PTR for 2 newbies on the Disney Wonder 09/06/09

[bettyann29]

Hello all..* Let me introduce myself..* My name is Betty, Im 39.. DH is Bruce and he is currently 43, turning 44 next Sunday..* We live in the HOT sunny state of Texas..* Heres a picture of me and DH at WDW in 2006- Ive since lost about 100 pounds, so I'll see if I can find a more recent picture.. but right now this is it..

While we are newbies to Disney Cruiseline, we are by no means newbies to cruising.. This will be my 11th cruise and DH's 12th cruise.. most of these are with Carnival and while we absolutely love Carnival, I have been dying.. yes I said DYING to go on a Disney cruise..Let me go back now to the first time I saw one of the Disney cruiseships.. It was love at first sight in 2001-- me and DH were cruising in July of that year and we didnt decide until February that we were doing so.. At that time I didnt know anything about cruises and how to find the best deal, etc.. We paid $2400 for a 7 night inside cabin on Carnival Pride.. Dont get me wrong, it was beautiful and we had a great time, but that was way too much money to spend on an inside cabin.. I looked and looked at the Disney cruise, but it was just so much money and then there was no casino and that was something we really wanted.. so we decided to go with Carnival.. One of the stops was Key West and guess who we saw there?? Yep it was one of the Disney cruiseships.. I was so envious of everyone on there !! I wanted it to be me.. I took so many pictures of the outside of that ship.. .. there have been several other Disney cruiseship sitings on other cruises also.. and of course I have been whipping out the camera and shooting pictures.. I remember on a cruise a few years ago we were in Cozumel and it was docked right next to us.. You dont know how bad I wanted to somehow sneak aboard If I could have thought of a way it would have happened.. This trip will be a trip I will not soon forget.. Our current plans include leaving here in Texas on Thursday, August 27th after work.. we are driving to Florida, so it looks like about a 20 hour drive according to DH.. We will arrive some time on Friday.. plan on staying at Radisson hotel by the port.. we are then getting up Saturday morning and boarding Carnival Glory for a 1 week Eastern Caribbean cruise to St Thomas, St Maarten and Nassua Bahamas.. we then arrive back at the port the following Saturday, Sept 5th.. we are staying at Radisson again that night.. our plans include going to the Kennedy Space Center and spending the rest of the day there.. then planning on hanging out at the pool that night.. We will then be getting up Sunday morning and heading to the port for our much anticipated 4 night Disney Wonder trip.. once we return we are driving to visit DMIL and her mom in Palm Coast, FL.. about 1 1/2 hours from WDW.. and staying there til Saturday morning and then heading home.. somewhere in the midst of all this we need to meet up with my niece who recently moved to Lakeland, FL and have lunch or dinner with her and her soon to be hubby... Im gonna need a vacation once I get home from vacation.. Our future trip is one that ALMOST didnt happen.. I am one that likes to use the phrase "Im a woman and its a womans perogative to change her mind!".. If you ever ask DH he will attest to the fact that I like to live by this phrase.. He knows after 8 years of dealing with me that nothing is set in stone as far as a trip goes until we are actually there! I change my mind so many times he gets dizzy.. The Carnival cruise was always in the plans.. but it was the part after that that has changed many times..* Originally we were going to head to Disney World during FREE dining, but we have been to WDW so many times I wanted to do something different, so than we thought we would head to Key West instead for 5 days..* then decided that we didnt want to do that because the drive is too much for us after we get off that glorious cruise..* so than I thought about the Disney cruise and actually had it booked.. but then decided that was more money than I wanted to spend so I cancelled it and got my deposit back..* then threw around the idea of Key West again..* then looked into staying at Hard Rock Hotel and going to Universal..* then finally decided on the Disney cruise when I told DH that by the time we bought the food, entertainment, etc at Universal it would be close to what we would spend on the Disney cruise.. He said we should then do the Disney cruise.. so I rebooked and paid in full.. now that everything is paid in full, there will be no further changes..* And that is how this trip came to be...Stay tuned for more pre trippie stuff..

 

[bettyann29]

the trip is getting closer and I feel like there is so much to do!

Still waiting on the passports. I sure do hope they make it here before we leave for the first cruise on August 27th! I only had the one copy of my birth certificate so I'll wait another week and if no passport I will go ahead and get another copy of my birth certificate just in case the passport doesnt come in. Im so paranoid that I wont have it and then I'll be left behind

I havent started packing yet but the weekend after next I think I will start as that will put me down to 3 weeks pre cruise.. I've made my packing list and it seems like there is so many things to get.. I am notorious for overpacking but I hate the feeling of maybe needing something and then not having it.. since we are driving this time I figured it couldnt hurt to take one extra bag right??

