WDW is closed because the characters are on the SHIP Western 9/19/09 [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

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cakesnjammom

09-27-2009, 07:31 PM

Yes that is what my dd said when I said something about WDW while on the ship....but WDW is closed because all the characters are here :lmao:
SUMMARY:
Here is a summary of our trip tips in case you want to skip the details ;):
Things I learned or would do differently next cruise:
*I would eat in the dining rooms on the 1st and last nights only and maybe formal night depending on the clothes I take etc….
*I would dine at Topsiders all the other nights. We ate there on Pirate night to allow us more time for other activities that evening. The food was excellent and HOT and the kids were able to bring in stuff from the quick counters around the pool deck. And it is casual dress and on YOUR schedule flexible times. DH was thrilled to have 2 steak choices: a porterhouse or a prime rib VS dining room’s one steak cut offering. Food was great.
*The verandah was so nice but for US, I do not think we would ever do it again. The light and heat were hard to combat (we are hot natured) and we really did not spend too much time out there. Loved the view at Castaway Cay (we were starboard) and dh loved being able to smoke his cigars out there but all in all it was not a MUST if we go again. The kids really loved it too and it was great to experience once.
*Shutters has a photo opps board for each day of the cruise. Check it out if you want a picture with a character in a certain outfit. I have to say I am disgusted with the Shutters staff…they were not very helpful! I went in to find out what Daisy was going to wear one night because I wanted a pic w/ her in her light blue sparkly dress. They told me she would be casual so I skipped it and the next day I see the photos of her in that dress w/ cruisers. Not the only problem we experienced w/ the Shutters staff. We brought tuxes to have pics made with Minnie and Mickey in their tux and gown and they wear GOLD outfits on Formal night and Tux/Gown on semi-formal night----arghhhh.:(
*YES…we took too many clothes. I washed laundry twice while onboard and found that we gravitated to the most comfortable clothes, especially after all those large meals. LOL
*My desk fan I brought along was priceless!
*We stayed on the ship at all ports except Grand Cayman (rain) and Castaway Cay and there is plenty to do if you do not book excursions so never fear! You wil have more of the boat to enjoy. We left CC about 1:30 pm and the pools were very empty. We swam and watched Lady and the Tramp on the ariel screen!
*If you want to win the $300 credit at the DVC presentation do not attend the 1st one. It was so packed that they had to bring in more chairs. (Seems that DVC members attend too)
*Play BINGO before the last night then you can buy loyalty cards at the last game. ALL the people that WON when we played had that electronic BINGO box – just our observation.
*Snorkeling at CC….to cut costs in half, split the cost of snorkel gear with another family (check your meets board) and set up times that work for each family to use them. My dh and ds snorkeled and after an hour they were done so another family could have used the stuff! The gear just needs to be dropped in bins on your way out. FYI we were told Minnie statue has not been found since the last storm at CC.
*NAP!!!! Activities start early and end late…naps are so important for the sanity of your family J There is more down time options in the middle of the day. If you are tired the Walt Disney Theatre is an easy place to involuntarily fall asleep. The shows are GREAT but the rocking, darkness and comfort can really trick you into some zzzz’s.
*Over the door shoe organizer! I know you read this everywhere but it really does keep you organized.
*Drop off your autograph books at guest services and forget hauling them around the ship…this also speeds up the character lines!
*You will never do it all…relax and enjoy….if you miss something do not sweat it.
*Participate in the shows if offered. My dh became a cruise celebrity and he loved it. People asked for his autograph and photo and said hello to him all over the ship! It helps that he wears unique Mickey Ears hat all over the boat too.
*PRIOR to this I hated the idea of staying on deck 1 or 2 BUT really they were quiet and if you hate to feel the motion of the ship it IS much less noticeable to me on lower decks.
*The FE group was great. My kids were SO excited to get back to the room and see what they had received. Join yours.
*We met so many great people from our meets board thread! It was so fun seeing everyone. We had an awesome group…wish we could all do it again! We may have to form a group similar to B.O.B. and cruise together when we can. Great folks! J
Detailed:
MNSSHP, Wishes Dessert Party, Boarding Day!
3 Netflix movies and 1 Redbox movie and the kids were out like lights….it was so nice traveling at night while they slept, traffic was light, cooler temps and no construction delays! We arrived in PC on Thursday night about 12 midnight because we attended the MNSSHP on the 18th of Sept. (Friday night) so we arrived in PC on Thursday. MNSSHP was a BLAST and we got in around 4pm….we had time to eat (Cosmic Rays) and we got to ride all the kid rides with very little wait time!! We had been looking forward to getting all of our faces painted (FREE in ToonTown at 7pm) well I knew if we waited too long that there would be a LONG line (thanks to DISers). So we headed towards ToonTown from Dumbo! Got there and there were only 5 people in line – so stoked! So we got in line and it did not take us long before we were all painted and on our way again.
http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu261/meanddblj/th_disney048.jpg (http://s654.photobucket.com/albums/uu261/meanddblj/?action=view&current=disney048.jpg)

