Chris and Chris's Dreams Cancun site visit - not-so-mini review (mucho pics)

[shanbeth]

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Originally Posted by peterpanpixiedust Ok, so after Carolina said I had given a sort of mini review on the Dreams Cancun thread, I decided to do just that when I got my pics uploaded on the review section. So, here is my site visit in a nutshell (a very big one_! American Airlines and Cancun airport - A We got slightly delayed (right after the pilot told us we should make it to Cancun early... after words he apologized and offered the advice to never trust your pilot - I like pilots with a sense of humor). Two checked luggage per person for free!! (but I think that just changed now to one). The airport was a breeze! After several review browsings, I was shocked to see customs go by so fast. All green lights! But then again, I didn't have tons of wedding stuff (that's next year). No timeshare crazy people in our face either. Now, flying back home was a different story, we waited an hour to check in (don't bother printing out your boarding pass the day before. We paid our resort a dollar a page to print, and there is no express check out in Cancun airport like there is in Chicago). Flight home was fine! At Dreams Food A+, Drinks A- We ate at the World Cafe (only one indoors and air conditioned), Himitsu, Oceana, and Seaside grill. Food at each was awesome. Himitsu and Ocean both have non seafood options, but Oceana is probably best to eat at lunch if you don't like fish. I do, but FI doesn't. Himitsu had non fish sushi even (fruit or beef). We drank at Sugar reef, the swing bar by the pool (can't remember the name), and the lobby. The reason for the A- was because the mixed drinks were tasty, but not much alcohol. I wouldn't say they were watered down, but I'm pretty sure it was only 1 oz of liquor for the entire blended drink. If you want to feel it a little more, I'd say go for jack and coke, or rum and coke or something similar. However, the lobby bar (Rendevous) offers these champagne cocktails that are amazing and you feel pretty quick (try the French one). Hair and Makeup, Mireya A+++ She put up with alot! I am extremely nit picky when it comes to my hair. She was an angel. I prepaid the tip, but ended up giving her extra. I had little expectations for makeup, so I decided to let her go ahead and not bug her, and actually, it was really nice. A little dark, but I smudged it a bit. I will say that the spa has very low lighting, so check your makeup in the natural light before you walk down the aisle. Side note - if any of you break out easy due to moisturizer/spf lotion, I found this spf powder at sephora. It's called Peter Thomas Roth instant mineral spf 30. That is the only spf I had on my face and it's the only part of me that didn't burn. It's not shimmery at all either, so that's good for photos at night, at it's translucent (so everyone can wear it). Does not work your hair part though, because that got completely burned on me, but then again that was the day that I decided to walk an hour to Dreams on the beach LOL Couples Massage, A They were very accommodating. I heard before that they just lather you with oil and move it around, and I was nervous because I break out with oil (and just about everything else). They ask you all these questions before hand and when I told them about my skin, they offered this oil free lotion, and the massage felt great! Not too rough or soft! No breakouts either! They were going to put us in a room, but then I told them I had requested the palapas by the water, and they moved us no problem. The sound of the water was so soothing. Rooms B+ Overall, I would have given our room an A+. The pyramid ocean front IMO is the best. It's only a step up from standard price wise, and you can't beat the view. But FI wished it was roomier, so I have to take him opinion in my rating. On the other hand, the Club rooms were his favorite. They were very spacious, but those darn rocks ruin every view. I just can't see spending that extra money if I can't get the view I want. I guess that's my hang up. The club rooms are much nicer on the inside