I believe I have all my cruise clothes shopping done.. I bought a few of the odd and end must haves last weekend.. I found some spray suntan lotion that specifically says its for scalps too.. That is one thing that always happens to me.. getting my scalp burned so we'll see how well it works.. also got PLENTY of anti bacterial gel and did buy one package of the lysol wipes just so I can wipe things down when we first get there.. Im really not normally a germaphobe but it seems like whenever I cruise my stomach bothers me.. The only time it didnt was when we went on a Princess Cruise and there was anti bacterial gel everywhere and I used it and did good on that cruise.. the next time we cruised I didnt have it and my stomach bothered me again.. so I decided to try it this time and see how it goes..

I have been looking at the various things to do in port and so far I cant decide. On this cruise we will be visiting Nassau Bahamas and also Castaway Cay.. I remember reading about the banana boats not running on CC as the company who was doing that wasnt doing it anymore and they were looking for another one.. I need to do a little research and see if they now have someone doing this as I want to do this while there.. also think we will mainly relax while we are on CC and figure we will rent the snorkels and also rent the tubes for the day.. that may be all we do there.. Not too sure yet in Nassau what to do, as we will be there the week before on our first cruise..

I have been reading many of the Trip reports and Im getting so excited about the Disney cruise part.

Stay tuned...

 

[alwayslisad]

Congrats on your weight loss -- how did you do it???

We will be on our third DCL - we have never gone on any others yet - once DD is gone off to college we will be able to explore more -- DD is a DISNEY SNOB - if it isnt the STACK it isnt worth it!!

can't wait to hear more from your trip report!

 

[OurOhana]

I'm enjoying your pre-trip report. It sounds like you'll have so much fun. I'll look forward to hearing your comparisons of the cruise lines, and what you think of the Wonder.

I also wanted to say congratulations on your weight loss. That's fantastic.

 

[bettyann29]

yeah.. my first reader to respond!!

Thank you regarding the weight loss.. I still have a few pounds Id like to lose, but I am sooo happy with where I am at this point.. Im also looking forward to being able to compare the 2 cruiselines.. we have cruised Carnival many times and although we love it, Disney is what Ive always dreamed of doing.. Ive heard so many great things about DCL so Im anxious to experience it.. I too want to see if this cruise is actually worth the price.. we are paying almost the same price for this cruise, which we are staying inside, cat 12 and its a 4 day cruise vs the Carnival one we are doing the week before that is a 7 day Eastern Caribbean and we are staying in a balcony stateroom.. but everything I hear about DCL says they are so worth the price.. so we'll see...

Well I was downloading some pictures to wolf camera because they have .06 pictures on Monday and Tuesday and I need to start printing out some of my pictures that I have stored on my computer and look what I came across from a cruise in Feb 2008-

I wasnt even on that ship! See I told ya.. Everytime Im on a cruise and I see a Disney ship I take a picture because Im dreaming that thats the ship I will be getting on at the end of the day..

As I go thru more pictures on here Im sure to find more..

 

[MagicMe]

wow - you have quite a vacation coming up!!

Congrats on the terrific weight loss!!! I'd also be interested in how you did it and how long it took? Could lose quite a few pounds myself!!!

 

[DisneyWhirled]

Great pre-trip report!! Looking forward to reading more!

Our first cruise is coming up just before yours, so we are in the planning mode as you!

 

[bettyann29]

wow - you have quite a vacation coming up!!

Congrats on the terrific weight loss!!! I'd also be interested in how you did it and how long it took? Could lose quite a few pounds myself!!!

Welcome MagicMe.. I actually had lapband surgery last March 17th.. I lost about 20-25 pretty fast and then the rest has just come off a little at a time.. I wish I could have lost it on my own but I tried for years and it just never happened.. I definitely have no regrets..

Great pre-trip report!! Looking forward to reading more!

Our first cruise is coming up just before yours, so we are in the planning mode as you!

Welcome DisneyWhirled!! Is this your FIRST cruise or FIRST DISNEY cruise??

 

[DisneyWhirled]

Welcome DisneyWhirled!! Is this your FIRST cruise or FIRST DISNEY cruise??

First cruise ever!!!! We opted to do the 4 day as a "test" run, since none of us have cruised before. I'm already wishing we'd done a 7 day!!!

 

[bettyann29]

First cruise ever!!!! We opted to do the 4 day as a "test" run, since none of us have cruised before. I'm already wishing we'd done a 7 day!!!

Oh wow! You will be in for a special treat with it being your first cruise and your first disney cruise all at once!!

we absolutely love cruising.. its one of our favorite things to do..I think the thing I like the most about it is that we get to go to all these really cool places that we probably would never be able to visit and then we go to another really cool place and so on.. and we only have to unpack once!! We have been very fortunate to have been able to travel as much as we have..

 

[bettyann29]

its getting closer and closer..

Im getting super excited about this trip..