Then we did TomorrowLand rides and candy routes including Alice’s along with the dance party happening in Tomorrow Land between Buzz LY and Space Mtn. (closed still) and headed towards Wishes Dessert Party. I should mention that since we were leaving for the cruise the next day so we decided NOT to do “characters” at MNSSHP and that did save A LOT of time!! Wishes Dessert Party was great! Definitely worth it! We got a great table where we could see sitting down from our party table. We had a NICE DCL family sitting next to us from CA and we chatted with them which was nice because they got us even more excited about the coming cruise. On a side note: just so you know once we checked in and were lead to our assigned table I was told we could go out and watch the parade and return (they gave us wristbands for the Dessert Party upon checking in) but we did not take advantage of leaving it and returning because we knew we were going to the last parade and we were going to stay as late as we could. We sat on the right side of the viewing deck section C. My family went over to the left side and got to watch the Villain Show from there too. The Hallo-Wishes fireworks were absolutely breathtaking….gorgeous and we really enjoyed having our own spot to view them.
http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu261/meanddblj/th_disney072.jpg (http://s654.photobucket.com/albums/uu261/meanddblj/?action=view&current=disney072.jpg)
http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu261/meanddblj/th_disney078.jpg (http://s654.photobucket.com/albums/uu261/meanddblj/?action=view&current=disney078.jpg)
Now take note…I am just a good ‘ole southern girl but when I have been waiting for a parade or fireworks show to start for 45 mins. saving my spot and when they begin someone comes and stands in front of me with their kid on their shoulders (you know the ones and if you don’t know one then you are that person!) this situation bothers me so crazy I have to say something to them. I am not rude and I do not particularly want a fight but it really irks me that people have NO regard for anyone, there is a least ONE in every crowd! Which brings me to a story, one year we walked up to the area for Wishes viewing early enough to find a spot and everyone was sitting on the ground in front of the castle (it was free dining and I think everyone was just plain too full to stand! Anyway, I sat my rather large behind on the ground and waited like everyone else. Well this lady has the audacity to come and stand directly in front of me with NO regard to anyone behind her. I politely tapped on her leg and said “all I can see is your behind” and she continued to stand there (and yes she spoke English) so I sternly said “I cannot see please find a spot to move to?” She was fairly miffed at me and I am so sorry that their mama did not raise them to have respect for others but it ended up that it was not my problem because she did finally move along…I know I am rambling but I had to show you there are several in every crowd and this night was no exception. If you wore blue Hawaiian pants or an adult Minnie dress to the MNSSHP on the 18th then the answer is YES you WERE obstructing the view of the people behind you. When you look around and you are the only one standing that should be a hint! To make things worse…Mama Minnie decided to dance to the parade music (which I am all for – dance until your heart is content - as long as it is not the “ME” show you are making me watch instead of the function that Disney is putting on) so trying to see around her was a crap shoot. You could see the disgust for their disregard written all over the crowd’s faces but somehow it did not phase them??? I just do not get it.
So on with the show…my kids had a great view and that is what matters to me!
It was a great night and so WORTH it for our family…the Dessert Party was a great energizer for us and we left the park when the HP was over and headed back to our port hotel! After getting our exhausted kids back to the Residence Inn we took them up and bathed them and got them into their beds…then packed what we could and laid out our stuff for the next day.
http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu261/meanddblj/th_disney111.jpg (http://s654.photobucket.com/albums/uu261/meanddblj/?action=view&current=disney111.jpg)
We were SO impressed with the Residence Inn at the port. Clean and friendly staff with a great breakfast buffet. And kids loved it too because we all had space to ourselves, not to mention that ds 7 year old got his own king size bed like ours. I highly recommend them.
Pool at Residence Inn
http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu261/meanddblj/th_disney020.jpg (http://s654.photobucket.com/albums/uu261/meanddblj/?action=view&current=disney020.jpg)

We ended up parking at the port because we decided at the last minute to try to upgrade at the port. So we drove our van and parked there (yes, bye bye $105 we were supposed to save on parking) but we talked and it will save us time when we return too so we parked at the port.
When we got to the port around 10 am we arrived to the Disney lot and there was a long line of folks waiting to go into the right lane of the DCL parking area. Then a Radisson bus pulled in and took the left lane so I watched to see where it lead and they went to baggage drop off area. SO I told dh to take us to baggage drop off and then go park. So the kids and I got out and made our way up to the terminal. My kids were really excited and I was really focused on getting what I needed done in port so this was not a good combo. My ds had 4013 questions and my brain will not even work! Can you say overload?
I AM TYPING THIS IN ALL CAPS IN ORDER TO HELP ANYONE LIKE ME OUT THERE. I DID NOT BRING MY PURSE ON THE CRUISE…dh had everything in his money clip…money, my DL and the credit card. I had made a folder prior to leaving home that contained all our passports and documents I would need for check in so I did not really think I would need money - NOT. Be sure you have a way to PAY FOR THE UPGRADE AT THE PORT with you if you choose to take the offer. You have to pay for it right then and dh was no where to be found. The CM said “you will have to step out of line and if someone else wants this upgrade, I will have to give the cabin to them”. Well the very next person wanted a CAT 6 too and I was crushed until I heard the CM give her a different room number than I was offered…got on the phone with dh and treated him like all this was somehow his fault. Where are you…you are screwing this up for everyone!!! ;) But he, like usual, quickly came to my rescue and we got a CAT 6, cabin 6614 and it was great.
We met tons of our DIS friends in the port and it was so fun. Upon meeting some of them I realized I had left my FE paperwork with copies of the FE delivery map we made for our group. DH went out to grab it and realized that we had also left one suitcase that held all of our shoes in our van. See what I get for rushing dh! Whew!
We got boarding pass 4 and it took us no time to board the ship. We headed straight to Rockin’ D for Palo Brunch ressies and to change Palo Dinner ressie b/c it did not work with our PLAAPLA dinner rotation. We also saw Gretchen and she kindly told us to request Anne Marie as our server in Palo and we did. Boy is she good at her job – more to come about this! Then we headed to guest services for Tea w/ Alice tickets, Galley Tour tickets and info on the Art of Entertaining. We were set. So up to Topsiders for lunch and then off to the pool.
PLAAPLA was our rotation. We had: Palo Brunch Sunday at 10:30 am, Palo Dinner Thursday at 7:30 pm and Alice Tea on Monday at 3:30 pm. We cancelled our galley tour…maybe next time.
The kids loved the Mickey pool and slide and enjoyed it for awhile and this is where I notice some tension amongst the guests………….

Up next the Splash Zone fury! CAT 6 folks and a “MUSTARD” drill.
more pics soon...still uploading!

