Hi Everyone! My name is Traci, and the other members of my family are DH Bret, and DD(10) Bryndi. We were planning on surprising DD with a trip to DL for her birthday, which is 10-29 (also Stef's weddind day I see!), when I came across the Kids Cruise Free offer. We have NEVER been on a cruise, in fact only ferry boats to Victoria B.C.! So last night I sprung the idea on DH and he LOVED it

The only problem is, we would need to pay the balance in full by the 16th, or take our chances the closer it gets to cruise time when we will have all of the money.
I found this thread and have read to page 7, and it makes me so excited to think of joining such a great group of people, and making new friends. So here's my question...Do these cruises usually sell out completely? We really wouldn't be able to book any sooner than say Oct. 1st. I would be buying airplane tickets regardless which way we go, but I wouldn't have to cancel our hotel until the week before, and I wouldn't have to buy our parkhoppers until then either. So I am thinking we are just going to pray like heck that there will still be room, and if there is, we will book it, and if there isn't we are still headed to Disneyland

I really can't lose, but I REALLY want to do the cruise!!! Please give me your opinions, has anyone booked a cruise at the last "minute"?
Just a quick blurb about our family: I am a kindergarten/first grade teacher at a small private school. DH has worked at 911 for almost 21 years, and we have been married 13 years on 9/12!!! DD is 10, and is a complete tomboy, no princesses or pink for us

She will be in the fourth grade, loves sports, movies, and is a very easy going kid. She will be shy at first, but I am hoping that would change on the cruise. This trip is a complete surprise for her. She mentioned randomly a few months ago about wanting to ride in a limo, which I laughed off. Then when DH and I were talking about her upcoming first double-digit birthday

I said we should return to DL. Now I say return, because we have been two other times for her birthday, Halloween, and my birthday (Nov. 1st). So the plan is to wake her up on her b-day (29th) and tell her we want to take her to breakfast, and when she walks outside the limo will be waiting. She will think it is taking us to breakfast and a nice drive, but it will take us to the airport

We (DH

) have almost let the cat out of the bag four times, and still have more than two months to go, and if we switch to the cruise it will be especially hard. Sorry this has been so long, especially since it is not a done deal, but I was so excited after reading the first seven pages, and figured I would get some feedback on the last minute booking. I would love to have the t-shirts, but will have to wait until the last day to order them.
Anyways, thanks for reading and any advice would be greatly appreciated. I have not a clue about FE's or the gifts to go in them, but I would love to participate if we go!
Happy Cruising,
Traci