though, see pics! But hands down the pyramid has the best view. I have pics of the Pyramid Ocean front, Club Ocean front, and Jacuzzi Junior Suit (club) which is massively huge! Claudia, Mike, and Juan We met them shortly after we got there. Juan was just there to talk to us about engagement photos, because we are flying in our own photographers (which btw, not only did Claudia say was fine, but told us to make sure they took a day to find the best spots for pictures). We finalized what what wanted with Mike, Chris wanted blu-ray, I wanted a highlight video, and we paid for one extra hour. So we are getting 4 hours total and only paid for one extra (we get 90 minutes with the package, 1 hr extra for not having photos, and we bought 1 hr, and Mike threw in the last 1/2 hour for free!). Claudia made sure it was all updated in our contract with taxes (so, in case you didn't realize, that contract she sends you already includes taxes! Score!). Claudia also traded our wedding parties flowers (we are using parasols) for aisle petals, and our center piece (I'm bringing my own) for 3 flags (those white things that you see in the reception picture). Claudia is amazingly sweet and and wishes it would be her turn to get married (I'm keeping my fingers crossed for her.) At the end I gave her $50 tip, but I'll give her more for our wedding. I just figured that was 10% of our deposit. Juan pushed back our photos nearly a whole day, so Claudia was going to give us day passes, but then she just gave us late check out (which she originally wasn't supposed to be able to do because Dreams was 100% full), and we got to stay after our photos for dinner! Btw, Estaban at the front is an amazing guy, he was the guy responsible for giving us an ocean front instead of a dolphin view (he deserved a nice tip... everyone there does)! Juan A+ Juan's pictures for our engagement were fabulous. He just dove right in (literally in the water) to get the best shots. He also listened to every request, gave us extra time, and photos! I tipped him for that and his great service (about 20%). He does have a strong personality though, when i first met him, I thought he was aggravated, but he's just "to the point". Don't worry, he's really nice! The only thing I didn't like was that I looked hunched over in some pics, but that's not Juan's fault. I'm taller than Chris and try to look shorter. It's a complex... Excursions to try - I read about Thai Lounge in Destination Weddings and Honeymoons Magazine and decided to try it. We got an over the water hut with a couch and table. It is at La Isla mall on the lagoon side. I was told it was reasonably priced, but it was actually kind of pricey (about $18-40 an entree, and $10 appetizers, and desserts, and maybe $8 dollar drinks... but in pesos). But it was really nice and in my opinion worth it. Our waiters were Eric and Edgar and were extremely nice. Afterwords, they give you a fish to set free and make a wish on, very zen! Paradise Maroma Sunset cruise - $90-$100 for either steak or lobster a person gets you transport to Maroma beach (gorgeous!), welcome champagne, all your drinks on a 45 minute sunset cruise, and dinner and drinks on the beach after wards with a saxophonist playing from table to table (they encouraged us to have a romantic dance together, so we did :-D ), and transport back. About 3 1/2 hours plus transport. They also take your picture and sell it to you. Pictures. I decided to post too many, so here's my photobucket. You shouldn't need a password. The first pics are our engagement photos with Juan, the next four are pics of Chris and I at the Royal Sands (the timeshare we stayed at), followed by the graffiti pics I took when I walked to Dreams one day :-( (Claudia is going to try to get someone do to something about that), then a bunch of Dreams resort photos, and the last few pictures are of the Thai Lounge. Sorry there are so many, but I have a problem, and should join over-zealous photographer wannabees anonymous (and these are only a fraction of my the pics I took) And I guess the review wasn't mini either! Sorry, but I hope it helps! Cancun pictures by peterpanpixiedust - Photobucket