PoohJen

09-27-2009, 09:37 PM

Welcome Back! Sounds like you had a great time!:cool1:

Alice_on_WONDERland

09-27-2009, 09:56 PM

Great start to your trip report! I can't wait to read more. :thumbsup2

NCjenn

09-28-2009, 10:18 AM

Yea Paige! Can't wait to read more AND talk with you in person!!!
Jennifer

UGAFan0829

09-28-2009, 11:00 AM

Hey, Paige! I'm here. I'm so excited that you've started your report!! Woohoo! Let the fun begin!!

I would dine at Topsiders all the other nights. We ate there on Pirate night to allow us more time for other activities that evening. The food was excellent and HOT and the kids were able to bring in stuff from the quick counters around the pool deck. And it is casual dress and on YOUR schedule flexible times. DH was thrilled to have 2 steak choices: a porterhouse or a prime rib VS dining room’s one steak cut offering. Food was great.

Over the door shoe organizer! I know you read this everywhere but it really does keep you organized.

PRIOR to this I hated the idea of staying on deck 1 or 2 BUT really they were quiet and if you hate to feel the motion of the ship it IS much less noticeable to me on lower decks.

We met so many great people from our meets board thread! It was so fun seeing everyone. We had an awesome group…wish we could all do it again! We may have to form a group similar to B.O.B. and cruise together when we can. Great folks!

Wow, those are all great tips!

On Topsiders-That is great advice. Honestly, I never realized that they were open for dinner.

The over the door shoe holder was awesome wasn't it? I'm so glad Jennifer recommended it to me. It's a must do for us from now on!

I'm glad to hear that you liked it on the lower decks. I've always wondered what it would be like down there. We were tossing around the idea of trying to fit in a cruise on the Wonder before it goes out West, and we thought about trying one of the lower decks this time.

Meeting DIS'ers is an awesome thing. I had so much fun at our meet and seeing everyone throughout the cruise. You'll have to let me know when y'all are planning to cruise again...I think we would make great shipmates!!

Grumpyismyfavorite

09-28-2009, 11:12 AM

You and your DH were the best entertainment of the entire trip!

I have to tell you that throughout the rest of the cruise and even now that we're home, DH and I will look at each other and one of us will do the hand puppets or say "cookies" or start singing the song and bust out laughing.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

mmouse37

09-28-2009, 11:34 AM

Hey Paige...

Great report so far....we were also on that cruise and your family does look familiar...I am sure we passed a bunch of times onboard. I did not get involved much at all with the meets thread as I just booked 10 days before the cruise and had tons to do!!! This cruise was just hubby and I and we had a blast!!! Only port we stayed onboard was Grand Cayman as it rained all day. Each time we attempted to get off the ship the heavens opened up so we just enjoyed the ship all day.

We were one of the first in the terminal and also tried for an upgrade (from Cat 6 to Cat 3)(hey, our 30th anniversary so I thought I would live a little, ha ha)...well got up there and was quoted $1700 to upgrade from Cat 6 to Cat 3 and it was not even one of the big Cat 3's....I was not living that large!!!! I declined and we were happy with our Cat 6 (6150). It was one of the solid wall verandah's. Only problem was the verandah would flood each time it rained and did not drain well at all. We always had water out there. They came and wet vacced it once but when it rained again same thing happened.

Had great tablemates....hey Jen and Damon and TJ and John!!!!

Spent a lot of time at the adult pool and REALLY noticed how much DCL was pushing the drinks. Very different from out other DCL cruises.

Can't wait for the rest of your report!!

MJ

kileybeth

09-28-2009, 11:53 AM

Hey Paige! Just checkin' in to say hi girl and glad you started your report. :woohoo:

No time for comments now as I am waiting for Enterprise to come "pick me up" to get a rental for the week as DH took our one and only car to WashDC today to start his new job.

Only thing I will say, is it just cracks me up how we could have had exactly opposite experiences and both have had awesome and fabulous experiences! :rotfl2:

Can't wait to hear more from your trip!

My DH said the ship was as long as our street (we live on a cul de sac with 5 houses down each side, 1 acre lots) so it was no wonder we never saw our group very much! Add that to opposite schedules and it's a wonder we met at all!

Back soon!

missusem

09-28-2009, 01:51 PM

keeping my ears up for this TR sounds like you guys had FUN FUN FUN!

Timon

09-28-2009, 06:25 PM

Great start Paige :thumbsup2

Can't wait to read about the rest :cool1:

I know what you mean about those people who come 2 minutes before the parade starts and then tries to stand in front of you!!! :mad::headache:

It is my biggest pet peeve down there! I make sure to get a good spot so we always find a place about an hour ahead and it never fails someone always comes in last minute and blocks our way! :sad2:

I let just about every other rude behaviour slide while on vacation but not this one, I always say something. ::yes::

Last time, some lady tried to push herself and her 15 year-old daughter right in front of my baby who was in a stroller at MK. I don't think so honey! :rolleyes:

cakesnjammom

09-29-2009, 04:13 PM

Welcome Back! Sounds like you had a great time!:cool1:
thx and yes we did! I am so depressed to be home. Noboby to cook and clean for me ;)

Great start to your trip report! I can't wait to read more. :thumbsup2
Thanks...I have lots more in store!
Yea Paige! Can't wait to read more AND talk with you in person!!!
Jennifer
Cannot wait for us to get together!
Hey, Paige! I'm here. I'm so excited that you've started your report!! Woohoo! Let the fun begin!!

Wow, those are all great tips!

On Topsiders-That is great advice. Honestly, I never realized that they were open for dinner.

The over the door shoe holder was awesome wasn't it? I'm so glad Jennifer recommended it to me. It's a must do for us from now on!

I'm glad to hear that you liked it on the lower decks. I've always wondered what it would be like down there. We were tossing around the idea of trying to fit in a cruise on the Wonder before it goes out West, and we thought about trying one of the lower decks this time.

