Life Stinks! Season Three! Finalized 11/11

[Mozart]

Life Stinks.

Now that we have that out of the way...

What's been up in your life? Mine has, for the most part, been uneventful since my last trip report. Changed my position at work, but didn't get a pay raise. Meanwhile, my wife hasn't changed a thing and gotten a huge pay raise. (funny how that works out, huh?) Our niece and nephew continue to grow up. Nephew is just about to start kindergarten and niece is now officially potty-trained. Dogs are still spoiled rotten, but they'll learn their place when we drop them off for 11 days at the dog spa in November.

Yes, this is the dreaded beginning of Life Stinks Season Three. We've been with parents on our previous 2 Disney cruises. But this time, it's just DW and I. This time, we will both be 37 at the time of the cruise. This time, it's a 7 night Eastern cruise on November 8th. This time, there will be no parents, no dogs, and no problems. Just like last time, there will probably be too much alcohol. At least, that's the plan.

Pictures, pictures, pictures. That's all I head about last time...post some pictures. Fine. I'll buy a new camera and post some. I happened to drop my camera at EPCOT last year and broke the screen. Couldn't see what I was taking pictures of anymore. Sorry, but it was just a matter of getting lucky enough for the shots to actually show up. This year, I might even post some food porn if you play nice between now and then.

Speaking of EPCOT, on the way to our cruise we're stopping by there for the Food and Wine Festival. I'll write up the portion that can be remembered. We WILL be using Disney transportation that night. Either that, or we're going to hire Erica to be our Designated Driver. How do you think that'll go over?

To start with though, it's just about time to pay off our cruise. We're getting the Romance Escape at Sea package, and I can book in 2 weeks, so I'm going to pay it off in 1. Which means we're making our final payment on my birthday. Happy birthday, moron. That'll be a few thousand dollars.

So for now, hello. Welcome to my trip report. If I've made you interested so far, I've got a few old trip reports in my sig. Warning though: I'm a boring writer. I try to write like Stephen King but it comes across more like Stephen Hawking. But for Season Three, things will get ramped up soon, and I'll try to actually make it interesting.

So, please, store all carry-ons beneath your seat, return your tray tables to their upright position, tighten those seat belts, keep your hands, arms, and legs inside the vehicle at all times.

And enjoy the ride.

[CruisinEars]

Hi Mozart!

Looking forward to this adventure. I have enjoyed your past tr's. We are going on the Eastern next summer so I can't wait to see what you do.

[CRUIZEN MAMMA]

Loved your last two reports can't wait for this one-

As for Erica- I think she usually likes to be designated drinker not driver:lmao:

[CRUIZEN MAMMA]

PS.

Admit it Mozart you only started your pre trip because Joel hasn't even started his last trip report yet.

[Mozart]

Hi Mozart!

Looking forward to this adventure. I have enjoyed your past tr's. We are going on the Eastern next summer so I can't wait to see what you do.

I've noticed that there's not as many Eastern TR's as there are for the Western. Not quite sure why that is. I'll do my best to fill in where I can, though.

As for Erica- I think she usually likes to be designated drinker not driver:lmao:

Notice that I'm expecting to use Disney transportation that night. I figure Erica would be too busy sampling to drive us back to Port Orleans afterwards.

PS.

Admit it Mozart you only started your pre trip because Joel hasn't even started his last trip report yet.

Has Joel even finished the one from last September yet? :confused3 He's the slowest TR writer I've ever seen. Even slower than Michelle.

[anc22]

Can't wait for more, I may just have to go and read your other reports while I wait ;)

[CapnJackGroupie]

:cool1: :cool1: Sign me up for the ride!!

[miztigg]

popcorn:: loved yr last 2 cant wait 4 this 1

[Mozart]

Can't wait for more, I may just have to go and read your other reports while I wait ;)

Or you could always get over there and update yours as well. :)

Edited to add: Go Brett Favre! Somewhere. Anywhere. Cuz Green Bay doesn't want you!

:cool1: :cool1: Sign me up for the ride!!

popcorn:: loved yr last 2 cant wait 4 this 1

You think you can't wait for it? I'm the one sitting here singing "Only 116 more days to go! 116 more days...Take one down, pass it around...115 more days to the cruise."

[looneytunes31419]

Hi Mozart,

Enjoying your reports looking forward to hearing more we will be going on the wonder in Sept. I will be posting my report when we get back. Any good Idea's for us to enjoy it will be our 3rd wedding anniversary. I will try to do my pretrip report soon. I have been really busy I just had knee surgery and Have not been to close to my computer but I am up and about now so I can do one. any helpful hint would be greatly appreciated.:confused3

[Mozart]

Hi Mozart,

Enjoying your reports looking forward to hearing more we will be going on the wonder in Sept. I will be posting my report when we get back. Any good Idea's for us to enjoy it will be our 3rd wedding anniversary. I will try to do my pretrip report soon. I have been really busy I just had knee surgery and Have not been to close to my computer but I am up and about now so I can do one. any helpful hint would be greatly appreciated.:confused3

Not sure if you're going on the 3 night or the 4 night. I would recommend making sure to do both Palo's dinner and brunch if available. They also have a wine tasting on the day at sea on the 4 night.

If you're looking for romantic things, I would recommend the hot tub, a couples treatment at the spa (the cabana massage on Castaway Cay is wonderful!) or having drinks in the Cadillac Lounge where they have a pretty good piano player in the background.

Something else to do is to fix yourself breakfast in bed each morning. One of you go up to the buffet first thing and fill two plates full of food. Then, take that food back down to your room and have breakfast in the stateroom.

Also, don't forget a bottle of champagne for sailaway. We like to enjoy that on the secret Deck 7 aft verandah.

[looneytunes31419]

Not sure if you're going on the 3 night or the 4 night. I would recommend making sure to do both Palo's dinner and brunch if available. They also have a wine tasting on the day at sea on the 4 night.

If you're looking for romantic things, I would recommend the hot tub, a couples treatment at the spa (the cabana massage on Castaway Cay is wonderful!) or having drinks in the Cadillac Lounge where they have a pretty good piano player in the background.

Something else to do is to fix yourself breakfast in bed each morning. One of you go up to the buffet first thing and fill two plates full of food. Then, take that food back down to your room and have breakfast in the stateroom.

Also, don't forget a bottle of champagne for sailaway. We like to enjoy that on the secret Deck 7 aft verandah.
Thank you Mozart, we are going on the 3 day and we do have reservations in palo on the first night, the day we board is our wedding anniversary. I did jot down all the remarks and keeping them in my mental mind I just might surprise him:rolleyes1 .

[Mozart]

Well, we're officially committed. I plunked down the Disney Visa and paid for the cruise. We have 6 months to pay it off so that we don't get hit with an extraordinary amount of interest. When we first booked this cruise, I was expecting to get a rather large pay raise this year. But did that happen? NOOOOOO! Maybe it has to do with the fact that I spent all last year on the DIS during the time that I was supposed to be working. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I work for a major corporation who believes in squeezing their employees for everything they can get out of them. Or maybe it has do with the fact that I seem to keep ticking off my boss. They don't like it when you point out the fact that they can be idiots at times. Hey, I'm just telling the truth. What's best for the company and all. (Speaking of the boss, she's on the Wonder right now. I hope they've got 20 foot waves.)

But, I'm not bitter.

I book Palo's excursions in 5 days. That's the first of the nerve-racking cruise related processes I have to deal with. (Well, at least the next.) After that, my wife will probably start buying clothes.

I just got the chills....

[Mozart]

Well, maybe we didn't pay off the cruise after all. A new dilemma has popped up its ugly head suddenly. My car broke down. I have an old beat up car, and it would cost more money to fix it than the car is worth.

So, I came up with the idea of getting a new car to replace it. Specifically, the Honda Fit Sport. Very economical, sporty, and gets great gas mileage. Part of my argument is how much money we can save on our November cruise by driving the Fit down to Florida. Think of the money we could save on gas.

Her response was that if we got the Fit, we would cancel the cruise. We've committed a large monthly sum to pay off the cruise within 6 months, and she refuses to consider a car payment on top of that. So, it's either a new car or a cruise.

Give me arguments people. I don't know if I can cancel the cruise and survive because it's all I've been looking forward to ever since we booked it. But we need a new car. Convince me.

[PigletsPal2]

Does it have to be a NEW car? You could research for a "previously-owned" economical car (van? SUV?) w/Carmax or something like it. Then you could have your cake (cruise) and eat it too! Good luck!

Colleen

[Renysmom]

Mozart - Explain to the DW that you have now committed to your legend of fans a new trip report and you can't possibly let us down.

Think that will work?

[anewmac]

Mozart - Explain to the DW that you have now committed to your legend of fans a new trip report and you can't possibly let us down.

Think that will work?

OH I agree with the above poster... you could always look at getting this..http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/prototype-spy-concept/Honda-2004-EV-Electric-Moped-Prototype2-small.jpg

or if its a short commute.. what about this... http://cxw4655.k12.sd.us/pimp-bike2.jpg :laughing:

now excuse me while I go fill up my gas guzling suv... :scared1:

keep us posted on the outcome ill be keeping my fingers crossed for ya (insert smiley with fingers crossed they really need one of those cuz well the pixie dust is just so manly LOL )pixiedust:

[Mozart]

Does it have to be a NEW car? You could research for a "previously-owned" economical car (van? SUV?) w/Carmax or something like it. Then you could have your cake (cruise) and eat it too! Good luck!

Colleen

We're actually looking at a Honda Fit. The amazing thing about them is that you can buy one brand new and fully loaded for 16,500, but can't get a used one for less than 19,000. I can't figure that one out. Guy at the dealership told me that it's because they have a 6 month backorder on the new ones, and everyone is just giving up, buying used, and paying a premium.

Mozart - Explain to the DW that you have now committed to your legend of fans a new trip report and you can't possibly let us down.

Think that will work?

Nope. She doesn't get the trip report thing. I actually have gotten addicted to making trip diaries for all of our trips. She didn't understand why I took so many notes on our trip to her grandmother's a few months ago. As if she didn't already know this...she thinks I'm a little off my rocker.

OH I agree with the above poster... you could always look at getting this..http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/prototype-spy-concept/Honda-2004-EV-Electric-Moped-Prototype2-small.jpg

or if its a short commute.. what about this... http://cxw4655.k12.sd.us/pimp-bike2.jpg :laughing:

now excuse me while I go fill up my gas guzling suv... :scared1:

keep us posted on the outcome ill be keeping my fingers crossed for ya (insert smiley with fingers crossed they really need one of those cuz well the pixie dust is just so manly LOL )pixiedust:

I don't think that bike will work too well on my 25 mile trip each way to work every day. Can't take the moped because it's all interstate and I can't drive them there. As my wife likes to tell me so often: "Nice try, though."

In good news, it looks like the cruise is safe. Either way we go with the car, we've got a financial commitment, so I talked her into keeping the cruise as a reward. It's gonna cost us $2,100 to repair a car worth $1,300 or we can buy a new car and wait for 6 months for it to get here.

Got a feeling I'm keeping the clunker. Just after getting all the credit cards paid off, too. Looks like my wife isn't getting those plantation shutters quite yet, though.

[PigletsPal2]

As much as I'd love plantation shutters...gotta go w/the cruise! Maybe you could take some pix of plantation shutters on some random building on one of your shore excursions - yeah, that'll do it!

Colleen

[Mozart]

As much as I'd love plantation shutters...gotta go w/the cruise! Maybe you could take some pix of plantation shutters on some random building on one of your shore excursions - yeah, that'll do it!

Colleen

I don't think that would work too well unless we posted all the pictures up on our walls inside our house to try and convince her they are real. ;)

Less than 24 hours until I can book Palo's, etc... I feel like a prizefighter who's been training for a big fight for 6 months, and knowing that it's all going to finally get here soon. Less than one day until I know whether or not all our preparations are going to be perfect, or will we have to start over again? Need a little Disney magic right now that it all works out: :tink:

[Gecko1]

Mozart, I just talked to DCL. They have pushed back the booking window for our cruise.
You will need to log on during "business hours", not midnight as usual. I think it only applies to people in South Carolina. :confused3 So, I will book the night before, then you book in the morning (if anything is left). :thumbsup2

See you in November!

[Mozart]

Mozart, I just talked to DCL. They have pushed back the booking window for our cruise.
You will need to log on during "business hours", not midnight as usual. I think it only applies to people in South Carolina. :confused3 So, I will book the night before, then you book in the morning (if anything is left). :thumbsup2

See you in November!

Well, that's fair I guess. Maybe I should help you out though. I can make sure that none of our plans interfere with one another. Just give me your reservation number and birthday and I'll go in on Saturday morning and confirm we aren't crossing each other up.

[Tink rules]

I'm in... so what have I missed????

[Mozart]

I'm in... so what have I missed????

You and Matt still haven't finished your TR's from the Westbound repo.
Joel and Erica are MIA as well.
Dreamfinder and TCD's reports always seem to come back from the dead.
Arin's husband doesn't understand her fascination with the DIS.
Every single person on a Mexican Riviera cruise is writing a TR.
And my cruise almost got cancelled but didn't.

That help?

[anc22]

You and Matt still haven't finished your TR's from the Westbound repo.
Joel and Erica are MIA as well.
Dreamfinder and TCD's reports always seem to come back from the dead.
Arin's husband doesn't understand her fascination with the DIS.
Every single person on a Mexican Riviera cruise is writing a TR.
And my cruise almost got cancelled but didn't.

That help?

Well..........that about sums it up :lmao:

[Tink rules]

You and Matt still haven't finished your TR's from the Westbound repo.
Joel and Erica are MIA as well.
Dreamfinder and TCD's reports always seem to come back from the dead.
Arin's husband doesn't understand her fascination with the DIS.
Every single person on a Mexican Riviera cruise is writing a TR.
And my cruise almost got cancelled but didn't.

That help?

Why yes... thank you...

And I'll tell the little Plankman to get his furry little butt in gear just for you!!! :thumbsup2

[Mozart]

Okay, all I've heard about for the past few months when it comes to Disney's reservation system is how many problems everyone has had with booking Palo's, excursions, etc... 12:00 is coming up soon, so I begin to psyche myself up. Computer...check. Disney music playing in the background...check. Large frosty beverage at my side...check. Internet connection...ummmm...why is my modem not blinking?

Have you ever noticed that on TV when something isn't working, they simply reach over and hit it and it suddenly starts up? Now, have you ever tried that in real life and noticed that it doesn't work? It's past 12:00 and I'm beating Charter Cable's modem to a bloody pulp. Then, the lights start to blink. I need 5 lights to have an internet connection. 2 lights...3 lights...4 lights...CRAP...back down to 2...3...4...5 for just an instant...4...3..4...finally, after about 5 minutes of watching these little Christmas light wannabe's, they finally seem to stick with all 5 lights on. Now, I just have to wait for my computer to reconnect. You know the message. "WIRELESS NETWORK IS NOW CONNECTING." COME ON! Finally! Time to start clicking away!

Now, granted, I wasn't that worried about getting shut out of what we wanted. After all, we're doing the Romance Escape at Sea package, and are booking 105 days out when the only other people booking are concierge guests. However, there's always a piece of me that says "What if..."

You see, we've planned this cruise out very carefully with regards to excursions, spa treatment times, Palo's, etc. A single time I can't get could cause a chain reaction of monumental proportions. I also knew from our cruise meets thread that at least two other people would be awake at midnight making their reservations. I tried to convince them that bookings wouldn't open until 3 AM, but don't think they bought it. I could just see them grabbing that exact Palo's timeslot that we want. Then our vacation would be ruined. (Doesn't it feel like something little like that could truly ruin your vacation when you're caught up in the middle of it?)

Here's what happened:

We got exactly what we wanted for all 3 Palo's reservations, DW's massage, pedicure and the 12 Metre Regatta. My massage we had to move from 3:30 to 5:00 one day, no big deal. But DW wanted a manicure right before we went to Palo's on Wednesday night. Unfortunately the only way we could do that was to reboard the ship from St. Thomas early. Since we're not sure how much time we'll spend shopping, we didn't want to commit to that. So we moved it to an at sea day. She'll live.

So now, we sit back and wait. Nothing has to be done cruise related for at least a few weeks. But, I'll find something to do. Like, maybe, work.

[Gecko1]

Mozart that hurts... having me in Palo at the same time would ruin your cruise:sad: and here I thought I might have found someone to have a few cold ones with.

;) Glad you got connected, even though the chance of not getting the slots we wanted was pretty slim; I know the frustration of things hitting the fan at the last second.

[anc22]

Congrats on getting everything you wanted :banana:

I would have freaked out if my internet/computer did that right @ midnight, like it isn't already ridiculously stressful enough :badpc:

[Tink rules]

You mean you didn't blow up the computer at Midnight like we did????? :lmao:

Congrats on getting what you want... have you informed Corrina you are coming??? Or was that Coralia??? (I get confused...)

[anewmac]

So now, we sit back and wait. Nothing has to be done cruise related for at least a few weeks. But, I'll find something to do. Like, maybe, work.


WORK,... why... is that what we are supposed to be doing while we are waiting for our cruise to come up... hmmm been going about this all wrong then!

Glad you got everything at the exact time.. more or less you wanted :yay:

[Mozart]

Mozart that hurts... having me in Palo at the same time would ruin your cruise:sad: and here I thought I might have found someone to have a few cold ones with.

;) Glad you got connected, even though the chance of not getting the slots we wanted was pretty slim; I know the frustration of things hitting the fan at the last second.

I do look forward to a couple of cold ones, particularly on Saturday. I'll need someone to watch the Clemson game with me that day (we're playing Florida State on the day we get onboard!)

And it's not so much that I didn't want you in Palo at the same time. It's that I didn't want you to get my Palo's time. I'm selfish.

