November 11, 2006 - MAGIC - Special Western "Double Dip" Cruise 11/11/06

[SCDizneyDawn]

Hi, I am not a nurse, but a high risk Sonographer that works for a group of 4 perinatologists. So, I could join you with the bad stories of post conception!

I have also spent today pricing hotels. We are leaning toward Cocoa Beach because we will most likely arrive at 10 am and then could enjoy our afternoon by the pool or on the beach. I think I will be going with the Comfort Inn and Suites at $89 per night with AAA. I am still considering the Motel 6 at $69 per night with AAA and the Raddisson at the Port for $125 per night with AAA.

Anyone here with experience with the Comfort Inn?

 

[house_of_princesses]

The "Med" is mighty tempting....isn't it....I was going to do Alaska in 2007 but an August Med Cruise could be pretty cool....maybe the Fall Repo????

How's that sound Linda & Sarah

HELLO??? I was looking forward to Alaska!!!!

 

[kaykels]

What did I miss? Is it going to be Alaska or Med?

The Comfort Inn is nice if you get a decent rate. My brother stayed there. I really liked the Raddison at the Port, that's where I stayed. We had dinner at Grills (an absolute MUST DO for my kids) right at the port.

But on my last cruise we stayed in a Disney Hotel (45 mintue ride) and if I was arriving at 10 am the day before, that's where I would be. You can do the All Star for about 70.00 p.n. or upgrade to the one of the lodges for about 135.00. It really kicks off the vacation. You don't need to do the parks, just use the pools and go to downtown disney at night or catch some fireworks, take a boat ride, whatever. It's awesome! Or do a character dinner, or eat at my favorite.... BOMA at the ALK.

I'll be at the Hyatt b/c I plan on flying in very late Friday night so my kids can have a full day at school. BORING, but practical.

 

[GrayFal]

HELLO??? I was looking forward to Alaska!!!!

I am AT THE EDGE of THE ABYSS....Help ME!
Aren't you a LITTLE Tempted by Italy...France....Spain....

(Alaska would be with another cruise line...not DCL)

 

[GrayFal]

 

[ibouncetoo]

I have a transportation question. If one were staying at the Hyatt MCO on Friday night and you have DCL transportation....when do you get picked up by the DCL bus at the airport?? Do you just arrange a Sat AM pick up time in advance with them? And you would schlep your own luggage down to the same bus you ride on, right?


I know we are looking into the group/bus transportation option (which sounds like a grand idea to me)....I assume the return trip would be Sat 11/18. What if we get 50 people going out, but not that many are coming back on Sat....can we arrange just a one-way bus plan?

I just worked out the rest of my 'budget' for the trip, even though there are several variables yet (like if I'm even on this cruise ) and it looks like I can get the whole thing done around $2100-2400...maybe a bit more if I go ahead and stay at WDW on the 18th and fly home the 19th. I'm feeling pretty good about that figure, as that amount is already saved

Now I just have to figure out what to do with my time share points for this year!

 

[DIS NURSE]

Oh, so many choices and $$$$ money figuring! We are a thrifty bunch, aren't we?

I love to think I could NOT spend as much as we just did for our Fall "06 cruise! I am still paying off the last bits of our Fall "05 cruise, non-the-less AFTER CHRISTMAS and DS's birthday!......it's always something, isn't it?


I am gambling to guess that the DCL/Disney bus people don't need an absolute count of round-trippers? One way to the terminal would be the most important part of the equation.

.......and OH! I almost forgot! SCDizneyDawn!......you and I could have many interesting chats! GrayFal!......you and I could have many interesting chats!....

Here's to the DIS boards to make all of the MAGIC come together!

My DH and I were just talking tonight....how many of you think that a Fall 2007 Mediterranean cruise is a possibility? I think if that were an option, we would book! It sounds great! And a true "exploratory" cruise. DH traveled there as a young adult and we could take the whole "fam damily" there without the 17 plane trip and in the comforts of DCL? ......

......Count us in !

 

[miatamel]

oh my! I saw the thread title and thought I'd hop on board (albeit a bit early, I naively said to myself) and lord have mercy! y'all have been planning since 2004!! I just don't have the time or energy to read all 52 pages, but count me in for the cruise. I booked thru DU last week using their specials and now have until 8/29 to either cancel or figure out how to pay for it. We took our first DC in November and just so thoroughly enjoyed it and I really want to try a 7 day with verandah now. I figured I had plenty of time to worry about airfare, hotel, transfers, etc., but now you guys really have me worried!! I'm already behind!!
Will be traveling with DH, DD5 and DD2. Sign me up!!

 

[house_of_princesses]

I am AT THE EDGE of THE ABYSS....Help ME!
Aren't you a LITTLE Tempted by Italy...France....Spain....

(Alaska would be with another cruise line...not DCL)

I've spent plenty of time in France, Italy...never been to Spain. I guess I'd forgive you if you left me for that trip.

Didn't know DCL was going that direction? Is that what you meant by repo cruise? More like a 'po' cruise, seeing as DCL hasn't been there yet.


