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

[threeiscrazy]

Well, we'll just have to plan a "Mommy" trip again, maybe for 2013

A Just the Mommies Trip?.....And a road trip to get there?....That could be trouble, but a WHOLE lot of fun!

 

[ragdoll]

Hi and Happy Springtime to All,

We are just joining and don't have enough posts to send a PM, but we'd like to participate in the FE.

We are two old-timers, Poppa Bill and Grammy, traveling with our young nephew and niece....they are Mikey(10), and Amirrah (5).

Please add us to your list.

Thanks,
Shelli

A big welcome from another old-timer! Will add you to the front page.

 

[Retroloco]

Hey Tina, glad to see you here again!! From your area I think it's about 13hours of driving time. The last time we drove, I thouroughly enjoyed the drive from Virginia to FL. Especially liked stopping in for Fresh OJ at the FL border!!! Compare Flight costs to driving. If you were to leave at something like 5a.m. and if your little guy would sleep for the first bit, is easily entertained with movies, handheld game system and travel games, you could easily drive right through and still arrive in daylight hours, have a goodnights rest that night and ready to begin the next part of the vacation the next day. Very doable. If I weren't travelling alone with my son this time, We would be driving. OR if my DH had informed me of his plan to get me a new van BEFORE I bought the plane tickets, I would have talked myself into driving (assuming that from Virginia, I would have help driving via Sherri).
I found my plane tickets VERY expensive, and vow to never fly from here again unless my tickets were FREE to me.
I'll warn you though, when driving, the drive back HOME again, is VERY depressing LOL.

Congrats on the new van! What did you get? The plan, as of right now, is to leave at 2 or 3 a.m. We can't check into our hotel until 3p.m anyway. We think it will be about 13 or 14 hours too, TJ. We did the math and between having to park our car at Dulles and then flying and renting a car when we get to FL, it will be cheaper to drive. DS does very well in the car, so we think it will be best to drive. Which airport are you flying out of? I thought I remember you saying you are driving to NY, then flying? Or maybe I just made that up!

 

[JustTJ]

Congrats on the new van! What did you get? The plan, as of right now, is to leave at 2 or 3 a.m. We can't check into our hotel until 3p.m anyway. We think it will be about 13 or 14 hours too, TJ. We did the math and between having to park our car at Dulles and then flying and renting a car when we get to FL, it will be cheaper to drive. DS does very well in the car, so we think it will be best to drive. Which airport are you flying out of? I thought I remember you saying you are driving to NY, then flying? Or maybe I just made that up!

I think you will enjoy the drive. It in itself is a vacation, at least it was for me. Our original plan was to drive to the Syracuse airport and fly from there. But tickets from there were MORE than usual, so when I added up gas to and from, a hotel in Syracuse for the night before and the night after returning, plus food costs, it was within $100 to $175 of flying from HERE. So for the convienence, I purchased tickets from Ottawa. For just myself and my son, the return tickets cost $1166.60!!!! INSANE, but it's done, and I don't have to worry about it. Definately though does make driving the most economical choice though when all 4 of us are going.

The van, I do love it, is a Dodge Grand Caravan. It's the first vehicle we've ever owned that hasn't had a previous owner. Brand new, so very exciting for us. I was NOT excited though when in early April some guy ran through a red light on MY green. There went my bumper. Thank goodness for insurance.
This van is speicfically for our family vacations, including the ones to Floirida. I love driving

If you want, I have some cool car travel games you can print off for your little guy. Tim quite liked them on our trip last fall

 

[Retroloco]

oh my goodness! Flying is so expensive! I think you made the right decision though, with it being just you and your son. Sometimes it is worth the extra $$ for convenience. Wow! Having a brand new vehicle it the absolute BEST!!!! Oh no, did you have your kids with you when you got hit? Did you get hurt? And yes, thank heavens for insurance. That is so sweet of you to offer, I would love the games. Would you like my email address? I can pm it to you. I have a question for you.Are you flying in on Friday or Saturday? Are you staying in a hotel? Where are you staying at and did you get a special deal? We have stayed at the Radisson our previous cruises because they had a $99 deal with parking, but now it's $140 for one night. Any suggestions on where to stay that is cheaper? I would appreciate any advice from anyone! Thanks!

