We Are Back- PICTURES

[CheapMom]

Thanks everyone for your budget tips- we were able to spend very little $$ on this trip and it turned out great.
We did one day at WDW > 4 night DCL cruise > 3 days at WDW. Needless to say- I need a vacation after that vacation!

PHOTOS

 

[nuts4wdw]

Looks like you had a great time!

 

[Microcell]

Fun for you! Glad you had fun.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

Great pix! What a beautiful family! It looks like you really had a lot of fun. I can't wait to hear the details.

 

[CheapMom]

I was having some trouble with my photo album but I think it is all fixed now. Thanks again everybody.

 

[NeverBeentoDisney]

Those are awesome pictures thanks for sharing...

 

[Ever_After]

Those are wonderful pictures~ alot of cool angle shots. Thanks for sharing!

 

[DD2Disney]

I loved your pictures. I so want to go on a cruise

Tricia

 

[Muffy]

Great pictures! Beautiful family!

 

[CheapMom]

Ok- I have a little time now- so I will post a mini-trip report focussing mainly on budget.
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1. Meal vouchers- they turned out to be a good deal for us but I am not sure they were worth the hassle. I would say if you are staying at CS or Yacht Club that it would be very wise to get vouchers- otherwise it may not be worth your trouble.
They were way worth it at Pepper Market and the place in Japan in Epcot- we got an entree that was $7.95 a (big) side of sushi $6.95, plus drink and dessert- I think the receipt said $24.00. That was a bargain. It was enough for 3 people.
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2. Value resorts: $55 per night. I am not into lush accomodations- I love the values. POP was clean and the theming was fun and educational. My kids liked finding their birthyear on the lobby's timeline and seeing what was popular then. ASMO- I can't say enough good things about this resort. The theming is awesome. My kids (9, 7, and almost 2) just love this place. We have stayed at values, mods and deluxe and this is my favorite hotel of all.
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3.
The cruise- DCL is great - the service is top notch (of course) Costco had the cheapest price (and believe me - I shopped around like a madwoman) The four night cruise for 5 people in a category 4 cabin was $2424. We spent under $100 on the 4 night cruise (after tips). The things we did pay for: some fancy drinks at the beach. Some duty free liquor- a few hours babysitting at the nursery- internet service. We already had a $50 stateroom credit from Disney Visa so it didn't hurt a bit when we got our bill. We didn't buy any souvies on the ship- but the kids got free t-shirts and mouse ears from their kids club. We saw people at guest services with $3,000 in stateroom charges so you do have to be careful but being cautious with money comes easy for us. You don't have to spend any $ really but if you take the cruise budget for extra tips because the service is so excellent you will want to overtip.
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4. Airfare- We got the cheap airfare- thanks to these boards- we used vacation express. It was non-stop from Baltimore to Sanford Orlando for $89 per person- all taxes/fees included. It was a no frills flight- a lot like Southwest.
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5. The outlets- we went to Character Premier at BELZ. Great deals- did a bit of Christmas shopping AND they take the Disney rewards card. That was a pleasant surpise.
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The kids did the pirate adventure cruise from the Grand Floridian Pier. It was $30 per child- no adults allowed. It is 2 hours and lunch is provided. They were singing Yo-ho-ho, a pirate's life for me for days!

The parks are truly magical at Christmas. The parade at MGM was really fun. I love the decorations. USE FAST PASS AND KID SWAP- they save you a ton of time. I have to admit I really enjoyed Disney World more than the cruise. My baby (age 2) DEFINATELY had more fun at WDW. DH preferred the cruise I think and it was a close call for the kids.

That's all I can think of for now. Thanks again, everybody for all your help and guidance as I planned this trip!

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

We'll be doing the same sort of thing in April . . .3 nights at BC, 4 Night Wonder, 2 nights at Poly . . .

I was just wondering how your body felt coming from the cruise back to being in the parks . . .did everyone adjust well or do you still feel like you are on the ship?

 

[CheapMom]

It was not a problem- when we were running around busy at the parks we were fine. Then when we would lie down at night we could feel the swaying. The kids thought it was cool. It wasn't really an uncomfortable feeling. We had pretty rough seas too.
The swaying feeling lasted about 2 days after we got off the ship.

 

[frannn]

You all look like you had a wonderful time! Where are the photo spots for the Nemo backrounds in your pictures? We didn't see that in Sept...but hopefully it will still be there next year. Your children are adorable!

 

[nhpooh]

I can't get into the pic's, but your trip sounds great. We did the wonder in 12/2000, we did 3nights land and 4 nights sea. It was a great trip. I will try later to see your pictures. Glad your trip was fun.

 

[CheapMom]

You all look like you had a wonderful time! Where are the photo spots for the Nemo backrounds in your pictures? We didn't see that in Sept...but hopefully it will still be there next year. Your children are adorable!

That is outside of the Living Seas in Epcot.
If you have kids definately do Crush's Turtle Talk at Living Seas- and have your kids sit on the floor in front. My outgoing DS was very interactive with Crush and the entire audience was cracking up. He loved being the center of attention.
Look at this picture of an auarium at Living Seas- Nemo, Marlin and Dory plus another fish (from Mr. Ray's class- don't know his name) are represented.

 

[eeyorelor]

Great pictures ..My kids were watching over my shoulder as i looked at them ...Where is all t he nemo things ...My kids love nemo..... I need to remeber and find them for pics......

 

[nhpooh]

Great pictures, reminds me of when we went with my to DD's. Looks like you had a lot of fun.