FIRST CRUISE ON DISNEY DREAM MAY 29, 2011..HELP - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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HI EVERYONE OUR FAMILY HAS DECIDED TO BOOK A DISNEY CRUISE ON THE NEW DISNEY DREAM SAILING MAY 29, 2011, (OUR 1ST CRUISE) THERE WILL BE 12 OF US TRAVELING WITH 2 TODDLERS BOTH 4 YEARS OF AGE AND A 10 AND 9 YEAR OLD. WE HAVE 2 CONCIERGE 1 BEDROOM SUITES AND 1 CONCIERGE STATEROOM. WE ARE ALSO GOING TO DISNEY WORLD RIGHT AFTER THE CRUISE FOR 3 NIGHTS AND THINKING ABOUT STAYING IN THE CONTEMPORARY HOTEL. WE WILL BE FLYING OUT THE DAY PRIOR TO THE CRUISE AND STAYING IN A HOTEL THE NIGHT BEFORE THE CRUISE. WE WOULD LIKE ANY INFO THAT MAY HELP US IN EITHER DISNEY WORLD OR THE CRUISE, ANY TIPS, THINGS WE NEED TO KNOW, ANYTHING. WE WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT! THANKS A BUNCH GUYS!!
Nice plans! Everyone has different views on the best place to stay. I think it all depends on your transportation status, are you renting a big van? Are you hiring someone like quick silver? Or depending on Disney transport. This would help me make up my mind on wear to stay.
FYI-if you DCL transport. Its cheaper to transport from a resort to the Port than it is from the airport.
Welcome to the boards, and have fun planning! I think you'll find lots of good information just trolling around on past posts. But as you come up with specific questions, this is the place for answers!
What a great group it sounds like you'll have! And the cruise is perfect for the various age ranges represented - everyone will be able to find something fun.
If you haven't checked out all the cool new things on the Dream, do that first! Go to the Disney Cruise Line site, and do a virtual tour of the Dream. Since you haven't been on the Wonder or the Magic before, it might not be as impressive to you, but trust me - they have made a great thing even better (or so all the sneak peaks make it seem!).
have fun planning...order your passporter now it will help you make those plans. If you have any questions along the way just post them everyone here is very helpfull.
Wow your first cruise so awesome! We, my DH and I, will be on back to back cruises 3 day & the same 5 day as you. (May 26th & May 29th) We have been on two other ones but on the Magic so can't really answer any questions specific about the Bahama's as is our first time too. But about transportation to port, we always fly in 1-2 day prior to cruise and will be private shuttled to Cocoa Beach area, last time we stayed at the Comfort Inn and it was great, right on the beach and it included free breakfast and provided a shuttle ($4 per person) to the port for day of departure. Love how relaxing it is and also able to walk to store to pick up drinks we want to bring on-board (Disney allows so far for you to do this discreetly/in a carry on bag) If you are coming in the day before and staying at a hotel, will it be near Orlando or will you go closer to Port Canaveral. A private shuttle is the best route to go for your group, we have used Happy Limo, FLtours, and Martin Faynik (he's the best!!).
Also is this your first trip to WDW? Never stayed at Contemporary but have visited and have eaten there, awesome resort, you can walk to Magic Kingdom and can hop on the monorail so easily. You have to do Chef Mickey's & check schedule for Electrical Water parade which can be seen from the beach area.
It will be so much fun to plan your adventure, lots and lots of info here plus my best tip, buy the PassPorter guide books, the new 2010 DCL one should be coming out soon but can pre order like me! All my best to your planning and maybe will run into each other on-board!
Brenda
First thing to remember -- don't try to do everything, you won't be able to.
Next is to just relax and go with the flow. I planned to make it to certain events, but for the most part I just let whim take me where I wanted to be. Of course, I was going solo so it made it that much easier.
Last, if you haven't been told already, typing in all uppercase is considered shouting.
My cruise is over 7 months away and I'm already bouncing off the walls for it to come.
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thanks for all you that replied! i got a few questions.
1) after getting off the plane we will be going to a hotel as we fly the day prior to sail- do we get our luggage or check into the disney terminal for them to take it to the ship?
2) and we are hoping to get a hotel near the port like cocoa beach, is there a sams club or walmart near by or on way to hotel (we would like to get some bottled waters for our rooms and also we will be getting our shampoo and conditioner there as we need a lot we got long hair!
3) i saw that disney cruise only allows 2 bags per person, does that include our luggage. as we will have 2 luggage that checked and 2 carry ons (luggage and a bag)
think thats it for now thanks guys!!!
thanks for all you that replied! i got a few questions.
1) after getting off the plane we will be going to a hotel as we fly the day prior to sail- do we get our luggage or check into the disney terminal for them to take it to the ship?
Yes, you get your luggage. Disney only collects luggage on the same day as your cruise. Disney will send you special luggage tags. Do not use them when you fly - put them on after you get to your hotel.
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2) and we are hoping to get a hotel near the port like cocoa beach, is there a sams club or walmart near by or on way to hotel (we would like to get some bottled waters for our rooms and also we will be getting our shampoo and conditioner there as we need a lot we got long hair!
Yes, there are many that are reasonably close to your route. I assume you'll have a car? Here's a map showing the Walmarts in the area.
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3) i saw that disney cruise only allows 2 bags per person, does that include our luggage. as we will have 2 luggage that checked and 2 carry ons (luggage and a bag)
think thats it for now thanks guys!!!
Two items of checked luggage. They say one carryon, but that's not enforced. You can certainly bring one carryon bag plus one "personal item" like a purse, backpack, briefcase, etc. The important thing is to not bring too many carryon things, as you'll have to carry them around the ship until around 1:30pm, when you can first visit your room.
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FIRST CRUISE ON DISNEY DREAM MAY 29, 2011..HELP
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