 

[Retroloco]

Since I'll be going without my family I'll be flying down the morning before.

Wow! I hope you enjoy your cruise! What are your plans before the cruise? WDW or hang around the port area?

Tina

 

[threeiscrazy]

Wow! I hope you enjoy your cruise! What are your plans before the cruise? WDW or hang around the port area?

Tina

I'm actually meeting Judy & Tim at the Orlando Airport and I think our plan is to head to the beach. Judy...What's the plan?

 

[Retroloco]

I'm actually meeting Judy & Tim at the Orlando Airport and I think our plan is to head to the beach. Judy...What's the plan?

That sounds like fun. Where in Northern VA do you live? We live about 20, 25 minutes from Fredericksburg, but will be moving to Manassas in June.

 

[threeiscrazy]

That sounds like fun. Where in Northern VA do you live? We live about 20, 25 minutes from Fredericksburg, but will be moving to Manassas in June.

Right now we are living at Fort Belvoir (about 40 mins North of Fredericksburg), my DH is trying to convince me to move into DC, so we might be moving this summer also.

 

[JustTJ]

Right now we are living at Fort Belvoir (about 40 mins North of Fredericksburg), my DH is trying to convince me to move into DC, so we might be moving this summer also.

WHAT??? Moving off the Base??? But won't you miss those early morning Siren's???? I was watching house hunters the other night and it was this couple wanting to purchase in the DC area. Pretty cool!

As for the plan? Nothing firm, but yes the Beach sounds Fantastical. So does the hotel pool (that would be from Tim's perspective) Though if there is a chance of Jenn (nenner) joining us on the beach that afternoon, then absolutely the beach. I'm questioning how AWAKE I'll be as we have to be at our airport by 4:20 a.m. YIKES, that means getting up at 3 a.m. I may be too EXHAUSTED to go to the beach. I could try sleeping on the plane, but thats not likely going to happen. Play it by ear????

Tina, the accident was minor considering how much worse it COULD have been. The most scary part was that not only did I have two children in the van with me, THEY WERE NOT MY CHILDREN!!! They were my 3 and 12 yr old daycare children. Their mom is a friend of mine and I pick them up every Thurs. and Fri. for her. We were on our way back to my house at 7:15 that morning. The kids were pefectly fine. I had some minor neck, shoulder and back muscle pain for a few days. Other than that all was fine. The vehicle was fixed, insurance covered the replacement cost of the license plate and 4 new child carseats (news to me, even in a minor accident, unoccupied car seats MUST by law, here, be destroyed).

We have a 2yr old boy here in our city, friend's of friend's of mine, who was in a similar accident, but at a highway interesection. So the teen that ran THAT red light was going MUCH faster then the guy that ran the red on me. In that case, the car the family was in was further into the intersection than I was, and in effect were T-boned. The mom was 30 some weeks pregnant, but both parents survived with minor injuries. The 2yr old however in the back seat was Critically injured. This accident happened in January, and little Luca is STILL in the hospital and will be for at least a full year! He may be permanently brain damaged, only time will tell how much he will recover. The mom meanwhile gave birth to a healthy baby girl 4 weeks after the accident. So yes, I count my blessings.

 

[threeiscrazy]

WHAT??? Moving off the Base??? But won't you miss those early morning Siren's???? I was watching house hunters the other night and it was this couple wanting to purchase in the DC area. Pretty cool!