OK, it's starting again. I'm spending late nights on the DIS, when I should be repo'ing myself for tomorrow's shananigans.

 

[GrayFal]

I've spent plenty of time in France, Italy...never been to Spain. I guess I'd forgive you if you left me for that trip.

Didn't know DCL was going that direction? Is that what you meant by repo cruise? More like a 'po' cruise, seeing as DCL hasn't been there yet.


OK, it's starting again. I'm spending late nights on the DIS, when I should be repo'ing myself for tomorrow's shananigans.

Aren't you a little bit tempted???????????

and by 'repo' I meant when they bring the ship over and back....the concierge team 'suggested it would be a 14 day journey.....I know it used to take the QE II 4 1/2-5 days to cross from NY to Southampton England so I imagine starting from FL and going into the Med would take 7-8+ days....anyway, all conjecture.....and dreaming

 

[dizney-cruiser]

so would the cruise bring you back to florida or would you have to fly back?

 

[faireygod mother]

Wow, while I was busy taking down the Christmas tree you were all chatting away. Then I had to watch the Law and Order Marathon that I recorded to 2 am. I must have lost my mind. I am going to be tired tonight, but I will be there. Let me fore warn you, I have been know to get silly when I am overtired. I too am hoping they will have a repo, but I want it throught the panama canal zone. Dh and I want to do a repo and Alaska. The med sounds interesting, but I lived in Europe and traveled while there. I want to go back, but after the repo and or Alaska.

Okay, I contacted the Hyatt again and here is what they emailed me back.

Arrival 11/10/06
Departure 11/11/06
Rate $159 single or double 11.5% tax

I am basing the deposit on 15 rooms as of right now so your first deposit would be June 1, 2006 of $1,329.68. The remainder would be due on October 10, 2006 of $1,329.68. We require full pre-payment before arrival. If you were to cancel you would lose your deposits.

We would require you to sign a contract for the amount of rooms you are booking with us.

Room Types would be single or double occupancy (see picture of guest room attached). Check in is 4:00pm.

It is 10.00 cheaper for a total of 177.29 (with tax).

Let me know if you are interested.

I am going to start a new thread as a list. Please copy and add your names and # of rooms. I would like to get a better idea and see if they will knock off a little more money.

 

[faireygod mother]

Hyatt Rooms

Faireygod Mother 8 rooms

 

[GrayFal]

Hyatt Rooms

Faireygod Mother 8 rooms

Hyatt Room

GrayFal - 1 King non-smoking

$159 is a good price...the website is showing $199...Thanks.
I will not be doing the group bus.

 

[GrayFal]

so would the cruise bring you back to florida or would you have to fly back?

It is one way....so you would fly to Europe (Or Alaska) and bring the magic home to FL - unless from Europe, they would detour and drop us off in the North East!!!

 

[kaykels]

As far as transportation goes... its ALWAYS cheaper to go the Budget orAlmo counter and rent a car ! It's about a 40 minute drive from the aiport and last time we rented a van for 70.00, hubby dropped us off at the ship, took the van to Budget (1/2 mile away) and took the free Budget shuttle back to the port.

On the way back we did the same thing in reverse. It saved us a bunch of money and we were in control of what time we got there! I like to get there early. First one on the ship WINS!.

 

[SCDizneyDawn]

Not sure if I will still be up for tonights chat, but what do I do if I am? Other than log on to AIM?

Thanks! I know how to IM one person, but have never been in a "room"?

 

[house_of_princesses]

Not sure if I will still be up for tonights chat, but what do I do if I am? Other than log on to AIM?

Thanks! I know how to IM one person, but have never been in a "room"?

Dawn, as long as someone has your IM screen name, you will receive an inviation to enter a 'room'. You accept the invite and you're in like flint! (This is a very exclusive event... invite only. ) Of course, you have to be signed on to be invited in. Get your typing fingers on because it can get fast and furious!!

Please... everyone.... do not invite Mavis. She's nothing but thumbs!!

Looking forward to tonight.

And also hoping this posts... I've tried to post this answer four times, the server is busy and then loses my typing.

 

[GrayFal]

Dawn, as long as someone has your IM screen name, you will receive an inviation to enter a 'room'. You accept the invite and you're in like flint! (This is a very exclusive event... invite only. ) Of course, you have to be signed on to be invited in. Get your typing fingers on because it can get fast and furious!!

Please... everyone.... do not invite Mavis. She's nothing but thumbs!!

Looking forward to tonight.

And also hoping this posts... I've tried to post this answer four times, the server is busy and then loses my typing.

Dawn, be online and I will invite you in......

MAvis will definitely be THERE....

 

[ibouncetoo]

miatamel Welcome, and don't worry about reading all the back pages...well, maybe you should read the last 10 or so

I'll be here for chat.....unless I fall asleep! I'm home from work today with a nasty head cold. Everyone at work and most of the people I spent Christmas with have had it, I guess it's just my turn. At least it didn't happen till after the first of the year and I have a new batch of sick days to work from.

Chat with you in about three hours!