Congrats on getting everything you wanted :banana:

I would have freaked out if my internet/computer did that right @ midnight, like it isn't already ridiculously stressful enough :badpc:

Yes, but a couple of frosty drinks sure do make it feel less stressful. I really wasn't that bad about it, just couldn't believe that it would happen to me.

You mean you didn't blow up the computer at Midnight like we did????? :lmao:

Congrats on getting what you want... have you informed Corrina you are coming??? Or was that Coralia??? (I get confused...)

Once again...Corrina is on the Magic, Coralia is on the Wonder. Was it Corrina who served you? I need to know who to ask for when we get there.

WORK,... why... is that what we are supposed to be doing while we are waiting for our cruise to come up... hmmm been going about this all wrong then!

If you're not really working, then maybe you're going about it all right. ;)

[Tink rules]

Ask for Cecelia or Sasha...

They are both WONDERFUL!!!!

This is Cecelia (here with my friend Sukie) and all of the wonderful Vegetarian selections she brought for him (definately made his trip!!!)

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s25/mbelauzon/IMG_1201.jpg

[Mozart]

So, who should I say sent me? Would it be Planky or Michelle?

I'm not sure that either one of those is going to get me a great reception.

[Tink rules]

Just tell her that everyone on the WB Repo thought she was FANTASTIC!!!

Oh.. don't worry... she IS fantastic!!! :flower3:

[Mozart]

You know how I mentioned that we were getting the Romance Escape at Sea package on this cruise? Here’s a little secret of mine….DW doesn’t know about that. She is a little confused about something and keeps asking me why the price of our cruise went up about $350 from where she thought we originally booked it. I actually blamed it on the fuel surcharge. I left out the part about them not applying to cruises already booked. I also left out the part about them being $112 per cabin instead of $350. She’s not totally buying it though. This past weekend she asked me what something was for that she saw on my computer. I had the rough draft of this entry up, and she noticed that the title of this episode is “The Surprise.” That was all she saw, but it ended in a line of questioning about what the surprise was. Don’t ask me how I fasttalked my way out of that one. I thought I was busted 3 months before the cruise.

And then there’s the timeline on the Palo’s bookings. Fortunately for me, she doesn’t frequent these boards, and leaves all the planning up to me. She’s unaware of the difference in booking at 105 days or 90 days or 75 days. But she did question me about when concierge guests get to book as opposed to us. It would only make sense for them to get early booking, she said. I just played dumb and said that I don’t know when they book. For the most part though, she just wants to sit down and book her Palo’s and spa reservations as soon as the bookings open so that she gets exactly what she wants.

Isn’t that what these cruises are all about, anyway? Getting exactly what she wants. Notice I didn’t say exactly what I want. I’ve been married 11 years. I know the routine by now.

[anewmac]

Isn’t that what these cruises are all about, anyway? Getting exactly what she wants. Notice I didn’t say exactly what I want. I’ve been married 11 years. I know the routine by now.

SMART MAN! :thumbsup2

So how are you going to pull off letting her book the spa stuff she wants without seeing the rest of the cruise info? Cant to hear how she likes her surpirze though. How sweet and romantic :cloud9:

[Mozart]

SMART MAN! :thumbsup2

So how are you going to pull off letting her book the spa stuff she wants without seeing the rest of the cruise info? Cant to hear how she likes her surpirze though. How sweet and romantic :cloud9:

Oh, she knows that its all been booked. She just doesn't realize that we actually booked everything 15 days earlier than everybody else. Besides, her extent of websurfing is checking her e-mail and ebay. She wouldn't know how to get to our reservations no matter how bad she wanted to.

As for the romance...how's your weekend been? :rolleyes1

[Tink rules]

Mine was very nice... thank you for asking... ;)

[anewmac]

haha its been very nice. The boys have not bugged me once and gone straight to him for everything..... ahhh. thanks for asking:)

[Mozart]

Well, I certainly can't claim to get the kind of deals that Erica gets on formal night dresses, but I'm pretty happy with this one. I picked up that new digital camera I mentioned I was going to need.

I got a Kodak Easyshare 10.1 mp camera with 12x optical zoom and 5x digital zoom. Don't ask me what that means, I just know that it takes better pictures than my old camera did. And the LCD screen on this one actually works.

As for the deal, well it was selling at Best Buy for $299, but by the time I got out of the store, I had talked the salesman into selling it to me for $229. I know, I know. You can't bargain at those types of places.

I say you can bargain anywhere, when given an angle to do so. And the sales rep screwed up and gave me an angle to bargain with him. He mentioned that they would match anyone's online prices. "Anyone?" I said. After getting the details on exactly what websites that meant, I informed him that I had seen that same camera as a buy it now on ebay for $230. After debating with him whether this qualified or not, he called his manager over, who quickly went back to read the rules regarding whose prices they'll match. After about 5 minutes, the manager came back and said "Give them the buy it now price."

And my wife said they wouldn't bargain.

[anewmac]

And my wife said they wouldn't bargain.

SCORE! Sweet deal! Note to sell check out ebay before going to Best Buy! Thanks! :thumbsup2

[anc22]

Who would have thunk it? Bargaining at Best Buy? Thats great practice for your upcoming port stops ;)

[chepic]

I just want to peep in here quickly and say I think your wife is great....I would have given my husband a similar ultimatium....but I would have said, you want the cruise and the car, get a second job :lmao:

And I would think that what you are doing behind her back is wonderful and loving....yes I said that about you. ;)

Cheryl

[Mozart]

I just want to peep in here quickly and say I think your wife is great....I would have given my husband a similar ultimatium....but I would have said, you want the cruise and the car, get a second job :lmao:

Not funny. She threatened me with that one time when she got a credit card bill of mine one time. :eek:



And I would think that what you are doing behind her back is wonderful and loving....yes I said that about you. ;)

Cheryl

My other problem is that I'm terrible at keeping secrets. I'm the type who wants to exchange Christmas gifts on the Friday after Thanksgiving. And here I've got 3 months to go before the cruise to keep this one hidden. :scared:

[Zoiebear]

She is a very lucky lady to have you to do all of the technicalities for the cruise and she just gets to go and enjoy the fun!!!
Stacie:laundy:

[Tink rules]

Well, I certainly can't claim to get the kind of deals that Erica gets on formal night dresses, but I'm pretty happy with this one. I picked up that new digital camera I mentioned I was going to need.

I got a Kodak Easyshare 10.1 mp camera with 12x optical zoom and 5x digital zoom. Don't ask me what that means, I just know that it takes better pictures than my old camera did. And the LCD screen on this one actually works.

As for the deal, well it was selling at Best Buy for $299, but by the time I got out of the store, I had talked the salesman into selling it to me for $229. I know, I know. You can't bargain at those types of places.

I say you can bargain anywhere, when given an angle to do so. And the sales rep screwed up and gave me an angle to bargain with him. He mentioned that they would match anyone's online prices. "Anyone?" I said. After getting the details on exactly what websites that meant, I informed him that I had seen that same camera as a buy it now on ebay for $230. After debating with him whether this qualified or not, he called his manager over, who quickly went back to read the rules regarding whose prices they'll match. After about 5 minutes, the manager came back and said "Give them the buy it now price."

And my wife said they wouldn't bargain.

WHAT??? You didn't get him to throw in an extra 2 G card for that camera???? I say go back and see what you can get it for... Check Amazon first... ;)

[Mozart]

She is a very lucky lady to have you to do all of the technicalities for the cruise and she just gets to go and enjoy the fun!!!
Stacie:laundy:

She would probably say that she's a little bit crazy. There's a reason I try to do special things for her. It's to make her forget about all the other things I've done.

WHAT??? You didn't get him to throw in an extra 2 G card for that camera???? I say go back and see what you can get it for... Check Amazon first... ;)

Why can't you be satisfied with the deal I was able to get? I was pretty pleased with myself and you come along and tell me I should have gotten more.

[Tink rules]

I'm very proud of you ... I really am...

I just wanted to make sure that you have enough cards to take pictures of your beautiful wife...

And Corrina...

Or Corralia...

Wait...it's the Magic...

That's CECELIA!!!!!!! :goodvibes

[Mozart]

Okay. So last time everybody kept bugging me to post some pictures, and since that seems to have become the thing to do lately on the TR boards, I figure I'll add just a few to get you going.

To start with, we go back to that magical year that was 2006. What makes it so magical? I really don't know. I just figured it would be a good place to begin.

Today, introductions:

The main cast at Jiko's:
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203%20Pre-Trip/100_0162.jpg

Now for supporting cast members. They will only be making a cameo appearance in the actual trip report:

This is Dante, the Italian Greyhound. Picture courtesy of my new Kodak camera. Kodak - because life's moments are too precious to lose. (Just throwing in a little product placement so that I can maybe make a little money off this TR.)
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203%20Pre-Trip/Picture015.jpg

And this is the real Mozart. Our chihuahua. Poor guy has been sick for a week now. He ruptured a disc on his spine and refuses to come out of his cage to do anything except eat and pee because of the pain. He only does that when we force him to:
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203%20Pre-Trip/Picture014.jpg

And this is what I have to fight every night when I go to bed. These two spoiled dogs are going to get a real wake up call when they go to the doggie spa for almost 2 weeks.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203%20Pre-Trip/Dante_bed.jpg

More pictures to come once I decide which ones are worthy to be seen.

[anewmac]

aww your wife is adorable!

The "kids" are cute too!

and love the pics the camera takes!

[Tink rules]

Mozart...

I told you last time...

You're wife's a beauty!!!

I love the pics... (I didn't bother you too much now did I??)

Hope the little one is feeling better any day now... :goodvibes

[anc22]

Great pics :thumbsup2

[Mozart]

I have 2 computer monitors on my desk at work. They are actually situated in such a way where noone else can see what's on them because of the way my cube was set up. Today I took full use of that little feature.

I did absolutely nothing. But I didn't do it alone.

Tink Rules, Zweihund, and anewmac were right there with me, along with quite a few more. We watched, glued to the screen, while a cruise ship 2,000 or so miles away sailed through a manmade canal that's travelled every day by hundreds of cargo ships. And we couldn't pull ourselves away.

Why? Why did we do this? Why does DCL make us lose all normalcy in our lives? Why are we doing things that make even our spouses look at us and go "You are SO weird."

I don't know. But I don't think it's this way with other cruise lines. Their fans wouldn't be as interested in everything that goes on with one of their ships. It's because DCL's fleet is so small. It makes us feel connected. It's not hard to imagine being on the Magic when you've already been on the Wonder. Doesn't work that way for RCL or Carnival. When you've been on one of those, you don't feel any affection for any of the others because they're all so different. DCL just feels like a tight knit little community where we love both of our ships. And unlike some other cruise boards, for the most part everyone here is civil to one another. We all want Main Street in our hometown, and DCL feels like it fits right in.

I hope the two new ships don't change that.

[jenn&nelsonrego]

I agree Mozart...

It's the reason why the Dis is so popular. We all become a a huge disney addicted family!

[anewmac]

COuldnt put it any better! Also glad I wasnt alone with.. not working LOL. 2 screens Im jealous.. keep trying to tell the boss I would get more work done that way but dont think he's buying it LOL

[Tink rules]

As a fellow viewer... very well put...I felt like a very proud Aunt yesterday... People don't get excited about other ships... we do... I think it's Magic... pixie dust and all that other wonderful stuff!!!

Of course having been on the cruise in May... while I wish everyone a safe and happy journey... all I wanted to do was stare at the screen and yell...

Hey... GET OFF MY SHIP!!!

:lmao: :rotfl: :lmao: :rotfl: :lmao:

[Mozart]

Everyone gives tips on how to make your cruise better. Here’s a few obvious ones for experienced cruisers, but first time cruisers may be interested. These are all for before the cruise, during the planning stages.

Don’t overpack is a tip you hear constantly. Here’s a hint…everyone overpacks. It’s impossible not to. So don’t sweat it. Just plan on 2 suitcases per person and you should be able to get everything into those. Unless that is…(see the next hint.)

Don’t plan on passing out 273,000 fish extender presents and think you won’t have to ship some of them ahead of time.

Book Palo’s early. Looks for ways to cheat such as the Romance Escape at Sea package if possible. If you’re going on a particularly competitive cruise, take into account how many openings there will be and how badly you want to do each Palo’s option. High Tea will fill the quickest, followed directly by brunch. If you want to do those, go straight to them at midnight, in that order. And try to convince as many people on your cruise meets thread as you can that bookings don’t open until 3 AM. Like I said…cheat.

When you’re logging in to make your Palo’s reservations, you may get an error message that says you haven’t paid for your cruise in full. Log out of the DCL website and then log back in and everything should be fine after that. Of course, by the time you do that everyone else will have booked their Palo’s reservations and you’ll be left out.

Book everything yourself in order to get any available DCL stateroom credits or discounts, then transfer it over to a travel agent for their shipboard credit. This way you’re doubledipping on stateroom credits. In addition, overplanners tend to need control of their reservations as long as they can, but that $100 to do nothing is impossible to resist. It feels like people are handing you stuff for free. It’s almost like being a Marine.

Find ways to spread out the time. Set aside items you know you will not need between now and the cruise and pack them. Just doing an item or two each week will make the cruise seem to get there faster as you watch the stack of items get bigger and bigger. Plus there’s the added bonus of less laundry to do.

Write a trip report to kill the time. SOMEONE out there will be interested in finding out every little detail of how your planning is going.

Get the passporter. Life-altering book.

If you get the Passporter, make sure you get the online cruise tips sheet as well. It’s full of interesting solutions people have come up with onboard. Like, how to make iced coffee while you’re on board, whether it’s better to go to WDW or DCL first, how to find the disboards, etc.etc.etc… Now I’ll warn you…there’s some weird tips in there. It takes all kinds. I really want to point out a few of those, but I’m afraid that their writers might just read these boards. That might not go over too well.

Look into a gift basket from Shirley at The Perfect Gift. She comes with a stellar reputation. And imagine your DH’s response when he gets those roses you sent him.

Research your cruise and decide what night you want to skip the main dining room to go to Palo’s. Do you want to miss Pirate Night, or one of the main dining rotations, formal night, semi-formal night(who would skip lobster?) etc… This is more crucial than you think at first. Read the menus and pick out your least favorites, then hope and pray you get the dining rotation you want.

Read the trip report board (I know, that’s a pretty obvious one), concentrating on reports that are on the same itinerary as yours. There’s actually some pretty decent people on here, and some wonderfully written reports. Dreamfinder’s is incredibly informative, and all the 9/27 cruisers are certainly entertaining. Plus, there’s some guy who writes a report called Life Stinks. He’s fabulous.

If you’re cruising in the fall, everyone starts getting nervous at the words “Tropical Storm.” Don’t sweat it. A) DCL will take care of things. Maybe your cruise will get shortened a day, maybe you’ll have to go out of a different port. But you will be okay in the grand scheme of things. A day on DCL is better than a day not on DCL. Even if you have to go to Nassau instead of Castaway Cay. B) My attitude towards life is that if I can’t change it, there’s no point in my worrying about it. Que sera sera. Take that attitude towards it and you will be fine. C) If the forecasters say the storm is going directly where you’re cruising, remember that there’s a large margin of error for predicting these things. If the forecasters say it’s going somewhere other than where you’re cruising, they’re really good forecasters.

Okay, that’s all I’ve got right now. I’ll post more if I can think of anything good.

[jenn&nelsonrego]

If you’re cruising in the fall, everyone starts getting nervous at the words “Tropical Storm.” Don’t sweat it. A) DCL will take care of things. Maybe your cruise will get shortened a day, maybe you’ll have to go out of a different port. But you will be okay in the grand scheme of things. A day on DCL is better than a day not on DCL. Even if you have to go to Nassau instead of Castaway Cay. B) My attitude towards life is that if I can’t change it, there’s no point in my worrying about it. Que sera sera. Take that attitude towards it and you will be fine. C) If the forecasters say the storm is going directly where you’re cruising, remember that there’s a large margin of error for predicting these things. If the forecasters say it’s going somewhere other than where you’re cruising, they’re really good forecasters.



My thought on Hurricanes and Tropical Storms?

It's a ship. It moves. :goodvibes:

[anewmac]

Don’t overpack is a tip you hear constantly. Here’s a hint…everyone overpacks. It’s impossible not to. So don’t sweat it. Just plan on 2 suitcases per person and you should be able to get everything into those. Unless that is…(see the next hint.)

Don’t plan on passing out 273,000 fish extender presents and think you won’t have to ship some of them ahead of time.


GEEE I wonder who he could be talking too,.... :rolleyes1 ::coughs:: Arin and I? maybe

[anc22]

Don’t plan on passing out 273,000 fish extender presents and think you won’t have to ship some of them ahead of time.


:rolleyes1

[Tink rules]

Actually it was me... and it was only 272,000 fish gifts.... ;)

[chepic]

Love the kids!!!!!! You must take wonderful care of them; they look happy and healthy, too bad you can't take them on the cruise with you.

You are ssssoooooo right about the Disney cruise versus the other lines, we don't talk about RCL as much the Disney cruise...they must sprinkle pixie dust in their alcoholic beverages!!!!!

And as for the disboards....so glad I have discovered them, and now I must live vicariously through everyone else until we can scrape up enough money to go on the new ships.

Have a great long weekend!!!

Oh, and as for the fish extender gifts....think little....think flat....save space :thumbsup2

cheryl

[anc22]

Thanks for the Door Magnet images! I will for sure be using ATLEAST one of them. :thumbsup2

[Mozart]

My thought on Hurricanes and Tropical Storms?

It's a ship. It moves. :goodvibes:

Exactly. Just don't forget to take seasickness tablets in case. I'm hearing that the 5 day going on right now has had some pretty rough seas.

GEEE I wonder who he could be talking too,.... :rolleyes1 ::coughs:: Arin and I? maybe

Oh, no. Not at all.

