September 30, 2012 Dream vacation

[mamiof2]

I was very excited to do my online check-in tonight and get the first arrival slot of 11am. I was worried at first because i only remembered at 8:30 pm. i thought that first slot might be full! Last year check in went so smoothly and we were on the ship in no time! the year before, their computer programs were down and they had to do everything manually. it took FOREVER!! it was super crowded & the lines were out of control because they couldn't move everyone aboard quick enough. hopefully we can get on board quickly and smoothly this year!

 

[hamm1207]

Hi All! My DD (8) and I just made a last minute decision to change our California Coastal on the Wonder to a b2b on the Dream for this week. These will be our fourth and 5th cruises. We've done the Wonder twice to Mexico and the Magic this summer out of NY to the Bahamas. We loved CC and Nasssau so much we decided a b2b where we got to experience both twice in one week to be more exciting than the Coastal initerary, as we already live in California and can drive to San Francisco in just over an hour. It seemd silly to cruise there to spend 2 days, so we just changed this morning in time to book adult dining, etc.

For those wanting to do Nassau on there own, we did it in June. I highly recommend the Sheraton. It's an easy taxi or public bus ride away from the ship, and for $25 per adult and 12.50 per child you get full use of the beach and pools. It was gorgeous, and we found it every bit as enjoyable as Castaway Cay, and cost much less than the Nassau port adventures. We can't wait to go back.

We won't be joining the FE this time as we just can't give up the luggage space, but would love to be part of any meet and greets. Anyone else doing a back 2back with the Oct. 4th cruise?
Regards,
Betsy and Mary-Grace (8)

Welcome to our cruise!! I will add you to our roll call list. We're super glad you joined us!

 

[mamiof2]

Yep! Ditto that! Super glad both new families joined us!
I've been working on some cool FE goodies. Im so excited!

 

[mamiof2]

what happened to Iknowdoyou? we haven't heard from him since a few pages ago. He didnt go on another cruise again without us, did he?? (did you, Ryan?? )

 

[betsy918]

Can anyone give me advice on lodging and transportation? We get in on the 29th at 7:30, and I have an 11:00 port arrival time that I'd really like to keep on the 30th, but I just found out that if we stay at a Disney property, the ground transportation doesn't even pick you up until close to noon! The only reason I was thinking of staying there is I know they offer free transfers from the airport to the hotel.We don't plan to go into the parks. Has anyone stayed right at the airport? Is it easy to walk to with your luggage? Has anyone used another shuttle service from MCO to a hotel closer to the port? None of our cruises have been out of port canaveral, so this is new to me. Thanks!

 

[Rather Be At WDW]

Can anyone give me advice on lodging and transportation? We get in on the 29th at 7:30, and I have an 11:00 port arrival time that I'd really like to keep on the 30th, but I just found out that if we stay at a Disney property, the ground transportation doesn't even pick you up until close to noon! The only reason I was thinking of staying there is I know they offer free transfers from the airport to the hotel.We don't plan to go into the parks. Has anyone stayed right at the airport? Is it easy to walk to with your luggage? Has anyone used another shuttle service from MCO to a hotel closer to the port? None of our cruises have been out of port canaveral, so this is new to me. Thanks!

Of course, everyone has their own thoughts on this, but we stayed at the Hyatt MCO on our cruise last year and we are doing it again for this cruise. We found it to be very easy and stress-free. I was also surprised at how quiet the rooms were - even though you are actually IN an airport! As I said, I'm sure others may feel differently, but it worked great for us.

 

[betsy918]

Of course, everyone has their own thoughts on this, but we stayed at the Hyatt MCO on our cruise last year and we are doing it again for this cruise. We found it to be very easy and stress-free. I was also surprised at how quiet the rooms were - even though you are actually IN an airport! As I said, I'm sure others may feel differently, but it worked great for us.

Do you use Disney transfers from the airport? What is the earliest pick up? Thanks for your input!