I called DCL yesterday and found out that we were upgraded to Cat 10 - deluxe inside stateroom.. we originally booked a CAT 12 GTY Regular inside.. so Im happy with what we got.. sure I would have been extra happy to get an oceanview but we were fortunate to get what we got.. I cant wait to see cabin 2147..

I think we are almost done on buying what we need for this trip..

I was just thinking today that I think I will do a live Trip Report.. now we will be doing the Carnival cruise before the Disney cruise so I may just make it one big TR..

 

[brennansdisney]

BettyAnn, We are also cruising on the Wonder on September 6th...you are going to love it. This will be our 2nd Disney cruise. We went on the 3 night cruise several years ago, but felt it wasn't long enough to really appreciate the ship. So that is why we are doing the 4 night. All of our other cruises have been on Carnival, which we totally love. But the feel is a bit different on Disney...you know it's all that MAGIC. The dining rooms are fabulous..a lot more atmosphere in Disney. Do not miss diner at Animators Palate. Terrific!! There is a huge theater where we watched the latest "Pirates of the Caribbean" I got to bring a glass of wine with me. Watching the movie in such a huge screen was awesome. Also, you are going to love Castaway Cay....again that Disney magic...just that feeling you get...love it...can't wait.

I am new to disboards...so not quite sure how to find others going on this trip..would love to chat!

I hope I can find this thread again..if anyone could let me know some tips...that would be great!

Thanks, Leanne

 

[bettyann29]

BettyAnn, We are also cruising on the Wonder on September 6th...you are going to love it. This will be our 2nd Disney cruise. We went on the 3 night cruise several years ago, but felt it wasn't long enough to really appreciate the ship. So that is why we are doing the 4 night. All of our other cruises have been on Carnival, which we totally love. But the feel is a bit different on Disney...you know it's all that MAGIC. The dining rooms are fabulous..a lot more atmosphere in Disney. Do not miss diner at Animators Palate. Terrific!! There is a huge theater where we watched the latest "Pirates of the Caribbean" I got to bring a glass of wine with me. Watching the movie in such a huge screen was awesome. Also, you are going to love Castaway Cay....again that Disney magic...just that feeling you get...love it...can't wait.

I am new to disboards...so not quite sure how to find others going on this trip..would love to chat!

I hope I can find this thread again..if anyone could let me know some tips...that would be great!

Thanks, Leanne

Welcome!! I've been away from this thread for awhile and just saw your post.. I just sent you a PM with a link.. there is a group of us meeting up right before the muster drill.. heres the link in case you come across this post again, but I am sending the pm right now..

so glad you went and had a great time and are going back.. that says alot!! We are super excited about going.. I wish it was a longer cruise and we almost booked a 7 day disney cruise but we wanted a few days with my DMIL as she lives closeby the port and figured by doing the 4 day we could do that.. so it all works out in the end..

 

[bettyann29]

forgot to post the link..

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2047064

 

[bettyann29]

well today we arrived at the Radisson at Port Canaveral.. tomorrow we head to the port to board our first leg of the trip.. a 7 day cruise on Carnival Glory.. so so excited!!

The drive was a long one, but just glad we made it here.. total drive was approx 22 hours we only stopped for gas a few times and then to get coffee and restroom breaks, etc..

as we were about to approach the hotel we saw a crowd of people on the side of the road.. of course I am nosey, so I talked DH into pulling over too.. With camera in hand we headed to where the crowd was.. there was probably about 20-30 manatees right there by the edge of the water.. way cool!! I took pictures and once I get home I'll come back and post them.. not sure why they were there, but very cool nonetheless..

we arrived at the hotel and checked in.. was happy that our room was ready early.. We are staying at Radisson right by the port.. Our first impression was that it was very pretty.. the pool area is gorgeous! we got to our room and were floored.. its beautiful!! we got a suite - jacuzzi tub is right in the bedroom!! Thought we got a great price.. $169 for a king suite with jacuzzi tub.. also includes parking here for the week while we are on the cruise and hot buffet breakfast tomorrow morning.. if you figure we would have paid $70 for the parking at the port then the room goes down to $99 then if you figure what a hot buffet breakfast would have cost us, I think we got a great deal..

we explored around here then went driving around for a bit.. then went and grabbed a bite to eat.. by the time we got back we relaxed then headed to bed.. of course I am now awake and DH is sleeping..

We're excited that there is a chance that the shuttle may launch tonight! We have our video camera ready just in case.. alarm is set for 11:30-- it should go up at 11:59 if all goes well.. the lady at the front desk said we could go right outside and look towards the ocean and we will have an excellent view.. so heres hoping it goes up tonight..

We have our shuttle set up for 12 pm to head to the port so we're planning on getting up around 8:30 so we can get ready then get bags together and go down and eat breakfast.. then hang out here til time to check out and we will be on our way!!!

More to come..

 

[alwayslisad]

awesome!!!