:rolleyes1

Well, you said you pulled it off. At least you'll have room for souvenirs on the way back. That is, unless you receive 272 fish extender gifts back.

Actually it was me... and it was only 272,000 fish gifts.... ;)

Yeah.,...okay.

Love the kids!!!!!! You must take wonderful care of them; they look happy and healthy, too bad you can't take them on the cruise with you.

cheryl

We though about trying to pass one of them off as a assistance dog, but that just wouldn't work. The chihuahua doesn't handle strangers too well, and the IG is just not...well...let's just say that we think he's a natural blonde.

No offense to blondes. I'm just stereotyping.

Thanks for the Door Magnet images! I will for sure be using ATLEAST one of them. :thumbsup2

Let me guess...the one with the princesses on it? I figured you might like that one. Don't forget that I've got blanks for most of those that you can modify to say whatever you want.

[Mozart]

Okay, I've updated my picture bank and have come up with some more:

The cast from Life Stink Season 1. On the left are my brother Wil and his partner Steve. They will be making a guest appearance later in this report. In the middle are my parents, who may play a supporting role. We're still in contract negotiations with them. This picture was taken as we were leaving to board the cruise. Notice that my wife has her cellphone stuck to her ear. She had to stay in communication with the office right up until the last possible minute.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/100_0666-2.jpg

If you only knew the trouble I went through to get this picture. I had to ask a cast member to move not once, not twice, but 3 times. I didn't even plan to have the Wonder and Flying Dutchman in the background. I just got lucky that way.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Postcard.jpg

My mother and wife at Animator's Palate:
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/100_0757-1.jpg

April 2007: (Our 10th wedding anniversary)

Getting ready for Victoria and Albert's. Highly recommended. I think we're still paying it off though. Never knew there was a restaurant that offered in house financing before.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/100_0793-1.jpg

Tea at the Grand Floridian. Erica - have you gotten Lionel there yet?
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Tea.jpg

Sharing a "Kitchen Sink" at Beaches "n" Cream. That thing made me sick. But if it's good enough for Samantha Brown, it's good enough for me.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/100_0849-1.jpg

Just a few weeks earlier when I spilled water on my laptop. We took this as an omen of things to come.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/100_0787-1.jpg

[anewmac]

love the pics... the kitchen sink looks tempting.. hmmmm

[Tink rules]

Cool pics!!! & I love the omen... ;)

[Mozart]

Last set of pictures, I promise.

For those of you who read Season 2, here's the remainder of the cast. (her parents)
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203%20Pre-Trip/100_0921.jpg

My wife has such a rough life. A glass of wine...a rainforest room...
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203%20Pre-Trip/100_0912.jpg

6 AM sunrise at Castaway Cay
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203%20Pre-Trip/Sunrise.jpg

From the observation tower at the other end of Castaway Cay:
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203%20Pre-Trip/100_0955.jpg

Okay, this was actually in the cast member area of Serenity Bay. We saw it from about 30 feet away and just couldn't resist taking a closer look. I'd say it was about 2 feet across.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203%20Pre-Trip/Starfish.jpg

The entrance to the EPCOT food and wine festival. For those of you who didn't read Season 2, we were at EPCOT the day before the Festival was supposed to begin. They did a soft opening that day. Really great way to finish up the trip.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203%20Pre-Trip/100_0977.jpg

Now we'll forget the past and return to Season 3...

[Tink rules]

Why stop??? I Love pictures.. especially all the ones your going to take this cruise!!!

[Mozart]

Well, It's going full scale now. Ebay and Paypal are the two most visited websites at our house. Either my wife or I one spend every night at a store or online looking for something for the cruise. An order of bath gel from H2O Plus (I love that stuff.) a new shirt from a men's store, even dramamine from Target gives us the warm fuzzies that we're getting closer. I also found a sweet deal on cologne at TJ Maxx. (Speaking of which, I am a huge fan of Paris Hilton's colognes. Right now I'm using the one she has called "Heir." I don't know how a trainwreck like that is getting ahold of such nice scents but she's doing one thing right. Now back to our regularly programming...just had to get a little more product placement in the report.)

We've started the packing list and pulling things aside. Pretty much, we can tell you what we're going to wear to every dinner, excursion, wine tasting, etc... My wife was kind enough to make sure our outfits complemented each other nicely without looking too corny (What is this, a high school prom?) Now it's just a matter of packing those items, or going to pick up new stuff where needed. One whole section of the closet has been set aside as cruise items. All the suitcases are out, too. And we still have 1 1/2 months to go. In addition, I'm buying new underwear for every day of this trip. My mom will be so proud to hear that.

My wife has decided that she wants to get dressed up in full pirate regalia for the deck party. Ain't happening. I'll wear a pirate t-shirt:
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203%20Pre-Trip/DeadDogs.jpg
and an earring/eyepatch we got awhile back, but full pirate regalia? No way. That's just not me. I'm much too formal and educated of a guy to do that sort of thing.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to stare longingly at some cartoon princesses. princess:

[Tink rules]

LOVE the shirt... where did you get it???

Sorry Paris... but I'm a Chanel #5 girl... :goodvibes

[Morgan4]

Well, It's going full scale now. Ebay and Paypal are the two most visited websites at our house. Either my wife or I one spend every night at a store or online looking for something for the cruise. An order of bath gel from H2O Plus (I love that stuff.) a new shirt from a men's store, even dramamine from Target gives us the warm fuzzies that we're getting closer. I also found a sweet deal on cologne at TJ Maxx. (Speaking of which, I am a huge fan of Paris Hilton's colognes. Right now I'm using the one she has called "Heir." I don't know how a trainwreck like that is getting ahold of such nice scents but she's doing one thing right. Now back to our regularly programming...just had to get a little more product placement in the report.)

We've started the packing list and pulling things aside. Pretty much, we can tell you what we're going to wear to every dinner, excursion, wine tasting, etc... My wife was kind enough to make sure our outfits complemented each other nicely without looking too corny (What is this, a high school prom?) Now it's just a matter of packing those items, or going to pick up new stuff where needed. One whole section of the closet has been set aside as cruise items. All the suitcases are out, too. And we still have 1 1/2 months to go. In addition, I'm buying new underwear for every day of this trip. My mom will be so proud to hear that.

My wife has decided that she wants to get dressed up in full pirate regalia for the deck party. Ain't happening. I'll wear a pirate t-shirt:
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203%20Pre-Trip/DeadDogs.jpg
and an earring/eyepatch we got awhile back, but full pirate regalia? No way. That's just not me. I'm much too formal and educated of a guy to do that sort of thing.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to stare longingly at some cartoon princesses. princess:


WHAT do you mean that you are starting to pack already. That means that I am WAY behind!!! :scared:

So glad about the underware thing, we were ALL wondering about that!! :rotfl:

Love the t-shirt, but my "formal and highly educated guy" will be wearing full attire. (His idea!!)

Ok, now I am going to pull the suitcases out right NOW!! :woohoo:

[anc22]

One whole section of the closet has been set aside as cruise items. All the suitcases are out, too. And we still have 1 1/2 months to go.


:lmao: Our suitcases were out WELL before the cruise too. It makes the cruise feel closer :rolleyes1

[Mozart]

LOVE the shirt... where did you get it???

Sorry Paris... but I'm a Chanel #5 girl... :goodvibes

www.bigdogs.com

In the top right hand corner under "Find It" do a search for Caribbean. 4 shirts should pop up.

WHAT do you mean that you are starting to pack already. That means that I am WAY behind!!! :scared:

So glad about the underware thing, we were ALL wondering about that!! :rotfl:

Love the t-shirt, but my "formal and highly educated guy" will be wearing full attire. (His idea!!)

Ok, now I am going to pull the suitcases out right NOW!! :woohoo:

C'mon now! I'm counting down to the last day of work which is only 43 days away. By the time I get all my clothes sorted out, send to the dry cleaners what I need, get it back, pack everything and then try to figure out how to get all of our stuff in 4 suitcases, meaning I'll have to repack it, those 43 days will be gone.

You need to get moving!

:lmao: Our suitcases were out WELL before the cruise too. It makes the cruise feel closer :rolleyes1

I have some instructions for you, Drea, and Erica. I want the three of you to meet up on one of the at sea days. Order 3 Bahama Mamas. Since Drea apparently has a thing for umbrellas, I want her to go get 3 umbrellas and place one in each drink. Then, I want the 3 of you to drink those Bahama Mama's after giving a toast dedicating the drinks to me. :drinking1

I don't ask much.

[chepic]

Love the picture of you with the tea cup!! Love the shirt!!!

Don't blame you for starting to pack, need to know what you have and what you need! I have 180 days until we return to the world and I have already begun my "list." I did call for my ADL's however their dining reservation system is being overhauled and I have been asked to call back in October to try again..:sad2: I need to know that everything is in place!!

Cheryl

[anc22]

I have some instructions for you, Drea, and Erica. I want the three of you to meet up on one of the at sea days. Order 3 Bahama Mamas. Since Drea apparently has a thing for umbrellas, I want her to go get 3 umbrellas and place one in each drink. Then, I want the 3 of you to drink those Bahama Mama's after giving a toast dedicating the drinks to me. :drinking1

I don't ask much.

Sounds like a plan! :thumbsup2
Maybe we will even take a picture to prove it to ya :rotfl:

[CruisingCamper]

Hello!! Enjoying reading your report!

[Mozart]

Don't blame you for starting to pack, need to know what you have and what you need! I have 180 days until we return to the world and I have already begun my "list." I did call for my ADL's however their dining reservation system is being overhauled and I have been asked to call back in October to try again..:sad2: I need to know that everything is in place!!

Cheryl

Is that the deal where they're going to 90 days to make reservations? I heard that was happening. Glad it didn't affect me. I'd be freaking out if we were that close and reservations weren't done yet.

Sounds like a plan! :thumbsup2
Maybe we will even take a picture to prove it to ya :rotfl:

Since you won't read this until after you're back....WHERE'S MY PICTURE?!?!?!?!

Hello!! Enjoying reading your report!

Thank you. I'm doing my best to keep it interesting.

[Mozart]

You know, my wife and I had an interesting discussion over dinner last night. From time to time we eat dinner out on the back deck while we play the radio on live365 (Yes it is Disney music alot of the time. If not, then it's 80's music.) Unfortunately with the weather cooling down that might have been the last time this year that we get to do that. But back to the point.

We got onto the subject of what would Walt think today. If Walt came back and saw what Disney had developed into, would he bemoan the greediness that has permeated through the top of the Disney corporation. I think he would somewhat. I think he would walk in and immediately tell them to start plusing things, and that the bottom line would follow. But can you imagine? Can you imagine how he would react on his first trip to Kilimanjaro Safaris? Can you see Walt riding Soarin? Visiting EPCOT, I think, would just push him over the edge. He loved the world's fair. To know that one existed every day of the year...he'd lose it.

Then there's our little hobby. I image Tom McAlpin driving Walt over the bridge to Port Canaveral and pointing over to the Magic or the Wonder sitting at the dock and saying to Walt "That's your ship." I imagine Walt staring in disbelief not only at the size of it but at its beauty, its atmosphere. He would see all the childrens faces at the sailaway party. He watches the little girls dressed as their favorite princesses while they stand in line waiting to pose for pictures with those princesses. Even watching the Golden Mickeys and getting to hear his old classics, as well as all the succesful music Disney has put out since then.

I imagine Walt smiling, maybe even shedding a tear. Then he walks over to Tom and says "Great. Now plus it." Tom just grins, looks back at him and says "Let me show you the plans for our two new ships."

Yeah, DCL gets it.

[Tink rules]

One of the families on the WB repo made a book mark for their FE gift... it read...

"Walt made all my dreams come true when he shared his! If I had one day with Walt, I'd let him see his Disney through MY eyes....Thank you Walt!!!"



I think he would like some things that are new. I think he's looking down on heaven and saying "I started this?" (in a good way...) :goodvibes

[cyndid]

Mozart: I've been trying to find your other trip reports and have been having no luck at all. Can you paste the links? Thanks

[CRUIZEN MAMMA]

they're listed in his signature and very entertaining:goodvibes

[cyndid]

Thanks...now I feel stupid. :lmao:

I tried the search function several times...would've paid to open my eyes.

[podsnel]

Hi Mozart!

Love reading your TR, but I gotta tell ya- I hate the day you get on the Magic because that will be the day I get off the Magic!:sad1: Oh well....I'll do my best to leave her in one piece for you, but I'm not making any promises!;)

[Tink rules]

Just don't take all the Mickey Bars with you...

[Mozart]

One of the families on the WB repo made a book mark for their FE gift... it read...

"Walt made all my dreams come true when he shared his! If I had one day with Walt, I'd let him see his Disney through MY eyes....Thank you Walt!!!"

I think he would like some things that are new. I think he's looking down on heaven and saying "I started this?" (in a good way...) :goodvibes

Yes, but then again I think he's also looking down and seeing things like the new versions of Imagination and going "What were you thinking?"

Mozart: I've been trying to find your other trip reports and have been having no luck at all. Can you paste the links? Thanks

Thanks...now I feel stupid. :lmao:

I tried the search function several times...would've paid to open my eyes.

I take that to mean you found them. I ramble on at times in my writings, but there's also a few moments in there that I think are entertaining. Like having 9 Bahama Mama's in front of 3 people. Right before the muster drill. I still have a hangover from that one.

they're listed in his signature and very entertaining:goodvibes

Thanks, mamma! At least I know that someone enjoyed them. My wife seems to think I'm crazy for spending that much time writing them.


Hi Mozart!

Love reading your TR, but I gotta tell ya- I hate the day you get on the Magic because that will be the day I get off the Magic!:sad1: Oh well....I'll do my best to leave her in one piece for you, but I'm not making any promises!;)

No offense, but I'm really looking forward to you leaving the Magic then. :laughing: Just don't mess up anything to do with my room, or the spa and we'll be fine.

Just don't take all the Mickey Bars with you...

I'm about to get screamed at I know. But I've never had a Mickey Bar. Or a Dole Whip. I know, I know. I should be flogged, then tarred and feathered and have my hands and feet tied to a racehorse as it gallops at full speed.

BAD DIS'ER! BAD!

[Tink rules]

No... now you have a goal... have one brought to you by room service and enjoy it!!! It's one of the best things to get from RS!!!! (they brought me 2 when I had a sore throat...:thumbsup2 )

[Tink rules]

I'm about to get screamed at I know. But I've never had a Mickey Bar. Or a Dole Whip. I know, I know. I should be flogged, then tarred and feathered and have my hands and feet tied to a racehorse as it gallops at full speed.

BAD DIS'ER! BAD!

& I'm puttin $2 to show on that race!!!! :rotfl:

[Mozart]

So I pull into my driveway today and there's a package sitting on the front doorstep. I think "I wonder if that's the pin I just bought on ebay?" But I purchased that from someone in California late last week. No way it's here already.

Then, I pick up the package. "DISNEY CRUISE LINES! CELEBRATION, FL! OUR DOCS ARE HERE!" :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay:

4 weeks until the cruise and our docs are already here! I don't remember them coming this soon in the past. Everyone on the main board is always complaining about how late they come. Oh well, I'm not going to complain.

Now I just have to resist actually putting the luggage tags on the bags now. It's so tempting. Like not peeking at a Christmas present. You know you shouldn't, but it would feel so much better if you just went ahead and found out what it was.

Now back to your regularly scheduled trip reports from the Sept 27th double dip delight...

[Tink rules]

:cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: YES!!!! :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2:

[Zoom]

So I pull into my driveway today and there's a package sitting on the front doorstep. I think "I wonder if that's the pin I just bought on ebay?" But I purchased that from someone in California late last week. No way it's here already.

Then, I pick up the package. "DISNEY CRUISE LINES! CELEBRATION, FL! OUR DOCS ARE HERE!" :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay:


Same here!!! We got our cruise docs today!!:banana: and I thought it was the rashguard that i bought on ebay for DS.

[dleem63]

This is going to be a great cruise. We did not get our cruise documents yet, but have not been assigned a room from guarantee either. Hope that happens soon.

Hope to meet you all on the cruise.

DeAnna

[chepic]

Yeah for you, Mozart!!! But for me it means 4 weeks until my b-day....that much more into the 40's :eek:

che

[podsnel]

No... now you have a goal... have one brought to you by room service and enjoy it!!! It's one of the best things to get from RS!!!! (they brought me 2 when I had a sore throat...:thumbsup2 )

Sorry- the ship is out! No M bars 4u!!!:rotfl: I love me some Mickey bars!!!!
:love:

Seriously, Mozart, you gotta have one!!! It's creamy smooth chocolatey deliciousness will have you calling roomservice for one everyday- that's MY plan, anyway!:thumbsup2

Very happy for all of you who got your cruise documents today. Makes me thrilled beyond words i still haven't gotten mine!:scared1: (I used DVC points, they said they come late- but still!!) :scared:

Ellen

[Mozart]

Same here!!! We got our cruise docs today!!:banana: and I thought it was the rashguard that i bought on ebay for DS.

Rashguard? Too much info... :)

This is going to be a great cruise. We did not get our cruise documents yet, but have not been assigned a room from guarantee either. Hope that happens soon.

Hope to meet you all on the cruise.

DeAnna

I really don't remember them coming this early before. I glanced at the meet thread earlier and it sounds like it's about 50/50 as to who's gotten them. Any day now!

Yeah for you, Mozart!!! But for me it means 4 weeks until my b-day....that much more into the 40's :eek:

che

Aw...you may be in your 40's, but based on your pictures in your sig, you're happy enough to keep yourself young forever!