Meeting DIS'ers is an awesome thing. I had so much fun at our meet and seeing everyone throughout the cruise. You'll have to let me know when y'all are planning to cruise again...I think we would make great shipmates!!
Missy thanks! I am so glad to hear you agree with some of my tips. I swear Topsiders is the ticket! It really frees you up in the evenings...then you can do either show and hit whatever characters you want to see. We only got to eat at Topsiders because we tried it the 1st time on pirate night and then we had Palo and Topsiders isn't available for dinner on the 1st and last nights. But it saves you all that PREP time you spend getting ready for dinner too! And if you are like us, you just head right to the room to change after dinner for the show anyway!
You and your DH were the best entertainment of the entire trip!

I have to tell you that throughout the rest of the cruise and even now that we're home, DH and I will look at each other and one of us will do the hand puppets or say "cookies" or start singing the song and bust out laughing.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
AWWW thanks. Dh really loved being a celeb on the cruise!:lmao:
I have the video that someone else recorded to post the link to also. Too funny.
Hey Paige...

Great report so far....we were also on that cruise and your family does look familiar...I am sure we passed a bunch of times onboard. I did not get involved much at all with the meets thread as I just booked 10 days before the cruise and had tons to do!!! This cruise was just hubby and I and we had a blast!!! Only port we stayed onboard was Grand Cayman as it rained all day. Each time we attempted to get off the ship the heavens opened up so we just enjoyed the ship all day.

We were one of the first in the terminal and also tried for an upgrade (from Cat 6 to Cat 3)(hey, our 30th anniversary so I thought I would live a little, ha ha)...well got up there and was quoted $1700 to upgrade from Cat 6 to Cat 3 and it was not even one of the big Cat 3's....I was not living that large!!!! I declined and we were happy with our Cat 6 (6150). It was one of the solid wall verandah's. Only problem was the verandah would flood each time it rained and did not drain well at all. We always had water out there. They came and wet vacced it once but when it rained again same thing happened.

Had great tablemates....hey Jen and Damon and TJ and John!!!!

Spent a lot of time at the adult pool and REALLY noticed how much DCL was pushing the drinks. Very different from out other DCL cruises.

Can't wait for the rest of your report!!

MJ
MJ - I am sure we passed each other. Glad you had a great cruise too. We felt so guilty spending the $650 on the verandah but you have to try it once!

Hey Paige! Just checkin' in to say hi girl and glad you started your report. :woohoo:

No time for comments now as I am waiting for Enterprise to come "pick me up" to get a rental for the week as DH took our one and only car to WashDC today to start his new job.

Only thing I will say, is it just cracks me up how we could have had exactly opposite experiences and both have had awesome and fabulous experiences! :rotfl2:

Can't wait to hear more from your trip!

My DH said the ship was as long as our street (we live on a cul de sac with 5 houses down each side, 1 acre lots) so it was no wonder we never saw our group very much! Add that to opposite schedules and it's a wonder we met at all!

Back soon!

keeping my ears up for this TR sounds like you guys had FUN FUN FUN!
Kim - we had a good time....I did have some planner's remorse though. There is no way to do it all and when you know about it you feel like you MISSED out on something but it was great. We never made it to the sailaway...you are right that 1st day was a kicker...run here, run there and the muster drill was awfully hot and humid with the rain!
Great start Paige :thumbsup2

Can't wait to read about the rest :cool1:

I know what you mean about those people who come 2 minutes before the parade starts and then tries to stand in front of you!!! :mad::headache:

It is my biggest pet peeve down there! I make sure to get a good spot so we always find a place about an hour ahead and it never fails someone always comes in last minute and blocks our way! :sad2:

I let just about every other rude behaviour slide while on vacation but not this one, I always say something. ::yes::

Last time, some lady tried to push herself and her 15 year-old daughter right in front of my baby who was in a stroller at MK. I don't think so honey! :rolleyes:
I am so glad you agree...I know I sound hateful but some people just do not think...they think they are the only ones that paid hard earned money to visit Disney :rolleyes1 Thanks for reading I do have more in to come!

cakesnjammom

09-29-2009, 04:20 PM

Part 2
Upon check in we were told that the Splash Zone was closed and under repair and planned to be opened by Thursday and this is where the tension stemmed from for some cruisers.. Our kids enjoy swimming so no big deal for us but cruisers with babies and toddlers were very upset because it really hindered their pool experience/. BTW, the Splash Zone was “repaired” on Friday but no water was ever one there that I noticed. While sitting around the Mickey pool there were some super aggravated parents over not having a water option for their tiny ones…babies/toddlers are not allowed in the pool unless they are potty trained. L I really felt bad for them.

After the pool it was time to head to our room….we were so excited to check it all out. And the kids were so excited to see the verandah. We changed the kids and headed to get our ;pager for the kids club b/c I had forgotten to get it in port. We were so excited to meet the people from our meets group so we got sidetracked.
I had hoped to go by the Spa for the Open House but there was not time we need to head back to our room for the muster drill. A funny part of our trip was my 7 yr old ds telling everyone we had to get to the MUSTARD drill J Which was a GIANT pain in the tail because it was rainy, humid and hot and members of our group were LATE….We were all ready to get those life jackets off and resume the fun. The Sail Away party was move to the lobby due to weather and we missed it altogether. We decided to unpack our room instead. I knew the 1st day onboard would be busy but it can get downright overwhelming! I kept telling myself “it all gets easier after this, right?
SO after our Parrot Cay dinner we went to the All Aboard Show and the kids were in the clubs and were so excited to be there with kids they had met thru email.. Then dh and I went to Diversions to watch some of the UGA game – GO DAWG
S! Then off to get the kids and off to bed WHEW we were all exhausted... Have to say the shows are fabulous as well as the entertainment. My dh became a cruise celebrity after being hypnotized by Ricky Kalmon at the adult show in Rockin’ D. He was so funny and he had people ask for his photo and autograph throughout the week – he really loved it. And YES it was all real. More on that later since I am hoping to get a video clip of it to post.