The pictures are so helpful. I'm thinking of having the reception on the Club Terrace. Was this the picture by the pool? Also the picture you took of the tables, do they provide the decoration, or was the candle & ribbon, etc. on the table something the bride brought? These are the BEST pictures!

[peterpanpixiedust]

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Originally Posted by shanbeth The pictures are so helpful. I'm thinking of having the reception on the Club Terrace. Was this the picture by the pool? Also the picture you took of the tables, do they provide the decoration, or was the candle & ribbon, etc. on the table something the bride brought? These are the BEST pictures!

The terrace picture was by the club pool. It's walled up right now, with those beams on it. That's all you could see. A couple of you asked, but I have no idea on the decorations on the tables. The bride could have brought them, or Claudia or Cecilia may have given them. They were empty so I didn't have anyone to ask. That's the only reason I got pics, because I wouldn't have gotten so close if everyone was there (I don't want to be the weird outsider barging in...lol). I would ask Claudia or Cecilia because I know I'm bringing my own centerpieces. I love the fabric of the table cloth though! It's embroidered on the bottom.

[jas101080]

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Originally Posted by peterpanpixiedust The terrace picture was by the club pool. It's walled up right now, with those beams on it. That's all you could see. A couple of you asked, but I have no idea on the decorations on the tables. The bride could have brought them, or Claudia or Cecilia may have given them. They were empty so I didn't have anyone to ask. That's the only reason I got pics, because I wouldn't have gotten so close if everyone was there (I don't want to be the weird outsider barging in...lol). I would ask Claudia or Cecilia because I know I'm bringing my own centerpieces. I love the fabric of the table cloth though! It's embroidered on the bottom.

Thank you Chris...you're the best!! Your review and pics are so helpful. I am going to my site visit at the end of this month. Can you please tell what i should be prepared to bring with me? Should I bring enough money to book the different vendors? I am flying my own photographer as well but i will use Juan for my TTD session. Thanks in advance!!

[msglave]

Nice review for Dreams brides! The pics of the Dreams gazebo are nice. It was good that you measured the pillars for decorations. I like your hair with the pink flower. You're gonna be a beautiful bride!

[TanyonL]

Great review. Thanks for sharing!

[peterpanpixiedust]

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Originally Posted by jas101080 Thank you Chris...you're the best!! Your review and pics are so helpful. I am going to my site visit at the end of this month. Can you please tell what i should be prepared to bring with me? Should I bring enough money to book the different vendors? I am flying my own photographer as well but i will use Juan for my TTD session. Thanks in advance!!

No problem. I didn't need any money too book vendors. They just added the total on to my contract and we all talked it out together. Mike (Miguel) was great and Juan sat in our meeting even though I used him for my engagement photos only. We figured out alot! But, Claudia still hasn't sent the updated contract, so I asked my TA to contact her. I hope your site visit is awesome!

[hockeymom97]

What a great review and it's great that you were able to do a site visit ahead of time. I would love to do a site visit but we just don't have enough vacation days/room in the budget for it right now. Thanks for the review and the pics!

 

And I know it's totally off topic, but I just started using the Peter Thomas Roth powder sunscreen that you recommended too (I was already using other products in the same line) and it's awesome!! Anyone with oily skin, or who has a tendancy to break out, should definitely check it out!

[peterpanpixiedust]

I know how you feel about budget. We normally wouldn't be able to do it either. We were already going to Cancun because his parents have a timeshare and it FI's turn to go. Actually, that was the whole reason we picked Cancun. We figured that they were already going to be there, they would just have to come over to the resort for one day. So, when we picked this resort, we planned our site visit for one day. They gave us a discounted rate of $99 pp. We stayed the rest of the time at the timeshare (so, we only paid airfare, the site visit, and our vacation extras). It was my first vacation in 10 years! I'm so glad you like the powder! I used it on FI too!

 

 

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Originally Posted by hockeymom97 What a great review and it's great that you were able to do a site visit ahead of time. I would love to do a site visit but we just don't have enough vacation days/room in the budget for it right now. Thanks for the review and the pics!   And I know it's totally off topic, but I just started using the Peter Thomas Roth powder sunscreen that you recommended too (I was already using other products in the same line) and it's awesome!! Anyone with oily skin, or who has a tendancy to break out, should definitely check it out!

[erinbrooke124]

Awesome work getting all those pictures, Chris!

[jas101080]

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Originally Posted by peterpanpixiedust No problem. I didn't need any money too book vendors. They just added the total on to my contract and we all talked it out together. Mike (Miguel) was great and Juan sat in our meeting even though I used him for my engagement photos only. We figured out alot! But, Claudia still hasn't sent the updated contract, so I asked my TA to contact her. I hope your site visit is awesome!

Thanks...i am little nervous that i am going to leave and it be a wasted trip other then seeing the actual hotel in person. I just want to be able to get a lot accomplished on my three days there. I saw you said you will be bringing your own centerpieces. If you don't mind me asking how are you getting them there? One more question...did you make appointments with the vendors to meet you that day or did the WC do that? Thanks again!!