EvilQueen's 2009 Birthday Trip [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

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I<3EvilQueen

11-09-2009, 02:43 PM

As I know I didn't do a Trip Report for various reasons when I was last down in the World in Sept, I wanted to say that I am planning on doing one for my trip down this weekend.

The Plan:
Leaving after work on Wednesday the 11th, a Three night Cruise on the Wonder (as my friends are taking me on if for my birthday). On the 15th (my actual birthday) we will be at the Magic Kindom, then a surprise dinner somewhere on property, followed up by Mickey's Not So Scary Christmas Party that evening.

So everyone pray my new camera works and that I get some great shots.

OrlandoMike

11-09-2009, 05:10 PM

:cool1: Gotta love Birthday trips!

followed up by Mickey's Not So Scary Christmas Party that evening.

Is that a new event? :confused3

I<3EvilQueen

11-09-2009, 05:47 PM

:cool1: Gotta love Birthday trips!

Is that a new event? :confused3

Only in my head. That is what we call every special party

Mickey's Not So Scary Pirate and Princess Party
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
Mickey's Not So Scary Christmas Party

Yeah we are dorks :-)

Hydani

11-09-2009, 06:05 PM

Ou, sounds like a fun trip :)
Have a great time on the Wonder and at the World. Don't forget to give a big hello to Mickey for us :goodvibes

ConcKahuna

11-09-2009, 07:54 PM

One night several years ago, a bunch of co-workers were going to MNSSHP. The few of us who had to work were cheered up when our manager Stephen pulled out his George Foreman grill and we had a cookout in the office.

It was called "Stephen's Not So Bitter Halloween Party". :rotfl:

jackskellingtonsgirl

11-13-2009, 04:38 PM

OrlandoMike

11-14-2009, 01:28 AM

You used a George Foreman grill in a DELUXE RESORT???!!! :scared1::scared1:

I think they put things on the door too! :sad2:

ConcKahuna

11-14-2009, 02:22 AM

You used a George Foreman grill in a DELUXE RESORT???!!! :scared1::scared1:

Well, I was actually at the campground at the time so it kinda fit the theme :thumbsup2:rotfl:

jackskellingtonsgirl

11-14-2009, 09:55 AM

Well, I was actually at the campground at the time so it kinda fit the theme :thumbsup2:rotfl:

OK, that's better. Thank you for clarifying! :goodvibes

Are there doors at the campground? :confused3

I<3EvilQueen

11-17-2009, 09:08 AM

Got back around midnight last night and I will download my pics and start my Trip Report tonight.

OrlandoMike

11-17-2009, 09:11 AM

Hope you had a great time!

I<3EvilQueen

11-17-2009, 10:20 AM

Hope you had a great time!

I did :-)

I<3EvilQueen

11-17-2009, 10:26 AM

Day Zero: Travel Day

We left Atlanta about 7pm and headed on our way to Orlando. We of course stopped along the way at Waffle House, and go into the Orlando area about 1am and checked into our room at La Quinta out near the airport.

This place was horrible. The bathroom and tub were gross, the room door looked like it was hung wrong (crooked), and next to the laundry room.

And the next morning we found out we were even next to the laundry room and there was some loud groaning and yelling going on in the room. I looked out and saw a woman who seemed mentally disturbed out there, "talking" to herself.

The hotel didn't even have their breakfast out as promised. We got outta there as soon as possible and headed to the port.

Next Up: Day One Port and First night of the Cruise.

mikelan6

11-17-2009, 01:19 PM

I love these reports :goodvibes

I<3EvilQueen

11-17-2009, 10:05 PM

Ok I was trying to post an update and photos, but I seem to be having issues. What site do you guys use to host your photos?

DVC~OKW~96

11-18-2009, 07:56 AM

I<3EvilQueen

11-18-2009, 08:24 AM

Day Number One

After leaving the Hotel Orlando-horror with the weirdness growing at the bottom of the tub (I had to put a towel down in the tub to take a shower).

