The Goodys 1st Cruise! -TRIP REPORT Updated 2/17/12 Page 6

[my2disneyboys]

TRIP REPORT STARTS ON PAGE 3

Welcome to my very first DCL Pre-Trip Report!!

I am Nickie AKA a total DISNEY FREAK!!! I am the planner of the family and love ALL things Disney. I have never been on a Disney Cruise so this year has been spent researching EVERY DETAIL of the Disney DREAM! I can't wait to step onto that ship and take it all in!!!

A little Disney background for ya....My DH and I have been going to Disney since my oldest son was 9 months old and we have been so fortunate to return every year... sometimes twice a year! This year we squeezed in quick "extra" trip in October for MNSSHP, 5K and 1/2 Marathon, but really I went to meet a bunch of really good friends that I have met right here on the DIS! Speaking of the DIS, the very first trip report I read was from this girl Talissa. When I read her report, I laughed, cried, and felt like her and I had always been BFF's...even though we never met! So when I went in October this year, it turned out she was going two weeks before me and we would not be able to meet! Well who do you think is going on The Disney DREAM the DAY WE GET OFF THE SHIP?? Yep, Talissa! I can't even believe we will once again miss eachother. This time by a matter of a few hours! Someday we will meet!!

So back to my trip details: The people joining on this trip will be -
Wayne, my loving husband of almost 9 years!! He is known here on the DIS as "the3rdDisneyChild" Maybe "known" is the wrong word to choose because he never posts even though he has said he would co-author all of my trip reports with me! He is a great Daddy, and loves Disney! Which to me = the perfect man

Myles and Owen are my kids. They are 7 and 4 years old and know "everything" about Disney. They love to plan with me and are so excited about trying out a cruise. I would say 90% of the school work sent home is Disney related - yep I have BRAINWASHED my kids!! Myles first went to Disney at 9 months and has gone every year since and Owen was only 8 weeks old when I first brought him and he has gone every year since.

Here is Myles getting his first haircut on Main Street!

Here is Owen on his first plane ride to Disney!

Our best friends, Matt and Laura and their two sons - ages 6 and 9 will also be joining us. The boys are going to have a BLAST!! We first booked this cruise when we got home from our trip in January when those Disney blues set in. We wanted to try something new and said let's do a cruise this year!! Our friends loved the idea and said they would join. I was researching where to stay the night before and explained to everyone that I really thought we should take Magical Express and stay at a Disney Hotel the night before the trip. Well that has turned into 2 nights at Disney's Wilderness Lodge and one day park tickets at WDW and then 3 nights on the DREAM! Did I mention this is their FIRST Disney experience!!? I am so excited to share it with them and hope they love it as much as we do!!

I hope you will stick along and plan with us this very magical trip!

Up Next: Cruise Details and WDW Plans!

 

[my2disneyboys]

Chapter Links

Pre Trip Report

Introduction: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43563782&postcount=8

Cruise Details and Where will we stay!? http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43563782&postcount=8

Transportation and Disney Dining: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43577492&postcount=13

Our Day at The Magic Kingdom! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43583157&postcount=17

Day 2 on the Dream: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43681065&postcount=35

TRIP REPORT!!!

Trip Report Day 1 - Leaving Boston! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43960641&postcount=44

Trip Report Day 2 - First Day in Disney! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43963101&postcount=47

Trip Report Day 3 - Magic Kingdom!! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43977455&postcount=52[/COLOR]

Trip Report Day 3 - Last Night in Diseny World!! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43987319&postcount=57[/COLOR]

First Day on the Dream: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=44018429&postcount=78

Trip Report Day 4 - First Night on the Cruise and Dinner at The Royal Palace!! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=44020599&postcount=85

 

[leamom2princesses]

Hi Nickie! Great start!

 

[DisneyTiger]

Ok Nickie, I feel SO honored that you mentioned me in your very first post Now that I have added a day, it looks like me may finally meet !!! I am excited to read your PTR because you have probably done a lot more planning than me. I have no idea what I'm getting into!!! Once Christmas was over, the panic sank in. I woke up on the morning of the26th and realized... "We're going on a Disney cruise very soon and I have nothing planned!!!" I did remember to book some excursions and an annversary dinner at Remy but that's about all I've done. Maybe you can teach me a few things Can't wait to hear more!