As for the plan? Nothing firm, but yes the Beach sounds Fantastical. So does the hotel pool (that would be from Tim's perspective) Though if there is a chance of Jenn (nenner) joining us on the beach that afternoon, then absolutely the beach. I'm questioning how AWAKE I'll be as we have to be at our airport by 4:20 a.m. YIKES, that means getting up at 3 a.m. I may be too EXHAUSTED to go to the beach. I could try sleeping on the plane, but thats not likely going to happen. Play it by ear????
:

Is Nenner on this cruise and I missed something? It would be great to see her. You can sleep in the car while I drive (the lyrics from a song from long ago, I'll even make sure I have the song LOL) to the beach, maybe if Tim's awake I'll even stop for lunch first. Marcus is going to be SOOO sad when he finally realizes what his Mommy is doing while he is stuck at home.

 

[Retroloco]

Right now we are living at Fort Belvoir (about 40 mins North of Fredericksburg), my DH is trying to convince me to move into DC, so we might be moving this summer also.

I hope you like living in DC, if you guys move there. I'm from the south, so I'm not used to all the traffic. I almost had a heart attack the first time we went to DC via I-95! How many children do you have, Sheri and what are their ages?

 

[JustTJ]

I need lesson's on how to double quote!! Just can't figure it out

Sheri, Jen is just 3 hours away from Cape Canaveral. I spoke with her and she said she would love to join us for the afternoon on the beach but it's all dependant on Brandon's Football? Schedule. She'll let me know closer to the date. It might be safer definately for you to drive the rental car from MCO to Cape Canaveral. Who knows, maybe I'll get a second wind or something.
I was thinking I might get even less sleep that night as I'm worse than the kids when it comes to EXCITEMENT about a particular type of vacation. For the past several FL trips, I DID NOT get much sleep if any, the night before!

Tina, definately pm me your email and I'll get those games and activity sheets emailed to you. How old will your son be at the time of the trip? I'll send age appropriate activity sheets that you can print off and make into a booklet or just put into a duotang or binder and decorate it with Mickey stickers!! Want journal pages for him too?

As for Hotels. We are arriving at MCO around noon on the Saturday, and I have a room booked at Country Inn and Suites. I got the Friends and Family Rate of $70 and that includes breakfast for Sheri, myself and my son. The code for that rate can currently not be used for any new bookings, but you might find a good code by googling for one. Also check out Priceline. Thats how I've gotten Fabulous FL hotel rates for the past two years!! Last fall, by using priceline the Feb before, I got the Country Inn & Suites for $63, taxes and breakfast included. Then for an additional $20 we were able to leave our van there while we cruised. I've never been to the Radisson but have heard good things about it. I'll keep my eyes open for any good deals, but definately google for some codes to try.

 

[gerberdaisy1234]

Hi and Happy Springtime to All,

We are just joining and don't have enough posts to send a PM, but we'd like to participate in the FE.

We are two old-timers, Poppa Bill and Grammy, traveling with our young nephew and niece....they are Mikey(10), and Amirrah (5).

Please add us to your list.

Thanks,
Shelli

Hey everyone, just wanted to drop by and say sorry it's been so long. : To all the newcomers who have joined our cruise since I have last been on the board. I know there are MANY, since I haven't been on in months

I have a question for the Virginia and Maryland folks:
Will you be driving or flying? Since this will be our first cruise since relocating to VA, we are not sure yet if we want to drive or fly. Thanks! I hope everyone has a super great week!
Tina

We are flying. Our tickets were not as cheap as last two trips but still under $100 each way. Our first trip we took the auto train down. It leaves Lorton, Va around 3:30 in the afternoon and you arrive at around 8:00 the next morning in a town about an hour from Disney. That was a neat experience and you don't have to rent a car because your car gets a train ride too. The kiddos loved eating dinner and breakfast on the train, sleeping in the sleeper car. Showers were not the biggest in the world

I need lesson's on how to double quote!! Just can't figure it out

Click the button with quotation marks and a plus sign (next to the quote buton) on the ones you want to quote but on the last one you pick click the quote button. It took me forever to figure that one out. I think I must have asked too.