We were off to the port and got there about eleven. I was so excited when we saw the ship as I was going to finally use my passport :-)

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00036.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00037.jpg

I don't like my holidays to mingle but I wasn't going to be able to avoid it this trip. As Christmas was in full bloom at everything Disney

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00039.jpg

My friend Roy and I got our picture with Dock Walker Minnie and then shortly we were on the ship shortly after noon.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00041.jpg

And here is Brian the other co-star on this vacation

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00045.jpg

We ate at Beach Blanket Buffet for lunch, but the weather was so windy and cold we didn't enjoy it all that much. Brian and Roy gave me a quick tour and I had to stop to get a pic and show my Trek Geekiness...

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00050.jpg

Then it was off to find our stateroom, and we were pleasantly surprised to find out we were upgraded to a room with a veranda.

We unpacked and went to a DVC gathering, it was very boring. Then it was off to dress for the shows and for dinner.

The Golden Mickeys "....are TONIGHT", as Rona Rivers loved to say.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00061.jpg

After the Golden Mickeys (which I LOVED btw), it was time for our dinner seating and Animator's Palate was first up in our rotation.

Our Waiter was Kalou (from France) and our Assistant Waiter was Tricia (from Trinidad and Tobago).

I had the following:
"Mulan" Chilled Gazpacho
Penne Pasta: In Parmesan Cream, topped with Turkey Breast and Prosciutto
Cranberry and Orange Cheesecake

We were seated with a trio from the UK. A DVC member named Gemma and her Mum and Dah.

The seas were very rough this night, but at least I didn't get sick (just a little woozy).

Tony-NJ

11-18-2009, 09:22 AM

So sorry about the hotel - yuck!

Can't wait to hear more abouty the cruise! Day 1 sounds great so far!

MAF

11-18-2009, 10:35 PM

You're so cute. Can't wait to hear what comes next! :)

I<3EvilQueen

11-19-2009, 09:06 AM

Day Two

When we woke up we were pulling into Nassau.

These were the views from our veranda. I was loving how blue the water was, it was never this blue at the beaches of South Carolina.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00074.jpg
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We had breakfast at Parrot Cay and then headed down to the Lounge to check in for our Sea and See excursion. We (at least Brian and I) were excited to find out that we were in the Pocahontas group, and so I had to get a picture of the Pocahontas Paddle of Power.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00077.jpg

We walked into the port:

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00081.jpg

And boarded this:
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00098.jpg

The boat took out pass Paradise Island where the tour guide kept pointing out the houses of Oprah, Tom Cruise, and Nicolas Cage. At least he could have been telling the truth...Yah Mon. (He keep saying "Yah Mon" all the time.)

When we got out to the Marine National Park we boarded a glass walled Sub to look at the coral and fish life in the area.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00086.jpg
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It was very fun, after the Sea portion we boated back to the port and after some confusion we boarded a bus for the "See" portion of the tour. We were driven around the tourist area of the city and saw the Government House, The Governor General's House, Fort Fincastle, and got stuck in traffic due to the funeral of the Governor General's wife.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00102.jpg
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http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00119.jpg

Because we were stuck in traffic the tour guide had to repeat the few facts about the Bahamas that he had. So we learned about the economy of the country about ten times. After the "see" portion of the tour we headed to the straw market where I had fun barganing for a $2 shot glass and coffee mug :-) My take on Nassau would be that if haven't been there before that you should go explore it, and I think next time we will head over to Atlantis, otherwise I would just recogmend that you make Nassau a ship day.

We headed back to the ship for lunch and to swim in the pool for awhile. Then it was time to get dressed for the show and dinner.

The show was:
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00125.jpg
The show was just ok. The songs were strange but the tech and the special effects were great.

Dinner was at Parrot Cay and I had the following to eat:
Baked Crab Dip Martinque
Cold Cream of Mango and Papaya Soup (which was really good)
Mixed Grill - grilled beef tenderloin, lamb chop, bacon-wrapped sausage and jumbo shrimp with a cabernet mushroom sauce
For Dessert: at selection of the offerings

And then the wait staff brought out this:
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00133.jpg

The cake wasn't that great but the chocolate ship was really good. Then it was off to the top decks for the:

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00135.jpg

And the most exciting was fireworks at sea
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00143.jpg

It was funny that as we were out on our veranda that night that we noticed how slow the ship was moving (as Castaway Cay isn't that far from Nassau).

