was I didn't want to dine alone so knowing a group of singles are going to be on this cruise is great. At least I can find a dinner partner or two Yeah!! Mickeynutz my daughter is 11 years old and will just be turning 12 b4 the cruise (she's in 6th grade) She doesn't know about the trip yet b/c it's a surprise that I'm doing as part of her Christmas present so as soon as she finds out, I'm sure she would love to chat with your dd. I can't wait to go at this point and I'm dying to tell her but I have to wait another week before she sees the wrapped clues and presents!!
Looking forward to talking with ya'll before the trip!
Anyway, I am going to PM you with my e-mail address so we can chat a bit more. Thanks you made my day 
I just replied to the old thread to tell you I was going to bump this one up too but now I don't have to. I decided to book the Dolphin Swim on my own because my dd is going to be 12 and I know she'll love it but the dolphin encounter sounds great for your kids. I know it seems like just yesterday when we were the only ones going on this cruise right LOL????