 

[hamm1207]

We've stayed at the Hyatt MCO twice and we've really enjoyed it! It's a short walk from the terminal to the hotel lobby (right by the food court), and the rooms are nice and quiet. Not to mention the view of airplanes from the pool deck! The buses to Port Canaveral (sorry if I spelled that incorrectly) start departing around 9-9:30am I believe. You can check in for the cruise at the airport and they'll give you a boarding character (Mickey, Donald, etc), and when they call that character it's your turn to get on a bus. If you are 'checking' luggage with DCL and having it delivered to your stateroom, the porters at the hotel will gather your luggage from your room around 8:30am and make sure it gets to DCL which will get it to the ship. When you check in at the hotel just make sure you inform them that you're crusing and they'll ensure your name/room number is on the luggage pick up list.

It's super easy and great! We've done it twice in the past and we're doing it again in September.

 

[hamm1207]

A fellow disboarder has given me a new price quote for lanyards at $137 for 100 lanyards. If I can find someone or multiple people who are willing to pitch in, we can have 100 lanyards made for our family and friends cruising with us! My only concern is that we will have lots of extra lanyards because right now we only have 34 people cruising with us. Although, if we split it up we can each give out some lanyards to our tablemates and others that we meet throughout the cruise!

What do you think?

 

[betsy918]

We've stayed at the Hyatt MCO twice and we've really enjoyed it! It's a short walk from the terminal to the hotel lobby (right by the food court), and the rooms are nice and quiet. Not to mention the view of airplanes from the pool deck! The buses to Port Canaveral (sorry if I spelled that incorrectly) start departing around 9-9:30am I believe. You can check in for the cruise at the airport and they'll give you a boarding character (Mickey, Donald, etc), and when they call that character it's your turn to get on a bus. If you are 'checking' luggage with DCL and having it delivered to your stateroom, the porters at the hotel will gather your luggage from your room around 8:30am and make sure it gets to DCL which will get it to the ship. When you check in at the hotel just make sure you inform them that you're crusing and they'll ensure your name/room number is on the luggage pick up list.

It's super easy and great! We've done it twice in the past and we're doing it again in September.

Thanks for the info. It sounds perfect. Some questions: can I book directly with the hotel and still get the Disney luggage service, or do I have to book through Disney? When you say I can check in for the cruise at the airport, do you mean get our KTTW cards there? Is ground transfer time based on first come, first served? I really want to be on the first bus. Oh, finally, what time can I check in for the cruise at the airport?
Thanks!

 

[Rather Be At WDW]

Do you use Disney transfers from the airport? What is the earliest pick up? Thanks for your input!

Yes, we used Disney transfers to and from the airport. I'm sorry, I really don't remember the pick-up time - I want to say 9-9:30ish. If I recall, we had an 11:30 port arrival time and were there plenty early.

 

[hamm1207]

Thanks for the info. It sounds perfect. Some questions: can I book directly with the hotel and still get the Disney luggage service, or do I have to book through Disney? When you say I can check in for the cruise at the airport, do you mean get our KTTW cards there? Is ground transfer time based on first come, first served? I really want to be on the first bus. Oh, finally, what time can I check in for the cruise at the airport?
Thanks!

You can book the hotel through Hyatt, that's what we do, and you just let them know that you're cruising with Disney in the morning. You then fill out a form with your name, stateroom number, hotel room number, number of bags to be picked up, etc (i don't remember if you the form to the hotel or dcl but it is all explained to you at hotel check in). You place your yellow dcl luggage tags on at the hotel so that they are on the lugfage when the porters pick them up. You can even ask the dcl representative if your bags have been picked up when you check in for the cruise, as they have a list of names and hotel room numbers.

Yeppers, you can turn in your cruise documents, get your photo taken, and get you KTTW card all at the airport. The only thing you cannot do is upgrade at the airport. It is a first come first served for buses-when you check in you are given a boarding character. When that character is called you board the bus and head off to port.

I believe the dcl check in counter at the airport opens at 8:30 and the first bus leaves about 9:30 (i think).

 

[betsy918]

You can book the hotel through Hyatt, that's what we do, and you just let them know that you're cruising with Disney in the morning. You then fill out a form with your name, stateroom number, hotel room number, number of bags to be picked up, etc (i don't remember if you the form to the hotel or dcl but it is all explained to you at hotel check in). You place your yellow dcl luggage tags on at the hotel so that they are on the lugfage when the porters pick them up. You can even ask the dcl representative if your bags have been picked up when you check in for the cruise, as they have a list of names and hotel room numbers.

Yeppers, you can turn in your cruise documents, get your photo taken, and get you KTTW card all at the airport. The only thing you cannot do is upgrade at the airport. It is a first come first served for buses-when you check in you are given a boarding character. When that character is called you board the bus and head off to port.

I believe the dcl check in counter at the airport opens at 8:30 and the first bus leaves about 9:30 (i think).

Thanks for the great info! Although I upgraded at the port on my last 2 cruises, we are content with the category we are in this time, so checking in at the airport sounds great. The rates at the MCO Hyatt just droped $15 since yesterday, so I'm going to book it!

 

[hamm1207]

Sounds like a plan! We've really enjoyed staying there, and it's relaxing to just walk off the plane and be at the htel in 5 minutes. Just remember not to put your yellow luggage tags on until your luggage is in your hotel room.

The first time we stayed, we ate breakfast at the hotel-it was expensive and not worth doing it again. In April we ate at the food court and it worked out fine.

 

[hamm1207]

In regards to the lanyards, I have found a way to only order 60 (I'm splitting an order of 135 with a person on our Sept 22nd cruise who is going to use the other 75 lanyards for his cruise in November). If anyone is interested just et me know.

 

[SonyaShay]

Hey Everyone! I have booked this cruise as our FIRST EVER cruise! It will be myself, DH and DD (age 4). I am super excited and can not wait for teh next 12 weeks to pass by! We already have airfare booked for an EXTREMELY low price and ill be paying the balance of our trip next week.

I have been researching a few things and would like some help-

We arrive on 9/29 at 2:30 and will be renting a car to do some exploring and going to Downtown Disney for dinner! Does anyone have suggestions for the best rental car company? SO far I am looking at the La Quinta in close to the airport for our lodging for the night. Has anyone evr stayed at this hotel?

I am sure I will have LOTS more to ask as the weeks click off!!! Can not wait to surprise my daughter with this trip! It will also be a special time for me and my DH to celebrate our 1st anniversary!

 

[hamm1207]

Hey Everyone! I have booked this cruise as our FIRST EVER cruise! It will be myself, DH and DD (age 4). I am super excited and can not wait for teh next 12 weeks to pass by! We already have airfare booked for an EXTREMELY low price and ill be paying the balance of our trip next week.

I have been researching a few things and would like some help-

We arrive on 9/29 at 2:30 and will be renting a car to do some exploring and going to Downtown Disney for dinner! Does anyone have suggestions for the best rental car company? SO far I am looking at the La Quinta in close to the airport for our lodging for the night. Has anyone evr stayed at this hotel?

I am sure I will have LOTS more to ask as the weeks click off!!! Can not wait to surprise my daughter with this trip! It will also be a special time for me and my DH to celebrate our 1st anniversary!

Welcome! Welcome to the best vacationing in town!

For rental car companies check out Enterprse, Budge, Thrifty...

Sorry, we have never stayed at the hotel.

Welcome again! I will add you to the roll call list this weekend. It is a list of disboarders cruising on this cruise.

 

[mamiof2]

Hello & welcome SonyaShay! I'm sure your daughter will love the cruise!! My daughter's first cruise was a couple weeks after she turned 5 and my son was 7. They both loved the kids clubs & never wanted to leave!! Any interest in the FE exchange?? Additional fun for your daughter & grown-ups too!!

 

[hamm1207]

Good morning everyone!!!

I really love living in Alaska, but I can't wait for some warm weather! It's been a chillier than usual summer so far, and we even still have snow on the mountains! It would be really nice if someone will either mail us some warmth (70s would be nice) or turn the clocks ahead to September. Thanks!

 

[mamiof2]

I really love living in Alaska, but I can't wait for some warm weather! It's been a chillier than usual summer so far, and we even still have snow on the mountains! It would be really nice if someone will either mail us some warmth (70s would be nice) or turn the clocks ahead to September. Thanks!

Strangely here in Central NY we are having a hotter that usual summer! we've had temps in the 90's almost every day for 2 weeks and very very little rain. I keep comparing the temps to Florida and there were several days that we were hotter than Florida! Thankfully we have a pool to offer us some relief! But regardless, we are still looking forward to our vacation & hoping for beautiful weather both on the cruise and while at Disney!! It's coming up so soon! Yay!!