Was that sappily sweet enough? :laughing:



Seriously, Mozart, you gotta have one!!! It's creamy smooth chocolatey deliciousness will have you calling roomservice for one everyday- that's MY plan, anyway!:thumbsup2

Creamy smooth chocolatey deliciousness? Is a Mickey Bar chocolate ice cream on the inside? I thought it was vanilla ice cream inside a chocolate shell. I want to try one, but if it's chocolate ice cream inside, I probably won't be able to handle it.

Just a quick note on something else since things are starting to happen fast. Tonight was door sign night. We ran out of magnet paper and therefore did not get 2 signs printed. We did, however get the other 15 done. They're hanging on the frig right now. Yes, you read that right. 15 with 2 more still to print out. I may have overdone it just a little bit in this area.

More info to follow.

[Tink rules]

Mozart... our mottos on our doors for the Repo was

"It's not done until it's overdone..."

(of course our other motto was "Live Fabulous or Die"... :rotfl: "

[Zoom]

Rashguard? Too much info... :)



Too much info? why? it's just a swim shirt. http://www.swimoutlet.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=535&gclid=CJ3OlNivqJYCFRsRagodZ2rHyA

[anewmac]

So I pull into my driveway today and there's a package sitting on the front doorstep. I think "I wonder if that's the pin I just bought on ebay?" But I purchased that from someone in California late last week. No way it's here already.

Then, I pick up the package. "DISNEY CRUISE LINES! CELEBRATION, FL! OUR DOCS ARE HERE!" :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay:


Now back to your regularly scheduled trip reports from the Sept 27th double dip delight...

woohoo Cruise docs.. (ya did the dance right?):banana: :cool1: lol

aww is that like a lil shout out to us DDD to get back to writing.. lol

[Mozart]

Mozart... our mottos on our doors for the Repo was

"It's not done until it's overdone..."

(of course our other motto was "Live Fabulous or Die"... :rotfl: "

Oh, wait until you see ours. It fulls up our front and side of our refrigerator and we still have some left to print. This is gonna be bad.

Too much info? why? it's just a swim shirt. http://www.swimoutlet.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=535&gclid=CJ3OlNivqJYCFRsRagodZ2rHyA

I assumed Rashguard was something to heal a rash you already had. No telling what we were talking about. (I'm very unhip when it comes to brand names. I still wear Lacoste and Tommy Bahama.)

woohoo Cruise docs.. (ya did the dance right?):banana: :cool1: lol

aww is that like a lil shout out to us DDD to get back to writing.. lol

More like a skip than a dance. Although now that I think about it, that probably looked even stupider.

[anc22]

Oh, wait until you see ours. It fulls up our front and side of our refrigerator and we still have some left to print. This is gonna be bad.


Over do it much?? ;) :lmao:

[Tink rules]

Oh, wait until you see ours. It fulls up our front and side of our refrigerator and we still have some left to print. This is gonna be bad.



I assumed Rashguard was something to heal a rash you already had. No telling what we were talking about. (I'm very unhip when it comes to brand names. I still wear Lacoste and Tommy Bahama.)



More like a skip than a dance. Although now that I think about it, that probably looked even stupider.

Over do it much?? ;) :lmao:

He's afraid of pulling off the Magnetic Pole with is magnets!!!

[anewmac]

some over do F/E gifts, some over do planning, others magnet making... we all have our vices (sadly mine is all 3 LOL)

[Mozart]

Over do it much?? ;) :lmao:

He's afraid of pulling off the Magnetic Pole with is magnets!!!

some over do F/E gifts, some over do planning, others magnet making... we all have our vices (sadly mine is all 3 LOL)

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I deserve it, I know. But at least my magnets won't take up a whole suitcase, or require that they be shipped down in a separate box before the cruise.

[Tink rules]

:rolleyes1 :rolleyes1 :rolleyes1

(I didn't ship a box... MY CRUISEMATE DID!!!)

Like I said before...just back the Uhaul up to the front door and throw the bags in... :rotfl:

[Zoom]

OK MOZART, Where are youuu? it's been almost a week now since you last posted, time to compete with ASHMAN's pre-TR!!!!

[Mozart]

:worship: OK MOZART, Where are youuu? it's been almost a week now since you last posted, time to compete with ASHMAN's pre-TR!!!!

I was holding off on posting anything because I'm working on something right now that I thought would make a good update. I've got some other things to post about though anyway and will get those up later today.

I'm not going to try and compete with Ashman. His original trip report is the one that inspired me to write one of my own. :worship:

[Zoom]

:worship:

I'm not going to try and compete with Ashman. His original trip report is the one that inspired me to write one of my own. :worship:

Oh there you go, I was gonna ask you about this because i'm trying to remember if it was you or Joel who was inspired by his writing. I agree he's good, don't be jealous now, i like reading yours too.

Can't wait for your update.... will you guys be at the meet n' greet on Sat?

[Mozart]

Things continue to rumble along. We’re in the single digits until we leave what is now the chilly Upstate of South Carolina for Florida. 9 days and 2 big projects at work to go and we’re on our way. This past Sunday was our official packing day. Miraculously, we’ve gotten everything into 3 bags and 2 carry-ons. Granted, one suitcase is the size of a small elephant, but since we’re driving down we don’t have to worry about baggage surcharges so we don’t care. I have, officially, 3 more things to pack. Exactly 3. 1 – a dress belt which I need to wear to work some over the next week. 2-my cellphone charger. Can’t pack that one yet for obvious reasons. 3-my glasses which I wear at night to give my eyes a break from contacts. Everything else is in a suitcase except for the clothes to go in the hanging bag. We’ve decided we’re going to leave those in the car and throw them in the bag when we get to the port. Hopefully that way they won’t get very wrinkled.

Made our final spa decisions over the weekend too. DW officially dropped the manicure. She’s still deciding on the pedicure.

I’m still working on one little surprise for the trip and trying to hide it along with the Romance Escape at Sea package until we get onboard. It’s tough, though. My wife is a hawk when it comes to the money and she keeps detecting that something I’m saying just doesn’t add up right. So far, I’ve been able to deflect it whenever she starts asking, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to much longer. She really grilled me on Sunday. Apparently, I have a tell that she’s figured out whenever I’m not giving the whole truth. That’s how she figured out that I was buying her a birthday gift last year even though we agreed not to exchange presents anymore.

Looks like EPCOT is going to be packed the day we’re there. Touring Plans has the day listed as a 8 with EPCOT a park to avoid. I’m not good with long lines, either. I don’t have the patience for them, but it looks like I’m going to have to. I need my food and wine.

9 days. I can do this….

[anewmac]

there is a website that can forcast how long or packed the parks will be.. DO SHARE!!!!

[Tink rules]

:worship:

I was holding off on posting anything because I'm working on something right now that I thought would make a good update. I've got some other things to post about though anyway and will get those up later today.

I'm not going to try and compete with Ashman. His original trip report is the one that inspired me to write one of my own. :worship:

But do you look good in blue and yellow duct tape??? ;) ;) ;)


BTW... I think it's gonna be crowded because of Jersey Week... Sorry...(since I used to live there...)

[Zoom]

there is a website that can forcast how long or packed the parks will be.. DO SHARE!!!!

Hi neighbor!!! here's the link http://www.touringplans.com/

[Mozart]

there is a website that can forcast how long or packed the parks will be.. DO SHARE!!!!

Hi neighbor!!! here's the link http://www.touringplans.com/

That is a great website! They give you crowd estimates for the next 30 days for free, and 6 months if you pay for a membership or own the UG. Alot of people have said that during October they seem to be underestimating crowds by a good little bit, though.

But do you look good in blue and yellow duct tape??? ;) ;) ;)


BTW... I think it's gonna be crowded because of Jersey Week... Sorry...(since I used to live there...)

Jersey Week, the last weekend of the Food and Wine Festival, and I think it's Super Soaps Weekend too. On top of that, we're going to have to fight our way through the Kennedy Air Show traffic to get to the ship on Saturday morning. By the time we get to the boat, I'm going to be ready to get away from the crowds. :laughing: Oh well, that's why we got a verandah.

As for the duct tape suit, that has got to be one of the most gaudy things I have ever seen in my life.

[Mozart]

I can finally reveal the final surprise since it's now booked and paid for. You already know about the Romance Escape package and a day at the Food and Wine Festival. I’m really trying to outdo myself and spending way too much money in the process. The way I look at it though, we’ve now got a day of wine at EPCOT, a bottle of wine waiting for us once we get onboard the ship at Palos, a bottle of champagne waiting in our stateroom, $350 in stateroom credits to blow on excursions, spa treatments, and more booze and we’re also going to be using the reward dollars from our Disney Visa card. So, we’re off to a good start. That should last us through the first day.

Maybe.

So now, for the finishing touch…a basket from Shirley at The Perfect Gift. It’s going to include a second bottle of wine that’s paid for pre-cruise. I just have to figure out how to open it without paying a corkage fee. The really hard part is deciding what I want to put in the basket. Remember, I’m a male. We’re not good at the whole surprise gift giving thing. And Shirley customizes each basket to fit the person. I just don’t have the imagination to help her with that. Put a bottle of red wine in I said and a few wine glasses and do you have any other ideas? Those two things pretty much max out what I can come up with. Well, the lady at the other end of the line ran through about a hundred different ideas with me…pretzels? Ghirardelli chocolates? Chocolate strawberries? Candles? (I think she didn’t realize what she was saying on that one.)

Then she hit it. My wife had just mentioned it the night before. A nice tray of cheese and crackers. SCORE! So after I sent Shirley off in search of a bottle of Pinot Noir, I relaxed, knowing confidently that I have done one of two things. Either my wife is going to be thrilled with all the little touches I’ve put into this cruise, or she’s going to get mad at me and say I’ve spent too much money.

I’ll have the alcohol ready either way.

[MaryAz]

I think she will complain about the money but be thrilled. Thats what I would do anyway. And you will totally get points for all the effort!! Sounds so fun!

[Zoom]

I think she will complain about the money but be thrilled. Thats what I would do anyway. And you will totally get points for all the effort!! Sounds so fun!

Yeah I agree! :thumbsup2

Mozart, i'm planning on bringing a wine opener, i'll have you borrow it. Few people reported taking wine opener in their luggage no problem.

[Tink rules]

I can finally reveal the final surprise since it's now booked and paid for. You already know about the Romance Escape package and a day at the Food and Wine Festival. I’m really trying to outdo myself and spending way too much money in the process. The way I look at it though, we’ve now got a day of wine at EPCOT, a bottle of wine waiting for us once we get onboard the ship at Palos, a bottle of champagne waiting in our stateroom, $350 in stateroom credits to blow on excursions, spa treatments, and more booze and we’re also going to be using the reward dollars from our Disney Visa card. So, we’re off to a good start. That should last us through the first day.

Maybe.

So now, for the finishing touch…a basket from Shirley at The Perfect Gift. It’s going to include a second bottle of wine that’s paid for pre-cruise. I just have to figure out how to open it without paying a corkage fee. The really hard part is deciding what I want to put in the basket. Remember, I’m a male. We’re not good at the whole surprise gift giving thing. And Shirley customizes each basket to fit the person. I just don’t have the imagination to help her with that. Put a bottle of red wine in I said and a few wine glasses and do you have any other ideas? Those two things pretty much max out what I can come up with. Well, the lady at the other end of the line ran through about a hundred different ideas with me…pretzels? Ghirardelli chocolates? Chocolate strawberries? Candles? (I think she didn’t realize what she was saying on that one.)

Then she hit it. My wife had just mentioned it the night before. A nice tray of cheese and crackers. SCORE! So after I sent Shirley off in search of a bottle of Pinot Noir, I relaxed, knowing confidently that I have done one of two things. Either my wife is going to be thrilled with all the little touches I’ve put into this cruise, or she’s going to get mad at me and say I’ve spent too much money.

I’ll have the alcohol ready either way.

Very nice!!!

I hear if you ask the stateroom host for an opener it's a freebie from DCL...

We got around the corking fee by taking a glass of wine with us each to dinner each night... ;)

[anc22]

What a nice surprise :thumbsup2

[anewmac]

oh thats awesome. Ya like most women she will say you shouldnt have spent the money but inside she will be LOVING that you thought of this... can I give you E's email address LOL

good luck on getting away from the corkage fees we didnt have wine... just well concealed "water" (put rum in water bottles LOL) Servers must have thought we were nuts adding "water" to our sodas and oj every day LOL WHAT we like it "watered" down LOL

[podsnel]

Things continue to rumble along. We’re in the single digits until we leave what is now the chilly Upstate of South Carolina for Florida. 9 days and 2 big projects at work to go and we’re on our way. This past Sunday was our official packing day. Miraculously, we’ve gotten everything into 3 bags and 2 carry-ons. Granted, one suitcase is the size of a small elephant, but since we’re driving down we don’t have to worry about baggage surcharges so we don’t care. I have, officially, 3 more things to pack. Exactly 3. 1 – a dress belt which I need to wear to work some over the next week. 2-my cellphone charger. Can’t pack that one yet for obvious reasons. 3-my glasses which I wear at night to give my eyes a break from contacts. Everything else is in a suitcase except for the clothes to go in the hanging bag. We’ve decided we’re going to leave those in the car and throw them in the bag when we get to the port. Hopefully that way they won’t get very wrinkled.

Made our final spa decisions over the weekend too. DW officially dropped the manicure. She’s still deciding on the pedicure.

I’m still working on one little surprise for the trip and trying to hide it along with the Romance Escape at Sea package until we get onboard. It’s tough, though. My wife is a hawk when it comes to the money and she keeps detecting that something I’m saying just doesn’t add up right. So far, I’ve been able to deflect it whenever she starts asking, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to much longer. She really grilled me on Sunday. Apparently, I have a tell that she’s figured out whenever I’m not giving the whole truth. That’s how she figured out that I was buying her a birthday gift last year even though we agreed not to exchange presents anymore.

Looks like EPCOT is going to be packed the day we’re there. Touring Plans has the day listed as a 8 with EPCOT a park to avoid. I’m not good with long lines, either. I don’t have the patience for them, but it looks like I’m going to have to. I need my food and wine.

9 days. I can do this….

I did the REAS, too, without telling DH about it- I actually got a prepaid Visa card to pay for it so it wouldn't be on our Visa bill- DH is a CPA, there are NO bills that get by unnoticed!!:rotfl: I don't even know if I'm going to tell him we have anything special....I may just let him think, "WOW! DCL is REALLY first class!!!:rotfl:

Just a heads up, though- they called and left a message on my answering machine this week, confirming our Palo res and the rainforest room along with thanking us for the REAS. If she gets to your messages before you, :scared1: . I have the # to call back with ?'s about it- Moki at 877-566-0974 option 3.
Have a great trip- I know we will!:banana:

Ellen

[Mozart]

I think she will complain about the money but be thrilled. Thats what I would do anyway. And you will totally get points for all the effort!! Sounds so fun!

What a nice surprise :thumbsup2

I'm trying. I need all the bonus points I can get. Can you imagine that I'm the type of guy who always seems to stay in trouble?

Mozart, i'm planning on bringing a wine opener, i'll have you borrow it. Few people reported taking wine opener in their luggage no problem.

I might have to take you up on that. What floor are you on? I may need to make an emergency run from 7 if you're close by.

Very nice!!!

I hear if you ask the stateroom host for an opener it's a freebie from DCL...

We got around the corking fee by taking a glass of wine with us each to dinner each night... ;)

Or I could just give the room attendant a good tip that's cheaper than the corkage fee. I already have to do that to make sure the H2Oplus products remain full at all times.

oh thats awesome. Ya like most women she will say you shouldnt have spent the money but inside she will be LOVING that you thought of this... can I give you E's email address LOL

good luck on getting away from the corkage fees we didnt have wine... just well concealed "water" (put rum in water bottles LOL) Servers must have thought we were nuts adding "water" to our sodas and oj every day LOL WHAT we like it "watered" down LOL

Okay, I like the water bottle thing. Creative. But let me remind you of one thing. E has been overseas with a bunch of stinky Marines who never get to shower for the last, what, 2 years? Romance hasn't exactly been on the top of his mind. It'll take him awhile to get back into it.

Just a heads up, though- they called and left a message on my answering machine this week, confirming our Palo res and the rainforest room along with thanking us for the REAS. If she gets to your messages before you, :scared1: . I have the # to call back with ?'s about it- Moki at 877-566-0974 option 3.
Have a great trip- I know we will!:banana:

Ellen

No worries there. We don't have a home phone, just cellphones. I always use mine as the contact number.

[lovesDCL]

hi Mozart! another great report! :thumbsup2 hope all those special surprises for your wife work out well! :wizard:



Or I could just give the room attendant a good tip that's cheaper than the corkage fee. I already have to do that to make sure the H2Oplus products remain full at all times.



just wanted to ask you how you go about doing this with the room attendant? do you just leave a little note requesting extra products and some cash with it? :confused3 sorry! i love the H20 stuff i want to make sure i go about getting it the right way and not look like an idiot :rotfl: TIA! :flower3:

[Mozart]

Well, isn't this interesting. DW and I had a discussion last night in which we were making some last minute decisions on spa treatments. We both expressed a concern about the Aroma Stone Therapy Massage since we knew we could get one in Greenville for half the price. Then we started talking about things we could do to replace it. The jet ski tour of Castaway Cay came up. DW expressed interest.

So, in order to give her a feel for what it's like, I remember that Erica had done a great writeup on it in one of her previous trip reports. I found it and proceeded to read it to DW, with even the complete description of the giant mutant shark that Erica was afraid of.

DW laughed, called Erica a wimp, and then informed me that we were doing that excursion whether we cancelled the massages or not.

Nothing quite like waiting until the last minute to make these changes. Now, we just have to decide about the spa.

6 days until we leave...

