Girls Weekend Getaway on the Disney Dream About This Page:

[iloverags2]

I have never done a Pre-TR before, but since I am doing a few little things to get us in the mood, thought I would go ahead and start this one.

First things first - introductions and specifics

Sailing on this cruise will be one of my closest friends (since 3rd grade, which was 38 years ago!), Becky. And of course, me!

We will be sailing a 3-nighter on the Disney Dream, October 4-7, 2012.

Becky and me at our High School Graduation, 1984


Becky will arrive at MCO sometime on October 3rd (I will drive down from Jax and pick her up), and we will spend the night in Cocoa Beach, either at the Best Western Oceanfront (already have an oceanfront room secured there) or the Resort on Cocoa Beach.

This trip has been a few years in the making, ever since my 2010 Magic cruise when Becky announced a strong desire to sail on Disney. She tried (unsuccessfully) for about a year and a half to enlist a group of our girlfriends to make this a group cruise for us. I was in from the get-go and told them just to let me know when. This past April she finally declared she was booking the cruise regardless of who was in or not, and if anyone else decided they wanted to join us, by all means they could make their plans as well. We originally planned on sailing the last weekend in September, but since Becky was booking with DVC points (she has several she needs to use or lose this year) and that sailing was no longer available with points, we decided on the October 4th date. We had also planned on booking a verandah stateroom; I'm not sure if those were not available for us either as we ended up booked in a 9A GTY. No biggie - for a 3-night cruise this was not a deal breaker for either of us.

This will be Becky's first cruise ever, and my thirteenth (sixth on DCL - gold baby!). She has been a non-stop mom for the past 23 years to her seven kiddos, so her hubby is taking the reins for our weekend. Now, DVC has been a bit of a challenge with my Castaway Club, to say the least. They told Becky when she booked they could not add my CC number to the reservation. DCL says otherwise, but they cannot touch the reservation since DVC owns it. As of today, it's still not tied in so I will just take my CC card (yes, I have one from the old days when they issued those) in addition to a printout of my previous cruises so I at least get my returning cruiser gifts.

Obviously we did not get the luxury of checking in or booking activities at the 105 day mark (boo! as this would have been my first time doing so...I felt so cheated! LOL), but I still managed to book everything that was planned. Our stateroom was finally assigned today (I have been checking every day for the past few weeks!) and we were assigned a 9A cabin, 8008.

Things look like this -
October 3rd - Drive to MCO from Jacksonville; pick up Becky; drive to Cocoa Beach (hopefully getting there early enough to see the Carnival Pride sail out of Port Canaveral - it departs at 6:00 p.m.); eat dinner somewhere.
October 4th - Head over to the port for our 11:00 - 11:30 scheduled arrival time (yes, even at the 75-day mark I was able to secure the early arrival time...whew!); possibly try for an upgrade to a verandah stateroom; just goof off on board and enjoy a few FABs.
October 5th - Nassau, with no real plans. This is Becky's first time out of the country, so we plan on getting our passports stamped (not sure how many Nassau ones are in my current passport!), and then just wandering and shopping. Most likely we will spend a good deal of time just enjoying the ship as well.
October 6th - Castaway Cay. After Becky had mentioned how much she wanted to swim with dolphins, but would not do so without her kids (she and her husband plan on taking their family on a cruise possibly next year or the year after) I got in touch with her oldest daughter and we decided Castaway Ray's Stingray Adventure would be a good substitute for a surprise. Obviously I would not be able to keep this under wraps until the cruise which is what I wanted to do (considering it's right online under our activities), so I put together a little box of trinkets for Becky and sent it to her this week to coincide with the timing of our booking window. There were four items in the box representing each day, and a poem I wrote attached to each item:

(For item one, which included a DCL Bus pin - Becky had mentioned taking the DCL bus to the port but then we decided it would make sense for me to just pick her up at MCO)

Driving to the beachside port
Deciding where we should cavort;
A Disney bus is not our ride
But a car (and friend) are supplied.

