Sept. 11, 2011 It's never too early to Dream

[davidls]

We just got off our Disney Wonder Cruise on November 24th and we just book our Dream Cruise for September 11th. We can't wait to go. It will be me, my husband, son 11, and daughter 9.

Does anyone know if we can ask for a server we had on our last cruise to be our server on this cruise? He did such a great job.

Jackie F. Cowan

To our new cruisers. As I understand you can request a certain server. Do you know if they will be coming over to the Dream from the Wonder? If so, you may or may not get seated at one of their tables. I know this is everything that Judy just told you. Sounds like she has heard the same things I've heard.

Sorry everyone, I haven't been on here much. I have been busier then a one armed paper hanger!!! One of our employees just up and quit last week...........so that throws more work onto poor little ol' me!!!! Oh my aching back!!!!

We are just about finished decorating the inside of the house for Christmas. Still have a few little things to do. I still need to do my Christmas shopping for DW. I'm one of those famous last minute shoppers. I know, I know that is stupid..........but I have always done this............don't know why though!!!

 

[tjbaggott]

Remy, my boys are getting a rat named Remy for Christmas. She's a she, and actually LOOKS like Remy from Ratatouille! Picking her up tomorrow!! And my friend, who HATES rodents of all kinds, has surprisingly offered along with her children, to look after Remy till Christmas Eve! What do you think, should I trust her? She knows someone who has a snake

 

[tjbaggott]

Slow moving thread, thought I'd get some more posts in to move it along!! David, you must be counting down the days till retirement? Aching backs..... I purchased these large gel packs for the DH for Christmas (but really I got them because I want to use them too!) for the back. There is a metal coin inside, and when you bend the coin, a reaction occurs and instantly the gel starts to turn whitish and thickens, and gets HOT. Feels really good on the back. Once it has cooled down, a few hours later, you boil it, then lay it somewhere at room temp and it goes back to being a colored gel. Waiting for you to click that coin again for next use. Pretty awesome doodad!

 

[tjbaggott]

Here's another photo, so you can all start Dreaming about seeing this! (maybe not so empty though)

[/IMG]

 

[tjbaggott]

That terminal pic I posted got me thinking. On our Magic cruise last month, the ship was sold out. Ther terminal in the time up to boarding, was PACKED!! I mean really Packed. I'll find a photo of THAT later and post it here. And that was for a ship that holds 2400 passengers. How on EARTH will that terminal hold the number of passengers for a ship the size of the Fantasy and the Dream? Of course not EVERY passenger arrives at the terminal prior to boarding time, but a large percentage does. What I saw in the terminal on our Boarding day, has me concerned about boarding days for the Dream and Fantasy. What are all your thoughts?

 

[drummerwife]

That terminal pic I posted got me thinking. On our Magic cruise last month, the ship was sold out. Ther terminal in the time up to boarding, was PACKED!! I mean really Packed. I'll find a photo of THAT later and post it here. And that was for a ship that holds 2400 passengers. How on EARTH will that terminal hold the number of passengers for a ship the size of the Fantasy and the Dream? Of course not EVERY passenger arrives at the terminal prior to boarding time, but a large percentage does. What I saw in the terminal on our Boarding day, has me concerned about boarding days for the Dream and Fantasy. What are all your thoughts?

What are my thoughts... followed by once we're on board.

On another subject...Judy, can you help me out in creating a graphic announcing this cruise as a surprise for my son. We've decided to surprise him with the cruise as a Christmas gift. The only thing I'm having problems with, is how to reveal the surprise. His name is Matthew and he's 11. Thanks so much, Janice

 

[tjbaggott]

What are my thoughts... followed by once we're on board.