[Mozart]

just wanted to ask you how you go about doing this with the room attendant? do you just leave a little note requesting extra products and some cash with it? :confused3 sorry! i love the H20 stuff i want to make sure i go about getting it the right way and not look like an idiot :rotfl: TIA! :flower3:

I've heard from multiple sources that they aren't just giving out the H2O products like they used to, but people are reporting that if they give a tip beforehand to the room attendant and remove the previous stuff from their shower, the attendant will place new bottles in each day.

That's just what I've heard. I'll be able to tell you for sure in a little over a week.

[Tink rules]

Well, isn't this interesting. DW and I had a discussion last night in which we were making some last minute decisions on spa treatments. We both expressed a concern about the Aroma Stone Therapy Massage since we knew we could get one in Greenville for half the price. Then we started talking about things we could do to replace it. The jet ski tour of Castaway Cay came up. DW expressed interest.

So, in order to give her a feel for what it's like, I remember that Erica had done a great writeup on it in one of her previous trip reports. I found it and proceeded to read it to DW, with even the complete description of the giant mutant shark that Erica was afraid of.

DW laughed, called Erica a wimp, and then informed me that we were doing that excursion whether we cancelled the massages or not.

Nothing quite like waiting until the last minute to make these changes. Now, we just have to decide about the spa.

6 days until we leave...

Keep the Spa...

& don't tell Erica she's a wimp... :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[MegaMouseHouse]

I've heard from multiple sources that they aren't just giving out the H2O products like they used to, but people are reporting that if they give a tip beforehand to the room attendant and remove the previous stuff from their shower, the attendant will place new bottles in each day.

That's just what I've heard. I'll be able to tell you for sure in a little over a week.

I love those H2O products too. I will leave some cash or candy. Of course if all else fails I will do what I did last time and go right to the H2O website and buy some to have sent right to my house so it is waiting when I return. :thumbsup2

[Tink rules]

sign up for their email stuff... they send out discounts... :goodvibes :goodvibes :goodvibes

[Tink rules]

Mozart.....

Did you see this???

Maybe you can plan on another 3 night...

http://www.wdwinfo.com/discounts/discounts-cruise.htm

[Mozart]

You know, the last 13 months have been extremely long. I wish I would've kept track of how many times I have checked the DIS during that time, looking for that one little snippet of information about St. Thomas or St. Maarten that would make our trip complete. I'm still disappointed that we won't be in Alaska next year, but DCL screwed up on that one. One thing I did learn is that every excursion in St. Maarten includes sunbathing, like it's complusory that you come back from the islands with skin the color of a lobster. And snorkeling. If you don't want to do one of those things, there's not much to do other than the 12 metre regatta excursion. (As a not so subtle reminder, "WE'RE GOING ON THE 12 METRE REGATTA EXCURSION!") And another thing I've learned is that you don't want to go too close to Maho Beach, St. Maarten. Some of those videos on youtube are just plain scary.

Like this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITsqHneYrE8&NR=1

Better yet:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D1NQsaharM

But the best one of all may be:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oB4rcr7gT0&NR=1

Just in case your computer doesn't like youtube:
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203%20Pre-Trip/Maho2.jpg

TOP THAT, TOWER OF TERROR!

Finally, I learned that we will be on St. Maarten on St. Maarten's Day, an island-wide holiday which celebrates the day that Christopher Columbus discovered the island. It also happens to be a day most of the shops on the isle are closed. Bummer for my wife, great for my wallet.

[Tink rules]

So I see you've found my jet.... :goodvibes :goodvibes :goodvibes

(next time I need to make sure they serve some proper Dom with my lobster...) ;) ;)

[Tink rules]

Hey Mozart... those people under the plane got the only shady place on the beach!!! :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

[MaryAz]

I think that looked awesome! Though I kept telling myself that I did not need to duck. :)

[Mozart]

Right now, I'm stressing out because I don't know how I'm going to watch the Clemson game on Saturday if it's not shown somewhere on board. That's not good. I freak out during Clemson games, especially when I can't see it right that moment. And this is the Florida State game! It's also at 3:30, so I'll have to miss part of it for the muster drill. And the sailaway party! Can you imagine how bad I'll be if I can't watch it at all? And spend the entire week stressing because I can't find out the score? (I've promised not to use the internet on board.) My wife is going to kill me if that happens. Of course, she's going to kill me if I spend half the day Saturday in Diversions watching the game too, but that's another issue. Hope she doesn't mind spending the first day of the cruise by herself.

But, it's almost that time. We leave tonight and hit the long, boring drive on I-95 tomorrow. On Friday, it's the Food and Wine Festival! I'll give a brief report regarding that, but probably won't go into too much detail, mainly because the wine will probably make me forget the details. That could be a problem on the ship too, what with martini tastings, wine tastings, bahama mama gulpings, and just basically the total shutdown of our thinking processes so we don't stress about those little work related issues on vacation. Like just how many e-mails will be in our inboxes when we fire up our computers on Monday the 17th? Mine will be around 350, with repeated warnings that my mailbox size has reached its limit. That delete button will be working overtime that day.

Yes, life stinks now. But tonight we begin the trip to the MouseHouse. Life will be good soon.

And I'll be back in 11 days with all the gory details. See ya then.

[Tink rules]

Mozart have a drink and relax...you're on vacation...

And besides... do you think it will be any better than Tech beating Texas???? :rolleyes:

[anewmac]

Have a great time... cant wait to read all about it!

[hm21999]

Mozart - I have been reading all of your trip reports popcorn:: and they have been getting me so excited about our first cruise coming up in January! Have a wonderful time and I cant wait to hear all the gory details! Heather

[MaryAz]

Have a great trip. Hope you get to watch the games you want to. Can't wait to read all about it.

[lovesDCL]

have a great trip! :banana: i hope all your surprises work out as planned! :thumbsup2

[dleem63]

Looks like the Clemson/FSU game is a regional game on ABC. Hopefully can pick up some of it in Diversions. Go Noles!

[podsnel]

Just for you!! And I was NOT happy to do so- I've never been soooo depressed for a vacation to end, and we were on our way to the happiest place on earth- we looked like we were headed to a hanging!:sad: :sad: :sad:
Hope you're having as great a time as we did!!

Ellen

[chepic]

I hated leaving the ship also!!!!

Mozart, thank you for that sappy coment....it means alot cfrom you. I hope you and your beautiful wife are enjoying all your hard earned extras!!!

cheryl

[anewmac]

Just for you!! And I was NOT happy to do so- I've never been soooo depressed for a vacation to end, and we were on our way to the happiest place on earth- we looked like we were headed to a hanging!:sad: :sad: :sad:
Hope you're having as great a time as we did!!

Ellen

HAHA thats how we felt too LOL.

[Tink rules]

Is he on this week????

Can't wait to hear since the cruise got changed to a Western cause of Paloma...

[Mozart]

Well, the dog just pulled into the Upstate of South Carolina a few hours ago and is totally exhausted. Yes, Tink, we did do a totally different cruise from the one we expected. It included 2 stops at Castaway Cay, Cozumel, Costa Maya, and even a brief detour to Key West.

More details to follow. I just need a few days to get my thoughts organized. Despite the grumblings I have about not doing an Eastern like we expected, I understand that it was necessary. But having already been to Cozumel and Costa Maya it just wasn't quite the same as going someplace new. The ship, food, and service were just as expected.

I'll go into more later. Just wanted to say hello.

[lovesDCL]

hi mozart! happy to hear you are back...can't wait for your report :thumbsup2 popcorn::

[anewmac]

awww sorry your cruise had some changes.. but cant wait to hear all about it.. specially since we didnt get to go to Costa Maya

[Tink rules]

Well, the dog just pulled into the Upstate of South Carolina a few hours ago and is totally exhausted. Yes, Tink, we did do a totally different cruise from the one we expected. It included 2 stops at Castaway Cay, Cozumel, Costa Maya, and even a brief detour to Key West.

More details to follow. I just need a few days to get my thoughts organized. Despite the grumblings I have about not doing an Eastern like we expected, I understand that it was necessary. But having already been to Cozumel and Costa Maya it just wasn't quite the same as going someplace new. The ship, food, and service were just as expected.

I'll go into more later. Just wanted to say hello.

Sorry for the changes... but I hope you had a great time just the same... did DW love her surprises???? :goodvibes

[cheeringmom]

Looking forward to reading Mozart!!!

[Mozart]

During the course of this report, I shall be providing some new, never before seen elements to Mozart's TR. First and most noticeable will be pictures. The dog has loaded up on pictures this time, returning with well over 300 photos from a one week vacation. I'll do my best to help the story along with a sampling of these.

Secondly, there will be a daily tip/and or thought mentioning something I learned during the course of the day that should be wise words for all of us when we travel. Take them for the grain of salt that they are worth.

Finally, I've given out kudos in the past but never really done them in an official format. Throughout the course of the report I shall be giving out official Mozart dogbiscuits. These biscuits will go to people or things that went above and beyond the call of duty to make the vacation special. Read on for more info on these...but coming next...the trip begins!

[chepic]

Secondly, there will be a daily tip/and or thought mentioning something I learned during the course of the day that should be wise words for all of us when we travel. Take them for the grain of salt that they are worth.


I am certain your words to the wise are a must have!!!

Glad you're back.

cheryl

[jenn&nelsonrego]

During the course of this report, I shall be providing some new, never before seen elements to Mozart's TR. First and most noticeable will be pictures. The dog has loaded up on pictures this time, returning with well over 300 photos from a one week vacation. I'll do my best to help the story along with a sampling of these.

Secondly, there will be a daily tip/and or thought mentioning something I learned during the course of the day that should be wise words for all of us when we travel. Take them for the grain of salt that they are worth.

Finally, I've given out kudos in the past but never really done them in an official format. Throughout the course of the report I shall be giving out official Mozart dogbiscuits. These biscuits will go to people or things that went above and beyond the call of duty to make the vacation special. Read on for more info on these...but coming next...the trip begins!

Very exciting! Waiting patiently... :dance3: :dance3: :dance3:

[cheeringmom]

popcorn:: can't wait! Fun to hear someone elses perspective af the same trip!!

[MaryAz]

Alright, lets get this party started! Cannot wait!

[Mozart]

It’s finally that time. The time we get to fully relax and enjoy the first blissful minutes of knowing that we were on vacation. It occurred for us on a Wednesday night when we packed the last of way too many bags into the car, and pulled out heading for my parent’s house about 2 hours south of our home. It gives us a headstart on the drive down, and makes it possible to spend a little time on Thursday afternoon goofing around Downtown Disney. Of course, it also means dropping off the canines for a week and a half. We’ve never left them for this long before.

Things went well at my parents, and Thursday morning we got up bright and early and began the trek down I-95 to Orlando. I set goals for my driving. Leave by 7 and grab breakfast at Chick-Fil-A. Stop in Brunswick , GA around 11, and then get to our hotel right around 3. That’s the goal. It never seems to work out that way. But actually this time we came pretty close. We left at 7:20, skipped Brunswick in favor of St. Augustine, and hit Port Orleans French Quarter at 3:15. We spent our honeymoon at this hotel and haven’t been back since. I missed that place. But now, it’s time for our cruise. No, not the one onboard the Magic. This one is just a riverboat ride from Port Orleans to Downtown Disney.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203/EC016.jpg

Downtown Disney has truly been a refuge for us over the last few years. It’s that place you can go to begin getting a feel for the Disney experience, without yet having to fork out $70 for theme park tickets on a very short day in Orlando. Forking it out for a full day is bad enough, but having to blow that kind of dough on about 3 hours just makes me cringe. So…we don’t. We just go blow the money in souvenirs without actually entering a park.

My best friend moved to Melbourne about 5 years ago and he and I rarely get to see one another anymore. Thursday night, he and his wife drove over from Melbourne and joined us for our evening at Downtown Disney. Mike is, shall we say, an interesting character. He’s the type of guy that you’re either insanely mad at, or laughing with hysterically the entire time you’re around him. Sometimes it’s both at the same time. There is absolutely nothing PC about this guy. He will say anything to anyone at any time. He and I have had conversations about the DIS. He uses the wdwinfo site to keep up with what’s new at WDW. So, he and I start talking after we get to DD. What percentage of the people at DD are DIS’ers we wonder?

Mike proceeds to try and find out. He’s, literally, walking around, stopping people as they walk by and asking them if they know what the DIS is. After about 10 people or so, he gets a hit. Then, this yahoo friend of mine proceeds to introduce me to the woman in a way only Mike can. “This is Mozart. He writes DCL Trip Reports. Do you want his autograph?”

I’m serious. He actually asked the woman if she wanted my autograph or to have a picture taken with me. My face is probably as red as it can be. The woman and her family have looks of absolute confusion on theirs. It was about this time that DW and Mike’s wife walk back up and tell us that it’s time to go to the House of Blues for dinner. I escaped as gracefully as I could considering the circumstances. Mike just laughed. Why am I friends with him again?

After dinner, we just did some shopping before heading back to the resort. The new T-Rex restaurant is pretty cool. Whether you eat there or not, you need to step inside and check it out. The dinosaurs are so realistic it’s scary.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203/EC030.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203/EC032.jpg

Caught a little bit of the jazz musician in the lobby at POFQ. His name is Elliott Dyson, and if you get the chance to see him, he’s excellent. Basically we just relaxed because we knew that the next day we were going to be EPCOT commandos. And that’s where we leave off for now.

THOUGHT FOR THURSDAY: I have never ever found a shirt that I like in my size at World of Disney. Either they're out of my size, or I don't like the shirt. I'm telling ya...It's a conspiracy.

TIP FOR THURSDAY: Never ever tell anyone you know in real life that you're a DIS'er. It's just asking for trouble.

[jenn&nelsonrego]

“This is Mozart. He writes DCL Trip Reports. Do you want his autograph?”




:lmao: I lol'd! (snorted too...) :lmao:

[lovesDCL]

thanks for the installment mozart! :rotfl:

[anewmac]

TIP FOR THURSDAY: Never ever tell anyone you know in real life that you're a DIS'er. It's just asking for trouble.

SO you saying I should cancle my personalized licence plate that says
" I<3 2 DIS"

Cant wait to hear about Epcot!

[Mozart]

:lmao: I lol'd! (snorted too...) :lmao:

I did not find it humorous at the time myself. But it's one of those things that you look back on and say "That was funny. He's an idiot, but that was funny."

thanks for the installment mozart! :rotfl:

Not a problem. I got that one out quick because I pretty much wrote it on the cruise. From here on out it's going to be a little longer between installments.

SO you saying I should cancle my personalized licence plate that says
" I<3 2 DIS"

Okay, I'm having trouble with that one. Does it say "I (heart) 2 Dis?" I've never seen that abbreviation before. And no, don't cancel it. Just don't be willing to tell anyone what it means. :)

[jedijill]

I did not find it humorous at the time myself. But it's one of those things that you look back on and say "That was funny. He's an idiot, but that was funny."



Not a problem. I got that one out quick because I pretty much wrote it on the cruise. From here on out it's going to be a little longer between installments.



Okay, I'm having trouble with that one. Does it say "I (heart) 2 Dis?" I've never seen that abbreviation before. And no, don't cancel it. Just don't be willing to tell anyone what it means. :)

It's "I love to dis".....does anyone else miss the old License Plate gameshow????

Jill in CO

[Mozart]

It's "I love to dis".....does anyone else miss the old License Plate gameshow????

Jill in CO


Don't remember that one. All I can see is visions of "NO WHAMMIES! NO WHAMMIES!" as I think about old game shows.

[CRUIZEN MAMMA]

Mozart, is the T- rex resturaunt now open? what # would I call for ADR's here, I'd like to take my 9 yr old son here in Dec. do you know if the decorate Downtown Disney for Christmas? I'd like to hit the pin store for some stocking stuffers?

[disneyfaninaz]

Mozart, is the T- rex resturaunt now open? what # would I call for ADR's here, I'd like to take my 9 yr old son here in Dec. do you know if the decorate Downtown Disney for Christmas? I'd like to hit the pin store for some stocking stuffers?

I'm not Mozart but I can answer your question.

T-Rex is open, you need to call 407-828-8739 for ADRs.

DTD is decorated for the holidays.

[CRUIZEN MAMMA]

I'm not Mozart but I can answer your question.

T-Rex is open, you need to call 407-828-8739 for ADRs.

DTD is decorated for the holidays.

thank you so much for the info, for others who want to know- T-rex is not taking ADR till after Jan 1 ,2009 but has walk up service.

[Mozart]

thank you so much for the info, for others who want to know- T-rex is not taking ADR till after Jan 1 ,2009 but has walk up service.

When we went, the walk-in line was very long. We had actually already eaten dinner that night, but we went there to check out their souvenir shop. The line of people waiting to eat stretched a good way out the door. I'd say you were probably talking about at least an hour wait to eat.

[Mozart]

I don’t like being late. So, when I committed to being at EPCOT for rope drop in the morning, I meant it. 9 AM rope drop, and there we were, standing in the line at EPCOT at 8:30. The line to get in had nobody in it!
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203/EPCOT/EC045.jpg
And the amazing thing is this: despite being there 30 minutes early, despite virtually no line to get into the park, despite walking directly to Soarin’ the second the park opened, we still had a 30 minute wait to ride it. When we got off the ride the wait time was up to 95 minutes. This was at 9:40 in the morning. Fortunately we had picked up a FastPass for later before we originally got on so we did get to ride it twice, but that’s another story you’ll see below. First, we went and talked a little Turtle, and visited the coolest purple dragon in the world.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203/EPCOT/EC052.jpg

Speaking of a little purple dragon, anyone who knows me and my Disney fascinatin in real life knows how much I love Figment. I just wanted to state for the record on this thread that I sincerely hope they will do something to improve that ride. And sooner rather than later. Figment deserves better.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203/EPCOT/EC049.jpg

Okay, so it’s time for us to use our Fastpass and we head back to Soarin. The woman checking the time on the fastpasses takes my ticket and hands me one of those red tags they use to see how long the waits are right now. We get to the part of the line where the guy is taking the fastpasses and he asks me for mine. I reply “The woman at front kept mine.” This did not go over well. After having a brief conversation about how she would not have done that, to which I replied, Well she did, the guy goes to call her and see if she has one. Remember one thing, I am righthanded. When the guy asked me for my fastpass I reached into my right hand pocket to doublecheck that I didn’t have it. But, when the woman handed me the red tag I had apparently gotten confused and put the fastpass into my left pocket which I never use. So, after arguing with this guy for 5 minutes about whether or not I had a fastpass, and backing up the fastpass entrance line, I reach my hand into my left pocket and realized that my Fastpass had been there all along. I then sheepishly pull the fastpass out of my pocket and hand it to the guy.