Up next Palo Brunch, Ship Exploration and a Back Massage!
on the verandah
http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu261/meanddblj/DCL20090682.jpg
ds at muster :(
http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu261/meanddblj/DCL2009036.jpg
dd at muster :(
http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu261/meanddblj/DCL2009037.jpg
a very full and useful shoe hanger!
http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu261/meanddblj/DCL2009039.jpg
our room - Cat 6...notice dh's legs on blacony!
http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu261/meanddblj/DCL2009040.jpg

cakesnjammom

09-29-2009, 05:03 PM

Well we woke up to room service knocking at the door (they called and said they were on the way up but dh just said ok and hung up the phone. We got assorted muffins and milk for the kids to enjoy on the balcony while we got ready to go to Palo Brunch. The kids left to go to the club where they made Flubber! And we went to Palo with the fabulous Anne Marie as our server.
Look who we saw outside Palo:

http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu261/meanddblj/DCL2009069.jpg

It was fabulous. I got the chicken parm and dh got the omlet! I loved the stolen nut bread with the berries, whip topping and jam! YUM!
http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu261/meanddblj/DCL2009057.jpg
http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu261/meanddblj/DCL2009059.jpg
http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu261/meanddblj/DCL2009056.jpg
Me and dh at palo
http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu261/meanddblj/DCL2009068.jpg

After Palo we moved slowly back to get the kids and take them for a swim. They really loved the Mickey slide!
Sorry guys my photos are all over the place in photobucket and it is really hard to find the ones that go with each day! I am going to post a link to ALL my photos soon.

My dh was not only a celeb from his hypnotist adventure but he was also a big FAN of the SPA…he did the 20/20/20 several times and yes our shipboard account reflected it. This treatment was one where you could pick 20 minutes of several different massages and make an hour out of it. Since he has a bad back most of his treatments focused on the back. Now I have to admit I love the SPA too but I only got a facial and a pedi!! J But he said everytime he got a back massage he felt like jell-o, so what the heck! I should have named my report “what the heck” because that became our accounting strategy once we were on the ship. All my frugal planning stayed in FL!

I am also going to post the youtube video link of my dh’s performance while hypnotized! LOL…he was told he was the world’s greatest puppeteer and early in the show the hypnotist told me every time I called out “COOKIES” he would run over and give me a passionate kiss. You gotta love that Ricky Kalmon! Although I have to admit the kisses were just a little more slobbery than I like J
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zph9RzsCXZ0 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zph9RzsCXZ0)
http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu261/meanddblj/disneyandJJhyp082.jpg

We met so many fabulous people on this cruise. Our meets group felt like a little family. I was worried because believe it or not I can be pretty shy and I wondered how it would all play out but no worries! Everyone was SUPER great! Our FE exchange group was also AWESOME and the gifts were amazing! My kids were so excited whenever we got a prize! We did a treasure hunt on the boat and we gave away a $25 cabin credit to LoriS for winning! Thanks to all of you that participated.

Next up Tea with Alice and DVC presentation!

mmouse37

09-29-2009, 11:04 PM

LoriS

09-29-2009, 11:58 PM

Loving your trip report. I am sorry we didn't see JJ's performance, the video of it is great. I had lots of fun with the scavenger hunt, thanks!! :-) Courtney had a lot of fun playing with Katie too.

cakesnjammom

09-30-2009, 06:22 PM

Loving your trip report. I am sorry we didn't see JJ's performance, the video of it is great. I had lots of fun with the scavenger hunt, thanks!! :-) Courtney had a lot of fun playing with Katie too.

Katie had fun w/ Courtney too!
I am so glad you thought it was fun...I know it was time consuming and being my 1st DC I did not think of that before.

The cruise seems like a dream...it went by so fast. I cannot imagine a shorter one, it would seem like a wink to me! I am so glad we started with the 7 nighter but it is kinda hard to live up to. My MIL and her family (sister and her family) want to do a RCL cruise in 2011 and get our whole family to go too. I think dh is real hesitant now after doing DCL. He's Disney or BUST which is nothing new but I think they are going to have a hard time convincing him to pay for a RCL cruise instead of DCL cruise.
Man I really could kick myself in the tail for not booking onboard but there wwas really just no way. With me not working and with the economy the way it has been I have really been making peanuts when I do work I swear it feels like we may never vacation again. If that were true we would be debt free!!
ANYONE ELSE HATING BEING IN THE REAL WORLD AND NOT ON THE MAGIC AS MUCH AS ME - HOLLA!

well I wanted to post the link to our pics....feel free to ask me any questions until I can get my depressed big butt back to posting the continuation of our trip report.. I better go cook seeing as dh is mowing the lawn and I am on the DIS!:3dglasses
We have company coming from GA this weekend. WideSpreadPanic will be in Charlotte and friends are coming in town so we should be too busy to be SAD that the Magic is sailing without us AGAIN.

http://s654.photobucket.com/albums/uu261/meanddblj/
password: disney 2009

I have a work meeting tomorrow and it will come too early. Here's to it going very smoothly!
My best to everyone. Thanks for reading along...:cool2:

JanDave

09-30-2009, 06:46 PM

Enjoying reading your TR, Paige. What a great week at sea last week! It ws great meeting you and your DH.

Jan

LC30

09-30-2009, 07:56 PM

Hey there. Great trip report. I wanna hear more because we're on the Western next year and needs all the great hints and tips. BTW, you had send me a post before about being at MNSSHP party on the same day. We must have passed each other a million times that night. We got there right around 4 p.m. too and we also ate at Cosmic Rays and got face paintings. We cancelled our Wishes Dessert Party because DH is not a big dessert fan. And DS was just as happy with yogurt and Mickey bars.

Looking forward to the rest of your trip report.