 

[KatMark]

Great intros, Nic. I can't wait to hear about all the plans.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

I am here, Nickie! first time back since my cancelled Oct trip

GREAT START! can't wait to hear the plans for an exciting trip!

 

[my2disneyboys]

I am here, Nickie! first time back since my cancelled Oct trip

GREAT START! can't wait to hear the plans for an exciting trip!

Connie,
I am so glad you are BACK!!! I am sure the DIS has missed you. Thanks for reading along with me. I am sure you can give me some tips/advice because of your cruise!

Great intros, Nic. I can't wait to hear about all the plans.

Hi Kathy!! I can't believe you and I will miss eachother again by just a day... right? One of these days we will meet, but until then, we can can continue our friendship over facebook and the DIS!

Ok Nickie, I feel SO honored that you mentioned me in your very first post Now that I have added a day, it looks like me may finally meet !!! I am excited to read your PTR because you have probably done a lot more planning than me. I have no idea what I'm getting into!!! Once Christmas was over, the panic sank in. I woke up on the morning of the26th and realized... "We're going on a Disney cruise very soon and I have nothing planned!!!" I did remember to book some excursions and an annversary dinner at Remy but that's about all I've done. Maybe you can teach me a few things Can't wait to hear more!

I really hope we DO meet!!! Maybe we should plan to meet at noon at the castle during that show!? I have done some extensive research for this cruise and I hope I can share some ideas that we are planning with you.

Hi Nickie! Great start!

Hi Leanne! Thanks for joining in!! I have missed you my friend!!

 

[my2disneyboys]

Good morning!!

We booked our cruise in January 2011 - wow a YEAR ago!!! So, I have spent the last year switching where we will be staying the night before the cruise. I had read that you should always stay in florida the night before the cruise because of the airport delays and weather... well, we are from New England so I wasn't taking any chances! We WILL stay the night in Florida before the cruise. But where!? So many choices!! We looked at the Hilton at the airport, hotels in Cocoa Beach, hotels at the Port and then I looked at Disney. I rationalized that the cost of a taxi from the airport to the hotel and then to the port, and the cost of the hotel would be more than taking Magical Express from the airport to a Disney Hotel! And hey- we could stay at a value for much cheaper than any of those other hotels I looked at right? So it was decided!! Stay at POP the night before the cruise. Done. Not so much. During the last year we decided as a group that because it was just one night we would go DELUXE! When will we have the chance again to stay at Wilderness Lodge?? Because I wouldn't want to pay 7 nights there!! It's decided!! Wilderness Lodge it is! Ok, so then we had our trip to Disney in October and stayed at CBR. LOVED it!! So I thought we should save the money and book CBR. It wasnt as convenient but we knew we loved it. So I talk everyone in to changing resorts again! AND THEN THE 30% discount comes out. I call up my buddies at Disney and guess where we are finally booked!? The WILDERNESS LODGE! AND IT ISN'T CHANGING!!!!! And guess what!?? We are paying ALOT more than a hotel at the port now!

So then we decided we couldn't stay so close to the parks and NOT GO! So we added a second night, and park tickets so here is the final deal.....

January 31st and February 1st at the Wilderness Lodge, 1 day park tickets and dining plan

Owen has always loved this guy!

February 2nd -February 5th on the Disney Dream!

Up Next: Transfers to the Cruise and Disney Dining!

 

[KatMark]

That is too funny that you chose a value because it would be cheaper than an airport hotel, transfer, cabs, etc., and you are now paying more than that. But I'm glad you tacked on a night so that you could go to the park one day. I'm with you...how could you be that close and not go????

 

[ILoveToRun]

Oh... I'm in. We're first time cruisers who are long time WDWers as well.

We too are using our cruise to have a few nights to stay at a resort we probably wouldn't stay a full trip for. I'm so glad you're staying at WL because we LOVE that resort!!! Make sure to catch the EWP from the resort, they even pipe in the music and there are places to watch it from the main building if you don't have a courtyard view room.

I'm ready for more plans!

 

[jngwright]

Hey you! Have you stayed at WL before? We stayed there on our honeymoon and that is where I am hoping for for September..

Is transportation provided from the resort to the port for free?