Yeah, I’m a dope.

After Soarin, it was now 11:00 and Food and Wine were waiting. Just one thing to do on the way. I talked my wife into stopping by Club Cool. We had never stopped here before. I recommended the Beverly to my wife. Unfortunately I couldn’t time it so that I get my camera up to take the picture when she took the drink. However, she did give the expected reaction. No, she did not hit me.

Then it was time to move on to the World Showcase and the Food and Wine Festival. One thing I don’t understand. All these people in EPCOT during the Food and Wine Festival and there are no people in line for the food booths. You always hear about how crowded EPCOT will be because of Food and Wine, but nobody’s in line. They’re all eating at the same old fast food restaurants that are there all year. You have your choice between Fish and Chips and Maple Glazed Salmon. And yet everyone was choosing the fish and chips. I just don’t get it.

During the course of the day we did do two attractions in the International Pavilion. We rode the Maelstrom and the Gran Fiesta Tour. The Gran Fiesta Tour needs an update, even though it just got one. There’s only room for one “It’s a Small World” at WDW. But, the Maelstrom is just strange. I really don’t get it. After suffering through this nonsensical ride that, the best I can figure out, is populated by short little men in dire need of plastic surgery, you have to wait for the movie to get out while you’re in some quaint fishing village herded onto a ledge with everyone else coming off of the ride. It’s just strange and inconvenient. Don’t worry, we knew enough to skip the movie.

COMING UP…SO WHAT IS THE FUSS ALL ABOUT ANYWAY?

[podsnel]

I'm right there with ya on Figment and the world of Imagination- I love that pavillion, but I think that ride needs some work. And don't worry about the fp mix-up and holding up the line- we forgive you.

Of course, we weren't in line behind you.:rotfl:

[Mozart]

Brief recap: We’re at the Food and Wine Festival in EPCOT. It’s just after 11 AM on Friday, November 7th. While waiting for my brother (locals apparently can’t get up early for this type of stuff) we start hitting the food booths.

We started the food going to the left, but only got to hit the first couple of booths before my brother called to say they were waiting in Canada.

But the first one we hit featured a shrimp with cilantro salsa. And we reach our first dogbiscuit of the trip. Incredible! There was a good mix of spices, but it wasn’t too hot. The shrimp were good sized, but not too large. Just an overall excellent dish. And this comes from a guy who’s not really all that into shrimp. I don’t like shrimp cocktail at all. But this stuff was wonderful.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203/EPCOT/EC058.jpg

We turned around after that one and started heading to the right. About the third booth you come across when doing that is Canada. In Canada they serve a cheddar cheese soup that has quite the reputation. I’ve heard about it here on the DIS boards for quite some time now. My brother and his partner informed me that it has become a tradition that they start every Food and Wine Festival day with a bowl of soup from Canada. We expected nothing less than perfection. It also felt like it was 95 degrees outside so the thought of eating a bowl of hot steaming soup really didn’t appeal to me at that time. But I did so anyway. I now know what all the fuss is about. The fuss is good. A dogbiscuit for the cheddar cheese soup.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203/EPCOT/EC062.jpg

The final of the three dishes earning biscuits was the Seared Beef Medallions with Polenta. I believe it was San Francisco that this was from. The steak was juicy and tender but the polenta….oh my gosh the polenta! It was the perfect amount of creamy to make it just melt as it went down your throat. Unbelievable.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203/EPCOT/EC083.jpg

Now for the frowny face:
Seared Tuna Loin with Roasted Red Peppers. I almost threw up on this one. I hated it so much that I deleted the picture off of my camera so I could forget about it. The first bite was okay, but that’s because I got the cooked part. On the second bite, I got the raw fish. I don’t do well with raw fish. Yeah, yeah, I know. Why did I order it? Cuz I’m stupid. Happy now?

Our final feature attraction was taking our first trip on Spaceship Earth since the renovation. Getting my wife on this ride is always a pain. She gets Spaceship Earth and Mission Space confused. If I say “the ride in the big silver ball” she knows which one I’m talking about, but if I just say Spaceship Earth her motion sickness begins to kick in right then as she thinks I’m talking about Mission
Space. So, after I coax her onto the ride, we spend the 10 minutes or so treking all through it and we get to the end. Now, for those of you who have not ridden the ride, I’m going to give out a spoiler right now. Skip to the next paragraph if you don’t want to read it…….At the end, when it shows the happy couple living together in the kind of world we’d like to see, the picture that it took of my wife looked drugged and she had her eyes closed. It was priceless. She didn’t seem to appreciate it as much as I did.

Oh, I almost forgot. We did the Samantha Brown thing. My wife went for the Grand Marnier Orange Slush and I went for the Grey Goose Lemonade Citron Slush from France. These are in a booth that is there the whole year round but is $9/drink for a drink that’s not very big. Hallelujah they were good, though! The lemonade tasted like just that…lemonade. There wasn’t the slightest tinge of alcohol taste to it.

On second thought, maybe we got robbed….

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: One day, I will go to EPCOT and not do anything except ride Soarin' all day long.

TIP FOR THE DAY: No matter what, if you're at the Food and Wine Festival, get the cheddar cheese soup. If you're not going to the Food and Wine Festival, change your plans so that you can go and get the cheddar cheese soup.

[anc22]

Sounds yummy. I would love to go some day.

[anewmac]

hey you went to the food and wine on my bday! Sounds like ya done me proud too! :)

It all looks yummy! Wish would have done it :(

[dvc4life]

Food and Wine Fest is the BEST!!!!! We had the shrimp you had pictured and we had the soup. Both were excellent!!! But my girls kept laughing at me because I kept saying lets go have Wisconsin Cheese Soup instead of the Canadian Cheese Soup. Duh. But we are closer to Wisconsin then Canada being from Iowa and all. Oh, well, we get a laugh out of it! Guess I had too much wine!!!!:rotfl:

[Mozart]

Saturday, November 8th: Embarkation Day

ZIP-A-DEE-DO-DAH! ZIP-A-DEE-A! DISNEY CRUISE LINE, I AM ON MY WAY! CARIBBEAN ISLANDS FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS! ZIP-A-DEE-DO-DAH! ZIP-A-DEE-A!

Yes, after 13 months of waiting, watching boards, planning, crying over how long it’s taking and virtually pulling my hair out to get everything just right, I found myself driving along that toll road headed directly for the Disney Magic. As excited as I was, what was my gentle spouse doing? Sleeping. Yes that’s right, we’re less than an hour from the culmination of over a year’s worth of excitement and while I’ve been up ready to go since 6 AM, my wife is happily snoozing away as we drive over the bridge and get our first view of Mickey’s boat. How sad.

We arrived at the port around 10:30 and are promptly directed to the porters. We learned something very important on our last cruise. TIP FOR ARRIVAL AT THE PORT: Have a plan for how to tip the porters. On our last cruise one of the porters conned us and we didn’t figure it out until after we were onboard the ship. Basically, I tipped the guy for taking our luggage. When I was on the other side of the car and out of earshot, he asked my wife for a tip by implying that we were going to stiff him. So my wife tipped him as well, thinking that I must have forgotten. When I found out not only was I upset that he had even asked for a tip in the first place (I’m of the opinion it should be an option and not an automatic thing) but the fact that he had basically conned us really ticked me off. Unfortunately we didn’t find out until we had already boarded. So this time I handled the money, and my wife said that if someone asked her for a tip, she was simply going to refer them to me. Make sure you know who’s going to tip beforehand. That’s all I’m saying.

It’s time to head upstairs and we get a #6 boarding pass. I was unhappy. #6? We had always done better than that on the shorter cruises. I noticed that the lines did seem longer for this cruise. There was actually a wait at the Castaway Club check-in line. There was however, no wait for the first time guests. So we played dumb and went through that line. 5 minutes saved. Mission accomplished.

Then….IT happened. It was like I was living in a slow motion world and as it came out of the lady’s mouth it seemed to linger forever. “There has been a slight change in itinerary due to Hurrican Paloma. Instead of St. Maarten and St. Thomas you’ll be going to Costa Maya and Cozumel.”

NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

13 MONTHS! 13 MONTHS OF DETAILED, DOWN TO THE SECOND PLANNING! 13 MONTHS OF SALIVATING OVER WATCHING THE PLANES AT THE LANDING STRIP IN ST. MAARTEN! Goodbye to the wonderful shopping I’d heard about in St. Thomas. Goodbye to the little bistro waiting for us by the street in Marigot.

GOODBYE TO THE 12 METRE REGATTA EXCURSION!

Have you ever seen a grown man cry? In a cruise terminal? On Mickey Mouse’s shoulder?

Okay, I didn’t do that but came pretty darn close. Thank goodness I had my passporter with me. I spent the next hour in the cruise terminal reading up on excursions in Cozumel. The book had nothing on Costa Maya.

I needed something to remind me that this wasn't the end of the world. This was a Disney cruise after all.

COMING SOON: RUN, KIDS, RUN!

[Tink rules]

But no matter where you go... the beer and Palo are still there... :goodvibes

[anewmac]

awww man you poor thing. I could only imagine how you felt. I would have done the same probably. To bad you didnt have any of us Double Dippers numbers we all could have named a few excursions from Costa Maya since our cruise was SUPPOSED to go there and it got canked 75days out.

[MaryAz]

I was thinking about you when we heard about the changes. All that planning......Glad you brought the Passporter!

[Mozart]

While we were waiting in the terminal, we got our first glimpse of it. The crazed father who decides to drive his his family to the edge of vacation insanity. As we were sitting over by the bathrooms in the terminal, we hear someone yelling “C’MON C’MON RUN RUN RUN! GET OVER HERE! NOW!” We look to our left and there is a father urging his family to hurry to him. You see, Mickey Mouse has entered the terminal for pictures and his 10 year old children have to be the first in line.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203/DCL/EC116.jpg

I never noticed that the floor of the terminal is one big map.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203/DCL/EC117.jpg

From a distance, watching the chaos that would next unfold must have been something like the New Jersey Wal-Mart incident over Thanksgiving weekend. People were pushing, fighting for spots, stepping in front of other people and just generally ill-behaved. Nice start to the cruise people. If this is the way you are for a picture that can be repeated many times over the course of the next week, I can’t imagine how you’ll fight over the hammocks at Castaway Cay.

So, that's where the stabilizer is!
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203/DCL/EC120.jpg

In my mind at this time, there was an ethical decision being made. On our last cruise, we had ended up with an extra boarding pass. As we entered the terminal this time, we had been given a #6 boarding pass. I knew fully well that in my backpack lied a #2 boarding pass left over from our last cruise. What to do, what to do. On the one hand, we did have the extra boarding pass that we didn’t use last time and it was only fair that we got to use it after all. On the other hand, we were a lot later than normal getting here, and we basically would be cutting in line. In the end, honesty won out. I was very disappointed in myself for that. Like I said previously, cheating is the best way to take advantage of other people.

Finally, after waiting for the #6 group to be called, we then skipped ahead of everyone else and someone accused us of cheating. We decided that we didn’t want to bother having our picture taken as we boarded and walked right through the line. Some guy looked at us as we did and said “Hey! No cutting!” I turned around to say something really sarcastic but thought better of it. No point in making enemies on this trip before we even get on board. Besides, knowing my luck he would turn out to be a tablemate of ours.

This is the part where we cry!
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203/DCL/EC122.jpg

And finally we get to a point that I’ve seen repeatedly come up. The gangway. The walk across it. The approaching of the ship for the first time. The crying that so many people seem to do at this point in time. I could understand it. It just felt like a great weight had been lifted off my shoulder. I had spent so much time planning, reviewing, researching that as I boarded I understood for the first time why one would start to cry.

Did I cry? No. I’ve said it before. I am a man’s man. There’s no crying on cruises. (At least, not yet.)

UP NEXT: YOU SEEM NICE, BUT YOU’RE JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR US.

[Zoom]

Hey Mozart, I saw you guys at the terminal, i should have said Hi and taken you guys with us since we got boarding pass #2 :thumbsup2. Like you, we were also a bit disappointed about the changed of itinerary but what can we do right?! We've been to Cancun ( which is pretty much the same as Cozumel and Costa Maya), plus 2 Mexican Riviera cruises ( DCL and Carnival) so right now we're Mexico'd out....Dh said whatever vacation i'm planning for next year make sure it's not Mexico :rotfl2:. I also have my passporter with me but you're right it didn't have much about Costa Maya.

I've actually seen you quite a few times, we were also on the same dining rotation, you guys were in a table of 8 or 10 right? We're lucky to have a 4 top table for the 3 of us, we're not anti-social, its just that sometimes its nice to have your own table.

[anewmac]

Love the pushing in line for a pic with a mouse.. he's gonna be on ship all week people. And glad you took #6.. Karma would have have come back to ya somehow!

[lovesDCL]

Mozart...I hope everything is ok...It's been a while since you posted...Hope you enjoyed the holidays and are just getting back on track!

Hope to read more of your TR soon :thumbsup2

[chepic]

Mozart, looks like you ate well on my birthday!!! The shrimp look good.

Can't wait to see more of your installments.

che

[cheeringmom]

:surfweb: popcorn::

[anewmac]

Mozart, looks like you ate well on my birthday!!! The shrimp look good.

Can't wait to see more of your installments.

che

Your bday is on Nov 7th also.. happy belated.. err early bday then... LOL :)

ohhhhhh Mr Mozart.... come out come out where ever you are! Olly Olly Oxen FREEEeeeee! :rotfl2:

[chepic]

Your bday is on Nov 7th also.. happy belated.. err early bday then... LOL :)

ohhhhhh Mr Mozart.... come out come out where ever you are! Olly Olly Oxen FREEEeeeee! :rotfl2:

Happy birthday to you too!!:cool1:

cheryl

[Mozart]

Sorry. Been a little busy lately. The Christmas break was busy with family, and of course college football bowl season keeps me occupied for a few weeks. I have to watch every game. I've hardly been on the internet at all, much less the DIS.

I'm glad I took good notes on the cruise or else I'd have no chance of putting together a decent report now.

I promise to work on it this weekend. Thanks for the reminders.

[Mozart]

So we board and it’s off to Parrot Cay for lunch. I love this. It’s that feeling of finally being on board. We just get to relax for a few minutes in Parrot Cay, eat a nice lunch, and enjoy the fact that we’re actually here. Unfortunately I’m a little nervous because I know there are surprises waiting, and my wife’s reaction to them will make or break all the planning I’ve done for the trip. But I do my best to enjoy Parrot Cay.

As we’re sitting there eating, we see Yolande walking around. She was our head server on our first cruise a year and a half ago, so we walk over just to say Hello and that it was good to see her again. It seems like they should get that all the time. People they don’t remember walking up to them and saying “It’s so good to see you again.” Yolande however seemed to be totally caught off guard by it. She obviously didn’t remember us and seemed in shock that we would remember her.

So, after lunch we head off to check on exactly what the deal with Palo’s was. Good thing we did. They were cancelling brunch for those scheduled for Sunday. We had to reschedule brunch for another day. But that was suprisingly little trouble. However, I did something that I tend to do on a regular basis. Embarassed the fool out of my wife. You see, Cecilia had been reommended to us by some fellow DIS’ers so we decided to go up and request her as our server. When we did, Cecilia was sitting just to the right of us, and Annie Marie was helping us. My wife got thoroughly embarrassed when I had the gall to request Cecilia. She felt I was slapping Annie Marie in the face and saying “We don’t like you.” But as usual, I told my wife to get over her embarassment. She decided to hold it against me for awhile.

After getting our brunch and server issues straightened out (No, I’m not high maintenance normally. But on a cruise, everything has to be perfect, ya know?) we headed to the Cove Café. Off in the distance we could see the planes from the Kennedy Space Center Air Show. We couldn’t really make out formations or even what types of planes they were, but we watched them fly off in the distance while relaxing on one of those cozy lounge chairs.

Finally! It’s 1:30 and our room was available. I’ve planned this out. My wife has no idea what was about to hit her. I successfully pulled off the Romantic Escape at Sea surprise, as well as the gift basket from The Perfect Gift. But would she get mad, or would she be overjoyed by my wonderful romanticism?

[CRUIZEN MAMMA]

Come on Mozart- you stop right there............ no fair:badpc:

[anewmac]

oh man the suspense is killing me :)

[lovesDCL]

more please!!! i have to know what happens! :coffee: popcorn::

[Zoom]

:surfweb: :coffee: :surfweb: :coffee:

[cheeringmom]

:surfweb: popcorn::

[Tink rules]

CECELIA!!!! I Loved her!!! She spoiled us silly twice... I hope she did for you too!!!

& Just who did you listen to??? :rolleyes:

[Jennifer_W]

More, please! :coffee:

[dvc4life]

We're waiting . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .

[podsnel]

We had Anne Marie for our server and I really need to know- why is Cecilia so much better?

Also...so happy you're continuing on with the TR.:thumbsup2

[Mozart]

Come on Mozart- you stop right there............ no fair:badpc:

Yep. I'm mean that way.

oh man the suspense is killing me :)

more please!!! i have to know what happens! :coffee: popcorn::

:surfweb: :coffee: :surfweb: :coffee:

:surfweb: popcorn::

More, please! :coffee:

We're waiting . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .

I'm getting there. Should have another update over the weekend.

CECELIA!!!! I Loved her!!! She spoiled us silly twice... I hope she did for you too!!!

& Just who did you listen to??? :rolleyes:

We had Anne Marie for our server and I really need to know- why is Cecilia so much better?

Also...so happy you're continuing on with the TR.:thumbsup2

I don't know if Annie Marie or Cecelia is truly better. I just know that Cecilia came highly recommended. Only thing was that I wasn't sure I trusted the judgement of the person who recommended her.

[Tink rules]

We had Anne Marie for our server and I really need to know- why is Cecilia so much better?

Also...so happy you're continuing on with the TR.:thumbsup2

We had her twice on the Magic... I don't know if she's better, but she was great!!!


I don't know if Annie Marie or Cecelia is truly better. I just know that Cecilia came highly recommended. Only thing was that I wasn't sure I trusted the judgement of the person who recommended her.

I love you too... :rolleyes:

[CAVEA001]

I'm glad you finally posted. I was wondering how much 'life stunk' this cruise. :) (First time poster, long time lurker)

[Mozart]

We walk into our cabin for the first time. And I’m the one who gets the shock. There’s nothing in there. No REAS basket. No Castaway Club gift. Nothing from Shirley at the Perfect Gift…

Okay, I’m a liar. It was all there.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203/DCL/EC128.jpg

I open the door for my wife and let her lead her way into the room. As she approached the table which had the baskets on them, she just turned around looked at me, and said “WHAT DID YOU DO?!?!?!!?! HOW MUCH DID YOU SPEND?!?!??!!?” Then she planted a big fat wet one on me and squealed in delight. Yes, it went over well. She was very happy with everything. And I have to admit that the cheese Shirley included in her basket was fantastic throughout the week as a quick little snack.

First there was Shirley’s basket. It included a bottle opener, bottle of wine, box of nuts, some chocolates, cheese, a cheese knife, and some crackers. After looking at the package and commenting on all the items in it, I went to open the bottle of wine. At this time, I complained that we forgot to get a wine opener. My wife just turns, looks at me, and points to Shirley’s basket. Oh yeah. Look, I’ve shut my brain down now that we’re onboard. Don’t expect me to think.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203/DCL/EC127.jpg

The REAS package from DCL included a bottle of chilled champagne, 2 robes, a little ice chest/cooler type thing, tongs, 2 glasses made out of white chocolate, some truffles, rainforest passes for the week and a certificate for a free picture at Shutters. Not to spoil anything, but we never got around to using the rainforest passes. Pretty sad, huh?
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203/DCL/EC126.jpg

And here’s a picture of the current Castaway Club gift because everyone seems to always want to know.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203/DCL/EC129.jpg

It was about this time that our cabin attendant stopped by for the first time. I shall withhold his name because he may have violated DCL policy. He took a bribe. As he went to leave, I pulled him off to the side. “Let’s start things out right. Here’s a $5. Keep us supplied on the H2O products and you’ll get more.”

Yeah, it’s a bribe. Yeah, I’ve got a ton of shampoo and conditioner in my house right now. Whatever works, ya know? Can I help it if DCL underpays their people. Someone at DCL is now looking up who my cabin attendant was so that they can fire him.

COMING UP NEXT: MISSING DOOR MAGNETS, AND WE HAVEN’T EVEN SAILED AWAY YET.

[CRUIZEN MAMMA]

You almost had me there- great update.

[lovesDCL]

Yay! Thanks for another great update! Happy to read your DW liked your surprise :thumbsup2

[anewmac]

OMG when you 1st said nothig was there my heart dropped for you. You lil teaser!

hmm bribery huh.. will have to remember that for next time!

[chepic]

White chocolate wine glasses......ooooo yummy!!!

[brerrabbit70]

I've spent most of my day off (Mental Health Day) reading your reports and am now a huge fan. :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2:
It's been way too long since my 2006 cruise so I need to read more. (Plus it helps to guilt the hubby into another one ;) )

[cheeringmom]

hahaha I loved when your wife asked you how much money you spent!! ahahha It sounds just like me!! And no matter what you spent, I know she loved the thought of you going thru so much trouble!!!:p :flower3:

[podsnel]

You never used the Rainforest passes??????

O M G !!!!

I sure hope that means you were having too much fun doing something else!!:rotfl:

[dvc4life]

What a sweetie you are!!! How nice of you to surprise your wife with all that neat stuff. Hope you got rewarded real well!! :thumbsup2

[cheeringmom]

What a sweetie you are!!! How nice of you to surprise your wife with all that neat stuff. Hope you got rewarded real well!! :thumbsup2:eek: :blush: :smokin:

[Mozart]

You almost had me there- great update.

Yay! Thanks for another great update! Happy to read your DW liked your surprise :thumbsup2

Thanks for the compliments!

OMG when you 1st said nothig was there my heart dropped for you. You lil teaser!

hmm bribery huh.. will have to remember that for next time!

Bribery is good. I've found that it works quite well in cases like this. Saves me money in the long run too.

White chocolate wine glasses......ooooo yummy!!!

Those were so rich they were hard to eat. We couldn't take more than a bite or two of them at a time. They were good, though.

I've spent most of my day off (Mental Health Day) reading your reports and am now a huge fan. :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2:
It's been way too long since my 2006 cruise so I need to read more. (Plus it helps to guilt the hubby into another one ;) )

Thanks for reading. I try. I certainly don't feel like I'm a very good writer but if I can entertain just a few people I guess it's worth it.

hahaha I loved when your wife asked you how much money you spent!! ahahha It sounds just like me!! And no matter what you spent, I know she loved the thought of you going thru so much trouble!!!:p :flower3:

She seemed happy enough. Still wears the bathrobe every night at home so I guess that worked out well.

You never used the Rainforest passes??????

I sure hope that means you were having too much fun doing something else!!:rotfl:

What a sweetie you are!!! How nice of you to surprise your wife with all that neat stuff. Hope you got rewarded real well!! :thumbsup2

Ya'll are just asking for too much information now. :rolleyes:

[Jennifer_W]

Ummmm, Mozart, where aaarrrrreeee you????? pirate:

[Mozart]

Okay, we’ve been on 2 previous cruises, and weren’t able to have Pirate Night dinner in the main dining room on either one of them. This time I had made sure that we would be in the dining room for pirate night. And then…plans blown out of the water. With the change in itinerary I just knew that our Palo’s night was going to be the same night that Pirate Night was scheduled. So, this created a problem for the planner extraordinaire. I went on a mission.

Back and forth and back and forth I went. From the dining room to the cabin steward to guest services trying to find out what I need to know. What night would be Pirate night? It seemed like such a simple question, but it was a simple question that took me nearly an hour to get the answer to. I walked right by the DIS meet in the Promenade Lounge twice, but being the focused individual that I was, I decided to stop by once I got the problem fixed. There were a lot of people there, that’s for sure. Finally, I got confirmation. Pirate night and Palo’s would not interfere with one another. EXCELLENT! What’s next?

The muster drill. We made a promise to each other for the muster drill. This time we wouldn’t make the same mistake we had made for our 4 day cruise last year. For those that didn’t read Season 2, we showed up slightly tipsy for the muster drill last time. We didn’t really make fools of ourselves (I think) but we were late and laughing the whole time. For this week’s trip though, everything went well, we showed up on time, and we took things seriously.

Well, as serious as you can with a big orange noose around your neck.

We wander back to the stateroom and I take a minute to turn on the TV. I wonder. I wonder if I could get lucky. I start flipping the channels and then suddenly I see them. Those bright orange glorious jerseys with Tiger Paws on them. Yes! The Clemson-Florida State game is on the stateroom TV!

I sat down and told my wife that I would not be moving for the next 3 hours, except for halftime. Fortunately, halftime came at the same time of the sailaway party.

P.S. Clemson lost. Dangit.

[cheeringmom]

P.S. Clemson lost. Dangit. : ( sad for you but....the Gators beat Vandy!!! As we were sitting in the Sports bar watching the game I see my daughter on TV doing the gator chop. Weird. here we are at sea and my dd was in TN doing the Gator chop for ESPN. very cool memory of our trip!

[anewmac]

I personally think going to the muster drill tipsy would be great.. specially if you have already been to one and know the "drill"
*note to self next time more DOTD's before looking like bozo the clown in the orange vest!

[Zoom]

OK C'mon now Mozart....It's time for another update....:surfweb: popcorn::surfweb: popcorn::

[Mozart]

Sorry, I've just been really busy lately. Got a few personal things going on that are talking alot of time. Not bad things, just busy ones.

Here we go:

We leave our room and head for the sailaway party. We leave a nice little door magnet with bahama mama's on it, but it won't post on here. I'll work on it.

Other people, however did not seem to have as much luck with their door magnets. As we walked down the hall towards the party, we hear a man call out for a stateroom attendant. “What do I do if my door magnets disappeared?” He was very upset. I can’t say I blame him. We had been on the ship for all of 3 hours and they’ve already disappeared. However, getting on my soapbox, and potentially upsetting the DIS’er that this was…you have to be prepared for this to happen. Know that door magnets very well may disappear, and even fish extenders, message boards etc for that matter. It is a public place, and although it’s depressing that people would do so, no place is without jerks.

I said it earlier. There’s no crying on cruises. I don’t get the little tear that so many people seem to shed as we walk across the gangway and onto the ship. But then I experienced it. The sailaway party.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203/DCL/EC139.jpg

As we were dancing away, I felt it. NO! I screamed in my head. I CAN’T DO THIS! But I did…that one little tear. Yes, this man’s man started to cry just a little. I’m so ashamed. It was tears of excitement, but there was still that one stupid little tear.

Coming up next…tears turn into fear.

[anewmac]

Real Men Cry Mozart... its ok! :)

[snargi]

I haven't been able to read all your posts - but we're toying with using downtown disney for our short day also - any suggestions?

Thanks!

[Mozart]

Real Men Cry Mozart... its ok! :)

Does E cry? I think I'm going to model my life after him. After all, he IS a Marine. :)

I haven't been able to read all your posts - but we're toying with using downtown disney for our short day also - any suggestions?

Thanks!

I don't know if you have any kids or not, but I'd try and make a reservation at T-Rex if you do. The line to wait will be very long there otherwise. If no kids, I'd grab something at House of Blues. I've always liked their food. As for how to spend the rest of the day, just shopping will take up plenty of your time. Also, take a riverboat ride to Port Orleans and back when you get tired. It's nice and relaxing and will give you the chance to sit down for awhile.

[cheeringmom]

Does E cry? I think I'm going to model my life after him. After all, he IS a Marine. :)



I don't know if you have any kids or not, but I'd try and make a reservation at T-Rex if you do. The line to wait will be very long there otherwise. If no kids, I'd grab something at House of Blues. I've always liked their food. As for how to spend the rest of the day, just shopping will take up plenty of your time. Also, take a riverboat ride to Port Orleans and back when you get tired. It's nice and relaxing and will give you the chance to sit down for awhile.I've never heard of T Rex-I must be in a hole huh?? Is it similar to Rainforest? We are going next month. I should look into it! Thanks

[mousetravel]

I'm lovin your trip report. It's making me more excited (if that's possible) about my upcoming cruise.

I see you're from the upstate, me too! It's exciting to find Disers from the same neck of the woods!:banana:

[twinsindisney]

I have enjoyed your trip report! So excited about ours. I am from the midlands of SC.

[anewmac]

Does E cry? I think I'm going to model my life after him. After all, he IS a Marine. :)


YEs he cries... he's a marine but he's got a sensitive side... well for sad things that is.. death, illness. Asked him if he teared up when we went on our cruise... his response.... "NEGATIVE GHOST RIDER! " (spoken like a true MARINE :lmao:

[Mozart]

I've never heard of T Rex-I must be in a hole huh?? Is it similar to Rainforest? We are going next month. I should look into it! Thanks

T Rex is Rainforest with dinosaurs instead of monkeys. The big dinosaurs in the front room are pretty cool, but we didn't get into the dining room to see what they had there. I've heard the food is about the same as that at Rainforest, which is okay, but not great. It's owned by the same people.

I see you're from the upstate, me too! It's exciting to find Disers from the same neck of the woods!:banana:

Beautiful day in the Upstate, huh? We should have an upstate DIS'ers convention at the outlet store which is located at the Disney warehouse in Jonesville. Although I've heard the selection isn't so great there.

I have enjoyed your trip report! So excited about ours. I am from the midlands of SC.

I'm originally from Sumter. Be in Columbia tomorrow to meet my parents for lunch as a matter of fact. I just have to keep them from going to a cafeteria.

YEs he cries... he's a marine but he's got a sensitive side... well for sad things that is.. death, illness. Asked him if he teared up when we went on our cruise... his response.... "NEGATIVE GHOST RIDER! " (spoken like a true MARINE :lmao:

Real men cry when they see princesses.

[mousetravel]

Beautiful day in the Upstate, huh? We should have an upstate DIS'ers convention at the outlet store which is located at the Disney warehouse in Jonesville. Although I've heard the selection isn't so great there.




Eeeww, you got that right! The rain is making me want to curl up & take a nap! I went to that Disney store in Jonesville about a month ago. The store is about as small as the selection! And people will push & shove you so they can get their hands on what they want.
I'd rather drive 1 1/2 hours to the nearest Disney Store to me, which is at the Discover Mills Mall (in GA) and the Mall of Georgia.

[twinsindisney]

I'm originally from Sumter. Be in Columbia tomorrow to meet my parents for lunch as a matter of fact. I just have to keep them from going to a cafeteria.


I am originally from Charleston. We live in the Irmo area of Columbia. :rotfl2: about the cafeteria....

[Mozart]

Dinner time. We’re freaking out. DW and I really had wanted to just have a quiet romantic cruise in which we had our own little table, but we knew that wasn’t going to happen. Standing in line to enter the dining room she and I are having a very quiet discussion. What kind of tablemates would we have? Would we be seated at a table for 6 with 2 other couples that knew each other? Would we be seated with people who didn’t know how to properly behave themselves at dinner? Would we be seated with people with a pair of 4 year old twins who acted up the whole dinner? Yes, this was a big part of our cruise. All we wanted was someone interesting to talk to who we had something in common with.

We approach the table. 3 other couples are sitting down, all very well dressed. 2 of them appear to be about our age and the third couple appears to be maybe 10 years older than us. No kids. We breath a sigh of relief. Maybe this will work out after all.

Turns out we spent our entire cruise hanging out with them. One couple in particular. Our fears were baseless. Everyone seemed pretty disappointed that we were going to Mexico rather than St. Maarten and St. Thomas. One of the couples said “We flew here from California to go to the Caribbean and instead we get Mexico. We could’ve just driven the 50 miles.” Somehow I don’t think that’s the same.

Here’s a tip for those of you out there: Don’t eat at Palo’s on your first night. Most people who get seasick tend to get so on the first night out. Palo’s is also very high up on the ship where feeling the motion of the waves is more likely. One of the ladies at our table just couldn’t handle the waves and had to leave early. And we were in Animator’s Palate. Palo must’ve been rocking that night. Fitz stopped by as head server. I’m a little concerned about the fact that he told me he knows me from somewhere. I wonder if Fitz is a DIS’er. Vally from India was our server and Ivana was the assistant. Vally was good. Ivana was just learning the ropes. She had a very thick accent (more about that later) and was on her very first cruise. She got seasick one night.

Finally it was time for Match Your Mate. I had never been able to make it to this show. Tonight, however, I was there, and my wife was crashing back in the stateroom from the Dramamine she took. The greatest question they asked was “Where is the most interesting place you have ever ‘remembered the magic’?” For the newlywed couple it was on a couch at the Poly. The long time couple picked a car doing 55 mph at the time while he was driving. Then there was the crazy couple. Everything they had said up until this time was just unbelievable. I mean they really seemed crazy. Their answer was “In the rainforest room of the Disney Magic. ” They won Match Your Mate. Do you know what the winners of Match Your Mate got?

A weeklong pass to the rainforest room.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: DID YOU KNOW THAT BRENT THE CRUISE DIRECTOR IS MARRIED TO YOLANDE, ONE OF THE HEAD SERVERS IN THE DINING ROOMS?

TIP FOR THE DAY: NEVER ‘REMEMBER THE MAGIC’ IN UNUSUAL PLACES. KEEP IT SIMPLE AND NORMAL LIKE MAIN STREET U.S.A.

[frdeb1999]

Loving your TR and looking forward to more!! :)

[anewmac]

Love the Thought and tip for the day LOL. Note to sell next time I get into the Rainforest room Ill take a box of clorox wipes with me.

[bredav08]

Dinner time. We’re freaking out. DW and I really had wanted to just have a quiet romantic cruise in which we had our own little table, but we knew that wasn’t going to happen. Standing in line to enter the dining room she and I are having a very quiet discussion. What kind of tablemates would we have? Would we be seated at a table for 6 with 2 other couples that knew each other? Would we be seated with people who didn’t know how to properly behave themselves at dinner? Would we be seated with people with a pair of 4 year old twins who acted up the whole dinner? Yes, this was a big part of our cruise. All we wanted was someone interesting to talk to who we had something in common with.

We approach the table. 3 other couples are sitting down, all very well dressed. 2 of them appear to be about our age and the third couple appears to be maybe 10 years older than us. No kids. We breath a sigh of relief. Maybe this will work out after all.

Turns out we spent our entire cruise hanging out with them. One couple in particular. Our fears were baseless. Everyone seemed pretty disappointed that we were going to Mexico rather than St. Maarten and St. Thomas. One of the couples said “We flew here from California to go to the Caribbean and instead we get Mexico. We could’ve just driven the 50 miles.” Somehow I don’t think that’s the same.