Timon

10-01-2009, 12:50 PM

OMG, that video was priceless!!! :lmao: Your hubby was too funny!!! :rotfl2:

It brought back memories...the night I met my hubby we were at a hypnotist show and he was hypnotized and did stuff that was rather embarrassing!! :blush: :scared1:

People always say that it's fake but my hubby never would have done that stuff if he wasn't hypnotized!:rolleyes:

I didn't even know they ever had hypnotists onboard :eek:

cakesnjammom

10-04-2009, 06:36 PM

Enjoying reading your TR, Paige. What a great week at sea last week! It ws great meeting you and your DH.

Jan
Jan,
You too! It was a great week but it went TOO FAST!

Hey there. Great trip report. I wanna hear more because we're on the Western next year and needs all the great hints and tips. BTW, you had send me a post before about being at MNSSHP party on the same day. We must have passed each other a million times that night. We got there right around 4 p.m. too and we also ate at Cosmic Rays and got face paintings. We cancelled our Wishes Dessert Party because DH is not a big dessert fan. And DS was just as happy with yogurt and Mickey bars.

Looking forward to the rest of your trip report.
Oh I bet we did pass each other a billion times. The MNSSHP was too fun. Thanks for reading along.

OMG, that video was priceless!!! :lmao: Your hubby was too funny!!! :rotfl2:

It brought back memories...the night I met my hubby we were at a hypnotist show and he was hypnotized and did stuff that was rather embarrassing!! :blush: :scared1:

People always say that it's fake but my hubby never would have done that stuff if he wasn't hypnotized!:rolleyes:

I didn't even know they ever had hypnotists onboard :eek:

You are so right...my dh isn't shy but he would have never put on that puppet show nor would he have kissed me like that...I had to wipe the slober off my face:rolleyes1when he went back to the stage. It was more like being choked than kissed at that pace!:rolleyes: He totally loved participating though and meeting people that recognized him was fun for him too.
I am so glad you are reading my TR.

I have to say I have had NO time to focus on the rest of my TR:upsidedow sorry. I will try to get to it this week sometime. We had company this weekend and dh is off to WSP in concert tonight again so I have been swamped getting back to normal life since the cruise. I am feeding my kids and getting their bags packed for school tomorrow. I am so not looking forward to getting back to my work schedule but am thanksful for the opportunity to make a living. I will miss the time with my kids :guilty: and will be so sad when I do not get home until late evening to see them :sad1: I will work most weekends again too.
I have to remember how many people would gladly go to work if they could find work in this economy!
I am planning to start weight watchers this week too...please pray for me...I have got to get some weight off, sweets are my downfall!
Well more soon I hope...do not give up on me!

wuv tigger

10-05-2009, 09:23 AM

looking forward to more posts!:thumbsup2

Sccrmnky2005

10-05-2009, 03:11 PM

me too loving it so far!

UGAFan0829

10-05-2009, 03:39 PM

I am planning to start weight watchers this week too...please pray for me...I have got to get some weight off, sweets are my downfall!
Well more soon I hope...do not give up on me!

That's awesome, Paige. Good luck with it-I know you can do it. I understand what you mean about sweets...I am totally the same way! There's no telling how much I could lose if I could just stay away from ice cream and sweet tea and cakes and pies, oh my! Keep us posted on your progress!

KIRSTIN'S MOMMY

10-05-2009, 04:56 PM

Hi Paige! It was great meeting you, and yes, we are in SERIOUS cruise withdrawl! We're planning the next one to celebrate becoming debt free, so maybe we'll be on the same cruise ;) We had a wonderful time, and can't wait to get back!

By the way, my hubby got pics of the Hidden Minnie at CC, so she HAS been spotted!

LoriS

10-05-2009, 11:30 PM

Jan,
I am planning to start weight watchers this week too...please pray for me...I have got to get some weight off, sweets are my downfall!
Well more soon I hope...do not give up on me!
Good luck with WW :goodvibes I will look forward to the next installment of WDW is closed. LOL

mamajojo

10-08-2009, 06:41 AM

Paige, great trip report so far. Bishop had a great time with Jamie and talks about him often. It was so nice already having friends on board. I had a nice afternoon talking to you at the Mickey pool. Wish we had more time but as you said, it goes so fast and there is so much you want to get done. Good luck with WW. We are planning on getting back into out fitness routine next week. I hope to be able to finally get back to it. I hope you are feeling well and I hope you have an easy transition back into work. I just went back to work last week. I look forward to the rest of your trip report, Who knows, maybe one day we will be back on the ship together!:thumbsup2

gvivanco

10-09-2009, 01:05 AM

Hi, everybody!! :wave: It's like old times, seeing everyone's names and comments on here! Like seeing old friends. I loved meeting everyone on board!

Paige, I really enjoy reading your trip report. I know there's so much to do getting back to the real world. I hope all goes well with getting back to work. I know it's hard.

I am still trying to get back on track after the weight I gained onboard (6 or 7 pounds!! :eek:) I have gotten back into a little exercise (jogging/walking), so, slowly but surely.......WW is a great program. It teaches portion control, which is what it's really all about. I have such a sweet tooth, too!!! GEEZ! I love sugar! Ask Annie Marie from Palo......I had this mountain of sugar packets I opened for my little cup of coffee. For the next cup she brought me a sugar bowl.......:upsidedow

Anyway, it's great to read and keep up with everyone!!

Miss all you guys!! :grouphug:

Can't wait to read more when you get a chance to breathe!