Our trip begins with ocean views
(And let’s not forget there will be booze!)
This pin takes place of a magical express
Forever now a bus you possess!

(For item two, I put a DCL Konk Kooler recipe card inside a Sailaway Drink Cup)

As we begin our sail away
To islands not so faraway,
A drink or two in our hands
Looking forward to toes in sand.

Streamers, dancing, the party begins
I hope we spot some dolphin fins;
The adventure starts in the Florida sun
Off we go to have some fun!

(For item three, I wrapped up a Tortuga Rum Factory rum cake in DCL wrapping paper)

First we land on Nassau tides
Passport stamps they will provide;
Then a stroll in shops galore
(It’s nice to finally be ashore!).

Jewelry, purses, hats of straw
Some a knock off or with a flaw;
But for this treasure I would have swum
Finally a cake made with rum!

(And finally for item 4, which was a Castaway Ray's Stingray Adventure pin)

Our journey ends in paradise
Castaway Cay to be precise;
Beaches, bikes, there’s lots to choose
What a way to end our cruise.

But first we need to don a vest
To reach the day’s final quest;
Stingrays swim in a closed off pen
I booked us for a swim with them!

So, there you have it! We are all set! I was able to book us for a 2:00 p.m. stingray swim, although we may change that - all times were still available this morning when I booked.

Up next, I will post a few images of door magnets I am making. Hopefully our Fish Extender will arrive soon as well (I ordered it just over a month ago), and I will post a picture of that when it gets here. Forgot to mention, I ordered an FE with Becky's name on it (since what I have has either Mom and me or DH and me). So this one will have Becky and me. She's crafty, so she can use it as a guide for when she sails with her family if they decide to do an FE (I am guessing she will love this, so that will most likely be a yes). I have not mentioned the door magnets or FE - think those will be put up as a surprise. Oh, and a few of my FE gifts are on the way, so I will post pictures of those once I have them assembled!

[Beach4-2]

Since u r going adults only and u mentioned drinks..... I encourage u to go to the Cove Bar. It was my favorite place - sitting there enjoying a beverage while looking at the ocean!!!! And then on top of that we loved getting to know Alexandra, our bartender. She was so much fun and took such great care of us. When u c her, please tell her Susan from Texas says hi. U and Becky have a blast

[lauriep]

First of all, it's totally not fair that you couldn't use your gold benefits on the first cruise as a gold member! But it's shaping up to be a fantastic cruise despite DVC's best efforts. You're a wonderful friend and I love the poems and goodies you gave your friend. Sounds like she deserves a bit of pampering (SEVEN kids!) and probably won't want to go home!

[chezp]

What a great poem - love it! I agree with Laurie, with seven kids she definitely deserves the break!

[shazza]

A fantastic preview for your trip. Love your daily poems with the surprises. Can't wait as the trip unfolds.

[iloverags2]

Originally Posted by Beach4-2

Since u r going adults only and u mentioned drinks..... I encourage u to go to the Cove Bar. It was my favorite place - sitting there enjoying a beverage while looking at the ocean!!!! And then on top of that we loved getting to know Alexandra, our bartender. She was so much fun and took such great care of us. When u c her, please tell her Susan from Texas says hi. U and Becky have a blast

Oh, I am a huge lover of Cove Cafe - we will definitely be spending time there!

Originally Posted by lauriep

First of all, it's totally not fair that you couldn't use your gold benefits on the first cruise as a gold member! But it's shaping up to be a fantastic cruise despite DVC's best efforts. You're a wonderful friend and I love the poems and goodies you gave your friend. Sounds like she deserves a bit of pampering (SEVEN kids!) and probably won't want to go home!

Laurie, aren't you supposed to be on vacation??? Yeah, I was a bit bummed about the gold perks, but as long as I get my goodies onboard I will be happy! And yes, Becky so deserves this getaway! Trust me, her family is one big happy, close-knit family. But it will be nice for her to have a little bit of a break (not that she really wants one! LOL).