Here’s a tip for those of you out there: Don’t eat at Palo’s on your first night. Most people who get seasick tend to get so on the first night out. Palo’s is also very high up on the ship where feeling the motion of the waves is more likely. One of the ladies at our table just couldn’t handle the waves and had to leave early. And we were in Animator’s Palate. Palo must’ve been rocking that night. Fitz stopped by as head server. I’m a little concerned about the fact that he told me he knows me from somewhere. I wonder if Fitz is a DIS’er. Vally from India was our server and Ivana was the assistant. Vally was good. Ivana was just learning the ropes. She had a very thick accent (more about that later) and was on her very first cruise. She got seasick one night.

Finally it was time for Match Your Mate. I had never been able to make it to this show. Tonight, however, I was there, and my wife was crashing back in the stateroom from the Dramamine she took. The greatest question they asked was “Where is the most interesting place you have ever ‘remembered the magic’?” For the newlywed couple it was on a couch at the Poly. The long time couple picked a car doing 55 mph at the time while he was driving. Then there was the crazy couple. Everything they had said up until this time was just unbelievable. I mean they really seemed crazy. Their answer was “In the rainforest room of the Disney Magic. ” They won Match Your Mate. Do you know what the winners of Match Your Mate got?

A weeklong pass to the rainforest room.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: DID YOU KNOW THAT BRENT THE CRUISE DIRECTOR IS MARRIED TO YOLANDE, ONE OF THE HEAD SERVERS IN THE DINING ROOMS?

TIP FOR THE DAY: NEVER ‘REMEMBER THE MAGIC’ IN UNUSUAL PLACES. KEEP IT SIMPLE AND NORMAL LIKE MAIN STREET U.S.A.

Luv the thought for the day...my DD was heartbroken when she found out....but Yolande is wonderful. She was our head server but had no idea until the last day of our cruise that she is married to Brent...but I swear talking to Yolande during our cruise made me think she have kids same age of my kids (12 and 16) Icant believe they just got married and young

[miztigg]

I :lovestruc your TRs. I was proud this last cruise that i took in oct it was the 1st drill I ever made it to sober:rolleyes1 , it was boring. However the last cruise before thet I had few too many drinks before the drill so my DH thought it would be funny to :rolleyes1 clip my lifevest to the railing without me knowing. Needless to say i went to walk away tied to the railing and down i went well down as far as the vest would let me go so i was half on the ground and half hanging. I did not drink till the sailway party this cruise. Next cruise this dec he is staying home :)

[Tink rules]

Mozart... I do believe that Fitz is a Diser...

And I always take a Bonine before dinner if the ship is really rockin... seems to help...

[Mozart]

Loving your TR and looking forward to more!! :)

Grazzi!

Love the Thought and tip for the day LOL. Note to sell next time I get into the Rainforest room Ill take a box of clorox wipes with me.

Just avoid the sauna rooms and you should be okay.

Luv the thought for the day...my DD was heartbroken when she found out....but Yolande is wonderful. She was our head server but had no idea until the last day of our cruise that she is married to Brent...but I swear talking to Yolande during our cruise made me think she have kids same age of my kids (12 and 16) Icant believe they just got married and young

We had Yolande on our first cruise. She was wonderful. Fitz was good as well, but I think there's just something about the first cruise that makes you like all them more.

I :lovestruc your TRs. I was proud this last cruise that i took in oct it was the 1st drill I ever made it to sober:rolleyes1 , it was boring. However the last cruise before thet I had few too many drinks before the drill so my DH thought it would be funny to :rolleyes1 clip my lifevest to the railing without me knowing. Needless to say i went to walk away tied to the railing and down i went well down as far as the vest would let me go so i was half on the ground and half hanging. I did not drink till the sailway party this cruise. Next cruise this dec he is staying home :)

We always start with the beverages in Parrot Cay as soon as we get onboard. Makes us feel at home.

Mozart... I do believe that Fitz is a Diser...

And I always take a Bonine before dinner if the ship is really rockin... seems to help...

I took a dramamine this time and was fine. So you think Fitz really is a DIS'er? There was a few things he did that made me think that at the very least he knew about it.

[Mozart]

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Castaway Cay morning. 24 hours ago we had no idea that we would be here this morning but now, here we were. We did sleep in a little later than we planned. Didn’t get up until 9:00. We seem to keep hearing more and more about how the ship is starting to back into Castaway Cay, which it has done every time we’ve been there. Sure enough, the ship backs in, and we once again have a view of the family beach.

Then, a mistake. We decided to skip breakfast and just go straight to Castaway Cay that morning. More on that later, but for now we did something that we never had done before. Stop in at the family beach for a little while. It was about like I expected. Mass chaos. Serenity Bay and the Family Beach have almost a shockingly different atmosphere to them. Serenity Bay is so quiet it’s almost unnverving. The Family Beach is so loud that you get sensory overload. And that’s just on the beach, I can’t imagine what it’s like in the water.

Then it happened. I felt a little rumbly in my tumbly. I realized that having skipped breakfast I was very hungry. About this time, DW made the same complaint. She was starving. What time does Cookie’s open? 11:30. What time is it now? 9:45. Oh boy. I’m so hungry I’m starting to feel faint. What time is it now? 9:53. This is gonna be a long wait. I excuse myself and try to find some way to pass the time. I’ll take a few pictures and walk around the beach. Oh, look. There’s the stingray adventure. They look like they’re having a good time.

I stop by the Heads Up Bar. “You guys got any food here?” No. “Well you suck.” (Okay, I didn’t really say that.) Finally I wander back to the umbrella my wife is laying under. “I’m starving” she says. “So am I” I say. “What time is it?” “10:12” I think I’m just going to pass out and die right now.

Coming up next: What happens: Low sugar attack? Mozart kills somebody and eats them because he’s that hungry? Or DW heads over to the Stingray area and feasts on Big Mamma. You’ll find out in our next thrilling adventure!

TIP for the Day: Duh! Eat breakfast.

[Tink rules]

You've obviously never been to a beach at the Jersey shore... that's normal behavior - except that there.. you can get everything from french fries to a deep fried twinkie at 10 am...

[anewmac]

lol you poor thing!

[anetnmike]

Hi! Love you TRs, Mozart. I actually started reading back when Joel got married and have been kind of following the adventures since then. You guys are all more entertaining than TV- I especially love Tink!:)
Don't sell yourself short-you are certainly a talented writer with keen observations (and a great camera!) and many obviously been enjoying your reports.:thumbsup2
I can't wait to hear more!:surfweb:

[Mozart]

You've obviously never been to a beach at the Jersey shore... that's normal behavior - except that there.. you can get everything from french fries to a deep fried twinkie at 10 am...

No offense, but I wouldn't expect to find me at the Jersey shore anytime in my lifetime. Hilton Head is a different story, though.

with keen observations (and a great camera!)



Pictures, huh? Haven't posted any in a while:

Waking up at Castaway Cay
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203/DCL/EC149.jpg

The Rescue Rangers!
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203/DCL/EC150.jpg

I refuse to wear a lifevest!
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203/DCL/EC155-1.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203/DCL/EC163.jpg

Look at this perspective of the stingray adventure. See how bunched up everyone looks?
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203/DCL/EC164.jpg

Here is what they look like from another angle:
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203/DCL/EC166.jpg

My solo journey. Too early for a beer, though.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203/DCL/EC165.jpg

[Tink rules]

Mozart... Might I suggest a nice Mimosa before you get off the ship???

And I don't do the Jersey shore anymore either... I'm more of a fresh water lake baby...

Hi! Love you TRs, Mozart. I actually started reading back when Joel got married and have been kind of following the adventures since then. You guys are all more entertaining than TV- I especially love Tink!:)
Don't sell yourself short-you are certainly a talented writer with keen observations (and a great camera!) and many obviously been enjoying your reports.:thumbsup2
I can't wait to hear more!:surfweb:

:worship: :worship: :worship: :worship:

[dvc4life]

Mozart - sorry, but it's never to early for a beer while vacationing! Either that or get a bloody mary because it usually has olives or something in it to tide you over! Plus it has tomato juice stuff in it so it is breakfast worthy! :lmao:

[Tink rules]

Sounds like healthy food to me... :woohoo:

[Mozart]

After another hour and 18 minutes of not only starving, but also smelling the grills from Cookie’s going at full speed, we’re able to finally make our way over there to fill our grouchy stomachs. (By the way, keep an eye out for the fruit stand on the right as you’re approaching Cookie’s. I don’t think many people even realize it’s there.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203/DCL/EC167.jpg

Here’s our first helpings:
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203/DCL/EC172.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203/DCL/EC171.jpg

On your way to Cookie’s, there is a secret little table that noone apparently knows about. As you’re walking down the main path to Cookies, there’s another path off to the right that circles around to Cookie’s as well. Just as you turn onto this path, on your left side you’ll see this:
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203/DCL/EC173.jpg

I swear this is the best table on Castaway Cay. It’s totally quiet. Every few minutes someone will walk by, but since it’s a little further away from Cookie’s noone walks back out to it. Quiet and secluded. One of the closest things to romantic you can find on Castaway Cay.

Until the crab races start just around the corner that is. There is a lot of screaming and yelling that go on with the crab races. Basically, for those of you who haven’t seen it, they paint a number on the shell of a crab. Then, they throw a bunch of crabs into the middle of a circle and watch to see which one is the first to get to the outer ring painted on the ground. Then, the kids go wild, the grownups hug their kids in a victory celebration.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203/DCL/EC174-1.jpg

Being a dink, I have to say….”huh?” But I guess I would get it more if I had kids.

You know there are certain things that are really apparent when you get together with people from all over the country, and even all over the world. I’m a Southern boy. We Southerners, for the most part, are more quiet and reserved than people in other parts of the country. People from the Northeast USA, especially the New York/New Jersey/Boston corridor tend to be more gregarious and outgoing. So that’s what we discovered at Serenity Bay on this trip. Laying right next to us in beach chairs were two couples with definite accents that fingered them as being from that area. Very outgoing, and to be frankly honest, loud. This did not go well wih us at Serenity Bay. They were also certifiable Disney fanatics. DVC owners, annual passholders, 10+ cruises. They were older, I’d say in their 60’s, and they still go to Princess breakfasts whenever they can get a reservation. How do I know all this? Because they talked about it constantly. All afternoon.

But they weren’t the only one who were Disney nuts. I guess I had just always thought that the people on a Disney cruise tended to include a lot of people who were just cruise fans, or were there for their kids. In talking to various people on the ship, I came to realize that nearly everyone on the ship was a Disney fanatic. At our dinner table, 7 of the 8 people there admitted to being a Disney nut. And the 8th? He claimed that he didn’t get it, but once flew across country by himself just to go to Disneyland. I also noticed just how many repeat cruisers there were. Nearly everyone had the Castaway Club lanyards. At our table, everyone was Castaway Club members. One couple was on their 7th cruise in the past 2 years.

But, getting back to Serenity Bay, we left there about 2:00 and decided to walk out to the observation tower. As we left, we walked past the massage huts and continued down that trail. Now, I know what some of you are thinking…the trail by the massage huts doesn’t go to the observation tower. Yeah…we forgot that. So after walking all the way to the end of the trail and finding we were on the wrong path, we headed back to the ship.

Not everything at Castaway Cay is perfect. Imagine that.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203/DCL/EC177.jpg

On the way, we decided to relax a little so we stopped at the bar by the family beach and I had an adventure. I had heard so much about Bud Lime that I decided “Well, I’m on a cruise. Might as well try something different.” It actually wasn’t bad. I’m sticking with my Yuengling as my beer of choice, but I might drink one from time to time.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/kdubose527/Life%20Stinks%20Season%203/DCL/EC183.jpg

Next Up: Mumble, mumble, mumble. That’ll be $7 please.

[Tink rules]

You don't like Jersey people??? Thanks... :lmao:

Oh.. and that 2nd from the bottom pic...isn't that a bug zapper??? :confused3

[anewmac]

Ya that crab race is fun.. sometimes for for the parents then the kids.. IM just saying LOL

hm bud lime huh.. ive heard about them too... really need to try since you gave it a thumbs up!

[cheeringmom]

I keep looking at your pictures hoping to see Me!! hehehe

I am so ready for another cruise. We should have went next week during spring break but have a Disney trip planned instead. And I, like your tablemates, am a Disney nut!

Loved the description of your neighbors at the beach!! hehehe I bet they were having a ball in all of that sunshine!

[anetnmike]

popcorn:

[Mozart]

popcorn:

Yeah, I've got a little crisis going on here and I haven't had much time to write recently. I'll get back to it as soon as I have a few minutes to spare.

[anetnmike]

hope it gets better!

[Mozart]

Hopefully I've got my little crisis situation solved. I got laid off last Thursday, but was already having discussions with a new company in the area about going to work for them. They offered me a job today, so we're just haggling about a few little things now.

Back to the story...

There’s going to be one common theme that you’ll see which took place over the course of the week. Crashing and burning. We did a lot of that. So it’s no surprise that upon return to our stateroom after our first day at Castaway Cay, we crashed and burned. And next thing we know it was dinnertime.

There is one thing that we noticed for the first real time during dinner that night. The Magic has an engine vibration that the Wonder doesn’t have. After dinner at Parrot Cay, we noticed the entire rest of the week that whenever the Magic was sailing you could feel a vibration when you’re at the rear of the ship. Very different from the Wonder.

So what was for dinner?

Well, I had the Baked Crab Martinique, which was very good., the Caesar Salad, which was just a plain old Caesar salad, and Island Roasted Rib Eye of Beef. The Beef came out a little undercooked from where I really wanted it, but I decided it was close enough that I could go ahead and eat it. Our server, however, was paranoid about it. He realized it was undercooked for what I wanted and he was really freaking out. I thought it was fine.

I know Disney is a different kind of cruise line. But I have to admit my disappointment in the dress that people are showing up for dinner in these days. After just two nights, my wife and I discussed that only about 50% of people were showing up in what I thought was dinner appropriate for a cruise ship. Jeans are okay on pirate night, but shorts should not be allowed in the dining rooms, except for young children. Apparently a lot of people who go on Disney cruises don’t agree with me.

So, after dinner, our assistant server is standing on the other side of the table and she says something to DW and I. Neither one of us could understand her because a) she had an extremely thick accent and b) she was mumbling. After about 3 times of asking her to repeat herself, I finally just nodded and said “Okay.” Which brings us to our tip for the day:

IF YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND WHAT YOUR SERVER IS ASKING YOU…DON’T SAY OKAY.

I’ve never had a mocha cappuccino. I didn’t even know that I was ordering one. But sure enough here comes two of them out to our table. My wife and I just look at each other in stark realization of what we did. When we replied okay to the mumbling we had acknowledged that we wanted after dinner coffee. Neither of us drink coffee. But since we were the stupid ones, we decided to sip on them. They actually weren’t that bad. Not that I’m planning on ordering them again. But they weren’t bad.

After shedding the caffeine kicks and coming back down to a reasonable level of hyperness for a cruise, it’s time to check out our stateroom account. Remember now, this is only the second day of our cruise. We had about a few hundred in stateroom credits for our account when we started. So how come we only have about $50 left. A few drinks, but not many. One picture, but it was actually free from the REAS package. How in the world do we have that little credit left?

2 phrases answer that question…Treasure Ketch and Mickey’s Mates. Seems my wife had been spending a little bit more time there than I knew about. I wondered what all those bags over in the corner were and now I knew. Better be something good in there for me is all I have to say.

We head back to the cabin and do what would become a nightly event…sitting out on the deck watching the waves go by. Things were a little bit surreal this night though. We passed ship after ship just sitting out there on the ocean. Looked like a lot of them were cruise ships and they were all stagnant. There was a hurricane to our south at this time, so I don’t know if maybe they had been rerouted because of that, but it was weird to pass by all these ships just sitting. We probably passed 15-20 of them, and that was only on the starboard side. There may have been more on port that we just couldn’t see.

So, it’s almost midnight now, and I lay in my cabin with the TV on. On the screen is the fourth, sad version of Indiana Jones. I sit there after a long day, and just like Indy in the original Raiders of the Lost Ark, the gentle rocking of the ship on the ocean lulls me off to sleep. Of course, he was also kissing Karen Allen at the time, while my wife was sitting out on the verandah staring at the ocean.

I guess that’s the difference between a new couple, and one that’s been together 12 years.

[anetnmike]

Hey Mozart! Glad to see ya back!
I noticed that engine vibration on the Magic too! It seemed we were right over it on deck 2. I did not feel that on the Wonder at all and we were in the same area. I can't blame your DW for making the OBC disappear. There's alot of great stuff in those shops:rolleyes:

[MicraPIP]

Keep it coming!!!

Glad to see you are soon to be employed again...

[Kborn]

We head back to the cabin and do what would become a nightly event…sitting out on the deck watching the waves go by. Things were a little bit surreal this night though. We passed ship after ship just sitting out there on the ocean. Looked like a lot of them were cruise ships and they were all stagnant. There was a hurricane to our south at this time, so I don’t know if maybe they had been rerouted because of that, but it was weird to pass by all these ships just sitting. We probably passed 15-20 of them, and that was only on the starboard side. There may have been more on port that we just couldn’t see.


Been reading your report, very good I might add:thumbsup2

15 to 20 other ships? Are you sure the Capt. was not sailing in a big circle and you saw 3 or 4 other ships 4 to 5 times....:rotfl2::rotfl2: You mentioned a hurricane, you might have been in the eye and had to circle:laughing::laughing::laughing:

Keep the report coming with MORE pics, that's the only thing that keeps me going on slow days:eek:

[Tink rules]

Glad to see you back and I hope everything works out for you :grouphug:

& yes... those little bags in the corner are VERY expensive... :rolleyes1