Gretchen

cakesnjammom

10-09-2009, 07:57 PM

Thanks to all of you that are reading along...sorry I did not post to each of you individually!
After a LONG day in real estate post-licensing classes and a list of things I SHOULD be doing I decided to post an update - makes sense right! I only have 9 Chapters to read!!!
Thanks to those of you who posted well wishes to Jamie....yes he had H1N1 Swine Flu...out of a school class of 20 he had 13 out in his class alone! Happy to say he had the milder strain of it and was back in school today. And Monday is his 8th B-day so we are hoping to go to the Transportation Museam in Spencer, NC where they are having a Disney "Christmas Carol" exhibit this weekend. I have school for post-licensing that I have to do and then I start work back, feels like a whirlwind hit. I am sure many of you feel the same way too.
On to my update:
It was Monday - a sea day on the western :dancer:and we had 3:30 pm ressies for tea w/ alice and not much else planned for the day except getting ready for formal night in animator's palette. We had tried to make it to Lumiere's for breakfast but we got there after 9:30 am so we ate at Topsider's instead...I told 'ya we are not early morning folks :angel:. DS wanted to go to the club so dh and I took dd to the princess gathering for pics and then she decided she would head to the club too. SO dh and I decided we would attend the DVC presentation at 12:30 pm and hear about it and hope for the $300 onboard credit to make it way to usn:rolleyes: - needless to say we did not WIN nor could we even think about swinging what they require to join but hopefully we can look into in the future! I do see a great benefit in joining and I really think we are prime membership candidates, just too broke to come up with tthe $17,000 initial fee for the amount of points we thought would be best.. BLT is absolutely gorgeous and since we have rented points in the past I look forward to hopefully doing that and staying at BLT in the future! BUT there were so many people at the DVC presentation that they had to bring in more chairs into Diversions - per my tips DO NOT attend the 1st one for better odds at the credit!
After this dh and I got the kids and headed to a quick lunch before going back to our room to shower and get ready for the tea w/ ALice. Tea with ALice and the Mad Hatter is a short and sweet event in Studio Sea. Each table is set with cups, saucers and plates along with "apple juice" and cookies. Alice teaches manners at the Tea and her and the Hatter put on a little skit and then pics and autographs. We were rude b/c I was not paying attention to the instructions and one side of the room was told to line and dh and kids shot right over to that line b/c the kids had cruise friends in it. I finally realized they were supposed to wait their turn and went to tell dh. He said they would be so disappointed if we took them out of line at that point so I decided to run to Shutters and check on photos while he RUDELY :lmao:stood in the wrong line ahead of our right side of the room companions. Sorry!
Side note: I have curly hair...the kind of hair it is down right EVIL to put a blow dryer too...I would look like Buckwheat styled my hair if I did!:scared1: And I was getting a little panicked that is did not seem to be air drying in the appropriate amount of time for formal night pics (the whole reason I paid for tuxes for my guys)! Anyway to make a long story short we planned to go up and get everyone dressed for formal night by 5 pm so we could line up for pics instead I headed to the spa to see if there was a way I could sit under the dryer (the bonnet kind) and dh headed to get him and the kids dressed.
I was LUCKY and the spa (although I could tell this was a 1st) allowed me to sit under a dryer for 20 mins. I was so grateful and afterwards I headed up to put on my makeup and dress. Now I have to get on my soapbox and this is why OCPlanning will bite you in the butt....I was so excited to get our photo taken w/ Mickey and Minnie in their tux and white gown only to learn that on FORMAL night they wear GOLD outfits for the GOLDEN MICKEY's. They wear the tux and white dress on semi-formal night....I was bummed but I got over it. We had our photo taken w/ dressy backdrop and headed to AP for dinner. The dinner was ok...nothing spectacular but I do have to say the Golden Mickey Award Dessert was YUMMO...yes I love chocolate. And I guess here is where I need to mention that I am pretty sure dh had steak every night of the cruise!!:eek: I think I had fish on this night but for got to make a note!
We had lots of fun at the show I was actually sorry that the kids went to the club and missed the show.
dh and I wondered around the shops and then went and had a drink at Sessions. And then headed for the Ricky Kalmon comedy/hypnotist show and we all know what happened there....if you don't see the you tube video I posted somewhere in a prior post!!!! YEP dh was hypnotized!:rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2 ::rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2:COOKIES!! !
He had tried to be hypnotized the night before in the family show but it did not work (he was in the audience then though). I was so weird to see him acting like that...he is not shy BUT he would not have done that puppet shows or CHOKE me.with his tongue...cookies!!
When we tried to pick up the kids from the clubs...they wanted to stay....so we said ok! And I went back to the cabin to check out the Nav. Dh was rested from the hypnotizing so we went to do laundry :laundy:. We had a mix up in the laundry room...I loaded a washer w/ clothes and liquid det. that I brought with me the FREE AND CLEAR kind b/c i am allergic to regular and the washer would not swipe/start. We had to call guest services and they had to send up a CM who could only credit me with Downy to wash my clothes with and I had to switch my clothes to a different machine.
Meanwhile dh went back and got the kids around midnight and after we switch wet clothes to dryers and while we were waiting for our clothes to dry...I fell asleep . Luckily dh went back and got them and folded them too.
The shows and entertainment on the boat were/was amazing...do not miss it! We missed Disney Dreams and I hated that we did b/c I loved the shows!!!popcorn::

Up next a quickie in Grand Cayman, A frog in Senor Frogs in the rain, and an AP dinner NOT so memorable but how can you forget it...bleck!:rolleyes1

my cruise pics:
http://s654.photobucket.com/albums/uu261/meanddblj/
password: disney 2009

HAPPY 8th BIRTHDAY TO MY BOY!

mamajojo

10-12-2009, 05:43 PM

Paige, I am so glad that Jamie is ok. Tell him that Bishop says

"Happy Birthday!!!"

UGAFan0829

10-13-2009, 09:11 AM

Hey, Paige! Yeaaa for another update. I totally understand you being busy and not being able to post as often as you'd like. I've been the same way with my report.
Anyway, like you-I was confused about Mickey and Minnie's attire as well. We never did get a pic with them on semi-formal night, but oh well.
Glad to hear that the Spa let you borrow a dryer. I guess I'm just the opposite--if I try to air dry my hair it goes beserk!! Too weird!
Great update! Can't wait to read more!