Originally Posted by chezp

What a great poem - love it! I agree with Laurie, with seven kids she definitely deserves the break!

Thanks! It took me about a half hour to finally come up with a decent, albeit a bit corny, poem! I had fun putting together the package though!

Originally Posted by shazza

A fantastic preview for your trip. Love your daily poems with the surprises. Can't wait as the trip unfolds.

I can't wait either! We have been waiting way too long to have a girls getaway!


I just realized I put in the report we plan on spending the night in Cocoa Beach at either Resort on Cocoa Beach or Best Western. It's not Best Western, but the LaQuinta Inn Oceanfront. Not sure why I put BW there! Actually, we had thought about Inn at Cocoa Beach, but all of their rooms are king beds only.

[iloverags2]

As promised, a few of our door magnets (I have soooooo many more to make as well).

First our names...this was my first attempt at creating names from alpha fills...not bad!




I really just wanted to use this Mickey Pirate graphic!


My favorite saying...


Our itinerary


Becky is a DVC member, and I am a Castaway Club girl!


An excuse to use the cute Mickey pirate head



I will post others as I finish them! And I am still waiting on the FE to arrive...will post a picture of that as well.

[chezp]

Love the door magnets, especially the one of your names.

[shazza]

All the door magnets are so cute. Well done!

[lauriep]

I just love the magnets! I didn't make a single one for next week's cruise. Too late now! If DVC still gives members magets upon boarding at least I'll have that one.

(Yes, I'm on vacation, but can't take a vacation from PassPorter--need my daily fix! Besides, it would be too hard to play catch-up when I get home!)

[iloverags2]

Originally Posted by chezp

Love the door magnets, especially the one of your names.

Thanks! I was quite pleased with the names...honestly, I thought it would be much more difficult to make those than it actually was!

Originally Posted by shazza

All the door magnets are so cute. Well done!

Thank you!

Originally Posted by lauriep

I just love the magnets! I didn't make a single one for next week's cruise. Too late now! If DVC still gives members magets upon boarding at least I'll have that one.

(Yes, I'm on vacation, but can't take a vacation from PassPorter--need my daily fix! Besides, it would be too hard to play catch-up when I get home!)

I'm guilty of that as well...I cannot take a vacation from my beloved Disney message boards!

I believe they still have the DVC magnets on the cruises...we saw several while cruising in May. Have a wonderful time on the Wonder!

[iloverags2]

My FE gifts are coming along rather well!. The items ordered have arrived, and I can start putting together the crafty portion. Yippee! In addition we were at WDW this past weekend, and I picked up a couple of things for the handful of children in our FE group (can you believe that out of nine staterooms, only three have kids?).

On top of moving along with FEs, my Castaway Club number has finally been added to the cruise! Yea!

[Colexis Mom]

Great start! Love the magnets!

[Shelley the Pooh]

I really loved your poems and gift ideas for Becky. What a nice surprise for her.

Your door magnets have come out great! I am going on my very 1st cruise in Oct and have been working on some for our cruise. I want to do a FE but we don't seem to have too many interested parties yet.

[iloverags2]

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

Great start! Love the magnets!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Shelley the Pooh

I really loved your poems and gift ideas for Becky. What a nice surprise for her.

Your door magnets have come out great! I am going on my very 1st cruise in Oct and have been working on some for our cruise. I want to do a FE but we don't seem to have too many interested parties yet.

Thanks! I had so much fun putting the box together for Becky!

Our thread for the FE (and meet) is dead as well. There is usually one new post every two or three days, although we have gone for a week without a post at times. I tried in vain to keep a conversation going, but not very successful. We do have a pretty decent size group...12 staterooms, 24 adults, 9 children. Not bad - the second smallest I have participated in, but since it's a 3-day I'm glad I won't be carrying too much on with me and not have too many staterooms to visit.

Good luck getting your FE going on your cruise!!!