Edit: We also went to the movie theatre on the ship and saw "A Christmas Carol" and I really liked it, it was probably the best version (and creepiest) I have ever seen.

Tony-NJ

11-19-2009, 08:09 PM

loving it! I would love fireworks at sea!

Oh and when we sailed from St thomas to Tortola overnight - the ship basically went in cricles as you can almost swim to Tortola from St Thomas LOL!

I<3EvilQueen

11-23-2009, 02:19 PM

I'll post more tonight (hopefully). I had to work all weekend at the arena.

Saxton

11-23-2009, 02:54 PM

I'm really enjoying your tr - I've never read one for a cruise before. The fireworks must have been amazing.

I<3EvilQueen

11-23-2009, 02:57 PM

I'm really enjoying your tr - I've never read one for a cruise before. The fireworks must have been amazing.

I really enjoyed the fireworks. The ship can turn in place to control the direction of the wind, and the whole firework display is set to "I Need A Hero" which is one of my favorite songs.

MAF

11-23-2009, 09:38 PM

What Disney movie is "I Need I A Hero" from? Never heard of it. :confused3

I<3EvilQueen

11-23-2009, 09:41 PM

What Disney movie is "I Need I A Hero" from? Never heard of it. :confused3

I believe "I Need A Hero" was in Footloose Originally. The song fits the part of the story that happened during the Pirates IN the Caribbean party.

I<3EvilQueen

11-24-2009, 09:10 AM

Day Three

Woke up to this sight:
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00144.jpg

I was excited to finally see and experience Castaway Cay. Sadly, even though it was warm, and sunny (for most of the day) the wind was really strong so it seemed that all the excursions were canceled. So we headed to Beach Blanket Buffet to have breakfast and then headed out to the island to relax on the beach.

Along the way I met a pirate and asked him where the rum was kept.
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00151.jpg

We walked to Serenity Bay and tested the water. COLD.
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00158.jpg

So instead we just relaxed in the chairs and read awhile. I kept cruising one of the CMs waiters and the wind would blow up his shirt every so often and I got to see his sexy happy trail. After awhile I wanted to wade in the ocean some, but I learned that I should have gotten some water shoes as the water had a lot of rocks (coral?) littering the bottom.

We walked down the beach and then came back and I enjoyed just relaxing for once by digging my feet in the sand for a bit more, and making fun of some of the people on the beach. One of the people that we made fun of the most was someone we named “Kite Boy”.

Kite Boy was this “brilliant” man who decided that he wanted to fly a kite in the air (the really, really windy air) which was blowing in from the ocean. So the kite would barely stay in the air over our heads and would suddenly take a dive bomb down onto some poor unexpecting woman trying to get some sun between clouds. Occasionally the kite would land in the water, and get wet and sandy. Then Kite Boy in his wisdom would try to fly it again, thus getting everyone in a large portion of the beach wet from the kite sprinkling on us. After awhile of this we headed to lunch down at Cookie’s BBQ.

Cookie’s was alright, better than Pinnochio’s Pizza Place, but not as good as Goofy’s Galley. After lunch we headed back to the ship where we swam in the Quiet Cove pool.

Then I changed into my Cruise Ship wear and we went to play shuffle board, foos ball, and then bingo.
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00160.jpg
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http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00159.jpg

This was my first time playing bingo with the electronic machine. It was fun but I didn’t win. For $50 I got a free pen and a tiny Tinkerbell Coin purse.

After bingo we got dressed for the show and dinner. The show was Disney Dreams, I enjoyed it, but thought the Gold Mickey’s was better. Dinner was at Triton’s.
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00164.jpg

I had the following:
“Prince Eric’s” Escargot Gratines
Tomato & Basil Soup
Crispy Roasted Duck Breast
Crème Brulee

After dinner we had to pack so we could have our luggage in the hall by 11pm to be picked up for our disembarkation the next morning.

jackskellingtonsgirl

11-24-2009, 09:38 AM

Kite Boy would have had a kite protruding from his butt if he had come within 20 yards of me. Good thing I wasn't there! ;)

zeitzeuge

11-24-2009, 11:01 AM

OrlandoMike

11-24-2009, 11:03 AM

I've always been hesitant about cruises, but I think a nice 3 or 4 day Land and Sea cruise would be perfect.

If you have never cruised before, Disney is the perfect line for the first time!

I<3EvilQueen

11-24-2009, 11:09 AM

Great trip report and pictures! Sounds like the perfect Birthday. :) I think you've convinced me to try taking a Disney Cruise. I've always been hesitant about cruises, but I think a nice 3 or 4 day Land and Sea cruise would be perfect.

I think you should. Even though there was alot to do, and stayed busy it was nice to sort of be "forced" to relax. As I stay busy it is nice to relax even if only for about 30 min.

TuckandStuiesMom

11-25-2009, 07:53 PM

Awesome trippie! and I agree with MAF --you and your friends are total cuties!:)

I<3EvilQueen

11-25-2009, 10:00 PM

Day 4 and Day 5 are on the way. I forgot to photobucket the pics today

I<3EvilQueen

11-28-2009, 09:20 PM

Day Four: Birthday at Disney World

We disembarked from the Wonder and headed to Disney World. We checked into Port Orleans: French Quarter. I really liked the decor of this resort as I love New Orleans.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00172.jpg

From there we headed to the Magic Kingdom to get my birthday gift card (as I already have an AP). We heard that Space Mountain was in testing so we headed there to ride it. No wait at all.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00180.jpg

We stayed in Tomorrowland for awhile, and then went to get a hot dog at Casey's. Was a bit shocked to actually have to pay for food after being on the ship for awhile and having "free" food available at any time. We got our food and went to see the "Move it, Shake it, Celebrate it" Parade (or whatever it is called.)

**Warning the pics of me on this day are horrible**

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00184.jpg

Since it was my birthday I got to pick the rides:

Magic Kingdom: Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear, TTA, Big Thunder, Jungle Cruise, and Mickey's Philharmagic.

Then we headed over to Epcot via the monorail. We got the "new" monorail: Teal that was made from the undamaged parts of the two from the crash earlier this year. A bit creepy at first knowing it history.

At Epcot we rode Spaceship Earth and got a Strawberry Oolong Tea Slushee in China then it was time to head to my "Surprise" birthday dinner.

I knew it was on the monorail loop so we headed back to the Magic Kingdom area and got off at the Grand Floridian and saw the Gingerbread House

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00189.jpg

Then it was off to:
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00190.jpg

THe food was really good but the service was very slow, and then it was fun watching my friend Brian get upset because it was clear that the waitress wasn't told that he ordered a cake for me. So after a bit of "discussion" the waitress and the manager came with my cake.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00197.jpg

After dinner it was back to the Magic Kingdom for:

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00210.jpg

I used my Birthday gift card to get a pin book to officially keep my souvenier pins in. I basically get pins to record each trip like the year, where I stayed and anything new going on at the time.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00200.jpg

We watched the stage shows, watched the fireworks but we didn't stay for the parade as we were tired. So we wrapped up my birthday day with a soda at the Floatworks.

Thanks to Brian and Roy for a great birthday, but there was more to come in Day 5 :-)

I<3EvilQueen

11-30-2009, 11:12 AM

Day Five

We woke up and head to breakfast at Chef Mickey's. This was fun at it was my first time.
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00212.jpg
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http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00216.jpg
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http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00219.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00217.jpg

After breakfast we headed to Downtown Disney for a brief walk through Marketplace and then it was off to one of the most exciting events in my life. We headed back to the coast and parked along A1A for this.....

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00230.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00231.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00232.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/Ken_in_Atlanta/DSC00238.jpg

Watching a shuttle launch has been on my bucketlist since I was a child. It was amazing to finally get to see.

After this the long drive home was ahead of us, but as you can see it was a great trip.

DVC~OKW~96

11-30-2009, 07:52 PM

I am SO glad that you were able to see the launch!!! The entire trip sounds wonderful, but that is a capper, eh? :teeth:

Nice reports and great photos. Wonderful to see very happy faces! ::yes::