On another subject...Judy, can you help me out in creating a graphic announcing this cruise as a surprise for my son. We've decided to surprise him with the cruise as a Christmas gift. The only thing I'm having problems with, is how to reveal the surprise. His name is Matthew and he's 11. Thanks so much, Janice

Absolutely I can help you with that! I'll make up the Christmas Graphic I have with Mickey in front of the ship and holding open a scroll that reveals the surprise. Other things I'm doing to surprise my boys this Christmas (but for the 2012 cruise),
-is a laminated card with the text "609 Days" (thats the number of days between Christmas and the date of that cruise)
- a bottle of water with a rubber duck attached to it
- I've had that Graphic with Mickey and the scroll made into a puzzle, they'll have to put it together to read it!
- a real rat named Remy, and looks like Remy (not for everyone I know, but my boys and I will LOVE her)

If I think of anything else, I'll let you know. What other ideas have you come up with? I would have done new bathing suits and sandels if it weren't so far out.
Judy

 

[tjbaggott]

The Weather Man told me last night, I'd be waking up to 2cm of snow on the ground this morning. I have a DCL Scrapbook I picked up for another Diser while on my cruise, and she lives 2+ hours away. I was going to deliver it today, but with that forecast, thought I'll have to put it off till next weekend. Well, I awoke to a frost covered ground but no snow!!! So the trip is on! Going to make it a Mommy and Me day with my DS13. I'll bring him along for the company, treat him to lunch, and help him do a little Christmas shopping.

 

[davidls]

That terminal pic I posted got me thinking. On our Magic cruise last month, the ship was sold out. Ther terminal in the time up to boarding, was PACKED!! I mean really Packed. I'll find a photo of THAT later and post it here. And that was for a ship that holds 2400 passengers. How on EARTH will that terminal hold the number of passengers for a ship the size of the Fantasy and the Dream? Of course not EVERY passenger arrives at the terminal prior to boarding time, but a large percentage does. What I saw in the terminal on our Boarding day, has me concerned about boarding days for the Dream and Fantasy. What are all your thoughts?

Slow moving thread, thought I'd get some more posts in to move it along!! David, you must be counting down the days till retirement? Aching backs..... I purchased these large gel packs for the DH for Christmas (but really I got them because I want to use them too!) for the back. There is a metal coin inside, and when you bend the coin, a reaction occurs and instantly the gel starts to turn whitish and thickens, and gets HOT. Feels really good on the back. Once it has cooled down, a few hours later, you boil it, then lay it somewhere at room temp and it goes back to being a colored gel. Waiting for you to click that coin again for next use. Pretty awesome doodad!

It's like you said Judy not everyone shows up at the same time. But, most like DW and I try to get there as soon as the terminal opens up. We like to get some photo's of the terminal and of course photo's of the GREAT ship we are about to board!!! Did you see any of the new construction Disney is doing to enlarge the terminal for the new ships? It is suppose to be able to handle the larger crowds for the new ships. Like you said it kind of has me concerned also. Oh yes, those are some great photo's Judy. Can't wait until we all are there taking our own photo's. Keep those wonderful photo's coming Judy, really enjoy seeing them!!

Judy, where did you get that gel pack you described? When I work outside doing the ol' lawn work, sometimes I get a back ache. That gel pack you described sounds like something I could use.

And, yes, I am counting down the days. Well realy it is still weeks. We had an employee quit 10 days ago. So the ol' boss man has asked if I could continue working untill they hire someone and get them trained. So it will probably be Feb. 1st before I retire. (Well more money for our Disney cruise!!!!)

 

[drummerwife]

Absolutely I can help you with that! I'll make up the Christmas Graphic I have with Mickey in front of the ship and holding open a scroll that reveals the surprise. Other things I'm doing to surprise my boys this Christmas (but for the 2012 cruise),
-is a laminated card with the text "609 Days" (thats the number of days between Christmas and the date of that cruise)
- a bottle of water with a rubber duck attached to it
- I've had that Graphic with Mickey and the scroll made into a puzzle, they'll have to put it together to read it!
- a real rat named Remy, and looks like Remy (not for everyone I know, but my boys and I will LOVE her)

If I think of anything else, I'll let you know. What other ideas have you come up with? I would have done new bathing suits and sandels if it weren't so far out.
Judy

The graphic sounds great! Thank you so much. I like your idea of the card with the number of days till the cruise, my son would never figure that one out. What's the bottle of water with a rubber duck for? I'm SO cluless I don't think the rat idea would be a good one for us...the cat might like him a little too much!
The only things I've thought of so far are, swim goggles, the CC lanyard, and a swimsuit (if I can find one I think he would like). I know these are the 'standard' things you give, but as I said before, I'm really lacking in creativity.
Janice

 

[tjbaggott]

The graphic sounds great! Thank you so much. I like your idea of the card with the number of days till the cruise, my son would never figure that one out. What's the bottle of water with a rubber duck for? I'm SO cluless I don't think the rat idea would be a good one for us...the cat might like him a little too much!
The only things I've thought of so far are, swim goggles, the CC lanyard, and a swimsuit (if I can find one I think he would like). I know these are the 'standard' things you give, but as I said before, I'm really lacking in creativity.
Janice

LOL, Bottle Water + Duck = AquaDuck

For my mom, I'm also printing off pictures of the new dining rooms with text of the name of them on the photos. As she's never cruised before, she won't know what those are. Bit by bit though as she puts all the clues together, she'll GET IT! I had our local photo store do up puzzles using the invites for the cruise (the 2012 one). The graphics I made, are landscape, but THEY did them Portrait, so the gaphics are all Squished up. Stupidity on their part I think, how could they not figure that out? So I just talked with them, they are redoing them for me. At least thier customer service is fabulous!
Here's What I made for my boys, would you like this one for your son, or the other one I've with Mickey standing in front of the ship from a parking lot?

[/IMG]

 

[tjbaggott]

David, as far as terminal construction, that photo up above shows the interior as it currently is. No contstruction on the interior so far. What they have done is build a multi level parking lot and still doing stuff on the outside, more lanes for the buses, but nothing on the inside as of yet, and with the maiden voyage just next month, I don't think anything will be done on the inside. So it will be very interesting to see how things go once the first sailings start happening!

 

[davidls]

Here's another photo, so you can all start Dreaming about seeing this! (maybe not so empty though)

[/IMG]

Hey Judy, how did you get this picture with the terminal so empty??!? Did you sneak in under the curtain??? We have been there pretty early, but there were always some fellow cruisers mingling around. Just wondering.

 

[tjbaggott]

Hey Judy, how did you get this picture with the terminal so empty??!? Did you sneak in under the curtain??? We have been there pretty early, but there were always some fellow cruisers mingling around. Just wondering.

That photo was thanks to my 7yr old needing to use the Bathroom, BADLY, as we were following our porter OUT of the terminal. A very nice CM directed my son and myself back up the escaltor to the 2nd floor to use the washroom up there. I had never seen it SO empty, nor SO CLEAN and SHINY!! Perfect photo OP, so I was VERY thankful DS put off going potty!

 

[tjbaggott]

I've OFFICIALLY booked the Country Inn and Suites for the night before our cruise! I booked the kids suite for the special rate of $70.00 a night using the CARLSONF promotional code. I'm more than thrilled with this! This means I will now be definately renting a car from the airport! AND means I'll be booking an early AM flight out of Syracuse instead of an afternoon flight. So if my flight leaves at 6a.m. What time do I need to be at the airport for? I'll have to find a hotel near the SYR airport too. What I'll do is leave with Tim right after he finishes school on Friday the 9th. It's a 3 1/2 hour drive. This way I'm not driving at night. We'll have McD's or something for supper, hopefully I can find a cheap hotel with a free breakfast. But then again, if we'll have to check in an hour before the flight, we likely won't WANT to eat THAT early! WOW, it's not even 2011 yet, and all this is coming together nicely!

 

[drummerwife]

LOL, Bottle Water + Duck = AquaDuck

For my mom, I'm also printing off pictures of the new dining rooms with text of the name of them on the photos. As she's never cruised before, she won't know what those are. Bit by bit though as she puts all the clues together, she'll GET IT! I had our local photo store do up puzzles using the invites for the cruise (the 2012 one). The graphics I made, are landscape, but THEY did them Portrait, so the gaphics are all Squished up. Stupidity on their part I think, how could they not figure that out? So I just talked with them, they are redoing them for me. At least thier customer service is fabulous!
Here's What I made for my boys, would you like this one for your son, or the other one I've with Mickey standing in front of the ship from a parking lot?

[/IMG]

OK, I get it now...water, duck...Aquaduck. I told you I was clueless
The graphic you did for your boys is perfect. Could you say the same thing, except change the name to Matthew, and he'll only be traveling with his mom and dad. Unless your mom and Al want to travel with us?
I think what I'm going to do is, put the water bottle with the rubber duck in the first box, the CC lanyard and the card with the number of days till we sail in the second box, and your graphic in the last box. What do you think?

 

[tjbaggott]

OK, I get it now...water, duck...Aquaduck. I told you I was clueless
The graphic you did for your boys is perfect. Could you say the same thing, except change the name to Matthew, and he'll only be traveling with his mom and dad. Unless your mom and Al want to travel with us?
I think what I'm going to do is, put the water bottle with the rubber duck in the first box, the CC lanyard and the card with the number of days till we sail in the second box, and your graphic in the last box. What do you think?

I'll get that graphic done up for you this afternoon when the little ones are down for their naps. As for what order to give the gifts. I dont' know how much your son knows about the new ship or any Disney ship for that matter. I know if I give the bottle of water and rubber duck as the 1st gift, my 13yr old would GET it right away! So he's getting the days card first. The water and duck will be 2nd last and the puzzle invite LAST. My mom will get the DVD after the puzzle and yesterday I received in the mail a HUGE book from DCL, that I'll also give my mom. It's titled Disney Cruiseline 2011 Vacations "Discover our newest Ship, the Disney Dream". Actually I'll give that to my mom and the boys. Has anyone else received this book?

 

[davidls]

I'll get that graphic done up for you this afternoon when the little ones are down for their naps. As for what order to give the gifts. I dont' know how much your son knows about the new ship or any Disney ship for that matter. I know if I give the bottle of water and rubber duck as the 1st gift, my 13yr old would GET it right away! So he's getting the days card first. The water and duck will be 2nd last and the puzzle invite LAST. My mom will get the DVD after the puzzle and yesterday I received in the mail a HUGE book from DCL, that I'll also give my mom. It's titled Disney Cruiseline 2011 Vacations "Discover our newest Ship, the Disney Dream". Actually I'll give that to my mom and the boys. Has anyone else received this book?

Disney Cruiseline 2011 Vacations "Discover our newest ship the Disney Dream." NO, no, no, no, no, no, no........................I want one!!!! Judy, did you request this book, or did Disney just send you one???

That is one nice photo of the empty terminal. You were lucky your DS didn't use the bathroom earlier!!! If that had happened to me, I wouldn't have had my camera with me at the time. My luck is never that good!!!

 

[tjbaggott]

Disney Cruiseline 2011 Vacations "Discover our newest ship the Disney Dream." NO, no, no, no, no, no, no........................I want one!!!! Judy, did you request this book, or did Disney just send you one???

That is one nice photo of the empty terminal. You were lucky your DS didn't use the bathroom earlier!!! If that had happened to me, I wouldn't have had my camera with me at the time. My luck is never that good!!!

David, my TA sent it, along with another DVD. The DVD however is still a 2010 one.

 

[tjbaggott]

On our recent trip down to Florida for our Cruise on the Magic, we noticed every time we pulled up to a toll booth, the strong smell of gas fumes. We just assumed at the time it was Someone else's vehicle of course. It wasn't till we were back home here, when using the interior heat bringing in air from outside, that we realized it was OUR vehicle! We took it in for an oil change that was needed after putting that much mileage on it, and asked them, to investigate the cause of the gas fumes. They called me later to inform me that it would cost $487.00 to investigate as it meant taking part of the engine apart. Now, I KNOW when you smell gas fumes coming from your vehicle, it's likely going to be an expensive fix, but to have an expensive investigation into what needs to be fixed is ridiculous. So we told them, forget it. I called another place our vehicle has also been to. The difference between these two repair shops is one is a HUGE Nationwide chain, and the other is privately owned. Well the guy that owns the privately owned independent shop told me to bring it in. He was shocked at what the big chain told us, and that "$45.00 is all we'll charge just to investigate what is the cause, then we'll go from there as to the cost of fixing it". Now this guy, my DH used to go to school with, so I'm not sure if he told me that because there is a familiar link, or if that is actually their price. Anyway, I'm sitting here waiting for THE call from them, to tell me how much this is going to be to get our van in safe running condition. This call will determine weather or not I pay off my trip before or after the end of this year. I'm keeping my fingers crossed as today was PAYDAY, and I'm SOOOOO ready to make my final payment! Truly though, how unbelievable is that? I mean the price differnce between two very reputable shops, is phenomanal! Wish me luck!