TotallyAngelic

10-13-2009, 09:26 AM

really enjoying your trip report so far - the food in Palo looks amazing! Looking forward to your next installment.:goodvibes

cakesnjammom

10-13-2009, 09:22 PM

Paige, I am so glad that Jamie is ok. Tell him that Bishop says

"Happy Birthday!!!"
Thank you! He had a great B-day. He misses Bishop too and still talks about him ;(
I had a great time talking to you too...sthere was more time.

Hey, Paige! Yeaaa for another update. I totally understand you being busy and not being able to post as often as you'd like. I've been the same way with my report.
Anyway, like you-I was confused about Mickey and Minnie's attire as well. We never did get a pic with them on semi-formal night, but oh well.
Glad to hear that the Spa let you borrow a dryer. I guess I'm just the opposite--if I try to air dry my hair it goes beserk!! Too weird!
Great update! Can't wait to read more!
Missy thank you for my Fall Smilie...love it. This is my favorite time of year.
Glad to know I was not the only one confused by M&M's attire :confused3
Wish I had more time to post too but it really stinks...I went from NO time to post, to all the time in the world to post, to a little time to post and NOW heading back towards NO time to post :confused: too crazy!
I have not even made it to your TR again. But I want to popcorn::
really enjoying your trip report so far - the food in Palo looks amazing! Looking forward to your next installment.:goodvibes
So glad you are reading along! OMG Palo is YUMMY. Do not miss the chicken parm if you go to Brunch. But I will not talk of that now as it goes against all my Weight Watchers Dreams.:lmao:

Thanks to those of you who sent me well wishes with WW!
I was joining last week until Jamie came down with H1N1 Flu so I joined today. So I got an extra week to indulge :rolleyes1 hmmm I mean prepare so NO results yet!!
I gained almost 10 lbs on the cruise :scared1::eek::scared1::eek::scared1::eek::scared1 :!!!!!!!!!!
If I am not losing I am gaining! See I have got the motivational saying down pat already :thumbsup2

more soon, I hope!

cakesnjammom

02-04-2010, 02:40 PM

man oh man I have been really slack! so sorry :rolleyes1I think that it was hard to work on my trip report because I knew the magic was over. Not to mention, once I got home I started right back to work and it has all been a whirlwind. I have DCL fever again but no money. Those 2 do not make a good combo. I posted on my blog that dh better save up! My 40th b-day is coming in 10/2011.:wizard: I want to cruise. We had all talked about his family going too but they do not want to do DCL, the in-laws want a casino. They do not know what they are missing. But I guess we will just wait and see how it all pans out.
To those of you reading all the TR's you can before your trip...plan for amazing family memories and an unbelievable time that flies by ever so quickly! do what appeals to you at the moment: there is NO way to do it all and set aside somemoney to rebook while onboard...you willwant to go again!!;)

kileybeth

02-04-2010, 03:13 PM

aaawww, good to see you on again.

My DH and I rebooked for a year later, the WBTA in Sept '10 as it was such a great deal money wise. Turns out he can't get off work at that new job he was just starting back when we cruised. So we have switched to the EBTA which is in just 64 days, April '10. I am losing my mind!!! Happily but still? 64 days? Thankfully we are not taking the kiddos this time so no crazy luggage stories and car trips. We are flying this time and I fianlly got that all settled.

We are doing FE again. That was a hoot. Might have to use your quiz! Loved that!

Don't you worry Paige, your DH will get you back on the open seas again, he fell as much in love with cruising as you did!

I am finding out how addicting this cruise thing is. . .scary stuff.

My kids are asking to go back to Disney World and I am wanting to take them (it's been more then a year!) but sure wish they were asking to cruise again instead!

Have a great new year and stay warm, we are expecting more snow this weekend, blech!

cakesnjammom

02-04-2010, 03:26 PM

:thumbsup2kim OMG 64 days, I would being doing a dance and be overwhelmed all over again:cool1:. congrats!! so happy for you...cannot wait to hear all about it! Yep I bit off more than I could chew with this TR. :lmao: Sadly even though the bug did bite us both: it is just not in the stars for 2010. But I am hoping things will pick up for 2011. I would be happy to send youthe quiz! jlmk

your kids are so adorable. I know they must have had a blast too.

are you on facebook??? I keep up w/ some of our cruisers on there...if you are let me know so I can add you.

we are all just keeping on keeping on...same story, different day so that is why I have disney fever....the magic!!

glad to see your post!!

disneyfaninaz

02-04-2010, 04:21 PM

I just read your title and had to post.

I can totally relate! My DD was 7 on her first cruise and thought I was the best because I scheduled the cruise that all the characters were on. In other words, they weren't in Disney World that week, but on our ship!

dzneprincess

02-05-2010, 12:36 AM

we were on this cruise too and ur DH was funny!!

cakesnjammom

02-05-2010, 04:34 PM

and I see you are running away from home again....lucky duck dzneprincess!!

thanks he thought he was a celebrity!;)

cakesnjammom

03-02-2010, 12:19 PM

Well we are at it again; trying to plan a cruise and I could not be MORE excited. Some of you may have read that we want to travel with my in-laws in 2011 and they have opted not to cruise DCL (too expensive) even after all my DCL pitches:rolleyes1 but dh and I are talking about a 4n cruise in Sept 2010....actually Sept 19 one year to the day that we cruised the Magic. But things are not solid YET. My dh's car blew the head gasket and we have to buy a car :eek: and since things are so uncertain in sales these days I am waiting to see what we can afford before ACTUALLY booking. I even looked into RCCL FOS (I know, I know) and it is $500 cheaper but NO CC. And this would be our first time being castway club members (no biggie I know) but it would feel great. :yay:Our plans have changed every six minutes since we started planning....I wonder if that is a SIGN :idea:? We have decided RCCL Freedom of the Seas for Sept 2011 to travel with our in laws so if you have any input fill me in...it will be sad :guilty: to see the DREAM and not be on it but family trips w/ my in laws are so important.:love:
Share your thoughts....back in SIX minutes with my new itenarary:lmao: