The Drive, the Dream and DVC - A March 2011 Birthday Surprise TR(NEW 11/9 p. 32 END)

[jenseib]

Rinkytinkytinky
We had second seating and were very happy with it. We could see the show and relax a bit if we wanted. if you are running late you can shower for dinner between the show and dinner. I never had a problem eating that late either. I swear the days are so busy that you just don't really realize it is a late dinner. You're more like, "wow time for dinner already"

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Rinkytinkytinky
We had second seating and were very happy with it. We could see the show and relax a bit if we wanted. if you are running late you can shower for dinner between the show and dinner. I never had a problem eating that late either. I swear the days are so busy that you just don't really realize it is a late dinner. You're more like, "wow time for dinner already"

Yeah I can see how the time would fly by. I guess I just worry about going to bed so full, and after reading your report, I know we will be stuffed! That just doesn't sit too well with me lying in bed, full to the brim now that I am older. But we are night owls, so it is possible that we will be up long after 8:30 anyway, just like you were. I hope it will turn out to be a good thing in the end. How can I really complain when I'm on a Disney cruise anyway???

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Reading this is bringing back the memories. I loved the Golden Mickeys. It was my favorite of the 3 shows. We sat in the balcony each night and I was a liitle sad we didn't enter where all the action was going on, but we can do that next time (and there WILL be a next time! )
I love seeing your food. It's nice to see what other options there were.
You are so right about those chairs in Animators. I swear once you sat down it was like the cemented themselves to the carpet.
I think Claire was upt to at least 11 everynight too. We just had so much going on and who wants to sleep with all the fun.
I have forgotten PJ's before too. When I was pregnant for Claire we went to Niagra Falls for a few nights, and I realized I forgot to pack mine. I wasn't huge at that point, but it was still hard finding a big enough shirt to be comfy in. Then when I brought it home and washed it it shrunk a ton. But it was worth it for the time being.

I can't wait to read more and hear your take on the Dolphin Encounter. (though you already told me some of it already! )

Thanks! It is fun to read your TR and food TR too and compare notes!
As much as we stayed up late - we still got up fairly early. But we slept SO WELL!! The beds were really comfy and we were just so tired! The kids did really well - never got really cranky from being tired or anything. We were all having too much fun!

WOW Sheree!!! That ship looks SOOOOO amazing!!!!!

I am sooo wanting to try a Disney Cruise sometime! After this trip in August I think are going to wait until 2013 to go back to WDW so may a cruise in 2012????

The food looks fabulous! Yummers to the max!

It is a very elegant and beautiful ship! I hope you get to go on one someday! Let me know when - maybe we can book too!

Thanks for all the info! I had asked Jenseib about the passports too and she told me the same thing you did. I'm just paranoid about it I guess. I'd be soooo ticked if I got there and then couldn't board the ship!

I'm having the same issue with Nassau. If we don't do the dolphin swim there, then I don't want to get off the ship. I have NO interest in going into Nassau. I've read too many reviews that say it's a dump and people don't feel safe there. NOT FOR ME!

We booked the 3 night cruise... I wanted the 4 night, but I got our cruise for $1400 (which was a fantastic price for 3 people) and the cheapest 4 night was $800 more... hard to justify spending that much more for just one extra night without an extra port stop. What I REALLY wanted was the 5 night double dip but they don't offer that in October.

So anyway, since we only have 3 nights on the ship, staying on at Nassau would give us more time to do ship activities. I also think we would get more for our money at Discovery Cove (which also includes admission to Seaworld, Aquatica, or Busch Gardens). But on the flipside, I have shipboard credits that I can use to offset some of the cost if we do the dolphin swim in Nassau. And Blue Lagoon lets you take your own pictures and video, but DC doesn't. Big money saver there. See what I mean... back and forth, back and forth. I really hope your review of it will help me make up my mind!

What did you think of the 2nd dinner seating? We have that too, but I'm not thrilled about it. It's seems really late to be eating all that food.

Glad to hear your kids liked the clubs. When they start to get a little older, you just ever know what they are going to be too cool for!

A Dinsey cruise to Europe next year.... You can count me in on that TR too!!!

I'll fill in more details about the Dolphin Encounter soon. But we did end up bringing an underwater camera and not really using it because we were all in the water together. We sucked it up and paid $119 for the photos/album/CD package. You can buy less pictures for less money of course.
Nassau is okay. There have been lots of stories of robberies, but we've only noticed that there seem to be a lot of people milling around. The business/shopping area is okay - very busy and they definitely rely on the tourism business. There's a lot of women asking to braid hair, but are very nice if you say no thanks. The guys are offering rides/tours around the city. On our first trip there, we took a private taxi to Atlantis and just looked around. That's where all the rich people have homes - Paradise Island. I have some pictures coming up from our boat ride to Blue Lagoon that will show the beachfront estates and yachts!!! The straw market - if I were you, I'd avoid it. It is a big building with lots of "booths" for selling handbags and souvenirs. They are more aggressive and want you to buy and will bargain with you. It can be a bit unpleasant unless you are strong about saying no and walking away.
The second dinner seating worked out well for us. I was worried, because that is my kids' bedtime at home! But with all the activities, plenty of food to eat earlier if we were hungry, it didn't phase them at all! Since we stayed up until 11, eating at 8:30 - 9 wasn't too bad. I liked having more time in the afternoon and early evening to finish swimming or whatever before having to clean up for dinner. Otherwise we'd have to quit at 3:30 or so to go shower and change.
I should clarify - next winter we are planning on going to Europe, but no cruise! My friend is living in London for a few years, and we are going to stay with them for a while and then go to Paris for a few days. We hope to use our DVC points for Disneyland Paris and be able to stay without more $$ for a hotel (just park tickets!). I'll still do a TR though! Someday I do want to do a Mediterranean cruise and see Italy! Let's hope the US dollar gains again soon!!

I love the photo of the girls waiting to go into dinner. They're so pretty Sheree! I love the idea of the Dine and Play plan.

Oh, thank you so much Kelli! The Dine and Play was nice - it gave them the opportunity to enjoy the clubs more and not miss out on other activities, since we were just eating dinner anyway. I think it's genius!!

Enjoying your TR...waiting for more. Thanks for sharing!

Forgive me I don't remember if you've been here yet, so if not -
Thank you for reading - I hope it won't be so long between updates now!

Rinkytinkytinky
We had second seating and were very happy with it. We could see the show and relax a bit if we wanted. if you are running late you can shower for dinner between the show and dinner. I never had a problem eating that late either. I swear the days are so busy that you just don't really realize it is a late dinner. You're more like, "wow time for dinner already"

Yeah, I agree.

Yeah I can see how the time would fly by. I guess I just worry about going to bed so full, and after reading your report, I know we will be stuffed! That just doesn't sit too well with me lying in bed, full to the brim now that I am older. But we are night owls, so it is possible that we will be up long after 8:30 anyway, just like you were. I hope it will turn out to be a good thing in the end. How can I really complain when I'm on a Disney cruise anyway???

It seemed like time was almost unimportant. We wanted to try to get to things at a certain time, but you could decide to eat at 3 pm, swim at 10 am, shop at 11 pm, etc. So normal meal times got very relaxed. We just ate when we were hungry during the day. As much as I ate, I never really ate so much that I was really uncomfortably full. The portions are not really huge, and sometimes I didn't finish everything. But there is a lot of good food to try! You have to walk a lot to get places - it's a big ship after all - so you can walk it off a bit after dinner, even if it's after 10. If you're up late anyway, there's plenty to do and see!
You can always make a request to change your dinner seating and see if they can switch you.
You're right - there is only one thing to complain about on the Disney Cruise - it's not a long enough trip!!

 

[Pluto_fan]

I am enjoying your TR SOOOO much, Sheree! I would love to do a Disney cruise someday.

I should clarify - next winter we are planning on going to Europe, but no cruise! My friend is living in London for a few years, and we are going to stay with them for a while and then go to Paris for a few days. We hope to use our DVC points for Disneyland Paris and be able to stay without more $$ for a hotel (just park tickets!). I'll still do a TR though! Someday I do want to do a Mediterranean cruise and see Italy! Let's hope the US dollar gains again soon!!

Just an FYI, since I read along on the Disneyland Paris board of the DIS...everyone I've read who has looked into using their DVC points for DLP has decided it's not worth it. For the number of points charged, and then they still have to buy park tickets, it's a better deal to book a room & ticket package and pay out of pocket. Some people decide to rent out their DVC points and use that money to pay for the DLP package, so they're not out any extra. It's strange, but then, the DLP pricing is weird. Even people with APs sometimes buy a package with tickets, because it's cheaper than making a room-only reservation with AP discount.

Can't wait to hear about the dolphin encounter!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Oh, I can't believe you forgot to pack pajamas!

Love all the pictures from the show, dinner, and afterwards! So much fun to be had on that boat! I am afraid I would want to eat from morning until night with all those yummy options available!

 

[jenjolt]

Oh what yummy looking food!! I'm definitely sold on doing a cruise!! I hope to get on one summer 2012!!!!

YAY for finding PJs!!!!!

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[MEK]

Your dinner looks like a lot of fun. The food looks yum! What cute theming. I love the dine and play idea. That is a fabulous idea for the kids.

OMG - can't believe you forgot your jammies. That is so something I would do. Oh well - a good excuse for some Disney merchandise.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I am enjoying your TR SOOOO much, Sheree! I would love to do a Disney cruise someday.



Just an FYI, since I read along on the Disneyland Paris board of the DIS...everyone I've read who has looked into using their DVC points for DLP has decided it's not worth it. For the number of points charged, and then they still have to buy park tickets, it's a better deal to book a room & ticket package and pay out of pocket. Some people decide to rent out their DVC points and use that money to pay for the DLP package, so they're not out any extra. It's strange, but then, the DLP pricing is weird. Even people with APs sometimes buy a package with tickets, because it's cheaper than making a room-only reservation with AP discount.

Can't wait to hear about the dolphin encounter!

Wow, thanks for the info Pluto! I will have to look into that. We'd have to borrow a few points to stay as long as we want anyway. Heck, you're in Europe - maybe they'll get back over there again - do a Med cruise!!! It doesn't look like they're doing any this summer after May or so.

Oh, I can't believe you forgot to pack pajamas!

Love all the pictures from the show, dinner, and afterwards! So much fun to be had on that boat! I am afraid I would want to eat from morning until night with all those yummy options available!

It seems there must be something forgotten every trip! At least it was something that could be replaced easily. Not like glasses or something!

There is so much food available and it's all GOOD!!! The saving grace is that you have to walk around a lot to get it, so you burn some of it off!!

Oh what yummy looking food!! I'm definitely sold on doing a cruise!! I hope to get on one summer 2012!!!!

YAY for finding PJs!!!!!

Can't wait to hear more!

Jen- you know they are going to be sailing out of Galveston soon!!! That can't be too far can it? The Caribbean is awesome for cruising!! Great weather (except during hurricane season!) THey even have a great gym (not that I ever used it), so you can keep up with your great routine!!

Your dinner looks like a lot of fun. The food looks yum! What cute theming. I love the dine and play idea. That is a fabulous idea for the kids.

OMG - can't believe you forgot your jammies. That is so something I would do. Oh well - a good excuse for some Disney merchandise.

You know, there are just some things that Disney does better than anyone! Decor, theming and taking care of kids are just few of them. I think even the food has improved. When we sailed on the Wonder (twice in 2009), I was not nearly as impressed with the food. It was good, but the Carnival food was better. Now, this ship, I thought was much improved!
I had planned to buy plenty of Disney merchandise - PJs were not on the list!! It was a bit annoying to me only because we had two other sets of PJs in the car!!!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

HAPPY EASTER, EVERONE!!!!!!!!! I wanted to put a cute picture here but I can't copy any on this dumb iPad! Oh yeah, it's the coolest thing ever- not! Not for people who type normally and use a mouse ! Grr! Well happy Easter anyway!

 

[MEK]

Well at least you got one!!!!! I am sure it will get easier (although I have to say that I am still struggling with texting on my iphone - I need to feel the keys - A Sign of my age!)

Happy Easter!

 

[jenseib]

Happy Easter to you too!!!!!!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

WE PASSED ROFR!!!!!
MORE DVC POINTS ARE OURS!!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Congratulations!!!!!

 

[Native NYer]

Congrats!

 

[MeMom]

WE PASSED ROFR!!!!!
MORE DVC POINTS ARE OURS!!

Very nice!

 

[jenseib]

WE PASSED ROFR!!!!!
MORE DVC POINTS ARE OURS!!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Very awesome!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hurray for getting more points officially!!!

 

[GoofyWife]

I love how much information you can learn on these trip boards - storing it all up for my cruise in the next year or so! BTW, your daughters are beautiful! I read that you want to do a Med cruise - may daughter did one about four years ago right after she graduated high school - she went with her girl scout leader and daughter (the mother is really well traveled and helped them plan this trip as "frugally" as possible!); they went to England and Scotland (which my daughter wanted to visit) and then went on a 3 or 4 day cruise from Italy to Greece and back - she loved it! She really enjoyed the stop at the Greek island, loved Rome, didn't like Athens so much, but she said she would definitely do it again, but longer.

 

[jenjolt]

Congrats on passing ROFR Sheree!! That is so awesome!!! WOOT WOOT