 

[nikicares]

I am soooo very excited for this cruise!!! I have started on some hand made (please keep in mind, I am NOT creative or talented AT ALL) but wanted to try something a little more personal for the FE this time around. Now that I am working on these, my excitment level grows with each item!!

Do you we have an update on how many rooms in the FE as of now? Thanks

Sending thoughts and prayers we have no Cruisers with us that have been effected by the awful tornados! We live in Kansas so we know the devestation that can come from a tornado - sending my prayers to all effected!

 

[davidls]

Hi and Happy Springtime to All,

We are just joining and don't have enough posts to send a PM, but we'd like to participate in the FE.

We are two old-timers, Poppa Bill and Grammy, traveling with our young nephew and niece....they are Mikey(10), and Amirrah (5).

Please add us to your list.

Thanks,
Shelli

I just wanted to you shellil and family to this cruise. You will have a great time counting down the days with the rest of us until we set sail on the Dream. Glad you are joining us!!!

 

[mlipreston]

Hi and Happy Springtime to All,

We are just joining and don't have enough posts to send a PM, but we'd like to participate in the FE.

We are two old-timers, Poppa Bill and Grammy, traveling with our young nephew and niece....they are Mikey(10), and Amirrah (5).

Please add us to your list.

Thanks,
Shelli

Hey there,

Welcome to the site! This is what you were talking about in the email. LOL! Your grandkids say hello.

This is my MIL so there will be a total of 10 of us on the cruise. Woo Hoo! Looking forward to a great trip. Can't wait.

 

[davidls]

Well it won't be much longer and we will be able to make our ressies for our cruise on the Dream!!! This is getting EXCITING!!!!! I can hardly contain meself!!!

Oh yeah guess what..................when I came into work this past Wednesday, the owner of the company I work part-time for called me into his office. It seems my boss here is also retiring. They want me to come out of semi-retirement to fill in for him until the get someone else trained for the supervisors position. They want me to start this August and work FULL TIME until the end of December!!! But why oh why me!!!!! I am a nobody.............a slacker................a ner' do well.............a goof off................I just bumble my thru the day...............(ok somebody stop me here.................I could go on, and on, and on, and on, and on............you get the picture.) Well, to make a long story short, I guess I will have to help out. But guys WHY ME....I am a slacker..........a nobody.................a

 

[nikicares]

Well it won't be much longer and we will be able to make our ressies for our cruise on the Dream!!! This is getting EXCITING!!!!! I can hardly contain meself!!!

Oh yeah guess what..................when I came into work this past Wednesday, the owner of the company I work part-time for called me into his office. It seems my boss here is also retiring. They want me to come out of semi-retirement to fill in for him until the get someone else trained for the supervisors position. They want me to start this August and work FULL TIME until the end of December!!! But why oh why me!!!!! I am a nobody.............a slacker................a ner' do well.............a goof off................I just bumble my thru the day...............(ok somebody stop me here.................I could go on, and on, and on, and on, and on............you get the picture.) Well, to make a long story short, I guess I will have to help out. But guys WHY ME....I am a slacker..........a nobody.................a

Aww you should feel honored that they have the level of respect for you and you must be very good at what you did (before retirement) for them to ask you back! Just remember it is temporary and you have a amazing Disney Cruise waiting for you

 

[davidls]

Aww you should feel honored that they have the level of respect for you and you must be very good at what you did (before retirement) for them to ask you back! Just remember it is temporary and you have a amazing Disney Cruise waiting for you

I am flattered that they thought I could fill in for the ol' bossman. I would just rather not do it. But they have been so good to me over the years...........I just couldn't say no. I made sure to let the Big Bossman know about the cruise in September. He said that was not a problem.

Well, got to go and get ready for a Granddaughter's birthday party today.

I want to wish all of the Mom's out there a Very HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!