I'm with Kathy on your grand money saving plan It would feel weird to be driving around down there and seeing all the Disney billboards but not be going. You made the right choice

I can't believe you are 4 weeks out...it went so fast!! How exciting

 

[my2disneyboys]

That is too funny that you chose a value because it would be cheaper than an airport hotel, transfer, cabs, etc., and you are now paying more than that. But I'm glad you tacked on a night so that you could go to the park one day. I'm with you...how could you be that close and not go????

I know! I would feel pretty sad being in Florida and not seeing the castle!

Oh... I'm in. We're first time cruisers who are long time WDWers as well.

We too are using our cruise to have a few nights to stay at a resort we probably wouldn't stay a full trip for. I'm so glad you're staying at WL because we LOVE that resort!!! Make sure to catch the EWP from the resort, they even pipe in the music and there are places to watch it from the main building if you don't have a courtyard view room.

I'm ready for more plans!

Thanks! I am really excited about WL! We have had lunch and dinner there and have seen how beautiful it is so I am really excited to finally stay there.

Hey you! Have you stayed at WL before? We stayed there on our honeymoon and that is where I am hoping for for September..

Is transportation provided from the resort to the port for free?

I'm with Kathy on your grand money saving plan It would feel weird to be driving around down there and seeing all the Disney billboards but not be going. You made the right choice

I can't believe you are 4 weeks out...it went so fast!! How exciting

We havent yet! This will be a first for us!! My poor family having to put up with me!! But hey- they are going to have an amazing vacation so they can't say anything!! You will have to stay tuned for transportation to the cruise- that is coming up!!

 

[my2disneyboys]

Hi ya!! Happy New Year to you all!! I thought I would give you a little update on what we decided for the transporation to the cruise and our dining while at Disney!

Transportation options to the Port from Disney & from the Port to MCO were:

Disney Transfers ($70.00 per person)

Van (8 People) 300 total

Limo (8 people) 360 total

We ended up going with Michael at VIP Limo!

(disclaimer.... this is NOT Michael from VIP Limo. I pulled a picture of a limo off Photobucket and this guy was in it )

He got some great reviews on the DIS and we thought the kids would be REALLY excited when they saw a limo pull up for us. He is stopping at a liquor store for us too so we will LOAD up before the cruise. Did I mention that the people going with us are some of our best friends, everytime we are with them we PARTY! They have two little boys around the same ages as ours and they get along great- AND we travel well with them. So I am REALLY excited about them joining us!!

Let's talk dining!!!
Our first night in Disney we arrive around 1:30 - after checking into Wilderness Lodge and getting into our room, we will take the boat over to the CR and then hop on the monorail to the Poly! We have dinner reservations at 7PM at OHANA!

I am REALLY excited for this!

and this...

Our reservation is at 7PM- Wishes is scheduled for 8PM. This being our friends first time at Disney, we thought this would be a very special dinner. OHANA dims the lights, and pipes in music from Wishes!

I hope we get a good seat near the window!! Actually I hope we get "our table" the one in the main dining room that seats 8 people, its round and its right up against the window! Wish us luck!! With the hula dancing and coconut races, I figure the kids will be entertained, and I figure we will keep ourselves entertained with a few of these!

Love these!!

after dinner, we will hop on the monorail back to CR and boat back to WL and hopefully get a nice spot on the beach for the Electric Water Pageant. My kid's LOVE this show! When we stayed at the Poly, we would watch it on our balcony and fall asleep to the music of it floating around the lagoon.

We have an 8:05AM ADR at The Crystal Palace!!

I am excited for them to experience the EMPTY PARK !!!

I am excited for this too...

Did I mention Pooh is my VERY favorite !!!

In my opinion, it is the best breakfast on Disney property - well it could be tied with Ohana's breakfast!

We have a REALLY fun day planned at The Magic Kingdom! If you only had one day where would you spend it? We took a vote and MK won!! I was really excited.

Dinner is scheduled at Liberty Tavern! I have had breakfast and Lunch here and loved both. The dinner looks amazing! I read this great review of it here... http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2010/11/24/guest-review-liberty-tree-tavern-dinner/

We will have to save some room though! How can you bring friends to Disney and not have these!? (yes, my husband is licking my sons hand clean lol)

Up Next: Plans for Magic Kingdom

 

[DisneyTiger]

Ok, love the pic of Wayne licking the ice cream! And that is hysterical about the limo guy. I was like, wow! He sent her a pic so she could decide if she liked him enough to book! LMAO!!! Thanks for the referral to Mike. I haven't told the kids they will be riding in a limo. They are going to freak!! You know when we stayed at WL, we got to be the flag family of the day. Ask when you check in and maybe you'll luck out and get to do it to. I'm assuming they stll do it. It WAS one of those best kept little secrets

Looking forward to seeing you in MK at some point!!!

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

Hi Nickie!!

I'm hoping to take a 3 night Dream cruise this spring or fall and I'm excited for your report!!!! I've never been on a cruise so I can't wait to follow along

 

[my2disneyboys]

Ok, love the pic of Wayne licking the ice cream! And that is hysterical about the limo guy. I was like, wow! He sent her a pic so she could decide if she liked him enough to book! LMAO!!! Thanks for the referral to Mike. I haven't told the kids they will be riding in a limo. They are going to freak!! You know when we stayed at WL, we got to be the flag family of the day. Ask when you check in and maybe you'll luck out and get to do it to. I'm assuming they stll do it. It WAS one of those best kept little secrets

Looking forward to seeing you in MK at some point!!!

YAY!!! We are finally going to meet!!!!! And at Magic Kingdom!!! We are having dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern that night. Do you know where you are eating?

Hi Nickie!!

I'm hoping to take a 3 night Dream cruise this spring or fall and I'm excited for your report!!!! I've never been on a cruise so I can't wait to follow along

Hi Megan! Welcome!!
Lucky you! You live so close to WDW!!! We are very jealous!! I hope I can give you some good tips for your cruise. I have a feeling my main tip is going to be "Book a longer cruise!" I kep thinking 3 days is just not going to be enough!! But, I guess there is a chance we won't like it so for a first cruise maybe 3 days is just right.

 

[my2disneyboys]

Good Morning !!! The boys are all asleep, and I am enjoying my morning coffee This doesn't happen often!! I thought while I had some free time this morning I would give an update. So here you go....

February 1st 2012 - We are waking up early for our 8AM ADR at The Crystal Palace. I wanted to take the boat over but I am pretty sure I read that the boat doesn't run that early. So I guess we will be taking the bus. We try to get this ADR every trip because I LOVE to get a picture of the boys walking down Main Street in an empty park, and I love watching how the boys are growing up on Main Street!

This was the first picture I took of the kids walking (crawling) down Main Street! This wasnt first thing in the morning and it was the week after Christmas, so it was Crazy busy, but I love this picture!

Here is the first trip Owen could walk down Main Street!

Getting bigger....

Here is our trip last January- My babies are getting So Big! They just grow WAY TOO FAST FOR ME!!!

After breakfast and our empty park pictures we will hit the rides! We made a list of "Must do" rides last time we were with our friends so we will make sure to get on these!

Peter Pan

Big Thunder (this is closed while we are there .. boo!)

Space Mountain

Buzz

Haunted Mansion

Pirates

Philharmagic

Winnie The Pooh

Splash Mountain

So I think our plan of attack will be to start in Tomorrowland and then make our way to Fantasyland, Lunch at Pinocchio Village Haus or Columbia Harbor House and then go on Haunted Mansion, and then spend the rest of the afternoon in Adventureland. I think because this is their first time in Disney we will watch the 3:00 parade and then take the boat back to WL for a rest. I am pretty sure the kids will want to take a dip in the pool or hot tub and us adults will probably need a cocktail!

After cocktail hour, and a little rest, we will head back to the MK for our dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern. I think it is around 6PM. This will give us some time to walk around the park at night and get a good spot for Wishes!

After Wishes we will take the boat back to the WL

Maybe sit on the beach and watch the EWP again and then head to the room.
Michael (our limo driver) will be picking us up in the morning to take us to this.....

Up Next: The Plan for Day One on the DISNEY DREAM!!!!!!!

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

Great plan for the day!!!! I don't know if you've stayed at WL before but if the boat line is nuts or the weather decides it's going to be horrible (HOPEFULLY NOT!) but the bus is a lot quicker than the boat. We stayed there a good 5 times before we realized there was a bus that goes to MK and right back with no stops in between which can be a life savor if there is bad weather or long boat lines!

 

[MandyMommytoReaghan]

Loving this pre-trip report so much I had to join! Cannot wait to hear more!!

 

[jedijill]

I'm in.

The pictures of your boys on Main Street through the years are too adorable!!!!! What great memories and what stinkin' cuties!

Jill in CO